Eight Sermons, Sermons · Sermon 5
THE CARNALITY OF Profeſſours.
1 Cor. 3.3.
For ye are Carnal.
IN this Chapter the Apoſtle Paul doth charge the Corinthians with Carnality, which Charge he maketh good by divers Arguments. The firſt is taken from their incapacity of receiving and digeſting the ſtrongeſt Truths of the Goſpel, ver. 1, 2. And I brethren could not ſpeak unto you, as unto ſpiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto Babes in Chriſt. I have fed you with milk, &c. For ye are carnal. The ſecond Argument is taken from the envyings, ſtrifes, and diviſions that were amongſt them. Verſe 3. For whereas there are among you, &c. are ye not carnal? The third Argument is taken from thoſe Sects that were amongſt them. Verſe 4. For while one ſaith I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? They ſet up one Miniſter againſt another, crying up of one, that they might cry down another, and ſo put themſelves into Sects; this was Carnality. And upon this account he ſaith to them again and again, Are ye not carnal? Where then obſerve thus much, That it is poſſible for great Profeſſors of the Goſpel to be very carnal: Theſe Corinthians were a Church of Chriſt, and of all the Churches they had the greateſt Gifts; and the Apoſtle writing to them, calleth them Saints, ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus. Chap. 1.2. Yet here he ſaith they were carnal. Poſſibly then a man may be a Member of a true Church, have great Gifts, and be a good man too, yet he may be very carnal; ſurely he that is a Member of a Church, greatly gifted, and a good man, is a great Profeſſor; this a man may be, and yet carnal. Poſſibly then a man or woman may be a great Profeſſor, and yet may be very carnal. Great Profeſſors may be very carnal. And if …ou ask what this Carnality is, or when a man may be ſaid to be carnal? I anſwer in the general, that you may know what this means by the oppoſition, and the application of it; It is applied ſometimes to the unregenerate, John 3 6. That which is born after the fleſh, is fleſh, or carnal; ſo it is not uſed here; for the Apoſtle doth not charge the Corinthians with an unregenerate eſtate. Sometimes this word Carnal therefore is applied to the regenerate, ſuch as are Weaklings, Babes, and Sucklings in Religion, who have more ſin then grace, more fleſh then ſpirit; and ſo he ſpeaketh of theſe Corinthians. But the word Carnal is uſed alſo by way of oppoſition, and it is oppoſed ſometimes unto what is mighty: So 1 Cor. 10.4. Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty. And ſometimes it is oppoſed unto what is ſpiritual. So Rom 15.27. and 7.14. Look therefore when a mans fleſhly weakneſſes do ſo far prevail, that he is not ſpiritual in his life and converſation as he ſhould be, Then he is ſaid to be carnal, according to this Scripture. Now thus it is poſſible, …hat a Member of a Church, a gifted perſon, yea, good men may be very carnal. Poſſibly great Profeſſors may be very carnal In proſecuting whereof, We muſt firſt enquire how it may appear, that great Profeſſors of the Goſpel may be carnal. Secondly, How far that carnality may reach or extend. Thirdly, What is the difference between the carnality of the world, and ſuch as are good. Fourthly, What an evil thing it is for a Profeſſor of the Goſpel …o be carnal. Fifthly, How we may be freed from …his carnality, and be more ſpiritual. And if you …sk,
Queſt. 1. How may it then appear that great Pro…eſſors may be very carnal? I anſwer.
