have Tribulation but be of good Comfort As you should be humble in Prosperity so quiet and chearful in Adversity Carry an even frame in each state Let your Moderation be known unto all men even in bearing Afflictions Be not overmuch cast down with any trouble Let the Enemy see that you have been with God by the Gladness of your Countenance You 'l discredit Religion by too much drooping Let not others say You serve a hard Master God that knows all things knows what condition is best for you and how to deal with you Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Though Adversity and the Wicked may intermeddle with your outward comforts and take them away yet let them see you have inward Joyes with which they cannot intermeddle nor take away 13. Esteem and approve Time as a precious Commodity Husband Opportunities for Soul-Advantage When you have spare hours improve them in Reading Meditation and Prayer Redeem Time from sleep your callings and recreations in order to Heaven Men usually work sleep and recreate more than necessity calls for and then cry out they have no time for holy Exercises Oh what would damned spirits give for two or three of those hours which we throw away Oh how would they spend them would they sleep play or work them away Nay how would they Pray Read and Repent more in one hour than we do in many Brethren the time is short your work is much you have God to honour your Relations to watch over your own Evidences to make clear O then redeem precious Time do not throw it away Ephes 5.16 15. Contend earnestly for the Faith Jude 3. Maintain fundamental Truths I do not mean that you should fall a wrangling with every one you meet The Apostle indeed takes notice of some men that place their Religion in fightings of Words in conflicting with the Air in janglings and disputings about things they understand not 1 Tim. 1.5 6. Some place their Religion in being of this and that Opinion and indeed they are meer Opinionists Our meaning is this When the Enemies of the Church labour to root up the necessary and very foundation Truths of Christianity that we should stick to them As Paul he did earnestly contend for the Doctrine of Christ being the Messiah against the Jews He maintained the Doctrine of the Resurrection against the Saduces The Doctrine of Justification by Christ's Righteousness against the Teachers of the Law He doth strongly and vehemently maintain Divine Worship against the idolatrous worship of the Athenians And so should we contend opportunely and wisely with tongues and lives Contend against Justification by Works against Idolatry rather than God's Honour should be given to dumb Idols give your honour to the Dust Consider fundamental yea every Truth hath been confirmed by no less than Miracles preserved in a miraculous way and sealed in the Blood both of Christ and of Martyrs Never then sell the Truth but buy it 16. Get longing Desires after the Enjoyment of God in Heaven Let your hearts be often sending sighs thither Long till you be at home Groan earnestly till mortality be clothed with Immortality 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Say as he When shall I come and appear before God Long till you be in Heaven that so you may have constant Communion with God's Angels and Saints that ye may be wholly freed from sin and made perfect in Holiness Let your Conversation be in Heawhilst you are on Earth To this end get more acquaintance with Heaven Study till you be convinced that it is and what it is Understand what that Happiness is that Saints enjoy there When you have got minds informed and hearts affected with it often muse and meditate of it This heavenly Conversation is very sweet it will comfort us when we are never so sad Well may the soul say Now I am full of sin O but then no sin I am now sold under sin O but then I shall be free Now I dishonour God but then I shall honour him altogether Now I am in continual fear of falling into sin but then I shall be past all danger Now I am in continual sorrow but then all tears shall be wip'd away Now I am kept in bondage through fear of death but then there shall be living and no more Death and so no more fears of it Moreover this would teach us to understand the World When we do experimentally taste Heavens Joyes we shall despise Earths Pleasures when we seriously think of that Friendship and Communion we shall have with Friends in Heaven even God Christ Angels and Saints it will wean us from Friends on Earth and make us more willing to leave them And when we think of Heavens Honour we shall undervalue the honours and scorn the contempt we meet with in this world Get now and then upon the top of Pisgah and solace your selves with a view of the Heavenly Canaan Having now given you an account of those main Duties and Counsels that relate more immediately to God and your souls I shall briefly give you the sum of those Counsels I have to leave you about things that relate more nearly to you and others with whom you converse and have to do The first is this 1. Discharge domestical Duties Study and perform the Duties that every Relation calls for Act as Christian Parents and Christian Masters towards your Children and Servants bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord call on them to reâ—d the Scriptures frequently that even of Children they be acquainted with that which will make them wise to Salvation keep them to a form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 hold them to the Principles of Religion Catechisms are called A Form of sound words because they keep the Judgment and Affections sound they help to discern betwixt Truth and Error fit and prepare for hearing of the Word preached and for the receiving of the Lord's Supper For want of this we may observe notorious ignorance in grown youth and old men also For want of this how many that are Fathers in years are meer Children in understanding Again pray with and for your Children and Servants and set them to pray by themselves for this end give them time convenient do not so much forward them in your service as to hinder them from serving God your Servants have God to acknowledge honour and serve as well as you they have sins to be pardoned corruptions to be subdued Graces to beg wants to be supplied and souls to be saved as well as you and will you make them throw their souls over-board to secure your goods And so study to carry as Christians in every other Relation Carry as Christian Husbands and Christian Wives are directed and ought to do that the Gospel of Christ be not blamed upon your account And so you that are Children and Servants as you expect your Parents and Masters should discharge their duties towards you so it is expected you should
endure So Christians you should do as you are exhorted Heb. 10.32 Remember what baths of godly sorry and compunction of spirit you found in hearing what earnest pantings after Christ and his Ordinances Could you not once say as the Psalmist Psal 42.1 2. 63.1 2. 84.1 2. Remember what flames of Divine Love to God Jesus Christ and his People you once felt burning in your hearts Remember those Raptures of Joy you have felt while you have been with joy drawing Waters out of the Wells of Salvation Remember with what delight and complacency you conversed in holy duties what zeal you had for God and his Ministers how even the zeal of Gods house eat you up O when you begin to feel your affections cool and grow flat say Why am I thus Is not God and Christ as lovely and desirable the Wayes of God as delightfull and pleasant as ever Such a remembrance how you have received will be a means to keep up a lively frame of heart in most dead times 4. Christians should remember with what readiness of mind they heard and received the Word of God with what holy resolutions to obey the Truth and to give up themselves to be guided by it and to walk with God to live and die in Gods wayes and for them too if God called them to it Thus God's People have received the Word So did those mentioned Isa 2.2 3. Acts 10.33 and so have you if ever you received it savingly Oh remember this as a means to quicken you when you find holy resolutions to cool in you 5. Christians should remember with what impressions upon their hearts they have received the Word and Sacraments Oh remember Christians what impressions Truths and Ordinances were wont to leave upon your hearts what work they made in your souls what wounds were given to sin what heart-meltings and heart-revivings you have found while one while your hearts have been melted yea even dissolved into penitential tears and another while filled with raptures of spiritual joy What workings of Faith Love Desires Hath it not been thus with you sometimes Christians Oh remember this to quicken you when you grow dead and can yea do sit under Ordinances with few if any such impressions as these are 6. And lastly Remember with what efficacy you have heard and received the Word and Ordinances of God You should remember what gracious effects have been wrought in and produced on your souls by these Oh Christians you should remember what good you have got by the Word Sacraments Prayer Communion of Saints what communion with God you have enjoyed in them and what of God you have received by and through them what quicknings what comforts you have been made partakers of while you have been attending upon them Have you not found the Word and Sacraments and other Ordinances of God wounding yea killing your corruptions enabling you to overcome temptations strengthening of grace enabling you to duty Hath not God spoken Peace to your souls in and through these Hath he not administred comfort to your souls in times of dissertion under sore afflictions against most bitter sufferings and most hot and fiery persecutions Oh remember this to keep your hearts alive in and your love warm and lively unto those precious Truths and Ordinances you have received so much good through how much soever they may be despised and scorn'd by others SERMON II. Preached Lords-day July 6. 1662. Rev. 3.