nature 3. Others say it was because she was better knowen to Believers But there is no great matter in this placing of their names for in other places the husband is named before the wife as Acts 18.2 26. 1 Cor. 16.19 And the Houshold of Onesiphorus This Onesiphorus was a good man and answered to his good name He was very loving and constant to Paul even in his bonds at Rome 2 Tim. 1.16 17 18. As the Apostle before Chap. 1.16 praied for the house of Onesiphorus so here he salutes them By house here is meant by a Metonimy of the subject very frequent in Scripture the people in the house as wife children servants which may serve as an answer to that Cavill of the sottish illiterate Quakers who revile us for calling the place where the Church meets The Church when this Metonimy is so frequent in Scripture The house for the people in the house and the Church for the people that meet in the Church The Apostle useth the very word Church in this very sense 1 Cor. 14.28 35. It is a shame for a woman to speak in the Church 4. Observation 4. Good Governours bring a blessing on their Families Onesiphorus is not onely praied for himself and saluted singly but all his houshold also When Zacheus was converted he was not onely blest himself but Salvation came to his house also Luke 19.8 When Lydia and the Iaylor were converted themselves their Families were brought into Covenant with them Acts 16.14 15 33 34. Rahab the harlot by believing preserved her family alive Yea Lot was a blessing to all Sodom the Angel could not destroy it till he was gone out Gen. 19. The Reasons are these 1. The Covenant of Grace is made to the godly and their seed Gen. 17.7 So bountiful a Master do we serve that he will not only shew mercy to the godly themselves but also to thousands of Generations of them that love him and keep his Commandements Psalm 112.2 2. God loves such as resemble him in the beauty of Holynesse now love is of a diffusive Nature it extendeth it self not onely to the party beloved but to all about him If we love a man we will love his Children Servant Beast yea his dog for his Masters sake If this be in the drop what is in the Ocean If this be in the Creature whose love is imperfect finite mixt what is in the Creator who is love it selfe 1 Iohn 4.8 3. In respect of the near Union that is between Master and Servants Parents and children They all make as it were but one body so that if it goe well with the Head it must needs be the better for the Members As the Dew that falleth on the mountains runs down to the Valleyes and the precions Ointment that was poured upon the head of Aaron ran down to the skirts of his clothing Psalm 133. So the blessing which God powers on Governours extendeth it selfe to such as are under them 4. They will endeavour the conversion of such as belong to them It is promised as a blessing to such as live under the good mans shadow that they shall return Hosea 14.7 and grow up fruitfully as the corn in a well tilled field and flourish in the wayes of God like the most generous Vine to the great joy and contentment of themselves and others 5. As an evil man is a publike evil the Family the City the Nation the World yea even his beasts fare the worse for him The wicked Egyptians bring a curse on their cattle Exodus 9.3 when Achan had sinned his sons and Daughters his Oxen Asses sheep and all he had perished and fell with him Joshua 7.24 25. But it is good being a good mans Childe servant yea beast Exodus 9.4 But the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Aegypt there shall nothing die of all that is the children of Israel's God blesseth their very cattle for their sake and if the creatures could speak they would desire to be servants to those that are servants to God Let all Superiours then labour for grace that they may be a means to diffuse it to those about them for true grace is communicative Paul that was converted himselfe desireth that others were like himselfe Acts 26.29 When the woman of Samaria had found Christ she bringeth her neighbours to him Iohn 4.28 when Andrew had found Christ he bringeth Peter with him and Philip bringeth Nathaniel Iohn 1.41 45. They are like a sweet perfume or like Carbuncles and stones of fire which sweeten and enlighten all that are about them Ezekiel 28.16 The prosperity and welfare of the Church lieth much in the well-ordering of Families they are the Nurseries and Seminaries of the Church and therefore Governours of Families should walk before God in their own houses as well as in Gods house with upright hearts Psalm 101.2 2 Samuel 6.20 he returned to blesse his houshold i. to pray and praise God with them See Psalm 30. the Title and Acts 10.1.2 Iob 1.5 To this end therefore must be the morning and the evening sacrifice there Numbers 28.4 Our Prayers are our sacrifices This blesseth all as the Arke when it came to the house of Obed Edom brought a blessing with it so where duties be set up in their power they are a means to blesse our labour rest and children 2. The Word must be Read there Deut. 6.6 7. it must dwell in us not onely sufficiently but Abundantly Col. 3.16 3. Thou must Catechise and teach thy children the way of the Lord betimes Proverbs 22.6 and if David and Bathsheba a King and a Queen taught Solomon when young Proverbs 4.21.4 and 31.1 who shall think himself too good for this duety 4. There must be singing of Psalmes in our houses it is not onely our Duty but our Glory thus to glorifie God 5. Let none be idle in thy family but see that every one have some imployment wherein to serve God for of idleness comes no goodness as I have shewed before on v. 7. 6. Be well advised whom you receive into your Family If a man be to plant an Orchard he will get the chiefest grafts else as one scabbed sheepe infecteth the Flocke so one disordered person may disorder a whole Family 7. There must be a Grave yet amiable carriage towards inferiours remembring that we also have a master in Heaven Many Masters are so high and lordly so pettish and perverse that no servant can please them no service content them They use their servants like dogs rather then Christians such should remember the meekness of Iob 31.13 and how Superiours are called Fathers in Scripture because they should carry a fatherly affection towards their Inferiours Exod. 20.12 8. There must be Discipline As in the Arke there was the Rod of Manna so in every well ordered Family there must be the Manna of Instruction and the Rod of Correction There
gather themselves together against the Church of God with an intent to ruine and rase it even to the foundation these are their thoughts I but they know not my thoughts saith God why what were Gods thoughts Why his thoughts were to make their rising against his people to be their ruine their own counsels to be their own confusion Micah 4.11 12 13. They shall be gathered together as sheaves in the floor arise and thresh O daughter of Zion q. d. Thy enemies thought to come to thresh thee but thou shalt thresh them The work of God in all ages hath been carried on by weak means The Apostles many of them Illiterate fisher-men Luther a Monk King Edward the sixth a Child Queen Elizabeth a Woman no matter how weak the Instrument be if God be the Agent The Brethren 4. Observation 4. All the faithful are Brethren in Christ. In Scripture we read of three sorts of Brethren 1. By Race 2. By Place 3. By Grace 1. By Race such as descend from the same father and mother so Iacob and Esau were brethren and sometimes kinsmen called Brethren as Lot and Abraham 2. By Place such as are of the same Nation thus the Jews called one another Brethren Deut. 23.20 3. By Grace and that Common or Special 1. Common in respect of Creation and so all men are Brethren Gen. 9.5 2. Special in respect of Adoption and so all Believers are Brethren Rom. 1.13 and 8.12 and 12.1 Phil. 1.14 and 4.21 1 Thes. 1.4 and 2.2 1. Iames 1.2 This must needs be so for they have the same God for their Father the same Church for their Mother the same House for their dwelling the same Inheritance for their portion They speak like one another and are cloathed like one another They fight against one common enemy they walk in one path and eye the same Objects Let us then love like Brethren let it not be Verbal but an Affective and Effective love both in heart and deed Rom. 12.10 Heb. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.17 We should part with some of our right for Peace and there should be no contention between us for we are Brethren Gen. 13.8 1 Cor. 6.5 6. We should Sympathize like Brethren a Brother is or should be a second-self We should bear each others sin and sufferings if children of the same Family see one of their fellowes beaten all the rest of the little ones fall a crying about him So should we weep with them that weep and remember those that are in bonds since we our selves are subject to the same afflictions Heb. 13.3 VERS 22. The Lord Iesus Christ be with thy Spirit Grace be with you Amen THE Apostle having finisht his Salutations cometh now to conclude his Epistle with a Comprecation and an Apostolical benediction 1. Of Timothy in particular He prayes that the Lord may be with his Spirit q. d. Be not sad at my departure for though I must leave thee yet the Lord shall be with thee and uphold thee with his Grace 2. He prayes for the rest of the Brethren with him and commends them to Gods grace Grace be with you .i. with you all as it is Heb. 13.25 This is Pauls conclusion written with his own hand in all his Epistles to prevent false Coppies 2 Thes. 3.17 3. He ratifies and seals up all with that concluding Particle Amen Of which see more V. 17. Observations 1. Our special desire should be that God would be with the Spirits of his people By Spirit here is meant that noble faculty of mans Soul called the Understanding or the Mind with the most inward cogitations thereof Luke 1.47 My Spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour .i. My Understanding in the apprehension of this great mercy stirs up all the rest of the powers of my Soul to glorifie God We should pray that God would direct our Spirits in thinking devising judging chusing refusing loving hating Generally that the Lord would lead us by his Spirit as his children inclining our hearts to that which is pleasing in his sight So praid David Psal. 143.10 and Paul Ephes. 3.16 17. This inward presence of Christ with the Spirits of his people is one great part of the reward of their love and obedience to him Iohn 14.21 23. This comforts them under the cross and assures them of their Salvation We should therefore alwayes pray that Christ by his Spirit would be present with our Spirits and that we may so live that he may delight to dwell in us for if he be not with us sin and Satan will soon prevail against us We should therefore labour to find and feel this special presence of Christ in our hearts that we may rejoice in it and lament its absence without it we can do nothing nor understand any thing in the mysteries of Religion for the wisdom of the flesh is not onely an enemy but enmity it self against God Rom. 8.7 The natural man for want of the Spirit of God perceives not the things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 Grace be with you Thus he begins and thus he ends with Prayer for Grace .i. for the free favour and love of God and all other spiritual blessings which accompany it as Pardon of sin Sanctification and Glory 2. Observation 2. Gods favour and grace is principally to be sought even above and before all other things The Apostle doth not say Riches be with you Honours be with you or the favour of men be with you But Grace and Gods favour be with you So in all his Epistles he puts Grace first and Peace which denotes Temporal blessings last Rom. 1.7 Colos. 1.2 Rev. 1.4 Numb 6.25 Psal. 4.6 7. Matth. 6.33 In the Lords Prayer we first beg for spirituals and have six Petitions for that and then for temporals Amen .i. So it is or so let it be or so it shall be 3. Observation 3. What is prayed for must be believed and earnestly desired So much this word Amen implyes They sin then that pray without any understanding fervent desire or belief of what they pray for POST-SCRIPT The second Epistle unto Timothy ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Ephesians was written from Rome when Paul was brought before Nero the second time THese Post-scripts are no part of the Text neither was this added by the Apostle for it contradicts the Text. The Apostle calls Timothy an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 and the Post-script makes him a Bishop The Evangelists were not tied to personal residence in one place as Bishops and Pastors were but they were to go from place to place to confirm the Churches planted by the Apostles Beza observes that this first clause doubtless is spurious it is not extant in divers old coppies and which is much the Vulgar Latin omits it So do the Syriack and Aethiopick Versions So that this is but a very sorry foundation to build the Divine Right of Episcopacy upon FINIS
Fathers Postilers c. This breeds so many Arminians Socinians and Hereticks they are given up in judgement to believe lies for contemning the Scriptures of Truth As for the Schoole-men they bring forth Cobwebs fine for Threed but of no use They torture their Reader with abundance of vermiculate rotten hollow Questions with many needless Queries and Utâ—ums One compares them to a man that hath bread and good wine hanging on both sides yet himself sits hungrily gnawing a flint stone One Austin amongst the ancients and one Question amongst the modern Divines will yield more solid Divinity then all the School-men with their vain disputations Jejune distinctions Quodlibetical idle curious Sceptical Queries and meer speculations Yea Bucer affirms that there is more Holinesse to be found in Seneca then in most of the School-men They darken the Truth by framing all Religion according to the platform of Philosophy confounding the principles of Divinity and Philosophy together Yet by men that are solid seasoned sanctified some good may be picked out of them which shewes the folly of the Papists who cry Plus apud se valere unum Lumbardum Scholastiâ—ae disciplinae Patrem quà m centum Lutheros ducentos Melancthones treâ—entâ—s Bullingeros quadringentâ—s Martyres quingentos Calvinos 2. Others prefer the reading of the Fathers before the sacred Scriptures Though we Reverence the ancient Fathers and blesse God for their Light yet the Ancient of dayes is more ancient then they and his word is to be preferred before all their writings for they were men and had their naevos their failings and infirmities as other men One â—ound reason drawn from Scripture is of more worth and weight then the saying of a thousand Austins Origens Chrysostomes c. Men had need to be well grounded in the Scriptures before they read the Fathers for we should try the Fathers by the Scriptures and not the Scriptures by the Fathers He that will not believe Moses and the Prophets will not believe though one arose from the dead See Rules for Reading and citing the Fathers Perkins 2. Vol. Problem 1. p. 486. D. Hills Serm. on Ier. 6.16 p. 24 25. Mr. Trapps Com. on 2 Tim. 3.16 Weemse Vol. 1. l. 3. c. 1. Reynolds against Hart. cap. 5. Sect. 1. p. 184. Luthers Colloq English cap. 29. It is well observed by a Pious and experienc't Divine that it is a most worthy travail for Students in Divinity to refer all their study first for the true sense of Scripture which onely will make a man a grounded Divine able to teach the truth and confute error 2. For the right use of it in himself and others for amendment of life and all good duties This course have I by experience saith he found profitable and resolved upon viz. to be diligent in reading the holy Scriptures and of them at the least 4. Chapters daily in like manner for the increase of my knowledge to spend 3. houres in the fore-noon in searching out the sense of the hardest places as two in the after-noon in searching out the propriety of the Tongues and other two in perusing the Tracts and Commentaries of learned men one in Meditation and Prayer and what time remains to spend the same in brotherly conference 3. Observe That women and children may and must read the Scriptures Timothy a child knowes the Scriptures and his Grand-mother and his Mother taught him Priscilla a woman instructs eloquent Apollos Act. 18.26 God commands men women and children to hear and learn his law Deuteron 6.6 7 8. and 31.12 and God promiseth it as a special priviledge that in Gospel-times all shall know him from the greatest to the least Ieremy 31.34 All that expect eternal life are commanded to read the Scriptures but women and children expect eternal life as well as others therefore they must read the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 God would not have us strangers to his word he would have it not barely lodge for a night but dwell in us and that not onely sufficiently but richly and abundantly Colossians 3.16 and therefore 't is that he blames his people that when he had preacht to them the Magnalia legis the great and choyce things of his Law yet they accounted them as strange things Hos. 8.12 4. Observe That the Scriptures are not so dark as some would make them if women and children must read them then sure there 's something plain in them As there are Depths in them where the Elephant may swimme so there are Fords where the Lamb may wade The plainness and perspicuity of the Scripture is so fully proved by others that I shall refer you to them for satisfaction See Mr. Leighs Body of Divinity l. 1. c. 8. p. 99. B. Vshers Body of Divinity p. 21. Hildersham on Psalm 51.6 Lect. 102. and Lect. 144. p. 768. Camero de controvers Iudic. cap. 10. pag. 598. Folio Walaeus Loci com p. 143. c. The Holy Scriptures By the Holy Scripture is here meant principally the Old Testament For the New Test. at least all of it was not written when Timothy was a child the Canon was not then compleated Hence Observe That the Scriptures of the Old Testament are the word of God and so are useful for us still Many Sectaries cry out of the Law and the Old Testament as a low poor mean thing when the Holy Ghost here calls it The Holy Scripture which is able to make us wise unto salvation How contrary is the Language of these profane men to the Language of Gods Spirit This is a great Controversie in our dayes I shall therefore 1. By Arguments prove the Old Testament to be Authentick and still in force 2. I shall answer all the Anabaptistick Cavils that are raised against it 3. I shall make some brief Application 1. The Scriptures of the Old Testament are of Divine Authority Canonical a Rule of Faith and good Life which appears thus 1. that which Christ and his Apostles have commended to us as a Rule of Faith and good Life must needs be of Divine Authority and ought still to be observed by us but Christ and his Apostles have commended the Old Testament to us as a Rule of Faith and good Life Ergo The Major no Sober man will deny The Minor I prove First from Iohn 5.39 Christ sends us to the Old Testament and bids us search those Scriptures for the New Testament was not then written Now to what end should we search them if they were of no validity So Paul tells us Romans 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time viz. in the Old Testament they were written for our Learning Apollos is commended for his admirable dexterity in opening the Scriptures of the Old Testament Acts 18.24 2. Christ and his Apostles to shew the Divine Authority of the Old Testament even in Gospel times did fetch Arguments out of the Old to confirm many points of Doctrine and Practice when some doubted whether Christ
them for salvation the same word is used for sufficient 1 Tim. 4.8 3. Objection Though All the Scripture be thus profitable yet the whole is not saith Bellarmine Answer Who so blind as they that will not see what is this but to seek a knot in a bulrush and to make doubts where there are none at all This is to trifle and not to dispute for who knowes not that All Scripture and the whole Scripture are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equivalent and the same So All is taken in other places Collectively and not distributively as 1 Cor. 13.2 Colos. 2.9 Ephesians 2.21 and 3.15 and 4.16 These rubs being removed the sense of the place is this q. d. Great is the Dignity and Authority the Majesty and Utility of the Holy Scriptures That Gift of Gifts which have not Angels or Men but God himselfe for their more immediate Authoâ—r It is he that hath given them to informe the ignorant to recall the erronions to correct the vitious and to direct and comfort the Pious So that by reading and studying this Word of God the People of God and specially the Teacher of Gods People may be made every way fit and compleat for all the services of his calling Observe That the sacred Scriptures are the very word of God Holy men were but the Instruments 't is God that is the Authour of them they were but the spirits amanuenses to write what he should dictate to them Hence it is called the word of God Mark 7.13 2 Cor. 2.17 and 4.2 1 Thes. 4.15 the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and is ascribed solely to the Spirit of God without mentioning any Authour Heb. 10.15 what was uttered by the mouthes of the Prophets God spake what they delivered was by direction and inspiration from above Hence the Holy Ghost is said to speak by the mouth of David Acts 1.16 and 4.25 and 28.25 and the word of the Lord is said to come to Hos. 1.1 and Ioel 1.1 Ier. 1.9 Ezek. 1.3 Heb. 1.1 2. and as the Old Testament so the New is the very word of God for the whole Scripture is given by inspiration from above and the Apostle tells us that he had received from the Lord what he delivered to them 1 Cor. 11.23 and Rom. 1.1 and 15.18 this made the Apostles stile themselves the servants of Christ. Philip. 1.1 Titus 1.1 Iames 1.1 1 Pet. 1.1 Iude 1 the foundation of the Church is said to be the Prophets i. e. the Old Testament and the Apostles i e. the New Testament Ephes. 2.20 So that the Authority of Scripture is greater then of an Angels voyce and of greater perspicuity and certainty to us for besides inspiration 't is both written and sealed This is fundamentum fundamentorum a fundamental point very necessary to be knowne for we can never profit by the scriptures till we believe and are perswaded that they are the very word of God he that believes not this believes nothing and the very ground of all that Atheisme and profanenesse both in Doctrine and Manners which abounds amongst us springs from hence Have at the Root then and have at all lay the Axe to it and the branches will soon wither To prove the Divine Authority of the Scriptures See 18. Reasons in Bishop Vshers Body of Divinity and 18. Reasons in Ward on Matthew 1.1 p. 1 2 c. Stock on the Attributes chapt 4. Mr. Iohn Downams Warfar l. 2. c. 21. p. 160. Fol. Capel on Tentat l. 4. c. 4. Sangar's Morning Lect. p. 4.20 Mr. Leighs Body of Divinity l. 1. c. 2. Walaeus loc com p. 124 125. Wo then to those Blasphemous Hereticks and Atheistical Scepticks the Anti-scripturists of our age that cry up their own perfection and cry down the Scriptures as imperfect that cry up themselves as Gods and cry down Christ as man that cry up their own dreams and cry down the word which condemns those dreams even as the Malefactor exclaimes against the Judge which he knowes will condemn him O hellish pride O hideous horrid blasphemy Wo is me that ever it should be told in Gath and published in the streets of Askelon that England which was sometimes the glory of Nations should now for such blasphemies as those become the scorn and reproach of all the Nations round about us Yet such there are perhorresco refereus that say the Scriptures are not of Divine but of Humane authority and invention that the Pen-men wrot what pleased themselves that they are no foundation of Christian religion c. Strange it is to me to find Mr. Iohn Goodwin a man of such knowledge and parts so well versed in Scripture a Preacher and expounder of it so long yet now in his old age to fall into that ragged Regiment of Anti-scripturists Yet thus it is when once men give way to sin and error they know not when nor where they shall rest Whither will not Pride and Selfe-conceit lead men As Christ was crucified between two Theeves so are the Scriptures vilified by two sorts by Papists on the one hand and Atheistical Sectaries on the other but all in vain for magna est veritas praevalebit The Truth still gets ground against them all Many Libertines cry out against us Ministers as Antichristian but whether come nearer Antichrist we or they the ensuing Parallel will declare for though their Heads took severall wayes yet like Sampsons Foxes they are tyed together with firebrands at their tayles Papists call the Scriptures 1. A Nose of wax or Rule of lead which may be bowed every way as men please 2. Inky Divinity 3. They are fallible 4. They are insufficient without unwritten Traditions 5. They prefer the Church before them 6. To defend their errours they wrest the Scriptures and make them Allegorize without a cause 7. Sometimes they take the bare Letter and will admit of no exposition 8. What blasphemous nonsensicall expositions the Friers made of the Scripture former ages can testify See Willets Tetrastilon Pillar 3. Synops. p. 1296. Atheisticall Anti-scripturists say 1. They are uncertain 2. A dead Letter 3. They are not infallible 4. They are insufficient without Revelations 5. They prefer the dark light within them before them 6. So do these yea some have turned all Scriptures into Allegories 7. So do these 8. What Non-sensical ones these make who lists may see in Mr. Brinsley's Virtigo p. 133 134. and Mr. Firmin against the Quakers Should these men have spoken but half so much against the Higher Powers as they have done against God and his word they would quickly have been apprehended for Traytors yea if a man steal above thirteen-pence half peny 't is death by the Law but if a man blaspheme the God of heaven revile the Scriptures and overthrow the very foundations of Religion there 's little or nothing done to such a one Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish and unwise Is this the thanks we
