CLII lectures vpon Psalme LI preached at Ashby-Delazouch in Leicester-shire / by that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Mr. Arthur Hildersam.

Lecture IIII. On the Title of Psal. 51. Octob. 26. 1625.

SEcondly, This Doctrine should perswade us of the necessity of this ordi∣nance, [ 2] yea, how necessary it is for every one of us to live under the ministry of the word, and provoke us to resolve with our selves, that we will never live without it. This was Davids resolution, Psal. 23.6. I will dwell in the house of

the Lord for ever. Yea, he prayeth that he may be so happy, Psal. ••7.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seeke after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life. Wee should be content to bee at cost, and to straine our selves to get it home to us, rather then we would want it, Pro. 23.23. Buy the truth, and sell it not. How may that bee? Hee answereth in the next words, Also wisedome, and instruction, and understanding. We should be content to take paines to goe abroad to it, Marke 8.3. divers of Christs hearers came from farre. Admit you have knowledge, yet have you need to live under a continuall ministery. David had more understanding then all his tea∣chers, Psal. 119.99. yet you see how hee resolved hee would not live without Gods ordinance. For, 1. the knowledge of the best is unperfit, and wee have all need to learne and know more then we doe, 1. Cor. 13.9. for we know in part. 2. We are apt to forget that we have knowne and learned, and the continuall ministry of the Word is needfull in that respect, 2. Pet. 1.12. I will not be neg∣ligent to put you alwayes in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. 3. Knowledge is nothing worth with∣out feeling, and holy affections, without conscience, and care to practise what wee know, 1. Cor. 8.1. We know that we have all knowledge; knowledge puffeth up. Of many that have a high conceit of their knowledge, it may be truly said, as verse 2. They know nothing yet as they ought to know. And you have all need to live under a continuall ministery, even in this respect, ••. Pet. ••.13. I thinke it meete to stirre you up by putting you in remembrance. It serveth not onely to breed knowledge, but to stirre us up to the exercise of that we know. Admit you have attained to a great measure of Grace and sanctification, yet have you need to live under a continuall ministery. For, 1. Faith and sanctification are weake and imperfite in the best, and the ministery of the word is needfull in that respect, 1 Thess. 3.2. Timothy was sent to establish the Thessalonians con∣cerning their faith, and verse 10. Paul prayed exceedingly that he might come to them, to perfit that which was lacking in their faith. 2. Grace will decay in the best, if we live without the meanes, specially if we willingly live without the meanes, Pro. 29.18. When there is no vision, the people perish, or are made naked.

Followeth the second use of this Doctrine, which is for reproofe of two sorts.

First, Of such as despise this ordinance of God, and make no reckoning of it, 1. They esteeme not, nor love the persons of Gods faithfullest servants, For, 1. they shew no kindnesse to them, though they know that commande∣ment, Gal. 6.6. Let him that i•• taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. 2. They make no conscience of with-holding from them their due, though they know this is a robbing, and stealing from God him∣selfe, Mal 3.8. 3. They are apt to thinke they have too much, and to envy their welfare, 1. Cor. 13.4. Love envieth not. 4. They are apt to receive any slanderous report against them, though they know the commandement, 1. Tim. 5.19. Against an Elder receive not an accusation, but before t••o or three witnesses. But if you esteeme not, nor reverence our persons, you cannot esteeme or pro∣fite by our ministery. When the Nazarenes are taxed for their unbeliefe, which was such as Christ by his ministery could doe little or no good among them. Mat. 13.••8. this is given for the reason of it, verse 57. that they could not honour nor reverence his person.

Secondly, Many that seeme to esteeme well of, and to love the persons of Gods servants, doe it not for their ministery, and works sake, as they should, 1. Thess. 5.13, They receive not a Prophet in the name of a Prophet. Mat. 10.41. they esteeme and love them in some carnall respect, either to their credite (for I tell you Saul himselfe may sometimes get credite, and honour before the people by Samuels meanes, 1. Sam. 15.30.) or to their advantage, and gaine,

like those that our Saviour speaketh of, Iohn 6.26. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seeke me not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.

