we are obliged to enquire into these things which it supposeth as well as to set down the positive instances of it The contending with or against Wicked Men supposeth an acting on our selves the Original Word being so expressed as to denote a reflex Operation And some who have narrowly considered the force of the Hebrew Verb have rendered it Coccei Lexic stir up themselves 'T is evident none can contend with another who doth not first stir himself Sampsons great Strength could not be serviceable to him when the Philistines were upon him until he was awak'd and did quit his unactive posture If our Souls are asleep and stupid void of active Principles whieh are to be exerted 't is impossible we should rightly contend with Wicked Men which absolutely requires the acting of the following Dispositions Sorrow for the sins of others He that can view the Impieties or Immoralities of others with delight and take pleasure in those who violate the Divine Laws will not sincerely contend with Wicked Men. But a hearty displeasure against Sin engageth unto this contending This Principle moved righteous Lot to reprove and contradict the Wicked Sodomites whose unlawful deeds did so affect him that in seeing and hearing of them He vext his righteous soul from day to day 2 Pet. 2.8 The Apostle Paul though he stood single and alone contended with the Idolatrous Athenians because his Spirit was stirr'd in him when he saw the City wholly given to Idolatry Acts 17.16 That Spectacle which others beheld with patience and pleasure wrought a Paroxysm of Sorrow in his Holy Soul The Jews thought themselves as much oblig'd to rent their Garments when they heard Blaspheming Language as when the most sorrowful Tidings were brought to them There is no Law which binds us to tear our Cloaths at the hearing of impious Words or sight of wicked deeds but we are oblig'd to rent our Hearts with Religious Sorrow and Displeasure Zeal for the Honour of God and Interest of Religion is necessary for the due performing of this Action One who is unconcern'd about these things will not contend earnestly against wicked Men. The Ephesian Christians have got immortal Renown by the Character given 'em by the Redeemer in the Epistle addrest to that Church Revelat. 2.2 I know thy Works and how thou canst not bear them that are Evil. This Christian Zeal much contributed to make a golden happy Age to the Primitive Church and would again restore it might it please the blessed God to send down this Heavenly Fire But when many professing Christians are lukewarm and unconcern'd for the cause of our Common Religion this obstructs the contending against Vice and those who openly affront the Laws of God Phineas is celebrated for his Executing Judgment on some great Delinquents against whom he contended because he was acted by holy Zeal for the Name of God Num. 25.11 Fortitude in the Cause of God and Religion is another Principle of this Action A Spirit of Fear and Cowardice doth wholly unfit for this Service When the Prophet Ezekiel was sent to the Rebellious House of Israel with a Commission to contend with that degenerate People this was the first of his Instructions Thou Son of Man be not afraid of them neither be afraid of their Words tho Briars and Thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among Scorpions c. Ezek. 2.6 Confidence in the Divine Assistance If we make flesh our Arm and rely on created strength we shall quickly be discouraged and our hands will be weakned when we experience the difficulty of this Undertaking None can in a right manner contend against wicked Men who makes not the Almighty God his support and confidence In the last place Charity towards the Persons of Wicked Men is a necessary disposition in this contending with them For it is not an hostile Act proceeding from malevolence and hatred to them but an Instance of the most real kindness and design'd to deliver them from the worst misery This Combat is manag'd against Sin which is the snare of Death and Gate to Eternal Perdition None ever so earnestly contended with ungodly Men as our Lord Jesus Christ who was always acted by the most unfeigned ardent Love to Sinners whose highest Happiness was constantly designed by him We come now to lay down the Instances of this contending with Wicked Men And 't is obvious to any considering mind That according to the various capacities of Persons there are various corresponding Instances of this important Duty I. The exercise of Legislative Authority in making Laws to prohibit all open Wickedness The Magistrates Sword must be brought forth and placed in view that such who fear not the Displeasure of God or the Reproaches of Conscience and of good Men may be check'd and awed by a menacing Law which is the proper Instrument of repressing Evil Doers A Ruler doth not answer his high Character if he is not a Terror to Evil Works as the Apostle speaks Rom. 13.3 This has been understood even by those who have wanted the knowledge of the true God There never was a civiliz'd People destitute of Laws to prohibit that which is openly wicked We read how a Heathen Nebuchadnazer Publish'd his Royal Edict arm'd with severe Penalties a-against those who should speak any thing amiss against the true God Dan. 3.29 Blessed be God who has influenc'd our Law-givers to enact various Laws to guard the Honour of the Name and Truth and Day of God I know not a Nation in the World which has so abundant provision of Excellent Laws against Sin and Impiety as our own But if the Law should sleep it loses all its force can't reach its end and the worst Crimes will prove insolent therefore II. The actual punishing of such who are found guilty is included in the contending with wicked Men. If the Law be not arm'd with a Penalty 't is an