Rome tells us she only is the true Church the house of God and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and this heavenly Wisdome is only in and with her and so to be sought for there only other Societies say they are the holy and only Church and the truth and true wisdome only with them How shall we know whither to go Ans Search the Scriptures God hath â—…aused them to be written for our instruction â—…n righteousness and they are they that testifie â—…f Christ and therein also set forth and deâ—…cribe to us his true Church and all that â—…retend to the name of the Church acknowledg that those Scriptures are to be received as truth by us which we have among â—…s being the Scriptures of God in which â—…e have Gods testimony which is sure and â—…ill not deceive us but makes wise even â—…e simple ones that attend to it and to God 〈◊〉 and by it and they tell us that they are the Church of God or children of it that keep the â—…mmandments of God and the faith of Jesus Rev. 12.17 And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is discovered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies her self as the only Queen or Lady but loves not Christ but gives his honour to graven Images and such like devises of their own to his Mother after the flesh and other deceased Saints and keeps not but expugnes Gods commandments as the Second Commandment against making graven Images and worshipping and bowing down to them and the Commandment of Christ that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord they notoriously cast by obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Articles of Faith as the Popes Supremacy and Infallability Transubstantiation Purgatory and many other matters strictly enjoyning her own commands while she castâ—… by Christs Yea she above all makes herself drunk with the blood of the Saints anâ—… Martyrs of Jesus So that the way to truâ—… wisdome is to decline and come out of thaâ—… filthy Babilon The Reformed Churches aâ—… to their bulk are visible enough but haâ—… their tares overspreading them too muâ—… too and their divisions and fractions 〈◊〉 that in a manner we may take up that coâ—…plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect 〈◊〉 true and thorough Members of the Catholick Church Wo is me for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits as the grape gleanings of the Vintage there is no Cluster to eat Scarce a pure Church or greater Society of all sound Christians in every respect But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practises inconsistent with them we may so far own and join with them And amongst such Churches we may by the light of Gods Word taken heed to by us meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that indeed confess and fear him Matt. 18.20 So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ nor a whole Countrcy or City Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God and give up themselves to worship God in Christ and walke in their conversations according thereunto we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them to to give us Wisdome and Understanding in the knowledg of himself and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth though mixed with Tares Mat. 13.28 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel though not faultless Neh. 8.17 yet was also companion more intimately of all such as feared God and of them that keep his precepts Psal 119.63 and resolved to praise God both in the Congregation more generally and in the Assembly of the upright Psal 111.1 even as those that feared God in Malachies time without renting or dividing from their publick Assemblies spake often one to another with Gods good approvement Mal. 3.16 17. yea and so our Saviour practised and his Disciples As for such as question the lawfulness of National Churches they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not and Nations that knew not him shall run unto him Isai 55.5 and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations who surely therefore might disciple or church whole Nations as they were found complying with them Matt. 28.18 19 20. But were our case such as somtimes Elias supposed his to have been as thank God it is not that we knew none not corrupted in faith and practice from the word of God yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth and by his spirit is therein enlightning and moving at our hearts as we shewed in the beginning of this discourse that wisdome is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels do yield up our hearts to God and as our Saviour saith do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will He will further instruct and teach us of his mind and we shall know the doctrines proposed to us whether they be of God or of men John 7.17 and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us and is in it we shall not fail to be of the true Church and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ though we may be at some loss where to find it or the members of it Come we then to the testimony of God and close we with the light and truth He therein and thereby manifests unto us and we shall be in the way to get this wisdome for the testimony of God is sure when mens pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us The entrance â—…f Gods word giveth light and it giveth understanding too so as to make wise the simple Psal 19.7 and 119.130 so as to Salvation of which some mistakes through infirmity weakness of sight shall not deprive us But withal Go to them that sell Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation guidance of his holy Spirit by earnest Prayer and Supplication as it is said If any man lack wisdome let him ask it of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him but let him ask in faith nothing doubting Jam. 1.5 6. Ask ye and ye shall receive for every one that asketh receiveth Matt. 7.7 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved Tell thou me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou causest thy flock to
