The Scripture Directory for Church Officers and People, Exposition 1 · Verse 13
Verſe 13. Every mans work ſhall be made manifest.
IN the twelfth verſe you had a Deſcription of a two-fold Builder. Now in this verſe, and the other following, the Apoſtle proceeds to ſhew a two-fold event. And
1. He generally declareth, that there will be a Manifeſtation of every mans work. And then
2. The Conſequent Effect… upon that Manifeſtation; that there will be a diſcovery at laſt, though for a while men may carry on their purpoſes with much ſubtilty, you have in the firſt part of the verſe.
Peter ſaid of Pauls Epiſtles, That there were in them many things hard to be underſtood. And Auſtin he thought (as you heard) this Text was one of them.
I ſhall therefore explain it by degrees. And
Firſt, I ſhall at this time, conſider the Propoſition laid down by the Apoſtle, as a ground work, Every mans work ſhall be made manifeſt; Conſider, the Subject, the Note of Ʋniverſality, and the Attribute.
1. The Subject, Every m…ns work, [work.] Here the Apoſtle calleth erroneous Doctrines; as alſo the publiſhing and propagating of them works, which overthroweth that nice diſtinction of ſome, who preſſed with that place, Rom. 13. The Magiſtrate is a terrour to evil works. Works (ſay they) not opinions, or falſe Doctrines, for though the opinion ſimply as ſo, is hidden in the heart, yet the profeſſing and publication of it, is a work, therefore here they are made all one. So verſ. 8. it's called a mans labour. And John epiſt. 2. we muſt not bid God ſpeed, to a man that brings a falſe Doctrine, leſt thereby we be partaker of his evil deeds.
2. Here is the Note of Ʋniverſality, Every mans work; that is, every Doctors, every builders work.
Laſtly, Here is the Attribute, Shall be made manifeſt. Which implieth, that all errours and falſhoods have a glittering out-ſide, they are maintained with much ſubtilty and ſpecious pretences; ſo that he who looks only to the ſeeming out-ſide, and appearances of falſe wayes, will eaſily be deceived. But as the painted face, when it comes near the fire will melt; ſo theſe painted errours, when God bringeth his fire will diſſolve away. So that there is much in that phraſe, Shall be made manifeſt.
Now although this Propoſition is to be taken in a limitted ſenſe to the falſe, ſubtil and crafty wayes of errours, and the authours thereof; yet I ſhall firſt handle it as a general truth, and ſo as the Apoſtle may take it as a general, and then apply it to the particular of fooliſh builders. Obſerve,
That all the wayes and works of wickedneſs,Obſerv. though acted in never ſo hidden and ſecret a manner ſhall be made manifeſt.
When, and how, I ſhall not yet enquire: All that I have now to do, is, That ſuch works, though creeping under the ground will be brought to light. So Chap. 5.10. Eccleſ. ult. & ult.
Firſt, We will ſhew, What kind of hidden wickedneſſe ſhall be made manifeſt. What ſecret ſins ſhall be brought to light.And then, The Aggravation of hidden and covered wickedneſſe.
Firſt, All the ſecret and hidden thoughts, affections and purpoſes of the heart, God will one day make manifeſt to the whole world. The heart of a man that is the womb, wherein all thoſe ſerpentine and venemous luſts of mens hearts are begotten and bedded, and for want of a Summers warm day, theſe ſnakes many times do not creep out. Men do not accompliſh the wickedneſſe of their hearts, becauſe they want opportunities, for ſhame, or fear of men: but God hath a time, when all that heart-malice, heart-adultery, heart-murder, ſhall no longer be kept cloſe. So in that place mentioned, He will make manifeſt the counſels of the hearts, 2 Cor 5.10. That as there are a world of flies and motes in the air, which we never ſee, till the Sunne-beams ariſe; ſo there are thouſands and thouſands of proud, unclean, covetous and malicious thoughts and purpoſes lodging in mens hearts, which the world never knows, but God will one day have Heaven and Earth take notice of them. Oh then, what a curb ſhould this be to thy heart, to thy thoughts? Thou thinkeſt they are free, you may think what you will: No, God will manifeſt and j…dge thee for theſe things. Good Hezekiah humbled himſelf for the pride of his heart, 2 Chron. 22.23. It's the property of a godly man, though he commit no outward wickedneſſe, yet to mourn and humble himſelf for his ſecret thoughts. Oh what a beaſt, what a Devil was I for thinking ſo? What if God ſhould diſcover thoſe imaginations to all the world? When Gehez… had taken gifts of Naaman, Eliſha diſcovering it, rebukes him ſharply, ſaying, Is this a time to buy fields and orchards? 2 King 5.26. Why ſaith he thus to Gehezi? Becauſe it was in Gehezi's thought and purpo…e to enrich himſelf. And Chriſt do…h often reprove the Phariſees for their wicked thoughts they had, when yet they did not manifeſt them. Oh then, remember your thoughts are the firſt-born of your ſoul, and your ſoul is much as they are, they ſhall no… alwa…s be hid! Every mans breſt ſhall be according to that mans wiſh, to have a glaſſe there that all may ſee and read what is therein.
Secondly, All the impure and unclean works of the fleſh committed in ſecret, theſe alſo ſhall be made manifeſt. The Scripture ſpeaks of the hidden things of diſhoneſty, 2 Cor 4.2. And the adulterous waiting for the twi-light. As alſo, the whores wiping her lips, pretending even Religion, paying her vows, when ſhe hath been committing her leudneſſe. And again the Scripture ſaith, That it was a ſhame to ſpeak of what was d…ne by ſome in ſecret, Epheſ. 5.12. Oh how greatly doth the Land mourn to bear ſuch unclean perſons? Thou walkeſt abroad boldly in the day time; thou comeſt to Church, and performeſt the duties of Religion: But Oh the ſecret hidden wayes of uncleanneſſe thou runneſt into! The wals of the chamber, the timber in the houſe will bear witneſſe againſt thy wanton and laſcivious carriages; Thou doeſt theſe things ſecretly, but God will reward them openly. Hence he ſaith, Whorem…ngers and adulterers God will judge, Heb. 13.4. Why God? Will not men judge them in this world? And will not God judge other ſinners as well as theſe? But therefore he ſaith, God will judge them, becauſe ſuch ſinnes are carried ſo cloſely, ſo craftily, that none but God can find them out. Oh therefore let all ſuch tremble, who have been, or are guilty this way, let them judge themſelves that God may not judge them! All things are open and naked to the eyes of God, and ſhall one day be to the whole world; then it will no longer be ſmothered up; yea in th…s world, God many times doth ſo terrifie the hearts, the conſciences of unclean perſons, that they themſelves out of very horrour, and to have eaſe, are forced to confeſſe it, Prov. 5.14. Oh know, that heart of thine, that now burneth with hot luſts, will, if not timely converted, burn like hell with tormenting flames, and be conſumed with gnawing worms.
Thirdly, The hidden works of thieving and ſtealing, and unjuſtly taking away of other mens goods, will one day be manifeſt. Stollen things, though ſweet in the mouth, will prove gravel in the belly; yea thou wilt be forced to vomit all up again. Oneſimus ran away from his maſter Philemon, and ſtole ſome of his goods from him; now the Apoſtle writeth an Epiſtle on purpoſe to him concerning this matter; and the holy Ghoſt thought it good, to have it recorded, as part of the Canonical Scripture, though he would think the matter were but light, for it is to aſſure Philemon of Oneſimus his repentance for what he had done, and that he would be indeed foreign hereafter, though he had not been ſo before, and that wherein he had wronged him, he would forgive it, and ſet it upon Pauls ſcore. Achan ſtole a wedge of gold, Joſh. 7.21. and God would not let all Iſrael alone, till it was diſcovered; for a wedge of gold is a tongue of gold, as it is in the original; and indeed it did ſpeak and cry aloud againſt Achan; and ſo all the things thou haſt craftily and falſly taken from others, th…y have a tongue with them, they many times talk to thee in thy conſcience, and cry to God to be delivered to their true owners. This is a ſecret work of wickedneſſe that God will manifeſt.
