his Apostles not only in the Temple and Synagogue but in divers other places to preach the Word It was justified by Christ himself Mat. 5. he preached on a Mountain Mat. 13.2 in a ship and at another time he preached by the high-way side and by Jacobs-wâ—ll to the Samaritane woman John 4. and afterwards to the Samaritans v. 40.41 42. And this was not only the practice of Christ but of the Apostles afterwards John 20.19.26 so that at both these times they were met together in a house So Acts 1.12.13 14. where it appears also that they met together about the Ordinances of God for it is said they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication And so Acts 10. Peter preached at Cornelius's house Acts 16.13 Paul preached at the Rivers side where God opened the heart of Lydia And again at Athens on the midst of Mars-hill Acts 17.17.22 So you see that it was the practice of Christ and his Apostles to preach in several places wheresoever Providence cast them Hence we may safely conclude That which was the Practice of Christ and his Apostles afterwards cannot be rationally supposed to be condemned by this expression of the Apostle nor was it the Apostles intent that persons should fall under the denomination of house-creepers because they taught in private places since it was use both by Christ and his Apostles Nay it is very remarkable and worthy of our observation that the Pharisees as captious as they were did not as we read lay this as a slaunder on Christ and his Apostles for teaching in such places 2. That those indeed are the persons whom the Apostle means who putting on an outward show and forme of holyness under that deceive and lead from the truth Now this will evidently appear if you view the words that we read unto you in which the Apostle doth discover them 1. That they were such that had a forme of godliness Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof For of this sort c. 2. They were such that under the forme did deceive by drawing from the truth So that when men do purposely and out of choice take such places wherein they may carry on their pernicious designs and lead persons from the truth these in the Scripture sence and the Apostles judgment are rightly termed house-creepers as the Lord Jesus Christ saith John 3.20 For every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh he to the light lest his deeds should be reproved Such then may be said to be creepers when they get to secret places on purpose to avoid the light that their deeds of darkness may not be discovered It is beyond all doubt that the Apostle meaneth not of such that were forced and constrained to take such places but doubtless the Apostle speaketh of those false teachers that had diffused their errours and spread themselves abroad amongst the Churches of God thinking privately to undermine them there were some of them in Corinth some in Galatia some in Philippi and Coloss also and at several other places and Jude speaketh of it to those to whom he wrote Such were ready to say after this manner What will ye not observe the Commandments of God Hath not the Lord expresly Commanded Circumcision and the forbearance of such and such meates Is not this the will of God and so by such fair words many were seduced and drawn away not being able to discover the bottom of their designs You may see how notably the Apostle speaketh to the Colossians Col. 2.16.17 18. these men pretended much to holyness and humility that they yeilded obedience to God and had his law amongst them but see what the Apostle saith v. 20. If then ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world if ye are partakers of the death of Christ what have you to do with these things You may see how the Apostle takes them off from these arguments they reasoned thus This the Law commandeth therefore we ought to do it Admit it did so saith the Apostle but now by the Death of Christ ye are free from these things you are not commanded to forbear such and such meats but of every creature you may receive the abstinence from meates was typicall and figurative but now you are taken of from these things So that the argument hath a double force If they plead the Law saith the Apostle ye are dead unto the law If they plead the practice of some that are wise men saith the Apostle Yea are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world and then surely the traditions of men cannot bind you You are freed from the Doctrines of men i.e. such Doctrines that are not grounded upon the Word of God So that there may be fair pretences and specious shews of holyness when indeed there is no such thing Now then it appears that since this is not spoken of those that do on some occasion or other preach in private places for indeed it was the practice of Christ and his Apostles it must be spoken of those that do out of voluntary choise take such places for the furtherance of their wicked designs to entrap such that cannot discern their wiles As for instance when they urge such words as these What will you not be ruled by the Church will ye not be reconciled to the Church this availeth much with such not considering that the Church is ruled by Gods Word and what is not according to this Word there is no truth in it that whatsoever is not grounded on the Word and commanded by God is will-will-worship that every plant that God hath not planted shall be plucked up that things though done with never so much zeale yet is not warranted