deserve to perish No man perisheth but for his own fault Hos. 13.9 O Israel thou hast â—â—stroyed thy self but in me is thy help Now they that will yield to the deceivableness of unrighteousness justly perish though there be deâ—eit in the Case yet there is unrighteousness in the Case also Fraudulent dealing should not so cozen us as apparent unrighteousness oâ— unfaithfulness â—o Christ should warn us 2. That they are in an actual state of perdition and unlâ—ss they come out of it are undone for ever The Apostles when they propounded Châ—istian Doctrine at first did use this term to distinguish impenitent unbelievers from those that received the Gospel as 1 Cor. 1.18 The preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us that are saved the power of God So 2 Cor. 2.15 We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that perish and in thâ—m that are saved So he distinguisheth them that receive the Faith and them that receive it not peâ—itent believers are those that are saved but impenitent unbelievers are those that perish that is are for the present during their infidelity and impenitency in an actual state of perdition So 2 Cor. 4.3 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to those that are lost that iâ— who are for the present in a lost condition We know not Gods secret decrees but those that refuse and oppose the only remedy to all appearance are lost men Now this he applyeâ—h to those that yield to Antichrist shewing them that though they are Christians yet they have no more benefit the Gospel than Infidels they receive not the truth these revolt from the owning of it upon carnal reasons And therefore it is foretold Rev. 14.9 10. If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his forehead and in his hand the same shall drink of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and the presence of the Lamb. That is all those that give up themselves as Servants and Souldiers to the Antichristian Estate and obstinately adhere to and promote that profession they shall taste of the Mediators vengeance which will be very sore and severe Luk. 19.27 These mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring them forth and slay them before me Popery is the high way to damnation 3. It beareth this sense that they are fâ—â—e appointed to perish who are left to these delusions They are such as God hath past by and not chosen to life This is to be considered also for damnable errors take not effect on Gods Elect. Mat. 24.24 If it were possible they shall deceive the very elect The Elect cannot altogether be seduced and drawn away from Christ for God taketh them into his protection and guardeth them against the delusions of false Prophets that if they be for a time they shall not always be deceived So it is said Rev. 13.4 The Locusts shall hurt none of those that had the seal of God in their foreheads The delusions of Antichrist have only their full effect on those who are not elected and sealed upon the Hypocritical professors that live in the visible Church So it is said again Rev. 13.8 All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the Lambs book of life And again Rev. 17.8 And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world The Elect are still excepted which is much for the comfort of the Godly who belong to Gods Election that he shall not prevail over them totally finally God hath chosen you to life Thirdly The reason of this doom because they received not the love of the truth that they might he saved By the truth is meant the Gospel the chief truth revealed in Gods word and the only means of Salvation Eph. 1. â— In whom also ye trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your Salvation This is the truth most profitable to lost Sinners receiving is put for entertaining or believing the words as Acts 8.14 When they heard that Samaria had received the word of God and Acts 11.1 That the Gentiles had received the word and elsewhere This reception must be with love Acts 2.41 As many as received the word gladly and Acts 17.11 They received the word with readiness of mind And this affection must produce its effect so as to convert them unto God Now this is denied of them who are seduced by Antichrist that they never had any true love to the truth nor minded it in order to their Salvation Now the business is whether the clause concerned only the Jews or can be applied to Christians The Jews clearly received not the love of the truth but did refuse Christ and his Salvation And herein the Papists glory of an advantage of turning off this Prophecy from themselves But the Apostle speaketh not of rejecting the truth but of not receiving the love of the truth which is not proper to the Jews but to false Christians The Jews Company rejected Christ and Antichrist was not sent to them for a punishment but wrath came upon them to the uttermost to the excision and cutting off their Nation But here is rendred the reason not of other Judgments but why men are Captives to Antichrist Therefore it is not so to be confined Doct. 1. The subjects of Antichrists power and seduction are those that perish 2. The great reason why God sent this Judgment on the Christian World is because they receieved not the love of the truth 1. Doct. That the subjects of Antichrists power and seduction are those that perish It is a dreadful argument we are upon yet necessary to be known for our caution however to be handled warily 1. It is certainly more meet for us to have a regard of our own estate than curiously to enquire what becometh of others The Apostle waveth judging them that are without 1 Cor. 5.12 I know he meaneth it of the censures of the Church which are not exercised upon Infidels but Christians but so far we may apply iâ— to this case that we should not rashly judge of the eternal state of other persons but rather of things wherein our selves are concerned If the enquiry were only matter of curiosity surely Christs rebuke would silence it What is that to thee Joh. 21.20 for Christ is ill pleased with curiosity about the state of other men but it is fit we should know our own duty and danger and to that end it must be discussed 2. That there is a great diffiâ—ulty of the Salvation of Papists so living and dying if not an utter impossibility Partly because though it should be supposed that they retain the foundation yet they build such Hay and stubble
Negatively they believed not the truth That is received not the Gospel in the simplicity of it as revealed by Christ and his Apostles and recorded in the Scriptures but wilfully and for their interests sake gave up themselves to these corruptions 2. Positively had pleasure in unrighteousness in the 10 th verse it was They received not the love of the truth Now when the meritorious cause is repeated there is something more added They had a love to and delight in other things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here two things must be explained 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness 2. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking pleasure in unrighteousness 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness Righteousness is giving every one his due and denying them their due is unrighteousness There is a giving man his due and a giving God his due Matth. 22.21 Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods Righteousness is often put for giving man his due Titus 2.12 That we should live soberly righteously c. and giving God his due which is worship and reverence Psal. 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name And again Ps. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name bring an offering and come into his Courts Now this unrighteousness here spoken of is principally meant in the latter sense False ways of worship are the greatest unrighteousness that can be practised For the duty that we owe to God is the most righteous thing in the World Now by false worship you withdraw the Glory of God from him and communicate it to another Worship is his own proper due both by the light of nature and Scripture and therefore the Gentiles which had the light of nature are said to detain the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.18 why the reason is rendred in the after Verses 23. They changed the glory of God into an Image made like a corruptible man Ver. 25. They changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator This was their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their unrighteousness or injurious dealing with God So the Antichristians that had the light of Scripture though under palliated pretences changed the truth of God into a lie loved their own errors more than simple and plain Christianity or the true knowledge of God and diverted the worship from himself unto an Idol 2. They had pleasure in unrighteousness in these things they please themselves not lapse into it out of simple ignorance and error of mind And so the Apostle parallels the two great Apostasies That from the light of nature and that from the light of the Gospel Light of nature Rom. 1.32 Not only do these things but have pleasure in them that do them Light of Scripture Have pleasure in unrighteousness they are mad upon their Idols and Images not only are Idolaters but delight in Idolatry and Image-worship Psal. 97.7 That boast themselves of Idols Now to observe some things 1. Errors of Judgment as well as sins of practice may bring damnation upon the Souls of men All sins do in their own nature tend to damnation Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death And Errors of Judgment are sins for they are contrary to the rule or law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Any swerving from the Law is sin And they are inductive of other sins for if the eye be blind the whole body is full of darkness Matth. 