not 5. Armies that can save us 'T is not 6. Carnal policy nor sinfull shifts that can save us 1. Idolls cannot help us They are vanities teachers of lies Hab. 2.18 Ionah 2.8 Nothing in respect of any divine power or vertue 1 Cor. 8.4 though it be something in respect of mens vain Imaginations who honour it as their God yet 't is nothing in respect of vertue or value for it can neither help nor hurt Ier. 10.5 They cannot save themselves from fire and plunder Micah's Gods were stollen Iudg. 18.18 24. They are cursed that worship them Psal. 97.7 they shall have sorrow that follow them Psal. 16.4 and be greatly ashamed that trust in them Isay 42.17 great then is the folly of the Papists who fly to S. Loy for their horses S. Anthony for their pigs Saint George for their warres S. Apollonia for their teeth S. Steven for the night S. Iohn for the day according to the manner of their necessities so are their Gods 2. If God be against us Riches cannot help us They oft hurt us in a time of trouble The finger many times is cut off for the gold Ring and the souldier enquires not for the poor but for the rich man Riches avail not in a day of wrath Prov. 11.4 Ezek. 7.19 Zeph. 1. ult they flye from us when we are dying or in trouble and have most need of help Prov. 23.5 Hence they are called uncertain riches they are like a broken reed that not onely faileth but wounds him that trusts in them Isay 36.6 he that trusteth in them shall fall Prov. 11.28 and be reproached for his folly with a Lo this is the man that took not God for his strength but trusted in his riches Psal. 52.7 Luke 12.20 3. Friends cannont help be they never so many or mighty the greater they be the worse and the sooner we are deceived by them because we are apt to trust in them men of low degree are vanity but men of high degree are worse they are not onely lyars but a lye in the abstract Psal. 62.9 Hence we are forbidden to trust in them be they never so great Psal. 146.3 4 5. Trust not in Princes yet if any men can help us 't is they why so for in them is no help they dye or change their minds and then all thy plots perish 4. Strong holds cannot save us if God be against us They shall all drop as ripe figs which with a shake or summons come down Nahum 3.12.14 though wicked men build walls as high as heaven and make ditches as deep as hell yea and make their nest in the starres yet sin will bring them down Ier. 49.16 Obad. 4. if sin raign within all the fortifications without are but vain Lam. 4.12.17 Isay 22.8 to 14. 5. 'T is not Armies Charrets Horses c. that can help A King is not saved by a great host Psal. 33.16 17 they fall that trust in them Psal. 20.7 8. many trust in their long sword and think that it should save them but God tells those that work wickednesse yet stand upon their Sword that the sword shall destroy them Ezek. 33.25 26 27. 6. 'T is not carnal policy nor sinful shifts that can help us Achitophels policy ended in folly And so did Pharaohs working wisely Exod. 1.10 become his bane Hence Henry the third of France forsaking the truth turned Papist thinking thereby to get the Monks on his side he was killed by a Monk yea he became contemptible to his people Paris and his great Townes revolting from him There is no power or policy can prevaile against God Prov. 21.30 many turne with the times forsake the truth make lies their refuge and under falshood do they hide themselves Isay 28.15 this is the basest refuge of all others Sin never did good to any it 's an ill refuge which makes God our enemy Isay 47 10. thou hast trusted in thy wickedness What followes Verse 11. therefore evill shall come â—pon thee 2. Affirmatively and inclusively all our help is onely in the Lord. He is the salvation of his Israel Ier. 3.23 the creatures answer in this case as they did concerning wisdome Iob 18.12.14.20 where shall wisdom be found the depth sayes 't is not in me and the Sea sayes 't is not in me So where shall help in trouble be had Parliaments say 't is not in us and Armies say 't is not in us and Riches say 't is not in us c. But 't is God onely who is El-shaddai All-mighty All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 who is a strong Tower Prov. 18.10 and a present help in trouble Psal. 46.1 when trouble is present then God is auxilium praesentissimum most present by his Wisdom to direct us by his Power to protect us and by his Spirit to comfort us Quest. How doth the Lord deliver his people when we oft see them lye under sad afflictions Answ. Deliverance is two-fold 1. When the Lord doth actually deliver his people as he did the three young men from the fiery furnace Dan. 3. Daniel from the Lions den and Peter from prison 2. Sometimes he lets the trouble continue but upholds the Spirit under it Thus Ioseph was in prison but the Lord was with him Paul had not the tentation removed but he had strength given him to bear it 3. If God do suffer the wicked to take away their temporal life yet he gives them eternal life for it change we say is no robbery but this change is a great advantage so that sometimes the Lord removes the Crosse sometimes he mitigates it but he alwayes works patience in the hearts of his people and gives a happy issue and event if not by life yet by death which is best of all Philip. 1.23 neither can any Tyrants take away their lives from them till they have run their race and finisht the work which God hath given them to do Luke 13.32 Iohn 17.4 5. David was oft pursued by Saul yet dieth not till he served Gods will in his generation Acts 13.36 Peter died not till he was ripe for Martyrdome 2 Pet. 1.14 Paul escapes abundance of dangers both by Sea and Land till his time was come that he was beheaded at Rome by Nero. 2 Tim. 4.6 Queen Elizabeth was cursed by many Popes yet she out-lived nine or ten of them and when she had finisht her course she died in her bed in Peace God hath numbred our dayes which we cannot passe nor our enemies abridge us of Iob 7.3 our times are in Gods hands and not in the hands of our enemies Psal. 31.15 Quest. But why doth not the Lord deliver his people out of trouble Answ. 'T is not either because he cannot or will not but for good Ends. 1. To draw out the Graces of Gods people that their Faith Love Patience and Constancy may be made more perspicuous to the world we had never heard of the Chastity of Ioseph the Patience of Iob the Zeale
and death is but a long sleep till the Resurrection Iohn 11.11 Acts 13.36 Let Atheists and Epicurean worldlings who have their portion onely in this life fear death because it puts an end to all their pleasures and hopes Iob 11. ult Hence Lewis the Eleventh King of France a bloody persecutor commanded his servants in the time of his sickness that they should never once name that bitter word death in his eares But Christ hath died to free his people from this slavish fear of death Heb. 2.15 by his death he hath sweetned our death unto us and changed the nature of it and hath made that which was sometimes a curse now to be a blessing of a foe he hath made it a friend of a poyson a medicine and of a punishment an advancement He lay in the grave to sweeten and season our graves for us so that now our flesh may rest in hope Psal. 16.9 Proverbs 14.32 Observation 4. 4. The soul of man is immortal Death is not an Annihilation but a Migration of the soul from the body for a time As soon as ever the soul departeth from the body it is presently in blisse Revelations 14.13 they are not onely blest at the day of judgement but also in the intermission The soul doth not sleep or perish but the souls of the Saints go to a better place and to better company viz. to Christ and to the spirits of just men made perfect Iosiah was gathred to his father in peace 1. to the spirits of his fathers who enjoyed peace for in respect of his Body he was slain in battle The soul never dieth but subsisteth still even when it goeth out of the body it returneth to God that gave it Eccles. 12.7 Hence Paul desires to be dissolved why so that he might be with Christ Philippians 1.23 and desires to be loosed from the body that he might be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5.8 Christ telleth the thief on the Crosse this day shalt thou be with me in Paradice Luke 23.43 Steven when stoned cries Lord Iesus receive my spirit Acts 7.59 Christ hath prepared immortal mansions for it Iohn 14.2 and what should mortal souls do in â—mmortal dwellings and why is the Devil so serviceable why doth he make Covenants and Compacts with wicked men for their souls yea and why doth he offer the world in exchange for a soul if it be but a mortal perishing thing To what end are all those promises of Eternal life which are made to those that deny themselves if in this life onely they had hope Then all the Threatnings of Eternal death and all those sorrowes which the Scripture affirmeth shall light on the wicked would be false for here they have mirth ease and pleasure and if they had no punishment hereafter where were the Truth of Gods threatnings and where his Justice The Scripture is clear that the pleasures of good men and the pains of bad men are eternall then it must needs follow that the souls of men which are the Subjects of these pains and pleasures cannot be mortal But here our Mortalists Object 1. Objection If the soul of man be ex Traduce as some affirme then it is mortall for Omne generabile est corruptibile Answer The soul cometh not ex Traduce by Propagation from our Parents as the souls of Beasts which come è potentia materiae but the soul is created and infused by God and not propagated as appeareth Gen. 2 7. Eccles. 12.7 Zach. 12.1 See Doctor Reynolds on the Passions cap. 32. p. 392. Piscator his Annot. on Gen. 2.7 Baronius de Origine animae Exercit. 2. art 3. 