A New Creature, Discourse · Chapter 6
Chap. VI. An Uſe of Reproof and Conviction of ſundry ſorts.
A Second Uſe of this point, is Reproof. If a New Creature be available to Souls, yea, of ſuch abſolute neceſſity, then what ſhall we ſay?
1. Of non-pretenders to it.
2. Of meer Pretenders to it.
1. There are ſome in the World, that plainly ſay in Words or Deeds, that they are as they have been, and ſo will continue; they trouble not themſelves about theſe new things; but ſay, I am [Semper idem] ſtill the ſame. I thank God, I am no Turn-coat, nor will I meddle with them that are given to change, I love the old way.
To this Anſwer, Take that Text with you, Jeremiah 6.16. Stand ye in the ways, and ſee, and ask for the Old Paths, where is the good old way, and walk therein. Mark it, not ſimply the Old Way, except it be good; for there are many old ways that are not good: Cain's way is old enough, ſo was Balaam's and Core's, yet there's a Woe unto them that walk in thoſe ways, Jude 11. The Woman of Samaria boaſted of the Antiquity, that their Father Jacob gave them that Well, that her Anceſtors did worſhip in that Mountain, John 4.12.-20.24. But our Lord teacheth her other Doctrines; yea, it was no good Plea of the Jews, that they did as their Fathers, in burning Incenſe to the Queen of Heaven, though they pleaded great Succeſs; then, ſay they, We bad plenty of Victuals, and ſaw no Evil, Jer. 44.17, 18. God anſwers them to the purpoſe, Ver. 21.22. But let me ſay to you,
1. That this Plea is a multiplication of the Fault; if it be not a good way, every Step you take in it, is a new Error, and brings new guilt, [vetuſtas Erroris ſeductio Errantis] The way of the Wicked ſeduceth him. Have you examin'd, whether this be God's way or no? If you be wrong, the further you go, the further you are from God.
2. This continuing in old Cuſtoms without inquiry will harden your Hearts, and make you more uncapable, yea, more unwilling to return. Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, and the Leopard his Spots, then may ye alſo learn to do good, that are accuſtomed to do evil, Jer. 13.23. Cuſtom in Sin takes away Conſcience of Sin: the more men travel, the more brawny are their Feet.
3. But what think you, Adam went wrong, and do you delight to follow him? or rather ſhould not the Old Man be crucified, Rom. 6.6. You have no reaſon to bear big or brag of the Old Man, which is corrupt according to deceitful Luſts, but rather put on this new man, which after God is created in Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs, Eph. 4.22, 24. See a Parallel betwixt the firſt Adam and Second, 1 Cor. 15.45, 49. And then make your choice.
4. You'l never walk in Heaven's Road, without a change: Deceive not your ſelves, you muſt be turned from your vain Converſation, received by Tradition from your Fathers, 1 Pet. ….18. You will never walk in this New and Living Way, without a New Heart: You cannot ſerve God, but it muſt be in the Newneſs of Spirit, not in the Oldneſs of the Letter, Rom. 7.6. You are undone, if you dye as you are born; you need not change your Religion, for you profeſs the true Religion, only you muſt ſee you be true to that Religion by a change of Heart and Life: Except you be born again, you cannot ſee the Kingdom of God, John 3.3. Better never have been born, then not be new born: But more of this anon: Tremble to think of appearing before God naked, or in your old rotten Rags: the Gibeonites might cheat Iſrael with their old Bottles, Clouts, Shoes, Joſh. 9.4. but you cannot couſen God ſo: An old frame is not fit for a new ſtate: old Hearts for new Heavens: If you live after the Fleſh, you ſhall dye, (i. e. be damned) Rom 8.13: but if you through the Spirit, mortifie the deeds of the Body, you ſhall live, i. e. be ſaved.
There are many more that are far from being New Creatures, that have a black Brand of Reprobation printed on their Foreheads, and diſclaim any pretences to this New Creation-Work; as,
1ſt. Such as have imbibed Atheiſtical Principles, and ſay with their Tongues or in their Hearts, there is no God, Pſal. 14.1. at leaſt Deiſts, that deny God's Providence, and Divine Revelations.
2dly. Prophane Scoffers at true Chriſtian Piety and the Power of Godlineſs, 2 Pet. 3. under the Name of Puritans, loading Strictneſs in Religion, with Names of Obloquy, Scorn, and Deriſion.