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent c. BEloved when I entred on this verse in my coâ—â—â— of the Friday-Lecture I little thought that I â—aâ—â— so short a time to preach among you I hoped I shoâ—â— have enjoyed some further opportunities for some â—ew weeks at least as long as the Act of Vniformity â—llowes But it hath pleased God by his wise and holy Providence to order it otherwise I being suspended from preaching here from this day forward for Non-conformity how regularly or legally on mans part I shall not dispute but leave to the righteous God to determine I desire that both you and I may not eye man but God in this dispensation I did not think to have preached my Farewel-Sermon to you from these words but having begun this Text and finding the matter of it so seasonable and suitable to rhis sad occasion I shall by God's assistance proceed in the handling of it Being probably like to preach no more unto you I judge it very seasonable to leave the Exhortation in the Text with you to call upon you that you would remember what and how you have received and heard and 〈◊〉 hold fast those wholsom Truths you have heard and those precious Ordinances at least the remembrance impressions and gracious effects of them that you have enjoyed and been priviledged with and also to repent of those sins which have provoked and may further provoke God to come on us as a thief to take away many of his Ministers from among us The words as I have already shewed are Christs counsel to a languishing Church and to decaied Christians to repair decaied Godliness and Religion in a Church and in the hearts and lives of particular Christians which renders them more seasonable to these days we live in and to the condition of many of our souls I have already opened the Doctrine and confirm'd it by several Scriptures Namely That it is the duty both of Churches and particular Christians and a special means to recover them from formality decaies and deadness in Religion and the exercise of Grace to remember what and how they have received and heard I should now proceed to give you the reasons of the Doctrine but I shall chuse rather to reserve them to the Application and then press them as Motives to inforce the Counsel and Exhortation grounded on the Text and Doctrine and so shall immediately proceed to Application Vse 1. The first Use is of Information 1. It informs us that there is somewhat more required of Christians than bare hearing of Sermons receiving and partaking of Sacraments and other Ordinances It is not enough to hear and receive but it is the duty of Christians also to remember what and how they have received and heard what good they have got by and what communion with God they have injoyed in the use of the Word and Ordinances 2. It informs us what it is we are to make the rule of our Faith Practice namely the Word of God contained in the Scriptures and the Truths you have heard rightly grounded theron They ought to be the Standard to which we should bring all Doctrines preached all things introduced into Divine Worship and imposed upon us in practice Bring all things to this Test It is your duty to search and study the Scriptures and bring all things to the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to these it is because there is no light in them
is as the driving home of the nail That which one forgets another may remember Improve private conference and speak often one to another and when you meet together be more spiritual savory and profitable in your discourse than heretofore you have been and then especially when you may have fewer publick opportunities Time may come when this may be one of the best helps you may have It may be God may cut you short of many publick advantages to chasten you for your not using or improving private communion of Saints and to quicken you to use and improve holy conference and other private duties more and better 5. A fifth means to help you to remember what and how you have received and heard is Earnest and fervent prayer to God that He would strengthen your memories and give his Spirit to you according to his promise to bring all things to your remembrance Commit Truths to the Spirit 's keeping and trust not onely to your own memories Often plead that promise with God John 14.26 Christ would not trust his Disciples alone with his Sermons He knew their memories were slippery But He intrusts his Spirit to bring things to their remembrance and the Spirit can and will bring Truths to your remembrances in the most seasonable time And lastly Endeavour to practise the things you have received and heard and that will be a means to help you to remember them Labour to get good by the Word and Ordinances and you will not soon forget them He who daily writes after a Copy wil be better able to remember it long after Psal 119.93 I will never forget thy Precepts for by them thou hast quickned me Those Sermons Sacraments and other Ordinances in and by which God hath quickned and comforted you you will not forget So much for handling this Doctrine Might I have had liberty to preach to you as long as I hoped and the Law allowed I should have handled the two other Directions in the Text Hold fast and Repent But seeing I am like to preach to you no more I shall briefly touch upon them and leave them with you in a way of Exhortation A fourth Direction Christ gives to this Church in order to recovering of her from her deadness and formality is To hold fast what she had received The Doctrine is That it is the duty of Christians and a means to recover declining Churches and Christians to hold fast what they have received and heard And indeed without this you cannot be strengthned by it That which you have lost and let slip will do you but little good You must not onely remember but also hold fast I shall not handle this Doctrinally Time will not permit it And besides I have formerly insisted on this Doctrine and duty from the 13th and 25th verses of the second Chapter I shall therefore onely leave the Exohortation with you Hold fast what you have received and heard And here I shall briefly shew you first What you should hold fast 2ly Against what 3ly How you may do it First What you should hold fast 1. Hold fast the Doctrine of the Gospel you have received and heard Do not let go any Truth of God Buy the Truth but sell it not at any rate Prov. 23.23 You may meet with those that would pluck it from you but be sure you hold it fast 2 Tim. 1.13 14. 2. Hold fast the plain pure and powerful Ordinances of God Oh do not let these go at least not through your default Let them not go for want of prayers and tears to keep them But may some say How if they should be gone How if God for our sins should take them away Why however yet 3. Be sure you hold fast a high estimation of the Word and pure Ordinances of God If ever you should want them yet prize and esteem them as your treasure let the want of Spiritual Mercies teach you more to value the worth of them Though you should lose many of your mercies and opportunities yet be sure you do not lose your esteem of them 4. Be sure you hold fast your love to the Truths and Ordinances of God as wel in the want as in the enjoyment of them Love the Word and love the Ministers of Christ even then when you may be deprived of them 5. Hold fast your appetite and stomach to the Word Ordinances of God though you should lose some of your meat take heed you lose not your stomach with your meat If you have lesse food yet you should labour to have the better stomachs Oh beg of God that though he should suffer your food to fail yet that he would not take away your appetites but keep them fresh and lively In temporals it would be a mercy if men wanted meat to want a stomach but in Spirituals it will be a mercy though you should have little food yet to have a good stomach continued This will be a pledge of Gods returning and restoring wanted and desired mercies For God hath said He will satisfie the hungry soul with bread 6. Lastly be sure you hold fast the good you have got by the Word Prayer Sacraments the Ministers and Ordinances of Christ Though you should part with these things themselves yet be sure you retain and hold fast the good you have got by them and those impressions of God's Spirit that have bin made on your hearts through under them And all this you must hold fast which leads to the 2d Particular against 1. The fraud and deceit of Seducers and Deceivers who would go about to cheat and cozen you of the great and precious Truths of the Gospel and of the true instituted Worship of God The Apostle tells you that such will a rise that will privily bring in damnable heresies 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. and the Apostle Paul speaks of the sleights and cunning craftiness of men their methods to deceive They will perhaps plead Antiquity Tradition the Authority of the Church the Suffrage of Ancient Fathers Custom Example yea seeming Reason for many Opinions and Practices But Christians be not cheated of your Religion but that which you have received of the Lord Christ and hath been delivered to you by the Apostles in the Word those Truths and instructions of Christ do you hold fast Secondly Hold fast the Truths and Ordinances of Christ as against the fraud of Deceivers so against the force and violence of Persecutors As you should not be fawned so neither should you be frighted out of any one Truth or Ordinance of God or out of your love to desires after or owning of them Thirdly And the means to enable you to hold fast what you have received are 1. Diligent attendance on the publick Ordinances and Worship of God if and when you can enjoy them in any measure according to Gods will though not altogether in that manner you desire and they should be administred in I hope that for those many praying
