A29696:583
London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…
London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our (once renowned) city into a ruinous heap also the several lessons that are incumbent upon those whose houses have escaped the consuming flames / by Thomas Brooks.
London: printed for John Hancock and Nathaniel Ponder, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Under the Law they were wont to dedicate their houses, and consecrate them to God, before they dwelt in them: Deut. 20. 5. And the Officers shall speak unto the people, saying, what man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? (by Prayers, Hymns, and other holy solemnities) let him go and return to his house, lest he dye in the battle, and another man dedicate it. Now though this were done in those times, with sundry ceremonies which are now abolished; yet the equity of the duty still remains. And doubtless the best way for a man to bring down a blessing upon himself and his house, is to dedicate himself and his house to God, 2 Sam. 6. 11. And the Ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-Edom the Hittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. Vers• 12. And it was told King David, saying, the Lord hath hlessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth to him, because of the Ark of God. In this Scripture you see, that when men do any thing, to the advancement of Religion, or to the furtherance of Gods Worship and Service; he takes it kindly at their hands. The meanest service that is done to Christ or his Church, hath a Patent of eternity. Again, in this Scripture you may run and read a real retribution and remuneration. God dos not put off Obed-Edom with a fine Feather, or with ⟨p. 146⟩empty favours, or Court compliments, but he really blesses him and all his household. Obed-Edom had been at some cost and charge, in giving entertainment to Gods Ark; but God defrays all the charges, and pays him abundantly for his kind entertainment, with interest upon interest. No man ever gave the Gospel a nights lodging, that hath been a loser by it. God will pay all such with use and principal, who do any thing to the furtherance of his worship and service. Hiram shall have Corn and Oil, for affording materials to the building of the Temple. Cyrus shall prosper and be victorious, for breaking off the yokes that were about his peoples necks, and restoring of them to their Christian liberty. Egypt fared the better, for entertaining the Patriarchs; God stored that Country with great plenty and variety of outward blessings; because his Church was to sojourn there. God blessed Obed-Edoms person and possession and family for the Arks sake: