Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon 23 – To the reader 2

Scripture Light the Most Sure Light · Sermon 23 – To the reader 2

p. 425THE Good and Means OF ESTABLISHMENT.

1 PET. 5.10.Preached At Stepney, January, 6. 1655.

But the God of all Grace, who hath called us unto his eternal Glory, by Chriſt Jeſus, after that ye have ſuffered a while, make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you.

SOme think theſe words are ſpoken in the way of a Promiſe from God:Promiſſionem ad ungit Apoſtolus, Salmeron, Grotius, Gerardus, Vicinus, Tho. Aquinus. Ad precationem ſe convertir Apoſtolus, Calvin, Beza, Piſcator, H. Illicitus, Eſtius, Gomarus, Aretius. foreign. others think they are ſpoken in the way of a deſire & Prayer to God. They are a Promiſe (ſay ſome) becauſe they are brought in to comfort and relieve theſe diſperſed Saints againſt the Temptations of Satan, and oppoſition of the World; which the Apoſtle had mentioned in the former Verſes, 8, 9. as alſo becau…e thoſe words, Perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you, are found in ſome Books in the Future Tenſe of the Indicative Mood, to be read thus; Shal perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, and ſettle you: But I find the Copies ordinarily to give them in the Optative. Beza p. 426tels us,Omnes noſtri codices (tribus tamen exceptis) Scripta haec habent optandi modo. Beza in loc. In nonnullis quidem exemplaribus Graecis verba ſunt indicativi modi temporiſque futuri, quem…dmodum in Latinis, verum ea minus probatae ſunt fidei. Eſtius in loc. that al our Books (excepting three) do read theſe Words in the Optative Mood: And Eſtius (though the vulgar Latin renders them in the Future Tenſe of the Indicative) ſaith that al ſuch Copies are of leſs Credit, and that although the words ſhould be in the Future Tenſe, it comes al to the ſame reckoning; for as much as the Hebrews (whom the New Teſtament follows much) do ordinarily put Futures for Optatives, as wel as for Preceptives: So Numb. 20.17. we tranſlate the words thus; Let us, I pray thee, paſs through thy Country; foreign. Septuag. foreign. Septuag. Ibo nunc. Montan.and yet the word in the Hebrew, is in the Future Tenſe, We will paſs through, &c. So Jer. 40.15. we read, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will ſmite Iſhmael; and yet the word in the Hebrew is, I will go, and ſmite Iſhmael. So that according to the Hebrew, the Future is ordinarily put for the optative in a way of deſire and Petition. But the words here uſed, are in the Optative Mood, and therefore, by that Argument,foreign. we cannot conclude theſe words to be ſpoken in the way of a Promiſe. It's true indeed, That they contain matter of much comfort and relief for thoſe that ſuffer under the temptations of Satan, or oppoſitions of the World; but ſo they do alſo, though they be ſpoken in a way of Prayer: And it is uſual with the Apoſtles to conclude their Epiſtles with a ſhort Prayer,Poſtquam: ſatis incubuit in monitiones nunc ſe ad precationem convertit, nam fruſtra in nerem fundetur Doctrina niſi Deus per Spiritum ſuum operetur. Calvin in Loc. and that Prayer with a Doxology: And ſo doth the Apoſtle here; The God of all Grace, who hath called you, &c. perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, and ſettle you; to whom be Glory for ever, and ever; a Promiſe is not ſo concluded, but a Prayer is. I conceive therefore, that theſe words are ſpoken in way of a Prayer; wherein ye have,

1 The Mercy, and the Bleſſing prayed for.

2 The Arguments enſuring it.

1 As for the Mercy, and Bleſſing prayed for; it is expreſſed in four words; Perfect, Stabliſh, Strengthen, Quod pluribus verbis rem unam deſignat Petrus, nempe fidelium confirmationem, hoc ideo facit ut ſciamus rarae eſſe difficultatis curſum noſtrum perſequi et proinde ſingulari Dei gratia opus eſſe. Calvin in Loc.and Settle you. Some think they are Synonimous, all intending the ſame thing, the confirmation and perſeverance of thoſe diſper…ed Chriſtian-Jews. But though they may aim at the ſame general thing, yet there are ſeveral particulars under that general, which the words ſeem to point at. The firſt word, which we render Perfect, ſhould (I think) be tranſlated otherwiſe: It is the ſame word that is p. 427uſed, Matth. 4.21. Mark, 1.19.Significat ergo Apoſtolus telam bonorum operum quam teximus facile ac cito …n hac vita rumpi niſi accedat Dei foreign. Gerard. for mending of their Nets; and the ſame that is uſed, Gal. 6.1. You that are Spiritual, RESTORE ſuch an one with the Spirit of Meekneſs; and it ſignifies ſuch a reſtoring as is of unjoynted Members. Now theſe Chriſtians being ſcattered, the Apoſtle praies,Significat enim foreign, membra in corpore luxata reponere. Ibid. Beza compingat Eraſm. inſtauret. that God would pleaſe to joynt them again. Thus the God of al Grace, after you have ſuffered, and been ſhattered, bring you into order, reſtore, and repair you. But ſuppoſe that God reſtore, and mend us, yet we may fal again. True, but I do not only pray for you (ſaith Peter) that ye may be reſtored and mended; but that you may be confirmed, ſo as ye may not fal away, The God of all Grace ſtabliſh you alſo. The word ſignifies to faſten,foreign ſignificat figere, firmiter ſtatuere, Septuag. utuntur pro foreign ſtare fecit: quod alibi exponunt pro foreign, alibi pro foreign, alibi pro foreign. foreign, ſignificat roborare foreign valeo, opponitur foreign. foreign, fundare. and confirm, and eſtabliſh: So Rom. 1.11. 1 Theſ. 3.1, 2. But though we be ſo confirmed by the Grace of God, that we cannot fal away, yet we may be weak, and labor under great Infirmity: True, But I have prayed for you, that you may be ſtrengthened alſo. But though we be ſtrong, and confirmed, ſo as we ſhal never fal quite away from Grace; yet we may be unſetled: True, but I have not only prayed againſt your Apoſtacy, but againſt your unſettlement; The God of all Grace, reſtore, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, and ſettle you, even as the Foundation of the Houſe is ſetled. So that he doth not only pray for theſe Saints, that they may be reſtored, and put into joynt in oppoſition to their ſcattering; but for confirmation, in oppoſition to Apoſtacy; and for ſettlement in oppoſition to al unſtedfaſtneſs; and for ſtrength of Grace, in oppoſition unto weakneſs, the cauſe and ground of all unſetledneſs. Now theſe Graces he doth aſſure them of, by divers Arguments. 1. Some drawn from the Nature of God, he is the God of al Grace; not of Grace only, as the Syriack reads the words, omitting the word All; but he is the God of All Grace: and therefore though you have need of much Grace, yet you need not be diſcouraged; for the God whom you deal with, is a God of al Grace; and under this Title have I prayed unto him for you. It's good cloſing with God in Prayer, by that Title and Attribute which is moſt ſuitable to our Condition. 2. Other Arguments are drawn from the precedent Work of God upon them; Who hath called you unto his eternal Glory. Now the Gifts, and Calling of God, are without Repentance; Whom he hath called, them he hath alſo glorified; and therefore ſeeing he hath called p. 428you,Emphaticum quoque illud quod in Graeco textu haec verba foreign, conjunguntur cum ſequentibus foreign: oſtendit enim Apoſtolus ex eodem gratiae ſonte et primam ad gloriam Coeleſtem vocationem et ultimam hujus beneficii conſummationem provenire. Gerard. you may be aſſured that he wil confirm, ſtrengthen, and ſettle you: Gods Calling-Grace, doth aſſure us of his Confirming-Grace; he that hath called you unto eternal Glory. Even He, (foreign, is Emphatical, and omitted in the Engliſh to be read thus; The God of all Grace, who hath called you, &c.) he himſelf eſtabliſh you, &c. But our ſufferings do ſtil abound; for we are a diſperſed People. Be it ſo; yet your Sufferings are but a Modicum, a little, foreign, both in regard of meaſure and time: and after you have thus ſuffered, a little, and a little while, the God of al Grace wil reſtore, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, and ſettle you. This have I prayed for you. So that the Doctrine from the Verſe, is this: DOCT. It is a great Bleſsing of God, and worthy of all our Prayer, to be Eſtabliſhed, and Setled in the Truth, and Good Waies of God. Setling Grace and Mercy, in oppoſition both to outward and inward trouble, is a great Mercy, and well worth praying for.

It is a great Mercy, and Bleſſing, to be outwardly ſetled. The Apoſtle ſpeaks here, in reference to that oppoſition and hatred which they met with from the world in ſcattering them, as a People, and as a Church; for ſaith he, verſe 9. Be ſtedfaſt in the Faith, knowing that the ſame Afflictions are accompliſhed in your Brethren that are in the world: As alſo in reference to thoſe Temptations of Satan which they labored under; for ſaith he, verſe 5. Your Adverſary the Devil, as a roaring Lyon, walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour. So that I ſay,

1 It is a great Mercy, for a Nation, and State to be ſetled.

2 A Mercy, and great Bleſsing, for a Church to be ſetled.

3 A great Bleſsing, and Mercy, for a Particular Soul to be ſetled in the good VVaies of God.

p. 429IFirſt: It is a great Mercy, and Bleſſing, for a Nation, or Kingdom to be in a ſetled Eſtate and Condition, outwardly: for it is the Mercy promiſed; and promiſed Mercies, are no ſmal Mercies. Now the Lord promiſeth to his People, when he deals with them in a way of Mercy, to ſettle and eſtabliſh them, Jer. 24.6. For I will ſet mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land, and I will build them, and not pull them down, and I wil plant them, and not pluck them up. So chap. 32. verſe 37. And I will cauſe them to dwel ſafely; yea, verſe 41. I will rejoyce over them, to do them good; and I will plant them in this Land aſſuredly, with my whol heart, and with my whol ſoul. This alſo was that Mercy which the Lord Promiſed to David, 2 Sam. 7.16. But thine Houſe, and thy Kingdom ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever before thee, and thy Throne ſhal be eſtabliſhed for ever. And if ye look into 2 Chron. 9.8. ye ſhal find, that this eſtabliſhing of a Nation or Kingdom, is both a ſign, and a fruit of Gods Love; Bleſſed be the Lord thy God (ſaid the Queen of Sheba to Solomon) which delighteth in thee, to ſet thee on his Throne, to be King for the Lord thy God; becauſe thy God loved Iſrael, to eſtabliſh them for ever, therefore made he thee King over them, &c. On the other ſide; when God is angry with a People, then he pours a Spirit of Giddineſs, and Perverſneſs on them, that they run to and fro, and ſtagger like a drunken man, and are as the Leaf ſhaken with every wind, 1 Kings, 14.15. The Lord threatens Iſrael to ſmite them, as a reed is ſhaken in the water, becauſe they had made them Groves, provoking the Lord to anger. A great Judgment then it is, to be ſhaken like a reed in the Water. This alſo is a Fruit of Gods Anger; and when a People are in this poſture, it argues that God hath ſmitten them in his Anger. But when may a People be ſaid to be thus ſmitten, as a Reed ſhaken in the Water? Even then when they are driven to and fro with every wind, when they are eaſily moved, and put by their Station,Sicut ſolet moveri arundo in aqua Scilicet quia arundines faciliter moventur in aqua quocunque vento impellente, aut levi aquarum decurſu, ita Iſraell incideret ìn magnas calamitates et Deus faceret cum tam paſſibilem ut à quocunque inſurgente contra eum poſſet percuti. Abulenſ. in Loc. ſo that any one that riſes up againſt them, may afflict them, and lay them low. And if this unſetled, ſhaking Condition, be a great Judgment upon a Nation, or People; then ſurely the contrary is a great Mercy, it is a great Bleſſing indeed for any Kingdom or Nation to be in a ſetled Eſtate and Condition.

IISecondly: As it is a Mercy, and Bleſſing for a Nation to be ſettled and eſtabliſhed; ſo for the Church of God: For when the Church hath this reſt, then it is edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. Acts, 9.31.

p. 4302Eſtabliſhment, is the Mercy promiſed to the Church alſo, Eſai. 2.2. It ſhall come to paſs in the laſt daies, that the Mountain of the Lords Houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the Mountains: What is more ſetled on Earth than a Mountain? The Houſe of the Lord, ſhal be as a Mountain upon the Mountains in the laſt daies; great ſhal be the glory of the latter Daies. As the Sins and Apoſtacies of the latter Daies, ſhal be the greateſt Sins and Apoſtacies; ſo the Glory of the Churches, ſhal be the greateſt in the laſt daies: And the Eſtabliſhment of the Churches, is not only promiſed, but promiſed as part of the Glory of the latter Times.

3It is that Mercy and Bleſſing, which the Apoſtles labored for continually.foreign. F…rſt they took a great deal of pains to convert, and bring men home to God; being converted, the Apoſtles then formed them into ſeveral Churches; and Churches being planted, then their great work and buſineſs was, to Eſtabliſh them, Acts, 14.21. And when they had preached the Goſpel to that City, or had Goſpellized that City, and had taught many, or had Diſcipled many, or thoſe that were ſit and worthy; they returned again to Lyſtra, to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the ſouls of the Diſciples, and exhorting them to continue in the Faith, &c.

4This they alſo prayed for; and therefore as the Apoſtle Peter ſhuts up his Epiſtle with this Prayer for the diſperſed Chriſtian-Jews; ſo the Apoſtle Paul doth cloſe up his Epiſtle to the Corinths, with the ſame deſire and Prayer for them; 2 Cor. 13. And this alſo we wiſh, even your perfection, verſe 9. foreign. And Rom. 16.25. he concludes thus; Now to him that is of power to eſtabliſh you, &c. foreign, where the Apoſtle Paul uſeth two of theſe four words that are uſed by Peter. The cloſing wiſh doth alwaies fal upon ſome precious mercy.

5And as it is the Mercy prayed for, ſo ſomtimes it is made the Signal Mercy, whereby the Church is declared to be the Church of Chriſt; Whoſe Houſe ye are (ſaith the Apoſtle to the Hebrews) if you hold faſt the Confidence of your rejoycing, ſtedfaſt to the end. An Houſe is ſetled, fixed, and eſtabliſhed; a Tent is removable, but an Houſe is not ſo: unworthy are thoſe of the Name of the Houſe of God, that are unſetled in the Truth: Theſe things write I unto thee (ſaith Paul to Timothy) that thou mayeſt know how to behave thy ſelf in the Houſe of God, which is the Church of the living God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth. Yea, every Member of a Church, ſhould be a Pillar in the Houſe of God. So the Lord promiſeth to the Church of Philadelphia. Surely therefore, it is matter of great Importance for a Church and people of God, to be ſetled, and eſtabliſhed.

p. 431IIIBut Thirdly, and eſpecially: It is a great Mercy, and Bleſſing for a particular ſoul to be ſetled in the Truth, and eſtabliſhed in the good Waies of God. It's a good thing (ſaith the Apoſtle) that the heart be eſtabliſhed with Grace, not with Meats, which have not profited them that have been exerciſed therein. Poſſibly a mans heart may be comforted, and ſtrength…ned with Meats, Pſal. 104.15. it's ſaid, And Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and Bread which ſtrengtheneth mans heart. Where the ſame word is uſed by the Septuagint, that is here uſed in the Text.foreign Septuag. But the Apoſtle Paul doth relate to the Ceremonial Law: for the Jews converted to Chriſt,Judaei ad Chriſtum converſi ſup…ſtitioſius inhaerebant obſervationi legalium ceremoniarum cumprimis diſcri…ini ciborum a Moyſe preſcripto illis haec ſententià eſt oppoſita. Gerrard in loc. were too ſuperſtitiouſly addicted to the obſervation of Legal Ceremonies, eſpecially thoſe which concerned Meats, and difference of Meats, Rom. 14.2. Col. 2.16. and to thoſe is this Speech oppoſed; It is good that the heart be eſtabliſhed with Grace: as if he ſhould ſay, ſome think to find Eſtabliſhment in the obſervation of Meats, and Doctrines for the Jewiſh Ceremonies, but the beſt Eſtabliſhment, is in the Doctrine of the Goſpel,Quidam in genere intelligunt interna et Spiritualia Dei dona quibus homines ſanctificantur; quidam doctrinam Chriſtianam ſide ſuſceptam. Gratiam Chriſtianiſmi, ut ſit ſenſus firmitatem et ſtabilimentum cordis quaerendum eſſe in gratia Dei quam N. T. mediator Chriſtus attulit, non in obſervatione ciborum quam Moſes tradidit. Ibid. and the Grace of God revealed in the Goſpel. Some think that by Grace here, we are to underſtand Holineſs, and thoſe Spiritual Gifts whereby men are Sanctified. But having ſaid in the former words, Be not carried about with divers and ſtrange Doctrines: theſe words ſe…m to comply, and correſpond better with them, if by Grace we underſtand the Doctrine of the New Teſtament; from which the Galatians are ſaid to fall (Ye are fallen from Grace) when they returned to the Law: But in both reſpects, it is a good or beautiful thing, that the heart be eſtabliſhed with Grace. For:

1It is the ground of all our Fruitfulneſs: Ye know how it is with a Tree or Plant, th…ugh in it ſelf it be never ſo good, yet if it be not ſetled in the Earth, it bringeth forth no Fruit: If the Plant be good, and the Soyl good, it may bring forth good Fruit; but if you be alwaies removing it from one place to another, it cannot bring forth Fruit. And what is the reaſon that many are ſo unfruitful in their lives, but becauſe they are ſo unſetled in their hearts and Judgments? The Tree that is planted by the Waters ſide, brings forth Fruit in its ſeaſon, Pſal. 1. But as for the Ungodly, it is not ſo with them, They are as the Chaff, that brings forth no Fruit, whom the wind drives to and fro. And the Truth is, an unſetled man, is neither fit to receive good, nor to p. 432do good. So long as the Veſſel is moved up and down, ye cannot pour the Liquor into it; and who can write exactly when his arm is jogged? Can any man walk exactly in a crowd, which one while carrieth him this way, and ano…her while that way? No ſurely: Neither can an unſetled, uneſtabliſhed heart walk exactly with the Lord his God.

