Sermon Preached 10 January 1699, Sermon
JUDE 22, 23.
And of ſome have compaſſion, making a difference:
And others ſave with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment ſpotted by the fleſh.
THESE Words I have choſen to ſpeak to at this time, as containing a Compleat Directory for ſuch, as either by the ſpecial Obligations of a ſeperate Function, or the more Common Bonds of Humanity or Chriſtian Charity, are concerned for the putting a Stop to the Growth of Error, or any Impiety in any Church, City, or Nation.
I ſhall not detain you with any Account of the Apoſtle St. Jude, by whoſe Miniſtry this Epiſtle was written, in Compliance with or Conformity to the Dictates and Inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt; neither will I ſo far treſpaſs upon the narrow Limits of Time allotted to this Exerciſe, as to give you the Analyſis of this Epiſtle: You may be furniſhed, as to Both, by conſulting Perkins, Manton, Jenkins, Roberts, Clark, &c.
I ſhall only hint, That the Principal Scope of the Epiſtle ſeems to be the Confirming thoſe who were newly converted to Chriſtianity, againſt the Errors and Impieties that had, even ſo early, begun to creep into the Church: Whether ſpecially thoſe of the Gnoſticks, or any other, I determine not.
The Words of the Text ſuggeſt to us a Threefold Rule for our Behaviour, with reſpect to thoſe whoſe Miſcarriages are grievous to us, and whoſe Reformation we deſire, and in Purſuance of ſuch Deſire do endeavour. Here is (1.) The Rule of Compaſſion. (2.) The Rule of Severity, animated by an unaffected Zeal. (3.) The Rule of Caution.
I. The Rule of Compaſſion: Of ſome have Compaſſion, making a difference. I know the Vulgar Latin reads otherwiſe; and Beza tells us, that Reading is ſupported by the Authority of Three Ancient Copies: But I do not think this needs give us any Stop, ſince they that are capable to compare both, will eaſily ſee that the Reading which our Verſion follows ought to be preferr'd; and to others, a nicer canvaſſing the Point would be but a needleſs, becauſe uſeleſs, Amuſement.
The Apoſtle here teacheth us, in dealing with Offenders to act judiciouſly; to found all our Proceedings upon a right Diſcernment both of Perſons and Actions. Partial accepting of Perſons is a Fault, but due Diſcrimination of Perſons is our Duty; that we may know how to behave towards every one, as the Caſe requires.
Some offend ignorantly, and their Ignorance is rather owing to their unhappy Circumſtances than to Sloth or Affectation; others are wilfully ignorant, and others ſin againſt Light.
Now in the former of theſe Caſes, which this Rule reſpects, Lenity, Pity, Tenderneſs, Compaſſion, are required; as moſt likely to gain upon ſuch Perſons, and to ſet them right: Harſhneſs diſcourageth them, Kindneſs winneth them. Beſides, their Caſe is truly Compaſſionable; had they known better, they had done better; and had their Opportunities of Knowledge equalled ours, probably they had out-ſtript us, both in Knowledge and Good Life.
We ought therefore to pity and pray for ſuch, and by no means to carry haughtily, much leſs cruelly towards them. 'Tis the Commendation of our great High-Prieſt, that he can have Compaſſion on the Ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, Heb. 2. 5.
II. The Rule of Severity, animated by unaffected Zeal: Others ſave with fear, pulling them out of the fire.
Others,] i. e. Such as ſin knowingly, wilfully, obſtinately.
Save,] We muſt not deſpair of the Salvation even of ſuch, but do what in us lieth to recover them out of the Snare of the Devil, 2 Tim. 2. 26.
Save.] This only God and Chriſt can do principally and efficiently; yet 'tis not ordinarily done without our Concurrence: Men are Inſtruments in this bleſſed Work, tho' God only be the Author of it. So the Apoſtle exhorts his Hearers to ſave themſelves from that untoward Generation, Acts 2. 40. and St. Paul tells Timothy, that in ſo doing he ſhould ſave himſelf, and thoſe that heard him, 1 Tim. 4. 16. The Salvation here ſpoken of, is from Sin, the Cauſe; and Judgments here, and Damnation hereafter, the diſmal Conſequents of it. What ſhould not any of us be willing to do or ſuffer, to promote ſo bleſſed a Work?
With Fear,] i. e. Either with Fear, leſt we miſcarry in our Ʋndertaking, and ſo with Prudence, Caution, and Circumſpection: So the Apoſtle exhorts us to work out our ſalvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2. 12. Where the Conſequence is ſo important, the Care cannot be too much. Or,
With Fear,] i. e. By means of Fear: Labouring to ſtir up in the Sinners we would reclaim, an Holy Fear of the Divine Majeſty, and of his moſt terrible, and no leſs righteous Judgements, both in this Life, and that which is to come. Thus the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Cor. 5. 11. Knowing the terror of the Lord, we perſwade men.
Hardened Sinners are not ordinarily to be dealt with by Arguments of Love, but of Fear: They muſt have Hell-fire flaſh'd in their Faces; they muſt be dealt plainly and roundly with; a mild Reproof doth but harden them: The Tenders of Mercy (too often) embolden them in Sin. They muſt be made to know that God is a Juſt and a Holy God; and that he hath ordained Tophet of old, he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof of fire and much wood: the breath of the Lord (like a ſtream of brimſtone) doth kindle it, Iſa. 30. 33.
