2 ^/^ o ^' I 4 « ^ PRINCETON, N. J. '^" < Collection of Puritan Literature. Division ...,.•*?. >-"':'>«--- Sectwn ^. ...3./ ^^' Number \ ■ ' * tAron-bimtiHcha i AN ANTIDOTE TO CURE J The CALAUITES of their Trembling For fear of the zjfr^, { To which is added M-^ CI^OFTOJ^s CREED Touching Church-Communion. - ^' - WITH \r ' . YOWV A brief Anfwcr to the Fofithn (pretended to be) taken out of his Pocl{ct^ and addexl to the cnSTof^a SafficLlons and Schifmatkal Pamphlet,' Entituled, JEKZ^BB'AAL JVSTIFIED.^ ( Num. X. 35. Pfal.LXVni. i. ExurgAt Deu^^ DiffipcntMr InimicL f LONDON^ Printed for Kiehard Kflj/?w, Book-feller to His Moft Sacred Majefty. 1663. '^^^»^fm^mmmmmmKffmri'f'''^^mmigmmmm I c r ho't h"^^ ^'<^^^. Cf^ -it I ^f ' ^if I * \ \ TO r Schifmc The Strenuous IMTVCNEKS oR and ^ Rcbellior, /^Supremacy, The Ingenuous ASSEK70KS oi ihc Kings^^' """^^Ij^ CDignity, (T Hierarchy The Zealous FA7K0NS of the Churches^ and ^Liturgy, r^xrc r§^'''"7 :?lnGodsPnblick TheVigorous CH^MPJON^of^^jnd^^^ ^ Worfhip, The Honourable REPRESENTATIVE O F All the COMMONS oi ENGLAND Now in PARLIAMENT Affembled, UNDER The Moft Excellent and Anj^icious Maje/ly OF CHr ^/^3 . The Ordinances andfolemn mrjhlf C of God under the Gojpel 6 <^i. BJwhpfe Authority ? Davids 7 2. Under rvhcfe Minifirj ? The Priejls aad Levitei 8 Cdcnfecration 9 ThQlt< Subordination 9 CConformitj with 10 f ^(t;/^^ Mdinte- thereof ytriit Difcifline r, Thetranf- porfarion of tfeArk 3. With whatC£/^^r/ Train and kx,' xo6 His CrASC i X. \infi7riu3^roffiltby lucre. p. 1 5.1.1. r, 19 bold uifteadj, 'p.ij.l.H.r. in his $wn fteai, p.jo.l.ip.r.uponir. f.^S.lxi.T, returned, f,SiX^.Y,ufurped,* P I iPilij Ubey be not dbufei to the ccnfufioi fnlEe Marscnc, p.5.r T&m i<8. j.102 4.6OT. C(n/Y\awi^y DISCOURSE Occafioned by M' Calamies LATE SERMON, INTITULED Ell trembling for fear of the ArJ\. I C hR O N. l6, I. So they brought the Ark of Gei^ and fet it in themldftof the Tent that Do.vi(} had pitched for it ^ and they offer- ed burnt Sacrifices and Peace Offerings before God. ^ T is the felicity of affliaion, that when ^ it willfuffef us tohnde relief in no- thing cUe, it drives us unto God for refuge: And the diftreffed foul, that (he may lay the ftr v>ngcrenf»agement tor herfuccouruponGod, (he doth ufuallyla, a ft ridtobligadn of grati- tude upon her felf . la hii troubles David (tvare unto the Lord andvowedavotvuntothe Almighty Godof J'acob. ^ apiVu jp.i. ' B A "^'" t4tar»=, a Ifraers Gratnlation for ' A Vow t^at could not but meet with a very gracious ac- cep aionj for thus he refolves, / mil not come tvithin the 7abernacle6f mj hou[e ^ nor climbe up into my ted. I ^^*^' fvi/l notz^ue jluf to mine eyes , or jlumber to mine eje lids^ Uniil ifi'de out a f lace for the Lordly an Habitation for the nai^hiy God if ^aiohi He would not enjoy anyfettle- ment'iq himiJf, till he had provided a fectlementfor thi Ark ot God. Inrhis Vow his general aim was Gods glory; but a coll. eral beaefit would redound to himfelf byit> (for it IS impoffible wefhould entertain a defigne to pleafe God 5 but to our own advantage ) He had fomctimes been diiven into bani(hment through the feverity of a jcaV usPnnce, upon the fuggeftions of malicious Ad- verfar'es^ but the gall and wormwood of his exile, wa^, hisfequcft at onfromthe Ark^ the holy Ordinances and worfhip ot his God. When I remember the je things ^ I Pfel. 42. 4. T^^^ ^^^ ^1 {^^^ ^^ ^^ 5 f^^ ^ ^^^ S^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ multiti$de^ 1 went wish them to the Hottfe of God ^ with the voice of joj andpraife , with the multitude that kept holj^ day : But be- ing now c^eonved of the comfort of this Communion* a .dof t^ efe Solemnities,he cries ou^^/ the Hartpanteth Vcrfe 1, 2. ^p^^ ^ ,^^ ^^^^^ Brooks^ fo panteth m) foul after thee God. Mf {outthirflethfor God^ for the living God^ When^all I come and appear before God f This, this was the bicternefs of his cxle^ the faddeft ftrain and burden of his lamen- tation. As foon thereforeas becomes to bepoffefs'd of peace, as the fruit of thofe many Vidories wherewith a Sam. ;. i. Almighty God had Crown'd him ^ He refolves to per- form his former Vow , and tender ir as a P.^ace-offering to the God of W Salvation. Now ihe Sijvereign pow- er is in his hands, and the Kingdom at his difpofal, no- thing (hall excommunicate him from the vifible fymbols c^. \L Qf gq^j gracious prefence. The Ci^ of Bavid /ball be the Arh^s Solemn Settlement. ^ be the Seat of Gods folcmnworfhip^ and a Tenti>,all be prepared, wherein the ficred Ark (hall keep its Reli- dence; and all //r^^/lliall be invited to waic upon the Solemnity ot its Inthronization 5 So thej brought the Ark pf Cdd^ &CC. In which words we have three general Parts. 1. TheTianfporcation or Conduct ot the Ark: So thej i^rougbt the Ark of Cod. a. The Situation or placing of it: And {they) fet it in the mid/l of the Tent that David had f itched for it. 3. The Gratulation or Thankf-giving tor ir^ And the J effered burnt Sacrifices and Feace offerings before God. The Objeft of all this Care, this Indeerment and joy, is the Ark of God: Touching which I fhould give you ' an account of three things > The Structure -^ lheF//r- tUture ; And the Signification of it 5 But of all thefe the great Apoftle had not leafure enough to fpeak particu- ^^^ larlyj no more have I : But I (ball (ay what may be fuf- ficicnc, by way of Introduftion to a n:edful Difcourfe, for the undeceiving a miferably-cheated aad feduced people. !• For the Strudure of the Ark 5 Ic was to be of Shiitim Wood , a moft folid Wood, that would not putrifie : and that wai to be over- laid with be.itcn Gold > tot as God delights in the incorruption and purity of things and p;tfon$ Dedicated to his Service 5 So he de- fires to make the Monumcnrs of his own Love and Mer- cy everlafling cons. It was ftird the Ark of the Covenant, becaufeit con- , KmesS. ir. rained the Law, which was the Condition Upon which God did Efpoufe that people, and promife to make them happy, 2. It was ftiled Tht Ark of the Teflimonj^ becaufe ic £ 2 was I A Kr^LcVsGratnlationfor w^sthcEvUerjceoi Gods Willmd Counfelj and was ready alfo to make out Evidence and %\vt Teftimonj a- * Mcn^^X- in gainft Tranfgr.ffours. * Si quis alicujus [ccleru confcius \^oi\a' ^cccdcbat^ impunitp^nonabibat: If any guilty perfon did approach it, it would not let him depart unpunilhed. Wfien Me^es had made a Conqueft of tht Madianius^ he made an order, that amongft the women that wete taken Num. 31.175^8 p^ifoners, theTiV^w onely (hould be reprieved from death: But how did they make the ^//i:r/wf/«4//^»^ The H (brews tell u$, that, being all prefented before the Ark^ the Virgins remained as inviolate as their chaftitj 5 the reft were ftruck with an /;7^'//J^/^ violence, and/?// before the MAjcflatick prefence )f it. And fuch was the L^te^ r^ that difcovered the TA^/; and ^4m/r4[r^ committed at Jericho ^ whenall the //r4r/i/e/ marched by a$ innocent and unconcerned, the Ark did deprehend and arreft the jo(b.7. 14. guilty Achafi -^ he could not quit himfelf of the miracu-^ lou^{t\zmt^ nor deny this f^f/V^accufation. 3. It is ftiledT^^ Ark&f God^ becaufe God was the Authour and Founder of it 5 He prefcribed the;>4r/x andthew^mr, the /^rw and ikefAJhion, the «yi and the Jervice of it 5 He conferr'd the grace and benefits that did 4Prai.';9i. fl)wfromir: This was his Seat ^^ his Habitations ^ his tpral.747. Court''^ \{\%Thr6nt^^ his place of rr/Ji/^«r^*j where he 'lyxAiTi, ^^d vouchfaFe his gracious prefence, and is therefore f P:'al.3i.io. digniied with the title of Jehovah^. rvTs'T^^ Andinre erenceto the people ifrael^ this Ark was their Glorj^ iltxx Strength^ their Beauty : The Glerj is de- g I Sam.4. farted from I [rael^ s faith the wife of PhineaSy when the Ark of God was taken : And the Pfalmift (liith, God de- \iver Qd their flrength into Captivitjy and their beauty inta fcpral.78. 61. the Erjcmles hands^. If they wanted dire^ion, here /sxod.i5."'jfigy had the 0r4^/es herethey were admitted to confe- Knee with God himftlf^ There I mM meet with thee^ (faith the Arises Solemn Settlement. 5 (faith the Lord co Mofes) and 1 mU commune tvith thcfj from above the Mercj feat^ from hcttveen the two Cheru- bins J which are ufon the Ark of the Tejlimonj, of all things which I will give thee in Commandment unto the Children of Jfrael. And becaufe tht.y were worthily admired among all Nations for the Laws and Ordinances * which * D^u:.^.^, lhey//;/^ieceiv.d, thi$ might very well be caMeJ their Ciorj • (not to noention the luftre of the Ark it felf, or the fplendourof DivineMajefty that appeared in it.) It" they wanted frote^ion^ here they had an hofl of Angels^ the invincible Chariots of Cod, to pitch their Tents about them, reprefented by the Cheruhini over- (hado wing the -^^^^7-7^4/ with their oucftretchcd wingsj upon which account the Ark is called their ftrength : And if they were ^(/I/r^ and wanted pardon, here they had the Pro- fitiatorj^ and the Mercy feat ^ and becaufe that foul is bleffed and amiable in Gods eye whofe fin is covered and blotted our, therefore the Ark was (tiled their beauty. This Ark did adumbrate the Myjlery of the Incarna- tton *. It was a Type of Chrift, in whom the co^rfe wood yiiccmmi was overLiid with fure gold, in that the fulne^ of theor'If.*4f'^^'''"' Godhead dwelt in him bodily. He is the Oracle of his r^oi x*.i©2. Church; tor God fpake to us ^jf i&AT own Son^ in whom^'^^'j'"^^^** were hid not the Tables of the Law only, but all the ireafures of wifdom and knowledge. He is the Mercy- feat, and the Propitiatory 5 for God hath fet him forth to b^afropitiation through faith in his blood: And he hath Roai.j.i^ proftrated Dagon^ and cut off his bands and head ^ in i Sam. 5.4. that he hath dettated the ^ii'rjJ^^j and diflblved the works of the Devil. In him we have the Cherubins adoring him * 5 and their wings to (helter us 1 5 The Angels af 1^'^^f^^^ tending and defcending upon the Myftical body of the "'•"^' Sonof man^ tominiftertofuchasfliall be Heirs of Sal Hib.i.ult. vation. He is made unto us wifdom and rightcoufnej? :i(\d fanfliji* 6 Ihaers Gratulationfor 1 Cor. r. (an^ipcAtion and redcmfticn , and is theglorj $f his fco- *fo,Gerbard, ^' This Ark i$a Type of the Church, ^ wbicbis the Loc.com. de Rtfofuorj of the holy Scriptures ^^m^ the Ordinances dfdi* \^,Zm\hil '^^"^ Worjbip'^ Where the ^r.^/?/iincamp5 where the p. i6i! * Counfel of God is revealed 5 where Mercy and Pardon are difpenced. ' 3. This is a Tyfe of the Gofpelt^ which is the w^ri t?e. Boific. of wifdo^^ znd thtwindof Chrifi"^ -^ zmjfierj yfhichthQ ^ll^X'^^i. Angels defire to look intoh and fo it anfwers to the Ora- * 1 Cor. 1. \6, cle > It is the pledge of our feac$^ ih^word of Reconcilia- 1 Pet. I. IX. ^ipj^ . 2j^j f^, anfwers to ihemercj-Seat i h is the Magazin and Armory^ whence we aiefurniflbed with arms and firength for ourChriftan warfare: It puts upon us the n?^^/^ Armour of God^ the i A'^/ they had no Warrant for it ^ Ic was done by David's , by the Kings Authority and Example: It was obferved by the Phi- lofopher,that the King ought to be tuy 'jrfU li^ 06»j xJ^/or, the Supreme Gove nour of things that pertain to divine Worfliip: The Model oi this Ark was atfirft given by God to Mofes > it was Iiis Concern to fee ic made, being the Supreme Governouri and David's to fee it kep^ The higheft Honour the Rojal Office entitles Princes to, i$j to be Defenders of the Faith ., I ideed Princes may do much CO the advantage of Religion , as well by the en- couragement of their Example, as by their Authority 5 audit is their /«rfr^/? to do their utrcrmofts for, T hofe i,$Am,%: that honour me will I honour , faith the Lord > And it is faid of Ljcurgm , that he commanded nothing in his Laws I 8 IfraeFs Cratnlation for Laws that he did not confirm by his example > and of AgefiUus ^ itisfaid, that he firftof all performed that himielt which he did injointo others* and David will not only make one, but lead the Dance in this holy So- lemnity J and invite others by the force of his example 5 Ffil J4. 11 2.^ will hlef the LordMaU times 9 His praife fhaU cBntint^- ' ' ' ally be in mj mouth: My jenl Jhall make her haft of the Lord : 7 he humble jhall hear thereof and be glad i O magnipe the Lord with me 5 and let us exalt his name together: When fuch eminent perfons (hall advance Ecdus. lo.j; ^^'^ Standard ot Piety, a plentiful train will follow; yisthe Judge of the people is himfdf^ fo are his officers % and what manner of man the Ruler of the City is, fuch are all they that dwell therein : But the /// prefident findes moft followers 5 men learn fooneft to write after a foul Copy 5 Good examplesi for the moft part , gain more reverence then imitation : It is not enough therefore for a Prince to commend Piety by bis Example j old Ell did fo much > He muft Imprint it by the Royal Stamp of his Authority : And to go regularly to work, he muft inihefirftplace^ exercife his Authority in fctling the Hierarchy of the Church, under whofe infpeilion and Miniftry the Ark is to be coadudied 5 i nd thus did Da- *vid^ I Chron. 15. 1 1, 12. ArJ David called for Zadek and Abiathar^thePriefts^ and for the Levites -^ for Uricl^ Ajaiahandfoel^ S hem at ah ^ and E lie I ^ and Aminadab ^ And f aid unto them , Te are the chief of the Fathers of the Levitei 5 f^n^ifie your felves both , ye and your brethren, that ye maybring up the Ark of the Lord Cod of Ifraelunto 1 1. the place that 1 have prepared for it. The Hierarchy ^\\\% was the Hierarchy under whofe Jnfpeffion and keviit'"^ JV/w/f-ytheferviceof the Ark waicobeaccompliftied 5 wherein /^r^^ things are coniiderable. i- Ti'dtConfe- cration and San6tity. 2 . T^eir Subordination and Inequa- lity. 3. ^h^'ix Regulation and Conformity. i.Of tic Arh^s Solemn Settlement. p ^ v. Of their Confecr^tion and San^itj: It vras not enough for then to be of the Tribe of Levi , (though God had :aken that Tribe inftead oiibtfirjl born *of *N^nib.j.^, every Family , to minifler unto him) there was a folemn ^^'^ ^ ** reparation of [heir perfons to the lacred Office ; They were to be folemnly Anointedy ConfecrAte /and Hallomd^ to minifttr in the PWf/?J Office * : and the Zm^^/ were aEtod.19 «: to be cUdnfedSc (olemnly dedicated h^ioxQ the Lord, that Nanb. ^ ^ they might execute the fervice of the Lord ^5 and this ^Ma^.b.s.j.ft: was required indifpenfably, under pain of death ^ : And h- befidesthis Confecration of their perfons, there wa^a^^^'^^*^*'°' prefatory fandirying , by way of preparation unto the addicfs, before they did officiate , iChron.i^^ia^ So thePriefls and Levites fan^ified themfelves to bring up the Ark cfthe Lord God of l/rael. a. Vorth^it Subordination and Inequality^ this com- menced with the Ark it felf, by Gods own immediate Order: Axron^ as aTypeof Chrift , was head of all; but BLea\4r and Ithamar (no fuch Types (to be fure) in ^jr^r/jlifeiime) hough under A/>», had very large ju- risdicHons^ d\\x\.t Levttes were under their infpe(5tion and command, Numb.^^^. BeSdes the family of Aaron^iVtit were the Families of Cohath^ Cnfhon^ and Merari : Ot Cohath the e were four Families, and each family had its CW,!/, ot Ruler -^ and over all thTe was Elizaphan^ : Of Gerjhon there we:e rm^ families 5 and each ot them had its hetd^ and over ^N^Il^b.^5o: borh the e was E'iafaph^: Of Merari were ttp^ families i /^.Tcrf. n*^ and each of them had its hiad^ aud ovec thefe was Zuri- el^i N >w all the Gerjhjnites , with their Heads or Brefi- dents ^ which weie 2630. And all the Mtrarites ^ wuh their Guides or Prefidents , which were 3200. were un- der Ithamars infptftion. Numb 4. 28, :$v'33. Eleazar had hij own family, with the Fathers and Heads thereof : C And 10 UneVs CratHlatioa; for And the Cohathites^ with the Rnlers thereof (in nun^ber 2750J a$ his peculiar 2)w and Z4- a^nro. 16.3^. ^^^ ^ ^^^ Tabernacle at Cibeer^. There was a frfi and fecond even amongft the high Priefts j a Kings 25. 18* Andhowexa^ly D^i'/^ fetled this /^/^r4rf Ajf in itsftate of Subordinatior^ and Inequality ^ (when 38000. were put-intoa4. Courfes, under fomany Preftdentsy and all thefe under the Jurisdiftion and Government of- Za^ d6k2.n^ Ahimelech) you may finde at large, i Chron. i^^ 24^25, &26. Chapters 5 more particularly and con- cilely, I Chron. 24. 3 , 4, & 5, verfes# The Governours oiihtSanlfuary , d.ndo( the Ho f^fe of God , wereof the Son% oi Elea^ar^ and of theSonsof ithamar^ and the offices were diftribured for the facred fervice: But of the Sens of Elca\ar there were (ixteen Chiefs under Za- dok • and but eight of the Sons oilthamar under Ahimc* lech: This leads us to 3. Their Regulation and Conformity. The Priefts in their Courfes applied themfelves to ^Wr fervice > and aChrcn.8.T4,^^^ Ltvitesio ihtii Charges f topraife andminifterbe- fore the Priefts, as the duty of every day requiredt Noe a the Arises SoJenm Settlement. ^ ^ a Non-Conformift amongft them : What part of the holy FunsSiion was aflign'd them they care ully obfervedj and kept their flat ton. nddecerum exa(5Hy accoiding to the tenourot the facied Canon: And that they might have no incouragement or pretence to do otherwife^ this Hierdrchj of the Church wa> fupporre J by a double pro- vifion: I. O^M'i^rJtenance. 2. Oi Di[ciflint. • 1. Their Maintenance did n )t depend upon ih^ libe- ralitj of the people; they hid M honourable allowance fetled by Law ^ by a divine^ inviolable right 5 So that they had no temptacion to hurrj the Ark af er the humour of the people 5 to gratifie either their needs or their ava- rice > Having the Lord for ihQiv portion , they difdain'd, with a generous contempt, to betray the ^^;?^«r and in- tereft of tKe Aik, or the confidence and good meanin^^oi, well difpofeH people, to gaint!.elitile impofts and^/-/- Ipery^irt^ filthy lucre: And 2. Incakoi Bxorbitancj^ thetQWl^^x Coercive pow* cr in that Hierarchy^ to puniih the difoiderly p.ifon, ac- cord ng to the q »aliry of h;$ offence 5 not only wirh jpl- r//»4/pe alties, as fufpe/zfio^i from che holy Fun^lijii^, iFirai.^i. and Excommunication from the holy Offices of rhe ^^J^"^ *^* 8. Church^i but with c^r/?^r/j/puniQniemsallbj osimpri- ^ jcr.VcA? jonmeni^ 5 and in fome cafes, with fj/;^ ^/W??*^ : This Cap.iyii^. Maintenance and D^fcifline kept up Order and Conformity ^ ^'^^^^^7-1*^ amongft them ; So t! a. under the Authority and influ- ence of D4X'/,^ , theKng, you have the Fwy?^ and Z,f- vites marihallcd , the Hierarchy of ' he Chu ch ready to attend the procedion and folemn fervice ot the A k. But . priva'e Office, perform'd by the Prieft and Le- 1 1 1. vite, or the Prielt .;nd his Clerk, will not ferve Davids Jlj'J^'i^j,''"'^ turn 5 He muft h ve the Ark c )nduJted in fuch :n £^«i- ptf^fas becomes the divine M jefty itreprefen'ed ^ and to this end he fummon'd his Elders and Captains^ and C 2 the mm i/x Kt^icVsGratnlationfar the chofen men of ifrael^ to make up a Train of Acteni dants tor this great Solemnity, Firfi^ The Eldeis 5 Chrifts Government differs from SJcet. in xh^i of Other Princes 5 The Govertimtnt was upon his orif i^/^' ihsuldcrs 5 but the Government is too great a burden lor the feeble (boulders of other Princes % Moje's (houU ders did (brink under it : They are glad therefore of AuxilUries to aflift them $ and fuch are their Elders and their Captains : But judgement is to be ufed in the choice of T/jcfe-^ For in the Machinaox Engine of Folitie^ the lower Wheels^ to which the fe$fU are more immedi- ately affixed 9 have the firongeft impulfe into their mo- tion : The great Wheel of Sovereign Authority , let it move never fo orderly, if the motion oi [ubordinvte M^-^ giftrat :sbeirrf^»/4r, the force of their ill example will h.vea more powerful influence upon the people, and carry their inclinations after it: Hereupon J^d/^r^? advi- feth Mofes to male choice of men fearing God^ to htfub- erdinate Magiftra^es 5 and David exhorteth not only Kiugs in iheir own perfons, but fuch as are put in Autho" ritf under them^ PHil. i. Be wife n$w therefore ye Kings^ be infl ru6led^tf that are fudges of the earthy ferve the Lord trithfear-j and kifi the Son left he be angry i Princes are the more concern'd to have an eye to Fietj and virtue inihdt of fcers ^ becaufe the people think, forthemoft part, that they may read the Princes inclinations in their ^sym, 10. 1. pjaiSifes t : Spots in the Sun and Moon are better difco- vered by obferving them in their Reflexes and Images in the water, then by looking upon their own bodies in their Motions: In confideration whereof, as wdl for reafonof fla^easconfcience, David might refolve as he doth, Pfat. ior.6. Mine eyes fhall he upon the faithful of theUvd, that they may dwell with me: Hethatwalkethina perfc^way^ heftjall ferveme^ Ic is to be prefumedj that as the Arises Solemn Settlement. i ^ 7% it wn$ in E^ekiels Widon 5 thefe Wheels of Subordinate Cip. 1. Gorernours do move according 10 the motion of the Sfirit that is in the Uvm^^ CreatftrCy the origmAl and vital Fountain of Authority. God takes of ihQ Jpint oi Mofes^ r:nd puts it upon thole EUers that were to Ihare with him in the burden ot the Government under him^Somc other gidJy fpirir might have put the whole frame of Govern- meri: into diforder and confufion ; but being a(^ed by the fame f^irit with Mojes , they aime at the fame cnd^ and carry on the [amt difi^ne^ to Gods glory and the well-fare of the people; Vfh^n the /pirit oi Mo/es re/led ^^mb. 11.17: ufonthem^ thtj Profhefiedanddid noj.ceafe^ that is. Ex ''^f'^* ^^' Dei inftinili^ Deum^ Dei^ laudes cdetrabant > ibey were infpired to celebrate the praifes of the Almighty, The Elders chat Rule mil under a pious Prince , they do c$r^ f^/f^;?iand comply with him in his D^o/^//^;?/ 5 asthofe Blders in the Revelation did with the four Bcajls 5 (which are conceived to b:^ the four Evangelifis ) when thofe Bea[ls gave glorf and honour 10 him that fate upon the Throne , Then the twenty four Elders fell down before him that fate upon the Throne^ and worjhipped him that livcth^^'^^'^^^^^'' for ever a;jd ever: Such were thefe klders here, they did cc mply with David co attend the Ark in this Solemo- Proceflion. Andfo did the Captains too; not for faihion f^te>" . ^ . , I wift , or meerly to pay a civil homage to their Prince, ^ Ciptum, (like Naaman^ when he went into the hcufe of Rimmon) but out of devotion > For Souldiers ma]| be Religious > we read of one Centurion that had a prodigious faith y I have not found fo great faith no not inlfrael; of another commended for his worthy p/Wjf 5 He lovethour nati- on, and hath built u^ a Synagogue^ of another whofe de- .^j^^- votions p4rfi fo high upon the wings oi his almes and fajiing , that they procured him an extraordinary vifira- lion 14 IfraeVs CratHlationfor tion of kindnefs from Almighty God : Souldiers are the finewsoi a Kingdoms if they be/^A: and diflblute through intemferAnce and effeminacy^ the ftate of that Kingdom is hxxifeeble 5 if they be cut afuuder by F Actions and Divifions , it has no ftrength at all , but enough to enable ic to tumble and wallow in its own gore. To flrengthen thefe finerves there is no fuch Anodyne as Re- ligion 5 and indeed, if Souldiers be not it^//^/(?/^ , how will they ferve their Prince^ dth^v for the Lords fake, or for confcience fake i Atheifm cancels the two ftrongeft ob- ligations of a fubjeifts duty and Allegiance: Gallantry will carry but few to the Gates of death for the faSety and honour of their Princes and if^;?