6.23 It perverâ—s our zeal There is nothing so mischievous wicked and cruel that a man blinded with error will not attempt against those that differ from him Ioh. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service A blind Horse is full of metal but ever and anon stumbleth Therefore if a man be not guided by sound Judgment his zealous affections will precipitate him into mischief As the Jews that persecuted Christ and his Apostles had a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Rom. 10.2 So the Popish Zealots with what fury have they persecuted the innocent and sincere servants of Christ The Papists would be angry if we should not reckon St. Dominick a zealous man and the poor Albigenses felt the bitter effects of that zeal in the destruction of many thousands by inhumane Butcheries and Villanies about Tholouse c. The Lord deliver us from the furies of transported brain-sick Zealots 2. Though all errors may bring damnation upon the Souls of men yet some more especially than others may be said to be camning As 2 Pet. 2.1 Some shall bring in damnable Heresies Now this may be either from the matter or manner of holding them 1. From the matter if destructive of the way of Salvation by Christ. Some are utterly inconsistent with Salvation and eternal life as errors in the fundamentals in Religion As suppose that a man should reject or refuse Christ after a sufficient proposal of the Gospel to him there is no question but this is damning unbelief Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil But yet we are not to say that alone damneth There are other things necessary to Salvation contained under that general truth The Scripture saith Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent There is the sum of what is necessary to Salvation That God is to be known loved obeyed worshipped and injoyed and the Lord Jesus to be owned as our Redeemer and Saviour to bring us home to God and to procure for us the gifts of pardon and life and this life to be begun here and perfected in Heaven Other things are of moment to clear these necessary truths but they may be all reduced thereunto The truth is the question about the matter to be believed is not what divine Revelations are necessary to be believed or rejected when sufficiently proposed for all points without exception are so but what are simply and absolutely necessary to eternal life and these are points of faith and practice and obedience The points of Faith are a knowledge of God in Christ and practice that we be regenerated Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And live an holy life Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. 2. For the manner 1. When men profess what they believe not and voluntarily chuse error for Worldly ends though it be a less error against the Scripture and consistent with the main tenour of Salvation yet it taken up against Conscience for by-ends
between them and others Upon them he shall send strong delusion but you hath he chosen to Salvation through the belief of the Truth Those whom God hath chosen he separates from the World of the ungodly or the corrupt heap of mankind and consecrateth them unto himself So that Election is not a taking all but some and passing by others 1 Joh. 5.19 We are of God and the whole World lyeth in wickedness A choice implyeth a setting apart some for Objects of his Grace and Instruments of his Glory in the World Psal. 4.3 And the number is certain for their Names are said to be written in the Rolls and Records of Heaven when others are not written Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your Names are written in Heaven Phil. 4.3 Whose Names are written in the Book of Life And others are said not to be written Rev. 17.1 And they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose Names were not written in the Book of Life from the Foundation of the World And Rev. 20.15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire Namely those that perish by these Delusions 3. It is set forth by the Antiquity of it from the Beginning Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World And Matth. 25.34 Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World Namely as they belonged to his choice Election Love in God is of an old stâ—nding even from all Eternity his thoughts and purposes of Love were towards us a long time before they were discovered Surely the Ancientness of his Love should beget an honourable esteem of it in our Hearts For who are we that the Thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long ago And what is from everlasting is to everlasting Psal. 103.17 For what is from Eternity is to Eternity and dependeth not upon â—he accidents of Time 4. By the means of its accomplishment Two are mentioned one on God's part the other on ours The Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth Where note 1. That God's Decree is both of Ends and Means For all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation hath also chosen us to be Holy and to believe the Truth And without the Means the End cannot be obtained For without Faith and Holiness no grown Person shall see God or escape Condemnation As to Faith it is clear John 3.36 He that believeth not the Wrath of God abideth on him And Holiness is indispensibly necessary Heb. 12.14 Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. God had assured Paul Acts 27.22 That there should be no loss of any Man's Life amongst them except of the Ship and afterward Vers. 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could the assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the will and actions of Men I answerâ— Not as a cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done and the Lord revealing by his Word this Conjunction of End and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship And therefore what God hath joyned together let no Man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we subvert his Order to our own destruction The Scripture maketh it a grievous Sin a tempting of God to expect the End without the use of Means In vain is the Cavil then of those who would impeach the Doctrine of God's free and unchangeable Will concerning the salvation of the Eleâ—t upon the pretence that it taketh away the Duty of Man and the necessity of our Faith and Obedience No God executeth his Decree by the proper Means And wretcheâ— is their inference who say If I be elected I shall be saved no Salvation can be obtained but by the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth And worse is their confidence who profess assurance of their Election and yet walk after the Flesh No till a Man purge himself from Youthful Lusts he is not a Vessel of Honour sanctified and set apart for God 2 Tim. 2.21 And in vain do we hope to go to Heaven till we take the way that leadeth thither Devils have been cast out thence for Unholiness and therefore unholy Men shall never be taken in there 2. That these things are not causes of Election but fruits of Election and Means of execution of God's Decree about our Salvation Sanctification is not a Cause but a subordinate End or Means Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us to be holy not because we are holy but that we might be holy So 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the fore-knowledg of God through the sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Not elected for it but through it When God had all Mankind in his prospect and view he freely chose out some to be sanctified and saved We come to the possession of it through Sanctification that is by it as a Means So for the other Faith is a fruit of Election not a foreseen Cause Acts 2.47 The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved None cometh to the Church but those whom God draweth and they are actually added to the Church by a profession of Faith and such as should be saved were as many as were ordained to Salvation Acts 13.48 And as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City were met together to hear but as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed It is not said as â—any as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but the contrary Faith is not the cause of Election but Election is the cause of Faith 3. That being the necessary Fruits they are also evidences of our Election All that are Sanctified by the Spirit and believe the Truth belong to the Election of God Election it self is a secret in God's Bosom and is only manifested to us by the Effects and what are the necessary Effects but Sanctification by the Spirit and a sound belief of the Gospel 1. The Sanctification of the Spirit is not only an external Dedication to God but an internal and real Change Some aâ—e externally dedicated and may trample under foot the Blood of the Covenant whereby they are sanctified Heb. 10.29 Of how much sorer Punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son
