great a Weight upon this Duty as if it were the one thing the only thing nâ—…cessary Phil. i. 27. only let your Conversation be as it becomâ—…th the Gospel of Christ. And there are two subservient Duties which will much contribute to this great Design 1. The former is Stability stedfastness in the Faith that yâ—… stand fast in the Spirit 2. The other a Holy Zeal that ye strive together for the Faith of the Gospel Stand fast without wavering be zealous without cooling and let your Interest and the Name and Glory of your Redeemer be much upon your Hearts in both these Whatever can be said upon this Subject is compendiously summ'd up in that other place of the same Apostle which I will give you a brief Paraphrase upon and then proceed Phil. iv 8 9. Finally brethren whatsoâ—…ver things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoevâ—…r things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be anâ—… virtue if there be any praise think on these things Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you This is the abstract of what I can speak or you hear upon this Subject Think on these things and do them Digest the matter well in your Thoughts concoct it throughly in your Hearts and then reduce all to Practice 'T is not Speculation but Action that must recover the Repure of Religion and the particulars wherein you must be active and zealous are such as these 1. Whatsoever things are true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let the Power of Truth in the Heart evidence it self in the Life and the Grace of God in the inward Parts shine through the Body in all suitable demeanor It is Theodoret's Gloss upon 1 Tim. iii. 2. The Apostle says he would have a Bishop to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That his whoâ—… carriage be such so comâ—…ly in his 〈◊〉 in his habit in his looks and gesturâ—…s that the Complexion of his Soul may shine through the Case of his Body 2. Whatsoever things are honest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That we be grave yet not morose serious yet not austere reserved without affectation that as the End of our Conversation is a matter of the greatest Importance and the Rule of our Lives of equal Concern so the Meen and Air of our behaviour may bear some good Conformity to them both 3. Whatsoever things are just 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As we must be Holy towards God so must we also be just towards all Men for Righteousness is Evangelium visibile 'T is the preaching of a Gospel which Men understand our Religion teaches us to give to God and Man what is their due and all the World will conclude that if we defraud them we would if it were in our Power cheat our God too nor can we ever confute those Suspicions which Men will easily entertain of our Hypocrisy but by an exact and punctual discharge of all those Offices of Justice which we owe to them 4. Whatsoever things are pure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chast modest pure clean that our Discourses savour not of Filthiness our Behaviour do not smell rank of inward Turpitude that we admit not the Flesh to mingle it self with our Courses or Discourses but that in all things our Speech be seasoned with Salt Administring grace unto the hearers Ephes. iv 29. 'T is a dirty World we walk in he that will walk clean must pick and chuse his way with great Care and Conscience 5. Whatsoever things are lovely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let a Spirit of Candour and holy Ingenuity breath in all our Actions that we affright not Men from Religion by a sour disobliging way of Converse There is a mean could we hit it between a base creeping fawning prostitution of our selves to the Lusts of Men and a haughty surly Arrogancy which will not stoop or bend to the benefit of Men and this mean is that generosum honestum that greatness of humility which would persuade the prejudiced World to entertain more tolerable Thoughts of God's holy Ways and perhaps in time to try and practise them 6. Whatsoever things are of good report 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To decline those Practices which carry an Appearance of evil with really good Men. Now says the Apostle If there be any virtue If ever your Religion had any commanding Interest in you or has had any sanctifying power upon you And if there be any praise If you expect the acceptation and approbation of God or the moderate commendation of good Men Then think upon and do these things and for your encouragement The God of Peace shall be with you In the managing of this Doctrine I will propose this Method 1. To shew what the Adorning of the Doctrine of the Gospel does presuppose 2. What it is to Adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel in all things 3. What are the particulars of the Doctrine which we must Adorn and how it may be Adorned in each of these Particulars 4. I will lay down the Arguments which ought to prevail with us herein 5. And lastly I will endeavour to improve the whole Discourse and reduce it to Practice § 1. Let us inquire what the Exhortation to Adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel does presuppose There was something more than ordinary in the matter that the Apostle so earnestly and frequently presseth this one Point Some Injury had been offered from which it needed to be vindicated something amiss in their Conversation that needed Reformation and we have cause to fear that the Case is our own Some notable Affront has been put upon the Gospel some indignity offered to the Profession of Religion which will render our present Discourse too pertinent That which is presupposed may be reduced to these Heads 1. That the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ considered