The Sin Unto Death, To the reader 2 – Summary
To the deuoute Readers, which desire to keepe Faith and a good Conscience to the end, Grace, and Peace, and strength, against Temptations by IESVS CHRIST.
MARVAILE not (deere Christians and courteous Readers) that so many learned diuines and holy minded men, bestow so much paines, and spend so long time, in so sad and vnpleasant a subiect as this is; searching and desirous to define what the impardonable sinne against the holy Ghost should be: For euen as the best and most approued Phisitians doe more busie themselues in studying those maladies, which are most incurable, rather then those, for which eueryevery emperick hath a medecine in readinesse, and cach one amongst them proueth himselfe in his skill, if hee hauehave sound out eyther some especiall Antidote to preuent, or some singular remedy (if not perfectly to cure, yet) to ease and aswage the tormenting paines of such desperat disseases as aflict men most, as well with the feare of imminent death, as with the sence of present dolours: Euen so, for as much as all heede is to be giuen, and all diligence carefully vsed, that no man (if it be possible) dash vponupon this Rocke, nor fall into so deuouring a deepe; many students in diuinitie, enflamed with zeale, care, and louelove vntounto mens saluation, refuse no paines, nor think any labour grieuous, by night or day, if they may be so happie, as to giuegive warning betimes, and so preuent any mans relapse, or falling away: And for as much as many true hearted Christians, vponupon a tendernesse of Conscience, through Satans illusions, are often troubled with a feare of hauing offended in this kinde: And others againe, in a continuall securitie, forsaking their first louelove, reuolt and fall off, by little and little, from the practise of sincere Piety, taking the high way to Epicurisme, and denyall of their profession, and so come neere and into great daunger of finall relapse at lest, if not of an hatred also, and despight of that holy truth which they once professed: therefore good men willing to comfort the one, with solid euidence of Gods word, and to reclaime and saue the other from the perill of so irrecouerable a fall, doe labour in this sad subiect, that by an exact deciphering of that mortall sinne, both might finde fit instruction, whilest the one may see how farre they are from it, and the other perceiue how daungerously they hasten towards it.
Now as men are diuersly affected, some with feare, and some with presumption (as I hauehave shewed) so likewise we may finde very great, (yea too much) variety of opinion amongst writers concerning this sinne, some supposing it to be so rarely and seldome admitted, as scarce three examples or foure can be produced since the beginning of the World, others make it so frequent and vsuall, as almost all that finally fall from their Faith and holy profession, are supposed, by them, to sinne in this kinde.
Againe, some are of opinion, that only God can discerne, who they be, that sinke and are drowned in this gulfe; as if he had not reuealed any certainty concerning this matter, and thereupon shunne and reiect all meditation vponupon this point, and Argument, as vaine and vncertaine. I am not worthy neyther will I take vponupon me to censure great and learned men, but let it be seriously considered, how much and how often mention is made in Gods word, of this fearefull fall and direfull plight, that men are brought into thereby, and we may easily guesse that the Lord would not hauehave vsus vtterly ignorant of it: And let vsus weigh and obserue the fruit, and great benefit which Gods people, by a sober and wise meditation hereof may reape, and it may be iudged, that their labour is commendable, who warily and with iudgement, write and preach to that purpose For, as Mariners cannot easily shunne the gulfe nor rock, except they know (or at lest can guesse) whereabouts the daunger is; No more is it likely that a Christian professor should liue absolutely without the perill or feare of this, so fearefull a sinne, in some probable sort, vnlesse he be warned thereof by such as doe study the point of purpose.