sick of Questions as the Apostle speaks 1 Tim. 6.4 Doting about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy c. when they had so much wholsome food to feed upon 5. It did but ingender strife among Christians begat wranglings and disputes in the Church 1 Tim. 6.4 He is proud knowing nothing but doting or sick about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy strife railing evil surmisings Vse 1. Let us not fix times many of the Antients were too bold this way and we are apt to it Lactantius peremptorily said The World would endure but two hundred years after his time So many will fix the time of the calling the Jews and of the destruction of Anti-Christ without evident grounds and reasons What God hath revealed is enough to bear us out in our duty and suffering in other things let us patiently wait we see reason to do so when we consider how many men have proved false Prophets 2. Let us not put off the time and set it at too great a distance distant things though never so great will hardly move us that which men put off they do in effect put away they put far off the evil day they would not let it come near their minds to have any operation upon them Look as the Stars those vast Globes of Light by reason of the distance between us and them do seem but as so many spangles so we have but a weak sight of what is set at a great distance and their operation on us will be but small the closer things are the more they will work upon us one that looks upon what God hath revealed of this as sure and near is more affected with it than others are therefore set your selves at the entrance of that World where you must everlastingly be and watch and be ready they that put it off are apt to loyter in their work If Christs coming be not near at hand certainly the time of our departure is at hand and it will not be long e're it come about But this is but Introductive to the Doctrine of Anti-Christ Therefore I come to the second thing Secondly The effect that this error might produce trouble and unsetledness of mind that ye be not soon shaken in mind or troubled In the words there is a two-fold Metaphor the one taken from a Tempest or Sea storm as the word plainly implies that ye be not shaken in mind and the other word is taken from the sudden alarm of a Land Fight which breeds trouble 1. Doct. That Errors breed â—rouble of mind they do not only trouble the Churches Peace Gal. 5.12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you but they hinder tranquillity of mind Gal. 1.7 There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. How do Errors hinder tranquillity of mind Partly because it is an unsound foundation it can never yield solid peace we only find rest for the Soul in a true Religion and there where it is purely professed Others are left to great doubts and uncertainties The Lord seems to direct us in this course when we are upon consultation about the taking up of a Religion Jer. 6.16 Stand in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls Soul-rest is only found in Gods way and where it is most clearly professed Partly because whatever false Peace is bred there it will at last end in trouble The Apostle compares Seducers Jude 13. to raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame and we are told of the Locusts that came out of the Bottomless-pit Rev. 9.5 That they stung like Scorpions Every erroneous way of Religion is comfortless yea their Doctrine breeds anxiety and vexes the Spirit for they have no true way of quieting the Conscience Let us therefore detest Error because it is so much our interest It is the property of truth to beget a delectation of mind it is sweeter than honey and the honey comb Verum est bonum intellectus Truth is the good of the understanding now when we understand truth satisfyingly it breeds an incredible delight when we have been in some perplexities and begin to find out a truth Prov. 24. 13 14. My Son eat thou honey because it is good and the honey comb which is sweet unto thy tast So shall the knowledge of wisdom be when thou hast found it Honey is noâ— so sweet to thy tast as this is to thy understanding When a man hath found out any truth though it be but a natural truth it breeds its oblectation much more spiritual truth it is very pleasing to the understanding and most of all when spiritual Truth is obeyed and practised for the understanding gives us but a sight of it but obedience gives a tast thereof Our Saviour saith Mat. 11.28 29 30. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart For my yoke is easy and my burden is light If you will but come under Christs blessed Yoke and Scepter and that way of Religion he hath recommended to you you will find an incredible Peace Joy and oblectation in your mind 2. Doct. That Christians should be so established and have such constancy of mind that they should not be easily shaken and moved from the Faith 1. Let us see how this is pressed Sometimes it is pressed from the encouragement of your great hope 1 Cor. 15.58 Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. First He would have them stedfast and unmoveable these two words have their special signification the one is a degree above the other a man may be stedfast in a thing though he be moved a little in some by-matters but now since your Innocency will bear you out be not only stedfast but immoveable which is a higher degree but take it thus Be stedfast in your selves and unmoveable by the storms of Temptation from without a man is stedfast in himself setled upon his own foundation and you are unmoved when you are strengthned against outward assaults Acts 20.24 None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto me so I might finish my course with joy A Man may be setled in the knowledge of the truth but he is not unmoveable except he be fortified against all Temptations that may draw him off from his profession Such constancy of mind may be well inforced because of our great hope thus it is pleaded for there Then the absolute necessity of it is urged at other times as Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel the same condition is required to continue as
is the raiser and supporter of that Estate aâ—d he is the great Seducer Opposer and Adversary of the Gospel This will appear if you consider First the properties of the Devil how the Devil is set forth in Scripture and by what ways he promoteth his own Kingdom 1. By Ignorance for the Devils are called Eph. 6.12 The Rulers of the Darkness of this World and his Kingdom is called the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1.13 the Princelike Authority and Government which by Gods permission he exerciseth in the World is over those who remain in a state of Darkness and Ignorance Well then necessarily the Devil must be a great Friend to Popery where Ignorance not only raigneth but is commended as the Mother of Devotion it is into the ignorant part of the World and the Church that the Devil hath brought in Errors in Doctrine Formality and Superstition in Worship and Tyranny and Usurpation in Government 2. The next thing ascribed to him is Error so it is said John 8.44 He abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a Lyar and the Father of it He soon Apostatized from God and his way and ever since is an Enemy of all Truth and Goodness he turned from God and is a deceiver of others To our first Parents he called the Truth of God in Question and was the inventor and beginner of all Errors that have since fallen out in the World Well then where should his eminent Power and Residence be but in that Society of professed Christians where most errors and corruptions in Doctrine and Worship have been introduced where they teach men to pray to and for the Dead to adore the Bread and worship it with divine worship and to worship Images and to pray to God in a language which they understand not and maime the Lords Supper and profess they can live perfectly without sin and meritoriously and supererogate besides and lay up a Treasury of merits to redeem Souls from Purgatory c. There will be errors and mistakes in Religion while men are men but where there is a wilful opposing of evident Truths and an obstinate refusing of all healing means and men will abide in their Errors rather than acknowledge that they have erred surely they are governed by the influence of his Counsels who abode not in the Truth and seeketh what he can to hinder the prevalency of it in the World 3. That which is ascribed to Sathan is Idolatry Thiâ— was his first and great endeavour in the World to bring man to worship other Gods rather than the True or the True God by an Idol so he prevailed among the Heathens they thought their Images did represent their gods and that their gods dwelt in them as our Souls do in our Boâ—ies therefore the Psalmist saith All the gods of the Nations are Idols or Devils Ps. 96.5 and the Devil was the great Master and Contriver of this Idolatry therefore it is said Psal. 106.37 They sacrificed their Sons and Daughters unto Devils the service done to Idols or Images of mans devising is not done to God as men pretend who worship them but to Devils who are the Devisers Suggesters and enticers of men unto all sorts of unlawful worship and are in effect served and obeyed by a false Religion Deuter. 32.17 They sacrificed unto Devils not unto God 2 Cor. 10.20 The things which the Gentiles sacrificed they sacrificed unto Devils not unto God 2 Chron. 