Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. How to make use of Christ as the Truth, when error prevaileth, and the spirit of error carryeth many away.
THere is a time▪ when the Spirit of error … going ab…oad▪ and truth is questioned, an many are led away with delusions▪ for Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and faire like pretensions to holinesse, and under that pretext ushere-in untruthes, and gaine the consent of many unto them; so that, in such a time of temptation, many are stollen off their feet, and made to depart from the right wayes of God, and to imbrace error and delusions, in stead of truth. Now the question is, how a poor beleever shall make use of Christ, who is the Truth, for keeping him stedfast in the truth, in such a day of tryal, and from imbracing the way of error, how plausible soever it may appeare: for satisfaction to this, we shall propose those few things.
1. In such a time, when a Spirit of error is let loose and rageth, and carrieth severall away, it were good for all, who would be keeped streight & honest, to be walking in feare. It is not good to despise such a s…ye and subtile enemy, especially in the houre and power of darknesse. Then all are called to be on their guaird, and to stand upon their watch toure, and to be jealous of their corrupt hearts, that are ready enough, of their own accord, to drink-in errour, and to receive the temptation, at any time, and much more then.
2. They would not think, that their knowledge, and ability to dispute for truth, will keep them stedfast, if there be not more: for if the temptation grow, they may come to reasone and dispute themselves out of all their former knowledge and skill. The father of lies is a cuning sophister, and knoweth how to shake their grounds, and cast all loose.
3. They would renew their covenant grips of Christ, and make sure that maine businesse. viz. their peace and union with God in Christ, and their accepting of Christ for their Head and Husband. They would labour to have the fundation sure, and to be united unto the chief corner stone; that so, blow the storme as it will, they may ride saifely; and that hereby they may have accesse to Christ with boldnesse, in their difficulty; and may with confidence seek light from Him, in the houre of darknesse.
4. To the end they may be keeped more watchfull, and circumspect, they would remember, that it is a dishonourable thing to Christ, for them to step aside, in the least matter of truth: the denying of the least point of truth, is a consequentiall denying of him, who is the Truth: and to lose a foot in the matters of truth, is very dangerous▪ for who can tell when they, who once slip a foot, shall recover it againe? And who can tell how many, and how dreadful errors, they may drink▪in, who have once opened the door to a small errour? Therefore they would beware of tampering in this matter, and to admit any errour, upon the account that it is a small and inconsiderable one: there may be an unseen concatenation betwixt one errour and another, and betwixt a small one and a greater one, so as if the little one be admitted and received, the greater shall follow▪ and it may be feared that if they once dally with errour, and make a gape in their consciences, that God give them up to judiciall blindenesse, that, ere all be done, they shall imbrace that opinion, which sometime they seemed to hate as death.
5. They would eye the promises suteing that case: viz. the promises of Gods Guideing the blindely a way, which … know not: of making darknesse light before them and crooked t…ings streig…s Es…. 42: 16. and of guideing contin…ally Esa. 8▪ …. see also Esa. 49▪ 10. and 57: 18. and they would act faith on these and the like promises▪ as now made sure through Jesus.
6. Particularly, they would fix their eye upon that principal promise of the Spirit of truth, to guide into all truth Iohn 16: 13.
7. With singlenesse of heart, they would depend on Christ, and waite for light from Him, and beware of prejudice at the truth: with singlenesse of heart, they would lye open to his instructions, and to the influences of his light and direction, and receive in the beames of his divine light: and thus go about duties viz. Prayer, Conference, Preaching, Reading &c. with an eye fix…d on him, and with a soul open to Him, & free of all sinful preingadgment, and love to errour.
8. With singl…nesse of heart, they would give up their souls to Christ, as the Truth, that He would write the truth in their souls, and frame their souls unto the truth, and unto that truth, which is most questioned, and by which they are most in hazard to be drawn away; and urge and … Him by prayer and supplication, to do the duty of an Head, an Husband guide and Commander &c. unto them; and that He would be a … unto them, in that day of darkness, and not suffer them to dishonour Him, or prove scandalous to others; by departing from the truth, and imbracing of errour. A serious single-hearted dealing with Him, upon the grounds of the covenant promises, and his relations and engadgments, might prove steadable in this case, if accompanyed with a lying open to the influences of truth▪ and to the light of information, which He is pleased to send by the Spirit of truth.