be a glorious coming In his first coming he vayled and covered his glory Phil. 2.7 But now he 'l reveal and display it so that the glory of a thousand Suns made into one will be as darkness compared to the glory of that day when Christ shall come in the glory of the Father attended with Myriads and ten thousond thousand of glorious Angels Dan. 7.10 and all the Saints that ever have been attending him 1 Thes. 1.13 The Scripture speaks much of the glory of this second coming Matth. 19.27 and 24.30 Mark 8. ult and 13.26 Colos. 3.4 Philip. 3.21 Titus 2.12 1 Iohn 3.2 Iude 6.14 At first he came in a poor abased condition to be judged and condemned by man but now he comes to judge his Judges and to condemn the world for its sin Now Pilate must to the Bar and Christ is on the Throne At first he was attended by twelve poor Fisher-men contemptible persons in the worlds eye because his Kingdom was not of this world but now he hath a glorious train of Saints and Angels to attend him 2. As Christ the Head so the Saints his Members shall then appear in glory Here we are in our Minority in our Pilgrimage and our life is hid Colos. 3.3 Under many tentations tribulations persecutions doubts diseases desertions perplexities infirmities and sins Our spiritual life is hid under much corruption there is such a smoak and smother in the soul that the godly can hardly see Gods face Grace in a good mans soul is like a Jewel in a pond of mud 't is there but there must be much raking to find it Now 't is Winter with us and tho we are the sons of God yet it appears not what we are 1 John 3.2 But when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Colos. 3.4 Here it may be thou art poor and hast not a house of thine own to dwell in I but if thou belong to Christ the time is at hand when thou shalt have more glory then all the Monarchs in the world ever had Dives will not be Lazarus now Aye but he would be glad to be Lazarus then Wherefore let all the Saints which suffer for Christ now comfort themselves with the remembrance of the glory to come Matth. 20.32 1 Pet. 4.13.14 Heb. 12.2 Let it quicken us to be much in glorifying God here who hath promised to glorify us with himself hereafter Iohn 17.4 5. 1 Thes. 2.12 If any would see more on the day of judgement let him peruse those that write on that Article in the Creed and those that write on the four last things See Byfield on Colos. 3.4 and M. Love on Colos. 3.4 Ser. 4. M. Burges M. Baxter M. Durhams Ser. on Iames 5.9 M. Sam. Smith Grand Assize M. Burroughs Saints Treasury on Heb. 9.27 Barlow on 2 Tim. 1.8 D. Tayler in Folio in Fine lib. p. 54. VERSE 2. Preach the Word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrine IN these Words we have the duty expressed to the due performance of which the Apostle so solemnely and seriously adjures Timothy and in him all the Ministers of the Gospel successively to the end of the World viz. to Preach the Word I may call it The Preachers Directory Where we have 1. A duty enjoyned viz. the Preaching of the Word 'T is not a Toleration but an Injunction 't is not a bare allowance but a peremptory command as of that which not onely may be done but upon the greatest peril must be done 2. The time when we must Preach or the measure how oft we must preach it must be in season and out of season i. at all times as occasion shall require 3. Here is the manner how this duty may be rightly performed viz. 1. In general by being instant and zealously urgent in it by indefatigable industry and undaunted resolution 2. Particularly by discharging the particular duties of our office which are to Reprove Rebuke Exhort 3. By a due Qualification and right tempering of all these with Long-suffering and Doctrine with Lenity and Instruction Preach The Word is Metaphorical and is borrowed from Heralds and publick Cryers which are sent from Rulers and States to make known their minds and edicts plainely and punctually to the people The Word is taken two wayes in Scripture 1. Largely and improperly for any declaration of Gods wisedom power praise and goodness thus every creature may be called a Preacher so the Heavens preach Gods praise Psal. 19.1 and 145.6 Isai. 60.6 Thus every man is a Preacher and must shew forth Gods praise in his place and sphear 1 Pet. 2.9 Thus reading the Word may be called Preaching But the Question is not whether reading in some sense may not be called Preaching taking Preaching in a large sense for any Declaration of Gods Will but the question is whether it be Ministerical preachingâ— whether when the Apostle bids us divide the word aright he meanes no more then to read aright and when he saith who is sufficient for these things he mean who is able to read a Chapter 2. 'T is taken strictly and properly so in the Text for the action of a lawful Minister who in an Authoritative way doth soundly interpret the Word and apply it to his hearers This is the formal act and duty of the Ministry 't is a Pastoral Act which is not common to every gifted Brother in the Flock Others may be speakers as they call themselves of Blasphemy Heresie Nonsence but none are true Preachers but such as are sent by God in an ordinary orderly way Romans 10.15 These have their Commission from God to declare all his Counsel with Majesty and Authority publickly and power-fully fully and faithfully to his people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbum The Word We must not Preach our own inventions Non quicquid in bucâ—as venerit our own idle addle conceits but we must Preach the pure Will and Word of God revealed to us in the Scriptures of the Old and new Testament So much the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth Luke 11.28 Acts 11.19 2 The Gospel is called the Word by way of Eminency because it contains the marrow and Quintescence the summe and substance of the Word Iohn 17.8.14 Acts 13.26 and 15.7 Eph. 1.13 This is called the written inspired created Word 3. There is the Essential Divine and uncreated Word and this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Christ himself who is the subject of the Gospel Iohn 1.1 In the begining was the Word i The Eternal Son of God the Essential Word of his Father so called because he is the summe and substance of that Word in him that great promise Genesis 3.15 yea and all the promises are made good to us Now a Minister must preach the whole Word Acts 20.27 but more especially Christ and his Gospel Thus Iohn Baptist was a Crier
preach the Gospel purely and sincerely not shrinking from his Duty for any persecutions or troubles whatsoever Evangelists were Extraordinary Officers but Temporary they were Coadjutors and Helpers of the Apostles in spreading and publishing the Gospel They for the most part attended on them and watered what they planted Acts 8.39 40. Ephesians 4.11 such a one was Timothy as appeareth 1 Corinthians 4.17 and 16.10 and 2.1 1. Philippians 2.19.22 Now Paul maketh â—n honourable mention of Timothies office First The better to incourage him in the faithfull discharge of his Duety against all Opposition Secondly That the VVorld might see he had Authoritie for what he did 4. Sincerity Least any should accuse thee of negligence make full proof of thy Ministery fulfill and accomplish it Let it be fully known q. d. So behave thy self in this Office that men may be able to charge thee justly with nothing but rather approve of thee in all things Let the VVorld see that thou makest it thy own and onely work to winn soules by a faithfull discharge of every part of thy Ministery both in publick and private revealing the whole Counsel of God and boldly rebuking all sorts of sinners By Ministery is not here meant any Civil Office or attendance on the Poor as the Word importeth in Scripture but it noteth the Office of Preaching the Gospel which is called The Ministery Colossians 4.17 and the Preachers of it Ministers 1 Corinthians 5.3 Colossians 1.7 by way of Eminency Verse 6. The Apostle giveth a Reason for this his so serious an Exhortation drawn from the time of his death which he discerned to be now at hand and therefore he Exhorteth Timothy to be so much the more diligent that the Church might not suffer by his negligence after his departure g. d. So long as I lived I was a Father a Counsellor and a quickner of thee both by word and example thou hast hitherto had my help but now thou must shift for thy selfe and swimme without one to hold thee up for the time of my Martyrdome is now at hand Hence briefly Observe That we must not onely be goâ—d whilest we have good company as King Joash was when de had good Jehojada the Priest to quicken him 2 Kings 12.2 but when good men leave us yet must we not leave our goodnesse Galathians 4.18 Philippians 2.12 A man that is truely good is alwayes good in all places times and companies he is still the same In this verse we have Pauls intimation of his death Verse 7. We have a briefe Narration of his life Verse 8. VVe have his hope and expectation after this life 1. By a Spiritual instinct he saw that his departure was at hand and his Martyrdome near He was now in his last bonds and he saw the cruell actings in Nero's Court against him and therefore he concludes he had not long to live 2. The Terms and Titles by which the Apostle setteth forth his death unto us are worth the observing 1. He calleth it an offering I am now ready to be offered up as a sweet sacrifice to God in my Martyrdome for his Name 'T is usual in Scripture to put that in the Present Tense as done which yet was not done till afterward Thus Christs body is said to be broken and his blood powred out Matthew 26.28 i. This was shortly after to be done on the Crosse So Matthew 26.45 Iohn 20.15 and 14.3 The Word in the Original is very Pathetical and Emphaticall it signifieth a Drink-offering he was now ready to be offered up as a Drink-offering on Gods Altar he chuseth this word rather then that of Sacrifice 1. because the Drink-offering saith Chrysostome was offered up whole but so was not the Sacrifice for part of it was given to the Priests 2. This consisting of Wine and Oyle which was powred out when a meat-offering was made was most fit to set forth the death by which he should die viz. by shedding his blood for Christ which he cheerfully powred out as a Drink-offering to God in sealing of his Truth This is the most genuine sense of the Word it signifieth a Libation or Drink-offering of which we have frequent mention in the Law which the Septuagint render by the word in the Text when they powred out Wine Water Oyle or the like in Sacrifice to God this they called a Powred-out-offering or an effusion because it was onely of moist things Thus Genesis 14. Exodus 30.9 Leviticus 23.13 Numbers 6.15 and 15.5.12 and 28.7 Deuteronomy 32.33 2 Samuel 23.16 17. 2 Kings 16.13 Ieremiah 32.29 and 44.17.25 So that by this allusion he seemeth to Intimate the manner of his death which was not by being offered as an Holocaust or Burnt-offering by fire as the Martyrs were but by a death wherein his blood was shed and powred out viz. by beheading He doth not say I shall now be slain as some vile guilty person but I shall now be offered up in Martyrdome as a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God 3. He useth this Metaphorical word to intimate his Confirmation of the Truth he had preached As the aspersion of blood Blood or Wine was used in sacrifices for the Confirmation of Covanants or as Covenants were confirmed by effusion of VVine which the parties contracting had first tasted of so his death was not onely an oblation or Sacrifice but a Libamentum a Drinke-offering powred out for Comformation of the Gospel which he had preached The Apostle expresseth this more clearly Phil. 2.17 Yea if I be offered upon the Sacrifice and service of your faith â— joy with you all q. d. I have not onely laboured amongst you but if I may die for the confirmation of your Faith and be powred out as a drink-offering for the sealing of the Doctrine which I have taught you it shall be that whereof I shall rejoyce together with you Let Nero kill me because I converted you and others to the Faith it shall not troâ—ble me but I will freely give my self in sacrifice for you that you may be â—n Oblation to God and my Blood the Drink-offering that so I may offer up an intire Sacrifice to God Briefly the Levitical Sacrifice consisted of two parts 1. There was the Victima the Sacrifice it self viz. a Bullock a Râ—m or the like 2. There was the Libamen the Drink-offering of Wine Oyle or the like now the Philippians faith was the sacrifice which was seasoned with Pauls blood as a Drink-offering 2. He setteth forth his death unto us by the term of A departure or dissolution T is not a destruction but a resolution or loosing of the soul from the bonds of the body Death is a taking asunder the parts of which we are composed 't is a freeing the soul from this house of Clay The same word is used Philippians 1.23 I desire to be dissolved q. d. I desire to be discharged and released out of the Prison of
Lord the Jehovah the true and the living God coessential and coequal with his Father Neither is the Title of God and Lord given to Christ Secundarily Improperly and Metaphorically as they are given to Angels and Magistrates as the Socinians affirme â— yea Catachristically and abusively Idols Devils and mens bellies are called their gods But the Title is given to Christ Primarily and properly as the Creator and Preserver of all things the Lord Paramount of all the World the King of Kings and Lord of Lords But of this at large before V. 1. And strengthned me 3. Observation 3. Strengthning grace is the gift of God He doth not onely give us Renewing grace and then leave us to our own free-will but he giveth us persevering grace also As he is the Author of our grace by Vocation so he is the finisher of it by preservation He confirmeth and establisheth us unto the end 2 Cor. 1.21 Hence David calleth God his Rocke Psalm 18.2 and we are commanded to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might Ephes. 6.10 It is he that doth enable us and strengthen us with all might in our inward man 1 Coloss 1.11 1 Timothy 1.12 A little strength will not doe because we have no little enemies to encounter but we must be strengthned with all might and with all Patience that we may doe all the good we can withstand all the evil we can and patiently suffer when we can withstand no longer Rest not content that you are Babes in Christ and have grace begun but grow till you become strong men in Christ. To this end we must be sensible of our own exceeding weakness nothing stronger then Humility that goeth out of it self nothing weaker then Pride that rests on its own bottom That by me the Preaching might be fully known 4. Observation 4. Whilest God hath any work for his servants to doe he will assist and uphold them in despite of all oppositions Though Nero rage against Paul and all men forsake him yet God will assist him that he may preach the Gospel to the world We need not fear the Foxes and Furies of the times we have our day and to morrow to work in and till that time which God hath allotted us be expired all the Devils in Hell and all the Dogs in the world cannot remove us Luke 13.32 How long was David vext with ungodly men yet he slept not till he had served his generation Acts 13.36 Herod sought to kill Peter but at the Prayers of the Church the prisoner is rescued out of his hands yet when he had finished his work and was ripe for Martyrdome then he falls with ease Ahab and Iezabel seek the life of Elijah yet was he preserved till he had finisht his work and then was he translated Luther was oft cursed by many Popes yet he finisht his course and died in Peace Queen Elizabeth was also cursed by many Popes but God turned the curses of those Romish Balaams into blessings for she outlived nine or ten of them and at last died in her bed full of dayes riches and honour Our comfort is that our times are not in our enemies hands but in the hands of a gracious God who best knows how long it is good for us to live and when to die Psalm 31.15 when we have finisht our course he will take us to himself in glory Iohn 17.4 5. Let us then faithfully discharge the duties of our several places and commit the success to God in whose hand is our life and all that we possess And that all the Gentiles might heare 5. Observation 5. God would have his Truth revealed to the sons of men He would have the Gospel known fully known to the Gentiles to all the Gentiles yea to all Nations whether Jewes or Gentiles Mat. 28.19 Truth is good and the more common it is the better where it getteth ground Satans Kingdome falleth like lightning from Heaven suddenly and irresistably Luke 10.18 Let none then hide their Talents but as the Sun freely communicateth its light and heat to us so let us freely impart our gifts unto others See eight quickning considerations to this duty And I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion 6. Observation 6. The Churches enemies oft times are Lions Lions for Potency Lions for Policy Psal. 17.12 Lions for cruelty Lions for Terror Hence they are so oft in Scripture called Lions Psalm 10.9 and 22.13 and 35.17 Prov. 28.15 Ier. 2 15. Ezek. 19.2 Such we are all by Nature in our places and degrees till grace change us Isay 10.7 and then we shall be Lions for Christ i. magnanimous and couragious in his cause Prov. 28.1 the righteous are bold as Lions which good in the Creature we should imitate which evil shun Be Serpents for Policy and not for poyson Lions for prowess and not for rapine 2. Be not familiar with these Lious come not near their dens lest they make a prey of you have no fellowship with such unfruitfull works of darkness but reprove them rather 7. Observation 7. God many times suffers his dearest children to fall into the mouths of these Lions so that to a carnal eye they seem hopeless and helpless even as a Lamb that is in the pawes and jawes of a hungry Lion is given up for lost This was Pauls case he was not onely in the den but in the vere jawes of Nero that proud Potent furious Lion who killed his Master slew his Mother crucified Peter made foul havock of the Church and at last to save himself from the fury of the people he slew himself saying Dedecorosè vixi turpiùs peream My life was base and my death shall be answâ—rable This was the case of Israel in Egypt the Jewes in Babylon the Primitive Christians in the dayes of the persecuting Emperours and ever since by Antichrist yea since the dayes of Abel to this day the people of God have been as so many Lambs encompassed with rageing Lions who on all occasions have laboured to make a prey of them yet the Lord maketh a Treacle of this Viper by this means he purgeth his people from their dross and fits them for his Kingdome as Ignatius said sometimes Dei frumentum sum c. I am Gods corn and I must be ground with the teeth of wild beasts that I may be pure Manchet for my Lord and Master Gods wayes to his Church are mysterious wayes Isay 45.25 He hath a wheel in the wheels and when we think they go backward and all makes against the Church yet he makes them go forward and promote their interest Ezckiel 1.16.21 8. Observation 8. That God will deliver his from this great danger He that brought thee into the mouth of the Lion will bring thee out again Dan. 6.22 God is omnipotent and omniscient he hath both skill and will to deliver his people though we know not which way yet it is sufficient
they may live desired and dye lamented that so when you are dead it may be said We misse such a man he was zealous against Sabbath-Prophaners Drunkards Swearers Sectaries c. He was forward to works of Piety and Mercy and ready to every good work 'T was Davids commendation Acts 13.36 that he served God in his Generation he did not seek himself nor serve God for a day or two but he served him his whole Generation as Noah did Gen. 6.9 God hath abundance of dishonour done him by profane persons and Religion suffers much by them now we should labour to repair the dishonours done to his name by being blamelesse and harmlesse shining like lights before a perverse nation The worse the times we live in are the greater will our honour be if we be faithfull 'T was Lots commendation that he was good in Sodom and Job in an Heathenish Vz. The more Sinne abounds the more our Grace should abound and the more Sin appears in the World the more should we appear against it The Lord hath done more for us of this last age of the World then ever he did for our fore-fathers and therefore he expects more from us then he did from them where he bestowes much he looks for much again where we bestow double cost we look for a double crop Christ is now more clearly preached to us and we enjoy the helps and advantages of former times A Pigmy set upon a Gyants shoulders may see further then the Gyant himself It 's a shame for us if we do not our work better by Sun-light then others that have had but Twy-light God takes it very ill to be wounded in the house of his children and friends for when he hath done so much Isai 1.2 3. Zach. 13.6 Will ye also forsake me said Christ to his disciples will you whom I have redeemed and loved above all the people of the World you whom I have brought forth in dayes of greatest Light and Love when 't was free with me to have brought you forth in Mid-night of Popery and Superstition will you also rebell against me There is nothing renews the Gospel so soon as this contempt it makes the Lord repent of all the kindnesse he hath shewed us 2. Note We must not look for a Church in this World without its imperfections and corruptions if ever the Church on Earth shall be pure and glorious it shall be in the last dayes yet we see the spirit of God tells us here expresly that these last dayes shall be perilous times by reason of the swarms of wicked men which shall be in the very bosome of the Church who shall indeed pretend to much Piety yet shall be full of Impiety and Hypocrisy they shall have a form of godlinesse but they will deny its power v. 5. There will be to the end of the World a mixture in the Church of God there will be Tares and Wheat good and bad in the Church alwayes Mat. 13.25 One told the Emperour Frederick that he would go to a place where no Hypocrites were then said he you must go beyond the frozen Ocean where there are no Inhabitants and yet thou wilt find an Hyprocrite there if thou find thy self there He that looks for a perfect Church in this World or for such a Church wherein there shall be none but Reall Saints may look till his eyes rot in his head before he see that day Christ had but twelve and one of them was a Devill and the rest that were sincere yet had their failings The Apostle tells us that in the bosome of the Church there shall be seducers Acts 20.29 30. from amongst your selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them All the Churches we read of in the Scripture have had their failings and blots as the Church of Ierusalem Corinth Galatia and the seven Churches of Asia yet Christ owned them and communicated with them still and sent his disciples to them and therefore be not offended when you see defects corruptions and disorders in the Church perfection indeed is to be wisht for but it is reserved for Heaven No Church ever was is or shall be perfectly free from sin on Earth Let us not then forsake the Lords Floore because there is some Chaffe in it nor run from Sion instead of Babylon as many in our dayes do that cry out against the Church of England as a false Church though all the Churches of God in the World own her for a true one and run from her as from Babylon and so run into Babylon from a supposed into a Reall Babylon Babylon signifieth Confusion now amongst those that separate what sad confusion is there Division upon division separation upon separation c. till they have broken themselves all to pieces and at last are faine to sit like Owles alone These are they that abhorre a mixt company yet flye from Reall Saints This they call new Light when it is nothing but an old Error of the Catharists and Donatists who out of a conceit of their own exceeding holinesse did separate themselves Perfectionem justitiae Angelicam sanctitatem hic ab hominibus requirunt Donatistae quam etiam se suosque illos impuros coetus habere jactant profitentur tam sunt arrogantes coeci à vero suae infirmitatis rebellionis sensu alieni Danaeus loco citato ubi plura Causelesse Separation saith a learned Divine from established Churches walking according to the Order of the Gospel though perhaps failing in some small things is yet no small sin Let such consider 1. That the Root of this separation is bad and therefore the fruit cannot be good It springs from Pride and Censoriousnesse as we see in the Pharisees who were great Separatists and have their name from thence 2. Such are Schismaticks and in a short time they will he Hereticks for Schisme is the way to Heresy they make a Rent in the Church whose Peace should be very dear to us for though Peace be not the Esse and being of a Church yet it tends very much to its bene esse and well-being for as a Kingdom so a Church divided cannot long endure 3. The Pretences made for Separation are now removed there 's no Bishop Surplesse Cross Common-prayer c. for them to stumble at and yet separation was unlawfull then but now it s farre more vile and therefore the Lord punisheth the Separatists of this age more severely by giving them up to viler opinions than formerly 4. 'T is a scandall and wrong to a Church 't is ill to forsake the society of one good man without a cause but to un-church a whole Church causelesly now great is that sin 5. They cannot escape the revenging hand of God Though men may suffer them yet God will not one of the saddest judgements that we read of in the Scripture befell schismaticall Corah
