Christ Gal. 1.23 He now preacheth the faith which before he persecuted So 1 Tim. 4.16 Gal. 3.2 So here in this place of Jude Faith once delivered is to be understood of the faith of heavenly doctrine the word of faith which the Apostle saith God had delivered to them and they were to maintain against the opposite errours of seducers This holy doctrine being called faith 1. Because it is the instrument used by God to work faith The Spirit by the word perswading us to assent to the whole doctrine of the Gospel and to rest upon Christ in the promise for life In which respect faith is said to come by hearing Rom. 10.15 And the Gospel the power of God Rom. 1.16 c. to every one that believes The faith to be believed begets a faith believing 2. Because it is a most sure infallible faithfull word and deserves to be the object of our faith and belief The Author of it was the holy and true Rev. 3.7.14 Tit. 1.2 2 Pet. 1.2 the faithful and true Witnesse God who cannot lie The Instruments were infallibly guided by the immediate derection and assistance of the holy Ghost The Matter of it an everlasting truth the Law being a constant rule of righteousnesse the Gospel conteining promises which shall have their stability when heaven and earth shall passe away and of such certainty that if an angel from heaven should teach another doctrine he must be accursed It abounds also with prophesies predictions most exactly accomplished though after hundreds yea thousands of years The form of it which is its conformity with God himself sheweth that if God be faithfull Heb. 4.12 Psal 19.7 9. needs must his word be so its powerfull it searcheth the heart its pure and perfect true and faithfull and all this in conformity with the power omniscience purity perfection truth of God himself The end of it is to supply us with assured comfort Rom. 15.4 Observ 1. 1. The word of life is most worthy of assent and approbation No word so much challengeth belief as Gods it 's so true and worthy of belief that it 's called faith it self When in Scripture the object is called by the name of the habit or affection it notes that the object is very proper for that habit or affection to be exercised about Heaven is in Scripture called joy to shew it 's much to be rejoyced in and the Doctrine of salvation is called faith to shew that its most worthy of our faith Infidelity is a most inexcusable and incongruous sin in us Tit. 1.2 Heb. 6.18 Isa 53.1 when the faithfull and true God speaks unto us It 's impossible for God to lie and yet Who hath beleeved our report may be a complaint as ordinary as it is old How just is God to give those over to beleeve a lie who will not beleeve the truh How miserable is their folly who beleeve a lie and distrust faith it self 2. Observ 2. Deplorable is their estate who want the doctrine of salvation They have no footing for faith they have they hear nothing that they can beleeve Uncertainty of happiness is ever the portion of a people who are destitute of the Word He who wants this light knows not whither he goeth The Fancy of the Enthusiast the Reason of the Socinian the Traditions of the Papist the Oracles of the Heathens are all Foundations of sand death shakes and overturns them all 3. Observ 3. The true reason of the firmnesse and stedfastnesse of the Saints in their profession they lean upon a sure word Spiritus sanctus non est Scepticus ne◠opiniones in cordibus sed assertiones producit ipsâ vit â omni experientiâ certiores a more sure word than any revelation a word called even faith it self Greater is the certainty of Faith then that of Sense and Reason It 's not Opinion and Scepticism but Faith The holy Ghost is no Sceptick it works in us not opinions but assertions more sure than life it self and all experience The more weight and dependency we set upon the word so firm a foundation is it the stronger is the building None will distrust God but they who never tryed him 4. Our great end in attending upon the word should be the furthering of our faith The jewel of the Word should not hang in our ears but be lock'd up in a beleeving heart 'T is not meat on the table but in the stomack that nourisheth and not the Word preached but beleeved that saves us The Apostle having specified the thing which they were to maintain Faith he amplifieth it and that three wayes 1. Explicat 2. He saith it was delivered The word in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here translated delivered signifieth to be given or delivered from one to another severall wayes in Scripture according to the circumstances of the place where and the matter about which 't is used Sometime it importeth a delivering craftily deceitfully or traiterously in which respect the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often rendred to betray as Matth. 2.4.10 and Chap. 26 15 16 21 23 24 25. and Chap. 16.45 46 48. In some places it signifieth a delivering in a way of punishment and suffering As Mat. 4.12 Jesus heard that John was delivered up So Mat. 5.25 and 10.17.19.21 and 17.22 and Acts 7.42 c. In other places it signifieth a delivering in a way of committing something to ones trust to be carefully regarded and preserved as Mat. 11.27 and 25.14 20. and John 19.20 and 1 Pet. 2.23 And thus it frequently signifieth a delivering by way of information or relation of doctrines and duties from one to another to be kept and observed And that both from God first by the speech and afterward by the writing of holy men for the use of his Church as 1 Cor. 11.2 2 Thes 2.15 and 3.6 2 Pet. 2.21 and also from men who often deliver doctrines to others not written in the word Mat. 15.2 Mark 7.9.13 but invented by men In this sense the delivering here mentioned is to be taken namely for such an information or relation of Gods will as they to whom it is delivered are bound to preserve and keep as their treasure In which respect the delivering of this faith or doctrine of salvation comprehends first Gods bestowing it secondly Mans holding and keeping it 1. Gods bestowing it and in that is considerable 1. In what wayes and after what manner God delivered it 2. What need there was of this delivery of the faith by God 1. In what wayes God delivered the faith the Scripture tels us he hath delivered it either extraordinarily Num. 12.6.8 Heb. 1.1 as immediately by himselfe by Angels by a voice by a sensible apparition to men sometime when they were awake at other times when they were sleeping by dreams sometime only by inward inspiration Or ordinarily and so he delivers the doctrine of faith 1. To his
