Soul-Prosperity in Several Sermons, Sermon 12
SERMON XII.
I Now proceed to the third, and laſt branch of the Uſe, that hath been ſo long inſiſted upon. To exhort thoſe (if there be any ſuch, and I have reaſon to hope there are ſome ſuch) whoſe Souls do proſper, with whom it begins to be better, with reſpect to the frame, and temper, of the hidden Man of the heart, then it hath been: To exhort them, to give all diligence, that it may continue ſo with them: That they may not loſe the things they have wrought, but receive a full reward, 2 Epiſt. of John verſ. 8. But keep them in that holy frame, whereinto the exerciſe of godlineſs hath brought them.
But before I ſhew what in order thereunto is our duty; I ſhall premiſe five things to be conſidered.
1. That an abſolute ſettlement of the Soul in the ſame highth and degree of this ſpiritual proſperity, that is by ſome attained, s rarely, if ever, preſerved for any long time together. There is a tincture of that madneſs which Solomon ſpeaks of, Eccl. 9.3, (yea, alſo the heart of the Sons of Men is full of evil, and madneſs is in their heart while they live.) that remains, and always will remain in the hearts of the beſt, when they are at beſt. Paul found it ſo, Rom 7.21, I find a Law, that when I would do good, evil is preſent with me. And Mad-men ſeldom continue in any one temper, any long time together. Therefore as it is with Men in reſpect of their outward condition, though all things may proſper with them, and that for ſome conſiderable time together; as it was with Job; He had his months wherein the Candle of God did ſhine upon him, and the ſecret of God was upon his Tabernacle; when the Almighty was with him; when his Children were about him, Job 29.2 3, 4. But in all theſe, we know, he underwent a great, and ſad change; the clouds gathered upon him, and darkned all his Sunſhine. David found it ſo; his fair weather (as we uſe to ſay) did not laſt always, Pſal. 30.6, 7. He thought himſelf ſetled in his Kingdom, above danger of oppoſition, but he found it otherwiſe; God was offended with him, hid away his face, and then ſuch troubles came upon him, as he never dream'd of. Even ſo it hath been, with moſt thriving and growing Souls, when they thought they could have ſaid, as David, Pſal. 108.1, O God, my heart is fixed, I will ſing, and give praiſe: Yet they have found, that even then it was with them, but as with a Ship at Anchor, which though it be not driven into the Maine, nor ſplit againſt the Rocks, yet it is often toſſed up and down, and reels to and fro. Many ſad inſtances we have of this in the Scripture, that the moſt gracious perſons have not always kept their principles of godlineſs in exerciſe, at the ſame height; no not thoſe, wherein they have been moſt eminent. Neither Abraham his Faith, nor Moſes his Meekneſs, nor Job his Patience. Even Abraham's Faith, and Moſes his Meekneſs, and Job's Patience, had their ebbings and flowings. And at this day, the more any Man ſtudies his own heart, the more he will tell you, that in his own experience, he finds it ſo; for many ſuch changes are wrought by the hand of the moſt high: As in reſpect of our natural ſtate, Job. 14.2, He cometh up as a flower, and continueth not: So very often in reſpect of his ſpiritual frame.
