Keeping and propagating one of the most glorious truths that Iesus Christ was risen from the dead yet a thing that is farthest off from sense and reason wherein I suffer trouble mark Paul does not say wherin I make trouble no but wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer unto bonds but the word of God is not bound If this blessed and glorious Apostle would have had the faith of God bound and have contented himself with sinful silence and not propagated the Gospel Paul might have been free but Paul would not have the word of God bound therefore Paul would suffer for it Shall we go higher a great deal then this You have the glorious commendation of the Lord Jesus Christ upon this account that he gave a free and full account of the Doctrine of his Father and of his glorious person before Pontius Pilate a bloody Persecutor It was not by saying to his Disciples Fight nor by saying my Kingdom is not of this world but that he gave a glorious confession before the face of Pilate of the righteousnesse of his truth Doctrine Gospel and of his person Fear to ensnare the freedom of the truth with your own liberty do not ensnare it to your own lusts nor to the will of any man O that we could study and improve these Scriptures more it would make us fear God more man lesse this is that that would make us say as holy David Ps. 119. 161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy words for he that hath the most fear fear on you and upon you you will be more afraid to fall into his hands It is a childish thing for a Christian to tread down the belief of any Doctrine or practice any worship for fear of man who hath no more power to hurt us then we give him our selves by our fear Fear not him that can but kill the body c. It was the way of Gods people formerly that they came to divide between duty commanded by God and commanded by man you may read in all the dayes of Antichrists persecution from the beginning they came to divide in matter of obedience to God and his truth and worship and obedience to man Christians nothing but a suffering spirit will help you to this for there is no other way of Obedience in this case to authority but to suffer under it meekly Patiently as lambs This made the three children to divide between the command of God What sayes Nebuchadnezzer Every knee that bows not shall be cast into the Furnace very well as for that matter say they O King we are not carefull to answer thee for we will not bow down c. What will they not Obey him yet they will obey him by suffering as becomes Christians as is the example of Christ as if they should say Truly we are terrified with hell too We are terrified by the threats of the great King and we are likewise terrified by the threats of the great God he is able to deliver us out of your torments you are not able to deliver us from his torments so in the case of Daniel Arm your selves with this Resolution of suffering and lying down patiently and meekly under those things that you cannot do so that God may be honoured by your holy resolution upon this Account for truly you never do contend successfully for the faith of the Gospel till you contend by suffering for it is said They overcame by the blood of the lamb you never make Religion your businesse till the world see you can let such great things go as life estate liberty to keep it Then wisedome is justified of her children You never glorify the truths of God so much by practice or writing as by suffering for them Those glorious truths against Popish justification mixing of works with faith Transubstantiation Purgatory Idol-worship against all those things that were superadded contrarie to Gods justification there is such a glory upon the truths that it is hard for the Popish power ever to darken them again because we see them written in the honourable and blessed scars of the witnesses and burnings of those glorious Martyrs If you would take one another by the hand when God takes away our faithfull guides and say Brethren Sisters Friends come let us hold together there 's no way in the world to hold on together like suffering for the Gospel really would get more advantage by the holy humble sufferings of one gracious Saint meerly for the word of righteousnesse then by ten thousand Arguments used against Hereticks and false worship Compare Phil. 1. 12 13 14. with the 27 28 and 29. verses How is Paul's bonds a furtherance of the Gospel Paul no doubt was called an evil doer one that sowed Heresie and was hated every where saith he Many of the Brethren of the Lord waxed confident by my bands and were much more bold to speak the word without fear Here 's the great encouragement and then he comes to give you a precept and that 's in the 27. verse and he speaks it as one that was leaving of them Onely let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ that you may stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel and in nothing terrified by your Adversaries for unto you it is given not onely to believe but also to suffer c. It is given to you as a duty given to you as a priviledge O that you would confirm one another and in slippery times hold up one another by the hand do it in going after Gods call and in this way suffering for those truths you cannot otherwise hold and maintain Truly Christians you had need be armed with Resolution for the world is alwaies counting the things Gods people have suffered for very little and they count it prudence not to meddle therein Those men that have easie soft terms to comply that they have a latitude to do any thing I believe some Christians are of that opinion that they would even think the Saints of God were ill advised to venture their all upon those truths they see others died and suffered for It 's a sad thing many Christians study to draw out the lines of obedience as far as the honesty of the times will give them leave but no farther that they would go on with the Lord Jesus to the High Priests hâ—…ll and there deny him or that would be willing to do anything for Christ but are willing to suffer nothing for Christ you very little honour Jesus Christ in this and you will very little honour your selves at the last It is upon this account that Christians if they see even against plain conviction of Conscience and the word that there are super-instituted things broke in as in Conscience they cannot submit to yet they can comply why they may be used lawfully though not superstitiously But saith
all his people in these three Nations should lay to heart and repent of before the Lord. I gave you in a list eleven special sins that we should repent of and humble our selves for before the Lord. As 1. Omission of duty Prayer reading the Word Meditation c. Any thing will be for excuse to lay by duties and we are secretly glad of an excuse 2. Remisness in duty In things of the world we are all in all and all in every part a man cannot thrust another thought into us but in Prayer how many things are we doing 3. Hypocrisie How unlike are we at home to what abroad and in company to what in secret 4. Pride In apparel houses parts bloud birth-right yea of grace it self of humility Ministers Ordinances c. 5. Covetousness Never did covetousness invade the professing party as now The more goods men get the less good they do 6. Sensuality Voluptuousness wantonness Christians let themselves loose to the Creature lay out their affections on things below as if that part in the Serpents curse to lick the dust of the earth were theâ—…r own ss well as his 7. Animâ—…sities and divisions amongst Christians many have been active to kindle but few to quench divisions 8. Uncharitable censuring one anothâ—…r 9. Formality in duty Witness 1. Unprepared coming 2. Unsutableness of spirit to And 3. Want of reflection after duty how we have sped what we have got Sabbath Sacraments come and goes Monday morning finds us the same as before Misspent-Sablaths Some prophane others idle away the Sabbath c. 11. Neglect of our Bibles in our 〈◊〉 and Closets I pray God it forego not some great evil coming upon you as before the massacre in Germany it was observed c. I proceed 12. The want of mutual forlearance among Christians Alas Christians know not how to bear one with another in the least kind of measure Oh the short-spiritedness amongst Christians they cannot bear one anotherbâ—…rdens they cannot bear with one another 'T is very sad that we that stand in need of so much forbearance should express so little to our Brother 'T is an Argument we know not of what spirit we are of as Christ told his Disciples Oh! how unlike to are we that God whom we profess to be our God He is long-suffering patient full of goodness gentleness mercy c. we can bear nothing we can suffer nothing one from another 13. Our great murmuring against Reformation and Reformers God hath heard the voice of our Murmuring Exod. 16. As if there had been nothing that would have undone us but Reformation and truly God seems to speak such a word as that was Numb 7. 5. in displeasure and anger I will make your murmurings to cease I will take away the cause of your murmuring I would have reformed you and you would not be reformed As Christ to Iernsalem I would but you would not Mat. 23. The time may come when we would and God will not when we shall cry Other Lords have had dominion over us c. Isa. 26. 