Impenitent Sinners muſt be acquainted, that the Puniſhments that await them are inſupportable and eternal; that God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12. 29.
And if any of them be ſo hardened, as through Infidelity or Inconſideration, to ſlight and diſregard all this, they muſt be made to feel the preſent Smart of their Sin and Folly, by the ſtrict Execution of juſt Laws againſt their Impieties and Impurities; that a Stop may be put to the growing Contagion of their pernicious Examples, and they themſelves may be awakened to remember and ſhew themſelves Men, (Iſa. 46. 8.) till they ſee what Beaſts they have hitherto made themſelves.
Pulling them out of the fire.] This Expreſſion notes the Zeal with which we muſt endeavour the reforming of heinous Offenders. They are like Children, or Epileptick or Frantick Perſons, fallen into the Fire, that cannot, or will not help themſelves: 'Tis a barbarous thing to let them lie there, and not lend them an hand for their Reſcue. And here we are taught, that our Endeavours of this kind muſt be ſpeedy, leſt our help come too late; we muſt be active and induſtrious, that our help may be effectual; and all our Endeavours muſt proceed from Love, as prompted by a Deſire to ſave the Life, the Soul of our offending and endangered Brother.
III. We have here, The Rule of Caution: Hating even the Garment ſpotted by the Fleſh. We muſt ſo deal with others, for their Good, as to take heed we our ſelves receive no hurt from them; at leaſt not of that kind we would ſave them from. A Phyſician will not viſit a Peſt-houſe without fortifying his Spirits by ſome proper and ſufficient Antidote before-hand.
We muſt labour ſo to converſe with Bad Men, for their Good, as to ſee that we our ſelves become not Bad thereby.
We muſt therefore ſtir up in our Souls a ſettled Hatred of all that Sin which we would diſſuade others from; and not only ſo, but of all the Appearances of it; and likewiſe of all that may be an Occaſion, Allurement, or Inducement to it.
This I take to be, in ſhort, the meaning of the Expreſſion the Apoſtle here makes uſe of, viz. Hating even the garment ſpotted by the fleſh.
Waving therefore many other Particulars which might be fitly gathered from the Words, we ſhall ſumm up their main Scope and Import, eſpecially with reſpect to the preſent Occaſion, in the following Propoſition or Point of Doctrine, viz.
That it is the Duty of every Chriſtian, ſo to endeavour the ſaving of Others from Error and Impiety, and the dreadful Conſequences of both, as to ſee that himſelf be not intangled in either.
In ſpeaking to which Propoſition, I ſhall, with what Plainneſs and Brevity I can, treat on theſe Three Heads following, viz.
I. Of the Duty to be performed.
II. Of the Manner of its Performance.
III. Of the Obligations we are under to ſuch Performance.
I. Let us enquire concerning the Duty to be performed. Now, in order to the right ſtating this Duty, Of endeavouring to ſave Others from Error and Impiety, and the Deſtruction conſequent thereupon, let me deſire your attentive Conſideration of the following Particulars:
1. Error in the Fundamentals of Religion and Impiety, or Looſneſs of Converſation, do certainly expoſe thoſe who live and die in them to utter Deſtruction. The Apoſtle aſſures us, Rom. 6. 23. that the wages of ſin is death. And Heb. 12. 14. that without holineſs no man ſhall ſee the Lord. See alſo Eph. 5. 3, 4, 5, 6. But fornication, and all uncleanneſs, or covetouſneſs, let it not be once named among you, as becometh Saints: Neither filthineſs, nor fooliſh talking, nor jeſting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean perſon, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Chriſt, and of God, Let no man deceive you with vain words; for becauſe of theſe things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of diſobedience. Phil. 3. 19. They whoſe God is their belly, whoſe glory is their ſhame, who mind earthly things; their end is deſtruction. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelves with mankind: Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, ſhall inherit the kingdom of God. Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven againſt all ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men, who hold the truth in unrighteouſneſs.
There is nothing plainer in the Word of God, than that a lewd and vicious Life, impenitently perſiſted in, will certainly iſſue in the utter Deſtruction both of Soul and Body. They that live like Beaſts on Earth, muſt certainly be the Companions of Devils in Hell. The Burnings of Luſt here, prepare for the unquenchable Burnings of … hereafter. There are few will ſeem to doubt of it, though few live as if they believed any thing of it.
But that Errors in the Fundamentals of Religion are of like Fatal Influence, will hardly be admitted by many: Yet the Apoſtle Paul reckons Hereſies among the Works of the Fleſh▪ Gal. 5. 20 and aſſur…s us the Word of ſu…h eateth as a Canker, 2 Tim. 2. 17. and bids us beware of ſuch, as we love our Souls, Tit. 3. 10. 'Tis little conſidered by many, that a ſound Faith is as neceſſary to Salvation as a good Life; nay, theſe two are indeed inſeparable. If the Plague of Leproſie be in the Head, the whole Perſon is thereby rendred unclean, Lev. 13. 44. He is in danger of periſhing himſelf, and his Society becomes infectious. I know this Matter hath been carried too far by ſome who have raſhly haereticated their Brethren,See the Poſtſcript. and boldly uſurped the Title of Orthodox to themſelves, and (not knowing what Spirit they are of) would caſt out of the Church, and (if it were in their Power) ou… of Heaven too, all that cannot glibly pronounce their Shibboleth.
