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
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
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
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
our minds Hearing and receiving Truths and Ordinances is not the All of a Christians duty There must be also as the Text tells us a remembring how we have received and heard In handling this Doctrine I shall observe this method 1. Prove the Doctrine from Scripture 2. Explicate it and therein shew both what it is to remember and what it is we are to remember 3. Give reasons of the Doctrine 4. Apply it First For the Scripture-proof of this Doctrine see this duty enjoyned to Israel Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. and the particular directions there given were in order to the furthering of this great Duty in the Text namely remembring how they had received and heard This duty is further pressed Prov. 6.21 Prov. 7.1 2 3. Isa 42.23 Who will hearken and hear for the time to come Now if men should hear for the time to come then they must remember what they have formerly heard for no more will be ours in the time to come but what we shall have at least a savoury practical remembrance of And as this is a duty commanded so it hath been conscientiously practised by the Saints of God See the great care of David in the discharge of this duty Psal 119.11 15 48 97. And so also the Virgin Mary Luke 2.51 and in many other places is said to have pondred and laid up the sayings of Christ in her heart The Memory is the storehouse and treasury of the soul in which her spiritual treasures are laid up There are three things saith * Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick one we should be very careful to keep in our remembrance former sins to make and keep us humble former mercies to make us thankful former Truths and Ordinances to make us faithful 2. The second general is to explicate the Doctrine and there first to shew what it is to rememâ—er That I shall but name First To remember is to recollect and call to mind This is our duty in reference to what we have received and heard We must recollect call to mind and ruminate upon Divine Truths formerly received we must as it were chew the cud This is the way to make sound and clean Christians It is the simisitude Chrysostom useth They were clean beasts under the Law at least that was one requisit to make them so that chewed the cud and he is like to make a holy spiritual Christian that delivers Truth to his Memory whilst he hears it and is able and careful to call it to mind again afterward Secondly To remember what we have received and heard is not only to recollect but also seriously to weigh and consider Truths and bring them home to our hearts by particular application 3. The third general is to shew to you what it is that Christians are thus to remember This I shall open under two heads First shew it is the duty of Christians to remember what they have received and heard for the matter 2dly how they have received and heard as to the manner First It is the duty of Christians to remember what Truths and Ordinances they have received and been made partakers of And if any ask what Truths should be remembred I answer That every Truth of God is precious and ought to be treasured up by us in our hearts No one Truth ought carelesly to be let slip The very fragments of Divine Truth should be taken up that none of them be lost The very dust of Gold is precious There is not the least Truth that ever any of you heard or received but may be of use to you at some time or other But there are some Truths which we should be most especially carefull to remember namely the main Foundation-Truths and such as are most necessary to Salvation 1. It is the duty of Christians and a special means both to keep and recover them from formality and deadness in Religion to be very careful to retain in their memories those Fundamental Doctrines and Principles of Religion they have received and heard that are contained in the Scriptures and have been opened confirmed and applied from them in expounding preaching catechising and such other Ordinances as you have enjoyed You must labour to remember old savoury-Truths that you have heard many years since Christians should chew them over again by meditation This is the course Christ directs his Church to in the Text to recover them from deadness in Religion He doth not bid them look after new Notions and high Speculations for these will but puff up the minds of men and not enliven them but he bids them remember how they had received and heard The like direction Paul gives to Timothy 2 Tim. 1.13 14. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast received of me c. The vital Doctrines of Faith in Jesus Christ and concerning the Person Natures Offices and Benefits of Christ with the Truths depending on these Oh! these should never be forgotten by those who have received them And also the vivifical Doctrines of Repentance from dead works Love towards God and our neighbours You have heard these Truths opened confirmed and applied to you many and many a time both from the mouths of former Ministers now dead and gone and such whose labours you have occasionally enjoyed And I trust that we also whose Ministry among you is now towards a period may say as Paul when he was taking leave of the Ephesians Acts 20.20 21 26 27. though we acknowledge in great weakness and with many mixtures of sin Well beloved It is your duty to remember these Truths you have heard and the rather because time may come either by reason of the hand of God in a way of sickness upon you or God may send a famine or if not a scarsity of the Word upon a People for their sinful abuse of former plenty and then when you may not have so frequently and abundantly the Word afresh opened and applied to you it will be of great use to remember what and how you have received and heard If old Errors should be broached under the notion of new Truths Christians should bring them to the standard of God's Word according to that Isa 8.20 of what you have received and heard If any shall go about to cry up Doctrines of conditional decrees mans free-will falling from Grace or the like if you remember what you have heard you will be able to say We have not so learned Christ 2. It is the duty of Christians and a means to recover them from deadness and formality of Religion to remember as the Doctrines of the Gospel they have received and heard so also what they have received and heard in and from the Word of God concerning the Worship of God and the Administration of Gospel-Ordinances and to bring all things imposed and practised in Divine Worship to the Rule of God's Word to enquire whether they be such things as have the warrant of the Command of Christ or practice of
endure So Christians you should do as you are exhorted Heb. 10.32 Remember what baths of godly sorry and compunction of spirit you found in hearing what earnest pantings after Christ and his Ordinances Could you not once say as the Psalmist Psal 42.1 2. 63.1 2. 84.1 2. Remember what flames of Divine Love to God Jesus Christ and his People you once felt burning in your hearts Remember those Raptures of Joy you have felt while you have been with joy drawing Waters out of the Wells of Salvation Remember with what delight and complacency you conversed in holy duties what zeal you had for God and his Ministers how even the zeal of Gods house eat you up O when you begin to feel your affections cool and grow flat say Why am I thus Is not God and Christ as lovely and desirable the Wayes of God as delightfull and pleasant as ever Such a remembrance how you have received will be a means to keep up a lively frame of heart in most dead times 4. Christians should remember with what readiness of mind they heard and received the Word of God with what holy resolutions to obey the Truth and to give up themselves to be guided by it and to walk with God to live and die in Gods wayes and for them too if God called them to it Thus God's People have received the Word So did those mentioned Isa 2.2 3. Acts 10.33 and so have you if ever you received it savingly Oh remember this as a means to quicken you when you find holy resolutions to cool in you 5. Christians should remember with what impressions upon their hearts they have received the Word and Sacraments Oh remember Christians what impressions Truths and Ordinances were wont