To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Shepherds seek for their Flocks water that's meet; Christ feeds his Flock with Ordinances sweet.
HE leadeth me beside the still waters: leads me gent∣ly, and by little and little, accommodating him∣self to my strength, Isa. 40. 11. as a Shepherd is wont to lead out his Sheep to water, Isa. 49. 10. by, or near, or beside, or unto waters of refreshment, so the Septuagint; the Hebr. is, of rests, i. e. pleasant and
flowing slowly, which are without all danger: of such waters Sheep love to drink: not unto rapid Torrents, which by their noise frighten, and by their swiftness endanger the Sheep: Waters of rest, such, as were wont to be in Guttors and Troughs, in which they watered their Sheep, Gen. 24. 20. and 29. 2. and 30. 38. In these our Northern Countries we use little of this to prepare water for our Sheep; but in those Eastern parts of the World they had more scarcity of Rain, and need of water; especially the soil being for the most part sandy and dry; hence a well of Water was such a choice commodity in those parts, for themselves, Flocks and Herds to drink out of; so that we find a contest about such a Well, Gen. 21. 25. and 26. 20. Rain also was seldom in those parts. We Northern Nations are ready to suspect the Southern parts as a-fire with a feaver: Whilst Southern Countreys may fear lest our Lands be drowned with a Dropise; such is the superfluity of Rain and Rivers among us. Judaea (be∣sides Rivers) was usually watered only with the form∣er and latter rain, which, like trade winds on some Seas, came at set seasons, at seed time, and before Har∣vest, the rest of the year dry: Heaven (as it were) keeping a constant ordnary for them, as ingenious Mr. Fuller, in his Pisgah-sight, &c. expresseth it. Hence was their use of watering their Flocks, of which ye read often, Gen. 29. begin. Ex. 2. 16. &c. little though in use among us: yet I remember some where to have seen a Rams-park fenced in, with a small brook of wa∣ter running by it, for the Rams to drink of. Now the Waters which their Sheep delighted to drink of, were
First, Sweet, fresh and clean Waters: larger Cat∣tle like to drink of standing and puddle water; not so Sheep: they are for what is clean and running, though
but slowly. Hence. Gen. 29. 2, 3. a m 1.1 stone was kept on the Well's Mouth, and when the water was drawn, put on again, that their Sheep might drink the more purely and cleanly, as well as plentifully: and that it might run a little, they put it into Gut∣ters, &c.
Secondly, not swift and fiercely running waters: an Horse will like to drink where the water is a little stickle, not so Sheep: Waters of quietness, n 1.2 that is running so slowly, that they may seem to stand still; being a fearful creature, it cares not to come near such waters as run with swiftness and a noise: Hence have ye mention of watering in troughs; Gen. 30. 38. Streams with any violent current will endanger to carry away the silly Sheep; as ye see by your experience yearly in your washing, if through neglect of man in a River, a Sheep shall get into the stream, how easily it is carried down, unless by care recovered; quiet, pleasant, and silently gliding water they choose there∣fore to water their Sheep at.
Thirdly, it may be called Water of rest, from the Effect, o 1.3 which gives rest to the Sheep, quenching their thirst, and so refreshing them.
Lastly, by mentioning Grass and Water, Meat and drink, he intends p 1.4 liberal and free and bountiful sustentation: not sparing, and short Commons, but such as is plentiful, and affords abundant supplies.
p 1.5 These things are but representative of things spiritual, and supply thoughts to us of the full supplies which the Lord maketh for his in his Church. The Great Shepherd of his Sheep careth for his, and mak∣eth provision for them of water, as well as grass. Whe∣ther by these matters we understand (as some) the Doctrines of the Gospel, especially the promises of Grace and Life, which run in and out in the Scriptures, as streams do in the earth, and these are sweet, and exceedingly refreshing to poor Souls: these indeed (like the waters of Siloah) run softly, gently, yet tast pleasantly. Isa. 8. 6. So Claudian speaks of Nilus.
Lene fluit Nilus, sed cunctis amnibus extat Ʋtilior; nullas confessus murmure vires.
