first Parents to wander in the wide World but enclosed them in the Garden of Eden The truth is living by Rule is the very notion of Religion and the differences of Religion consist in the diversity of those Rules by which men live The Heathen hath his Idol Oracles the Mahometan his Alkoran the Jew his Ceremonial Law and Christians the Gospel and whole Word of God So that herein only men are Christians in that they make choice of the Word of God in opposition to and distinction from all other Rules to be the Rule of their lives and conversations And whosoever living under the Light of the Gospel walks by no other rule than the Hearhens did is a Christian in title but a Pagan in reality Gal. 2.14 c. 2. That life is most exact which is most suitable to the Rule As that building is most exact which is most regular and in every work there is most exactness where there is nearest conformity to the model so whatsoever be the Rule of our conversations that life is most exact which comes nearest to the Rule This is so plain a principle that I need not spend more words about it 3. It necessarily follows That there is most of Christianity in that life which comes nearest to the Rule of Christianity and consequently most of Christianity in that life which is most exact in conformity to the Word of God This is so plain a case that I dare appeal to the Consciences even of the worst of those who call themselves Christians For certainly there is not that man living under the Light of the Gospel that dare assert that swearing cursing lying whoredom drunkenness fraud hatred pride covetousness hypocrisie c. are agreeable to the Rule of Christianity though thousands live in the daily commission of these sins whereby it is manifest in their Consciences that there is so much less of Câ—ristianity as there is more of these or any other irregularities in their lives And thus far the Consciences of the most debauched do frequently betray themselves to their unspeakable horror upon their death beds Rom. 2.15 Mat. 27.3 4. This may suffice for the demonstration of the truth of the Doctrine to the Consciences of the most atheistical and obdurate sinners and therefore I hope much more to the enforcing of this Truth upon your affections I proceed to 〈◊〉 â—cation Use 1. The Premises considered will give us certain information who are the best Christians namely those that live most exactly This will cut off a great controversie and resolve a great doubt among the weaker sort of Christians They see the Professors of Religion and Pretenders to Christianity chopt into many Divisions and Sects and Factions and these several parties every one pretending to be in the right way and hating reproaching and persecuting one another And as this is a stumbling block and rock of offence to many that are weak so it is used by others as a cloak for their Atheism and Licentiousness and liberty of doing any thing and being nothing and casting off all care of Religion as if it were so uncertain a thing how God must be worshipped and what Religion to be of that they think it the best way to cast off all care and observe no Rule for the religious ordering of their conversations Now I say the serious observation of this Truth will resolve the doubts of those that are weak and pull off the vizard of those that under whatsoever pretence do give themselves over to a loose and irreligious life Observe therefore who they be that are most exact and circumspect and order their Conversations with the greatest strictness according to the Rule of God's Word and they be sure are the best Christians but they who indulge themselves in a course of life full of those sins that are contrary to the Word of God and the Light of Nature or cast off the undoubted Duties of God's Worship and Service they are so far from being the best that they are not at all good Christians Jehu went high in his pretences to zeal for God's Glory when he destroyed the Idols of Baal and all his Priests yet by the Wickedness and Idolatry of his Conversation he discovered the â—â—â—â—nness of his heart and hypocrisie of his pretences 2 King 10.16 29.31 Use 2. Let us then be exhorted and perswaded to endeavour to walk exactly and to order our Conversations in the strictest way of conformity to the Word of God Brethren I perswade my self that there are few or none of you but would be thought to be good Christians yea of the number of the best but if you would not only be thought to be so but do defire to be so indeed then let it appear by this even the hearty and serious endeavour to walk circumspectly and exactly for otherwise you will make it to appear that all your pretences to Religion are hypocritical and vain For a man to be a Drunkard a Swearer a Whoremonger a Sabbath-breaker a Scorneâ— of Godliness or if he be not guilty of any of these gross sins yet to be a worldling a neglecter of secret and family Duties a despiser of Ordinances a keeper of evil Company or but a barren Fig-tree in God's Vineyard and yet pretend to Christianity it is all in vain Jam. 1.26 But if this recommended circumspect and exact walking be in reality he thing you aim at Then 1. Be sure you acquaint your selves well with the Rule I told you before that Exactness consists in walking by Rule and you know that the Word of God is the Rule of Christianity therefore search the Scriptures as Christ himself adviseth John 5.39 and imimate David in reading hearing and meditating upon the Word of God whereby he became wiser than his Enemies Psal 119.97 c. yea then his very Teachers and those that for their years might have known better than he what to do This is that very Rule which the Apostle gives the Ephesians in this Chapter Ephes 5.10.17 where he bids them Prove what is â—â—cceptable to God and to get understanding in the Will of the Lord as without which they could never be so exact in their Conversations as they should If you know your Masters will you may the better do it therefore improve all opportunities of knowing and understanding the Will Word of God that if you should ever want a faithful Minister to teach you or should ever fall under the conduct of a blind Guide that would lead you out of the way Word of God you may thereby be kept from being ensnared and taken in the error of the wicked Psal 119.11 and may know how to order your conversations with that exactness as becomes those who are Christians in good earnest 2. Having acquainted your selves with the Rule beg of God Grace and Wisdom to live according to that Rule If you know not that you are nothing in your selves you know nothing in the Mystery of
l. 26. r. go on P. 108. marg r. Tarnov P. 110. l. 17. f. ye r. we P. 119. l. 34. r. as to say P. 120. l. 6. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 122. l. 15. r. to be saved l. 16. dele us P. 125. l. 33. r. dearly P. 126. l. 17. f. his r. their P. 129. l. 3. r. deny Christ l. 10. r. many of us Christians P. 135. l. 32. f. them r whom P. 137. l. 32. r. others P. 138. l. 25. f. dulce r. datae l. 26. r. voluble P. 140. l. 2. f. we r. may P. 150. l. 6. r. forbear l. 11. dele not P. 152. l. 25. r. labitur labetur c. l. 29. r. indesinenter P. 157. l. 20. r. humane apprehension P. 159. l. 10 11. r. exceed all expressions P. 177. l. 14. r. restraint Correct the Figures from pag. 180 to 193. P. 180. l. 13. r. old P. 181. l. 35. r. vis unita P. 185. l. 32. r. incollumen P. 189. l. 28. r. heaviness P. 198. l. 25. r. individuum P. 200. l. 28. r. minutatim P. 204. l. 1. dele non P. 206. l. 22. r. Authority P. 207. l. 1. r. of Christ P. 210. l. 12. r. as accomplished P. 214. l. 5. r. Phil. r. 23. P. 215. l. 1. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 216. l. 11. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 224. l. 15. r. to do P. 229. 31. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 231. l. 30. r. lay it not P. 235. l. 1. r. a wrong P. 241. l. 2 3. r. which they l. 29. r. double P. 248. l. 32. r. from want P. 260. l. 16. r. off from P. 261. l. 3. r. but I hasten P. 274. l. 14. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 277. l. 16. dele as it were l. 32. r. his own P. 279. l. 14. f. that r. our l. 22. dele but. P. 282. l. 16. r. As when 283. l. 14. r. of suffering with Christ l. 15. f. image r. death 285. l. 23. r. practise it l. 29. r. supply and we shall overcome P. 311. l. 15. f. Her r. his 313. l. ult r. Midian 319. l. 15. r. Achaia 320. l. 20. r. glorying 326. l. 15. r. despondent l. 17. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 328. l. 17. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 336. l. 12. r. burnt offerings 345. l. 16. r. God makes 368. l. 15. r. inferiour world 394. l. 13. r. Cross of Christ P. 416. l. 14. r. improve 422. l. 12. Troublers P. 431. l. 32. r. Not mentioning 448. l. 9 10. r. against the Mountains 451. l. 11. r. Security 452. l. 25. r. warm 456. l. 22. r. your own 464. l. 18. r. have not There are other faults besides but these especially are to be corrected SERMON I. Preached Friday June 27. 1662. Revel 3. v. 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent c. I Have gone through the whole second Chapter of this Book and the two first verses of this in my course of preaching the Friday-Lecture I shall enter upon this third verse at this time by God's assistance The words contain further counsel and direction given by our Saviour Christ to this Church of Sardis in order to her recovery from that formality and spiritual deadness she was sunk into Two Directions Christ had given her in the second verse Be watchful and strengthen c. There are three more added in this Remember c. hold fast and repent The third in order and first laid down in this verse is to remember Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard This is prescribed as a means to recover them from their spiritual decayes and deadness and to cure them of that formality hypocrisie they had been guilty of Christ had told them in the former verses that they had a name to live but were dead and that their works were not perfect or full before God Now the way to cure them of these distempers was to remember how they had received and heard implying that it was forgetfulness of those Truths Rules and Directions they had received in and heard from the Word of God that was the cause of their declining and that the way to recover vigour and liveliness in Religion and to fill up their works was to remember how they had received and heard So that the way to bring either Churches or persons to their former vigour in Religion and to a thorow-reformation of things amiss is to bring all things to the Test of God's Word to weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary and to try them by those Divine Truths they have formerly received and heard Briefly to explain the words Remember This may be taken first for the act of that particular faculty of the soul called Reminiscentia or Memory and so to remember is to recollect or call back a thing or object formerly heard received and laid up in the Memory Secondly It may be taken for an act of the Judgement and so to remember is seriously to weigh and consider Truths formerly received and heard and it may be well understood here so as to take in both senses How thou hast received 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qualia and would have it refer to the quality of the things or truths they had received and heard Remember what Doctrines were delivered by Christ and his Apostles what kind of Worship was instituted and practised by them This sense of the words I shall not exclude but the word relates rather to the manner how Truths and Ordinances were delivered to them and received by them Several Doctrines might be raised from the words Doct. 1. That one great cause of declining in Religion both in Churches and particular Christians is the forgetfulness of those Truths they have formerly received and heard the forgetting what and how they have received and heard Doct. 2. That the best way to recover and reform a declining Church or person is to bring them back to the Rule of God's Word which they have received and heard to reduce both Doctrine Worship and Practices to the first Institution as it is contained in the Scriptures There are other Doctrines that I might raise and insist on from these words but I shall sum up all I intend to speak from this direction in this one Doctrine Doct. That it is the duty of Churches and particular Christians and a special means to recover them from formality declinings and deadness in Religion and the exercise of Grace to remember what and how they have received and heard Christians should remember old Truths that they have received and heard long ago They should remember what Truths they have heard and what Ordinances they have injoyed and also after what manner Truths and Ordinances have been dispensed to them and received by them It is our duty to take care we be not forgetful hearers that we suffer not Truths to slip out of
