the world what though they should professe to have their conversation in heaven in respect of holy duties unblameable conversation and sweet carriage in doing good and in not being of the world free in outward appearance from covetousness and covetous practises and free from uncleanness filthiness and fordidness of living and what though they should seem to join with the people of God in carrying on the cause of God and interest of Christ against the common enemy yet if they should be and do all this and much more then this if they should not do it from that principle which is proper to Christians but from a principle of violence from without or a principle set on work by virtue of an end that is not suitable and congruous unto the great end that Christ propoundeth then certainly all the glory and honour of these men would lie in the dust notwithstanding all the three former and this is on purpose brought in to spoil the claim and title of the best painted hypocrite or false Christian though acting in the most glorious garb and carriage of himself And therefore mark and consider what was the principle of Jesus Christ Here some were observed to sit and â—eep from which he acted if any of you are sleepy and drowsie rouze up your selves for this is of great importance The principle by which Christ Jesus had his being in the world and acted and suffered and carried on the work that appertained to him it was the spirit of God as you heard before in the 61 of Isaiah the first The spirit of the Lord is upon me and he hath anointed me the spirit hath anointed me nay the spirit is that anointing in the book of Exodus a place formerly hinted you There the composition of that holy anointing oil which was to be poured upon the type of Jesus Christ the high Priest Aaron and upon his sons and upon all the holy vessels and utensils of the Tabernacle is at large described it is compounded of the richest spices the most aromatical the most odoriferous spices together with the oil Olive an Hin as it is there expressed in the 30. of Exodus the 23. 24. Thou shalt take to thee principall spices of pure Myrrhe five hundred shekels and of sweet Cinamon half so much two hundred and fifty shekels and of sweet Calamus two hundred and fifty shekels and of Cassia five hundred shekels after the shekel of the Sanctuary and of the oil olive an Hin and this ointment was to be madeafter the Art of the Apothecary the ingredients to be exactly weighed as the textspeaks And thou shaltant ointwith this ointment the Tabernacle and the Ark the vessels and thou shalt sanctifie them that they may be most holy and thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them that they may minister to me in the Priests office Now this was but a Typical representation of that holy anointing of Jesus Christ by the spirit and the anointing of his sons his people his children his disciples after him And in the Canticles when Christ comes to look after his spouse comparing her to a garden my sister my spouse is a Well inclosed a Fountain sealed c. thy plants are an Orchard of Pome-granates with pleasant fruits with Camphire Spicknard Saffron Calamus Crynamon Myrrhe Aloes and the like Now these spices of Arabia foelix those aromaticall spices in those hot countries of the world they are of a most pleasant smell and as Jesus Christ was made pleasant by the anointing of the holy Ghost grace was poured into his lips he spake as never man spake and grace was poured into his whole conversation his whole carriage savoured of the sweetness of the spirit of God So if you are Christians you are anointed with the self same spirit if any here say they are Christians and have not the spirit of Christ they are not Christians they are none of his Disciples For if they were of his Disciples and Christians they have received of this anointing it would run down from him the Head upon the Officers of the church and then upon every one even to the door-keepers of the Churches of the Saints the ointment will run upon these and they should smell of it in their conversation whereever they did walk or speak sweetness should break forth at their lips and it could not be but where ever they came they would smell of that sacred ointment too of that holy anointing and their actions would savour of the spirit of Jesus Christ Now this spirit I should insist upon it as being the Principle indeed as it is an informing Principle as it is an actuating Pâ—inciple as it is an assesting Principle and as it hath been and is in our spirits â—cting with Christs spiâ—rit so that whatsoever we do as Christians we should do going forth in the strength of that anointing In the 1 Joh. 2. and the latter end read it over But that anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lâ—e and even as it hath taugh you ye shall abide in him which is a choice scripture and none understand it though they understand the Grammar of it they understand not the Theologie the Divinity of it but those that have received it For Christ in the fourteenth of Iohn speaking of the Comforter this Anointing saith he which or whom the world cannot receive for they know him not but ye know him for he shall abide or dwell and be in you for ever And this shal suffice now for the doctrinal part shewing you how in congruity of reason the Disciples of Christ are called Christians because they savour and receive the doctrine of Christ they are imitators of the Conversâ—tion of Christ they promote the Interest of Christ the Principles by which he acted they likewise act in the world And indeed a through consideration of these 4 particulars should marvellously induce Christians to be ambitious to hold forth the glory and honour of that honourable title Christians and Christianity as becommeth the Disciples of Jesus Christ Vse 1 Now in the next place for application of this Doctrine the remainder of the time shall be spent that way Is it so that this honourable title and name Christians was given originally unto none but the Disciples of Iesus Christ unto the Churches of Christ of a new Testament form and frame as you may see in the words before the text They assembled themselves with the Church a whole year and taught much people and when they became a great company of people then they had a new name given them the Discriples were called Christians c. then first of all for Information and instruction of all those in this Congregation that are ignorant of this point By this we may take a due
they ought to walk and to please God as the Disciples and Churches here mentioned walked and pleased God I think it meet to give you a brief narrative of such passages from the first Chapter unto this present Scripture as will make up a proper and a necessary manuduction unto the ensuing and intended doctrine After the Ascention of the man Christ Iesus into heaven Heb. i. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sit down on the right hand of the Majesty on high as the Holy Ghost phraseth it there were about an hundred and twenty men and women assembled together with one accord in one place Disciples they are called waiting for the mission of the holy spirit Christ had foretold or told them before that unlesse he went away the Comforter would not come now he being gone to the Father and they by virtue of his command abiding at Jerusalem and waiting for the promise of the Father the sending and descending of the Spirit Behold in the second chapter the Holy Ghost comes down suddenly in a most glorious ministration that the like was never heard of in the world before and sate upon each of the Apostles in the appearance of cloven tongues like as of fire whereby they were enabled on a sudden to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance so that the Jews and Proselites out of every nation there reckoned up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most part of the nations in the world at least under the Roman Empire heard them speak in their own language or proper dialect the wonderfull works of God Peter speaking a few words in the middest of an amazed and mocking multitude the Lord did so prosper and blesse what he and the rest spake that about three thousand souls gladly received the word and were added to that first new Testament-church Afterward the multitude of the Disciples increased exceedingly But now Satan the God of this world who blindeth the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them indeavoured what he could to prevent the progresse of it by raising up a cruel persecution against the Church Hereupon the Church was scattered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faedum in modum verberâ—bus lacero faedum in modum tracco 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haling dragging men and women to prison all except the Apostles so there was the first new-Testament-Church scattered which was but lately gathered but by an over-ruling hand of providence the scattering of that first Church was the gathering of many for some went one way some another way and where ever they came they were instant in preaching the word preaching the Lord Jesus holding forth the doctrine of the Gospel Philip went down to Samaria and there brought in aboundance of people to Jesus Christ In this interim there were planted Churches throughout all Iudaea Galile and Samaria And in this eleventh chapter that we may make haste to the words of the text at ver 19. you have an historical account of the glorious successe of the Gospel in the more remote parts among the Gentiles Now they that were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travailed as far as Phaenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to none but the Iews onely They thought they alone were the people ro whom the glad tidings of the Messiah should be published and proclaimed but now