Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 2 · Verse 19
1 JOHN 2.19.
They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us, &c.
THe Apoſtle, Verſ. 18. had inſtructed Babes of the coming of Antichriſt, now in this Verſe he firſt diſcribes them;
1 By their Apoſtacy, they went out from us:
2 Their condition before, They were not of us, he amplifies both, the latter he proves by an Argument, They were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
The former he amplifies by the reaſon, why God gave them up to Apoſtacie, which was, that theſe Seducers might be made manifeſt that they were not of us.
Q. 1. What is meant by this, They went out from us?
A. 1. They departed from their Doctrin in Judgment, and from their Fellowſhip in Practiſe.
Acts 2.42. Now theſe men departed from both, they forſook the truth which before they profeſt, 2 Joh. 9. and not in circumſtantial points, but in ſuch, whereby they denyed both the Father and the Son, as verſe 22. 1 Tim. 1.19.
2 In their fellowſhip, they declined from them in communion of Ordinances, and mutual help, Heb. 10.25.
They went out from (us) from whom? who are they from us? Apoſtles, and Miniſters, from us, that is, from Old men, Young men, and Children, they went out from all the true Members of the Church.
They were not of us.
That is, they were never true members of our Body, they were with us, and amongſt us, but they were never of us, 1 Joh. 4.4 5. as the Children of God are in the world, yet not of the world, their mindes are not on this world, their inheritance is not in this world; ſo on the contrary, the Children of the Church are in the Church, but not of the Church.
Doct. 1. Some may be in the Church, which after do depart from the Church.
Doct. 2. Such as do depart, were never Members of the Church.
Doct. 3. Such as are Members, continue always in the Church.
Doct. 4. Thoſe that depart, manifeſt themſelves, not to be of the Church.
Doct. 5. This departing from the Church, is a note of Antichriſt.
Doct. 1. There are ſome in the Church, which may depart from the Church.
That may leave the Doctrin, Fellowſhip, and Practiſe of the Church, Heb. 10.25. 2 Theſ. 2.3. 1 Tim. 2.4.
Q. How comes it to paſs that men in the Church, and in ſome meaſure affecting the ways of Religion, depart from the Church?
A. 1. This comes from want of thorow and entire fellowſhip with the Lord Jeſus, for though they may have much joy and comfort in the Members of the Church, yet it is but a Land-flood, all that joy and grace may be dried up, unleſſe they partake of that Fountain which never fails, and as the Lord told Samuel, They have not rejected thee, but me they have rejected; ſo, ſee you any departing from the Church, they departed from Chriſt, and union with him firſt, Dan. 11.34, 35. many cleave to him but feignedly, Heb. 12.13. when a man haults between falſhood and truth, or God and his luſts, he will be turned out of the way.
2 From the ſtumbling-blocks they meet with, in
1 The Church, firſt perſecution, Matth. 13.21. that makes ſome offended.
2 Hard Doctrin, Joh. 16.66. the Doctrin of Purity ſeems harſh Doctrin to them, ſo the Doctrin of Predeſtination offends ſome.
3 There fall out ſome admonitions, or reproofs to be diſpenced to the Members of the Church; now if they come with proud unmortified ſpirits, they will be offended at them, and fly back again; this was the cauſe of Simon Magus his Apoſtacy, when Peter reproved him ſharply, he could not brook it, but fell off, and ſet up a falſe Doctrin, and lying miracles, to ſubvert the Apoſtles Doctrin; ſome depart from others, becauſe they think themſelves more holy than others, Iſa. 65.5. either they give offence to others, or others to them.
Ʋſe Shews us our duty, not to reſt our ſelves ſatisfied, in that we are Members of the Church; we may live in the Church, and partake of the ordinances yet after fall off; therefore be ſure that you give up your ſelves firſt to the Lord, and then to the Church, otherwiſe keeping any pride or covetouſneſſe in our hearts, it will make us fall off, pride will make us take offence at others, and others at us; and covetouſneſſe will make us fall off when we meet with perſecution, and loſſe of goods, and liberty, for Chriſt; therefore come with humble and mortified hearts, and give up your ſelves to Chriſt, and then you ſhall not eaſily give offence to others, and will be content to part with any thing for Chriſt, and ſo will continue Members of the Church.
Doct. 2 Such as depart from the Church, were never Members of the Church.
They were not of us, that is, of the Apoſtles, nor of us, that is, of ſuch whoſe ſins are forgiven them, either old men, or young, or Children.
Q. What is the Church, or who are the Church?
1 The Church is called a company of Saints, becauſe they are holy in heart and practice, 1 Cor. 14 13. 1 Cor. 1.2.
2 The Church is called an elect people.
3 They that are indeed of the Church, are ſuch as ſhall be ſaved, Acts 2 ult. as all thoſe that were in Noahs Ark were ſaved, ſo all thoſe that are true Members of the Church.
Grounds
1 From the near fellowſhip ſuch have with the Catholique Church, and ſo certainly are of the number of the firſt born, written in heaven, Heb. 12.23. therefore Chriſt ſaith, all his ſheep hear his voice, Joh. 10.2, 3, 4.16.27, 28. and none ſhall pluck them out of his hand. Thoſe that are truly Members of the particular Church, are likewiſe Members of the Catholique; my finger which is a part of my hand, is a part of my whole body.