Cautions and Directions.
For further clearing of this matter, we shall hinte at some cautions, and further directions useful here: such as
1. They would beware of thinking that God should come to them with light and instruction, in an extraordinary manner; and reveal the truth of the question controverted somewhat immediatly: for this were a manifest tempting and limit…ing of the holy one of Israel. We must be satisfied with the meanes of instruction, which he hath provided, and run to the Law and to the Testimony. We have the Scriptures, which are able to make the man of God perfect and throughly fournished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3: 16, 17. and to make wi…e unto Salvation vers. 15. There must we seek light; and there must we waite for the breathing of his Spirit with life, and coming with light to cleare up truth to us: for they are the Scriptures of truth. Dan. 10: 21. and the law of the Lord, which is perfect, converting the soul, and the commandement of the Lord▪ that is pure enlightening the eyes &c. Ps…l. …9: 7▪ 8. We have the Ministery, which God hath also appointed for this end, to make known to us his minde: there must we waite for him and his light. Thus must we waite at the posts of wisdomes doors: and waite for the king of light, in his own way, wherein He hath appointed us to waite for Him. And if He think good to come another way, more immediat, Let Him alwayes be welcome: but let not us limite Him, nor prescribe wayes to Him; but follow his directions.
2. When any thing is borne-in upon their Spirit, as a truth to be received. or as an errour to be rejected, more immediately, they would beware of admitting of every such thing, without tryal and examination: for we are expressely forbidden to beleeve every Spirit, and commanded to try them, whether they are of God or not 1 Iohn. 4: 1. The Lord will not take it ill, that even his own immediat motions and revelations be tryed and examined by the word; because the word is given us for this end, to be our teste and standart of truth. The way of immediat revelation is not the ordinary way now of God's manifesting his minde to his people. He hath now chosen another way, and given us a more sure word of prophecie, than was even a voice from heaven, as Peter sayeth 2 Pet. 1: 18, 19. It is commended in the Bereans Act. 17: 11. who upon this account were more noble, then those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readinesse of minde, & searched the scriptures dayly, whether those things were so. Even Pauls words, though he was an authorized, & infallible Apostle of Christ's, are here put to the touch stone of the word. Many false Prophets may go out, and deceive many, and speak great swelling words of vanity 1 Iohn. 4: 1. 2 Pet. 2: 18. and the devil can transchange himself into an angel of light 2 Cor. 11: 14. And though an Angel out of heaven should preach any other thing, than what is in the written word, we ought not to receive his doctrine, but to reject it, and to account him accursed Gal. 1: 8. So that the written word must be much studied by us; and by it must we try all motions, all doctrines, all inspirations, all revelations, and all manifestations.
3. Much more would they beware of thinking, that the dictats of their conscience obligeth them, so as that alwayes they must of necessity follow the same. Conscience, being God's deputy in the soul, is to be followed no further, than it speaketh for God, and according to truth. An erring conscience, though it binde so far, as that he who doth contrary to the dictats thereof sinneth against God, in that, knowing no other than that the dictats of conscience are right and consonant to the minde of God▪ yet dar counteract the same, and thus formally rebel against Gods authoritie; yet it doth not oblige us to beleeve and to do, what it asserteth to be truth, and duty. It will not then be enough for them to say, my conscience, and the light within me speaketh so, and instructeth me so: for that light may be darknesse, and errour and a delusion; and so no rule for them to walk by. To the law and to the testimony: and, if their conscience, minde, or light within them, speak not according to this word, it is because there is no lig…t in them Esai. 8: 20. I grant, as I said, they can not without sin, counter act the dictats even of an e…ing …; because they know not better, but that these dictats are according to truth: and thus an erring conscience is a most dangerous thing, and bringeth people under a very sad dilemma, that whether they follow it or not, they sin: and there is no other remedie here, but to lay by the e…ing conscience, and get a conscience rightly informed by the word: puting it in Christ's hand, to be better formed and informed; that so it may do its office better. This then would be especially guairded against; for if once they lay downe this for a principle, that whatever their conscience and minde or in ward light (as some call it) dictat, must be followed, there is no delusion, how false, how abominable so ever it be, but they may be at length in hazard to be drawn away with: and so the rule, that they will walk be, be nothing in effect but the Spirit of lies and of delusion; and the motions and dictates of him, who is the Father of lies, that is, the Devil.