Money To get Mony Iudas will sell Christ himself and many Popes give themselves body and soul to the Devill How many Covetous cruell Land-Lords by oppression eat and drink the bloud of their Tenants and their Families Ier. 22.17 Exek 22.13 and many by their excessive sorrow for the losse of their money oft become guilty of their own deaths 7. For Money the Popes Holiness will erect a stew and tolerate whores and others cast off all modesty and chastity 8. For Money men will rob cozen use false weights false wares c. 9. What Lying Slandering Back-biting c. and all for Money Iezabell will suborne false witness to get Naboths Vine-yard 10. He 's alwayes coveting his neighbours goods and this Commandement he breaks above all the rest for though he cannot get a Kingdome yet his Covetous heart may desire a Kingdome 3. Consider 't is a sinne which the very Heathen by the dimme light of Nature have contemned and condemned Bion calls it the Metropolis of all evill Cicero could say 't is a sign of a sordid spirit to love money Themistocles could say take up that gold for I regard it not Seneca could say 't is the property of a Noble mind to contemn those earthly things Hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magnus quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non terrae filius non terrenus Now shall not Faith do that which infidelity hath done shall Nature excell Grace and shall we come short of those that come short of heaven There is no sin so unbeseeming a Saint as this Hence the Apostle would not have them once name it with approbation but only with detestation Epes 5.3 'T is observed that he never read in all the Scripture of any Saint that was ever branded for Covetousnesse We read of their falls into other sins as Aarons Idolatry Lots Incest Noahs Drunkennesse Davids Adultery c. but I never remember any Saint in Scripture that fell by this sin That they have the Root of this sin as well as of other sins is clear by that Prayer of David Psal. 119.36 but that any Saint was ever overcome by it we do not read Luther said of himself that of all sins he was most free from this and in this respect I could wish we were all Lutherans We should answâ—r Temptations to this sin as Nehemiah answered his Adversaries when they would have had him flye Neh. 9.11 Should such a one as I flye so shall such a one as I be covetous that have God for my Father the Promises for my Heritage that have interest in Christ and so by him have interest in all I that am under such speciall protection and have such plentifull provision should I be covetous Let the Dogges of the World fight for these bones and scramble for these scraps let Esau Laban Ahab Achan Balaam Iezabel Iudas Demas Simon-Magus feed upon these huskes but let the Saints who are cloathed with the Sun tread the Moon under their feet Rev. 12.1 they must contemn these Sublunary Transitory things counting them all but dung and dogs-meat in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 How oft do we read of the Saints bounty and liberality but never of their rapine usury c. Iob was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame he never did eat his morsels alone Iob 31. David gave his goods to the Saints and Millions towards the building of the Temple The Disciples forsook all for Christ and the Primitive Christians sold their houses and lands for pious uses and how carefull was Paul to shun this sin 1 Thes. 2.5 1 Cor. 9.12 4. It besots men it makes them unteacheable and untractable none so dull and uncapable of the things of God as those that are besotted with the World These thorny cares choak the good seed of the Word Luke 8.14 and blind the understanding Isai 56.11 12. greedy dogs cannot understand because their minds run all upon gain This sin so besotted the Pharises that they derided even Christ himself and blew their noses at him in contempt Luke 16.14 we do not read of any other sinners that they derided Christ as these covetous Pharises did Thus Ezekiels covetous he arers derided him Ezek. 33.30 31. So that we may as soon expect a crop of corn on the tops of barren Mountaines as a crop of Grace in the hearts of Covetous Cormorants 5. It eates out that love and tendernesse it destroyes that Society and sweet communion which should be amongst the Sons of men It turnes men into Hogs and Christians into Cannibals It makes men churlish Nabals and renders them cruel and unnatural to the wives of their bosomes to their own children to Friends Neighbours and dearest relations 6. It creates trouble to men and their houses Prov. 15.27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house He fires his own nest when he thinks to feather it and troubles all his own houshold with hast and hurry to get gain he overworks both servants and cattell he brings Law-suits upon himself and at last a curse upon his posterity and so Passively as well as actively he is said to trouble his own house what did Achan and Ahab get by their covetousnesse but ruine to themselves and their posterity So Gehazi by his covetousnesse brought a Leprosy upon himself and upon his posterity 2 Kings 5.26 27. and King Iehojakim ruined himself by this Ier. 22.17 18. by this they provoke God to sell them into the hands of Tyrants and Robbers Hab. 2.6 7. and at last it robs them of inward peace and brings trouble of conscience which is the trouble of troubles Isay 57.17 such pierce themselves through with many sorrowes 1 Tim. 6.10 they wound themselves on every side as if one were stabbed all over from top to toe insomuch that they are seldome free from vexing cares tormenting fearâ— and toyling labours 7. It makes a man odious to God however the world may admire such yet Gods soul abhorres them Psal. 10.3 he dislikes all sinners but he abhorres these Hence God is said to pun his fists at such as we do at those with whom we are angry Ezek. 22.13 14. compared with Numb 24.10 and cryes Woe to them that load themselves with thick clay Hab. 2.5 6. i. e. with these earthly things which burden and oppresse the soule therefore when God is angry with a man and would punish him for his other sins he gives him up to this sin amongst the rest Rom. 1.29 This made the Apostle so carefull to warn all the Churches of God against it as the Church of Rome Rom. 12.8.13 the Church of Corinth 1.6.9 10. Gal. 6.6.20 So Eph. 5.3.5 Phil. 3.18 19. Col. 3.5 and generally all the Churches 1 Tim. 6.6 7 8 9 10.17 This made our Saviour not simply forbid this sin but to use more Arguments against it then against any one sin whatsoever Mat. 6.24 to the end of the chap. 8. It hardens the
his own net nor kiss his own hand Iob 31.17 he arrogates nothing proudly to himself but gives all the glory of all his Goods Gifts and Graces to the God that gave them 2. There is a lawful Boasting for necessary defence being urged thereto by the slanders of wicked men on this account Christ apologizeth for himself and defends his innocency against his adversaries In Matth. 12.6.41 42. So Iob spends some Chapters in Apologizing for himself against the false accusations of his friends Iob 29. and 31. So Nehemiah 13. Paul spends 17. Verses at least in a forced commendation of himself in relating his Service and Sufferings for Christ. 2 Cor. 11.16 to 33. 3. There is a Vain-glorious Boasting and Ostentation of what we are and what we have done that the world may take notice of us and we may be admired as some great men in the world Thus Simon Magus gave out that he was some great man Acts 8.9 he made himself his own Idol and therefore he expected that all the beholders should fall down and worship it which they are ready to do V. 10. Thus when men set a high rate upon their own Parts and Perfections they be very impatient and discontented if others will not come to their price and because other men will not they will Canonize themselves for Saints So did the proud Pharisee when he boasted of his own perfection and contemned the Publican Luke 18.11 So Matth. 6. and 23 5. Iohn 12.43 and this is the Boasting which the Apostle here and the scripture elsewhere oft condemnes Prov. 27.2 and 20.6 2 Cor. 10.18 4. There is a Diabolical Boasting when men boast of their wickednesse like that Tyrant who boasted what mischief he could do Psal. 52.1 So did Stockly B. of London who lying on his death-bed rejoyced that he had burnt 50. Hereticks These declare their sin-like Sodom openly and impudently Isay 3.9 and rejoyce to do wickedly Prov. 2.14 Ier. 11.15 The Idolater glories in his Idols Psal. 97.7 Hos. 10.5 The fornicator of his Harlots the Drunkard of his Dozens and how many he hath laid asleep Impudent beasts that instead of being ashamed of such glorying they glory in their shame and are ashamed of grace which is their glory their end is destruction Phil. 3.19 These are ascended to the highest degree of wickedness It 's dangerous to excuse and defend sin but to boast of Vices as if they were Vertues is the height of Villany By the abounding of this sin amongst us 't is evident we are fallen into the last times How is the land over-spread with impudent insolent Boasters from Dan to Beersheba from North to South they swarm amongst us like the flyes in Egypt The Papist boasts of his Traditions and Mâ—racles the Anabaptist of his Revelations the Quaker of his Perfection extraordinary Sanctity and Sufferings never did any Hereticks speak greater swelling words of Vanity and more cry up themselves and cry down others then this generation of perfect Pharisees They boast of themselves that they are equall to the Apostles of Christ yea to that blasphemous impudency are they ascended for want of Punishment that some of them say they are Christ himself and that their Iames is become a Iesus the King of Israel the Judge of the world and therefore they worship him kisse his feet and strew their garments before him c. Whither will not Toleration and impunity lead people Others boast of their own Sincerity Sanctity Innocency Amiableness and Moderation they call themselves men of a Choyce anointing the only spiritual people the close walking ones the meek and quiet of the earth Reall Saints are humble modest men and dare not give themselves such high Titles Isai 6.5 Dan. 2.30 Prov. 30.2 they are content that another mans mouth should praise them and not their own Prov. 27.2 they are sensible of so much sin and corruption in themselves that they are little and low in their own eyes Others boast much of their extraordinary Gifts and â—ll to Preach when upon triall they have neither the one nor the other but are meerly stuff't with ignorance and impudence like those self-confident ones that thought themselves fit to be guides of the blind before they had learned themselves Rom. 3.19 20 21. They boast much of the spirit I they are as full of it as a Barrell is of wind This is the Basis of their Pride and the shelter for their Sin Ask them how they dare presume to Preach without a Call their Answer is ready They are called extraordinarily by the Spirit and yet they cannot shâ—w it by so much as ordinary Gifts Let us therefore try these Spirits by the Touch-stone of Gods word and they will appear to be Satanicall deluding spirits For those that are Sensuall and Separatists as these men are have not the Spirit of God Iude 19. Against the sinne of Vain-glorious Boasting take these few considerations 1. Consider that all such Boasting is evill evill in its own Nature and the cause of much evill Iames 4.16 God will not have the wise man to glory in his wisdome as the Phylosophers did nor the strong man in his strength as Lamech did Gen. 4.23 nor the Rich man in his Riches Psal. 49.6 Luke 12.19 nor any man in men 1 Cor. 3.21 but he that glories must glory in this That he knoweth experimentally and savingly the Lord his God Ier. 9.23 24. 2. Consider the Judgements of God on such as have boasted of their own strength and power as Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 3.15 and 4.27.30 31. and the Israelites Amos 6.13 12 So the Gentiles and Philosophers that gloryed in their own wisdome were punisht with spiritual judgements and given up to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.22 23 24. Remember Gods judgements on vaunting Pharaoh Exod. 5.2 Senacherib 2 Kings 19.23 Haman Hest. 5.11 Goliah 1 Sam. 17.8 Absolon 2 Sam. 15.4 and generally God hath threatned that all such as glory in Idols and such are all those that glory in creatures shall be confounded Psal. 97.7 Now as Judges hang up some in Gibbets to make others fear so Gods Judgements on those should make all to fear 3. 'T is a Sign of a Proud Heart out of the abundance of the heart doth the mouth speak Our discourses are discoveries of what is within 4. It makes men like the Devill who boasted what great things he had to give Matth. 4.9 when he had nec ditionem nec dationem neither right to them nor power to dispose of them Mens gifts they boast off are none of their own what have we that we have not received 1 Cor. 4.7 5. When mens mouths are so full of their own praise it argues an emptinesse of Grace within full Vessels make little noyse when empty ones sound loud Empty Carts make a great rattle when the loaded ones go quietly by you your poor Pedlars that have but one Pack do in every Market
11. They are Blessed men Matth. 5.3 4 5. Blessed are the poor in Spirit who are sensible of their own wants and weakness of their own nakedness and nothingnesse these have the promise of Heaven and Earth And if Heaven and Earth be taken up for the Humble in what place think you shall the proud be billetted not in Heaven for it will receive no proud person they must be like little children for Humility that will come thither Matth. 18.3 Now by serious Meditation work these eleven considerations on thy heart till they have wrought out pride and made thee universally Humble In Vestures Gestures Heart Words Works A man may have it in his Tongue and be full of complement as your Servant Sir c. and yet be full of craft But the most proper seat of Humility is the Heart We must learn of Christ to be Humble not onely in Words but in Heart Mat. 11.29 For if the heart be once humbled all will be humble if there be a Treasury of Humility within it will quickly appear in the Words and Works without Such will stoop to any employment whereby God may be glorified They can well be content to be dishonoured so God may be honoured to decrease so Christ may increase Iohn 3.30 This made Paul to become all things to all men and make himself a servant to all that he might gain the more 1 Cor. 9.19 20. How low did Christ stoop that he might glorify God in the work of our Redemption he made himself of no reputation but laid aside his glory for a time and took upon him the form of a servant Phil. 2.6 7. he conversed with sinners talkes with women heales the sick washeth his Disciples feet Many could be content to serve in places of Honour Pleasure Credit but a gracious soule can stoop to the meanest service and lowest place so God may be honoured yea the Saints in their highest condition carry humble hearts David when a King yet is as lowly as a weaned child Psal. 131. we need not levell good men they will levell themselves and carry low mindes in high estates The more they have or have done and suffered for God the more humble they be they lay all their Honours Learning Riches Excellencies c. at the feet of Christ as the twenty foure Elders cast downe their Crownes before the Throne saying Thou art worthy to receive Honour and Glory and Power Revel 4.10 Even Agathocles King of Sicily being a Potters sonne would alwayes eat his meat in earthen Vessels the better to mind him of his Originall Fictilibus coenâsse ferunt Agathoclea Regent That you may learn this choyce Lesson 1. Be familiar with Humble men make them thy bosome companions for as he that toucheth pitch shall be defiled so he that meddles with rich perfumes will smell of their sweetnesse 2. Remember thy last end remember thou art dust and must to dust again we dwell in houses of clay and our foundation is in the dust Iob 17.14.16 when the house is clay and the foundation dust such a house cannot long endure What made Ierusalem so proud and filthy Why She remembred not her last end Lam. 1.9 Pray that you may know in good earnest that you are but men Psalm 9.20 i. e poore fraile feeble creatures what ever thy endowments be yet this consideration that thou art Enosh a poore wretched miserable man will humble thee Remember what thou art by sin and what thou shalt be in thy Grave and thy Plumes will fall Every proud man forgets himself 3. To keep thee from pride in Externalls and Naturall excellencies consider how the creatures excell us therein the Lion in courage the Horse in strength the Birds in singing the Lillies in Beauty the Spider in spinning the Bee in working the Eagle in Seeing the Hare in running the Dogge in smelling c. 2. In obedience every creature excells man in his pure Naturalls All creatures are Gods servants and are ready to do whatsoever their Lord and Master shall command them Even the Winds and the Seas obey him Hence the Lord sends us Dullards to learn Industry of the Ant. Prov. 6.6 Prudence of the Stork Crane Swallow Ier. 8.7 and Gratitude of the Oxe and Asse Isa. 1.3 Against Pride see Alsteeds Encyclop Ethic. lib. 21. cap. 12 13. Vol. 2. in Folio p. 12.77 Perkins 2. Vol. on Gal. 6.14 Bernards Thesaurus in the end p. 134. Mr. Trapps Common-place on Arrogancy in the end of his Comment on the Epistles Mr. Woodwards childs Patrimony 2. Part. c. 4. Sect. 1. p. 50. c. Mr. Clerks Mirruor cap. 102. B. Hall's Ser. on Prov. 29.23 Vol. 2. Fol. p. 399. For Humility see Mr. Henry Smith's Serm. on 1 Peter 5.5 p. 203. Mr. Rogers of Dedham his Comment on 1 Pet. 5.5 Bernards Thesaurus in the end p. 136. D. Ier. Taylor 's Rule of Holy Living c. 2. Sect 4. Sibelius in Psal 132. Mr. Cawdry Humility the Saints Livery D. Featly on Matth. 5.3 3. Blasphemers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This sin is fitly linkt to the former Sins go not single but they beget one another Self-love begets Covetousnesse Covetousnesse Pride aud Pride Blasphemy So that Blasphemy is the genuine daughter of Pride when men have high conceits of themselves they are oft punisht with a fall and Pride being properly a spirituall sin is punisht with spirituall judgements God gives them up to a reprobate Sense so that they fall from one sin to another till at last they become Blasphemers 2. Proud persons are impatient discontented persons they can beare nothing if God crosse them or curse them as he delights to resist the Proud they presently fly in his face with Blasphemies Revel 16.9.11.27 as Iobs Wife would have had him do Iob 2.9 As a vile person utters Villany Isay 32.6 So a proud Atheist utters Blasphemy Quest. But what kind of Blasphemy doth the Apostle here mean when he saith Men shall be blasphemers Answ. Blasphemy in Scripture is taken many wayes but especially two 1. Largely and generally for any contumely or indignity which is done to men so reproachfull speeches tending to the disgrace of another mans name is in Scripture called Blasphemy Titus 3.2 that they speak evill of no man in the Originall 't is To blaspheme no man and so much the derivation of the word imports viz. to hurt the good name of another 2. 'T is taken strictly and most properly for opprobrious words which are uttered to the reproach of God his Word his Works his Spirit his Ordinances his Ministers his People Now though some learned men do take the words in the former sense viz. for defamers and slanderers yet our Translation renders it truly from the Originall Blasphemers as relating to the highest kind of evill speaking even to all manner of Blasphemy against the God of Heaven In all ages there have been such but in the last dayes men