Ministers whom he hath appointed to be Stewards therof to the end of the world partly by qualifying them with gifts and Ministeriall Abilities and partly by appointing and setting them apart for the Ministry by those whom he hath authorized thereunto 2. To his people by the Ministry of his fore-mentioned servants who have instructed the faithfull sometime by preaching with a lively voice and afterward by committing the doctrine of faith to writing And Ministers shall to the end of the world be continued to deliver this doctrine of faith to the Church for their edification in holinesse And among those people to whom Ministers deliver this faith externally some there are to whom it is delivered also effectually by the internall revelation of the Spirit which so delivers this doctrine of faith to all the Elect that they themselves are delivered into it Rom. 6.17 their understandings being savingly enlightned to see that excellency in it which by the bare Ministry of it cannot be perceived and their wils perswaded to imbrace it as that rule of life according to which they will constantly walk 2. What need there was of the delivery of this faith 1. In regard of the Insufficiency of all other doctrines or prescriptions in the world to lead to life Only this doctrine delivered is the rule of faith and manners Peace internall and eternall is only afforded to them who walk according to this rule Gal. 6.11 God brings to glory only by guiding by these counsels All other lights are false are fools fires which lead to precipices and perdition This is the light which shines in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.20 to which who ever gives not heed can never find the way to heaven Learned Ethnicks never wrote of eternall happinesse in their Ethicks 1 Cor. 1.21 The world by wisdome knew not God 2. In regard of the totall insufficiency of man to find out this doctrine of himself The things delivered in this doctrine are mysteries supernaturall and depending on the meer will and dispensation of God The incarnation of the Son of God Col. 1.26 expiation of sin by his death justification by faith could never have entred into the mind of man unlesse God had revealed them They depend not upon any connexion of naturall causes Though there be a kind of naturall Theologie yet there 's no naturall Christianity Also the und erstanding of man is so obscured by the darknesse of sin that in spirituals it is purely blind The naturall man perceives not the things which are of God 1 Cor. 2.14 2. This delivering of faith comprehends the keeping and holding it by those to whom it was delivered This is done therefore 1. by Ministers 2. by every Christian 1. This duty is incumbent on Ministers who must keep the truth hold fast the faithfull word and be tenacious Tit. 1.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holding it as the word signifieth against a contrary hold with both their hands with all their strength Jer. 10.27 Amos 7.14 holding it in their understanding in their affections in their preaching and delivery in their life and practice not parting with it for fear or favour either to Sectaries or Politicians rather parting with their lives than their sword 2. The faith is kept by every Christian by persevering in the knowledge love and practice of it Every Saint must keep it in his head in his heart in his hand this he must do though for keeping the truth he lose his life 'T is not the having but the holding the truth Rev. 2.13 which is a Christians crown He who lets it go never had it truely and effectually in the love of it nor shall ever enjoy it in the recompence of it Of this more afterward 1. God was the Authour of the doctrine of life Observ 1. though by men yet from him hath it alwayes been delivered it 's his word and revelation The word of the Lord and thus saith the Lord is the Scripture stamp and superscription When the Patriarchs and Prophets preach'd it it was from him when holy men of old time wrote it it was from him though he hath spoken in divers manners yet 't was he that spake When the doctrine of life was committed to writing he commanded it He moved and inspired holy men to write 2 Pet. 1.21 2 Tim. 3.16 Exod. 17.14 chap. 34.27 Isai 8.1 chap. 30.8 Jer. 36.2 They were his Organs and Instruments of conveying his mind to the world The Spirit of the Lord saith David 2 Sam. 23.2 spake by me and his word was in my tongue And Acts 28.25 The Holy Ghost spake by Isaiah Quicquid Chri. stus de suis dictis ac factis nos scire voluit ipsis scribendum tanquam suis manibus imperavit Aug. l. 1. de cons Evang. c. 35. And 1 Pet. 1.11 The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets fore-told his sufferings These and the other holy men were the Scribes the Pens the Hands the Notaries of the Spirit They wrote not as men but as men of God when any book is called the Book of Moses the Psalms of David the Epistle of Paul it 's in respect of Ministry not of the principall cause 2. Great is the necessity of Scripture The doctrine of life could never without a scripturall delivery have been found out without it indeed this doctrine was between two and three thousand years preserved by the delivery of a lively voice but afterwards when their lives who were to deliver the word grew short men numerous memory frail the bounds of the Church inlarged corruptions frequent and therefore tradition an unfaithfull keeper of the purity of doctrine as appears by Tharah's Jos 24.3 Gen. 35.2 Apostoli quod primum praeconiaverunt postea per Dei voluntatem in Scripturis nobis tradi derunt fundamentum columnam fidei uostrae futurae Iren. lib. 3. adv haeres c. 1. and Abram's worshipping of other gods the idolatry in Jacob's family c. God appointed that the doctrine of life should be committed to writing and upon supposition of the will and pleasure of God whose wisdome hath now thought fit to give us no other rule and foundation of faith the written word is now necessary as the means of delivering faith to us Had not the faith therefore been delivered in Scriptures whence should it have been found how retained The written word is the cabbinet wherein lies the jewell of faith the starre which shews where the Babe lodgeth the light which discovers the beauty of salvation A Book of Apocalyps or Revelation of Christ 3. Strong is the engagement upon us to be thankfull for Gods discovering to us the doctrine of faith It was above the compasse of Reason and Nature ever to have found it out by their own inquiry Rom. 16.25 Ephes 1.9 Ephes 3.9 neither men nor Angels could have known it without divine revelation It was a mystery a great an hidden mystery which was