2 From the fellowſhip ſuch have with the head Chriſt, all the true Members receive nouriſhment from the head, Col. 2.18, 19. therefore they not holding to the head, fall into vain ſpeculations; therefore thoſe that depart from the head, fall from the Church, Epheſ. 4.15, 16. and being knit to the head, they are joyned with ſuch bands of the ſpirit, and bands of ordinances, that they all partake of one ſpirit, 1 Cor. 6.17. ſo 1 Cor. 12.13. 1 Cor. 10.6, 7. and ſo in all their prayers, they pray for the whole Church, Our Father, thy Will be done of us, we have a tender care of all the Church knit together in one Love, one Faith, one Hope, one Baptiſme, ſo that thoſe that are truly knit, cannot fall off.
Ʋſe 1 To reprove an Error of the Romiſh Church, that do maintain that wicked men may be true Members of the Church, but we ſay that thoſe that fall off, were never true Members of the Church, and yet they hold that many fall off, and yet were true Members, but they might indeed depart from their Church, but never from any true Church; if they do depart from the Church, they were never true Members of the Church, they were not of Chriſts ſheep, for he will keep them that none of them ſhall fall off.
We ſay therefore that ſuch were not true Members, but ill humors, and ſuperfluous excrements of the body, and therefore no wonder though they fell off. But you will ſay, ſome there are that continue faithfull friends to the Church, and never fall off from them; are there not ſome that are ornaments, and maintainers, and ſupporters of the Church, yet have no truth of Grace in their hearts, are not they Members of the Church?
They have the place of Members, but are not true Members, a glaſſe eye may be an ornament to the body, and a wooden Legg a ſupport to the body, yet are no true Members, ſo ſuch may be ornaments and ſupporters of the Church, yet no true Members, but as a glaſſe eye, or a wooden legge; theſe though they cleave to the body, yet they are not joyned by nerves and ſinews, neither animated by the head, ſo theſe are not tyed to the Church by the ſpirit of God, or bond of Faith and Love, but ſome external ligaments, as honour, or profit in the Church.
Ʋſe 2 It may teach us what to judge of ſuch men as have been ſometimes very forward and zealous Profeſſors, but afterwards they ſit looſe from Religion, and fall off from the Saints, and grow enemies to the Church, they were never true Members of the Church, Stella cadens, nunquam ſtella, cometa fuit, never any Star fell; the Church is compared to Heaven, Chriſtians to Stars, when we think we ſee a Star fall, it is no Star, but a meteor drawn up by the heat of the Sun, which when the heat of the Sun is withdrawn, falsl, ſo if you ſee any Stars fall from the Church, they were ſome ſluggiſh meteors, that by the heat of Gods ordinances were raiſed up and inflamed, but after the heat was a little diſſolved, they fell away; if any fall, they were never any true Stars in heaven, but blazing meteors.
Ʋſe 3 It may teach us, never to reſt in any fellowſhip or ſociety of the Church, till we are knit by the ſpirit to God and Chriſt, ſo that every ordinance knits you nearer to Chriſt, and to his Members, and every conference quickens your affection to the Church, and theirs to you; come not therefore to the Fellowſhip of the Church for cuſtome or credit, or to ſatisfie friends, theſe are but as glaſſe eyes, and woden leggs; how little good will it be to that perſon that lives in the Church like a noyſome humor, hurtful, and pricking the Church, troubleſome to the Church and Members thereof? ſuch a one is but an evil humor, and it were better it were caſt out; nay content not your ſelves in being an ornament and ſupportance to the Church, liberal for any good uſe; and ſo Miniſters, you muſt not reſt in this, you are but as wooden leggs, and glaſſe eyes▪ and you loſe by it, unleſſe you draw juice and nouriſhment from the body by the ſpirit; rejoyce not therefore in this, that you cleave to the Church, and they to you; but rejoyce that you are of that number, whoſe names are written in heaven; rejoyce in this, that by the ſpirit and Faith, you are knit to Chriſt, rejoyce that you do any good office to the Church, not for any by-reſpect, but naturally.
Ʋſe 4 Here is a direction to all ſocieties, what ſociety to follow, even the higheſt ſociety, that is, even of the Church, the company of Saints; therefore if you would aſpire to the beſt ſociety, you muſt not be ſuch as are noyſome humors, hurtful one to another, ſuch will break off, but be knit together in love, with one conſent joyn together.
So for all Members of the Congregation, be doing good one to another, be knit together, you are all Members of the ſame Church, let no outward reſpect diſ-joyn Members, you would think it a wofull thing, to ſee a convulſion of the Members, one limb puld from another, ſo let no externall reſpect hinder fellowſhip, therefore contend not for your profit or eaſe, and ſo fall off from one another, but contend to be helpfull one to another, and grow up in love.
Ʋſe 5 Of conſolation to ſuch as find their hearts knit to Chriſt by his ordinances, and one to another, this is good comfort; you ſhall never depart one from another, no true Member ſhall ever fall off, either from Chriſt, the Church, or heaven, 1 Joh, 1.4.8. being one of the Church, and added to the Church, you are ſuch a one as is appointed to ſalvation; they that are in Gods Tabernacle, ſhall one day dwell in his holy hill, Pſal. 15. and he tells you what they are; they that are Members of the Church militant here, ſhall be Members of the Church triumphant in heaven, your name is entred amongſt the general aſſembly of the firſt born, whoſe names are written in heaven.
Doct. Such as are true Members of the Church, do keep continual fellowſhip with the Church, and do never depart from the Church.
If they had been of us, that is, of our fellowſhip which is with the Father, they would have continued for ever with us, Pſal. 125.1. They that truſt in the Lord, ſhall be as mount Zion, which ſhall never be moved; God gives a man true fellowſhip with him by truſting in him, and ſuch ſtand as a mountain, or rock, that cannot be removed, an the cauſe of it is, becauſe God in a ſpecial manner protects them; Gods protection ſtands as an hill about him, ſo that none can climbe over God to come at them, 1 Tim. 2.19. The foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, &c. the foundation, ſome take it for election, ſome for their faith, ſuch a man doth ſet to his ſeal that the Lord is true.