to leave upon your hearts what work they made in your souls what wounds were given to sin what heart-meltings and heart-revivings you have found while one while your hearts have been melted yea even dissolved into penitential tears and another while filled with raptures of spiritual joy What workings of Faith Love Desires Hath it not been thus with you sometimes Christians Oh remember this to quicken you when you grow dead and can yea do sit under Ordinances with few if any such impressions as these are 6. And lastly Remember with what efficacy you have heard and received the Word and Ordinances of God You should remember what gracious effects have been wrought in and produced on your souls by these Oh Christians you should remember what good you have got by the Word Sacraments Prayer Communion of Saints what communion with God you have enjoyed in them and what of God you have received by and through them what quicknings what comforts you have been made partakers of while you have been attending upon them Have you not found the Word and Sacraments and other Ordinances of God wounding yea killing your corruptions enabling you to overcome temptations strengthening of grace enabling you to duty Hath not God spoken Peace to your souls in and through these Hath he not administred comfort to your souls in times of dissertion under sore afflictions against most bitter sufferings and most hot and fiery persecutions Oh remember this to keep your hearts alive in and your love warm and lively unto those precious Truths and Ordinances you have received so much good through how much soever they may be despised and scorn'd by others SERMON II. Preached Lords-day July 6. 1662. Rev. 3.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent c. BEloved when I entred on this verse in my coâ—â—â— of the Friday-Lecture I little thought that I â—aâ—â— so short a time to preach among you I hoped I shoâ—â— have enjoyed some further opportunities for some â—ew weeks at least as long as the Act of Vniformity â—llowes But it hath pleased God by his wise and holy Providence to order it otherwise I being suspended from preaching here from this day forward for Non-conformity how regularly or legally on mans part I shall not dispute but leave to the righteous God to determine I desire that both you and I may not eye man but God in this dispensation I did not think to have preached my Farewel-Sermon to you from these words but having begun this Text and finding the matter of it so seasonable and suitable to rhis sad occasion I shall by God's assistance proceed in the handling of it Being probably like to preach no more unto you I judge it very seasonable to leave the Exhortation in the Text with you to call upon you that you would remember what and how you have received and heard and 〈◊〉 hold fast those wholsom Truths you have heard and those precious Ordinances at least the remembrance impressions and gracious effects of them that you have enjoyed and been priviledged with and also to repent of those sins which have provoked and may further provoke God to come on us as a thief to take away many of his Ministers from among us The words as I have already shewed are Christs counsel to a languishing Church and to decaied Christians to repair decaied Godliness and Religion in a Church and in the hearts and lives of particular Christians which renders them more seasonable to these days we live in and to the condition of many of our souls I have already opened the Doctrine and confirm'd it by several Scriptures Namely That it is the duty both of Churches and particular Christians and a special means to recover them from formality decaies and deadness in Religion and the exercise of Grace to remember what and how they have received and heard I should now proceed to give you the reasons of the Doctrine but I shall chuse rather to reserve them to the Application and then press them as Motives to inforce the Counsel and Exhortation grounded on the Text and Doctrine and so shall immediately proceed to Application Vse 1. The first Use is of Information 1. It informs us that there is somewhat more required of Christians than bare hearing of Sermons receiving and partaking of Sacraments and other Ordinances It is not enough to hear and receive but it is the duty of Christians also to remember what and how they have received and heard what good they have got by and what communion with God they have injoyed in the use of the Word and Ordinances 2. It informs us what it is we are to make the rule of our Faith Practice namely the Word of God contained in the Scriptures and the Truths you have heard rightly grounded theron They ought to be the Standard to which we should bring all Doctrines preached all things introduced into Divine Worship and imposed upon us in practice Bring all things to this Test It is your duty to search and study the Scriptures and bring all things to the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to these it is because there is no light in them
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
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
saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations Most disingenuous and ingrateful creatures If we cast him off now he would not have dealt so with us If we forsake him he would not have forsaken us With an upright man he will shew himself upright Psal 18.25 This motive the Apostle useth to perswade unto Christian stedfastness and constancy Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that hath promised God would be true to us then should not we be true to him 9. Others obstinacy in their false and evil wayes should provoke us to stedfastness in the wayes of God Jer. 2.11 How many rooted in their errors that there is no stirring of them how many wedded to Superstition how many doting upon their old heathenish customs like those Jer. 44.16 17. no taking them off How many hardned in sin so resolved upon the pursuit of their lusts as there is no turning of them And do not all these shame and condemn us if our hearts are not as much fixed upon God if we cleave not as close to Him his Truth and Wayes 10. I add but a word more How should we fear to halt with God lest it provoke the Lord even to depart from us O Sirs do you desire it may go well with the Land whereof you are Inhabitants with the Church of which you are Members would you have it to go well with England then take ye heed of halting in Religion See Josh 22.18 If we turn away from following the Lord to day to morrow he may be wroth with the whole Congregation If such as profess his Name are turning further back from him how may such provoking of his sons and daughters cause the Lord to abhor us will not this make a way to his Anger or rather make the gap wider like a great breach of the Sea never more to be repaired I say halting in Religion may provoke the Lord to depart As we read of the Israelites Psa 78.57 to 62. They turned back and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers they were turned aside like a deceitful bow When God eard this he was wroth and greatly abhorred Israel so that he forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh c. I come now to the Directions I promised with which I conclude And would you halt no more in Religion 1. Get a clear sight and knowledge of your way Labour for a distinct knowledge both in matters of Faith and Practice Thus get your way made plain He that walks in the dark goes he knows not whither and stumbles at he knows not what He that walks in the Light is not in that danger of stumbling We must first know before we can be established in the Truth 2 Pet. 1.12 First prove and then hold fast 1 Thes 5.21 We must know the certainty of those things wherein we have been instructed that they may be most surely believed of us Luke 1.1 4. They that receive the Word with much assurance as the believing Thessalonians did 1 Thess 1.5 there is hope that they will venture all rather than renounce or part with the Truth 2 Tim. 3.14 Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of There must be a learning of the Truth and assurance that it is the Truth if we would continue in the Truth So Col. 1.23 Here 1. Be very clear in thâ— grounds of Religion They that would â—ot be fluctuating in Religion must get their minds well ballasted with the knowledge of the grounds of Religion They that would stand in a storm must see they have a basis of their own