at this Antioch the hand of the Lord was so with them Vide Calvin in locum that a great number of the Graecians believed and turned to the Lord. This being reported to the Church which was in Jerusalem for the Apostles being at Jerusalem had oportunity of bringing in others to the obedience of the faith in stead of the dispersed Disciples it was matter of great joy and and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch Civitas ab Antiocho magno denominata Lyr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antioch it bare the name of one of the Kings of Syria one of them was a bitter enemie of the Church of the Jews Antiochus Epiphanes and for his rage and madnesse they changed Epiphanes into Epimanes and so instead of Antiochus the Illustrious they called him Antiochus the * furious Or Antiochus the mad In this City Antioch as formerly in Samaria two eminent thrones of Satan the Gospel wonderfully prevailed and was readily imbraced by a great number much people was added to the Lord Paul and Barnabas come hither assemble themselves with the Church a whole year and teach much people And now when Christ had Disciples among the Jews and Disciples among the Gentiles when he had a Church at Ierusalem That is A. Congregation of Saints called out of the world by the word to the fellowship of the Gospel Churches in Iudea Galile and Samaria * a Church at Antioch being a very considerable number of people distinguished from the rest of the children of men having Laws and Ordinances ways of Worship differing from all other they are called by a new distinguishing name they are called Christians And the Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch that was the first place where they received this appellation and from thence the other Churches of Jesus Christ who hitherto were called Saints Distinctio voeis ambiguae primum sit in omni rerum consideratione Kec Who is as the wise man and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing Eccl. 8.1 Disciples and Disciples of the Lord c. Continuance of time hath rendred this word a very ambiguous word I mean the word Christian and therefore this being the time of reformation I speak not of carnal external reformation but of a reformation intended by Christ and his Spirit we must indeavour to reform not onely persons and things but the names of things and indeed reformation of this nature is nothing else but a Reduction of persons and things and names to their original causes in their first constitution to form them again as it were which cannot be understood without explication and distinction as the rule of the School is yea that maxim in al the Schools of Philosophie and Theologie is most true useful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Planto in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that man which would teach aright must first of all make a diligent enquiry into the names of things whereby they are called lest being miscalled or misnamed there be a misapprehension or a misunderstanding of things themselves so then this is the truth which I shall from these words recommend unto this audience this day and I desire it may take hold upon all your hearts not onely in the explication of it but application also The name or title or appellation CHRISTIANS was given originally unto the Disciples of Iesus Christ. I mean Disciples exclusively and inclusively excluding all others including all such Now it is somewhat dark as
from the present History Est nominum impositio alia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how this name or appellation was given whether occasionally and accidentally or from deliberation by election and choise as they usually distinguish in this point If upon consideration whether by Paul and Barnabas or whether by the people of Antioch that were without discerning this people in their doctrine and practise to exalt the name and honour of the Lord Jesus Christ onely and altogether Or whether it was given by their enemies by way of reproach As they were called also Nazarens calling them Christians after the name of Christ in a scornfull and ignominious manner Or lastly whether it were imposed by the special direction of the Spirit this is not easily determined here by a negligent Reader although it be a truth most evident that this name was given at the first to the Disciples of Iesus Christ But yet other Scriptures will help us in this thing nay I cannot but bring this verse under trial in order to the finding out of the true ground of the imposition of this name upon the Disciples of Jesus Christ for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereas it is in the translation rendred paslively they were called and so no account is given by whom they were so called or named if you render it actively the text will bear it so a clear account is given of the nomenclators who they were viz. Paul and Barnabas for thus it may be read And it came to passe that they assembled together with the Church a whole year and that they taught much people or a great multitude and that they called or named the Disciples Christians first in Antioch But if the most skilfull in this language will contend for the passive construction of the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings translators version I shall not further intermeddle though much may be said I perceive pro and con in this dubious case concerning the two first words of this verse in reference to the last clause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but as I said let it suffice that there are other texts of Scripture which do significantly enough expresse the divine approbation of this title as here it s at the first imposed as in 1 Pet. 4.16 he had said in the 14. verse Jf ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye c But let none of you Saints Disciples suffer as a murtherer or as a thief or as an evil doer or as a busie bodie yet if any suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed neither of the name nor of the sufferings or punishments but let him glorifie God on this behalf So that you see plainly the Holy Ghost owneth this name however it might be given at the first Vox sit propria determinata et adae quata rei significandae brevis canon sed tres vocis magnas virtutes complectitur Keck log lib. 1. cap. 1. Pontificii non parum officiunt doctrinae de Ecclesia et ejus membris cum vocem Clerus quam Ap. Petrus tribuit omnibus fidelibus Christi membris quadam arrogantia temeraria ad turbam Sacerdotum restringuntet sacrificulorum quasi illi soli sint sors illa et hareditas Domini at que idcirco reliquae Christi â—embra quodnm supercilioso respectu vocant Laicos or by whomsoever it being a name or title very proper and very significant a word adaequate to the persons named and intended in that name why therefore it is to be accepted as given of God to the Disciples of Jesus Christ yea and this precious truth this noble appellation is not to be parted with easily by the saints they may safely appropriate it to themselves the whole and the onely family of Jesus Christ to any other sort of men besides how clamourous soever in their claims it doth not appertain As in a like case both in the Catholick Church of Rome and the national Church of England as from custome and by tradition and not from Scripture they do call it the Priests the Prelates and their Curates do assume and arrogate to themselves onely the word Clergy the Lords lot or inheritance calling the ordinary people the Laity and and the best of them lay-Elders themselves Divines the Clergy yea the Church whereas in the word of truth the Saints all of them great and small are the Lords Clergy the Church * 1 pet 5 3.2 Pet. 1.4 partakers of the Divine nature and therefore how necessary is it to reform and rectifie the very names and titles of things and persons lest otherwise the strangers intermeddle with the childrens joy and that worthy name * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby they are of right named and distinguished should through their ignorance filence and negligence come to be more and more blasphemed and abused Now for the managing of this truth for the best advantage I shall first proceed to the removal of all those which walk in any degree of contrariety thereunto from having any part or fellowship in the dignity of this honourable appellation so far as in me is and that is by way of negation peremptorily denying those to be justly or properly called Christians who indeed are not such upon the terms mentioned in the text visibly Disciples Secondly I shall insist upon the true notation of the word Christian and then give by way of affirmation the honour of that title to whom the honour thereof is due Thirdly I shall be ready to give an account what congruity in reason what rational ground there is from Scripture and otherwise to enervate nay to make void the title of meer pretenders and usurpers and in the authority and power of divine truth to put the Disciples of Iesus Christ in possession of that honourable prerogative which of right belongs unto them And these three things I am the more carefull to fix upon because as in all other writings and discourses we must necessarily put a difference between an abusive word or phrase and a proper expression So here we must keep close to the form of sound words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not call or account any man a Christian that is not a Christian in deed and truth that was never yet a Disciple of Jesus Christ no not by night and secretly for fear of the Jews as Nicodemus it is to commit an abuse in speaking Vocabula sunt propria cum his ipsis rebus significandis adhibentur propter quas sunt instituta huic virtuti opponitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magna obseuritatis saepe etiam erroris causa it is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which hath been of very evil consequence in this matter for many generations as afterward you will well perceive The first of these I shall speak to in the general and in particular therefore in the general consider that the worst and
