Doctrine .

When a people turn to God by repentance , and he returns to them in mercy , he will give unto them one name , ( that is ) he will free them from all superstitious and humane mixtures in his worship .

In opening whereof I shall show two things : first that in all ages it hath been the main labour of Satan and all the enemies of the Church , when they could not root out the worship of God wholly , then to corrupt the simplicity of it by humane inventions , traditions and superstitious mixtures .

Secondly , that when they turn unto God , and God unto them , he will free them from all these ▪

First , that the main aim hath been a mixed Religion , contrary to the simplicity of the Gospel , so that if they cannot sowe wholly tares , yet there shall be tares sown amongst the wheat ; this hath been alwaies the practice of the envious man , Mat. 13.28 . this will appear if we look into the several ages of the Church , and we shall find that the same plot hath been alwaies on foot .

First , look upon the Church of God in Egypt , and there Satan introduced a mixture ; they worshiped indeed the true God , as appeared in the Idolatry of the Calf , but they worshipped him not according to the rule that he had prescribed , but after an Idolatrous manner of the Heathen , and so they defiled themselves with the Idols of Egypt , Ezek. 20.7 . worshipping the true God according to the inventions of men : Therefore the Lord having purified his worship in the Wilderness , and seeing their proness to this evil , he warns them that when they came into the Land of Canaan , they should not so much as enquire after the manner of worship used by those Nations , not how they served their Gods , Deut. 12.30,32 . he saw it was the heart of man was apt to enquire after , if not after a new God yet after new waies of worshiping the true God , continually : the Lord therefore commands them , Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God : So that to worship the true God in a superstitious and ceremonious imitation of Idolaters , though it be but in the manner of their worship , and though I say it be done to the true God , yet it is in Gods sight abominable .

Yet when God had given them this warning , when they were come into Canaan they were mixed among the Heathen , and learned their waies , and worshipped their Idols , which proved a snare unto them , Psal. 106.36 . Ieroboam fled into Egypt from the face of Solomon , and there he learned the Idolatry of the Calves : and when he came to the Crown this was the Religion , and the way of worship , that he had a desire for Politick ends to set up ; but yet he would have it to come as neer to the worship of God at Jerusalem as possibly he might : they had their Temple , Altar , and Ceremonies , every whit as chargable , and in humane discourse as rational as that at Jerusalem ; only there must be a mixture of something he had devised out of his own heart , 1 King . 12.33 . and therefore the Prophet saith , Hos. 8.14 . Israel hath forgotten his maker and buildeth Temples : A man would think that he that builds Temples should have God much in his mind : but they that will appoint a worship of their own which never came into his heart , and build Temples and places for Gods publike worship when he hath appointed but one , that man in Gods account whatever he pretends , he hath forgotten his Maker .

After this , Ahab did not wholly cast off the worship God , but yet he must have his mixture also , and therefore he joyned unto the Calves the worship of Baal which was yet more hateful , 1 King . 16.31,32 . King Ahaz did not who ly cast off the worship of God , yet he brought from Damascus a new fashioned Altar , which it seemed that King was much taken with , and the pattern thereof he sent before hand unto Vriah the Priest to provide him the like against the Kings return , 2 King . 16.10,11 . And as we say where God hath his Church , the Devil hath his Chappel ; so where the Devil hath his Chappel he shall seldom want a Chaplain ; he did provide him the Altar against the King came home : So in the times of the Prophets there was still a mixture aimed at , Zeph. 1.4,5 . there were some that did swear by God and by Malcome also : and thus in the daies of Iosiah there was a great reformation in matters of Religion , and Idolatrous worship in publick was much suppressed , 2 King . 23. Yet there was a remnant of Baal yet remaining , which is conceived not to be exprest so much in outward practise by reason of his restraint of authority , but it was much in the hearts of the people , there being in them still a proness unto that kind of Idolatry , that for many years formerly the Land had been infected withal : and there were Chemarims , which is conceived to be from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incaluit ( that is ) men more zealous and hot then ordinary for those Idolatrous worships , men that did further and promote it with all their power ; and if there be a remnant of Baal anywhere , a thousand to one but there will be found Chemarims also , men very hot and zealous to advance and encrease it .

In the Primitive times we know there was a mixture of the Bondage of the Law with the liberty of the Gospel . Of legal Ceremonies , and Evangelical Ordinances : a composition of Iudaism , and Christianity ; because they saw there was a question , they thought to take in both for surety as the safest way .