principally means the Gospel with which God had instrusted him So Tit. 1.3 c. 2. But not excluding the former by the Saints to whom the Faith was delivered I understand All the people of God to whom it was delivered by the fore-mentioned servants of God And as some of these were Saints in regard only of visible profession and dedication and others were made Saints in respect of true and saving sanctity so the faith was delivered unto these differently to the former by way of outward administration and visible dispensation to the later who were made true Saints by way of saving and effectuall operation They who were and continued to be onely visible and externall Saints had the faith delivered unto them as the common sort of Israelites had to whom God wrote the great things of his Law and yet they were accounted a strange thing Hos 6.12 and to whom were committed the oracles of God Rom. 3.1 and yet they beleeved not Isai 53.1 contenting themselves in the retaining the letter of the Law declaring Gods Statutes and taking his covenant into their mouth in the mean time never regarding to have the law written in their hearts Psal 50.16.17 c. but hating instruction and casting the word of God behind them They who had the faith delivered unto them by way of efficacious and saving operation did not only hear but beleeve the report of Gods messengers and the arm of God was revealed to them Isai 53.1 To whom it was given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God although to others it were not given Mat. 13.11 and for whose sake alone the faith is delivered to others who got no good at all thereby but onely an estimation for members of the visible Church 1. The Word is to be laid out and delivered to Observ 1. not to be laid up and kept from others The Saints are to be the better for it The Ministry is in Scripture compared to light what more diffusive to seed it must be scattered to bread it must be broken and distributed to every one according to their exigencies to salt it must not be laid up in the Salt-box but laid out in seasoning the flesh that it may be kept from putrefaction He who hides truth buries gold Ministers must rather be worn with using than rusting Paul did spend and was spent The sweat of a Minister as 't is reported of Alexander's casts a sweet savour His talents are not for the napkin but occupation How sinfull are they that stand idle in a time of labour how impious they who compell them to stand so 2. They who retain and keep the Faith are Saints Observ 2. Visibly those are Saints and that is a Church which keep it by profession and ministerially A Church that is which is the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Rom. 3.2 to whom the Oracles of God are committed as Paul speaks of the Jewes None are so to complain of the defects of our Church for what it wants as to deny it a Church considering what it hath It holds forth the truth of all Doctrines which serve both for the beginning and increase of faith It 's one of Christs golden Candlesticks wherein he hath set up the light of his Word and though Sectaries do not yet Christ walks in the midst of them I must be bold to fear that because our adversaries cannot rationally deny that while we hold forth the Truth we are a true Church they labour by their errours to extinguish the Truth that so we may be none 3. How much is the world beholding to Saints 3. Observ They have kept the Faith the Word of life for the ingratefull world ever since 't was first delivered Were it not for them we had lost our Truth nay lost our God These are they who have in all ages with their breath nay with their bloods preserved the Gospel kept the word of Christs patience Rev. 3.8.10 And rather then they would not keep the Faith they have lost their lives They profit the world against its will they are benefactors to their severall ages like indulgent Parents they have laid up the riches of faith for those who have desired their deaths It 's our duty though not to adore them yet to honour their memory Satan knows no mean between deifying and nullifying them Imitation of them is as unquestionably our duty as adoration of them would be our sin 4. 4 Observ Vnholiness is very unsutable to them to whom the Faith is delivered It 's delivered to Saints in profession and they should labour to be so in power They should adorn the Doctrine of God Tit. 2.10 How sad a sight is it to behold the unsanctified lives of those to whom this faith hath been long delivered How many live as if faith had banished all fidelity and honesty or as if God had delivered the faith not to furnish their souls with holiness but only their shelves with Bibles Books in the head not in the Study make a good Scholar and the word of faith not in the house or head but in the heart and life make a Christian Oh thou who art call'd a Saint either be not so much as call'd so or be more than call'd so otherwise thy externall priviledg will be but an eternall punishment If God have delivered his Faith to thee deliver up thy self to him 5. 5 Observ The Fewness of faiths entertainers is no derogation from faiths excellency They are a poor handfull of Saints by whom the faith is preserved and to whom it is delivered in the world The preatest number of men and nations have not the faith delivered unto them ministerially and of them the far greater part never had it delivered efficaciously It s better to love the faith with a few than to leave it with a multitude Numbers cannot prove a good cause nor oppose a Great God 6. Observ 6. The true reason of Satans peculiar rage against Saints they have that faith delivered to them which is the bane and battery of his kingdom that word which is an Antidote against his poison that doctrine which discovers his deeds of darknesse Satans policy is to dis-arm a place of the word when he would subdue it he peaceably suffers those to live who have not the weapons of holy doctrine he throws his cudgels against fruitfull trees he lays wait as a thief for those who travel with this treasure They who are empty of this treasure may sing be merry when they meet with him he never stops them Others who have the faith he sets upon annoyeth I have given them thy word saith Christ the world hath hated thē John 1.7 3. Jude saith in this amplification Explicat the faith was once delivered once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Three things may be touched in the Explication 1. The meaning of the word once 2.