any man is in closing with and â—…beying it made in Christ so being thereby â—…rought to and made in him Christ is made 〈◊〉 God to him wisedome righteousness c. 〈◊〉 Cor. 1.30 the Author and Fountain of â—…avenly and true wisdome to him In which wisdome and so in those that are made wise thereby there are among other â—…ings these chiefly observable viz. 1. A right understanding and judgment â—…f things Naturally men in and of themselses and as walking in the principles of â—…e world are blind and darkened in their understandings especially as having reâ—…sed the tenders of wisdome Sathan gets power over them to blind them 2 Cor. 4 4â—… the Gentiles that receive not the Grace 〈◊〉 God have their understandings darkned bâ—…ing alienated from the life of God through thâ—… ignorance that is in them because of the blindness or hardness of their hearts but theâ—… having learned Christ and having heard hiâ—… and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesuâ—… are inabled and helped to put away lying knowing and understanding the truth Ephes 4.17 18 19 20 21 25. Men genâ—…rally as in and of themselves and as walâ—…ing after the course of this world are brâ—…tish and foolish void of all right judgment and understanding Surely every man by 〈◊〉 own knowledg is brutish every founder is coâ—…founded Jer. 10.14 There is none that 〈◊〉 derstandeth none that seeketh after God Râ—…man 3.11 But God sent his only begotteâ—… Son into the world and hath put his Spirit upon him that He might be the light of the world and bring forth judgment to the Geâ—…tiles and having given him a light to the peâ—…ple the Jews or professed Church and 〈◊〉 the Gentiles hath appointed him therein 〈◊〉 be for salvation his salvation or way of â—…aving men to the ends of the earth that whâ—… ever believes on and follows him might 〈◊〉 walk in darkness but have the light of life Isaah 42.1 and 49.6 with Acts 13.46 47â—… John 8.12 and 12.46 and to those that behold and listen to him he brings forth â—…udgment into truth or into victory over all â—…he errors of the world that was in their minds and over all their corrupt passions â—…usts and affections giving them to understand the truth and to discern between the right and wrong good and evil that they might chuse the good and live and so in his might they see light they see where their true interest is where peace and safety felicity and happiness are to be met with by them viz. that it lies not in their having the riches honours or pleasures of this life or world nor in having the science and knowledg of many things or in being morally just among men and approved of them nor in living long here in health and quietness or the like but in having the love favour and approvement of the great God the Maker and Creator of all things and in the being blessed and accepted of him and enjoying him for our portion and they see the way to this peace the way by which they may obtain this love and favour acceptance and approbation with God that it is by coming to believing on and abiding in Christ He being the Way the Truth and the Life so as None can come to the Father but by him for it is through his Blood We have access to the Father by his Spirit which Spirit He in and with this Heavenly Doctrine administers and gives forth to those that yield up themselves according there unto to obey and serve him Joh. 14.6 7. Ephes 2.18 Acts 5.32 Prov. 1.23 〈◊〉 that in this wisdome is a right discerning of and these wise ones know and perceivâ—… their true Interest both as to the end wherein their happiness stands and as to the Way to attain that End yea and theiâ—… want and need of both the emptiness iâ—… themselves and in all other things to relievâ—… and help them for seeking God they knowâ—… all things Prov. 28.5 In knowing Christ and him crucified they know God the only true God and his infinite excellencies his power wisdome and goodness for helping and saving us men and for overthrowing the power policy and malicious contrivances of all his and our enemies his truth and faithfulness for making good his Words and Promises his hatred of sin and wickedness love of purity and holiness c. and they know themselves their own sinfulness death poverty brutishness and misery the emptiness and falsness in their own wisdome righteousness strength c. the vanity of the world the right end and use of all things whom God approves chuses and specially loves whom he hates â—…nd rejects and what not that concerns â—…heir happiness judging that one even Christ died for all they judg also that all were â—…ead at Law and that He died for all that â—…ey who live should not hencefrrth live to themselves but to him that died for them and is â—…sen again and so they know in some measure their ingagements to Christ and to God in Christ yea they know no man after 〈◊〉 Flesh themselves or others but if any â—…an be in Christ that he is a new Creature old â—…ings passed away and all things become new â—…nd that all things are of God 