The rising sun, or, The sun of righteousnesse shining upon the sons of unrighteousnesse a theological sun-dyal wherein is to be seen the rising, motion, influence and manifold operations of Christ upon the soul ... as also the description of the true believer ... as also the highest degrees and full growth and grace are here delineated ... / by John Sheffeild [sic]

CHAP. XV. The Suns Activity and Motion, the last Pro∣perty.

WE are now come to the last Property of the Sun, his Activity and Mo∣tion, herein a further Resemblance of Christ. The Motion of bo••h is

1. Restlesse and perpetual. The Sun ne∣ver

stands still, what ever the other Creatures do; it is not an idle spectator of humane affairs, but is it selfe most active. When drest in his glory, sits not as our Ladies to be looked on; or as the Persian Emperours in a Chair of State to be worshipped. But as Job in his splendor, who led others in their* 1.1 way, and sate chief, as the King in the Army. The Sun alwayes is in motion, Christ alwaies in action, vigilant, sleeps not. The Sun makes night to others by withdrawing, it self never had yet one night of Rest, or one day of Sab∣bath.

1. Then behold the great care and pains* 1.2 of Christ, who travels as a Gyant. His life was nothing but labour; he went about do∣ing good. The Sun walketh to day and to morrow. The Father worketh hitherto and* 1.3 still worketh, and I work saith the Son. The Sons work in his Humiliation was hard work, in his Exaltation he worketh still (not so hard) but higher work. Who knoweth the care of a Master of a Family, of a General in an Army, of a Publick Magistrate? Moses was tired out with the encumbrance of his weighty Office, and of the oversight of Israel all day from morning to night.

2. Be like these two great Lights, stand not still. The Sun hath but an imaginary solstice twice per annum; let not thy whole year be a Solstice, or pingue Otium. Heavens are always in motion. Earth only stands still;

let heavenly minds be moving. Tempus est mensura motus, motus Temporis. Let not time be the measure of thy life, but motion and action. Let it not be said, he lived so many years, but did so many memorable actions; he saw so many dayes, but the dayes saw him do∣ing so many good acts; that there may bee Latitude in our lives as well as longi∣tude.

1. In Gods work be not negligent. To do Gods work negligently, and the worlds over diligently, both are accursed. Not slothful* 1.4 in business, fervent in prayer, serving the Lord. The Oxen and Farm have A must in* 1.5 the Worlds sense: the Christian saith, no must for the world, Must is only for Gods work. I must work the works of him that sent* 1.6 me. Again, Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? Take heed of being ear∣ly in the shop, late in the closet: busie at the Farm, idle in the Vineyard; awake at the Exchange, asleep at Church. That the Christian be not drowned in the good Husband.

2. In thy honest Calling. All things are* 1.7 full of labour, and man born to it. Heavens alwayes moving, winds blowing, sea flowing, springs running, earth moves not, yet rests not neither, is alwayes bearing fruits, trees, seeds; in Winter, if it bears not, yet onely lyes in, after hard labor, to get strength for new births. No Creatures made to be i∣dle: the mighty Elephant, Warlike horse,

paineful Oxe, yea, the little Ant and Bee.

The Christian is not exempted: when the Talent of Grace is given, it is with this charge, Occupy till I come, Angels have their* 1.8 charge; Adam in his Innocency, had his Imploy∣ment; the second Adam, all whose life was a state of Innocency, yet had his work. If the Master be up at work, a shame for the Ser∣vant to be in bed. If Caesar say Eamus, the soldier marches after. The Sun looks into thy Chamber and saith, up sluggard, I rested not all night, wilt thou rest all day? The little Ant, to work sluggard, or to begging; I have no Master to compel me to labour, but I hate idleness.

The idle person is a Monster in nature, a bryar in the field, a weed in the Garden, a Drone in the hive, a thief in the candle. What wretches they, whose life is but a long vacati∣on, whose work is to eat, drink, play? they rise, dress, dine halfe their dayes work is done; they play, sup, undress, and there is the other half. The soul in such Drones is but as salt to keep the body from putrefacti∣on,* 1.9 as the Proverb is.