a good foundation laid that they do not pin their Faith on others Indeed I know not what should hinder but an ignorant Protestant may soon turn a confident Papist But Catechism Instruction in the Principles of Christianity was one main engine whereby our Reformers battered down Popery The foundation is a principal part of the building so the lowest Principles as it is observed the lowest Principles of Religion in one sense are the highest Principles If you would have the house to stand lay the foundation well an errour in the foundation is destructive to the building 2. Get your minds established in the present Truth It concerns Christians to be very clear in those Truths for which they may be called to suffer And when ye are assured you have the Truth on your side you may go on boldly you need not fear Let the world storm you have a strong City Isa 26.1 2. Be established I say in the present Truth And so be at pains to aquaint your selves with your present duty Be wise concerning the times to know what you ought to do While you know you are in away of duty let others censure reproach or persecute you yet what should hinder but you may go on chearfully O how comfortable a thing it is to know and be assured that if troubles do befal me in the way I take they overtake me in a way of duty This greatly emboldened the Prophet Daniel to pray before his God as he did afore-time Dan. 6.10 Come on 't what wil he is sure it was his duty to pray after that manner While we are in way of duty we may trust God to bear us out Or if we suffer in his service we should yet have no cause to complain of an hard service He that considered Nebuchadrezzar what hazards and hardships he had been put upon in serving His Providence and would not let it go unrewarded Ezek. 29.18 c. much more that he considers his suffering Servants who are exercised with many troubles here that attend their observing his Commands who commit themselves to Him in wel-doing 2. Get your hearts set right This is another general Direction The upright heart will hate every false way But where the heart is not right such a soul is not stedfast with God Psal 78.8 A generation that set not their heart arigth then it follows and whose spirit was not stedfast with God As we would not halt as we desire to walk in a streight and even course our eye must be single 3. Be humbled in the sence of your former sinful warpings They that are pained and afflicted in the sence and remembrance of their former sinful slips and falls will look better to their feet and take more heed to their wayes When the soul hath experienced that it is an evil thing and bitter to forsake the Lord it will fear to turn aside from him again On the other hand where men are not humbled for the irregularity of their former course they will be likely to go on in the same course still Jer. 44.10 They are not humbled even unto this day neither have they feared nor walked in my Law But deep humiliation is a proper means to cure halting We never read that Peter denied Christ after his repentance and humiliation for that sin nay how boldly
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
like manner David took his leave of Ittai 2 Sam. 15.20 Mercy and Truth be with thee Such was Christ's valedictory Prayer for his Apostles John 17. for Grace to be kept from the evil of sin ver 15. for Sanctification ver 17. for Unity c. Prov. 3.13 15. and 4.7 Wisdom i.e. Wisdom to Salvation Grace is the principal thing Reasons of the Point 1. Grace promoteth the highest end of man which is 1. the Glory of God to which end we were born and for which cause we came into the world 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God Grace helps to serve God acceptably Heb. 12.28 Grace teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godly c. Tit. 2.11 2. Reason teacheth to live as men Grace as Christians it enableth to every good work teacheth us to do our duty to God our neighbour to our selves It reacheth to pray acceptably to hear as the Word of God to keep Sabbath to shew mercy to forgive injuries to do all in obedience which maketh much to God's Glory 2. Reason Grace is the best thing for it promoteth the Salvation of the soul which is the best part Sin is the plague destruction of the soul 1 Kings 8.38 Grace healeth sanctifieth saveth the soul Sin infecteth every part faculty Grace sanctifieth all Sin blindeth the eye hardneth the heart poisoneth the affections corrupteth the life defileth deformeth the whole soul Grace enlightens the eyes softens the heart cleanseth beautifieth purifieth maketh lovely what Sin had made odious Eph. 2.5 By Grace ye are saved 3. Grace is the best thing for it makes a man better beneficial to others Riches honours prosperity render few better many worse Grace maketh bad Parents good and good ones better better Children better Husbands Wives better Ministers People Masters Servants better Neighbours Friends better in all Relations Without Grace a man is unprofitable hurtful Lions Bears are wicked men called in Scripture yea Dogs Swine for their brutish qualities Grace rectifies the crookedness of nature Emollit mores c. sweetens mens manners suffers them not to remain wild A heart taught by the Grace of God is full of pity and compassion sheweth mercy the hand helps relieveth the tongue speaks to comfort edification no corrupt communication is heard but gracious words from gracious hearts Col. 4.6 Paul wrought upon by Grace preacheth the Faith he once destroyed Gal. 1.23 Onesimus before Grace received was unprofitable but now by Grace converted is become profitable as his name imports Philem. 10. 4. The Excellency of Grace appears hence It renders a Christian acceptable to God as well as useful to man And that is the highest of a poor Christians ambition that he may find favour in the sight of his God that his services and sacrifices may come with acceptance before God Mal. 3.4 Parts gifts commend us to men only Grace giveth us favour approbation with God And this is the other branch of the Schools distinction Gratiae gratum facientes which they prefer to Gratiae gratis dâ—luâ—ta It is the prayer of the upright heart not of the voluâ—ble tongue that is God's delight Prov. 15.8 The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him that call upon him in truth Psal 145.18 But the sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to God Prov. 15.8 5. Grace is the best thing because it lasteth longest it endures for ever Riches are not for ever nor doth the Crown endure to all generations Prov. 27.24 Pleasures of sin are but for a season Heb. 11.25 Carnal mirth is soon at an end like the crackling of thorns Eccl. 7.6 But Grace abideth 1 Cor. 13.13 And now abideth Faith Hope Charity 1 Joh. 2.17 The world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 6. Grace is the best thing because it helpeth in time of most need Heb. 4. ult 1. Grace helpeth in time of affliction it comforteth quieteth the heart Psal 27.13 I had fainted unless I had believed Grace giveth interest in God who is a present help in trouble It interesteth in Gods Power Wisdom Mercy Goodness Grace can look up to God see him smile when men frown see him at peace in mans hatred Stephen looked up saw Heaven open Christ ready to receive him Paul saw the Lord encouraging Acts 23.11 Be of good chear Paul 2. Grace helpeth in the hour of death Prov. 14.32 The Righteous hath hope in his death When there is no comfort in Riches Offices Friends vain is the help of man Grace disarmeth the King of Terrors O Death where is thy sting Death is welcome to a gracious person as a messenger sent to conduct him to his Father's house to his own Country to his best Friends to Jesus Christ whom his soul loveth Blessed are they that dye in the Lord. 3. At the day of Judgement Grace will find favour will make the Judge our Friend our Advocate Grace will cloath the soul with Jesus Christ his Robes his Righteousness Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments Rev. 16.15 1. Use of Instruction 1. Take notice what a Blessing it is to enjoy the means of Grace to live in a valley of Vision to sit under a powerful Ministry to have the benefit of good Education religious Parents their Instruction and holy Example to have Bibles Catechisms Sabbath-dayes and Sacramental-dayes the Market-dayes for Grace by the blessing of God upon which the soul may be converted and â—e be made wise to Salvation Happy is that people that are