Q. How comes it to paſſe that they always thus keep communion with Chriſt, and his members?
A. 1. They keep fellowſhip with Chriſt, from the nature of that Covenant which Chriſt makes with all Believers, it is oppoſed to a Covenant that may be broken, Jer. 31.31. to 35. ſo that this Covenant cannot be broken, where he oppoſeth this new Covenant to the firſt Covenant made with Adam, which he brake, but this cannot be broken, for what ſhould break it but ſin, but God will write his Law in their hearts, &c. and they ſhall not depart from him.
This Covenant is either expreſt without condition, or elſe ſuch a condition as he will give us power to perform, or elſe ſuch a condition as Chriſt will perform for us, therefore cannot be broken.
Obj. Is it poſſible that any Covenant ſhould be without condition? Is it not the nature of a Covenant, to have a condition on both parts?
A. It ſometimes requires none, as Gen. 9. to 17. the Covenant God made with Noah, he made a Covenant never again to deſtroy the whole World by a flood, and yet there is no condition expreſſed on mans part, but all the world knows, that whatſoever the lives of men be, be their ſins never ſo great, even as the ſins of the Land, yet God will keep this Covenant with them, and not deſtroy the World by waters any more; now this Covenant of Grace is likened to the Covenant he made with Noah, that as that Covenant was without all conditions, ſo the Covenant of Grace that God makes with us, is abſolute without condition, ſo that he will remember us with everlaſting mercy, Iſa. 54.8, 9, 10. ſo that whoſoever have made a Covenant with God to cleave to him in Chriſt, he will never caſt them off, no more than he will drown the world.
2 Though he do require a condition, yet it … ſuch as he himſelf will perform, ſo that I ſhall never forfeit his Covenant, Jer. 32.40. God will never depart from them, I but we may depart from him; no, God will put his fear in our hearts, that we ſhall not depart from him, ſo that though God requires faith, and repentance, and obedience, yet he gives it to us, or elſe we have Chriſt as a Surety, that hath fulfilled all righteouſneſſe for us, Heb. 7.22. if therefore I, or my Surety pay, as he hath done here, no breach of Covenant can be made on our part, becauſe Chriſt hath fulfilled all righteouſneſſe; ſo that though we be unfaithful and diſobedient, yet Chriſt hath undertook for us.
2 From the Spiritual vigour, and efficacy of that Grace which the Lord gives to every true member of the Church, that Spirit which knits us to Chriſt and his Members, 1 Pet. 1.23. is an immortal ſeed, it is that ſpring which ſprings up unto everlaſting life, Joh. 4.14.
Obj. True, if we drink, but we may ceaſe drinking, and ſo thirſt?
A. But then it ſhould not differ from Jacobs Well, for as long as we drink of that we ſhall not thirſt, but this is oppoſed to that, Heb. 10.39. he oppoſeth foreign, ſo that whoſoever draws back from Chriſt had never true faith.
Nay, this grace is expreſt, as overcoming all the enemies of Salvation, Sathan, the World, and the Fleſh, 1 Joh. 1.4. 1 Joh. 5.4. Rom. 6.14. Sin, that is, your corruption, ſhall not reign in you, it may be remanent, but not regnant, it may Tyranize over us, and lead us Captive, but it ſhall not carry us willingly, but it is a captivity to us very grievous and hard, and we ſtrive to get looſe from it, it may foreign but not foreign now if ſin have once dominion over grace it ſhould be ſuperiour, which cannot be.
2 As they never depart from Chriſt, ſo they never depart from the Fellowſhip of the Church.
Q. What may be the ground of it?
A. 1. From the ſweetneſſe of that grace, life, and power they have felt in the ſociety of the Saints, ſweeter than which they ſhall not find in any other company, or in a ſolitary condition, that ſweetneſſe which they have found in Chriſt, and his Ordinances, and his Members, will make them cleave cloſe to them, and not depart from them, Joh. 6.66, 67. Whither ſhall we goe, thou haſt the words of eternal life? where can we mend our ſelves, this is the Houſe of God, and the Gate of Heaven, ſo that they intend to dwell here for ever, Pſal. 84.1, 2, 3, 4. & 8, 9, 10. they find ſuch ſweetneſs and fulneſſe in Gods Houſe, that they had rather to be Door-keepers in Gods Houſe, than to dwell in the Courts of Princes without, Heb. 11.26, 27. he that hath once ſeen Gods face in his Church, he regards not the wrath of men, and for the pleaſure of the World, he accounts the very reproaches of the people of God to be ſweeter, and if they be better and ſweeter, what are the conſolations and Promiſes, and Hopes of Gods people, the true Church of Chriſt that have found conjugal ſociety with Chriſt, what ſhould move them to turne aſide to other companions, Cant. 1.6, 7, 8. therefore up to Jeruſalem, and reſt there, there you may find me, Pſal. 16.3. My delight is in the Saints.
Q. If Chriſtians cannot fall off, what needs there ſo many exhortations and threatnings to back-ſliders? 1 Cor. 5.1, 2. 1 Cor. 10. Rom. 8.13.
A. Theſe are not Arguments of Apoſtacy, but means of perſeverance, they are as means to keep us from Apoſtacy, for he that hath appointed the end, hath appointed the means.
2 Though true Members cannot fall off, yet there are many Hypocrites that ſeem to have fellowſhip with the Church, and they may fall away.
Obj. This Doctrine breeds ſecurity, ſeeing they cannot fall off, what need they care how they live?
