presumptuous confidence Paul saith Beleive and be Saved Faith and Repentane must bee joyned together to let you know that that Repentance which is not joined with Faith is but a legal sorrow Therefore one saith beleive the other saith repent to shew that ye must joyn both together Had only this answer bin given Beleive and be saved Men would then have said that it is but a short cut to Heaven it is but beleiving Peter saith Repent and bee Saved to shew that both must come into the Christians practise that Faith and Repentance must goe hand in hand together if ye do expect Salvation Now this I note the rather because there are some men that are all for beleiving on Jesus Christ and not at all for repentance and mourning for sin These make Peters answer to bee no answer at all Then there are others that are all for repentance they are troubled in spirit and distressed in mind they wish their heads were water and their eyes a fountain of tears they think by their sorrow for sin to make an attonement with God but they do not at all rest on Jesus Christ by faith Now these men make Pauls answer to be no answer at all But remember you must Repent and be Saved with Peter and you must Beleive and be Saved with Paul But I shall only breifly speak to the answer which Paul and Silas here give Doctrin And from thence observe That it is the duty of all those that expect Salvation to beleive in Iesus Christ But me thinks I hear some say If this be so surely then Salvation may be had on very easy terms for do not all beleive on Jesus Christ God forbid that any should be so wicked as not to beleive on their Saviour I answer Indeed there are many that have a kinde of beleife an historical notional common dead faith such a faith as Simon Magus had as the stony ground had as the Devils have who beleive and tremble This faith a man may have and goe to Hell But there are few in the World who have a lively precious unfained faith which the Scripture doth indeed account beleiving in Christ which whosoever hath shall never perish but have everlasting life Few there are that are willing to receive Christ as he is tendred in the Gospel to receive Christ as a King to rule them as well as a Jesus to save them Few that are willing to receive a naked Christ Christ with his Crosse as well as Christ with his Crown Few that are as ready to give up themselves to Christ for Sanctification as to take Christ for justification Most people love the Preistly office of Christ to purchase Salvation for them but they doe not love the Kingly office of Christ to conquer Corruption in them they would be willing to have Christ receive them into Heaven but they are not willing to receive Christ into their hearts In the day of their callamitie when they lie upon their sick beds and the terrours of death take hold upon them then none but Christ none but Christ But in the day of their prosperity when the World smiles upon them and Riches Health surrounds them then Christ is disesteemed by them they see no beauty in him why they should desire him For there is no wicked man in the World will take Christ upon Gospel tearms in the time of his health and outward prosperity And moreover most people think that it is the easiest matter in the World for to beleive that it is but Beleiving that it is in their power to beleive at any time when they will and that they can beleive time enough when they lie upon their Death-beds Not considering God puts forth the same almighty power when he workes faith in the soul as he did when hee raised up Jesus Christ from the dead as the Apostle shewes 1 Ephe. 19.20 Eph. 1.19.20 And what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power to us-ward who beleive according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead It is as impossible for a man by his own power to make himselfe to beleive as to create a world or give a being to himselfe And here consider that every assent unto the Word is not beleiving Bellarmine indeed saith that beleiving is only a bare assent to the Word but if saving faith did only consist in a bare assent to Scripture truth then there would bee multitudes of beleevers in the World but such beleivers God will never own 2 Consider that Faith is not a presumptuous confidence the nature of Faith doth consist in this It is a grace of God wrought in the heart of an humbled sinner What Saving â—aith â—â— who doth discern his sins to be enough to Damn him and all his own Righteousnesse to bee too little to Save him therefore he goeth out of himselfe and rests and relies wholly on the Righteousnesse of Iesus Christ expecting Salvation only by him Now should wee take a Survay of all the sons of men where should we finde them that do thus beleive on Jesus Christ How few are there in the World that feele their sins pressing fore upon them that see all their Righteousnesse and Religious performances to be things of no vallue in point of justification that finde in their souls longing desires after Jesus Christ that they may bee found in Christ not having their own righteousnesse that roul their burdened souls upon Jesus Christ resolving that if they perish there they will perish Certainly Beloved should men try their hearts by this description of Faith there would be found but few beleivers in the World Vse Now for a word of Application And first from the Enquirie that the poor man makes Sirs what must I doe to be Saved Inference 1 Hence learn to take heed that you doe not make Enquiry after toyes and trifles and in the mean time neglect the great matters of Eternal Life It was a sordid spirit in that King Sardanapalus who would bee Spining and Carding amongst the women when hee should have bin Ruling and Governing his Kingdome There are many men that are of this base and ignoble temper they spend their time their strength and labour in base and sordid imployments and in the mean time neglect the great and important affaires of an heavenly Kingdom Inference 2d A second Inference is this If so be there are but few in the World that make Enquirie how to be saved Then hence wee may conclude that there are but few in the World that shall bee saved There are many in the World that never came so far as with that morall yong man spoken of in Math. 19. to ask this Question Math. 19 what good thing shall I doe that I may inherit eternall Life that never with the Jaylor enquired What must I doe to be saved Oh beloved if the most of the World doe never make