best profit and policy For though such gain but little at once yet it gaines long and keeps its custom whereas he that couzeneth me once shall not deceive me a second time he loseth the custom that he had It 's a great ornament to Religion when the Professors of it are just and righteous when they pay every man his dues restore what they borrow slander no man do violence to none be diligent in their callings faithfull in their trusts keep their promises be mercifull to the poor and as much as in them lyes have peace with all men This is the way to stability and safety here Psal. 34.12 13 14. Isay 33.14 15 16. Ier. 22.15 16. and happinesse for ever Psal. 15.1 't is made a note of a Citizen of Heaven that he doth not only walk uprightly towards God but he worketh righteousnesse towards men He doth not only know or talk of Righteousnesse but he worketh Righteousnesse he doth not onely praise but he practiseth it and not only by fits and starts for a day or two but operans justitiam 't is his Trade he 's daily at it he allwayes observes that golden Rule Matth. 7.12 Whatsoever ye would that men should do to him even so to do to them he observes an equall proportion in the things commuted he will not ask twelve pence for that which is worth but six pence nor offer four pence for that which is worth but four groats He desires that every man should live in his calling and therefore observes an equall proportion both in his buying and selling This therefore barres all these from Heaven who Canonize themselves for Saints yet walk directly contrary to the Rule of Sanctity Psal. 15. they walk Hypocritically work unrighteousness speak untruths back-bite their neighbour countenance the vile discountenance those that are really good break their Covenant with God and man and be great oppressours and grind their brethren Let such men professe what they please all their Religion is vain If any would see more for the Covenant he may peruse Doctor Burges Serm. on Ierem. 50.5 Mr. Case on Leviticus 26.25 Ierom. 50.5 Master Mockets Serm. on Deuteronomy 29.9 Master Caryll and Master Colemans Serm. at the taking of the Covenant Master Shaw's Brittaines Rememb on 2 Chron. 15.12 Master Ash on Psal. 76.11 Mr. Calamy 1643. on 2 Tim. 3.3 11. False accusers The last dayes will be perilous for men shall be false accusers slanderers back-biters or in plaine English Devills The Devill hath many names given him in Scripture but his most proper and peculiar name by which he is knowne and his malicious nature is discovered to us is Devill i. e. a Slanderer or false accuser because 't is his great work to slander both God and Man He slanders God to the Saints and the Saints to God since he cannot ruine them he will raise lies and false accusations against them Revel 12.10 Hence he 's stiled by way of eminency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the slanderer of slanderers the great slanderer and make-bate of the world the Devill Matth. 4.1 and 5.5.11 and 25.41 Iohn 8.44 1 Pet. 5.8 2. The word is taken in a more large and generall sense for any one who is like the Devill of a Devillish quality especially in slandering and falsly accusing others Hence the Apostle would have women to be grave not slanderers or Devills 1 Tim. 3.11 for to carry slanders up and down is to act for the Devill and to act like the Devill no child so like the Father as these are like the Devill and therefore in Scripture they have one and the same name given them viz. Devills Thus in the last days men shall be vile and voyd of goodness themselves and therefore they will maliciously calumniate the goodness of others 'T will be their delight as 't is the Devills their Master to coyne false Reports and raise lyes against the Saints misinterpreting them and their actions to the world putting false Interpretations on what they do or say 1. If they see any Vertue in the Saints they either deny it or diminish it or else they put some sinister gloss upon it 2. If they see any infirmities in them they presently blaze them they aggravate and augment them making them farre greater then they are they make pounds of pence and mountains of Mole-hills 3. If they can find no faults they will invent some as the Devill did by Iob 2.9 10 11 and 2.5 and this properly is slandring Thus Ieremiahs adversaries dealt with him Ier. 13.18 Come let us devise devices against him q. d. Though we can find nothing justly against him yet we 'l go and coyne something So that to slander is not simply to tell to another what our neighbour doth or saith for that may be done for our neighbours good and for publick benefit thus those that told Eli of his sonnes wickednesse were no back-biters nor Ioseph who told his father of his Brethrens ill-doings Gen. 37. nor those that told Paul of the contentions and fornications of the Corinthians 1.1.5 because they did it not cum animo nocendi maliciously but out of love and for their good But slandering properly is a malicious bitter reproachfull spreading of false tales 'T is a going up and down with an intent to do them a mishchief Thus Doeg accused David and Abimilech to Saul 1 Sam. 22. and Haman slandered the Jewes to the King and the Pharises oft traduced Christ and his Apostles So then a slander is the Devills arrow shot by mans bow he lends him his lyes and malice and borroweth the slanderers Tongue to utter them And is not this the great sin of our Age Do not many cast off their Trades and make it their Trade like Pedlars to go up and down with the Devills pack at one Town they open their pack and there they vent Atheisme they come to another and there they vent Papisme they go to a third and there they cry Rantisme they go so a fourth and there they vent blasphemy against God and railing against Magistrates and Ministers Gratis they expect nothing for their idle addle speaking I see no reason why they should unlesse they vented better stuffe These Rake-hells are the Devills Factours Merchants Levit. 19.26 Thou shalt not go up and down as a Tale-bearer the word is Rachell whence our English word Rake-hell which properly signifieth a Trafficker that goeth up and down with his wares so these go from place to place with false Accusations 2. As those oft blend and mixe their wares so these oft coyne false Tales against their Neighbours 3. As those buy at one place and sell at another so these Pedling-Devills make merchandise of their words hearing a false Tale at one house and selling it at another The back-biter is mus nominis saith Plautus a mouse that is alwayes gnawing on the good name of his neighbour Sometimes she whispers in secret and anon he openly
28.4 4. These Impostors do not onely deceive these silly women but they bring them under the Devils yoke they make slaves and prisoners of them they bind them with the cords of error and then they lead them whither they please They deal with their Proselites as the Devil doth with witches he promiseth them liberty but brings them to prisons promiseth them pleasures yet gives them pain promiseth them Riches yet keeps them poor promiseth them life but gives them Death They ensnare them with their Pythanalogy and hold them as fast with their lyes and flatteries as a Jaylor doth his Prisoner which he keeps in bondage 2 Tim. 2. ult or the fisher his fish which hath swallowed his bait 2 Pet. 2.14.18 These Satanicall fishers of men put on the Visors of Piety and preach liberty pleasure ease as other fishers cozen sometimes the eye and sometimes the taste of the silly fish so these have variety of baits but none so catching as that of carnal liberty Hence they are said to bewitch men Gal. 3.1 to enchaunt and delude men Rev. 18.23 and make them drunk Revel 17.2 It will be our wisdom then to submit our selves to the word of God and from the heart to obey its commands so shall we know the truth and the truth will keep us free from the power of sin and error Iohn 8.32 the keeping of a good conscience is the way to keep faith and sound doctrine 1 Tim. 1.19 get the heart once establisht with Grace and then you will not be carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13.9 get Gods fear once planted in your hearts and then you will never depart from him Ier. 32.40 VERSE 7. VVhich Women are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth THe Apostle goeth on to shew what women they are which are brought into bondage by seducers viz. such as are unconstant unsetled and given to seek after novelties and curiosities they are not content with plain truth revealed in the Scripture they must have novum aut nihil some new light some new-found doctrine or else 't will not down with them this unsettles them and makes them run hither and thither after this and that man but all in vain They make a great adoe but to little purpose they are alwayes learning yet learn nothing which they should learn Now the Reason's of their Non-proficiency are 1. Either because they have no better Teachers they follow false Prophets and blinde Guides and when the blinde shall lead the blind no wonder if both fall into the ditch These may seem wise in their own eyes when in truth they know nothing because they know not the truth which is the foundation of all knowledge 2. They thrive not for want of a right disposition within They love their lusts better then the truth and this barres the heart against holy Learning Intus existens prohibet alienum When their judgements are blinded with lusts and their hearts hardened through sin how should such thrive 2 Tim. 4.3 3. Or else they seek not after sound and saving truth but all their enquiry is after some curious novelty they love to heare and learne nothing else in this point being true Athenians Acts 17.21 Well they may toyle and take a great deal of pains for some aery notions and empty speculations that they may come ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to some kind of knowledge but never ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in the Text to such a knowledge as brings forth an acknowledgement of the truth in the power of it 4. Oft times they are meer Scepticks in Religion they are ready to question every thing but they believe nothing they have no foundation no resting place they lay out their mony but not for bread and therefore 't is no wonder if they spend their labour without being satisfied Error cannot satisfy the soul we must enquire for the good old way of truth and Holinesse if ever we would find rest for our souls Ier. 6.16 God who is the great Lord of all will have his commands obeyed not questioned He loves Currists and not Quaerists He prefers obedience before disputes We have disputed so long till we have almost disputed all Religion out of doores We should study rather to live well then dispute well therein lyes our happinesse Mat. 7.24.25 Iohn 13.17 The Spirit of God writes not Notions but Assertions in our hearts it establisheth them so with grace that the gates of hell cannot prevaile against it though such may by the violence of a tentation be moved yet are they like Mount Sion which can never be removed out of its place Heb. 10.23 and 13.9 Against Scepticks and Seekers See that excelent Tract of Mr. Gelaspy his Miscelanies cap. 10 11. yet how many delight in giddinesse and count it a bondage to fixe a belief affecting free-will in thinking as well as in acting And though the Sect of the Phylosophers of that kind be gone yet there remain certain discoursing wits which are of the same veines though there be not so much blood in them as was in those of the Ancients The Scepticisme and Affectation of Novelties is the great sin of England at this day As many are much taken with new Fashions so many are much taken with new Opinions new Doctrines new Teachers and new Expressions Yet the Apostle doth not blame these women simply for seeking after knowledge for the wiser sort of Heathens have commended that but he blames them for hunting after Novelties and vain speculations and in the meane time neglecting the sound and saving truths of the Gospel This is celeris cursus extra viam a swift running to destruction 'T is true all the godly are learners the knowledge of the truth is not Innata but acquisita not born with us but attained by means yet they are not ever learning they know the truth in which they firmly rest and from which they suffer not themselves to be moved and never till then have we profited in our learning when we are made so able to discern the truth as that we are satisfied with it and our consciences are at rest by it even in the saddest dangers Ephes. 4.13 14. 1 Thes. 1.5 6. 2 Pet. 1.12 2. I wish this were not the sin of silly men as well as of silly women to be alwayes learning yet never come to the knowledge of the truth how many are men in yeares yet children in understanding 1 Cor. 14.20 and when for the time they might have been Teachers they had need to be taught the elements of Religion Heb. 5.12 though the knowledge of the best in this life be imperfect and we are alwayes learners here yet we must strive forward toward perfection and not alwayes stick in the place of bringing forth Hos. 13.13 nor be like a horse in a mill still going round in
yet being tolerated at last set the world on fire As diseases so error must be stopt betimes 14. They are mere Scepticks in Religion They question all things but beleeve nothing They question the Law question the Gospel Sabbath Sacraments Magistracy Ministery c. They are all for disputing nothing for practising That time which they should spend in the examination of their Consciences is laid out in the examination of opinions They challenge men to dispute that they may make men doubt of the truth as the Devil did Eve by questioning Gods threatnings Gen. 3.1 they are sick and dote on questions 1 Timothy 6.4 God will have his command obeyed not questioned How oft doth he command us to be rooted stedfast grounded royall Christians not tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine Ephes. 4.14 15. You may guesse at false Teachers by their followers Who are they that follow them 1. They are Idle persons that have no callings or else follow none 2. Or Ungrounded Ignorant Unstable persons though men in yeares yet children in Understanding such unchatechised persons are a fit prey for the Devills Instruments 3. Or else they are Rotten Proud Censorious Hypocrites such as were never found in the faith but were justly suspected for their loose walking 16. When at last their folly is discovered to all then they face about and begin to deny what they hold or else they mince the matter they alter it and new mould it and say they were not rightly understood c. 17. The Devils Instruments usually are subtle Serpents Genesis 3.1 2 Corinthians 11.3 2 Peter 21. he gets the choycest wits the better to carry on his designs An unsanctified wit is a fit agent for the Devil Nor is there a likelyer Anvile in all the shop of Hell whereon to forge mischief then one that is lewd and learned He must have such as can play the hucksters and juglers passing that for gold which is but brasse 2 Corinthians 2.17 Such as walke plainly and honestly are not for the Devils turn God hath planted his fear in their hearts so that they dare not sin against him But 't is the crafty companion that is full of all subtleties sleights wiles and deceitful workings that can cog a Die and make it answer what cast he pleaseth this this is the man for the Devils turn Ephes. 4.14 the Apostle in three words expresseth the subtlety of seducers 1. They have a slight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in cogging the Die like cunning gamesters they can so pack the Cards and pervert the scriptures that they can make it speak what they please themselves 2. Cunning craftinesses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they turn every stone and watch all advantages 3. Lying in wait to decceive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they have a method in deceiving they have all the Arts of cozenage so that if 't were possible they would deceive the very Elect. 18. They separate themselves from the true Churches of Christ. The Pharises were rigid separatists and quarrelled with Christ because he would not separate but was a friend to publicans and sinners Luke 15.27 28. They pretend they abhor a mixt company and yet they revile and fly from reall Saints They are all for gathering Churches out of Churches which is the very way to destroy Churches How do we destroy houses but by pulling one stone and one piece from another This schisme grows into an heresie as a Serpen◠growes to be a Dragon This tolerated will ruine Families tearing them all to pieces whilest the husband goes to one Church the wife to another the son to a third the daughter to a fourth and the servant to an Alehouse instead of a Church This opens a gap to abundance of profanenesse when there shall be no cohabitation but the Church members shall be scattered up and down some 20. some 30. some 60. some 100. miles off who shall have the inspection teaching and guidance of these Master Burroughs his Argument for gathering of Churches in my judgement is very dilute and weak 't is this Because our Divines hold it lawfull to gather Churches out of the Church of Rome therefore 't is lawful to gather Churches out of the Church of England q. d. because 't is lawfull to separate from a whore Ergo we ought to separate from an honest woman also What more ungodly sacriledge or man-stealing can there be then to purloin from godly Ministers the first-born of their fervent Prayers and faithful Preaching the leaven of their flocks the encouragement of their souls the Crown of their labours and their Epistle to Heaven If men will needs gather Churches out of the world as they phrase it let them first plow the world and sow it and reap it with their own hands and then the Lord give them a liberall harvest He is a very hard man that will reap where he hath not sowen and gather where he hath not strewed Mat. 24.25 We have no President in the whole Book of God to gather up one Church out of the cream and quintessence of many Churches As a Reverend Divine of ours hath well observed 19. They dawb with untempered mortar they preach placentia and flatter men in their sins Ezekiel 13.10.15 and 22.28 they preach the fancies of their own brain there is no truth and so no strength in what they say 't is all but arena sine calce lutum sine firmitate the least showre brings it down These are those Wells without water and empty clouds which promise much but perform nothing 2 Peter 2.17 Iude 12. but faithfull Pastours are spiritual Clouds which water and refresh the Vineyard of the Lord with wholesome heavenly showers of saving Doctrine Isay 5.6 and 60.8.20 They are great pretenders to an Extraordinary call Aske them how they dare presume to meddle with the holy things of God considering Gods dreadful judgements on Corah and his company on Vzzah and Vzziah for the like presumption their answer is they are called we aske by whom they answer by God If so then 't is either in an Ordinary or an Extraordinary way They tell us they are called Extraordinary we reply then 't will appear by their Extraordinary gifts the Apostles were called Extraordinarily and they shewed it by their extraordinary gifts they could heal the sick cast out Devils speak Languges without study and let these pretenders shew the like abilities and we shall believe them But alas upon Examination we find they have not so much as Ordinary abilities They are infeririour free gifts to many women and children They are not able to write a line of true English I have several of their Letters by me wherein there are more Literal and Material Errata's then lines They had more need to be taught themselves then to be teachers of others Thus ex pede Herculem by these twenty marks you may know the Impostors of our time and knowing them you must avoid
is one end why we came into the world viz. that we might bear witness to the truth Iohn 13.37 We are Gods salt and therefore must by our Prayer Preaching and Practice help to season men and keep them from rotting in sin and error One part of our work is to convince gain-sayers Titus 1.9 This others of abilities may do ex charitate but we ex officio We are the keepers of the Vineyard and must take care that the Foxes spoil not the tender Grapes We are Fathers and must see that the children have not a stone given them insteed of bread nor a Serpent instead of a fish Let the zeal of others quicken us How zealous was Elijah and Paul against the false Prophets of their times How zealous was Athanasius against the Arrians Austin against the Pelagians and the Donatists Luther Calvin Beza c. against Papists and Sectaries of all men it becomes not us to be silent and meal-mouthed when our Lord 's dishonoured 3. Let every one stand upon his guard Christ warned his own Disciples to beware of such Matthew 7.15 the best know but in part and Satan is so subtle that we may soon be deceived How quickly did the Galathians fall from the faith to justification by works in so much that the Apostle wonders they were so soon fallen to another Gospel Galathians 1.6 'T was Luthers complaint that an ignorant rayling sot could in a moment overthrow what we have been building many years Such is the cursed depravation of mans heart I shall therefore give you some preventing Physick against the pestilent attempt of seducers 1. Get your judgements rightly informed especially in the Principles and Fundamentals of Religion as Faith Repentance Justification Sanctification and new-Obedience Our greatest care should be about the greatest things of the Law Lay a good foundation else the building will totter When men are children in understanding then they are tossed to and fro with every winde of Doctrine Ephes. 4.14 Heresie is most strong where knowledge is most weak 'T is the weak flies which hang in the spiders web when the strong break thorough The simple are apt to believe every thing Proverbs 14.15 and like children swallow all that 's put into their mouths There are 7. things as a Reverend Divine hath well observed which are apt to be carried away by the Flood of Heâ—esies 1. Light things 2. Loose things 3. Weak things 4. Low things 5. Rotten things 6. Tottering things 7. Ventrous things How many erre for want of knowledge Psal. 95.10 Matth. 22.19 upon this account the Apostle would not have a Minister to be a novice 1 Tim. 3.6 The Devil deals with men as the Cow doth by the Lamb which first picks out the eyes and then devours it Or as the Philistims dealt by Sampson they first put out his eyes and then they make him grind like a slave Thus he dealt with Eve Gen. 3.4 5. First he deludes her judgement with ye shall not die and then he easily perswades her to eat of the forbidden fruit We should therefore be wise as Serpents that we be not deceived and innocent as Doves that we prove not deceivers Vt nulli nocuisse velis imitare columbam Serpentem ut possit nemo nocere tibi 2. Walke alwayes as in Gods eye have respect to all his commands be ready to obey in revelatis in revelandis whatsoever God shall discover to you to be his Will be not Nominall but Reall Christians rest not content with the form but get the Power of Godlinesse Hereticks are a mere scourge for Formalists and Hypocrites When men reject Gods call he gives them up to delusions Isay 66.4 and the lusts of their own hearts Psalm 81.11 12. Hosea 4.12 13. When men will not be schollars to truth they shall be masters of errors and teachers of lies well verst in the blackest and basest Art 'T is just with God that they who will not have Truth for their King should have falshood for their Tyrant being given up to the Efficacy of errour or to errour in the strength and power of it 2 Thes. 2.10 11. If Pharaoh will not believe the real Miracles of Moses he shall be deluded with the false ones of the Magitians If Ahab will not hearken to Micaiah a true Prophet he shall be deluded by lying spirits in the mouths of false ones and this is one end why the Lord suffers not onely Schismes but Heresies to abound viz. to discover mens hearts to themselves and others Deuterenomy 13.3 So long as the glasse is still no dregs appear but stir it and then they shew themselves Fire discovers the mettle and storms shew us which were rotten trees No man fully knows his own heart till a temptation comes If a man should have told our Apostles 1500. years agoe that they should have denied the Trinity Scripture Sacraments Ordinances c. they would have been ready to say as Hazael am I a Dog that I should do such things as these 3. Grow in Grace This is a special preservative against Apostacy 2 Peter 3.17 18. To this end sit down under a sound soul-searching Ministery God hath ordained this as a special means to establish us in the truth Ephes. 4.10 Better have a biting Gospel said Bradford then a toothlesse Masse better it is to sit under the saddest shade of the true Vine even weeping then to frolick it under the greenest trees and most pleasant Oakes of Idolatry and Heresie We have been barren stocks in the Vineyard of the Lord we have been dead under lively Oracles like the Smiths Anvill we are the harder for beating on such is our corruption that we are the worse for preaching Isaiah 6.9.10 Now God in his just judgement punisheth sinne with sinne he punisheth such contempt of the Gospel with Heresie Witchcraft Apostacy c. 4. Try before you trust Tho your Minister be a Holy man yet ' try what he teacheth you will tell money and weigh gold after your father and shall we onely take Doctrines on trust Since there are not a few but many false Prophets gone forth into the world as Anabaptists Arrians Quakers c. it will be our wisedom to try all things weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary bring them to the touch-stone of Gods Word and what upon trial you finde to be sound and right hold it fast retain it against all adverse power whatsoever 1 Thessalonians 5.21 Prov. 23.23 buy the truth at any rate part with it at no rate Prov. 4.21 Luke 8.15 Rom. 12.9 2 Tim. 13.14 Heb. 2.1 and 10.3.3 Rev. 3.3.11 The world was never so full of Spirits as now There is the spirit of Errour the spirit of Fornication the spirit of Pride the spirit of Slumber the spirit of Giddinesse the spirit of Delusion c. Had not we then need to try the spirits 1 Iohn 4.1 Hath not God given us the
