Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 8 · Lecture 148
Lecture CXLVIII. On Psalme 51.7. October 18. 1631.
IT followeth now that we proceed unto the second: viz. to shew you the meanes that we must use to keepe our selves constant in the truth of religion, and preserve our selves from falling away from it. Foure principall directions I find given in Gods Book to this purpose.
First, He that desires to abide constant in the truth must ground himselfe well in the knowledge of it; labour to bee assured upon good grounds, that it is the truth that hee holds. Continue thou (saith the Apostle unto Timothy, 2 Timothy 3.14.) in those things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of. No man can hope to continue stedfast in any truth of God that hee hath not learned well, nor unlesse hee bee assured upon good grounds that it is indeed, the truth of God: If yee continue in the faith grounded, and setled saith he Col. 1.23. As if he had said. No man can continue in the faith that is not grounded, and setled in it, that finds not good grounds for that he holds, and beleeves. I have chosen the way of truth (saith David Psalme 119.30, 31.) Thy judgements have I laid before mee; I have stucke unto thy testimonies. No man can sticke to Gods truth, that is drawne by others or carried by example, or by the sway of the time to a liking of it, but hee onelyonly that hath chosen the way of truth, that is, hee that hath advisedly, and upon good grounds, undertaken the profession of it. They that are children in understanding, are apt to be tossed too, and fro, and carryed about with every winde of Doctrine, as the Apostle saith Eph. 4.14. A man shall be apt to receive Popery or any other heresie if he be either ignorant, or weake and ungrounded in the knowledge of the tuth; as alas most of our people though they have beene hearers so long, and professours of the truth, will be found to be, if ever a time of tryall shall come. On the otherside knowledge will preserve a man from that danger, Discretion shall preserve thee (saith Salomon Pro. 2.11.) and understanding shall keepe thee. When a mans judgement is once convinced that it is the truth that he holds, it will be hard for him to forsake i…; because the more light a man hath in his heart, the more strongly will his conscience reprove, and checke, and smite him when he begins to forsake it, and to goe against it. And that is the reason as our Saviour teacheth us Iohn 3.20. why lewd men shunne, and hate this light, that their deeds may not be reproved. If therefore beloved you desire to hold fast your profession, ground your selves well in that knowledge of the truth that you doe professe. Wisedome is the principall thing (saith the Holy Ghost Pro. 4.7.) therefore get wisedome and with all thy getting (withall that thou hast gotten, and dost possesse) get understanding. As if he had said: sell all that thou hast to purchase this pearle according to that in Pro. 23.23. Buy the truth, and sell it not, also wisedome, and instruction, and understanding. Now he that would ground selfe well, in the knowledge of the truth must observe these two rules.
First, he must acquaint himselfe well with the first, and maine principles of Religion, and seeke to be perfect in them. Though a man heare or reade never so much yet shall he never attaine to a well grounded knowledge in Religion till he be well catechised, and instructed in the first, and chiefe principles of it. This course we shall find the blessed Apostles tooke in teaching the Churches, and bringing them unto sound knowledge. They gave unto them a summe of the maine, and most necessary points of Religion that are clearely, and plainly set downe in the holy Scriptures. So you shall finde the Apostle Rom. 6.17. speakes of a forme of Doctrine, that was delivered unto them: And 2 Tim. 1.13. he chargeth Timothy to hold fast the forme of sound words, which hee had heard of him; which both in the next words Verse 14. And 1 Tim. 6.20. he calls his depositum that worthy thing that was committed to his trust to keepe, and which he chargeth him to see that it be kept pure, and uncorrupted by himselfe; and all the teachers in the Church of Ephesus. He gave them this forme of Doctrine, this summe of Religion to be as a patterne both for the Ministers in teaching, and the people in learning to follow, that Doctrine that was proportionable, and agreeable unto it, they should hold to be sound, and good, and no other. And this is the Apostles meaning in that speech of his Romans 12.6. Let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith. In this catechisme this forme of Doctrine; (this summe of the maine, and plaine principles of Religion) they were wont to instruct, and ground the people, first of all before they taught them other things; as is plaine by that which the Apostle speaketh. Yee have need (saith he Heb. 5.12.) that one teach you againe, which be the first principles of the Oracles of God: And 6.1. Leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ, let us goe on unto perfection. He had before taught them the first principles of the Oracles of God, the principles of the Doctrine of Christ. Therefore also he calls these points of Catechisme these principles of Religion (whereof he names there, sixe heads) the foundation Heb. 6.1. They that thinke, by their reading or hearing, to attaine unto sound knowledge in Religion, before they be well instructed in the principles, they goe preposterously to worke, they build without a foundation, they build upon the sand, and there is small hope they should stand in the time of tryall. If the Apostles who were the wise Master builders 1 Co…. 3.10. thought this the fittest course to bring the people unto sound knowledge by, what Minister can ever hope to have an understanding people, that neglects catechising, or what Christian can hope ever to be well grounded in the knowledge of the truth, that thinkes catechising belongs unto boyes, and girles only, that never was, nor seekes to be well instructed in the catechisme in the first principles of the Oracles of God. To conclude therefore this first rule. Let me exhort every one of you that desire to be established in the truth to acquaint your selves with this catecheticall doctrine and exercise your selves in it, seeke to bee perfect in it, so shall you bee able to judge of that that you heare, and reade, and profit more by one good Sermon that you heare, or Chapter that you reade, then you shall be able to doe by twenty otherwise.
