A Saint or a Brute, Part 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Holineſs is the only Honeſt Way.
WEE have tryed whether the way of Godlineſs or Ungodlineſs be the ſafeſt. Let us next try which is the Honeſteſt, of which one would think we ſhould never meet with a man ſo ſhameleſs as to make a queſtion. But experience telleth us that ſuch there are, yea and that they are very common: Even in their reproaching of a Holy life, they will joyn the boaſtings of their own Honeſty; and ſay, Though we ſwear or are drunk now and then, and make not ſuch a ſtir about Gods ſervice and our ſalvation, yet we are as Honeſt as theſe, preciſer people, that make more ado, and cenſure us as ungodly.] As truly and wiſely as if a common whore ſhould ſay, [I am as Honeſt as theſe preciſe people that will not play the harlots as I do:] And as wiſely as if a Thief ſhould ſay, Though I ſteal for need, I am as honeſt as theſe preciſe people that will not ſteal.] But yet we have this advantage by theſe ſhameleſs boaſts, that ſtill the Name of Honeſty is in credit, and the worſt men honour it, by pretending to it, while they diſhonour themſelves by their renouncing the Thing it ſelf and by the impudency of their pretences.
Honeſty is nothing but true Virtue, or the Moral Goodneſs of the Mind or Action: An Honeſt man and a Good man, is indeed all one: foreign or foreign with the Greeks; one that is both inwardly virtuous, and manifeſts it in the cleaneſs and integrity of his life, in the ſight of men. All men for ought I can perceive, would be accounted Honeſt. This reputation Honeſty hath among its vileſt enemies, that they approve the Name, and would not appear to be its enemies, till they have put ſome other Name upon it: While they hate Honeſty, and perſecute it, they would be called Honeſt men themſelves. And therefore by the conſent of all the world, friends and foes, that is the Beſt way which is the Honeſteſt.
O that you would all but ſtand to this, in the chooſing of your courſe, and in your daily practice! Will you all agree upon a Holy life, if I prove it paſt all doubt to be the Honeſteſt? O that you would! Yea, if I prove that there is no man truly Honeſt in the world, that is not truly Godly? If you would ſtand to this, you would ſoon be changed. Indeed it is nothing but but Diſhoneſty that we would have you changed from. And if you will not ſtand to this, but will refuſe Honeſty when you know it, for ſhame lay by the Name of Honeſty, and wiſh not men to call you Honeſt any more. Either be what you would be called; or give men leave to call you as you are. Let us come then to the tryal, and ſee who is indeed the Honeſt man; the Godly or the ungodly.
1. I have already told you, that God who is the moſt infallible Judge, hath given his ſentence on his peoples ſide. If you will think your ſelves that it is not thoſe that Thieves and Harlots call Honeſt that are ſo likely to be Honeſt, as thoſe that wiſe men and vertuous men call ſo: We have then far greater Reaſon to conclude, that it is not thoſe that you call Honeſt, that are ſo fit to be judged ſuch, as thoſe that God calls ſo. How ſay you? will you not freely give us leave to take Gods judgements or Word before yours? If not, we will take leave. And God calls all the ungodly by the name of Evil and Wicked men! and the godly are they that he calleth Upright, Good, and Honeſt. The whole Scripture, you know, if you know any thing of it, ſpeaketh in this language. Luke 8. 15. It is they that hear the Word and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience, that receive it into honeſt and good hearts. This is the life that is acceptable in the ſight of God our Saviour, which is [in all Godlineſs and Honeſty.] Theſe are inſeparable, Godlineſs and Honeſty. 1 Tim. 2. 2, 3. Indeed the Greek word here is that which ſignifieth gravity and ſeemlineſs of behaviour: but that which is frequently tranſlated [good] is it which ſigniſieth the truly Honeſt. And you know none of the ungodly are ever called Good in Scripture, but clean contrary. Prov. 11. 6. The righteouſneſs of the upright ſhall deliver them, but tranſgreſſ…rs ſhall be taken in their own naughtineſs.] So verſ. 18. 19, 20. [The wicked worketh a deceitful work, but to him that ſoweth righteouſneſs ſhall be a ſure reward. As righteouſneſs tendeth to life, ſo he that purſueth evil, doth it to his own death. They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the Lord: but ſuch as are upright in their way, are his delight.] Everywhere you ſee how God abhorreth the ungodly, and extolleth thoſe that love and fear him. Chriſt calleth the ungodly [Evil men, that …t of the evil treaſure of their hearts do bring forth evil things] Matth. 12. 35. All is evil; the life evil, the heart evil, and the man evil. Prov. 12. 26. [The Righteous is more excellent then his neighbour, but the way of the wicked ſeduceth them.] And Pſalm 16. David calleth the godly [The excellent in whom is all his delight.] It is an excellent ſpirit that is in them, Dan. 3. 12. 14▪ and 63. and an excellent way in which they go, 1 Cor. 12. 31. and an excellent knowledge which the ſpirits illumination cauſeth them to attain, Phil. 3. 18. Epheſ. 3. 18, 19. You have Gods judgement of the caſe, if that will ſatisfie you, who it is that is the Beſt and Honeſteſt man, the Holy or the unholy.
