A DISCOURSE OF THE Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government Of the HOVSE of GOD. WITH Counsels and Directions To the Inhabitants thereof.
By JOHN BVNYAN of Bedford.
Psal. 26.8. Lord, I have loved the Habitation of thy House, the place where thine Honour dwelleth.
LONDON: Printed, and are to be Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopsgate, 1688.
[...]
A DISCOURSE OF THE Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government. Of the HOVSE of GOD.
I. By whom this HOVSE is Built.
THe Builder's God, Materials his Elect;
His Son's the Rock, on which it is Erect;
The Scripture is his Rule, Plummet or Line,
Which gives proportion to this House divine;
By them he doth his Stones and Timber square,
Affections knit in Love, the Couplings are;
[...]ood Doctrine like to Morter doth cement
The whole together, Schisme to prevent:
His Compass, his Decree; his Hand's the Spirit
By which he Frames (what he means to inherit)
A Holy Temple, which shall far excell
That very place, where now the Angels dwell.Note: 1 Cor. 3.9. Isa. 8.14. Rom. 16.25. Ephes. 4.11, 12, 16. Colos. 2▪2.19. Levit. 14.42. Acts [...]3.48. Ephes 2.19, 20, 21, 22.
Call this a Temple or a House of Prayer,
A Pallace, Oracle, or Spouse most fair,
Or what you will: God's Love is here display'd,
And here his Treasure safely up is laid;
For his own Darling none can find a place,
Where he, as here, is wont to shew his Face.Note: Mat. 21.13. Psalm 27 4.
What tho some slight it, it a Cottage call,
Give't the reproachful name of Beggars-Hall;
Yea, what tho to some it an Eye-sore is,
What tho they count it base, and at it hiss,
Call it an Alms-House, Builded for the Poor;
Yet Kings of Old have begged at the door.
II. Of the Beauty of the Church.
LO her Foundations laid with Saphirs are;
Her goodly Windows made of Agats fair,
Her Gates are Carbuncles, or Pearls; nor one
Of all her borders but's a precious stone,
None Common nor o'th' baser sort are here,
Nor rough, but squar'd and polisht every where:
Her Beams are Caedars, Firr her Rafters be,
Her Tarrases are of the Algum-Tree;
The Thorn, or Crab-Tree, here are not of use;
Who thinks them here Utensils, puts abuse
Upon the place, yea, on the Builder too;
Would they be thus controul'd in what they do?Note: Isa. 54.11, 12. 2 Chron. 11.
With Carved-work of Lilly, and Palm-Tree,
With Cherubims and Chains adorned be
The Doors, the Walls, and Pillars of this Place,
Forbidden Beasts here must not shew their face.
With Grace like Gold, as with fine Painting, he
Will have this House within enriched be;
Fig-leaves nor Rags, must here keep out no cold,
This Builder covers all with Cloth of Gold,
Of Needle-Work, prickt more then once or twice
(The oftner prickt, still of the higher price)
[Page 4] Wrought by his Son, put on her by his merit,
Apply'd by Faith, revealed by the Spirit.Note: 1 King 6.35. Psalm 45.13, 14: Rom. 1.17.
III. Of the Conveniencies of this House.
WIthin these Walls the Builder did devise
That there the Housholders might Sacrifice;
Here is an Altar, and a Laver too,
And Priests abundance, Temple-Work to do;
Nor want they Living Offerings nor yet Fire,
Nor holy Garments; what Divine Desire
Commands, it has bestowed on this place;
Here be the Censers, here's the Throne of Grace;
None of the Housholders need go else where,
To Offer Incense, or Good-News to hear.Note: Heb. 13.10, 15. Tit. 3.5. 1 Pet. 2.9.
A Throne for Judgment he did here Erect,
Vertue to cherish, Folly to detect;
Statutes and Laws, unto this House he gave,
To teach who to Condemn, and who to Save:
By things thus wholsom taught is every Brother
To fear his God, and to love one another.Note: 1 Cor. 6.4. Rev. 16.17.
And now for Pleasure, Solace, Recreation,
Here's such as helpeth forward Man's Salvation.
Equal to these none can be found else where,
All else turn to Profuseness, Sin and Care.
So situate it is, so roomthy fair,
So Warm, so Blessed, with such wholsome Air;
That 'tis enticing: who so wishes well
To his Souls health, should covet here to dwell,
Here's necessaries, and what will delight,
The godly Ear, the Pallate with the Sight,
Of each degree and Sex; here's every thing
To please a Beggar, and delight a King.
Chambers and Galleries, he did invent,
Both for a Prospect and a Retirement.
For such as unto Musick do incline,
Here are both Harps and Psalteries divine;
Her Cellars and Banqueting-House have been
In former days, a Pallace for a Queen;
O House what Title to thee can be given,
So fit as that, which Men do give to Heaven!Note: Cant. 1.4. Chap. 7.5. 2 Chron. 9.11. Cant. 2.4.
IV. Of the Strength and Defence of this House.
THis House you may be sure will always stand
She's builded on a Rock, not on the Sand;
Storms, Rain, yea Floods have oft upon her beat;
Yet stands She, here's a proof She is no cheat;
[...]ear not therefore in her for to abide,
She keeps her ground, come Weather, Wind or Tide:
Her Corner-Stone has many times been try'd,
But never could the Scorn, or Rage, or Pride,
Of all her Foes, by what force they could make,
Destroy her Battlements, or Ground-Work shake.
Here's God the Lord encamping round about
His dwelling place; nor ought we once to doubt
But that he as a Watch-Man succour will
Those that do dwell upon his Holy Hill.
A Wall of Fire about her I will be
And Glory in the midst of her, and she
Shall be the place where I my name record;
Here I will come and bless you, saith the Lord.Note: Mat. 16.18. Luke 6.48. Isa. 28.16. Zech. 2.5. Chap. 9.8. Exod. 20.24.
The holy Watchers at her Gates do stand,
With their destroying Weapons in their hand,
Those to defend that in this House do dwell
From all her Enemies in Earth and Hell;
Safety! Where is it, If it is not here?
God dwelleth in her, doth for her appear,
To help her early, and her Foes confound,
And unto her will make his Grace abound;
Safety is here, and also that advance,
Will make a Beggar sing, a Cripple dance. Note: Rev. 21.12. Psalm 46.1.5. Psalm 48.3. Psalm 113▪7.
V. The Delicateness of the Situation of this House.
AS her Foundation and her Beauty's much;
Conveniences, and her Defences such
As none can parallel, so doth the Field
About her, richest, rarest Dainties yi [...]ld.
Moriah where Isaac was Offered,
Where David from his Sin was ransomed;
Where Solomon the Temple did erect,
Compar'd with this, is worthy no respect;
Under the very Threshold of this place
Arise those goodly springs of lasting grace,
Whose Christal Streams minister Life to those
That here of Love to her, make their repose;
Sweet is her Air, (as one may well infer,)
Cause 'tis the breathings of the Comforter.
The Pomgranates at all her gates do grow,
Mandrakes and Vines, with other dainties mo;
Her Gardens yield the Chief, the richest Spice,
Surpassing them of Adam's Paradice:
Here be sweet Oyntments and the best of Gums;
Here runs the Milk, here drops the Honey-Combs.
Here are Perfumes most pleasant to the sence,
Here grows the goodly Trees of Frankinsence;
Her Arbors, Walks, Fountains and pleasant Springs,
Delightful formerly have been to Kings. Note: Ezek. 47.1. Solom. 1.7.12.13. Song 4.12.13.14.15.16.
Such Mountains round about this House do stand
As one from thence may see the Holy Land;
Her Fields are fertile, do abound with Corn;
The Lillies fair, her Valleys do adorn.
The Birds that do come hither every spring,
For Birds, they are the very best that Sing.
Angels do here go by, turn in and rest.
The road to Paradice lies by her Gate,
Here Pilgrims do themselves accommodate
With Bed and Board, and do such Stories tell
As do for Truth and Profit, all excell.
Nor doth the Porter here say any nay,
That hither would turn in; that here would stay
This House is Rent-free; here the man may dwel [...]
