Sermons on Isaiah 11:1-10, Sermon 6

Sermons on Isaiah 11:1-10 · Sermon 6

p. 341Circumſpect walking. SERMON VI.

EPHES. 5.15. See then that ye walk circumſpectly, not as fools, but as wiſe,

VERS. 16. Redeeming the time, becauſe the dayes are evil.

AS Salvation is the end of faith on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1.9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the ſalvation of your ſouls; So our walking in the way of holineſs and good works, is the way to ſalvation; the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is properly the living way, that leadeth and guideth believers to ſalvation; and good works are the meeths and evidences that we are in Chriſt the Captain of Salvation, Eph. 2.10. For we are the workmanſhip of God, created in Chriſt Jeſus unto p. 342good works, which God hath before ordained, that we ſhould walk in them.

The Chriſtian walking, is diſcribed here, 1. Poſitively, See that ye walk circumſpectly. 2. Negatively, not as fools. 3. By way of oppoſition to the walking of fools, in two qualifications required in circumſpect walking, But as wiſe, redeeming the time. 4. The motive to a Chriſtian and circumſpect walking, is taken from the evil of the times, Becauſe the dayes are evil.

To walk circumſpectly, ſignifieth (as the original word foreign importeth) an accurat and exact walking, like a man walking upon the ridge of a mountain, without declining to the one hand or to the other, Deut. 5.32. Ye ſhall obſerve to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: you ſhall not turn aſide to the right hand nor to the left. 1. In our zeal, we would walk circumſpectly, not overſtretching our ſelves to do more, than we have a calling from God to do, as Peter did in ſmiting with the ſword, without a warrand from Chriſt; and we muſt circumſpectly ſhun the other extremity, in omitting the duty of confeſſing the truth, when we are called thereto by God; it was the ſin of theſe fair profeſſors (Joh. 12.42.) they did not confeſs Chriſt, for fear to be put out of the Synagogue. 2. We would ſhun circumſpectly all negligence and careleſneſs to do good works, p. 343Gal. 6.10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, eſpecially unto them who are of the houſhold of faith, Tit. 3.8. This is a faithful ſaying, and theſe things I will that thou affirm conſtantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works: becauſe every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and caſt into the fire, Mat. 3.10. and we would walk circumſpectly, ſhunning the other extreme, in confiding into our own good works for juſtification and ſalvation, becauſe, if God enter into judgement with man, none living ſhall be juſtified in his fight by their own works, which are very far ſhort of that exact righteouſneſs required in the law, Pſal. 143.2. Yea, Abraham, Father of the faithful, was not juſtified by his good works: for if Abraham were juſtified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God, Rom. 4.2. 3. We ſhould walk circumſpectly in uſing the things of this preſent world; not refuſing the good things offered to us by the good providence of God, whether riches, liberty or preferment to a more free and plentiful condition of life, 1 Cor. 7.21. But if thou mayeſt be made free, uſe it rather. And we ſhould walk circumſpectly in ſhunning the other extreme, by abuſing the good things of this preſent world, to pride, riot, or vain confidence, 1 Tim. 6.17. Charge them that are rich in this p. 344world, that they be not high minded, nor truſt in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. 4. We ſhould walk circumſpectly with holy men in this world, not following them abſolutly in all things; for even the beſt of meer men, has their own failings: they are compared to the cloud in the wilderneſs, that had a light ſide and a dark ſide: we muſt not put darkneſs for light, nor light for darkneſs: but ſhould follow holy men with this limitation, in ſo far as they are followers of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 11.1. We ſhould follow Peter in his free confeſſion before the Council, Acts 4. but not in his denial, in the high Prieſts hall. 5. We ſhould walk circumſpectly with wicked men, that we be not enticed to ſin by their evil counſel or example, Prov. 1.10. When ſinners entiſe thee; conſent thou not. We would walk circumſpectly in forbearing to ſpeak any thing in their preſence, that may ſtrengthen them in their ſinful courſes; or may be a ſnare to our ſelves, in giving occaſion to them to procure our hurt from theſe, who will make a man an offender for an inconſiderat word, Pſal. 39.1. I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 6. We ſhould walk circumſpectly, ſhunning all appearance of evil, 1 Theſſ. 5.22. Neither doing evil, nor evil like: for, by the appearance of evil-doing, we grieve the ſtronger Chriſtians, and ſtumble the weaker, p. 345we do wrong and prejudice to our own good name, which being preſerved entire, is better then precious Oyntment, Eccleſ. 7.1. but being ſpoiled by the ſcandalous appearance of evil doing, it becomes unſavory to others, as Oyntment, corrupted by a dead flee: Joſeph walked circumſpectly; not onelyonly he hearkned not to that ſhameleſs woman, but alſo would not abide in the ſame ſecret room with her, Gen. 39.10. Paul was very circumſpect in ſhunning all appearance of mal-verſation and unfaithful dealing in the matter of publick collections, 2 Cor. 8.20. Avoiding this, that no man ſhould blame us in this abundance, which is adminiſtred by us. 7. There ſhould be a circumſpect walking, in ſhunning all occaſions and provocations to ſin, eſpecially familiarity with profane and riotous men, Prov. 4.14, 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men, Prov. 20.25. With a furious man thou ſhalt not go, leſt thou learn his wayes, and get a ſnare to thy ſoul. For, evil company corrupteth good manners: can a man touch pitch and not be defiled therewith? can a man take fire in his boſom, and not be burnt? Prov. 23.20. Several ſins have their own ſeveral occaſions and provocations: but evil company is a magazine of evil occaſions and provocations for all ſins. 8. We ſhould walk circumſpectly, in abſtaining from leſſer ſins; becauſe ſuch being neglected and not noticed, p. 346are oft-times inlets to greater ſins: what is ſaid of one ſin, is true of all, Prov. 17.14. The beginning of ſtrife, is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be medled with. Peter went raſhly into the place of temptation, without a call; and thereafter denied firſt, and in end curſed if he knew the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: it is not a ſuperſtitious and unneceſſar, but commendable preciſeneſs, to abſtain from leſſer ſins. 9. This circumſpect walking, is in an abſtaining from every thing that would provoke our predominant ſin: old ſores are ſoon and eaſily rankled; therefore we would carefully keep aloof from it, as David did, Pſal. 18.23. I was alſo upright before him, and I kept my ſelf from mine iniquity. And we would ſhun alſo all occaſions, that are apt to induce us into ſin, as the occaſions of ſuperſtition and idolatry in the matter of Gods worſhip. The Lord God forbad the people of Iſrael to plant a grove nigh unto the Altar of God, Deut. 16.21. leſt poſſibly, in reſpect of the nearneſs, people ſhould ſtep aſide from the Altar, and true worſhip of God, into a place or mannor of falſe worſhip.