A CHRISTIANS Duty and Safety IN Evill Times Delivered in severall Sermons upon four Texts of Scripture viz. Christ's Prayer the Saints support on Iohn 17 15 A Divine Ballance to weigh all Doctrines by on 1 Thes 5.21 A Christians great Enquiry on Acts 16.30 31 A Description of True Blessedness on Luke 11.28 By that faithfull Messenger of Jesus Christ Mr CHRISTOPHER LOVE Late Minister of Laurence-jury London Whereunto is annexed The Saints Rest or Their Happy Sleep in Death As it was delivered in a Sermon at Aldermanbury London Aug. 24. 1651. By EDMUND CALAMY B. D. LONDON Printed for E. Brewster and George Sawbridge at the sign of the Bible on Ludgate-hill near Fleet-bridge 1653 TO The Christian READER ALthough God had blessed Mr Love with great abilities yet such was his humility that he judged few or none of his Sermons worthy publique view as hee often sayd to his friends after he had received the Sentence of death yet it is admireable to consider what good entertainment all those pieces have found which have hitherto been published As by this providence God putteth much honour upon the name and memory of this good man so upon this account his deare widdow and friends are prevailed with by importunity to yeeld unto the printing of more Sermons though they bee neither so full nor exact as doubtlesse they would have been if they had come abroad from the Authors own Pen. The matter is wholsome seasonable and profitable much savoring of his gracious spirit who preached them and manifesting unto the world the workings both of his heart and life being zealously devoted unto the service of Christ and Christians soules hereby this faithfull Minister of Christ Jesus though dead yet still speaketh And although he hath finished his Testimony upon earth yet hee is still by his workes serviceable in the land of the living Endeavor in good earnest to make a spirituall improvement of these and such like Helps put by divine providence into thy hand and let the Lord be magnified in thy conversation for all that soul-advantage which thou mayst receive Labour to bee well rooted in the Truths of the Gospell bear up couragiously against the evill of these declining times and because multitudes do shamefully disgrace their Profession by their carnall selfe-seeking and apostacy therefore doe thou the rather hold forth the power of godlinesse in waies of selfe-deniall and faith unto the honour of Christ In him we are Thy Friends and Servants SIMEON ASHE EDM CALAMY JER WHITAKER The Contents of the following Sermons Text. Iohn 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the World But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil The context opened page 1 Four things Observable in the Prayer of Christ Page 2. 1. The time when he made this Frayer pag. 2 Observation It is warantable and commendable for Ministers to pray after their preaching page 2 Observation Christians should then have most holy and ardent affections in their breasts when they are even leaving of this World page 4 Christs practise should be our pattern p. 5 2. The Gesture he used pag. 6. 3. The Manner of his praying pag. 7. 1 He aimed at Gods glory page 7 2 He prayed to God his Father ibid 3 He prayed for his Disciples page 8 4. The matter for what he prayed pag 9. The words of the Text explained page 10. Two Reasons why Christ would not pray that his Disciples might be taken out of the World page 12 1. Doctrin It is not warrantable for any to wish for death because of persecutions or afflictions which they sear or feele pag. 13. Three Reasons of the point 1. Because our lives are great blessings pag. 14. 2. It is more commendable to pray for a sanctified use of Affliction then for deliverance from it p. 15. 3. There is much honour to be gained by a patient bearing of affliction p. 15. Use for Reprehension of such as wish for the day of their death page 16 2 Doctrin In some cases it is lawfull for a man to wish for death p. 19. 1. When he desires it not because of sufferings but because of sin pag. 19. 2 That he may thereby have a more full enjoyment of Christ p. 20 3 Doctrin It is not the desire of Iesus Christ that any of his servants should die so long as he hath any work for them to doe in this Wortd p. 21. Three Uses 1 For Counsel that you would desire to live no longer then that you may serve God and do good to others page 22 2 For Reproofe of those who are hastening to the grave and yet have not begun the work for which God sent them into the World page 26 3 For Comfort when you have finished your work then you shall goe to receive your wages page 31 4 Doctrin No man dies but God doth take him away page 33. Were our lives in owr own hands we should live to long were they in our enemies hands we should die to soon p. 34 5 Doctrin It may be a great comfort to the people of God that they have the prayer of Iesus Christ to keep them from evill whilst they live in the World page 35 Two questions resolved for the clearing of this Doctrine page 36.37 The efficasy of Christ's Prayer continues for ever page 38 Six practical Inferences 1 Christs Prayer should not exclude our prayers p. 40. 2 Christ is praying for us before the Devil is tempting of us p. 42. 3 The remembrance of Christs prayer should check sinfull Motions in us page 43. 4 Christ prayer must not lessen our care page 44 5 There is a pronesse in our nature to be defiled with the evil of the times p. 45. 6 Every man by nature is unable to keep himselfe p. 45 Five Directions how to accomplish the â—rayer of Christ 1 Avoyd all disputing with the Devil page 47 2 Avoyd all occasions unto sin p. 48 3 Consider the Al-seeing eye of God page 49. 4 Chuse suffering rather then sin p. 50 5 Flee to Christ for refuge p. 51 Text 1 Thes 5.21 Prove all things Hold fast that which is good The context opened p. 53 VVhat is meant by prophesying p. 54 Doctrine From the Conrext viz. Those that have attained unto the highest perfection of grace and knowledge that it is possible for men in this life to attain unto are not to despise or neglect the Ordinances of Iesus Christ page 57 1 Reason Our Sanctification is not perfect in this life page 59 2 Reason Sin lyes hidden in the secret corners of the heart page 60 The words of the Text explained VVe must hold fast the truths of the Gospel in judgment that we run not into error page 63 In practise that wee run not into sinne page 64 Doctrine It is the duty of all hearers of the Word to try and prove all Doctrines which they hear page 65 Four Cautions about trying of Doctrines 1 People must not
was written thirtie years or more before the Evangelists Now in that the Apostle doth command them to trie the Doctrins preached he therein referres them to the Scriptures of the Old Testament It followes Hold fast that which is good There is a twofold holding fast 1 An holding fast in judgment the Truths of the Gospel that you doe not run into error 2 An holding fast in practice the power of the Gospel that ye doe not run into sin 1. 1 Hold fast in judgment that ye run not into error Hold fast in judgment the truths of the Gospell that yee doe not run into Error This is laid down 2 Pet. 3.17 Therefore beloved seeing ye know these things beware lest yee also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse that is in judgment there must bee a foreknowledg of the truths of the Gospell before ye can attain unto stedfastnesse in grace and besides knowledg there is required vigilance and carefulness if wee would hold fast the truths of the Gospell Thus you are to retain in judgment the Doctrines of the Gospell that ye run not into erronious Principles It is childish Eph. 4.4 faith Saint Paul Ephes 4.14 to be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine to be over credulous easie of beliefe fickle and wavering as children are 2. 