worship ye know not what saith Christ to the woman of Samaria We know what we worship including himself among the rest that worshipped God aright for Salvation is of the Jews But may this suffice here to prevent a great mistake and mis-judging which many Christians of late have discovered themselves but too forward unto 2. This also lets us see how sad it is to be of the Popish Religion which teacheth halting This is a Religion that teacheth halting wherein it differeth from ours from the true it teacheth nothing but halting Halting in Faith enclining in part to God's written Word and in part to their unwritten Traditions Halting in Obedience betwixt God's Commands and the Decrees and Constitutions of the Pope or their Church Halting in Worship betwixt God and Saints betwixt God the living God and dumb and sensless Images The Apostle Peter was blame-worthy when he halted betwixt the Jews and Gentiles Gal. 2. The Popish Religion allows and teaches Dissimulation and Equivocation before men The Religion of the Samatitans was a strange composition when they feared the Lord and served their own gods such is the Religion of the Papists who add to the Worship of God a multitude of Jewish and Paganish Rites and Ceremonies How intollerable is their confounding of Christ and Moses how abominable their joyning their own works with Christs merits in the business of Justification How dishonourable unto Christ and dangerous undoing to themselves their depending partly on Christ's mediation and partly on the Saints intercession O What a miserable lame Religion Popery is A Wavering Religion A Religion as we may hope that shall not stand long It is sure to fall and to be crusht in pieces with its own weight The Lord keep us and ours that we never come under it Better dye and perish in a Wilderness than return to this spiritual Egypt Vse 2. For Reprehension and Humiliation that so much halting in Religion is to be found amongst us 1. What halting among our common Professors Halting between GOD and Mammon Though you know what Christ sayes Matth. 6.24 You cannot give your hearts both to God and to the World If you would give them to God you must take them off from the world if they are set on the world you do not give them to God Ezek. 33.31 Again I wish there were nothing to be found like halting between God and Baal Some more observant of the Custom of the place than of the Scripture-rule in their Worship Some that worship God partly according to his Word and partly after their own and others fancies besides or against the Word How ill the Lord takes this may be guessed at by that passage Matth. 15.9 In vain do they worship me q. d. they might as well do nothing Halting between God and Belial Modo Ecclesias modo Theatra replentas Some for the place of God's Worship to day and for a Playhouse or the Tavern or Alehouse to morrow One while for the Service of God another while for the satisfying of their lusts Some that have their good moods now and then their Consciences being awakened by a powerful Sermon or some smarting rod by a sharp correction come to them now and you would think they were â—â—lly resolved to break off their sins and turn to God whereas a temptation doth no sooner present it self again but they are drawn away by their own lusts and enticed How many that are turning with the various companies they fall into That can carry fairly and smoothly while in company with such as are of note for Religion and an holy strictness and are as ready to fly out be vain and carry like one of the fools in Israel when they are in place were they may take their liberty in the company of such as are loose and prophane How many that will turn with the times seem very forward in Religion while it is a thing in fashion but cast it off again if once it grows out of credit in the world Like the Samaritans who would pretend kinderd to the Jews but only while they were in a prosperous state 2. Come to the best of us such as are upright in the main O how much halting yet may such be taxed with How great unevenness in the frame of our spirits our hearts sometimes up in holy duties but soon down again our affections sometimes lively but soon flat and dead again Alas What inconstant creatures are we Aliud stantes aliud sedentes One thing in religious services another out of them If we get any warmth into our spirits on the Lords Day how soon that we take cold again when we go into the world How great unevenness in the course of our conversation At one time a little diligent at another time exceeding sloathful in our business One while serious and conscionable in the practise of secret duties another while too ready upon any slighty occasion to neglect and omit them or else to slubber them over One while fruitful in our discourse desirous to do some good to all with whom we converse other while as barren as may be How faint and weak sometimes in our resistance of sin whereas we should go from strength to strength Do we not many times suffer a foiled routed enemy to rally again are we not sometimes worsted by those very lusts which before we had put to flight driven out the field What shall we say that after some conquest of our corruptions we have turned our backs again have yielded unto and been overcome of them How ready to shrink at the apprehension the approach of Sufferings How little have we to say for God his Truth Ministers c. when there may be the least danger in owning God and His Interest here Like these in the Text answered never a word How willing to spare our selves Too ready to venture the favour of God to keep the favour of men or to venture upon His displeasure to avoid mans displeasure Other whiles we seem full of confidence in God and sometimes again as full of fears O what cause have the best to be humbled even such as do not hover or hang in suspence betwixt two contrary wayes such as are set in the right way yet alas we go very weakly lamely here What cause to complain of feeble knees Do we not find a clog of corruption at our foot which is a great hindrance to us in our spiritual course There is flesh as well as spirit and hence as Jacob halted in his wrestling with God so do we halt in our walking with God The Child of God sayes Mr. Perkins is like a lame man that goes the right way but yet halts at every step This should be matter of humiliation and lamentation to us all Use 3. Hence be persawded to take heed of halting in Religion Now my work shall be to give 〈◊〉 some moving considerations to press you to an holy care and watchfulness over your selves here and
our minds Hearing and receiving Truths and Ordinances is not the All of a Christians duty There must be also as the Text tells us a remembring how we have received and heard In handling this Doctrine I shall observe this method 1. Prove the Doctrine from Scripture 2. Explicate it and therein shew both what it is to remember and what it is we are to remember 3. Give reasons of the Doctrine 4. Apply it First For the Scripture-proof of this Doctrine see this duty enjoyned to Israel Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. and the particular directions there given were in order to the furthering of this great Duty in the Text namely remembring how they had received and heard This duty is further pressed Prov. 6.21 Prov. 7.1 2 3. Isa 42.23 Who will hearken and hear for the time to come Now if men should hear for the time to come then they must remember what they have formerly heard for no more will be ours in the time to come but what we shall have at least a savoury practical remembrance of And as this is a duty commanded so it hath been conscientiously practised by the Saints of God See the great care of David in the discharge of this duty Psal 119.11 15 48 97. And so also the Virgin Mary Luke 2.51 and in many other places is said to have pondred and laid up the sayings of Christ in her heart The Memory is the storehouse and treasury of the soul in which her spiritual treasures are laid up There are three things saith * Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick one we should be very careful to keep in our remembrance former sins to make and keep us humble former mercies to make us thankful former Truths and Ordinances to make us faithful 2. The second general is to explicate the Doctrine and there first to shew what it is to rememâ—er That I shall but name First To remember is to recollect and call to mind This is our duty in reference to what we have received and heard We must recollect call to mind and ruminate upon Divine Truths formerly received we must as it were chew the cud This is the way to make sound and clean Christians It is the simisitude Chrysostom useth They were clean beasts under the Law at least that was one requisit to make them so that chewed the cud and he is like to make a holy spiritual Christian that delivers Truth to his Memory whilst he hears it and is able and careful to call it to mind again afterward Secondly To remember what we have received and heard is not only to recollect but also seriously to weigh and consider Truths and bring them home to our hearts by particular application 3. The third general is to shew to you what it is that Christians are thus to remember This I shall open under two heads First shew it is the duty of Christians to remember what they have received and heard for the matter 2dly how they have received and heard as to the manner First It is the duty of Christians to remember what Truths and Ordinances they have received and been made partakers of And if any ask what Truths should be remembred I answer That every Truth of God is precious and ought to be treasured up by us in our hearts No one Truth ought carelesly to be let slip The very fragments of Divine Truth should be taken up that none of them be lost The very dust of Gold is precious There is not the least Truth that ever any of you heard or received but may be of use to you at some time or other But there are some Truths which we should be most especially carefull to remember namely the main Foundation-Truths and such as are most necessary to Salvation 1. It is the duty of Christians and a special means both to keep and recover them from formality and deadness in Religion to be very careful to retain in their memories those Fundamental Doctrines and Principles of Religion they have received and heard that are contained in the Scriptures and have been opened confirmed and applied from them in expounding preaching catechising and such other Ordinances as you have enjoyed You must labour to remember old savoury-Truths that you have heard many years since Christians should chew them over again by meditation This is the course Christ directs his Church to in the Text to recover them from deadness in Religion He doth not bid them look after new Notions and high Speculations for these will but puff up the minds of men and not enliven them but he bids them remember how they had received and heard The like direction Paul gives to Timothy 2 Tim. 1.13 14. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast received of me c. The vital Doctrines of Faith in Jesus Christ and concerning the Person Natures Offices and Benefits of Christ with the Truths depending on these Oh! these should never be forgotten by those who have received them And also the vivifical Doctrines of Repentance from dead works Love towards God and our neighbours You have heard these Truths opened confirmed and applied to you many and many a time both from the mouths of former Ministers now dead and gone and such whose labours you have occasionally enjoyed And I trust that we also whose Ministry among you is now towards a period may say as Paul when he was taking leave of the Ephesians Acts 20.20 21 26 27. though we acknowledge in great weakness and with many mixtures of sin Well beloved It is your duty to remember these Truths you have heard and the rather because time may come either by reason of the hand of God in a way of sickness upon you or God may send a famine or if not a scarsity of the Word upon a People for their sinful abuse of former plenty and then when you may not have so frequently and abundantly the Word afresh opened and applied to you it will be of great use to remember what and how you have received and heard If old Errors should be broached under the notion of new Truths Christians should bring them to the standard of God's Word according to that Isa 8.20 of what you have received and heard If any shall go about to cry up Doctrines of conditional decrees mans free-will falling from Grace or the like if you remember what you have heard you will be able to say We have not so learned Christ 2. It is the duty of Christians and a means to recover them from deadness and formality of Religion to remember as the Doctrines of the Gospel they have received and heard so also what they have received and heard in and from the Word of God concerning the Worship of God and the Administration of Gospel-Ordinances and to bring all things imposed and practised in Divine Worship to the Rule of God's Word to enquire whether they be such things as have the warrant of the Command of Christ or practice of
