scope not to spare â—he flesh but to save the Soul and to save the Soul with the loss of other things and that will make us true to Christ. But there are many foreign reasons for which men may sâ—ew some love to Religion As first Policy as Iehâ— took up Ionadab into the Chariot with him 2 Kings 10.15 there is his complement to him Ionadab was a good man and this honoured him before the people to see Iehu and Ionadab so well acquainted Sometimes respect to others upon whom we depeâ—d many seem to be good because they dare not displease others that have authority over them or an interest in them as Ioash was religious all the days of Iehoiada for he stood in awe of him 1 Chron. 24.2 Now such sorry Religion dependeth on foreign accidents The life of others or presence of others and therefore it cannot be durable whereas in presence or absence we should work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 otherwise men only keep within compass for a while but they have the root of sin within them still Or it may be novelty as our Lord telleth the Jews Iohn was a burning and shining light and ye were willing to rejoice in his light for a season Iohn was an eminent man for pureness of Doctrine and vigour of Zeal and the more corrupt sort of Jews Pharisees as well as others admired him for a while but they soon grew weary of him it was a fit of zeal for the present Lastly This love may be to the excellency of gifts bestowed upon some Minister or Instrument whom God raiseth up or some countenance of great men given to their Ministry may stir up some love and attendance on their Ministry and some respect is given for their sakes when men have no sound grace in their hearts There is a receiving of the word as the word of man and a receiving of the word as the word of God as the Apostle intimateth 1 Thess. 2.13 The receiving of the word as the word of man so it worketh only an humane passion a delight in the gifts of the Ministry used Ezech. 33.32 Thou art to them as a lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant voice Then there is a receiving it as the word of God and then we receive it with much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.5 Our Gospel came to you not in word but in power â—nd much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost Now if we do not receive the truth upon Gods recommendation and confirmation we do not love truth as truth our contest is not who hath most wit and parts but most grace 5. They do not receive the love of the truth when it doth not produce its solid effects which is a change of heart and life And they are not brought by the Gospel to a sincere repentance and conversion to God or receive the truth so as to live by it but whilst they have the names of Christians have the lives and hearts of Atheists and Infidels These were those that debauched Christianity and meritoriè and effectivè by their provocations and negligence brought this degeneracy into the Church and Judgment on the Christian World Certainly a man hateth that Religion which he doth profess when he will not live by it This perfidiousness and breach of Covenant was that which provoked God to permit these delusions in the Church The wordly sensual carnal Christians that hate that life which their Religion calleth for The Godly Christian and the Carnal Christian have the same Bible the same Creed the same Baptism yet they hate one another as if they were of different Religions and confound the distinction between the World and the Church because the World is in the Church And of sensual and godless men we must speak as Heathens as if they were without God they abhor that Religion which they do profess That is they abhor not the name but they abhor those that are faithful to it and serious in it who desire to know God in Christ and desire to love him and live to him It was that Christ taxed in the Pharisees they honoured the dead Saints and abhorred the living Matth. 23.29 30 31. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites because ye build the Tombs of the Prophets and garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous and say if we had been in the days of our Fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your selves that ye are the Children of them which killed the Prophets Christ hath not worse Enemies in the World than those that usurp his name and pretend to be his Officers and yet eat and drink with the drunken and beat their fellow Servants Matth. 24.49 Christ will disown such at the day of Judgment Matth. 7.22 23. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderful works and then will I profess unto them I never knew you Depart from me ye that work iniquity And such do most dishonour him in the World A righteous sober godly life is the best evidence of our love to the truth 2. How just this punishment is 1. Because God hath ever held this course on the Pagan World who kept not the natural knowledge of God he gave them up to vile affections Rom. 1.28 The Jews who rejected Christ Joh. 5.43 I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not another will come in his own name and him will ye receive When Christ cometh meerly for our benefit the unthankful World will not make him welcome but they will take worse in his room So towards Christians At first men would not receive the Gospel while it was pure and in its simplicity as taught by Christ and his Apostles and sealed by the blood of the Martyrs till it was backed by a Wordly Interest and coâ—rupted into a Wordly design and then they had it and all manner of superstitions together and with these strong delusions there came just damnation So still the pure Gospel is refused and God sendeth Popish Seducers as a just Judgment men only prize the light as it may serve their turn 2. The neglect and contempt of the truth is so hainous a sin that it deserveth the greatest punishment Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation now it is revenged by these errâ—rs as a just judgment on the perverseness and unthankfulness of the World The duties of the Gospel being so unquestionable shew their perverseness The priviledges of the Gospel being so excellent their unthankfulness is more intolerable 1. Vse is to shew us what cause we have to fear a return of Popery Alas where is this love of the truth 1. Some are Gospel-glutted loath Manna a full-fed people must expect a Famine Amos 8.2
to Saints and Angels and turned into a theatrical Pomp and the Pageantry of empty Ceremonies which eclipse the Majesty and splendour of it and the Discipline of the Church into a temporal domination and all is carried in the World by sides and interests that Christianity looketh like another thing a design Calculated for the present World rather than a serious preparation for the World to come Then certainly there is an Apostasy and a defection from Christ however the corrupt manners of the Church be varnished over with the name of Christianity There is a degeneration questionless and that is Apostasy in a Mystery such as this is though not an open revolt from the Christ. But to make this more evident to you let us consider what the Kingdom of Christ is The Gospel Kingdom is a Kingdom of Light Life and Love Opposite to Light is ignorance and errour to Life a Religion that consists of shews dead rites and empty Ceremonies to Love uncharitableness malice and especially hatred of the power of Godliness now where these prevail eminently there is an opposite Kingdom set up to the Kingdom of Christ certainly a falling off from his Kingdom That is to say where in opposition to Light errour is taught and ignorance is counted the Mother of Devotion and people are restrained from the means of Knowledge as if the height of Christian Faith and Obedience did consist in an implicite believing what the Church believeth and where instead of Life men place their whole Religion on superficial Rites and Ceremonies and some trifling acts of seeming Devotion and exteriour Mortifications and instead of love to God and Souls all things are sacrificed to private Ambition and forcing Consciences with the highest penalties and persecutions to submit to their corruptions There is a manifest subversion of the interest of Christs Kingdom In short Gods witnesses were slain in that City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt and our Lord was crucifyed Rev. 11.8 That City which answereth to Sodom for impurity to Egypt for Idolatry and to Ierusalem for persecution of the Saints there may you find the great Apostasy 5. This Apostasy from our Lords Authority and the interests of his Kingdom is some notable and discernable Apostasy and the Head and Patron thereof is Antichrist The defection is not of one or a few or many in divers Churches there have always been back-sliders from the Faith 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us and the Spirit of Antichrist wrought in the Apoâ—tles days 1 Joh. 2.18 As you have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists and again 1 Ioh. 4.3 we are told of the Spirit of Antichrist and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the World Then described to be afterwards Verse 5. a Worldly Spirit They are of the World and speak of the World and the World heareth them Though they profess Christianity Carnal Worldly Hypocrites which never Conquered the fleshly mind and interest have the Spiriâ— of Antichrist These obscure the light and obstruct the life and love of the Gospel They that wholly affect a life of pomp and ease in the Church Now this hath always been in all Ages The false Christians forget their hopes are built upon a Crucified Christ and are to be derived to them from a Glorified Christ in the other World Crucified in this World and Glorified in the next which indeed are the two considerations that keep Christianity pure and lively That all was purchased by a Crucified Christ and all is dispensed by a Glorified Christ and I wish you would oftner think of it But the great Apostasy is eminently found in some external visible Church where these corruptions are generally received and defended For the head of that Church is Antichrist where Doctrine is corrupted and the worship mingled with Idolatry and the Government an Usurpation and bent against the Holy Seed that desire to worship God in Spirit and in Truth there is this manifest revolt from and a Rebellion against God and Christ though they push with the Horns of the Lamb. That the Papists are a corrupt Sect of Christians is beyond dispute to any that will try their Religion by the Scriptures and that they are far more corrupt than the Protestants 〈◊〉 Reformed Churches will also soon appear by the comparison or a view of both Churches But whether they are so corrupt as to become the Seat of Antichrist is the matter under debate Therefore let any one consideâ— where the eminent Apostasy is to be found Who are they that invade Christs Authority by setting up an Universal Head over all Câ—ristians Who are they that establish the Doctrine of Daemons or revive the worship of a middle sort of Powers between God and mortal men 1 Tim. 4.1 who through Hypocrisy â—nvent so many lies to maintain it and when Christians should keep themselves from Idols 1 Ioh. 5.21 yet in defiance of this worship Angels and other Creatures Col. 2.18 Let nâ— man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. and erect the Images of Saints commanding and compelling men to adore them and pray to them who are they that are not contented with the one only Mediatour 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the man Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 8.5 For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods mâ—ny and Lords many But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him but set up other Mediâ—tours of Intercession Who are they that plead for Indulgences and the supererogatory saâ—â—sfactioâ—â— of the Saints as gathered into the Treasure of the Church and so profitable for the remission of sins and condemn them who think the contrary Who are they that keep Beliâ—vers from reading the Scriptures when they are so expresly injoined to do it Joh. 5.39 and Psal. 1.2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night That deny one part of the Lorâ—s Supper to his Disciples notwithstanding his Institution to the contrary 1 Cor. 11.25 26. After the same manner also he took the Cup wheâ— he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood This do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me for as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come It were endless to instance in all I shall speak more of it in the following Verses 6. This Apostasy is not only forbidden but foretold as a thing that would certainly come to pass This consideration is necessary for divers reasons 1. Because the Papists