2 Hold fast in practice that yee run not into sin It implies an holding fast in practice that ye run not into sinne that yee hold on your course of holinesse setled and unaltered and this is laid down Phil 2.15.16 That you may bee blamelesse and harmlesse the sonnes of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom yee shine as lights in the World holding forth the Word of Life that is in a blamelesse holy and humble conversation A man then holds fast when hee frames his life according to the direction of the Word of God for knowledge is emptie and vain and profiteth not if it bee not reduced unto practice and practice in our Christian course is difficult up the hill it requires heed and watchfulnesse therefore we must be solicitously carefull to hold out in our practice that which we are convinced in our judgment is the Truth and Will of God revealed in his Word So that the sence of the words is this Trie all the Doctrins of that Minister under which you live by the Word of God whether they be true or false sound or corrupt and what ye finde to be the truth and consonant to the Word of God embrace it hold it fast in your judgment that you run not into contrary Opinions and in your practice that yee run not into any vicious courses in your lives and conversations and what ye finde to be false and sinfull reject it And thus you have a briefe paraphrase and explication of the words From the first part of the words Prove all things I shall draw this Observation viz. Doctrin That it is the duty of all hearers of the Word to try and prove all the Doctâ—rines which they heare It is the injunction that Saint Iohn gives in his first Epistle ch 4. v. 1. Beloved 1 Iohn 4.1 believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are goâ—e out into the World that is Try the Doctrines that such men preach who pretend that they have the Spirit and preach by the Spirit whether they be true or false Erronious Teachers will boast of the Spirit and therefore we must try what spirit their Doctrin cometh from we must not with Solomons fool give credence to every thing that is published under the glorious name of Truth But wee must consider that the Church of God hath alwaies been pestered with false Teachers in Ieremiah's time there were such as published the Visions oâ— their own Brain for sound Doctrine and the Apostle Paul doth often complain of false Teachers that transformed themselves into Angels of Light it is the Devils policy many times to transform himselfe into an Angell of Light and because his commodities will not sell in his own Market therfore he labours to bring them into Gods Market for such is the Preaching of the Word thinking that none will suspect them there Have wee not then great reason to trie all Doctrines that we heare In the handling of this Doctrine I shall first give some Cautions Secondly the Reasons thereof Thirdly lay down some Directions about trying what you heare The first Caution is this 1 Caution People must not take liberty to trie all Preachers When the Apostle bids you prove all things he doth not thereby intend that people should have a liberty to heare any body and so to trie all Preachers as Calvin upon the place well observes for by this meanes a man may sooner suck in an Error than embrace the Truth Nay the Scripture is expresly against it If you can heare a man that doth preach the Truth you are not to follow such as are known to divulge Errors 2 Tim. 4.3 4. 2 Tim 4.3.4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching eares and they shall turn away their eares from the Truth and shall bee turned into Fables And 2 John 10.11 2 Iohn 10 11 If there come any unto you and brings not this Doctrine receive him not into your House neither bid him God speed for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evill deeds Mâ—th 24 3 24 And Math. 24.23 24. If any man shall say unto you Lo bere is Christ or there is Christ beleeve it not for there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew you great Signes and Wonders insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect. And verse 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you behold Hee is in the Desart go not forth behold Hee is in the secret Chambers believe it not False Prophets shall arise and what shall they say Lo here is Christ not as if Christ was there personally but doctrinally Some shall say He is in the Desart for these false Teachers used to draw people out into desart places where they might more securely publish their Errors and Heresies Veritas non quaerit angulos wheras Truth seeks no corner But go not out after them saith Christ If they shall say Hee is in the secret Chamber doe not believe them Things honest ever rejoyce in being made publique Nocte latentmendae but viciousnesse would be concealed and therefore it is that they seek out secret Chambers Lucernâ—m extâ—â—guunt Fures Darknesse best becomming their deeds of darknesse Hence it is that in the Scripture you have a command to take heed not only whom you heare for the Preacher and how you
they are gone out into the whole World Therefore try the Spirits whether they be of God try before ye trust before ye beleive Thirdly 3 Reason False Doctrines are published very craftily trie all Doctrines that you hear preached because false Doctrines and Heresies come from the publishers of them very slily and craftily into the minds of men There is not more legerdemain shewed by a cunning juggler then by these false Teachers they are subtile cunning to pervert the minds of men As the Apostle shewes Ephes 4.14 Ephe. 4.14 That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carryed about with every wind of Doctrin by the stight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in wait to deceive The word in the Greek is very emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by mens cogging of a die It is a word borrowed from cheating gamesters that can throw with a die what way they please These Teachers can as easily convey errors into the minds of men as a cunning gamster can cheat with a die We have had many such sly and subtile convayances or else the truths of God could never have been perverted amongs us as they are It is Observable Rev. 9.8 That the locusts that came out of the East Rev. 9.8 had their faces like the faces of women Interpreters expound them to be Iesuites and factors for Rome they had womens faces insinuating and allureing countenances invea gleing enticeing and bewitching of men with their follies Of such the Apostle speaks Rom. 16.18 For they that are such Ro. 16.18 serve not our Lord Iesus Christ but their own bellies and by good words and fair speches deceive the hearts of the simple Even as a foul faced whore painteth her face so do they their damnable errors with eloquent insinuations sometimes they tickle itching ears with such eloquent Notions as may make them admired And sometimes they suggest high priveledges unspeakable advantages by what they deliver As the Devil did to our first parents ye shall be like unto Gods Error must have good words to varnish it over and fair speeches plausible eloquent and accute deliveries By good words they deceive the hearts of the simple And 2 Pet. 2.1 the Apostle sets forth their flynesse in bringing in damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 Had Peter lived in our age he would have been accounted a bitter man to call them Heresies yea and damnable Heresies but they were privily brought in and saith he many shall follow their pernicious waies and through covetousnesse shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you with feigned words this must be done under the specious pretence of Truth new Light they will mix some gold with their copper some truths with their falsehoods Sunt mala mista bonis sunt bona mista malis they will sweeten their baits that they may take the sooner For if Error was nakedly brought in there is scarce a man would embrace it it would appear in such an ugly shape and therefore it is that they cloath it with a semblance of truth and piety Fourthly 4. Reason There is an aptness in our nature to be turned aside unto error You should try all Doctrines that you heare before you beleive them because through the credulity that is in us men of the most sollidest judgments are apt to be led away with novelties and deceived with error we are by nature like the sand in the Sea Est natura hominum novitatis avida moved with every wave like reeds shaken with every puff of winde A notable text you have for this 2. Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve through her subtilty so your mindes should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ The Devil would not make use of a dotish soo lish creature but a subtil Serpent to beguile Eve in makeing her to eat of the forbidden fruit Now saith the Apostle I am affraid lest the Devil by his subtile temptation should pervert your minds from the truth of the Gospel This shewes that there was an aptnesse in their nature to be turned aside unto error And moreover even the most holy and most understanding in the mysteries of God are but in part enlightened wee see through a glasse 1 Cor. 13.12 darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 And though they would not willingly missend you yet through the remain der of ignorance and corruption that is in them it is possible that they may take error for truth therefore no mans piety or learning should so far blind us as to beleive whatsoever he speaks without bringing of it unto the Touchstone of the Word for we must not build our faith on humane but on divine authority we must imitate the noble Beraeans and daily search the Scriptures whether those Doctrines that we heare bee indeed the truth of God They were commended for this Acts 17 1â— Acts 17.11 O Beloved Take nothing upon trust upon the Authority of the preacher weigh all things in the Ballance of the Sanctuary You must do with the Doctrins you hear as you doe with gold a man wil not take gold without weighing of it O there is as much falsehood in opinions as in mettals therefore weigh all things It is not what this man sayes be he Cephas or Apollo be he never so emminent for Learning and Religion But what God saies in the Scripture for the Scriptures are the Rule of Faith Quod de Scripturis sacris authoritatem non habet eadam facilitate contemnitur quae probatur and whatsoever is not according to this Rule reject it as the drosse of mans corrupt brains and doe not receive it as the gold of Gods pure Word Now it may be said you have given divers Reasons why we should not beleive such Doctrins as we hear before we have tried them But what Rules and Directions can you give how such a weak ignorant Christian as I am should bee able to try and judge of such Doctrines as I hear bic labor hoc opus But I shall endeavour both in general and in perticular to give Answer to this great Quaerie And I hope it will bee of great use unto us in these erring times wherein false Teachers and false Doctrines doe so much abound First â— General Rule 〈◊〉 the â—â—â—ipture 〈◊〉 the â—â—andard 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 all â—â—ctrines take this general rule Be sure you make the Word of God to bee the Scandard by which you try and prove all Doctrines that you heare and if there bee any thing preached although it should be by an Angell from Heaven that is not according to the Word of God beleive it not This is the Prophets direction Esay 8.20 To the Law 〈◊〉 8.20 and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them By the Law and Testimonie wee are to understand the
Word of God which is his Testimonie and if any speak otherwise then according to Gods Word it is a cleare and evident signe that there is no Light nor Truth in them I give you this direction because there are multitudes of vaine people in these our daies who wave the written Word of God and run to Inspirations and Revelations to try Doctrines by which are no certain Rules and so by this means they entertain satanical delusions and not heavenly inspirations But I would desire such seriously to mind this one Text of Scripture 2 Pet. 1.18 19. It is in 2 Pet. 1.18 19. And this voyce which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount wee have also a more sure word of Prophesy The written Word of God is more sure in regard of us then if wee should heare a voyce from Heaven And that is the reason that when Dives desired that some extraordinarie course might be taken Luke 16. to prevent his brethrens coming to Hell and therefore desired that Lazarus might bee sent from the grave to forewarne them and then he thought they would beleive Abraham sends him to Moses and the Prophets and saith If they will not hear them neither would they be perswaded though one should rise from the dead If wee should hear a voyce in the aire we must not beleive that voice but we must beleive what we finde on record in the Word of God Deut 29 ult Deut. 29 ult Secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our Children for ever that we may do all the words of this Law This I mention to shew you that men that pretend so much to Revelations and leave the written Word of God are in the ready way to run into Satanical delusions and grosse mistakes A second general Direction about trying such Doctrines as you heare is this 2 Generall Rule Rather maintain than dispure clear principles of truth viz. Clear principles of Truth must rather be maintained then disputed It is a rule in Philosophy that principles against principles are not to bee disputed and this Rule holds good in Divinity we must not dispute such principles as these viz. whether Christ be the Son of God Or the Scripture the Word of God The Resurrection of the body The Salvation of Saints the Damnation of Sinners Iudgment to come or Life everlasting Such fundamental principles as these are to be maintained but not disputed Thirdly maintain no opinion stifly until you have tryed it throughly 3 Generall Rule Maintaine no opiniuntill you have tryed it Such is the instability of mens minds in this erronious age that one Sermon many times shall more pervert them from the Truths of the Gospell then twenty Sermons shall settle them again Object But it will be further said such as are both learned and godly doe differ in many things one aserts this to be a truth another that to be a truth now how shall such a poor creature as I am judge whether such Doctrines be Truth or no Answer For answer hereunto As I have in the general directed you so I shall now more particularly give you some Rules and Directions by which you are to try all Doctrines that you hear Rule 1 First whatsoever the Word of God doth expresly hold forth to be beleived and received or whatsoever doth necessarily flow from