held 5. Lastly Consider you shall overcome by your Testimony Rev. 12.11 John saw the Devil overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony Magna est veritas Truth is a great thing and it will prevail look back upon the former Ages of the Church the Witnesses which God raised up to his Truth in the beginning of the Gospel were very few the persons seemed contemptible yet God overcame the whole World by them and brought the whole World into some professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ often before the Church had degenerated many errors prevailed at last Popery prevailed then stood up Luther in Germany those that look upon that Story would have thought it impossible that Luther's Doctrine should have prevailed in the World but they overcame by the word of their Testimony and to that Victory they held doth the Protestant Religion owe it self Now this should greatly encourage us not to be ashamed of the Testimony of Christ it hath ever been victorious and shall be to the last it is by the Faith and patience of the Saints and Servants of God who stood close to their opposers and managed their spiritual fight that the Gospel hath obtained and they ought still to hold fast for they are sure of victory so long as Christ remaineth King in Sion I shall add but a few words more and that is to direct Christians what they should do that they may not be ashamed of their Testimony 1. Look that you be rooted and grounded in truth a Tree that is not well rooted you know is very easily shaken Col. 1.23 If saith the Apostle you continue in the Faith grounded and settled The truth is to make a Christian that he should not be ashamed of the Testimony of the Lord he had need of a double ground he had need be grounded in Faith according to that Text Col. 1.23 And he had need be rooted and grounded in love according to that Text Eph. 3.17 that you being rooted and grounded in love Col. 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and established in the Faith Christians look to this every Witness ought to understand the cause well to which he is to give his testimony many a poor Creature beareth a testimony to they know not what labour to be rooted in the Faith rooted in love and rooted in Christ that Soul that is filled with the knowledge of truth and warmed with the love of truth never faileth in an hour of testimony that Soul that is either ignorant of the ground of that truth which he pretendeth to own and defend or that wanteth a love for God never holdeth longer than till he meeteth with a contradiction 2. Look up to the power of God for your assistance I told you these words in the Text according to the power of God might be taken as an Argument to perswade Christians not to be ashamed of the Testimony of the Lord because the power of the Lord shall be manifested for them but they may also be interpreted as signifying that which we ought to have an Eye to in our Testimony and in our suffering affliction we have no spiritual enemy we can prevail against in our own strength our enemies you know are the World the Flesh and the Devil for the Flesh the Apostle saith Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the Body you shall live Never yet was lust mortified by meer moral Arguments and for the Devil we are bid to take upon us the whole Armour of God to resist him strong in the Faith and it is the same for the World Our help is in the name of the Lord and therefore it hath been observed that none in an hour of Testimony have come off worse than those who have been most confident our Book of Martyrs telleth us of two that were in prison together the one was very confident and couragious and told the other that his fat should fry in the fire next day the other was very timorous and fearful the first recanted and denied the truth the second was burnt at the Stake David might possibly mean it of his external enemies but he repeateth it thrice My enemies compassed me about but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them they compass me about yea they compassed me about but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them they compassed me about like Bees they are quenched as the fire of Thorns for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them It must be so as to our spiritual enemies we shall never prevail but in the name of the Lord. 3. Remember in your Testimony There is more with you than there is against you While we bear Testimony to Christ God is with us Christ is with us the Spirit is with us all the Holy Martyrs are with us there is none but sinful men against us Christ the faithful and true Witness is with you Rev. 1.5 From Jesus Christ who is the faithful Witness He was the first Witness The Apostle St. John saith 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost What did the Father witness This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased This is the Lord our righteousness What did Christ witness He witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate he owned himself to be the Son of God the Saviour of the World that they that believe on him should not be ashamed he owned himself to be the object of our Faith to be the Lord our righteousness the Spirit testified the same thing and the Spirit beareth witness for us and in us 4. Fourthly Would you not be ashamed of your Testimony love not the World nor the things thereof nor the persons therein take heed of being swallowed up in the love of creature comforts and enjoyments How dwelleth the love of the Father in him that doteth on the World The World taketh off Christs witnesses both the Men of the World and the things of the World you must be fond of none of these 5. Take upon you the whole Armour of God of which you read Eph. 6.14 Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with truth and having on the Breast-plate of righteousness and your Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace taking the shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation the Sword of the Spirit Finally pray always with all Prayer and Supplication in Spirit watching thereunto with all perseverance SERM. 8 9 10 11. Matthew 5.10 11 12. Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven v. 11. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake v. 12. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you THe Evangelist