2. Objection The dead are said to sleep and to perish Psalm 6.5 and 104.29 Isay 38.18 and 57.1 Job 14.7.10 Answer This is spoken in respect of their bodies not of their souls The dead do not praise thee saith David viz. not in the land of the living on earth but in Heaven they sing Hallelujahs Rev. 5.9 A tree when it is cut down may sprout again saith Iob but man dieth and giveth up the Ghost and where is he This will not help the sleepy Sadduces of our times for tho Physically and by the course of Nature man cannot revive again yet Hyperphysically and by a supernatural Almighty power he shall arise So that Where is is to be restrained to where is he in the world look for him in City or Countrey at home or abroad he 's not to be found Man gives up the Ghost and where is he with all his riches honours plots and purposes 3. Objection Eccles. 3.19.20 21. As the beast dieth so dieth man they have all one breath Answer 1. Solomon here as oft elsewhere in this Booke doth bring in the Atheist deriding the immortality of the soul he speaketh the opinion of other men and not his own Solomons own judgement you may see Eccles. 12.7 2. Take it in the Letter and then Solomon speaketh not of the soul of man but of animal and vital breath which is common to both he speaketh of mans mere natural condition else in respect of mans future condition his body shall rise again and come to judgement So that here is no comparison between the soul of man and that of beasts but between the death of the one and of the other q. d. both are liable to death pains and diseases 4. Objection Matth. 8.22 and 10.28 Ephes. 2.1 The soul is said to die Answer The soul is not said to die in respect of Existence and being but relatively in respect of Gods grace and favour 'T is a separation of the soul from God who is the fountain of life and is a living death and a ceasing not to be but to be happy 5. Objection 1 Tim. 1.17 and 6.16 God onely is said to have immortality How then are mens souls immortal Answer The answer is easie Immortality is twofold 1. Essential Absolute Natural and Independant and so God onely is immortal à parte antè from all Eternity he 's the onely Author and continuer of it 2. Derivative and by Donation communicated to man and so our souls are immortal and our bodies though subject to corruption yet by Divine Ordination shall be immortal after the Resurrection Wo then to those Atheistical Mortalists and Libertines which have sinned away conscience and have led loose lives and now are fallen to loose opinions Open but this gap and farewell Lawes Civility Religion and all that is good Grant but this and farewell all noble actions and all spiritual comforts then Christ died the Apostles laboured and the Martyrs suffered in vain If this Doctrine were true then all our Faith our Hope our Praying Preaching Fasting self-denial mortification sowing in tears and spiritual combats would be in vain and we should be in a worse condition then the beasts that perish If this were true then why did Abraham forsake all Ioseph forbeare his Mistress Moses refuse the pleasures of Pharaohs
Master Henry Smiths Sermon on 1 Corinthians 9.24 and 5.35 and Doctor Taylors Sermon in Folio on the same Text in fine Pages 78 c. Master Hierons Sermon on Matthew 7.13 page 10. Folio Doctor Sibbs on Philippians 3.14 page 136 c. I have kept the Faith Hence Observe The Doctrine of Faith must be carefully kept It is a sacred Depositum which God hath intrusted us withall and we may in no wise falsifie our trust We are Stewards and fidelity is especially required in them 1 Corinthians 14.2 Paul kept the Faith both wayes 1. As a Christian in his Judgement Will Affections and in the whole course of his Life after his conversion 2. As a Minister he published it fully and faithfully and defended it with the losse of Liberty and Life He had rather die then any man should make his rejoycing in the faithful spreading of the Gospel vain 1 Cor. 9.15 He did not conceal for fear or favour any part or parcel of Gods truth from his people He taught the whole truth nothing but the truth in truth unto them To quicken us let us Consider 1. If we keep the Faith it will keep us what Solomon saith of Wisedom is true also of Faith Proverbs 4.8 Exalt her and she will promote thee to honour It will protect its Protectors and is its own reward they shall be Conquerours that embrace it Revel 12.11 2. We shall get such Riches as will goe with us to Heaven It will comfort us when we come to die if we can truely say with Paul I have kept the Faith A Faithfull Steward giveth up his account with joy and Christ will receive him with an Euge Matthew 25.21 For this Christ commendeth Moses Hebrewes 3.1 2. and the Church of Thyatira Revelations 2.19 I know thy Faith id est Thou hast faithfully served me in thy place and calling This was the honour of Tychicus Ephesians 6.21 and Timothy 1 Corinthians 4.17 that they were faithful Ministers of Christ such shall abound with blessings here Proverbs 28.20 and shall have a Crown of Glory hereafter Revelations 2.10 Let us then every one in our several places Magistrates Ministers Parents preserve the Faith of Christ and propagate it to Posterity as Abraham did Genesis 18 19. Let us keep a good Conscience which is the Cabinet of Faith he that maketh shipwrack of the one cannot long keep the other 1 Tim. 1.19 VERSE 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crowne of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Iudge shall give me at the last day and not to me onely but unto them also that love his appearing Observe THe godly in this life may be assured of their salvation Paul had fought the good fight and now see his confidence and assurance of a Crown of Life many run in other Races and loose all but Paul was assured of his reward Romans 8.38 and least any should think he had this by extraordinary Revelation he telleth us that all believers have it this Crown is not onely prepared for me but for all that love Christs appearing id est for all believers They that believe know they have Eternal life 1 John 5.13 This assurance is common to them though not in a like measure to all The certainty of Faith is stronger then that of Sense because of Gods Power and Promise who is Faithful and cannot deny himselfe nor deceive his People This is that hundred fold which is given in this life which is of more worth then all the Riches of the World 'T is that better part which can never be taken from us Objection The grand Objection of the Arminians is That no man can be assured of his perseverance and by Consequence he can have no Assurance of his Salvation Answer I deny the Argument God hath by his Promises which are infallible assured them of their perseverance and by Consequence of their Salvation He hath promised to builde his Church and if he will build it it is not all the power and poâ—icie of Hell that can prevail against it Matthew 16.18 God who hath chosen them is stronger then all and none can plucke them out of his hand He hath promised to keep them by his Almighty Power through Faith to Salvation so that the Mountaines shall remove and the Hills depart before he will breake his Covenant of Peace with his People Isay 54.10 And because we are weak and unable of our selves to persevere therefore God hath promised abilities for that Ezekiel 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes to keep my judgements and doe them And I will plant my fear in their hearts that they shall never depart from me Jer. 32.40 So then this assurance is 1. Attainable 2. Tenable 3. Desireable 1. T' is attainable Paul here had it and all the Saints first or last David Iob Thomas and the Martyrs and if a man may know he believeth then he may know that he shall be saved for whosoever believeth shall be saved Iohn 3.16 the promise is general and includeth all particular believers as if they had been named Hence believers are said to have Eternal Life already begun Iohn 5.11 12. and 6.47.54 and 14.20 and that they are past from death to life Iohn 5.24 and that they assuredly know this à posteriori by the Effects of Vocation and the Fruits of Election for Grace and Glory are linked together Romans 8.30 1 Iohn 3.2.14.19 Hence they are said to have Assurance much Assurance and full assâ—rance Hebrewes 6.6 11. and 10.22 23. Colossians 2.2 1 Thessalonians 1.5 If this were not attainable here why are we commanded to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure to our selves 2 Peter 1.10 Impossibility of attainment deadens endeavour no man will take pains for that which cannot be gained No wise man will seek after the Philosophers stone because it is impossible ever to be attained The first work therefore of the Spirit is to convince the soul that its sins are pardonable and that reconciliation may be had 2. 'T is Tenable a man that hath this assurance of his salvation may keep it whilest we walke circumspectly and answerable to our Principles none can hurt us Hence Paul challengeth all between Heaven and Hell to doe their worst Romans 8.35 c. Who shall separate us from Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution c. The Apostles Interrogation is a strong Negation Q. d. Nothing whatsoever shall be able to separate us from Christ neither the pleasures of Life nor the pains of Death neither the heighth of Prosperity nor the depth of Adversity neither present nor impendent evils nothing can separate us from Christ. 1. The Elect cannot separate themselves from Christ they cannot sinne as the wicked doe because the seed of God abideth in them id est his Word and Spirit dwell in their souls besides Christ ever liveth to make Intercession