Thirdly, The ordinance of God in the ministery of his Word, few or none do make any reckoning of; nay they despise it in their hearts. For, 1. most men [ 1] care not what ministery they live under, they will not live without a minister. For a forme of godlinesse they must have, 2. Tim. 3.5. they must go to Church sometimes, they must needs have their children christened, they must needs receive the Sacrament at Easter; But whether their minister be good or bad, they are indifferent; a profitable and sound ministery they desire not; nay they rather desire to have either an ignorant one, or one that makes no conscience of his wayes; for such will never trouble them, nor have any authority in their hearts, Iere. 5.31, The Propets prophesie falsely, and the Priests beare rule by their meanes, and my people love to have it so. Whereas the sound ministery will bite, and trouble their lewd hearts. Such as Eliah are troublers of Israel, 1. Kings 18.••7. They count such a ministery no blessing at all, but a burden, and would faine be rid of it, as the Gadarenes would be of Christ, Luke 8.••7.

Secondly, few (even of the better sort) can be perswaded of the necessity of [ 2] it. For, 1. In placing their selves, or their children, they have little or no re∣spect to this, what ministery they shall live under. But do even as Lot, Genes. ••3.10 11. If the place be likely to yeeld them profit or pleasure (though it be otherwise as bad as Sodome) it pleaseth them well. 2. They will bee at no cost for the ministery of the Word, but count it a chiefe priviledge to live tythe-free: where as David professeth, 2. Sam. 24.24. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God, of that which doth cost me nothing; I like not to enjoy the worship, and ordinances of God without charge. 3. They will take no paines (if they have no ministery at home) to goe abroad for it. Whereas our Savi∣our tells the Iewes they should be condemned for not doing as the Queene of the South did. Mat. 12.42. And Christ sheweth his approbation, and special re∣spect to them that came from farre to heare him, (Mar. 8.3) 4. Though they may have it without cost or labour, they care not how seldome they heare it. They confesse it is good sometimes to heare a Sermon, when they have nothing else to doe, but to heare it constantly, every Sabboth twice, and on the weeke day too, that is more then needs a great deale, as they are perswaded. Whereas wee should count it our happinesse if we might heare daily, Pro. 8 34. Blessed is he that heareth m•• watching daily at my gates. And as it is said of our Saviour, that he taught dayly in the Temple, Lu. 19.47. So of his hearers it is said, Lu. 21.38. that all the people came early in the morning into the Temple to him, to heare him. And our Saviour was so farre from blaming them, as if they neglected their worldly businesse this way, that hee defendeth, and praiseth Mary for doing this, Luk. 10 4••. though happily she had some whatelse to do at that time.

Thirdly, few or none are thankefull to God for this ordinance of his, nor do [ 3] in their hearts esteeme it any such blessing to the land or towne that enjoy it, as for which they should thinke themselves much bound to praise God. They can be thankefull for peace, and for health, and for seasonable times, but for a go••d ministery, few or none can be thankefull to God, whereas we should ac∣count it our chiefe blessing from God, for so the Lord speaketh of this as his chiefe blessing bestowed upon a people, Iere 3 15. I will give you Pastors accor∣ding to mine owne heart, that shall feed you with knowledge, and understanding. And Amos 2.11. I raised up of your sonnes for Prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. And Mic. 6.4. I sent before thee and Moses, Aaron, Miriam. Yea, such a blessing it is as should abundantly content us, and assure us of Gods favour, even in the want of all other blessings. For so speaketh the Lord of it, Esay 30.20. Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of

affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. 2. We should account a faithful ministery, the very glory, and strength of our land. When the Arke of God was gone, the glory was de∣parted from Israel, 1. Sam. 4.31. And the true ministery of the Lords Levits is said to be that that strengthened the kingdome of Iudah, 2. Chron. 11.17. And A∣bijah makes this a maine ground of his confidence, and hope of successe in his battell against Ieroboam, that he in his kingdome had a true, and faithfull mini∣stery which the other had not, 2, Chron. 13.9, 10. Have not ye cast out the Priests of the Lord, the sonnes of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations? But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him, and the Priests which minister unto the Lord, are the sonnes of Aa∣ron, and the Levites waite upon their businesses.

Now to this first sort of persons that this Doctrine reproveth, I have no more to say, but this that I would have them to thinke seriously of two things.