4. Such as pretend so much to walk by conscience, would take h…ed, that they take not that for the dictate of conscience, which really is but the dictat of their own humors, inclinations, preoccupyed mindes, and byassed wills. When conscience speaketh, it groundeth on the authority of God, whether truely or falsely, and proposeth such a thing, to be done, or to be refrained from, meerly because God commandeth that, and forbiddeth this, though sometimes it mistaketh: but, though the d…ctats of mens humors, inclinations, preoccupyed judgements and wills, may pretend God's authority, for what they say, yet really some carnal respect▪ selfish end and the like, lyeth at the bottom, and is the chiefe spring of that motion: and also the dictats of humor, and byassed willes are usually more violent and fierce, then the dictats of conscience; for wanting the authority of God to back their assertions and prescriptions, they must make up that with an addition of a preternatural force and strength. Hence such as are purely led by conscience, are pliable, humble, and ready to heare and receive information; whereas others are headstrong, and pertinacious, unwilling to receive instruction, or to heare any thing contrary to their mindes, lest their conscience▪ receiving more light, speak with a higher voyce, against their inclinations, and former wayes; and so create more trouble to them; whileas now they enjoy more quiet within, so long as the cry of their selfwill & byassed judgment is so loud, that they can not well hear the still and low voyce of conscience.
5. They would labour for much self denyal▪ and sincerity; and to be free from the snares and power of selfish ends, as credite, a name▪ and applause, or what of that kinde, that may be like the fear of man, that bringeth a snare: Prov. 29: 2. 5. for that will be like a gift, that blindeth the eyes of the wise Exod. 23: 8. love to carry on a party, or a designe, to be seen and accounted some body, to maintaine their credite and reputation, lest they be accounted changelings, and the like, will prove very dangerous in this case: for these may forcibly carry the soul away, to imbrace one errour after another, and one errour to strengthen and confirme another, that it is hard to know▪ where or when they shall stand: and these by-respects may so forcibly drive the soul forward, that he shall neither heare the voice of conscience within, nor any instruction from without.
6. They would study the word of truth, without prejudice and any sinfull preingadgment, lest they be made thereby to wiredraw and wrest the word, to their own destruction; as some, of whom Peter speaketh 2 Pet. 3: 16. It is a dangerous thing, to study the word with a prejudicat opinion; and to bow or wiredraw the word, and make it speak what we would have it speak, for the confirmation of out opinions and sentiments: for that is but to mock God and his law; and to say, Let his law speak what it will, I will maintaine this opinion; and so make the word speak, as we would have it, or else lay it by. This is to walk by some other rule, than the word▪ and to make the word serve our lusts, and confirme our errours, than which a greater indignitie can not be done to the Spirit of truth, speaking in the word.
7. In reading and studying of the word, there would be much single dependance on the Spirit for light: waiting for clearnesse from Him, whom Christ hath promised to lead us into all truth. An earnest wreastling with Him for his assistance, enlightening the minde with divine light, to understand the truth, and inclineing the soul to a ready imbraceing and receiveing of the truth, declared in the word.
