The Scripture Directory for Church Officers and People, Exposition 1 · Verse 12
Verſe 12. Now if any man build on this foundation gold, ſilver, precious ſtones, wood, hay, stubble, &c.
THis verſe containeth a diſtinction of builders upon the foundation, and they are of two ſorts:
1. Such who build gold, ſilver, precious ſtones.
2. Who build wood, hay, ſtubble.
Now theſe are allegorical expreſſions, and you may ask, What is the plain meaning of them?
Some therefore of the Ancients underſtood by gold and precious ſtones, godly and holy works: And by hay or ſtubble, evil and wicked works: or, as Auſtin, inordinate affections and deſires to earthly things, preferring them before Chriſt. It is true, the ſame Author calleth this Text, Ʋnus è difficilimis locis, one of thoſe moſt difficult places, to which the Apoſtle Peter relateth. But this his interpretation cannot be the meaning here, partly becauſe the Apoſtle ſaith, Thoſe that build hay and ſtubble ſhall be ſaved, though by fire, whereas thoſe that live in wickedneſſe and inordinate love of the world, cannot be ſaved under any notion whatſoever; And partly, becauſe the Apoſtle reſtraineth his matter to thoſe that are builders, and they are Doctors and Teachers, not to all believers.
Secondly, Some by gold and precious ſtones, underſtand the pure and ſolid preaching of the Word; and by hay and ſtubble, curious light, and vain affectation of humane eloquence. And indeed this is part of the Apoſtles meaning, as appeareth by the ſharp reproof of thoſe Teachers for their carnal, humane wiſdom. But
Thirdly, That which is chiefly the meaning is, the matter they preach; Gold and ſilver is the pure and ſincere Doctrine, that is agreeing with the foundation. Hay and ſtubble are corrupt and ſinfull errours, which diſagree from it. He doth not by hay and ſtubble ſpeak of ſuch dangerous, and damnable hereſies that overthrow the foundation, ſuch are not ſaved, though by fire, but they bring upon themſelves ſwift damnation, 2 Pet. 2.1. but leſſer errours and falſhoods, which do not overthrow, yet are no wayes agreeable or ſutable to the foundation. As if you ſhould ſet a glorious Palace with marble wals, and pillars of gold and ſilver, but then a wooden rooff, and thatch covering with ſtraw; how ridiculous would this be? Such is every mans preaching, though he keep the foundation, that addeth diſſentaneons Doctrine thereunto.
We ſhall joyn the two laſt ſenſes together, the Matter and the Manner; The truths of Chriſt preached in a pure and ſincere manner, this is gold, ſilver and precious ſtones. Whereas then you ſee the truths of Chriſt, compared to theſe glorious and excellent things, gold and precious ſtones. From whence obſerve,
That the Doctrine and Truths of Christ are very precious and excellent.Obſerv.
The preaching of the Goſpel is compared to a Pearl, that a man ſold all that he had to obtain, Mat. 13.45. And indeed ſo muſt every hea…er do,What is implied, by comparing the truths of Chriſt to gold and precious ſtones. he muſt part with all his luſts, his ſins, he muſt throw away all the earth he hath in his hand before he can receive this gold.
To open the Doctrine, let us conſider, What is implied in this, when the truths of Chriſt are thus called gold and precious ſtones? And
1. In reſpect of the matter.Firſt, The preciouſneſſe of them is hereby declared, They ought to be eſteemed and deſired by us, as much as the covetous man deſires his gold and ſilver. The truths of Chriſt are ſometimes compared to milk, for the nouriſhing vertue in them: Sometimes to honey, and the honey-comb, for the ſpiritual ſweetneſſe and refreſhment the godly find therein; and ſometimes to gold and precious ſtones, becauſe of the admirable excellency and worth in them. Hence we are commanded, To contend for the faith, Jud. v. 3. to be in an agony; Why? It's more worth than gold. This made the holy Martyrs willingly die for it, they thought it more precious than life; they thought it no loſſe to be deprived of their own gold and ſilver to teſtifie to this, and to propagate it to their poſterity. The Apoſtle cals it foreign, That good thing committed to thee. To you that believe Chriſt is precious, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 2.7. and ſo is every truth of Chriſts.
