3. Do something for the reformation of Gods house. Mistake me not, I do not forget to remember with thankfulness, what you have already done, but go on, I beseech you, to perfect what you have begun to do. And consider what some say of Solomon, That it was his great fault, that he bestowed more time in building of •is own house, than he did in building the house of God. He was but seven years in building the house of God, and thirteen years in building his own house. And it is observed he never prospered after. The Scripture seems to give a little hint of this. For it is said in the 1 King. 6. 38. So was he seven years in building the house of the Lord. And in the next verse it is added, 1But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years. This (but) may seem to be a secret kind of reproof. O let not the like blame be cast upon you! Make haste to repair the ruins of Gods house. And be sure to repair it according to the Word of God, not according to humane policy. Let me desire you never to forget the story of David, who when he went to bring home the Ark▪ with great joy, because he brought it not home in due order, but suffered it to be carried in a Cart, when God had commanded it should be carried upon the Priests shoulders, there was a great breach made, and a great stop of the work. As it is expressly said, 1 Chr. 15. 13. Because he did it not at the first, therefore 2the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. A reformation made according to the rule will abide, when all others will moulder away, and the blessing of God will be upon it, and upon the maker of it.
3. Do something for the reformation of Gods house. Mistake mee not, I do not forget to remember with thankfulnesse, what you have already done, but goe on, I beseech you, to perfect what you have begun to do. And consider what some say of Solomon, That it was his great fault, that he bestowed more time in building of •is owne house, than he did in building the house of God. He was but seven yeares in building the house of God, and thirteen years in building his owne house. And it is observed he never prospered after. The Scripture seems to give a little hint of this. For it is said in the 1 King. 6. 38. So was he seven yeares in building the house of the Lord. And in the next verse it is added, 1But Solomon was building his owne house thirteene yeares. This (but) may seeme to be a secret kind of reproofe. O let not the like blame be cast upon you! Make haste to repaire the ruines of Gods house. And be sure to repaire it according to the Word of God, not according to humane policie. Let mee desire you never to forget the story of David, who when he went to bring home the Arke▪ with great joy, because he brought it not home in due order, but suffered it to be carried in a Cart, when God had commanded it should be carried upon the Priests shoulders, there was a great breach made, and a great stop of the worke. As it is expresly said, 1 Chr. 15. 13. Because he did it not at the first, therefore 2the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that wee sought him not after the due order. A reformation made according to the rule will abide, when all others will molder away, and the blessing of God will be upon it, and upon the maker of it.
- 11 King. 6. 38 1 King. 7. 1.
- 21 Chr. 15. 13.