The second rule is this. He that would ground himselfe well in the knowledge of the truth, must receive nothing in Religion upon the credit of any man, but whatsoever he heares any man teach, whatsoever he reades in any catechisme or other good book, he must examine it by the holy Scripture, and mark well how it is proved thereby. It must be our care that are your teachers, to teach you nothing, but what we confirme, and prove by the holy Scriptures, yea to bring apt proofes for whatsoever we teach; and so did Apollos Act. 18.24.28. so did the Apostle Paul 26.22. yea so did our blessed Saviour himselfe Luke 24.27. And it must be your care to get good proofe out of the Scripture, for whatsoever you hold in Religion; and to receive nothing from any of us (how well soever you thinke of us) but what we confirme unto you by the word, yea to examine how fit the proofes that we bring are to conclude the point that w…e alleadge them for. When the Apostle had said Despise not prophesyings 1 Thes. 5.20. he adds presently Verse 21. prove all things. As if he should say. It is no disparagement to the best Ministery, to examine by the Scripture what is taught in it, nay it is the way to make us honour it the more, when by this proofe and tryall, we find it to be substantiall, and sound. This course did the Bereans take when they heard Paul, and Silas (great men both, the one an Apostle, the other an Evangelist) and are commended by the Holy Ghost for it Acts 17.11. They searched the Scripture daily, whether those things were so. Paul, and Silas confirmed their Doctrine by Scripture (as their manner was,) and these good hearers examined their proofes. Till we doe this, we shall never grow to any setled, and sound knowledge in Religion, we shall never see with our owne eyes, but (like blinde men) goe as our guides, and teachers shall lead us, which the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.2. noteth for a great part of their misery while they were Gentiles. You were carried away unto these dumbe idols, even as you were led.
On the other side three great benefits you shall receive by this.
First, then (and never till then) you will grow to a grounded, and well setled knowledge of the truth, and such as you will be able to bide by, when you shall see plaine, and direct proofes of Scripture for that which you hold. For faith and full assurance in matters of Religion, is grounded upon the holy Scriptures onelyonly. Therefore are they called the word of faith Rom. 10.8. And the foundation that all the faithfull are built upon Eph. 2.20. When the Bereans had by searching the Scriptures daily, found that that which Paul, and Silas taught was just so as they had said; that is, that the proofes that they brought for their Doctrine were rightly, and fitly alleadged Acts 17.11, 12. it is said that therefore many of them beleeved. And when the Apostle had exhorted Timothy to continue in the truth which he had learned, and had beene assured of 2 Tim. 3.14 15. he alleadged this for one maine reason of it, why he should doe so, and why he doubted not but he would doe so, that he had knowne the holy Scriptures from his very child-hood, that were able to make him wise unto salvation: As if he should have said. By the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and being well exercised in them a man may grow to such a certaine, and grounded knowledge, and assurance of the truth, as will cause him to continue constant in it unto the end.
