no Cheats might be put upon them under any pretence therefore he saith Whether by Word or our Epistle that is by word of Mouth when present or by Epistle when absent And he saith not Epistles but Epistle as alluding to the former wrote unto them They were bound to yield to both alike credence and obedience for whether in speaking or writing the Apostolical Authority was the same To improve this Verse for your benefit I shall lay down several Propositions I. That what-ever assurance we have of God's preserving us in the Truth yet we are bouâ—d to use Diligence and Caution II. Our Diligence and Caution is to be employed about this That we may stand fast in the Faith of Christ and the Profession and Practice of Godliness III. That the Means of standing fast in the Faith of Christ and the Profession and Practice of Godliness is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles IV. That while the Apostles were in being there were two ways of delivering the Truth by word of Mouth and Writing V. That now when they are long since gone to God and we cannot receive from them the Doctrine of Life by Word of Mouth We must stick to the Scriptures or written Word I. That what-ever assurance we have of God's preserving us in the Truth yet we are bound to use Diligence and Caution For the Apostle had said That God had chosen and called them to the belief of the Truth and yet saith Therefore Brethren Stand fast First Reason will tell us That when we intend an End we must use the Means otherwise the bare intention and desire would suffice And to the accomplishing of any effect we need no more than to will it And the Sluggard would be the wisest Man in the World who is full of wishings and wouldings though his hands refuse to labour but common experience sheweth that the End cannot be obtain'd without a diligent use of the means Prov. 13.4 The Soul of the Sluggard desireth and hath nothing but the Soul of the Diligent shall be made fat that is rewarded with the intended benefit Secondly The Business in hand is Whether God's Election Calling or Promise doth so secure the End to us as that we need not be so careful in the diligent use of Means Such a notion or conceit there may be in the Hearts of Men therefore â—et us attaque it a little by these Considerations 1. God's Decree is both of End and Means for all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation bringeth it about by the belief of the Truth and sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess. 2.13 and without Faith and Holiness no Man shall see God and escape condemnation God had assured Paul That there should be no loss of any Mans Life among them except of the Ship Acts 27.22 And yet afterwards vers 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could that Assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's Caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the uncertain Will and Actions of Men I Answer Not as a Cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a Means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God Appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done And the Lord revealing by his Word this conjunction of end and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship therefore what God hath joined together let no man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we pervert his Order to our own Destruction 2. God that hath bidden us to believe his Promises hath forbidden us to tempt his Providence Mat. 4.7 Now we tempt God when we desire him to give an extraordinary proof of his care over us when ordinary Means will serve the turn or be useful to us 3. Though the Means seem to have no connexion with the End yet if God hath injoined them for that end we must use them As in the instance of Naaman God was resolved to cure him but Naaman must take his prescribed way though against his own fancy and conceit 2 King 5.10 Wash in Jordan seven times and thy flesh shall come again unto thee and thou shalt be clean compare vers 13. If the Prophet had bidden thee to do some great thing c. So Iohn 13.6 7. Peter must submit to be washed though he could not see the benefit of it So Iohn 9.6 7. The blind Man must submit to have his Eyes anointed with Clay and wash in the Pool of Siloam though the Clay seemed to put out his Eyes rather than cure them And the Pool could not wash away his blindness but means appointed by God must be used what-ever improbabilities are apprehended by us 4. That when God's Will is expresly declared concerning the Event yet he will have the means used As for instance 2 Kings 20.5 6 7. God was absolutely resolved to add fifteen years more to Hezekiah's Life yet he must take â— lump of Figs and lay iâ— on the Boil which plainly sheweth that no promise on God's part nor assurance on ours hindreth the use of means God will work by them not without them 5. In Spiritual Things assurance of the Event is an incouragement to Industry not a preâ—ence to Sloth 1 John 2.27 28. Ye shall abide in him and now little Children abide in him The promise of Perseverance doth incourage us to use endeavours that we may persevere and quicken Diligence rather than nourish Security or open a gap to carnal Liberty 1 Cor. 9.26 I run not as one that is uncertain We are the more earnest because we are assured the means shall not be uneffectual II. Prop. Our Duty is to stand fast in the Faith of Christ and profession of Godliness what-ever temptations we have to the contrary stand fast being a Military word it alludeth to a Souldier's keeping his Ground and is apposed to two things 1. A cowardly Flight 2. A treacherous Revolt 1. A cowardly Flight implyeth our being overcome in the evil Day by the many Afflictions that befal us for the Truths sake Ephes. 6.13 Wherefore take to you the whole Armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil Day that after ye have done all things ye may stand Their Temptation was the many troubles and persecutions that befel them called there the Evil Day Their defence lay in the whole Armour of God which is there made of six pieces The Girdle of Truth or Sincerity which is a strength to us as a Girdle to the Loins The Breast-plate of Righteousness or an holy iâ—clination and desire to perform