that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodys sake which is the Church That which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ Is there any thing behind of Christs sufferings Hath he not suffered and entred into his glory where he is impassible living with and unto God where he can suffer and die no more The sufferings of Christ are to be considered in a double notion either as Expiatory or Exemplary If we consider them as Expiatory there is nothing of them behind nothing of them to be filled up He said upon the Cross All is finished And he trod the Wine-press of his Fathers wrath alone there was none of the people with him But if you consider them as they were Exemplary as he suffered setting us an example so there is much of the Afflictions of Christ to be filled up and they are to be filled up in the bodies of his Saints Or else thus Christ is taken personally or mystically Christ mystically is the Church he the Head Believers Members both making but one body and that his body which is the Church Now of Christ taken in this sense much of his Afflictions are to be filled up And Christians suffering in conformity to Christ is a Testimony to them that they are Members of an afflicted Christ yea and also that they are Members of that body of which Christ is the Head for in all Ages it hath been the Lot of those who would live godly in Christ Jesus to suffer persecution 3. It turns unto a Testimony to them both of the truth and of the strength of their Faith The Apostle describing Faith Heb. 11.1 calleth it the evidence of things not seen the substance of things hoped for For saith the Apostle What a man seeth why doth he yet hope for Many talk of Faith few understand it The work of Faith lies in a being persuaded of God and depending upon God for the things which we do not see Now it is the want of this Faith which makes men shrink in a day of Trial. The Apostle Heb. 10.34 ch 11.13 14 16. concludes from the Servants of God of whom he there speaks taking joyfully the spoiling of their goods that they knew in themselves that they had in Heaven a better and an enduring substance And from their confessing that they were Strangers and Pilgrims upon the Earth that they plainly declared that they sought a Country and desired a better Country that is an heavenly Mens unwillingness to suffer the loss of any thing that shall be made up with so great advantage speaketh them at least weak in Faith and but faintly persuaded of that better state and that they find a difficulty to depend upon God's Word for it But when men can freely for the Name of Christ leave their Country and go into Banishment part with their Estates and be content to be stript of all they have part with their Liberty and be content with a Prison part with their Lives and bid Death even a violent and most ignominious Death welcom it argueth that they both truly and strongly believe what God hath revealed concerning a better Country a more enduring Substance the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God a life everlasting and full of glory and not only that they are persuaded of the truth of the things but they depend and rely upon God and by hope patiently wait upon God for the bestowing these things upon them and making them their portion Now what would not many a good Christian give for an Evidence of the truth and reality of his Faith How many doubts how many fears hath he oft times about it An ability to suffer for the Name of Christ mightily tends to their confirmation The Apostle therefore putteth them together Phil. 1.29 Vnto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Suffering a freedom to suffer is a great confirmation of our Faith both to our selves and also to others 4. It will be a Testimony to the people of God of their Love to him True Faith worketh by Love Love to another is discerned in nothing more than in suffering for them and indeed this is the heighth of Love It speaks a Soul to have discerned a great excellency in Christ and in heart to cleave to him that rather than part with him will suffer the loss of any thing Upon this account among the Heathens is celebrated the Love of Pilades and Orestes Theseus and Pirithous c. But see it in Paul Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtless and I account all things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ The Soul that may have had its doubts and fears whether it loveth Christ or no measuring its affections to this spiritual invisible Object by the motions of its affections to Objects more sensible which indeed is not a true and just measure can doubt no longer when once the Lord hath enabled the Soul to suffer for his Name sake it speaks a Soul to love Christ more than all sensible things when to serve and enioy him it hath freely parted with whatever it had