Secondly, this will strengthen you, and make you able to stand against the perswasions, and cavills, and scoffes of such as are adversaries to the truth, when you know and can call to minde plaine proofes of Scripture, for every truth that you hold, and professe. By the words of thy lipp…s (saith David Psal. 17.4.) I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer, from all the paths of the destroyer, from corruption in judgement, as well as from corruption in manners. When the Apostle had forewarned Gods people 2 Pet. 2.1. of false teachers that would bring in damnable heresyes into the Church, and 3.3. of prophane scoffers that would deride all Religion, and piety he gives them 2 Pet. 3.2. this preservative against them both, he bids them be mindefull of the words of the holy Prophets, and Apostles. As if he had said. If ye were well acquainted with the holy Scriptures, and could remember what ye have learned there, ye should not much be moved, with that that any, either Hereticke or Atheist could say against the truth.
Thirdly, and lastly. By this we shall be able to convince, and stoppe the mouth of any caviller and seducer, if we can alleadge a direct place of Scripture for that truth that we hold. The Scripture is profitable, and hath great efficacy, and force foreign to convince saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 3.16. it is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6.17. the weapon whereby the spirit of God fighteth with great power, and efficacy against every adversary. Thus did our blessed Saviour put to silence the tempter himselfe (the grand Master, and father of all Hereticks, and seducers) with Scriptum est by alleadging plaine places of Scripture against him Matthew 4.4, 7, 10. And therefore there is in it a more divine power to convince the conscience, of any gaine-sayer and to stop his mouth, then in all the testimonyes of counsells or fathers that ever lived in the world. And therefore to conclude this first direction as this may discover to us what small hope there is of the greatest number of those that professe the truth in these dayes of peace, and joyne with us in the use of all Gods ordinances, that they should ever persevere, and hold fast their profession, being so extreamly ignorant, and unacquainted with the principles, and grounds of the Religion that they doe professe, strangers in the holy Scriptures; so may this assure the best of us all (beloved) that if ever a time of tryall shall come, our hearts will smart and ake for this, that we have not grounded our selves better in the knowledge of the truth; that when we shall heare what the adversary will object against it, wee shall find our selves so apt to stagger for want of grounded knowledge; when we shall find so small comfort in suffering for it, which wee have so small assurance whether it bee the truth or no. Certainely hee that desires to persevere, and hold fast the truth, hee must (while hee hath time, and meanes) ground himselfe well in the knowledge of the truth, by acquainting himselfe, and seeking to be perfect in the principles of Religion, and points of the Catechisme; and by getting good proofes of Scripture for every thing that hee doth hold, and professe.
The second is this, He must take to heart that which he knoweth, love it, and make conscience to practice it, or he will never continue constant in the profession of it. This is given for the reason why the elect hearers who are in the parable Luke 8.15. resembled unto the good ground did keepe the word, and bring forth fruit with patience, did persevere, and hold out to the end, and none but they, because they and they only did heare the word with honest, and good hearts. The man that heares the word, and useth the meanes of knowledge with an honest, and good heart, that is with desire, and purpose of heart, to practice that which he knowes, with such a heart as was in David Psalme 86.11. Teach mee thy wayes ô LORD, and I will walke in thy truth; And 119.34. Give me understanding, and I shall keepe thy Law, yea I shall observe it with my whole heart. He (I say) that hath such an honest, and good heart he shall certainely keepe it, and hold out to the end. Many promises are made to such. The righteous is an everlasting foundation saith the Holy Ghost Prov. 10 25. And the Prophet having spoken Psalm. 112.1—5. of many priviledges that belong to the man that feareth God, (to the good, and upright hearted man) he adds this to all the rest Verse 6. surely hee shall not be moved for ever, no temptations, no perswasions, no persecutions shall ever be able to remove him. If yee will feare the Lord (saith Samuel to Israel 1 Sam. 12.14.) And serve him, and obey his voice and not rebell against the commandement of the Lord, then shall both yee, and also the King that reighneth over you, continue, following the Lord your God. Bee you confident in this (beloved) even such of you as (when you forecast the prevailing of Popery, and danger of persecution) have beene most apt to feare, and doubt your selves that you shall never be able to hold out to the end; if you truly feare God, and make conscience to practice whatsoever he hath taught you, be you confident I say in these promises, and how weake soever you feele your selves, know that the Lord will shew his strength in your weakenesse he will certainely uphold you The eyes of the Lord (saith the Prophet to King Asa 2 Chron. 