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The staves of beauty & bands opened in a sermon preached at Yarmouth, August 23, 1663 / by Edward, Lord Bishop of Norwich.The staves of beauty & bands opened in a sermon preached at Yarmovth, August 23, 1663 / by Edward, Lord Bishop of Norwich.
Edward Reynolds 1599–1676London: printed by T. Ratcliffe for George Thomason, 1663
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.
THERE was no Office which Christ undertook, no Ministry which he instituted in his Church, which was not by him directed and intended unto such excellent Ends, as whereby the Honour ⟨p. 2⟩and Welfare thereof might be advanced. When in this place he assumed his Pastoral Office to Govern and guide his Flock, he doth by the names of these two Staves acquaint us with two noble Ends of that Service; The Restoring of Beauty to his Church corrupted, and of Unity to his Church divided; Of both which we shall, by Gods Assistance, take a brief View.
THERE was no Office which Christ undertook, no Ministery which he instituted in his Church, which was not by him directed and intended unto such excellent Ends, as whereby the Honour ⟨p. 2⟩and Welfare thereof might be advanced. When in this place he assumed his Pastoral Office to Govern and guide his Flock, he doth by the names of these two Staves acquaint us with two noble Ends of that Service; The Restoring of Beauty to his Church corrupted, and of Unity to his Church divided; Of both which we shall, by Gods Assistance, take a brief View.
First, He Feedeth and Ruleth his poor Flock with his Staff called Beauty, his Word, Ordinances, and Government, being, as glorious things in themselves, so the special Beauty and Honour of the Church that enjoy them. Thus among the people of the Jews, thea Ark and the Tabernacle are called their Glory; in which respect the
Apostle saith, That unto Israel did pertain the Adoption, and the Glory, because the Covenants, the Law, the Service of God, and the Promises were theirs: As to external Pomp and Splendour,
Monarchies of the world went far beyond them, (for they were the •ewest of all People:) but herein was their Preeminence, and Primogeniture, (as the Lord saith, Israel is my
Riches and the Salvation of those that enjoy it; insomuch that the very feet of those that bring glad Tidings thereof, are said to be Beautiful, Rom. 10. 15. and therefore as we
Diadem of Beauty unto the residue of them; for where Christ walketh in the midst of the golden Candlesticks, having his Ordinances in their vigour and Efficacy duly administered, he thereby rendereth his Church beautiful in these four Respects.
First, He Feedeth and Ruleth his poor Flock with his Staff called Beauty, his Word, Ordinances, and Government, being, as glorious things in themselves, so the special Beauty and Honour of the Church that enjoy them. Thus among the people of the Jews, thea Ark and the Tabernacle are called their Glory; in which respect theb Apostle saith, That unto Israel did pertain the Adoption, and the Glory, because the Covenants, the Law, the Service of God, aud the Promises were theirs: As to external Pomp and Splendor, ⟨p. 3⟩the greatc Monarchies of the world went far beyond them, (for they were the •ewest of all People:) but herein was their Preheminence, and Primogeniture, (as the Lord saith, Israel is my dfirst horn) herein was theire double portion above all other Nations, that they had the Oracles of God committed unto them, that they were intrusted with thef Custody of thatg honourable Law, which as the Apostle sairh, was hholy, just, and good. And in like manner in the Christian Church, the Gospel, which is thei Law of Christ, is called by the Apostle ak glorious Gospel, because it is thel Riches and the Salvation of those that enjoy it; insomuch that the very feet of those that bring glad Tidings thereof, are said to be Beautiful, Rom. 10. 15. and therefore as wem read of Moses, that his Face shined when he came down from the Mount; to signifie then Glory and Luster of the Legal Ministery, as the Apostle teacheth us: so likewise do we read of ⟨p. 4⟩Christ, that his oface shined as the Sun, in his Transfiguration on the Mount, to signifie thep far more excellent Glory of the Evangelical Ministery of Life and Righteousness; in which respect he is called theq Glory of his people, and ar Diadem of Beauty unto the residue of them; for where Christ walketh in the midst of the golden Candlesticks, having his Ordinances in their vigonr and Efficacy duly administred, he thereby rendereth his Church beautiful in these four Respects.