ask how this can be consistent with Christs care of his Church that there should be an Universal Apostasy and decay of Christian Religion who hath promised The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Answ. That promise is made chiefly to the invisible Church or community of the Elect not to all the visible Societies of the Christians against whom the Devil can and hath prevailed and doth daily to the destruction of many Souls And we say not that the wholâ— visible Church did apostatize though all are faulty 2. Because some require the time when this Apostasy began to be particularly assigned and noted to them and by what persons these corruptions were first introduced or else deny that any such thing hath been But the Case is clear it began to work betimes only it wrought in a mystery but cannot we prove a man to be old unless we prove the first moment when his gray Hairs began to appear or his natural force to be abated Who can tell every step of the progress of the corâ—uption of the Jewish Church and why should the like be required of the Christian This Dunghil of corruption was not raised in one Age and suppose that in tract of time Authors be forgotten matters of Faith are not to be contradicted because of the defect of Hiâ—tory and yet Histories are not altogether wanting in the Case only in things that came in by degrees they are not necessary In the introducing of the general Apostasy some erred in the simplicity of their hearts as the people followed Absolom 2 Sam. 15.11 But shall we deny a thing to be done because we cannot speak the particular moments of time and circumstances of them when and how it was done Shall we say the pointer in the Dial passeth not because we do not see its motion Might not the Priests judge of a Leprosy though they knew not how it was contracted Iniquity mystical did by degrees prevail 3. Because some think if we should grant such an Apostasy it would interrupt the whole course of visible Christianity and so deprive the World of a Ministry and Ordinances till Christ send some new Nuncio's from Heaven or by miracle at least authorize a new Ministry that may be owned by the World and received by his people A vain conceit for though this Apostasy is foretold that it should come to pass yet it is also foretold that Christ will be with the Apostles and their Successors to the end of the World Math. 28.20 and prayed for all them that should believe in him through their word Ioh. 17.20 and though the Church was corrupted by degrees yet all this while it ceased not to be a Church nor the Officers thereof to be Christs Ministers when the Ten Tribes fell away yet God tiâ—l their dissolution continued the Spirit of Prophecy amongst them and in the Christian Church a Ministry though many had their calling from such who consented to the incroachments of Antichrist God had not so wholly cast off his people but that there was a Ministry and Ordinances their Ministry was a true Ministry and the Baptism a true Baptism to be owned in foro externo for these things remain whilst any thing of Christianity remaineth In a body mangled with wounds or all over grown with sores there is a life remaining and so some Functions and Offices of Life God called Idolatrous Israel his people and was not angry with them for circumcising their Children but for offering them to Moloch Ezek. 16.20 21. But of this in the next Verse where Antichrist is said to sit in the Church of God 2. The Revelation of Antichrist And that man of sin shall be revealed the Son of perdition where two things are notable 1. His rise and appearing 2. The names and titles given to him 1. His rise and appearing expressed in the word revealed that is that great and chief Antichrist upon that Apostasy or falling away shall be extant and shew himself to the World A thing is said to be revealed two ways Either when it is in being or when it is discovered both ways are proper here He shall publickly appear exercising a Tyranny in the World or cast off his Vail and shew himself in his Colours God by his Providence permitteth him to be and by the doctrine of the Gospel discovereth his impostures to all those who have no mind to be deceived 2. The names or titles given to him they are two 1. The man of sin wherein he is compared and likened to Antiochus 2. The Son of Perdition wherein he is compared and likened to Iudas For the first The Jews called Antiochus The man of sin 1 Macch. 2.48 They gave not the power to the Sinner in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They gave not the Horn to the Sinner The Syriac Version hath it They suffered not the Horn of the Sinner to be lifted up and Verse 62. Fear not the words of the man of sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From the words of the man the Sinner be not afraid Now why did they call Antiochus the man of sin Because he sought to alter the Religion of the People and by cruelty to introduce a change of Worship and Idolatry and such Laws as he would set up now according to this pattern Antichrist is a man of sin that is either a man given up to all sin eminently a Sinner addicted unto sin and a Ring-leader of others unto sin either by fraud and violence or as he giveth incouragements and encitements to sin or as a special kind of Sinner an Usurper and Invader of the Empire of the Son of God So was Antiochus So was Antichrist Now how much open sin is practised allowed and maintained in the Papacy I list not now to rake into their own stories speak enough The Sodomy Blasphemy Incest Adulteries Sorceries Murders Treasons Parricides which they have authorised and countenanced Histories witness that hardly hath the World yielded a more abominable sort of men than have sate in that Chair of pestilence This I am sure of that a man can sin no where at so cheap a rate as in Popery where what by dividing their sins into mortal and venial and these expiated by a little pennance accompanied with a single Attrition and bare grief and trouble because of the punishment what by Faculties Pardons Licences Dispensations Indulgences sin is distinguished out of the Conscience But because he is called the man of sin here it cometh fitly to be inquired whether Antichrist be an individual person for that man of sin would seem to be some single person No he is put for a Society and succession of men that make up the head of the Apostate State As one Lyon figured the whole Kingdom of the Babylonians and one Bear the Kingdom of the Medes and Persians and one Leopard the Kingdom of the Graecians Dan. 7. and there the fourth Beast is the fourth Kingdom So one person that succession
But the false Church is known by pomp and external splendor It is easy to discern the true Ministers of Christ from the false the true are known by being much in â—â—ours much in afflictions 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6. In all things approving our selves the Ministers of God in much patience afflictions necessities distresses in labours and watchings and fastings by pureness by knowledge by long-suffering by kindness by the Holy Ghost by love unfeigned c. whereas the false Ministers are known by the life of pomp and ease the rule is plain Because self-denial is one of the great lessons of Christianity and self-seeking the bane of it therefore where men professedly seek the gâ—eatness of the World they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies 2. Where men are turned from God to Idols though it be not the Daemons of the Gentiles but Saints as Mediators of Intercession there Godliness is destroyed and the mystery of iniquity set up For the great drift of the Christian Religion is to bring us to God through Christ so the great Whore which imports a breach of the fundamental Article of the Convenant Thou shalt have no other Gods but me it is said Rev. 17.5 Vpon her Forehead was a name written Mystery Babylon the Mother of Fornications and abominations upon Earth debaucheth Nations with her Idolatry and so seduceth from God to the worship of the Creatures that the great intent of the Gospel is lost 3. Wherever power is usurped in Christs name and carried on under the pretence of his Authority to the oppressing of Christs sincere Worshippers who hate the carnal life and would by all means keep themselves from Idols or bowing and worshipping before Images but excel in unquestionable duties there is the mystery of Iniquity for the Beast that hath a mouth like a Dragon pusheth with the Horns of a Lamb Rev. 13.11 The violence and persecution against the sincere pure worshippers of Christ is nothing else but the mystery of Iniquity the enmity of the carnal seed against the holy Seed or the Seed of the Serpent against the Seed of the Woman disguised 4. Where there is a lessening of the merits of Christ and his satisfaction as if it were not sufficient for the expiation of sin without penal satisfactions of our own there is the mystery of Iniquity for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 5. Where the new nature is little thought of and all Religion is made to consist in some external Rites and Adorations or indifferences there the reducing of man to God is much hindered and Christianity is adulterated and the Religion that designedly countenanceth these things is but the mystery of Iniquity To worship God as the Papists do with Images Agnus Dei's Crucifixes Crossings Spittle Oyl Candles Holy Water kissing the Pax dropping Beads praying to the Virgin Mary and other Saints repeating over the name Iesus five times in a breath repeating such and such Sentences so often praying to God in an unknown Tongue and saying to him they know not what adoring the consecrated bread as no bread but the very flesh of Christ himself fasting by feasting upon fish instead of flesh chusing a tutelary Saint whose name they will invocate offering Sacrifices for quick and dead praying for Souls in Purgatory purchasing Indulgences for their deliverance carrying the Bones and other Reliques of Saints going in Pilgrimage to Shrines or Images or offering before them with a multitude more of such trashy devotions whereby they greatly dishonour God and obstruct the motions of the Heavenly Life yea quite kill it For instead of the power and life of grace there are introduced beggarly Rudiments or ritual observances in indifferent things and vain traditions by which Christian liberty is restrained and these pressed with as much severity as unquestionable duties established by Gods known law for the renewing and reforming Mankind We are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 Col. 2.16 Let no man judge you in meat or drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moons or of a Sabbath day These things are left to arbitrament to abstain or use them for edification That Physician may be born with who doth only burden the sick with some needless prescriptions if faithful in other things but if he should tire out the Patient with Prescriptions which are not only altogether needless but troublesome costly and nauseous and doth extinguish and choke true Religion by thousands of things indifferent making our bondage worse than the Jews this is the mystery of Iniquity to cheat us of the power of Godliness by the shew of it burdening of men with unnecessary observances 2. How did this work in the Apostles time Something there was then which did give an advantage to Antichrist and laid the foundation of his Kingdom and did dispose mens minds to an Apostasie from pure Christianity as 1. Partly the Idolizing of Pastors by an excess of Reverence such as was prejudicial to the Interests of the Gospel setting them up as heads of Factions 1 Cor. 1.12 Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I am of Apollos and I of Cephas 1 Cor. 3.22 Glory not in men whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas c. This in time bred Tyranny and Slavery in the Church 2. The Ambition of the Pastors themselves and the spirit of contention for rule and precedency Acts 20.29 30. There shall arise among you ravening Wolves speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them and within a little time began to affect not only a primacy of Order but of Jurisdiction and Authority so that then Antichrist did not exist in his proper person but in Spirit and Predecessors 3. The errors then set afoot corrupted the simplicity of the Gospel 1 John 2.18 Now there are many Antichrists 1 John 4.3 Every Spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is the Spirit of Antichrist whereof ye have heard it should come and even now already is it in the World The Spirit of Antichrist is even now in the World there was a Spirit then working in the Church to introduce this mystery of Iniquity only the Seat was not empty but filled by another the Seeds of this mystery were sown in ambition avarice haughtiness of teachers and their carnal and corrupt Doctrines 4. Some kept their Jewish others their Gentile Customs so that Christian Religion was secretly tainted and mingled with the Seeds of Heathenism and Judaism which afterwards produced the great Apostasie Paul in all his Epistles complaineth of the Judaizing Brethren and seeks to reduce them to the simplicity of the Gospel In the Corinthians he complaineth of their resort to Idol Temples their Communion in Idol worship 1 Cor. 10.14 Wherefore my dearly
the great Instruments of his Kingdom and the men of this World whose portion is in this life are the proper Subjects of his Kingdom Of the Saints Christ is their Head but of the wicked ungodly ambitious World surely Sathan is the Head There are two Cities as Austin distinguisheth them Ieâ—usalem is the City of God and Babylon that Incorporation which belongeth to Sathan Now then wheâ—e shall we find him whose coming is after the working of Sathan but with him who with the loss of Christianity exalteth himself and affecteth an ambitious Tyranny and domineering over the Christian World both Princes Pastors and People and to uphold the Tyranâ—y careth not what havock he maketh of the Church and the whole frame of their Religâ—on is calculated for secular Honour Worldly Pomp and Greatness Secondly By the visible Appearances of the Devil and where he is most conversant as in his own Kingdom Before Christs Kingdom was set up the Devil did often visibly appear but since he playeth least in sight when God openly manifested his Presence by appearing to the Fathers in sundry ways and manners as he did before hen spake to us by his Son Heb. 1.1 2. so did Sathan Vâ—sions Apparitions and Oracles were more frequent and where Christs spiritual Kingdom prevaileth the World heareth less of theâ—e things but where it is obstructed more Now two instances in Popery 1. In their Chiefs how many Conjurers and Necromancers who expresly consulted and contracted with the Devil from the Year 600. to the Year 1500. the Chair of pestilence yielded the Histories tell us 2. In oreder 〈◊〉 the Devil had formerly in the times of Popery and still where it is allowed incomparably more power among men to appear to them and haunt their Houses and vex them than now he hath all that I say is haunting of Houses and Apparitions were much more common Uses 1. A detestation of Popery whatever is of the Devil should be hated by us for we are Christs Souldiers listed in his Warfare in Baptism Rom. 6.13 Yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God but yield not your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin Rom. 13.12 Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the Armour of Light Now after our military Oath should we revolt to them that join with the Devil and his Angels to make War against Michael and his angels 2. To be more careful to be compleatly armed For we fight not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers and spiritual wickednesses in heavenly places Eph. 6.11 12. that is not only with the one but the other The Abettors of Popery ae Sathans Auxiliary Forces whom he stirreth up and employeth Now the Devils are of great cunning