Three choice and profitable sermons upon severall texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17, John 14. 3, Heb. 8. 5 : the first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the court of election at Boston, the second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day, the third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day : wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is shewed, the Lords soveraignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition, and their fidelity and good affection towards himself / by that reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton ...

THE EVANGELICAL WORSHIPPER, Subjecting to the Prescription and Soveraignty of Scripture-patern. (Book 3)

BEING THE THIRD SERMON: AND Preached on the LECTURE-DAY, APRIL II. 1663. (Book 3)

Heb. 8.5.

Who serve unto the Example and shadow of Heavenly things; as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the Tabernacle: for see (saith he) that thou make all things ac∣cording to the patern shewed to thee in the Mount.

THis Verse illustrates the Argument mentioned in the foregoing words, from an adjunct, or accident ac∣companying the Legal Priest-hood: The Argument there used to prove that the Priest-hood of Christ excelled that priest-hood which was after the Order of Aaron, was, because they which were of that Priesthood ministred on Earth, but Christ ministreth in Heaven: He was a Minister of the true Tabernacle while he was on Earth, and he still officiates in his Priestly Office now he is in Heaven; the Tabernacle which they ministred in, was upon the Earth, and was made of earthly things, and it was a figure or shadow of heavenly things: he de∣clares that that Tabernacle was a worldly Tabernacle or Sanctuary,

1. From the quality of it; it was onely a shadow, or example of heavenly things, and it was a type; but Christ was a Minister of the true Tabernacle. 2. It is declared from the certainty of it, for He saith this: But how doth that appear? It appears from a Divine Testimony; For see (saith he) that thou make all things according to the Patern shewed to thee in the Mount.

For the opening of the words. First, we are to consider what these heavenly things are: They are called in Chap. 9.11. Good things to come. In a word, it means Christ, with all his Be∣nefits; these are the Heavenly things, that the other were but Shadows of. Therefore it is truely said, that the Ceremonial Law holds forth Christ, i. e. it makes known the Gospel (being rightly understood) but after a Legal dispensation.

Secondly, it was a shadow of good things, i. e. it was a patern that did shadow out Heavenly things. God shewed Moses a Patern, or Type, in a Vision, according to which the Taber∣nacle was to be framed, and Moses acts accordingly. The word translated [Patern] intends as much as a likeness, or example, or a figure. As for the Divine Testimony, you may see it in Exodus 25.9. According to all that I shew thee, after the patern of the Tabernacle, and the patern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. And in Chap. 39. this testimony is often given, that All things were done as the Lord had commanded Mo∣ses. But Christ was the Minister of another Tabernacle, i. e. of his Body, the true Tabernacle.

Doct. Great care must be hads in matters of Divine Worship, (or Divine Administrations) that all things proceed accord∣ing to the Prescript Word of God. Or, That all things be exactly corresponding to the Prescript of Gods Word, He∣brews 7.14.

For it is evident, that our Lord sprang out of Iudah, of which Tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the Priesthood. The Apostle thinks he argueth well, and conclusively, That Christ was not of the Levitical Order, because nothing was spo∣ken concerning it of that Tribe. This is a good Argument in

Divinity to say, That there is nothing in Gods Word why you should act such or such a thing: it is not enough to say that there is nothing expresly against it; the truth is, there is enough against it, if there be nothing for it. The Tribe of Iudah must not med∣dle with the matters of the Priesthood: Why so? because Moses spake nothing of them in that respect: and in Exod. 25.9. Moses himself was to act nothing that he found not in the Patern. Exod. 26.30. And thou shalt rear up the Tabernacle according to the fashion thereof, which was shewed thee in the Mount: He must act nothing that he doth not finde in the Patern. It is true, David (for some just cause) made some alteration in the Worship of God; for the state of Temple-worship, compared with Tabernacle-worship, did call for a change. But how did David proceed in it? 1 Chron. 28.19. All this (saith David) the Lord made me un∣censtand in writing, by his hand upon me, even all the works of this patern: He made no alteration in Gods Worship, but it was also by a Patern given to him by God. And for Solomon, you finde that David gave him the Patern, ver. 11. to build the Temple according thereunto. And relating to Gospel-times, the time of the Mes∣sias, you have an eminent text in Ezek. 43.10, 11. Thou Son of man, shew the house to the House of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities, and let them measure the patern; and if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, &c.