After this Popery came into the world , and that is meerly a mixture , a medly in their worship , a mixture of Gods Ordinances , and carnal and heathenish superstitions : the Pope a mixture of a Prince and a Priest : their Mass a mixture of a Ceremony and a Sacrament : their Canons a mixture partly out of the Word of God , and partly from their own traditions : and to shew that they love the mid-way in all these , their Purgatory a middle place between Heaven and Hell .

Since that , in the Reformed Churches there be many , that though they have not been fully Popish , yet have greatly desired and much laboured for a reconciliation , as if a middle way between us were the way to peace : who perswade themselves , and seek to their power ) to perswade us , that if we yield unto them in Ceremonies , it may be a means to bring them over in Doctrines : and to tell us , were it not for the Iesuites on the one side , and the Puritans on the other , two hot spirits , ●…derate men would soon agree : we read of some , Rev. 13.16 . that do receive the mark of the Beast ; a mark I conceive to be an expression taken either from a servant or a souldier , who by some badge or cognizance are known to what Master or Captain they belong ; for as Christ will have his Church sealed , Rev. 7.3 . so will Antichrist have his servants marked .

And this mark the text tels us is double , in the right hand , and in the forehead : the one notes an open profession , and the other an earnest contention to promote the cause .

First , in the fore-head ; it is an open profession either in words or practise , when men either practise it , or praise it : when men praise their feasts , keep their fasts , honour their Saints , set up their images , commend their Crucifixes , love their Ornaments , their Copes , their Tapers , choose their names of Priests , and Altars &c. it is as plain hereby as if it were written in their foreheads , to whom they do belong , and it appears plainly that a mixture , a middle way they desire .

Secondly , A mark in the right hand sets forth an earnest contention in the cause of the beast , the right hand being the Instrument of action , and that wherein a mans main strength lyeth ; and so Antichrist hath his Merchants , his Factors and Agents in most parts of the world , that strive to the utmost of their parts and power in many things , if not in all , to advance the worship of the beast , and to engage men in their quarrel . So that in all ages there hath been a mixture ; for Satan would have a Religion like unto Nebuchadnezars Image ; he cares not though the head be of Gold , and the breast of Silver , so long as the other parts be either of brass , or else partly of Iron and partly clay .

Now what hath been the cause of these mixtures in all ages ? they are two .

First the Ministery : and ,

Secondly the people .

First , an unclean spirit working in the Prophets ; that is given as one reason when the Lord will cleanse his people , and take away the causes of their pollution he saith , Zach. 13.2 . he will cause the Prophet and the unclean spirit to pass out of the Land : ( that is ) the unclean spirit that works in the Prophets , for the truth is there is a spirit of uncleanness and prophaness is gone forth into the world .

Secondly , horrible pride in all those in whom this spirit of uncleanness doth take place ; for vain man would be wise , Iob 11.12 . and he affects a shew of wisdom in nothing so much as in matters of Religion , either in the Doctrine or the worship of God ; and this is made a special cause of all humane mixtures , Col. 2.18 . being vainly puft up by their fleshly minds .

Thirdly , a vehement desire that some men have arising from this pride to win Proselytes unto themselves , that all men may be of their mind , after their garb in all things ; they would have you circumcised , that they may glory in your flesh : ut multitudine sequacium sese efferant , that they may please themselves in this , how many they have brought about , and how many Disciples they have drawn after them , that become their admirers , &c.

Fourthly , horrible hypocrisie , when men are Sepulchres within , yet they desire outwardly to appear painted ; who having no power of godliness within , yet by new inventions would fain bear the world in hand , that surely they are men of a higher strain for matters of Religion then ordinary , whereof their zeal for a little bodily exercise and outward complement must be the great witness to the world ; and this Christ chargeth upon the Pharisees as a special cause of all that corruption and composition that was in the Church of God amongst them , as we see Mat. 23.13,14 .

Fifthly , worldly wisdom , politick respects , and fleshly ends ; what moved Ieroeobam to set up the Calves , or Iehu to retain them , but because it suited better with their policy , and earthly aims and purposes , then the purity of Gods worship would ever have done ; for when men come to this , to count gain godliness , then that will be the best Religion , or the best way of worship , and those the most decent ceremonies that will but further their worldly ends .

