Work upon the Ark.
Meditations upon the ARK As a Type of the CHURCH; Delivered in a SERMON at Boston, And now Dedicated unto the Service of All, [...] especially of those whose Concerns Lye in Ships.
By Cotton Mather.
Boston Printed by Samuel Green, and Sold by Joseph Browning at the corner of the Prison Lane. 1689.
Quae Navis Vetustissima, Capacissi [...], Santissima, Ditissimaque omnium [...]uit?
INgens illa Arca Noae, cui totius Orbis Homines, & Opes, inclusae fuerunt. Nota hic TYPUM universae Ecclesia, —in quam nos aggregemus, ut tuti simus à venturo Irae Dei diluvio, Nam extrà hanc Nulla salus &
Non Deus huic Pater est cui non Ecclesia Mater.
Heidfeld Sphin. P. 340.
THE Introduction
SECT. I.
AMong all the many Subjects which a Preacher of the Gospel has to insist upon, I know not whether any would carry a greater mixture of pleasure and Profit, than that of the Types which exhibited Evangelical Mysteries unto Israel of old; in treat [...]ng upon which, the Advantage that we Now have [...]o compare the Shadow and Substance, will af [...]ord unto us a rich variety of Observations there [...]pon, which none but one that shall come and see, [...]an imagine the value of. The Learned Rothwel, [...]eing advised by a Clergy-man mere Great than Wise, to forbear medling with the Types, as Themes not convenient for him to study upon▪ [...]ade that very prohibition, but as an Invitation [...] expect, something of a more than common Import [Page] in them; and accordingly falling upon the Meditation of them, he found (I suppose) no part of his Ministry more satisfactory to himself, or Savoury to others, than what he there Employ'd. It was not upon any Apprehensions which I have yet seen cause to change▪ that I did my self, divers months ago, single [...]ut the Types for one of my Two or Three or Four Weekly Sermons ordinarily to be taken up withal; but having on Lords-Dayes in the Afternoons, discoursed more than a few Times thereupon, I find them like the Waters in Ezekiels Vision, Growing and Rising still, the further we wade into them. I am convinced that the gracious Valerius Herbe [...], g who hath writ▪ Book to prove, that in every Chapter of the Bible, there is to be found something of our Blessed Jesu [...], might easily prove his Assertion, with a very great Redundancy of Demonstration; and that every paragraph of the Bible is a spot of Ground where before we dig far, we shall find the Pear [...] of Great Price.
SECT II.
It was in This Course of Treating on the Types, That Noahs ARK was one of them ▪ which fell under my consideration: and mor [...] than a score of persons professing a Trade not alto [...]gether unaccommodated in the Thoughts then deli [...]vered, One of whom, namely Mr. Gill, is a person to whose pi [...]us expences, not a few of the Book ▪ published among us, owe so much of the Light th [...] [Page] enjoy, that His desire alone ought to have been gratify'd, though there had been no more; These, before the week was out▪ sent me their Desires that I would give them a Copy of the Sermon▪ which I now entertain them with: Imploring the God of Heaven, That His Truths may have a due Impression upon them and their Families; that they may never make Shipwrack of the Faith; but, that they may for ever have a Room in the Ark of the Lord Jesus. It should be the care of every Pastor, to lay Truth as much as he can in the way of his People; and when we have an opportunity to PRINT as well as to Preach, it is an increase of our Talents, to be humbly Received and Improved. Let none blame it, that so many Books come abroad continually; for [...]s Austin long since wished, That by many Books the same Truth, not in the same Style, might arrive to the minds of many men; so 'tis as reasonable for Husbandmen to complain of too much Corn, as for Christians to complain of too many Books, which may bring the Food of Truth unto them; the main thing Amiss is, that my Homely Composures trouble the Press, while there are so many more Elaborate, Judicious, Useful Ones, of my Fathers and Brethren, throughout this Countrey, that are suppressed by a modesty as large as the measure under which men should not put a lighted Candle: But it will often happen so▪ That [...] Best Work make [...] the Leas [...] Noise, a [...]o [...]t the Ark of God.
SECT. III.
As the greatest Changes in the World have had a Rise from Engines that seem [...]d no less Trivial than Casual: Printing invented by a Souldier, Powder invented by a Scholar, and the Load-stone, that common and almost contemptible Stone, found out (I know not how) in these latter Ages, have in a manner turn'd the World upside down, and inverted all the affairs of it; So the Great God who formed all things, has the Interest of His Church, lying at the bottom of all these Mutations. Tis from the encouragement of the Load-stone that we have our Shipping, and by the advantage of our Shipping it is that the Gospel is now arrived unto these Ends of the Earth. The Indians which this Land was once filled with, use to pay no little Respect unto the Crow, because they report that by this Bird the first Corn that ever they had was brought unto them; though now the Crow be among the greatest plunderers of their Fields. There is as much cause for us to bestow some great Regards upon a Ship; for by a Ship [Page] [...] is that the Bread of Life is brought over▪ [...] the American Strand. Behold, an English [...]ative of America, here making some re [...]ections upon the first SHIP no doubt that [...]er was in the World; a SHIP to which [...] biggest Spanish Carrack which carries not [...] 12 hundred German Lasts, is not to be [...]mpared; a SHIP out-vying that of Ar [...]imedes, which contain'd twelve thousand [...]ns, or that of Philopater, which was two [...]ndred and forty Holy Cubits in Length, [...]th a Breadth and Depth not unproporti [...]able. And we hope it bodes no Ill to A [...]erica, that in the howling Deserts of it [...] begin to be thus employed! May the Lord [...]sus have an Ark in these thus long unhap [...] Territories. God forbid the Ark should [...]at back again, and leave this vast Continent [...]ain in the entire possession of its late Land [...]rds, the Devils, to make a Gog and [...]agog of it, in the latter Dayes.
SECT. IV.
It may justly be thought, that the Flood [...]hich Noahs ARK was provided against, rea [...]ed unto America; though at that very point [Page] of Time when t'other Hemisphere was drown'd, there seems to have been a Failure of the Waters here; and now the ARK is also arrived hither, with Invitations unto us, to secure our own Eternal Salvation, by a Lodging in the Antitype thereof. They that have written (as Laet and Le [...]ius) concerning the Original of the Americans, do inform us, that they had some knowledge of the Old Flood before any Europeans gave a visit unto them yea, and of the Last Fire too, if Acosta deceiv [...] us not; but we Europaeans that are become Americans, have by our Sacred Histories, both more certain and more useful Notions of it than could be found in the sorry Traditions, o [...] them that were here before us. Hence 'ti [...] that we can publish a little Sermon▪ of Wor [...] upon the Ark; and we can send word unto ou [...] Friends in the other Haemisphaere, that the people whom they esteem under the Earth, eve [...] those that are their Antipodes, are bowing the [...] Knees in the Name of the Lord Jesus, who ha [...] bunt an Ark, a Church, for the Reception o [...] them here: There is a Country in America that has perhaps more than an Hundred Con [...]gregations in it, all which, I have cause [...] think instructed with better Sermons ever Week, than that which is here put into th [...] Readers Hands; a Country fill'd with pur [...] Churches, every one of which is an Ark, [...] [Page] [...]n the same A [...]count that Pope Benedict was [...] the Messengers of a famous Council mind [...] of, when he had Challenged unto his own [...] Breast, that Honour, Hic est Arca Noae; [...] for the Salvation of them that with a due [...]ncerity, repair thereunto. May none of [...], want a place in such an Ark of the Lord [...]sus, when the Floods of Great Water come nigh [...]nto us.
SECT. V.
You that are concerned in SHIPS, whether [...] Building or the Sailing of them, have this Little Treatise offered unto you, with a very [...]articular, and most affectionate Application. Work upon the Ark, is what you may count your [...]elves concerned in; and O that the Truths [...]ere tendred unto you, may Find you, and [...]rove the Power of God unto your Salvation!
