In differences between God and Baal Christ and Antichrist few are valiant for the truth Ier. 9.3 And they bend their tongue like their bow for lies but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth for they proceed from evil to evil and they know not me saith the Lord. Contend earnestly Jude 3. It was needful for me to write unto you and to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Again 2. There are many sensualists unclean and carnal Gospellers to these God oweth a Judgment Usually the Gospel is removed and given to a Nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof They that use the truth only or principally for their own turns hate to be reformed God will reckon with them Psal. 50.16 17. But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee 2. Vse shews you indeed that you love the Gospel Carentia remedii is a grievous misery or else Christ had not come as a great Blessing Neglectus remedii is a grievous sin to be lazy in a matter of such moment Those that never set their hearts to obey the truth Crassa negligentia dolus est There should be constant purpose endeavour striving and not cease striving till we in some measure prevail rejectio or contemptio remedii if we put away the word of God from us Acts 13.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you but seeing ye puâ— it from you and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life loe we turn to the Gentiles God will be gone if not from the Land from thy Soul This is the most hainous iniquity of all Heb. 10.28 29. He that despised Moses his Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified aâ— unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace So Esau's despising his Birthright Heb. 12.15 Lest there be any Fornicator or prophane person as Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his Birthright for ye know how that afterwards when he would have inherited the Blessing he was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with â—ears SERMON IX 2 Thess. 2.11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness WE have considered the sin of those seduced by Antichrist now the Judgment It is twofold 1. Delusion in this World verse 11. 2. Damnation in the next verse 12. 1. Delusion in this World where take notice of three things 1. The Author of it God shall send it 2. The degree or nature of the punishment strong delusion 3. The issue of it that they should believe a lie 2. Their punishment in the next World That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness where take notice 1. Of the terribleness of it it is no less than everlasting damnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. The Justice and Equity of it They believed not the truth but had pleasure in righteousness 1. I begin with their Judgment in this World For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie Doct. That by Gods just Judgment there is an infatuation upon the Followers and Abettors of Antichrist that they swallow the grossest errors to their own destruction To clear this I shall speak 1. To the Author 2. The degree or kind of the punishment 3. The effect and issue 1. As to the Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here a difficulty ariseth For God is not and cannot be the Author of sin He that is essentially good cannot be the cause of evil And he that is Vltor peccati the avenger of sin cannot be Author peccati the Author of it If he should cause man to sin how will his punishment of it be just I Answ. As it is a sin God hath no hand in it but as it is a punishment of sin God hath to do in it To clear this to you consider 1. He that is the supreme Lord and Governour of his Creatures is also their Judge For Legislation and Judgment belong to the same Authority And therefore God is called sometimes our King and sometimes oâ—r Judge Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Iudge of all the earth do right Rom. 5.6 Is God unâ—ighteous how then shall he judge the World That is his Office and Prerogative 2. Gods way of judging for the present is either external or internal As for instance there are two acts of Judicature Reward and Punishment In rewarding Gods external Government is seen in dispensing outward Blessings to his people as the fruit of their obedience Micah 2.7 Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly His promises speak good and as fulfilled do good yield protection maintenance and such a measure of outward prosperity as supporteth and maintaineth them during their service David owned Gods dealing with him in this sort Psal. 119.56 This I had because I kept thy Precepts So as to his internal Government in giving them peace of Conscience and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Pro. 3.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace These are the internal rewards of obedience And so also God often rewardeth grace with grace As Isa. 58.13 14. If thoâ— turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Psal. 31.24 Be of good Courage and he shall strengthen your heart all ye that hope in the Lord. Proficiency in the same grace is a reward of the several acts and exercise of it So in punishing sometimes he useth the way of external Government by the terribâ—e Judgments exercised upon men for the breach of his Law Rom. 1.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Heb. 2.2 Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward
caution them as we have from God They pretend to believe the Scriptures yet how do they seek to evade the force of them by crafty distinctions that will never satisfie Conscience though they help to blind the mind and harden the heart That which I urge is this they were never interdicted this kind of worship by their Gods but these know that it is severely forbidden by our God and the second Commandement so stareth in their Faces that it is expunged out of their Catechisms and Vasquez is bold to affirm that the second Commandement is Ceremonial Lactantius of old said Non est dubium religio nulla est ubi cujusque simulacâ—rum est 3. The Pagans did adore their Gods in their Images but never was any so sottish among them to imagine that an Image was to be adored with the same degree of worship as God himself but this is the corrupt Doctrine of the Papists that an Image is to be worshipped with the same worship wâ—erewith God himself is worshipped Imagini Christi Latria debetur Aquinas That is the proper worship of God 1. Vse to shew how necessary it is to take heed that we be not found among the followers of Antichrist since these errors are damnable Salvation and damnation are not trifles nor matters to be played withal Surely we need have our eyes in our head and not to be hood-winked when we are upon the brink of a bottomless Gulph Both sides lay damnation at one anothers Door they for our departing from the Catholick Church out of which is no Salvation as they pretend we upon their departing from the Catholick Faith and simplicity of the Gospel Now external order is not of such consideration as Faith but when they will be able to prove that Christ hath setled this order in the Church that all his Subjects should be obedient to one universal visible head and that this head is the Pope and therefore when their very Order is an incroachment and usurpation to depart from them is to return to Christ Again where is Salvation most likely to be found rather with them who seek all their Religion in the Scriptures aâ—d stick there or with those who not contented with the Apostolical Doctrine contained in the Scriptures have brought in unwritten Traditions as an equal rule of Faith with Scripture and the Sacrifice of the Mass and Purgatory the Religious Invocations of Saints and many other enormities and uphold these Innovations with all manner of Tyranny and Cruelty exercised upon Christs faithful Servants If men go to Heaven without Prayers which they understand and Scriptures half Christs Sacrament a piece of his merits and some supeâ—stitious observances yea plain Idolatry then the way to Heaven is sooner to be had in Popery but he that hath but half an Eye may soon see which is the surer side Surely the surest way to avoid damnation is to avoid sin Now where are Souls so much in danger of sin as in the Roman Society where so little is given to internal life and piety and so much to external Pomp and Service and where errors are so palpable that either men do not believe them with their hearts or if their hearts were upright and not perverse and obstinate could not believe them but just so is the way of Popery to true Christianity Surely whatever it be to Papists it would be absolutely damnable to us as wilfully to thrust our selves upon apparent ruine There is a cavil or pretence which I shall speak unto on this occasion That many Protestants confess Papists may be saved in their Faith whereas they hold Protestants and other Hereticks may not be saved out of the Catholick Church And therefore it is safe to enter into that way which is safe by the consent of both parts Ans. 1. Mens opinions are no ground of Faith Persons may be in a sad woful Case that men speak well of Luke 6.26 Wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you It is not what Man saith but what the word of God saith Now the word speaketh terrible things to them Them that perish and That they all might be damned who believed not the truth c. Secondly The word of God teacheth us to judge of the way rather than persons who stand or fall to their own Master The way is damnable If on the one side there be Charity to some persons that sin of invincible ignorance and are saved as by fire 1 Cor. 3.13 which the other side will not grant to a contrary perswasion it argueth Charity on one side which hopeth all things malice on the other who rashly condemn men without evidence yea against it 3. If this argument would hold good it had been better in Christ and the Apostles time to be a Jewish Proselyte than a Christian Christ acknowledgeth Salvation is of the Jews their promises of adoption and glory but the Jews pronounced him and his followers accursed scourged imprisoned them yet did not get so far as Papists to murder and butcher them Suppose a little time that Catholicks owned Donatists as Brethren allowed their Baptism but Donatists are rebaptized and upon pain of damnation require all so to be and say Save thy Soul become a Christian. Now a Pagan should rather by this argument join himself to Donatists than Catholicks Lastly The Argument may be retorted A Protestant keepeth himself to his Bible Baptismal Covenant Creed but denieth many things which Papists believe and practise as Papal Infallibility Transubstantiation Purgatory Invocation of Saints worshipping of Images they cannot but say Protestants are in the right 2. Vse observe the degrees of obduration not receiving the truth in the love of it believing a Lie discarding Truth and then taking pleasure in unrighteousness and then cometh Damnation SERMON XI 2 Thess. 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because the Lord hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth THE Adversative Particle But sheweth what respect these words have to what went before He had spoken of God's direful Judgment of sending strong delusion on them that had no love to the pure Truth but sinned against Light and had pleasure in the false worship and superstitions countenanced by the World Now lest the Thessalonians should be troubled at this sad prediction he sheweth what cause he had to bless God in their behalf The subjoining of this consolation doth teach us three things 1. That it is a great favour of God to us to escape Antichristian Errors They are so dangerous in their own nature so insinuative and inveigling by plausible appeaâ—ance and accompanied with such worldly baits and advanâ—â—ges that it is a great mercy â—hat God hath taught us better things But then be sure you be in the right out of Conscience and Evidence not out of Faction and Interest And that you hate Popery out
espouse the common prevailing opinions others adhere to them with much false zeal and superstition These are those who are given up to believe a lie Vses 1. Information 1. To shew us the reason why so many learned men are Captivated by Antichrist and live yet in the Popish Religion for this is a great scruple to many The answer is ready The Lord hath suffered them to be deluded by him whose coming is after the working of Sathan in all power c. Rev. 17.2 The inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication It is an intoxication the errors of that State are plausibly defended and supported by Worldly Interests There is the Witchery of Worldly allurements and the intoxicating Wine of errors defended and owned within their bounds and places of their education and abode So that men have seemed to lose their understandings and not have that advisedness which well becomes a man possibly they may have doubts and checks of Conscience but the name of the Church charmeth them and Worldly magnificence strangely inveagleth them They may know that the Religion professed by Protestants is sincere holy and saving but being allured by Licentiousness or intangled by Covetousness or puffed up with Pride are loth to change or are vanquished and astonished with fear of death and other inconveniencies or it may be do not use that advised and serious deliberation which a matter of Salvation requireth Four causes may be given 1. Self-Confidence God will shew the folly of those that depend on the strength of their own wit Pro. 3. 5 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understandings In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths And therefore will bring to nought the wisdom of the wise and destroy the understanding of the prudent when it is lifted up against the Interests of Christs Kingdom 1 Cor. 1.19 2. Prejudice The Priests and Scribes could readily tell that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem when Herod sent to consult them Matth. 2.4 5 6. yet who more obstinate against him that was born there They expected a temporal Messias and therefore could not see what they saw What was apparent to Children was a riddle to the Rabbies So they expect some open Enemy of the Church to attacque it by power and force little dreaming of a Bishop c. 3. Pride many of the Jewish Church believed in Christ but they did not profess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Ioh. 11.42 43. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God They loved not an hated opinion Many may fear the Pope to be Antichrist but Pride and Interest will not let them submit to a change 4. The Judgment of God is the great cause that men do not or will not know Antichrist God hath not given them eyes to see as Christ was not received in Ierusalem the things of their peace were hid from their Eyes Luk. 19.42 He beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes 2. It sheweth us that the prevalency of this wicked one should be no blemish to providence for the permission of him is one of Gods dreadful providentiaâ— dispensations That it should have such success it raiseth Atheistical thoughts in weak spirits yea it is an offence to the Godly as it is a prejudice to the Truth but God hereby will shew us 1. That there are deceits and errors as well as truth in the World much of choice not chance and lest we should think this an antiquated dispensation to try the professors of the Gospel who lived in the midst of Pagans it cometh nearer to us But he that condemneth all Religion on this account judgeth one â—an for anothers crime which is unjust doth as foolishly as he that thinketh there is no trâ—e money because there are some counterfeit pieces 2. That God in concomitancy with the Gospel will discover his dreadful Justice as well as his wonderful mercy by it that we may tremble whilst we admire grace 3. That it is a great evil to be deceivers or active promoters of delusions and it will not wholly excuse us that we are deceived Matth. 15.14 4. What need all serious Christians have to pray to God not to be led into temptation Alas what would become of us if left to our selves in an hour of temptation 5. Let us fear to sleight the grace offered Among other threatnings God threatneth to smite his people with blindness Deut. 18.28 The Lord shall smite thee with madness and blindness and astonishment of heart 6. What a ready way to destruction it is to measure Religion by Worldly Interests This bred Antichrist kept him up in the World and blindeth hiâ— seduced Proselytes to this day 2. Vse Is caution to take heed of spiritual blindness and infatuation that this Judgment fall not upon us That God leave us not to our own lusts hearts and Counsels without check and restraint It may in part befal Gods people what shall we do to avoid it 1. Take heed of sinning against light either by sins of omission or commission Jam. 4.17 To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin They will find it to be sin in the sad effects 2. Take heed of Hypocrisie in the profession of the truth God oweth the Hypocrites an ill turn and seemeth to be ingaged to discover him before the Congregation Pro. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation and usually it is by giving him up to some licentious practice or strong delusion by which he breaketh the neck of his profession 3. Take heed of Pride and carnal Self-sufficiency God may leave his people to dangerous falls when they make their bosom their Oracle and think to carry all by the strength of their own understanding 2 Chro. 32.31 God left him to try him that hâ— might know all that was in his heart It is good to consult with God continually 4. Take heed of following the rabble Joh. 4.20 Our father 's worshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to worship c. But learn to see by your own eyes That you may have sure evidence you are in Gods way Pro. 24.13 14. SERMON X. 2 Thess. 2.12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2. THeir punishment in the other World Where first the terribleness of it 2. The righteousness and Justice of it 1. The terribleness that they all might be damned That is filling up the measure of their obduration they may at length fall into just condemnation 2. The Justice and Equity of it which is two ways expressed 1.