The Divine Oracles come not with those loud sounding words, which make a great noise in the ear; but with mighty power and unexpressil••e sweetness reach and refresh the heart. Thus God appears in the still and sweet words of his promises to his peoples solace, as to Elijah once in the still voice, 1 King. 19. 11, 12, 13. But because the Doctrines of the Gospel, even in the sweet promises of it, were formerly hinted to, as understood by the sweet budding grass with which Christ doth feed his; I would rather here by waters understand the special priviledging and refreshing ordi∣nances of the Gospel, viz. Baptism and the Lord's Sup∣per, which like water, are
First, Cooling, when the Soul is parched with the sense of the wrath of God, and is even dried up as a Potsherd, as David speaks Psal. 22. 15. q 1.6 my strength i. e. my vital or radical moisture; so called, because by it we live: this by grief is wont to be consumed: A rough skin speaks inward heat and drought, as in feavers. Hence some render that Text, the heat of the wrath of God doth parch me, and judge that thirst of Christ to come hence, John. 19. 28. The faithful address to, and application or improvement of those blessed Institutions, how cooling and allaying the heat is it? Baptism is of perpetual use to save, not only at the instant of its administration, but throughout the whole life, by a faithful reflection upon it, and im∣provement of it: So the Apostle saith, Baptism doth now save us, 1 Pet. 3. 21. even long after himself and those to whom he wrote, were baptized. The blood of Christ, or the Spirit of God, (whichsoever be the Antitype to the water in Baptism, the latter probably) doth remove that scorching heat of the Lords indignati∣on, and gives the Soul to lift up the head. The Lord's supper also, how useful is it this way? When the Lord shall seal his love, yea shed it abroad in the heart, where∣by the wrath of God is removed from the Soul, by that flesh broken, by that blood shed for Sin. Ah how often is Christ pleased in this Wine-cellar, (Cant. 2. 4. Hebr. house of Wine; i. e. either where wine is kept, as some, or rather where Wine is drunk, Ainsw. wine both quencheth thirst, and cheers the heart, Psal. 104. 15. and drives away grief, Pro. 31. 6, 7.) to cast the
banner of his love over his poor ones? That which may preserve them from all scorching flames of Divine in∣dignation.
Secondly, cleansing, purifying. Hence water used in Baptism, to mind us of our natural pollution, pro∣bably in allusion to the washing when come first out of the Womb, Ezek. 16. 4. hence Saul is called upon, Act. 22. 16. to wash away his sins: not that this gives any encouragement to that Popish Heresie, that Sacra∣ments give grace, ex opere operato; but the Holy Ghost ratifying thine external Baptism by the inward Applica∣on of the blood and satisfaction of Christ, for the purifi∣cation of thy Soul before God, and for regeneration to newness of life; hence is added, calling on the name of the Lord, i. e. by means of calling upon God in faith, to obtain from him his effectual cooperation in the sacra∣ment, Diod. in loc. Yea, it is called a washing of Re∣generation, Tit. 3. 5. viz. God using the means of Baptism, made effectual by the inward operation of the Holy Ghost, applying the blood of Christ for the ex∣piation of sin, &c. Id. Luther reports of a Virgin in the Primitive daies, that was wont to repell all Temp∣tations to Sin, with, I am a Christian, I have been bap∣tized, &c. And can Sin live in that Soul which seeth the blood of the Lord Jesus poured out for sin, and drinks of it in remembrance that Christ died to do a∣way sin, to undoe the work of the Devil? Glad ex∣perience teacheth many a poor Christian, that nothing more effectually maketh their hearts rise against Sin, to hate it past, to fear and watch against it for the future, than to see Christ crucified before their eyes, and to feed on him, who gave himself that he might purifie to himself a people, &c.