7 8. See Mr. Edwards his Antap. p. 124. c. Edit 2. Mr. Cawdry against Independency And the Vindication of the Presbyterian Government by the Provinciall Assembly of London Nov. 2. 1649. Mr. Baily's Disswasive 1. P. Chapt. 9 10. p. 181. c. The Government of the the Church of Scotland V. the Preface c. Printed 1647. Spanhemeus his Epistle against Independency Rutherfords Plea for and His Divine Right of Presbyteries Mr. Marshals Serm. for Unity on Rom. 12.4 p. 24 25. calls Independency a great Schisme VERSE 9. But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest to all mâ—n as theirs also was The Geneva thus But they shall prevaile no longer for their madnesse shall be evident unto all men as theirs also was THe Apostle comes now to conclude this Period with a consolatory Epiphonema and with this cordiall and comfortable promise he encourageth Timothy and in him all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospel successively to the end of the world against those discouragements which they should meet withall from the Impostors and Seducers of the last times That they may not be despondent he assures them of the good issue and comfortable event of these trialls to this end first he tells them that God will put a bar to the proceedings of these false Teahers and stop them in their Career that they shall proceed no further though their desire be still to do mischief yet God by his Almighty power will so chain and restrain them that they shall proceed no further Truth shall get the upper hand and shall hinder their prevailing by the discovery of their folly and madnesse so that albeit there may be a remnant left yet the rout shall be broken and the remainder shall moulder away daily more and more and as the house of David grew stronger and stronger so the house of Saul shall grow weaker and weaker Qâ—est But how can this agree with verse 13. where the Apostle sayes that wicked men and Seducers shall grow wâ—rse and worse deceiving and being deceived yet here he saith they shall proceed no further Answ. To omit those 4 or 5. frivolous conjectures confuted by Estius on the place I answer when the Apostle sayes evill men shall proceed no further and their folly shall be made known to all these are Hyperbolical speeches and must not be taken simply as they are spoken as if there should be no more seducing or seducers or as if their folly should be made so manifest to all the world that all should leave them such an exposition would make the Apostle to contradict himself and is directly contrary to the current of the Scripture But the drift of the Apostle is this viz. To animate the faithfull Ministers in their war against seducers and that upon this account because their labour shall not be in vain but God will blesse it with successe against the enemies of his truth yea by their Preaching the fraud and falshood of those false Prophets should be so plainly discovered to the world that their folly should be openly knowne and many seeing the errour of their wayes shall leave them though some should still be blinded and deluded by them yet God will open the eyes of his Elect especially that they shall see their delusions and shun them in vain is the net laid in the sight of a bird Prov. 1.17 and though God may suffer these deceivers for a time to prevaile till they come ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to their height yet then they shall surely and suddenly come down that Gods glory may be the more perspicuous in their greater downfalls Now lest any should grow secure and think that when they have supprest some deceivers their work is done the Apostle tells us Verse 13. there will be seducers still and some shall be seduced by them therefore we had need to watch for no sooner is one Heresie knockt down but two are ready to arise in its stead So that both these Verses are usefull the one to comfort us the other to Caution and Quicken us 2. They shall proceed no further viz. in their hypocritical jugling practises for they shall be all laid plain and naked to the world so that he which runs may read them which brings me to the second particular viz. the Manner How or the Meanes by which the Lord will effect their downfall viz. by the manifestation of their folly or madnesse rather as some Translations accordiug to the Originall render it for though the word signifie folly yet properly it signifies one that hath lost his mind and right wits and is therefore rendred madnesse Luke 6.11 but our Translation following the Vulgar Latine renders it folly This their folly and madnesse or foolish madnesse shall be discovered to their confusion Gods usuall method is first to make such Impostors naked and then desolate Rev. 17.16 First he discovers their juglings and then he makes them abhorred Hypocrites seldome passe undiscovered before they dye Though at first arising Hereticks may get applause as Simon Magus who was counted for some great man and may have many followers so that they seem to carry all before them yet such Meteors last not long God discovers and discards them so that their end is miserable and igdnominious Ier. 28.15 16. and 29.21 22 23 31 32. Though this Gangreene may creep yet shall it not so spread as to corrupt the whole Church of God they shall not be able to deceive Gods Elect in whose hearts God hath written his Law and against whom the gates of hell shall not prevaile Quest. How is the folly of these Heresiarchs said to be made known to all when many are still mislead by them Answ. The word All is not here taken collectively for all the world for it lyes and will lye in blindnesse and wickednesse But all must be taken distributively for some of all sorts as is frequent in Scripture where by a Synecdoche generis All is oft put for Many and especially for all the Elect. So Rom. 5. All in the 18. verse is called Many in the 19. So 2 Pet. 3.9 q. d. Many that before were abused and mislead shall by the Light of the word so clearly see the folly and falshood of these Impostors that they shall forsake them And if any shall be so besotted as still to follow them they shall sin against Light and conviction to their greater ruine 3. He confirms the downfall of these Impostors by an Argument drawn à Pari from the Example of those Magicians which opposed Moses in Egypt q. d. As God discovered the Folly and Madnesse of Iannes and Iambres in opposing Moses and Aaron when the rod of Aaron devoured the rods of the Magicians Exod. 7 12. and when they could not make a louse which is the smallest and basest of creatures Exod. 8.18 19. this tended much to their confusion and made the folly of those
his escape he plainly tells them that if they should leave him and goe to Croyden without him and tell the Bishop they had lost Fryth I would sure follow after as fast as I could and bring them newes that I had found and brought Frith again c. When God calls us to witnesse to his Truth we must sticke to it else if we be ashamed of Christ and his Truth he will be ashamed of us Marke 8. ult He will take no pleasure in us 'tis a Meiosis i. He will utterly abhorre us Hebrewes 10.38 the fearful i. such as out of base fear to save their lives or goods deny Christ must be cast into Hell Revelations 21.8 Such bring terrour of Conscience upon themselves in this life as Spira in Queen Maries dayes they dishonour Religion as if it were not worth the suffering for and so bring dishonour upon themselves He that pleases may see this Case more fully debated in Master Perkins CC. l. 2. c. 12. Q. 3. Bowler Pastor Evangel l. 3. c. 8. Altingius Problem P. 2. Problem 3. there you have the Q. debated Pro con Ward on Matth. 10.23 Aretius Probl. loc 2. de fuga 6. Observe That these whom God calls extraordinarily he endues with extraordinary gifts Paul and Barnabas were called extraordinarily and they shew it by the Miracles they wrought Acts 14.3 8 9. by the extraordinary successe in their Ministery and by their understanding the Lyaconian Language without teaching a gift peculiar to those times for the more speedy spreading of the Gospel Acts 2.6 which shewes the folly of the Impostors of our time who pretend to an extraordinary call as the Apostles had when they have not so much as ordinary gifts when they can heal the sicke blinde lame c. and speak all manner of Languages without study then we shall beleeve they are extraordinarily called but till then we should esteem them as they are indeed Impostours and deceivers 7. Observe That the more laborious and active any are for Christ the greater opposition they must expect from the world As Paul laboured more then others 1 Corinthians 15.10 So he suffered more then others A man that goeth soltly by is not molested with Dogs but he that rides faster then ordinary shall have all the Dogs in the town after him The world lies snorting in their sin and cannot endure such as would waken them 'T is observed of the Church of Sardis and Laodicea which were dead and cold that they had no such trouble as Smyrna and faithful Philadelphia had 8. Observe Gratious men are constant men no troubles can break them off from Gods wayes and works Persecute prison stone them they are still the same As the Martyr told the Bishop Rawlins you left me Rawlins I am and Rawlins by Gods grace I will continue No dangers nor difficulties can drive them from their dueties but if they be stoned and knockt down in one place they rise in another They are faithful to the death and so receive a Crown of Life Revelations 2.10 many with Demas begin in the Spirit but end in the flesh they embrace a more easie flesh-pleasing way and so loose all Galat. 3.4 but the faithful have not so learned Christ They know not what 't is to yield when they can stand no longer on their feet they will fight upon their knees Iacob will have the blessing though he halt for it and the woman of Canaan will not leave Christ though he call her Dog Observe Not onely our dangers but also our deliverances must be observed and recorded by us The Apostle had told us before of his persecutions now he tels us how God delivered him out of all We must not coldly and carelesly pass over the great things which God doth for us but sit down and consider them with all their Circumstances till our hearts be inflamed by them we should sit down and with an holy silence admire the wondrous things which God hath done for us 1 Samuel 12.24 Zech. 2.13 1. Observe Gods singular wisedome in turning the Plots of Persecutors an their own Pates Psalm 9.16 and to his own prayse Psalm 76.10 by their opposing the Gospel he spreads it 2. Observe His Power in Over-powring all the Tyrants of the world how easily and irrecoverably doth he break them in pieces even as a bar of Iron falling on an earthen Pot Psalm 2.9 3. Observe His Truth and Faithfulness to his People doing for us above all that we can speak or think we can speak of much and we can think of more but God doth for us above all our words or thoughts 4. Observe His tender Love and care over his People He hides us as the Hen doth her Chickens under the wings of his special Protection from the Birds of prey Psalm 91.4 He keeps us as the apple of his Eye Deut. 32.10 Psalm 17.8 Zech. 2.8 which is the tenderest piece of the tenderest part and will endure no jests it is guarded by Nature with many Tunicles To quicken you to this duty 1. Consider that 't is a point of special wisedome to consider the singular providences of God towards us Psalm 107. ult 2. 'T will bring us unto nearer communion and acquaintance with God Psalm 107. ult we shall understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord we shall attain to a more intimate sweet experimental knowledge of God 3. This will be a means to support and comfort us in future evils David considering how the Lord delivered him from the Lion and the Bear concludes from thence his conquest over the Philistim So the Apostle reasons from former deliverances to future 2 Cor. 1.10 This is Scripture Logick he hath delivered that we know he doth deliver that we see therefore we conclude he will still deliver This will be meat to us in the wildernesse and hidden Manna to comfort us in new afflictions A God tried and found faithful is a singular support in a time of trouble 4. 'T will incourage us to persevere in Prayer Psalm 116.1.2 a secure un-observant Christian is a Non-praying Christian. 5. 'T will quicken us to Praise God The most observant Christians are the most thankful Christians Who can observe the singular love and care of God to him and not be thankful for it This will make us say with admiration Lord what is man that thou shouldest thus magnifie him Iob 7.17 18. Let us therefore be much in considering both the dangers and deliverance of the faithful their example will be a great support to us in the like trials Psalm 34.4 5 6. Hebrewes 12.1.2 3. Iames 5.10.11 'T is some ease to us when we see our case is not singular 't is no other then that which befalleth other men 1 Cor. 10.13 and the rest of our brethren in the world Matth. 5.11 12. 1 Pet. 5.9 10. Observe Though the righteous meet with many troubles yet the Lord delivers them out of all Psalm 34.19 we have here
are but Truths twinnes Civil Truth is good but the least Evangelical Truth is of more worth then all the Civil Truths in the world that are meerly so 3. Naturally wee desire Liberty now Truth is the Parent of all true Liberty whether it bee Political or Personal so much Untruth so much Thraldome so much Truth so much Liberty Iohn 8.32 4. If you preserve the Truth it will preserve you in the hour of Temptation as Solomon sayes of wisdom Prov. 4.8 exalt her and she shall exalt you So keep the truth and it will keep you from falling as it did the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.10 so thou shalt stand as an impregnable rock when others fly as the Chaffe before the wind The Truth of God in judgement is one of the Eyes of the soul he that wants it is blind and cannot see afar off Now as a clear eye is a very great help for the discerning of a danger before it comes so a clear distinct knowledg of the truth is a very great help to us to discern a Temptation before it be upon us and to discover the Methods and Depths of Satan that he may not surprize us unawares 5. 'T is a great honour to a person or Nation to be the Conservators and Preservers of the Truths of God 'T is not only our Duty but our Glory This honour formerly belonged to the Jewes to them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 God hath now entrusted us with this choyce Treasure the Lord help us to keep it pure both in Judgement and Practice lest it be taken from us Let us all in our places preserve it from violence with all our might There are many spiritual Cheaters abroad the greater will our honour be in maintaining Gods Truth against them all 'T was Shammahs honour one of Davids Worthies that he kept his ground and got a great victory when others â—led 2 Sam. 23.12 Say not I am but one and a weak one too but remember what great things the Lord did by Athanasius and Luther when they had all the world against them One man holding forth truth shall be too strong for all the world for truth unites us to God and God to us it ingageth God in our quarrel and so makes us invincible for if God be with us who can be against us so as to hurt us and destroy us Rom. 8.31 Bradford writing to his friends tells them never shall the enemy be able to burn the truth or prison and keep it in bonds us they may prison bind and burn but our Cause Religion and Doctrine they shall never be able to burn The story of the man in the Councill of Nice is well known where a Christian of no great Learning converted a Learned man whom all the Bishops with their skill and eloquence could not perswade so long as the matter went by words he opposed words with words but when instead of words power came out of the mouth of the speaker words could not withstand truth nor man stand out against God Many wonder why Ministers are so earnest and zealous in defending the truth why 't is a depâ—situm which God hath entrusted us withall and 't is well observed that it 's a greater sin to imbezill or alter that then any thing we have borrowed because this is committed to our justice but a depositum to our faithfullnesse the deposition doth rest upon us as trusty men Let Gods truth then be dearer to us then our dearest lives our lives will not be worth the enjoying if God take his truth from us let us beseech him rather to take our lives away rather then take the light of the Gospel away And hast been assured of If you read the words so The Observation will be this That Ministers should be assured of those things which they teach to others They should not only have a Head knowledge or an aery empty notionall speculative knowledge but an experimentall practical knowledge They must believe before they speak Psalme 116.10 that so they may speak from the heart to the heart and may bring their meat in their breasts and not as birds do in their Beaks Knowing of whom thou hast learned them 1. Observe That gracious men are modest men The Apostle doth not boast of himself to Timothy nor proclaim his Learning gifts c. He onely tells him in brief Thou knowest of whom thou hast learnt them 2. Observe The excellency of the Teacher makes the Doctrine the more taking This we see even in Humane and Moral Learning the Platonick Doctrine grew famous because it was profest by Socrates and the Peripatetick by Aristotle The Schollars of Pythagoras did so confide in the Dictates of their Master that when any one askt them a Reason of what they held they would give no other answer but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ipse dixit our Master said so yet these were Heathens but when we have an aged holy Paul for our Master who was an Apostle of Christ the Pen-man of the Holy Ghost and guided more immediately by the Spirit of God then we must with constancy adhere to what they teach us and attend to their doctrine as if Christ himself taught us Gal. 4.14 for his Ambassadours they are and he that heareth them heareth him Young Timothies especially should hearken to the instructions of aged Pauls who have born the heat of the day and by experience can teach us the ways of God Years should be heard speak Iob 32.7 Young Ministers should suspect their own judgements when they vary from an Holy aged Calvin Beza and all the Churches of God As young Lawyers and Physitians observe the Principles and Practices of the serious and grave Professours of their way especially when grounded on Maxims and Rules of Art So should young Divines It ill becomes a young raw Physitian to contradict a whole Colledge of Physitians or a Puny Lawyer a Bench of Judges or a young Divine a whole Assembly of Divines 'T is the looseness of the times that makes young men so bold When Government is settled they will either change their note or be made ashamed of it VERSE 15. And that from a Childe thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Iesus THese words contain a third Argument by which the Apostle presseth Timothy to perseverance viz. because he knew the Scriptures not onely from his Childe-hood but even from his Infancy and from a suckling i. so soon as ever he was able to learn the Scriptures he was presently taught them 1. Observe Parents ought to instruct their Children betimes in the Word of God It s good seasoning the Vessel betimes with goodness Lois Timothies Grandmother and Eunice his Mother taught him as soon as he was capable the way of the Lord 2 Timothy 2.5 Timothies Father was a Greek and Gentile but his
For the condemning of Vsury and oppression how full is the Old Testament yet Usury is scarce mentioned in the New Testament 3. How then should Magistrates put Blasphemers Adulterers and witches to death since the scriptural warrants which make these crimes Capital are contained in the Old Testament and not in the New 4. Then it would not be unlawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament and not in the New hence some Sectaries have maintained that 't is lawful to marry within the Degrees forbidden in the Old Testament c. 2. Since the Old Test. is the very word of God and there are contained in it so many excellent promises to support our faith and so many precious Truths and Commands for the direction of our lives oh let us read it study it meditate in it night and day Psalm 1.1 2. As Ministers must preach the whole counsell of God to their people Acts 20.27 so people should desire to hear and know all Gods counsell revealed to us in the Old and New Testament things revealed concerne us Deut. 29.29 â—ince we have Moses and the Prophets we must not expect Revelations Luke 16.29 This is that foundation upon which all the faithfull must build Ephesians 2.20 being built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets i. e. on the Doctrine of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament a house without a foundation will soon fall He that knowes not Gods will revealed in Scripture must needs miscarry Hence 't is that Christ would not have us barely read but search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 of the Old Testament where we shall find many excellent Lessons 1. There we may see the glorious work of Creation how God made man holy and happy how we lost this happinesse and how by Christ we are restored again Gen. 3. and 2. To fear us from sin here we may see Gods judgements on the Old world Sodom Pharaoh Egypt Ierusalem and Lots wife whom Christ commands us to remember Luke 17.33 and if we must remember her why not all the rest of these examples which are recorded in the Old Testam 3. Here are many sweet promises to quicken us to obedience Deut. 28.1 to 15. 4. Here are Precepts for practice to direct us in our duty 5. Here we may see the examples of Gods servants walking up to those Precepts and how wonderfully God preserved them in their integrity Here you may see Abrahams Faith Lots Hospitality Iobs Patience Davids Zeale Iosephs Chastity Noahs Righteousnesse Moses his Meeknesse Ioshua's Valour These must be as so many goads to quicken us to the like Graces and as so many Looking-glasses for us to dress our selves by 6. The Old Testament gives great light to the New there is a mutual Harmony and agreement between them so that like stones in an Arch they strengthen and hold up one another We cannot so well understand many places of the New Testamentt unlesse we compare them with the Old Hence Christ oft speaks and the Law Iohn 1.17 and and 5.46 Luke 24.27 44. who could understand that dark Epistle to the Hebrews which is even composed out of the Old Test. it's Types and Allegories if he have not some insight iâ— the Old Test. So Iohn 3.14 cannot be understood without some knowledge of the brazen Serpent mentioned in the Old Test. The Old Test. in many things is larger then the New and so is very needful to be known There 's Physicks in Genesis Iob Psalms 2. There 's Ethicks in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for the right ordering of our lives 3. Politicks in the Judicial Laws of Moses very useful for the well-ordering of a common-wealth 4. There is in the Old Testament the best pleasantest and truest of Histories from the beginning of the world to our Saviours time here we have the Rise and Ruine of many famous Kings and Kingdomes for the space of nigh 4000. yeares exactly and faithfully which is the life and glory of History set forth unto us Other Histories may be excellent but Scripture-History excels them all Let us then embrace the Scriptures of the Old Testament as the good word of God written for our Learning and a word that still speaks unto us as unto Children Heb. 12.5 and 13.5 1 Cor. 10 11. in Doctrines Exhortations and Comforts And since Old and New Testament are both the infallible word of God let us receive it with all Humility and Thankfulnesse as an Epistle sent to us from the great God Here is the Fountain the Life and all the Treasures of wisdome included Here is all things needful for our salvation in it is nothing superfluous or vaine but a sweet harmony and agreement of all parts and therefore is to be wholly received by us for as the Phylosopher delights in all Aristotle the Physician in Galen the Orator in Tully and the Lawyer in Iustinian so and much more should a Christian embrace the whole Bible and welcome it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prizing it as one of the choycest gifts which ever God gave to the sonnes of men How zealously did our Fore-fathers considering their light affect the Scriptures when one of them in the beginning of the Reformation gave a load of Hay for a piece of the Epistle of Saint Iames in English How will their forwardnesse condemn our backwardnesse and their zeale our Lukewarmnesse The Holy Scriptures c. So here what a large Encomium and high commendation the Holy Ghost gives of the Scriptures even such as is given to no other book in the world besides 1. He commends them in respect of one speciall property and adjunct viz. their Holinesse The Holy Scriptures 2. From their Effects they are able to make us wise unto salvation 3. From their Authority Verse 16 17. Utility Verse 16 17. Perfection Verse 16 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Scriptures 'T is not simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Those eminently holy letters those sacred Scriptures the article is emphatical and therefore the Holy Ghost to distinguish these sacred writings from all profane writings gives them such Adjuncts and Epithets as are incompatible to all other writings whatsoevr Now the Reason why God would have his word written is this viz. that it might be kept the better and be propagated to posterity and be more easily kept and vindicated from corruption then Revelations could have been 2 Peter 1.19 Observe The word of God is holy Scriptures this is it's proper Adjunct and excellency 't is holy Rom. 1.2 They are perfectly holy in themseves all other writings are prophane further then they draw some holinesse from them which yet is never such but that their holinesse is imperfect Now the Scriptures are called holy in five respects 1. In respect of their Authour and principal cause viz. the most holy God 2. In respect of the Pen-men aud instrumental cause they were holy men
