come to pass We have heard with our ears O God! Our Fathers have told us what Work thou didst in their days in the Time of old (o) Ps xliv 1. Now the best Use that we can make of this Discourse is to be confirm'd by it in the Belief of Christianity that Blessed Religion by which alone we can hope to be Eternally Saved That is to say in the Belief of Jesus his Life his Death his Doctrine his Miracles his Resurrection his Ascension into Heaven the Power he has now over the Quick and the Dead and the Final Judgment he will accordingly pass and execute on All at the Last Day when he shall come to reward every Man according to his Works (p) Matt. xvi 27. For these are the Things that I call Christianity all others being but Superstructures on this Great Foundation The World can have now no Plea for its Infidelity if it does not believe in this Jesus and in this Religion after the Truth of it has been attested by so many Instances of a Divine Power going along with it and setting it up against all Oppositions of Devils and of Men. And this I mention because I know how many there are who do really question the Truth of our most Holy Faith in this Sceptical and Degenerate Age. We abound with certain Vain and Frothy Men who are not afraid to Scoff openly at Christianity and These would pass in the World for the Great Masters of Reason Men of true Latitude of Thought who will not be enslav'd by Opinions grounded only on the Report of Priests that tell them I know not what Stories of one Jesus and the Mighty Works done by him because 't is their Trade to Preach up these Things and their Interest to have them Believ'd 'T is strange indeed that this Spirit of Infidelity should still possess the World after all that God hath done to Convince it and to ascertain the Truth of Our Holy Religion God no sooner made Man but he Reveal'd himself to him He appear'd frequently to the Patriarchs in the First Ages of the World Under the Law he gave a very clear Knowledge of himself to Mankind inspiring Prophets and sending them in his Name But in these last Days he has spoken unto us by his own Son who being the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person (q) Heb. i. 2 3. came down on the Earth and made himself like unto one of us that he might more familiarly converse among Men. He fulfill'd all the Prophecies that had been given many Ages before as Marks to know him by when he came He spake so as no Man ever spake (r) Joh. vii 46. And he seal'd the Truth of his Doctrine by such Miracles as none could do but He that had all the Powers of Nature subject to his Command And when he had finish'd what he came to do on the Earth when by a Free and Voluntary Oblation of himself upon the Cross he had made Atonement for the Sins of the whole World he rose gloriously from the Dead and in the Sight of many Withnesses was taken up into Heaven Presently after his Ascension he sent the PARACLET to confirm all that he had said or done before That Blessed Spirit came down and wrought New Signs and Wonders by the hands of his Apostles They spake with Tongues and in the Name of Jesus they cast out Devils They were endued with such Wisdom and Vertue from above that they drew after them the Admiration of the World the Heathens crying out That the Gods were come down on the Earth in the likeness of Men (Å¿) Acts xiv 11. The Effects of this Miraculous Power of the H. Ghost accompanying them were in very little time seen throughout all the World The Devil's Kingdom was overthrown his Oracles were silenc'd the Temples of the Idols were demolished Paganism was beat down and Christianity prevail'd wherever it appear'd These are plain Matters of Fact delivered down to us by Credible History and by the Constant and Universal Tradition of all Ages Now if Men will not be Convinc'd by these Things what can God do more to Convince them They that can doubt after this neither would they be perswaded I do not say though one rose from the Dead (t) Luk. xvi 31. for That our Lord hath done and a great deal more for their Conviction but thô a Voice should speak unto them from Heaven And here I cannot conceal my Thoughts that Infidelity or a Denial of the Truths of Christianity now that is since the Descent of the H. Ghost I very much suspect to be that tremendous Sin and Blasphemy against the H. Ghost which our Lord pronounces to be Unpardonable in this World and in that which is to come I am confident that if That Sin can be committed now it must be This or I know not what it is I say unto you all manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto Men says our B. Saviour But the Blasphemy against the H. Ghost shall not be forgiven unto Men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh against the H. Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this World neither in the World to come (u) Mat. xii 31 32. Our Lord here states a Difference betwixt Sinning against the Son of Man that is against himself and Sinning against the H. Ghost They that were Guilty of Sin against the Son of Man were the Jews who liv'd in our Saviour's time saw his Miracles and yet did not believe on him And thô this no doubt was a very great Sin nevertheless upon Supposition of the 〈…〉 and Acknowledgment of him which 〈…〉 sonably be expected from those furâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 that God was yet to make use of 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—iction had still room left for Pardon For when the Lord said this he was not yet Risen he was not yet Ascended into his Glory and the PARACLET was not yet come down All these Great Evidences of Christianity were still wanting to leave them without excuse And doubtless many were Convinc'd by them that did not at first believe But They are Guilty of Sin and Blasphemy against the H. Ghost who have liv'd since the Manifestation of that Blessed Spirit and have heard of all the Mighty Things he has wrought in the World to attest the Truths of Christianity and yet continue in their Unbelief This our Lord declares to be Unpardonable because Pardon presupposeth Repentance and Faith in our Saviour but Faith must proceed from a Conviction of the Mind and They whom these Things will not Convince can never be Convinc'd Because since the Descent of the H. Ghost no New Revelation is to be look'd for all Extraordinary Dispensations are ceas'd The Sending of the H. Ghost was the Last that God had resolv'd to use for the Conviction of Men and we must expect no other * Cameron Myrothec Evang in Loc. supr Alloquitur Dominus Pharisaeos qui Patris Oeconomiam quae antè Christi Adventum vigebat insuper habuerant suamitem Blasphemantes spreverant Ait ergò licet Oeconomias illas quamdiù duravere contempserint esse tamen spem veniae sub Tertiâ quae Spiritui Sancto tribuitur Sancti verò Spiritûs Oeconomiam si prosequantur odio sublatam esse omnem veniaespem quia Quarta Oeconomia minimè expectari debet Therefore They that doubt still after this must doubt on for ever Their Case is desperate and they must be abandon'd to their own perverse and Reprobate Sense GOD in his Infinit Mercy preserve us all from Hardness of Heart and from doing despite unto the Spirit of Grace (x) Heb. x. 29. AMEN THE END
Mr. FALLE's SERMON Before the Lord Mayor April 21. 1695. Lane Mayor Martis xxiiio. die Aprilis 1695. Annoque Regis WILLELMI Tertii Angliae c. Septimo THis Court doth desire Mr. Falle to Print his SERMON Preach'd on Sunday last at the Guild-hall Chappel before the LORD MAYOR and ALDERMEN of this City Goodfellow IMPRIMATUR Guil. Lancaster April 25. 1695. Of the Descent of the PARACLET A SERMON PREACH'D Before the Right Honourable THE LORD MAYOR AND Court of ALDERMEN AT THE GUILD-HALL Chappel April 21. 1695. Being the Fourth Sunday after Easter By PHILIP FALLE Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty LONDON Printed for John Newton at the Three Pigeons over against the Inner Temple Gate in Fleetstreet 1695. TO The Right Honourable Sr. Thomas Lane LORD MAYOR OF The City of LONDON MY LORD SO many Excellent Discourses have been already written against Scepticism and in Defence of Christianity that I might justly be deterr'd from coming after Others if the Command of that Honourable Court where Your Lordship so worthily Presides had not call'd for the Publication of this Sermon I could not foresee it should be longer-liv'd than many better Composures of this Kind which after they have serv'd for an Hour's Amusement are thrown aside and vanish with the Breath of the Preacher and therefore was not much concern'd to give it that Turn and Air that is given to Things which from their First Conception are design'd for the Press Such as 't is I leave it to God's Blessing earnestly wishing that it may conduce to settle the Minds of those who shall chance to read it in an hearty Belief of that Holy Religion which God has Reveal'd unto us by his Son and confirm'd by the Ministry of the PARACLET whose Miraculous Effusion on the Apostles and Apostolic Men in the First Ages of the Church we commemorate at this Time And may that Blessed Spirit guide us into all Truth * Joh. xvi 13. I am MY LORD YOVR LORDSHIP 's Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant Philip Falle Whitsun-Eve 1695. ADVERTISEMENTS SERMON sur l'Hymne Angélique Eucharistique Luc. ii 14. Prononcé dans l'Eglise de St. Sauveur en l'Isle de JERSEY le 3me jour d' Avril 1687 Jour de Céne A SERMON on Luk. iii. 14. Preach'd at St. Helier in the Isle of JERSEY before the English Garrison April 10. 1692. Of the Impunity of Bad Men in the World A SERMON on Eccles viii 11. Preach'd at White-hall Dec. 30. 