1. By the Verity of his heavenly Doctrine; When a people are taught of the Lord, then their Stones are laid with fair Colours, and their Foundations with Sapphires, their Windows of Agates, their Gates of Carbuncles, and their Borders of precious Stones, Isa. 54, 11, 12, 13. When the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord, then is his rest, or the place of his abode glorious, Isa. 11, 9, 10. and therefore when Christ was ⟨p. 5⟩sascended up on high, far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, he gave unto his Church, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, in order to the perfecting and edifying of his body, and carrying it on unto the measure of the stature of his fullness, wherein alone the Beauty thereof consisteth.
1. By the Verity of his heavenly Doctrine; When a people are taught of the Lord, then their Stones are laid with fair Colours, and their Foundations with Saphires, their Windows of Agates, their Gates of Carbuncles, and their Borders of precious Stones, Isa. 54, 11, 12, 13. When the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord, then is his rest, or the place of his abode glorious, Isa. 11, 9, 10. and therefore when Christ was ⟨p. 5⟩sascended up on high, far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, he gave unto his Church, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, in order to the perfecting and edifying of his body, and carrying it on unto the measure of the stature of his fulness, wherein alone the Beauty thereof consisteth.
2. By the Purity of Spiritual Worship; When Sacrifices are offered with acceptance upon Gods Altar, (and none are so butt spiritual Sacrifices) then doth he glorify the house of his Glory, and beautify the place of his Sanctuary, and make it an eternal Excellency; then doth he give gold for brass, and silver for iron; then doth he call the Walls of the Church Salvation, and her Gates Praise, Isa. 60. 7, 13. 15, 17, 18. Therefore the second Temple, though far inferior in outward Splendour to the former, is said to exceed that in Glory, because unto it the desire of all Nations should come, and set up therein his Spiritual Worship, ⟨p. 6⟩Hag. 2. 3, 7, 8, 9. For as the soul, which is the breath of Life, puts Beauty into the Body, so the Spirit of Christ poured out upon his Church, doth enliven and beautify that, and turn theu wilderness into a fruitful field.
2. By the Purity of Spiritual Worship; When Sacrifices are offered with acceptance upon Gods Altar, (and none are so bntt spiritual Sacrifices) then doth he glorifie the house of his Glory, and beautifie the place of his Sanctuary, and make it an eternal Excellency; then doth he give gold for brass, and silver for iron; then doth he call the Walls of the Church Saivation, and her Gates Praise, Isa. 60. 7, 13. 15, 17, 18. Therefore the second Temple, though far inferior in outward Splendor to the former, is said to exced that in Glory, because unto it the desire of all Nations should come, and set up the•ein his Spiritual Worship, ⟨p. 6⟩Hag. 2. 3, 7, 8, 9. For as the soul, which is the breath of Life, puts Beauty into the Body, so the Spirit of Christ poured out upon his Church, doth enliven and beautifie that, and turn theu wildernesse into a fruitful field.
3. By Sanctity of Life, renewing them after the image of Christ; for when the Church is sanctified, and cleansed with the washing of Water by the Word, then it is fit to be presented unto Christ as a glorious Church, Ephes. 5. 26, 27. Holiness is called by the Apostle thew Renewing of the Holy Ghost, thex forming of Christ in us, they quickening and creating us in him unto good Works. Look what Beauty the renewing of a ruinous and decayed Building bringeth upon that, what Beauty the Re-union of a living Soul unto a ghastly body doth restore unto that, what Beauty the Creation brought upon the void and indigested Chaos, when it was wrought unto that goodly Frame and Structure which we now behold; the same, and much more, ⟨p. 7⟩doth the forming of Christ, and the Spirit of Holiness bring upon our deformed and defiled nature by the Efficacy of the Ordinances.