and that under two heads 1. They are to remember how Truths have been delivered to them and Ordinances dispensed amongst them 2. How and after what manner they have received and imbraced the Truths and Ordinances of God First It is the duty of Christians to remember how the Word of God hath been preached and Ordinances dispensed to them and that in these four particulars 1. Christians should remember how plainly and in what simplicity of the Gospel of Christ the Word Sacraments and other Ordinances have been dispensed how close and home the Word of God hath been brought to their hearts and consciences This the Apostle Paul often minds those of to whom he writes and this as a means to keep them from being taken with flourishes external pomp and empâ—â— things in Religion 1 Cor. 2. five first verses As if he had said to them as I may say to you You have not been fed with gingling expressions meer flourishes of Rhetorick or empty speculations but with plain and wholsom Truths you have had Ordinances not in the dress of mens inventions but in the simplicity of the Gospel 2 Cor. 2.17 4.2 Paul was very jealous lest men should be drawn from the simplicity of Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 3. So that I say the remembrance of the plainness and simplicity in which the Gospel hath been dispensed among men will be a means to keep them from being taken with a meer outside Religion and way of Worship 2. It is the duty of Christians to remember how purely you have received and heard with what purity the Word Sacraments and other Ordinances have been delivered and dispensed without the mixtures of mens inventions how you have received the sincere milk of the Word without sophistication and Sacraments without any of the sinful additions of mens own devising Thus you have received them in the Scriptures thus Christ and his Apostles delivered them and so have faithful Ministers their successors endeavoured to do 1 Cor. 11.23 24. That which I have received of the Lord I have delivered unto you Paul though an Apostle added nothing of his own head 2 Cor. 2.17 and 2 Cor. 4.2 Oh Christians it is your duty to remember this and will be a means to make you in love with and adhere to pure Ordinances and fortifie you against all sophistications of them when you see men corrupting of them or adding to them 3. It is the duty of Christians to remember how powerfully they have received and heard with what power the Word hath been preached and Ordinances dispensed among you not so as to tickle your ears and please your fancies but to reach your hearts come home to â—nd work upon your consciences how the Gospel came to you not in word but in power 1 Thess 1.5 commending it self to your consciences as the Apostle phraseth it 2 Cor. 4.2 Hath not the speech and preaching of the faithful Ministers of Christ among you in some measure been as Paul saith his was not with enticing words of mans wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and in power 1 Cor. 2.4 Have not you found the weapons of your spiritual warfare such as Paul mentions 2 Cor. 10.4 5. even mighty through God Oh! Christians should never forget this but continually remember it all their dayes 4. It is the duty of Christians to remember how plentifully they have received and heard in what great plenty they have enjoyed the Word and Ordinances of God Oh Christians you should remember what dews yea showers of heavenly Manna God hath rained about your tents ye have not been straitned in God If you be straitned it is in your selves even in your own bowels The heart and mouth of God yea and the hearts and mouths of God's Ministers they have been opened and enlarged to you 2 Cor. 6.11 12. You have had the Word in season and out of season the Word frequently preached and Sacraments frequently administred you have had line upon line and precept upon precept Christians should remember how much planting and watering they have had You should remember Christians what great pains cost and charges God hath been at with your souls to bring you home to himself at the first and to make and keep you lively and fruitful ever since O keep this for ever in your minds as a means to make you lively and fruitful Secondly It is the duty of Christians to remember as how Truths and Ordinances have been dispensed so also how and after what manner they have been heard received and imbraced by them This will be a means to keep the heart lively and to keep from degenerating into deadness and formality in Religion and in the Service of God And this in several particulars 1. It is the duty of Christians and a means to keep and recover them from deadness to remember how seriously with what seriousness of spirit they attended on the Service of God and holy duties at their first entertaining of them Christians at first are wont to wait on Ordinances as matters of great weight and moment yea as matters of life and death to read hear pray meditate receive Sacraments as for their very lives and as if every one were the last they should enjoy So those hearers of Christ received the Word Luke 10.48 they hung upon his lips received the Word as the Word of God Christians this should be remembred by you especially when you grow slighty and formal you should say to your souls It was not wont to be thus with me I was not wont to hear play receive Sacraments in this formal manner This remembring how you have received will be a means to keep your hearts lively and to cure you of spiritual deadness 2. Christians should remember how they have received and heard namely with what high estimations and appreciations of the Word and Ordinances you heard and received them how highly you prized the Word and the Dispensers of it how you ran after them as those who see the Sun but one half of the year are ready to run after it and even to adore it upon its first approach Did you not esteem the Ambassadors of Christ even as the Angels of God How beautiful were the feet of them that bring glad-tydings Were you not ready to do as those Galatians Gal. 4.15 When at any time you seel your estimations to abate of the Word Ordinances and Ministers of Christ Oh then remember how you have received say to your hearts Are Ordinances worse than they were Is there any change in the Word or rather am not I grown worse Is not the change in my own wretched heart The remembrance of this will be a means both to keep and recover you from deadness 3. It is the duty of Christians to remember with what lively affections they heard and received the Word and Ordinances of God the difficulties they were ready to break through to enjoy them the fight of afflictions they were ready to
secular emploiments yet not to be spent in idelness they are the harvest-time for our souls And when will ye work and bestir your selves if not in harvest The Lords Day is to be spent in such works as more directly tend to the promoting of our Salvation And the more you should see this work going forward the more would Sabbaths be your delight You would not be for those vain recreations that sinfull liberty you may see others take on God's Holy-Day 10. Sit down and count the cost So you might be prepared to go thorow with your work If you reckon right you will see let Salvation cost what it can it can never cost too much Rom. 8.18 I reckon sayes the Apostle and we need not fear to take his account here that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to follow I would have said a word more to this but have prevented my self in speaking to the third caution Therefore here I conclude my Sermon and Exhortation desiring that the Spirit of Truth may bring these things to your remembrance Beloved could I have thought of any word more profitable and generally useful for you you should have been sure of it It may now be expected I should speak something touching my Deprivation O that the Lord would lead Ministers and People each into their own hearts to find out the cause of this sad dispensation as we read of the Fathers in another sense He causeth us this day to pass under a cloud I know some think and will not spare to say that we wilfully bring this Obscurity on our selves But the Lord the searcher of alâ— hearts knows and will manifest to the world one day whether it was a meet humour or whether indeed it was not Conscience that would not suffer us to comply with the things now imposed The Lord knows we dare not adventure on the checks reproaches smitings of our own hearts and consciences though it follow that our mouths be stopt Beloved I cannot forget the respects you have shewn to me how you chose me at first under great bodily weakness and were willing to procure me assistance I have not wanted outward encouragement among you but above all I have oft thought when I have come to my publick work here unpreparedly enough God knoweth yet I have found the fruit help and benefit of your prayers for me That I must acknowledge those few years I have spent amongst you have been the best to me the most comfortable years I have spent in the Ministry That might I have liberty the Lord knows I would most gladly spend and be spent for you Nothing but death should part us And howsoever we are separated yet I pray we may live in one anothers hearts and that we may more earnestly than ever strive with God in prayer one for another More I would have said but strength and spirits fail and further I would spare you Now how glad should we be if those that shall follow us may do more good amongst you then ever we have or could have done The Lord carry on his own Work and though He quite lay us aside though He should never honour us so far as to make any further use of us yet we could rejoyce to see Gods Work prospering Religion and that not only in a form but in the life and power of it promoted and more and more set up in this place So I commend you to God and to the Word of His Grace who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are Sanctified SERMON IV. 1 King 18.21 And Elijah came unto all the People and said How long halt ye between two opinions If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal then follow him IT is not a thing indifferent what Religion men are of whether they are for God or Baal That is a pernicious opinion that affirms You may be saved in any Religion Again it 's not enough that we are of the true Religion but we must be true to it And so much we may learn from faithful Elijah both his Doctrine and practice When Israel went a whoring from God he was jealous for the Lord 1 Kin. 19.10 He continued to stand for God His Truth and Worship even when he could not see one more of his mind to be his second So here he durst plead for God when there was none found to take his part Note by the way that in the worst of times in times of most prevailing corruptions yet the Lord is not wont to leave himself without witness It 's further observable Israel had never degenerated more than in Elijah's dayes Yet never had they been priviledged with greater means Many Prophets at this time raised up amongst them see ver 4. of this Chapt. and Elijah among the rest Note Extraordinary means sometimes serve only to heighten and fill up the measure of a Peoples sins See Mat. 23.34 35. And now comes a dreadful Famine The Prophets shut up and the Heavens shut up together Elijah had foretold the drought Chapt. 