Idol which has Hands but handles not and these Hands are altogether useless if they strike not those who affront and disobey Righteous Laws To indulge and spare such Offenders is Cruelty to them as well as to the Publick When those who have been intrusted with Power to Execute Laws have neglected this part of their Duty the consequent has been very dismal This Neglect awakens Divine Justice which on such occasion hath used very severe Methods both towards them who have merited the Penaltie and those who have not inflicted it The Examples of Eli and David are well known in whom when Parental Affection so far prevail'd that they neglected to punish their Children the Supreme Judge did on that occasion use his own Sword and strike both Parents and Children In the History of the former there is a very instructive Passage 1 Sam. 3.13 I have told him God speaks of Eli that I will Judge his House for ever for the Iniquity which he knoweth because his Sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Eli's Office as a
Magistrate oblig'd him to punish his own Sons and nothing could excuse his neglect or prevent the terrible proceedings of Divine Severity If there be ground which I determine not for the conjecture of our Translators who in the Margin have alter'd the word restrain into frown it intimates that the frown of a Magistrate an indication of his displeasure against Vice belongs to his Office and has an aptitude to repress that which is Evil. III. Instance of this contending with wicked Men is solemn pleading and protesting against Wickedness by those whose Office requires it A Magistrate hath many occasions of bearing a publick Testimony against Sin and Evil Courses As we read Nehemiah the Governour of the Jewish State judg'd it his duty to testify against the prophanation of the Sabbath and contended with the Nobles of Judah whose bad Examples might have corrupted others Nehem. 13.17 Such a Remonstrance made by one cloath'd with Authority is very Serviceable to repress Sin which often despises the best Reasons that are urged by those of a private Condition 'T is the unquestionable Duty of all Ministers to plead the Cause of Religion against every thing that opposeth it with an unwearied Constancy herein they are to imitate their great Master who did not silently behold the Vices of the Age and People to whom he was sent but on all proper occasions testified of the World that its Works were Evil as himself hath declared Joh. 7.7 A IV. Instance of this contending with Wicked Men is particular reproving of Sin when a just occasion is offer'd This Office of Charity is enjoin'd by the Great Law which requires every one to love his Neighbour as himself This Subject has been frequently discourst and the Duty of fraternal reproving been prest tho' 't is to be fear'd without desired success Indeed 't is found very difficut to overcome the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or culpable Modesty which generally obstructs the performance of this excellent Duty But there is another kind of reproving which hath more facility and would produce good effect viz. The with-holding of familiar Converse from vicious Persons which is expresly enjoyned by the Apostle 1 Cor. 5.11 I have written to you not to keep Company if any Man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or a Drunkard with such a one no not to eat I question not but the practising of this one Rule did very much contribute to the purity of the Christian Church in her Virgin Age when the Heroick Piety of Christians did adorn their Doctrine and more succescesfully vindicate the Christian Religion than the most Learned Apologies publish'd in Defence of it And indeed the strictest Discipline and Ecclesiastick Censures though a proper Method of repressing Vice can't attain their End while the Apostolick Order is neglected and those who keep the Law Xenoph. Lac. Pol. C. 9. extend their Friendship to such as openly forsake it A judicious Writer has related among the Causes which made the Lacedemonians so eminent for their Courage in War That contrary to the usage of other Nations in that City every body was asham'd to admit a Coward into the same Lodgings or so much as permit him to bear a part with them at their Games and Exercises There is is no Law that prohibits civil Commerce and negotiating with openly Vitious Persons but we can't contend with them if our Friendship embraceth their Persons which they and others will interpret a favouring of their Crimes which also spread their contagion where a Passage is opened by Familiar Converse This Consideration induced a celebrated Pagan Law-giver Diodor. S. Lib. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Charondas to enact a severe Law against Conversing with bad Men for which the guilty were to be Endited and Punish'd We may fear such Pagans will rise up in the Judgment against many professing Christians and condemn those who practice not this Method of reproving the works of Darkness V. Another Instance of contending with wicked Men is the assisting of those whose Office obligeth to the repressing of wickedness The single Eye of a Ruler can't scatter this threatning Evil if he be not assisted by the Eyes and Hands and Tongues of others I know the Name of a Delator or Informer is become odious but as might be easily evinc'd if it had not been already done this infamous Title no ways belongs to those who only witness concerning a Criminal Act which ought to be discover'd and punisht In such Cases Silence and Concealment make us Confederates with wicked Men and partakers with their Sins Surely none can fix an opprobrious Character on the Excellent Joseph of whom 't is related Gen. 37.2 That he brought to his Father the Evil report of his Brethren