13. but thou Lord set up thou thy government rule thou over us and God may say No 't is too late I would have healed you and you would not be healed 14. The great neglect of the care of our Families Truly 't is not the least sin that threatens the removal of our Candlestick How generally have the duties of Religion been let fall in our Families reading the Word singing Psalms c. Time was when one could not have come through the streets into London on an evening in thee week-day but we might hear the praises of God singing of Psalms now it 's a stranger in the City even upon the Lords own day Oh! how have Governours of Families cast off the care of the souls that God hath committed to them How careless are they of the souls of their yoak-fellows that lie in their bosoms of their children the fruit of their loins Masters of their servants c And in the mean time are ready to stand up and justifie themselves with the boldness of Cain to say to God Am I my brothers keeper Am I the keeper of my yoak-fellow children servants souls yes thou art the keeper c. God hath put them unto thy trust and if they perish through thy fault they may die in their sins but their bloud shall be required at thy hand God will say to thee as he did to Cain Thy brothers blood cryeth in my ear 15. Our indifferences as to matter of faith and doctrine That we have not been more zealous for the truth of Christ that great trust and depositum which hath been committed to us We have accounted it no matter of what opinion or judgment men be in these latter times 'T is an universal saying No matter what judgment men be of so they be Saints as if truth in the judgment did not go to the making up of a Saint as well as holiness in the will and affections As if Christ had not come into the world to bear witness of the truth which was his great design as if it were no matter if God have the heart so the Devil be in the head as if no matter that be full of darkness so the heart be for God 16. The unsutableness of our conversations to the Gospel of Christ 'T is the only thing the Apostle puts the Philippians in mind of and commits to their care Phil. 1. 27. And truly in these unhappy dayes it hath been the only thing men have neglected and despised How little care that our conversations should honour the Gospel c. 17. Our living by sense and not by faith Surely my Brethren among all the sins in England that the people of God have cause to be humbled for there is not any whereby we have more provoked God than by that sin of Unbelief Murmuring and Infidelity have been our two great sins for which it is the wonder of Gods mercy that he hath not caused our carcasses to fall in the wilderness He may take up that complaint of us that he did of Israel Numb 14. 22. Because all those men which have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness and have tempted me now these ten times and have not hearkened to my veice surely they shall not see the land c. And this is the lamentation we may take up that truly to this very day we have not faith enough to carry us from one miracle to another from one deliverance to another from one salvation to another let one deliverance pass over our head and no sooner one wave rises higher than another but we are ready to cry out with Peter Lord save mâ—… I perish and well were it if our fears did issue into tears and cryes after Christ we rather are ready to cry out as those in Ezek. 37. 11. Our bones are dryed and our hope is lost we are cut
to God as a thing which to touch were Sacriledge that you may be ready on all occasions in all regular and due wayes to bring out for the relief of the Poor you know objects abounding in every place and you may expect warrantable means for dispensing of what God shall put into your hearts in this matter Mr. Sclater's Farewell Sermon 1 JOHN 5. 1. â—…1 Whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Christ is born of God ' and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him Little Children keep your selves from Idols THis General Doctrine I have already delivered unto you from this Text which indeed is the marrow and substance of the whole Chapter That Gospel-believing is a Duty which they that really perform are highly priviledged by to their greatest advantageâ—… I have spoken concerning Gospel-believing and that it is a duty and that they that do really perform it are highly dignified and priviledged by it as hath been made to appear from the Chapter that which remains to be done and shall be as God enables the work of this morning is to make improvement of this Doctrine which is one of the most material and momentous Doctrines that can be preached to us Gospel-believing it hath most precious priviledges entailed upon it whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Son of God that Jesus is come in the Flesh is borâ—… of God knows God and shall be eternally blessed of God and with God surely then the World runs upon a very great mistake I have hinted something already to that purpose but I have left the more full discussion and discovery of the matter untill now Why who is there among the generality of common Professors that is not very pregnant to hold forth this to be their Faith If so be that it should be put to the Question Friend What is your Faith what Belief are you of Why not one in a thousand I think but will be apt to say Why truly I will give you this Account There is a Gospel which is preached among us and in the World and this Gospel doth hold forth this for true Doctrine That Iesus the Son of Mary that was born at Bethlehem is the Christ is the Messiah which was promised by the Father and which the World did live in expectation of so long This Iesus I believe is the Son of God this Iesus I verily believe is come in the Flesh and he is come to be the Saviour of the World this is the Belief and that which is the common profession that is made by the generality of people Why but will you consider now this Text and other Scriptures which speak fully to this purpose Whosoever doth believe this That Iesus is the Christ the Son of God that he is come in the Flesh whosoever believes this is of God is born of God And it doth clearly appear and may be most convincingly made out that many thousands that profess their belief concerning these things yet notwithstanding are not born of God Why certainly there must needs be a great and gross fallacy in the business Gospel-faith and Believing it is not so common a thing as many take it to be and therefore if this be Gospel-faith and that which doth interest persons in such great and precious priviledges truly it concerns us to look well to it that we be not mistaken concerning this Belief Now this I would say there is something in it to be considered with respect to the time wherein Christ appeared visibly to the World and the after-times wherein the Apostles did hold forth these great Doctrines of the Gospel concerning Christ. And this we are to say that in such a time as that was when this was the Critical point as it were the discriminating thing in such a time for any to make this profession and to hold forth this to be their Faith and Belief that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God it was of high signification and might very well as to man beget a comfortable confidence and hope concerning such persons that certainly they were born of God as to man and according to rational Charity it might be very probable that in such Persons as did thus believe and professe this to be their Faith and Belief there were some blessed beams upon their Souls for mark ye it hath been thus in the World and among the people of it concerning matters of God and Godliness that there hath been such and such a Truth that hath been the Critical Truth as I said that hath been as I may so say the Shibboleth whereby people are distinguished one from another I allude to that passage in Iudges concerning the Gileadites they made a profession of themselves to be such and such and they were put to it to pronounce Shibboleth they that could not speak out the word and clearly pronounce it they were not judged to be the persons that they professed themselves to be but they that could do it held their liberty so sometimes such and such a Doctrine is ordered out to be a distinguishing point upon the account of the desperate opposition that the World makes against it and upon this account the Priests and the Rulers and the rest of the World were desperately bent against Christ they called him Jesus but could not endure him to be called Christ the Son of God it was an Act and Decree amongst them That whosoever should confess Jesus to be the Christ should be put out of the Synagogue should be excommunicated Now for persons at such time wherein it was as much as their Liberty it may be their Lives were worth to own that Jesus Christ was the Son of God for persons now at such a time to own this Jesus that was in so mean a condition to be the Christ there is very much in it infinitely more then for persons now to take up this profession Why because this Doctrine hath obtained in the World and it is a Doctrine among Papists as well as Protestants there is no such danger now for Persons to be of this Belief But shall I say this That for all that to believe this really according to the right account and true genuine interpretation of Gospel-believing the Case is the same with them and with us at this day setting aside the consideration of time and times the danger then and the encouragement now the Case is the same Gospel-believing of these truths according to a genuine interpretation of Gospel-believing it is the same now as then and then as now And therefore we must consider and look further I would put these few things to your consciences You profess this to be your faith you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that he is come in the flesh these things you profess to believe and if you do so indeed you are highly priviledged people blessed of God and shall be