/^/-^)^ be all the en- gagement he bath upon his Souldiers , that may be bought off 5 the beft Exchequer^ the fulleft PHr(e will carry it : If his Captains be not Religious^ the Prince cannot be fo confident of their fidelity^ to be fure not of their valour and fuccef^ for through faith the fervants of Heb.1n33.54. God waxed valiant in fi^ht^ put te flight the Armies cf the aliens J and fubdued Kingdoms ^ They got not thevidoty through their own (Irength , neither rvds it their own arme that javed themy but it was the aid and favour of the Deity whom they adored : Hereupon the Pfa^mift faith, / will not truft in my how^ it is not mi Sword thatfhaB. help me^ but itisthoff (OGod) that [aveft me ^ andputtejl them to confiffim that hate me: Non eripio Magijlratui ar- luuKlth^^'^^' '^(^^fracidoCerftlia. His enim Rtfj^ .flat, Hits def en- 242. ' ditur : I do not difarm the Magiftrate ot his Militia, nor cue off his Counfel ^ for the Common- ^-eal is upheld by the ore, and defended by the other. At quovis return Statu djj^ Del Numine nihil recle geritur ^ de/peratis re- hm^ quid fu'' fliii reHquum e/ly Si non Dem pr^cpotens atg^ immortdis ? In the beft flare of things nothing is weii done without Gods afliftance 5 but when things are grown the ArJ\cs Solemn Settlement. i ^ grown defperatc^ w^at Anchor to hold-is fteady f wfiat Sanifiuary to flee to but only the defence of the Almigh- ty? Someput thcirtruftmCi^r/f?//, and fome in ^(?r- (ts^ bu: xvcrvill remember the ndme of the Lord onrGod, 7 he J ere brought down andf^ll^n^ but we are rifen and (land P^a!. xo. r> t, uf right 5 David therefore will have no Souldiers to be oi^i\ Guard, butfuch as have a devotion for the Ark or God: And where there is fuch a Prince after Gods own heart ^ fuch a conformable Frieftbood , fuch Religious Elders , (uch devout and zealous Souldiers , we may be confident of an orderly^ mll-affe^ed people -^ for it is the Irregular Prieft, and the S editious Elder ^ and the Fallow Souldier , that does dijlra^ and imbroiU King- dom, and fill it with difoider and conf ufion. In a word, to (hut up this Scene of our Difcourfe 5 When a Prince comes newly to his Throne and the poffeflioa of his Kingdom 3 all Degrees and Orders of men, under his Dominion, addrefs thecnfelves, to make their rfrtf^;?//i- *» of his Authority, andpay their ^(?»f<<^f to him. Why, now the Ark of God was a going to be inthronedin Sion^ and take poffeflion , as it were, of its Kingdom; and therefore David will have all his Subjefls, of what rank or quality foever , prefent themfel ves to acknowledge and perform their refpe(aive Duty > the Priefls to dcvore their ^f4/and diligence 7 the Elders thelt Counjel :ind Autho- rity h the Caf tains their (Irength and valour % and all the people their fidelity and obedience , to the Royal Prero- gative thereof. Thus we have given you an account of the firft ^ for the Ark of Ged wa^ not like the Idols \lii 45^. of Egjp , A hnrden to the marj Bcaft t : it did not fpprejl or the Arises Solemn Settlement. 1 7 orfrr/;>?thePritfl$(houldcri$ for, the Text faith. The L$rd helped ihcmto bedr it^ i Chron,ij.25. Such is Gods goodoefs, if vf^ \SiVih\xi fcrieujlj end$dv$%r it, we can- not want a juffclent ajftjiancc to perform our txperkd duty. Thus you fee with what Carridge or Injlrumems the Ark was craafported. But 2. With what ^omf and {ilemnitj 5 and of this, wc may obferve that it was very great, but withal Yery fi- 0H4^ very decent ^ very delightful^ and very cordidl. i . A piiusfMmnitj 5 It began with an accuftomcd F0rm of ^ Prayer 5 forfo-A/^/^iy his devotir D on i8 l^vditW Gratulation fot 0n in hU religious Service. Here wa? dccencj] and a fig- nificadon ot devoticn in the ufe of this garment 5 (I pray obferve, and carry that home with you) and hereupon Stc Dr. Hum. ^^'^ Votariis of the Lamb of God are reprefented to Notes upcn * S' ^ohn^ as celebrating the folmn Service of God in the ReY.i5>.8. Chriftian Church in ri&Af*4^/>, Revel. ip, 3, Itp^as a delightful Solemnity : For, There rvas fhout- hg^ and the found ef the Cornet^ and Trumpets and Cjm' halsy waking a noi(e with P falter ies and Harps ^ 1 Chron. 15 28. God requires that his people (hould ferve him *Dcum8.47^ with ]oj and gladnefs^ i and as well to blow up and in^- flafne that /4fr^i/r^ as 10 entertain and difcover it, he allows the ufe of thefe bellows, Mufteal Inftruments^ as well as Voices. When our melody isjpiritual^ and does not degenerate into carnality and loofenefsj when the Holy Ghoft is the M after of the Mufick^xi is fo great an ad- vantage to our devotions, that we are exhorted, even John 4. under the New Tefiament^ (where all the Worftip of God is to be performed in Spirit and in Truth) even here, under the difpenfation of theGofpel, we are ex- horted to ufe ir, to raife up our de votions^ to the edifica^ Epb.<.i8,i9. ^^^^ ^f ^"^ felves and others: Be not drunk with wi»e C0I.3. Id.' wherein is excefs^ hat be filed with the Spirit : fjfeaking to your felves^ and admonifhing others in Pfalms and Hymns and fpiritnd Songs ^ ftrtging (^^ith your voice) and making meUdy (with roufical inftrunaents) with grace in jour hearts unto the Lord. And accordingly, 4. This w/U a cordial Soltmnity,. There are a fort of men in the worlds for^/fc, fo uncharitable^ fo cenforious, that they condemn all the Service that is performed to Almighty God mihpomp and ceremony^ or zxay fhew of jelemnity^ as me^ily formal and hypocritical. Let the prafticeof Dazid upon this occfion confute their vain and falft? imagination?. It is a contradi^ion to fay, the more the Arkes Solemn SettkmefJt. i a more there is of delight^ the lefs there is of the [$ul ia aayfervice. Dix'W performed this duty not only with joj AndgUdnefs *" , but with all his might • and the holy ♦ i Chron. i^; exufics of his foul caufcd a religious tranfpor'ation and *^ rapture in his body in thefe ex -rcifes 5 for he danced be- ^ ^^' "'** fore the Lord with all hu might t .* When his heart d need j- xSam.5. 14: fo for joy, his hodj could not chufe but fympa:hi2e in the palEon, and dance in grave and comely n^eafures with it : Mj heart andmj fiefh crjeth out for the living God^ Pfal.84.2. When 1 went with the multitude into the houje of €cd^ I poured out mj foul in me, faith he, Pfal,/^z.^, i. e. I emptied my felf of all earthly and carnal delights , that I might be filled with the flcafures of Gods hoti[esl'X''/i^i^. I expatiated and enlarged my defires and faculties, that I might becapable to receive the influences of fo great a bleflRng. His ^^^/jf was in the dance with the decency of an Ephod 5 but his very heart and foul were in the joj of thisholyproceflion^ io cordial 2Xid fo delightful^ fo de^ cent and fo fiot^ was this Solemnity. And thus we have done with the firft general part of the Text, the Tranf- fortation or Ccnduft of the Ark 5 Sothej brought the Ark of God: Wecomenowcothefecond, t. Thefcituation of it : And thejfet it in the Tent that Davi^ had pitched for it. This was in the City of David, a part of 5^^r«yi/^ffli5 wliere the C^orP/4f^rotheufe of Almighty God, and appro^^ priates it to his Worlhip by the a(ft of a folemn deaicati^ on^ God accepts of it, oxones it, calls it hisy and makes \tholj •, hoi) always, in relation, by his gracious accepta-J tion ot ir, and hoi) fometimes, by a gracious manifeftati^ on of hisprefenceinit; and then it is to be reverenced^ not to be alienated^ or converted unto any profane or common ufe. To this purpofe we have thefe exprefsi- ons in Holy Scripture 5 Go to rnjpUce v^hickv^as in Shi- the Arises Solemn Settlente7it. 2 i U^ where Ifutmj n^me at the firfi^ Jer. 7. 12. Mjhoufe JbaM he caSed the hct^ft of frajer : Mat* 2 1 . i j. Keep my ^ SabbAthes and reverence mj Sanff/tarj* Levif. 19. 30. Pfst iff thj fhooesfrom off thy feet, for the place where thoit flande(l u holy ground ^ Exod. 3. 5. to which alludes, Keef thy foot vohen thott comeji mo the hoioje of God, Eccler. y. i. Becaufe the Ark had been placed in this City of 2)^- vld^ and fo had hallowed it, Solomon thinks it not fit^ thinks It would be a prophandtion , to convert it into a Coi$rt for Pharaoh's Daughter, though his royal confort, 2 Chron. 8. II. And our Saviours ;tf4/ wa* foftrid in this peine, hewouldnotfuff-r any of chemr(? yet God accepts %■ , sam.Trz. of this ficus intendment y i Kings S'. 18. and, fince xChro.^i/.^,- David had interrain'd the thoughts of a Temple^ God would have it /«rA a Temple (to honourthe zeal of his defigns) as fliould be a type oi heaven^ a type of //;^ Church triumphant 5 t but tf.eo^ though /;r had pioufly contri- -j-Rcv.u.ip; ved :i2 ICratVs Cratnlationfor * 1 chron. ii. ved It, Ddvid muft not be allowed to hiUii 5 * for Di- ^i "^^ »»• • i^/V was a man ef rvafy and heaven is to be prepared for us by the Prince of Peace % this work therefore muft be refervedfor ^i?/tf/»^/7. But for the Ch/^nh militant, re- *R«Y.ti.x,3. prefented by ^ Tabernacle^ * always in ^ moveable po- fture, fubjeft to (lorms and deportations, a warlike Prince may proteft and flielter, endow and adorn that, after this example of King David^ ^ho fitch' d a tent for the Ark of Cod, And now the Ark is brought under Davids roof^ I hope the Proverb is not verified in him 5 The netrerto Church, the further from Cod % I hope it is not for State * Bwt/ ^M/ wf- and Pomf that he defigns this neighbourhood^ with the ^^.^^''^^f Almighty: No, no, it is, that hemay gainanopportu- mmmoquoi nity at hand, to celebrate the folemn fervice ot Godi scriptumep, ^hich he doth therefore religioufly ^ he did expect no better from them. We may take a threefold view of them. i. In their nature or kmd : Burnt facrifices 5 what they werej peace* offerings, whacthey were: 2. In their conjunfture and affociation 5 burnt facrifices and peace- offerings^ together : 3, In their fubordination and orders fir^s burnt facri-^ pces^ and then, peace-offerings, before God, I. Far ^ n "-:) the Arises Solemn Settlement. 1. For their kind And nature ^ the burnt facrlficev;a% to be of the bed in its kind 5 a male and without blemi(h i and (that I may, in brief, give you the Hiftorj^ and the Mjflcrj^ and the Mordlitj of V) it was ftikd a Haifi^au/l i becaufe herein neither the Prieftj nor the purty that made the oblation, w.isto have any (hire 5 but ic was wholly X.0 beconfumed by the facred fire, that it might afcend up in flames, in reverence to the mod high God. liwa^aTe/lificdtionoi Gods Supream Dominion over them 5 and fo 1: was defigned to make an acknowledge- ment of his Sovereignty to hinour him 5 and ic was a Recognitionoi iht\x[uhj colony and dependency 5 and fo it was defigned, to make an atonement , to render him ^/4^W and gracious. The offerer was to lay his hand upon the beadoi the Sacrifice to thu effeA, Levit. 1.4, He jhdHput his hand upon the head of the burnt ojfering^ andit [hAll he accepted for him^ to make atonement for him. By th\% Rite and Ceremony (of laying the hand upon the head of the Sacri- fice j I • He did transfer all his intereft in it upon God, and dedicated it intirely to Gods honour. 2. He ^ii Mxnuumimpo^ hereby transfer the guilt oi his own fin upon the .y4rr/- fitio[ymb«ium fee. and devoted it, in his own fread, to the wrath of ti^*!^'^^^' ^''^' God, tor that guilr. 3. He did transfer the propriety reatm inhojli- and intereft that he had in hlmfelf^ and refign'd it up, for ^^ ^ranpj. the future, to Gods fervice. This was the fignification ^lUnut^X of that Ai/^ and Ceremony. Butthereisai^jf/7f7 befides in thisfacrifice; it was k a Tjpe and prefiguration of the [potleJS Lamb of God, who gavehimfelfforus^ sn offering and a facrifice to Cod^ for ^P**'^* ^ *• dfmet (melling Savour. And a two old end was aim'd at in that oblation 5 I. Gods Honour, 2, Our Atonement*, torhedidf/o- rtfic F a 4 Kn^VsCratHlationfor t John 17.4- rifieGod', 1i^Xi^Yjd%thefr0fltUtionfor$urfti$$^. * 1 Jobn 1. 1. y^nd if 2)40//^ offered fuch a facrifice to God, to (hut up this great folemnitj^ it may teach us mode fly and C4tf - /i^;i s not to be too conHdeat , not to relie upon the worth of our own performaaces : but to fufpeft their imperfeilion, and our own failing in them, ^ob was afraid his fons might take z [urfeit of flufitrts in the freedom of their bofpitable entertainment of one ano- ther ; and therefore his care and piety did always apply z burnt eferhg to them for an Antidote, fohi.^. it is not good to be too confident » verebar omnia opera mea% f job^.is. I was jealous of all my works, faith 3^^^, * we maybe furprized in our devotion 5 there may be iniquity in our helj things. Our fpiritual facrifices do not alivays afcend info pure a flame 5 but fome cloud may darken them. K.cv.8;j;4: I^i* the Angels ^e/d//>/>»4/ incenfe cffec'd up with the prayers of the Saints^ upon the golden Altar ^ t! at makes them afcend like an accep-able perfume betore the throne of God. David perform a this fervice for the Ark of God with a moft exquifire devotion: but left feme dead fly (hould be blown accidentally into this pot of precious oyntmenty left fome circumftantial mifcarri- age (hould have fullied the bcauty,and blemiflied the per- ttdlion, and abated the worth of it, headdesthe cauti- onary atonement of a burnt facrifice. Eut^ 2. if you look upon ^^/ir Sacrifice, as defigned to the honour of the Divine Mujefty, abftrafted from all confideration of making him propitiott^ to the offerer 5 then it courts our devotions with this infinuarion, that tpearenot our own '^ God hath an abfolut€ dominion over us 5 and therefoie we are wholly at his fervice, and ought to refign our felvcs up intirely to his difpofal > that no creature may (hare in that divine honour, which we fo defervedly ow, and fliould as worthily render to him 5 for his glory he will not give unto another. 2 , The the Arises Solemn Settlement. ^ ^ a; The PeAce-effcrirtg was a Sacrifice, w^ercof thi tlood and the fat went co the Altar * > the ^r^^/? aad t^cri^ht * Crd \v.is to IhouUer to the Prie ft-tle reft was to be e iten by the offers ^''' '^' ^" •'-,.,„./,',, /j-i "^^ ■*'., ^"*^ t^ fvv about rr. In th/^^thePrull mdinG propU Old commiinua e >u h i!cinwads,(hc God, and with one another, like friends te..ft;n/ Ct^ce kj ics with ther upon one and the fame ftock of ente. taiwmeri This covctcu the Li- oblation was ofFer'd, either by way o\ gratnUtion 4;j/ve', Lv ^^,4. thdnks^ for (owe benefit already received t, (according t^'^^'7.i^j«c to (ome former o/tfrt^, volun anly maJeto that purpo e-, ) of which the Pfalmift fpcaketh, PlaK ii6. 1^2 13 I4. WhatfhJI I rtrJer unto the Lord for aE his be/j fiis iow^rds me f I ivill take tht cuf of falvatio^^ and call upon the name ^^e fin^ ex of the Lord. I will pay my njorvs unto the Lord : now in Thr^c-^j*« the pre fence of ail his peopU. This cup wis an attt.nda'V/pc/>i^tMni/. upon this ob ation> tor of the peace offering they did ^'^i^"^ot.ii C0mmurjicate,aadtQ]oyce before the Lord, and cook a '^^^' ^* c«/>otwinej which was caMed t'e cup ot /4/v4//^;^ aid thecupof blipng ; becaufe ttiey %2LVQflemn thanks,2:\(i bleffed G .:>d for hsfavirg I ea'.th and benefi s. Or, 2. 7/;Af ob'ati'.n was (fifei'd by way of Foteand Gerhird^ice, Option for foroe enjuirtg favour. The Ifraelites had f''^'^//'^^*''• ajuft caufe^ bur very ill fuccef^ in their expedition a- rham.ii.q.ioi gainft the Benjamttes. They received two de'ears with *^: J-"^- ^J^.i^^ the lofsof 400CO men 5 but (hat they might prevail with vu jalpl'enhi GodtoaflTift and profp r them in theirnexr engagement, vc/^capj/. Thej cdme unto the houfeof God and wept ^ and /ate there btforethe Lordy and fa/led that day until Even, and offered burnt offerings and peace- offerings before the Lord^ Judg. 20.26. 4id foi Chton.21. 26. here the deiign inr/;^/f oblauons, iiastomake4;^;?fwr^;^, and prev.il for////»r^ peace and falvation. And meth nks, in the very nature of thefecfferings there is an infinuation of th.e neceffity of our per [eve- rj;;c^^andof Gods c^;?//;;/^^/ grace and afliilance to that E effed. o5 Kx^tVsCraUilationfor efFe«fl. The very (aw oblation was offered aot only by -Y,xj ^)^ gratttUtieny inihankfulnefs, for a benefir alrea- dy ;^'?y?, but a'fo by way of vowy iotihQimparationof ov.^tocom' When we arrive dZ heaven^ our facrifices (hall be nothing elfebut the adoration of acknorvkdgt' mtnts in a way of frd[e aad thiknk (giving : but while we are Militant here on earth, our praifes are to be attended with Atofjcmmty and our thank fgivings with Litdnies and fupplicarionf. We muft.not think that we have the geAl prefently, becaufe me have Gods blefling and af- fiftance at our fetting forth. We miy begin mil, and yetfall^(hortofihez«4rir5 we mayri#;i^ for a fit, 4 W or tw9^ and yet lofe the priTj : it is per fever ance that wins the Crmn ^ c nd Gods grace that enables us to hold Gutio the attainment of it. Thedefignof our peaccof- ftrings therefore muft be, not only to acknorvledge the ', mercy of God, that did prevent us 5 but alfo to engdge ii^?f/. I will * his favour,that it may tollow us^a/Ithe days of$ur lives'^ tacs the cup of and fuch were thefe oblations in the Text 5 they offer'd faivadon: and ^^^^^ facrifices j they offer'd peace offerings, before the 1 will call upon i ■' ^it • r 1 ^ * i i • i " r • • ft thenamcof the Lord. This tor the nature and kmd of their obla- Lord. tions. 2. Vonhta[[cclAtion andconjunSttreoi them: Burnt Jarificefj and peace- offerings 5 God is to be adored and worfhipped, ioihhQwnfake ^ omoi reverence ioh\%tx^ cellent Majefly> this is fignifiedby the^i^r;i/ facrifice^ t ^J^H^^^^^^ land he is to be adored and worftiipped, oucot Grati- ^umlffcnhatuf tudeioY KisgoodneJ^ towzxds ft^; this isfignified by the Veo fpecUiiur p(4ce'ofering. Thefirft is to give him praife^ The fe- m%%lupfi!^ ^^^^^ to give him thanks j and whofo ojfcrethme praife «4, (^c. Tbm. and thanks he honoureth tne^ Pfal. 50. they are put both ubi{u[n, together there in the Pfalm, and here upon the Altafo We muflbe mindful to acknowledge znd hononr God> and we muft b:^ mindful to relieve zad faveou: felves $ bus the Arises Solemn Settlement. 27 but Gods glory is to be fought in the firft place > our cwn advantage in iIq (icond^ and in a way ot fubordination to it. Iht burnt [acrifice firft, andthea theprace eff^r- //?^ to fecond it 5 that i$ the third, the Or<5/^r in ticfe Ob- lations. Gods intcftft muft be prefer'd before our o^vo ; his^/^rj before outfalvathn^^ and beciufe God hearerh not finners, the utonement Ihould be made fir fit to re- concile oviiferfons^ that our fervicis of gratitude may find a gracious acceptarion. Hence the Pfalm.fts Ptirge pfji.^ 1.7,9,14, pttv^ith /jjlfop^ and I (hAll be clean -^ hide thy face f rem mj 194 fins^ and blot cut all mine iniquities : Deliver me from iUod'guiltinefj and then^ '*' when my atonement is thus *cumegopcr^ made, thcnOizlt thou bepleafedmihthefacrificcs of right J?';^fj^'',;^ eCujneJS. ^ fucro. ISdlar. in And if /^^ beoffer'd up in the memorj and virtue (^i^'^^^*^'^* Chrift) that great Holocaufly through ^/>7f, God will ac- cept both of us and of our (offerings 5 which are no other- wife accept.ible unto eternal life, but only through ^((us Chrifl our Lord, And the /{(?74/ Prophet could not chufebut remem- ber him in this folemnity- foraswell the^r/tas'he/i- crifice was a Tjpe of himh and {othej brought the A^k of (7(7^ into the City of David, andfet //in his place, iri the tent which Davtd had pitched for it 5 and they offered .. . burnt facnfices and pCACC- offerings before God. Would you know Davids inducements to perform all this fer- vice for the Ark /* they were foi*r% his need oi it, his love to It, his interefl in ir^ and his advantage by it. I. His»ffiofit5 andtf at wefind him the morefen- fibleof^ in his ex/7^ from it 5 (as men, for tl e moft part do, Magis carendo quam fruendo y they underftand the ufefulnefs of things better by tl e want of them, then by their enjoyment h) fere was his Ahjfftis Ahj(fum ^ one rfaUx.-. . ^ff/^callmg upon another j for he was brought o'^r;' low^ E 2 many o S rfrael's Gratnlation for many times, brought into /^^x;r/r4^/^ perplexities 5 i»hij pral.45.7; art thou caftdervn^ Omjfoul? dndrvhj art thou fodifquief^^ td within me f He was in the dark^ and wanted con:\fort, and nothing but the Ark ot God could relieve and afiFord ^ . ^ , him Cordials 5 O fend out thy light and thy truth : let them Ibid. vcri. 5. ^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^j j^j^ ^y heavinefs and ftupidity (hould tempt me to make a halt) /^M^^^ bring me unto thy holy hill^ and to thy Tabernacles. And in another place his n:edvc\7i\it% him more impetuous in his acclamations? o Cody thcuartmyGod^ early vill I /eek thee : myfoulthtrfi'^ ethfor thee^ my ftjh lengeth for thee : would you know ho\v importunate^ now violent ihtk paffionate appetites are If you muft frfi hcjicky you muft be with child y when youarej?r)tof Uve^ when C hri ft u formed in you^ then you will underftandihe natureof that /acred thirft, thatj^ir;/«4/ longing s for it is only to hcfelt^ not fully Kal.6?.i; tohe interpreted. But what is the reafon (f his extream need$3 the aridity^ the drinef and defolationoi hisfoul^ it was, in a dry andthirjly land where no water was. But where the Ark. i?, there God is, and with thee is the well of life S this therefore is the objeft of all my third and longing, to fee thy power and glory ^ [ods 1 have feen thee Ibid. Verf, J. i^ the SanSiuary. 2. A fecond motive was his /^1/f to the Ark,Pfal.a5. 8. Lord 1 have loved the habitation of thy houfe^ and the place where thiue honour dwelleth. But more paffionately, Pfal.84.i;2. pial. 84-1, a, How amiable are $hy Tabernables, O Lord ofHofts I myfoulUngeth^yea even fainteth for the Courts of the L ord: my heart and my flefh crieth out for the living God^ He hath in his foul the pafions of a woman with child f^ ht longs ^ and becaufe he cannot have his longing prefent^ Ijy the. e follows a Ddiquium^ a defailance in his fpirits, his oul fainteth 5 : nd a$ longers ufe to do many times, he falls in travel^ and his pangs and throws are To great, that the Arl\es Solcnm Settlement. q^ ihiX his heart andflcfh^ hoihcrj cut for the living Godi^ aod nothing can ke^ p him ixora mifcarrjing^ from lofing the fruit ot this travel efhu foul^ but ^fyhf of Gods Ark i fuch a favour as this would allay and becalm and fatisfie all thefe paflions. Slewed are they that dmllin thj Vcrf. 4, icuje i they will befitll fraifirtg thee : One day in thy Courts, y^^ ,^^ ' and deor- keeper there,is hiph preferment in the eftimation of a ;>/>/// Prince, that hath a true devotion to the Ark of God. 3. A third inducement was his interefi in the Ark : and i\\\%intereft depending upon his interejlln God^ they y^^f ^^' « run, as it were, parallel^ hence, ^M4j* Ofend out '^'^' thy light, d^r, (jishdot^^Then mlllgounto the Altar ef God^ unto Cod my exceeding joy (and) the Cod of my firength * : yea^upon the Harp willlpraife thee^ O Cod^ my ^ Cod. He will bear ^part in the felemn fervice before ^^ **' Gods Ark 5 and the intercjl he has in it makes his banijh- went the more inteUrakle 5 when I remember thefe things^ 1 pour out my foulinme (grief and forrow having diflbl- ved it 5 ) fori had gone with the mtUtitudey I went with them to thehoujeof Cod, Pfal. 42.4, 4. The fourth and laft inducement was the advantage hehadhy the Ark 5 and that was double, i. ProttHi- cn^ Pfal. 27 4 5. One thing have I defiredcf the Lord^ that 1 may dwell in thehoufe of the Lord -^ to behold the beat^ ty of the Lordy and to inquire into his Counfel for my fafe- ty 5 For in the time of trouble he /hall hide me in his pavilli- en^&c. fee Pfal. 31^ 20. ^ 2. Here he f\nd% fatisfa^fion : here is a ^ulip will flack his thitft^ incbriabuntur^ they jhall be inebriated^ abun- dantly fatisfied with the pleafures of thy houfe^ drci upon this account, fuch as do approach Gods Ark are ble^ed^ ^fiL6'), 4. And now h.ving given you thefe induce ' w/;?