That Loves his Landlord, Rules his Passions well. Note: Psalm 125.2. Song 2.1. Vers. 11, 12. Psalm 48.2. Heb. 13.2. Gen. 28.17.
VI. The way of Receiving those that would here Inhabit.
ANd wouldst thou know the customs of this place,
How Men are here admitted to this Grace;
And consequently whether thou mayst be
Made one of this most blest Fraternitie?
[Page 10] Come hither then, unto me lend an ear;
And what is doubtfull, to thee I will clear.
1. This place, as Mercies Arms, stands ope to those
That their own happiness us'd to oppose;
Those under Hedges, High-Way Men, or they
That would not God nor yet good Men Obey;
Those that among the bushe [...] [...]'d to brouze,
Or under Hedges us'd themselves to louze.
The vilest men, of Sinners who are chief,
A Fornicator, Lyar, or a Thief,
May turn in hither, here take up and dwell
With those who ransom'd are from Death and Hell Note: Luk. 14.23. 1 Tim. 1.15. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.
2. This place, as Hospitals, will entertain,
Those which the lofty of this World disdain:
The Poor, the Lame, the Maimed, Halt and Blind,
The Leprous, and Possessed too, may find
Free welcome here, as also such relief
As ease them will of Trouble, Pain and Grief. Note: Ezek. 34.16. Luke 14.21. Mark 16.9.
3. This place, as David's Heart, with free-consent
Opes to th' Distressed, and the Discontent;
Who is in Debt, that has not wherewithal
To quit his Scores, may here be free from thrall;
That Man that fears the Bayliff or the Jail,
May find one here that will become his Bail.
4. Art thou bound over to the great Assize,
For harkning to the Devil and his Lyes;
Art thou affraid thereat to shew thy head,
For fear thou then be sent unto the dead?
Thou may'st come hither here is room and place
For such as willingly would live by Grace. Note: 1 Sam. 22.2. Luke 7.41, 42. Acts 16.30, 31, 32.
5. This place, as Fathers House, in former Days
Is a Receptacle for Run-a-ways;
He that like to the Ox backsliden is,
Forfeited hath for Sin his share of bliss;
May yet come hither, here is room and rest;
Of old such have come hither and been blest.
Had this been false, O woe had been to David!
Nor Peter, had nor Magdalen been saved,
No Run-a-way from God, could a been blest
With kind reception at his hands; Return,
Would here a come to late, if nought but burn
Had been the lot of the Blacksliding man:
But we are told there's no rebellion can
Prevent, or hinder him from being sav'd,
That Mercy heartily of God hath crav'd;
She that went from her God to play the Whore,
Returning may be as she was before;
He that refuses to his God to turn,
That is resolved in Hell-Fire to burn;
If he bethinks himself and turns again,
May find them here that will him entertain. Note: Luke 15. 1 Sam. 12 and 13 Chapters Luke 22.61. Jonah 1. 2 Chron. 33. Jer. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Rom. 10.21.
6. But bring thou with thee a Certificate,
To shew thou seest thy self most desolate;
Writ by the Master, with Repentance seal'd,
To shew also that here thou wouldst be heal'd,
By those fair leaves of that most blessed Tree,
By which alone poor Sinners healed be;
And that thou dost abhor thee for thy ways,
And wouldst in Holiness spend all thy days;
[Page] And here be entertain'd; or thou wilt find
To entertain thee here are none enclin'd. Note: Acts 9.26, 27. Revel. 21.27. Chap. 22.14, 15.
VII. Of the Governours of this House.
THe Governours that here in Office are,
Such be as Service do with Love and Care;
Not Swerving from the Rule, nor yet intrude
Upon each others Work, nor are they rude
In managing their own: But to their trust
They labour to be Honest, Faithful, Just.
1. The Chief is he, who is the Lord of all,
The Saviour; some him Physician call.
He's cloth'd in shining raiment to the ground,
A Golden Girdle doth begirt him round;
His Head and Hairs are white as any Snow,
His Eyes are like a flame of Fire also;
His Feet are like fine Brass as if they burn'd
Within a Furnace, or to Fire was turn'd;
His Voice doth like to many Waters sound,
In his Right-Hand, Seven glittering Stars are found,
Sharper then any ('tis his holy Word)
And for his Countenance, 'tis as the Sun
Which shineth in its strenghth, till day is done.
His name is call'd Holy, The Word of God;
The Wine-press of his Fathers wrath he trod;
At all the power of Sin he doth deride,
The Keys of Hell and Death hang at his side.
This is our Governour, this is the chief,
From this Physician comes our Souls relief.
He is the Tree of Life and hidden Manna;
'Tis he to whom the Children sing Hosannae.
The whice stone he doth give with a new name,
In Heaven and Earth he is of worthy fame.
This man hath Death destroy'd, and slain the Devil,
And doth secure all his from damning evil;
He is the Prince of Life, the Prince of Peace;
He doth us from the bonds of Death release.
His Work is properly his own; nor may,
In what he doth, another say him nay. Note: Heb. 3.6. Rev. 1.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Rev. 19.13. Chap. 1.18.
'Tis he who pays our Hospitalian scores,
He's here to search, supple, and bind up Sores;
He is our Plaister-maker, he applyes
Them to our Wounds, He wipes our wetted Eyes.
'Tis he renews the hopes of our Salvation.
He'll take our parts, oft times to us unknown,
And make as if our failings were his own;
He'll plead with God, his Name and doings too,
Anp save us will, from those would us undo. Note: Luke 10.33.34.35. Mat. 8 17. Luk. 22.31.32.
His Name is as an Oyntment poured forth;
'Tis sweet from East to West, from South to North.
He's White and Ruddy; yea of all the chief;
His golden Head is rich beyond belief.
His Eyes are like the Doves which Waters wet,
Well washt with Milk, and also fitly set,
His Cheeks as beds of Spices, and sweet flowers
He us'd to water with those christal showers,
Which often flowed from his cloudy Eyes
Better by far then what comes from the Skies.
His Lips like Lilies, drop sweet-smelling-Mirrh,
Scenting as do those of the Comforter.
His Hands are as Gold Rings set with the Beryls;
By them we are delivered out of Perils;
His Legs like Marble, stand in Boots of Gold,
His Countenance is ex'lent to behold.
[Page] His Mouth it is of all a Mouth most sweet,
O Kiss me then, Lord, every time we meet!
Thy sugard Lips, Lord, let them sweeten mine,
With the most blessed scent of things divine. Note: Song. 1.1, 2, 3. Chap 5.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
2. This is one Governour; and next in place,
One call'd the Ghost, in Honour and in Grace
No whit inferiour to Him; and He
Will also in this House our helper be.
He ▪twas who did at first brood the Creation;
And he's the cause of Man's Regeneration:
'Tis he by whom the Heavens were garnished,
With all their host they then abroad did spread
(Like Spangles, Pearls, Diamonds or richest Gems)
Far Richer then the fairest Diadems.
'Twas he who with his Cloven Tongues of fire
Made all those wise ones of the World admire,
Who heard his Breathing in unlearned men,
O Blessed Ruler! now the same as then!
His work our mind is to illuminate
With things divine, and to accommodate
Us with those Graces, which will us adorn,
And make us look like men indeed New-Born.
For our Inheritance he makes us meet;
He makes us also in this World discreet.
To do and suffer at our Lords command.
'Tis he that leads us to the Tomb and Cross,
When Jesus Crucifi'd and Bury'd was;
He shews us also, that he did revive,
And doth assure us that he is alive;
And doth improve the merit of his Blood,
At Graces Throne, for our Eternal Good.
Dark Riddles he doth here to us unfold,
Yea makes us things Invisible behold.
He sheds abroad God's Love in every Heart,
Where he doth dwell, yea to them doth impart
Such tokens of a future Happiness,
That's past the Tongue of Angels to express.
'Tis he which helpeth us, that to perform,
Whether Becalm'd, or whether in a Storm,
Which God commands: without him we do nought.
That's Good, either in Deed, or Word, or Thought. Note: Gen. 1.1, 2, 3. Job 26.13. Acts 2.1, 2, 3, 4. Ephes. 1.18, 19, 20. Mark 13.11. John 16.13. 1 Cor. 14.2. Rom. 5.5. Chap. 8.26, 27.2 Cor. 3.4.
