the day of Iudgement And I beseech you brethren beware of this ſ 2. Tim. 4.3 itch of the eare as Paul calles it weary of plaine truths and carrying vs often before our time from rudiments to matters of greater profoundnesse and perfection In our childrens education we like not that they should be led to the depth of Art before they are sufficiently instructed in principles It is the great errour of many to desire strong meate before they are well able to digest their milke I blame in no man a desire to be ledde forward to perfection But first yee should consider in all our Congregations there are t Heb. 5.12 Infants that haue need of milke as well as strong men fit for strong meat whose soules are with like charge committed to our care Secondly let thy strife to perfection be according to right order and methode Thirdly and thinke it is possible in euery thing to adde something to the distinctnesse of our vnderstanding Followes now the manner or measure of their knowledge herein They knew it perfectly or as the word signifies accurately and euen exactly From which measure of their knowledge taken notice of by the Apostle not without their commendation we obserue That in points cleerely reuealed exactest knowledge is required of Gods people The Pharises guise was in nurture of their Disciples to instruct them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the u Act. 22.31 exactnesse of the Law PAVLS aduice is that the Word of God dwell in vs x Col. 3.16 plenteously or richly His prayer for the PHILIPPIANS that they may bee y Phil. 1.9 filled with all knowledge His reason is that they might be z Phil. 1.10 able to discerne things that differ Which without exact knowledge and plentifull vnderstanding cannot be done In many things so neere is the affinitie betwixt good and euill truth and falshood at least as they are presented to vs by the seducer of the brethren that without accurate skill it is hard that I say not impossible to cut a difference In dayes of grosse darknesse the deuill was more bold then in these times of light Then durst hee obtrude to Gods Church errours so palpable that they might be felt Since God hath pleased to cause the Light of the Gospell to shine cleerely amongst vs errours are disguised in the habite of trueth and we haue now a 2. Cor. 11.14 Satan transformed into an Angel of light In Isai his time there were that durst b Isai 5.20 call good euill and euill good light darkenesse and darknesse light confound the apparentest differences of things In the dayes of our Sauiour Pharises were growne more subtill together with the bread they c Mat. 16.6 mingled their owne leauen And such is the state of our times that whoso shall compare ancient Poperie with that wee haue now refined by our new masters shall see they were Dunses in comparison that had first to doe in publishing and defense of Popish errours It went once for currant doctrine without distinction that Scriptures might at no hand be permitted to the Laitie that errour is now refined And their meaning they say is promiscuously without difference and without a Catholike Commentarie Howbeit to discreete sober men well Catechized in the Romane faith by licence of a superior the Scriptures may be permitted in their mother tongue What should I tell you how neere in termes they approch to truth in the maynest points of question betwixt vs from which yet they are almost as farre as may be That we are iustified and saued onely by the merits of Christ there are amongst them that acknowledge in so many words But what is their meaning by Christs merits not imputed to vs but purchasing to vs a power to merit at the hands of God It were long to mention how in matters of practice and moralitie the same cunning of Satan may be obserued Who but a man of exact knowledge hauing wits exercised to discerne betwixt good and euill can put difference betwixt counterfeit and current graces There is nothing more opposite to humilitie then pride yet how doth pride it selfe maske vnder the vizar of humilitie so that it is now taken vp amongst the differences of pride there is they say a kind of humble pride Who prouder or more ambitious then Absalom who in outward deportment more lowly d 2. Sam. 15.5 greeting with lowest curtesie the meanest amongst the people These things considered shew how necessary it is for men desiring to keepe faith and good conscience to labour for exactnesse and perfection of knowledge Defects in this kind there are two especiall amongst our people The first is grosse ignorance the second confused and indistinct knowledge Vse Maruellously mercifull hath God beene to vs in these last times Causing the light of his glorious Gospel to shine vnto vs and for the time we might haue bene teachers But how apparent is it euen where the meanes of knowledge haue beene most plentifull wee are many such as need to be instructed shall I say in rudiments of Christian faith yea surely in the very language of Scripture Insomuch that to this