Sacred Therapy, Book 3 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Concerning the converts pleasing himself in his luke-warm condition.
IT cometh to passe sometimes, that the true convert, being as he conceiveth sure of his own salvation, becometh negligent in the mater of his sanctification, and worshiping of God in the spirit, and turneth himself about to his own ease and following of what he thinketh lawfull: for, because he conceiveth he hath a sure grip of Christs grace, and of the gifts & benefits flowing from him, so as he needs not now to vex himself in the exercises of religion as sometime he did when he was not sure of his reconciliation with God; therefore he judgeth it sufficient, if he do follow the exercises of religion more coursely, eshew grosse scandalous outbreakings, do some works of almes and charity, as he hath occasion, and follow the works of his calling blamelesly, giving the rest of his time to be spent in worldly cares, ease of his flesh and lawfull recreations. In which condition he pleaseth himself very well, as if he had attained the way of Christian felicity both in soul and body: For he misseth nothing in maters spiritual and necessary to salvation, he is rich and hath need of nothing. Whereupon he troubleth not himself to grow in sanctification, or to set others on work, for adding one vertue to another, if they trouble not the peace of the Church, or do not disgrace religion by a scandalous life: If any man in Christs maters, will be more earnest then his neighbours, he doth not find fault with it, but let him be as diligent as he pleaseth, for he resolveth not to oppose any man in Christs service, nor to presse any man to mend his pace in Christs way, and to say the mater in a word, he is a luke-warm man, neither a reall and feckfull friend to Christ, so long as helyeth in this condition, nor yet an open adversary of Christ or his wayes. In this sicknesse readily do they fall, who after that the pains of their new birth, and difficulties in their reconciliation are past, do imprudently lay hold upon their liberation from the terrours of the law, and dream of so sweet rest in their conscience flowing from the Gospel (as if now their enemies being all put to flight, and their bonds wherewith they were bound, were all loosed, broken and laid aside) they might compose themselves to security and sleep, when indeed they should stand upon their watch, and upon their guard, least some other way the enemy should set upon them, and catch them in new snares and straits, as the Apostle doth fore-warn, Ephes. 6. 13, 14. This was the condition wherein some converts in the Church of Laodice…, Rev. 3. 15. 19. were fallen: for albeit we do not think, that all these who are charged for luke-warmnesse, were regenerat, yet we cannot judge that all the regenerat and true converts, were free of this sicknesse, when we see Christ professing his love to the luke-warm, and out of love directing his reproof toward them, whereby he doth invite them to repentance, and to return to that sweet communion with himself, which they did not follow after, for the time. And to make it appear, that true converts might fall in this luke-warmnesse, he giveth warning to all that have ears to hear, to hearken unto what the Spirit doth speak unto the Churches.
As for remedy of this sicknesse, this lethargy is hardly cured, except the patient be first casten in a sever (as it were) by the wakening of his conscience. To this end let the luke-warm consider with himself, how the Majesty and excellent worth of Christ hath been flighted by this his luke-warmnesse, wherein he hath by his fleshly security made no account of the spiritual riches of Christ, who hath redeemed his own from sin and wrath everlasting, that they may with full ben…all of aff…ction serve him. 2. Let him consider how intolerable this disposition of luke-warmnesse is unto Christ, who preferreth the open hostility of aliens, to the luke-warm condition of those who professe for him, and hath declared he will not comport with them, but spew them out of his mouth, except they shall speedily repent. 3, Let him consider how many and sad plagues of heart he lyeth under if he examine himself well, which may certifie him of the flame of Gods wrath ready to follow on the smoak of begun spiritual plagues. 4. Let him be speedily humbled before the Lord for his vain gloriation of self-perfections, and supposed need of nothing, when indeed he is blind, naked and miserable. 5. Let him lay hold on Christs love and care of him in calling him to repentance before further wrath should break forth, and take the offer of renewed, and more intimate communion with him, and injoying these precious promises, laid up for the victorious wrestler against this sinfull disposition: for, this is the proper remedy which the great Physician prescribeth for healing this deadly sicknesse, Rev. 3. 17, 18.