/j of his devotion 3 I have doce with my Text, But I' 5^ Ifraers Cratnlation for I cannot enter upon my AffUcAtUn without a Preface > and what Pretace fofuitable a«a reflexion upon ihofe fignal impreffes ot Gods favour ftamp'd upon us imme- diately before the late fatal revolution > whereby we may take a frcf}({i of our own happinefs, m th^ frojperi^ ^jfandflouriftiing condition of our Church and Na(i0n: we were like that Fif$e of Ifrael, which Godfometimes brought out otJ?^^/^/ 5 we were planted in a Land ^^m- ingrvithmilk dnd honey ^ and were twhed about the vpalls ot Gods houfe, for our fufport and Jhelter. Thofe Clouds and Umbrages that did eclipfe and darken the glory of the Gofpel in other parts ot the World, were difpel'd and fcattered amongft us. The face of the Sky over our heads was ferene and calm, and the coun- tenance ot Heaven did fmile upon us. Our CandUfiick was fcoured bright, and inftead of nafty ftinking/»/^j(ff, or filthy meteors exhaled from the flime of the earth, we had ftdrs of the fi/Ji magnitude for their Piety and Learning fer upon-rfn^tB-i' So that this people which had fate in darknefsKa^ agreat light. God had not dealt fo with other Nations. Here wasa^^w^/y as well as a convenient Tabernacle for the A^k of God 5 and God was worfliipped in the heautf ef holimjs. And God was rot at all behind hand with us in the reciprocation of kindnedes 5 there was never fo low an ^^^inus, by our making out [allies of devotion upon him, bui: there canne as high a tide upon u$ flowing b:xk from him. What we paid the Ark of God in revtrtnce and dutj^ was int;.l!ibyreturn'd in a compenfation^ nay witha/^r- pinfage of blellings. As long as our Ef7glifh earrh con- tinued to ^ yzmrthy homage unto heaven, tfe Hea- vens we?e not only coaflant to involve xdi^^circle us 5 but they never fail'd to protedl and [hi:lter^ to feed ^ and io death us with fuitable applications of the moft enrich- ing the Ar!:^ r SoJcntn Settlement. o i ing IrfluenCes. Othe; Nations had Mines^ which they digged with much pain and peril in che carth*^ but we bad Mhes mhuven, treafures that nev.^r fail'd to fup- ply not only our nccds^ but our very fomf and curiofitj : Ic was our felicity that God had made out that experi- ment zou$^ whichhefptaksof by the Prophet i^4/j^4i; Mal.j.ic; Prcnje me n&n\ if 1 tpi/i not open to you the windows of hea- ven^ and pour J on cut a bleffing, that there fljall not be room enough to receive it. We had pregnant evidence of this goodnCiS of the Lord toward us , which makes one (that might have made a better ufe of it) obfeive, that God has dealt by way of freregative with this Englifli Nation. But we perverted Gods gracious difpenfations, turn^ ing his bleflings into aggravations of our crimes , and making our felicity ferve only for a reproach to our /;i- gratitude: f ot like I frae I WQtif axed fat and kicked^ our Manna^ a fpiritual food that came down from heaven, prepared for us by the Miniftry of thofe Angels that/^re- jj^a'dinthe Church at the Reformation^ becaufe it was common^ and our ^4/7; bread, it became loathfome to us: We giQwrvantont and having taken a frrfeit of the bread of lite, we long'd for quails to be brought us out of for- r^^^» Countries : We thought y4/'4;;4 and Parphar, Ri- vers of Damafcus^ better then all th-e waters of Ifrael. Men grew pr^c-//^ and fqucamiftij they would not ivafh arfd be clean, unlefs they might have Cijierns of their own hewing out 5 nor^r/;;/irof thewa^erof ///i?, though it ran never fo/r«/jf, unlefs it were conveyed to ihem in new Pipes of their own Cafling : Some there were that did ftri(5lly hold themfelves to the Form of godlinefs^ t\\Q Solemn V^oM^oi God eflablillvd in the'Church^ who notwithftanding in the loofenefi of their lives did fh-mefuUy deny the power thereof: Others there were that 5 a irrael's Cratulationfor ibat did pretend to be fo over-bom with the power of god^ Ihefs, that they would allow no -F^rw^atall for the re- gu'ationandexercife of it: AH the innocent Ceremo- ,nie$ that had conftantly attended iht folcmn devotions of pious Antiquity were look'd upon as the very drcfi and trimmings of Hjfocriftc*^ Reverence in Gods Wor- fliip was accounted (Hferfiitious 5 and the holy Inanfe of Morning and Evening Prayers no better then Abomination. Evenfuchof the people (which make up the greateft number of Its adverfaries) as never had judgment or rvit enough to under fl and it, had yet malice enough infu- fed into them to deride and [corn the Holy Service of th^ Chuich : And as an evidence that this difeafe was grown defperate^ our greateft quarrel was at thofe Fhjfttians whok praff ice 2indf refcriptionsweJiQ the moft probable means to reduce us to our Chriftian temper. WhenIconfiderthe^g-, fo cut of temper, as toftrike his Phyfitian, and throw away his Antidote^^ there remain no ordinary methods that can cure him : And then the Bedlam^ and the chain^ the vohip and the skrevos^AX the violences of a fevere difcipline are the beft inftances of our kindnel's. Such was the condition of ifrael^ Hofea^, l^i.J^. The Lord hath a Controverpe with the Inhabitants of the Land^ becaufe there is no truth nor mercy ^ nor knowledge of God in the Land. Bj fwedringy and the Arises Solowi Settlerftent. 23 sndljlrtg^ and killing^ dnd (Italingi and commit ting Adul- terj^ they break outy andbleud teucheth bloud. Therefore jbali the Land mourn • Tet let nB manfirive nor refreve ano- ther^ ffir thtf people areas they that ft rive with the Priefl. When fin begins to fpread aaiongft a people, what re- medy does Almighty God ufe to apply co he .1 and flop it f* there is the //»//^^r^7 ot zj-udge to oppofe ir, and the Reprebenfion of the Pneft co give 3 check to it. But when God does inhtbtte thefe his officers from ufm? their Auchorityj and exercifmg their Jurisdiftion, 'tis a fign that people is grown ob[ltnate^jhamelejS^ and incorri- gtble: When they grow foinfoleat as to contradid: the Frieft in his own office, wherein doubtlefs he is Gods Vicegerent y that people 1$ /?//?(? r/ir^, as it runs in the or- d/Vtfrjf Channel 5 andunlefsGod ufeth fome other me- thods of DifciplinCj there is no hopes of their amend- ment : So it follows in the Prophet, Therefore /halt hhou Hor«4. y. fallin the day. When they had the clear light of he> venfliining round about them, the light ot knowledge^ and the light of comfort znd pro/perity , in this noon day^ Thouyfcj/^ftumbleand/4/7,(aith the Lord, and the Pro- phet aljo jhall fall with thee tn the night 5 the falfe Prophec (hallbe^^«/^^/r^andlofe himfelf in the ddrknefje of his own vain imaginations; and I willdejlroy thy Mother ^ faith the Lord-, the Church and Nation^ from whofe svomb thou haft had thy birth^ in whofe bojome thou haft had thy breedings and to whole blefftngs thou oweft the procurement ot thy profperity. We may m ke Eng- land the Scene of th at Prophefie as well as ^erufdem ^ for the whole Tr4^^^jf hath b.enaded over in all its parts a- mongftus, withafullfolemnity. God he took notice of our mifdemeanoars (under his moft gracious difpenfations) towards our Superiours , \\i% Vicegerents^ both CiviUpid ^cclefiaflical^ and he was F fvroth^ r 1 ^- Kr^cVsCratnlationfor fvrctb 5 and upon fo great provocations as we were guilty of, hedidtous as he had done to ifraely He ddiverei $urftrengthintQ Captivity^ and our beauty into the Em- mie^ hands. That Ark, that Form of Gods Worfhip^ that had procured fuch miracles of mercy for us in 88. and at the intended ;>/>«^^^rp/^/ 5 T^^^ Ark whofe v/r ^«^ had been fo often try ed^to good effe^, in times of war, feftu lenceznd famine J had out Beat^ty^ ihzt Form of Solemn Worjhip, which rendred the Church of England zmidble ab ve all the Reformed Churches, and a true Copy of that Holy City, that New Jerufakm^ which S. ^ohn faw comtngdovonfromGod out of heaven^ prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband^ Rev. 21.2. For our many provocations. He delivered Thu our ftrength into Capti- vity, md This our beauty into the Enemies hands: The ^/(?;jfiri^ upon departing from our //f-rf^/ 5 and I had al- moft faid , T hat the abomination of defolation rvasfet up ir^ the holy place : W hen the mod magnificent Houfe of God that we had in our Land was turned into a ftable 5 and many men, yea many Priefts (fuch was their Apojlacjy had no more reverence for it then the very bealts that pe- riled by a ftrange vengeance inflided, without doubr^, upon//&4^ [ort of Cattle for that Sacrilegious prophana- tion. 7hat Faction which had tyred out the patience of two 9«» Queen E//- great Princes"^ With Petitions, folliciting to have thofe |4kJ^andK. ^alls of Church Government levelled^ that Garrifon 3mcf. di[mantledyihQit\n the Ark of God was in Lfe cuftody amongftus: Jheythziio often attempted to fire it out with their Squibs of fcoffing Pamphlets , and to batter it down wirhrheir/^i/'^r bullets^ for want of better Argu- ments* At laft (afloon as opportunity and advantage favoured them 5 for their rage could ftay no longer) they affauited it (how unlike Chrifts Lambs and the Ser- - " '" ' " ^ vants- the Arises Solemn Scttlemcni. g 5 vantsof the Prince of peace, I need not tell you) but with Swords and Piftols^Pikesand Cannons they affaul- ted ir. And becaufe ihu Ark could not otherwife fall into tbHr hands, the chief Briefly yea and the Frince too, rauft fall before it, as a Sacrifice to their ftsry. And (vrhich is more) that they aiight uVQx\y exti?7guijh our hopes^ and cut ofFall fofftbility of its Reftitution, as much as in them lay, they did cut off the Royal It rje ihg: (hould frotc^'itf and the fucceffio ft oi ^iGgnhv Priefthood, that Ihouldnainifteruntoit. And now might the devoMt foul, that was pregnant with the paflfions of grief and love^ fall in travel^ and for wantof other irtuegive^/rrA toa/4;w^«/4r/(?»5 and natie that Ichabodh {01 the glory is de far ted from Ifraelj and we the true Sons of the Church of EngUrtd in the condi- tion that Ifrael was in, when they fate by the xvatersof ^ Babylon and wept 5 they hung up their Harps , which were now grown i^fe>(fff% becaufe their /i^rrr^rv/ for tie defolations of Zior^y had fileneedzW their melody. And yet we are call'd upon to believe that all the^e Violences weredefign'd, but to (hake the ^»/ out of the Badgers skins ^ and to hrufh the Curtains ^ and to Reform the Tabernacle, that the pure gold of the A k might {hine the brighter in rhefimplicity of its own luftre. That is, juft as the Souldiers came with Swords and Staves from the High Priefts, to apprehend and fecu e tfe Lamb ofGod^ and brought him before Pilate.oui of kind- nefs, that he might have the honour to clear and acquit himflf. But what became of the Ark of God in the midftof thefediforders^ Why, we heard ef the fame at Ephrata, we found it in the wood: fomeharralcfs Country people ^ ^^*' wouldtellus fometydingsof it ; but it vf as in the wood ^ like one bewildered, firipd ot its due Attendants and F 2 Solem- ^6 l^ncVsCratulationfor icUmnities\ And yet ^s forlorn zi itwas, iii Captivhy wasapuniftimentnoc only to thcfews^ but alfoto tbe fhiliHimsi to them ihv triumphed ov^x if^ as well as to them that had loft tbe fojf[fion,Md fo^feitedxhQ blefsings of ir. The ad verfaues could nor rf^^r^y it 5 norcouTd ihey comtitmoitQW afji (lance. Jh^Dagon^v/hkh they fee up fotthemfelves to worftiip, /?// before ir, with tbe lofs of handf and head, deprived not of [Irength only, butof counfeltoo, Thej provided a new Cart for it 5 fuch was the new DifciplinCy hewn our, and rudely put together by Mr. C4/^^/;; and others, in this h(iCentf$rjy and ths^ Clajfes were the Wheels of it 5 and this the J4- ^ion dtovQ on furioujlj iot awhile, and ftop'd not, na, nor at ih^RedSea, ihty dtove it into 4 Sea of tlood: but the Cattle iha^ were joked together 5 to hurry it away, Y!cxq{o unrea/onahle and head 'flrong, they could not a- gree, n>here^ or how to fet it up 5 and that they might not Eiod - hurry it into utter ruhe^ God was pleafed to look tho- .14. -4> jQ^^{figh{f^i(7/^^^ upon ih^m^ and took cff their cha- riot wheels, to tretible and difcornfit them. At laft David^ the King, being pieferved and re- turned, byas^r^iawir^rf^of providence as Uie Ark it felf • in ordtr co his ewn fettlement, be gives order to prepare the Tabernacle ioi the fettlement of the Ark 5 and fummoneth all the heads of the Prlells and Levites^ with the Nobles and Elders of the people: So they brought the Ark of God, &CC. W taxQ no h(s happy then the jy ia the decent fituathn of our Ark 5 I pray God wemay be no le's ^«///«/, in our gratulathn for ir. To which purpofe, me hinks every devout foul (hould be a breathing out that ^£rc ofthePfalmift, £^id Retribuamy whatjha/il render urt- to the Lord, for this great, thisfignal benrfit done unto us •: you can do no better than refolve with him 5 / mlS cmt »5 pr^.xi6. the Arises Solemn SettUment. ^7 come int$ t^j bou[c rvitb bt$rnt offerings 5 / (vill pay thee my vows^ which I fromifed with my Itfs^ A>^df}Ae with mj ^^»J-^^'»i^M. m$ttth^ when 1 was in trouble^ for the Ark ot God. And becaufe God cakes no pleafure in xh^flffh of beafts % nei- ther will ht drink the blood of B nils or Coats : but requires of us, d. fpiritual^ a living and a reafwable Sacrifice 5 I ^ hefeech ycu therefore^ brethren, ty the mercies of Cody thit ye frefent y§t$r bodies a living Sacrificejjoly^ acceptable urJo Cod^ which is jour reafonable fervice. Having nothing elfe that can be acceptable to him, who gave himfelf for/^, we (hould h.;vethe/4w^ devo:ion, the fametn'md that was m the holy Martyrs 5 we fhould have our hearts and wills prepared^ (it duly caU'd to it) to be made a /tf^Wyi^^byorhers; in the mean time, we (hould make an oblation of our fclves^ have our whole fpirits, fouls 4nd bodies^ devoted to Gods fervice and the ferviceof his Church. Such a devotion was in the great Apoflle, Ti*f( v(jLUf. Jfl be offered ftp (as a libamen^ a liquid oblation) upon the Sacrifice and Liturgy of pur faith, I joy and re- Joyce Pidthyou all: But, Here is a /jvii/^/i oblation recommended to us, by the example before us, in the Texr. i. A burnt facrifice 5 Aad, 2. A peace- fffering, and fuchwQ muft offer, in a fpiritual fenle; and we muft cffer 5 I . A burnt (acrifice 5 and that, upon a double account (cs/uch facrificesufe to be offered up upon.) i. To ac- knowledge Gods Power and Dominion, and Revere his fignal Goodnefi herein demonftrated. David hath fur* milled us with a Pfalm to 'this purpofe , Pfal. 124. (wherein the Church bleff'erh God for a miraculous de- liverance, of her/OLord,andglonfie thy name! Rev. i J.334.' a. A fecond defign of our fpiiitual bnrnt [acri^ce muil be to make an atonement for thofe mifcarriages which/^r« /eirr^our intereft in the Ark, and betrayed it into capri- vi^. It was good advice of the Friefisaad Diviners to thePhiliftims, when they confulted them about retur- iSaai.tf.j. ningtheArkof Godj Oh! fend it not away empty, faid they, but in any wife return Cod a trefpafs-off ring with ^ it'^ that you may be healed. The captivity oi th^t A:k wrought a ftrange conviffion in the Phili[lirrts^ as well as intf e J^ews. The Philiftims faw clearly the\^ had no reafon to triumph in this defeat they had given Ifrael 5 for though they had won the field^ they had got no Vi£iory 5 they had taken the Ark indeed 5 butthey had madeno conquefl of it^ for it fell upon the Reer of them, and fmote them in their hinder parts ^ it difcovered fo much of iheit naked^efsy andtuin'd thdt injide fomuch outward^ and the Arh^s Solemn Scttlemeiit. qp and putthernto fomuch (hame and anguifli'tfiat they were glad to fend it back with 4 trefpafs ojfering^ and beg to be, nconcHcd to it 5 the Ifrddites they were inftrufted likewife that it was not out of ill mil to the Ark, nor for WAtjt oijlren^tb in God, that the Philifllms prevailed torakeit^4^//V^; but only out of ^juflindignati^rfi to revenge tb(^ prophanatha of that/4rr^ilnftrumen% which was the vifiile cbfignation of his grace and favour to them. And yvhen God was about to fufF^r his holj Tern- fU to be defiled, upon a like account, he fends his people to be fchcoled by that example, Jer. 7. ii, 12. // the ht^fe that is c Ailed bj mj name become 4 den of robbers ? be* hold I have (een it. But go now to mj place ^ which vpos in ShiUh, rvhere 1 fet my name at the firfl 5 and fee what I did toity for the rvickednejS of mj people ifraeL And hecaufe cfyourtvickedworks^ I will therefore do to that houfethatis called bjmj name^ 04 I did to Sbiloh* Is there any here amongft us, that can plead not guilty ? haft not thou prophantd the Ark of Gods Worfhip, that was a* mongft us ? haft not thou been unthankfull for ic ? haft not thou been unfruitfull under the Miniftry of it f there is no perfon in this Congregation, if he be of acomp.tent.ige, but his heart will rell him, thathedid contribute fomething to the captivity of this Ark. If we hid as much ingenuity^I d, n fuie we have a$ much caufe, as Mr. Bradford^ in the Book of Martyrs^ bad 5 orasthe Cbriftians, that were baniftiedin Q.Maries days, fad^^. toaccufeomklvtSj for our wilful betraying the honour of ou» Religion and the intereft of the holf Go/pel. We mayalliay, For my fins ^ md for thy fins ^ was the Ark, thelolemn worfhip and ferviceof God tken captive 5- andupon this account, it becomes our dutytoprefenta burnt facrifice for our atonement ^ now upon its reftiruti- on. But wherewith fiiall J come before the Lord^ and bow ^o iCtgi^Vs Cratnlationfor fttj fclf before the m^ft high Oodi Mic.6.6. thfe Pfaltnift hath refolved us, Pfal. 51. 17. A broken and a contrite hearty o God^ thou mlt not deffife. This is our bfirm facnfce. 2, But to thii we mndzid^ peace 'Cffering'^ and that muft confiftof ai^«W^ ingredienr, i. A dutiful fub- miffpn to this fettlementot the Ark. And, 2, A jey fuigratulaiion for ir. I. A dutiful (ubmiffton to it. In the the 24. P/4/, we Pral.14.7^ find the peopL invited to a {o\Qmi{receftio of the Ark; Lift mp your heads ^ je gates ^ and be ye Ift up ye e 'tis within thy Neighbourhood^ and yci appropriated to this Trvxe. Tho:^gh God be noiccpfindzo any places though the Arises Solemn Settlement. a j though he hach not chofeaany pccuUar/yto put his Ale in, as among the Jews > yer, for our fakes, heddighcs infuch places as our devotions bavem.de his propriety; The Lord lovith the gstes of Zion m re then all the drvei- Un^sof^acob'^ and m compliance with him herein, the devout foul cries our, Lord l h^ve loved the habitation of thj houfe, and the pUce where thj honour dwelleth ^ andf, tbe\eal of shj heuje hath even confptmed me^j aid, make net mj Fathers hot^fe a houfe of Merchandt^ : it is obf.r- vable, though our Saviour, inthefiift year of hisMi- niftry, foretels that all inclolures (hould be thrown open, and the worftiip of God no longer be CL^nfineJ (.s it had been) to ^erHfaUm\ ^oh.^.w. yet, tofignifie, that he would ftill (tor all that) 4^"^/?^ and ^w/? p]ave> dtdicatjd tohisfolemn fervice, all the world over, in the fourth year of his Mkiiftry, he makes his claim, and Vindicates thehonour of hisovvninrereft, Mark 11.17. 2. Wemuftfubmittothisfettlement, in regard §f the Authority bj which it is [eUcd»^ here are, David^ and f' e Eiders^ and the C4^/4/>i of thoufands; their/>^, theiV^- bles^ and the Reprefentatives of all the Commois of f.ng- land'^ wlat comes to us derived in iofulla cu^'ieat^f Authority, (nor to fpeak of the miraculous re'/ii ucion ot this Authority,) (liould p^/?r4r^ every prit/ate j dgaent and w^Vq th.pafftonSf interejls ;nd opinions ot al.mvi^ii, (loop betore it. There isanecclfity laid upon u^, yea and a wo will betide us, if wefubmit nor. Let every foul be fubje^ to the higher powers^ Rom. 1 3 i.\^x^ ^jemujl needs be fubje^^ and that not only for fear ofwraih^ but / r confcience fake, ^^r. 5. and there is anotferLke nolefs confiderable to engage you, r^^Z^Mj/dit^: i Pet. 2. 13, 14. Submit you (elves toevery ordinance of marty for the Lords fake 'y whether it be to the King as Supream^ orunt9 GovernourSy as thoje that are fent bj htm , for the punijh • G ment « ^2 l^t^itVsGratulationfor went tf evil doers\^ and pr the fraife of them that do well. Time was when an Ordinance (not fo venerable as that S^P^rrrfpeaksof) did fignifie fomething with you 5 when le[fe then one link of that threefold Cord of Authority would ferve to engage and yoak you to draw the Ark a fide? if you will not now/uhmU totheSettle-^ went of it , upon the obligation of thofe Laws which cometous, inthegreateftfolemnity thara jftf/?and/«// Authority can recommend them by, I (hall fay no more but this^ that your Confciences are ftrangelj blinded, and they ZKfrodigiouflj perverfe and obftinate. And y et this is not all 5 For* 3. We muft fubmit to this Settlement ^ in regard of that Mini ftr J under rvbich it is fetled- thefeare not like thofe falfe Prophets^ which come in Jheeps clothing : hut inwardlj tkj are ravening wolves. We know them well \ enough by their fruits: thefe are contented to fubfift upon that portion which the Lam of God and man al- low them 5 and would not be Fenfioners to your Purfes, left they (hould be tempted to flatter you and i^/r^^yourfoulsj ioithej feek not jours ^ but you. Thefe are none of Jeroboams Priefts, the meaneft Mechanicks amongft t^e people, fetupby anUfurper, to entertain the devotions of the people, in the worfliipof his Calves^ left by having recourfe to ^erufalem^ to the Ark of God rnd the fW^y?^^^J that does attend upon it, they (hould be invited to their duty^ and return their Allegiance to their Sovereign. This Hierarchy^ that now attends the Ark and worlhipof God, did not arife upofitfelf, as th^ heads of Falfions many timesdo^ orouxof the^^;- tomlejfepit (which is no better a Pedigrees ) but itderives its Mipon and Authority (as it (hould do) in a vifible line of fuccefficn from Chrift and his Apoftles 5 and is moft Confonant to the pattern ia the Old Teftament 5 where, as the Arkes Solemn Settlement. 4 3 aswcarc told by the Apoftle, the Synagogue rJ2l a Tjpt 01 Shadow oi i\\tChrtftidn Church, Heb, 10. i. where likewife God did promife, that, for thefervice of thu Church, (being made up tor the mod part of Gentiles) Ht tvdutd take of the Gentiles^ and make them Frieftf and Levites to him/elf^ Ifa. 66, 22. by which /^^4/names(of Friejls and Xfx'/^^^^) what doth l,eunderftand, butfuch as we call Preshjters and Deacons ? upon which grounds the Antient Fathers prefum'd a correJponJence between that Hierarchy of the old, and thu of the New Teftadient. And if we look iorothe Degrees of this Hierarchy^ we (hall find they xnn parallel , in their agreement, wirh See c^^v/ rr^- thofe defigned , of pld ^ to Minifter unto the Ark of ^'^''^P''^^. God. There was A^ron anfwerable to Chrijl^ Elea{ar « to ArMifhops 5 Princes ^ of Pr iefts *> to Bijhops 5 Priefis ^N^'^b.j.p; , ' ^ ' , r r • M t t ^ J Nch.l 1.10,11, to Presbyters 5 Princes^ of Levites <= to Archdeacons 5 Le- 14. vises 10 Deacons y Nethinims to Clerks :ind Sextons. fcEtr. 8.14,19. Is it not probable then that God will blefs and accept ',^'^"-*^' of a Miniflery of his ^rv;? inflitution and allowance^ ra- i Chron.isia thertheooneof onr food contrivance ? and feeing the faving efficacy of the Miniflery depends wholly upon Gods bleffing zndgraciot^ acceptation ; aic we aot high- ly concerned to fubmittothat Miniftry which derives iis Original regularly iiom God^ and upon that account hath the f aire ft title to his blefiing and acceptation f if this be not inducement enough, we have an obligation Lid upon us from his command, Heb, 15.7. Remember your Pr dates ^ your guides^ which have the rule over you, who have (}oken unto yon the word of Cod^ whofe faith follow, corfiiering the end of their converjation : and Verf. 17. ohq them that have the rule over you^ and fubmit your jelves 5 for they watch for your fouls ^ as they that mufl give an account •, that they may do it with joy ^ and not with grief y fcr thai i6 unprofitable for you. G 2 4. There 44 Ifrael's Gratnlation for 4. There 1$ one Confideration more that (hould in- duce you to fubmit to ihis Settlement of the Ark, and t'lat is the folemmtj rvith vfhich itisfetled. Befides the T;/^^and PAttern for ir, in the Old Teftament, there ae four general Ruks left upon Record by the Apjlle^ for the direftion of Prelates and other Sufermrs^ in feeling the Ark of Gods folemn worfliip. 