unpunished as a Reverend Divine hath very well observed but as they have been notorious in sin so shall they be notorious for shame Hence a Truce-breaker is here reckoned among the vilest of Christians and a Covenant-breaker is listed amongst the worst of Heathens Rom. 1.32 God accounts this so far from service and duty that he looks upon it as horrible profanenesse and perjury what doth more provoke a man then Treachery and perfidiousnesse and what greater Treachery then to break so solemn and sacred a Covenant this provoked the Lord against Iudah Hos. 6.7 but they like men have transgrest the Covenant there even there have they dealt treacherously against me There where they should have been most fast and faithfull there they were most false and perfidious What we barely promise we ought to perform but a Vow is a double and stronger bond and so more carefully to be observed Hence Gods hand hath been remarkable against Covenant-breakers in all ages Sauls posterity was plagued for their breach of Covenant with the Gibeonites 2 Sam. 21.1 1.6 So the Heathen that were Covenant-breakers were given up to Reprobate sense Rom. 1. Sampson breaking his Vow had his eyes put out by the Philistines and is made to grind Iudg. 6.21 Absolon under pretence of a Vow seeks his Fathers life but it cost him his own 2 Sam. 15.17 King Zedekiah is punisht with death for breaking Covenant with Nebuchadnezzar a Heathen and an Idolater Ezek. 17.15 to 22. 't is a signall place and worthy our serious meditation So Ier. 34.18 to 22. God will send a sword on such to avenge the quarrell of his Covenant Levit. 26.25 'T is reported of the Egyptians that if any man did swear by the life of the King and did not perform his Oath that man was to dye without mercy no gold no silver could redeem his life We have sworne not by a King but we have lifted up our hands to the King of Kings and unlesse we mean to dye eternally we must perform it The Jewes have a Proverb Non est poena super Israelem in qua non sit Vncia Vituli aurei That was such a Transgression that God remembred it every time he plagued them So Non est poena super Angliam in qua non sit Vncia foederis In every punishment there 's somewhat of the Covenant in it I shall conclude with the words of some Reverend Divines lamenting the Breach of the Covenant amongst us That so solemn a Covenant say they so gravely and piously penned so dreadfully obliging the Conscience in all sincerity and fidelity to take and keep it so ratified by authority of Parliament ordering of it with instructions exhortations and satisfactions to scruples that this Covenant should be by so many without any sense of Religion both taken and broken as if it were but a King at Chesse set upon the board for a game and so shut up in a bagge when the game is done this is that which may make us hang down our heads and with heavie hearts say as Ezra 9.6 O our God we are ashamed to lift up our faults c. So they Now as Covenant-breaking is a God-provoking sin so Covenant-keeping is a Sacrifice most pleasing and acceptable to him and the most compendious way to exalt a Nation as we see in the times of Moses and Ioshua 24 25 c. Asa. 2 Chron. 15.12.15 Iosiah 2 Kings 23.3 c. Nehem. 9. when they brought their people into Covenant they prospered presently No sooner did England enter into Covenant but from that very day did the Lord blesse us and gave admirable successe to the Armies of his people Hag. 2.18 19. The Reason is because then we engage God more especially in our cause we bring him into the field with us we put all we are and have into his hand we are not now our own people but the Lords people the Lords Kingdome The Lords Warre the Lords Castles the battle is not ours but the Lords So long as Creature opposeth Creature they may make some resistance but when the Creator comes against the Creature Omnipotency against Impotency and Wisdom against Folly who then can stand Isay 45.9 when people fall to Covenanting then woe to Rebels Ezek. 20.37 There 's no way to preserve and establish a Nation like this Hence Moses exhorts the people to give up themselves by Covenant to God that so he might be their God and establish them Deut. 29.12 13. So when Iehojada had brought the people into Covenant then the Lord gave them rest 2 Kings 11.17 20. This is like a wall of brasse to a Kingdom or rather like a wall of fire as the Prophet speaks Zach. 2.5 which none can scale to defend us and to offend our enemies Now we have speciall interest in the Lord so that all that he hath is ours his Wisdome is ours to direct us his Power to protect us his Goodnesse to save us c. As a woman that 's married to a man partakes of all the Riches and Honours of her husband and as Laban said to Iacob Gen. 51.43 so may we say to the Lord All that thou hast is mine This appeares excellently Psal. 132.2 where the Lord sweares to David and David sweares and by a Vow devotes himselfe to God then followes blessings Temporall and Spirituall 1. They shall have spiritual blessings they shall have Gods speciall presence amongst them God will dwell there V. 13 14. yea such is Gods great condescention that he desires no better habitation then amongst his own people 2. He will fill them with spirituall joy V. 16. singing they shall sing i. e. they shall greatly and they shall surely rejoyce 3. He 'l blesse their posterity V. 11 12. 4. He 'l blesse their provision and satisfy the poor in Zion with bread V. 15. i. e. with all Temporall blessings needâ—ull for them 5. Since the Priests of God are exposed to more danger then others therefore he promiseth to them more speciall protection V. 16. 6. He will subdue their enemies V. 17 18. and will make the horne i. e. the power and might of his people to prosper and increase So that this is the only prevailing way viz. sincerely to give up our selves to God in Covenant and till this be done we are undone 'T is not Fasting Praying Humiliation unlesse we really covenant for Reformation of our selves and ours we do but dodge with God and cannot look to prosper Hence Ezra 10.1 2 3. tells the people they had sinned greatly yet there was hope but what must they do why make a Covenant and all shall be well V. 3. God must and will do great things for his people in Covenant when they be in distresse Psal. 105.8 9 and 106.45 and 111.5 yet he remembred his Covenant and saved them according to the multitude of his mercies with a notwithstanding their Rebellions against him Hence 't is that Gods people in their
24. Greenhill on Ezekiel 16.49 D. Hammonds Practical Catechisme l. 3. Sect. 3. Boltons Directions for walking p. 195. Mr. Clerks Mirrour cap. 1.61 Edit 3. 2. As for Intemperance in Drinking it never abounded more It hath debased our Nobility stained our Gentry beggered the Yeomandry polluted the Nation and made the earth to groan under us so that it would as fain be deliver'd of us as a woman with child would of her birth what place what city what Town or Village what Market or meeting what feasts or faires that are not defiled with Drunkenness we may take up the Prophets complaint Isay 28.8 all places are full of vomiting and filthinesse vomiting is one of the beastly fruits of Drunkenness so that there is no place cleare We have Drunkards of all sorts and Sexes High and Low Rich and Poor Old and Young Men and Women Gentlemen and Beggars 1. The universality of a sin is a sad and sure fore-runner of judgement When sin growes Nationall it brings Nationall judgements as we see in Germany the floods of Drunkenness and Excess have brought upon them floods of calamity and War So that as the Lord said sometime to his people Ier. 7.12 Go to my place at Shiloh where I set my Name at the first and see what I have done to it for the wickednesse of my people So may he say to England Go to my place in Germany and see what I have done to them for their Drunkenness and riot and let their falls make you to fear When All the Old Word was given up to excess eating and drinking like beasts then came the flood Matth. 24.38 when All Sodom was given to uncleanness then came fire and consumed them When the people of Israel assemble themselves by Troops to harlots houses then God visits them with his judgements Ierem. 7.5 1. When great men are given to sin that hastens wrath They draw many away by their lewd Example like great Cedars when they fall many branches fall with them Hence the Lord forbids excess of wine to Rulers lest they should forget the Law and so pervert judgement Prov. 31.45 The houses of many Gentlemen that should have been Bethels houses of God are become Beth-avens houses of vanity and iniquity The old Proverb was As drunk as a beggar I wish we might not say as Drunk as a Gentleman an Esquire and Lord c. 2. Are there not some Ministers who by their places are bound to witness against this sin both in life and doctrine that say as those Isay 56. ult Come let us fill our selves with strong drink This made so many erronious Ministers especially in episcopall times Isay 28.7 The Priest and the Prophet have erred through wine This clouds the understanding darkens the mind robs men of Reason and turns them into beasts Hence the Lord forbad the Priest and Levite the use of wine and strong drink upon pain of death when they were to come into the congregation to execute their office Levit. 