Thirdly, cheering and comforting water in those
hot Countries especially, was very refreshing; hence that promise, Isa. 44. 3. so is there Cordial vertue in Christs appointments, which revives the hearts of his Children, and that abundantly. Though that false Je∣suit did but belie himself, yea, and the Holy Ghost too, who being sent over from one of their Colledges be∣yond Seas, to divide the Christians in England, and coming to New-Castle upon Tine, finding the Anabap∣tistical party in great repute, joyned in with Mr. Til∣ham of Hexam, and when he was dipt by him, coming out of the water, being perceived to smile, and be∣ing asked why he smiled, said he was so filled with the joy of the Holy Ghost, that he could not forbear; though afterward upon his detection, he acknowledged, he smiled only to consider their folly in crediting his pretended turn to them, accounting that as no ordi∣nance: Though this Villain, I say, dealt treacherously, yet many a sincere heart finds much sweetness in a reflect act upon his Baptisme; considering his being thereby solemnly given up to the Lord, to be His, as David, Psal. 116. 16. Truly I am thy Servant, &c. r 1.7 and how cheered many a drooping heart hath come from the Lords Table, the comfortable remembrance of many of his Dear Ones, speaks to his glorious praise. When God hath awakned them as out of sleep, how have they shouted like a mighty man by reason of Wine, Psal. 78. 65. and that love they find warming and cheering their hearts much more than Wine. These Ordinances of Christ are, and should be kept,
First, pure and clean; not defiled with the mud and dirt of mens inventions. The poor people under the
Papacy are forced to drink sad puddle, fouled with the feet of those filthy Shepherds, who have defiled every thing they come near. Especially since the second An∣gel poured out his Vial on the Sea that Council of Trent, and it became as the blood of a dead man, and every living Soul dyed in that Sea, Rev. 16. 2. Witness that Heathenish decree of the Council, equalizing, if not preferring the Apocrypha to the Canonical Scripture, the Vulgar Translation to the Original, Traditions to Holy Scripture, and affirming that the holy Ghost him∣self is not to be though he bring never so plain Scripture for himself, s 1.8 unless the Church so inter∣pret. So before them the Council of Constance comes in with a non obstante, against Christs institution, to withhold the Cup from their communicants. t 1.9 Our endeavours should be to keep the Stone of Divine In∣stitution upon the Ordinances of Christ, that his Sheep may drink this water clean, and not defiled. Paul hath taught us, upon any encroachments on the Ordinances of Christ to have recourse to their Institution, 1 Cor. 11.
Secondly, not despised, because not making a great noise, or having any pompous show. It is the way of God, to choose things that are poor and weak and de∣spised by men, to effect great things, 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. 'Tis a very unequal return to God, that our eye is evil, because he is good. What is a little water to the body of a Child? What a Morsel of bread, and a draught o•• Wine? True, and might not men as well say, what was the sounding of Rams horns to batter a City Walls? Yet so they fell down. 'Twas better reasoning which Naaman's servants used to him, 2 Kin. 5. 10,-15. The simplicity of Christ is still much mistaken by the mad
World, ever besides it self in matters of Salvation. People looking upon Gods Ordinances with Syrian Eyes, despise the foolishness of preaching, the simpli∣city of Sacraments, the seeming inefficacy of censures, &c. But it is the word, the Appointment of the Al∣mighty which putteth efficacy in those means, which of themselves are both impotent and improbable.
Thirdly, Esteemed full and enough to refresh and keep up the Soul: they need from the inventions of men. As the Scriptures of truth are able throughly to furnish the man of God, i. e. the Preacher, unto every good work, that he need not go down to the Philistines for Sword or Spear: so Christs, Ordinances are fully enough for Christian, or society.
How hast thou, O my Soul! looked with a slighting eye on the Institutions * 1.10 of Christ, as only fit for Babes, and be∣neath one of thy growth? Alas! that we are cast upon daies, wherein men pretend not only to be wiser than Paul (of whom the Romanists have long time spoken very slightingly) but even than Jesus Christ himself, the Wisdom of the Fa∣ther; He that was faithful in all his house, as was Mo∣ses, after his Resurrection, before his Ascension, u 1.11 speaking to his Disciples of the things of his King∣dom, Act. 1. 3. Yet these things are now low and mean, fit only for that dispensation of the Apostles,