Negatively they believed not the truth That is received not the Gospel in the simplicity of it as revealed by Christ and his Apostles and recorded in the Scriptures but wilfully and for their interests sake gave up themselves to these corruptions 2. Positively had pleasure in unrighteousness in the 10 th verse it was They received not the love of the truth Now when the meritorious cause is repeated there is something more added They had a love to and delight in other things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here two things must be explained 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness 2. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking pleasure in unrighteousness 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness Righteousness is giving every one his due and denying them their due is unrighteousness There is a giving man his due and a giving God his due Matth. 22.21 Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods Righteousness is often put for giving man his due Titus 2.12 That we should live soberly righteously c. and giving God his due which is worship and reverence Psal. 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name And again Ps. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name bring an offering and come into his Courts Now this unrighteousness here spoken of is principally meant in the latter sense False ways of worship are the greatest unrighteousness that can be practised For the duty that we owe to God is the most righteous thing in the World Now by false worship you withdraw the Glory of God from him and communicate it to another Worship is his own proper due both by the light of nature and Scripture and therefore the Gentiles which had the light of nature are said to detain the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.18 why the reason is rendred in the after Verses 23. They changed the glory of God into an Image made like a corruptible man Ver. 25. They changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator This was their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their unrighteousness or injurious dealing with God So the Antichristians that had the light of Scripture though under palliated pretences changed the truth of God into a lie loved their own errors more than simple and plain Christianity or the true knowledge of God and diverted the worship from himself unto an Idol 2. They had pleasure in unrighteousness in these things they please themselves not lapse into it out of simple ignorance and error of mind And so the Apostle parallels the two great Apostasies That from the light of nature and that from the light of the Gospel Light of nature Rom. 1.32 Not only do these things but have pleasure in them that do them Light of Scripture Have pleasure in unrighteousness they are mad upon their Idols and Images not only are Idolaters but delight in Idolatry and Image-worship Psal. 97.7 That boast themselves of Idols Now to observe some things 1. Errors of Judgment as well as sins of practice may bring damnation upon the Souls of men All sins do in their own nature tend to damnation Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death And Errors of Judgment are sins for they are contrary to the rule or law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Any swerving from the Law is sin And they are inductive of other sins for if the eye be blind the whole body is full of darkness Matth. 6.23 It perverâ—s our zeal There is nothing so mischievous wicked and cruel that a man blinded with error will not attempt against those that differ from him Ioh. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service A blind Horse is full of metal but ever and anon stumbleth Therefore if a man be not guided by sound Judgment his zealous affections will precipitate him into mischief As the Jews that persecuted Christ and his Apostles had a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Rom. 10.2 So the Popish Zealots with what fury have they persecuted the innocent and sincere servants of Christ The Papists would be angry if we should not reckon St. Dominick a zealous man and the poor Albigenses felt the bitter effects of that zeal in the destruction of many thousands by inhumane Butcheries and Villanies about Tholouse c. The Lord deliver us from the furies of transported brain-sick Zealots 2. Though all errors may bring damnation upon the Souls of men yet some more especially than others may be said to be camning As 2 Pet. 2.1 Some shall bring in damnable Heresies Now this may be either from the matter or manner of holding them 1. From the matter if destructive of the way of Salvation by Christ. Some are utterly inconsistent with Salvation and eternal life as errors in the fundamentals in Religion As suppose that a man should reject or refuse Christ after a sufficient proposal of the Gospel to him there is no question but this is damning unbelief Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil But yet we are not to say that alone damneth There are other things necessary to Salvation contained under that general truth The Scripture saith Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent There is the sum of what is necessary to Salvation That God is to be known loved obeyed worshipped and injoyed and the Lord Jesus to be owned as our Redeemer and Saviour to bring us home to God and to procure for us the gifts of pardon and life and this life to be begun here and perfected in Heaven Other things are of moment to clear these necessary truths but they may be all reduced thereunto The truth is the question about the matter to be believed is not what divine Revelations are necessary to be believed or rejected when sufficiently proposed for all points without exception are so but what are simply and absolutely necessary to eternal life and these are points of faith and practice and obedience The points of Faith are a knowledge of God in Christ and practice that we be regenerated Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And live an holy life Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. 2. For the manner 1. When men profess what they believe not and voluntarily chuse error for Worldly ends though it be a less error against the Scripture and consistent with the main tenour of Salvation yet it taken up against Conscience for by-ends
it is a matter of sad consequence for this is living in a known sin Some may be blinded for a time out of terror and compassion and their case is sad till they express solemn repentance but when there is a reluctation against clear light and an obstinacy in that reluctation this man is condemned in himself Titus 3.11 Such a man is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself There cannot be a greater argument of a will unsubdued to God than to stand out against conviction out of secular respects This is to love darkness more than light and argueth such pravity of heart as is inconsistent with Faith and Salvation Some ignorant Souls may hold dangerous errors and which to others would be damnabâ—e yet they may not actually damn them because they do not rebel against the light and may be retracted by a general repentance or seeking of pardon for all their known or unknown sins Psal. 19.12 13. Who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from secret faults Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins Let them not have dominion over me then shall I be upright and I shall be innnocent from the great transgression 2. When they are vented by some Professor of Christianity to the seducing of others and rending of the Câ—â—â—ch and drawing Disciples after them this aâ—deth a new guilt to their errors and maketh them the more damnable Actâ— 20.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them There are properly Hereticks and Ring-leaders of Sects therefore Heresies are reckoned among the works of the flesh Gal. 5.20 Emulation wrath strife seditions Heresies increasing their own doom and Judgment these under a Christian name seduce and lead away the Church from Christ they pervert the holy ways of God and draw his people from serving him in Spirit and Truth 3. When though they should not err fundamentally they so far debauch Christianity as that God giveth them up to believe a lie and to take pleasure in unrighteousness that is to defend and maintain apparent corruptions of Christian Doctrine and Worship Of Doctrine for it is here said they believe a lie and they believe not the truth Of worship for it is said they take pleasure in unrighteousness A party thus given up by God we should shun as we would shun a Plague or come out of Bedlam for these men have lost their spiritual wits and â—ee not that which the common light of Christianity doth disprove however they retain the name of Christians and make a cry of the Church the Church as the Jews did of the Temple of the Lord and retain some truth among them for such a party is here described 4. When there is gross negligence or not taking pains to know better It is equivalent to reluctation or standing out against light Crassa negligentia dolus est there is a deceit in laziness or affected ignorance Joh. 3.20 They will not come to the light lest their deeds should be reproved 2 Pet. 3.5 They are willingly ignorant Those that please themselves in the ignorance of any truth err not only in their minds but their hearts It is the duty of Gods people to understand what is his will Eph. 5.7 Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is And it is their practice Rom. 12.2 That ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God Psal. 1.2 His delight is in the law of the Lord and therein doth he meditate day and night We should be searching still But when men will not know what they have a mind to hate it argueth a secret sore and suspicion of the truth and are loth to follow it too close lest it cross their lusts and interests 3. That the way and errors of Popery are damnable and it is very unsafe living in that Society and Combination I prove it 1. Because they live in wilful disobedience to God They violate the manifest Commandments of God while they hold it lawful to worship Pictures and Images to make Pictures of the Trinity to invocate Saints and Angels to deny Lay-men the Cup in the Sacrament to adore the Sacrament to prohibit certain Orders of Men and Women to marry to Celebrate the publick service in a language which ordinarily men and women that assist understand not In all these things they offer apparent violence to Gods Precepts And that their whole worship is polluted with a gross Superstition as for instance to worship Images is expresly against Gods word Psal. 97.7 Confounded be all they that worship graven Images that boast themselves of Idols Worship him all ye Gods The Scripture you see denounceth confusion to all Worshippers of Images and they are reckoned as Enemies of Christs Kingdom for it is applied to Christ Heb. 1.6 And let all the Angels of God worship him That would set up the worship and service of them in his Church in the exercise of their Religion especially those who glory in them and boast of them and set them forth as the glory of their way and worship No he disdaineth all this relative worship at or before Images which men would give unto him and sheweth that all the Powers of this World and the other Angels and Potentates should immediately worship Christ. For the second point picturing the Trinity God hath not only forbidden it but argued against it Deut. 4.15 16. Take therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no similitude when the Lord spake to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any thing Male or Female See how cautelous God is to prevent this abuse and yet how boldly men practise it For the third instance the Invocation of Saints and Angels Our Lord hath taught us how to repel that temptation Matth. 4.10 It is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve That religious service and worship is due only to God no Creature can claim it without Sacriledge nor can we give it to them without Idolatry And God being so jealous of his honour every Christian should be careful that he doth not divert it from him They have many distinctions to excuse themselves to the World but I doubt how they will excuse themselves to God For the fourth particular adoring the Sacrament I shall speak to again anon that is a mean not an object of worship The Fifth prohibiting certain Orders of men and women to marry which the Apostle calleth Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 2. In the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot Iron forbidding to marry c. For the Sixth Celebrating publick Service in an unknown Tongue it is contrary to the Apostles reasoning 1 Cor. 14.15 16 17. For
foot to subvert their Faith and expose the whole Christian Doctrine to contempt First The manner of obtestation falleth first under our consideration in which two things are mentioned 1. The coming of Christ. 2. Their gathering together unto him Obtestations are by those things which have great reverence and respect with us as most likely to prevail Now these two things are mentioned 1. As weighty 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdom 2. This was the Article mistaken and perverted as to one circumstance the Time but the thing is taken for granted as an unquestionable truth and the support of all their hopes 2 Thess. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 3. This was a famous Christian Doctrine with which the Apostles usually began in planting Religion in any place 1 Thess. 5.1 2 3. But of the times and the seasons ye have no reason that I write unto you for ye your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night c. 4. It was of precious account with them 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto them also that love his appearing So that the obtestation implyeth both the certainty of their belief and also their dear account of this Article of Faith and therefore the sense is As you do assuredly expect him and love and look and long for this day that it may go well with you and Christ appear to your glory so be not troubled 1. Doct. That the coming of Christ to the judgment is a truth well known firmly believed and earnestly desired by all true Christians 2. Doct. That when Christ shall come all the Saints shall be gathered together unto him 1. Doct. That the coming of Christ to the judgment is a truth well known firmly believed and earnestly desired by all the Saints 1. That it is well known the Apostle produceth the testimony of Enoch Jude 14. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints David often mentioneth it as a thing delighted in by Believers therefore in a Poetical or rather Prophetical strain he calleth upon the Heavens Earâ—h Sea and Fields to rejoice before the Lord for he cometh for hâ— cometh to judge the Earth he shall judge the World with Righteousness and the people with his truth Psal. 96.13 and again Psal. 98.10 He calleth upon the Creatures to rejoice before the Lord for he cometh to judge the Earth with Righteousness shall he judge the World and the people with Equity passages whiâ—h relate not only to the Kingdom of the Messiah as it is exercised now in the World but also to his final act of judging till which time they are not fully verifyed Solomon bindeth â—he whole duty of man upon him by his consideration Eccles. 12.13 14. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man for God shall bring every work into Iudgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil And the Apostles when they went abroad to Proselyte the World usually began with this point 2. That this is firmly believed by all true Christians This must needs be so because it is the grand inducement to all Piety and Godliness and none ever disbelieved it but those the interest of whose Lusts ingaged them to question it 2 Pet. 3.3 4 5. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying Where is the promise of his coming For since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation For this they willingly are ignorant of c. willingly ignorant their interest puts them upon it rather than their Conscience because this Doctrine filleth them with unquiet thoughts that they cannot so securely follow their sinful practices till they blot out the fear of it or banish the thoughts of it out of their hearts but all that obey the teachings of grace take it for objective or subjective grace they firmly believe it Tit. 2.11 12 13. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlâ—ness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ. The sound belief of it is not so much encountred with the doubts of the mind as the inclinations of their perverse hearts Now the seeming reasons of partial men are not to be heard especially as delivered in a scoffing malicious way and on the other side Godliness and Mortification standeth upon such evident reason as mans unquestionable duty that it needeth not to be maintained by a lie and manifest falshood Certainly they that deny it do not so much reason against this Article of our Christian Faith as scoff at it and it is to be imputed to the malignity of their tempers rather than the acuteness or sharpness of their reason that they do not believe it Many things which they urge are a manifest token of the contrary As the calamities of the good 2 Thess. 1.4 5. So that we glory in you for your Faith and Patience in all your Persecutions and tribulations that you endure which is a manifest token of the righteous Iudgment of God The perversion of Justice Eccles. 3.16 17. And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Iudgment that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iniquity was there I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work Things must be reviewed and judged over again A State Engine to serve Order and Government doth the benefit of mankind need a lie to promote it Doth carnal interest govern the World or Vertue If meer carnal Interest what a confusion would there be of all things Then men might commit all Villany take away mens lives and goods when it is their interest or they could do it safely and secretly without infringement of their interest Servants poison their Masters if they could do it without discovery and there were no sin in it men prey upon others if it be in the power of their hands and catch he that catch can without impunity would be the truest Wisdom Clear it is Vertue cannot be supported without the thoâ—ghts of a World to come and it is unreasonable to imagine that God would make a World which cannot be governed without falshood and deceit 3. That it is earnestly desired by all true Christians that is of chief respect