10.9 why so V. 10 11 that they may put a difference between the Holy and Profane and may be fit to publish all Gods Statutes to his people Hence the Apostle would not have Ministers to be wine-bibbers 1 Tim. 3.3.3 4 5. Titus 1.7 Drunken Ministers be they never so learned are but unsavory salt fitter for the Dung-hill then the Temple and if other Drunkards deserve double punishment in Aristotles judgement first for their Drunkennesse and then for the sin committed in their Drunkennesse what then do drunken Levites deserve But blessed be God we have lived to see that day wherein such Sots are cast out of the service of the Sanctuary 3. We have Drunkards of all Ages old and young many get such Habits of this sin when young that they cannot break them when they are old We have Drunkards of all Trades Drunken Shooe-makers Smiths Naylers c. Drunkards of all Sexes not only Drunken Hosts but Hostesses even women-Drunkards this sin is base and beastly in any but abominable in a woman such danger their chastity 'T is Modesty and Civility Chastity and Temperance that commend a woman Whom Bacchus baths and washeth Venus lightly warms and dries A drunken man I doubt is not honest but a drunken woman without doubt is naught We read but of one drunken woman in all the Scripture and she is called a whore a great whore the mother of harlots Rev. 1.1 2.5 6. 2. Another Aggravation of the Drunkenness of our Time is that it is committed against the greatest Light that ever was in the land Drunkenness is a work of darkness and if men will needs act it the night is the fittest time for such black work So 't was in the Apostles time 1 Thes. 5.7 Those that were drunk were drunk in the night So Acts 2.15 The modest miscreants of those times chusing the darkness and secrecy of the night to cover their filth will rise in judgement against those impudent Noon-day Drunken-Devills of our times who blush not to act their villany in the sight of the Sun and alter the course of nature turning day into night and night into day And if to act it in the light of the Sun be an aggravation oh what is it to act it against the light of the Gospel and that now in an Afflicting time when the Rod lyes upon the Nation for this sin among the rest To sin out of ignorance infirmity and inadvertency may excuse à tanto sed non a toto it may extenuate but it cannot totally excuse But he that sinned presumptuously i. e. wittingly and willfully purposely and proudly desperately and despitefully out of contempt of Gods Law was to be cut off by death so much the phrase imports not only a cutting off by excommunication but a cutting off by the sword of the Magistrate Exod. 31.14 Levit. 17.4 and 20.2 3 4 5. because he did thereby reproach the Lord and did as 't were say that God was not to be regarded nor his judgements worthy of fear Exod. 21.14 Numb 15.30.32 and because Magistrates many times are partiall and negligent in cutting off such presumptuous sinners therefore the Lord himself threatens and undertakes the doing of it Deut. 21.20 21. an obstinate glutton a Drunkard must die for it Quest. But how shall we know a Drunkard Answ. By his Affections Words and Actions 1. By his Affections when mens love and desire is set on strong drink so that they rise early to follow it It may be thou hast no money and so canst not be drunk I but if thy heart be set upon the sin thou art a Drunkard for God judgeth of us by our Affections and not by our Actions that we are which we resolve and desire to be whether it be good or evill Then a man lives in a sinne when he loves it though he do not or cannot act it 2. By a mans talk out of the abundance of
their Services are precious mean works done in faith excell the Victories of a Caesar or Alexander Their teares are precious Psal. 56.8 their names are precious Proverbs 20 7. Psalm 112.6 and their death is precious Psalm 116.15 when one ask't Master Fox whether he knew such an honest poor man I tell you said he I forget Lords and Ladyes to think on such We should love them Intensivè appretiativè majore affectu effectu with the choycest of our affections and shew it in our Actions We should doe good to all but specially to the household servants of God Gal. 6.10 we should more freely and fully communicate to their necessities si caetera sint paria then to any others As God then delights in his Saints so must we for Grace puts a lustre on them which makes them lovely to the godly and terrible to their enemies So that there is more comfort and safety in the society of a few good men then in strong confederacies of the wicked Psalm 48.2 3 4. for God dwells amongst them by his speciall presence Psalm 76.1 2. and walks in the midst of them Revel 2.1 his speciall hand of protection is over them lest any should hurt his Vineyard he keepes it night and day i. e. continually Isay 27.3 It will be our wisdome then to be familiar with them they will help us Consilio Prece opere by Direction Prayer and Practice Their good Example will quicken us and be as a Starre to direct us so that by acquaintance with them we may come to be acquainted with God himself As Iron sharpens Iron and one living coale sets his fellow on fire and one couragious souldier quickens another so good company is a great incouragement against those discouragements which we meet with from an ungratefull world and a speciall meanes to keep uâ— from Apostasy Heb. 3.12 13. Green wood will hardly burn alone but put drye wood amongst the green and all will flame When the disciples were altogether in one place with one accord in an holy communion then the spirit came on them Acts 2.3 4. where Brethren are united there 's the blessing Psal. 133.1.3 VERSE 4. Traytours THE last dayes will be perilous in respect of the many Traytours which will then abound who shall ascend to that height of wickednesse that they will betray their dearest friends like Iudas who betrayed his Master and is therefore justly called the Traytour by way of eminency Luke 6.16 So themselves may be safe they care not who suffers They 'l spy and pry into the wayes of others that they may betray and destroy them and reveale their secrets No bonds of friendship can hold them but Brother will deliver up the Brother to death the Father will rise against his children and children against their Parents and cause them to be put to death Matth. 10.21 Christians will betray their fellow-Christians into the hands of persecutors Luke 21.16 and people will betray their Pastors and put them to death as did their fore-fathers of old Acts 7.52 Now of these Traytours there are three Sorts 1. Traytors Politicall 2. Ecclesiasticall 3. Domesticall 1. Some are Politicall State Traytors such as betray the land of their Nativity into the hands of its enemies Subjects are bound by Oath oft times to preserve their native country to their power But if they were not sworne yet naturall and common right calls for it our hands If the body be in danger all the parts and members of it will act for its defence and therefore great is the sin of those unnaturall children which betray their native country which like a Mother bred and bare them to ruine and to misery Of this sort are those who betray their trust in delivering up Castles and Garisons into the enemies hands 2. There are Ecclesiasticall Traytours such as betray the truth of God which he hath committed to his Ministers primarily and then to all the faithfull to be kept as a sacred depositum and choyce treasure 1 Tim. 6.20 esteeming every particle of it above the filings of the finest gold Now when men through feare and cowardlinesse dare not professe the truth of God in the midst of a perverse generation that oppose it God esteems this a betraying of his truth into the hands of its enemies Such are false Prophets Formalists and Time-servers which for a time make a shew but in time of tentation fall away 3. Domestick Traytors who betray the lives and estates of their dearest relations into the hands of their enemies Psal. 55.12 13 14. Matth. 10 21. So that the Poets complaint was never more true Non augenda fides potiùs minuenda videtur Vix cum sint homines tot quot in orbe fides Sortitur sibi quisque fidem sibi quisque Magistrum Nunquam plus fidei perfidiaeque fuit It behoves us then to stand upon our Guards and to watch against false Brethren If ever the counsell of the Prophets were in season 't is now Trust not in a Neighbour a Brother a Friend no not in thy dearest friend the wife of thy bosom how many have been drawn aside to errors in our dayes by their wives for a mans enemies still be those of his own house Ier. 9.4 5. Micah 7.5 6. In all ages Gods servants have been infested by Traytors David had not only open enemâ—es that conspired his ruine Psal. 35.20 21. but which was worst of all his familiar friends did so Psal. 41.9 Christ was betrayed by Iudas and Paul by the Jewes his kinsmen in the flesh Sampson by his wife Dalilah Iudg. 14.18 and David by his son Absolom 2 Sam. 1â— 14 This may comfort us when we fall into the hands of Traytors and Tyrants 't is no new thing So did Christ so did the Prophets so did the Apostles and so may we 1. Consider such cannot escape the revenging hand of God his Justice wil find them out Zimri had no peace who slew his Master Nor Sheba that rebelled against his Soveraign 2 Sam. 20.22 Nor Absolom who rose against his Father 2 Sam. 18.9 10. nor Corah Dathan and Abiram who rose against Moses Nor Iudas that betrayed Christ. Matth. 26.24 and 27.5 nor the Papists with their proditorious practises and principles 2. They are oft punisht by men who though they love the Treason yet hate the Traytour Though they love the Artifice yet hate the Artificer and when he hath done his work he hath oft-times an halter for his paines or at best he hath the honour never to be trusted more when Baanah and Rechab had treacherously slain Ishbosheth one of Sauls sons David commands them both to be slain 2 Sam. 4.9 to 13. As for our selves let us walk as becomes the Gospel in all simplicity and godly sincerity abhoring all Treachery falsenesse and perfideousnesse Let us be faithfull to the truth of God faithfull to the land of our Nativity and faithfull in all our Relations
