anoâ—nting of his Spirit to the end we may be able to discern light from darkness and truth from errour when we hear of many cheaters abroad we had need to looke to our purses The best may erre every man 's a lyar both actively and passively subject to be deceived and to deceive others Rom. 3.4 we should therefore with the Bereans try what is taught I shall sum up all in the words of a judicious Divine A judgement solidly principled an heart sincerely renewed a faith truly bottomed Truth and love of it cordially matched profession and practice well joyned a fear of our selves and dependance on God still maintained Gods Ordinances and the society of humble and growing Christians still frequented watchfulnesse and prayer still continued are the best directions to keep us in the truth and the best preservatives to keep us from errors Lastly forsake not the way of Gods Churches especially in these fundamentals wherein they are unanimous E. g. Suppose the Question be Whether Infants Baptisme be lawfull Answer All the Churches of God who should know the sense of Scripture better then any private man do practise it or Whether the Old Testament be authentick all the Churches of God believe it c. It 's a dangerous thing to follow the Opinion of any particular man be he never so holy against the current and practice of all the true Churches of Christ. 2. Forsake not the government and discipline of the Church which is Unanimously owned by all the Reformed Churches of Christ 'T is the want of this which is one great cause of so many errors amongst us If this were fully and generally establisht we should not have an Heresie or blasphemy peeping up in the land but there would be a timely preventing of it Government Rule and Order is the glory of Families Cities Churches and all Societies 'T is a lovely thing and if the Apostle rejoyced to see the Order and Ecclesiastical government of the Collossians 2.3 how would he mourn to see the disorder of our times when the Church of God lies as a Vine without an hedge a City without walls and a Garden without a fence God takes it ill when we prefer our own private interest before his publick service and dwell our selves in seeled houses when the House of the Lord lies waste Hag. 1. The greatest sin of this age is the violent opposition against the Kingly Government of Christ in his Church by his own Officers and Ordinances All the wicked hate it because it crosseth their lusts and the Devil hates it because it destroyes his Kingdome But let us according to our Covenant endeavour in our places the setting up the Government of Christ amongst us Since our Church hath been as a field without a fence how many wild beasts have broken in upon it It s ill having the reins on our own necks when there was no King in Israel every man did what pleased himself Since the reins of Government have been loosed men have fancied and found out a thousand by-paths It s good for every man to be bound the best are but in part regenerate and being left to themselves may fall into dangerous sins and errors God is the God of Order and he will have not only some things but all things done in order 1 Cor. 14.33.40 he commands Order commends Order delights in Order and would have all his people walk in an orderly way 'T is the Devil who is the Author of disorder and confusion he knowes if Order goe up his Kingdome must go down and therefore he doth his utmost to hinder Government But God will have Order both in Substantialls and Circumstantials in Reals and in Rituals This Order is not any superstitious humane invention but an Order grounded on the Word of God and agreeable to that Canon The Titles given to Gods Church imply some order there It 's called 1. a House 2. a Common-wealth 3. a Garden 4. a Vine-yard 1. The Church is Gods house and family 1 Pet. 4.17 Gal. 6.10 Now what 's a house without government but a little hell above ground yea worse then hell for in hell there 's some order there is Beelzebub the Prince of Devills Yea there 's some Unity in hell Satans Kingdom is not divided against it self if it were it could not stand Luke 11.17.18 now if we have Order in our own houses is it fit that Gods house should lye in confusion This brings judgement on a people Hag. 1.9 At the Reformation of the Lacedemonian state some perswaded Lycurgus to set up a Democrasy i. e. a popular government where all might have equall power He answered Begin first and set up such a government in your own houses 2. The Church is a spirituall Common-wealth Ephes 2.12 Strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel from the Church of God Now what 's a Common-wealth without Order aud Unity we see how carefull men are to keep their Common-wealth in Peace and Unity O that there were a like care to set up Order and Unity in the Church of God! 3. The Church is Gods Garden Cant. 4.12 and must therefore be hedged and defended with Discipline and Government else every wild beast and boare would suddenly spoyle the flowers in it 4. The Church is Gods Vine-yard Isay 5.1 c. least any should hurt it he himself doth keep it night and day Isay 5.5 and 27.3 as he doth fence it so should we in our places and stations do what in us lieth to preserve it from violence and wrong 3. Order and Government is the Beauty of a Church Zach. 11.7 this makes the Church admirable Psal. 48. per totum we should be oft surveying Ierusalem and observing the glorious power and providence of God in her Order and Protection What David saith of Unity one branch of Order is true of Order it self Psal. 133.1 2. behold how comely it is for Brethren to dwell together in Amity and Order Order is the glory of all societies a well-ordered Family Army City Society are comely sights Hence God hath set an Order in Heaven an Order in Hell an Order amongst Angells an Order amongst the Starres an Order amongst rationall Creatures an Order amongst the sensitive Creatures the very Bees have a King and Ruler over them Take away this and we shall be all in confusion if there were not an Order in the Sea it would overflow the land and drown all The ayer would poyson us the Creatures destroy us and every man would destroy another Object The Presbyterian Government is Tyrannicall and curbs men that they dare not vent their errours so freely as now they do Answ. This Government is Christs yoke and so is sweet and easie to a spiritualized soule As the yoke of his Doctrine so the yoke of his Discipline is delightfull and pleasant to them They say as that good man said of the word of God Veniat Veniat disciplina Christi
28.4 4. These Impostors do not onely deceive these silly women but they bring them under the Devils yoke they make slaves and prisoners of them they bind them with the cords of error and then they lead them whither they please They deal with their Proselites as the Devil doth with witches he promiseth them liberty but brings them to prisons promiseth them pleasures yet gives them pain promiseth them Riches yet keeps them poor promiseth them life but gives them Death They ensnare them with their Pythanalogy and hold them as fast with their lyes and flatteries as a Jaylor doth his Prisoner which he keeps in bondage 2 Tim. 2. ult or the fisher his fish which hath swallowed his bait 2 Pet. 2.14.18 These Satanicall fishers of men put on the Visors of Piety and preach liberty pleasure ease as other fishers cozen sometimes the eye and sometimes the taste of the silly fish so these have variety of baits but none so catching as that of carnal liberty Hence they are said to bewitch men Gal. 3.1 to enchaunt and delude men Rev. 18.23 and make them drunk Revel 17.2 It will be our wisdom then to submit our selves to the word of God and from the heart to obey its commands so shall we know the truth and the truth will keep us free from the power of sin and error Iohn 8.32 the keeping of a good conscience is the way to keep faith and sound doctrine 1 Tim. 1.19 get the heart once establisht with Grace and then you will not be carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13.9 get Gods fear once planted in your hearts and then you will never depart from him Ier. 32.40 VERSE 7. VVhich Women are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth THe Apostle goeth on to shew what women they are which are brought into bondage by seducers viz. such as are unconstant unsetled and given to seek after novelties and curiosities they are not content with plain truth revealed in the Scripture they must have novum aut nihil some new light some new-found doctrine or else 't will not down with them this unsettles them and makes them run hither and thither after this and that man but all in vain They make a great adoe but to little purpose they are alwayes learning yet learn nothing which they should learn Now the Reason's of their Non-proficiency are 1. Either because they have no better Teachers they follow false Prophets and blinde Guides and when the blinde shall lead the blind no wonder if both fall into the ditch These may seem wise in their own eyes when in truth they know nothing because they know not the truth which is the foundation of all knowledge 2. They thrive not for want of a right disposition within They love their lusts better then the truth and this barres the heart against holy Learning Intus existens prohibet alienum When their judgements are blinded with lusts and their hearts hardened through sin how should such thrive 2 Tim. 4.3 3. Or else they seek not after sound and saving truth but all their enquiry is after some curious novelty they love to heare and learne nothing else in this point being true Athenians Acts 17.21 Well they may toyle and take a great deal of pains for some aery notions and empty speculations that they may come ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to some