First, That they have cause to suspect whatsoever grace or goodnes seemes [ 1] to be in them, while their heart tells them, they make no more reckoning of the ministery of the Word, but despise it rather. Two good things such men use to put most confidence in. 1. They find some devotion in themselves, they love prayers well, and can say their owne prayers sometimes. 2. They be∣leeve in Christ. Foolish man, let not Satan deceive thee; certainly, while thou makest no reckning of the ministery of the Word, they faith is nothing worth, thy prayers will do thee no good; For thy prayers, know all the service thou seemest to doe unto God, is no better then the sacrifice of fooles, till thou be more ready to heare, Eccles. 5.1. To hearken, is better then the fat of Rammes, 1. Sam. 15.22. And for both thy praying, and thy beleeving in Christ, marke well that knowne place (well knowne indeed, ô that it were aswell beleeved) Rom. 10.14. How shall they call on him in whom they have not beleeved? and how shall they beleeve in him, of whom they have not heard? and how shall they heare without a preacher? How canst thou pray, that hast no faith? how canst thou have faith, that camest not to it by hearing the Word preached, that art no hearer? But me thinks I heare many of you say, this toucheth not me, for I am a hearer, I have heard ma∣ny a Sermon. O but marke what followeth in the next verse, verse 15. and thou shalt find thou art no such hearer as Paul speakes of; the hearers that Paul spea∣keth of, are such as can cry, O how beautifull are the feete of them that doe preach the Gospell of peace. But thou seest no beauty in their feete, thou hearest them, but thou joyest not in them, thou countest them no blessing, nor art thankfull to God for them, thou seest no great need of hearing of them, thou art weary of them, and how shouldest thou have any true faith, how shouldest thou be able to pray aright?

The second thing I would have these men to consider, is this, that the holy [ 2] Ghost speaketh of this, as of a fearefull sinne, and signe of a most gracelesse heart, to be unwilling to heare the word, to have no mind unto it. 1. Such a one hath no care of his soule, what becomes of it, whether it sinke or swimme (as we say) whether it be saved or damned, Pro, 15.32. He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soule. Nay, 2. more then that, such a one careth not for God, or the things of God, regardeth him not, feareth him not, is in his heart a very Athiest; they that desire not the knowledge of his wayes, say in their hearts unto God, depart from us, Iob 21.14. My people would not hearken to my voice, Israel would none of me, saith the Lord, Psal. 81.11. Nay, 3. to refuse to heare the word preached when wee may, and God offereth it unto us, to have no mind to it, no love to it, is a greater sin (if Christ be to be beleeved) then the sinne of Sodome and Gomorrah, Mat. 10.14, 15. When all is done, and the time of reckoning shall come, this will be found to be thy chiefest sinne.

[ 2] The second sort that are to bee reproved by this Doctrine, are they which

heare often, & seeme also to delight in the best ministry, & yet profit not at al by it, but remaine as ignorant, unreformed, profane, as they that never heard Sermon. If tryall were taken of the most hearers, they would be found such as the Apo∣stle speaketh of, 2, Tim. 3.7. ever learning, and never able to come to the know∣ledge of the truth. Such hearers I desire to consider, and weigh well with them∣selves these sixe points.

First, That it is no great matter of comfort to a man, nor thing wherein any [ 1] should blesse himselfe, that he is a hearer, a constant hearer, a hearer of the best teachers, and that with delight also. This testimony the Lord gives of notori∣ous hypocrites, Esa. 58.2. They seeke me daily, and delight to know my wayes, and Ezech 33 3••, 32. They come to thee (a faithfull Prophet) as the people com∣meth, and they sit before thee as my people, and they heare thy words, with their mouth they show much love (praising the faithfull minister greatly) and loe, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument. No musicke did ever delight them more then a good Sermon. Yea, of Herod himselfe it is said, that he heard Iohn Baptist gladly, Mark. 6.20 O that many now adayes that say they are Christians, and perfect Protestants, were come so farre to heare constantly, and with delight, a faithfull minister. And yet that is no great matter, (you see) no man may rest in that.