The agreement thereof with the delivery of faith or how faith may be said to be once delivered 3. Why the Apostle adds this expression Once to the delivery of faith amplifying it this way For the first The word Once is taken two wayes in Scripture and ordinary usage 1. As 't is opposed to inconstancy deficiency Nullâ reparabilis arte laesa pudicitia est deperit illa semel Ovid. cessation or uncertainty of continuance and so once is as much as firmly constantly irrevocably alwayes Thus God saith Psal 89.36 Once have I sworn by my holinesse that I will not lie unto David that is my oath is irrevocable nor is there any danger of inconstancy What I have sworn shall surely be accomplish'd 2. Once is taken as 't is opposed to reiteration repetition or frequency either of the being or doing of any thing and so once is as much as once and no more Once for all Once and not again Once and only once When a thing is done so fully and perfectly that it need not or should not or cannot be done again Thus Heb. 9.28 Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many And Heb. 10.10 we read of the offering of Christ once for all And Abishai 1 Sam. 26.8 desired to smite Saul once promising that he would not smite him the second time 2. For the second Both these significations agree most aptly and sutably to the delivery of the doctrine of faith For 1. The faith is once delivered as once is opposed to deficiency or cessation that is firmly and irrevocably delivered It shall ever be it shall never be quite taken away from the Church 1 Pet. 1.25 it endureth for ever As the habit of faith shall never cease in the soul so the doctrine of faith shall never cease in the world It 's a candle that all the winds of hell can never blow out a flame that all the waters of trouble can never extinguish Thus it 's called Rev. 14.6 the eternall Gospel never to be destroyed it shall ever be in the Scripture Ministry hearts and profession of a number of men My word saith God shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth and for ever Isai 59.21 Christ promiseth to be with his Ministers to the end of the world Mat. 28.19 The servants of Christ shall trade in the spirituall Merchandise of faith till he come Luke 19.13 The people of God in the use of the Lords Supper shall set forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 And the work of the Ministry with the edifying of the body thereby shall continue till we all meet c. Ephes 4.13 That the doctrine of faith shall ever continue in one place is not asserted but that it shall ever in some place is certain It 's not for the dignity of Christ the King of his Church ever to suffer his Scepter to be wrested out of his hands It 's not consistent with the safety integrity health life c. of the Church in this her condition of constant exigency to be deprived of the doctrine which is given her for armour a rule medicine food It 's as easie for enemies to pluck the Sun out of the Firmament as this faith out of the Church The whole power and policy of hell hath been imployed for that purpose sixteen hundred years Could it have been done it had been done long before now 2. The faith is once delivered as once is opposed to frequency or reiteration it is once and no more Once for all Once and not again to be delivered in respect it shall never be delivered again with any change or alteration which it is to receive It 's a work done so well Semel traditam doctrinam dicit quae nunquam sit posthac immutanda Beza in loc that it need not be done again because it cannot be done better And thus the doctrine of salvation may be said to be once or unalterably delivered both in respect of the matter of it and the present manner of administring it 1. In respect of the matter it never was nor ever shall be changed The same Saviour of man and Mediatour between God and man hath unalterably been afforded Christ Jesus the same yesterday and to day Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13.8 Acts 4.12 and for ever He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world There never was any other but his Name by which salvation at any time was bestowed All even those before and after Christ have drank of the same spirituall rock 1 Cor. 10.4 1 John 29. Ephes 5.23 Gal. 1.7 1 Cor. 3.11 Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world not he the sin of some ages and another of other ages of the world He is the Saviour of the whole body No other Gospel can be preached but the glad tidings of life by Christ Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ As Christ so the doctrine of life by Christ is the same yesterday to Adam the Patriarchs and Prophets To day to the Apostles and for ever to all following Saints It 's a testament wherein all the legacies of grace and glory are bequeathed and therefore as the Apostle argues it is unalterable Gal. 3.15 The rule of life the holy Law of God is a standing and unalterable rule Whatsoever is a sin against the morrall Law now was a sin alwayes duties required now by it were duties alwayes Peace is the portion now and it was ever the portion of them that walked according to it The ransom from death and standing rule of life were ever one and the same 2. The doctrine of salvation is once i. e. unalterably delivered now in respect of the present manner of administration namely by Ministers preaching and Sacraments c. No other form or manner of exhibiting the benefits by Christ can be introduced In respect of this manner of administration and exhibition of the benefits of the Gospel without legall types shadows and sacrifices it 's called the New Testament And it 's called new because it 's to be alway new Novum quia semper novum and never grow old as the former did Should there ever be another manner of administration admitted it must be called The new Testament and so either this must be called Old and then there must be two Old Testaments the former and this 〈◊〉 this must still be called new and so there should be granted two New Testaments Besides this last way of administration of the benefits of the Gospel being instituted by Christ himself it should much derogate from the dignity of Christ if another way should afterward be thought more excellent and perfect Heb. 1.2 God in these last times hath spoken saith the Apostle by his Son and therfore delivered his will more excellently and