2. As many have experienced ſtrange, and unexpected turns of Providence, in reſpect of their outward condition: So no leſs ſuddenly or unexpectedly have they experienced as great changes in their ſpiritual condition. There are thoſe, no doubt, can tell you, That having been brought under the influences of divine grace, and love, ſo as they have found much inward longing after more and more enjoyment of God, even then when they found much ſweet delight in what they did enjoy; and this joined with ſerious reſolutions, of keeping more cloſe to God; and have thereupon hoped, that the worſt had been paſt, that it would never any more be with them, as it had been. Never ſhould they live (ſo they hoped) at ſuch a diſtance from God, as they had done; nor ſhould their hearts wander from him, as in times paſt: Yet after all this, very unexpectedly, like an inſtrument in change of weather, have they found themſelves, as we ſay, out of tune again. As thoſe that dwell by the Sea-ſide do ſee, that though the tide be now out, and it be low water, yet upon a ſudden all is overflown again. Beſides experience, we have ſad inſtances of this in Scripture, Jer. 20.13. Having in the words before profeſſed his aſſurance of God's preſence with him, and protection of him, he now rowſeth up his Soul, from his former damp't, and dumpiſh condition, to a high degree of lightſomeneſs of ſpirit, praiſing God for his deliverance from the hands of Paſhur, and the reſt of his Perſecutors (before he was delivered) out of an hopeful expectation of it, as if he had already received it. But how long doth this laſt? See ver. 14, Curſed be the day wherein I was born. A ſtrange alteration, and ſudden down-fall from ſuch an height of confidence in verſ. 12. and ſuch a degree of comfort, verſ. 13. to ſuch a low dejection of ſpirit, and ſtrange diſtemper of mind, as inconſiderately to curſe the day of his birth; & thoſe that brought his Father the report thereof. A lively pattern this is, of the truth of that which we are ſpeaking of. An inſtance not much unlike to this we find in Elijah. Compare 1 King. 18.18. where he told Ahab with ſo much reſolution; I have not troubled Iſrael, but thou, and thy Father's houſe.] with 1 King. 19.3. when being threat'ned by Jezebel, He aroſe, and fled for his life.] What a ſudden change was this? He that durſt ſay to Ahab's face, Thou, and thy Father's houſe have troubled Iſrael; that could fetch down both Fire and Water from Heaven by his prayers, that durſt command the ſlaying of 450 Prieſts of Baal: yet he ſhrinks at the threats of a Woman, and wiſheth to be rid of his life, becauſe he was afraid to loſe it. This was a ſtrange turn in that holy Man's ſpirit. But ſo it hath been, and ſo it is, that the pulſe of a ſick Man, doth not more vary, then the temper of the Soul of a ſound, and upright Man: This day, perhaps, ſome Communion with God, ſome drawings nigh in holy duties, ſome good hopes, through grace, of acceptance with God, unto Eternal Life: yet within a while, overcome again with deadneſs, and darkneſs, ſtrange flatneſs and coldneſs growing upon the face of the whole Soul again, ſo as it is nothing the ſame it was. Thus we ſee, that though the ſtate of grace be ſure, 2 Tim. 2.19. yet the workings of grace are variable. The nature of it is unchangeable, but the degrees of it are ſubject to many changes, the operations of it to many alterations. So that though the principles of godlineſs be always like themſelves, yet the moſt godly Souls, that proſper moſt, are not always like themſelves.
3. As there may be ſuch a ſad, and ſudden change in the moſt proſperous Soul that lives; ſo that may be loſt in ſuch a change, which will not be recovered but with very much difficulty. A Ship may eaſily be born down the ſtream, but it is hardly fetcht up again. A Man may loſe more ſtrength in a few days ſickneſs, then can be recovered in many days. I have read of Henry the Firſt, King of England, a ſober, and temperate Prince, that he ſurfeited with eating a Lamprey, which coſt him his life. Thus one intemperate meal may overthrow the temperance of a Man's whole life: for the ſame Hiſtory ſaith of that King, that he did ſeldom or never eat, but when he was hungry; or drink, but when he was thirſty, yet thus he came to his end. Thus it may be in this matter, which we are ſpeaking of. Even the Soul that mounts aloft, by the ſupplies of grace, as upon Eagles wings, if ſpiritual drowſineſs creep by degrees upon it, and that it begins to dally with duties, or to dally with ſin, it may coſt much ſpiritual wreſtling, and ſtriving with God, much heart-humbling, and mourning in the ſight of God, before it recovers its former height, and heavenly temper. If a Watch be let fall, and receive a bruiſe, it muſt be all taken aſunder, before it be brought to its former exactneſs, and evenneſs of motion. Read the 5 ch. of the Canticles, at the beginning; there ye may perceive what hard work the Church had, in ſeeking after Chriſt, before ſhe found him again: We read of David's firſt days, as his beſt days, 2 Chron. 17.3. And though it may eaſily be proved that he recovered his former ſtature both in grace, and comfort: yet it may as eaſily be proved, that he found it no eaſie matter to recover either the one or the other. And this his 7 penitential Pſalms do ſufficiently prove.