them These are those that poysen not bodies but soules as the harlot so these hunt for the precious soul. Prov. 6.26 they hatch the Cockatrice egges he that eates of their egges dyes and that which is crusht breakes forth into a Viper Isay 59.5 These are those that make rents and divisions in the Church whose Peace should be very deare unto us for though Unity be not the very being yet it tends much to the well-being of a Church These hinder the progresse of the Gospel when people should be praying weeping and humbling themselves together these set them to disputing wrangling and malicing one another 'T is Unity that spreads the Gospel and makes mountains to become a plain even the seven hills amongst the rest Were there that sweet Synceretismus or rather Synchristianismus that harmony of hearts and wayes as ought to be amongst the people of God how terrible would the Church be to her enemies 'T is these that breed tumults in the Church commotions in the Common-wealth that imbitter mens spirits one against another waste mens estates bring men to a morsell of bread and at last bring themselves to some untimely end Oh consider the sad Ends of many Hereticks and let their falls make you to feare Arrius voyded his bowells Iulian died blaspheming Simon Magus an Arch-Heretick who by his sorcery and feined miracles deluded many people who took him for a God Acts 8.10 attempting on a time to fly in the ayer in the sight of many people his divelish art failing him he fell to the ground and brake his leg which was his death Servetus was burnt for his blasphemies at Geneva Gibraldus the Heretick was swept away by the Plague Blandrate Physician to the King of Pâ—land a great Patron to Socinus and his followers was strangled in his bed by his Brothers son Alciat a Socinian died despairing Paleâ—logus an Arrian was burnt Francis David a proud Socinian died mad and was distracted with the sight of the Devill Lismanninus an Arrian drowned himself in a well Olympius that denied the Trinity was burnt to death with three Lightnings Beâ—old that Anabaptist King with his companions was tortured and put to death Humber was burnt Muntzer and Pheifer beheaded So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. Consider Gods hand on Nayler a Quaker and Sundercomb a Leveller and Mistris Hutchinson in New-England who was banisht for her Heresies and destroyed both she and her family by the Indians Parnel a Quaker famisht himself in Colchester Jayle trying to fast 40. dayes as Christ did Poole a Quaker in Dorcester drowned himselfe Quest. If any desire to know the Reasons why God suffers Seducers to abound he may find good store in Doctor Boltons Arraignment of error Pag. 5. to 55. in Mr. Brimslyes Spi. Vertigo p. 37. c. and Mr. Sherlock against the Quakers In fine cap. 6. p. 205. c. Vse 1. Since false Prophets are such Pestilent persons the Magistrate must not Tolerate them Who will Tolerate such as have Plague-sores running on them to go up and down infecting others or that have poyson to go up and down selling it instead of food Seducing Hereticks are worse those kill but the body these with their damnable Heresies destroy the soul. 2 Pet 2.1 and if such as steal away but their bodies must die Exod. 21.16 what shall be done to those that ruine the better part These are called Foxes Vipers Wolves Thieves troublers of the Church and therefore to be cut off not tolerated Galathians 5.12 Christ blames the Church of Thyatire for giveing a toleration to Iesabel Revelations 2.20 and commends the Church of Ephesus for not bearing with such as are evil Revelatâ—ons 2.2 and Iosiah is commended for compelling men to the worship of God 2 Chronicles 34.33 The Magistrate is the Minister of God and must be a terror to them that doe evil Romans 13. especially if they be compounded blasphemous seducing Hereticks they must be put to death Leviticus 24.14 Exodus 22.20 Deuteronomy 13.6.8 9. and 17.2.5 2 Chronicles 5.16 Ezra 7.26 Iosiah slayes the false Prophets 1 Kings 23.20 Elâ—jah commands the Priests of Baal to be slain 1 Kings 18.40 Object Lest any should think to evade these Proofs as Legall the prophet Zachary 13.3 prophesing of Gospel times tells us that if any shall be so bold as to teach lies that his father and mother shall cause him to be put to death alluding to that Deuteronomy 13. The equity of which Law still remains under the Gospel Better and with lesse danger is a Thief an Adulterer a murderer a Witch and Sorcerer tolerated then such an Heretick and Seducer As our large Annotations have it 'T is observed by a learned Divine That as in things of practice so of perswasion that are impious either in themselves or in their naturall unconstrained consequences the Plea of conscience is an Aggravation of the crime if mens consciences are â—eared and themselves given up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient there is no doubt but they ought to suffer such things as to such practices are assigned and appointed Thus he And if any shall object that these are tolerated but in corners The answer is easie if it be truth they teach why should it not have Churches if errour why should it have Chambers See more against Toler Mr. Ant. Burges on Iohn 7.21 Serm. 115. Mr. Gee on Prayer cap. 4. Sect. 7. p. 358. Mr. Iohn Clerk Ser. on Leaven p. 24.36 See 9. wayes by which the Magistrate may stop the flood of Heresies Mr. Obad. Sedgwicks Serm. on Revelation 12.15 p. 37. Preacht 1646. Iames 27. Mr. Edwards against Toleration Calvin contra Serv. inter Opuscul p. 694. Beza de Haert puniend Epistol contra Deditium Prins Treatise in defence of the Magistrates coercive power Mr. Rudderfords Treatise against Liberty of Conscience Doctor Taylor on Titus 3.1.10 p. 347 715. 2. Ministers must come forth to the helpe of the Lord against these daring Goliahs Even a Dogge will barke when hee seeth his Master wronged And a Craesus sonne that hath been dumbe all his life yet will speak when they offer violence to his father We are the Lords Watchmen and when we see the Wolf or the Theif approching we must give warning seducers are subtle and people can not easily discover their plots we must do it for them One great cause of so many abounding errors amongst us springs from Ministers 'T was whilest the watchmen slept that the enemy sowed his Tares Matthew 13.25 1. Some are ignorant dumb dogs and cannot bark 2. Others are scandalous and dare not for fear of being questioned themselves 3. Others see which way the times go and like dead fish they go down the stream they dare not displease they love to sleep in a whole skin and say as the great ones say But let us be the Lords witnesses against a perverse people this
them for salvation the same word is used for sufficient 1 Tim. 4.8 3. Objection Though All the Scripture be thus profitable yet the whole is not saith Bellarmine Answer Who so blind as they that will not see what is this but to seek a knot in a bulrush and to make doubts where there are none at all This is to trifle and not to dispute for who knowes not that All Scripture and the whole Scripture are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equivalent and the same So All is taken in other places Collectively and not distributively as 1 Cor. 13.2 Colos. 2.9 Ephesians 2.21 and 3.15 and 4.16 These rubs being removed the sense of the place is this q. d. Great is the Dignity and Authority the Majesty and Utility of the Holy Scriptures That Gift of Gifts which have not Angels or Men but God himselfe for their more immediate Authoâ—r It is he that hath given them to informe the ignorant to recall the erronions to correct the vitious and to direct and comfort the Pious So that by reading and studying this Word of God the People of God and specially the Teacher of Gods People may be made every way fit and compleat for all the services of his calling Observe That the sacred Scriptures are the very word of God Holy men were but the Instruments 't is God that is the Authour of them they were but the spirits amanuenses to write what he should dictate to them Hence it is called the word of God Mark 7.13 2 Cor. 2.17 and 4.2 1 Thes. 4.15 the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and is ascribed solely to the Spirit of God without mentioning any Authour Heb. 10.15 what was uttered by the mouthes of the Prophets God spake what they delivered was by direction and inspiration from above Hence the Holy Ghost is said to speak by the mouth of David Acts 1.16 and 4.25 and 28.25 and the word of the Lord is said to come to Hos. 1.1 and Ioel 1.1 Ier. 1.9 Ezek. 1.3 Heb. 1.1 2. and as the Old Testament so the New is the very word of God for the whole Scripture is given by inspiration from above and the Apostle tells us that he had received from the Lord what he delivered to them 1 Cor. 11.23 and Rom. 1.1 and 15.18 this made the Apostles stile themselves the servants of Christ. Philip. 1.1 Titus 1.1 Iames 1.1 1 Pet. 1.1 Iude 1 the foundation of the Church is said to be the Prophets i. e. the Old Testament and the Apostles i e. the New Testament Ephes. 