The Crown and Glory of Christianity, Uses · Use and exhortation 3 · Section 1
And ſo I ſhall come now to the ſecond part of the Exhortation, and that relates to Gods holy ones, to his ſanctified ones, to thoſe that have obtained holineſs, that have experienced the principles, the power, the life, and the ſweetneſs of holineſs. And here let me exhort ſuch.
Firſt, To expreſs, declare, evidence, and hold forth both the reality and power of holineſs; and that,
Firſt, By keeping your ſelves free from groſs enormities from ſcandalous wickedneſſes.Rom. 2.23, 24, 25. O remember that one ſcandalous ſin will obſcure and cloud all your graces and ſpiritual excellencies. Look as one ſpot in the face ſpoils all the beauty;The Schoolmen ſay that if a Sow do but wallow in one miry or dirty hole, ſhe is filthy, &c. and one blot upon the copy obliterates the whole copy, and as one drop of Inke coloureth a whole glaſs of clear water, ſo one ſcandalous ſin will blot and blur all former acts of piety and holineſs, it will ſtain all a mans duties and ſervices, it will deface all a mans contentments and enjoyments, it will daſh and raſe out all thoſe golden Characters of righteouſneſs and goodneſs that has been ſtampt upon the ſoul, Ezek. 36.20. The Babylonians beholding the enormities of the Jews, cryed out, Theſe are the people of the Lord, theſe are come out of the Lords land. Davids one act of folly with Bathſheba made the enemies of the Lord to blaſpheme. When one commended Alexander for his many noble acts, another objected thus againſt him, I, but he killed Caliſthenes; He was valiant and ſucceſsful in the wars,Plutarch in vita. I, but he killed Caliſthenes; He overcame the great Darius, I, but he killed Caliſthenes; his meaning was, that this one unjuſt and unrighteous action clouded and darkned all his moſt noble deeds. A Chriſtian can't after his converſion fall into a ſcandalous ſin, but 'twill be objected againſt him by every one, to the defacing and darkning of all his ſpiritual glory. When Naaman the Syrian was cured (and as ſome think converted) by the Prophet Eliſha, he offers gold and rich garments,2 Kings 5.1, One flaw in a Dyamond takes away the luſtre and the price of it; and if we fall but once into a puddle, it will defile us, and make every one point at us. but he bows in the houſe of Rimmon; he ſeems to be very devoute and religious, but he bows in the houſe of Rimmon; he promiſes to offer to none but the Lord, but yet he bows in the houſe of Rimmon; this Rimmon like the flye in the Alabaſter box, ſpoyl'd all his beſt intentions, and higheſt reſolutions; and thus one ſcandalous vice diſgraceth all the Noble vertues that be in a Chriſtian. O ſuch a man is a very holy man, but; and ſuch a one is a very gracious experienced Diſciple, but; and ſuch a one is a very wiſe and underſtanding man, but; and ſuch a one is a very active ſtirring Saint, but, &c. and this but marrs all. If there be but one crack in the honey-glaſs, there the waſpe will be buzing; and if there be but one ſcandalous ſin that a Chriſtian falls into in all his life, how will the wicked be ſtill a buzing of that about, both in City and Country? O ſirs, there are no ſins that opens ſo many mouthes, and that ſads ſo many hearts, and that ſwells ſo many eyes, and that endangers ſo many ſouls, as ſcandalous ſins doe; and therefore above all keeping keep off from them. O Sirs, as you would not harden ſinners, as you would not encourage ſinners, as you would not tempt ſinners,Rom. 14.13. as you would not ſtumble ſinners, yea as you would not have a hand in the damnation of ſinners, take heed of ſcandalous ſins. O! Sirs,1 Kings 11.9. as you would not provoke the great God, as you would not crucifie afreſh the Lord of glory, and put him to an open ſhame, as you would not ſet the Comforter a mourning, that alone can comfort you, as you would not raiſe a hell in your own conſciences, and as you would not darken the Churches Glory, fly from ſcandalous ſins as you would fly from hell it ſelfe. I have read of holy Polycarp (that religious Martyr and Biſhop of Smyrna) how that in the time of the fourth perſecution (under Marcus Antonius Verres) when he was commanded to ſweare but one Oath, made this Anſwer,Euſeb. Hiſt. lib. 2. cap. 15. Fourſcore and ſix years have I endeavoured to doo God ſervice, and all this while he never hurt me, and how then ſhall I ſpeak evill of ſo good a Lord and Maſter, who hath thus long preſerved me? And being further urged to ſweare by the Proconſul, he anſwered, I am a Chriſtian and cannot doe it, let Heathens and Infidels ſweare if they will, I cannot doe it were it to the ſaving of my life: This holy man would rather ſacrifice his life, then fall into a ſcandalous ſin. O Chriſtians, pray and watch, and watch and pray, that you may never be left to ſtaine your own honor, or the honor of your profeſſion, by falling into ſcandalous ſins. Well friends, remember this, 'tis not infirmities, but enormities, 'tis not weakneſſes, but wickedneſſes, that will caſt the crowne from off your heads, and that will ſtrip you of all your glory; and therefore as you would hold faſt your crowne, keep at an everlaſting diſtance from ſcandalous ſins, &c. But,
Secondly, Declare and evidence the reality and power of holineſs, by your cordial thankfulneſs for ſo rare a Jewel,Pſal. 103.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. or as the originall will bare, bow the knee, O my ſoul. and for ſo great a mercy; O Sirs, one drop, one ſpark of holineſs is more worth then heaven and earth, and how then can you but be thankful for it? Wilt thou be thankful to that God that made thee a man; and wilt thou not be thankful to the ſame God that made thee a Saint? Wilt thou bleſs him that made thee a creature, and wilt thou not bleſs the ſame God that has made thee a new creature? Wilt thou praiſe him for the heavens that are but the workmanſhip of his hands,Pſal. 8. and wilt thou not praiſe him for holineſs,Auguſtin writ his 49. Ep. to one called Deo gratias. which is the workmanſhip of his heart? Tell me, O Chriſtian, is not holineſs a ſoul-mercy? and what mercies wilt thou be thankful for, if not for ſoul-mercies? Tell me, O Chriſtian, is not holineſs of all mercies the moſt neceſſary mercy? the want of other mercies might have troubled thee, I but the want of holineſs would have damned thee; and wilt thou not be thankful for holineſs, which is the one thing neceſſary? Tell me, O Chriſtian, is not holineſs an incomparable mercy? what's thy health, thy wealth, thy wit to holineſs? dareſt thou mention thy birth, thy breeding, thy arts, thy parts, thy honor, thy greatneſs, or thy advancement in the world, in that day wherein holineſs is ſpoken of? ſurely no; and wilt thou not then be thankful for ſuch an incomparable mercy as holineſs is? Tell me, O Chriſtian, is not holineſs a peculiar mercy, a peculiar treaſure that God intruſts but few men with?1 John 5.19. Don't the world lye in wickedneſs? are not the multitude in all places ſtrangers, yea enemies to holineſs? and how then canſt thou but be thankful for holineſs? Yea once more, tell me, O Chriſtian, is not holineſs a mercy ſweetning mercy? is it not the beauty of holineſs that puts a beauty upon all thy mercies? is it not holineſs that beſpangles all thy comforts and contentments? O how ſower would all thy mercies taſt? and how pale and wan would all thy mercies look, were it not for holineſs? 