My Wishes for you are, That Goodness and Mercy may follow you all the Days of your Lives, and that you may dwell in the Ark of the Lord, unto Length of Days. That None of you may be a Cham about the Ark, but that All of you may be bound up in the Bundle of Life. Have I found any thing in Cham, to Deprecate on your behalf? I have so in Noah too, in good old Noah himself. You know what Sin it [Page] was that Noah was overtaken with. One o [...] the Ethnic Names, by which Noah was distinguished, was that of Saturn; whom the Ancient Pagans made the Praesident of Drunkenness ▪ and hence they had their Saturnalia, or Drunken Bouts, dedicated unto his Memory. 'Tis not a thing which never happens, that they whose Concerns Ly in Ships, have had more to do with Cups than has been for their Good; and they plead for themselves, as in Salvians ▪ complaint, they did of old, Si Noah, cur non & Ego? Why mayn't I Drink to Excess, as well as Noah? As well! Why it was not well in Noah; and tho' he had his Ignorance, which you have not, for an excuse, yet this Drunkenness, has issued in a Black Curse upon a great part of his miserable Family. But, blessed be God, the most of you, that are personally known unto my self, are persons exemplary for Sobriety. The Lord make you so, for every other vertue; and grant, That Denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, you may Live Soberly, Righteously, and Godlily in this present World.
Work upon the ARK.
[...] Ark was Building, wherein few, that [...] is Eight Souls were saved by Water▪ [...] Like Figure whereunto, even Baptism [...] doth now also Save us.
THe Wise Men that of old were Travelling and Enquiring after the Lord Jesus Christ, found Him a Babe in Swadling Cloaths and paid Respect unto Him, unto the King of the World ▪ As many of us [Page 2] as are, and God forbid that any should not be Inquisitive after the Holy Child Jesus, may be hold Him in the Swadling Cloaths, which th [...] Types of the Old Testament Enwrapped Him in. When we there Behold, let us there Admire, there Adore our Blessed Lord, and offe [...] the best of our Devotions to Him. 'Tis Re [...]marked by the great Apostle of the Gentiles in Heb. 4.2. Unto us was the Gospel Preache [...] as well as unto them. Those Christians, for 'ti [...] hardly a prolepsis to call them so, that Live before the Incarnation of our Lord, had glorious Gospel, in Shadows of good Things [...] come. A Type is in short, An instituted Resemblance of Gospel Mysteries. The things whic [...] the Gospel gives us a naked Representation o [...] were veiled under many Signs and Seals, which God made unto his Ancient People as it were Sacraments of Good Things to come. And no [...] only the Person of the Messiah ▪ but his Conditions, His Endowments, His Benefits, and Hi [...] Ordinances too, yea, and the Miseries, and th [...] Enemies, from which we are by Him deliver [...]ed; all of these were Preached in and by those Types of old. Now this Good-speech have we as well as They, by the Entertainment which the Types are every day giving to our seriou [...] Contemplations.
It was the Observation of the Apostle, con [...]cerning the memorable Events which in the [Page 3] By-past Ages had happened in the Church of [...]od, 1 Cor. 10.11. All these things happened [...]to them, for Types, they are written for our [...]monition.
As there were many Typical Men, to be [...]nd among the Saints of the Old Testament; [...] Typical Persons, and Typical Orders; thus [...]re were Typical Things, then likewise to be [...]madverted on. And those Typical Things [...] to be divided into two sorts; they were [...]her more Occasional, or more Perpetual. For the [...]re O [...]casional Typical Things, we may distribute [...]em into Typical Objects, and Typical Actions. [...] the Fleet of Occasional Typical Objects, methinks [...]oahs ARK may ride Admiral; 'tis the first; & [...]hold how the Apostle here declares the Ty [...]al Nature & Import of it. The Apostle here [...]tly and fitly introduces a Discourse upon the [...] built by Noah long ago: in which Eight [...] were Saved by Water; that is, Noah, and [...] Wife, and his Three Sons, and their Wives [...]ing aboard, the Water of the Flood lifted up [...]e Ark in which they were, so that they peri [...]ed not. The History of the Flood, and so of [...], is too well known to need any distinct [...]petition in this Discourse. But upon this [...] adds, in express terms, We have the AN [...]TYPE thereof. And what is that Antitype? Why, as Water buoy'd up those that were in [...] Ark, so Baptism does those that are in the [Page 4] Church towards Heaven; there is a blesse [...] Help of Salvation in it.
Hence there is this Doctrine for us, ‘That Noahs ARK was Type of Gods CHURCH’
As a Ship is by Humane Ingenuity, ofter made a Resemblance of the Church; so the Ark which was a sort of a Ship, is by Divin [...] Authority, exhibited as a Figure or a Shadow of it. They compare the [...]ump in a Ship to Repentance, which fetches out the Corrupti [...]on that endangers our Souls. They compare the Sails, to our Affections; in which when the Wind of the holy Spirit [...]lows, we are carried swiftly on to the Harbour of Eterna [...] Blessedness. The Rudder, that is compared unto the Tongue of man; the Compass, that may be compared unto the Word of God. But these comparisons are innumerable; as they that have read Navigation Spiritualized, by some Worthy English Writers, must needs be sensible; and I hope every Gracious Marriner [...] does accustome himself to such Reflections.
[Page 5]Well, that famous ARK which is counted [...] first SHIP that ever was, will afford then, [...]uch variety of Observations to us; and I [...]pose, you that follow the Employments of [...]hip-Carpenters, will give a very particu [...] and profitable attention thereunto. The [...]est Method in handling of the Types, is to [...]se and Prove proper Observations, with a [...]eable Applications annexed unto them. Be [...]d, that Illustrious and Renowned Ship- [...]rpenter, our Father Noah, ha's in his Ark [...]vided these Observations for you.
OBSERVATION. I.
The Lord Jesus Christ hath Built a [...] in the World, and this most exactly and [...]fully, according to the Mind of God.
Good old Noah was one of the most consi [...]able Men that ever was in the World. The [...]cient Heathen themselves had some broken [...]membrances and Traditions of him. Their [...]chus has the very Name of Noah in it, with [...]ery little variation of the Letters. And [...] Janus too, was our Noah, having a Name [...]ved from the Hebrew word [ Jajin] for [...], which Noah was the maker of: and as [...] was with them, a man of two Faces, it [Page 6] intimated that Noah had the double prospe [...] of the Old and the New World before him. [...] for nothing was Noah more notable, than [...] being a Type of our Lord J [...]sus Chris [...] through whom, a R [...]st remains for the people [...] God. And among all the Instances in whic [...] Noah was Typical, there is none more obvio [...] and visible than this; That as Noah built [...] Ark, so Jesus has built a Church in the wor [...] But how? when that Noah had received th [...] Orders, Go build an Ark; it follows in Gen. 6 [...] 22. according [...]o all that God had commanded did he. Tis the Honour of the Ship-wright that God himself was the first Master-Builde [...] I suppose Noah to be directed and inspired [...] God, for the Building of an ARK; an [...] surely he so much as drove every Pin, accor [...]ing to the advice of God. Well, our Lor [...] Jesus Christ, in the Building of his Churc [...] has thus done all, according to the Will of Go [...] It is said in Heb. 3.2. He was faithful to [...] that appointed Him. The Will of God is th [...] according to which, all things are square [...] and ordered by the Lord Jesus, in the Chur [...] of God.
APPLICATION.