who unjustly hated him while he exercised a real Charity to them as well as discharg'd a Duty he owed to his Parent None has charg'd the Renowned Chrysostom Tom. 6. Hom. 44. with being an Informer though in a Sermon wherein he vehemently reproveth the Sin of Swearing He tells his Hearers that after the parting of the Assembly he would largely Discourse every one that he might know who had and who had not reform'd that Fault And if I find saith he any who have not reform'd I will make them known to those who have to the end that all the Latter may reprove and correct them who remain guilty of this Vice To publish a secret Fault may on some occasions violate the Laws of Charity and Humanity but how can it be blame-worthy to witness against those who declare their own Sin and hide not their own Shame VI. The last Instance of this contending with Wicked Men is earnest Prayer and Supplication to God to obtain success to the Methods which have been mentioned and the Divine Influence which can effectually repress all kinds of Wickedness The Divine Almighty Arm alone can destroy this many headed Hydra which often despiseth all Human Attempts David though he liv'd in a State that was provided with the best Laws against Sin yet addresseth to God in a most earnest Petition O bring the wickedness of the Wicked to an end Psal 7.9 The Jewish Writers whose words are set down by a Learned Writer of our own tell us Dr. Outram de Sacr. L. 1. C. 8. That in the short Prayer used by the High Priest on the Day of Expiation this was always one Petition Let not the Prayer of them who break the Law be gathered before Thee i. e. Let not God by granting the Requests of Wicked Men put it into their Power to act their Evil Designs When we pray Let thy Kingdom come this includes the effectual repressing of Wickedness which most directly opposeth the Kingdom of God that is a State of Purity and Righteousness It only remains that the described Duty should be press'd and recommended by a few Considerations 1. In contending with Wicked Men you imitate the best Examples This Practice is
the most honorable Mode which makes you resemble the worthiest Inhabitants of Earth yea and of Heaven too This was one distinguishing mark of the Prophets and Apostles whose Memory is blessed They willingly endur'd all the Hatred and Scorn of a wicked World while they contended with it Who would not prefer a likeness to such Heroes above any other empty Titles of Honour with which other Enterprizes are rewarded Yea this Practice is an imitation of the Angels in Heaven who constantly attend on this thing and most readily obey all the Divine Orders for the opposing of Sin and stopping the progress of it The Angel of the Lord ministred to the Justice of God in punishing the oppression of Pharoah the Pride of David the Blasphemy of Senacherib and Herod Lastly The Blessed God himself sets us this Pattern Who can read the Word or view the Works of God without discerning the Contest in which he is engaged against the workers of Iniquity We of this City and Nation ought not to forget the terrible Instances of this Divine Procedure He has contended against us by a wasting Plague a devouring Sword and a consuming Fire There are Cases of a dubious Nature in which 't is possible in opposing others we may through mistake be guilty of contending against God The wise Gamaliel judg'd it unsafe to use any Violence against the first Teachers of the Christian Religion which himself did not profess because there was ground to suspect lest those who opposed it should be found even to fight against God Act. 5.39 But in our contending with wicked Men we are safe from such a danger We fight under the Banner of Heaven and are imitators of God himself 2. Herein the most eminent Love to our Country is acted and signaliz'd This noble Disposition has prevail'd against the strongest Objections When the Roman Brutus Condemn'd his own Sons to an infamous Death and was a Spectator of the Execution this Act is resolv'd into this Principle Vicit amor patriae Wicked Men are certainly Enemies to the Publick Good by provoking God to withdraw his Protection which is more necessary to our common Interest than either the Weapons or Sinew of War When the Israelites heard that two whole Tribes and a half had done something which only appear'd a Rebelling against the Lord 't is related that the whole Congregation of the Children of Israel gathered themselves together to go up to War against those whom they suspected guilty upon which supposition they concluded that the Lord would be wroth with the whole Congregation of Israel Josh 22.18 Which Conclusion they prove by an unquestionable Instance viz. Achan who committed a Trespass in the accursed thing and Wrath fell on all the Congregation of Israel and that Man perisht not alone in his Iniquity verse 26. If ungodly Persons did hurt only themselves there might be some pretext for indulging and conniving at them but the case is otherwise they do a real harm to the Community of which they are Members Solomon a proper Judge of this Matter his Regal Office assisting him to observe the dangers of the State hath asserted That scornful i. e. ungodly Men bring a City into a Snare Prov. 29.8 If any should censure the Accord and Vnion in this Reforming Design of those whose Sentiments are not quite the same in some lesser things they forget the plain Obligation of a joint opposing a common Enemy Wicked Men are not Adversaries to one Part or Order of Christians of distinct denominations They strike at the Cause of Religion in general and if it lay in their power would not leave a Christian Church in Being Our common Rule obligeth us to agree in defending the Cause of Religion against all who seek to ruine it and in prosecuting