Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.

§. 51. Of that dispensation which is yeelded to man in divine matters.

III. * 1.1 MAns weaknesse gaineth dispensation for circum∣stances in divine matters. Thus a 1.2 Iacob being old and weake worshipped God in his bed, manifested by his bowing of himself upon the beds head, and was therein ac∣cepted. For, it is said that he did it b 1.3 in faith. Thus the c 1.4 Is∣raelites all the while they were in the wildernesse (d 1.5 Where they were on a sudden, whensoever the cloud arose, to re∣move from place to place) had a dispensation for circumcisi∣on. Thus e 1.6 David in his need had a dispensation to eat the shew-bread: And f 1.7 Hannah to tarrie at home, and not to go to the Temple while she gave her child sucke. But to cease from reckoning up more particular instances, this generall manifestation of Gods mind concerning mercy, (g I desire g 1.8 mercy and not sacrifice) gives good warrant for the foresaid dispensation. For by sacrifice he meaneth externall rites and ordinances, wherein and whereby worship is performed to God: by mercy, such substantiall duties as tend to mans good. Thus he prefers sacrifice to sacrifice. Sacrifice consisting on externall rites, to sacrifice of substantiall duties: which are to do good, and to shew mercy. With such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16. These therfore are the true sacrifices.

All externall rites are ordained especially for mans helpe and good. If therefore they stand in opposition to it, or hin∣der it, they faile of their maine end, and so are not of that use for which they are ordained: and thereupon give place, and have a dispensation to be omitted.

Ob. This is to preferre the second Table before the first, and consequently man before God.

Answ. Nothing lesse. For, the substance of the first Table gives not place to the substance of the second. but the cir∣cumstance of the first to the substance of the second. Indeed if the substance of each Table should come in opposition, the second Table should give place. Instance Abrahams readines

to sacrifice his sonne at Gods command. (Gen. 22. 2, &c.) For, obedience to Gods expresse charge is of the substance of the first Table. Saul therefore in sparing Agag, though it might seeme to be a worke of mercy, sinned. For, this indeed is to preferre man before God, 1 Sam. 15. 23.

The pretence which hypocrites make of piety in a diligent * 1.9 observation of the externall rites appertaining thereto, and yet in the meane while regard neither mercy nor justice, is hereby manifested to be a very vaine pretence. Christ de∣nounceth a woe against such as devoure widowes houses, and for a pretence make long prayers, Mat. 23. 14. The thousands of rams, and ten-thousands of rivers of oyle offered by such hypo∣crites are nothing in Gods sight. To do justly, and to love mercy is that which the Lord requireth, and which is much more acceptable to him, Mic. 6. 7, 8.

For our parts, let it be our care first to put difference be∣twixt circumstance and substance: and then to preferre this to that. For this end we must labour to have our understan∣ding well enlightned by Gods Word, and our hearts filled with an holy feare of God, and true love of man. Thus shall we discerne what is to be preferred before other, and so wisely order the things we do, as our brother may be plea∣sured, our selves not prejudiced, and God best pleased. It is an evidence of Gods great and good respect to man, thus to give a dispensation in matters concerning himselfe, for mans good. As occasion is offered either in regard of our owne or others need, let us wisely make use thereof. God would have us use that liberty which in his goodnesse and wisdome he is pleased to grant us. Thus may sicke persons pray in their bed, (Isa. 38. 2.) or if they cannot themselves pray, have others to pray for them, (Iam. 5. 14.) and weake per∣sons not well able to kneele, pray sitting, as here Moses did: and they that cannot come to Church, have the benefit of Gods ordinances at home.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See § 48.
• a 1.2

  Gen. 47. 31.
• b 1.3

  Heb. 11. 21.
• c 1.4

  Ios. 5. 5.
• d 1.5

  Num. 9. 17.
• e 1.6

  1 Sam. 21. 6.
• f 1.7

  —1. 22.
• g 1.8

  Hos. 6. 6. Mat. 12. 7. Per hoc ubi scriptum est, mi∣sericordiam ma∣gis volo quam sacrificium, nihil aliud quam sa∣crificio sa∣crificium praela∣tum oportet in∣telligi: quoniam illud quod ab ho∣minibus appella∣tur sacrificium, signum est veri sacrificij. Porro autem misericor∣dia verum sacri∣ficium est. Aug. de Civ. Dei. l, 20. c. 5.
• * 1.9

  Hypocrites taxed.