A VINDICATION OF THE Ministers OF CHRIST FROM That Slander cast on them that they Are HOUSE-CREEPERS because they sometimes Preach in private Houses ALSO Proving by the Scripture who are House-Creepers and the evil they do where their corrupt Doctrine is Received Held forth in two SERMONS on 2 Tim. 3.6 By W. E. 2 PET. 2. But there were false prophets among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you which shall privily bring in damnable Heresies VER 2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways by whom the Way of Truth shall be evil spoken of LONDON Printed for John Pike of Shaftsbury in the County of Dorset Book-binder and Book-seller 1673. To the Reader THESE are to assure Thee that the Author of this ensâ—ing Discourse never intended it for the Press being sensible of his own weakness But by Providence it is thus brought about He being desired by some friends to open this Scripture in 2 Tim. 3.6 This Text being made use of by some to discourage Persons from attending the Ordinances of God in private places Although through the great Mercy of God and the favour of the King they cannot properly be called private Places since the Places are appointed by Authority and it is free for any to come unto them They make use of this Scripture to seare the weak from coming thither suggesting unto them that those who preach in such places are the Persons that the Apostle here calls Creepers into Houses and the same that he calls ver 13. wicked men and deceivers And thâ—s Scripture they make use of as the Great Engine to batter down all such Assemblies This ensuing Discourse is to shew who were those tht the Apostle here calls House-creepers And that they have not this denomination given them on this account because they did preach in Houses for it was the frequent Practices of this and the rest of the Apostles yea of Christ himself But it was because these here spoken of did chuse private Places to the end that they might steal the hearts of the simple from the truth and their wiles might not be discerned yea those who under the pretence of truth with fair words beguile the hearts of the simple are the same with those the Apostle here calls House-creepers although they appear in publick Places This being a subject seldom reated of some having taken the Notes of the Discourse were very earnest to send it to the Presse which the Author was unwilling should be done But this Argument prevailed with him to give his Consent Hoping that some Person whom the Lord hath endowed with spiritual Gifts and Learning might from hence be provoked to put forth his Abilities for the further clearing up this Truth viz. The Lawfulness of Assembling together to wait on God in his Ordinances in such Places which some by way of scorn call private Places And that those Ministers who do endeavour faithfully to perform their duty in such Places are not of those who are here condemned by the Apostle but such as did follow the Example of Christ and his Apostles that so those that are weak might not be affrighted by such Bug-bears If any shall receive benefit by these weak Endeavours Give the glory to the Lord to whom alone it is due that hath enabled so weak a Creature to speak a word for the truth that is so much despised by many the Lord make it a good word to the Souls of his People This is the earnest desire and hearty Prayer of Him who wisheth Peace and Prosperity to all the Churches of God Farewel 2 TIM 3.6 For of this Sort are they which creep into Houses and lead Captive silly Women with divers lusts THE Apostle in the Beginning of the Chapter by the Spirit of Prophecy doth foretel That the last days shall be perillous and full of danger and then what is the reason of it as you may see 1 2 3 4 5. For men shall be Lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters c. So that there are in it these two things Considerable 1. That in the last dayes there shall be perillous times 2. That the reason of such perillous times is because men abound in sin and wickedness Whence observe by the way That abundance of iniquity makes Perillous Times This is very clear in the Scriptures You may see that when Holiness doth increase and Persons make it their business to walk according to Gods Word at such times there is happiness and great Blessings vouchsafed unto a people So on the other Hand when people Apostatize and fall from God then usually such times are full of danger It was a time full of danger with Israel when sin and wickedness abounded among them and they departed from God and apostatized from the purity of his worship Judg. 2.14.15 ch 3. v 8.12 ch 4. v. 1.2 ch 6. v. 1.2.3.4.5.6 Psal 16.4 When people turn aside from God and set up their own lusts they shall have sorrow enough And again when people make it their business to walk with God all things prosper with them 2. Chron. 13.3.4.5.10.11.12 The like you have in the dayes of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29. but when men forsake the Commandments of the Lord and walk contrary to him God hath a controversy with such a land It is the abundance of iniquity that makes times perillous I shall give you two reasons of it 1. Times are usually full of danger when iniquity abounds because God usually appears against such a people 2. Because when iniquity abounds people allow themselves to walk after their own lusts they are ready to break out into any wickedness there is nothing within them to restrain them but they are ready to do whatsoever their base hearts prompt them to though it be never so grossely prejudicious to mens estates lives or liberties I might much enlarge here But I shall speak no further to this You have seen the dependence of the text on the foregoing words Now saith the text For of this sort are they that creep into houses Of what sort of the sort here mentioned such has had a form of godliness but denyed the power thereof The Apostle speaketh not of such that were heathens that had no knowledge of God and made profession of religion but of such as professed God and that they were the friends of God For saith the text having a form of godliness they had a form of godliness but they denyed the power thereof They pretended much for Christ and the waies of Christ but denyed that which was the main viz. a full submission of themselves to Christ to walk according to the rules of Christ Now every particular of this might clearely be proved concerning the Antichristian power the mystery of iniquity and those that are plunged into it The text saith they have a form of Godliness and have not these Do not they pretend much for Christ when none do oppose him more Are not they lovers