unworthiest men have assumed to themselves and dignified themselves with the most glorious Titles and Names that have been current among the sons of men The Turks at this day call themselves Musslemans i.e. right beleevers and all the world besides are mistaken in their Faith if you beleeve themselves concerning themselves The Papists they assume to themselves the name of Catholicks Christians and they are the true Apostolick Church and dignifie themselves with all the glorious titles of this nature that are abroad in the world why now on the contrary those that have had most right to this illustrious title of Christians and the like they have been robbed and disrobed of their ornaments and garments in this respect If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more them of of his houshold Mat. 10.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in stead thereof men have put upon them the most odious and hatefull names Christ himself the head of the Christians was called a Samaritan and they said he had a Devil Paul a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarens a seditious fellow a very * pest as the word is and so formerly in this nation as in the time of Popery rampant the choisesâ— and most precious of the people of God weie called Hereticks Lollards and of late days in the time of the Prelaetes domination Schismaticks Puritans Sectaries and such like terms of reproach they were branded withal But now consider what is to be said in this first particular the generality of men and women are not to be called Christians for from the beginning it was not so those that are not Christs Disciples are not to be called and accounted Christians This is a time of reformation justice and right must be done to every one by the authority of the word of God I may pronounce sentence against the far greatest part of the people in Christendome Men commonly and generally content themselves with taking Christs part in that which is honourable the name and title not caring for that which is answerable that is to die unto the word and to live unto God Vald. as it is called who walk contrary to the example of Christ the practises of Christians and the principles of Christianity they are degraded by the vertue of the truth in this word The Disciples the Disciples of Iesus Christ are to be called Christians and none other throughout the world But more particularly First Although the Papists or Disciples of Antichrist are called Christians in contradistinction to the Turks the Disciples of Mahomet as you know that are intelligent men in Histories yet notwithstanding at the best they are but Antichristian Christians nay indeed they are Antichristians not Christians for take the choisest of the Papists the most devout and the most holy of the followers of Antichrist why they are not Christians their doctrine is Babilonish doctrine for the most part their devotion is Babilonish devotion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 religious and honest women Act. 13.50 it is Antichristian holiness their worship doctrine tion favours not hath not the spirit no not the tincture of Christianity and if the devoutest disciples of the man of sin the tens and the hundreds of these are not Christians much less their thousand and their millions of * Natural bruit-beasts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 pet 2.12 brurish sensual epicures all these are cut off from any interest in this honour 2 There are Vnchristian Christians as well as Antichristian these as they are not against Christ as those aforementioned are against him so neither are they with him and * Mat. 12.30 the words of Christ are he that is not with me is against me and I call them Vnchristian Christians in a contra-distinction to the Antichrist and his disciples unto the Papists known usually by another word occasioned in the convention of some Princes of the Empire in Germany at Smalcaldy where in their writings to the Emperour they begin every head of their Articles with the word Protestamur we protest and from that time those who did come off and separate from the Church of Rome were called protestants and that word and apellation past over the sea into England and so to other parts they were afterwards sub-divided into Lutherans and Calvinists Protestant christians for the most part not real christians in Qu. Eliz. days called Protestâ—nts at large and carnal Gospellers Now the degenerate protestants of these times because they are not Antichristians do esteem and account themselves our Orthodox Christians and yet the generality of them may be reputed Vnchristian Christians that is such as have the title of Christians undeservedly being altogether unlike to Jesus Christ whose name they glory in as if it did de jure belong unto them And of these two sorts there are first all loose lewd protestants Secondly all formal hypocritical professours of Christianity 1 First all licentious protestants we must remove them from having any interest in this title by way of negation Christians they are not though so they call themselves and assume as if worthy thereof the honour of this name for as Chrysostome said of old concerning nominal Christians of dissolute conversation that they are not men in propriety of speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so may I affirm of these Vnchristian protestants their actions and transactions in the world savour not relish not of the spirit of a man they are so brutish in their lusts so filthy in their lives the eldest sons of Belial in their generation and upon this account there will be discarded and set by many thousands of people in this nation men and women high and low rich and poor Priests and people that have the title and name of Christians or protestants baptised as they say into the name of Iesus Christ and yet do live more like unto Devils incarnate in all manner of wickedness and licancsousness committing sin with greedinesse than unto the first or primitive Christians who were indeed the disciples of Jesus Christ * If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sed dicet aliquis etiam de nostris excedere quosdam a regula disciplinae desinunt tum ehristiani haberi penes nos Tert. apo who followed his doctrine and conversation who obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered * Rom. 6.17 2 Secondly all formal professours that is such as make a plausible shew and carry it in their outward garb as not onely Christians in name but Christians upon the best account * Acts 9.1 the disciples of the Lord and yet notwithstanding are no way worthy of that worthy name for they are not Christians inwardly in spirit and in power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but onely in o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal 6.12 appearance or face or word or letter * 2 Tim. 3.5
are that have any part No more Christians in this congregation than Disciples and so many of you as are indeed the Disciples of Jesus Christ so many may deservedly challenge the Title the Name and honourable Appellation of Christians But I must draw to a conclusion Vse 4 In the last place therefore Fourthly It is a word of Exhortation to those that are Christians indeed as you know there were Iews or Israelites indeed it concerns you and it concerns your Head your high Priest as Christ is called the Apostle and the high Priest of our profession in the third of the Hebrews and the first Wherefore holy Brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high-Priest of our Profession Christ Iesus Why now it concerns you to be Christians indeed and to purpose not onely to be so but to be so in the sight of men as wel as in the sight of God that tries the hearts Art thou a Christian cordially cordially ingaged into the interest of Jesus Christ Hast thou received this truth Desirest to be in the world as Christ was in the world and not to be of the world any more then Christ was of the world dost thou act from the same principles from the same Spirit in all thy carriage and conversation â—â—en Christians live like your selves Be in behaviour as it becometh the Disciples of Jesus Christ for the time is comming that those that are true Christians shall lift up their Heads when the rest of the world shal hide theirs and hang them down There were four Monarchies and all of them are distinguished by their severall titles ending like unto this Caldeans and Babylonians Persians Grecians Romans why now the second extinguished the first and swallowed up the very name of it the third Daniel aâ— 34.44 extinguished the second and the fourth the third and so they have supplanted each other Now comes the fifth Monarch the Lord Iesus Christ with his Christians his Disciples and Followers and sets up a new-Government in the world makes a new Heaven and a new Earth reforms all things and then as the name of the Romans was honourable in their time so shall the name of Christians be the honourablest name that ever was upon earth since the first Monarchy before and all other Honour shal be but Infamy in respect of the Honour that shal rest upon Jesus Christ his Christians in the world that upon a voluntary acknowledgment confession of many of the Nations of the Earth those that refuse to set up this Kingdom shal be made Tributaries to it at least Nay Isaiah 60.12 that Nation and Kingdome that will not serve Christ and Christians shall perish yea those people shall be utterly wasted All the Dominions under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints of the most high and even now the time Daniel 7.27 and times and half a time is almost finished as it is in the 10th of the Revel Time shal be no longer then the beginning of the sound of the seveneth Angell Rev. 11.15 and then the Kingdomes of the world shall become the Lords and his Christs and his Saints even theirs that are with him chosen and called and faithfull and they shall walk with him in white for they are worthy and who then but Christ and his people in the world Now is the beginning of the dawning of that glorious day and therefore Christians lift up your Heads fear not all the Invasions Insurrections and Machinations of Antichrist against Christ they are as nothing they are but as ropes of sand all their Counsels shal come to nought and whatsoever they agree on in their Councill Chambers they shal never perform in the field And therefore ye Christians stand fast in that liberty with which Christ hath made you free cleave close to that glorious truth of the Gospell 2 Cor. 5. vlt. He made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him and walk in holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Remember whatever the Spirit said to any of the Churches Rev. 2 3. he saith to all the Saints He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches To him that overcommeth and holdeth out to the end shal be given a Crown of life and thus and thus he shall be rewarded And therefore now upon the defection and Apostacy of others do you approve your selves unto Christ and not onely so but approve your selves in the world like the Sons of God and daughters of God and like the anointed of the Lord as having received a great measure of that Anointing the Spirit being poured out richly upon you even the Spirit of Jesus Christ All other Spirits and Interests will be ashamed and go out like as the lesser stars go out and hide themselves from the rising Sun and the name of Christ and his Disciples shall be famous from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same and such honour shall Christ and all his Saints have when he comes Amen come Lord Jesus come quickly But this shall suffice for this time FINIS To prevent errors in reading the Evrrata's in Printing are thus to be rectified ERRATA IN the sheet of B page 8. line 14. for weie tead were C p. 3. l. 4. for tween r. between D p. 2. l. 26. for abode they die r. abode and when they die p. 7. l. 3. for richest r. rich p. 8. l. 5. for whereever r. where ever E p. 1. l. 37. for Altheists r Atheists P. 4. l. 11. for soor r. so or As for literal faults in Printing the favour and help of the Reader is requested according to custome of courteous dealing in such cases
THE GENEALOGIE OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHRISTIANS DECLARED In a Sermon at Mercers Chappel before the Right Honourable the Lord Maior of the City of LONDON April 28. 1650 And now thus published For the undeceiving of those who say they are Christians and are not but do lie and for the Establishment and Encouragement of those who having named the Name of Christ do indeed depart even in this hour of Apostacy from all Iniquity By C. F. one of the Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Ministery of the new Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anonym Christus non quaerit utrum adhaereas huic vel illi nationali Ecclesiae sed utrum aâ—haereas verae fidaei non utrum sis Romanensis Anglicanus Scoâ—â—cus c. sed utrum sis vere sanctificatus et renovatus Daven in Coloss cap. 3. ver 11. London Printed for Peter Cole at the Printing-Press in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1650. To the Right Honourable THOMAS FOOT Lord Major of this famous City of LONDON My Lord HOw far the Great Antichrist and degenerate Church of Rome have eclipsed and thereby obscured the originall glory of true Christianity is best known to that remnant of overcomming Christians in this Age who are worthy in Christ his account to walk with him in white Assuredly Christendome as it is called for distinction sake is sunck into so low a degree of degeneracy as that in respect of Idolatry and Prophannesse of impiety and iniquity the Catholicks and Protestants also for the most part do so walk as if it were their studied design to render themselves utterly unlike to Iesus Christ and unto this kind of Christians he will profess at the last day I never knew you depart from me ye workers of iniquity Oh therefore how doth it concern the faithfull Disciples of Iesus Christ to bring forth the Register of the Genealogie of the primitive Christians to emblazon according to the rules of Gospel Heraldry the native honour of this thrice noble Family and that by an ornamental carriage and Conversation But alas how few do make it their holy ambition to display before the world the glorious Excellency of true Christianity by acting in the life and power of this New-Testament unction â—uc 1.17 It was Prophesied of John the Baptist that he should go before the Messiah in the power and spirit of Elias but it is the honour of the Saints now in these times of the Gospell to go in and out to do and to suffer in the power spirit of the Messiah or Christ himself may the number of such Christians be multiplied exceedingly may the great number of those that act walk in the power Spirit of Antichrist of the Dragon of the Beast of the false-Prophet decrease abundantly Rev 16.13 may the Generation of Renegadoes and Back-sliders of self-condemned Hereticks and Apostatized Professours who put the Son of God to an open shame that speak scornfully of the Word the Spirit the ways the Ordnances of Iesus Christ may they every one be snared and taken prevented and frustrated in al their un-Christian Ends and means tending thereunto may they never prosper in any of their Assemblies Teachings Exhortations which are of any tendency to the disparagement of the wholesome words even the words of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Tim 6 3 4. and the doctrine which is according to Godlinesse and let all the Disciples of Christ all sincere Christians say Amen My Lord what thoughts of heart have been occasioned by your Honours Commandement and mine engagement for the printing of the ensuing Sermon is best known to the Author of so impersect and unpolished a Discourse upon such a weighty Theme There was always an utter aversenesse in my naturall Genius to appear on the Stage upon this account John 7.4 And I can say through grace I have never sought to he known openly or to shew my self to the world as being conscious to a great unsitnesse of Ingeny and to the want of Spirituall Dexterity for any work of this nature But since it is your Lordships pleasure that this Sermon should be preached over again in this other form behold after tedious attendance for dispatch upon the proper instruments of this kind of publication I humbly present it before your Honour this second time with some few convenient clauses here and there superadded beseeching God who hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty to command a Blessing upon these weak endeavours wherein I did and do aim at the new-Christianizing of such nominal Christians as are really without God and without Christ dead in trespasses and sins and I would to God that all that heard me that day were both almost and altogether Christians yea Christians upon the best account so as to be found unto great praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ Your Lordships to command in the service of the Gospel CHR. FEAKE Acts 11.26 The last clause And the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch HIstory and Prophecy are the Alpha and Omega of the holy Scriptures and these two the Knowledge of things past from the beginning of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the foreknowledge of things to come until the ending of time et adhuc and beyond are the great desire and delight of the intellectual world All the sons of men naturally thirsting after nothing more than this kind of knowledge yea even the excellency and perfection thereof Now there are none other writings extant in the world worthy to be compared with the word of God in respect of these two For first if you take notice of Scripture History it takes the crown of glory from off the head of all other Histories for verity and antiquity all other Records are of a later date and have not the excellency and the glory of Truth infallible stamped on them Then secondly Praedictiones aliae suum gradum habent spiritustamen vaticinia longe supereminent Calv. if you consider Scripture Prophecies all other predictions and prognostications all the divinations that ever were in the world besides cannot be a paralel to these for their certainty and sufficiency Now this book of the new Testament it is an History of divers evangelical transactions undertaken and managed by the Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles in the world immediately after his death resurrection and ascention into glory and the Church could not be well without it as ye may clearly discern by its great usefulnesse in a true Gospel reformation Providence I say hath well provided this part of the Scripture for the advantage of the Saints especially of those Disciples that come out of Babylon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 8.39 Let him that readeth understand wherein when they read and understand they may know in many particulars how