of God 2 Pet. 1.21 3. In respect of their matter they treat of the holy things of God they teach nothing that is impure or prophane They teach us Holinesse in Doctrine and Practice They call upon us for Self-denial Universal obedience and teach us to do all things from holy Principles and for holy ends 4. In respect of their End and Effect viz. our sanctification Iohn 17.17 by reading hearing and meditating on Gods word the Holy Ghost doth sanctify us Psalm 19.8 9. The word of God is not onely pure but purifying not onely clean per se but effectively a cleansing word 5. By way of distinction and opposition they are called Holy to distinguish them not onely from humane and prophane but also from all Ecclesiastical writings They have their naevos and must have their graines of allowance but the holy Scripture is pure and perfect 1. This must teach us to bring pure minds to the Reading hearing and handling of Gods holy word The word is pure and therefore calls for a pure frame of Spirit in him that reads it for as no man can rightly sing Davids Psalmes without Davids spirit so no man can rightly understand the word of God without the Spirit of God Carnal sensuall hearts and such divine spiritual works will never agree A vessel that is full of Poyson cannot receive pure water or if it could yet the vessel would taint it 'T is not for unclean beasts to come nigh these sacred fountains lest they defile them with their feet 2 Take heed of prophaning the holy Scriptures by playing with them or making jests out of them It 's a dangerous thing Ludere cum sacris See 7. sorts of prophaners of the holy Scriptures condemned in Mr. Trapps true Treasure Chap. 4. Sect. 1. to 8. 3. Love the Scriptures for their purity as God is to be loved for his purity so is his word Many love it for the History or for novelty but a gracious soul loves it for its purity because it arms him against sin directs him in Gods wayes enables him for duty discovers to him the snares of sin and Satan and so makes him wiser then his enemies Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation In these words the Apostle commends the Scriptures from the effect viz. because they are able to make us wise not only in Temporals but in Eternals they teach us not earthly but Heavenly wisdom even such as will never rest till it have brought us to salvation q. d. O Timothy I am now dying and ready for Martyrdome thou must therefore expect no more teaching from me this may trouble thee as the losse of Elijah troubled Elisha when he saw his Master taken from him into heaven yet be not despondent for though thou lose me yet thou hast a better Teacher in my stead viz. the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee truly wise and to furnish thee with all Ministeriall requisits Observe The word of God alone is able to make us wise unto salvation Psalm 19.7 Luke 16.28 29. Iohn 5.39 and 20.31 Iames 1.22 25 No other knowledge can bring us to salvation but only the knowledge of the holy Scripture This excellency is proper and peculiar onely to the word of God Aristotle Plato Socrates Epictetus Seneca Plutarch may teach us Moral wisdome but not a word of Christ or salvation by him to be found therein But the knowledge of the Scripture brings us directly to Christ and by consequence to salvation which is the only true wisdome Iohn 17.3 Acts 4.12 it will save a man and his house Acts 11.14 This made the Apostle preferre the wisdom of God in the Gospel before the wisdome of this world 1 Cor. 2.6 7. the Virgins that walked according to this Rule are called wise Matth. 25. True wisdome consists in finding the way to blessednesse and walking in that way to the end Psalm 2.10 11 12. Deut. 4.6 Prov. 15.24 and 19 20. Ier. 6.16 Ephes. 5.15 16. they dye fooles and beasts how politick soever they have been for worldly ends if they have not provided for eternal salvation Psal. 49. ult Prov. 5. ult Ier. 8.8 9. and 17.11 Luke 12.20 This Doctrine like a two-edged sword cuts both wayes 1. It cuts down the Papists on the one hand who deny the Scriptures to be a perfect Rule of Faith and Manners and therefore they adde many old mouldy moath-eaten superstitious Traditions to be believed as necessary to salvation and so come under the curse of Adding to Gods word Deut. 4.2 Prov. 30.6 Revel 22.18 They also deserve sharp reproof for keepinng the Scriptures from the common-people and by consequence from salvation contrary to Gods expresse command who would have all without exception of rich or poor to read his word Deut. 6.6 7 8. and 31.12 Iohn 5.39 Colos. 3.16 2. It cuts down the Sectaries on the other hand who deny the perfection of the Scripture and cry up up their own perfection their own dreams and fancies If the Scripture be able to make us wise to salvation to what end then serve these Ignes fatui but to lead men out of heavens path such have no true light in them Isay 8.20 and if Paul durst not publish any New-light besides or beyond the Scripture but kept close to the Rule and preached only such things as were revealed in the Prophets Acts 26.22 how great then is the presumption of the Pharises of our time who dare do that which Paul durst never do 2. It may be a singular encouragement to us to be much in Reading and Meditation on the word 'T is not Plato Plutarch c. that can make us wise to salvation though they are useful in their kind and we may learn many excellent lessons from them yet since we cannot find the name of Christ there it must abate our delight in them as it did Saint Austins in the reading of Tully If you will be wise indeed Read the Holy Scriptures they will make you savingly wise they will teach us all things necessary to salvation and what can we desire more See how the knowledge of Gods word excells all other knowledge in sundry particulars Hildersham on Iohn 4.21 Lect. 34. Doct. 3. and Lect. 36. Doct. 6. Through Faith which is in Christ Iesus That is by faith whose Foundation and Object is Christ with all his benefits The holy Scriptures though they instruct us sufficiently unto salvation yet cannot save us without faith Observe The word of God cannot save nor profit us without faith Such is our blindness deadness dulness yea enmity against the Word that without Faith we cannot see conceive or receive it 1 Cor. 2.14 Rom. 1.16 Heb. 4.2 Iohn 3.19 20. If a man offer us never so good an Almes yet uâ—less we have an eye to see it with a hand and heart to receive it we are never the better for the tender of it So that no Faith no
salvation this is the condition of the Covenant of Grace without which we have no interest in Christ as is clearly and learnedly proved by a Reverend Divine of ours Oh then make much of this Grace preserve her and she will preserve thee exalt her and she will exalt thee to Honour As David said to Abiather so Faith saith to us abide you with me fear not for he that seeks my life seeks thy life but with me shalt thou be in safety 1 Samuel 22. ult This is the Mother of all our Graces the Fountain from which they flow All Grace is in Faith Originally Radically Fundamentally Virtually 'T is the primum mobile which sets the other wheels agoing 'T is that work of God which contains all other good works in it Iohn 6.28 29 40. All duties all doing and suffering without Faith are displeasing unto God Romans 14. ult we must pray in Faith Iames 1.6 Hear in Faith Heb. 4.2 communicate in Faith by this we feed on Christ and lay hold on him crede manducasti Aug. This makes all we do to prosper 2 Chron. 20.10 'T is a Grace of perpetual use in prosperity and adversity in sickness and health in prosperity it keeps us watchful and humble Iob 3.25 in famine feares wants it keeps us cheerful Heb. 3.17 18. such righteous ones excell their wicked neighbours Prov. 12 26. they are the onely excellent of the earth Psalm 16.3 God accounts them too good to live in such a wicked world Heb. 11.38 This is that golden grace which makes us truly rich a well tried faith is more pretious then gold 1 Pet. 7. Rev. 3.18 This brings plenty and propriety in all All is yours to believers Christ gives his choycest blessings as Justification and Sanctification Peace of Conscience Victory over the world sin and Satan Rom. 3.30 and 5.18 and 9.3 Acts 15.9 and 16.31 Luke 7 50. 1 Cor. 1.3 Gal. 2.16 1 Iohn 5.12 freedom from death Natural in respect of its sting 1 Cor. 15.55 from death spiritual Iohn 5.29 and from death Eternal Iohn 3.16 To a believer Christ is all in all Colos. 3.11 1 Cor. 3.22 23. All comfort and salvation is terminated in him Zach. 9.9 In him doth fulness all fulness dwell Iohn 1.16 Col. 1.19 and 2.3 in Christ is a fulness of wisedom to answer for our folly 1 Cor. 1.30 a fulness of life to deliver all believers from death Iohn 14.6 We are dead till Christ by his Spirit quicken us Ephesians 21. hence he is called a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 a fulness of Liberty to free us from our Spirituall bondage to sin and Satan Iohn 8.36 2 Cor. 3.17 He is that Valiant Ioshua which frees us from the Tyranny of our spiritual enemies going forth conquering and to conquer 1 Cor. 15.37 Rev. 6.2 In Christ is a fulness of Glory a man without Christ is a Tohu Vabohu without form or beauty an Ichabod in whom is no glory like Reuben he can never excell Genesis 49.4 but being clothed with Righteousness we are wholly fair and there is no spot in us Cant. 4.7 Ephes. 5.27 the Church and Spouse of Christ is actually and presently fair 2. She is Universally fair in all parts though considered in her selfe she may erre doctrinaliter in matters of Faith and moraliter in respect of manners yet consider her in Christ whose righteousness is imputed to her for righteousness and so she is wholly fair and albeit the law accuse her of blots and spots yet the Law is answered by the Gospel and the Wife cannot be sued so long as the Husband lives Though in our selves we are black yet in Christ we are comely though poore in our selves yet rich in him though black in the worlds eye and black in her owne eye by reason of sin and misery yet she is fair in Christs eye who is a faithfull friend and soul-solacing Ionathan to comfort his in all their distresses Iohn 15.14 15. A Physitian to heal them of all their maladies Mal. 4.2 a Rock to support them 1 Cor. 10.4 and Mannah to feed them So that now believers with Paul may challenge all their enemies to do their worst Rom. 8.33.34 For the excellency of Faith See D. Reynolds Vanity of the Creature p. 476. Rogers of Dedham of Faith chap. 4. D. Bolton in folio 18. Royalties of Faith on Iohn 3.15 M. Perkins on Heb. 11. Doctor Preston on Faith Doctor Sibbs third Volume on Hebrews 11.13 Dykes Righteous mans Tower p. 32.33 and on Sacrament Chap. 11. Boltons Directions for walking page 52. Barlow on 2 Tim. 1.5 Watsons Charter chapter 20. M. Sam. Ward Sermon 2. p. 43. and 131. Master Ioseph Symonds sight and faith chapter 11. Master Ieremy Burrowes Treatise of Faith Vol. 8. and Saints Treasury page 68. Dan. Dyke on Matthew 4.3 Doctor Holydayes Nature of Faith Smith on the Creed p. 2. and Ambrose his Media page 162. VERSE 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness 17. That the man of God may be pefect throughly furnished unto all good workes THe Apostle the better to incourage Timothy to study the Holy Scriptures goeth on to prove that they are able to make one wise unto salvation and that by an Argument drawn from a full and sufficiâ—nt enumeration of those things which are necessary to salvation Where he commends the Holy Scriptures upon A three-fold account 1. For their Dignitie and Authoritie 2. For their Vtilitie 3. For their Perfection 1. He commends them for their Dignity and Divine Authority as coming more immediately from God Verse 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God 2. For their singular Utility which is foure-fold First For Doctrine to teach the Truth Secondly For reproof of Errour and false Doctrine Thirdly For correction of sinne and evill manners Fourthly For Instruction in Righteousnesse and good Workes 3. From their compleat perfection enabling a Minister for his Office verse 17. especially those foure Parts of it before named v. 16. 1. The Apostle commends the Scrpitures in respect of their Divine Authority they have not Angels or men for their Authour the Prophets and Apostles were but the Penmen Secretaries and Instruments of the Holy Ghost to write what he should Dictate to them So the Angels were but Gods Messengers to declare the Law to his people Galathians 3.19 The Scriptures have God himself for their more immediate Authour All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God i. all and every part of Scripture is Divinely inspired or breathed by God both for Matter Order Style and Words Those Holy Men of God did not onely utter their words by the Holy Ghosts immediate Direction but by the same Direction did commit them to Writing that they might be a standing Rule to the Church for ever For the bare memories of men would not have kept them for
us with such certainty as they have been kept in Scripture and delivered to us So that what David said of himselfe is true of all the Pen-men of Holy Scripture the Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his Word was in my tongue 2 Samuel 23.2 it is he that spake by the mouth of his Holy Prophets Luke 1.70 And bid them Write Revelations 14.13 They spake not what pleased themselves but they spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Peter 1.21 they were powerfully moved acted and carried out of themselves to write say and doe what God would have them Nehemiah 9.30 Micah 3.8 Acts 28.25 Hebrewes 13.7 2. He commends the Scriptures for their usefulnesse and profit which they bring both to Teacherâ— and Hearers which is foure-fold whereof two are Theorerical pertaining to the information of our judgements in matters of Doctrine 1. Teaching the Truth 2. Confuting Errours Two are Practical pertaining to the direction of our lives viz. First for Correction or Reformation of Vice And secondly for instruction in Paths of Righteousnesse 1. They are profitable for Doctrine and Instruction they teach men what to know and believe they instruct us in all Truth necessary to salvation viz. concerning God Man Christ Law Gospel Heaven Hell He first begins with Doctrine which in Order must goe before all the rest for it is in vain to reprove or exhort unlesse we first teach a man inform him of his duety 2. For reproof of Errour and Confutation of false Doctrine A right thing is a sufficient judge of its own straitnesse and the crookednesse of another thing There is an Elencticall power in the Scripture to stop the mouths of gain-sayers and to discover the by-Paths of wicked men Titus verse 9. We need not run to General Councils or send for Ancient Fathers to determine Controversies or confute Errours We have the Holy Scriptures that enable the Man of God and furnish him richly for that purpose 3. For correction of sin and evil manners which is done by admonition and reproof denouncing Gods judgements against them that those which go astray may be brought into the way by Repentance 4. The Scripture teacheth us how to lead an Holy and Righteous life according to the Will of God and so is profitable for instruction in Righteousness and good workes it being the most perfect Rule of Righteousnesse 5. The Scripture allures us to Piety by the sweet promises of the Gospel and so is profitable for consolation Romans 15.4 which is comprehended either under Doctrine or Instruction for he that will comfort another must first inform him of the Wisedome and Goodnesse of God to his Elect and how all things work together for good to those that are good There is no internal tentation nor any external affliction but you may finde a Medicine for it in the Scriptures So that in these 4 branches is contained â—he summe of Christianity Before I proceed any further it will be necessary to remove a block or two out of the way Bellarmine himself confesseth that this is one of the chiefest places that we have to prove the Scriptures perfection and therefore both he and Estius have invented all the wayes they can to invade the force of it 1. Say they the Apostle speaks here of the Old Testament for the New Testament was not yet added to the Canon nor some part of it written as the Epistles and the Revelation of Saint Iohn especially when Timothy was an Infant Now if the Old Testament say they were a perfect Rule then the New Testament would be superfluous and void Answer By Scripture here is meant not onely the Old Testament but also the New say some because all the Books of the New Testament were then extant when Paul writ this latter Epistle to Timothy which was the last of all Pauls Epistles as is gathered from 2 Timothy 4.6 So that then there were extant all Pauls Epistles all the Evangelists and all the Books of the New Testament excepting the writings of Iohn and as some conceive the writings of Luke 2. To omit conjectures let us grant that the Apostle speaks of the Old Testament and that he acknowledgeth they were able to make a man wise to salvation 'T is true they were so neither doe the writings of the Apostles adde any thing as to the substance of the Old Testament they onely explain the Law and the Prophets clearly shewing that Christ is come according as the Prophets foretold Acts 28.23 3. What was written in every Age was sufficient for that Age and the Books which were extant in these times were a sufficient Rule for the Church in those dayes Thus the five Books of Moses till the other Books of Scripture were extant were a perfect Rule So the Books of the Old Testament which were extant when Timothy was a child were a sufficient Rule yea and before there was any thing written Tradition alone was sufficient neither was any thing written so necessary but they might be saved without it But now since God hath revealed his mind in the Holy Scriptures we must to the Law and to the Testimony 4. I Answer by way of Retortion if the Parts of Scripture as they were delivered were sufficient for the Instruction of those to whom they were delivered then the whole Scripture à fortiori which now we have must needs be most sufficient for us and for all the Churches of God to the end of the world if the Old Testament were so proâ—itable how great is the profit and perfection of both Old and New together 2. Objection A second Cavil is this That the Scripture is not a Total and sufficient Rule but onely a Partial one and though it be profitable yet 't is not sufficient without unwritten Traditions They are not here excluded no more then Second Causes are excluded saith Bellarmine from the generating of things in the World as the Sun c. Answer If the Scripture contain all things necessary to salvation then 't is a perfect and not a partial Rule But it doth contain all things necessary to salvation Ergo The Minor I prove thus If the O. T. did contain all things necessary to salvation and were sufficient without Traditions then à fortiori both Testaments together must needs be sufficient But the Antecedent is true and therefore the consequent The Scripture alone is able saith the Apostle to make us wise to salvation and therefore it must needs be sufficient 2. The comparison from the Sun holds not because unto generation second causes must necessarily concur but for Regeneration here is such a full enumeration of all things to be done that no more needs be added and therefore Traditions are vain Besides 't is well observed that the word in the Original signifieth not onely profit and conveniency but also perfection and sufficiency the Scriptures have an All-sufficiency in
