of Godliness when the Kingdom of Heaven suffered violence and Religion was the great buisiness and All in a manner of such as had given up their Names to God and subscribed with their hands unto the Lord cannot but easily discern a sad alteration of the state of things among Professors that much of our silver is become dross and our wine mixed with water and that the Daughter of Sion hath contracted filth that had need be purged away Oh where is that Sense of the evil of sin that Dread of the Majesty and Terrour of the Lord that Fear of the wrath to come that care and vigorous endeavour to secure an happy condition in the next World where are those fervent Prayers unutterable groans invincible wrestlings with God that serious and frequent meditation that trembling at the Word making hast and not delaying to keep the Commandments of God are not the wise as well as foolish Virgins slumbring and sleeping As the Spouse saith I sleep but my heart wakâ—th Cant 5.2 They are in a great measure opprest and overborn with security And others fast asleep their eyes closed and hearts asleep too Hence so many Dreaming Professors among us Do not men too generally turn Religion into a Formality and keep up a gaudy pageant of Religion in a course of Profession that hath no life nor soul in it Professors do not walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with that accurateness and circumspection that they were wont to doâ— but are grown careless and sleepy because the Bridegroom tarrieth and wax weary of well-doing and suffer their love to grow cold and stumble at such stones as are commonly laid in the way of a long profession do not some of them begin to eat with the gluttonious and drink with the drunken and smite their fellow servants because their Lord delayes his coming verily the hearts of men generally are not lift up in the wayes of the Lord 2 Chron. 17.6 nor engaged throughly to seek after him but they walk at all adventures with him Levit. 26.21 And there are a Generation of heedless Professors among us that take no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord with all their heartâ—â— which was the Character and Brand of Iehu for all his high profession of Zeal for the Lord of Hosts 2 King 10 31. what settling and thickning upon the lees of security and sensuality sloth and ease doth the Lord Jesus observe among us that searcheth Ierusalem with Candles Zeph. 1.12 what a deal of Dross cleaving to men doth He take notice of whose fire is in Sion and furnace in Ierusalem Here is much precious Wheat but what a deal of Chaffe will be found when Christ comes to sift and win now and purge his floor throughly When the Apostle gives us the Character of those last and perilous times that should overtake the Church of God he reckons up sundry evils that too many Professors in those dayes should be addicted to And I wish his prediction were not verified among us in all the particulars of it Men saith he shall be lovers of themselves pursuing their own interest with thâ—â— neglect of the good of others Covetous or Lovers of Money Poâ—sters insolent and vain glorious Proud supercilious vaunting or flaunting Profession Blasphemers scuâ—â—ilous and abusive revisers of others Disobedient to Parents that is Despisers of the lawfull Authority not only of natural Parents but of Civil and Ecclesiastical Rulers and of superiours in all Societies Families Churches Common-wealth Vnthankful that are not to be won by any kindnesses but are ungrateful to men of worth and usefulness that have obliged them by all manner of Civilities and Services Vnholy or Prophane spirited men without natural Affection Truce-breakers or Perfidious that makâ— no Conscience of words and covenants but violate their promises and engagements False Accusers Devils the Original word is or Make bates and Calumniators Incontinent or intemperate that are buriâ—d in flesh and drowned in sensuality Fierce men of savage and bruitish dispositions that will admit oâ— no moderation Despisers of those that are good such as cannot love good men but despise them be they Magistrates or Ministers men of Piety and great Worth Traitors perfidious to the cause and interest of Christ to their best friends that repose confidence in them Heady violent men that are not to be check'd and restrain'd by Reason or Conscience within any bounds of sobriety but are precipitately carried on as their blind affections and passions hurry them High-minded they are Lords and Reign as Kings and have an high Opinion of themselves an over-weening conceit of their own excellencies Lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God preferring their own carnal pleasures before the holy will of God And the Close of all is Having a Form a shew appearance or vizor of Godliness but denying the power thereof I need say nothing more by way of Application only mind that the Apostles Exhortation is from such turn away 1 Tim. 3.1.6 And therefore we may well conclude that Jesus Christ will turn away from them and have no pleasure in them This this is the sad Apostacy that many in New-England are guilty of A visible decay of and declension from the practise of piety and power of Godliness seizing upon a very considerable part of the professing party of these Plantations as to personal holiness and zeal for the precious interest of Jesus Christ among us An Hour of Temptation is come upon us the desperate effects and issues whereof are plainly seen in the Decay of Love the subversion of the Faith and partial or total Apostacy of many persons Our vain janglings and contentions and strifes and debates those Suckerâ— that draw away all the nourishment from the substantial parts of godliness are an evidence that we are grown carnal that once were a spiritual people 1 Cor. 3.3 We have many fearful instances tremendous Examples of backsliding so that the goodly profession of many persons expires in sad revolt from the Truth to vile Opiniâ—ns or from the power of godliness to loose and licentious courses I have against thee much against thee may Christ say to New-England as he said to Ephesus Rev. 2.4 because thou hast left thy first love And what will be the Latter end of this but the removing of our Candlesticks the loss of the presence and â—avour of Christ the departure of the Glory of the Lord from us the casting away of the Salt that hath lost its savour 2. Consider what â—ill be the latter end of the great contempt of and unfruitfulness under the Dispeâ—sation of the Word and Ordinances among us Do not your own Consciences tell you that the Market and Price of Ordinances is very low at this day Houses and Lands Lots and Farms and outward accomodations are of more value with many people then the Gospel and Gospel ordinances When the Ark of God was taken it was the sad lamentation of that good Woman the Glory