err in forbidding Vertues and commanding Vices the Church were bound to believe Vices to be good and Vertues to be evil which certainly is to set man in the place of God 2. As to Indulgences as to pretend to give Pardons for sin for so many years a thing that God himself never did to pardon the sin before it was committed that is to give a licence to sin So for the highest crimes to absolve men upon a little attrition or trouble about the sin to do all this and more than this as of right is to sit in the Church of God as God 2. And shewing himself that he is God that is meant not of what he professeth in words but what he doth in deed It is not said that he saith he is God but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he sheweth himself or sets forth himself as God the reason of the thing sheweth it 1. Antichrist gets power by seduction or the deceiveableness of unrighteousness therefore does not openly call himself the true and only God He is represented as a false Prophet that speaketh lies in Hypocrisy If one would openly and plainly profess himself to be God he might be a frantick Usurper but could not be a cunning Seducer and few would be so stupid and senseless as to be led by him 2. Antichrist whoever he be is to be a Christian by profession and to have a high and great charge among the visible Professors of Christianity He is a secret Adversary that groweth upon the Apostasie or degeneration of the Christian State Now such pretend observance and obedience to Christ and therefore he would not openly declare himself to be God and he sitteth in the Temple and Church of God as before And it is a mystery All which imply crafty conveyance and that he doth not openly assume the Godhead but slily and secretly which doth not mend the matter for the insinuating devouring unsuspected Enemy is the most perillous and pernicious as Ioab to Amasa and Iudas to Christ. 3. Antichrist is plainly a man now for a man to disanul all Religion and set up himself directly as God is improbable Nero Nebuchadnezzar Simon Magus would be adored as Gods they did not deny other Gods nor a greater God above them Therefore it is the arrogance of works is intended If Antichrist will shew himself as God certainly he will sweeten his Blasphemy with some Hypocrisy as that he is the Vicar and Vicegerent of God 4. His shewing himself as God is either accepting or doing such things which if they did rightly belong to him they would shew that he is God Two persons I find in Scripture charged for usurping divine honours The one Herod Agrippa who was smitten by an Angel for not giving God the glory when the people cryed the voice of God and not of man Acts 12.22 his fault was accepting what was ascribed by others The other is the Prince of Tyre Ezech. 18.2 Because thy heart is lifted up and thou hast said I am God I sit in the seat of God in the midst of the sea◠yet thou art a man and not God though thon set thy heart as the heart of God His fault was taking upon him as if he were God to accept divine honours to do those things which would make him equalize himself to our Lord Christ Blessed for ever so doth he shew himself that he is God 1. His accepting Antichrists Disciples who call him our Lord God the Pope Supremum numen in Terris a certain Deity upon Earth That the Pope hath the same Consistory with God and the same Tribunal with Christ That he is Lord of Heaven and Earth That from him there are no appeals to be made no not to God himself That the Pope may do all that God doth that he is the Husband of the Church and the foundation of Faith In the Council of Lateran Sess. 4. Alter Deus in Terra that the words of the Pope in Cathedra are for certainty of truth equal to the Scriptures that he can change the form of Sacraments delivered by Christ or Decree contrary to Scripture If any do object that these were the applauses of his Flatterers and claw-backs it is true they were so uttered but those flatteries of the Canonists and Jesuits do come to be received Doctrines among them And whereas divers Popes have directed special Commissions for perusal of the works of the learned with authority to expunge and purge out whatsoever is not Orthodoxal many better things have come under censure but these things stand still as being very pleasing to his Holinesses humility and so not to be altered Besides many of these things have been spoken to his face without rebuke Conc. Latt Sess. 2. He is called the High Priest and King that is to be adored by all and most like unto God Sess. 9. It is said the Aspect of thy Divine Majesty dazleth our Eyes and applyeth to him that of the 72. Psalm All the Kings of the Earth shall worship him and all Nations shall serve him Now to accept and approve of these flatterers is to shew himself that he is God 2. By doing such things as if he were God not by the usurpation of the formal name as arrogating to himself such things as belong to God his right and property to take upon himself to be Lord of Consciences to command what Faith is to be believed suppressing the true doctrine of Christ and setting up his own Inventions dispensing with Gods Laws taking upon him to pardon sins One Article for which Luther was condemned is this That it is not in the power of the Church or Pope to make new Articles of Faith another That the best penitence of all is the new life Qui facit Deos Divosque Deo major est The Pope doth Canonize Saints and his Decrees must be received as Oracles c. The Use is to give us a clear discovery where to find Antichrist every tittle of this is fulfilled in the Bishop of Rome that we need no longer be in doubt and say Is this he that should come or shall we look for another Who is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but he that opposeth himself to that humble state and frame wherein Christ left the Church and will be Prince of all Pastors and swear them to his obedience and hath made such troubles in the World to make himself acknowledged for Head and Chief Who is he that exalteth himself above all that is called God and is August in The World but he that takes upon him to deprive and depose Emperours Kings and Princes by his Excommunications Suspensions Interdictions and Decrees discharging Subjects of their Allegiance and Oaths and giving away their Kingdoms that doth Crown and Uncrown Emperours with his feet and tread upon them as one would do upon a Viper Who is he that sitteth as God in the Temple of God that is affecteth the honour due to our Lord Jesus Christ but
here for the Apostle conjureth them by all that is dear and sacred in their most holy Faith and upon this I will mainly spend the first part of this Discourse I shall prove it by these two choice pieces of Scripture which describe the Communion of the Church with Christ or the dispensations of Christ to the Church the one concerneth Gods internal the other his external Government the Canticles and Revelations The Book of Canticles is ended with this desire vote and wish Cant. 8.14 Make haste my beloved and be like a young Hart or Roe upon the Mountains of Spices the Brides last and great suit to the Bridegroom is make haste as to his coming in Glory to judge the World not that Christ is slack but the Churches affections are strong they that go a Whoring after the World neither desire his coming nor love his appearing but the Spouse would have all things hastened that he might return he cannot come soon enough to set the World to rights and compleat their Happiness it is that only that will perfect their Consolation and therefore would have the blessed and longed for meeting hastened In the other Book of the Revelations see how it is closed Rev. 22.20 Christ saith Surely I come quickly and the Church like a quick Echo saith Even so Come Lord Iesus come quickly it taketh the word out of Christs Mouth and presently improveth the Promise into a Prayer and so Christs Voice and the Churches Voice are Unisons the Acclamation of the Saints answereth to his Proclamation Christ saith I come as desiring to meet with us the Church answereth even so come as desiring his Fellowship and Company when once Faith apprehendeth the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus to Judgment Love presently desireth it as the most comfortable thing which we can ask of him that is