The cauſes of uncircumſpectneſs in our walking, are, 1. Want of knowledge, and ignorance, as men for want of light, to diſcover dangers in the way, cannot walk circumſpectly, Joh. 12.35. He that walketh in darkneſs, p. 347knoweth not whether he goeth. Through want of knowledge, the Jews walked in a way of cruelty againſt our bleſſed Lord; and the Epheſians through the ignorance that was in them, gave themſelves over unto laciviouſneſs, to work all uncleanneſs with greedineſs, Epheſ. 4.19. 2. The impetuous and vehement deſires, even in the godly and orthodox, hath made them in their eagerneſs of oppoſition to one errour, through an immoderate deſire of counterpoiſing, (which Baſil calls foreign) to walk uncircumſpectly toward another extremity of errour: ſome ancient Fathers, in their great zeal to oppoſe Manicheiſm, in aſſerting a fatal neceſſity of all humane actions, did incline too much to Pelagianiſm, and the extolling of the liberty of mans free will, above the ſphere of its activity, as gardeners do bend a crooked branch too much ſometimes to the other ſide. 3. Pride and ſelf-confidence, maketh even the godly ſometimes raſh and uncircumſpect in their walking: Peter from ſelf-confidence in his own ſtrength, was raſh and uncircumſpect in his going into the High Prieſts hall. 4. Forgetfulneſs of death and judgement, and the accompt we muſt make to God of our walking in the time of our ſojourning here, doth make men walk at random in their evil wayes, as Jeruſalem ſometime did, Lament. 1.9. Her filthineſs is in her ſkirts; ſhe remembereth not her laſt end, p. 348Amos 6.3. Ye that put far away the evil day, and cauſe the ſeat of violence to come near.

Means and Helps for a circumſpect walking, are, 1. Sound knowledge of the good and acceptable will of God from the word of light and ſalvation; becauſe the word of God, is the rule and meaſure, according to which we walk circumſpectly in obedience to the holy commandments, like children walking in one ſtep after another, according to their grounds and elements in learning, Gal. 6.16. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them. When we walk according to this rule, we walk circumſpectly; for we need not be aſhamed, when we have reſpect unto all his comm…ndments, Pſal 119.6. This rule keeps us from wandering raſhly into the paths of wicked and profane men, Pſal. 17.4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips, I have kept me from the pathes of the deſtroyer. 2. As ye would walk circumſpectly, look to God in all your wayes; he is now a witneſs, and one day will be thy judge, Gen. 17.1. Walk before me, ſaith the Lord, and be thou upright. He ſeeth in ſecret, therefore walk circumſpectly in ſecret; although no man did ſee thee, yet the Lord ponders and conſiders all thy wayes, Prov. 5.21. The wayes of man, are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. The all-ſeeing wiſe God, p. 349pondereth all the ſteps of humane actions in their deſires, intentions and courſes: though thy profeſſion be never ſo fair before the world, yet he ponders the intention of thine heart; he ſaw the hypocriſie and crooked walking of Jehu, notwithſtanding his fair and large profeſſion of zeal for the Lord: He ponders the time of thy ſinning and unrighteous walking, if it be after mercies received, Deut. 32 13, 15. Jer. 5.7. When I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery. The Lord ponders if thy unrighteous walking be in a time of affliction, when thou ſhould walk humbly and circumſpectly; he obſerved wicked Achaz in his treſpaſſing more and more in the day of his diſtreſs, 2 Chron. 28.22. he ponders the place where thou walks in thy ungodly way, Iſai. 26.10. In the land of uprightneſs, will he deall unjuſtly: that is, in a place of uprightneſs, where he might have ſeen the good example of ſome men, walking uprightly and circumſpectly before God and the world, yet he will walk in the way of injuſtice. 3. Walk circumſpectly in reſpect of the holy Angels, 1 Cor. 11.10. The Apoſtle will have women in the Church-aſſemblies, to carry themſelves decently in reſpect of the Angels, who are frequently there to behold and admire the wiſdom and mercy of God, revealed to his Saints in the holy Word: they …re miniſtring Spirits to the heirs of ſalvation; …nd our uncircumſpect converſation and walking, p. 350is very diſpleaſing unto them; as the raſh ſpeeches and actions of an inconſiderat pupil, doth much grieve his Governour and Tutor. 4. Walk circumſpectly in reſpect of the godly, becauſe by thy raſhneſs and failings, thou wilt make the hearts of the righteous ſad: Paul was much grieved with Peters diſſimulation at Antioch: by thy raſhneſs and failings, through uncircumſpect walking, thou ſtumbles the weak, who by thy evil example are drawen from the way of righteouſneſs: Many were drawn away by the example of Peters diſſimulation, Gal. 2. and how fearful and dangerous a ſin it is, to give offence to the weak, we may clearly ſee, Matth. 18.6. Paul would rather never eat fleſh, than he ſhould ſtumble his weak brother by eating thereof, 1 Cor. 8.13. Walk circumſpectly in reſpect of wicked men, who watch for thy halting, who will magnifie themſelves, when thy foot ſlippeth, and ſpeak evil not only of thee alone, but alſo of thine holy profeſſion, and of all the Saints, as if they were all hypocrites: David, by his uncircumſpect walking, opened the mouths of adverſaries, 2 Sam. 12.14. Therefore pray thou daily, as David did, Pſal. 27.11▪ Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me i… a plain path, becauſe of mine enemies, or obſervers. 