thee Isaiah 51.2 1. Objection I am but a woman the weaker Vessel and therefore my zeal can doe but little good Answer Yet thou mayest doe somewhat for God we reade in Scripture what great things God hath done by women Deborah and Iael two excellent women The one ruled with an Heroick Spirit the other killed Sisera a valiant Commander Iudges 4.4 5.22 The woman of Abel by her prudence saved the City 2 Samuel 20.16.22 Abigail by her wisedome preserved her husband and family from an imminent danger The Shunamite that great good woman stirred up her husband to entertain Elisha to the great benefit of her family and Hester was a means to save the Jewes from ruine God loveth to hang the greatest weights on the weakest wyres and to doe great things by weak Instruments that his Name may have all the Glory 3. Objection It is good to be discreet and wise in what we doe Answer Discretion doth not hinder but further our zeal it doth not diminish it but directs it and therefore they are not to be Opposed but Composed and made subservient to each other Prudence doth not abate our Diligence but guideth it in its work it teacheth us not to doe lesse but to doe better Thus there is an Harmony amongst the Graces and we may in no wise set them at variance amongst themselves Yet 't is the property of the men of the world to accuse Gods faithful ministers who tell them discreetly and zealously of their sins for rash heady men and such as want discretion Thus when Bishop Latimer reproved the sins of the Court they would accuse him for lack of discretion It rejoyceth me saith he when my Friend telleth me that they finde fault with my indiscretion for by likelyhood the Doctrine is true for if they could finde fault with my Doctrine they would not charge me with lack of discretion c. 4. Objection It is good to be moderate Vertue consisteth in a mean Answer Moderation in our own causes and quarrels doth well Phil. 4.5 But moderation and indifferency in Gods Cause is not moderation but luke-warmness and coldness which God abhorreth and if wicked men will not content themselves with moderation in pursuit of their lusts and Idols Ier. 8.2 but will spend their estates lavish Gold out of the bag upon them Isay 46.6 shall not we in an holy prodigality spend our selves and what we have from God for his honour 'T is true in Moral Vertues which are circa res medias the mean is best But Religion admits of no mediocrity e. g. our love to God and our hatred against sin can never be too intense Yea no Vertue in its formal Reason can be too much intended nor admit of an excess that man that saith he hath zeal enough had never any true zeal at all The Apostle saith its good to be zealous in a good thing and is not zeal then best in the best things and are there any things better then God his Truth Worship People Is it good to be earnest for a friend and is it not much better to be zealous for God The things we strive for are so Excellent that no zeal can be too much 'T is for a Kingdome for an Heavenly Kingdome 't is for Christ for grace and glory and if thou canst finde any thing in the world that better deserveth thy zeal let it have it 5. Objection The Apostle would have Timothy to be gentle 2 Timothy 2.24 Answer True for he was imployed amongst the Gentiles who were newly converted to the Faith and therefore must be wisely and gently handled such bruised Reeds must not be broken but when men are obstinate they must be rebuked with all authority Titus 2.15 6. Observation If we be thus zealous we may loose all Answer True and yet be no loosers neither The Martyrs lost all and yet were gainers God will make up your losses in a better kind Matth. 10.37 Let us do our duty and commit the success to God Many like Ammaziah could be content to do Gods Will but they are affraid of looseing some hundreds of Talents by it but the Prophets answer may satisfie us The Lord is able to give thee much more then that 2 Cor. 25.9 7. Observation I may bring paine and sorrow on my selfe by my forwardness Answer Thou mayest bring greater sorrow on thy selfe by thy backwardnesse 2. Wee see what pain men will endure to preserve a Natural life and shall we endure nothing for our spiritual life 3. God will assist thee and in the multitude of thy perplexities he will delight thy soul Psalm 94.19 8. Observation The world will thinke us mad and out of our wits if we thus oppose their sinfull counsels Answer This is no new thing Christ himself was called mad and they said that he had a Devil Mark 3.21 the Disciple is not above his Master But of this see more in 2 Tim. 3.9 9. Observation I am of a dull and heavy constitution and therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so hot as others Answer See how 't is with thee in other things art full of life spirit and activity for profits and pleasures and yet hast thou no mettle nor life for God and his worship certainly the fault is not in thy cold constitutiâ—n but in thy wretched corruption where thou lovest thou hast heat enough Let a man touch the coldest of you in your gains pleasures reputations and you have heat more then enough onely Gods honour lieth unregarded by you 2. Suppose thou art of a sad and heavy constitution yet Grace is above Nature it rayseth and rectifieth it 'T is like gold in the Mine which turneth every thing into the nature of it Hence the Spirit of Grace is compared to Oyle which is a Royal liquor and will be above all Now to quicken you take these Considerations and Motives 1. Consider this is no Arbitrary or indifferent thing but 't is that which God hath oft commanded That we should love him with all our strength i. zealously and sincerely Deut. 6.5 and do what we do with all our might Eccles. 9.10 Rom. 12.11 Striving and earnestly contending for the faith Iude. 3. The compound implieth an ardent and vehement defence of the Truth we must contend for it with our utmost strength Truth is a precious Jewel and heavenly Treasure which we must labour to preserve unto Posterity One grain of it is of more worth then all the world Malim ut pereat totus mundus quà m veritatis mica said Luther Little deviations from the Truth must not be suffered least they increase to greater as thin exhalations turn into thick clouds and little sparks make great fires God will not have his least commandments contemned Matth. 5.19 Hence Christ commands us not onely to destroy Vulpes sed Vul peculas even the litle Foxes that hurt his Vine Cant. 2.15 But we are not put to contend pro tricis
whose main adversary is in his own bosom With what face can he fight against the beasts of the time who is himself a beast 3. The Matter is good 't is for Christ and his Kingdom for his truth and people and that against the basest enemies against sin and Satan and a world of wicked men There is nothing worth contending for in comparison of Gods truth and worship as we must contend for the obtaining of it so also for the preserving of it Iude 3. 'T was the great honour of Chamier that he strenuously fought the Lords battles against that man of sin and though many sons of the French Church had done worthily yet he excelled them all 4. The Manner of this fight must be good we must strive Lawfully if ever we would be crowned 2 Tim. 2.5 As those that strove for Masteries were not presently graced with Garlands unless they strove according to the Lawes prescribed though never so difficult and painful So unless we fight both for matter and manner both in preparation and execution according to the Rules prescribed in the Word we can never attain the Crown of Righteousness 5. The End must be good 't is that which crowns and denominates the work The end of all our working and warring must be to the Glory of God and the salvation of our own and others souls Else let the matter be never so good if the end be self all is lost as we see in Iehu and the Scribes and Pharisees Many fight but it is for their lusts and not for God Iames 4.1 As the heathen in their Agonies fought and run for the honour of Apollo Neptune or Iove but nothing for Iehovah 6. The Armour is good it is composed of the Graces of the Spirit which are compared to Gold Psalm 45.13 't is golden and compleat armour Ephesians 6.13 7. 'T is good in respect of the Issue 'T is victorious the gates of Hell connot prevail against it As Sin Satan Death Hell could not conquer Christ so they shall not be able to conquer the servants of Christ who are by faith ingrafted in him Hence Paul so confidently assureth himselfe of a Crowne of Righteousnesse 8. Our fellow-soldiers are good all the people of God throughout the world dayly fight this good fight against the enemies of their salvation yea the Saints in Heaven were all soldiers in the Church Militant before they came to the Church Triumphant 9. The Reward is good there is none like it It is no lesse then a Crown not of silver or Gold but of Eternal life The Glory of it is unspeakable Hence it is called hidden Mannah a Tree of Life c. Rev. 2.10.17.26 and 3.21 I have finisht my course Q. d. I Paul the aged have fought the good fight and have not onely begun but I have finisht my course Observe 'T is a great comfort to be an old soldier of Christ. Men cashire old decrepit men out of their camps but the older soldiers we are in Christs Church the better and the more acceptable to him 'T was Mnasons commendation that he was an old Disciple Acts 21.16 Paul was converted as the learned conjecture about 25. for he is caâ—led a young man when Stephen was stoned Acts 7.58 Now adolescency by Physitians and others is conceived to begin at 12. extend it self to 25. for when a man is come to his full stature he is called Adult now Paul lived 34. years after his conversion for he died in the thirteenth of Nero so that by this computation he was 61. when he suffered Martyrdome yet he was still the same even when he was Paul the aged as he stileth himselfe Philemon 9. as when he was young Old age is a Crown of Glory and Honourable in it self God commands us to honour such Leviticus 19.32 the Ancient and the Honourable are joyned together Isay 9.15 but then 't is most honourable when it is found in a way of Righteousness Proverbs 16.31 and if in any way of Righteousness then specially in the Ministery when it is fully and faithfully discharged An old Professor of the Truth who hath served God in his Generation deserveth respect and honours but an ancient zealous Minister of the Gospel who hath done and suffered much for Christ his white-head and silver-hairs call for double honour God oftentimes blesseth such with long life as some reward of their labours Psalm 91.16 Prov. 3.16 1. Such begin betimes to serve God and the sooner we come in to him the more honour and service we do him The Apostle mentioneth it to the praise of Andronicus and Iunia that they were in Christ before him i. they believed and were Christians before him Romans 16.7 This made Saint Austine lament that he was converted so late to Christ. 2. He is an old acquaintance of Christs to whom he more familiarly revealeth himself then to young Novices Genesis 18.17 Moses was but 40. dayes in the Mount with God and his face did shine what is 40. dayes to 40. years walking with God Such a one may do much with God for a person or Nation God delights in the prayers of his old servants such as Moses Samuel Noah Iob and Daniel c. 3. He is one that hath got the Art of serving God All Trades have a Mystery Religion hath its Mystery also young beginners are bunglers at it but old Christians are Naturalized and habituated to the holy duties of Mortification and self-denial 4. He is rich in experience a young beginner hath no experience of the deceâ—ts of sin and Satan it is the old soldier that can tell you of the Policies and stratagems in War Iob 12.12 't is with the ancient that there is wisedome and much experience A young man is happier that doth live well but an old man is happier that hath lived well he hath passed through those dangers and difficulties those temptations and Passions which young ones are sayling towards 5. He is a well-rooted firm resolved Christian. An old Disciple is like a Rocke when a young one is like a Reed tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine Ephesians 4.14 These adorn Religion in holding out to the last against the solicitations and allurements of sin and Satan They esteem Christs service the best service they are never weary of it though sometimes the flesh clogging them they may be weary in it and this is a great Argument of our sincerity when we are rooted trees of Righteousness fruitful and flourishing in old age Psalm 92.14 6. They shall have a greater reward As they have done more service in their Generations so they shall be recompenced answerably They have been instruments of winning many souls to Christ and so shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever Daniel 12.3 Childrens children are the crowne of old Age 't is true of Natural children Proverbs 17.6 But no children are so glorious and glistering a Crown
shall attain to a higher Degree in this Devillish Art of Blasphemy That the word is thus to be restrained is cleare from the Context both before and after The Apostle useth a kind of Gradation 1. He tells us men shall be Self-lovers Silver-lovers Boasters Proud insulting over their Brethren and which is worse they spare not God himself but are Blasphemers of him 2. The Apostle in V. 3. mentions false accusers slanderers and despisers of good men which he would not in all rationall probability have done if the word Blasphemy had been here restrained onely to slanderers So that I take the word here to signify Blasphemy against God himself and this hath many Branches 1. Gods name is blasphemed Addendo by adding or attributing that to God which his soul abhorres As that he is the Authour of sin and approves of sinne Psal. 50.21 Mal. 2.17 or that he is cruel unjust improvident not regarding how the affaires of the world go This is the blasphemy of Epicures 2. Detrahendo by denying God that honour which is due to him as when we deny his Omnipotence and say God is not able to deliver this was the blasphemy of the King of Assyria 2 Chron. 32.17 or when men deny his Omniscience Omnipresence Eternity Immensity Immutability and so upon the point deny all Gods Attributes as the Socinians do who hold that the Attributes are not Essentiall but Accidents and Qualities in God So when men give the Honour due to the Creator to the Creature as the Israelites who called their Golden Calfe God this is called a great provocation and in the Originall Blasphemy Nehem. 9.18 3. When men abuse the glorious Names and Titles of God by prophane cursing swearing forswearing murmuring fretting and storming aâ— Gods dispensations this is to set our mouthes against Heaven Psalm 73.9 and with Sennacherib to rage against God 2 Kings 19.28 Levit. 24.11 25. Iob 3.1 Ier. 20.14 4. When men raile on Christ and revile him as the Jewes did who lookt upon him as a meer man and a sinner as one that was mad and had a Devill Mat. 27.39.63 Iohn 9.24 and 10.20 5. Gods Name is blasphemed when men speak contumeliously and dâ—sgracefully of the Word of God as if 't were false imperfect and no Rule for our lives Or of the Workes of God saying This might have been otherwise this might have been mended c. 6. When men revile the Magistrate vvho is Gods Vice-gerent this is called Blasphemy 1 Kings 21.10 Naboth hath blasphemed God yea and the King So 2 Peter 2.10 speaking evill of dignities Blaspheming them saith the Originall i. e. They make it their work it is their Trade to goe up and downe reviling those in authority So much the Participle of the Present Tense implyes this is forbidden Exod. 22.28 7. Such as slander and Disgrace the Ministers of Christ not so much for any personall defects but because of their office because they are Ministers of Christ now Christ takes the contumelies done to his Embassadours as done to himselfe Luke 10.16 They are Christs Organs and primary instruments to promote and propagate his Glory in the world they are his Heralds to proclaim his Name and Truth unto the world and he will not suffer any to abuse them unrevenged Thus when the Apostles were defamed it was called Blasphemy 1 Cor. 4.13 Rom. 3.8 8. When men calumniate and traduce the servants of God meerly for serving him when they scorne and scoffe at Saints for their sanctity this is called blasphemy 1 Pet. 4.4 they speak evill of you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blasphemeing you Such were those Iob 17.6 and 30.9 Psal. 69.12 and 71.9 Ezek. 5.15 Lam. 3.16 Nahum 3.6 Mat. 11.18 1 Cor. 4.9 9. When men traduce and reproach Gods Ordinances as low empty mean things so did those false Teachers 2 Pet. 2.2 by whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken off 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blasphemabitur the Christian Religion is the right way to salvation yet those by their calumnies laboured to turn men from it So Acts 13.45 and 18.6 Iames 2.7 Revel 2.9 10. When such as professe Christianity live loosely and licentiously when they live not up to their principles nor answerable to their holy profession they cause Gods Name to be blasphemed 2 Sam. 12.14 Ezek. 36.22 23. Rom 2.24 and so do those that apostatize and fall from the truth to Idolatry they do in an high degree cause Gods to be blasphemed Levit. 