of pleasures more then lovers of God May it not be clearly demonstrated that notwithstanding their pretences for Christ they stand in open opposition against him in all his Offices As first for his prophetical office they are so far from hearkning to the voice of Christ that they set up their own inventions in the place thereof preferring them before his institutions They obey not Christ as the great Prophet so that if those on whom they urge their institutions should demand What Word of God have you for these things They would return nothing but scoffs Again as for Christs Priestly Office what a dishonour is it to Christ that they make their unbloody sacrifice of the Altar to be a Propitiation for the sins of men And as for Christs Kingly Office they have no regard to the Authority of Christ nor to the Rule that he hath appointed for the Government of the Church nor have they any respect to the Spirit of God but make a mock of him though it be so clear in the Scripture Rom. 8.9 14 They are so far from walking according to the Word of God that they walk contrary to it so far from subduing their sinful pollutions that they endeavor by all means to cherish them maintaining their own Works of Prayer Charity Devotions as meritorious they pretend much honour to the Cross of Christ but on every trivial occasion make nothing to swear by his blood and wounds they pretend much to Prayer Reading with hands and eyes lifted up yet how far are they from that spiritual zeal and fervour of affection that is necessarily requisite in Prayer Having a Forme of Godliness but denying the Power thereof Now of this sort are they that creep into Houses leading Captive filly Women c. under the pretence of being for God they deceive people and draw them into pernicious errours Leading Captive silly Women They usually assault such because by reason of the weakness of their sex and understanding they are not able to discern their wiles and subtilties For observe that it is not spoken generally of Women But 1. Silly Women Such as are ignorant of the Truth of God that content themselves with an outward profession not endeavouring to be firmly grounded and established in the things of God 2. Such as were laden with fin led away with divers lusts that though they lived under a Profession of Religion and contented themselves because they apprehended they had some desires or at least some kinde of affection to the truth yet they were under the power of their corruptions Now such that are wilfully captivated to their lusts it is no wonder if God suffer them in his just Judgment to be ensnared by those that lie in wait to deceive them So that the Apostle means by silly women all such as either by reason of the weakness of their understanding being not able to discern the wiles and craftiness of deceivers or such as being under the power and dominion of some lust God in his just judgment suffers to be ensnared by them Thus you have the sense of the words In the words you have observable these things 1. The persons here spoken of called by the Apostle creepers into houses viz. false teachers The description of them Of this sort are they He sheweth their evil qualities in the precedent verses They are lovers of themselves covetous beasters proud cursed speakers without natural affection truce-breakers false accusers despisers of them that are good Traitours heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God Having a forme of godliness but denying the power thereof Of this sort are they saith he as much as to say this is a plain and full description of them 3. He sheweth what fad works these make where they creep into houses they lead captive 4. The persons that they prevaile on Silly women which is not to be understood only of that sex but persons that are simple void of understanding as to spiritual things whether men or women 5. These persons that are thus led captive are more fully described by that corrupt state they are in viz. They are such as are laden with sin such as are under the power and dominion of some base lust or lusts These are they who are made a prey of by them Now here observe Doct. 1. That men are not accounted these house creepers in the Scripture account or in the account of the Apostle because they do preach in houses or secret places but when they get into such places and there under the pretence of holiness make it their business secretly to draw such as are weak from the truth to error and those who chuse such places to carry on their design may justly be called creepers yea all that in their teaching carry on such a design under the pretence of holyness although they preach in the most publick places and in the greatest assemblies yet in the Apostles sence here they are creepers Doct. 2. That such persons usually effect their design on such as are either weak and ignorant not able to discern their corrupt and unsound doctrine or such as are under the power of some base lust or lusts be they men or women for it may be understood of both sexes such being by the just judgment of God left to themselves and so they easily prevaile on them For the proof of the first Doctrine I shall give you several Scriptures by which this shall 〈◊〉 appeares Consider that place John 10.1 He that climbeth in some other way