Fourthly, There is a hidden work of unrighteouſneſſe, which is not plain ſtealing, but it's crafty and artificial coſening in thy trading and commerce with others. You ſhall not find them groſly coſen you, but they have myſteries in their trade and crafty over-reachings: Theſe are ſecret works of iniquity, which God will alſo manifeſt. You know a notable place, Hoſ. 12.7, 8. The balance of deceit was in his hand, and he was become rich, yet he ſhould find no iniqu…ty in him that was ſinne; they ſhould not diſcover he dealt unrighteouſly, they could not prove he dealt falſly. Oh then let ſuch who trade, who buy and ſell in the world, take heed that for worldly gain they do not circumvent or go beyond their brother! This be aſſured of, that in ſuch ſinnes of injuſtice, there can be no pardon, till there be reſtitution, or a prepared heart for it. The firſt thing that troubled Zacheus, when he was converted, was his wronging of others, If I wronged any (ſaith he) I reſtore him fourfold, Luke 19.8. God is a righteous God, and he loveth righteouſneſſe. Oh then take heed of over-reaching this way! Thou bringeſt ſuch money or goods home, and thou thinkeſt this will help my wife, my family; this will enrich me; and thou doeſt as the Eagle, that catching fleſh from the altar, had a live coal cleaving to it, which when ſhe came to her neſt, ſet neſt and young ones on fire. The curſe of God is like a ſecret moth eating into ſuch things.
Fifthly, Carnal and worldly policy to have earthly greatneſſe, and power, and honour in the world: this is a very deep and ſecret work, but God will manifeſt it. Policy is no policy, if the deſign be not laid deep and ſecret. Therefore Iſaiah reproving carnal Politicians, ſaith, Woe to them that take deep counſel, Iſa. 29.15. And in other places, That cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit. God hath his time, that he will diſcover the thoughts of the worldly wiſe to be vain, he will make known all the ſecrets and crafty conſultations againſt his truth and people, and he will be avenged for all the Atheiſm and prophane boldneſſe, and hardneſſe of heart, ſuch carnal policy hath been accompanied with: For he ſaid well, That a Politician was a man that ſtood upon his head with his heels upwards, ſhaking them againſt Heaven. Well then, it's good for ſuch to remember, that …very work ſhall be made manifeſt; and when the ſtorm ariſeth, thoſe cob-webs will be driven away.
Sixthly, Diſſimulations and inconſtancies in matter of Religion. This is a ſecret work God will manifeſt. Divines call it to be a Nicodemite, He came to Jeſus by night, John 3.2. and durſt not openly profeſſe Chriſt for fear of the Jews. There were ſome who have held. That they might do any external acts of Idololatrical worſhip, be at Maſſe (ſay they) believe any thing, ſo that they keep their conſciences and minds pure. The Priſcillianiſts are noted for wicked diſſimulations herein. In Ezekiel we reade the Prophet is commanded, To dig through the wall, to ſee the women and men committing their religious abominations in private, Ezek. 8.8. Now God will bring this hypocriſie to light, External profeſſion is nectſſary to ſalvation, when the command requireth it, as well as inward faith. With the heart man believeth, and with the mouth confeſſion is made to ſalvation, Rom. 10.10. So that in caſe of confeſſion it is damnable not to acknowledge the truths of God. God gives a great commendation of ſeven thouſand in Ahabs time, that had not bowed their knee to Baal, 1 King. 18.19. They would not diſſemble that outward worſhip; commonly there are never more ſubtil and ſecret ſhiftings then in matters of Religion. But of that more in time.
The aggravation of ſecret hidden ſins.In the next place, Conſider the aggravation of thoſe ſinnes that are ſecret and hidden. For although to be an open bold ſinner, is in ſome reſpects a greater ſinner, than a cloſe private ſinner, becauſe hereby there is more diſhonour to God, more ſcandal to others, and more impudency in the ſinner, which happily might be the cauſe of that ſpeech attributed to Athanaſius, Ʋtinam omnes eſſent hypocritae. Hence ſome are reproved for having an whores fore head, that they were not aſhamed, when they had ſinned, that they b…aſted of it, yet in many reſpects theſe ſecret ſins, have terr…ble aggravations:
1. It argueth a m…n hath more conſciouſneſſe to himſelf, that he doth not wel…, therefore he wou…d not have the world know, Now when any man ſins with a conſciouſneſſe to himſelf that he doth ſinne; this is a bloody aggravation. Tremble at this, you who live in ſecret wickedneſſe, Why doeſt thou keep it ſo cloſe? Why art thou ſo fearfull? Why doeſt thou as Rachel make a… excuſe to cover thy Idols? All this argueth the more conſciouſneſſe, the more gu…t in thee: Thy conſcience is awakened, thou haſt …ruglings and conv…ctions within thee; this is to rebel againſt light; this is to ſtop the mouth o… …hy monitour; thy conſcience within, which the very Heathen could ſay, was a god to every man; I tell thee, ſinning thus againſt conſcience▪ more have deſpaired than upon any other ground. Oh they did thus, and they lived thus; but all this while they had a conſciouſneſſe to themſelves they ſhould do otherwiſe. This hath made them ſo deep…y poſſeſſed (though happily upon falſe grounds) that they have ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt.
2. This ſecret ſinning puts farre more reſpect and fear upon men, than God. Thou wilt be unjuſt in ſecret, thou wilt be unclean in ſecret: Why? thou art afraid ſuch men know it. Oh thou wicked wretch! Art thou afraid of the eye of a man, and not of a great God? Careſt thou not, though God ſee thee, whereas thou wouldſt hide thy ſelf, if man come near thee? Thus thou art a coward to man, but thou braveſt it to God; Thou doeſt in effect ſay, Though God behold, though God know, though God be acquainted with it, I matter it not. Oh fooliſh and unwiſe? Can man damn thee? Can man fill thy conſcience with terrours? Can man bid thee depart into everlaſting howlings? Why then art thou afraid of man, and not God?
3. The more ſecret any wickedneſſe is it argueth the heart is more ſtudious and induſtrious …bout it, how to contrive it, how to bring it about. Of all Davids ſins, that in the matter of Ʋriah, the Scripture giveth the greateſt b…and on it, becauſe it was done with ſuch ſecrecie. (David did that which was right in the ſight of the Lord, ſave in the matter of Ʋriah, 1 King 15.5) and premediation Mark Joſh. 7.11. how Joſhua in Achans ſinne obſerved the ſecreſie, and the diſſimulation, and craft uſed in it. Oh that men and women would conſider this thing, God takes notice with how much craft and ſubtilty you commit your ſins, and none never know it!
Ʋſe of Admonition. Take heed of ſecret hidden ſins, God will one day manifeſt what thou haſt been. Oh it may be the world thought of all the men that lived, thou wouldſt never do ſuch and ſuch things▪ but God knoweth thy down-ſitting and upriſing! Whither can you flie from his preſence? Oh let every one then bewail the plague ſore of his own heart! When Chriſt convinced the woman of Samaria of the ſecret ſinne ſhe lived in, ſhe crieth out, Come and hear one that hath told me all that ever I did, John 4. Prevent confuſion hereafter at the day of judgment, by humble confeſſion of all thy ſecret ſins unto God, and he will not then upbraid thee.