2 Cor. 5.14 15 16 17 18. Other men as to these things 〈◊〉 fools and walk in darkness Eccles 2.14 â—…ey neither know aright their own misery â—…or what it is will do them good they have 〈◊〉 learned that Precept of the Heathen 〈◊〉 teipsum to know themselves much 〈◊〉 do thy know God and him whom he hath 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ there is no judgment in thier â—…ings Isa 59.8 they take a Cloud for Ju 〈◊〉 as is the Proverb they worship some 〈◊〉 instead of God this world with its â—…easures honors riches or some such thing 〈◊〉 their summum bonum their greatest good 〈◊〉 spring of good to be enjoyed by them 〈◊〉 their apprehensions Or if they have â—…ard of and believe a God and that the happiness of the Soul stands in his favour and blessing yet they know not the way how to obtain that and enjoy him for their portion but seek and think to please him with their own or other mens inventions even with doing those things that he hath forbidden choosing the things which he delight not in yea which his Soul abhors Isa 66 4â—… having false imaginations and conceptions oâ—… him as some think to pacifie him and hiâ—… anger by making Groves Altars and 〈◊〉 mages and offering up corrupt Sacrifices yea some have thought to please him and obtain his favour by slaying and sacrificing their Sons and Daughters to him yeâ—… sometimes to Idols and Devils instead of him Mic. 6.6 7. Jer. 19.4 5. Isa 17.8 Psal 106.36 37 38. others by establishing their own righteousness according to the Law and so by their own goodness even the deeds of the Law whereby no man living can be justified a mans own righteousness being a bed
a righteous demeanour conversation and walking proposed to us in the Scriptures of truth in the word and doctrine of the Gospel to be followed after by us in the receiving of and walking in Christ Jesus which the grace of God that brings Salvation or is saving to all men teacheth Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Tim. 6.11 and All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to instruct and direct us in and promote in us 2 Tim. 3.15 16. 3. That men may be turned to this righteousness from their unrighteous state and practices or they may be made partakers and practicers thereof It is true no man can of himself turn himself thereto or make himself righteous therewith This also is of God who as he made his Son who knew no sin sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him so also sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our iniquities Acts 3.26 and hath put his spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgement to us By whom he hath also given forth his Law and Doctrine which is a ministration of the spirit and so is perfect converting the soul Psal 19.7 and of righteousness 2 Cor. 3.8 9. The Gospel or preaching of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth yea and the word of faith by which seriously heard and minded the heart is perswaded to believe Rom. 1.16 10.8.17 Isa 55.3 With this our Lord Jesus sent his Servants to open the eyes of the blind and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 True it is that all have not this Law and Doctrine of God alike clearly nor some at all declared to them but even there the goodness or kindness of God as otherwise evidenced is leading them to repentance to which also his chastisments provokes them And though they cannot by those less clear means attain to that understanding and abundance of consolation as men may by the clearer means the Law and Doctrine of God as audibly and distinctly made known at least ordinarily and without miracle yet they that by such means fear God and work righteousness or keep the righteousness of the Law their uncircumcision is counted circumcision and God through and by means of Christ accepts them Acts 10.34 Rom. 2.4 5 26 27. But the choice way and means that God useth for conversion and turning of men to himself is the preaching of the Gospel That being a preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ Luke 24.46 47. and therein Christ is set forth a Prince and a Saviour giving repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 though so as yet men are therefore required to listen to him and in hearing to receive the grace he gives for turning them so as to repent and be converted that God may blot out their sins and forgive them Acts 3.19 Yea he now by and with the Gospel preached to all Nations commands all men every where to repent Acts 17.30 whereunto his Spirit is not straitned or shortned but so administred that his words do good to him that walks uprightly that doth not willingly and stubbornly decline the force of them winking with the eye that he might not see and hardning the heart that he might not understand and be converted but singly yields up to the power working therewith Mic. 2.7 Matt. 13 12-15 Acts 28.26 27. 