41C0M0.J1. I. That aUbedonetotheglorfofCed^ b I Cor. 14.1^. 2^Tha$ all be done t$ the edificdtidn of the Church of God\ r1C0r.11.17, 3- That all he do»e decently ^nd worthily <^ J as becomes 29. ' * ' (f^e fervice we per form^ and the Majejly we adore *^. ii I Cor. 14.40. ^^ That all things he done ^ y;fWA^iy^ according to order, ci C0r.14.4o. ' Thefe Rules are obferv'd in our Settlement^ i. And fifftof the lad of thefe. It belongs unqueftionably to the Office of Ecclefiaflical Governours to fet things in Order '^ fo S^Paul in the Church of Corinth^ iCor. 1 1 . ult. ,T^^ reft will 1 jet in order * when I come 5 fo Ti- * //aTA^o- /^ in Crete (an Ifland that had 100 Cities in it) for this (AAi. caufe I left thee in Crete, that thoufhouldft fet in order t the . things that are wmting^ or left undone^ Tit, i. 5. and it '^^"f^"'^"* was nor left to every mans choice, whether he would fubmit? fuchasdid i^ot obferve thefe Orders were pu- niftied by the cenfurcs of the Church, 2 Thef. 3. 6, 14, 15. N$w ive command you brethren in the name of the Lord ^efu^ Chrifl^thatyg withdraw your [elves from every bro^^ ther that walketh diforderly^ * and not after the tradition *ATaK7a^- ^'/Vi he received of tis. But when Order is kept, it is matter of fatisiactioa to the Apoftle^ fo he tells the C^- kfiAnss for though 1 be abfent in the fief), yet am I with j:uinthe Spirit^jojing and beholding your order. Ic can- ^^)* ** ^' « vp^-'' be denied, but this Rule is obferved amongft us, in SSk!^'-^ ve/;/rwf;?^of the Ark 5 the folemn worfliip andfer^ tnv Ttf^/K. ^-^,^ ^j ^^j .^ (t\\2d 6y Order 5 And, 2. It is feded decently: is it Recent to be uncovered m the Ar\es Solemn Settle};/ent. 45 in xhtfrefenceoi^ Magijlrate^ and is it not decent to be (o in the prefence of the eternal God/* i$ir ^ecc;ff to kffeelwhm you:endt:aPetiti$n to your Prince, and is it not decent to do fo when you Petition the King of Kings i is it decent to rife up and hrv the head, when ycu make :n acknowledgment to your SMperiours^ and is it not decent to ufe the like reverence , when you aJdreTs your recognitions and homage to him who is Lord over all^ b'([^ifor ever f is not externalbodilj wor - fliip required in thefecond Commandment •: 1$ it not , youxdutj^ are you not called upon in holy Scripture, to ^*' rvor^ip the Lord in thebeantj ofholine([e f And what doth the Church of -E;?^/^;?^ require of you but this^ in her folemnfervice^f And, 3 Isnot the Settlement of the Arkj according to the third Rule, for edification f I hope there are none fo im- pudent as to deny it of the Prayers themfelves, and thofe Portions of Scripture,& Hjmns appointed in this Service: thefe are not non- fenfe, they are intelligible and for edi- ficationj and for the reft, the Gefturesand.Ceremonics, Khali make it clear to you. We kneel zx. our prayers, to fignifie, that we are in want 5 and that we are humble Periti^ners to a Divince Majefty, We ftand up at the Cojpel and tl e Cred out of Rtverenee % not only to fig- nifie, that we mWftandfafl in the pr of ef ion ofei^r Faith : but to intimate alfOj thatweefteem that profeffion ve^ r.erdle '^. We bopf at the Name of ^(/W, to affert his * jim.1.7. Deitj^ and that he is to be adored^ :S Mediator^ in his Humane \AdX\xx^^ wherein he doth ; ccomplifli the work of our Redemption^ and (oef equally becomes a Saviour. V/t kneel :xtih^ Sacrament, thatthe Ctnmonj may bea memento to us of Chrifts real prefence in thole dreadful Myfteries; and put us in mind td^invoke his blefling and affift ance m the aiftion. Wherein the Croffe in B p* lifin ^6 irrael's CratHlation for tiCmdoihedi fie, I need not tell you 5 you are told, a$ of- ten as it isufed, what it fignifiesi it is a token that wt * S jhould not be ajhamdrto cor^fef the faith of Chrift crucified*. 34,wuh58. ^^^ the Surplice^ ittfinelinen^ ferves umo edification, you may learn of the Pfalmift > whorePrayer as well as r.al. i?i.(?,i5. infjj^y^^jQn ij ij^ ^hat the Priefts be clothed mth righteouf- tieffe and falvation y that the Saints may Jhout for joy. And does not the jR?>^ in Marriage edifietf doth itnoc give a leffon to tb£ married Couple i Ic doth teach them^ that the love andfidelitj plighted to one another (hould be inviolable and endleffe. That very order of reading the fecond Service in the Chancel^ at the Altar or Lords Table (where it is ufed} does fignifie fomething to our edification % tor you muft know, that part of the Solemn Service does belong to the Communion 5 which the piety of antient times frequented, atleaft, every Lords daji now this practice, if it cannot fliame us out of our neg- le£l and carelefsnefs, yet it will put us in mind, that it is our dtstj to draw nigh unto God in that facred Ordinance 5 and it may heat\x% into fome holy and pafsionate breath- ings after it : which is a fpiricual kind of communion. In fliort, let the Solemnity, wherein the Ark is fetled a- mongft us, be well and duly condderedi and there is not zcircttmjlance, but hath fomething oi decency \x\ it, and a tcniency to the ufeof edifying^ according to the Ruleofthe Apoftle. 4. And for the glcrj of God^ which is the frime and fundamental Rule of all 5 everything hath a tendency to that : and if I could conceive how any one Ceremony in ufeamongftus does tend to Gods dijhonour^ with the leave oi hwihoiixy^ my own hand (hould be the firft up- on it, topluckit ofFthe Ark. But indeed there is not a Church in all the world tFat hath thofe glorious advantages that this Church of Eng- land the Arises Solemn Scttkmem. Ay land hath % where there is fuch al?eautj af holin€[[e 5 where there are fuch decoKics of exterml (^UndortokloS the efficacy of her ejfential purity. And when I fpealc of exter- nal I'plendor in the fervicc of God^do not take efe/jce at it> for the ^ritunder iheOld Teft.iment did put off her Wilderm^ bMt^ her cU Tdbanacle^ with the Curtains of . ' Coats- skins ^ when itc.imetobe fetUd, in a {late oi pence and prcfperity, inj^erufalem: and lb (hould the Church of God do under the Cofpel. She is indeed refembled Rcv.n.^. ro a woman fied into the Wildernef^ in the times of perfe- cution : but afterwards, when Conftantine the Enaperour becaraeaChriftian, and anurfin^ Fat her to the Church, then we find her decked and trimd up as a Bride adorned f9r her husband^ Revel. 21^2. The Kings daughter is all glerioHsmthin^ and her clothing is 9f wrought gold '^ this is a Prophefie of Chrifts Spoufe, his Church, under the Newlejlament^ Pfal.45. 13.&C. She jhall be brought un- to the King in rajment of needle- rvork > andthe Virgins that be her companions JhaU bear her company > with joy an i glad • neji fl)all they be brought^ and fbaU enter into the Kings pa* Ucc', and this leads me from the fir ft f^r/5 or ^;^^rr^/^;?/, of our Peace offering for the Arks happy fectltment ^our dutiful fubmifjion to it > 3 to the Second. a. Our joyful gratulation for it : And now I muftcall upon you 3 as the Pfalmift doth, go your way into his gates with thank fgiving^ and into his conrts withpraife : Take the Fjdlm^ bring hither the Tabrety the merry Harp, with the Lute^ blowup the Trumpet, as in the new moon. When iheAtkof C od vf dL% folcmn ly fet led, the people ot God h^d thdijojf ul gratulations J for they cried pur, y^r//?, Pfai.iji.gj^ OLord, ifitothyrefi.thou andthe Ark of thy flrength : -^^^Ij^^^^^^ thy Priefls be '*' clothed with righteoufnejfe : and let thy ^ Saints fhoutforjoy^ and (ball not the Saints under the Gofpel rejoyce as much at the fctling of the Chriftian Ark-r 48 Ifrael's Crafulation for R^ -»^.5,7,8. Ark^ S^ JPtf/;;? informs us oi z Revelation he had to this purpofe 5 / heard as it were the voice of 4 great multitude, and as the voice of manj waters ^ avd as the voice of mighij thundrings^ fajing^ Allelujah^ for the Lord God ommpo- tent reigneth : Let tu he glad and rejojce^ and give honour to him ^ for the marriage of the Lambi^ come, and his wife hath made herfdf readj. And to her was granted thatfhe fhouldbe arrayed in fir^c linen clean and whiter^ for the fine linen is the righteoufneffe of the Saints : fo we render ic, but very improperly (as the learned have obferved) ic II fignlResmbc: iht Ordinances of the San^uar J, the ha^ hits of the Pi lefts under the Law 5 and by \X'ay of allu- See Dr. Him. ^o^> i^ ^^^^ intimation of xh^friviledges of the Churchy jinnot.onRev.andthe decent felemnitics oi Gods publick worfliip and II ^^' fervice under the Reign of Conftantine. And if they d:d fo thunder out their gratulations then for fuch a happy fcttlement^why (hould not all good Chriftians do the like now /* If you have not motives enough without you, have you not enough ^/f/;/;^ you ^ 1. \^ here is your W^ to the Ark of God ^ do not all \ht friends of the Bridegroom and 5r/W^ put on their wedding garments J and rejoyceto attend th^folemnitj of their efpoufals ! the Spoufe of Chrift is now put into her weMingdrtfi amongft us 5 if we have zxi'jlovtio Bride ot Bridegreom^ wecannot chufe but rejoyce, andputon cur fefltval robes, the garments of praife 5 at leaft fefltval affedions > / will lift up mj hands to thj teflimonies (kept in the holy h.xV)which I havehvedi love will make a man lift up his I andsj to bUffc God and himfelf too 5 God ioiihefettlgment^ and himfelf for the e»/(?;wr;?/: Bur, 2. If thou haft no /i7t/f to the Ark, haft thou no /;?r^- reft in it ^ interefl will be^e: love, and kindle joy 5 we fee (his in all relations 5 in the parts of the body, in re- ference to their fellow members 5 if one member he ho- noured the Arises SoUnm Settlement. ^<^ n$urti> 4// the nJtmbirs rejoja with it* wefe: it In the womdpfy in refer«ace to her money ^ rejojce with me^ for I hdvt found mj groAty which jPds lofl 5 in the Father ^ in re - ferencetohisSon? it was meet wt jh$M vjake merry 4nd hcgUd* for this f/jy/on was dead^ and he is dive again 5 he wm lojly hut is found : Haft thou any interefl in the Ark i ^/&4i/intereft wiUkindle joy at theprofperityofit. The children of Zion will he joyful in their King^ it he be their King, and in the decent fetttlemcnt ot his jolemn worftiip: But, 3. If ihouhaft no interefl in the Ark, haft thouna need of it r they that go down /# rA«yi4<»yt/;^/, and are toffed which ftormsandtempefts, and are in jeopardy, aod within an inch of death every moment 5 /^r^r needs teach them to value the fecurities of the haven^ and 10 blefs God for their arrival at it. Haft thou no need of the Orack^u^ion this Ark) i haft thou no doubts to be re- folved, no fears to be removed, no/r^/^n^y?^; to be cil- med? haft thou no darkneffet neither upon thy minde^ nor upon thy heart? haft thou no need of light K) clear up thy kncwled^eox thy comfort? that light muft yfc/;?/ forth for thy fatisfaftion out of theC?ri^/^: haft thou no fin^ noguiltinefi about thee^ daft thou not want exfia^^ tion ^nd pardon? that muft come, if itcomei r<'^w/jr//, if .it comes ataS^ it muft come from the Idercj [enoi the Ark: art thou not >p^4i(rand/(f^^/^^ haft thou no jV«/i oit'^y infirmities ? doft thou not wantyJrr/ji^/Aj ftreagth for frotiHion and afftHance i this muft be brought to thee upon the wir^gs of the Chernbims^ that attend the Ark > God muft jnJ thee help from his h$ly place^ and /Irengthen thee out of Zion : And then, 4. The advantage thou receiveft from the Ark will engage thee to co gratulate\t% folemn fettlement. lus the Mioiftryof iheArk that doth abolijh fin, aad tread H Satan- w to KrzcVsGratulationfor Sdtdn under thy feef^ and make thee wife untofahathn i p(ii.io8.xi,ix. §h that men would therefore fraife the Lord/^r his good-- ne^yAuddecUn the wonders that h^doibfor the children of men: lei u$ not be likethebeaftsin iV^4i*$ Ark, unfen- X^ fible of the Sanftuary that did pre ferye them: Utfuch4s love the Lords falvation^ and the !e;tlement ot the Ark, that brings it Jay always, The Lord be prdifed, Thefe are the oblations that we (houid make; the burnt facrifi^ts zndfeace-offeringSy which we (hould (?jfer before the Lord. But if this be our duty, what meaneth then this bleating I Sam.T ^ 14' ^fthe sheep in mine ears^ and the lowing of the Oxen which I hear ? /;; Rama there u a voice hear d^ lamentation and MaM.x8. weepings and great mourning. Some paflionate people there a e, whofe zeal is too hot for their knowledge^ that weep for the Ark, and will not be comforted ; as if it were not well fetled, and infteadof joyning with us in our gratulacions incur peace- offerings they are ready to put the whole Kingdom into a new ^4/wf 5 and, if they had opporturity, would make all the dutiful Sons ot the Church a burnt facrifice lo their Fury. Why what is the matter? they love the train and throng well enough, but not the dance -, they would have the Ark^ but not the Hierarchy 5 the Mercy feat^ bot not tbcRod^ unlefs it be in their owa hands 5 they would have the oracle^ but not the Mujickmd the Ephod'^ the Covenant they would have too, but with (uch new Ar- ticles of their own addition, as would deftroy that whole folemnity md glory of Divine Service. If the Ark may not be allowed ro be WW^^ along in thewnewCarr^ and fetupin xhtixConftftory^ they hadasliffit were ftill in the Camp of the PhiliHims. Theg^orj i> departed (they will cry out) if it (bines not to give c^.umenance to t^eir dejtgns, and luftre to ihdx reputations : They had ra- ther the Arhcs Solemn Settlement. ^ , iher it fliould wear the rough badgers skins y the ceurfi hd^ bit of the wilierneji^ then be inthron'd in a Tabernacle of Ddvids fettingup, though he hath the aSpwdnceandap- frobdtioft oi Almighty God for it: but will that ///>rjr- €hy overthrow the Ark now^ that did then attend it by divine appointment /* will ^A^/ir decent Ceremonies and Solemnities difgrace it nowy thac were thought then to adorn it ? Or did the Ark do better ferviceto wi^nsfouls^ or to this Kingdom^ when it was laely hurried upon their new Ctfr^then formerly it had done,when it moved regularly upon the <^/^ Priefts (houlderstr if you will but, with an impartial eye^ refle:t upon the horrouroi fire and (word^ the defolations of [^oU and rapine^ the cxpence of blood and treafure ^ thac hath been of late amcngft usi and weigh well upon what account th-fe confufions rjgedj for fo many years together 5 I (hall refer the determination of this Queftion wholly to your felves. But it will be objefted to me : You tell us of pomp and objcdion: eerem&nj^ of Jplendour and [olemnitj in Gods Service 5 and we look upon all /i«f A things as legal types and (ha- dofvs that are vanifhed at the rifing of the Sttn of Righte- oufnefs % : nd we conceive our ;& and repentance your SAcrifices (hall procure you Atonement and Acceptation ^ for thcugh your fens be 04 fcArlet, they P)all be oi white as (now^ though they be red like crimfon^ they fhaUbeaswooll, Ux.i. 18. But, 2. In matters of Religion, in matters that do relate to divine \r 1 the Arises Solemn Settlement. t^ divheWot{h\p, fome things are dUotved and approved, and renfArded by Almighty God, for which he hatn given no p^rticuUr Cotnm.indmeat: i. There ^vereW^/^/^ry oblations, ^ni free-will offerings allowed of in the Law *. ^Lcrh^ui And 2. Ddvidy in this his atter^ddnce upon the Ark, wore a liners Ephod,tofhe0 his devotion in this Religious Service^ as the En^lijh Annotations t (recommended by the Af- f on i Sim. 6: femhlj oi Diw\nt%) do acknowledge 5 and yet thar gar- ^^/jIjjjj,^,^ menc was prefcriked for none but the Tribe of Levi. ,stm.». ig.& 3, It wasalfo a piece of voluntary devotion t^at David on ]\idi,'i. 17* built this T'4^^r;?/«r/r5 and thathedefigned to build fuch a magnificent Temple for Gods publick and folemn Wor- fliip 5 and yet, though He had given no order for ir, God was pleafed with the defign , and approved of his pious re» folution 5 For Solomon tells us "^ , The Lord [aid unto Da- * i Kirtg.5.18. vid mj Father^ Whereas it was in thine heart to build an Houfe unto mj Name^ thou didjl rvell in that it vfss in thine heart. Here was no Command^ iox this^ yet it was fo '^ ^^fm.7. 7; acceptable^ that God r^iP4r^^J him in his pofterity**: Thel^slm'jlu Lord teUeth thee^ that he rvill make thee an Houfe. By See x Chron. which f r ^w//i? it is evident (as the EngUfh Annotators ^^' «do confeA) that God approved this purpofe of David ^^ com King. a. and they adde, Ihzithis inflance fhcweth that a man may *^- without ftn intend to do that (iot the gxtat^t folemnity of God's Worfhip and Service} for th:t was the defign) which God hath not purpoled and determined to be done. And asafarthetTeftimony of Gods acceptation of his piofssy though voluntary intendment^ God vouchfafed him an extraordinary afliftance for the delineation of the model of this Houfe, and the regulation of all things and per/ens^ Fe(Jels and InHruments^ Offices and officers imployed a- bout Gods Service theran 5 the Pattern of t^em was fug-] gefted to him by the Spirits i Chron. 2%. 12,13,19. 2 Chron. 19. 25. 4. In the New Teftament St. FauCi / advice / Verf. }j. 5^1. Ifrael's CratHlation for I Cor. 7. advice for cofUbacjy or fiogle life, had reference to RtU^ gion and the fervice of God ^ for he recommends it, not out of a CArnal rcfpedy or for a temporal advantage only, V«f.i8. to avoiJ trouble in thefle\h^ but for a Religiopts^ a Spiritftsl emolument, that they might attend the fervice of God vfithoutdiftra^ion^ but for this, \!iQtQ\\%x\\t Corinthians^ Vcrf.ij. he had no commandoi the Lord to warrant hiipj Tet^ faiih he^ / give mj judgement as one that hath obtained mercj of the Lord, tobefaitbftili he doubts not but God allojvs of his judgement, and ^^pr^t^a of his diredion, for the advancement of devotion, in that particular. Nay, 3. God doth not only allow and approve, but z\(o reward [\ichzvoluntary[>iQty^ works undertaken ta promote bis fervice^ when the e is not the engagement of any Frecepty nor fo much as the recommendation of any Council to perform them* David vi aninftance totthUy as hath been acknowledged hytt^ EngUJh Annotatorf^ To which I may add S^ Paul^ he might have challenged fome Afilky and fome Fleece from the Flock he fed, to clothe i refrefl) and fuppcrt hirafelf 5 chat he waved this li- berty, and was not chargeable to the Corinthians^ but ^^^^P^^^^"° preached the Gofpel freely v he modQdly gloried in it, " c or.'g 17. as a matter highly rewardable, i Cor. 9. i j^ 1 8^, * dutcm apj^iUit, grash praJicare, (^ poptos terminos tranftlire. Theodorct. Glotutioncm it- cit, in rim, nihil tamen ex pr^^dicatjoneaccepermj netintum q^uidcmut indcviv€rcpoJ[im: fed fine [umptu (^ i/itU meum exbibuerim miMirium, Ibid, vide plura.. ALukj.jS. What command had Mary Magdalen^ to rvafh Chrifis feet with her tears , and wipe them with the hairs of her hedd t Mark 14.^. ^v^a: comiHand had (he to pour thatpreciota ointment upon Chrffls heady which the Law did allow her to imployto oihei;ufes ^ and yet becaufethefe were real emanations of the Arh^s Solemn Settlement. r ^ of her great *> ^vr and proceeded from atriie Jevoth^^binkj.ijf Chrift became her Adv0ca$e for this will rv$^ Ihip c j aid c Mark 14. j,i did not ooly comfort her with a pcrfondl Abiolun'on, {^thj fins arc fpriiven^ y]but difmifs'd her with ablcf- ^Luk.7.48, fing, [thj pdth ha$h fdvcdthfCi go ^npeact^ ^']:\n(i re-*^"^7.J-- warded her too, with a Nsmt no Ids precious trun her vq-> ty ointment^ i forthefweet 54i/^»r thereof he hath cau- fEccler.7.1. * fed fo to be diffufedbyafolemn Miniftry, thatic might J^h-***J* perfumethe whole Church. Whather/'i^r/jrhadv^//^^. tsrilj devoted to his burial^ fuch was his graci jus accep • ration, he turned it into an everlafting Monument of her honour 5 for, verily I fay untojou^ rohercfoever this Co* fpel Ihall be preached throughout the whole rvorU^ this alfo that [he hath done jhaU be fpoken of for a memorial of her^ Mark 14 f. But I muft tell you, that fuch voluntary devotions muft be guarded with a double caution, i. They muft notconiiftof athing^/i/iiw/W, nor have any ingredient of forbidden fruit in them 5 for that were as great an abo i(a.^5.j. minatien under the Gcjpel^ z%thc cutting fiff a dogs neck^ or the offering offrvines bloody under Mojes Law, inftedd of facrifice. 2. They muft not be impofed (however thev be re- commended, I fay) they muft not be impofed as Gods commands^ nor perform'd out of an opinion ot their nc cejftty^ upon that account 5 for thut is perfeft Dogma- tizJng^ z Teaching for [jiQCtS2.iy']D$Srines^ [or Ordi- nances of Chrifts inftitutions] the Traditions of tncn^^l^^''^])^^' which is abfolutely unlawful t. Such d. conceit as this Col. ».ii. would have marr'd Mary MagdaUns box of onitm^nt^^^^'- ^^^ and have cau ed it to fend forth a ftinking favour"^ - but ^^^'y^jp^ ^(^^ offering it out of a pure an J free devotion, without any xhtVefcnccd fuchopnion, Chrift did both valur and reward it, 'c^lt^^'' Suppofe we then, that there be fome things in the * eccIcuioi. Solemnity 5^ Ifracfs Cratnlation for Solemnity of Gods PMblick worfliip, that he hath not required^ isitnot enough (a$ long as he hath no where ferbiddcn them, nor entred any C4utlon to their preju* dice) is it not enough, I fay, that I have the dpfrobatiin of my own Confcience^is it not enough^that I am able to fay, / have ufed my heft judgement ^ aad herein / have found mercy of the Lord to hefdtihful ? if this be not enough, is it not enough chat I have Gods acceftationi is it not enough that I can hear God faying to mtfecretlj^ as he faid fometimes toD4i;/Wupon zlike occafion, by his Pro- pher, it was mil that it wash thy heart i is it not enough that God is ready to reward this my freetPtS- offerings my voluntary devotion i Bur, 3. Be(ide$5wehavether^/»//yofa2)/i//>^Z4^, upon iparity of Reifon, for our warranty^ in this our pra^ice 5 and this ought to be of great force with us^ For, i. as far as I Can perceive, fW/isthe firmeft^r^«^»^ that tfce obferva^Ion of the Lords day relies upon* There are fome inftnuAfionsiot it indeed, xnih^fralHeeol the A- poIUes, as their »;^rfi^^ together on r^4^day, to make CelltStionSy and the like; but theJemW not amount to the authority of a Precept^ The Sabbath of the ^ews without all pel adventure, was Typical^ Heb,i^.^^&c^ therefore aholifhed 5 hereupon the Apoftle exhorteth the^ Colcjfians, Lanomanjudgeyoi^ inmeat orindrink^ orirp refpeB of an Ilvly'day^ or of the new moon^ or of the Sab'^^ bath-days^ whichareafliadowofthingstocome: (^oLii xtf , 17. But that God (hould be folemnly worfliipped^ ftilly upon feveral accounts 5 and that fome time fljould be/4r^/jf of Reafon, extends to the benefit ot [uch Infants as are nowhoin of Chriftian Pa- rents sand that fpetch of S^ PetertAfls 2. imports no le[$, vcrf.58 50. Repent^ and he baptized every or>e of you^ tn the n^me of ^e[us Chrifl^ for the remi([ionof fins^ andTefhaU receive thegftof.heholjGhiOjl: for the premife isuntojou and to pur children. Now to apply tbefe inflances to our purpofej Ide- c, I mand, ) Ifrael's Gratnlation for mand, 2. Wafthere3.