You must not believe every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God When either Doctrine or Worship is corrupted in a Church the way to reform both is not to fly to humane Authority or Antiquity but to the golden Rule of the Word this is the only safe Rule Other rules may erre but this is infallible Vse 2. The second Use is of Reproof To reprove forgetful hearers such as seem very eager in hearing and receiving Divine Truths attending on Gospel-Ordinances but are not careful to remember what and how they have received and heard such who return not on the things they have heard but leave all behind them Such as a Divine expresseth it who come from Duties as from a Grave where they leave their dearest Friends behind them not as from a Dole from whence they carry somewhat with them Of such hearers as these the Apostle James speaks Jam. 1.22 23 24. Yet I speak not here of that forgetfulness which proceeds meerly from weakness which is bewailed and is the burden of their souls This is indeed an infirmity to be bewailed yet deserves rather pity and compassion from men than reproof but the forgetfulness this Doctrine reproves is that which proceeds from carelesness when men do not make conscience of the duty pressed in the Text namely remembring how they have received and heard Vse 3. But the third and last Use of this Doctrine which I shall further make and insist on is a Use of Exhortation To exhort all of you to the practice of the Duty in the Text. Oh labour to remember what and how you have received and heard I am like no more to speak to you publickly in the Name of the Lord. Let me therefore leave this Counsel and Exhortation with you as that which may be of great use to you in hours of temptation that may come upon you I beseech you Beloved by the mercies of God in the bowels of Christ and out of the respect you bear to your own precious and immortal souls that you would labour and endeavour to remember those soul-saving Truths and precious Ordinances you have received heard and enjoyed and those impressions you have felt upon your hearts from them Oh be not forgetful hearers let not the Truths of God slip out of your minds Beloved I may say to you there is scarce any Truth necessary to salvation but you have heard of it once and again from some or other of Gods Messengers that have been sent unto you though not without the mixtures of sin and weaknesse as to the instruments which God in mercy pardon You have heard what God is and how he will be worshiped even in spirit and in truth and not according to the inventions and traditions of men you have heard the Doctrine of God's Decrees and of his works of Creation and Providence opened and applied You have heard of the sinful and miserable condition of a man in a natural condition You have heard the Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace and of the means of our recovery by Christ alone You have had Christ set before you in his Person Natures Offices Obedience Sufferings You have heard many other both Theoretical and Practical Truths set before you in Preaching Expounding Catechising and by these you have been antidoted against Popish Socinian and Arminian errors and many others Oh labour to remember these keep them by you as a choise treasure lay them up in your heads and hearts that you may be able to bring out of your treasury things both new and old O! let not any of the Truths of God slip out of your minds or be as water spilt upon the ground Ministers must dye but let not the Truths of God dye in your hearts Ministers may be forcibly parted from you and have their mouths stopt as ours and many others are and are like to be yet let not the Word of Truth depart out of your minds when we are gone Let the Word of God even that Word of his we have spoken to you in his Name abide with you for ever Let it live with you and let it dye with you also Oh let truths be written on your hearts as with the point of a Diamond never to be razed out A stony heart is a grievous plague but an iron memory is a great mercy Oh therefore remember what you have heard in point of Doctrine and remember also the counsels and directtions you have had given to you as to the performance of publick family secret relative Duties Remember the warnings you have had against sin Sinners you have been warned against your sins Thou Drunkard Swearer Sabbath-breaker Vnclean person thou enemy to Godliness thou scoffer at and persecuter of Religion yea you Formalists Hypocrites that rest in civility morality or outside-performances you have been warned of the danger of your condition of the wrath of God hanging over your heads for these sins of the necessity of repentance for and from your sins and of faith in Christ if ever you be saved Remember the fore-warnings you have had of God's Judgments of the things you now fear yea feel Have you not been told many a time Christians what wantonnesses in opinion and practice the deadnesses worldlinesses decaies carnal policy divisions of Professors would bring upon them And you that are Saints remember what soul-refreshing comforts you have had in and from the Word of God Remember how plainly purely powerfully plentifully the Word of God hath been preached and Ordinances dispensed among you And remember also with what seriousness of spirit high estimation holy affection readiness of mind strong resolution powerful impressions you have heard and received the Word and Ordinances of God and what Gracious effects you have found of them Now to press this Exhortation as a lesson I would leave with you I shall first lay down some Motives 2ly Some Directions 3ly Helps to inable to performance of this duty The Motives shall be what I might have laid down as Reasons of the Doctrine Mot. 1. The first Motive to stir you up to this Duty of remembering how you have received and heard is this That the Truths you have heard and Ordinances you have partaken of they were not of use only for the time past or present while you were or are hearing or receiving of them but they are of use a great while after The Sermons you have long since heard and Sacraments you have received may do your souls good the longest day you live The vertue and use of the Word and Ordinances may and doth often put forth it self long after the participation of them and therefore you should remember them that you may bring them forth for use in the time to come which you cannot do if you let them slip out of your heads and hearts The Truths of God are as Treasuries and storehouses which are not onely for present use but for time to come for men to live on
will bear up you hearts under and fortifie them against all Sufferings and Persecutions you may meet with in the wayes and for the sake of Christ when you shall remember the warnings Christ hath given you John 16.1 2. and the grounds of comfort you have found in the Word of God Improve your remembrance of Truths for this end So much for the Motives to stir up to the practice of this duty in the Text. And these eight last particulars may serve also to direct you what use you should make of the remembrance of what and how you have received I shall proceed to add some few Directions to direct you how and after what manner you should remember what and how you have received 1. Direction Remember what and how you have received and heard Thankfully Oh be thankful Christians that you have enjoyed the Word and Ordinances of God so long and that with so much plainness power purity and plenty Though you should never enjoy them more yet you have cause to bless God that have enjoyed the Word Sacraments Ministers so long above not onely your desiâ—â—s but also your expectations Especially be you thankful that have received Christ and Grace through these that you have received Grace before you have lost any of the means of Grace that Christ and your souls have met before you and Ministers have parted 2. Direction Remember how you have received and heard Penitentially and sorrowfully 1. Penitentially and sorrowfudly That you prized and improved Truths and Ordinances no better got no more good by them grew no more in grace under them gained no more power against corruptions or ability to do and suffer by them while you did enjoy them 2. Remember how you have received sorrowfully if you have lost or should lose any of your opportunities When the Wayes of Sion mourn sure the Sons of Sion should mourn You should be sorrowful for the Solemn Assemblies the reproach of them should be a burden unto Christians You should remember your Gospel-enjoyments with tears as those Psal 137.1 2. even weep when you remember Sion As the Psalmist Psal 42.3 Chrstians in such a case should bewail the loss of Ordinances and of so many of God's Ministers 3. Christians should especially remember Gospel mercies Penitentially in the want of them when and that they by their sins have helped to sin them away by their unfruitful and unworthy walking Know Christians they are the sinnes of Ministers and People that stop the mouths of Ministers and deprive a People at any time of any of the tokens of God's presence You should in such a case and condition with sorrow of heart say we once enjoyed comfortable dayes of the Son of man but by our deadness spiritual wantoness and unfruitfulness we have now sinned them away 3. Direction Remember what and how you have received Affectionately and Practically It is not a meer notional but an affectionate and practical remembrance of Truths received and Ordinances enjoyed that I now press to Remember them with burning and inflamed hearts So remember Truths as to practise them to love Truth and to live in Truth and Ordinances so as to live up to them so as to have pure hearts answerable to pure Ordinances the power of Religion in your conversation sutable to powerful administrations Remember the Word of Truth to direct your practice even as a Compass to sail by in a troublesom Sea a dark night and as a copy to write after So remember what you have heard as to set on the practice of duties you have been exhorted to and directed in and to avoid the sins you have been warned against So remember as to improve your remembrance of Truths to those eight Uses before specified namely as an Antidote against error in Doctrine corruption in Worship to humble for keep from sin quicken to duty make you prize love pray for long after the Word for your comfort and support under Sufferings Having given you some Directions how you should remember what and how you have received and heard I shall now close this Doctrine by adding some Means and Helps to enable you to the performance of that duty I have been exhorting you to 1. A first Means or Help to enable to remember what you have received and heard is Labour after a sincere love to the Word Ordinances and Ministers of Christ Love Truth and you will the more easily remember it You will not suddenly or easily forget that you dearly love Affection is a very great help to Memory Receive Truth in your love and affection and then you will keep it in your minds and memories A man will remember what his mind and heart is set upon A special means to keep Truths in your heads is to labour that they may be engraven in your hearts Look upon the Word and Ordinances of God as your Treasure and you will be sure then at least practically to remember it Men scarcely forget where they have laid their Treasure or their Jewels though they may where they have laid things of lesser moment Love doth and will renew and revive the object loved in the mind and in the thoughts Affection to Divine Objects is the safest Lock and Key to secure Spiritual Treasures Psal 119.97 David loved the Law and then he could do no other but make it his meditation all the day long 2. A second help or means to enable you to remember what and how you have received and heard is Application to apply and appropriate Truths and Ordinances to your own souls Labour to insure your interest in Christ the Covenant of Grace and the great Truths of the Gospel and that will much further your remembring of them You will be careful to remember what you look on as your concernments Though men may forget others business they will hardly forget their own especially if they be matters of great concernment a matter wherein their whole estate is concerned or a matter of life and death And such are the things you have received and heard in the Gospel When you hear the Word say there God spoke to my soul Men forget truths because they are apt to put them off to others and not to look on themselves as as concerned in them Oh therefore look on thy soul as concerned in what thou hast heard and received and this will help thee to remember it 3. A third means to help you to remember what you have received and heard is Serious and frequent meditation and contemplation on what you have heard This is a great help to memory Divine meditation fixes Truths in the head and fastens them in the heart Luke 2.19 she kept those things because she pondered them Be therefore much in meditation 4. A fourth means to further your remembrance of what you have received and heard is Holy conference This Moses directs to as a means to keep the things of God in the heart Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. This