Anſw. The more any mans judgment is defiled …nd dabbled with corrupt Opinions, contrary to the Grace of the Goſpel; the more carnal he is, eſpeci…lly if he father them on the Spirit, or on the Goſpel; for the Goſpel is the Miniſtration of the Spirit. The words that I ſpeak, ſaith Chriſt, are ſpirit and life Now two ſorts of Doctrines there are that are contrary to the Goſpel; The Doctrine of Natural Free-will, and the Doctrine of Legal and Jewiſh Ordinances. The Doctrine of Natural Free-will is contrary to the ſubſtance of the Goſpel, which is the Word of Grace. The Doctrine of Legal and Jewiſh Ordinances is contrary to the diſpenſation of the Goſpel; and both carnal. The Doctrine of Natural Free-will is a carnal Doctrine; for ſaith John, chap. 1.13. Which are born not of bloud, nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man. The will of the fleſh, and the will of man go together. Was it not a carnal thing for Abraham to go in to his Maid Hagar? So is it alſo a carnal thing for a Profeſſor of the Goſpel to turn into a Covenant of Works, whereof Hagar was a Type. And I appeal to your ſelves, ſaith Auſtin to the Pelagians, pleading for the power of Nature, and for Natural Free-will, What is that which makes an outward difference between one man and another?Nec tribuuntur iſta meritis voluntatum, ſicut ſunt celeritates, vires, bonae valetud nes, & pulchritudines corporum, ingenia mirabi ia, & multarum artium capaces naturae mentium vel quae accidunt extrinſecus, ut eſt opulentia, nobilitas, honores, & caetera hujuſmodi, quae quiſque ut habeat, non eſt niſi in Dei poteſtate, &c. Aug. de correp. & grat. cap. 8. one is rich, and another is poor; doth …ans Will make that difference, or Gods Providence? ſaith Auſtin: One man is ſtrong, and another weak; doth Mans Will make the difference, or Gods Providence? One man or woman is fair, and another deformed, doth Mans Will make the difference, or Gods Providence? I ſuppoſe you will ſay, that it is Gods Providence, not Mans Will that doth make the difference. And if you ſay that Mans Will makes the difference in theſe outward things, and not Gods Providence, Are ye not carnal? How much more if you ſay, Mans Will, and not Gods Grace doth make the difference between one man and another in ſpiritual things? As for the Doctrines of Legal and Jewiſh Ordinances, they are expreſly called carnal Commands, Heb. 9. Now poſſibly a Profeſſor of the Goſpel may be baptized into theſe Opinions, poſſibly he may hold the Doctrine of Free-will under the Goſpel of Free Grace. Poſſibly he may be baptized into the Doctrines of Jewiſh Legal Cuſtoms, Ceremonies, and Sabbaths, and of all the Opinions that are now ſtirring and ranging abroad. What Opinion is there, but the maintainers thereof do father it upon the Spirit? What Brat or Baſtard-opinion is there abroad, but men do come to lay it down at the door of the Goſpel, and father it upon the Spirit? Now when men do thus, may we not ſay to them, as the Apoſtle here, Are ye not carnal?
Secondly, The more any Profeſſor is guilty of levity and lightneſs in the Wayes of the Goſpel, the more carnal he is; for ſays the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 1.17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I uſe lightneſs, or things that I purpoſe, do I purpoſe according to the fleſh, that with me there ſhould be yea, yea, and nay, nay? But as God is true, our word towards you was not yea and nay. Levity therefore is a ſign of Carnality. Now there is a twofold Levity, one in regard of judgment, whereby men are unſettled in their judgment, ſaying yea to a Doctrine to day, and nay to morrow, or ſoon after. This levity of judgment is a ſign of carnality. The other levity is in regard of practice, whereby men are ſlight, vain, and frothy in their communication. Now poſſibly a Profeſſor may be thus light in both theſe reſpects. Some are light in regard of their judgement, unſettled; ſome are light in regard of their practice; for they can ſit and ſpend a whole Afternoon in vain conferences, and not a word of God of Chriſt. Are not theſe carnal?
Thirdly, If there be little or no difference ſometimes between the carriage and behaviour of a Profeſſour and of the men of the world; then poſſibly a Profeſſor may be very carnal. And what difference was there between David and the men of the world, in that matter of Ʋriah? What civil man would have done as David did? And ſo now though a Profeſſor may be very good and gracious, yet if he be ſtirred ſometime, in a buſineſs of his own concernments; what difference is there between his carriage and the carriage of the world; may we not then ſay to ſuch, Are ye not carnal?
Fourthly, If there be envyings, wranglings, ſtrifes, and diviſions amongſt the Profeſſors of the Goſpel; then 'tis poſſible that great Profeſſors may be very carnal; nay, that ye read in the Text, and I wiſh we might not read it in our daily experience; It is the property of a gracious ſpiritual frame of heart to rejoyce in others graces, and to mourn for others ſins; 'tis the property of a carnal heart to envy at others graces, and to rejoyce and triumph over others failings. Now if Profeſſors be at variance, one of one judgment, and another of another, in caſe a man of another ju…gment do fail or fall, what rejoycings will there be? if I were ſpiritual, then I ſhould more grieve for Gods diſhonour by the fall of a Profeſſor, then rejoyce at the fall of my adverſary; but yet ſo it is, though Gods name be diſhonored by his fall, becauſe he is a Profeſſor; yet another will triumph therein, becauſe he is his adverſary; is not this carnal?
