A85443:61
Zerubbabels encouragement to finish the temple. A sermon preached before the honourable House of…
Zerubbabels encouragement to finish the temple. A sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons, at their late solemn fast, Apr. 27. 1642. By Tho. Goodwin, B.D. Published by order from that House.Zerubbabels encouragement to finish the temple. A sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons, at their late solemne fast, Apr. 27. 1642. By Tho. Goodwin, B.D. Published by order from that House.
London: printed for R. Dawlman, 1642
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.
Is a word of Caution:1 For if the worship of God and every part of it doth so much concern Gods glory, (as hath been showed in the Reason of this Doctrine) then take heed how you meddle with it. Be sure you set the service of the house of the Lord in its right order, (as the phrase is of Hezekiahs Reformation, 2 Chron. 29. 35.) and that according to clear light from the word of truth. Know and consider, that you meddle with edged ⟨p. 39⟩tools, when you take this work in hand. Which I speak, not to discourage you from it; but to make you wary in, and attentive to it, more then all the works you ever did set your hands and hearts unto. It was a good and a religious purpose in David to bring back the Ark; and for the substance of the duty, he was right in it; he mistook but in the order: he set it upon a cart, when as the Priests shoulders should have carried it. Himself thus speaks of it, We sought not God after the due order, (that is, Gods Institution) 1 Chro. 15. 30. And when it was like to fall, (God confuting thereby their error) Uzzah did but touch it to keep it up, (and that too was done out of a good zeal) God smote him for it; though God himself acknowledgeth it to have been but an error, or rashness in him, even when he smote him, 2 Sam. 6. 7. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him for his [error.] But yet it was an error about the Ark, (Gods worship,) and a small one there is dangerous. But you will then say, We had best not meddle with it at all, but let it alone, and leave it as it is. It is true, that David himself in his fear had just the same thoughts, 1 Chron. 13. 12. David was afraid of God that day, How (says he) shall I bring the Ark of God home to me? If men be stricken thus for touching of it, God be merciful to me, (thought he) let it rather remain where it is. So David brought not the Ark home to himself, but carried it aside into the house of Obed Edom, ver. 13. But God did soon confute him of this his error also; for the 14. ver. tells ⟨p. 40⟩