8. Though one place of scripture be enough to confirme any point of truth, and ground sufficient for us to beleeve what is there said, there being nothing in scripture, but what is truth: yet in such a time of abounding errours, and when many are going abroad, speaking perverse things, to lead the simple away, it were spiritual wisdome to be compareing scripture with scripture; and not to be lightly imbracing whatever may seem probable, and fairely deduceable from some one passage or other of scripture; but to be comparing that with other passages, and see what concord there is: for this is certane, what ever point contradicteth other clear and manifest testimonies of scripture cannot be true; how ever a cunning sophister may make it seem very probably to flow out of such or such a passage of scripture. The testimony of the Spirit is uniforme, and free from all contradictions: and therefore we must see, if such an assertion, that some would draw from such a passage, agree with other plaine passage: and if not, be sure, that that is not the meaning of the place. When the devil did wreste and abuse that passage of truth Psal. 91: 11. He shall give his angels charge concearning thee. &c. and from thence would inferre, that Christ might cast himself down. Mat. 4; 6. Christ shew that this inference was bad, because it did not agree with other divine testimonies, particularly not with that Deut. 6: 16. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God: And thereby he teacheth us to take this course, in times of temptation? and so compare spirituall things with spirituall, as Paul speaketh, 1. Cor. 2: 13. Especially they would beware of expounding clear Scriptures by such as are more dark and mysterious: See 2. Pet. 3: 16. it is alwayes saifer, to explaine darker passages by such as are more clear.
9. Let them guaird against an humore of newfanglednesse, nauseating old and solide truthes, and seeking after something new, having eares itching after new doctrines, yea or new modes and dresses of old truthes: for this is provocking to God, and proveth dangerous; for such turne away their eares from the truth, and are turned into fables, as Paul telleth us. 2. Tim. 4: 3. 4. for the time will come, sayeth he, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their owne lusts, shall they heape to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turne away their eares from the truth▪ and shall be turned unto fables. This favoureth of a spirit of levity and inconstancy; which is dangerous.
10. They would labour to have no prejudice at the truth, but receive it in love, and the love of it▪ lest for that cause God give them up to strong delusions to beleeve lies, and to be led away with the deceiveablnesse of unrighteousnesse: as we see 2. Thes. 2: 10, 11, 12. and with all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved▪ and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should beleev a lie; that they all might be damned, who beleeved not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse.
11. So would they beware of stifling the truth, of making it a prisoner▪ & detaineing it in unrighteousnesse, like those spoken of Rom. 1: 18. for which cause God gave▪ them up to uncleannesse and to vile affections, and they became vaine in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened; yea professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. vers. 21, 22, 24▪ 26. They should let truth have free liberty, and power in the soul; and should yeeld up themselves to be ruled and guided by it: and not thorture with it, lay chaines upon it, or fetter it, and keep it as a prisoner, that can do nothing.
2. For this cause, they would hold fast the truth, which they have learned, and have been taught by the Spirit out of the word. When Paul would gua…rd▪ and fortifie Timothy against seducers, that creept into houses, leading captive silly women &c. among other directions, he giveth him this 2. Tim. 3:▪ 14, 15▪ But continue thou in the things, which thou hast learned, and hast bin assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to Salvation &c. So he would have the Colossians walking in Christ, rooted and build up in Him, & stablished in the faith, as they had been taught Col. 2. 6, 7.
13. Especially they would be holding the ground-work fast, saith in Christ: It were good, in such a time of erring from the way of truth, to be griping Christ faster, and cleaving to▪ Him by faith, and living by faith in Him. This is to hold the foundation fast; and then let the tempest of errour blow as it will, they will ride at a sure anchor, and be s…ife, because fixed upon the rock of ages: and further, living neare Christ, in such a dangerous day, would be a noble preservative from the infections of error. The soul that is dwelling in Christ, and griping to Him dayly by faith, and acting love on Him, dwelleth in light, and will discover errour, sooner than another, because living under the rayes of the sun of righteousnesse; which discovereth errour.
14. They would labour to learne the truth, as it is in Iesus; and the truthes, which they have heard of Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Him, will abide, when other truthes, that have been learnt but of men, and heard of men, and as it was in the preaching of men, and in books, shall soon evanish, in a day of trial. This is to learne Christ, as the Apostle speaketh Ephes. 4: 20, 21. But yee have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Iesus, When we learne the truth, as it is in Iesus, it bringeth us alwayes in to Him, and hath a tendency to fixe our hearts on Him, and is a piece of the bond that bindeth us to him and his way: we receive it then as a piece of his doctrine, which we must owne, and stand unto; O if we learned all our divinity thus! we would be more constant and stedfast in it, then we are.