4. That he makes use of Men and their Ministry or Service even such as he hath indued with wisedome and capacity thereto by holding forth that word law and doctrine and walking therein blamelesly to be means or instruments for converting men and bringing them to righteousness by bringing them to Christ Jesus to know believe on and obey him And such as are made wise and gracious themselves by that blessed word He commissionates and commands them to call others to Christ that they might be made wise and righteous also in and by him So He gave the word and great was the company of publishers of it Psal 68.11 and Christ being ascended on high gave gifts to men And He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists or Gospel-preachers some Pastors and Teachers furnishing them with gifts and appointing them in the exercise of those gifts to instruct others that are ignorant in the knowledg of Christ and thereby endeavour their conversion unto God Eph. 4 8-11 and so to make them Disciples to Christ and so wise and righteous persons Matt. 28.18 19 20. Mark 16.15 16. He hath set them as the salt of the earth and light of the world to be useful and profitable to others to draw them in also to glorifie God Mat. 5.13 14 15 16. Yea The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 and No man lights any candle to put it under a bushel or under a bed but to set it on a Candlestick that it may give light to all that come into the house Matt. 5.15 Every one that hears that in any measure udderstands and is obedient to the truth of the Gospel hath commission and command from Christ to call others to him endeavouring their coming to him that they may be made righteous Let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22.17 Christ commissionates neither all nor only University Scholars and those that are learned in the Arts and Sciences to be his Ministers Preachers of his Gospel and inviters of men to Him and so instruments of turning them to righteousness and makers of them righteous If they hear not his Call themselves and be not subject and obedient to Him He commissionates them not to be his Preachers nor accepts their service how learned soever otherwise they be For to the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psal 50.16 17. But whoso hears yea whither man or woman learned or unlearned in worldly Sciences they are bid to say Come and they may do it so they keep as all must within their bounds and go not beyond the proportion of Faith that they have received or behave not themselves disorderly A Woman indeed is not permitted to speak in the Church or Congregation nor to usurp authority over the man but otherwise if they have the gift they may pray or prophecy 1 Cor. 14.24 and 11.5 1 Tim. 2.11 12 and be Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 and by their good conversaion may endeavour to win in their husbands that believe not the word 1 Pet. 3.1 the woman of Samaria was a good instrument by calling her neighbours to bring them to know Christ Joh. 4. and not only Aquila but Priscilla too instructed Apollos and helped to bring him to a perfecter understanding in the way of the Lord Acts 18.24 25 26. and we read in
and late he find it Thus the Apostle exhorting 〈◊〉 Hebrews to give diligence so to know Châ—… and God as to be filled with or attain to full assurance of hope to the end he adâ—… Be not slothful but followers of those who thrâ—… faith and patience inherit the Promises Hebâ—… 11 12. Dij laboribus omnia vendunt say Heathens that is the Gods sell all things to men for their labours as if that was all the price they require for them And there is some truth in it in reference to the only true God The price for which he sells to us as from us wisdom and its great fruits and benefits is a hearty love to it and an industrious labouring to obtain it working as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not for the meat that perisheth but for that which endures to eternal life Which the Son of Man will if we so do especially certainly give us for him hath God even the Father sealed set apart and authorised to that purpose John 6.27 the hand of the diligent here also maketh rich and beareth rule when he that dealeth with a slack hand becometh poor and the slathful shall be under tribute Prov. 10.4 12.24 5. We must part with whatsoever way and practice is in it self sinful and contrary to the Law and Doctrine Will and Commandment of God Thus David who was made wiser than his enemies and got more unâ—…erstanding than his teachers than the antiâ—…ts because he meditated in Gods Testimonies â—…nd kept his Precepts and Commandments â—…ells us that He refrained his foot from every â—…il way that he might keep Gods word and 〈◊〉 get still more wisdom therethrough Psal 19.98 99 100 101. For indeed wisdom as is said Wisd 1.4 will not enter into a wicked or malicious soul nor where the body is subject to sin for it is a pure most holy influence from the most holy God and loveth not that which is filthy and unclean Thence the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning thereof because by it we depart from evil pride arrogance and the evil way and the froward mouth doth wisdom hate Prov. 8.13 Therefore if we would be truly wise cleanse we our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Laying aside all filthiness superfluity of naughtiness receive with meekness the ingraffed word the fountain of Wisdom Eccles 1.5 which is able to save the soul Jams 1.21 And to add but one more 6. Lastly in a word We must Deny ouâ—…selves take up our Cross and follow Christ and therein forsake all that we have else wâ—… cannot be Christs Disciples and obtain thiâ—… heavenly gift Mat. 16.24 Luke 14 33â—… We must deny and forsake all our owâ—… things casting them away as loss and duâ—… for the excellency of the knowledge of ouâ—… Lord Jesus the true wisdom as all oâ—… own fleshly priviledges and rejoycings 〈◊〉 to the knowing our selves after them whâ—… ther our fleshly birth or humane parts 〈◊〉 lations to such good and excellent persoâ—… admission to Gods Church and Ordinances so as not taking up content that we have them Yea our own righteousness