Secondly, It doth denote the rarity of it. It's hardly and difficultly obtained: Gold and ſilver is not ſo common as the ſtones of the ſtreet: There are but few mines of gold, to the mountains of earth. And thus for the moſt part, the Churches of God have been ſo corrupted with errours, that very little gold did appear. It was a rare thing to have any one truth of God made known. In the Old Teſtament, under many Kings, Idolatry and Superſtition had ſo prevailed, that the book of the Law of God in Joſiahs time was a rare thing; and in Aſa's time, They had been without the Law, and a teaching Prophet for a long while, 2 Chron. 15 3. And in Popery not only the covering was thus deformed, but the very foundations were ſhaken. So that it's not ſo eaſie a matter to obtain the truth, that is found out with much prayer, humility, holineſſe of life, and induſtrious uſing of all means appointed by God. There are few, it may be none, who though they build gold and ſilver, do not alſo adde ſome hay and ſtubble. So that this very expreſſion, Truths are gold, are precious ſtones, and they lie one by one, called therefore uniones, they ſay ſhould teach us, not to be confident, not to reſt in our own underſtanding. Search the Scriptures, foreign, John 5.39. Some make it a metaphor from thoſe that with much labour dig into a mine of gold. So that the Scripture that is the mine, where all the gold and ſilver is, there we muſt dig, thence we muſt repleniſh our ſelves.
Teirdly, There is implied the durableneſſe and conſtancy of it. Gold will not melt away in the fire, or be conſumed as hay and ſtubble will. And thus the Apoſtle alludeth to afterwards, He ſhall be ſaved, ſo as by fire, and the fire ſhall try every mans work. He ſpeaks of a probatory, and not a purgatory fire; that is, afflictions, or the light of Gods word ſhall burn all this ſtubble. So that the truths of God they are ſo conſtant and abiding, that when a man comes to be afflicted, to be perſecuted, to be undone for the truth of God, this will abide. What is the chaff to the wheat? Jer. 23.28. When a wind comes, the chaff is blown away. And therefore this ſhould make all very carefull herein, both Paſtor and people. God will have his fire; there will be winds and tempeſts, whether it be gold or ſtubble, wheat or chaff, then it will be diſcovered, whereas divers and ſtrange erroneous Doctrines, they have not been willing to come to the fire. Every Hereſie in the Church went up and down like Cain trembling, left every place of Scripture that met it, ſhould kill it.
Fourthly, The truths of Chriſt are compared to gold and ſilver, Becauſe of the ſolidity and ponderoſity of them, they are weighty and heavy. Whereas errors are compared to hay and ſtubble; what is lighter than theſe? And therefore ſuch as give way to falſhood, they are ſaid to be carried away with every wind of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4.14. as if they were ſo many feathers or ſtraws. Whatſoever opinion then is accompanied with vanity, levity and emptineſſe, it's not ſolid, grave and ſubſtantial, refuſe that. It is ſaid, Solomons ſhips, they went for gold of Ophir, and they brought home pearls. Thus do many men, they make us, if they ſought out the admirable and ſolid truths of God, and they bring Peacocks, empty, gaudy flouriſhings of wit, or curious opinions. This is not the weighty and ſolid truth of God.
Fifthly, They are compared to gold, Becauſe of the purity and ſincerity in them. The truths of God, they have an holy ſimplicity and ſincerity, and therefore falſe Teachers are ſaid foreign, 2 Cor. 2. to corrupt the pure word of God, as huckſters do their wine. David compareth Gods word to pure gold, even ſeven times refined, Pſal. 19 And hereby it becomes a very dangerous ſinne, for any to counterfeit it, or corrupt it. If among men their Laws make it a capital crime to counterfeit, or clip their coin, certainly God will account it no leſſe hainous a ſinne to do ſo with his truths. As it's gold for ſincerity; ſo it's compared to the water of life, for its purity. And as Iſaac complained of the Philiſtims as the greateſt injury that could be to ſtop up his wels with earth; and it's a matter of death to poiſon a fountain or ſpring where men uſe to drink; ſo deſtructive and hainous a ſinne it muſt be, to infect the pure ſtreams of the Sanctuary, that people ſhould thereby ſuck down their own poiſon.