18.21 Isay 63.7 Ezek. 20.27.28 they disparage the Lords Pastures and do interpretatively say There is no lovelinesse truth or goodnesse in the wayes and worship of God and therefore they forsake it what greater blasphemy Thus Hymoneus and Alexander making shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience are said to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. ult and if those whom Paul peresecuted that did out of fear renounce the Faith are yet said to blaspheme Acts 16.11 oh how sad is their condition and how high their blasphemy who do electively deliberately and wilâ—ully forsake Christ and his truth without any such tentation and triall These come near to that irresistible blasphemy and upardonable sin against the Holy Ghost When men through Ignorance for want of Light shall persecute Christ and his people this blasphemy is pardonable as we see in Paul who was a persecuter a blasphemer but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly 1 Tim. 1.13 So did many of the Jews Acts 3.17 But when men shall wittingly willingly maliciously and despitefully oppose Christ and his truth as the Scribes and Pharises did this is that blasphemy which shall never be forgiven Luke 12.10 Mark 3.29 Let us now apply this Character of the last times to our times and see if all these 10. kinds of blasphemy may not be found amongst us The Lord is my Record that I take no pleasure in the Devils victories now in raking in this loathsome dung-hill I desire to write with Teares what I have read with trembling I could heartily wish that the Land were clear of all those blasphemies with which it is charged But alas if we go about to plead not guilty in this kind we shall but double our guilt Our blasphemies and blasphemers our Copps and Coppins our Colliers and Nailers our Foxes and Farme-worths our Biddles and Bests I might say Beasts are taken notice of by Forreiners as well as by Natives There needs no secret search or digging for these abominations they are Publisht and Printed to the view of all so that they cannot be concealed or denied Had they kept their blasphemies in secret we had been silent but since they have been so impudent as to Print blasphemy it can justly offend none if we Print against them 'T is fit the Remedy should be as large as the Malady Since Generalls are no charge let us descend to particulars 1. Are there not some amongst us that have Printed that God is
the same place or like a Picture that growes not but is the same now that it was twenty yeares agoe Such barren trees are nigh to cursing Luke 13.9 and such unprofit able learners are left by God justly to the power of seducers as malefactors are to Jaylors This is the true cause of all those Errors and Sins amongst us Psal. 95.10 Ier. 9.3 Matth. 22.19 As for our selves let us enquire for the good way and when we have found it sit not still but be walking from knowledge to knowledge from grace to grace and from strength to strength till at last wee come to our Celestiall Sion 3. Since seducers are so ready to seduce women how carefull should that Sexe be to shunne conversing or disputing with them When Eve once fell to disputing and questioning the Truths of God the Devill soon overcame her and was too subtle for her Genes 3.1 do not therefore tempt the Lord by entertaining disputes with Serpentine disputants for though every one be bound to make an open and sincere profession of the truth yet to be able to defend it against a subtle adversary and to answer their Cavills is a gift that is given but to a few Let every one know his own strength and if he be wise keep within his onw bounds 4. Since women oft times are Satans Instruments by which he seduceth many take heed of women let not those Syrens enchant thee so as to leap into the depths of errours Consider how many of thy betters have fallen by them Adam at first the best man Solomon the wisest David one of the holiest and Sampson one of the strongest all deceived by women and at this day how many wise and seemingly holy men have been drawne aside to errors by their wives Stop then thy eares against these allurements and in this sense be as the deafe adder which stoppes his eare against the voyce of the Charmer charme he never so wisely Whosoever they be that seek to draw thee from thy God let thy heart and thy hand be against them Deuteron 13.6 8 9. VERSE 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so did these also resist the Truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith THe Apostle proceeds in describing the false Prophets of the last times that we may the better know them he tells us they are such 1. As oppose the truth and the Preachers of it As Iannes and Iambres the worlds wise men withstood Moses so did these also resist the truth They do not onely catch at silly women but they strike at the Shepherd that so the flock may be scattered They oppose Moses and Aaron the messengers of God whom he sent to publish his truth to his people Yea they resist the very truth it self which is worse then to resist the persons that bring it The Series of the Speech seemed to require that the Apostle should have said as Iannes and Iambres resisted Moses so do these resist Vs but he alters his stile and sayes more Emphatically they resist the Truth implying that the opposition is not so much against the Preachers as against the truth they preach and by consequence against God who is the first Truth and at whose command they publish it Exod. 16.8 Neither is it a frigid infirm resistance but a violent vehement opposition springing from malice and rancour which makes them resist the truth 1. With their Lyes Tyranny and cruell Persecution 2. By Flatteries false Miracles and Sophistry they cunningly undermine the Truth Thus Iannes and Iambres do the same things by slight and art which Moses did in Reality another man would have much adoe to distinguish between the Serpents of Moses and those of the Magicians they were so like Exod. 7.11 Quest. Some may demand who this Jannes and Jambres were and how the Apostles came by their Names Answ. They were two of the chief Magicians and Egyptian Sorcerers who by the appointment of Pharaoh opposed Moses and Aaron in the Miracles which they wrought that they might obscure the glory of God and delude the people they working Miracles seemingly by sorcery and the help of the Devill which Moses did really by the power and finger of God 2. As for their Names they are not to be found in the Old Testament nor in the story to which the Apostle alludes Exod. 7.11 Neither is it probable that the Apostle came to the knowledge of them by Extraordinary Revelation as some imagine since the bare knowledge of the Names of these Magicians is of so little consequence and not necessary to salvation 3. They might be taken out of some ancient record of the Jewes then extant as divers other things mentioned in the New Testament were e. g. Moses his education in Egyptian Learning and his age of 40. yeares when he went to visit his Brethren Acts 7.22 these are not recorded in the Old Testament but are found in Midrash Rabbi Berischith So Iude 14. maketh mention of a prophesy of Enoch which yet is not extant in the Old Testament So Heb. 11.21 12.21 So that here is no ground for those Numberless number of old mouldy foolish superstitious Popish unwritten Traditions and that not onely in matters of Rite and History but of Faith and Manners also which tend to the perplexing but not to the quieting of the soul. 2. They are men of corrupt minds and judgements their understandings are so perverted and blinded with corrupt and sinful affections that they can neither apprehend nor judge rightly of any thing according to the truth their minds go a whoring after lying vanities and then no wonder if they forsake their own mercies The Understanding is the Eye and guide of the Soul it s the noblest part of Man if it be corrupted the Man 's undone Psal. 14.3 3. See what followes concerning the faith reprobate This is the fruit of a corrupt mind they cannot receive nor perceive the truth they have lost all sound judgement in things pertaining to the faith they oppose the light which shines into their minds and with violence rush into sinne as the horse into the battle This brings Gods sore judgement on them so that he rejects and forsakes them and gives them up to a reprobate mind Ier. 6.30 Rom. 1.28 insomuch as they that would not receive the truth for the truths sake in love but unthankfully reject it now shall not receive it and as 't is their sin that their understanding is corrupt and they will not see So now it shall be their punishment that they shall not approve of the faith and thus they reject it still actively and are actually reprobate to every good work Titus 1.16 not knowing how to goe about any thing that is good Such corrupt Teachers we must shun and reject least we be corrupted by them so much the word implies saith Beza yet must we not cast off rashly all those as absolute
Reprobates for 't is one thing to be Reprobate concerning the faith pro tempore at present and another thing to be a Reprobate Manasses Paul and those 1 Corinthians 6.11 were lewd enough for the time yet at last were called These that are now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reproveable and unapproved as the word signifies 2 Cor. 13.7 Heb. 6.8 1 Corinthians 9.27 yet in Gods due time they may be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accepted and approved This must teach us to keep our judgements pure and our understandings clear for 't is our guide and if that mislead us we must needs fall into the ditch Corruption in judgement in some respects is worse then corruption in manners especially when the mind hath been enlightned with the knowledge of the truth for this is the root of those corrupt manners that are amongst us In the time of the Law the Leprosie in the head was of all other Leprosies the most dangerous and destructive the man that had it in his hand or feet was unclean but if it were in his head then he was to be pronounced utterly unclean Lev. 13.44 Hence the scripture gives so many caveats against errors and erroneous ones Deut 13.3 Philip. 3.2 Colos. 2.8 2 Pet. 3.17 Matthew 7.13 Beware of false Prophets the word implies a diligent study and singular care lest we be caught by such subtle adversaries Keep your judgements pure then the pure Word of God will delight you Micah 2.7 you will delight to come to the truth that your deeds may be discovered Iohn 3.21 Part not with a good conscience and a good conversation lest you make ship-wrack of the faith and a gap be opened in your breasts to all sinne and errour that the Lord knowes where you will rest it may be not till you come to the highth of sin and depth of misery Count therefore a corrupt judgement a sore plague and if God have given thee a sound judgement able to discern the truth and a mind ready to receive it and approve of it when 't is propounded this is not a common mercy but calls for speciall Thankfulness Psal. 16.7 Proverbs 28.5 1. Observe There have been false Teachers in all Ages to oppose the Truth and the Professors of it As Iannes and Iambres here oppose Moses a meek a learned a faithfull servant in all Gods House So there were four hundred and fifty fals Prophets against one zealous Elijah four hundred against good Michaiah 1 Kings 18.18 and 22.6.14 Hananiah against Ieremy Amaziah against Amos 7.10 false brethren against Paul Hymeneus Philetus and Alexander oppose him 1 Tim. 1.20 The Church shall never want enemies to war withall whilest the seed of the Serpent abides in the world As Pharaoh had his Magitians who hardned him in his sin and deluded him to his destruction so the World will ever have its false Prophets to blinde and harden them in sin to their ruine Thus in the Primitive times there was a Simon Magus Scribes Pharisees Sadduces Essens Herodians Nicolaitans Elymas Ebion Cerinthus the Gnosticks and many others 2 Peter 2.1 Thus when Luther began to reform thirty severall Sects arose to hinder the worke We should not therefore be despondent or discouraged as if some strange thing had happened to us but comforted rather in that we are made conformable to Christ the Prophets and Apostles Matthew 5.11 Luke 6.22.23 This was is and will be the condition of the Church Militant from her youth up she must looke to be plowed and persecuted by malicious men Psalm 129.2 3. Besides 't is the condition of Truth in this World to meet with opposition we can no sooner publish it but it's enemies appear Galathians 4.16 Truth brings hatred men cannot endure to have Vngues in Vlcerre they are unsound and would not be touched Truth is a Light which discovers the intents of mens hearts Hebrewes 4.12 and layes open the evill of mens wayes and this makes the wicked not simply to oppose but to rise in open rebellion against the Truth Iob 24.13 which reproves their deeds and exposeth them to the view of themselves and others Hence they have alwayes been esteemed the Pests and troublers of a Land that publish Truth as we may see throughout the Acts of the Apostles where we finde some disputing against the Truth Acts 6.9 others blaspheming Acts 13.45 some secretly undermining it and seeking to draw men from embracing it Acts 13.8 others openly rayling against it Acts 17.18 19. and 24.5 Some have opposed it out of ignorance and blind devotion as Paul before his conversion 1 Timothy 1.13 and some of the Jewes Acts 3.17 and 13.50 Others deliberately against conviction and out of malice have resisted the Truth as Alexander 2 Timothy 4.15 these are given up to a reprobate sense the Devil having blinded their eyes 2 Corinthians 4.4 Some oppose it for their gain and for their bellies Rom. 16.17 18. 1 Tim. 6.5 2 Pet. 2.3.15 16. Others from fleshly lusts 2 Peter 2.18 and 3.3 Others out of pride loving the preheminence 3. Iohn 9.10 1 Timothy 6.3 4. yet should not we distaste the Truth because of those oppositions which are made against it for however some prophanely scorn at the name of Truth and say with Pilate what is Truth Iohn 18.38 Yet wisedome is justified of her children and they that are of the Truth hear his voyce who came into the world to beare witnesse of the Truth They come with love and teachable hearts to it and so are made to know the Truth Iohn 8.52 Let not the great host of Truths enemies make us despair but know there are more with us then are with them 2 Chronicles 32.7 8. and the more they are that oppose the Truth the more illustrious will our conquest be If I must have an adversary let it be a wicked one and then be he never so potent he cannot stand long because God is against him Iob 27.7 Truth may be opprest but never conquered Praemi potest opprimi non potest yea oppositions advance and clear it Veritas impugnata magis elucet Bern. 2. Observe That as the Devill hath his Iannes and Iambres to oppose the Truth so God hath his Moses and Aaron to uphold it As the Devill hath his Domestick Chaplains so God hath his armed Champions and as the Devill raiseth up oppressors so God sends Saviours Obadiah 21. If he raise hornes to gore the Church God will raise Carpenters to saw off those hornes Zachary 1.19 20 21. The same day that Pelagius was born in Brittain the same day was Saint Augustine born in Africa that did confute him God hath an Athanasius to oppose Arrius Chrysostome against the Manichees Basil against Macedomus Prosper against the Massilians Salvian against the Libertines Fulgentius against Faustus Christ against the Pharisees Simon Peter against Simon Magus Paul against false Apostles Luther Calvin Beza c. against the