'Tis he that doth with Jewels us bedeck,
'Tis he puts chains of Gold about our Neck;
'Tis he that doth us with fine Linnen gird,
That maketh us oft times live as a Bird.
[Page 18] That cureth us of all our doubts and fears,
Puts Bracelets on our Hands, Rings on our Ears;
He Sanctifies our Persons, he perfumes
Our Spirits also, he our Lust consumes;
Our Stinking Breath he sweetens, so that we
To God and all good Men sweet-scented be;
He sets Gods mark upon us, and doth seal
Us unto Life, and Life to us reveal.Note: Ezek. 16.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Rom. 15.13. 1 Cor. 6.11. Isa. 4.4. Colos. 4.6.
3. Another sort of Officers; here are,
But such as must not with these first compare;
They're under-Officers, but serviceable,
Not only here to Rule, but wait at Table.
Those clothed are with Linnen, fine and white,
They glitter as the Stars of darksome Night.
They have Saint Peters Keys, and Aarons Rod;
They ope and shut, they bind and loose for God.
The chief of these are Watch-men, they have power
To mount on high and to ascend the Tower
Of this brave Fabrick, and from thence to see
Who keeps their ground, and who the straglers be.
These have their Trumpet, when they do it sound
The Mountains Eccho, yea it shakes the ground.
With it they also sound out an Alarm,
When they perceive the least mischief or harm
Is coming, so they do this House secure
There from, or else prepare it to endure
Most manfully the Cross, and so attain
The Crown which for the Victor doth remain.Note: Revel. 1.20. Mat. 16.19. Ezek. 33.3, 4, 5, 6.
This Officer is call'd a Steward too,
'Cause with his Masters Cash he has to do,
And has Authority it to disburst
To those that want, or for that Treasure thirst.
The Distributor of the word of Grace
He is, and at his Mouth, when he's in place,
They seek the Law, he also bids them do it;
He shews them Sin, and learns them to eschew it▪
By this example too he shews them how
To keep their Garments clean, their knees to bow [...]
Before the King, when he comes into place;
And when they do him supplicate for Grace.Note: 1 Cor. 4.1. 1 Pet. 4.10. Luke 12.42. Tit. 1.7
Another Badge this Officer doth wear,
Is that of Overseer; because the care
Of the Whole House is with him, he's to see
They nothing want, nor yet abused be
[...]y the misplacing of an Ordinance.
[...]hese also are to see they wander not
[...]rom Place or Duty, least they get a blot
[...]o their Profession, or bring some Disease,
[...]pon the whole, or get a trick to lease,
Or Lye unto their God, by doing what
[...]y Sacred Statutes he commanded not.Note: Acts 20.28.
Call them your Cooks, they're skill'd in dressing Food,
To nourish Weak, and Strong, and cleanse the Blood:
They've Milk for Babes, strong Meat for Men of Age;
Food fit for who are Simple, who are Sage.
When the great Pot goes on, as oft it doth,
They put not Coloquintida in Broth,
As do those Younglings, Fondlings of their skill,
Who make not what's so apt to cure as kill.Note: Luke 12.42. 2 King 4.38, 39, 40.
They are your Sub-Physicians, and know
What sickness you are incident unto;
Let them but feel your Pulse, and they will tell
You quickly whether you are Sick or Well.
[Page 21] Have you the Staggers? They can help you there
Or if the Falling-Sickness, or do fear
A Lethergy, a Fever, or the Gout,
God blessing of their skill, you need not doub [...]
A cure, for long Experience has made
These Officers the Masters of their Trade.
Their Physick works by Purge and Vomit too,
Fear not, nor full nor fasting but t'will do,
Have but a care and see you catch no Cold,
And with their Physick then you may be bold.Note: Mat. 10.8. Heb. 9.14. 2 Pet. 2.22.
You may them Prophets call, for they can tel [...]
Of things to come, yea, here they do excell.
They Prophesie of Mans future event,
Whether to Weal or Wo his mind is bent,
Yea, so expert are they in their Predictions,
Their Arguments so full are of Convictions,
That none who hear them, but are forc'd [...] say▪
Wo unto them who wander from the way
Art bound for Hell against all wind and weather
Or art thou one a going backward thither?
Or dost thou wink because thou wouldst not see
Or dost thou sideling go, and wouldst not be
Suspected? Yet these Prophetes can the tell,
Which way thou art a going down to Hell.
For him that would Eternal Life attain,
Yet will not part with all, that Life to gain,
Or slips the time, in which he should awake;
Or saith he lets go all, yet keepeth some
Of what will make him lose the world to come.
These Prophets can tell such a man his state,
And what at last will surely be his fate.
If thou art one who tradeth in both ways,
God's now, the Devil's then; or if delays
Thou mak'st of coming to thy God for Life;
Or if thy Light, and Lusts are at a strife
About who should be master of thy Soul,
And lovest one, the other dost controul;
These Prophets tell thee can, which way thou bendest,
On which thou frown'st, to which a hand thou lendest.
Art one of those whose fears do go beyond
Their faith? when thou should'st hope, dost thou dispond?
Dost keep thine Eye upon what thou hast done,
And yet hast Licence to look on the Sun?
Dost thou so covet more, as not to be
Affected with the Grace bestow'd on thee?
Art like to him, that needs must step a Mile
At every stride, or think it not worth while
To follow Christ? These Prophets they can tell
To cure this thy Disease, and make thee well.Note: Acts 15.32. 1 Cor. 14.31. Acts 8.20, 21, 22. 2 Tim. 3.6. Tit. 1.16. Luke 22.32. Song. 1.4.
This Officer is also call'd a Guide,
Nor should the People but keep by his side;
Or tread his Steps in all the paths they walk,
By his Example they should Do and Talk.
He is to be to them instead of Eyes,
He must before them go in any wise;
And he must lead them by the Water-side,
This is the work of this our Faithful Guide.
Since Snares and Traps, and Grins are for us set
Since here's a Hole, and there is spread a Net▪
O let no body at my Muse deride,
No man can Travel here without a Guide.
Here's Tempting Apples, here are Baited Hooks
With Turning, Twisting, Cramping, Tangling Crooks
Close by the way; wo then to them betide,
That dares to venture here without a Guide.
Here haunt the Fairies with their chanting Voices
Fiends like to Angels, to bewitch our choices;
Baits for the Flesh lie here on every side:
Who dares set here one foot without a Guide?
Master Delusion dwelleth by our walks,
Who with Confusion, Sings and Prays and talks
He says the straight Path's his, and ours th [...] wide
What then can we do here without a Guide?
Let God then give our Leaders always Eyes
Yea let him make them Holy, Bold, and Wise
[Page 24] And help us fast by them for to abide,
And suffer not the Blind to be our Guide. Note: Luke 1.79. Psal. 78.72. Mat. 23.16, 24.
4. Here are of Rulers, yet another sort,
Such as direct our manners to comport
With our Professed Faith, that we to view,
May let Beholders know that we are new.
These are our Conversations to inspect,
And us in our employments to direct,
That we in Faith and Love do every thing,
That reacheth from the Peasant to the King.
That there may be no scandal in our ways,
Nor yet in our Profession all our days.
These should after our Busie-Bodies look,
Tale bearers also they have undertook
To keep in order, also they must see
None that can work among us Idle be,
Jarrs Disords, Frauds, with Grievances and wrongs,
These they're to regulate; to them belongs
The Judgment of all matters of this kind,
And happy is the House thus Disciplin'd. Note: Rom. 12.8. 1 Cor. 12, 28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thes. 5.12, 13.14. 1 Cor 6.4.
5. Another sort of Officers we have
Deacons we call them, 'cause their work's to save
[Page 25] And distribute those Crumbs of Charity
Unto the Poor, for their Subsistency,
That contributed is for their relief,
Which of their bus'ness is indeed the chief.
These must be Grave, not of a double Tongue,
Not given to Wine, not apt to do a Wrong Jus [...]
Unto the Poor, through love to Lucre.
