One-Hundred Forty-Five Sermons Upon John 17, Sermon 58
SERMON LVIII. The Greatneſs of the Mercy of being kept ſound in the Truth: And the Damnableneſs of Errour demonſtrated.
JOHN 17.11.
Keep through thy own Name thoſe whom thou haſt given me.
WE are now come to the laſt Interpretation, which is part of the compleat ſenſe here intended, in this phraſe, foreign, and that is, to take Name for that pure and ſound Doctrine, whereby God in a ſaving manner is known. Thus Name is uſed at the 6th verſe, I have manifeſted thy Name, which is explained by the word, they had kept. And then the Prepoſition foreign, is taken properly, Keep in thy Name, in thy Truth and Word, which I have manifeſted to them. For there is a two-fold keeping of Gods Word, Obedientially, by conforming our lives to it; and Doctrinally, by preſerving the truth of it; In this ſenſe Timothy is exhorted to keep (2 Tim. 1.14.) the good thing committed to his truſt, gold he hath received, he muſt look this be not debaſed by erroneous droſs. Obſerve,
Obſerv. That its a ſpecial mercy to be kept in the truth, and pure faith we have received.That it's a ſpecial mercy to be kept in the truth and pure faith we have received. Faith and Unity our Saviour prayeth for, agreement in errour is not true peace, and faith without Unity will like a live-coal quickly die of it ſelf alone. In theſe times of Errours and Hereſies this Doctrine hath more than ordinary uſefulneſs in it, and therefore diligently attend to the grounds, why it's a ſpecial mercy to be kept ſound in the faith, and that we are more to rejoyce that our ſouls are kept from deceitfull errours, than our bodies from infectious diſeaſes. And
Grounds proving it to be ſuch a ſpecial mercy.Firſt, It's a ſpecial mercy, becauſe of the frequent and diligent Exhortations given to all, that they fall not from the truth, that they make not ſhipwrack of their faith, 2 Pet. 3.17. The Apoſtle having ſpoken before, that ſome wreſt the Scriptures to their own deſtruction, he bids even the godly beware; a word uſed in matter of great concernment,I. Becauſe of the frequent and diligent exhortations given to all, that they fall not from the truth. and where there is great danger, leſt they alſo be lead aſide; Therefore errour is not the way to Heaven, and the Errour of the wicked it is called; Wickedneſs is ſhewed in corrupt Doctrines, as well as in prophane lives, (ſo as to fall from their ſtedfaſtneſs) if you begin to ſhake, to doubt, it's a ſinne, we muſt not fall from our ſtedfaſtneſs: There is a notable place alſo Jude verſ. 3. when the Apoſtle gave himſelf diligently to write of ſalvation, what doth he pitch upon, to ſtrive for the true Faith, and he doth not barely write, but exhorts, his affections as well as his judgement, are ſet on work, and it's not ſimply to believe or keep the faith, but foreign, to be in an agony, as they that are in a fight or race; The faith ſhould be as dear to us as our lives, and the word implies a difficulty to keep it, becauſe of violent enemies to take away this live childe, and put a dead one in the room: Laſtly you have the character of this faith, it was once delivered, ſo that new Revelations are not to be expected; But we are to enquire, What was once delivered? Thus you ſee, a Chriſtian muſt not be cold and lukewarm in the truths of God, but he muſt with all his ſoul imploy himſelf about it.
Secondly, True Doctrine is a ſpecial mercy, 2. Becauſe one main end of the Scripture, is to inform and keep us therein.becauſe one main end of the Scripture is to inform and keep us therein. As God made the Sunne a fountain of all light, and the Starres ſhine with a borrowed light from it; ſo hath God put all ſpiritual light into the Scriptures, and with this Sunne both Paſtour and people are to be cloathed. The Scripture is not only a rule of our life, but of our faith principally, 2 Tim. 3.16. The Apoſtle there reckoning up the admirable uſe, and end of the Scriptures, puts this in the firſt place, That it is profitable for Doctrine; How then dare a man ſay, it's no matter what Religion I am of, all the doctrinal Diſputes are but Scholaſtical Subtilties? Is not this to blaſpheme the perfection of the Scripture? and is it not horrible ingratitude to God, who giveth his Church the Scriptures, as the moſt glorious Jewel it can enjoy? This was the Jews priviledge, to them were committed the Oracles of God, Rom. 9.