Pope and in these dayes of liberty God hath something to witness against Heresie Thus the Lord in his Wisedom hath so ordered it that there shall be not onely Schismes but Heresies to exercise the Gifts and Graces of his people and to discover the rottenness and filthyness of graceless ones that they who will not believe the Truth may be given up to the efficacy of errour This is some comfort and may help to uphold our spirits in this day of Iacobs trouble 3. Observe A corrupt head and a corrupt heart usually go together no sooner are mens minds corrupted but presently it follows they are Reprobate concerning the faith and if once men make shipwrack of faith they will soone part with a good Conscience too 1 Tim. 1.19 Corrupt Principles breed corrupt Practises and corrupt practises teach men to invent corrupt Principles When men grow lawless and profane then they turn Antinomians and deny the Law if Mortalists then they deny the resurrection if Libertines then they cry down the power of the Magistracy and cry up one Universal Toleration Hence when Christ had spoken of false Prophets he presently adds and iniquity shall abound Mâ—tthew 24. When people go a whoring from God then follows corporall whoredom Hos. 4.12 13. We see this experimentally true in our days How many before they were Sectaries were civilly just pious and in the judgement of charity were thought to be sincere Christians yet now are turned Anabaptists Socinians Libertines Proud Censorious Idle Atheisticall Unclean These lusts lay unmortified in their bosomes and now they rejoyce that they have a time of Liberty to vent them so that a corrupt life attends on corrupt Principles both as a Punishment and a just judgement of God upon men for resisting the truth and in the nature of the thing for as a foul moist head causeth distillations of corrupt matter upon the lungs so loose Principles dispose men to a loose conversation the doctrine of Godlinesse reproving their Ungodlinesse makes them cast it off as you may see in the Epistles of Peter and Iude who describing false Teachers and their false Doctrines presently adde their wicked lives their filthinesse covetousnesse licentiousnesse turning the Grace of God into wantonnesse Be sure then to keep your heads pure from errour if ever you would have your hearts and hands pure from sin 4. Observe That false Teachers are very dangerous persons they are not such meek innocent harmlesse persons as some imagine The Apostle here tells us that they are impudent fraudulent resisters of the truth men of corrupt Heads Hearts and Hands and what could he say more unlesse he should call them Devills and so he doth verse 3. in the last dayes men especially seducing men for all these 19. sins are appliable also to the false Teachers of the last times as appeares by the context verse 5 6. shall be slanderers or in plain English Devils and he here compares them to Iannes and Iambres two Egyptian Sorcerers who were Limbs of the Devill and verse 13. in expresse Terms he calls them Sorcerers evill men and Seducers the words in the Originall are evill men and Sorcerers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incantatores praestigiatores besides their Heresies are called damnable and their ways pernicious 2 Pet. 2.1 and themselves are likened to Balaam the witch 2 Pet. 2.15 'T is true at first they make a shew of extraordinary Sanctity and Self-deniall the better to deceive the simple and thereupon they rayle on all the Churches of Christ amongst us as being mixt with wicked men yet after a little time these painted Sepulchers appeare in their proper colours and the vilenenesse of their lives and doctrine is made known to all The Anabaptists in Germany at their first arising pretended extraordinary Sanctity but in a short time their Villanies Murders Polygamies blasphemies Heresies Adulteries c. appeared to the world These are worse then the Sword or Plague men are afraid and fly from those but they are naturally prone to embrace these 2. Those hurt but the body these destroy the soule 3. God is glorified in his judgements but he is exceedingly dishonoured by seducers 4. By the sword and persecution the Church increaseth but by subtle Hereticks the Church diminisheth Hence Luther calls Hereticks Peccatorum poenam summam Dei indignationem Luther in Hos. 9. The greatest Plague and a sign of Gods indignation against a people And the Scripture calls them devouring Wolves who come to kill and drink the blood of souls Iohn 10.8 9 10. Matth. 7.15 such as make their disciples two-fold more the children of the Devil then themselves Mat. 23.15 Such as subvert whole houses Titus 1.11 whose word doth eat as a Gangrene 2 Tim. 2. which suddenly over-runs the Parts takes the Brain and if not quickly cured by cutting off the part infected kills the Patient Heresie is of a spreading Nature if it be not speedily and carefully supprest it runs from one man to another from one City to another and from one Kingdome to another Error begets error such fall from evil to worse Verse 13. Hence false doctrine is compared to a Leaven Mark 8.15 which secretly and suddenly diffuseth it selfe through the whole lump till all be leavened Sometimes seducers are compared to an overflowing flood which carries down all before it Revelations 12.15 and anon to Cheaters that beguile silly souls with their flesh-pleasing doctrine they catch freshly people Ephesians 4.14 and to dogs Philippians 3.2 beware of dogs i. beware of false Prophets who are like unto dogs Go not unarmed get a sword or a staffe to defend your selves against them If there were ten thousand mad dogs in the Land you would keep within doores or go armed and use all means to destroy them Now they resemble dogs in 14. particulars 1. A dog is a base contemptible creature hence the Scripture calls vile persons dogs 1 Samuel 17.43 1 Kings 8.13 Matthew 15.26 So such as go about to draw men from the Truth are vile men however they may have high conceits of themselves yet God esteems no more of them then we do of a dog and though he may throw them some off all and bones to picke as he doth to the blasphemous Turk that great Dog of a great part of the World yet his soul abhors both them and their services Isay 66.3 2. 'T is an unclean creature and might not be offered in sacrifice Deut. 23.18 So these being themselves unclean all they do is unclean Titus 1. ult 3. 'T is a libidinous impudent creature Hence unclean persons are called dogs Deut. 23.8 Revelations 22.15 without are dogs who are those Whoremasters are set in the front this made Abner say to Ishbosheth am I a dogs-head i. shamelesly libidinous that I should commit whoredom with my Fathers Concubines 2 Samuel 3.8 yet such unclean ignorant and impudennt Cynicks we have who though they want Arguments yet want
to those that are Novices they discover no such things but suffer them to gape or mutter as stupified with admiration of their words and so they lye hid under those winding forms as thieves hide themselves in their dens These are those swelling words which Peter and Iude compare to Bubbles and froth which end in nothing But whilest they study by their lofty stile to lead others into errours they so mislead themselves that they understand not their owne bablings I remember when once Quintin saw me in a great Assembly sharply reproving his chattering he desirous to shunne the stroke said I reproved his speech because I did not understand it To which I answered that I understood somewhat in it more then he did for he did not at all perceive those things which he uttered but I perceived that he meant to bewitch the minds of men with his absurd and pernicious dotages which will appear to be so in that he doth so plunge them in and involve them with such foolish speculations that neither heaven nor earth can appeare unto them By this Note they are discerned from others when they speak they make a noyse like a Chough so that nothing they utter can be understood The tongue was created by God that we might expresse our Thoughts and communicate them to each other but they pervert the order instituted by him and with a confused sound beat the ayre or by long circumstances they minister matter of such varying and altering to the auditours that at last they are left wholly in suspence when the mysteries of God are to be handled we ought to make the Scripture our Rule let us then follow the Rule which God hath delivered to us and not wander out of the compasse of it for God knowing that if he should use onely such words as become his Majesty our apprehensions could not reach them useth therefore such expressions as suit best with our shallow capacities And as a nurse speaks broken and imperfect words to her Infant so doth God to his people that he may be understood Whosoever therefore inverts this order aimes at nothing but to bury the Truth of God which cannot be perceived any other way then by that which he hath revealed unto us See then how we must labour in the explication of their circumlocutions so as by force to draw their meaning into light that so their abominations which they study to cover may be made manifest to all men And all Christians ought to be admonished that when they hear their gagling in this manner they break off their speech and say Either speak as the Lord hath taught us and according to Scripture phrase or get you gone and make your speech to stones and trees So farre pious and judicious Calvin 8. They preach one thing in publike and another thing in private In publike I have heard some call for Duties Ordinances c. and acknowledge the Deity of Christ but talk with the same men in private and they are other men They are like Fortune Constans in levitate sua constant in unconstancy They are more mutable then the Moon and change themselves into several shapes like Proteus As the Jesuite is omnis homo so these can say and unsay they can play fast and loose with ease 9. 'T is their property to conceal many of their Opinions especially at first till they have fitted their Disciples to receive them They deal with their Proselites as Absalon did with his followers he at first covers his Treason with a shew of courteous behaviour zeal for justice and the pretence of performing a Vow 2 Samuel 15.2.8 he never shews himself in open Rebellion till he was sure of the peoples hearts Error in it self is ugly and if it should appear especially at first in its proper colours men would detest both it and those that bring it 10. They boast much of the Spirit when upon triall 't is a mere Satanicall deluding spirit that leads them For such sensual Separatists as these have not the Spirit of God saith Saint Iude 19. They think they know more by the Spirit then their betters can know by twenty yeers study who yet are led by a better spirit then they V. Tactica S. l. 2. c. 2. S. 8. 11. They boast much of New-light and love to vent such things as savour of Novelty They know that itching eares cannot away with common Truths they must have novum aut nihil By this the old Prophet brought the young Prophet into the Lions mouth by telling him that an Angell spake to him and had brought him some New-light 1 Kings 13.18.24 and 't is an old Policy of the Devill to cry up sin and errour under the Notion of New-light Thus he beguiled Eve Gen. 3.5 this is rather strange Light then New 'T is Light in Name but Darknesse indeed Let us examine them and we shall find that these New-lights are nothing but Old-Errours and so are Neither Lights nor New 1. They are not Light because they are contrary to the Light of Gods word from whence all true Light springs Isay 8.20 neither are they New but rather renewed for most of them were broached in or before Austins time which is above 12. hundred yeares agoe The Ghosts of those old Hereticks are now come out of their graves to scarre men and mislead them 12. They pretend to Miracles and extraordinary Revelations When they cannot make good their Tenets by Scripture then as the Papists fly to unwritten Traditions so these fly to Miracles and Revelations This is no more then what Christ long since foretold that in the last days false Christs and false Prophets should arise showing signs and wonders and should deceive many Matthew 24.23 So doth Antichrist with his lying wonders 2 Thes. 2.9 They cry up an extraordinary light within them and cry down the Scriptures and Preaching as low things because they discover their works of darkness Thieves put out the light because darknesse best becomes their deeds of darknesse 13. They seem modest at first they desire you onely to hear them speak then to separate and after to be rebaptized and then farewell all They drop a little at once into their followers and never administer their Physicke till they have first given good Preparatives to make it work and then stronger potions as they finde the pulse of the Patient They do not alwayes deny in plain terms fundamental Truths but often when they pretend to own the Scripture expressions they deny the Truth They desire you at first but to taste of the Devils broth Isay 63.4 not doubting but at last to make you eat of his beef He that saith yea to the Devil in a little shall not say nay when he pleaseth Sinne is gradual as well as Grace As no man attains to a height of Vertue suddenly so neither of Vice A spark neglected may burn down a Town Arrius at first a spark
to 8. surely there they will use them better alas no for there they stone Paul and leavie him for dead Acts 14.19 20. All wicked men hate the good as all Wolves do the Sheep 2. Paul goeth on and tells Timothy that he knew what persecutions he endured viz. besides those which he now mentioned he had suffered many things in many other places 3. Lest Timothy should be dismayed as he had told him of the sowre so now he tells him of the sweet as he had told him of his dangers so now he tells him of his deliverance But out of them all the Lord delivered me I came not out of these troubles by my own power or policy but by the strength of the Lord 't is he even he alone that delivered me not out of one or two but out of all my dangers and distresses When all created comforts fayled me yet he never failed me nor forsook me in six troubles he was with me and in the seaventh he did not leave me Feare not therefore Timothy for God will be the same to thee as he was to me if thou patiently wait upon him as I have done Despair not then under the Crosse but assure thy self of Victory 1. Observe That persecutions and afflictions are the proper portion of Gods dearest servants in this life Paul a choyce and chosen vessel yet loaded here with persecutions But of this see more verse 12. 2. Observe That Gods people may tell of their own sufferings so doth Paul here and Colos. 1.24 and 2.1 and 2 Cor. 1.6.7 Provided it be done modestly and sincerely not proudly and Hypocritically for Imitation and Consolation to the godly and not for ostentation and self-seaking 3. Observe That a Christian without sinne may be sensible of the tryals and persecutions which he meets with from the world He may groan under them but he must not grumble it must be the mourning of Doves not the roaring of Beares a sheep may be as sensible of the biting of a Dog as a Swine is though he raise not such a dust nor make such a din. We may not be senseless and stupid for Grace doth not destroy but rectifie natural affections hence Christ himself in his troubles and agonies in an humble manner complains unto God and cries with tears and was heard 4. Observe That persecution attends the preaching of the Gospel where ever the Gospel comes in the power of it it will alwayes meet with opposition from the Devil and his agents No sooner doth Paul preach at Antioch but presently there are some that rise against him The whole Book of the Acts of the Apostles proves this point God came not to send worldy carnal wicked peace into the world but a sword Matthew 10.34 35. by accident the Gospel meeting with mens corruptions breeds division though per se and in it self it breeds that peace of Conscience which passeth all understanding 5. Observe That persecution spreads the Gospel if the Apostles cannot preach at Antioch they 'l goe to Iconium and when persecuted thence to Lystra So Acts 8.1.4 the enemies persecute the Church and thereby spread it contrary to their own intentions Persecution is so farre from hindering that the Lord so wisely ordering it it mightily spreads the Gospel according to that Prophesie Dan. 12.4 many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased Such shakings make way for Christ Hag. 2.7 The Church like a quick-set hedge grows the thicker for cutting this Vine is the better for bleeding and this Torch burns the better for beating The more Pharaoh opprest the Israelites the more they increast Exodus 1.12 As Saint Augustine sayes of his times Ligabantur urebantur caedebantur tamen multiplicabantur the Saints were bound burnt beaten c. yet they increased still Pauls bonds and imprisonment further the Gospel and made the brethren more bold in professing it Philippians 1.12.13 14. many by beholding the constancy and courage of the Martyrs together with the cruelty of their bloody enemies have been converted to the Truth The Bishops by persecuting the Godly in Old England have spread the Gospel in New England Thus the Lord catcheth the wise in their own Plots and snares the wicked in the works of their own hands Psal. 9.16 Iob 5.12.13 6. Observe That when we are persecuted in one City we may lawfully fly unto another The Apostles being persecuted at Antioch fly to Iconium and from thence to Lystra This is no more then what Christ commands Matthew 10.23 When they persecute you in one City flee to another Christ doth not onely permit but command us when occasion serves to fly Matthew 24.16 17 18 19. 'T is no signe of an ignoble and low spirit to fly in some cases The best of men have done it Iacob when in danger fled Genesis 27. and Moses Exodus 2.15 Elijah 1 Kings 17. Vriah Ier. 26.22 Christ himself oft fled from his enemies Matth. 12.15 Iohn 7.8 and 20.29 and those valiant Martyrs Hebrewes 11.37 38. and Paul a man of an undaunted Spirit is let down in a basket Acts 9.25 'T is prudence sometimes to conceal our selves and reserve our selves for better times Marriners in a Tempest yield to it for a time who yet would willingly be at home Moses desired to rescue the Israelite in slaying the Egyptian but when he saw the Israelites understood not his calling and what was the cruelty of Pharaoh he gave place to the Tempest and reserved himself for fitter times So that in some Cases it may be lawfull to flie As 1. If a man be but a young beginner in Religion and doe not finde strength to endure the brunt of persecution 2. If the persecution be personal then Moses Elijah Christ and Paul fled So Ioseph Matth. 2.13 Athanasius and Polycarp 3. If our flight and concealing our selves may make more for Gods Glory the good of his People and the good of our own souls 't is lawful in such a case to fly and if a man for conscience sake shall forsake Father Mother Friends and Lands this is no deserting of the Truth but a Degree of Martyrdome and very pleasing to God Yea not onely the Law of God but even the Law and Light of Nature bind us to preserve our lives by all just and lawful means Caution Yet when the Lord shall call us to suffering and shall shut up all wayes of just escaping then he will be with us and enable us to endure the trial so that we may not stirre E. g. When a man is cast into prison by the Magistrate for confessing the Truth he may not then break the doors Violate his Promises dissemble his Religion or use any indirect means to get deliverance Hence Gods servants when they were in prison would not use any indirect means to get out again Acts 5.19 Excellent is the Example of Master Frith when some of his friends had contrived