NEW-ENGLAND Pleaded with And pressed to consider the things which concern her PEACE at least in this her Day OR A Seasonable and Serious Word of faithful Advice to the Churches and People of God primarily those in the Massachusets Colony musingly to Ponder and bethink themselves what is the Tendency and will certainly be the sad Issue of sundry unchristian and crooked wayes which too too many have been turning aside unto if persisted and gone on in Delivered in a Sermon Preached at Boston in New-England May. 7. 1673. being the Day of Election there By Vrian Oakes Pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge Mic. 6.3 4. O my People what have I done unto thee and wherein 〈◊〉 I wearied thee testifie against me For I brought thee up out of the 〈◊〉 of Egypt and redeemed thee out of the house of servants and I sent before thâ—â— Moses Aaron and Miriam Deut. 28.58 59. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this Law that are written in this Book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearfull Name the Lord thy God Then the Lord will make thy Plagues wonderful and the Plagues of thy seed even great Plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses c. Ezek. 18.30 Repent and turn from all your transgressions so iniquitâ— shall not be your ruine Cambridge Printed by Samuel Green 1673. Christian Reader OF all Humane Societies on Earth That which in Scripture is called Heaven Rev. 4.1 2. Cap. 12 1 3 7. viz. the Church of God and above all that parâ— of it which is most such upon the account of highest Reformation hath greatest cause to serve the Lord with Fear and rejoyce with Trembling to Fear the Lord and his goodneâ—s to Dread his jealousie and Justice and to walk humbly with her God Height of dignity Nearness of relation and Choiceness of precious Priviledges if not improved as effectual Obligations and Incitements to duty will prove sorest aggravations of sin and provocations of wrath Solomons Apostacie to Idolatry 1 King 11.9 was more then a single sin because against that God who had twice appeared to him Amos 3.2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities No provokings are comparable with those of Sons and Daughters Deut. 32.19 nor is there any fall like that of Jerusalem in the day of the Lords fierce anger shee came down wonderfully because she had sinned grievously Lam. 1.8 9. The Immutable God with whom there is not found so much as a shadow of change is the same he ever was infinitely Holy to hate Just and Powerfull to punish all proud and impenitent Apostates Who ever hardned himself against him and prospered Iob 9.4 Are not the many severe threatnings recorded in Scripture firstly breathed out against this and the other Church and the dreadfull accomplishment of them unto the ruine and perdition of so many sometimes famous Societies intended to hold forth instruction to succeeding generations to the worlds end the truth of the affirmative see unquestionably proved from Rev. 2.7 17. Cap. 3.22 1 Cor. 10.6 12. Rom. 11.20 21. WEE upon whom the ends of the world are come have more places then Shiloh Jer. 7.12 to go to where is Jerusalem what 's become of Ephesus and other the sometimes so renowned golden Candlesticks Iâ— not Bethel become Bethaven and the valley of Vision turned into a valley of the shadow of Death Shall we think our selves altogether unconcerned in what befell them and conclude there are no treasures of wise pre caution and prudent prevention to be raked up out of the ashes of their ruines ought not all people to hear and fear when malefactors are hung up in chains Deut. 17.12 13. see Pro. 24.30 33. How cheap is understanding offered to those who are advantaged to purchase and procure it wholly at the cost of others Let not the manâ— pillars of Salt which stand so thick in the way of the defections of a back sliding people be heedlesly passed by without once observing and considering what they have from God to acquaint us with When the dead are not dumb let not the living be deafe but hear and lay it to their hearts O that we were wise that we understood this that we would consider our latter end To direct herein and press hereto was the Pious design of the Reverend Author of this Treatise in the day whereon he was called to preach it as a message from God to a great and honourable Assembly of his people The only impression then in his heart to desire and pray for was That upon the spirits of all humble hearers of and tremblers at the word of God present but by the concurrent and importunate intreaties of very many his Brethren in the Ministry pressingâ— it as a hopefull Mean of glorifying God and furthering the best good of his â—lear people in this Country he hath been at last prevailed with to permit it to pass through the press into the hands of such as desire to peruse and make a pious improvement of it Amongst the many things which as to the decaying and almost dying state of this poor Country are of a very solemn signification and awfull import there are some that in a valley of Consternation seem to hold open a Door of hope we shall take the liberty to mention two of them First The number and that we hope considerable of mourning faithfull believing praying Souls these how ever over-looked and looked down upon with scorn enough and possibly accounted the troublers of our 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they are called 2 Tim. 3.2 men in their own conceits of a higher Elevation and streine of profession then others are yet upon a true account the Iâ—â—hin and Boaz Pillars and Strength of our Temple-buildings the Salt of our Land and the Chariots and Horsemen of our Israel Unto the seven thousand who in the dayes of Elijah had not bowed to Baal and lay like the foundation of some structure hidden and unseen did that Apostate people owe their not being utterly destroyed they were the Braces which held together the shaking parts of that almost rotten building when beside their own sins they had against them the prayers of so great a Prophet who upon his knees had wrought wonders O pray that the number and graces of such supporting Pillars may be more and more increased unto a lengthning out of our Tranquility The Second is That a Spirit of Zeal for and Faithfullness to the glory of the blessed God and the best good of his dear people hath not hitherto through grace failed from those whom our glorious Lord and Saviour hath been pleased to send forth and make use of as his mouth and messengers to his poor saints and servants wildering in these American desarts Have they not been heard crying aloud and lifting up their voice like a trumpet shewing Gods people