2. Do you think that man is an Honeſt man, that will deny you your due, and rob you of all that is your own? Or rather is not the Juſt man the Honeſt man, that will give every man his own? I know you will give your voices for the latter. O then take heed leſt you condemn your ſelves! If you be not Holy, your own teſtimony doth condemn you. For it is only the Godly that give God his own, when the ungodly rob him of it: Haſt thou not thy Life, and Time, and Maintenance from God? Haſt thou not thy Reaſon, and thy Affections, and all thy faculties from him? And ſhould not all thou haſt be employed for him? Thou art a diſhoneſt man that grudgeſt, yea denyeſt him one day in ſeven, when thou oweſt him all. Thou art a diſhoneſt man that giveſt away thy Makers due unto his vileſt enemies. That waſteſt thy means or ſtrength on ſin: that ſpendeſt thy precious time on vanity: that abuſeſt his creatures to the ſatisfying of thy luſts! and that liveſt to thy fleſh, when thou ſhouldſt live to God. Thou robbeſt him of all which thou giveſt to his enemies; and of all which thou doſt not uſe for his ſervice. It is leſs diſhoneſty to rob thy Maſter that truſteth thee with his goods, then to rob the Lord that truſteth thee with thy time, and parts, and all things. O blind unworthy ſinners! What makes you think him an honeſt man that robbeth his Maker, or denyeth him his own, when you call him a diſhoneſt man that robbeth but ſuch ſilly worms as you, that in reſpect of God have nothing of your own! Art thou better then God, that it ſhould be called diſhoneſty to wrong thee, and no diſhoneſty to wrong him, or deny him that which is his own? God hath an abſolute Title to you, and that on more accounts then one. You are his own, as you are his creatures. All ſouls are mine, ſaith the Lord, Ezek. 18. 4. And he hath Title to thee by Redemption, as well as by Creation: For to this end Chriſt dyed, and roſe, and revived, that he might be Lord of the de…d and of the living, Rom. 14. 9. We are not our own; we are bought with a price; and therefore ſhould glorifie God in our bodies and our ſpirits which are his, 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20. For if one dyed for all, then were all dead, that they which live ſhould not henceforth live to themſelves, but to him that dyed for them and roſe again, 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. And as you your ſelves are Gods own as he is your Creator and Redeemer, ſo all that you have is his own as the beſtower, or as your Maſter that truſteth it in your hands. Exod. 19. 5. [Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my Covenant, then ye ſhall be a peculiar treaſure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine.] And ſaith God to Job, Job 41. 11. [What ſoever is under the whole heaven is mine.] Pſalm 50. 10, 11, 12. [Every beaſt of the Forreſt is mine: the wild beaſts of the field are mine: the world is mine, and the fulneſs thereof.] 1 Cor. 4. 7. What haſt thou which thou didſt not receive?] Thou haſt not a minute of time which thou oweſt not to God; nor a thought, nor a word, nor a farthing of thy eſtate. And is it not the baſeſt injuſtice and diſhoneſty to give theſe to thy fleſh, and deny them to him, and think his ſervice an unneceſſary thing? If thou wilt give the world and thy luſts any thing, let it be that which thou canſt truly call thine own. As God ſaith to the Idolators, Ezek. 16. 