'Tis the want of holineſs that makes all a mans mercies look as ill-favoured as Pharaoh's leane kine,Gen. 41.2, 3, 4. and 'tis the fruition of holineſs that makes all a mans mercies look as well-favour'd as Pharaoh's fat-kine; 'tis holineſs that both puts a colour upon all our mercies, and that gives a taſt and a relliſh to them: All our mercies without holineſs, will be but as the waters of Marah, Exod. 15.23, 24, 25.bitter; 'tis only holineſs that is the Tree that will make every bitter ſweet, and every ſweet more ſweet; and how then canſt thou but be thankful for holineſs? O remember how far off thou wert from God,Eph. 2.12. and Chriſt, and the promiſe, and heaven, and happineſs, when thou waſt without holineſs in this world; O remember what a child of wrath, what a bond-ſlave to Satan, what an enemy to God, and what an apparent heire to hell thou wert; when thou wert an oppoſer of holineſs, and a ſecret deſpiſer of holineſs, and then be unthankful for holineſs if thou canſt; O remember, that now by holineſs of a ſlave thou art made a Son, and of an heire of wrath,Rev. 8.16, 17. thou art made an heire of heaven, and in ſtead of being Satans bond-man, thou art now made Chriſts free-man,John 8.36. thy Iron-chains are now knockt off (as ſometimes Joſeph's were) and the Golden chaine of holineſs is now put upon thee,Gen. 41.14.42. and what do's all this call aloud for, but thankfulneſs?This ſaying is alſo fathered on Socrates, &c. Thales a Heathen gave thanks to God for three things. 1. That he had made him a man, and not a beaſt. 2. That he had made him a man, and not a woman. 3. That he was borne a Greek, and not a Barbarian: And O then what cauſe of thankfulneſs haſt thou for thy ſupernatural being, and for all thoſe noble principles of holineſs that the Lord has ſtampt upon thy ſoul, &c? Shall the husbandman be thankful for a plentiful Harveſt, and the Merchant for quick returnes, and the Shop-keeper for a full Trade, and the Marriner for a good voyage, and wilt not thou be much more thankful for holineſs? Shall the beggar be thankful for a cruſt to feed him, and ſhall the blind be thankful for a dogge to lead him, and ſhall the naked be thankful for raggs to cover him,Ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris. and ſhall the Aged be thankful for a Staffe to ſupport him, and ſhall the diſeaſed be thankful for a cordial to raiſe him, and wilt not thou be thankful for holineſs, yea, for that holineſs that is bread to ſtrengthen thee, and a Guide to lead thee, and rayment to cloath thee, and a Staffe to ſupport thee, and a cordial to comfort thee? O remember, that ingratitude is a monſter in nature, a ſoleciſme in manners, and a paradox in grace, damming up the courſe of all donations, both divine and humane. Lycurgus (as Muſculus obſerves) among all his Lawes made none againſt the ungrateful, becauſe ingratitude was thought a thing ſo prodigious as not to be committed by man. And the Perſians and Athenians condemned the ungra…eful to death; Ah unthankful Chriſtians, how can you think of theſe Heathens and not bluſh? Shall they bleſs God for crums, and will not you bleſs God for crownes? ſhall they bleſs God for the gifts of nature, and will not you bleſs God for the gifts of grace, &c? Next to a holy Chriſt, holineſs is the greateſt gift that God can give, and therefore be thankful for it, &c. But,
Thirdly, Evidence and declare your holineſs by the reality of your conſtant purſuit after holineſs, by your holding up and holding on in a way of holineſs,Hoſea 6.3. 1 Theſ. 3.12, 13. 2 Pet. 1.5.… 10. Phil. 3.14, 15, 16. 2 Pet. 3, 17, 18. 1 Theſ. 4.1. by your perſeverance in holineſs; this exhortation, Follow peace with all men, and holineſs, was given forth to ſuch as had a ſpirit of holineſs, and principles of holineſs in them; and theſe are the men that the holy Apoſtle preſſes to preſs after holineſs. That holineſs will doe us no good, that is not made good by perſeverance. O Sirs, ſhall the ambitious perſon purſue after his honors, and the voluptuous perſon after his pleaſures, and the worldling purſue after his gaine, and the wanton purſue after his Harlots, and the drunkard purſue after his full Cups, &c. And ſhall not Chriſtians much more purſue after holineſs? not to go forward, is to goe backward,Non progredi eſt r…gredi. Rev. 2.10, 17. Jude 20. 1 Cor. 9.24. Heb. 12.1, 4. Pro. 18.6. Cant. 9. and not to grow better, is to grow worſe, and not to grow more holy, is to grow leſs holy; the crowne, the new name, and the white ſtone, is for him that holds out, and that holds on in his purſuit after holineſs. A progreſs in holineſs is fitly compar'd to a Building, to a Race, to the morning light, and to the increaſing Moon: Now you know, Houſes are are raiſed from the foundations to the walls, and from the walls to the firſt ſtory, and then to the ſecond ſtory, and then to the third, and ſo higher and higher, till you come up to the roofe; And in a Race, you know, men run on till they come to the Goal; And the morning light ſhines brighter and brighter till it be perfect day; And the Moon increaſeth more and more till it come to the full; And ſo muſt Chriſtians perſevere and hold on in adding grace to grace. O! Chriſtians, you muſt not be like to a morning cloud, nor to the early dew; you muſt not ſtand ſtill in the wayes of holineſs,Joſh. 10.13. 1 Kings 10, 11. as the Sun ſtood ſtill in Gibeon, much leſs are you to goe back, like the Sun on Ahaz's Dyal; but as a Bridegroome which cometh out of his chamber, and rejoyceth as a ſtrong man to run his race;Pſal. 19.5. Pſal. 119.32. ſo muſt you delight to run the wayes of Gods commands; you muſt maintaine your progreſs in piety what ever comes on't. O Sirs, the way of holineſs is the ſafeſt way,Pro. 3.17. the nobleſt way, the ſweeteſt way, the cleaneſt way, the pleaſanteſt way, and the happieſt way, and therefore hold on, and hold up in that way, though the world, the fleſh, and the devill ſhould cry out,Pro. 26.13. There is a Lyon in the way, there is a Lyon in the way. It is ſaid of Hannibal, that notwithſtanding the rough rocks, and the craggy clifts of the Alpes, yet he proceeded onward in his deſigne for Italy, with this reſolution, that he would either finde a way or make a way; and ſo muſt Chriſtians hold on in a way of holineſs, notwithſtanding all the Rocks and lets and difficulties that they meet with in that way.Pſal. 44.17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. 