kind of knowledge but never ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in the Text to such a knowledge as brings forth an acknowledgement of the truth in the power of it 4. Oft times they are meer Scepticks in Religion they are ready to question every thing but they believe nothing they have no foundation no resting place they lay out their mony but not for bread and therefore 't is no wonder if they spend their labour without being satisfied Error cannot satisfy the soul we must enquire for the good old way of truth and Holinesse if ever we would find rest for our souls Ier. 6.16 God who is the great Lord of all will have his commands obeyed not questioned He loves Currists and not Quaerists He prefers obedience before disputes We have disputed so long till we have almost disputed all Religion out of doores We should study rather to live well then dispute well therein lyes our happinesse Mat. 7.24.25 Iohn 13.17 The Spirit of God writes not Notions but Assertions in our hearts it establisheth them so with grace that the gates of hell cannot prevaile against it though such may by the violence of a tentation be moved yet are they like Mount Sion which can never be removed out of its place Heb. 10.23 and 13.9 Against Scepticks and Seekers See that excelent Tract of Mr. Gelaspy his Miscelanies cap. 10 11. yet how many delight in giddinesse and count it a bondage to fixe a belief affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting And though the Sect of the Phylosophers of that kind be gone yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veines though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the Ancients The Scepticisme and Affectation of Novelties is the great sin of England at this day As many are much taken with new Fashions so many are much taken with new Opinions new Doctrines new Teachers and new Expressions Yet the Apostle doth not blame these women simply for seeking after knowledge for the wiser sort of Heathens have commended that but he blames them for hunting after Novelties and vain speculations and in the meane time neglecting the sound and saving truths of the Gospel This is celeris cursus extra viam a swift running to destruction 'T is true all the godly are learners the knowledge of the truth is not Innata but acquisita not born with us but attained by means yet they are not ever learning they know the truth in which they firmly rest and from which they suffer not themselves to be moved and never till then have we profited in our learning when we are made so able to discern the truth as that we are satisfied with it and our consciences are at rest by it even in the saddest dangers Ephes. 4.13 14. 1 Thes. 1.5 6. 2 Pet. 1.12 2. I wish this were not the sin of silly men as well as of silly women to be alwayes learning yet never come to the knowledge of the truth how many are men in yeares yet children in understanding 1 Cor. 14.20 and when for the time they might have been Teachers they had need to be taught the elements of Religion Heb. 5.12 though the knowledge of the best in this life be imperfect and we are alwayes learners here yet we must strive forward toward perfection and not alwayes stick in the place of bringing forth Hos. 13.13 nor be like a horse in a mill still going round in
them These are those that poysen not bodies but soules as the harlot so these hunt for the precious soul. Prov. 6.26 they hatch the Cockatrice egges he that eates of their egges dyes and that which is crusht breakes forth into a Viper Isay 59.5 These are those that make rents and divisions in the Church whose Peace should be very deare unto us for though Unity be not the very being yet it tends much to the well-being of a Church These hinder the progresse of the Gospel when people should be praying weeping and humbling themselves together these set them to disputing wrangling and malicing one another 'T is Unity that spreads the Gospel and makes mountains to become a plain even the seven hills amongst the rest Were there that sweet Synceretismus or rather Synchristianismus that harmony of hearts and wayes as ought to be amongst the people of God how terrible would the Church be to her enemies 'T is these that breed tumults in the Church commotions in the Common-wealth that imbitter mens spirits one against another waste mens estates bring men to a morsell of bread and at last bring themselves to some untimely end Oh consider the sad Ends of many Hereticks and let their falls make you to feare Arrius voyded his bowells Iulian died blaspheming Simon Magus an Arch-Heretick who by his sorcery and feined miracles deluded many people who took him for a God Acts 8.10 attempting on a time to fly in the ayer in the sight of many people his divelish art failing him he fell to the ground and brake his leg which was his death Servetus was burnt for his blasphemies at Geneva Gibraldus the Heretick was swept away by the Plague Blandrate Physician to the King of Pâ—land a great Patron to Socinus and his followers was strangled in his bed by his Brothers son Alciat a Socinian died despairing Paleâ—logus an Arrian was burnt Francis David a proud Socinian died mad and was distracted with the sight of the Devill Lismanninus an Arrian drowned himself in a well Olympius that denied the Trinity was burnt to death with three Lightnings Beâ—old that Anabaptist King with his companions was tortured and put to death Humber was burnt Muntzer and Pheifer beheaded So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. Consider Gods hand on Nayler a Quaker and Sundercomb a Leveller and Mistris Hutchinson in New-England who was banisht for her Heresies and destroyed both she and her family by the Indians Parnel a Quaker famisht himself in Colchester Jayle trying to fast 40. dayes as Christ did Poole a Quaker in Dorcester drowned himselfe Quest. If any desire to know the Reasons why God suffers Seducers to abound he may find good store in Doctor Boltons Arraignment of error Pag. 5. to 55. in Mr. Brimslyes Spi. Vertigo p. 37. c. and Mr. Sherlock against the Quakers In fine cap. 6. p. 205. c. Vse 1. Since false Prophets are such Pestilent persons the Magistrate must not Tolerate them Who will Tolerate such as have Plague-sores running on them to go up and down infecting others or that have poyson to go up and down selling it instead of food Seducing Hereticks are worse those kill but the body these with their damnable Heresies destroy the soul. 2 Pet 2.1 and if such as steal away but their bodies must die Exod. 21.16 what shall be done to those that ruine the better part These are called Foxes Vipers Wolves Thieves troublers of the Church and therefore to be cut off not tolerated Galathians 5.12 Christ blames the Church of Thyatire for giveing a toleration to Iesabel Revelations 2.20 and commends the Church of Ephesus for not bearing with such as are evil Revelatâ—ons 2.2 and Iosiah is commended for compelling men to the worship of God 2 Chronicles 34.33 The Magistrate is the Minister of God and must be a terror to them that doe evil Romans 13. especially if they be compounded blasphemous seducing Hereticks they must be put to death Leviticus 24.14 Exodus 22.20 Deuteronomy 13.6.8 9. and 17.2.5 2 Chronicles 5.16 Ezra 7.26 Iosiah slayes the false Prophets 1 Kings 23.20 Elâ—jah commands the Priests of Baal to be slain 1 Kings 18.40 Object Lest any should think to evade these Proofs as Legall the prophet Zachary 13.3 prophesing of Gospel times tells us that if any shall be so bold as to teach lies that his father and mother shall cause him to be put to death alluding to that Deuteronomy 13. The equity of which Law still remains under the Gospel Better and with lesse danger is a Thief an Adulterer a murderer a Witch and Sorcerer tolerated then such an Heretick and Seducer As our large Annotations have it 'T is observed by a learned Divine That as in things of practice so of perswasion that are impious either in themselves or in their naturall unconstrained consequences the Plea of conscience is an Aggravation of the crime if mens consciences are â—eared and themselves given up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient there is no doubt but they ought to suffer such things as to such practices are assigned and appointed Thus he And if any shall object that these are tolerated but in corners The answer is easie if it be truth they teach why should it not have Churches if errour why should it have Chambers See more against Toler Mr. Ant. Burges on Iohn 7.21 Serm. 115. Mr. Gee on Prayer cap. 4. Sect. 7. p. 358. Mr. Iohn Clerk Ser. on Leaven p. 24.36 See 9. wayes by which the Magistrate may stop the flood of Heresies Mr. Obad. Sedgwicks Serm. on Revelation 12.15 p. 37. Preacht 1646. Iames 27. Mr. Edwards against Toleration Calvin contra Serv. inter Opuscul p. 694. Beza de Haert puniend Epistol contra Deditium Prins Treatise in defence of the Magistrates coercive power Mr. Rudderfords Treatise against Liberty of Conscience Doctor Taylor on Titus 3.1.10 p. 347 715. 2. Ministers must come forth to the helpe of the Lord against these daring Goliahs Even a Dogge will barke when hee seeth his Master wronged And a Craesus sonne that hath been dumbe all his life yet will speak when they offer violence to his father We are the Lords Watchmen and when we see the Wolf or the Theif approching we must give warning seducers are subtle and people can not easily discover their plots we must do it for them One great cause of so many abounding errors amongst us springs from Ministers 'T was whilest the watchmen slept that the enemy sowed his Tares Matthew 13.25 1. Some are ignorant dumb dogs and cannot bark 2. Others are scandalous and dare not for fear of being questioned themselves 3. Others see which way the times go and like dead fish they go down the stream they dare not displease they love to sleep in a whole skin and say as the great ones say But let us be the Lords witnesses against a perverse people this