Every mans work ſhall be made manifeſt.
This Propoſition hath been handled as a general truth; and ſo is a thunder-bolt againſt all ſecret ſins, what they do in ſecret, God will reward openly. The more ſecreſie, the more guilt.
Now I ſhall conſider this Propoſition in its limited and reſtrained ſenſe, as it relates to falſe Doctrines, to thoſe that build ha… and ſtubble; where the very expreſſion, That it ſhall be made manifeſt, denoteth, That errour for a long time may go undiſcerned, it may have a counterfeit paſſe; even hay and ſtubble may be thought gold. The falſe Prophet may get Elijah's mantle, and hide himſelf in it; but it ſhall be made manifeſt, firſt to the builder, and then to the whole world. To the builder it may be a manifeſtation for Direction and Illumination; he ſhall ſee he was in errour; he ſhall confeſſe he was ſeduced, and built unprofitable ſtubble, or a mani…eſtation of confuſion; He ſhall be confounded with ſhame, when his nakedneſſe ſhall appear; and like Adam ſhall hide himſelf, becauſe of his nakedneſſe. And
2. It ſhall be manifeſt to others, to the whole world that they ſhall ſee a difference between truth and errour. Even as you ſee the Magicians did ſuch things, as Moſes, and for a while there ſeemed to be no difference; but at laſt there was a plain diſcovery, which was of God, and which was not. Obſerve
That all the hidden and ſecret wayes of falſe Doctrines God will one day make manifeſt.Obſerv. Hidden and ſecret wayes of falſe doctrine ſhall be made manifeſt.
God will raiſe a fire to conſume hay and ſtubble; it will be put to a touchſtone, whether gold or counterfeit. This certainly ſhould make us tremble, about what we teach or preach; it will all be examined again; God will diſcover all the Errata's, and that by a ſharp fi…e; if we build hay, we ſhall ſuffer loſſe. All that time, labour and ſtudy will be wholly loſt.
To open this, let us conſider, What, concerning errours, will be made manifeſt. What concerning errours ſhall be made manifeſt.And
1. The Cauſes and Ends of them.
2. The Nature of them.
3. The cunning Artifi…e in divulging of them. And
Firſt, God will manifeſt all thoſe hidden cauſes, and ends of thy falſe Doctrines. 1. The cauſes of errour ſhall be manifeſt. 1. Pride.Now the Scripture gives theſe cauſes.
1. Pride and ſelf-conceit, or overweening of thy own abilities and ſufficiency; ſuch a man is in the high way to all errours, For the humble and meek God will teach, Pſal. 25. The valleys are fruitfull, when the high mountains are barren. Therefore the Apoſtle in this Epiſtle, and in many others beateth down pride and vain-glory, H… that thinketh he knoweth any thing, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8.2. Oh this is a golden truth! A man muſt have that modeſtie, that humility, as to think himſelf a Diſciple, rather than a Teacher. Paul that had ſuch extraordinary Revelations, God gave him a thorn in the fleſh; ſome extraordinary heavy temp…ation, to humble him, that he might not be lifted up, 2 Cor. 12. Conſider that God will make manifeſt all thoſe ſecret works of thy heart. Thou thinkeſt it zeal, thou thinkeſt thou haſt received greater abilities than others: but God wil make it known, whether it be no… thy ſelf-confidence, thy ſelf-conceit or no. As in the Apoſtles times, they had miracles to confirm their Doctrine, and that they were of God; they did heal the ſick, and raiſe the dead: So I may now ſay, humility is that miracle, which may confirm our Doctrine; If thou art of God, if thy wayes are of God, thou haſt no glory, no boaſting in thy ſelf above others. Chriſts ſymbol was a Lamb, and the Spirit of God appeared in the form of a Dove: If thou haſt the Spirit of God and Chriſt, thou wilt be of a Lamb-like, Dove-like diſpoſition. Take heed then of heart-pride, and pride of gifts; it's worſe than pride in cloaths or wealth. This carrieth thee to the pinacle of a Temple, ſets thee on high, and throweth thee headlong Ʋnleſſe a man become as a little child, he cannot be my Diſciple, Matth. 18 4. Here is a copy of humility and modeſty to write after Many Heretiques have b…en bold, ſelf-conceited men; the firſt that ever were almoſt in the Church, called themſelves G…oſtici, The knowing men, as if none had knowledge or underſtanding but they; but God will raiſe a tempeſt that ſhall diſcover this root under ground.
2. Ignorance2. Ignorance and weakneſſe of judgement. And truly this is the moſt innocent cauſe of errours, when men through ignorance and weakneſſe go in a falſe way; yet this doth not excuſe. For Peter ſaith, Even ignorant men wreſt the Scripture to their own deſtruction, 2 Pet. 3.16 Though ignorant or unlearned men, yet that will not excuſe them. Thus the Diſciples through weakneſſe of …heir faith and knowledge manifeſted very groſſe errours about Chriſt and his Office, till they were endowed with the Spirit of God from above. And where there is a cordial and plain deſire to know the truth, they ſ…udy, they reade, they pray, they do conſcientiouſly make uſe of all means God hath appointed: for t…at is a great matter to make uſe of all means; what one opinion ſaith as well as another; what one Tex… ſaith as well as another; ſuch (I ſay) as thoſe are to be tenderly handled, Rom. 15. Him that is weak, foreign, receive him lovingly. In this caſe, Saeviant illi, qui neſciunt, quantis gemitibus vel tantillum datur intelligere de vero, as Auſtin of old. When it's not obſtinacy, perverſneſſe, but meer ignorance; and thou doeſt inſtantly day and night pray to God, uſing all means; this doth greatly extenuate, though not totally excuſe; thy blindneſſe may make thee fall in the ditch, and God will have all this ignorance manifeſted to thee ſometime or other it may be.
3. Hypocriſie.3. Hypocriſie. The Scripture brandeth that for a heavy cauſe ſometimes of the errours and falſhoods in Religion. This indeed is a work that God only can manifeſt, who knoweth the hearts, and trieth the reins; yet that this is the bitter root of many bitter errours the Scripture giveth pregnant inſtances. The Phariſees were famous for building hay and ſtubble: What traſh and trumpery, ſuperſtition and falſe worſhip did they introduce? And now Chriſt who knew their hearts tels them it was nothing but hypocriſie. It was not God, nor a love to his truth or glory, but their own credit and glory, They do all things to be ſeen of men. Woe be to you hypocrites, ſaid he often, Ma…th 23.14. And Paul tels of men, that taught lies in hypocriſie, 1 Tim 4.2 Oh it's a matter to be trembled at, that ſuch hypocriſie ſhould ever fill a mans heart, that we ſhould ſcatter errours, propagate falſhoods, to get our ſelves a name! As they went to build Babel, that they might have a name. Search thy heart, what moveth thee to hold any opinion; if it be this hypocriſie, God will bring hidden things to light, and to have our portion with hypocrites is the higheſt condemnation, Mat. 24, 51.4. Ambition and affectation of high places.