17.1 And after three years he is sent with good news that rain was coming Chap. 18.1 Ahab seeing Elijah v. 17. when he should have acknowledged his own sin and guilt he wrongfully accuseth God's Prophet Art thou he that troubleth Israel Note It is no new thing for God's Faithful Messengers to be accounted enemies to the State As Elijah said I am not better than my Fathers Are we better than Elijah and other of God's Prophets who have been thus censured Why then should we look for better here Note Again observe Wicked men are very prone to mistake the cause of troubles and calamities See Jer. 44.18 20 21 22. where there is most guilt commonly there is least ingenuity or grace to see and acknowledge it It 's natural unto sinners we have it by kind from our first parents to transfer all blame as much as we can from our selves to others But how deeply soever Ahab is pleased to charge him Elijah is ready to clear himself and the Truth He desires that himself and the prophets of Baal might come to a fair tryal So he doubts not but to prove himself by a miraculous sign to be the Servant and Prophet of the most high God and shew them to be a pack of most wretched Impostors Ahab yeelds to a discussion of this business either out of curiosity expecting some strange discovery or through fear being awed with the present Judgment they lay under not knowing but upon refusal the Prophet might have some other dreadful Message to deliver or in hope and expectance upon his yeelding herein to have the Judgment removed Some such way he is perswaded and enclined to call the prophets of Baal and the Heads of the people together unto Mount Carmel where being assembled Elijah sets upon the people in the words read unto you How long halt ye
Where you have 1. A chiding expostulation How long halt ye Why halt ye How inexcusable is it you should halt in so plain a path be in doubt unresolved where the case is so clear Again that you should continue so long unsetled contracting an ill habit to your selves As an arm or leg put out of joint and not looked to in time hardly ever keeps its right place again 2. A serious Exhortation If the Lord be God follow him What is here added if Baal follow him is spoken by way of concession but indeed forbids the worshipping of Baal til it could be made out that Baal was God How long There is an Emphasis here Thus the Prophet sets an Accent upon their sin of halting Note That long continuance in any sinful course is a great aggravation of sin It is sad at any time to fall into sin but far worse to lie in sin Therefore he says not Why halt ye but more emphatically How long Many such expostulations in Scripture Exod. 16.28 HOW LONG refuse ye to keep my commandments Num. 14.11 HOW LONG will this people provoke me And HOW LONG will it be ere they believe me for all the signs which I have shewed among them Jer. 31.22 HOW LONG wilt thou go about O thou back-sliding Daughter Hos 8.5 HOW LONG will it be ere they attain to innocency How long halt ye The speech is metaphorical to set forth their inconstancy unresolvedness in Religion their dividing betwixt God and Baal As one that halts inclines his body now to one hand and straightway to the other so the Israelites would profess themselves the people of God and seemed in some things to follow his Word when in other things they were quite turned aside to Idolatry They were circumcised and thereby engaged to the service of the true God and yet were drawn over to the Worship of Baal and bowed to that Heathenish Abomination Now but that I like not to strain Metaphors and writhe them besides their proper scope I might hint this note from the phrase of speech here used that they are but lame Services and Sacrifices that men of divided hearts present unto God If the Lord be God follow him Here the Prophet assayes to reason them out of their Idolatry to argue them into the right way the true Worship of God As the Lord reasoneth with them Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is mine honour If I be a Master where is my fear Note by the way That nothing is more reasonable than the true Religion The Lord never enjoined his servants to pluck out their right eyes No we may be his servants on better and more honourable terms I grant indeed some points of Doctrine to be believed are most mysterious yet what duties to be performed that are not plain It must be confessed some Articles of Faith are above the reach of Reason so that we cannot comprehend them e.g. the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the God-head the incarnation of the Son of God c. yet being revealed by God in his Word our belief of them is most reasonable Because it is impossible we should have greater evidence of the truth of any thing in the world than the Testimony of the God of Truth who can neither deceive nor be deceived What better proof can we desire than the Word of God that cannot lye But then as for the Rules of practice laid down in God's Word how sweetly do these comport with right Reason As Reason will demonstrate that there is a God an Eternal Infinite Essence who hath His being of Himself and gives being unto all things else so it will teach us that this God ought to be worshipped should have homage from all his creatures And that he ought to be worshipped according to his own Will and Mind as he himself is pleased to prescribe and appoint rather than according to mens fancies and inventions That the honour which is due to God should not be given to others to idols As Elijah here If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal then follow him They that fall off from the true Religion fall from right Reason too They thâ—â— do not act like men that forsake the true God to follow idols as is implied Isa 46.8 Remember this and shew your selves men q. d. One would not think ye were men who would take you for reasonable creatures if ye dare to prefer or compare dumb idols to the living and only true God Now the Doctrine I would speak to from these words you may observe from the first clause here Doct. Halting in Religion is very sad and sinful This point I shall endeavour with the Lord's assistance to explain first then to confirm and last of all to apply First For explication that you may understand what it is to halt in Religion take a few distinctions Thus there is an halting in Principle and again there is halting in practice Again Halting in Principle is two-fold As this evil quality is seated either in the directing or in the commanding-power of the soul There is an halting in the heart or will and in the mind or judgement 1. When the heart is unfixed unstedfast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the double-minded man he that has an heart and an heart is partly for God and partly for Mammon he that is not resolved for God that is not brought to center wholly upon God and that cleaves not to him with full purpose of heart is one that halts in God's sight be his outward course and carriage before men never so fair and smooth The Weathercock may point towards the Sun while the wind is in a right corner or it may seem to be fixed when cross winds are not abroad and yet it is a Weather-cock A false heart an hypocrite may seem to look towards God and Religion for a time may seem well-grounded in Religion who yet will turn aside will turn about when the winds are contrary 2. When the Judgement is not setled when men are wavering in opinion like Reeds shaken with the wind like children tossed to and fro now of one perswasion by and by of another It is sad thus to halt How can the traveller go on chearfully who is uncertain whether he be in the way or no Indeed some are too credulous Prov. 14.15 The simple believeth every word but the prudent man looketh well to his goings The sober wise traveller when he is a little at a stand he deliberates with himself and when others tell him his way lies here or there if he understands the coast of the Countrey that helps him to judge whether they set him right or no. But the simple is ready to believe every one he meets with and hence he is oft turned out of his way I say some are of too easie belief Again some are slow to believe like Nichodemus How can these things be Like Thomas except they may see and understand the