3. By Sanctity of Life, renewing them after the image of Christ; for when the Church is sanctified, and clensed with the washing of Water by the Word, then it is fit to be presented unto Christ as a glorious Church, Ephes. 5. 26, 27. Holinefs is called by the Apostle thew Renewing of the Holy Ghost, thex forming of Christ in us, they quickning and creating us in him unto good Works. Look what Beauty the renewing of a ruinous and decayed Building bringeth upon that, what Beauty the Re-union of a living Soul unto a gastly body doth restore unto that, what Beauty the Creation brought upon the void and indigested Chaos, when it was wrought unto that goodly Frame and Sructure which we now behold; the same, and much more, ⟨p. 7⟩doth the forming of Christ, and the Spirit of Holiness bring upon our deformed and defiled nature by the Efficacy of the Ordinances.
4. By Decency of Order, rendering the Churchz beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an Army with Banners; Thus the Church of Israel marched in the Wilderness in the manner of a formed Camp, with exquisite beauty and order, whereof we have an ample description, Numb. 2. In like manner the new Jerusalem, which descended out of Heaven, beautified with the Glory of God, whose street was pure gold as transparent glass, whose foundation was garnished with all manner of precious stones, is said to be four-square, having an accurate proportion and symmetry in all the parts thereof, Rev. 21. 16. And thus the Apostle directed all things to be done in the Church of Christ with Decency and Order, 1 Cor. 14. 40. and rejoiced to see the Order which was in the Church of the Colossians, Col. 2. 5. ⟨p. 8⟩When every Member keepeth his own Rank, and every Officer doth his proper Duty, according to thea Pattern andb Commission given him by Christ, then is the Pastoral Office administered with the Staff of Beauty.
4. By Decency of Order, rendering the Churchz beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Ierusalem, terrible as an Army with Banners; Thus the Church of Israel marched in the Wilderness in the manner of a formed Camp, with exquisite beauty and order, whereof we have an ample description, Numb. 2. In like manner the new Jerusalem, which descended out of Heaven, beautified with the Glory of God, whose street was pure gold as transparent glass, whose foundation was garnished with all manner of pretious stones, is said to be four-square, having an accurate proportion and symmetry in all the parts thereof, Rev. 21. 16. And thus the Apostle directed all things to be done in the Church of Christ with Decency and Order, 1 Cor. 14. 40. and rejoyced to see the Order which was in the Church of the Colossians, Col. 2. 5. ⟨p. 8⟩When every Member keepeth his own Rank, and every Officer doth his proper Duty, according to thea Pattern andb Commission given him by Christ, then is the Pastoral Office administred with the Staff of Beauty.
In one word, the Ordinances are thus the Beauty of a Church, because in and by them Christ is spiritually present therein, and the Treasures of his Grace are unfolded unto it. He who is thec chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely, who was thed desire of all Nations, and thee hope of Glory to his people, in comparison of whosef Excellencies all other things are but loss and dung, whose veryg Afflictions and Reproaches are preferred before the Pleasure and Riches of the world, in whose veryh Sufferings there is joy, he is in his Ordinancesk evidently set forth before our eyes; hisl Righteousness the Robe wherewith his Church is clothed, hism Comeliness the Beauty wherewith she is adorned, and maden high above ⟨p. 9⟩all the people in Praise, and in Name, and in Honour, by her interest in him, and relation unto him, she hath a new name given her,o Hephzibah the Lords delight, who delighteth over her as the Bridegroom over the Bride, esteeming herp his rest, his dwelling place, his desire, so thatq glorious things are spoken of her.