he that entereth not by the door is a thief and a robber Now the Door is Christ by which Men enter when they are sent of Christ as certainly Christ sendeth none but such as hear his voice none are his sheep but such as hear his voice those then that come in not by Christ may well be termed Creepers or Climbers up another way Gal. 2.2 We shall finde there that the Apostle communicated the Gospel privately to them which were of Reputation and it was by reason of the false brethren that crept in amongst them So that those Persons are called Creepers that under the pretence of Holiness draw people from the truth of whom also the Apostle Jude speaketh Jude v. 4. Now for the better understanding hereof I shall shew you 1. That in the Apostles judgement none were accounted House-creepers because they did preach in private places 2. That these are to be so accounted that under a pretence of Holiness do seek to draw people from the truth and those that do so though never so publick yet come under this Denomination 1. That in the Apostles Judgment none were accounted House-creepers because they did preach in private places I call it private in opposition to those places that were appointed for the publick Worship and Ordinances of God as amongst the Jews there was the Temple and the Synagogues Now you shall find that it was the practice of Christ and
his Apostles not only in the Temple and Synagogue but in divers other places to preach the Word It was justified by Christ himself Mat. 5. he preached on a Mountain Mat. 13.2 in a ship and at another time he preached by the high-way side and by Jacobs-wâ—ll to the Samaritane woman John 4. and afterwards to the Samaritans v. 40.41 42. And this was not only the practice of Christ but of the Apostles afterwards John 20.19.26 so that at both these times they were met together in a house So Acts 1.12.13 14. where it appears also that they met together about the Ordinances of God for it is said they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication And so Acts 10. Peter preached at Cornelius's house Acts 16.13 Paul preached at the Rivers side where God opened the heart of Lydia And again at Athens on the midst of Mars-hill Acts 17.17.22 So you see that it was the practice of Christ and his Apostles to preach in several places wheresoever Providence cast them Hence we may safely conclude That which was the Practice of Christ and his Apostles afterwards cannot be rationally supposed to be condemned by this expression of the Apostle nor was it the Apostles intent that persons should fall under the denomination of house-creepers because they taught in private places since it was use both by Christ and his Apostles Nay it is very remarkable and worthy of our observation that the Pharisees as captious as they were did not as we read lay this as a slaunder on Christ and his Apostles for teaching in such places 2. That those indeed are the persons whom the Apostle means who putting on an outward show and forme of holyness under that deceive and lead from the truth Now this will evidently appear if you view the words that we read unto you in which the Apostle doth discover them 1. That they were such that had a forme of godliness Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof For of this sort c. 2. They were such that under the forme did deceive by drawing from the truth So that when men do purposely and out of choice take such places wherein they may carry on their pernicious designs and lead persons from the truth these in the Scripture sence and the Apostles judgment are rightly termed house-creepers as the Lord Jesus Christ saith John 3.20 For every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh he to the light lest his deeds should be reproved Such then may be said to be creepers when they get to secret places on purpose to avoid the light that their deeds of darkness may not be discovered It is beyond all doubt that the Apostle meaneth not of such that were forced and constrained to take such places but doubtless the Apostle speaketh of those false teachers that had diffused their errours and spread themselves abroad amongst the Churches of God thinking privately to undermine them there were some of them in Corinth some in Galatia some in Philippi and Coloss also and at several other places and Jude speaketh of it to those to whom he wrote Such were ready to say after this manner What will ye not observe the Commandments of God Hath not the Lord expresly Commanded Circumcision and the forbearance of such and such meates Is not this the will of God and so by such fair words many were seduced and drawn away not being able to discover the bottom of their designs You may see how notably the Apostle speaketh to the Colossians Col. 2.16.17 18. these men pretended much to holyness and humility that they yeilded obedience to God and had his law amongst them but see what the Apostle saith v. 20. If then ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world if ye are partakers of the death of Christ what have you to do with these things You may see how the Apostle takes them off from these arguments they reasoned thus This the Law commandeth therefore we ought to do it Admit it did so saith the Apostle but now by the Death of Christ ye are free from these things you are not commanded to forbear such and such meats but of every creature you may receive the abstinence from meates was typicall and figurative but now you are taken of from these things So that the argument hath a double force If they plead the Law saith the Apostle ye are dead unto the law If they plead the practice of some that are wise men saith the Apostle Yea are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world and then surely the traditions of men cannot bind you You are freed from the Doctrines of men i.e. such Doctrines that are not grounded upon the Word of God So that there may be fair pretences and specious shews of holyness when indeed there is no