Yet if ſome reel into one Extreme, it doth not follow that therefore we muſt reel into the other. We are to contend earneſtly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, Jude 3. And the Corrupters of that Faith are to be looked upon as the moſt dangerous Enemies Religion hath. Such as deny the Divine Authority of the Scripture, as the Deiſts; ſuch as interpret away its vital Senſe and Meaning, as the Socinians; ſuch as ſubject it to a private Interpretation, allowing no gloſs but what their own Infallibility ſtamps upon it, as the Romaniſts abroad, and our modern Enthuſiaſts at home: All theſe lay dangerous Snares for the Souls of ignorant and unſtable Men. If our Faith be blind, our Practice will be lame; and both the one and the other of theſe will ſadly find at laſt that they have but deceived themſelves, or been deceived by others, with vain words, Eph. 5. 6.
2. Yet while we are in the preſent probationary State, there is hope that thoſe who are involved in theſe Snares of Death may be reſcued from them. The great Shepherd and Biſhop of Souls came to ſeek and to ſave that which was loſt, Luk. 19. 10. And the great Deſign of the Goſpel is to publiſh Pardon and Life to the Penitent, without Exception. Jeſus Chriſt (the Apoſtle acquaints us) came into the world to ſave ſinners, not excluding the very chief, 1 Tim. 1. 15. And it is often ſeen, that Publicans and Harlots enter in before proud Phariſees and confident Self-juſtitiaries, Matth. 21. 31.
Where the Goſpel is duly preached, it is glad tidings of great joy to all people, Luke 2. 10. 'Tis a black Catalogue to which the Apoſtle ſubjoins, ſuch were ſome of you, 1 Cor. 6. 11.
They who, as to their external Converſation, have been moſt blameleſs (tho' that be commendable) are not to be flattered, as if they needed no Repentance, or might get to Heaven without Regeneration, and Faith in the Death and Satisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt; nor are the moſt guilty and abominable to be treated as if there were no hope for them upon true Repentance and Faith in the Redeemer. There is certainly a great deal of Truth in that Aſſertion of ſundry of our old Engliſh Divines, viz. That all Men naturally have a ſtrong Inclination to a Covenant of Works, and would be as little beholden to the Redeemer and his Grace as ever they can.
True it is, Great Tranſgreſſions call for deep Humiliation: Yet we muſt take heed we think not of waſhing away our Guilt in our own Tears; 'tis only the Redeemer's Blood can do that: And by virtue of that Blood, together with the ſanctifying Influence of the Divine Spirit, purchaſed by it, and diſpenced by our aſcended Redeemer, there is hope that the vileſt Sinners may become firſt juſtified and then glorified Saints.
3. There are Means appointed by God (and uſually attended with his Bleſſing) for the ſaving of Sinners from the Guilt, Defilement, and Dominion of Sin, and from the Temporal and Eternal Judgments due to it.
God hath declared upon Oath, That he hath no pleaſure in the death of him that dieth, Ezek. 18. 32. and ch. 33. 11. And the long Exerciſe of his Patience towards guilty Sinners, may abundantly aſſure us of it; much more, when we conſider the Gifts that our riſen and aſcended Lord hath given to men, (Eph. 4. 8.) the Ordinances he hath ſe…tled in his Church; the Charge he hath entruſted every Man with, not only of his own, but likewiſe of his Brother's Soul: So that the Preaching of the Word, the Adminiſtration of Sacraments, the Wiſe and Spiritual Management of Diſcipline, Fraternal Correption, the Shining Light of a Good Example, Providential Chaſtiſements, are all ſo many proper Helps to reduce Sinners from the Error of their Ways, and prevent that Ruine which will elſe certainly and ſpeedily overtake them.
4. It is the unqueſtionable Duty of Chriſtian Magiſtrates (and that by virtue of their Office) to puniſh Vice and Profaneneſs. The Magiſtrate is a Miniſter of God to us for Good; a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil, and one who beareth not the Sword in vain, Rom. 13. 4.
Whether, or how far Errors (even the moſt dangerous) are puniſhable or reſtrainable by the Magiſtrate's Sword, is a Queſtion that hath been boldly ventilated; but whether accurately decided or no, of late, I ſhall not determine: But that the puniſhing of Vice and Profaneneſs is his Duty, is what no body doth or can diſpute.
All the Difficulty is, to get Men to the Diſcharge of a Plain and Neceſſary Duty, to the Performance of which they are under all the Obligations of Loyalty both to their Heavenly and Earthly King; of Conſcience to their Solemn Oaths; of Intereſt (if the Peace of their Conſciences, and their good Reputation among Men, be looked upon by them as any part of their Intereſt.) But while the gratifying of a Friend, or (which is worſe) a deadly Enemy, a baſe Luſt, is of more value with them (as with ſome it moſt evidently is) than all the above-mentioned Obligations, there is but too much Cauſe to fear that the ſo neceſſary, ſo much deſired, and ſo hopefully-begun Work of Reformation of Manners will die in their hands. And then what Outcries their Conſciences and their Poſterity will e're long make againſt them, I leave them to think: I pray God they may in time.
