2 Order must be had in all things, especially in heavenly things: for if in all Arts there be an order, it were ill to think that in the science of sciences there should be confusion. We shall see an order even in God himself: in the Trinity, though all the persons be equal, yet there is an established order of the second person, of the third person, though not for essence, which is indivisible, yet for better order, of teaching of us to come to the knowledge of God. And as God is an order in himself, so he requireth and commandeth an order to be used. 1. Cor. 14. 40. It is the decree of the Apostle as a general rule, Let all things be done in order. Coloss. 2. 5. Paul rejoiceth that they had order among them: but 1. Thess. 4. he describing notable wicked fellows, notes them by this, that they walked inordinately, nothing was first or last with them, they did all with disorder. Lastly, Job. 10. Hell it self is noted to be a place, where there is no order, and therefore inordinate walkers do well belong to that place. So that generally we see by the Lord, by his works, by the godly, by the wicked, that order is good: much more is order requisite in action. The1 wise men saw that the deed done in such a preposterous & confused manner, is as good as not done. Now if this be so in all actions, much more must it be in the commandments of the Lord. 1. Sam. 2. there is mention made, how the children of Heli whilst the meat was yet a seething, they fetched it forth of the pot with flesh-hooks, and though they did afterward burn the fat for sacrifice, which should be the special thing to be done in order, though (I say) they did not omit to sacrifice; yet for that they served themselves first, who should have been last, and so served the Lord at last, who should have been first, it is noted as a special sin provoking the wrath of God. A plainer case than this is in the new Testament, Matth. 6. where an order is in seeking: First seek the kingdom of God, then, &c. Here is first. and then a plain order. He that was called in the Gospel to follow Christ, though he denied not absolutely to follow, but would follow somewhat preposterously, though he desired but first to take his leave of his friends, and then would be a follower; he had a repulse, he had a check for it;
2 Order must be had in all things, especially in heauenly things: for if in all Arts there be an order, it were ill to thinke that in the science of sciences there should bee confusion. We shall see an order euen in God himselfe: in the Trinitie, though all the persons bee equall, yet there is an established order of the second person, of the third person, though not for essence, which is indiuisible, yet for better order, of teaching of vs to come to the knowledge of God. And as God is an order in himselfe, so he requireth and commandeth an order to bee vsed. 1. Cor. 14. 40. It is the decree of the Apostle as a generall rule, Let all things be done in order. Coloss. 2. 5. Paul reioyceth that they had order among them: but 1. Thess. 4. he describing notable wicked fellowes, notes them by this, that they walked inordinately, nothing was first or last with them, they did all with disorder. Lastly, Iob. 10. Hell it selfe is noted to bee a place, where there is no order, and therefore inordinate walkers doe well belong to that place. So that generally we see by the Lord, by his workes, by the godly, by the wicked, that order is good: much more is order requisit in action. The1 wise men saw that the deede done in such a preposterous & confused manner, is as good as not done. Now if this be so in all actions, much more must it be in the commandements of the Lord. 1. Sam. 2. there is mention made, how the children of Heli whilest the meate was yet a seething, they fetched it foorth of the pot with flesh-hookes, and though they did afterward burne the fat for sacrifice, which should bee the speciall thing to bee done in order, though (I say) they did not omit to sacrifice; yet for that they serued themselues first, who should haue beene last, and so serued the Lord at last, who should haue been first, it is noted as a special sinne prouoking the wrath of God. A plainer case than this is in the new Testament, Matth. 6. where an order is in seeking: First seeke the kingdome of God, then, &c. Here is first. and then a plaine order. Hee that was called in the Gospell to follow Christ, though he denied not absolutely to follow, but would follow somewhat preposterously, though he desired but first to take his leaue of his friends, and then would be a follower; he had a repulse, hee had a checke for it;
- 1Praeposteratio annihilat actum.