11.15 And he ordained him Priests for the high places and for the Devils and for the Calves which he had made they otherwise meant it Ieroboam intended it to the true God Iehovah but it was of the Devils Invention Now if the Devil can get such a party in the Church as â—hall not only set up but be mad upon Image-worship who can more serve his turn among professing Christians than they who have consented to and continued in idolatrous worship Surely then Sathan is concerned to befriend their Usurpations and uphold their Interests for what will more conduce to the ruine of Christianity or at least the â—ecay of the power thereof 4. That which is ascribed to Sathan is bloody Cruelty or seeking the destruction of Christs most faithful Servants for he is called a murderer from the beginning John 8.44 and Cain is said to be of that wicked one because he slew his Brother and wherefore slew he him because his own works were evil and his Brothers righteous 1 John 3.12 Enmity to the power of Godliness came from Sathan and wherever it is encouraged and notoriously practised they are a party of men governed and influenced by Sathan Now where shall we find this Character but in Antichrists Confederacy In the Prophecy of him Rev. 13.15 he caused as many as would noâ— worship the Image of the Beast to be kilâ—ed and again Rev. 17.5 The Woman whose name was Mystery was drunk with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus and it hath been eminently fulfilled in the blood shed in Germany France and England and other Nations and all this to extinguish the light of and suppress the Reformation The World is no stranger to their bloody Persecutions Oh how many seeming Chrisâ—ians hath Sathan employed in these works of Cruelty When once he had seduced the Church to so many Errors and corrupted the Doctrine and worship of Christ he presently maketh the erroneous party his Instruments of as cruel and bloody Persecutions as were ever commenced by Infidels and Mahometans witness their murders upon so many thousands of the Waldenses and Albigenses whom they not only spoiled but slaughtered with all manner of hellish Cruelty Some of their own Bishops complained they could not find Lime and Stone to build Prisons for them nor defray the charges of their food The World was even amazed at their unheard of Cruelties smoaking and burning thousands of Men Women men and Children in Caves others at Stâ—kes and many ways butchered them proclaiming Croisados and preaching up the merit of Paradise to such bloody Cut-throats as had a mind to root them out driving multitudes to perish in snowy Mountains What Desolations they wrought in Bohemia what horrible Massacres in France what Fires they kindled in England and of late what Cruelties they exercised in Ireland Piedmont c. Histories will tell you and will tell all Generations to come what Principles Rome is acted by and how infatiable their thirst is for the blood of upright righteous men And after all this tell me who is he whose coming is after the working of Sathan and whether we have cause to be mamoured of Blood and Fires and Inquisitions 5. That which is ascribed to Sathan is that he is the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 and again the Prince of this World John 12.31 he playeth the God here the Riches Honours and wealth of this World are
scope not to spare â—he flesh but to save the Soul and to save the Soul with the loss of other things and that will make us true to Christ. But there are many foreign reasons for which men may sâ—ew some love to Religion As first Policy as Iehâ— took up Ionadab into the Chariot with him 2 Kings 10.15 there is his complement to him Ionadab was a good man and this honoured him before the people to see Iehu and Ionadab so well acquainted Sometimes respect to others upon whom we depeâ—d many seem to be good because they dare not displease others that have authority over them or an interest in them as Ioash was religious all the days of Iehoiada for he stood in awe of him 1 Chron. 24.2 Now such sorry Religion dependeth on foreign accidents The life of others or presence of others and therefore it cannot be durable whereas in presence or absence we should work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 otherwise men only keep within compass for a while but they have the root of sin within them still Or it may be novelty as our Lord telleth the Jews Iohn was a burning and shining light and ye were willing to rejoice in his light for a season Iohn was an eminent man for pureness of Doctrine and vigour of Zeal and the more corrupt sort of Jews Pharisees as well as others admired him for a while but they soon grew weary of him it was a fit of zeal for the present Lastly This love may be to the excellency of gifts bestowed upon some Minister or Instrument whom God raiseth up or some countenance of great men given to their Ministry may stir up some love and attendance on their Ministry and some respect is given for their sakes when men have no sound grace in their hearts There is a receiving of the word as the word of man and a receiving of the word as the word of God as the Apostle intimateth 1 Thess. 2.13 The receiving of the word as the word of man so it worketh only an humane passion a delight in the gifts of the Ministry used Ezech. 33.32 Thou art to them as a lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant voice Then there is a receiving it as the word of God and then we receive it with much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.5 Our Gospel came to you not in word but in power â—nd much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost Now if we do not receive the truth upon Gods recommendation and confirmation we do not love truth as truth our contest is not who hath most wit and parts but most grace 5. They do not receive the love of the truth when it doth not produce its solid effects which is a change of heart and life And they are not brought by the Gospel to a sincere repentance and conversion to God or receive the truth so as to live by it but whilst they have the names of Christians have the lives and hearts of Atheists and Infidels These were those that debauched Christianity and meritoriè and effectivè by their provocations and negligence brought this degeneracy into the Church and Judgment on the Christian World Certainly a man hateth that Religion which he doth profess when he will not live by it This perfidiousness and breach of Covenant was that which provoked God to permit these delusions in the Church The wordly sensual carnal Christians that hate that life which their Religion calleth for The Godly Christian and the Carnal Christian have the same Bible the same Creed the same Baptism yet they hate one another as if they were of different Religions and confound the distinction between the World and the Church because the World is in the Church And of sensual and godless men we must speak as Heathens as if they were without God they abhor that Religion which they do profess That is they abhor not the name but they abhor those that are faithful to it and serious in it who desire to know God in Christ and desire to love him and live to him It was that Christ taxed in the Pharisees they honoured the dead Saints and abhorred the living Matth. 23.29 30 31. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites because ye build the Tombs of the Prophets and garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous and say if we had been in the days of our Fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your selves that ye are the Children of them which killed the Prophets Christ hath not worse Enemies in the World than those that usurp his name and pretend to be his Officers and yet eat and drink with the drunken and beat their fellow Servants Matth. 24.49 Christ will disown such at the day of Judgment Matth. 7.22 23. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderful works and then will I profess unto them I never knew you Depart from me ye that work iniquity And such do most dishonour him in the World A righteous sober godly life is the best evidence of our love to the truth 2. How just this punishment is 1. Because God hath ever held this course on the Pagan World who kept not the natural knowledge of God he gave them up to vile affections Rom. 1.28 The Jews who rejected Christ Joh. 5.43 I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not another will come in his own name and him will ye receive When Christ cometh meerly for our benefit the unthankful World will not make him welcome but they will take worse in his room So towards Christians At first men would not receive the Gospel while it was pure and in its simplicity as taught by Christ and his Apostles and sealed by the blood of the Martyrs till it was backed by a Wordly Interest and coâ—rupted into a Wordly design and then they had it and all manner of superstitions together and with these strong delusions there came just damnation So still the pure Gospel is refused and God sendeth Popish Seducers as a just Judgment men only prize the light as it may serve their turn 2. The neglect and contempt of the truth is so hainous a sin that it deserveth the greatest punishment Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation now it is revenged by these errâ—rs as a just judgment on the perverseness and unthankfulness of the World The duties of the Gospel being so unquestionable shew their perverseness The priviledges of the Gospel being so excellent their unthankfulness is more intolerable 1. Vse is to shew us what cause we have to fear a return of Popery Alas where is this love of the truth 1. Some are Gospel-glutted loath Manna a full-fed people must expect a Famine Amos 8.2