2It is the bottom of al our Praiſes: The Birds do not ordinarily ſing til they be ſet; they do not uſually ſing flying; but when they are fixed, then they begin to ſing: So ſaith David, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; and what then? then ſaith he, I will ſing, and give praiſe; but not til then: and what is the reaſon that many paſs …o many yeers of their lives in doubtings and fears, never praiſing God for any love, or Mercy to them? but becauſe they are unſetled in their Spiritual Eſtate and Condition.

3It is the beginning of our Perſeverance: Then I begin to perſevere, when I begin to ſettle, and to eſtabliſhed; as Inſtability, is the beginning of Apoſtacy; ſo Settledneſs, is the beginning of Perſeverance.

4It is that good thing which pleaſeth God exceedingly: God was ſo pleaſed with Jehoſaphat upon that account, that he paſſed by, and winked at al his Infirmities, even becauſe his heart was fixed and eſtabliſhed, 2 Chron. 19.2. the Prophet reproves him for joyning with the Ungodly; Nevertheleſs (ſaith he) there are good things found in thee, in that thou haſt taken away the Groves out of the Land, and haſt prepared thine heart: So ye read it: but I think rather, And haſt fixed, eſtabliſhed, or ſet thine heart to ſeek God. On the contrary, it's ſaid of Rehoboam, though he did many good things, That he did evil in the ſight of the Lord, becauſe he prepared not; or, becauſe he fixed not, eſtabliſhed not,foreign in Niphal foreign Paratus, ſ…mus ſtabilis qui nec everti nec impediri qucat in Pirl. et Hiphil. paravit preparavit ſinnavit confirmavit, ſtabilivit, includit firmitatem et certitudinem. Shindlerg. ſet not his heart to ſeek God, 2 Chron. 12.14. it is the ſame word which we tranſlate, Eſtabliſh, in other Scriptures, as Pſal. 40.2. He hath ſet my feet upon a Rock, and eſtabliſhed my goings; and it notes, ſuch a fixation and ſettlement, whereby a man doth ſo continue in his way and courſe that he wil not be put out of it. This Rehoboam wanted; for he was foreign, a ſoft hearted man naturally: and though he did many things that were right and good, yet he was led by the Counſel of his yong men, and his heart was not ſet and fixed to ſeek the Lord: but Jehoſaphat was of a ſtedfaſt Spirit, and would not be put out of his way, and therefore though he did ſome things amiſs, yet the Lord commends him, and accepts of him: So that, although a man do many good things; yet if his heart be not fixed, and eſtabliſhed, the Lord will paſs by, and not regard the ſame: But though a man do commit great evils, yet if his heart be ſet to ſeek the Lord, God wil pardon p. 433and paſs by al his Fail…ngs. O!Cur quaeſo in tanta multitudine valo…um, ne naum quidem vitreum reperitu…? di…s quod cum facile frang…tur eſt ſymbolum inconſtantiae, quam Deus. vult à ſuo templo exulare. Ita eſt, ſed ulterius addo, quod vitrum quam expe…s eſt coloris prop…ii, tam facile refert alicno…, quibuſcunque enim liquoribus imbuitur ſtatim concolor efficitur, ſub hoc igitur typo voluit Deus à ſuo obſequio arcere eos omnes qui non ſervant unam vivendi rationem, ſed in diverſ… ſtudia ſeruntur, et nunc hos nunc illos mores imitantur. Mendoza. in Reg. 1. Cap. 1. pag. 300. what a bleſſed f…an…e of heart, is this fixed Spirit! Surely it is that Grace wherein God is much delighted: An unſetled Soul God cares not for, nor for any Work or Service that is done by him. We read of hundreds, and thouſands of Veſſels of Gold, Silver, and Braſs that were in the Temple, but not of one Cryſtal Glaſs, or Veſſel; why ſo, ſaith one, but becauſe that is of a brittle, fragile, and uncertain Nature? which, as it hath no color of its own, ſo its apt to receive the color of any Liquor. So i… an unſetled man, and unconſtant, whom God cares not for in his Temple, and Service: Who cares for the Service of a Fool? or regards the Prayers, Deſires, or P…titions of a Fool? If a Fool knock earneſtly at your door, you ſay to your Servant, Go not to the door, it is the Fool that knocketh; and if a Fool com and ſpeak to you, you regard not what he ſaith. Now an unconſtant, unſetled Soul, is a fooliſh Soul. It is the property of a Fool to be alwaies a beginning; he begins a good work, and then he leaves it off; then he begins another, and he leaves off that; Stultus ſemper incipit vivere, the Fool doth alwaies begin to live: And the ſame word in the Hebrew (and Scripture Phraſe) that ſignifies an Unconſtant man, ſignifies a Fool:foreign ſtultus, inſipiens, varius, mobilis, levis, inconſtans. and if ye look into Eccleſ. 5. ye ſhal find, that the Sacrifice of Fools, is called ſo upon account of Unconſtancy,foreign and Unſetledneſs; for (ſaies Solomon) When thou voweſt a Vow unto God, defer not to pay it, for he hath no pleaſure in Fools; pay that which thou haſt vowed, ver. 4. And therefore, if an unſetled man pray and knock at Gods door, he wil ſay; Let him alone, regard him not, 'tis that unſetled Fool, that unconſtant Fool, who is off and on, to and fro in my Service. God hath no pleaſure in Fools, and an unſetled, uneſtabliſhed ſoul, is a Fool in Scripture Language; ſurely therefore he is ſo in the eyes of God. But if a man be fixed and eſtabliſhed, the Lord delighteth in him,Ut venti in autumno arbores non tollunt, ſed folia ſecum in auras ferunt ſic triſtia, leves tamen mentes movent fortes et in pietate firmas non evertunt Origen. Homil. 13. in Numb. Maximum malae mentis indicium ſluctuatio. Sen. and in al thoſe Works and Services that are done by him. Eſtabliſhing Grace is a great Mercy.

5. And it is alſo the Character of a good and gracious perſon, whereby he is diſtinguiſhed from the ungodly of the World. A good man lives and p. 434dwelleth at the ſign of a ſetled Converſation; he is planted by the Rivers of Water, Pſal. 1. the wicked are as the Chaff that are driven to and fro, not ſetled, not planted. It is true indeed, that a moral, civil man, may be naturally of a fixed Spirit, ſerious, ſtaid, and ſetled in his Moralities; but though he be ſetled in what is Morally good, yet he is alſo ſetled upon his Lees, in what is Spiritually evil; ſetled in prejudice againſt the Saints, and againſt the Power of Godlineſs; ſetled in his neglect of the Sabbath, &c. and though he be of a fixed Spirit and temper Naturally, yet that fixation doth not ariſe to any high, or great matter. It's an eaſie thing to caſt up the Account truly,Virtus eſt circa difficile bonum, ſed in parvis ope…ibus conſtantem eſſe non eſt difficile. Aquin. where the Sum is ſmal: Morality is a ſmal Sum. When did ye hear of a Boat caſt away in the River, the narrow Waters? 'Tis the Ship that puts to Sea, that doth make the Shipwrack: ſmal Boats ſeldom miſcarry in the narrow Waters. Now the Civil, Moral man, doth trade in the narrow Waters, and he boaſts that he doth not miſcarry: ſome make Shipwrack of Faith, and a good Conſcience, but as for me, ſaith he, I walk conſtantly, evenly, and theſe many yeers have made no Shipwrack of my Profeſſion, as others have done: But I pray, what is the reaſon? He never put to Sea, he never yet did lanch forth into the great Ocean of the Goſpel; he trades in the narrow Waters of his own Righteouſneſs, and therein he is exact and conſtant. But now, take a godly, gracio…s man, and he doth abound in the work of the Lord, and ye… … …ſhed in it; according to that of the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.58. Therefore my beloved Brethren, be ye ſtedfaſt, unmovable, alwaies a…ounding in the Work of the Lord; Why? For as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Surely therefore it is a great Mercy, and bleſſing, to be ſetled in the Truth, and eſtabliſhed in the good Waies of God; a Mercy for a Nation, a Mercy for a Church, a Mercy for a Particular Perſon to be thus eſtabliſhed: And therefore,

IIIn the Second place: It is worthy of al our Prayers; which is the Second Part of the Doctrine: for ſaith the Doctrine, It is a great Bleſſing, and worthy of all our Prayers, to be ſetled, and eſtabliſhed in the good Waies of God.