and strength and by Gods permission exercise great Authority in the World and the matter about which we contend with them is the Honour of God and Christ and our Eternal Salvation Therefore since the Subtilty Power and strength of the Enemy is so great we had need to be the better prepared and put on the whole Armour of God That bodily and humane Power that befriendeth the Kingdom of Sathan is formidable and that can only reach the outward man but Devils and damned Spirits are a more terrible and dangerous party who secretly blind our minds and weaken our courage and strangely and imperceptibly by our own carnal affections promote our eternal ruine 3. It sheweth us the folly of recoâ—ciling Babel and Sion Rome as it is and the Reformed Churches For what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6.15 16. What agreâ—ment hath the Temple of God with Idols You can never reconcile God and Sathan the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent I speak not of holy endeavours to adjust the Controversies and reclaim Papists from their Errors that must be pursued how fruitless soever the attempt be but â—o hope for an agreement as things now stand is impossible 4. Caution that the Devil prevail not against us he once suprized Peter Mat. 16.23 Get thee behind me Sathan he hath prevailed over them that usurp the highest Chair in the Christian Church Let him not blind your Eyes in whole or in part though you be not drawn to Antichristianism do not live in a carnal Worldly course For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Every wicked act is Sathans Invention he stirreth it up is served by it delights in it his Kingdom goeth forward by it He gaineth by every wicked action Shew plainly that you are not of his party nor ever mean to be Give way to fleshly and worldly lusts and you are very prone to entertain the grossest Temptations and by subtle evasions will wriggle and distort your selves out of your duty as the Papists do I come now to the second means Doct. That Antichrist doth uphold his Kingdom by a false shew of Signs and Wonders and mighty Deeds To evidence this 1. We must inquire what is a Miracle Miracles are works extraordinary exceeding the ability of second causes and done to confirm the Truth Where we may observe 1. The general nature of them 2. Their author 3. Their Use. 1. Their general nature and kinds extraordinary works Some are either besides nature when the course of nature is changed as the standing still of the Sun in Ioshuah's Days the going back of the shadow on Ahaz his Diâ—â— in Hezekiah's time Above nature as the opening of the eyes of a man born blind by Christ Iohn 9. Against nature when the operation of it is obstructed as wâ—en the three Children remained untouched in the Fiery Furnace Dan. 3. the fire had not lost its property to burn for those that cast them in were singed and scorched 2. The Author they are works exceeding the ability of second Causes and therefore are always done by the Power of God either immediately or mediately using some Creature in the performing of them as the Apostles of Christ. Well then the primary efficient cause is God and the manner of working is extraordinary and unusual exceeding the power and force of any Creature 3. The end and use is to confirm some Truth when they are done for Curiosity Ostentation and Delight they are but jugling tricks and have not God for their Author much less when they are pretended to confirm a false Doctrine or evil end But real Miracles do oblige by way of sign declaring Gods interest in or owning of the truth and Testimony to which they are annexâ—d For God being the Ruler of the World good merciful just it is not to be supposed he will cooperate to a lie or cheat or leave sucâ— a stumbling block before his Creatures II. That the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles did sufficiently prove that they were Teachers sent from God for Christ often appealeth to
heart is not good Prov. 19.2 Nothing can come to the heart but by the mind the will is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a choice or desâ—re guided by reason and the Gospel doth not work as a charm whether it be or be not understood No the purport or drift of it must be known or how can it have any effect upon us Next to knowledge to make it work there must be Faith when we apprehend a thing we must judge of it whether it be true or false how else can it make any challenge or lay claim to our respect 1 Thess. 2.13 Ye received it not as the word of men but as it is truth the word of God which worketh effectually in you as it doth in all them that believe Faith doth inliven our actions about Religion to hear of God and Christ and Heaven doth not stir us unless we believe these things Well next to Faith there must be Love for apprehension and dijudication are acts of the understanding only but love belongeth to the will and we must believe with all the heart Acts 8.37 There may be knowledge without Faith as an Heathen may understand the Christian Religion though he believe it not profess it not And there may be Faith without love for there is a dead faith James 2.20 which rests in cold opinions without any affecâ—ion to the truth believed Love pierceth deeper into the truth and maketh it pierce deeper into us As a red hot Iron though never so blunt will run farther into an inch board than a cold Tool though never so sharp And love maketh it more operative there is notitia per visum notitia per gustum A knowledge by sight and a knowledge by tasâ— A man may guess at the goodness of Wine by the Colour but more by the tast that is a more refreshing apprehension And Augustine prayeth Fac me Domine gustare per amoren quod gusto per cognitionem Lord make me tast â—hat by love which I tast by knowledge Surely we are never sound in Christianity till all the light that we receive be turned into love These great things are revealed and represented to our Faith not to please our minds by knowing them but to quicken our Love Faith alone is but as sight and Faith with Love is as tast Now it is more easy to dispute a man out of his belief that only seeth than it is him that tasteth and knoweth the grace of God in truth This is the true reason of the stedfastness of weak and unlearned Christians though they have not such distinct conceptions and reasonings as maâ—y learned men have yet their Faith is turned into love and a man is better held by the heart than by the head And though they cannot dispute for Christ as one of the Martyrs said they can die for Christ. But alas many receive the truth in the light thereof but few receive it in the love of it and so lie open to deceit 4. This love must not be a sleight affection for that will soon vanish but we must be rooted and well grounded and have a good strenght The stony grouâ—d had some love to the word Matth. 13.20 21. But he that receiveth the word in stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet he hath not root in himself but dureth but a while for when Tribulation of Persecution riseth because of the word by and by he is offended So also of the Thorny ground He heareth the word and the care of this World and the deceitfulness of riches choak the word and he becometh unfruitful ver 22. Now what are the defects of this love 1. It is not radicated A pang of Love or flash of Zeal whereas we should be rooted and grounded in love Eph. 3.17 Hypocrites had a tâ—st Heb. 6. 4 5. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned and have tasted of the Heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance Tasted but did but tast did escape 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2.20 yet not having a good Conscience may make Shipwrack of Faith 1. Tim. 1.19 2. It is partial The Gospel offereth great priviledges and it is also a pure holy rule of obedience Acts 2.41 This word of God is made up of Precepts and Promises God offereth in the Covenant exceâ—lent benefits upon gracious terms and conditions there must be a consent to the terms as well as an acceptation of the priviledges The confidence of the priviledges serveth to wean us from the false happiness therefore that must be kept up Heb. 3.6 But Christ as a Son over his own House whose are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the firm unto the end And the consent to the terms bindeth our duty upon us Isa. 56.4 Now as willingly as we yielded at first we must keep up the same fervour still Deut. 5.29 Oh that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments always That it might be well with them and with their Children for ever But whole pure Christianity is not loved by false Christians therefore when Religion crosseth their interests and the bent of their lusts they seek to bring Religion to their hearts not their hearts to Religion 3. It is not strong and in such a prevalent degree as to controul other affections it is but a passion a pleasure and a delight they take on for a time not the effect of solid judgment and resolution A joy easily controuled and overcome with other delights therefore Christ requireth a denial of all things for a close adherence to him and his Doctrine And hath told us Matth. 10.37 He that loveth Father and Mother more than me is not worthy of me and Luke 14.26 Cannot be my Disciple This is a love to which all other loves must give way and be subordinate Many love the truth a little but love other things more will be at no cost for it Solomon giveth advice Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not In lesser points we must do nothing against the truth for though the matter contended for be never so small yet sincerity is a great point but in the greater truths we should purchase the knowledge of them at any rate and be faithful to Christ what ever it cost us 4. This slight love may arise from Worldly respects Now in the Text it is said they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved It should arise upon eternal reasons and considerations of the other World which only produce abiding affections Heb. 10.39 We are not of them that draw back to â—erdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul In closing with Christianity that must be fixed as our
temporal Favours and the Comforts of this Life but a renewed Heart is most taken up with spiritual and heavenly Blessings A Man may give thanks carnally as well as pray carnally A carnal Man in Prayer giveth vent to the desires of the Flesh. Iames 4.3 So in Blessing God he may speak from the relish of the Flesh though usually carnal Men seldom give thanks to God Hosea 12.8 I am become rich I have found me out Substance c. Surely Spiritual Blessings should have the preheminence because they concern our well-being and they discriminate us from others which temporal Mercies do not Eccl. 9.1 2. For all this I considered in my Heart even to declare all this that the Righteous and the wise and their works are in the Hand of God no Man knoweth either Love or Hatred by all that is before them All things come alike to all there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked to the good to the clean and to the unclean to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not as is the Good so is the Sinner and he that sweareth as he that feareth an Oaâ—h The wicked have many of these Mercies Psal. 17.14 From Men of the World which have their portion in this Life and whose Belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure they are full of Children and leave the rest of their Substance to their Babes And they may own God in them as pleased and well satisfied with the prosperity of the Flesh or a desirous to have more 3. That the best prospect we have of God's Goodness to us as to those spiritual Mercies is in Election 1. There we see all our Blessings in their rise fountain and bosom-cause which is the eternal Love and Grace of God Dulcius ex ipso Fonte Waters are sweetest and freshest in their Fountain there we see that antecedent Love which provided a Redeemer for us which should be matter of continual Love and Reverence to us Ioh. 3.16 There we see the rich preparations of Grace in the new Covenant which could never have entred into our Hearts if elective love had not provided them for us 1 Cor. 2.9 There we see what it was that disposed all those Providences that conduced to our good Biâ—th Education Acquaintance Relations alas we knew not the means of all these things but elective Love was at work for us to cast all circumstances that we might be best taken in our Month. Rom. 8.28 There we see what it was that made all the means effectual to draw us unto God Jer. 5.3 He loved uâ— with an everlasting Love 2. It sheweth us the Lord's distinguishing Grace and who it was that made us differ from others who are left to perish in their Sins All are not called and why we Joh. 14.22 Iudas saith unto him not Iscariot Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World yea many mighty and many noble are not called 1 Cor. 1.26 God taketh not all nor any of the highest in esteem among Men not many wise and prudent Matth. 11.25 26. At that time Iesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes even so Father for so iâ— seemed good in thy sight Yea many others arâ— left to perish by their â—wn delusions The Reprobates are Specula Iudicii Divini Thâ— Judgments of God on the wicked do exceedingly amplify his Mercies towards us It was the meer elective love of God issuing forth by his powerful and differencing Grace that puâ— the distinction between us and others Surely his peculiar Love to our selves doth most affect us 3. There we see that Grace tâ—at doth take off all self-boasting Eph. 2.8 9. For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any Man should boast Elective Love prevented all actual or foreseen worth in us And from first to last it is carried on in a way of Grace the Means the Efficacy all is of Grace This was God's great end that Grace might be admired and esteemed by us and be matter of eternal Praise and Thanksgiving Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the Glory of his Grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved The whole Design is to shew us how we are beloved of God and that we may love him again 1. Vse If Election be the great matter of Thanksgiving to God Then surely this Doctrine should be heard in the Church for the Life and Soul of Christian Religion is Gratitude and what feedeth Gratitude is of great use unto us our Gratitude doth not rise high enough till it come to the first cause that stirred and set all the Whâ—â—ls awork in the business of our Salvation Surely this is a very profitable Point 1. To detect the pride of Man for here we see the true and proper cause of difference between us and others 1 Cor. 4.7 Who maketh thee to differ The difâ—erencing Grace of God proceeding from his Election is the only true Grace 2. Nothing more extolâ—eth the Glory of God in our Salvation For if Man can assume nothing to himself the Glory alone redoundeth to God The more reason and cause why some are chosen and others past by is God's good Pleasure Matth. 