A Pastors Legacy to His Beloved People, Sermons 13,14
The XIII. and XIV. SERMONS.
IN my course propounded, now I was to speak to you all in general Exhortations; to which I had designed this whole day, and the next day for the other part of the Valediction, viz. Benediction or Blessing; but finding this week, by those that have judgement in the Law, that I have no more Sabbaths allowed me but this, I must contract my intentious for both dayes into this one, and last.
I shall (first) therefore speak a few words more unto you; and then conclude with my hearty desires of a blessing on you.
First, See; days of grace have their last; sins have oft a slow, but ever a sure account.
There is a time when God will suffer my preaching, and your hearing conjunct no more.
The day long threatned is no come.
Now we must reap the fruits of our vain attendances.
So will it be with all our sins, with all our joys; Vengeance will have its day, joy will have its night.
Secondly, Lets heartily bless the Lord, for near these sixteen Years freedom in sacred Ordinances: We have had such plenty of Manna, as scarce has been any where, since God created man on earth.
Oh! if thousands of others had seen the dayes we have seen, what joy would they have had, what improvement would they have made? Let us bless God for the clearness, and vehemency, and constancy his Word.
For our eminent Fasts, wherein no sedition was sown; Our serious Sacraments, our frequent (yea, more then ordinary) Expositions: Our private, enlivening conferences, these must be reckoned for, in the day of recompences.
Of several perswasions there have been a few, that have (all or most) this time turned their backs upon all these publick Ordinances: The Lord lay it not to their charge in the great day.
If these mens souls have not obtained saving faith all this time, what answer will they give, for their so long neglect of the means thereof?
I am as sure to have these opportunities mentioned in Eternity, with joy or sorrow, as I have ever seen the Sun to thine. Acknowledge this mercy now with thankfulness, that you may not then with dreadfulness.
Thirdly, Let me beseech you not to depart from the Truths you have received.
I may say as Paul. Gal. 1.9. If any man preach any other Gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accursed.
I do not say, any will, but they may; I say not, small controversial matters, but Doctrines of Faith and Repentance.
If any come to wound profession of Religion, scoss at the Spirit, or labour to turn people to Irreligion and Prophaneness; know that man is a messenger of Satan, and not of God.
Take heed of Antinomian, and Arminian Doctrines, leaving the soul in the filth of Hell, or the impotency thereof; making Christ the pander of sin, or man the saviour of the soul. Never cease total dependance on the Grace of Christ, nor strictest diligence in the wayes of Holiness. The longer you live, the more you will find, we have no Might, but must ever watch and exercise in Divine strength and hope. I may say as the Apostle John 1 Joh 2.24.25. this has been my Doctrin from my first until now.
Fourthly, If any of you desire to know the old Doctrines you have received, there are means for you to have them.
There's a Catechise you may have, & Sermons; May be you may desire on such, and such Doctrines; There are those that have the heads of all I have delivered unto you, where you may fetch them.
You may have the Bulk, and God may send you the Spirit. I speak not to those that scorn me and my endeavours, but to those that value them.
The world is full of Books, and I am conscious of a great deal of imperfections, else my zeal had made me Print something, for my Memorial to you.
Fifthly, Oh! let Professors study to honour God. Let me say as Paul, Phil. 4.8. And oh! that I had reason to say all the ninth Verse.
But remember, I go away with a very deep sense, that we have very much dishonoured God: Oh! that inward Integrity, outward Impartiality, Gravity, Beauty, and Goodness, may henceforth shine in the Professors of this place.
The want of this, is my wound I depart withal.
Sixthly, Own God in your Families. Let him have a Church there: breed not up Heathens for the fire of Hell: if thou hast we Family-prayer, expect no Family-blessing.
Live as those that know there is a God and would have him to be their Friend.
Hast no care of Servants souls? It's a sign God has no saving care of thine.
Seventhly, Remember to tanctifie the Sabbath: Satan hath a great design to destroy Sabbaths, knowing them the Marts of Holiness. The sanctification of this day, and all Religion, rises & falls together: Breed not up thy Children in Sabbath-breaking; if thou do'st, thou wilt find them Heart-breaking. Hast no care of God's Sabbaths here … a thousand to one, if ever thou seest a Sabbath in Eternity: Behold the promises, Isa. 56. from 4. to 7. Isa 58. latter end.
