N01905:72
A vision in the temple. The Lord of Hosts, adored; and the King of Glory proclaimed; on a day of prayer kept (May 10. 1721) at the opening of the New Brick Meeting House in the north part of Boston, by the ministers of the city, with the Society which built it, & this day swarmed into it. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S. ; [Two lines from Isaiah]
Boston: printed for Robert Starkey. And sold, 1721
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
3. On the account of their holding forth of light. Our Saviour said Matt. 5.15. Neither do men light a Candle and put it under a bushel, but on a Candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the House. As the Churches receive light from Christ, even the revealed truths of God; So they should hold them forth by professing them, Endeavouring ⟨p. 12⟩that others also may understand them. With the mouth confession is made. Rom. 10.10. they should confess Christ and his truths before men. 1. Tim. 3.15. The Church of the living God, the Pillar and ground of the truth. Edicts or Proclamations, are some times fastened on Posts and Pillars, that they may be read by those that pass by; Churches should be as ready to exhibit light, even the knowledge of the things of God, This they should do.
3. On the account of their holding forth of light. Our Saviour said Matt. 5.15. Neither do men light a Candle and put it under a •ushel, but on a Candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the House. As the Churches receive light from Christ, even the revealed truths of God; So they should hold them forth by professing them, Indeavouring ⟨p. 12⟩that others also may understand them. With the mouth confession is made. Rom. 10.10. they should confess Christ and his truths before men. 1. Tim. 3.15. The Church of the living God, the Pillar and ground of the truth. Edicts or Procalmations, are some times fastned on Posts and Pillars, that they may be read by those that pass by; Churches should be as ready to exhibite light, even the knowledge of the things of God, This they should do.
1. By their Ministers (whom they have chosen) Preaching the truth• of Christ. These things command and teach. 1 Tim. 4.11. Ministers should be faithful men, able to teach others. 2 Tim. 2.2. And they should teach or preach the Word, viz. of Christ, as was said but now. 2. Timo. 4 2. Ministers in Churches are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. They should Shine, should be burning and shining lights; they should Enlighten others. Matt. 5.14. Ye are the light of the World, a City set on an Hill, cannot be hid.
1. By their Ministers (whom they have chosen) Preaching the truth• of Christ. These things command and teach. 1 Tim. 4.11. Ministers should be faithful men, able to teach others. 2 Tim. 2.2. And they should teach or preach the Word, viz. of Christ, as was said but now. 2. Timo. 4 2. Ministers in Churches are called Stars, Rev. 1.20. They should Shine, should be burning and shining lights; they should Inlighten others. Matt. 5.14. Ye are the light of the World, a City set on an Hill, cannot be hid.
2. In their Conversation. They should ⟨p. 13⟩exhibit light to others in the Examples they set before them, even in conforming their behaviour to the Word of Christ which is a light. Phil. 2.15, 16. that ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glori•e your Father which is in heaven, 1 Pet. 2.12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. The Churches of Christ should shine in good works, in all holy conversation and godliness.
2. In their Conversation. They should ⟨p. 13⟩exhibit light to others in the Examples they set before them, even in conforming their behaviour to the Word of Christ which is a light. Phil. 2.15, 16. that ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glori•e your Father which is in heaven, 1 Pet. 2.12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorifie God in the day of visitation. The Churches of Christ should shine in good works, in all holy conversation and godliness.