5. As ye would walk circumſpectly▪ remember frequently the Lords former mercies, toward you, that ſo ye may not depar… p. 351from his wayes, and ſo ſin againſt the God of your mercies: This conſideration Ezra holds forth to the people of God, that in time coming they may walk more circumſpectly, Ezra 9.13, 14. Seing thou our God, haſt given us ſuch deliverance as this; ſhould we again break thy commandments, and joyn in affinity with the people of theſe abominations? The remembrance of former mercies, made Hezekiah, after his recovery from a dangerous ſickneſs, to walk ſoftly and circumſpectly all his years, in the bitterneſs of his ſoul, Iſai. 38.15. And our bleſſed Lord, holdeth forth this conſideration to the man that was healed of a longſome diſeaſe, Joh. 5.14. Behold thou art made whole, ſin no more, &c. 6. Fear of thine own weakneſs, and fears from the many temptations and ſnares in this preſent evil world, is a ſpecial mean to make thee walk circumſpectly: fear to ſlip and fall, maketh men walk circumſpectly in ſlippery places, Rom. 11.20. Be not high-minded, but fear: therefore walk circumſpectly and humbly with thy God in the remembrance of his former mercies, in the remembrance of thy former ſins; in the conſcience and ſenſe of thy preſent weakneſs, and in the fear of many and manifold temptations in this evil world; as a man walketh circumſpectly, looking well to every ſtep in the midſt of ſnares. 7. As ye would walk circumſpectly, be not raſh to venture upon temptations: p. 352Cyprian ſaith truly, Nemo periculo proximus, eſt diu tutus, no man near to the temptation and danger is long ſafe: his advice is good, that men would be circumſpect, like mariners at Sea, who in time of a calm, do not caſt anchor beſide a rock, becauſe they know not how ſoon a ſtorm may ariſe, and daſh the Veſſel againſt the rock: ſo a Chriſtian would be circumſpect, though his affections be quiet and ſtill for the preſent time, yet if he venture upon the place of temptations and ſnares, he cannot tell how ſoon the wind of temptation may ariſe, and bring the ſhipwrack of peace and a good conſcience. 8. As ye would walk circumſpectly at all times and in all places, remember often the neceſſity of our compearance after death before the tribunal of Jeſus Chriſt; this conſideration made Paul circumſpect, both in his perſonal and miniſterial converſation, 2 Cor. 5.9, 10. Wherefore we labour, that whether preſent or abſent we may be accepted of him: for we muſt all appear before the judgement ſeat of Chriſt, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Not as fools: The Apoſtle ſpeaketh more particularly of our Chriſtian walk, and that negatively, that we walk not as fools. 1. Not as the atheiſtical and profane fool, who walketh without any ſerious thoughts of God in his p. 353heart, Pſ. 14▪ 1. The fool hath ſaid in his heart, there is no God: they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doth good. Ezek. 8.12. They ſay, the Lord ſeeth us not. Pſal. 94 8, 9. Ʋnderſtand ye brutiſh among the people, and ye fools, when will ye be wiſe? He that planted the ear, &c. Therefore be not profane and godleſs fools, but fear God and depart from evil, Prov. 3.7. 2. Be not vain and arrogant fools, walking in the imaginations of your own evil hearts, Prov. 12.15. The way of a fool, is right in his own eyes. 3. Walk not in the way of the licentious fool, a…ter the luſts of uncleanneſs or drunkenneſs, Prov. 7.7. The young man that followed the ſtrange woman, is ſaid to be ſimple and void of underſtanding: he is a mad fool, running in the way of riot and uncleanneſs to his own deſtruction. Walk not in the way of drunkenneſs and exceſs: for the Scripture ſaith, that drunkards are benummed and beſotted fools, Hoſ. 4.11. Whoredome and wine take away the heart. 4. Walk not in the way of worldly-minded and covetous men, who ſet up their reſt upon the things of this world, and make no conſcience of their purchaſe, for the Scripture calleth ſuch men, fools, Jer. 17.11. As the partridge ſitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not: ſo he that getteth riches and not by right, ſhall leave them in the midſt of his dayes, and at his end, ſhall be a fool. Luk. 12.20. But God ſaid unto him, Thou fool, &c. 5. Walk not in the way of ſtriſe and contention, for ſuch men p. 354are, in the Scripture-phraſe, fools, Prov. 20.3. Every fool will be medling. Prov. 26.17. He that paſſeth by and medleth with ſtrife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears: he doth at firſt raſhly engage himſelf into the quarrel, and is afraid how he ſhall come off fairly without prejudice to his credit or eſtate. 6. Walk not in the way of malice; for the Scripture calleth malicious and wrathful men, fools, Eccleſ. 7.9. Be not haſty in thy ſpirit to be angry: for anger reſteth in the boſome of fools. 7. Walk not wilfully and obſtinatly in any evil cuſtom or way, for ſuch men the Scripture calleth fools, who will not be reclaimed by the rods of God upon their backs, Prov. 27.22. Though thou ſhouldeſt bray a fool in a morter among wheat with a peſtel, yet will not his fooliſhneſs depart from him. Jer. 5.3, 4. But they have refuſed to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refuſed to return; therefore I ſaid, ſurely theſe are poor, they are fooliſh. 8. Walk not in the way of malicious diſſimulation; though ſuch diſſemblers may be eſteemed witts, and active men in this preſent world; yet in Gods account they are fools, Prov. 10.18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth ſlander, is a fool. 9. Walk not in the way of ſlothful men, who delay from time to time to go about the great buſineſs and work of their own ſalvation; ſuch perſons in holy Scripture, are compared to the fooliſh p. 355Virgins, Mat. 25. 10. Walk not in the way of bare formality, reſting upon the performance of ſome outward duties only; becauſe ſuch men are compared to the fooliſh builder, who built upon the ſand: ſuch fools are theſe who reſt on the hearing of the Word, but prepare not themſelves to do it, Mat. 7.26. 11. Walk not here and there, departing from a known and received truth in the matter of Religion; for ſuch wavering and unconſtant men, are called fools, Gal. 3.1. O fooliſh Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you ſhould not obey the truth, before whoſe eyes Jeſus Chriſt hath been evidently ſet forth, crucified among you?

