Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 7 · Sermon 55
SERMON LV.
Shewing more Cauſes of the Senſeleſneſs, Silence and Stupidity of the Conſciences of moſt Men.
ROM. 2. 15.
Which declare the work of the Law written in their hearrs, their Conſciences alſo accuſing, or excuſing one another.
THe laſt day we delivered one main cauſe of the ſilencing, or ſtupifying thoſe Dictates and Principles of naturall light, which provoke to that which is good, though very imperfectly and detectively. We now proceed to a ſecond ground; and that may be an imprudent and ſinfull conſideration of the government and adminiſtration of things below. That it hath fared ill with thoſe that have done 2. A ſinfull conſideration of the Government of the world.well; and on the contrary, that thoſe who have been very hainous in wickedneſs, have yet proſpered, and had great abundance; hath been a great tempeſt to put out that little ſpark in mens hearts: which conſideration made the Poet ſay, Sollicitor nullos, ſaepe putare Deos, He was tempted to think there was no God, when he looked upon the adminiſtration of things below. This ſate heavy on the heathens ſpirits, whereupon they have made Tractates upon this queſtion, Why it ſometimes fals ill to a good man, and well to a wicked, as Seneca and Plutarch, wherein they have behaved themſelves in ſome meaſure well, gravely acquitting Gods providence; and had they enjoyed Scripture-light, they had eaſily waded through that deep: And it is no wonder that theſe blaſts have made Heathens ſtagger and reele too and fio, for we have the eminent Cedars in Gods Church almoſt overturned by it. David, a godly man, greatly exerciſed in ſeverall conditions, though alwaies finding God turning ſtone into bread for him, when he was in any wilderneſſe, yet how pitifully doth he toil and labour under this temptation? Pſal. 73. that thoſe who were wicked, they proſpered, they had their hearts deſire; they had no pangs, nor troubles; and this did ſo far prevail, that in a ſudden paſſion, he ſpeaks like an Atheiſt, Verily, I have waſhed my hands in innocency and have cleanſed my heart in vain. On monſtrous ſpeech, and dreadfull to come out of a godly mans mouth: to ſay, it was a vain thing to fear God, a vain thing to walk juſtly and innocently, if he had done wickedly, he ſhould have proſpered better. But this was onelyonly a ſuddain motion, an imperfect ſuggeſtion of the fleſh, not a ſetled deliberate principle; therefore he quickly recovers, calls himſelf a fooliſh and ignorant beaſt, goeth into the Sanctuary of God, and there underſtands aright; yea, and as a man in a great inward heat and agony, but getting ſome eaſe and reſpite, ſaith, Truely God is good to iſrael, even to the clean in heart; ſo that this generous wine doth at …aſt expell that noxious venome in it. In like manner we ſee Jeremiah, chap. 12 1. ſtaggering under this divine diſpenſation, though acquitting God: So that we ſee its a great part of wiſedome to behold the marvellous doings of God on the earth, with a wi…e and pure eye; not to turn Atneiſtical, careleſſe, and prophane, concluding it is all one, whether a man be godly, or ungodly, juſt, or unjuſt. The Pſalmiſt ſaith, The fool hath ſaid in his heart, there is no God, Pſalme 14. 1. It's not Jehovah, in the originall, but Elohim, none that judgeth, or governeth the world, taking notice of things done here below; and how great an incouragement this is to goe on in wickedneſſe, appeareth by that of Solomon, Becauſe judgement is not ſpeedily executed upon the wicked, therefore is the heart of a man within him ſet upon folly, Eccles. 7. 8, 11. Oh then if thou wouldeſt have theſe principles of conſcience quick and active within thee, then doe thou by Scripture information, conſider of all Gods adminiſtrations here below, knowing that even what is moſt crooked to thy apprehenſion is yet ſtreight: as the ſtick in the water, though ſtreight, yet ſeemeth crooked, becauſe the water is not a fit medium to ſee by: So thou art aſtoniſhed at many Providences of God in this world, and thou askeſt, Where is the Juſtice, the Wiſdome, the Equality of theſe things? but thou lookeſt through an unfit medium, and ſo they ſeem crooked to thee. Alas, the Scripture doth evidently informe us of juſt, and wiſe ends, why God ſometimes ſuffered his enemies to proſper, and godlineſſe to be perſecuted, and his Saints made Martyrs for his Name ſake; ſo that the Word of God is the trueſt Glaſſe to repreſent the face of all things here below, eſpecially that is ſatisfactory, that God hath appointed a day of judgement for the whole world, when all ſhall appear, and be judged for what is done in the earth; and as here below they do not complain that Malefactors are not executed before the Aſſizes, but patiently expect that time: So are we quietly to wait that great day, wherein God will ſettle all things according to their nature and deſerts. Let no man therefore harden himſelf in impiety, thinking I have been thus long a prophane, unjuſt, ungodly man, and I am well and luſty, nothing aileth, or troubleth me: Let not this cauterize thy Conſcience, for thou art but as the beaſt fatted for the Shambles.