thousands of Saints have gone before us in it 3. This following of them will evidence our salvation and assure us of our reigning with him in glory 1 Thes. 1.4 5 6. know Brethren your Election but how because ye became followers of us Peter Martyr tells a story of a deformed man had married a very deformed wife and being desirous to have handsome children he bought abundance of curious Pictures and caused his wife every day to view them and as he saith the man had handsome children The application is plain Let us set the beautifull examples of Gods Abrahams Pauls c. before us and then though by nature we are deformed yet by the assistance of Gods spirit enabling us to follow the holy examples of his people we shall become beautifull and lovely in Gods eye 2. Observe That 't is lawful sometimes and in some cases to mention those Graces which God hath given us Paul here to comfort and quicken Timothy tells him of his Faith Patience Long-suffering Afflictions and how the Lord delivered him out of all In other places he mentions what he had done and suffered for Christ. 1 Cor. 11. totall Phil. 1.12 13 14 c. Iob 29. and 31. declares his innocency and integrity to the world Self-commendation is lawful in eleven cases Caut. But then the Matter the measure the Manner and End must be good it must not be to advance our selves or exalt our own names as many Sectaries do who call themselves Saints The holy ones the servants of the living God but to bring glory to God and exalt his name What the Pharisees spake proudly and falsely a believer may speak humbly and truly Lord I blesse thee that I am not as vile as the vilest since by nature I am as vile as any 't is thy Free-Grace and distinguishing-love that hath made the difference My Doctrine Q. d. Thou hast known my doctrine to be sound and sincere without the mixture of humane inventions Nudus nudè nudam patefeci veritatem I have faithfully fed Christs flock with the sincere milk of his word and not as the false Prophets do with the chaffe of their own deceits and dreames One speciall note whereby to know a true Minister is his doctrine this is that fruit by which you may discern a false Prophe◠from a true one Matth. 6.16 by their fruit i. e. by their doctrine you may know them if they teach such things as infect the judgement with error or taint the life with uncleannesse though they seem never so holy note them for false Prophets Our Saviour by the truth of his doctrine proved himself to be sent of God Iohn 7.16 17 18. and 12.49 50. Paul commands Timothy to keep the pattern of wholsome words 2 Tim. 2.13 and Titus must be careful in appointing Ministers for the Church to chuse such as hold the faithful word Titus 1.7.9 Morall Vertues may be found with a false faith let not those Apples of Sodome deceive you for as there may be good doctrine where the life is bad so there may be false doctrine where the life is seemingly good Look therefore in the first place to the doctrine and in the second place to the vertues which seem to commend it so doth Paul here first he tells you his Doctrine was found and now he comes to declare his Graces and how he lived 2. Manner of Life Q. d. Thou hast not onely known my doctrine bnt my life also neither hast thou onely known an action or two but thou hast known the whole course and Series of my life partly as an eye-witnesse and from credible witnesses and clear demonstrations and how my conversation and doctrine have agreed Note That 't is an Houourable thing to joyn with sound doctrine an uncorrupt exemplary life and conversation They that believe in God must be Patterns of good works thus must Ministers perswade and induce beliefe Believe me for my works sake whether my doctrine be of God Iohn 13.38 It aggravateth the sin of unbelife when both doctrine and manners of life testify that it is of God Matth. 21.32 A Minister with true doctrine and a bad life weakens the credit of the truth he teacheth pulls down what he builds declares a profane heart in despising the doctrine delivered from God and incurres the Pharisaicall brand Matth. 23.3 They say but do not 3. Purpose Q. d. Thou hast throughly known my ends and aymes the intention and scope of all my doings and sufferings of my life and doctrine Thou knowest very well that I never sought my self my own ease profit pleasure or applause but the glory of God and the good of his Church have been the ultimate end of all my actions Quest. But who can know another mans purpose Answ. A close Hypocrite will hide it much but a sincere man cannot but manifest it to such as live familiarly with him and observe him Hence Note That good men have good aymes ends and purposes 'T is not sufficient that a mans actions be materially good but they must be formally and finally good the bent and intent of the heart must be right 'T is the end which denominates the action and makes it either good or bad Religious duties are to be tried not onely by their Acts but specially by their Ends. A man may do that which for matter is right in the sight of the Lord yet if he do it not with an upright heart all is nothing 2 Chron. 25.2 Iohn in destroying the house of Ahab did that which was right in Gods sight but because his End was Selfe God afterward deales with him as with a Murderer Hosea 1.4 Let us therefore get honest ond good hearts Luke 8.15 and then our intents and purposes will be good and we shall finde acceptation with God in what we do 1 Kings 3.6 and 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. 4. Faith Long-suffering Love Patience Foure Graces which grace and adorne a Christian but specially a Minister of Christ. My faith q. d. thou hast throughly known my fidelity and faithfulness in the discharge of my Ministerial duties viz. in Preaching Praying Watching and disputing against gainsayers So the word faith is used Titus 2.10 shewing all good faithfulnesse viz. in the discharge of their duties 2. It notes Pauls firme affiance and confidence in God by which he was enabled to undergoe all those labours dangers and difficulties which he met with in his way without despair or despondency as Antipas is said to be faithfull to the death Rev. 2.13 so Paul persevered in the faith of Christ even to the end Obsorve 'T is a Ministers glory to be faithful in his place and calling that we are which we are in our Relations and Callings When a Minister is studious in the Law of God diligent in praying preaching and watching over the flock doing all out of a love to God and deep compassion to the soules of the
them 'T is a great felicity not to be overcome by felicity and it argues strength of grace when we can carry low sayls in a high condition and like Pigeons when they fare best fear most The only way to have our mercies continued is to devote them to Gods praise he never repents of doing good to those who speak good of his name Now in the summer of prosperity let 's lay up something against the winter of adversity Iob 3.25 with the prudent man foresee the storm and arm for to meet it Prov. 22.3 and 27.12 As sure as now we live so sure a change will come which we should wait for and expect Iob 14.14 summer lasts not always the Sun doth not alwayes shine we should therefore in health prepare for sickness in Peace for war in life for death and in dayes of spiritual plenty prepare for scarcity laying up a good foundation against the time co come that we may obtain eternal life See Directions how to use prosperity in Scudders daily walking cap. 12. Chanon of Wisdom l. 2. c. 7. p. 313. Downams Guide to Godlinesse l. 3. c. 33. p. 343. VERSE 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them WEE are now come to the third and last part of this Chapter in which the Apostle exhorts Timothy to constancy and perseverance in the truth which he had taught him q. d. 'T is true in these last dayes seducers shall arise who shall have successe for a time in their seducing drawing many into errors with them yet let not these things affright thee do not thou maligne malignants nor envy the successe of the erronious chuse none of their wayes but since thou hast a better Master and hast been taught better doctrine and that from a child be not despondent my son but constantly and couragiously keep the truth committed to thy charge as becomes a faithfull Pastor against all opposers and Impostors whatsoever Now since man is a Rational creature and so is better led by Reasons then forced by Rigour therefore the Apostle presseth his Exhortation to perseverance upon Timothy by Arguments drawn 1. From his Master and Teacher 2. From Timothy who was the Schollar 3. From the matter which he had been taught The first Argument is drawn from the Authority of the person from whom he had received the doctrine viz. from Paul who was an Apostle of Christ guided and inspired by his Spirit and had taught him nothing but what he had received from Christ and therefore his message was to be regarded as if Christ himself had spoken to him Gal. 4.14 Knowing of whom thou hast learnt them See how modestly and sparingly the Apostle speaks of himself and how unlike the language of the Sectaries of our times is Pauls language here 2. From the fidelity which is required in those to whom the truth of God is committed Since this heavenly doctrine was committed to him to be kept as a sacred Treasury and choyce depositum therefore he ought with all care and courage to preserve it For what things we are intrusted withall those things we must faithfully keep this even nature teacheth us But the Truths of God are committed to thee O Timohy to be faithfully kept and as occasion requires to be publisht to the world 1 Tim. 1.11 and 6.20 and 