by Gods Word are unacceptable to God as you may see Zach. 7. The Jews bad observed a Fast in their 70 years captivity and now upon their return they sent Sharezer and Regemmelech to the house of God to know whether they should continue it yea or no. But see what followeth v 5.6 7. when ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month even those 70 years did ye at all fast to me even to me c. It was such a service that God had not appointed them and they going to press it on people God owned it not So that those that under a pretence of holyness do endeavour to draw souls from the truth they are those that are the house creepers yea though they preach in never so publick places For what difference is there between a Mountebanck that mounteth on a stage and by some tricks of Legerdemain deceiveth the people and one that doth it in a private place for it is deceit in both nay it is greater impudence in him that doth it publickly then in him that doth it privately So is it here I shall illustrate it by another similitude As when one cometh into another mans house with a vizard he is judged by
A VINDICATION OF THE Ministers OF CHRIST FROM That Slander cast on them that they Are HOUSE-CREEPERS because they sometimes Preach in private Houses ALSO Proving by the Scripture who are House-Creepers and the evil they do where their corrupt Doctrine is Received Held forth in two SERMONS on 2 Tim. 3.6 By W. E. 2 PET. 2. But there were false prophets among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you which shall privily bring in damnable Heresies VER 2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways by whom the Way of Truth shall be evil spoken of LONDON Printed for John Pike of Shaftsbury in the County of Dorset Book-binder and Book-seller 1673. To the Reader THESE are to assure Thee that the Author of this ensâ—ing Discourse never intended it for the Press being sensible of his own weakness But by Providence it is thus brought about He being desired by some friends to open this Scripture in 2 Tim. 3.6 This Text being made use of by some to discourage Persons from attending the Ordinances of God in private places Although through the great Mercy of God and the favour of the King they cannot properly be called private Places since the Places are appointed by Authority and it is free for any to come unto them They make use of this Scripture to seare the weak from coming thither suggesting unto them that those who preach in such places are the Persons that the Apostle here calls Creepers into Houses and the same that he calls ver 13. wicked men and deceivers And thâ—s Scripture they make use of as the Great Engine to batter down all such Assemblies This ensuing Discourse is to shew who were those tht the Apostle here calls House-creepers And that they have not this denomination given them on this account because they did preach in Houses for it was the frequent Practices of this and the rest of the Apostles yea of Christ himself But it was because these here spoken of did chuse private Places to the end that they might steal the hearts of the simple from the truth and their wiles might not be discerned yea those who under the pretence of truth with fair words beguile the hearts of the simple are the same with those the Apostle here calls House-creepers although they appear in publick Places This being a subject seldom reated of some having taken the Notes of the Discourse were very earnest to send it to the Presse which the Author was unwilling should be done But this Argument prevailed with him to give his Consent Hoping that some Person whom the Lord hath endowed with spiritual Gifts and Learning might from hence be provoked to put forth his Abilities for the further clearing up this Truth viz. The Lawfulness of Assembling together to wait on God in his Ordinances in such Places which some by way of scorn call private Places And that those Ministers who do endeavour faithfully to perform their duty in such Places are not of those who are here condemned by the Apostle but such as did follow the Example of Christ and his Apostles that so those that are weak might not be affrighted by such Bug-bears If any shall receive benefit by these weak Endeavours Give the glory to the Lord to whom alone it is due that hath enabled so weak a Creature to speak a word for the truth that is so much despised by many the Lord make it a good word to the Souls of his People This is the earnest desire and hearty Prayer of Him who wisheth Peace and Prosperity to all the Churches of God Farewel 2 TIM 3.6 For of this Sort are they which creep into Houses and lead Captive silly Women with divers lusts THE Apostle in the Beginning of the Chapter by the Spirit of Prophecy doth foretel That the last days shall be perillous and full of danger and then what is the reason of it as you may see 1 2 3 4 5. For men shall be Lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters c. So that there are in it these two things Considerable 1. That in the last dayes there shall be perillous times 2. That the reason of such perillous times is because men abound in sin and wickedness Whence observe by the way That abundance of iniquity makes Perillous Times This is very clear in the Scriptures You may see that when Holiness doth increase and Persons make it their business to walk according to Gods Word at such times there is happiness and great Blessings vouchsafed unto a people So on the other Hand when people Apostatize and fall from God then usually such times are full of danger It was a time full of danger with Israel when sin and wickedness abounded among them and they departed from God and apostatized from the purity of his worship Judg. 2.14.15 ch 3. v 8.12 ch 4. v. 1.2 ch 6. v. 1.2.3.4.5.6 Psal 16.4 When people turn aside from God and set up their own lusts they shall have sorrow enough And again when people make it their business to walk with God all things prosper with them 2. Chron. 