their Babylonian Captivity and the pious converted Gentiles for the vengeance executed upon the Mystical Babylon that had detained them in spiritual bondage and especially for the expiation of their sins by Jesus Christ which is by many Expositors wise and judicious apprehended to be the sense and importance of the 43. verse Now in that part of the song which is Comminatory and includes my Text the Lord acquaints them by the hand of Mosâ—s with those dreadfull and almost unparalel'd judgments and calamities Temporal as well as Spiritual that should be inflicted and executed on the account of their intollerable Provocations yet not to 〈◊〉 and universal destruction and desolâ—â—ion Though their sins were â—â—ch as deserved utter extirpation and ruine and their provocations so greivous and unsufferable that the Lord was ready to resolve to dissipate and blow them away and make the remembrance of them to cease from among men ver 26. yet the clemency and goodness and moderation of the Lord's anger in the execution of his threatnings should appear in the preservation of a remnant the impulsive cause whereof is intimated to be the consideration of the Wrath and Insolence of the Adveâ—sary and the Dishonâ—â—â— that woulâ—d redouâ—â— to the Name of God thereby ver 27. which is â—mplified by the Antithesis of the Impulsive cause that might have moved him to destroy tâ—em utterly ver 28. God renders the reason of his severe proceedings against them why he heaped so many mischiefs and spent so many Arrows upon them ver 23. and was almost ready to blot out the Name and Memory of that People namely this Because their folly was Incureable For he doth not only signifie in those words that they did inconsiderately rush forward in wayes of sin and precipitate themselves into misery because they wanted the actual exercâ—se of judgement and sound reason but that they acted at such a rate as if there were not the least Drop or Dram of spiritual Wisdome in their hearts nor a possibility in the course of ordinary means of â—educing them ad sanam mentem as judicious Calvin observes upon the place Thereupon we have in the Words read a Pathetical Exclamation wherein the Lord after the manner of men passionately expresseth his desire that they would he spiritually wise to consider what would become of them if they held on their course of sinning against the Lord what would be the sad end and issue of their Rebellions against the God of their mercies I know indeed that some understand these words ver 28 29. as spoken of the Enemies of Israel As if the Lord had said If they were wise in deed they would not say our hand is high and the Lord hath not done all this as ver 27. nor attribute and ascribe their prosperous and victorious proceedings and the destructions they bad brought upon Israel to their Own prowess and policy but would easily understand that God had delivered up his People to misery and destruction for their sins Yea and they would consider also their own latter end that is what end remaineth for themselves also even the like dâ—struction for their great Abominations impenitently persisted in But we have no reason to recede from the received common Interpretation of the Words or question their immediate Application to the People of Israel The Words are plainly spoken of Israel the peculiar People of God in a condition of great degeneracy wherein the Lord intimates and expresseth 1. The gâ—ound and occasion of that Misery and Ruine that was comeing upon them namely their want of Counsel and Understanding ver 28. The misery that befel them at several seasons in these and those Generations was not either undeserved or accidental but as the hand of God inflicted it in a way of just severity so their incurable Folly and Unreasonableness was the meritorious cause that brought it upon them 2. The Cure the Help the only Remedy or rather that which would have saved them and secured thâ—ir Nation with all the concernments of it from those Ruines and prevâ—â—â—ed such a sad issue and calamitous event namely Wisdome ver 29. which is in the words of the Text amplified from the Act and Object thereof First The Act of this Wisdome and that is double 1. To Understand Oh that they were wise that they understood this The Word so translated signifies also to prosper and to make prosperous because though men of Understanding are not alwayes yet they are ordinarily prosperous their counsels and actions are usually attended and waiâ—ed on with success The Word therefore may import a prosperous â—â—ccessful right undâ—rstanding of things Yet it signifies an acute and â—ubtle and accurate understanding with an intense and industrious exerciâ—e of the mâ—nd and is contrary to a word Chasal or Sachal that signifies incognitancy or idle levity in the managing of things as Pagwine observes And considering the Conjugation wherein it is used it signifies to make that is to make themselves to understand Gods donation of this wisdome and understanding excludes not but supposes our endeavours to acquire it 2. To Consider The Original word hath Affinity with Banah is Avenarius notes which signifies to build A man of consideration must be like a wise Architect that disposes in his minde contrives concerâ—â—s models frames and casts the several parts of his Fabrick or building To consider is to cast and conceive and get the model or idea the Platform as it were of this or that Object in our minds And it notes a judicious fixed or abiding dijudication of things Secondly The Object of this Wisdome Understanding and Consideration and that is their latter End End in this place noteth not the final cause as when we say the last end of man is to glorifie God but the exitus the term the issue the upshot the event and the conclusion of those sinful wayes they were engaged in As when it is said the end of some way that seemeth right unto a man are the wayes of death and the end of some mirth is heaviness Prov. 14.12 13. the wisdome of that people should have exprest it self in understanding and considering the latter end of their wayes Not so much finis operantis the end intended by themselves as sinis operis the end of their wayes and doings the scope and tendency and issue of their evil and unworthy deportmentâ— should have been considered by them I shall only adde that the form of this expression in the Text is optative O that they were wise c. we meet with the like form of speech and mode of expression attributed to God in other places of Scripture As Psal. 81.13 O that my People had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes and Isai. 48.18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my Commandments c. the like occurs in other places There is indeed some difficulty in it For you will say Obj. How can the Lord be said to wish this
is departed from Israel and she named her Son lâ—habod that is â—here is the glory 1 Sam. 4 2â—.22 As if she had said you tell me of the Birth of a Son but where is the Glory of Israel you shew me a Son indeed but can you shew me the Glory no alass the Glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken The Ark of God was the glory in her eyes But how many among us are there to whom Fâ—oâ—ks and Herds and Earthly Enjoyments are Glory as they were to Labans Sons Gen. 31.1 rather then the Ark of God's presence and his Holy Ordinances where is that love to the Word that affection to Sacraments that longing for Sabbaths and Lecture dayes that holy care to prepare for a meeting with God at such times and to improve them that was wont to be among us Oh that old love and zeal and affection to the Ordinances and Messengers of Christ though it abideth blessed be God with some still is much abated and loâ—t as to the generality of Professors in this Country How Beautiful have the Feet of those that brought the Glad tidings of the Gospel been but now how burdensome that Ministers are reckoned Bills of Charges and were it not for shame I doubt some people could be well enough without them or would entertain and set up any piece of ignorance and confidence that would be cheap enough to dispense the Oracles of God and the Holy Mysteries of Religion unto them rather then to be at the charge to procure and provide for men of Worth and Ability This very thing would make one fear that New England