of gifts 'T is good to Profess but Practice is better yea of the two Practice without Profession is better then Profession without Practice for Divinity in this life consists rather in Practice then in speculation and contemplation In Religion we know no more then we Practice then we are said to know God when we keep his Commandements 1 Iohn 2.3 4. Lay aside words and fall to works Quid verbis opus est Spectemur agendo Let us imitate the sheep which boast not how much they have eaten but shew it actually by their fat fleece and young We all profess we love God let us shew it by doing something for his Honour As the woman that loved our Saviour bestowed a box of precious Oyntment on him Love is bountifull Many read the Scriptures onely to fit them for discourse as some are said to read Plato All such unpractical knowledge in Gods esteem is no knowledge 1 Samuel 1.12 Ieremiah 2.8 The Priests no doubt had a Notional knowledge but because it wanted Practice God accounted it no knowledge This want of Practice breeds Errours and Heresies Men turn Scepticks because they will not be Practicks God plagues the Hypocrites of our time for their Unfruitfulnesse Ungratefulnesse and Contempt of the Gospell by giving them up in his just judgement 1. Anabaptism Libertinism Socinianism and other Heretical ways Sin hath so blinded them that they cannot see the Truth Matthew 22.29 Practice is the best Preservative against defection this will make a man whose knowledge is less then others to remain stedfast in time of trial like a fixed Star whilest others of greater Parts like blazing Comets may shine for a while but at last vanish into smoke Revelations 3.8 'T is obedience to this Word that will build us up till it have brought us to an inheritance immortal Acts 20.32 He that would see more Encouragements for Practice let him peruse Mr. Samuel Wards Sermon Iohn 13.17 it is the last Sermon of his Sermons Master Vennings sermon on Matthew 7.21 Doctor Preston on Romans 1.18 p. 170. Downams Guide to Godliness cap. 1.2 The Preface to the last Edition of Doctor Andrewes Catechism Master Anthony Burgess spi. Refining 1 Peter 1.2 3. Master Sanger his morning Lecture p. 77 c. 1. Then let us Read it constantly Deuteronomy 6.6 7. Psalm 1.1 2. least any should exempt themselves the Lord names all sorts men women children strangers Deuteronomie 31.11 12. Ieremiah 36.6 7. not onely the learned but the unlearned also must Read yea search the Scriptures if they expect Eternal Life Iohn 5.39 peruse them frequently and search them diligently digging for these Heavenly Treasures as men doe for gold who break every clod that they may finde the golden Oare There is nothing written in vain but even those places which at first view seem to contain nothing memorable yet by prayer and study much gold of instruction and consolation may be gained from them neither is there any danger in a wise humble and Holy reading of the Scriptures for then the Lord would never have revealed them nor have denounced such terrible Threatnings against such as are ignorant of them Isay 27.11 1 Thessalonians 7.8 It is not knowledge but the want of it which makes men erre both in Doctrine and Manners Matthew 22.29 as we see by sad experience in the dark corners of the land Be not then a stranger to Gods Word but let it dwell in you Colossians 3.16 Let it bee your Domesticke Counsellour let it be as Familiar with you as he that dwelleth in the same House with you even as your Brother and Sister Proverbs 4.7 Let it dwell not onely sufficiently but aboundantly richly and plentifully in you both in respect of the Object be not onely acquainted with some Parts and Parcels of the Scripture but let the whole Word both Law and Gospel abide in you be industrious to know all Gods Will Hos. 6.3 Prov. 2.3.4 5. Secondly In respect of the Subject Let it rule in all the parts of the Soul in the Understanding Memory Will Affections set open the Doores of the Soul and bid light welcome Let there not be a formido Lucis a shunning of the Light for that argueth guilt Iohn 3.20 But be like Apollos who was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18. 14. and like the Eunuch Acts 8.28 29. who would lose no time but as he was travelling and riding in his Chariot he was reading the Word 2. Which makes him the more to be admired he was but a Heathen 3. He had much business 4. He was a Prince and a great man 5. Though he understood not what he read yet he would be reading 6. He ingeniously confessing his ignorance God sends one to instruct him 'T is the Meek the Teachable and the Tractable whom God will teach his way Psal. 25.9 Isay 28.9 10. Iames 1.21 'T was the great praise of Alphonsus King of Arragon that notwithstanding all his Princely affairs he read over the Bible 14. times with the ordinary Gloss and George Prince of Transilvania read over the whole Bible 6. or 7. times How will their forwardness condemn our backwardness See Motives and directions for Reading the Scriptures Par. on Rom. in the end of his Comment p. 1. c. Byfields Marrow p. 550. Master White of Dorchester Direct for reading script Master Sam. Hierons Serm. on Hos. 8.12 Downams Guide to Godlyness cap. 28. to 32. Master Traps Treatise cap. 8. Master Burgess his Sermon on Marke 1.3 p. 14 c. Master Leigh's Body of Divinity l. 1. c. 2. p. 23. Master Philip Goodwin Family-Dut p. 348. 2. We must remember and Treasure up the things we read 'T is impossible we should ever practice the things which we forget with Mary we should treasure up Christs sayings in our hearts Luke 2.19.51 we should lay up something for the time to come Isay 42.23 and learn that in Sion which may support us in Babylon Ier. 10.11 this will be a means to keep us from sinning against God Psalm 119.11 Deut. 11.18 Iob 22.22 23. Our memories naturally are very false and there is a wilful forgetfulness of the best things Hence the Lord commanded the Jewes to make them fringes on the borders of their Garments that they might remember the Commandments of the Lord and do them Num. 15.38 39. we should use all good means to keep the word in Remembrance as by conference by loving it Psalm 119.16 want of affection makes memory wanting we use not to forget what we love By writing it such as can write Sermons may do well to write them Baruc writ from the mouth of Ieremy 36.32 and if Kings notwithstanding the multiplicity of their Kingly affairs yet must spare time to read Gods Word and must write out with their own hands a Copy of the Law the better to imprint it in their memories Deut. 17.18 how can inferiour persons who have
direct us in paths of Piety Here 's a salve for every sore a medicine for every malady even a perfect Rule of found doctrine and good life See more in Mr. Leigh's Body of Divinity l. 1. c. 7. p. 80. c. VERSE 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works THe Apostle here addes the end of the Scriptures usefulness viz. to make the man of God perfect i. e. that the Minister of Christ may be perfect and compleat every way fitted for the work of his calling for althoâ—gh this be true of every good man that the word of God is able to comcompleat and perfect him for every good work yet the context and scope of the Apostle shewes that he especially speaks of a Minister of Christ whom by way of honour he stiles The man of God This Title did properly and peculiarly belong to the Prophets of the Old Testament who were by way of honour and excellency called Men of God 1 Sam. 2.27 and 9.6 1 Kings 13.1.13 Deut. 33.1 2 Pet. 1.21 1 Kings 17.18 and 2.4 7. 1. Because of their Mission and Commission which they had from God to dispense his word and Sacraments to his people they are Gods Legates and Embassadours and therefore are they called Men of God 2. In respect of that singular Holinesse which is or at least ought to be in the Ministers of Christ and in respect of their neernesse and familiarity with God 'T is an Hebraisme very frequent in Scripture when they would expresse an excellent thing they joyned the name of God to it as the City of God Cedars of God Harps of God men of God i. e. excellent Cities Cedars Harps Men. The Apostle applies this Title to Timothy 1 Tim. 6.11 in the Text he applies it to all the ministers of the Gospel How basely soever this ungrateful world esteems of them yet they are men of God set apart by him for the noblest imployment They are not only men of God by right of Creation for so are the wicked nor by right of Redemption so are the Elect but by special delegation God imployes them on his Embassyes and Messages to the sons of men Hence Observe That the calling of the Ministery is an Honourable Calling They are men indeed but they are men of God They are Ministers and Servants but 't is for Christ. They are Embassadours for him 2 Cor. 5.20 'T is an Honour to be an Embassadour to an ordinary King but to be imployed as an Embassadour for the King of Kings how great is that honour Three things make a service Honourable 1. If we serve an Honourable Master 2. If our work be honourable 3. If our wages be Honourable All three things concurre here No Master no Work no Wages like ours The Physitian looks to your bodies the Lawer to your Estates and the Minister to your soules These are the Light of the world the Salt of the Earth the Stewards of Gods house Friends of the Bridegroom and the Saviours of the world Kings by way of Reverence and Honour have called them Fathers 2 Kings 13.14 This is an Honour which none are capable of but such as God is pleased to call Heb. 5.4 How great then is the sin of those Atheisticall Quakers who load the faithfull Ministers of Christ with vile and reproachfull language If the Spirit of God call them Men of God and give them Honourable Titles then they are certainly led by the spirit of the Devil who vilify them and miscall them The time is at hand when such shall answer for all their hard speeches against God and his Ministers Iude 15. But 't is no wonder that we sinful dust and ashes are abused when our Lord and Master himself suffers if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub what may the servants expect 'T is some comfort that we are abused by none but such as abuse God his Sabbaths Scriptures Orders and Ordinances But though Israel play the harlot yet let not Iudah sin Love you the faithful messengers of Christ. Let their faces yea their feet be beautifull in your eyes Isay 52.7 have them in singular love for their works sake Children should love their Fathers the sheep their shepherd and the convert the Instrument of his conversion Though our persons may deserve but little yet our Callings are Honourable The Apostle would have you give them double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 not onely your countenance but honourable maintenance 1. That they may live like the Embassadours of Christ. 2. That by Hospitality and works of mercy they may adorn their profession 3. We must give our selves to Reading but without book we cannot read We need books Philosophicall Theological Textual Polemical Practical Historical 500. l. say some will buy but a competent study for a Minister of the Gospel 4. Our breeding is chargeable and our paines very great besides we have no worldly way of Trading whereby to subsist 5. If the Levitical Priest had honourable maintenance then we that are put to greater cost and pains may much more expect it from our flocks 2. If Ministers be men of God near and dear to him then he 'l defend them His starres he holds in his Right hand he hath a speciall care over them and respect unto them 2. Observe 'T is lawfull to give honourable Titles to men according to their places and callings The Scripture approves not of any rude uncivill language but expressely commands us to give honour to whom honour is due Rom. 13.7 Exod. 20.12 The Saints of God in Scripture did not use to Thee and Thou men but gave respectful and reverent language to their betters Sarah calls Abraham not Thou Abraham but she calls him Lord or Sir 1 Pet. 3.6 Luke calls Theophilus most excellent Theophilus Luke 1.3 Obadiah a Saint meets Elijah and falls on his face before him and calls him My Lord Elijah 1 Kings 18.7 here is both reverend gesture and language and that to a Prophet a Minister of God whom men hate now not for any evill that we have done but solely for our office because we are Ministers of Christ and witnesse against their wickednesse therefore they call us Conjurers Juglers Limbs of the Devill Covetous Proud Tithe-mongers Legall Preachers Baals Priests Witches Devils Lyars c. with such Billingsgate language they stuffe their lying Pamphlets The Lord rebuke them Solomon will teach them if they be not past Teaching better language Eccles. 12.11 he calls Ministers Masters of the Assemblies The Jaylour calls Paul and Silas Sirs or Masters Acts 16.30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Domini a Title of Honour and they reprove him not for it which they would have done had it been unlawfull Paul commands us to give them double honour Iohn gives a Title of Honour to a good woman and calls her an Elect Lady 2 Iohn 1.3.5 Object These were good and godly persons but we shew
Matthew 3.3 He proclaimed the coming of Christ into the World Thus Paul was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Herald to publish the Gospel Be instant The Word signifieth to stand over it stand close to it or to stand much upon it To be instant in Preaching implies a standing to it with diligence and earnestnesse hence Tindal renders it Be fervent in Preaching We must rouse up our selves to the work we shall meet with many dangers difficulties discouragements we must expect many Temptations from within and from without us from profits pleasure ease so that if we be not Instant and Urgent in the work offering a kind of holy Violence to our selves we shall fail in the duty and though for the present we see no fruit of our labours yet must we not give over but be instant and unwearied in the work of the Lord and even compell men to come in to Christ Luke 14.33 In season out of season Q. D. Preach the Word on all occasions take all Opportunities be active in the duty he that will be a Bishop must be apt to teach 1 Timothy 3.3 1. We must Preach in season i. on the Lords Day that is the ordinary time set apart by God himself for this duety This season Christ and his Apostles usually observed Marke 6.1 Luke 4.16 Acts 2.46 and 13.14 and 20.7 2. There are times and seasons when the Word may be most acceptable and most profitable to the hearers as when Gods hand lies heavy upon a people and they are broken with some great affliction then is a time to speak a word in season then they will hear our words for they are sweet Psalm 141.6 2. Out of Season Not that the Word is ever out of season in it self for it is the Bread of Life all other meats have their times and seasons but Bread is the Staffe of Nature and is never out of season There is no season unseasonable for so seasonable for so necessary a duty in the Opinion of a Natural man and in the eye of carnal reason it seems sometimes to be out of season as when it is preached on the week day when Pastor and people have profits and pleasures and worldly imployments to draw them off Now a Sermon seems like snow in Harvest to such earthly souls it is out of season with them yet even these seasons which the world judgeth unseasonable must a Minister redeem for preaching Thus Christ himself did not onely preach on the Sabbath day but on the week dayes also Luke 8.1 and 19.47 We must not to favour our selves preach once a moneth or once a day but we must be diligent labourers in the Lords Vineyard if we expect our penny So that there is no contradiction in these commands both may and must be done by a faithful Minister who must Preach in season when God gives the opportunity and the people desire it Nehem. 8.1 Acts 13.42 and out of season when peoples hearts are so distracted with worldly cares that they have no desire after it Now if Ministers must preach the Word in season and out of season then People must hear the Word and be instant in season and out of season Preaching and Hearing are Relatives if there lye a Necessity on us to Preach by the same Rule there lieth a Necessity on you to hear you must redeem time from your worldly affairs to attend on this Ordinance not onely on the Lords day but even on the week day It will not repent you when you come into your Kingdome The comfort and peace which you will gain by a right attendance on this Ordinance will abundantly recompence all worldly losses you shall incur by it Let thy bodily affairs wait on thy Spiritual and the lesser give place to the greater we have a notable instance for this in the men of Bethshemesh who were busie at their Harvest till the Arke came and then for joy they lay by all and goe to offer Sacrifice 1 Sam. 6.13 14 15. Question But would you have us cast off our callings and doe nothing but follow Sermons Answer By no means for he that commands us to be swift to heare Iames 1.19 commands us also to be diligent in our callings yet whetting is no letting the oyling of the wheels doth not hinder the going of of the Clock An houre spent in hearing a Sermon is no hinderance to our particular calling We can spend two or three houres in Visiting our friends and think it no impediment to our Temporal imployments So that in Cities and Towns especially where people may meet conveniently in respect of cohabitation it will be their wisedome to improve these opportunities for their spiritual advantage as they did Acts 13.42 who desired the Apostles to preach in the space between that and the next Sabbath on the week day saith Diodat Reprove Rebuke Exhort Having spoken before of Preaching in General now he comes to the particular branches of it whereof the first is to reprove such as are erroneous in Judgement by Scripture demonstrations to confute and confound them and put them to silence Titus 1.9 2. Rebuke and chide such as are exorbitant in their manners and corrupt in their lives others may doe it ex Charitate Leviticus 19.17 Ministers ex Officio with all authority Titus 2.25 1 Timothy 5.20 Isay 58.1 Many call it Rayling when it is onely Rebuking by this means some may be reclaimed others restrained and the wicked left without excuse 3. Exhort such as run well to persevere Comfort the dejected quicken the slothful the words of the wise are as goads to rouse men out of their dulness Eccles. 12.11 people then must suffer the word of Exhortation to work on their Affections without quarrelling or fretting against it Hebrewes 13.22 q. d. Reprove all errours rebuke all sins and exhort to all Duties yet still with the spirit of Love and meeknesse that we may convert and not exasperate them so that the Apostle here repeateth and presseth again these Ministerial Dueties before mentioned 2 Tim. 3.16 With all Long-suffering Here is the manner how all these must be done viz. with a great deal of Patience and lenity least we become dispondent because we see not the present fruit and success of our rebukes and exhortations Our reproofes never work kindly unless people see that they come from a patient and a loving mind We must doe all in Love and in the spirit of meeknesse mourning for their folly and endeavouring their restauration We must doe nothing proudly superciliously or Tyrannically but do all with a Paternal affection without malice wrath bitternesse If a man have broke his bones or lost his sight we do not use to revile him or rage against him but we pitty him we pray for him we bemoan his condition A little Patience will not serve a Ministers turn who hath to doe with all sorts of persons he must get a
suffering frame of Spirit Long-suffering yea all Long-suffering and Patience that he may be able to bear with the weak not despair of the wicked nor rashly cast off any but patiently wait till the Lord shall give them repentance to salvation As the Apostle prayed for his Colossians 1.11 that they might be strengthened with Patience yea all patienee so we had need to pray for our selves that God would strengthen us with Long-suffering yea with All long-suffering that we may patiently endure the reproaches and indignities which attend our callings and are annexed to our Orders that so we may condescend and stoop to the slowness and dulness weakness and waywardness of our people This will make us like to God who beareth long and is slow to wrath Exodus 34 6. Romans 9.22 Objection The Apostle commandeth Titus to be sharp and severe Titus 1.13 Answer Distinguish the persons and the doubt is resolved The Cretians to whom Titus preached were rugged and refractory now a hard knot must have a hard wedge But the Ephesians to whom Timothy was sent were of a better temper and disposition as appeareth Acts 20.32 and therefore to be more meekly and mildly dealt withall 2. Others draw the difference from the persons to whom the Apostle writ the one was Timothy who they say was severe and austere and is therefore exhorted to lenity and patience The other Titus who they say was gentle of nature and mild and is therefore stirred up to sharpnesse and severity And with All Doctrine The Apostle very seasonably addeth this Caution and Qualification viz. That all our reproofs and exhortations should have a good foundation and be grounded on sound Doctrine being clearly agreeable to Gods Word and Will Let a man preach never so fervently and affectionately yet unlesse by Scripture Arguments he convince me of my sin and errour he doth but beat the Aire and all that he saith doth but vanish into smoak Doctrine must be laid as the ground of all and a reason of the reproof must be given Man is a rational creature and it is not words but solid Arguments that must convince him stir him comfort him Many young men make a great noise they flutter and make a great clutter in a Pulpit they have many high-flowen words and that is all The emptiest carts maketh the greatest rattle and the emptiest barrels the loudest sound but for want of substantial Arguments they leave their Auditors unsatisfied and unwrought upon would you not then have their advice contemned convince their Auditors of the Truth of what you say and then they will yea they must submit or doe worse Now these two Qualifications are very necessary for a Minister 1. He had need of a great deal of patience to undergo the oppositions and reproaches of an ungrateful world 2. He had need to be accomplished with all manner of Learning that he may be able to stop the mouths of all gain-sayers Observations 1. Note Gods Timothies onely who are called and set apart by Imposition of hands for the work of the Ministery must Preach the Word Preaching is not every mans work in common it belongs not to the flock but to the Pastors and Leaders of the flock The Apostle layes not the Injunction upon all but onely on Timothies who are fitted and ordained to the work Every Minister is an Herald an Ambassador an Officer and must not go without his Commission nor deliver any thing but what his Lord who sends him shall give him in charge Acts 20.27 Faith comes not by hearing every speaker but by attending on such Preachers as are sent Romans 10.15 If any run before they are sent they may speak as long as they please but they shall never benefit the people Ier. 23.32 But of this see more at large in my Pulpit-Guard 2. Observation Ministers must be Preachers As they must be Ministers i. Men called to the Work So when they are called not onely they may but they must Preach There is a necessity lieth upon them yea a necessity backt with a Woe 1 Corinthians 9.16 So that they must either Preach or perish this must be done or they are undone Verbi Minister es Hoc age was Master Perkins his Motto Reading is not sufficient we must Preach and Expound the Word When God had given the Law to his People he presently appoints Priests and Levites to expound it to them Nehem. 8.7 8. Mal. 2.7 This is that great Ministerial Duty which the Apostle doth so seriously here press upon us This was the first thing which our Saviour gave in charge to his Apostles when he sent them forth into the World Matthew 10.7 Goe Preach and this was his last charge to them when he was leaving the World Goe Preach and Baptize Matthew 28 19. This he commanded Peter once and again that as he loved him he would feed his sheep Iohn 21. So that if we either love Christ or the soules of our Brethren or our own soules we must feed the flockes and be prompt and ready to Preach on all Occasions 1 Timothy 3.2 and 2.2 24. He must not conceal his gifts to himself but on all occasions he must be ready to communicate them to others 'T is true a Ministers Conversation must be unspotted and blamelesse but let him live never so well yet unlesse he Preach and faithfully discharge the Dueties of his calling he shall never convert souls As for dumbe Dogs and blinde watch-men they are worthless useless things not fit to be swineherds Let such lazy droans read Ierem. 23. and Ezekiel 34. and if they have not lost all sense and savour it will awaken them 3. Observation Ministers must not preach the fancies and inventions of men nor the Canons and Decrees of Prelates but they must Preach the pure Word of God They are Heralds and must keepe to the instructions of him that sent them without adding or dectracting If any man speake in the Church he must speak the Oracles of God 1 Peter 4.11 and what Christ commands Matth. 28.20 'T is the whole Word of God which we must preach both Law and Gospell the One will keepe us from Presumption and the Other from Despaire the One will Humble us and the Other will Raise us The Law makes way for the Gospel it breaketh the stubborne heart of man and maketh him prize a Saviour and cry out with Paul Acts 9.6 Lord what wilt thou that I shall doe q. d. I doe now Resigne and Devote my self wholly to thee I am ready to doe and suffer what ever thou shalt command me Thus the Preaching of the Law prepareth the heart for Christ and must first be preached the Spirits Method is first by the Law to convince us of the exceeding sinfulnesse of sin and then by the Gospel to convince us of Christs Righteousnesse Iohn 16.9 10. But our great Worke is to Preach the Gospell and the Law