Thirdly, It's a ſpecial mercy to be kept in the truth, becauſe the Lord hath appointed Officers in the Church, for this end among others, 3. Becauſe the Lord hath appointed Officers in the Church for this end among others, to preſerve the truth.to preſerve and propagate the truth. If it be then of ſuch eſteem with God, ought it not to be alſo with us? And wherein doth Gods regard to his truth more appear, than in ordaining Officers in his Church, whoſe main work and imployment ſhould be to diſſeminate this pure ſeed whereſoever they come, Epheſ. 4.14? There we have Offices given to the Church, and one end is, that believers be not toſſed up and down with every winde of doctrine: And though Timothy, as ſome expound that place had propheſies concerning him, what a glorious inſtrument he would be in the Church of God, yet Paul doth again and again exhort him to keep the ſame doctrine he had delivered to him, (1 Tim. 9.20.) O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thee; That compellation is inſinuating, and argueth much affection in Paul, and there is a reaſon even in the very expreſſion of faith, he cals it depoſitum, as Ariſtotle obſerveth; it's a greater ſinne to imbezil, or alter that, than any thing we have borrowed, becauſe this is committed to our Juſtice; but a depoſitum to our faithfulneſs. The Depoſitor doth reſt upon us as truſty men; So that by this all the Miniſters of God are to be awakened, Chriſtian faith and doctrine is committed to you, as the preſervers of it; The Prieſts lips are to preſerve knowledge, and the people are to require it at their hands. The Apoſtle 2 Tim. 1.14. as if verbum ſapienti ſat eſt, were not true in this matter, doth again re-minde him, to keep the good thing committed to him; See with what eſteem he ſpeaks of the true Doctrine, and this is to be done by the holy Ghoſt. The matter is ſo great, that unleſs the Spirit of God inable us, beſides all our ſtudy and learning we are not able to keep it; yea a Deacon muſt not be ordained, unleſs he hold faſt the myſtery of faith in a pure conſcience, 1 Tim. 3.9. Oh then, let none have low thoughts about that, which God hath appointed an Office for, and therefore given them the titles of the light and ſalt, and nihil eſt ſole ſale utilius.
Fourthly, It's of ſpecial conſequence to be preſerved in the pure faith, 4. Becauſe the more godly & endeared any are to God, this priviledge they ſhall have to be kept in the truth, at leaſt ſo as not damnably to erre.becauſe the more godly and endeared any are to God, this priviledge they ſhall have to be kept in the truth, at leaſt ſo as not damnably to erre. Inſomuch that a ſound judgement in Religion, will diſtinguiſh a godly man, as well as an unblameable life. Mat. 24. Our Saviour ſpeaking of falſe prophets, with what powerfull pretences they ſhould prevail, ſaith, If it were poſſible, they ſhould deceive the very elect; If it were poſſible: You ſee by this, that there are ſuch falſe waies in Religion, that are inconſiſtent with ſalvation; and therefore the elect man ſhall not fall into them, no more than into groſſe and abominable ſins, viz. ſo as totally to loſe Heaven and ſalvation. Yea John 10. our Saviour deſcribes his ſheep and goats, not by their lives, but by their attending to the true Doctrine, My ſheep hear my voice, and a ſtranger they will not hear, yea they will flee from him, verſ. 5. So that a godly man doth hang his godlineſs about his intellectuals, as well as morals; He is not onelyonly to conſider, Am I diligent in prayer? Do I walk conſcionably in my wayes? But am I alſo a lover and prizer of the true Doctrine of Chriſt?
5. Becauſe that is the foundation and neceſſary pre-requiſite to ho…ineſſe.Fifthly, It's of great moment to be preſerved in the pure Doctrine, becauſe that is the foundation and neceſſary pre-requiſite to holineſſe. The will can never apprehend that which is bonum, if the underſtanding do not firſt ſhow, what is the true good: The apprehenſive faculty muſt guide the appetitive, If the eye be dark, the whole body is (as our Saviour afterwards prayeth) Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy Word is truth. Gods truth is only inſtrumental to holineſs; Errours can no more nouriſh ſpiritual life, then chaff or ſtubble, yea or poiſon can nouriſh a man bodily: For as falſe Sacraments (ſuch as the Popiſh) cannot increaſe grace, becauſe they have neither inſtitution or promiſe; ſo is it alſo for errours; and therefore the ſame perſons that had thruſt away a good conſcience, they could not endure or abide it, the ſame made ſhipwrack of their faith, they put it away, 1 Tim. 1.19. They had ſome good conſcience once (though not truly ſanctified) but this they repell, they do not love it any more, it's againſt their intereſts, their worldly advantages, their luſts and carnal affections; Can we then have too precious thoughts of Gods truths, ſeeing they onelyonly are bleſſed to a mans true godlineſs?
6. Becauſe of the proneneſs that is in men to be lead aſide by errours.Sixthly, It's a mercy to be kept in the truth, becauſe of the proueneſs and readineſs that is in men to be lead aſide by errours. Gal. 2. I wonder you are ſo ſoon carried away, ſo ſoon; Let there come a falſe teacher, and he can quickly do more hurt, and pervert mens mindes then the Apoſtle Paul could do good. Wonder not, if you ſee ſome ſeducer come to a Town, and in a moment corrupt mens mindes, and make them his Diſciples, and ſo overthrow that building which a faithfull Miniſter hath been many years building up, you ſee it was of old ſo, Paul, though an Apoſtle, neither by man, nor of man, yet found it ſo; and at another time he complaineth, how ready they were to become even ſlaves to falſe-teachers; they might abuſe and domineer over them, you ſuffer if a man buffet you, &c. onelyonly the true Apoſtles they could not bear them. We ſee then, why it is that a goodly field may ſuddenly be overrunne with tares, a hopefull Church, the body of Chriſt, be all over with a Gangrene, and made deformed. There is a proneneſs in a man to erre in his judgement, as well as in his life. Happy then is he whom God keeps.