A, This is no doctrin of ſecurity but only to carnal men, for we ſhall find that no Chriſtian is more careful to pleaſe God, and fearful to offend him, than thoſe that have got moſt aſſurance of Gods love, and fellowſhip with Chriſt and his members, 2 Cor. 5.4. Gen. 39.19.
2 If Gods Children doe wax wanton, yet he hath means to ſcourge them ſoundly, though he doth not take away his loving kindneſſe; and we ſay, though he cannot looſe grace wholly, yet he may looſe the ſtrength of his grace. And Secondly, Corruption may grow ſtrong; and Thirdly, He may looſe all the comfort of his grace; Fourthly, he can make them meet with ſuch afflictions from men as David did, though he caſt him not out of Heaven, yet out of his Kingdome, after he had committed murther and Adultery, he raiſed up his own Son to rebel againſt him; ſo that David ſaw the bitterneſſe of his wantonneſs againſt Gods grace, As if a Phiſitian ſhould give a man ſuch a Drugg, and ſay it will not only free you from your ſickneſſe, but alſo preſerve you that you ſhall never dye; therefore ſhould he ſay, What need I care what enemies I meet with, or what dyet I uſe? no, it implieth that he muſt have a care of ſuch things; ſo though God give us a Wel-ſpring of eternal life, yet if you look not to your ſelves, but ruſh into danger, you may be ſo wounded and unſetled, and ſo terrifie your Conſciences, that you ſhall feel the ſmart of your wantonneſſe all your dayes.
Obj. Did not Lot depart from the fellowſhip of Abraham, and pitch his Tents in Sodom? Gen. 13.9. to 13.
A. 1. This was dangerous to Lot.
2 It was not without the conſent of Abraham, and there was ſome neceſſity of it, for they could not well live together, they had ſuch great eſtates.
3 The church was not then in Congregations, but in Families, &c.
Obj. But what ſay you to the Ten Tribes, did not they renounce fellowſhip with the Church? 2 King. 12.16.
A. Herein they did reject the Covenant of Grace, and ſo had no fellowſhip with the church.
Obj. Were there no good people there?
A. The good people of the Land left their poſſeſſions and went to Jeruſalem, with the Prieſts and Levites, 2 Chron. 11.13. to 17. ſo that rather then they would leave the Fellowſhip of the church, they would ſell all that they had to purchaſe ſuch a Pearl.
Ʋſe 1. To reprove the errour of the Pelagians and Papiſts, that doe teach, that the true Members of the church may fall away, not onelyonly for a time, but finally, and for ever, contrary to this Doctrine, for though they may be as ornaments, or ſupports, yet they are no true members, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
Ʋſe 2. May ſhew us the wonderfull eminency of that Grace, and that Covenant that we have in Chriſt, above that grace and Covenant that Adam had, Adam had that Grace which he might keep, and he might looſe, and that Covenant which he might breake, or not breake, but we have ſuch grace as we cannot looſe, and ſuch a Covenant as we cannot break, ſo that true chriſtians have no cauſe to complain of Adams fall, for they have a more ſure Covenant, ſuch a Covenant as we can no more hreak than we can Noahs Rain-bow; and according to the ſtate of the Covenant, God hath given ſeveral Sacraments to confirme it, he had a Sacrament of Death, but we have no Sacrament of Death, but both are for our confirmation in Life; therefore had there been a poſſibility of Death, he would have given us a Sacrament to put us in minde of it.
Ʋſe 3. Be not offended, becauſe of all theſe Antichriſts, and Back-ſliders, there are thouſands fallen away within theſe few years, why underſtand this, they were not of us, but as noyſome Humours, and the body is better without them; ſuch as have true fellowſhip never depart, ſuch as doe depart never had true fellowſhip, 2 Tim. 4.15. Demas forſook Paul, an evident ſign he was an Hypocrite, if his heart had been right, he would not have left Paul for the whole world.
Ʋſe 4. Would you have good company (as moſt men deſire to have) why as you deſire company that may be for your perpetuall comfort, then uſe this fellowſhip of the church, there was never any that once got into true ſociety of the Saints, that would ever be puld from them; Whither ſhould we goe thou hast the words of eternall life? what company ſo ſweet as chriſtian communion? Moſes that had trial of Princes courts, yet he found the ſoureſt bit of chriſtian communion ſweeter then the ſweeteſt pleaſures of Egypt; you that delight in the company of Drunkards, and Whoremongers, and Harlots, at length when you are conſumed, and your eſtate ſpent, you muſt be glad to leave them, and wiſh you had never kept them company; but on the contrary had you but once got into a near communion with the Saints, you ſhould never depart from them, it was the ſaying of a late faithful Servant of God, Dr. Preſton, Though I leave my life, yet I ſhall not leave my company.
Ʋſe 5, Of conſolation to any ſoul that ever had true fellowſhip with Chriſt, and his church, having once loved you, he will love you to the end, 1 Cor. 10.13. 1 Theſ. 5.23, 24. Pſal. 37.23, 24, 25. though we doe fall, yet the Lord puts under his hand, Rom. 8.25. Rom. 5.10. 1 Pet. 1.5. we are kept by the power of God to Salvation he embraceth us with his everlaſting arms, ſo that if we have once got fellowſhip with God, and his Church, fear not, you ſhall not fall, and if you doe ſtart aſide, and feed on ill Dyet, you ſhall finde the ſmart of it, he will humble you, that he may ſave you at the laſt day.
Doct. It is a note of ſeducers, or Antichriſtian Teachers, to depart from the fellowſhip of the Church.
They went out from us, becauſe they were not of us, and ſo ſuch were never cordial or hearty to the church, therefore when you ſee any fall off, know it argues an Antichriſtian ſpirit, 2 Theſ. 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.1. Many foreign ſhall depart from the Church, ſo that all Antichriſtian ſpirits have a corrupt ſpirit of ſeperation.