In this their Office, Faithful to their Trust
The Wife must answer here as Face doth Face;
The Husband, fitness to his work and place,
That ground of Scandal or of Jealousie
Obstructs not proof that he most zealously
Performs his Office well, for then shall he
Be bold in Faith, and get a good degree
Of Credit with the Church; yea what is more
He shall possess the Blessings of the Poor.
His Wisdom teach him will, to find out wh [...]
Is poor of Idleness, and who comes to
A low Estate by Sickness, Age, or 'cause
The want of Limbs, or Sight, or work it was,
That brought them to it; or such destiny
As sometimes maketh low, who once were high▪
They must remember too that some there ar [...]
Who Halt before they're Lame, while others car [...]
Not to make known their wants, they'll rather dye▪
Then charge the Churches with their Poverty.
This done, they must bestow as they see cause▪
Making the Word, the Rule; and Want the Law▪
By which they Act, and then they need not paus [...]
The Table of the Lord he also must
Provide for, 'tis his Duty and his Trust.
The Teacher too should have his Table spread
By him, thus should his House be clad and fed;
Thus he serves Tables with the Churches stock,
And so becomes a blessing to the flock.Note: Acts 6.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 2 Tim. 3.8. Acts 6.1; [...], 3.
6. I read of Widows also that should be
Imployed here for further decency;
I dare not say they are in Office, tho
A Service here they are appointed to;
They must be very Aged, Trusty, Meek,
Such who have done much good, that do not seek
Themselves; they must be Humble, Pitiful,
Or they will make their Service void and null.
These are to Teach the Younger Women what
Is proper to their Sex and State, what not;
To be discreet, keepers at Home, and Chast;
To love their Husbands, to be Good, shame-Fac'd;
Children to bear, to Love them, and to flye
What to the Gospel would be Infamy.
I think these to the Sick should look also,
A Work unfit for younger Ones to do.
Wherefore he saith, The younger Ones refuse;
Perhaps because their weakness would abuse
[Page 27] Them, and subject them unto great disgrace,
When such a one as Amnon is in place.
And since the good Old Woman this must do
'Tis fit she should be Fed and Cloathed too,
Out of the Deacons Purse, let it so be;
And let this be her Service constantly. Note: 1 Tim 5.9. Tit. 2.3.4.5. 1 Tim. 5.11. 2 Sam. 13.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 1 Tim. 5.16.
IX. The Order and manner of the Government here.
AS I have shew'd you who in Office are,
So I will tell you how and with what care
Those here intrusted with the Government,
Keep to the Statutes made to that intent.
By Rules Divine this House is Governed;
Not Sanguinary ones, nor taught nor fed
By Humane Precepts: for the Scripture saith,
The Word's our ghostly Food; Food for our Faith.
Nor are all forced to the same degree
In things Divine, tho all exhorted be
[Page 28] To the most absolute proficiency
That Law or Duty can to them discry.Note: Mat. 28.18, 19, 20. Luk. 10.54, 55, 56. Colos. 2.20, 21, 22. Philip. 3.17.
Alas here's Children, here are great with Young;
Here are the Sick and Weak, as well as Strong.
Here are the Cedar, Shrub, and bruised Reed;
Yea, here are such who wounded are, and bleed.
As here are some who in their Grammar be,
So here are others in their A B C.
Some apt to Teach, and others hard to Learn;
Some far off, others can scarce discern
That which is set before them in the Glass;
Others forgetful are, and so let pass,
Or slip out of their mind what they did hear
But now,Note: 1 John 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Ephes. 3.18. Heb. 5.12, 13. so great our differences appear
Wherefore our Jacobs must have special care
They drive their Flocks, but as their Flocks can bare;
For if they be o're driven, presently
They will be Sick, or cast their Young, or dye.
The Laws therefore are more and less of force,
According as they bring us to the Source,
[Page 29] Or Head, or Fountain; or are more remote
To what at first we should our selves devote.
Be we then wise in handling of the Laws,
Not making a confused noise like Daws
In Chambers, yea let us seek to excell,
To each mans profit; this is ruling well.
With Fundamentals then let us begin,
For they strike at the very root of Sin:
So the Foundation being strongly laid,
Let us go on, as the wise Builder said.
For I don't mean, we should at all disdain
Those that are less, we always should maintain
That due respect to either which is meet;
This is the way to fit at Jesus Feet.Note: Isa. 40.11. Gen. 33 13. 1 Cor. 14.12. 26. Heb. 6.1, 2, 3. Mat. 28.19, 20.
Repent I must, or I am cast away;
Believe I must; or nothing I Obey:
Love God I must, or nothing I can do,
That's worth so much as loosing of my Shoo [...]
If I do not bear after Christ, my Cross;
If Love to Holiness is at a loss;
If I my Lusts seek not to mortifie;
If to my self, my Flesh, I do not dye;
What Law, should I observ't, can do me good?
In little Duties Life hath never stood.Note: Luk. 13.1.2, 3. Mar. 16.16. Luk. 14. 27 Heb. 12.14.
One Reads, he Prays, he Catechises too;
But doth he nothing else, what doth he do?
I Read to know my Duty, I do pray
To God to help me do it day by day;
If this be not my end in what I do,
I am a Sot, an Hypocrite also.
I am Baptiz'd, what then? unless I dye
To Sin, I cover Folly with a Lye.
At the Lords Table, I do eat; what tho?
There some have eat their own Damnation too.
I will suppose, I Hear, I Sing, I Pray,
And that I am Baptiz'd without delay,
I will suppose I do much knowledge get,
And will also suppose that I am fit
To be a Preacher, yet nought profits me
If to the first, poor I a stranger be:
They are more weighty therefore; in compare,
These unto them, but Mint and Annis are.Note: John. 5.39. Luk. 20.47. Mat. 6.5. Acts 8.13.23. 1 Cor. 11.29. Chap. 13.1, 2, 3, 4. Mat. 23.23
Not that I would the least of Duty slight,
Because the least Command of Divine Right
Requires that I my self subject thereto,
Wilful Resisters do them selves undo.
But let's keep order, let the first be first;
Repent, Believe and Love; and then, I trust
[Page 31] I have that Right which is Divine, to all
That is enjoyned, be they great or small.
Only I must as cautionary speak,
In one word more, a little to the Weak;
Thou must not suffer men so to enclose
Thee in their Judgments, as to discompose
Thee in that Faith and Peace thou hast with him;
This would be like the losing of a Limb;
Or like to him who thinks he doth not well,
Unless he lose the Kernel for the Shell.
Thou art no Captive, but a Child and Free;
Thou wast not made for Laws, but Laws for thee;
And thou must use them as thy light will bear it
They that say otherwise, do rend and tear it;
More like to wicked Tyrants, who are cruel,
And add unto a little Fire, more Fuel▪
But those who are True Shepherds of the Sheep,
To quench such burnings would most gladly Weep.
But I am yet but upon Generals;
Particulars our Legislator calls
For at our Hands, and that in order too
Consummate what we have begun to do.
1. My Brother I must Love, in very deed.
I'm taught of God to do it: let me heed
This Divine Duty, and perform it well,
Who loves his Brother, God in him doth dwell;
[Page 32] The argument which on me this imposes,
[...]mells like to Oyntment, or the Sweetest Roses. Note: [...]ohn 15.17. 1 Thes. 4.9. 1 John 4.16. Psal. 4.33.
[...]hall God Love, shall he keep his Faith to me?
And shall not I? shall I unfaithful be?
Shall God love me a Sinner? and shall I
Not love a Saint? Yea shall my JESUS dye
To reconcile me to my God? and shall
[...] hate his Child, nor hear his wants that call
For my little Assisting of him? sie
On such a spirit, on such cruelty;
Fie on the thought that would me alienate,
Or tempt me my worst Enemy to hate. Note: John 15.17. 1 Thes. 4.9. 1 John 4.16. [...] Psalm. 133. 1 John 4.20.21. Mat. 5.43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48.
2. He that dwells here, must also be a sharer
In others griefs; must be a burden-bearer
Among his Brethren, or he cannot do
That which the blessed Gospel calls him to.
In order hereunto, Humility
Must be put on (it is our Livery)
We must be clothed with it, if we will
The Law Obey, our Masters mind fulfil.
If this be so, then what should they do here,
Who in their Antick pranks of Pride appear.