(o\GmnexXetr\d\mrjhipofG^dre* f what account was that fcivice required ^ was icupon the account of Gods Supream Uomtnion and Sovereignty on- ly? or upon the account alfo of hisB nefitf^ his works of Creation^ Prefervatten and Redtmption^i that it was up')n this double account is cvidenfj PlaUap.i,!. Giw unto the Lord^ Oje mighty^ give unto the Lord glory a?fd ftrength : give unto Lord the G LO RT DUE UNTO HIS NAME: mf[hip the Lord in the B E A UTT OF HOLINESS E: and Pla.i 50. Praifey^ the L$rd^ praife God in his San^uary .• praife him in the ftrmamenp ofhisPOWERpraifehimforhis M IG HTT ACTS : praije him according to his E X C E L L E NT GKEAT-- N B S S E : praile him mth the found of the Trumpet^ praife him with the Pfalttryand Harp : praife him with the Tim- brel and Dance: praife hin^with flringed Inflruments and Organs. Well, did God require to be wofliipped fo reverently and fo folemnly, then^ upon this account -r why^'^how comes God to lofe his Title? how come thefe accounts toberJrered f hathGod, under the Nerv Teflament^ gi- ven out a djpefjfation unto dujl and ajhes to be infolent and faucy witii him 1 and in his own houfe, and in bisfilemn and public k worfliip toij/or is Gods Dominion lefs Sovereign f is his Majefly iefs Glorious then it was c' or did not he make us^ but we rcizdcourjelvesi if we be his creatures, if we be tie jhf.ep of his pafture, then the invitation of the pral.^5.^, P]>ilrni[l\dys hold upon us: come^ let us worj^ip and fall c'own.^ arJ kntel before the Lord our Maker : if we do nor, the Eldtrs that are before the J^rp;i;^ of God will fhame us out of our irreverence 5 for thty fall down before hin» the Arkes Solemn Stttkwent. -^^ -^him that fttteth upon the Jhrcne^ 4t^d rvorPiip him thdt //. wet h for ever ana ever, aft J caifi their Crftv/is before the Thronf^ fr/fr« thtrcf'.re ^lor.fieGod in four hody^ And injour fpirif^ r^hl-h are Cods^ 1 Cor. 6. ulf. If this be not (ufficient; it is further confi^^erable, that Chrift, who came, not only to be a light unto the Gentiles^ but loht the glory of his people ifracl^ as be was torn of that Nation^ and lived regularly under their Law^ and obrerved tht:it pious cufloms ^ fo his defign being to /?^- /(^A^w what was amifs^ and heighten what was impetfe^y that he might not feem to fet up an abfoltne'y new Church, he had an eye to the Rites and Ufdges of the ^ews^ in all his Injlitutions ^ what he found had been taken up in common pra{Iice ^^qno(i them^ heaccom* I 2 modated ^o Ifrael's Gratnlation for modated to his own purpofes, making a$ little change %\ms^^' orvariat.onbothin pointof Gevernment mdCeremonyy Tfe. crir^' as the nature of the Gofpel, with the State and eftabliOi-* nient of his Kingdom, would admit of. Thus, his Ble^hn of Difciples^ to wait conftantly upon him, was anfwerab1eC:>the ri/ir/p/^/of the Prophets amongft the ^ervs J who were to attend and minifier unto them. z. T: be Title oiAp$Jiles^ tot Deputies md Proxies^ feat vfiih C0mmi(jhrf, ot Letters of Credence. Mat. 10.40. to (upply Chrijls place, and atS, here on earth, in hlsjiedd^ this he borrowed from them. 3. That of Bijhops^ an- fwerable to the Ruler of the Symgogue^ the Prince and Headoi the SanhedrimotdrjfpJlorjamongA them ^ who wa$alfocalled<^V*o5rofja 5//J^^ or Over- Seer. 4. That of Impofition of hands in Con^rmAtion^ and Aifolutieny and OrdinAti$n^ borrowed from the like Ceremmj ufed amongft them^ not only in conferring the Paterndblef' fitjgj but alfo in admitting perfons (chat were qualified for that Office) to the Dignitjoi Elders in their Sanhe- drim. 5. Both the Sacraments of thei\rw Teftament were taken up in imitation of certain Rites that were/#- lem/?ly ufed amongft thefe Jem. i. At the clofe of a Feflival {shdx poft'Ccenium) they took z cup of Wine, which they called theC^pof iS4/i/4^/^;f (as in the Pfal- mift) or the Cup of Bkffingy (as the Apoftle hach it 5) and at that very tinne> and when^^ was obferving this cuflom with his Difciplej, in imitation thereof z%d anfwerablc thereunto^ did our Lord inflitute the Sacrament oi his^^- /; Supper. And the Rite of Baptifm (defigned to be the Sacrament^ for the folemn admiflion of perfons into the New Covenant, and communion of the Church of Chrift ) was taken up in imitation oi that /ame Riteoi Bapti^ng, folemnly ufed amongft them, for the />^W- ^irig of J(ws and Profeljteiinto the Covenant of the Lord .^ the Arh^s Solemn Settk}uent. 6 1 Lord, andfointo ihtiiCengregdUon. Who lift tofce more oiihtkfAralletr between the Church of the ^ews and that of Chrifls eftabliihing, may confult that learned and pious Author. But here it may beobjeded, xh^xxht Kit eiol theCr-] trmontal Law were all Abolijhed^ upon the Preaching of the Ge(^el^ and did vanifh as ^ad&rvs before the Sun 5 andalchougb, as-i'^^^w/^/^^obferved, the»/5rof them was vkOiMortifereusy they were not ^^4^/;, till the utter fuhvcrfion of the Temple at Hierufalem, and the J^ewipy Politj'^ (as appears alfoby th^ Dff^rirteznd Prague of S^Pdul^ who did for the time freely and indifferently »y? or ^w/i them, as he judged, in prudence^ moft condu* cibUto the advAnta^eoi the Ghurch 5) yet they were McrtuA^ they were but a dead letter^ and as a CarcafS with- out a foul, from after Chrifts dedth and re[urre6tton% and being defigned to have their folcmn burial in the ruinesoi the Temple ^ after 1^4/ was demolilhed, they became Mntifera^ the ufe of them was deadly 5 and confequently to dig them up again, is noifome and unfa* 'viurj. But as a v. ry Learued, Grave and Picu4 Bi(hop^ fJobiifftcon- (now with God) hath well obferved, there .is more oUcicmu.prJ^ tvity than [oUditj in thatrffertion. For all the Ceremo 'f'^-^ §.»9.p. nidlsavQ not of a Irke nature, and importance. Thofe*'^^'^'* * oi external Order and Decency are to be diftingui(hedi by Chriftian prudence^ from tho[e which did prefigure Chrift id come. ^01 thoi^ Figurative Ceremonies which were inftitutedof Almighty God, to h^Typesoi Chrifi the Redeemer to come in the fiejh^ (as Circumciften^ the 54* crifices^ and the like) it is moft certain, from the time that Chrift did really fulfill all that was Typically prefigured by thofe Ceremonies, and jufficiently pro- claim to the world, by the Preachers of the Golpel, that 1*7 were becircumci[td^ €hrtfi JhaS f refit jot* nothing : for that did imply that Chrift was not yet come in the fle(h 5 and fo overthrew the iaith. But for thofe other Ceremonies^ which were not fjfU cal^ but modes of decency^ inftituted to adorn iht fclemni* iy of Gods publick worlhip, being effential to the e-vier- ndbeduty of ix^ thefeare not to be condemned, asi^;^- lawfutj upon the meet account, that they were a pajt of Mojes's Difcipline. Nay, feeing God requires ftill to beworfliipped h the beautQ(i2.mQnt)determindthc fortieth- /4r/,wherein that Order ^ Decency 2Lnd Beauty (hall confifts but hath left It to the Care & Prudence of the Governours^ (to whom he hath committed the Kejs of his Kingdom,) how can ^^difcharge their nor a ^ire with a pair of Organs^ nor reverend gejlures in our attendance upon it ^itisnoneofthefe that will overtbrovp our prefent Church, or drive away the Ordinances of Gods worfViip from us, no more then the like did drive tbdt Ark and Tabernacle from the people Ifrael. li tbefe be the gray hairs ^ which fome (that pretend to be more quick- fighted) difcern upon^he Gojpel^ (upon the matter) Chrift himfelf hathy?«f i them tbere'^znd iUbe Bridegroom himfelf be pleafed to fee his Spoufer;tzx tbefe marks of Antiquity y itbecomesus, who are her CWWr^^, to reve- rence (uch {ox htx gray hairs y rather then r^;>r^^^^ her for them. Certainly ( whatever that means) this is not a fetting up cf Gods Ark\^ the Houje of Dagon: but ia that decent Tabernacle which David^ out of atruei^v^* tion^ and by the direction of Gods Spirit^ hath prepared for it, 2. But have we not oxhct Frognojlicathns o( our ap- proaching 6/^ Jfraers Gratnlation for proachiog tMnCf aad the removal of Gods Ark^ as a ^r#- hfion ot preface to it^ what think you of the difcontent^ ments and divifions that are h the Nation ? is aoc that an Omen chat does ^W as much ^ for Chrift himfelf hath faid , That a Nation divided againjl it [elf cannot ft and. But let me atvaken your attention, to confidcr how unjff/l^ how unreafonable feme men are, in their com- plaints and accu(ation$. Firft, the^ themfelves raife the . difcontentmtnts, make 2.nd foment Divifions in the King- ' dom; and then they make thof^* Divifions the Progno* fiications of the rulneof it. This is juft like the pra- AiCQQiSarai'bds* make the/»/«rrr^/(;;ifiift, and tnea fMar.ij.7. commit Murder in that infurre^ion '^^ > Here lies all the diflFerence, ^^^rf the Felony was- committed but upon a i firig^^ perfons here'cis upon Chrifts Church and three whole Kingdoms. Ibid. Vcrf.ii: But if men were wife 5 if they would not cry out to have BarAbbas acquitted, and Jefus delivered up to be crucified'^ if they were confiderative, and would obey the ^oiceoiGed, and hearken to their la wlul(7»i^(f/ and Oo- ^ernours, they might eafily, with Gods bleffing, pre- vent this mifchief. Take away the tale hearer y (zith So- lomon, and (Irife will ceafe^j you have heard ot San^lua^ ry ftns^ of Church and Sermon-fi^is, and fuch there are indeed) there are Fulpit-talehearers too, that make it thdvdefigmndpra^ice to raife and foment jealou(ie$, to fow the feeds of difcontem and fedition 5 and if they may not be allowed to Aft this part upon the publick Stage^ then they creep into houfes*, and find it a matter of much advantage 9 though of no great difficulty ^ to triumph over fuch //>7; fouls as are willing lo bt led captive. But Cod hath provided for his Church a fufficient remedy againft this mifchief, aa Antidote againftfuch infufions^ Now I befeech you^ brethren^ mark them which caufe divi- pons the ArJ{cs Solemn Settlement. <3 5 fioHS and cjfences^ csntrdrj to the dc^rhe which ye have iesrnedy snd avoid them : for thij that arc fuch [erve not the Lord ffff^ Chri(i, hut their own he II j, and bj goo I words and fair Jpeeches deceive the hearts of theftmpUy Rom. i5. 17,18. it is your part and duty, as far as in you lies, ta apply this remedy, and make ufe of the Caution. 3, But is not the Ark in great danger of being loji amongft us upon another accounts is nor that an ua- churching of a people, when they want the power of the Minifiry^ a[oul'fearchingMiniftry\ when we want a faith ' ful Minijler to go before us <* I muft confefs, we have extream need of [uch a Mini- flry 5 fuch as will not draw a i:\\tskin over our old forej, but will take pains and be faithful to launce cur impc^ fium'd Ulcers, and Probe them to the very bottom 5 foe there lies very much Pride and Hjpocrifie, Schifm and Se^ dition, Malice and Treafon, in our hearts j it lies fo neer un- to our^jf^/* we cannot / th.t have preach'd P/4r«;»;/4, anifew'd Pillows under mens Elbows^ and crj*dpeace^ or go up and pr^Jpery when the defign was flat Rebellion > and yet rhey bnmBur'd the inclinarions of the people, calling them ble[[edt and a godly people^ that by fuch flatteries tl^^.^.Kj, they might leduce them to run on in errcur\v\r.h them; wountothem^ for thej havegonein iheway ^/Cin, and ran greedily after the err our of Balaam for rewurd^ andpe- rifhed in the gntnfaying of Coidh, ^w^.ep.v. ii. if they repent nor, away with them. An I give us^ and God of his mc rcy c nttnue to us, fuch a difingand ingenuous Mi- xiiftry as may rcfemble his own incarnate Word^ Heb, 4. 12. one that is quick and powerful^ fh^rper than any two K ed.ei ^$ litditW GratHlation for edged (fv or d^ ftercing even to the dividing dfnnder $f fpitl dndfptrit^ and of the jojnts and marrow^ and u a difcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart : God grant us/m^A a Minifirj^ that there may follow the like conviSion of finners to that mentioned by the Apoftle, i Cor. 14^ 2^. Jf all frofhefic^ and there come in one that btUeveth not^ or one unlearned j he is convinced ofaU^ he is judged of all : and thus are the fecrets of his heart made manifefi y and [9 falling down on his face^ he tvlll worfhlf God^ and re fort that 'Cod is injouofatruth. God knows, this Kingdom,, in general, fiath need of fuch a faithful^ foul-fearching Miniftry a$ this is* But there are manjunrulj and vain talkers and deceivers ^ a$ Sr. faul tells 7itiss^ x^hofe mouths muft be ftoffed^ roho fubvert whole houfes^ teaching things which thej ought nos^ for filthy lucres fake 9 Tit. i. lo, 11. the filencing or de- grading (uchpofuht Pr/>/f/ and feditious Levites will not indangerthe Ark of God atalK And if Ahiathar does complot with ^oab^ to promote the intended U/&r- fation of Adonijah^ as great a Priefl as he is> it is fit be fliould be fent to Anathoth^ and confined co his Country Village, left he make the Gity, by his Confpiracy, f^^ hotioT Solomon^ and in his abfence, as well the Ark of Godastheperfon of the King will be fo much the more in fafetjy r Kings 1.537. with Chaf. 2^ 1 64 4, But there is a fourth Progno/lication of tbishdCa- lamttjy that is, the abundance ofFofifh Priefls and^efuites that are in the midft ofus^ the growing and increaftng ofPo^ feryyandthafpronenef that is in people^to run head-long back again to the Garlickand Onions of Egypt : this argumepjt (fure) is fufficient to make us all believe the Ark of Cod is in danger. But the truth is, the Perfons that make the Argumenfl ace none of the mofl likely men to prevent what they com^ the Arh^s Solemn Settlomm. g - coaaplalo of. For who have done fo much to hjrJrn that Popi(h party, to give them tncourdgement and Advent Age, as ;Af7 nave done ^ not ta mention theii' Club-Uw, and SequiflrAtidns, with the (dUoi their eftate$,(no Cdgent Arguments, fure, to r^/ip/rr and fettle Confcience) what by chargingih^m with Jucb things as cannot be made good againft tbcm ; and by c$ndemnhg what is not to h^difaSiwedizith^tD^ and by opfojmg very weAklj{mth more ftrcngth of fa§tcny than reafcn) what is jnftlj to be reproved, they have made i^^w more inflexible and ibjlinasein their opinions. And they have given them dd^fsnt^ie alfo by their fadkus Confederacies againft thziHierdrckjoi the Church, whofe LeArning and^«* thirity, iSj under God, the onely probable means to check and filence them. It was a moft remarkable ob- fcrvation , in the Sermon of the late moft Reverend Arch6i[hcp, upon the Scaffold, alluding to that Counjel of the Priefts and Fhariftes againft our Saviour, Joh.ii. 48, Men Are Afrdid^ bith he, that if they let this man alone^ theRowAns will come, and that Popery will prevail, (and) then they will tAke atvay our pUce And our Nation : but it proved the contrary • for after thej had put that man to eleath, then the[ Remans came (indeed) And vanquijh'd the City. Popery could never have broken in upon us, to fhakc the Jrk oi God, in its decent and happy fet$lement a- monglt us, as long as our Urpful Govemours were undi' fturbedia ihd: flation. They were our netf^ doer-keepers^ they that thruft out the right P offerors ^ to make room for their ownambi ion, they turn d the Key, and opened the Door 5 nay, they puU'd down the? ^aMs of Gods Houfe and let in Popery, Ir was their turning the Ark of God into a Nodh'^ Ark, where fo n^ny forts of mid and unclean beads K 2 were t ^§ Ifraers Gratnhtionfor were htrdtd up together, without order or dlJHn&hir] iheir dangeious mi flakes in Dodrine, their horrible c^n^- fufions in Difcipline^ th^u irreligi$us defalcatUns of fome parts of Gods worfhip, and their (ejindalous irreverence in the performance of all the reft 5 thefe diforders caufed fo many to abhor the ^ffcrhgof the Lord ^ and they incli- ned t'/'&^r.^ (whether more out of devotion ^nd revererice^ than out of /m/y andadefireofci^;;^^^ I (ball not deter - tnine) but inclin'd they were upon this account, to lend a veake:rto the infinudtions of thofer/^;?;;/;^^ Charmers Aftdstion of of ^^^ Church of Rome. For, to ufe the words of that the Conference Wife and Learned Archbiftiop • Ceremonies are the ^i:h Fijhcr, in ^^^gQ that fence the fubftance of Religion/r^«i 4Zf /if /»- ^'^* dignities^ tvhich Prophanefs/^WSacriledge/t?^ commonly fut upon it^ And this I have obfcrved^ that no one thing hath made confcientious men more roavering in their own minds y cr more ap and eaftt to be drawn afide from the ftn" ^ff/V^ i?/^ Religion profeffed in the Church of England, then the r^ant of Uniform and Decent Order in too many Chftrches of the Kingdom. And the Romanifts have been apt tojaj^ The Houfes of God could not hefuferedto liefo Naftily (as in fome places they have done) were tht true worihipof God obfcrved inthent: or did the people think that fuch it tvere^ And I mayadd this, as a further matter of fcandal and advantage to them 5 when men do openly proclaim, and that fofr»^^/;7 and without any diflinffion, that there »Mr.C4/d«/si$ not a Nation under heaven*, except this Nacion of i*^)\ToL«^' ^^^^^^^5 that ever enjoyed the Cojpel a hundred years toge- wapofiiivcaf-i^fT; which is fo apparently falfe, that nothing can well fcriion. be more falfe than that is 5 when they tell us that^r^jf *Heb.ii.i7j hairs are upon the Gofpel^ which is everlafiing"^ and can 28. ch.8. ult, never wax 4U 5 who can fence offthe Scandal^ and not be Kcv.14*^. iianfporte j with indignation^ to hear the ho/y lextzbu^, . ' ' fed;, the ArJ{es Solemn Settlewc^n. Sg fed by fuch abfur'd dUuftdns, defigned on purpofc to raife up amusements and jealoufies in the people. And in h's Rditiorj we may now fejche fad Archbiiliops juft Complaint of the corfc- toHisMajeftyoftver BlefTed Memory verified, by too "^' ^" ^'"^• fad an inftance. Tha:the Church ot England was in a hard condition. She frofe([es the aotient C^itholick Faith$ - and jet the Romanift condemns her of Novelty in her Do- dtrine. She praffifes Church-government, as it hath been in ufe in all Ages, and all Places where the Chttrch of Chrifl hath taken any Rooting^ both in^ and ever fince the ApoftIes//Wi5 and jet the Separatift condemns her for Antichriftianifm^;a/^er Difcipline. The plain truth is^ \he is bettveen the fe two Fa^ions, as between twoMiW- lions 5 4;?^tt;7/(/?your Majefty /tJ^I' /^/7,/tf whofe truft Jhe ii committed, (he' U be ground t0 Po'^dcr, to an irrepard" hie both dijhonour^ and loj? to this Kingdom^ And'tisvC' rj remarkable , that while both thefe pre^ hard upon the Church of England, both of them crj out upon^^ikcixd- on 5 like (reward children which fcratch , and kick and bite, and jet crj out aH the while as if themfelves were killd. What fuccejje this great Diftemper, caufed by ib:d.paulo poff. the Collifion of two fuch Faftions, maj have^ I kno^ Tioty I cannot Prophefie, We may change the Phrafe into Q A great Diflemper caufed bj their Coalition and clubbing ^/ Interefts/^ ^4/;; a Toleration] wha!: fuccefs this may have I know nocj but (as that renowned ^re- llilp^lf,poR^ late goes on) though 1 cannot Prophefte^ jet I fear that A- iheilm and hxQ\\g\on gathers flrength^ while the Truth is thus weakned by an uaworthy wa/ cf contending for it. And while thej thus contend^ neither part confiier^ that the y are in a waj to induce upon themfelves^ and others^ that contrary e^trum, which they feem mofikoth to tear and oppole. But let the Ark of God be fctled with a decent fpUn^ dory JO l[t2icVsGratHlationfor dofy and all the parts of Geds mrfhif and ftrvict be per- formed with a due and becoming Reverence : and in or- der hereunto , let the Hierarchy of the Chtsrch enjoy its full Authoritj and incouragement, and then we (hall be in no fuch danger of AfoHafic to cither of thefc Fa^ions. 5, But however, they fay^we have reafon to perfwade our fclves, that England's Ark is in danger to be loft, fvere it only fer the fins and prodigious iniquities that we an guiltjof^ out Common- wealth pnSy dr»nkennejf and un- cleannefs y briber J and Off repon% our Sanifuarj-fins^ our remifsnefs and unfruitfulnefs^ our indifferencj and lukt- warmnefSy the frophanation of Sabbaths ^ and the firangt unheard of nnthankfulnefs that is amongft us : And tbac Commination will extend to us, if we be guilty of the likeunfruitfulnefs; Ther4f ore 1 fay unto jou^ thtKingd§m> of Codjhall be taken from you^ and given to a Nation bring* ing forth the fruits thereof^ Mat.2i,43. Fudtt b£copprobria nobis £t df^l fotuijfe & nonpotmjferefeBi. I muft ingenuoufly confefs, we have but too tnuch eaufe to be afljamed that we have requited the Lord no bet' ter, that we have no better peans to wipe off the ftain of this moft deferved reproach : And unlefs we do feafona- bly repent, God will vifit for thefe things^ and be avenged of fuch an ingrateful Nation ^ this is, Inold£//$time, when the fWr// were guilty of fo much ^;^;^w^er4;;^^ and uncleannefs^ fo much rapine and facriUdge^ and yGttht out- cries ol a complaining^ people could not awaken the Supreme Governour to unfheath bis fword to redrefs thefe exorbitancies 5 but the Priefts pro- ceeded to multiply and aggravate their crimes > and the Frince the Arh^s Solemn Settlement. j j Frincehh Lenity tt\aic his refrehcnftons but little better ihen a TcUrationox Connivance , and foihc people fell in- to irreli^ion and prophaneneff^ they abhorred she offering of the Lord: When there was fuch a complication of fins^ and ih^fms of the Rulers (as well EccUfiaftical as Civil) did hoih procure and encourage fin in the f^r^/^/^j tA^;? the Holy Or4ir/^ grew ///^;»/, <7(>ihimfelf ^^;4rrfrf, the Che- rubims made ufe of their wings to/ije arvaj^ and the Ark , sim.chap.j. cf Codwas taken. If we be m league with //^//^ the Ark & 4. of the Covenant will not (?w;?f us. Now the energy and efficacy of witchcrafts depends upon a League with Hell $ and Rebellion u Mt the ftn of witchcraft 5 as long therefore as wc cleave unto^and in our hearts follow an Uftirper^wQ can have no faving Communion with the Ark of God, no more then Ifrael had while they marched after Jeroboam. They are nothing elfe but iht\i iniquities that do (tparate ifa.^^.T. betwixt Gtfiand his people 5 it is their fins that wich-hold 3«7.7- &f. good things from them, even the bleffings of the Ark and God's Holy Temple. As for the beauty of his Orna- ment y hefet it in Majefly .* but they made the imjge of their abominations^ and of their detefiable things therein : There- fore have Ifet it far from them. And I will give it into the hands of the fir angers for a prey^ and to the wicked of the earth for a (poil^ and they fhall pollute it, Ezek.y. 20,21... . Under the Gofpel we finde one Church that /^/; her frft Love% Another that was neither hot nor cold -^ A third ^cv. chip.i. that bad anamethatfhtlived^ but really JIjo was dead-, A ^ ^' fourth that had fuch in her ^^/(^w^ and communion as did teach the wicked policies of Balaam^ and the unclean do* (ftrine of the Nicolaitans-, A fifth that did grant a Tole- ration loJe\abel, notwithftanding h^i execrable Artifice and prafiicesin feducing fuch as fad been dedicated to God's Service to commit Fornication and Idolatry : And what became of all thefe Churchei ? Why, their Can^ dlefiict y^ I[nd'sCratHJationfor dleftlch vsfos rtmoved^ and the Ark of God was taken from them. And though the Ark of God were ^/;r4/Ti upon ^ jBr)gUnd^ yet there is a meaff^re, there are aggravations.^ there are combinations of fin^ that when they are once made up will piovoke God to ufe his prerogative oyer Uf, not in a way of mercy but of juflice^ to cut off that entail^ and determine (as he did in another cafe) againft it , Though England were the ftgnet upon mj right hand^ jel would I pluck thee thence. And yet this I muft take leave to interpofe in vindica- tion of the prefcu Church of England-^ The fault is not inhere She may truly fay, the Sins of ZQtuizh are too hard for us : She hath it not in hex power to redrefl things as (he would^ And whok faff ious clamours and petitions^ and other a^s of tf/^r» hoftility, were they that unhingd the Government, and puU'd down thofe venerable O^r^iof Juftice, whofe Authority and Splendour were able to dazzle the eyes, and break the hearts of the moft infolent offenders i Till fuch Courts can be reltored^ we muft have patience to preach and prayy being in the fame condition that we finde the Church of €orinth in, 2 Cor. 10.