of sensible enjoyments and satisfaction Nothing speaks Love like a deep suffering for the Object beloved Gen. 22.12 Now saith God to Abraham I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son thine only Son from me That term of fear and fearing God in the Old Testament hath often a larger sense than as signifying that passion which we call fear God then knows that a Soul loveth him and the Soul it self may know that it loveth God when it can readily and chearfully suffer for his Names sake 5. Lastly It will be to a Soul not only a Testimony of Faith and Love and Patience and Perseverance and Constancy Steadiness and Unmoveableness in the work of the Lord but it will be also a Testimony of the Soul's Zeal for God Zeal is rather the intention of all the affections than a particular affection of it self A small degree of Love will not carry a Soul thorough sufferings That Love must be at a great degree of warmth which shall carry a Soul thorough great difficulties great trials great losses 6. To these I may add one thing more Suffering for the Name of Christ is a Testimony of the presence of God with the Soul The Three Childrens induring the fiery Furnace was a Testimony of a fourth persons being with them Dan. 3.15 Daniel's being in the Den of Lions and induring that danger turned to him for a Testimony of God's special presence with him and sending his Angels to stop the mouths of the Lions Paul's couragious suffering was a Testimony to him that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him 2 Tim. 4.17 A Christian needs desire no more than a
accidents a mans getting an estate dependeth upon anothers keeping his estate the fire may burn the Thief may break through and steal Ships may be broken at Sea infinite many accidents may happen and we daily see and hear of accidents that happen to the ruine and impoverishing of men and is not thy estate as subject to accidents who is it that keepeth the fire from thee which consumeth thy Neighbour and who keepeth the Thief from thee who plundereth thy Neighbour and leaveth him nothing that upholdeth the estate of him who dealeth with thee while he letteth the estate of another man who dealeth with another to sink who can ascribe this to any thing but to the influence that God hath upon the world Now all this justifieth this truth that it is the Lord who giveth power to get wealth I shall add no more in the explication of this Doctrine I shall spend the remaining part of my time in the application of it I shall apply this to the two sorts of people that divide the world 1. To such as are poor and mean in the world 2. To those that are rich Use 1. Let me speak unto such to whom the Lord hath not given a power to get wealth that they would be content to eye the will and good pleasure of God concerning them some of you are no heirs you have not been enriched by any matches you have not been made rich by friends you have been laborious but it hath not pleased God to bless the works of your hands yet be content 1. Consider It is the dispensation of the Lord thou dost not thrive because it pleaseth not God to give thee a power to get wealth we ought in every thing to be satisfied with the will of God the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof and God may do with his own what he pleaseth if he will give much to one and little to another or something to one and nothing to another he doth thee no wrong at all thou hast therefore no reason to murmure no reason to repine against him especially considering what I shall further add 2. Consider Wealth is none of Gods Covenant Mercies there were two outward afflictions which to the Jews were far more justifiable causes of disturbance than they are to Christians Poverty and Barrenness the reason was because the promises of God to the Jews ran much upon outward things it followeth after the words of the Text For it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers as at this day But the new Covenant reacheth most unto Spiritual mercies Jer 32.40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 3. Consider Oftentimes a power to get wealth prejudiceth us in our priviledge to obtain and our duty to act grace James 2.5 Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom Therefore the Apostle Paul gave it in charge 1 Tim. 6.17 That the rich should not be high-minded but fear Our Saviour doth pronounce a woe to them that are rich Luke 6.24 For you have received your consolation it must be understood of them that are not rich towards God but only lay up treasures for themselves So St. James Jam. 1.9 would have the Brother of low degree rejoice that he is exalted he would also have the rich rejoice v. 10. In that he is made low but I shall inlarge no further upon this branch of application but come to that which is more proper and speak a word to those that are rich Exhort 2. Is it the Lord who giveth you power to get wealth Then remember the Lord your God who hath given you power to get wealth It is the Exhortation of the Text upon which I shall enlarge a little Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God who giveth thee power to get wealth this term remember is a very comprehensive word Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them it is also used in many other texts I must therefore open this generally and shew you 1. What duty this calleth to you for in reference to your getting wealth 2. What duty it calleth to you for when you have gotten it In reference to the getting of your wealth 1. That you would apply your self to the getting of wealth in the Lords way By the Lords