5. It is alſo the Duty of Miniſters, by ſound Doctrine, by ſerious Exhortation, and by the ſhining Light of an Exemplary Behaviour, to give all the Check they can to growing Error and Impiety. This is their Office-Work, to which they are ſpecially to attend, as called and conſecrated thereunto. They are in a peculiar manner, the ſalt of the earth, and the light of the world, Matth. 5. 13, 14. They are ſent on this very Errand, To turn men from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26. 18. It ought to be their whole Buſineſs to ſave themſelves and thoſe that hear them, 1 Tim. 4. 16. The Epiſtles to Timothy and Titus do thoroughly acquaint them with the Weight of their Work, Obligations, and Account: On the heedful Reading whereof, where is he to be found, that may not juſtly cry out, with the bleſſed Apoſtle St. Paul, Who is ſufficient for theſe things? 2 Cor. 2. 16. And if it be difficult, faithfully to acquit our ſelves of ſo great a Truſt, in any times, how much more muſt it be ſo in Times of ſo great Degeneracy as theſe laſt and worſt of Days, the Ends of the World, the very Dreggs of Time, wherein not only our Perſons, but our very Office is deſpiſed, and we are accounted and uſed (as our Betters once were) as the very filth and off-ſcouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4. 13. Deiſts and Socinians on the one hand, and giddy Enthuſiaſts on the other, having uſed all the Arts of ſubtile Malice to render Miniſters and the Miniſtry baſe and contemptible; and to get us look'd upon by all whom they can influence, as a pack of Chargeable Cheats, uſeleſs, nay, Pernicious Impoſtors. Theſe are Diſcouragements which ſome former Ages were, in a great meaſure, unacquainted with: Yet will not all this, nor a great deal more, excuſe us from doing what we can; no more than our Perſenal Weakneſſes will excuſe others for hindring us, by their Oppoſitions or Ʋnderminings, from doing what elſe we might.
We are liſted as Captains in Chriſt's Army, and we muſt endure Hardſhips, as good Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Tim. 2, 3.
We muſt labour to be excited by Difficulties, and emboldened by Oppoſition, and, not fearing the Faces of Men, to ſhew them their Tranſgreſſions and their Sins, Iſa. 58. 1. To warn Sinners, that they die not, Ezek. 33. 7, 1. To reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-ſuffering and doctrine, 2 Tim. 4. 2. And then, whatever our preſent Entertainment or Succeſs be, we ſhall at laſt be accepted and rewarded.
6. Yet is not this Work ſo peculiar to Magiſtrates and Miniſters, but that all who profeſs themſelves Chriſtians are likewiſe obliged, according to their Abilities and Opportunities, to endeavour the Promotion and Furtherance of it.
Magiſtracy and Miniſtry are diſtinct Offices, peculiarly appropriated to the great Ends of Reſtraining Wickedneſs, and Furthering and Countenancing Sobriety, Righteouſneſs, and Godlineſs in the World: And the reſpective Offices, with the proper Work of them, are by no means to be invaded by unqualified or uncalled Perſons, for God is a God of order, and not of confuſion, in all the Churches, 1 Cor. 14. 33. Yet this hinders not, but that Private Perſons may, and ought, in their reſpective Places, to make the Work of the one and the other as eaſie as they can. And were but what in this kind might and ought to be done, faithfully performed by Perſons in Private Stations, the Work of Publick Perſons would be rendred much eaſier to them.
How impoſſible is it for Magiſtrates to execute Laws on obſtinate Offenders, if no body will bring them Informations? How heavily muſt the Work of Miniſters proceed, if Parents neglect the due Inſtruction and Government of their Children and Families? How many Publick Miſcarriages might be prevented, and the Trouble of Magiſtrates and Miniſters therein, would but Chriſtian Neighbours prudently watch over, and faithfully admoniſh one another? according to that Apoſtolical Injunction; Exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, leſt any of you be hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin, Heb. 3. 13.
But if Private Perſons throw all their Duty upon Publick Officers, were they Angels, a great deal of it is like to be left undone. Conſider ſeriouſly that pregnant and often-mentioned, but too little regarded Text, Lev. 19. 17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy Brother in thy heart; thou ſhalt in any wiſe reprove thy Brother, and not ſuffer ſin upon him. We muſt admoniſh one another, reprove one another, and, if need be, inform of one another; (ſee Lev. 5. 1.) unleſs we have a mind to be guilty of each others Blood, and draw down Vengeance on the Nation, and Damnation on our own heads: He is not duly concerned for himſelf, that is concerned; for no body but▪ himſelf.
7. The greater Advances Error and Impiety have made in any Part of the Viſible Church, the more, ſtrongly are all good Men engaged to appear with the utmoſt Vigour againſt them.
If never ſo ſmall a Leak ſpring in a Ship, it's every one's Concern to do their utmost to ſtop it betimes; but if the Veſſel fill with Water, and threaten to ſink, each Man pumps for his Life, and puts to all his Strength. The least Declenſions of Piety in a Nation that hath long enjoyed the Goſpel, are of threatning Aſpect; but when Wickedneſs comes—in like a Hood, and the impetuous Torrent threatens to bear down all before it, 'tis then of higheſt Concernment, that all, in whom there is left any Senſe of God and Goodneſs, ſhould unite as one Man, and apply all their Skill and Force for the taking timely and effectual Methods, in order to the preventing that utter Ruine that will elſe certainly overtake an impious and impenitent People. Righteouſneſs exalteth a nation; but ſin is a reproach [and Ruine] of any people, Prov. 14. 34. And if ſo, what's like to become of England? There needs little of a Spirit of Prophecy to pronounce its Doom, unleſs the late, and yet continued Attempts for Reformation, meet with an happier Effect than the Managements of too many among us ſeem to preſage. I dare not ſay our Wound is incurable; I would fain hope otherwiſe: But if the moſt proper Remedies do but exaſperate, I leave it to the Abler Phyſicians of Church and State to judge of ſo unpromiſing a Criſis.