to begin our right in the priviledges of the Gospel there are some conditions required for the beginning others for the continuing of our right now this is absolutely required for the continuing of our right both for present reconciliation with God and future Glory it is upon this condition if ye continue in the Faith 2. Let us inquire what is necessary to this constancy and establishment of mind that we may not be soon troubled and shaken partly that our minds may be inlightened to know the truth and our hearts renewed to believe and love the truth for without this there can never be any constancy of mind in Religion 1. A clear Conviction of the Truth or certainty of Knowledge a rooted assent or well grounded perswasion not some fluctuating opinion about it an half light maketh us very uncertain in our course James 1.3 A double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First try all things 1 Thess. 5.20 then hold fast that which is good When men resolve upon Evidence or after due Examination the truth sticketh the closer and faster by them but when they take up things hand over head they have no firm Principles and therefore waver hither and thither as Vessels without Ballast are tossed with every wave 2 Pet. 3.16 17. Beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substantial grounds within themselves they do not stand by the knowledge of others or the Faith of others and consent of others light chaff is carried about with every wind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4.14 That ye henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine they go through all parts of the compass sometimes this wind of error taketh them up sometimes that sometimes taking up one opinion then changing it for another this is the fruit of half-Convictions 2. The other oart of our Basis is a resolution to adhere to the Truth what likelihood is there that we should continue who are not so much as resolved so to do The heart must be established by Grace as well as the mind soundly convinced Heb. 13.9 Be not carried about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace as the Apostle speaketh of a purpose not to marry 1 Cor. 7.37 He that standeth stedfast in his own heart c. So here Acts 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Christ A firm thorough resolution is requisite to fortify us against all changes in Religion otherwise we are but as Trees without a Root or an House without a Foundation Now this resolution of the Heart is by Faith and Love Faith Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Love 2 Thess. 2.10 They received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lie We are not only rooted and grounded in Faith but rooted and grounded in Love Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love c. 3. The opposite to this is Levity and inconstancy of mind that soon quitteth truth without difficulty or without much hesitancy and resistance yields to the temptation The Scripture often taketh notice of this sudden imbracing of Error Gal. 1.6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and in the Text soon shaken in mind credulity is a lightness in believing when we are like Reeds shaken with every wind Mat. 11.7 and have a faulty easiness ready to be carried away with every Doctrine which pretendeth to Truth The simple believeth every word Prov. 14.15 There is a readiness of mind which is good but it goeth on sufficient evidence so the wisdom that is from above is gentle and easy to be intreated James 3.17 and the Bereans were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 17.11 They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures whether these things were so or no but a readiness of mind differs from a weakness of mind or a lightness in believing upon slender and insufficient grounds they never received the truth with thorough Efficacy and are prone to Error 4. The Causes of this Levity and Inconstancy of mind are these 1. Want of solid rooting in the Truth they receive it hand over head as the stony ground forthwith sprang up Mat. 13.5 and 20. ver Anon they receive it with joy they do not so soon receive the word but they as soon quit it 2. Want of Mortification 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us having loved this present World Lusts are uncertain fear of men favour of men carnal hopes will easily prevail 3. A certain readiness of mind which disposeth men to conform and comply with their Company as the Looking-Glass representeth every Face that looketh on it so they are very changeable and unstable as water as Zedekiah Jer. 38.5 The King is not he that can say you nay soon turned this way and that way 4. Want of a thorough inclination to God so that they are right for a while or in some things yet they are not universally true to his interest 1 Kings 2.28 Joab turned after Adonijah though he turned not after Absolom Hos. 7.8 Ephraim is a Cake not turned 5. Want of Holiness and living up to the truths we know 1 Tim 3.9 Holding the mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience Choice Liquors are best kept in a clean Vessel men provoke God to desert them and leave them to a vertiginous Spirit 6. Libertinism men think they may run from one Sect of Christians to another as the wind of interest bloweth if they were to turn to Ethnicism Turcism or Judaism they would die rather than change theâ—r Religion but they think the differences among Christians are not of such moment as to venture any thing upon that account Every truth is precious and must be owned in its Season and it is damnable in it self to do any thing against Conscience and he that giveth way to a small temptation will entertain a greater As a Man that hangeth over a Precipice when he lets go his hold will sink further and further till he come to the bottom therefore it is good to be faithful in a little Vse Let us take heed of this evil credulity and lightness 1. Till Christians get a setled and sound Judgment they never have peace within themselves for fears and scruples arise in the dark and those that live in error are full of perplexities and have not that tranquilâ—ity of Spirit which They have who are fully perswaded in their own
not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. 2 Thess. 2.1 2 3. Now we beseech you Brethren by the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him That ye be not soon shaken in mind nor be troubled neither by spirit not by word nor by letter as from us as that the day of Christ is at hand Others conceive some notable manifestation of his Presence and Power in his Church but this would ingage us in many dark Proâ—hecies which I shall not meddle withal intending only a doctrinal discovery of Antichrist as how long before his coming by what means Sure I am that at his coming the Beast and false Prophet shall be slain and cast into the lake of fire Rev. 19.20 but for other things I have not light enough certainly to define That the utter ruine of Antichrist is not to be expected till the second coming of Christ. Vse Be not discouraged though Antichrist yet remain after all the endeavours against him It is enough that Antichristianism shall be finished and finally destroyed And for the time refer it to God If it be not till the Day of Judgment or Christs final Conquest over all his Adversaries you must be contented to tarry for that as well aâ— for other things SERMON VII 2 Thess. 2.9 10. Even him whose coming is after the working of Sathan with all Power and Sins and lying wonders And with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved WE have considered the Titles of Antichrist his nature and properties the time of his rise and with it his ruine Now we are to consider the way and means how he doth acquire and keep up this power in the World The means are 1. Principal 2. Instrumental 1. Principal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the working of Sathan 2. Instrumental which are also two 1. Pretence of Miracles with all Power Signs and lying wonders 2. Other Cheats and Impostures with all deceivableness of unrighteousness Their general way of dealing being Sophistical and fallacious Let us a little explain these things 1. The great Agent in setting up this Kingdom after the working of Sathan It may note the manner as we render after that is in such a way as Sathan deceived our first Parents for he was a murderer and a lyar from the beginnning John 8.44 I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve by his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ 2 Cor. 11.3 So all this mystery of Iniquity shall be carried on after this manner by deceit by the tricks of lying men and the works of deceiving Spirits Rather it noteth Sathans Agency and Influence and after or according to the working of Sathan is as much as by the working of Sathan noting not only his Pattern but his Influence so is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 often rendered and the energy of the Devil and Influence upon all wickedness is spoken of elsewhere Eph. 2. 3. The Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience the Devil hath a great hand over wicked men in the World his way of dealing with them is most efficacious and powerful and certainly he is the first Founder and main supporter of the Antichristian State 2. The Instrumental means 1. By pretence of Miracles with all power and signs and lying wonders These three words signifie the same thing and are often joined when true Miracles are spoken of as 2 Cor. 12.12 Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all places in signs and wonders and mighty deeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Acts 2.22 Iesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles wonders and signs So Heb. 2.4 God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles Rom. 15.19 Through mighty signs and wonders through the power of the spirit of God Powers they are called because they issue from Power divine and extraordinary Signs from their use because they served to seal and signifie the Doctrine to which they are applied Wonders from their effect because they breed astonishment in the minds of the beholders These were the true Miracles Now Antichrist to countenance his false Doctrines and Superstitions would ape and imitate Christ and pretendeth to Powers Signs and Wonders as Iannes and Iambres sought to imitate Moses God permitting it in some degree so Antichrist seeks to promote his Kingdom the same way which Christ took to promote Evangelical truth But they are called Powers and Signs and lying Wonders i.e. lying Powers lying Signs and lying Wonders for it agreeth to all the words though affixed to one of them But why lying wonders partly because the greatest number of them are meer Fables notorious Impostures and Forgeries partly because others are Diabolical illusions things beyond humane but not Angelical Power if they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wonders they are not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrysostome distinguisheth fit signs to signifie the truth of the Doctrines partly from the end and scope for that must also be regarded God cautioneth his People that if they gave them a sign and wonder though it came to pass if it were to draw them to other Gods it was to be rejected Deut. 13.1 2 3. the Spirits must be tryed whether they be of God 1 John 4.1.1 Cor. 12.3 No man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Iesus accursed If a wonder be wrought or pretended to be wrought to draw us off from Christ or to promote things clearly forbidden by the word of God it is a lying wonder as all Antichrist's are for their end is to confirm the Popes Dominion and false Doctrine The sum is this then That many things are pretended not really done Impostures and Forgeries not Miracles other things done by Diabolical illusion as there may be Apparitions Visions Spectres for Sathan will bestir himself to keep up the credit of his Ministers Lastly if we cannot otherwise disprove them if they tend to false Doctrine and worship they are to be rejected whatever extraordinary appearance there be in them 2. The other expression concerning the means is general with all deceivableness of unrighteousness which comprizeth 1. Their Sophistical Reasoning from Antiquity Universality Unity Iâ—fallibility without coming to the intrinsick merits of the câ—use but condemning the truth rather by prejudice 2. Their practical Acts and feats to beguile Souls by Fawning or Threatning or Preferment and Persecutions these are the Arts by which Antichrist shall deceive men into Unrighteousness that is to bring this corruption into the Church and acquire this power to himself Now I shall observe some points 1. Doct. The Devil hath a great hand in setting up Antichrists Kingdom as he hath a great interest by it his coming â—â—all be by or after the working of Sathan He