Fifthly, If a Profeſſor of the Goſpel can neither give reproof without anger, nor take a reproof without diſtaſte, is he not carnal? you that are ſpiritual, ſaith the Apoſtle, reſtore him that is fallen, with the ſpirit of meekneſs. But now if an admonition or reproof be given, either it is given with anger, or it is taken with diſtaſte; Why? but becauſe we are carnal.
6, If a Profeſſor …f the Goſpel do uſe carnal engines to obtain his deſigns, is he not carnal therein? now thus it may be poſſibly with ſome great Profeſſors of the Goſpel. Abraham was a good man, and a great Profeſſor, yet when he would ſecure and preſerve himſelf, he ſaid to Sarah, ſay, Thou art my Siſter. The thing was true, and no lye, but it was a carnal engine that he then uſed to obtain that deſign. We read of Abner, that when he would bring about the Kingdom to David, for his own preferment, then he went to the heads of Iſrael and told them of the promiſe that God made to David. Here Ne quis in honeſtas cupiditates religionis glaucomate obtegato Vide Cluveri Hiſtor. Mundi p. 108. he made uſe of a Religious Engine to obtain his own carnal ends. Sometimes men uſe their carnal Engines to obtain Religious deſigns; Sometimes they uſe Religions Engines to obtain their carnal ends, and what more ordinary then this, even amongſt Profeſſors. Why? But becauſe they are carnal.
Seventhly, the more ſelfiſh any man is in ſeeking his own parttcular intereſt in the time or cauſe of publick concernments, the more carnal he is, a ſelfiſh principle is a carnal principle; now this may be amongſt Profeſſors, Judges 5. Why ſays the Holy Ghoſt to Reuben, Why abideſt thou amongſt the Sheepfolds to hear the bleatings of the Flock; and why did Dan remain in Ships; there was a great cauſe a foot, Zebulon and Nepthali came forth, but as for Aſher they abode in the Creeks, Dan in the Ships, and Reuben abode among the Sheep-folds to hear the bleatings &c. that is, ſays Peter Martyr, Habitabat Reuben ultra Jordanem in p…ſcuis videturque ob ſuas oves et greges Rei. pub. curam omiſiſſe, eo nomine cos accuſat, quod tunc ſua curarint. Plus pecudum balatu quam reipub. cura caperentur Pet. Mart. in Judg 5.Plus pecudum balatu, quam Reipublicae cura; they were taken with their own particular intereſt, more then with the publick concernments. Do I therefore mind my own particular intereſt more then the publick concernment, and in times of publick concernments or calamities, do I ſeek to raiſe my ſelf and to get a place, a preferment, and great things in this world, then am I carnal. Yet thus even thus it is with many Profeſſors at this day. Why; becauſe they are carnal; poſſibly then great Profeſſors may be very carnal, and that is the firſt thing.
Queſt. Well, but ſuppoſe this Doctrine be true? great Profeſſors may be very carnal. How far may this carnality of Profeſſors reach and extend.
2 General.
Anſw. It may reach and extend unto all our life, as a Scurfe may grow over all the body, ſo this carnality may grow over all the body of a mans converſation, and extend unto every part thereof.
Firſt, For will you inſtance in our thoughts, apprehenſions, reaſonings, and concluſions? Is it not a carnal thing to abound with carnal reaſonings? This the Diſciples did before Chriſts Aſcenſion, therefore ſaith he often to them, Why reaſon ye ſo amongſt your ſelves?
Secondly, Or will you inſtance in the matter of our affections? Is it not a carnal thing for a man to love and ſavour the things of the world? this Profeſſors may poſſibly do, witneſs the Parable of the Thorny ground,
Thirdly, Or will you inſtance in the matter of our words? Is it a carnal thing to bite and devour one another, and to carry Tales between men. Yet this the Galatians did, If ye bite one another, ſhall ye not be conſumed one of another. Gal, 5.15.
…ourthly, Or will you inſtance in the matter of our condition, Is it not a carnal thing to be diſcontented with ones condition, and to think that I can carve better for my ſelf, then God hath carved? This the Iſraelites did, when they ſaid, would God we had ſtaid ſtill in Aegypt.