after the Law and our own best self attainments our wisdom carnal or fleshly understanding with all our own desires and designs to gâ—…t our selves or keep to our selves the honors riches and pleasures of this world as any of them stand cross to or are inconsistent with as often or usually they are the getting the knowledge of Christ laying down all our self conceits interests and purposes at his foot we must only and above all things attend to know him and his grace and gracious mind and will concerning us and follow on after him therein patiently bearing and enduring what ever thing cross to our said interests desires or designs befal us in the way of his truth and righteousness and so doing we shall not fail of being truly and indeed wise and doing wisely to Salvation for Good and upright is the Lord therefore He preventingly teaches sinners in the way the meek he will by his following grace guide in judgement the meek that hear his reproofs and rebukes and take all well and yet yield up themselves to him to learn of him and follow him will he teach his way Yea What man is he that feareth the Lord him will he teach the way that he should go his soul shall dwell at ease The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and He will shew them his Covenant Psal 25.11 12 13 14. Thus doing we shall be made wise and obtain the happiness here spoken of viz. to shine as the brightness of the Firmament especially if also as wisdom will lead us to and direct us in that also we make it our business to make others wise by instructing them and to turn others to righteousness with reference to which branch as also to the other reading of the word translated wise 2. In the second place what hath been noted thereto we may further apply it sundry ways as Vse 3. 1. To exhort and provoke such as have wisdom and are in any measure furnished with the heavenly talents to be diligent and faithfully in improving them and laying them out for the good of others also endeavouring to their capacities and in the places God hath set them and according to the instructions of his truth to make others wise and righteous in turning them from their sins errours and disobedience to the wisdome of the just one and to be earnest diligent and servent herein as they have opportunity knowing that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord but they shall receive a good reward They shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever 1 Cor. 15.58 and this is a point of wisdom also For the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that winneth souls is wise Prov. 11.30 Quest But what should we do or what course shall we take that we may turn others to righteousness and make them truly wise Answ I might say shortly from the words of our Saviour to his Disciples and Apostles 1. Let us retain the Salt in our selves and â—…ts favour that we have received of God in â—…nd by Christ for Christs Disciples are the â—…alt of the earth to purge corruption from them and render them savoury unto God But if the salt hath lost its savour wherewith â—…hall it be salted it s thenceforth good for noâ—…hing Matt. 5.13 14. Mark 9.5 that is â—…et us have and hold fast the word of Christ and the wisdom therein contained â—…nd conveighed to us with its reproofes â—…f instructions so as we our selves may be â—…ept in an awful fear and reverence of God â—…nd be sweet and clean in our speech and â—…arriage in the world and toward it that â—…e savouring the grace of God our selves â—…nd retaining the savour of it in our own â—…earts may be
shall work to their advantage also And while men make it doubtful in their Preaching whether Christ be a Saviour for them or hath died for them or not what do they but hinder them from seeing all those strong engagements to believe on him and submit to him which that persuasion as the Scripture holds it forth engages them with It is true such Preachers and Professors often say If Christ died for â—…ll men then men may live as they list for they that Christ died for must be saved and cannot perish but this saying of theirs is â—…oubly vicious For 1. If Christs dying for men and mens being persuaded of it be a ground of licentiousness then men should do ill to be persuaded that Christ died for them or that they are of the Elect for by their own reasoning Such as are elected or judg themselves so may live licentiously and as they list yea are in great danger so to do though they may do it without danger seeing without doubt Christ died for them But 2. That 's a falshood that all must be saved from the second Death for whom Christ died and that 's the death we are now to seek to be saved from and the being saved from which men mean of wheâ—… they talk of being saved The Apostle signifie the contrary Rom. 14.15 2 Pet. 2. 