reason and manner of things except they may see things plainly they will not believe Yet there is no sound Christian but he believes all Divine Truth implicitely that is he believes the Scriptures to be most certainly true and all things therein contained though there are many things to be found there which he hath no distinct knowledge of I pray mistake me not I am not for a Popish implicite Faith a believing as the Church believes but for our giving an assent universally to all that God hath said As there is a general repentance and humiliation for unknown sins so a general implicite belief of unknown Truths And further the true Christian hath an explicite belief of all Fundamental necessary Truth He must first stedfastly believe ere he can sincerely make a profession of the Truth or chearfully suffer for it Again some are unresolved concerning the present Truth As the times vary so doth mens opposition against the Truth Sometimes one Truth mainly opposed and sometimes another Now it is of very great consequence to be setled in the Truth of the Season As the Apostle Peter sayes of those to whom he writes 2 Pet. 1.12 that they were established in the present Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. in the Truth of the Gospel Non tantum promissa sed reipsa exhibita as Beza Christ was the Truth and substance of those Types and Shadows under the Law but he was further off from them then he is from Beleivers under the Gospel Therefore those legal Types and Shadows give place the Body and Truth being come This is one sense given of that passage But there is another interpretation given of it which is to my present purpose established in the present Truth i. e. in that Truth which at this present time is most under debate As that was the great question of those dayes Whether the way of the Gospel the Christian Religion or Judaism was the true way And thus several ages have raised controversies about Religion In every age there is some special Truth which is as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Shiboleth a mark of distinction betwixt sound Professours and such as are spurious As v. g. this Truth That Jesus is the Christ was the tryal of men at first when the world stormed at him and at all that confest his Name Afterwards when Arrianism sprung up and prevailed in the world the Deity of Christ His being one in essence with the Father was the touch-stone whereby Professors were tried Where Arminianism is rife the point of special Free Grace becomes a main note of discovery Sometimes that false and absurd Opinion of Christ's real corporal presence in the Sacrament hath been cried up by men of corrupt minds as their great Diana and persecution set on foot and raised up against those who would not come over to that grosse conceit then those that were sound in the Faith would be at more then ordinary pains to be clear in the Doctrine of the Sacraments Where Popery prevails and mens traditions and inventions are set up in the room of and as of equal credit or profit with the Ordinances and Institutions of our Lord Christ the Authority and absolute perfection of the Sacred Scriptures together with the Glorious Offices of Jesus Christ are plainly struck at desperately undermined Which points if men be not clear and stedfast in when the temptation comes they will easily be carried away with the error of the Wicked It is nothing to condemn old errors that are laid in their graves long since while one is not established in the present Truth Either not to hold this or to hold it loosely is of very dangerous consequence Only I grant in controversies about lesser matters men of sober and pious spirits may be either at a stand in the dark or of different apprehensions Yet it is to be noted that where such are in the dark and doubtful they would gladly be informed heartily pray for satisfaction and would be as thankful for it if once obtained so what opinion such embrace or receive it is not because such an opinion would some way accord with their worldly interest but because in their apprehension it looks likest to Truth A sound Christian receives the Truth in the love of it and you need do no more to work him to the entertaining of any truth in Religion then only satisfy his judgment that it is a truth He receives not Divine Truths for self-ends or by-respects neither dare he out of respect to carnal self reject any Truth But for any to cherish doubts in their minds upon design that they might have something to say for their parting with the Truth when it is dangerous to hold on in the profession of it to adventue no farther to Sea then if a storm should come they might soon get to shore again to engage no further in the profession of the Truth then they might face about and make a fair retreat when this meets with opposition though the men of this world will judge it a point of Policy yet indeed it is an argument of base hypocrisie and treachery And such studied Scepticks in Religion are next neighbors to downright Atheists But a thin mud-wall betwixt them that is soon broken down But so much of halting in principle Again there is halting in practice Unevenness in conversation when that is not ordered aright Now it must be acknowledged the best men on earth walk not so evenly with God as they ought But here take a distinction or two There is an halting in some particular steps or acts and in ones ordinary in a continued course I say 1. There is an halting in some particular steps or acts This is incident to the Saints themselves Such as walk uprightly in the main yet at one time or other have their sinful slips Faithful Abraham halted before Abimelech Yea that Grace which seemed strongest even his Faith was sinew-shrunk sometimes As Job's patience was otherwhiles sinking under his burdens So David the man after God's own heart turned aside once shamefully in the matters of Vriah Peter halted with the Jews Gal. 2. He is there charged amongst others that he did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foot it aright Thus the best of God's Saints have sometimes trod awry 2. But then there is halting in a continued course This is worse than the former The Faithful too oft meet with rubs in their way that for the present stop them but they recover themselves again and proceed on in a right course Whereas all natural men are quite upon a wrong byass Their heart is bent to backsliding from God As there is a phrase Isa 44.20 A deceived heart hath turned him aside Hypocrites have a corrupt byass within that is still drawing them aside into crooked paths And the double-minded man is unstable even in all his wayes Again there is an halting through infirmity from the remainders of corruption and a resolved deliberate
our duty which is a sin we cannot follow the dictate of Conscience here but we sin Nor can we go against Conscience though erring but we sin too And therefore wo unto them that call evil good and good evill that put darkness for light and light for darkness But this is one cause of halting in Religion Corruption of the mind and judgement When a man cannot well discern his way no wonder if he be oft turning aside 2. From an evil heart The corruptions of the heart are like a strong byass drawing the soul off from God Here 1. Unbelief An evil heart of unbelief is one cause of halting Heb. 3.12 Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God q. d. Would you not depart from the living God O then take heed of unbelief the cause of souls departing from him As it is by Faith that men come to God Heb. 11.6 so it is by unbelief that they depart from God In Heb. 10.39 They that draw back and they that believe are opposed to one another Pray mark what it was that kept the Disciples close to Christ when others fell off from him We believe and are sure say they that thou art the Christ Lord to whom should we go Thou hast the words of eternal life John 6.68 69. If we are halting in our course it would argue us full of unbelief That we do not believe the Word of God Do we believe God's promises and yet turn aside for the vain proffers of a deluding world Do we credit Divine threatnings when yet these are not of so much force to deter us from sin as the frowns and threats of men to drive us into sin Did men fully believe there is so much evil and danger in every sin as the Word of God declares there is they would immediately see cause to be more afraid of the least sin than of the greatest sufferings in the world Did men really believe what the Lord has said of such as obey him sincerely and follow him fully they must necessarily conclude thence that integrity is the best policy and Godliness the greatest gain But when men chuse either to decline a way of duty or to comply with a way of sin for fear of sufferings or in hopes of some worldly advantage this bewrayes abundance of unbelief Thus men really call in question the truth of what God hath spoken and interpretatively give him the lye And is not that a wicked heart that dares give God the lye Again Halting argues we believe not God that he is such a God as indeed he is So holy that he hates all sin so just that he will not acquit the wicked A gracious God rich in mercy to reward his faithful servants Infinite in Power to protect those that fear and put their trust in him but to destroy all those that forsake and rebel against him A God every-where present omniscient that eyes and observes us in all places companies employments Who would forsake or turn aside from the living God that believes him to be such a God But unbelief is the root of disobedience as in the Greek the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both This is the cause of inconstancy the root of Apostacy How is it possible that any other than bad fruit should spring from such a bitter and poysonous root 2. Hypocrisie is another cause of halting As Constancy is the daughter of sincerity so unstaidness is the natural off-spring and product of Hypocrisie Psal 78.37 Their heart was not right with him then it follows neither were they stedfast in his Covenant As on the other hand the upright in heart are opposed to such as turn aside into crooked wayes Psal 125.45 Hypocrisie makes men zealous about needless ceremonies but careless of the substance of Religion The Scribes and Pharisees who are therefore called hypocrites Matt. 15.7 were earnest for the observation of their traditions while they regarded not to go cross to known express commands of God They were not afraid in sundry cases to set aside God's command to hold up mens traditions Matth. 15.2 3. Mar. 7.8 Hypocrisie wil put men upon some duties while there is an allowed neglect of others and those more weighty Mat. 23.23 Hypocrisie will take men off from some sins while other sins are still retained As Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel but departed not from the sins of Jeroboam 2 King 10.28 31. It wil teach men to avoid open gross scandalous sins while they have no care to get cleansed from secret sins from inward heart-corruptions Matth. 23.25 c. Hypocrisie will allow men to condemn will put them upon speaking against the sins of former times while it teacheth compliance with the sins of the present times Hypocrisie will suffer men to live in those sins which they condemn in others Matt. 23.29 c. And what is all this but shameful halting Hypocrisie will teach men to make a fair shew sometimes to act a part in Religion for the compassing of some carnal end which being once obtained the Play is done and they are found other men than they appeared and personated before Hypocrisie is a paint that wil not endure the fire Let fiery tryals come and these soon marre its beauty lay open its deformity Hypocrisie is but the putting of the sheep-skin on a Wolf or Swine which if once it be shorn you would not expect it should grow again The last estate of the Hypocrite ordinarily is worse than the first Matth. 12.45 3. Base sinful self-love and inordinate love of the world Carnal self is a great hinderance and pull back to us in a Christian course Therefore Christ calls upon every one that would follow him to deny himself Matth. 16.24 Our base hearts will seem to comply with a Divine Command at one time but out of self-respect and dispence with the same command at another time out of self-respect Some that were constant in the performance of Family-duties seemingly strict in the observation of Sabbaths c. while these things have been in fashion can readily lay all religious duties aside when they become a matter of reproach Some that seem to stear their course Heaven-wards while they meet with prosperous gales who can soon tack about when the winds are contrary How should they do other than halt in Religion who have more respect to their Credit and Reputation in the world than to God's Honour See John 12.42 43. How can ye believe sayes our Saviour who receive honor one of another John 5.44 As the Apostle James Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God â—am 4.4 Many love their carnal ease more than their work more than God's service These are only for the easie part of Religion and so halt in Religion Many have more love to their Estates their earthly possessions And these will be only for the cheap part of Religion