In one word, the Ordinances are thus the Beauty of a Church, because in and by them Christ is spiritually present therein, and the Treasures of his Grace are unfolded unto it. He who is thec chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely, who was thed desire of all Nations, and thee hope of Glory to his people, in comparison of whosef Excellencies all other things are but losse and dung, whose veryg Afflictions and Reproaches are preferred before the Pleasure and Riches of the world, in whose veryh Sufferings there is joy, he is in his Ordinancesk evidently set forth before our eyes; hisl Righteousness the Robe wherewith his Church is cloathed, hism Comlinesse the Beauty wherewith she is adorned, and maden high above ⟨p. 9⟩all the people in Praise, and in Name, and in Honour, by her interest in him, and relation unto him, she hath a new name given her,o Hephzibah the Lords delight, who deligheth over her as the Bridegroom over the Bride, esteeming herp his rest, his dwelling place, his desire, so thatq glorious things are spoken of her.
These Beauties of Christ in his Ordinances, and in his Church by means of them, were typified and prefigured by ther glorious Garments of the Priests, with allusion whereunto we are said in Baptisms to put on Christ, whose Righteousness is unto his Church a tGarment of Praise. By the splendour of the Tabernacle, and of Solomons Temple, and all the Vessels and Utensils belonging unto the Worship of God therein, all which were exceeding glorious and magnificent; for the building and providing whereof, David prepared as immense au Treasure as we shall likely read of in any History; in which ⟨p. 10⟩respect that holy house is called the Throne of Gods Glory, Jer. 14. 21. By the City Jerusalem, wthe mountain of the Lords holiness, and the Joy of the whole earth; by thex holy oil, wherewith the Tabernacle, the Ark, the holy Vessels and Priests were anointed, compounded of the principal spices after the Art of the Apothecary; by the beautiful order which was iny Solomons Family; by the dressing and preparing of az Bride for the Bridegroom, as we read of the long and costly purification of the Virgins to go into King Ahasuerus, Est. 2. 12. So here, in the Ordinances, the Spouse of Christ isa attired and made ready, being arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, and thereby bprepared unto Glory, and unto every good work. Lastly, By ac strait, smooth, even and pleasant path, wherein is no Crookedness, from whence all dstumbling blocks and offences are removed.
These Beauties of Christ in his Ordinances, and in his Church by means of them, were typified and prefigured by ther glorious Garments of the Priests, with allusion whereunto we are said in Baptisms to put on Christ, whose Righteousness is unto his Church a tGarment of Praise. By the splendor of the Tabernacle, and of Solomons Temple, and all the Vessels and Utensils belonging unto the Worship of God therein, all which were exceeding glorious and magnificent; for the building and providing whereof, David prepared as immense au Treasure as we shall likely read of in any History; in which ⟨p. 10⟩respect that holy house is called the Throne of Gods Glory, Jer. 14. 21. By the City Jerusalem, wthe mountain of the Lords holiness, and the Joy of the whole earth; by thex holy oyl, wherewith the Tabernacle, the Ark, the holy Vessels and Priests were anoynted, compounded of the principal spices after the Art of the Apothecary; by the beautiful order which was iny Solomons Family; by the dressing and preparing of az Bride for the Bridegrome, as we read of the long and costly purification of the Virgins to go into King Ahasuerus, Est. 2. 12. So here, in the Ordinances, the Spouse of Christ isa attired and made ready, being arraied in fine linnen, clean and white, and thereby bprepared unto Glory, and unto every good work. Lastly, By ac strait, smooth, even and pleasant path, wherein is no Crookedness, from whence all