in such a case yea thrice happy are they who improve the means to the Ends aforesaid happy we if we know in this our day the things that belong to our peace 2. Then the best pains labour cost that any of us can bestow is to lay out our selves in the getting of Grace that time is best spent which is spent for Grace With all thy getting get Understanding Prov. 4.7 saith Solomon And a greater than Solomon hath told us That Godliness is the best part Luke 20. ult Mary hath chosen the good part c. Whilest others are laying up riches that perish treasures that vanish away clothes that wax old gold and silver that rust Christians are storing their hearts with Grace Whilst others are making their Lands and temporal Estates sure Christians are making their Calling and Election sure Whilst others are laying hold on advantages for this present life Christians are laying hold on Eternal Life 3. The best portion Parents can lay up for their Children is not riches worldly greatness but Grace the favour of God interest in Christ and the Covenant of Grace The best Trade they can teach them is the fear of the Lord to keep holy the Lords Day to flie Vice to follow after Vertue to exercise them in Godliness The second Use is of Reproof To reprove the too slight esteem men have of the Grace of
Alas that I should be forc'd to speak a word which will be so little for the honor of the Gospel The Professors thereof in England are become flow to Duty and of a drowsie temper As to publick specious but little serious as to private perhaps constant but very cold as to secret I doubt very careless A Professor of late hath been little or nothing more than another man save only that he hath heard one Sermon in a week more Alas the very best are remiss and seem to be of the declining hand If a serious zealous Christian of another Church should demand of our Ministers concerning their people as the followers of John asked our Saviour concerning his Disciples Mat. 9.14 Why do we and the Professors of other Churches fast oft c. but your people fast not pray not sanctifie not the Sabbath to any purpose Is it not because the Bridegrooms are with them is it so indeed The day is just upon you that the Bridegrooms are taken away God grant that our curb may prove your spurt The less we must do for you the more do you for your selves and your Children 7. Call to remembrance old Truths repeat in your hearts and in your houses too what ye have formerly received chew upon the Word that you have formerly eaten Who knows but that God may have taken you off your meat your green and flourishing Pastures on purpose to make you find your cud On the precious Truths that at this day lye by the Professors of England as stale commodities or meats out of season verily one Sermon-less-year will make you make a meal of the most despiseable and homely dish that was ever set before you If you can but suck at old Truths with new appetites you will find fresh vertue coming from them and that Doctrine that was laid aside as having served one turn may be effectually taken up for many other good purposes in the soul It is said of our Saviours Disciples once and again in the Gospel after he himself was removed from them Then they remembred the words of Jesus his Disciples remembred that he had said this unto them Joh. 2.22 and again Joh. 12.16 These things understood not his Disciples at the first but when Jesus was glorified then remembred they c. The former part of this verse Ah! how true is it of this People of England Oh that the latter part may be found so to that this affliction may prove a rod to bring to remembrance both sins committed and Truths neglected that so the People of God may be truly humbled and the Gospel of God greatly furthered In a word What ever God shall reveal unto you as a pertinent Duty as a Duty of the season as a means to further the eternal Gospel of Christ that do In the mean time praying and purposing as Elihu sayes is meet Job 34.32 That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more SERMON IX Ephes 6.18 With all Prayer DYing Israel gave his Children portions and to Joseph one above his Brethren Gen. 48.22 I would commend one or two parts above what some of your brethren are content to sit down with All Prayer Three are All as we speak of principles I. Publick Prayer Psal 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after That I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple He subjected himself to the appointed publick means and resolved his pursuance of them in case of hidings This Ordinance of Solemn Meetings appointed 1. That God's Name may be hallowed Psal 29.1 2. Give unto the Lord Glory worship Him in the Beauty of Holiness Glory must be given unto the Lord and we must alwayes look what way the Lord hath prescribed for it and that is in his own Ordinances Singularly is the glory of God's Power Wisdom Goodness c. born upon the shoulders of many this way God rides in triumph The Kings honour is in multitude of Subjects Blessed Parents have a full quiver Great Men have many poor at their gates At an Assize and Sessions Great Men have more cognizances than at private meetings and this for their honours When Men Women and Children lay siege to Heaven Haec vis grata Deo Tertul. It 's the Glory of God to be overcome by a multitude 2. Herein his People are regarded 1. Hopes given them of Audience Mat. 18.20 There 's a threefold cord in this one kind of Prayer strong to remove Evils and a powerful twist to pull down Blessings The Wayes sure will be mended when not only rich men with their teems but cottages with their scuttles come to the common work 2. The Godly quickned in the Duty Growing and thriving People have that language Zech. 8.21 Come let us go and Pray I 'l make one in Prayer O come let us worship 3. Others stir'd up When they see a King a Landlord a Master casting a copy for them 2 Chron. 6.12 Thus they are ready to reason See my concernments are like theirs but not my heart zeal love to God watchfulness preparation c. What a fool am I in the midst of the Congregation c. II. Private Prayer Josh 24.25 I and my House will serve the Lord. There should be right houshold-Order and Government according to the Rule amongst Christians Col. 4.1 Paul speaks to Masters of Families to carry like good Kings in the first verse and in the second minds them of their Priestly Office Continue in Prayer This Kind instituted First That his Name may be hallowed The wise and merciful God hath a quick Eye and a strong Shoulder as he knoweth so he profers to bear burdens wherewhith Families are loaden Cast your care on me for I care for you When we lock up our selves at night and have Prayer the Key at our girdles letting out our selves in the morning under his Providence we have him for our God and acknowledge him what he is Secondly Families regarded 1. A bar to domestick Discords There must necessarily be a studied intended right carriage in the family where Prayers are on foot 2. Servants and Children acquainted with their Duties framed to that Worship of God fitted for publick Prayer c. 3. Superiors in Families hereby are under rich Promises Gen. 18.17 4. Affaires of the whole sanctified 1 Tim. 4.5 I I. Secret Prayer Mat. 6.6 This kind instituted First That God's Name may be hallowed For the more self is set aside more way is made for God's Glory the Glory of his Omnisciency c. Secondly Particular regard of man 1. As to the matter of Prayer What an Hell the House would be but for the Closet If the wife heard the confessed vile miscarriages of the husband and â—he husband did but peep into the heart of the wife through an open window and so in other