hath seen its best dayes noâ— is it to be wondred at if this undervaluation of the Ordinances of God be attendâ—d with great unfruitfulness Oh what barren Figâ—reâ—s stand in this vineyard of the Lord How much of the Earth here drinks in the rain of Heaven that comes oft upon it and brings forth nothing but briars and thorns what will the end of this be but the câ—tting down of such cumbersoms-Professors and the burning them up Luk. 13.7.8 Heb. 6.8 If men like the deaf Adder shall stop their Ears and will not hearken to the voice of the wisest Charmers Psal. 58.5 Doubtless God will send Serpents and Cockâ—trices among them which will not be charmed and they shall bite them and make those feel that would not hear Jer 8 17. It was the Critical Sin of the Iews that they refused to hearken to the Word of God pulled away the shoulder stopt their Ears made their hearts as an Adamant lest they should hear the Law and the words which the Lord sent in his Spirit by the Prophets And what was the latter end of it why therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts And as he cried they would not hear so they cried and he would not hear but scattered them with a whirlwind among the Nations and thus they laid their pleasant land desolate Zech. 7.11 12 13 14. God that out of gracious respect to your Fathers and Predeâ—â—ssors that were a willing and obedient people turned this wilderness into a pleasant fruitful land can in severe wrath for your contempt of his Word and messengers turn this land into a wilderness again It is one 〈◊〉 the praise-worthy performances of God to make such Metamorphos◠〈◊〉 alterations Psal. 107.33 34 c. If he call and you refuse to hearken if he stretch out his Hand and you regard not he knows how to laugh at you calamity and mockâ— when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction as a whirlwind Prov. 1.24 25 c. yea to be deaf to all your calls and cries in the Day of your distress anguish Would it be strange if those that will not hear the voice of the Lords Prophets should be constrained to hear the voice of Oppressors or of Prophets that should speak Lies in the Lords Name and are Prophets of the deceits of their own hearts God may justly give you Pastors not after his own heart but after your own hearts which is a dreadful judgment what can you expect but to have such Pastors as are described Ier. 23. beginn Ezek. 34. beginn He will make a Famine of his Word or smite you with penal judgements that you shall see and not see or see your selves into Blindness and hear away your hearing Ear be a people past Counsel and Instruction and contract that woful deafness which is sometimes gotten by hearing of Sermons and is most incurable and deplorable Verily God will revenge in some way that will make the hearts of men eke the quarrel of his despised Word and Ordinances if this sin and sinful frame be not timely repented of There are few I am afraid in compaâ—ison thaâ— tremble aâ— the Word of God Men are too proud and high and fâ—ll and knowing and good in their own Apprehensions to stand trembling in the presence of God and humbly to receive their Doom and Sentence from the Lord. They come now as â—uges of the Word and not to have the secrets of their hearts opened their Cases scanned and the state of their souls judged by it yea as Criticks to caâ—p and quarrel and find fault with it God will look with a look of favour and gracious aspect to them that tremble at his Word Isa. 66.2 But with such a look as he cast upon the Egyptians through the black and dark side of the cloud on all the proud men among us as those are called that disobeyed the voice of the Lord by Ieremiah Jer. 43.2 At this door came in the great calamity that befel the Iews in their seventy years captivity The Lord God oâ— their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sâ—nding because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place but they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no Râ—medy 2 Chron 36.15 16. Verily God will not â—aâ—e to vindicate the Honour of his despised and abused Messengers and Ordinances 3. Consider what will be the latter End of that Worldlinesse that is among us Would not that great Apostle Paul if he were here tell you even weeping that many of you mind â—â—rthâ—y things Phi. 3.19 Is not this an Epidemical disease of Nevv-England the Strâ—in the Gâ—nius the Spirit of many Professors among us Hence general calling neglected the work of Religion goes on heavily the strength and spirits of men are exhausted or laid out on other things and they have no heart to clâ—sâ—t work to family dutyes which are neglected or slubbered and posted over shamefully Hence great Contentions about little things three-penny-mâ—tters and a little spark kindles a great fire Hence grievous oppression a Sin that was notorious in Israel and Iudah and contributed remarkâ—bly to their Calamity And are there not sad
them was occasioned through the want of a wise and understanding consideration of the event of things This would have prevented it 6. That this is the first and good step towards the repentance and reformation of a degenerous backsliding and rebellious People to consider what they are doing whither they are going and what the end of their wayes will be at last 7 The nature of the Word of God and the dispensation thereof is signified hereby viz. that it doth instantly perswade men to get this wisdom and understanding and considering spirit or wise consideration of the Event and Issue of their ways and doings And that God will in the way of these moral means these pathetical 〈…〉 suited and accommodated to the manner of men effectually 〈…〉 wisdom and serious consideration of their latter end in some 〈◊〉 hearts and that he doth eminently and virtuali quadam ratione as the learned Ames expresseth it will it as to other men â—atenus or so farr forth as he commands and calls for it But I shall not detain you longer in the general Explication of the Text or Solution of these or those Difficulties The sum result of all is Israel was a People of many mercies and singular enjoyments none like unto them but withal of great provocations by their Apostacy Idolatry and other grievous miscarriages and the Lord represents it here as their wisdome to consider rationally and judiciously what would be the sad and doleful issue thereof The Observation is plainly this Doct. That it is the great wisdome of a People that have heen conducted by the Mighty Hand of God to a place of Rest and Liberty and setled in the possession of singular Priviledges and enjoyments to understand and consider or understandingly to consider what will be the latter end of their sinful wayes their unsuitable and unworthy deportments before the Lord. The People of Israel were in Covenant with God peculiarly favoured and accepted of him And in pursuance of his Covenant engagements he had delivered them out of hard bondage and carried them in his Arms to Canaan a Land of rest and liberty and glorious enjoyments where they quickly trespassed and rebelled grievously against him according to the prediction of Moses in this Prophetical Song and the Lord in the words of the Text plainly intimates it to be the wisdome of that People and by parity of reason of any other