which was confirmed by Miracles their Wonders are lying wonders and how plausible soever they seem are lying wonders and not to be believed Surely Miracles must needs be false and pretended which are brought to confirm a Doctrine contrary to that which is already confirmed by Miracles For God is faithful and cannot deny himself and therefore he cannot be the Author of Miracles whereby things contrary to â—â—ch other may be confirmed if the Faith onâ—e be established by other Miracles we are to believe the latter Miracles to be a meer Imposture for Christ is not yea and nay but yea and Amen 1 Cor. 1.19 20. The Appariâ—ion of an Angel is a great Miracle but if an Angel preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 It is a supposition of an impossible Case necessary to forewarn the people of God against the delusions of the Devil changing himself into an Angel of Light Sâ—rely God will never contradict himself 5. The Miracles wrought by Antichrist and his Adherents are mira but not miracula some wonderful things but no true and proper Miracles else as Austin faith figmenta mendacium hominum portenta fallacium spirituum either the fictions of lying men or the illusions of deceiving Spirits many times the matter of fact is not true at other times the thing done is but some illusion of the senses by the Devil or something taken for a Miracle which doth not exceed the power of nature either way it is an Imposture and indeed the Miracles of the Legends are so false so ridiculous so light and trivial that they expose Christianity to contempt or else if there â—e any thing in it it giveth suspicions of magical illusion and converse with the Devil which among their Votaries and Recluses is no unusual thing 6. There are seven points in Popery which they seek to confirm by Miracles and which being senseless in themselves do most scandalize Protestants 1. Pilgrimages they show the Shrine and also the Chamber of the House of the Blessed Virgin how the Virgin at Loretto was transported out of Galilee into Dalmatia and by Angels in the Air to the remote parts of Italy and setled there after some removes The Story is ridiculous and I am serious yet this draweth an infinite Company of Pilgrims there where new Miracles are pretended to be wrought continually 2. Prayers for the dead Bellarmine alledgeth out of Gregory the miraculous Apparition of Paschal his Ghost besâ—eching S t Germanus to pray for him 3. Purgatory all their Miracles are framed especially for the establishing of this point which is of such gain to them as that a dead mans skull spake to Mercarias praying When thou dost offer Prayer for the deaâ— then do we feel a little Consolation 4. The Invocation of Saintsâ— Alypius a Grammarian being forsaken of his Physicians S t Tiola appeared to him by night demanding what he ailed or what he would have He answered to shew a touch of his Art in Achilles his Speech to his Mother Thetis in Homer c. Thou knowest why should I tell thee that knowest all whereupon she conveyed a round stone to him with the touch of which he was presently healed 5. The Adoration of Images but especially of the Cross Crucifix and Image of Christ Malvenda saith that at Meliapore in the East Indies where S t Thomas was killed by those barbarous people digging to lay a foundation they found a square stone in it a bloody Cross and an Inscription implying the Saint was slain in the very act of adoring and kissing the Cross hereupon on went the building and the Chappel being finished in the beginning of the Gospel in sight of the whole multitude the Cross did sweat abundantly the sweat wiped off drops of blood appeared in the Linnen with which they wiped it till at length it returned to its own colour 6. The Adoration of the Host is made good by such a number of Miracles as fill whole Volumes Bellarmine himself telleth us of an hungry Mare kept three days wihout meat yet when Provender was poured to her in the presence of the Host she forgetting her meat with bowed head and bended knees adored the Sacrament 7. The Primacy of the Pope hath been the beginning and is the end of all Popish Legends A Bishop being excommunicated by Pope Hildebrand and inveighing against his Pride was smitten with a Thunder Clap. Baronius That while Pope Eugenius the Third was Celebrating the Mass a beam of the sun shone upon his head in which were seen two Doves ascending and descending which an Eastern Legate seeing submitted instantly to the Primacy Vse Another note of Antichrist These Impostures are not only countenanced and encouraged in that Church but made a mark of it the Power of Miracles When Antichrist first appeared ridiculous Miracles of all sorts began to be cryed up and established Yea and to this day these are pleaded challenging us for the want of them what they cannot prove by the Oracles of God they endeavour to prove by Miracles of Sathan SERMON VIII 2 Thess. 2.10 With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in tâ—â—m that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved WE have described unto you the head of the Antichristian State we come now to the Subjects especially the zealous Abettors and Promoters of this Kingdom They are described 1. By the means how they are drawn into this Apostasie and defection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly By their doom or misery they are in a state of perdition in them that perish Thirdly By their sin which is the cause and reason of â—his doom because they received not theâ—love of the truth that they might be saved 1. The means with all deceivableness of unrighteousness That Antichrist shall be a deceiver and that he deceiveth by lying Miracles we have seen already and is foretold Rev. 13.14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast c. but the deceived are not altogether guiltless for the fraud would soon be discovered by an holy and pure Soul His great engine is either the baits of lust and sin which work on none but those that have pleasure in unrighteousness verse 12. the geneâ—ality of wicked and carnal Christians are easily drawn from Gods pure worship and true Godliness or by Wordly means either by the offers of preferment riches dignities or else terrors of the flesh Now none catch at these wordly baits but whose eyes the God of this World hath blinded 2 Cor. 4.4 Secondly Their misery they are said to be those that perish That beareth three senses 1. That they are worthy to perish because they do not use care and diligence to understand their duty being blinded by their wordly affections That is the mildest seâ—â—e we can put upon it they
upon it so many errors in Doctrine corruptions in Worship and Tyranny in Government that if a man could be saâ—ed he is saved but as by fire 1 Cor. 3.13 and no man that hath a care of his Soul wiâ—l either embrace Popery or continue in it where the way is plainest there are difficulties enough and the righteous are scarcely saved and therefore in a questionable way none should venture Worshipping of Angels and Saints departed and Images are no light thing Nor will a serious Christian chuse that way where the Doctrines of the Gospel are so exceedingly corrupted and there is such a manifest invasion of the Authority of Christ by câ—allenging an Universal Headship over his Church without his leave and this maintained by errors and persecutions 3. We must distinguish of those that lived under Popery rather as Captives under this Tyranny than voluntary Subjects of this Kingdom of Antichrist As many holy men did in former times groaning and mourning under the abominations rather than countenancing and pâ—omoting them To these God speaketh when he said Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues They were his people while they were there These were as those seven thousand in Israel that had not bowed the knee to Baal Rom. 11.4 4. There is a difference to be put between those that err in the simplicity of their hearts knowing no better and tâ—ose that withstand the light upon carnal reasons and will not retract their errors though convinced of the degeneration of Christianity For simple ignorance is not so damning as obstinate error Luke 12.48 But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes c. and 1 Tim. 1.13 But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief The Scriptures many times condemn a way as a way of ruine but all in that way are not damned as John 4.22 Salvation is of the Iews There it is eminently dispensed and yet therefore it followeth not that all the Samaritans were damned Some among them though tainted with the errors of their Country might have such knowledge of the law of God and love to him as might be effectual to Salvation 5. We must distinguish between Papists so living and so dying many by Gods grace may have repentance conferred upon them at death and though they lived Papists might die as reformed Christians seeking Salvation by Christ aloâ—e in the way of true Faith and Repentance and so the Lord may manifest his compassion to them pardoning the errors of their lives 6. We must distinguish Times God might dispense with many in the times of universal darkness and Captivity more than he doth afterwards when the light of the Gospel breaketh forth and his Trumpet is sounded to call them forth Whosoever shall compare Iohn Fierus and Iohn Calvin will find they were assisted by the same Holy Spirit of God though the one lived and died a Papist and the oâ—â—er was â—n eminent instrument in reforming tâ—e Church of God but an ignorant fear of separation from the Catholick Church caused many to do as they did but much more doth it hold good in the times before Our Fathers if alive would not have condemned us nor should we condemn them being dead before they had these advantages which we now enjoy Illi si reviviscerent c. saith Austiâ— in a like Case 7. We must distinguish between Popish Errors some are more Capital as Adorations of Images Inovocation of Saints Justification by the merit of Works Inhibition of the Scriptures c. others not so deadly as when too much reverence is given to Ecclesiastical Orders and Constitutions Penance Auricular Confession Fasting c. Now though the Case of a reâ—l Papist who is compleat in this mystery of Iâ—iâ—uity and refuseth hateth persecuteth the truth offered be desperate yet the Lord â—ay in tender mercy accept of other devout Souls who yet live in that way if they hold the head and the foundation 1. Vse Let us not think Popery a light thing which the Lord so peremptorily threatneth Surely it is no liâ—â—â—e mercy that we are freed from it Therefore we should be thankful for the light we have and improve it well while we have it and hold it fast What hope soever we may have of men living in former times and foreign Countries where they knew no better but after such express warnings what hope can we have of English Papists considering the time when Rome is not grown better but worse and what was common opinion is now made an Article of Faith and when the truth is taught and so clearly manifested so that for any by their own voluntary choice to run into Popery it is a pâ—ain defection from Christ to Antichrist and wilfully to drink that poison which will be the bane and ruine of your Souls 2. The great reason why God sent this Judgment upon the Christian World is to punish those that received not the love of the Tâ—uth Here I shall enquire 1. How many ways men â—ay be said not to receive the love of the â—ruth 2. How just their punishment is fâ—r such a sin 1. Iâ— stating this sin 1. It is supposed that â—he truth and doctrine of Christ is made known to a people yea cometh among them with great Evidence Conviction and Authority For it is not the want of means but want of love that it is charged on them And the plenty of means aggravateth their fault and maketh their Condemnation the â—ore just John 3.19 This is the Condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness more than light The truth was not for their turns but was contrary to their lusts and passions and prejudices and these they preferred before the light of the Gospel shining to them 2. That as inevidence of doctrine was not the cause of not receiving the truth so not bare weakness of understanding no it is not weakness but wilfulness which is here intimated not a defect of their minds but their hearts Joh. 8.15 Because I tell you the truth ye believe me not It was not weakness but prejudice hindred their believing They despised the grace of God yea hated it for their lusts sake Their lusts lie more in opposition to the truth than speculative doubts and errors Luke 16.14 And the Pharisees who were covetous when they heard all these things they derided him the words are blew their Noses at him The sensual carnal and ungodly World scorneth heavenly doctrine and pure Christianity is distasted by false Christians Err in mind err in heart 3. It is not enough to receive the truth in the light of it but we must also receive it in the love of it or it will do us no good To make the truth operative 1. Knowledge is necessary and also Faith and then Love Knowledge for without knowledge the
heart is not good Prov. 19.2 Nothing can come to the heart but by the mind the will is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a choice or desâ—re guided by reason and the Gospel doth not work as a charm whether it be or be not understood No the purport or drift of it must be known or how can it have any effect upon us Next to knowledge to make it work there must be Faith when we apprehend a thing we must judge of it whether it be true or false how else can it make any challenge or lay claim to our respect 1 Thess. 2.13 Ye received it not as the word of men but as it is truth the word of God which worketh effectually in you as it doth in all them that believe Faith doth inliven our actions about Religion to hear of God and Christ and Heaven doth not stir us unless we believe these things Well next to Faith there must be Love for apprehension and dijudication are acts of the understanding only but love belongeth to the will and we must believe with all the heart Acts 8.37 There may be knowledge without Faith as an Heathen may understand the Christian Religion though he believe it not profess it not And there may be Faith without love for there is a dead faith James 2.20 which rests in cold opinions without any affecâ—ion to the truth believed Love pierceth deeper into the truth and maketh it pierce deeper into us As a red hot Iron though never so blunt will run farther into an inch board than a cold Tool though never so sharp And love maketh it more operative there is notitia per visum notitia per gustum A knowledge by sight and a knowledge by tasâ— A man may guess at the goodness of Wine by the Colour but more by the tast that is a more refreshing apprehension And Augustine prayeth Fac me Domine gustare per amoren quod gusto per cognitionem Lord make me tast â—hat by love which I tast by knowledge Surely we are never sound in Christianity till all the light that we receive be turned into love These great things are revealed and represented to our Faith not to please our minds by knowing them but to quicken our Love Faith alone is but as sight and Faith with Love is as tast Now it is more easy to dispute a man out of his belief that only seeth than it is him that tasteth and knoweth the grace of God in truth This is the true reason of the stedfastness of weak and unlearned Christians though they have not such distinct conceptions and reasonings as maâ—y learned men have yet their Faith is turned into love and a man is better held by the heart than by the head And though they cannot dispute for Christ as one of the Martyrs said they can die for Christ. But alas many receive the truth in the light thereof but few receive it in the love of it and so lie open to deceit 4. This love must not be a sleight affection for that will soon vanish but we must be rooted and well grounded and have a good strenght The stony grouâ—d had some love to the word Matth. 13.20 21. But he that receiveth the word in stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet he hath not root in himself but dureth but a while for when Tribulation of Persecution riseth because of the word by and by he is offended So also of the Thorny ground He heareth the word and the care of this World and the deceitfulness of riches choak the word and he becometh unfruitful ver 22. Now what are the defects of this love 1. It is not radicated A pang of Love or flash of Zeal whereas we should be rooted and grounded in love Eph. 3.17 Hypocrites had a tâ—st Heb. 6. 4 5. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned and have tasted of the Heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance Tasted but did but tast did escape 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2.20 yet not having a good Conscience may make Shipwrack of Faith 1. Tim. 1.19 2. It is partial The Gospel offereth great priviledges and it is also a pure holy rule of obedience Acts 2.41 This word of God is made up of Precepts and Promises God offereth in the Covenant exceâ—lent benefits upon gracious terms and conditions there must be a consent to the terms as well as an acceptation of the priviledges The confidence of the priviledges serveth to wean us from the false happiness therefore that must be kept up Heb. 3.6 But Christ as a Son over his own House whose are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the firm unto the end And the consent to the terms bindeth our duty upon us Isa. 56.4 Now as willingly as we yielded at first we must keep up the same fervour still Deut. 5.29 Oh that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments always That it might be well with them and with their Children for ever But whole pure Christianity is not loved by false Christians therefore when Religion crosseth their interests and the bent of their lusts they seek to bring Religion to their hearts not their hearts to Religion 3. It is not strong and in such a prevalent degree as to controul other affections it is but a passion a pleasure and a delight they take on for a time not the effect of solid judgment and resolution A joy easily controuled and overcome with other delights therefore Christ requireth a denial of all things for a close adherence to him and his Doctrine And hath told us Matth. 10.37 He that loveth Father and Mother more than me is not worthy of me and Luke 14.26 Cannot be my Disciple This is a love to which all other loves must give way and be subordinate Many love the truth a little but love other things more will be at no cost for it Solomon giveth advice Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not In lesser points we must do nothing against the truth for though the matter contended for be never so small yet sincerity is a great point but in the greater truths we should purchase the knowledge of them at any rate and be faithful to Christ what ever it cost us 4. This slight love may arise from Worldly respects Now in the Text it is said they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved It should arise upon eternal reasons and considerations of the other World which only produce abiding affections Heb. 10.39 We are not of them that draw back to â—erdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul In closing with Christianity that must be fixed as our