Sixthly, It's compared to gold, for the efficacy and choice vertue thereof. Gold is not only of price and eſteem▪ but it hath it's powerfull operations in medicinal wayes againſt bodily diſeaſes. And thus certainly the truths of God are, when received by faith, they are mighty to the caſting down of all the ſtrong holds of ſinne; they are powerfull to overthrow the greateſt oppoſitions, Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy word is truth, John 17. Thus it's ſaid, Pſal. 19. To convert the ſoul, as the learned there interpret, it is, revive the ſoul to bring life again; when a man by diſcouragements and dejections is even ſwooning away. Oh then theſe golden truths of Chriſt, they have a ſpecial influence upon the heart of a man, to revive againſt faintings, to diſpel all diſtempers, and to preſerve againſt all languiſhings.
Seventhly, They are compared to gold and ſilver, For the uſefulneſſe and profitableneſſe to all things. Money anſwereth all things, ſaith the Wiſeman, Eccleſ. 10.19. Many outward comforts in this world may be had for gold and ſilver; you may have friends, food, raiment. Hence the Heathens made Pluto wealth, a god, becauſe it wrought all things among men, Clauſum aur â cuſtodit Jovem. Horace ſpake of the covetous man, He keeps his god in his cheſt; And covetouſneſſe is called Idolatry, Col. 3.5. Thus gold and ſilver prevail in the world: And therefore Balaam to expreſſe his reſolvedneſſe not to curſe Iſrael, ſaid, Though Balaak would give him an houſe full of gold, yet he would not curſe them. But alas, what are theſe to the truths of Chriſt? They are profi…able for ſuch things, which material gold and ſilver cannot do. Judas, when tormented in in his conſcience foa ſinne, What could his thirty pieces of ſilver comfort him? Could that eaſe his conſcience? Give gold and ſilver to the damned men in hell, will that comfort them? There are many mercies that all the gold and ſilver in the world cannot help us unto; but now there is no condition, no doubt, no affliction, no want, but the truths of Chriſt are very profitable unto. The truth of Juſtification by faith in Chriſt, Is not that more worth than the gold of Ophir? What precious and powerfull operations hath it upon the hearts of the godly?
Eighthly, The truths of Chriſt are compared to gold and precious ſtones. Becauſe they are able to enrich a man with all graces. There is ſpiritual and heavenly wealth, as well as earthly and temporal; and the truths of God are of the firſt ſort. Thus the poor of this world, are ſaid to be rich in faith, Jam. 2 5. And Chriſt became poor to make us rich, 2 Cor. 8.9 not in outward reſpects, or external greatneſſe, but in internal, and ſpiritual riches. Mark that counſel, Revel. 3.18. to the Church, who thought her ſelf rich, and needing nothing, I counſel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayeſt be rich. Oh that people were ſpiritual! You ſee here is gold offered to all, and he is indeed fooliſh that refuſeth this. There is many a man with gold and ſilver, and much wealth in this world, and yet is very poor towards God. When our Saviour had declared that Parable of Dives, and the eternal torment he had after his great pleaſures, he concludeth, So is every man that is rich in the treaſures of this world, and is not rich towards God, Luke 12.21.
In the ſecond place, To build gold and precious ſtones on this foundation, is not onelyonly to preach ſound and pure matter, 2. In reſpect of the way and manner of preaching them.but this matter in a pure and exact way.
Now this golden way of preaching, to be Chryſoſtoms and Chryſologues indeed, conſi…eth,
Firſt, In preaching of them after Scripture Authority, when they are conveyed unto you, as having the ſtamp and Authority of God. The Prophets came with, Thus ſaith the Lord; and this like thunder may make the ſtouteſt trees to tremble. The ſayings of any men in the world, though never ſo eminent, are not brought in religious matters for confirmation, but illuſtration: And it's a great proficiency in hearers, when they affect and delight in ſuch preaching Auſtin while a Marcionite, and a great Humaniſt, had much ado to delight in the Scripture, becauſe he did not find ſuch humane eloquence; but when he came to find the words thereof like fiery darts and arrows in his ſoul, then he was raviſhed with the excelle…cy of it.