But as wiſe: The Apoſtle (1 Cor. 3.18.) ſpeaketh of a twofold wiſdom; an heavenly wiſdom, when a man preferreth his duty to God unto all things worldly; ſuch was the wiſdom of Paul, Act. 20.23, 24. The Holy Ghoſt witneſſeth in every city, ſaying, that bonds and afflictions abide me: but none of theſe things move me, neither count I my life dear unto my ſelf; ſo that I might finiſh my courſe with joy, and the Miniſtry which I have received of the Lord Jeſus, to teſtifie the Goſpel of the grace of God. This wiſdom is thought fooliſhneſs to the worldly man, whoſe mind and heart is fixed on things earthly. And there is a worldly wiſdom, when men in their practice and endeavours, do prefer the good things of this life unto the beſt things of the life to come, as p. 356Demas did: this wiſdom is fooliſhneſs in Gods account; for, what avails it a man to gain all the world, and loſe his own ſoul?

This Chriſtian Heavenly wiſdom, ſtandeth, 1. In mens propoſing to themſelves a good and happy end of their actions: when they propone to themſelves, as the great and ſupreme end of all their actions, the glory of God, of whom, through whom, and for whom are all things, 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God: when in the next place, they propoſe to themſelves that ſubordinat end, to wit, the ſalvation of their own ſouls, Phil. 3.14. I preſs toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus: and when they propoſe to themſelves the good of others, by following their own example in well-doing, Mat. 5.16. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. 2. True Chriſtian-wiſdom, ſtands in a ſerious deliberation and ſearch out of Gods Word, what are the fiteſt means for attaining theſe ends; as by well-doing, and ſuffering for well-doing, to glorifie God, 1 Pet. 4.14. If ye be reproached for the Name of Chriſt, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God reſteth upon you: on their part he is evil ſpoken of, but on your part he is glorified. When we ſearch and conſider from the Word of God, that true repentance, lively faith, and ſincere obedience, are the means, p. 357whereby we attain ſalvation, Acts 3.19. Acts 16.31. Rom. 2.6, 7. 3. It ſtands in a careful and timous applying of the means neceſſary for theſe great ends: So if ye be truly wiſe Chriſtians, ye will be diligent and active in uſing the means, whereby God may be glorified, and your ſouls ſaved; Jam. 3.13. Who is a wiſe man and endued with knowledge amongſt you? let him ſhew, out of a good converſation, his works with meekneſs of wiſdom: for God will have men to repent and turn, that they may live in his ſight, Ezek. 33.11. As I live, ſaith the Lord God, I have no pleaſure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Ye muſt believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, for there is no ſalvation in any other, neither is there any other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we muſt be ſaved, Act. 4.12. And ye muſt walk in obedience to his will, becauſe he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him, Heb. 5.9. 4. True Chriſtian wiſdom ſtandeth in foreſeeing impediments, ſtumbling-blocks, and ſnares in the way wherein …e are to walk toward eternal life, Prov. 22.3. A prudent man foreſeeth evil. 5. As the truly wiſe Chriſtian foreſeeth the danger, ſo he wiſely preveeneth or removeth every impediment out of the way, that would hinder him to walk or run his race with patience, 1 Cor. 9.27. But I keep under my body, and bring it into ſubjection, leſt that by p. 358any means when I have preached to others, I my ſelf ſhould be a caſt-away. Heb. 12.1. Let us lay aſide every weight, &c. 6. The wiſe Chriſtian walketh according to right reaſon in his worldly deſires, and not according to paſſion and ſenſual appetite, which would be at the outmoſt point of his carnal deſires; for paſſions, not guided and moderated by prudence and right reaſon, do run into extremity of ſinning, as is ſpoken of Iſrael, Jer. 3.5. Behold, thou haſt ſpoken and done evil things, as thou couldeſt. In ſo doing, men become fooliſh to the deſtruction of their own ſouls; like the Nightingale, delighting ſo much ſometimes in her own ſinging, that ſhe burſts. 7. The truly wiſe Chriſtian walketh wiſely towards them that are without the Church, and adverſaries to the ſacred truth, Col. 4.5. Walk wiſely toward them that are without. 1 Cor. 10.32. Giving none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God: becauſe in ſo doing, thou hinders (ſo far as lyeth in thee) the great end, to wit, Gods glory in their converſion to the faith and truth profeſſed by thy ſelf: to this end, the Apoſtle giveth ſound advice to all who live in an outward civil ſociety with others, of a different perſwaſion in the matter of Religion, 1 Tim. 6.1. Let as many ſervants, as are under the yoke, to wit, of unbelieving maſters, count their own maſters worthy of all honour; that the Name of God, and p. 359his doctrine be not blaſphemed. 1 Pet. 3.1, 2. Likewiſe ye wives, be in ſubjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they alſo may without the word be won by the converſation of the wives: while they behold your chaſt converſation coupled with fear.

Worldly and contentious wiſdom, is directly oppoſite to true Chriſtian wiſdom, as is evident from Jam. 3.15. This wiſdom that hath with it bitter envying and ſtrife, deſcendeth not from above, but is earthly, ſenſual and deviliſh. It is called earthly from the object of it, becauſe it is imployed chiefly about things earthly: of ſuch wiſdom ſpeaketh Jer. 4.22. They are wiſe to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge: wiſe to oppreſs others, as Pharaoh, Exod. 1.10. Let us deal wiſely, &c. wiſe by wicked counſels to deſtroy the innocent; ſuch was the wiſdom of Achithophel in his counſel againſt David. It is a ſenſual wiſdom, to fulfill their own ſinful luſts, in taking the opportunities to do evil; as the young man, taking the opportunity of the twilight to go about the work of darkneſs and uncleanneſs, Job 24.15. and the vile adultereſſe, taking the opportunity of her husbands abſence for her ſhameful and ſenſual ends, Pro. 7.19. It is the earthly wiſdom of a covetous man, by his ſpeeches to deceive and defraud the ſimple, Pro. 20.14. It is nought, it is nought, ſaith the buyer, &c. It is called a deviliſh wiſdom, from the Author of it, the ſubtile old ſerpent; p. 360and it is rather craftineſs and ſubtile deceit, than true wiſdom.

The true ſigns and vive characters of the true Chriſtian wiſdom, are, 1. Theſe given by the Apoſtle Jam. 3.17. It is pure without mixture of deceit; peaceable, without envy and malice; gentle, without deſire of revenge; full of mercy and charity, without grudging to give unto them that are in diſtreſs; and full of good fruits, to wit, of piety, ſobriety and righteouſneſs. 2. Where true heavenly wiſdom is, there will be teachableneſs, and willingneſs to hear a word of reproof when we do amiſs, Pro. 1.5. A wiſe man will hear, &c. Pro. 9.8. Rebuke a wiſe man and he will love thee. David loved Nathan and Gud, the faithful Prophets, who reproved him in the Name of the Lord. 3. A truly wiſe Chriſtian will endeavour by his good example, inſtruction and admonition, to win others to God, Prov 11.30. He that winneth ſouls, is wiſe; as a wiſe and faithful ſervant, by his good example of diligence, maketh other ſervants diligent and faithful in his Maſters ſervice. 4. True Chriſtian wiſdom, hath honeſt and harmleſs ſimplicity joyned with it, Mat. 10 16. Be ye therefore wiſe as ſerpents, and harmleſs as doves. 5. The truly wiſe Chriſtian, like the wiſe Merchant, preferreth Chriſt to all things; and like the wiſe builder, Mat. 7.24. he builds his comfort and confidence on Jeſus Chriſt the rock of his ſalvation, as Paul did, Rom. 8.33, p. 36134, 35. Gal. 6.14. God forbid that I ſhould glory, ſave in the croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 6. The truly wiſe Chriſtian, is an heavenly-minded man, having his affections ſet upon things above, Prov. 15.24. The way of life is above to the wiſe, that he may depart from hell beneath.

The means and helps for attaining this heavenly wiſdom, are, 1. Thou muſt be humble and denyed to thine own wiſdom, 1 Cor. 3.18. Let him become a fool, that he may be wiſe. Thou muſt captivat all thy thoughts and imaginations to the wiſdom and will of God, revealed in the holy Word, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. 2. To this end, thou muſt be well acquainted with the holy Scripture, which only is able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation, 2 Tim. 3.15. 3. Thou wouldſt carefully obſerve the experiences thou has had of Gods mercies in time by-paſt; this will make thee wiſe and reſolute in times of new difficulties, to depend on God and his help, Pſ. 71.17, 18. O God, thou haſt taught me from my youth, &c. Now alſo when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forſake me not: for, experience is the ſchool-maſter of fools, to make them wiſe: thou wilt alſo obſerve the Lords chaſtiſements upon thy ſelf in the former time of thy deboarding, and thou wilt be more wiſe in time coming, Pſ. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. Thou wilt obſerve the uncertainty and viciſſitude p. 362of all things worldly, and there-from learn to be humble and wiſe, not truſting, or inſolently glorying in things uncertain: but thou ſhouldſt be wiſe, and learn to glory in the Lord alone, with whom there is not a ſhadow of change: thou ſhouldſt obſerve the judgements of God on wicked men, and learn to be wiſe in forſaking their evil wayes, Act. 19.16, 17, 18, 19. When many that believed, ſaw the judgement of God upon the conjurers, they burnt their magical Books, and forſook their unlawful arts. So the unclean perſon, obſerving the judgement of God upon the harlot, brought to a morſel of bread, and upon the prodigal waſter, cloathed with rags, and upon the proud man, as Haman, brought to open diſgrace, this ſhould make others wiſe to ſalvation, in being chaſt, ſober and humble. Cato ſaid truly in alledging, wiſe men profited more by fools, than fools did by wiſe men; becauſe wiſe men ſee the faults of fools, and avoid them; but fools will neither ſee their own faults, nor follow the example of wiſe men. 4. If thou would be truly wiſe, frequent the company of theſe who are wiſe, Pro. 13.20. He that walketh with wiſe men, ſhall be wiſe: but a companion of fools, ſhall be deſtroyed. 5. As thou wouldſt be wiſe, pray to God for wiſdom, Jam. 1.5. If any of you lack wiſdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it ſhall be given him. Pro. 2.3, 5. If thou p. 363lifteſt up thy voice for underſtanding, then ſhalt thou underſtand the fear of the Lord.