It is more then manifest, that the danger of such a relapse is very great, and that our vigilancy and care of auoiding it ought to be no lesse, and lastly considering the drowsie securitie of this age, the present decay of zeale, the vtter neglect of the meanes to quicken it, that no argument is of more necessary and profitable vse to be preached or published, then this at this time, wherein many hanging, as it were, in suspence and expectation, are ready, whatsoeuer shall ensue, with Demas to embrace the present world, and so politickly, in the meane while, doe carry themselues, that which way soeuer they shall hereafter thinke good to incline, yet they shall not be deemed Apostataes: But let them for all that (as it were vponupon this publique warning) examine themselues, whether their hearts and Consciences bee not plainely and euidently euinced of the truth of the Gospell, against Atheisme, Papisme, Turcisme, Iudaisme, or whatsoeuer Gentilisme, or other sect, and if so, then consider, whether the reuolt from the knowne truth, will not prooue as haynous a fault in Gods sight, for all their couert carriage, as heauy a clogge to their Consciences, as deepe a downefall from Grace, and as wilfull a losse of the tast of the power of the world to come, as if they had professed it in the forwardest manner, or rather let them feare lest, whilst they (in worldly wisedome) vsing cautelous circumspection to prouide for a change, doe not palpably bewray, that they receiue not the louelove of the truth, together with the knowledge thereof, and so declare plainly, that they are of the number of those, vponupon whom God, in his iust iudgement, will send strong delusion to beleeue lies. The Scribes and Pharisees neuer vndertooke the profession of Christ, as of the promised Messias; yet because they were euidently conuinced by his word and workes, that he it was, that was to come, Christ spareth not to call their wilfull reluctation and opposition against him, blasphemie against the Spirit; And I could wish, that such wary walkers in neutralitie, would vouchsafe to peruse this short treatise, which tendeth to admonish them at least, that they outstand not the time of Grace, but rather feare, least being forsaken, and lest in a Reprobate sence (when they would) they shall not bee able to embrace and apply to themselues, what they once knew and had learned and so fall to despight both God and good men. This let all men know and take notice of that no time nor age since the dayes of the Apostles, hath beene more likely to bring forth plentie of peccants in this kinde, then this we liue in. First, knowledge did neuer so abound, not onlie amongst the learned, but euen amongst the lay-vulgar, by the cleere light and plentifull preaching of the Gospell▪ Secondly, this knowledge hath begotten an vniuersall profession and forme of outward Godlines, wherby men giuegive consent to the Truth, preached and manifested vntounto them. Thirdly, this generall consent hath bred a forwardnesse in many, shewing in probabilitie their hearts affected with that which they professe, and to hauehave attained a taste of the heauenly gift, as the Apostle speaketh: From such a degree and measure of knowledge and Grace, if any should fall as (if greater heede be not taken) it may be feared s…me will, especially, if that should come to passe, which those Politicians before spoken of doe prepare for, and want of zeale in others doth deserue. How deepe should they sinke into this Dungeon, and how neere might we iudge them vntounto this sinne? Cast your eyes back a little, and looke vntounto the Histories of former times, and for want of other bookes concerning more ancient ages of the primitiue Church, take notice only of the defection after King Edwards daies: How many seeming forward professors, during the liberty of the Gospell (in a moment almost) not only forsooke their sinceritie, but also became violent persecutors of that themselues professed, whose desperate ends in that their wilfull Apostasie, without any remorse at all pronouncing damnation vponupon themselues, with horrible blasphemies, and he…lish despight against God, declare manifestly, that their fall was scarefull, and their sinne vnpa…donable. Now, although we hauehave none other cause (blessed bee God) giuen to vsus, to feare or suspect any such defection or change, but only our owne sinnes, deseruing such a plague, yet are not their labours vaine and to no purpose, which giuegive warning before, that men looke to their standing, and take heede that they fall not. Sathan is subtle, and mens hearts are deceiptfull out of measure, and some without any such cause giuen, may be taken with a sudden spirituall Apoplexie, and fall headlong at once, not only into the louelove and practise of sensualitie, but also into the hatred of that grace of God, which teacheth them to deny all vngodlinesse, and worldly lusts, and to liue Godly, righteously and soberly in this present world.
And some others, though they fall not at once, like a man that flingeth himselfe downe headlong from the top of a Rocke or steeple, may be so carelesse of their estate, as by insensible back sliding, through the deceiptfulnesse of sinne, they may depart away from the liuing God, and being once gone, fall into Saul his case the sonne of Cis, who quite berest of the spirit of Grace, had an euill spirit sent to terment him. Or become like the Apothecaries Gl…sse or Gally▪pet, which being emptied by now and then a little, of some precious or speciall Cordiall is sitted to receiue venome or poyson: And if any doe stand and be preserued out of such temptations; these and such like ende…uours that exhort, admonish, and rebuke before hand, may truely be said to be the Antidotes, and blessed meanes of preuention, and they that desire to stand and not to fall, ought to vse them reuerently, and with thankes to God, who, of his infinite mercies, vseth mens ministeries vntounto the preseruation of mens soules.