not 5. Armies that can save us 'T is not 6. Carnal policy nor sinfull shifts that can save us 1. Idolls cannot help us They are vanities teachers of lies Hab. 2.18 Ionah 2.8 Nothing in respect of any divine power or vertue 1 Cor. 8.4 though it be something in respect of mens vain Imaginations who honour it as their God yet 't is nothing in respect of vertue or value for it can neither help nor hurt Ier. 10.5 They cannot save themselves from fire and plunder Micah's Gods were stollen Iudg. 18.18 24. They are cursed that worship them Psal. 97.7 they shall have sorrow that follow them Psal. 16.4 and be greatly ashamed that trust in them Isay 42.17 great then is the folly of the Papists who fly to S. Loy for their horses S. Anthony for their pigs Saint George for their warres S. Apollonia for their teeth S. Steven for the night S. Iohn for the day according to the manner of their necessities so are their Gods 2. If God be against us Riches cannot help us They oft hurt us in a time of trouble The finger many times is cut off for the gold Ring and the souldier enquires not for the poor but for the rich man Riches avail not in a day of wrath Prov. 11.4 Ezek. 7.19 Zeph. 1. ult they flye from us when we are dying or in trouble and have most need of help Prov. 23.5 Hence they are called uncertain riches they are like a broken reed that not onely faileth but wounds him that trusts in them Isay 36.6 he that trusteth in them shall fall Prov. 11.28 and be reproached for his folly with a Lo this is the man that took not God for his strength but trusted in his riches Psal. 52.7 Luke 12.20 3. Friends cannont help be they never so many or mighty the greater they be the worse and the sooner we are deceived by them because we are apt to trust in them men of low degree are vanity but men of high degree are worse they are not onely lyars but a lye in the abstract Psal. 62.9 Hence we are forbidden to trust in them be they never so great Psal. 146.3 4 5. Trust not in Princes yet if any men can help us 't is they why so for in them is no help they dye or change their minds and then all thy plots perish 4. Strong holds cannot save us if God be against us They shall all drop as ripe figs which with a shake or summons come down Nahum 3.12.14 though wicked men build walls as high as heaven and make ditches as deep as hell yea and make their nest in the starres yet sin will bring them down Ier. 49.16 Obad. 4. if sin raign within all the fortifications without are but vain Lam. 4.12.17 Isay 22.8 to 14. 5. 'T is not Armies Charrets Horses c. that can help A King is not saved by a great host Psal. 33.16 17 they fall that trust in them Psal. 20.7 8. many trust in their long sword and think that it should save them but God tells those that work wickednesse yet stand upon their Sword that the sword shall destroy them Ezek. 33.25 26 27. 6. 'T is not carnal policy nor sinful shifts that can help us Achitophels policy ended in folly And so did Pharaohs working wisely Exod. 1.10 become his bane Hence Henry the third of France forsaking the truth turned Papist thinking thereby to get the Monks on his side he was killed by a Monk yea he became contemptible to his people Paris and his great Townes revolting from him There is no power or policy can prevaile against God Prov. 21.30 many turne with the times forsake the truth make lies their refuge and under falshood do they hide themselves Isay 28.15 this is the basest refuge of all others Sin never did good to any it 's an ill refuge which makes God our enemy Isay 47 10. thou hast trusted in thy wickedness What followes Verse 11. therefore evill shall come â—pon thee 2. Affirmatively and inclusively all our help is onely in the Lord. He is the salvation of his Israel Ier. 3.23 the creatures answer in this case as they did concerning wisdome Iob 18.12.14.20 where shall wisdom be found the depth sayes 't is not in me and the Sea sayes 't is not in me So where shall help in trouble be had Parliaments say 't is not in us and Armies say 't is not in us and Riches say 't is not in us c. But 't is God onely who is El-shaddai All-mighty All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 who is a strong Tower Prov. 18.10 and a present help in trouble Psal. 46.1 when trouble is present then God is auxilium praesentissimum most present by his Wisdom to direct us by his Power to protect us and by his Spirit to comfort us Quest. How doth the Lord deliver his people when we oft see them lye under sad afflictions Answ. Deliverance is two-fold 1. When the Lord doth actually deliver his people as he did the three young men from the fiery furnace Dan. 3. Daniel from the Lions den and Peter from prison 2. Sometimes he lets the trouble continue but upholds the Spirit under it Thus Ioseph was in prison but the Lord was with him Paul had not the tentation removed but he had strength given him to bear it 3. If God do suffer the wicked to take away their temporal life yet he gives them eternal life for it change we say is no robbery but this change is a great advantage so that sometimes the Lord removes the Crosse sometimes he mitigates it but he alwayes works patience in the hearts of his people and gives a happy issue and event if not by life yet by death which is best of all Philip. 1.23 neither can any Tyrants take away their lives from them till they have run their race and finisht the work which God hath given them to do Luke 13.32 Iohn 17.4 5. David was oft pursued by Saul yet dieth not till he served Gods will in his generation Acts 13.36 Peter died not till he was ripe for Martyrdome 2 Pet. 1.14 Paul escapes abundance of dangers both by Sea and Land till his time was come that he was beheaded at Rome by Nero. 2 Tim. 4.6 Queen Elizabeth was cursed by many Popes yet she out-lived nine or ten of them and when she had finisht her course she died in her bed in Peace God hath numbred our dayes which we cannot passe nor our enemies abridge us of Iob 7.3 our times are in Gods hands and not in the hands of our enemies Psal. 31.15 Quest. But why doth not the Lord deliver his people out of trouble Answ. 'T is not either because he cannot or will not but for good Ends. 1. To draw out the Graces of Gods people that their Faith Love Patience and Constancy may be made more perspicuous to the world we had never heard of the Chastity of Ioseph the Patience of Iob the Zeale
are but Truths twinnes Civil Truth is good but the least Evangelical Truth is of more worth then all the Civil Truths in the world that are meerly so 3. Naturally wee desire Liberty now Truth is the Parent of all true Liberty whether it bee Political or Personal so much Untruth so much Thraldome so much Truth so much Liberty Iohn 8.32 4. If you preserve the Truth it will preserve you in the hour of Temptation as Solomon sayes of wisdom Prov. 4.8 exalt her and she shall exalt you So keep the truth and it will keep you from falling as it did the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.10 so thou shalt stand as an impregnable rock when others fly as the Chaffe before the wind The Truth of God in judgement is one of the Eyes of the soul he that wants it is blind and cannot see afar off Now as a clear eye is a very great help for the discerning of a danger before it comes so a clear distinct knowledg of the truth is a very great help to us to discern a Temptation before it be upon us and to discover the Methods and Depths of Satan that he may not surprize us unawares 5. 'T is a great honour to a person or Nation to be the Conservators and Preservers of the Truths of God 'T is not only our Duty but our Glory This honour formerly belonged to the Jewes to them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 God hath now entrusted us with this choyce Treasure the Lord help us to keep it pure both in Judgement and Practice lest it be taken from us Let us all in our places preserve it from violence with all our might There are many spiritual Cheaters abroad the greater will our honour be in maintaining Gods Truth against them all 'T was Shammahs honour one of Davids Worthies that he kept his ground and got a great victory when others â—led 2 Sam. 23.12 Say not I am but one and a weak one too but remember what great things the Lord did by Athanasius and Luther when they had all the world against them One man holding forth truth shall be too strong for all the world for truth unites us to God and God to us it ingageth God in our quarrel and so makes us invincible for if God be with us who can be against us so as to hurt us and destroy us Rom. 8.31 Bradford writing to his friends tells them never shall the enemy be able to burn the truth or prison and keep it in bonds us they may prison bind and burn but our Cause Religion and Doctrine they shall never be able to burn The story of the man in the Councill of Nice is well known where a Christian of no great Learning converted a Learned man whom all the Bishops with their skill and eloquence could not perswade so long as the matter went by words he opposed words with words but when instead of words power came out of the mouth of the speaker words could not withstand truth nor man stand out against God Many wonder why Ministers are so earnest and zealous in defending the truth why 't is a depâ—situm which God hath entrusted us withall and 't is well observed that it 's a greater sin to imbezill or alter that then any thing we have borrowed because this is committed to our justice but a depositum to our faithfullnesse the deposition doth rest upon us as trusty men Let Gods truth then be dearer to us then our dearest lives our lives will not be worth the enjoying if God take his truth from us let us beseech him rather to take our lives away rather then take the light of the Gospel away And hast been assured of If you read the words so The Observation will be this That Ministers should be assured of those things which they teach to others They should not only have a Head knowledge or an aery empty notionall speculative knowledge but an experimentall practical knowledge They must believe before they speak Psalme 116.10 that so they may speak from the heart to the heart and may bring their meat in their breasts and not as birds do in their Beaks Knowing of whom thou hast learned them 1. Observe That gracious men are modest men The Apostle doth not boast of himself to Timothy nor proclaim his Learning gifts c. He onely tells him in brief Thou knowest of whom thou hast learnt them 2. Observe The excellency of the Teacher makes the Doctrine the more taking This we see even in Humane and Moral Learning the Platonick Doctrine grew famous because it was profest by Socrates and the Peripatetick by Aristotle The Schollars of Pythagoras did so confide in the Dictates of their Master that when any one askt them a Reason of what they held they would give no other answer but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ipse dixit our Master said so yet these were Heathens but when we have an aged holy Paul for our Master who was an Apostle of Christ the Pen-man of the Holy Ghost and guided more immediately by the Spirit of God then we must with constancy adhere to what they teach us and attend to their doctrine as if Christ himself taught us Gal. 4.14 for his Ambassadours they are and he that heareth them heareth him Young Timothies especially should hearken to the instructions of aged Pauls who have born the heat of the day and by experience can teach us the ways of God Years should be heard speak Iob 32.7 Young Ministers should suspect their own judgements when they vary from an Holy aged Calvin Beza and all the Churches of God As young Lawyers and Physitians observe the Principles and Practices of the serious and grave Professours of their way especially when grounded on Maxims and Rules of Art So should young Divines It ill becomes a young raw Physitian to contradict a whole Colledge of Physitians or a Puny Lawyer a Bench of Judges or a young Divine a whole Assembly of Divines 'T is the looseness of the times that makes young men so bold When Government is settled they will either change their note or be made ashamed of it VERSE 15. And that from a Childe thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Iesus THese words contain a third Argument by which the Apostle presseth Timothy to perseverance viz. because he knew the Scriptures not onely from his Childe-hood but even from his Infancy and from a suckling i. so soon as ever he was able to learn the Scriptures he was presently taught them 1. Observe Parents ought to instruct their Children betimes in the Word of God It s good seasoning the Vessel betimes with goodness Lois Timothies Grandmother and Eunice his Mother taught him as soon as he was capable the way of the Lord 2 Timothy 2.5 Timothies Father was a Greek and Gentile but his
Arch-bishop Or like Pope Pius the Third who was wont to say of himself that the higher he was raised the worse he was 2. It should be a matter of great lamentation to us when we consider the great Luke-warmness and want of zeal that is amongst us we may take up the Prophets complaint Ier. 9.3 there 's no man valiant for the truth If men can save themselves they care not what becomes of Gods Pauls or service Acts 18.14 There is indeed a great profession of Religion in the Land but where oh where 's the power most are become like Pharaoh King of Egypt who was nothing but a noise Jer. 46.17 Nothing but words he promised much but performed nothing So that our Nation hath lost it's former glory piety is now turned into an empty shew and those Ordinances which formerly converted many now seem to have lost their converting power S. Peter at one Sermon converted three thousand but we may preach three thousand Sermons before we can convert one After the world how furiously do men drive like Iohâ— as they would break their wheels in pieces they rise early and break their brains they pant aâ—ter the dust of the earth Amos 2.7 and run themselves out of breath in pursuit of wordly things Ahab is sick for Naboth's Vineyard and cannot sleep till he have it Men are as hot as fire for earth but as cold as ice for heaven So that 't is not now the Kingdom of Heaven that suffers violence but the Kingdoms of the Eearth suffer violence and the violent take them by force The voluptuous man follows his pleasures with all his might and gives his strength to women Prov. 31.3 with dangers and difficulties do they break through to obtain them and what great expenses to maintain their lusts Herod can part with half his Kingdom to please an harlot yet had no zeal for the Ministery but suffers Iohn to be beheaded whose life was more worth then his whole Kingdom The Ambitious man how active is he for promotion how doth he ride and run for a little prefermâ—nt â— cluster of honor is more esteemd by him then all the vintage of Piety Religion The envious man how full of siery indignation is he against his adversaries Iames 3.14 and 4.12 Galath 5.20 The superstitious man how zealous is he in his blind way how doth he compass Sea and Land to make a proselite what pilgrimages whipping cutting lancing selling estates and offering their very children unto Molech Ezek. 26.20 21. they can part with thousands of Rams and ten thousands of Rivers of oyl and give the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls Micah 6.7 The Israelits can freely part with their ornaments of gold and silver to make a golden Calf The Seducing Sectary the white Devil that under pretence of extraordinary sanctity practiseth all manner of iniquity how active is he to sow the Devils seed As the Devil their Master so these who are his Factors rage because their time 's but short Revel 12.12 The Devils themselves seem to be possest of far worse Devils and to act with greater fury then formerly The Sacrilegious-Church-robber when the zeal for Gods house should eat him up such is his zeal that it eats up Gods house He devours Tythes Glebe all that he can