our duty which is a sin we cannot follow the dictate of Conscience here but we sin Nor can we go against Conscience though erring but we sin too And therefore wo unto them that call evil good and good evill that put darkness for light and light for darkness But this is one cause of halting in Religion Corruption of the mind and judgement When a man cannot well discern his way no wonder if he be oft turning aside 2. From an evil heart The corruptions of the heart are like a strong byass drawing the soul off from God Here 1. Unbelief An evil heart of unbelief is one cause of halting Heb. 3.12 Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God q. d. Would you not depart from the living God O then take heed of unbelief the cause of souls departing from him As it is by Faith that men come to God Heb. 11.6 so it is by unbelief that they depart from God In Heb. 10.39 They that draw back and they that believe are opposed to one another Pray mark what it was that kept the Disciples close to Christ when others fell off from him We believe and are sure say they that thou art the Christ Lord to whom should we go Thou hast the words of eternal life John 6.68 69. If we are halting in our course it would argue us full of unbelief That we do not believe the Word of God Do we believe God's promises and yet turn aside for the vain proffers of a deluding world Do we credit Divine threatnings when yet these are not of so much force to deter us from sin as the frowns and threats of men to drive us into sin Did men fully believe there is so much evil and danger in every sin as the Word of God declares there is they would immediately see cause to be more afraid of the least sin than of the greatest sufferings in the world Did men really believe what the Lord has said of such as obey him sincerely and follow him fully they must necessarily conclude thence that integrity is the best policy and Godliness the greatest gain But when men chuse either to decline a way of duty or to comply with a way of sin for fear of sufferings or in hopes of some worldly advantage this bewrayes abundance of unbelief Thus men really call in question the truth of what God hath spoken and interpretatively give him the lye And is not that a wicked heart that dares give God the lye Again Halting argues we believe not God that he is such a God as indeed he is So holy that he hates all sin so just that he will not acquit the wicked A gracious God rich in mercy to reward his faithful servants Infinite in Power to protect those that fear and put their trust in him but to destroy all those that forsake and rebel against him A God every-where present omniscient that eyes and observes us in all places companies employments Who would forsake or turn aside from the living God that believes him to be such a God But unbelief is the root of disobedience as in the Greek the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both This is the cause of inconstancy the root of Apostacy How is it possible that any other than bad fruit should spring from such a bitter and poysonous root 2. Hypocrisie is another cause of halting As Constancy is the daughter of sincerity so unstaidness is the natural off-spring and product of Hypocrisie Psal 78.37 Their heart was not right with him then it follows neither were they stedfast in his Covenant As on the other hand the upright in heart are opposed to such as turn aside into crooked wayes Psal 125.45 Hypocrisie makes men zealous about needless ceremonies but careless of the substance of Religion The Scribes and Pharisees who are therefore called hypocrites Matt. 15.7 were earnest for the observation of their traditions while they regarded not to go cross to known express commands of God They were not afraid in sundry cases to set aside God's command to hold up mens traditions Matth. 15.2 3. Mar. 7.8 Hypocrisie wil put men upon some duties while there is an allowed neglect of others and those more weighty Mat. 23.23 Hypocrisie will take men off from some sins while other sins are still retained As Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel but departed not from the sins of Jeroboam 2 King 10.28 31. It wil teach men to avoid open gross scandalous sins while they have no care to get cleansed from secret sins from inward heart-corruptions Matth. 23.25 c. Hypocrisie will allow men to condemn will put them upon speaking against the sins of former times while it teacheth compliance with the sins of the present times Hypocrisie will suffer men to live in those sins which they condemn in others Matt. 23.29 c. And what is all this but shameful halting Hypocrisie will teach men to make a fair shew sometimes to act a part in Religion for the compassing of some carnal end which being once obtained the Play is done and they are found other men than they appeared and personated before Hypocrisie is a paint that wil not endure the fire Let fiery tryals come and these soon marre its beauty lay open its deformity Hypocrisie is but the putting of the sheep-skin on a Wolf or Swine which if once it be shorn you would not expect it should grow again The last estate of the Hypocrite ordinarily is worse than the first Matth. 12.45 3. Base sinful self-love and inordinate love of the world Carnal self is a great hinderance and pull back to us in a Christian course Therefore Christ calls upon every one that would follow him to deny himself Matth. 16.24 Our base hearts will seem to comply with a Divine Command at one time but out of self-respect and dispence with the same command at another time out of self-respect Some that were constant in the performance of Family-duties seemingly strict in the observation of Sabbaths c. while these things have been in fashion can readily lay all religious duties aside when they become a matter of reproach Some that seem to stear their course Heaven-wards while they meet with prosperous gales who can soon tack about when the winds are contrary How should they do other than halt in Religion who have more respect to their Credit and Reputation in the world than to God's Honour See John 12.42 43. How can ye believe sayes our Saviour who receive honor one of another John 5.44 As the Apostle James Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God â—am 4.4 Many love their carnal ease more than their work more than God's service These are only for the easie part of Religion and so halt in Religion Many have more love to their Estates their earthly possessions And these will be only for the cheap part of Religion
that preach'd Christ of envy and contention but he was glad however that Christ was preached Phil. 1.18 But above all it might have been expected that our Saviour Christ should have forbidden him that cast out Devils in his Name indeed but wâ—s not of his company he did a good thing indeed but he did it disorderly he followed not him The Apostles indeed would have had it so But Jesus said forbid him not Mark 9.38 39. But if any man will shew me any Scripture-instance of restraining the Ministers of the Gospel I doubt not but to shew him in it an instance of such restraint falling out to the furtheraâ—ce of the Gospel 2. Such ministerial Restraint doth fall out to the furtheraâ—ce of the Doctrine of the Gospel in that it gives the mâ—re occasion to and layes the greater necessity on Christians to reade the Scriptures and other good Books That 's evident Now by this means Professors come to have good Judgement as well as good Affections and knowledge to their former zeal I am loth to speak here lest I should be thought to offend against any of the generation of the Just But I pray God to sanctifie the reading of the Scriptures and other good Books to this end That as Preaching hath made forward Professors and drawn forth affections so reading may make them solid Christians and settle their Judgments in the Truth 3. It ought to open the mouths of private Christians to discourse the things of the Gospel to declare to their neighbours the things of God and instruct and edifie one another in Soul-concernments And if they by this means shall be brought to preach to their neighbours I mean not that they should usurp the Ministerial Function not called thereunto but by Godly Conversation and Communication As David preach'd in the 66. Psal ver 16. Come and hear and I will declare what God hath done for my soul If it shall be thus and that instead of one Ministerial Preacher there shall be many Charitative Preachers in a town then I doubt not but it may fall out to the furtherance of the Gospel And thus I beseech you Christian Friends let it be Declare the great things of the Gospel in the way in which you may do it now if ever But lest I should be thought to preach faction it 's good I think to shew my Authority It is that of the Apostle Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the Assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching 4. This Ministerial Restraint may fall out to the furtherance of the Gospel in giving occasion and opportunity to the persons so restrained to furnish themselves better for the work of the Ministry Who knows but that God may take some off from laying out that they may the better lay in lay in stock lay up store make provision and then call them forth again to the Churches greater advantage when they shall return far more richly leaden than before Nay who knows but that some constitutions almost wasted some spirits almost spent do require some cessation and God is pleased to give a nights rest to his labourers that they may hold out the longer and the better in his Service As the husbandman givs a fallow year to his Land not because he would not have Corn but that he may have so much the more So here that it may be to the furtherance of the Gospel They depart for a season that their People may receive them and enjoy them the longer 2. Ministerial Restraint or the suspension of the Ministers of the Gospel from their Ministry doth sometimes fall out and God can make it fall out to the furtherance of the interest of the Gospel and that by such wayes as these 1. In making the Gospel to be valued and more dearly esteemed by Professors who perhaps began to look upon it with too common an eye and to grow secure cold and wanton under it When the meat shall be taken away and the surfet cured and the stomack restored then Oh then welcome any wholsome meat The Word of the Lord will be precious in those dayes And not only in making the Gospel to be more valued by Professors but also desired by others that till then never knew the worth of it If God send a famine of hearing the Word it will make men run to and fro to seek it Amos 8.11 12. nay perhaps make them run that never found their legs before The very want of the means and ordinances of conversion may be a means ordained of God for the converting of some or at least for the preparing of them for Conversion I may add under this head too that it may fall out to the furtherance of the Gospel by making the Ministers of the Gospel more prized Their Restraint may well conduce to this end Virtutem incolumen odimus sublatam ex oculis quaerimus invidi good men grow precious cous by their absence It may be proper for a Minister of the Gospel bidding farewel to an unthankful and unkind People to speak in his Saviours words to Jerusalem Mat. 23.39 Ye shall not see me hence forth till ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. And if restraint of Ministers shall bring forth this fruit then certainly it will fall out to the furtherance of the Gospel for if the Messenger be prized the Message will be more likely to be received 2. This Restraint may be to the furtherance of the interest of the Gospel In making former Truths to be remembred repeated digested Alstedius used to say That all Learning consisted in that one word Repete Repeat And truly I had almost said all Religion too Certainly it is wonderfully to the advantage of Religion when Doctrins formerly delivered and received are frequently brought back to mind and memory The business of Professors in England hath been to hear new Truths and fresh Doctrines still but not to make good as far as they have gone This fault it may be God will mend by this means As the beast taken off his meat falls to chewing what he had eaten before Some have rightly observed that they that want their sight have commonly the strongest memories who knows but that God may bring it to pass that your eyes should not see your Teachers on purpose to help your memories in recording old Truths 3. It may fall out to the furtherance of the interest of the Gospel by quickning and stirring up Christians so much the more to private duties The Restraint of Ministers may make many Priests I mean Priests in their own families Methinks it should do thus Christians should labour to make up in their Families what is wanting in Congregations And if it do thus it will be to the furtherance of the Gospel if the loss of one Priest in a Town shall bring forth in every Family one Thus