[Page 33] Let lofty Men among you bear no sway,
The Lord beholds the Proud Man far away.
It is not fit that he inhabits there,
Where humbleness of mind should have the chair.
Can Pride be where a Soul for Mercy craves?
Shall Pride be found among Redeemed Slaves?
Shall he who Mercy from the Gallows brought,
Look High or Strut, or entertain a thought
That tends to tempt him to forget that fate,
To which for Sin he destin'd was of late,
And could not then at all deliver'd be,
But by anothers Death and Misery?
Pride is the unbecoming'st thing of all:
Besides, 'tis the fore runner of a fall.
He that is Proud, soon in the dirt will lye,
But Honour followeth Humility.
Let each then count his Brother as his bettter,
Let each esteem himself anothers Debtor,
Christ bids us learn of him humble to be,
Profession's Beauty is Humility.Note: Rom. 12.15. Gal. 6.2. Pet. 5.5. Psal. 138.6. Luke 18 13, Isa 45.14. Isa 53.5. Prov. 16.18. Mat. 11.29.
3. Forgive is here another Statute Law;
To be revenged, is not worth a Straw;
He that forgives shall also be forgiven,
Who doth not so, must lose his part in Heaven;
[Page 34] [...]or must thou weary of this Duty be,
Cause God's not weary of Forgiving thee. Note: Ephes. 4 32. Mat. 18.34, 35. Chap. 6.15. Chap. 18.22.
Thou livest by Forgiveness, should a stop
Be put thereto one moment, thou wouldst drop
[...]nto the Mouth of Hell. Then let this move
Thee thy dear Brother to forgive in Love. Note: Eph. 4.32. Mat. 18.34, 35. Chap. 6.15. Chap. 18.
And we are bid in our forgivenesses
To do as God doth in forgiving his.
If any has a quarrel against any,
(As quarrels we have oft against a many)
Why then, as God, for Christs sake pardons you,
For Christs sake, pardon thou thy Brother too.
We say, What freely comes, doth freely go;
Then let all our forgivenesses be so.
[...]'m sure God heartily forgiveth thee,
My loving Brother, prethee forgive me;
But then in thy forgiveness be upright;
Do't with thy Heart, or thou'rt an Hypocrite.Note: Mat. 18.32, 33. 2 Cor. 2.10. Jer. 32.41. Matt. 18.35.
4. As we forgive, so we must watch and pray
For Enemies we have, that night and day,
Should we not watch, would soon our Grace [...] spoile [...]
Should we not pray, would our poor Souls defile [...]
Without a watch, resist a Foe who can?
Who prays not, is not like to play the man;
Complain that he is overcome, he may;
But who would win the Field, must Watch and Pray▪
Who watches, should know who and who's together
Know we not Friends from Foes, how know we whether▪
Of them to Fight, or which to entertain?
Some have instead of Foes, Familiars slain:
Sometimes a Lust will get into the place,
Or Work, or Office, of some worthy grace;
Till it has brought our Souls to great decay.
Unless we diligently Watch and Pray,
Our Pride will our Humility precede;
By th' Nose, our Unbelief our Faith will lead.
Self-love will be where Self-Denyal should;
And Passion heat, what Patience sometime coold:
And thus it will be with us Night and Day
Unless we diligently Watch and Pray. Note: Mat. 26.41. 1 Cor. 16.13. Ephes. 6.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. Heb. 12.15. Luk. 21.34, 35. Heb. 3.12, 13. Acts 20.30, 31. 1 Thes. 5.6. 2 Tim 4.5. 1 Pet. 4.7.
Besides what these Domesticks do, there are
Abroad such Foes as wait us to ensnare;
Yea, they against us stand in Battle-'ray,
And will us spoil, unless we Watch and Pray.
There is the World with all its Vanities,
There is the Devil with a thousand Lyes;
There are False Brethren with their fair Colusions
Also False Doctrines with their strong delusions;
These will us take, yea carry us away,
From what is Good, unless we Watch and Pray.
Long Life to many, is a fearful Snare;
Of Sudden Death we also need beware;
The Smiles and Frowns of men, Temptations be;
And there's a Bait in all we hear or see:
Let them who can to any shew a way,
How they should live, that cannot Watch and Pray. Note: Luk. 8.14. 1 Pet. 5.8. Acts 20.30, 31.
Nor is't enough to keep all well within,
Nor yet to keep all out that would be Sin,
If entertain'd; I must my self concern
With my dear Brother, as I do discern
Him tempted, or a wandring from the way;
Else as I should, I do not Watch and Pray.
Grudge, nor refuse to be thy Brothers keeper.
Seest thou thy Brothers Graces at an Ebb?
Is his heel taken in the Spiders Web?
Pray for thy Brother, if that will not do,
To him, and warn him of the present Woe
That is upon him, if he shall thee hear,
Thou wilt a Saviour to him appear. Note: Heb. 12.15. Gen. 4.9. 1 Thes. 5.14. Jam. 5.20.
5. Sincerity, to that we are enjoyn'd;
For I do in our blessed Law-book find,
That Duties, how well done so e'er they seem,
With our great God, are but of small esteem,
If not sincerely done; then have a care,
For Hypocrites are hateful every where.
Things we may do, yea, and may let men see
Us do them too, design but honestly;
Vain-gloriously let us not seek for praise,
Vain-glory's nothing worth in Gospel days.
Sincerity seeks not an open place
To do, tho it does all with open face;
It loves no guises, nor disfigurations,
'Tis plain, 'tis simple, hates Equivocations.
Sincerity's that Grace by which we poyse,
And keep our Duties even: nor but toys
Are all we do, if no Sincerity
Attend our works, lift it up ne'er so high.
Lo, here's a man in whom there is no guile!
Nathaniel, an Israelite indeed!
With Duties he sincerely doth proceed;
Under the Figg-tree Heav'n saw him at Prayer,
There is but few do their Devotions there.
Sincerity! Grace is thereto entail'd,
The man that was sincere, God never fail'd;
One Tear that falleth from Sincerity,
Is worth ten thousand from Hypocrisy. Note: Jos. 24.14. Matt. 23. 2 Cor. 1.12. Chap. 2.17. Chap. 8.8. 1 Pet. 2.1, 2. Phil. 1.10. John. 1.47, 48, 49. Ephes. 6.24.
6. Meekness is also here impos'd by Law,
A Froward Spririt is not worth a straw.
A froward Spirit is a bane to rest,
They find it so, who lodge it in their Breast.
A froward Spirit suits with Self-denial,
With taking up the Cross, and ev'ry Tryal,
As Cats and Dogs, together by the Ears;
As scornful men do suit with Frumps and Jears.
Meek as a Lamb, mute as a Fish, is brave;
When Anger boyls, and Passions vent do crave.
The meek God will in Paths of Judgment guide,
Good shall the meek eat, and be satisfi'd;
The Lord will lift the meek to highest Station,
Will Beautify the meek with his Salvation:
The meek is better than the proud in Spirit.
Meekness will make you quiet, hardy, stron [...]
To bear a Burden, and to put up Wrong.
Meekness, tho divers troubles you are in,
Will bridle Passion, be a curb to Sin.
Thus God sets forth the meek before our eyes
A meek and quiet Spirit God doth prize.Note: Job 5.13. Prov. 2.12. Chap. 16.28. Chap. 1 [...] 20. Chap. 22. 5. Col. 3.12. Ephes. 4. 1 Tim. 6.11. Tit. 3.2. Psal. 25.9. Psa [...] 22.26. Psal. 147.6. Psal. 149.4. Psal. 3 [...] 11. Isa. 29.19. 1 Pet. 3.4.
7. Temp'rance also is on this House impose [...]
And whoso has it not, is greatly nosed
By standers by, for greedy lustful men;
Nor can all we can say, excuse us; when
Intemp'rance any where to them shall be
Apparent; tho we other Vices flee.
Temperance, the Mother is, of Moderation,
The Beauty also of our Conversation.