the farewel suit of the Church to Christ if he will grant this all complaints and sorrow and sighing will be no more Now I shall give you Reasons why this is desired by all true Christians 1. In respect of him who is to come His Person that we may see him who is our great Lord and Saviour all that believed any thing of Christ desired to see him those that lived before his coming in the flesh Joâ—n 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad and the same affection possesseth us that live after his coming in the flesh we know him by hear-say we have heard much of him he wooeth us by a Proxy as Eliezer Abrahams Servant did Rebekah Now Christians would fain see him of whom they have heard and whom they loved and in whom they have believed 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love and in whom though now you see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy â—nspeakable and full of glory they do not see Christ but they have a taste of his goodness 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious They have felt his comforts and live by his Life all that is wanting is but ocular Vision that they may see him Face to Face therefore they long for his coming 2. The Excellency of Christ their head shall then be fully revealed therefore it is comfortable to his Saints to think of his second comeing it is called the Revelation of Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Christ is now under a Vail retired within the Curtain of the Heavens the wicked often ask where is now your God and our own unbelieving hearts are apt to question the glory of his Person and the truth of his Promises when his most faithful Servants are under disgrace Christ is a glorious King but little of his Glory is seen in the World therefore they desire that he may appear in Glory and Royalty we pray that his Kingdom may come 2. The persons desiring there is somewhat in them to move them to it 1. The Spirit of Christ Rev. 22.17 The Spirit in the Bride saith come the Holy Ghost breadeth this desire in the Church nature saith it is good to be here but this is a disposition above nature the Flesh saith Depart but the Spirit saith Come the great work of the Spirit is to bring us and Christ together he cometh from the Father and the Son to bring us to the Father by the Son his business is to marry us to Christ the promise being past the Spouse longeth to see her beloved It is the Spirit kindleth a desire in us of his second coming when the Marriage that is now contracted shall be consummated when the Queen shall be brought unto the King in rayment of Needle-work and shall enter into the Palace with him there to abide for ever Well then though guilty Sinners would have Christ stay away still and if it might go by Voices the Carnal World would never give their Voice this way Even so come Lord Iesus come quickly no they are of the Devils mind Why art thou come to torment us before the time Mat. 8.29 Thieves and Malefactors if they might have the liberty to choose they would never look nor long for the day of Assizes but the Spirit in the Bride is another thing it giveth us other inclinations the sooner Christ cometh the better they can never be soon enough taken up to him nor he come to them 2. There are Graces planted in us Faith Hope and Love to move us earnestâ—y to desire his coming 1. Faith believeth Christ will be as good as his word I will come again if it were not so I would have told you John 14.2 And if Christ saith in a way of Promise I come the Church saith Amen in a way of Faith even so Comâ— If Christ had gone away in discontent and with a threat in his mouth Ye shall never see my face more we should altogether despair of seeing him again but he parted in Love and left a Promise with us which upholdeth the Hearts of Believers during his absence Would Christ deceive us and flatter us into a Fools Paradise What need that He can strike us dead in an instant if we do not please him and we have hitherto found him true in all things and will he fail us at last 2. Hope which is Faiths Handmaid it looketh for that which we do believe it is the immediate effect of the new Creature 1 Pet. 1.3 Begotten to a lively hope as soon as Grace is infused it discovereth it self by its tendency to its end and rest it came from Heaven and carrieth the Soul thither 3. Love is an affection of Union it desireth to be with the party loved Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ therefore its Voice is Come Come he hath Communion with us in our Houses of Clay therefore we desire presence with him in his Palace of Glory his Voice now is very sweet when he saith Come unto me ye that are weary and heavy laden but much more will
to begin our right in the priviledges of the Gospel there are some conditions required for the beginning others for the continuing of our right now this is absolutely required for the continuing of our right both for present reconciliation with God and future Glory it is upon this condition if ye continue in the Faith 2. Let us inquire what is necessary to this constancy and establishment of mind that we may not be soon troubled and shaken partly that our minds may be inlightened to know the truth and our hearts renewed to believe and love the truth for without this there can never be any constancy of mind in Religion 1. A clear Conviction of the Truth or certainty of Knowledge a rooted assent or well grounded perswasion not some fluctuating opinion about it an half light maketh us very uncertain in our course James 1.3 A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First try all things 1 Thess. 5.20 then hold fast that which is good When men resolve upon Evidence or after due Examination the truth sticketh the closer and faster by them but when they take up things hand over head they have no firm Principles and therefore waver hither and thither as Vessels without Ballast are tossed with every wave 2 Pet. 3.16 17. Beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substantial grounds within themselves they do not stand by the knowledge of others or the Faith of others and consent of others light chaff is carried about with every wind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4.14 That ye henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine they go through all parts of the compass sometimes this wind of error taketh them up sometimes that sometimes taking up one opinion then changing it for another this is the fruit of half-Convictions 2. The other oart of our Basis is a resolution to adhere to the Truth what likelihood is there that we should continue who are not so much as resolved so to do The heart must be established by Grace as well as the mind soundly convinced Heb. 13.9 Be not carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace as the Apostle speaketh of a purpose not to marry 1 Cor. 7.37 He that standeth stedfast in his own heart c. So here Acts 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Christ A firm thorough resolution is requisite to fortify us against all changes in Religion otherwise we are but as Trees without a Root or an House without a Foundation Now this resolution of the Heart is by Faith and Love Faith Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Love 2 Thess. 