to all Eternity But do you not mistake Do you believe this that Jesus is the Christ How came you by this belief What account can you give of it How were you brought over to this Belief Did you not come to this Faith and Belief by common report You were born to this Doctrine You look upon it as that which is the benefit you have by your being born in a Nation and among a People that profess the Name of Christ and this hath been instilled into you by education and upon this account you take it Did you ever buy this truth It is a truth that Jesus is the Christ how came it to be yours Did you ever buy this truth Buy it I say buy it For the very truth is we are never able to make out a good Title to any Gospel-truth untill such time as we can say we have bought it How why by serious meditation studying the Scriptures searching into them seriously pondering and weighing of them crying mightily to God that he would manifest them to us and encountring temptations from without from within being at a point willing to engage liberty and estate and life and all for this truth's sake Can you say We have pondered and are so fully satisfied about it as that if all the world should come in a way of contradiction and rise up in opposition to us and come with fire and sword to beat us out of this truth yet we are resolved to stick to it Can you give such an account of your selves that you have not taken it up on a common report but are able to say there hath been an inward Revelation made of these things to your souls that there hath been a sanctified work of the Spirit upon your understandings that you come to see into the mystery of these Gospel restimonies Is there an habitual frame of spirit wrought in you whereby you are carried out to close with every truth of God and to close with it upon this account because of a divine authority stampt upon it When we give assent to common truths but not with a common spirit but in the strength of an inward conviction we assent to it upon the account of an unction that we have received from the Holy One and we assent to this and that truth upon the account of a divine authority which we see to be stampt upon it and withall we find that there are suitable workings of our heart in the loves and desires and delights of them to these truths as there will be a kindly working of the heart where there is a right assent suitable to the truths assented to as If there be a threatning the Soul assents to it and will tremble before God If a promise be made or a Gospel-revelation it will be accompanied with a holy rejoycing in God that ever he should make such a Promise or Revelation and then there will be a holy resolution of spirit Come what will come I will never part with this truth I have bought the truth that was my duty and having bought it I will never sell it that is my duty too Can we give such an account as this But then withall let me a little further improve that which I have already spoken from the Chapter You say this is your belief That Jesus is the Christ the Son of God but can you give an account of those priviledges that are entailed upon this belief For you must know that the priviledges which belong to such will serve as Evidences that they are such Now if you believe it is your priviledge to be boâ—… of God and this being born of God must be the evidence of this belief Can you give an account of you being born of God If you are not born of God you do not believe That Jesus is the Christ. Can you givâ—… an account of your overcomming the World Are yoâ—… such as are enabled to stand out in opposition to thâ—… eâ—…rors and heresies and corrupt doctrines and practâ—…ses that are in the World Can you beâ—…r up agaiâ—… the lust of the eye the lust of the flesh and the priâ—… of life If you are in slavery to the world in bondage to the beggarly rudiments of the world you are mistaken That Jesus is the Christ For he that believeth according to a true interpretation of Gospel-believing That Jesus is the Christ doth overcome the world and by vertue of this belief he is enabled to get a conquest over the world and over corruptions that are in it through lust And then again You profess to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God Oh! but you are able to give an account that you have believed into this Jesus and upon this Jesus for that is it the Text holds forth He that believes that Jesus is the Christ doth believe on Jesus the Christ Are you by vertue of this believing which you profess drawn out to a closing with Christ do you roll your selves upon him own him for Righteousness and Salvation and are willing to yield your selves up in subjection to him You believe Jesus to be the Christ but do you believe on that Jesus whom you profess to be the Christ Now this being thus laid down as a Foundation I would infer thus and so go on to a farther branch of this Application Either you do really believe with a Gospel-believing these Truths and Doctrines concerning Christ or you do not Why they that profess they do but in truth they do not there is a clear and manifest contradiction which this profession meets withal and that upon the accounts I have formerly given As alas this Profession suffers contradiction generally generally the Professors of this Faith that Jesus is the Christ do clearly make a flat contradiction and I am very confident that there are thousands that if they should be put to the Trial Will you stick to this Truth If you do it shall cost you the loss of your Liberty and Estates nay your Life shall go for it Oh I am very apt to think that you shall have thousands that will turn their backs upon this Profession renounce this Profession Now concerning such this I would say First that the Condition of such persons as are not right in Gospel-believing is a most mournful and miserable Condition however it may be with them in other respects yet it is sad to think what a Condition they are in for consider first of all they that do not perform this Great Duty of Gospel-believing according to the truth and reality of it I will tell you what they do they do give God the lye they do by interpretation tell God to his face that he is a very Lyar and what higher blaspheming can there be than to give the lye to the God of Truth every one will be apt to bless themselves and say Oh far be it from me God forbid that I should be charged with such an horrid impiety as
this Oh but Brethren the very truth is it is a very common thing by interpretation to give the lye to God and all that do not believe according to that Gospel-believing that you have heard do tell God to his face that he is a Lyar. How doth that appear Why take a little help such as I am able to give you To profess that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God that he came to be the Saviour of the world is ordered out to be our Righteousness is sent of God to preach Liberty to Captives to heal diseased Souls and to deliver poor Creatures from the bondage of the Devil these things People generally profess to believe but mark you now they never come to Christ nor never set in with him upon this account and to this purpose Oh Lord thou art the Jesus the Annointed of God I come to thee for life I am a poor dead Creature I am in a state of unrighteonsness and thon art given to be for Righteousness Lord I fly to thee for it I am a poor diseased creature the Plague is upon my soul and thou art appointed to heal the Soul of the Plague I come to thee for healing There is not one of thousands that come thus to Christ. Will you now see how the lye is given to God I profess for my part saith one I know no such matter Jesus is the Christ and I profess to believe so and he is appointed of God for such and such things he is sent to preach liberty to the Captives I know not that there is any such bondage Christ came to save sinners alas I know no need of any such salvation by him he came to heal diseased souls I am well enough what need have I of Christ What is this but to give the lye to God He that receiyes not Christ makes God a lyar for he doth in effect say Lord thou sayest so and so concerning the World I know nothing of all this and so the lye is given to God And is it nothing to give the lye to the great God the God of truth And I tell you while you profess this Jesus to be the Christ the Son of God and in the mean time flye not to him you believe him to be the Son of God and that all Authority is given unto him and you will not subject to his Authority why you give the lye to God and is this nothing 2. Consider the sad condition of such as believe not according to a right Gospel-believing they are such as are lyable to the dreadfullest touches from the Devil that possibly can be He that believeth is born of God overcomes the World and is enabled to keep himself that the wicked one doth not touch him with a mortiferous touch but I tell thee whatever thou art that art under the powerof unbelief thou art in danger of a dreadfull touch from the Prince of darkness and if thou livest and diest in a state of unbelief thou wilt fall under the power of condemnation Remember what our Saviour speaks and consider well of it You stand out in opposition to my Doctrine but I tell you Except you believe that I am He you shall dye in your sins A dreadful word you shall die in your sins and what then be damned eternally This is the condition of all such as are in a state of unbelief but then on the other hand in case we be able to give a good account of our believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and of our believing on him concerning whom these Testimonies are given Oh what cause have all such to rejoyce in their condition The condition of such persons is happy beyond all expression and comprehension who have owned these Truths owned that Jesus of whom the faithful Testimonies are given Now all the Chapter according to the account I have given you comes in to the purpose of comforting and rejoycing the heart of such Persons Here is your comfort now really believing according to a right interpretation of Gospel-believing this is your priviledge you are the Persons that are born from above you are the Persons that shall be enabled to over come the World to bear up against all opposition that Men and Devils can make against you you are the Persons that have the Witness within you and you shall be able to bear up against all the contradictions of Sinners you are the Persons that have Christ and have eternal life by him you shall have it nay you have it already He that believeth on the Son of God hath eternal life he hath it in the beginnings of it and shall have it in the compleat state of it being brought over to Gospel-believing you may come with boldness to God in a way of prayer with holy confidence that whatever else you ask believing you shall have a good account of it God doth not neglect any believing prayer of a believing soul And all the Priviledges of the Gospel are entailed upon you and you are entitled unto them and you shall have the Benefit of them while you live and when you die unto all Eternity Well may