1Firſt: It is that Mercy, Grace, and Bleſſing, which we al need. Man in his beſt eſtate, or according to the Hebrew Expreſſion, Man in his moſt conſiſtent, and ſetled eſtate, is altogether vanity. Man at the beſt, is a poor, wavering, and unſetled Creature: yea, ſaith the Scripture, God ſaw no ſtability in his Angels; and therfore if we do naturally labor under ſuch inſtability, we have al need to pray, and to pray much for this Grace of Eſtabliſhment.

p. 4352Secondly: It is God only who doth give out this Grace, it belongs unto him alone to eſtabliſh Nations, Churches, and Perſons. 1. He is able to eſtabliſh thoſe who do come to him for it, Rom. 16.25. Now to him that is of power to eſtabliſh you, &c. 2. He is willing to do it, 2 Theſ. 3.3. But the Lord is Faithful, who will eſtabliſh you, and keep you from evil. 3. He is engaged to do it: for he hath promiſed to do it, as hath be…n proved already, and it is his Prerogative, 2 Cor. 1.21. Now he which eſtabliſheth us with you in Chriſt, and hath anointed us, is God. As for a Land, or Nation, it is the Lord alone t…at doth ſettle it; He looſeth the Girdles of Princes, and maketh them to wander or ſtagger like a drunken man, Job, 12.25. Again, He girdeth their Loyn… with a Girdle, verſe 18. He ſpeaketh the word, and it ſtandeth faſt, who ſaid to Solomon, and ſo to al the Princes of the Earth; If thou wilt walk before me in integrity of heart, and in uprightneſs to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my Statute …and my Judgments, then I will eſtabliſh the Throne of thy … as upon Iſrael for ever, 1 Kings, 9.4, 5. As for a Church, it is …e alone who doth ſettle, and eſtabliſh it, Pſal. 87.… …d of Zion, it ſhall be ſaid, this and that man was born in her, and the Higheſt himſelf ſhal eſtabliſh her. And as for a …icu… perſon. …t is God alone that doth ſettle him, both in h… …w…rd, and Spiritual Condition: In his outward Condition, Pr…. 15.25. The Lord …ll deſtroy the Houſe of the proud, …ut he will eſt…bl…ſh the …rder of the Widdow. And in his Sp…iua… Eſt… and Condition, 2 Theſ. 2.17. Now our Lord Jeſus Chriſt h…elf, and God our Father, comfort your heart (ſaith the Apoſtle) and eſtabl…ſh you in every good word and Work; and Pſal. 90.17. the Pſalmiſt doth addreſs himſelf unto God for this, ſa…ing, Eſtabliſh thou the Work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands, eſtabliſh thou it. And if it be ſo great a Bleſſing to be thus ſetled, and eſtabliſhed, if we have ſo great need of eſtabliſhing Grace, and it belongs unto God alone to work it, then ſurely it is not only a matter worthy of our Prayer, but our Duty alſo; to ſay, and pray with the Pſalmiſt, Stab…iſh thou, O Lord the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands, eſtabliſh thou it. And thus you have the Doctrine cleered in the Parts thereof.

If it be ſo great a Mercy, and Bleſſing, to be ſetled, fixed,Applicat. and eſtabliſhed in the Truth, and good Waies of God, then what cauſe have al tho…e that me now eſtabliſhed, to praiſe the Lord, and ſay, I was a poor, unſetled perſon, but through Grace, I am now ſetled: The more unto l…d the Times are, and men in the Times, the greater is the Mercy to be truly fixed, and eſtabliſhed. Hath the p. 436Lord therefore ſetled your heart in theſe unſetled Times? O! then give thanks unto the Lord, and ſay, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed, I will ſing, and give praiſe.

Object. O! but I cannot find this fixation of ſpirit in my ſoul, nor that ſtedfaſtneſs in my life, as I deſire; and therefore I cannot praiſe the Lord as I ſhould.

Anſw. It may be ſo: Yet know that there is much difference between variety of Grace, and Inſtability of Spirit: The exerciſe of various Graces, is a great Bleſſing; Inſtability of Spirit, is a great Evil: Ye may exerciſe one Grace, which you did not exerciſe before; and you may perform one gracious Work, which you did not before; yet this no inſtability of Spirit. You muſt know alſo, That there is a kind of ſhaking, which is conſiſtent with this true Setledneſs, and Eſtabliſhment of heart. Ye ſee how it is with the Ships in the Harbor, and with thoſe Ships which lie at Anchor, though they be not driven, and toſſed up and down with the Waves of the Sea, yet in the time of a ſtorm, they do move, and are ſhaken. So it may be with thy ſoul; Though thou haſt caſt Anchor within the Vail, and art come into thy Harbor; yet thou maiſt be ſomwhat moved, and ſhaken: But though you be in ſome meaſure ſhaken, yet you are not toſſed up and down as thoſe that are not at Anchor; and therefore, O! what cauſe have you in theſe unſetled Times, for to praiſe the Lord!

2If Eſtabliſhment be ſo great a Bleſſing, what a ſad Condition are thoſe in, that are not eſtabliſhed, not ſetled, not fixed, either in their Judgments, or Lives? Not a Mountebank come to Town, but they muſt run to him for ſome of his Salves; not a wandring Star appear, but they muſt go to him for ſome of his Light. Theſe are thoſe unlearned, and unſtable ſouls; theſe are thoſe that are laid out for a prey unto Satans Inſtruments; as Satan goes up and down, ſeeking whom he may devour, ſo do his Inſtruments; and there are a People that through the juſt Judgment of God, ſhal be a prey unto them: and who are thoſe, but theſe unlearned, and unſtable ſouls? Some again, are unſetled in their Lives, and Practices; ſomtimes they are for God, and ſomtimes againſt him; ſomtimes for his Service, and ſomtimes againſt it: Theſe are thoſe that are contrary to al men, and to themſelves: Theſe are thoſe that are like to Ephraim, whoſe Righteouſneſs, is like the morning dew, fading and vaniſhing: And both theſe are as the Picture, or Map in the Frame, which you may carry from one Room to another; hang it in this room, and it ſuits wel with it; carry it into another Room, hang it up there, and it ſuits wel with that; and whatever Room you hang it in, it can p. 437comply therewith: whereas, if it be in no Frame, only glewed, or plaiſtered to the wall, ye cannot remove it without tearing of it. So in this eaſe; Take a good, and gracious, fixed Soul, and you may ſooner tear him, than remove him from the Truth, or the good Waies of Chriſt: but an unſetled perſon, is for every Room, and for every Company; carry him into one Company, and he can comply with it; carry him into a ſecond, third, or fourth, he can comply with al; Why? but becauſe his heart is unfixed, not eſtabliſhed? But wo unto him, for he is upon the Road to Apoſtacy; Inſtability is the high way to Apoſtacy. O! the ſad condition of thoſe that are not eſtabliſhed.

Queſt. What ſhall we do then, that we may be eſtabliſhed? It is a Mercy, and great Bleſſing for a Nation, Church, and Particular perſon to be ſ…tled; What ſhall we do, that in all theſe reſpects we may be eſtabliſhed?

Anſw. I As for a Nation, or Ch…tian State. It muſt firſt ſettle Religion: ſuch a Na…ion can never be ſetled, til Religion be ſetled; for Religion is the main M…ſt, and if that be not ſtrengthened, al the Tackling wil be looſe, Eſai. 33.23. The Tacklings are looſed, ſaith the Proph…t; they could not wel ſtrengthen their Maſt, they could not ſpr…d their S…l: and Deut. 28.9. it's ſaid, The Lord ſhal c…m… …e B…ſſing upon thee in thy Store-houſes, and in all that th uſ…t …a… hand unto, and he ſhal bleſs thee in the Land which the Lo…d thy God giveth thee, verſe 8. Yea, The L…d ſh… … &. if thou ſhalt keep the Commandem…nt, o… he Lord … walk in his Waies, v. 9. And all the peopl… of th… Earth ſ… be afraid of thee, verſe 10. And if ye look in…o th… Book of the Kings, and Chronicles, ye ſhal obſerve that in the latter Daies of he Kingdoms of Iſrael, and Judah, before the… Ca…ty, theſe Kingdoms were unſetled, only upon this account, …cauſe Rel… was not ſetled; as Religion was ſetled, ſo the Land was ſe…l d; and as Religion was unſ…tled, ſo was the Land unſ… …ed. Men think that the Settlement of Religion, is to be in a…ter Work: F…ſt, ſay they, let us look to our being, the Settlement of the Land; and then lo…k to our Well-Being, the Se…ent of Religion: But if we con…ult with God in the Scriptures, we ſh… find that a Profeſſing Nation, ſhal never be ſetled, ti… Religion be ſetled; and as that waver…, ſo ſhal the State waver alſo. Would you th…refore have a Land ſetled? pray for the Settlement o… Religion in the firſt place.