in it self is a most beauteous and lovely Doctrine 2. That this Doctrine has been miserably blackened and blemished by those that should have given it a better treatment 3. That whoever professeth this Doctrine is obliged to wash off that dirt and filth which has been cast upon it 1. That we are so earnestly urged to Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour presupposeth that as it came first out of the Hands of Christ it was altogether lovely representing the sweetness and expressing the holiness of him that gave it forth And 1. One eminent Beauty of the Doctrine is this That those Truths which soar the highest in Speculation yet in their design and tendency aim at a holy practical Conversation Those which in the Theory reach the highest Heavens yet in their Scope stoop down to the Earth It was said of Socrates Primus Philosophiam è Nubibus in Terras deduxit He was the first that brought down Philosophy from the Clouds and made it an useful thing to Humane Life It was
nothing of the Bread he Eats the Life he Lives the Joy he Joys 1 John iii. 1. Therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Whatever is within the compass of Sense and Flesh the Natural Man understands that he values prizes relishes and blesseth himself in because he finds a suitableness between them and his own Frame but if those who profess themselves Believers have nothing more than this comes to to produce in vain do they hope to persuade others of the excellency of their Religion Let us therefore give all Diligence to get such a view of the glory of that unseen World as may dash out of countenance all the glittering glory of this and make it appear by our Conversation that we can with a holy Scorn trample upon present visible earthly perishing things that so living by Faith and not by Sense our Hearts may be in Heaven where our Treasure is and our Conversation in Heaven where our Hearts are § 4. Come we now to the fourth General Head the only thing remaining before we come to the Application viz. The Reasons why every one that Professeth the Gospel of Christ should conscientiously labour to Adorn the Doctrine of it in All things The Reasons assigned will be very few let us Pray that the Good Spirit would make them very strong 1. Reason It ought to be our great Care to Adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel because it is the Doctrine of the Great God It 's a Doctrine that was given forth from him that has absolute Power to Command us John vii 16. The Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me and therefore we are to receive it entertain it as such 1 Thess. ii 13. Te received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God The Reproach cast upon the Word of God is cast upon the Author of it God himself Rom. ii 23 24. Through breaking of the law dishonourest thou God For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gâ—…ntiles through you As the affront offered to the Laws reflects upon the Law-giver and God is concerned in Honour to vindicate the dishonour cast upon his own Laws These things are drawn into a narrow Compass and we may enlarge upon them with ease in our own Hearts Let us be well advised whether we be not bound in Conscience to vindicate the Name of God by Adorning this Doctrine which has been so horribly blasphemed by defacing it He that Spits in the Face of Religion Spits in the Face of God He that tramples upon the Word tramples under Foot the Son of God 2. Râ—…ason 'T is the Doctrine of our Sâ—…viour our Redeemer and these Terms carry strong Obligations in them to Adorn his Doctrine or having already defiled it to repair the damage we have done it The former Reason was drawn from Authority but this from Interest and both of them work by Love Christ is a Saviour and has preach'd the Doctrine of Salvation A Redeemer and has revealed the Doctrine of Redemption A Mediator and has made known how Sinners may come unto God by him It was St. Austin's censure of the Plâ—…tonists Patriam viderunt viam ignorâ—…runt They saw their Country but knew not the way to it they had at least some rude consused Notions that Blessedness must needs lie in the enjoyment of a perfect infinite Being but how to attain Reconciliation and Communion with him they were at a loss what they saw in a Glass darkly the Gospel has revealed plainly and we see it with open Face 2 Cor. iii. 1 8. And what they were totally ignorant of we behold in a clear sight that is wherein our everlasting Happiness doth consist and how we may reach that Happiness And shall we tread under our Feet that blessed Doctrine the power whereof in our Hearts will certainly save us and the Guilt lying upon our Head will eternally Condemn us The Apostle's Pleading is clear and strong 1 Cor. vi 19 20. Ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price that ye may glorifie him in your spirits and bodies which are his It is an acknowledged piece of Justice that he that purchases lawfully should enjoy peaceably and with what indignation do we exclaim against that Man that keeps out of Possession a lawful Purchaser Consider this Case 't is your own if Christ has bought you with an invaluable Price whose true value none can perfectly understand but the Father to whom it was paid shall we Treat that Gospel which brings us these glad tidings with Contempt and Neglect 3. Reason To Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour will be our own greatest Ornament Holiness was the comely wear of Primitive Christianity no Artificial Dress did ever so Adorn its Profession and Professors as plain Godliness The Varnish and Paint of Art will wash off with a little stormy Weather but wisdom makes the face to shine Eccles. ix 1. This is the Counsel of Divine Wisdom Prov. i. 9. My son hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother for it shall be an ornament of grace to thy head and chains to thy neck This was the Tyre wherewith the holy women of old time Adorned themselves 1 Pet. iii. 4. Even thâ—… Ornamâ—…nt of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price Such was the Dress of the Gospel before the commonness of vain Modes and wanton Fashions took away the Deformity of Pride and almost forced the Antient Simplicity to retire into Corners Did we see an Antient Piece drawn by the Hand of some of the great Masters of Greece or Italy we should admire the Painting tho perhaps ridicule the Antick Garbs Surely if some of the Primitive Professors should rise from the Dead they would neither know us nor we them A heavenly Conversation is Antiquated every one wears the Livery of his Party the distinguishing Shibboleth of his own Sect but where are they that accommodate themselves in All things to the Doctrine according to Godliness What an honour to be a Citizen of the New Jerusalem To be an Heir of God and a joint Heir with Christ his Elder Brother and let us endeavour to reflect some of the honour back again upon the Gospel which we receive from it 4. Reason To Adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel will greatly recommend it to those who are at present Strangers to it We have the prejudices of Men to contend with their radicated Enmities to subdue and conquer we dispute we argue in vain 'T is a severe uniform Holiness suited to the Principles Precepts and Promises that must either wrest their Weapons out of their Hands or make them freely lay down their Arms at the Foot of a Redeemer 1 Pet. iii. 2. The Apostle supposes a very hard Case that a believing wife is unequally yoaked to an unbelieving husband an uneasie condition But how may it
's Good and Profitable to Men. It is calculated expresly according to the Image of him that is good and doth good Psal. cxix 68. Such is this Holy Doctrine it 's a sanctifying and a saving Doctrine Prov. iv 1 2. Hear ye children attend to know understanding for I give you good doctrine forsake ye not my law This Doctrine reveals Eternal Life and the only way to it it discovers what we must know that we perish not in Ignorance what we must believe that we perish not in Infidelity what we must do that we perish not by Disobedience what we must avoid that we perish not in our Rashness It reveals the end of Creation Redemption and how to reach the end of our Faith Hope Prayers in the Enjoyment of God blessed for ever to Eternity But if you would have the Particulars in which 't is good and profitable laid before you at once read that place 2 Tim. iii. 16 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnisht unto all good works And upon this Account if our Eyes were Rivers and our Heads a Fountain of Tears we could not enough mourn that Men have turned God's glory into shame Psal. iv 2. The Divine Glory has displayed it self gloriously in the Gospel the Glory of his Mercy manifested to lost self-lost Sinners the Glory of his Justice manifested and satisfied in his Son the Glory of his Holiness shining out in the Precepts the Glory of his Truth shining out in the Promises the Glory of his Wisdom manifested in adjusting all Interests and answering all the Pretensions of the Holy Law and yet all these impiously turned into Shame § 2. To shew the Zeal of the Primitive Christians to Adorn their Religion In those Purest Times Religion had another Face than now it wears it was delivered Pure to them by Christ and his Apostles and they represented it suitably to the worst of their Enemies and these things were their Glory 1. First There was nothing more eminently sound amongst them than Love without Dissimulation The Heathen among whom they dwelt could not but say O how these Christians love one another Act. ii 1. They were all together with one accord in one house as if one Soul animated so many Bodies They were of one Heart one Lip and one Shoulder that they might bear one anothers burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal. vi 2. 2. A second Excellency in them was their fervent Zeal for the Honour of their Redeemer a Zeal so hot that it quench'd the Flames and the heat of the Fires which devoured their Bodies This they copied out from Christ the Grand Exemplar of Holy Zeal for his Father's Glory Joh. ii 17. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up Christ's time for Sleep Food Rest was all eaten up by his Holy Zeal to do his Father's Will and finish his Work Such was the Original which they propounded to themselves for Imitation and they wrote after it with great Exactness they minded pursued more the concerns of their Lord than their own the publick Interest of the Church drowned thâ—…ir own private little Interests as the Sun shâ—…ing upon our culinary Fires extinguishes them so did their Zeal for Christ burn up all those petty Animosities which when peace and rest from Persecution indulged them broke out into dividing and consuming Flames Thirdly It was their Glory that they lived in a continual waiting for and expâ—…ctation of the coming of their Lord which glorious Day tho' they could not hasten yet their longing praying Souls hastened unto that Day 2 Pet. iii. 12. Looking for and hastning unto the coming of the day of God How did they patiently wait and yet passionately pray come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. xxii 20. They longed to see their Lord upon his Throne to see all the Kingdoms of the World brought into subjection to the King of Saints and their preparations were answerable to their expectations making ready for the blessed Appearance of their blessed Saviour Fourthly Their Discourses their Lives savoured of Heaven their Business