Let not Us then introduce any thing [...] [Page] [...]he Church of God, of which we have no [...] His Allomance and Countenance for its being here. We are most, or all of us, Vnder- [...]uilders about the Ark of God; we have [...]ome work assigned us, in the Edification of [...]he Church. But let us keep close to the [...]ord of God, in our Building. Are there any [...]aterials which we would build the Church [...] the Admission of? Let them all be of [...]ods Constitution. Let us not willingly lay [...] Rotten Timber of either Hereticks or Hy [...]crites in the sides of our Ark, nor allow [...]urch-priviledges with us to evidently un [...]odly men. We are admonished in Heb. 12. [...]6. Look diligently, lest there be any profane [...]son among you. Even so, we are to Look [...]iligently, that the Church which we more [...]mediately belong un [...]o, be not filled with [...] ungodly Company. Some Great Men [...] God, have professed, That they would [...]oner Loose their Hands, than with those Hands [...]dminister the Sacraments to a visibly ungodly [...]; and it is a Golden Sentence, which [...]opt from the Pen of that Learned Scotch- [...]an; I believe (saith Mr Gilespy) no Con [...]ientious Minister, would Baptise a man, whose [...]orks and words manifestly declare him to be [...] Unregen [...]rated, an unconverted man; and [...] shall we then bring such an one unto the Table [Page 8] of the Lord? No, they will be a sort o [...] Barnacles, growing to the sides of the Ark, with not a little prejudice to its Interest. Again, are there any Exercises which we would Build the Church, by our attendance on? Let all them too be of Gods Institution. Let us not perform any Worship, or Service, about our Ark, but such as God calleth for. Our Lord saith in Mat. 15.9. In vain do they worship me, teaching the Commandments of men. The Commandments of men, must not be our Guide, in What we do in and for the Church. We should not fetch a stroke there, of which God has not said, This do▪ Luther judciously reckoned This, one of the three things which the Church would be fatally Endangered by, Sapientia mundi, quae vult omnia redigere in Ordinem, & impjis med [...]is Ecclesiae paci consulere; To follow the Dictates of Worldly Wisdom for the maintaining of it. There are uninstituted Caeremonies brought into the House of God; the bold Inventors whereof, resemble them to Pins in the Building; and that of Pins, is a Name great enough truly to be bestowed upon them But I assure you, They are Pins that produce Cracks and Leaks where they come; they are dangerous to the Ark of God.
OBSERVATION. II.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, is most [...]timately Concerned and Embarked, in [...]he Church of God. When the Ark was [...]uilt, Noah the Builder Shipp'd himself up [...]n it; if the Ark had sunk, or Split Noah [...]imself must have perished with it. But [...] was well secured by the presence of No [...]h there; tho' it seems to have drawn a [...]ove sixteen foot of Water, as may be ga [...]hered from its resting on an Hill when the Waters were above it, at least eleven cu [...]ts. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ, having [...]uilt the Church, He is now Himself aboard, [...]nd will be so, To the end of the World. It [...] His promise in Isa 43.3. When thou pas [...]est thro' the Waters, I will be with thee. And [...]t is His pitty in Isa. 63.9. In all their Af [...]lictions, He is Afflicted. If the Church mis [...]arry our Lord Jesus Christ Himself will do [...] too; but there is no Fear of That!
APPLICATION.
Be not then Discouraged at the Dangers, [Page 10] the Tempests, which the Church of God may meet withal. 'Tis the Name of the Church, in Isa. 54.11. O thou Tossed with Tempests! and so it may have this Appellation, O thou Threatned with Dangers! But be of good chear. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is exposed unto all the perils which bear a terrible Aspect on the Church of God. Hence the Great Reformer, in very perplexing Distresses would so comfort himself Si nos Ruimus, Ruit & Christus; Christ Himself will Fare like us, and Fall with us: And this may be our comfort, The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, must founder in the Quicksands of that Corruption, or Oppression, in which the whole Church of God shall be ever swallowed up. This was the Triumph of the Church, in Psal 46.3, 5. We will not fear, though the Waters Roar, and be Troubled Why so? It follows, God is in the midst of Her! Let never such Roaring, Dashing, Horrible Huricanes arise, the Church cannot be cast away; the Reason is, God is in the midst of her. When Caesar was in a little Boat at Sea, hattered and battered by a violent Storm, which made the Marriners afraid, he merrily said unto them, Come, Courage, brave Hearts, you carry Caesar, and the [...]nterests of Caesar here! Why, a better Fraighted [Page 11] Vessel is the Church of God: It has our [...]lessed Noah aboard; It carries Jesus, and [...]he Interests of Jesus in the Bottom of it.
But before I pass to the next Stage, Be [...]old, an Advice here, which Marriners are [...] be mindful of! You see the way to be [...]ife in all your Voyages, Get the Gracious [...]resence of of the Lord Jesus, the true No [...]h, with you in your Vessels, and you are [...]rovided for a Storm. 'Tis likely that the [...]rk, had no Storms to Encounter with; [...]or the Dry Land which may generate them [...]as covered; nor could the Flat Bottom of [...]he Ark well bear too ruffling Tumults, [...]nd swelling Billows, in the Waters under
But you must expect many a severe and [...]ustring Storm in your Adventures; where [...]n you will scarce be as many Inches from [...]eath as the Thickness of your Ships, but, [...]am prope Mors urget, quam prope cernis aquam [...]gainst which you now see how to secure [...]our selves. We have a Narrative, in Mat. 4.37, 38, 39. That once arose a great [...]orm of Wind, and the Waves beat into the [Page 12] Ship; and He arose and rebuked the Wind, and said unto the Sea, peace, be still; and the Wind ceased, and there was a great Calm. Such a Friend, such a Guard at hand, you will have, if you have the Presence of the Lord Jesus with you. Now, to obtain That, Let your Prayers, be together every Day made unto God in Him; therewithal joyning your Cares, that no Vice be any more allowed there, than in the purest Church in the World. If it was Enjoyned on Masters of Houses to Pray without ceasing: how much more ought Masters of Vessels to do the same? Let me say, Masters, your Companies are your Families; you ought every day to see Prayer attended with them. How can you Neglect Prayer in a Calm, without expecting that when you Employ Prayer in a Storm, the Lord Jesus will be deaf unto your Crier, and Reply upon them, I know you not? 'Twill be too late then to begin your Prayers; Quid Juvat Errores mersa jam puppe fateri? It hath been said, Let him that would Learn to Pray, go to Sea; Alas, that so many persons who go to Sea, are so impiously Prayerless there! and so like the Marriners whom the Philosopher once with a sharp scoff, did advise to forbear their Prayers! It was a seasonable Alarum once [Page 13] [...]ven aboard a Ship, Arise, and call upon thy God. For indeed, The Lord is with you, while you are with Him.
OBSERVATION. III.
It should be Good Stuff which the Church [...]onsisteth of. The Church Mystical will [...]ertainly do so, and they that make pre [...]nces to the Church Visible are to be solicit [...]s hereabout. It was prescribed unto No [...], in Gen. 6.14. Make thee an Ark of Go [...]er wood. What Wood is that? Critics take [...] the Cudgel about it and agree no bet [...]r than to insist upon 6 or 7 various Inter [...]retations of it: But it is abundantly clear t [...]at Cypress Wood is meant by Gopher Wood, [...] very Names have something of affinity. [...] Ship-Timber else grew so plentifully [...]ereabouts; and this was the main Ship-Timber among all the Ancients. Which [...]lexanders Navy alone, of this Wood, may [...]nder evident. Hence were [...] Boards [...]ostly used for Coffins of [...] in commemoration of the ARK, no doubt, where all Mankind was once coffin'd up. Now the Cypress Wood was good Stuff: it would [...]old and keep, and last sound, and breed no [Page 14] Worms, for a most incredible while▪ Perpetual, was the Epithite which the ancient Poets put upon it. Hence Epiphanius affirms, that in his dayes, which was near three thousand years after the Flood, there were parts of the ARK still to be seen▪ This is an Emblem of the Soundness which all Church-Members ought to be studious of: a Prayer fitted for their Lips▪ is that in Psal. 119.80. Lord, Make my heart sound in thy Statutes.
APPLICATION.
Let those who desire to joyn unto the Church of God, then Examine themselves. There are some, and it procures the anger of the great God, that there are no more, seeking after Church fellowship among us. To you in a peculiar manner belongs that counsel in 1 Cor. 11.28. Let a man Examine himself, and so let him Come. O make this enquiry into your own estate, Am I good Stuff or no? ask and see, whether you have a Good Grain, or a True Grace? whether you are sound at heart? whether you have the Root of the matter in you? Yea, and more than this, is needful to be enquired; it [Page] [...]hould be try'd, whether you are well He [...] [...]nd well Bow'd, by the Word of God? whe [...]her the Word of God has had such an In [...]luence upon you as to fit you for a standing [...]n the Building of the Lord.
