Remains of Joseph Alleine, Treatise 5
Rev. 3. 1.
I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest and art dead.
THese words are part of Christs Epistle from heaven to the Church of Sardis, wherein he shrewdly checks her hypocrisie and formality, and throughout gives counsels and directions, for her recovery out of that sad estate; from the words we have given you this observation.
Doct. That the Lord Jesus Christ, doth take special notice of, and makes strict observation upon the works and ways of his professed people. He takes notice of their works! for the matter of them, for the quantity, for the quality of them; as hath been shewed.
We gave you the Reasons for confirmation, and made entrance into the Application, and have applyed it as to the two first branches; to wit, the matter, and the quantity of our works. To come now to the Application of the third thing, namely, the quality of them.
Use. Is it so that the Lord Jesus Christ doth take such notice of our works for the quality of them? then this may be usefull by way of Reprehension and Exhortation.
First. For Reprehension, this reproves us that we rest so much in the work done, and do so little enquire into the quality of our works as to the sincerity and soundness of them. O my Brethren! how often do we pray, and never examine how we have prayed? and hear, and never enquire, how we have carried it, while we have been hearing? O how many a mans bosome am I now in? Brethren, this is a great evil among men. Yea, I fear among Gods own people, that there is not that care to look into their duties, how they are performed. Brethren, if the Lord Jesus Christ did as you, look no farther than the outside of your duties, and the work done, then you may rest in that; O but Jesus Christ he looks into the inside of them, and he labours to see what there is of soundness and sincerity in them: And seeing the Lord Jesus Christ looks so narrowly into them, should not you? This is the cause of many sins and mischiefs among Prosessors.
First. This is the cause of much undoing Self-deceit, when persons rest in the work done, and do not carefully examine, what principles they did act by, and ends they did act for; this doth cause many souls to be undone to their destruction. This was the reason why Sardis was so miserably out, and Laodicea, that she was so much mistaken, they kept on the trade of Religious duties, and because the thing was done, and the duty performed with con…tancy, they thought they were in a good state. You know the speech of that Church, I am rich &c. you are to understand it of spiritual Riches, she thought her self upon the growing hand. O but when Jesus Christ comes and sees how little sincerity there was in them, he disrellisheth them, and shews them that their works were not perfect before him. And thus it is with many Professors in these days, that because they keep on in Familyprayer and good duties, they think all is well, and for want of looking into the Spring of their duties, and their ends in them, they are undone by them. O what a miserable deceit is this! when a poor creature shall reckon that he hath so much gold, so much treasure laid up in heaven, and when it comes to be tryed, all his Gold shall prove but Counters! O consider what a miserable estate that will be, when you shall come with them, Lord, Lord, we have been a praying people, and have owned and followed thee; and he shall say, away you Hypocrites, you shall have the reward of Hypocrites, there was not the soundness of Religion in you; O what a miserable disappointment will this be! Jam. 1. 26. He speaks there of some, that did but [seem] to be religious, and deceive their own souls. There be some men, their Religion will serve for no other end but to deceive their own souls; to undo them, because they are unsound in their Religion. There are many Professors, that when they come to receive the reward of their du…ies they will receive another manner of reward than they thought of; they think to receive the reward of their prayers, and keeping the Sabboth and the like; but he that taketh notice of the heart, knoweth their prayers were, but a taking of his name in vain. When they think to have eternal life for their reward, God will say, I will give you the reward of your works. I sound your works to be but hypocrisie, and you shall have the reward of Hypocrites. O Brethren, I beseech you consider it! It is an awakening truth, but deserves your consideration; there are many that will not only be undone by their swearing, and deceiving, and the like; but many will be undone by their praying and hearing, I mean they will be undone by them, by making them the matter of their righteousness before God; and by their confidence and trust, and leaning to their duties. There be many persons, whose prayers and good duties will serve for no other end, but to blind them, and harden them to their own destruction. If you perform religious