4. Yet for all this, much may be done this way, ſo as a proſpering Soul may continue in its proſperous ſtate; more then the moſt careful Man in the World can do, for the continuance of the proſperity of his worldly eſtate: A Man may be looking to, and taking care for the well managing of his eſtate, and yet whilſt his eye is upon it, he may ſee it upon the wing, and flying away from him, as the Eagle towards Heaven, far enough out of his reach. See Job 1.14. Job's Servants with great care and diligence attended their Maſter's buſineſs, for the ſecuring his Cattel, and improving his ground, each of them according to their place, and yet ye know, how ſuddenly all was loſt, ſo that it came to be a Proverb, As poor as Job. But there is more certainty of God's proſpering ſerious endeavours in minding Soul-proſperity. For if the occaſions of ſin be watched againſt one day as well as another; if the firſt riſings of ſin be checked, and ſuppreſſed; if grace be exerciſed ſuitable to the Providence of the day; and Communion with God, in the duties of Religion, be made our great buſineſs of the day, ſo far, and ſo long as it is ſo, ſo far and ſo long the Soul will continue to proſper. And why all this may not be done one day as well as another, no reaſon can be given. The promiſe of the aſſiſtance of the ſpirit for all this, is ready one day as well as another: And God is a God hearing prayers for all this, one day as well as another. And therefore, what is done one day, may be done another. It is ſaid of Enoch, Gen. 5.22. That though the age he lived in were very corrupt, yet he walked with God, and lived in ſome degree of eminency in the exerciſe of the principles of godlineſs, above others of the Servants of God, that were his contemporaries, and he had this teſtimony, the Spirit of God witneſſing, together with his Spirit, That he pleaſed God, Heb. 11.5. And it is well known, that the bleſſed Apoſtle Paul, as he began, ſo he continued, fighting a good fight, finiſhing his courſe, keeping the faith, and living by faith, to his dying day, as he ſaith, Gal. 2.20. 2 Tim. 4.6, 7, And though his outward condition was, for the moſt part, very low, yet his ſpiritual condition was very thriving, and flouriſhing; though the one periſhed daily, yet the other was renewed, 2 Cor. 4.16.
5. Our labours, and endeavours, how much ſoever we abound therein, will not be in vain, but be abundantly recompenſed, in the bleſſed fruits, and effects thereof. When a proſpering Soul is carried on with a full gale in its holy courſe, the precious influences of the Spirit of God, in, and by the Ordinances of God, will be fixed, and the word will be an abiding word, and not like thoſe human Ordinances, the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, Col. 2.22. which periſh in the uſing. And as the matter requires, the word which ye hear at one time, will be brought to remembrance at another time, as Joh. 14.26. and put the Sword of the Spirit into your hands, ſo as to reſiſt the aſſaults of Satan, and diſcover a temptation in time of temptation, before the heart be enſnared by it.
(2.) To keep the heart humble, and heaven-ward, under a confluence of all worldly comforts. To keep it calm, and well-compoſed under all provocations from Men, and afflictions from God, ſo as to run with patience the race that is ſet before us; holding on, till our courſe be finiſhed. To be much above diſtracting fears, in time of danger; all of them being mightily ſubdued in the reverential fear, and awe of God; yea to have our thoughts of death full of comfort, and our hopes of Eternal happineſs, full of well-grounded confidence: To be able to live to God, whilſt we live, and to dye to God, when we dye. Theſe, and many ſuch like, are the effects, and bleſſed conſequences of this, ſo far as it proſpers. So as all ſuch whoſe Souls do proſper, ſee cauſe daily, not only to bleſs their God, but alſo as it is Iſa. 65.16. To bleſs themſelves in their God, whatever their condition be: Therefore let not theſe conſolations of God, ſeem ſmall unto us; but engage us, according as we are commanded, Deut. 4.9. To keep our Souls diligently, leſt we forget the things which our eyes have ſeen, and loſe thoſe things which our hearts have wrought. Theſe things being premiſed, I proceed to the Directions, neceſſary (as I ſuppoſe) to be obſerved in this caſe.