3. In their Discipline. An holy Discipline should be upheld in the Churches of Christ, they should put difference between the clean and unclean▪ Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, Eph. 5.11. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle, note that man, ⟨p. 14⟩and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed, 2 Thes. 3.14. It was the commendation of the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, Rev. 2.2. Thou canst not bear them that are evil. Our Saviour with a Scourge of small cords, drove several out of the Temple, who practised disorderly there, John 2.17. Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person, 1 Cor. 5.13. See also Rom. 16.17. 1 Cor. 5.11. A man that is an heretic, after the first & second admonition reject, Tit. 3.20. Those in Churches, that are heretical, or scandalous in life, if they won't be reclaimed by proper means used with them, should be Excommunicated, Mat. 18.17. Again,
3. In their Discipline. An holy Discipline should be upheld in the Churches of Christ, they should put difference between the clean and unclean▪ Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them,
4. Candlesticks are removable things, they may be taken from one place and set in an other•, So the Church-state and Privileges of this or that particular People or Society, may possibly be taken from them. Rev. 2 5. Repent and do thy first works, or else I will come unto the quickly, and will remove thy Candlestick out of it's place, except thou Repent. q. e. Repent and reform, else ⟨p. 15⟩I will soon unchurch you, you shall cease from being in a Church-state, and having the Privileges thereof. Those who wickedly pervert and abuse their Church-state & Privileges, are in danger of losing them. What said our Lord to the Jews, Matt. 21.41 The Kingdom of Heaven shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Abused mercies are often withdrawn▪ those lifted as it were to Heaven in Privileges, may be as Remarkably cast down and punished for abusing them.
4. Candlesticks are removable things, they may be taken from one place and set in an other•, So the Church-state and Priviledges of this or that partiuclar People or Societie, may possibly be taken from them. Rev. 2 5. Repent and do thy first works, or else I will come unto the quickly, and will remove thy Candlestick out of it's place, except thou Repent. q. e. Repent and reform, else ⟨p. 15⟩I will soon unchurch you, you shall cease from being in a Church-state, and having the Priviledges thereof. Those who wickedly pervert and abuse their Church-state & Priviledges, are in danger of loseing them. What said our Lord to the Jews, Matt. 21.41 The Kingdom of Heaven shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Abused mercies are often withdrawn▪ those lifted as it were to Heaven in Priviledges, may be as Remarkably cast down and punished for abusing them.
Having thus showed in a few hints, that Churches may be compared to Candlesticks. We proceed to▪
Having thus shewed in a few hints, that Churches may be compared to Candlesticks. We proceed to▪
Prop. 2. They are compared to Candlesticks of Gold; they are, or should be, Golden Candlesticks. Their being compared to Gold, may note their purity & preciousness 1. Their purity. The Candlestick in the Tabernacle, was called the pure Candlestick, Le. 24.4. It was made of pure Gold, Exo 25.31· It was Gold that had no base alloy or mixture in it. So, the Churches of Christ should be pure. They should be pure in their Doctrine, their Faith; believing, professing, ⟨p. 16⟩& (by their Ministers) teaching agreeably to the Holy Scriptures. They should not teach for doctrines the commandments of men. Mat 15.4. nor corrupt the Word of God, 2 Cor. 2.17. They should be pure in their Worship; Worshipping of God in spirit and in truth, John 4.24. and making Gods Word their Rule, even in the whole external part of Worship. They should as far as possible, do all things according to the Pattern in the Mount. They should carefully avoid Humane Inventions, and Impositions in the Worship of God. If men lift up their tool on Gods Altar, in fashioning of it, they pollute it, Exo. 20.25. Churches should keep close to Scripture rule, Lev. 18.4. Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances, to walk therein, I am the Lord your God. Jer. 11.4. Obey my voice and do them, according to all that I command you; so shall ye be my people, and I will be▪ your God. We should walk in all the Ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless, Luke 1.6. bu• our fear toward him, should not be taught by the precepts of men, Isa. 20.13. In worshipping ⟨p. 17⟩of God the holy Scriptures are a sufficient Rule, they ought not to add to it, nor detract from it; they should to the law and to the testimony as the Rule,
So, if any in the Churches of Christ, are a reproach and scandal to their holy profession; those Churches should bear due testimony against them. As the Churches of Christ should be pure in their doctrine, worship, conversation, ⟨p. 18⟩discipline; •o […] may be compared to Gold, with respect,