Redeeming the time: To redeem the time, doth ſometimes ſignifie to gain time by delaying and ſhifting of hard and difficult queſtions, which might bring the anſwerer into great danger; So, Dan. 2.8. the King ſaid to the Chaldeans, who could not tell him the interpretation of his dream, but deſired that he would ſhew them firſt the dream, he ſaid, I know of certainty, that ye will gain the time. To gain the time, is rendered by the ſeventy Interpreters, in the ſame word that is uſed here: But we take the expreſſion here to be borrowed from Travellers or Sojourners, who ſleeping too long in the ſhort winter day, do haſtily riſe and walk the faſter, redeeming the time that was loſt by ſleep, and amend their paſe all the reſt of the day: or it may be borrowed from Merchants, preferring the opportunity of a good Mercat, and of buying precious wares, even to the time of their ordinary refreſhment, by eating and drinking, Prov. 23.23. Buy the truth, but ſell it not; that is, with the hazard of any loſs worldly, lay thou hold upon the occaſions and opportunities of learning the ſacred Truths of God, but upon no terms ſell thou, or alienat the truth: or, the expreſſion is borrowed from frugal men, who retrench their Retinue, Dyet and all Superfluities, that by ſo doing they may p. 364redeem Houſes or Lands, morgaged formerly through miſgovernment or prodigality.

It is a chief point of Chriſtian wiſdom, to improve the time well; for it is ſaid here, Be wiſe, redeeming the time, as were, the wiſe Merchant, the wiſe Builder, and the wiſe Virgins, ſpoken of in holy Scripture, becauſe time is precious, Pro. 25.11. A word fitly or timouſly ſpoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of ſilver. Eſther ſpoke in time, in behalf of the Jews, and Jacob ſought the bleſſing in time; and the wiſe Virgins provided oyl in time: time paſt cannot be brought back again, like the running of water, that doth not return; and it is wiſdom for travellers to take the opportunity of the tide before it be ſpent: as our time is ſpent here, ſo will it be with us in eternity: it will be evil with them for ever, who ſpent the time of their life in following their luſts and ſinful pleaſures, and did not redeem loſt time, by repenting in time, Luk. 16.25. But Abraham ſaid, Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedſt thy good things, and likewiſe Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Gal. 6.7, 8. For whatſoever a man ſoweth, that ſhall he alſo reap: for he that ſoweth to his fleſh, ſhall of the fleſh reap corruption; but he that ſoweth to the Spirit, ſhall of the Spirit reap life everlaſting.

There be three differences of time, as it is commonly taken; to wit, the time paſt, preſent, p. 365and to come: we ſhould walk wiſely in reference to all theſe differences of times.

1. When we look back to the time paſt, that hath been miſ-ſpent in the vanities and follies of ſin, we ſhould be humbled as holy Job was, Job 13.26. Thou writeſt bitter things againſt me, and makeſt me to poſſeſs the iniquities of my youth: as holy David was, Pſal. 25.7. Remember not the ſins of my youth, nor my tranſgreſſions. Cato, though an Heathen, repented (as he ſaid) that he had miſ-ſpent one day in idleneſs: but all of us may ſay as Pſal. 90.9. Our years are ſpent as a tale that is told: we are like ſome careleſs hearers, who ſcarce know the ſubject and purpoſe of a tale, before it be near an end; ſo we know not the main end and purpoſe of our life, which is to know God, and to glorifie him, when we have known him; and the life of many is near to an end, before they conſider the great intendment of God in giving them life. We may ſay (as Eccleſ. 11.10.) Childhood and youth are vanity: miſ-ſpent idlely in doing little or no good, and oft-times in doing evil; and we may ſay (as 1 Pet. 4.3.) The time paſt may ſuffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, &c. When we remember this miſ-ſpent time, we ſhould mourn, and reſolve by the grace of God, by amendment, to redeem loſt time, and ſay and do as Job 34.32. That which I ſee not, teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. How p. 366many opportunities of well-doing have we ſloathed and neglected? As of thankſgiving to God for benefits received, like unthankful Iſrael, Hoſ. 2.8. She did not know that I gave her corn, &c. Of prayer and calling upon the Name of God, as Iſrael in the time of oppreſſing one another, Pſal. 53.4. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread; they have not called upon God. How have we neglected the opportunities of humbling our ſelves by faſting and prayer in a time of imminent or incumbent judgements? Yea, we have walked in revelling and riot, contrary to the Lords ſad diſpenſations, Iſai. 22.12, 14. We have neglected the opportunities of hearing the good Word of God, Prov. 1.24, 25. We have refuſed the gracious invitations of the Goſpel, like theſe men, who made light of the Kings invitation to the Marriage-feaſt, Mat. 22.5. We have abuſed the time of Gods patience, that ſhould have led us to repentance, as it is ſaid, Rev. 2.21. Not only have we been negligent, to lay hold upon the opportunities of well-doing; but alſo we have been forward and haſty to take the occaſions of evil-doing: How many have been ſo malicious, that like the cruel old Prieſt Annas, they could not ſleep till they had done evil? How many have taken opportunity, from the weakneſs of others, of their cruel revenge, as Simeon and Levi did? How many have taken occaſion from the ſimplicity p. 367of ſome, or from the deſolat condition of others, as of Widows and Orphans, to oppreſs them, and by their ruines build up an eſtate to themſelves? Such men ſhould redeem the time by repentance and reſtitution in time, Prov. 23.10, 11. Remove not the old land-mark, &c. for their Redeemer is mighty. Job 20.19, 20. Becauſe he hath oppreſſed, and hath forſaken the poor; becauſe he hath violently taken away an houſe which he builded not: ſurely he ſhall not feel quietneſs in his belly, he ſhall not ſave of that which he deſired.