no Cheats might be put upon them under any pretence therefore he saith Whether by Word or our Epistle that is by word of Mouth when present or by Epistle when absent And he saith not Epistles but Epistle as alluding to the former wrote unto them They were bound to yield to both alike credence and obedience for whether in speaking or writing the Apostolical Authority was the same To improve this Verse for your benefit I shall lay down several Propositions I. That what-ever assurance we have of God's preserving us in the Truth yet we are bouâ—d to use Diligence and Caution II. Our Diligence and Caution is to be employed about this That we may stand fast in the Faith of Christ and the Profession and Practice of Godliness III. That the Means of standing fast in the Faith of Christ and the Profession and Practice of Godliness is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles IV. That while the Apostles were in being there were two ways of delivering the Truth by word of Mouth and Writing V. That now when they are long since gone to God and we cannot receive from them the Doctrine of Life by Word of Mouth We must stick to the Scriptures or written Word I. That what-ever assurance we have of God's preserving us in the Truth yet we are bound to use Diligence and Caution For the Apostle had said That God had chosen and called them to the belief of the Truth and yet saith Therefore Brethren Stand fast First Reason will tell us That when we intend an End we must use the Means otherwise the bare intention and desire would suffice And to the accomplishing of any effect we need no more than to will it And the Sluggard would be the wisest Man in the World who is full of wishings and wouldings though his hands refuse to labour but common experience sheweth that the End cannot be obtain'd without a diligent use of the means Prov. 13.4 The Soul of the Sluggard desireth and hath nothing but the Soul of the Diligent shall be made fat that is rewarded with the intended benefit Secondly The Business in hand is Whether God's Election Calling or Promise doth so secure the End to us as that we need not be so careful in the diligent use of Means Such a notion or conceit there may be in the Hearts of Men therefore â—et us attaque it a little by these Considerations 1. God's Decree is both of End and Means for all his Purposes are executed by fit Means He that hath chosen us to Salvation bringeth it about by the belief of the Truth and sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess. 2.13 and without Faith and Holiness no Man shall see God and escape condemnation God had assured Paul That there should be no loss of any Mans Life among them except of the Ship Acts 27.22 And yet afterwards vers 31. Paul telleth them Except these abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved How could that Assurance given to Paul from God and Paul's Caution to the Mariners stand together Doth the Purpose of God depend upon the uncertain Will and Actions of Men I Answer Not as a Cause from whence it receiveth its force and strength but as a Means appointed also by God to the execution of his Decree For by the same Decree God Appointeth the Event what he will do and the Means by which he will have it to be done And the Lord revealing by his Word this conjunction of end and Means there is a necessity of Duty lying upon Man to use these Means and not to expect the End without them God intended to save all in the Ship and yet the Mariners must abide in the Ship therefore what God hath joined together let no man separate If we separate these things God doth not change his Counsel but we pervert his Order to our own Destruction 2. God that hath bidden us to believe his Promises hath forbidden us to tempt his Providence Mat. 4.7 Now we tempt God when we desire him to give an extraordinary proof of his care over us when ordinary Means will serve the turn or be useful to us 3. Though the Means seem to have no connexion with the End yet if God hath injoined them for that end we must use them As in the instance of Naaman God was resolved to cure him but Naaman must take his prescribed way though against his own fancy and conceit 2 King 5.10 Wash in Jordan seven times and thy flesh shall come again unto thee and thou shalt be clean compare vers 13. If the Prophet had bidden thee to do some great thing c. So Iohn 13.6 7. Peter must submit to be washed though he could not see the benefit of it So Iohn 9.6 7. The blind Man must submit to have his Eyes anointed with Clay and wash in the Pool of Siloam though the Clay seemed to put out his Eyes rather than cure them And the Pool could not wash away his blindness but means appointed by God must be used what-ever improbabilities are apprehended by us 4. That when God's Will is expresly declared concerning the Event yet he will have the means used As for instance 2 Kings 20.5 6 7. God was absolutely resolved to add fifteen years more to Hezekiah's Life yet he must take â— lump of Figs and lay iâ— on the Boil which plainly sheweth that no promise on God's part nor assurance on ours hindreth the use of means God will work by them not without them 5. In Spiritual Things assurance of the Event is an incouragement to Industry not a preâ—ence to Sloth 1 John 2.27 28. Ye shall abide in him and now little Children abide in him The promise of Perseverance doth incourage us to use endeavours that we may persevere and quicken Diligence rather than nourish Security or open a gap to carnal Liberty 1 Cor. 9.26 I run not as one that is uncertain We are the more earnest because we are assured the means shall not be uneffectual II. Prop. Our Duty is to stand fast in the Faith of Christ and profession of Godliness what-ever temptations we have to the contrary stand fast being a Military word it alludeth to a Souldier's keeping his Ground and is apposed to two things 1. A cowardly Flight 2. A treacherous Revolt 1. A cowardly Flight implyeth our being overcome in the evil Day by the many Afflictions that befal us for the Truths sake Ephes. 6.13 Wherefore take to you the whole Armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil Day that after ye have done all things ye may stand Their Temptation was the many troubles and persecutions that befel them called there the Evil Day Their defence lay in the whole Armour of God which is there made of six pieces The Girdle of Truth or Sincerity which is a strength to us as a Girdle to the Loins The Breast-plate of Righteousness or an holy iâ—clination and desire to perform
our Duty to God in all things And the Shield of Faith or a stedfast adhering to the Truths of the Gospel whether delivered in a way of Command Promise or Threatning The Helmet of Hope or a certain and desirous expectation of the promised Glory The Shoe of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace which is a readiness to endure all encounters for Christ's sake who hath made our Peace with God And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Now if we take this Armour and use it in our Conflicts what doth it serve for to withstand and stand The first is the Act of a Souldier the second is the posture of a Conqueror Here is withstanding till the Field be won and then standing when the Day of Evil is over Here we make our way to Heaven by Conflict and Conquest and hereafter we triumph 2. A treacherous Revolt or yielding to the Enemy by complying with those things which are against the Interest of Christ and his Kingdom for advantage-sake 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us and loved the present World Back-sliders in Heart are the worst sort of Apostates such as lose their afâ—ection to God and delight in his ways and esteem not of his glorious Recompences for a little Pleasure Profit or Pomp of Living sell their Birth-right for one morsel of Meat Heb. 12.15 16. Some fail in their Understandings but most miscarry by the perverse inclination of their Wills they are carnal worldly Hypocrites that never throughly mortified the fleshly Mind price things as they are commodious to the Flesh and will save them from Sufferings The byass of such Mens Hearts doth easily prevail against the Light of their Understandings III. Prop. The Means of standing fast is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles Here I will prove 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity taught by the Apostles is a Tradition 2. That holding this Tradition by strong hand when others wrest it from us is the means of our Perseverance 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity is a Tradition I prove it by two Arguments First Matters not evident by the Light of Nature nor immediately revealed to us by God must be either an Invention or a Tradition an Invention is something in Religion not evident by natural Light nor agreeable to sound Reason but is some cunningly devised Fable invented by one or more and obtruded by various Artifices upon the belief of the World Inventions in this kind were Man's Disease not his Remedy Eccles. 