it be said of such a Person Blessed is he and she that hath believed with a Gospel-believing Gospel-Truths and Testimonies concerning Christ and on Christ on whom those Testimonies are given for there shall be a full and perfect accomplishment of whatever God hath spoken with his mouth concerning such And then lastly If the Grace of God hath brought us over to a closing with Christ of whom these truths and testimonies are given why the last Branch of the Application is but this That you would but justifie your Believing and labour to manifest the reality of your Believing according to the Gospel by a suitable walking This is that that shall be the cloling up of this Application Oh Brethren Let us consider well our Saviour tells us in Mat. 11. Wisdom is justified of her Children Why if ever we mean to approve our selves to be Wisdom's children our care must be for to give in our Justification of Wisdom's sayings and for to carry it in a congruousness and suitableness unto that Gospel-believing which we profess to be by grace brought over to Why but what is that you will say Why consider the Text and see what remains of the Chapter I shall make it out give it up to you in this way Why First of all this is one special Duty that lies upon you That you would study your Mercy and know what God hath been to you and done for you and how highly you are dignified and not to be alwayes in a fluctuating state and upon the questioning and disputing point but to come to some well grounded confidence that you may be able to say We know that this and that is our condition and this and that is our dignified priviledge that we are planted under Do but mark how the Point in hand doth charge
baseness in advanced wickedness a poor minister of Jesus Christ when he is cast out by the world and thinks he shall be counted the scum of the world yet let him not be troubled as it was with Christ it is with the servants of Christ the Lord Jesus when he was here upon earth no man under so much ignominy and reproach and persecution yet all this while Jesus Christ had a secret glory that shined through all these ignominies and disgraces you read he was laid in a manger but then he was worshipped sometimes you shall read he had no money but yet then he could command that a fish should be caught and he could have money somtimes a weary and yet at that very time converts a woman Look through the whole course of his life there was a secret glory under all his ignominy when he was brought before his enemies yet then they fell down before him take heed of dishonouring God Thus it is with the people of God they are in distress and poverty but there is a secret dignity that beams forth as the Apostle saith the Spirit of God and glory rest upon you If you be persecuted for righteousness sake blessed are you on the other side when rich men are in high esteem is there not a secret disgrace to be in a high place and yet to be a swearer a drunkard a whoremaster 4. You see the way of it how a man may get a good name would you be as those holy men are said to be that obtained a good report through faith I will tell thee the way be a holy man take heed of sinning take heed of dishonouring God this will make thee that thy name shall never rot and God will have thee in everlasting remembrance 5. I note from hence the certain happiness of those beholders that do see this excellency and worth in the people of God under worldly contempt and under worldly ignominy and disgrace for the comfort of these let me tell them if there be any thing in the world a sign of a gracious heart it is this to love holiness for holiness sake when it is advanced is good but to love holiness when it is upon a dunghil and is spit upon and persecuted that man shows the truth of grace and the strength of grace too It is a sign not only of a true sight but of a strong sight to pierce so as to see a godly man beautiful in sufferings and remember this for certain the Lord will have an eye to thee There is a great deal of comfort may come to thy soul in all thy distresses here is a ground of comfort First In thy infirmities Dost thou love holiness when it is compassed about with sorrows and troubles and persecutions Certainly Christ will see the truth of thy grace in the midst of all thy infirmities and he will know a little of his own in the midst of a great deal of ours but then in our outward trouble there is comfort Do you think if you regard not Gods people in their sufferings that he will regard you in your sufferings If you remember the godly poor God will make your bed in your sickness God will remember what you did at such a time such a visit thou gavest to such a one of mine in priâ—…on and such a time thoâ—… didst so â—…nd â—…o those that have kâ—…pt close to â—…od in their outward highness he will never câ—…st them off for their lowneâ—…s you â—…an see nothing of grace in our selves nothing but hypocrisie yet câ—…st â—…ou say Lord I love thee in thy Image I love the Lord Jâ—…s Christ in his woâ—…st 〈◊〉 I love him in his Members this hath brought many a servant of God comfort in the â—…wangs of his conscience But then there is abundant comfort to the people of God at the last day when they shall appear before all the world when they that have persecuted Christ and his Church and â—…eople do fear and tremble yet then mayest thou say Remember Lord what I have done it is a token I am one that thou inâ—…endest good too because thou hast kept me faithful to thee and thy cause Do you think a Judge will condemn that man that hath saved the life of his dear Wâ—…fe but when you shall appear before the Judgement seat at the great day and every pot of water and every rag that thou hâ—…st given to the Spouse of Christ shall be remembred do you think he will not reward it To conclude all let me note but this one thing that now the people of God from hence should learn and that is not to be discouraged in any outward reâ—…roach or trouble that can befal them in this world remember at that very time God hath a good opinion of you though you be never so mean and low in 〈◊〉 account of the world yet the Saints of God who are the only wise men in the world these have a good opinion of you and love you and pray for you and pitty you I profess the love of one Saint is that that makes amends to a gracious heart for all the hatred and persecution that he endures from all the sinners in the world and then remember that even the wicked themselves will have a good opinion of you when you do not comply with theiâ—… superstitious wayes and practises and if all this will not comforâ—… you remember your own consciences which is as a thousand witnesses will one day comfort you and though you are under disgrace and contempt and reproach from wicked men yet remember no man is a miserable man for any opinion another hath of him so long as God keeps thee close and faithful to him either thy conscience doth comfort thee or it shall and it is a good conscience that will give the best acquittance And then to conclude all for thee to have the whole number of Godâ—… people to look upon thee to be an unworthy and vile man I look upon it to be a greater disgrace then to have all the ignominy and disgrace that the world can lay upon you remember when godly men are â—…fraid of you you have very much cause to be afraid of your self and remember there is much reason for you to put you upon the looking and narrow enquiry into your own hearts and wayes when the people of God that God hath given his Spirit too stands at a distance from you and are afraid to come nigh you Mr. Jenkins's Afternoon Sermon Exod. 3. 2 3 4 5. And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a Bush and he looked and behold the Bush burned with fire and the Bush was not consumed And Moses said I will now turn aside and see this great sight why the Bush is not burnt And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see God called unto him out of the midst of the Bush and said Moses
the stress of my Salvation upon these t is true I cannot in conscience conform but I do not lay the stress of salvation on it as I did not lay the stress of my salvation on my being a Presbyterian I confess I am so have been it hath been my unhappiness to be alwaies on the sinking side yet I lay not the stress of my salvation upon it 'T is my conscience but it may be I have not so much light as another man and I profess in the presence of God could I conform without sin to my own 〈◊〉 I would if I should do any thing against my conscience I should sin and break my peace and conscience and all and never see good day do not then spend the strength of your zeal for your religion in censuring others That man that is most busie in censuring others is alwayes least employed in examining himself Remember good Iohn Bradford he would not censure Bonner nor Gardiner but saith he they called I. Bradford the hypocritical I. Bradford c. I do not speak this as though I can or did in conscience approve of those things for which I must suffer that I cannot approve of them but to take off people from those things that are so far from the foundation Look you but to the main things and look but into your own hearts examine them and then you need not be much perswaded to look about to others 2. You must take heed you be not loose Christians will you remember one thing from me the God of Heaven grant you never live to see it verified A loose Protestant is one of the fittest persons in the world to make a strict Papist Tell not me of his Protestantisme being a drunkard it is because his King oâ—… Countrey are Protestants where they live There is no Religion in a loose liver if ungodliness be in the heart it is no difficult thing for error to get into the head A loose heart can best comply with loose principles see if they will not be of any Religion in the world that is uppermost let the Turkâ—… prevail they would soon be of his Religion 3. Take heed of being worldly Christians oh this is the David that hath â—…lain his ten thousands A worldly heart will be bought and sold upon every turn to serve thâ—… Devils turn Come to a worldly heart and but promise him thirty pieces of silver he will betray his Saviour The temptations of the world are great upon us at this time you that are husbands and parents know it the world is a 〈◊〉 temptation but if we be overcome by the world and the world not overcome by us we shall never be able to overcome any one temptation that is offered to us Therefore that 's an admirable support In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world I have overcome the world for you and likewise I have overcome the world in you Oh Lord if thou wilt but overcome the love and the fear of the world if thou wilt but arm us against the smiles of the world then come what will we shall stand stedfast 4. Take heed you be not hypoeritical Christians i e. take heed you do not receive the truth and only receive the truth and not receive the truth in the love of that truth 2 Thess. 