and too carnal for these pretended spiritual ones. But who hath given thee knowledge above the Head and King of his Church? Who hath given thee Commission to abrogate his Institutions, and arrogate to thy self to appoint Laws in his house? Wouldst thou take it well that any one should thrust himself into thine house, and take to himself such authority? x 1.12 Vain man would be wise, Job. 11. 12. would be wiser than God, and prescribe to him. It is a good Note of Peter Mar∣tyr's on, 2 King. 5. 11. I thought, He will surely come out to me; y 1.13 the perverseness, saith he, of man's na∣ture is here observable, that had rather have the gifts of God in difficult waies of his own seeking, than in more easie ones of Gods appointment. But thou wilt one day know, O my Soul, to thy sorrow, that the foolishness of God is wiser than man, 1 Cor. 1. 25. The Eagle and the Lyon were not offered in sacrifice, as were the Dove and the Lamb. Gods Institutions will be found to have power, because they are his Institutions. Hath Christ lead me these many years by these still, sweet, and * 1.14 pleasant waters, and yet am I parched, parched still? Have no growth, no peace, no strength for God, but still a Babe in knowledge and understand∣ing! Alas, O my Soul! is it wont to be thus with Christs Sheep? shall I hereupon cast off Ordinances (as the manner of some is) and say God is departed from them, because I have thriven no more, have found no more good in and by them? Is not the fault in my soul rather than in the institutions of Christ? See
Heb. 4. 2. Ill humours, obstructions within, hinders my getting good, shall I impute this to what was designed for good unto me? Were it not wisdom rather to remove hinderances, that so my profiting might appear unto all? Saints of old found good in Christs Ordinances, and were Men and Women Saints as of old, they would still experience the profit in and by them. Christ's meat is for Christ's Friends, his Drink for his beloved, Cant. 5. 1. what wonder then if such as throng in among his without a Wedding Garment, be cast out speechless? Mat. 22. 12. z 1.15
Wait thou, O my Soul! and be not weary of waiting upon God in * 1.16 his waies. Remember and do the charge of David to Solomon his Son, 1 Kin. 2. 3. So shalt thou be blessed. Pro. 8. 32. What though this fect be every where spoken against? What though Christs Ministers that are chiefly set up by him to beat down the Kingdom of Satan, be the Butt of the malice of Devils and men? And the Ordinances of Christ, which have no Grandeur in them, nor outside Glory to take men,. be the slight of men? Yet after that way that these men call Sect, Heresie, worship thou, O my Soul! the God of thy Fathers. Keep close to Ordinances, use them conscientiously, not only custo∣marily; and faithfully, not slightly, and thou shalt ex∣perience them the conveyances of great things: Gold∣en pipes to convey the Golden Oyl of Grace from Christ to thy Soul. Tell me therefore, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy Flock
to rest at noon! for why should I be as one that turneth a∣side by the a 1.17 Flocks of thy companions? i. e. the Com∣pany of those that falsly boast themselves the Companions of Christ; false Teachers, false Worshippers.
Cautio necessaria erat, ut greges salubriús, puriús & copiosiús potarentur: ne{que} enim ••rant copiosi latices, Men. ex A lap.
Itae leniter fluentes, ut quiescere videantur. Piscat.
Quae potantibus ovibus quietem asserunt dum sitim extinguunt, Id.
commemorat hic sustentationem liberalem victu salubri & jucundo, tum cibo, tum pot••u. Id.
Ad spiritualia saepiús refertur haec Metaphora, at{que} it a hîc ac∣cipi debet, de Doctrinâ & institutione Dei in Ecclesiâ, &c. River. in Psal. 23.
Vigor vel viror meus, i. e. humor & succus vitalis sive radi∣calis, Mu. Sic dictus, quia per eum vivimuus, Vat. Is autem moerore exhauriri & absumi solet, Pro. 17. 22. Mu. Internos animi aestus cutis rigens prodit, ut in Febribus, Riv. Aestus irae Dei torruit me, Coc.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 q. d. meritissimè te amo, Benignissime Domine, Gei, Est vox confitentis, & A. E. in Mu. uti{que} Jeho∣va, Vat.
Nisi accedat meretricis purpurantae effrons interpretatio. D•• Prid. lect. de Testis.
Lie•••• Christus post caenam instituerit, & ••••is discipulis administraver it, &c. Caranza sum. Concil. sess. 13.
For the de∣spiser of Gos∣pel ordinances.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Hellenismi ea vis esse videtur, ut intelligamus Christum Discipulis suis universam Doctrinam Evangelicam copiose ac lucutenter exposuisse, Bez.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vir vacuus, velinanis, mente sc. & judicio. ••xpers omnis cognitionis.
Nota humani ing••nit perversitatem, quae dona Dei malit assequi viis difficilibus a se ex cogitat••, quam faci∣lioribas a Deo descriptis.
For the unprofit a∣ble receiver of Ordi∣dinances.
Christus hoc in loco & sponsus est, & cibus, & vestis, &c. Gomar.
For the humble waiting Soul.
Greges sociorum tuorum] Ad eorum coetus qui se falso socios Chri••ti venditant, Men. Ad falsos Doctores, qui se iactant soci os tu∣os, Pisc. Innuit Ecclesia sg non posse, nisi Christi beneficio sedem suam indicantis, pgriculum effugere falsorum fratrum & cultuum, Men.