7.29 God made Man uprighâ— but they sought out many Inventions As when the Philosopâ—ers sat abrood upon Religion a goodly Chymaera it was they hatched and brought forth Rom. 1.21 22. They became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned and professing themselves to be wise they became Fools The Inventions little became the Nature of God nor were they profitable to Man for still the great Sore of Nature was unhealed which is a fear of Death and the righteous Wrath of God Rom. 1.32 So that neither Man's Comfort nor Duty was well provided for Surely the Gospel is none of this fort not an Invention of Men but a Revelation of God and a Revelation not made to us in Person but brought out of the Bosom of God by Jesus Christ and by him manifested to chosen Witnesses who might publish this Mystery and Secret to others Well then since the Gospel is not an Invention it is a Tradition or a delivery of the Truth upon the Testimony of one â—hat came from God to instruct the World or reduce it to him not an Invention of Man but a Secret brought out of the Bosom of God by our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore 't is said Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed to us by them that heard him The Lord bearing them witness c. Christ delivered it to the Apostles and the Apostles delivered it to others 2 Tim. 2.2 Those things which thou hast heard from me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also The Apostles received the Gospel from Christ and the Churches and Ministers from the Apostles and they delivered it down to others until it came to us which is the Means of our believing the Truth and confessing the Name of Christ. This Testimony delivered and conveyed to us by the most credible means and which we have no reason to doubt of is as binding as if we had heard Christ and his Apostles in Person For we have their word in writing though we did not hear them preach and publish it with the lively Voice their Authority is the same delivered either way And that these are their Writings appeareth by the constant Tradition of the Church and the acknowledgment of Friends and Enemies who still appeal to them as a public authentic Record And as they have bin attested by the Church they have bin owned by God and blessed by him to the Conversion and Sanctifying of many Souls throughout all successions of Ages And by this Tradition Christianity hath held up the Head againâ—t all encounters of Time and the persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the Profession of it but from Age to Age it hath bin received and transmitted to future Generations tho sometimes at a very dear rate And this is binding to us though we saw noâ— the Persons and Miracles by which they confirmed their Message and heard not the fâ—â—st report Yet the Universal Tradition having handed it to us is a sufficient ground of Faith and so we believe through their Word and are concerned in Christ's Prayers Iohn 17.20 For with them and their Successâ—rs as to these necessary things Christ hath promised to be to the end of the World Matth. 28. 20. 2. My next Argument is Becâ—use Christian Religion must needs be a Tradition partly because matter of Fact is the Foundation of it and it is in it self matter of Faith 1. Because it is built upon matter of Fact That the Son of God came from God to bring us to God that is to say appear'd in humanâ— Nature instructed the World by his Doctrine and Example and at length died for Sinners confirming both in Life and Death the truth of his Mission by such unquestionable Miracles as shewed hiâ— to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the World Now a Testimony Tradition or Report is necessary in matters of Fact which of necessity must be confined to some determinate time and place It was not fit that Christ should be always working Miracles always dying always rising and ascending in every place and in the view of every Man but those things were to be oâ—ce done in one place of the World in sight of some particular and competent Witnesses But because the knowledg of them
that the condition of the Wicked should be changed yet there is no Reason at all why the state of the Godly should be changed who have past the Pikes and are triumphing with God that they should ever lose that Estate again 2. They depend on everlasting Foundations such as are these 1. The everlasting Love of God Psal. 103.17 The Mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on them that fear him Not only from the beginning of the World to the end of the World but from Eternity to Eternity It was an ordinary Form of praising God in the Old Testament for his Mercy endureth for ever 2. The everlasting Merit of Christ which never loseth its force and effect Heb. 9.12 He hath obtained eternal Redemption for us Not that Christ is always propitiating No the Work was performed in a short time but the Virtue of it is of everlasting continuance 3. There is an eternal and unchangeable Covenant Heb. 13.20 Through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant Though the Covenant made with Israel was abolished yet this is everlasting and continueth for ever and shall never be altered because it was able to reach the end for which it was appointed which is the eternal Salvation of Man That was a Temporary Covenant this Eternal Now because this is the main Circumstance and the next ground of our eternal Consolation the Covenant of Life and Peace that God hath made with us in Christ I shall prove the eternal truth and immutable constancy of this Covenant That a Promise be immutable certain and firm three things are required 1. That it be seriously and heartily made with a purpose to perform it 2. That he that hath promised continue in his purpose without change of Mind 3. That it be in the power of him that promiseth to perform what he hath promised Now of all these things there can be no doubt 1. God meaneth as he speaketh when he promiseth to give eternal Life to those that believe and obey the Gospel There is no question but he is so minded when he sent the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven to assure us of it by his Doctrine to die the Death to purchase it for us and afterward to rise again and enter into that Happiness that he spake of and assoon as he was ascended up on High gave gifts to Men to give notice of this blessed Estate to be had upon the Terms of his New Covenant his Spirit attesting the truth of it by divers Signs and Wonders partly to alarm the drowzy World to regard it and assure the incredulous World that it is no Fable and because they live not for ever did inspire those holy Men before they went out of the Body to write a Book of thiâ— Salvation for the use of the World in all Ages To think that God is not serious in all this yea to make him a Lyar indeed yea to establish a Falshood with the greatest solemnity and demonstration that can be offered to Mankind yea to make a Lye necessary not only to the Governing but Sanctifying of the World Surely then there is a truth in that great Promise which he hath promised us even Eternal Life 2. That God doth continue in his Purpose without change of Mind there is no doubt of it if we consider his Eternal and Unchangeable Nature Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not James 1.17 With him is no variableness neither shadow of turning And what should alter his Purpose Doth he meet with any thing that he foresaw not or knew not before No This is a weakness incident to Man God doth never repent and call back his Grant which he hath by this condescending Act of Grace ensured to the Heirs of Promise 1 Sam. 15.29 The strength of Israel will not Lye nor Repent for he is not as Man that he should Repent Psal. 110.4 I have Sworn and will not Repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek Christ is by Oath instated in full power of entertaining and blessing his Faithful Servants which shall never be retracted and reversed To take off all doubt he hath given double Assurance his Word and his Oath Heb. 6.17 18. God being willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel confirmed it with an Oath That by two Immutable things wherein it is impossible for God to lie we might have strong Consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope that it is set before us That we might know that the New Covenant is Unchangeable and Irrevokable and so our Comfort be the more strong certain and stable God was pleased to give sincere Believers this double Assurance by his Word and Oath having regard to our Infirmity and those many Doubts wherewith we are haunted about the World to come God hath ever bin tender of his Word above all that is famed or believed of him this is most conspicuous Psal. 138.2 Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name And Matth. 24.35 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away And an Oath is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Apostle tells us it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is interposed usually indeed in a doubtful Matter But though here it needed not God would shew his extraordinary care for our Salvation We see his good Will in the Promise his solicitude in the Oath In short God wouâ—d never be so fast bound but that he doth and will still continue his purpose 3. That he is able to perform it Faith looks to that also for this was the ground and prop of Abraham's Faith Rom. 4.21 Being fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform So must all Abraham's Children that would give glory to God in believing The Way of Salvation is so rare and mysterious and so many difficulties object themselves to our view that we are soon puddered unless we reflect upon the Power of God God is able to find out a way whereby Sinners may be reconciled our corrupt Hearts sanctified and our Sins subdued by his Spirit whereby his Interest in us may be preserved against the Assaults and Temptations of the Devil World and Flesh he is able to receive our Souls to himself after they flit out of the Body And finally He is able to raise our vile Bodies after they are eaten out by Worms and turned into Dust Phil. 3.21 Who shall change our vile Bodies that they may be like unto his own glorious Body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Matters of Faith being wholly or mainly future or to come and difficult to be performed And in the mean time we being exerciseâ— with so many Trials an express belief of God's Power is necessary to convert such an obstinate Creature as Man is to sanctify such a sinful Creature to preserve us in the midst of