that rest thou keepeth the Sabbath of the Ox. As in this so in Prayer though thou maist be under a kind of promise to one kind of Prayer yet all promises are made to all Prayer Obj. If thou replyest My Prayers should be perfect if I did like those publick Prayers Answ Observe this in publick Prayers let this parallel guide thee I have known Pillars in the Church who though they could preach ably and powerfully at home had the choice labours of the Learned by them yet durst not absent themselves from publick Preaching though the Minister accounted none of the wisest nor his Sermons free from light mixtures The sincere milk of the Word was that they desired and the publick instituted Ordinance regarded by them did silence them at their own houses they would walk with the Assembly upon the roof so long as the unmoved Foundations would bear them Prayer is tolerable for the manner when I go to the Father through Jesus Christ assisted by the Spirit Obj. I like not Prayers with such a mixt company Ans We may reade in David's Psalms of the constitution of the Church-visible in Saul's time Unsound hypocritical wicked Professors amongst David and others who were sincere In those times David wisheth to have occasion of publick worshipping again and accounts highly of what he did formerly enjoy having gone with the multiâ—ude to serve God in publick III. Publick Prayer First If thy All be only in publick 1. I must crave leave modestly to mind thee of my mistrust that thou hast thoughts that the place it self makes prayers efficacious and thou groundest the special promise of Audience on it and not upon Communion of Saints 2. I fear there is much of self in thee Thou mayest go for a good Church-man in the account of thy neighbours and mayest have that reward for thy service when in the account of God thou art an ill Christian Mat. 6.5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the Hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of the streets that they may be seen of men Verily I say unto you they have their reward 3. Admit the best as Isaac to his father Behold the fire and the wood but where is the Lamb Here is indeed Sacrifice and fat of Rams but where is Obedience and hearkning to all that the Lord hath given in charge Secondly But giving thee the allowance of that weighty duty of Family-Prayer and yet thou wantest weight Though thy house be a Church resembling it in this duty of Prayer Domum vestram non parvam Christi Ecclesiam deputamus as of Juliana to whom Augustine writ For thou wouldst take it ill to be told that thou prayest at the Church and swearest at home as Bernard reproves Eugerius that the Laws of Justinian made a greater noise in his Palace than the Laws of God Admit I say this yet thou art not altogether such an one as I would have thee For as in Faith when Charity is wanting we may call it right Faith but it is not right saving Faith So of thy Prayers It 's well thou prayest but thou prayest not well If thou shouldest withdraw thy belief from a Truth revealed in the Scripture thy Faith is partial So is thy Obedience when a duty is declared in the same and is neglected when all comes to all thou fallest short of that singular and necessary duty of secret Prayer 1. What if I be bold to say thou art nothing but what thou art in secret The Kingdom of God appeareth what it is when it cometh not with observation Luke 17.20 21. It 's not Spectability but Glory within which makes the King's daughter like her self Hidden ones under the Fig-tree are his indeed whom he especially eyeth 2. Let the truly practical judge whether I be too bold in saying that those that resolutely turn aside to crooked wayes of judgment of manners are such as enter not constantly into their Closets daily exercising themselves in this difficult differencing duty of Secret Prayer SERMON X. Luke 24.50 51. And He led them out as far as to Bethany and he lift up his hands and blessed them And it came to pass while He blessed them He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven IN the preceding Chapters the holy Evangelist Luke had by the guidance of the holy Ghost given account of the state of humiliation and in this Chap. holdeth out the Exaltation of Jesus Christ This he doth in declaring two great Articles of the Christian Faith The first is the first step and degree of Christ's Exaltation namely his Resurrection which is confirmed by Scripture by Witnesses who saw him handled him and saw him eat which the same Luke Acts 1.3 calleth infallible Proofs from ver 1. to the 50th The second is this in my Text He ascended into Heaven Wherein you have four parts 1. Christ leading out as a Captain or Shepherd his Diciples from Jerusalem to Bethany 2. You find him parted from them in respect of bodily presence 3. You have his Ascension He was carried up into Heaven 4. Here is his Valediction or Farewel to his Disciples And surely he who all the time of his abode with them spake kindly called them friends excused their failings and would not over-drive them nor put them on too harsh services lest the bottles should break and the garments rent He cannot be unkind at last He who began his first Sermon with nine Blessings Mat. 5. cannot conclude as the old Testament concludeth with a Curse He who was alwayes in the days of his flesh on Mount Gerizzim to Bless and Pray for his Disciples cannot be so changed as to ascend Mount Ebal to Curse at last No but having loved his own he loved them to the end here is a parting but neither height nor depth could separate them from his love When the time of his departing drew near he let out his love more abundantly and gave most signal expressions of entire affection that love that brought him from his Fathers bosome was not quenched nor abated by many waters He had paid dear and suffered deeply for his People he had given his life and shed his precious blood for them yet he is at further cost He lift up his hands and Blessed them In this last part Christs Valediction you have 1. An Agent and that is Jesus Christ who is blessed for ever to whom all power in Heaven and Earth was given who undertook no Office without Call nor exercised any without Authority he Blessed them and that not without Commission for God sent him to Bless 2. The persons blessed and they were a select number chosen out of the world given into his hand called to be Witnesses of Christ's Sufferings Resurrection and Ascension and to Preach the Gospel Observe here Judas who betrayed Christ was not amongst them but lost the Blessing and came under the Curse prophesied of long before Psal
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
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
God that gives the increase His blessing upon the smallest means makes them very beneficial to you when the want of this blessing makes the greatest and most likely means insuccesful his blessing upon the Pulse made Daniel and his Companions look fresher and fairer than those that were fed at the Kings Table Dan. 12.3 5. Barley loaves in Christ's hand and with his blessing is more beneficial than Wheaten Bread in the hands of man only John 6.9 This God by his blessing can make up the want of outward means That is the best Faith that is got by the weakest means You see poor children that are brought up with hard food brown bread and water to look fatter ruddier to be stronger than those who are fed with dainties and varieties God's blessing upon the weakest means makes fat and flourishing Christians when the want of his blessing upon the strongest means makes many lean Christians He fed Elijah by the black Ravens 1 Kings 17.6 6. I commend you to this God that can preserve your Graces when outward means fail I told you he is a God of Wonders what he doth by means he can do without means what he doth mediately by Instruments he can do it immediately by Himself Did not he sustain Moses without meat and drink forty dayes in the Mount Did not he sustain our blessed Saviour forty dayes without food in the Wilderness Did not he provide for and maintain the Israelites in the Wilderness for the space of forty years without plowing and sowing by an extraordinary providence so that they wanted not until they are of the old Corn of the Land of Canaan Did not he preserve the Widow's Meal in the Barrel and her Cruse of Oyl that they wasted and failed not until God sent rain upon the earth 1 King 17.14 15 16. So if God bring upon you a Famine of the Preaching of the Word yet God can and will preserve your Graces they shall not waste till God send supplies Doth God bring you into a wilderness where you have no Ordinances of God God can and will provide supplies till your Grace shall be turned into Glory He enabled the Prophet to travel in the strength of the Cake forty nights and dayes until he came to the Mount of God 1 King 19. And is the hand of the Lord shortned that he cannot help or are the bowels of his mercy shut up that he will not or is he more careful of the life of Nature than of the Life of Grace No! no! he is the same God still and he will enable you in the present strength of Grace if you want Means to travel on till you come to the blessed Mount of God 7. To him I commend you that can and will turn all