2Then muſt th…e be care taken for a Succeſſion of Godly Magiſtrates; a good M…giſtrate, is a good S…e…es man: but if one ſtere one way, and his Succeſſor ſtere another way, how can the State be p. 438ſetled? While the Children of Iſrael had a good Judg, the People ſerved the Lord; but when Joſhua was dead, And the Elders who had ſeen all the great Works of the Lord, they forſook the Lord, and the anger of the Lord, was hot againſt Iſrael, and he delivered them into the hand of their Enemies, Judg. 2.7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Then God raiſed up other Judges, and the Lord was with the Judg, and delivered them out of the hand of their Enemies, verſe 18. But when that Judg was dead, they returned, and corrupted themſelves, and ſo the Anger of the Lord was hot againſt them again, verſ. 19.20. Then God raiſed up Othniel, and he judged Iſrael, and the Spirit of the Lord came on him, and the Lord delivered their Enemies into his hand, Chap. 3. and ſo the Land had reſt fotty yeers, ver. 10, 11. But when Othniel died, the Children of Iſrael, did evil again, and ſo the Lord delivered them into the hands of their Enemies, ver. 12, 13, 14. then God raiſed up Ehud, and he judged Iſrael, and ſubdued their Enemies, verſe 30. But when Ehud was dead, the Children of Iſrael did that which was evil in the ſight of the Lord again, Chap. 4.1. and the Lord ſold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan. Then they cried unto the Lord, and he raiſed up Deborah, and Barak, who deſtroyed their Enemies, praiſed God, and ſetled Religion, and the Land had reſt forty yeers, Chap. 5.31. Thus unſetled was the Land, whilſt there was no ſucceſſion of Godly Magiſtrates. Would ye therefore have your Land ſetled? pray for a continuation, and ſucceſſion of Godly Magiſtrates, and that care may be now taken for this thing: Thus ſhal your Land and State be eſtabliſhed.

3Yet this is not enough; but theſe Godly, Righteous men, muſt not only do ſome righteous things; but govern in Righteouſneſs: for the Throne is eſtabliſhed by Righteouſneſs: Though righteous men do rule, yet if they oppreſs the People, and do not govern in Righteouſneſs, the Nation cannot be ſetled. Now God hath promiſed a new Heaven, and a new Earth, wherein Righteouſneſs dwels; not where righteous things ſhal be done, and where Righteouſneſs ſhal now and then paſs through it; but where Righteouſneſs ſhal take up its Habitation and Dwelling. Pray, and pray much for this; for by this ſhal your Throne be eſtabliſhed

4Yet this is not al; but the Governors of a Nation, muſt beleeve and truſt in the Lord; not ruling, and mannaging the Affairs of the Nation, by Policy only, and Moral Prud…ce; but they muſt truſt in the Lord, and live, and act by Faith, in their Government; for ſaith the Lord to Ahaz, If ye will not beleeve, ſurely ye ſhal not be eſtabliſhed, Eſai. 7.9. So that, if Princes, Governors, and Rulers, wil truſt in their own ſtrengh, or in their p. 439Confederacies with other Nations, they and their Land cannot be ſetled: But if in al their deal…ngs with the Nations, they rule, and act in a way of Faith towards God, then ſhal the Land be eſtabliſhed. And therefore let them, and al the People, remember the good Counſel of that good King Jehoſaphat, 2 C…ron 20.20. Beleeve in the Lord your God, ſo ſhall you be eſtabliſhed; beleeve his Prophets, ſo ſhal ye proſper.

IISecondly: As for a Church. 1All the Churches muſt know, That they are a People, which of al others, are laid out for ſufferings; unto them eſpecially it is given, not only to beleeve, but to ſuffer for Chriſt; and he ſerious conſideration hereof, wil help to eſtabliſh them: For when the Apoſtles went up and down, con…i…ming the Diſciples and Churches, what Doctrine did they preach unto them, but this? Acts, 14.21. They returned to Lyſtra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the ſouls of the Diſciples, and exhorting them to continue in the Faith, and that we muſt through much tribulation, enter into the Kingdom of God:

2If particular Churches, would be ſetled, and eſtabliſhed, they muſt have al the Officers, and Ordinances of Chriſt then; as a Ship under Sail, with al its Sails our, is beautiful, and doth move evenly; ſo ſhal they al…o do. A Church is never ſetled, til it have al thoſe Officers in it, which our Lord and Savior Chriſt hath appointed. And what is the reaſon that many are ſo unſetled at this day, but becauſe they do either deſpiſe, or neglect thoſe Offices, and Officers, which are the Fruits of Chriſts Aſcenſion, and which he hath given for the perfecting of the Saints, for the edifying of the Body of Chriſt, That we henceforth be no more Children, toſſed to and fro, and carryed about with every wind of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13, 14. What is more uncertain than a weather-cock that is carried about with every wind? If you forſake the Miniſtry, and thoſe Officers which Chriſt hath given to his Church, this wil be your ſtate and condition, ſaith the Apoſtle here. Now, when Pride, or Covetouſneſs gets into Churches, then, though they have ſome of Chriſts Officers amongſt them, yet they wil not be for al: for, ſay they, we are not able to maintain more than one; and ſaith that one, if another be choſen, I muſt have leſs, and rule leſs. O! that Churches therefore, would take heed of theſe great Sins, Pride, and Covetouſneſs; which will alwaies keep them in an unſetled Condition.

3Let al the Churches know, what the word of Gods Patience is, and obſerve, and keep the ſame: For ſaith our Savior to the Church of Philadelphia, Becauſe thou haſt kept the word of my p. 440Patience, I will keep thee from the hour of Temptation, which ſhal come upon all the world; and him that overcometh, will I make a P…ll…r in the Temple of my God, and he ſhal go no more out, Rev. 3.10.12. He that overcometh, is the ſame that keepeth the word of C…riſ… Patience: What is that? In al times: there is ſome Truth, which is the trying, ſuffering Truth. In Luthers Time, the Doctrine of Juſti…ion by Faith alone, was the Word of Gods Patience; … Q…een Maries Time that Truth which oppoſed …ran…u…ſtantiation, was the Word of Gods Patience; in Athanaſius his time, the D… … of Chriſts Deity, was the Word of Chriſts Patience. Ther… is alwaies ſome Truth or other, the profeſſion, and owning whereof, ſaith, here is the Patience of the Saints. Now if the Churches keep that word, and overcome in the keeping of it, the Lord Chriſt wil make every Member of them, as a Pillar in the Temple of God, that ſhal go no more out.

4In caſe any Difficulty, or Trouble do ariſe in a Church which is beyond their own Light, and Strength, they muſt cal in the help of other Churches: For when there was ſuch a knot as the Church of Antioch could not untie, they ſent to the Church, and Apoſtles at Jeruſalem; Acts, 15.16.who having ſetled the Matter, they ſent the reſult and Decrees, unto other Churches concerned, whereby they had Peace and Eſtabliſhment.

5But eſpecially, it is the Duty of al the Churches to pray, and pray much for this great Mercy of Eſtabliſhment; for the Lord hath ſaid, Eſai. 62.6. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not ſilence, and give him no reſt, till he eſtabliſh, and make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the Earth. Such a time as this, there is a coming; we are commanded to pray, and to pray earneſtly for it; and the Lord hath not only promiſed the Mercy, but to give hearts to pray for it: for ſaith he, I have ſet Watch-men upon thy walls, O Jeruſalem, which ſhal never hold their peace, day nor night, wherefore let us give him no reſt: So ſhal the Churches have reſt, and be eſtabliſhed.