such thing Now then it appears that since this is not spoken of those that do on some occasion or other preach in private places for indeed it was the practice of Christ and his Apostles it must be spoken of those that do out of voluntary choise take such places for the furtherance of their wicked designs to entrap such that cannot discern their wiles As for instance when they urge such words as these What will you not be ruled by the Church will ye not be reconciled to the Church this availeth much with such not considering that the Church is ruled by Gods Word and what is not according to this Word there is no truth in it that whatsoever is not grounded on the Word and commanded by God is will-worship that every plant that God hath not planted shall be plucked up that things though done with never so much zeale yet is not warranted by Gods Word are unacceptable to God as you may see Zach. 7. The Jews bad observed a Fast in their 70 years captivity and now upon their return they sent Sharezer and Regemmelech to the house of God to know whether they should continue it yea or no. But see what followeth v 5.6 7. when ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month even those 70 years did ye at all fast to me even to me c. It was such a service that God had not appointed them and they going to press it on people God owned it not So that those that under a pretence of holyness do endeavour to draw souls from the truth they are those that are the house creepers yea though they preach in never so publick places For what difference is there between a Mountebanck that mounteth on a stage and by some tricks of Legerdemain deceiveth the people and one that doth it in a private place for it is deceit in both nay it is greater impudence in him that doth it publickly then in him that doth it privately So is it here I shall illustrate it by another similitude As when one cometh into another mans house with a vizard he is judged by
the man of the house to be such a person but when he discovers himself he is found to be another man then he was thought to be such a man may be counted a house-creeper though he comes in openly So it is here if persons under the pretence and vizard of holyness do endeavour to deceive the simple they may come under this denomination of house-creepers Now I shall shew you by several reasons 1. That it cannot be understood of those that take such places out of necessity and constraint 2. That it must be meant of such that under a pretence of holyness do endeavour to draw people from the truth yea though it be in never so great a concourse of people 1. That it cannot be understood of those that take such places out of necessity and constraint 1. Because it is not of choice by them but necessity that causeth it to be so therefore they ought not to be charged with evil on this account Could any one rationally accuse Christ that he preached secretly and privately when he withdrew out of Judea and taught Galilee when the Jewes sought his life Was the Apostle Paul to be charged with evil for preaching in a house Acts 18.6 when he had before openly reasoned in the Synagogues with the Jewes and they raised mutinies clamours against him and drove him from them Could the Apostles justly be blamed when they met together in private places and in the night time And so the Church is former times when they were persecuted violently by the Heathens and durst not appear openly Nay this truth is so evident that it is granted themselves they do even by the Papists affirm that in times of persecution it is meet and necessary for the people of God to meet together in private places OB. But some might say Yes indeed for Christ and his Apostles and the people of God in such cases to meet together this is graunted but what 's this to Schismaticks and Hereticks these may not do so ANS But I tell you it is not mens accusations that prove it to be so persons should consider thus much that before men can be justly charged as Schismatical Heretical it ought to be made by clear and solid arguments But this we know that in all Countreys they that have the greatest power condemn all others If you go to Rome they will tell you that their superstition is the worship of God So if you go to Constantinople they will tell you that their Turcisme and Mahometisme is the right worship of God But persons ought not to be charged with Heresy till they are convinced by strength of argument out of Gods Word It was a Doctour of the Law that telleth us concerning Christ doth our Law judge any man before it hath heard him Nay you shall see it was acknowledged by the very heathens Acts 25.5.16 we should not then that bear the name of Christians be more unreasonable then the heathens but take heed of passing such peremptory sentences before the matter be proved 2. Because what they do they do in simplicity and sincerity of heart without any designs of their own 2 Cor. 4.12 where the Apostle speaking of himself and of the rest of the faith full proveth that they were not of those deceivers v. 2. We saith he have renounced the hidden things of darkness we have not walked in craftiness we have not handled the word of God deceitfully and what is that It may be this that when men see it is best for their interest then they can plead for the Word but when it is a disadvantage to them in the world then they can make use of the Word to decry these things that formerly they cried up these are those whom the Apostle means that handled the Word deceitfully but we were not of these and why because we handl'd the word by manifestation of the truth the consciences of our hearers can acquit us that we have endeavour'd to set before them the mind will of God It cannot be understood that these should be the persons here mentioned because then the Apostle would condemn himself and the practice of all the rest of his fellow Apostles nay of the Lord his Master Now it cannot be rationally imagined that the Apostle Paul who