4. Ambition and affectation of high places in the Church of God, and to be above others. This hath made men build hay and ſtubble. This indeed is a daughter of pride, and ſo is of the ſame nature, yet it's a diſtinct head; for more bitter fruit hath grown on this root, than upon moſt ſinnes, which made the Apoſtle James give that excellent Antidote, Not to be many Maſters, James 3.1. Do not ambitiouſly affect places of truſt and rule in the Church of God: and thereupon he makes a large digreſſion, to ſhew the ſeveral wicked wayes of the tongue, that is the unruly member, that ſetteth all on fire. If thou once haſt a proneneſſe to offend there, look to it, ſet a watch before thy mouth; nature hath hedged it in by teeth and lips. The Scripture alſo hath put many muzzles, on thy mouth, eſpecially that, My Brethren, be ſwift to hear, and ſlow to ſpeak, Jam. 1.13. You ought to be farre more deſirous to hear than to ſpeak. If ambition and affectation to be above others, provoke thee to falſe wayes, know God will make it manifeſt; yet this corruption is wonderfull pleaſing The Phariſees loved the high places, and to be called Rabbies. Neſtorius and many others broached hereſies, becauſe they miſſed of ſuch great preferment as they deſired. Donatus was ſo admired of his Diſciples, that they would ſwear by him, as by a god. Thus men with Herod, love to have acclamations, The voice of God, and not of a man; though his terrible judgement might be a warning.5. Diſcontent and imparience.
5. Diſcontents and impatiencies at ſome things which have fallen out in the Church, hath been a great cauſe to make diviſions, and to ſow tares amongst the wheat. Marcion, becauſe he was cenſured by Church-Officers for his miſdemeanours, he cried out, foreign, I will throw fire into the Church, and divide it. Thus men by way of revenge, to grieve and vex others, have taught falſe wayes. Paul complained of ſuch, That thought to a…de afflictions to his bonds, Phil. 1. But this will not alwayes be under the ground.
6. Envy and ſi…full emulation to the gifts and abilities of others that have been above them. This hath made men bring in ſtrange Doctrines.6. Envy. This worme is apt to breed in the fineſt ſpirits: You ſee John: Diſciples were ſoured with it: Maſter (ſay they) Him to whom thou beareſt witneſſe baptizeth, and all goe after him: That this was envy appeareth by the remedy John giveth, He muſt increaſe, and I muſt decreaſe, John 3.31. Thus among the Diſciples, there was often emulation, Who ſhould be greateſt amongst them. Oh this hath eaten like a Gangrene in the body of the Church, and hath made the Church to have ſuch a deformed face, as envy it ſelf is ſaid to have! Pallor in ore ſedet macies in corpore toto. So then, as ſome ſharp thorny buſhes have pleaſant bloſſomes on them; ſo many ſpecious and fair opinions, that are ſet out with much glory, may yet grow upon ſuch thorny and corrupt cauſes
7. A contemplative delight in a mans own notions and conceptions he hath. 7. Contemplative delight in a mans own notions.This hath cauſed more errours than any thing, eſpecially in learned men. Therefore hereſie is called from chuſing, when a man doth voluntarily chuſe ſuch a way to go in; and the Scripture doth excellently call it, Going a whoring after a mans heart No adulterer finds more pleaſure in thoſe delights of the fleſh, then the minde of a man corrupted doth with its owne notions. No woma… is more fond of her childe, than the underſtanding is of its owne conceptions.
The ſecond thing to be manifeſted is, The nature of every mans Doctrine, II. The nature of errour ſhall be manifeſted.and if falſe, than the vizor will be pulled of. It will appear counterfeit coin, and you know to be guilty of that is a capital crime, pro theſauro ca…bones, Gods authority and ſtamp will not be …ound on it. Rehobo…m, when the golden veſſels were taken out of the Temple, he put braſſe ones in the ſtead. It's not ſo well in the Text, for here is ſtubble for gold; ſo an Ancient did well expreſſe it; as if a man ſhould …e an Image all over guilded, and touch it, you ſhall find nothing but mouldring d…ſt; though it may be ae aurata, yet it is not aurea; it's but earth guilded over. If the… God would never bring our aſſertions to his touchſtone, we migh… be the more bold, but that cannot be.III. The cunning ſubtilty in divulging them ſhall be manifeſted. I ſhall ſay no more to this head, becauſe enough was ſpoken, when we ſhewed, why errours are compared to hay and ſtubble.
In the laſt place, God will manifeſt every mans work, In the cunning ſubtilty he hath managed it with. For the Scripture ſpeaks of the great crafty and ſubtil wayes men uſe, that they do foreign, 2 Corinth 2. adulterate, and mix the word of God; he cals it foreign, and the foreign, Epheſ. 4.14. ſuch jugling and cheating as men uſe with their dice. For,
1. Before hearers are publickly prepared for them, they go privately, and ſecretly vent their ware: So they are ſaid, Privately to bring in damnable hereſies, 2 Pet. 2.1. They are ſaid, To creep into houſes, 2 Tim. 3. They are the moles that creep under ground, whereas Chriſt ſaid, He taught nothing but what he did publickly; all did hear.
2. Their craft is ſeen, In mingling ſome truths with their errour, that while we take one, we may ſwallow down the other; and this is worſe than palpable hereſie in ſome ſenſe; Pejus eſt veneno oceidere quam gladio; they mingle their wine with water. Thus ſome falſe Apoſtles, they preached Chriſt as well as the works of the Law; but this craft God will manifeſt, when …e ſhall ſeparate the precious from the vile, and that is the reaſon (ſay ſome) why Chriſt would not own the confeſſion that the Devil made, That he was the Sonne of God, leſt ſpeaking ſome truth, he ſhould alſo vent his lies by owning him.
3. This craft is ſeen, Either in ſweet and winning words, full of love and kindneſſe; or elſe in pretence to deep and ſublime myſteries. Some men are moſt taken with moral and popular diſcourſes; therefore Paul ſaith, they have foreign, Rom. 16.18. good ſweet honey words. Others a…e more taken with ſubtil and philoſophical Arguments; therefore the Apoſtle bids them, Beware of philoſophy, Col. 2.8. and ſaith, it's knowledge falſly ſo called. Philoſophi fuerunt Patriarchae haereticorum. Yea theſe Nani, that hay and ſtubble we find in ſome of the Greek Fathers, about Free-will and Grace, is attributed to their Platonical Philoſophy, which was ſoaked too much in them, and ſo continued, though Chriſtians; as Ariſtotles Philoſophy infected the fountain in the Schoolmens time.
4. Their circumſpection to obſerve the fit ſeaſons, to diſſeminate their errours. Thus while all were aſleep, tares were ſown, upon the fitteſt ſubjects, women as being more affectionate, They leade captive ſilly women, 2 Tim. 3.6. Tender and ſoft hearted men, upon whom ſpecious pretences will eaſily work. Theſe and thouſand of other ſubtil and artificial wayes, God will make manifeſt.
Ʋſe of Inſtruction to us Miniſters. Take we heed, how we build, and that is, by avoiding the cauſes of error, pride, ambition, envy diſcontent. Oh it's an happy thing, when we can ſay, O Lord, we have ſerved no parties, drawn on no deſignes, ingaged in no factions, but plainly and faithfully deſired to know thy will, and to preach the truths of Chriſt! This will be a crown of rejoycing unto us at our death. Not as pleaſing men, but God, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Theſ, 2.4. As of God, and in the preſence of God, 2 Cor. 2.
Ʋſe of Admonition to People. Take you heed of thoſe cauſes likewiſe; for the ſame ſins that ſpread errours, the ſame ſins make hearers to receive them. Be not proud, ſelf conceited, though you have got ſome underſtanding, and can conferre with better gifts than others. Alas, thou haſt cauſe enough to be humbled; the more thou knoweſt, thou wilt ſee thy ignorance the more. A poor man thinketh a little ſumme of money great treaſures.