Idlenesse is as Babylon, the Mother of For∣nications; the cage of Uncleannesse; it is* 1.10 Sodomy, or the mother of it; it was the sin of Sodom, it fills the body with diseases, the soul with sins. It is a crying sin. Sodom's idleness cryed. It fills streets with Beggars, Highwayes with Robbers, The Gallowes

with condemned bodies, Hell with con∣demned souls. Hence that Germane Pro∣verb, Hell is paved with the Crests of Gal∣lants, and skuls of Monks, (the two most idle Societies or Fraternities.) Idlenesse cloathes the body with rags, soul with foul sins, it fills the body with hunger, and back with vermin.

God made no man to be as the Levia∣than, to play in the waters, and no woman to be cloathed as the Lilies in the field, or as Solomon in his glory, yet neither to toyl nor spin.

The Heathens dedicated Horses to the Sun, whom they worshipped, as you read 2 King 23. 11. An active Christian is fit to be dedi∣cated to Christ. But the Asse (a sluggish and dull Brute) was not to be sacrificed, but redeemed, or his neck broke, if the Firstling. God would have no Dullard either for Priest* 1.11 or Sacrifice.

2. Swift. The Sun is said, 1. to run (not go.) 2. In a Race (the swiftest run∣ning.) 3. As a Gyant, or man of strength* 1.12 (the swiftest runner.) This Gyant is never weary, in an hour he runs thousands of miles, more then we do in many dayes or weeks. One hour is as much to Christ as an Age to us; one day as a thousand years.

Christ is said to have wings here in the Text, he comes not creeping, but flying. The winds are his wings, the Cherubims his Chariots, or his Chariot horses, and he hath

twenty thousand of them in a Chariot, who* 1.13 have six wings a piece: If a Chariot drawne with six horses make such riddance, what speed will Christ make! The Poets in their fi∣ctions to set out the Suns swift motion, feign∣ed his chariot to be drawne with winged hor∣ses; Christ's is with winged Angels.

What comfort may this be to the Church* 1.14 or believing souls! The Lord whom ye think long, will come suddenly to his Temple, He will awake as one out of sleep, and will not be slack, as men count slacknesse, to deliver his Church: and he will be a swift Witnesse against the enemies. I tell you, he will avenge* 1.15 his own Elect, and that speedily, said our Sa∣viour of his Father; and his Apostle of him, Yet a little while, and he that shall come, will* 1.16 come, and will not tarry.

2. What Terror is this, or will it be to the wicked, who say, Where is the promise of* 1.17 his coming? Let him make speed that we may see it. He can bring the flying Role into the Grand childs house soon enough. How sud∣penly are the wicked cut off! Sodoms Sun set in the rising, Nebuchadnezzars at noon,* 1.18 as sudden as an arrow or bullet, that is at the mark, before you hear the noise. Babylon* 1.19 shall be destroyed in one hour, no hand shall stay upon it. When I shall visit, I will visit* 1.20 their sin upon them, said the Lord by Moses, and when I begin, I will also make an end, and not be long about it.

3. The Suns motion is steady, certain,

constant, to a minute; hath not for this six thousand years space altered his course; we know where to have it every day, month, year; it keeps his Solstices, and Aequi∣noxes as at first. Christ is as stable, hee Ye•• and Amen: he the same to believing soules now, that ever, in his love, care, faithfulnesse. And to wicked ones, the same enemy, Oven, Furnace, consuming fire: He varyeth not a minute in his constant and unchangeable af∣fection, love and hatred to both.

1. See then if there be diversity of carri∣age* 1.21 in God to some over others. There is no irregularity, no anomaly in Gods actions o•• affections. The Sun moves by Rule and Line, and so do all Gods proceedings; as David* 1.22 had two Measuring Lines, one to save alive, another to put to death. So doth God in the way of his Judgements and Mer∣cyes, he proceeds by Rule and Line.