1. Souls that proſper, being through the aſſiſtance of the quickening preſence of the Spirit of God with them, well recovered out of that ſpiritual deadneſs, & benummedneſs their hearts were ſunk into, muſt take heed of Relapſes. Sin (as ye have heard) is the Souls ſickneſs. Therefore as ye ought to take heed, that there be not any unmortified root of bitterneſs in you, as Heb. 12.15. So take heed of relapſing into that ſin, or thoſe ſins, whether of Omiſſion, or Commiſſion, whatever they were, which brought your Souls into, and kept them in that unproſpering, and unthriving condition; under which ye groaned, and from which ye find your ſelves now, in ſome good meaſure, ſo happily recovered. Thoſe that are recovered out of a dangerous Diſeaſe, if they be not very careful, may relapſe again. And Relapſes, though they are not always mortal, yet they are always dangerous. It is ſo with the Soul. In Levit. 13.18, 19, 20. we read, that out of a bile that is healed, there may ſpring up a Leproſie, a Diſeaſe far more dangerous then the former.
It is a ſad, but a true charge upon the Lord's profeſſing People of old, Hoſ. 11.7. that they were bent to back-ſliding. And this proneneſs hath been, as is too often, reduced into the act. And no marvel, for whatever is nought, and reigns in the hearts of the worſt Men, there is ſtill a remainder of it, in the beſt of Men. Now it is as certain, as that two and three make five, that if the moſt proſperous Souls be not well look't unto, according to the ſuitableneſs of the temptation, every old, ill quality will break forth again. For every thing that is natural (as all ill qualities are to the Soul, and this of relapſing, and back-ſliding, as natural as any) will return to their ſtate, if ſpecial care be not taken, to hinder it. As a ſtone that is thrown up into the Air, will fall down again, when the force of the Arm that threw it up, is ſpent: And water will have its courſe downward, when once the damm, that ſtopt it, is broken down.
This particular then is neceſſary to be ſpoken to, and that ſomewhat largely, which ſhall be recompenced in ſpeaking more briefly unto thoſe other Directions that follow. For if this be neglected, none of the reſt will be obſerved.
Conſider then,
1. That relapſing, and back-ſliding in its general nature is directly, and in a ſpecial manner contrary to the exerciſe of thoſe principles of godlineſs, which have the ſame influence into the health, and well-fare of the Soul, as natural heat, and radical moiſture have into the health, and well-fare of the Body; I mean Faith, and Repentance. By the exerciſe of Faith, we come to Chriſt, Joh. 6.37. All that the Father hath given me, ſhall come unto me. And by the exerciſe of Repentance, we turn unto God, Joel 2.12, Turn ye unto me with all your heart. Now, relapſing and back-ſliding is a departure from God, Heb, 3.12. a drawing back, Heb. 10.38.
2. To bring this yet more cloſely to the matter, I am ſpeaking unto, we muſt take notice, that this relapſing, or back ſliding comes under a double conſideration.
(1.) There is a relapſing or back-ſliding which proceeds from the want of the principles of godlineſs. This is to be charged upon thoſe that after illumination, and conviction, having given up their Names to Chriſt, and engaged in the profeſſion of Religion: Fall firſt from the practice, and, it may be, at laſt from the very profeſſion of Religion. Firſt from all appearance of exact and circumſpect walking, to vanity, and looſneſs; and then, it may be, to open prophaneneſs, as they, 2 Pet. 2.20, If after they have eſcaped the polutions of the World, through the knowledge of the Lord, and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, they are again entangled, and overcome, the latter end is worſe with them, then the beginning. Theſe do not fall from the grace they had, but do indeed diſcover, that they never had any. For every one that hath the true principles of godlineſs in his heart, ſhall perſevere in his gracious ſtate: The Seed of God will remain in him, though he do not always remain, in his gracious frame. The new-born Chriſtian is born a Conquerour; his victory bears date from his birth, 1 Joh. 5.4, For whoſoever is born of God, overcometh the World—and ſhall at laſt be more then conquerour, Rom. 8.37.
(2.) There is a relapſing, and back-ſliding through weakneſs, or rather, as the truth is, for want of the exerciſe of the principles of godlineſs, whereby the heart is drawn ſometimes one way, and ſometimes another way from God.
