Moses his prayer. Or, An exposition of the nintieth Psalme.: In which is set forth, the frailty and misery of mankind; most needfull for these times. Wherein [brace] 1. The sum and scope. 2. The doctrines. 3. The reasons. 4. The uses of most texts are observed. / By Samuel Smith, minister of the Gospel, author of Davids repentance and the Great assize, and yet living.

From generation to generation. [Text.]

MOses doth not here speak in the present tense, that God was their Habitation. But that he was the same to their Forefathers, Abra∣ham, Isaack and Jacob long be∣fore, even from Generation to Genera∣tion.

Hence wee learn that the Church in all ages is one and the same, [Doct. 5] * 1.1 since the first Creation; God hath ever had his Church, and so from Generation to Generation, God hath continued his Church in the world, and ever will to the end.

'Tis true, it was sometimes limited to one Nation, as to the Jews. He shewed his word to Jacob, his statutes and judgements to Israel, He hath not done so with any Nation, * 1.2 and Salvati∣on is of the Jews. But now in the times of the Gospell, since the comming of Christ, that Wall of separation is plucked up; and Japhet, is perswaded to dwell in the Tencs of Sem. * 1.3 My Dove, my undefiled is but one, she is the onely one of her Mother. And this is testified by that of Paul, * 1.4 As there are many members, but yet but one bo∣dy; so we being many, are one in Christ.

And this doth our Saviour make clear and plain unto us, * 1.5 when he saith Other sheep I have which are not of this Fold, them also must I bring; and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be

one Fold and one Shepheard. And the Church is figured by one woman. * 1.6 And this woman hath Christ married to himself, which shewes the unity of the Church in all ages. * 1.7

'Tis true, this one Church of Christ may have many parts, as the Sea hath many Chanells, and is called by the name of the Country by the which it runs, as the Germ an Sea, the Bal∣tique Sea, &c. so the Church of France, the Church of England & the Church of Scotland, &c. yet the Church of God is but one Militant Church upon the face of the whole Earth.

[Reas.] And the Reason is because it hath but one Head

As we account that but one Com∣mon-wealth, that is under one King, and governed by one and the same Lawes, and is under one Government So is the Church of Christ one, pro∣fessing one and the same faith; hath one and the same hope, and Baptised into the same spirit, and reserved unto one and the same glorious inheritance, is but one.

This quite overthrows the Church [Use 1]

of Rome as no true Church of Christ, who quite overthrow the Nature of the Church Catholick thus inlarged by God, and confine the same to Rome. What is Catholick, but Universall? And to speak in their language, The Ca∣tholick Roman Church, is as much as to say, the Universall Church; which must needs sound in the ears of any reasonable man, to be most absurd.

Gods Church is not tyed to any one time, much lesse to any one place; but in respect of time and place, is Catholick and Universall?

Secondly, [Vse 2] is this so, that the Church of God is one and the same from gene∣ration to generation?

This may serve to unite the hearts of believers together, in unity and peace. The Unity and Onenesse of the Church, should teach unity and con∣cord amongst those that professe them∣selves members of this Church. We are all of one house and habitation, have one Father, one Christ, one Spi∣rit, one Bread, one board, one Bread to feed upon, one Cup to drink on: so should we be of one minde, and of one heart.

Christians should cleave toge∣ther, and hold together. If one member suffer, all should suffer with it, * 1.8 if one member be in ho∣nour, all should rejoyce at it, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another?

Those that are of the family of the Devill will do so: Drunkards have a league amongst themselves; what a shame then is it for Christians, that professe themselves of the hou∣shold of God, to rent asunder the seamlesse Coat of Christ.

Surely, the sad divisions that are in England this day, like the divisions of Ruben, cause great thoughts of heart, and frustrates all our hopes of our desired peace.

O what a shame is it, that there should be strife and dissention in that family, where the Father is the God of peace, and the son is the Prince of peace. What an excellent Church and house of God was it in the Apostles time, when the multitude of believers were of one heart, and of one minde. Such therefore as make these rents and

divisions in the Church, as too many do in these daies, shew apparently that they are not of Gods houshold. See that place of Paul, Now I beseech you brethren, * 1.9 mark them which cause di∣visions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have received, and avoid them, for they are such as serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words, and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the sim∣ple.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Church is ever one and the same.
• * 1.2

  Io. 4.22.
• * 1.3

  Cant. 6.8
• * 1.4

  1 Cor. 12.12.
• * 1.5

  Io. 10.16
• * 1.6

  Rev. 12
• * 1.7

  Hos. 2.19
• * 1.8

  1 Pet. 4.10.
• * 1.9

  Rom. 16.17.18.