way I mean two things 1. An honest course of life justifiable unto God 2. A managing this honest course in an honest manner Apply your selves and your children to the getting of wealth in an honest course of life I shall not here undertake to determine concerning Trades which are honest which are dishonest but there are two sorts of Trades or Professions or ways of life which I shall not commend nor should chuse 1. Such as serve meerly to maintain Superstition or Idolatry 2. Such as serve meerly for Idleness Luxury 1. Such as serve meerly for Superstition and Idolatry like the Silver-Smith whose craft was to make shrines for Diana I remember Tertullian inveighing against Idolaters maketh all makers of Idols and Statues to be guilty of the same sin with them that worship them 2. There is another sort of Trades that serve meerly for Luxury and Idleness such kind of ways of living as these are by no means to be chosen because we cannot expect that the Lord should in them with his blessing give us power to get wealth 2. It calleth to you for the managing of your callings in an honest manner that is in short with truth and justice Prov. 21.6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death David prayeth that the Lord would remove from him the way of lying a lying tongue is one of those things which God hateth and again Pro. 12.22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord 3. It calleth to all you that are employed in getting wealth to manage all your conversation in such a course of religion as you may expect Gods blessing to go along with you especially it calleth to you for prayers it is the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich who can expect the blessing of the Lord in the day that doth not beg it in the morning and in the evening he that chooseth to live as if there were no God in the world what wonder is it if God leaveth him to take his course that he shall live as if there were no God in the World if he will not live as to duty as if there were a God in the world what wonder is it if the Lord leaveth him to live so as to his
to a fact every man is a debtor to the truth and is bound as a man to bear Testimony Christ telleth Pilate John 18.37 to this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth but when I speak of the testimony that every good Christian is bound to give I understand it not thus largely for though it be that every good man is under an obligation to testifie the truth in any cause yet the Ministers of the Gospel and every good Christian is under a more special obligation to give testimony to some truths and these are the truths of the Gospel the truths that relate to Jesus Christ this is that the text calleth the Testimony of our Lord which may be taken in a double sense 1. Either for that Testimony which our Lord bare of himself 2. Or the Testimony which every good Christian is bound to give to the truths of the Gospel Christ bare a Testimony of himself he testified that he was the son of God that he was the King of Zion that he was the true Messiah but I understand it yet larger every Minister of the Gospel and every good Christian is obliged to bear a Testimony to the great truths of the Gospel which relate to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour there is a Testimony which he ought to bear to those Propositions of truth and to those matters of fact which the Gospel containeth and relateth concerning Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world 3. The third thing which is considerable in a Testimony is the way of giving it the proper giving a Testimony is by the words of our mouth either with an oath or without an oath it is one thing for a man to believe a Proposition and another thing for him to give Testimony to a Proposition he believeth a Proposition that hearing it doth in heart consent and agree to it that the Predicate is well fitted to the Subject whether he speaketh a word yea or no but he testifieth that with his words owneth and declareth his faith Rom. 10.10 For with the heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation It is not enough for a Christian secretly in his heart to agree to the truths of the Gospel but he is bound to give a Testimony If thou shalt therefore confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved You may observe there are two things made necessary to to Salvation 1. A heart believing the Proposition of the Gospel 2. An external confession or profession There is a double confession a Christians duty 1. A confession of sin 2. A confession of truth Either confession is an open acknowledgment with our lips thus you read in Scripture frequently of confessing of Christ only it may be there is this difference betwixt a Testimony and confession any open asserting vindicating and defending Christ and his Gospel is giving a Testimony but when it is done in the face of Enemies in despight of opposition this is confession Matth. 