moved David against them to say go number Israel and Iudah How shall we reconcile these two places God gave him over to be tempted by Sathan By God as a Judge by Sathan as an Executioner Temptations to sin come immediately from the Devil but they are governed by God for holy and righteous ends So again 1 King 22.22 The evil Spirit had leave and Commission to be a lying Spirit in Ahabs Prophets Go forth and do so and thou shalt prevail with him There is a permissive intention not an effective when they grieve his Spirit God withdraweth and leaveth them to the evil Spirit who works by their fleshly and worldly lusts and then they are easily seduced who prefer Worldly things before Heavenly 3. There is an active providence which raiseth such instruments and propoundeth such objects as meeting with a naughty heart do sore blind it 1. For instruments Iob 22.16 The deceived and the deceiver are hiâ— Take it in Worldly or take it in Religious matters mans deceiving others or being deceived by others it is of God for it is said both are his not only his Creatures but subject to the government and disposal of providence how and whom they shall deceive and how far they shall deceive So Ezech. 14.9 If the Prophet be deceived that hath spoken a thing I the Lord have deceived him This is a great transaction in the World a sad judgment not to be cavilled but trembled at For mans ingratitude God raiseth up false Prophets to seduce them that delight in lies rather than in the truths of God 2. For objects wicked instruments varnish and dress up this cause with all the art they can to make it a powerful deceit and then it is befriended and countenanced by the powers of the World and so easily prevaileth with them who are moved either with worldly hopes or fears and have debauched their Conscience by worldly respects God saith Jer. 6.21 I will lay stumbling blocks before this people If we will find the sin God will find the occasion If Iudas hath a mind to buy his Master he shall not want Chapmen to bargain with him the Priests were consulting to destroy Christ at the same time that the Devil put it into his heart Matth. 26.3 being Alarmed by the Miracle of raising Lazarus Birds and Fishes are easily deceived with such baits as they greedily catch at so God by his just vengeance ordereth such occurences and occasions as take with a naughty and carnal heart 2. The degree or kind of the punishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we render it strong delusion or the efficacy of error that is such delusion as shall have a most efficacious force to deceive them The prevalency and strength of the delusion is seen in two things 1. The absurdity of the errors 2. The obstinacy wherewith they cleave to them 1. The absurdity of the errors I will instance in three things False Image worship and Bread worship Invocation of Saints and supererogation of works 1. Adoration of Images Idolaters are usually represented as sottish as Psal. 115.8 They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them He had described the senselesness of the Idols before They have mouths but they speak not Eyes have they but they see not they have ears but they hear not Noses have they but they smell not c. Now as Idols are senseless so the Idolaters are bruitish That is the makers Worshippers and Servers of them as void of true Wisdom as the Images are of sense and motion Isa. 44.18 They have not known nor understood for he hath shut their eyes that they câ—nnot see and their hearts that they cannot understand There is a fatal obduration upon them all along there their senselesness is set forth from ver 9. to ver 20. they that worship the work of their own hands are themselves but stocks and stones being blinâ—ed by the just Judgment of God If it be said this is meant of the Idols of the Gentiles not of the Images of God and Christ and Virgin Mary and Saints But God will not be worshipped by an Idol and there is no difference between the Images of the Papists and the Heathens but only in the name 2. The other thing that I will instance in is the Invocation of Saints a sottish error and respect payed to them that are so far out of the reach of our Commerce and a thing not only without precept promise or president in Scripture but also against Scripture which always directeth to God by one Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture saith Go to God if you lack any thing and they say Go to the Saints if they say not as Authors of Grace or any Divine Blessing yet as Intercessors though that be not true yet that derogateth from Christ whose Office it is to intercede with the Father So that this is to put the Creature in the place of God But it is not only contrary to Scripture but the very motion and inclination of the Spirit when he stirreth us or moveth us to pray Rom. 8.15 Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father he inclineth us to come to God and yet this they will leave 3. A third Error that I shall instance in is that man may supererogate not only merit for himself but lay in an overplus to encrease the treasure of the Church when the Scripture telleth us that our best works are imperfect yea polluted and our Lord himself hath told us that when we have done all say ye we are unprofitable Servants Luke 17.10 But what will not men believe that can believe these things There are other absurdities as gross as these but this sufficeth for a tast 2. The obstinacy wherewith they cleave to them Nothing will reclaim them not Scripture nor reason nor evidence of truth but they still cry the opinion of the Church and the Faith of their Forefathers and will invent any paltry shift and distinction rather recede from any thing than once admit that the Church hath erred Like the obstinate Jews in Christs time that denied apparent matter of fact Joh. 8.33 We were never in bondage to any man though they were in Egypt and Babylon and were now under servitude and the power of the Romans Though we prove they have erred and do err still the Church cannot err or rather like the Elder Jews in the Prophet Ieremiahs time Ier. 44.16 17 18 19. As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord we will not hearken to thee but we will certainly do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth To burn incense unto the Queen of Heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to her as we have done we and our Fathers and our Kings and our Princes for then
we had plenty of Victuals and were well and saw no evil But since we have left off burning incense to the Queen of Heaven we have wanted all things and have been consumed by the Sword and the Famine Such sottish obstinacy is there in men that doat upon their own invented Superstitious and Idolatrous Services Custom Antiquity practice of their Ancestors the Authority and usage of their great ones their Rulers the generality of observance This is their knot of Arguments by which they confirm themselves just as the Papists plead for their Superstitions at this day and to make the Mess more compleat they add the plenty and prosperity they enjoyed what a merry World it was before the new Gospel came in when they had nothing but Mass and Mattins And all the Calamities that have faln out they impute not to their own sins but to the Gospel Now when a people are thus obstinate and measure Religion not by reasons of Conscience but the interests of the Belly it is a sign that they are under the power of delusion and error hath more efficacy with such corrupt minds than the truth 3. The Causes of it shew the efficacy of error 1. The sinning of their learned to keep out all instructions allowing the vulgar only Prayers in a strange tongue and the Scriptures in no tongue and teaching them implicitely to believe as the Church believeth When the Lord permitteth such guides to order the affairs of his Church his great Judgment of occecation and obduration is upon them Jer. 5.31 The Prophets prophesie falsely and the Priests bear rule by their means and my people love to have it so 2. When gain interests and ambition move them thereunto As those Masters in the Acts exclaim against Paul and Silas when they saw their hope of gain was gone Acts 16.19 20 21. These men do exceedingly trouble the City And Demetrius Acts 18.25 Ye know by this craft we have our wealth This is a tender point to touch interest and when once it cometh to this they will proceed in their foâ—ly and defend one falshood with another for the great Idol of the World is gain or love of money 1 Tim. 6.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith It were an happiness if such kind of Arguments did only prevail with us to embrace a Religion that might convince others that it was Religion it self that we loved That our interest did not keep others from their duty and that we could embrace a Religion for the goodness of it even to our own loss 3. Another cause is pride of themselves and prejudice against others lest they should seem to be in an error and wrong and to learn of a few Novellists shall they teach them No rather they will remain ignorant still Alas it is not easy to strike Saâ—â— and submit to the teaching of those whom they hate Therefore men continue those first prejudices they have imbibed and will rather live and die in their errors than give God glory by a submission to truth Such a proud opinion and conceit have they of their own Learning and Knowledge This cause also conduceth to make the resolution more strong pre-ingagement in a contrary way It is disgraceful to change men think it is taken notice of as a great wonder Acts 6.7 That a great Company of the Priests were obedient to the Faith But such wonder are not wrought every day they of all men are most pertinacious but God can of stones raise up Children to Abraham Now would to God these causes of error were only found in the Antichristian Estate They are every where buâ— these cause strong delusion 3. The issue and effect that they should believe a lie two things must be explained 1. The object 2. The Act. 1. The object a lie that is either 1. false Doctrines 1 Tim. 4.2 Speaking lies in Hypocrisie When palpable errors are taken for truths A man given over by God to delusion will swallow the grossest errors and fâ—ctions and that in matters dangerous and destructive to Salvation False Doctrines are often called a lie in Scripture as opposite to the truth And yet such things are received by those from whose parts the World would expect better things 2. False Miracles in their Legends a man would wonder any should have the face to obtrude such ridiculous stories and scandalous to Religion upon the World 3. False Calumnies against those Instruments whom God employed in the reformation Popery is a Religion supported by lies as that Calvin was a Sodomite and burnt in the shoulder at Noyon for that crime and the Popish Deaâ— and Chapter of that place have published his Vindicate That Luther was an Incarnate Devil begotten by an Incubus I should weary you to rake in this Dunghil but I must close it with the general observation that Antichristians will lie some among them call them pious frauds but they are Diabolical Forgeries 2. The Act is that they are given up to believe a lie This must be applied to their erroneous Doctrines as common to them all To their false Miracles and Calumnies not to the Inventers but to the seduced who swallow these things All that oppose the truth do not go apparently against Conscience but being given up to the efficacy of error they may believe that false Religion wherein they live Let us open the Term believe What is it to believe a thing you may know â—y the opposites Now opposite to Faith there is first doubtfulness when men halt between two opinions 1 Kings 18.21 If the Lord bâ— God follow him but if Baal then follow him This doubtfulness proceedeth from want of bringing the Case to a Tryal and thorow Hearing 2. Conjecture Acts 26.28 Almost perswaded Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian. 3. Opinion Matth. 13.14 Hath not root in himself but dureth for a while c. 4. Firm perswasion They will censure nothing for if of truth Joh. 6.69 We believe and are sure c. if of error Acts 26.9 I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Iesus of Nazareth 5. Resolved adherence if to the truth that is called receiving the truth in the love of it If to error it is seen in mens obstinacy and zeal suffering in it 1 Kings 18.28 Cutting themselves with Knives and Lances till blood gushed out Suffering for it For a man may give his body to be burned for an error a man may sacrifice a strong body to a stubborn mind 1 Cor. 13.3 Though I give my body to be burned and have not Charity it profiteth nothing And persecuting the contrary Joh. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service To apply this Marry that live within the Kingdom of Antichrist some are doubtful some almost perswaded soâ—e