their Conversation was above whence they looked for their Saviour their Persecutors when they stript them of all the accommodations of their Pilgrimage would say with scorn We do but ease you of what you say is your burden and impediment in running your Race and others when they dragged them to the Stake and Fire would scoff We do but send you whither you long and pray to go How wretchedly we have copied out those Excellencies all the World sees better than they who have most cause to be ashamed If we had holy Paul s Heart we should shed his Tears Phil. iii. 19. Many wâ—…lk of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping that thâ—…y are enemies of thâ—… cross of Christ who mind earthly things An earthly Conversation bears the clearest Contradiction to a heavenly Revelation And now what would dry up the Apostles Tears or what would wipe off this filth from the face of Religion but that gracious Temper of his vâ—…r 20. Our conversation is in heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies and make them like to his glorious body And let us from thence draw this Inference If we look that Christ should once at last vindicate our Bodies from the Dust let us be ambitious to vindicate his Gospel from the Dirt Do we look and hope that he will redeem our vile Bodies from the Grave let us labour to recover his precious Gospel from its Tomb and pray that at length it may have a glorious Resurrection § 3. Let us in the last place consider how Unworthily this Glorious Gospel has been defaced in our Generation and from thence furnish our Souls with Matter for Humiliation and Lamentation The Primitive Christians are remarkable for All Love we may be justly reproached for All Hatred they were united we divided and subdivided and crumbled into Parties when they were All one Bread Love and Affection is now confined to some discriminating mode of Profession and the Enquiry is not now whether a Man bears the Image and Superscription of Christ but whether he bears ours The old Heat of Primitive Zeal is turned into a feavourish preternatural Heat against each other It would be difficult to touch this Point and not to break out into Satyr but that we cannot Reprove another but we must Reproach our selves We have been so fiercely biting one another that it 's a Miracle of Divine Mercy that we are not devoured by one another Sheep whose Character has been Meekness and Mildness are become Roaring and Ravenous Lions How little do we express the likeness of Christ who was meek and lowly in heart The Gospel would have taught us another Spirit Col. iii. 13. Forbearing one another
you that Profess the Doctrine of our God and Saviour the Doctrine which is according to godliness and yet have seen it lie gasping bleeding and ready to die O pitty a holy Doctrine that suffers unworthy things and a Saviour that suffers in it when you lay in your Blood the Divine pity that saw you wallowing there hopeless and helpless Said unto you even when you were in your blood live Ezek. xvi 4 5 6. And have you no Compassion for a bleeding Gospel for a bleeding Jesus 'T was enough that he once suffered for you let him not a second time be Crucified and Murdered by you When the spirit of grace shall be poured out that is promised Zech. xii 10. To make us look upon him that we have pierced there will be bitter mourning as that for an onlâ—… son for a first born for the untimely death of a good Josiah in the valley of Megiddo Let us none of us say What is all this to us Let them see to it who were guilty Let Jâ—…das look to it who betrayed and sold him let Pilate look to that who condemned him let Herod look to that who buffeted and scourged him let the bloody Soldier look to that who pierced his Side with his Spear But as for us we are Innocent and can wash our Hands in Innocency with Pilate saying we are Innocent of the blood of this Just Person O wretched evasions of deceitful Hearts We even we this Professing Age this Generation of Professors has Pierced Crucified the Lord Jesus As it will be charged upon some at the great and dreadful day that the kindness they might have shown and did not show to his Brethren was not shown to him so will it be charged that the Dishonour the Scandals the Reproaches they brought upon his Doctrine his Truths his Worship was thrown upon his Person I have heard of an aged Gentlewoman who having an only Son who it seems had found a Pistol in some secret place of the House she presents it to his Breast in pleasantry but the Pistol fires and Shoots him to the Heart when he had only so much time and strength as to say Ah Mother You have slain your only Son Think with your selves what amazement what confusion what consternation seized her soul when the Hearts blood of a dutiful of an only Son spun out into her Face and his dying Accents sounded in her Ears and she found herself Childless in one moment through her own rashness and folly Let us set before our Eyes the blessed Gospel of our dear Lord Jesus wounded bleeding dying by our careless Walkings by our Animosities and Heats boyled up into Hatred Not only his seamless Coat but his tender Heart rent in pieces by our Divisions together with the Triumphs of the Profane who insult over Religion and say Down with it down with it even to the ground and now it 's fallen it shall rise up no more Look seriously upon these things and then tell me tell your own Souls and let Conscience an awakened a wounded a reflecting Conscience tell you with what Regret with what self-Abhorrence you we all of us should resent these Indignities offered to the dear and precious concerns of our God and Saviour I am assured and rejoice in that Assurance that there is a sound part amongst the Professors of the Gospel which hath not drawn this Condemnation