A third way to ch…ak this work of nature, is plunging and drowning our ſelves into earthly things, or voluptuous courſes.3. Immoderate love of the world, or voluptuous courſes. I.
Firſt, Earthly things: There are none ſcarce have leſſe conſcience about good and evill, leſſe apprehenſion about God, than thoſe that like Moles are alwayes digging in the earth. Judas from a covetous principle within, betrayeth and ſelleth innocent bloud. How could he commit ſuch an unnaturall ſin, do that which the natural light of Conſcience would ſo condemn? It was Covetouſneſs. Which made the Apoſtle call the love of mony, the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 10. as that which would put out all divine & humane light in a man. The Phariſees who were covetous derided and ſcorned Chriſt; theſe Terrae filii are never Caeli fil…i, Theſe Children or Sons of the earth, are never capacious of heavenly light. Its the puniſhment upon many a man which twas on the Serpent, to lick the duſt of the earth, and to live upon that; ſo many men goe to bed, riſe and walk wholly with earthly and worldly affections, into theſe they are even transformed, and made like clods of earth. Now ſuch men have very little apprehenſion upon ſinne, or godlineſſe; were it not for the ſhape of their bodies, you might judge them beaſts, for they regard onelyonly the things of ſenſe. Thus as the glorious Sunne is eclipſed by the interpoſition of the Moon; ſo doe arthy thoughts, and earthy affections obſcure that petry light, which ſhineth in a mans breaſt; and certainly, if love of the world hath put out the Goſpel, and Scripture light that ſhined in ſome mens breaſts, as the Scripture gives pregnant proofs of it; no wonder if it do wholly extinguiſh the light of nature. Take heed then of Corah's judgement or a worſe, he was bodily ſwallowed up in the earth, but thou in thy ſoul and ſpirit. Is it not with thee as the barren heath, that brings forth nothing but Briars and Thorns fit for burning; ſo thy life produceth nothing but damnable matter, and what makes for eternall deſtruction. Be not therefore in this ſenſe, a worm and no man, one that is wholly bred of the earth, and liveth in it: Though nature and grace preach to ſuch; though the Word of God cry aloud to ſuch, yet they have no eares to hear.