3dly. Profoundly ignorant of Goſpel-Myſteries, 1 Cor. 13.34. and the Eſſentials of Religion, the knowledge whereof is of the higheſt importance and neceſſity, and yet do ſcorn to learn.
4thly. Voluptuous Epicures, Drunkards, Adulterers, and that wallow in all Senſuality and Immorality, without controul or remorſe, and glory in their ſhame, Phil. 3.19.
5thly. Proud contentious, revengeful, hateful hating all about them, Tit. 3.3. That evidently manifeſt the Fruits, or Works of the Fleſh, Gal. 5.19, 20. in bitter Revilings, Suits at Law, Variance about Trifles.
6thly. Covetous, griping Muck-worms, that make Gain their Godlineſs, Gold their God, Col. 3.5. Theſe are Idolaters, that are hard-hearted to the poor, but pleaſe themſelves with worldly Enjoyments, Luk. 12.20.
7thly. Swearers, prophane Takers of th… Name of God in vain, fooliſh Talkers, Jeſters Lyars, Eph. 5.4, 5. think their Tongues a… their own, and they may ſay what they liſt.
8thly. Neglecters of God's worſhip, publick private, ſecret, never call on God except by horrid Imprecations, yea, that think it's in vain to ſerve God, Mal. 3.14. and hate ſuch as do.
Such flagitious Offenders there are in the World, yea in England, that make a Scoff at the Name of the Spirit and Grace of Chriſt, and will own no Regeneration, but what they imagine they received in Baptiſm, which yet they groſly contradict, as if they would ſcorn, and run counter to the Bible-Religion and Morality it ſelf; theſe profligate Wretches I remit to the righteous Judgment of the Great God, becauſe I have little hopes they will read ſuch plain Treatiſes, or hear any powerful Preachers; and ſo are out of the Road of ordinary means of Grace, or hopes of Good.
2. But thoſe I have at preſent to deal with, are Pretenders, and but meer Pretenders to this New Creation, that have ſomething like it, but it will not prove the New Creature, but a dead Carcaſe, a lifeleſs Image of it: Many of our conſtant, diligent Attenders on all Ordinances, are apt to ſay, I thank God, I hope I am a New Creature. To which I Anſwer, It's well if it prove ſo; but the Apoſtle ſaith, Not he that commendeth himſelf, is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Cor. 10.18. And Solomon ſaith, There is a way which ſeemeth right unto a man, but the End thereof are the ways of Death; Prov. 14.12. But Perſons had need to beware taking Counters for Gold, Pebbles for Pearls; there's much counterfeit Ware paſſeth for current Coin now adays. May not an Angel be hang'd for a Sign, when the Devil is within? Are not many Profeſſors like the Phariſees, painted Sepulchers, that appear Fair, but within are full of Rottenneſs, and dead mens Bones, Matth. 23.27, 28. Like a Golden Saddle ſtuff'd with Straw; or Apothecaries Boxes, with ſpecious Titles, but empty of uſeful Drugs: So 'tis ſaid [Aliud in titulo, aliud in pyxide] a ſpecious Title, but nothing within of what is promiſed. Alas, how many Profeſſors have we known hiſtrionically acting the part of Kings on the Stage, that were Beggars, in Rags, when diveſted of their gilded Robes of a glorious Profeſſion: How many have the Complexion, but not the Conſtitution of Saints: one calls them deaf Nuts; another, Apples of Sodom; a third, Cockles and Darnel, that make a fairer ſhow then good Wheat, but muſt be caſt out. There were ſome of Old, that deſired to make a fair ſhew in the Fleſh, Gal. 6.12. but are like vapouring Trades-men, that bear big to gain Credit, but if ſearch'd into, poſſibly not worth a Groat, when their Debts are paid: Such there always have been, and its well if the World be mended.
I ſhall briefly propound and Anſwer the Pleas, that may make for their pretence.
1ſt. Plea. I have heard that the New Creature conſiſts in Knowledge, and I thank God that hath given me a large ſhare of that.
Anſw. We know that we all have knowledge, 1 Cor. 8.1. Tit. 1.16. What kind of knowledge is yours? Devils have more knowledge then you, yet are not, nor ever can be New Creatures: a Toad hath a Pearl in its Head, Poyſon in it's Body; thouſands go knowingly to Hell, and the more knowledge without Grace, the more torment, Luk. 12.47.