In a word, Groſs Ignorance, damnable Hereſies, daring Blaſphemies, vile Hypocriſie, ſcandalous Diviſions, horrible Oppreſſion, baſe Selfiſhneſs, inſufferable Pride, and incorrigible Obſtinacy, I think, hardly ever more prevail'd in a Land profeſſing the Goſpel, than they do in England at this Day. So that we may well ſay, in the Words of the Prophet, Iſa. 1. 9. Except the Lord of hoſts had left unto us a very ſmall remnant, we ſhould have been as Sodom, and we ſhould have been like unto Gomorrah. And what can ſuch a State of things beſpeak, of that very ſmall remnant, but that they endeavour ſpeedily to ſtand in the breach, to turn away divine wrath? Pſal. 106. 23. That they be cloathed with Zeal for the Honour of God, and the real Reformation of a ſinful People: And who knows but the Prayers and Endeavours of the few, may prevail againſt the Impieties and Blaſphemies of the many of thoſe hardened and obſtinate Sinners among us, that yet hate Inſtruction, and refuſe to be Reformed?
II. Let us next Inquire, How this Duty of Endeavouring to ſave others from Sin and Ruine is to be performed?
I have been ſo large on the former Inquiry, that I muſt be the briefer in this and that which follows.
The Text, as we have opened it, furniſheth us with a full Anſwer; give me leave, as ſuccinctly as may be, to ſet before you the Particulars of it.
Endeavours for the Reforming of Others, are to be managed,
1. With Judgment and Diſcretion; making a difference, of Perſons, of Crimes. We are not to be partial to the Perſons of any; but we are to be prudent in our Applications to Perſons of different Ranks, Capacities, and Qualifications. See how the Apoſtle directs in relation hereto, 1 Tim. 5. 1, 2. Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers, the younger as ſiſters: with all purity.
Reproofs are Arrows that muſt not be ſhot at Rovers. It muſt be conſidered not only what every one needs, but wh…t he can bear, and what he is like to make a right uſe of; yea, and what may be the Conſequence of the Treatment we give him, with reſpect to others.
Perſons in Publick Stations are not to be made vile, (unleſs they have firſt, in an extraordinary manner, made themſelves ſo,) leſt the Office fall with the Perſon, and the Ignominy of the one iſſue in the Detriment of the other.
So likewiſe as to Faults, we muſt take heed that we uſe not the ſame ſharpneſs of Rebuke, or ſeverity of Proſecution, on account of ſmaller Infirmities, or ſudden Surprizes, or ſingle Inſtances of Tranſgreſſion, as in ſtudied and deliberate, or malicious and habitual Wickedneſs. A wiſe Phyſician ſuits the Remedy to the Strength of the Patient, and the Nature of the Diſeaſe: So ſhould we endeavour to do.
2. With Compaſſion: In ſmaller, more unwilling, or rare Offences, much Tenderneſs, Pity, and Gentleneſs is to be uſed; and even where our Brother's Offence is more heinous, we are ſtill to mix Pity with our greateſt and moſt juſt Severity; as conſidering the Frailty of Human Nature, the Malice and Subtilty of the Tempter, conſidering our ſelves, leſt we alſo be tempted, Gal. 6. 1. He hath little Senſe of his own Frailty that inſults over another's Folly. 'Tis true, this muſt not hinder us from puniſhing, or bringing to Puniſhment, obſtinate Offenders; but yet it muſt make us humble and mournful, and tender in the Frame of our Spirits, when we are forced upon ſuch unpleaſing Work. Even God himſelf ſtiles Judgment his ſtrange Act, Iſa. 28. 21. And it would fare hard enough with the beſt of us, ſhould he (with Strictneſs and Rigour) mark Iniquity; ſhould he lay judgment to the line, and righteouſneſs to the plummet, as the Expreſſions are, Pſal. 130. 3. Iſa. 28. 17.
3. Our Endeavours for the Reformation of Others, muſt be accompanied with, and encouraged by the Hope of Deſired Succeſs; That we ſhall deliver our own Souls, (Ezek. 14. 14.) that we ſhall ſave our Brother's Soul from Death, (Jam. 5. 20.) and that we ſhall contribute to the turning away of Wrath from a ſinful Land, and to the lengthening out the Publick Tranquility. If we have no Hope of doing any Good, we ſhall have no Heart to do any, nor ſo much as to attempt the doing it. It was Hope encouraged the Ninevites to repent and reform, when they had heard the dreadful Doom of utter Deſtruction denounced againſt them by the Prophet Jonah, Jon. 3. 4, 9. And, bleſſed be God, our Caſe, though ſad, is not ſo deſperate as not to leave us any encouraging Grounds of Hope. The Experience we have had of the Divine Favour, in delivering us from the intolerable Miſeries of Popery and Slavery by a juſt War, and from the remaining Miſeries of War by an happy Peace; the Preſervation of the King's Life in ſo many Dangers as he hath been expoſed to, both at Home and Abroad; His Majeſty's Forwardneſs to countenance the Work of Reformation by his Speeches to the Parliament, Proclamation to all his Subjects, and by being himſelf a Pattern of what he recommends; together with the like Forwardneſs in the High Court of Parliament, and the moſt eminently dignified and diſtinguiſhed Perſons both in Church and State; the Readineſs of many, both in City and Country, to join in this bleſſed Work; and the viſible Succeſs of their honeſt and pious Endeavours. Theſe, ſure, give us ſome Ground of Hope, and Encouragement to expect, that our Labour in this matter, ſhall not be in vain: But that if we heartily ſet to the Work, God will work with us, and for us, and his Bleſſings will crown our Endeavours with greater Succeſs than we have yet ſeen, or even durſt hope for.