People that may be paralleld with them at such a juncture and in such a condition to understand and consider or to Consider with Consideration as the Original hath it significantly Ier. 23.20 what will be the latter end of their sinful and rebellious wayes The Lord tells that People in the place but now mentioned when he was about to bring a dreadful storm of wrath upon them that in the latter dayes they should consider it perfectly Surely then it would have been their great wisdome to consider it in the former dayes before the storm came and the wrath of God arose against them so that there was no remedy Hence the Lord expostulates with the Iews and calls them to a serious consideration of the end and issue of the general corruptions and great evils found among them Ier. 5.31 The Prophets prophâ—sie falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means and my People love to have it so And what will ye do in the end thereof when Prophets Priests or Princes and People were so extreamly bad so woâ—ully corrupt and faulty it was time for them to look about them and consider what would become of them at last It is the guise and character of a Fool Prov. 17.24 to have his eyes in the ends of the Earth gazing and wandring about looking hither and thither far enough from his own concernments But it is an act of wisdome in any People especially such a People as Israel and the property of wise persons to have their eyes fixed upon the end of their wayes and walkings The only Enquiry here will be Quest. What is it for a Person or People understandingly to consider the latter end of their wayes Ans. It implies evidently these Particulars 1. To pass a right judgement upon it to finde out and fix in their thoughts upon the true end and issue of their wayes according to the nature and tendency of them To pitch upon it and determine aright concerning it For many men deceive themselves shamefully in this matter many bold and presumptuous sinners though they hear the words of the curse of the Law do bless themselves in their hearts saying they shall have peace though they walk in the imagination of their hearts to adde Drunkenness to thirst Deut. 9.19 Though they walk not in Gods ways which are wayes of pleasantness and peace but in the crooked and destructive wayes of their own besotted foolish hearts yet they promise themselves a good issue and vainly imagine that they shall do well enough at last Though they walk in the wayes of their hearts and in the sight of their eyes yet they think to hold up their Heads and look the Lord Jesus with confidence in the Face when God shall bring them into Judgement As a Bird hasteth to the Snare and knoweth not that it is for his life Prov. 7.23 So many a rash inconsideâ—ate deluded Sinner rusheth on headily in a course of Rebellion against God and knows not that the end of it will be destruction Such is sometimes the Blindness and Security not only of particular persons but of the Body of a People that they cry peace and safety and promise themselves Prosperity and a good Issâ—e of those wayes that end in suddain and unavoidable Calamity Understanding consideration in the case before us importeth thus much that a person or people syllogize well and conclude aright concerning the end of their wayes and actions that they do not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle speaks Iam 1.22 reason themselves into a mistake and â—rrour or false conclusion about the end of their deportments towards the Lord and put a fallacy upon their own Souls in this respect 2. To revolve this in their minds and to be frequently thinking of their latter end To ponder it throughly and to have their Souls Judgements and Consciences much exercised with interested and engaged in it Consideration intends more then a transient thought or suddain â—â—itting apprehension It imports a fixing and dwelling upon this or that in our thoughts Though sometimes the Object of consideration may be so plain and legible that he that runs may read it yet consideration is not a cursory work or a running cogitation It becomes a people especialy such as are so circumstanced as Israel to be much conversant in this work and duty There must be a Fixing and staying of their minds upon this Subject as it were a steeping and soaking of their thoughts in the daily meditation of their latter End Not only rolling or glancing but fixing the
signifie little where he hath to do with the ignorance the pride the perverseness the conceitedness the prejudices the opinionativeness of engaged men Many good men though in no good frame are too like him in the Comedy that said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristoph Plut. Thou shalt not perswade me no though thou dost perswade me I considered also that things are run much to ruine among us and gone beyond man the counsel and help of man and that it must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God alone in some more then ordinary way of working that can retrive the Interest of Christ among us and reduce us again Probable it is that it must be some sharp affliction some smarting red or sore tryal that must come upon these Churches to reduce them generally to their old trembling frame of spirit at the Word of God and humble submission to the dispensation of it And there is great reason to conceive that many Professors may be grown Sermon-proof that we had as good preach to the Heavens and Earth and direct our discourse to the Walls and Seats and Pillars of the meeting house and say Hear O ye Walls give ear O ye Seats and Pillars as to many men in these Churches that are deaf to all that is cried in their ears by the Lords Messengers and are indâ—ed like Rocks in the Sea not to be stirred and moved by the beating and dashing of these waters of the Sanctuary or by the strongest gust of rational and affectionate discourse that can blow upon them I considered also that there may be too many even in the Bosome of New-English Churches that have lived long in that great sin of confronting the faithfull Ministers of Christ and gloried in their Rebellion against the Authority of Christ in his Churches and plausibly but falsly called it an asserting of their Liberties and Defence of the Priviledge of the Brethren and that do even religiously despise and deride those that oppose their darling Notions and he that rebuketh a scorner getteth himself a Blot It may be justly feared that it is all the Religion some men have to vilifie and traduce and low'r the reputation and Authority of the Ministers of Christ. Time was when the Messengers of Christ the Masters of Assemblies were precious and welcome even when they came with a Rod as Paul speakes 1 Cor. 4 21. and their Feet beautifull and their words very acceptable yea were as Goads and Nayls that made great Impression and took fast hoâ—d in the hearts of hearers and were greatly heeded on subh an occasion as this But now they are become the Enemies of some men because they tell them the Truth Too many professors are like Ezekiels hearers that were still talking against him by the walls in the doors of their houses even then when they would come and sit before him hear his words as comming forth from the Lord and it was as a lovely Song and a pleasant fit of musick