it we may as the Traveller doth his Staffe but love it inordinately we may not unlesse we will renounce the Love of God 1 Iohn 2.15 Our love cannot stand in intense degrees to two such contrary Masters 3. Evil company is a great extinguisher of this Holy Fire scarce any thing more Hence zealous David commands evil company to depart Psalm 119.115 We must therefore be very choyce of our company for it hath great operation upon us either to good or evil As iron sharpens iron and one edged tool helps to sharpen another so God hath ordained the society of men to quicken men Conference and communication of experiences hath incredible profit in all Sciences Hence the Saints that lived in dead times did by conference excite and quicken each other in the wayes of God Mal. 3.16 17 4. Formality in Religion is a great enemy to zeal When men rest in a bare performance of duties without any power of godlyness this is the bane of Religion when ever we come to duties we should stir up the graces of Gods Spirit in us 2 Timothy 1.7 If fire be not blown and stirred up it will decay and goe out We must also dayly be adding fuel to it for where there is no fuel the fire goeth out Proverbs 26.20 Pray much men of much Prayer have been men of much zeal as we see in David Daniel Paul Bradford Frequent the Preaching of the Word Accede ad hunc ignem there is a hidden Vertue in this Ordinance to kindle this fire in our breasts which maketh the Devil so busie in drawing men to separation for he well knowes by long experience that if he can but get men out of Gods way they will soon decay in grace the body may assoon live without food as the soul can live without this bread of Life If any would see more let him peruse D. Corn. Burgess Treatise of Zeal Master Henry Hall's Sermon on Matthew 11.12 and Master Loves 4. Sermon on Matthew 11.12 Master Fenner on the Affections Sermon the ninth tenth eleventh Hildersham on Iohn 4.32 Lect. 56. Doctor Sibbs Beams of Light Sermon on Matthew 11.12 Master Ash his Sermon of Zeal 5. Observe Ministers must take all occasions to preach the Word They must preach on the Lords Day and on the week day in publick and private at home and abroad In prosperity and adversity In War and Peace In Prisons and Palaces We must not be Strawberry-Preachers as Bishop Latimer calleth them which come but once a year and are quickly gone again Not long since the Church was troubled with Canon-Preachers who preached according to the Canon once a moneth or once a day insteed of these we have State-Preachers who preach such stuffe for quality as may please the State and so much for quantity as will bring in their Angmentations no Catechizing of the flock no preaching on the week day unless Angels or Nobles call them No baptizing of Infants no fitting of the flocke for the Lords Supper but all lies at random and in confusion surely such Halving-Preachers should have half-pay Doth not he that commands us to Preach command us to Baptize also and to dispense the Lords Supper often Surely this is either not Scripture or els some of us do not doe our duty Let us therefore either do our duty or else cast off our Ministery and give place to such as will As the woman said to the King either do me justice and act as a King or else put off the Title so either let us do the whole work of our Ministery or put off the Name For nomen inane crimen immane Let us preach in season and out of season so did our Saviour he took all occasions to preach sometimes he preached in the Synagogues anon in a Mountain Matth. 5.1 sometimes in a ship Luke 5.3 and anon in a desert Luke 4.42 when the heart is willing it will find out opportunites of doing good So Paul preacheth in Synagogues in Houses by a Rivers side Act. 16.13 in prison Philem. 9. and on other occasions We are Gods Husbandmen and in the morning we must sowe our seed and in the Evening not be idle for some may prosper when we consider the great price that was paid for souls Acts 20.28 it must quicken us to redeeme all opportunities to gain them to Christ. Love is active but lazy persons have a thousand excuses either their bodies are unable the place unfit the company inconvenient c. Many Lions ly in the way of the sluggard but willing minds know no difficulties 6. Observe We are exceeding backward to the best things and have need of many admonitions and exhortations in season and out of season to quicken us in Gods work It 's much adoe to make us begin and when we have begun we are ready to look back on every discouragement Were there in us that Tractableness and teachableness which ought to be how easily might Ministers lead us in good paths 'T is prophesied of Gospel times that so meek and teachable men shall be that even a child with Scripture reason shall lead them Isay 11.6 A wicked man though you bring an hundred plain Scriptures yet he will not be convinced but a gracious soul if he have but a little hint from Scripture that what he holds or doth is displeasing to God he presently casts it off We should therefore lament the sad depravation of our Natures that have need of so much quickning to the best things Many wonder why we are so fervent and frequent in reproofs why our necessitie requires it and God in this Text injoynes it Many love us whilest we comfort them but when we come to cutting reproving and launcing their soares then they look upon us as enemies See more before on 2 Timothy 3.16 7. Observe Application must be joyned to Doctrine The Foundation and the building must go together for a foundation without a building argues the folly of him that laid it and a building without a Foundation will soon fall 'T is not sufficient that by sound Doctrine we inform the judgement but by Application we must work it on the Affections This is the very life of Preaching Doctrine is the whole loaf as 't were but Application is the dividing the word aright and distributing thereof to every one according to their several conditions For these very ends and uses God hath given us his word 2 Tim. 3.16 VERS 3 4. For the time will come that they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their owne Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers haveing itching eares 4. And they shall turne away their Eares from the Truth and shall be turned to Fables IN these words we have an Apostolical Prophesie of the petulancy and peril of the last times when men will grow weary of sound Doctrine and fall to the embracing of fabulous and vain opinions insteed of truth The words are to be considered Relatively as depending on
not Bring my Silkes Satins Plush Velvets Copes Rochets Palls c. and other furniture enough to load a Cart but bring my Cloake and Bookes this is all the Apostles House-holdry If good men have food though it be but bread and water and rayment though it be never so course yet they rest contented with it Our happynesse doth not lie in the Pomp and pleasures of this World It is said of Iohn the Baptist that he was Tota Vox All voyce His Diet his Dwelling his Apparel his doing and his suffering all preached mortification and selfe-denial So this our Apostle was All Voyce Though a great part of the World was his Diocess yet he never affected nor once sought great things for himself He was poore in Temporals though rich in Spirituals 2 Corinthians 6.10 Silver and Gold he had none All his riches were a few Bookes and writings and a few old Cloathes to keep him warme 'T is said of that laborious and judicious Calvin that all the goods which he left behind him his Library being sold very dear came scarce to three hundreth Florens which is about ninety pound of our money It becometh not Gods People who are strangers and Pilgrimes here to seeke great things for themselves Ieremiah 45.5 How unlike then is Pope Paul and his successours to Saint Paul here and Saint Peter who cryed Silver and Gold I have none Acts 3.6 when Pope Iohn the two and twentieth had two hundred and fifty Tunnes of Gold found in his Treasury What Palaces Revenewes Attendance charge of costly Rayments have these men of sinne had which plainly sheweth that they are the Devils Vicars and not Christs 5. Observation 5. Whilest we live in this World we must have a moderate care of our health When winter approacheth Paul sendeth for his winter Garment to keep him warm The body is the souls Organe and Instrument by which it acteth and therefore it must be kept what in us lieth in tune for the service of the soul. He that forbiddeth us to kill our selves commandeth us inclusively to preserve our lives by all good and lawfull meanes such as necessary Cloathing wholesome Diet and convenient Lodgeing and therefore those Quakers that attempt to fast fourtie dayes as our Saviour did and thereby starve and famish themselves as some of them have done are no better then self-murderers Caution Onely we must beware of excessive carking and caring for the body remembering it is but the outside and the carkasse the soul is the man that is the Jewel which calleth for our special care Deuteronomy 4.9 Iohn 6.27 6. Observation 6. Good men are humble men They disdain not to stoop to the meanest services for the good of others If Timothy were a Diocesan Bishop as some Bishop-Would-bee would fain have it surely he was a very humble one since here he disdaineth not to bring Pauls old cloake with his Bookes and his Parchments after him Pride can stoop to nothing but Humility maketh a man become all things to all men so far as he can with a good Conscience that he may win some Bring the Books with thee Paul was now old in prison and ready to dye yet he calleth for Books 7. Observation 7. The Ministers of Christ must be studious men They must be much in Reading Writing and collecting even in their old Age and to their dying day Though a man have made a good proficiency in Learning and have extraordinary gifts of the Spirit so had Paul who was taught the mysteries of salvation more immediately by God himselfe and was wrapt up into the third Heaven and had been an Apostle so long yet still he calls for Bookes and Note-Bookes His dead Counsellours were his best Companions And if the Apostle who had such extraordinary gifts used Bookes and Notes 't is no dishonour to the best man in the World now to use them especially since we are commanded to give our selves to Reading 1 Timothy 4.13 and we amongst the rest must more especially search into the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Away then with that Pride and folly of the Anabaptists and Enthusiasts who cry down Books and reading boasting that they have attained to such extraordinary gifts of the Spirit that they can Preach Prate they should say Non-sense and blasphemy without Books To these I briefly answer for I love not to spend much time about these Bruits 1. Let us see those extraordinary gifts you speake off I must professe seriously I could never yet finde ordinary gifts in these extraordinary Braggadoco's I have divers of their Letters by me wherein there is neither good matter good Language good Sense nor true English 2. Admit these men had these extraordinary gifts which they so boast off yet are they better then Paul Timothy or Daniel 9.2 for all these used Bookes Who knoweth not that the Spirit of God worketh by means and as he that will be rich must work for it so he that will be rich in knowledge must reade and study for it Solon a wise Heathen when he was old yet gloried that he still learned something and shall we that are Christians come short of Heathens Let these young men then that thinke themselves so full that they need no more remember old Paul who still was learning and studying the Scriptures even to his dying day The Word of God is a great deepe and we know but in part being clogged with our corrupt Nature and the mists of the flesh that hinder us from seeing the wonderous things which are in Gods Law Especially the Parchments 8. Observation 8. We should extract semething out of that we reade and treasure it up for our owne use and the good of the Church Our memories are weake and since the fall they are woefully crazed and become very deceitful to us and therefore we had need to use all good means to help them if Paul used Parchments for such a use as the learned conceive he did it is then no disparagement to the best to doe it VERSES 14 15. Alexander the Copper-Smith did me much evill the Lord reward him according to his workes VERSE 15. Of whom be thou ware also for he hath greatly withstood our words IN these words we have a relation of the injuries and oppositions which Paul met withall from Alexander an open and profest enemy to Paul and his Doctrine where we have 1. A Narration or Complaint set forth in an entire proposition Alexander the Copper-smith hath done me much evil 2. An Imprecation The Lord reward him according to his workes Alexanders Opposition springing from the extremity of malice to the power of Godlynesse he curseth him in the Name of the Lord and not out of any private revenge but in a holy zeal to Gods glory 3. Here is a Caution to Timothy to shun him of whom be thou ware also q. d. Thou seest what an enemy he is to me thy Father trust him not for he will
that he doth 2 Peter 2.9 to him belong the issues from death Psa. 68.20 when we be in extreme danger and in the jawes of death yet he hath many secret passages and back doores to conveigh us out at He hath a thousand wayes to deliver us by Means without means by weak means by contrary means Sometimes he changeth a Lion into a Lamb as Saul into Paul or else he stops the mouths of these Lions by restraining their cruelty Or by setting one Lion against another as the Philistines against Saul 1 Samuel 23.27 The Turks against the Papists he divided the Pharisees and Saduces amongst themselves whilest Paul escaped Acts 23.6 7. Or else he makes his children Lions to their enemies So that the dread of them falls upon them Hester 9.23 or else he breaks the teeth of these Lions So that they cannot do the mischief they intended Ps. 3.7 This may comfort Gods people in their deepest distress though these Lions may be too strong for us yet there is a stronger then they Isa. 31.43 There is no Protector like this great Protector of us all He is El-shaddai God Almighty and Alsufficient to supply our wants and help us in our straits though others may forsake us yet he hath promised that he will never do it Heb. 13.5 There are five Negatives to assure us of the truth of that promise q. d. I will not no I will not I will in no wise leave thee noâ— forsake thee And it is worth observing that in Scripture there is some Title or other of Gods that answers to all our necessities Ergo are our enemies fierce as Lions why God will come as a Lion against them Isay 31.4 Do they come upon thee as a mighty storm why he will be a covert to thee are they as a schorching heat he will be a shadow Isay 4.5 6. and 25.4 Art thou a poore shiftless sheep why he will be a sheepherd to defend thee Psalm 23.1 Art thou a Dove and in danger of Birds of prey Why God will be a Rocke to hide thee from them Cant. 2.14 Isay 33 16. The Church is Gods Vineyard and he will keep it night and day Isay 27.3 'T is his City he will be for walls and bulwarks to it Isay 26.2 His House-hold and he will provide for it His children and nature teacheth us to defend them and will the God of Nature think you leave his The Members of Christs mystical body and never any yet hated his own flesh The Apple of his Eye which is guarded with a five-fold covering Zach. 2.8 Psalm 17.8 Christ is King over his Church Ad domandum dominandum to subdue his enemies and make them his footstools Psalm 110.1 Let the wicked plow long furrows on our backs yet God will cut their Treaces that they shall plow in vain Psalm 129.3 4. The rod of the wicked may be on the back of the Righteous but it shall not rest there sufferings may be their condition but deliverance is their Portion Iehovah jirel the Lord seeth and is seen in the Mount both Actively and Passively for the help of his people Genesis 22.14 VERS 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil worke and will preserve me to his Heavenly Kingdome to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen q. d. THat God which hath been with me hitherto will not now forsake me but will keep me by his assisting grace so that I shall not for fear of suffering run into sin nor do any thing unworthy of my holy Profession He will preserve me from all sinful revolts till he have wrought me to his heavenly Kingdome 2. Others give this sense of the words The Lord will deliver me from the Violent practises of evil men and will not suffer them to hurt me But the Text saith not The Lord will deliver me from every evil worker but which is more comfortable and fully He will deliver me from every evil work So that the former sense is most genuine and agreeable to the Context God will keep me pure from all wickedness and so preserve me to his heavenly Kingdome As he hath delivered me from the jawes of Metaphorical Lions so I am assured that he will deliver me from Spiritual Lions i. from the Tyranny of sin and Satan till he hath brought me safe and sound unto his heavenly Kingdome To whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Bâ—ing assured by Gods Spirit of his Divine manu-tenency till he came to glory he concludes with a sweet Doxology and Thankesgiving to the Lord Christ his Saviour and Preserver where we have 1. The person to whom praise is given it is to him id est to the Lord Jesus V. 17. 2. What the praise is that is given to him viz. the praise of his Glory To him be Glory i. let him onely have Honour Worship Praise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here signifieth Praise increased and abundantly published So Luke 2.14 Glory be to God on High i. Let the praise of his Wisedome Power and goodnesse be abundantly spread abroad who of his Transcendent love hath redeemed the sonnes of men Hence the Geneva Translation renders it praise To him be praise for ever This Doxology was frequently used by the Apostle as you may see Romans 11.36 and 16.26 Philippians 4.20 1 Timothy 1.16 Heb. 13.21 1 Peter 5.11 Iude 25. 3. Here is the duration of this praise it must not be for a day or two but for ever and ever By which phrase the Scripture setteth forth Eternitie The doubling of the word hath an Emphasis and alwayes signifieth an everlastiug continuance without any date or end at all 4. Here is the fervour of Pauls affection in this duty of glorifying Christ testified by the word Amen id est So be it or so it shall be q. d. I heartily wish it may be so I find a threefold Amen in Scripture 1. Assevering 2. Assenting 3. Assuring Sometimes it is prefixt sometimes it is affixt when it is prefixed it is an Amen of Vehement Asseveration Iohn 6.26 But the Amen in the Text is both Assenting and Assuriug and is usually affixt and added at the end of Prayer as Matth. 6.13 Rom. 15.33 Gal. ult ult Observations 1. The Experience of Gods â—ormer deliverances must make us rest upon him for future He hath delivered me formerly saith the Apostle and therefore I am confident that he will still deliver me till he have brought me safe to his Kingdom This is Scripture Logick and God loves to have us argue thus Psal. 4.1 and 86.13 16. and 77.10 When David was delivered from the Lion and the Bear he thence concludes that God wâ—uld also deliver him from that Vncircumcised Philistine 1 Sam. 17.36 37. So Paul argued 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver He hath delivered us that we know he doth deliver that we
p. 117 Healths unhealthful p. 94 Hereticks compounded must die p. 169 Preservatives against their poyson p. 170.171 They are limited Page 180 181. See Gods judgements on them p. 168 High-minded who p. 118 House-creepers condemned p. 146 147 Humility 11. Motives to it p. 54. with means p. 57 I. IDleness breeds sin p. 98 Idleness how dangerous P. 385 393 Idols cannot help p. 206 Ignorance breeds Pride p. 53 Imprecations when lawful p. 439 Infirmities how they differ from enormities p. 131 132 Ingratitude eight Reasons against it Page 69 70 Interpret doubtfull things in the best sense p. 85 Ioy in tribulation p. 220 Iudge Christ is a righteous Judge Page 399. Judges must be just p. 313. Christ is Judge of all the world p. 311 Itch sevenfold p 353 K. KIngs believers are such Page 398 L. LAst dayes perilous p. 3 4 Law must be Preacht p. 329 Lectures on week dayes lawfull p. 326 Liberty sinneful not to be suffered p. 103 Life short p. 37 Light within darkness p. 278. Eight Reasons against resting in it page 278 Love to Christ properties of it p. 309. Reasons for it p. 309 310 Love strong p. 81. It s Excellencie Page 196 Love must extend to All the Saints Page 113 Long-suffering how needful p. 195 Luke-warmness condemned p. 334 342 M. MAd-men who p. 183 184 Magistrates useful p. 33. to be honoured p. 67. they must be zealous p. 340 Maintenance due to Ministers Page 296 Marriage when young people should marry p. 250 Memory helps for it p. 292 Masters though carnal to be respected Page 67 68 Meditation how needful p. 293 Meekness its Excellency p. 110. Seven motives to it p. 110 Men we must not build on them page 161 Mercies must be carefully marked p. 203 204. No merit p. 381 382 Ministers must Preach Gods Word onely p. 329. They must be frequent in Preaching p. 338. They must be hardy men p. 366 367. Pray for them p. 388 Ministers must see to their flock p. 468. They must be studious Page 433 The Ministry is a work p. 368 The Millenarian fancy condemned Page 12 Mourn for the sinnes of others Page 13 14 Musick when lawful p 90 Millenarian reign a fancy p. 455 N. WAnt of Naturall-Affection condemned p. 75 Now-light condemned p. 165 O. OBedience commanded p. 359 Old Testament Authentick p. 261. Cavils against it answered Page 263 Oppressors wo to them p. 31 Ordinances to continue to the end page 138 139 Order its excellency p. 171 172 Our spirits to be carefully looked to Page 471 P. PArents to be obeyed page 65 66. they must teach their children betimes Six Reasons for it Page 247 248 Parliaments their Excellency p. 32 Patience how needful p. 191 Perfection what p. 299 Persecutors have misenable ends page 218 Persecution spreads the Gospel p. 201 Whether we may flie from it p. 201 It s the lot of all the godly p. 210 211. Comforts against it p. 217. Rules how to bear it rightly Page 219 Pilgrimes we are in this World Page 392 Piety brings Praise Page 465 Pleasures carnal how dangerous Page 119 120. Seven disswasives from them p. 121 Pleasures spiritual most excellent Page 120 Poore shew mercy to them p. 129 Popery its vileness p. 14 15 Poverty in some respect better then riches p. 44 45 Practice of Piety excellent Page 289 290 Prayer must be sincere p. 456 Precipitation dangerous p. 117 Preparation required before Hearing Page 356 Preaching belongeth to men Ordained Page 328 Preaching is no adding Page 280 281 Presbyterial Government its excellency Page 173 174. it excells Episcopacie and Independencie in many Particulars Page 176 177 178 Pride dangerous p. 49. it s the root of Heresie Page 50. Remedies against it p. 51 52 Profane whom p. 74 Prosperity more dangerous then adversitie p. 234 Prophesies to be observed p. 51 Providence and success no Rules to goe by p. 287 Parents good a mercy p. 427 Peter not at Rome p. 425 Professors may become Apostates p. 417 and Persecutors p. 437 Publick spirits in good men p. 424 Q. QVakers exceeding profane p. 128 296. They deny the Scripture Page 269 Quakers their blasphemy p. 392. and folly 410 R. RAke-hels who Page 83 Reason must keep its due place Page 279 Reward we may have an eye to it p. 399. Full reward of the Godly-is at the last day p. 404 Relations must not be forsaken Page 141 Remember what we hear Page 357 358 Repetition when and how to be practised p. 462 c. Repentance must be speedy p. 223. Twentie Reasons for it Page 224 c. Reprobates how farre they may goe Page 128 Reproofes not to be sleighted Page 359 Riches Vanity p. 41. False Notions about them p. 38. They cannot help in trouble p. 206 Resolution how necessary p. 242 Revelations dangerous p. 165 S. SAints God loves them dearly p. 113 Sacramental Oath what p. 378 Schoolmen how vain p. 259. Salutations lawfull p 458 Scepticks in Religion odious to God p. 149 166 241 Scriptures are the Word of God p. 276. They are to be read of all p. 260 They are Holy p. 267. See 16. Royalties of them p. 280. They are a perfect Rule p. 286.297 Nine false Rules p. 287. They are the Iudge of Controversies p. 287. We must read them p. 291. Love them p. 288. Remember them p. 292. Be thankeful for them p. 294. Their Excellency p. 294. Self-denial how necessarie p. 20 Self-love dangerous P. 16.17 20. Separation condemned P. 11 12.141 142 Sincerity our Glory P. 194. Its Excellencies P. 134 135 Singularity that is Holy commended Page 239 Sins seldome go alone P. 21. Sinne how hainous P. 308 Slandering vile P. 82 83. comforts against it P. 86 87 Soldiers must be free from Covetousness P. 23. All Christians are souldiers Page 387 Soul Immortal P. 371 383. The Cavils of the Mortalists answered P. 372. Have a special care of your Souls P. 373 Spiritual-Pride dangerous P. 49 50 Spirit and Word go together p. 279. Seducers boast much of the Spirit Page 165. Try them p. 171 Stoicks condemned p. 76 Stratagem lawful p. 116 Swearing when lawful p. 305 Speaking more powerful then writing Page 403 Sin blots mens names p. 418 Society of good men helpful Page 409 Sordid Mechannicks oft oppose Gods Ministers p. 437 Strengthening grace needful Page 448 Sickness may befal good men Page 446 Our Spirits to be carefully looked to Page 471 T. TAxes and Dues to be paid cheer-cheerfully p. 31 Temporal felicity no mark of a true Church p. 215 Thankesgiving Motives to it p. 71. Rules for it p. 72 Theft in some cases it may be punished with death p. 227 Thorns Riches are Thorns p. 39 Thoughts to be specially watched page 28 29 Titles of Honour may be given to men Page 296 Tithes convenient in Gospel times Page 369 Tobocco much abused Page â—9 102. Toleration when unlawful page 168 169 233.340 Tongue our Glory p. 63 Thoughts how dangerous p.