These distinctions â—â—e of great importance qui nene distinguit bene docet Phil. 3.20 where Christ is at Gods right hand but these men have not their conversation there it is true they have not their conversarion in hell as it were like the Demoniake among the graves or apud inferos as he alludes in the Comedy nor have they their conversation in the world upon so bad an account in some sence as those formerly mentioned but they have their conversation betwixt heaven and earth betwixt heaven and hell as it were as they paint Erasmus hanging betwixt both for he was half a Papist and half a protestant so all formal professours they are but painted sepulchres they may be painted and pictured and drawn to the life as meteors in the middle region of the air hanging living conversing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luc 12.30 live not in suspence be not as meteoâ—s tween Law and Gospell between works and grace between Christ Antichrist between Moses and Christ or upon a such like account as this they are like the Angel of the Church of Laodicea they are neither hot nor cold but lukewarm partaking of both heat and cold whom the Lord as such will spew out of his mouth Now lest this distinction should be offensive to the formalists The Scribes and Pharsees * the formalists of those times were most offended at Christ and his distinguishing doct See Luc. 16.13 14 15. who do importunely assume to themselves this honourable title Christians as not being grounded upon scripture sufficiently I shall clear it from the language of the holy-Ghost concerning the Iews in the old testament For they were called Iews or Israelites first in a contradistinction to the heathen nations in all the world A * Rom. 3.30 Jew was fully and plainly distinguished from a Gentile but now secondly among themselves there was also a distinction there were false Jews lying Jews as in the 2d and 3d. of the Revelations the Lord there speaks of those that say they are Jews and are not but do lie and there were the true Israelites in whom is no guile for all are not Israel that are of Israel all are not the seed that are counted for the seed 1 sam 2.12.13 c. therefore as you may see in the old testament among the Jews some were soâ—s of Belial as the sons of Eli they were Jews and in the Priests office they drew near to the Lord to the tabernacle of the Lord in Shiloh yet were some of the most vile of the children of men * And Isaiah c. 1. called the Rulers of the Jews Rulers of sodom now the men of â—odom were wicâ—ed and sinners before the Lord exceedingly Gen. 13.13 for they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the Tabernacle and they sent their servants to take away the flesh as it was seething out of the Caldron by force and violence and so abused and prophaned the sacrifice of the Lord And others were outwardly and seemingly holy and unblameable like the Pharisees and the Apostle Paul before his conversion unreproveable touching the righteousness which is of the Law yet they are called hypocrites again and again woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23.14 Hypocrites even seven times * in that chapter So now upon the like account in the times of the new-Testament those that are called Christians are to be distinguished from those that are such indeed and truth for though hypocriticall professours assume to themselves that title which is equivalent to the name of a true Israelite an Israelite in whom is no guile viz. A Christian yet it is not to be permitted for a very vast difference there is between the one and the other insomuch that I may with little alteration apply the words of Christ unto these Mat. 23.27 28. we are now speaking of * Woe unto ye formall professours hypocrites for ye are like unto whited sepulchres which indeed appear beautifull outwardly but within are full of dead mens bones and of all uncleannesse even so ye also appear righteous Christians unto men but within ye are full of hypocrisie and iniquity Thus you see to whom the title of Christians may justly be denied they having no interest in this worthy name whereby the Disciples of Iesus Christ are dignified and distinguished but if notwithstanding this that hath been spoken they will account it a kind of robbery to be deprived of what they have so long possessed for many make a profession of Christianity richly plausible let it be agreed call them Christians but with this proviso that they admit an Epithere suitable and proper for them false false-Christians and then sure I am their honour for which they so contend will neverthelesse be laid in the dust as of old 1 Pet. 2.2 2 Cor. 11.13 Gal. 2.4 * false-Prophets false-Apostles false Teachers false-Brethren so now false-Christians false-Disciples will not this be a more stigmaticall brand upon them than the single deniall of that forementioned appellation can amount unto And this may be sufficient for the first viz. The extinguishing the title of the severall usurpers and pretenders who claim an interest in this name of Gospel honour as if of the same house and stock with these here spoken of in the text And the Disciples were called Christians c. In the next place we come to consider the notation of the word Christian is derived from Christ the word is a word of the Greek language signifying anointed ones Christ being the chief anointed one and they his fellows with this difference he is anointed with the oil of gladnesse above his fellows that as in the powring the ointment upon Aarons head the head being the principall part of the body did first of all receive the ointment and from thence it came down to the skirts of his cloathing and all his garments savoured of the sweet ointment made by Gods appointment in the 30. of Exodus and the 23. so now the Gospel anointing was powred first upon Jesus Christ as our Head the Head of all beleevers and from him the Head it did and doth descend and flow down even to the very skirts of his garments the meanest and lowest Saint in all the world and it is his due to have this appellation this title of dignity and distinction from the rest of the children of men * but ye have an unction from the holy One. 1 Joh. 2.20 the anointed of God the anointed of God as Jesus Christ was anointed the Lord Jesus Christ is called the Anointed One and they may be called from him the anointed ones for as the two words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Gramaticall derivation do both grow upon the self-same root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but with this distinction among others that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a degree nearer the root then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the two
persons signified by these two words viz. Christ and a Christian in the new-Testament sence do both partake of the self same unction with this difference that every Chirstian is more remote from the fountain of unction then Christ is he receiving it * immediates immediately the Christian receives what he receives by * mediante christo means of Iesus Christ first Christ afterwards they that are Christs This word Christ is also expressed in the old-Testament by a word proper to that language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now the self same word that is attributed to christ sgiven to others besides him indeed it belongs unto him eminently and emphatically the Messiah John 1.41 Joh. 4.25 we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted the Christ and the Translators read Daniel 9.25 the Messiah * Although there be no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 emp haticum prefixed to either word the Prince as in the 105. Psal there you shall find plainly the holy Ghost doth not speak of the Messiah yet those there specified are called by that name touch not mine anointed and do my Prophets no harm verse 15. Touch not my Christs Psalm 105. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mine anointed psalm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his anointed my Messiahs the same word that is in the second Psalm his anointed his Christ as it is interpreted by Peter Acts 4. v. 26.27 And before I passe from hence you may understand this anointing is no other thing then the anointing of the Spirit The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach c. as you read in the 61 of Isaiah the first ver so there is the notation of the word Christian gramatically But now thirdly You must observe the word according as it hath congruity of reason in its logical notation Christians so called from Christ they have this denomination in congruity of reason upon a four-fold account or in four respects First in respect of doctrine 2. in respect of conversation 3. in respect of interest 4. in respect of principles First Christians are so called from Jesus Christ upon this account of * Grammatica nudam vocem non naturam considerat Gr. log Logicus vocem considerat non qua vox sed qua ad â—entis intelligentiam refertur et rem explicat Keker in log reason because they and they onely do understand receive and embrace the truth as it is in Iesus and no other sort of people in the world do the like * Non sonum solum nominis expectes sed et sensum Tert. Receperunt nominari Christiani a Christo sicut Platonici a Platone Lyran in locum this is one distinguishing Character every Master or Rabbi or Teacher hath had his Disciples that hath attained to any eminency in any new and singular kind of learning There were among the heathens of old about Christs time and before the disciples of Plato the disciples of Aristotle Aristotelians and Platonists so distinguished because that the one followed the doctrines and teachings of Plato others followed Aristotle and imbraced for truth what he taught them there were disciples that were called Epicurians of Epicurus the Philosopher others were Stoicks the Disciples of that Doctrine as the Holy-Ghost gives you to understand Acts. 17.18 but it s no way necessary to acquaint this audience with the severall particular doctrines and oplnions of these Masters Only thus to our present purpose every one of these Masters of learning they had their Disciples and their disciple-ship