The Author and Efficient of all this ⟨p. 11⟩Beauty is the Lord, all whosee works are perfect, who hath made every thing fbeautiful in his time. The sum and total of all Gods works are, the World and the Church; the world is called [Greek or Hebrew], for the Beauty and Comeliness of of it; in the which every thing wasg very good when the Lord took a view of it. But the Lord hath chosen his Church upon which to bestow more abundant Glory. It is called a Land of Ornament, Dan. 11. 16. A land of Desire, Jer. 3. 19. in the building whereof the Lord is said to appear in his Glory, Psa. 102. 16. The World is beautified with the power and wisdom of God; the Church besides that, with his Love and Grace: in the World we have the foot-prints of his Greatness, but in the Church we have the Image of his Holiness: The World was made by him, the Church like him; the World to show forth his Glory, the Church to enjoy it; the World a Tenement for his Creatures to dwell in, the Church a Palace for himself to dwell in; he hath ⟨p. 12⟩hdesired it for his Habitation, it is his Rest for ever. Above all Excellencies, Holiness is the Beauty of a Creature; and therefore the Angels, who excel in all created perfection, are above all other Appellations honoured with the name of Saints Deut. 33. 2. they differ not in nature from Devils, in Holiness they do. Derived Holiness consisteth in conformity to primitive holiness. The Lord is most holy in himself, and our holiness standeth in his Image and Likeness, so far forth as he hath by an holy Law made his Holiness a pattern for ours. And when we threw away that Image of God, wherein our created Holiness consisted, and the Lord was pleased in any of us to renew it again; he did it by the pattern of his beloved Son, who is thei Image of the invisible God, and the Character of his person, full of Grace and Truth. Now then according to the Excellency of the pattern, we are to measure, and take an estimate of that Beauty, wherein ⟨p. 13⟩we are conformable unto that pattern; and what pattern more glorious then the blessed God, and the Holy Son of God, the chiefest of ten thousand? unto whom therefore the conformity of a Creature must be its chief and principal Beauty.
The Author and Efficient of all this ⟨p. 11⟩Beauty is the Lord, all whosee works are perfect, who hath made every thing fbeautiful in his time. The summe and total of all Gods works are, the World and the Church; the world is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, for the Beauty and Comliness of of it; in the which every thing wasg very good when the Lord took a view of it. But the Lord hath chosen his Church upon which to bestow more abundant Glory. It is called a Land of Ornament, Dan. 11. 16. A land of Desire, Jer. 3. 19. in the building whereof the Lord is said to appear in his Glory, Psa. 102. 16. The World is beautified with the power and wisdom of God; the Church besides that, with his Love and Grace: in the World we have the foot-prints of his Greatness, but in the Church we have the Image of his Holiness: The World was made by him, the Church like him; the World to shew forth his Glory, the Church to enjoy it; the World a Tenement for his Creatures to dwell in, the Church a Palace for himself to dwell in; he hath ⟨p. 12⟩hdesired it for his Habitation, it is his Rest for ever. Above all Excellencies, Holiness is the Beauty of a Creature; and therefore the Angels, who excell in all created perfection, are above all other Appellations honoured with the name of Saints Deut. 33. 2. they differ not in nature from Devils, in Holinesse they do. Derived Holiness consisteth in conformity to primitive holiness. The Lord is most holy in himself, and our holiness standeth in his Image and Likeness, so far forth as he hath by an holy Law made his Holiness a pattern for ours. And when we threw away that Image of God, wherein our created Holiness consisted, and the Lord was pleased in any of us to renew it again; he did it by the pattern of his beloved Son, who is thei
1. Light and Lustre; for as a great part of the Corporal Beauty is in the life and vigour of the eye, so of spiritual Beauty in the clarity and brightness of the mind; when the Lord,a who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, shineth in our Hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; as the Sun is the greatest Beauty of the visible world, so Christ, as ab Sun of Righteousness, by thec Excellency of his knowledge, is the glory and beauty of the invisible.
1. Light and Luster; for as a great part of the Corporal Beauty is in the life and vigour of the eye, so of spiritual Beauty in the clarity and brightness of the mind; when the Lord,a who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, shineth in our Hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; as the Sun is the greatest Beauty of the visible world, so Christ, as ab Sun of Righteousness, by thec Excellency of his knowledge, is the glory and beauty of the invisible.
2. Rectitude & Straitness; the wise man thus expresseth our primitive Beauty, ⟨p. 14⟩thatd God made man perfect; and we do then recover this Beauty, when we are without eguile, and perverseness of Spirit; when we makef strait paths for our feet to walk in, andg do [Greek or Hebrew], go evenly according to the Truth of the Gospel.