towards the Shechemites Ye have troubled me to make me stink among the inhabitants of the Land who will gather themselves together against me As David complained of Joabs baseness in falling upon Abner I am this day weak though anointed King The Kingdom of Christ is weakened and obstructed very much by His followers haltings and miscarriages Others are hereby kept off from Religion who otherwise might have been coming on Yea they that decline the profession of Religion for fear of Persecution and sufferings are not so far from the Kingdom of God as those who are cast off this other way These have a loathing of Religion it stinks with them whereas the other may be convinced in their consciences that it is the best Way the Way of the Righteous only they are discouraged from closing with it because of those hard measures the Righteous ordinarily meet with in this world But this shews us the great evil of mens halting in Religion this hindereth the progress of Religion this obstructeth the Truth and Kingdome of Christ that the Gospel cannot have so free a course and passage as otherwise it might Hence many look upon Religion as a way of deceit as if it taught men to play the hypocrites to be one thing in Profession and the contrary in Practice Which is as true as that the Sun is the cause of darkness Indeed God hath given a streight and perfect Rule to draw all the lines of our conversations by but when our hand shakes when we turn aside in our course keep not close to our Rule many foolish by standers are ready to censure the Rule it self and say that is crooked 2. In respect of the Godly For any that have entered into Religion to halt in Religion 1. It is a matter of reproach to the Godly in general Let not them that wait on thee be ashamed for my sake sayes the Psalmist O why should the Faithfull be put to shame for our sakes Indeed they will not think much to bear reproach for the Lords sake but Why should they be reviled evil-spoken of why should they bear reproach for our sakes As Nehemiah sayes of Shemaiah that False-Prophet Nehem. 6.43 therefore was he hired that I should be afraid and sin and that they might have matter for an evil report This the wicked wait and long for and ever ly at catch here to get any matter for an evil report To say These are your Professors 2. It 's an occasion of sorrow to the best of Gods People It greives them at the heart to see the Name of God thus dishonoured Religion discredited poor souls endangered Certainly the Apostle Paul was not a little moved greived at Peters halting Gal. 2. when he withstood him to his face Now is it nothing to make the hearts of the Righteous sad whom God would not have made sad 3. It 's an occasion of sin to those that are weaker Peters judaizing was a compelling of the Gentiles to do likewise Gal. 2.14 Thus some of the Jewish Converts yea Barnabas himself was carried away with the dissimulation ver 13. This is a teaching the Lords People to transgress We should fear to use our own liberty where weak Christians would be stumbling at it Rom. 14.13 21. 1 Cor. 8.9 12. We may be an occasion of wounding the consciences of our weak Brethren sometimes by our preposterous unadvised use of things indifferent and lawful in themselves And if it be sinful to use our liberty where we may know it will offend and scandalize our weak Brethren how much more to halt outright and lay the stumbling-block of our iniquity before them 3. In respect of sinners How sad are the consequences of this halting in Religion Wo to the world because of offences Wo to sinners 1. Hereby their minds are further prejudiced against Religion and Godliness And what a sad thing is it that any who profess to serve God should carry so as to prejudice others against his service True it is sinners have naturally a very great prejudice against God and Godliness The carnal mind is enmity against the Law of God No need to do any thing to increase this prejudice and enmity found in them But what is said of the Priests Mal. 2.8 Ye are departed out of the way Ye have caused many to stumble at the Law is true of halting professors Whereas they should be Guides to the blind lights to them that are in darkness by halting in Religion and walking unsutably to their profession they are Blinds rather and Stumbling-blocks before others But see Levit. 19.14 Thou shalt not put a stumbling-block before the blind And Deut. 27.18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way 2. Hereupon their mouths are oft opened against Religion Many set their mouth against Heaven seeing such halting in Religion It ought to be our care by wel doing by our strict circumspect and upright walking to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men We should be so wary that they that even watch for our halting would fain take us tripping might have no evil to say of us Our conversations should be winning at least convincing But uneven walking all halting in Religion will open the mouths of unruly talkers How sad to give the wicked any occasion to blaspheme 3. Hereby their hearts are further hardened in their own sin and wickedness and their hands more strengthened As is said of those lying Prophetesses Ezek. 13.22 Ye have strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way This is a great encouragement to sinners to go on in their evil wayes to see others miscarry Noah's being once overtaken emboldens many to go on in a course of Drunkenness David's once falling into that foul sin of Uncleanness Adultery makes some altogether shameless in sinning so that they no more regard how they wallow in the mire Bishop Gardiner one of the Marian Apostates and Persecutors cryed out on his death-bed That he had denied his Master with Peter but never repented with Peter Thus halting in Religion is very mischievous to sinners an occasion of their overthrow an hastening of their destruction as it puts them further and faster on in a way of transgression Now what a sad thing is it thus to have a hand in the sins and consequently in the ruine of the souls of others Instead of leading and drawing men towards Heaven to lye in their way and to be â—n occasion of their stumbling and downfall into Hell 4. In respect of ones self 1. Thus Conscience is defiled guilt contracted Such shall be found faulty Hos 10.2 As Peter was to be blamed Gal. 2.11 He was an holy man an eminent Apostle yet his Holiness his high Calling would not hide his miscarriage here but on the contrary was greatly blemished by it Men soil themselves shamefully by halting and turning aside into any crooked wayes See 2 Pet. 2.20 2. There is a cause
of inward troubles Thus Conscience is gauled Halting in the body you know is very troublesom and painful Great peace have they that love God's Law and walk on evenly with upright hearts in that plain path they shall find his wayes wayes of pleasantness and his paths peace Whereas they that leave the paths of uprightness walk in wayes of darkness Prov. 2.13 where they shall meet with little quiet or comfort Light is sown for the Righteous and gladness for the Upright in heart yea unto the Upright there arises Light in the darkness In midst of outward troubles he hath still much inward joy and peace This is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the Grace of God we have had our conversation in the world This was a comfort to holy Job Job 23.10 11 12. To the Faithful Psal 44.17 18. But halting in ones course uses to bring great inward troubles Daved's fall wounded his conscience and a good while after that he bled inwardly and complained Psa 51. that he went with broken bones What followed Peter's halting in the High-Priest's hall He went out and wept bitterly Others that have forsaken the Truth to avoid Sufferings have thereupon been arrested with those terrors of conscience and haunted with those inward horrors in comparison of which the greatest sufferings from men were light and easie to be born as it was with Francis Spira 3. Halting in Religion exposes and enclines one to fall further and more fouly if not to fall quite away See what followed upon David's halting in the matters of Vriah Alas he was not set sound he went not upright again for many months after It was a great while ere he was fully recovered and cured of it Peter giving a little way to sin and consulting more his outward safety than his inward peace soon halted down and fell into a shameful denial of his Master even with cursing and swearing as if he would that way seem to have been rather trained up in the Devil's School than in the School of Christ O Sirs how sad it is to be halting in Religion to be winding and turning here alas such know not what they may turn to at last As when a man begins to fall down a steep hill he knows not where he shall stop he may fall to the bottom and for any thing he knows be crushed in pieces with his fall Thus some who carried fair sometimes after they began to halt and decline in Religion have proceeded from evil to worse Some have fallen from one Errour to another till at last they have come to be meer Scepticks and Seekers to be any thing and just nothing Others have fallen from a plausible profession first to immoderation in the use of lawful things to a pampering of the flesh and an over-eager pursuit of their outward pleasures and vain recreations and from thence to down-right prophaness visible ungodliness and so at last into plain Atheism Ah Beloved what need to look well to our feet here Halting in Religion is next step to Apostacy falling off from Religion If this halting be not cured it will end in Apostacy will turn 〈◊〉 quite out of the way Heb. 12.13 Now lay all these things together and sure it will appear very evil to halt in Religion 1. If we look at the thing it self it is directly contrary to God 1. To his Nature and Attributes 2. to his Mind and Will 2. If we look to the causes of it 1. It argues great corruption of the judgment 2. A corrupt heart An evil heart of unbelief hypocrisy c. 3. If we look at the effects and consequences both in respect of God of the Godly of sinners and of our selves Use 1. For Instruction Seeing it is so exceeding evil for men to halt in Religion 1. It should teach us to be very cautious how we censure others to halt here without ground We should fear to lay such an heavy charge as this upon those that are innocent How ill the Lord took it from Job's Friends that they were so rash in their censures of him Gal. 2.14 When I saw that they walked not uprightly I said unto Peter before them all c. When Psaw So the matter must be evident And when it is so then let men tax then reprove and spare not The case was plain here before Elijah that the People were drawn off from God and running after Baal This I thought good to note here to prevent the mis-application of the Doctrine To hold Communion in publick Worship which is the Worship of God for substance though there are corruptions in the manner of administration when Christians are careful not to communicate in those corruptions but mourn at groan under them breath after pray for purity in God's Worship I say to joyn in publick worship that hath corruptions in it with these qualifications is unjustly censured as halting betwixt God and Baal While all necessary Fundamental Truth is publickly professed and maintained in a Church is taught and held forth in publick Assemblies and the corruptions there though great yet not such as make the Worship cease to be God's Worship nor of necessity to be swallowed down if one would communicate in publick Worship while any Christian that is watchful over his heart and carriage as all ought ever to be may partake in the one without being active in or approving of the other there God is yet present there He may be spiritually worshipped served acceptably and really enjoyed The Sacrifice of a faithful Israelite an Elkanah was pleasing to God even when Hophni and Phineas were Priests And no doubt it was written for our instruction our Lord Christ who is and ought to be a Christians pattern who could never be charged with the least halt in his course who never trode one step awry who was as zealous for purity in God's Worship as much against corrupt mixtures of mens inventions there as any can pretend to be Nevel was there any in the world of whom that was true The Zeal of thine House hath eaten me up Yet we find He used to attend on the publick Worship in his time notwithstanding the many corruptions brought into it and notwithstanding such formalists and superstitious ones as the Scribes and Pharisees who were ready to magnifie their traditions above the Word of God though such as these did officiate in it Luke 4.16 That He went into their Assemblies not to joyn in any worship they had amongst them but only to bear witness against their corruptions is no where written but rather the contrary i◠held forth in Scripture where he acknowledgeth himself a member of the Church of the Jews and approves of and justifies their Worship as right for the substance that Salvation might be attained therein which he denies to be attainable in any other way of Worship then used among the Gentiles John 4.22 Ye