So, if any in the Churches of Christ, are a reproach and scandal to their holy profession; those Churches should bear due testimony against them. As the Churches of Christ should be pure in their doctrine, worship, conversation, ⟨p. 18⟩discipline; •o 〈…〉 may be compared to Gold, with resp•ct,
2. To their preciousness. We know, that Gold is commonly much set by, much valued and esteemed, reckoned to be of great worth, very excellent and precious. Hence we have those phrases Ezra. 8.27. precious as Gold. Isa. 13.12. More precious than fine gold—than the golden wedge of Ophir. Well, the Churches of Christ, his People, his Saints, they are precious and valuable in his sight, Isa. 43.4. Since thou wast• precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee. Christ's people, are a peculiar treasure to him above all people. Exod. 19.5. The Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Psal. 135.4. His people are his Jewels, M•l. 3.17 Yea, they are dear and precious to him as the Apple of his eye, Zech 2.8. When his Churches, his People, his Saint walks in his Ways, observe his Commandments to do them; then he is glorified in and by them, he takes pleasure in them, and will be more choice and careful of ⟨p. 19⟩them, than any man in the world is of his treasures of Gold. The Lords People are precious in his sight, highly valued, esteemed, and cared for by him. He is pleased with them, and with their sincere Duties too. Their Faith is more precious than Gold. 1 Pet. 1.7. Their faith is more pleasing to Christ, as well as more profitable to themselves, than any gold could possibly be to any. So, he takes pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Psal. 147.11. A meek and quiet spirit, is in God's sight of great price. 1. Pet. 3.4. The prayer of the Upright is his delight,
Having showed, that the Churches ⟨p. 20⟩of Christ are compared to Candlesticks, yea, to Golden Candlesticks, we may proceed to
Having shewed, that the Churches ⟨p. 20⟩of Christ are compared to Candlesticks, yea, to Golden Candlesticks, we may proceed to
Pro. 3. The Lord Jesus walks in the midst of them. The Lord Jesus is God as well as man, and so is every where present; fills Heaven and Earth, (Jer. 23.24.) can't be Included in any place, nor Excluded out of any. But his walking in the midst of his Churches, the Golden Candlesticks; may Intimate to us,
1. That he is wakeful and watchful, Walking, is not a posture of Sleepiness or Drowsiness, Psal. 121.3, 4 He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep.
1. That he is wakeful and watchful, Walking, is not a posture of Sleepiness or Drowziness, Psal. 121.3, 4 He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep.
2. That he critically observes his Churches, all of them, all Persons in then▪ and all things that concern them. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, Prov. 15.3. He says unto the Churches, I know thy works ▪ He says, All the Churches shall know, that I am He which searcheth the Reins and the Heart, Rev 2.19, 23. ⟨p. 21⟩He knows the means they have, the privileges and advantages they have for Spiritual Good▪ and observes how they Improve them. He observes whether they are Ignorant or Knowing in the things of God; whether they are sound or erroneous in their belief; whether they are sincere or hypocritical in their Profession; whether they seek him in due order; whether their external and internal Worship, be according to the Rules of the Gospel; whether their Conversation be Loose and Irregular, or such •s becomes the Gospel of Christ. He observes, whether they keep the Faith and Order of the Gospel; he observes the good they enjoy, the good they do, & evils they do; also the evils and afflictions which they suffer. He walks among them, and critically observes and views every thing (of one nature or another) which concerns them.
2. That he critically observes his Churches, all of them, all Persons in then▪ and all things that concern them. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, Prov. 15.3. He says unto the Churches, I know thy works ▪ He says, All the Churches shall know, that I am He which searcheth the Reins and the Heart, Rev 2.19, 23. ⟨p. 21⟩He knows the means they have, the priviledges and advantages they have for Spiritual Good▪ and observes how they Improve them. He observes whether they are Ignorant or Knowing in the things of God; whether they are sound or erronious in their belief; whether they are sincere or hypocritical in their Profession; whether they seek him in due order; whether their external and internal Worship, be according to the Rules of the Gospel; whether their Conversation be Loose and Irregular, or such s becomes the Gospel of Christ. He observes, whether they keep the Faith and Order of the Gospel; he observes the good they enjoy, the good they do, & evils they do; also the evils and afflictions which they suffer. He walks among them, and critically observes and views every thing (of one nature or another) which concerns them.