10.32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Luke 12.8 whosoever shall confess me before men thus John 12.42 Many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him So that the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ signifieth that open acknowledgment of Christ and profession of the truths of the Gospel relating to Christ which is the duty of every good Christian Qu. 2. What is here meant by the afflictions of the Gospel The Original doth something differ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suffer thou evils together with the Gospel where the Gospel is brought in as if it were a Person by a figure a Person that is subject to evils Timothy is exhorted to suffer evil with the Gospel this leads me to the consideration what those afflictions are what those evils are to which the Gospel is subjected there are several evils to which the Gospel is subjected or rather evils from three sorts of persons 1. From the true Professors of it such as own Christ in truth and sincerity 2. From the false and seeming Professors of it 3. From the professed enemies of it The afflictions of the Gospel are the afflictions which men are subjected to from their owning and professing of the Gospel and these I say are from 3 sorts of Persons 1. From such as are the true and sincere professors of it they may bite and devour one another and be thorns and goads in one anothers sides These commonly are so from one of these two heads 1. From an overheated zeal for the maintaining of different apprehensions in some matters of truth 2. From such corruptions as do attend Gods people considered as men made up of flesh and blood 1. From an immoderate zeal for the maintaining of different apprehensions in some matters of truth truth is an uniform thing and is but one two contradictory Propositions cannot be true but since the fall of man none have the same apprehensions there are different apprehensions concerning truth it is true we have the promise of the Spirit of truth to guide us and to lead us into all truth but the sense of the promise must not be extended so far that because all Christians have the spirit of God therefore they shall all be guided that they shall not have misapprehensions in a Proposition of truth they shall be guided into all necessary truth they shall not miscarry in any apprehension of truth upon which the salvation of their Souls depend but they may be mistaken as to a multitude of particular Propositions one may judge one thing and another another thing yet they all hold the foundation the fundamental truths of the Gospel but they may have very different apprehensions as to some particular truths now through an over-weaning opinion of our own apprehensions there are very great differences and also hard censurings and condemnings of one another and these are great afflictions but such as have attended the Gospel from the very beginning they were such different apprehensions that caused the first Christian Synod Acts 15.1 Some came and taught the necessity of circumcision such differences there were Rom. 14.2 For one believeth he may eat all things another who is weak eateth herbs hence they judged despised condemned and censured one another and the Apostle persuadeth to a friendly carriage one towards another a mutual forbearance one of another in these different apprehensions in matters of truth of a lighter nature mens immoderate zeal for their own opinions have in all times begot great heats and have caused great afflictions to the Ministers of the Gospel and to the Professors of it and have been a great root of bitterness amongst Gods own people we have seen enough of it in the age
Matth. 25.31 32 33 34. Our Saviour telleth us Math. 7.22 23. Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name And in thy Name have cast out Devils And then will I profess unto them I never knew you Depart from me you workers of Iniquity And in that Text Luke 13. v. 15.27 Ye begin to stand without and to knock at the Door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are v. 27. Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity then shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth Consider this we all must once dye and after Death come to Judgment if Men have here disowned Christ and his Gospel and shall then cry Lord Lord open to us open the Kingdom of Heaven do not cast us out of thy sight for ever Christ will then say to that Man who hath been ashamed of his Testimony No Thou wert ashamed to own me and my despised Persecuted Truths and Servants now I will not own thee Christ will say to him depart from me I know you not but what is it for Christ to own a Man You may learn that from that Text Matth. 25.34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand come you Blessed of my Father Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the World Now consider with your selves doth not there lye upon a Man an Obligation to save his own Soul and to keep himself out of everlasting burning the same Obligation lyeth upon all Men not to be ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord but to be partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel the same Obligation that the Law of nature layeth upon every Man to look to his highest concern the saving his Soul the keeping himself in favour with God I shall add but one thing more 10. The last thing from whence this Obligation doth arise is from the oneness of the Body of Christ This should engage us to suffer evil together with the faithful Ministers and the faithful Professors of the Gospel that we may shew our selves to be true Members of Christs mystical Body We see in a natural Body it is impossible that one Member should suffer and not another the rest will feel it though they may not feel that particular pain which it may be doth fix only in this or that Member yet there is affliction in the whole Body the whole Body is disquieted and troubled though only the Head aketh or the Tooth or the like so will it be in the mystical Body of Christ though it may be there are but some particular Members of the Body that do suffer yet there will be never a Member of that Body but will suffer a Sympathy every Christian will not be slain will