of the love of the Truth rather than because you are out of the reach of the temptation However it is a great mercy that God keepeth off the Temptation till we are better setled in Religion 2. That the Election of God giveth a People great advantages against Errors especially against the impostures of Antichrist for when he speaketh of the sad estate of those who are seduced by the Man of Sin he presently addeth but we are bound to give thanks to God for you for he hath chosen you to Salvation You will say the Thessalonians received the Gospel before these corruptions were brought into the Church but though Antichrist was not then in being and this corrupt Christianity not then set a foot yet there were some preparations for it The mystery of iniquity already worketh and they were preserved from the taint of it by the Election of God for either God suffereth not the Elect to be deceived in momentous points or sooner or later he reduceth them the purpose of God according to Election must stand Rom. 9.11 Rom. 11.7 The Election hath obtained and the rest were blinded So 2 Tim. 2.18 19. They have overthrown the faith of some nevertheless the Foundation of the Lord standeth sure Still the Elect of God escape the seduction and especially Antichristian Error Rev. 13.8 The dwellers upon Earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life 3. How careful we should be to support the Hearts of God's People when we speak of his terrible Judgments on the wicked This was the practice of the Apostles every where as when the Author to the Hebrews had spoken of the dreadful estate of Apostates whose end is to be burned Heb. 6.9 But we are perswaded better things of you and things that accompany Salvation though we thus speak he did not condemn them all as Apostates nor would not discourage them by that terrible Threatning So again after another terrible passage Heb. 10.39 But we are not of them that draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Once more when another Apostle had spoken of the Sin unto death which is not to be prayed for he presently addeth 1 Joh. 5.18 19. Whosoever is born of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not And we know that we are of God and the whole World lieth in wickedness Zuinglius saith Bone Christiane hâ—â—c nihil ad te c. Good Christian this is not thy portion when he had flashed the terrours of the Lord in the face of Sinners The reasons of this are partly with respect to the Saints who sometimes out of weakness and infirmity and sometimes out of tenderness of Conscience are apt to be startled electorum corda semper ad se sollicite pudeant Gregor We deserve such dreadful Judgments and therefore fear them partly with respect to our selves that we may rightly divide the Word of Truth 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth Give every one his portion not make their hearts sad whom God would not make sad and therefore they are much to blame who in reproving Sinners stab a Saint at the Heart and take the doctrine but for a colour to make a perverse application The Apostle here useth more tenderness God shall send them strong delusion But we are bound always to give thanks for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because the Lord hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth In the words are two things 1. An acknowledgment of this obligation to give thanks for them But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you Brethren c. 2. The matter or particular cause of his thanksgiving because the Lord hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation c. First There are 1. the Titles he giveth Brethren and Beloved of the Lord they were not only beloved of the Apostle but the Lord himself both with an antecedent Love bestowing Grace upon them and also a consequent Love they believing in his Name living according to his Precepts suffering for the Truth 2. His obligation to bless God in their behalf we are bound to give thanks to God always for you There is first giving thanks which sheweth his esteem of the blessing 2. Always which sâ—eweth how deeply he was affected with it 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are bound he acknowledgeth a Debt and bond of Duty we must not only give thanks to God for our own Election but the Election of others Out of the law of Brotherly Love we loving them as our own Souls respect to the Gloâ—y of God which is promoted by the Salvation of others as well as our selves 2. The matter of the thanksgiving their Election to Salvation which is two ways amplified 1. By the Antiquity of it from the beginning that is from everlasting for so it is taken sometimes as Joh. 1.1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God That is before the first point of time before God began to create all things 2. From the means of its accomplishment two are mentioned one on God's paâ—t the sanctification of the Spirit The other on ours the belief of the Truth From the whole observe Doct. That the great matter of our thanksgiving to God is his eternal Election of us whether for our selves or others This is that which leaveth a Debt or an indispensible Obligation always to bless and praise his Name In pursuing this Point I shall first consider how Election is here set forth 2. Give you the reasons why this is the great matter of thanksgiving 1. How it is here set forth 1. By the rise of it which is the meer love of God for he calleth these Brethren â—eloved of tâ—e Lord. And that the only original cause and motive of Election is God's Love and Grace this is asserted in other Scriptures As for instance in the Types of Election and Reprobation Rom. 9.13 Iacob have I loved and Esau hâ—ve I hated God's respect to Iacob above Esau is ascribed to his love So to the posterity of Iacob whom he distinguished from other Nations Deut. 7.7 8. The Lord did not set his love upon you and choose you because ye were more in number than any People for ye were the fewest of all People but because the Lord loved you And still the Lord's Election is an Election of Grace There is no antecedent worthiness in the People whom he chooseth 2 Tim. 1.9 not according to our Works but according to his own Purpose and Grace which was given in Christ Iesus before the World began Now Grace is nothing but the Love of God working freely and of its own Inclination 2. The Act it self he hath chosen you making a distinction
between them and others Upon them he shall send strong delusion but you hath he chosen to Salvation through the belief of the Truth Those whom God hath chosen he separates from the World of the ungodly or the corrupt heap of mankind and consecrateth them unto himself So that Election is not a taking all but some and passing by others 1 Joh. 5.19 We are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness A choice implyeth a setting apart some for Objects of his Grace and Instruments of his Glory in the World Psal. 4.3 And the number is certain for their Names are said to be written in the Rolls and Records of Heaven when others are not written Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your Names are written in Heaven Phil. 4.3 Whose Names are written in the Book of Life And others are said not to be written Rev. 17.1 And they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose Names were not written in the Book of Life from the Foundation of the World And Rev. 20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire Namely those that perish by these Delusions 3. It is set forth by the Antiquity of it from the Beginning Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World And Matth. 25.34 Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World Namely as they belonged to his choice Election Love in God is of an old stâ—nding even from all Eternity his thoughts and purposes of Love were towards us a long time before they were discovered Surely the Ancientness of his Love should beget an honourable esteem of it in our Hearts For who are we that the Thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long ago And what is from everlasting is to everlasting Psal. 103.17 For what is from Eternity is to Eternity and dependeth not upon â—he accidents of Time 4. By the means of its accomplishment Two are mentioned one on God's part the other on ours The Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth Where note 1. That God's Decree is both of Ends and Means For all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation hath also chosen us to be Holy and to believe the Truth And without the Means the End cannot be obtained For without Faith and Holiness no grown Person shall see God or escape Condemnation As to Faith it is clear John 3.36 He that believeth not the Wrath of God abideth on him And Holiness is indispensibly necessary Heb. 12.14 Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. God had assured Paul Acts 27.22 That there should be no loss of any Man's Life amongst them except of the Ship and afterward Vers. 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could the assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the will and actions of Men I answerâ— Not as a cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done and the Lord revealing by his Word this Conjunction of End and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship And therefore what God hath joyned together let no Man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we subvert his Order to our own destruction The Scripture maketh it a grievous Sin a tempting of God to expect the End without the use of Means In vain is the Cavil then of those who would impeach the Doctrine of God's free and unchangeable Will concerning the salvation of the Eleâ—t upon the pretence that it taketh away the Duty of Man and the necessity of our Faith and Obedience No God executeth his Decree by the proper Means And wretcheâ— is their inference who say If I be elected I shall be saved no Salvation can be obtained but by the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth And worse is their confidence who profess assurance of their Election and yet walk after the Flesh No till a Man purge himself from Youthful Lusts he is not a Vessel of Honour sanctified and set apart for God 2 Tim. 2.21 And in vain do we hope to go to Heaven till we take the way that leadeth thither Devils have been cast out thence for Unholiness and therefore unholy Men shall never be taken in there 2. That these things are not causes of Election but fruits of Election and Means of execution of God's Decree about our Salvation Sanctification is not a Cause but a subordinate End or Means Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us to be holy not because we are holy but that we might be holy So 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God through the sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Not elected for it but through it When God had all Mankind in his prospect and view he freely chose out some to be sanctified and saved We come to the possession of it through Sanctification that is by it as a Means So for the other Faith is a fruit of Election not a foreseen Cause Acts 2.47 The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved None cometh to the Church but those whom God draweth and they are actually added to the Church by a profession of Faith and such as should be saved were as many as were ordained to Salvation Acts 13.48 And as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City were met together to hear but as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed It is not said as â—any as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but the contrary Faith is not the cause of Election but Election is the cause of Faith 3. That being the necessary Fruits they are also evidences of our Election All that are Sanctified by the Spirit and believe the Truth belong to the Election of God Election it self is a secret in God's Bosom and is only manifested to us by the Effects and what are the necessary Effects but Sanctification by the Spirit and a sound belief of the Gospel 1. The Sanctification of the Spirit is not only an external Dedication to God but an internal and real Change Some aâ—e externally dedicated and may trample under foot the Blood of the Covenant whereby they are sanctified Heb. 10.29 Of how much sorer Punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son
of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sancâ—ified an unholy Thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace That is were in external Covenant with God and visibly dedicated But there is an other Sanctification which is the Fruit of the Spirit 〈◊〉 a real Change in them 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God Find this and you find a sufficient Evidence Namely if you become new Creatures and be enabled to forsake Sin and follow after that which is pleasing in the sight of God Sancâ—ification of the Spirit is not so much known by Dedication and Profession but by â—he real and fixed inclination of your Souls to God and Heaven and living accordingly you are turned to God and live to God 2. Your belief of the Truth that is of the Gospel Now this is meant not of a dead Faith or such a cold Assent as only begets an Opinion in us of the truth of Christian Religion but such a lively Faith as bringeth us under the power of it For it is opposed to them that do not receive the Truth in the love of it Ver. 10. To them that believed not the Truth because they had pleasure in Vnrighteousness Ver. 12. That lived under the power of fleshly and worldly Lusts. And it is spoken of them who had received the Truth so as to obey it and suffer for it as the Thessalonians are described all along And in short such a belief of the Truth as caused them to enter into Covenant with Christ and make conscience of their Fidelity to him And here in this Verse we learn That a bare belief of the Truth doth not save unless accompanied with the Sanctification of the Spirit And therefore both must be taken together when the Word cometh to us not in Word only but in Power and much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost it is an infallible evidence of our Election of God 1 Thess. 1.5 Alas many have a general cold belief of the Gospel that never felt the effect of it upon their Hearts 4. Observe the necessary Connection that is between both these Means The Sanctification of the Spirit and the Belief of the Truth 1. There is a necessary Connection between them as between the Cause and the Effect For none are powerfully drawn to believe in Christ but such as are Sanctified by his Spirit It is not in the power of any Creature to incline us to God or bring us to come to him by Christ. But this Work is wholly reserved to the Spirit And so the Lord himself doth powerfully bring to pass his own Decrees as by Christ Redeeming so by the Spirit Sanctifying The Spirit is the Author both of Faith and Holiness Saving Grace is called a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Ephes. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good Works which God hath before ordaineâ— that we should walk in them And to Create is the Work of a Divine Power Creatâ—re and Creator are Relatives And certainly the noblest Creature such as the New Creature is cannot be framed by any but God It is called a New Birth and the New Birth is only from the Spirit Iohn 3.5 6. Well then these are fitly coupled the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth That God's Work may make way for ours 2. There is the Connection of Concomitancy between the Gospel and the Spirit The Spirit only goeth along with the Gospel and no other Doctrine and so both external and internal Grace are of God John 17.17 Sanctifie them by thy Truth thy Word is Truth It was fit that a Super-natural Doctrine should be accompanied with a Supernatural Operation and Power How else should it be known to be of God The Truth and the Spirit are inseparable Companions Where there is little of God known there is little of his Spirit As in the Natural Truth revealed to the Heathens Somewhat God shewed unto them Rom. 1.19 In the darker Revelation to the Iews there is but a fainter degree of the Spirit but Grace and Truth come by Iesus Christ. There goeth along with the Doctrine of the Gospel a mighty Spirit of Holiness for thereby God would prove the Verity and Truth of this Religion and suitably to the rich Mercy prepared for us in Christ. 3. There is a subordination of Faith to this Work of the Spirit by the Truth For the greatest Things work not till they be considered and beliâ—ved 1 Thess. 2.12 Ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which worketh effectually also in you that believe A sound Belief produceth strong Affections and strong Affections govern our Practice and Conversation So that fitly are these things united as the fruits of our Election and means of Salvation 2. Why this is the great matter of our thansgiving to God That I shall evidence in the following considerations 1. That Thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty expresly injoin'd by him and expected from us 1 Thess. 5.18 In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Iesus When God hath interposed his Will all debates are silenced If there were nothing else in the case this is motive enough to a gracious Heart for the fundamental reason of all obedience is the Will of God Our thankfulness is no benefit to God yet he is pleased with it as it sheweth our Honesty and Ingenuity And to us Christians the very Life and Soul of our Religion is Thankfulness therefore God will have us continually exercised in it Heb. 13.15 Let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise continually that is the fruit of our Lips giving thanks unto his Name As our understanding was given us to think of God and know him So our speech was given us to speak of God and praise him We praise God for all his works we give him thanks for such as are beneficial to us In Praise we ascribe all Honour Excellency and Perfection unto him In giving thanks we express what he hath done for our selves or others Now this must be done continually for God is continually beneficial unto us by daily Mercies giving us new matter of Praise and Thanksgiving Besides there are some Mercies so great that they should never be forgotten 2. That we are to give thanks chiefly for Spiritual and Eternal Mercies Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. For we cannot give thanks rightly without a just esteem of the Mercy we give thanks for But spiritual and eternal Mercies do much excel those that are temporal and transitory We are bound to bless the Lord for