AN EXPOSITION Of the EPISTLE of St JUDE Together With many large and useful DEDUCTIONS LATELY Delivered in XL LECTURES In christ-Christ-Church LONDON BY WILLIAM JENKYN Minister of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST The FIRST PART but not printed as it was p … thed 1 TIM 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the later times some shall depart from the faith TIT. 1.9 Holding fast the faithfull word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epiph. adv Haer. l. 1. Tom. 2. haer 25. p. mihi 92 London Printed by Th. Maxey for SAMUEL GELLIBRAND at the golden BALL in Pauls Church-yard 1653. To the Right Worshipfull and other my Beloved and Christian Friends Inhabitants in the Parish of CHRIST-CHURCH LONDON THE Souls of men may as certainly be destroyed by poysoning as starving If Satan cannot hinder from some kind of tasting and receiving the grace of the Gospel he often perverts it poysonfully by making men to turn it into lasciviousnesse and even by freedome from sin to allow themselves in sinning freely The Seducers crept into the Church in Jude's time under pretence of Christian Liberty introduced unchristian Libertinism No cheaper stuffe then Grace would serve their turns wherewith to cloath lasciviousnesse and no other Patron then the Lord Christ himselfe to protect their impieties Whether they were the Disciples of Simon Magus or Nicolaitans or Gnosticks as Epiphanius thinks I much enquire not sure I am they were of the Synagogue of Satan he was both their Father and Master whom they resembled and whose works they did In this Epistle the Apostle Jude not only with Holy zeal opposeth them himself but sounds a Trumpet for the rousing up the Christians upon whose Quarters these Seducers had fallen to surprise their Treasure the Doctrine of Faith earnestly to contend for the preservation of so precious a Depositum once and once for all delivered to their keeping The Arguments used by the Apostle are Cogent his Directions Prudent and probable it is that his Pains were in some degree Successfull I know no Spiritually skilfull Observer but apprehends too great a Resemblance between the faces of those and our times Sins in our dayes are not only committed under the enjoyment but in pretence by the encouragement of grace men who now dare not sin are by some derided as ignorant of their Christian liberty and evident it is that many live as if being delivered from the fear of their enemies they were delivered from the fear and service of their Deliverer and as if the Blood of the Passeover were not intended by God to be sprinkled upon the door posts to save them but upon the threshould of the door for them to trample upon Beloved friends if God hath appointed that you should resemble these Christians to whom Jude wrote in the danger of your times it s your duty to imbrace the directions delivered to these Christians for your defence from those dangers A gracious heart considers not how bitter but how true not how smart but how seasonable any truth is My aime in the publishing these Lectures is to advance holinesse and so far as I could do it with following the mind of the Apostle to oppose those sins which if people hate not most are like to hurt them most and to advance those duties with which if people be not most in love yet in which they are most defective and thereby most indangered And now again I beseech you that I may testifie my unfayned affection as well by my Epipistle as my Book labour to keep close to God in a loose age spend not your time in complaining of the licentiousnesse of the times in the mean while setting up a toleration in your own Hearts and Lives That private Christian who doth not labour to oppose prophancnesse with a river of tears would never if he could bear it down with a stream of power Lay the foundation of Mortification deep Reserve no lust from the stroke of Jesus Christ Take heed of pleasing your selves in a bare formall profession Labour to be rooted in Christ He who is but a visible Christian may in a short time cease to be so much as visible He who speaks of Christ but notionally may in time be won to speak against him Love not the world Beware of scandals take them not where they are make them not where they are not the common sin of our times to black Religion and then to fear and hate it Despise not the providences of God in the world they are signs of Gods mind though not of his love Delight in the publick Ordinances and highly esteem of faithfull Ministers they and Religion are commonly blasted together Shun Seducers sit down under a Minister as well as under a Preacher He who will hear everyone may at length be brought to hear none and he who will hear him preach who ought not may soon be left to learn that which he ought not Preserve a tender conscience Every step you take fear a snare Read your own hearts in the wickednesse of others Be not slight in Closet-services and oft think of God in your shops for there you think you have least leasure but sure you have most need to do so Let your speech be alway with grace and a word or two of Christ in every company if it may be and yet not out of form but feeling These Lectures here presented might sooner have seen the light had I not lately met with such hinderances sufficiently known as I once expected should have stopp'd them altogether The main of this imployment hath lien upon me since that time which considering my many other Imployments you know hath not been long though otherwise long enough to have performed this work much more exactly I here present you though not with half of the Epistle yet with more then the one half of that which upon the whole I preach'd I have not knowingly left out any passages delivered in the Pulpit The other part I promise in the same Volume with this so soon as God gives strength more leisure if this find acceptance with the Church of God And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Resting Your Servant in the Work of Christ WIL. JENKYN ERRATA PAge 8. line 11. for four read three p. 29. l. 27. for going to him for r. we feel its p. 44. l. 15. for them r. it p. 119. l. 32. for feast r. food p. 121. marg r. differenter p. 123. l. 19 for lover r. love p. 128. l. 5. r. saith the soul p. 152. marg r. beneficentia and under it Nieremb p. 164. l. 9. for may r. might p. 202. marg r. omnes p. 212. l. 8. for explication r. exhortation p. 228. l. 12. r. intrusted p. 234. l. 30. r. invincible p. 266. l. 12. r. opinions marg r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