Secondly, Consider that God lookes for this at every one of your hands that [ 2] enjoy his word, that you should profit by it, he looketh that his vineyard that he hath bestowed cost on, should bring foorth grapes, Esa. 5.2. And Luke 13.6. He came and sought fruit on his fig-tree, yea verse 7. every yeare when the season served, he came to looke for fruit, yea he commandeth his servants also to re∣quire fruit of his vineyard, Math. 21.34. O that Gods servants would doe this more, would examine their people how they profite; O that Gods people would endure them to do it, and would not be like to those husbandmen, Mat. 11.35. ready to offer violence to the Lords Bayliffes, for demanding fruite. But I tell you, God looketh for this, that you should profit by the meanes [ 3] you doe enjoy, yea, that your profiting should be proportionable to the meanes you doe enjoy; Proportionable to the excellency of them; Thus Christ aggra∣vateth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Iewes, Matth. 1••.41, 42. A greater then Ionas is here, a greater then Solomō is here, Proportionable to the variety of them, Mat. 11.17. We have pip••d unto you, and ye have not danced, we have mourned unto you, and ye have not 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Proportionable to the time wherein ye have enjoyed them. Luke 13.7. These three yeares have I come, seeking fruit of the figg-tree, and find none, cut it downe. What sentence will God one day passe (thinke wee) on such a nation as ours, yea, on such a towne as this that hath enjoyed excellent meanes, great variety of meanes for threescore and three yeares together?

Thirdly, consider that it is no petty sinne, nor matter of small danger, to be an unprofitable hearer of the word, Heb. 6.7, 8 The earth that drinketh in the raine that commeth oft upon it, and bringeth foorth herbs meete for them by whom it is dressed, (answerable to their gifts, and their labours, and their continuance) re∣ceiveth blessing from God; But that which beareth thornes, and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing (how nigh, and what kind of curse even in this life, God onely knoweth) whose end is to be burned. A fearefull sentence, and such aone as (m••thinks) should startle us all that have bin unprofitable hearers so long.

Fourthly, consider, that if this ordinance of God cannot worke upon thy [ 4] blind, profane, and hard heart, there is small hope any thing els should be able to do it. This, this is the power of God unto salvation, Rom. 1.16. And what hopest thou will convert thee, will reforme thee if Gods power be not able to do it? Luk. 16.31. If they heare not Moses, and the Prophets, neither will they bee perswaded though one rose from the dead.

Fiftly, thinke seriously of this, that the Sermons thou hearest, if they do thee

no good, they will do thee harme; if they do not enlighten, and bring thee to saving knowledge they will make thee blinder; if they soften not thy heart, they will make it harder. The word that goeth forth out of m•• mouth: shall not returne to me void, saith the Lord, Esay 55.11. So speaketh the Apostle, 2 Cor. 2.16. To the one we are a savour of death unto death, and to the other the savour of life unto life.

[ 6] Sixtly and lastly, consider the true causes why thou canst not profit, thou canst remember nothing, nor carry it away, thou canst not heare with any cheerefull∣nesse, thou canst not profit nor feele any power or comfort in any thing thou hearest. 1. The chiefe cause is in thy selfe, thou hast a naughty heart l••den with sins, and l••ad away with divers lusts, 2 Tim. 2.6. Thou canst have no certainer a signe of the naughtinesse of thy heart then this 2. The divell is busie with thee when thou art hearing; and worketh effectually in thee, Matth. 13.19. When one heareth the Word of God, and understandeth it not, then commeth the wacked one, and catcheth away that which was sowne in his heart; He is the cause why thou art so sleepy, and so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the hearing of the Word, why thou canst not marke what thou hearest, not carry it away. And wilt thou let the divell have his will of thee? Resist him (man) and he will flie from thee, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4.7. Yea cry to God to rebuke him, as Z••ch. 3.2. The Lord rebuke thee ô Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem, rebuke thee. 3. The Lord himselfe hath a just hand in this, that thou canst not profit by his Word, Ioh. 8.47. He that 〈…〉〈…〉 heareth Gods Words, yee therefore ••eare them not, because ye are not o•• God A fearefull signe he belongeth not to Gods election, that cannot heare (that is, not heare with profit, for otherwise they did heare) Gods Word, Ioh. 1••.40. Hee hath blinded their eyes, and hardned their hearts, lest they should be converted, and I should heale them.

I speake not this to drive any of you into despaire (for though you have not hitherto heard profitably, you may yet do it while it is called to day, Heb. 3.••••.) but to awaken you out of your security, to humble you for your unprofitablenes under the meanes, and to increase your care to beare profitably hereafter. And how you may do that you shall heare the next day in the use of direction, which is the third, and last use of this Doctrine.

Notes

• Vse. 2.
• 1. Sort.
• 2.
• 3.