duties, and do not look into the manner of performing them, and take care that you be upright, you may come to blind, and harden your selves by them. O there are multitudes of Professors in Hell this day for wanting care to enquire into this, what ingredients there were in their duties; whether they sprang from principles of grace, or, but from common convictions; whether they were done for, and from themselves, more than from and for God, This made Luther say that he was afraid more of his good works, than of his sins, for his good works were apt to lift him up, but his sins did keep him humble. O Bretheren! you had need to look about you, Satan can make a snare of your good duties, to catch your souls by. There are two wayes whereby men may be undone by their duties, (1) when they make them as a supposed righteousness, when men do perform Religious duties, and expect that these should obtain the favour of God, and remission of sins, or, at least, should help with the merits of Jesus, to make up a righteousness for them, on which they may climb up to heaven, and stand before God. Thus those carnal Jews, though they were zealous of their duties required by the Law, yet they were lost by going about to establish those as a righteousness of their own. Rom. 10. 3 (2) when they make them as a mistaken evidence. There are many persons (I conceive) that are so far convinced of the sinfulness of their duties, that they do not lean to these as their Righteousness before God, that those should obtain Gods favour, and their pardon; yet they do conclude that this is an evidence that they have an interest in Christ; and hereby they deceive their own souls-
Object. But you will say, are not our good duties signs of our right to Christ? doth not the Scripture say, [he that doth Righteousness is righteous?] I answer, good works are indeed a good sign of faith: but then you must look to this, that they be sincerely good. But …ow many do conclude, because the work is done, that therefore they are in Christ, when as they do not look into the bottom of their duties, whether they be done in sincerity or hypocrisie, and so do but deceive their own souls by trusting to them; because their duties are not sincere. O my Brethren, how effectually are many Professours undone by this! That are so hardned in their estate, that it is more hard to bring them into Jesus Christ, than those that are openly prophane. Thus it was observed in our Saviours ministry, that it was more hard to bring in the Self-justisying Pharisees, than the Self-condemning Publicans.
Secondly, Another mischief of this, is, this is the cause of so much pride and self-considence in duty. Had Laodicea but made a due search into her duties, you should have heard another manner of speech from her. O my poverty! Hypocrisie! Deadness! Formality! Lord pitty my woful state! this would have been the language you would have heard from her: but now because she did not search into the bottom, this did lift her up; and made her think so well of her case. The reason why we are so well perswaded of our selves, is, because we do not see into our selves. Did we but throughly reflect upon, and search into our duties, when they are performed, we should run to God for pardoning grace. As Neh. last 22. Remember me O my God, for good. He did thus after his great zeal for God, and work of Reformation. He slies to God to pardon the sins of his duties, O Christian! if thou didst look into thy duties, thou wouldst see enough to make thee ashamed of them, thou wouldst be ready to cross what thou hast written, and to cut out thy work, and pick it out stitch by stitch. But now persons not searching into their duties, this makes them stick, and be confident in them.
Thirdly. This is the cause of so much barrenness & in prosiciency in the ways of God, did the Christian but duly examine his own duties and espy the defects of the present duty, and be sure to amend that the next time, that was am…ss now, this would make him, in a little time, come to a wonderfull prosiciency in godliness. But when men go on in a customary course, and do not find out their errours, it is no wonder they go on in their errours, in one tract, duty after duty, yea one year after another: A Christian that is careless in the examining of his duties, that doth not observe the failings of his duties, to amend at one time what was amiss before, he will be but a Bungler in Religion all his dayes. But he that is carefull to examine it. that he may amend what was amiss, this man will soon come to be his Crafts-master in his Trade.
Fourthly, This is the cause of so much ignorance of our own estate; It is no wonder that so many Professors are at a loss about their condition; it is for want of looking into their Religion. They do not know whether they be sound or unsound, whether they be going forward, or going backward, all this is from want of care, to examine and enquire into their duties.