IIIThirdly: As for Particular Perſons. Would'ſt thou be eſtabliſhed in the Truth, and good Waies of God? Then obſerve what thoſe things are, which do make others unſetled, and take heed thereof. In caſe a man doth decay, or break in his Eſtate; ſome great Merchant, Tradeſman, or Farmer break, you wil diligently look into the cauſes of it, and ſay, this man lived at too high a rate, beyond his Eſtate; or he was bound for others, or he kept ill Company, or he did not keep his Accounts wel, and therefore I wil take heed of theſe things. Now wil ye obſerve the Cauſes of an outward Break, and wil ye not obſerve what are the Reaſons p. 441that ſo many are unſetled, break, and decay, in the Trade of their ſouls? Surely, 1. Either it is becauſe they do want primitive breakings; for the ſtony Ground comes to nothing at the laſt, though it hath much joy at the firſt, becauſe it wants depth of Earth. The ſtick that is thruſt into the Earth, is more eaſily pulled up, than the Plant which is rooted in the Earth. So are al thoſe who have no root in themſelves. 2. Or becauſe they take up great Reſolutions, withou… anſwerable pre-deliberations; whereas we know that the Needle muſt play about the Polar Point, before it comes to ſtand and ſ…ttle; he that would hit the mark, muſt take his level, before he parts with his Arrow. And if men reſolve, before they have fully conſidered, they wil ere long, be unreſolved again. 3. Or becauſe men do not walk by a ſetled Rule: …e can never be ſetled, that doth not walk by a ſetled Rule: A mans own thoughts, and apprehenſions, are unſetled things; the Hebrew word for Thoughts, foreign cogitationes quae in corde ſunt, ſicut ramus in arbore hinc inde diffuſus.comes from a Root which ſignifies to move, as the tops of Trees, becauſe as the tops of the Trees waver, and are in continual motion, ſo are our Thoughts and Apprehenſions. But the Word of the Lord is ſetled as the Heavens, Pſal. 119. Thy Word is for ever ſetled in Heaven. So long as I want the Divine Counſel of the Word, my heart is like a Vagrant, that is moſt unſtable, ſaid Bernard; for whilſt I am not ſubject to God, I am contrary to my ſelf. 4. Or becauſe they are divided in their own hearts: a double minded man, is unſtable in al his Waies, ſaith the Apoſtle; and when men have an heart, and an heart, foreign an heart for the World, yet a good mind to Chriſt; how is it poſſible but th…y ſhould be moſt unſetled? 5. Or becauſe they are too confident of their own ſtrength and Judgment: whereas the only way to be firm and ſtedfaſt, is to be ſenſible of ones own Infirmity. We read of a two-fold Confidence in Peter; a Confidence in Chriſt, and a Confidence in his own ſtrength: when he was confident in Chriſt (ſaying, Maſter, if it be thou, command that I come unto thee) he did not miſcarry; but when he was confident in his own ſtrength (ſaying, Lord, though all men forſake thee, yet will not I) then he ſel, and fel fouly. Hold thou me up (ſaid the Pſalmiſt) and I ſhall be ſafe, Pſal. 119.119.Ps 119:119and I will have reſpect unto thy Statutes continually. But if men lean to their own Underſtanding, are confident of their own ſtrength, and think that they are able to deal with al gain-ſayers, and ſo wil try al things, God leaves them to their own Opinions, and they ſcrabble upon the door, and do change their behavior. 6. Or becauſe men do forſake the Miniſtry, which Chriſt hath given to the Churches for their Edification, Perfection, and Eſtabliſhment, Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13, 14.7. Or becauſe they have too fair an Opinion of thoſe that are erroneous, thinking that they may be Godly, though p. 442they be never ſo unſound in their Judgments, whereby they are drawn into Society, and Communion with them, and ſo fal from their own ſtedfaſtneſs; whereas the Apoſt e …els us of the error of the wicked,2 Pet. 3.17.2 Pet 3:17 and that men may be wicked upon the account of their errors in Judgment, James, 5.19, 20. B…thren, if any of you do err from the Truth, and one convert him; let him know that he which converte…h a ſinner from th… E…ror of his way, ſhal ſave a Soul from death, and ſhal hide a multitude of ſins: And our Lord and Savior Chriſt calling upon us to beware of Fal…e Prophets, Matth. 7 15. tels us, That they are corrupt Trees, and cannot bring forth good Fruit, verſe 16, 17, 18. As if he ſhould ſay, if you would take heed, and beware of them, you muſt know them, and not think that they are good men; for if you think that they may be good, notwithſtanding their Errors in Doctrine, you wil be miſ-led by them, and removed from your ſtedfaſtneſs. 8. Or becauſe that men do not improve their Chriſtian Communion for the Life and Power of Godlineſs; but for Light only, and Diſcourſing Notions: whereas the Apoſtle Paul, writing to Timothy, ſaith, Keep that which is committed to thy truſt, avoiding oppoſitions of Science, falſly ſo called; which ſome profeſſing, have erred concerning the Faith, 1 Tim. 6.20, 21. And what is the reaſon, that not only ſome, but many have now erred concerning the Faith, and have fallen from their ſtedfaſtneſs? but becauſe they have been thus affected? 9. Or becauſe they have not been built on the Rock Chriſt; but on ſome Sandy, and waſhy Foundation: whereas the Pſalmiſt ſaith, He ſet my feet on a Rock, and eſtabliſhed my goings, Pſal. 40.2. but if men be upon the Sand, they muſt needs fal, and great wil be their fal, as their Profeſſion is great. 10. Somtimes men live high, and profeſs beyond that Stock of Grace which they have: But if you would be kept and eſtabliſhed, obſerve what the cauſes, and reaſons are, of the Inſtability, and Apoſtacy of others, and take heed thereof.

Queſt. 1 But what ſhall I do, that I may be more ſetled in regard of my Judgment? and that I may be eſtabliſhed in the preſent Truth?

Anſw. 1 Get a cleer, and diſtinct Underſtanding in the things, and Truths of the Goſpel: labor, not only to know, but to get a cleer, and judicious apprehenſion, and cleerneſs in the Truths of Chriſt; Pſal. 106. it's ſa…d of the Iſrael…tes, That when they ſaw the Egyptians drowned in the Sea, They ſang the Praiſes of God, and beleeved his Words, verſe 12. yet they ſo…n forgat his Works, verſe 13. And why ſo? but becauſe they had no cleer Underſtanding in them, verſe 7. Our Fathers underſtood not thy wonders p. 443in Egypt: And this Apoſtle Peter, doth joyn the un-learned, and un-ſtable man together, 2 Pet. 3. Which they that are unlearned, and unſtable, wreſt to their own deſtruction, verſe. 16. Some would have it read thus:Graecum foreign proprie ſignific…t indociles qui nolunt rectius inſt…ui et informari, qui monſtratae ex verbo Dei Coeleſti veritati locum dare renuunt. Gerard in Loc. Which thoſe that are unteachable, and do refuſe. But unlearned, ſuits wel enough with the Original, foreign: For what is the Reaſon that men are ſo unſtable, but becauſe they are not grounded, and ſtudied, in the Body of Divinity? They take up ſome Truths by hear-ſay, and Education; and not being ſtudied in them, they are ſoon removed from them: Study therefore, and get a cleer, and diſtinct knowledg in the great Myſteries, and Truths of the Goſpel.

Anſw. 2 Take heed of un…etling Principles; for they wil baptize your Judgment into a Conformity with them; ſuch as the Apoſtacy of Saints,Cum improbarem illam novatorum ſententiam, qua docebant non juſtificari nos à Deo niſi juſtitia aliens videremque illius ſententiae Authores in dicto illo B. Pauli Fides credentis reputatur ipſi in juſtitiam vocem fidei non p…oprie accipere ſed per Catalepim aut Metonymiam ita Scil. ut per fidem non ipſa fides ſed objectum fidei. Chriſtus ſcil. vel obedientia. Chriſti ſignificaretur; oſtendi non tamen id… Scripturis eſſe alienum ſed etiam nervos Religionis, hoc eſt ſtudium bonorum operum ea ſententia ſuccidi ſuſcepi ergo adverſus Sibrand. Lubbertum, acerrimum novae illius arrogantis et prophanae Opinionis Patronum grave certamen hic ergo primus fuit me… ad fidem Catholicam Converſionis gradus. Petri Bertii Ora…io qua rationem reddit cur Romano Catholicam fidem amplexus ſit. …. pag. 19. and falling from Grace. If a man hold that he may be a Saint to day, and none to morrow; a Saint, the third day again, and none the fourth day; muſt not he needs be unſetled in his Judgment? It's commonly known, that Bertius wrote a Book de Apoſtaſia San…orum, of the Apoſtacy of the Saints; and as wel known, that being then a Proteſtant, he after fel away unto Popery: and when he came to France, and made a Renounciation of his former Faith, and ſhewed the Reaſons of his Converſion to the Popiſh Faith, he tels us in his printed Oration, That Primus Converſionis gradus, The firſt ſtep to his Popiſh Converſion was, The knowledg of, and contending for, that Doctrine, that Faith, as an Act juſtifies; and that the foreign Credere, is imputed to us for our Juſtification in the ſight of God. And wel might that Principle have ſuch an influence upon him, being brought forth by his former unſetling Principles. Unſetling Principles, wil make an unſetled Judgment; and an unſetled Judgment, will bring forth an unſetled Life, and Practice. Take heed therefore of unſetling Principles.

Anſw. 3 Be ſure that you do not make any Impreſſion, the Rule and Square of your Judgment; judg not Doctrines by Impreſſions; We have a more ſure Word of Propheſie, whereunto ye ſhal do well, that you take heed, as unto a light ſhining in a dark place, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 1.19. Where do ye find p. 444in al the Scripture, that God hath put Heart-Impreſſions into the Chair, to be Judg of Doctrines? If I judg of a Doctrine by an impreſſion made upon my ſoul, the Devil knows how to fetch me off quickly from the Truth: What Settlement, or Eſtabliſhment of Soul can there be, whilſt men wil make their Light within them, the Rule of their Judging Doctrines? The Word of God without, is my Rule; the Light within, is my Help to underſtand that Rule: But if I judg of Doctrines by Impreſſions of the Word on my heart, I can never be ſetled; therefore take heed of that.

Anſw. 4 Get into the Houſe of God: Gods Houſe, is an Houſe of Eſtabliſhment; there he commandeth his Bleſſing, and Life for evermore; there, if one fal, another may help him up; and if one err, another may inform him; there the Lord hath promiſed to make men Pillars for S…edfaſtneſs: And he that overcometh, I wil make him (ſaith Chriſt) a Pillar in the Temple of God, and he ſhal go no more out, Rev. 3.12. Ye know how it is with the Bee: ſo long as it is fair, and Sun-ſhining weather, it is abroad in the Fields; but if the winds be high, and rough, it doth then keep its Hive. Now, as Solomon ſaith, Learn of the Piſmire; ſo ſay I, Learn of the Bee. Are the winds high, and rough? Keep your Hive; and your Hive, or rather Gods Houſe, wil keep you.