2. 10. You have received truth but have you received the truth in the love of that truth which you have received want of this is that damnable occasion to Popery And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the truth 'T is just with God they should fall into errours whose hearts did never love real truths Better never receive the truth then to receive it and not in the love of it Take heed of being venturous and God tempting Christians what 's that when do I tempt God I tempt God when I do run into a Pest-house and say God will preserve me from the Plague Take heed of running upon temptations to sin whether it be in principles or in practice I could tell you of two spiritual Pest-houses in England if I had time for principles one and for practices another I do not say that I mean Play-houses on the one hand or Mass-houses on the other hand Certainly Bretâ—…ren I read of Iulian that wicked bloudy Apostate that he sunk into that his Apostacy first by going to hear Libanius preach mistake me not I am not against your hearing the Ministers of Christ for a man may be a true Minister though he be a bad man all the world can never answer the instance of Iudas who was a true Minister though a bad man while I plead for the truth of his Ministry I do not spread a skirt over the wickedness of his life The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses Chair hear them But that which I mainly aim at is this do not you go and run and venture your selves upon temptations you have heard of superstitious or Idolatrous worship you have a months mind to see this and what if so be when you are found in Satans way Satan should lay his â—…aw on you and claim to you what do you there in Satan's ground Would you be found when you come to die in a Play-house or in such a place where the true God is Idâ—…latrously worshipped 'T is a great truth if you would not be found in the Devils power do not be found in the Devils pound Brethren we must know Satan is bâ—…sie enough to tempt us we need not go to tempt him Eve lost all that she had by hearing one Sermon but 't was from the Devil Therefore if you would not have your pockets pickt do not trade amongst Cheaters 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. If any man â—…each otherwise c. then that ye have received and we preached from such withdraw thy self that 's a good honest laudable separation from such withdraw thy self 6. Where God doth not find a mouth to speak do not you find an ear to hear nor an heart to believe pray mind it this I am sure is of concernment This is one of the grand points in my Card or Compass on which I hope I shall venture all If any man come with a Doctrine not according to the word of God let him carry it whither he will what have I to do with it Either you come from God or no If you do shew me his word and I 'le believe it if not open your pack where you please c. where God doth not find a mouth to speak where you have not a precept promise threatning or example in the word of God let them talk their hearts out 't is nothing to me to my Religion
my strings are broken there is yet one holds there is a spirit of prayer remember Atheisâ—… among the Saints of God I can pray yet and I had rather stand against the Canons of the wicked than against the prayers of the righteous Oh! pray that you enter not into temptation or if we enter into temptation Lord let not the temptation enter into us Pray If possible let this Cup pass from me but if not let it not poyson me but let me be bettered by it and in due time deliver me from it I believe it would be a great temptation to you if it should be said to you you shall trade with no man any more c. you have enjoyed these and these comforts bid them 〈◊〉 for ever you shall have no more to do with them this would be a temptation Temptations and trials are great and certainly where they are so prayer should be strong There 's no relief to be expected on earth all our relief is to be expected from God and that is to be obtained by prayer Pray that God would be pleased above all things in the world to make you sincere would you be stedfast in your profession you must be sincere in your practice To him that hath shall be given that is a comfort to him that hath but truth of grace to him shall be given growth of grace 9. Would you be steady Christians then make it your great work to attend the Ordinances that God hath prescribed to make you steady Christians You were told of this many years ago concerning attending the Ordinances of God Quest. Pray what are those Ans. 1. There are secret Ordinances It may be thou canst not be so much in the Pulpit as thou wouldst Oh! be more in thy Closet it may be thou shalt not have so many opportunities to hear so many Lectures be more consciencious in thy meditations in secret it may be thou shalt not have that freedom with God in publick be more earnest with God in private 2. Mind your Families more then ever you have your Children and Servants call aloud upon you How many grave faces do I see at this time that can tell me Sir I remember some twenty or thirty years ago you could not pass the streets but here was one Family repeating the Word of God another singing the praises of God another praying to God another conferring concerning the things of God at that time we had not so many foolish absurd excursions into streets and fields as now O for the Lords sake begin to take them up now Let the Amorite Perizite and Iebusite do what they will but oh for you and your children and your servants do you serve the Lord up again with those godly Exercises when we cannot hear a Sermon then read a Sermon if we cannot hear a Sermon well preach'd our godly Parents would engage us to read Sermons well penn'd if nothing new let the word be repeated and meditated call to mind what you have heard oh reduce your selves to your Christian frame let the debauched Athiests know they have something among you that is to be feared that is your prayers let them know that though you have not those opportunities you have had yet you will improve those you have And you Masters of this Parish for Gods sake keep in your servants on this day more then ever you are to be accountable for their souls and they will give you a thousand thanks when they come to age especially at the day of Judgement Oh then blessed be God I had such a Master blessed be God I had such a Mistress blessed be God I had such Parents Quest. But then for publick Ordinances what would you have us do Ans. 1. Wherever Christ doth find a tongue to speak I am bound to find an ear to hear and an heart to believe I would not be mistaken I bless the Lord I am not turned out of my Ministry for being a Schismatick I know Schism is a sin nor know I any of my Brethren that are so do not mistake us therefore do not go and tell the Iesuits we are Schismaticks for we are none but this I would advise I speak as though I were dying do whatsoever lies in your power to hear such whom you think to be godly beg of God be earnest with him that he would give Pastors after his own heart and whom God hath sent not such as may daub with untempered morter and not such as may prophesie lies in the Name of the Lord not such as may be clouds without water but such as may be guides of the blind burning and shining lights faithful Stewards What shall you do what did you do twenty or thirty years ago What did the good old Puritans do they were not Schismaticks But as much as lies in you possible hear them whom in your conscience you judge God doth hear Oh! then expect the Word of God should come to your hearts when you have ground to believe that it comes from your Pastors heart I must confess I intend to do the fame when put into the same condition with you I acknowledge I am bound in conscience to hear the Word of God but I must take care whom I hear hear those by whom God speaks I hope God will grant several such Take but this advice more and I have no more to say Whatever abuse you find either in Pastor or people or where-ever you find it do not you go as your old use hath been to rail calumniate back-bite and speak behind their backs this is wicked and ungodly but do every one according as God prescribes us that are members of any visible Church what is that if I know any thing against my brother do not go and make a sputter and noise and back-bite but take the rule of Christ If thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him of his fault between him and thee alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more and if he neglect to hear them tell it to the Church and leave the blood at their door thou hast freed thine own soul. I hope by Gods grace I shall do so Thus I have spoken something from this Scripture I cannot speak what I desire for besides the exhausting of my spirits there is something to be done after viz. a Funeral Sermon I shall say no more but only this The God of Heaven be pleased to make you mind these plain things I can truly say this I have not spoken one word that I remember which I would not have said to you if I had been just a dying and been going to God as soon as gone out of the Pulpit and the God of peace â—…e with you only mind that one thing When God doth not find a tongue to speak do not you find an ear to hear nor an heart to believe Mr.