For Explication.
Q, 1. What is this ſeperation?
A. 1. A ſeperation Local, ſuch was that practiſe of the Tribe of Gad. and Manaſſes. Joſh. 22.9, 10. it was not ſeperation in fellowſhip as they profeſſe, verſ. 26, 27, but that is not a ſeperation that makes an Antichriſt.
2 A departing in fellowſhip, which yet falls ſhort of an Antichriſtian ſpirit, though it deſerve blame and reproof, Gal. 2.12. not but that his judgement and affection was with them, yet he with-drew from their ſociety in Ordinances, for this Paul blamed him, but yet it was not an Antichriſtian ſpirit, though he were a man of great zeale and courage, yet none ſo ſubject to be carried away with fear as he was, let chriſtians therefore moſt ſuſpect themſelves there wherein they leaſt ſuſpect themſelves, and think themſelves ſtrongeſt, but this was an infirmity in him.
3 There is a departing from the Faith of the church▪ or ſitting looſe from them in Spirit, judgement, and affection, their Doctrin contrary, and hearts contrary, as Paul ſaith, In the latter dayes certain ſhall depart from the Faith, Heb. 10.25. to 29. ſo that ſuch fall off not only in place, or fellowſhip, in ordinance, but in judgment, heart, and affection, that is a mark of an Antichriſtian ſpirit, Jude 4.5. 3 Epiſt. Joh. 8, 9, 10.
It is ſaid of the new converts that were added to the church, that they continued in the Apoſtles Doctrin and fellowſhip, Acts 2.42. therefore when they break from the fellowſhip of the church, they depart from the Apoſtles doctrin.
Q. What be the grounds?
A. 1. From the fellowſhip the true Members of the church have with Chriſt, 1 Joh. 1.4. therefore when you ſee a ſpirit of with-drawing from the fellowſhip of the church, they depart from the Apoſtles Doctrine, and if from them, then from Chriſt, for ſurely our fellowſhip is with God, and with the Son, therefore to prevent that denying of Chriſt, he gives them charge that they doe not forſake aſſembling themſelves, &c. Heb. 10.25. to 29. A finger cut off from the hand, is not only cut off from the hand but from the head too; ſo if men fall off from the Members, they will alſo fall off from Chriſt the Head.
Ʋſe 1. Seems to inform our judgements what to think in caſe of ſeperation, for this place is much abuſed; The Papiſts they build on this place that they that ſeperate from their church are Antichriſts. That company, ſay they that breake off from the fellowſhip of the church is Antichriſtian▪ as it is plain here; now what were Calvin and Luther, but ſuch as brake off from the fellowſhip of the church, therefore they were of Antichriſts ſpirit, and fore-runners of him.
We muſt therefore know, it is not every ſeperation from that which is called a church that is a note of an Antichriſtian ſpirit, but it muſt be known whether that were the true church; now this church St. John ſpeaks of was the true Church, for it was from ſuch whoſe ſins were forgiven; now if it be not a true Church that they breake from, it is no ſign of Antichriſt, 2 Chro. 11.16. ſuch as ſet their hearts to ſeek the Lord, ſeperated themſelves from thoſe that followed Jereboam, and came to Jeruſalem; ſo the Apoſtles were faine to ſeperate from the Church of the Jewes which perſecuted Chriſt, and them, and ſo conſtituted a Church by themſelves, a Chriſtian Church; ſo then it is not a ſeperation from a falſe Church, but a true, that is a ſign of an Antichriſtian ſpirit.
Obj. But what pretence, or juſt ground had ſuch Divines to fall from the Romiſh Church, or we in England? for we, only upon the falling out of Hen. 8. with the Pope fell from him?
A. True, that matter of Divorce did move him to fail off from the Pope, and indeed, that cauſe was enough to fall off from the Pope, who would binde a Prince to an unlawful Marriage.
But the whole body of Chriſtendom had a Three-fold ground of ſeperation which may be juſt, when a Church is heretical; that is, hold an errour contrary to the foundation obſtinately, yet that is not a ſufficient ground; as the Church of Corinth denied the Reſurrection from the Dead, yet he calls them Saints; ſo though the Phariſees had charged that none ſhould profeſs Chriſt, which was an obſtinate denying of Chriſt, and taught falſe Doctrine, yet Chriſt charges them to obey them becauſe they ſit in Moſes Chair, and therefore fundamental erroneouſneſſe is not alwayes a juſt cauſe.
1 Therefore that is a juſt cauſe of ſeperation, when a Church is infected with Blaſphemy, and Contradiction, and Blaſpheme the wayes of God, Acts 19.19. Acts 13.45, 46.
2 Idolatry is a juſt ground of ſeperation, 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18.
3 Perſecution is a juſt ground of ſeperation, Mat. 10.23. Acts 8.1.
Now all theſe have met in the Church of Rome, they have blaſphemed and condemned as Heretical, Juſtification by Faith, and other fundamentall truths.
2 They worſhip Images, as of the Virgin Mary, yea with Divine honour, as the Bread in the Sacrament, what greater Idolatry?
3 The World knows, and the blood of thouſands of Martyrs can teſtifie their horrible Perſecutions, that as long as we were ſubordinate to them, we could not profeſs the true Religion without loſs of Goods and life, therefore we have juſt cauſe to ſeperate our ſelves from them.
Ʋſe 2. It may teach us what to judge of the Seperatiſts, or Browniſts, are they of Antichriſt?
Surely their practiſe is blame-worthy.