2.10 They received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lie We are not only rooted and grounded in Faith but rooted and grounded in Love Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love c. 3. The opposite to this is Levity and inconstancy of mind that soon quitteth truth without difficulty or without much hesitancy and resistance yields to the temptation The Scripture often taketh notice of this sudden imbracing of Error Gal. 1.6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and in the Text soon shaken in mind credulity is a lightness in believing when we are like Reeds shaken with every wind Mat. 11.7 and have a faulty easiness ready to be carried away with every Doctrine which pretendeth to Truth The simple believeth every word Prov. 14.15 There is a readiness of mind which is good but it goeth on sufficient evidence so the wisdom that is from above is gentle and easy to be intreated James 3.17 and the Bereans were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 17.11 They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures whether these things were so or no but a readiness of mind differs from a weakness of mind or a lightness in believing upon slender and insufficient grounds they never received the truth with thorough Efficacy and are prone to Error 4. The Causes of this Levity and Inconstancy of mind are these 1. Want of solid rooting in the Truth they receive it hand over head as the stony ground forthwith sprang up Mat. 13.5 and 20. ver Anon they receive it with joy they do not so soon receive the word but they as soon quit it 2. Want of Mortification 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us having loved this present World Lusts are uncertain fear of men favour of men carnal hopes will easily prevail 3. A certain readiness of mind which disposeth men to conform and comply with their Company as the Looking-Glass representeth every Face that looketh on it so they are very changeable and unstable as water as Zedekiah Jer. 38.5 The King is not he that can say you nay soon turned this way and that way 4. Want of a thorough inclination to God so that they are right for a while or in some things yet they are not universally true to his interest 1 Kings 2.28 Joab turned after Adonijah though he turned not after Absolom Hos. 7.8 Ephraim is a Cake not turned 5. Want of Holiness and living up to the truths we know 1 Tim 3.9 Holding the mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience Choice Liquors are best kept in a clean Vessel men provoke God to desert them and leave them to a vertiginous Spirit 6. Libertinism men think they may run from one Sect of Christians to another as the wind of interest bloweth if they were to turn to Ethnicism Turcism or Judaism they would die rather than change theâ—r Religion but they think the differences among Christians are not of such moment as to venture any thing upon that account Every truth is precious and must be owned in its Season and it is damnable in it self to do any thing against Conscience and he that giveth way to a small temptation will entertain a greater As a Man that hangeth over a Precipice when he lets go his hold will sink further and further till he come to the bottom therefore it is good to be faithful in a little Vse Let us take heed of this evil credulity and lightness 1. Till Christians get a setled and sound Judgment they never have peace within themselves for fears and scruples arise in the dark and those that live in error are full of perplexities and have not that tranquilâ—ity of Spirit which They have who are fully perswaded in their own
his works John 5.36 For the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me and John 10.38 Though ye believe not me that is his personal verbal Testimony believe the works that is his Miracles That ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him And when Iohn sent his Disciples to know whether he were the Messiah or no not so much for his own Confirmation as their satisfaction Mat. 11.4 Go shew him what ye hear and see and what is that The blind receive their sight the lame walk the lepers are cleansed the deaf hear and the dead are raised up c. So Nicodemus was convinced by these John 3.2 We know that thou art a teacher come from God for none can do the works that thou dost except God were with him To improve these Scriptures let us consider 1. The necessity of this Attestation 2. The sufficiency of it 1. The necessity theâ—e was that Christs Person and Office should be thus attesâ—ed He had the Law of Moses to repeal which was well known to be Gods own Law a yew Law to promulgate which is the Law of Faith or the Gospel and before this could be received it was needful for him to manifest his Authority Besides he came to redeem and recover Sinners to God from the Devil World and Flesh And that he might be more readily and chearfully entertained it was necessary to be evidenced that he came not only by Gods Permission but Commission for him hath the Father sealed John 6.27 that is authorized by Miracles Look as in the first Institution of the Aaronical Priesthood Fire came from Heaven to consume the Sacrifices whereas afterwards the High Priests were consecrated and admitted by the ordinary rites without any such attestation so there was a greater necessity then when God brought forth his Son into the World and â—id first set up the Gospel State than there was afterwards when the course and order of it was setled and received in the World 2. The sufficiency of it the Mirâ—cles then wrought were numerous evident and undeniable being done publickly in the sight of all and therefore the clearest attestation to his Doctrine that flesh and blood could expect such a stream of holy necessary Miracles that were for the most part not acts of pomp but of succour and relief and such as could be done by no power less than divine not like those ludicrous Miracles they talk of in Popery which look like a cheat rather than a sign from Heaven These Miracles of Christ could no way be impeached For either it must be by some truth of God which the new Revelation did contradict and delivered by more certain means than those Miracles were but no such Revelation was there all fairly accorded with those former Revelations of his mind given to the ancient Church and Christ and his Apostles preached no other things than what suited with Moses and the Prophets Acts 26.22 Or else by some greater works which should contradict the Testimony of these Wonders as Moses did the Magicians of Egypt Exod. 7.18 but no such thing could be alledged or was pretended therefore these were sufficient 2. After the Faith of Christ was sufficiently confirmed Miracles ceased and it was fit they should cease for God doth nothing unnecessarily The Christian Doctrine is the same that it was and is to be the same till the end of the World we have a sure and authentick Record of it which is the Holy Scriptures The Truth of Christs Office and Doctrine is fully proved and cometh trasmitted to us by the consent of many successions of Ages in whose experience God hath blessed it to the convertâ—ng comforting and saving of many a Soul Look as the Jews every time the Law was brought forth were not to expect the Thundrings and