18, 19. [Thou haſt ſet mine oyl, and mine incenſe before them▪ my meat alſo which I gave thee, &c.] ſo may he ſay …o thee: It is his Time which thou haſt conſumed in idleneſs and in ſinful delights; and his Proviſion by which thou haſt …ed thy luſts. But the ſanctified man is devoted to God. His ſtudy is to give him his own. All the buſineſs of his life which you account his over-much ſtrictneſs and preciſeneſs, is nothing but his Honeſty to God, in giving him his own. You look your horſe ſhould travail for you, and your Oxe ſhould labour for you, and your ſervant work for you, becauſe they are your own: And ſhall not we give up all that we have to God, that are much more his own? Will you hang them that take your Own from you? and count them Honeſt that deal worſe with God? Say not, If Chriſt were here, we would give it him. For he hath told you how you ſhould uſe all his talents in his Laws; and if you deny them to the poor, or any holy uſe that he requireth them, you deny them unto him. Read Mat. 25. & 10. 40, 41, 42.
3. Do you think that an unnatural man is an Honeſt man? One that will abuſe his Father or Mother, and ſcorn the bowels from which he ſprung. All the world is agreed on it, that ſuch are diſhoneſt: [Honour thy Father and Mother] is called the firſt Commandment with promiſe. Exod. 21 17. [He that curſeth his Father or Mother, ſhall ſurely be put to death.] See Prov. 20. 20. & 30. 17. [The eye that mocketh at his Father, and deſpiſeth to obey his Mother, the Ravens of the valley ſhall pick it out, and the young Eagles ſhall eat it. To be [without natural affections] is the brand of higheſt wickedneſs, Rom. 1. 31. and 2 Tim. 3. 3.
And do you not know that it is worſe to be without holy affections to the God that made you, and the Chriſt that bought you? and to deſpiſe, forſake or abuſe the Lord? Thou hadſt thy Being more from him then from thy Parents. They knew not how thy parts were formed! It was he that gave thee thy immortal ſoul: It is by him that thou haſt lived until now; much more then on the food thou eateſt, or the air thou breatheſt in. And art thou ſo unnatural as to be ungodly, and deny him thy love, and care, and ſervice, that hath made thee? and to call a holy, heavenly life, a needleſs toyl? Deut. 32. 6. [Do you thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh people and unwiſe? Is he not thy Father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee and eſtabliſhed thee?] If an unholy man be an honeſt man, that is ſo unnatural as to croſs the end of his Creation, and deny his ſervice to the Lord that made him; then he is honeſt that ſpits in his Fathers face, and deſpiſeth his Mother that brought him forth.
4. Do you think that he is an honeſt man that is unthankful? It is agreed on by all the world, that unthankfulneſs is a principal point of diſhoneſty. He is no honeſt man that will abuſe or deſpiſe thoſe by whom he liveth, or that have engaged him by kindneſs. If you were ſo uſed your ſelves, by one whoſe lives or eſtates you had preſerved, would you not ſay, [What an unworthy wretch is this? have I deſerved this uſage at his hand?] Why all the unthankfulneſs againſt men in the world, is not to be compared to thy unthankfulneſs againſt God. What are the Benefits which man hath given thee in compariſon of his? Did ever man do any thing for thee that is comparable to thy Creation, and Redemption, and offering thee ſalvation from everlaſting miſery, and a room with Angels in everlaſting glory? beſides every hour… mercy that ever thou hadſt here in this world. And is that an honeſt man that will requite this God with prophaneneſs and ungodlineſs, and return him ſin for all his mercies, and refuſe to live a holy life? Doth thy fleſh deſerve all thy care and labour, and is this God unworthy of it, and doſt thou call his ſervice a needleſs work? If ingratitude can make a man diſhoneſt, thou art then a diſhoneſt man. But it is the buſineſs of the godly to give up themſelves to him that made them, and to exerciſe their thankfulneſs, in their capacities, for theſe greateſt mercies.