1 Becauſe they ſeperate, where Chriſt keeps fellowſhip, Rev. 1.18. and that he walks with us, we argue, becauſe he is ſtill pleaſed to diſpence to us the Word of Life, and edifies many ſouls thereby, and therefore ſurely Chriſt hath fellowſhip, and ſhall man be more pure than his Maker? where Chriſt vouch. ſafes fellowſhip, ſhall man renounce it?
If they be converted, where had they their converſion?
2 Have not many of Gods Servants heretofore kept company with Churches as corrupt as ours are? Did not Peter and John keep company with them and ſhall they be more pure and curious?
3 Chriſt commands, If thy Brother offends admoniſh him, Matth. 18.17. if he hear thee not, take two or three more, if he hear not them, then tell it to the Church, and if he heare not the Church, let him be to thee as an Heathen, or Publican; but if the church hear not thy complaint, he doth not ſay let the church be as an Heathen, or Publican; now there are many of our Seperatiſts never admoniſhed their Brethren, nor made their complaint to the church, and if they did, and the church heard them not, muſt they therefore Excommunicate the church, and renounce it? therefore unleſſe you find in it Blaſphemy, or Idolatry, or Perſecution, there is no juſt ground of ſeperation.
Therefore this ſin is very dangerous, it draws men from the Members of the Church.
1 They ſay, our Worſhip is corrupt.
2 Our Government is Antichriſtian.
For the firſt, you cannot maintain it, for in ſundry Congregations you ſhall not find much corruption, as for reading of Prayers, if it be lawful to read Pſalmes, why is it not lawful to read Prayers? therefore that is no juſt ground, it is that which all Proteſtant Churches have uſed.
2 Suppoſe there were and are ſundry abuſes in the Church, yet that is no ſafe ground of ſeperation, Ezek. 5.11. Ezek. 9.4. ſo when the Sons of Eli corrupted the Sacrifices of God, their Sin was great, yet it was a ſin for the people to ſeperate and abhor, 1 Sam. 2.17.
2 They ſay our Government is Antichriſtian, we ſay it is that Government that expeld Antichriſt ſomtimes, and ſundry have witneſſed it with their blood; and I ſay further, there is no ſuch corruption in our State as was in Jeruſalem, when Chriſt and his Apoſtles kept Fellowſhip with them, as two High Prieſts, &c.
3 They ſay our Miniſtry and Calling is Antichriſtian, we ſay we doe not profeſs our ſelves enemies to Chriſt, and for our Callings, many of us are elected by the peoples approbation, or by ſuch as are ſet up by the King and State, and if God bleſſe our Miniſtry to convert thouſands to God by that means, it is an evident ſign God approves our Calling, for, if it were Antichriſtian, they would not convert ſouls to God.
4 They ſay our people are corrupt, and ſome ſuch as Paul bids not to have communion with, 1 Cor. 5.11. as Drunkards, Whoremongers, and therefore you ſee what evill ſuch doe, they make Gods people abhor the Offerings, and breake off from fellowſhip with you.
We cannot deny but there are very many corrupt and ſcandalous perſons in our Church, but private Chriſtians have no authority to roote them out.
1 For Miniſters, if they ſee that it would turn to the diſſipation and deſtruction of the F…ock, it were better to forbear, 1 Cor. 5. Mat. 13.29, 30. Ezra 4.20. they ceaſed from building the Temple, when there came a command againſt it; therefore they had better forbear, when it cannot be redreſſed without greater prejudice to the Church.
2 The corruption of ſuch doe not corrupt the Church, or the Ordinances of God, He that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks damnation to himſelf, not to the whole Congregation, and you ſhall finde many Churches as corrupt as the Church of Corinth, yet the Apoſtle would not have them renounce it.
Laſtly, they ſay we were never truly conſtituted, our Church had no true conſtitution.
A. That conſtitution which they themſelves require hath not been wanting in ours.
1 They ſay there muſt be entring into a Covenant, that was done in King Edward and Queen Elizabeths dayes; and whereas they ſay our Church is but a Parliament conſtitution, that doth not weaken, but eſtabliſh our Church.
2 But they ſay that our Church conſiſts of a mixt multitude, ſo was that 2 Chron. 20.13. when Jehoſaephat aſſembled all Judah before the Lord, Num. 11.4 there was a mixt multitude, and they did it out of fear, and yet it was a true Church, and ſo is ours, though there be a mixt multitude. And yet this falling off, becauſe it is not from the main Doctrine, but from the skirts, and ſome circumſtantials, therefore they doe not fall utterly from Chriſt, but yet it is not poſſible but they weaken their faith.
3 This refutes the Anabaptiſts, that fall off from our Church, becauſe we baptize Infants before they come to knowledge.
1 We ſay, though there were no Baptiſm, it were no cauſe to make it no church as Iſrael in Egypt without Circumciſion.
2 We ſay our children have as much right to Baptiſme, as Iſaack to circumciſion, but they were circumciſed the eight day, and if the Covenant belong to them, then the Seals of the Covenant, Act. 2.39. Mark 10.
Ʋſe 4. Laſtly it may teach us all, if it be a ſign of Antichriſtianiſme to withdraw from the church, then it is a mark of true Chriſtianity to ſtick cloſe to the fellowſhip of the Saints; in love, in Chriſtian duties, in admoniſhiog one another, in counſelling, in comforting, in reproving one another; therefore take heed you forſake not this fellowſhip, for ſo you looſe your grace and ſtrength, if you ſit looſe from them, They that follow lying vanities, forſake their own mercies, all that oyntment that was powred on Chriſts head, deſcends to the loweſt skirt of his garment, Pſal. 133. to the meaneſt Chriſtian, therefore if you ſit looſe from Chriſt and his members, how can you look for any drops of his oyle, the vallies receive the ſhowrs from the Mountains, there God hath commanded a bleſſing, and it comes with power and authority; a man that gets a bleſſing any where elſe, gets it but precario, and as it were by ſtealth, but in publick communion, God hath commanded a bleſſing.