Anſw. 5 Go not into thoſe Companies, and Meetings, where the falſe Prophet, and unclean Spirit are, and where falſe Doctrine is taught; Falſe Doctrine is a great Leaven. Ye read of three Leavens in the New Teſtament: 1. The Leaven of Hypocriſie, Luk. 12.1. Beware of the Leaven of the Phariſees, which is Hypocriſie. 2. The Leaven of il Company, and Society, 1 Cor. 5. A little Leaven, leaveneth the whol Lump. 3. The Leaven of falſe Doctrine, Matth. 16.6.11, 12. Gal. 6.8, 9. This Perſwaſion, is not of him that calleth you; a little Leaven, leaveneth the whol Lump, verſe 9. Poſſibly al theſe three Leavens may be in ſuch a Meeting: but the two laſt are certainly. And can you think to be under the power of theſe Leavens, and to come away unleavened? It argues unſetledneſs to go to ſuch a Meeting; and by your going, you wil be more ſetled in your unſetledneſs: As men are confirmed in that Grace which they bring to Gods Ordinances; ſo they wil be confirmed in that Sin, which they carry to the Devils Ordinances: Who can come freely off from the Devils ground? Wil men tempt God, and think to proſper? And what is it to tempt God, but to put him upon an unneceſſary Protection, and Preſervation of us? Take heed therefore, how you come at ſuch Meetings, leſt you leaving God, he do leave you.

Anſw. 6 Whatever Truth you know, do not only know it in a Spiritual way, but put the ſame into practice; for he that know. Truth carnally, is not far from error; and the way to be eſtabliſhed in the p. 445Truth, is to walk therein; As ye have therefore received Chriſt (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſo walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and eſtabliſhed in the Faith, 2 Col. 6.7.

Anſw. 7 Then go to God for his Eſtabliſhing Grace, and put your Judgments into the hand of Chriſt, to keep them for you: even as you would put your Children, or Family into Gods hand, to keep them for you, when you are abſent from them; ſo put your Judgment into Gods hand, to keep it for you alſo: For it is God alone who doth ſettle us, even the God of al Grace; and he hath ſaid, Prov. 16.3. Commit thy Works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts ſhall be eſtabliſhed: It is he that hangeth weights on the wings of the wind, who hath founded the Earth on nothing; and therefore though your thoughts be as …leeting and uncertain as the wind; yet he can hang weights upon them, he can make you ſolid, ſtaid, ſober, who do now ſtagger to and fro like a Drunken man. And if you put your Judgment into Chriſts hand, he wil keep it for you; for faithful is he who hath called you, who wil alſo eſtabliſh your hearts in the Truth received.

Queſt. 2 But what ſhall I do, that I may be more ſetled in my Life, and eſtabliſhed in the good Waies of God? for I want Settlement in my Waies and Practices.

Anſw. 1 Firſt: You muſt be very ſenſible of your own unſetledneſs, and be humbled for it: He is not far from Grace, that is ſen…ible of his ſin, that is contrary to it; he is not far from Humility, that is ſenſible of his Pride; nor far from Sincerity, that is ſenſible of his Hypocriſie; nor far from Faith, that is ſenſible of his Unbelief; nor far from Eſtabliſhment, that is very ſenſible of his own Unſetledneſs.

Anſw. 2 Secondly: Labor for a ſerious Spirit, a ſtaid, ſolid, and a ſerious Spirit; a ſerious Spirit, and an eſtabliſhed heart go together, Prov. 4.26. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy Waies be eſtabliſhed. Yong men generally, are more unſettled, than Antient men: and what is the reaſon of it, but becauſe Ancient men are the more ſerious, and ponderous? yong men are the leſs ſerious, and ſo the more unſetled. Labor therefore to be more ſerious, for the more you think of the greatneſs of God, and the great things of your everlaſting Eſtate and Condition, the more ſerious you wil be.

Anſw. 3 Thirdly: Be ſure that you do not live upon your Condition it ſelf, but on the God of your Condition: that is perpetual, which hath a perpetuating Cauſe. God is perpetual,Perpetuum eſt quod habet cauſam perpetuantem. but your Condition is uncertain, although it be never ſo firm and good; therefore live not upon your Condition I ſay, but on the God of your Condition.

p. 446Anſw. 4 Fourthly: Take heed of a divided heart, that you have not a mind,Et dabo eis cor unum. 1. Mihi ſoli deſerviens non idolis, nunc enim diviſum quando habent cor quo et me et idola colunt ſic interpretatur R David eodemque ſenſu vertit Chald. Paraph. Alii cor unum, 1. Simplex vocari putant quaſi dicat faciam ut me ſimplici ac ſince…o … nimo colant: alii unum id eſt amicum atque conſentiens quod in Chriſtianis ſactum fuiſſe ſcribit, Lucas Act 4. multitudinis autem credentiam erat cor unum et anima una. Septu…g. videntur pro foreign legiſſe foreign alterum, ve…terunt enim foreign et dabo illis cor alterum 1. Novum qui ſenſus magnopere mihi placet, id enim videtur dicere voluiſſe cum dixit unum et cum dixit ſpiritum novum, confirmat hanc interpretationem, Ezek. 36.25 hanc eandem repetens ſententiam non dixit dabo vobis cor unum, ſed dabo vobis cor novum et ſpiritum novum quanquam, Jer. cap. 32 39. cor unum et viam unam dixit quid autem vocet cor alterum et ſpiritum alterum declarat ſtatim cum dicit aufetam cor lapideum de carne corum et dabo eis cor carneum. Maldonat. in Ezek. 11. cap. 19.Acts 4Ezek 36:25Jer 32:39Ezek 11 and a mind; The doubleminded man, is unſtable in all his waies, ſaith the Apoſtle. Now a man may h…ve a mind, and a mind, thus; when his Con…cie…ce runs one way, and his Affection anoth…r way. So it was with Herod, his Conſcie…ce told him, that John was a juſt, and an holy man, and a p…werful Preacher; therefore his mind was to deliver him; but his affection was to gratifie the Damſel which begged Johns head, and ſo his mind was to kil him. Pilate alſo had a mind, and a mind; the mind of his Con…cience was to deliver Chriſt; but the mind of his Affection, w…s to gratifie, and pl…e the Jews. Zedekiah had a mind, and a mind; th… mind of his Conſcience was …o ſpare J…emiah; but th… mind of his Affection was to gratifie hi… Nobl s: And between theſe two …nds, how unconſtant was he? So now, if the Mind of your Conſcience lie one way, and the mind of your Affection …e another way, you wil be wrung like Pauls Ship, between two ſtreams; one while you wil be a Servant unto your Affection, another while a Servan… to your Conſcience, and ſo between both, you wil never be ſetled: take heed therefore of this divided heart; the Lord hath promiſed to give us one heart, Ezek. 11. oneneſs in regard of God, that we ſhal be one with him; oneneſs in regard of men, that we ſhal be one wi…h them; oneneſs in regard of our ſelves, that we ſhal not be divided in our own ſouls: Therefore pray unto him for this Oneneſs, and he wil fulfil this his Promiſe.

Anſw. 5 Fiftly: Be ſure that you put on the whol Armor of God; for if you do not withſtand in the day of Temptation, ye cannot ſtand; for ye fight not with fleſh and blood, ſaith the Apoſtle, but with a more crafty, powerful enemy: and therefore, if any place lie open, he will be ſure to find it out. You know how it was with Ahab; A man drew a bow, and ſhot an Arrow at a venture, and wounded him between the Joynts of the Harneſs. Now Satan knows where your naked, open place is, and therefore if you be not harneſſed al over, with every Duty, with every Truth, and with every Ordinance, you cannot withſtand him: wherefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Take unto you, the whol Armor of God, that you may be able to withſtand in the evil day, and having done all, to ſtand; ſtand therefore, having your loyns p. 447girt about with Truth, having on the Breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, and your feet ſhod w…th the preparation of the Go…pel of Peace: Above all, take the Shield of Faith, and take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, and pray alwaies with all manner of prayer, and ſupplication, and watch thereunto, &c. Epheſ. 6.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Anſw. 6 Sixtly: The more delight and contentment that you find in the good Waies of God, the more your hearts wil be fixed, eſtabliſhed, and ſtaked down to them: Comfort, and Eſtabliſhment go together, 2 Theſ. 2.17. A man wil never hold to that work long, which he finds no comfort and delight in: when the Devil draws a man from Duty, he doth not tel him at the firſt, that the Duty is naught, or evil; but he labors to clog the way of that Duty with many Difficultie…; for ſaith he, if I can make this man draw heavily, and uncomfortably in his Duty, he wil ſoon caſt it off. And indeed, what is the reaſon that men are ſo off and on, to and fro, in the good Waies of God, but becauſe they do not find delight and contentment in them? Do you therefore deſire to be fixed and eſtabliſhed? labor more and more then, to make your way to Heaven, eaſie, and comfortable to you.