was infallibly guided by the blessed Spirit of God should thus miscarry and give occasion to his adversaries to triumph they would have said Look here he condemneth himself he is one of those that preach in Houses But then 2. It must be meant of such that under a pretence of Holiness do endeavor to draw persons from the truth 1. It must be understood of these because these are not the persons that they seem to be for they come under the Guise of Holiness pretending much good to the souls of men but yet aim chiefly at some designes of their own these are the persons the Apostle speaketh of and therefore he giveth them this name of House-creepers so that those who get into the Church of God be it either in private or publick places under a pretence of Holiness when indeed it is not so but there is some other design in their entrance they are such that do creep in but they do not enter for they are not such as they were supposed to be And therefore the Apostle Jude saith v. 4. There are certain men crept in unawares the Church was not aware of them they deceive them by their wiles and therefore properly such are the House creepers much like unto the Thief that comes into a Mans House and is disguised when he is in he spoils and robs he may be said to creep in because though he was let in yet he was not let in as such an one 2. Because they purposely choose such places and out of a design they love sâ—crecy that they might not be discovered but carry on their designes the more undiscernably It is one thing for a mon to take secret places out of necessity and another thing to chuse such places purposely Now the Scripture telleth us that he that is evil hateth the Light Hence it is that the Apostle calleth such creepers in another place deceitfull workers for they are equivalent 2 Cor. 11.13 14. They are false Apostles deceitfull workers But if they are so how are they then admitted into the Church oh saith he transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ they make pretences of holyness and shroud their wolvish nature in a Lambs-skin And they are such too whose intent is the same though it be never so openly and though they might come in as guides and leaders of the Church yet in time they discover themselves to be such as lead out of the way So you see who they are that the Apostle speaketh of under the denomination of house-creepers I shall now make some application USE 1. This sheweth us the evil of those who are ready to make a bad use of this
that they did do God good service yet indeed they are mistaken for believe it those men that have the warrant of Christ for what they do Christ will bear them out at that great day of Account and when men shall come to give an Account why they have done such and such things it will not be a sufficient ground to say because others did so and they did it out of their zeal Christ will justiste those that have his Word for their warrant but how dreadfull will it be for those at the judgment seat of Christ that are charged with this that they have opposed his servants for imitating him USE 3. It sheweth the evil of those that cry out so much and render persons as evil doers which were themselves and their own ways examined it would be found who they are that are most justly to be charged with this in my text There are some that exclaim against others as corner Preachers and house Preachers when if their own ways were well examined they would hardly clear themselves Who will be found such at last either those that are forced into secret places and notwithstanding are willing that their Doctrines should be put to the tryal or such that preaching publickly will be offended when their Doctrines are tryed and examined Did men seek after secret places that their Doctrines might be concealed there were a ground of suspicion but such as are willing to have their Doctrines tryed and do not shun the light they may not properly be called house-creepers Should men deal with them as the Bereans with the Apostle Paul they would be looked upon as censorious and men of factious and proud spirits meerly because they do their duty in examining mens Doctrines by the Word of God for which the Apostle commendeth the Bereans Acts 17. that they searched the Scripture to see whether these things were so or no. Can such be justly charged with Heresy that are willing that those things which they hold forth should be examined by the Scripture This is it which they earnestly call for To the Law and to the Testimony who do you think would most seek a corner if these things were well weighed and considered either those that presse things on humane authority or those that presse things on Divine authority Those that cannot endure to have their Doctrines tryed do give great ground of suspicion Persons may pretend much to holyness but this is no part of their holyness to held forth such things that are not justifiable from the Word of God Certainly those persons that are willing to have whatsoever they deliver examined and tryed by those that have the sharpest spirit of discerning alwaies provided that they make the Word of God the standard to try by and not the Lawes of men those I say that are willing to have it so done are not to be accounted house-creepers And as for such that have the warrant of Gods Word for what they do Christ will bear them out notwithstanding the slaunders and false imputations of men You know what answer Christ gave the Pharisees when they quarrelled with him concerning his Disciples because they did not observe such and such traditions This is that that will bear men out at the great day of Account when they can plead Gods Command and Institution for what they do When God putteth men this Question Who required this at your hands What horrour will seize on their hearts when they cannot say Lord we have thy word for it USE 4 Since the Apostle telleth us that such persons are dangerous persons let us take heed for it is a matter of great