lay hands on all 's Fish that comes to his Net he thinks all 's gain that he can get from the Minister These are Latrons not Patrous not Church-pillars but Church-peelers They should maintain the Ministery and they get Impropriations a very proper Term for their improper Tenure into their hands 'T is true de facto that the Tythes are sold but quo jure what power had they to sell that which was devoted to the immediate worship of God Had there been a sufficient maintenance left for the Ministery they might the better have taken the remaining superfluity But to take away a Ministers necessary maintenance and thereby to starve souls for scandalous means breeds scandalous Ministers is the ready way to bring a curse on such persons and all they possess 'T is a snare to devour holy things Prov. 20.25 They that take the Lords possessions into their possession shall perish like Oreb and Zeeb which lay like dung on the earth Psalm 83. There 's a curse attends such Thieves Belshazar drunk but once in the Vessels of the Temple and it cost him both his Kingdom and his life to boote There is no way in my opinion and experience to uphold the Ministry of England but by gaining Impropriations out of the hands of private persons and laying them to the Church to whom most properly they belong We see how Augmentations fly and fail and if we should be put to live on the Peoples benevolence it would soon prove a malevolence But of this I have spoken at large elsewhere Others are zealous but 't is for sin their tongues are set on fire of hell Their heads are alwayes plotting miscief they cannot sleep till they have done some evil Prov. 4.16 as a zealous good man sleeps not till he hath done some good Psal. 132.4 5 6. His house was no house and his rest no rest to him till he had finisht Gods work So the wicked man sleeps not till he have brought his wicked devices to pass and as the good man hath his awaking thoughts with God and goodness Psal. 139.18 So soon as ever I awake my thoughts and meditations are with God So the wicked man when he awakes he is still with sin his waking-thoughts in the night are to do mischief in the morning Micah 2.1 2. they hinder themselves from sleep that they may further themselves in sin the night is spent in plotting and contriving mischief and the day in accomplishing these plots Thus night day they follow the Trade of sin so are justly stiled workers of iniquity Now as to be zealous in goodness is the height of goodness so to be active in wickedness is the height of wickedness when men shall sell themselves to sin and work wickedness with greediness 1 Kings 21.20 and 2 Kings 17.17 Lastly others are zealous against zealous ones they cannot endure to see any better then themselves The Scribes and Pharisees will not go to Heaven themselves nor yet will they endure that others should go If Christ do but set his face towards Ierusalem the Samaritans will hate him While Paul was a Persecutor he met with no persecution but when he was converted and preached the Truth then he 's a pestilent follew and is mad In other Religions the more zealous a man is the more he is esteemed but amongst us the more zealous the more hated These hate their best friends for these zealous Elijahs are the Pillars of a Land the very Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel the strength and ammunition of the Land that by their prayers and tears keep off many a Judgement The wicked
and resolute we dis-hearten them in their attempts and dismay that great Belzebub the Prince of these Flies Let therefore this salt season all our services Christ calls for such Worshipps Matth. 22.37 38 39. Christianity is a work of activity we must ask seek knock strive wrastle run and work out our salvation with the greatest accuratness care and diligence Philip. 2.12 We must not rest content with the beginnings of grace but we must work it up and increase with the increasings of God Colos. 2.19 We must be filled with the Spirit and with the fire of zeal we must have fiery-heads and fiery-hearts fiery words and fiery works that what in us lyeth we may set the whole world on fire with the love of Christ. If we be to hear the Word we should be swift to hear and gladly embrace the opportunity flying as the clouds and flocking as the Doves to their windows When we come to the Sacrament we must earnestly desire it as Christ did Luke 22.15 With a desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you i. I have earnestly and heartily desired it Hezekiah kept the Passover with joy 2 Chron. 30. If we be called to Covenant with God we must do it with joy and with all our hearts as Asa and the people did 2 Chron. 15.12 15. If we be to Pray it must be fervent operative energetical praying Iames 5.16 We must strive in our prayers Rom. 15.30 and stir up our selves that we may lay hold on God Cant. 3.4 Isai. 27.5 and 647. That 's the way to have peace with him When we see a man angry those that are friends lay hold on him to prevent a danger so when we see God angry with his People we should compass God about like an Army one lay hold on him and another lay hold on him till he be pacified with his people But then we must be holy men else if a Rebel or Traitor should come to the Princes Chamber and lay hold on him it would be accounted Treason before we come to reason with God we must wash our selves and then come and welcome Isai. 1.16 17 18. We must get a spiritual induration and holy impudency let God do what he will with us let him oppose delay deny us yet we will not let him go till he bless us As Pharaoh had a cursed Induration and a plerophory of hardness so that no plagues could work on him so we should get a blessed induration and fulness of assurance resolving though God should crush and kill us yet that we will trust in him Iob 13.15 And when we find our spirits flat then cry because thou canst not cry and be in an agony because thou canst not be agonized Formality in duty is the bane of duty and Religion There 's little difference between a careless performance of duties and a total omission of them since men loose both wayes Let us then rouse up our selves remembring that the more zealous any are here the more glorious they shall be hereafter Let us all in our several callings be active for God Let Magistrates and Rulers rule for him as Nehemiah did Let them not bear the sword in vain nor tolerate such things as are intolerable There 's no Precept or President in the whole Book of God for any Toleration of one Error much less of all but promises that God will give us one heart and one way If Magistrates suffer Gods Name to be despised he 'l make them to be despised 1 Sam. 2.30 Ahab lost his life for not punishing blasphemous Benhadad with death 1 Kings 20.42 I Plead not for Cruelty but Iustice as Magistrates must be clement and merciful when occasion requires so they must be just sharp against incorrigible incurable offenders If Abishai out of love to David would have slain Shimâ—i who reviled him saying Why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King let me goe to take off his head 2 Sam. 16.9 and shall the Magistrate be silent when the King of Kings is blasphemed and reviled to his face if men will still bear with such yet God will not Objection If we punish them we shall loose a partie Answer Such a partie as I now speak against are better lost then found They cannot long prosper with them who ever hath them But by punishing such we shall make God our friend who hath promised to defend those that defend his Truth We have a notable instance in the City of Geneva which from the beginning of the Reformation to this day have punished Sectaries and Hereticks and yet God hath kept them safe and sound Many create to themselves needless fears 2. Governours of Families should be zealous against sin in all their Relations hate it in father mother wife children Asa punisheth his own mother for her idolatry 2 Chronicles 15.16 The Lord taketh notice what every man doth in his Family he observes who prayes who reads who supresseth sin in his Family who acts for him and who for themselves Mal. 3.16 Our zeal is the best thing we have and therefore to be given to God who is the best of beings But yet there is nothing that the world so much opposeth as zeal the Devil and his Agents can bear with any man save the zealous man The Hypocrite Formalist Civilian Temporizer c. All pass through the world with praise 'T is onely these Zelots that oppose the sins of the time which are counted the troublers of the places where they come though they be never so peaceable To discourage men from this course the world hath raised many Cavils 1. Objection I am but one and what good will my zeal doe Answer One zealous man may yea and hath done much good to a whole Land One Phinees by executing Justice turned away Gods wrath from all Israel Numbers 25.6 7 11. One faithful Hushai by his Counsel spoyled Achitophels policy 1 Samuel 17.14 One poor man saved a Citie Eccles. 9.15 and the Prayers of One righteous man availeth much Iames 5.16 When Gods judgements were falling on Ierusalem he sought but for a man that he might spare it Ieremiah 5.2 A carnal man dares not stir without company especially the company of great ones they enquire whether any of the Rulers and learned Pharisees have gone that way Iohn 7.47 Jades will not go unless some lead them the way and Cowards stand still to see who will go first but a gracious soul is content to fit alone Lam. 3.28 and go alone in the way to Heaven 1 Kings 19.10 He stayes not for company but if the cause be good rather then it shall fall he will endeavour to uphold it himself Hester will venture all for Gods people and if she must perish she will perish in this cause Let nothing discourage you if God have called thee to a good work and none will joyne with thee in it yet remember he that called thee alone will bless
the precedent Verses and so they contain in them a Reason of the Apostles solmemne Adjuration by which he stireth up Timothy to a careful discharge of his Duety in Preaching the word viz. in respect of the Apostacy of the last times when many would fall from the truth grow weary of sound Doctrine and follow fables where we have 1. The grounds of their Apostacy viz. their hatred of the Truth they will not endure sound Doctrine id est they will reject it and cast it behind their backs they hate and abhor it 'T is a Meiosis where less is spoken then is meant They look upon it as a grievous burden as Israel did upon the Doctrine and Visions of the Prophets Ieremiah 13.34.36 'T is not so much they cannot but they will not endure sound Doctrine they love their lusts above the Law and therefore they hate him that reproves in the gates They are so far from obeying it that they will not once hear it and so farre from loving it that they will not so much as Tolerate it Errours they can tolerate and superstition they can tolerate but the Truth they cannot bear By sound Doctrine is meant the pure Word of God which hath no Errour nor evil mixed with it but is sound in se and sound Effectivè It sheweth unto men their sinne which is the Souls sicknesse brings them to a Saviour and so makes the conscience sound and whole This is called Saving Doctrine and sound Wisedome Proverbs 2.7 and 3.21 and is opposed to Fables and Humane inventions by which the simplicity of the Gospel is corrupted 2. A second ground of their Apostasy is their delight in false Teachers they so doat on them that one or two will not content them they must have heaps of them They love their lusts and therefore they seek out for such Teachers as may not disquiet them Such as erre cannot rest but they must run from one Teacher to another they get heaps of such claw-backs to themselves i. They wittingly and willingly suffer themselves to be deluded by them The word sinifies 1. An earnest desire of getting such Teachers 2. It notes an indiscreet and confused gathering together of such a multitude of Teachers without wit or reason without any respect either to their life or learning as in an heap all is confused there is neither first nor last head nor tail but all 's mixt together so amongst these confused persons all 's confused there 's no Master and Schollars superior and inferior but all are levelled and equal like themselves hence they are said to heap to themselves Teachers The Disciples create their Doctors talis creatio fit ex nihilo they be not chosen and ordained in an orderly way but which is the height of baseness the lusts of their followers are their call One loves Antinomianism and he gets an heap of Antinomians to speak to him Another loves Quakerism and he gets an heap of Quakers to scratch his itch Thus according to mens corrupt humors they have their Teachers As the Lord complained of his people Ier. 2.28 According to the number of Cities thy are thy Gods O Iudah So according to the variety of mens lusts they get them Leaders They cannot endure to be bound to one faithful Pastor who watcheth over his Flock and preacheth solid Truths but they love such as will claw their itch and sing Placebo 3. A third cause of their Apostasy is that inmate malice and inbred concupiscence which is in the hearts of men They are lead by their peculiar lusts every one hath his dilectum delictum his darling sin one's for luxury and another for heresy c. Now according to these lusts they earnestly seek out for Teachers which may in no wise disquiet their lusts which are their Lords and which they love as their lives Rom. 1.4 Iude 16. The Vulgar renders the word Desires after their own desires they shall get Teachers But the word in the Original is Lusts which implies not a simple desire or sudden motion but a vehement ardent earnest desire pursuit of a thing 4. They have itching ears this is another reason why they seek out for false Teachers they love not such as deal plainly and faithfully with them they must have such as will claw their itch please their humors tickle their fancies with novelties and curiosities but they must in no wise touch their vices 2. Here is the issue and consequence of their contempt of the truth and the fruit of this mad Itch. viz. the loss of truth and following Fables They shall turn away their ears from the truth viz. of the Gospel which flatters no man they 'l reject sound doctrine which is sharp and curbs their lusts and turn to Fables which will gratifie them since they can find nothing in the word which may please their itching humor they will see what Fables and lying Legends will do but all in vain for as a man that hath his itch scratcht for present is pleased but after hath more pain then before so these after they have wearied themselves in pursuit of lying vanities at last lye down in greater sorrow These are marble to God and wax to the Devil the truth they cannot obey but they willingly obey unrighteousness This is the Devils method First he stops the ear against sound Doctrine and then he opens it to error Like a cruel Thief he draws the soul out of the right road into some wood by-lane or corner and there binds robs and rifles it Quest. What Fables doth the Apostle here mean Answ. 1. Some say Judaical Fables as Titus 1.14 1 Tim. 1.4 Where Fables and Genealogies are joyned together 2. Others conceive the Apostle Means the Fabulous Divinity of the Gnosticks made up of Judaism and Gentilism These are too narrow the words are to be taken more largely and generally for any Fables and erroneous Doctrine be it never so absurd or impious proceeding whether from Jews or Gentiles from Hereticks or Schismaticks they 'l prefer falshood before truth darkness before light and death before life The summe and substance of all is this q. d. O my son Timothy this exhortation and adjuration of mine in pressing thee to an earâ—â—â— and diligent preaching of the Word is not need less and vain for although thou hast now an opportunity of preaching yet the time will come yea is already begun when men will not away with sound doctrine but by reason of their lusts they will multiply to themselves variety of pleasing Teachers having itching ears which altogether affect Novelty of Doctrines and curious speculations insomuch that they will forsake the truth to follow Fables which will lead them to destruction Observations Observation 1. God not onely knoweth what Men do at present and what they have done but what they will do in time to come He tells Timothy here what will be done