2. Let a Believer have his Faith establish∣ed in the stedfastnesse of such a Saviour and such Affections and Promises. O Lord, I will* 1.23 exalt thee (saith the Church) thy counsels of old are Faithfulnesse and Truth. His Actions are founded on his Affections, his Affections in Councel, his Councel in Faithfulnesse, there∣fore change not. In sapientum decretis nul∣la est litura, the wise man is a certain man; he saith, Quod scripsi, scripsi; quod dixi,* 1.24 dixi; I have opened my mouth and I cannot go back. How unlike are we to him? we yea and nay: Amantes tanquam osuri. Amnon

now loves, anon hates Tamar; neither his love nor hatred was founded in counsel and reason; but his love founded in lust, his lust in folly; therefore could not hold. Ahasue∣r••s now dotes on Haman, to morrow hangs him up out of the way. Such is the favour of Princes, such the certainty of worldly things. But Christ whom he loves, he loves to* 1.25 the end; where he sheweth mercy, he will shew mercy; because he is God, not man, that changeth not, neither repenteth. We may be unfaithful and deny him, and call all in question. He abideth faithful, and cannot deny himself; our unbelief shakes not his* 1.26 faithfulnesse. When the Boat moves in the water, the child thinks the houses move on the land; such is our folly, we are apt to conceive so of God; we are changed, therfore he is changed.

3. Then woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with* 1.27 him. Heavens Almanack foretels thy ruin, the Sun erects an ominous figure for thee. If God be not changed, thou art undone, unless thou be changed. God hath spoken evil a∣gainst* 1.28 thee, was Ahabs ruine. It had beene better for him, if his four hundred false Pro∣phets, and so many lying Astrologers more, had foretold his Destinie. That terrible* 1.29 threat of Samuel alive, to Saul, the Lord hath rejected thee, was more sad and cer∣tain, then that of the witch, and the conju∣red spirit, when Samuel was dead. Sun and Stars Prognosticate thy ruin: if they certain,

because made and moved by the word of God; then his word certaine, and thy ruine certain. The Sun never goes beyond his Tropick, but returns. If Christ should give salvation to any but such as repent, believe, live holily, it would be such a thing as never was yet seen, he should go beyond his tro∣pick. But ever where the Sun of Righteous∣nesse* 1.30 comes and finds not the Son of Peace, thence he returns. We expect not that the Sun should leave his wonted course, and stand stil as in Joshuahs time, or go back, as in Hezekiahs; expect not then that God should create some new thing, and that hea∣ven should open (against his decrees) to swallow thee up alive in thy sins, and that a sinful Ahab should be carried up to heaven in Elias's Chariot.

4. His motion, as it is certain and steady so it is uniform, equal, not Tardior et velo∣cior, not uneven, sometime slower, sometime swifter; but it ever keeps the same pace. So is it with God, his way is perfect, Psal. 18. 30. His waies are equall, Ezek. 18. 29.

Let ours be so. Evennesse of the way com∣mends* 1.31 the way; of the thred the cloth. Jo∣siah was an even walker, kept his way with∣out* 1.32 deviation or turning to the right hand or to the left all his daies. Caleb kept on go∣ing, slacked not his pace, but fulfilled to fol∣low* 1.33 the Lord. Wicked men are like a land∣flood* 1.34 (or as Jordan in the time of harvest) that

overflowes all his banks at sometimes, after∣wards all is dry land. Godly men are like a fountain, that runs not so impetuously, but is alwaies running. Pharaoh once sent for* 1.35 Moses in haste, another time by night; too violent to hold long; his usual answer was Tomorrow. The heavy weight of judgment made this wheele move so fast; when it was taken off, he stands stock still. You see Saul on a sudden rapture prophesying, There is a morning cloud; Ahab humbling himselfe, there is an early dew. But true grace moves not per saltum, is not a fit, flash, a start, and stop, and Retrograde, hot, cold, feaverish, (as he who was acted by the evil spirit) now in the fire, anon in the water. Grace is not a morning cloud, an evening dew; some noon ••eat drops, but a set rain; a morning-Sun, that shines more and more to a perfect day. Not he that labours in his calling, and some∣times is idle, and spending at the Ale-house, is the good husband, but he who is stil at his* 1.36 business, and keeps doing. Isaack grew great and went forward, (the Hebrew is, he went going) and grew til he became very great and rich. He went on getting and gathering e∣very day, and became a great man at last. So* 1.37 saith Job, the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clan hands, shal be stronger and stronger.