Reas. 1. Because it is the acknowledgement of the Prerogative of Jesus Christ; I mean that he alone hath the honour to institute Divine Worship: He in truth was the Author of the Tabernacle, & of the Temple and yet he was the Tabernacle, and the Temple, i. e. the true Tabernacle and Temple. The power of the Keyes, i. e. the instituted Worship under the Gospel, you shall finde Christ is the maker and disposer of those Keyes. Mat. 16.19. It is not for man to make a Key to open Heaven, be will never be able to pick that lock. Ye shall reverence my Sanctuary (saith God, Levit. 26.2.) and why so? I am that Lord: (make a pause here) i. e. it's no less then the Attribute of his Lordship that is demon∣strated

in the matters of his Worship: as for instance, Korah was very near unto the Priesthood, Numb. 16.1. and yet inferiour to the Priesthood, (and it may be that was some tempta∣tion to him to be so near it, and yet inferiour to it) but he must not offer Incense, Numb. 16.40. but the Priests, which are the Sons of Aaron, may: Why may not Korah? the reason is, I am the Lord, I will have this act to be matter of Divine Worship, and not another, and I will have this man to act, and not another; I am the Lord. Might not any man take a little perfume, and sprinkle it on the coals? No, God will institute what acts, and what persons he pleaseth. I have heard (I think) some say, that any man may administer Baptism, or the Lords Supper; and I say it may be a Childe is able to do it: what then? But we must re∣member what God saith, I am the Lord; and he will be owned in his Institutions. Ʋzzah was a good man, yet he may not touch the Ark; why not? I am the Lord, 2 Sam. 6. It is one of the holy Institutions of God, Ye shall all reverence my Sanctuary. Hence it is, that to the holy things of God, reverence is a great part of duty: and if this or that be Gods Worship, remember Gods Lordship is in his own Institutions, and he will make a difference as he pleaseth: not that Aaron or Moses are better then others in themselves, they may be worse, but God will have his Lordship appear in these his holy things. Therfore it is that we must be conscientious in our reverence of the holy things of God, even in regard of bodily reverence by comely gestures, for our bodyes are the Lords, 1 Cor. 6. Hence [Sitting] is not a Prayer-gesture; it is true, if there be great weakness or infirmity of body, &c. that may give an ex∣cuse for the Lord will have mercy, in case, rather then Sacrifice. And therefore also it is that Christ stood up when he read the word, Luk. 4.16. and in Nch. 8.5. they stood up at the hearing of the Word read. We should shew reverence at the holy things of God, because they are his Institutions, and he is the Lord.

Reas. 2. Because in Divine Worship we acknowledge God to be our Soveraign Lord and that we owe unto him absolute Subje∣ction and Obedience, and we acknowledge our selves to be his ab∣solute Subjects. The act of Worship is an acknowledgement both

of his Soveraignty, and of our meanness: Who am I, that am but dust and ashes, that I should take upon me to speak unto the Lord? Gen. 18. In acts of Worship we must exalt Christ, and depress man. Many in these dayes are against Forms, but in the mean time let us not forget Worship. For Israel to wait upon a Rock, was a despicable thing to the Nations; to see so many thousands come and stand about the Rock was strange, but that Rock was Christ: this is nothing else but the acknowledgement of God, who will be known in his own way. And this let me say, Christ him∣self, that was not onely Man but God, attended the Ordinances while he was here on earth, and so did his Apostles: this is to shew the disevangelical spirit of those that do object against ex∣ternal Worship.

Reas. 3. Because Divine external Worship is a means of con∣ferring heavenly things. The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven open or shut Heaven, Mat. 16.19. Naaman must know (if he be cured) whence the Cure comes; be must acknowledge the Waters of Iordan, and he must acknowledge the Prophet: God could have cured him without either, but he was not pleased so to do. You feed your Hens and Chickens, but you throw their meat upon the ground, and make them take it from thence: so God feeds us with heavenly food, but we must receive it in a lowly manner. You can have no Faith to expect Gods blessing in any way but his own; any Institutions, so farre as they are Humane, you cannot have Faith for Gods blessing to go with them.

Instructions. 1. The Ceremonial Law understood, teacheth Christ; the truths of Christ are laid up under the types of the Ce∣remonial Law. When you reade the Ceremonial Law, if you un∣derstood it, you would see Christ through it; as for instance, Heb. 9. the Tabernacle was a figure of Christs Body, and so was the Vail: Heb. 10.20. when they went into the first Court, they re∣membred the Incarnation of the Messias, and so when they looked on the Vail, &c. they who looked on these types, whose eyes were opened, they saw Christ Reade Lev. 16.15. compared with Heb. 9.24 26. As Christ shed his blood, and so entred into Heaven, so the High-priest slew the Sacrifice, and then entred into the holy of

holies. And the efficacy of the Merit of Christ, was figured in the incense: this is to let us see, how clearly we are taught the same truths above what they of old were, comparing our times with theirs.