and they have not one word to speak nor any thing at all for to venture in suffering for the wayes and truths of Jesus Christ Moses had such a holy zeal that when Aaron was an example to the people to lead them to Idolatry he contended with him earnestly to his face The zeal of Gods servants is so small now that though Balaam be about the work we have not a word to speak Though the false prophets of Antichrist be about the businesse yet no Christian hath courage to speak The holy Apostle Paul when Peter walked with an uneven foot and began to Iudaise he tells us he did resist him to his face shall Paul resist Simon-Peter and shall not the Saints of God resist Simon-Magus shall they resist Hymenaeus and Philetus and shall we not contend with Alexander the Copper-smith 't is but sutable to what God expects and the Exhortation here given us That we should maintain it with might and main as that which is our Treasure which we will not let go the Faith once delivered to the Saints To put you upon this I might encourage you with several things all the Reasons mentioned as are so many Motives to this holy spiritual contention Shall I tell you of three words further 1. The mercy of Gods delivering the Truth to you should engage you to this holy contention 't is such a mercy as is a non-such mercy Psalm 147. the two last Verses He that hath given his Iudgements to Iacob and his Statutes to Israel He hath not dealt sâ—… with every Nation How many of the greatest part of those that we call Christians in the world are put like Sampson to grinde among the Philistims Superstition Popery Idolatry Will-worship such things as Jesus Christ never delivered to his Saints having both their eyes out the Scripture light that should have shewed them the truth taken from them and their Consciences that should teach them carried in the pocket of some base Priest that dare not think any other then what he will tell them How many are there even of the very reformed of the world who onely get upon some broken plank of Ship-wrackt truth whereby they swim to the Lord Jesus But God does not deal thus with us you have had the whole Counsel of God revealed to you a glorious light set up in the Nation for a hundred of years past which hath been like the light of seven dayes for these twenty years past the running to fro of men hath increast knowledge you have learned the truth from Gods faithful Ministers you have received it with much affliction with many temptations it hath cost Jesus Christ dear to send it it hath cost you dear to receive it and will you let it go Your sin above all others will be most provoking to the Lord Jesus 2. I might tell you that 't is a time wherein many let go the faith and methinks the Lord Jesus does by his poor unworthy messenger speak to this great Congregation as sometime he did to his Apostles Will ye also go away There are many that have been forward and eminent professors of the faith delivered to the Saints that have made ship-wrack of faith and good conscience will you split upon the same rock God hath kept the truth for you and kept you in the truth hitherto and is coming to see whether you will leave it and keep it or no. We have been sucking at the breasts of the Ordinances and dandled upon the Knees of providence and gone on in a smooth way of profession but what will you do now when you must come possibly to suffer persecution for it to keep the faith you may lose your Liberty Life Estate And there 's a great deal of hazard upon this account because it hath pleased God so to dispose it as that those that should be your guides into truth the Lord is removing them into corners Possibly while they have been with you you have kept the faith but what will you do when they are gone While Moses was with the people they cleaved to the Lord when once he was gone into the Mount they fell to their Idolatry and worshipped a Calf While Paul was at Ephesus the flock was kept pure but saith he I know after my departure grievous Wolves shall break in not sparing the flock c. So while you have heard of God who sends voices and warnings to scare away the Wolves and Foxes from you possibly you may keep the faith but what will you do when God removes them 3. God hath ever had in all ages of his Church a word of his Patience to be kept to try his Saints and therefore it does concern you for to be valiant for the truth In all the series of Gods dispensations with his Church there hath been something or other of the faith of Christ that hath cost them resisting to blood to sacrifice their lives to lay down all that they have for it by suffering Now even as they so we if not in the same thing yet in the same faith we have still some word or other of Gods patience to keep therefore we need to have on the Armour of Light you must wrestle with the fierie Tryal for there is some Jewel that Jesus Christ puts upon you to wear that Persecutours Persecutions 〈◊〉 Hereticks will scratch at which you must hold out with loâ—…s of life to keep and this must be till the latter part of the rage and reign of Antichrist is out and even as you keep that so will God keep you Rev. 3. 10. As you honour the word of Gods patience so God will honour you As you are faithfull to him so will he give you the Crown and no otherwise Hence therefore it concerns us all to be armed with a holy confidence and resolution as to this spiritual warfare in contending for the faith delivered to us But the great thing I shall speak to is Wherein may Christians be helped in this holy strugling and contenâ—…ion I shall onely mention five or six things some to fit you for it others to help you in the management of it I shall name them mixtly and not distinct Rule 1. First bring all Doctrines that are offered you to believe and all Practices that are put upon you to practise to the Scriptures the word of God try them there whether they be to be retained or to be rejected You will have this double advantage by it 1. To discover what is right and what is wrong 2. To have on the best part of your Armour whereby to contend against it 1. To discover what is right and what is wrong for the Scripture alone is the Touchstone of Doctrines and the Tryal of Spirits The Scripture does discover it self and doth discover all things that are contrary to it when you are bidden to try all things 't is not by practising all things as some poor giddy-headed Christians of late dayes have done
darts in some dazling light within so that you never knew a Heretick take up a false opinion but it was with a marvellous deal of sweetness and comfort so when the Lord Christ teacheth by his Spirit he comes with that light that sweetness savour and relish of truth as will be impossible for you to let it go Hence when Christ would confute the Pharises that had the witness of his â—…ather in his works he saith Ioh. 5. 37. Ye have neither â—…ard his voyce at any time nor seen his shape It 's an excellent thing to see the shape and hear the voyce of God 2. Be well rooted upon Christ or else you will never be established in any truth of Christ If you misse the Lord Jesus by the grace of Faith you will never hold fast the doctrine of Faith you are built upon the doctrine of the Apostles not their persons upon which the Lord Jesus is the corner-stone he that does not know Jesus Christ himself will certainly lose his faith What is the reason the stony ground in time of persecution fell away why they had not root they were not planted upon the Lord Jesus Rule 3. Thirdly those truths that God hath taught you and those wayes of worship God hath committed to you love them as your lives love them above your lives for no man will ever contend to hold them if he do not love them things of low price and esteem are presently let go he that loves the Word above his life will let life go rather then the Word if you receive not the Word out of love every Impostor and false Prophet every fear and terror of men will rob you of it Hide the word in thy heart saith Solomon love the truth dearly It was a great speech of Calvin Never did any one apostatize from the truths of Iesus Christ but it was because he did not love the truth And I add this That never did any apostatize from the wayes and truth of Jesus Christ but it was because they did not receive them in love or else they have lost their love for there is a decay of affection as well as having no affection if you love them what will you not suffer for them but more of that by and by Rule 4. Fourthly Guard all the truths of God and those wayes of God that have been taught you guard them strongly especially truths that are most material and fundamental for leading truths are like Captains of Armies if they be routed the whole rout follows them There is great opposition that will be made against your faith The whole power of darkness of Antichrist of his seducing spirits likely and probably enough will over-spread the whole face of Christianity once more that she must sit as a Lady before she be desolate and forsaken for ever The Apostle bids you beware of Dogs beware of the Concision beware of evil-workers guard your selves against them guard the truths you have learned by Argument by Scripture by Reason that you may have wherewithall to confute them by the word of truth mightily out of the Scripture as the Apostles did Three things you are to guard against 1. Your own deceitfulness especially in a rash and sudden forsaking of those waies that have been taught and the profession you have taken up for Christians would never be so mad to Apostatize were they but seriously deliberate about the weight of them Gal. 1. 6. O foolish Galathians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth c. I marvel what ailed you that you are so soon turned away to another Gospel One would have thought they might have spoken with Paul first and sent to him and reasoned the case with him There 's a marvellous bewitching in false Doctrines and false Worship to take men presently who are not watchful over themselves It is in disputations and practising truth as it is in contentions if you make a Judgement before you hear both parties speak you judge unrighteously if you forsake the waies and truths of Jesus Christ before you hear what can be said for them you do unrighteously 2. Guard them against the lusts of your own hearts The great work of a Christian is contention it is not so much against Antichrist those that are without him as that that is within him If all Heretical Doctrines and waies were rooted out of the world not only the being but the memory the heart is bad enough in one day to set them all on foot again therefore guard the truth Men of corrupt minds will presently grow Reprobate as to the faith 1 Tim. 3. 