Secondly, men plunged in voluptuous riotous courſes, living in beastly luſts, II.either of uncleanneſſe, drunkenneſſe, or ſuch deceitfull pleaſures: Th…ſe muddy ſtreams doe quickly put out that candle in the inward parts: Thoſe that are drunk, are drunk in the night, ſaith the Apoſtle; ſins of pleaſures and inte…ance they are committed when men have put out all knowledge, that ſo they may neither be aſhamed or afraid of what they have done. As muddy Bogs breed Toads and Frogs; ſo looſe and diſſolute lives breed all poyſonous and loathſome imaginations in a man: Therefore ſaith the Prophet, Wine, and ſtrong drink, and Whoredome take away the heart, Hoſ. 4. 11. How many men by debauched and luxurious courſes have made themſelves at the ſame time ſots in their bodily parts, and in their naturall conſcience; and by their looſneſſe have ſpent their conſciences, as well as their eſtates; and as they have ſcarce one peny left to maintain themſelves or children; ſo not one good thought left in their conſciences, to accuſe and condemn them for what they have done! Oh therefore who can complain bitterly enough of that bruitiſhneſſe and beaſtlineſſe, many men are plunged in by their looſe and intemperate lives, and even under judgements, and not ſo much awakened as Balaams Aſſe was, under her Maſters blowes. Oh that this ſottiſhneſſe were onelyonly in Sodome, not in Jeruſalem, in Gomorrah, not in Sion. If then you ſee many men living without any dictatings of Conſcience about God, if you ſee them committing all manner of evill, ſo that they plainly declare they have no love of God written in their hearts, but of ſinne and the Devill: Marvail not at this, but conſider, Are they not men wholly plunged in worldly things? or are they not confirmed in luſts and Pleaſures of the fleſh; if ſo; you may as ſoon expect a Star in a loathſome dunghill, as any right principles in ſuch corrupt converſations; ſo that theſe are ſcarce to be reckoned in the number of men.
The fourth cauſe which over-whelmeth theſe Dictates of nature, is frequent and habituated living againſt them. Conſtant Rebellion againſt the light, at laſt puts it 4. Frequent and habituated living againſt the dictates of Conſcience.out: Men by uſe are not afraid of it, Econſuetis non fit paſſio, ſaith the Philoſopher; ordinary things we are accuſtomed unto, breed no extraordinary paſſion, or affection in us. As it is with ſupernaturall light revealed unto us by the Word and the Prophets, a daily living under it made the Jewes deſpiſe it; and they did the more vehemently reſiſt it, by how much the more common it was; inſomuch that both the Prophet Ezekiel, and our Saviour Chriſt tells them, that if ſtrangers had enjoyed ſuch means of grace, they would have been wrought upon. As (I ſay) it is in ſupernaturall light, thus it fareth with naturall, the continual accuſations, and ſmitings of Conſcience, through cuſtome men harden themſelves againſt, and at laſt contemn them. Take heed therefore how thou doſt thoſe things that thy heart condemneth thee for: for after thou art uſed to ſuch obſtinacy, though God ſhould raiſe Thunder and Lightning in thy breaſt, it would not at all amaze thee: As thoſe that are Witches and W…zzards, at the firſt apparition of the Devill to them, may have ſome trembling and fear; but after they have given up themſelves familiarly to him, there is no amazement or horror at all. At firſt to doe and live againſt the convictions of Conſcience, is a dolefull and dreadful thing, but after they have once uſed to kick againſt this prick, they come to ſuch a dedolency, that they feel nothing at all. If the Apoſtle Rom. 14. makes it ſuch a grievous and hainous ſinne to eat any meat doubting, or to doe any thing doubting, whether it be a ſinne or not; then how grievous a thing is it to doe thoſe things, about which thou haſt no doubts, but clear convictions that they are ſins: As for example, take the unjuſt, deceitfull man in his trade, Doſt thou doubt whether thou ſinneſt in lying, cozening, and over-reaching? Doſt thou ſcruple whether it be a ſinne? No, but thy Conſcience plainly telleth thee, This was not lawfull, this was not juſt. So inſtance in any groſſe prophaneneſſe, Do you commit theſe things, doubting whether they be ſinnes? or doſt thou not plainly accuſe thy ſelf in what thou doſt? Oh then think with your ſelves, if I did but doubt whether theſe things were ſins, I ought not to doe them; but when I know they are ſinnes, when I ſee as clear as the Sun, that they are iniquities forbidden by the Law of Nature, then how preſumptuouſly wicked muſt I needs be? Thou therefore who doſt conſtantly walk in ungodly, prophane courſes, thou art a ſhame and reproach to heaven and earth; God from heaven, and God by all the Creatures doth condemn thee herein. This ſtupidity of Conſcience the Scriptures calls foreign, which is, when men through much labour and manuall exerciſe have brought ſuch a callouſneſſe and ſenſeleſneſſe upon the palmes of their hands, that they feel no pain at all. Thus men by frequent repreſſions of the beams of this light, doe at laſt become altogether ſtupid; as the Dogs that lie by the Smiths Forge, through cuſtome, fear not thoſe ſparks of fire that flye about them.