is the Author It is not an Invention of Man but a Secret that came from the Bosom of God Again it is called Christ's Gospel The Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thess. 1.8 As the principal Subrevealer who made known unto us most fully the Mind of God And then on the Apostles who were Instruments chosen and intrusted by Christ to declare it to the World both by Word and Writing The Scripture is an Authentick Record wherein all things are delivered to us both concerning our Duties and Priviledges Therefore when he saith our Gospel he doth not mean it of principal Revelation but in regard of Dispensation and Trust. 1 Tim. 1.11 The glorious Gospel of the Blessed God is committed to my trust Therefore this word our Oospel is 1. A word of Fidelity that argued the Conscience to this Duty that owneth the Trust committed to him and that this was his chief Work and Charge 1 Cor. 9.17 A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me 2. It is a word of Esteem Love and Affection what we love we call ours Rom 16.25 Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my Gospel Paul was glad he had such Interest in it as to be a Preacher of it And Believers should be glad they are partakers of the benefit Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye trusted after ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation It is theirs and ours Oh blessed be God for this 3. It is a work importing Diligence our Gospel that which he preached with so much Labour and Hazard he followed this Work close Acts 20.24 I count not my Life dear that I may finish my Course with joy and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Iesus to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God He was willing to die and suffer any thing for the Gospels sake 4. The Consent and Harmony between him and the rest of the Apostles Sometimes he calleth it My Gospel to assert his own Apostolical Authority as Rom. 2.16 Sometimes Our Gospel 2 Cor. 4.3 to note their common Consent who were the authorized Messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our Gospel the same jointly attested by all Christ's chosen Messengers 3. The ends of this Calling They are either Subordinate or Ultimate 1. Subordinate in the word Whereunto he hath called you that is to Faith Holiness and Salvation we are called to all 1. God calleth us to the Faith of the Gospel he hath not only ordained us to believe but called us to believe without Calling there can be no Faith Rom 10.14 How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard But upon Calling there must be Faith or else we make void the Dispensation of God which we are under 1. There must be a belief of the Gospel in general The voice of the Creatures calleth upon the Gentiles to believe an Infinit Eternal Power that made Man and all Things And the condemnation of the Gentle World is that they know not God and glorifie not God as God after this Revelation made to them but to believe in Christ is a mystery to Nature and dependeth upon God's special Revelation in the Gospel Therefore the Eternal and Internal Power of the Spirit accompanieth it to convince the World that it is Sin not to believe in Christ. The External Power in Miracles and the Internal in the Illumination of the Mind John 16.9 The Spirit shall convince the World of Sin because they believe not in me That is receive not the Faith of the Gospel or believed not that Christ was the true Messiah the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church 2. This Call doth aim at not only a belief of the truth of the Gospel in general but also a particular Affiance in Christ according to the terms of the New Covenant General assent to the truth of the Gospel is only considerable as it leadeth on other Things Now that I may not wander I will refer them to two Things 1. A Fiducial Assent 2. An Obediential Confidence This is the belief of the Truth we are called unto 1. The Assent must be Fiducial or accompanied with a trust in Christ. Ephes. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation The meaning is the Gentiles after they heard the Gospel and believed the Truth they did trust themselves in the Hands of Christ to be brought by his Saving and Healing Methods to eternal Happiness It is a mighty thing to have such a Belief as may produce Trust or a venturing our selves in the Hands of Christ against all hazards and whatever befalleth us are content to save our Souls on his Terms This breedeth holy Security or Courage 2 Tim. 1.12 For I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 2. This Confidence must be Obediential not a devout Sloath or Carelessness To trust in his Mercies and neglect his Precepts crosseth the Tenor of his Covenant Psal. 119.60 I made haste and delayed not to keep thy Commandments It is true Religion when Faith Love and Hope concur Jude ver 20 21. But ye Beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith joyning in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ unto Eternal Life I know there is a trusting in his Pardon for our Failings and that Justification is a great Privilege as well as Salvation but Pardon is promised to the Sincere that with an honest Heart perform their Duty Psal. 32.2 Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity and in whose Spirit there is no guile And Rom. 8.1 There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Iesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit So that still our confidence in Christ must be obediential 2. We are called to Holiness this is every where asserted in the Scripture 1 Thess. 4.7 For God hath not called us to Vncleanness but to Holiness And it enforceth it on seveveral Grounds As 1. That there may be a likeness between the Person calling and the Persons called 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he that called you is Holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation It is true Religion to imitate what we worship For Knowledg and Esteem always work an Assimulation and therefore if we know the True God and love him we will study to be like him Certainly we have not a true knowledg of God if we do not know him to be a Pure and Holy God he hath shewed it in his Laws shewed it in his Providence and shewed it in his Gospel by which we are called The Gods of the Heathen taught Sin by their own Example Their impure Lives are recorded by their Poets Austin tâ—lleth us of a Young Man who was encited to Wantonness by seeing the
our Duty to God in all things And the Shield of Faith or a stedfast adhering to the Truths of the Gospel whether delivered in a way of Command Promise or Threatning The Helmet of Hope or a certain and desirous expectation of the promised Glory The Shoe of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace which is a readiness to endure all encounters for Christ's sake who hath made our Peace with God And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Now if we take this Armour and use it in our Conflicts what doth it serve for to withstand and stand The first is the Act of a Souldier the second is the posture of a Conqueror Here is withstanding till the Field be won and then standing when the Day of Evil is over Here we make our way to Heaven by Conflict and Conquest and hereafter we triumph 2. A treacherous Revolt or yielding to the Enemy by complying with those things which are against the Interest of Christ and his Kingdom for advantage-sake 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us and loved the present World Back-sliders in Heart are the worst sort of Apostates such as lose their afâ—ection to God and delight in his ways and esteem not of his glorious Recompences for a little Pleasure Profit or Pomp of Living sell their Birth-right for one morsel of Meat Heb. 12.15 16. Some fail in their Understandings but most miscarry by the perverse inclination of their Wills they are carnal worldly Hypocrites that never throughly mortified the fleshly Mind price things as they are commodious to the Flesh and will save them from Sufferings The byass of such Mens Hearts doth easily prevail against the Light of their Understandings III. Prop. The Means of standing fast is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles Here I will prove 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity taught by the Apostles is a Tradition 2. That holding this Tradition by strong hand when others wrest it from us is the means of our Perseverance 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity is a Tradition I prove it by two Arguments First Matters not evident by the Light of Nature nor immediately revealed to us by God must be either an Invention or a Tradition an Invention is something in Religion not evident by natural Light nor agreeable to sound Reason but is some cunningly devised Fable invented by one or more and obtruded by various Artifices upon the belief of the World Inventions in this kind were Man's Disease not his Remedy Eccles. 7.29 God made Man uprighâ— but they sought out many Inventions As when the Philosopâ—ers sat abrood upon Religion a goodly Chymaera it was they hatched and brought forth Rom. 1.21 22. They became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned and professing themselves to be wise they became Fools The Inventions little became the Nature of God nor were they profitable to Man for still the great Sore of Nature was unhealed which is a fear of Death and the righteous Wrath of God Rom. 1.32 So that neither Man's Comfort nor Duty was well provided for Surely the Gospel is none of this fort not an Invention of Men but a Revelation of God and a Revelation not made to us in Person but brought out of the Bosom of God by Jesus Christ and by him manifested to chosen Witnesses who might publish this Mystery and Secret to others Well then since the Gospel is not an Invention it is a Tradition or a delivery of the Truth upon the Testimony of one â—hat came from God to instruct the World or reduce it to him not an Invention of Man but a Secret brought out of the Bosom of God by our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore 't is said Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed to us by them that heard him The Lord bearing them witness c. Christ delivered it to the Apostles and the Apostles delivered it to others 2 Tim. 2.2 Those things which thou hast heard from me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also The Apostles received the Gospel from Christ and the Churches and Ministers from the Apostles and they delivered it down to others until it came to us which is the Means of our believing the Truth and confessing the Name of Christ. This Testimony delivered and conveyed to us by the most credible means and which we have no reason to doubt of is as binding as if we had heard Christ and his Apostles in Person For we have their word in writing though we did not hear them preach and publish it with the lively Voice their Authority is the same delivered either way And that these are their Writings appeareth by the constant Tradition of the Church and the acknowledgment of Friends and Enemies who still appeal to them as a public authentic Record And as they have bin attested by the Church they have bin owned by God and blessed by him to the Conversion and Sanctifying of many Souls throughout all successions of Ages And by this Tradition Christianity hath held up the Head againâ—t all encounters of Time and the persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the Profession of it but from Age to Age it hath bin received and transmitted to future Generations tho sometimes at a very dear rate And this is binding to us though we saw noâ— the Persons and Miracles by which they confirmed their Message and heard not the fâ—â—st report Yet the Universal Tradition having handed it to us is a sufficient ground of Faith and so we believe through their Word and are concerned in Christ's Prayers Iohn 17.20 For with them and their Successâ—rs as to these necessary things Christ hath promised to be to the end of the World Matth. 28. 20. 2. My next Argument is Becâ—use Christian Religion must needs be a Tradition partly because matter of Fact is the Foundation of it and it is in it self matter of Faith 1. Because it is built upon matter of Fact That the Son of God came from God to bring us to God that is to say appear'd in humanâ— Nature instructed the World by his Doctrine and Example and at length died for Sinners confirming both in Life and Death the truth of his Mission by such unquestionable Miracles as shewed hiâ— to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the World Now a Testimony Tradition or Report is necessary in matters of Fact which of necessity must be confined to some determinate time and place It was not fit that Christ should be always working Miracles always dying always rising and ascending in every place and in the view of every Man but those things were to be oâ—ce done in one place of the World in sight of some particular and competent Witnesses But because the knowledg of them
concerned all the rest of the World they were by them to be attested to others Matters of Fact can only be proved by credible Witnesses and this was the great Office put upon the Apostles Acts 1.8 21 22. and Acts 2.32 Acts 3.15 Acts 10.39 40 41. 2. As it is matter of Faith or the Doctrine built upon this Matter of Fact We cannot propeâ—ly be said to believe a thing but upon a report and testimony I may know a thing by sense or reason but I cannot believe it but as it is affirmed or brought to me by credible Testimony As we are said to see those things which we perceive by the Eye or the sense of Seeing and to know those things which we receive by Reason or sure Demonstration so we are said to believe those things which are brought to us by valuable Testimony Tradition and Report As for Instance if any one ask you Do you believe the Sun shineth at noon Day You will answer I do not believe it but see it So if any one ask you Do you believe that twice two make four and twice three make six You will say I do not believe it but know it because certain and evident Reason telleth me that two is the half of four and three of six and every whole consisteth of two halfs or moities But if he should ask you Do you believe that the Sun is bigger than the Earth You will say I believe it for though your Eye doth not discover it nor doth an ignorant Man know any certain demonstration of it yet having the authority of Learned Men who are competent Judges in the case you judg it a rash and foolish obstinacy not to believe it Apply it now to the Mysteries of Godliness revealed in the Gospel they cannot be seen with the Eye for they are invisible nor found out and comprehended by any humane understanding because they exceed the reach of Man's Reason and depend upon the Love and Arbitrary Will of God Iohn 3.16 yet you believe them because God hath revealed them to the Prophets and Apostles And God being Truth and Wisdom it self cannot deceive or be deceived and therefore you believe them with the certainty of Divine Faith and do no more doubt of them than you do of those things which you see with your Eyes and know and understand by a sure demonstration The sense of Seeing may be deceived and Humane Reason may erre but 't is impossible God should deceive or be deceived It oftentimes falleth out that Men do prefer the authority and report of a Man whom they judg to be Wise and Good before their own Sense and Reason As for Instance That Man who by his Eye judges the Sun to be less than the Earth yet doth not obstinately stand in his Opinion when he hears a knowing and skilful Philosopher assert the contrary Now If we receive the witness of Men the Witness of God is greater 1 John 5.9 And this Testimony of God is brought to us by his Authorized Messengers as the ground of Faith And what is that but Tradition We believe in God by hearing of him and we hear by a Preacher Rom. 10.14 Ordinary common Preachers give us notice but Christ and his Apostles give us assurance and by their Testimony and Tradition our Faith ultimately resolved into the veracity of God 2. That holding this Tradition is the great means of standing fast in the Faith of Chriâ—t and the Confession of his Name For in the Word of God delivered by Christ and his Apostles there is sure Direction to walk by and sure Promises to build upon For whatever they made known of Christ was not a Fable but a certain Truth for they had the Testimony of Sense 2 Pet. 1.16 17. 