day the termes of Redemption Vocation Iustification are strange to our people and wee seeme Barbarians when we mention these things in their eares Oh brethren consider I beseech you and remember who said It is the e Iob. 3.19 condemnation of the world that Light is come into the world but men loue darkenesse rather then light and how the same Iesus shall one day f 2. Thes 1.8 come in flaming fire to render vengeance to them that know not God and disobey the Gospel A second fault is that I termed confused and indistinct knowledge Thus conceiue it when men in grosse vnderstand somethings of faith and practice but necessarie particulars thereto belonging conceiue not Christ died for vs is a principle in all mens mouthes Example What Christ is in his Natures Person Offices Benefits to vs how few are they that vnderstand That faith iustifies what Libertine amongst vs professeth not to know how faith iustifies or what it is to iustifie seeming Doctors amongst them comprehend not Who maruels if such nouices become a prey to seducing Papists And of these circumstances of the Text thus farre see we now the substantiall conclusion therein deliuered It is that the comming of Christ is vncertaine sudden as is the comming of a thiefe to his prey The qualitie of the similitude is not to bee passed ouer without our notice affoording vs this obseruation That things sinfull and vnlawfull affoord resemblances to expresse holy truths and to admonish of duetie Besides this instance in the Text there are others many in the Word of God The imployment of our gifts to the glory of the bestower wee haue pressed by resemblance of the g Mat. 25.27 vsurers cursed courses Wisdome to prouide for euerlasting Tabernacles by liberalitie to the poore
the very iawes of the Deuill neuer yet had grace to bethinke themselues of the future state of their soules what is heard from men of better inclinations but peace and safety God hath giuen vs peace round about and linked vs in amity with most neighbour Nations The Gospel they say wee haue by Gods mercy preached plentifully amongst vs. These are I confesse great blessings of God But brethren where are all this while the fruits of the Gospel except the cursed fruits of disobedience may be imputed to the Gospel It is a remarkeable speech in Ieremie to the Iewes boasting of like priuiledge u Iere. 7.4 12. The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord is amongst vs. But goe to Shilo saith the Lord where once I set my Name See what I haue done to it Hee would teach vs that his Grace is not tied to any particular place or people so but for their disobedience he may and will remooue it Where is Ierusalem the Citie of the great King of which the Lord said more then euer he said of any place x Psal 132.14 This is my rest here will I dwell for euer What is become of those Churches of Asia famous in their times and renowned through the whole world Where is Galatia Corinth Thessalonica and the rest all of them become either ruinous heapes or dwellings for cursed Mahumetans And as Paul speakes Let not vs be y Rom. 11.20 high-minded but feare For infidelitie and impenitency they were broken off By faith if there bee any we haue our standing But if for impenitency he spared not them let vs take heed left he also spare not vs. The Lord giue vs all grace ouer whom his Name is called seriously to thinke of these things and lay them to heart And to Gods children let this bee argument sufficient of watchfulnesse The generall securitie of the multitude that are amongst vs. As do others Whether this be added as a reason to disswade securitie or as a preuention to cut off what some might obiect I will not ouer-busily inquire It may be he conceiues some such obiection What meanes this taske of vigilancie so streightly laid vpon vs more then others Why may not we as others sleepe securely The Apostle implies answere Your state is other then that of others Therefore so must be your behauiour Yee are children of Light so are not others your behauiour should bee as discrepant as is your state from theirs Obser The difference of our state from others in spirituall things should draw with it a difference of behauiour z Ephe. 4.17 Walke not henceforth as other Gentiles walke your state is now different a Ephe. 5.8 Though ye were Darkenesse yet now are yee Light in the Lord. Walke therefore as children of Light The Scripture is plentifull this way calling still for our separation from the wicked not so much in our persons as in our behauiour How often beats the Lord vpon it to his people That sith hee had chosen them to bee his peculiar people they should flie from the profane customes and conuersation of the Heathen See Deut. 12. Iere. 17. and that of the Apostle b Rom. 12.2 Fashion not your selues to the world Vse It affoords vs answere to those foolish Arguments and pleaes for profanenesse rise amongst our people with whom the Argument goes for currant Thus doe others in other places profaning the Lords Sabbath