Temptations to raise the Dead are no slight things 3. It is called everlasting Consolation because it is sufficient to do its Work That is to say 1. To reduce us from temporal and flesh-pleasing Vanities Alas the pleasures of Sin are but for a season not worthy to be compared to the Recompence of Reward which Christ hath promised Heb. 11.25 26. Ghusing rather to suffer affliction wâ—â—â— the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures â—f sin for a season Estâ—eming the reproach of Châ—â—st greâ—ter Riches than the Treasures of Egypt 〈◊〉 had respect to the recompence of Reward Whatever is temporal we may soon see the end of it All carnal Injoyments like Flowers wither while we smell on them and the most shining Glory in the World is soon burnt to a Snuff But Eternal Life and Eternal Glory and Eternal Pleasure is secured to us by Christ's Promise All the Delights in the World are but a May-game to these Eternal Pleasures which we shall have at God's right hand for evermore Psal. 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life in thy presence is fulness of joy at thy right Hand there are pleasures for evermore Now will you sell your birth-right for one morsel of Meat part with your Eternal Inheritance for a little carnal Satisfaction We have Souls that will noâ— perish and shall we spend our whole time in seeking after things that perish in the using Temporal things carry no proportion with an immortal Spirit We shall live for ever we should look after things that will abide for ever 1 John 2.17 The World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever Otherwise what will you do when the Soul shall be turned out of Doors To what Regions must the poor shiftless harbourless Soul be-take it self Surely then this Consolation though we feel it not always and it be frequently interrupted may be well câ—lled Eternal Consolation because it affordeth Argument enough to check our worldly and sensual Inclinâ—tions and to call us off from Time to Eternity 2. To make us stedfast in the Truth and chearful under Sufferings foâ— he saith here The Lord that hath given us everlasting Consolation comfort your hearts and establish you The great use of everlasting Consolation is to comfort and stablish us in a suffering Condition The loss of Temporal Comforts is grievous but it is recompeâ—ced with the promise of eternal Joys revealed in the Gospel Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that in Heaven ye have a better and an enduâ—ing substance cast not away theâ—efore your Confidence which hath great recompence of Reward And all our Pains and Afflictions are sweetned so far as to keep us from fainting 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Our light Afflicâ—ion which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things that are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal The end of God's Covenant and Promises is â—o give us strong Consolation in the midst of Temptations Persecutions and Trials Woâ—ldly Joys appear and vanish in a moment every blast of Temptation scattereth them It is eternal Blessedness which is the cause of solid Comfort in all Dangers Storms and Tempests hither we retreat as to our Sanctuary and find relief In the World all is unstable and uncertain but the Covenant provideth for us eternal Joy and Bliss 3. The third Effect which it is to produce in us is an increase of Holiness to stablish us in every good Word that is not only in sound Doctrine but in every good Work in Holiness of Life our Endeavours should answer our Motives and Ends Abound in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as your Labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 Diligence should not be grievous to us when there is everlasting Consolation at the back of it surely this should put life into all our Endeavours Should we trifle away that time which we are to improve for Eternity John 6.27 Labour not for the Meat that perishes but for that which is to endure to everlasting Life Faith in Christ joined with solid Godliness will lead you to eternal Life There should be in the Saints an eternal Principle which is the Grace of the Holy Spirit and an eternal End which is the pleasing glorifying and enjoying of God and an eternal Rule which is the Will of God and they will have eternal Consolation and Reward Vse of Exhortation 1. Look upon the New Covenant as it is in it self as containing the only solid Grounds of rejoicing the Blessings of it are real certain stable and sutable to the great necessities of Mankind The Blessings are Pardon and Life they are real no Fancies or Chimera's The Gospel is not a Dream or well devised Fable but the greatest reality in the World it speaketh much for it self commending it self to the Conscience by rational Evidence 2 Cor. 4.2 By manifestation of the Truth commending oâ—r selves to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God But more by the Authority of the Son of God who came from Heaven to shew us the way thither And if it had not been so he would have told us John 14.2 For he used great plainness of Speech and Fidelity and is more fully ratified by the Spirit Iohn 16. 8 9 10 11. He will reprove the World of Sin of Rigâ—teousness and of Iudgment They are stable and unchangeable as appeareth by the Covenant Form in which the Coâ—veyance is so strong and firm as will make a Plea in Law 2 Sam. 23.5 He hath made an Everlasting Covenant with me ordered in all things and sure in which is all my hope and desire And suitable to many necessities Here is a Cure for our great Sore by Pardon and satisfaction to our Desires by a fit Happiness 2. Let it be so to you do you fulfil the Duties required if there be any room for doubting it must be of your Qualification therefore that must be made more explicit 1 John 3.19 Hereby we know that we are of the Truth and shall assure our hearts before him We miss much of this everlasting Consolation because we are upon such loose terms with God never hope to have peace upon cheaper terms than clear and undoubted Holiness You are not to model God's Covenant and new make it and bring it down to your humour and liking No the Covenant is unalterable and eternal So the Duties as well as the Priviledges You must take it as you find it and chuse the things that please God Isa. 56.4 There is your claim follow that close henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Iudg shall give me at that day and not to me only but to all them that love his appearing
good Word and Work VVE come now to the Apostle's second Request for them and stablish you in every good Word and Work By every good Word is meant sound Doctrine by every good Work holiness of Life Doct. Establishment in Faith and Holiness is a needful Blessing and earnestly to be sought of God 1. What this Establishment is 2. How needful 3. Why it is to be sought of God I. What this Establishment is Answ. Confirmation in the Grace that we have received Now this Confirmation must be distinguished 1. With respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted there is Habitual Confirmation and Actual Confirmation 1. The Habitual Confirmation is when the habits of Grace are more setled and increased 1 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace Strengthen Stablish Settle you God hath effectually called and converted them and he beggeth the strengthning of the Grace which they had received Now thus we are established when Faith Love and Hope are increased in us for these are the Principles of all Spiritual Operations and when they have gotten good strength in us a Christian is more established 1. Faith is necessary for we stand by Faith Rom. 11.20 Because of unbelief they were broken off but thou standest by Faith We do not only live by it but stand by it and are kept by it 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation He is strong that is strong in Faith as Abraham was that believeth the Gospel and can venture his All upon it and trust himself in God's hands whatever befalleth him Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not That was the Grace likely to be assaulted and would most keep him had he bin persuaded that Jesus was the Son of God would he have denied him with Oaths and Execrations 2. Love is strong We are told Cant. 8.6 That Love is as strong as Death many Waters cannot quench it If a man would give all the substance of his House it would utterly be contemned It will not be bribed or quenched Our Backsliding cometh from losing our complacency in or desire of God There is an averseness from Sin and zeal against it as long as we have a sense of our Obligations to God and a value and esteem of his Grace in Christ then we continue in delightful obedience to him and level and direct our actions to his Glory 3. Hope is necessary to stablish the Soul on the promise of Eternal Life For this is the sure and stedfast Anchor of the Soul Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast If Hope be strong and lively present things do not greatly move us 2. Actual Establishment when these Habits are fortified and quickned by the actual Influence of God As God doth establish by these habitual Principles so by the actual motions of his Spirit for otherwise neither the stability of our Resolutions nor of Gracious Habits will support us Not stability of Resolutions Psal. 73.2 As for me my Feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt Not Habits Rev. 