not be imprisoned or plundered but if any of them be so evil intreated all the rest that are true Members of this Body will feel something of the suffering of those Members that do suffer saith the Apostle is any Man afflicted and I burn not St. Paul commendeth the Philippians Philip 4.14 15. Notwithstanding you have well done that you did communicate with my affliction v. 15. No Church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving but you only The Apostle speaketh thereas you may judge by the 15th Verse of a Communicating by giving and receiving but this was the fruit of the other the Philippians Sympathized with St. Paul in his afflictions and felt his misery and this made them to communicate with him in that state by relieving of him and indeed those Professors that do not so communicate with the afflicted Children of God give a very ill proof that they are the true Members of the mystical Body of Christ I have opened the Doctrine to you Let us now consider what improvement may be made of it Use 1. What you have heard reflecteth sadly upon them who refuse to give a Testimony of their Lord Or 2. Are ashamed of those who do give this Testimony You have heard how many Obligations there are upon us to it but how few are there who are sensible of these Obligations 1. How many are ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord ashamed to own those truths which their Lord owned those truths for the Testimony of which their Lord died St. Paul glorieth of himself that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ for saith he It is the power of God to Salvation Heb. 11.16 God is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 2.11 Christ is not ashamed to call them Brethren Shall a poor Worm be ashamed to be called the Child of God or the Servant of God to be called a Godly Man or Woman how many Professors had we some years since that are turned back and gone a little tribulation and persecution is arisen because of the truths of Christ and they are offended We may say of our times as the Apostle said to the Hebrews None hath yet resisted unto Blood and yet how few have we that do resist striving against Sin I tremble to think of that Text Whosoever is ashamed of me before Men of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed We have too many that think it enough to pray to hear to read but forget this piece of their duty to bear a Testimony to our Lord nay how many are there who are ashamed of those who do give their Testimony ashamed of the Chains and Bonds and Imprisonments and reproaches of the Ministers and People of God they are not only ashamed to own the Testimony of the Gospel themselves and to come in as Witnesses for Christ but they are ashamed of them who do but I hope I speak to none here who are of that Complexion Use 2. It may be some will say how shall I know if I walk up to my duty in this particular if I be not ashamed of the Testimony of my Lord and be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel I shall give you two or three notes which are sufficient for this discovery 1. When the discredit of the Gospel maketh us neither to think it beneath us to own the truth of the Gospel nor those who own and profess it There is a time when the Gospel hath a credit in the World the Prophet Zechariah Prophesied of a time Zech. 8.23 When ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the Skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you â—or we have heard that God is with you That Prophesie is fulfilled under the Gospel God sometimes giveth the Gospel such a credit in the World that every one thinketh it an honour to him to be accounted a Christian this is a time when it is hard to discern whether a Man will be ashamed of the Gospel but there is another time when the Gospel hath
as much discredit so as it fareth with the strict Professors of it as it did with the Gospel at first Acts 28.22 For as concerning this Sect we know that every where it is spoken against Now is the time for a Man to try himself whether he will be ashamed of the Testimony of Christ we have seen it in the very times that we have lived in the Gospel and the Profession of it hath been a credit unto Men it hath been Mens greatest honour to profess the Gospel with the greatest strictness God hath turned the Tables upon us and we now live in a time when as the Prophet saith Isa 59.14 15. Judgment is turned away backward and Justice standeth afar off for truth is fallen in the street and equity will not enter And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey when it is a reproach to be a godly man now if at such a time as this a Man thinketh it beneath him to stand up for the truths or Christ to own the Ministers of Christ and give a Testimony for Christ this Maâ— is ashamed of the Testimony of Christ 〈◊〉 hinted to you before there is a differenâ—â— betwixt being afraid and being ashamed 〈◊〉 good Christian may be sometimes afraid 〈◊〉 a day of great temptation but he is never ashamed but when a Man is ashamed that he thinketh it beneath him to profess the truth or to own the Professors of it this Man is ashamed of the Gospel but if a Christian at such a time findeâ—â— his Heart cleaveth to the interest of God and to the true Servants of God though he may be under some temptation of fear and 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 so much as another it is a great infirmity but it is not a being ashamed of Christs Testimony 2. When no temptation can prevail upon as to live a Conversation contrary to the Gospel Every Man is obliged to give a double Testimony