Lightnings and the voice of the terrible Trumpet with which it was given at first on Mount Sinai one solemn Confirmation served for after Ages they knew it was a Law given by the Ministry of Angels and so entertained it with Veneration and Respect so Christianity needed to be once solemnly confirmed after Ages have the use of the first Miracles for the Apostle compareth these two things the giving of the Law and the Gospel Heb. 1.2 3 4. For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him we must be contented with Gods owning it now only in the way of his spirit and Providence 3. That upon the ceasing of Miracles or their growing to be unnecessary we have the more cause to suspect them who will revive this pretence of a power to work Miracles especially after we are cautioned against these delusions as here in the Text against the lying wonders of Antichrist and elsewhere Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great sâ—gns and wonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect and again Rev. 13.13 He doth great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven upon Earth in the sight of men But herein they triumph when did they ever pretend to do so Ans. This is not to be taken literally for the whole Chapter is mystical none can be so ignorant that Antichrist shall arise as a Beast out of the Sea with with seven Heads and ten Horns therefore to fetch fire from Heaven is only an allusion to Elias that he should pretend to work Miracles as did Elias who brought fire from Heaven 1 Kings 18.24 and yet in the Letter it was fulfilled in Pope Hildebrand or Gregory the VII as one Paulus who wrote his Life testifieth who mentioneth divers wonders of fire wrought by him and sundry times resembles him to Elias the meaning is he shall make his followers as confident of their errors as if they saw fire come from heaven to confirm them But to return We being thus cautioned and forewarned Miracles thus performed are deceitful But you will say though Miracles are not necessary to confirm the Faith yet they are necessary to convince the falsehood of Heresies Ans. Heresies being a corruption of the Faith once received are to be confuted by Arguments not Miracles by evidence of Doctrine not wonders partly left the people be deceived by magical Impostures for it requireth some skill to diâ—tinguish true Miracles from those that are deceitful and done by the power of the Devil partly because Verum est Index sui obliqui Faith â—tated and confirmed sheweth what is Error so that to confute Error by Miracles is nothing but to confirm Truth by Miracles 4. Whosoever teach false Doctrine not consonant to the truth of Scriptures or that Faith of Christ
caution them as we have from God They pretend to believe the Scriptures yet how do they seek to evade the force of them by crafty distinctions that will never satisfie Conscience though they help to blind the mind and harden the heart That which I urge is this they were never interdicted this kind of worship by their Gods but these know that it is severely forbidden by our God and the second Commandement so stareth in their Faces that it is expunged out of their Catechisms and Vasquez is bold to affirm that the second Commandement is Ceremonial Lactantius of old said Non est dubium religio nulla est ubi cujusque simulacâ—rum est 3. The Pagans did adore their Gods in their Images but never was any so sottish among them to imagine that an Image was to be adored with the same degree of worship as God himself but this is the corrupt Doctrine of the Papists that an Image is to be worshipped with the same worship wâ—erewith God himself is worshipped Imagini Christi Latria debetur Aquinas That is the proper worship of God 1. Vse to shew how necessary it is to take heed that we be not found among the followers of Antichrist since these errors are damnable Salvation and damnation are not trifles nor matters to be played withal Surely we need have our eyes in our head and not to be hood-winked when we are upon the brink of a bottomless Gulph Both sides lay damnation at one anothers Door they for our departing from the Catholick Church out of which is no Salvation as they pretend we upon their departing from the Catholick Faith and simplicity of the Gospel Now external order is not of such consideration as Faith but when they will be able to prove that Christ hath setled this order in the Church that all his Subjects should be obedient to one universal visible head and that this head is the Pope and therefore when their very Order is an incroachment and usurpation to depart from them is to return to Christ Again where is Salvation most likely to be found rather with them who seek all their Religion in the Scriptures aâ—d stick there or with those who not contented with the Apostolical Doctrine contained in the Scriptures have brought in unwritten Traditions as an equal rule of Faith with Scripture and the Sacrifice of the Mass and Purgatory the Religious Invocations of Saints and many other enormities and uphold these Innovations with all manner of Tyranny and Cruelty exercised upon Christs faithful Servants If men go to Heaven without Prayers which they understand and Scriptures half Christs Sacrament a piece of his merits and some supeâ—stitious observances yea plain Idolatry then the way to Heaven is sooner to be had in Popery but he that hath but half an Eye may soon see which is the surer side Surely the surest way to avoid damnation is to avoid sin Now where are Souls so much in danger of sin as in the Roman Society where so little is given to internal life and piety and so much to external Pomp and Service and where errors are so palpable that either men do not believe them with their hearts or if their hearts were upright and not perverse and obstinate could not believe them but just so is the way of Popery to true Christianity Surely whatever it be to Papists it would be absolutely damnable to us as wilfully to thrust our selves upon apparent ruine There is a cavil or pretence which I shall speak unto on this occasion That many Protestants confess Papists may be saved in their Faith whereas they hold Protestants and other Hereticks may not be saved out of the Catholick Church And therefore it is safe to enter into that way which is safe by the consent of both parts Ans. 1. Mens opinions are no ground of Faith Persons may be in a sad woful Case that men speak well of Luke 6.26 Wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you It is not what Man saith but what the word of God saith Now the word speaketh terrible things to them Them that perish and That they all might be damned who believed not the truth c. Secondly The word of God teacheth us to judge of the way rather than persons who stand or fall to their own Master The way is damnable If on the one side there be Charity to some persons that sin of invincible ignorance and are saved as by fire 1 Cor. 3.13 which the other side will not grant to a contrary perswasion it argueth Charity on one side which hopeth all things malice on the other who rashly condemn men without evidence yea against it 3. If this argument would hold good it had been better in Christ and the Apostles time to be a Jewish Proselyte than a Christian Christ acknowledgeth Salvation is of the Jews their promises of adoption and glory but the Jews pronounced him and his followers accursed scourged imprisoned them yet did not get so far as Papists to murder and butcher them Suppose a little time that Catholicks owned Donatists as Brethren allowed their Baptism but Donatists are rebaptized and upon pain of damnation require all so to be and say Save thy Soul become a Christian. Now a Pagan should rather by this argument join himself to Donatists than Catholicks Lastly The Argument may be retorted A Protestant keepeth himself to his Bible Baptismal Covenant Creed but denieth many things which Papists believe and practise as Papal Infallibility Transubstantiation Purgatory Invocation of Saints worshipping of Images they cannot but say Protestants are in the right 2. Vse observe the degrees of obduration not receiving the truth in the love of it believing a Lie discarding Truth and then taking pleasure in unrighteousness and then cometh Damnation SERMON XI 2 Thess. 