Temperance will our affections moderate,
And keep us from being inordinate
In our Embraces, or in our Salutes
Of what we have, also in our pursuites
Of more, and in a Sedate settlement
Of mind, will make's in all states be content;
[Page 40] Nor want we here an argument to prove,
That who inordinate is, in his love
Of Worldly things, doth better things defy,
[...]nd slight Salvation for the Butter-fly. Note: [...] Pet. 1.6. Phil. 3.18, 19. 1 Cor. 9.25. Phil. 4.11, 12, 13. Prov. 23.5.
What argument can any man produce,
Why we should be intemperate in the use
[...]f any Worldly good? Do we not see
That all these things from us a fleeting be?
What can we hold? What can we keep from flying
[...]rom us? Is not each thing we have a dying?
My House, my Wife, my Child, they all grow old,
[...]or am I e'er the younger for my Gold;
[...]ere's none ahiding, all things fade away,
[...]oor I at best, am but a Clod of Clay. Note: [...]a. 28.1, 4. Jam. 1.11. 1 John. 2.17. Gen. 18.17.
If that be true, Man doth not live by Bread,
[...]e that has nothing else, must needs be dead;
[...]ake Bread for what can in this world be found,
[...]et all that therein is, is but a sound;
[...]n empty sound, there is no life at all,
[...] cannot save a Sparrow from her fall.
[Page 41] Let us then use this World as we are bid;
And as in Olden Times, the Godly did.
Who buy, should be, as if they did possess
None of their purchase, nor themselves did bless
In what they have; And he that doth rejoyce
In what he hath, should rather out of choice,
Withdraw his mind from what he hath below,
And set his Heart on whether he must go.
For those that weep under their heavy Crosses,
Or that are broken with the Sence of Losses,
Let them remember, all things here are fading,
And, as to Nature, of a Self-degrading
And wasting temper; Yea, both we and they
Shall waste, and waste, until we waste away:
Let Temperance then, with Moderation be
As bounds to our Affections, when we see,
Or feel, or taste, or any ways enjoy
Things pleasing to the Flesh, lest we destroy
Our selves therewith, or bring our selves thereby
To Surfeits, Guilt, or Satans Slavery.Note: Deut. 8.3. 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. Col. 3, 1, 2. Gen. 3.19. Luke. 21.34.
8. Patience, another Duty, as we find
In Holy Writ, is on this house enjoyn'd;
Her State, while here, is such, that she must have
This Grace abounding in her, or a slave
[Page 42] She'll quickly be unto their lusts and will,
That seek the mind of Satan to fulfil.
He who must bear all wrongs without resistance,
And that with gladness to, must have assistance
Continually from Patience thereunto,
Or he will find such work too hard to do.
Who meets with Taunts, with Mocks, with Flouts and Squibs,
With Raileries, Reproaches, Checks and Snibs;
Yea, he who for well-doing is abused,
Rob'd, Spoil'd, and Goal'd, and every way misused;
Has he not Patience, soon will be offended,
Yea his Profession too will soon be ended.
A Christian for Religion must not fight,
But put up wrongs, though he be in the right;
He must be merciful, loving and meek,
When they smite one, must turn the t'other Cheek.
He must not render Railing for Reviling,
Nor murmur when he sees himself a spoiling;
When they shall Curse, he must be sure to Bless,
And thus with Patience must his Soul possess.
I doubt our framper'd Christians will not down
With what I say, yet I dare Pawn my Gown,
Do but compare my Notes with Sacred-story,
And you will find, Patience the way to Glory.
Patience under the Cross, a Duty is,
Whoso possesses it, belongs to Bliss;
[Page 43] If it its present work accomplisheth;
If it holds out, and still abideth with
The Truth; then may we look for that reward,
Promised at the coming of the Lord. Note: Jam. 5.7, 8. Rom. 12.12. Heb. 6.15. Rev. 13.10. Chap. 14.12. 2 Cor. 6.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 4.12, 13. Mat. 13.21. Matt. 5.38, 39, 40, 41. 1 Pet. 3.8, 9. Joh. 18.10, 11. Heb. 6.15. Luke 21.19. Jam. 1.3, 4. Jam. 5.7, 9.
9. To entertain Good Men let's not forget
Some by so doing have had benefit;
Yea for to Recompence this act of theirs,
Angels have lodged with them unawares.
Yea to encourage such a work as this,
The Lord himselfe makes it a note of his,
When Hungry or when Thirsty I have been,
Or when a Stranger, you did take me in.
Strangers should not to Strangers but be kind,
Specially if conferring Notes, they find
Themselves, tho Strangers here, one Brotherhood,
And Heirs, joynt Heirs, of Everlasting Good;
These should, as Mothers Sons, when they do meet,
In a strange Countrey, one another greet
With welcom; come in; Brother, how dost do?
Whether art wandring? Prethee let me know
Thy state? Do'st want or Meat, or Drink, or Cloth?
Art weary? Let me wash thy Feet, I'm loth
[Page 44] Thou shouldst depart, abide with me all Night,
Pursue thy Journey with the Morning Light. Note: Heb. 13.1, 2. Mat. 25.35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 Judg. 16.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
X. The way of reducing what's amiss, into Order here.
ALtho this House thus honourable is,
Yet 'tis not Sinless, many things amiss
Do happen here, wherefore them to redress,
We must keep to our Rules of Righteousness;
Nor must we think it strange, if Sin shall be
Where Vertue is; do'nt not all men plainly see
That in the holy Temple there was dust,
That to our very Gold, there cleaveth rust?
In Abrahams Family, was a Derider
I'th' Palace of a King, will be the Spider. Note: 2 Chron. 29.16, 17. Gen. 21.9. Prov. 30.28.
Who saith, We have no Sin, doth also say
We have no need at all to watch and pray;
[Page 45] To live by Faith, the Flesh to Mortify,
Or of more of the Spirit, to Sanctify
Our Nature: All this wholly needless is
With him, who as to this, has nought amiss.
But we confess, 'cause we would not be Liers,
That we still feel the motions and desires
Of Sin within us, and should fall away,
Did not Christ intercede, and for us pray. Note: 1 John 1.8, 10. Luke 21.32. Heb. 7.25.
We therefore do conclude that Sin is here,
But that it may not to our shame appear,
We have our Rules, thereby with it to deal,
And Plaisters too, our deadly Wounds to heal.
And seeing Idleness gives great occasions
To'th' Flesh, to make it's rude and bold invasisions
Upon good Orders, 'tis ordain'd we see,
That none dwell here, but such as workers be;
So plain's the Law for this, and so compleat,
It bids who will not work, forbear to eat;
Let then each one, be diligent to do
What Grace or Nature doth oblige them to.
Who have no need to work for Meat or Cloath,
Should work for those that want. Not that the Sloath
Of Idleness should be encouraged,
But that those, poor indeed, be Clad and Fed.
[Page 46] Dorcas did thus, and 'tis to sacred Story
Committed, for her praise and lasting Glory. Note: 2 Thes. 3.10 Acts 9.36, 37, 38, 39.
This House then is no Nurse to Idleness;
Fig-Trees are here to keep, and Vines to dress;
Here's work for all; yea work that must be done;
Yet work, like that, to playing in the Sun;
The Toyl's a pleasure, and the Labour sweet,
Like that of David's Dancing in the street:
The work is short, the wages is for ever,
The work like me, the wages like the Giver. Note: Prov. 27.18. Mark 13.34. 1 John 5.3. 2 Sam. 6.14.
No Drone must hide himself under those Eaves;
Who sows not, will in Harvest Reap no Sheaves:
The sloathful man himself, may plainly see,
The Honey's gotten by the working Bee.
But here's no work for Life, that's freely given;
Meat, Drink, and Cloth, and Life, we have from Heaven;
Work's here enjoyned, 'cause it is a pleasure,
[...]ice to suppress, and augment Heavenly Treasure;
Moreover, 'tis to shew, if men profess
The Faith, and yet abide in Idleness,
Hee's right, but by the Faith that works by love.Note: Jam. 2.20. Gal. 5.6.
If this good Counsel is by thee rejected;
If work and labour is by thee neglected;
If thou, like David, lollest on thy Bed;
Or art like to a Horse, pamper'd and fed
With what will fire thy Lusts, and so lays Snares
For thine own Soul, when thou should be i'th' Wars:
Then take what follows, Sin must be detected,
And thou, without Repentance, quite rejected.Note: 2. Sam. 11.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Jer. 5.8. Chap. 13.27. Luke 13.1, 2.3.