2.20 So that the Authority of Scripture is greater then of an Angels voyce and of greater perspicuity and certainty to us for besides inspiration 't is both written and sealed This is fundamentum fundamentorum a fundamental point very necessary to be knowne for we can never profit by the scriptures till we believe and are perswaded that they are the very word of God he that believes not this believes nothing and the very ground of all that Atheisme and profanenesse both in Doctrine and Manners which abounds amongst us springs from hence Have at the Root then and have at all lay the Axe to it and the branches will soon wither To prove the Divine Authority of the Scriptures See 18. Reasons in Bishop Vshers Body of Divinity and 18. Reasons in Ward on Matthew 1.1 p. 1 2 c. Stock on the Attributes chapt 4. Mr. Iohn Downams Warfar l. 2. c. 21. p. 160. Fol. Capel on Tentat l. 4. c. 4. Sangar's Morning Lect. p. 4.20 Mr. Leighs Body of Divinity l. 1. c. 2. Walaeus loc com p. 124 125. Wo then to those Blasphemous Hereticks and Atheistical Scepticks the Anti-scripturists of our age that cry up their own perfection and cry down the Scriptures as imperfect that cry up themselves as Gods and cry down Christ as man that cry up their own dreams and cry down the word which condemns those dreams even as the Malefactor exclaimes against the Judge which he knowes will condemn him O hellish pride O hideous horrid blasphemy Wo is me that ever it should be told in Gath and published in the streets of Askelon that England which was sometimes the glory of Nations should now for such blasphemies as those become the scorn and reproach of all the Nations round about us Yet such there are perhorresco refereus that say the Scriptures are not of Divine but of Humane authority and invention that the Pen-men wrot what pleased themselves that they are no foundation of Christian religion c. Strange it is to me to find Mr. Iohn Goodwin a man of such knowledge and parts so well versed in Scripture a Preacher and expounder of it so long yet now in his old age to fall into that ragged Regiment of Anti-scripturists Yet thus it is when once men give way to sin and error they know not when nor where they shall rest Whither will not Pride and Selfe-conceit lead men As Christ was crucified between two Theeves so are the Scriptures vilified by two sorts by Papists on the one hand and Atheistical Sectaries on the other but all in vain for magna est veritas praevalebit The Truth still gets ground against them all Many Libertines cry out against us Ministers as Antichristian but whether come nearer Antichrist we or they the ensuing Parallel will declare for though their Heads took severall wayes yet like Sampsons Foxes they are tyed together with firebrands at their tayles Papists call the Scriptures 1. A Nose of wax or Rule of lead which may be bowed every way as men please 2. Inky Divinity 3. They are fallible 4. They are insufficient without unwritten Traditions 5. They prefer the Church before them 6. To defend their errours they wrest the Scriptures and make them Allegorize without a cause 7. Sometimes they take the bare Letter and will admit of no exposition 8. What blasphemous nonsensicall expositions the Friers made of the Scripture former ages can testify See Willets Tetrastilon Pillar 3. Synops. p. 1296. Atheisticall Anti-scripturists say 1. They are uncertain 2. A dead Letter 3. They are not infallible 4. They are insufficient without Revelations 5. They prefer the dark light within them before them 6. So do these yea some have turned all Scriptures into Allegories 7. So do these 8. What Non-sensical ones these make who lists may see in Mr. Brinsley's Virtigo p. 133 134. and Mr. Firmin against the Quakers Should these men have spoken but half so much against the Higher Powers as they have done against God and his word they would quickly have been apprehended for Traytors yea if a man steal above thirteen-pence half peny 't is death by the Law but if a man blaspheme the God of heaven revile the Scriptures and overthrow the very foundations of Religion there 's little or nothing done to such a one Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish and unwise Is this the thanks we
Court and the Martyrs wander up and down in Sheep-kins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 11. Grant but this and then Cain need not fear to kill his brother Saul to persecute the Church Herod to kill the Saints Who will study to keep Gods Commandements or make any conscience of his wayes As for ourselves let us abhor that desperate Opinion which openeth the flood-gates to all villanies and abominations The broachers and obstinate defenders of such Tenents should die without mercy Zach. 13.3 And if the murderers of mens bodies must die for it then such murderers should die some remarkable death for as there are no mercies like soul mercies so there are no murders like these 2. The Immortality of our souls should make us have a special care of them we should see to them diligently Deuteronomy 4.9 Nature teacheth us to look to our bodies but grace to our souls The soul is the man and if that be lost all is lost but if you have a care of your souls God will have a care of your bodies If the Mid-wives fear the Lord he will provide them houses Exodus 1.21 If Solomon seek soul mercies God will cast in Temporal blessings into the bargain 1 Kings 3.12 There are many sicknesses now abroad the way to remove them is to cleave to the Lord and serve him with all our souls then he hath promised to bless our Land and to take all sickness from amongst us Exodus 23.25 Solomon telleth us that the soul is a precious thing Proverbs 6.26 and a wiser then Solomon hath told us that One soul is more worth then all the â—orld Matthew 16.26 Ten thousand worlds could not ransome one soul. Nothing but the precious blood of Christ who was God and Man could do it 1 Pet. 1.19 We see how careful men be for their bodies to feed them when hungry cloath them when naked Physick them when sick and arm them against dangers but the soul the immortal soul lieth starved naked sick and unarmed most with Martha carke and care for the body but few with Mary see to the better part We see how highly men prize their Natural Lives Skinn for skinn and all that they have they will give for them Iob 2.4 Offer a man all the World for his life and he can readily answer what will this profit me when I am dead but offer the same man a little gain honor pleasure for his soul and he 'l part with that for it Esau sold his soul for a mess of pottage Iudas his for 30. pieces of silver the Prodigal his for husks and the worldling for meer vanity drowns his soul in perdition 1 Tim. 6.9 Let us from time to come set a higher price on our souls let us so pray so hear so live as those that believe that our soules are immortal 'T is true we must have a moderate care of our bodies 1 Timothy 5.23 but the welfare of our soules must be chiefly regarded Matth. 6.33 Iohn 6.27 'T was an high commendation of Gajus when the Apostle wisheth he might be in health and prosper even as his Soul prospred 3 Iohn 1.2 I see more in Mr. Calamies Sermon at R. Boltoâ—s Funeral and Mr. Ambrose his Prima 2 P. p. 61. c. See 20. Reas. for the Souls Immortality in Mr. Baxters Saints Rest. P. 2. c. 10. S. 1. p. 298. Norton Orthodox Evangel c. 15. D. Arrowsmith Tactica S. l. 3. c. 3. S. 12. Prideaux Fascicul p. 315. Calvin de Psychopannychia inter Opuscula contra Libertinos cap. 22. Observation 5. 5. The death of the Martyrs is a most pleasing Sacrifice to God The obedient life and death of all Gods Saints is very pleasing to him Psal. 116.15 but the death of Martyrs who do actually seal to his truth with their dearest blood is a most deligthful sacrifice to him How vilely soever the world esteems of their sufferings yet they are precious in Gods eye and their blood shall pay for it who have made themselves drunk with the blood of his Saints Isay 63.13 Rev. 17.6 When ever therefore the Lord shall call for our lives especially by way of Martyrdom we should cheerfully offer them up in sacrifice to God rejoicing that we have a life or any thing of worth to loose for him We should be holily prodigal of our lives in Gods cause so were the Martyrs and so was Paul he did not value his life when he came to part with it in this kind Acts 20.24 Neither should we mourn inordinately moderately we may as they did for Steven Acts 8.2 for such as dye in the cause of Christ nor yet hinder our Relations in such resolutions but say The will of the Lord be done rejoicing that we have any children or friends that are worthy of so great an honour Observation 6. 6. The death of the Martyrs doth confirm the truth The Church is Gods garden and t is watered and enriched by the blood of Martyrs By sealing the truth with their blood and not loving their lives unto the death the weak are strengthened and the strong confirmed and though they be dead yet their Testimony speaks Heb. 12.4 they conquer even when they seem to be conquered and Chriâ—â— is magnified by their death as well as by their life Phil. 1.20 Caut. Not that the sufferings or constancy of the Martyrs is the foundation of our Faith but God hath ordained it as a means to strengthen it VERSE 7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finisht my course I have kept the Faith V. 7. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but unto them also that love his appearing THE Apostle being come to the end of his race he looks about him he looks downward backward upward 1. He looks downward into the grave v. 6. whither he was going and there he sees comfort his death was a pleasing sacrifice to God and a friend to conveigh him to his fathers house 2. He looks backward and views his well-spent life with joy and comfort and in an Holy gloriation breaks forth I have fought the good fight c. A Soul that hath made its peace with God may with comfort and confidence look death in the face and say with good old Simeon Lord now let thy servant depart in peace 3. He looks upward and there he sees Heaven prepared for him v. 8. So that in these two verses we have Pauls work and Pauls wages we see what he did for God and what he expected from God Objct. But doth not this savour of vain-glory and Spiritual Pride Answer Not at all for the Apostle speaks not this Proudly or Thrasonically as if he had merited any thing at the hand of God for he testifieth against this in all his writings especially in Rom. 4. and Phil. 3. and tells us