If God's Sabbaths … the day's of thy carnal pleasure, thy pain will be in the day of Sabbath.
If thy gates be open on the Sabbath to prophaneess, at those gates goes out blessings, and comes in curses.
If any teach otherwise, I charge you, receive not their doctrins; dost thou practice what they profess, all the Apostles did? And let God have the day which he hath called by his own Name, Rev 1.10.
Eighthly, Let none be zealous for prophaneness, or perfecution.
Remember, I say not persecution is coming, but it may come before all your heads be in the grave: We know not what our sins may bring forth in a day, we have had many great changes on a suddain.
Take heed of being haters of the holy Spirit, and fighters against the God of Glory.
Young men be not mad against God, at whose indgement Seat you must one day stand: Have some respect now, that he may have mercy then.
If you will damn you own souls, hate not them that would save theirs; Let me rather be disobedient against God, than a murtherer of him.
Hear the voice to Saul, Acts 9.5. I am he whom thou persecutest; it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
I speak this for your sakes, not the persecuted.
How would the noise of Mells riot, and persecution, wound me afar off?
Ninthly Get all good from, & shew all duty to, him that follows: Oh! that his care, affection, piety, and ability, might make me to be forgotten by you.
But if he should be weak or evil, yet while he preaches Truth, while he lits in Moses Chair, hear him seriously, and carry, your selves towards him, as becomes a people to their Minister.
If any of you remember me with affection, let not that hinder your edification by him, or your respects towards him.
Tenthly, Study Peace:
There's no question, but non-Conformists shall be esteemed Rebels, and Authority moved to use them as such.
I have sate down, and counted my cost aforehand, and do assure you, nothing but the fear of the wrath of the Eternal God, (which none can endure) could have caused me to refuse active obedience to the commands of Authority, and have forsaken you, and my publick Ministry.
But whatsoever be the censure of Authority upon us; I beseech all men, by the Name of the Lord Jesus, and his second coming, that they think of nothing, but patience and prayer; and I profess before the Lord, and you, all the Nonconformists of my acquaintance, are of the same profession, even those that had some hand in the last, never intend to meddle with war more.
It's a horrid scandal to Religion; it's a remedie worse then the disease, the cure will be worse then the Malady.
Either thou sufferest conscienciously, or not; if not, there's no reason to add rebellion to disobedience; If thou dost, thou hast no reason to lose all the reward of thy patience.
If thou avengest thy self, thou hast lost all thy gain, and reward from God.
No, study in other things, to be so much the more obedient, by how much the less thou art able in some particulars actively to obey: Shew a spirit of obedience, in the excellency, of Love and Patience: I hope, I shall never hear of any of this place, take parts in any Tumults, Seditions, or Insurrections.
In the Eleventh place, Learn how to behave your selves, in the day of Jacob's troubles.
Now we have all peace, (yet as I said) we know not what may befal us before we die, when I shall not be here to advise you; and having had the charge of your souls, and for ever wishing them well, I am … to advise you, when ever such a time shall come.
1. Have the mark of mourners on your foreheads, Ezek. 9.4, 5, 6. Let not God see that you care neither for your sins, his wrath, nor the Churches misery.
If the sins of a Nation be nothing to thee, the judgement of a Nation shall be something.
Either mourn for sin, or for wee, which thou wilt.
Do thou mourn for the sins that the Nations rejoyce in, and let it appear, that thou art a mourner, that the Angels may see it: Who knows not, that the heart by rejoycing in sin, Acts it over again everyday?
2. Keep thy self pure from the reigning sins of the times.
I speak not of any particular time, but when-ever God is angry with his Church.
Consider, what are the sins of the times, if ever there be Prophaneness, Superstition, Impurity, Malice against Religion, Sensuality, or Impenitency, touch it not, Rev. 18.4.
The condition of God's Covenant, is entayled on this purity, 2 Cor. 6.14.
3. Feel the sorrows of the Church.
If the Church be nothing to thee, Christ is nothing to thee, and thou art nothing but an enemy to Christ.