^. Having in a readinef to revenge all difobedience^ when jour obedience jhall have heen fulfilled. The dehn- qucnts among them were too numerotis and toopotent for t^e Cenfures of the Church to take place upon them: For it is no£ prudent to exafperate a multitude with the fevvrityof a Difcipline which [he.r;7»w^^r/ canfoeafily over-mafter: But when the Reformation of the major part is fo conJpicuffuSy and the ^al of the conformable f^n loferious ^ad earr^eft^ that it may be prudent to pro- ceed againft the refrafforj, then the Church will not fail in her dutj^ but iTi£L\(kjuch cenfures upon- offenders as fliall be yi*i/4W^ to their demerits: Having in a readinefs to revenge all difobedience , when jour obedience jhail btful- filed. In the Ar\es Solemn Settlement. 75 In the mean while we are not without our Prognoni- Cdtions ioo^ that the Ark (hall ftillr^yj^^ and froj^er with us. X, Out ]a[QTnbuUthfts have vjxought patience^ and our fatUnce exfcricncc^ and our experience Hope ^ A Hope^ Rom.5.},4/t. wetruft, that will never make AJhamed. We argue our felres into this perfwafion by the Legick of A/u;7(?44*f judg.ij. ij. wife; if the L$rdmrefUdJcdtod([lro'j m^ He vfouH not h Ave received An offering At our hAnds^ nor would he have [hcived i^ aU the[e things -^ He would not have heard our prAjerSy nor have wrought fuch mirAcles of mercy for the Re^itHtion of his Ark amongft us : A mercy iha: the Church o{ pn^Undw^yy^tywcW celebrate (with a ve- ry little variation of the expreflioas) in the Sj.Pfalm. For loe cur enemies lift up (heir head And made a tumult. Thei took crAftj ccunfel A^dnfl thj people, Thej fai i, Come let (u cttt them off ^ thA$ the name of the Church of Eng- land maj be no more in rememhrAnce. Tkej confulted toge- ther w th one confent^ and were confederate. The tahernades of Bdcm^ AnHhe ifhrnadttes^ of Moab and the HagArenr^ Cebaland Ammonf and Amalek% the PhilifiineSy with the Inhabitants of Tjre. Ajfur alfo W4S jojned with them : andhjve hclpen the Children of Lot, But God hath (upon the matter) done unto them as unto the Midianites, as to Siferjy AS to fjbin^ which pertfhed At Endor^ they became as dung for the Earth. He made their Princes like Oreb and Zeb^ yea aU their Princes at Ztbah and Zalmunna. Who [aid let us take to our felves thehoufes of God into our fo[}eflion. OurGodm.:de t^e^l like a w'^eel t! at could never fix up.m any folid ground of eftabiilhmenc, but rolled :nd turned about in a re'^lefs variety of changes. Ai\3,(\-^^^y ^Q^Q as flubb'e before the TVtn^e^ G-d did dt" vide them in ^acob and fcatter them in ifratl ; He d id con* found their Languages^ that the building of their BabeL L could 74 Ifracl's Gratklation for could not go forward. And all ihefe difpenfations were out of a delign of mercy to the Adverfaries of this Church-, God hzih filled their faces with Ihame^ that they might be induced to joyn with the Churchin a due and decern conformity to feek his Name. And jc let all the Combinations of thy Churches enemies ferijh^ o Lord but let them that love thee and thy Church, he as the Sun Jdgcsj.ji. rvhen he goeth forth in his mighty that^/^r Land may be fil- led with piety ^ devotion zridglory^ and fo have rejf, to all generations. God hath don^ great things for us already^ whereof we rejoycej and what h^hathdont^ he is pleafedto make his ingagement to do more 5 if we do not render our felves utterly «;ijy^ri^jf5 and forfeit our T^»^r^ by QMXobflinate perverficies. This is one ground of our hofe : And there is, A 2^. The Church of England hzrhzpraying feofk^ a pepple whofe devotions are/)//iand/i?ri/^;?^5 regular and con fl ant 5 a people that do frequeat the Fuhlick Prayers of the Church out of humility and obedience^ out of /«%'- ment and prudence 5 and yet do importune God in their Clofets^ day and night toe 5 though they love not fo roucht)p^ay the Hjpocritey as to found their Trumpet^ to teUthe world they do fo. You know, the interefi often righteous pcrfons was foconfiderableto Almigh- ty God, that it fhould haveprevail'd with him forth© prefervation of five mcft /^Wand viti0us Citks y and God be bleCTe J, we have that number, I truft many hun^ ^J;'^^ times told over. tfZach. 5. Bui becaufe, if we continue in fin, the Epha^ will be full at laft 5 and if we negle^ifo great falvation^ and the things that Jo belong unto our peace 5 thofe things will be hidden from our eye*, and we (hal! bring upon our [elves iiP^M; fxKflft defiruilion^% and then the devotions of holy Pro- phets the Arises Solemn Settlement. -^ phcts will be injojned filence, by Gods oWn Order (Jer.7.i6. FrAjnot thou for tijispeoflc[_{oY their good ^]cjer.i4. u. ac neither lift Hp crj^ nor frdjtrfsr thtm^ neither m^ke in- ^-^'M- terceffion to me^ for I wiS not hedrthee.) A'^d though they Ihou Id pray carnefUyj aad continue their imfcrtu- »/ijF (receiving no fuch exprefs Order, astia: P.ophec feremjhid^ to the contrary 9 ) yet //;^/> pray tr.*, inthis id^e^ in this junitttre of aflFairs(wh n theharveitof fin is ripe) how effei^u J foever tor themfelves, would not prevail, they would be fruitlej^^ ai to i\\Qgeneraiitj of perfons^ and ihccaUmitj of the Nation 5 for wrhin I bring my /ore judgments upon the Land^xhough thefe th.ee m- n, Nodh^DdniU and fob^ were in it, ^ / Uve^ faith //J^r Etek.i4.i4,jo. LordGod^ they (hould deliver neither fon nor daughter^ thcyfliould but deliver their own (euL bj their righuouf'^ ne§. Therefore to prevent this dreadful feveri^y ol" Al- mighty God, give roe leave to propound fometew Cj- 'veats and Dire ff ions to you, touching your behaviour^ in reference to the Ark ot God (by which lunderft nd bisfdcred Ordmances ) and fo I fliall conclude. When God wa> about to defcend upon Mount Si- ndi, at the promulgation of the Law ( £x^d. ipj he commandtd Mo(es to fet bounds^ to keep off the people, thr.t they might nor prefs upon fo dieavfu! a Majt/iy^ to their own ruin.. The frefenee of God with his holy Ark^ m t" is holy worfh p, is no !efs facred^ no lefs dread- ful than i< was on Mount ^/;;4/ 5 Imufl therefore draw a/o;e, andfet up rails abount, as well to fecure your interefi in it^ as toprereive that refpe^ and veneration that is due unto it. Thefe (h Jl be made up of a ftx fold Caveat. You muft, I . Nor over value^ or de^fe it. a. } you make it a r^^/ Antichrift, VoxCb.vHcimttodellrdjthe works of the Devil^ and to take arvAjfin hj the fieri fice of him/elf. And if you make the Aik a San^uary for Malefa^ors^ you fet it up in cp*^ pofition to Cbxifi. and provoke him to Arm himfelf(a$ it were) againft it, in vindication of his own glory. Upon this very account it was, that he delivered the Ark (under the Law) into the hands of the Fhiliftines^ I Sam. 4. andjer.y.j. Thu^ faith the Lord of Hofis^ the Codof Jfraely amendjourvpays and joisr doings^ andlmU caufe the Arises Solemn Settle mem. jy CAuft jot^ to dmOtn thu fUce: (but) trujl ye n$t in Iprjg vfords^ [Ajing^ The Temple of the Lord^ the Temple cf the Lord, the Temple oftheLord^ as if that had been a threefold fornfic.tioni to/irr^r^chemagainft allp.offible calamiry i But ye trttfi inlying words that cannot profit : wtUyefleal^ murder^andcommtt adultey^^ and [wear fa' Jly^ andb irnincen[e»nto Baal^ and wa'k after oiherg§d$ whom ye kr:ow not^ and come and (land before m:^ in this houfe which is caBea by my name^ and [ay we are delivered to do all thefe abominations f is this houje that is called by my name become a den of robbers in your eyes /* Behold^ even I have feenit^ faith the Lord '^ Butgo ye now unto my place which was in Shilohy w^oere I put my name at the firfi^ and fee what 1 did to it^ for the wickedneJS of my people ifrael^ 8cc. That Ark which was the vifible Symbol of his prefence, and the efpecial Jnftrument of his worfhip and fervice, they fee it up in oppofifion to his glory 5 they would have ix pAtroniz^e the ^t fin, and^r^/^/? them, in their /w/^w/r;!- fy, againft Gods fevere judgements 5 and this provokes God to give it up to be defiledby reproach and propha- nation. Le: this be a Caveat to you therefore, not to over'valuey OX deife the Ark of God. a. And yet you muft take heed you do not underva- lue and blafpheme it 5 not vilife the jolemn jervice of God perform'd about ir. This was the fin of Michal the Daughter of Saul^ (he looked thorow a window^ and faw i>'4'i/i^cIothed in his linen Ephod, and dancing (after the Mttfick) before theArkof the Lord, andjhedtjpj[ed him in her hearty 2 Sami6. 1 6. yea, her heart yiZifwelTd fobig with pride :ind indignation^ that it could not con- tain it felf within any bounds of moderation; itburft out into obloquy^ for (he reproach'd him 2% z vain aad Jh^melej! fellow^ (Ver. 20 ) But i>4i'/W had enough to fay forhis owfl vindicati- on$ jS I[r:itVsGratHlationfor on > that he did thus humble himfelf, it was only in the frefence of the L'ird^ who had exulted him 5 and it is ve- ry fit that the Maje/ly of earth fliould be laid in the duft, before the Majefly of heaven 5 and to defjfife any perfon for doing Gou reverence^ argues an opinion, that God may have 100 r^i^ch honour, that the Solemnity of his worlliip may be too great for his excellency ^and iranfcend * the merits of his divine Attributes 5 and chat a lefs devo- tion will ferveliis turn. But this caftethfo dxrki reflexion Upon Gods glory ^ that his ^4r/V;?^^ cannot brook it 5 and therefore thepro- phanefsot MichaL's heartland ihQpetuUncyoi her bicrec tongue, is punilh'd with z barren womb, a great reproach inthacNationJ or if (he be with child (as fome chink (he was) (he ihall not give birth to it, but with the lofi of her own life 5 for, becaufe of this her carriage towards 2>4- a//i, upon this occafion. Therefore Michal the daughter a Sam.5.13. ^/ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ fbe day of her death. And yec it is no Paradox to fay, we have many of Mi- ehal's breed at this day amongft us 5 fuchashave made a mock ac the linen Ephody derided Cburch^rKuftck defign- cd to celebrate Gods praifes, fcofed zt the vety Hjmns and PrayerSiZnd b!afphem*d the whoh Solemnity of Gods moRfacred rvorfjnp. Have not the/rr'L/4;7/Jof thcmoft high God been publickly reviled by the title of Bad*s Friefls^ for their reverent attendance upon this fervice of Gods Ark ^ harh not the eftablifh'd Form of Liturgy b^^avilifiedhy the name of postage ^ not only in the foul leaves of Scurrilous Paraphlecs > but likewife in the mouths of railing Rabfhakehs, more foul and prophage then they? But we cannot be tranfported with amazement at thefe things, being premoniflied by the Spirit of Pro- phefify in the holy Apoftles, that there P^fi^^ld come {^nd that the Arises Solemn Settlement. yp that more abundantly) in the Uft days [cofftrs^ WAlking after their own lufis, * ^"-^ J- •• But does not this filthy dirt that is thrown upon the Ark of God, daP)md tefpdtter the Majcfijof God him- felf^ ye? furely; for Chiift faith, Hethat defpi/ethjou^ defftfeth me ; And he that defpifeth me^ defpijcth him th^t fcntme:, fuch as defpife the Min'tHrj that attends upon the Ark, theydeffifenetmAr^^ butCodi^ the r^/^r^jcirjof i Thcr.4.8. the.n thatreproachthe Arkof God, do/4// upon God himfelf. And becaufc they were guilty of Michals fin, have they not m t with MichAls curie too :: Give them^ o Lord^ nfhAt tvilt thou give them f give them a barren womb and dry breAFts^ Hof. p. 14. Have they not all ht^nbarrert^ that fcoffed at the felem^ fervice of Gods Ark^ either their Conceptions hdiVt proved Abortive % ox, if the chiU dren have come to the birth ^ yet there hAth been no Brength to bring forth '^ or, if they hive been delivered^ yetthofe brealfs , that (hould have fuckled the ^f'(pri?)g of this fcoffing Mother, have proved dry^ and (o the producti- on, like the feed fown byiheway fide, hath dwindled away for want of nouriihrncnt. This was acknowledged in a ^rr/;;^?;? preached before that remnant of the Houfe of Commons {fan, ij. 164V) fsx year ago {fahh ihcPic^chct) after thu Parliament ^^^ fii,f ^hf/g^^^^^^ [ate Awhile, it wMsgenerAUy believed that //;< (he alludes to nonder in Hea- thatjr#w4« which w^as a 7)/?^ of the Church, Rev, 12,1.) ^^"''^^•^^* was fallen into her travel; And i» the mid^ of aU thofe forrows which have befAUen EngVmd ftnce^ her friends en- couraged ihemftlves with this hope^ that the quicker And fharpcr her pains frrm, theliker fhe was to be Jpeedily deli- liveredof that man-child, which was by them fo greedily expected. But^ behold, as if aSthefe had been but fore- r«;;;?rr/^/ her labour, not bearing throws, fhe continnes flill 8o lintYsCramJationfor ft ill \nipm: hfcmuch asthej begin n$wt$ think Jhe b^th -;?^/ gone her full time, dndtArHcftlj to defire jhe maj ^^ be CAufe thej f(Arn^thlngmore Abortive Reformati-' CO-, (for fo they called, thej knew not what ^ the thing \ they projefled to build upon the ruines of Gods Church atnongft us.) Remember J*/i^^4/, Remember ^W/ daughter > her fit/y and hQt judgement too i zndfceffno more at the Sd' rUmn IVor fhip ^ndSeiviCQ, perform'd before the Ark of God; that i$our5^^^W(r4x/tf4f. 3. Youmuftnot invade znd prophane the AiVy God would oot allow that any perfon (hould Mlnifter about the Arlf,' but fucb as weie of the Tribe of Levi^ and du- ly ordained and hallowed for that fervice. Every mm might exped: a Wfjfil^j from the Ark; but every men might aot officiate about it, at his ownpJei- fure 5 the higheft Gifts gave him no Cemmiffion^ procured him no Authority for this wOrk, without a fpecial Con- Htb. J.4. fecration 5 lot nomantaketh this honour unto him(dfy but he that is called of God ^ as was Aaron •j without thisrv^r- ranti the g rear eft ^^^/, though direded by an eminent degree ot knofpleiige^ in the management of thisfacred Fun^fion^ had been no better then a Sacnlegious pro- p^anation. When the OAr^;?ftumbIed and (hook the Ark, U^d put forth his hand, out of devotion, without all perad • venture, to «f)&^W if, tFatitmightnotbet^o/m^r^m/^j but his gcod meaning would not excufe hli rajhnef -^ iov^ whether his hand and (houlder withered ^ or he w€re (truck fuci(?enly with zthunder4olt^ IQiall notrakeup- on me to determine 5 butthis lamaffureJof, upon the Creditand Aurhoriy of the holy Story, tba^ the dinger of the Lord WAS kindled d^ain[l U^{j{ah^ and God (mote hint thneforhis errmr^ and there he diedbj the Arkof God^ ► 2 Sam. 6.6,7. Shall the ArJ{es Solemn Sett lenient. % i Shall I give you Mr. Salami's Apf lication of this ac • E/i trembled cidentr We have hai great difirJer heretofore, faith he, ^;j["-°^^^^' and God is now ^'in\\hlng us for that disorder: there were Abundance ofwcll'm:aning mer^ that ufirpiii^ the IMin-'Jleri- dl office J and (forfooth) they were afraid the Ark wasfd- UnZt arjdthej Utd to their lho»ld(rs-y but their tonching the Ark uridid the Ark andthemfelvestoOy and krot4ght a [cau- dal 0» the OofpeL Thi$i$ Mr. C damy* s AppVicmon. But if we examine the master thorowly, we (li .11 rind him^ with many others (that inveighed fiercely againft fuch as uft^rfed the Minifterial Office) involved in the fame gt^iit with U^ah J and confequendy, they tall un- der the fame condetnnation. For what was W;2.^4i'$ crime; 0\apercn(fttsejl, quo J attigijfet arcam Domini. Id enim fie Levitts quider/tfas trat. Arcam enim abillis tantum gejlari^ non centingij attt ffeSlari $fortt$itf faith Peter Martyr : W^zah was fmit- ^" * Sam. 6. 6^ ten, becaufe hetouch'd the Arkot God 5 for the Le-"^'^' 'vitt's Office was to carry the: Ark, but they weie, under a fevere prohibition, neiiher to touch it, nor to luok into it j for fo the Lord had ordained, Nucnb. 4. 15. When Aaron and his Sor shave made an end of covering the San^ (luarj^ andallthevefjels of the San^ftarj, as theCampis to fet forward', after that, the Sons of KohathfbaH come to hearit^ but they jha. I not touch any holj things le/itheydie^ and Ver.20. Th^y jhallnotgointo fce^rvhcnthe bulythiugs are covered, lefttb(j(^ie. But it might have been alledge J onthebei.lfof Ux; zah^ that what he did was upon an extraordinary oc^^xR- on, in a caje of rtuefftty, and out ot zeal, to ^ave ihcj^^j^ Ark from falling-, but a:> Fcter Martyr harhvery well obfervedi his touching the Ark is 'ifftgned^ by m^ny, as the caufej why he was (0 judderdy (mttten% Sed erat aliacaufa & pri$r & major, quod illc arcam irnpofaijjet in currum^ M 6- 82 IfraeFs Cratnlation for ^ dediffet caufam huic neceffitati. But there tpas another^ AJormtr nndu greater canfe for it 5 his putting the Ark up' on a Cart^ andfo (^etrdjirfg it to that danger and necejfitj. So the Engi'ilb Annotations, The anger of the Lord was kindled againjl Uzzahj hecaufehe hadcaufed his holy Ark to be carried in a Cart^ which they fhould have horn on their fboulders^ and for touching it mth bis hand^ being but a Le- ^ v'\XtandnoVt\^?(^ On^ 2 Saoi.g.y. f^ The Levite« might not be their own Carvers^ InihG holjfun^ion^ might not invade vihzxpartoi it they had a fancy co 5 no, Atron and his funs fh^it go //?, aiad appoint +Numb 4 19 ^^^^^ every one to his fervlce, and to his httrden t. If they * had an ambition to ufurp any other part of the facred Of- fice (that was not fo aligned them by their Superiours) though they did create a prefent nece(fitj for it 5 yet that neceflity of their own making could not jujlifie them in fuch their Sacrilegious Ufurpation. And this is dnQday the Cafe of the Presbyterians, It wasiheir duty (weconfef5)r^^^4r/^f ^rjErtf/^C?^^, toMi- nifter untoir, mjome parts of tlie {acred Office^ fuch as were ^///^;7^i them by their Superiours*^ but they could not keep their W^/ofF the Atk; their ambition fpur'd them on to Ufurp other parts of that Office-, to lay on hanis ^ for t^e Ordination of others > (left, forfooth, the Ark of Gods worfhipftiould fall to the ground, for lack of a Miniftry to attend it) which they had no Com- miffioiifor, no Warrant at all, hut a pretended neceflity of the r own makijog^ by pulling down Aaron and his Sons^ the holy Order of Bijhops^ who alone were invefted wiih (hat power. So tli^^t thefe Presbyterians have followed Uzzah in the imiration of his errourzui temerity 5 and bath not 2l fuitabie judgment overtaken them, apuniftiment Ana-^ Iogir.il to ihai of Uzzah? are not thofe hands that were ftretched the Arh^s Sole)ftn Settlement. g ^ ftretched our^without any A^thoritj^to perform tiis Of- fice, are th y not withered ? hath not the dngeroi the LordCas Mr. CjUmj in part con{Q{[e:h)fmitteu them, tor this SacriU^tsw Ufurpation ? we He, they are^f./^^betore the Ark, mtfJis cipacitj^ and thcretoie, you muftnoc invaui. and profane the Ark 5 that is the third Caveat. 4. You muft not yZi;?^rrand belie the Ark. There are, ..nd have been inali Ages, fa'le Prophets who ^ave fuggerted their own Brearr^'^ Fancies aad Deftrns^ for trie Oracles of G^^d. The Prophets Prophefic lies in my namey as the Lord him'elf complains by thePr phec /^^rw^y^ chop. 14.14. I lent them not^ rnither h^ve I commanded them, neither fpjk: I ttnto them: they frophe >e unto jou a falfe vrfton^ Mod dtivt nation, and a ihmg cf nought^ and the deceit of thetr hearty J r, 14. 14. and Chap. 23 16,17. Thus faith the Lord of Hojh^ hearken not unto tht wo'-.h tf the Fri'phets that prephtfi: unto you 5 they m^kf you ran .* thej (peak a viftin of thetr own hearty and not ot*^ of the mouth 0f the Lord : they l^j JltU unto them that dcjptf me^ the Lord hath fiidye (hi/l have peace 5 and they fay unto every fine that walketh afierthejlubbornnij^ of his own hearty No evil (ball come upon you. And hazhnotthe lying fpirit given cut his 6)r4r/^% by the mouths of amultuude oi inch Prophets, amongll: us, inth fecimes ot our diftadion^ One of theme ve out thts for an Oracle*, about 18 t,^*/- ?f^* , I I tr- L L I I J .1 Goodwin's Aa* or I9ye rs ago, that tie King, though He.d o: al, ti.caval. and ftn^ulit Major • yet he was univerfis Minor • though Scr Dr. Hm. above 'all ftngle peribns > yet inferiour to tte bndy oi^l^f^^,'^^ his people > that they have a power and right to tcftjt iime.ari.^i^. him. "'^^^ And becauferW/ is contrad ded exrrefly by the live- ly OrA^-/^/ of theh iy Scrifture^ and ihewritings of all the primitive Fathers, thcrelore ihdxlying bloody Oroide M 2 faid gj KtZQVsGratnlationfor faid further (in effleA) that God did hide this lihertj from the primitive Chriftians, left theujeof rtjbjuld cauje an Abortion in.tht birth ef Antichrift. Ced caufeda deadjkep (ialth he) to fall ufort thefe truths^ the hiding of them being necejfarj to help Antichrifi up to his throne 5 yea, he faitbj that God b) /pedal difpenfdtion fufer'd him the (aid Anti- chx&tomjke fuchtrftthshis footflool^ till he had advaa- ced himfelf 10 his higheft pitch in the world. h\Mnow that this Antichrift isto bedejlroyed and ca/i oiit^ andttieC^wwt?W/jf of ChriftiansCashe pretended) being the men tbxt mtift have the principal hand in executing Cods judgments upon the whore 5 for bringing this to pafs nowjkiih he,in thefe our times God hath given out this Re^ venation tot^^he hath manifefted theDcSirine of Rtfiftance^ and Chriftiaas may ^^ contrary to thewiHof their Superi- ours. And foi this, you hdiVtlAx.^Qhn Goodwins g^^'^ veration. To a like effed you have another , that blows the Trumpet of Sedition 5 and to raife up the people in Arms againft their /4rp/«/ Sovereign. He doesfliame- f ully pervert and blafpheme the facred TeKt, Judg, j.ij, C u rfe je MeroT^ {faid the Angel of the L ord) curfe ye bitter - ^ Set Mr. 5^. lythe inhabitants thereof *j becauje they came not to the help fSn^ofihat^/^^^^^^'^^ to the help of the Lord againft themight J. And Sirmon. this vi'as Mr. Marjh/l '*', AthirdteWsfome of the Houfe of Commons^ in a Ser- Mr muim ^^^ ^^ Weftminsier^ (1641) that now is the time, that Bridge, Baby- God is beating down the walls of proud Babylot)^ that are /«/2j downfall, raifed Up in every Kingdom y and, f3.\lhbe^ ye [})all fee thefe psl.73. S^^^t works come topaftjhortly. And, in his Epiftle to the Reader^ he Cells him, I ft^aU not prophepe, if Ifajy The fwordis now drawn, vfhofe anger fhallnot be pacified^ till Babylon be down. And this is Mr. William Bridge^ And another of Thefe Prophets is as poficive as if the work had then the Arises Solemn Settleme?n. 3 :* then been aire idy done 5 tht greater blow that ever was livtn^ faith he, to Antichriltian Govemmenr, // that whtch NOW IT HATH BAD, Babylon///^/- tcn^ is f Alien ^ fofdUn as if ft) ill NEVER ri/e again > * On Ifa. 66. and this is Mr. Jeremy Burroughs '^. '^'i^^* ^^>"^^- And others, to inflame and tngage the people unto Re- *^*"^' te/iicn^ haveiorced the holy Sczipiutc (eemingly to belie jl itfelf > for fo they did when they preached upon thofe Texts, Cur [ed is he that tvithholdeth his hand from blood t,^^^ 'Evangelic and curled is he that doth the work ef the Lord negligently 5 ""^^ mum!*"^' when they were fighting againft the King and his loyal Subjeols. And left the peoples Confciences {hould be affrighted, and their infolence daunted ^ at the Apoftles dieadful 0;ww/«4;/V» againft fuchRcfiiters, Rom. ij. They that reftfl [hall receive to themfelves damnation 5 They found ^^^ j.. ^ out an allay, by a ^^«r/^ interpretation of the Phrafe 5 it /^.p.sj. ^* does not fignifie the damnation of hell (they tell their con- • fidents, whom they had abufedand feduced to follow ihdr fernicious ways) but fome temporal mul^ only (if the King ftiould prove able to inflict it.) But when fo much Chrijlian blood hath been ^ed^ and a moiS. Jlonrifhing Kingdom^ with a Church of the be[l Con* fiittttion in the whole world, deftroyed, under a prerence ofpuUiRg down Antichrift^ 'whitntw Model have they got, what Plat form have they received from heaven, to fet up in the room of it ^ why, no other than what their blind imaginations {h'dwld ftumbleupon bj chance, and Cod knows when ^ And the holy Text isy4fr/jfrr^t005 to ^r4///?