weight and concernment The Apostle would never have taken so much care to warn us he would not have set forth the danger of it had it not been a matter of great moment Let us then take heed that we are not deceived by such kind of persons Qu. But you will say how shall we know them ANS There is a great ground of suspicion when in times of peace and liberty that men may without any danger or molestation hold forth the truth when I say in such times they will out of choice take private places 2. Observe what the drift of their doctrine is 1 John 4.1 Beloved beleeve not every spirit but try their spirits And how By their doctrine Consider what it is that their doctrine tendeth to That which doth derogate from Christ and give unto the Creature which doth derogate from the grace and glory of Christ and advance the Creature that is most corrupt and unsound when mens doctrine rendeth to this to set up any thing of man to exalt mans free-will and works of righteousness as if there were something in that which might renders us acceptable unto God this is very dangerous When men derogate from Christ when they do not make Christ the only way to salvation for saith the Apostle Acts 4.12 Neither is their salvation in any other for there is none other name c. When they derogate from the free grace of God they are such indeed that are of this kind of creepers and deceivers that are here spoken of Again look to this whether their Doctrine be such that doth hold forth the Lord Jesus Christ to be the sole Governour and Head of the Church those that will impose on men such a worship as is not grounded on the Word are those that the Apostle speaketh of So those persons that do not clearly hold forth the righteousness of Christ and press men to look off from all other things and rest on Christ only for life and salvation that do not press men to live by faith on Christ are persons that do erre from the truth and so far as their Doctrine prevaileth they lead from the truth So when men take off the affections of people from holyness and puerity of conversation they are such whose Doctrine is corrupt and unsound for we ought to press people to manifest the power of faith in a holy and unblameable conversation Now these things we shhold look unto and try them by the Word of God according to that Is 8.20 and Christ telleth us that by their fruits we shall know them Now some fruit of a Minister is his Doctrine USE 5. May persons come under this denomination though never so publick then let none think themselves safe this is that which many poor creatures do deceive themselves with oh think they we are safe enough from any seduction and leading aside we never go to such places Others run on another extream they will not go to publick places they dislike all that is spoken there but this is evil on the other hand we are not to judge of truth by places but as God approveth it and as it is grounded on the Scripture For in a great concourse of people we may be led aside from the truth neither do secret places give us any security but there we may be led
aside from the truth Let us then bring the Doctrines we hear to the touch-stone of Gods Word and not to reject them because publique neither applaud them meerly because private and so on the other hand Those that are so rigorous against private places what would they have done if they had lived in the dayes of Christ they would have rejected Christ and his Doctrine because he preached on a Mountaine and in a Ship and if they had lived in the dayes of the Apostles they would have done the like A faithfull Minister of Christ whether private or publick will endeavour to approve himself to God by holding forth such things as are consonant and agreeable to the Word of God Truth may be private when errour may be publick as in the dayes of Ahab when some of the Prophets were imprisoned and some put to death and Jezeebel had four hundred Prophets of Baal that fed daily at her table these at that time had the publick places and so in the dayes of Christ and his Apostles I proceed now to the second observation OB. That such persons usually effect their design on such as are either weak and ignorant not able to discern their corrupt and unsound Doctrine or such as are under the power of some base lust or lusts be they men or women for it may be understood of both sexes such being by the just judgment of God left to themselves and so they easily prevail on them Observe what Solomon telleth Prov. 14.15 The simple beleeveth every thing but the prudent looketh well to his goings What doth he mean in that but this A man that is simple and void of understanding you may make him beleeve any thing if you put a fair glosse and colour upon it but a man of understanding will lift and try and examine and see what grounds there are for the Doctrine that is delivered Of such deceivers the Apostle speaketh 2. Pet. 2.14 Now here 1. I shall shew you that they usually effect their designed on persons that are ignorant 2. That they also effect their design on those that are under the power of some lust or lusts that are in bondage to some base lusts 3. That God in his just judgment is pleased sometimes to give over such to be seduced 1. That their design is usually effected on those that are ignorant of Gods Word This you may see if you look into the Scripture Who were they among the Children of Israel that the false Prophets did so easily draw aside you may see they were any such that did not know the Lord. Jer. 5.3.4 5. Now how came this to pass They were led aside and seduced by those false Prophets that Jeremiah complaineth of that did deceive them and speaking smooth things to them did harden and confirm them in their evil wayes Again you may see how they were drawn in Jeroboams time to that grosse and abominable Idolatry they willingly walked after the Commandment Hos 5.11 Now what people were these the Prophet telleth us Hos 4.1 they were such as were without the knowledge of God