If thou dost not gather with him, thou scatterest.
If thou feelest not the Churches pain, thou hast none of the Churches Spirit.
Woe is to all such, Amos 6, 3, 4, 5, 6. Remember the tryal of the last day, Mat. 25. Is according as thou hast sympathized with the afflicted Church.
The love of the Brethren, is the mark of passing from death to life, 1 Joh. 3.14. and ver. 5, 6. We are so to love, as to lay down our lives for them: Nothing so dear, but should be sacrificed for the Church.
4. Give God no rest day nor night, until he have mercy on his people.
We shall find indeed, that prayers and tears are the Churches best weapons.
And canst thou pray, and forget the Israel of God?
This is exprest, Isa. 62.6, 7. Oh bless the Lord for the liberty of Prayer! it is the Kingdom of Heaven descended in the midst of misery.
In such cases, put on the spirit of the Psalmist, Psal. 137.1. to 6.
Great encouragement there is from Luke 18. from 1. to 8.
How is God pleased to see prayer, love and zeal, in wrestling for his Church?
He that can be quiet when the Church is in misery, hath removed himself from the Churches lot and society.
Art thou content to have no part with her hereafter?
Lastly, Oh be all of you truly wise!
Once more receive a few councels from me (which indeed contain the substance of the greatest wisdom in the world) which I am heartily willing to leave with you.
I pray get these by heart, or have them wrote before you.
First, View truth.
Lose not willingly, the sight of divine beauty, the glory of the true world.
Bury not thy self alive; let not Satan rule thee. Therefore, think, read, hear, that thou maist see the light, behold its beauty, taste its pleasures:
Darkness is the world contrary to Heaven: Oh! arise from it.
Secondly, Follow light.
Or be so miserable, that infiniteness can't help thee.
If thou disobeyest conscience, thou runnest upon the sword of woe inevitably.
Thirdly, Know, the fellowship of the flesh, the world, and the devil, will be only bitterness in the end.
So much as thy spirit is tainted with, and steered by, these thy enemies, thou art the further from the fountain of joy.
Live crucifying of these, or thou wilt be crucified by them.
If flesh pleasing be not thy afrightment, and self-denial thy delight, thou art out of the Convoy of eternal blessedness.
These will be ever tempting, ever know their ends.
Fourthly, Live in sight and dependance, upon the Father, Son and Spirit.
See him continually, if thou wilt be happy, and depend only on him.
Live by faith on the Father, for giving; the Son for conveyance; the holy Ghost for applying all things to thee.
Fifthly, Live in good air; resist full temptations.
A soul in evil company, is either in Hell, or will go thither.
(There is nothing more healthful then the air we live in.)
Grace can't there grow; sin will there besmear thee.
Either thy nature will part God and thee, or God and evil company.
If thou watchest not first beginnings, all thy vows, covenants and resolutions, he but as dew before the Sun.
Sixthly, Exchange temporal joy, for eternal; the world will leave thee; its gloss will soon be gone; therefore change it for Heavens glory.
1. By daily Mortification.
2. Diligence for Edification.
3. Readiness for Testification.
Change earthly fruitions, by trading for heavenly, make good friends of unrighteous Mammon.
Seventhly, Fill thy self with Religions pleasures; expect, & overlook its labours.
Oh! be truly voluptuous; let God, Heaven, and the spirit of Grace feast thy soul continually.
Let Religions sweat-meats, and beauty, banish pain and labours.
Eighthly, If thou lovest life, let death dwel in thy eye.
None are wise but these, and all are according to this.
This is temptations water, Religions bellows: It's necessity will make thee happy.
Ninethly, Conform solemnly to the …earms of Salvation, viz. Impartial dependance, and attendance on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wait for Might from him; watch for, act to him.
Lastly, Be resolute, never to depart from Faith and Holiness, let the issue and event be what ever it will; On these two hang the two Testaments, depart not from them; Heaven and Earth shall fall, before they fail.
If thou be'st unholy, thou throwest away the whole world; if unbelieving, thou throwest away thy self for ever.
Holiness is the foundation of all things; Faith unites thee to the spring of all things.
All is but a lie that tempts thee from it, and so thou wilt surely find it.