2.1.14 The words are diversly rendred our Translators render it And hast been assured of But Tindal Calvin Beza Aretius Espencaeus and the Vulgar Latin with others render it And have been committed to thee or with which thou hast been entrusted And the Originall seems to favour this last Translation for the words are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae credidisti which thou hast believed or been assured of but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae tibi credita commissa sunt conservanda promulganda Keep the things which have been committed and commended to thy charge with all care and diligence that thou mayest be able to give a good account to him whose these truths are and who hath committed them to thy charge 3. From his long acquaintance with the Scripture by reason of his good education viz. from his childhood what we learn when young takes a deep Impression so that we cannot easily unlearn it but thou O Timothy hast learned the Scriptures from thy infancy and therefore it were a shame for thee who hast been taught so early the way of the Lord now to turn from it and forsake it Continue therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the things which thou hast learned I exhort thee to no new or hard thing all that I beg of thee is that thou wouldest keep the truth which hath already been taught theee for it would argue want of judgement and folly in thee now to forsake it 4. His last argument is drawne from the Excellency of the Scriptures V. 15 16 17. But continue thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But do thou abide keep thy station and maintain the doctrine which I have taught thee against all opposition whatsoever thou must certainly look to be put to it be therefore resolute and constant The Apostle lays a But in Timothies way to keep him from wandring q. d. what ever others do though they fall away more and more and grow worse and worse yet do thou continue stedfast in the truth thou hast received Hence Observe Whatever others do yet Gods faithful Ministers and servants must not depart from the truth Though Israel play the harlot yet Iudah must not sin Hos. 4.15 will ye also go away saith Christ. Iohn 6.67 though Temporaries may fall away yet it becomes not you who are my disciples indeed so to do Let others serve Idols if they please yet we must resolve that we and ours will serve the Lord. Iosh. 14.15 So did Noah Lot Ioseph Elijah Obadiah Nehemiah and the Church of Pergamus which held fast the truth even where Satan had his Throne Rev. 2.13 and the Saints in Nero's Court. Phil. 4.22 We must not follow a multitude to do evill Exod. 23.2 nor erre with others though they be never so good Ne cum Platone errandum est We must get an Holy not a fantastick singularity we are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World and must therefore do more then others Matth. 5.47 Christ expects more from us then he doth from Formalists Moralists and Hypocrites The righteous excells his wicked neighbour Prov. 12.26 We must not be like children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine but like the righteous we must be an everlasting foundation Prov. 10.25 We must be singularly Pure Holy Humble Self-denying c. Men love to be singular in every thing save Piety they would be singularly Wise singularly Rich singular fine but oh that men would turn their singularity the right way and become singularly
are but Truths twinnes Civil Truth is good but the least Evangelical Truth is of more worth then all the Civil Truths in the world that are meerly so 3. Naturally wee desire Liberty now Truth is the Parent of all true Liberty whether it bee Political or Personal so much Untruth so much Thraldome so much Truth so much Liberty Iohn 8.32 4. If you preserve the Truth it will preserve you in the hour of Temptation as Solomon sayes of wisdom Prov. 4.8 exalt her and she shall exalt you So keep the truth and it will keep you from falling as it did the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.10 so thou shalt stand as an impregnable rock when others fly as the Chaffe before the wind The Truth of God in judgement is one of the Eyes of the soul he that wants it is blind and cannot see afar off Now as a clear eye is a very great help for the discerning of a danger before it comes so a clear distinct knowledg of the truth is a very great help to us to discern a Temptation before it be upon us and to discover the Methods and Depths of Satan that he may not surprize us unawares 5. 'T is a great honour to a person or Nation to be the Conservators and Preservers of the Truths of God 'T is not only our Duty but our Glory This honour formerly belonged to the Jewes to them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 God hath now entrusted us with this choyce Treasure the Lord help us to keep it pure both in Judgement and Practice lest it be taken from us Let us all in our places preserve it from violence with all our might There are many spiritual Cheaters abroad the greater will our honour be in maintaining Gods Truth against them all 'T was Shammahs honour one of Davids Worthies that he kept his ground and got a great victory when others â—led 2 Sam. 23.12 Say not I am but one and a weak one too but remember what great things the Lord did by Athanasius and Luther when they had all the world against them One man holding forth truth shall be too strong for all the world for truth unites us to God and God to us it ingageth God in our quarrel and so makes us invincible for if God be with us who can be against us so as to hurt us and destroy us Rom. 8.31 Bradford writing to his friends tells them never shall the enemy be able to burn the truth or prison and keep it in bonds us they may prison bind and burn but our Cause Religion and Doctrine they shall never be able to burn The story of the man in the Councill of Nice is well known where a Christian of no great Learning converted a Learned man whom all the Bishops with their skill and eloquence could not perswade so long as the matter went by words he opposed words with words but when instead of words power came out of the mouth of the speaker words could not withstand truth nor man stand out against God Many wonder why Ministers are so earnest and zealous in defending the truth why 't is a depâ—situm which God hath entrusted us withall and 't is well observed that it 's a greater sin to imbezill or alter that then any thing we have borrowed because this is committed to our justice but a depositum to our faithfullnesse the deposition doth rest upon us as trusty men Let Gods truth then be dearer to us then our dearest lives our lives will not be worth the enjoying if God take his truth from us let us beseech him rather to take our lives away rather then take the light of the Gospel away And hast been assured of If you read the words so The Observation will be this That Ministers should be assured of those things which they teach to others They should not only have a Head knowledge or an aery empty notionall speculative knowledge but an experimentall practical knowledge They must believe before they speak Psalme 116.10 that so they may speak from the heart to the heart and may bring their meat in their breasts and not as birds do in their Beaks Knowing of whom thou hast learned them 1. Observe That gracious men are modest men The Apostle doth not boast of himself to Timothy nor proclaim his Learning gifts c. He onely tells him in brief Thou knowest of whom thou hast learnt them 2. Observe The excellency of the Teacher makes the Doctrine the more taking This we see even in Humane and Moral Learning the Platonick Doctrine grew famous because it was profest by Socrates and the Peripatetick by Aristotle The Schollars of Pythagoras did so confide in the Dictates of their Master that when any one askt them a Reason of what they held they would give no other answer but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ipse dixit our Master said so yet these were Heathens but when we have an aged holy Paul for our Master who was an Apostle of Christ the Pen-man of the Holy Ghost and guided more immediately by the Spirit of God then we must with constancy adhere to what they teach us and attend to their doctrine as if Christ himself taught us Gal. 4.14 for his Ambassadours they are and he that heareth them heareth him Young Timothies especially should hearken to the instructions of aged Pauls who have born the heat of the day and by experience can teach us the ways of God Years should be heard speak Iob 32.7 Young Ministers should suspect their own judgements when they vary from an Holy aged Calvin Beza and all the Churches of God As young Lawyers and Physitians observe the Principles and Practices of the serious and grave Professours of their way especially when grounded on Maxims and Rules of Art So should young Divines It ill becomes a young raw Physitian to contradict a whole Colledge of Physitians or a Puny Lawyer a Bench of Judges or a young Divine a whole Assembly of Divines 'T is the looseness of the times that makes young men so bold When Government is settled they will either change their note or be made ashamed of it VERSE 15. And that from a Childe thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Iesus THese words contain a third Argument by which the Apostle presseth Timothy to perseverance viz. because he knew the Scriptures not onely from his Childe-hood but even from his Infancy and from a suckling i. so soon as ever he was able to learn the Scriptures he was presently taught them 1. Observe Parents ought to instruct their Children betimes in the Word of God It s good seasoning the Vessel betimes with goodness Lois Timothies Grandmother and Eunice his Mother taught him as soon as he was capable the way of the Lord 2 Timothy 2.5 Timothies Father was a Greek and Gentile but his