This is the House of God, his Dwelling-place,
'Tis here that we behold his lovely Face;
But if it should polluted be with Sin,
And so abide, he quickly will begin
To leave it desolate, and then wo to it,
Sin and his Absence quickly will undo it.Note: Jer. 7.11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
And since Sin is, of things the worst of all,
And watcheth like a Serpent on a Wall;
Or flyeth like an Eagle in the Air,
Or runs as desperate Ships, void of all care;
[Page 48] Or (as great Solomon hath wisely said)
Is as the way of Wantons with a Maid,
Who tick, and toy, and with a tempting giggle
Provoke to lust, and by degrees, so wriggle
Them into their affections, that they go
The way to death, so do themselves undo:
As it is said, This mischief to prevent,
Let all men watch, yea, and be diligent
Observers of its motions, and then flie,
This is the way to live, and not to die.
☞ He that would never fall, must never slip,
Who would obey the Call, must fear the Whip.
God would also that every stander by,
That in the Grass doth see the Adder lie,
Should cry as he did, Death is in the Pot,
That many by its Poyson, perish not.
But if that beastly thing shall hold its hold,
And make the man possessed basely bold
In pleading for it, or shall it deny,
Or it shall seek to cover with a lie;
Then take more aid, and make a fresh assault,
At it again, diminish not the fault,
But charge it home. If yet he will not fear,
But still unto his wickedness adhere,
Then tell the house thereof. But if he still
Persist in his abomination will,
Then fly him, 'cause he is a leaprous man,
Count him with Heathens, and the Publican.Note: Mat. 18.15, 16, 17.
But if he falls before thee at the first,
Then be thou to him, faithful, loving, just,
Forgive his sin, tell it not to a Brother,
Lest thou thy self be serv'd so by another.Note: Prov. 25.9. Mark 4.24.
If he falls not, but in the second charge;
Spread not his wickedness abroad at large.
But, if thou think his sorrow to be sound,
Forgive his sin, and hide it under ground. Note: Jam. 5.20. 1 Pet. 4.8.
If he shall stand the first and second shot?
If he before the Church, repenteth not?
Deal with him as the matter shall require,
Let not the House for him be set on fire.
If after all, he shall repent and turn
To God, and you, you must not let him burn
For ever under sence of sin and shame,
You must his sin forgive in Christ his name.Note: 2 Cor. 2.6.
Confirm your love to him in Christ, you must
By all such ways as honest are, and just.
Shy be not of him, carry't not alooff,
But rather give him of your love such proof,
[Page] [...]hat he may gather thence, ye do believe
[...]o mercy Christ again doth him receive.Note: 2 Cor. 2.8, 9, 10.
Two things, monish you, as to this, I would;
The first, to shew the Church wherein she should
[...]n all her actions so her self behave,
As to convince the faulty, she would save
His soul: and that 'tis for this very thing,
[...]he doth him unto open Judgment bring.
Then would I shew the Person they reject,
What will, without repentance, be th' effect
Of this tremendous Censure, so conclude;
Leaving my Judgment to the multitude
Of those who sober and judicious be,
Begging of each of them a Prayer for me.
1. This House in order to this work must be
Affected with the sin and misery,
Of this poor Creature, yea, must mourn and weep,
To think such Tares in your neglect, or sleep,
Should spring up here, nor must they once invent
To think, till he's cast out, you'r innocent.Note: 1 Cor. 5.2.6, 7.
2. Thus Leven, the whole lump has levene
Israel was guilty of what Achan did;
And so must stand, until they purged are,
Till Achan doth, for sin, his burden bear.Note: Jos. 7.10, 11, 12, 13. Chap. 22.20.
The reason is, Achan a Member was
Of that great Body, and by Natures Laws
The Hand, Foot, Eye, Tongue, Ear, or one [...] the [...]
May taint the whole with Achans foul Disea [...]
The Church must too be sensible of this,
Some leprous stones, make all the House ami [...]
And as the Stones must thence removed be,
In order to the Houses Sanctity;
So it must purged be (in any wise)
Before 'tis counted clean (by Sacrifice.)Note: Levit. 14.33. to 53.
3. Next have a care, lest sin, which y [...] should purg [...]
Becomes not unto you a further scourge;
The which it will, if such shall Judges be,
Which from its Spots and Freckles are n [...] fre [...]
Pluck thou the beam first out of thine own ey [...]
Else the Condemned will thee vilifie;
[...] otherwise, it will beget a grudge,
[...] great one 'twixt the Church and him that sinned,
[...]or by such means, can ever such be winned
[...] a renew'd imbrace of holiness,
[...]re like be tempted further to transgress.Note: Mat. 7.3, 4. John. 8.7.
4. Again, let those that loud against it cry,
[...]e they don't entertain it inwardly;
[...]n, like to Pitch, will to the fingers cleave.
[...]ok to it then, let none himself deceive;
[...]is catching, make resistances afresh,
[...]hor the Garment spotted by the Flesh.
[...] Some at the dimness of the Candle puff,
[...]ho yet can daub theer Fingers with the snuff.Note: Josh. 22.17. Jude. 23.
5. Beware likewise, lest rancor should appear
[...]gainst the person, do all in things fear;
[...]wail the man, while you abhor his sin;
[...]ty his Soul; the flesh you still are in;
[...]hy self consider, thou maist tempted be;
[...]ast thou no pity, who will pity thee?Note: Judges 20.23. Gal. 6.1. James 2.13.
6. See that the ground be good on whi [...] you g [...]
Sin, but not Vertue, shew dislike unto.
Take heed of hypocritical intentions,
And quarrel not at various Apprehensions
About some smaller matter, lest it breed
Needless debates, and lest that filthy seed
Contention, should o're run your holy ground,
And lest not Love, but Nettles there are found.Note: 1 Cor. 1.11. Tit. 3.9. 1 Cor. 11.16. 1 Tim. [...].3, 4, 5, 6.
7. You must likewise allow each man h [...] grain [...]
For that none perfect is, sin yet remains,
And humane frailties do attend the best;
To bear and forbear here, will tend to rest.
Vain janglings, jarrs, and strifes will there abound
Where Moles are Mountains made, or fault i [...] found
With every little, trivial, petty thing;
This Spirit snibb, or 'twill much mischief brin [...]
Into this House, and 'tis for want of love,
'Tis entertain'd, it is not of the Dove. Note: 1 Tim. 1.6.20. 2 Tim. 2.16. Tit. 1.10. Ephes. 4.2. Col. 3.13.
☞ 8. For those that have private opinions too
[...]e must make room, or shall the Church undo;
[...]ovided they be such as do'nt impair
[...]ith, Holiness, nor with good Conscience jarr;
[...]ovided also those that hold them shall
[...]ch Faith hold to themselves, and not let fall
[...]heir fruitless Notions in their Brothers way,
[...] thus, and Faith and Love will not decay.Note: [...]m. 14.13, 16, 22. 1 Cor. 8.9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
9. We must also in these our dealings shew
[...]e put a difference 'twixt those sins that do
[...]ash with the Light of Nature, and what we
[...]erceive against the Faith of Christ to be;
[...]hose against Nature, Nature will detect;
[...]hose against Faith, Faith from them must direct
[...]he Judgment, Conscience, Vnderstanding too,
[...]r there will be no cure, what ere you do.
[...]hen men are catcht in immoralities,
[...]ature will start, the Conscience will arise
[...]o Judgment; and if impudence doth recoil,
[...]et guilt and self-condemnings will imbroyl
[...]he wretch concern'd, in such unquietness
[...]r shame, as will induce him to confess
[...]is fault, and pardon crave of God and Man,
[...]uch men with ease therefore we Conquer can.Note: Exod. 32.22, 23, 24. 2 Sam. 12.7. to 13. John 8.9. Acts 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
But 'tis not thus with such as swerve in Faith,
With them, who, as our wise Apostle saith,
Entangled are at un-a-wares, with those
Cunning to trap, to snare, and to impose
By falcifyings, their prevarications:
No, these are slyly taken from their stations,
Unknown to Nature; yea, in judgment they
Think they have well done to forsake the wa [...]