5. Irresistible. The Sun is not to be stay∣ed or diverted in his course; this Gyant breaks all the opposition of clouds, which

vanish in his sight; they strive in vaine who would make it stand, or goe back.

1. Then vain is the force of persecutors, who arm themselves against Christ and his mem∣bers. Christum regem occidire nolite, timere bonum est. Betray, kil, crucifie, bury, seal the stone, set a watch, he wil rise: slay the Witnesses, they wil rise again. This little stone must become a great mountain, and shal* 1.38 fill the earth; he that falls against this stone, shall be broken, but on whom it shall fall, it wil* 1.39 grind him to powder. They who would op∣pose the Gospel, Solem sistunt, Deo resistunt. they say to the heavens, move not, to the Sun shine not, and kick against the Pricks. The Beast indeed hath his seven heads and ten* 1.40 horns, (much craft, more malice;) The Lamb hath seven eyes and seven horns (much wisdome* 1.41 as much power); with the breath of his nostrils he wil make the man of sin, the son of perditi∣on. When Antichrist is in the saddle, and Sa∣tan or the Jesuite holds the stirrup; yet the Churches comfort is, Christ holds the Bridle, (I'le put my Bridle into thy jawes:) And saith, so farre shalt thou goe, no fur∣ther.* 1.42

2. As vain is the crafty attempt of the He∣retick and Impostor. The three great ene∣mies of the Christian name shall fare alike;* 1.43 the three unclean spirits, the Dragon, Beast, and false Prophet, who take their turns one after another: The Dragon the first 300

years making wa••re upon the Saints, under the heathen Emperors. Then the Beast (by name a Christian, and hating the Dragon) yet indeed that great Antichrist, who alone exalteth himself above all that is called God, and worshipped, (or every one who is called* 1.44 a God, and worshipful, every Authoritie, Degree, not only Sacerdotal, or Ecclesiasti∣cal, but Regal and Imperial) a more dange∣rous and Saint-bloud-drinking enemy for a greater space of 1260 years. In the end and taile of whom comes the false Prophet (un∣der the name of a Saint, defying both the former, detesting Idols more then unclean∣nesse, and hating the Antichristian Garment and name more then the Nicolaitans nakedness or deeds. The most dangerous enemy of all the three. The uncleanest frog of all the fry, who under the name of a separated Saint, or an∣other Christ, or a better inspired spirit, hath his Prophesies, Revelations, new discoveries, new heavens, but hateth the old Saint, Mi∣nistry, Baptism, Supper, Belief, Prayer, Doctrine, Holinesse, as Antichristian. This also is of the Three, and goeth into perditi∣on.

6. Unwearied. But after almost six thou∣sand years restlesse motion is as fresh and lively as the Bridegroom,—Mobilitate vi∣get, viresque acquirit eundo. An emblem of Christ, whose arm is not shortned, but is able to save to the ut most, all that come still unto him. Hast thou not heard that the Crea∣tor.* 1.45

of the ends of the earth fainteth not? The* 1.46 youths may faint and be weary; the young men* 1.47 may utterly fail. Samson after a great vi∣ctory may faint for thirst. Eliazar the Son of Dodo, the second of the Worthies, his hand clave to the sword after a great slaughter, he* 1.48 could not now open his hand again; he needs some rest. But Christ is the same, his mo∣tion, care, might, the same; and as the Sun that hath lightned the world now so many a∣ges, is as able for that service stil as ever. So Christ who hath governed the world, and preserved his Church for this six thousand years, his skil, power, and care, is not now to be questioned. But as old Caleb said, he* 1.49 was as strong when he was fourscore and five years old, as when but forty: A••my strength was then, so is it now for warre, both to go out and to come in. So years and time make no impression on the Captain of our salvation, who is the same yesterday, to day, and for e∣ver.* 1.50

