The Churches Security Together with the Antidote, Part 4
A fourth, and last reason of the Churches s…curitie, and slumbering in generall, and of the speciall members in particuler,4. cause: affectation of hon…ur, titles, glory. may be, and is oftentimes the desire, affectation of honours, titles, and of the glory, and applause of the world; which many seeking, and withall obtayning, iudge of them-selues rather by the opinion, and esteeme of others, then by the sound knowledge, and experimentall Iudgement.Apoc. 3. Vers 1. 2. Hence it was that the Church of Sardis had a name that she liued, and yet was dead. Of this sort are those that hauehave a forme of godlinesse, 2. Tim. 3. 4.but deny the power of it.
The Diuell (albeit twise before repulsed) at length tempted our Sauiour Christ by shewing him (in a vision perhaps) all the kingdomes of the world,Math. 4. 8. and the glory of them, hoping thereby to blinde his eyes, and to preuaile against him, as he doth against many. Moreouer Christ reproouing the Scribes, and Pharasies for their vanitie, and ambition, in that they hunted after humaine glory, and neglected the glory that was due vntounto God,Iohn. 5. 44. saith hee how can yee beleeue that receiue honour one of an other, and seeke not the honour that commeth from God onelyonly? And this affecting, and desire to gaine, and retaine humaine titles, and glory is one great cause that detaineth many of the Papists from admitting of the puritie of the Gospell, and it is some occasion of hardening them in their Idolatry. It is said of many of the cheife rulers in the time of our Sauiour. Neuerthelesse euen among the chiefe Rulers many beleeued in him but because of the Phara…ies they did not confesse him, least they should be cast out of the Synagogue, Iohn. 12. 42. …3.for they loued the praise of men more the thē glory of God. Toss, harm.It is to be thought … not withstanding these chiefe Rulers (amongst whome was doubtlesse Ioseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus were indued with true faith; but it was for the time very weak & yong, which God beareth withal, & in processe of time cureth and perfiteth. Ambitious vanitie possessing Absolon, moued him to seeke to depriue his aged father Dauid of his Crowne & Kingdome. The assenting vntounto the flattering and blasphemous acclamation, and applause of the multitude caused Herod to be smitten of the Angell of the Lord imm… diately, Acts 12, 23.because hee gaue not the glorie to God, so that hee was eaten of wormes and gaue vp the Ghost, & it made the scribes, and Pharasies to delight, and content themselues with an externall, and onelyonly seeming righteousnesse; who in their fasting▪ pra…ers, almes, titles, robes, salutations, aimed at, onelyonly the praise, and commendation of men, and therefore are by our Sa…iour iustly, Math. 6. 16.and often taxed, and checked for it. They had the reward that they sought for, viz. the praise of men, but they had no rewarde, or approbation from GOD. In so much that Christ saith. I say vntounto you except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the scribes, Math. 5. 20.and Pharasies yee shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.
The pompe, and applause of the world is nothing els but a vapour, or fume soone consumed, it is like a fether tost in the aire from month to mouth, then which nothing is more light, vaine, and inconstant; and the brauery, and flaunting glory of the world is nothing else thē an Idol, & a vaine thing,Psal. 73. 20. yea like vntounto a dreame wherewith for a time a man doth delight himselfe, whilest that hee conceiueth great hopes of riches, honours, preferments, and renowne: but when he waketh all his hopes perish, and come to nothing.
Obi. But is it not lawful for a man to seeke to seeke to get a good name, credit, report, and estimation amongst men, and when he hath once gotten it to maintaine, & keepe it.
Ans. Yes without question for whatsoeuer things bee of good report if there bee any vertue, It is lawfull to get and preserue a good name.if there bee any praise, wee must thinke on these things. Secondly that which GOD promiseth, and bestoweth vponupon his children as a speciall blessing that they may moderately seeke,Phil. 4. and desire, but he promiseth to honour, yea, and honoureth them that honour him.1. Sam. 2. 30.
The principall reason that must induce, and drawe vsus herevnto, is, and must bee not our owne glory, but that by our meanes the Gospel, and the name of Christ may be wel spoken of; for the good name of Christians is an ornament and credit to the Gospell. And vponupon this ground Paul exhorteth seruants to subiection,Tit. 2 v. faithfulnesse, and obedience that they may adorne the doctrine of GOD their Sauiour in all things.
Lastly our Sauiour willeth, and exhoreth vsus saying. Let your light so shine befor… men that they may see your good workes, Math. 5. 16.and glorisie your father which is in heauen. Therefore it is lawfull to hauehave a diligent consideration, louelove, and care for a good name, for so much the Greeke worde foreign. vsed before Phil. 4. ver. 8. importeth. But here certaine rules are to bee obserued.Ce…ten cautions. First wee must beware that in no wise wee detract, and derogate ought from the honour, and glorie of GOD (as the Papists doe who attribute, and ascribe merite, satisfaction, and iustification to their owne workes and inuentions, and not to the grace of GOD onelyonly.) for then they that despise GOD shalbe despised, 1. Sam. 2. 30.and hee is so iealous, and zealous of his owne honour that hee cannot abide it to bee giuen to any other: therefore wee must in all things earnestly seeke for the glorie of GOD onelyonly, and not our owne.Math. 6. 5.
Secondly wee must refraine from all manner of sinne, and wickednesse, for otherwise as one Flie doth corrupt, Ecclesi 10. 1.and cause to stinke the oyntment of the Apothecary: so doth one sinne, or vice obscure, and eclipt his name that is in estimation, for wisdome and for glorie.
Thirdly we must repent vsus of al our sinnes,P…. 10. 7. and we must practise iustice,Mark▪ 14. 9. and excell in good works. For then our memorall shalbe blessed, and then that which wee hauehave done, shalbe spoken of, and remembred with honour.
Lastly we must not delight in the oblique, or disgrace of any,Math 7. 2. but hauehave a speciall regard to thinke, and speake well of others. For with what, iudgemēt we iudge, we shalbe iudged.
And this much touching the resolutiō of this doubt.
Vse. 1. Seeing that the inordinate desire, and affectation of humaine glorie, popular praise, and hunting after titles, and honour, doe euen in the best, sometimes so dimme and darken faith, and make them secure, and carelesse in Gods matters, wee must not please our selues in, much lesse dote vponupon these outward, and vaine things, least afterwards beeing dispoyled of them wee bee like the beasts that perish, Psal. 49. 20.who feede only vponupon these outward things, and fore-see no further.
Vse. 2. We must first, and principally approue our hearts, waies and consciences vntounto GOD, and seeke to bee inwardly holy & not outwardly only that our praise may not bee of men but of God: Rom 2. 29.for not hee that praiseth himselfe, (no nor whome men alwaies praise who may bee deceiued) is not allowed, 2. Cor. 10. 18.but hee whome the Lord praiseth. And Secondly when wee labour and endeuour to approoue our selues vntounto men, and especiallie to the true seruants of GOD, if they doe praise, and testifie well of vsus, wee must not dispise, and neglect their commendation and approbation, but take it as a fruite and effect of our wel-doing; and albeit they giuegive no such great report and commendation of vsus, wee must bee content, and hold it sufficient, that GOD and our sanctified conscience,2. Cor, 1. 12. testifieth, and beareth witnesse of our Godly purenesse, and weldoing. 1. Cor. 1. 3.
And thus much of the foure causes, and occasions of the Churches sleepinesse and securitie.