to them Ezek. 33.30 31 32. I considered also that it is a matter of some difficulty a dangerous undertaking to search the wounds of this poor Country lest instead of Help and Healing they should be but the more enflamed irritated and exasperated thereby However having this oportunity unsought and undesired by me nay thrust upon me I shall adventure as God shall assist to speak something to the present case and condition of the Country If weakly and unadvisedly in any respect I beg pardon of God and of his People And if the Lord help to any words of wisdome I know wisdome will be justified of its Children whoever condemn it and I shall deliver my own soul and express my compassion to the souls of others and my faithfulness to the Interest of Christ in New-England and those that will not hear shall be inexcusable The condition of Affairs at this juncture calls for something In magnis voluisse sat est I beseech you lend me a patient and unprejudiced ear I design not the grieving or gratifying oâ— any party but the faithful discharge of my duty according to the known practise and laudable example of the worthy Servants of the Lord before me some of whom are yet with us and others faln asleep in Jesus on the like occasion That which I have to commend to you and entreat of you even in the bowels of Iesus Christ is the understanding serious consideration of the latâ—â— end of your unsuitable and unbecoming deportments before the Lord in this good Land which he hath graciously given you And because general Discourses affect and edifie 〈◊〉 I crave leave here to instance in some particulars that I may the better accommodate and direct you in the management of this Important Duty of considering your latter end Therefore 1. Consider what will be the latter end of that great decay of the power and practise of Godliness that is but too visible among us Are not even many old Disciples Professors of a long standing that for a long time have been accustomed to the yoke of Religion grown weary and drowsie and next unto formal and customary in their performances Though they do not possibly make any notorious and scandalous Digression and Diversion from the good wayes of God but are drudging and plodding on in a visible regular course of Obedience and Profession yet behold what a weariness is it They are not diligent and active to stir up themselves to take hold of God and work out their own salvation and forgetting the things that are behind to press towards the mark and to pursue and prosecute and reach forth unto these and those Christian excellencies which are before them How few watch and keep their garments and gird up the loins of their minds that walk and are not faint ruâ— and are not weary in the wayes of God Not but that there are yet through the great mercy of God many very many living thriving waking powerful Christians among us that have another spirit and follow God fully as Câ—â—eh did Numb 14.24 whose souls follow hard after God as he speaks Psa. 63.8 and that walk with him with much exactness according to the tenour of the Covenant with whom the Lord is well pleased and for whose sakes it fares the better with us at this day But what shall we say of the Body of Professors among us Are they not grown customary formal superficiary luke warm neither hot nor cold and what can be expected but that the Lord Jesus should grow sick of us and spue us out of his mouth as he threatned the Church of Laodicea Rev. 3.16 He that remembers the good old Spirit of Those that followed God into this wildernesâ— the Faith the Fervency the Zeal for God the good Affection to his Ordinances the dear love to his Messengers the Heavenly-mindedness the Diligence in working out their own Salvation and watching over their Hearts and Tongues and Conversations that practical Piety and power
up and down the Countrey with this kind of Commodity and it is a lamentable thing that they should have so good a Trade of it and meet with so many Chapmen that are ready to take their ware off their Hands Hinc illa Lachrima There are many that walk with Lies and Slanders Ier. 9.4 I wish it were not too manifest that many men among us have the art of telling a Ly with a great deal of gravity and seriousness and have gone to School to Machiavel that instructs his Scholars â—alumâ—â—ari fortiter to calumniate stoutly and tells them for their encouragement Aliquid haerebst something will stick Many pregnant Instances of this evil Spirit might be produced to confirm what I say but herein I shall spare the guilty Only who knows not that is no stranger in our Israel that the Ministers of Christ among you indefinitely have been deliberately and solemnly charged with a Declension from Primitive Foundation work Iâ—novation in Doctrine and Worship Opinion and Practice Invasion of the Rights Liberties and Priviledges of Churches Vsurpation of a Lordly Prelatical Power over Gods Heritage and with the like things which are the Leven the corrupting Gangrene the Infecting spreading Plague the provoking Images of â—ealousie set up before the Lorâ— the accursed thing which hath provoked Divine wrath and further threatens Destruction I need give you no other instance of this evil spirit of Jealousie and Calumny then this Here is good measure pressed down shaken together and running over Enough and enough to demonstrate the disaffected and embittered Spirit of some men and what unkind usage from some hands those your poor Ministers find among you Such men whom I wish either that they were better enformed and affected or less considerable in the Common-wealth impute all the Blastings and Droughts and Iuâ—gments of God upon the Country to the Defection and Apostacy of their Ministers As if the confident Accusers themselves were men of such unquestionable innocency as not to contribute any thing to the Sins and Sorrows of the Country or as if there were no other sinners among us that are kindling the wrath of God against the Land and pulling down his Judgements but a few despised Ministers Or as if there were no other sins against the Lord our God found among us to provoke the wrath of a jealous God but the supposed Deviations of pious conscientious learned men truly studious of Truth and Reformation and a due progress therein Such Accusers of our Civil and Ecclesiastical Rulers do in effect and by consequence according to the just interpretation and construction of their words without wringing blood from them say thus much That it were happy for the People of New England if they were rid of such Leaders in Church and Common wealth Tantane Animis celestibus Irae Strange that any good men should be so far transported with passion or prejudice as to cast fire brands Arrows and Death in this manner and not to say are we not in sport but are we not in sober sadness in Religious good earnest There is a spirit of persecution in such men they discover Sanguinary thoughts towards the Servants of Christ For when they have Achanized the Body of the Ministers and found the accursed thing in their Tent what should they do but stone them when they have calumniated them to such a degree and put them into such Bear skins what should they do but bâ—â—t and worry them when they have represented them as abominable Aposâ—â—â—tes and the