BEloved: I finde it to be the observation of a Father, that the two Cherubins, which by Gods appoint­ment were to be placed at the two ends of the Mer­cy-seat, Exod. 25. 18. as they should be of beaten gold, so they should bee so placed, that they might face each other: as an in­struction for all Ministers and Preachers of the Word and Gospell, saith the learned Zanche, to take this care and course, that as their Doctrine should be purely the word of God, and not their owne, so they should be ever studious to make their Texts to suit with the occasions of their Sermons, [Page 2] facing each other, as the Cherubins over the Mercy-seat, that so being a word in due season, they may be like Apples of gold in pictures of silver, Proverbs 25. 11. And this I confesse▪ as it is my duty, so it hath beene my study in the preparation of my meditations for this place and occasion, to reconcile the text of Scripture, which (by Gods blessing) I have made choice of, to the occasion of this day and our present meeting. A worke, which if you please to vouchsafe your favourable attention, will aske us no great labour.

1 Because here is Ezra the Scribe, re­quested and appointed to bring forth the booke of the Law of Moses, which God commanded Israel, as ye have it in the first verse of this chapter.

2 Because here is a Congregation law­fully assembled: for, all the people had ga­thered themselves together as one man, in the street that was before the Water-gate, in the first part of the first verse of this chap­ter. And there was a congregation both of men and women, even as many as could heare with unde rstanding, in the second verse.

3 Because here is Ezra the Scribe rea­ding in the booke of the Law, before the [Page 3] congregation, from the morning, even till mid-day, in the third verse.

4 Because here is the manner of this re­ligious duty▪ with silence and attention: for, the eares of all the people were attentive to the booke of the Law, as you may reade in the last words of the third verse.

5 Because, here is the place and posture of the Minister. He stands upon a Pulpit of wood, which they had made for the pur­pose (as our last translation reades it) or, which they had prepared for the preaching, (as the former transla [...]ion hath it:) And Ezra the Scribe stood upon a Pulpit of wood, &c. So that all things (you see) are fitted for the occasion of our present meeting, except in this one thing there prove a defect, that now there be a want of a learned Scribe to reade unto you. And in this case, I beseech you, give me leave to make my prayer, and I desire your charitable assistance therein. O Lord God, &c. and so in a confident as­surance of Gods gratious assistance, I pre­pare to the words of my Text. And Ezra the Scribe, &c. And thus have I led your un­derstandings to the words of our Text, which before I enter upon, give mee leave I be­seech you, to stoop and gather for you a flower or two that grow in the way to our [Page 4] Text, by considering the context, and the coherence of these words with the former verses of this chapter.

Wherein I observe thus much.

1 This people was newly returned out of captivity, into which they had been de­livered for the great and grievous sinnes of that nation in generall, as you may reade in the last chapter of the second Booke of the Chronicles, from the 14 verse to the end of the 16. And being now by the mercifull hand of their good God brought backe to their owne land and ruined City, they are setting a new governement among them­selves by way of reformation, both in their Ecclesiasticall and civill State, being assisted in the one by Ezra rhe Scribe, and in the o­ther by Nehemiah, their religious and pru­dent Governor. Wherin that they may pro­cure directions from heaven, and conceive the fairer hopes of happy successe: they are assembled as one man, into a great and fa­mous street of the City, there by fasting and prayer to call upon God in humiliation of soule; and there Ezra the Scribe standeth upon a Pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose, and reades the Law unto them▪ Doubtlesse, if there had beene this true devotion in them, while their [Page 5] Temple was standing, and Ierusalem in her prosperity, they might have esceped the fiery furnace of the Babilonish captivity. But they have beene cast into it, for the space of seventy yeeres, and are now but newly delivered out of it. And now, ye see, they are become penitent, and wee finde them at their devotion in prayer & fasting, being assembled for that purpose in a pub­licke street.

1 Point, That we may observe, the sweet benefit and comfort of affliction, where it is sanctified to the Patient, and a right use made of it. This people had beene accusto­med to finde mercy at the hands of their God, how grievously soever offended with them, so often as they did returne unto him by repentance and humiliation. Their fa­thers had trusted in him, and were delive­red, as the Psalmist truely singeth, Psal. 22. 4. and now their children take the same course and prosper.