'Tis an obſervation of ſome of the Learned,Ezek. 9.4. that thoſe that were marked to be preſerved in Jeruſalem, were marked with the letter ת Tau, which is the laſt of all the Hebrew letters, to ſignifie that they muſt run the race of holineſs, even to the laſt. O Sirs, in the face of all your ſins and unworthineſs, God holds on in wayes of mercy towards you; and why then ſhould not you hold on in wayes of ſanctity towards him? Shall Satan perſevere in his enmity againſt holineſs? and ſhall wicked men perſevere in their oppoſition to holineſs? and ſhall formaliſts perſevere in their neglect of holineſs? and will not you perſevere in your purſuit of holineſs? a good Husbandman will not give over ſowing, till he has ſow'd all his Land; nor a good Phyſitian will not give over his patient, till he has cur'd him; nor a good work-man will not give over his work, till he hath finiſht it; no more ſhould a good Chriſtian give over his purſuit of holineſs, till he is come up to the higheſt perfection of holineſs. Look as God carried on the work of Creation from day to day, till he had finiſhed it;Gen. 1. John 17. and as Chriſt carried on the work of our Redemption from day to day, till he had compleated it; ſo Chriſtians ſhould look to a daily carrying on of the work of holineſs in their hearts and lives, till that work be perfected and compleated. The Philoſopher being asked in his old age, why he did not give over his practiſe, and take his eaſe? anſwered, when a man is to run a Race of forty furlongs, would you have him ſit downe at the nine and thirtieth, and ſo loſe all his paines, and the prize for which he runs? ſurely no. O Chriſtians, you are Racers,Heb. 12.1. and you muſt run to the end of your Race; 'tis not enough to begin well, and to run well for a time, but you muſt hold out in running,What had it avail'd Peter to have eſcaped the firſt and ſecond watch, if he had ſtuck at the Iron Gate, and had not paſſed through that alſo? Finu coronat opus. till you come to the Goal, or elſe you will loſe all the pains & labour that ever you have taken in Religion, you wil loſe all the prayers that ever you have made, and you will loſe all the Sermons that ever you have heard, and you will loſe all the faſts that ever you have obſerv'd, and you will loſe all the tears that ever you have ſhed, and you will loſe all the Almes that ever you have given, if you do not hold out to the end; if you do not perſevere in welldoing, you will loſe your crowne, and be undone for ever after all your doings; a progreſs in holineſs is requiſite not only to your conſolation, but alſo to your ſalvation, Math. 24.13. But,
Fourthly, Evidence and declare the truth and reality of your holineſs, by a reſolute ſtanding up for purity of Religion, and for purity of worſhip and ordinances,James 1.27. in oppoſition to all mixtures and corruptions whatſoever. O Sirs, the great God ſtands upon nothing more in all the world then upon purity in this worſhip; there is nothing that do's ſo provoke and exaſperate God againſt a people as mixtures in his worſhip and ſervice;Math. 21.12, 13. John 2.15, 16, 17. polutions in worſhip do ſadly reflect upon the name of God, the honor of God, the truth of God, and the wiſdom of God; and therefore his heart riſes againſt them: The very ſpirit, life, and ſoul of the ſecond Commandement lyes in theſe words, Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any graven Image, &c. In matters of divine worſhip God abhors that men ſhould mix their water with his wine, their droſs with his Gold, their chaffe with his wheate, &c. when once men come to be ſo bold as to defile his worſhip with their mixtures,Lev. 10.1, 2. Ezek. 5.11, 12. Ch. 23.38, 39. Jer. 7.29, 30. Ezek. 8.17, 18. Rev. 2.22, 23. Deut. 4.2. Chap. 12, 32. then God is reſolv'd to be a ſwift and a terrible witneſs againſt them, as you may clearly ſee by comparing thoſe notable places of Scripture together in the Margent; there is no ſin that do's ſo incenſe and provoke God to Jealouſie and wrath againſt a people, as mixtures in worſhip; God can bare with defilements any where rather then in his worſhip and ſervice: And that
Firſt▪ …ecauſe mixtures in worſhip are croſs to Gods expreſs commands; and who art thou, O man, that dareſt run croſs to his commands, who can command thee into the duſt, yea into hell at pleaſure, &c?
Secondly, becauſe this is to accuſe the bleſſed Scripture of inſufficiency, for if the Scripture be a ſufficient rule, to order, guide, and direct us in all matters of worſhip;The Scriptures are ſufficient to direct us as to all the parts of worſhip. As 1. That of publick prayer. 2. And that of reading & expounding. 3. And that of preaching, 4. And that of ſinging. 5. And that of the Seales both of Baptiſme and the Supper of the Lord. then how doeſt thou, O man, detract from the ſufficiency of the Scripture, who mingleſt thine own or other mens inventions with divine inſtitutions, and ſetteſt up thy poſts by Gods poſts? O Sirs, the Scriptures are ſufficient to direct us fully in every thing that belongs to the worſhip and ſervice of God; ſo as that we need not depend upon the wiſdom, prudence, care, or Authority of any men under heaven to direct us in matters of worſhip. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproofe, for correction, for inſtruction in righteouſneſs: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works: The Scriptures are ſufficient to informe the ignorant, to confute the erronious, to reforme the vitious, and to guide and direct, ſupport, and comfort thoſe that are gracious; here a Lamb may wade, and an Elephant may ſwim; here is milke for babes, and meate for ſtrong men; here's comfort for the afflicted, and ſuccour for the tempted, and eaſe for the troubled, and light for the clouded, and enlargement for the ſtraitned, &c. O how full of light, how full of life, how full of love, how full of ſweetneſſe, how full of goodneſs, how full of righteouſneſs and holineſs, &c. is every Chapter, and every verſe in every Chapter, yea and every line in every verſe. The Rabbins ſay that a mountaine of matter hangs upon every word of Scripture, yea upon every tittle of Scripture: God never ſends his people to the ſhop of mens traditions and inventions, but he ſtill ſends them to the Scripture. Iſa. 8.20. To the Law and to the teſtimony; if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light (or no morning) in them. Chap. 34.16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read; no one of theſe ſhall fail, foreignnone ſhall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his Spirit it hath gathered them. And in the New-Teſtament Chriſt ſends his hearers to the Scriptures. John. 5.39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternall life, and they are they which teſtifie of me. The Greek word foreign, that is here rendred Search, ſignifies a ſtrict, narrow, curious, diligent ſearch; we muſt ſearch the Scripture, as we would ſearch for Gold, or for ſome precious ſtones which we would faine finde; we muſt ſearch the Scriptures, as Hunters ſeek and ſearch out their Game. And ſo the Apoſtle ſends his hearers to the Scriptures. 2 Pet. 1.19.—22. As to a ſurer word then that of Revelation. All which ſpeaks out the ſufficiency of the Scripture, to direct us in all matters that concern our internal or eternal welfare. O that you would for ever remember theſe two things.