1 Iohn 1.2 3 4. and so could plead both the Authority of his Command and the certainty of his Promise and that with uncontroulable Evidence and without this relation there can be neither Faith nor Obedience nor sure expectation of Happiness For we cannot trust God for what he hath not Promised nor obey God in what he hath not Commanded nor in our Difficulties and Distresses expect Happiness from him without his Warrant and Assurance But by this Doctrine delivered to us we have all that belongeth to Faith Obedience and Happiness and beyond that the Creature can desiâ—e no more 1. There can be no Faith till we â—ave a sure Testimony of God's Revelation for Faith is a believing such things as God hath Revealed because he hath Revealed them 'T is not Faith but Fancy to believe such things as God hath never Revealed nâ—r is it trust and a regular confidence to thiâ—k that he will certainly give us what he hath never promised this were to lay us open to all manner of Delusion And therefore we are never upon sure and stable ground but by sticking so such a Tradition as may justly intitle it self to God 2. Nor Obedience for Obedience is a doing what God hath Commanded because he hath Commanded it The fundamental reason of Obedience is the sight of God's Will 1 Thess. 4.3 1 Thess. 5.18 1 Pet. 2.15 To do what God never Commanded or not to do it upon that account but for other reasons is not Obedience and in difficult cases the Soul can never be held to its Duty till we are perswaded that so is God's Will concerning us Now to know his Will concerning us we are often bidden to search the Scripture but never bidden to consult with the Church to know what unwritten Traditions She hath in her keeping to instruct us in our Duty 3. No certain expectation of Happiness We are never safe till we know by what Rule Christ will judg us that is reward or punish Men at the last Day Now he will judg us according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 1 Thess. 1.8 Obey the Gospel and you have a perfect Rule to guide you to Happiness but if you neglect this great Salvation or be unfaithful in the profession of it this Word condemneth you and God will ratifie the Sentence of it IV. Prop. That whilst the Apostles were in being there were two ways of delivering the Truth and that is by word of Mouth and Writing So in the Text Wâ—ether by Word or our Epistle The Apostles went up and down and preached Christ every where that needeth no Proof unless you would have me to produce the whole Book of the Acts of the Apostles But they did not Preach only but Write and both by the Instinct of the Holy Spirit who guided their Journeys and moved them to write Epistles For being often absent from Churâ—hes newly Planted and Heresies arising or some Contentions which could not be avoided among weak Christians God over-ruled these occasions for the profit of the Church in after Ages upon one occasion or another they saw a necessity to write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jude ver 3. It was needful for me to write unto you As in
good Word and Work VVE come now to the Apostle's second Request for them and stablish you in every good Word and Work By every good Word is meant sound Doctrine by every good Work holiness of Life Doct. Establishment in Faith and Holiness is a needful Blessing and earnestly to be sought of God 1. What this Establishment is 2. How needful 3. Why it is to be sought of God I. What this Establishment is Answ. Confirmation in the Grace that we have received Now this Confirmation must be distinguished 1. With respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted there is Habitual Confirmation and Actual Confirmation 1. The Habitual Confirmation is when the habits of Grace are more setled and increased 1 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace Strengthen Stablish Settle you God hath effectually called and converted them and he beggeth the strengthning of the Grace which they had received Now thus we are established when Faith Love and Hope are increased in us for these are the Principles of all Spiritual Operations and when they have gotten good strength in us a Christian is more established 1. Faith is necessary for we stand by Faith Rom. 11.20 Because of unbelief they were broken off but thou standest by Faith We do not only live by it but stand by it and are kept by it 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation He is strong that is strong in Faith as Abraham was that believeth the Gospel and can venture his All upon it and trust himself in God's hands whatever befalleth him Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not That was the Grace likely to be assaulted and would most keep him had he bin persuaded that Jesus was the Son of God would he have denied him with Oaths and Execrations 2. Love is strong We are told Cant. 8.6 That Love is as strong as Death many Waters cannot quench it If a man would give all the substance of his House it would utterly be contemned It will not be bribed or quenched Our Backsliding cometh from losing our complacency in or desire of God There is an averseness from Sin and zeal against it as long as we have a sense of our Obligations to God and a value and esteem of his Grace in Christ then we continue in delightful obedience to him and level and direct our actions to his Glory 3. Hope is necessary to stablish the Soul on the promise of Eternal Life For this is the sure and stedfast Anchor of the Soul Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast If Hope be strong and lively present things do not greatly move us 2. Actual Establishment when these Habits are fortified and quickned by the actual Influence of God As God doth establish by these habitual Principles so by the actual motions of his Spirit for otherwise neither the stability of our Resolutions nor of Gracious Habits will support us Not stability of Resolutions Psal. 73.2 As for me my Feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt Not Habits Rev. 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen those things which remain that are ready to die It is true God ordinarily worketh most strongly with strongest Graces because their Hearts are most prepared yet sometimes weak Christians have gone through great Temptations when strong ones have failed Rev. 3.8 Thou hast a little strength and hast kept my Word and hast not denied my Name Sometimes the strong Christian stumbleth and falleth when the weak standeth God may in an instant confirm a weak Person in some particular Temptation by his free Assistance but ordinarily concurreth with the strongest Grace Thus with respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted 2. With respect to the Object or Matter about which it is conversant stablished in every good Word and Work stability in the Doctrine of Faith and Practice of Godliness 1. In the Doctrine of Faith It is a great advantage in the Spiritual Life to have a sound Judgment Some Men are never well grounded in the Truth and in the nature and reasons of that Religion which they do profess and then are always left to a wandering uncertainty because they resolve not upon Evidence as Men ordinarily abide not in the place to which they are driven by a Tempest or the current of the Tides rather than by aim and choice though they take shelter there for the present 1 Thess. 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good Certainly Religion in the general must be taken up by Choice and not by Chance not because we know no other but because we know no better As Jer. 6.16 Stand ye in the Ways and see and ask for the old Paths where is the good Way and walk therein And the same is true of particular Opinions and Controversies about Religion till we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3.17 We stand by the stedfastness of others when we profess the Truth meerly because of Company and when the Chain â—s broken we all fall to pieces Now we ought to be well settled left we appear to the World with a various Face which breedeth Atheism in others and Shame to our selves It is possible in particular things future Light may disprove present Practice but then we must be able to give a very sufficient account of it Luther when he was charged with Apostacy Consitetuâ— se esse Apostatam sed beatum sanctum qui sidem Diabolo datam non servavit While we cry up Constancy we must not cherish stubborn Prejudice which shuts the Door upon Truth However to avoid the opinion of Lightness before Religious Persons profess any thing their warrant need to be very clear both for the World's sake and their own that they may not make needless Troubles and afterwards change their Mind to the scandalizing of others And their own sake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 James 1.8 A double-minded Man is unstable in all his ways And we had need to take care to be right because every error hath an influence upon the Heart and Practice Upon the Heart as it weakeneth Faith and Love and Practice Some Opinions have no malignity in themselves yet the profession of them may divide the Church and make us by Contentions Enemies of the growth and progress of Christ's Kingdom Now if we would be established in the Truth we must see what Influence every Truth hath upon the new Nature either as it worketh towards God by Faith to keep up our respects to him or Men by Love as it furthereth our Duties to them A Man will not easily let go Truth that is wont to turn it into Practice and to live as he believeth Once more we need to be established in the present Truth it is no zeal to fight with Ghosts and antiquated Errors but take God's part in our time but usually the Orthodoxy of the World is an Age too
short Men please themselves in things received 2. In every good Work or in holiness of Life Here needeth the greatest establishment that we may hold on our course to Heaven and the usual Apostacy and Backsliding that Men are guilty of is from the practice of Religion It is ill when the Mind is tainted but worse when the Heart is alineated from God and commonly it is the perverse inclination to the Will that tainteth the Mind Therefore the great Establishment is to be settled in a course of Godliness 1 Thess. 3.13 That he may establâ—sh your Hearts unblameable in Holiness before God even our Father until the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Sainâ—s Now this Establishment is very difficult First Because of the contrariety of the Principles that are within us Gal. 5.17 For the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would The Garison is not free from Danger that hath an Enemy lodged within The love of the World and the Flesh was in the Heart before the love of God and Holiness and these are not wholly rooted out yea these are natural to us whereas Grace is a Plant planted in us contrary to nature And the Ground that bringeth forth Weeds and Thistles of its own accord but the Flowers and good Herbs with mush Tâ—llage and Cultivation if it be neglected the Weeds will soon overgrow the Flowers Secondly Because it is more hard to continue in Conversion than to coâ—vert our selves at first In our first Conversion we are more passive it is God that converteth us and draweth us to himself and quickens and plants us into Christ but in Perseverance and fulfilling our Covenanting Duty we are more active it is our Work though we perform it by God's Grace An Infant in the Mother's Womb is nourished by the nourishment of the Mothâ—r but afterwards he must suck and seek his own Nourishment and the elder he groweth the more care of his Life is devolved upon himself Now that which is more our work is more difficult It is true that God that hath begun a good Work doth perfect it but not without our care Phil. 1.6 When we are fitted and prepared unto good Works God expecteth from us that we should walk in them God establisheth us in the Text but it is in every good Work Beside in Conversion we make Covenant with God but by Perseverance we keep Covenant with him Now it is easier to consent to Conditions than it is to fulfil them the Ceremonies at first consent of Marriage are not so difficult as to perform the duties of the Marriage Covenant It is more easie to build a Castle in time of Peace than to keep it in a time of War Peter more easily consented to come to Christ upon the Water but when he begun to try it his Feet were ready to sink Mat. 14.29 30. When Winds and Waves are against us alas how soon do we fail Therefore a good Spring doth not always foreshew a fruitful Harvest nor plenty of Blossoms store of Fruit. We are carried on with great Life and Earnestness for a while in the profession of Religion we consent to follow Christ but when we meet with Difficulâ—ies not foreseen or allowed for we faint and are discourage Thirdly With respect to the Subject in which it is seated which is the Soul with its faculties The strength of the Body is known by Experience rather than by Description but the strength of the Soul must be determined by its right constitution towards Good and Evil. The Faculties of the Soul are either the Understanding wherein lieth the Directive Councel or the Will wherein lieth the Imperial Power or the Affections wherein lieth the Executive Power of the Soul 1. The Mind or Understanding is established when we have a clear certain and full Apprehenâ—â—on of the truth of the Gospel it is called Knowledg the sure and sound and certain apprehension of them is called Faith or Intellectual Assent or the full assurance of Vnderstanding Col. 2.2 when there is a due knowledg of what God hath revealed with a certain persuasion of the truth of it wrought in us by the Holy Spirit Now the more clearly and orderly and certainly we know these things the more powerfully do they affect the Heart and the more we are established He that hath little Knowledg and little Certainty is called weak in the Faith Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the Faith receive but not to doubtful Disputations And those that have a clearer Understanding are called strong As Rom. 15.1 We that are sâ—rong ought to bear the Infirmities of the Weak meaning strong in Knowledg So also for certainty of Persuasion it is said Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in Faith giving glory to God When in all his Trials he bore up himself upon the Confidence of God's Word and Promise Well then the Mind is confirmed and established when we have a good stock of Knowledg and do firmly believe what we know of God and Christ and eternal Salvation But alas how few Truths do many Christians know especially in their order and as to their worth and weight and certainty and so that if we know these things we know them not as we ought to know them 1 Cor. 8.2 If any Man think that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know them If we know them Speculatively we know them not Practically If we are able to discourse of these things we do not live by them If we know them generally we do not know them particularly to direct us in all Cases wherein they concern us but are blinded with Temptations If we know them comprehensively so as to look about the compass of them yet not certainly John 17.8 and have knâ—wn surely that I came out from thee so as to venture our Interests upon them If we know them darkly and with an half light we do not know them clearly and with a full light There is many times conviction in the Ore which is not refined into a clear and distinct knowledg such as may awe the Heart if we know these things habitually we know them not actually when we should remember them in their season and Oblivion is a sort of Ignorance Hence come the many doubts we are assaulted with and all the unevenness and uncertainty of our Lives so that the Mind needeth to be established in Grace 2. The Will which is the Imperial power of the Soul Now the Wills establishment is known by its firm and through resolution for God and against Sin For God as Acts 11.23 Barnabas when he had seen the Grace of God was very glad and exhorted them all that with full purpose of Heart they would cleave to the Lord. First choosing then cleaving and this with full purpose when the Will is so fixed in the Knowledg