Mother being a believing Iewess seeth to the instructing of her son Acts 16.1 for the Iewes were very careful to teach their children the Old Testament betimes so that their skill therein saith the Learned Buxtorfe was more at 17. then our men at 70. and they were able to answer any Question in the Law as readily as to their own names saith Iosephus Hannah devoted her Samuel whilest he was very young to God 1 Sam. 1.22 and 2.11.24 He began his service in the Tabernacle in his Childhood that he might the better be instructed in Gods Law and be acquainted with all the Parts Passages and wayes of Divine Worship from his tender youth that so in his age he might keep the closer to it 'T is a singular mercy to have good Parents and specially a good Mother for she being much about her children hath many opportunities of dropping good things into her little Lemuels as Bathsheba did into Solomon Proverbs 31.1 The Mothers of the Kings of Israel are constantly mentioned and as they were good or evil so were their Children Partus sequitur ventrem the Birth followes the belly and such as the Mother such usually are the children Ezekiel 16.44 Question But at what age would you have Parents begin to teach their children Answer So soon as ever they begin to learn wickedness we should teach them goodness so soon as ever they begin to curse and swear we should teach them to bless and pray When Children can mock Elisha and call him Bald-pate it is time to change their Language and teach them to cry Hosanna to Christ so that we should endeavour to sow the Seeds of Piety and Religion in their hearts so soon as they are able to speak and are come to the Use of Reason and Understanding endeavouring that as they grow in years so they may increase in Grace and Knowledge Objection This is in vain say prophane lazie Sectaries to teach children the Words and Termes of Piety since they doe not understand them Answer Though Children whilest very young cannot come to much understanding yet the having of Scripture Phrase and Texts by heart is very usefull and will much steed them when they come to years of discretion and are able to dive deeper into the meaning of those things which they retain perfect in their memories from their Childehood We should therefore nurse and nourish them up betimes in the knowledge of Gods Word as Timothy was 1 Tim. 4.6 There are many Reasons why Youth should be seasoned betimes with good Principles 1. In respect of that Natural rudeness and ignorance which cleaves so close unto them Eccles. 3.18 Iob 11.12 Ieremiah 4.22 and 10.14 We are all by Nature like wild Asse-Colts Unteachable Untractable An Asse is the dullest and foolishest of all creatures and a wilde Asse is the dullest and most unteachable of Asses yet such a wild â—â—sse-Colt is man by Nature lewdness and folly is bound up in his heart it is rooted and settled there till instruction and correction fetch it away Proverbs 22.15 2. The Lord oft blesses this seasoning in youth with good success as we see in Solomon whom his Father and Mother taught betimes Prov. 4.3.4 and 32.1 and here in Timothy who after became an Evangelist and a choyce pillar in Gods House for the good of many So Samuel who was given up to God betimes what an excellent instrument was he in the Church of God Abraham that taught his children and servants the way of the Lord Genesis 14.14 and 18 19. what obedient Children and servants had he 2. It is usually blest with continuance and perseverance such as are good young are oft good long what the 〈◊〉 is first seasoned withall it will have a taste of it a long time after What we learn whilest young it will last with us so that we seldome or never loose it Prov. 22.6 and therefore to incourage Parents God promiseth if they will faithfully discharge their duty that he will preserve their Children from Apostacy Psal. 71.5.6 9.14.17.18 3. This is an excellent means to propagate goodness to Posterity as we see here Timothies Grandmother teacheth his Mother and his Mother teacheth him and he teacheth the Church of God c. So if you teach your children they will teach their children and thou mayest be a means to propagate Gods Truth and Honour from one Generation to another So that you may comfort yourselves when you come to die that yet your Piety shall not die but shall survive in your posterity who shall stand up in your steed to profess Gods name and truth before a sinful world 4. Such well-bred and timely-taught Children are usually great comforts and ornaments to their Parents Proverbs 23.15.16 24 25. as we see in Abel Ioseph Samuel Iosiah 2 Chron. 34.3 Obadiah 1 Kings 18.12 David Daniel Ieremy All of them began betimes to serve God and were men of renown in their generations which may help to take off that Satanical slander which is so rife in the world viz. that young Saints will be old Devils they cannot hold out Whereas the contrary is commonly most true viz. that young Devils will be old Beelzebubs when those that are good betimes usually persevere in goodness Proverbs 22.6 But such as are fondly bred and left to themselves are the Parents shame and sorrow and oft come to untimely Ends Proverbs 29.15 as Absalom Esaâ— Adonijah 5. Children are the Seminary and Nursery of the Church and common-wealth now as our Seminaries and Seed-plots are such is the Nation as the Parents House and School are such are Towns and Cities Our seasoning in youth hath a great influence upon our lives and therefore the Devil and the world strive for youth for look what people are between 18. years of Age and 30. such usually they are all their dayes Drunkards then and Drunkards for ever lewd then and lewd for ever 6. Youth is most Teachable and Tractable like soft wax or clay fit to be formed and framed to any thing ready to take any Impression Like a tender twigg â—ou may bend it which way you please but let it grow to be a tree and you may sooner break it then bend it We should therefore take this fit season of seasoning youth betimes with saâ—ing Truths and killing the weeds of sin which begin to appear in their lives It s good bearing Gods Yoke whether of Correction Doctrine or Discipline in our Youth Lamentations 3.27 No creature so wild but it may be tamed if taken whilest young We see those that would teach or tame Horses Lions Hawkes Dogs Bears they begin with them betimes the Horse is broken whilest a Colt and the Lion tamed whilest its a Whelp c. Vse This must stir up Parents to season the tender years of their Children with Principles of Grace This is a duty of Great consequence and therefore the Lord 〈◊〉
us with such certainty as they have been kept in Scripture and delivered to us So that what David said of himselfe is true of all the Pen-men of Holy Scripture the Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his Word was in my tongue 2 Samuel 23.2 it is he that spake by the mouth of his Holy Prophets Luke 1.70 And bid them Write Revelations 14.13 They spake not what pleased themselves but they spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Peter 1.21 they were powerfully moved acted and carried out of themselves to write say and doe what God would have them Nehemiah 9.30 Micah 3.8 Acts 28.25 Hebrewes 13.7 2. He commends the Scriptures for their usefulnesse and profit which they bring both to Teacherâ— and Hearers which is foure-fold whereof two are Theorerical pertaining to the information of our judgements in matters of Doctrine 1. Teaching the Truth 2. Confuting Errours Two are Practical pertaining to the direction of our lives viz. First for Correction or Reformation of Vice And secondly for instruction in Paths of Righteousnesse 1. They are profitable for Doctrine and Instruction they teach men what to know and believe they instruct us in all Truth necessary to salvation viz. concerning God Man Christ Law Gospel Heaven Hell He first begins with Doctrine which in Order must goe before all the rest for it is in vain to reprove or exhort unlesse we first teach a man inform him of his duety 2. For reproof of Errour and Confutation of false Doctrine A right thing is a sufficient judge of its own straitnesse and the crookednesse of another thing There is an Elencticall power in the Scripture to stop the mouths of gain-sayers and to discover the by-Paths of wicked men Titus verse 9. We need not run to General Councils or send for Ancient Fathers to determine Controversies or confute Errours We have the Holy Scriptures that enable the Man of God and furnish him richly for that purpose 3. For correction of sin and evil manners which is done by admonition and reproof denouncing Gods judgements against them that those which go astray may be brought into the way by Repentance 4. The Scripture teacheth us how to lead an Holy and Righteous life according to the Will of God and so is profitable for instruction in Righteousness and good workes it being the most perfect Rule of Righteousnesse 5. The Scripture allures us to Piety by the sweet promises of the Gospel and so is profitable for consolation Romans 15.4 which is comprehended either under Doctrine or Instruction for he that will comfort another must first inform him of the Wisedome and Goodnesse of God to his Elect and how all things work together for good to those that are good There is no internal tentation nor any external affliction but you may finde a Medicine for it in the Scriptures So that in these 4 branches is contained â—he summe of Christianity Before I proceed any further it will be necessary to remove a block or two out of the way Bellarmine himself confesseth that this is one of the chiefest places that we have to prove the Scriptures perfection and therefore both he and Estius have invented all the wayes they can to invade the force of it 