1642 THOMAS HODGES. Covenanter on the Means of Displaying the Glory of God

A deeply moving sermon on the role of Christian ministry of displaying before humanity the glory of God and a sort of order of God's blessing for the individual and nation. Hodges begins by arguing, rightly I should think, that a nation seems to glory of God as it is shown in individually godly people, so that the chief work of grace rests at the local level and the individual level, not the governmental.

Perhaps we can hear Hodges here pushing back against the more strident branch of the Covenanted Presbyterians of the Westminster Assembly who thought of the Parliament and the Westminster Assembly as God's primary method for setting up a Presbyterian theocracy.

Many of the more moderate Presbyterians, Independents, and Congregationalists in the Westminster Assembly resisted this call, including, it seems, our man Hodges. . . though he was a Covenanter and still earnestly rebukes magistrates for their unwillingness to prosecute crimes of ungodliness and their complicity in de-Christianizing England. 

As an historical aside, it was precisely the sort of Covenanted theocratic Presbyterianism that led Roger Williams to say he feared the Presbyterians would no better than a hoard of Little Popes. 

Thomas Hodges [1600-1672] was a prominent Puritan, member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, and theologically a Covenanter. This makes the present sermon all the more interesting as he tries to thread a needle of believing in the importance of a godly Civil Government as a means of grace, while at the same time recognizing that national godliness cannot be imposed downard from the air of governmental power, but must grow from the rich local soil of the individual and local ministry. 

And what is our ministry set up by this God in the world for? Is it not to turne poore undone men from darknesse to light, and from this spirituall bondage to the living God? But how shall we performe this taske, unlesse by endeavouring so to bring this glorious God to light before them, that they may discerne what a glory they have sleighted; and mourne, what a goodnesse they have turned their back on, and change their mind; making for the future this God their end, and ayme in all their actions, and so make their soules straight steps toward the injoyment of him?

. . .

[Why God's glory has withdrawn] The remisnesse, and coldnesse of many Magistrates in drawing the sword of Justice against bringers of God low. They are not affected with Gods dishonour as they ought to be; they can well enough indure (contrary to Moses president) to heare Gods name struck through, torne in pieces, and trampled on by bloody oathes; his day prophaned, his Ordinances neglected, or sleightly used; his people wronged, and abused; yet here, like Davids Idol, they have eyes, and see not, eares, and heare not, &c. but if by complaint made to them, they are forced to heare, they think as sleightly and accordingly proceed, as sometimes a Festus did of Paul, and his cause, as if these things were not worth heeding; which sleighting and regardlesnesse of theirs, strengthens the hands of God-debasing people in their prophaneness. 

Hodges, Thomas. Rector of the Church at Kensington neere London. A Glimpse of God's Glory as it was Presented in a Sermon in St. Margarets Westminster, before the Honorable House of Commons at the late Solemne Fast, September 28, 1642. London. Printed by John Bartlett and are to be sold at the Gilt Cup in Pauls Church-yard neere S. Austins Gate. 1642 41pp.

Bound in a circa late 19th or early 20th century simple quarter kyvar or similar with rubbing on spine and through at points. Still very serviceable. Complete title through final sheet, no half title. Minor worm trace through center of block not obscuring textual use.