S…condly, It's to preach them with Scripture gravity and ſolidity. As the Oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4.11. he doth not ſay foreign, as the words, but foreign, as the oracles; implying the power and efficacy of Gods Spirit upon us, a… having more of divine inſpirations than humane acquiſitions. The more of mens wits, fancies and conceits, the leſſe of God, and ſo carrieth the leſſe reverence and awe. And this the Apoſtle doth greatly aim at: Thoſe falſe teachers came with cunning and enticing words, and ſo deceived; whereas the Apoſtle ſpeaketh to the contrary, That the Goſpel came unto them not in humane eloquence, but in demonſtration of the Spirit, and of the power of God. Indeed humane parts, and humane arts, they are to be uſed but as ſervants, not as miſtreſſes. It's Auſtins alluſion, concerning Cyprian, The Iſraelites took gold, and jewels, and earings from the Egyptians, and turned them to their own uſe; and ſo we may take humane abilities and excellencies, and make them contribute to the Goſpel; only they muſt not be affected, nor made the principal. As the flowers that may be in a Corn field, all the plowing and ſowing was not for them, but for corn. Chriſts truths you ſee are precious ſtones, and they need no painting.
Thirdly, They are to be preached with Scripture ſimplicity in reſpect of aims and ends. For though a man ſhould build gold and ſilver, yet if it be for humane glory, and earthly greatneſſe, he builds hay and ſtubble, though this be known to God only: But this fire will diſcover the ſecrets of mens hearts. And therefore we are not only to look to what we build, but why we build; Is it the glory of God, the ſalvation of mens ſouls? This will be comfortable at the day of revelation of all things.
Ʋſe of Inſtruction. With what delight and holy covetouſneſſe you ſhould receive the truths of Chriſt; they are no leſſe worth than gold, than precious ſtones. The Tabernacle was covered all ove… with gold, and they brought precious ſtones to it; and thus is the Church of God ſtill to be built, Revel. 21.19. And as in Solomons dayes, God made gold as common as the ſtones in ſtreets: So in theſe later dayes, thoſe golden truths, which before were rare and precious, now are common; but the common familiarity of them hath brought contempt and neglect of them; elſe thou wouldſt take up every truth of Chriſt, as a precious pearl. Theſe are the beſt Jewels in the ear. Oh but who can bewail the ſwiniſh luſts of men, who had rather have their droſſe, than thoſe pearls! No wonder God hath brought ſo many terrible judgements upon us; for we have been wanton under the choiſeſt and moſt precious mercies, even the holy truths of God. Every Sermon hath been throwing pearl to ſome ſwine, to bruitiſh wicked men, that in ſtead of loving of them, have turned again, and rent them, as much as lieth in their power.
If any man build hay, wood and ſtubble.
The Apoſtle in this Text deſcribes two Buildert; the wiſe one, and he builds gold and precious ſtones, viz. the excellen… truth… of God: And the fooliſh one, he builds wood, hay and ſtubble You heard by theſe later are meant all errours, and falſe doctrines, although they be not deſtructive of the foundation. For the Apoſtle alludes to ſome kind of building, which a man may imagine in his mind, whoſe foundation and chief parts is of gold and ſilver; but all the ſuperſtructure wood, hay and ſtubble. This would be a moſt deformed and incongruous ſight, as the Poets Mulier formoſa ſupernè, but aeſinit in piſcem. Now do but obſerve what contemptible, unprofitable and vain matter, all falſe doctrines, though never ſo gloriouſly dreſſed, are by theſe ſimilitudes, even like Nazianzens Ape in mans cloaths. It's but Michals Image of ſtraw that ſhe put in Davids room for David. Obſerve,
That all errors and falſhoods in Religion, though not fundamental,Obſerv. Errors not fundamental are hay and ſtubble. are no better than hay and ſtubble.