^ this conceit* Go with me, faith Mt.Cafe^ to Heb. 11.13. Aal ye in hhScvmon jhail find Ahnhim with his pfinV^ishand^ andhis fandalt ^'^^^;;^ J^^^^^ in his feet, and hisloyns girt: pleafeto letrae ask him ij. 1646. two or three Qi^eltionjby the way: fee what he wIllP's-4f>, anfwer* 8^ Ifrael's Crafulationfor anfvver. Reverend Patriarchy whether are jot*' ^oh^ ? Ahfroer^ I know not : When jhtll joti return f Anfwery I know nor: How will jifu fubfijl ^ Anfw. I know not: He is in hajle as well as tve 5 and therefore Vie ask him but Ofte ^<[lion more. Abraham, why then do jougo at fuch U NCERT AINTIES? cothis hewill anfwer, J go not ufon uncertainties 5 / have a cill 5 I have a com- mand ^ and that will fecure my perfon, and bear my charges. Bj faith dhraham when he was called to go into a place^ which he Jh&uld after receive for an inherttancCy „.- .. oht^^ ti.and went out ^ NOT KNOWING WHI- H.b.ii.8. jj^gj^ H£ WENT. Chrijlians (faith he) ohjervef a Call is as good as a Pro- mife: (andalictle after./ we have not onlj a call, hut a promife; ??otin g^nQnlonljj but in CpQOdX, The whole Book of the Revelation is nothing el/e hut one great Pro- mife of thedowa-hW of Annchvih J and Goipel- Refor- mation 5 arjdthatis the work Pari anient 4»^ Kingdom have now in hand m theft three Nations : Thui Mr. Cafe, But what they meant by thac Gofpel-reformarionjthey could never agree to tel us 5 witness Mr, Darnel E'vance, 1, Intituled in his Sermon* before the Lords, ^an.%%^ 1645, Con dt^!^$lii. ^' ^ ^^^' ^' 3^'^ whire he tells them thus: 1 frofcp^ my Lords, / iiw 7;f/(^^r/(pr Paul, »(>rApollos, nor Cephas, nor Chrift, till I know what Paul and Apollos and Cephas are for^ and what thofe^ that fay thej are for Chrijl^ can fajforhim. But I could wifl) (my Lords) that we had the PAT- T E RN^ that every mm might Confult with the mount ^ WHICH OF THE TWO IS CHRISTS GO- FERN ME NT. The CHILD is CHRIST- NED {fit ought I fee) before it is B O R N, and we have the NAME^S before the THINGS. It feems, by their own Confeffton, they were not fo good the Arises Solemn Settle went. g y good Marks-men :isS' Paul wiSy [_ I therefore for urt^ Tifit WKnmWthefe as nncertAnli : fo fi/ljt /, nit as one that btateth the air .-l ^' ^in^^ucuA they were like the ^amarttanes, to whom our Saviour oncd.ijt. 134, fai-h, Jc)h.4 22. Te rv0rp)fp je know not what. Uthii^' tf ey were like thofeche Apoftles fpeaks of, whopro- ft(ffng them/elves to be vfife^ they became fools ^ Rom. i. ai. rakeheedtherefoietf ar. youdo nor/?j;j^^r5 oihcLic the A k of God 5 that is xht fourth Caveat. J. Yuumuft not^/^/rw^^orprjf intothe Arkof God. \\ e muft look no further than as the holy Ghoft U:h itlllcfen, and the h.ndof the Prophets and Apoftles drawn the Curtain for us, God will not allow the com- mon people rc^4^f upon the holy Mount (Exod. 1^,11,) fecret thmgs belong to the Lord our Cod : Revealed things areform, and for our children. Ifwe muft needs afford ^^"^•^^•^^' 'dfrojpecl to our cunofity^ there are Mjfleries difplaicd to us, in tt:e holy Golpel, fuchas the Angels defire to look i Pcm.xz; into^ c:;n wenot fatisfie our felves in the contemplation ^^ oir/^r/e things^ If we muft needs lee our thoughts run out upon the judgment to come^ c.nwenot confine them wittiin the mcdeft limits of jobriety^ and meditate upon the certainty ^ ^ndtb^feverity^ with thofe terrible accidents that (hall attend it ^ is all our longing after tbt forbidden fruity that grows upon this tree^ how many impoflures have ih^SttGerhJeex'- Chi ifti;.n World been deluded with, upon this account, ';;^?"^'»''^^> for filthy lucres fake /* And of what ill confequence this is, you may learn from Mr. CaUmj'^ - he tells you it iS the way to make ^^"^^'^ ^'^^^ ^ t n 11 L- JL L Sermon. men Aihafls ^ to believe nothmg^ and thereupon he concludes, i\z:certainly i^^/mf;9fu^of pulling down Antichrift, it \% afaddle that will fit any hck. Hath not the Presbyterian part) been called Amichrifl .<* yes, and that in Print too 5 and perhaps they had had a n^jr rrade upon them, upon rirf^accounr, had they infifted///; upon {heir pretenti- ^;7J to /^4/ Government. But the Arises Solemn Settlement. 89 But for my parr, I think it more then probable , that ihegrcAt Antichnftxh^ Apoftlefpeaks c f '^ is deftroyed * ^-xhcf. 2.7. already: If not, yetthequcftion is not fufficiently dc- 8,9,10. termined (by them who are in cxpedl.ition of his luine ) ^l^,'^^^^ tpho he is 5 much lefs ^hen his Kingdom is to have dn end. t^aoiu. And when men have been engaged to the e^pence of fo much hlocd znd (reafure, to the ruineoi fo many Perfons and Families^ in pur((4ance of fuch a drfign, and thee comes nothing on'c 5 but their fuppofed Antichrift, or his fuppofed Adherents continue ftilJ, and appear to be fo much lefs Antichrtjl then themfelves , in that they defire to live in peace ^ and to render unto God the glory due unto his Name (which the real Antichriff certainly does not 5 ) who fliall anfwer for all the horrible outrages that have been committed to no puipofe, but to the diftionour of God, and the fcandal of mankind, to the reproach of ourChriftianProfeffion, and the juft indignation of our Superiours i Who, I fay, fliall aafwer this at Gods Tri- bunali Will that excufe ferve the turn, Cwhich is all that can be pretended to) That the promoters of th^fe confuftons were miBsken^ and do now begin to think that the Church (the rr^w4;; they fancied to be all this while in /r^W with the ti^y/f»i of their own begetting) has not yQigone her fulltime^ (as one of them is plea(ed to word ^}''^^^Z'f , it^) I fay, will this excufe ferve the turn before the^^/ * " ' J"' dreadful fudge ? But fuppofe there were an infallibje difcovery of Att' tichrift^ yet where is the Commiffion ? where do we findcany warrant to levy war agJnft him^ It is fiid of that Beafl and his Complices^ Revel. 17. 14. That thej fhaU make tear pfith the Lamb^ and the Lamb jhill overcome them. But where do we findc that the Lamb makes war upon them ^ It is with the Spirit of his mouth that he confumesthem, andwiththeb.ightnefsof bis coming, N not oo liitdicYsCratHlationfor not by the mouth of the glittering fword, tThe(f.2.S, Irisfaidalfo, {Revel.iJ,i6) ihzt the ten horns (which aie intcpreted to be ten Kings ^ v. 12. )jhallh Ate thervhre. And fbdll make her Je folate and naked ^ and fhdl eat her fle^ andbttrn her rvith fire. But in all this I can fee no war- ranty nothing that looks like ir, forSubjeds to take up Arms rvithout^ much lefs^ agahfl the Kings Authority. There is aprophefie, indeed, that Antichrifi {tizW'fall and be dcBrojtd*^ but t[:at will not juftifie what is done againft Gods Command : For there is a Prophefie like- wife, that the Devil jhould cafi feme $f the Servants $f God into frifon^?iQWt\.i. 10. and yet he is a Devil ftill. A 41 Kin.ii.ji. Vxciii^Sitlhzx Jeroboam*' (hould have ^rw parts oi R€h$- t! ^-n I!' '/■ ^^<^^'* Kingdom, and yet he was a Rebell ^ and an M/«r- d I Kin.i f.i^, per % and he made Ifrael to fin \ _ S4. We muft frame our lives and aftions, not by dark Frophefies^ but by clear Precepts : And we are no where infoxtnGd ivhou Antichrifi^ nowhere enjoyned to fight againflhim*^ butearneftly exhorted To be qmt, and to e I Thcf. 4. II. ^^ ^^^ ^^^ bufinefs ^5 To follow peace with all, men^ and ho- linefs^ without which (pair of virtues^ no man fhaH fee the /Hcb.i2.r4. Lord^. Certainly t^ercfore our wifeftcourfe is, not to trou- ble our heads about Antichrifi 9 but leave Chrift himfelf to c^eal with him, and to betake our felves to Prayer and Parting, with other pious exercifes, to prepare for the Advent cf Death and judgment. This is the fifth Cave- at^ not CO intrude otpry into the Ark. 6. The fixth and laft Caveat is, you muft not rifle zndflunderihQPixV. The Apoftle tells us, Iieb.9 4* That with the Ark there were not only the Tables of the Covenant^ but alfo t^Cgoldenpot that had Manna^and Aa- rons rod that budded. The Tables of ibe Law are of in» difpenfable mctffitj to falvation 5 for the mcrcj of the Lord the Arises Solc»m Settlement. g j Lord is f rem everUJiin^ to ever lading upon them that fear him 5 tofuch as keep his Covenant ^ and think upon his Com- mandments to dothem^ Pfal. 103. 17, 18. And- Ajrens Rodis requifitetorx^/'/^and quicken; the Pot of Manna to /Irengthen dnd encourage unto the duty : There is a miK^uxGoi feverityandfrveetnej^j as Gregory lath obfer- ^ib.i. piftont. ved; KidOr difciplina &y dulcedohumanituis, qua fjcro v7f^!^^"^^^^' fani^as Ugum Tahulas cujiodiunt. There mud he Dijci- fiine^ and there muft be ^4^r4w^;^//, elfe the z:4«' cannot beobfcrved: Theonet0 4jv^, the other to enable us to that obfcrvatiop. A'l the Service performed before the Ark under the Lawwasnot7)/^/V4/5 though the Sacrifices of fowls ^ind. beajls be out of date and aboliih.d, yec the Sacrifice of hearts and fouls is in force ftill. Theie wa- incenfe to ht offered, and God N^as tobefolefr.nl; thank'u .md praifed Morning and tvening * ; and this continues ftill^ though * i Chroa. ij. the other be extingu;(hed. i^- Nay, as they had their Sacrifice prtfiguratlve^ to pro- tejl their homage and devotion, to awaken their repen- tance, upon a fuggcftion of their ^«^7i and their deme- rits, and to excite theii faith to lay hold upon the paflion and death of Cbriflto come, for their expia:ion and a- tonenaent; fo we have our Sacrifice reprefentative, to />rtf/f/f our i^'evotion, 10 awaken our repenrance, and to exctie our Faith to lay hold upon the Pa/fion and Death of Chrifi a1ieady;>4/?-' Ferfromthe rtftng of the Sun ^i/^^Mal.r. n. unto the ^oing down of the [ame^ mf name fhAll be great a u"^^hi^^LX^ mong the €enti!es 5 and in every place Incenfe jh^ll be offered and ihtAnd- unto mj name^ and a pure (offering : For mj name jha/l be ^^^ P^^crs by great amongthe Heathen^ fatth the Lord of Hojl^. This '"^^"^ * is that folcmn Commemorative oblation oi the Sacrifice of thcCrofs^ with our Adorations^ Laudes and Prayers^ in that Sasramental Bucharifi of Chnfts own I iftiturior^, N 2 Chrift p^ l{^Y2icVsGratHlationf0r Chrift U^ivenm in pretium (faith tfiat Learned Bi- !^'^°Se^x^ (hop* ) /ir4;^r/V^5 apriceeithercfranfome, t $ bring om ofTe' NatWi- de loco caliginofo 5 or aprice of purchafe, of {that, nfherc ty. rvithout it tve have no intereft) the Kingdom of Heaven. ^Z^^nTL For both he u given, offer m him for both. He was given jormnequepu'us, to that end we might give him back. We wanted, we had riorcmqux P0fhi^gri;4luable^ that We might have, this he gave us ^ {as %ufutmiu' A thing ofgreateft price) to offer for that which needeth a churifiim em great price, ot$r fins, fo many in number^ and fo foul in ilnufco'%- qtiality. We had nothing worthy God^ This He gave us Tm puni Veo that ts worthj him 5 which cannot be btst accepted , offer obutionem.cu'^g /V never fo often. Let us then offer hira, and in the ^hlumlt!!l^ aB of offerings ask of him what is meet. And a little after, ho^u omnes ^his Qhis flefli] he gave for us in Hicrifice 5 and this hegi" llTpkcm. '^^th us, in the Sacrament $ that the Sacrifice maf^ by the tantopere iL Sacrament, ^f /r«/)f applied /^ /^. ^(bVml^^^' What an irreligious, what a fcandalous negledof the WuUePaU- Ark of God, in refpeftof/A/if part of our Solemn wor- in Mai. I. (hip, fiath been throughout this Kingdom, I need not tell you; you cannot but remember it. But I wi(h there were > and I pray God there may be fuch a fenft of out mifcarriages inthefe particulars, as may produce z Salutary (hame, a Co-'dial and thorow humiliation. There is nothing elfe can fit us for fo lovely a pro/pe^, rs is the extern.1l Beauty of Gods houfe and folemn worfhip. To this purpofe it is very remarkable what the Lord faith rothe Prophet £^.*it/>/(Chap.43. lo, ii.)T'^^» Son of man, Jhem the houfe to the houfe of Ifrael, that they may be afhamed^/ their fniquiries, and let them meafure the pattern. Andifthej ^^afliamed of all that they have done, jherp them the Form of the Houfe, and the fafhion thereof, ani the goings oat thereof, and the comings in thereof ^ and all theVoxmi thereof i afidaU the Ordinances thereof, and aS the ^oimsshereof, and all ththz'HS thereof: and write ClO, u the Arh^s Sole>}in Settle/^Vfit. p j it in their ftght^thdt they may keep the whole Form thereof y dnd all the Ordinances thereof ^ and do thtm. And this will iead rae to the laft Stuge of my Dif- courfe, which is the ead of nny Defign 5 vi\^ to give you fomc dire^ons how you are to demean your felvcs, in reference to the Ark of Gods Iclemn worrtiip. But thefe I>/rftf?/^;>/ (hould be udiei'd in with a word or two ot admonitiin to fuch as are in highsjl Authority over us I. The Firftis, Tofapport and countenance the We- r archji that Older oi men who are fet apart by afpecial aft of Confecration, to attend the fervice of the Ark S the Ark of God cannot appear gUriou^^ under the Miniftry o{;x contemptible Priefihood, It is the Learning and Piety^ the Prudence 2nd Gravity, tht Splendor zud Aw.hority^ of the Epifcofal c>r^fr,that muft keep up the Ark in a fteady poftureamongftus. Afpiring Novices will run it into hogs and precipices, andleaveit without a guard, tobe ^i/rr/zi/Wwith Super- ftition^ or expofcd to the rude bands of SacnUdge and ProphaneJS. Where there is fuch ;i Hierarchy as keeps everyone to his Station and Office^ there the people are inftruded, by t^e example of their regular fubordinarion, to ke^p their Or^^r znd Decorum-^ and this is the Apoftles BuU warky oppofcd iofe>u^i$n (^0/. 2. 5.) and fuch as keep to it a e impregnable. For as that Reverend and Learned Bifhop obferves, Bidi^pPiz/ff. Paro in err ores pr^cipitantur^ qui ordinemob.dienti^ Pr^- ^'^ Color 2.5. pofitis debit am obferv.mt 5 i contrd^ubi or do prxcipiendi cf Km Iter, or parendi negltgitur^ ibitanquam perdisje^am aciem facile '^A^r.ovA- perrnrnp'tur. They fildom iall inro Errours that ob- fhttaate ^^^^^ fervethe order of obedience due unto their Prelates'^ -^ the Bi{h-.pinc^ but on the contrary, where the order of coramandins •^^"^^'rinu and P4 IfraePs Cratulationfor and obeying isnegleSed, there the enemy eaflly breaks in, as into a routed Army. To this purpjfewe may obferve that Holy Martyr St, Ignat as very full and prefling. TS ^^xot&) ^58^oTA^• _ .« .^ , TToj^jc^v eiS. Befclubie^untQthc Bifbov 06 ttnto the Lord: liin. ^ KA^' viAiv 0/ /ic<6- xcte/o/ J\nTet^A/lo fltVo JPA.O/ • o l^rh t» •S-t/^atrHeitf »k> Ktt^A^i ^. ^/i >5 v (if 4 beaft fhould rufli in to the holj Mount ^ he (hould be transfixed Htb. ii. lo; with fome ^4r/ or other for it) hereupon the Pfalmift, 1 will tvafhmj hands in innocencj^ and jowiE I compaf /^jf pfal.i5.5. Altar, O Lord. And now, for Dire ff ions to the people. All the ray- ftcries ot the Aik are comprehended and unfolded in the Fefiivals of the Church ^ and fuch as doconflantly fre- quent them can be igno.antof nothing that iinecejjary to their Salvation. Bur your addrefs muft be ^W;f qualified, that it may find a graciot^ acceptation. You muft approach with Humility^ wich Alacrity^ with Undnimitj^ with Unifor- mitj. Thefe four will muke your approach welcome to the Ark or Ordinances of God» I. It (^6 Ifrael's Gratnlation for I. Itmuft be with Humility and Reverence. There a^e fome that bear no more reverence to the Ark of Gods trorjlnp^ then if ic were but an Ark of BtfU-ruJhes. But helineffe becometh thy hou[e fer tver^ faith the Prophet : Te jhaS ehferve my Sabbaths ^ and reverence mfSan^uary^ I am the Lord, Lev. 19.31. God is greatly to be feared in P'll 8 ^^^ afjemblj pf the Saints : and to be had in reverence of aH ^* * ^*^' them that are abottt him^ Pfal, 89 7. and Pfal. 68. Gcd, Pfal.^a.ul^ fho» art terrible cut ef thy h$ly places^ &c. therefore ferve the Lord with fear^ andrejcyce before him w^/iA tremblings pfal. 2, We mil go into his Tabernacles^ we will worjhip at Pral.xia.r: his foot flool^ Pfal. 132.7. and Pfal. 99. 5. Exalt ye the Lcrd our God,andrip$rfhif at his foot flooL And as that ex- ^gjgjofl,^^ preffionhad reference to the Ark then^ fo fiathii to the gL vesptr.sun' holy Sacrament norv^ as we are taught by S* Ambrofe * and e?o.l.3.c.i2. S^ J ft [I in s Fer [cabellum terra intelligitur : fer t err am atttem caroChrifii: quam hodic quo^in myHeriis adera* mu^ ' By foot [tool we are to under {land the earthy and by the earth the flejh of Chrifi^ which at this very day ^ we adore in I In pral9»^ thefdcred myFteries, And S^ Auftin ^ to the fame purpofe,5 £lu^ro quid fit fcabellum pedum ejus^ & dicit mihi Serif tU' Kot to do it ^^^raf^ira fcabdlum fedum meorum. Flultuans converto ^^ihtToiyMy'*^^^^^^''^fi^^i qftiaiffum qu^rohic^ & invenio quomo- fteries, and m him I find how the earth may be adored without any impiety, how without any impiety 1 may adore his tootflool. Forhetook aith from the earth; forflefli isoftheearrh, and of the flelli ofthebkffed Virgio Murj^ leiookfledi. Andbec.ule in that flelli he converfed here amongU us, and gave that fle(h:oustoeac forourCalvacion: AND WOMAN EATETH THAT FLESH UNLESSE HE HATH FIRST ADORED: We have (here) found how fuch afoorftoolof the Lord may be adored , and we (hould not only NOT SIN IN ADORING, but WE SHOULD SIN (ceruinlj; IN NOFADORING: IhusS^^^- gu/line. And above all orhcTS the Apoftle expefteih tha: this fetviee (hould be worthi'j pertomed, i Cor. ii. other- wife /j^ effects did many times follow ; for rvhofetver fhall eat this hred^^ a»d drink this cup of the Lord unwor- thily, fl)all be guilty ofthebodj and blood of the Lord^ (Vcr. 27.) Ht eAteth And drinkeih damnation to himfelf^ not dif* cerning the Lords body {Wet. 29.) 2tid for this caufe^ (mh the Apoftle, rmny Are rveAk and ftckly Among jot$^ AndmA- ffjpepj that is, they are ftruck dead^r^r. 30. Ic isconfiderable in the Bethlhtmites^ th:y took notice that the Ark of God had been in CAptivity amongft the t^ncircumcifed PhiliHines^ that tliey had (et ic up m the houfe ot DAgon, and had commitred it to the condudl of Oxen^ upon a new Cdrt 5 and this homely ufage of it gave them tncourAgement (never confidcring the judgments that had been infli^fted upon thofePhiliflines) to be Fa- miliAr m'h'iT^ and to ^^4^^ upon it, without any reve^ rence zi all, asif it had been 'iHentited iwm Gods care i Sim. 6, O and ^8 Ifrael's Cratnlation for and fcrvice^ and was become an ^ dinar jcM$m§ifthingi But God does dreadfullf vindicate this thdx prophaftatlon y he ft tikes more then 50000 of thcn\ dead u^on the places that thQp}Arp;je(fe ot his [everitj might recover that rejfc£f and veneration to the Ark^ which he faw was not like to be paid to it otherwife. Men have made themfelves very familiar with Al- mighty God, inthefelate times; and his dreadful Or- dina»ces^ having been held in a kind of Captivity^ and Julliedby ih^refreaches oiignorant andprophane perfons> t: ey have been looked upon as fleight and common things: but ^e not deceived^ God is not mocked^ neither will he al- ways fuffer himself to be afronted'm his [acred Afftmblies znd holy Injlitutions 5 if you have not ingenuity enough to render alMwtf reverence to Gods Arkj if theargu- ments of Reafon and i?r//g^^;? cannot prevail with you to this effeiSj if (everitjmwii be ufed, to procure this from you (which concerns your orvn eternal good^ no left then Gods glory) believe me, in the end, when all rauft ^ -- (loop, you will find thatfeveritj very Iharp and cofili too : therefore approach the Ark of God with Humilitj and Reverence. 2. You muft approach it with Alacrity and Chearfulnef^ Icis admirable in devout fouls ro confiderhow paffio- rately afFeftedthey are with Gods (olemn worfhip^ and the place where it is performed* When they are feqt^e- firated from it, they brc atf e out their devotions in fits of longing 5 // / f^f'gtf thee, O ferufalcm^ if I do not re* Pfil 127 < ^ 7. ^^^^^^ ^^^^3 '^^ ^y tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth • * if I prefer not ^erufalem above my chief joy: How amiable are thy dwellings^ O Lord of Hofts I J^y foul longeth^ yea^ P.'al. 84. 1 jy^i evenfainteth for the Courts of the Lord^ for $neday in thf xo. . Courts is better then a thottfand '^ I had rat her be a door- keep- er in the houfe of myGod-^ bleffed are they that dwell in thy houfe^ And the Arh^s Solemn Settlement. gg And there is nothing more welcome to a holy foul then an invitation to fuch a Cc^U/lial entertainment > / wat gUd when thcj Jdid unt9 me, we wiUg$ into the houff of the p:8i.i u. i^xj £ord^ and therehe defiies tofix his (lacion; Our fea fbdlfland within thy gdtes O ferufdlem : Yea, they Jhall joy as the joy in harveji^ us the joy of thofe that dtvide the l^oil^: I will go unto the Alt at of God, unto God my e^' ai[^^ ceedingjoy ^ Such a joy of heart as overflows the banks fcpra!.4H. thereof , and caufeth exultation in the body too 5 My hedrtddncethforjoyi and not fo only, hut, my hearty and myflefh alfo rejeyceth in the living God. And much more, the glory of the fle(h, the hefi member ofir, the tongue. They Jhall fing in the ways of the Lord^ that great u the glory of the Lord. The fer vice of God fliould belike the celebration oizfolemn Jubilee 5 J^tibi* Idte Deo, be joyful in the Lord allyelands^ ferve the Lord praI.iot.f; with iladnefi, and come before hu f re fence with a fong : and again, O cpme^ let m [mg unto the Lord '^ let t^ ^'^^^^pfalac.i. j^fitl noifetotheRockof our Salvation. Ifwehad tbat^f4/of Gods^/^/'jf, or thz^fenfe oi our own duty^ or if we had but that regard to our own inte^ re/l and advantage^ that we fliould have, it were impof- fible we (hould be either fo jluk in our approach ^ or (when prefent) fo cold and duU mour attention to Gcds folemn fervice. Are we not in feme danger of Gods difpleafure for this awkward carri. ge 'owards him < does he not threaten his people for it ^ Deur. 28.47, 4J. Becaufethoufervedfl not the Lord thy God with joyfulne(Je ar^dgladrjeffe of hearty for the abundance of all things : therefore jhait thou ferve thine enemies^ which the Lor d jhali fend agahfl tbee^ inhun^ ger^ andtnthirfl^ And in want of all things: he that can- not ^r//jA/ himfelf in the Solemnities oi Gods houfe, in thzthis^xzciousprejencej where there is, in fome fence, O 2 4 pral.iix.J. gi l[r^cV sGratnlation for pral.i6.ulc aftilrje([e cf j$j^ it is pity he (hould ever come to his right handy where are fUafarcsfer evermore ' you muft approach with AUcritj, 3. You muft approach the Ark with »»4;i/W/^; As ferufdiem was hutlded^[o it y^^sgovern'd^ as a City 4/ uni- pral.95.^. ^V^ ^^ f^^f' The khglj Prophet invites, o come^ let us rvorfhtp and fall down and kneel before the Lord^ mag^ V^M^'l* pjfie the Lord withme^ and let us exalt his name together^ And at that grt:x^ foUmnitj of Solomons, when he dedi- cated the houfe of the Lord, we find all ifrael in confort iChron.7.4. with him, The King and all the feople offered facrifices he* fore the Lord. God hath an expectation itihould be fo amongft us too 5 for he faith by his Evangelical Prophet, And itfball Xfj 2.1 1. ^^^^ ^^ P^(^ ^^ ^^^ ^^fi ^^y^9 ^^^^ ^^^ mountain of the Lords houfe (hall be eftablifhed in the top of the mot^ntains^ and Jhill be exalted above the hills t, ana all rations fhall flow ' unto it. A^dmanj people fhallgo andfaj^ Come je^ and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord^ to the houfe of the Cod of Jacob, and he will teach as of his wajSy dna we will rsMk in his pathes. For then (as the Lord faith by another ^•pb'3-9- Prophef )«?