to the Lord a vocal Testimony and a real Testimony we give a real Testimony unto Christ when we dare practically live up to the avowed truths of the Gospel in the vilest and worst of times it is true we are obliged to a vocal as well as a real Testimony and a good Christian doth not discharge his duty in giving testimony to the Gospel by a meer living up to the Rules of it there is something more required of a Christian than this But it is as true that neither doth a Christian give a Testimony to the Gospel that openly professeth and owneth it in the face of its enemies unless he liveth up to the rules of it nay indeed that Man who talketh for the Gospel and liveth not up to the rule of it giveth a Testimony against the Lord instead of giving a Testimony for him what hath any Man to do to take the Word of God into his mouth when he hateth to be reformed and casteth the Law of the Gospel behind his back But that Man or Woman who truly liveth up to the rule of the Gospel in Apostatizing and declining times is not ashamed of his Testimony though perhaps some fear of temptation may not make him so bold for God as another yea as some hypocritical and false Professors 3. When a Man is truly afflicted for the sufferings of others who suffer for the Profession of the Gospel 2 Cor. 11.29 Who is weak and I am not weak who is offended and I burn not When a good Christian can say of himself and say it in truth what Minister what good Christian what companion of Christ is afflicted and persecuted and I am not afflicted for them I burn not in their Fires Now this Sympathy with our Fellow-members when it is in truth will discover it self many ways 1. It is first discernable a Man 's own Heart When no circumstance of a Man's felicity or prosperity can ballance his sense of the afflictions of others you have a notable instance of this in Nehemiah Chap. 2. v. 1. He was Cup-bearer to the King and had not used before to be sad in his presence v. 2. The King said unto me why is thy countenance sad seeing thou art not sick This is nothing else but sorrow of heart He answered v. 3. Why should not my countenance be sad when the City the place of my Fathers Sepulchres lieth waste and the Gates thereof are consumed with Fire It is said Esther 3.15 The King and Haman sat down to drink but the City Shiâ—â—â—â— was perplexed That Man is not a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel that can so down to drink that can be merry as at other times when the interest of Religion is under-foot but that Man is a true partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel whose Heart burneth for the afflictions of others who suffer for the truths and Gospel of Christ 2. Our being a partaker of the afflictions of others is evident When we do what in 〈◊〉 lieth to relieve them Communicating with their afflictions and to their afflictions helping to bear one anothers Burdens and so fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.2 So then it is the Law of Christ for Christians to bear one anothers Burdens They should bear them upon their own Spirits having great sorrow of heart and affliction They should bear them before the Lord when ever we go to God as the High-Priest carried upon his Breast the Names of all the Children of Israel so we should carry the Names of all the true Professors and in the first place the Names of all those who suffer for the Name of Christ and we should help and bear them with our hands too Remembring those who are bound as if we were bound with them forasmuch as we are in the Body Use 3. In the last place Let me perswade with you a little for this duty of not being ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of any of his Prisoners and being partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel 1 Not to be ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord Now in speaking to this branch of Application I will enquire 1. To what of Christ this Testimony is due whether to all Propositions concerning Christ or to some only 2. What kind of Testimony it must be that it may be accepted of the Lord 3. What Arguments ought to prevail with us to partake of the afflictions of the Gospel 4. What directions may be useful in the case Qu. 1. To what of Christ is this Testimony due The proper Object of a Testimony is a Proposition or a Fact the truth of one or the other Now the Propositions that relate unto Christ are of several natures of different natures and of different moment Some concern the Doctrine of Faith some concern the Worship of God some concern the Kingly Office of the Lord Jesus Christ some concern the Rule of a Christians Life I know no Proposition of the Gospel but a Christian is a debter to and ought to bear a Testimony unto
but yet they are not all of equal import the nature of Propositions doth very much differ 1. According to what doth depend upon them 2. According to the evidence that they have in Scripture 1. According to what dependeth upon them Some Propositions of truth are the foundation look as it is with the foundation of a House take it away and the whole Building tumbleth to the ground So there are some Propositions of the Gospel that the whole Fabrick of Gospel truths lieth upon them the whole Body of truth is built upon them here now the Obligation of our Testimony lieth higher and riseth higher and further but there is no truth that we are not debtors unto 2. According to the evidence that they have in the Gospel there are different apprehensions concerning truth for although the Gospel hath revealed all truth yet not all with the same evidence so that Christians