4. With a due Senſe of the great Honour God puts upon us, in making uſe of us as Inſtruments for the ſaving of Others from Sin and Ruine. We may well ſay with Admiration, Lord! what is man, that thou ſhouldſt cloath him with ſuch Honour! The Apoſtle St. Paul thought it worthy of his utmoſt Acknowledgements, that God ſhould ſo highly honour him, as to account him faithful, and put him into the Miniſtery, 1 Tim. 1. 12. In a proportionable meaſure every one is greatly honoured of God that is made an Inſtrument to convert an erring Brother, and by turning a Sinner from the error of his way, to ſave a Soul from Death, and hide a multitude of Sins, Jam. 5. 20. 'Tis the Joy of Angels to behold the Converſion of Sinners, (Luke 15. 10.) it muſt needs then be the Glory of Mortals to be inſtrumental in it. This was the great Errand the Son of God came down from Heaven upon; and to be the Saviour, is one of his moſt glorious Titles: What muſt it be then for us to be ſubſervient to him in this great Work, and to be conformed to him, in ſaving our ſelves and others? Such Honour have all his Saints! even they who were once themſelves notorious Sinners, and ſtood in as much need of Saving Mercy as any the vileſt of the Sons of Men.
5. With a Prudent and Pious Fear, leſt the Work miſcarry in our hands, by our bad Management; leſt we harden thoſe we deſign to ſoften, and ruine thoſe we endeavour to ſave. They that take upon them the Work of Reforming others had need look well to themſelves; ſuch are as a City ſet on a Hill, which cannot be hid, Matth. 5. 14. They that envy or hate our Endeavours for Reformation, will be forward to ſpy out and aggravate our Miſcarriages: And though, when all's done, it cannot be expected we ſhould be Angels, yet it becomes us to labour to be of the beſt of Men; that none may juſtly taunt us with that Proverb, Phyſician, heal thy ſelf, Luke 4. 23. Meekneſs, Prudence, Watchfulneſs, Zeal, Self-denial, Brotherly-love, muſt ſhine brightly in the whole courſe of our Behaviour, and eſpecially in our Endeavours to convince and reclaim others.
6. With needful Severity, where milder Methods would not be likely to ſucceeed. Immedicabile vulnus enſe recidendum eſt, ne pars ſincera trahatur. Some Sinners are ſuch Sons of Belial, that, like thorns, they cannot be taken with hands; but the man that ſhall touch them, muſt be fenced with iron, and the ſtaff of a ſpear, 2 Sam. 23. 6, 7. With theſe there is no dallying. God and the Magiſtrate have put it into our Power to puniſh them; and we draw the Guilt of their Blood, and the Hurt they may do, by their infectious Example, to the Souls of others, upon our own Heads, if, by a fooliſh Pity, we be tender of their Credit, Profit, or Eaſe, to the hardening them in their Sins, and giving them the Advantage of recommending Vice to others by their own Impunity.
Where Warnings and Reproofs ſignifie nothing, the Smart of Puniſhment may awaken, or at leaſt reſtrain. What tho' ſuch, for the preſent, count us their Enemies, perhaps they will not do ſo always. However, 'tis better bearing the Efforts of their Anger than the Burthen of their Guilt.
7. With Zeal. A cold Reproof is a palliating, and in a ſort a praiſing of Sin. Thus Eli reproved his Sons; but becauſe he did it coldly, and reſtrained them not, God chargeth the Guilt, and exacteth the Puniſhment of their Impieties on his Perſon and whole Poſterity, vide 1 Sam. 3. 11, 12, 13, 14.
True Zeal will make us ſpeedy in our Endeavours to reclaim Sinners, leſt the proper Seaſon for it be loſt; active and industrious, both to diſcover Sin, and bring the Sinner to juſt Shame and Puniſhment; that our Sloth occaſion not the Growth of Impiety, and the Spreading of this Fire, till all be devoured by it. And above all, we muſt ſee that our Zeal be not of an earthly, much leſs an helliſh Original; that it be not owing either to our Self-love, or our Envy to, or Hatred of our Brethren: But that it be wholly of a Divine and Heavenly Extract, altogether animated by a Principle of Love to God, and to the Souls of Men; and then we may well be clad with Zeal as a Cloak, and to be eaten up by it, (Iſa. 59. 17. Joh. 2. 17.) will be our Commendation at preſent, and the Occaſion of our receiving a full Reward at laſt.
8. And, Laſtly, with due Caution as to our ſelves. We are to love our Neighbour as our ſelves, and therefore our ſelves in the firſt place; eſpecially this is to be obſerved in Matters of a ſpiritual nature, and wherein the Health and Happineſs of our Souls is concerned. And 'tis this which, as I take it, we are here taught: When the Apoſtle had been giving Rules for our Behaviour towards others, in order to their Recovery and Reformation, he ſubjoins, hating even the garment ſpotted by ihe fleſh.