1694. An Account of the Isle of JERSEY the Greatest of those Islands that are now the only Remainder of the English Dominions in France with a New and Accurate Map of the Island Humbly dedicated to His Majesty Written by PHILIP FALLE M. A. Deputy from the States of the said Island and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty and Printed for John Newton in Fleetstreet JOHN xvi 7. Being part of the Gospel of the Day Nevertheless I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away For if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you JOHN xvi 8. Being part of the Gospel of the Day And when he is come he will reprove the world of Sin and of Righteousness and of Judgment JOHN xvi 9. Being part of the Gospel of the Day Of Sin because they believe not on me JOHN xvi 10. Being part of the Gospel of the Day Of Righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more JOHN xvi 11. Being part of the Gospel of the Day Of Judgment because the Prince of this world is judged THESE are the Words of our Blessed Saviour to his Disciples when he was going to leave them and to depart from the World He had fulfill'd all that belong'd to his Prophetick Office by a Three Years Ministry on Earth He had reveal'd the Will of God to Mankind He had gather'd a Church He had ordain'd Apostles and Teachers Nothing remain'd but that he should suffer and return to his Father that had sent him And now therefore having lov'd his own which were in the World unto the end (a) Joh. xiii 1. he calls them together before his Passion eats his last Supper with them and in the most tender and moving Words that ever Man spake I mean in that admirable Discourse contain'd in This and the Three foregoing Chapters acquaints them with his going away from them These were sad News to the Disciples and their Grief was extream on this Occasion They had forsaken all to follow him and now in requital he was going to leave them They had drawn upon them the Hatred of the World by adhering to him and they were sure to meet with nothing but Persecution from it after he was gone Which way soever they look'd they had but a Prospect of dark and gloomy Days coming upon them and this mightily dejected them and fill'd their Minds with melancholy Boadings and Apprehensions of what might befall them when they should be depriv'd of the Support they now receiv'd from his Presence among them Our Lord bids them not to be troubled at his Departure (b) Joh. xiv 1. for he would be so far from leaving them as they fear'd helpless and alone (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. vers 18. expos'd to the Fury and the Rage of the World that he would send them the Comforter as soon as he was ascended unto his Father the Glorious Spirit of God who would be a mighty Succour and Defence to them and would abide and continue for ever with them (d) Vers 16. It was this Blessed Spirit he goes on to tell them that was to plead and to maintain his Cause against the World that had rejected him but could not come down till he was glorified (e) Joh. vii 39. Therefore it was necessary he should speedily go away to send him down on Earth that he might vindicate him among Men shew them their Infidelity in not believing on him their Cruelty and Injustice in Crucifying of him assure them of his Divinity and Exaltation at the Right Hand of God and severely avenge him on all his Enemies the Devil especially the chief Author of his Death and of his Sufferings Nevertheless I tell you the Truth It is expedient for you that I go away For if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you Or I will send him down from on High upon you for so much the Word imports in the Original †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quasi ex arce demittam Grot. And when he is come he will reprove the World of Sin and of Righteousness and of Judgment Of Sin because they believe not on me Of Righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more Of Judgment because the Prince of this World is judged I am fall'n this Day on one of the
against him and said they were done by the Power of Charms and Enchantments by a Pact and Collusion with the Devil He casts out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils (u) Matth. xii 24. Luke xi 15. Thus the World did not believe on him Though he had done so many Miracles before them says the Sacred Record (x) John xii 37 c. yet they believed not on him That the Saying of Esaias the Prophet ‖ liii 1. might be fulfilled which be spake Lord who hath believed our Report These things said Esaias when he saw his Glory and spake of him He therefore tells his Disciples in the Text that the H. Ghost at his Coming would convince the World of what it would not now believe would put the Truth of his Mission in such an open Day that the World should not any longer be able to deny him It may indeed seem a matter of just Wonder how the H. Ghost at his Coming should demonstrate the Truth of our Saviour's Mission with greater Force and Evidence than he had done himself But 't is most certain the H. Ghost the PARACLET did it and that especially Two waies First By doing more and Greater Miracles †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. D. Crysost Hom. lxxvii in Joan on Earth by the hands of the Apostles after his Descent upon them than our Lord himself had done before in the Days of his Flesh The wonderfull Gift of Tongues bestow'd on the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost being One of those Greater Miracles of the H. Ghost That a few poor Galileans who before spake only the rude Dialect of their Province and by their uncouth Speech bewray'd themselves (y) Mat. xxvi 73. where-ever they went as Peter did to the Damsel and others in the High Priest's House Thou art a Galilean thy Speech agreeth thereto (z) Mark xiv 70. That these Men I say should in an instant without Study meerly through a sudden Impulse or Inspiration of the H. Ghost be heard to speak accurately and elegantly all the Various and the most Learned Languages of the World and going to the utmost Bounds and Extremities of the Earth should declare to every Nation in its own proper Tongue the wonderfull Works of God (a) Acts ii 11. was certainly a New and Unheard-of Miracle such a Miracle as the World had not been acquainted with before Are not they which speak Galileans say the Multitudes How then hear we every Man in our own Tongue wherein we were born (b) ibid vers 7 8. Our Blessed Lord himself the Word and Wisdom of the Father never spake but one Language only during the whole Time that he liv'd among Men viz. the Vulgar Syro-Chaldean †Matt. xxvii 46. Mark vii 34. us'd throughout the Region which he honour'd with his Residence and Ministry The speaking of diverse kinds of Tongues by the Spirit (c) 1 Cor. xii 10. was a Miracle reserv'd to be the Crown and Perfection of all others wrought under former Dispensations and was particularly design'd to make good those so very remarkable Words of our Saviour to his Disciples (d) Joh. xiv 12. He that believeth on me the Works that I do shall he do also AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D. Crysost de Sto. Paulo Apostolo Hom. xxxii in Ep. ad Rom. propè sinem because I go unto my Father Nor does this any ways lessen the Glory of our Saviour's Miracles because whatever the H. Ghost did by the Apostles the great End thereof was to corroborate our Saviour's Miracles and to bear Testimony to the Truth of every Thing he did or spake whilest he abode upon Earth When the PARACLET is come whom I will send from the Father he shall testifie of me (e) Joh. xv 26. And in the Words after the Text He shall glorifie me (f) xvi 14. It was indeed that admirable Knowledge of Tongues and Languages which the Apostles receiv'd from the H. Ghost that enabled them to propagate as they did the Gospel of Christ that taught every Mouth to Confess him that got him Proselytes from all Nations under the Sun and that in very little time made the Glory and Reputation of his Name fly over all parts of the Universe Secondly The Coming of the PARACLET made it impossible for the World any longer to deny our Saviour another way And that was by his very Coming down abstracting from the Miracles which he wrought afterwards Thus. Our Saviour pleaded that he was a true Prophet sent from God and he foretold many things that should come to pass whereof this was one That as soon as he was ascended unto his Father the H. Ghost should come down and the Effects of it should be seen visibly in the World He bad his Apostles not to depart from Jerusalem untill they were endued with Power from on High (g) Luk. xxiv 49. Acts i. 4. The H. Ghost therefore coming down as he had foretold descending on the Apostles and exerting his mighty Power in them immediately upon it what was this but a most Signal Testimony that our Saviour was a true Prophet and that consequently they were guilty of very great Sin that did not believe on him But now to discourse particularly of this Glorious Descent of the H. Ghost to relate the Manner of it the Circumstances that attended it is neither the Business of the Text nor of the Day 'T is a Subject proper for the Great Solemnity that is approaching upon which I shall not Anticipate But I must crave your Attention to the Matters now before us II. The Next Thing that our B. Saviour tells his Disciples the H. Ghost his PARACLET would reprove or convince the World of at his Coming is Righteousness that is His Righteousness our Saviour's Righteousness because saies he I go to my Father and ye see me no more The World not only rejected our Saviour as to his Office but likewise aspers'd his Innocency as to his Life and Conversation among Men. False Witnesses did rise up they laid to my charge things that I knew not says David (h) Ps xxxv 11. Matt. xxvi 59. speaking Prophetically of him He was the Lamb of God without blemish and without spot (i) 1 Pet. i. 19. Who did no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth (k) ii 22. Isa liii 9. And yet how barbarously was he us'd by the Tongues of Men His very best Actions were censur'd and cavil'd at He was reckon'd among the Transgressors (l) Luke xxii 37. Isa liii 12. He bare the Sins and Iniquities of us all (m) Ibid. vers 6. and 12. He had his Grave with the Wicked (n) Vers 9. and he was at last cut off from the Earth as tho' he had been guilty of Crimes which nothing but his Blood could expiate Our Lord then tells his Disciples in the Text