Fifthly, Or will ye inſtance in the matter of our lives, and reformation of our practice? Is it not a carnal thing, for a man to run from one extream to another? Dum vitant ſtulti vitia, in contraria currant. Yet what more ordinary then this in the way of reformation from no liberty, to all liberty; from prodigallity to covetouſneſs.
6ly. Or will ye inſtance in the matter of our duties? Is it not a carnal thing for a man that hears the word of God, to apply it to another, and not to apply it to himſelf? ſaying, That the Preacher met with ſuch an one, and not think of himſelf: or to be more taken with the volubility of expreſſion, then with the ſpirituality of the ordinance: or if a man preach the word, Is it not a carnal thing to have flings and throughs at particular perſons, or to preach the Goſpel for Hire, that he may get a living thereby, or to preach Chriſt out of envy, yet this the Apoſtle ſays to the Philippians that ſome did in his days.
7ly. Or will ye inſtance in the matter of the enjoyments and ſpecial communion with God? Is it not a carnal thing to deſire incomes from God, for the ſweetneſs of them. The ordinance of the Lords Supper is an ordinance wherein you enjoy much of God, and have ſpecial Communion with him: Yet you know how the Apoſtle blames the Corinthians for their carnality therein, and if ye look into Luke 22.24. You ſhall find that even at the Lords Supper, the Diſciples of Chriſt were debating who ſhould be greateſt; a carnal thing for any of them to deſire greatneſs above the other: But that this queſtion ſhould be ſtarted then, what Carnality was here?
Eighthly, Or will ye inſtance in our approach unto Chriſt, and coming to Chriſt? If carnality be excluded in any thing, ſurely it will be excluded here; yet ſays the Apoſtle, henceforth know I no man after the fleſh, no not Chriſt himſelf; it ſeems that formerly they did thus know Chriſt himſelf, and were too carnal in their very knowledge of Chriſt, but ſaies Chriſt to thoſe that followed him, Ye follow me not becauſe of the miracles, but becauſe of the Loaves. Plainly then this carnality may extend and reach unto all our actions, and if there be no action that a Profeſſor can do, but this carnality, may get and ſoak into it; then ſurely this Doctrine is moſt true, that poſſibly a great Profeſſor may be very carnal, poſſibly great Profeſſors of the Goſpel may be very carnal, and ſo much for the ſecond.
3. General.
Queſt. But you will ſay, if a Profeſſor may be carnal, and this carnality may poſſibly boyl up to ſuch an height; is there any difference then between the carnality of the World, and of the Profeſſors of the Goſpel.
Anſw. Yes, much if Profeſſors be Godly, for all Profeſſors are not Godly. For though a Profeſſing good man may labour under much carnality, and be too fleſhly, yet he is not born after the fleſh; for ſaith the Ap ſtle Paul, Abraham had two ſons, Galat. 4.22. The one by a Bond-woman, the other by a free-woman, but he who was of the bond-woman, was born after the fleſh, but he of the free-woman, by the promiſe. Which things are an Allegory, for theſe are the two Covenants; that is, the legal Covenant, and the Covenant of grace. Now we brethren, ſaith he, verſe 28. as Iſaac was, are the children of Promiſe. We are born after the promiſe the promiſe comes and works grace in us; we are regenerated and born again by the word of the promiſe; and therefore though theſe children of Abraham may labour under much carnality; yet they are not born after the fleſh, as carnal, unregenerate men are, who are the children of the bond woman, and belong to the legal Covenant.
2ly, Though Profeſſing good men may be very carnal, yet there is a grace and goodneſs that doth run along therewithall, for they are the ſmoking flax, and though there may be much ſmoke and carnality that may offend the eyes of beholders; yet there is a fire of grace and zeal that runs out therewithall. What a ſmoke did Jonah make when he ran away from God, and was froward and peeviſh even with God himſelf? But though therein he was very carnal, yet ſtill there was a grace and goodneſs that did go along therewith.
Thirdly, though a good man may be very carnal, yet he doth not ſowe to the fleſh, or ſavour and reliſh the things of the fleſh moſt. A carnal wicked man doth ſavour and reliſh the things of the fleſh; thus to be carnally minded is death, ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 8. And thoſe that ſowe to the fleſh, ſhall reap corruption.