11.26 Even so Father because it pleased thee Christ himself consents to it giveth Thanks for it as an act of free and undeserved Mercy 3. No greater incentive to Holiness For here we see the absolute necessity of it together with the strongest sweetest motive to enforce it 1. The absolute necessity of it because it is a necessary means to bring God's purposes to pass Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us that we should be holy and without blame before him in love He hath chosen none to enjoy everlasting Glory after this Life but such as he hath chosen to be holy here First they must be sanctified and renewed by the Spirit and then walk in all holy Conversation and Godliness And whatever assurance of Election is pretended unto them who lead an unholy Life it is but a vain presumption or ungrounded Perswasion yea a strong Delusion Secondly Here is the sweetest and strongest Motive to enforce it and that is the singular Love of God which breedeth in us a sincere Love to God again and all serious endeavours to approve our selves to him in purity of Living There is no such constraining force in any thing as there is in Love 2 Cor. 5.14 For the Love of God constraineth us c. And no such Holiness as that which floweth from it this is thankful and Evangelical Obedience 4. It is the ground of our solid Comfort in the midst of all the Calamities and Temptations of the present Life because our final happiness is appointed to us by God's electing Love Luk. 12.32 Fear not
our Duty to God in all things And the Shield of Faith or a stedfast adhering to the Truths of the Gospel whether delivered in a way of Command Promise or Threatning The Helmet of Hope or a certain and desirous expectation of the promised Glory The Shoe of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace which is a readiness to endure all encounters for Christ's sake who hath made our Peace with God And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Now if we take this Armour and use it in our Conflicts what doth it serve for to withstand and stand The first is the Act of a Souldier the second is the posture of a Conqueror Here is withstanding till the Field be won and then standing when the Day of Evil is over Here we make our way to Heaven by Conflict and Conquest and hereafter we triumph 2. A treacherous Revolt or yielding to the Enemy by complying with those things which are against the Interest of Christ and his Kingdom for advantage-sake 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us and loved the present World Back-sliders in Heart are the worst sort of Apostates such as lose their afâ—ection to God and delight in his ways and esteem not of his glorious Recompences for a little Pleasure Profit or Pomp of Living sell their Birth-right for one morsel of Meat Heb. 12.15 16. Some fail in their Understandings but most miscarry by the perverse inclination of their Wills they are carnal worldly Hypocrites that never throughly mortified the fleshly Mind price things as they are commodious to the Flesh and will save them from Sufferings The byass of such Mens Hearts doth easily prevail against the Light of their Understandings III. Prop. The Means of standing fast is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles Here I will prove 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity taught by the Apostles is a Tradition 2. That holding this Tradition by strong hand when others wrest it from us is the means of our Perseverance 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity is a Tradition I prove it by two Arguments First Matters not evident by the Light of Nature nor immediately revealed to us by God must be either an Invention or a Tradition an Invention is something in Religion not evident by natural Light nor agreeable to sound Reason but is some cunningly devised Fable invented by one or more and obtruded by various Artifices upon the belief of the World Inventions in this kind were Man's Disease not his Remedy Eccles. 7.29 God made Man uprighâ— but they sought out many Inventions As when the Philosopâ—ers sat abrood upon Religion a goodly Chymaera it was they hatched and brought forth Rom. 1.21 22. They became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned and professing themselves to be wise they became Fools The Inventions little became the Nature of God nor were they profitable to Man for still the great Sore of Nature was unhealed which is a fear of Death and the righteous Wrath of God Rom. 1.32 So that neither Man's Comfort nor Duty was well provided for Surely the Gospel is none of this fort not an Invention of Men but a Revelation of God and a Revelation not made to us in Person but brought out of the Bosom of God by Jesus Christ and by him manifested to chosen Witnesses who might publish this Mystery and Secret to others Well then since the Gospel is not an Invention it is a Tradition or a delivery of the Truth upon the Testimony of one â—hat came from God to instruct the World or reduce it to him not an Invention of Man but a Secret brought out of the Bosom of God by our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore 't is said Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed to us by them that heard him The Lord bearing them witness c. Christ delivered it to the Apostles and the Apostles delivered it to others 2 Tim. 2.2 Those things which thou hast heard from me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also The Apostles received the Gospel from Christ and the Churches and Ministers from the Apostles and they delivered it down to others until it came to us which is the Means of our believing the Truth and confessing the Name of Christ. This Testimony delivered and conveyed to us by the most credible means and which we have no reason to doubt of is as binding as if we had heard Christ and his Apostles in Person For we have their word in writing though we did not hear them preach and publish it with the lively Voice their Authority is the same delivered either way And that these are their Writings appeareth by the constant Tradition of the Church and the acknowledgment of Friends and Enemies who still appeal to them as a public authentic Record And as they have bin attested by the Church they have bin owned by God and blessed by him to the Conversion and Sanctifying of many Souls throughout all successions of Ages And by this Tradition Christianity hath held up the Head againâ—t all encounters of Time and the persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the Profession of it but from Age to Age it hath bin received and transmitted to future Generations tho sometimes at a very dear rate And this is binding to us though we saw noâ— the Persons and Miracles by which they confirmed their Message and heard not the fâ—â—st report Yet the Universal Tradition having handed it to us is a sufficient ground of Faith and so we believe through their Word and are concerned in Christ's Prayers Iohn 17.20 For with them and their Successâ—rs as to these necessary things Christ hath promised to be to the end of the World Matth. 28. 20. 2. My next Argument is Becâ—use Christian Religion must needs be a Tradition partly because matter of Fact is the Foundation of it and it is in it self matter of Faith 1. Because it is built upon matter of Fact That the Son of God came from God to bring us to God that is to say appear'd in humanâ— Nature instructed the World by his Doctrine and Example and at length died for Sinners confirming both in Life and Death the truth of his Mission by such unquestionable Miracles as shewed hiâ— to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the World Now a Testimony Tradition or Report is necessary in matters of Fact which of necessity must be confined to some determinate time and place It was not fit that Christ should be always working Miracles always dying always rising and ascending in every place and in the view of every Man but those things were to be oâ—ce done in one place of the World in sight of some particular and competent Witnesses But because the knowledg of them
the Old Testament God himself delivered the Law with great Majesty and Terrour and afterwards caused the same to be written in Tables of Stone for the constant use of his People And the Prophets first uttered their Prophecies and then wrote unto them So the Apostles first preached Evangelical Doctrine and then consigned it to writing for the Use of all Ages And though all things delivered by them were not delivered in one Sermon or one Epistle yet by degrees the Canon of the New Testament was Constituted and made perfect by the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles V. Prop. That now when they are long since gone to God and we cannot receive from them the Doctrine of Life by word of Mouth we must stick to the Scriptures or written Word 1. Because we are taught to do so by Christ and his Apostles Christ always appealeth to the Writings of the Old Testament both against Traditions which he condemneth Matth. 15.2 and against pretended Revelations Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will be persuaded to repent if one should come from the Dead And the Apostles still have recourse to this Proof Acts 26.22 Witnessing no other things than the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass And when they pleaded they were Eye and Ear-witnesses and so their Testimony was valuable yet they say ye have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a surer Word of Prophecy whereunto ye shall do well to take heed 2 Pet. 1.19 Now how can we do better than to imitate these great Examples 2. Because those things were written for our sakes 1 John 1.4 These things write we unto you that your Ioy may be full The Apostles being to leave the World did know the slipperiness of Man's Memory and the danger of corrupting Christian Doctrine if there were not a sure authentick Record left therefore they wrote and so fully that nothing is wanting to compleat our Joy and Happiness 3. Because the Scriptures are perfect The perfection of Scripture is known by its End and intended Use which is to give us a knowledg of those things which concern our Faith Duty and Happiness 1. Our Faith in Christ. If there be enough written for that end we need not unwritten Traditions to compleat our Rule Now St. Iohn telleth us he might have written more things But these things are written that ye might believe in the Son of God and have Life through his Name John 20.30 31. Certainly nothing is wanting to beget a Faith in Christ The Object is sufficiently propounded the Warrant or Claim is laid down in the New Covenant and the encouragements to believe it are clear and strong What would Men have more So that here is a perfect Rule perfect in its kind and for its proper use 2. For our Duty That is sufficiently provided for The Apostle telleth us that the Grace of God take it objectively for the Grace of the Gospel or subjectively for Grace in our Hearts teacheth us If you mean Objective Grace it prescribeth directeth If Subjective Grace it persuadeth and exciteth what to do To live Soberly Righteously Godly in the present World Tit. 2.12 There are all the branches of Man's Duty enumerated Sobriety relateth to self-government Righteously to our carriage towards our Neighbour Godly to our Commerce and Communion with God What is there wanting that belongeth either to Worship or Justice or Personal Holiness Therefore certainly we need no other Rule for it layeth down whatsoever Men are bound to do in all Ages and places of the World and in whatsoever Circumstances God shall put them And so it is fit to be the Law of the Universal King and Law-giver yea it is so perfect that whatever other Way is set up it presently dasheth against those Notions that we have or should have of God his Service and Worship or it iâ—â—â—â—ngeth or perverteth the Liberty and Nature of Man 3. For our Happiness Thaâ— Doctrine and Institution which is able to make us wiâ—e unto Salvation is enough for us but so the holy Scriptures are said to do 2. Tim. 3.15 And that from a Child thou hast known the holâ— Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through the Faith which is in Christ Iesus Nay afterwards Ver. 17. The Man of God is by them made perfect and throughly furnished to every good Work If the Scriptures do throughly direct Men to know God in Christ and save tâ—eir own Souls why should we look any further Now they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledg but the Man of God who is to Instruct others he needeth look no further but is furnished out of the Scripture with all things necessary to discharge his Office Therefore here we fix and rest we have a sufficient Rule and a full Record of all necessary Christian Doctrine Vse 1. The Use of all is Let us not seek another Rule than the Word of God Papists cry up unwritten Traditions to be received with equal respect and reverence as we receive the holy Scriptuâ—es But you Brethren stand fast holding the Apostolical Tradition You cannot have it by word of Mouth from them now therefore you must stick to what is Written or else you cannot preserve your selves from the Frauds and Impostures of Antichrist These Apostolical Writings have been received in all Ages and Times of the Church from the â—eginning and all Disputes among Christians have been tried by them None were allowed good or sincere Christians who doubted of the truth of them But because we have to do with a People that will sacrifice all to the honour and interest of their Church and knowing they are not able to stand before the Light of Scriptures have to the no little prejudice of the Christian Cause done all they can to weaken the Authority Sufficiency and Perspicuity of them that we mighâ— have no Religion without the Testimony and Recommendation of their Church therefore I shall resume the Matter and declare it afresh 1. Mankind lying in Darkness and in the shadow of Death it was necessary that one way or another God should reveal his Mind to them that we may have what belongeth to our Duty and Happiness for our chief good and last end Being altered by Sin we strangely mistake things and put Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light Good for Evil and Evil for Good weighing all things in the ballance of the Flesh which we seek to please We confound both the names and natures of Things and wander in a maze of a thousand Perplexities therefore God in pity to Mankind hath given us a sure direction in his Word which is a Lamp unto our Feet and a Light unto our Paths Psal. 119.105 Mark the words of Light and Lamps the use of a Lamp is by Night and in the Day we have the Light of the Sun whether it be Day or Night with us here we are taught how to carry our selves Mark