to your good He can overshoot Men and Devils in their own bowes what they design for your hurt and destruction he can turn it to your great benefit Even as the Apothecary kills the destructive nature of poysonous Ingredients and makes them medicinal so God pulls out the Sting and Poyson of every suffering and affliction and makes them good Rom. 8. All things shall work together for good to them that are called according to his purpose Doth he suffer you to be under many and divers Afflictions he exerciseth you with divers Rods and Tryals with Reproach Blasphemy Sickness Imprisonments Poverty Buffetings with Satan God will bring good out of all these Several Diseases must have several Cures And several Ingredients make up one Remedy to cure a Malady It may be you have many Corruptions and strong Corruptions therefore you must have strong and divers kinds of Cure and by all this variety God aims at your good to wean and win you to purge and kill sin in you to prevent sin in the future Every twig of the Rod though bitter at the present will at last drop Hony into your Souls He will turn your water into Wine your wandrings in the wilderness shall end in Canaan all his Dispensations to his People come in Love and Mercy though Sickness yet in Love and Mercy though Poverty yet in Love though Affliction yet in Love A Cross in Love is better than a Comfort in Wrath. Wicked men have a Curse in their best things a Curse in their Honours a Curse in their Riches a Curse in their Health God's People have a Blessing in their worse things a Blessing in Poverty a Blessing in Sufferings a Blessing in Affliction and God's Love sweetens our sowrest Draughts when his Curse imbittereth and poysoneth the sweetest Enjoyments This God will sanctifie all Providences to you and sanctified Sickness is better than unsanctified health Sanctified Poverty is better than unsanctified riches Sanctified Afflictions are Blessings and Mercies and better than unsanctified prosperity I have done with the first part of the Remedy your Security and Comfort in your desolate condition I now come to the second part of the Remedy that is The Word of his Grace Before I come to prove it give me leave to shew you why it is called Grace or give you the Reasons of the title Grace given to the Word The Word of his Grace and it is so called 1. Because it is a Gift of Grace It was Gods free good Will why it was bestowed at all and why one Age or Place of the World should receive it rather than another and why God should discover the Mystery that was kept secret since the world began to those who were sinners of the Gentiles serving dumb Idols it is of Free-Grace We may say of all these Even so Father because it seemed good in thy sight 2. Because the subject matter of the Gospel is Grace all benefits contained in it flow from Grace whether they be blessings without us or blessings within us Election is of Grace and according to the good Pleasure of his Will Ephes 1.5 Our effectual Calling is according to Grace 2 Tim. 1.9 and our spiritual Birth our Regeneration is of God's Free-will Jam. 1.18 Faith is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 Forgiveness of all our sins is according to the Riches of his Grace Eph. 1.7 Justification is freely by his Grace Rom. 3.24 And Life Eternal is the Gift of God Rom. 6.23 3. It is called The Word of Grace because it is an instrument to impart and bestow these Blessings upon us it is an Instrument through God's Blessing to work in us the Life of Grace Of his own Will he begat us by the Word of Truth Jam. 1.17 This enlightens our understandings and turns us from darkness to light Acts 26.17 18. This sanctifies us Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth John 17.17 All the Gifts and Benefits of Free-grace are imparted to us by it hence it is called The Grace of God that brings Salvation Tit. 2.12 It doth not only bring it to look upon but by the power of its Ordainer accompanying it doth make us partakers of it Now this Word of
have Tribulation but be of good Comfort As you should be humble in Prosperity so quiet and chearful in Adversity Carry an even frame in each state Let your Moderation be known unto all men even in bearing Afflictions Be not overmuch cast down with any trouble Let the Enemy see that you have been with God by the Gladness of your Countenance You 'l discredit Religion by too much drooping Let not others say You serve a hard Master God that knows all things knows what condition is best for you and how to deal with you Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Though Adversity and the Wicked may intermeddle with your outward comforts and take them away yet let them see you have inward Joyes with which they cannot intermeddle nor take away 13. Esteem and approve Time as a precious Commodity Husband Opportunities for Soul-Advantage When you have spare hours improve them in Reading Meditation and Prayer Redeem Time from sleep your callings and recreations in order to Heaven Men usually work sleep and recreate more than necessity calls for and then cry out they have no time for holy Exercises Oh what would damned spirits give for two or three of those hours which we throw away Oh how would they spend them would they sleep play or work them away Nay how would they Pray Read and Repent more in one hour than we do in many Brethren the time is short your work is much you have God to honour your Relations to watch over your own Evidences to make clear O then redeem precious Time do not throw it away Ephes 5.16 15. Contend earnestly for the Faith Jude 3. Maintain fundamental Truths I do not mean that you should fall a wrangling with every one you meet The Apostle indeed takes notice of some men that place their Religion in fightings of Words in conflicting with the Air in janglings and disputings about things they understand not 1 Tim. 1.5 6. Some place their Religion in being of this and that Opinion and indeed they are meer Opinionists Our meaning is this When the Enemies of the Church labour to root up the necessary and very foundation Truths of Christianity that we should stick to them As Paul he did earnestly contend for the Doctrine of Christ being the Messiah against the Jews He maintained the Doctrine of the Resurrection against the Saduces The Doctrine of Justification by Christ's Righteousness against the Teachers of the Law He doth strongly and vehemently maintain Divine Worship against the idolatrous worship of the Athenians And so should we contend opportunely and wisely with tongues and lives Contend against Justification by Works against Idolatry rather than God's Honour should be given to dumb Idols give your honour to the Dust Consider fundamental yea every Truth hath been confirmed by no less than Miracles preserved in a miraculous way and sealed in the Blood both of Christ and of Martyrs Never then sell the Truth but buy it 16. Get longing Desires after the Enjoyment of God in Heaven Let your hearts be often sending sighs thither Long till you be at home Groan earnestly till mortality be clothed with Immortality 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Say as he When shall I come and appear before God Long till you be in Heaven that so you may have constant Communion with God's Angels and Saints that ye may be wholly freed from sin and made perfect in Holiness Let your Conversation be in Heawhilst you are on Earth To this end get more acquaintance with Heaven Study till you be convinced that it is and what it is Understand what that Happiness is that Saints enjoy there When you have got minds informed and hearts affected with it often muse and meditate of it This heavenly Conversation is very sweet it will comfort us when we are never so sad Well may the soul say Now I am full of sin O but then no sin I am now sold under sin O but then I shall be free Now I dishonour God but then I shall honour him altogether Now I am in continual fear of falling into sin but then I shall be past all danger Now I am in continual sorrow but then all tears shall be wip'd away Now I am kept in bondage through fear of death but then there shall be living and no more Death and so no more fears of it Moreover this would teach us to understand the World When we do experimentally taste Heavens Joyes we shall despise Earths Pleasures when we seriously think of that Friendship and Communion we shall have with Friends in Heaven even God Christ Angels and Saints it will wean us from