into the eye it presently begins to cry The people of God while troubles are upon them are safe but when they are within them when sin sends away Christ then begins their woe Sin can never quite bereave a Saint of his jewel his grace but it may steal away the key of the cabinet his assurance he may not know where to finde his grace when he stands most it need of it Grieve not that holy Spirit which unites Chrisâ— to the soul and supplyes the soul with Christ Grieve not that Spirit in thy joyes which only can rejoyce thee in thy griefs The Spirit of Christ is a tender thing When Jâ—seph manifested himself to his brethren the Egyptians weâ— made to go forth and when the Spirit discovers the love oâ— Christ to us there must not be a lust allowed in us 5. Obs 5. I note The great happinesse by the second abovâ— what was enjoyed from the first Adam We were holy in the first but are preserved only in the second Adam in the former holinesse was perfect onely in the later it is permanent in Adam we had a power to stand if we would in Christ we have grace that makes us will Adam had life but lost it and derives death Christ hath life keeps it and communicates it Oh the goodnesse of God that he should take occasion by mans hurting himself to do him good and after his falling not onely to raise him up but to keep him up to keep him as the Apostle afterward from falling A mercy which as it requires thankfulnesse Felicior Job in sterquilinio quam Adamus in Paradiso Subjiciuntur miscriis non rejiciuntur cum miseris so it opposeth high-mindednesse Job on the dung-hill was more safe then Adam in that place which was the beauty of the earth Though the faithfull may be cast into miseries yet they perish not with the miserable But though wee stand longer then Adam stood yet by our selves we stand not at all we live in a continued dependence upon Christ if he with-draw his manu-tenency Rom. 11.18 20. the higher we are in grace the lower shall we be in sin We bear not the root but the root bears us let us not be high-minded but fear Who-ever is preserved in Christ must not arrogate his preservation to himself Christ must have the glory both of our setting out and holding out This for the second Priviledge from which the faithfull to whom Jude writes are described viz. Their Preservation in Christ The third and last follows viz. Their Vocation Last in the order of the Apostles writing though indeed first in the order of Gods working the Apostle hereby expressing the ground of their Sanctification and their perseverance therein viz. Their true and effectuall vocation from sin to God at the first Called Of this Vocation 1. By way of Explication 2. By way of Observation The word here used signifieth sundry sorts of Callings 1. Not to speak of calling personall 1 Cor. 7.24 Rom. 1.2 Gal. 1.1 or to a Function and Office whether oeconomicall Military Magistraticall or Ecclesiasticall Acts 1.26 immediate or mediate as not being here intended 2. Nor of that generall calling of all persons in the world by the works of creation Rom. 2.15 and 1.19 Psal 19.1 Acts 17.27 and the light of nature by which God speaks to heathens 3. But of that spirituall calling afforded only unto some Acts 14.17 which is to seek happinesse and blessednesse in Christ This is twofold 1. Only externall and ineffectuall 2. Internal also and effectuall 1. Only externall Ps 147.19 20. Acts 17.30 and by the ministry of the Gospel bestowed sometimes upon Cities Kingdoms Common-wealths A calling according to means common to the elect and reprobates Mat. 20.16 Many are called but few are chosen It s often inefficacious as to the saving good of the hearer Mat. 23.37 Heb. 4.3 Audiunt multi obaudiunt pauci Christ would have gathered Jerusalem's children and they would not The word preach'd profited not because not mixt with faith God by this external calling shewing what is mans duty and what was once his ability to perform the impairing of which later is no exemption from the former Joh. 15.22 24. and hereby rendring men inexcusable they knowing what they should do and not doing what they know And also by this meerly outward calling men are conteyned in externall order abstain from sundry great and heynous sins are profitable instruments in a Common-wealth observe civill Justice c. which God oft rewards with temporall blessings 2. The other sort of this spirituall Vocation is internal and effectual this bringing us into the invisible Church as the other into the visible this uniting us to Christ the head the other tying us to the members this bringing to illumination of faith the other to illumination of knowledge only this making us members the other professors of Christ this curing and changing the other only curbing us this being a calling according to purpose and flowing from election the other a calling according to means only The general way leading to the knowledge of God by the creatures and naturall light or the meer externall revelation of the will of God in the Scriptures sufficing not Totus Psalmus in tres partes distribui potest Prima agit de prima Schola quae est universalis seu omnium hominum communis Secunda de Schola particulari propria Ecclesiae penes quam Deus Oracula sua deposuit Tertia de Schola specialis gratiae internâ efficaci quae ad Unctionem Spiritus refertur quae docet vero salutari modo Riv. arg Ps 19. without the effectuall operation of the Spirit upon the heart in respect whereof as the learned Rivet well observes the Psalmist throughout the 19 Psalm sets down a three-fold School by which God teacheth us and calls us 1. That which is common to all men by the contemplation of the creatures 2. That which is proper to the Church standing in Gods committing his oracles unto it 3. That which is internall and of speciall grace efficacious and to be referr'd to the unction of the Spirit which teacheth and calleth after a saving manner And this is the calling here intended being that powerfull work of God calling persons to be what they are not of sinners to become Saints of enemies to become sons whereby grace is not only offered but conferr'd a work of Gods Spirit whereby the elect are not only morally invited but efficaciously incited to come to Christ For the explanation of which I shall briefly touch upon six Considerations which sweetly agree in three pairs or couples with the ordinary calls or invitations which are between man and man 1. The term from which we are called with 2. The term to which we are called 3. The Caller or who it is that calleth with 4. The persons called 5. The Voyce wherewith he calleth with 6.