1. Say they the Apostle speaks here of the Old Testament for the New Testament was not yet added to the Canon nor some part of it written as the Epistles and the Revelation of Saint Iohn especially when Timothy was an Infant Now if the Old Testament say they were a perfect Rule then the New Testament would be superfluous and void Answer By Scripture here is meant not onely the Old Testament but also the New say some because all the Books of the New Testament were then extant when Paul writ this latter Epistle to Timothy which was the last of all Pauls Epistles as is gathered from 2 Timothy 4.6 So that then there were extant all Pauls Epistles all the Evangelists and all the Books of the New Testament excepting the writings of Iohn and as some conceive the writings of Luke 2. To omit conjectures let us grant that the Apostle speaks of the Old Testament and that he acknowledgeth they were able to make a man wise to salvation 'T is true they were so neither doe the writings of the Apostles adde any thing as to the substance of the Old Testament they onely explain the Law and the Prophets clearly shewing that Christ is come according as the Prophets foretold Acts 28.23 3. What was written in every Age was sufficient for that Age and the Books which were extant in these times were a sufficient Rule for the Church in those dayes Thus the five Books of Moses till the other Books of Scripture were extant were a perfect Rule So the Books of the Old Testament which were extant when Timothy was a child were a sufficient Rule yea and before there was any thing written Tradition alone was sufficient neither was any thing written so necessary but they might be saved without it But now since God hath revealed his mind in the Holy Scriptures we must to the Law and to the Testimony 4. I Answer by way of Retortion if the Parts of Scripture as they were delivered were sufficient for the Instruction of those to whom they were delivered then the whole Scripture à fortiori which now we have must needs be most sufficient for us and for all the Churches of God to the end of the world if the Old Testament were so proâ—itable how great is the profit and perfection of both Old and New together 2. Objection A second Cavil is this That the Scripture is not a Total and sufficient Rule but onely a Partial one and though it be profitable yet 't is not sufficient without unwritten Traditions They are not here excluded no more then Second Causes are excluded saith Bellarmine from the generating of things in the World as the Sun c. Answer If the Scripture contain all things necessary to salvation then 't is a perfect and not a partial Rule But it doth contain all things necessary to salvation Ergo The Minor I prove thus If the O. T. did contain all things necessary to salvation and were sufficient without Traditions then à fortiori both Testaments together must needs be sufficient But the Antecedent is true and therefore the consequent The Scripture alone is able saith the Apostle to make us wise to salvation and therefore it must needs be sufficient 2. The comparison from the Sun holds not because unto generation second causes must necessarily concur but for Regeneration here is such a full enumeration of all things to be done that no more needs be added and therefore Traditions are vain Besides 't is well observed that the word in the Original signifieth not onely profit and conveniency but also perfection and sufficiency the Scriptures have an All-sufficiency in
the body that I may be presently with Christ in Heaven Or as the word will bear I desire to depart this life and to dislodge as those that quit their Innes to further their travel homeward or such as goe to Sea and set sail for another Countrey who weigh Anchor and are gone So saith the Apostle I am here as an exile and like as a stranger I desire to be freed from this banishment and to set sail for Heaven Thus the Word is often used for a departing Luke 8.38 and going home Luke 9.31 and 12.36 Matthew 14.23 Observations Observation 1. 1. But watch thou The Apostasie and loosenesse of the times we live in must make us the more watchful Their falls must be our fears their Levity must quicken us to Constancy and their negligence must quicken our diligence in keeping the Watch of the Lord. Like Salmons we must swimme against the streame of corrupt times and keep our selves pure not onely from the grosse Blottes but even from the Spottes of the Age wee live in Good men in evill dayes are compelled to be Singular in many things as Lot in Sodome and Iohn in the Land of Vz but they never affect singularity affectation of singularity argues pride Observation 2. Good men desire the Churches good after their departure Paul is dying yet he commands Timothy to improve his talents for the Churches good when himself was dead Moses before he dies prayes the Lord to set up a fit Ruler in steed Numbers 27.16 17. Elisha wept for the mischief that Hazaâ—l would doe to Gods people when he was gone So did Isai 22.4 5. when he saw a day of trouble coming on the Church though himself lived not to see it yet he wept bitterly David set his son upon his Throne before he died and gave him a strict charge to maintain the truth Peter 2.1 15. endeavoured to keep the truths he had taught in remembrance after his death Christ prayes for the welfare of the Church after his departure Iohn 17. Wicked men care not what becomes of the world when they are dead and gone let heaven and earth come together and all be in confusion they care not But good men have publick spirits Observation 3. As all persons so Ministers especially must watch The Devil hath a special spight at them he commands his agents as the King of Aram did his followers to fight neither with small nor great but against the King of Israel so he bends all his strength against the Ministers of Israel What Luther said of Magistrates is most true of faithful Ministers They are the common Buts which the Devil and his Factors shoot at We are watch-men by office and so are bound to the duty by a double tye 1. As Christians Mark 13. ult What I say unto one I say unto all watch Christs Disciples must not be secure Luke 21.34 The better the man the more watchful must he be The Pyrat sets on the laden Ship and the Thief upon the wealthiest Traveller But we must watch as Pastors too we must stand upon our watch-tower to descry dangers and discover Wolves that would destroy the Flock 2. We must watch at all times 1. In prosperity as Pigeons when they fare best fear most Then we are most apt to forget God Hence Iob 3.25 in his highest prosperity foresaw a storm and prepared for it Christ would have his to watch and pray alwayes Luke 21.36.2 Watch in adversity the Devil is busie then in laying snares as the Fowler doth for Birds in frosty weather When we be in tentations then watch and pray that you be not overcome by them Matth. 26.41 3. In all places in publick and private at home and abroad the world is full of snares Art solitary yet watch for then Christ was tempted Matth. 4.1 Goest thou to Markets fairs and publick meetings thou art encompast with dangers Ibi latet imò patet anguis in herba 4. Watch in all things so runs the Text. Watch unto prayer take the fittest opportunity for that duty Ephes. 6.18 1 Pet. 4.7.2 Watch in prayer against destractions sleep c. Colos. 4.2 So watch unto hearing take all opportunities to hear Iames 1.19 Wait on wisedoms posts Pro. 8.34.2 Watch in hearing take heed how ye hear Luke 8.18 5. Watch against all sins We carry about us a proness to all sin Even the best men have the root of the basest sins in their bosoms as we see in Lot Noah David Solomon How fouly did they fall when they did but a little neglect the watch of the Lord especially we must watch 1. Against the sins of our natures and constitutions Psal. 18.23 2. Against the sins of our particular callings There are several sins which accompany several callings Ministers are prone to idleness and flattery Magistrates to covetousness and bribery Trades-man to consenage and forgery c. Watch against the sins of the Nation which thou livest in The sins of our age are Atheism Formality Hypocrisie Pride and Impenitency 6. Watch over all thy senses stop thine ears make a covenant with thine eyes Iob 31.1 Set a watch before thy mouth The whole soul is out of order and therefore we must set a Guard upon all its faculties especially upon the understanding which is the primum mobile and sets all the rest on work Warring and watching go together Our war is perpetual and so must our watch be Iob. 14.14 We are beset round with many dangerous enemies which calls for sobriety and watchfulness 1 Pet. 5.8 1. The Devil is a dreadful enemy if we consider his power malices subtilety and sedulity If one of these make an enemy terrible how terrible must that enemy be in whom all these four meet if an enemy be malicious if yet he want power or if he have power and malice yet if he want pollicy or if he have malice power and policy yet if he be lazy and careless there is the less danger But where malice is accompanied with power and that seconded with craft and all heightned with diligence it concerns men to watch against such an adversary The World also hath many dangerous tentations and above all we our selves are the sorest enemies to our selves Saul Goliah and Absalom now of the three Absalom was the worst because a child and so a bosom enemy This inbred enemy which lies in our own bosoms is that which doth us all the mischief God who hath made our hearts and knows them better then we our selves hath told us Ierem. 17.9 That the heart of man is deceitful 2. Deceitful above all things 3. Wicked 4. Desperately wicked 5. Yea so desperately wicked that none can thoroughly know how wicked it is A sad clymax and gradation By which we see that the heart is the most deceitful and the most deceiveable both actively and passively of any thing in the world This should make us keep a very strict watch