As for the preſent time, we ſhould improve it to well-doing without delay; God, in holy Scriptures, urgeth the opportunity of the preſent time, Joel 2.12. Therefore alſo now, ſaith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart. Pſal. 95.7. To day if ye will hear his voice, &c. 2 Cor. 6.2. Now is the accepted time, &c. The husband-man takes opportunity of the ſeaſon, for plowing and ſowing; ſo ſhould we of plowing up and renting our hearts by repentance, and of ſowing in righteouſneſs: the ſea-faringman, taketh the opportunity of a fair wind; ſo ſhould we take the opportunity, when the Spirit of God breatheth upon us by the Word, without delay to depart from our ſins, and to advance toward the Port of eternal Salvation: Becauſe, 1. The neglect of the opportunity given us for well-doing, doth provoke God to withhold the like opportunity in time coming, p. 368Joh. 7.34. Ye ſhall ſeek me, and ſhall not find me. Eſau came not in time to get the bleſſing; and he never got another opportunity for it. Jeruſalem would not in time know thoſe things that belonged to her peace, and therefore in time coming they were hid from her eyes, Luk. 19.42. Felix made not good uſe of the opportunity he had for hearing Paul preach; and he never got another convenient ſeaſon, Act. 24.25. 2. Though thou may have afterward an opportunity of the outward Ordinances, yet through thy former neglect of them, thou provokes God to reject thy offerings, and outward duties; the Lord would not accept of the people of Iſrael their offer to come up the hill afterward, becauſe they had neglected the former opportunity of Obedience, when he had commanded them to come up, Numb. 14.40, 41, 42. 3. The time is uncertain, in reſpect of the opportunity of the means of grace; for thou cannot tell how ſhort a time the mercat and offer of free grace may endure: the Lord may ſend a famine of hearing the Word of the Lord, Amos 8.11, 12. The time of thy life is uncertain; how many have been well and in health the one Sabbath, but removed by death before the other? 4. Conſider ſeriouſly, though the Lord may be found of thee on thy ſick and death-bed, after the many ſlightings of opportunities in the dayes of thy health and proſperity; yet ſhall it be to thee with much pain and wreſtling; as p. 369the people of Iſrael, were put to the pains of fourty years abiding in the wilderneſs, which might have been ſaved by the timous pains of fourty days, Num. 14. As a man that neglects the opportunity of a fair and favourable wind for ſailing, may poſſibly wait on a long time, before he have the like opportunity: Yea, though a man may repent truly and ſincerely upon his death-bed; yet it is not without much fear and jealouſie, that he hath not ſo much forſaken ſin through any true ſpiritual averſneſs from it, as from a meer want of power to act ſin in the body, as he was wont formerly to do.

A wiſe Chriſtian, ſhould redeem and improve the time in order to time coming: he ſhould make timous proviſion for the time to come, as Joſeph in the time of plenty, laid up proviſion for the time coming of famine. There be four things eſpecially we would make proviſion of, 1. Of the word of the holy commandment, and threatning againſt the time and hour of future temptations, Pſal. 119.11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee. And when we are tempted to this or that ſin, we would make uſe of the commandment forbidding it, and of the threatning againſt it: we would lay up proviſion of the Word, of gracious promiſes, againſt a time of temptation to doubts and fears of acceptance, as theſe promiſes, Iſ. 55.1. Mat. 11.28. Joh. 6.37. and againſt the fears of final Apoſtaſie; p. 370we would lay up proviſion from the word of promiſe, Joh. 4.14. Joh. 10.28. We would lay up proviſion of gracious promiſes againſt temptations in an hour of da…kneſs and deſertion, as that, Heb. 13.5. I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee. Iſa. 49.15. Can a woman forget her ſucking child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the ſon of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee. Pſal. 89 31, 32.33. If they break my ſtatutes, &c. Then will I viſit their tranſgreſſion with the rod, and their iniquity with ſtripes: nevertheleſs, my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. And lay up the word of admonition againſt a time of ſenſeleſs ſecurity, 1 Cor. 10.12. Let him that thinketh he ſtandeth, take heed leſt he fall. Lay up that word, Phil. 2.12. Work out your own ſalvation in fear and trembling, and that of, 1 Joh. 5 18. He that is born of God, keepeth himſelf. 2. Make proviſion of good works, though not as a ground of confidence, yet as a matter of comfort for time coming, Luk. 12.35. Provide for your ſelves bags which wax not old, a treaſure in the heavens that faileth not. 1 Tim. 6.18, 19. Charge them that are rich, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diſtribute willing to communicate: laying up in ſtore for themſelves a good foundation againſt the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. For, although good works do not make way, p. 371and uſher us into glory, (for Chriſt the Forerunner, only doth that by the merit of his death, Heb. 6.20.) Yet they are attendants, accompanying perſons juſtified, even unto eternal life, Rev. 14.13. Bleſt are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, ſaith the ſpirit, that they may reſt from their labours, and their works follow them. 3. Lay up proviſion of thy obſervations of Gods ſad diſpenſations upon men going on obſtinatly in their ſins, Job 9 4. Who hath hardned himſelf againſt him, and proſpered? as on Pharaoh, Senacherib, Antiochus Epiphanes, Herod the great, and Julian the Apoſtat. Lay up this obſervation as proviſion againſt temptations to walk on in any courſe of rebellion againſt the known will of God: Hezekiah adviſed the people of Iſrael well, from the ſad experience of great deſolation, brought upon their Anceſtors by their great ſins, 2 Chron. 30.8. Now, be ye not ſtiff-necked as your fathers were; but yeeld your ſelves unto the Lord, and ſerve the Lord your God, &c. Lay up proviſion of thy own perſonal experience of ſad afflictions upon thy ſelf in a time of thy former ſtrayings from God; and of the good ſuch afflictions did to thee, in ſtopping thy courſe of defection, Pſal. 119.67. Before I was afflicted I went aſtray; but now have I kept thy word. And in a time of renewed afflictions, be patient, and ſubmit to God, who chaſtiſeth his own children, to this end eſpecially, that p. 372he may make them partakers of his holineſs, Heb. 12.10. In time of great affliction, lay up proviſion from thy experience of his ſtrength ſupporting thee, and of his wiſdom and power in delivering thee, that in time coming thy heart may be eſtabliſhed by confidence and dependence on him in new troubles, Pſal. 42.6. O my God, my ſoul is caſt down within me; therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. But we had the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we ſhould not truſt in our ſelves, but in God which raiſeth the dead: who delivered us from ſo great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we truſt, that he will yet deliver us. 4. Lay up proviſion of ſelf-denial and reſolution for evil times of perſecution to come, Mat. 16.24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, &c. And he muſt be reſolute as Paul, Act. 21.13. I am ready not only to be bound, but alſo to die at Jeruſalem for the Name of the Lord Jeſus.