Scripture by a natural and genuine consequence though it be not to be found in Scripture totidem verbis in open and expresse words or whatsoever doth agree with the genuine fence of any one place of Scripture although it may seem not to agree with the litteral fence of another place of Scripture or whatsoever Doctrine is agreeable to the end intent and scope of the Scripture This Doctrine is sound and to be embraced But on the contrary that Doctrine which is not to be found in Scripture which is not bottomed upon the Scripture which cannot be drawn rationally from the Scripture by a necessary consequence but is built upon the Traditions Inventions of men which ads to the Word or detracts from the Word which doth wrest and pervert the Scripture or strain it to mens corrupt opinions or whatsoever Doctrine will not abide the tryall of the Word will not abide the Light That Doctrine is false and to be abhorred Rule 2 Secondly whatsoever Doctrine doth advance the grace of God in Christ and debaseth man that putts the crown of glory upon Gods Free grace that Doctrine is sound But on the contrary that Doctrine which debaseth the grace of God in Christ and advanceth the corrupt Will of man and which sets Free-will against Free grace that Doctrine is unsound Rule 3 Thirdly whatsoever Doctrine doth advance the Will of God as well as the Grace of God which shewes what God would have us to doe as well as what he hath promised to doe for us that Doctrine is a true Doctrine But on the contrary that Doctrine which cries up the Free grace of God and in the mean time gives liberty to men to live as they list which doth make the Will of God for obedience and the Grace of God for salvation to be contrary one to the other that Doctrine is a false Doctrine Rule 4 Fourthly that Doctrine which advanceth all the Attributes of God the Justice of God as well as the Mercy of God the Holinesse of God as well as the Grace of God and approves of and commends all those wayes and paths which God hath set out in Scripture for us to walk in which teaches us Faith Repentance Piety towards God and Charity towards man that Doctrine is sound and good But on the contrary whatsoever Doctrine doth rob God of his glory in any of his Attributes that makes God either unmercifull or unjust c. or that sleights any one of those waies that God hath chalked out in Scripture for us to walk in or that dis-joines the two Tables of God separating Pietie from Charitie acts of Righteousnesse from acts of Holinesse Let it pretend never so much Charity to men if it doth not acknowledge Pietie to God or if it pretend never so much Pietie to God if it directs not Charitie and Righteousnesse to men that Doctrine is false and corrupt Rule 5 Fiftly whatsoever Doctrine discovers the sinfulnesse of vain thoughts lustfull imaginations as well as sinfull practices that Doctrine is true But that Doctrine which requireth only outward reformation and reach eth not unto heart purification that Doctrine is unsound Rule 6 Sixthly that Doctrine which advanceth all Truth the directing Truth as well as the comforting Truth the commanding Truth as well as the promising Truth that advanceth both Law and Gospel that Doctrine is sound But on the contrary that Doctrine which is pleasing to the corrupt nature of man easie to flesh and blood that makes way for loosenesse and prophanesse
that Doctrine is unsound Rule 7 Seventhly whatsoever Doctrine doth necessarily tend to settle and compose a troubled Conscience by teaching us to bottom only upon the merits of Christ for salvation and not upon our own good works that Doctrine is sound But that Doctrine which leaves a distressed perplexed Conscience without any sound bottom to rest upon by teaching men to place the stresse of their salvation upon the mutable Will of man this is not only an uncomfortable but an unsound Doctrine Rule 8 Eightly that Doctrine that tends to the advancement of godlinesse in a mans Christian course which as the Apostle speakes Titus 1.1 acknowledgeth the truth which is after godlinesse which conduceth to the perfecting of holinesse that puts us on to diligent care to work out our salvation with feare and trembling that helps on the work of grace in the soul that tends to inform the judgement reform the heart and conform the life to the whol Will of God that Doctrine is true and good But on the contrary that Doctrine which tends to Licentiousnesse and Libertinism causing men to neglect the Ordinances of God and to grow weary of Congregationall Worship Family Worship and Closet Worship that turns the grace of God into Wantonnesse that magnifies the Death of Christ but destroyes the Life of Christ that sets up the Blood of Christ the Priestly Office of Christ but regards not the Commands of Christ the Kingly Office of Christ that makes men confident of Mercy but carelesse of Repentance that makes Christ mercifull but leaves them sinfull or at the best brings them but to a form of godlinesse without the power thereof that Doctrine is erronious and dangerous Truth ever advanceth godlinesse but erronious Doctrine is contrary thereunto 2 Tim. 2.16 2 Tim 2.16 Shun prophane and vayn bablings for they will encrease unto more ungodlinesse We finde in our dayes the fruit of vain bablings and Disputes to be the broaching of such damnable Opinions as these viz That a man must not mourn for sinne must not confesse sinne must not pray for pardon of sinne and thus three parts of Prayer are taken away So concerning the Decree of God that if they bee decreed to bee saved they shall bee saved let them live as they list and if they bee decreed to bee damned they shall bee damned let them doe what they can Whereas the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation should bee a spur to stir us up in pursuit after holinesse So concerning the Law of God that it is of no use to believers And many such like pernicious Doctrines are occasioned by vain Disputes all which tend to more ungodlinesse which is enough to prove them to be false for truth ever advanceth practical godlynesse in a mans Christian course Rule 9 Lastly Doctrines of truth will be true when they are tryed truth fears no tryal it is error that fears the light that creeps into houses and dares not appear in publique that seiseth upon silly women laden with corruption as the Apostle speaks 2 Tim. 3.6 but dares not encounter with a knowing Christian 2. Tim. 3.6 And therefore it is that the Turks doe forbid any man to dispute against their Alkoran And therfore it is that the Church of Rome will not suffer the common people to read the Bible but they must pin their Faith upon other mens sleeves and believe as the Church believes And thus they cause their Errors and Idolatries to bee swallowed down whereas were they brought into the light the weaknesse and sinfulnesse thereof would appear The sum of all is this When you heare any Doctrine delivered compare it with the VVord of God and if you finde that it doth crosse any part of the old or new Testament believe it not for it is not Truth but Error These Rules and Directions for the trying of such Doctrines as you hear may be of great advantage unto you in these loose and erronious times if the Lord give you hearts to make a right improvement thereof Nay Conscience