Firſt, That that which bred the Popiſh Religion, Superſtition, Idolatry, and pompious worſhip, was mens departing from the word, and not cleaving to the word as a ſufficient Rule to direct them in all matters of worſhip, And
Secondly, That that which hath occaſioned all thoſe diſcords, diviſions, heats, heart-burnings, animoſities, and contentions, &c. about Ceremonies, Liturgey, formes, Geſtures, &c. has been mens not keeping cloſe to the bleſſed word of God; when men forſake this perfect Rule, whether won't they run? and what won't they doe? Ah who art thou, O vaine man, that accuſeth the holy Scriptures of inſufficiency? and how wilt thou bluſh, and be aſhamed and confounded, when in the great day, the Lord ſhall plead the excellency, and vindicate the ſufficiency and Authority of his bleſſed booke, in oppoſition to all the mixtures of mens Traditions with divine inſtitutions?
Thirdly, God won't nor can't bare with mixtures in his worſhip and ſervice, becauſe to bring them in is to accuſe and charge God with weakneſs and folly,Heb. 3.4, 5, 6. John 4.23, 24. as if God were not careful enough, nor faithful enough, nor mindful enough, nor wiſe enough, nor prudent nor underſtanding enough, to order, direct, and guide his people in the matters of his worſhip, but muſt be beholding to the wiſdom,Pſal. 39.5. prudence, and care of man, of vaine man, of ſinful man, of vile and unworthy man, of weak and fooliſh man, to compleat, perfect, and make up ſomething that was wanting in his worſhip and ſervice, &c.
Fourthly, God won't bare with mixtures in his worſhip and ſervice, becauſe all mixtures debaſes the worſhip and ſervice of God,Iſa. 29.13, 14. Math. 15.3, 6, 8, 9. and makes the worſhip a vaine worſhip; as the mixing of water with wine is the debaſing of the wine; and the mixing of Tin with ſilver, or braſs with gold, is the debaſing of the ſilver and gold, ſo for men to mix and mingle their Traditions and inventions with Gods inſtitutions, is to debaſe the worſhip and ſervice of God, and to detract from the excellency and glory of it. The Kings and Princes of this world, have moſt ſeverely puniſht ſuch, who by their baſe mixtures have imbaſed their coyne; and there is a day a coming, wherein the King of Kings will moſt ſeverely puniſh all ſuch who have imbaſed his worſhip and ſervice, by mixing their Romiſh traditions with his holy inſtitutions. Rev. 22.18.Rev. 22.18. For I teſtifie unto every man that heareth the words of the propheſie of this booke, if any man ſhall adde unto theſe things, God ſhall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this booke: And no wonder; for what horrible pride, preſumption, ſtoutneſs and baſeneſs of ſpirit is it in fooliſh man to be ſo bold with the great God, as to dare to mix any thing of his own with his worſhip and ſervice, which, according to divine inſtitution, is ſo perfect and compleat? God will never bare it, to ſee men lay their dirt upon his gold, and to put their Raggs upon his Royal Robes. Ah Chriſtians, Chriſtians, evidence your holineſs by ſtanding up for holy ordinances and pure worſhip, in oppoſition to all mixtures whatſoever; oh don't you touch a poluted worſhip, don't you plead and contend for a poluted worſhip, but let Baal plead for Baal, and though all the world ſhould wander after the Beaſt, yet don't you wander, and though every fore-head ſhould have the mark of the Beaſt upon it, yet doe you abhor his mark, and what ever elſe it be that do's but ſmell and ſavour of the Beaſt. It is obſervable that in Kings and Princes Courts, children, fools, and the rude Rabble, are much taken with fine pictures, and rich ſhews, and gliſtering gaudy cloaths, &c. but ſuch as are wiſe, ſerious, grave Stateſmen, they mind not, they regard not ſuch poor things, they look upon thoſe things as things that are much below the nobleneſs and the greatneſs of their ſpirits, who have honorable objects, and the great and weighty affaires of the State to buſie themſelves about; ſo my Brethren, though the children, the fools, and the Rabble of the world are much affected and taken with ſuch polutions and mixtures, as makes up a glorious pompious worſhip, yet you that have a ſpirit of holineſs, and principles of holineſs in you, O how ſhould you ſlight ſuch things, and paſs by ſuch things as things below you, as things not worthy of you, who have a holy God, a holy Chriſt, a holy Goſpel, and a holy worſhip, to buſie your thoughts, your minds, your heads, and your hearts about. But,
Fifthly, Evidence the truth and reality of your holineſs, by bewailing and lamenting the loſs of holineſs. Ah how is this crowne of holineſs fallen from our heads!Lam. 5.16. O the leanneſs of ſouls! O the ſpiritual witherings and decayes in grace and holineſs,Its very uncomfortable to ſee the dayes grow ſhorter, and to ſee friends grow behind-hand in the world. that is to be found among many Chriſtians this day! Some complaine of the loſs of Trade, and others complaine of the loſs of eſtate; ſome complaine of the loſs of c…edit, and others complaine of the loſs of friends; but what are all theſe loſſes to the loſs of holineſs? and yet how few be there that complaine of the loſs of holineſs! holineſs is fallen in our hearts, in our families, in our ſtreets, and in our Churches, and yet how few are there to be found that laments the fall of holineſs! O Sirs, will you lament ſuch as are fallen from riches to poverty, from honor into diſgrace, and from the higheſt pitch of proſperity to the loweſt ſtep of beggary and miſery; and will you not lament ſuch who are fallen from the higheſt round to the loweſt round in Jacobs Ladder? O Sirs, will you mourne over a decayed eſtate? will you weep over decayed friends? and will you ſigh and ſob over a decayed body? and will you not much more lament and mourne over decayed ſouls, &c? Ah how many have loſt that love,Rev. 2.4, 5. that life, that heat, that zeale, that readineſs, that forwardneſs, and that reſoluteneſs that once they had for God and godlineſs. Some are fallen from their holineſs by giving themſelves elbow-roome to ſin againſt the checks and laſhes of conſcience;Pſal. 51. others are decayed in holineſs, by their ſecret reſiſting and ſmothering the gracious motions of the Spirit:Acts 7.51. Some are fallen frpm holineſs, either by their neglect of precious means,1 Theſ. 5.20. or elſe by their heartleſs uſing of the meanes; others are fallen from their holineſs, either by the allurements and enticements of a tempting world,2 Tim. 4.10. or elſe by the frownes and threatnings of a perſecuting world: Some are fallen from holineſs, by their non-exerciſe of grace; and others are fallen from holineſs, by not diſcerning their firſt decayes in grace. So that upon one account or another, multitudes in theſe dayes are fallen from that holineſs which was once their glory. If you look into families, there you ſhall finde Maſters complaining that