For want of this men do not know whether they be sound or unsound, for how doth a man know the tree but by the fruit? When all is done, 'tis mens actual obedience that is the great evidence, that their estates must be tryed by. Whatsoever seeming principles of grace and life, and love, may seem to be within, and good resolutions, yet if all this, be not strong enough to bring forth the fruits of obedience, in a holy, self-denying, and flesh displeasing godliness, all is unsound. But then we m… not look onelyonly to the outside of our obedience, we must not take the Carkass without the soul. Now when persons do not look into their duties, but rest in the work done, how can they make any judgment into their estate by them.
So many that are sound Christians, do not know whether they are decaying or increasing for want of this, because they do not look into their duties how they perform them. Christians, how do you perform your duties? Do you more look into them, how sweet they are to you? whether it is better than it was? Christians, you must look to this, are you more extensive. and intensive in your duties? Are you more extensive? Heretofore you looked onelyonly at home, to do your selves good; do you do good now to others? Heretofore, Religion was consined to your knees, but now do you bring it forth into your Shops, and Callings? Here…osore, you were for personal godliness, but are you now for Relative godliness? Heretofore, you were for duties of the first Table onelyonly, but now do you put both Tables together? this would be a good sign, but for want of mens searching into this, they are at a loss; they do not know whether they are better or worse, declining or increasing.
Fifthly. This is the cause of so much … in duty. When a … know that there will be a strict … into him, his preparation will be …: but when he fears not that, he … the more remisse. So 'tis here, If we … a strict examination into our hearts, then they will be the more careful to ply the work the more, when they know they shall be looked after. But when they know they shall not be looked into, they will do the work thereafter. Beloved, if we would do the work of Religion to purpose, we must deal by our hearts, as we would by trewantly servants, if you would have any thing done, you must keep your eye upon them, If you keep your selves to this course constantly, to enquire into your duties, how they were done, then your hearts will be careful to make thorough work of it. And indeed this enquiring into your duties, is not onelyonly a means to make your hearts sincere in duty, but it is a great part of sincerity. That man that makes no enquiry into his heart, that man is an hypoerite, there is no soundness in that man. And the lesse care thou hast in looking into thy heart, the less there is of Christianity in thee.
Sixthly. This is that, that puts Christ so much out of use. O Brethren! would you know the Reason, why Christ is so little set by? Why, it is because we are not thorowly acquainted with our defects. Were we much searching into our duties, then we should fly to our Advocate, and make use of him. And after the performing of our duties, fly to him for a covering of our nakedness and shame.
Second Use of exhortation. Let us do likewise, if Christ take such notice of our duties, O be much in observing your own duties. How your hearts carry it in your duties. If I could but perswade my self and my hearers to the observing of these two Directions, we should make another manner of progress in Religion. O That you would be but perswaded!
First, In the entrance of your duties, set before you your rule fo… …hat duty; as. the Schollar doth his coppy, and do your work by rule You know the Mason will lay the line before he will lay the stone in the foundation, or else he may commit many errors, and the building may come to nothing. So when you come to perform your duties, set your rule before you. Suppose you come to pray, have some thoughts of it, what be the rules you are to pray by. Consider you are not to come in your own names but in Christs. Take heed that you come not in your own Rignteousness, but Christs. And go out to Christ for strength. Remember that God calls for faith and life induty. And so when you come to hear, consider what rules have I to hear by. And so in giving your Alms. And then your work is like to be done to purpose.
Secondly, Reflect upon your rule in the close of your duty, and examine whether your work hath been done by rule or no. Observe what graces have been acting in your duty, and thankfully take notice of the influences of your graces. Take notice what corruptions have been working in your duty, and take the shame of it before God that you should thus miscar…y. If these two rules were but observed by us, we should come to another manner of proficiency in Religion than we do. But more particularly let me give you three directions for your duties.