From this Doctrine of Redeeming the time, three ſorts of perſons are juſtly to be reproved, 1. Slothful Idlers, who redeem not the time, but from day to day, delay to put heart and hand to the work of their own ſalvation, like the ſluggard, Prov. 6.10. Yet a little ſleep, a little ſlumber. Such men are like to ſpend-thrifts, who neglect the appointed time for redeeming their morgaged lands; and afterward when they would, they have not the opportunity, p. 373Luk. 13.24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I ſay unto you, will ſeek to enter in, and ſhall not be able. 2. Such as trifle away their time as the Athenians did, Act. 17.21. As theſe tatling widows did, 1 Tim. 5.17. and as theſe buſie bodies, 2 Theſſ. 3.11. Such alſo who ſpend more time in their exceſſive recreations and gamings, than in their neceſſary and lawful employments: eſpecially ſuch, who ſpend much of their time in dycing and carding. Such, of old, were ſeverely fined by the laws, both of Heathen and Chriſtian Emperours; and by the Canons of the Council of Eliberis, were ſuſpended from the holy Sacrament, as witneſſeth the learned Ductor dubitantium: ſuch prodigal triflers of precious time, are like to ſome fooliſh perſons, who ſpend upon conceits and fancies the moneys that ſhould have been imployed to redeem their morgages: ſo theſe men play away their time, which ſhould be employed to redeem their former time, that was ingaged to their former fooliſh courſes. 3. The debauched waſters of time in the works of darkneſs, as uncleanneſs, drunkenneſs, oppreſſion, covetouſneſs, pride, malice, &c. Such men redeem not the time, but prodigally caſt it away: they are like unto profuſe waſters, who do not redeem the wodſett, but take on more debt, and in end bring themſelves to ſinful, ſhameful and deſperat poverty: So theſe prodigal waſters and debauchers of their time, bring themſelves in p. 374end to an everlaſting want of all comfort, as the rich glutton did, Luk. 16.23, 24.

Therefore, let all ſorts and conditions of men, take with the warning to improve their time to the glory of God, and to the advantage of their own ſalvation. 1. Such as are in their adoleſcency and growing age, they would improve their young years to the glorifying of their Creator, Eccleſ. 12.1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Offer the firſt fruits of your age unto God, that your afterage may be ſanctified and bleſſed of the Lord: if the firſt-fruits be holy, the whole lump of your time and age will be holy, Rom. 11.16. Plato to this purpoſe ſpeaketh indeed like a divine Philoſoph, in his firſt book of his Repub. Young age, ſaith he, p…ſt over in vertue, and in honeſt imployments, is a comfortable nurſe to entertain and cheriſh their old age: but he that waſteth and debaucheth his young years, when he comes to old age, the remembrance of his former miſcarriages in the time of his youth, doth greatly afright him: as infants awaked out of their ſleep, by loud noiſes, are greatly terrified and afrighted. In like manner, thoſe men that ſleeped ſometimes ſecurely in the ſins of their youth, ſhall be awaked in their old age with the terrours of an accuſing conſcience, and afrighted with the dreadful found of death and judgement, and ſhall not have reſt to their ſouls, until they repent of the ſins of p. 375their youth, and by …aith reſt on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe blood cleanſeth from all unrighteouſneſs. 2. Such as are in their prime, and meridian of their time, who are now in their full ſtrength of body and mind, Improve your time well; honour God, with the ſtrength of thy body: give not thy ſtrength and the flower of thy time to uncleanneſs and drunkenneſs, like theſe curſed men, Iſa. 5.22. Wo unto them that are mighty to drink wine: by ſo doing they weaken the ſpirit, and conſume the body: they turn the good gifts of God unto rebellion againſt himſelf, as if a ſouldier ſhould employ his levy-mony to buy armes, wherewith he might fight againſt his King who gave it. Reuben, the beginning of Jacobs ſtrength, abuſed his own time and ſtrength; therefore his dignity and excellency was taken from him: but Joſeph improved well his youth and ſtrength of body; therefore God bleſſed him, and his bow abode in ſtrength, in deſpight of all that ſhot at him. Now is the time wherein your ſenſes and judgement are ripe and quick; uſe your time and judgement well, that ye may have comfort in old age, when ſenſes and judgement will fail, as they did in old Barzillay: but if your quickneſs be ſet on edge upon vain inventions, ye will be forced in your old age to ſay, as Rom. 6.21. What pleaſure have we, or fruits, in thoſe things, whereof we are now aſhamed. 3. And ſuch who are in their decrept old age, ſtouping p. 376toward the earth and the grave, let them not imploy their ſhort time and their affections wholly upon the things of the earth, when by the courſe of nature, they are near to be removed from it: Let them not be buſie in the things of the world, and careleſs of the work of their own ſalvation; I ſay to them, as the Lord of the Vineyard ſaid to thoſe, Matth. 20. Why ſtand ye all day idle? ye are come to your eleventh hour, your time is near run, the night of death is near hand, wherein no man can work: therefore, before that night ſurprize you, delay not to enter unto the work of ſanctification, which is begun ſalvation, and work it out in fear and trembling, that at death ye may rejoyce, and ſay with Paul, (2 Tim. 4.7, 8.) I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, &c. Let them with old Simeon, frequent the temple, and make conſcience of the holy ordinances both publick and privat, in them waiting for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who will come to old expectants, as he did to old Simeon; and will put himſelf into the armes of their faith, that they may ſay at death, Mine eyes have ſeen thy ſalvation; now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace.

The reaſon brought by the Apoſtle, to preſs the whole complex duty, is, walking circumſpectly, not as fools, but as wiſe, redeeming the p. 377time, is ſet down in theſe words, becauſe the dayes are evil: no day or time is intrinſecally evil, but good, being created of God together with the creatures, as the meaſure of the endurance of things created by God, which were all good in the beginning: but as man, by the abuſe of his own free-will, made himſelf evil, Eccleſ. 7.29. So he himſelf maketh his time and dayes evil, which are the meaſure of his evil actions.

The holy Scripture ſpeaks of good dayes and happy times, ſuch as was the day of the birth of our bleſſed Lord, Luk. 2.10, 11. ſuch as is the time of the preaching of the Goſpel to the Gentiles, 2 Cor. 6.2. ſuch as will be to the godly, the day of our Lords ſecond coming, which is called the day of refreſhment, of reſtoring all things, Act. 3.19.21. and the day of full redemption, Eph. 4.30. The Scripture ſpeaketh alſo of evil dayes, wherein ſin and iniquity doth abound; ſuch were the dayes wherein Noah and Lot lived; ſuch were the dayes wherein Iſaiah lived, when he complains of the decay of truth, of common honeſty, and of the abounding of violence, Iſ. 59.15. Yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil, maketh himſelf a prey. Such were the times wherein Jeremiah lived, who complained heavily of them, Jer. 9.2. O that I had in the wilderneſs a lodging-place of way-faring men, that I might leave my people, and go from them; for they be p. 378all adulterers, an aſſembly of treacherous men, full of falſhood and diſſimulation, &c. Such were the times whereof Peter foretold, 2 Pet. 3. There ſhall come in the laſt dayes, ſcoffers walking after their own luſts: Men blaſphemous and profane, mocking at the promiſes of God, and at the ſaith of the godly for truſting to theſe promiſes. Evil dayes alſo are the dayes of ſad and grievous calamities, Gen. 47.9. Jacob ſaid unto Pharaoh, few and evil have the dayes of the years of my life been. Such were the dayes of Jeruſalem in their firſt deſtruction by the Babylonians, and in their ſecond deſtruction by the Romans.

