2. It is further considerable, that the arguments drawn from this text, are commonly fallacious, taking it for granted, that re- Hgious hearing, as an act of worship, is here enjoined; whereas there is not a syllable of any such thing in the text : Indeed Christ bids them observe and do whatsoever ihey bid them ; but it doth not thence follow, they should rehgiously attend on their ministry. (1.) Because it is evident, these Scribes and Pharisees sustained a double capacity ; they were expositors of the law, that we allow ; and they were' also of the Sanhedrim, in a civil capacity, as rulers; that appears from John iii. 1, 10. Acts v. 34. In this civil capaci- ty, they are most properly said, to sit in Moses' seat : For the 70 elders which made up this sanhedrim, came in upon a civil score at first, as appears from Numb. xi. 16, 17. and so were joined with Moses in the government. Now then this command seems most properly to respect them as rulers ; who in that capacity both open- ed the judicious laws of Moses, and enjoined the people to obey them. (2.) Because Christ had before warned them, to take heed of their leaven, i. e. their doctrine. Mat. xvi. 6, 12. and told them they were blind guides, and what the fatal issue of them, and their disciples that followed them, would be, Mat. xv. 14. both should fall into the ditch ; and that their worship was vain, jMat. xv. 9. and it is not like he would afterwards encourage themUo attend on it.
5. But admit it were so, that Christ gives them liberty to hear them as ministers, though they were corrupt, yet it is no good consequence, that therefore we may hear any ministers, though never so corrupt in pnnciples and practice now. And the reason which destroys this consequence, is this, because there is a vast dif- ference betwixt the infant-state of the gospel-church in the days of Christ on earth, and its more perfect state after his death; we know the first tabernacle \yas then standing, the vail of the tem- ple not then rent in twain, the gospel-ministry not then instituted :
ANTIPHARMACUM SALUBERRTMUM. 537
and therefore during that state, as Christ himself submitted to the ordinances of the law, (for it became him to fulfil all righteousness^) so did his disciples submit to them also ; yea, and he exhorts others also to observe the rites appointed by it ; as Mat. viii. 4. bids him that was cleansed, to go and shew himself to the priest, and offer his gift which the law of Moses required. But since the death of Christ, and the taking down of that first tabernacle, and the in- stitution of the gospel-ministry, none of these precepts bind : for as judicious Parajus, on the place, notes, this was but Mendatum, temporale^ a temporal command ; which ceased to oblige upon the commissionating and full instruction of the new gospel-ministry: ' And then it is manifest (saith he) they made a separation from ' the Pharisees, and the Jewish synagogue.'
Now we are to attend upon no ministry but of Christ's institution; for to that only hath he promised his presence, Mat. xxviii. ult. and none can preach, i. e. lawfully, except he be sent, Rom. x. And I have proved before, these are not his ministers, nor sent by him,
Give your utmost diligence to promote religion, and the power of godliness, in your respective families, and neiglibourhoods ; and the rather do this with all your might, because the ordinary and more public means of their conversion and edification is cut off".
This counsel consists of two branches ; the first concerns your families, the second your neighbours : a word distinctly to each.
1. As to your families, O shine as lights there; lay out your talents as many ways as they may possibly be improveable for th^ good of all about 3^ou, especially those under your guardianship and charge, Exod. xx. 10. By this the power of godliness must be discovered in you, and begotten and kept ahve in tliem. The Jews have a tradition, that the fire of the altar was miraculously preserved under-ground, during the Babylonish captivity. I am sure this is the way to preserve religion alive, now the public ordinary means are ceased. Precepts are not wanting to enforce this duty upon you ; Deut. iv. 9, 10. — vi. 6, 7. Exod. xii. 24, 26, 27. Josh. iv. 6, 7, 21, 22. Psal. Ixxviii. 5, 6. Prov. xxii. 6. Eph. vi. 4. nor yet worthy examples to encourage to it; Gen. xviii. 19. 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. Prov. xxxi. 20. 2 Tim. iii. 15. 2 John 1. 4. Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their house, 1 Cor. xvi. 19. Nymphas and Philemon in theirs. Col. iv. 15. Philem. 2. " Hence it is, saith * Davenant 07i the place, that the apostle sends
• Ahjuniiit saecialem saliUntionem, ob specialem et eximiam hvjus veri pietatem, eeqwum enim est extraordinarium illh defcrrc honorem, quorum egregia virtus prcc ccvteris eminei e^ rffulget in ecclesia. Dav. in loc
538 ANTIPHAKMACUM 3ALUBERRIMUM.
" a special salutation to them, by name ; because of their singular <' piety which manifested itself in their family government." And indeed, how fresh and glorious a remembrance in the scriptures have those worthy saints unto this day, and so shall have, where- ever the gospel is preached, unto the end of the world, who have burned with an holy zeal, not only to offer up themselves, but their families also unto God ! David well understood how near this duty lay to the heart of religion, when he puts his soul under the bond of such a solemn engagement to the Lord, Psal. ci. 2. It doth not a little affect me to read what a * learned man observes of the Jews ; ' Although religion be miserably deformed among them, ' yet it seems there are some prints of their ancient family-discipline ' to this day, remaining among them ; for (saith he) they are so ' careful to teach their children in their tender years, the law, and ' books of Moses, and after that their Talmudica traditions, as ' that their skill in Judaism at 17, exceeds the knowledge of many ' among us in Christianity at 70.' Nay, the very Jesuits boast themselves, the grand conservators of the Romish religion, in that they are catechizers. Oh let this provoke Christians ! we see how light breaks out more and more in every age ; as Luther said, ' I * see more than blessed Austin saw ; and they that come after me ' will see more than I see.' And we have great hopes and expecta- tions of the young generation, that they may enter into the good land, though we should die in this wilderness, O then let us labour to prepare and make them ready for the Lord ; and that not only by instructing them in the principles of religion in a catechistical way, (though that be an ordinance of God, and of singular use in its kind) but by endeavouring to the utmost, by counsels, persua- sions, prayers for, and with them, to have the power of godhness wrought in their hearts, to travail with them, again in pain, till Christ be formed in them. And to this duty, these arguments among many others, may persuade.