Instr. 2. It is the part of those who are Conscientious, to keep themselves unto Scripture-bounds in holy, or Church-admini∣strations. 2 Cor. 10.13. the Apostle would have them walk by a line (it relates to the Graecian exercises, to which the Apostle doth delight to allude:) it comes to one with that which the Apostle doth elsewhere say, (viz. 2 Tim. 2.5.) He that striveth is not Crowned, except he strive lawfully. There is a line of motion to regulate all administrations, especially Church-administrations; there is a line that doth regulate the Eldership, and a line also to regulate the Brotherhood: so that all Church administrations, are to be carried on according to that line. This was Moses his charge; See thou make all things according to the patern; and do you think there is not as much Conscience to be made of it now under the Gospel, to make all things according to the patern, as in the dayes of the Legal dispensation? 1 Cor. 14.40. Let all things be done according to Order: the case may be so, that though a thing be done, that is for the matter of it good, there may yet be more hurt in the disorder of it, then there is good in the doing of it. If we exercise our own Notions and Apprehensions in matters of Worship, this is Will-worship. Mat. 15.9. In vain do they Wor∣ship me, teaching for Dectrines the traditions of men. Mark the op∣position [Me], and [Men]: can mens traditions be an act of Divine Worship? No, its but Will-worship, Col. 2.23. there may be that which is plausible to man, yet it's but Will-worship; there may be parts, and excellencies, but if they are out of place, it is that which God will not bear with: Exod. 20.25. He that lifts up his tool upon mine Altar hath pollutedit: it is enough to pollute it, because it is a mans tool: we must not turn to the right hand nor to the left, but keep our way right on. The Corinthians turned to the left hand, when they would not Excommunicate the incestuous person; and they turned to the right hand, when they would not receive him in, being a penitent: it was an errour on the right hand,

in Peter, when he would not have Christ suffer, but a fearful scan∣dalous one. You shall not adde thereto, nor take therefrom, saith the Lord, Deut. 4.2. & 12.32. neither Elders nor Brethren must take upon them that which belongs not to them, nor the Council take that which belongeth not to it, nor the Magistrates what belongeth not to them; we must do nothing but according to the Patern.

Instr. 3. A Religious Worshipper, or a man truly religious, doth not rest in this, That externals do answer the Prescript Rule of the Word, without proceeding to internal Worship. You finde that God doth not onely bear testimony against our Worship, but also against hypocritical Worship. First, against our Worship, or our Administrations; that (as you see) is Will-worship, and it is vain Worship, all the Institutions of men are so; they are Will-wor∣ship, i. e. there is sin and defilement in them: we must not set our posts by Gods posts. But then suppose we are brought to external worship, doth God rest here? no: do you think that God liveth on goat's bloud? Psal. 50.13. And hence also, Amos 5.25. saith the Lord, you did not offer unto me your sacrifices during the space of fourty years, speaking of the time in the Wilderness: It is like there was a cessation, in respect of the condition that they were in; as who should say, then I can be without Sacrifices. Ier. 7.22, 23. God saith there, He did not command Sacrifices, or exter∣nal Worship, i. e. Comparatively, in respect of Obedience he commanded it not, but I Commanded them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: So God will say to us, He did not Command us to come hither, to set up the ex∣ternal Worship of the Gospel, i. e. comparatively, in stead of O∣bedience, Holiness and Righteousness: this is that which Stephen pleads, Acts 7.42, 43. Oh house of Israel, you have not offered to me slain beasts; but you had the Tabernacle of Moloch, &c. but they could not bear with Stephen when he came to this: So our Saviour Christ tell's them, They have made my House a den of thieves. Those among you that are given to injustice, drunken∣ness, or other scandalous wayes, this, or that, I tell you, God re∣quires not your Sacrifices, but Obey my voyce, that I may be your God: this is the thing God aime's at. As for our external wor∣ship,

it ought indeed to be according to the Rule, but this may be, and yet as it is in Isai. 1.13, 14, 15. Your Incense is an abomination, and your solemn meetings iniquity, my soul hates them, saith the Lord, they are a trouble unto me, and when ye make many Prayers I will not hear them, your hands are full of blood, &c. It would be a dreadful thing if God should say to any of us that are full of duties, and concerning our Sabbaths, Lords Supper, our Fasts, our Feasts, I am weary of your Worship, bring no more vain Oblations, &c. God forbid that we should forget the internal part of worship, whilest we are exercised in the external. Amos 5.21. I hate and despise your feasts, I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies. Look not onely to external regularity, but look we unto inward piety, lest God hate and despise our Worship. Joshua (saith God) Why lyest thou upon the ground? Chap. 7.10, 11. Israel hath sinned, and trans∣gressed my Covenant, &c. we have been much in fastings, and in external duties many years, but what reformation is there? are we brought sny more unto the Rule in Church and State? I beseech you know, that God aimes at Obedience as the internal substantial part of his Worship.