We may conclude, A fifth cauſe of the ſuffocating of theſe naturall Dictates tobe 5.a juſt judgement of God upon men, becauſe of the abuſe of Natural light: when men have not lived as they have known, nor walked as they have known, God as a juſt judge hath delivered them up to their own unnaturall luſts, which hath been more grievous than to be delivered up to Lions and Bears, and to be torn in pieces by them. This is evidently ſet down, Rom. 1. at large; where the Heathens, not walking according to thoſe implanted principles within them, but breaking the bounds that nature had ſet them, God gave them up to all manner of …uſts, whereby they committed moſt unnaturall crimes, which the Apoſtle there reckons up. Marvail not then to ſee men become like bruit beaſts; ſay not, How can men be thus unnatural? How can they choak that light in their hearts? Think not much at theſe things, for many men live under Gods ſpirituall curſe upon them; he hath delivered them up to their luſts and ſinnes, to doe all manner of wickedneſſe without fear and trembling: a judgement of all judgements moſt terrible, yet it is often ſeen in the world: for were they not given up to ſuch a ſpirit of ſlumber and ſecurity, they would be like ſo many Cains and Judas's after their abominable iniquities, ſo many Magor-miſſabibs, whom fear would incompaſ…e round about.
Sixtly, Another cauſe that will dull, if not extinguiſh thoſe principles of conſcience, is a wilfull turning away our thoughts and conſiderations from what they ſpeak within 6. A turning away from what conſcience ſpeaks.us. Men ſtudy diverſions, and for fear of ſuch ſad melancholy thoughts as they term them, they will goe into merry company, take great imployments upon them, that will buſie their heads ſo much, that they never hear what Conſcience ſpeaks within, becauſe of the crowd of imployments without. Thus Cain full of trembling, to ſhake this off, he travaileth, and buildeth Cities, and all to have a quiet mind. Thus as when the Prophets of God called to mourning and ſackcloth, there was gladneſſe, and making of all melody: ſo when Conſcience accuſeth, condemneth, calls for repentance and reformation, they labour to make a greater noiſe that may drown this. It's true the acts and dictates of Conſcience are not ſubject to our wills, Quoad ſpecificationem, as they ſay. A man cannot think that to be good which he deſireth, nor that to be evill which he would not; but againſt and contrary to mens wills and affections they ſay, This is good, and this evil: but quoad exercitium, in reſpect of the exerciſe of it; So they may wilfully turn away their thoughts from conſidering what is ſaid to them. Thus as the thief hareth the light, becauſe his deeds are diſcovered thereby; ſo a wicked man dares not give heed to what conſcience ſaith, he runneth from it as much as he can, becauſe it is wholly againſt the courſe of his life; ſo that if you never minde or conſider, what that law of God in thy heart ſpeaks to thee: it's no wonder if thou art never reformed: But if thou wouldſt commune with thy own heart, and ſearch it, bid all other things ſtand aloof off, thou and conſcience will conſider together, thou and conſcience will examine together; if this were done, thy ſins ſhould not lodge a night longer with thee.
Seventhly, A prephane jollity, and a carnall merriment, this alſo weakens the voice of naturall Conſcience; ſome men are as afraid of any ſerious ſober thoughts 7. Prophane jollity.about God, and the day of judgement, as children are of the dark. This was their diſpoſition, who ſaid, Let us eate and drink, for to morrow we ſhall dye. Oh prophaneſs, rather let us repent and mourn, and forſake our ſins, for to morrow we ſhall dye; but theſe ſwiniſh Epicures, they made the clean contrary uſe, We have but a ſhort time to live, we may not hold out till to morrow, therefore let us be merry while we may, when we are gone, all is gone; we will take our pleaſures while we may have them. This jolly prophaneneſs, puts out all the eyes of Conſcience; now all his care and thought is, but how he may be merry, how he may be glutting and ſatisfying his luſts; as for the day of judgement, or thoſe ſad Sermons which his conſcience may preach to him, he deſireth to hear no more of them, he wil make much of one while he may. But Oh! what is this making much? Its making up much wrath, much miſery, and much horror for thy ſelf: That which thou ſaidſt is making mirth, is indeed making nothing for thee, its the eternal perdition of thy ſoul and body.