Fourthly, As for thoſe that are carnal and wicked it is not ſo with them, Though a good man may be very carnal, and may labour under much carnality, inſomuch as his parts may be too big for his grace, and his paſſions may be too big for his parts, yet he doth not take up a carnal prejudice againſt the whole way or power of Godlineſs, the wicked are carnal, and they are carnally prejudiced againſt the very power of Godlineſs in the ſtrictneſs of it. Poſſibly a good man may be prejudiced againſt this or that particular way of God; but as for the power of Godlineſs, he is not carnally prejudiced againſt that.
Fifthly, Though a good man may be very carnal and labour under much carnality, yet that carnality doth not bear the rule and ſway in his life. Finis actionum Domina & Regina. Look what a mans general and utmoſt end is, that doth give a law unto all his actions, that rules,Finis dat mediis amabilitatem, ordinem & menſuram. that ſwayes, and is the yard wand unto all his actions; as for example, if the world and profit be my end, my general and utmoſt end, then my actions generally are directed and ſwayed by it: …nd I muſt preach ſo much as may ſtand with my profit, I muſt go to meetings and improve ſoul-opportunities ſo far as may ſtand with my profit, I muſt acquaint my ſelf with men ſo far as may ſtand with my profit; and if ſuch and ſuch things may not ſtand with my …rofit in the world, then I muſt not do the ſame. Why? becauſe the world is my great and utmoſt end, and every thing muſt ſtrike ſail unto it. Now I ſay, though a good man may labour under much carnality, yet there is no carnal thing that doth bear ſway with him as it doth in thoſe that are carnally wicked.
Sixthly, Though a good man may be very carnall yet his practical concluſions, and therefores are not ſo carnal, as the men of the Worlds are. Mark what carnal therefores the men and people of the world have, Prov. 7.14, 15. I offered my peace offering, now therefore am I come forth to meet thee. A ſtrange therefore, as if ſhe ſhould ſay, I have been at duty, and at the ordinance; and therefore now am come forth to play the whore. Ye know alſo what a therefore Pilate had, upon the Judgment of Chriſt, I find no fault with him, now therefore Scourge him and let him go. Luke 23.16.Oh ſtrange therefore, I find no fault with him, therefore whip him, nay, therefore whip him not, for I find no fault in him. Are there not ſuch therefores ſtill in the hearts of men, The Lord is gracious and merciful, Therefore I'le go on to ſin; The Lord is patient and forbearing, Therefore I'le repent afterwards. But ſays David, O how great is thy loving kindneſs, therefore do the children of men put their truſt in thee. Though a good man be too carnal, yet he is not ſo carnal in his main inferences and concluſions, as the carnal world is.
Seventhly, Though a good man may be very carnal, yet he is very ſenſible of his carnality, and is much humbled; for when I ſaw, ſaid David, the proſperous eſtate of the wicked, then I had ſuch carnal reaſonings as theſe, I have cleanſed my hands in vain; but ſays he, I was a beaſt therein, Pſal. 73.22. The more a man looks into the ſpirituality of the law, the more he will be ſenſible of his own carnality, Now a good man looks much upon that. As for the law, ſaies Paul, Rom. 7.14 That is holy, ſpirituall, good, but I am carnal. Who was a more ſpiritual Chriſtian then Paul? yet he was ſenſible of his carnality. Why? becauſe his eye was upon the ſpirituality of the law; Now ſo it is with all thoſe that truly fear the Lord; they do not ſtand and compare themſelves with others: For that would augment their carnality, but they compare themſelves with the law and word of God; and ſo they are exceeding ſenſible of their own carnality, and are humbled for it. So that then now you ſee. There is a difference; And what that difference is; And though the carnality of the good Profeſſor be not ſo bad as the carnality of the world, and the men thereof, yet it is evil; the beſt of this carnality is naught, and if you ask me