their ſervants are ſo careleſs, fooliſh, frothy, light, ſlight, ſlothfull, unfaithfull, proud and lofty, that they are not to be ſpoken to, nor truſted; and if you look againe into the ſame Families, there you ſhall finde ſervants complaining that their Maſters and Miſtriſſes are ſo exceeding froward, peviſh, paſſionate, worldly, neglective of duties, and careleſs of their ſouls, that 'tis even a hell to ſervants to live with them. Now what ſpeaks all theſe ſad complaints, but either a total want of holineſs, or elſe a very great decay of holineſs: And if you look among all other relations, as husbands and wives, parents and children, Magiſtrates and people, Miniſters and Chriſtians; oh what ſad diviſions, what fiery contentions, and what feareful Jars are there to be found? oh what ſlightings, what revilings, what under-valuings, what heart-riſings, what heart-ſwellings, and what heart-burnings are to be found amongſt them? and what doe all theſe things declare, but that the Glory of God is departed from Iſrael, and that holineſs is fallen to a very low ebbe? ah friends, were there but more holineſs among you, there would be more union among you, and more love among you, and more ſweetneſs and tenderneſs among you, and more forbearance and patience among you; Oh then you would never be ſnarling one at another, nor biting one of another, nor plotting one againſt another, nor devouring one of another any more. Again, if you look among men, whoſe parts are great, whoſe gifts are high, whoſe profeſſion is glorious, and whoſe expreſſions and notions are very ſeraphical, ah what a little holineſs will you finde? O Sirs, ſhall the men of this world vex and fret, ſhall they weep and waile, and ſhall their lamentation and mourning be like that of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo, 2 Chron. 35.24, 25.and that for the loſs of a little wealth, or for a punctilio of honor, or a day of pleaſure, or the ſmiles of a Prince, &c? and will not you lament and mourne for the loſs of holineſs, which is the choiceſt Jewel in a Chriſtians Crowne? Tears inſtead of Gemmes were the ornaments of Davids bed, when he was fallen from his holinesſ.Pſal. 51. And though the Perſian Kings would have no mourning nor mourning apparel worne in their preſence, yet the King of kings loves to ſee his people a mourning for the falls of holineſs, as well as for the heights of wickedneſs. When news was brought to Xenophon of his Sons death,Val. Max. lib. 5. c. 10. he put off his Crowne from his head, and wept. O my Brethren, who can heare of the death of holineſs, and behold the death of holineſs in mens hearts, lives, and families, and not put off his crowne, and weep, and not put off his ornaments, and weep till he can weep no more, &c. But,
Sixthly, Evidence the truth and reality of your holineſs, by purſuing, preſſing, and following after the higheſt degrees of holineſs:Bernard in Cant. crys out, I would not upon the ſudden attaine to my higheſt pitch, but grow towards it by little and little. 2 Pet. 1.5.— 13. Rom. 1.17. Pſal. 84.7. Muſhromes grow up to perfection in one night. O ſit not down ſatisfied with ſome drops or ſips of holineſs, but labour after the perfection of holineſs; O don't content your ſelves with ſo much holineſs, as will bring you to happineſs, or with ſo much holineſs as will keep wrath and your ſouls aſunder, or hell and your ſouls aſunder, or eternal ruine and your ſouls aſunder. The exhortation in the Text, Follow peace with all men and holineſs, is an exhortation that was given out to Saints that were holy before, and the life and force of it lyes in this, that thoſe that were holy, ſhould labour to be more and more holy, they ſhould ſtill be adding of grace to grace, holineſs to holineſs, they ſhould ſtill be a going on from faith to faith, and from ſtrength to ſtrength. As holineſs hath its conception, birth, and infancy, ſo it hath its full growth, and after that all Chriſtians muſt ſtrive. Holineſs is not like to Jonahs Gourd, that ſhoote up in a night, but 'tis like Plants and Trees that grows up by degrees, Pſal. 92.14. and after the higheſt degrees we muſt endeavour.1 Kings 19.4, 5. After the Prophet Elias had travelled a dayes journey in the wilderneſs, he ſate downe and ſlept under a Juniper Tree, and there God calls upon him, up and eate; and when he found him the ſecond time he calls againe upon him,Ver. 7. up and eate, becauſe thou haſt a great journey to goe. O Chriſtians, you have a howling wilderneſs to travell through, you have a great journey to goe, you have many a mountaine to walke over, and many an enemy to vanquiſh, (even the world, the fleſh, and the devil) and many a croſs to bare, and many a mercy to improve, &c. and therefore you have very great cauſe to up and eate, I ſay, to up and eate, that is, to grow ſtronger and ſtronger in holineſs, and to walke from grace to grace, and from vertue to vertue, and to come off from your milke,Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. and to feed upon ſtrong meate, that you may hold out to the end of your journey, and not faint nor fall ſhort of that great ſalvation, which attends perfection of holineſs. And this progreſs in holineſs is that maine thing that the Apoſtle preſſes upon the believing Corinthians in that 2 Cor. 7.1. Having therefore theſe promiſes (dearely beloved) let us cleanſe our ſelves from all filthineſs of the fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in the feare of God. The Apoſtle having in the former Chapter armed the believing Corinthians with many ſtrong Arguments againſt all communion and fellowſhip with Idolaters, he comes at laſt to touch upon thoſe great and glorious promiſes,Ver. 16, 17, 18. which upon the account of their high and holy calling they were intereſted in, and he preſents them as ſingular motives, and as choice and precious encouragements to move them to perfect holineſs in the feare of God. There is no work on earth that ſo well becomes the Heirs of ſuch precious promiſes, as that of cleanſing themſelves from all filthineſs on the one hand, and that of perfecting holineſs in the feare of God on the other hand. Now this being a point of the higheſt concernment, and of the greateſt importance imaginable to the Saints, I ſhall therefore endeavour theſe three things.
Firſt, To lay downe ſome motives to provoke you to perfect holineſs in the feare of God, &c.
Secondly, I ſhall propound ſome meanes, ſome directions that may help you to make a progreſs in holineſs, &c.
Thirdly, I ſhall ſhew you how you may know whether you have attained to ſuch a perfection of holineſs as we are all to ſtrive after, &c.
I ſhall firſt begin with the motives, that may whet and ſtir up your ſpirits to labour after greater degrees and higher meaſures of holineſs, then yet you have attained to; and to that purpoſe, I beſeech you ſeriouſly to conſider of theſe following particulars.