c. Why not we I wonder they reason not for Idolatry Swearing Whoring c. For these things also doe many others Mee thinkes the answere is ready Our state is different God hath of his mercy c 1. Pet. 2.9 called vs out of Darkenesse into his marueilous Light that we should shew foorth the vertues of him that hath called vs not liue in the vices of the world out of which we are called And will we indeede be like to people profane and disobedient First saith the Apostle We d Ephe. 4.20 haue not so learned Christ if we haue beene taught as the trueth is in Iesus Secondly It is iust with God to make them e Reuel 18.4 fellowes in punishment that will needes be fellowes in disobedience Secondly There is another sort and they are much amongst men Mungrill Christians as I may terme them as it is said of Samaritanes They feared God g 2. Kin. 17.33 and serued their Idols and as of Israel They sware by the Lord h Zeph. 1.5 and by Melcom So these make a mixture in their Iudgement and practice of profanenesse and pietie of Christian Religion and Antichristian superstition heare as Protestants beleeue as Papists professe as Christians liue as Heathen talke as Saints doe as Deuils so abominable disobedient and to euery good worke so reprobate are they The Lord to Israel permitted no medleyes A garment of Linsey-woolsey his people might not weare nor sow their field with Miscellane to teach say most Interpreters how farre his people should bee from such medleyes in Religion And though I say not it is a perfect rule to trie truth of Religion and Grace by farthest distance from Heathens practice for I know there are some principles of i Rom. 2.14 the Law written in their hearts yet this I am sure of euill things should bee so much more detestable vnto vs because euill men practise them and for things good in their matter Gods children should adde another forme and manner of performance that they may be acceptable vnto God Shall I neede to adde other reasons Consider this First If we be Gods There is another k 1. Joh. 4.4 spirit in vs then in the world as different in his operations as exceeding in power We haue Paul telling vs That l Rom. 8.14 as many as are the sonnes of God are led by his Spirit and they are none of his in whom that spirit workes m Ephe. 2.2 that rules in the children of disobedience Secondly We should consider what Peter hath Christ hath ransomed and redeemed vs not onely from the guilt and punishment of our sinnes but from our n 1. Pet. 1.18 va ne conuersation taught by traditions of our Fathers They talke idly that boast of Christ their Redeemer from Hell whom hee hath not freed from the power of darkenesse Thirdly That of the same Apostle may not be forgottē o 1. Pet. 4.3 It is enough if any thing be enough that we haue spent our former times in doing the will of the Gentiles The little that remaines of life how little it is we know not wee should me thinkes willingly consecrate to the seruice of him that hath bought vs with a price The second duty concerning vs in respect of our gracious estate is Sobrietie strictly taken Hieron in Ezec. cap. 44. Ebrietas non solum in potione vini sed in omnibus rebus oslenditur quibus incontractibus in ne gotijs saeculi damnis
through Christ and dependance on him for all blessings of this life and that which is to come Secondly Propension of the heart to new obedience Of Pauls boldnesse the first helping cause to the efficacy of his Ministerie thus farre The next in order is his sincerity VERS 3.4 Our exhortation was not of deceit nor of vncleannesse nor in guile But as wee were allowed of God to bee put in trust with the Gospell so we speake not as pleasing men but God which tryeth our hearts THE wordes contayne two speciall euidences of Pauls sinceritie set out in an Antithesis wherein hee first remooues from him certaine opposites of sinceritie imposture impuritie guile Secondly assumes the propertie of a Minister dealing sincerely in his Calling he sought to please God and thereof giues Reasons First Gods fauour towards him in approouing him so farre as to entrust him with the Gospell Secondly the meditation of Gods omni-science and power to discerne secrets The Connexion thus conceiue he had said that at Philippi hee had met with many afflictions and because it might be demanded what the reason might bee his preaching should bee thus attended with troubles it is assigned here the matter of his Doctrine and manner of his carriage in it his exhortation or preaching was not as that of false apostles fitted to the corrupt opinions and vncleane manners of men No maruell therefore if attended with tribulations Obser It is then no new thing that a Minister dealing faithfully in his Calling should be attended with persecutions carry hee himselfe neuer so meekely and peaceably amongst men Ieremies complaint is knowne a man that had no dealings with any in matters of the World yet striuing with all the earth b Ier. 15.10 and the common execration of the World No maruell First