my course I am come to the period of my dayes and to the end of my race I have not onely begun but grace assisting me I have finisht fulfilled and consummated my course or race He seems to allude to the course of his whole life which after his conversion was spent in the service of Christ and as it were wholly in running from place to place speedily to disperse the Gospel and now he was come to the last stage or Goal at Rome where he was to receive his Garland after the manner of those who ran for prizes 1 Cor. 9.24 25. And if the life of other men be called a course Acts 13.25 Surely the life of Paul may well be called a Race who so swiftly ran through so many places and Provinces and won them to Christ Rom. 15.19 Gal. 1.17 18. and 2. 2 Philip. 2.16 Heb. 12.1 q. d. I have accomplisht the course of my Apâ—stleship of Christianity of my afflictions and combats as my Saviour when he was giving up the Ghost said 't is finished so may I say according to my measure and degree I have not onely begun but I have finisht the work of my Lord and Master I have kept the Faith 3. This third Metaphor say some is taken from Depositaries who faithfully keep the things committed to their trust without embezelment 2. Others say the Metaphor of a Souldier is still continued who promiseth fidelity to his commander and performs it to the death The sense is the same either way Fidelity is required of all servants but specially of Depositaries and Souldiers This Faith Paul had 1. He kept the grace of saving Faith which was committed to him as a signal gift of God in which he persevered to the end 2. He was faithful in keeping the doctrine of Faith what in him lay from corruption and in a faithful propagation of that choice Treasury to posterity in despite of the Legal Jew or the profane Gentile And thus the word Faith is often taken in Scripture 1 Tim. 1.19 and 3.9 and 4.1 So Acts 6.7 they obeyed the Faith .i. the Gospel which is the doctrine of Faith So Acts 24.24 Rom. 1.5 and 3.31 Rev. 2.19 So Saul is said to preach the Faith .i. the doctrine of Faith which sometimes he persecuted Gal. 1.23 so Phil. 1.27 Iude 3.3 The word Faith sometimes signifies fidelity and constancy in our promises and engagements So Paul saies of himself that he was a Teacher of the Gentiles in Faith and truth .i. he was a faithful and sincere Teacher of them 1 Tim. 2.7 I have not taught for gain or applause neither have I taught the fancies and inventions of men but I have plainly taught them the Faith of Christ. So Tit. 2.18 Though it be true that Paul kept the Faith in all these acceptations of the word yet Calvin conceives that the Apostle hath some allusion to military fidelity q. d. I have been faithful to Christ my commander to the last breath and have kept the Faith committed to my trust in despite of all the frowns and flatteries of its enemies 'T was a custome amongst the Romans that none should go to the wars till they had first taken the military Oath called the Sacrament to be faithful and true to the Emperour to observe all his commands never to flye from their colours nor to refuse any death so they might be serviceable to the Common-wealth Such an Oath we all take at Baptism we there renounce the Devil and all his works and devote our selves to God and his service for ever This is general and common to all Christians But there is a more special fidelity required in Ministers whom God hath in trusted with his Sacred Oracles and truths such stewards especially must be faithful 1 Cor. 4.2 such a one was Paul he was not onely faithful as a Christian in general but as a Pastor he faithfully distributed to all the bread of life without the leaven of superstition the poison of heresy or the chaff of mans inventions 2 Tim. 2.15 and therefore now he 's dying he cannot but glory in this and speaks of it with confidence and comfort I have kept the faith Now happy yea thrice happy are those who when they come neer their end and are within the Horizon of eternity can speak Pauls words with Pauls Spirit and can truly say I have fought the good fight c. Verse 8. Paul now looks upward to the Reward and there he sees heaven prepared for him yea he sees himself as 't were already there which makes him speak so confidently both of a safe deliverance from all miseries in this life v. 18. and of enjoying eternal blessedness after this life He still persists in the Metaphor taken from valiant wrastlers and strenuous runners which conquer in the Olympick games they had a crown either of Bayes Ivy Olive or Parsly bestowed on them by way of honour much more will the Lord bestow an everlasting crown of life on those spiritual Heroes who overcome the enemies of their Salvation Many take great pains to little purpose I have not done so saith Paul I have fought a good fight and am assured of a crown of life at last however it go with me now He had committed a depositum to God he trusted him with his Salvation 2 Tim. 1.12 and God had deposited his truth to him now Paul kept the truth which God had left with him and therefore he did believe that God would keep that which he had committed to him So that if I had three things to wish I should wish for Pauls threefold crown 1. The crown of Grace a great measure of Grace to do Christ much service 2. His crown of Joy a great measure of joy to go through with that service 3. The crown of Glory which he was here assured of In the words we have first the concluding Particle henceforth lastly as for that which remains 2. We have the Reward of the faithful no less then a crown not gold or fading flowers but a crown with an adjunct a crown of Righteousness which is a Periphrasis of Heaven and eternal happiness 3. The person Rewarding Christ who is here Periphrastically described by two Titles viz. Lord and Judge together with an adjunct a Righteous Iudge 4. Here are the persons Rewarded not onely Paul but also all the faithful who are here described by their affection to Christ they love and long for his coming to Judgment 5. Hence the certainty of this Reward 'T is laid up for them and he is righteous and faithful who hath promised 6. Here is the Time when they shall receive this Reward or the day of their Coronation and that is In that day .i. at that great and glorious day of the Lord when he shall come to Judge the quick and dead and shall give to every one according to his works The Explication Henceforth Lastly or as for that which
Master Henry Smiths Sermon on 1 Corinthians 9.24 and 5.35 and Doctor Taylors Sermon in Folio on the same Text in fine Pages 78 c. Master Hierons Sermon on Matthew 7.13 page 10. Folio Doctor Sibbs on Philippians 3.14 page 136 c. I have kept the Faith Hence Observe The Doctrine of Faith must be carefully kept It is a sacred Depositum which God hath intrusted us withall and we may in no wise falsifie our trust We are Stewards and fidelity is especially required in them 1 Corinthians 14.2 Paul kept the Faith both wayes 1. As a Christian in his Judgement Will Affections and in the whole course of his Life after his conversion 2. As a Minister he published it fully and faithfully and defended it with the losse of Liberty and Life He had rather die then any man should make his rejoycing in the faithful spreading of the Gospel vain 1 Cor. 9.15 He did not conceal for fear or favour any part or parcel of Gods truth from his people He taught the whole truth nothing but the truth in truth unto them To quicken us let us Consider 1. If we keep the Faith it will keep us what Solomon saith of Wisedom is true also of Faith Proverbs 4.8 Exalt her and she will promote thee to honour It will protect its Protectors and is its own reward they shall be Conquerours that embrace it Revel 12.11 2. We shall get such Riches as will goe with us to Heaven It will comfort us when we come to die if we can truely say with Paul I have kept the Faith A Faithfull Steward giveth up his account with joy and Christ will receive him with an Euge Matthew 25.21 For this Christ commendeth Moses Hebrewes 3.1 2. and the Church of Thyatira Revelations 2.19 I know thy Faith id est Thou hast faithfully served me in thy place and calling This was the honour of Tychicus Ephesians 6.21 and Timothy 1 Corinthians 4.17 that they were faithful Ministers of Christ such shall abound with blessings here Proverbs 28.20 and shall have a Crown of Glory hereafter Revelations 2.10 Let us then every one in our several places Magistrates Ministers Parents preserve the Faith of Christ and propagate it to Posterity as Abraham did Genesis 18 19. Let us keep a good Conscience which is the Cabinet of Faith he that maketh shipwrack of the one cannot long keep the other 1 Tim. 1.19 VERSE 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crowne of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Iudge shall give me at the last day and not to me onely but unto them also that love his appearing Observe THe godly in this life may be assured of their salvation Paul had fought the good fight and now see his confidence and assurance of a Crown of Life many run in other Races and loose all but Paul was assured of his reward Romans 8.38 and least any should think he had this by extraordinary Revelation he telleth us that all believers have it this Crown is not onely prepared for me but for all that love Christs appearing id est for all believers They that believe know they have Eternal life 1 John 5.13 This assurance is common to them though not in a like measure to all The certainty of Faith is stronger then that of Sense because of Gods Power and Promise who is Faithful and cannot deny himselfe nor deceive his People This is that hundred fold which is given