consisted in this in owning and cleaving to the doctrines and opinions of their Teachers as they were doctrines distinct from all other doctrines in the world upon all occasions letting the world know by their disputes and professions by whose name they had chosen to be known and distinguished from other men Now as I said Christians in like manner derive their name as other disciples from their great Doctour the Lord Jesus Christ in respect of the particular distinct doctrine of the Gospel learned from him and that in a singular manner differing from all other doctrines in the world John 9 28. VVe are Moses disciples Mar. 2.18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees distinguished from Christs disciples They cannot be called Moses his Disciples * neither can they be called Iohns Disciples neither can they be called the Disciples of the first Adam considered as in the estate of innocency as they speak in respect of their own righteousness but they are the Disciples of Christ in regard they own and cleave to the pure proper Evangelical truth those divine supernatural truths which are revealed by the Son from the bosome of the Father which neither Adam in his first estate nor the children of men since that time have been able by strength of rational enquiries to find out understand and entertain yea such truths as the holy Angels themselves were not aware of Iuc 1.31 c. John 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 Ephes 1.4 Rom. 3.28 Gal. 2.20 Rom 8 11 Heb 7 25 26 until revealed viz. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God Joh. 1.1 And the word was made flesh And great is the mystery of godlinesse Christian godlinesse God was manifested in the flesh and the rest of the doctrine of the Incarnation Again Election in Christ before the world began Iustification by faith without the works of the law Living by the faith of the Son of God The iâ—â—dwelling of the Spirit in the hearts of beleevers The sending of the Spirit from the Father and the Son The man Christ Iesus The doctrine of Christs intercession at the right hand of the Majesty on high and that in our nature With many other glorious Gospel truths which the Angels desire to look into thus you may see what I intend by the doctrine of Christ as distinct from all other doctrines And surely those that are ignorant of these and other Gospel truths strangers to this divine learning cannot properly be called Christians Indeed Antichrist and his disciples pretend to be Christians and disciples of Christ as you heard and its true some of these doctrines forementioned they profess to cleave unto but that of 1 Titus is verified in them they professs that they know God but on works they deny him c. And because of the admixture of contrary doctrines summed up in the confession of faith made at the Councell of Trent their doctrine may be called a mungrel doctrine and so their worship like that set up of old by the Jewish-Priest among the several nations 2. Kings 17.33.41 they served the Gods of the lands and of the Countries and they served Iehovah there was a mixture in their doctrine and worship and you know what the learned writers and best schollers that contend against the Papacy say of them their doctrine and worship their
whole religion is a Miscelany made up partly of the Jewish Doctrines and practises and partly of the heathenish doctrine and practises and partly of the doctrines and practises of Christians but that is the least part it being composed chiefly of Mosaicall and heathenish institutions unwritten traditions and many ridiculous ceremonies and the more any shall indeavour the introduction of those doctrines which are not taught by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles the more improbable is it they should be esteemed the disciples of Jesus Christ and consequently Christians at the last day for as you see he that is a true Christian understands the truth as it is in Iesus and receives it and cleaves unto it according to the a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mary sate at Jesus feet to hear his word Luc. 10.39 measure of faith given unto him and as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith sitting at Iesus his feet to hear his word as the manner of Disciples was of old time b Paul brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and taught c. Acts 22 3. and is unto this day Secondly Christians are so called from Christ in congruity of reason in this respect because so soon as they are Christians there is such a sweet similitude between Christ and them in point of conversation that they mutually and reciprocally resemble each other to the observation of the Angels and discerning men where there is a great dissimilitude betwixt the Lord Jesus Christ and the children of men there is wanting a ground in reason to call such men Christians As it is an utter absurdity to call the Jews or Turks or wicked persons Christians because no similitude in them because utterly unlike to Jesus Christ so on the other side where any are found beleeving as Christ teacherh and walking as he walked observed to be in the world as he was in the world it is most proper to call and account such as these are Christians and disciples and when beleevers grow up to eminency in faith and practise reflecting much of the glory of Christ upon the world in these two Oh then how fitly may they receive this honourable appellation Christians Disciples of the highest form their Profiting appearing unto all This part of their discipleship is properly called imitation or following of the Lord. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ the words are * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.1 be ye imitators of me 1 Cor. 11.1 and so 1 Thes 1. Ye became followers of us and of the Lord * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imitators of us and of the Lord. And saith Paul thou hast â—ully known my doctrine manner of life In the margin of some of your Bibles it is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.12 thou hast been a diligent follower of my manner of life Now this imitating and following of Christ in the manner of his life consists in these three particulars first in being second in doing third in suffering after the manner that Iesus Christ was and did do and suffer in the world * A Christians conversation in point of demeanour in the world is like Christs demeanour First of all they are in the world as Christ was in the world not of it while they are in it you may know what was the frame and temper and as I may so say the dâ—vine Genius of the spirit of Jesus Christ in regard of his father how he delighted to converse with God in prayer and communion with him that way by meditation and the like And you know the genius and property and the frame of the heart of Jesus Christ towards his Disciples that had received the same spirit how much love and delight in their company to teach them and to reveal to them the great things of God that they might grow in grace c. You know his demeanour and carriage while he was in the world to Publicans and sinners how he did reveal the love of God to them in the world and tels them that * John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And I am he that God the father hath appointed and sealed and sent into the world He did not lift up his voice in the streets he was not tumultuous nor turbulent but there was abundance of sweetnesse meeknesse and gentlenesse thus he was in the world and we should be so in the world and by how much the more Christians are like unto Jesus Christ by so much the lesse they are of the world as it is in the 17th of Iohn in the midst of that chapter twice repeated by Christ to the father Father saith he they are not of the world as I am not of the world And then secondly 2 In respect of their doings their actions and transactions in the world they are followers of Christ For their actings Jesus christ did not keep al his goodnesse to himself while he lived and make others the better for him when he died as the custome of rich men is they will keep their estates close while they live and do little or no good * That is comparatively or in any proportion to ability and opportunity in the place of their abode they dy there is a resurrection of their estates when they themselves go down to the grave then their estates shall rise up in their stead but oftentimes it attains not the end which they propounded But now from the time that Jesus christ was anointed at his Baptism and the holy Ghost came down upon him in the shape of a Dove and a voice was heard saying This is my wel beloved son in whom I am wel pleased which voice we heard saith Peter from that time forth for three years and a half the whole space of his life * Acts 10.38 he went up and down doing good preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome healing sicknesses and performing all duties and offices that belonged to him as he was the Son of Man the Man Christ Iesus so ought Christians in conformity to him to have their conversation here in the world to be willing to distribute ready to communicate * Christianns popullus per omnia sanctus est et non in templis tantum et ritibus Ecclesiasticis sed in omni vita omnitempore omnibus in rebus omnibus factis ac studiis nomins gloriae Christi consecratus Musc to order their whole conversation aright doing what the wil of the Lord is as Christ said I come to do thy will O God and so to be imitators or followers of him not onely in outward demeanour and behaviour which yet is exceeding comely and commendable viz. to be in behaviour as it becommeth Saints but also more especially in our actions practises and whole course of life And moreover