Firſt, Conſider that notwithſtanding all the means, and all the advantages, and all the opportunities that you have enjoyed to worke you to perfect holineſs in the feare of God, yet you have obtain'd but to very ſmall meaſures of holineſs; you are rather Babes then Men in holines, you are rather ſhrubs then Cedars in grace, you are rather Dwarfs then Giants in godlineſs to this very day: And this ſad charge I ſhall briefly make good againſt you by an Induction of eight particulars, thus:
Firſt, The ſtrength, the power, the activity, and the prevalancy of ſin in you to this day, do's witneſs to your faces that you have yet obtain'd but ſmall meaſures of holineſs.Rom. 7.22, 23, 24. Iſa. 59.12. Oh my Brethren, are not many of your corruptions as powerfull and as ſtrong, as they were five, ten, yea twenty years agoe, notwithſtanding all the prayers that you have made, and all the Sermons that you have heard, and all the tears that you have ſhed, and all the reſolutions that you have taken, and all the promiſes that you have made, and all the conflicts that you have had? and what do's this ſpeak out, but that holineſs is at a low ebbe in your ſouls? O Sirs, were but holineſs riſen to a greater height in your ſouls,Ch. 8.10. how readily would you trample upon your luſts? and how eaſily would you leade captivity captive? As the houſe of David grew ſtronger and ſtronger,2 Sam. 3.1. ſo the houſe of Saul grew weaker and weaker; As holineſs riſes in the ſoul by degrees, ſo ſin dies in the ſoul by degrees; and the more any man abounds in holineſs, the more he abounds in his ſpirituall conqueſts over the world,Gal. 8.14. the fleſh, and the devill. O Sirs, your pride teſtifies to your faces, and your ſelf-love teſtifies to your faces,Hoſea 5.5. Ch. 7.10. and your worldlineſs teſtifies to your faces, and your paſſion teſtifies to your faces, and your diffidence teſtifies to your faces, and your hypocriſie teſtifies to your faces, and your carnality teſtifies to your faces, &c. that yet you are not got up many rounds in Jacobs Ladder, that your degrees in holineſs may be eaſily caſt up. But,
Secondly, You have not attain'd to much holineſs, witneſs that high price that you ſet upon the toyes, the trifles, and the vanities of this world.As Jonah did upon his Gourd. Ah at what a rate do men value the empty honors, the fading riches, and the declining greatneſs of this world? Democritus the Philoſopher eſteemed his Roome covered over with green branches,Gen. 24.30, 31. Math. 17.4. 2 Cor. 5.1, 2. Math. 18.1, 2. Mark 9.33, 34, 35, 36. above the Royal Palace. And did not Peter prefer a Tabernacle on earth, before a Royal Palace not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens? But what doe I talke of Peter, when this diſeaſe had againe and againe and againe over-ſpread the hearts of all the Diſciples, as you may evidently ſee by comparing the Scripture in the Margent together; they had diſpute upon diſpute,Luke 9.46, 47. Chap. 22. to the 28. vide. which of them ſhould be accounted greateſt; they had often ſharp conteſts among themſelves, which of them ſhould have the greateſt honor, the beſt office, and the higheſt preferment in Chriſts earthly kingdome; and indeed their thoughts, heads, and hearts were ſo taken up about an outward kingdome, a worldly kingdome, that they little minded either the ſpiritual kingdome of God within them, or the glorious kingdome of God above them. As the fooliſh Indians prefer every toy and trifle before their Mines of Gold; ſo many Chriſtians (who are low in holineſs) prefer the trifling vanities of this world, before the glorious treaſures and endleſs pleaſures that be at Gods right hand:Pſal. 16. ult. O but where holineſs is riſen to any conſiderable height, there men will make a very foot-ſtool of their crowns for Chriſt to get up and ride in triumph;Rev. 4.10, 11. there all the glory & bravery of this world will be but as droſs & dung,Phil. 3.7, 8. there men would like the woman (the Church) in the Revelation, Rev. 12.1.trample the Moon (that is, all the things of this world which are as changeble as the Moon) under their feete; were there but more holineſs in your hearts, all the gay & galllant things of this world, would be more contemptible in your eyes. O Sirs, if Midas was condemned to wear Aſſes ears, becauſe he preferred Pans Pipe before Apollo's Lute, (that is, humane policy before divine providence) how ſeverely are they to be cenſured, who prefer the poor, low, empty nothings of this world, before all the glory & happines of another world, &c. But,
Thirdly, You have attain'd to but little holineſs, witneſs your fears & faintings in a day of adverſity. Though there be as many feare nots, as there be feares in Scripture,Iſa. 51.12, 13. Ch. 41.10.14. yet in a day of calamity, how eaſily and frequently do's your feares get above your faith? and what fainting fits do's then attend you? Pro. 24.10. If thou faint in the day of adverſity, thy ſtrength is ſmall, or as the Hebrew has it,Tſar foreign It ſignifies to be ſtraitned as men are ſtraitned that are cloſely beſieged in time of war, &c. thy ſtrength is narrow or ſtraitned. Look as bodily faintneſs diſcovers bodily weakneſs, ſo ſoul faintneſs diſcovers ſoul weakneſs; 'tis troubles that are the trialls of a Chriſtians ſtrength; afflictions will try what ſap and life we have within us. As the man is for holineſs, ſo is his ſtrength under trials; he that has no holineſs, has no ſtrength, and he that has but a little holineſs, has but a little ſtrength, but he that has much holineſs, has much ſtrength, and accordingly will bare up bravely in a day of tryall;Gen. 49.23, 24. his bow with Joſeph's will then abide in ſtrength. Though Noah in the building of his Arke met with many a ſore tryall, and many a ſad affront, and many a broad jeſt, and many a bitter ſcoffe; and though the people generally laught at the good old man, thinking that he did not only dote, but dreame, not of a dry ſummer, but of a wet winter (as we ſay) yet Noah being eminent in holineſs, his bow abode in ſtrength, and he held on building of the Arke, till he had finiſhed the worke that God had commanded. But O the ſadneſs, the weakneſs, the faintneſs that attends moſt perſons in the day of their adverſity. Jer. 8.18, 21. When I would comfort my ſelfe againſt ſorrow, my heart is faint in me. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; aſtoniſhment hath taken hold on me. Chap. 45.3. Thou didſt ſay, wo is me now, for the Lord hath added grief to my ſorrow; I fainted in my ſighings, and I finde no reſt. Lam. 1.22. For my ſighs are many, and my heart is faint. Chap. 5.17. For this our heart is faint, for theſe things our eyes are dim. Now this faintneſs in the day of adverſity ſpeaks out much ſpiritual weakneſs; for where holineſs is riſen to a noble height, there men will bare up couragiouſly, even in a day of calamity. The Eagle is the King of Birds,Ariſtotle l. 9. de Hiſtoria Animalium, &c. and therefore the Romans, who were the greateſt Potentates on earth, ſtil bore the Eagle in their Standards; now the Naturaliſt obſerves concerning this Royal Bird, that whereas all other Birds make a noiſe when they are hungry, this Princely Bird makes no noiſe at all, though he be never ſo hungry, for ſuch is the greatneſs, and the nobleneſs of his ſpirit, that what ever befalls him, he won't cry, and whine, and repine as other Birds will doe when they want their food; his Princely ſpirit carries him above all hunger, thirſt, or danger: So men that are eminent in holineſs, are men of ſuch noble princely ſpirits, that they won't faint, nor vex, nor fret, nor complaine, nor whine, whatever their wants, tryals, or ſtraits may be; ſuch afflictions as would break other mens hearts, cannot ſo much as break their ſleep, they ſtill hold on their way, & whatever they meet with, they will be ſtill amounting nearer and nearer to heaven. But now where there is but a little holineſs, there men will be like the common fowls of the air, ſtill a making a noiſe, they will ſtill be a crying, whining, and repining under every trial and trouble they meet with. But,