In ſuch evil dayes, we ſhould walk circumſpectly; for, the Apoſtle urgeth this duty from this reaſon, becauſe the dayes are evil. Conſider, 1. God obſerveth the godly in their walking at ſuch a time eſpecially, wherein ſin and iniquity doth abound; he obſerved the uprightneſs of Noah, in the midſt of a crooked generation; and the righteouſneſs of Lot, whoſe ſoul was vexed with the unclean converſation of that evil time; he obſerved theſe few in the Church of Sardis, who had not defiled their garments with the pollutions of that evil time wherein they lived, Rev. 3.4. 2 Evil dayes are critick dayes, wherein we may diſcern and judge of the good or bad diſpoſitions of men living in ſuch times; evil times are ſearching and trying times of the ſaith of the godly, notwithſtanding p. 379the proſperity of the wicked; thus the Prophets ſaith was tryed, Pſ. 73.28. But it is good for me to draw near to God. Such times are trying times of the patience of the godly, Heb. 10.36. Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promiſe. In ſuch evil times, the ſtedfaſtneſs of the godly is tryed, when many that were fair profeſſors in a time of proſperity, do make defection from the way of truth and righteouſneſs, as Joh. 6.68. when many that were ſometimes diſciples by profeſſion, went back and walked no more with Chriſt, then the ſtedfaſtneſs of Peter and of ſuch as were diſciples indeed, was tryed and manifeſted: Peter ſaid, to whom ſhall we go? thou haſt the words of eternal life. 3. Evil times, wherein ſin and iniquity abounds, are perilous times, 2 Tim. 3.1. This know alſo, that in the laſt dayes, perilous times ſhall come. They are called foreign, times full of difficulty for the godly, to preſerve themſelves from the contagion, or from the violence of ſuch times, if they will not run to the ſame exceſs of riot with the wicked.

Preſervatives againſt evil times are, 1. Sound information from the Word of God, that by the light thereof, we may diſcover and ſhun the wayes of an evil time, Pſ. 17.4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips, I have kept me from the paths of the deſtroyer. Pſ. 119.104. By thy precepts I get underſtanding: p. 380therefore I hate every falſe way. 2. Give not conſent to the beginnings of any evil courſe, Prov. 1.10. My ſon, if ſinners entice thee, conſent thou not. Becauſe conſent at firſt, may juſtly provoke God in his juſtice to leave thee to thy own counſel, and then thou mayeſt prove an active promoter, and violent driver on of the courſe of iniquity: Paul at firſt gave conſent to the ſtoning of Stephen, and afterward made cruel havock of the Chriſtian Church. The courſe of iniquity is called a backſliding, Hoſ. 4.16. Iſrael ſlideth back as a back-ſliding hiefer. And if once thou begin to ſlide, thou cannot tell how far thine own corruption, and the evil counſel and example of wicked men may carry thee, as it did ſometimes the people of Jeruſalem, Jer. 8.5. Why then is this people of Jeruſalem ſlidden back, by a perpetual back-ſliding? they hold faſt deceit, they refuſe to return. At firſt men are deceived by their own hearts, and thereafter to excuſe and ſtrengthen themſelves in their own ſinful wayes, they deceive and corrupt others by evil counſel and example: for no man at firſt comes to the hight of iniquity, according to the ſaying, nemo repente fit peſſimus: but they grow worſe and worſe, deceiving, and being deceived, 2 Tim. 3.13 3. In a time wherein piety and righteouſneſs is mocked by profane and licentious men, ſpeaking all manner of evil againſt the godly and upright, who will not run with them to the p. 381ſame exceſſe of riot, 1 Pet. 4.4. labour thou the more to preſerve thy ſelf from puſilanimity, and baſe fear of their revilings againſt any complying with their ſinful wayes, Pſ. 119.51. The proud have had me greatly in deriſion, yet have I not declined from thy Law. 4. In evil times, when a man is made an offender for a raſh and inconſiderat word, Iſa. 29.21. then preſerve thy ſelf by ſilence, except thou have a call from God to ſpeak, Pſal. 39 1. I ſaid I will take heed to my wayes, that I ſin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Amos 5.13. Therefore the prudent ſhall keep ſilence in that time, for it is an evil time. And pray often to God to ſet a watch before thy mouth, not to ſuffer thy heart to comply with the workers of iniquity; and that the Lord would preſerve thee from being taken with their worldly baits and allurements, Pſal. 141.3, 4. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips; encline not my heart to any evil thing, to practiſe wicked works with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties. 5. In evil times of wrath and imminent judgement, by reaſon of impiety and iniquity abounding in the land, draw near to God by repentance and faith in Jeſus Chriſt, Zeph. 2.1, 2. Gather your ſelves together; yea, gather together, O nation not deſired: before the decree bring forth, before the day paſs as the chaff, before p. 382the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lords anger come upon you. Be humble, and tremble in time at the threatning of wrath, that ye may have reſt in your ſouls in the day when the cup is poured forth, Hab. 3.16. When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenneſs entred into my bones, and I trembled in my ſelf, that I might reſt in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. They who tremble not in the time of a threatned judgement, yet when the judgement is poured forth, even theſe who were ſtout-hearted ſinners, in the day of wrath poured forth, they become like Paſhur, Magor-miſſabib, fear round about: When thou haſt repented of thy ſins, which together with the ſins of others, have provoked the Lord to great wrath, then flee by faith in to the mercy of God manifeſted in Jeſus Chriſt, who is the only Ark of Propitiation, Heb. 11.7. Noah being warned of God, of things not ſeen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the ſaving of his ſoul. When the evil day of wrath is come, and the judgement is incumbent, then humble your ſelves under the mighty hand of God, 2 Chron. 7.14. If my people which are called by my Name, ſhall humble themſelves and pray, and ſeek my face, and turn from their wicked wayes; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their ſin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 30.8. p. 383Now be ye not ſtiff-necked as your fathers were, but yeeld your ſelves unto the Lord, and enter into his ſanctuary, which he hath ſanct…fied for ever; and ſerve the Lord your God, that the fierceneſs of his wrath may turn away from you. Thus Rehoboam and the Princes, did humble themſelves; and the Lord gave them ſome deliverance, 2 Chron. 12.6, 7. 6. That thou may not faint in evil times, wherein ſin, perſecution and miſery do abound, guard thy heart with the hope of that eternal reſt, when thou ſhalt reſt from all thy labours, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18. For which cauſe, we faint not, &c. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen. Heb. 10.34. Ye took joyfully the ſpoiling of your goods, knowing in your ſelves, that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring ſubſtance. Which is purchaſed to us by the merits of the ſufferings of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, to whom with the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt, be everlaſting praiſe, honour and glory, for now and ever. Amen.