observe (a) Luc. 12.13 When one said unto Jesus Christ Speak to my Brother that he divide the inheritance with me he would not intermeddle in the matter which belonged not to him but answered Man who made me a Iudge or a Divider among you He would not be a Busie-body (b) He was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Bishop of souls 1 Pet. 2. ult but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A busie body Bishop The ambitious Clergy of all ages have been notorious for the contrary witness the Histories of the several Kingdomes round about in other mens matters In this thing all true Christians should approve themselves his Disciples treading in this very foot-step Oh take heed of stretching your selves beyond your line keep within your compasse shine as bright as you may within your own Orbs move with as much advantage to the world in your proper Sphears as is possible so many as interpose and intrude into anothers Province are utterly unlike to Jesus Christ And then Thirdly in point of Suffering when Christ was brought before Authority he did not reproach and vilifie them but with meeknesse of wisdome or mock wisdome spake to Pilate concerning truth and other matters that passed between them when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatened not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously and saith the Apostle he hath left us an (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leaving a written copy And Disciples ought to write after their Masters copy Example that we should tread in his steps And truly in all Ages Genuine Christians have made it a principal part of their care to approve themselves the diciples of the Lord Jesus in this particular Now in the Third place Christians are denominated from Christ because they promote his Interest consider therefore what is the great Interest of Jesus Christ in its several parts First of all the glorifying the Father in the Son Secondly the glorifying himself with the Father And Thirdly the convincing the world of Sin and Righteousnesse and Judgement by the Spirit This is part of the great Interest of Jesus Christ that the world through him might be saved Now if you are Christians upon the account mentioned in the Text you will as Disciples of Christ 1 Cor. 10.31 carry on his Interest then whether you eat or drink or what ever you do you will aim at the glory of God 1 Pet. 4.11 that God in all things may be glorifyed through Jesus Christ And again if you are christians Joh. 5.23 you will indeavour that the name of Christ may be magnifyed and exalted also as you desire the Father may be magnified Joh. 17.5 and exalted Joh. 13.31 32. So likewise It concerns christ nearly and it is a great part of his Interest Ioh. 17.23 That the world might know that the Father hath sent him and that they might know the errandupon which he is sent the saving of sinners Now every one of you who are the Disciples of christ of a truth should according to his Talent received say and do as the Apostle Iohn of himself and others 1 Ioh. 1.1 2 3 That which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the woâ—d of life That will we declare unto others that they may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ It is the property of Disciples true to their Master to multiply their number and gain in others The Disciples of Christ christians have greater cause than any other to pursue this part of their Masters Interest and an obligation lies upon them accordingly Again another part of christs Interest which is very conducible to this honour so far as it is advancedâ— is the * Psa 110.1 Heb. 10.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 henceforth expecting till his foes be made his â—oot stool making all his foes his foot-stool the bringing them all down even under his feet The present Interest of Christ is the Revealing and destroying of his Grand Enemy The Autichrist and the subduing the Kings of the Earth who have committed Fornication with the Whore of Babylon who having one mind give their power and strength unto the beast and make war with the Lamb. * Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his powet or army his seat and great authority Vide Med. in loc The interest of the beast is to maintain his power authority given by the Dragon even beyond the two and forty moneths allotted to him by divine appointment The Man of sin the Son of perdition assumeth to himself and accepteth from others names and titles of honour and glory Nay exalteth himself above all that is called God or worshipped c. Openeth his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name at the same time gratifieth the Kings of the earth with magnificent titles giving to the King of Spain the title of the most Catholick King to the King of France the most Christian King to the King * Henty 8th Vid. Fox Acts and Mon. of England for helping the Papacy against Luther Defendor of the faith c. Now consider it is the interest of Christ in this age to obscure and stain all this splendor and glory by his shining forth in the greatest glory of that mosthonourable title Lord of Lords King of Kings intended purposely for these times wherein we live Now therefore O all ye Christians that are indeed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ awake awake the enemies of Christ are now to be made his foot-stool pursue this interest to the utmost in your several places and callings see to it that you beleeve and rceive a compleat victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his mark and over the number of his name see to it that you have not his mark either in your fore-heads or in your right hands for the Lamb shall overcome and they that are with him called and chosen and faithfull And this shall suffice for the 3 reason why the Disciples of Christ are called Christians because after the manner of true disciples they promote the proper and severall interests of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ and those who are otherwise minded cannot in good congruity of reason be properly called or accounted christians look whose interest you most promote his disciples indeed you are It s a Noble Study seriously to enquire what is the present great interest of Jesus Christ and a great honour to all true Christians to carry it on effectually And then fourthly and chiefly though lastly Christians were and are so called from Christ in respect of the Similitude nay I may say Identity of their Principles For what though men profess to entertain and receive the truths of Christ the pure Evangelical doctrine distinguished from all other doctrines truths in
estimate of the number of Christians in the world how many there may be in the world Men heretofore it may well be have thought there haue been more Christians in the world than indeed there were And now it s more than probable that divers here present will be more charitable and favourable in their Computation of the number than they ought to be lest they should exclude themselves This doctrine will help us to take an estimate of them thus By that time all those whose Conversation is in Hell as it were that make a Hell upon earth all Divels incarnate you know such there are the unclean spirit worketh effectually in them the Children of disobedience and yet are called Protestants and called Christians by that time I say these are abstracted By that time those whose Conversation is upon earth that are earthly minded men that mind the world and the things thereof By that time I say these are discounted by that time all those whose Conversation is between Heaven and Earth as it were between God and Mammon they are not down-right Altheists nor Papists but Protestants but yet carnall or loose o◠formall at best as being Christians in an outward garb onely by that time these are discarded and set aside as utterly Heterogeneal by that time this is done even in this Nation how many think you will be left concerning whom it may bespoken and that in truth that they are Christians and Disciples of Jesus Christ When Diogenes in his time he was a very notable Philosopher Alexander the great much admiring him saying if he had not been Alexander he woud have been Diogenes when he saw the City in which he lived falling into so much injustice and wickedness one day came into the midst of the City with a Candle in his hand at noon day and being asked what was his meaning to come with a candle in his hand at Noon-day Oh! saith he I come to search every corner of the City narrowly to see if I can find an honest man in such a multitude of men and women he could not find an honest man Now by way of allusion is it not so at this day when Jesus Christ comes shall he find faith upon the earth If before Christ comes he should now send a Messenger with the Candle of the Lord in his hand into this City into the Markets amongst the buyers and sellers into your shops amongst the Trades-men If a man should come with the Candle of the Lord into the Courr of Aldermen into the Custom-house amongst those Officers to all the Committees of Parliament to the Councell of State with the Candle of the Lord and there be looking and espying and searching and being asked who do you look for might he not answer Why if I can find a Christian among so many Christians if I can find a Disciple of Jesus Christ amongst such multitudes of men and women that cal themselves Beleevers that call themselves Disciples but surely they call themselves such falsly and in much darkness of mind For now bring the Candle of the Lord and look and observe the difference between the one and the other and alas you can hardly find one of an hundred Vix centesimus quisque was the usual phrase of Calvin upon such occasions as this And assuredly scarce one of an hundred of those that are called and accounted Christians are such indeed that are in deed and in truth Christians and Disciples This bringeth