Vse To shew us, that affliction unto a childe of God, is but a refining of him from his dresse, and a trying of him for his future good. According to that remarkable speech of the Lord, by the ministery of his Prophet, Zachary the 13. chap. the 8 and 9. verses, where, threatning the Iewish na­tion [Page 6] with utter destruction by the sword of Titus Vespatian the Roman Emperour, he saith, That in that day it should come to passe, that throughout all the land, two third parts thereof should be cut off and dye, but a third shall remaine therein: and I will bring that third part through the fire (saith God) & I will refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tryed: and then shall they all call upon my Name, and I will heare them: then J will say, this is my people, and they shall say it is the Lord my God. And thus was it with this people at this time; they had been in the surnace of affliction, they were hum­bled before God, and he heard them: hee acknowledged them once more to be his people, and they were in devotion before him, as before the Lord their God. To teach us all what course we should take in this case, when by our finnes wee have brought our selves under the rod of God in what nature soever. Even to seeke God in his holy Ordinances in humility of soule for sinne, who before we call, is ready to an­swer, and while we pray is ready to heare, Isaiah 65. 24. But I insist no longer upon this point, I passe to another.

2 Ob. In the second place therefore be pleased to observe with mee, thus much. [Page 7] This people in their great distresse are com­passionated by King Cyrus, in the first yeere of his raigne, who, according as Jeremy had prophecied, at the full period of seventy yeares, did by publicke Proclamation, loose the bond of their captivity, as you may reade in the two last verses of the last chap­ter of the second booke of the Chronicles: and who according as the Lord had fore­told of him by Name, no lesse then one hun­dred and seventy yeares before hee was borne) performed all Gods pleasure, saying to Ierusalem, thou shalt be built, and to the Temple, thy foundation shall be laid, Isa. 44. verse the last.

To which end, leaue is given by the King to Ezra the Scribe, and to Nehemiah their Governour, to direct and assist them in the repaire of their state, and reformation of religion, a great comfort and encourage­ment to these distressed Iewes.

2 Point, Doubtlesse to teach us, by the example of these Iewes, that such as unfai­nedly turne to God by true repentance, as did these penitent people, shall never want a seasonable and comfortable deliverance, how grievous soever their sinnes have been. yea, rather then fayle in such a case, God will raise up helpe for them, where they [Page 8] looke not for it. David in the dayes of Saul found it thus full many a time: Elias found it thus in the wildernesse, being fed by Ra­vens, in the first booke of the Kings, the 17. chap. at the 6 verse. Manasses in the prison found it so, when upon his unfained humi­liation for sinne, God wrought little lesse then a miracle for him, bringing him backe to Ierusalem, restoring him to his king­dome, and changing his iron fetters and chaines into a chain of gold and royall scep­ter, 2 Chro. 33. 13.

The people of God have found this true by frequent experience in all ages: and that I may not looke too farre from home, the poore of this house and foundation finde it true: for whose emergent distresses, provi­sion hath beene made, and still is continued by those who never saw their faces, untill that houre wherein their necessities enforce them to seeke unto us: meat and medicine for their hunger and sicknesses, cloaths for their nakednesse, with other necessary com­forts. And that they may be instructed to make an happy use of Gods mercies exten­ded unto them in this case, care is had for the spirituall food of their soules, by reading and expounding unto them the blessed word of God; so that, I referre it to your [Page 9] consideration, whether they have not as just cause ministred unto them to blesse God for his gratious providence over them, for soules and bodies, as had these Iewes to give glory to the God of Jsrael, in their particular: who foreseeing that in time they would cast themselves by their sinnes into the fiery furnace of Babylons captivity, had foretold them of a deliverer by the ministe­ry of the Prophet Jsaiah, an hundred and seventy yeares before hand: and now in his owne time did performe his word punctu­ally by this Monarch of Persia, and his fa­vour to his two servants, Ezra the Scribe, and Nehemiah the Governour. And now as upon these grounds we finde them re­newed, and have learned somewhat from thence,

3 Obser. So we may observe in the third place, that upon their returne, they make provision for the publike exercise of true religion, as without which, their State could have no firme or assured foundation. Therefore it is said in the first verse of this chapter, that all the people assembled them­selves together, and spoke to Ezra the Scribe, that hee would bring the Booke of the law of Moses, which he had comman­ded Israel. And Ezra the Scribe brought [Page 10] forth the booke of the law before the con­gregation both of men and women. ver. 2. And if any would be sati [...]fied who this Ezra was, let him read Ezra 7. 6. and he shall find that this Ezra came up from Ba­bel, and was a Scribe prompt in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: a man to whom the king had gran­ted all his request, and to whose sole direc­tion this people had referred themselves for the establishment of religion & the wor­ship of God among them. From whence we mayobserve thus much.