7. This motion is twofold. 1, Ordinary, and Quotidian, every day doth rise, run, set keep his course, scattering the darknesse and removing the cold of the night past, and gi∣ving light for the present use of that day; yesterday's light serveth not for to day, but there is the same need every day of the Su•• continued, or renewed light, as there was the first day of his creation, to dispel the dark∣nesse which was upon the face of the unfor∣med world. And do not we daily need the

fresh supply, and the renewed influence of the spirit of Christ, as we did at first conver∣sion? Sun is not set one houre, but dark∣nesse comes; Christ leaves not one houre, but then comes on the power of darkness. Auxiliary grace is as necessary as Habituall, Subsequent as Preventing: While the spirit moved, the wheels moved, no longer. Goe then to Christ daily, in him are our fresh springs; begge to be anointed with new oyle* 1.51 from this Olive branch, which through the two Golden Pipes of his Spirit and his Ordi∣nances, empties his oyl of grace into the hearts* 1.52 his people.

2. Extraordinary and Anniversary; if the Sun see thee not every day, as the remo∣ter parts, yet wil it ere the yeare go about; if it hath ever shined in that clime. So if Christ gives thee not a daily visit, stay thou, at the appointed time, the Vision wil speak.* 1.53 The Redeemer wil return out of Sion. If thou hast ever tasted that the Lord is gracious, or canst say, thou hast feared the name of the Lord, then though thou walkest in darkness,* 1.54 and hast no light, yet trust in the name of the Lord, and stay thy self on thy God. Say with the Church, in hope of his coming, when I fal I shal rise againe, though I sit in darkness,* 1.55 the Lord shall be a light unto me; and with the Prophet, I wil wait upon the Lord who* 1.56 hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I wil look for him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Job 29. 25
• * 1.2

  Applic. 1 Psal. 19 Isa. 63
• * 1.3

  John 5 17.
• * 1.4

  Rom. 12. 11
• * 1.5

  Luke 14. 18
• * 1.6

  John 9. 1 Luke 2. 49.
• * 1.7

  Eccles. 1
• * 1.8

  Luke 19 13
• * 1.9

  Animam pros••∣le.
• * 1.10

  Ezek. 16. 49
• * 1.11

  Exod. 13. 13
• * 1.12

  Psal. 19
• * 1.13

  Psal. 68. 17
• * 1.14

  Applic. •• Malach. 3. 1 2 Pet. 3. 9 Mal. 8. 5
• * 1.15

  Luke 18. 8
• * 1.16

  Heb. 10 37
• * 1.17

  2 Pet. 3 4 Isaiah 5 19
• * 1.18

  Psal. 64. 8
• * 1.19

  Rev. 18
• * 1.20

  Exod. 32, 34 1 Sam. 3. 12
• * 1.21

  Applic. 1
• * 1.22

  2 Sam. 8. 2
• * 1.23

  Isaiah 25. 1
• * 1.24

  Jndg, 11. 35
• * 1.25

  John 13. 1. Exod. 33. 19
• * 1.26

  2 Tim. 2. 13 Rom. 3
• * 1.27

  Isaiah 3. 11.
• * 1.28

  1 Kings 22. 23
• * 1.29

  1 Sam, 15
• * 1.30

  Luke 10, 6.
• * 1.31

  Applicat. 1
• * 1.32

  2 Chron. 34. 2
• * 1.33

  Num. 14. 22.
• * 1.34

  Josh. 3. 15.
• * 1.35

  Exod. 10. 16. Exod. 12. 31. Exod. 8. 9.
• * 1.36

  Gen. 26. 13.
• * 1.37

  Job. 17. 9.
• * 1.38

  Dan. 235
• * 1.39

  Matth. 21 44
• * 1.40

  Rev, 131
• * 1.41

  Rev. 56
• * 1.42

  2 Kings 19 28
• * 1.43

  Rev, 16 13 14
• * 1.44

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2 Thes. 2. 4.
• * 1.45

  Heb 7. 25
• * 1.46

  Isa. 40. 28, 29.
• * 1.47

  Judg. 15. 18.
• * 1.48

  2 Sam. 23. 10.
• * 1.49

  Josh. 14 11.
• * 1.50

  Heb. 13. 8.
• * 1.51

  Ezek, 1.
• * 1.52

  Zech: 4. 12.
• * 1.53

  Hab. 2.
• * 1.54

  Isa. 50. 10.
• * 1.55

  Mich. 7. 8.
• * 1.56

  Isa. 8, 19.