For the day ſhall declare it, &c.
This Text (you heard) containeth the proportionable Effects or ſucceſſe, which builders wiſe or fooliſh have in Gods houſe. And the Apoſtle firſt layeth down a general Propoſition [Every mans work ſhall be made manifeſt] which hath already been diſpatched.
We therefore now proceed; and for this manifeſtation, the Apoſtle informeth us of the time firſt, and then the manner how.
The time firſt in theſe words, For the day ſhall declare it, and of this at this preſent.
All the doubt is, What the Apoſtle doth mean by the Day?
There are ſome underſtand it of the Day of death, when every man receiveth his particular judgement; he ſhall then know, whether his building will abide or no.
Others underſtand it of the Day of Judgement, which is called the day of the Lord, and that day, by an emphaſis. Bellarmine indeed is poſitive in this, becauſe foreign is uſed with an Article, which ſignifieth the Day of Judgment, but that is falſe. For the time of the Goſpel is called foreign, Rom. 13.12. The night is paſt, the day is at hand, &c. So that we cannot cloſe with this interpretation, becauſe the Apoſtle carrieth it all the way for this life, while we are in this world, as will be ſhewed, when we come to explain, what is meant by the fire.
We take therefore Day for no more than Time; ſuch a day hath God in his wiſdome appointed for the blowing away all this chaff. As we ſee a covering of thatch doth not ordinarily hold long, but fire or winde ariſeth and coſumeth all. Thus the Septuagint ſometimes render foreign, Time: So that the meaning is, Howſoever theſe errours and falſe Doctrines may continue, yet time at laſt will diſcover the vanity and weakneſſe of them. The Grecian ſaid, foreign, Time was the Touchſtone the trial of all things. And the Latines ſay, Veritas eſt temporis filia, Truth is the daughter of Time▪ The day will declare it, that is, time will make them manifeſt; onelyonly the Article foreign, that Day, doth denote the appointed and ſet time, which God hath for the taking of all ſuch diſguiſes, whereas it is the clean contrary with truth: The longer that laſts, the more it is believed, the ſufficiency and evidence of it, is the more entertained. Now although we thus underſtand it of time in this world, yet it cannot be denied, but at the Day of Judgement there will be a full diſcovery of all the works and Doctrines of men. Obſerve,
That God hath his time,Obſerv. That God hath his time for the diſcovering of errour. when he will diſcover the errours and falſhoods of mens Doctrines.
A day ſhall declare it. You have a parallel expreſſion, Their folly ſhall be made manifeſt, and they ſhall proceed no further, 2 Tim 3.9. he compareth falſe teachers to Jannes and Jambres, as they did miracles like Moſes for a while, but at laſt their folly and ſorcery were diſcovered: So it's here, God will put a ſtop to the torrent of errours; he will ſhew a great difference between his truth, and mens inventions; the one ſhall be received, and the other rejected. This Gangrene that ſpiritual Phyſician can ſtop from further contagion. God that could ſtop the infection of the plague on a ſudden, that the arrow ſhould kill no more at mid-day, hath done this alſo wonderfully in his Church. The day did declare Arianiſm, Pelagianiſm, Neſtorianiſm, and the like.
To enlarge this Doctrine, conſider theſe things,
Firſt, In that the Scripture cals the time of manifeſtation, a Day, wherein is light, and the Sunne beams; it doth excellently imply, That all the while there are corruptions in Doctrine and Worſhip, that time is a time of darkneſſe. Let men never ſo much rejoyce in them, and count them happy times, yet the Scripture cals them dark times. So that to take away the truths of God, the pure worſhip of God, is indeed, Solem è mundo tollere, to take the Sunne out of the firmament. All the while the Church of the Jews was without the Law and the Prophet, without true teaching of the Word of God; they were in a worſe condition than the Egyptians, in their Egyptian darkneſſe, for that hindred them onelyonly in their bodily motions, and outward accommodations; but this tends to the deſtruction and damnation of ſoul and body. The true Miniſters of Gods word are compared to light, and to ſalt, Matth. 5 13. Nihil Sole & ſale utilius, both are neceſſary and uſefull. They are called the Starres, and it muſt needs be a dark night, when no ſtarres ſhine. Since the Apoſtles times, the Church of God hath many times come under ſuch dark times, that it hath been like the old Chaos, when darkneſſe covered the deep. Take we heed then of calling darkneſſe light, there is a woe to thoſe that do ſo, Iſa. 5.20. as ſome do the times of Reformation, the times of Deformation. If theſe corrupt Doctrines, which come from the prince of darkneſſe, thou calleſt light, as coming from the Father of lights; Thou intitleſt God to the Devils work, and that is no mean …in. This ſhould teach the godly what to think under the overflowing of errours, to account them dark and ſad times.
Errors are ſpiritual judgements.Secondly, There are no fooliſh builders that thus deform Gods Temple, but they are by Gods permiſſion; in his wrath and anger, becauſe men have abuſed his truth, and waxed wanton under it, therefore hath he ſent the ſpirit of deluſion and errours amongst men, 2 Theſſ. 2.10. For this you muſt know, though God be not the Authour of any evil, and it were blaſphemy to aſcribe ſinne to him, as the cauſe of it; yet, as a juſt Judge he doth not onelyonly ſuffer, but alſo order, that hereſies and corruptions ſhall be in the Church. They are of the Lord by permiſſion and ordination, though not efficiency and approbation. Thus in Deut. 13.3. If there ariſe a falſe Prophet, I the Lord do it to try you. And in Ahabs time, you may reade of many lying ſpirits in the falſe Prophets, yet they could not goe to delude ſuch or ſuch, till God gave them leave, 2 Chron. 18.21. Thus 1 Cor. 11. There muſt be hereſies: Why muſt there be ſo? God to puniſh mens corruptions, their pride, their ignorance, their wilfull abuſe of his knowledge, will ſuffer ſuch things to be. Though he hath a gracious end, That the approved may be made manifeſt; That as all the perſecutions, which have been in the Church were from God as a juſt Judge, to exerciſe the patience of it: So all the hereſies and errours which have been, were to exerciſe the wiſdome and true faith of the Church. So that howſoever times of overflowing of errours be dark and uncomfortable times, yet to conſider the cauſe, is farre more uncomfortable, for theſe came from mens corruptions, and Satans inſtigations, as alſo from a provoked God in Heaven, who puniſheth our former unthankfulneſſe and diſobedience, with corrupt ends and practices: As it's ſaid, Becauſe men did not receive the truth in love, God gave them up to believe a lie, 2 Theſſ. 2.10. So that it's hard to ſay, whether is more ſad to conſider the nature of the errours, that diſhonour God, or the cauſe of them, which is Gods anger againſt a people for barrenneſſe and unthankfulneſſe. God then hath his times, when for the ſinnes of a people he lets Satan looſe, and ſuffers this red Dragon to vent his dreadfull poiſon