Such is the qualitie matter of their doctrine so opposite to mans corrupt nature that lighting vpon it it exasperates it to c Rom. 8.7 enmitie against it selfe and the publishers thereof Secondly There goes with such a mans Ministerie a kind of Gall and Wormewood to men vnreformed so pierceth it into the Conscience so vnbowelleth it corruption That two-edged sword in his mouth d Heb. 4.12 searcheth to the discouery and arraignement of the most hidden and best beloued corruptions as our Sauiour giuing reason of that inhumane insulting ouer the corpses of the two witnesses assignes this because they e Apoc. 11.10 vexed those that dwelt on the earth I am perswaded its true what face soeuer such men set on the matter couering the sting of their soules in the best manner they can if they be hearers its true of them that Isay hath f Isai 75.21 There is no peace to the wicked It teacheth you as Paul aduiseth g 1. Thess 33. not to be moued with our afflictions so as thereby to grow iealous either of the soundnesse of our Doctrine or vprightnesse of our hearts You know or may know wee are thereto appointed and yee cannot be ignorant it hath euer beene the lot of Gods faithfull Seruants in their times who wonders at h Mat. 14.4 8. HERODIAS thirsting after IOHN BAPTISTS bloud when hee beats so continually vpon the vnlawfulnesse of Incest or at IEZABELS i 1. Reg. 19.2 swearing the death of ELIAS reproouing her Witchcrafts and abominable Fornications the more I wonder at those men Ministers especially that thinke it so strange a thing that to prophane persons a Ministers person should bee so odious This once I dare say eyther the Lord must alter the nature of his Word or Ministers palpably flatter and giue way to their peoples sinnes or else dealing faithfully suffer persecutions Let vs now take view of the words Our Exhortation that is our preaching Synecdoche because exhortation is a chiefe part of preaching And let that bee our note Exhortation is an essentiall part of preaching so that though a man interpret and deliuer Doctrines neuer so soundly yet is hee a defectiue Preacher except hee ioyne thereto exhortation Hence sometimes in Scripture the Sermon is stiled a k Act. 13.15 word of exhortation If any haue a Word of exhortation let him say on hee that prophecieth saith PAVL speaketh to l 1. Cor. 14.3 edification comfort exhortation To preach saith the Apostle is to m 2. Tim. 4.2 improoue rebuke exhort c. practice of Saints is euery where occurrent of Peter with many other words did hee testifie and n Act. 2.40 exhort so Prophets after Doctrines laid descend sometimes to comfort sometimes to reproofe sometimes to exhortation This that stiled by the Apostle o 2. Tim. 2.15 diuiding or cutting of the Word aright The Scriptures deliuer things as it were in a grosse summe Ministers are appointed to share out of the grosse to euery one his portion to the ignorant instruction to the erring confutation to the distressed comfort to the obstinate terrour to the backward exhortation The reason is plaine to euery defect of the people must the Pastor apply himselfe according to the rule 1. Thess 5.14 and like as the Lord hath so tempered the Scripture that it serues for euery necessitie of his people so must wee to whom the dispensation thereof is committed apply and digest it In euery part of man wee shall find defects In the minde either ignorance that must bee instructed or errour that must bee confuted the conscience is eyther benumbed and must be terrified or distressed and must be comforted the will and affections eyther disordered and must bee rectified by correction or drowzie and must bee quickened by exhortation c. Quest If any say What part leaue we then for our people Answ Obedience and Submission Secondly And alas how defectiue generally shall we find them that not one of many is able or carefull in making vse of the Word to goe farther then the Minister directs and leads him Wee are all here admonished to whom the dispensation of the Word is committed as the Scripture p 2. Tim. 3.17 compleatly furnisheth vs to euery good worke of our calling so carefully to exercise our selues in euery particular of duetie in the worke of the Ministerie The Pastors in Israel for defects this way wee find sharply reproued heauily threatned by Ezechiel It is a liuelesse and vnprofitable kind of teaching in vse amongst many contenting themselues with bare expositions of the Text almost paraphrasticall or with naked propounding of Doctrines to informe the iudgement leauing the conscience and affections wholly vntouched I shall neuer wonder if such mens ministerie be vnprofitable fayling in those things wherein especially stands the life of Preaching Be you of the people admonished q Heb. 13.22 to suffer the Word not of Doctrine onely but of exhortation yea if need be of reproofe Brethren wee are falne into a strange Age for curious pride in our people Though they would laugh to heare a Minister reade them a Lecture of good husbandrie or