Communion shall receive a dissolution the dearest Friends and sweetest Relations as of Husband and Wife of Parents and Children of Ministers and People whom Nature Providence and Election like a threefold-cord hath joyned together and this strengthned with the strongest cement of true intensive love and affection shall sooner or later either by Satan's rage the malice of wicked men or the stroak of death be parted asunder Here is no certainty of long continuance in this world or of long enjoyment of any society or relation The Tabernacle made by Moses had no continued abiding but was carried up and down from place to place til it was placed in Solomons temple in the Land of Canaan God's People in Scripture are called Pilgrims and Strangers Whilst they are in this world they are in a strange Country like Abraham in Canaan and Israel in Egypt they have no continued abiding until they come to Heaven the Celestial Canaan that place of durable and uninterrupted Rest And amongst these God's Ministers have no assurance of their unchangeable residence among and ministration to their loving and beloved People A plain demonstration whereof we have in the example of Paul concerning whose many journeys from one Nation and Church to another we have abundant mention made in this History of the Acts of the Apostles And in this chapter we have mention made of four the first into Macedonia where the Jews laid wait for Paul ver 1 2 3. The second to Troas where Paul preached in the night administred the Lord's Supper and Eutichus sleeping falleth down from an high window ver 6 to 13. The third to many places to Assos Mitylene Chios Samos and Trogyllium vers 13 14. The fourth and last more famous than the rest was to Miletum ver 15. from whence he sends to Ephesus and calls together the Ministers of the Churuhes there ver 17. and when they were come together he takes his Farewel of them in which speech he first declares his former manner of life amongst them how he had discharged the duties of his Ministry with meekness and compassion with diligence and innocency with courage and resolution despising all dangers for the Gospel-sake c. In which example of his he insinuates not only to the Presbyters of Ephesus but unto all Ministers unto the end of the world how diligently they ought to watch over the Flock serving the Lord in all humility that is not to pride in their gifts abilities not to despise the wants and weaknesses of others to sympathize with the poor and afflicted to be valiant and heroically constant in preaching defending the Truth notwithstanding the many temptations and oppositions they were to meet with ver 19 20 21. Secondly he shews the condition of his life at present that he had a mighty impulse and perswasion of the Spirit upon him that bonds abide him in every City ver 22 23. and his Christian magnanimity he was not moved with any of these things nor counted his life dear unto him that he might finish his course with joy and the Ministry he had received of the Lord to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God ver 24. In the third place he prophesieth concerning the future And first what should befall himself this was the last time they should enjoy him And behold all ye among whom I have gone preaching the Kingdom of God shall see my face no more ver 25. And secondly what should befal them after his departure As the absence of the Shepherd invites the wild beasts to fall upon devour and scatter the Flock and as the death of the Husband invites the wicked to oppress wrong and defraud his Widow and Fatherless So the departure of Paul a vigilent and painful Shepherd a loving and tender Father opens a way and ushers in an opportunity for wicked men to enter in and play the part of Wolves and Oppressors against the Church of God For I know that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock c. ver 29 30. and hence exhorts them unto all diligence and care for the due performance of their Ministerial Calling Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock of God ver 28. as if he should say You must not only take heed to others but to your selves also To others you must take heed that they be not seduced with Errours and Heresies and to your selves you are to take heed that you incur not God's Displeasure and Rod for a neglect or ill performance of your duty And this he presseth with divers Arguments first from their Name and Office they were Bishops and Overseers over the Flock Secondly from the great Appointer and Designer of them unto this Office the Holy Ghost Thirdly from the end of their appointment and call to this Office to feed the Flock Fourthly from the Owner of the Flock God himself Fifthly from the great Price paid to redeem and purchase this Flock which was neither Silver nor Gold these were poor and mean things but Blood not the blood of a mean-man nor of a nobleman nor yet of a King but the Blood of God! Take heed therefore to your selves and all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath redeemed and purchased with his own Blood Sixthly from the consideration of the Churches enemies that should arise after his departure which were either foreign or domestick Foreign were the Jews or Gentiles not yet converted to the Christian Religion Such as these he means in ver 29. Their domestick enemies were such as were brought up by the Ministers of the Gospel but by ambition covetousness and ignorance should apostatize and fall into erroneous and heretical doctrines superstitious opinions calling themselves Apostles but are not mixing Christ and Moses together asserting the doctrine of the Nicholaitans Such as these he means in ver 30. Men of your own selves shall arise speaking perverse things and shall draw away Disciples after them And these Enemies in respect of their nature are called Wolves and that in respect of certain resemblances what Wolves are unto the Flock the same are Persecutors and Seducers to the Church of God These by Persecution would be grievous and intolerable these by the Errours and Heresies would be contagious and infecting And after these motives renews his former Exhortation that they would remember and watch ver 31. As if he should say Seeing Christ hath redeemed his Church by his Blood and I by my great labours have builded up a Church among you and seeing you are appointed by the holy Ghost to be Overseers to the Flock to feed it and seeing after my departure grievous Wolves shall arise to destroy the Flock some by open hostility and persecution some by errours and infection be so much the more vigilant and industrious to save and preserve them and your selves Let not Christ's Blood
Jacob to all the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles to such as are the most Excellent of the Earth the Worlds wonder Angels delight the Chariots and Horsemen of the Nations the brazen walls and gates of the Kingdoms they live in Grace investeth us with the same priviledges as the richest Saints of the world ever have enjoyed the same Justification the same Reconciliation the same Adoption the same Life eternal and Glorification Secondly If true Christians be Brethren than this may exhort us to several duties 1. To live in love amongst our selves the very term bespeaketh affection and the affection should never cease so long as the relation endures Who should love more than those who are united in the same Head and Hope and cemented with the same blood of Christ It was an honour to Religion once and therefore the Heathens said Aspice ut se mutuo diligunt Christiani See how these Christians love one another But alas may we not say See how they hate one another O take heed of discreditting your Profession of opening the mouths and hardening the hearts of the wicked by envie hatred or want of love one to another It was the Exhortation of John to his People when he could preach no more in the Pulpit that they love one another and it shall be mine in these my dying words that you love as Brethren And as the foundation of this relation is more excellent than others so let our love be more fervent and intensive 2. Labour to maintain peace and unity This is good and pleasant to behold Psal 135.1 Let it not be said that a legion of Devils can live in one man in peace and unity and yet Christians cannot Let not inferiours go beyond the bounds of their duty and place neither let Superiors stand too much upon their Prerogatives but rather for peace sake to abate of what they might justly chalenge upon their superiority the richer the elder the nobler you are the more endeavor to be good examples to others condescending to the infirmities of the weak that the golden bond of peace be not broken we see this in Abraham who though he was elder yet for peace sake gave liberty to Lot his younger to chose which way he would go to feed his cattel And Abraham said to Lot Let there be no strife between me and thee between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen for we are Brethren Gen. 13.4 Labour to be of the same judgment in matters of Religion it is pleasant to see Brethren of the same mind in matters of Religion Consonant sounds upon Musical Instruments sweeten the melody there was no hammer nor ax nor any tool of Iron heard in Solomons Temple while it was in building neither should there be heard or seen discords in the House of God Divisions of judgments blunt the edge of Christians love abate the fervency of affection create distance and shiness of