First, Take special notice of the ends of your duties. O How many do miscarry for want of a Right understanding in this? Come see my zeal for the Lord of hosts, said John. And all this while he was …t Acting for himself. And because he did Gods work for such carnal ends, God accounts the blood that he had shed to be so much murder and requires it afterwards at his hands, Hos. 1. 4. The Pharisees were a very strict generation in the performance of their duties. Much in Alms, and much and long in prayer, and yet all rejected, because they did it for carnal ends, Math. 23. 5. Therefore I beseech you as you Love your souls, look to your ends in praying. When you come to prayer Consider what end do I propound in this duty? Is not this done out of custome, because 'tis the custome of my family to pray morning and evening? When you go to visit the sick, is it onelyonly a civil custom that I am going about? or am I going to visit Jesus Christ in a sick servant of his? And so of our Alms. If a man set out with never so much diligence in the morning, and it be to a wrong point, he is all the while out of his way. Although a man cannot in every motion of the day mind his end, yet in every solemn action (as I have shewed you formerly) with care and pains taking with your hearts, you may come to mind your end, and the rule for that particular action. As for example, When you go to your callings, or to pray, or to eat, and the like; in these solemn actions of the day you may come particularly to renew your intentions in your work. And this will manifest your sincerity, and you will come to have the comfort and Joy of your work. And if this be not well looked to, all your duties may serve at last for nothing, but to harden, and blind, and deceive you, rather than to save you.
Secondly, Look well to your principles in duty, What principles you acted by and from. There may be many good things that may be done, that may be good for the matter, but yet because they do not act from a principle of Grace, God will reject them. There is no external duty of Religion, but an hypocrite, an unsound professor may do it (for ought I know) as well as a Godly man; onelyonly they differ in their principles and ends. Therefore consider that thy duties come from a renewed heart. Examine, art thou acquainted with the new birth? Hast thou been acquainted with Gods converting grace? renewing thy heart! If it be not thus, all thy duties without this will do thee no good.
Thirdly, Look to what affections are stirring in your duties. O how was Christ out with Laodicea for this! That because, though much were done, yet there was not much warmth in duty; there was no Life in them. It is observed that the artisicial breath is a cold breath but a living breath is a warm breath. As ever you would have the comfort of your duties, you must look to the warmth of your duties. My soul followeth hard after thee, said the Psalmist Psalm. 63. 8. and thy right hand upholdeth me.
Ten parting Counsels.
First, COunsel. Observe the degrees of Gods departing, and mourning after a departing God. The Lord, seems to me, to take his leave of us by degrees. And because it is by such insensible degrees, I am afraid we are apt to take the less notice of it. God hath not thought good to take his farewel of us all at once. We thought, God had intended to take all from us at first. You know ministers were excluded from their publick labours, and then God lengthned out their liberty in private. And since an Act hath passed against our private meetings, so that we have had our liberties with the more difficulty. And now an Act hath passed whereby your Ministers are to be removed farther from you. However the Ministers of Christ are sinful poor men of themselves as others: but yet considering the capacity of their office, they are the great representatives of Jesus Christ. And when the Ministry is removed, this is a degree, and a great degree of Gods removal. You see God hath removed Ministers by degrees, farther and farther; and what will be the next remove! Me thinks the glory seems to be departing by degrees from the nation, as it was in the time of the prophet Ezekiel in the 10, 11, 12 chap. If we are left without the powerful preaching of the gospel, and the likely means of conversion, what will it signifie though God should give this nation never so much outward plenty? If God should make this nation to wash their steps in butter, and fill our bellies with his hid Treasures, what will all this be, if our generations should go down to the pit of destruction by the thousands? If there be preaching, yet if there be not a powerful preaching, that will save souls, what will it be? And this great mercy God hath deprived us of by degrees. Oh mourn after a departing God! Take heed that you be affected with this providence of God. How will God take it of you, if you do not stir up your selves to take hold of God, now he is departing? Wo to them when I shall depart from them: Wo to this nation, and this place when God departs.
