The Christian gouernour, in the common-wealth, and priuate families described by Dauid, in his 101. Psalme. Guiding all men in a right course to heauen. Herewith also a part of the parable of the lost sonne. Luke 15. Both expounded and opened by Robert Horn. With the doctrines and vses thence arising. The more particular contents see on the page following.

Vses.

* 1.1An instruction to delight in goodnes, and to loue righteousnesse: so will we loue and delight in the owners of these things, that is, wee will loue their names and reioyce in their persons. For, wherefore doe vvee loue a worldling, but because wee are in our disposition, worldlings? and why doe men companie with drunk∣ards, but because they bee affected as drunkards are, and loue as drunkards doe? And so, if wee vvere truly good, we could not be familiar vvith an euill per∣son, and wee would reioyce in the Com∣munion of Saints: if vvee loued vertue, vve would single our selues to those that loue to doe well; at least, we vvould not in our daily familiaritie, espouse our selues to those vvho haue another husband then Christ, and other dowers that they trust to then the dower of Heauen. If vve reioy∣ced in goodnesse, would wee delight to be vvhere vve shall heare little goodnes, and much euill? vvould a man, when his prouision is spent, goe vvhere is no market, and not vvhere hee may helpe

himselfe with varietie of Markets? doe wee not seeke rich friends because vvee need them, and they can helpe vs? and shall vvee spend our time in the com∣pany of beggarly Christians that cannot helpe vs to God, nor any vvay furnish vs for heauen?

A reproofe to those who grace Swag∣gerers,* 1.2 and disgrace the simple because they cannot swagger, nor creepe into fauour by flatterie, and sycophancie, and such courses. We may not honour such with our companie, and shall vvee speake good of euill, to honour them! Esa. 5.20. As farre as we beleeue the Communion of Saints, so farre vve should separate from them, else our practise is against our faith: and, shall vve cast in our lots with them for respects in flesh, and praise them in their sinnes? Is it any credit to grace a theefe and robber? and, what more credit; nay, what greater discredit and shame for a Christian to take pleasure in, and to grace tha•• fellowship that robbeth God of his honour, and would robbe a childe of God of his saluation? Then, as sin hath made them vile to the Church

and odi••••s to God: so euery good man, vvho is a member of the true Church, and seruant of the liuing GOD, should thinke of them and vse them. But, as the image in Daniel had the head of gold, when the feet were yron and clay, Daniel 2.32.33. so the golden societie of the Saints that should, as the head of fine gold, be and liue without the mixture of the vngodly, is made in many places, a very Idoll, strangely compounded: for, the head is gold, the rest are clay and yron. They that can make Idols of vs in our vein••, and will flatter vs in our sinnes, shall (though they be neuer so vnworthy otherwayes) bee made our companions and dearest louers and friends. And, if there be a Cedar in the Towne in which vve dwell, though a Cedar but in world∣ly stature, and in goodnesse a bramble, we rather combine in societie with that prick∣ing briar, then with those meeke ones that feare the Lord, and doe reuerence to his Name. The reason is, the smoake of pride loueth to be climbing, till it vanish by a high minde, that goeth before the fall, Prouerb. 16.18. And, this is it that ma∣keth

our proud Christians to looke with such disdaine vpon those that are of low degree, though their vertues deserue their best countenance; vvhere yet they ho∣nour the apparell and externall habit of persons in high place, though their vices deserue contempt, and their names no good report. Indeed, so long as vve be in the world, we shal not chose, but some∣times must keepe some kinde of com∣panie with such, yet wee may chuse to grace them, & to take pleasure in them, and though we cannot in body, yet wee should alwayes in affection separate from them.

A terrour (therefore) to the wicked,* 1.3 who (though they flourish in the world) yet they wither and grow vile in the esti∣mation of euery good man. Gods chil∣dren must hold them base, though the worlds children thinke them precious. For the world loueth them, but with the enmitie of God. People salute them, but with disdaine, and, at feasts they haue the chiefe roome, but no place in heauen.

A comfort to those vvho lye open to all contempt for their profession.* 1.4 For

the world may despise them, but good men are bound to honor them. The wic∣ked may vnhouse them, but they shal dwell in the hearts of Gods children. Vile per∣sons may euill entreate them, but good Magistrates will saue them from wrong, and punish those that wrong them. Scor∣ners may mocke so meane a type of ho∣nor in those who are content to be f••oles for Christ, but Dauid, and such as Dauid is, vvill praise them as wise, and vse them as companions•• Other wicked persons protested against, follow.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vse 1.
• * 1.2

  Vse 2.
• * 1.3

  Vse 3.
• * 1.4

  Vse 4.