God did we see him to be an alsufficient unchangable faithful God it would help us to hold out to follow him fully 4. Again eye His Omnisciency His eyes are upon the wayes of man and He seeth all his goings Job 34.21 He telleth all our wanderings When Peter was turning his back on Christ his Lord and Master looked on him all the while As he beheld guile-less Nathaniel under the Fig-tree So he likewise beheld Peter halting in the High Priests Palace 5. His Omnipresence O that we had Moses eyes to see him that is invisible Doubtless he is not far from any of us No fleeing from his presence Psa 139.7 c. That we cannot sin but in the face of our Judge What are ye not afraid to turn aside from God his Truth his Commands while the Lord himself stands by and observes all our carriage 6. His Holiness Justice and Severity against sin If any draw back his soul can take no pleasure in that man Only such as are upright in the Way that are his delight Pro. 11.20 As God is displeased at mens halting before him so he is ready to manifest his displeasure And what a fearful thing is it to fall into the hands of the living God even as to fall into a consuming fire Such of God's Attributes as these last mentioned would very much awe us make us fear to depart or turn aside in the least from him But so much of the eighth Direction 9. Look to Jesus as your best guide And strive to follow his steps Observe how Christ carried in this world He did no sin neither was guile found in His mouth His love to man without dissimulation His zeal for God free from the least mixture of self-seeking He had the wisdom of the Serpent and the Doves innocency most exactly contempered duly proportioned in him He knew how to converse with sinners without the least communicating in their sins He was one and the same in all places at all times Far from studying a compliance with a corrupt and sinful generation rather he made it his work to do all that might be to change and amend it to set a crooked generation streight He was ever more careful to discharge duty than to provide for his own safety here In doing the work his Father sent him about into the world he wav'd and set aside self-respect John 5.30 8.49 50. The Truth and Honour of God was dearer to him than his own life O Christians follow this your Guide If we are Christians we ought to walk as Christ also walked 1 John 2.6 We are unworthy of the name of Christians if it be not our care and indeavour to follow Christ Now wherein we are followers of Christ we may be confident we go right so far we halt not in our course Therefore observe and eye Christ more Consider how he carried upon earth And where you are at a stand think if you can how Christ would have carried what he would have done in the like case with yours 10. Reckon upon troubles in this world Expect to meet with crosses in your Christian course As Paul and Barnabas confirmed the souls of the Disciples and exhorted them to continue in the Faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14.22 When we look to meet with the Cross in our way we shall not so soon stumble at it On the contrary the Disciples were offended at Christs passion and shrunk away from him being in a great measure surprized with it for as many fair warnings and express items as they had from our Saviour to prepare for his sufferings yet they would not let those sayings sink down into their hearts still their thoughts were upon Christs reigning here as an earthly King and on some great worldly advancement which they expected under Christ 11. Be going forward The way of the Lord is strength to the upright Though I do not determine this to be the sense of the place yet it is a truth if we take it thus The further we go on in the ways of God the more strength we shall find to hold out and continue in them The way of the Lord is strength to the upright The Righteous shall hold on his way and wax stronger and stronger Here they that run fastest are least weary Whereas if we sit still we shall soon grow lame and stark O take heed of standing still Be going forward Grow in Grace Let it be your care to grow in Grace as you fear to fall from your own steadfastness Weaklings are aptest to stumble and fall Therefore let us be going on from strength to strength It is a good thing indeed that the heart be established with Grace Heb. 13.9 Where note it is one property of Grace to establish the heart And the more Grace the more inward establishment Adde to Faith Vertue sayes the Apostle Peter Let these things be in you and abound And if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. Here I might instance in sundry particular Graces that you should be growing in especially You heard before what corruptions especially and most frequently are a cause of halting Now strengthen those Graces that are opposite thereunto Labour to increase and excel in Faith By Faith Enoch walked with God By Faith Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin In sincerity Being really what we seem to be The more truth in our inward parts the more Evenness and Uniformity in our outward Conversations In self-denial They that would follow God fully as Moses did must deny themselves as he did who refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter that he might be found the faithful Servant of God In an holy contempt of the world Labour to sit looser in your affections to the world if you would stick close to God Demas falling in love with this present world and affecting its embraces shook off holy Paul once and as some tell us turned Priest afterwards in an Idols temple Though others suppose he fell not so far but soon recovered again However the danger was very great see 1 Tim. 6.9 10. Many alas stick fast in the world stick fast here so that they know not how to take a step how to set a foot forward in the way to Heaven In love to God his Truth and Wayes This would cause you to cleave to him In Patience We have great need of Patience too that we be not wearied nor faint in our minds We must run with patience the race set before us Without patience we should soon be run out of breath 12. Lean ever upon Christ As you would not halt in your course lean hard upon Christ While we desire to grow in Grace yet we should fear to trust to Grace received It was the cause of Peters foul and shameful fall his self confidence conceiting that he was
and perswading the things concerning the Kingdom of God Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us whilest he talked with us and opened unto us the Scriptures 5. The Lords Table where he feasteth his Friends as Cant. 5.1 and bids them welcome saying Eat O Friends Drink yea drink abundantly O Wel-beloved I appeal to the consciences of many sincere Christians when they have taken most pains with their own hearts to get them into frame against a Sacramental day when they have been deeply humbled in self-abhorrency broken in confessions with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered if God have not spoken peace to their souls Son daughter be of good chear thy sins be forgiven if their hearts have not danced for joy as David did before the Ark 6. The Lord's People his faithful Members are they thy friends thy companions of thy intimate society dost thou prefer them to others Psal 16.3 as the only excellent ones 119.63 I am companion to all that fear thee to all even to poor Saints as well as rich despised as well as honourable dost thou relieve them in want succour them in misery visit them if in Prison and therefore because they belong to Christ have much of Christ in them This he taketh kindly Mark 9.41 because they belong to Christ 7. Dost thou love the Day of Christ's appearing which though it be black and gloomy a terrible day to the proud and all ungodly enemies of Christ yet is it a day much to be desired by all that love the Lord who may rejoyce and lift up their heads in joyful hope of this Dayes approach their Redemption draweth nigh now is their Salvation nearer than when first they believed now shall the Elect receive the end of their Faith and Hope and Prayers and Tears and Sufferings 2 Tim. 4.8 It is made a character of the righteous that they love the appearing of Jesus Christ Heb. 5. ult Unto them that look for him Tit. 2.13 Looking for c. Not only looking for but hasting to the coming of the Day of God 2 Pet. 3.12 3d. Note is in Christ's own words John 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments all one as well as another hard as well as easie John 15.14 Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Abraham is called the Friend of God and his friendship was tried and approved by his obedience to those hard Commandments of leaving his Country and offering up his only son his son Isaac whom he loved The partial obedience of most people is no obedience at all argueth no sincere love to Christ 4. To suffer for Christ to part with our dearest interests for him argueth sincere love to him Jacob endured a hard service of seven years for Rachel which though long because hard yet seemed to him but as a few dayes for the love he had unto her Jonathan endured his father's displeasure for David whom he loved and was well content to part with his hope in the Kingdom because he loved him as his own soul The Martyrs Rev. 12.11 loved not their lives unto the death The Apostles went away rejoycing they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ If we dare not adventure to suffer the spoyling of our Goods dare not hazard the frown or displeasure of a Landlord dare not suffer the loss of Name or Reputation for Christ and his Gospel how dwelleth his Love in us 5. Who love the Lord in sincerity will not easily part with Him his Comforts his Graces his Presence and Power of his Ordinances Exod. 21.5 The servant that loved his master and the family would not go out free Love prevailed above Liberty which is very desirable To sincere Christians the absence of Christ is grievous how they mourn to part with Ordinances in which they have found sweet communion with Christ David in the Wilderness how he longed after God! Psal 63.1 With sorrow and weeping tears the Disciples take their leave of St. Paul Acts 20. ult when they were to see his face no more Those people that with those Jews Acts 13.50 expel Ministers out of their coasts or with them Luke 4.29 thrust Christ out of their City or with the more mannerly Gadarens who besought him to depart from them who can be content to suffer a famine of the Word rather than be at the cost of maintaining a Preaching-Minister they will not buy the Truth so dear who are well enough pleased to see their Ministers removed burning and shining Lights put under a bed or a bushel Teachers driven into corners do give a plain demonstration how little love they have to Jesus Christ it is evident they prefer their Swine their Gain their Money to Jesus Christ Now I beseech you Brethren take a little pains to try the truth of your Love to Christ It will be the greatest comfort to your souls of any thing in this world if upon good ground it may appear you are of them that love the Lord in sincerity What bonefires of joy may such Christians make in their hearts in the saddest times and darkest night of affliction Psal 112.4 To the upright ariseth light in darkness If you love Christ be sure ye are of him beloved Prov. 8.17 I love them that love me To you he will be a never-failing friend in trouble in sickness in all afflictions in life and death and at the day of Judgement to them he will pronounce that heart-chearing sentence Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom c. But if by the foregoing Evidences taken out of the Scriptures of Truth the contrary do appear and we be not found amongst Christs real Friends but however we may flatter our selves among his enemies and of them that hate Him then shall we from his mouth hear that heart-breaking doom Depart from me ye cursed c. I never knew you And if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha SERMON VI. Ephes 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity VVE come now to speak to the second Doctrine which is this Doct. 2. The best thing in the world is Grace not gifts parts which are Gratiae gratis datae of an inferiour nature which the Apostle elsewhere wisheth for his Corinthians 1 Cor. 14.5 But here being to take his leave of his People wisheth for them saving Grace such as Faith Remission of sins Fellowship with all Saints in the general Resurrection So Haimo in locum That Grace is so excellent a thing appeareth in this That the Apostle in all or most of his Epistles both begins and ends with it His first salutation in the entrance is Grace be unto you and Peace to which he sometimes addeth Mercy Grace to renew our nature Peace of conscience Mercy for pardon of sin If we find sin pardoned our persons accepted our natures altered then may we comfort our selves c. saith Dr. Sibbs In
