Therefore let none distaste the way of godliness for this, that it is such a state as is subject to change and variety, whereas carnal men are upon their lees and find no changes.
Ohj. But you will say, All Christians are not thus tossed up and down, so deserted of God and persecuted of others.
Ans. I answer, indeed there is diiference. Whence comes this differ- ence ? From God's liberty. It is a mystery of the sanctuary, which no man in the world can give a reason of, why of Christians both equally beloved of God, some should have a faii'er passage to heaven, others rougher and more rugged. It is a mystery hid in God's breast. It is sufficient for us, if God will bring us any way to heaven, as the blessed apostle saith, ' if by any means I might attain to the resuiTection of the dead,' Phil. iii. 11 ; either through thick or thin, if God will bring me to heaven it is no matter. ' If I by any means.'
' The watchmen that went about the city smote me,' &c. By the watch- men here are meant especially governors of state and church.
"Why are they called watchmen ?
It is a borrowed speech, taken from the custom of cities that are be- leagiiered. For policy's sake they have watchmen to descry the danger they are liable unto. So magistrates be watchmen of the state. Ministers are the watchmen for souls, ' watching over our souls for good,' Heb. xiii. 17.
Quest. Why doth God use watchmen ?
* Tliat is, the ' Everlasting Father' of authorised translation. — G.
CaNT.V. 6, 7. J ' I CALLED HIM, BUT HE GAVE ME NO ANSWEB.' 119
Ans. 1. Not for any defect of power in him, but for demonstration of his goodness. For he is the great watchman, who watcheth over our common- wealths, churches, and persons. He hath an eye that never sleeps. * He that watcheth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,' Ps. cxxi. 4. Yet not- withstanding he hath subordinate watchmen, not for defect of power, but for demonstration of goodness. He manifests his goodness in that he will use variety of subordinate watchers.
And likewise to shew his power in using many instruments, and his care for us when he keeps us together with his own subordinate means.
And in this that God hath set over us watchers, ministers especially, it implies that our soids are in danger. And indeed there is nothing in the world so beset as the soul of a poor Christian. Who hath so many and so bad enemies as a Christian ? and amongst them all, the worst and greatest enemy he hath is nearest to him, and converseth daily with him, even himself. Therefore there must needs be watchmen to discover the deceits of Satan and his instruments, and of our own hearts ; to discover the dangers of Jerusalem, and the eiTors and sins of the times wherein we live. The church is in danger, for God hath set watchmen. Now God and nature doth nothing in vain or needlessly.
Again, in that God takes such care for the soul, it shews the u-ondrous wonh of it. Many arguments there be to shew that the soul is a precious thing. It was breathed by God at first. Christ gave his life to redeem it. But this is an especial one, that God hath ordained and estabhshed a ministry and watchmen over it. And as God hath set some watchmen over others, so hath he appointed every man to be a watchman to him- self. He hath given every man a city to watch over, that is, his own estate and soul. Therefore let us not depend altogether on the watching of others. God hath planted a conscience in eveiy [one] of us, and useth as others to our good, so our own care, wisdom, and foresight, these he ele- vateth and sanctifieth.
' The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me,' &c.
Come we now to the carnage of these watchmen. Those that should have been defensive prove most offensive.
They smote the chm'ch and wounded her many ways, though it be not discovered here in particular. As (1.) with their ill and scandalous life; and (2.) sometimes with corrupt doctrine, and otherwhiles with bitter words ; and (3.) their unjust censures, as we see in the story of the church, especially the Komish Chm-ch. They have excommunicated churches and princes. But not to speak of those synagogues of Satan, come we nearer home and we may see amongst om-selves sometimes those that are watch- men, and should be for encoiuragement, they smite and wound the church, and take away her veil, 3 John 10.
"What is it to take away the veil ?
You know, in the times of the Old Testament, a veil was that which covered women for modesty, to shew their subjection ; and it was likewise an honourable ornament. ' They took away the veil,' that is, that where- with the church was covered. They took away that that made the church comely, and laid her open, and as it were naked.
Now both these ways the church's veil is taken away by false and naughty watchmen.
1. As the veil is a token of subjection, when by their false doctrines they labour to draw people from Chiist, and tlieir subjection to him.