prime incendiaries of Divine wrath what should they do but deal with them as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—acular and devoted persons that must be cut off by the hand of justice for the purging of the Land and putting away evil from Israel The Pagans of old attributed all their Deaths and Plagues and Droughts and unseasonable weather to the Christians that cohabited with them Hence if any evil befell them they thought the Gods were angry with them because of the tolleration of the Christians among them and therefore their out cry was Christianos ad Lâ—ones Away with the Christians to be devoured of the Lions And truly such a notion as some have of the Ministers of Christ carries this in it that it were expedient that they should be made a Sacrifice and thrown to the Lions but that some of you have in some places a severer way to punish some of them for their supposed Apostacy viz. To keep them short in their maintenance to distress them and their Families or drive them to such shifts for a livelihood as men of Liberal Education can hardly buckle to or else to tire and weary them out with vexatious contentions And betâ—er it were for a man of logenuity to come under the Paw of a devouring Lion that will destroy him mercifully because suddenly then to be stretched upon the Rack and tortured to death with ill usage or to live under the continual droppings of a contentious froward people that will waste and wear him out by Degrees ut sentiat se mori as the Bloody Tyrant said It is not very long since upon occasion of the Defamation as it is said of one Minister among us that 〈◊〉 Prov. 19 5. A false witness shall noâ—â—ce unpunished and 〈…〉 Lyes shall not escape was uncourâ—ed and improved But 〈…〉 we say then of the persons that are guilty of the Deâ—amation of the Ministers of the Countrey in general that are no less 〈◊〉 then He was What Atonement can be made for those men and their Demerit I will not â—ay that it is revealed in mine Earâ— by the Lord of Hosts surely this iniguity shall not be purged from them till they dy But this I will say because I judge it 〈◊〉 enough that it is a grievous provocation and calls for deep and solemn Repentance and other manner of satisfaction then yet hath been given But what wrong on New England have thy Magistrate and Ministers done thee For which of their good works art thou Stâ—ning of them Have they Prayed for thee Have their Souls wept for thy Pride and Vnbelief and Hardness of Heart and Vnruliness Have they Watched over thee in their several Capacities Have they given thee Faithful Warning of approaching Calamities Have they served thee with all their might with very little advantage accruing to themselves in outward respects Have they loved thee more then thou haâ— loved them Brethren and Friends forgive them I beseech you this wrong I confess I have used some sharpness in this Discourse And I believe I have sufficient warrant for it There are some that are to be rebuked sharply and they are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Cretians are always Liars This Witness is true wherefore rebuke them sharply or cuttingly as the Original Word imports Tit. 1.12 13. And the truth is I look upon this practise of Reproaâ—hing and Fraunting your Leaders in both Orders as greatly prejudicial to the prosperity of the
it is conscientiously maintained by the Erroneous person and he can truly say that he believes â—t in his Conscience For then a Conscientious Papist or Socinian or Quaker the most notorious Hareticâ— in the World must be connived at and suffered yea all manner of Idolatry and Heresy must be tolerated in some persons The Tolerableness therefore of an Errour must be measured judged either from the nature of the Errour it self or some other circumstances Sometimes the Errour is not onely Extrafundamental but so small and inconsiderable and the manner of holding it forth so modest and peaceable and the Condition of the State such as that the Magistrate may keep his Sword in the Scabbard and no hurt donâ— Hence that may be tolerable in one State that is not in another As it was well said by a very worthy person in this case A weaker Body ought not to suffer that upon it self upon the account of Charity to Another that a Stronger may No doubt but it belongs to the Magistrate to judge what is tolerable in his Dominions in this respect And the Eye of the Civâ—l Magistrate is to be to the securing of the way of God that is duly established And if any where this be the Concern and Duty of Rulers Surely it is most of all so in New England which is originally a plantation not for Trade but for Religion Peace Truth Hâ—zekiahs mercies Isa. 39 8. have been the great mercies of this Countrey Lose we Truth of Doctrine Worship and Order and the design of our Founders is ruined and we are an undone people So that it is a most unreasonable and importune Thing in those that unchurch us that deny our Churches to be true Churches that anti-Christianize our Magistrates Ministers Churches and Ordinances and must do so in Faithfulness to and pursuance of their principles and opinions to demand or expect a free Toleration They may as well ask liberty to destroy us We may justly swear the peace against them If I may so speak and say we go in fear not of our Lives but of our Religious Liberties and Enjoyments dearer then our Lives because of such men and supplicate our Rulers that they may be bound to their good behaviour Boundless Liberty will expose us to great danger Charity begins at home and the Charity of a Christian begins at Christ I mean the Truths Wayes Ordinances Name and Honour of â—esus Christ. We must not be so comâ—â—ssionate to Scâ—ismatical Turbulenâ— Errours is persons as to be cruel injurious or unkind to the precious Interest of Christ among us Nature teacheth a man 〈◊〉 reservation Grace should 〈…〉 Magistrate If you will allow me the word Christ preservation I mean the preservation of the Truth Ordinances and Interest of Christ. And I make no question but our Lord Jesus that in the great day of Account will recount and reward the kindnesses of his people to himself in his members in that they gave him meat when he was hungry Drink when he was thirsty took him in when he was a Stranger clothed him when he was naked visited him when he was sick or in prison Math. 25.34 35 36. will in like manner remember and remunerate at that day the kindness and good affection of our pious and faithful Rulers in that they preserved and secured him with respect to his Truth Ordinances Interests and Concernments of his Kingdome from the Insolencies and Enchroachments of Erroneous unruly persons And if it be said God is to be trusted with the preservation of his Truth I Answer So he is to be trusted with the propagation of his Truth Must Ministers therefore neglect to preach the Truth or Magistrates to see that the Truth be preached and propagated in their Dominions and devolve it wholly upon the immediate hand of Christ God is to be trusted with the preservation of thy Life wilt thou not therefore in Case of Ilness bleed and vomit and purge out the peccant and noxious humours God is to be trusted for the preservation of thy Corn in the Field when it is growing up wilt thou not therefore weed thy Corn and