Thus the Apoſtle, Be not carried away with every wind of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4.14 Errours are a ſudden guſt of winde. Philoſophers ſay, It's a dry exhalation from the earth, and violently beaten back again from Heaven: So is any falſe Doctrine, it comes from earthly and carnal luſts and deſires; and it is beaten back by God from Heaven, he doth not own it; Quid vento levius? and ſo theſe winds of Doctrine are uncertain; ſometimes they blow in the North, ſometimes in the South, even as neceſſity and carnal advantages drive them, and which is more, not only the Doctrine is thus light and empty; but the builders are ſuch as their Doctrine; the Doctrine is ſtubble, and they are ſtubble; therefore he ſaith, Be not carried away with them, as if the perſons were nothing but ſtraw: Even as the Pſalmiſt ſaith, They that made Idols were wholly like them: Thus it is here. Let men therefore that broach falſhoods, and people that receive them, never ſo much dote, and be inamoured with their own falſe opinions, as if they were gold and precious ſtones, yet the Scripture cals them no leſſe than hay and ſtubble, ſuch as God will raiſe a fire to conſume and devour. Thus the Prophet Jeremiah, What is the chaff to the wheat, ſaith the Lord? Jer. 23.28. The Doctrine of the falſe Prophets, that is the chaff; and of the true, that is the wheat.
To amplifie this truth, Conſider,
Firſt, Though all errours in opinion and religion have no better a name, Propoſitions to amplifie this point.and no better a nature, yet thoſe that build them do not think ſo. They judge what they build gold and ſilver; they think their monſters beautifull, and comely. The falſe Prophets in the Old Teſtament, they would preſumptuouſly call their dreams and imaginations the word of the Lord; and Zedekiah the falſe prophet ſtruck Micaiah the true, ſaying, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to thee, 2 Chron. 18.23. Now the Apoſtle Peter tels us, That as there were falſe Prophets, in the Old Teſtament, ſo there ſhall be in the New, who ſhall bring in damnable hereſies, 2 Pet. 2.1. Not that they judge them ſo, for happily they might ſpeak, as Paul ſaith, he thought he was bound to do what he did againſt Chriſt and his way. And our Saviour ſpeaking of the bittereſt enemies the Chriſtians ſhould meet with, he ſaith, They think, they ſhall do God good ſervice by their perſecuting of them, John 16.2. Every erroneous perſon therefore is not preſently convinced in his own conſcience of his falſe way; he may (as the Antichriſtian party is) be delivered up to believe a lie; To call light darkneſſe, and darkneſſe light: Even as the diſtempered palate may call ſweet things bitter. So then, though errours in Doctrine be ſtubble and traſh, yet they are not thought ſo by the Authors of them. The Manichees, called Manes, Manicheus, becauſe he did foreign; they commonly commend their falſhoods, as the precious, rare, and unheard of truths of Chriſt.
Secondly, When the Apoſtle cals theſe errours hay and ſtubble, he doth not ſpeak of fundamental errours neither, but ſuch as are conſiſtent with, and built on the true foundation. They do not damne the Authour of them, but they make his ſalvation difficult; He ſhall be ſaved, but by fire. For as for thoſe Doctrines that race up the foundations, Peter cals them damnable hereſies, 2 Pet. 2.1. Paul reckons them with Idolatries, Witchcrafts, and all the groſſe ſinnes that palpably exclude from the Kingdome of Heaven, Gal. 5.21. Yea, if an Angel from Heaven ſhould bring ſuch a Doctrine, we were to hold him accurſed, Gal. 1.8, 9. And all the faithfull are commanded, Not to bid ſuch an one, God ſpeed, John 2. Epiſt. As John the Apoſtle would not waſh himſelf in that Bath, where Cerinthus the Heretique had been. So that theſe expreſſions of hay and ſtubble, are onelyonly for leſſer errours. But thoſe that are in Folio, (as it were,) they are poiſon; They are the venome of the red Dragon; They are like the Plague that ſtrikes dead into Hell quickly, without a ſpeedy recovery. So that as all ſinnes are not alike, ſo neither are all errours: And we are to make a difference between thoſe that are fundamental, Circa-fundamental, and Super-fundamental, as a man may ſo ſay. As in ſickneſſes, ſome are mortal, and deprive of life immediately; others are not ſo.
Why errors are called hay and ſtubble.In the ſecond place, Let us conſider, why the Apoſtle cals errours by ſuch names, wood, hay and ſtubble.