upon their own Heads There was one Joseph amongst the guilty Sanhedrim who had not consented to their unjust Sentence Luke xxiii 51. There are holy souls that Mourn in secret for all the Abominations that be done in the midst of us Ezek. ix 4. And there may be others whose Hearts God has touch'd with Sorrow for the sins of others and Repentance for their own now for the sake of these and such others as the Convincing Grace of God shall reach I will 1. Give some Counsel and Advice 2. Offer some Motives to give an edge to that Advice I. Counsel and Advice MY Advice will be reduced to these two Heads 1. What we must Avoid if we sincerely design or ever hope to Recover the Credit of the Doctrine of the Gospel 2. What we must do if we really design to contribute any thing to the healing of our wounded Gospel § 1. What we must Avoid if we sincerely design or ever hope to Recover the Credit of the Doctrine of the Gospel 1. The first Prescription must be this tâ—…at we watch against the breakings out of ungovernable Passions A Passionate Man's Heart is like Gun-powder it may lie quiet and still at present but the least spark of a Provocation sets it all in a blaze or like the Humours in the Body which are calm and sedate but they only wait an occasion to set them into a Ferment If once we lay the Reins upon the Necks of our Passion the inferior part runs away with the superior that is the Beast rides the Man runs away with him perhaps throws him and breaks his Neck In these Paroxysms Reason and Religion are dethroned and a base Lust usurps the place He that will not keep a severe Hand upon and over these unruly Passions lies open to the Assaults and Practices of the Devil Prov. xxv 28. He that hath no Rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls when the Walls are demolish'd the strength is gone and we become an easie Prey to our Enemy and even tempt the Tempter to invade us 'T is Meekness Humility Patience that gives us and keeps us in Possession of our own Souls Lâ—…ke xxi 19. Now consider what mischief this Passion has done to Religion our Differences were but few till Passion multiplied them inconsiderable till Passion heightned and greatned them we have no Controversies but might have been fairly buried in Christ's Grave He that could compromise the Differences between a justly provoked God and unjustly provoking Men might be supposed able to compose those between Brethren but Pride and Passion have inflamed the Reckonings and who now is able to quench the Flame As others that behold our Passions will suspect all is not right with us so have we most Reason to suspect our selves and to question whether ever the Word of God has taken any saving hold of our Hearts when it cannot govern the intemperance of our Lips Jam. i. xxvi If any man seem to be religious and bridleth not his tonguâ—… that mans religion is vain In vain as to any acceptation it finds with God and in vain as to any satisfaction it can give the Conscience and thus the fiery Professor tempts all the world to judge there 's no Religion in him and then to conclude there is as little in Religion And this is it which affrights Aliens from the good ways of God they render Religion so unlovely so uncomely so little amiable that Strangers think it better to be as and where they are than to become Christians some
imagine we shall leap at once from a Life of murmuring and repining here to a State of Praising and Glorifying God for ever We cannot doubt but such a Life as this would put a New Face upon the Christian Religion and convince the most obstinate that we suppose Everlasting Life and Glory to be the most Real Certain and Excellent Thing when we can live at the Holy Heavenly and Chearful Rate which supposes it to be all these That we do firmly believe that whatever are the inconveniencies of our Pilgrimage a Portion in Heaven will answer them and repay us And that therefore we look upon our selves as dwelling in Tents and Tabernacles without any fixed City here below as those Holy Patriarchs once did Heb. xi 9. and dare not drive our Stakes too deep into the Earth because we look long and pray every Day to be called away home to our own Countrey 3. Let us study and follow after the things that make for Peace our God is the God of Peace our Redeemer the Prince of Peace the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Peace the Gospel is a Doctrine of Peace which reveal'd peace on earth and good will towards men Luk. ii 14. But to our shame and the shame of our Profession we have represented it as a Civil War We say we own one God one Lord Jesus Christ one holy Spirit and one hope of salvation why then do we not keep the unity of spirit in the bond of peace Ephes. iv 3 4 5. Peace is that which every one will commend but very few will entertain If we regard the Orations of Men one would think it the most precious and desirable thing in the World but if we observe their Divisions one would conclude it the most Pernicious and Dangerous All Differences in Opinion do not infer a Difference in Religion nor all Local Separation a Schism but when the smallest Differences are managed by proud and froward Spirits and they influenced by secular Interests it 's a wonder to see what Flames a little Spark kindles The sum is this Perhaps we cannot syncretize in the Minutes of Religion nor express the finer Stroaks of Uniformity in our Sentiments yet let us Religiously keep up a Spirit of Love to Peace and Truth Christ has declared Love to be the Livery of his Disciples by which they are known to be His Joh. xiii 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another As it was the Livery he enjoyn'd them whilst living so was it his Legacy bequeath'd to them when dying John xiv 27. Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you 4. Let us all most fervently cry unto God that his Holy Spirit may be poured out upon the Professors of Religion and that it may accompany the Preaching of the Gospel then will the Doctrine of God our Saviour shine gloriously when the Spirit shall be its Light then will it Conquer and Triumph when the Spirit shall second it with his Might This is that which subdues the Pride the Passions the unruly Lusts of Men and brings down whatever exalts it self against the Truth in subjection to God This influence attending the Word shall make Persecutors become Preachers Scoffers of Religion become Admirers of what they have Scorned and Blasphemers to justify that Name which they have Reproached this will give the Doctrine of the Gospel a Throne in their Hearts who have trampled it under their sordid Feet And this St. Paul well understood when he so earnestly entreats the Churches Prayers 2 Thess. iii. 1. Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified When the Light shall scatter the Darkness that like a thick Cloud sits upon Mens Minds when the Power of it shall bear down that Opposition that rages in their Hearts when it shall break through all Impediments and make its way to the Conscience then will the Doctrine of our God and Saviour Adorn it self and not need any other Ornaments we can put upon it I profess my self unwilling to dismiss this Argument till it has had its proper Effects upon the Hearts and Consciences of the Readers but I must draw to a Conclusion which I will do with a few Considerations humbly praying that the Great Lord and Master of the Assemblies would drive every Nail to the Head and so fasten it in the Heart that the Power and Policy of the Devil may never draw it out 1. Consideration What great Reason have we to Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour when we have been the Cause or given the Occasion to its Dishonour Juâ—…tice demands that we should heal it because we have wounded it I persuade my self that there are many under the Rebukes of their own Hearts that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ has been evil spoken of through their irregular Conversations I hope too that many have repented and that God has pardon'd the Iniquity of their Sin but yet God will bear a Testimony against their careless and common Behaviour tho' he has pardon'd the Sin Thus he dealt with David 2 Sam xii 13 14. The Lord hath put away thy sin thou shalt not die Nevertheless because by this dâ—…ed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the Child that is born unto thee shall die In what way the Jealous God will bear Witness against the present Generation of Professors for the Scandals they have given I presume not to determine most certain it is he will not put up the Affront without Repentance and Reformation The safest Course for every one of us is to confess our Sins to take Shame to our selves to give Glory to God and not to blush at our Repentance when the only thing should make us blush is our Sins 2. Consideration Adorning the Gospel by a suitable Conversation will prove the best expedient to secure its Presence with us If we think it not worth the Adorning we may question whether God will think it worth his Continuing and Protecting 'T was disingenuous in Absalom to spurn his poor Sister out of doors when he had defiled her but the Justice of God will be manifest if he removes our Gospel which we have basely prostituted 'T is his own threatning to the Church of Ephâ—…sus Rev. ii 5. Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of its place except thou repent A Father takes away the Childrens Bread when they crumble it in scorn upon the Ground and if he indulges them Candle to play yet will not allow them it to fight and quarrel Let us consult the Histories of Antient Times they will inform us that Religion was never rooted out by Persecution till it had been made cheap by the Profanation of Professors The Primitive Christians proved this Truth that Religion flourisht fairer and grew
faster when it was watered with the Blood of the Martyrs Proâ—…perity and that Loosness which commonly attends it was the Poyson poured out into the Church The frequent mowing down of Christ's Field makes it come up the thicker and greener Plures efficimur quoties metimur was Tertullians Observation Debauching Prosperity has been the greatest Enemy that ever Religion had in the World Isa. v. 4. when God looked as after all his Cost and Pains he might well look that his Vineyard should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapes Go to now saith he I 'll tell you what I will do to my vineyard I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten up and break down the wall thereof and it shall be trodden down and I will lay it waste The Politicks of Earth are vastly different from those of Heaven both in the Securing and the Adorning Religion The Methods of humane Wisdom to secure Religion proceed thus They hedge it about with strict Laws and severe Penalties which sometimes are as cruel as the Crimes they would restrain are Enormous and whilst by these Artifices they would entail Religion upon Posterity corruption of Doctrine defiling of Worship and loosness of Manners provokes God to cut off the Entail And thus when we have lost the Power of Religion upon our Hearts and the Purity of it in our Lives our Care is to supply the Defect by trimming and tricking it up with gaudy ceremonial Ornaments How much more beautiful were our first Parents in their Original Nakedness than when the Sense of Sin and Shame taught them to patch together a few Fig-leaves to cover it but Religion is its own Strength it s own Beauty 'T is its own Ornament and Muniment nothing adorns nothing secures Religion but Religion Let