sweet and pleasant things or nothing They forbid Gods messengers to preach to them unless they 'l preach smooth and pleasing things of peace prosperity and pleasure though they walk in a sinful path and have no right to them Isai. 30.9 10. They say to the seers see not and to the Prophets prophesy not to us right things speak unto us smooth things prophesie deceits They love such as preach the visions of their own brain and sow pillows under mens elbows dawbing with untempered mortar Ezek. 13.10 11. When Prophets prophesy falsly and people shall love the lyes and flatteries of such Impostors better then Gods truth what will the issue and end of such practices be but misery and destruction Ierem. 5.31 and 6.12 13 14. Micah 3.11 12. But as for sound men they love sound Doctrine they desire it Psal. 43.3 They come to it Iohn 3.21 and bless God for it 1 Sam. 25.32 33. Observation 5. In the last dayes there will be many false Teachers There will not be one or two but there will be heaps of them the world will swarm with them Men will have variety of lusts and those call for variety of Teachers to uphold them Good Men and specially good Ministers are rare they are one of a thousand Job 33.23 But wicked ones abound there is much dross but little gold much chaff but little wheat many weeds few good flowers If the Devil have any work to do he wants no Agents to effect it If Ahab will not hearken to Micajah a true Prophet the Devil hath four hundred false ones ready to delude him 1 Kings 22.6 21 22. If men once set open their doors they shall not want Deceivers When Prophets prophesie falsly and people love to have it so 't is just with God to send them Teachers according to their own desire that he who is Heretical may be Heretical still and he that is profane may be profane still When men sleight truth they shall have Teachers which shall be Gods Executioners to bind them and blind them and lead them into error As God punisht the contempt of light in former ages by giving men up to Antichrist to be deluded by Monks Friars Lyars because they received not the truth in love so now he punisheth formality and contempt of the Gospel by giving men up in the hands of Socinians and such like Seducers which shall feed them with fables instead of truth Such as go to their Assemblies may say of them as Dionysius Calderminus said of the Masse Eamus ad communem errorem Let 's go to the shop and sink of errors Let us get our hearts stablisht with grace and then we shall not be carried about with these strange Doctors and their various doctrines Heb. 13.9 6. Observe as all other parts of man so amongst the rest the ear hath it's diseases Since the fall we are â—razed in our intellectuals in our morals and diseased in eyes and ears hence we read of a deaf ear Isai. 6.9 10. Micah 7.16 Rom. 11.8 an uncircumcised ear Acts 7.51 a dull eare Heb. 5.11 and an itching ear which is all for vain new curious things In the last dayes men will be so delicate that they will not endure common truths nor plain and profitable preaching but their Itching ears must have Clawing speakers which will speak sweet and pleasing things And this is the reason why one false Teacher prevails more in an hour in a corner then a Preacher of Truth can do in many years 't is because he preacheth Placentia and vents such things as are sutable to corrupt Nature Salt is fitter for such then Oyl though it be more searching yet it is more soveraign This Itching-disease was never so common as in our dayes we can meet with few but they have scabs upon them one hath the seal of Arminianism another hath the botch of Socinianism One hath the itch of Anabaptism another hath the scurff of Antinominianism Some have the itch in their feet they run after fools and fables some in their eyes they wander after vanities and others in their ears harkning after novelty We read in Scripture of a twofold itch A penal itch afflictive itch upon the body Deut. 28.27 The Lord shall smite thee with the scab and with an incurable itch Now this is nothing comparatively for though it be irksom to the body yet it may be good for the soul however 't is a judgement by which God is honoured but the itch of sin is the evil of evils there 's no goodness in it 2. There is a sinful spiritual itch upon the soul which is sevenfold viz. an itch of 1. Novelty 2. Curiosity 3. Singularity 4. Popularity 5. Flattery 6. Disputing 7. Quarrrelling 1. There is an Athenian Itch when men are all for Noveltie They must have Novum aut nihil Ordinary Truths will not down with them they must have New-notions which are extraordinary They are surfeted with old and wholesom Truths they must now hear some New Doctrine Acts 17.19 Not that a modest humble inquiry after Truth is to be condemned as Novelty as the Papists condemn us for Novelists because we have forsaken their by-paths to walk in the good old way which leads to rest Ier. 6.16 But 't is no wonder that pious paths seem new to them to whom the Gospel it self is new 2. An Itch of Curiosity when men will be wise above what is written Rom. 12.3 1 Cor. 4.6 And love to pry into Gods secrets and scan the Mysteries of Religion by carnal reason God oft plagues such curiosity with a fall when pride is in the saddle a fall is on the croopâ—r this pride is the mother of heresy Yet how many pry so long into the secrets of nature till they are past grace and seek so long after the Philosophers stone till at last they find the Devil himself God is displeased with such 1 Sam. 6.19 'T is his prerogative royal to have something in several that he might be the more admired in his deep mysteries we should not therefore desire a reason of his wayes beyond his revealed will Deut. 29. ult Rom. 9.20 In this our safety is to â—it still Exod. 33.18 20. And with the Apostle to adore those depths and counsels which we cannot fathom Rom. 11.33 See more in Church his Treasury p. 149 c. Granatensis p. 436 c. Tactica 5. Cap. 4. Sect. 4. p. 50.51 3. An Itch of singularity how many in our dayes for fear of popularity run into singularity they grow weary of sound solid savory and approved doctrine hunting after some aery speculations delighting themselves in some Terrâ— incognita in some untrodden paths of Divinity till thy fall into a snare This was the disease of the School-men like Nimrod to get themselves a Name they builded Babels to their own confusion I wish this scabies scalpenda this skurvy itch had onely infected the Vulgar but alas
Embassador are esteemed as the words of him who sendeth him When our Preaching agrees with the Word 't is as the Word of God himself This believed would make us come with fear to Sermons as Iacob did Gen. 28.16 when he said Surely the Lord is in this place then Verse 17. He was afraid and said How dreadfull is this place God highly prizeth such hearts as tremble at his Word Isay 66.2 He overlooketh the Frame of Heaven and Earth to looke on such neither doth he looke on them with an eye onely of Intuition as he looketh upon the rest of the Creatures but with an eye of special complacency approbation and delight These humble ones he will teach his way Psalm 25.9 and meek hearers he will save Iames 1.21 9. Affectionally with singular love as the Word of the great God which should be sweeter to us then honey and more precious then Gold 2. With Ioy should we draw waters out of these Wells of salvation We should fly to Gods House even as the Doves unto their windowes Isay 60.8 We should come into his Courts with Joy and as the terrours of the Law should make us melt and mourn 2 Chronicles 34.27 Acts 2.27 So the Consolations of the Gospel should raise us to joy Luke 1.46 47. 3. We should earnestly desire the Word 1 Peter 2.2 Appetite and desire of food is a signe of Life Such hungery ones shall be filled with good things Luke 1.53 as Drunkards looke on the Wine to quicken their Appetite Proverbs 23.31 So should we on the excellencies of the Word to quicken our desires after it 10. Obedientially We must resolve to obey whatsoever the Lord by his Minister shall command us whether it be for Humiliation or Consolation Ieremiah 42.5 6. If the Lord will be pleased to draw us we must resolve to run after him Canticles 1.4 If he will Teach us we must resolve to keep his Precepts Psalm 119.33 34. Isay 2.3 This is the end of our hearing that we may doe Gods Will Deuterrnomy 4.5 and 5.1 and 11.32 This prompt Obedience is better then Sacrifice 1 Samuel 15.22 1. A wicked man may offer Sacrifice but no wicked man can obey 2. The sacrificer offereth the flesh of another in sacrifice but the Obedient man offereth himself But the wicked are Sermon-proofe the Hammer of the Word cannot worke upon their Adamantine hearts There is not a more evident signe of one devoted to destruction then this If Eli's sonnes will not hearken to the Voyce of their Father it is a signe the Lord hath a purpose to destroy them If Amaziah will not hearken to the Prophets Counsel he shall to ruine 2 Chronicles 25.16 When men have been often reproved and yet still harden their necks refusing to obey they shall perish they shall suddenly perish and that without remedy Proverbs 29.1 〈◊〉 is a dreadfull Text every word hath its weight 1. Man of reproofes It is an Hebraisme and is very Emphaticall in that Language which knoweth no Degrees of comparison it caries the force of the superlative Degree as Eccles. 7.1 2. Vanitie of Vanities i. Exceeding vain men of blood i. most cruel bloody-men So a man of reproofes i. A man that hath had many and various reproofes God hath reproved him by his Ministers by Friends by Foes by Checks of Conscience by Judgements on others by Judgements on himselfe and yet the man is so hardened that nothing will worke Well what of him why 1. Though such a man may escape for a time yet the Word will at last arrest him and lay hold on him Zach. 1.6 2. He shall be destroyed he shall not be annihilated that were well for him but he shall be destroyed it is not a destruction in respect of being but a destruction in respect of Joy and Comfort here and hereafter He doth not say he shall be lightly chastned or a little punished but he shall be destroyed 3. See the Certainty shall be i. It is decreed in Heaven that he shall certainly perish 4. See the suddennesse of it shall suddenly be destroyed They looke on Judgements at a distance and put the evil day farre away crying Peace Peace till judgements come suddenly on them as pangs upon a woman in travaile as we see in the old World Sodom and the Jewes and Pharaoh 4. 'T is irremediable no Prayers and Tears can help him no power can rescue him no Mercy pardon him no Mediatour intercede for him there is no remedy all the world cannot help that man which after many reproofes heardeneth his neck Oh then Come with Tractable Teachable Hearts to the Word and bidd reproofes wellcome for they are the way of Life Proverbs 6.23 VERS 5 6. But watch thou in all things endure Afflictions doe the worke of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministerie 6. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand IN these words the Apostle goeth on with the prosecution of his former Exhortation wherein he Epitomizeth all that he had said before and exorteth Timothy to foure Dueties 1. The first is to watchfulness But watch thou in all things Having in the two precedent Verses told him of the danger now he exhorteth him to his duety where we have First the dutie it self Watch. Secondly The extent of it not in some things onely but in all things We are beset round and must therefore keep watch and ward at every turn q. d. since false Teachers will abound and people will turn from the Truth to Fables it becommeth thee O Timothy and such as thou art to act the part of Faithful Shepheards and diligently to watch over the flock that it suffer not by your negligence The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we Translate watch signifieth also to be sober not onely in body but specially in minde Though most usually and properly it is taken in Scripture in the former sense The word implyeth that Ministers of all men must be sober and watch God hath joyned them together and we may not seperate them in our lives 1 Thessalonians 5.6 1 Peter 5.8 they are like stones in an Arch the one helpeth to uphold the other we cannot watch without sobriety and we cannot be sober without watchfulness 2. Constancy and courage against all opposition 'T is true faithfull Ministers of all men must undergoe much labour and sorrow many dangers and difficulties yet must they not be daunted or discouraged but like valiant souldiers of Christ we must endure hardship and undergoe all manner of evils and injuries cheerfully for Christ and fulfill our Ministery in despight of them all He that feareth the face and frownes of man can never discharge his Ministery faithfully to God 3. Fidelity he exhorteth him withall faithfulnesse and diligence to discharge the dueties of his Calling Do the worke of an Evangelist i. That work which becometh an Evangelist viz. To
the body that I may be presently with Christ in Heaven Or as the word will bear I desire to depart this life and to dislodge as those that quit their Innes to further their travel homeward or such as goe to Sea and set sail for another Countrey who weigh Anchor and are gone So saith the Apostle I am here as an exile and like as a stranger I desire to be freed from this banishment and to set sail for Heaven Thus the Word is often used for a departing Luke 8.38 and going home Luke 9.31 and 12.36 Matthew 14.23 Observations Observation 1. 1. But watch thou The Apostasie and loosenesse of the times we live in must make us the more watchful Their falls must be our fears their Levity must quicken us to Constancy and their negligence must quicken our diligence in keeping the Watch of the Lord. Like Salmons we must swimme against the streame of corrupt times and keep our selves pure not onely from the grosse Blottes but even from the Spottes of the Age wee live in Good men in evill dayes are compelled to be Singular in many things as Lot in Sodome and Iohn in the Land of Vz but they never affect singularity affectation of singularity argues pride Observation 2. Good men desire the Churches good after their departure Paul is dying yet he commands Timothy to improve his talents for the Churches good when himself was dead Moses before he dies prayes the Lord to set up a fit Ruler in steed Numbers 27.16 17. Elisha wept for the mischief that Hazaâ—l would doe to Gods people when he was gone So did Isai 22.4 5. when he saw a day of trouble coming on the Church though himself lived not to see it yet he wept bitterly David set his son upon his Throne before he died and gave him a strict charge to maintain the truth Peter 2.1 15. endeavoured to keep the truths he had taught in remembrance after his death Christ prayes for the welfare of the Church after his departure Iohn 17. Wicked men care not what becomes of the world when they are dead and gone let heaven and earth come together and all be in confusion they care not But good men have publick spirits Observation 3. As all persons so Ministers especially must watch The Devil hath a special spight at them he commands his agents as the King of Aram did his followers to fight neither with small nor great but against the King of Israel so he bends all his strength against the Ministers of Israel What Luther said of Magistrates is most true of faithful Ministers They are the common Buts which the Devil and his Factors shoot at We are watch-men by office and so are bound to the duty by a double tye 1. As Christians Mark 13. ult What I say unto one I say unto all watch Christs Disciples must not be secure Luke 21.34 The better the man the more watchful must he be The Pyrat sets on the laden Ship and the Thief upon the wealthiest Traveller But we must watch as Pastors too we must stand upon our watch-tower to descry dangers and discover Wolves that would destroy the Flock 2. We must watch at all times 1. In prosperity as Pigeons when they fare best fear most Then we are most apt to forget God Hence Iob 3.25 in his highest prosperity foresaw a storm and prepared for it Christ would have his to watch and pray alwayes Luke 21.36.2 Watch in adversity the Devil is busie then in laying snares as the Fowler doth for Birds in frosty weather When we be in tentations then watch and pray that you be not overcome by them Matth. 26.41 3. In all places in publick and private at home and abroad the world is full of snares Art solitary yet watch for then Christ was tempted Matth. 4.1 Goest thou to Markets fairs and publick meetings thou art encompast with dangers Ibi latet imò patet anguis in herba 4. Watch in all things so runs the Text. Watch unto prayer take the fittest opportunity for that duty Ephes. 6.18 1 Pet. 4.7.2 Watch in prayer against destractions sleep c. Colos. 4.2 So watch unto hearing take all opportunities to hear Iames 1.19 Wait on wisedoms posts Pro. 8.34.2 Watch in hearing take heed how ye hear Luke 8.18 5. Watch against all sins We carry about us a proness to all sin Even the best men have the root of the basest sins in their bosoms as we see in Lot Noah David Solomon How fouly did they fall when they did but a little neglect the watch of the Lord especially we must watch 1. Against the sins of our natures and constitutions Psal. 18.23 2. Against the sins of our particular callings There are several sins which accompany several callings Ministers are prone to idleness and flattery Magistrates to covetousness and bribery Trades-man to consenage and forgery c. Watch against the sins of the Nation which thou livest in The sins of our age are Atheism Formality Hypocrisie Pride and Impenitency 6. Watch over all thy senses stop thine ears make a covenant with thine eyes Iob 31.1 Set a watch before thy mouth The whole soul is out of order and therefore we must set a Guard upon all its faculties especially upon the understanding which is the primum mobile and sets all the rest on work Warring and watching go together Our war is perpetual and so must our watch be Iob. 14.14 We are beset round with many dangerous enemies which calls for sobriety and watchfulness 1 Pet. 5.8 1. The Devil is a dreadful enemy if we consider his power malices subtilety and sedulity If one of these make an enemy terrible how terrible must that enemy be in whom all these four meet if an enemy be malicious if yet he want power or if he have power and malice yet if he want pollicy or if he have malice power and policy yet if he be lazy and careless there is the less danger But where malice is accompanied with power and that seconded with craft and all heightned with diligence it concerns men to watch against such an adversary The World also hath many dangerous tentations and above all we our selves are the sorest enemies to our selves Saul Goliah and Absalom now of the three Absalom was the worst because a child and so a bosom enemy This inbred enemy which lies in our own bosoms is that which doth us all the mischief God who hath made our hearts and knows them better then we our selves hath told us Ierem. 17.9 That the heart of man is deceitful 2. Deceitful above all things 3. Wicked 4. Desperately wicked 5. Yea so desperately wicked that none can thoroughly know how wicked it is A sad clymax and gradation By which we see that the heart is the most deceitful and the most deceiveable both actively and passively of any thing in the world This should make us keep a very strict watch