Second Counsel. Take heed that when the publick bellows are broken, the fire of Religion go not out. The Ministers of Christ are as the common bellows to blow up this sacred fire. And now God seems to have broken these bellowes; Oh take heed lest now Religion should dye away! and the heat and warmth thereof should decay, and by insensible degrees should go out. Weare too too much like green wood, the fire keeps no longer in, than while we are blowing the bellows I fear lest you shall see professors too too much like Christ's disciples, who when Christ was taken went every one to his home: so weak their faith, and prevalent their infidelity, that they went their way, as if their work had been done. Take heed lest the like Apostacy creep in among you, that when these helps do fail, you go back again and remit your zeal. Oh Brethren! what ever you let go, be sure you do not let go your hold in Christ; do not let go your hold in Religion. Do but keep your ground there, and no matter what becomes of any other interest.
Third Counsel. When God takes down the common sun, take the more earnest heed to the light that he sets up within. The ministry of the Gospel, and preaching of the word is like the publick light of the common Sun. And this light seems much to fail, and the shaddows of the evening are stretched out: and the Sun is like to set upon the Churches. Well then if it be so take the more earnest heed to the directions of Conscience. You know when the Sun is down every man kindles his candle, and takes heed to that. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. Conscience, is the light in every m…ns boso…e. Not that the light within, (as some do talk of) is sufficient without the direction of Gods word, to guide a man into the wayes of Life: But yet a well enformed Conscience, instructed in the Scriptures, and well studied in the mind of God, and acquainted with the nature and principles of Religion, may be a great help to a Christian to guide him in his common course. My Brethren, if God deprive you of the preacher in the Palpit take the more earnest heed to the preacher in your bosome. Set Conscience faithfully on work. This is the preacher in the bosome that tels every man of his duty and of his sins. Hearken now to the instructions of Conscience, to the reproofs and rebukes of Conscience. See and hear what Conscience will speak and direct. What that will touch on, why God hath brought on us these judgments. Oh, take heed! that what ever preacher be silenced; that this preacher be not silenced. Oh! take heed, how you stop the mouth of Conscience. How you desile and harden your Conscience. If Conscience be faithful and free, and you take earnest heed unto him, it may be a standing blessing to you, when the preachers in the Pulpit are removed from you.
Fourth Counsel. Be sure that none of those extraordinary providences do drive you from God, but that they drive you to God. I fear le…t this may be the issue of these providences to many, that they may be driven off from God, that they will give over their diligence and zeal; and give up all for lost and gone. O this will be sad indeed! If these providences drive you from God, this will be a sad sign of reprobation; take heed that these drive you nearer to God. Be sure that the more frowning the providences of God are to you, the more do you cleave to him, the more tenderly do you walk before him. 'Tis a fearful sign of an unsound heart, never savoured, and seasoned with true grace, when afflicting providences do drive men farther and farther off from God. God doth intend by his Rod to whip his children home to him, to make them walk more tenderly; to caution them against sin, that he corrects them for. But now if any of you should make this use of his providences, that after all, you should go farther from God, oh how sad would this be! This is to be like King Ahaz. 2 Chron. 28. 22. O let these Chastisements from God, drive you every one the nearer to God. And cause you every one to enquire into his way, and the iniquity that is in his hand, that he may reform.
Fifth Counsel. Let your own eyes be your Overseers, when God deprives you of your publick Overseers. The Ministers of Christ, they are termed Seers, and Overseers; Now God is like to deprive you of these, oh take the more carefull Oversight every one of your selves; be the more strict in your inspection into your own wayes, in the examining of, and inquiring into your own hearts. Beloved it is a duty that I have some time since pressed upon you, and I hope you do yet make conscience of it, daily to examine your hearts and ways by those questions; which we gave you sor this end, as a great help to this duty: I beseech you whatever you intermit, constantly to keep up, and maintain that duty. And now especially when God deprives you of your publick Overseers, you should take care of your selves. I have never any hopes that you will come to any proficiency in the wayes of God, unless you come up to the strict observation of these Rules, that so you may become sensible of your errours, that one dayes humiliation, may be the matter of the next days Reformation.