take away what offends and hinders the thriving of it If it be replied But this is no means of God's Appointment Magistrates have nothing to do with matters of Religion to interpose and exercise their coercive power in and about the things of God I Answer This is a meer begging of the Question and was never yet proved But I must not dispute or further expatiate here I shall only say for an Issue of this point that Apostacy is the great Crime that many of you brand your Magistrates and Ministers with What was the judgement and practise of our first Worthies in this matter is sufficiently known Let the world then judge who are the Apostates in this Case Those that are for or those that are against a Licentious boundless Toleration 11. Consider what will be the Latter End of the neglect of the Encouragement and Advancement of Learning among us It is the Observation of wise men and indeed a general sad Complaint that the Schools languish and are in a low Condition in the Countrey And what the end of this will be who cannot apprehend Though there are doubtless many Reasons of the languishing of Schools Yet I am very apt to think that the bottom of all is â—he want of due Encouragement to Scholars when they are come to maturity and fitted for service in the Churches If there be no considerable encouragement when Scholars are brâ—d up parents will have no heart to breed their children to Eearning Rich men will not because they have better wayes before them to provide for the comfortable subsistence of their Children and persons of a meaner condition cannot or at least are discouraged from expending all they can upon their Childrens Education because when that is done and they are ready for service there is no Encouragement through the Slenderness and shortness of the Ministers maintenance in most places in the Countrey I have nothing to offer by way of Advice I would be loath to bear too hard in this Case upon the people that are generally poor and low enough But I would Humbly tender it to the Consideration of the Honourable Court that so farre as may be without Injury to the people there may be due provision made in all places Jesus Christ will take it kindly at your Hands For it is one of his great Concernments in this Christian Common-Wealth Not that I speak in respect of want I am the Freer to speak this because it is not my own Concern Through the Goodness of God and the kindness of a good people and their professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ I have a comfortable Subsistence which I desire to acknowledge with all Thankfulness But I cannot but sympathize with and commiserate the Condition of many others their Family Straits and Difficulties and the many discouragements they
affected or engaged Hear and give ear unto the Word of the Lord and be not Proud Give Glory to the Lord your God by Confession Humiliation Repentance and Reformation before he cause Darkness and your Feet stumble upon the dark Mountains Jerem. 13.15 16. So Consider with Understanding and Judgement what is like to be the Latter end of your sinfull Depâ—rtments before the Lord as to put an end to your way of sin and provocation and to return to the God of your Mercies whom you have forsaken and the Rock of your Salvation whom you have too lightly esteemed Jerusalem remembred not her Last End therefoâ—e she came down wonderfully and had no comforter Lam. 1 9. Not considering aright the Latter End of your Wayes will bring you down though you had set your Nest among the Stars but the due consideration of it will be the way to wonderful Exaltation I am not without some Hopes though many of your wise and faithful Ministers and Watchmen are almost weary and hopeless that men of all parties that are truely pious and serious will at last consider and reform what is amiâ—s and accept well what hath been spoken by way of Reprehension and Admonition And indeed it would be sad with us if our times should be like those which the Historian complains of Qâ—â—bus nec viâ—ia nostra nec Remedia pati possumus Our Distempâ—â—â— such as will ruine us and yet our Temper Disposition and Frame such that we cannot bear the Application of the Remedy Then indeed we do infeliciter agrotare and may conclude that our sickness will be terminated in the Death and Dissolution in the Loss and deserved Bereavement of those Enjoyments that are dearest to us But if the Lord give you Hearing Ears and obedient Hearts that you Consider and Repent and turn to the Lord your God then will he be with you as he hath been with your Fathers and Predecessors those Worthies of the Lord that are now at rest whose Memory is blessed and whose Names shall be had in everlasting remembrance and no Weapon that is formed against you shall prosper Whether there shall be secret Plottings or open Assaulting and Running upon your Civil and Sacred Liberties God will either defeat the Counsels and frustrate the Attempts and Hopes of Adversaries Or turn all that may befal you in a way of Affliction to your singular good the great Furtherance of the Gospel and Advantage of the Glorious Interest of Christ among us Humbling and Sorrowful times may come upon you But the Lords design in humbling and proving you will be that he may do you good at your Latter End Though the Earth should tremble and reel to and fro the Sea roaâ— the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea and there be a Day of Gloominess and thick Darkness coming upon the Reformed Churches and there should be a Day of trouble and Treading down and Perplexity in this Valley of Vision yet I have Commission from the Lord to say It shall be well with the Righteous Isai. 3 10. Oh saith Baldam when enlightned Let me dye the Death of the Righteous and let my last end be like his Numbers 23.10 Mark the Perfect Man saith David and behold the Vpright for the end of that Man is Peace Verily verily saith our Saviour to his Disciples Iohn 16.20 You shall weep and lament but the World shall rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy All the Sorrows and Afflictions and Sufferings of the People of God shall end in joy They may sow in Tears but they shall reap in 〈◊〉 Psal 126â—◠〈◊〉 their Troubles shall undoubtedly be concluded and issued in everlasting Consolation 〈◊〉 in the end will be the portion of such and we in pleasure 〈◊〉 but it will be the happiness of the Children of God to receive their Good Things at last Luk. 16.25 Whatever Dayes may come upon a sinful and secure World that lies in wickedness or upon a slumbring Slothful licentious Generation of Professors yet it shall undoubtedly go well with the humble waking faithful Servants of God that maintain or recover their first love to the person Truths Ordinances Messengers and wayes of Jesus Christ and walk with God in a course of Evangelical Obedience according to the Tenor of his Covenant having a sorrowful sense of the Sufferings of Gods people abroad and the Sins and provocations at Home Verily the Latter End of such men and Women shall be Vnspeakable peace and Happiness FINIS Errata Page 4 〈…〉 for yet read yea l. ult â— Incogitancy ibid. r. Pagniâ—â— â— â— l. 15. â— a good sâ—ep p. â—4 l. 33 â— and to have p 4â— l. 26. r. necessity p 4. â— l. â—â— r. Government p. 53. l. 20. for have 1. having