this Design we exercise a real Kindness to our Country and contribute to the Welfare and Interest of the whole Nation The Roman History relates that the Variance of their two Orders Patrician and Plebeian did sometimes endanger that State but when their Contests were the highest the appearing of a Common Enemy did unite them the flaming War that threatned the whole Body did melt the divided pieces into one 3. There is encouraging Hope of Success in this contending with wicked Men. Sin is in its own Nature a weak and feeble thing like Darkness which flies at the approach of Light Indeed the Number and boldness of Evil Men joined with the faint endeavours us'd against them give an appearance of Strength to their Cause but it can't stand its ground when it meets a vigorous Opposition How can that be strong which is supported by Lies and Falshood and hath the Wisdom and Power of God engaged against it This City has already seen the good effect of those Methods which have been us'd in Executing the Laws made against Prophaneness and Immorality The Vices of Swearing Vncleaness and Violation of the Lords Day don't now shew themselves so openly as formerly they did And though some begin to hope that they shall be indulged in such Evil Practises we trust the Care and Piety of our Honourable Magistrates will frustrate this impudent Expectation And that the Example set in this great City will influence other places of the Nation to undertake a Design of Repressing Vices and Impieties which hath the praying Wishes of all Good Men and the Promise of Divine Assistance which can overcome all Opposition made against it FINIS BOOKS Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercer's Chappel in Cheapside THE Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry late Minister of Whitchurch in Shropshire The Second Edition Four Sermons Preach'd to the Societies for the Reformation of Manners viz. by Mr. How Mr. Burgess Mr. Sylvester Mr. Spademan Of Remembrance and Imitation of Deceased Holy Rulers A Sermon Preach'd at Roterdam the Day of Her Majesties Funeral by John Spademan A Sermon Preach'd on the late Day of Thanksgiving Decemb. 2. 1697. To which is Prefix'd Dr. Bates's Congratulatory Speech to the King A Funeral Sermon on the Death of that Pious Gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hammond late Wife of the Reverend Mr. George Hammond Minister of the Gospel in London Of Thoughtfulness for the Morrow With an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of foreknowing Things to come Of Charity in Reference to other Mens Sins A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry whether or no we truly love God A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons Preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broadstreet The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Souls in a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. With an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally Discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to Will the Salvation of them that perish A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Ester Sampson the late Wife of Mr. Henry Sampson Doctor of Physick who Died Novem. 24. 1689. A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the same Subject A View of that Part of the late Considerations Addrest to H. H. about the Trinity Which concerns the Sober Enquiry on that Subject All these Eleven by Mr. John Howe Navigation spiritualiz'd or a new Compass for Seamen consisting of Thirty Two Points of pleasant Observations profitable Applications serious Reflections all concluded with so many spiritual Poems c. Two Treatises the first of Fear the second the Righteous Mans Refuge in the Evil Day A Saint indeed the great Work of a Christian A Touchstone of Sincerity or Signs of Grace and Symptoms of Hypocrisie being the second Part of the Saint indeed A Token for Mourners or boundaries for Sorrow for the Death of Friends Husbandry spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly use of Earthly Things The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated All the Methods of Providence in our Course of Life open'd with Directions how to apply and improve them All these Seven by Mr. John Flavel A Discourse against Transubstantiation Thirteen Sermons on several Texts Defensative Armour against four of Satans fiery Darts viz. Temptations to Atheistical and Blasphemous Impressions and Thoughts Self-Murther Despair and Presumption A Reasonable Account why some pious Non-conforming Ministers in England judge it sinful for them to perform their Ministerial Acts in publick solemn Prayer by the prescribed Forms of others A Supplement to the Reasonable Account The Vindication of Liturgies Published by Dr. Falkner proved no Vindication The Weavers Pocket Book or Weaving spiritualiz'd in a Discourse wherein Men in that Occupation are instructed how to raise Heavenly Meditations from the several Parts of their work A Sermon upon the Happiness of Brethren dwelling together in Unity The improveableness of Water-Baptism An Exercitation on that Case of Conscience viz. Whether it be lawful for a Person to Act contrary to the Opinion of his own Conscience formed from Arguments that appear to him probable though not necessary and demonstrative Intercourses of Divine Love between Christ and the Church or the particular believing Soul open'd and improv'd in several Lectures upon the first and second Chapter of the Canticles in Two Vol. All these Eleven by John Collinges D. D. The Friendly Interposer between the Authors of those Papers the one called A Report the other call'd A Rebuke of that Report In order to a Reconciliation between the Presbyterians and Independants By Mr. John Humphrey