foot to subvert their Faith and expose the whole Christian Doctrine to contempt First The manner of obtestation falleth first under our consideration in which two things are mentioned 1. The coming of Christ. 2. Their gathering together unto him Obtestations are by those things which have great reverence and respect with us as most likely to prevail Now these two things are mentioned 1. As weighty 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdom 2. This was the Article mistaken and perverted as to one circumstance the Time but the thing is taken for granted as an unquestionable truth and the support of all their hopes 2 Thess. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe 3. This was a famous Christian Doctrine with which the Apostles usually began in planting Religion in any place 1 Thess. 5.1 2 3. But of the times and the seasons ye have no reason that I write unto you for ye your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night c. 4. It was of precious account with them 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth 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 only but unto them also that love his appearing So that the obtestation implyeth both the certainty of their belief and also their dear account of this Article of Faith and therefore the sense is As you do assuredly expect him and love and look and long for this day that it may go well with you and Christ appear to your glory so be not troubled 1. Doct. That the coming of Christ to the judgment is a truth well known firmly believed and earnestly desired by all true Christians 2. Doct. That when Christ shall come all the Saints shall be gathered together unto him 1. Doct. That the coming of Christ to the judgment is a truth well known firmly believed and earnestly desired by all the Saints 1. That it is well known the Apostle produceth the testimony of Enoch Jude 14. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints David often mentioneth it as a thing delighted in by Believers therefore in a Poetical or rather Prophetical strain he calleth upon the Heavens Earâ—h Sea and Fields to rejoice before the Lord for he cometh for hâ— cometh to judge the Earth he shall judge the World with Righteousness and the people with his truth Psal. 96.13 and again Psal. 98.10 He calleth upon the Creatures to rejoice before the Lord for he cometh to judge the Earth with Righteousness shall he judge the World and the people with Equity passages whiâ—h relate not only to the Kingdom of the Messiah as it is exercised now in the World but also to his final act of judging till which time they are not fully verifyed Solomon bindeth â—he whole duty of man upon him by his consideration Eccles. 12.13 14. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man for God shall bring every work into Iudgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil And the Apostles when they went abroad to Proselyte the World usually began with this point 2. That this is firmly believed by all true Christians This must needs be so because it is the grand inducement to all Piety and Godliness and none ever disbelieved it but those the interest of whose Lusts ingaged them to question it 2 Pet. 3.3 4 5. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying Where is the promise of his coming For since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation For this they willingly are ignorant of c. willingly ignorant their interest puts them upon it rather than their Conscience because this Doctrine filleth them with unquiet thoughts that they cannot so securely follow their sinful practices till they blot out the fear of it or banish the thoughts of it out of their hearts but all that obey the teachings of grace take it for objective or subjective grace they firmly believe it Tit. 2.11 12 13. For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodlâ—ness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ. The sound belief of it is not so much encountred with the doubts of the mind as the inclinations of their perverse hearts Now the seeming reasons of partial men are not to be heard especially as delivered in a scoffing malicious way and on the other side Godliness and Mortification standeth upon such evident reason as mans unquestionable duty that it needeth not to be maintained by a lie and manifest falshood Certainly they that deny it do not so much reason against this Article of our Christian Faith as scoff at it and it is to be imputed to the malignity of their tempers rather than the acuteness or sharpness of their reason that they do not believe it Many things which they urge are a manifest token of the contrary As the calamities of the good 2 Thess. 1.4 5. So that we glory in you for your Faith and Patience in all your Persecutions and tribulations that you endure which is a manifest token of the righteous Iudgment of God The perversion of Justice Eccles. 3.16 17. And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Iudgment that wickedness was there and the place of righteousness that iniquity was there I said in my heart God shall judge the righteous and the wicked for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work Things must be reviewed and judged over again A State Engine to serve Order and Government doth the benefit of mankind need a lie to promote it Doth carnal interest govern the World or Vertue If meer carnal Interest what a confusion would there be of all things Then men might commit all Villany take away mens lives and goods when it is their interest or they could do it safely and secretly without infringement of their interest Servants poison their Masters if they could do it without discovery and there were no sin in it men prey upon others if it be in the power of their hands and catch he that catch can without impunity would be the truest Wisdom Clear it is Vertue cannot be supported without the thoâ—ghts of a World to come and it is unreasonable to imagine that God would make a World which cannot be governed without falshood and deceit 3. That it is earnestly desired by all true Christians that is of chief respect
sick of Questions as the Apostle speaks 1 Tim. 6.4 Doting about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy c. when they had so much wholsome food to feed upon 5. It did but ingender strife among Christians begat wranglings and disputes in the Church 1 Tim. 6.4 He is proud knowing nothing but doting or sick about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy strife railing evil surmisings Vse 1. Let us not fix times many of the Antients were too bold this way and we are apt to it Lactantius peremptorily said The World would endure but two hundred years after his time So many will fix the time of the calling the Jews and of the destruction of Anti-Christ without evident grounds and reasons What God hath revealed is enough to bear us out in our duty and suffering in other things let us patiently wait we see reason to do so when we consider how many men have proved false Prophets 2. Let us not put off the time and set it at too great a distance distant things though never so great will hardly move us that which men put off they do in effect put away they put far off the evil day they would not let it come near their minds to have any operation upon them Look as the Stars those vast Globes of Light by reason of the distance between us and them do seem but as so many spangles so we have but a weak sight of what is set at a great distance and their operation on us will be but small the closer things are the more they will work upon us one that looks upon what God hath revealed of this as sure and near is more affected with it than others are therefore set your selves at the entrance of that World where you must everlastingly be and watch and be ready they that put it off are apt to loyter in their work If Christs coming be not near at hand certainly the time of our departure is at hand and it will not be long e're it come about But this is but Introductive to the Doctrine of Anti-Christ Therefore I come to the second thing Secondly The effect that this error might produce trouble and unsetledness of mind that ye be not soon shaken in mind or troubled In the words there is a two-fold Metaphor the one taken from a Tempest or Sea storm as the word plainly implies that ye be not shaken in mind and the other word is taken from the sudden alarm of a Land Fight which breeds trouble 1. Doct. That Errors breed â—rouble of mind they do not only trouble the Churches Peace Gal. 5.12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you but they hinder tranquillity of mind Gal. 1.7 There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. How do Errors hinder tranquillity of mind Partly because it is an unsound foundation it can never yield solid peace we only find rest for the Soul in a true Religion and there where it is purely professed Others are left to great doubts and uncertainties The Lord seems to direct us in this course when we are upon consultation about the taking up of a Religion Jer. 6.16 Stand in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls Soul-rest is only found in Gods way and where it is most clearly professed Partly because whatever false Peace is bred there it will at last end in trouble The Apostle compares Seducers Jude 13. to raging waves of the Sea foaming out their own shame and we are told of the Locusts that came out of the Bottomless-pit Rev. 9.5 That they stung like Scorpions Every erroneous way of Religion is comfortless yea their Doctrine breeds anxiety and vexes the Spirit for they have no true way of quieting the Conscience Let us therefore detest Error because it is so much our interest It is the property of truth to beget a delectation of mind it is sweeter than honey and the honey comb Verum est bonum intellectus Truth is the good of the understanding now when we understand truth satisfyingly it breeds an incredible delight when we have been in some perplexities and begin to find out a truth Prov. 24. 13 14. My Son eat thou honey because it is good and the honey comb which is sweet unto thy tast So shall the knowledge of wisdom be when thou hast found it Honey is noâ— so sweet to thy tast as this is to thy understanding When a man hath found out any truth though it be but a natural truth it breeds its oblectation much more spiritual truth it is very pleasing to the understanding and most of all when spiritual Truth is obeyed and practised for the understanding gives us but a sight of it but obedience gives a tast thereof Our Saviour saith Mat. 11.28 29 30. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart For my yoke is easy and my burden is light If you will but come under Christs blessed Yoke and Scepter and that way of Religion he hath recommended to you you will find an incredible Peace Joy and oblectation in your mind 2. Doct. That Christians should be so established and have such constancy of mind that they should not be easily shaken and moved from the Faith 1. Let us see how this is pressed Sometimes it is pressed from the encouragement of your great hope 1 Cor. 15.58 Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. First He would have them stedfast and unmoveable these two words have their special signification the one is a degree above the other a man may be stedfast in a thing though he be moved a little in some by-matters but now since your Innocency will bear you out be not only stedfast but immoveable which is a higher degree but take it thus Be stedfast in your selves and unmoveable by the storms of Temptation from without a man is stedfast in himself setled upon his own foundation and you are unmoved when you are strengthned against outward assaults Acts 20.24 None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto me so I might finish my course with joy A Man may be setled in the knowledge of the truth but he is not unmoveable except he be fortified against all Temptations that may draw him off from his profession Such constancy of mind may be well inforced because of our great hope thus it is pleaded for there Then the absolute necessity of it is urged at other times as Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel the same condition is required to continue as