Many dejected Souls are terrifying them [...]elves with a, May [...]venture? Now to pu [...] out of Question, do but put these three Que [...]tions to your own Souls.
Q. 1. Is there no Lust that I do nourish a [...] [...]ndulge in my self? But do I count every Sin my [...]urden, wretchedness and misery?
Q. 2. Is there no Duty which I allow my self [...]n the Omission of? but have I respect unto al [...] [...]he Commands of God?
Q· 3. Is there no Office of the Lord Jesus Christ, which I am under the power of prejudic [...] [...]gainst? but am I willing that he should be [...]o me, all of that which He is to any of his chosen ones?
If you can give a good Answer to these Questions, you may then venture to come. Come and be compacted, and united, and [...]ncorporated into the Church of God, ac [...]ording to the Order of the Gospel.
OBSERVATION. IV.
Many persons instrumental about Building the Church of God, are yet Lost and Damned for ever. There were many Carpenters no doubt, that wrought with Noah, upon the Ark, which yet were Drown'd among those doleful Creatures, whose Foundation was overflown with a Flood. Even so, there are multitudes of persons, whose Talents and Labours are Employ'd about Church Work, all their Days; and yet these very Sersons go down to the congregation of them that Roar under the Waters for ever. It is true, that the Ministry of a wicked Clergy-Man, is not so frequently and so certainly blessed by God, as the Ministry of a serious, Gracious, Heavenly Man, that can Pray as well as Preach. Usually they are the Wise, the Good, who Turn many to Righteousness. Nevertheless God may improve the Ministry of a Judas and a Demas, for the advantage of His Church. 'Tis not the Instrument, but the Appointment, that gives Efficacy to the Ordinance. We are told in 1 Cor· 9.27. A man that has Preached to others, may himself be cast away.
APPLICATION.
How much ought all Church-Officers then [...] Work out their own Salvation with Fear and [...]rembling! As on the one side, No True [...]hristian, should Despair of his own Since [...]ty, because the Minister that was the In [...]rument of his Conversion, has proved a [...]icked man: so on the other side, No [...]hurch-Officer should Presume his Condition [...] be good, because of a sacred Function [...]ertaining to him▪ We that are at work [...]pon the Ark, had need to make sure of [...], that we be not shut out, when the Floods [...] great Water do come nigh unto us. Know [...], that Men of Renown in the Congregation, may go down into the horrible Pits, the [...]iery Vaults, of the lowest Hell. We shall [...]e worse than those that are already there, [...] we do not at this awful Intimation, Be [...]ieve and Tremble. It is a Lamentable con [...]sion which is instanced unto us in Mat. [...]·22. Many will say, Lord, have we not Pro [...]hesied in thy Name? Then will I profess unto [...]hem, I never knew you; Depart from me! Thus in the Dreadful Day of God, we may [...]ome to plead, Lord, Had not I the Office of [Page 18] Serving thy Table, and Keeping thy Treasure in thy House? We may come to plead, Lord Did not I go before thy People in singing of thy Praises? Yea, we may come to plead, Lord was not I a Pastor, and a Preacher to a Flock [...] thine? Yet may he pass that Ireful Direfu [...] Sentence on us, Depart from me, I know yo [...] not! O take heed of Incurring such [...] Doom: Let us all carefully make our Calling and Election sure.
OBSERVATION V.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Door, by which we are to pass into the Church of God. It was said in Gen. 6.16. And the Door of the Ark shalt thou set in the side thereof. There was a Door by which the Ark was entered; which Door, if it were in the lower part of the Ark, and not by Scaffolds ascended unto, required an exquisite carefulness in the close and fast shutting of it; and it seems Angelical Assistance, was afforded thereunto: for we read, God shut it. Well, The Church of God has a Door too; but what kind of one? Our Lord Jesus hath said unto us, in John 17.9. I am the Door, by me if any man enter in, he shall [Page 19] [...]saved. The Lord Jesus must be profes [...]d and obeyed by all that would be Lodg [...] here.
APPLICATION.
If therefore we would have any Room [...] the Church of God, Let us own ourselves [...]holden to the Lord Jesus for it. In the [...]hurch 'tis eminently so, that Christ is All! [...]is by Confessing the Truth of Christ Je [...]s, that we come to Challenge a Room in [...] Church Visible. We must confe [...]s unto [...]im, Thou art the Son, of the Living God; [...]id we must hold the Truth as it is in Jesus, [...] we would not be excluded from all Inte [...]st in the Church. A knot of men, that [...]e not sound in the Fundamentals of the [...]hristian Faith, are not a Church, but a [...]asps-Nest, as Tertullian expresses it, or, a [...]nagogue of Satan, as 'tis called in the Sa [...]ed Pages.
Again, It is by Receiving the Grace of [...]hrist Jesus, that we come to enjoy a room [...] the Church Mystical. This Church is [...] this regard as it shall be, when it shall [...]rive to its New-Jerusalem condition here, [...]othing enters into it that Defiles. 'Tis by [Page 20] having of Christ Jesus formed in us, tha [...] we get into this Holy Body; it is, The Body of Christ, and our Union with Him, by Faith, brings us to belong unto it.
Once more, A Call from Christ Jesus, the Door, by which we are to enter upo [...] any special Employment in the [...] of God. They are but Intruders, who pre [...]tend to be Overseers to the Church, an [...] have no commission from the Lord Jesus fo [...] it; Our Lord hath truly said, in John 17. [...] The same is a Thief and a Robber. Let th [...] Word of the Lord Jesus invite us, and in [...]duce us, to whatever Office we expect abo [...] the Church of the most High; through th [...] want of this, the Son of God has a Qu [...] Warranto for a great part of them, tha [...] have made themselves Rulers of the Chur [...] at this day in the world.
OBSERVATION VI.
The Church of God has the means o [...] Light afforded unto it. The Ark had [...] Window or a Casement in it; as we read i [...] Gen. 6.16. Which was probably in th [...] Upper Story of the Ark; just below [...] Roof, which by the Declivity of a [...] [Page 21] [...]rried off the Rain that fell upon it. It [...]as made Strait without, and Broad with [...], that the Light might thereby the better [...] diffused. No doubt Noah by Cranes and [...]pes and proper Engines pulling up the [...] Quantity of Excrements in the Lower [...]ories of the Ark, did here turn them out. [...]nd it is besides probable, that there were [...]ere and there, Little port-holes in the sides [...] the Ark, which conveyed Breath as [...]ell as Light, unto the Animals in the [...]old. Well, The church of God is like [...]ise a place of Light; and a twofold Light [...] find shining there. It is the Name of [...] Lord Jesus Christ, in John 1 9. He is [...] Light of the World. Now 'tis in the [...] of the Church, that the Sun of Righte [...]sness is moving from Day to Day. It is [...]oreover the Singular Quality and Excel [...]nce of the Scripture, which is noted in [...]sal. 119.105. Thy Word is a Light unto my [...]. Now 'tis the Church that is the Can [...]stick, in which this Candle [...]s exhibited [...]nto us; upon which account it is also cal [...]d, The pillar of Truth.
APPLICATION.
For shame then, let none of us that are [...] the Church continue Ignorant of the Thing which we ought to be Instructed in. Th [...] Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, are so man [...] Windows or Casements, at which a Divine Light may come into our Souls. O let u [...] not then be in the Dark about our own work, or in the Dark about our own state▪ or in the Dark about the Things which are eternal, and are indeed out of sight. Indee [...] the Apostatical Church of Antichrist, may have Doctors declared and promoted as Most sufficient, though they never had read a chapter in their Bibles; and it may have Preacher, who being asked whether they taugh [...] their People the Decalogue, discreetly answered, They never saw the Book so called ▪ But the sincere Church of Christ canno [...] nourish any such Barbarity▪ Let us endeavou [...] the fulfilment of that word, Thy people shal [...] all be taught. It was said in 1 Cor. 15.34. Some have not the knowledg of God, I speak this to your shame. What! for them in the C [...]urch to want the knowledg of God! that is a burning shame indeed! It will be a shameful [Page 23] [...]hing, if any of Us have not the Knowledge [...] those things, which to know is Life Eter [...]l. The Church in which we Lodge, is [...]uminated; yea, it is a Light-House to the [...]orld about us. We shut our Eyes against [...] Light, if we remain a people of no know [...]ge; and then He that made us, will not [...]ve mercy on us, He that formed us, will shew [...] no Favour.