have differed concerning truth and every man as he believeth so he ought to speak so he ought to live but the apprehensions that some men have had that they are bound to give a Testimony to every Proposition of truth which they do in heart imbrace hath begot a great deal of stir the Apostle giveth another Rule when he saith Hast thou Faith Have it to thy self before God There are some Propositions of which a Christian may have a particular perswasion and of which he may be very confident of the truth of them but yet they will not bear the weight of a Testimony to the disturbance of the Church of Christ now a good Christian ought to regulate his Testimony accordingly Qu. 2. What kind of Testimony is that which a good Christian is bound to give unto the Lord I will open this to you in seven or eight particulars 1. He ought to give a knowing believing Testimony there is a Testimony of Faith and a Testimony of Faction that Man giveth a Testimony of Faith that doth in his Heart believe what he with his Mouth confesseth and as the Apostle saith as he believeth so he speaketh So in this case a Christian must speak as he believeth and when he speaketh and owneth and defendeth a truth because he believeth it to be the eternal truth of God this is a Testimony of Faith but then there is a Testimony of Faction when a man runs with a multitude to attest a truth and crieth for it but understandeth not and believeth not what he professeth I would have every Christian not to be ashamed of the Testimony of Christ but I would have him be sure that it be a Testimony of Faith that he giveth not a Testimony of Faction for a man to give a Testimony to truth if it be in Faction it is abomination to God whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin The word not mingled with Faith profiteth not and a Testimony not given in Faith signifieth nothing Oh! Christians beware of this that none of you in this day be factious Professors be not ashamed of the Testimony of your Lord. But first see that you understand it see that your selves believe it to be a good Testimony a Man or Woman will have very little peace or comfort in giving a Testimony to that which either he knoweth not or in Heart believeth not when a Man believeth and therefore speaketh he speaketh that with his Lips which his Soul hath first examined and he seeth bottomed in the Word of God and in Heart agreeth and assenteth to this is his Testimony take this note with you in every Testimony let it be vocal or real let it be a Testimony of Faith not a Testimony of Faction and a meer running along with a cry like the rout of Ephesus when Acts 19.32 Some cried one thing some another for the Assembly was confused and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together 2. It must be a Loving Testimony or it is not accepted Faith and Love mâ—st be the principles of all those actions that do or can speak any obedience unto the Will of God if a Man receiveth the truth and not in the love of it it is of no effect as whatsoever is not of faith is Sin so whatsoever is done and not out of love is not accepted of God Love is that which giveth the sweet savour to all our doings and to all our sufferings for God If saith the Apostle I give all my goods to the poor and my Body to be burnt if I have not love it is all nothing Let a man give never so great a Testimony to Christ if he doth not this out of love it is out of some evil principle of contradiction or faction or some stubbornness of Spirit and God accepteth it not it is not a Christians saying I am for the true Doctrine I am for pure Worship and I am for the Kingly Government of Christ but his doing this out of a true pleasure and delight in these things out of a true love to God and zeal for the glory of God And this is another thing that I fear in a crowd that give Testimony in an evil time as that some testifie they know not what so that others testifie rather out of a principle of contradiction or fullenness than out of a true principle of love to Ordinances and truths hence you shall observe that as in a serene and fair time there are a multitude of Professors that are like Swallows that will stay with the Gospel in its Summer time so you shall observe there are a multitude of others that in a time of opposition especially when the Persecution reacheth not high busie to give their Testimony to truth which when they may imbrace freely they never regard and make no conscience of you have an example of both these at home on the one side we had a company of Professors that have now forsaken us and fled and embraced this present World in a time of temptation they are gone away and you shall observe a multitude of others that cried out lately for Sacraments and against robbing Christians of the Sacrament of the Supper the great pledge of Christs Love Now that none hindreth their coming to them they regard not the Sacrament both these were sick of the same Disease they gave or thought they gave some testimony to their Lord but their Testimony was equally acceptable to God neither the one nor the other was out of a love in their heart to Christ and to his truth and ordinances but meerly out of faction and turbulency of Spirit or for some base worldly end I would have you own the Testimony of Christ I would have you fear being ashamed of it as you would fear that Christ should be ashamed of you at the day of Judgment I would have you â—onfess him as you would have him to confess you as you would expect he should confess you But be sure you give your Testimony out of love as what you know and in heart truly believe