Christ as ver 1. more flesh than spirit Motives to grow in Grace 1. That we may answer not frustrate God's expectation Luke 12.48 Where much is given there much is required Isa 5.3 I looked for grapes and well he might expect store of fruit of a Vineyard so husbanded 2. Much Grace will produce much Obedience greater Faith greater Obedience and that hereafter will conduce more to the glory of God Rom. 4.20 Abraham being strong in Faith gave glory to God The more Grace the better lives will Christians lead whereby God is more glorified John 15.8 Hereby is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruit 2. Much obedience wil be more to our own comfort for God will reward every one according to his works 1 Cor. 15. ult Knowing your labour not to be in vain in the Lord. If there be degrees of Glory sure they are bestowed according to improvment of talents here He that had gained ten pounds had Authority over ten Cities and he that had gained five pounds was made Ruler over five Cities Luke 19.17 19. He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 2. Here in this life God usually metes to us as we measure to him according to our obedience so is our comfort Luke 6.38 Where no care of obedience no comfort little Faith little comfort hence Christians of little Faith little obedience are much disquieted about their comfort and assurance 3. We need much Grace to conquer many corruptions great lusts to resist strong temptations Some sins like those Devils are not easily cast out Matt. 17.21 It is by Faith Christians overcome the world 1 John 5.4 but a little Faith will hardly overcome the temptations on the right hand from worldly prosperity temptations on the left hand persecutions of the world it must be a strong Faith that must stop the mouths of Lions subdue Kingdoms quench the violence of fire Heb 11.35 small strength of Grace will be more like to faint in the day of battel than conquer strong opposition Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small 4. There be hard lessons to be learned hard duties to be performed in Christianity whereunto is requisit more store of Grace Some stick at easie duties how will they go thorow with harder Who cannot hold out with soot-men how will they run with horse-men They who are tired with family duties how will they perform those of self-denial heart-examination mortification which are as the cutting off the right hand or plucking out the right eye How will they love their enemies forgive injuries fobear revenge to the performance of which Christians need pray as Luke 17.4 Lord increase our Faith If God bid us do some great thing as to lay down our lives we ought to refuse none of his commands How much less ought we not to stick at duties of so easie a nature 5. Christians may be brought into great straits out of which to extricate themselves they need store of Grace much Faith more wisdome great courage Let not your hearts be troubled saith Christ to his Disciples sorrowing for his absence John 14.1 How shal they remedy that Ye believe in God Believe also in me Some Faith they had already but they will need more to prevent trouble of heart Hab. 1.2 The Prophet complains of bad times violence and spoil all along that Chapter How shall the iniquity of times be helped See Chap. 2.4 The Just shall live by Faith the best remedy for sad times then they must have Faith store of Faith that intend to live upon it when times are so bad that Believers have nothing else left but Faith to live upon In great storms we need great courage â—est we sink Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid c. his heart is fixed 6. The best evidence of truth of Grace is growth If plants grow if young cattel thrive be sure they live when Christians thrive not are as ignorant now as they were seven years ago are as luke-warm c. they may suspect whether ever they were born again or began to live the life of Grace Helps to grow besides those which belong to the former branch of Exhortation which may be useful here 1. Beware thou judge not thy self strong when thou art weak nay when thou hast no Grace at all as is too usual Laodicea-like Rev. 3.17 Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods c. Prov. 13.7 There is that maketh himself rich yet hath nothing Thou maiest have long time enjoyed the means yet not have made answerable progress in practical Godliness Some children go to school seven years yet arrive not at so good degrees of learning as others do in half that time Israel in their wilderness wanderings spent neer forty years in going eleven dayes journey Deut. 1.2 Heb. 5.12 Some at sixty years Profession are inferior to others of sixteen who for the time they have had to learn ought to be teachers of others had need one teach them the principles of Religion and have need of milk c. 2. Beware thou never entertain a conceit of having Grace enough nor ever stint thy self to a certain measure of Grace of worldly riches a man may have enough and surfet but of Grace thou canst not surfet canst not be too greedy thou maist love the world too much canst not love Christ too much canst not have too much humility too much meekness zeal so it be according to knowledge here the proverb is most true Store is no sore much Grace will be no burden 3. Be sure thou live be in Christ for dead things grow not in Christ is all fulness of him must we receive John 1.16 in him are all treasures of wisdom and knowledg The branch cannot grow that is cut off from the stock John 15.4 no more can ye except ye abide in me Christ is Author and finisher of our Faith and all Grace to him must we be united receive influence from him have much recourse to him communion with him 4. Be very humble ascribe all thy sufficiency to God He must be as the dew to Israel ere he can grow as the Lilly Hos 14.5 8. from me is thy fruit found God hath great respect for humble Persons because they will be most thankful and ascribe all their fruitfulness unto God which proud Persons arrogate to themselves Therefore God will teach the meek hath respect to the lowly giveth more Grace to the humble Jam. 4.6 5. Improve what thou hast exercise Grace received exercises in Learning Scholastick disputatious declamations speaking Latine increase learning Acts intend habits The more a child exerciseth his writing reading the better he will write and read the more a Christian putteth forth acts of Piety Charity Mortification Prayer c. the more Pious and Gracious he will prove himself To him that hath shall be given and he shall have more abundance
they go Gen. 28.12.13 We read Ruth 4.5 At what time the Kinsman must have the inheritance he must have it at the hand of Ruth to allude hereto You can never inherit the Blessing unless you be espoused to Christ Ye shall not see my face said Joseph except your brother be with you So here no seeing the face of God with comfort nor prayer heard nor person accepted nor sin pardoned no souls reconciled no Blessing obtained but through Christ Prayers are but as howlings if they be not put up in the Name of Christ the only Mediator Read Heb. 12.18 c. you shall find the misery of souls without Christ but their happiness being come to the Mediator of the New-Testament Out of Christ we have to do with God from Mount Sinai in thunderings and lightnings in tempest and terrible voices but through Christ from Mount Sion whence better things are spoken than Abels blood spake So Ephes 2.12 c. Without Christ and afar off without God having no hope strangers to the promise But through Christ made nigh reconciled fellow-citizens with the Saints of the household of God the partition-wall broken down he is our peace God is a terrible Judg a consuming Fire to men out of Christ but in him a Gracious Father reconciling this world to himself not imputing iniquities Ephes 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings But how or for whose sake Why in Christ only on his account In him we have redemption the remssion of sin ver 7. God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Ephes 4.32 Jesus Christ is the Light of the world without which darkness horrour and perpetual confusion had been upon all mankind the onely Foundation to stand against Hell gates no other Name given whereby we can be saved The way by which we draw near to God with hope to speed is consecrated through his blood the grand encouragements we have in our addresses to God are Christ's Merit and Mediation Jesus Christ is the only door at which God giveth his dole of Blessings and by which we can enter into the Fathers presence and favour He is the gate of Heaven He is all in all My dear People The time of my departure from you not voluntary but constrained seemeth now at hand possibly I am speaking the words of a dying man and may see your faces no more in this place 't is my comfort I have not kept back any thing that is profitable for you nor shunned to declare to you all the Counsel of God But have to my ability taught you to observe all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded for so runs my Commission Mat. 28.20 And let me tell you I dare not exceed knowing that terrible Commination Deut. 18.20 The Prophet that shall presume to speak a word in my Name which I have not commanded him to speak even that Prophet shall die And Mat. 5.19 Whosoever shall break one of these least Commandments and teach men so he shall be called the Least in the Kingdom of Heaven The Scripture tels me what things I must teach and exhort And if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine according to Godliness he is proud knowing nothing but doting c. 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Could I find the things which it is probable are shutting the mouths of many hundreds of learned consciencious Ministers expressed in or by good consequence to be drawn from the Scriptures which I am sure are sufficient to furnish the Man of God throughly to every good work 2 Tim. 3.17 I would not for a World divest my self of the Liberty of my Ministry nor bereave my self my wife and little ones of our Livelihood nay I would willingly practise them and teach you so to to I this day appeal to the most High with the Prophet Jer. 17.16 As for me I have not hastened from being a Pastor to follow thee O Lord thou knowest Most gladly would I have continued preaching Christ Jesus the Lord furthering your Faith and Joy and driving on the great Marriage between Christ and your Souls but sure I am my Lord needeth not my sinning to carry on his Work amongst you neither will I charge him with unfaithfulness nor his Word with deficiency in pretending to mine own faithfulness in the Ministerial Function but I 'le patiently commit my self to Him that judgeth righteously endeavouring to follow his steps who became poor that we might be made rich and suffered greater things for me than I can do for him On Him I desire to be found waiting and keeping his Way who hath the giving of the Opening of the Mouth and is thereby known to be the Lord Ezek. 29.21 He that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth can if he please restore our Liberties and pleasant things if not here am I let him do what is good in his fight The Will of the Lord be done Why should I part with you repining or murmuring at a churlish unkind World whilst it is evident the World hated him before it hated us and my Text tels us that Christ blessed his Disciples at his parting and Ascension Now the Lord Christ who went to Heaven blessing bless you this day with the best of Blessings the sure Mercies of David and lasting Benefits of the everlasting Covenant The Lord Jesus the good Shepherd who gave his Life for the Sheep be your Shepherd and cause showers of Blessings from Heaven on your Souls Bodies Children Families and Estates And God even the Father for Christ's sake grant that you and I who are this day parting with grieved hearts may at last meet with joy having all tears wiped from our eyes and every sad thought taken from our hearts to be ever with the Lord at whose right-hand are pleasures for evermore And God the holy Ghost abide with you and me to guide us into Truth to stablish us in the Truth and comfort our hearts unto the end of the world The Lord be with you all And are we parting Suffer I beseech you this word of Exhortation In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed If any man thirst let him come to me and drink John 7.37 The Apostle at Troas ready to depart the morrow preached long at his parting with the Elders of the Church of Ephesus who must see his face no more how fervently did he preach and pray Acts 20. Two of Luthers wishes were That he might have seen Christ in the flesh and have heard Paul preach But my Brethren what tongue can express the worth of their Farewel-Sermons Though I be a weak earthen vessel a reed shaken with the wind yet shall not my mouth be open and my heart enlarged when I must preach to you no more And am I leaving you My Beloved and longed-for how gladly would