kept secret since the world began How much to be adored is Gods goodnesse to us to whom the Faith is delivered though from others it was hidden This Faith without the knowledg whereof there 's no salvation Deut. 7.6.7 Mat. 11.25 26 and which could never have been known but by revealed light was not given to us rather then to others who lived and died in the utter ignorance thereof for any preceding difference and disposition thereunto in us but onely out of the meer love and free grace of God 4. Observ 4. The great impiety of those who obtrude a faith upon people invented by men not delivered by God who erect a building of faith upon the foundation of Philosophical principles Schoolmen and Papists fasten many things for articles of Faith upon the people Ex philosophorum ingeniis omnes haereses animantur Tert. adv Marc. l. 1. which they never received from divine delivery but from the discourse of blind Reason What else are their errours concerning Worship Free-will inherent Righteousnesse the merit of Works c. but streams which flow'd from the Ethicks of Philosophers not the Epistles of Paul Humane Reason is deceitfull when it goes beyond its bounds A Philosopher as such is but a naturall man and perceiveth not the things of God Blind men cannot judg of colours beasts order not humane affairs nor must humane Reason determine of heavenly doctrine The principles of Reason are a sandy foundation for the Conclusions of divine Doctrine Hagar must be ejected if she submit not to Sarah Reason must be subdued to Faith 5. Great is the dignity of a Ministers Office Observ 5. 2 Cor. 4.7 The end of it is the delivering of the Faith to people Ministers though earthen vessels yet carry a treasure though torn caskets yet they contain jewels A faithfull Minister is Gods Steward to dispense his blessings He is a Star for light and influence a Cloud to distill down showers of plenty upon Gods weary heritage a Nurse a Father a Saviour a common Good Joseph's Office in delivering out of Corn to the people in the Famine made him honoured how worthy an employment is it then to deliver to souls the bread of life 6. Observ 6. It 's a great sin to part with the faith delivered to us It 's an hainous sin either in Ministers or People In the former when they shall either give it away or suffer it to be taken from them Phil. 1.17 For the defence of the Gospel they are set they must be men made up of fire in the midst of a field of stubble or errours though holily patient when their own interest yet holily impatient when the interest of Christ is endangered They must not be dumb dogs when thieves attempt to rob the House of God the Church Though they must not bite the children within yet neither spare the thief without Nor is any Christian exempted in his station from the duty of keeping Faith Pro. 23.23 they must not sell the truth not patiently suffer Sectaries and Persecuters to bereave them of it not for the love of their swine suffer Christ to go much lesse send Christ out of their Coasts not part with the faith by keeping their money In a word they must keep the faith by perseverance in the love and profession of it by taking heed of errour and profaneness lest being led away with the errour of the wicked they fall from their stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3.17 2. Jude saith in the amplification of this faith that it was delivered to the Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It may here be enquired 1. Who are holy and Saints 2. Who the Saints are to whom this faith was delivered Men are called holy in two respects 1. In respect of the holiness of destination separation Explication or being set apart from common uses and employments to the holy service of God 2 Chro. 7.16 Isai 13.3 1 Kings 9.3 thus the Greeks apply the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to separate and thus not onely men but the Temple vessels Sabboth Tabernacle are called holy The first born Exod. 13.2 God commandeth Moses to sanctifie which he explains Ver. 12. Thou shalt set apart to the Lord c. Thus the Prophets and Apostles are often in Scriptures called holy and Jeremy was sanctified from the womb Jer. 1.5 in regard of this holiness of separation and dedication and all visible professors and their children are called holy 1 Cor. 7.14 as likewise may the whole body of a visible Church 2. In respect of their having holiness really and properly put into them which is done by the holy Spirit whence it is read of the sanctification of spirit it abolishing their native polution and unholiness 2 Thes 2.13 1 Pet. 1.2 1 Cor. 1.2 Exod. 19.6 and bestowing upon them graces and holy qualities by the renovation of Gods image in them And the holy Spirit makes them holy in two respects 1. Of not holy privatively and so man that had lost totally his holines is made holy by regeneration or effectuall vocation 2. Of less holy and so Gods children are sanctified by being enabled to the exercise of an actuall mortifying of sin and living in holiness with proceeding in both 2. Who the Saints are to whom the faith was delivered 1. Some by Saints here understand those holy Prophets Apostles and other Ministers who are holy by peculiar Office and Employment to whom God delivered the doctrine of Faith either of old in an extraordinary or since in an ordinary way that they might be his Ministers in delivering it unto others and these in Scripture are called holy Luke 1.70 He spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began And Acts 3.11 the same words are again used So 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost So 2 Pet. 3.2 The words spoken before by the holy Prophets Rev. 18.20 Ye holy Apostles and Prophets And Rev. 22.6 The Lord God of the holy Prophets And these in a peculiar manner had the doctrine of faith delivered to them Act. 1.8 Yee Apostles shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth Mat. 28.19 These had commission to teach all nations By these Heb. 2.3 the great salvation was confirmed Paul tels the Corinthians 1 Cor. 11.23 he had received from the Lord that which he delivered to them And 1 Cor. 15.3 I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received And 1 Cor. 9.17 A dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me 2 Cor. 5.19 God hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Gal. 2.7 The Gospel of uncircumcision was committed to me 1 Tim. 1.11 The glorious Gospel of the blessed God was committed to my trust 1. Tim 6.20 O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy trust He