13.3.4.5.10.11.12 The like you have in the dayes of Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29. but when men forsake the Commandments of the Lord and walk contrary to him God hath a controversy with such a land It is the abundance of iniquity that makes times perillous I shall give you two reasons of it 1. Times are usually full of danger when iniquity abounds because God usually appears against such a people 2. Because when iniquity abounds people allow themselves to walk after their own lusts they are ready to break out into any wickedness there is nothing within them to restrain them but they are ready to do whatsoever their base hearts prompt them to though it be never so grossely prejudicious to mens estates lives or liberties I might much enlarge here But I shall speak no further to this You have seen the dependence of the text on the foregoing words Now saith the text For of this sort are they that creep into houses Of what sort of the sort here mentioned such has had a form of godliness but denyed the power thereof The Apostle speaketh not of such that were heathens that had no knowledge of God and made profession of religion but of such as professed God and that they were the friends of God For saith the text having a form of godliness they had a form of godliness but they denyed the power thereof They pretended much for Christ and the waies of Christ but denyed that which was the main viz. a full submission of themselves to Christ to walk according to the rules of Christ Now every particular of this might clearely be proved concerning the Antichristian power the mystery of iniquity and those that are plunged into it The text saith they have a form of Godliness and have not these Do not they pretend much for Christ when none do oppose him more Are not they lovers
the man of the house to be such a person but when he discovers himself he is found to be another man then he was thought to be such a man may be counted a house-creeper though he comes in openly So it is here if persons under the pretence and vizard of holyness do endeavour to deceive the simple they may come under this denomination of house-creepers Now I shall shew you by several reasons 1. That it cannot be understood of those that take such places out of necessity and constraint 2. That it must be meant of such that under a pretence of holyness do endeavour to draw people from the truth yea though it be in never so great a concourse of people 1. That it cannot be understood of those that take such places out of necessity and constraint 1. Because it is not of choice by them but necessity that causeth it to be so therefore they ought not to be charged with evil on this account Could any one rationally accuse Christ that he preached secretly and privately when he withdrew out of Judea and taught Galilee when the Jewes sought his life Was the Apostle Paul to be charged with evil for preaching in a house Acts 18.6 when he had before openly reasoned in the Synagogues with the Jewes and they raised mutinies clamours against him and drove him from them Could the Apostles justly be blamed when they met together in private places and in the night time And so the Church is former times when they were persecuted violently by the Heathens and durst not appear openly Nay this truth is so evident that it is granted themselves they do even by the Papists affirm that in times of persecution it is meet and necessary for the people of God to meet together in private places OB. But some might say Yes indeed for Christ and his Apostles and the people of God in such cases to meet together this is graunted but what 's this to Schismaticks and Hereticks these may not do so ANS But I tell you it is not mens accusations that prove it to be so persons should consider thus much that before men can be justly charged as Schismatical Heretical it ought to be made by clear and solid arguments But this we know that in all Countreys they that have the greatest power condemn all others If you go to Rome they will tell you that their superstition is the worship of God So if you go to Constantinople they will tell you that their Turcisme and Mahometisme is the right worship of God But persons ought not to be charged with Heresy till they are convinced by strength of argument out of Gods Word It was a Doctour of the Law that telleth us concerning Christ doth our Law judge any man before it hath heard him Nay you shall see it was acknowledged by the very heathens Acts 25.5.16 we should not then that bear the name of Christians be more unreasonable then the heathens but take heed of passing such peremptory sentences before the matter be proved 2. Because what they do they do in simplicity and sincerity of heart without any designs of their own 2 Cor. 4.12 where the Apostle speaking of himself and of the rest of the faith full proveth that they were not of those deceivers v. 2. We saith he have renounced the hidden things of