Firſt, Becauſe of the vileneſſe and contemptibleneſſe of them. Men if they did underſtand the Scripture, and walk by that Rule, would no more regard them than the ſtraw under their feet, as we ſay. For as the true Doctrines of Chriſt were compared to gold, becauſe of their precious and excellent nature; ſo errours are called ſtubble, becauſe of their baſe and vile nature. In the Old Teſtament the names of Idols were names of contempt and ſcorn, Baal-Phegor, and Baal-zebub, and thus here, the ſinfull opinions that men deliver are ſtraw and ſtubble.
Secondly, The Apoſtle deſcribeth the Idolatry of the Heathens under this aggravation, Rom. 1. That they turned the Image of God into an Oxe that eateth hay; and truly all that love and delight in errours doe ſo. They who ſhould be after the Image of God, delighting in precious and heavenly truths, make themſelves like the beaſt that eats hay. Vitiated and corrupted ſtomacks will eat traſh; and ſo diſtempered minds and corrupted will receive falſhoods.
Secondly, It's compared to hay and ſtubble, for the levity and uncertainty of it. What ſolidity hath a ſtraw that is blown up and down with every winde? Now the lightneſſe and uncertainty appeareth in three things,
1. It cannot abide the touchſtone, it cannot endure to be tried. Straw cannot endure the fire. The thief, or he that doth evil, hateth the light, ſaith our Saviour, John 3.20. Counterfeit and baſe coin cannot abide the touchſtone; whereas the Apoſtles when they preached, they were willing to have their Doctrines tried by the Scripture; and the Bereans are commended for making ſuch an enquiry, Acts 17.11. The Owls and the Bats cannot endure the day. As ſoon as errour is detected, it is confuted, whereas the precious truths of God, they grow more excellent and glorious by the trial of them. The wheat loſeth nothing by winnowing; the iron by filing. By all the errours and hereſies that ever have been, truth hath gotten the advantage: As the ark was the more lifted up to Heaven by the waters:
2. It's uncertainty is ſeen in the divers ſhapes and moulds it hath, denying and affirming. As Tertullian of the Peacock, Multicolor, verſicolor, nunquam idem & tamen ſemper idem. Thus erroneous Doctrines are alwayes in new dreſſes, in a new garb, as they are neceſſitated by truth. How often was Pelagianiſm interpoluted? Therefore the Apoſtle cals the dealing of ſuch perſons who uſe to ſow theſe tares foreign, Epheſ. 4.14. and foreign, a ſlight jugling, yea and bewitching, Gal. 3.1. making ſuch things to appear to the ſenſe, that have no ſubſiſtence. Thus among the Arians, both the Euſebiuſſes were in crafty and divers dreſſes, ſometimes for the Orthodox, ſometimes againſt them. And Pelagius did four times change his opinion about Grace, or rather his expreſſions. At firſt he denied grace, then he made nature, grace; then the outward preaching of the Word, grace; then granted the grace of remiſſion of ſinne. Thus he did gratiae vo…abulo uti, ad frange…dum invidiam. So that herein the levity and uncertainty of falſhoods doth appear, that they are divers and ſtrange Doctrines, ſtrange to the Word, and divers, and diſagreeing among themſelves.
3. It's uncertainty is ſeen, that it doth never ſtay, till God in mercy to his Church put a period to it. Therefore falſe Doctrines are compared to a G…ngrene, 2 Tim. 2.17. you know that ſpreads and ſpreads, till it hath even conſumed the body. And thus it is with errour, it ſpreads from one to another; and not only ſo, but this young Serpent will grow up to a Dragon in time. Arius una ſcintilla fuit, was but one ſpark, and yet he-ſet the whole world on fire. Wicked men ſhall grow worſe and worſe; one errour draweth on another: When a man begins to tumble down the hill, it's hard ſtaying ere he come to the bottom. And therefore when thou once beginneſt to wander from the truth, fear thy ſelf thou wilt preſently be in a wilderneſſe; yea thou wilt be like an Hazael in time. Thoſe opinions and blaſphemies thou wouldſt once have trembled and quaked at, thou wilt excuſe and defend. Experience hath …en too true, but very ſad, of this in all ages of the Church.