doth not tell mee of any thing delivered unto you repugnant unto the Scripture But trust nothing that I preach untill you have tried it and if you finde any thing disagreeable to the written Word of God reject it Prove all things hold fast that that which is good FINIS A CHRISTIANS great Enquiry Text. Acts 16.30 31. And said sirs what must I doe to be saved And they said beleive on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt bee saved THis Text is propounded by way of interrogation the manner of its composure intimates that it is the Ebulition of a perplexed mind the Quere of a distempered and distressed soul and that about a businesse of the greatest moment in the World There are many critical curious and controversial Questions that men enquire after in these daies But this Question that the poor Jaylor here asked is a Question of the greatest concernment that ever can bee made by any man It was no lesse then this what he might doe to be saved The Question seems to be the expression of a man in great anguish and consternation of mind and truly the matter the Question is about is such as might trouble all the World As a grave Divine answered one that came unto him saying Sir I am troubled about my Salvation saith hee freind it is a businesse that might trouble all the World So here this poor man cries out to Paul and Silas what must I doe to be saved I shall not spend time about the Explication but shall dispatch what I have to say in a practical prosecution of these words Before I come to the points of Doctrin I intend to handle There are 3 concurrent circumstances about the words from whence 3 Observations will arise 1 From the consideration of the condition of the man that propounds this serious Question a Iaylor a calling in those times especially full of infamy because the followers of Christ were most of all in bonds when Oppressors and men of violence escaped free yet behold a Iaylor the object of pardoning mercy Hence Observe 1 Observation From the condition of the man that propounds this Question That men of the most despicable condition in the World may become the objects of Gods pardoning mercy Salvation is not impailed within the rank of the rich and honourable of the World but sometimes men of the lowest rank become the objects of Gods mercy Pardoning grace reacheth sometimes to the vildest and most notorious sinners in the World Christ came not to call the righteous Mark 2.17 but sinners to repentance 2. From the consideration of the occasion or manner of this Jaylors conversion for it is said In the night there was a great Earth-quake in the prison and the Keeper awakened out of his sleep and when he arose he saw all the prison doores open and thinking that all the prisoners had been gone hee was in great perplexity of minde
sinfull himselfe to be exceeding miserable and then he sees Jesus Christ to be exceedingly desirable Ye whose souls can bear you witnesse that God hath taken these very Methods with you know for your comfort that these are the very Methods that God doth take with that soule whom hee intends to save Secondly 2 by the impressions which Christ works upon the heart You may discerne whether God hath brought you into an estate of Salvation by those impressions which Jesus Christ will work upon the hearts of those whom hee intends to save Now these impressions are four-fold First 1 impression upon the heart God doth cause the Authoritie and Majestie of the Word at some time or other to fall on the Conscience of that man with great conviction 1 Cor. 1.18 whom he intends to save 1 Cor. 1.18 For the preaching of the Crosse is to them that perish foolishnesse but unto us that are saved it is the power of God The power of God in his Word shall be felt on the conscience of that man whom God brings into a saving estate Therefore the Apostle saith expresly 1 Thes 2.13 1 Thes 2.13 For this cause also thank wee God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us yee received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe The Word of God hath an effectual Work and Majestick Authority on them that shall bee Saved It is mighty in operation in them that beleive transforming them into the very image of it selfe it workes what it prescribes it enables the soul to come up unto every duty be it never so difficult to flesh and blood to hate every sin be it never so pleasant or profitable It is Active Heb. 4.12 and Opperative as the Apostle speaks Heb. 4.12 Sharper then a two-edged sword it effectually bindes the Conscience rectifies the Judgment subdues the Will the sinner cannot stand out against it The second impression that God makes on the heart of that man who shall be saved 2 Impression upon the heart is this he is brought into an obediential frame to obey the Commands of God the Law of God is not burdensome but pleasing and delightful unto him he hath a universal respect unto all Gods Commands as David speaks Heb. 5.9 Psal 119. And saith the Apostle Heb. 5.9 Being made perfect he became the Author of Eternall Salvation unto all that obey him Thirdly If God brings thee into a saving condition 3 Impression upon the heart he makes this impression on thy heart that thou art become as industrious to have thy nature sanctified Titus 3.3 as thy soul to be saved Titus 3.3 Not by workes of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holyghast And John 3.3 Vnlesse a man be born again he cannot see the kingdome of Heaven The last impression is this 4 Impression uponâ— the heart If God saves thy soul he will bring thee into a beleiveing estate he will cause thee to lay hold on Christ by faith And this leads me unto the second point Second part of the Text opened which is the Resolve that the Apostle gives to this poor man crying out what hee should doe to be saved viz. Beleive on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved At the first blush one would think that the Apostles Resolve should nothing at all quiet the heart of this distempered man Paul and Silas bid the man beleive Object A man can not beleive by his own power Might not hee have replied I can as well make a World I can as well work Miracles and overturn Mountaines as beleive by mine own power therefore why bid ye me to beleive To this I Answer Answer God promises to give what he commands Though it bee true that every command of God is alike difficult to flesh and blood A man can as well make a World as make a prayer aright A man can as well subdue an Army of men as subdue one lust Yet know for your comfort that this is the tenure of the Gospell that when the Lord doth call for any thing at the hand of his Elect Children he doth with that command convay a power into their souls to enable them to fullfill that command If God bids a man beleive and gives him power to beleive the work will soon be done Ezekel 36. In the 36 of Ezek. the Lord commands to make a new heart Now a man is no more able to make a new heart then to make a new World Therefore in the same place he promises to give a new heart And in another place it is said Col. 3.5 Mortifie your lusts Now this a man cannot do of himselfe but the same God that bids thee kill thy lusts will kill them for thee micha 7.18 19. As Micah 7.18 19. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy hee will turn again he will have compassion upon us he will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the Sea Again God bids thee repent but thou art no more able to repent or to shead one tear for sinne then a Rock is to give out water But God will give thee a repenting heart he hath promised to give Repentance and Remission of sin I beseech you observe this that commands in Scripture do not shew what the Creature can doe or what he should doe by his own natural power But such commands in Scripture are charged on the Creature to let him know what God will doe for his Elect. If we put forth the sanctifying abillities that God gives us God will adde assisting grace to enable us to doe what of our selves we cannot doe Therefore we should pray with St. Augustine Lord give what thou commandest Da quod ju bes jube quod vis and then command what thou pleasest In the next place observe the difference that is betwixt the Resolve that Paul and Silas gives to this Question and the Resolve that Peter gives to the same Question in Acts 2.38 Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto him Repent and bee baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy-ghost Paul and Silas give this Answer Beleive and be Saved Peter gives this Answer Repent and be Saved There is much of Gods minde in this that different answers are given by the Holy-ghost to one and the same Question Both their answers are true Peter saith Repent and be Saved to shew that that Faith which is not joyned with Repentance is but a
Devil out of a man that was dumb caused the fame of Christ to have great renown through many parts of the World And though for all this his enemies would not acknowledge the Divinity of Christ yet a certain young woman as may be gathered from the history came and lifted up her voice and said unto him Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps that thou hast sucked Now Christ instead of giving her thanks for applauding of him doth rather give her a rebuke a check and said I will tell thee who are blessed Rather blessed are they that bear the Word of God and keep it Thus you have the coherence of the words This speech of the woman was a proverbial speech amongst the Jews when any person did an acheivement that was praise worthy they would cry out and say Blessed is the womb that bare thee And from this proverbial speech I would note thus much Observa ∣ tion viz. That good children are a great prayse and blessing to their parents This woman could blesse the mother of Christ who bare such a son as he was Solomon saith A wise sonne maketh a glad father Pro. 15.20 And in many other places you read what great blessing Pro 15.20 and honour doth accrue to parents whom the Lord hath blessed with wise and godly children And on the contrary the ScrÃpture marks those parents with a brand of reproach that bring forth wicked children into the World children to encrease the number of the damned to fill Hell and to pollute the Earth therefore it is that you so often read in Scripture Pro 10.1.5 That a wicked child is a shame to his parents Pro. 10.1.5 Vse The Use is to teach you whom God hath blessed with good children to to be exceeding thankful unto God for it is a greater blessing unto you then if God should fill your house with silver and gold And you whom God hath thus afflicted in suffering bad children to come out of your loyns oh mourn under the heavy hand of God that he hath made you instrumental to bring forth children into the World which shall encrease the number of the damned in Hell Thus much from the womans speech who said The words of the text opened Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps that gave thee suck But Christ said Rather blessed are they which bear the Word of God and keep it Christ said Rather blessed He doth not say that his mother was not blessed but that the woman might not too much dote on his mother to think that she was so greatly blessed onely for bearing him in her womb therefore he said I will tell thee who indeed is the blessed man and woman even they that bear the Word of God and keep it Christ would not give way to her applause but he gives her a milde and loving rebuke Hence observe Observation That you must take heed that you bee not tickled with pride when you heare your selves or yours commended Christ would give no way to the womans commendation She thought that the virgin Mary was the happiest woman in all the World yet Christ puts a Rather on them that make conscience of hearing the Word of God and keeping of it A beleiver hearing and obeying Jesus Christ is Rather blessed in so doing then the virgin Mary was mearly for bringing Christ into the World although it was the happiest birth that ever was brought forth Oh how should this bee a spur unto you to hear and to practise what you heare seeing that by so doing you are thus blessed Observation 1 Now I shall observe somthing from the manner or form of expression that Christ doth here use It is not said blessed are they which hear the Word of God for there are many sorts of hearers who come short of blessedness but blessed are they that hear the Word of God and Keep it that incorporate it into their souls and become transformed into the Image of it There are four forts of hearers spoken of Mat. 13. Mat. 13. and three of them fell short of blessednesse All hearers although it be the Word of God which they hear do not attain unto blessednesse It is not hearing but keeping and observing the Word of God which makes men blessed Observation 2 2. Observe again That it is not sayd Blessed are yee that believe although it be indeed a truth that all true beleivers are blessed yet it is not so said lest men should think that a naked beleiving is enough to make them blessed or lest they should think that they are above hearing praying or receiving which are the proud aspiring vanities of many in this age Observation 3 Neither is it said Blessed are ye that keep the Word of God in a disjunction from hearing but in a conjunction with hearing Blessed are yee that heare and keep Many men pretend to a great perfection of life and conversation in keeping what Christ commands but it is with a disjunction from hearing they leave off hearing the Word But those only are blessed in the esteem of Jesus Christ who hear and keep the Word of God Observation 4 Again it is not said Blessed shall ye be that hear and keep the Word of God but Blessed are yee To shew that ye shall not only be Blessed when ye come to Heaven but that yee are blessed in so doing whilst ye are here on earth Rom. 6.22 Rom. 6.22 But now being made free from sin and become servants unto God you have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life Thou hast thy fruit O man if thou art an holy man even before thou comest to everlasting Life Observation 5 Again it is not said only Blessed are ye if ye hear and keep But if ye hear the Word of God and keep it Thou maist heare men that preach damnable errors and keep them fast in thine heart but in this case thou art nearer a cursing then a blessing Men may bee followers of Sermons but if those Sermons which they hear and practice bee not agreeable to the Word of God be not grounded upon the Scriptures they are under a curse and not a blessing by what they beare Therefore the Holy-ghost here faith Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it This should teach men how they hear whom they hear and what they hear that they hear nothing but the Word of God and then keep what they hear We read of Teachers who shall bring in Damnable Heresies and that many shall follow their pernicious wayes â— Pet. 2.1 2 3. 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. But there were false Prophets also amongst the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even to deny the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of Truth shall bee evil