5. Do you think that a cruel unmerciful man, or a loving and merciful man is the more honeſt? Surely I ſhall here have all your voices. He that hateth thoſe that hurt him not, and would kill them, and ſet their houſes on fire, and carryeth malice in his face and ſpeeches, will be called an honeſt man but by few. And he that is Loving, and ſtudyeth to do Good to all about him, will be counted Honeſt: Why try the ungodly and the Saints by this: No more malicious men in the world then the ungodly. They have an enmity even to the God that made them, Col. 1. 21. and to the Chriſt that bought them, Luke 19. 27. and to the Word of God that offereth them ſalvation, and would lead them to eternal life, and hate the Knowledge of the way of life, Prov. 1. 22. They are enemies to the ſervants of the Lord, and hate the upright that deſire their ſalvation, and would but draw them from their ſins, Prov. 29. 10. & 9. 8. They curſe thoſe that bleſs them, and perſecute thoſe that pray for them, Matth. 5. 44. The firſt wicked man that was born into the world, did kill his brother, becauſe his own works were evil, and his brothers righteous, 1 John 3. 12.
But this is not their greateſt cruelty: They are enemies to their own ſalvation: They will run into Hell in deſpight of Chriſt and all the Preachers in the world. For there is but one way thither, the way of ungodlineſs, and that way they will go. Yea that is not all, but bloody wretches, they would have all the Countrey do as they do, and be damned with them. They are angry with a man if he will not live an ungodly life, and tipple, and ſwear, and do as they: They revile him if he will not give over his diligent ſerving of the Lord: which is all one as to fall out with men becauſe they will not forſeit heaven, and run from God, and damn their ſouls, and all for nothing! When they might more mercifully ſcorn us becauſe we will not give over eating, or that we will not cut our own throats. And are theſe cruel perſons honeſt men? Is that mercileſs wretch an honeſt man, that is not content to caſt away his own everlaſting happineſs for nothing upon his fond conceits, but muſt needs have others do ſo too? That is not content to wrong the Lord, but would have others wrong him alſo? The Devil is Honeſt if theſe be Honeſt.
But for the Godly, it is their deſire, their care, their work to ſave themſelves, and further the ſalvation of all others. O how they long to hear of the Converſion of Towns and Countries! and how glad are they when they hear it! Not for any worldly commodity to themſelves, but becauſe they rejoyce at the good of others. And what would they not do to promote it, which they could do?
6. Do you think that a perfidious unfaithful man, or a faithful man that will not be hired to break his word, is the honeſter man? Sure this is no hard queſtion neither. A Knight of the Poſt, that will ſay and unſay, ſwear and forſwear, and will betray his deareſt friend for a groat, is taken by few for an honeſt man, in compariſon of him that will rather die then lye or be unfaithful. Why nothing is more plain, then that all you that are ungodly, are treacherous to the Lord himſelf: You are perfidious Covenant-breakers: You owe him your ſelves wholly on the grounds that I before expreſſed: and yet you are unfaithful to him. You have all from him, and you ſerve his enemy with it: You call him your God, and will not Love, nor honour, nor ſerve him as your God, Mal. 1. 6. You bound your ſelves to him in your Baptiſm, and many a time ſince, by a ſolemn Vow or Covenant: but you live in the treacherous breach of it continually. You Covenanted to take the Lord for your God; and yet you will not ſeek him, nor be Ruled by him. You Covenanted to take Jeſus for your ſaviour, and yet will not be ſaved by him from your ſins, Matth. 1. 21. You Covenanted to take the Holy-Ghoſt for your Sanctifier, to purifie your hearts and lives; and yet you reſiſt his holy motions, and hate his ſanctifying word and work, and ſome of you will mock at Sanctification and the Spirit. And can the ſoul of man be guilty of greater unfaithfulneſs or treachery? You Covenanted to forſake the fleſh, the world, and the Devil: and now you ſerve them more then Chriſt, and think your time is better beſtowed for them, then in the ſervice of the Lord! And is this your Covenant-keeping? No Traytors, no perjured wretches in the world are diſhoneſt men, if theſe be not diſhoneſt.