Here then, we muſt with a careful Eye look to theſe thimgs.
1. Leſt we render our ſelves guilty, by our Endeavours to reform others, for want of due regard to our Principles from which, our Ends for which, and the Means by which we act in ſo good a Work. God requires of us, not only that what we do be good, but that we do it well: Elſe Prayer may become Sin, Sacrifice an Abomination, and the Execution of Juſtice Murther; as it was in Jehu's Caſe, Hoſ. 1. 4. See then that the Love of God and Chriſt, and Souls, conſtrain us; that we have no Squint-regards to our own Credit, or Secular Advantage, much leſs that we be not puffed up with the haughty Pride of thinking more highly of our ſelves than is meet to think; that our Looks and Geſture do not ſay, what we would be aſhamed our Tongue and Lips ſhould, Stand off, I am holier than thou, Iſa. 65. 5. But let our Hearts and Conſciences bear us witneſs, that we ſincerely aim at the Glory of God, the Salvation of Men, the Good of the preſent Age and Poſterity, and the keeping our ſelves from partaking of the Sins of the Times and Places where we live, that ſo we may ſhun the Puniſhment due to them. And farther, we muſt ſee that all the Means we uſe to ſo good Ends be juſt and allowable. Id ſolum poſſumus, quod jure poſſumus: God needeth not my lie to his glory, (Rom. 3. 7, 8.) nor muſt I go out of my place, tho' it were to ſtay his Ark when ready to fall, (2 Sam. 6. 6, 7, 8.) Bleſſed be God, we want not warrantable Means enough, to promote the good Ends of Reformation, that we ſhould need to betake our ſelves to unlawful or doubtful ones: Nor do I in the leaſt ſuſpect your combining into Societies, or the Magiſtrates concealing the Names of Informers (eſpecially in ſome Caſes) for ſuch. They have both of them been ſo fully vindicated by abler hands, that I need ſay nothing of them here.
2. We ought to take heed, leſt the frequent converſing with groſs and notorious Sinners (as we think, with a Deſign to reform them) do gradually and inſenſibly abate our Abhorrence of Sin, and infect us with its Contagion; that we partake not of other Mens Sins, nor become like thoſe whoſe Reformation and Amendment we profeſs to deſire and endeavour. It is ſometimes ſeen that a Phyſician catcheth the Diſeaſe he was ſent for to cure. If we chooſe bad Men for our Companions, it is a ſign we are ſuch our ſelves; and if we are caſt into their Company, be the Occaſion what it will, we are to look upon it as an Hour of Temptation, and accordingly to double our Watch, by awakening the Fear of God and the Hatred of Sin in our Souls. It is a dreadful thing to behold Sin with an unconcerned Indifferency of Spirit, or to hear the Name of God blaſphemed, without being moved with inward Horror and Remorſe. We ought to enter a ſolemn Proteſt, in the Secret of our Souls, againſt all that Impiety we are conſtrained to be Witneſſes to; yea, and to make our inward Diſpleaſure againſt it viſible and evident by all proper and prudent Methods. Thus we read, Juſt Lot vexed his righteous ſoul from day to day, in ſeeing and hearing the ungodly deeds of the impure Sodomites, 2 Pet. 2. 8. We muſt keep, as far as we can, from the contagious Breath of impudent Sinners. And even while Their and the Common Good obligeth us to converſe with them, our own muſt engage us to be upon our Guard. We muſt have no fellowſhip with thoſe unfruitful works of darkneſs which we are called to reprove and ſuppreſs, Eph. 5. 11. Our corrupt Natures are like Tinder, apt to catch Fire at every Spark; and therefore, tho' we may be jealous over others with a godly jealouſie, (2 Cor. 11. 2.) yet it muſt be ſo, as ever in the firſt place to maintain the ſame Jealouſie over our ſelves. He forfeits his Innocency and his Peace (two of the moſt precious Jewels in the World) that grows bold with Temptation. Let us therefore be ſober and vigilant, becauſe our Adverſary the Devil goeth about as a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8. The better we are, or ſeem to be, and the more excellent and uſeful the Work we are engaged in is, the greater is Satan's Malice againſt us; and therefore the more ſtrict ſhould be our Care and Vigilance over our ſelves.
III. I ſhould now proceed to the Third General Inquiry, the Import whereof is, to ſet before you the Obligations we lie under to endeavour the Reformation of others, and to ſave them with Fear, pulling them out of the Fire: But the Matter treated of under the former Inquiries, hath ſo multiplied and lengthened on my hands, that inſtead of a more diſtinct Conſideration of the ſeveral Obligations that lie upon us to ſo important a Duty; I muſt content my ſelf with a brief Repreſentation of them, in the way of an Hortatory Addreſs to the Worthy Gentlemen of the Society for Reformation of Manners in this Palce; which I think is all the Application that either the Subject requires, or the Time will admit.
Let me therefore (Much Honoured and Dearly Beloved) in the Name of my great Lord and Maſter, beſeech and exhort you, as you have put your Hand to this Plough, ſo not to entertain the leaſt Thought of looking back, Luke 9. 62. Let no Diſcouragements affright you from continuing with unwearied Diligence in the Proſecution of your Endeavours, for the effectual Suppreſſing of all Vice, Immorality, and Profaneneſs amongſt us.