Thirdly, As the corrupt errours of men came from Gods anger, ſo in mercy he hath appointed times, wherein he will purge and take away their droſſe. For theſe Church-burthens and Church-corruptions have been farre more heavy upon Gods people, than State-oppreſſions. Therefore the firſt thing that Gideon did, who was raiſed up by God, to be a Judge to deliver Iſrael from their cruel oppreſſions, was to remove their Altars, and all their Idolatry: he began with God firſt, Judges 6.28. And ſo when Moſes had gathered the people of Iſrael into a body, and they were capable of a Civil Government, yet the firſt thing he doth, is to preſcribe them Lawes concerning the worſhip of God; and in the Decalogue, the firſt Table is for the Duties relating to God. By this you ſee, That corruptions in Gods worſhip and truth, as they are greater ſinnes than others; they are talents when others are pounds; ſo they lie more heavily upon the people of God, they bewail them more. Rome, as it was Aegypt, did not ſo much trouble the godly, as it was S…dome; the Idolatry more than the cruelty offended the people of God. This being ſo, God among temporal promiſes of deliverance, of righteouſneſſe and peace, doth alſo comfort the godly with times of Reformation in his Church, that this hay end ſtubble ſhall no longer ſtand to diſhonour his building. Thus God by the Prophet Iſaiah promiſeth. To purge away their droſſe, and to take away their tinne from them, Iſai. 1.25. which doth relate to their Church-ſinnes, their Idolatries, as well as State-ſinnes. And by Ezekiel, you have a glorious promiſe concerning Church-Reformation, Ezekiel 36.25. as well as temporal, He will give them to ſee their Idolatries, ſo that they ſhall be confounded and never open their mouths. Eſpecially, God hath thoſe times, when people ſhall be aſhamed of their errours, of their ſuperſtitions, and ſhall never open their mouths again to plead for them, or juſtifie them, When they ſhall ſee the patterne of the Mount, Ezekiel 43.10. You have a notable promiſe, Malachi 3 3 where upon Chriſts coming, there is promiſed a glorious reſtauration, He ſhall ſit as a refiner and purifier of ſilver, and he ſhall purifie the ſonnes of Levi. Chriſt when he came into the world found all Gods worſhip groſſely polluted; all the Prieſts had defiled themſelves: Now this was one end of Chriſts preaching to purifie them, to cleanſe them from theſe defilements. It's true, prophane and worldly men, or meer Atheiſtical Politicians, they make no matter about Gods truth, they make advantage of any Religion that ſerveth a deſigne; but this was the great worke of Chriſts Miniſtery, to make a Reformation in Doctrine and Worſhip. Though this was very unpleaſing to corrupt men, therefore it is ſaid, Who can abide the day of his coming? It is even like a day of judgement to them. It is obſervable what our Saviour ſaith, as much to our purpoſe, and parallel with the Text, John 4.23. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worſhippers ſhall worſhip the Father in ſpirit and truth. You ſee how God hath his houre, his time and ſeaſon for ſuch a thing; and then when that is come, they ſhall worſhip, God will ſo over-rule, enlighten, and perſwade mens hearts, that they cannot but yeeld. Such an hour or time God had, when we recovered out of Popery, Then darkneſſe covered the face of the earth: The Sunne, and the Moone, and the Starres were turned into blood: The Officers of the Church, who ſhould have had light to inſtruct, did cruelly and bloodily perſecute ſuch as did hold the truth. Now, though all the world was thus in darkneſſe, yet when God raiſed up thoſe inſtruments of his truth, Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and others: They were no more able to ſtop the ſpreading of the Goſpel, then they could hinder the Sunne from running its race. Gods hour was come, and then the eyes of men would be opened. There were many perſons, before Luther's time, learned and godly men, that did withſtand Popiſh errours, that died in contradiction of them; but yet the world was not awakened; they did not thinke of coming out of Aegypt, till Gods time was come.
Fourthly, This Day of Gods revealing, may be a long while, as to our expectation. God may ſuffer corruptions to cover all the body of the Church: You may ſee onelyonly chaffe, and no wheat; and this may be a long while; ſo that the godly doe even languiſh under their expectations. Thus in Elijah's time, 1 Kings 19 14. to his knowledge, and according to viſible appearance, he onelyonly was left to vindicate the pure Glory and Worſhip of God; And in what a temptation was he about it? It's true, God told him, He had reſerved ſeven thouſand that had not bowed their knees to Baal, that did not communicate in Idolatry: But what was ſeven thouſand to all the people of Iſrael? No more than the gleanings of the Harveſt. And thus alſo we might ſhew, how in the Chriſtian Church, when errours had once got poſſeſſion in it; they were like the Jebuſites, and the wilde beaſts in the Land of Canaan, which could hardly be deſtroyed. Donatiſme laſted above two hundred yeares. Pelagianiſme, and Arianiſme, though but ſparkes, yet kindled ſuch a fire, that it was not extinguiſhed in many generations. So that we may ſay of this time, as Chriſt to the Diſciples, It is not for us to know the times and ſeaſons, when God will reſtore his Church to her purity. That is enough, which our Saviour ſaith, Every plant that is not of my Fathers planting, ſhall be rooted out, Matth. 15.13. That is an excellent place, compared with this Text: God hath his time, when he will root out all the plants, that he did not plant in his owne Vineyard: But how long it will be, ere this day breake forth, God hath not diſcovered to us.
Theſe things thus explained, Let us conſider the Reaſons, Why God will have a Day to declare mens workes in matter of falſe Doctrines? And
Firſt, Becauſe the truth of God is deare and precious to him. Chriſt himſelfe makes it one main reaſon, why he came into the world, (viz.) To beare witneſſe to Gods truth: So that Divines ſay, Though Chriſts death in reſpect of God the Father appointing him to be a Sacrifice for ſinne, was foreign, an attonement or expiation, yet if you doe reſpect men, before whom he made a good Confeſſion, as Paul ſaith, 1 Timothy 6.13. So it was foreign, a Martyrdome; Chriſt died a Martyr, as well as a Mediatour, becauſe by his blood he witneſſed Gods truth. You ſee then, how deare his truths are to him: And the Pſalmiſt, among other arguments, uſeth this, It's time for thee, Lord, to work, for men have made void thy Law, Pſal. 119.126. And though it be but the leaſt Commandment, yet if any man ſhall teach men to breake it, he ſhall be called the leaſt in the Kingdome of Heaven, that is, he ſhall be none at all in the Church here (as ſome expound) and of Heaven hereafter, Matth. 5.19. Know then, that not only prophane lives, but corrupt Doctrines do provoke God.
Secondly, It's neceſſary there ſhould be a time, becauſe of the people who belong to Gods grace, that they may ſee their errours, and bewail them: That they may redeem the time, by pulling down their hay and ſtubble, and building gold and ſilver. Thus Luther, and all the firſt Reformers (alas) they had a long time built hay and ſtubble, till God opened their eyes, and then they were as much for truth as once againſt it. How could the people of God come out of Babylon, if this day were not? And if there be ſo much joy, for reducing one ſtraying Sheep, how much more of wandering Shepherds?
Laſtly, In reſpect of men hardened in their errours, that their obſtinacy may appear the more: That when they will not ſee, though the day appear, who then can juſtifie them? Thus the Phariſees, the proper builders of hay and ſtubble, yet Chriſt tels them, He came into the world, that they might not ſee. Their blindneſſe was the more increaſed by his light.
Ʋſe of Admonition, To embrace thoſe daies of light and Revelation, which God brings into the world. Do not dote upon thy own Opinions; thy old corrupt Doctrines and Worſhip: It's no longer night, the day appeareth. It's true, ſuch a day is very terrible to men, who are wholly corrupted with their errours: As Mal. 3. The Prophet ſpeaking of his coming to purify the ſons of Levi, cryeth out; Who may abide the day of his coming? It's as terrible (you heard) as the Day of Judgment to them. Certainly, to ſuperſtitious and idololatrical perſons, the day of Reformation is a terrible day: They cannot abide the purity and holineſſe of it. Do not diſpute, but wiſely obſerve when God cauſeth ſuch daies to ariſe upon thee; thy blindneſſe will be the more inexcuſeable.