Now we come to the laſt point, the end of the departing of theſe men out of the church, they went out, that it might appear they were not all of us.
Whoſe end was this? who propounded this end? it was not their intention to manifeſt themſelves, not to be of the church, but all heretiques pretended that they aimed at a better church, they never intended it to manifeſt themſelves to be enemies to the church, neither was it the end of the church; the church did not caſt them out, but it was voluntary defection, they went out of themſelves, therefore the church did not look at that end, whoſe end was it then?
Surely it was Gods end, who over-ruled their Apoſtacy to the benefit of his church, when he ſaw them warp from the Fellowſhip of the church; God gives them up to Apoſtacy, that he might make it appear they were not of the church, 1 King. 12.24. fight not againſt them, for this ſeperation is from me, ſo this Apoſtacy of theſe firſt teachers is from God, and his end is to manifeſt that they were not of the church.
Doct. 5. It is the holy end that God aims at, in giving up ſeducing corrupt ſpirits to Apoſtacy from the Church, that he might diſcover them that they were Hypocrites whilſt they lived in the Church.
God puniſheth Hypocrites with Apoſtacy.
What ſhould move God to diſcover the Hypocriſie of men by Apoſtacy? a fearfull ſin to forſake the Ordinances of God, the Covenant of the church; and what ſhould be the cauſe moving God thus to work?
1 By this means God manifeſts the integrity, and ſound-heartedneſſe of his own ſervants; God would have his name ſanctified by his ſervants, and it is never more ſanctified, than when their ſincerity is approved, when others fall off, 1 Cor. 11.19. it is needful that hereſies ariſe, that thoſe which are approved, might be made manifeſt among you; as in winnowing time, when there comes a good wind, it carries away the chaff, but the wheat lyes on a heap more clean, Mat. 3.12. ſo Chriſt hath a fann to winnow his church and cleanſe out the chaff, that it may be more clean.
2 That ſo he might prevent the corrupting and ſeducing of his weak ſervants, leaſt any ſhould be miſlead by them, therefore God timely diſcovers them, 2 Tim. 3.9. they ſhall proceed no further though they had led away ſome ſimple women, laden with many luſts, yet they ſhall proceed no further, they ſhall glean no more then ſome weake judgments, or corrupt hearts, but they ſhall be diſcovered, their folly ſhall be manifeſt to all men, ſo carefull is God, that when his church is negligent in caſting out ſuch, why God in a ſpeciall care to his Vineyard, gives up ſuch to defection voluntarily.
3 He gives them up to Apoſtacy, that he may preſerve the purity of his ordinances and law, Mal. 3.3, 4, 5. as if he ſhould ſay, as long as corrupt teachers live among men, they ſo pollute Gods Ordinances, that they are not ſo pure and ſweet, therefore God takes a courſe to refine them from their droſſe, that is, not only Miniſters, though when their ſpirits are refined, their Miniſtry is more ſavoury and fruitfull, but further he will make a difference between Hypocrites, and thoſe that are ſincere that ſo his ordinances may be refined, and this was fulfilled in John Baptiſts time, who came before Chriſt, Mat. 3.7, 8, 9, who diſcovered the Phariſees to be Hypocrites that ſhould renounce Chriſt; and Chriſt himſelfe ſaid, Mat. 23. Woe be to you Scribes, Phariſees, Hypocrites; ſo that by their defection, the Chriſtian Congregations, and the Ordinances, were more pure and refined, Prov. 25.4, 5. ſo take away the droſſe from the Ordinances, they come forth more pure.
4 To exempt his people from many ſcandals and aſperſions, that would be caſt upon the Church, if theſe corrupt perſons ſhould live among them, Jude 12. therefore that theſe ſpots might appear to be corrupt humours, and not members of the body, it pleaſeth God that they depart, and ſo carry away theſe ſpots and ſcandals with them, that ſo his Church may not be defamed.
5 A fifth end is this, it tends to the juſt puniſhment of Hypocriſie; it is a juſt judgement of God to leave ſuch ſpirits to be diſcovered and revealed; Matth. 12 33. it is more acceptable to God, to have things ſeem as they are; God will have the Tree known by his fruit at length, there is no great difference between the Crab and the good Apple-Tree, by the leafe or the bloſſom, therefore it muſt be known by the fruit, Rev. 3.16. I would thou wert either hot or cold, that I might know what thou art.
Ʋſe 1. It may teach us, that even the falls of the ſons and daughters of men▪ are mannaged and ordered by the wiſe and good hand of Gods providence; ſo you ſee here is a hand going quite beyond all the ends of men, they went out that they might be manifeſt, and God hath alwayes challenged this, to have an hand in the ſins of men, not to work, but to puniſh one ſin by another, if God ſees envy in Joſephs Brethren, he ſtirs them up to ſell him into Egypt, and God challenges it, Gen. 47. Gen. 50.20. 2 Sam. 11.12. Ezodus 7.3. ſo Act. 4 28. 2 Chron. 32.21. Iſa. 10.5. the worſt evills that have been in the Church, God hath had an hand in it, 2 Sam. 24.1. not as an Author, but by accidental occaſion, he gives them up to take ſuch courſes; if David be Idle, God gives him up to Adultery; if Pharoah vex Gods people, God leaves him to hardneſſe of heart; if David commit Murther and Adultery, he gives up his Son to fratricide and inceſt; If Judas be covetous, he gives him to betray his Maſter; if they be his own Servants, he doth it to cleanſe them; if wicked, he doth it to puniſh them, therefore let us fear that God that is not only able to caſt both body and ſoul into Hell, but alſo into ſin, which is worſe than Hell, by propounding …uch temptations as may leave a man to run into deſparate courſes; therefore give not way to any ſin, thinking to recover your ſelves, but feare God will leave you to runne into worſe.