15. When controversies arise, and they know not which side to choise; both seemeth to them to be alike well founded on the word, they would exerce their spiritual sagacity, and set their gift of discerning a work, to see which of the two tendeth most to promove piety and godlinesse, and the kingdome of Christ: and so see which of the two is the truth, which is after godlinesse, as the Apostle speaketh Tit. 1: 1. they must look which of the two is the doctrine, which is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6: vers. 3. That is thetruth which is Christ's, and which should be owned and imbraced, viz, which floweth from a Spirit of godlinesse, & tendeth to promove godlinesse, and …eth with the true principles of godlinesse, even gospel godlinesse, wrought according to the tenor of the covenant of grace; that is, by the strength of the Spirit of Jesus, dwelling and working in us; and not according to the tenor of the covenant of works, that is, wrought by our own strength &c.
16. Yet withal, they would take heed, that they mistake not here: for they may look upon some wayes and doctrines, as having a greater tendency to promove godlinesse, then others; which indeed have not, but only seem so. They would therefore consider well, what is the way of godlinesse laid down in the noble device of the gospel, which is the way that only glorifyeth God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; and see what suiteth most with that, according to the word; and not what seemeth most suitable to godlinesse in their apprehension. The word is the best judge and teste of true godlinesse; and in the word, we have the only saifest meane of true godlinesse held forth▪ therefore we should see, what doctrine tendeth most to promove godlinesse, according to the way held forth in the word, and choose that.
17. They would guaird against pride and selfeconceite, as thinking they are wise enough, and understanding enough, in those matters: and so need not take a lesson of any. This may be of great prejudice, for itis the meek, that God guideth in judgment. And to the meek will He teach his way Psal. 25: 9. Therefore it were good for his people in such a day, to be meek and humble, willing & ready to learne of any person, how meane so ever, that can teach the wayes of God. The Lord may bless a word spoken by a private person, when he will not bless the word spoken by a Minister: for his blessings are free. And itis not good to despise any meane: Apollos, though instructed in the way of the Lord, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in Spirit, and teaching diligently the things of the Lord Act. 18: 24, 25. Yet was content to learne of Aquila & of his wife Priscilla, when they expounded unto Him the way of God more perfectly vers. 26.
18. In such a time, itis not unsaife to look to such, as have been eminent in the way of God, and lye neare to Him: for itis probable, they may know much of the minde of God, in those questioned matters: Hence, we finde the Apostle putting Timothy & others to this duty, in a time when false teachers were going abroad, saying 2 Tim. 3: 10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life: & 1 Cor. 4: 16. wherefore I beseech you be ye followers of me: & 1 Cor. 11: 1. & Againe Phil. 3: 17. Brethren be followers together of me. All which say, that though we should call no man Rabbi, as hanging our faith absolutely on Him; yet in such a time of prevailing errour, and of false teachers going abroad, some respect should be had to such, as have found grac… of the Lord to be faithful in times of tryal, an… have maintained truth, and stood for it, in times persecution, and have with singleness of heart followed the Lord; It not being ordinare with God, to leave such, as in sincerity seek Him, and desire to follow his way, in truth and uprightness; and to give the revelation of his minde, and the manifestation of his Spirit, to others, who have not gone thorow such trials.
19. They would also at such a time be much in the sincere practice of uncontroverted duties, and in putting uncontroverted and unquestionable and unquestioned truthes into practice: and this may prove a notable meane to keep them right: for then are they in God's way; and so the devil hath not that advantage of them, that he hath of others, who …re out of the way of dutie. David understood more than the Ancients, because he keeped God's precepts Psal. 119: 100.
20. It were good and suteable at such a time, to be much in the feare of God; remembering what an one He is, and how hazardous itis to sin against Him, by drinking-in the least point of errour. The promise is made to such. Psal. 25: 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord, him shall He teach in the way that he shall chuse.
21. Finally, at such a time, they would be much in communion with Jesus, lying neare Him; much in prayer to Him, studying his Relations, Offices, Furniture, Readiness to helpe with light and counsel; and they would draw neare to Him with humility, boldness, faith, confidence, love, tenderness and sincerity; and then they shall not finde that He shall fail them or disappoint them.
Enough of this. I proceed therefore to another case, which is.