Sixth Counsel. Whatever become of your other Trade, be sure that you keep up the Trade of Religion. Beloved, though God see it good to impo…erish you and undo you in this world yet 'tis all well; if you keep on in Religion. That is a happy man that hath a thriving and flourishing soul, though he is declining in his estate; but if you go back in grace, though you should get all the world, you are miserable losers. Therefore be sure of this, how ever God do frown upon you in the world, that you do not go behind in grace. Oh, you may sadly fall and go behind hand, before you think of it, if you do not take heed to it; though there be no total falling away from grace for a Believer, yet there may be sad degrees of falling, and God may let you fall so, that you may besadly wounded & you may break all your bones; and be a common scandal to Religion all your days Therefore look to this, that however God deal with you in other things, account it happy with you if your souls be thriving: & whatever prosperity God gives you, yet if these do not thrive, let none of these things content you. Many persons while they are blessing themselves in their outward increase, are declining in grace. Oh poor Soul! I should pity thy gain, that addest to thy gain in the world, the loss of thy soul to all eternity.
Seventh Counsel. Take heed whom and what you hear. I fear lest after the departuré of Ministers, wolves should enter not sparing the s…ock. And I am afraid least any should be found among you of itching ears, hearkning after novelties, and heap up Teachers to your selves. Labour to know what Doctrine they bring you before you hear them. Take heed lest men of corrupt principles and dangerous doctrines should make a harvest of you, and draw Disciples after them; and overthrow the faith of some. And I cannot be faithful to you without warning you of this miserable danger; you are to take heed to the Call of God. Beware whom and what you hear, hearken to those that are the sent Ministers of Christ. It is like enough that Seducers may take the advantage of the present time, that under pretence of further courage and boldness than Ministers have, may seem to alienate the people from their Ministers, as flying from their flocks as hirelings.
Eighth Counsel. Maintain with constancy and frequency the Communion of Saints. Now is the time my Brethren for those that fear the Lord, to speak often one to another. Now you are deprived of your publick Overseers, take the more carefull oversight one over another, rebuke one another, admonishone another, provoke one another to love and to good works, now if ever, there will be special need of this. If you forsake the Assembling of your selves together, we shall see Religion dying as the coal that is put in the middle of the Room by it self.
Ninth Counsel. Walk together in the order and unity of the Gospel. Take heed of any dividing principles, mark them that cause Divisions, and avoid them. Those that are not for peace be not you for them, what ever pretence they may have to purity attend them not, unless they are men that are for peace. If once the ranks be broken, the Army is quickly routed, and if once the unity of Christians be broken, then Satan hath got his advantage; and is like to have his will. O take heed that you keep together in the unity and peace of the Gospel, that your Ministers and that Jesus Christ may rejoyce to behold your order and your stedfastness in Christ.
Tenth Counsel. Keep up the Life and pow…r of Religion. Be so much the more vigorous in your Families, by how much the more you are deprived of your publick helps. Christians, be advised by me, and let Satan be disappointed in this design. He thinks to break the Churches of Christ: Oh but now let every Family be a Church, and let every Master be a Priest and Prophet to teach their Family. Praise and pray for them, and do so much the more in your Families, by how much the more God hath deprived you of your Preachers.
Brethren, so it is that the preaching of the Gospel is like to be scarce, and the means of Conversion is like to be at a stand; and what shall be done for the Conversion of souls? Oh be dealing with them, and never leave them, till you see they mind their souls and Religion. Put them upon secret prayer, and the Catechism, and Repeating the Principles of Religion, oh that I may prevail with you to set up this duty of Catechising in your Families in this evil time! And if so be you would but try the use of that help, that I have caused to be printed on purpose for that end, I do not doubt but you would find it a happy means, for the letting in the light into their souls.