2 It may teach Gods people not to admire▪ and be offended at it; firſt, if they ſee men of good eſteem and profeſſion fall off, wonder not, ſuch were never of the Church, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18, 19. Prov. 10.25. the righteous are as an everlaſting foundation, which God hath founded, and every one of them hath this ſeal, The Lord knows who are his, and therefore be not diſcouraged, when you ſee others whom you thought better of than of your ſelves fall, for the foundation of God ſtandeth ſure; 2ly, let not other men be offended, if they ſee ſome that were profeſſors fall off into vile courſes, ſay not they are all of one Sect, they are all of the ſame Spirit, none better than other, this is the courſe of them all; ſay not ſo, for God gives them up to theſe b…ſe courſes to manifeſt it, that they were not true Members of the Church, God would have it thereby manifeſted, that theſe ſpots of the face of the church are not ſpots of the Body of the church, but ſpots in the Vizards of the church; but God keeps his church unſpotted and undefiled, ſo that even Balaam could ſay, How goodly are thy Tents, O Jacob; therefore if you ſee any in the church grow corrupt, and defiled, it implies they were never members of the church, God hath nothing to doe with ſuch, therefore he turns them out that it may appear what they are; if God at any time leave his people to any ſcandalous courſe, that God caſts ſhame on them (which is very rare) if he doe, he gives them ſuch unfeigned humiliation, and broken-heartedneſſe, and ſuch caſtiſements that they recover themſelves, that all the World may ſee, neither doth the church allow it, nor God, but as they were patterns of ſin, ſo they ſhall be patterns of Repentance, 2 Sam. 12, 11, if David doe fall into ſcandalous ſins, God will follow him with ſuch chaſtiſements, that God will manifeſt he is no approver of ſuch courſes; and David himſelf ſhall proclaim, that he repents unfeignedly, ſo that he was not ſo carefull before to cover it, as he is now to divulge it, and declare that it was the cauſe of bitter anguiſh to him, ſo that neither God, nor the church, nor themſelves approve of their ſin, but are againſt it.
Ʋſe 3. It may teach Gods ſervants to make an holy uſe of other mens falls; Doſt thou ſee Profeſſors fall into looſe wicked courſes, and give no teſtimony of their repentance, why God hereby would manifeſt that thou art ſincere and upright, God hereby prevents thy miſ-leading by their evill counſell, or practiſe; bleſſe God that hereby he purifies his Ordinances, and wipes away the ſoyle of his church, he wipes their face by caſting out ſuch; and eſpecially make this uſe, Be not high minded, but fear? fear that God that is able to caſt men from one ſin into another, Iſa. 6.2, 3. Why did the Angel there ſing foreign, Holy, Holy, Holy? &c. why, becauſe he was to ſend the Prophet on a Meſſage, to harden the wicked, and make their hearts fat.
Ʋſe 4. To exhort all in a ſpeciall manner to take heed of Hypocriſie, if we take up a courſe of Religion, and good duties at home, and abroad, we think that God will be mercifull to us; but let us ſee that what we doe, we doe in ſpirit and in truth, Heb. 12.13. Lev. 10.3. God will certainly diſcover us, ſcarce ever any lived that dyed in Hypocriſie, but he was uncaſed before his death, there is nothing ſo ſecret but it ſhall be revealed. Hypocriſie muſt be manifeſt to all men, though there were good hopes of them, yet God waſhes off the ſpots of his church, and not only at the laſt day, but in this World, therefore let it not ſuffice you to live in the church, for you may be as ill Humours, and ſo annoy the church of God, and it will be well that you be caſt out; or at the beſt, though you be ornaments and ſupporters to the church, yet you are but as glaſſe eyes, and wooden leggs, why God may ſtay long for the good of his church, but certainly he will lay you open to ſome corrupt Doctrine, or way, that you ſhall be manifeſt, 2 Tim. 3.9. why, verſ. fifth he tells you what they were, They had a form of godlineſſe, &c, implying, it is a mad courſe to be an Hypocrite, for by his outward profeſſion, he gets the ill will of wicked men, and for want of ſincerity, he gets the ill will of God.
There are ſundry ſigns of this Hypocriſie.
1 If thou findeſt in thy ſelf an hatred of admonition, Mat. 14.4. Herod was impatient of admonition, therefore he put John in priſon, and thereby manifeſted his hypocriſie.
2 If thou beeſt given to praiſe wicked men, and accompany with them, Prov. 13.20. Prov. 28.4. that is a fore-runner of forſaking of the Law.
3 When a man makes no conſcience of his tongue. but lets his tongue run at random, to paſſion, oc rayling, or ſlandering, Jam. 1.26.
4. If you ſee any man living in any known ſin, and delighting in it, it is ſuch a link as the Devil will chain him faſt by.
5 When a man ſhall make uſe of Religon to any other end than for Gods glory, if you make Religion a ſtalking-horſe to your own ends, certainly you will fall off▪ Joh. 6.26.60.66. thoſe that followed Chriſt for the Loaves, not one of them continued with him, 2 King. 10.29. Acts 8.17. to 23. When Simon Magus would make uſe of Spiritual gifts to get money, he was in the gall of bitterneſſe, and bond of iniquity, his heart was not right; therefore as you deſire to have fellowſhip with God, be ſincere and upright.