So sometimes a correspondency with forraign powers of another Religion : So Ahaz that he might keep his correspondency with forraign powers , with Tiglah Pelezer King of Assyria , he must have the fashion abroad also , 2 King . 16.11,12 . outward references have many times a great influence into the matters of Religion .

Sixthly and lastly , there are four sins which are in a especial manner incident unto the Prophets , and the great causes thereof are , Ignorance , Idleness , Covetousness and Cowardize .

First , ignorance ; that is given as a special cause of many humane inventions amongst the Pharisees ; thou blind Pharisee , Mat. 23.26 . And the Church of Thyatira , many well-meaning men were deluded because they knew not the depth of Satan , Rev. 2.24 . many men are deluded because they see not the evil that is intended : the Apostle tels us of Popery , that it is a mysterie of iniquity , 2 Thes. 2.7 . Iniquitas , sed mystica , pietatis & fidelitatis nomine palliata : represented unto men under the names both of piety and loyalty .

Secondly , Idleness and carelesness in matters of this nature , so that if men can enjoy their liberty , live quietly , and richly , for the purity of Gods worship it matters not so much ; that is given as the cause . Mat. 13.24,25 . While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares . In most ages there have been some secure and quiet times of the Church ; when the Prophets have taken their ease , and a spirit of slumber hath come upon them , and then is the time to vent and set forth the inventions of men , and so by little and little , pedetentim , usu ipso & tacita Doctorum approbatione coepit esse in precio , hac aestimatione sensim sine sensu crescente . As a Jesuite speaks of some things in Popery .

Thirdly , Covetousness , a desire of raising themselves in the world , and to set themselves in a way of preferment : and when men see there is no other way to rise , then they resolve to yield unto this : so it was with them of the Concision , who brought such a Mixture , and caused such a rent in the Church , Phil. 3.19 . it was because their God was their belly , and they minded earthly things : So that if there be a Diotrephes that loves preferment , he must and will have both the Dictates and Inventions of men as well as their persons in admiration for advantage sake .

Fourthly , Cowardize , Gal. 6.12 . they found out a middle way to mix the bondage of the Law with the liberty of the Gospel , that they might not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ , but that they might be well thought of on both sides . Ieroboham set up Idolatry in Bethel , and an old Prophet of the Lord dwelt there , yet such was his Cowardize , that it seems he had nothing to say against it , but that the Lord must send a Prophet from Judah to reprove him , 1 King . 13. and the truth is , had not the Ministers been in many ages a generation of spiritual cowards , they had never had so many inventions imposed upon them as they have had .

Secondly , there are also many causes in the people ; but I will only insist upon this one because they receive not the Doctrine of the Gospel in the purity , nor the worship of God in the love of it ; and therefore the Lord in Justice gives them up unto an efficacy of deceit , 2 Thes. 2.10,11 . They are ready to receive any Doctrine without trying the spirits , and to yield unto any command willingly , walk after the Commandment , Hos. 5.11 . they are for the most part a lump fit to receive any leaven ; the Prophets prophecy falsly , &c. and the people love to have it so , Ier. 5. ult. for a pompous Religion , that consists much in outward shews , and that which abounds most in bodily exercise , is a thing that is generally well-pleasing unto men , Amos 4.5 . and usually when men forsake the rule , then they look more at what will please them , then what will please God : this liketh you O house of Israel : and this was all they looked at therein .

Secondly , when God turns unto a people in mercy , and they return unto him , he will free them from all this superstition or idolatrous mixtures , Zeph. 3.9 . I will restore unto them a pure language : which place being compared with that , Isa 19.18 . They shall all speak the language of Canaan : Language there notes consensum cum populo Dei in fide & cultu : restoring a pure language , may signifie purity both in Doctrine and Worship : they shall speak no more partly the language of Canaan , and partly of Ashdod , as in times past : but the pure language of Canaan : in Judgement I will make them one Nation upon the Mountains of Israel , and they shall defile themselves no more with their Idols and their detestable things , and from all your Idols I will cleanse you , Ezek. 37.2,3 . And I will give unto them one heart and one way , that they shall fear me for ever , Ier. 32.39 .

Now the reason why the Lord will take away these mixtures when he returns , are these .