us therefore shew an Exemplary Conversation and this will Beautify this will Fortify it better than all our politick Contrivances and fruitful Inventions It was a Glorious Promise which God gave to the Gospel-Church under the Notion of Jerusalem Zech. ii 4 5. Jerusalem shall be inhabited as Towns without walls and bulwarks For I saith the Lord will be a wall of fire round about her and will be the glory in the midst of her Holiness engages God's special Presence and that Presence is our Protection Secure God's Glory in the Center and we shall have a Wall of Fire in the Circumference A parallel Promise we have Isa. iv 5. Upon all the Glory there shall be a Defence If therefore we are careless of that Glory let us make what Walls we can our Walls of Water and of Wood will deceive us nothing but such a Holiness as will engage the Divine Presence and Protection can secure us and the Gospel of God our Saviour unto us 3. Cansideration Nothing but a holy exemplary Conversation can possibly propagate the Gospel abroad our Lives speak louder than our Words and we may with more ease live Men over than dispute them over to Christ. Let us be never so Zealous in our Arguings they will readily retort it upon us Why do you persuade to go to Zion when you your selves are running to Babylon In vain did we plead with others to Turn and look towards Heaven if we are treading the broad way that leads towards Hell Do we then indeed wish well to the Kingdom of Christ Should we rejoyce to see the heathen given him for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possessions First remove the stumbling Blocks we have laid in the way of their Conversion then win them over by an Heavenly Holy Sober Righteous Conversation speak so that Men may see that what you speak you believe to be Truth There were more brought in and converted in the first Twenty Years of the â—…eformation than in the last Century and of our few Modern Converts it's to be fear'd some of them need Conversion This was the Glory of the early Days of Christianity Act. 2. 46. They continued daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God And the Lord added daily to the Church such as should be saved And the same Success the Gospel had upon the same reason Act. ix 31. Then had the Churches rest and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and the comforts of the Holy Ghost were multiplied 4. Consideration The Adorning of the Gospel by a holy practical Conversation would contribute much to the healing of our present deplorable Divisions our scandalous Separations and that Spirit of frowardness and perverseness which has possess'd this present Generation The Differences amongst us are not so great as are imagined nor yet so small as not to be lamented Wisdom Humility and a temper of Moderation might have managed as great Matters as these came to without any notable Scandal but a Spirit of Pride Hatred uncharitable Censoriousness has inflamed these little things to a prodigious height Now the process was thus Some Professors had given Offence by their remiss or perhaps some irregular Walking there began the Offence first at the Person then at the Profession The Disgust at one grew up to a Disgust against all of the same Denomination from an Ossence at the Persons it grew up into a Distaste of their Worship and Administrations and when this dividing Zeal had usurpt the Title of Divine Fervour then Heaven and Earth Church and State must be involved in unquenchable Flames This was therefore the generous Spirit of the Apostle 2 Cor. xi 12. What I do that I will do that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion that wherein they glory they may be found even as we But I must shut up this Discourse which a sincere desire to restore our Holy Religion to its due Honour and Repute has made to grow under my hands to a bulk far greater than at first designed Give me leave to reassume my Exhortation I beseech you Brethren by the Mercies of God and the Bowels of our Lord and Saviour that you would consider and pity the sad Case of his blessed Gospel which has been wounded either by our hands or through our sides and make it your great Business to Adorn it in All things I deny not but though you should walk like Angels there are a Generation of Men would reproach you as Devils but yet there are many Curable Souls whose Reconciliation to the Ways of God wants nothing waits for nothing so much as that you should shew them the way to Heaven by your Heavenly Example And that our Endeavours may be successful let us all join with the Prophet in his Pious Prayer Hab. iii. 2. O Lord I have heard thy speech and was afraid O Lord revive thy work in the midst of the years in the midst of the years make known in wrath remember mercy Amen FINIS
Families be Profane This one thing further Brethren I have to beg of you or rather of God for you that you may most zealously and unweariedly pursue the things that make for Truth Holiness and Peace and never to divide those things which God has joyned together and God even our God shall give you his Blessing This is the unfeigned Desire and shall ever be the fervent Prayer of him who is and shall endeavour to approve himself to God to his own Conscience and to yours Feb. 25. 