where there is no knowledge of God in a Land people are easily crawn aside into the most pernicious errours And what was the reason that the Scribes and Pharisees had so many followers and so few followed Christ Why the people were ignorant of the Law and the Pharisees by their grosse and corrupt interpretations did deceive them They were a people that did not know the Law if they had known the Word of God Christ and the truths of Christ would have been very precious to them And what was the cause in this Nation in former dayes and with other Nations that remain under Ponery they are drawn aside to embrace the most-abominable errours to beleeve things that are so grossely corrupt It is because they are without the Word the Scriptures are locked up in an unknown language and people without the Word do beleeve any thing though never so grosse Do you think that absurd and abominable opinion of the Popish Masse would be received viz. That the Bread and Wine is the very Body and Blood of Christ Also that Crossing themselves with their Fingers is that which will defend them from evil and many the like foolish opinions if people were not ignorant of the Word of God 2. That which I am to shew you further is this That as ignorant persons are apt to be drawn aside to errours so likewise those that live under the power of some lust or lusts Consider that Jer. 5. The time that the Prophet Jeremiah speaketh of was a time of loosness and prophaneness They did whatsoever was good in their own eyes v 5. The great men had some knowledge of God but notwithstanding they had burst the yoke and broken the bonds they would not be under the power of Gods Word but would walk according to their own lusts pleasures Likewise that in Jer. 44.16 When the Word that Jere. had spoken in the name of the Lord crossed their lusts see how stubbornly they answer As for the VVord which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not hearken to thee VVhen persons are under the power of any lust they are in a ready way to be seduced to any thing though never so corrupt VVhen men are in love with any sin and do wilfully retain any lust they are fit persons for seducers to work upon And usually such persons with whom the flesh and their own carnal interest prevailes have been drawn away from following the truth though they have lived some time under a profession of it and have had some knowledge of it I say such persons being overswayed by their lusts have been turned aside from the truths which they formerly embraced into the most corrupt and abominable ways We have had experience of it in this our Nation when God was pleased to give us peace and plenty and all that our hearts could desire how many were there that lived under a Profession of Religion when Religion was in credit yet the World having the Mastery of their hearts how suddenly did those persons miscarry and turn aside some to one opinion and some to another And surely those who lie in wait to deceive observe the frame and temper of mens spirits and order their deceits accordingly 3. That God in his just judgment giveth such over to be deceived VVhen once men will indulge themselves in any way of sin when once they wilfully take up their resolutions that they will do so and so though it be expressely contrary to the VVord of God God is pleased to give such over to delusions 2 Thes 2.10 11. For this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a Lie For what cause because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved Observe that he doth not say that they did not receive the truth but they received not the
Gods people let us endeavour afterwisdom by the improvement of those means that God hath afforded unto us Use 4. Is it so that those that live under the power of lusts are the persons that are deceived by seducers Then consider what enemies they are to their own soules that do ensnare themselves under the power of any lust they betray themselves and lay themselves open to adversaries There is nothing so dangerous to a soul as that is that sets a soul in a ready way to be deeived and undone by those that ly in wait to beguile him We are apt to say of some special sins that our hearts are much set upon this is but a little one when if we did well consider and weigh all circumstances we should find that there is no sin little though there are som sins greater then other som yet no sin can be cal'd little Now observe those that make it their business to deceive mens souls do the frame of 〈◊〉 spirits and they know how to fit their baits to mens inclinations Deceivers are like fishers that have for their several sorts of Fishes their several baits when they have to do with men whose hearts are set on the world they know how to deal with them there and when they are lifted up with pride and ambition they know how to lay a bait to catch them there and when they see that their hearts are filled with the carnal pleasures of the world they know how to lay their baits accordingly And alas how many are there that have lived under a profession of religion and yet by giving their hearts an indulgence and toleration in some lusts they have betrayed their souls into the hands of their adversaries that ly in wait to deceive them And these subtile deceivers though they fall not on a man to beat him suddenly from that which he owneth yet they intangle his affections till his heart by degrees is taken off and he is ensnared by them and comes at length to embrace such abominable opinions which if they had been presented to him at the first he would have fled from them as from a Serpent The Lord graunt that every one of us may consider of it for if we regard iniquity in our hearts and prostitute our consciences to the pleasures of our lusts God may justly suffer us to be seduced wherefore let us make it our business to purge out every iniquity lest it be our ruine USE 5. Let us not wonder then that in such times as we live in there should be such declensions