First , because usually these are the greatest and the most provoking sins of a Nation , Hos. 9.15 . all their wickedness is in Gilgal ; this was antiently the place of worship , 1 Sam. 15.12 . and there they did now worship God according to their own devices ; the Prophet tels them , where they did think to please God , it was the greatest transgression that they did commit ; for so I conceive the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be taken pro summo , in all their thefts , adulteries , drunkenness , &c. they did not all of them provoke the Lord , so much as that they did worship him according to their own inventions in Gilgal . Deo serviendum est non ex arbitrio sed ex imperio : There is nothing to be done but by rule , Gal. 6.16 now where the creature shall take so much upon himself as to set his wisdom above the wisdom of God , and set his threshold beside the threshold of the Lord , Ezek. 43.8 . it is a provoking sin that the Lord cannot endure .

Secondly , because this is a special cause why God departs from any people ; now the Lord will never return in mercy unless the cause be taken away that provoked him to depart ; Ezek. 8.7 . every humane invention imposed as necessary to the service of God , is an Image of jealousie , and the aim of it is to provoke the Lord to go far from his Sanctuary : it is finis operis , though not operantis .

Thirdly , because of all Judgements upon a people , this is the greatest ; and therefore when the Lord returns unto them in mercy he must take away these , Psal. 81.12 . I gave them up to walk in their own counsels , it is spoken as of the greatest Judgement could befall them : and so it is for a man to be a rule to himself ; for he that is his own rule , must needs be his own end , and he that is his own end , must needs be his own God ; and therefore it is a speech of the greatest displeasure , he hath made unto himself Altars to sin , therefore Altars shall be unto him to sin , Hos. 8.11 .

Fourthly , when God doth return unto a people in mercy , he doth intend to delight in them , and rejoyce over them to do them good , and that he can never do in any service that they perform , until worship be purged from humane mixtures , Mal 3.3,4 . When he hath sat in his Church as a refiner , and hath purged his worship , then shall the sacrifices of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord as in the daies of old : then , but not till then .

Use .

Let this teach every one of us a double duty . First , hate all idolatrous and superstitious mixtures in Gods worship whatsoever . Secondly , beware of them . First , hate them as being the thing that causeth the Lord to go far from his Sanctuary : to be unto his people as a wayfaring man that tarries but for a night : groan under them as burdens , that so the Lord may return unto his people in mercy , and rest●… unto his Church a pure language ; that they may no longer halt between two opinions ; no more swear by God and by Malcome ; but that he may restore to us one heart and one way .

To move your hatred against it ; consider ,

First , of all kinds of sin this is most defiling : thou defiledst thy self with thy Idols , Ezek. 22.4 . Now what is defilement or filthiness ? it is , saith Aquinas , Carentia nitoris quem ex gratia habemus : indeed all sin stains and blemisheth the beauty of the soul , but this sin above others . And if we observe the Scripture , we shall see that they have been men of most corrupt spirits , and the most profligated consciences that have been most set upon humane inventions in the things of God : take the Pharisees for an instance ; and indeed it is Just with God , that they that will find out waies of worship for God to be unto themselves means of sanctification , that those should prove in just Judgement a means of desolation .

Secondly , it is most inflaming : they have inflamed themselves with their Idols under every green tree , Isa. 57.5 . they are said to be for this cause , mad upon their Idols , Ier. 50.38 . Now in madness there are two things : furor , and amentia ; here is both ; first all soundness of mind is taken away , that a man cannot say , Is there a not a lye in my right hand ? Secondly , it carries the whole man with fury after it , so that none more violent in their persecutions then such men are who desire or have embraced for Doctrines the conceits of men .

Thirdly , there is no sin wherein men do manifest more folly ; striving to shew themselves wise they become fools , Rom. 1.21 . for how highly soever men esteem of humane contributions in Gods worship : yet in Gods account they are no better then playes , and mimical dancings , Exod. 10.6 . we know it was that which they intended for a Religious worship ; but being in a way of their own devising , the Lord calls it play , and the Apostle in 1 Cor. 10.7 . renders it : So that they were but childish carriages , antiqui gestus , neither suitable to the holiness of God nor the Majesty of his Ordinances ; only fit to please children and no more .

Fourthly , No sin ripens Judgement more , nor ripens a people more for Judgement . So Ezek. 22.4 . Thou hast defiled thy self with thy Idols , thou hast caused thy daies to draw neer , thou art come even unto thy years . This provoked the Lord to break both the staff of beauty , and of bands , with which he fed his people , as Zach. 11.7 . the staff of beauty , that excellent order of government that was amongst them , was now turned into confusion : and the staff of bonds of mutual love and amity that was amongst them , turned to division . And let no man be forward in the promoting of humane wisdom this way ; for Judg. 8.27 . Gedeon made an Ephod , and the people went a whoring after it : but the thing proved a snare unto Gedeon , and unto his house .