Queſt. Wherein the evil of it doth appear, I anſwer,
4. General,
Anſ. In the fourth place in many things it is a very evil thing for a Profeſſor of the Goſpel to be carnal. For
1. Is it not an evil thing for a man to walk contrary unto his Profeſſion: Peccatum majus ubi repugnantia major; Peccatum majus ubi ſpecialis repugnantia inter peccantem et peccatum. Aquin.is it not an evil thing for a Judge to do unjuſtly? Yea, Why? Becauſe it is contrary unto his profeſſion Now the profeſſion of the Goſpel is ſpiritual, and the Profeſſors of the Goſpel are ſo deſcribed and called. The ſpiritual man judgeth all things; and ye that are ſpiritual, reſtore ſuch an one, &c. The Weapons of our War-fare, ſaith the Apoſtle, are not carnal. Carnal Weapons are ſuitable to carnal profeſſion, but ſpiritual weapons are ſuitable to ſpiritual profeſsion. 'Tis obſerved therefore that the Weapons of the Papiſts in advancing their Religion, are very carnal; Somewhat they have in their religion which doth comply with every mans carnal humour. If a man be Devotional,Sir Edw. Sand Relig. Weſt. they have a Cloyſter for him; If he be Diſputative, they have their Schools for him; If a man or woman do pretend to chaſtity, they have their Nunneries and Priories for them; If a man be given to filthy wantonneſs, they have their allowed Stewes for him; If a m…n be given to honour and greatneſs, they have a Cardinals Cap for him; And if he be given to deſpiſe and neglect the world, they have a Mendicant Fryers place for him. Some carnal thing ſtill they have that doth ſuit with the carnal and wicked humours of men. Why? but becauſe their warfare is carnal, and ſo the weapons of their warfare are carnal. But the Profeſt Religion is ſpiritual and reforming; how have they therefore advanced their Religion, but by powerful Preaching, Printing good books, Tranſlating the Scriptures into the vulgar tongue, Catechiſing and inſtructing the younger, open Diſputings for the truth, and Suffering for the ſame; Thus the Reformed Religion hath been carried on by good and ſpiritual weapons. Why? for our war-fare is ſpiritual, now in theſe times we are upon another condition of Reformation, we are reforming the very Reformation and therefore the weapons of our war-fare ſhould be moſt ſpiritual; are we therefore carnal now in theſe days, then do we walk contrary unto our Profeſſion.
Secondly, Yea, though you be a good man yet if you be carnal, you do thereby make your ſelf unfit both to do good, and receive good. Carnality makes you unfit to do good, it will hinder the vend of your commodities. I think ſometimes, ſays Luther, to convert all the Congregation, but the Auditor comes and ſmells ſomething of a man in what I ſay,Sentit anima hominis verbum arte ſuper ſe compoſitum eſſe, & ſtercore humano (ut apud Ezekielem eſt) opertum, humano affectu pollutum, ideo nauſeat ſuper illo, & potius irritatur quam convertitur. Luther loc. com. claſ. 4. de miniſter. verbi. and ſo he turns away, and no good is done. And in experience what good doth admonition do, when adminiſtred in paſſion. This Carnality is an hinderance to your doing good; and as it is an hinderance to your doing, ſo it is an hinderance to your receiving it. It ſtops your Ears and Eyes; your Ears from hearing the Word, and your Eyes from ſeeing into the diſpenſations of God. Yea,
Thirdly, Thereby you will be apt to give and to take offence. As this Carnality will make you unfit to do and receive good; ſo it will make you apt and ready to give and to take offence. Who more apt to give and take offence then young Chriſtians? And why ſo? but becauſe they are Babes, and carnal. Yea,
Fourthly, Though you may have ſome real goodneſs in you, …et if you be carnal, you may diſhonour God more by your carnality, then you may honour him by your goodneſs. And is it not an evil thing for a man to diſhonour God more by the carnality of his Profeſſion, then he can honour God by his Profeſſion?