OBSERRVATION VII.
One Catholick Church has in it, many [...]rticular Congregations and Societies, that [...]ree to worship God in Christ, according [...] His Gospel. There were many particu [...] Mansions, and Chambers in the Ark of [...]ah; yet they all made but One Ark. 'Tis [...] in the Church of God; Onely with this [...]ference, That I look upon the Church ra [...]r as a Genus, than an Integrum. There [...] many particular Churches, and yet they [...] make up One Church Catholick, which is [...] Mystical Body of Christ. Hence our [...]rd says in Cant. 6.9. My Undefiled is but [...]. A particular Church is that Associati [...] of Believers, which Assemble together [...] one place, with Engagements and Endeavours [Page 24] to carry on, The Worship of the Gospel. I do not know, that the Word of God ever mentioned any particular Church of another Species or Dimension.
Such a Church has in it the whole Essence of the Church, and it is it self a compleat Ark, before the Lord But all these Churches being together considered, the Result will be one Church Catholick in the World.
APPLICATION.
This may Encourage us, both in Lovi [...] and in Serving of the Church.
Our Loving of the Church, is not to [...] confined unto this or that particular Assembly. Indeed there is a peculiar Love du [...] to that Assembly, which we are in Covenant withal; and even in the Matters [...] Business, as well as of Charity, this Lov [...] may show it self. There are some Church [...]es in England, where the Members are a [...]greed, That if there be any One of their ow [...] communion which can furnish them with such [...] such a commodity, they will go to him, befor [...] they go to any other. 'Tis a Loving practice▪ But our Love must extend it self to th [...] [Page 25] [...]hole Houshold of Faith ▪ And in ou [...] Serv [...]g of the Church, we should Remember, [...]at when we do a Service for this or that [...]rticular Assembly, we do it for all the [...]hole Community. Every Believer fa [...]es [...] better, for every Prayer, every Sermon, [...] Book, which God helps us to Edifie [...] one Church withal. Wherefore, Let [...]ere be in us, What was in Paul, in 2 Cor. [...]:28. The care of all the Churches.
OBSERVATION. VIII.
There are very Different and Various [...]egrees in the Church of God. It was En [...]ned concerning the Ark, in Gen. 6.16. [...]ith Lower, Second, and Third Stories, thou [...]alt make it. Thus after some sort, there [...] Three Stories in the Church of God; [...]ere is the Visible Church, there is the My [...]cal Church on Earth, and there is the [...]iumphant Church in Heaven. These three [...] so many Ascending Stories in the Ark [...] the Lord.
APPLICATION
Let not a Room in the Lower Story of th [...] Church content any of us. Count it not e [...]nough to be in the Church Visible; that [...] a part of the Ark, which any sorts [...] Creatures a [...] often Crouding and Herdi [...] together in. Doubtless, Noahs Quarter▪ wer [...] Above [...]st under the Roof of th [...] Ark. Let us [...]pire to be in the Church My [...]stical ▪ the Ch [...]rch of which 'tis said in M [...] 16.18. The gates of Hell shall not prevail [...]gainst it. Ye [...] Let us desire to be in th [...] Chvrch Triumphant; the Church describe [...] in Heb. 12.22. The Innumerable Company [...] Angels, the Spirits of Just men made perfe [...] and Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenan [...] Get first into the middle Story of Gra [...] and so you shall step up into the upper Sto [...]ry of Glory, at the Last.
OBSERVATION. IX.
There are in the Church of God, Creature [...] of all Natures, both good and bad. We fin [...] Gen. 6.19, 20. Some of every Beast & some [...] [Page 27] [...]owl, were admitted into the Ark. The [...]istinction of Clean and Unclean, was it [...]eems, then taken up; and the Clean, which [...]ight be Sacrificed, were by Sevens [Behold [...] Odd One for a Sacrifice] The Unclean, which [...]ight not be Sacrificed, were by Couples [...]ere▪ A very signal, special, and miracu [...]us Providence it was, that assisted Noah in [...] gathering together all sorts of Ani [...]als.
But there are two very Difficult Enqui [...]es, which my Concern to prevent the A [...]eism of many that think the History of the [...]rk incredible and impossible, will cause [...] a little to insist upon.
Question 1.
How were the Creatures all Stow'd in [...] Ark?
Answer.
You do not forget, that the Ark was [...]hree Hundred Cubits Long, filty cubits [...]oad, and thirty cubits High; (the pro [...]ortion found in the Exact Body of a MAN) [...] so it contained 450000 Square Cubits [...]ithin the Walls of it, if we don't abate [Page 28] what was taken away in the Sloping of the Roof. Suppose the cubits to be the Holy, which were Seven Hands Breadth, where as the Vulgar was but six, and you behold here a Vessel which might carry more than Forty Two Thousand Tuns, allowing two thousand Weight unto the Tun.
Nor do you forget, that the Ark had Three Stories in it; each of them Fifte [...] Foot High apiece, abating the Sloping of one foot and an half at the Top, and (it may be) some place for Ballast under a Floo [...] at the Bottom.
You must allow, that the Lowest Story o [...] the Ark, might be alotted unto Beasts; [...] for Insects and Reptiles, they needed no [...] considerable Habitations; there were [...] thousand Corners for them.
You must allow, That [...]he Highest Story of the Ark was alotted unto Birds; and No [...]ah with his Family might be Nested among them there. You may allow that th [...] middle Story of the Ark was allowed for the Food needful to maintain these Creatures▪ Now they that are well Studied in Natura [...] History, will easily find Stables enough [...] the Lower Story, for all the Beasts, and C [...]ges enough in the Upper Story for all th [...] Birds ▪ yet known unto us, and a great [...] [Page 29] [...] Room to spare. They that reckon [...]50 Species of Quadrupeds, 150 of Volatiles, [...]nd 25 of Reptiles, have perhaps over [...]one in their Account.
Question 2.
How were the Creatures all Fed in [...] Ark?
Answer.
You may allow the whole Middle Story to [...]ontain their Food; besides a deal of spare [...]om in both of the other Stories for the pur [...]ose. Now, for the Birds none will be [...]rupulous, where to supply them with Gr [...] [...]ries: the same Floor that held their Coops [...]ould also hold more than enough to feed [...]hem all. But for the Beasts, the way is to [...]ing them unto a certain Proportion. I say [...]en, all the Beasts in the Ark, that feed on [...]rass or Hay, would not require a greater [...]oportion than 92 Oxen; all the Beasts [...]hat fed on Roots or Fruits, would not re [...]uire a greater proportion than twenty one [...]heep; all the Beasts which devour Flesh, [...]xceeded not the proportion of twenty se [...]en Wolves; tho' it be question'd whether [...]ny Bruits before the Flood (or at least within [Page 30] the Ark) were carnivorous at all. Now you may lay in, at the rate of forty weight of Provender a Day, for every Ox, and a whole Sheep a Day for every Wolf, besides a sufficient quantity of Provision for all that fed on other things; and yet by computatation, I find the Ark affords room enough and enough to hold far more tha [...] thus would serve the turn, se [...] the 375 Dayes that they were under their confinement.
You will grow weary, if I descend into particulars. All that remains is to observe, not, what Jerom absurdly enough, in his comparison for Caelibacy against Matrimony here, but that which Tertullian elegantly did refle [...] upon: to wit, That creatures of all Tempers were in the ARK, and are in the Church. There are in the House of ou [...] Lord Virgins both wise and foolish, and Servants both wise and slothful. There are in the Field [...]f our Lord, both Tares and Wheat. And tho' there were no Fishes in the ARK, yet there are in the Church; but of what kind we are told in Matth. 13.48. Both good and bad are in the Net.
APPLICATION.