society amongst familiars gratifies Satan grieves the Spirit of God weakens Christ's Kingdom and exposeth a People to ruine A Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand and if one member of the body should fight with another and each member of the body scratch tear and rend one another how deformed weak and near to ruine would that be Unapt sounds upon Musical Instruments spoyl the melody the divisions of the Church of Corinth sounded harshly in the Apostles ears some said they were of Paul others of Apollos others of Cephas If you would be comforts and helps one to another if you would be a credit to your Profession and comfort and rejoyceing to your Minister live in unity of judgment in matters of Religion contend not for the shadow and lose the substance Be not substantial about circumstances and circumstantial about Substances In the language of the Apostle I beseech you Brethren that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfectly joyned together in the same judgment 1 Cor. 1.10 4. Be ready to help and succour one another Nature hath created a Sympathy and Compassion in every relation The mother pitties and abundantly tenders her sick child doth all she can to do it good to ease it under pain to recover it from pain and sickness One brother is ready to condole with the sufferings of another to supply his wants to defend him in danger As Moses the Israelite whom the Egyptian wronged Exod. 2.11 12. and how much more should Brethren in Grace the dearer the Relation the more tender Affection As Brethren sympathize ye one with another Succour such as are tempted reduce such as wander satisfie the scrupulous confirm such as are staggering and raise such as are fallen by Prayers for them by Counsels by Exhortations Improve your Gifts and Abilities your Graces and Experiences to relieve and succour them in spirituals as you would be ready to assist them in temporals with your estates 5. Ministers should not lord it over Gods Heritage 1 Pet. 5.3 they should not imperiously lord it over them nor lay greater burdens upon their Consciences than Jesus Christ hath impos'd We must do all things for their edification not any thing for their destruction We must further not hinder them in their progress to Heaven take away occasions not lay stones of stumbling before them How disgraceful and intolerable would it be to see one Brother to grow proud lordly and domineering over the other would not every one cry shame upon it And shall those whom Grace hath made equal usurp Authority and rule one over another when Christ hath not given such authority and jurisdiction And as Ministers must not lord it over the Consciences of their Flock so one Minister must not act Authority over another The Apostle Paul was a man extraordinarily called and qualified and so had an Authority over other Ministers but when this extraordinary Mission ceased the Superiority of Jurisdiction ceased also And though he was an Apostle yet he acted not imperiously over the Presbyters but called them Brethren neither had he Jacobs voice and Esaus hand he spake not as a Lamb and acted like a Lyon but his carriage and deportment was a comment upon the name Where Christ hath given no superiority of power and jurisdiction let no man claim it lest he be found an Usurper whom the Apostle calls in one place Bishops in another place he calleth Presbyters as in this place he calleth the Ministers of the Church of Ephesus Presbyters ver 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He called together the Presbyters of the Church And in ver 28. he calls them Bishops Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the flock over whom the holy Ghost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath made or placed you Bishops or Overseers And the same Apostle in his Epistle to Titus calls Ministers Presbyters Chap 1.5 and the same he calls Bishops ver 7. Now if Presbyters Bishops had not been one and the same but names of dinstict Office Jurisdiction and Power the Apostle's reasons
is pure enlighteneth the eyes Psal 19.8 This is the Chariot wherein the Sun of Righteousness rideth and by which he will arise and shine in the Horizon of your Souls and turn you from Darkness to Light This Light will guide you in all your wayes and actions a Light unto your feet and a Lanthorn unto your Paths Psal 119.105 This Light will discover Satans Temptations the Worlds Allurements and direct you how to avoid the precipices of Prophaness the sinks of Sin and how to walk in the Way of Purity and Peace This Light will direct and comfort you in the darkest Night of Affliction 2. It is a Touch-stone to try Doctrines whether false or true When you suspect a piece of money you will bring it to the touch-stone to try it that you be not deceived and take Brass for Gold Guilt-Tin or Copper for pure Silver so you are to bring all Doctrines to the tryal and touch-stone of the Word Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them And John adviseth us not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they be of God or no because there are many false Prophets gone out into the world 1 John 4.1 Take heed of Doctrines that hold a strickness above what is written as the Popish doctrines of Self-whippings voluntary Poverty Vows of Continency The Apostle gives an Antidote against these and many such-like Col. 2.18 to 23. Reject doctrines that set up our own righteousness whether of Morality or Sanctification in the room of Christs Righteoâ—â—ness that place good works in the Throne of Christ doctrines contrary to Godliness opening a door to Libertinism Prophaness crying down the Morality of the Sabbath and Family-duties reject for the Doctrine of the Gospel is a Doctrine according to Godliness Tit. 1.1 a Mystery according to Godliness 1 Tim. 3.16 Doctrines crying up the Traditions of men placing Purity and Worshiping of God and Religion in them but neglecting the Commandments of God for such worshiping of God is a vain worship Mark 7.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Doctrines crying up Purity to the ruine of Unity reject for the Gospel calleth for Unity as well as for Purity Ephes 4.3 4 5 6. And Christ prayed for the Unity as well as for the Purity of the Church John 17.21 22. Time will not permit me to give you any more instances but I commit you to this true infallible Touch-stone of God's Word and see that you be like those noble Bereans searching the Scriptures daily whether these things you hear be so Acts 17.11 3. This is a Weapon to defend you When the Souldier is to fight with his enemies he arms himself and takes his weapon in his hand You Sirs are the Lord's Souldiers to fight his battles against Sin and Satan you have innumerable Enemies to encounter with and overcome before you can wear or obtain a Crown of Glory The Israelites must conquer and kill the Canaanites before they could possess the Land of Canaan Heavens Way and the Crown of Glory is beset with many Enemies enemies within you enemies without you so many sins lusts and corruptions so many Enemies so many Temptations so many Enemies so many Devils so many Enemies and all these must be conquered before we can be saved Now the Weapon by which you must conquer them is thâ— Word of God's Grace the Sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 This is the Sword whereby the Captain of our Salvation conquered our Grand Enemy the Devil in all his attempts Mat. 4. His Practice calls for our imitation his Conquest is our Encouragement Are we tempted to Pride this tells us God resisteth the Proud and gives Grace to the humble Jam. 4.6 Are we tempted to comtemn Reproof this tells us Such as harden themselves being often reproved shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Prov. 29.1 Are we tempted to Drunkenness to Whoredom and Uncleanness this tells us None such enter into the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 10. In a word face and affront all Temptations to Sin with the Threatenings of God and with his Judgments upon wicked men Doth the World and Devil promise thee great Preferments and Riches if thou wilt follow them tell them God doth promise greater better and more durable Riches and Dignities Doth he tempt thee to dispair tell him of the Fulness and Freeness of God's Grace the Fulness and Freeness of God's Promises the Greatness and Value of Christ Sufferings And by a faithful and skilful managing of this Weapon you shall overcome Resist the Devil and he will fly from you 4. This Word is a spiritual Rain Deut. 32.2 My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain my speech shall distil as the Dew as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showres upon the tender grass What rain is to the Eâ—râ—â— and fruires thereof the same is this Word to the Godly Christian when you are enflamed with Corruption pursued with Satan scorched with the Frownings of the Almighty this as a pure Chrystal Stream will cool you and refresh you As the Hart the chasted Hart painteth after the Water-brooks so doth my soul after God after the Ordinances of God Psal 42.1 This will soften your hard hearts Isa 66.2 2 Kings 22.11 19. As rain this will wash you clean when you are defiled Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth John 17.17 This Word as rain will make you fruitful and recover your decaying withering Graces and Comforts and make them fresh and flourishing like Trees planted by the Rivers side Psal 1. Isa 61.3 5. This Word is a Comforter unto you In all your Sorrows and Sufferings this Word affords suitable and seasonable Comfort to you Are you with David in great straits and exigencies and your thoughts and debatings within you like a troubled Sea you know not what to resolve on which way to take this will then afford you comfort Psal 94.19 In the multitude of my thoughts thy Comforts delight my soul O God And again Thy Statutes have been my songs in the House of my Pilgrimage Psal 119.54 Are you filled with sorrow concerning your sins here are Promises assuring your Scarlet-dyed sins shall become as white as Snow Isa 1.18 Here is a Sea of Mercy that can swallow Mountains as well as mole-hills Mich. 7.18 19. Are you troubled about the wants of Grace here are gracious Invitations for every one that will come and take of the Waters of Life freely Rev. 22.17 Are you troubled about the weakness of Grace he hath promised not to break the bruised reed nor quench smoaking flax Mat. 12.20 Are you troubled concerning Temptation he hath promised his Grace is sufficient for you to lay no more on you than you are able to bear and glorifie his Strength in your weakness 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Cor. 12. Are you afraid you shall not persevere this