But now it is the care of godly men to keep the Covenants they have made with God. All that which you reproach them for as too much preciſeneſs, is but the performance of their Baptiſmal Vow. And if you be againſt the keeping our Covenants with God, ſhould you not be againſt the making them? Are you not aſhamed to be ſo forward to engage your children to God in Baptiſm, and when you have done, would have them he ungodly, and break the Vow they make? Will you by your Profeſſion of Chriſtianity, and coming to the Lords Table, renew your Covenants with Chriſt your ſelves, and yet make no conſcience to break them, and plead againſt the keeping of them? We promiſe Holineſs, and the ſerving of God, and forſaking the world, at every Sacrament, and whenever we promiſe but to be Chriſtians: And are you for the making of theſe promiſes, and yet for the breaking of them, and revilers of thoſe that endeavour but to keep them? O fearful impudency! Is this your Honeſty? and would you have us all as faithleſs and diſhoneſt, even with God? This was the perfidiouſneſs of the Jews, Ecek. 16. 8. [I ſware unto thee, and entredinto a Covenant with thee; and thou be…eſt mine.] We are married in Baptiſm to Chriſt; and is Ad…tery with the world, and forſaking our Husband, no diſhoneſty! Why then what is?
7. Moreover, do you think that a Murderer is an honeſt men▪ I know you will ſay No. Why nothing more ſure then that ungodly men are murderers of themſelves, and as I ſaid, would undo others. They hate their own ſouls, ſaith God, Prov 29. 24. They deſtroy themſelves, Hoſ. 13. …. There is but one way to Hell, and that they will take, and that when they are plainly told of it. Not a man in Hell, but brought himſelf thither. And O how many do their mocks, and perſwasions, and evil examples keep out of Heaven▪ and bring to the ſame miſery! And are theſe Honeſt?
8. Do you take them to be Honeſt men that are common cheaters, or deceivers, and that in matters of greateſt value? I think you do not. Why ſuch are the ungodly: They deceive and are deceived, 2 Tit. 3. 13. They deceive themſelves, Gal. 6. 3. by thinking themſelves ſomething when they are nothing. They make themſelves believe that they have Honeſty and ſaving grace when they have none; and that they are in a ſtate of ſafety and in the favour of God, when they are near to everlaſting miſery, and in Gods diſpleaſure. And thus they will think, though their ſouls are at the ſtake, and the miſtake be the greateſt hinderance of their converſion; and though God have plainly told them in his word, whom he will ſave, and whom he will not: Yet againſt all the plain diſcoveries in the Scripture, and all the Marks of death upon themſelves, and the open ungodlineſs of their lives, and all the warnings of their teachers, they will needs believe that their ſtate is ſafe, and that they may be ſaved without converſion; what wilfull ſelf deceivers are theſe! Their hearts are deceitful above all things, and they know them not, Jer. 17. 9. And thus they are hardened by the deceitfulneſs of their own ſin, Heb. 3. 13. ſin firſt deceiveth them, and ſo killeth them, Rom. 7. 11. If they were not fooliſh and deceived, they would not ſerve their luſts and pleaſures, Tit. 3. 3. Theſe miſerable men did never yet learn that leſſon, 1 Cor. 3. 18. which one would think they ſhould willingly learn [Let no man deceive himſelf▪ ] They will needs think that they are Chriſtians, and have ſo much Religion as will ſave them, when God expreſly telleth the curſer, ſwearer, railer, ſcorner, and all that live in wilfull ſin, Jam. 1. 26. that [If any man ſeem to be Religious and bridle not his tongue (and ſo for other wilful ſine) but deceiveth his own heart, that mans Religion is in vain,]