But let all Church Members among us, look to it, that they be not wild Ravenous or Venemous creatures in the ARK of God. It seems probable, that the fiercest Creatures were miraculously so Cicurated at their Entrance into the Ark, that they expressed no Antipathies or Dissensions there: 'Tis credibly Reported, That [...] sudden Flood in Somersetshire in England, produced such an Agreement between the most quarlelsome Creatures, the Dogs and Hares, the Cats and Mice that were driven into the Top of an Hill together. It should be thus in the Church of God; even according to that in Isa. 11.6. The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid. The Character which the Lord would have Church-Members [...]o wear, What is it? It is that in Joh. 10.14. My Sheep. Or it is that in Cant. 6.9. My Dove. I beseech you, Let us not have the Qualities of more Noxious Creatures in us. O let us not be Crafty, like the Fox; nor cruel as the Bear, nor bloody as the Tyger. Let us not be Blind like the Bat, or [Page 32] Owl; nor let us be Revengful, as the Crane, and let us not like the Serpent, sting those that are about us. The Ark of the Lord Jesus will not be opened unto us, until we have put off those cursed Qualities.
OBSERVATION. X.
Our Salvation depends upon our getting into the Church of God. They that were in the Ark were in a safe and a brave Con [...]dition, when Desolation overwhelmed the whole World besides; there sat good old Noah, Medjis Tranquillus in undis. But what became of them that were not then sheltered in the Ark? Alas, they fell into the Perdition of Ungodly Men. Of such concernment it is, to get into the Church of God! When the Jews were the Church, our Lord said in Joh. 4.22. Salvation is of the Jews. And it is a faithful Saying still, that Extra Ecclesiam non est Salus. If a man be not a Member of the Mystical Church, he is excluded from all Hope of Salvation for ever; he must for ever Ly and cry, and be abhorred among them that are without. And whoever is a Member of the Mystical Church, that man will be desirous and studious [Page] to join himself unto one that is Visible [...]oo; 'tis against his Will, against his Choice, if he belong not unto some Society that profess the Truths, and practise the wayes, of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a considerable Remark, in Acts 2.47. There were added unto the Church, daily such as shall be Saved. They that are in a State of Salvation, will they not endeavour to be Added unto some particular Church, in which the Son of God is Worshiped? See whether it be not so.
APPLICATION.
I pray, Why then do so many of you Stand without, and stay away, from the Ark of the Lord Jesus? It was a smart Expostulation of the Apostle, in 1 Cor. 11.22▪ Despise ye the Church of God? O 'tis a fearful Impiety to despise a place in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ; and yet this is to be charged upon multitudes of you, that every month turn your Backs upon the Table of the Lord. Ye Inconsiderate people! Will you make your Minister complain to the God of Heaven of you? O Lord I mourn. But shall I indeed go and say before the Great God, Lord, I have [Page 34] spent some Hundreds of Sermons, to bespeak the Hearts of these people for thee; and yet they have never so Repented of sin, they have never so Believed on Christ, they have never so Covenanted with thy self, as that they dare come unto thy Table in the full communion of any Church of thine. Alas, what a complaint were this? But I beseech you to give no occasion for it.
Consider 1. If you are not continually Preparing for, and perpetually Desiring o [...] a Room in the Ark of the Lord Jesus, there is no likelihood of Everlasting Salvation for you. Many a good man is afraid o [...] coming into Church-communion; but the man who sincerely and earnestly takes pains to get himself ready for it, it may be hop'd will soon overcome those Fears. If you can go on contentedly, without any comfortable and well-grounded perswasions of your Interest in the Favour of God; if you can go on quietly, leaving the matters between God and your own Souls at peradventures, I am to tell you, That you are yet in the gall of Bitterness, and in the Bond of iniquity. Have you entred into Covenant with God, or no? If you have done it secretly, then you may come and do it openly, If you have not, then your Salvation lies at [Page 35] Stake; You may be horribly astonisht a [...] the Hourly perils of your Immortal Souls, That man is not in a State of Salvation who may not say, as in Psal. 26.8. Lord, I have Loved the Habitation of thy House. But how can you Love it, if you Do Nothing to get into it?
Consider▪ 2. Tho' you may be Born again, yet the Affairs of your Everlasting Salvation will meet with much obstruction and impediment by your not getting far enough into the Ark of the Lord Jesus. If you come not unto a Church-communion, with some company of Inchurched Believers, the least you do is miserably to retard the progress of your own Salvation ▪ We read it spoken of some, in Psal. 106.15. God sent leanness into their Soul. Alas, a Lean Soul, a Lean Grace, a Lean Joy, is the Fruit of This Omission. You do but famish your own Souls, while you thus deny to yourselves the Helps of your Salvation. What can you Look for, but a Blast upon your unhappy Souls, while you practically say, There are Ordinances of Jesus Christ, which I can do well enough without?
Consider 3. The Floods of Death, will shortly Roar and Roll upon you. It was once an Out-cry in Psal. 69.1, 2. O God, [Page 36] The waters come into my Soul, the Floods overflow me. That, That will be your Cry in the Dying Hour, which you are now near unto; The Sorrows of Death (you'l say) compass me, and the Floods which terrify the Ungodly, make me afraid! But O what a sad thing, will it then be, to be found out of an Ark? I have seen and Heard, more than once, this bitter Anguish in Dying people, O that I had joyn'd my self unto some Church of the Lord Jesus! 'Tis a Load like a mountain of Lead upon me, that I kept out of the Ark so long. If God will spare me, that I may recover Strength before I go hence and be no more, the first thing I'll do, shall be to Reform the Omission, which I now Repent. But as God was near killing of Moses for omitting of a Sacrament; so 'tis possible, thy Omission may provoke Him to Kill thee without Pity, (because not without Warning) When thou shalt pour out these Groans before Him.
Consider of This, and make no Heedless Needless Delays in the matter.
OBSERVATION XI.
'Tis an Ill Bird that goes from the Church [Page 37] [...]f God, without returning again unto it [...]ny more. We read in Gen▪ 8.6. Noah o [...]ened a Window of the Ark, & sent forth a Raven, which went to and fro, till the Waters were [...]ried up: the Raven it seems found Carcases [...]loating here & there to live upon. But a Dove being sent forth 'tis said it found no rest [...]or the sole of her foot, but returned into the Ark; of which the ancient Heathen have some ve [...]y pretty Foot-steps. Their Xisuthrus and their Deucalion have such a Remark upon them in their Histories. Now the Raven is an unclean Bird, a Bird of an ill Note,, and an ill Fame in the common account. Why, there are many that thus go out from the Ark of the Lord Jesus: they go out from His Church, and out from His People, and out from His Institutions there; and this without Returning any more. Many Professors become Apostates; and Finally, incurably, irrecoverably so. Whither do these go? but unto that place whereof the Prophet sayes in Isai. 34.9, 10, 11. The Land shall become burning Pitch, the smoke thereof shall go up for ever, and the RAVEN shall dwell in it.
APPLICATION.
Tremble, Every Soul, Tremble at Apostacy from the Ways of God. You that have gone out from the Societies of them which together call'd upon God in Christ; you that instead of your old Entertainments in the House of God, are now Gormandising upon the Carrions of the world; O come back; do not play the Raven so. You show what you are, if you can so satisfie your selves. Ill Birds indeed! We shall say of you, They went out from us, because they were not of us. 'Tis the Complexion and Character belonging to the Church of Rome, in a peculiar manner. 'Tis a Raven: unless you will say, that the Bird which once made such a Disturbance in one of their Councils, afford a fitter Name for it. It has gone from our Glorious Noah, and never will Return unto Him. But let all Apostates take that Advice, in Isa. 60.9. Return to your Rest as DOVES to the Windows. O be those Doves, that cannot find a Rest for their Foot, any where but in the Church of the Living God.
OBSERVATION. XII.