Becauſe it ſhall be revealed by fire, and the fire ſhall try every mans work of what ſort it is.
We now proceed to the manner, or Inſtrument, by which the Day of God ſhall declare it, and that is by fire. This is the place that hath raiſed much fire of contention, while Expoſitours differ about the interpretation of fire. Auſtin (as you have heard) thought it one of Paul's hard places, to be underſtood; and is ſo modeſt, that he profeſſeth he had rather learn from others, then dictate any thing himſelf. This Text the Papiſts make the chief place for Purgatory; therefore Bellermine lib. 1. de Purga. cap. 5. is very large in the explication of this place, calling it as difficillimum for tiliſſimum, &c. one of the moſt difficult places of the whole Scripture, and yet moſt profitable, becauſe the Catholiques build their Eccleſiaſtical Doctrines on this place, viz That there are venial ſins, and that there is Purgatory. Indeed, he doth in part Orthodoxly expound the fire in this verſe, ſaying, Herein we do not diſſent from Calvin and Martyr; but he would eſtabliſh it on verſe 15. Of which in its time. But it's well, that if there be ſuch a fire, it's only of hay and ſtubble, and will not laſt long. By Purgatory fire, they mean a ſevere puniſhment, though not altogether ſo terrible as Hell; in which place they go, that are good for the main, but yet have many ſinnes cleaving to them, from which they were not purged in this life. If you ask for a text of Scripture, ſome ſay, It cannot be proved by Scripture, but only it's a Church tradition: Others, as Bellarmine, labour to prove it by Scripture, but by very obſcure texts, ſuch as theſe are. Now, neceſſary things, to Faith or Salvation, are ſome where or other, laid down plainly in Scripture. But that this is only a probatory fire, and not a a purgatory, as they hold, appeareth by this clear Argument. They hold that only wicked actions ſhall come into the purgatory fire, but the Apoſtle makes all actions, good or bad, to come under this fire. The fire ſhall try every mans work. If it be gold or precious ſtones, it muſt be tried by fire, as well as hay or ſtubble; whereas, purgatory fire is only for hay and ſtubble. And this ſufficiently clears the place from any ſuch corrupt gloſſe, which would build hay and ſtubble, even from that very text that threatens fire to ſuch Doctrine.
But it's not enough to confute a falſe interpretation, unleſſe we give a true. What then is meant by fire? And
What is meant by fire.Firſt, We will take it for granted (though ſome think otherwiſe) that fire is uſed in the ſame ſenſe by the Apoſtle in theſe verſes. It's revealed by fire. The fire ſhall try. Yet …o as by fire Three times the Apoſtle nameth fire, and it's not likely, that in ſo ſhort a ſpace, he ſhould uſe it in different ſenſes.
Taking it therefore for one and the ſame fire, let us conſider how the Scripture uſeth the word fire; and I ſhall not reckon up all the ſignifications, but what reſpects to this in my Text, And
1. Fire ſignifieth the wrath and anger of God. Why is thy anger kindled like fire? And, God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12.29.
2. For the Effect of Gods anger, tribulations and puniſhment. When thou walkeſt through the fire, Iſa. 43 2.
3. It's uſed for any thing that will try and examine. That as the fire tryeth the gold, but conſumeth the droſſe; ſo whatſoever way God takes to examine, that is fire. Thus Pſal. 66.10 Thou haſt tryed us as ſilver is tryed And Gods Word is ſaid to be like gold ſeven times tryed in the furnace, Pſal. 12 6. Eſpecially Zechar. 13.9.
4▪ More particularly, it's uſed for Gods Word, becauſe that doth try and diſcover all falſe waies. Jer. 5.14. I will make my …ords in thy mouth fire, ſaith God to Jeremiah. For fire hath light and heat in it; both theſe try. Firſt, Light: Every thing that is manifeſted, is manifeſted by the light, Epheſ. 5.13. Secondly, Heat: Calor ſeparat heterogenea. Heat ſeparateth the droſſe from gold. Now the Word of God is light and heat.
5. Fire is uſed for temptations, afflections. The precious tryal of your faith by fire, 1 Pet. 1.7. Count not the firey tryal a ſtrange thing, 1 Pet. 4.12. Mark 9.29. Every Sacrifice ſhall be ſ…lt… …ith fire. That is, as ſome expound it, Every man that would be acceptable to God, he muſt have ſalt to ſeaſon him; and this ſalt, is, the fire of afflection.
By theſe places you ſee then, that fire ſignifieth in the general, Gods ſevere judgment, diſcovering and trying mens waies, which are partly by his Word, and partly by afflictions. So that the Apoſtle continueth in his excellent Allegory of building. Thoſe parts of the houſe that are wood and ſtraw, are preſently conſumed by fire, but gold and ſilver will abide. This I conceive the genuine meaning, only further take notice, that the Apoſtle ſpeaks in the Preſent-tenſe, it is revealed; but we tranſlate it in the future; becauſe it's uſual in the Scripture, to ſpeak of a thing that ſhall be continued, in the Preſent-tenſe; as alſo to ſhew the certainty of it. It's alſo doubted to what this doth relate: The day ſhall be declared by fire; Some ſay, the Lord ſhall be revealed in fire, as 1 Theſ. 1.7. Others more probably, the work of every man.
The way God takes to bring people out of errour.Doct. That God uſeth to bring people out of errours and falſe waies, by his Word and Afflictions.
By the word and afflictions.The Word to inform, and Afflictions to prepare the heart. Even as men out of their ſenſes, are kept in Pryſons with hard uſage; ſo God, to humble and tame ſuch a people, ſadly afflicts them, that they may hearken to his Word. God made Aegypt an Iron-furnace to the people of Iſrael; they lay under great oppreſſions, that ſo Canaan might be the more welcome to them.
To underſtand this, conſider, That though the word and afflictions, Which are both helpfull, but differently in theſe reſpects.both help to bring a man out of falſe waies, yet farre differently. For
Firſt, The word of God, is of it ſelf ſufficient, in a way of light, to inform and inſtruct; and hath threatnings alſo, to be like a goad in the ſide: but afflictions, of themſelves, do not inform, do not teach. Gods Word is able to reduce without afflictions, but afflictions cannot do any thing without Gods Word. Hence all that fire which is poured upon Idolaters and Heathens, is like the fire of hell; calidus, but not luci…us, becauſe they have not the Word to guide them. Bleſſed is the man whom thou chaſteneſt, and teacheſt thy word, Pſal. 94.12. Should a man go through fire and water, give his body to be burnt for any errour or ſuperſtitious doctrine, all the impriſonments and burnings in the world could do them no good, unleſſe the Word go before. Heretici ſunt lapidandi argumentis è Seripturâ petitis: Arguments fetcht out of the Scripture, may ſtrike down the greateſt Goliah.
Secondly, There is a difference between the Word and Afflictions, becauſe though afflictions have a voice as well as the Word, and the rod ſpeaks as well as Gods Word, yet the word of God doth it diſtinctly and plainly, afflictions in a general manner. They tell us God is angry; they tell us they come for ſinne; but why and wherein, or what are the ſinnes, that Gods Word doth only inform us. So that Gods Word hath the prerogative above afflictions.
Thirdly, Though the Word of God be thus only able to inſtruct and convince, being a perfect Rule, yet that doth not exclude other helps, eſpecially the Miniſtry; for Miniſters are called the lights, and guides. So that the word of God is the light, but it muſt be put on a Candleſtick. The Word of God will convince heretiques, but in the hands of w… and faithfull Teachers: Otherwiſe, men through ignorance and corruption, fetch their errours from the Word of God miſapplied. Which made Ambroſe compare ignorant heretical perſons, uſing Scripture, to little David in Sauls Armour; it was more then he could weild, and ſo inſtead of defending, it did wound him.