And as they Deceive themſelves, ſo they are the common cheaters of the world. They tell them as ſmooth a tale as if all were fair and right, when they are pleading againſt God, and reaſoning men out of their faith and reaſon. When Eve had ſinned, ſhe tempted Adam. The drunkard will tempt others to be his companions: and ſo will the fornicators, and voluptuous ſenfualiſts. The ungodly will perſwade thoſe about him to be ungodly; and when he hath not a word of ſolid reaſon to ſpeak againſt the holy diligence of the Saints, a jeer or ſcorn ſhall ſerve to deceive inſtead of Reaſon. And if he dare not ſtand to what he ſaith to the face of a miniſter, or any but the ignorant that cannot gainſay him, he will take his time, and ſpeak when none are preſent that can contradict him▪ O how many thouſand are now in miſery that were cheated thither by the ſcorn… and cavils of ungodly men! And how many thouſands have loſt all hopes of Heaven by their deceits! Could you but ask many thouſands that are now in miſery, [How came you to chooſe ſo unhappy a way?] they would tell you [We were deceived by the words of wicked men! The cavils and ſcorns of ignorant ſinners have cheated us of our Salvation.] The very calling a diligent ſervant of Chriſt by the name of a Puritan or Preciſian, hath kept many a thouſand even in England, from the fear and diligent ſerving of the Lord. And ſurely this is a ſilly argument. And are theſe Honeſt men that are the factors of Satan the great deceiver, in cheating themſelves and others into Hell?
But the Godly deal plainly with themſelves and others. They are willing to know the truth of their condition, and not to make themſelves believe that which God never made them believe. They promiſe not ſalvation to themſelves on any lower terms then God hath promiſed it. They have no hope of being ſaved without Holineſs. They ſet not Gods mercy againſt his Truth, nor the Merits of Chriſt againſt his Covenant. They know that God is better acquainted with the ways and effects of his own mercies then we are. And therefore though they hope to be ſaved by Gods mercy, it is by his ſanctifying mercy, and not to be ſaved without ſanctification, that is, without ſalvation it ſelf and the neceſſary means. They know that it is abundant mercy to be ſaved in a way of Holineſs, and deſire no other ſaving Mercy. Yea they know that ſanctification and glorification both, are greater mercy then Glorification alone, if it were poſſible to be alone. This is the doctrine that the Godly do believe, and this they practiſe, and this they teach others, and this they have learnt of God: and therefore they are no deceivers.
9. Moreover, do you think that he is an Honeſt man that is an enemy to the publike Good? or rather he that is a common benefactor? The beſt of the Heathens thought it one of the higheſt parts of virtue, to be ſerviceable to many, and devote our ſelves to the common good. But wicked men are the very plagues of a land. For their ſakes it is that judgements come upon us. It is they that would let in the plague of ſin which would undoe us. He that ſets fire to the thatch, doth do no worſe againſt your towns, then wicked men that would kindle the fire of the wrath of God by their crying ſins. Read the Scriptures and ſee who it was that cauſed Iſrael to periſh in the wilderneſs, but unbelieving ſinners. Who troubled Iſrael, and made them fly before their enemies, but one Achan? Joſh. 7. And what but ſin was the cauſe of their captivity, and preſent deſolation? was it Lot or the Sodomites that brought down from heaven the fire of vengeance? Was it Noah or the world of the ungodly that brought down the flood? Are theſe Honeſt men that provoke God to forſake the Land, and are the vermine and deſtroyers of our peace and happineſs? But you know that God hath promiſed his bleſſing to the Godly, and to the places where they live ofttimes for their ſakes, as Joſephs caſe and others tell us.
10. That man can be no Honeſt man that wanteth the very principle of Honeſty, and that intendeth not the End thats neceſſary to make any action truly Honeſt: But ſuch are all ungodly men.
1. The Principle of true Honeſty is the high eſteem of God and everlaſting life, in our undeſtandings, and the belief of Gods revelations neceſſary to the attaining of that life, and the prevailing Love of God in the heart, and the Love of man for his ſake. Without theſe Principles of Honeſty, no man can be Honeſt. How can he be an Honeſt man that Believeth not his maker? He that taketh God for a lyer, hath no reaſon to be taken for any better himſelf. For would he be thought better then he takes God himſelf to be? nor can he in reaſon be expected to believe any man elſe: For none can be better then God. And is that an honeſt man that profeſſeth himſelf a Lyer, and taketh all men to be so too?