Friends on Earth and make us more willing to leave them And when we think of Heavens Honour we shall undervalue the honours and scorn the contempt we meet with in this world Get now and then upon the top of Pisgah and solace your selves with a view of the Heavenly Canaan Having now given you an account of those main Duties and Counsels that relate more immediately to God and your souls I shall briefly give you the sum of those Counsels I have to leave you about things that relate more nearly to you and others with whom you converse and have to do The first is this 1. Discharge domestical Duties Study and perform the Duties that every Relation calls for Act as Christian Parents and Christian Masters towards your Children and Servants bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord call on them to reâ—d the Scriptures frequently that even of Children they be acquainted with that which will make them wise to Salvation keep them to a form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 hold them to the Principles of Religion Catechisms are called A Form of sound words because they keep the Judgment and Affections sound they help to discern betwixt Truth and Error fit and prepare for hearing of the Word preached and for the receiving of the Lord's Supper For want of this we may observe notorious ignorance in grown youth and old men also For want of this how many that are Fathers in years are meer Children in understanding Again pray with and for your Children and Servants and set them to pray by themselves for this end give them time convenient do not so much forward them in your service as to hinder them from serving God your Servants have God to acknowledge honour and serve as well as you they have sins to be pardoned corruptions to be subdued Graces to beg wants to be supplied and souls to be saved as well as you and will you make them throw their souls over-board to secure your goods And so study to carry as Christians in every other Relation Carry as Christian Husbands and Christian Wives are directed and ought to do that the Gospel of Christ be not blamed upon your account And so you that are Children and Servants as you expect your Parents and Masters should discharge their duties towards you so it is expected you should
Preservation in dispersions God sets his Mark not only on them that mourn for the evil done in Sion but them also that mourn for the evil done to Sion Brine preserves meat God keeps his People in brinish salt tears There were many that lived to see the Temple ruined and repaired as you see in Ezra 3.11 but it appears by their tears and weeping that they had their hearts much upon the former Temple and it upon their hearts not as if all the mourners were preserved but many mourners were and none but such have any ground to expect it 2. It notes Restauration after their Dispersions 1. They shall meet in their own place and places again No matter how far removed though cast out to the uttermost part of Heaven God will gather thence Nehem. 1.9 He will bring them from the East and gather them from the West he will say to the North Give up c. Isa 43.5 6. No matter who lies in the way nor how strong they are that holds them Jer. 31.10 11. He that scattereth Israel will gather and ransome him from the hand of him that is mightier than he 2. They shall meet in their Solemn Assemblies again I will gather and bring to their Folds Jer. 23.4 I will feed them upon the Mountains of Israel in a good and fat Pasture Ezek. 34.12 13 14. God will build Jerusalem and gather together the Out-casts of Israel Psal 147.2 They shall take down their Harps and have a naile in God's holy place 3. Nay this Gathering implies some Restitution for the losses of their Mercies I will settle you after your old Estate and do better to you than at the beginning Ezek. 36.11 As 1. There shall be more purity in Ordinances than formerly They shall not defile themselves any more with their Idols nor detestable things Ezek. 37.23 11.16 17 18. 2. More Glory Hag. 2.7 9. I will fill this House with Glory The Glory of this latter House shall be greater than the former 3. More Power and Efficacy I will assemble her that halteth and gather her that is driven out and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever Mich. 4.6 7. 4. More Condescention and larger Testimonies of his Acceptation I will accept you with your sweet Savours when I bring you out from the People and gather you out of the Countryes wherein you have been scattered Ezek. 20.40 41. Neither will I hide my face any more from them Ezek. 39.29 5. More Unity I will gather them and make them one Nation and they shall be no more two Nations Ezek. 37.21 22. And I will give them one heart as in Ezek. 11.19 I will gather them and give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and their Children after them Jer. 32.37 38 39. 6. More security Be no more a prey to Heathens but dwell safely as in Ezek. 34.27 Then will God undoe all that afflict them Zephan 3.19 God will raise up his Hedge of Protection much higher 7. More Honour and Reputation He will get them Praise and Fame in every Land where put to shame Will make them a Name and a Praise among all people of the Earth Zephan 3.19 20 For your shame you shall have double Isa 61.7 Oh what Sheaves are here what a rich Harvest for them that under such Dispensations do sow in Tears Psal 126.5 6. What Wine will God brew his People out of these Tears Fill your Water-pots to the brim they shall be turned into Wine I will but hint one distinction which shall be as my Porch to enter upon Application and that is this The want of Solemn Assemblies is either a total want when God removes the Candle-stick such through Mercy our want is not Bread is something more scarce in some places but through Mercy it is not a Famine in all places or 2. a partial want when God by death natural or civil puts out or whelms many Candle-sticks under Bushels And this is the condition of divers Assemblies in these three Nations Now though the first be naturally meant in the Text and Doctrine and that which calls for most tears yet the latter may consequently be taken in as that which being some degree of the former want doth call for some yea great sorrows Scarsity is sad though Famine be most grievous APPLICATION Having thus far at some distance opened and confirmed this Truth I shall come a little nearer to you that are more especially concerned in it and first I shall tell you what errand it doth not come upon and then secondly what errand it doth come upon to you First The errand of this Truth my dear People is not to alarm you into Sedition or to gather you into any unlawful Assemblies upon the account of the loss of your Solemn Assemblies of Conventicles truly so called i.e. Meetings to plot Disturbance to the State I would say and have every one of you to say as Jacob Gen. 49.6 7. O my soul enter not into their secret and to their Assembly mine honour be thou not united If I may not be a Trumpet to call you to the Assembly I will not be a Trumpet of Rebellion to sound an Alarm If I may not call you to the Mountain of the Lord I will not say To your Tents O Israel If I may not have Aarons Bells I will not take Peters Sword The scars that the Sword hath given Religion are but too conspicuous If I may not warm you and be as an heavenly Spark I will not be an hellish Incendiary I had rather give no light than appear in a flame and be a fire-brand As Paul saith in another case 2 Cor. 13.6 So I with changing one word in the Text I trust yeâ— shall know we are not seditious Though we cannot do all that man requires we dare not do what God forbids We have minded you in our Doctrine amongst you to be subject to Principalities Powers and we hope in our Practice never to teach you to forget it God admonished this People against all discontented and seditious Practices during the Captivity But let God alone to bring about his good Thoughts Reade Jer. 29.7 And so do I you Do not smite others with the tongue but smite on your own thigh In your want of spiritual Bread throw stones at none but your selves Be not as those Desperadoes in Isa 8.21 that when they are hungry fret themselves and curse their King and their God Do not call for fire upon others heads but for Springs of Water in your own hearts Oh that God who hath stopped the upper Springs would open the nether Springs It is for our Rebellions that we dwell in a dry Land Psal 68.6 Do not smite with the hand This Doctrine bids you shed tears not blood it bids you not draw blood but draw water and pour it out before the Lord Not make places Acheldama's