6. Such Doctrines and Worships as shall sute with our lusts as shall sute with exalting it self and laying Christ low as shall sute with an easie way to Heaven when the Scripture saith straight is the Gate as shall sute with self-preservation So I might secure my Estate my Liberty I would suspect such Doctrines as these before I take them up for the waies of Christ. 3. Guard the truth against false teachers such as shall come among you in sheeps-cloathing yet are Wolves in heart men that creep in at unawares among you to subverâ—… souls I will not here describe them you know them well enough by their fruits only this let me tell you in opposition to those though you cannot come at the publick Ministry or those God hath set over you yet make conscience for to take fences to take defences from them as you may by their counsel prayer help and assistance for to guard you against false teachers When the Church of Christ is in the Wilderness you will finde this is that the holy Ghost advises them to Gant 1. 8. You are to guard your selves by communion one with another as to go forth by the footsteps of the flock so also you are to go and feed your Kids besides the shepherds tents for though 't is not the work that God calls for to pin your faith upon their sleeves yet 't is your duty to enquire of the Lord by them for he is the messenger of the Lord to you Rule 5. Arm your selves with Resolutions to suffer for the faith of the Gospel and for the wayes of Jesus Christ as you should love the truth above your lives so labour to be made willing for to part with life estate liberty any thing for to keep the ways of Jesus Christ. It is not the honour of the Gospel of Christ to hear Christians to break out into murmurings passions discontent contentions that are carnal and sinful your work is humbly meekly and patiently to lie under the hand of God and under the hand of man too that becomes Christians suffering is that that will restore the glory of Religion that will keep the truth delivered to you that will honour the cause of Christ best of all follow the example of blessed Paul his expression is worthy of consideration 2 Tim. 2. 9. he gives a charge of
the Apostle Paul Do I yet strive to please men Gal. 1. 6. Am I then the Servant of Christ You cannot be the Servants of Christ if you strive to please men Wo be to you that please men and displease God He that would be my Disciple let him deny himself and take up his Cross c. What 's that deny Wife Children Learning Relations Comforts he must be willing to go out of all Those duties the Lord Jesus Christ is most glorified in they are either those your slothful hearts are most unwilling to do or that our fearful hearts are most unwilling to suffer for Therefore arm your selves with resolutions to suffer I intended to have taken up four Appearances and coverings that Saints usually take up for to hide themselves as under a covert to beat down the Gospel warrants and commands to suffer for the Faith delivered 1. The notion that a Christian hath of indifferency of things that they are but toyes and trifles that they may be done or not done It is not my work to tell you what is indifferent or name any thing in particular As I remember in the Book of Martyrs the usual argument was Why cannot you worship the Idol why cannot you bow down as well as others it's a small matter cannot you shew your outward reverence and keep your heart to your self Indeed if there were any thing that 's indifferent a Christian hath a marvellous latitude in point of Doctrine in point of Worship I would caution you therefore The term of indifferent I suppose 't is devised as a pillar to rest the conscience on which otherwise would startle and look with a broad face upon them Things that come under this notion had need well to be weighed and considered If they tell you plainly they came out of Rome and had the plague of Popery upon them they â—…ame from Hell were hatched there and the curse of God is upon them no body would entertain them They must pretend they came from the Church from the Apostles descended from the Scriptures and hence they are entertained with that freedome and willingness as that most Christians take no notice but fall down under them and so the very power and life of Religion and holy practise is eaten out The Devil hath three waies whereby he makes men seek after him 1. Commonly he doth cover holiness with other names 2ly He perswades that sins are but little 3ly That they may repent hereafter The first is suitable to my purpose That vertue or grace is covered with other names therefore if a man be holy he is called precise if zealous he is said to be rash and if it be really a sin it shall come under the name of indifferency a toy a trifle and things of that nature therefore you had need be cautious for 't is no matter what name the sin is what title it goes under as what it is really As to things of Doctrine and Worship I know there is no medium every man must give an account to the Lord of what he does therefore I do not tell you what is indifferent and what not but search the Scripture take heed what you receive for indifferent The second thing Christians will say is I hope without danger I may comply with them considering I bear them as my burthens This is very like the Young man in the Gospel he came to Christ and would have him come up to his terms and when Christ told him Yet he lacked one thing Go sell all c. he went away sorrowful So many Christians they would follow Christ but they cannot because there is not such security in it but they will go away sorrowful Thou Hypocrite art â—…hou willing to forsake all for Christ yet cannot leave life liberty and some of these small things Will you wound the name of Christ and pretend to be sorrowful for it I conclude thy pretence shall not excuse thee for so was Pilate loth to crucifie Christ and as a means and expedient he calls for water and washes his hands saying I am innocent from the bloud of this just man But do you think God excused Pilate no more will he you Whatever is brought to you is either forbidden or commanded by God If forbidden by God why do you meddle with it If commanded of the Lord why are you burdened with it why do you it heavily for the Lord loves one that is chearful in his service neither man nor God is pleased with such A third thing it is which satisfies many That they may follow in some things the opinions of wise men holy men and good men That they may do as they do I shall say but these two words First Many men are reputed good wise and honest that are not so A man may be accounted an honest man that yet may be covetous he may be accounted a very good man yet be really corrupt in heart and in his lusts therefore 't is good to try men I dare not trust mine own heart unless God give strength of grace and assistance every moment least I should betray the truth of Christ upon some advantage when the Devil would set abroach an evil opinion or practise it 's his common way to tun it up in some clean Vessel men of civil honesty and goodness You read the old Prophet drew the young one in though expresly forbidden by God himself When you do not fear a young Christian it may be the example of an old Minister shall draw you therefore 't is good to mind who you follow Secondly Grant they are all good and real they are men fearing God as there are some yet God will not let his people know all his mind There are some that would but cannot know all his mind and will the Lord is free and voluntary he reveals things necessary to salvation but for oâ—…her things he withholds But what is your rule Call no man Master you are to follow no man further then he follows Christ And indeed for a man to follow the example of others wherein they sin and do not know it it is just like the case of holy Noah who was a gracious man and knew not the strength of the Grape he was drunk with his own Vineyard But what is the fruit of it His son Cham saw his nakedness and discovered it If good and holy men taste of the intoxicated Wine that is too strong for them and know it not will you sip after them unlesse you will discover your nakedness and proclaim it from generation to generation and make your selves Chams not sons of the Prophet Therefore I know not what warrant you have to follow such examples The fourth thing is this Christians usually they do no good by standing out Answ. Whether we get or do good or no we are to do our duty The Lord will honour you for suffering for the truth 2 Thes. 1. 3 4 5. And by suffering you shall confirm the
Saints and bear testimony you shall witness against all false doctrines and false Worship before the whole world By your humility and patience when you suffer not as evil doers but as those that suffer for the word of Righteousness the word of Truth for holding fast the Lord Jesus and his Faith that is more precious then Heaven and Earth then any created thing this will make your name as a sweet savour to all generations when those that apostatize persecute and oppose Jesus Christ their memories shall be left as a curse to the people of God Mr. Calamy's Sermon at Mr. Ashes Funeral Esay 57. 1. The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come WE are here met this Evening to perform the last Office of Love for an eminent and ancient Servant of Jesus Christ and excellent Minister of the Gospel Mr. Simeon Ash one who hath formerly performed this office for many other Ministers and now we are met to perform this office for him and it is not long before others will meet to perform the same office for us so frail so brittle and so uncertain is the life of man Now the Text that I have chosen is suitable for this occasion for this Reverend Minister was first a righteous man he was righteous in an Evangelical sence he was one that was justified and sanctified Secondly He was a merciful man both in an active and passive sence he was one that shewed mercy to the distressed Members of Jesus Christ and he was one to whom God shewed mercy this righteous and merciful man is now perished as to his outward condition not as to his everlasting condition but as to his outward bodily condition he is perished and he is taken away The word in the Hebrew is very emphatical Merciful men Colliguntur are gatheted it is the same word that is used concerning Iosiah 2 King 22. 