Lastly , it is an endless sin : wherein a man knows not where to stay , as Hos. 10.1 . According to the multitude of his fruit , he increased his Altars , and according to the goodness of his land , he hath made unto himself goodly Images : as God blessed them in their estates , so they began to bethink themselves of a more pompous way of Religion ; for if any mans fancy may be a rule , then may one mans as well as anothers , and so a man shall never know where to stay .

Secondly , beware of it also ; for seeing it hath been a sin in so many ages of the Church , it seems a mans nature is exceeding prone to it ; therefore take heed you be not insnared by it : little children keep your selves from Idols : amen , 1 Ioh. 5. ult. and you have great cause to take heed .

First , because they are brought in under beautiful pretences ; the mysterie Babylon gives the wine of her fornication in a golden cup , Rev. 17.4 . and in this she is truly . a Harlot , her hands are snares and bands : she is skilful to allure .

Secondly , take the more heed because they come not in all at once , but by degrees they creep in , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Iude 4. Eph. 4.14 . they lie in wait to deceive : it is a studied thing , and they have a method in it , and rules according to which they do proceed , and they walk in craftiness : the word is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which properly signifies deceit at dice , so that there is not so much cheating and jugling in the most deceitful sport , as there is used by them that in this kind lie in wait to deceive . Hos. 7.6 . it was the way that Ieroboam had to bring in his Idolatry into this state . ; his desires and purposes were as hot as an oven ; but the people were a great lump , and they could not be presently leavened ; and therefore he sends forth his Agents into the several parts of his Kingdom , and they did seek to leaven the people , and in the mean time the Baker slept and ceased from raising : the people were not leavened by and by , nor fitted to receive such corrupt worship , and therefore he did stay a while till it might be done .

Thirdly , take heed of it : for if it once begin , it will strangely encrease : if one that goes before do bring in some , there be those that come after that will add to the plot : as when Popery was set up , we know one Pope added something , and another something more , till at last they made up that patched Religion . If Ieroboam bring in the calves , it s a thousand to one but afterwards Omri and Ahab shall set up the worship of Baal .

Fourthly , it is a great dishonour to a Congregation ; for it makes all the worship of God unfruitful ; for in vain do they worship me , teaching for doctrines the rudiments of men , Mat. 15.9 . nay it makes them sinful , Amos 4.4 . Go up to Bethel and transgress , &c. ( implying ) that the more they laboured in those services , ( it is a bitter Sarcasm ) the more they did displease God , and add to their own fin and judgement ; this turned Bethel the house of God into Bethaven , Hos. 10 5.

Fifthly , they will surely eat out all the heart of the worship of God in time . 2 King . 16.14,15 . when Ahaz had set up a new fashioned Altar , he commande● the Priests to burn the morning and evening sacrifices upon the great Altar that he had made ; thus we see it puts the Altar of God out of office ; and that they might think he had a Religious end in it , he saith , that the Brazen Altar , ( that is ) the Altar of the Lord shall be for the King to enquire by , si quando placebit ; as Iunius well notes upon the place .

Lastly , this will stand a man in no stead in time to come ; it s spoken with some derision , Hos. 8.5 . Oh Samaria thy calf hath cast thee off : when the captivity came , the Lord tells them that , because they were very confident that they should be delivered : but now it seems the calf hath cast you off . Canaan was the Lords Land , and he gave it to you , and to your Fathers for an inheritance : but as soon as you cast off God , it is no wonder if the Calf cast off you , and cast you out of the good Land that God hath given you .

Use .

Seeing the words are a promise that there shall be one God and one name , consider , promises are objects of faith , grounds of hope , and rules of prayer : and by these things men live , and in this is the life of our spirits , Isa. 38,16 . that is , on this we rest , in these we hope , and according unto these we pray : and in this doth the life of a mans spirit mainly consist .

First , then look upon this particular promise as an object of faith ; and concerning it we must exercise these four several acts of faith .

First , let thy faith sound the depth of this promise ; for there be treasures in the word , and they lie not above ground , they must be digged for , Prov. 2.4 and they be not the smallest to be had in the promises ; what doth God here promise ? simplicity and sincerity , in whatever concerns his worship and service ; for whatever is mixed departs from unity : now of humane mixtures I find in Scripture three sorts , and unto them all I conceive this promise reaches : so our faith must look upon it .