Master Henry Smiths Sermon on 1 Corinthians 9.24 and 5.35 and Doctor Taylors Sermon in Folio on the same Text in fine Pages 78 c. Master Hierons Sermon on Matthew 7.13 page 10. Folio Doctor Sibbs on Philippians 3.14 page 136 c. I have kept the Faith Hence Observe The Doctrine of Faith must be carefully kept It is a sacred Depositum which God hath intrusted us withall and we may in no wise falsifie our trust We are Stewards and fidelity is especially required in them 1 Corinthians 14.2 Paul kept the Faith both wayes 1. As a Christian in his Judgement Will Affections and in the whole course of his Life after his conversion 2. As a Minister he published it fully and faithfully and defended it with the losse of Liberty and Life He had rather die then any man should make his rejoycing in the faithful spreading of the Gospel vain 1 Cor. 9.15 He did not conceal for fear or favour any part or parcel of Gods truth from his people He taught the whole truth nothing but the truth in truth unto them To quicken us let us Consider 1. If we keep the Faith it will keep us what Solomon saith of Wisedom is true also of Faith Proverbs 4.8 Exalt her and she will promote thee to honour It will protect its Protectors and is its own reward they shall be Conquerours that embrace it Revel 12.11 2. We shall get such Riches as will goe with us to Heaven It will comfort us when we come to die if we can truely say with Paul I have kept the Faith A Faithfull Steward giveth up his account with joy and Christ will receive him with an Euge Matthew 25.21 For this Christ commendeth Moses Hebrewes 3.1 2. and the Church of Thyatira Revelations 2.19 I know thy Faith id est Thou hast faithfully served me in thy place and calling This was the honour of Tychicus Ephesians 6.21 and Timothy 1 Corinthians 4.17 that they were faithful Ministers of Christ such shall abound with blessings here Proverbs 28.20 and shall have a Crown of Glory hereafter Revelations 2.10 Let us then every one in our several places Magistrates Ministers Parents preserve the Faith of Christ and propagate it to Posterity as Abraham did Genesis 18 19. Let us keep a good Conscience which is the Cabinet of Faith he that maketh shipwrack of the one cannot long keep the other 1 Tim. 1.19 VERSE 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crowne of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Iudge shall give me at the last day and not to me onely but unto them also that love his appearing Observe THe godly in this life may be assured of their salvation Paul had fought the good fight and now see his confidence and assurance of a Crown of Life many run in other Races and loose all but Paul was assured of his reward Romans 8.38 and least any should think he had this by extraordinary Revelation he telleth us that all believers have it this Crown is not onely prepared for me but for all that love Christs appearing id est for all believers They that believe know they have Eternal life 1 John 5.13 This assurance is common to them though not in a like measure to all The certainty of Faith is stronger then that of Sense because of Gods Power and Promise who is Faithful and cannot deny himselfe nor deceive his People This is that hundred fold which is given in this life which is of more worth then all the Riches of the World 'T is that better part which can never be taken from us Objection The grand Objection of the Arminians is That no man can be assured of his perseverance and by Consequence he can have no Assurance of his Salvation Answer I deny the Argument God hath by his Promises which are infallible assured them of their perseverance and by Consequence of their Salvation He hath promised to builde his Church and if he will build it it is not all the power and poâ—icie of Hell that can prevail against it Matthew 16.18 God who hath chosen them is stronger then all and none can plucke them out of his hand He hath promised to keep them by his Almighty Power through Faith to Salvation so that the Mountaines shall remove and the Hills depart before he will breake his Covenant of Peace with his People Isay 54.10 And because we are weak and unable of our selves to persevere therefore God hath promised abilities for that Ezekiel 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes to keep my judgements and doe them And I will plant my fear in their hearts that they shall never depart from me Jer. 32.40 So then this assurance is 1. Attainable 2. Tenable 3. Desireable 1. T' is attainable Paul here had it and all the Saints first or last David Iob Thomas and the Martyrs and if a man may know he believeth then he may know that he shall be saved for whosoever believeth shall be saved Iohn 3.16 the promise is general and includeth all particular believers as if they had been named Hence believers are said to have Eternal Life already begun Iohn 5.11 12. and 6.47.54 and 14.20 and that they are past from death to life Iohn 5.24 and that they assuredly know this à posteriori by the Effects of Vocation and the Fruits of Election for Grace and Glory are linked together Romans 8.30 1 Iohn 3.2.14.19 Hence they are said to have Assurance much Assurance and full assâ—rance Hebrewes 6.6 11. and 10.22 23. Colossians 2.2 1 Thessalonians 1.5 If this were not attainable here why are we commanded to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure to our selves 2 Peter 1.10 Impossibility of attainment deadens endeavour no man will take pains for that which cannot be gained No wise man will seek after the Philosophers stone because it is impossible ever to be attained The first work therefore of the Spirit is to convince the soul that its sins are pardonable and that reconciliation may be had 2. 'T is Tenable a man that hath this assurance of his salvation may keep it whilest we walke circumspectly and answerable to our Principles none can hurt us Hence Paul challengeth all between Heaven and Hell to doe their worst Romans 8.35 c. Who shall separate us from Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution c. The Apostles Interrogation is a strong Negation Q. d. Nothing whatsoever shall be able to separate us from Christ neither the pleasures of Life nor the pains of Death neither the heighth of Prosperity nor the depth of Adversity neither present nor impendent evils nothing can separate us from Christ. 1. The Elect cannot separate themselves from Christ they cannot sinne as the wicked doe because the seed of God abideth in them id est his Word and Spirit dwell in their souls besides Christ ever liveth to make Intercession
betray the son too 4. Here is the Reason of this Caution why he should shun the society of Alexander viz. because of his desperate condition he being one that openly and maliciously opposed the Truth of God and greatly withstood Pauls words Alexander the Copper-smith c. There is a great Controversie amongst Interpreters who this Alexander should be and it is conceived by the most judicious that it was that Alexander mentioned Acts 19.33 Who was a Jew and dwelt at Ephesus who was on Pauls side at the first and sought to appease the tumult stirred up at Ephesus against him where he had like to have lost his life for appearing on his side yet now he maketh shipwrack of the Faith and opposeth the People of God revileing and traducing them which the Apostle calleth blasphemeing 1 Timothy 2.20 The Copper-smith A man of a mean Condition one that got his living by his hammer and hard labour in an inferiour Calling He was sometime Pauls Disciple and profest the Truth but now the scales are turned and of a Professour he is become a persecutor Hath done me much evil The word which we render hath done in the Original signifieth to shew It is an Hebraism they put shewing for doing Psal. 4.6 Who will shew us any good .i. who will effect our desires in that kind so Psal. 60.3 thou hast shewed thy people hard things .i. thou hast caused them to see and endure hard things probably he might by his agents and friends stir up Nero against him as a seditious person a broacher of strange doctrine and and enemy to the Jewish religion which was then tolerated at Rome What this evil was he shewes in the next Verse He resisted our words and opposed the truth which Paul delivered The Lord reward him according to his works which he hath done and still endeavours to do against me and the truth of God which I profess He now delivers him up to the Justice of God who is a righteous Judge and will reward every man according to his works The Vulgar to mollify this Imprecation have put the word in the future Tense and so would make it a Prediction and not an Imprecation The Lord shall reward him but the word is Optative in the Original and implyes a heavy Imprecation The Apostle by a prophetical Spirit saw manifest signes of reprobation in this man and thereupon denounceth this curse against him Quest. But how doth this Imprecation agree with that Apostolical sweetness and mildness which was in the Apostle Answ. The Apostle spake not these words out of any private spleen but oâ—t of Prophetical zeal he desires the Lord to execute his justice on this incurable Apostate So that it was an Imprecation darted by a particular motion of the Holy Ghost and so not to be imitated by us who have not that extraordinary measure of the Spirit as Paul had Of whom be thou ware also Observe him and take heed of him for he goeth up and down stirring up the Jews against the Gospel q. d. The reason why I mention him at this time is that thou maist shun him as an excommunicate person and one delivered up to Satan Since then he is an incurable Apostate avoid him as the Pest and Poysener of humane Society For he hath greatly withstood our words much more will he withstand thine q. d. He hath not onely resisted us but which is worse he hath Violently and Vehemently resisted the truth which I have preached to the world The one is but a personal persecution against charity the other is a doctrinal offence against piety and so far more hainous Observations 1. Great Professors may become grievous Persecutors This Alexander was a noted Professor and within the pale of the Church else the Apostle could not have excommunicated him and cast him out of the Church if he had never been in and if he had not profest the faith he could not have made ship-wrack of it 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Yea this man was neer to Martyrdom as Calvin conceives yet now he turns a desperate opposer of the truth The best things when corrupted become the worst The most generous wine makes the sharpest vinegar and the finest flesh when putrified becomes most fulsom These Apostates know the state of the Church better then others and so are able to do it more mischief besides God in judgment gives them up to a reprobate sense and the Devil comes with seven worse spirits and re-enters which makes the latter end of these men worse then their beginning Nicholas a great professor and one of the seven Deacons yet at last fell into foul errours pleading for community of wives and the lawfulness of adultery hence came the Sect of the Nicolaitans Rev. 2.6 Iudas went far yet at last sells his Master Be not then offended when you see Professors turn Blaspemers and Preachers Persecutors it should grieve us but not discourage us It was so in the Apostles time it is so now and it will be so to the end of the world There will be some such Tares mixt with Gods wheat and a Iudas amongst the very Apostles We must look to be hooted at as signes and wonders as mad-men and Monsters and that in Israel Isay 8.18 Quest. But doth not this prove the Apostasy of the Saints since Alexander is said to make ship-wrack of the faith Answ. Not at all There is no arguing from the shadow to the substance from the Meteor to the fixed Star because Hypocrites temporary beleevers and carnal professors fall away therefore real Saints and such as are effectually called may fall away is a manifest Non Sequitur 2. Observation 2. It is lawful sometimes and in some cases to name men Alexander a malicious incorrigible enemy is named that every one may shun him But of this before in Verse 10. 3. Observation 3. The enemies of Gods people many times are sordid men Alexander a Smith a man of no learning of mean education by professing not a Gold-Smith nor a Silver-Smith but a Copper-Smith and by disposition an open enemy to the truth This contemptible man opposeth the Preaching and Practice of chosen vessels an eminently learned Paul Thus it pleaseth God to exercise and humble his choicest servants by vile and worthless men Iob complains of such Iob 19.10 and 30.1 David complains that the abjects and dregs of the people made head against him Psal. 35.15 16. So Acts 17.5 And this was prophesied longe since by Isay 3.5 that such disordered times should come that every boy should behave himself proudly against the Ancient and the base against the Honourable and men of worth It is a trouble to ingenious natures to be molested by such disingenuous ones who want common humanity To fall by the hand of an Achilles or some eminent person for Learning and Valour is some honour But to be vext by such How 's and