And how can that be an Honeſt man, that Loveth not Go… well as his fleſhly luſts and pleaſures? And this is the caſe of all the wicked. If they did not Love their Riches and honour and ſenſual pleaſures more then God, they would not keep them againſt his command, nor loſe his favour rather then loſe them, nor ſeek them more carefully then they ſeek him and his Kingdom, and think of them and ſpeak of them with more delight. And certainly he that Loveth his Riches, or Honours, or filthy ſins, better then God and Heaven it ſelf, muſt needs be thought to preferr them before his neereſt Friends, or the common good. And is that an Honeſt man that would rather caſt off Father or Mother then caſt off his filthy ſins? and that would rather forſake his chiefeſt friend, then forſake his vices? and would ſell his friend, or the Commonwealth, for a little gain, or pleaſure, even for a whore, or for drunkenneſs or ſuch like things? I think you would none of you ſay that this were an Honeſt man, that would not leave ſo ſmall a matter for the life of his friend, or for the preſervation of the Common wealth: And can you expect that he ſhould prefer any friend before God and his Salvation? If he will ſin againſt God, and ſell his ſalvation for his ſin, can you think he ſhould more regard any man, how dear ſoever? There is no true Honeſty in that man where the Love of God doth not command.
2. Moreover if the Honouring and Pleaſing of our Lord, and the ſaving of our ſouls be not the End and principal motive of our actions, there can be no true Honeſty. It is eſſential to Honeſty that God be our End. If you would know what a man is, firſt know what he Intendeth, and maketh the End and marke of his life: And ſo you muſt do if you would judge of his actions. The End is the principal ingredient that makes them Good or Bad. If a Thief Love God becauſe he proſpereth him in ſtealing, or becauſe he giveth him ſtrength and opportunity; this is a wicked Love of God. If a drunkard Love God for giving him his drink, and a Whoremonger Love God for ſtrenthening him in his luſt, will you call this Honeſty? Every wicked man doth make his ſenſual preſent pleaſure his principal End through all his life. If he love his neighbour, it is but carnally, as a dog loveth him that ſeedeth and ſtroaketh him. If he ſeem to be a good Commonwealths man, it is but for vain-glory or carnal accommodati…: and he fighteth for his King or Countrey but as a dog doth … his bone. If he give to the poor, it is but that which he can ſpare from his Belly; and it is either in a common pitty, or for vain applauſe, or he thinks by it to ſtop the mouth of Juſtice, that God may let him alone in his ſins, or ſave him after all his wickedneſs. This is no more an Honeſt man, then he that makes a trade of ſtealing, and will pay Tythes of all that he ſteals; or give ſome part to the Church or Poor, that God may pardon him, and ſave him when he hath done. All the Religion, and all the charity of wicked men, is but for themſelves: and that which hath no higher End then Carnal ſelf, is truly no Religi… Charity: It is only the ſanctified man that is Honeſt: for it … he that is devoted to God, and doth the works of his life to … and glorifie his maker. There is more Honeſty in the very … ing and drinking of the ſanctified, then in the prayer and ſacrifices and alms deed of the ungodly. Or elſe God would never have ſaid as he hath done that [Unto the Pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and Conſcience is defiled, Tit. 1. 15. And that every creature is ſanctified by the word of God and by Prayer, 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5. And that the prayer and the ſacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord, and he abhoreth and loatheth them, when the prayer of the upright is his delight, Prov. 15. 8. & 21. 27. Iſa. 1. 13. Prov. 28. 9. & 8. 7. & 11. 20. For the ſanctified in their very eating and drinking do make it their end to Glorifie God, and to be fitted for his ſervice, 1 Cor. 10. 31. But the ungodly do all, even in their duties that ſeem moſt Holy, but for a ſelfiſh carnal End. So that it is plain that he that wanteth the neceſſary Principles and End, that muſt inform an Honeſt mind and life, can have no Honeſty of mind or life. [Now the end of the Commandment is Charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conſcience, and of faith unfeigned] 1 Tim. 1. 5.