1695 6. The faithful Servant of your Souls through Christ Vin. Alsop The Reader is desired to Correct these few Errors which notwithstanding all our Care have escaped the Press PAge 19. Line 27. for not read yet p. 112. line 16. for heart read hurt TITUS ii 10. That they may Adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THE Exhortation here given us is of far greater extent than the Occasion on which it was given The Occasion was narrow but the Equitable Construction is wide It was given immediately to Servants but it reaches their Masters None so low as to be beneath it none so high as to be above it The poorest Servant in his humble Capacity must demean himself with that Fidelity and Integrity that he may Adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel The highest Prince in his exalted Orb must remember that he has a Lord and Master in Heaven In a word whatever Figure any one makes whatever Character he wears in whatever Relation he stands whatever Place he fills yet he comes within the compass of this Command to walk soberly righteously religiously that he may Adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things The Christian Religion is a Piece of exact Symmetry a Face of excellent Beauty 'T is all glorious within and its cloathing is of wrought Gold Psal. xlv 13. But we must take up a most bitter Lamentation over it its Harmony has been disordered its Beauty blemished much filth thrown in its Face not only by the Reproach of declared Enemies but the unsuitable Conversations of those that profess it who value themselves highly upon it who pretend to have an Interest in it and their highest hopes and expectations from it In short it has been wounded in the house of its friends Zac. xiii 6. What Plato once said of Virtue may be more justly affirmed of the Gospel if it could be seen in its native and genuine Beauty Omnes in sui admirationem abriperet it would allure all Eyes ravish all Hearts draw all Mens Affections and raise it self a Throne in every Man's Conscience But here we must acknowledge with grief and shame that either we have got such feeble Conceptions of it in our own Souls or so miserably misrepresented it to others that we have rendred it cheap and unlovely and most wretchedly scandalized it before the Sons of Men. If therefore there be any who have already heard or shall hereaster read this mean but well-meaning Discourse whose pious Souls are grieved that this Holy Doctrine has been trampled in the mire by unhallowed Feet or whose Consciences have been toucht that they themselves have been the Cause of or given occasion to this Scandal unto such is the word of this Exhortation sent That they would conscientiously endeavour to retrieve the Credit to vindicate the Honour and in the Language of the Text to adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things In which words you will easily observe Three Parts 1. The Great End which God has propounded to us and which we are to propound to our selves that in the whole Course of our Conversation we adorn the Doctrine of the Gospel 2. The Extent of this Exhortation In all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may refer to all the Parts of this holy Doctrine to adorn it in all the Precepts all the Promises all the holy Examples laid down therein or else it may refer to all the various Relations wherein we stand the various Conditions wherein the Providence of God may cast us that in all these we make it our Business to adorn this Doctrine to beautify this blessed Gospel 3. The Reason assign'd to inforce this Exhortation it is the Doctrine of God our Saviour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our Saviour who is God It 's the Doctrine of our God who has Authority over us the Doctrine of our Saviour who should have the great commanding Interest in us and our greatest Concerns are wrapt up in it It 's the Doctrine of a Saviour and it 's a saving Doctrine and all the Reproach thrown upon this Doctrine falls upon Christ what falls upon Christ falls upon God and whatever Reproach flies so high as God will certainly fall down again with an overwhelming Vengeance upon the Head of him that throws it There 's little that will need Explication to clear our way to the Doctrine only two words may deserve some Consideration 1. Doctrine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will not be so critical to distinguish it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeing Suidas makes them Synonymous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 These two words then are of adequate significations and both of them denote 1. Matter of Faith what we are to believe Or 2. Matter of Practice wherein we are to obey Thus where the Apostle Tit. 1. 9. amongst the other Characters of a Bishop requires this That he be able by sound Doctrine to exhort Occumâ—…nius thus glosses it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sound Doctrine is that which teacheth Orthodoxy and a regular Conversation 'T is that which makes a sound Head in opposition to Heresy and a sound Heart in opposition to Hypocrisy and both these will produce a sound Conversation 2. A second Word which I will touch upon is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they may Adorn The adorning commanded is not by painting Religion or adding any Artificial Colour to the Face of it 't is not by superinducing any varnish above its natural Complexion for Religion needs none of our over-officious Skill to deck and trim it up after the newest Mode or to recommend it to the wantoâ—… Affections of Men with a meretricious dâ—…s for Gold needs no Gilding but the way of Adorning here enjoynd is by rubbiâ—… 〈◊〉 the Rust wiping off the Dust washing oâ—… the Dirt which by the injury of Time it has contracted or by the reproach of Enemies it has suffered that we restore it to its primitive Lustre its original Simplicity by walking up to the Commands answering the Demands living up to its Ends and expressing the true Native real Glory of it in a suitable Conversation From the words thus opened and cleared I recommend to you this Doctrine It ought to be the conscientious Care of all that do profess the Gospel of Christ to adorn the Doctrine of that Gospel which they profess in all things The Apostle lays so