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen those things which remain that are ready to die It is true God ordinarily worketh most strongly with strongest Graces because their Hearts are most prepared yet sometimes weak Christians have gone through great Temptations when strong ones have failed Rev. 3.8 Thou hast a little strength and hast kept my Word and hast not denied my Name Sometimes the strong Christian stumbleth and falleth when the weak standeth God may in an instant confirm a weak Person in some particular Temptation by his free Assistance but ordinarily concurreth with the strongest Grace Thus with respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted 2. With respect to the Object or Matter about which it is conversant stablished in every good Word and Work stability in the Doctrine of Faith and Practice of Godliness 1. In the Doctrine of Faith It is a great advantage in the Spiritual Life to have a sound Judgment Some Men are never well grounded in the Truth and in the nature and reasons of that Religion which they do profess and then are always left to a wandering uncertainty because they resolve not upon Evidence as Men ordinarily abide not in the place to which they are driven by a Tempest or the current of the Tides rather than by aim and choice though they take shelter there for the present 1 Thess. 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good Certainly Religion in the general must be taken up by Choice and not by Chance not because we know no other but because we know no better As Jer. 6.16 Stand ye in the Ways and see and ask for the old Paths where is the good Way and walk therein And the same is true of particular Opinions and Controversies about Religion till we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3.17 We stand by the stedfastness of others when we profess the Truth meerly because of Company and when the Chain â—s broken we all fall to pieces Now we ought to be well settled left we appear to the World with a various Face which breedeth Atheism in others and Shame to our selves It is possible in particular things future Light may disprove present Practice but then we must be able to give a very sufficient account of it Luther when he was charged with Apostacy Consitetuâ— se esse Apostatam sed beatum sanctum qui sidem Diabolo datam non servavit While we cry up Constancy we must not cherish stubborn Prejudice which shuts the Door upon Truth However to avoid the opinion of Lightness before Religious Persons profess any thing their warrant need to be very clear both for the World's sake and their own that they may not make needless Troubles and afterwards change their Mind to the scandalizing of others And their own sake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 James 1.8 A double-minded Man is unstable in all his ways And we had need to take care to be right because every error hath an influence upon the Heart and Practice Upon the Heart as it weakeneth Faith and Love and Practice Some Opinions have no malignity in themselves yet the profession of them may divide the Church and make us by Contentions Enemies of the growth and progress of Christ's Kingdom Now if we would be established in the Truth we must see what Influence every Truth hath upon the new Nature either as it worketh towards God by Faith to keep up our respects to him or Men by Love as it furthereth our Duties to them A Man will not easily let go Truth that is wont to turn it into Practice and to live as he believeth Once more we need to be established in the present Truth it is no zeal to fight with Ghosts and antiquated Errors but take God's part in our time but usually the Orthodoxy of the World is an Age too
and Faith of the Gospel that they resolve to abide by their choice Psal. 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord this will I seek after When Spiritual Resolution carrieth the force and authority of a principle in the Soul and nothing can break it 1 Pet. 4.1 Arm your selves with the same Mind As constantly as Christ persevered in the work of Mediation so be you in the work of Obedience notwithstanding the difficulties of it This powerful Will that beareth down Oppositions and Temptations and the greatest Impediments in the way to Heaven So that you rather make advantage of Opposition than are discouraged by it when sensual or carnal Good is of little force to you and you can dispise the most pleasing baits of Sin 3. The Affections are the executive power and do excite and stir us up to do what the Mind is convinced of and the Will resolved upon as to the necessary Duties of the Gospel in order to Eternal Happiness There is a Backwardness within and many Temptations without but an holy Delight overcometh the unwilling backwardness within and over ballanceth either Worldly Fear or Wordly Hope without that the Soul is carried on powerfully towards God We never work better than when we work in the strength of some eminent Affection when the Heart is enlarged Psal. 119.32 I will run the way of thy Commandments when thou shalt inlarge my Heart Either Love or Hope Love filleth us with delight overcoming our natural slackness and sluggishness in the Ways of God Psal. 40.8 I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Love is within my Heart 1 John 5.3 For this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous Psal. 112.1 Blessed is the Man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his Commandments Hope beareth us up in contempt of present delights and terrors of Sense Heb. 3.6 Whose House are we if we hold fast the considenâ—e and rejoycing of Hope firm unto the end So that we serve God with vigour and alacrity When our Affections are damped Grace falleth into a consumption and if you lose your taste your Practice will languish your Service of God will not be so uniform It is a great part of our establishment to keep up the vigour and fervency of our Affections 4. With respect to the Uses for which it serveth as to Duties Sufferings Conflicts 1. Doing the Will of God or discharging our Doings with Delight Chearfulness and Constancy for all strength is for Work Ephes. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner Man That we may do our work with that readiness of Mind which becomes Faith in Christ and Love to God This is often spoken of in Scripture Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Heb. 13.21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you what is well pleasing in his sight It is of great use to our establishment that the Soul be kept doing for as Wells are the sweeter for draining so are we the more lively for exercise Frequent omission of good Duties or seldom exercise of Grace necessarily produceth a decay As a Key rusteth that is seldom turned in the Lock thereby we lose the life and comfort of Religion and at length cast it off as a needless and unprofitable thing 2. For bearing Afflictions and passing through all conditions with Honour to God and safety to our selves Phil 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Col. 1.11 Strengthened with all Might according to his glorious Power with all Patience The great use of Establishment is to fortifie us against all the evils and inconveniencies of the present Life that we may hold on our Course to Heaven in fair Way or foul and not be greatly moved by any thing that befalleth us within time 3. For Conflicts with Temptations from the Devil the World and the Flesh. The World is round about us and we are accustomed to these enveigling Objects whose importunity prevaileth at length the Devil seeketh to work upon our Affections and Inclinations and the Flesh urgeth us to gratifie them How then is a Christian safe God establisheth him Ephes. 6.10 Finally be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might A Christian here is in a Military State and we of our selves left unto our selves are like Reeds shaken with every Wind we have need of establishment in regard of our own Feebleness and the force of our Enemies We must be established against the Devil soliciting against the World the silent Argument by which he soliciteth us and draweth us from God and Heaven against the Flesh the rebelling Principle which is apt to be wrought upon by Satan Well then this establishment is that Grace which enableth us to carry on the Duties of Religion with constancy frequency and delight to bear all the inconveniencies of Religion with Patience and Fortitâ—de to be more deaf and resolute against all the suggestions of the Devil or the machinations of the Flesh stirred up by the World 5. With respect to the Degree it is such a strengthning of the Soul as doth prevent not only our Fall but our shaking Before falling away or our being drawn to Apostacy there may be a shaking a doubtfulness and wavering of mind with respect to the Truth and much inconstancy and unevenness of Life with respect to practice Now Christians as they must not draw back to Perdition so they must not be always fluctuating and unfixed either in Matters of Opinion but setled in the Truth or in matters of Practice there must be a strength and stability of holy Inclinations and Resolutions for God and the World to come still kept up or else there will be no evenness or uniformity in the course of our Lives and though we avoid Apostacy yet we cannot avoid Scandal though there be no falling back there is a stepping out into By-Paths 1 Cor. 15.58 Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord. And Ephes. 3.17 That ye being rootâ—d and grounded in Love c. And Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel If we do not look to the Degree our weakness and instability groweth upon us As in matters of Opinion some have an unsetled Head of a vertiginous Spirit Ephes. 4.14 carried about with every wind of Doctrine They never were well grounded in the Truth nor took up the ways they are engaged in upon sufficient Evidence and therefore by their own weakness and the cunning and diligence of the Seducers are drawn into Error Light Chass is blown up and down by every Wind when solid Grain hitcheth in and resteth in the Floor where it is