Thirdly, Errours are compared to hay and ſtubble, For the uſeleſneſſe and unprofitableneſſe of them. They are but fig leaves to cover our nakedneſſe; and that will appear in theſe particulars:
1. They do not truly inform and enlighten the mind. Truth is light, and doth inform and inſtruct the mind; but all errours do bring more darkneſſe; ſo that while they think they know more then they did, they know leſſe. Hence they are ſaid to be men of corrupt minds, 1 Tim. 6 5. and deluded, or deceived. Oh, what a dreadfull thing may this be, for thee to think thou haſt more light than ever, when it may be thou art in more darkneſſe than ever? To thinke thou art in a nearer way to God, when it may be thou art further off than ever!
2. The truths of Chriſt are profitable to ſanctification and holineſſe. Sanctifie them by thy truth, John 17. By the Word we come to take heed of ſin, Pſal. 19. to order our lives; whereas errour that is wholly inſtrumental to wickedneſſe and impiety: A corrupt mind, and a corrupt life go together: Faith and a good conſcience are kept together, and loſt together. When a man fals off from the truth, he will alſo fall off from that power of godlineſſe, and degree of holineſſe …e once ſeemed to have. Truth is the eye, and if the eye be dark, the whole body will be dark. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3.18 theſe go together. If therefore thou wouldſt keep up the whole way of godlineſſe; all that accurateneſſe and ſtrictneſſe thou haſt been exerciſed in; take heed of erroneous Doctrines, they looſen the reins, they corrupt good manners: Though ſome Heretiques have been of a ſeeming religious life, Wickedneſs in practice the fruit of errour in judgement.yet even they were but as gliſtering Serpents, full of inward poiſon, for all their fair out-ſide, viz. of inward pride and hypocriſi…. And indeed it is commonly Gods judgement to puniſh the abuſe of knowledge with an ungodly life. The Heathens did not glorifie God according to their knowledge; and therefore God gave them up to ſtrong deluſi…ns and vil… affections, Rom. 1. It's good to have the heart eſtabliſhed with grace, and not with meats, Heb. 13 9. Looſneſſe of opinions is apt to beget looſneſſe of l…fe, as ill diſt…llations from the head breed the conſumption of the vitals.
3. They are unprofitable for any ſound comfort and joy. That we through the comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom. 15.4. The truths of Chriſt will only be owned by him, and to ſuch as ſuffer for it, he adminiſters much conſolation and comfort: As the Martyrs felt unſpeakable joy and aſſurance. It cannot be denied but Heretiques and erroneous perſons may find much ſenſible comfort in their falſe way. Th…refore no man muſt conclude the truth of a Doctrine from comfort, but he muſt try his comfort by his Doctrine; yet even that comfo…t men have in a falſe way, is not like the true joy, God… truth brings. To give differences between them is not here my purpoſe, no more than between the patience of a true Martyr, and the quietneſſe of an Heretique in their ſufferings.
4. They are not profitable for duration or continuance. This ſtraw will not keep off the rain of Gods tempeſts. Hence God will purge his people from this droſſe. The Diſciples were many times in great errours, but Chriſt did recover them: And truly ſuch is the goodneſſe of God to his elect people, that they ſhall never totally and finally be deceived; you ſee here, they ſhall be ſaved by fire, and the fire will try it. God will by ſome ſevere affliction, or other means bring his people back again. The ſheep that wandered will come home again, acknowledging their folly, and that they did only loſe their wool in the briars of needleſſe diſputes.
Ʋſe of Inſtruct…on, To ſhew the vanity and folly either of ſuch teachers or hearers, that dote on errours, that admire hay and ſtubble, as if it were gold and precious ſtones. Oh try and prove things firſt by the Word, ere you rejoyce or boaſt in them!
2. What makes a Church truly glorious, even when it's pure from errours and hereſies? A Church imbracing the truth, is like a goodly Edifice of all beautifull excellencies; but where errors and falſhoods are, there is a diſgrace and diſhonour to it.
Ʋſe of Exhortation. In all the matters of Religion, ſee what ſolidity and profit there is in the thing thou believeſt. If they be full of divine Authority; if they make for godlineſſe, for exactneſſe in life, for true and ſound peace, then it's ſomething; but if they do intoxicate mens brains, make them ſpiritually drunk, they ſtagger and reel, if they make them ſtraws, an empty reed ſhaken with every wind, then fear theſe things.