plainly that what ever he was it was by grace 1 Cor. 15.10 By the grace of God I am that I am and through Christ that strengthened him he could do all things Phil. 4.13 and that 't was mercy and not merit that ever he was faithful 1 Cor. 7.25 But being a man of a good conscience and knowing whom he had believed in an Holy confidence exultation and triumph he breaks forth into this heavenly gloriation and publisheth this his Cygnean song I have fought a good fight c. For though in the case of Justification we must renounce our own righteousness yet out of that case we may rejoice in the good we have done 2. He speaks this partly to comfort Timothy and to incourage him to walk in his steps keeping Faith and a good conscience that as he died now in the peace thereof so he walking in the way which he had prescribed might attain to that end 3. To incourage himself against the reproach of his reproaching violent death he eyes that heavenly reward and that crown of life prepared for such as have fought the good â—ight as he had done who was now to dye not as a Malefactor but a Martyr not for any evil that he had done but for his fidelity to Christ whose faithful servant he proves himself to be by a threefold Metaphor in the Text. 1. The first is taken from a valiant Champion I have fought a good fight or I have strove a good strife and wrastled a good wrastling The life of the Apostle was a continual conflict he was never out of action but was still combating either with his own flesh and corruption 1 Cor. 9.25 Rom. 7. or with Satan 2 Cor. 12.7 or else with the instruments of Satan with Jewes and Gentiles with Pharisees and Sadducees with false brethren and seducers and such like beasts as Elymas the Sorcerer Hymenaeus and Philetus Alexander the Smith the Epicures at Athens and the beastly men at Ephesus 2 Cor. 15.32 If after the manner of men I have fought with the beasts at Ephesus what advantageth it me if the dead rise not Some take this Text literally that Paul did really fight with wild beasts it being one kind of punishment commonly inflicted on the primitive Christians when any thing went amiss presently they cast the Christians to the Lions imputing the cause of their calamities to them But the most genuine and proper sense of the words seems to be this viz. that Paul had contested with such men at Ephesus as wee Barbarous in opinion and beastly in practice such as Demetrius and his followers Acts 19.9 Such wicked men the Scripture frequently stiles beasts Psal. 68.30 Dan. 7.3 4. 2 Tim. 4.17 Grotius and Dr. Hammond his disciple do illustrate this from 2 Cor. 1.8 9. where Paul received the sentence of death in Asia of which Ephesus was the Metropolis q. d. If as 't is the manner of men to be put to fight with beasts in their Amphitheaters so I have been put to fight with bestial men at Ephesus and have with them been exposed to so manifest and great peril what am I the better or to what purpose have I done it if there be no Resurrection This sense agrees best with the scope of the Text especially seeing Luke describing that which happened to Paul at Ephesus Acts 19. makes no mention of his being cast to wild beasts to be torn by them and of his miraculous deliverance from them so great a matter would not have been omitted by the Evangelist who carefully sets down far lesser sufferings of the Apostle So then the Apostle glories how much he had done and suffered for Christ what death and dangers he run for him he reckons eight distinct perils in one verse 2 Cor. 11.26 Besides other hazards that he run 1 Cor. 4.9 to 14. and 2.23 to 28. He bare in his body the marks of the Lord Iesus Gal. 6.17 Yet in all these fights and conflicts he conquered still for he fought not as one that beat the air but the enemy if he had to do with Hereticks he reproved them sharply if with his own flesh he did not lightly chastise it but by force of armes he brought it into subjection 1 Cor. 9.26 27. Object But doth not the Scripture condemn fighting in a Minister 2 Tim. 3.3 and 2.24 Tit. 1.7 Answer This doubt is easily resolved by distinguishing Fighting is twofold 1. Corporal and that also is twofold 1. Lawful as when a man fights in defence of the truth and of his Relations 2. Unlawful as rash drunken quarrelling and fighting and this is that the Apostle condemns in a Minister he must be a man of patient and peaceable temper not given to fighting and quarrelling else a Minister may as occasion requires correct his children and servants and se defendendo strike an assaulter 2. There is a spiritual fight against sin and Satan and of this the Apostle here speaks Paul was a warriour his weapons were spiritual 2 Cor. 10.4 his adversaries spiritual or for spiritual respects and his victories were spiritual Rom. 7.24 25. God had placed him in the head of his Army he kept his station in despight of all opposition and through Christ that strengthned him came off a conquerour And in this sense every Minister must be a striker else God will strike him he must be a man of strife and contention not a beast must come in his way but he must give him a bang He must not play with them but fight with them he must not flatter or humour them in their sins but throw salt on them and reprove them We have seen the Apostles activity he fought We now come to the Adjunct of this fight 't is a Good sight He calls it That good fight Emphatically as being good for Matter Manner End and issue hence the Article is doubled Other fights as corporal ones for Masteries at the Olympick games such agones wrastlings and combatings are poor low sensual things not worth the mentioning but the fight that I have fought is that good fight against sin and Satan no battles like these no agonist or champion like this spiritual one who fights the good fight of faith 1 Tim. 6.12 q. d. I have fought that excellent glorious pleasant and profitable fight Glorious in Gods eye profitable to the Church Phil. 1.12 13. and pleasing and profitable to my self what ever the world judge of it and though my end may seem reproachful in their eye yet 't is glorious in mine and 't is my joy that I have broke through all impediments I have not fled from my colours nor been faithless in Gods Covenant but like a faithful Souldier of Christ I have fought against the temptations of Satan the persecutions of the world the corruption in mine own bosom and the oppositions of false Teachers 2. The second Metaphor is taken from a strenuous runner I have finisht
mention not Vain-gloriously but Thankfully against both men and devils and beastly Barbarians I have contended for the Gospel constantly and couragiously My life is a race and I have run my course even to the very goal in despight of all opposition I have maintained and defended the truth of Christs Gospel inviolably according to my Christian profession and office Apostolical and now from henceforth I comfort my self with the expectation of that crown of immortality which upon the gracious promises of a righteous God is laid up for me and not for me onely but for all the faithful who love Christ and long for his coming Observations 1. 'T is lawful sometimes to speak of those gifts and graces which God hath given us that we may comfort and quicken others by our example But of this see the Observations on chapter 3.10 2. The sweetest songs of the Saints have been towards their last ends The sun shines sweetliest when it is setting the wine of the Spirit is strongest in the Saints when they are drawing to an end His motions are quickest when natural motions are slowest as we see in Moses his Swan-like Song Deut. 31. and 32. and 33. and David how sweetly doth he sing a little before he dies of Gods mercies to himselfe of the covenant of free Grace which God had made with him and his judgements on the sons of Belial 2 Samuel 23.1 to 8. Ioshua dying how sweetly doth he exhort the people to obedience by setting before them the mercies of God Ioshua 24. All Christs sayings are excellent but none so sweet and comfortable as those which he delivered a little before his death His last Sermon and Prayer how sweet are they Iohn 13.14 15 16 17. Iacob dying how sweetly doth he bless his sons Gen. 49. Steven dying prayes for their life who put him to death so did the Martyrs Doctor Prestons last Sermons were on the Attributes Doctor Sibbs his last Sermons on that comfortable Text Iohn 14.1 and Master Robert Boltons on the Joyes of Heaven Wicked men when they die they set in a Cloud and like the going out of a candle they leave a stench behind them as their bodies so their names rot and stink when they are dead and gone As wicked men grow worse and worse and their last dayes are their worst so good men grow better and better and their last dayes are their best having hut a little time to live in the world they are willing to leave it with a good savour Observation 3. 