7. Errors of judgment are damnable as well as ſinfull practiſes.Seventhly, Errours of judgement are damnable, as well as ſinfull practiſes. It's true, ſome errours are fundamental, ſome ſuperſtructive onelyonly, and ſo one kinde is not as damnable as another; but thus it is in Saints alſo, ſome are compared to a gnat, ſome to a Camel; but as we ſay of the leaſt ſinne, it deſerveth hell, ſo of the leaſt errour; for as no ſinne is in it ſelf little, becauſe God is not a little, but infinite God; ſo no errour is in it ſelf little, becauſe it's againſt the ſame glorious God. Hence Gal. 5. Hereſies are reckoned as the fruit of the fleſh among other groſſe ſinnes; and can there be more terrible words ſpoken againſt any ſort of wicked men, then the Apoſtle Peter doth (2 Pet. 2.1.) thunder out againſt ſome falſe Teachers, that ſhould privily bring in damnable hereſies, whoſe damnation ſleepeth not. Oh then tremble to loſe thy ſoul among errours, as well as ſinnes! For the Apoſtle 2 Pet. 3. ſaith, Ignorant men wreſt the Scriptures to their deſtruction; Damnation is in perverting of Scripture; yea 1 Cor. 3. we ſee there that even hay and ſtubble, errours of a lighter nature, make the ſalvation of a man difficult, he ſhall be ſaved, yet ſo as by fire. Auſtin and Syrinenſis diſtinguiſh between the Haeretici and Credentes haereticis, the ſeducers and ſeduced; The former are in a condition more expoſed to vengeance then the latter; howſoever errors in Religion, as well as corrupt practiſes tend to hell. Auſtin queſtioned who was worſe, a Chriſtian believing truly, but living wickedly, or an heretick living unblameably, but believing unſoundly, Non audeo dicere, I dare not determine it. But Salvian a pious ancient Writer, inveighs more againſt the prophane Chriſtian, and as for the unblameable heretick, Errant (ſaith he) ſed piè errant, haeretici ſunt, ſed tibi, non ſibi; and thus Bernard reckoning up the three little ages of the Church, the firſt under perſecutions; the ſecond under hereſies; the third under corrupt manners, makes this latter the more bitter: But we cannot abſolutely pronounce which of theſe two is the worſe in ſome reſpects one exceeding the other.
Eighthly, It's a bleſſed thing to be kept in the truth, 8. Becauſe of thoſe heavy cenſures the Scripture inflicts upon heretical perſons.becauſe of that heavy cenſure, the Scripture inflicts upon heretical perſons to avoid them, to turn from them, not to bid them, Godſpeed, John 2. They muſt not receive ſuch into their houſe, or have any familiarity with them, and they are to avoid an heretick, yea the Apoſtle would have us hold ſuch accurſed, though they were Angels or Apoſtles themſelves, and Gal. 1. The ſame reaſon, viz. a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, which is brought as a ground to caſt out the inceſtuous perſon, is alſo applied to a corrupt doctrine. The zeal and deteſtation then which ought to be in all the godly againſt hereſies argueth the greatneſs of the mercy, if kept from them.
Ninthly,9. The more noble the ſubject is in which any habit or perfection doth conſiſt, the more noble is that perfection. The more noble the ſubject is in which any habit or perfection doth conſiſt, the more noble is that perfection. Now a ſound faith and true Doctrine is ſeated in the minde and underſtanding, which is like the eye, and the Sunne in a man: So that if the minde be corrupted, all is corrupted, and ſuch are more incurable then prophane men, becauſe they have laeſum principium, they account their errour truth, they believe a lie, and then who can heal them?
Tenthly, Gods command is laid upon us to believe the true Doctrine, as well as obey the holy command, both are indiſpenſable. The ſame God that ſaith, Thou ſhalt not commit adultery, ſaith alſo Believe this and that Doctrine revealed. God hath laid a command upon the minde to believe, as well as the heart to obey.10. Gods command is laid upon us to believe the true Doctrine, as well as obey the holy command.
Ʋſe of Exhortation to the people of God, to take heed of erroneous opinions, as well as ſinfull practiſes. The one are damnable, are the fruits of the fleſh, and provoke God as well as the other; let thy heart be equally bent both againſt hereſies and prophaneneſs. Nothing ſhould be dearer to thee then Gods truth. Did not the Martyrs burn at the ſtake meerly for ſound Doctrine? Did not Chriſt ſay, For this end I came into the world to bear witneſs to the truth? And know thoſe errors thou haſt been lead aſide with, when once truely enlightned, will be bitter and ſharp thorns in thy ſide, Jam. 1.19, 20.