not approve of But I must tell you that to mine and my Brethrens apprehensions they are forbidden in those general Prohibitions Deut. 12.32 Prov. 30.6 Col. 2.15 surely he that adds to the Worship adds by consequence to the Word of God If you say What hurt is in them I ask Have they not a tendency to draw men off the spiritual Part of God's Worship to rest in Formalities do they not bring us into more bondage than the Jewish Church since they had a stated number of Ceremonies and those of God's own Appointment but we as to the nature and number of ours are at mens arbitrement and must not cease obeying till they cease imposing Do they not prove a sad stumbling-block to the more tenderly consciencious Christians and to add no more they must needs do hurt in that they do no good I fear not to say that whatsoever doth no good I speak of mens inventions must needs be prejudicial and corrupting to God's Worship I hope then you will forbear to throw after us those rash and harsh Censures as if we wilfully ran our selves into sufferings I think it a Truth worth our bearing witness to by the greatest sufferings That men ought not to impose nor we submit to humane Inventions in God's Worship when introduced upon pretence of Edification or engaging men to their duty Since such things would reflect upon the Wisdom of God as if he had not known how to make his own Ordinances effectual But I forbear other Instances I might give and hasten to what remains Thirdly There is yet a third thing which may be an occasion of stumbling and sinning to the prophane and that is They will rejoyce at our sufferings because we have sometimes been Troublers of their Consciences They look upon us as pestilent Fellows movers of Soul-Sedition they could not swear or drink nor oppress c. but the Pulpit must ring of it they hate us because we never prophesied good concerning them and now they are glad not only to be rid of us but to see us suffer c. 1. But let me tell you It 's no good argument of Christianity to rejoyce in the sufferings of any though your worst enemies The Command is Rejoyce with them that rejoyce and weep with them that weep Rom. 12.15 remember them that are in bonds as if bound with them Heb. 13.3 How contrary is your spirit and practice to these and the like Precepts as for our troubling you we did it in faithfulness to your souls And for our present troubles suppose it were upon the account of an erroneous Conscience which is the worst that can rationally be supposed of us yet so long as it is upon the account of Conscience methinks it calls for your Pitty and Compâ—ssion But 2. Let me tell you There 's no such cause of rejoycing as you imagine if you sin more quietly when we are silenced Conscience will speak at last the flames of Hell at furtherst will awaken it and then you will wish that you had both enjoyed and improved your faithful Monitors who out of Love to your souls durst not but speak against your sins Besides our sufferings presage you no good 1 Pet. 4.17 If Judgement begin at the house of God the Cup may pass from us to you When God gives order to begin at his Sanctuary he intends utter desolation In Ezek. 12.3 4. the Prophet is commanded to remove his stuffe as one going into captivity for a type to the People You will see us ere long removing our stuffe what if this be a type to you sure I am it is a warning Let our sufferings be supposed never so just and righteous yet are there not among you even among you sins as heinous and provoking Luke 23.40 Do you not fear God since you are in the same condemnation Alas poor souls were you sensible it would be small joy to you to have your Ministers driven into Corners But so much to the first sort 2. I am now to turn my speech to you whom the Text directly concerns who look upon our removal as a Judgement who are burdened for the reproach of solemn Assemblies there is danger of your stumbling as the Text intimates and therefore let me caution you also Take heed you be not offended by or stumble at our sufferings many wayes you may miscarry it may possibly be a purling case with you how to reconcile our suffering in this case with God's Justice but remember with the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 12.1 to hold the conclusion however things go You may also meet with temptations to call in question the Truth of that Doctrine we have delivered to you or to doubt whether we have taught you the good and the right Way but that which is most ordinary and against which you need to be most cautioned is Lest your hands be weakned and your hearts discouraged in the Profession of the Truth lest the Shepherds being smitâ—en the Sheep be scattered lest by our Sufferings you be moved from the Hope of the Gospel To prevent which or the like miscarriages consider 1. Our Sufferings are not to weaken or discourage to confirm and encourage you you quite pervert the End of our Afflictions if you draw arguments of discouragement from them 2 Cor. 1.6 Whether we be afflicted it is for your Consolation We are put to lead that you may the more chearfully follow if called to it Phil. 1.14 Many of the Brethren in the Lord waxed confident by my bonds That was indeed a right Improvement of Paul's Sufferings I mean not that you should run your selves upon sufferings or do any thing unlawful or unwarrantable to pull Afflictions upon your own heads The Serpents wisdom is commendable when in conjunction with the Doves simplicity and innocency but if the Cup which ordinarily goes round be put into your hands our Example should be your Encouragement to drink it more cheerfully As for doing any thing or so much as speaking against Authority upon our account far be it from us to urge you to it nay we charge you to keep the way of Duty and Loyalty to Sovereign Authority The wrath of man works not the Righteousness of God but if you be call'd out to bear witness as we conceive we now are to the Truth of God or the Purity of his Worship and Ordinances then we say to you look on us and do likewise than chuse rather to suffer than sin We have preach'd the Truth and we now are called to seal it with the loss of our Livelihood and Liberty in some measure Let not our Sufferings weaken or dis-settle but rather strengthen your Faith and heighten your resolution our Afflictions should be your Encouragements 2. Nor should the bitter Scoffs and Reproaches which you may undergo for our sakes at all move you I doubt not you will have the scorn as well as the loss It will be said to you in way of derision as the Sons of
the first Adam if he and the World had conquered the Second our Salvation had miscarried Heb. 2.14 15. If he had been basted we had been lost but if he had failed in this enterprize there had been no hope of our Conquest therefore we have ground to rejoyce that Christ hath overcome the World 3. There is ground of Comfort that Christ hath overcome the World in that he hath left us a bafled and beaten enemy to conflict with What an Encouragement is this Christ hath broken the Serpents head and though this Enemy did rally and charge again and again yet at last Christ did fully overcome So that this may encourage us to enter the Lists with this Adversary and may give us great hopes of Victory 4. He hath left us the way and method how he overcame the World viz. by constant resisting and opposing by the Word of God and patient enduring of all assaults Mat. 4.2 to 10. and if we will but study this Rule and follow it we shall overcome He tryed his full strength on Christ and was thus conquered We have the same Enemy but weaker because overcome and may rejoyce that we know how to conquer him Use 2. If this be so then it is great sin and shame for Christians to be overcome of the World in any of its assaults for to be overcome by a bafled beaten enemy that Christ did overcome With what face can such as Demas or those in Luke 8.13 look Christ in the face the Captain of Salvation who being Conqueror hateth conwardly yeelding especially he having acquainted us with the Assaults of this Adversary and how to overcome them Use 3. Let us study his way of conquering and follow it exactly and we shall do so too This the Apostle did 2 Cor. 6.4 to 11. they did exactly follow their Captain So did the Primitive Martyrs who had all the same Assaults from the World as Christ had but by resisting by the Word and enduring they overcame And so shall Christians that will closely follow this Discipline in this War Use 4. If this be so then in the sharpest Conflicts thou shall meet with call to thy conquering Captain for help He hath won the day and can assist thee Heb. 2.18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour c. What ever the Assaults is he is able to give thee sufficient help As in that 2 Cor. 12.9 Let us take this course for it will be a great shame to us to be overcome Doct. 3. That though Christians have Tribulation in the world yet they are to be of good Comfort because Christ hath overcome the World Explication 1. What is meant by be of good chear The Word in the Original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The theme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It signifies I confide or trust Mat. 9.2 Be of good chear c. i. e. trust confide be of good heart as to the issue and Mark 6.50 And so the Syriack word Etlabbw it is used for to be of good heart chear up let not your spirits faint fail or be dejected And so it is used in Acts 27.25 And so in 1 Thes 5.14 Comfort the feeble-minded c. put courage into drooping spirits that are apt to be dismayed So here In the World you shall have Tribulation but be of good heart 2. But be of good chear you are likely to have Tribulation in the World and that I know is likely to be daunting and dismaying news to you For in that Heb. 12.11 No chastening for the present seems to be joyous but grievous But this is an adversative particle though it be so that nature doth encline men to be dismayed and cast down but be not you so but act contrarily be of good chear pluck up your hearts and spirits like men be not dismayed 3. For This is a causal particle and doth intimate the reason why Christians should be of good chear I have had the same conflict with the World you shall have and I have got the Victory this is spoken by Christ in relation to his full overcoming of the World and sitting at the Right hand of God Therefore be of good comfort I have beaten this enemy and have got a glorious triumph you have this beaten enemy to fight and may expect the like issue Rev. 3.21 Secondly The Reasons Why have Christians ground of comfort in Tribulation 1. Because they suffer Tribulation for Righteousness sake and so are blessed as in Mat. 5.11 And so 1 Pet. 4.14 3.14 If ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are ye Now when there is evidence from the Word of God and Conscience that the cause of our suffering is our being Righteous the Scripture accounts us blessed 2. Because it is an evident token to such persons of their Sincerity and having Truth of Grace 1 Pet. 4.14 And this is a sign of a through-work when men endure Luke 8.13 As it is a high Gift Phil. 1.29 so a sign of a great measure of Grace to be able to believe and suffer 3. Because that by suffering Tribulation God is glorified 1 Pet. 4.14 When a Souldier can â—â—y I suffer these losses for it I judged it a cause worth suffering for as Mat. 19.27 Now this is for the credit of Christ Cause As in the Primitive times against Pagans In the time of the Vandal Arrians against false doctrine And in the time of Popery against false doctrine and worship God was glorified 4. Because such as do thus suffer theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.10 And so the reason is given because that the Prophets that are now in Heaven underwent the like Persecutions Mat. 5.12 and therefore ground of Comfort This the Apostle gives Rom 8.17 18. 2 Cor. 4.17 And the examples that are gone before And 5. Because that though Christians have Tribulation in the world yet in Christ they have peace What need a Christian matter though the Devil and wicked men be at war with him when he hath peace with God Christ and his Conscience as the Text so Rom. 5.1 Joh. 14.27 And by suffering Tribulation this is preserved therefore rejoyce and be of good chear this is the best peace 6. Because of the Profit and Commodity that Christians shall reap by Tribulation in this Life As Heb. 12.11 and upon this account the Apostle speaks Rom. 5.3 4 5. And so though the outward man decay that is though estate health liberty and whatever appertains to the outward man decay yet as 2 Cor. 4.16 we are of good chear sensibly perceiving spiritual profit by our great Affliction and Tribulation 7. Because by suffering Tribulation we are made conformable to the Image of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.29 And though the holy Ghost speaks this of the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.4 Phil. 3.21 yet the Apostle Phil. 3.10 and so 2 Tim. 2.12 it is with Christ and a fellowship and conformity to his Image Therefore great ground for us to