that his commands are profitable to both 3. Sins of unchastity are peculiarly defiling Besides that spirituall uncleannesse wherewith every sin defiles carnall chastity defiles with that which is bodily All sin in generall is called uncleannesse but fornication is the sin which is singled out particularly to be branded with that name Some think that Adulterers are especially compared to Dogs unclean creatures The hire of a whore and the price of a dog are put together and both forbidden to be brought into the house of the Lord Deuter. 23.18 And when Abner was by Ishbosheth reproved for defiling Rizpah he answers Am I a dog Weems on the seventh Commandment The childe begotten in adultery is Deut. 23.2 called Mamzer which some learned men derive from two words signifying another mans spot or defilement how foolish are they who desire to have their dead bodies imbalmed and their living bodies defiled There 's a peculiar opposition between fornication and sanctification 1 Thes 4.3 This is the will of God even your sanctification that ye should abstain from fornication The Saints of God should have a peculiar abhorrence of this sin fornication and uncleanness c. let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints Eph. 5.3 they should cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 A man who is of a cleanly disposition loves to wear clean garments The body is the garment of the soule and a clean heart will preserve a pure body Remember Christians by what hand your bodies were made by what guest they are inhabited to what head they are united by what price they are purchased in what laver they have been washed and to whose eye they shall hereafter be presented Consider lastly whether Delilah's lap be a fit place for those who expect a room in Abrahams bosome 3. Observ 3. The love of lust makes men erroneous and seducers They who make no conscience of ordering their conversation will soon be hereticall These Seducers who oppos'd the Faith were unclean and Flesh-defilers The fool said in his heart that there was no God Psal 14.1 and the true ground thereof immediately follows they are corrupt and have done abominable works They who put away a good conscience concerning faith will soon make shipwrack 1 Tim. 1.19 The lust of ambition and desire to be teachers of the Law makes men turn aside to vain jangling 1 Tim. 1.7 Diotrephes his love of preheminence puts him upon opposing the truth 3 Joh. ver 10. The lust of covetousness did the like They who supposed that gain was godliness quickly grew destitute of the truth 1 Tim. 6.5 while some covered money they erred from the faith Mich. 3 5. 1 Tim. 6.10 They who subverted whole houses and taught things which they ought not did it for filthy lucres sake Tit. 1.11 The blinde Watchmen and the Shepherds which understood not were such as could never have enough and lookt every one for his gain and they were dumb because greedy dogs Esa 56.10 11. The lust of voluptuousness produced the same effect they who caused divisions contrary to the Doctrine which the Romans had learned were such as served their own belly Rom. 16.17 They who lead captive silly women laden with divers lusts resisted the truth were men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith 2 Tim. 3. Wine and strong drink made the Prophets erre and go out of the way The Hereticks of old the Gnosticks Basilidians Epiph. adv haer c. 24 25 26. Aug. de haer c. 5 6. Perit judicium cum res transit in affectum Nicolaitans c. were so infamous for carnall uncleanness as Epiphanius Augustine and others report that a modest ear would even suffer by the relation thereof Nor have the Papists and Anabaptists of late come far short of them The lusts make the affections to be judges and where affection swayes judgement decayes Hence Alphonsus advised that affections should be left at the threshold when any went to Councell We are prone to believe that to be right and lawful which we would have to be so Lusts oppose all entrance of light which opposeth them Repentance alone makes men acknowledge the truth 2 Tim. 2.25 How can yee believe saith Christ who receive honour one from another Sensuall men taught that the Resurrection was past 2 Tim. 2.18 because it troubled them to think of it The consideration of a Resurrection an Hell an Heaven disturbs them and therefore they deny these If the light be too much in mens eyes they will either shut their eyes or draw the curtains Lusts will pervert the light which is brought in making men instead of bringing their crooked lives to the strait rule to bring the strait rule to their crooked lives and in stead of bringing their hearts to the Scripture to bring the Scripture to their hearts Hence it is that wicked men study the Scripture for distinctions to maintain their lusts and truly a carnall will is often helpt by the Devill to a carnall wit Lastly God in judgement gives up such who will not see to an inability and utter impotency to discern what they ought and to a reprobate minde they who will not be Scholars of Truth are by God justly delivered up to be Masters of Error And because men will not indure sound Doctrine God suffers them to heap unto themselves teachers after their own lusts to turn away their ears from the truth and to be turned unto fables because that when the very Heathen extinstuish'd the light of Nature and knowing God did not glorifie him as God professing themselves wise they became fools and God gave them up to uncleanness and vile affections much more may God send those who live under the Gospell and receive not the love of the truth strong delusions that they should believe lies 2 Thes 2.10 11. Wonder not therefore at that apostacy from the truth which abounds in these dayes and the opposing of those old precious Doctrines which heretofore men have imbraced in appearance some unmortified lust or other there was in them some worm or other there was of pride licenciousness c. in these beautifull Apples which made them fall from the tree of truth to the dirt of error in stead therefore of being scandalized at them let us bee carefull of our selves if wee would hold the mystery of faith let us put it into a pure conscience Let us keep no lust in delitiis love we no sin if we would leave no truth Let us love what we know and then we shall know what to love let us sincerely do the will of Christ and then we shall surely know the Doctrine of Christ I understand more than the Antients saith David Psal 119.100 because I keep thy precepts The Lord will teach such his way and guide them in judgment Evill men saith Solomon understand not judgement but they that seek the Lord understand all things Prov.