(1.) Sometimes through violence of temptation, and the unmortified inclination of the heart, into ſome outward act of ſin, which may come under the obſervation of others, as we may ſee in Peter: ſeveral times he was ſurprized with ſelfiſh fears, which brought forth ſad effects. Once, when he tempted Chriſt, not to hazard himſelf at Jeruſalem, Matth. 16.21, 22, 23. This was from his fear, leſt if it ſhould go ill with his Maſter, it would not go well with him. This appears by Chriſt's thereupon preſſing upon him, and all that would be his Diſciples, the duty of Self-denyal, and the Doctrine of the Croſs, ver. 31. And then after that, when Chriſt was arraigned, Matth. 26.70. And after both theſe, we find him falling into a grudging of the ſame Diſeaſe, Gal. 2.11, 12. So John, the beloved Diſciple was twice ſurprized, ſo far to forget himſelf, as twice to give that worſhip to the Creature, which was due to God alone, Rev. 19.10. and ch. 22.8. There are other groſs corruptions, which (as the Apoſtle ſaith) are manifeſt works of the fleſh. It would be an aſtoniſhing thing, if any that ever were alive to God, much more if any whoſe Souls did ever proſper, ſhould back-ſlide ſo far, as into ſuch dead works: This were a high degree of quenching the Spirit; for Gal. 5.16, This I ſay then, walk in the ſpirit, and ye ſhall not fulfill the luſts of the fleſh.
2. There is a back-ſliding through weakneſs, or rather through want of exerciſe of the principles of godlineſs, into many inward and ſpiritual evils, which no eye ſeeth, but the eye of the moſt holy God, who ſeeth all things, ſuch as ſpiritual dullneſs, and liſtleſneſs unto that which is good, as Iſa. 64.7, There is none that calleth upon thee, that ſtirreth up himſelf to take hold of thee: So as private duties are either omitted in their Seaſon, or ſhuffled up in a ſlight, and formal manner. Though God be the object of the duty, yet the enjoyment of God is not made the end of the duty: when the heart grows vain, goes in and out, conſtant in nothing but inconſtancy, aſſuming unto it ſelf a lawleſs liberty, as if there were none to obſerve it, none to judge; eaſily drawn away to forgetfulneſs of God, ſliding away, without any obſervation, from under the power of all obligations to the contrary. Relapſes of this nature, though they do not preſently make any great noiſe, in the World, yet it will not be long, before they will be ſeen in ſad effects, and be diſcerned in more viſible miſcarriages. If they be indulged, they are great enemies to Soul-proſperity; and will prove the very bane, and break-neck of that thriving, and proſperous frame, the Soul was grown, or growing into. This is then ſeriouſly to be conſidered of, by all thoſe whoſe Souls begin to proſper, and when it begins to be better with them, then it hath been, in reſpect of their inward frame, and temper of the hidden man of the heart; as ever they deſire they may continue ſo, and loſe the things which they have wrought, to beware of relapſes. Ye have heard that ye are not exempted from them, nor exempted from a poſſibility, Heb. 3.12, Take heed, Brethren, lest there be in any of you, an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the Living God. As if the Apoſtle had ſaid; That which I ſpeak to one, I ſpeak to another, I ſpeak to all; therefore let every one take heed.
Now that which I find in Scripture preſſed upon us, for preventing ſuch relapſes, is to have a watchful eye over, and a conſtant hand upon all the inward workings, and ſtirrings of the inward Man, for from thence they have their riſe, as ye may obſerve in ſeveral ſorts of Trees, their decay is firſt obſerved in the withering of the boughs, but it begins in the root, which fails in ſending up ſap into them, as formerly. Even ſo it is here; which way ſoever relapſes, are diſcover'd, they begin from within, Pſal. 44.18, Our heart is not turned back: neither have our ſteps declined from thy way. Profeſſours firſt fall from their apprehenſions of the neceſſity of circumſpect walking; their convictions of the goodneſs of the ways of God, wear off, and their affections decay: and the works of the fleſh break forth, and manifeſt themſelves by degrees. Therefore as ever we deſire to hold faſt what we have received, be ſure to keep the heart with all diligence, as Prov. 4.23. Where,
(1.) Our perſonal care is required, Keep thy heart.