3. His taking pleasure in them; if behave themselves well. Persons often walk for pleasure and delight, in those places which are agreeable and desirable ⟨p. 22⟩to them. The Lord takes pleasure in his people, and in their graces; as was showed under the head of their preciousness, being more precious than Gold. Cant. 4 16. Awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my Garden; that the spices thereof may fl•w out: Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Never did any take so much pleasure in his Garden, and in eating the best fruits of it; as the Lord does in his sincere Saints, and their sincere duties.
3. His taking pleasure in them; if behave themselves well. Persons often walk for pleasure and delight, in those places which are agreeable and desirable ⟨p. 22⟩to them. The Lord takes pleasure in his people, and in their graces; as was shew'd under the head of their preciousness, being more precious than Gold. Cant. 4 16. Awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my Garden; that the spices thereof may fl•w out: Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Never did any take so much pleasure in his Garden, and in eating the best fruits of it; as the Lord does in his sincere Saints, and their sincere duties.
4. His smiling or frowning on them, according as they do well or ill. He does not walk among his Churches merely as an idle Spectator, that only observes them, but does not concern himself any further about them. No, indeed, but he's ready to help and relieve, or chastise and punish them according to what their behaviour is. 2 Chron. 15 2. The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. The more humbly and closely any Churches walk with Christ, diligently conforming themselves ⟨p. 23⟩to his holy Laws and Institutions: So much the more reason they have to expect his gracious, protecting, supplying presence with them. He said to the Church of Philadelphia, ver 3.10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will kept thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. What says God of his Vineyard? Isa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day. Tho' it's true, that a Churches walking carefully in the ways of Christ, does not altogether exempt them from sore afflictions and trials; no fault was mentioned against the Church of Smyrna, yet they were to suffer, to have tribulation ten days, some of them must be cast into prison, Rev. 2.8, 10. Yet the more careful they are to please Christ, so much the more reason they have to expect his protection and favour, as they are a Society; but considered ⟨p. 24⟩personally as sincere Saints (if such they are) it's certain, that all things shall work together for their good. Rom. 8.28. And if God be for them, who can be against them? v. 31. Again, the Lord Jesus walks among his Churches, to testify against, and to punish those things that are displeasing and provoking to him. He says,
so he'll burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, Mat. 3.12. If Churches provoke their Holy and Jealous Lord and King, they may expect •is terrible Frowns and Judgments on them in this World; as well as the wicked persons therein his eternal Vengeance in the next, unless true faith, repentance and reformation prevent the same; for God will render ⟨p. 25⟩to every man according to his deeds. Ro· 2.6. He will bring every work into Judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Eccl. 12.14. We must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it good or bad. 2 Cor. 5.10.
Prop. 2. They are compared to Candlesticks of Gold; they are, or should be, Golden Candlesticks. Their being compar'd to Gold, may note their purity & preciousness 1. Their purity. The Candlestick in the Tabernacle, was called the pure Candlestick, Le. 24.4. It was made of pure Gold, Exo 25.31· It was Gold that had no base alloy or mixture in it. So, the Churches of Christ should be pure. They should be pure in their Doctrine, their Faith; believing, professing, ⟨p. 16⟩& (by their Ministers) teaching agreeably to the Holy Scriptures. They should not teach for doctrines the commandments of men. Mat 15.4. nor corrupt the Word of God, 2 Cor. 2.17. They should be pure in their Worship; Worshiping of God in spirit and in truth, John 4.24. and making Gods Word their Rule, even in the whole external part of Worship. They should as far as possible, do all things according to the Pattern in the Mount. They should carefully avoid Humane Inventions, and Impositions in the Worship of God. If men lift up their tool on Gods Altar, in fashioning of it, they pollute it, Exo. 20.25. Churches should keep close to Scrip•ure rule, Lev. 18.4. Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances, to walk therein, I am the Lord your God. Jer. 11.4. Obey my voice and do them, according to all that I command you; so shall ye be my people, and I will be▪ your God. We should walk in all the Ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless, Luke 1.6. bu• our fear toward him, should not be taught by the precepts of men, Isa. 20.13. In worshipping ⟨p. 17⟩of God the holy Scriptures are a sufficient Rule, they ought not to add to it, nor detract from it; they should to the law and to the testimony as the Rule, Isa. 8.20 All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for rep•oof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God ma• be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3.16 They should be pure in their Conversation; having clean hands, pure hearts, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. As he who hath called them is holy, so they should be holy in all manner of conversation, 1 Pet. 1.15. They should be pure also in their Discipline, as was hinted before. Candlesticks oft contract that filth, or those spots, which should be rubb'd off and done away.