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because the Lord hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth THE Adversative Particle But sheweth what respect these words have to what went before He had spoken of God's direful Judgment of sending strong delusion on them that had no love to the pure Truth but sinned against Light and had pleasure in the false worship and superstitions countenanced by the World Now lest the Thessalonians should be troubled at this sad prediction he sheweth what cause he had to bless God in their behalf The subjoining of this consolation doth teach us three things 1. That it is a great favour of God to us to escape Antichristian Errors They are so dangerous in their own nature so insinuative and inveigling by plausible appeaâ—ance and accompanied with such worldly baits and advanâ—â—ges that it is a great mercy â—hat God hath taught us better things But then be sure you be in the right out of Conscience and Evidence not out of Faction and Interest And that you hate Popery out
the Old Testament God himself delivered the Law with great Majesty and Terrour and afterwards caused the same to be written in Tables of Stone for the constant use of his People And the Prophets first uttered their Prophecies and then wrote unto them So the Apostles first preached Evangelical Doctrine and then consigned it to writing for the Use of all Ages And though all things delivered by them were not delivered in one Sermon or one Epistle yet by degrees the Canon of the New Testament was Constituted and made perfect by the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles V. Prop. That now when they are long since gone to God and we cannot receive from them the Doctrine of Life by word of Mouth we must stick to the Scriptures or written Word 1. Because we are taught to do so by Christ and his Apostles Christ always appealeth to the Writings of the Old Testament both against Traditions which he condemneth Matth. 15.2 and against pretended Revelations Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will be persuaded to repent if one should come from the Dead And the Apostles still have recourse to this Proof Acts 26.22 Witnessing no other things than the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass And when they pleaded they were Eye and Ear-witnesses and so their Testimony was valuable yet they say ye have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a surer Word of Prophecy whereunto ye shall do well to take heed 2 Pet. 1.19 Now how can we do better than to imitate these great Examples 2. Because those things were written for our sakes 1 John 1.4 These things write we unto you that your Ioy may be full The Apostles being to leave the World did know the slipperiness of Man's Memory and the danger of corrupting Christian Doctrine if there were not a sure authentick Record left therefore they wrote and so fully that nothing is wanting to compleat our Joy and Happiness 3. Because the Scriptures are perfect The perfection of Scripture is known by its End and intended Use which is to give us a knowledg of those things which concern our Faith Duty and Happiness 1. Our Faith in Christ. If there be enough written for that end we need not unwritten Traditions to compleat our Rule Now St. Iohn telleth us he might have written more things But these things are written that ye might believe in the Son of God and have Life through his Name John 20.30 31. Certainly nothing is wanting to beget a Faith in Christ The Object is sufficiently propounded the Warrant or Claim is laid down in the New Covenant and the encouragements to believe it are clear and strong What would Men have more So that here is a perfect Rule perfect in its kind and for its proper use 2. For our Duty That is sufficiently provided for The Apostle telleth us that the Grace of God take it objectively for the Grace of the Gospel or subjectively for Grace in our Hearts teacheth us If you mean Objective Grace it prescribeth directeth If Subjective Grace it persuadeth and exciteth what to do To live Soberly Righteously Godly in the present World Tit. 2.12 There are all the branches of Man's Duty enumerated Sobriety relateth to self-government Righteously to our carriage towards our Neighbour Godly to our Commerce and Communion with God What is there wanting that belongeth either to Worship or Justice or Personal Holiness Therefore certainly we need no other Rule for it layeth down whatsoever Men are bound to do in all Ages and places of the World and in whatsoever Circumstances God shall put them And so it is fit to be the Law of the Universal King and Law-giver yea it is so perfect that whatever other Way is set up it presently dasheth against those Notions that we have or should have of God his Service and Worship or it iâ—â—â—â—ngeth or perverteth the Liberty and Nature of Man 3. For our Happiness Thaâ— Doctrine and Institution which is able to make us wiâ—e unto Salvation is enough for us but so the holy Scriptures are said to do 2. Tim. 3.15 And that from a Child thou hast known the holâ— Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through the Faith which is in Christ Iesus Nay afterwards Ver. 17. The Man of God is by them made perfect and throughly furnished to every good Work If the Scriptures do throughly direct Men to know God in Christ and save tâ—eir own Souls why should we look any further Now they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledg but the Man of God who is to Instruct others he needeth look no further but is furnished out of the Scripture with all things necessary to discharge his Office Therefore here we fix and rest we have a sufficient Rule and a full Record of all necessary Christian Doctrine Vse 1. The Use of all is Let us not seek another Rule than the Word of God Papists cry up unwritten Traditions to be received with equal respect and reverence as we receive the holy Scriptuâ—es But you Brethren stand fast holding the Apostolical Tradition You cannot have it by word of Mouth from them now therefore you must stick to what is Written or else you cannot preserve your selves from the Frauds and Impostures of Antichrist These Apostolical Writings have been received in all Ages and Times of the Church from the â—eginning and