2. Zerubbabel must not be without the Word of the Lord. In the building of Gods House Magistrates must wait upon ⟨p. 30⟩the mouth of God for direction and counsel. It is no less then eight times observed in one chapter, Exod. 40. that in the setting up of the Tabernacle and worship of God, Moses did every thing as the Lord commanded Moses; for so he had received his instructions, Exod. 25. 9. And in like manner David gave unto Solomon his son the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, 1 Chron. 28. 11, 12. So runs the Apostles commission from Christ, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,1 Mat. 28. 20. Non ex Arbitrio Deo serviendum sed ex Imperio, saith Tertullian. 2Even Heathens would have their superstitious services done by rule, Semper Agatne Rogat, nec nisi jussus agit. If men,3 who may err and mistake in their commands, are offended with such as disobey them, though thereby they do them better service, judging it a corrupting and despising of commands, when they be not obeyed, 4though they be mended: How much more must the most wise God be offended with us, when we do his work not according unto his will, but our own, thereby presuming to see what is meet and convenient better then God himself, thereby taking upon us to be controllers of his wisdom,5 as learned Hooker speaks.6 It was a very ⟨p. 31⟩pious proposal which Sigismond the Emperor made to the Council of Trent, as we read in the learned review of that Counsel, That they would conform their constitutions to the obligation of the Law of God. Certainly the more Religion and the Church of God is settled by the Rule of the Word, the less matter of mere dispute and discrimination is admitted, the less of divided ends, and mere humane interest, and partial design is attended, the more men seek the Glory of God, the Salvation of men, the Peace of the Church, the more they do in simplicity and godly sincerity consider what is intrinsically, and in natura rei, necessary, what hic & nunc, expedient for edification, what course will be most healing, most uniting, most likely to establish truth, peace, and holiness in the Church, to close up the divided minds of men, and cement them in that wherein they may all agree, or draw as near as may be to an agreement;
2. Zerubbabel must not be without the Word of the Lord. In the building of Gods House Magistrates must waite upon ⟨p. 30⟩the mouth of God for direction and counsel. It is no lesse then eight times observed in one chapter, Exod. 40. that in the setting up of the Tabernacle and worship of God, Moses did every thing as the Lord commanded Moses; for so he had received his instructions, Exod. 25. 9. And in like manner David gave unto Solomon his son the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, 1 Chron. 28. 11, 12. So runs the Apostles commission from Christ, teaching them to observe al things whatsoever I have commanded you,1 Mat. 28. 20. Non ex Arbitrio Deo serviendum sed ex Imperio, saith Tertullian. 2Even Heathens would have their superstitious services done by rule, Semper Agatne Rogat, nec nisi jussus agit. If men,3 who may erre and mistake in their commands, are offended with such as disobey them, though thereby they do them better service, judging it a corrupting and despising of commands, when they be not obeyed, 4though they be mended: How much more must the most wise God be offended with us, when we do his work not according unto his will, but our own, thereby presuming to see what is meet and convenient better then God himself, thereby taking upon us to be controlers of his wisdome,5 as learned Hooker speaks.6 It was a very ⟨p. 31⟩pious proposal which Sigismond the Emperour made to the Councel of Trent, as we read in the learned review of that Counsel, That they would conforme their constitutions to the obligation of the Law of God. Certainly the more Religion and the Church of God is setled by the Rule of the VVord, the lesse matter of meere dispute and discrimination is admitted, the less of divided ends, and meere humane interest, and partial designe is attended, the more men seek the Glory of God, the Salvation of men, the Peace of the Church, the more they do in simplicity and godly sincerity consider what is intrinsecally, and in natura rei, necessary, what hic & nunc, expedient for edification, what course will be most healing, most uniting, most likely to establish truth, peace, and holinesse in the Church, to close up the divided mindes of men, and cement them in that wherein they may all agree, or draw as neer as may be to an agreement;
- 1Tertul. de Praescript. cap. 6.
- 2Vid. Brisson de formulis. l. 1. p. 12.
- 3A. Gel. l. 1. c. 13
- 4Pereunte obsequio etiam imperium intercidit. Tacit. Hist. l. 1.
- 5Hooker l. 2. sect. 6.
- 6Lib. 6. c. 6.