In the Church of God, a Sabbath will be kept Holy to the Lord. It is a Remarkable passage in Gen. 8.8, 10, 12. Noah sent forth a Dove; and he staid yet other Seven Days; and again he sent forth the Dove; and he staid yet other Seven Days, and sent forth the Dove. Why did Noah keep a period of Seven Days in this matter? Learned Men conceive that he had Respect unto a Sabbath in [...]t; and a Sabbath too, say some Critical Enquirers, on that very Day of the Week which we count the First. It is thought, [...]hat on the morrow after the Sabbath he still sent out the Dove. And why not? We are [...]ssured in Gen. 2.3. That from the very Creation of the Wo [...]ld, God sanctified the Seventh Day; that is, He Commanded it to be [...]eparated and Dedicated unto Sacred Servi [...]es among the Children of Men. To say, That at the Creation, God Sanctify'd the Se [...]enth Day, by ordering that it should be [...]ept Holy by a little people four & twenty [...]undred years afterward, is an unaccounta [...]le Anticipation, and a cruel Hardship on the Text. No, 'Tis but R [...]nable to think, [Page 40] That the Patriarchs ▪ long before Israel w [...]s Encamped at Marah, did use to keep an Holy Sabbath, in the Hebdomadal Revolution. Hence the Apostle at Heb. 4.11. speaking of a Rest, which Unbelievers are excluded from, he plainly enough says, They were not excluded from the Rest (or Sabbath) which was from the Foundations of the world; so that such a Rest (or Sabbath) men then had an Interest in. Indeed the Sacredness of the Number, Seven, together with the Acknowledgment of it, as the measure of Time, among all Nations, except a few barbarous Indians whose Time is denominated only by Sleeps and Moons and Winters, cannot easily be ascribed unto any other Original, but the mark which God at the Beginning did put upon One Day in Seven, as Holy to Himself. A Seventh Day is to be kept as a Sabbath Day, in the Ark of God; tho' it seems to be not THE Seventh Day, but the First which our Sabbath is now tran [...]slated into. Our Saviour Himself requires even the Church of the New Testament to be solicitous, that nothing may hinder [...], from keeping a Sabbath to the Lord. [...] Lord advised his Disciples, about the Distresses which even after His Resurrection and Ascension, they should be exposed unto, [...]n Mat. 24 20. Pra [...] ▪ that your [...] be [...] [Page 41] [...] the Sabbath Day. VVhy so? The Jewish C [...]remonies were then Abrogated and Abo [...]ished; and our Lord refers to a Time, when the Laws which made Sabbath-breaking fall under a civil penalty, would be silent altogether; yet have we a Sabbath still, which [...]tis a grivous and a bitter thing to be disturbed in▪
APPLICATION.
Remember now the Sabbath-day, to keep it Holy. If a Christian in the Primitive Times were asked Dominicum serva [...]ti? Do you keep the Lord [...]s-day? He would answer, Christianus sum, Intermittere non possum, I am a Christian, and I dare do no other! Some Churches have had but poor Sabbaths, and such Sabbaths have made but poor Churches. The Churches of God in Forreign Nations, have indulged themselve [...] in Loose Principles and Loose practices, about the Sabbath; and what has come of [...] withered among them very miserably; and then Destruction has followed thereupon; as They have broken G [...]ds Rest, so God has broken Theirs; and [...]stonishing plagues have made them [Page 42] very desolate. The Churches of God in our own Nation, were once Defiled, with an Allowance for Sports on the Sabbath; and what [...], but heavy speedy confusion upon the Invaders of this glorious Day? Even some of themselves have made their considerate Reflections on it! Know That our Churches will flourish, as our Sabbath [...] do; and we shall not be made Joyful in the House of Prayer, if we regard not the Sabbaths of the Eternal God. Our Churches ▪ yea, so will our Estates, and our Houses too It is said in Isa. 58 13, 14. If thou call the Sabbath a Delight, and the Holy of the Lord, [...] will cause thee to Ride upon the High places [...] the Earth. It has been by some eminent & Judicious Observers noted; That their Success usually is, as their Sabbath is; that by their carriage on the Sabbath, they have bin able to make a conjecture at their Success [...]n their whole Business all the Ensuing Week. And a mean Trades-man, obliging himself to those Two Things; First, To keep the Sabbath with a wonderful exactness; Secondly, To set apart a Tenth of his Income for pious uses; has quickly come to Live upon his Rents. Let us devote our Sabbaths to the Blessed God, with all our might; and believe His Word in Isa. 56.2. Blessed is the [Page 43] man, who keeps my Sabbath from polluting of it▪ But, wo, and wo ten thousand times unto us, if we do not so. It was a speech to some, in Neh. 13.19. Ye bring fierce Wrath upon Israel, by profaning the Sabbath. Man, The fierce wrath of God upon thy Person, and on thy Family, and all thy Neighbourhood, wilt thou pull down by this Abomination; but above all, it will fetch down a fierce fiery wrath upon thy own unhappy Soul. It will provoke the Almighty to Swear in his wrath, that thou shalt never enter into his Rest. The modern Jews have their Fable and Nonsence of a Sabbath in Hell; but certainly they that would not have a Sabbath on Earth, shall have none in Hell; no, they shall not Rest Day nor Night, but the Smoak with the Groans of their Torments must ascend for ever and ever. We are plainly forewarned of it, in Jer 17 27. If you will not hallow the Sabbath-day, then will I kindle a Fire, that shall not be Quenched. The Day of the Lord wil be a fiery Day to them that shall Dishonour the Lords-Day.
OBSERVATION XIII.
The Church of God is Raised and lifted up [Page 44] towards Heaven, by the Baptism which is used there. This is that which the Apostle here teaches us; as Water carried up the Ark, so Baptism carries up the Church, towards the Heaven of the Blessed. It is thus upon other Accounts; as now, the Water of Affliction, often serves only to drown many ungodly Souls; they grow thereby more Angry at God, more Fixed in sin; and as 'twas said of him, In the Time of their Distresses, they Trespass yet more against the Lord ▪ Thus at last, They perish in Affliction. But this Water serves to Raise and Lift the serious Christian, up to greater Degrees of Acquaintance with Heaven, and Communion with Him, whose Voice is in the Rod. In like sort, The Water of Baptism, it Ruines many foolish people, by Encouraging their Hopes of Salva [...]ion, while they Leave not the Ways of Transgression before the Lord; they think, this Water will put out the Fire that never shall be quenched; Whereas their unsuitable Hearts and Lives do but turn it into the Water of Jealousie unto them. But by th [...] Water a Good man is Raised and Lifted up to such an Heavenly Fellowship with the Eternal One, that one step more carrie [...] him into Heaven it self. Hence in Rom. [...] [...], A Baptised man, is called a Raised man.
APPLICATION.
Let this be the Happy Effect of our Holy Baptism. Are we Baptized? if we are not ▪ we are very criminal; and the Advice proper to us, is that Arise and be baptized. But if we are, let our Baptism raise our Souls, with no common elevations.
Let our Baptism elevate us to all heavenly Graces; and let us be very sensible of the Obligatione which it la [...]es upon us; for tis said in Rom. 6.2, 3. Shall we live any longer in sin? so * many of us as were baptized. Let it raise our Holiness; for tis said in Gal. 3.27. As many of you as have been baptized, have put on Christ. Let it raise our Obedience; for tis said in Mat. 28.19, 20. Baptize persons, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I command you.
And let our Baptism elevate us to all heavenly Comforts too, and let us be joyful at the Obsignations which it makes unto us. Look on it as, The mark of the Lamb, and rejoyce. Tis said in Rom. 6.3, 4. As many of us as were baptized are buried with Ch [...]ist, that like as Christ was raised from the dead, so we should walk in newness of life. Reckon [Page 46] it a sign of your Interest in, and Union with the Lord Christ; and so let it raise us to a Triumph over Death and Hell for ever. We may lay hold on Heaven it self, by the help of this Raising Ordinance, if with [...]t we give the complying and conforming Answer of a good Conscience, to all the proposals of the Gospel. In the Gospel tis demanded, Dost thou renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Devil? and Dost thou accept the Lard Jesus, as the Lord-Redeemer of thy Soul? Now make such an Answer as a good Conscience would give hereunto; uprightly say, Lord, I do, I will! Then this Water will raise thee up into life eternal.