2. To their preciousness. We know, that Gold is commonly much set by, much valued and esteemed, reckoned to be of great worth, very excellent and precious. Hence we have those phrases Ezra. 8.27. precious as Gold. Isa. 13.12. More precious than fine gold—than the golden wedge of Ophir. Well, the Churches of Christ, his People, his Saints, they are precious and valuable in his sight, Isa. 43.4. Since thou wast• precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee. Christ's people, are a peeuliar treasure to him above all people. Exod. 19.5. The Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Psal. 135.4. His people are his Jewels, M•l. 3.17 Yea, they are dear and precious to him as the Apple of his eye, Zech 2.8. When his Churches, his People, his Saint walks in his Ways, observe his Commandments to do them; then he is glorified in and by them, he takes pleasure in them, and will be more choice and careful of ⟨p. 19⟩them, than any man in the world is of his treasures of Gold. The Lords People are precious in his sight, highly valued, esteemed, and cared for by him. He is pleas'd with them, and with their sincere Duties too. Their Faith is more precious than Gold. 1 Pet. 1.7. Their faith is more pleasing to Christ, as well as more profitable to themselves, than any gold could possibly be to any. So, he takes pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Psal. 147.11. A meek and quiet spirit, is in God's sight of great price. 1. Pet. 3.4. The prayer of the Upright is his delight, Prov. 15.8. Christ says to his Spouse, Cant. 2.14. Let me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Sincere Saints, and all their sincere Services, are precious, desirable, delightful to the Lord Jesus; he's more pleased with them than men are with their richest treasures, and will be more careful to preserve their persons from destructive evils.
4. His smiling or frowning on them, according as they do well or ill. He does not walk among his Churches meerly as an idle Spectator, that only observes them, but does not concern himself any further about them. No, indeed, but he's ready to help and relieve, or chastize and punish them according to what their behaviour is. 2 Chron. 15 2. The Lord is with you, while ye bewith him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. The more humbly and closely any Churches walk with Christ, diligently conforming themselves ⟨p. 23⟩to his holy Laws and Institutions: So much the more reason they have to expect his gracious, protecting, supplying presence with them. He said to the Church of Philadelphia, ver 3.10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will kept thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. What says God of his Vineyard? Isa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day. Tho' it's true, that a Churches walking carefully in the ways of Christ, does not altogether exempt them from sore afflictions and trials; no fault was mentioned against the Church of Smyrna, yet they were to suffer, to have tribulation ten days, some of them must be cast into prison, Rev. 2.8, 10. Yet the more careful they are to please Christ, so much the more reason they have to expect his protection and favour, as they are a Society; but considered ⟨p. 24⟩personally as sincere Saints (if such they are) it's certain, that all things shall work together for their good. Rom. 8.28. And if God be for them, who can be against them? v. 31. Again, the Lord Jesus walks among his Churches, to testifie against, and to punish those things that are displeasing and provoking to him. He says, Rev. 2.16.22, 23. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit Adultry with her into great tribulation.—I will give unto every one of you according to your works. The Lord Jesus has his fan in his hand, he'll thro'ly purge his floor: as he'll gather the wheat into his garners;