mind Rom. 14.5 Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind 2. If hardned in error consider your opinions will ordinarily have an influence upon your whole Religion and will pervert your carriage towards God and Men your Prayers will smell of your opinions and be like Balaams Sacrifice offered to God to engage him against his own people your Love will be dispensed according to the interests of your Faction 1 Cor. 1.13 Every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas and I of Christ. Is Christ divided 3. The danger of error to others Vice is like a duel error a War 2 Tim. 2.17 Their word will eat as doth a Canker All in Asia have turned from me 2 Tim. 1.15 4. There is danger to your selves though the error be not damnable 1 Cor. 3.13 You have not so full Communion with God Thirdly The third thing is the means which these Impostors used to seduce them from the Faith Spirit Word Letter by all which the Apostle would not have them troubled and shaken in mind none of these Engines which the Seducers used should draw them from the Truth What should poor Christians do thus assaulted Ans. Stick to the Apostolical Doctrine I shall observe Doct. That a Christian should be so perswaded in Religion that neither Spirit nor Word nor Writing should be able to shake or unsettle his mind I shall shew you 1. What wayes or what means God hath appointed whereby a man may settle his choice as to opinions in Religion That the word of God will sufficiently fortifie him against all these false ways by which Error is wont to be insinuated 1. For the first if a Christian would be established and guided aright in the choice of a Religion he must follow both the light of Nature and Scripture 1. The light of Nature antecedently to any external Revelation will sufficiently convince us of the being of God and our dependance upon him Rom. 1.19 20. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it to them For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things which are made even his eternal Power and Godhead For I must know there is a God or else I cannot be certain that he hath given us a Rule or Revelation of his mind We begin with what is natural and then go on to what is Spiritual Nature will tell us that there is one God the first cause of all things of infinite Power Wisdom and Goodness that it is reasonable he should be served by those whom he hath made that he will reward and punish men as they disobey or serve and please him but how God will be served how they shall be rewarded or punished or how they shall escape punishment if after a breach they are willing to return to their duty and obedience to him this is revealed in the word of God 2. The written word shews us the true way of worshipping and pleasing God and being accepted with him therefore it is a sufficient direction to us there is enough to satisfie Conscience though not to please wanton Curiosity As that may quench the thirst of a sober man that will not satisfie the lust of a Drunkard there we are made wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation and Psalm 119.105 Thy word is a light unto my feet and a lanthorn to my paths there we have the knowledge of many things evident by the light of nature discovered with more clearness and certainty And that which could not be found out by natural light as Salvation by a Redeemer or the remedy of our lapsed Estate which depending on the sole will and good pleasure of God could not be known till it was manifested and revealed by him when man sat in darkness and in the shadow of death it was necessary that God should some way or other reveal his mind to him by word of mouth or by writing By word of mouth that is either by Oracles or extraordinary Messengers that sufficed while God saw fit to reveal but a few Truths or such as did not much burden the Memory and men were long lived and the Church confined within a small compass of ground and not liable to so many miseries and changes as now in the latter Ages and then he put it into writing that men may not obtrude upon us their own conceits but we might have a Standard or Rule of Faith and Manners Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule c. 3. The natural Truths contained in the word of God are evident by their own light The supernatural Truths though they are above natural light yet they are not against it or contrary to it and do fairly accord with those Principles which are naturally known and are confirmed partly by an antecedent Testimony which is Prophecy partly by an innate evidence in their own frame and contexture partly by a subsequent Evidence which is valuable Testimony as to matter of Fact The antecedent Testimony John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure word of Prophecy to which we do well to give heed as to a light shining in dark places The innate and concomitant evidence 2 Cor. 4 2 3 4. We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God For if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them The subsequent Testimony the Apostles Acts 5. 32. We are witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him they were Eye and Ear Witnesses of great Fidelity and Credit their Religion forbiddeth them to lie for God and they were accompanied with the mighty power of the Holy Ghost not only in giving them success in the face of the learned World hunting out the Devil every where but also by Miracles divers Signs and Wonders and they and their followers endured all manner of torments and death to witness the truth of these things and transmitted them to us with assurance of Gods owning thâ—s Doctrine 4. The word being thus stated and put into a sure Record it is intelligible enough in all necessary matters at least for if God should speak or write darkly to his people especially in necessary things it is because he could not or would not speak otherwise the former is direct Blasphemy Exod. 4.11 Who hath made
holiness and reconciliation with a God the Terminus à quo men are carnal ungodly 1. Carnal when man fell from God he fell to himself self interposed as the next Heir and that self was not the Soul but the Flesh many wrong their Souls but no man ever yet hated his own Flesh and therefore men would rule themselves and please themselves according to their fleshly appetite and fancy John 3.6 That which is born of the flesh is â—lesh and therefore love the Pleasures Honours and Profits of the World as the necessary provision to satisfy the desires of the Flesh And whosoever live thus they live in a carnal state as all do till grace renew them Rom. 8.5 but this carnal estate doth breâ—k forth and bewray it self in various ways of sinning Titus 3.3 For we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another All are not Fornicators Drunkards Persecutors nor live in the same way of sinnng but all are turned from God to the World and have a carnal mind which is emnity to God Rom. 8. 7. 2. The next word is ungodly men thus constituted live either in a denial of God Psalm 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God or a neglect of God Ephes. 2.12 Without God in the world without any acknowledgment or worship of him Psalm 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God or if not deprived of all sense of a Deity they worship false Gods as those Acts 14.12 13. the men of Lycaonia that called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he was the chief Speaker and would have sacrificed to them and the Apostle saith to the Galatians Gal. 4. 8. When ye knew not God ye did service to them which by nature are no Gods they worshipped plurality of false Gods And though the wise men of the Gentiles had some confused knowledge of the true God Rom. 1.19 20 21. yet they glorified him not as God but committed Idolatry by setting up a false medium of worship an Idol which begot a bruitish Conception of God in their mind so that a false Religion is so far from shewing a remedy of corrupt nature that it is a great part of the Disease it self 2. The Terminus ad quem into a state of Holiness and Reconciliation with God in whom alone man can be happy 1. For Holiness and Obedience to God the great design of the Christian Religion is to bring us back to God again 1. As we are carnal by the denial of fleshly and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts c. 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul and Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts 2. As we are Ungodly to bring us to the Knowledge Love Worship and Obedience of the true God Acts 14.15 We pray you that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God that hath made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things therein and to seek after the Lord from whom we have life breath and all things Acts 17.25 26 28.1 Thess. 1.9 How ye turned from Idols to serve the living and true God 2. Reconciliation with God that we might have commerce with him for the present and live for ever with him hereafter 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 1 Pet. 1.18 Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversations c. Heb. 7.25 He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him That whereas before they were alienated from the life of God they might live in his love and in the expectation of being admitted into his blessed presence that they may see him as he is and be like him 1 Iohn 3.2 2. The way it took to obtain these ends how God may be satisfied man renewed and changed God pacified by the Sacrifice Merit and Intercession of Christ Jesus who came in our flesh and nature not only to acquaint us with the Will of God and the unseen things of another World but to suffer an accursed death for our sins therefore the mystery of Godliness is chiefly seen in God manifested in our flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 and man must be renewed and changed for our misery sheweth what is needful to our remedy and recovery that we be not only pardoned but sanctified if ever we will be saved and glorified for till men have new and holy hearts they can never see God Hob. 12.14 Without holiness it is impossible to see God Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God c. nor for the present love him and delight in him nor take him for their chief happiness As none but Christ can satisfie Justice and reconcile such a Rebel to God so none but Christs Spirit can sanctifie and renew our Souls that we may live in obedience to him 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God This is the Mystery of Godliness 2. Now for the mystery of ungodliness or iniquity that is a quite opposite state but carried on plausibly and with seeming respect to the mystery which it opposeth To know it take these considerations 1. Where the â—â—rnal life is had in request and honour there certainly is the mystery of Iniquity to be found whatever pretences be put upon it Now the carnal life is there had in request and honour 1. Where all is referred to Worldly gain and profit and the whole frame of the Religion tendeth that way for certainly they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose God is their belly and who mind earthly things Phil. 3.19 Now Pardons Indulgences Purgatory Shrines of Saints what do they all tend unto but to make a merchandize of Religion It was an old by-word Omnia Romae venalia all things may be bought at Rome even Heaven and God himself c. And these things are used not only to open the peoples mouths in Prayer but their hands in Oblations and Offerings The Complexion of their Religion is but a gainful Trade But the Papal exactions and traffickings have been so much and so loudly insisted upon and the evil runneth out into so many branches that I shall forbear 2. Where temporal greatness is looked upon as the main prop of their Religion The Kings Daughter is glorious within rich in Gifts and Graces Psal. 45.13 and Psalm 93.5 Holiness becometh thy house O Lord for ever
excommunicated deposed and his Subjects freed from all Allegiance to him Who is he that taketh upon him with Faculties Licences and Pardons to dispence with the Law of God and to allow open and notorious sins Who is he that by his own Writers is said to be solutus omni lege humanâ freed from all humane law Hostiensis nec ullo jure humano ligari potest that hath a Paramount Authority to all Laws that he cannot be bound by them whether they concern Parricide the murder of Princes or Perjury the obligation of Oaths or Matrimony the bond of conjugal Relations but one expresly saith that he is supra jus contra jus extra jus above Law against Law and without Law a plain description of the lawless one in the Text And another not without some spice of Blasphemy apud Deum Papam sufficit pro ratione voluntas God and the Pope have their Will for a Law Lastly Who is he that hath brought into the Church the great impiety of worshipping of God by Images and the worship of the Saints and Angels with a worship which is only due to God which is the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lawlessness which the pure Christian Rule condemneth and brandeth for such if there be not such a power extant in the Christian World then I confess we are yet to seek for Antichrist but if there be none so wilfully blind as they that cannot see Wood for Trees and know not where to fix this Character 2. His Revelation then shall that wicked be revealed the word revealed noteth two things 1. His appearance in the World 2. Gods discovery of him 1. Then he shall be revealed beareth this sense he shall be in the World and begin to lift up his head as soon as the Roman Emperour and Empire shall be removed this lawless one shall begin to discover himself and set up his Kingdom Now to understand this consider this 1. The most learned Interpreters both ancient and modern agree in this that the impediment was the Roman Empire as we shewed before and therefore as the Roman Empire and Emperour was removed out of the way Antichrist was to be revealed or the Predictions of the Scripture are false 2. Things of great moment cannot be removed nor established in a minute The removing of the Roman Empire was not all at once nor the rising of the Pontificate but by degrees the seat began to be made void when Constantine began to remove the Imperial Throne to Byzantium though the Majesty of the Empire continued still at Rome yet this was a step to the removing of the impediment for by that means the Popes grew in greatness but as the Emperours Authority was lessened so grew that of the Popes who still incroached to themselves more and more Power and that to promote the Apostasie and Derogation from the pure Christian Religion But as soon as he arose he came not to the height of his power either Eccleâ—iastical or Temporal nor shall he presently decay 3. To state the progress of Aâ—tichristian Tyranny is not for a Sermon it filleth whole Books but thus in short About the year 600. or in that Century their Ecclesiastical Power began to be raised when the majesty of the Empire was low and weak in Italy and therefore then was Antichrist advanced a good step when Iohn of Constantinople had usurped the Title of Universal Bishop Gregory the great saith Rex superbiae prope adest the King of Pride is near sacerdotum exercitus ei praeparatur an Army of Priests is prepared to serve him as their General this he fidenter dico I speak confidently and within six years or thereabouts Phocas conferred on Pope Boniface the same Title to ingratiate himself with the people of that part of the Empire after the murder of