3. Point. That the publicke exercise of religion, and the establishment thereof is the firmest ground wherupon the peace and happy government of any State can possibly be built. The very heathens themselves knew this: And therfore so soone as Romu­lus the first builder of Rome, had by force and armes layd a foundation of that city, next after him succeeded Numa Pompilius, who by an heathenish kind of religion brought that rude and barbarous people in­to some order, vt quod vi et injuriâ occupa­verat imperium, religione ac iustitiâ guber­naret. sayth their owne historian: that the commād which they had obtained by force and armes to the wrong of others, they [Page 11] might establish and administer by a see­ming practise of religion as in their owne right. The devill who was the founder of that Mōarchy could teach them thus much: haveing observed some what doubtlesse from the practise of God himselfe, whose Ape he hath ever affected to be in imitation: because when the Lord had chosen to him­selfe a people of his owne, and had brought them out of Egypt, he established their go­vernement under Moses and Aaron: not onely under Moses, as their civill Magis­trate to rule them by his love, but al­so under Aaron, as their high Priest by God established to keepe them in awe by religion. Feare God and honour the King, sayth Saint Peter, 1. Pet. 2. 17. As if the honour due to the king could never be given him in that State or kingdome where the feare of God is not taught by a publicke exercise of religion. Wee finde that these Iewes here are sensible of it, in that upon their returne from captivity, in their en­trance to the reestablishment of their for­mer gouernement, they have recourse to Ezra the scribe, as the only man in those times able to instruct them in that forme of religion, without which their civill estate could never be able to subsist. To which [Page 12] onely end Ezra purposing to instruct the people as from Gods mouth, is here found in my text standing upon a pulpit of wood prepared for the preaching.

4 Obs: But principally we may observe it in this their solemnity for the establishment of religion, and in this particular: that as there stood at Ezras right hand Mattithia, and Shemai, Anania, and Ʋrijah, Hilkiha, and Maasejah. Qui quidem er ant seniores è levitico genere omnes, sayth Tremelius upon this place, elders, all of them of the trbe of Levi; so there stood at his left hand, as ready to assist him, Pedaiah, and Mishael, Malchia, and Hashum, Hashbadona, Ze­charia, and Meshullan, most probably the cheife of their Nobillity and Gentry: that their religion and civill estate might ioyne hand in hand to establish peace by a religi­ous governement, and true religion by peace. And surely concerning that state whatsoever, wherein there is this sweet union betweene the civill & ecclesiastical governement founded vpon the sacred and revealed will of God, I may say truly as doth the Psalmist, Psal. 144. the last verse. Happy are the people that be in such a case: yea, blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God. Disunion, and discord in [Page 13] opinions or practise, seldome produceth a­ny good in any soeiety of men whatsoever: but to a setled Church it is ever trouble­some and dangerous: in which regard it hath ever beene the care and study of all good men, who unfainedly desire the pub­licke good and prosperity of Sion, to ad­vance and improve all good meanes and motions conducing to the establishment of this harmoniousunion, and accord on both sides betwixt the civill and ecclesiasticall governement: yea, in all publicke societies and companies, the more prudent and dis­creet part thereof is ever studious of pub­licke peace; as are these Iewes here in the beginning of their reformation, who to that purpose joyne the Church and State hand in hand, the Clergy and the Laity: not separating them by factious and partia­lity, as some in these dayes, or alienating their affections from each other, upon petty differences, but by a mutuall conjunction of the Clergy with the Nobility, endevou­ring as with one consent, the welfare of the publicke. In whose proceedings in this case, this is furthermore worthy your ob­servation.