in this life which is of more worth then all the Riches of the World 'T is that better part which can never be taken from us Objection The grand Objection of the Arminians is That no man can be assured of his perseverance and by Consequence he can have no Assurance of his Salvation Answer I deny the Argument God hath by his Promises which are infallible assured them of their perseverance and by Consequence of their Salvation He hath promised to builde his Church and if he will build it it is not all the power and poâ—icie of Hell that can prevail against it Matthew 16.18 God who hath chosen them is stronger then all and none can plucke them out of his hand He hath promised to keep them by his Almighty Power through Faith to Salvation so that the Mountaines shall remove and the Hills depart before he will breake his Covenant of Peace with his People Isay 54.10 And because we are weak and unable of our selves to persevere therefore God hath promised abilities for that Ezekiel 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes to keep my judgements and doe them And I will plant my fear in their hearts that they shall never depart from me Jer. 32.40 So then this assurance is 1. Attainable 2. Tenable 3. Desireable 1. T' is attainable Paul here had it and all the Saints first or last David Iob Thomas and the Martyrs and if a man may know he believeth then he may know that he shall be saved for whosoever believeth shall be saved Iohn 3.16 the promise is general and includeth all particular believers as if they had been named Hence believers are said to have Eternal Life already begun Iohn 5.11 12. and 6.47.54 and 14.20 and that they are past from death to life Iohn 5.24 and that they assuredly know this à posteriori by the Effects of Vocation and the Fruits of Election for Grace and Glory are linked together Romans 8.30 1 Iohn 3.2.14.19 Hence they are said to have Assurance much Assurance and full assâ—rance Hebrewes 6.6 11. and 10.22 23. Colossians 2.2 1 Thessalonians 1.5 If this were not attainable here why are we commanded to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure to our selves 2 Peter 1.10 Impossibility of attainment deadens endeavour no man will take pains for that which cannot be gained No wise man will seek after the Philosophers stone because it is impossible ever to be attained The first work therefore of the Spirit is to convince the soul that its sins are pardonable and that reconciliation may be had 2. 'T is Tenable a man that hath this assurance of his salvation may keep it whilest we walke circumspectly and answerable to our Principles none can hurt us Hence Paul challengeth all between Heaven and Hell to doe their worst Romans 8.35 c. Who shall separate us from Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution c. The Apostles Interrogation is a strong Negation Q. d. Nothing whatsoever shall be able to separate us from Christ neither the pleasures of Life nor the pains of Death neither the heighth of Prosperity nor the depth of Adversity neither present nor impendent evils nothing can separate us from Christ. 1. The Elect cannot separate themselves from Christ they cannot sinne as the wicked doe because the seed of God abideth in them id est his Word and Spirit dwell in their souls besides Christ ever liveth to make Intercession
is one end why we came into the world viz. that we might bear witness to the truth Iohn 13.37 We are Gods salt and therefore must by our Prayer Preaching and Practice help to season men and keep them from rotting in sin and error One part of our work is to convince gain-sayers Titus 1.9 This others of abilities may do ex charitate but we ex officio We are the keepers of the Vineyard and must take care that the Foxes spoil not the tender Grapes We are Fathers and must see that the children have not a stone given them insteed of bread nor a Serpent instead of a fish Let the zeal of others quicken us How zealous was Elijah and Paul against the false Prophets of their times How zealous was Athanasius against the Arrians Austin against the Pelagians and the Donatists Luther Calvin Beza c. against Papists and Sectaries of all men it becomes not us to be silent and meal-mouthed when our Lord 's dishonoured 3. Let every one stand upon his guard Christ warned his own Disciples to beware of such Matthew 7.15 the best know but in part and Satan is so subtle that we may soon be deceived How quickly did the Galathians fall from the faith to justification by works in so much that the Apostle wonders they were so soon fallen to another Gospel Galathians 1.6 'T was Luthers complaint that an ignorant rayling sot could in a moment overthrow what we have been building many years Such is the cursed depravation of mans heart I shall therefore give you some preventing Physick against the pestilent attempt of seducers 1. Get your judgements rightly informed especially in the Principles and Fundamentals of Religion as Faith Repentance Justification Sanctification and new-Obedience Our greatest care should be about the greatest things of the Law Lay a good foundation else the building will totter When men are children in understanding then they are tossed to and fro with every winde of Doctrine Ephes. 4.14 Heresie is most strong where knowledge is most weak 'T is the weak flies which hang in the spiders web when the strong break thorough The simple are apt to believe every thing Proverbs 14.15 and like children swallow all that 's put into their mouths There are 7. things as a Reverend Divine hath well observed which are apt to be carried away by the Flood of Heâ—esies 1. Light things 2. Loose things 3. Weak things 4. Low things 5. Rotten things 6. Tottering things 7. Ventrous things How many erre for want of knowledge Psal. 95.10 Matth. 22.19 upon this account the Apostle would not have a Minister to be a novice 1 Tim. 3.6 The Devil deals with men as the Cow doth by the Lamb which first picks out the eyes and then devours it Or as the Philistims dealt by Sampson they first put out his eyes and then they make him grind like a slave Thus he dealt with Eve Gen. 3.4 5. First he deludes her judgement with ye shall not die and then he easily perswades her to eat of the forbidden fruit We should therefore be wise as Serpents that we be not deceived and innocent as Doves that we prove not deceivers Vt nulli nocuisse velis imitare columbam Serpentem ut possit nemo nocere tibi 2. Walke alwayes as in Gods eye have respect to all his commands be ready to obey in revelatis in revelandis whatsoever God shall discover to you to be his Will be not Nominall but Reall Christians rest not content with the form but get the Power of Godlinesse Hereticks are a mere scourge for Formalists and Hypocrites When men reject Gods call he gives them up to delusions Isay 66.4 and the lusts of their own hearts Psalm 81.11 12. Hosea 4.12 13. When men will not be schollars to truth they shall be masters of errors and teachers of lies well verst in the blackest and basest Art 'T is just with God that they who will not have Truth for their King should have falshood for their Tyrant being given up to the Efficacy of errour or to errour in the strength and power of it 2 Thes. 2.10 11. If Pharaoh will not believe the real Miracles of Moses he shall be deluded with the false ones of the Magitians If Ahab will not hearken to Micaiah a true Prophet he shall be deluded by lying spirits in the mouths of false ones and this is one end why the Lord suffers not onely Schismes but Heresies to abound viz. to discover mens hearts to themselves and others Deuterenomy 13.3 So long as the glasse is still no dregs appear but stir it and then they shew themselves Fire discovers the mettle and storms shew us which were rotten trees No man fully knows his own heart till a temptation comes If a man should have told our Apostles 1500. years agoe that they should have denied the Trinity Scripture Sacraments Ordinances c. they would have been ready to say as Hazael am I a Dog that I should do such things as these 3. Grow in Grace This is a special preservative against Apostacy 2 Peter 3.17 18. To this end sit down under a sound soul-searching Ministery God hath ordained this as a special means to establish us in the truth Ephes. 4.10 Better have a biting Gospel said Bradford then a toothlesse Masse better it is to sit under the saddest shade of the true Vine even weeping then to frolick it under the greenest trees and most pleasant Oakes of Idolatry and Heresie We have been barren stocks in the Vineyard of the Lord we have been dead under lively Oracles like the Smiths Anvill we are the harder for beating on such is our corruption that we are the worse for preaching Isaiah 6.9.10 Now God in his just judgement punisheth sinne with sinne he punisheth such contempt of the Gospel with Heresie Witchcraft Apostacy c. 4. Try before you trust Tho your Minister be a Holy man yet ' try what he teacheth you will tell money and weigh gold after your father and shall we onely take Doctrines on trust Since there are not a few but many false Prophets gone forth into the world as Anabaptists Arrians Quakers c. it will be our wisedom to try all things weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary bring them to the touch-stone of Gods Word and what upon trial you finde to be sound and right hold it fast retain it against all adverse power whatsoever 1 Thessalonians 5.21 Prov. 23.23 buy the truth at any rate part with it at no rate Prov. 4.21 Luke 8.15 Rom. 12.9 2 Tim. 13.14 Heb. 2.1 and 10.3.3 Rev. 3.3.11 The world was never so full of Spirits as now There is the spirit of Errour the spirit of Fornication the spirit of Pride the spirit of Slumber the spirit of Giddinesse the spirit of Delusion c. Had not we then need to try the spirits 1 Iohn 4.1 Hath not God given us the