all Disputes among Christians have been tried by them None were allowed good or sincere Christians who doubted of the truth of them But because we have to do with a People that will sacrifice all to the honour and interest of their Church and knowing they are not able to stand before the Light of Scriptures have to the no little prejudice of the Christian Cause done all they can to weaken the Authority Sufficiency and Perspicuity of them that we mighâ— have no Religion without the Testimony and Recommendation of their Church therefore I shall resume the Matter and declare it afresh 1. Mankind lying in Darkness and in the shadow of Death it was necessary that one way or another God should reveal his Mind to them that we may have what belongeth to our Duty and Happiness for our chief good and last end Being altered by Sin we strangely mistake things and put Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light Good for Evil and Evil for Good weighing all things in the ballance of the Flesh which we seek to please We confound both the names and natures of Things and wander in a maze of a thousand Perplexities therefore God in pity to Mankind hath given us a sure direction in his Word which is a Lamp unto our Feet and a Light unto our Paths Psal. 119.105 Mark the words of Light and Lamps the use of a Lamp is by Night and in the Day we have the Light of the Sun whether it be Day or Night with us here we are taught how to carry our selves Mark
owned as Apostolical Tradition but what is delivered as such by their Authority which is to leave the Church to the tyranny and usurpation of a corrupt Faction to declare for Apostolicaâ— Tradition any thing which serveth their end and Interest and for which no true historical Evidence is produced Now the unjust and fraudulent practices which they have used to promote this usurpation over the Churches of Christ render them false Men most unfit to be trusted in this kind Partly with respect to the Manner they will have these things to be received pari reverentia pietatis affectu with the same reverence and pious affection with which we receive the Holy Scriptures and so Man's Post is set by God's and unproved Traditions equall'd with Doctrines of Faith Their Opinion is bad enough but their Practice is worse for there they shew they value these things more than the Scriptures As Superstition always aboundeth in its own things Did ever any of their Doctors say the same things of Traditions which they take the boldness to say of Scripture Did they ever call them Pen and Inkhorn or Parchment Divinity a nose of Wax a dumb Rule an obscure and ambiguous Doctrine These Blasphemies they vent boldly against the Scriptures but did they ever spake these of Traditions And again common People are a thousand times better instructed in their Tradition than in the Doctrine of Salvation They skill more of Lent and Ember-weeks c. than they truly understand the Doctrine of Man's Misery and Remedy And call you this Reverence and pious Affection to the Scriptures and Traditions Partly because they would never give us a Catalogue of unwritten Traditions necessary to be observed by all Christians It may be lest they should amaze the People with the multitude of them or else that the People may not know how many of their Doctrines are destitute of Scripture proof and so they plainly be discovered to be Imposers on the belief of the Christian World 6. Though we blame this in Papists yet we reject not all Traditions 1. Because Scripture it self is a Tradition as we proved before and is conveyed to us by the most credible means which we have no reason to doubt of The Scriptures of the Old Testament were preserved by the Jews to whom were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 Protestants received all the Books which they admitted into their Canon And for the Books of the New Testament the Christian Church hath received them as the Writings of those whose names they â—ear And by the constant Universal Tradition of the Church they are transmitted to us and we have no more reason to doubt of them than we do of Statutes and Laws made by Kings and Parliaments who lived long before we had a being Yea we may be much more confident as the Matter is of greater weight and consequence and these Writings have the signature and stamp of God's Spirit on them and have bin blessed by God to the converting and sanctifying of many Souls And have bin delivered down to us by a succession of Believers unto this very day And by them Christianity hath bin preserved in the World notwithstanding the wickedness of it and hath held up head against all the encounter of Time The persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the profession of it but still from Age to Age God's Truth is received and transmitted to Posterity 2. Because the truth of Christianity depending upon Matter of Fact chiefly Christ's rising from the Dead it can only be proved by a Testimony which in so extraordinary a case must be made valuable and authorized to the World by the Miracles accompanying it Now the notice of these things is brought to us by Tradition which being unquestionable giveth us as good ground of Faith as it did to them that lived in the Apostles Time and heard their Doctrine and saw their Miracles God's wonderful Works were never intended for the benefit of that Age only in which they were done but for the benefit also of those that should hear of them by any credible means whatsoever Psal. 145.4 Ioel 1.3 Psal. 78.3 4 5 6 7. these things were told them that they might set their hope in God c. 3. Because there are some Doctrines drawn by just consequence from Scripture but are the more confirmed to us when they are backed with constant Church usage and practice as Baptism of Infants Lord's Day singing of Psalms in our Public Worship c. 4. Because there are certain words which are not found in Scripture indeed yet agreeable thereto and are very useful to discover the frauds of Heretics as Trinity Divine Providence consubstantial procession of the Holy Ghost Satisfaction c. 5. We reject not all Church-History or the Records of Ancient Writers concerning the Providences of God in their Days in owning the Gospel which make much for our instruction in Manners and help to incourage us to put our trust in God 6. There are certain Usages and innocent Customs or Circumstances common to Sacred and other Actions which we despise not but acknowledg and receive as far as their own variable Nature and Condition requireth not rejecting them because anciently practised nor regarding them when the general Law of Edification requireth the omission of them But that whâ—ch we detest is that the Traditions of Men should be made equal in dignity and authority with the express Revelation of God Yea that manifest Corruptions and Usurpations as making Rome the Mistress of other Churches and superinducing the Pope as the Head of the Universal Visible Church and the Vicar of Christ without his leave and appointment and such-like other Point should be obtruded upon the World as Apostolical Traditions and to be received with like religious reverence as we do Articles of Faith set down in Scripture This is that we cannot sufficiently abhor as apparently false and destructive to Christianity SERMON XIV 2 Thess. 2.16 17. Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your Hearts and stablish you in every good Word and Work The Apostle 1. Giveth thanks for their Election and Vocation Ver. 13 14. 2. Exhorteth them to stick fast to the Truths delivered by Epistles or word of Mouth Ver. 15. 3. Prayeth for them in the words now read So that is the third means of confirming their Faith in the Truth of the Gospel Prayer to God for them Now in a Prayer all things are plain we must put off our Shoes when we draw nigh to God appear before the Lord with naked and bare Feet Therefore here nothing of difficulty will occur our Prayers the more simply and plainly they are exprest the more sincere they are In this Prayer observe I. The Persons to whom this Prayer is addressed Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God