Eighthly, Neglect to stir up and quicken theſe natural Dictates, by all thoſe ſpecial and ſupernatural helps which God hath appointed; not that theſe can ever 8. A neglect to ſtir them up by the helps appointed.be poliſhed or made grace, for that is a new creation, as you heard, and comes into the ſoul wholly from above; but diligence and attendance upon the means, would make theſe more tender and vigorous within us: This may be amplified by the parallel of ſupernatural light; for if when God hath graciouſly ingraven this heart in his people, ſo that the Law of God becometh a delight unto them; yet even this work of grace may ſeem to be quite overwhelmed, ſo that there do not for the preſent appear any motions or breathings of Gods ſpirit in them, no wonder if in natural men, all things lie ſo huſhed and quiet, that nothing of this natural Law is declared. For an inſtance of the former defection, take David and others; Who could think that ever they ſhould commit ſuch bloody and hideous ſins as they did? Where was their grace? Where were the fiery darts of Gods ſpirit in their hearts inflaming them? Nothing but ſin and the fleſh appeareth in them, they are like a tree in winter, that diſcovers no ſap or life; like a man in a dead Lethargy, that manifeſts no breath: Now then, if the ſupernatural work of grace in a godly man, may be ſo ſtupified and over-whelmed, is it any wonder if theſe dictates of nature be ſilent? But as in the godly, theſe things are overtopt by their ſluggiſhneſs, and careleſs walking; ſo in natural men, whatſoever dictate may be to good, it wholly dyeth, as ſparks of fire dye, becauſe there is nothing to blow on them, and inkindle them.
Laſtly, Therefore may there be no declaring of this Law in mens hearts, becauſe 9. An inordinate deſire to live without control.they do inordinately deſire to live without any controll or check: Now theſe natural principles, they are a School-maſter to keep men in awe; they are a judge to terrifie and keep men in fear. And as the Malefactor would willingly kill the Judge, if it were in his power, that ſo the Judge may not condemn him; thus the corrupt luſts and affections of men, make them deſirous to ſtifle conſcience, that ſo conſcience may not condemn or accuſe them. There is nothing that a wicked man is ſo afraid of, as to be diſquieted in his ſins: Our tongues are ours (ſay thoſe prophane men) who ſhall control us? Therefore that they may not ſtand in awe, and ſo be kept from ſin, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, Pſal. 4. 4. they labor to muzzle the mouth of conſcience, that it bite not: A vain and fooliſh attempt indeed, for when God makes this roar and rage in a man, all the pleaſures, ſports and paſtimes in the world, cannot allay the noiſe of it; but yet men will attempt theſe vain things: Fear of natural light, makes men hate it, and the hatred of it, makes men put it out if they can.
Uſe of Inſtruction, How inexcuſable all men are, who live in the committing of groſs ſins, ſuch as natural light forbids: Who can plead for thee? What canſt Uſe.thou ſay for thy ſelf? Its no excuſe to ſay, I am no ſcholar, I am not Book-learned: Alas! thou art new born with theſe principles, that To do unjuſtly, to live intemperately, are not lawful to be done: Think not to ſay, I cannot read, I am not able to peruſe the Bible, for if there were no Bible, no Miniſtery, theſe ſins are condemned by a Judge in thy own breaſt. You would think it impoſſible that even among Heathens any ſuch impiety ſhould be found, but among Chriſtians to have it, who would not cry out, Be aſtoniſhed O Heavens, and bluſh O Sun, that in the Church of God men ſhould lie, forſwear, be unclean, and walk in the bidden ways of diſhoneſty. Theſe go againſt natural and ſupernatural light, againſt the Bible the Book of God, and againſt their conſcience that Vice-Roy God hath placed in their hearts: Think then how ſpeechleſs thou wilt preſently be ſtricken, when God ſhall inquire about theſe things.