Fourthly, You Have but a little holineſs, witneſs your eaſie, your ready, and your frequent fallings before temptations and motions to ſin. O! ſirs, when the temptation does but touch and take, when you are no ſooner tempted but you are conquered, no ſooner aſſaulted but you are vanquiſhed, certainly holineſs is at a very low-ebb in your ſouls. That Garriſon (without all peradventure) is very weak, that is taken at the firſt aſſault, and that ſhip is but meanly man'd that is carried at firſt boarding, and that ſouldier is but ſlightly arm'd that is run through at the firſt thruſt; and ſo that Chriſtian has but little ſpiritual ſtrength in him who is worſted and vanquiſhed upon the firſt appearance of a temptation. When mens underſtandings are eaſily corrupted with error, or their judgements with levity, or their wills with frowardneſs, or their affections with diſorderedneſs, or their conſciences with unrighteouſneſs, 'tis a very great argument that there is but little holineſs within. O! ſirs, men eminent in holineſs, in their ordinary courſe have been always eminent in the reſiſting and withſtanding of temptations, as is evident in Joſeph, Job, Daniel, Gen. 39. Job 1.3. and 6. chapters of Daniel.the three children, &c. Auſtin thanks the Lord that his heart and the temptation did not meet together. The Devil tempting Bonaventure told him that he was a Reprobate, and therefore perſwaded him to drink in the preſent pleaſures of this life, for ſaith Satan, thou art excluded from the future joys with God in heaven; to whom he anſwered, No, not ſo Satan, for if I muſt not enjoy God after this life, I will labor to enjoy him as much as I can whilſt I live. When one of the Martyrs was offered riches and honors if he would recant,And the young convert when he was tempted, anſwered, Ego non ſum ego, I am not the man that I was, &c. he gave this excellent anſwer, Do but offer me ſomewhat that is better then my Lord Jeſus Chriſt▪ and you ſhall ſee what I will ſay to you. When Vale…ce the Emperor offered large preferments to Baſil, and told him what a great man he would make him, he anſwered, offer theſe things to children, and not to Chriſtians. When Bernard was tempted, tell me not Satan, ſaid he, what I have bee…, but what I am and will be through grace. And ſo when Beza was tempted in the like caſe, he anſwered, whatſoever I was, I am now in Chriſt a new creature, and that is it which troubles thee Satan; I might have continued in my ſins long enough ere thou wouldſt have vexed at it, but now I ſee thou doſt envy me the grace of my Saviour. And when Auguſtin was ſadly reviled by the Donatiſts for the wickedneſs of his youth, he anſwered, The more deſperate my diſeaſe was, ſo much the more I admire the Phiſitian. Thus men eminently holy have ſtood their ground in the face of all temptations and motions to ſin; but alas, in theſe times how eaſily, how readily, and how frequently do multitudes fall before every temptation?Joſh. 7.21. As ſoon as Acan had but caſt his eye upon the Babyloniſh garment and ſhekels of Silver, and wedge of Gold, his fingers itch't to be handling of them; ſo many in theſe days, as ſoon as they do but ſee the way to honor or preferment, or a great place, or a high office, &c. O how do their fingers itch, how do their ſouls long after theſe things? and though they ſavor and ſmell never ſo ſtrong of Babylon or of Rome, yet have them they muſt; ſuch perſons may do well to remember, that Acans Babyloniſh garment was but a ſhrow'd to ſhrow'd him, and his golden wedge was but a wedge to cleave him, and his ſhekels of ſilver were but ſhekels to hold him the faſter, both under the wrath of God and man. Such as can turn with every winde, and cloſe with every worſhip, and bow to every Idol that man ſets up, have either no holineſs, or elſe but very little holineſs in their hearts; ſuch as eaſily and readily fall before temptations from within or without, have never it attain'd to any great meaſures of holineſs. But,
Fifthly, you have but a little holineſs, witneſs the ſtrange behaviour and carriage of your ſouls, when the Lord ſmites you in ſome near and dear enjoyment; if the Lord does but frown upon your Joſeph, or touch your Iſaac, or call for your Benjamine, Jer. 31.15. Gen. 37.35. 2 Sam. 18.33. Jonah 4.9.or wither your Gourd, O now with Rachel you will not be comforted, or with Jacob you will go mourning into the grave, or with David you will cry out, O Abſalom my ſon, my ſon, would God I had died for thee; or with Jonah you will tell God to his face that you do well to be angry. O! now you can't look up and truſt in God, you can't look up and delight in God, you can't look up and hope in God, you can't look up and ſolace your ſelves in God, you can't look up and lye down in the good pleaſure of God, you can't look up and juſtifie God, you can't look up and ſay, God is your God, &c. O now God has toucht you in your firſt born, you can neither eat, nor drink, nor ſleep; now you can taſte no ſweet, nor take no comfort, nor finde no content in any of all your enjoyments; now God has touch't the apple of your eye, you can neither think well of God, nor ſpeak well of God, nor carry it well towards God. O! now no body can pleaſe you, nor nothing can ſatisfie you; now you think that there is no ſorrow to your ſorrow,Lam. 1.12.18. no croſs to your croſs, nor no loſs to your loſs, &c. now every ſweet is bitter, and every comfort is a croſs; and accordingly you carry it both towards God and towards man; all which ſpeaks out holineſs to be at a very low ebb in your ſouls. O! ſirs, were holineſs but riſen to ſome conſiderable heighth in your ſouls, you would with Job Job 1.21.(who was eminent in holineſs) bleſs a taking God, as well as a giving God; and you would carry it ſweetly and ingeniouſly towards God, as well when he writes bitter things againſt you; as when he is a multiplying of favors and kindneſſes upon you, but if when the rod ſmarts you kick, and ſling, and fret, and fume, and vex, and tear your comforts in pieces, and your ſouls in pieces, and your God in pieces (as much as in you lies) certainly the ſtreams of holineſs runs low in your ſouls. But,