10 Thou shalt be gathered to thy fathers and go to thy grave in peace and shalt not see the evil that I will bring upon this Nation This godly and righteous man is now gathered as ripe Corn in the Barn of Heaven he is taken away from the evil that is to come from the beholding that evil that is coming upon the sinful World he is taken away in mercy that he may not be troubled with the troubles that are coming upon many he is taken away from the evil to come And thus you see how suitable the Text is to the occasion there is only one particular that I desire may prove unsuitable for the righteous and merciful man in the Text perisheth and no man considers nor layes it to heart These words are verba Commentantis objurgantis the words of the Prophet bemoaning the spiritual security of the people of Israel chiding and reproving them for their spiritual Lethargy Now I desire that this part may not prove suitable but that all of you may lay to heart the death of this ancient merciful righteous man The observations from the words are these six First That the righteous man must perish as well as thâ—… unrighteous Secondly That the perishing of a righteous man is nothing but his gathering to God Christ and the blessed company of Saints and Angels Thirdly That a righteous man as long as he liveth is the preservative of a Nation and the supporter of a Kingdome the Chariots and horsemen of a Nation Fourthly The death of a righteous man is a warning-piece from heaven a Beacon set on fire to give notice of eviâ—… approaching Fifthly That God doth on purpose take away righteous men that they may not see the evil that is coming on a Nation Sixthly That it is a great and common sin not to consider and lay to heart the death of a righteous man First It is a common sin and therefore it is set down in the greatest latitude the righteous perisheth and no man layes it to heart that is very few and merciful men are taken away no man considering that is very few Secondly It is a great sin and therefore the Prophet Ieremy in the former Chapter calls to all the Beasts of the Field to devour that is all the Enemies of the Church to destroy the Children of Israel because they drank strong drink filling themselves with merriment and promised themselves happy dayes but did not consider that the righteous were taken away from the evil to come I shall begin with the first That the righteous perish as well as the unrighteous How is it that the righteous perish not in their soul they cannot perish so nay the truth is they cannot perish properly in their bodies for the bodies of the Saints never totally and finally perish for the very dust of the Saints in the grave is precious in Gods sight and they are asleep in Jesus and by the power of Jesus Christ they shall be raised again glorious bodies Nothing perisheth of a righteous man by death totally and finally but sin and therefore the meaning of the word is as Musculus and Iustin Martyr observe perit perisheth that is not according to the truth of the thing but according to the opinion of the world and the proper language of this expression is this The righteous perish that is the righteous must die and go down to the house of rottenness as well as others and that upon a four-fold account First Because the righteous are included within the Statute of death as well as the unrighteous statutum est Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed for all men once to die the righteous as well as the unrighteous Indeed it is true Jesus Christ hath taken away the hurt of death but not death it self Jesus Christ hath disarmed death made death like the Viper that fastened upon Paul's hand but did not hurt him he hath made it like the brazen Serpent that hath no sting but a healing power in it Christ hath sanctified death conquered and sweetned death at present we are all under the statute of death but at last this enemy shall be destroyed 2 Cor. 15. latter end Secondly The righteous consist of perishing principles as well as the unrighteous the righteous are earthly vessels made of dust their foundation is in the dust their lives are a vapour as well as the lives of the unrighteous Thirdly The righteous must die as well as others because they have a body of sin that they carry about with them for there is no man so wise that lives and sins not Eccl. 7. 20. Wherefore there is that which deserves death in a righteous man Lastly and especially The righteous must perish upon a peculiar account For if we had hope only in this life saith the Apostle we are of all men most miserable and therefore they must perish to keep them from perishing they must say as Themistocles Periissem nisi periissem they must die
been acquainted with him many years He was not onely a Minister but the Son of a Minister his birth and education suiting together He lookt upon it not onely as an honour but as an engagement to be carefull to walk in those steps set before him and to continue the work of the Ministry begun by his Religious Father Certainly the Children of godly and holy Parents cannot come off so cheap in their carriages as others they have greater accounts to make as having greater examples set before them greater advantages of prayer exhortation c. and so greater engagements this was thought on and observed by him And as he was the Son of a Minister so when he came to years and was fitted he took upon him the Ministry as he was one of great abilities so accordingly he discharged them faithfully and conscienciously He was a spirituall powerfull consciencious Preacher he preached by his Life for as Erasmus saith we should not onely love to speak truths but we should digest truths on our own hearts before we commend them to others and so they will be the more effectual He was a man of a very meek sweet and humble spirit a man of great humility and of great meekness in the midst of great abilities which was a great Ornament in him a man full of tenderness and condescension to others a man of a very yeilding and melting fram of spirit soon dissolved into tears It was the saying of one that a good man is full of Tears so this good man was full of Tears not affected but very real and hearty drawn from the fullnesse of his Spirit as the Apostle Paul saith he served the Lord in much humility and many tears This was remarkable that in these times our Reverend Brother was full of tears in delivering his Doctrine which was sutable to the age we live in being full of sin and calamity there is much need of a bewailing spirit to bewaile the iniquities and miseries of the times they that cannot bewaile themselves need the tears of others He was a man of great integrity and single-heartednesse in his exhortations he had much of the simplicity of Christ as the Apostle Paul speaks In reference to the Ministry he had no worldly and base affections he had no carnall designes therein but his chief design was to bring souls home to Christ that was his chief businesse As the Apostle saith of himself may also be said of him that in simplicity and godly sincerity he had his conversation in the world not walking in craftinesse nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by the manifestation of the truth commending himself to every mans conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. He was a man that had ability to speak a word in season he was very compassionate to a wounded spirit he himselfe having been much afflicted He was a man much in communion with God and had much acquaintance with God and was carefull in improvement therein he was a Iacob in wrestling with God a Moses that stood in the Gap an Elijah that prayed earnestly the whole Land was the better for such a Person being much with God he made many addresses to him and had much holy familiarity with him And as in his publick performances he was very faithful and beneficial so in his family and private he was very fruitful and serious In a word not to multiply much in this kind you need it lesse in this Auditory but onely by way of grateful memorial there was much of God and Christ in him and he was a great example to his fellow-servants there was much of his Treasure spoken of in the Text in this earthen Vessel as in the matter of it he was one of a Gospel spirit and in the conveyances of it he had great abilities for the work of the Ministry and discharged it with a great deale of successe As he had this Treasure in an Earthen Vessel so his Vessel his fraile body was no disparagement to him but the advancement of the Treasure in setting forth the power to be of God his outward man was much weak and worn away but his inward man was upheld by the grace of God His first work in the Ministry was in that place where my self have relation to he was an assistant to my predecessor being then past labour Mr. Richard Couder and performed the work so well that he was exceedingly beloved of Mr. Couder and well beloved of the Parish and other places He left a good impression behind and I found good effects by the foundation there laid The Apostle Paul indeed desired not to work there where another had laid the foundation but I thought it a great advantage that the foundation was laid by such a Master-builder He was called into the Country to Rugby in Warwick-shire there he continued very fruitfull and did much good For some occasion he removed and returned into the City and came into this place where he continued about 18. or 19. years discharged the work of the Lord carefully I need not say much of his carriage in this place I appeal to your own Consciences I may say of this servant of Christ as the Apostle Paul said of himself 1 Thes. 2. 10 11. Ye are his witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameable he behaved himself among you as you know how he exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his kingdome and glory Therefore there lies an engagement upon you to walk answerable to the truths he delivered and to follow his steps considering the end of his conversation I shut up all in the words of the Apostle Paul to the Phillippians Ch. 4. 9. Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in him Do and the God of peace shall be with you Mr. Nalton's Prayer Iuly 20. 1662. at Foster-lane ETernal most Mighty and most glorious Lord God Thou aâ—…t God alone and besides thee there is no Saviour or Helper our strength stands in thy Name who hast made both Heaven and Earth of our selves we are able to do nothing that is pleasing in thy sight we can pollute thy name but we cannot honor thy name we can run away from thee but we cannot run unto thee unlesse thou dost powerfully draw us by thy Spirit we can grieve thy spirit but we cannot grieve for grieving of thy spirit Oh let thy strength be manifested in our weaknesse look upon us with the favour thou bearest to thy Children Enter not into judgement with thy servants for we cannot answer thee one of a thousand not one thought of a thousand thoughts not one word of a thousand words Most of our actions have been reproveable and the best of our services have been improfitable our omissions commissions and presumptions have been multiplyed intolerably Oh how often