First , in Doctrine , mixing the truth of God with false glosses , and corrupt interpretations , neither agreeing to the wisdom , majesty , or mind of the Holy-Ghost , and this is the mixture here spoken of , Ier. 23.28 . what is the chaff to the wheat ? and yet if many Sermons were winnowed , though the chaff is nothing to the wheat , yet it might haply prove more then the wheat .

Secondly , in worship ; Acts in the worship of God , that have no other ground but the will of man , that is the mixture the Apostle speaks of , Col. 2.23 . they did worship the true God , and they did in many things perform those acts which he required , but they mixed some acts out of their own will , which God never commanded , neither came it into his heart , Ier. 7.31 .

Thirdly , in Discipline a mixture of the Ordinances of God , and of the Commandments of men , sometimes turning the power they have from God against them for whose good and preservation it was mainly given ; the edge of the sword against the watch-man , Ier. 36.5 . he was shut up : it was not in prison , for he fled and hid himself , and therefore it is conceived to be spoken of excommunication : and so they slay the witnesses : which cannot be understood litterally of killing them as men , but Metaphorically killing them as witnesses , Rev. 11.11 . If there be a rotten member to be cut off , they strike with the back of the sword ; but if a godly man have but a hair to be paired off , they turn the edge and strike a full blow , &c. so when men mix the Ordinances of God with their own corrupt ends , and order all things in matter of Government so as it shall best serve to advance their worldly ends , colour over acts of policy with pretences of piety : Say it is Corban , for their own advantage sake , Mark 7.11 . let thy faith engage thee to lay hold on the promise in all this , and expect to be delivered from them all , that in every one of these respects Gods name may be one .

Secondly , put forth an act of reliance , affiance , recumbence , or whatever else doth express an act of an humble and believing soul , casting himself upon a promise to obtain it : cleave to the word , Psal. 119.13 . leave thy self with the promise : for that is the expression , the poor have themselves with thee . Psa. 10,14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉

Thirdly , shut thy eyes against all difficulties , stagger not at the unlikeliness of the means : he that should look upon the Israelites at their division , and see how much division and how much Idolatry there was amongst them , and that of all the Nations round about ( but yet the Lord hath said it , and it shall be accomplished in his season ) he that shall observe how exceedingly a pompous Religion pleaseth them , and how much they are taken with humane additions in Gods service , how firmly it is rooted and with what power it is backed , he will be ready to say , if God should create windows in heaven , this could not be : but know , though there were mountains in this way of his people , yet this could not hinder the accomplishment of a promise ; Who art thou O great mountain ? before Zerubabel thou shalt become a plain , Zach. 4.6,7 . nay and these mountains faith doth often remove and make them become a plain .

Fourthly , wait for the performance of it in Gods due time . Act 1.4 . rejoyce for the promise of the Father , though it may haply by sin be delayed . God brought his people to the borders of the Land of promise , and shewed them the good Land , and yet by their unthankful walking , they were led back again fourty years in the wilderness ; but however , if it tarry , rejocye for it : for it will speak , and it will not lye , it will come and it will not tarry , Hab. 2.3 .

Secondly , let it be unto thee also a ground of hope : the object of hope is good things to come ; and that which is grounded upon the promise is lively hope that never makes ashamed ; let there be an holy , an earnest expectation and groaning for it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , go forth and meet the mercy while it is yet a far off .

And to stir up your hope , consider first , it will be a means to allay your present grief ; to see men usurpe the Throne of God , and talk of sitting immediately in the consciences , and to wring those tender wards of conscience that is as soon spoyled as a Ship cast away , 1 Tim. 1.9 . to hear the word of God ( as preached ) set forth by the unnourishing vapours of humane wit , cannot but be a grief to a good heart ; so to see the Ordinances of God pure in themselves , to be set out with the dressings and blandishments of the inventions of men , like a wall of a marble with a roof of straw ; to see people turned away with every wind of Doctrine ; and when Ministers shall have cause to complain that have preached long in a place , P. Martyr as Peter Martyr did at the coming in of Queen Mary , when he heard in Oxford a Colledge bell ring to Mass & the Students flocking there a pace , Haec una notula omnem meam doctrinam evertit : this bell rings a passing peal to all my Lectures , to all my Sermons : to that man to whom the Ordinances in their purity be dearer then his life , it cannot but be a great grief ; as the contrary cannot but be a great matter of joy when he shall consider that the time will come when the Kingdom shall be the Lords , and men shall corrupt the purity of his worship no more .