5 Ob. That in their establishment of Gods [Page 14] publick worship in the exercises of religion, they are joyntly carefull to draw all the people to a publicke conformity. Which to effect, though it was a work of much diffi­culty, because of their strange matches, yet they conceived it to be a point of absolute necessity, as without which their State would suddenly come to ruine. This ye may observe in the words of our Text, where it is said in the 5 verse: That when Ezra o­pened the Booke in the sight of all the peo­ple, then all the people stood up. They were not allowed (it seemes) some to sit while the others stood, according as every mans fancy led him, but all the people stood up, saith the Text. As also ye may observe it further in that which followeth in the 6▪ verse, where it is said, that when Ezra prai­sed the Lord, the great God, then all the people answered Amen, Amen: as with an unanimous consent, and with lifting up their hands: and they bowed themselves, and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground. Here is a standing up all together at one time, a lifting up their hands all together at another time, and a worshipping of the Lord with their faces to the ground. in conclusion:

[Page 15] 5 Point Let all things be done decent­ly and in order, was S. Pauls rule, 1 Cor. 14. the last verse, as intimating that there is no decency without order, in any pub­licke actions, in any publicke society. The want whereof is the bane of the most hope­full undertakings, whether in peace or war, which, as oftentimes it is the decay of a State, so it is the ruine of an Army. To him that ordereth his wayes aright, will I shew my salvation, saith God, Psal. 50. the last verse, as intimating that all such shall fall short of the sight thereof, as delight to walke in the disorderly way. I wish that our factious singularists, whose queazy sto­macks rise against all conformity, would take this into consideration. For my part, I freely professe my selfe a disciple to con­formity, so long as I finde nothing against it in the sacred Scripture. And I shall ever desire to joyne in the practise of it, had I none other ground for it, but this in my Text: where I reade, that this people in the re-establishment of their State and religion, were studious of a publicke conformity in the worship of God, standing up all toge­ther, saying Amen with one voyce, lifting up their hands, bowing, worshipping, as [Page 16] the publicke action and reading of Ezra gave occasion.

6 Ob. Yea, and (which is yet more re­markable in their proceedings in this kind) in making provision for the reading of the Law in publicke assemblies, they are care­full to have all decent accommodations for the same. Ezra the Scribe hath a Pulpit of wood, prepared for the preaching; and in or upon this Pulpit, hee stood, saith my Text, and read the Law unto the people, verse 4. Which Pulpit was so ordered, that standing therein, he was above all the peo­ple, saith the Text, verse 5. to the intent, that his voyce might be the better heard, as our English glosse upon that place ex­pounds it.

6 Point A most pious and commendable care without question, that in the publicke assemblies, all things might be done, not on­ly decently and in order, but profitably al­so▪ to the edification of the Auditory. Which last thing most plainly appeareth in the two last verses of my Text, where care is taken, that certaine selected Levites, whose names are exprest in the seventh verse, should cause the people to understand the Law. To which end an order was esta­blished, [Page 17] that the Levites should reade in the Law of the Lord distinctly, without hudling up things together, as many doe now adayes: and not to content themselves with bare reading, but they should also give the Sence thereof, and cause the peo­ple to understand the reading, as you have it in the last words of my Text. And now, I pray you, what patterne can bee more plaine, what warrant more strong can the Scripture afford us for our order in our con­gregations, for decent carriage in publicke assemblies, for our reading Pewes, our Pul­pits, our Sermons, our expositions of Scrip­ture, after reading thereof, then this of this people in the words of our Text? wherein Ezra the Scribe standeth upon a Pulpit of wood prepared for the preaching, with the Nobility and Clergy on his right hand, and on his left, opening the Booke in the sight of the people, and reading the law unto them: at whose opening of the Booke, the people stand up, say Amen, bowing their heads, and worshipping. The Levites by exposition cause the people to understand the Law; reading it distinctly, and giving the sence: which when I thinke upon, I can­not but breake into that patheticall wish of [Page 18] a reverend Divine of our owne upon an oc­casion not much unlike: O si Deus hoc face­ret nobis tam commodum, quam Ecclesia proposuit accommodum: O that the Lord were pleased but so to perswade the hearts of men and women to an unity of affections in their publicke devotions, as the holy Ghost hath beene carefull to set us a pat­terne in Scripture and the reformed Chur­ches pious in propounding us an uniformity, And so I have done with the explication of the words of our Text; I now onely crave your patience for a word or two of appli­cation, and I will draw suddenly to a con­clusion.