(2.) Our principal care, Keep it, with, or above all keeping.
As it is with the heart, naturally conſidered, if that begin to tremble, or be in fear, or apprehenſion of danger: the blood and ſpirits (as it is obſerved) will forſake the outward parts, and run to that, to guard and ſuccour it, the leaſt wound therein being mortal, if it be but with the pricking of a Pin. Thus the heart is kept in its natural capacity; but the matter we are ſpeaking of, is touching the keeping of the heart in its ſpiritual capacity; and keep it we ought with all diligence; watch it by night, and by day; at home, and abroad; when we are in company, and when we are alone, at all times, and in all places; yea, as the Apoſtle preſſeth it on Timothy, Watch in all things, 2 Tim. 4.5.
Now this keeping, this watching the heart, hath ſpecial reference to the inward workings, and ſtirrings of corruption.
(1.) To prevent (in the ſtrength of Chriſt) ſo far as may be prevented, in this ſtate of imperfection, the firſt riſings of them, of any one kind whatſoever; however to prevent, if poſſible (and poſſible it is) that the Corruption, and the Temptation, may be kept aſunder, Matth. 26.41, Watch, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Otherwiſe, there will be ſad work; and the proſperity of the Soul will begin to fade, and that upon the ſudden. Though Hezekiah, as holy a Man as he was, and how much ſoever his Soul did proſper, (and proſper it did exceedingly) yet he had always a root of pride in him: which though it did not ſtir him to ſhew his Treaſures to every body, yet when he fell into the temptation, by occaſion of the viſit he had, from the King of Babylon, by his Ambaſſadours; then the Corruption, and the Temptation did meet, and ye may read, in the hiſtory, how much the well-fare of his Soul was prejudiced by it. So it was with David; he had, though a Man after God's own heart, the ſame root of the ſame corruption in him, yet it did not break forth, ſo as to abate any thing of his Souls proſperity, till the temptation met with it, To have his ſubjects numbred: neither had it then, if he had watched, as Peter did, to keep the temptation and the corruption aſunder. See Act. 8.20, Thy money periſh with thee, ſaid Peter to Simon Magus. The temptation was ſuitable, for Peter was out of money. Act. 3.6, Silver and gold have I none. And Peter was not ſo perfect, as to be beyond the power of the temptation; but he kept the temptation from mingling with what corruption ſoever was in his heart; and ſo the gracious frame of his heart continued untoucht by it. So David, 2 Sam. 16.10, And the King ſaid, what have I to do with you, ye Sons of Zerviah? ſo let him curſe, &c. He was ſubject to the ſame paſſions with other Men, but by the aſſiſtance (no doubt) of the Spirit of God, he kept the temptation, and the corruption aſunder; and ſo his Soul proſpered the better for that tryal.
2. If there ſhould be (as there is great danger there may be) a ſad meeting (ſo it is, and ſo it will be found) betwixt the corruption, and the temptation, then endeavour, by the aſſiſtance of the ſpirit, that your own ſpirits may immediately riſe up in indignation, againſt it, and after ſome hearty ejaculations for the preſent, with the firſt opportunity, with hearty loathing, and inward ſelf abhorrency, bring forth the temptation, and the corruption to the law of God, and ſee them there condemned, and to the blood of Chriſt, and ſee them there pardoned; and to the ſpirit of Chriſt, that thereby all may be ſubdued, and mortified. Really, a Soul that deſires to proſper, and to continue to proſper, ſhould as kindly work in a heart-melting, and a heart-humbling way, for theſe ſinful ſtirrings of the heart, before God, as for ſinful words, and ſinful actions before Men, Pſal. 73.22, So fooliſh was I, and ignorant, even as a beaſt before thee. It is, or ſhould be with the Soul that proſpers, as it is with the eye, if a ſmall duſt get into it, it will never leave twinkling, and watering till it be out, 2 Chron. 32.26, Hezekiah humbled himſelf greatly for the pride of his heart. Rom. 7.24, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death. He ſpeaks of the law in his members, warring againſt the law of his mind. verſ. 23. This is the way to prevent relapſes into ſin, which is the Soul's ſickneſs, and if not prevented, or timely healed, will overthrow the proſperity of proſpering Souls.