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
Name the danger of a loose careless prophane and worldly life let them now speak let their own consciences say if I did not and yet they would not hear they would not obey Oh Sirs how would you be able to look Jesus Christ in the face Nay how would you be able to look me in the face at that day I beseech you think of this seriously before hand before it be too late I profess to you your souls are so dear to me that I would not for a thousand worlds be your accuser before the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ but yet if you will not be advised your blood shall be upon your own heads and I shall be free I shall now conclude this Particular with that one word of the Apostle 2 Pet. 3.11 14. Seeing then that the Heavens and Elements and Earth and all the Works that are therein shall be dissolved what manner of Persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of Christ in peace without spot and blameless 2. The second Word of Advice that I have to leave with you I shall likewise take out of my Text and that is That you would carefully redeem precious Time for God and your own poor souls A common understanding might easily suggest reason enough to follow this Advice Do but consider how little a time we have yet to live in this World how much time we have already spent in vain how sure an account we must give for our time as well as other talents remember that Eternity depends upon this moment we owe God all our time and we cannot lay it out better than for our poor souls Especially consider this grand Argument of the Apostle in the Text that the dayes are evil If it be bad Weather and an unseasonable Harvest and all the Corn upon the ground be like to be spoiled the Husbandman will be sure to raise the price of his good old Corn. Do but use the same Spiritual good husbandry for your souls You may perhaps think that you have many years to live in the world still that is very uncertain Oh but however consider that opportunities of doing and receiving good are few and like to be fewer still and by how much the more rare they are shall they not be the more precious with you God in mercy prevent our fears and jealousies but it is too suspitious that a good Sermon may be rare a good Exhortation or Reproof may be rare a good Minister may be rare an opportunity of Christian Friends praying together may be rare Therefore redeem time while you may lay hold upon every opportunity of good and labour to know in this your day the things that belong to your eternal peace before they be hid from your eyes When Death comes and Judgment comes it will then be too late and therefore in vain to cry out for a little more time for one more good Sermon for liberty of praying once more to God for Grace and Mercy I should have enlarged my Advice in some particulars of strict walking and improving precious time Pray hard set up that great duty of Christianity in your Families Keep Wickedness not only out of your hearts and houses but out of the Town too to the utmost of your power Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy What help you want in publick make up by your holy diligence in private Reade the Scriptures and other good Books much You that have learned your Catechism do not forget it Parents and Masters have a care of your Children and Servants Husbands and Wives watch over one another provoke one another to that which is good Neighbours exhort and admonish one another pray with and for one another and go before one another in an holy Example But I have not time to ennumerate all I have now given you my Advice and I pray God that you may follow it in truth and now I come in the last place to make my last publick Request unto you I bless God I covet no mans Silver nor Gold my Conscience bears me witness that I have not sought yours but you and now at last all that I shall beg of you is your prayers for me and that I hope none of you will deny me I have taken some pains among you I have often prayed for you and by the Grace of God shall never cease praying for you that the Lord would keep you from evil and furnish you with his Grace and afterwards bring you to Glory All the recompence that I ask of you is That you would not forget me at the Throne of Grace but let me have a share in your prayers In many respects I do earnestly and heartily beg your prayers but I must not now mention them all One is this That God would be pleased to pardon my great Unfaithfulness and Unprofitableness among you I beseech you Brethren do not think that I am now complementing with you Something I have done and God forbid that I should not have some ground to hope that God hath blessed my poor Labours to the doing of some good amongst you and perhaps my weak Labours have been acceptable yea and I bless God for that acceptance they have found with you yet truly Sirs God knows and mine own Conscience tells me that I have come much short very much short of that which was my duty to have done which if not pardoned in the Blood of Christ I should never be able to answer before God in the day of my Accounts and therefore I heartily beg your prayers on this behalf Another thing for which I beg your prayers to God for me is That it would please the Lord not to lay me aside as a broken vessel and an unprofitable creature upon the face of the Earth but that yet in what capacity soever the Lord sees good I may do him some service before I go hence and be no more seen I have but a little inch of time to live in this world and my great desire is that while I do live I may be useful for otherwise life will be but a sin or a burden I beseech you pray also that I may be delivered from or strengthened under temptations I am a poor weak creature and cannot stand but by the Grace and Strength of God and I know not what condition the Lord hath allotted for me Only this I have learn'd from the Word of God that they that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 Pray therefore that what sufferings foever the Lord shall at any time call me to I may be enabled by his Grace and Strength so to behave my self under them as that even by suffering I may glorifie his Name and bear witness to the Truth and practise what I have preached and give a good example to others and credit the Gospel and that Profession which I have made thereof My Brethren methinks I have much yet to say and I know not where to break off yet I must come to a conclusion Leave my Work in publick I must and leave you I must or else I must break with God and my own Conscience This is my great grief but yet it is my greatest grief of all that I must leave any unconverted sinners amongst you I profess to you seriously that if I know my own heart I could with chearfulness and joy forsake not only my Living and Livelihood but even my Life also so that I could but see every Drunkard and Swearer and Curser and Sabbath-breaker and Worldling and Prophane person among you converted to a life of Faith and Holiness I dare not not onely for fear of man but chiefly out of conscience I dare not open my lips to utter one word to encourage you to Faction or Schism or any unquietness but with the Apostle I exhort you to follow the things that make for Peace and to wait upon God for the mending of what is amiss But this I must tell you withall that if you do not follow after the things that make for Holiness also you shall never see the Face of God to your comfort Therefore follow after Holiness Follow not that which is evil but that which is good 3 John 11. In the midst of all my other griefs and troubles I shall have no greater joy than to see or hear that any of you walk in the Truth I have preached the Word of Truth to you according to that understanding in the Scriptures which God hath given me I beseech you remember what I have spoken to you in the Name of God and Christ and look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward Let me use the following words of the Apostle to you 2 John 8 9 10 11. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds I must conclude though unwillingly my Farewelwords to you shall be the same with the Apostle's last Farewel to the Elders of Ephesus Acts 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Amen Amen FINIS