Sixthly, You have but little holineſs, witneſs the ebbings and the flowings of your ſpirits according to the working of ſecondary cauſes; as ſecondary cauſes work, ſo you are up and down, high and low; now you are full of hopes, and anon you are full of fears; now you believe, and anon deſpaire; now you are ſtedfaſt, and anone you are wavering; now you ſay ſurely God will once more own us, and anone you ſay verily God has forſaken us; now you ſay you ſee the clouds begin to ſcatter,Can. 2.11, 12. Jer. 8.22. Chap. 46.11. and chap. 51.8. and anone you ſay you ſee the clouds grow darker and thicker; now you ſay the Winter is paſt, and the ſinging of birds is come; and anone you ſay your Winter is like to be longer then ever; now you ſay there is Balm in Gilead, and anon you ſay your wound is incurable; now you ſay all is your own, and anon you are ready to give up all as loſt, &c. and thus your hearts riſe and fall according to the working of ſecond cauſes. When you have full purſes, and powerful Armies, and ſubtle Councellors,Pſal. 30.6, 7, 8. and great Allies, then you are ready to ſay, ſurely our mountain is ſtrong, and we ſhall never be removed; but when your bags are empty, and your forces broken, and your counſels diſſipated, and your Allies faln off, then you are ready to cry out, O now there is no hope, there is no help. O but now were you eminent in holineſs, then under the ſaddeſt and croſſeſt workings of ſecond cauſes,2 Chron. 14.11. you would ſay with Aſa, O Lord it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; 2 Kin. 6.16, 17. Exod. 14.13.and with Eliſha, They that be with us, are more then they that be with them; and with Moſes, Stand ſtill, Pſal. 118.6.and ſee the ſalvation of God; and with David, The Lord is on my ſide, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Holineſs in any conſiderable heighth, will ſet the power of God in oppoſition to all the power of the world,Pſal. 65.6.—11. and then divinely triumph over them.Plutarch in vita Pomp. Pompey once gloried in this, that with one ſtampe of his foot, he could raiſe all Italy up in Arms; but the great God with one ſtampe of his foot (or with one word of his mouth) can raiſe not onelyonly Italy, but alſo all the Angels in heaven, and all the men on earth in Arms at his pleaſure; and in the power of this God, raiſed holineſs will enable a man to glory all the day long: Where holineſs is weak, there men ſtand and fall as ſecond cauſes work, but where holineſs is eminent, there men will live upon the firſt cauſe; and however ſecond cauſes may wheel about, yet ſuch a man will live upon him, and look up to him that hath a wheel within every wheel, Ezek. 1.15.—22. But,
Seventhly, You have but little holineſs, witneſs that ſoul-leanneſs,Pſal. 106.15. Iſa. 24.16. and Chap. 10.16. barrenneſs, and unfruitfulneſs that is among you at this very day. Ah how may moſt cry out with the Prophet Iſaiah, O my leanneſs, my leanneſs; O our leanneſs, our leanneſs, our barrenneſs, our barrenneſs, &c. though God has waited many three years for fruit, yet behold nothing but leaves. I have read of the Indian Fig-tree, how that its leaves are as broad as a Target,Athenaeus de Ipnoſoph. lib. 3. but its fruit is no bigger then a Bean: Ah how many Chriſtians be there in theſe days, whoſe leaves of profeſſion are very broad, but their fruits of righteouſneſs and holineſs are very ſmall; and as the Indian Fig-tree, though it be of fair and goodly dimenſions, yet it riots out all its ſap and juce into leaves and bloſſoms. So many in theſe days, who though they carry it fair, and make a goodly ſhew, yet they riot out all that ſpiritual ſap and life that is in them into the mear leaves and bloſſoms of an empty profeſſion. Ah how are many of our hearts like to the Iſle of Pathmos, which is ſo barren that nothing that is good will grow on't, all the good things that grow there is from the earth that is brought from other places. Look as a company of Ants are very buſie about a Mole-hill running to and fro, and wearying themſelves in their ſeveral movings and turnings this way and that, and yet never grow great, for after all their motions and ſtiring, they are ſtill the ſame as to the ſlender proportion of their bodies; ſo, many Chriſtians in theſe days run to and fro, they run from one duty to another, and from one ordinance to another, and from one opinion to another, and from one principle to another, and from one Miniſter to another, and from one Church to another, and from one way to another, and from one notion to another; and yet they make little progreſs in holineſs,2 Pet. 3.18. 2 Tim. 3.6, 7. they grow but little in the love, the life, the likeneſs, and the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; they are like thoſe ſilly women that Timothy ſpeaks of, who were ever learning, and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; and they are like Nazianzens country of Ozizala, which abounded, with gay flowers, but was barren of corn; ſo theſe abound in gay notions, and flouriſhing parts, but are barren of grace and holineſs. Seneca hath long ſince obſerved, that as the Philoſophers in his time grew more and more learned, ſo they grew leſs and leſs moral; and is there any thing more evident in theſe days then this, viz. that as men grow more and more in empty airy notions, and in a pompous Religion and profeſſion, ſo they grow leſs and leſs zealous and religious. The reaſon (ſay ſome) why Chriſt curſed the Fig-tree, though the time of bearing fruit was not come, was becauſe it made a glorious ſhew with leaves, and promiſed much, but brought forth nothing. What's a barren tree, a barren ground, or a barren womb to a barren heart? Many in our days are like the Cypreſs-tree,Joh. 15.6. which the more it is watered, the more it is withered; ſo the more many are watered with the means of grace, the more they wither; the more the dews of heaven falls upon them, and the more heavenly Manna is daily rained round about them, the more lean, fruitleſs, and barren they grow; Such ſouls may do well to remember, that thoſe trees that are not for fruit, are for the fire, Heb. 6.8.Auguſtin. For a cloſe let me tell you, that I fear (with that Father) that many grieve more for the barrenneſs of their lands, then they do for the barrenneſs of their lives, and for the barrenneſs of their trees, then they do for the barrenneſs of their ſouls, and for the loſs of their Cattel, then they do for the loſs of Gods countenance. But,
Eigthly & laſtly, You have but little holineſs, witneſs that great indifferency and inconſtancy that is to be found among you.My Lord Paulet kept both great favor and places under Henry the eighth a Papiſt, and under King Edward the ſixth a Proteſtant, and under Queen Mary a Papiſt, and under Queen Elizabeth a Proteſtant, & being ask'd how he could do ſo, he anſwered that he always imitated the willow and not the oak. Ah how many Chriſtians are there in theſe days of Goſpel-light, who are indifferent who they hear, or what they hear; who are indifferent whether they pray or not, or walk in Goſpel-order or not, or keep Sabbaths or not, or maintain cloſet communion with God or not, or enjoy the Lords Supper or not, &c. And, O what inconſtancy is to be found among many in theſe days; many perſons are onelyonly conſtant in inconſtancy; now they are for Ordinances, and anone they are againſt them; now Ordinances are precious and glorious things, and anone they are poor low things; now they cry up this and that for glorious truths, and anone they cry down the ſame things as dangerous and pernicious errors; now they cry up Paul, and cry down Apollo, and anon they cry up Apollo, and cry down Paul; now they are for this form, and anon they are for that; now they are very zealous, and anon they are very lukewarm; now they are for worſhipping of God according to rule, and anon they are for worſhipping of God according to the preſcriptions of men; now they have their gales of devotion, and anon they are quite becalmed; now they are full of life, and anon they are very lumpiſh; now they ſtand faſt, and anon they are wavering; now they are confident all will be well, and anon they give up all as loſt; now they will lay down their lives for Chriſt, and anon they are afraid to own Chriſt, &c. Now what does this indifferency and inconſtancy ſpeak out, but either a total want of holineſs, or elſe that holineſs is at a very low ebb in theſe mens ſouls. Now theſe eight Arguments do clearly evidence that many (O that I could not ſay that moſt Chriſtians) have attained but to ſmall meaſures and degrees of holineſs. But,