OBSERVATION XIV.
The great God will with a Fiery Flood one day take vengeance on a Wicked World. It was thus when the ARK was made, a Watry Flood then swept a populous World away: which unless we should rather admit the Learned Burnets Theory [...] I conceive was principally caused by the Earths changing of, and starting from its Center; so that the unequal pressure of the Atmosphere caused the Ocean of the Antipodes to send up vast inundations into the opposite H [...]m [...]spheres: Now the [Page 47] Eternal has given us assurance that such a Flood shall never happen any more. The Rain-bow, which doubtless existed before the Flood, is now consecrated by God as a Token of that Covenant; and it is indeed a very proper Token, for th [...] it appear in a cloud which argues a pluvious disposition of the Air, yet the Sun must then also shine▪ which argues that there shall be no more universal Showers. Hence a Rain-bow is never to be beheld without an Hallelujah.
But yet, as terrible a Desolation is there still to come upon the World, by a fiery Flood ▪ celebrated by the Name of Diluvium Ignis, in the Writings of the Ancients. The old Heathen themselves were not without Notice of this dismal Event. Hence the Poets tell of Pyrrha (which Name carries Fire in it) the Wife of their Deucalion; and the Philosophers not rarely speak of an [...], a Conflagration with which the World shall be devoured. Josephus relate [...] that Adam himself left some predictions of it. But the Sacred Scripturess favour us with fuller Accounts of this awful Thing. Tis a solemn Passage, in 2 Pet. 3.7. The Heavens and Earth which are now, be reserved unto Fire against the day of Judgment, and the perdition of ungodly men. Many curious [Page 48] Questions might indeed be moved here about. It is one question, When this Conflagration is to be? To this the Answer is, At the Day of Judgment: If any ask, whether it shall be at the beginning, or the middle, or the ending of that Day? it is most like to be before the ending of of it. Yea the final Destruction of Antichrist seems the period at which it shall commence. It is also an other Question, How far this Conflagration is to reach? To this the Answer is, I suppose it will reach no further than this lower World: this lower Heaven, and all the Armies of Birds, or of Devils in it; this lower Earth, and all the Works of Art or of Nature in it, shall be concerned in this horrible Fiery Flood. Yet the World shall not be Annihilated; it shall only be Refined and Purified, that it may be serviceable unto some glorious ends, yet to be pursu'd upon it. But let our Enquiring of be turn'd into preparing for this Day of the Lord, that shall burn lik [...] [...]n Oven.
APPLICATION.
There are two or three things now in cumbent on us.
First, Let our Thoughts be much set upon the Burnings of the World. Realize the [Page 49] circumstances of the dreadful Day, whe [...] all these things shall be dissolved. Think much of the Time, when our G [...]d shall come and a Fire shall devour, before him, and it shall be very Tempestuous round about him. Think much of the Time, when a Fire shall go before the Lord, that shall burn up his Enemies round about, and lightnings will enlighten the Wo [...]ld, and the Earth shall Tremble, and the Hills melt like Wax, at the Presence of the Lord. Think much of the Time when the Lord shall come with Fire to render His Anger with Fi [...]ry, and His Rebukes with Flames of Fire. For we are told in Isa. 66.16. By Fire will the Lord plead with all Flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Let us blow up this direful Fire, in our daily Meditations on it· O warm your Hearts often, at this amazing Fire of the Lord.
Secondly, Let our Hearts be not set upon the Comforts of the world. The Day will come, when an hideous Fire will sieze upon them all. Now let that Fire cool our Love to all things here below. Our Lord said in Mat. 6.19. Lay not up for your selves Treasures upon Earth, where Moth and Rust doth corrupt. Even so, promise not your selves Comforts upon Earth where the Fire shall carry all away. One saith well, The World shall one [Page 50] one Day be burned for a Witch. Let not our Souls now be Bewitched with what shall one Day be Burned; and this the rather, because as I am verily perswaded, this Burning is unspeakably nearer than Mankind is well aware. I may say of it, It is Near, it is Near, and it hastens greatly!
OBSERVATION. XV
There are but Few that shall be Saved. Says the Apostle here, In the Ark, Few, That is, Eight Souls were saved. He that ponders the Longevity of the Antediluvian Patriarchs, will not wonder at them, who affirm it probable. That more people perished in the Flood, than are now alive in the world. For let us make a Computation with as much Disadvantage to our own Assertion, as can Reasonably be desired. We'l abate two or three of the first Centuries, by which time the world might be supply'd with people not a few; and we'l suppose a man to have Children at sixty, and in the Next Forty years, to have Twenty Children. Now single out the shortest Liver of any mentioned (except Enoch) before the Flood; and from that one Stock of seven hundred years, multiplying still by Twenty, we shall find the product to be more than One Thousand, Three Hundred, and Forty seven Millions; thus [Page 51] that One Family would long before the Flood have afforded, it may be as many people as are now Living on the Earth. Moreover, if we consider that within a very few Centuries of years after the Flood, Histories tell us of one Army, in which were, Thirteen Hundred Thousand Foot, Five Hundred Thousand Horse, One Hundred Thousand Chariots, and as many Camels; and this Army Encountred by a greater Force; it may facilitate our Belief of the wonderful populosity which might be before. But what became of all that Mighty People? Truly, all were Drown'd but Eight Souls! And though it be not for us to Censure too far upon the Eternal Condition of that miserable people: it being possible that more ▪ than we know of might be Happy for ever, notwithstanding their Drowning here; yet the Scripture speaks very sadly about the Generality of them, whom the Waters did exterminate. We read in Job 22.15, 16, 17. That they were wicked men. Compare Mat▪ 24.38, 39. And we are told in 1 Pet. 3:19, 20. Their Spirits are now in Prison. The Jews themselves therefore pass that Sentence on them, That they were punished with the [...]calding Waters of Gehinnom. Even so, They that shall be Saved, How many are they? [Page 52] They are as we are informed in Luke 12.32. A Little, Little Flock! Divide all the World at this Day into Thirty One parts, Nineteen are Idolaters, Seven are Mahometans, and scarce Five are so much as called Christians. But of them that are called Christians, how few have that Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord? how few have true Faith? Yet he that Believeth no [...] shall be Damned. It is indeed a principle in the Turkish Alcoran, That Let a mans Religion be what it will, he shall be saved, if he Conscienciously Live up to the Rules of it. And they are Mahometans rather than Christians, who shall defend a principle so derogatory to the vertue of the Gospel. The Articles of the Church of England, very justly tell us, They are to be held Accursed, who presume [...] say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sest which he professeth; so that he be Diligent to frame his Life according to that Law, and Light of Nature. For Holy Scripture doth set out unto us, only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be Saved. But alas, how few are there that savingly Believe, Profess, Obey, that Lord of Glory! This Gate of Life has that Motto on it in Mat. 7.14. Few th [...]re be that find it.
APPLICATION.
Let us all make the Use which our Savi [...]ur made, of this astonishing Truth, in Luk. [...]3 24. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate. Be [...]ery anxious, I beseech you, about your own [...]alvation. When it was of old said, That [...] among twelve should be a child of Perdition, [...]hey all became inquisitive, Lord is it I? Be [...]old, you are told now, That more than [...]welve to one shall be the Children of Perdition: O how should this make us to be solicitous, [...]est We be some of them! Remember, that [...] is a no less common than dreadful thing, [...] be deceived in this matter. We are admonished in Prov. 12.14. There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the wayes of Death. The biggest part of them [...]hat go down to the Sulphureous Lakes of Hell make that one of their first Shrieks at [...]heir coming there, We little thought of this!
O let every one of Us get into the ARK, [...]nd be extreamly careful that we be not among those who are Deceivers of their own S [...]uls. May the God of all Grace, awaken us from our Lethargic Security, and to an [Page 54] extraordinary Sedulity, in matters▪ of ou [...] Eternal Salvation; may He help is to give all diligence in making our Calling and Election sure; and to work out our own Salvation with Fear and Trembling.
At the North Meeting-House in Boston, Nov. 17. 1689. Afternoon.