darkness we have not walked in craftiness we have not handled the word of God deceitfully and what is that It may be this that when men see it is best for their interest then they can plead for the Word but when it is a disadvantage to them in the world then they can make use of the Word to decry these things that formerly they cried up these are those whom the Apostle means that handled the Word deceitfully but we were not of these and why because we handl'd the word by manifestation of the truth the consciences of our hearers can acquit us that we have endeavour'd to set before them the mind will of God It cannot be understood that these should be the persons here mentioned because then the Apostle would condemn himself and the practice of all the rest of his fellow Apostles nay of the Lord his Master Now it cannot be rationally imagined that the Apostle Paul who was infallibly guided by the blessed Spirit of God should thus miscarry and give occasion to his adversaries to triumph they would have said Look here he condemneth himself he is one of those that preach in Houses But then 2. It must be meant of such that under a pretence of Holiness do endeavor to draw persons from the truth 1. It must be understood of these because these are not the persons that they seem to be for they come under the Guise of Holiness pretending much good to the souls of men but yet aim chiefly at some designes of their own these are the persons the Apostle speaketh of and therefore he giveth them this name of House-creepers so that those who get into the Church of God be it either in private or publick places under a pretence of Holiness when indeed it is not so but there is some other design in their entrance they are such that do creep in but they do not enter for they are not such as they were supposed to be And therefore the Apostle Jude saith v. 4. There are certain men crept in unawares the Church was not aware of them they deceive them by their wiles and therefore properly such are the House creepers much like unto the Thief that comes into a Mans House and is disguised when he is in he spoils and robs he may be said to creep in because though he was let in yet he was not let in as such an one 2. Because they purposely choose such places and out of a design they love sâ—crecy that they might not be discovered but carry on their designes the more undiscernably It is one thing for a mon to take secret places out of necessity and another thing to chuse such places purposely Now the Scripture telleth us that he that is evil hateth the Light Hence it is that the Apostle calleth such creepers in another place deceitfull workers for they are equivalent 2 Cor. 11.13 14. They are false Apostles deceitfull workers But if they are so how are they then admitted into the Church oh saith he transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ they make pretences of holyness and shroud their wolvish nature in a Lambs-skin And they are such too whose intent is the same though it be never so openly and though they might come in as guides and leaders of the Church yet in time they discover themselves to be such as lead out of the way So you see who they are that the Apostle speaketh of under the denomination of house-creepers I shall now make some application USE 1. This sheweth us the evil of those who are ready to make a bad use of this
aside from the truth Let us then bring the Doctrines we hear to the touch-stone of Gods Word and not to reject them because publique neither applaud them meerly because private and so on the other hand Those that are so rigorous against private places what would they have done if they had lived in the dayes of Christ they would have rejected Christ and his Doctrine because he preached on a Mountaine and in a Ship and if they had lived in the dayes of the Apostles they would have done the like A faithfull Minister of Christ whether private or publick will endeavour to approve himself to God by holding forth such things as are consonant and agreeable to the Word of God Truth may be private when errour may be publick as in the dayes of Ahab when some of the Prophets were imprisoned and some put to death and Jezeebel had four hundred Prophets of Baal that fed daily at her table these at that time had the publick places and so in the dayes of Christ and his Apostles I proceed now to the second observation OB. That such persons usually effect their design on such as are either weak and ignorant not able to discern their corrupt and unsound Doctrine or such as are under the power of some base lust or lusts be they men or women for it may be understood of both sexes such being by the just judgment of God left to themselves and so they easily prevail on them Observe what Solomon telleth Prov. 14.15 The simple beleeveth every thing but the prudent looketh well to his goings What doth he mean in that but this A man that is simple and void of understanding you may make him beleeve any thing if you put a fair glosse and colour upon it but a man of understanding will lift and try and examine and see what grounds there are for the Doctrine that is delivered Of such deceivers the Apostle speaketh 2. Pet. 2.14 Now here 1. I shall shew you that they usually effect their designed on persons that are ignorant 2. That they also effect their design on those that are under the power of some lust or lusts that are in bondage to some base lusts 3. That God in his just judgment is pleased