Secondly , hereby the Ordinances shall be set up in their glory , and they are surely the glory of a Nation wheresoever they are , 1 Sam. 4 : ult. To see Romam in flore , that is one of St. Austines wishes ; how much more doth a good heart desire to see Ecclesiam in flore , that God may beautifie the house of his glory ? Isa. 60 7.

Thirdly , then shall his people more fully enjoy the presence of God in his Ordinances ; for when the Temple is purged , the glory of the Lord will fill the house , Ezek. 43.1,2 . and the name of the City shall be Jehovah Shammah , the Lord is there , Ezek. 48. ult.

Fourthly , hereby the consciences of Gods people shall be freed from many an unnecessary burthen ; now ye should desire the peace of Jerusalem ; they shall prosper that love it , Psal. 1,22 6. suppose your consciences be not touched ; what if they be no burthens upon you ; yet where is the spirit that said , who is offended , and I burn not ? 2 Cor. 11.29 .

Thirdly , let it be a rule of prayer , for the promise is the only rule of what we can ask in faith , and prayer the only ground of what we can expect with comfort , and therefore let thy heart say Amen unto this promise , be it unto thy servant according to thy word , Luke 1.38 .

And to stir you up to it , consider first the means by which God will do it , and they be all desirable .

First , he hath promised to take away the unclean spirit out of the Land : for if the unclean man were taken away , new would arise , therefore the promise is to take away the unclean spirit , Zach. 13.2 .

Secondly , he will take off the hearts of his people from these mixtures , that Ephraim shall say , What have I to do any more with Idols ? Hos. 14.18 .

Thirdly , he will root out all these Idolatrous spirits amongst us , that will not be reclaimed ; they that purifie themselves in gardens shall be consumed when God comes to purifie his Church , Isa. ult. 17. there shall be no Canaanite in the Land any more for ever , Zach. 14 ult. and when they are cut off , no more of his name shall be sown , Nahum 1.14 .

Secondly , to move you to it , you have Gods command , Isa. 62.6 . Ye that are the Lords remembrancers , keep not silence ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords recorders : and a main thing that the people of God do record , is the promises which as yet remain unaccomplished unto the Church .

Thirdly , we have a concurrence of all the prayers of the Church of God that have gone before us ; for the prayers of the Church be like the acts of a State , they dye not with the man that made them ; for they are made unto an eternal God , grounded upon an everlasting righteousness , offered by an eternal spirit , and therefore they are eternally acceptable , and of an eternal efficacy ; in after ages Davids prayer , Psal. 109.8 . took effect upon Judas , Act. 1.2 . therefore as we must preach for after ages as the Prophets did , and the Apostles entred upon their labours , so must we pray for after ages , and be content that other men in time to come shall reap the benefit of our prayers .

Lastly , God hath begun already , and now we have great cause to be earnest with him to go on with it ; Chrysost. hom. for he hath said , shall I bring to the birth , and shall I not bring forth ? Isa. 60.9 . Experiences of former mercies are a special pledge of future , Psalm 74.14 . he smote the head of Leviathan in the waters : and gave him to be meat to his people inhabiting the wilderness ; it is spoken of Pharoahs army which God destroyed in the red Sea ; that is , the destruction of the Egyptians was a pledge to him of the accomplishment of the mercy that God had promised to cast the Canaanite out of the promised Land , and to give them possession of it ; many hardships they were to pass through in the wilderness ; but God gave them this mercy as food , not to their bodies , but food to their faith , while they were in the wilderness : therefore those former great and glorious promises were accomplished . So that former mercies are food that God gives unto the faith of his people to feed upon till he hath perfectly accomplished whatever he hath promised unto his Church

Let no man say , who shall live when God doth this ? but be sure , for thy time , have a stock going in the Churches ship ; for there is no knowledge , nor work , nor labour in the grave where thou art going : therefore sow thy seed , and if the harvest come not in thy time , yet thou shalt be no loser ; for in glory God will reward thee according to the fruits of thy doing , Ier. 17.10 . the Lord tells thee , Go thy way Daniel , thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot in the end of thy dayes , Dan. 12. ult. comfort and encourage one another with these words .