Theſe things being premiſed,
1. Let us ſee, How God by the word reduceth the wandering ſheep.How wandering ſheep are reduced by the Word.
2. How by afflictions. And
Firſt, The word of God is inſtrumental to open the eyes, to enlighten the dark underſtanding. David doth wonderfully commend the Scripture for this uſe, that it was a lanthorn to his feet, and a lamp to his paths; whereby he became wiſe, and underſtood even more then his Teachers, Pſal. 119. This is the EYE-SALVE. For want of ſearching into the Scriptures, it was they erred ſo groſſely about the reſurrection. When Chriſt is promiſed to be as a refining fire (Mal. 3.) to the Sons of Levi, how did he this, but by the clearing of the Word from Phariſaical interpretations? And Eſtius, though a Papiſt, thinks this place alludes to that of Malachi; and indeed there is a great reſemblance.
Secondly, The word of God is fire to try mens works, becauſe it containeth all matter neceſſary to ſalvation. So that when we believe hoc credimus, quod nihil ultra credere debemus: the Scriptures are ſaid to be able to make us wiſe to ſalvation, 2 Tim. 3 15. If nature doth not fail in natural neceſſities, much leſſe will the Scripture in ſupernatural. Theſe things are written, that believing you might have eternal life, Joh. 20.31. As God at firſt put all the light into the Sunne, ſo he hath all neceſſary things into the Scripture. The Word of God then will manifeſt and reveal, both objectively, in diſcovering that matter which is true, and ſubjectively, in preparing the eye to ſee, which is more then the Sun can do: Though that enlighten the medium, yet it cannot give a ſeeing eye to the blind.
Thirdly, The word of God will be a fire to try, becauſe it doth direct to all thoſe means whereby we may come out of all errours. As
1. It preſſeth humility, not to lean to our underſtanding. God will teach the humble his way, Pſal. 25. Though ſuch may a long while wander, yet they will come back, and then they are not aſhamed to recant before the whole world. Peter commends Paul for the wiſdom given him of God, 2 Pet. 3.15. and yet we know how Paul reproved Peter to the face, as is related Gal. 1. This was great humility in Peter, to love and commend the excellencies in Paul for all this. Auſtin wrote his Retractations at the latter end of his age, which argued great humility.
2 The Scripture bids us love that truth we do know, and ſo farre as we have obtained, to obey, and to walk according to that Rule, Phil. 3.16 You heard laſt day, That errours are not only mens ſins, but their puniſhments likewiſe. Becauſe men receive not the truth in the love of it, they are delivered up to believe a lye. Now then, the godly are care…ull to prevent the cauſe thereof. He that doth my will, ſhall know whether the doctrine be of God, Joh. 7 17. Foggy miſts draw a cloud over the Sunne, and ſo noiſome affections, they becloud the judgement.
3. The Scripture directs to earneſt Prayer: That is the Key to open Heavens Treaſury. Ask and ye ſhall have. If any man want wiſdome, let him ask it of God, James 1.5. David, though a great Proficient, prayeth that God would open his eyes to underſtand the wonderfull things of his word, Pſal. 119.18. Prayer muſt begin, and Prayer muſt end all reading, and hearing, and all meditations. To ſtudy much without Prayer, to read much without Prayer, is like the ſtomack that eats much, but wants natural heat for digeſtion.
Object.But you will ſay, How is …a…s word a fire? How doth that reveal, when many very exp…rt in Scripture, do yet runne into very many errours? Do not thoſe that build hay and ſtubble, bring many texts of Scripture? How can theſe be ſaid to reveal?
Anſw.Anſwer 1. The defect is not in the Scripture, but in men themſelves. The Owle and Bat is made blinder by the Sunne-beames, not through any defect in the Sunne. A diſeaſed ſtomack, groweth worſe by the good meat it eateth. The Papiſts call the Scripture, The Heretiques Book; and Luther did ſo alſo, but upon different grounds: For the Papiſts, they ſay the blame on the Scripture, making it inſufficient, imperfect, a noſe of wax: but Luther, on mens corruptions, that prophanely and preſumptuouſly put that ſenſe on it, which it doth not own. But
Secondly, Men ſwallow down firſt the ſweet poiſon of errours from falſe Teachers, and then they think every place in the Scripture makes for them. And this is the main cauſe of errours. They have mens perſons in admiration; they do not judge of perſons by their Doctrine, but their Doctrine by their perſons: and when they are thus prepoſſeſſed, then they eaſily perſwade every text is for them, or at leaſt not contrary to them. A man that hath a noiſe of wind in his ears, thinketh he heareth the like abroad; and the diſtempered palate, thinketh every ſweet thing bitter.
Thirdly, They do not attend to the whole Scripture. They compare not place with place. Mark any errours; they faſten upon ſome places of Scripture, and they do not wiſely conſider other texts as well. If we take that place, We are no more under the Law, but under grace, Rom. 6.14. here you would think the Law were quite laid aſide; but take …other place, The law is good, if a man uſe it lawfully, 1 Tim. 1.8. And, … we make void the Law, God forbid, Rom. 3.31. So then, you ſee the Law hath its uſe ſtill.
Laſtly, It's not enough to have Scripture, to have many texts, but we are alſo to make uſe of thoſe helps for the underſtanding of them, which God hath appointed. The Scripture is the only Rule, but not the only Means; for, elſe there needed no praying, there needed not the Spirit of God, nor the Miniſtry; but God hath appointed Miniſters in his Church, who by way of Office, are to interprete and explain Scripture. They are called eyes, and Shepherds. And the neglect of this, may lead a man, though perfect in the Scripture, into errours.
I come to the ſecond way: Afflictions are Gods fire, they will diſcover mens works by of preparation, and fiting the heart to receive;How afflictions may help to reduce men from errour. even as the plowing and harrowing of the ground, makes it fit for the ſeed. Many Pſalms have this Inſcription, Maſchil, a Pſalm of David; that is, a Pſalm that giveth Inſtruction. Now many have afflictions for their ſubject: Hence is that old ſaying, Schola crucis, eſt Schola lucis. We are careleſs proud, wanton, negligent and will not hear what the Word ſaith, till God hath c…ſtized us; and therefore the Church of God was moſt Orthodox, and the pureſt Virgin in times of perſecution, but in the times of proſperity, then the moſt damnable hereſies did overflow. As in Summer, the Snakes and Adders are buſie, but in Winter they do not ſtirre.
Ʋſe of Inſtruction, How much we are to bleſſe God for his Word, and the pure preaching of it. It's that which preſerve…h thee from ſwallowing down the damnable poiſon of thy ſoul: It is that which keepeth thee from falling into the d…tch, though now we are grown wanton under it: We are weary of this Manna: Yet when at firſt they came up out of Aegyptian Popery, the pure preaching of the Word, was accounted the greateſt mercy. There was a ſolemn day of rejoycing in Germany, when the Bible was tranſlated into the vulgar native tongue. Obſerve the Devils methods, when for a long time he deſtroyed men through ignorance and horrid blindneſſe, afterwards he did it through too much knowledge, or rather abuſe of that knowledge and light which ſhined upon them. But let not the building, though of hay and ſtubble, be accounted a light matter, it will coſt fire. It will not be a ſmall matter to endure the burning in this Text.