sometimes to give over such to be seduced 1. That their design is usually effected on those that are ignorant of Gods Word This you may see if you look into the Scripture Who were they among the Children of Israel that the false Prophets did so easily draw aside you may see they were any such that did not know the Lord. Jer. 5.3.4 5. Now how came this to pass They were led aside and seduced by those false Prophets that Jeremiah complaineth of that did deceive them and speaking smooth things to them did harden and confirm them in their evil wayes Again you may see how they were drawn in Jeroboams time to that grosse and abominable Idolatry they willingly walked after the Commandment Hos 5.11 Now what people were these the Prophet telleth us Hos 4.1 they were such as were without the knowledge of God where there is no knowledge of God in a Land people are easily crawn aside into the most pernicious errours And what was the reason that the Scribes and Pharisees had so many followers and so few followed Christ Why the people were ignorant of the Law and the Pharisees by their grosse and corrupt interpretations did deceive them They were a people that did not know the Law if they had known the Word of God Christ and the truths of Christ would have been very precious to them And what was the cause in this Nation in former dayes and with other Nations that remain under Ponery they are drawn aside to embrace the most-abominable errours to beleeve things that are so grossely corrupt It is because they are without the Word the Scriptures are locked up in an unknown language and people without the Word do beleeve any thing though never so grosse Do you think that absurd and abominable opinion of the Popish Masse would be received viz. That the Bread and Wine is the very Body and Blood of Christ Also that Crossing themselves with their Fingers is that which will defend them from evil and many the like foolish opinions if people were not ignorant of the Word of God 2. That which I am to shew you further is this That as ignorant persons are apt to be drawn aside to errours so likewise those that live under the power of some lust or lusts Consider that Jer. 5. The time that the Prophet Jeremiah speaketh of was a time of loosness and prophaneness They did whatsoever was good in their own eyes v 5. The great men had some knowledge of God but notwithstanding they had burst the yoke and broken the bonds they would not be under the power of Gods Word but would walk according to their own lusts pleasures Likewise that in Jer. 44.16 When the Word that Jere. had spoken in the name of the Lord crossed their lusts see how stubbornly they answer As for the VVord which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not hearken to thee VVhen persons are under the power of any lust they are in a ready way to be seduced to any thing though never so corrupt VVhen men are in love with any sin and do wilfully retain any lust they are fit persons for seducers to work upon And usually such persons with whom the flesh and their own carnal interest prevailes have been drawn away from following the truth though they have lived some time under a profession of it and have had some knowledge of it I say such persons being overswayed by their lusts have been turned aside from the truths which they formerly embraced into the most corrupt and abominable ways We have had experience of it in this our Nation when God was pleased to give us peace and plenty and all that our hearts could desire how many were there that lived under a Profession of Religion when Religion was in credit yet the World having the Mastery of their hearts how suddenly did those persons miscarry and turn aside some to one opinion and some to another And surely those who lie in wait to deceive observe the frame and temper of mens spirits and order their deceits accordingly 3. That God in his just judgment giveth such over to be deceived VVhen once men will indulge themselves in any way of sin when once they wilfully take up their resolutions that they will do so and so though it be expressely contrary to the VVord of God God is pleased to give such over to delusions 2 Thes 2.10 11. For this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a Lie For what cause because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved Observe that he doth not say that they did not receive the truth but they received not the
unto you What think ye that God will bring in the Heathe upon you that are his people that God will destroy his Temple And thus it is with the subtile Jâ—suits they carry on their ways so that they foster mâ—n in their wickedness though they have a shew of holiness yet they know how to indulge men in their sinful lusts and liberties they have devised ways for it that according to their principles men may live loosely and licentiously and yet all may be well enough with them 2. They usually prevail with such because such as these have their hearts set on their lusts As for instance those whose hearts are set on the world they are resolved to encrease in the world they will rather part with Christ then their covetousness You know how it was with the young man in the Gospel he would have Christ and his riches too and so it is with many they are willing to have Heaven and the world too but if they must part with one of them they will part with any thing rather then with their lust The covetous mans Gold the ambitious mans vain glory