his Lord and Master and then many superstiâ—ions were gotten into the Church as about the year 688. the Pope obtained of the Emperour the Pantheon or Temple of All-Devils and Consecrated the same to the Virgin Mary and All Saints the temporal Monarchy was long in hatching but yet the beginning of this mystery soon bewrayed it self In the beginning of the seventh Century Constantine the Pope would have his foot kissed like another Dioclesian and in defence of Image worship he openly â—esisted Phillipicus the Emperour of Greece and encouraged Iustine and Anastasius Tyrants and Murderers who submitted themselves to him with Adoration Rebellion and Idolatry have been ever continued since In the year 720. or thereabouts Gregory the second and Third continued the same Idolatry and Rebellion And caused all Italy to withdraw their obedience from the Emperour Leo because he had commanded all Images to be broken and burnt and for the same cause Excommunicated him and took to himself the Coctian Alpes as the gift of the Lombards In the same Century 749. Zachary incourageth and assisteth Pipin to depose his Master Childerick King of France and to take upon him that Kingdom Afterward Adrian took upon him to translate the Empire of the Greeks to the Latines and ever since deposed Emperours and made broils in Kingdoms 2. Gods discovery of him to the World that is when Antichrist was not only extant but impleaded as such and this also was by degrees God raising up in every Age witnesses against the Tyranny and Usurpations that Rome as the Place and the Pope the Person as considered in his succession claiming the same power 500 years before Luther Peter Bruis begun and Henry his Scholar succeeded him and both of them succeeded by the Waldenses and Albigenses then Wickliff the Bohemians who have all pleaded and proved that the Pope was the very Antichrist then Sâ—vanorella in Italy preached this boldly In the fifteenth Centurty about 1500. there were some remainder of the Albigenses about the Alpes some few Reliques of the Hussites and Calixtines in Bohemia so few and so ignorant that they had neither learning nor ability to oppose this potent Tyranny Then God raised up Luther and many other Worthies to assault the Idolatry Tyranny and Errors of the Church of Rome and it is reported in History that the Angel on the top of the Tower S t Angelo was beaten down by a Thunderbolt and in the very Day and in the Church where Pope Leo the Tenth at Rome had Created 31. Cardinals a sudden Tempest dashed the Keys out of the hands of the Image of S t Peter shewing God would begin to take away their Power Vse If God hath revealed Antichrist let no man shut his Eyes but let him be shunned forsaken and abhorred when Christ was to come into the World it was a day of rumours some sent to Iohn Baptist whether he were the Christ others cryed up false Christ and Impostours but the people were alarmed with a general expectation so when Antichrist was to be revealed it was a day of rumours just about the time there was a great expectation some
espouse the common prevailing opinions others adhere to them with much false zeal and superstition These are those who are given up to believe a lie Vses 1. Information 1. To shew us the reason why so many learned men are Captivated by Antichrist and live yet in the Popish Religion for this is a great scruple to many The answer is ready The Lord hath suffered them to be deluded by him whose coming is after the working of Sathan in all power c. Rev. 17.2 The inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication It is an intoxication the errors of that State are plausibly defended and supported by Worldly Interests There is the Witchery of Worldly allurements and the intoxicating Wine of errors defended and owned within their bounds and places of their education and abode So that men have seemed to lose their understandings and not have that advisedness which well becomes a man possibly they may have doubts and checks of Conscience but the name of the Church charmeth them and Worldly magnificence strangely inveagleth them They may know that the Religion professed by Protestants is sincere holy and saving but being allured by Licentiousness or intangled by Covetousness or puffed up with Pride are loth to change or are vanquished and astonished with fear of death and other inconveniencies or it may be do not use that advised and serious deliberation which a matter of Salvation requireth Four causes may be given 1. Self-Confidence God will shew the folly of those that depend on the strength of their own wit Pro. 3. 5 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understandings In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths And therefore will bring to nought the wisdom of the wise and destroy the understanding of the prudent when it is lifted up against the Interests of Christs Kingdom 1 Cor. 1.19 2. Prejudice The Priests and Scribes could readily tell that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem when Herod sent to consult them Matth. 2.4 5 6. yet who more obstinate against him that was born there They expected a temporal Messias and therefore could not see what they saw What was apparent to Children was a riddle to the Rabbies So they expect some open Enemy of the Church to attacque it by power and force little dreaming of a Bishop c. 3. Pride many of the Jewish Church believed in Christ but they did not profess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Ioh. 11.42 43. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God They loved not an hated opinion Many may fear the Pope to be Antichrist but Pride and Interest will not let them submit to a change 4. The Judgment of God is the great cause that men do not or will not know Antichrist God hath not given them eyes to see as Christ was not received in Ierusalem the things of their peace were hid from their Eyes Luk. 19.42 He beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes 2. It sheweth us that the prevalency of this wicked one should be no blemish to providence for the permission of him is one of Gods dreadful providentiaâ— dispensations That it should have such success it raiseth Atheistical thoughts in weak spirits yea it is an offence to the Godly as it is a prejudice to the Truth but God hereby will shew us 1. That there are deceits and errors as well as truth in the World much of choice not chance and lest we should think this an antiquated dispensation to try the professors of the Gospel who lived in the midst of Pagans it cometh nearer to us But he that condemneth all Religion on this account judgeth one â—an for anothers crime which is unjust doth as foolishly as he that thinketh there is no trâ—e money because there are some counterfeit pieces 2. That God in concomitancy with the Gospel will discover his dreadful Justice as well as his wonderful mercy by it that we may tremble whilst we admire grace 3. That it is a great evil to be deceivers or active promoters of delusions and it will not wholly excuse us that we are deceived Matth. 15.14 4. What need all serious Christians have to pray to God not to be led into temptation Alas what would become of us if left to our selves in an hour of temptation 5. Let us fear to sleight the grace offered Among other threatnings God threatneth to smite his people with blindness Deut. 18.28 The Lord shall smite thee with madness and blindness and astonishment of heart 6. What a ready way to destruction it is to measure Religion by Worldly Interests This bred Antichrist kept him up in the World and blindeth hiâ— seduced Proselytes to this day 2. Vse Is caution to take heed of spiritual blindness and infatuation that this Judgment fall not upon us That God leave us not to our own lusts hearts and Counsels without check and restraint It may in part befal Gods people what shall we do to avoid it 1. Take heed of sinning against light either by sins of omission or commission Jam. 4.17 To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin They will find it to be sin in the sad effects 2. Take heed of Hypocrisie in the profession of the truth God oweth the Hypocrites an ill turn and seemeth to be ingaged to discover him before the Congregation Pro. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation and usually it is by giving him up to some licentious practice or strong delusion by which he breaketh the neck of his profession 3. Take heed of Pride and carnal Self-sufficiency God may leave his people to dangerous falls when they make their bosom their Oracle and think to carry all by the strength of their own understanding 2 Chro. 32.31 God left him to try him that hâ— might know all that was in his heart It is good to consult with God continually 4. Take heed of following the rabble Joh. 4.20 Our father 's worshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to worship c. But learn to see by your own eyes That you may have sure evidence you are in Gods way Pro. 24.13 14. SERMON X. 2 Thess. 2.12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2. THeir punishment in the other World Where first the terribleness of it 2. The righteousness and Justice of it 1. The terribleness that they all might be damned That is filling up the measure of their obduration they may at length fall into just condemnation 2. The Justice and Equity of it which is two ways expressed 1.
of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sancâ—ified an unholy Thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace That is were in external Covenant with God and visibly dedicated But there is an other Sanctification which is the Fruit of the Spirit 〈◊〉 a real Change in them 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God Find this and you find a sufficient Evidence Namely if you become new Creatures and be enabled to forsake Sin and follow after that which is pleasing in the sight of God Sancâ—ification of the Spirit is not so much known by Dedication and Profession but by â—he real and fixed inclination of your Souls to God and Heaven and living accordingly you are turned to God and live to God 2. Your belief of the Truth that is of the Gospel Now this is meant not of a dead Faith or such a cold Assent as only begets an Opinion in us of the truth of Christian Religion but such a lively Faith as bringeth us under the power of it For it is opposed to them that do not receive the Truth in the love of it Ver. 10. To them that believed not the Truth because they had pleasure in Vnrighteousness Ver. 12. That lived under the power of fleshly and worldly Lusts. And it is spoken of them who had received the Truth so as to obey it and suffer for it as the Thessalonians are described all along And in short such a belief of the Truth as caused them to enter into Covenant with Christ and make conscience of their Fidelity to him And here in this Verse we learn That a bare belief of the Truth doth not save unless accompanied with the Sanctification of the Spirit And therefore both must be taken together when the Word cometh to us not in Word only but in Power and much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost it is an infallible evidence of our Election of God 1 Thess. 1.5 Alas many have a general cold belief of the Gospel that never felt the effect of it upon their Hearts 4. Observe the necessary Connection that is between both these Means The Sanctification of the Spirit and the Belief of the Truth 1. There is a necessary Connection between them as between the Cause and the Effect For none are powerfully drawn to believe in Christ but such as are Sanctified by his Spirit It is not in the power of any Creature to incline us to God or bring us to come to him by Christ. But this Work is wholly reserved to the Spirit And so the Lord himself doth powerfully bring to pass his own Decrees as by Christ Redeeming so by the Spirit Sanctifying The Spirit is the Author both of Faith and Holiness Saving Grace is called a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature Ephes. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good Works which God hath before ordaineâ— that we should walk in them And to Create is the Work of a Divine Power Creatâ—re and Creator are Relatives And certainly the noblest Creature such as the New Creature is cannot be framed by any but God It is called a New Birth and the New Birth is only from the Spirit Iohn 3.5 6. Well then these are fitly coupled the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth That God's Work may make way for ours 2. There is the Connection of Concomitancy between the Gospel and the Spirit The Spirit only goeth along with the Gospel and no other Doctrine and so both external and internal Grace are of God John 17.17 Sanctifie them by thy Truth thy Word is Truth It was fit that a Super-natural Doctrine should be accompanied with a Supernatural Operation and Power How else should it be known to be of God The Truth and the Spirit are inseparable Companions Where there is little of God known there is little of his Spirit As in the Natural Truth revealed to the Heathens Somewhat God shewed unto them Rom. 1.19 In the darker Revelation to the Iews there is but a fainter degree of the Spirit but Grace and Truth come by Iesus Christ. There goeth along with the Doctrine of the Gospel a mighty Spirit of Holiness for thereby God would prove the Verity and Truth of this Religion and suitably to the rich Mercy prepared for us in Christ. 3. There is a subordination of Faith to this Work of the Spirit by the Truth For the greatest Things work not till they be considered and beliâ—ved 1 Thess. 2.12 Ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which worketh effectually also in you that believe A sound Belief produceth strong Affections and strong Affections govern our Practice and Conversation So that fitly are these things united as the fruits of our Election and means of Salvation 2. Why this is the great matter of our thansgiving to God That I shall evidence in the following considerations 1. That Thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty expresly injoin'd by him and expected from us 1 Thess. 5.18 In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Iesus When God hath interposed his Will all debates are silenced If there were nothing else in the case this is motive enough to a gracious Heart for the fundamental reason of all obedience is the Will of God Our thankfulness is no benefit to God yet he is pleased with it as it sheweth our Honesty and Ingenuity And to us Christians the very Life and Soul of our Religion is Thankfulness therefore God will have us continually exercised in it Heb. 13.15 Let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise continually that is the fruit of our Lips giving thanks unto his Name As our understanding was given us to think of God and know him So our speech was given us to speak of God and praise him We praise God for all his works we give him thanks for such as are beneficial to us In Praise we ascribe all Honour Excellency and Perfection unto him In giving thanks we express what he hath done for our selves or others Now this must be done continually for God is continually beneficial unto us by daily Mercies giving us new matter of Praise and Thanksgiving Besides there are some Mercies so great that they should never be forgotten 2. That we are to give thanks chiefly for Spiritual and Eternal Mercies Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. For we cannot give thanks rightly without a just esteem of the Mercy we give thanks for But spiritual and eternal Mercies do much excel those that are temporal and transitory We are bound to bless the Lord for