And to the end that all true holy-minded Christians may better keepe watch and ward against Satans sleights and subtleties, this one secret is worthy obseruing: To take great heede continually by all meanes, to nourish and increase the peace of Conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost. For as these are the last and principall graces men attaine vntounto by the preaching of the Gospell, so are they the first, which such as fall away doe commonly loose, whereupon the blessed Apostle, with very great reason encouraging the Philippians against imminent troubles assureth them, that the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding foreign shall be a guard or Garison to their hearts, and to their minds, implying, that peace with God, and ioy in the holy Ghost, are present rewards of holinesse, effects of true Faith and Repentance, earnest pennies of the rewarde to come, and therefore principall encouragements vntounto Constancie and Perseuerance in all well d…eing, wherefore in a word, this is it I would say, that our aduersary the Deuill will especially labour, and vse his whole cunning, to bereaue men eyther, of these, very Graces themselues, or of the sence of them, which is easily done by drawing them into wilfull sinnes, which defile the Conscience, and disturbe the peace therof. VponUpon the losse of the reward (as labourers and souldiers doe more negligently applie themselues when they are doubtfull of their pay▪ so) men grow lesse carefull of holy duties, and doe not so much delight in them; why? But euen because, by the defiling of their Consciences, they doe not finde their wonted comfort in such exercises: So the meanes of renewing their Repentance dis-vsed, or lesse frequented, by neglect of the meanes the heart growes into hardnesse, sinne into custome, and disquietnesse of Conscience into a …umbdnesse or non-sense, then must needes both Faith and Hope faile, the losse whereof, that it might be lesse felt▪ Satan offereth carnall delights in sensualitie and pleasures, then God and the world to come beginne to be forgotten; sinceritie and strictnesse of Life beginne to be intollerable; Loosenesse and liberty plausible, admonitions odious, all manner of lewdenesse iustifiable, Gods word hated, and messengers persecuted, and how little differeth this fearefull reuolt, from the sinne against the holy Ghost? The effect whereof, and iust punishment can be none other but finall despayre in the man, and horrible blasphemies against God and his Christ, with a despighting of his spirit of Grace, and so at last euerlasting torments in hell fire. Behold then both the ladder (as I may say) whereby menascend, and the rope, whereby they fall or descend into this Dungeon; men climbe, and attaine to some taste and smack of the powers of the world to come, which I call peace of Conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost, by these steppes. First, their mind and vnderstanding, by the preaching of the word, is enlightened with the knowledge of the Mysterie of Christ. Secondly, the will and reason consenteth. Thirdly, the heart imbraceth and applieth vntounto a measure of Faith, and of Repentance. Fourthly, the affections beginne to frame into obedience. Fiftly, the life and conuersation is fashioned to the outward forme of Godlinesse. Sixtly, the Conscience is at peace and the inward man ioyeth: Now the manner of relapse, or descent, is downe the same way. Ioy and peace of Conscience are lost through some wilfull sinne. Secondly, the life and conuersation growes worse and worse. Thirdly, the affections are altered from delight in holinesse, and loosed from obedience. Fourthly, Faith fayleth, and Repentance giuen euer. Fiftly, the benefit by Christ, despised. Sixtly, a great decay of knowledg followeth, through the contempt of the meanes, and so the man is giuen vp vntounto a Reprobate sense, whereby God and goodnesse and all their worshippers despighted and persecuted: As eueryevery one therefore loueth his soule, and longeth for saluation in Christ, and delighteth in the assurance thereof; so let him beware and take heed of defiling and disquieting his cosc… ence with wilfull sins, or if he be fallen by Satan circūuented, let him giuegive way and diligent heed to the word, for his recouery by repentance; let him in no case suffer himself to be transported from the company and fellowship of faithfull admonishers; let him vse the helpe of their prayers vntounto God for him; let him abandon carnall companions, and worldly vanities and delights, to the end that he may more humble his soule before God; let him euen force himselfe vntounto spirituall and heauenly meditation, and other godly exercises of Religion, and if not withstanding all this, his heart should still incline to despaire, let him not be ashamed to bewray and confesse vntounto some one or two (whom he dares trust, and thinketh able, by his or their counsell and godlinesse, to helpe) into what temptation hee is fallen, that he may not beare the brunt of the assault alone: And whatsoeuer befaileth, let him not flie to carnall delights, or worldly myrth and vanitie for remedy, which brings a forgetfulnesse of this guiltinesse, and so a secure benummednesse of Conscience, to his vtter vndoeing, rather then a true cure and helpe for his dangerous disease, vse only those meanes which may recouer true peace of Conscience with God, and the battaile is sought, and the field wonne: For very often times, as by euil Chyrurgerie, acurable wound groweth to a gangren, euen so the wound of Conscience, which