But perhaps you will ſay, that there hath been Honeſty found among Heathens: and therefore this doctrine cannot hold. To which I anſwer, 1. If this were true, yet it is proved, that there is no compariſon between their Honeſty and the true Chriſtians. 2. But indeed, there was never true Honeſty found in any ungodly man. But ſomething that is like to Honeſty they may have. Materially they may do the ſame outward acts that Honeſt men do; and this the world accounteth Honeſty, that ſeeth not the inſide, and the Ends, and therefore give the name to the Matter without the Form. And ſuch may be Honeſt ſecundum quid, but not ſimplicitur. An Analogical Honeſty they may have … and be leſs diſhoneſt then ſome others. And ſo as Robbin Whood was called an Honeſt thief that would rob none but the rich, and ſometimes bring a yoake of Oxen that he had ſtoln and give them to a poor that had none; ſo may a Heathen and ungodly man be Honeſt. But men muſt be Denominated (and ſo muſt their actions) according to what is predominant in them. And therefore we muſt ſay, if we will ſpeak properly, that no ungodly man is Honeſt.
If you ask, How then it comes to paſs that ſuch are accounted Honeſt men, and t…neth, not the: Hone…ty …th in a Holy …. Because that … the … duplicate page duplicate page have an Enmity to Holineſs: And malice blindeth men, that they cannot ſee the Good that is in thoſe they hare. 2. Becauſe they do not know what Godlineſs is, and therefore know not the Honeſty of it appearing in its Principles, Ends and Rule. For it is not effectually known by any but thoſe that have it. 3. Becauſe all carnal men do judge after the fleſh; and as they are to themſelves their higheſt End, ſo they do judge of all things elſe according to that End. He is an Honeſt man with them, that is for them, and furthereth their commodity, or anſwereth their deſire. Mark them whether they judge not thoſe to be the Honesteſt men, that ſuit themſelves moſt to their minds and wills, and ſay and do as they would have them. And ſo among Thieves there is none ſo honest men as their companions: nor among drunkards none ſo honest as they that will ſit with them, and waſte their time, and prate like ideots over a pot of Ale, forgetting that death and judgement are poſting toward them while they ſit there: And among Harlots their Mates ſeem Honest. So that diſhonest men are no fit Judges of Honesty. That which is ſuted to their corrupted mind is best with them. And this is their Honesty.
By this time you may ſee, if you are not willfully blind, that the way of Godlineſs is the only Honest way: and therefore you muſt either be Godly or Diſhonest; and pretend not any longer that you are Honest while you are ungodly: unleſs you will increaſe your ſhame by your contradictions. The Scripture deſcription of one that is Honeſt is, that [in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not in fleſhly wiſdom, but by the grace of God, he hath his converſation in the world] 2 Cor. 1. 12. The Honeſty which the Goſpel teacheth, and which God will own is this, [that denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, we live ſoberly, righteouſ… and godly in this preſent world, looking for that bleſſed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our ſaviour Jeſus Christ] Tit. 2. 12, 13. [A Godly Seed] is oppoſed to the fruit of Adultery, Mal. 2. 15. And when David lamenteth the decay of Honesty in the world, his language tells you whom he took for Honest men, Pſal. 12. 1. [Help Lord, for the Godly … ceaſeth: for the faithful faile from among the Children of … and verſ. 8. you may perceive what he thinks of … [The wicked walk on every fi…, when the … m…n … To [ſerve God with reverence and godly fears, … … Honeſty, Heb. 12. 28. And now chooſe you whether you will be Honeſt or ungodly: but be ſure that it is the Godly that are eſteemed Honeſt and accepted by the Lord: and how ever the world judgeth, [Know that the Lord hath ſet apart him that is Godly for himſelf] as he tells you, Pſal. 4. 3.