Fifthly, The more carnal you are, the more you are expoſed, and e…poſe your ſelf to the temptations of Satan, and his inſtruments. 'Twas a carnal thing for David to number the people; Satan obſerved this carnal affection, and the Text ſays, That he ſtirred him up to number the people. And if Profeſſors have their carnal ends hanging out, what may not the Devil and his Agents add and joyn thereunto? Yet,
Sixthly, The more carnal you are in your Profeſſion, the more you will loſe the ſweetneſs of your Chriſtian Communion. What happineſs can a gracious ſpiritual heart take in converſing with a carnal Profeſſour? Suppoſe a man deal but in outward friendſhip, what happineſs can he have in converſing with one that is ſelfiſh, that ſeeks himſelf in all his acquaintance and converſe? Is there any happineſs in that friendſhip where a man muſt always ſtand upon his guard, to keep himſelf from the ſelfiſh deſigns of him that he walks with? No ſurely. Much more may I ſay in our ſpiritual Converſe and Communion. What happineſs, what ſweetneſs can I take in converſing with him that is ſelfiſh and carnal. Oh this Carnality is a great enemy to the ſweetneſs of Chriſtian Communion, it will eat out all the ſweetneſs of it. And
Seventhly, It will hinder the advance and progreſs in the ways of God, and knowledge of Chriſt: For what growth or advance can a people make in their practices, when Miniſters cannot advance them in their Preachings. Now ſays the Apoſtle here, I could not deliver to you ſtrong meat; why? Becauſe ye are carnal. Wherefore ſays the Apoſtle, Would you grow in grace? then laying aſide all malice and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs, as new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. How is it therefore with me? Am I a Profeſſor, and yet carnal? Then do I walk contrary unto my Profeſſion; Then am I thereby unfit to do good, or receive good; Then am I fit to take, and to give offence; Then may I diſhonour God more by the carnality of my profeſſion, then I may honor him by my profeſſion; Yea, and thereby do I expoſe my ſelf to the temptations of Satan, and the world. Then ſhall I loſe the ſweetneſs of Chriſtian Communion, and be kept from growth in Grace. Surely therefore it is an evil thing, and very evil for the Profeſſors of the Goſpel to be carnal; yet this may be poſſibly in great Profeſſours, Members of Churches, and men of great parts and gifts, and a good man too may be very carnal; ſuch were theſe Corinthians: Poſſibly therefore, a man may be a great Profeſſor, yet he may be very carnal. That s the Doctrine.
Now in the fifth place, If you ask what then is our duty that doth flow from hence? I anſwer.
General 5.
1. If great Profeſſors of the Goſpel may be very carnal, then why ſhould any man ſtumble, or be offended at the ways of God and Godlineſs, becauſe of the carnality of Profeſſours? Will ye be offended at that which which ye know muſt and ſhall come to paſs. Theſe things have I told you before, ſaith Chriſt, that when they come to paſs, you may not be offended. Now he hath told us beforehand, That in the laſt days the Kingdom of Heaven is like to ten Virgins waiting for the coming of the Bridegroom, and they all ſleep; that is, There ſhall be a general ſcurf and carnality grow upon the face of all Profeſſion. And now ye know theſe things, will ye be offended? Or will ye be offended if your own offence will be your own r…ine? Wo to the world, ſaith Chriſt, becauſe of offences; offences muſt come, and wo to him through whom they come. Here is a wo and a wo; A wo to the offender, and a wo to the offended. Wo to the world, why? becauſe their offence will be their own ruine. And whoever you are that are apt to be offended at theſe things; Either the lives of Profeſſours are the rule by which you walk, or the Scripture. If the lives of Profeſſours be the rule of your life; Then why do you not live as they do? as the beſt of them do? why are you not rather convinced by their goodneſs, then ſtumbled by their carnality? And if Scripture be your rule, why then do you not ſay in the midſt of all theſe carnalities, Well! yet the Scripture is the Scripture, and Godlineſs is Godlineſs; and therefore though all men have their failings, and the faireſt face hath its wart, and there is none ſo ſpiritual, but hath ſome carnality; Yet I and my houſe will ſerve the Lord; for I walk by Scripture; and Scripture is Scripture ſtill, and Godlineſs is Godlineſs ſtill. O take heed and be not offended. That's the firſt Uſe.
2. If great Profeſſors of the Goſpel may be carnal, Then why ſhould we not all take heed of their carnality? Poſſibly a Member of a Church may be carnal, and ſhall not we then take heed of carnality? Poſſibly a man of P…rts, and Gifts, and Graces too may be carnal, and very carnal, and ſhall not we then take heed of carnality? And in caſe that we have been, or are carnal in our Profeſſion, why ſhould we not all labour to ſcale off this Carnality?
Queſt. But what ſhall we do herein? I confeſs I have been and am very carnal in my Profeſſion, what ſhall I therefore do that I may be rid of this carnalility, and be more ſpiritual?
Anſw. 1. In caſe you have been carnal, be humbled for it; A man will never leave a ſin for the time to come, unleſs he be humbled for the time paſt. Now who is there in all the Congregation, but may cry guilty, guilty? I am the man or woman that have been carnal under my Spiritual and Goſpel-profeſſion? Why then, go to God and humble your ſelf before him, in reference to the carnality of your Profeſſion.