1 Our Text, you see, hath acquainted us with a people, that by a right use of affli­ction, are growne penitent and pious. A lesson for the Patients of this house and foundation, to cha [...]ke them out a way to the happy use of Gods corrections. That they may know that there is none other way so ready to remission of sinnes, as hu­miliation and contrition of heart for the same, wisely inured to piety in devotion.

2 It hath acquainted us with their pra­ctise of joyning the Church and State to­gether in an unanimous consent for the ho­nour [Page 19] of God in his publicke service. To lesson us in the necessity of a mutuall accord this way, if we desire the prosperity of our Jerusalem.

3 It hath acquainted us with their study and practise of conformity in Gods services that wee might know that our God is a God of order, and that the Church of God is truely represented by an Army well or­dered, as being never▪so victorious over its enemies, as when it is terrible unto them as an Army with banners, Canticles the 6. ch. the 4 verse.

4 It hath acquainted us with their ho­ly practise in accommodating all things in their publicke assembly, as to Gods glory, so to the peoples edification. Not onely to instruct us that such should bee the care of all good men, but to shew us what wee owe to God for the happy indeavours of such religious spirits as are raised up by God to performe such godly and christian workes with a study for the publicke good. The names of those noble Patriots, who were sticklers in this reformation here in my Text, both Clergy and Nobility are re­corded to their everlasting honour, by the penne of the holy Ghost. Wee may there­fore [Page 20] by good warrant write up even in let­ters of gold, the names of such pious Pa­trons as God blesseth us withall in this de­praved and degenerate age of ours. And with this holy confidence upon just grouuds, that theis names are written in the booke of eternall life, of whom GOD maketh choise to be moved by his holy Spirit, to workes of this nature in this mu­tuall life. Mistake mee not I beseech you: this is no place for flattery: we stand in the presence of the Searcher of all our hearts. I doe undoubtedly assure my selfe, that e­ven they whose hands have beene deepest in the erection of this place, will be content to say as David, when hee had prepared all materials for the building of Gods Temple, 1 Chron. 29. 14. Lord, who am I? and what is my people, that wee should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For, all things come of thee, and of thine owne have wee given thee. God hath given the meanes, God hath filled the hand, God hath inlarged the heart to doe this pious act in this place, and to God onely be all the glo­ry for it.

And now what remaineth, but an ear­nest exhortation to a continnance in well-doing, [Page 21] and that a course may be taken for an happy progresse in Gods favour to the royall foundation of our Hospitall? And to this end as I propound this people in our Text your patterne, and thereupon shall be bold to make a request unto you; so I will conclude with an exhortation, and a prayer upon it. The request I ground upon the practise of this people, in whom wee finde unanimity for preservation of the publicke welfare, and the same in peace. And this re­quest I deliver in the words of Saint Paul, Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, verses. If there be any if consolation in Christ, if any com­fort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, any bowels of mercy, verse 1. fulfill my joy, (and not mine alone, but the joy of God, and of his holy Angels) by being like-minded, ha­ving the same love, being of one accord, and of one minde, verse 2. And let nothing be done through strife or vaine-glory: but in humble­nesse of minde, let each esteeme other better then himselfe, verse 3. And let us not looke every man to his owne things onely, but eve­ry man also to the things of another, verse 4. Let the same minde be in you that was in Christ Jesus, verse 5. This is the summe of my request. And now my prayer shall bee [Page 22] for every member of this royall foundation▪ as wel Officers as Governours, none excep­ted, that we may be not onely like minded one towards another, according to Christ Iesus, as Saint Paul prayeth for his Romans, Rom. 15. 5. but that wee may live and dye in unity, peace, and concord: and herein, we beseech thee to heare us, good Lord. That so performing our duties to God, and to the poore committed to our charge in all sincerity and uprightnesse of hearts, when our generall account shall be called for, wee may be received with an Eugee bone & fi­delis serve, well done good and faithfull ser­vant, Math. 25. 21. Thou hast beene faith­full over a few things, I will make thee Ru­ler over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord.

Vnto which joy, may hee be pleased to bring us, who hath most dearly bought us, even Iesus Christ the righteous, to whom, &c.