Error and Impiety have their Patrons and Advocates every where, and they are bold, reſtleſs, and importunate; be not you aſhamed or affraid to plead the Cauſe of Truth and Holineſs, which is evidently, and beyond Diſpute, the Cauſe of God. 'Tis God himſelf who requires and expects this at your hands; the God who made you and redeemed you, the God whom you profeſs to love and ſerve, the God who hath prepared a Crown of Glory and bleſſed Immortality for all them who are Faithful to his Intereſts, here on Earth, and who is able to puniſh with inconceivable, endleſs Torments of Body and Soul, all thoſe who falſly betray their Trust, and hath threatened ſo to do.
Your Profeſſion of Christianity obligeth you to Zeal and Diligence in this Work. Chriſtianity is a Doctrine of Love; and ſurely this Love ought not to be confined to the Bodies of Men, but to be firſt and principally extended to their Souls. If he that hath this World's Good, and ſeeth his Brother have need, and ſhutteth up his Bowels of Compaſſion from him, do thereby evidence himſelf utterly devoid of the Grace of Charity, as the Apoſtle aſſures us, (1 John 3. 17.) What Charity, what Love to God or Man can he be thought to have, that ſeeth his Brother running poſt in the direct Road to Hell, and will do nothing to ſtop or turn him? Do I need to ſet before you the Excellency of your Work? To oppoſe the Kingdom of Satan, and the Powers of Darkneſs; To Advance the Kingdom and Intereſt of God, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; to Reſcue poor Souls from Temporal and Eternal Deſtruction; to Promote the Security, Peace, and Happineſs of your Native Country: All this, the Work you are engaged in, hath a viſible Relation and hopeful Tendency to.
Conſider farther, whoſe Character it was, that he went about doing good, Acts 10. 38. and how much it is your Concern, and will be your Credit, to be Followers of him. Remember alſo, that it is too late after Vows, to make enquiry, Prov. 20. 25. You are the devoted Servants of God-Redeemer by the Bonds of your Holy Baptiſm, in which you were liſted as Chriſt's Soldiers, and engaged in a perpetual War againſt Satan, your own Fleſh, and this preſent evil World. Chriſt came into the world, to deſtroy the works of the devil, 1 John 3. 8. and we are under all imaginable Obligations to be ſubſervient unto him in that great Deſign of his.
Beſides, I might urge upon you the heavy Judgments growing Senſuality and Profaneneſs have brought upon other Countries and our own; the wonderful Patience God hath long exerciſed towards us; and the innumerable Benefits and Favours he hath conferred upon us: So that if we now neglect a real and hearty Reformation, and Return to God, we ſhew our ſelves the moſt ſtupid and ungrateful Creatures upon Earth.
If the preſent Conjuncture ſeem not to us a fit and favourable one, to undertake and go through with ſuch a Work, when do we hope there may ſuch a one ariſe? Are we ever like to have a Prince that will more favour Reformation? Do we ever expect better Laws to enable us for it? Can we hope (till the Work it ſelf have made ſome conſiderable Progreſs) to find the Nation in a greater readineſs to embrace and comply with it? So that this ſeems to be the very critical Minute for England's Reformation; and we have Reaſon to conclude, (or at leaſt ſtrongly to conjecture,) that it muſt be now or never. Let it be farther thought on, that the Deſires and Expectations of all good Men, at Home and Abroad, are, that now ſomething ſhould be made of ſo good a Work. Our poor Brethren of France, under all the Miſeries and Hardſhips they endure, comfort themſelves, that the Reformation and Settlement of the reſt of the Proteſtant Churches, and of Ʋs in ſpecial, may be the Preſage and Beginning of Peace, Reſt, and Reſtauration unto them: And this hath been, for many Years, the Prayer, Hope, and Endeavour of the wiſeſt and beſt among our ſelves.
We have, alas! too long been divided in Communion and Affection, and have thereby made our ſelves the Sport of our Enemies, and the Pity of our Friends; and all Endeavours hitherto uſed, for the healing of our Breaches, have been fruitleſs and ineffectual: But I verily perſuade my ſelf, that if the Work of Reformation of Manners were but once brought to a conſiderable pitch of Perfection, the other would, as it were, fall in of courſe: For, whence come wars and fightings among us, (even Eccleſiaſtical Wars, for I think it's too great a Solaeciſm to call them Religious ones,) come they not hence, even of our Luſts that war in our Members, Jam. 4. 1.
Again, What could more contribute to our Comfort in Death, and Confidence at Judgment, than our Faithfulneſs to God, and his Intereſt here in this World? When our Conſciences ſhould bear us witneſs, that we have ſhunned no Labour, Coſt, Shame, or Suffering, ſo we might promote Righteouſneſs, Godlineſs, and Sobriety, in the Places where we lived.
And to Conclude: Of how great Advantage might our Faithfulneſs and Succeſs be, not only to the preſent Age, but to Poſterity alſo? How might an happy Contagion ſpread it ſelf over this and neighbouring Kingdoms? Vice has been propagated by Example; Who knows but (by the concurrent Bleſſing of Heaven) Vertue and Piety may be ſo too? And then how great Cauſe would Poſterity have to riſe up, and call us Bleſſed.
I cloſe all with the Apoſtle's Exhortation, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye ſtedfaſt, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
FINIS.