O mourning soul is it nothing that there is no change in the Covenant of Grace though it may be thou thinkest there is a great alteration as to the Means of Grace Thy Teacher is where he was though some of thy Teachers be removed It is he that taught thee by them and he can teach thee without them Thou hast before seen cause to magnifie him because he did All by the Instruments and now thou mayest see cause to omnify him that can be to thee instead of all Instruments Christ Jesus is in Office and in exercise of his Office as Prophet when some Officers may be discharged John 5.17 Christ works if some others may not can you not find all that you have lost in that one Title of Christ The great Shepherd of the Sheep Heb. 13.10 If you should be brought so low as to see no Temple yet may you find a Temple in the Lamb Rev. 21.22 Some think that Promise of God to this mourning People Ezek. 11.16 That he would be to them as a little Sanctuary is not only a Promise of protection but that he would from himself also make some supply of Temple-Ordinances I will be a little Temple to you I will be instead of your City-Walls and your Temple-Priviledges 2. As for future Hopes there is room for an If I shall find favour in his eyes 2 Sam. 15.25 The Prophet Ezekiel dare not conclude against dry bones living Ezek. 37.3 11 12. The Text is a promise of gathering a mourning People If it be asked May we apply such Promises I Answer Yes sure we may with giving God that liberty he hath reserved to himself That he will either give us the very thing or that which is equivolent The Promises are a cōmon stock What Peter saith of Scripture There is no Scripture of private interpretation I may with a little change say of Scripture-Promises they are not of private application Nay if that be true which some upon good grounds affirm That the Church then was typical and the times that passed over her then were typical of that state of the New-Testament Church in its latter age then I say these Promises are as much ours as theirs Act Faith therefore on this Promise if God hath pricked thy heart and fear not to conclude that either God will find us a room in his House on Earth or give us the Mansions that Christ hath prepared for us in Heaven Either we shall be gathered thither where we have enjoyed Ordinances or into Heaven where we shall need none which is best of all O let our scatterings unite us O let us be sowing Goodness and scattering Religion wherever we come compare Acts 8.1 4. with chap. 11.19 And pour out our hearts in those words with which the Jews conclude both in writing and in reading the Lamentations of Jeremiah in Lam. 5.21 wherewith I will conclude this mournful discourse Turn thou us unto thee O Lord and we shall be turned Renew our dayes as of old Amen SERMON XVII Ephes 5.15 16. See then that ye walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil THe Apostle having in the former part of this Chapter given the Ephesians warning to avoid that Looseness Prophaneness and Disorder in their lives and conversations which would exclude them out of the Kingdom of Heaven In this verse he comes by way of inference to direct them what course they should take In which words we have several things well worthy our consideration As 1. The Duty enjoyned and that with a note of earnestness See that ye walk circumspectly q. d. have a care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accurate exactte be sure what ever ye do that ye walk exactly And this Duty he amplifies 1. Negatively Not as Fools And 2. Positively But as Wise 2. Here is a special part of the Duty particularized Redeeming the time 3. Here is a reason of the Command or a motive to the performance of the Duty Because the dayes are evil The words thus considered are very pregnant and will without much midwifery bring forth these very many useful and seasonable Observations Doctrine 1. That a truly Christian Conversation is an exact Conversation Doct. 2. That a loose Life is a Fools Life Doct. 3. That he is the wisest Man that lives most exactly Doct. 4. That specially in evil Times we have need of much spiritual Wisdom for the right ordering of our Conversations Doct. 5. That it is a special part of Christian Wisdom to redeem Time Doct. 6. That the worse the Times are wherein we live the more it concerns us to redeem Time and to live exactly and wisely Doct. 7. That to live loosely and lose Time and Opportunities of good when times are evil is the veriest Folly in the world Here are rich Materials for a large Fabrick and I would gladly make the best of them for your advantage but I am confined not self-confined as formerly but by a necessity imposed upon me I say I am confined to such narrow straits of time that though it be a Treasury of such precious Truths as deserves a long and serious view yet I shall be constrained to crowd much in a little room and to give you but an half-fight of these Jewels and so put them up again but this I 'le do I will open the Cabinet and shew them to you as I can and so leave them with you in hopes you will take a more full and considerable view of them afterwards And so I shall begin with the first Doct. 1. That a right Christian Conversation is a circumspect exact Conversation a strict and precise Conversation wherein a man endeavours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to go to the top and walk upon the very ridge of his Rule As Paul Phil. 3.12 13 14 15. who laboured not only to see at a distance but to hit the very Mark of Christianity While he was a Jew he was strict and precise in that way he was of the strictest Sect of Religion Acte 26.5 And so when he was converted to Christianity he did not throw off his strictness and preciseness but guided it by the Rule of Christianity and exhorteth the Ephesians and all other Christians in the words of the Text to do the like I should not doubt easily to convince your judgements and understandings of this Truth but because strictness is a thing that is every where spoken against the hardest task will be to perswade your wills and affections to embrace this Truth I shall endeavour both by this ensuing Demonstration 1. Christians have a Rule to live by and this Rule is the Word of God This is that Rule mentioned by the Apostle Gal. 6.16 God hath not left man like brute beasts in a Forest As soon as he made man in the world he gave him a Rule to walk and live by Gen. 2.16 17. And as an Emblem of this spiritual Enclosure he left not our
a great while after in times of want and scarcity And know this Christians you may have ocasion to make use of every Truth you have heard before you dye at one time or other even those which while you hear them may seem less useful To a man in prosperity the Doctrine of Sufferings and Afflictons may hot seem so seasonable or to one in adversity to press the duties of one in a prosperous state but yet these may come to be of great advantage to you The Sermons you have heard many years since and which you hear this day may prove food to your souls many years hence Isa 42 23. Who is among you that hears for the time to come Oh Christians do you labour to be such hearers Mot. 2. Remember how you have received remember old Truths former Sermons Sabbaths Sacraments for the time may come and you know not how soon when you may have little else to live upon but the old store even what you have formerly received and heard You may be cut short in your spiritual opportunities you may have few at least comparatively of those helps you have in joyed or injoy Ordinances in such a way as may not yeeld satisfaction to your consciences and then the remembrance of what you have received and what communion with God you have enjoyed will be very precious Time may come bear with the expression when you may have little but cold dishes to feed upon In a time of scarcity when there is little corn to be reaped it is some comfort to have it in the barn or store-house The corn Joseph laid up in years of plenty helped to preserve himself and whole family yea all the land of Egypt And if you be careful to remember how you have received and heard you may be able to feed your selves and others in a time of scarcity of spiritual opportunities if for your and others sins God should bring it on you Let me therefore leave the counsel in the Text with you Go to the old store Feed on cold meat when you may want warm Warm it again on your hearts by meditation and a practical remembrance of the Word Those things which when you had full meals and full stomachs you lightly esteemed when your souls are hungry and soul-provision is scarce your commons short then you may find and tast much sweetness in them Mot. 3. A third Motive to excite you to remember how you have received and heard is this Consider that God remembers how you have received and heard and he will make you remember it also and call you to an accâ—uâ—t for the things you have received and heard He remembers all the Truths that have been delivered to yoâ— the Warnings you have had the Sermons you have neard the Sacraments you have received and all other means of Grace you have injoyed though you forget them he remembers how plainly purely plen â—â—ully and with what affection you have received th â— And consider further God will call you to accouâ—â— or all these things what good you have got by them what inprovement you have made of them â—hether you have been brought to Repentance and â—â—ith by them and what progress in Faith and Holiâ—â—â—â— you who profess your selves to be Saints have m â—e under them Oh therefore seeing God remembers these do you also remember them 4. A fourth Motive to excite you to this Duty of remeâ—bring how you have received and heard is Consider the great benefit and usefulness of this remembrance it will be of very great use and advantage to your souls This I shall somewhat largely insist on And the particulars I shall hint under this head may serve hot onely as Motives to excite you to the practice of this duty but also as Directions to direct you what use you should make of the Truths and Ordinances you have formerly received The first Benefit of remembring how you have received and heard is That it will by the blessing of God upon it prove a choice Antidote against Errors in Doctrine and also against corruptions in the Worship of God if ever any of these come to be vented among you or obtruded and imposed upon you If Doctrines come to be preached that tend to the beating down the power of Godliness or practice of holiness or that prejudice the free Grace of God in Election or Justification crying up conditional Decrees upon foresight of Faith or Works or perseverance or advancing Works in the business of Justification or such Doctrines as advance the power of Nature the freedom of mans will assert that true Believers may finally and totally fall from Grace the remembrance of what you have received and heard with the experience of the Work of God in your own hearts you who are Saints will antidote you against and help you to confute these and such like false doctrines And teach you to say We have not so learned Christ The reason why men slide into new errors or old ones new vampt is because they let slip old truths if you forget truths you have heard you lose your touchstone to try Doctrines by and then you may be easily cheated with counterfeit mettal instead of Gold You will be like a Ship that hath lost its Anchor or Compass you will goe you know not whither and be in danger of splitting upon the Rocks And this will also antidote you against humane inventions mingled with and obtruded on men in the Worship of God You will be able to say We have not so learned to Worship God and teach you to reason Did Christ or his Apostles appoint Ordinances to be thus or thus dispensed Labour therfore to remember and make this use of your remembrance how you have received and heard 2. A second use or benefit of remembring how you have received and heard is this It will be by God's blessing a notable means to shame and humble you for all your uneven unworthy and unsutable walking unto those savory Truths and precious Ordinances you have been partakers of It will make you ashamed of your deadness dulness formality in Duties and declinings and decaies in Grace And you should endeavour thus to improve your remembrance of former receits of mercy It will make you say to your souls Hath my conversation been sutable to Divine Truths Have I followed the directions and taken the warnings God hath given me Oh what a vile sinful wretch have I been And am I to walk so unanswerably to the Grace of God in the Gospel It will make you blush when you remember how plainly purely powerfully plentifully Ordinances have been dispensed to you To think Oh that I have had so impure a heart and life under such pure Ordinances that there hath been no more of the power of Godliness expressed in my conversation when I have lived under such powerful Administrations that I have brought forth so little fruit that I have been and am no more fat and