are extreamly guilty of barrennesse under the means of grace And that therefore in the second place we are in great danger to have the Gospell removed from us and given to a Nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof That we are guilty of unfruitfullness under Gospell Ordinances may appear First 1 Demonstration of our unfruitfulnes under the Gospel By the sad complaints that the most fruitfull stocks and plants in Gods Vineyard do make they with greife and sighing of heart complain of their unfruitfulnesse under Gospel Ordinances Now if the trees of righteousnesse of the Lords planting in the Lords Vineyard complain that they bear not fruit surely then the trees of the Forrest are barren If the trees of Gods garden bring not forth fruit what can the trees of the wildernesse doe If the people of the Lord sit down and lament because no answerable fruit is to bee found in them what cause then have the wicked of the World to complain whose hearts remain as hard as the nether milstone notwithstanding all the heavenly dew which from time to time descends upon them Secondly 2 Demonstration It appears by the sad complaints of Gods husbandmen the Ministers of Jesus Christ who discern but little fruit to appear after all their labour little successe to attend their Gospel Ministry therefore they lie down upon their beds in sorrow and with sadnesse of spirit complain as Peter did that they have fished all night but catched nothing that they plow upon the rocks and break their instruments but cannot break the hearts of men that they weare out their own lives consume their own lungs but cannot consume peoples lusts And thus they complain with the Prophet in the person of Christ * Esa 44.4 I have laboured in vain Demon ¦ stration 3 Thirdly It may appear by comparing our times with the time in which the Gospel was first planted saith Christ Mat. 11.12 Mat. 11.12 From the dayes of John Baptist untill now the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force In those dayes men did use an holy violence in the wayes of Religion but where is that violence now to be found when the seventy Disciples had a commission from Christ to preach the Gospell it was said of them Luke 10.18 Luke 10.18 That they went forth preaching the Word and what followeth God was with them and many were converted and the Devil like lightening did fall from Heaven Their Ministry had a most glorious successe And it is said Esay 44.2 Esay 44 2. which is a Prophesy of the first times of the Gospels preaching Enlarge thy tents and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitation As if there was not room enough for the converted men Therefore enlarge thy Tents which is referred to the Gentiles upon their first conversion And saith the Apostle Gal. 4.27 Rejoyce thou barren that bearest not Gal. 4.27 break â—orth and cry thou that travelest not for the desolate hath many more children then shee which hath an busband And it is said Acts 11.21 The hand of God was upon them Acts 11.21 and a great number beleived and turned unto the Lord. Yea three thousand were converted by one Sermon of Peters whereas now three thousand Sermons will hardly convert one soul to Christ And saith the Prophet Psal 110.3 Thy people shall bee a willing people in the day of thy power Psal 110.3 in the beauties of holinesse from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth The meaning of these words from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth is this that the converts upon the first preaching of the Gospel should be as numerous as the drops of dew upon the grasse in the morning But now-a dayes the converting of souls the bringing in of men to Jesus Christ is not as numerous as the drops of dew but as rare as Pearls and Diamonds Demon ¦ stration 4 Fourthly It will appear that there is a general barrennesse under all the means of grace Because in these days more people are perverted from the truth and simplicity of the Gospel then are converted by the power and efficasy thereof The conversion that is wrought now-a-dayes is but a power upon mens heads not upon their hearts it works in them only Fancies and Notions not practical godlinesse like the Moon not the Sun whose influence gives light but no heat the Word it may bee reclaims them from drunkennesse in practise but the Devil makes them drunk with Opinions and Errors Now this beeing so I shall in the next place give some Demonstrations that wee are in danger to have the kingdom of God the Gospel of Jesus Christ removed from us therefore let us not be secure for there is great danger the Gospel shall bee removed if not from the Nation yet from particular places Demon ¦ stration 1 That the Gospel is in danger to bee removed fromus First It may appear from that implacable opposition that is in the professors of the Gospel against the preachers of the Gospel those very people that did esteem the feet of their Ministers to bee very beautiful doe now say that the Mark of the Beast is upon their forehead those people that would have pulled out their eyes to do their Ministers good would now pull out their Ministers eyes those very people that looked upon us as the servants of Christ and stewards of the Mystery of Salvation doe now account us the limbs of Antichrist and perverters of Religion Now there is no way more likely to drive away the Gospel from us then to spurn at and oppose the Gospel and the Ministers thereof this will bee the great in-let if the Lord prevent it not to our utter confusion and an out-let to the Gospel of Jesus Christ I would have such men who had rather see godly Ministers in prison then in the Pulpit to consider that if God should take them away ye would have worse in their room The Sectaries were weary of godly and learned Iunius therefore God suffered Arminius that pestilent enemy to the Gospel of Christ to rise up after him God may justly send us unable and seducing Teachers for our sleighting of those learned and godly Ministers that are amongst us when Paul and Barnab as were sleighted and opposed by the unbeleiving Iewes say they Acts 13.46 Seeing ye put away the Word of God from you and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting Life Lo wee turne to the Gentiles They lost the Gospel by it Demon ¦ stration 2 Secondly It appears that there is danger that the Gospell should be removed from us by the generall wantonnesse and wearinesse of people in liveing under it When children are wanton with bread in their hand the parent takes it from them and makes them fast wee have dealt with the Gospell as children deal with bread when their bellies are full