command their hearts and consciences they will rather condescend to any thing though contrary to their own principles then part with their lusts And therefore it is no wonder if such persons miscarry The reason why God doth give such over to be deluded is because they reject the truth as in 2 Thes 2.10 They received not the love of the truth they loved not the truth they embraced it not with their hearts it follows God shal send them strong delusion When men please themselves in any sinful way and there rest it s a dangerous condition and God in his just judgement may give such over to be deceived You know how it was with Ahab the Prophets told him he should go up and prosper but when Micajah came he set the truth before him but his lusts liked it not his pride and ambition and his desire to enlarge his territories caused him to hate Micajah When men have had the truth set before them and have been convinced thereof and their understandings somewhat inlightned and yet they have neglected this light God may in his just judgment let darkness overspread their understandings God may say thus to such a soul Seeing thou wilt not beleeve the truth thou shalt beleeve a lye USE 1. This gives us to see the sad condition of all those that are ignorant of Gods Word that are not able to discern between truth and errour between the mind of God and the grosse conceits of Satan and his instruments It must needs be dangerous in these last times if you consider these Scriptures Mat. 24.11 Many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many What a sad and dreadfull thing is it that when false Prophets shall arise when they shall come and say here is Christ and there is Christ and yet he is not among either 2 Pet. 2.1 There shall be such that shall bring in damnable Heresies What a sad condition then I say must such soules be in that live in such times when such pernicious seducers are abroad and they are not able to discern between truth and errour You would say that that man were in a sad condition that did set forth some precious things of great value to sell and a multitude did flock about him with false Coyn and he were not able to discerâ— between what was good and what was false every one that did see him would say that man will be utterly undone So it is here what a sad condition is this when men shall come with corrupt and unsound Doctrine and shall deceive them and they are not able to discern the precious truths of Christ from those damnable Doctrines Alas in what a condition are the ignorant when men shall come after this manner to them and tell them that by their improvement of their natural abilities and that common light which God hath given them they shall obtain the love and favour of God and shall in time come to partake of everlasting life and glory What a dreadfull thing is this and yet this goeth down currant with those that doe not know the Scripture when it is manifest that we are dead and that the light that is in us is grosse darkness that unless he that is the light of light doth inlighten us by the light of his blessed spirit we are never able to discern spirituall things So when men come and tell them that by their good works by their repentance and works of righteousness they may do away their sins and obtain Gods favour When men do bring these things with fair glosses and pretences colouring them with the Scripture they are easily carried away with them Oh say they these are good men they bring the Word of God for what they say Again if they come with such Doctrine as this that men ought not to rush presently into the presence of Christ but they must make friends by some Mediators as by the Saints that are departed and by this means they may be interceded for that they may be heard of him Oh say they this doth not derogate from the honour of Christ he hath the honour of all we do But it is rudeness thus to rush immediately into his presence This carrieth far with ignorant people for here is a fair pretence and shiew of humility though it is clear in the Scriptures that they bring a great deale of dishonour to Christ when they take away the honour of his Mediatorship and put it on Saints and Angels We cannot dishonour Christ more then when we rob him of the glory of his grace incouraging us at all times to come to him and that we should come to the Father in and through the Son It is not for the sake of Saints and Angels but for the sake of Christ alone that we are accepted of God Again when they bring such abominâ—â—â—e Doctrine as this that we must pray before Images Oh say they we pray not to the Images but these are serviceable to keep our affections on God whereas they place a holyness in such things and make that a help which God hath not commanded but expressly forbidden And what a sad thing is it when soules are drawn aside to embrace such impious Doctrine as this that after the words of conscecration the bread is the very Body of Christ and argue thus This is the Word of Christ that is truth himself and will you â—beâ— Christ Again others that are not so horribly grosse have other ways to deceive pressing men to worship God after another way then that which God hath appointed If you ask them what ground they have for such and such needless ceremonies Why say they this is decency and we must do all things decently and in order Alas how many poor soules are deceived herein and become zealous contenders for Ceremonies and more earnest in them then