doth this great Apostle here he sendeth his salutations and best respects to Aquila a Tent-maker and his wife Priscilla and is not ashamed to own them as his coadjutors Romans 16.3 The Church of Christ in this world for the most part consisteth of mean and obscure persons as appeareth by those men and women whom the Apostle saluteth Rom. 16.1 to 16. not many wise not many noble not many mighty but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weake to confound the mighty 1 Cor. 1.26 27. Salute Aquila Salute Priscilla Salute Onesiphorus And why so because of their Piety and Zeal for Gods glory We had doubtlesse never heard of these persons but for that 6. Observation Hence Observe Piety bringeth praise It begetteth a good name and maketh a man famous to posterity Such honour God and therefore he honoureth them and setteth an Ecce of Admiration on them Iohn 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed What hath made Iob Nehemiah David and all the good Kings of Israel so famous to all Generations but their Piety Wicked men by fine fare fine cloaths c. may beg a little praise but Piety commandeth Esteem even from those that cannot practice it themselves The intemperate man cannot but commend the Temperate though he cannot imitate him and the time-serving Polititian cannot but commend the sincere and constant man that sticks to his Principles though himselfe like a Wethercock cannot but turn with every wind VERS 20. Erastus abode at Corinth but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sicke ERastus is a Greek name and signifieth Amiable and lovely He was Chamberlain of the City of Corinth Romans 16.23 he was one that attended on Paul when he sent with Timothie into Macedonia Acts 19.22 Whilest Paul was prisoner at Rome he did abide at Corinth as appeareth by the Text waiting on his publick Office it seemeth he was a great man the Treasurer of the City yet neither his riches nor his great place could keep him from loving the Apostle and the people of God 1. Observation Hence Observe There are some great men that are good men not many yet some 1 Corinthians 1.26 Lot and Abraham two great men and yet good men Genesis 13.2 5 6. and 24.35 So was Iob 1.3 and Zaccheus Luke 19.2 David died full of riches and honour 1 Chronicles 29.28 Nehemiah a Courtier and Cupbearer to a King yet one that feareth the God of Heaven Neh. 1. ult So in the New Testament we read of a noble Theophilus Luk 1.3 and of an Elect Lady that loved the Truth 2 Iohn 1.2 and of a Ioseph of Arimathea and Sergius that embraced the Gospel 1. The Lord hath so ordered it to stop the mouths of wicked men who are ready to say as the Pharisees Iohn 7.48 do any of the Rulers or great ones believe in him q. d. there are none that follow Christ but a few simple people and illiterate fishermen c. Yet God hath some Kings and Queens some Lords and Ladies some of the great ones and some of the fat of the earth that worship him Psalm 22.29 He hath a learned Nicodemus and Paul with an eloquent Apollos to defend his truth 2. The Lord calleth some such that they may draw on others who are apt to be led by great ones They are the Looking-glasses of the Countrey by which many dress themselves 3. For the greater conviction of wicked men when they shall have the light of such and such great men who have broke through great temptations and denied themselves many lawful liberties that they might be the fitter for Gods service when many that had not the Tythe of these Tentations and hinderances yet would not serve him 4. For the greater manifestation of Gods Almighty Power though it be a very hard thing for a rich man to be saved and with men it is impossible by reason of the many snares and impediments which lie in their way hence the Apostle telleth us that none of the Princes of this world have known Christ id est almost none very few 1 Corinthians 1.8 yet Christ can pare off this Camels bunch and so untwist this cable rope that it shall goe through the eye of a needle Trophimus have I left sick at Miletum This Trophimus was a Citizen of Ephesus a Disciple of Pauls and his companion in his travels Acts 20.4 and 21.29 Paul travelling through many places after his first imprisonment at Rome leaveth this Trophimus sick at Miletum a City in Asia not far from Ephesus famous for its wooll and cloathing Question But would not the Apostle work a miracle and so heal him as he had done other sick persons Answer It was not in the Apostles power to work Miracles when they pleased but onely when there was a necessity for the conviction or conversion of unbelievers then the Holy Ghost enabled and excited them to it Acts 3.12 2. Observation 2. Sickness may seize even on good men As they are subject to death so to sickness also which is the fore-runner of death Epiphraditus a good man whose recovery Paul so greatly rejoyced in yet was very sick and nigh unto death Phil. 2.27 and so was Paul himself 2 Cor. 1.8 Hezekiah and David two holy men yet sick of the Plague as it is conceived the Corinthians were chastned by the Lord with the same violent disease as 't is conceived that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.30 But this needs no proof for we experimentally see that all things come alike to all and sickness is the portion of good men as well as bad only the wicked are punished in wrath their sickness and pains here are but praeludia futuri judicii fore-runners of greater pains besides they are hardned and made worse by them as Pharaoh and Ahaz 2 Chron. 28.22 God rains snares on wicked men if they be in health 't is a snare to them Psal. 69.22 Prov. 1.32 if sick 't is a snare to them their sin is drawn out discovered and ripened by it 'T is Luthers Observation that after long journeyes and long sicknesses few were better Cast a stinking weed into the fire and it smelleth worse but cast a sweet Herb into the fire and it smelleth the better God punisheth the wicked as a Iudge but he correcteth his children as a Father For their good to bring them nearer to himself and to fetch home his Prodigalls which wander after the creature and to bring their sinnes to remembrance In prosperity men cannot awhile to think of their sinnes but when sicknesse cometh they shall have time enough night and day they shall have no rest by reason of their sinne We reade of some Psalms whose Titles are A Psalm to bring to remembrance So we must say of many diseases A Feaver to bring our sinnes to remembrance a Consumption to bring our sinnes to remembrance As Pharaohs Butler said sometimes I remember my sinnes
them These are those that poysen not bodies but soules as the harlot so these hunt for the precious soul. Prov. 6.26 they hatch the Cockatrice egges he that eates of their egges dyes and that which is crusht breakes forth into a Viper Isay 59.5 These are those that make rents and divisions in the Church whose Peace should be very deare unto us for though Unity be not the very being yet it tends much to the well-being of a Church These hinder the progresse of the Gospel when people should be praying weeping and humbling themselves together these set them to disputing wrangling and malicing one another 'T is Unity that spreads the Gospel and makes mountains to become a plain even the seven hills amongst the rest Were there that sweet Synceretismus or rather Synchristianismus that harmony of hearts and wayes as ought to be amongst the people of God how terrible would the Church be to her enemies 'T is these that breed tumults in the Church commotions in the Common-wealth that imbitter mens spirits one against another waste mens estates bring men to a morsell of bread and at last bring themselves to some untimely end Oh consider the sad Ends of many Hereticks and let their falls make you to feare Arrius voyded his bowells Iulian died blaspheming Simon Magus an Arch-Heretick who by his sorcery and feined miracles deluded many people who took him for a God Acts 8.10 attempting on a time to fly in the ayer in the sight of many people his divelish art failing him he fell to the ground and brake his leg which was his death Servetus was burnt for his blasphemies at Geneva Gibraldus the Heretick was swept away by the Plague Blandrate Physician to the King of Pâ—land a great Patron to Socinus and his followers was strangled in his bed by his Brothers son Alciat a Socinian died despairing Paleâ—logus an Arrian was burnt Francis David a proud Socinian died mad and was distracted with the sight of the Devill Lismanninus an Arrian drowned himself in a well Olympius that denied the Trinity was burnt to death with three Lightnings Beâ—old that Anabaptist King with his companions was tortured and put to death Humber was burnt Muntzer and Pheifer beheaded So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. Consider Gods hand on Nayler a Quaker and Sundercomb a Leveller and Mistris Hutchinson in New-England who was banisht for her Heresies and destroyed both she and her family by the Indians Parnel a Quaker famisht himself in Colchester Jayle trying to fast 40. dayes as Christ did Poole a Quaker in Dorcester drowned himselfe Quest. If any desire to know the Reasons why God suffers Seducers to abound he may find good store in Doctor Boltons Arraignment of error Pag. 5. to 55. in Mr. Brimslyes Spi. Vertigo p. 37. c. and Mr. Sherlock against the Quakers In fine cap. 6. p. 205. c. Vse 1. Since false Prophets are such Pestilent persons the Magistrate must not Tolerate them Who will Tolerate such as have Plague-sores running on them to go up and down infecting others or that have poyson to go up and down selling it instead of food Seducing Hereticks are worse those kill but the body these with their damnable Heresies destroy the soul. 2 Pet 2.1 and if such as steal away but their bodies must die Exod. 21.16 what shall be done to those that ruine the better part These are called Foxes Vipers Wolves Thieves troublers of the Church and therefore to be cut off not tolerated Galathians 5.12 Christ blames the Church of Thyatire for giveing a toleration to Iesabel Revelations 2.20 and commends the Church of Ephesus for not bearing with such as are evil Revelatâ—ons 2.2 and Iosiah is commended for compelling men to the worship of God 2 Chronicles 34.33 The Magistrate is the Minister of God and must be a terror to them that doe evil Romans 13. especially if they be compounded blasphemous seducing Hereticks they must be put to death Leviticus 24.14 Exodus 22.20 Deuteronomy 13.6.8 9. and 17.2.5 2 Chronicles 5.16 Ezra 7.26 Iosiah slayes the false Prophets 1 Kings 23.20 Elâ—jah commands the Priests of Baal to be slain 1 Kings 18.40 Object Lest any should think to evade these Proofs as Legall the prophet Zachary 13.3 prophesing of Gospel times tells us that if any shall be so bold as to teach lies that his father and mother shall cause him to be put to death alluding to that Deuteronomy 13. The equity of which Law still remains under the Gospel Better and with lesse danger is a Thief an Adulterer a murderer a Witch and Sorcerer tolerated then such an Heretick and Seducer As our large Annotations have it 'T is observed by a learned Divine That as in things of practice so of perswasion that are impious either in themselves or in their naturall unconstrained consequences the Plea of conscience is an Aggravation of the crime if mens consciences are â—eared and themselves given up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient there is no doubt but they ought to suffer such things as to such practices are assigned and appointed Thus he And if any shall object that these are tolerated but in corners The answer is easie if it be truth they teach why should it not have Churches if errour why should it have Chambers See more against Toler Mr. Ant. Burges on Iohn 7.21 Serm. 115. Mr. Gee on Prayer cap. 4. Sect. 7. p. 358. Mr. Iohn Clerk Ser. on Leaven p. 24.36 See 9. wayes by which the Magistrate may stop the flood of Heresies Mr. Obad. Sedgwicks Serm. on Revelation 12.15 p. 37. Preacht 1646. Iames 27. Mr. Edwards against Toleration Calvin contra Serv. inter Opuscul p. 694. Beza de Haert puniend Epistol contra Deditium Prins Treatise in defence of the Magistrates coercive power Mr. Rudderfords Treatise against Liberty of Conscience Doctor Taylor on Titus 3.1.10 p. 347 715. 2. Ministers must come forth to the helpe of the Lord against these daring Goliahs Even a Dogge will barke when hee seeth his Master wronged And a Craesus sonne that hath been dumbe all his life yet will speak when they offer violence to his father We are the Lords Watchmen and when we see the Wolf or the Theif approching we must give warning seducers are subtle and people can not easily discover their plots we must do it for them One great cause of so many abounding errors amongst us springs from Ministers 'T was whilest the watchmen slept that the enemy sowed his Tares Matthew 13.25 1. Some are ignorant dumb dogs and cannot bark 2. Others are scandalous and dare not for fear of being questioned themselves 3. Others see which way the times go and like dead fish they go down the stream they dare not displease they love to sleep in a whole skin and say as the great ones say But let us be the Lords witnesses against a perverse people this
is one end why we came into the world viz. that we might bear witness to the truth Iohn 13.37 We are Gods salt and therefore must by our Prayer Preaching and Practice help to season men and keep them from rotting in sin and error One part of our work is to convince gain-sayers Titus 1.9 This others of abilities may do ex charitate but we ex officio We are the keepers of the Vineyard and must take care that the Foxes spoil not the tender Grapes We are Fathers and must see that the children have not a stone given them insteed of bread nor a Serpent instead of a fish Let the zeal of others quicken us How zealous was Elijah and Paul against the false Prophets of their times How zealous was Athanasius against the Arrians Austin against the Pelagians and the Donatists Luther Calvin Beza c. against Papists and Sectaries of all men it becomes not us to be silent and meal-mouthed when our Lord 's dishonoured 3. Let every one stand upon his guard Christ warned his own Disciples to beware of such Matthew 7.15 the best know but in part and Satan is so subtle that we may soon be deceived How quickly did the Galathians fall from the faith to justification by works in so much that the Apostle wonders they were so soon fallen to another Gospel Galathians 1.6 'T was Luthers complaint that an ignorant rayling sot could in a moment overthrow what we have been building many years Such is the cursed depravation of mans heart I shall therefore give you some preventing Physick against the pestilent attempt of seducers 1. Get your judgements rightly informed especially in the Principles and Fundamentals of Religion as Faith Repentance Justification Sanctification and new-Obedience Our greatest care should be about the greatest things of the Law Lay a good foundation else the building will totter When men are children in understanding then they are tossed to and fro with every winde of Doctrine Ephes. 4.14 Heresie is most strong where knowledge is most weak 'T is the weak flies which hang in the spiders web when the strong break thorough The simple are apt to believe every thing Proverbs 14.15 and like children swallow all that 's put into their mouths There are 7. things as a Reverend Divine hath well observed which are apt to be carried away by the Flood of Heâ—esies 1. Light things 2. Loose things 3. Weak things 4. Low things 5. Rotten things 6. Tottering things 7. Ventrous things How many erre for want of knowledge Psal. 95.10 Matth. 22.19 upon this account the Apostle would not have a Minister to be a novice 1 Tim. 3.6 The Devil deals with men as the Cow doth by the Lamb which first picks out the eyes and then devours it Or as the Philistims dealt by Sampson they first put out his eyes and then they make him grind like a slave Thus he dealt with Eve Gen. 3.4 5. First he deludes her judgement with ye shall not die and then he easily perswades her to eat of the forbidden fruit We should therefore be wise as Serpents that we be not deceived and innocent as Doves that we prove not deceivers Vt nulli nocuisse velis imitare columbam Serpentem ut possit nemo nocere tibi 2. Walke alwayes as in Gods eye have respect to all his commands be ready to obey in revelatis in revelandis whatsoever God shall discover to you to be his Will be not Nominall but Reall Christians rest not content with the form but get the Power of Godlinesse Hereticks are a mere scourge for Formalists and Hypocrites When men reject Gods call he gives them up to delusions Isay 66.4 and the lusts of their own hearts Psalm 81.11 12. Hosea 4.12 13. When men will not be schollars to truth they shall be masters of errors and teachers of lies well verst in the blackest and basest Art 'T is just with God that they who will not have Truth for their King should have falshood for their Tyrant being given up to the Efficacy of errour or to errour in the strength and power of it 2 Thes. 2.10 11. If Pharaoh will not believe the real Miracles of Moses he shall be deluded with the false ones of the Magitians If Ahab will not hearken to Micaiah a true Prophet he shall be deluded by lying spirits in the mouths of false ones and this is one end why the Lord suffers not onely Schismes but Heresies to abound viz. to discover mens hearts to themselves and others Deuterenomy 13.3 So long as the glasse is still no dregs appear but stir it and then they shew themselves Fire discovers the mettle and storms shew us which were rotten trees No man fully knows his own heart till a temptation comes If a man should have told our Apostles 1500. years agoe that they should have denied the Trinity Scripture Sacraments Ordinances c. they would have been ready to say as Hazael am I a Dog that I should do such things as these 3. Grow in Grace This is a special preservative against Apostacy 2 Peter 3.17 18. To this end sit down under a sound soul-searching Ministery God hath ordained this as a special means to establish us in the truth Ephes. 4.10 Better have a biting Gospel said Bradford then a toothlesse Masse better it is to sit under the saddest shade of the true Vine even weeping then to frolick it under the greenest trees and most pleasant Oakes of Idolatry and Heresie We have been barren stocks in the Vineyard of the Lord we have been dead under lively Oracles like the Smiths Anvill we are the harder for beating on such is our corruption that we are the worse for preaching Isaiah 6.9.10 Now God in his just judgement punisheth sinne with sinne he punisheth such contempt of the Gospel with Heresie Witchcraft Apostacy c. 4. Try before you trust Tho your Minister be a Holy man yet ' try what he teacheth you will tell money and weigh gold after your father and shall we onely take Doctrines on trust Since there are not a few but many false Prophets gone forth into the world as Anabaptists Arrians Quakers c. it will be our wisedom to try all things weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary bring them to the touch-stone of Gods Word and what upon trial you finde to be sound and right hold it fast retain it against all adverse power whatsoever 1 Thessalonians 5.21 Prov. 23.23 buy the truth at any rate part with it at no rate Prov. 4.21 Luke 8.15 Rom. 12.9 2 Tim. 13.14 Heb. 2.1 and 10.3.3 Rev. 3.3.11 The world was never so full of Spirits as now There is the spirit of Errour the spirit of Fornication the spirit of Pride the spirit of Slumber the spirit of Giddinesse the spirit of Delusion c. Had not we then need to try the spirits 1 Iohn 4.1 Hath not God given us the