Secondly, In caſe you have begun a Profeſſion of Chriſt, be ſure that you look well to your beginnings and ſettings out. 'Tis poſſible that a carnal beginning may make a ſpiritual ending; but ordinarily if men ſet out the wrong way at the firſt, they go wrong all the day after. And it is uſual with men to be carnal at the entrance into their Profeſſion. Facite me, &c. ſaid he, Make me Biſhop of Rome, and I will be a Chriſtian: But dimidium facti, He that hath well begun hath done half his work. Be ſure therefore that you look to your beginnings, and firſt ſettings out for Godlineſs. And in caſe,
Thirdly, That you are a Profeſſor of ſome ſtanding, Then make it your work and buſineſs to go over your work again, and to refine your work. Ye are now come to that mount, where the Lord hath given you wine upon the lees well refined. Ordinances refined, and Goſpel enjoyments refined. And what do theſe call for but a refined Converſation? And how ſhould that be, but by making it your work and buſineſs to refine all your duties. True, I have prayed many times, but now I will go and refine all my prayers. I have converſed with the Saints, now I will go and refine my converſes; yea, I will make it my work now to refine my works.
Fourthly, Whether you be of long or late ſtanding in Religion pray much for the pourings forth of the Spirit upon you. Ye read in the Goſpel, that the Diſciples were very carnal before Chriſts Death; but after his Aſcenſion, then they were very ſpiritual: Why? becauſe the Holy Ghoſt was then fallen down upon them. Would ye be more ſpiritual, and leſs carnal, pray for the pourings out of the Holy Ghoſt upon your Souls. And
Fifthly, Take heed of a ſelfiſh ſpirit, eſpecially in matters of Religion; for a ſelfiſh ſpirit is a carnal ſpirit. The more plainneſs of heart you have, the more free you will be from deſigns and ſelfiſh carnalities. Go therefore to the Lord, and pray unto him for a plain and open ſpirit. And
Sixthly, And in caſe you are to deal with any fleſhly concernment, there watch moſt. A good man ſhould be ſpiritual in carnal things. But when we meddle with carnal things, we are apt to be carnalized with them; and therefore the more carnal the concernment is, the more do you watch and pray, leſt you enter into this temptation.
Seventhly, Be ſure that you take heed of converſing with carnal and wicked company: Evil words corrupt good manners, ſaith the Apoſtle. And what good words ſhall ye have with them? With them ye ſhall meet with that which will prejudice you againſt what is good, and thoſe that are good. Would ye therefore be freed from the Carnality of Profeſſion? Take heed how you come into carnal wicked company. And in the 8th. place.
Eighthly, Call your ſelf often to an account, and examine your ways, Whether they be ſpiritual or carnal. Come, O my Soul, thou haſt been in ſuch a company! but haſt thou not been frothy, vain, paſſionate, or carnal in it? Thou haſt been this day amongſt thoſe that are ſpiritual; but haſt not thou been carnal in the midſt of them? Come, O my Soul, thou haſt been at ſuch a work this day, but haſt thou not been ſelfiſh in it? Haſt not thou deſired to be ſeen therein? Haſt not thou been carnal even in thy ſpirituals? Thus daily call your ſelves to an account. And
Ninthly, Conſider but this one thing, That the only way to loſe a mercy, is to be carnal in it. If you be a Profeſſor, one that God loves, the more carnal Engines you uſe to obtain a mercy, the more like you are to loſe it; and in avoiding of miſery, the more carnal your Engines are to avoid it, the more like it is for to come upon you: If you be wicked and ungodly, the Lord it may be will let you obtain your ends by your carnal Engines: But if you be godly, the more carnal Engines you uſe to obtain a mercy, the more like you are to loſe it. Now therefore as you do deſire to avoid miſery, and to obtain mercy, Labour to be more ſpiritual; Take heed of carnal Engines in all your deſigns; Make it your work and buſineſs to be more ſpiritual; Reſt not upon your holy mount, ſaying, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord; for it is carnal; And take heed of diviſions, ſtrifes, and envyings; For if theſe things be among us, are we not carnal? And this ma… eaſily be; for you ſee the Text, and you remember the Doctrine. Poſſibly great Profeſſors may be very carnal. Wherefore let us all make it our work and buſineſs to be more ſpiritual.