Instr. 4. That the external Order of the Gospel (Church-or∣der) is no other then the external Throne of Christ Jesus. Wor∣ship that is mixt, partly Divine, and partly Humane, this is so much defilement in Gods Worship; but when it is according to the Rule, that is Christs Throne. Satan hath his throne, that is where Antichrist reignes; and Christ hath his Throne, that is where his Institutions are in force: there Christ sits as Lord. If the Polity be according to the Gospel, Jesus Christ is there ac∣knowledged Lord, and there is never a Member but is a Subject: there must be an Order, and according to that Order there must be subjection: do you think it an easy thing to be subject to Order? Remember it was matter of tryal to those that came out of Egypt, and through the Sea (as we have done) yet there were men of re∣nown that could not bear Church-Order. Let me tell you; it is a greater matter to be subject to Order, then to come over the Seas, or to endure the troubles of a Wilderness; many will bear a Prison, before they will endure the Government of Christ, and Gospel-order in his Church.

Ʋse 2. Of Exhortation to us all (in our Churches especially) to sanctifie God according to this truth, viz. That our polity may be a Gospel-polity, and may be compleat according to the Scrip∣tures, answering fully the Word of God: this is the work of our generation, and the very work we engaged for into this Wilderness; this is the scope and end of it, that which is written upon the forehead of New-England, viz. The compleat walking in the Faith of the Gospel, according to the Order of the Gospel.

1. And for your direction; first, remember that we have the pa∣tern in the mount; I mean, we have the Scripture as a Rule, and you have the Platform of Church-Discipline given to you in way of Council, as the Confession of our Faith to this way of Church-government: you know in what manner it was; that which (for the substance of it) ownes the cause Congregational: if any are departed from it, let them look to it, I know none of the Elders that have receded from it. It was given many years ago as the Confession of our Faith, to this Country, and to the World: it is distinct from the Episcopacy, and from the Presbyterian way, from the Morellian way, from that of Separatism: and it is for the sub∣stance of it precisely the way Congregational. And as David said to Solomon, 1 Chron. 28.10, 11. I give unto thee the patern of the House of God, &c. what God will do with us he knows best; David lived not to build the Temple himself, but he left the patern thereof to his Son Solomon: And so we have the patern, only this is complained of, that it is not practised, though we have had it many years ago; now practice is the end of Doctrine.

2. Consider, that we are all concerned in this service, I mean in setting up the Throne of Christ. Moses is concerned, and it is his commendation that he was a man of God, who erected the Tabernacle, and set up the Worship of God according to the Pa∣tern in the Mount: and so David and Solomon, &c. Thou Solomon my Son, if thou doest hold here, the Lord will be with thee (and let the Churches look to it, we are all concerned herein, our Fidelity in this cause is our Crown; see that it be not taken from us.

3. It is a matter of very good Policy; times of trouble & danger may approach: and we read in Ezr. 3.3. that they set the Altar upon

its Bases, for fear was upon them, because of the people of the land: one means to secure them from fear in time of trouble, was with the first to proceed with the things of Religion, and to be in good earnest to settle them. 1 Chron. 28.20, 21. Do it (saith David unto Solomon) and the Lord God, even my God will be with thee: and not only so, but the priests, & the princes, & the people will be with thee, &c. But when Solomon falls off from God's Worship, then ariseth against him the spirit of Hadad, and the spirit of Rezin, and the spirit of Ieroboam, &c. 1 Kings 11. It is a great point of policy, in troublesome times, viz. the attending to the Cause of Religion, Without Order the Ark could not move in Davids time, but you see what trouble follows upon it; and Churches cannot like∣wise move, untill the Order of the Churches be proportionably settled: Haggai 1.5, 6. Now therefore saith the Lord of Hosts, con∣sider your wayes; when the Worship of God was neglected, things went ill with them; You have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; and again ver. 7^th. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, consider your wayes: and in Chap. second, they do hearken to him, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, and Josuah, and from the time that they set themselves about the work of the Lord, all things went well with them. How farre the drought, and the last years and other troubles are here considerable, refer∣ring to our selves, let the Scripture be the interpreter. The mat∣ters of outward prosperity have much dependance upon the car∣rying on the cause of Religion, and that according to the Order of the Gospel, or by the Scripture-patern; our safety lies in keeping there, not turning to the right hand, nor turning to the left hand. In Exod. 39. you have it mentioned about ten times in that Chapter in way of Commendation, that what was done was so according as the Lord had Commanded Moses. Let this stand with us I beseech you (beloved) that for the motion of Elders, of Brethren, of Councils, of Magistrates, of Churches, settle the same as the Lord hath. Commanded, i. e. according to Scripture-pre∣script and patern; we are then a safe People.

FINIS