2d. Plea. But I believe the Revelations of God, give credit to the Goſpel, I can ſay the Creed, am Orthodox, no Heretick.
Anſw. That's well ſo far; but read Rom. 2.17—to ver. 25. What canſt thou ſay of thy ſelf more then this profeſſing Jew, that reſted in the Law, made his boaſt of God, approved of things more excellent; who yet was condemned as a perfidious, ſelf-contradicting, God-diſhonouring wretch: but thou believeſt, ſo doth the Devil believe and tremble, James 2.19. Thou mayſt have an Orthodox Head, and Heterodox Feet.
3d. Plea. I am come of Religious Parents, that improved, pleaded the Covenant for me, trained me up in the Fear of God.
Anſw. John Baptiſt anticipates this Plea, Mat. 3.9. Think not to ſay in your Hearts, We have Abraham to our Father, Matth. 8.12. The Children of the Kingdom may be caſt into utter Darkneſs. Alas Parental Privileges without Parents Principles, ſignifie nothing: Let our Lord Chriſt, who will be Judge, anſwer this vain Plea, John 8.33-44. This may aggravate your Sin, never ſave your Souls, without Perſonal Piety.
4th. Plea. I have made a credible Profeſſion of my Faith, am Baptized, am admitted to the Lord's Supper, joyn with God's People.
Anſw. So did Simon Magus believe, profeſſed his Faith, was Baptized, Acts 8.13.20-23. deceiv'd the pureſt Church on Earth, for he proved a rotten Hypocrite; ſo did Judas, ſo did he that wanted the Wedding Garment, Matth. 22.12. And how eaſie it is to caſt a Miſt before the Eyes of fallible men, daily experience teſtifies: See an Inſtance of ſome that partake of extraordinary Privileges, Ordinances, yet rejected, 1 Cor. 10.5.
5th Plea. Yea, but I am not only admitted, but continue long with them, hold up Society with them in publick, private Exerciſes.
Anſw. So did the Fooliſh Virgins accompany the Wiſe, till the laſt Hour, with ſhining Lamps, and when the Bridegroom came, they all trimed their Lamps, but at laſt it was found, they had no Oyl in their Veſſels, and ſo were ſhut out; ſee Matth. 25.1-12. And do you not read of ſome that pertinaciouſly maintain their Plea to the very laſt, when the Door is ſhut, and ſtill begin to ſay, We have eat and drunk in thy preſence, —Luke 13.25, 26, 27.
6th. Plea But I have had great Convictions of Conſcience for the evil of Sin, Juſtice of God; theſe ſure were pangs of the New Birth.
Anſw. Cain had theſe legal terrors, yet was naught; ſo had Saul, ſo Judas; yea, Felix trembled upon Paul's preaching, Acts 24.25. And all theſe were but as [praejudicium judicij] foretaſtes of that horrible Vengeance in the other World. Some Sinners have a fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indignation, Heb. 10.27. Oh look to your coming out of your Horrors of Conſcience; ſee you cloſe with Chriſt.
7th. Plea. Yes, I have had ſtrong perſwaſions in my Breaſt to cloſe with Chriſt, and do take him by Faith to be my Saviour.
Anſw. An almoſt Perſwaſion is one thing, and a thorough Reſolution is another, Acts 26.27, 28. Some barter, but buy not this Pearl of Pirce, ſome are content with a Chriſt to pardon and ſave them, but like him not as a King to rule them, and mortifie their Luſts: look to it, there's more ſorts of Faith then ſaving: the Apoſtle ſuppoſeth a man to have all Faith, 1 Cor. 13.2. Yet not that which worketh by Love, 1 Tim. 1.5. Feigned Faith is one thing, Unfeigned is another.
8th. Plea. But I confeſs all my Sins, from the bottom of my Heart, repent of them, and am heartily ſorry I have done amiſs.
Anſw. So have many Hypocrites, Reprobates; ſo did Pharaoh, Exod. 9.27. I have ſinned this time, the Lord is righteous, and I and my People are wicked, 1 Sam. 24.16, 17-26.21. Twice did Saul confeſs his Folly; yea, lift up his Voice, and wept, and ingenuouſſy ſaid, I have ſinned. So did Ahab humble himſelf, King. 21.27. And you find Judas repenting himſelf; yea, reſtoring, and ſaying, I have ſinned in betraying Innocent Blood, Matth. 27 34. Oh ſee yours be not a worldly Sorrow, 2 Cor. 7.10.