/*'/ / turn to the people a pure language^ that ^ thej m^j all call upon the name of the Lord, to ferve him rvith one confenty crouding in to the holy AflTembh'es with 0/ e f})OHlder^ ;4/importeth* And that if might be fo amongft us, how earneftly doth the Apoftle co jure us in the perfons of the Church o^ Philtppi j if there be therefore any confolation in Chrifly if any comfort oftove^ if any fellow[hip of the Spirit^ if any bowels of mercies 5 fulfil ye my joy 5 and what is thatf thtipye be like-minded^ having the fame love^ being cf one accord^ of one mind. For Chrift hath but ons Church; My love^ my undefled is one % thctc isonebody^ and onejlint^ and ye are called in one hope of your caSing^ ent^ Phil.!.T;i. in I. the Arises Solemn Settletwent. p.^ • §ne Ldrd^ onr Fatth^ one Baptifm, one Cod and Father of E^h.^.^,^, 6. all^ tvho u ahve aS^ and through aS^ andinjoit all. What amu'riplici:y of Argumencs hach tte lileffed Apoftle twtjlcd rogecbe^ro cr.ake :he unitj tbac (liould be amongft Chriftians tndijfoluble. And if the advantages hereof were duly weighed, thefe alone we. e enough co make ic fo. Origen weighing sec Magji. that verfe of the Pf Jmift^ Bltjjed are the people that know ^ofl^'C-^- § the jojful found (Pfal. 89. IJO ^t quires what it is that ^''""''•^ rendeisaf^i^/^/^bLffed, He (alb not ^ bleffed are the people that do rij^hteoujne/^'y Qrhlef[ed are the people that under- ft and mjflcries^ or are able to give an account of the heaven^ of the earthy a':d of the ftars : but^ hefaith^ hUffed arethc people that know the fcund {xh jubilation). In other (phce%) the fear of the Lord maketh hUjfed^ but it maketh hx^t one man hie [fed ^ for fo it is (aid^ Eltffed is the man that feareth the Lord.tlfervhererpefi id alfo that more are blc[fedj 4S ilfjfed arethepoor infpirit ^ bltjfed are the meek ^ bleffed are the peace makers 5 bleffed are the pure in hearty But here (in the Pfalmift)the bleGTednefs i^ p^^ff^f^j and / •kr.cw not vohAt fo great caufe cfble(fednef? if intimated^that it jhoaldmake the whole people bleffed^ that hears the fnbilati^ on, Uade mihi jubilatio videiur indicare quendam con- cordia?;, & uranimitatis afFeCtum, rvhereuponit ftems to me^ thdt this Jubilation doth import an affdlion cf concord and unanimity 5 rvkich tf it clafps the hearts and h:.nds cf trvo or three Difciples iogcihe: inPrayer* itmakcsthem [o prevalent^ (cfferiifg up their devotions in the name of Chrifl) that the heavenlj Father grants all they pray for. And if it be fo great a bleffednefs that a whole people arc unanimous yib At they all fpeak the fame things being jojndto* gether inthe fame minddndin the fame judgment^ theuni- ted devotions ot fucha people may b.as prevalent as theirs were, in the Afis of thcApoflles-, Thciwereof on^ 102 XCt^LcVsCratHlationfor Aft$ a.i. cnthedrt and ef one feuljfbej were mth ont acnrdlninefUce] —'^^*^*'^*' and there was a^rM;^rfrrA^«^4^^, where they prayed (in unaaimity) and the fUce being jhaktn the h$lj Gh§!l defcen- dcd. The j oynt devotions of an unanimous f4ithful peo- ple might be thus tStSt\xz\y terra metufalfo dtjiruentur & cadent omnid^ qua terrena fmt^ mc mundus iffe [uhver^ tetur^ faith Origin h fuch an Barth,quake might enfue^ as fliould remove thofe Miuntainsoi earth, that offofe'm our7r47 to heaven^ and level the world under our feet, and bring down the Comforter to inligbten and af- ^fifi us. Let us therefore approach the Ark of God wichMj- nimitj^ and this will make us inclinable to the laft part of QUtdutj^ in our t/^fwf4;;^r towards the Ark« 4. To approach it with uniformity • for our unanimity 1$ to terminate and center there, in uniformity. Hence the Apoftlcis fopathetical^ i Cor. 1. 10. Now 1 befeech jouj brethren^ bjthename of our Lord^efus^Chrifi^ that jeaUjpeak the fame thimg, and that there be no divifions(pt Schiimi) among jou 5 but that je be perfeffly jojned toge- ther in the fame mind and in the fame judgment. And why fo^ why, that ye may vfith one mind and one mouthglorifie Cody even the Father of our Lord ^efus Chri^^ Rotn. 15. «. jet.^i.jp. ^ That promife of God, C^ ^'^H g^'^^ ^^^^ one heart and Efcck.11.15. one rvay^ that they may fear me for ever']hath reference certainly to the Christian Church, But this is fuch a pro- mife as implies cur co^of oration for tfie accompliftiment of it. I demand then, whether God fcath performed his £;i. gagement to the ChriJJian Church ^ whether he hath donehis party in giving his people i'/^^w^jr f if not, then we are to expeft fome netv Revelations for the difcovery oithat rvay > for how (hall it htfetofen to us otherwife i But the Arkss Solemn Settle mem. fo-x But this is not only contradilted by the Apoftle, but femenccdtoo with the drcadfulcomminationofan^^jj- tbimJ\ioT thus he finb^theugh wc $r An Angel from heaven^ Cal. 1.8,^; f reach Anj other Cojpel ur$tpjof4, then that which we have f reached t$nto jou^ let him be accitrfed. And for the greater verification ot this truth, he^^^W^i^/ir affeveration; as we [aid before^ [ofay I koiv aga'n^ if any man f reach any ether Gofpel untojou^ then thatje have received, let him teaccurfed^ I am the way ^ faith our Saviour^ and the truth too^and that can be but one ; we have the mind of Chrifi^ faith the 1 Car.i.i6; Apoftlej and no man can, no man dare deny, that to htthe oneway^ that God hath promifed ; and thi^ls/et open to the vvoild, hy the Miniflry of the Apoftles and aSs 15.17; Evangelifts; Thefe menarethe jcrvantsof the mojl high Cod^ which (hew unto m the way ofjalvation. And if you ask mc why fomemeo refufeto walk in this way, I muft refer you to fome of ihdiflubborn fellow travellers, foranfwer? Thus faith the Lord^ Stand ye in the ways and fee and Mkfor the $ld paths ^ where is the good way, and walk therein^ andye fhall find re(t for your jouls : hut theyfaid^ we will not walk therein^ Jer. 6, 1 6. And why not i why, here lies the quarreU God hath appointed'cerrain Guides to dire^ us and point out the way to us, and we are offended at /A/ir- we make our Go^W^ j our Jlitmbling'blecks j God hath alio given :igeneral Or- der to the-e Guides ^'o fet up (ome Jhades for our better ac- commodationj aid to hang up fome lights for our more /4/if and r^^rtV walking, in this way, leaving it to their care a'ld pru.^ence, what ihcfc Jhides (hall be made of, and where//;.'/ //^/;r/ (hall be fee up 5 and A^r^, having an over^wceniyig Ctflccit of our own worth, and wanting that due reverence ioT our Guides and Governours, which wc ough: to r.ave, wc f.llouc inmd dout the way too 5 fride r. ^6 I^vzqVs Cratnlation for fftUe and prejudice^ Bnvj and Animofitj ftrike in, and roakeus NON-CONFORMISTS. . The Apoftle foiefaw this, or raher had a prcfcntV;?- tuhion of it^ in fome Churches of his own planting 5 and therefore when he injoyns this accord and umformitj^ Ph'l - ^^^ fecuring this duty he prefcribes alfo theft Caveat*, Let ^**' nothir^g hedfine through ftrif^ er vaingUrj, but in Icwli' nefs of mind let each efteem other better then themfelves, P ^'*•'*^^^/\nd the fame charge hegivesto the£/>A^y?4,7/5 I there- fere, theprifonerofthe Lord^ bcfeechjou^ that je walk wor* thjof thevecatisn tvherewhh je are caHed, withaS Ufvli- ve(s andmeeknefs^ with long fuffering^ forbearing one an$* therinhve'y (and by keeping this temper efpecially to- wards our Guides) endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Uniformity is this bond of the Churches peace ; and a$ . ^ ^^4^ that makes her terrible as an Army with Banners \ which attribute no fociety of men can boaft of., but where they dl keep the fame pofiure > and obferve the fimemotionSy mdob^y the fame word of ^ommand^ under their refpe^ive officers. In obedience therefore to the Apoftles command, as well as for the honour and advantage of Gods Church, Let ust as many as be perfeS^^ be thus minded^ Phil. 3. 15. that is, as it follows, in the next verfe. Let us walk by the [ame rule^ let us mind the fame thing. And I muft add (to take away an objedion that may arife from the words intervening) it maybe very juftly expe(Sedthac w^^(houldbe/(? per/iT^, asis there required 5 for though fome novices in the Faith^ who were then bur newly crept out of the darknefs of Heathenifm^ or the jhades of, the J-ewifhohfervances ^ though thefe, I lay, might then ex- pcft, fonne further Revelation^ to inlighten th^m more clearly^m that which by reafon of xhdx igfforance,ox prejs^- dice^ the Ar\es Solemn Settlomnt. j q ^ JUke] tbey were noijor the fre[ent^hi\%fiQA in > yet we are to cxpcA no fuch macter, we have drtddj attain' d to the utmoft wecan tyi^SioiimmcdUtc RcveUtion '5 and iris iGti.i.g,^ gMi dntj^^D'mzit RevcUtion and Command hith made it ^^^-^T-h fo) iQ all dsHbift^l matters to refiga our judgments up to the condu^ oifuch Guides t as God h^^th fet over u? ^ and t Hcb i ^,7, at for the truth of this Pofitioo, I appeal to t^e declared '^' dcdrineof Mr. Baxter^ for thus he Hiith, Q '*' Ltt me be* in hu unfa- holdtotell mj opinion temj Brethren of the Mmiflrj, that ^°"[y voiumn though I deny them t§ have either credit or Authority a rain ft oinfon^tr the known V\ ord of Cod^ jetfo great is their credit and A 4- his NoiVgay thoritj. even 4S Teachers and Guides of the Church. int^^^V^r^^t CoHjes zgitCdbiQto the Word, andtn Caujes to the people Ty\l,{pige2i.j doubtful 4;?^ unknown, and in Caufes leftbj the Word to ^^fcfi^^fn- tbdr determination^ (the Word determining them but gere- rally) that I think the ignorance of th[% trmh hath been the main caufe cfour jad Confufions and Schilms in England, sndthat the Minifters have been guilty of it, partly bi an iver-modeft concealing their Authority^ and partly by an indifcreet oppoftrion to the Papijls err our of the Authority efthe Church : and I think that t/Sm have better taught^ iven our godly people, wi^r credit 4;? J obedience is due to lJ5rf/r Teachers 4;frf Spiritual Guides, the Churches of Eng- land/hall never have pe.ice, or any good or eftablijh'd Order. I fay again, v^e are hroVen/or want of theknowledg of this truths and tiS this be known, we jhaH never be wellbdund up and healed."] Thus far Mr. Baxter^ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on Gal/.i^. them and mercy ^ and upon the l[rael$f God^ Amen. M' Croft cm io6 ^ M' Croftons Pofition Examined^ AND An Impofed Liturgy Juflificd. THat 'tis ffriJe and znevtr-fpeaning Conceit of their mrj tPdrth ^Fjhich makes men Non-Conformifts, Lfhall now give you a pregnant evidence out of the ?4w- />W^/ mentioned in the T/>/^'p4(^f. Jna Poflfcript 10 tb^it Pdmfhlet the Authour tells us of a Paper taken out of Mr. Croftons pocket, containing his high wdy thoughts^ which he committed to paper to communicatetoai\rtf;a'C^A/(?rw;/y?. Having procured a Copy thereof (as he pretends) rvith fome difficulty^ he feads it to a friend, with his leave, to make it pubUck, and thereby (as he faith) rtf^4f4c//4^^ our Conforming Cler- gy r^ r^/^^/i'r {if they can) one of ^i^tf great fcruples whicA Che faith) ^^rr^^ A M'Crof ton's Conformity, 4»rf Mini- ft ration ^j^ 4 Liturgy. . The P for I hope he doth not exclude his jtdgment, when he pleads for the liberty of his own Invention to Cempo/e and Mvdi- fie his For?/ts of pubiick worfliip, Tf e Major is proved thus 5 That which I may lawfully be determined toby a wcAksr judgment^ to that I may lawfully be determined by 2L judgment that \%ftronger. Butto flatedF^rms^drc. I may lawfully be determi- ned by a weaker judgment (^'/^;. my own); therefore, 10 flat ed Forms, ^c, I may lawfully be determined by Or judgment that is)?r(?;;^^r, vi'{. thatof my Superiours. To deny the A/4Jtfr in this Argument, were to make himfelf ridiculous 5 andinefifeft, to affirm, that a man may (ttvc\o\t clearly hy a dim light then by ^brighter. Andtodeny xht Minor were to arrogate to himfelf^ibet- ?^r judgment, then tharoihis-Jx^^^r/^^^r^; which cannot b^j done without intolerable ^r^^^ and prefumption^ con- trary ro the exprefs order of the Apoftle, PhiJ. 2. 5, Let nothing be done through fir if or vainglory, but in lowline^ of mir^dlet eachefieem other better then themfelves : That ye (may) rvalk worthy of the vocatiorty rvherewith ye arecaU led^ M' CroftonV Fofition examined. iq^ Ud^ with allhwlinej^ and mecktJefl -' enduv^urinj^toUcp the Hnitj of the Spirit in tht iond of feace^ Eph4.ij2 3. ^utCtoUy the Axe tothe very r#p/ of his Ratiocinati- Pjg.4,5c r: ift) he faith the Mtni/lcridl Modification {oi publick wor- fliip) by perfonal abihties, is the formdl aff of the Mini- JlcriAl office^ but to reiign this formal a£i up to a Minijlrj^^ dcflrojinn^-imfdfition isfinful. But I deny the Modification of worfliip bj perfonal abi^ lilies to b J whereas the /j/^r h:.th as many Fields to fx;>4;;- 4/^ in, as there are fevcral Texts in the holy Bible 5 and here lies the moft proper 5^^;?^, forthex^jr/V/^f oi Gifts to perform their publick ejiercife upon. Befides^ I ID M' Crofton V Po fit ion examined. Befide$5 Gifts being defign'd for the edification of the Church, Governours^tt concerned to take care they be notabufedtothe<:^;?//^y?^«of if,! Cil abilities. So that upon the mat:er Mr. Crofton is ftill condemned efhimjelfh and till fomebetier evidence be brought to tnc contra y, Irauft remain (as formerly) in this opini- on, ihcXFulvit Conceptions ^iQ{h\x\) PopuUr Deceptions j And to the Treatife that bears that Title I refer the Rea.-^ dcr for a fuller proof thereof. In the mean while I (hall offer Mr. Crofton and his pAt* tj a proof, that they are bound to fubmit to the ufe of a prefcribed Liturgy, that they may be at peace with their Covernours and their own Confciences, by keeping tht unit J of the Spirit in the bond of peace with the Church of God. To do whatfoever is 7»/?r4//jf poffible, for Uniformity and peace fake, is your duty. But to fubmit to the ufe of a prefcribed Litttrgj Is m^*^ rally poffible. Therefore, to fubmit to the ufe of a prefcribed Litur^ gyis your duty. The Major is proved by Apoflollcal i*njun(5lion •, // it he pofible (and) as much as inpt^ Ueth^ live peaceably with dlimen, Rom, ii. i8. The Minor is proved thus j That which is not finful , and is within our natural power is morally poffible. But to fubmit to ^prefcribed Liturgy is not finful, and is wiihin our n.itural powe: ^ Therefore, to fubmit to a prefcribed Liturgy ismoraU ly poffible. The A/4/^rof this Argument Cfl?^4/i not finful and ii within our natural power^ u moraHj po^ible'}<:z\\tiOtx^X'' (gnably be denyed. The I II Ill M'' Crofton* J' F option examined. The Minor ^ as to the/4/? branch of \x^[^to fuhmit to 4 ffefcribedLUurgf is within onr nAturd fowtr'}th\% 1$ evi- dent of it fc If. The ^rft branch [jQ[ubmii t$ a prefcrtbcd Liturgy u not ftnful^'] is proved thus. What is forbidden by no Lavr is not Cnful. But to fubmitto a prefcribed Liturgy is forbidden by no Law. Therefore, to fubmic to a prefcribed Liturgy is notlinful. The Major is proved by the definition of fin i fin if the tranfgreffioncfthe Law^ i Joh.3,4. 1 he Minor is juftified upon this account, i. As to the Form offVords^ that is not forbidden by any Law of God J for the Apoftle faith, HoldfaB the Form of found mrds^ 2 Tim. 1. 13. and, I bcfctch jot$^ brethren^ by the name cf our Lord ^efus Chrifi, that je aS jpeak THE SAME THING^ I Coi. I ^lo. That ye may rviib ONE MIND and ONE MOUTH glorific God^ 2. As to our fabmiffion to the ufe of fuch prefcribed Forms ^ that is no where forbidden neither: but on the contrary, it is commanded, Heb.13 17, obeythemthat have the rule over you^ and fuhmit your (elves ^ and we fliould remember , that to obey is better then Sacrifice^ I Sam. I J, Upon thefe grounds I conclude againft Mr. Croftons Pofition, that a Minlfter of the Gofpel may, without fin, receive a Liturgy ^e^er^^y :ind exclufively impo(Qd, for the Celebration of Gods Solemn Publick Worfijtp. Mr.Cfp/r.yag.:. And the receiving fach a Liturgy, upon the Authority o{ OMx Super ioursy with z\\ fubmifjion and obedience doQS notrefolve the Adminiflrator inio the Dilemma oi obey- ing Cod or man (as Mr. Cr^//^;? pretends 5) for God ztid man ftand not here in cppofition^ but fubordination 5 and be that does not obey both^ do^s obey neither. Mr. Croftons U'Crofm's CREED, I I Concerning Communion with Gods Church, ^''"^^^^O"- commended to the obfcrvation of God? ere ' '* peoplc^and confideration of Gods Miniftcrs, as thofe which few fobcr men will deny to be true, and being well underflood would rea- dily dire£l a godly mans courfe in the hour of temptation, l^ ' I ^He Church Catholick vifihle diflributed {through |_ necefitj^ andg^pdorder^to particuUr Ajfemblies muji jartittfic the Lords day hj An helj C^nvocatioj?. a, the Congregation ef fArticuUr Chrijltdns conversed infuHdnd ofeniojnt'A(jemblies^ toceUbrste Gods [olemn worfhif^ if the formality of an holy Convocation. J, The worjhif celebrated in the holy Convocation for the nutter and e[[ential{orm by which it fubJiantiaSy exifiah^ mttji he determined by the Lord, and by him alo;je. 4, Allworfhip of mens invention fuper added to Gods ap* f ointment mujl be avoided ^ abandoned by every of Co Is peo- ple 5 but Gods worfhip fubflartttallj exijling with the jame muH not be difownei or declined. 5, Ccds worfhip celehaud by and among men mujl be mintjlred^ and e^dS in and by an huma/ie mo e and drefs [uitable to^ and [c fit toedifie fuch a Creature andfociety, 6. The humane mode and drefs^ words and phrafes^ by which Gods worfhip mufi extH^ and be min fired in and to the churchy is not determine^ by ;ht Lor d^ but wholly Uft to the wifdom and faith fulnefs of them who mimfler the fame. 7. The humane Mintj^eriA modtficaiion of Gods Ordi- nance f in and to the Church is ihcfotma^ a^ of the Mini fie - rial office to be fulfilled^ and performed by the Minifterial 114 -M^ CroftonV Creed. gifis^ the ferfond abilitiis of every indiiiiduAl Minifter^ who u gifted if Gffdy and ordained hj the Church for that fttrpefe. [This Article i$ confuted in the Anfwer to the Pofition above mentioned.] 8. The minijlerial mode and order of Cods worfhip being wholly humane^ determined by mens wifdom andfaithfulnefs it is and cannot but btfukjeit to much and great corruption in dtf(6t anddiforder, rudenefs and irreverence in exprefsions. Hei e it cannot be denyed but the fudden and extemporary mode is much more fubjeA to thefe Corruptions^ f irt de* fe^ and diforder^ rudenefs and irreverence^ than the fo« lemn and maturely flated Forms. p. The guilt cfalldefe^ and dif order in the humane mini^ fieri al mode of Cods tvorfhlp is immedtatelj^ P^^P^^hi ^^^ dire^lyperfonal, charged on the Minifler^ and on him alone: not on the Churchy or anj the members thereof. 10. All defers ^ dijorders ^ ruie and impertinent ex^^ prefionSy in the humane^ minifierial mode of Cods worfhip i are corruptions, clrcumflantial, and extrinfecat^ inandbj which Gods worfhip may fubfiantiallj exiji in matter ^ andef* fentiUform^ cap able of operation to its appointed end. 11. Defeits^ diforders^and corruptions in the mini/letiai p/$de Bf Gods Ordinances fixed^ continued and reiterated^ are morefinful and off en five to God^and his people^ then thofc which are prefent andtranfient 5 but both thefe a^eftns of one a id the fame nature and quality , and of equal influence on Cods worfhif)niinifred by the fame. £ But the extemporary and tranfient modes of jingle petfons are more fubjeit to thefe corruptions and di [orders^ as was faid above. ] 12. No defeffs^ or dtfcrders in the humane minijlerid mode, (whither fixed^ and reiterated in and by impofed and prejcribedforms^ orexpreffed in and by prefent tranfient csnceivedforms^ inandbywhi^h Cods worfhip doth fubjian'^ tiaHj exijl^ formatter and for m, in and to hit Church) will warrant any Chriftians fecefsion , voluntary withdrawing^ from M' Crofton V Oeed. ^ f I from the holj Cosvccdtiorfy or nfin-ammf^nh/t iH Gods wor^-^ fblp [$ miniflrcd. For I • thcfe not withftanding,Gcd$ worfhip doth trn^ tjyfullj,formAEj exift^capableof operation to its appoin- ted end: 2, This fin IS furclj pcrfcnal^ chargeable on the Minifler, who flaodeth charged with the office of minifterial modification of Gods worftiip, in, and to the Church; the people or p:rticular members of the Church, may and muft pafs on this (as other perfonal :iih)z]udgemetit $f cbarifj^ which doth dircil them to grieve for the fin exiflcnt5 to cempUln »f it^ and as they have opportunity to admonijh the finner(though the Sens of Eli) of i'j and feek the CBrreltion and removal ol the fame^ but they have not of ic any juilctHm fuhlicum^ judgment of 0//?^^^ charged onthem, by the fpecialty of duty : and armed with a i%(l moral pomr of corre- Ition^ fo a$ that the fame (houldbethenegle(Sof this publick duty, become their fin, and leave its guilt on their fouls. That Gods worfliip {doth) formally exift in every mode of miniftracion, every Chriftian and mem- ber of the Church muft /«^^^ and fee: for by this cor- ruption^the holy Convocation ceafeth, and they worihip not God : [I fuppofe the Authors meaning is this, as to this corruption the holy Convocation ceafeth^ and they rver' Jhip not God by it ; "] but the mode it [elf is perfonatlj fA4r^^^ on the Minifter: the defeit and dtforder\l2iti:iC' c\dt:\l id\i\m^{xom the floth, negligence, ignorance, weaknefscnd unfa'thfulnefsof the Minifter, and an ad- junct feparable from Gods wor(hip exlftent by the fame. Sir, I pray you take good notice of this, tba:thc;>r/- vateChriflian, and particular members of the Church hai^t no publick judgment of office^ concerning the Miniflerial mode of Cods xPor(hip: for Sir, it is a notion of much weight end ufe in this Cafe 5 and it appeareth plainly true,' if the modifying of Gods worship be, avit cannot b^d.nyed Q^i 10 1 1 6 M*" Cf often V Creed. I* to be the fer[$nAl aSl^f an officer aff$intedt$ that end: {Wefaj ibis belongs feculiarlj H the Govejnours of the church t0 order J^ Moreover, Sir, if the people ha^c^LpnhlUk judgment of the minifterial mode of Godsworfliip, we are under a neceflicy of having what we fo much complaio againft and caft ofE, {viz) a firxed Liturgy for the mode of Prayer Preaching , Miniftration of Sacraments : {which'^ muft then be known to the people, and judged by them free fromall defeA and diiorder, before the people can at- tend Gods worfliip in that Miniftraribn* It muft be corrfefTed impoffible, for a fiogle Minifter conftantly to; communicate to every particular member of his Congregation the mode into which he hath (by his perfonal abilities and minifterial Gifts) caft the w. i Frayer and Sdcraments. No ferious, fober Chriftian,can think the people to be guilty of thofe rude methods^ indigefted, raw exprefsipns^ tautologies, fola^ciJmeSyZnd diforder s^wbich a Minifter may utfcr in his preaching^and prayingjyet this is inevitable if the people h:ive a publick judgment by fpecial office, of the minifterial mode of Gods worfliip : It is indeed true, thedefe6tive,difcrdefed modeof worftiip which hfixed^ ftdted^ and fo from time {toume) reiterated is more obvi- ous and offenfive, then what istraniient, and fobythe judgment of charity more bUrdenfonl to the people, the grief of it being continued and renewed:but It is the judg- ment of oflSce, armed with power to correfl, (^A4^)de- r'veth the guilt of the cne, or of the other. ' This is the fum of what -A/r.Crofton believes concerning Church-communion. And whether the Church of God be net more fecure/;? her Freedom^(7»» corruptions 4/r^dif- orders, ^y fixed, ftjted Forms ^ then by fuch as are indi- gefled, tranfjent4»<5/ extemporary, lapped tot he Keafoa 4ttd Common Sence ef all the World. And there's AN END* i fe