2. Rectitude & Straitness; the wise man thus expresseth our primitive Beauty, ⟨p. 14⟩thatd God made man perfect; and we do then recover this Beauty, when we are without eguil, and perverseness of Spirit; when we makef strait paths for our feet to walk in, andg do 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, go evenly according to the Truth of the Gospel.
3. Integrity andh Completeness; when all the parts and members of the new man are formed in us, and we do partake of thei fullness of Christ, Grace for Grace, as the Child of his parent, member for member. The Lord in the Law would not accept of a maimed Offering, Levit. 22 21, 22. And when we offer up our selves ak living Sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, we must bel sanctified throughout, and our whole Spirit, Soul, and Body must be preserved blameless: for wherever Christ is formed, though it be but in measure as to the degrees of Grace, yet that measure must be them measure of every part, so that there is at once both [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], as the Apostle speaks, ⟨p. 15⟩a measure in regard of the Imperfection of every Grace, and yet a fullness in regard of the perfection of every part, or member of the new man.
3. Integrity andh Compleatness; when all the parts and members of the new man are formed in us, and we do partake of thei fulness of Christ, Grace for Grace, as the Child of his parent, member for member. The Lord in the Law would not accept of a maimed Offering, Levit. 22 21, 22. And when we offer up our selves ak living Sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, we must bel sanctified throughout, and our whole Spirit, Soul, and Body must be preserved blameless: for wherever Christ is formed, though it be but in measure as to the degrees of Grace, yet that measure must be them measure of every part, so that there is at once both 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as the Apostle speaks, ⟨p. 15⟩a measure in regard of the Imperfection of every Grace, and yet a fulnesse in regard of the perfection of every part, or member of the new man.
4. Symmetry and an exact proportion of parts, and equal temperament of humours one with another, which in regard of Spiritual Beauty is called by nthe Apostle [Greek or Hebrew], an exactness of Obedience; when there is such a due temper of Piety to God, Sobriety to our selves, and Righteousness to others, that none of these do obstruct the other, but that there is an equalo respect to all Gods Commandments, and such a supply and accurate distribution of vital influence, unto every member of the new man, that no part doth either swell or wither, that Zeal is not blind, nor Knowledge unfruitful, nor Faith without Love, nor the Duties of one Table without those of another; but that we g•ow up untop Christ in all things, and have an effectual working in the measure of every part.
4. Symmetry and an exact proportion of parts, and equal temperament of humours one with another, which in regard of Spiritual Beauty is called by nthe Apostle 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, an exactnesse of Obedience; when there is such a due temper of Piety to God, Sobriety to our selves, and Righteousness to others, that none of these do obstruct the other, but that there is an equalo respect to all Gods Commandments, and such a supply and accurate distribution of vital influence, unto every member of the new man, that no part doth either swell or wither, that Zeal is not blind, nor Knowledge unfruitful, nor Faith without Love, nor the Duties of one Table without those of another; but that we g•ow up untop Christ in all things, and have an effectual working in the measure of every part.
5. Growth and Progress in these proportions; for while we are in this world, we are still in our Minority, and therefore must still be contending towards perfection. To be a man in years, and a child in stature, is an unbeautiful thing. Christ hath no Dwarfs in his body; though one man attain greater degrees of perfection then another, yet all are in a growing condition: the life of Christ in us being aa life that abounds; and his Grace like theb waters of the Sanctuary rising up higher and higher.
Image of the invisible God, and the Character of his person, full of Grace and Truth. Now then according to the Excellency of the pattern, we are to measure, and take an estimate of that Beauty, wherein
⟨p. 13⟩
we are conformable unto that pattern; and what pattern more glorious then the blessed God, and the Holy Son of God, the chiefest of ten thousand? unto whom therefore the conformity of a Creature must be its chief and principal Beauty.