to remembrance that of the fifth of Jeremy and the first verse Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof If ye can find a man if there be any that executeth Iudgement that seek the truth and I will spare it Behold here the paucity of true Israelites so now My Brethren so many Disciples of Christ in the Parliament so many Christians and no more and so many Disciples real Disciples of Jesus Christ in Common-Councel in the City as there are so many Christians and no more not one more Therefore you had need look to it you have possibly hitherto that have least cause to do so assumed to your selves the most honorable title of Christians and Beleevers Protestants Saints the like whereas when all those are removed that I spake of before where shall you find a man that may be so stiled Vse 2 Secondly Hence you may see the mistakes and the sad consequences of those mistakes wherein the generality of men in this Nation and City and Assembly for I will keep neer home and not expatiate abroad in what mistakes and consequences of such mistakes I say are such involved who confidently assume to themselves and attribute to each other this honourable Appellation of Christians Do thou sooth up me and I will sooth up thee Do thou have a charitable good opinion and esteem of me and so I will have of thee say these men one unto another in effect But now see here your errour and your danger and the mistake and the consequence of it What if you should argue Ex non concessis what if you should beg the Question and desire that may be taken for granted that is not granted what wofull mistaking is here Suppose that you say thus of your selves and others say thus that are men that judge as Christ saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iohn 7.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rom 2.2 according to outward appearance yea but how if the Head of the Christians Jesus Christ the great Doctor of the Chair should not agree with that determination that thou hast made that thou art a Christian for he judgeth according to Truth What if all the world should call thee such and at the last day Christ should before all the world bid thee depart thou art no Christian what is the consequence of such a mistake as this is And therefore Christians you had need go upon sure grounds and you that are not Christians or have cause to doubt whether you are soor no you had need make enquiry from this day forward So thou that art an infamons person an odious wretch for sordid Lusts thy throat an open Sepulcher evaporating breathing out Oaths Cursings Blasphemings thou that hast thy bones rotting through thine uncleanness and filthiness wilt thou take upon thee the famous and honourable title of Christianity and a Beleever dost thou think to carry the cause thus Why Angels and intelligent men see cleerly thou art no such person much more doth Jesus Christ see it cleerly that is the Head of Christians Thou takest the Name of Christian upon thee even as the Jesuites take upon them the Name of Jesus it is a sweet Name an honorable Name a name of great respect But now the Jesuites that are denominated from Jesus assuming it to themselves they are the hatefullest men and the vildest persons in the world the greatest seducers So Paul
of the unbeleeving lews Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law and makâ—st thy beast of God Rom. 2.17 the most bloody and cruel minded men of all the Sects of the Papists Now it will be a sad case at the last day for thee to be ranked with these men these men they have as good a Name as thou hast and as famous and as honourable a Name as Chrysostome saith of the Name Christian Yea but it is not what thou art called but what thou art that will be enquired into at the last day however thou carriest it now * Behold thou art called a Christian and restest in that Name and makest thy boast of Christ but thou hast eyes full of Adulterie and thy heart is full of coverous practises and thou canst not cease to sin when thou sinnest thou rejoycest and then thou art most merry and jovial when there is the greatest cause that thon shouldest be most sad and disconsolate Now what art thou the better for the Name of a Christian and Beleever and a Protestant no Papist and the like if thou be such a base wretch and so continuest to the end And therefore you had need seriously to consider this mistake and the sad consequences of that mistake when you stile your selves Christians and are not so when you are accounted so by others and are not so indeed But especially I would speak to those that have professed themselves Christians and so have been taken to be upon a better account than others in regard of a form of Godliness and now are fallen off what a sad condition are these men in who have rejected the word of Christ despised the Spirit of Christ speak evil of the Wayes of Christ account the Ordinances of christ vain things in a word have renounced the whole new Testament Unction and being possessed by an unclean blasphemous Spirit account it and call it their Glory and their perfection to perpetrate the vilest abominations without the reluctancy of their own Spirit what will be the end of these men the Apostle declares in Heb. 10.26 Fâ—r if we sin willingly after that we have received the know edge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin but a certain fearfull looking for and expectation of judgement fiery indignation which shal devour the adversaries Give them a portion with Hypocrites noting to us that Hypocrites they are the first born of Hell they have the right of Primo-geniture a double portion as it were give him his portion with Hypocrites Vse 3 Now thirdly Here all men may discern as in a Glasse how to judge of themselves and what to set down by way of account concerning their estate if so be that the question be thus put among you from the greatest to the least in this Assembly Art thou a Christian Yes But art thou assured of it in the power and light of truth How knowest thou thou art a christian Why now here is a glasse whereby thou maiest discern whereby thou art enabled to enquire and examine out the truth Why you see plainly that originally those were called christians who were indeed Disciples The Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch So that now if thou art indeed and in truth a Disciple of Jesus Christ thou art a christian But if thou art none of christs Disciples but either Moses Disciple or Mammons Disciple if thou art a servant to the God of this world thon art an enemy to christ instead of being a Disciple an enemy to his Interest secretly wishing and desiring that this Interest that is now setting up in the world might be undermined and brought to Inought And if thou hast not the self-same Spirit dweling in thee that dwelt in Jesus Christ If thon art acted by a Spirit of self-love a Spirit of vain Glory thou art none of Christs his glorious unction is not yet poured upon thee Hast thou learned and walked in the way of the Lord for he that saith he abideth in him ought so to walk even as he walked if not with what face canst thou challenge to thy self the the name of his Disciple Oh consider I say again what little cause thou hast to assume to thy self the name of a christian If so be that you should see a man with his face and his feet contrary each to other his face looking upward forward and upward unto Heaven and his feet directly turned backward carrying him backward downward toward a steep precipice under which is a pit of destruction First you would say this is a Monster this is a Monster his face one way and his feet walking another and leading him backward And then secondly you would pity him he is going to destruction and sees it not sees not the precipice he sees not the pit the Gulf of destruction underneath at the bottom of that precipice you would say he is a Monster and you would pity him My Brethren this is directly the Description of a Counterfeit Christian here is a Character now of abundance of persons in the world and I fear of many here present It is true your faces are fixed upwards and toward heaven towards Christ towards God happiness salvation you look that way you profess that way look in your face it is a beautifull face and it is set the right way towards Heaven and salvation towards God and his Glory this is your pretence but look down now upon your feet and observe your walking your fect are turned clean contrary to your face and these feet carrying the body face and pretence and all to Hell and utter ruine and destruction such a man is a Monster amongst men and not a kindly Christian that is rightly born rightly begotten of the immortal seed of the Word born of God and not of man he is not such a man but a Monster amongst Christians And ah poor Monster whither art thou going walking carrying and drawing thy very face thy presence and pretence and demeanour together with thee down that precipice to eternall destruction Now although it is true I cannot determine which are these in this Assembly yet he that sits in heaven and observes all your down-lyings and uprisings and understands your thoughts a farre off he sees how many monstrous Christians there are in the world and here with their faces towards Heaven and their feet turned and distorted directly contrary to them And therefore it is that in the Ministery of the word this day he calls out to those Monsters of Christianity that have a beautifull face a fair pretence and their actions contrary Take heed whither are you going and look after the Precipice the downfall the gulf of ruine that is behind you and that you are going to and therefore now remember this truth this glass shews to you who are Christians who are not who are Monsters who have neither the face nor any thing no not any proportion of a Christian and who they