again the words of Path and Feeâ— The one signifieth our Way and general Course the other all our particular Actions so far as Religion is concerned in them we have directions in the Word about them Besides Man's condition is such that he needeth a Supernatural Remedy by a Redeemer which depending upon the meer Love and free Grace of God cannot be found out by Natural Light left to us for that only can judg of things necessary but not of such things as depend upon the meer Pleasure of God therefore a Divine Revelation there must be 2. Since it is necessary that God should some way or other reveal his Mind to his People it must be done by Oracles Visions Dreams or by extraordinary Messengers who by word of Mouth might convey it to us Or else by Writing or â—y ordinary Teachers whose Lips may preserve Knowledg in the Church The former ways might sufâ—ice while God saw fit to reveal but a few Truths and such as do not burden the Memory and Men were long-liv'd and of great Simplicity and the Church was confined within a small compass of Ground and not liable to so many Miseries and Changes as now in the latter Ages but when once God had spoken to us by his Son â—hose extraordinary Ways ceased Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past to the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last Times spoken to us by his Son As formerly God did speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in divers manners That is to say by Visions Oracles Dreams and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at sundry times by several Steps and Degrees he acquainted the World with the Truths necessary for Man to know delivering them out by Portions not altogether at once till he came who had the Spirit without measure John 3.34 The Prophets to whom God revealed himself before by Visions Oracles Dreams or the coming of the Spirit upon them had the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by measure to fit them for some particular Errand or Message on which God sent them But when God sent his Son out of his Bosom to reveal the whole Doctrine of Faith at once and to declare his Fathers Will with full Authority and Power he fixed and closed up the Rule of Faith So 't was not fit that after him there should come any extraordinary Nuncio's and Embassadors from Heaven or any other should be owned as Infallible Messengers but such as he immediately sent abroad in the World to disciple the Nations Therefore all former extaordinary ways ceased and we are left to the ordinary Rule stated by Christ. 3. Being left to the ordinary Rule it was necessary it should be taught not only by word of Mouth but committed to Writing For Christ is ascended into Heaven and the Apostles do not live for ever and we have no Men now that are immediately and divinely inspired And ordinary Pastors and Teachers cannot make more Articles of Faith but do only build on the Apostles Foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 or that divinely inspired Doctrine which they delivered to the Church Yea that Doctrine cannot well be preserved from oblivion and corruption without writing Therefore God accounted this the safest way those things that are only delivered by word of mouth or from hand to hand may easily be changed corrupted or utterly lost Certainly if you consider Man's Sloth Treachery Levity and the many vile Affections which may easily induce him to extinguish or corrupt the Truth which is contrary to them you will see that it is necessary there should be an Authentic Record by which Truth and Error might be tried and distinguished Yea that the Church which is dispersed throughout the World might have Truth at hand and perticular Believers have this Doctrine ever by them for their comfort and use it being the property of a Blessed Man to delight in the Law of God and to exercise himself therein day and night Psal. 1.2 In short while the Apostles were living 't was good to take the Tradition from their Mouth but now they are dead we take it from their Writings Surely if God saw some Writing necessary when those extraordinary ways we spake of before were in use and the Church of the Old Testament was in a much quieter estate than the Church of the New I say if some writing were necessary then it is more necessary now for the Christian Church is more exposed to dreadful storms of Persecution the deceits of Heretics of all sorts especially to the frauds of Antichrist which we are forewarned of in this Chapter and are detected and discovered by their contrariety to the written Word 4. This Truth being written it is both a safe and a full Rule for us to walk by It is a safe Rule because it is written by the Apostles and Evangelist holy Men moved by the Holy Ghost The Apostles did not lose their Infallibility when they committed what they preached to writing the same Spirit that assisted them in delivering the Doctrine by word of mouth assisted them also when they delivered it by writing And it is a full and sufficient Rule because it containeth all things which are necessary for Men to believe and do in order to Eternal Life Let them name what is necessary beyond what is recommended there or may be delivered from thence Yea it doth contain not only all the Essential but also the Integral parts of the Christian Religion and therefore nothing can be any part of our Religion which is not there The Direction of old was 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 Every thing was then tried by Moses and the Prophets every thing must be now tried by the Prophets and Apostles which is our Foundation of Faith Worship and Obedience Ephes. 2.20 5. That which we blame in the Papists is That they cry up a private unproved unwritten Tradition of their own as of equal authority with this safe and full Rule which is contained in this written Word of God Their Crime and Fault may be considered partly with respect to the Object and Matter that these Traditions are not indifferent Customs but essential Points necessary to Faith and Christian practice And so though a Christian be never so thorow and sound in his obedience to the Word of God and true to the Baptismal Covenant yet if he submitteth not to these unwritten Traditions he wants some Point necessary to Faith and Practice and so to Life eternal which is contrary to Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned And Iohn 17.3 This is Life Eternal to know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Partly as to the Subject as they make their own Faction to be the only keepers of these things and that nothing is to be
good Word and Work VVE come now to the Apostle's second Request for them and stablish you in every good Word and Work By every good Word is meant sound Doctrine by every good Work holiness of Life Doct. Establishment in Faith and Holiness is a needful Blessing and earnestly to be sought of God 1. What this Establishment is 2. How needful 3. Why it is to be sought of God I. What this Establishment is Answ. Confirmation in the Grace that we have received Now this Confirmation must be distinguished 1. With respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted there is Habitual Confirmation and Actual Confirmation 1. The Habitual Confirmation is when the habits of Grace are more setled and increased 1 Pet. 5.10 The God of all Grace Strengthen Stablish Settle you God hath effectually called and converted them and he beggeth the strengthning of the Grace which they had received Now thus we are established when Faith Love and Hope are increased in us for these are the Principles of all Spiritual Operations and when they have gotten good strength in us a Christian is more established 1. Faith is necessary for we stand by Faith Rom. 11.20 Because of unbelief they were broken off but thou standest by Faith We do not only live by it but stand by it and are kept by it 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation He is strong that is strong in Faith as Abraham was that believeth the Gospel and can venture his All upon it and trust himself in God's hands whatever befalleth him Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not That was the Grace likely to be assaulted and would most keep him had he bin persuaded that Jesus was the Son of God would he have denied him with Oaths and Execrations 2. Love is strong We are told Cant. 8.6 That Love is as strong as Death many Waters cannot quench it If a man would give all the substance of his House it would utterly be contemned It will not be bribed or quenched Our Backsliding cometh from losing our complacency in or desire of God There is an averseness from Sin and zeal against it as long as we have a sense of our Obligations to God and a value and esteem of his Grace in Christ then we continue in delightful obedience to him and level and direct our actions to his Glory 3. Hope is necessary to stablish the Soul on the promise of Eternal Life For this is the sure and stedfast Anchor of the Soul Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast If Hope be strong and lively present things do not greatly move us 2. Actual Establishment when these Habits are fortified and quickned by the actual Influence of God As God doth establish by these habitual Principles so by the actual motions of his Spirit for otherwise neither the stability of our Resolutions nor of Gracious Habits will support us Not stability of Resolutions Psal. 73.2 As for me my Feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt Not Habits Rev. 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen those things which remain that are ready to die It is true God ordinarily worketh most strongly with strongest Graces because their Hearts are most prepared yet sometimes weak Christians have gone through great Temptations when strong ones have failed Rev. 3.8 Thou hast a little strength and hast kept my Word and hast not denied my Name Sometimes the strong Christian stumbleth and falleth when the weak standeth God may in an instant confirm a weak Person in some particular Temptation by his free Assistance but ordinarily concurreth with the strongest Grace Thus with respect to the Power wherewith we are assisted 2. With respect to the Object or Matter about which it is conversant stablished in every good Word and Work stability in the Doctrine of Faith and Practice of Godliness 1. In the Doctrine of Faith It is a great advantage in the Spiritual Life to have a sound Judgment Some Men are never well grounded in the Truth and in the nature and reasons of that Religion which they do profess and then are always left to a wandering uncertainty because they resolve not upon Evidence as Men ordinarily abide not in the place to which they are driven by a Tempest or the current of the Tides rather than by aim and choice though they take shelter there for the present 1 Thess. 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good Certainly Religion in the general must be taken up by Choice and not by Chance not because we know no other but because we know no better As Jer. 6.16 Stand ye in the Ways and see and ask for the old Paths where is the good Way and walk therein And the same is true of particular Opinions and Controversies about Religion till we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3.17 We stand by the stedfastness of others when we profess the Truth meerly because of Company and when the Chain â—s broken we all fall to pieces Now we ought to be well settled left we appear to the World with a various Face which breedeth Atheism in others and Shame to our selves It is possible in particular things future Light may disprove present Practice but then we must be able to give a very sufficient account of it Luther when he was charged with Apostacy Consitetuâ— se esse Apostatam sed beatum sanctum qui sidem Diabolo datam non servavit While we cry up Constancy we must not cherish stubborn Prejudice which shuts the Door upon Truth However to avoid the opinion of Lightness before Religious Persons profess any thing their warrant need to be very clear both for the World's sake and their own that they may not make needless Troubles and afterwards change their Mind to the scandalizing of others And their own sake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 James 1.8 A double-minded Man is unstable in all his ways And we had need to take care to be right because every error hath an influence upon the Heart and Practice Upon the Heart as it weakeneth Faith and Love and Practice Some Opinions have no malignity in themselves yet the profession of them may divide the Church and make us by Contentions Enemies of the growth and progress of Christ's Kingdom Now if we would be established in the Truth we must see what Influence every Truth hath upon the new Nature either as it worketh towards God by Faith to keep up our respects to him or Men by Love as it furthereth our Duties to them A Man will not easily let go Truth that is wont to turn it into Practice and to live as he believeth Once more we need to be established in the present Truth it is no zeal to fight with Ghosts and antiquated Errors but take God's part in our time but usually the Orthodoxy of the World is an Age too