and Faith of the Gospel that they resolve to abide by their choice Psal. 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord this will I seek after When Spiritual Resolution carrieth the force and authority of a principle in the Soul and nothing can break it 1 Pet. 4.1 Arm your selves with the same Mind As constantly as Christ persevered in the work of Mediation so be you in the work of Obedience notwithstanding the difficulties of it This powerful Will that beareth down Oppositions and Temptations and the greatest Impediments in the way to Heaven So that you rather make advantage of Opposition than are discouraged by it when sensual or carnal Good is of little force to you and you can dispise the most pleasing baits of Sin 3. The Affections are the executive power and do excite and stir us up to do what the Mind is convinced of and the Will resolved upon as to the necessary Duties of the Gospel in order to Eternal Happiness There is a Backwardness within and many Temptations without but an holy Delight overcometh the unwilling backwardness within and over ballanceth either Worldly Fear or Wordly Hope without that the Soul is carried on powerfully towards God We never work better than when we work in the strength of some eminent Affection when the Heart is enlarged Psal. 119.32 I will run the way of thy Commandments when thou shalt inlarge my Heart Either Love or Hope Love filleth us with delight overcoming our natural slackness and sluggishness in the Ways of God Psal. 40.8 I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Love is within my Heart 1 John 5.3 For this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous Psal. 112.1 Blessed is the Man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his Commandments Hope beareth us up in contempt of present delights and terrors of Sense Heb. 3.6 Whose House are we if we hold fast the considenâ—e and rejoycing of Hope firm unto the end So that we serve God with vigour and alacrity When our Affections are damped Grace falleth into a consumption and if you lose your taste your Practice will languish your Service of God will not be so uniform It is a great part of our establishment to keep up the vigour and fervency of our Affections 4. With respect to the Uses for which it serveth as to Duties Sufferings Conflicts 1. Doing the Will of God or discharging our Doings with Delight Chearfulness and Constancy for all strength is for Work Ephes. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner Man That we may do our work with that readiness of Mind which becomes Faith in Christ and Love to God This is often spoken of in Scripture Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Heb. 13.21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you what is well pleasing in his sight It is of great use to our establishment that the Soul be kept doing for as Wells are the sweeter for draining so are we the more lively for exercise Frequent omission of good Duties or seldom exercise of Grace necessarily produceth a decay As a Key rusteth that is seldom turned in the Lock thereby we lose the life and comfort of Religion and at length cast it off as a needless and unprofitable thing 2. For bearing Afflictions and passing through all conditions with Honour to God and safety to our selves Phil 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Col. 1.11 Strengthened with all Might according to his glorious Power with all Patience The great use of Establishment is to fortifie us against all the evils and inconveniencies of the present Life that we may hold on our Course to Heaven in fair Way or foul and not be greatly moved by any thing that befalleth us within time 3. For Conflicts with Temptations from the Devil the World and the Flesh. The World is round about us and we are accustomed to these enveigling Objects whose importunity prevaileth at length the Devil seeketh to work upon our Affections and Inclinations and the Flesh urgeth us to gratifie them How then is a Christian safe God establisheth him Ephes. 6.10 Finally be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might A Christian here is in a Military State and we of our selves left unto our selves are like Reeds shaken with every Wind we have need of establishment in regard of our own Feebleness and the force of our Enemies We must be established against the Devil soliciting against the World the silent Argument by which he soliciteth us and draweth us from God and Heaven against the Flesh the rebelling Principle which is apt to be wrought upon by Satan Well then this establishment is that Grace which enableth us to carry on the Duties of Religion with constancy frequency and delight to bear all the inconveniencies of Religion with Patience and Fortitâ—de to be more deaf and resolute against all the suggestions of the Devil or the machinations of the Flesh stirred up by the World 5. With respect to the Degree it is such a strengthning of the Soul as doth prevent not only our Fall but our shaking Before falling away or our being drawn to Apostacy there may be a shaking a doubtfulness and wavering of mind with respect to the Truth and much inconstancy and unevenness of Life with respect to practice Now Christians as they must not draw back to Perdition so they must not be always fluctuating and unfixed either in Matters of Opinion but setled in the Truth or in matters of Practice there must be a strength and stability of holy Inclinations and Resolutions for God and the World to come still kept up or else there will be no evenness or uniformity in the course of our Lives and though we avoid Apostacy yet we cannot avoid Scandal though there be no falling back there is a stepping out into By-Paths 1 Cor. 15.58 Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord. And Ephes. 3.17 That ye being rootâ—d and grounded in Love c. And Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel If we do not look to the Degree our weakness and instability groweth upon us As in matters of Opinion some have an unsetled Head of a vertiginous Spirit Ephes. 4.14 carried about with every wind of Doctrine They never were well grounded in the Truth nor took up the ways they are engaged in upon sufficient Evidence and therefore by their own weakness and the cunning and diligence of the Seducers are drawn into Error Light Chass is blown up and down by every Wind when solid Grain hitcheth in and resteth in the Floor where it is