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 8.11 Heb. 10 26-29 Yea and diâ—… they know and mind what the Apostle Judâ—… implies in that saying that he put the Believers in remembrance though they once knew 〈◊〉 how that the Lord having saved the people 〈◊〉 of Egypt afterward destroyed them that 〈◊〉 lieved not Jude 5. they would judg otherwise for though all that Christ died 〈◊〉 that is all men are and shall be saved 〈◊〉 of that first Death and Judgment in whiâ—â— Christ found all involved yet such as 〈◊〉 fuse to hearken to and follow him callâ—… them and offering to conduct them to 〈◊〉 promised inheritance and to cleanse 〈◊〉 prepare them for that He might bring theâ—… to his Heavenly Kingdom they shall be destroyed by Him in the Second Death even as those that were saved out of Egypt and afterward believed not on him that having saved them called them and went before them to lead and bring them to Canaan perished in the Wilderness And both what Christ hath done for them in love to them in dying for them and purchasing them into his own dispose and Lordship from under the jurisdiction of Sathan from his having right and power to dispose of them and in his therethrough becoming â—…eir Saviour to save them from the second â—…eath and bring them to happiness as â—…so the possibility and danger of perishing â—â—y the certainty of it yet except they â—â—ne to believe on and follow after Christ they be known and believed will strongly â—…gage and oblige men to submit to and â—…lieve on him which obligations by the rementioned doctrines are taken away 〈◊〉 men Yea seeing He died for all that 〈◊〉 that live might thenceforth live to him 〈◊〉 Cor. 5.15 What do men by denying his â—…ath to have been for all men but lay a â—…ndation for men to deny to live to Him that they have cause so to do till they can persuaded that he died for them But â—…all not insist further upon the harmfulness of that Antisciptural and Antiapostolicaâ—… doctrine which I hope all sober men begiâ—… to be ashamed of only some hot violenâ—… persons who too much like the Scribes anâ—… Pharisees challenge all right judgement 〈◊〉 themselves and compass Sea and Land 〈◊〉 make Proselites but so as not to bring theâ—… indeed to Christ for righteousness but rathâ—… to a righteousness before Christ that the might with or by that come to Christ in 〈◊〉 way of their conceiving are too much guilâ—… of retaining such principles and speak 〈◊〉 proachfully of what is expressed in the Gâ—…spel sayings as if they contained blasphâ—… my or gross errour in them For who cause I am thus large and insist thus muâ—… upon it and for them that are in danger be harmed by them But there be men 〈◊〉 divers other bad principles also that hind or pervert men from righteousness Suâ—… as either deny the Person of Christ or 〈◊〉 Satisfactoriness of his Death and Suffering or the Resurrection of his personal Bodâ—… and its Ascension into Heaven or the woâ—… of his Mediation there or his return agâ—… inglory Personally from thence to juâ—… the quick and dead or the Resurrection Men in their bodily beings or the eterâ—… Judgment but turn these into Allegorâ—… and things already done in themselvâ—… which are dangerous and destructive principles Heresies of damnation or damnable Heresies denying the Lord that bought even them that hold them and bring upon them swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 errours of the same stamp with what the Apostle notes of Himeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth erred and said the resurrection was past already destroying or overthrowing the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. As also the Mockers that say Where is the promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 2 Pet. 3.3 4. These also cause some to fall from their own stedfastness or endanger it ver 17. Yea and the Great whore that corrupts the earth with her abominations and fornications is a grand enemy to mens being righteous while they hold the truth in unrighteousness or rather some of those that are her members oppugn 〈◊〉 and they that do not so yet corrupt it by preaching other Doctrines as of necessary â—…oncernment to be believed with it that â—…re underminers of it as when they press â—…he necessity of the belief of their devised â—…rticles and Imaginations and teach men â—…o give the glory of Christ and of God in â—…im to creatures dead and living and make 〈◊〉 necessary to mens Salvation to hold their Faith and Worship of a sinful and fallible man yea of the Man of Sin pretending his infallability contrary to evident instances to the contrary yea and who in a word Comes after the manner of Sathan with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish while 〈…〉 himself in the Temple of God or the 〈◊〉 and shews himself that he is God may order alter oâ—… do in the Worship of God what himself pleaseth and withal persecutes to death those within his reach 〈◊〉 subscribe not tâ—… his usurpations but as so doing he anâ—… his abettors fall under the former Head 〈◊〉 reproof 3. They also who by their lives anâ—… practises counsels and examples debauâ—… or stumble men from the ways of wisdom and righteousness they that entice to Siâ—… and counsel to Atheistical Idolatrous looâ—… or vitious principles and practises such 〈◊〉 those ungodly ones mentioned Psal 1. Prov. 1.10 11. such as Ahabs house was Ahaziah 2 Chron. 22.3 4. and by thâ—… evil examples especially being Masteâ—… Magistrates or men of place draw