16.9.) runne too, and fro throughout the whole earth, every nation, every Towne, every family to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them, whose heart is perfect towards him. This the faithfull have ever had good experience of in the times of most fiery tryall. What an admirable strength, and constancy shall we read of in the Booke of Martyrs to have beene in sundry simple men, and women whose knowledge was very weake, and meane? A well grounded knowledge is a notable meanes to helpe unto constancy as we have heard. But there is more force this way in one ounce of true piety, and uprightnesse of heart, then in a pound of knowledge without this. Let a man abound in knowledge never so much, if he feare not God, if he makes not conscience of his wayes, he may turne Papist before he dye, notwithstanding all the knowledge that he hath. Hold faith, and a good conscience (saith the Apostle to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19, 20.) which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwracke of whom is Hymeneus, and Alexander. A pure conscience is that golden Pot wherein this heavenly Mannah of faith, and sound judgement in Religion must bee kept. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience saith hee 1 Tim. ….9. This golden Pot, this precious cabinet, will keepe it safe, and sure, so as we shall never lose it, and nothing else but this will doe it. And what meaneth he by a pure conscience? Surely such a one as doth not willingly admit of the least spot, the least sinne, that may defile it. A good conscience in all things as Paul calls it Heb. 13.18. He that dares not give liberty to himselfe to offend God in any thing, he, and he only shall hold fast the mystery of faith. That Alexander which the Apostle speaketh of, had not only beene a constant hearer of the Apostle, but had been his constant companion in travell, a zealous professour of the truth, and very neare unto Martyrdome for it also, as it may appeare Acts 19.33, 34. yet fell this man so fearfully from the truth, that he became a blasphemer of it, as is plaine 1 Tim. 1.20. and a most bitter enemy and persecutor of it, one of the greatest enemies that ever Paul had. Alexander the copper-smith (saith he 2 Tim. 4.14, 15.) did me much evill, the Lord reward him according to his works, of whom he thou aware also for he hath greatly withstood our words. And what was the cause of his falling thus fearfully? That the Apostle hath told us, he forsook a good conscience. He gave liberty to himself to sinne against his conscience, to live in some knowne sinne. Corruption in manners will breed corruption in judgement. A man that hath once knowne and professed the truth, is seldome knowne to fall into Popery or any other heresie, till he had first forsaken a good conscience, and by living in knowne sinnes provoked God to give him over thus farre. So among other judgements this is one whereby God threatneth to punish the disobedience of his people, Deut. 28.36. Thou shalt serve other gods of wood and of stone; thou shalt become a grosse and senslesse idolater. And the Apostle speaking of them that in this last age should be drawne unto Popery, 2 Thes. 2. he speakes of it Vers. 11. as of a fearefull judgement of God upon men for some sinnes they had beene guilty of. For the cause (saith he) God shall send them strong delusi…s, that they should believe a lie. They shall be strongly deluded. How? By the learning, or holinesse, or miracles of their Priests? No, but by the most just hand, and curse of God upon them. God shall send them strong delusions, that there shall be no errour in Popery so grosse, no lie so palpable, but they shall verily and undoubtedly believe it. Marvell not then at their confidence. For this cause, saith the Apostle. For what cause? What is the sinne … provokes God to plague men in this manner? He nameth two, one in Vers. 10 because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved: the second Vers. 12. because they tooke pleasure in unrighteousnesse. To conclude then this second direction; what hope can there be that many common Protestants, though they be willing to heare and make profession of the truth, should ever be able to continue constant in the truth, in the time of tryall, but that they will be apt to turne Papists, blasphemers and persecutors of the truth when a time of tryall shall come; seeing 1 they beare no love to the truth at all, take no delight in it, love every trifle and vanity better than it; 2 they give liberty to themselves to live in knowne sinnes, and take pleasure therein; 3 they content themselves with a forme of godlinsse, as the Apostle speaketh 2 Tim. 3.5. but deny and renounce the power of it, and hate it mortally wheresoever they see it, casting the most odious aspersious upon it.