Their Understanding, and their Judgment too
Doth like, or well approve of what they do.
These are (poor souls) beyond their Art an [...] Skil [...]
Ta'en Captive by the Devil, at his will.Note: Ephes. 4.14. 2 Tim. 2.23, 24, 25, 26.
Here therefore you must patience exercise,
And suffer long, ye must not tyranize
It over such, but must all meekness shew;
Still droping of good Doctrine as the Dew,
Against their Error; so its churlishness
You Conquer will, and may their fault redress.Note: 2 Tim. 4.2. Tit. 1.13.
The reason why we must not exercise
That roughness here, as where Conviction lie [...]
In Nature, is because those thus ensnar'd,
Want Natures light and help to be repair'd.
A Spirit hath them taken, they are gone,
Delusions supernat'ral they are on
The Wing of; They are out o'th reach of Man;
Nothing but God, and Gospel reach them can.
Now since we cannot give these people eyes,
Nor regulate their Judgment: wherein lies
Our work with them, if not, as has been said,
In exercising patience? While displaid
The holy word before their faces is,
By which alone they must see whats amiss
With their poor souls, and so convert again,
To him with whom Salvation doth remain.
Obj. But they are turbulent, they would confound
The truth, and all in their perdition dround.
Ans. If turbulent and mischievous they are,
Imposing their Opinions without care
Who they offend, or do destroy thereby,
Then must the Church deal with them presently,
Lest tainted be the whole with their delusion,
And brought into disorder and confusion.Note: 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. 2 Tim. 2.16, 17, 18.
XI. The present Condition of those thus dealt with.
THE man that worthily rejected is,
And cast out of this House, his part in Bliss
Is lost for ever, turns he not again,
True Faith and Holiness to entertain.
Nor is it boot, for who are thus cast out,
Themselves to flatter, or to go about
To shift the Censure, nothing here will do,
Except a new Conversion thou come to.
He that is bound on Earth, is bound in Heaven,
Nor is his loosing, but the sin forgiven;
Repentance too, forgiveness must precede,
Or thou must still abide among the dead. Note: Mat. 18.15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.
XII. An Expostulation with such to return.
☞ O Shame! Is't not a shame for men to be
For sin, spu'd out from good Society!
For man Enlightened to be so base!
To turn his back upon the God of Grace!
For one who for his sins has mourn'd, and cry'd!
To flight him, who for sin hath bled and dy'd!
What fool would sell his part in Paradise!
That has a Soul, and that of such a price!
What parallel can sute with such so well,
As those, for sin, cast down from Heaven to Hell.
But let me tell thee here is aggravation;
The Angels, tho they did fall from their station
Had not the caution thou hast had; they fell:
This thou hast seen; and seeing, didst rebel.
One would a thought, the noyse of this their Fall
A warning, yea, a warning, and a call
Should unto thee have been, to have a care
Of falling too: O how then didst thou dare,
Since God did not spare them, thus to presume
To tempt him in his wrath, thee to consume.
Nor did the Angels from a Jesus fall,
Redeem'd they were not from a state of thrall;
[Page 59] But thou! as one Redeem'd, and that by Blood,
Redemption hast despised; and the Mud
Or Mire of thine own filth again imbracest;
A dying bleeding Jesus thou disgracest!
What wilt thou do? see'st not how thou hast trod
Under thy foot, the very Son of God?
O fearful hand of God! And fearful will
Thy Doom be, when his wrath thy soul shall kill. Note: 2 Pet. 2.4. Jud. 6. Heb. 10.29, 30, 31. 2 Pet. 2, 20, 21, 22.
Yea, with a signal these must hear their sin,
☞ This dirty Sow from Mire has washed been;
Yet there did wallow, after washt she was;
So to procure a lust, obtain'd this loss.
O shame! is't not a shame for man to be,
So much averse to his felicity,
That none can make him leave to play the fool,
Till to the Devil he be put to School,
To learn his own Salvation to prize?
O Fool! must now the Devil make thee wise?
O Sot! that will in wickedness remain,
Unless the Devil drives thee back again. Note: Mat. 18.34. 1 Tim. 1.20.
Hast quite forgot how thou wast wont to pray,
And cry out for forgiveness night and day?
[Page 60] Or dost thou count they were but painted fears
Which from thine Eyes did squeeze so many Tears?
Remember man, thy Prayers and Tears will cry
Thee down to Hell, for thine Apostacy.
Who will not have what he has Prayed for,
Must die the death, his Prayers shall him abhor.
Hast thou forgotten that most solemn Vow
Thou mad'st to God, when thou didst crave he bow
His Ear unto thee would, and give thee Grace,
And would thee also in his Arms embrace?
That Vow, I say, whereby thou then didst bind
Thy self to him, that now thy roving mind
Recoile against him should, and fling away
From him, and his commandments disobey.
What has he done? wherein has he offended?
Thou actest now, as if thou wast intended
To prove him guilty of Unrighteousness,
Of breach of Promise, or that from distress
He could, or would not save thee, or that thou
Hast found a better good then he; but how
Thou wilt come off, or how thou wilt excuse
Thy self, cause thou art gone, and did refuse
To wait upon him, that consider well;
Thou art as yet alive, on this side Hell.
Is't not a shame, a stinking shame to be
Cast forth Gods Vineyard as a barren Tree?
[Page 61] To be thrown o'er the Pales, and there to lie?
Or be pickt up by'th' next that passeth by? Note: Luke 13.7. Joh. 15.6.
Well, thou hast turn'd away, return again;
Bethink thy self, thy foot from Sin refrain;
Heark! thou art call'd upon, stop not thine ear:
Return backslding Children, come, draw near
Unto your God; repent, and he will heal
Your base backslidings, to you will reveal
That Grace and Peace which with him doth remain,
For them that turn away, and turn again. Note: Jer. 3.12, 14, 22. Hos. 14.1, 2, 3.
Take with thee words, come to the Throne of Grace,
There supplicate thy God, and seek his Face;
Like to the Prodigal, confess thy Sin,
Tell him where, and how vitious thou hast been:
☞ Suppose he shall against thee shut thee door,
Knock thou the louder, and cry out the more;
What if he makes thee there to stand a while?
Or makes as if he would not reconcile
To thee again? Yet take thee no denyal,
Count all such carriages but as a tryal,
[Page 62] Whether thou art in earnest in thy sute,
As one truly forlorn and destitute;
But hide thou nought of all that thou hast done,
Open thy Bosom, make confession
Of all thy Wickedness, tell every whit;
Hast thou a secret Sin? do'nt cover it;
Confess, thy self judge, if thou wouldst not die;
Who doth himself judge; God doth Justifie. Note: Jer. 3.13, 23, 24, 25. Psal. 32.5, 1 Cor. 11.31, 32.
To Sin, and stand in't, is the highest evil;
This makes a man most like unto the Devil;
This bids Defiance unto God and Grace,
This man resists him, spitteth in his Face;
Scorns at his Justice, mocketh at his Power,
Tempts him, provokes him, grieves him every hour;
When he ariseth, he will recompence
This sturdy Rebel for's impenitence:
Be not inccorrigible then, come back again,
There's hope, beg mercy while life doth remain.
Obj. But I fear I am lost and cast away,
Sentence is past, and who reverse it may?
Ans. The Sentence past, admitteth of Reprieve,
Yea, of a Pardon, canst thou but believe.
Turn again Sinner, never make a doubt;
Come, the Lord Jesus will not cast thee out. Note: Joh. 6.37.
ERRATA.
PAge 15. line 6. for Anp, read And. P. 17. l. 4. for When, read Where. P. 21. l. 24. for the, read thee. P. 24. l. 18. for Disords, read Discords.
FINIS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THere is lately Published a new Book, written by John Bunyan, the Author hereof, Entituled, Good News for the Vilest of Men; Or, A Help for Despairing Souls: Being a Discourse upon Luke 24.47. the latter part of the Verse: Shewing, That Jesus Christ would have Mercy in the first place offered to the Biggest Sinners. Printted and are to be sold by George Larkin, at the Two-Swans without Bishopsgate: And by most Booksellers. 1688.