from the Ways of God When we see times in which all manner of looseness and prophaneness reigns and is not suppressed it is no wonder if those that lie in wait to deceive do prosper in their designes though I do not mean of such that are sometimes drawn aside and overcome by their lusts for God may suffer his precious ones to be led aside for a season but he restoreth them again but when I say such that are under the power of lust I mean of such that are ordinarily over-ruled by their lusts and of that which is the usual course by which corrupt persons prevail on such And indeed it is not strange that they prevail on them As I hinted to you out of Jeremiah concerning that gross Idolatry that was among the people it was no wonder that the Prophets prophesying lies should prevail on them for there was horrible prophaneness and wickedness amongst them when corrupt men shall frame such a Religion as shall suit with mens lusts it is not strange that such men should yield unto them whose hearts are set on their lusts It is not strange that Popery should so exceedingly prevail when they have framed such corrupt ways that men may go on cheerfully in the satisfaction of their lusts When men shall be told that some sins are no sins and some sins are venial and greater sins may be done away by enduring some corporal punishments which also it is in he Power of the Priest to mitigate and that if they die in their sins they may by enduring some punishment in Purgatory be purged from their sins and afterwards received to glory and that it is in the Popes Power to deliver them from these pains If these things be well considered we may not wonder that men are so easilâ— drawn aside to gross Popish superstitions Where Christ telleth us of false teachers he telleth us alsâ— that iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax old USE 6. This shouldâ—â—each us to watch our hearts aud to take especial notice of the corrupt inclinations Did we devise a way to entangle our selves and ensnare our own souls we could not find a readier way then to sollow the lustings of our own hearts When once the heart is set on evil it taketh offence at the truth espâ—cially at such truths that give a wound to its beloved sins Herod heard John Baptist gladly but when he toucheth him in his beloved sin he heareth him no more So there are many that make a Profession of Religion who when they come to be touched in their beloved sins cannot digest such plain dealing and by this means their affections do abate to Religion and at last they fall off and are willing to joyn in any way that may indulge them in their susts Therefore that word of Solomon is not unsuitable Keep thy heart with all diligence c. We must see that we do not allow our selves in any evil one sin bringeth in another and frequency of sinning causeth deadnesse of heart and deadnesse of heart taketh off the Sâ—â— from the Ordinances of God till by degrees it comâ—th to have bitternesse of spirit and deadly enmity against those that go on in the practice of those things that are allowable by the Word of God We have seen sad examples of this kind in these our days how many have been ensnared by the world rather then they would lose their honour and esteem with men they leave the honour that Christ hath tendered to them Let us not then be such enemiâ—s to our own souls USE 7 What cause have such that have been preserved from Apostacy and Seduction to acknowledge the in finite goodnesse of God unto them there is none of us but if we would make a diligent search into our own hearts our Consciences will tell us that since we have come to the knowledge of the truth we have sinned against our own light we have done those things which our Consciences have told us we should not have done how might God have suffered us to be deceived and carried aside to those ways that lead to eternal destruction It is sad to look abroad in the world and to see how many in these times have been carried aside from the Truths of God by that corrupt and abominable errour of Popish Merit to establish their own Righteousnesse and some have been carried aside to the same evil under the pretence of the improvement of their natural parts and abilities and have set up their own work and denied Christ How many have despised the Oâ—â—inances of God How many have fallen from their Profession to downright Atheism That it is not so with us is because God hath preserved us and watched over us how should this engage our hearts to that God that hath made his Word good to us in keeping us to himself by his mighty power through faith And again let us not wonder that many should be drawn to this opinion and that opinion but rather wonder that to this day we have not been so deceived If God should leave us and withdraw from any of us if God should say to any soul here go in thy own way and beleeve what thou wilt and embrace whatever thy heart is set upon what opinion is there Nay what damnable Heresy is there that we should not run into It is the Lord that keeps us or else we should have perished Oh what cause hath every soul that hath been kept in the truth to bless God that hath given them his spirit to lead them in the truth It is not our parts nor wisdom nor any thing in us that preserveth us from errour he that beguiled Adam in his innocency might easily beguile us that have so much darkness in our understandings impurity in our affections and perversness in our our wills Our soules bless the Lord and acknowledge that it is of his infinite grace and mercy to us that we have been preserved We have cause to say as the Psalmist did Not unto us but is to thy name be the praise this should be as a bond in our spirits to walk with God The goodness of God should have that effect on us as it had on Jacob when God appeared to him in Bethel it is said he lifted up his feet and went on his way So it should be with us it should make us lift up our feet and walk on in the waies of the Lord FINIS