might hauehave beene to the increase of Grace, and better certaintie of saluation, by forsaking the true and right cure, becommeth desperat carnae…itie, incurable security: But now for as much as many are in feare of hauing committed this sinne, which indeede hauehave not, but through Satans policies to disquiet their Consciences, are illuded and afrighted; It shall bee good to consider for their comforts these short positions and Maxim…s, found certaine and most true by the Scripture, by the iudgement of learned writers, by …ly experience of those that hauehave to deale with afflicted Consciences. First, that such as feare least they hauehave thus sinned, are vndoubtedly as yet, free from this sin, or from falling …o it, so long as that feare remayneth in them. Secondly, that such as are sorry for their offences towards God, are farre off from this sou…e offence. Thirdly, that who so hath a desire to be reconciled to God, and could wish himselfe pardoned, shall surely obtaine pardon, if he seeke it at Gods hand, according to his word. Fourthly, that whosoeuer would not that another should fall into his wretched plight and condition, hath …ome portion of louelove, both to God and man left in him, and therefore is not vtterly fallen from Grace; nay more. Fiftly, whosoeuer hateth not all other, whom he thinketh not to be in his owne damnable case, is not come to the height and perfection of this sinne, and therefore. Sixtly, whosoeuer taketh pleasure and delight in the company of any of Gods men and seruants, may through their endeauour, by Gods grace be reduced and recouered. Seuenthly, If any place of Scripture or position of Gods word, doth minister more consolation or comfort, or on the other side, more affright or terrifie then another, there is still place for the working vponupon the Conscience, by the word, which is quite taken away in the case of the sin against the holy Ghost. Lastly, if all, or most of the speeches of the party affected, concerning God, and Christ, and his Church, be not blasphemous, or if the offender could not wish them blasphemies (it may be a fearefull and a damnable case) but it is not fully this desperat and impardonable sinne: But let no man trust in himselfe, or in his owne strength of recouering, to giuegive way willingly, no not vntounto the least sinne, for Satan (as is said) is subtle, and we are weake and foolish, and God is not bound to attend vsus, but we him. Therefore let our care be to please him, our Faith and hope fixed in him through Christ, our hearts dep… … on his …r…ce and holy ordinances, our profession bee sincere and from he heart without guile, our conuersation and li… honest an… pright, our desire to be constant to the end, and to grow daylie in Grace. And the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding, shall preserue our hearts and mindes in Iesus Christ.
Your owne in the Lord Iesus, I. C.
A briefe Synopsis of the whole.
The handling of the Text is performed in the
Preparation, by obseruing
The Terme vsed.
The Number insinuated.
Matter, which may be reduced to two heads, viz.
Doctrine, twofold, viz
What this sinne is
Negatiuely
Generally
Not each sin against
Knowledge, though presumptuously committed.
Conscience, though presumptuously committed.
Not each sinne committed after Baptisme.
Not Finall Impaenitencie.
Not each sinne of Set Malice.
Particularly, Not any one of those sixe commonly mentioned sinnes
Impaenitencie.
Obstinacie.
Impugnatiō of the truth
Enuying the fraternall grace.
Praesumption.
Desperation.
Affirmatiuely, in setting downe the Definition of it, And thence
Generally, Nothing it to be a Sinne
Not against the person of the Spirit.
But against the worke of the Spirit.
Particularly, handling
Terminus …quo,
Truth
Not of Law.
But of Gospell.
Knowne: where is shewed that
Some both know & profes.
Some know, but professe not.
Terminus ad quē, and that in the
effect
Persecuting
Generally shewing the obiect, viz.
Professors.
Truth.
Maiesty of God.
Particularly, noting the 2 kids, in
Men of authority.
Men of learning.
blaspheming,
whose act is in attributing
whose act is in robbing, & both of them performed in the simple vnderstanding, & the vnderstanding joyned with affection.
cause viz. malice which Excludeth all perturbed passiōs. produceth seperatiō from the communion of Saints, & siding with the Adversaries.
Motion, shewing
Genus viz. Apostasie.
Disse…
Generall
…
Simply.
…
Why to death, confirmed
By Scripture.
By Reason, in
Examining the Reasons alledged by some of the Schoole-men.
Propounding Orthodoxall
From the Obiect opposed
Gospell.
Spirit.
From the Nature
Wittingly resisting.
Wilfully resisting.
Ma…ously resisting.
Totally resisting.
From the punishment
Deprivation of the Churches prayers.
Imprecation.
Obduration.
Impaenitencie.
…se
Examination, herein shewing
Difficultie of resolute Determination.
Grounds of vehement suspition, viz. when man becommeth
Prophane, extreamely.
foreign.
Envious.
Blasphemous.
foreign.
Who are not in this sinne
For
…onsol…tion.
A…ition, and herein are
D…o…e…ed two kinds
…o stop censuring.
….
… declination, performed by 5. acts
Of man sinning.
Of God punishing.
Prescribed some Preservatiues to keepe men from Apostasie.
I…ici…s Reader, thou hast here represented to thy view, a briefe Synopsis of the matter handled in this Discourse: By perusing of which thou maist guesse, whether it wil be worth thy labour to readit ouer. For Time is precious, and loth I am that through mee thou shouldest loose any of it. Take in good part, my well-intended labours▪ Farewell.