Now that the way to Heaven, may be made ſweet and eaſie to you. 1. Be ſure that you do not ſeparate between Gods Commandement, and his Promiſe: there is no one thing which God hath commanded us to do, but he hath promiſed ſtrength, and Grace to perform it with: If I look upon the Command alone, then the Work doth ſeem hard to me; but if I take in the Promiſe, then it is moſt ſweet and eaſie. 2. Be ſure that you apply your ſelf unto Gods Work, according unto Gods Method; let that be firſt, which he hath made firſt; and that laſt, which he hath made laſt: A F…gge, or …llet, is eaſily drawn from the Stack, if you begin alo…; but if you wil take out that firſt, which doth lie below, it wil come ha…dly: So in regard of Duties; there are ſome Duties which do lie above, and ſome that lie beneath; ſome are to be performed fir…t, and ſome after: firſt you muſt beleeve, and then do good; Truſt in the Lord (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) and do good: But if you wil do good before you beleeve, then it wil come off with difficulty. Gods own Method obſerved, makes his way ſweet and eaſie. 3. Be ſure that you improve, and make uſe of that variety which God hath given you:Varietas refocillat. variety refreſheth, and Gods variety is moſt refreſhing: But if I wil hold my ſelf only to one Duty, when God hath given me many, and ſo neglect Gods variety, no wonder that his Work is made hard and tedious: Are you therefore, weary with praying? Apply your ſelf unto Reading. A…e you weary in Reading? Away then to Conference. Poſſibly you… heart may be backward to Prayer; but by p. 448that time you have been a while Reading and Meditating, you ſhal be fit for Prayer; and having been a while at Prayer, you ſhal be more fit for Conference: but if you wil keep your ſelf only to one Duty, your way to Heaven, wil be more difficult. Obſerve therefore Gods vari…ty, and neglect not the ſame. 4. Be ſure that you do not ſtint your ſelf unto any Work, or Duty, ſo as to ſay; Thus far wil I go, and no further. If a man be in a Journey, and hath fixed al his Stages, he rides in continual pain and fear, leſt he ſhould not reach his appointed place, by his time appointed: But if he ſay, I wil go as far as the Providence of God wil carry me, then he rides more at eaſe in his mind al the day long. So in our Journey to Heaven; if you ſay, thus far I wil go this day, and no further; then you wil go in continual pain, leſt you ſhould not reach your appointed St…ge: but if you ſay, I wil pray morning, evening, and as much as I can, hear as much as I can, read, and meditate as much as I can, I wil go as far for H…ven this day as I can, then the Work or God wil come off w…th more eaſe and …weetneſs, and with leſs difficulty: I ſpeak not this againſt ſet ti… of P…ayer, and Du…y; but againſt ſtinting, and …nting God, …nd your own hearts. O! let us take heed of …a…. 5. If you would ſo ſweeten the Waies of God, as that you may be more fix…d and eſtabliſhed therein, then labor more and mo… to natur… …ze them unto your own ſouls; violent things nev… hold, natu… things do: The Sun is conſtant in riſing every …, for it's natural: The Stone, if thrown up into the A…r, doth deſcend con…tantly; for it's natural. So, i… the Wo…k of God be Natural to you, you wil be conſtant in it; and though you be pu… by it, yet you wil return again, and again. Labor ther…fore to naturallize the Work of God to your own ſoul; ſo ſhal it be more and more ſweet, and eaſie; and you wil be more fixed, ſetled, and eſtabliſhed therein; for it is delight that doth give fixation.

Anſw. 7 Seventhly: If you would be fixed, and eſtabliſhed in the good Waies of God; then conſider theſe enſuing Motives. 1. Thereby you ſhal rid, and free your ſelves from Temptations, which wil otherwiſe preſs in, and return upon you. The Jews ſaw, that Pilate was wavering, and not fixed for Chriſt; ſo they came upon him with new volleys of Temptations, and carried him at the laſt: but when the Diſciples ſaw, that Pauls heart was fixed on his Journey to Jeruſalem, they gave over their ſiege, and l…ft him to his own thoughts; and though Naomi did perſwade Ruth to return unto her own Country, and Kindred, ye… at the laſt, ſhe left ſpeaking to her; for ſaith the Text, She ſaw that ſhe was ſtedfaſtly minded, to go with her, Ruth, 1.18. As an unſetled Spirit doth lie open unto new Temptations, and doth invite them; ſo a ſetled, fixed, and eſtabliſhed heart, ſhal be freed from them.

p. 4492This fixation of Soul, is a great honor unto your Profeſſion, and thereby ye ſhal walk worthy of the Goſpel, Phil. 1. he that is unſetled, unconſtant, and uneven in his courſe, doth bring no honor unto his Profeſſion, but laies ſtumbling-blocks before the blind, and doth offend the World; do you not ſee, ſay they,Qui ſervat conſtantiam, ſervat dignitatem. what a giddy, and unſetled People, ſome of theſe Profeſſors are? but there, or there is a man, that doth walk cloſely with God, there is a Chriſtian indeed; he that keeps his conſtancy, keeps his dignity.

3Thereby you ſhal rejoyce the hearts of thoſe that are ſet over you in the Lord, who do watch for your Souls. If you ſtand faſt, we live, ſay they, and your conſtancy is our rejoycing.

4You have been conſtant in ſeeking …arthly things, which are in their own Nature unconſtant;Multos annos laborant homines et conſtantes ſunt pro rebus mundi inconſtantibus et fugitivis; quia inconſtantes ſumus pro aeterna et conſtanti gloria. and wil ye be conſtant in ſeeking unconſtant things, and not conſtant in ſeeking thoſe things that are moſt conſtant, and durable Riches?

5If you be not conſtant in good, you wil be conſtant in what is evil; if not ſetled in the Truth, you wil be tenacious of Error: which is the greateſt evil, renacity in Error, or inſtability in Truth, I ſay not; but ſeldom any are u…ſtable in good, but they are moſt tenacious in what is evil.

6And the more unſetled you are, the more you make the way to Heaven difficult, and uneaſie: you think, and ſay, O!Difficile putabis perſeverare at difficilius eſt iterum incipere, multo moleſtius inceptare ſepius, equi minorem vim faciunt cum continuant iter, trahentes currum quam cum repetere volunt poſtquam ſteterunt; non fugiunt difficultatem qui ceſſant ab opere, nam perſeverando facillius …et, ſi potuiſti incipere quod difficilius eſt, poteris continuare facilius. Euſeb. Nierem. de adorat. Lib. 3. Cap. 7. this Work of God is exceeding hard, and very difficult, and therefore you leave it off; then you come to it again, and then you leave it off again; but by your leaving it off, you do make it difficult. If an Horſe be …dden with an even hand, he wil go wel al the day; but if ſomtimes you ride him upon the Spir, and then he ſtand a while, and then ride him on the Spir again, and then he ſtand and take cold again, he wil ſooner tire: And what is the reaſon that many men are ſo often jaded, tire, and give in, but becauſe they do not keep an even pace in good? Now therefore, as you do deſire that the way to Heaven may be … eaſie to you, that you may not be tenacious in what is evil, that you may not grieve the Miniſters of the Goſpel, Inſtruments of your Good and Converſion, that you may not lie open unto ſad, and new Temptations, and that you may not be a ſcandal to the good Name of God (for what hurt hath the precious Name of God done to you?) labor to be more p. 450ſetled, fixed, and eſtabliſhed; which that you may be, think, and think much on theſe Motives,

And laſtly: Go to God by Prayer, for this Fixation, and Eſtabliſhment of Soul; he is apt, and ready to pardon your former unevenneſs, and want of Eſtabliſhment: Pſal. 78.37. it's ſaid of the Iſraelites, that they were not ſtedfaſt in the Covenant; Yet God being merciful, forgave their Iniquity, verſe 38. and he it is alone, who hangeth weights on the wings of the wind; and therefore though your Spirits have been as light as the wind it ſelf, yet he wil hang weights upon them; therefore go to him, For be is the God of all Grace: Who having called you to his Eternal Glory, after you have ſuffered a while, wil reſtore, ſtrengthen, ſtabliſh, and ſettle you.

FINIS.

TWO SERMONS:

I. The great Things Faith can Do.

II. The great Things Faith can Suffer.

Preached by VVilliam Bridge, ſomtimes Fellow of Emmanuel Colledg in Cambridg; and now Paſtor of the Church of Chriſt in Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk.

1216.

LONDON: Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall, and are to be ſold at his Shop, at the ſign of the Printing-Preſs in Cornhil, neer the Royal Exchange. 1656.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Reader,

ALthough ſome of the Notions in theſe two Sermons, may be already publiſhed in ſome former Works of this Author; yet the Subject being both uſeful, and ſeaſonable for theſe times, which are calling upon the Saints to Do, and Suffer great Things: and the publiſhing of them being much deſired by many who heard them, I have peruſ'd them, and look upon them as conducing much to thy ſpiritual good. And that the bleſsing of the Lord may go along with, and make them very advantagious to thy ſoul, both in doing, and ſuffering for Chriſt, is the prayer of

Thy true Friend, William Greenhil. June, 13. 1656.

Reader,

THe Contents of theſe twenty five Sermons, are now collected by the Printer, for thy eaſe and Benefit.