3. The sweet resent which a good Conscience hath of a well spent life is matter of singular comfort and rejoycing in death The Apostle was now near to death and what doth he rejoyce in why 't is in this that by the assistance of Christ he had fought a good sight and finisht his course and therefore he had hope as the righteous have even in death Proverbs 14.32 Elijah that had been zealous for the Lord of Hosts can with comfort desire the Lord to to take his soul 1 Kings 19.4.10 Hezekiah that great reformer when he heard that he must die yet comforteth himselfe with this that he had walked before God in sincerity and singleness of heart Isay 38.3 this upheld Iob in the middest of all his trials Iob 27.5 6. This comforted the Apostles when they were in deep distress 2 Corinthians 1.12 This is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Not that the conscience of our sincere walking is the Deserver but the Assurer of our salvation Well-doing may Evidence to us our Election though it cannot Merit it 2 Peter 1.10 Men of good consciences sit at a continnal Feast Proverbs 15.15 a good heart or a quiet merry heart as some Translations render it Is not may be or shall be hereafter but is already a reall Feast and hereafter shall be consummate 'T is not a dead Ignorant secure benummed erroneous seared Conscience but it is an inlightned inlivened renewed pure conscience which is purged from the guilt of sinne by the blood of Christ and delivered from the Tyranny of sinne by the Spirit of Christ This this onely is a good Conscience This puritie of Conscience breedeth Peace and Peace breedeth Joy and Spirituall Mirth this reconcileth those Translations which render it a quiet or merry heart which is true in respect of the effects and fruits of a good conscience Now this good conscience is called a Feast 1. Because at a Feast there is variety of dainties and dishes abundance of cates and delicates 't is not a Feast without variety and plenty and more then ordinary fare So at this Feast there is great variety 1. Here is Ioy this is most sutable and seasonable at a Feast not a carnal sensual external inferiour joy but a spiritual supernatural Holy Heavenly solid serious well-grounded durable Joy which none can take from us Iohn 16.22 They rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Psalm 33.1 Philip. 4.4 yea even in Tribulation Romans 5.3 Iames 1.2 and that with a superlative transcendent Joy hence called Ioy unspeakable and glorious 1 Peter 1.8 and compared to Joy in Harvest when the husbandman after long toyl reapeth the fruits of his labours Isay 9.3 yea it surpasseth that joy Psalm 4.7 it mortifieth our delights to these low things makes us to rejoyce in them as though we rejoyced not 1 Cor. 7.31 Lo this is the first dish which is served in at this Royal Feast Matthew 13.44 Acts 16.34 and therefore it is called by a special propriety the joy of Gods people Psal. 206.5 2. At this Feast here is Peace not a Fading unsetled transitory Peace such as wicked men have but 't is a well grounded and a well bottomed Peace 't is built on the Word and it's foundation is laid in Humiliation it had a storm before it came to this calme 2. 'T is not an ordinary but a transcendent Peace such as passes all human understanding Phil. 4.7 mans wit cannot sufficiently conceive it nor value it according to its worth To have Peace with men and Angels is a mercy but when the soul lieth groaning under the sight and sense of sinne then for the Spirit to speak Peace to us to assure us that God in Christ is reconciled to us this is a mercy of mercies David had this Peace and therefore he fears not though ten thousand should compass him about Psalm 3.6 Peter that was in great danger of his life yet having a good cause and a good conscience he sleeps in Peace Acts 12.6 3. 'T is an everlasting peace Christ hath bequeathed it to his for ever Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my Peace I give you The Lord hath bound himself by Covenant to continue it it is more firme then the pillars of the Earth or the Poles of Heaven Isay 54.9 The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my
doth this great Apostle here he sendeth his salutations and best respects to Aquila a Tent-maker and his wife Priscilla and is not ashamed to own them as his coadjutors Romans 16.3 The Church of Christ in this world for the most part consisteth of mean and obscure persons as appeareth by those men and women whom the Apostle saluteth Rom. 16.1 to 16. not many wise not many noble not many mighty but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weake to confound the mighty 1 Cor. 1.26 27. Salute Aquila Salute Priscilla Salute Onesiphorus And why so because of their Piety and Zeal for Gods glory We had doubtlesse never heard of these persons but for that 6. Observation Hence Observe Piety bringeth praise It begetteth a good name and maketh a man famous to posterity Such honour God and therefore he honoureth them and setteth an Ecce of Admiration on them Iohn 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed What hath made Iob Nehemiah David and all the good Kings of Israel so famous to all Generations but their Piety Wicked men by fine fare fine cloaths c. may beg a little praise but Piety commandeth Esteem even from those that cannot practice it themselves The intemperate man cannot but commend the Temperate though he cannot imitate him and the time-serving Polititian cannot but commend the sincere and constant man that sticks to his Principles though himselfe like a Wethercock cannot but turn with every wind VERS 20. Erastus abode at Corinth but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sicke ERastus is a Greek name and signifieth Amiable and lovely He was Chamberlain of the City of Corinth Romans 16.23 he was one that attended on Paul when he sent with Timothie into Macedonia Acts 19.22 Whilest Paul was prisoner at Rome he did abide at Corinth as appeareth by the Text waiting on his publick Office it seemeth he was a great man the Treasurer of the City yet neither his riches nor his great place could keep him from loving the Apostle and the people of God 1. Observation Hence Observe There are some great men that are good men not many yet some 1 Corinthians 1.26 Lot and Abraham two great men and yet good men Genesis 13.2 5 6. and 24.35 So was Iob 1.3 and Zaccheus Luke 19.2 David died full of riches and honour 1 Chronicles 29.28 Nehemiah a Courtier and Cupbearer to a King yet one that feareth the God of Heaven Neh. 1. ult So in the New Testament we read of a noble Theophilus Luk 1.3 and of an Elect Lady that loved the Truth 2 Iohn 1.2 and of a Ioseph of Arimathea and Sergius that embraced the Gospel 1. The Lord hath so ordered it to stop the mouths of wicked men who are ready to say as the Pharisees Iohn 7.48 do any of the Rulers or great ones believe in him q. d. there are none that follow Christ but a few simple people and illiterate fishermen c. Yet God hath some Kings and Queens some Lords and Ladies some of the great ones and some of the fat of the earth that worship him Psalm 22.29 He hath a learned Nicodemus and Paul with an eloquent Apollos to defend his truth 2. The Lord calleth some such that they may draw on others who are apt to be led by great ones They are the Looking-glasses of the Countrey by which many dress themselves 3. For the greater conviction of wicked men when they shall have the light of such and such great men who have broke through great temptations and denied themselves many lawful liberties that they might be the fitter for Gods service when many that had not the Tythe of these Tentations and hinderances yet would not serve him 4. For the greater manifestation of Gods Almighty Power though it be a very hard thing for a rich man to be saved and with men it is impossible by reason of the many snares and impediments which lie in their way hence the Apostle telleth us that none of the Princes of this world have known Christ id est almost none very few 1 Corinthians 1.8 yet Christ can pare off this Camels bunch and so untwist this cable rope that it shall goe through the eye of a needle Trophimus have I left sick at Miletum This Trophimus was a Citizen of Ephesus a Disciple of Pauls and his companion in his travels Acts 20.4 and 21.29 Paul travelling through many places after his first imprisonment at Rome leaveth this Trophimus sick at Miletum a City in Asia not far from Ephesus famous for its wooll and cloathing Question But would not the Apostle work a miracle and so heal him as he had done other sick persons Answer It was not in the Apostles power to work Miracles when they pleased but onely when there was a necessity for the conviction or conversion of unbelievers then the Holy Ghost enabled and excited them to it Acts 3.12 2. Observation 2. Sickness may seize even on good men As they are subject to death so to sickness also which is the fore-runner of death Epiphraditus a good man whose recovery Paul so greatly rejoyced in yet was very sick and nigh unto death Phil. 2.27 and so was Paul himself 2 Cor. 1.8 Hezekiah and David two holy men yet sick of the Plague as it is conceived the Corinthians were chastned by the Lord with the same violent disease as 't is conceived that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.30 But this needs no proof for we experimentally see that all things come alike to all and sickness is the portion of good men as well as bad only the wicked are punished in wrath their sickness and pains here are but praeludia futuri judicii fore-runners of greater pains besides they are hardned and made worse by them as Pharaoh and Ahaz 2 Chron. 28.22 God rains snares on wicked men if they be in health 't is a snare to them Psal. 69.22 Prov. 1.32 if sick 't is a snare to them their sin is drawn out discovered and ripened by it 'T is Luthers Observation that after long journeyes and long sicknesses few were better Cast a stinking weed into the fire and it smelleth worse but cast a sweet Herb into the fire and it smelleth the better God punisheth the wicked as a Iudge but he correcteth his children as a Father For their good to bring them nearer to himself and to fetch home his Prodigalls which wander after the creature and to bring their sinnes to remembrance In prosperity men cannot awhile to think of their sinnes but when sicknesse cometh they shall have time enough night and day they shall have no rest by reason of their sinne We reade of some Psalms whose Titles are A Psalm to bring to remembrance So we must say of many diseases A Feaver to bring our sinnes to remembrance a Consumption to bring our sinnes to remembrance As Pharaohs Butler said sometimes I remember my sinnes