in otheâ—… with or after them to do foolishly and 〈◊〉 righteously running together into the saâ—… excess of riot of which sort there are bundance every where in the world 〈◊〉 especially such as being Teachers Prophesis to men of wine and strong drink Mic. 2.11 and preach for licentious liberty and practise it so as it may be said of them what the Lord by Jeremiah said of the Prophets and Priests of Samaria and Jerusalem that they are profane and cause his people to erre committing adultery and walking in lies strengthning the hands of evil doers so as that none doth return from his wickedness yea so as from them profaness or hypocrisie is gone forth into all the land Jer. 23.11 13 14 15. Yea and all such as professing to know God do in their works deny him being abominable disobedient and to every good work reprobate bunglers or void of judgment Tit. 1.16 these above all are perilous and make the times perilous when having a form of Godliness and the greater their Form the more perilous if they deny the power of it either in denying that Grace of God in Christ held forth in the Gospel rendering it the power of God to Salvation which belongs to the first sort spoken to under the Second Head of this Use of Reproof or which is here intended denying the efficacy and operation of the Grace of God as to the obeying and walking in it being under the profession and form of godliness lovers of themselves covetous proud boasters blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankeful unholy without natural affection truce breakers false accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4. the holding the truth with such unrighteousness doth greatly hinder mens being turned to righteousness by it for it occasions men rather to blaspheme the name of God or speak evil of his doctrine while they see those that Preach or Profess it to live so badly as was noted from Romans 2.17.24 Denying in practise and conversation the Lord that bought them they cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of while they walk in pernicious or as some read it lascivious ways 2 Pet. 2.1 2. or else leads those that own the truth with them to rest in the notion of it with them as they do and walk with them in like unrighteousness which still adds to the scandals and stumbling blocks laid in the way of others causing them to decline the way of truth and either to turn Atheists and Prophane or turn to some false ways of Religion where there appears more strictness of carriage and blamelesness of conversation which mighâ—… be found also with and among Pharasees Phil. 3.6 where men make a fair shew iâ—… the flesh but are corrupt from a solid and single rejoycing in the Cross of Christ Galat 6 12-14 For both all the specious works and doings of those that are of corrupt principles perverting men from the truth and all the best and truest speakings of those that joyn therewith a corrupt and vicious life fall under this reproof as being ways wherein men may hinder mens turning to Righteousness and lay rubs in the way of them that sincerely endeavour to do that service And all these whosoever they be great or small zealous or prophane that are guilty of any of these ways in the several branches of this Use mentioned fall under sharp reproof especially this last sort who deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ and turn the Grace of God and his Gospel into an occasion of sinning even into wantonness for to such especially being Teachers of others the Apostles instead of glorious shining as the Stars for ever and ever threatens as to wandering Stars the blackness of darkness as that that is reserved to them for ever Jude 12. 2 Pet. 2.17 and therefore this especially is to be taken heed of as being that to which that of the Lord in Ezech. 20.39 belongs As for you go ye and serve every one his Idols even hereafter if ye will not hearken unto me saith the Lord but pollute ye my holy Name no more with your gifts and with your Idols and that of our Saviour too in Matt. 18.7 8 9. It must needs be that offences come but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh for whoso offends one of these little ones that believe in me it were better for him that a mil-stone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire And if thine eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee it is better for thee having but one eye to enter into life rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire And surely if things as dear and needful to us as our hands or feet or eyes are rather to be parted with by us than that by offending with them we should loose our souls much more should we part with any fancy or fashion garb or garment way or practice of vanity rather than by offending and hindering the souls of others thereby to incurr such punishment though all of these ways reproved deprive of happiness and glory and expose to heavy misery and judgement the neglect of wisdome and righteousness the being backward or neglecting to do good to others and to make them what in us lies wise and righteous and most of all the hindring men from turning to or calling them out of the right way and so turning them from righteousness in any wise or manner Yet this last mentioned way of iniquity exposeth to the heavyest But truly as David when he had been asserting the goodness of the Lord and that All his ways are mercy and truth to them that keep his Covenant and his Testimonies presently adds as finding defect therein in himself For thy Namesake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it thy name as well as my iniquity is great Psal 25.10 11. And when he had been propounding the blessedness of him that Considers the poor how God would pitty and help him in his afflictions presently adds I said Lord be merciful unto me Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Psal 41.1 2 3 4. So may I considering the happiness of the wise and of those that turn many to righteousness and the faultiness of those here reproved reflecting upon my self and finding shortness and guilt in most of these ways reproved cry out too Lord be merciful to me heal my soul for I also in many of these ways have sinned against thee and against the souls of others also But Vse 7. 2. This also in both its branches may afford great good motive