9th. Plea. But I take up ſtrong Reſolutions of better and new Obedience, and do actually reform; is not this the New Creature?
Anſw. No, the New Creature always produceth Reformation, but Reformation may be without the New Creature; Herod feared John Baptiſt, and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly, Mark 6.20. Partial Reformation is no ſound Evidence of Regeneration: the unclean Spirit of ſcandalous ſinning may go out of the Devil's Slave for a Seaſon, Matth. 12.43-45. Men may eſcape groſs Pollutions, yet be intangled in the Devil's Fetters, 2 Pet. 20.23.
10th. Plea. I do not only Reform, but alſo Conform to the Will of God, in keeping all his Commands; this ſurely ſhews Grace.
Anſw. Yes, if done from a right Principle, according to rule, for a right end, with Faith in Jeſus Chriſt: but deceive not your ſelves, outward Compliance doth not always teſtifie a New Creature, the Young Gentleman in Matth. 19.20. ſaid concerning the Commandments, All theſe things have I kept from my Youth up, what lack I yet? Alas poor man, he lacked the main: Paul, before Converſion, ſaith of himſelf, touching the Righteouſneſs of the law, blameleſs, Phil. 3.6.
11th. Plea. But I do not only Reform, Conform; but I Perform many good Duties; I Read, Pray, Faſt, am ſerious in God's Worſhip.
Anſw. It's well ſo far; all do not ſo: but remember thoſe Hypocrites in Iſa. 58.2. That ſought God daily, delighted to know his ways—yea, the Phariſees made long Prayers, Matth. 23.14. Yea, they faſted, and that twice a Week, Luke 18.11,12. They were famous for Religious Exerciſes, yet groſs Hypocrites.
12th. Plea. Thoſe were only for Externals in Religion, but I am for Internals alſo, that God may have my Heart.
Anſw. Very well; but it's one thing to be ſound in the Doctrinals, another to be ſincere in Practicals, Experimentals; it's one thing to ſay it, another thing to feel it, and do it: The Scribe in Mark 12.32, 33. ſubſcribed to the Truth of this great Doctrine of Loving the Lord with all the Heart, Underſtanding, Soul, and Strength, and repeats it, yet was not of, but only, not far from the Kingdom of God, verſ. 34. Yea, you may take delight in approaching to God, yet be bad, Eſay, 38.2.
13th. Plea. But I am upright in what I do: I know nothing to my ſelf but Integrity; Conſcience doth not accuſe me to be an Hypocrite.
Anſw. It may be ſo, becauſe Conſcience may be aſleep, and ſaith nothing, or nothing to the purpoſe, being blinded with Ignorance, or beſotted with ſelf-conceit, and want of ſelf-ſearching. But know, there may be a moral Integrity in particular Acts, when there is not a Goſpel-integrity in point of State, as in Heathen Abimelech: ſee God's atteſtation to it, Gen. 20.5, 6.
14th. Plea. I have a Love to God, Jeſus Chriſt, and follow him out of my dear and tender reſpects to him.
Anſw. It's well if ſo, but is it not ſelf-love that engageth you to follow him? as thoſe, John 6.26. Ye ſeek me, not becauſe ye ſaw the Miracles, but becauſe ye did eat of the Loaves, and were filled. Aug. complained 1200 Years ago [vix diligitur Jeſus propter Jeſum] Jeſus is ſcarcely loved for Jeſus ſake: he pays well for his Entertainment in the World's Coyn: Let Chriſt and Carnal Intereſt part, and then you'l ſee what is the Maſter you'l follow; then a diſcovery will be made.
15th Plea. Well, but I have ſuffered much for Chriſt, his Cauſe, and a Good Conſcience, a tryal hath been made of my Integrity.
Anſw. You have not yet reſiſted unto Blood, ſtriving againſt Sin, Heb. 12.4. Yea, the Apoſtle ſeems to ſuppoſe a Man may give his Body to be burnt; and yet not have Charity, 1 Cor. 13.3. And it may be as poſſible, ſome may ſuffer in an humor for a good Cauſe, as others pertinaciouſly in a bad; the Thorny Ground Hearers paſt the brunt of Perſecution, Matth. 13.20, 22. falling on the Stony Ground, but were naught. And the Apoſtle Paul ſuppoſeth the Galatians to have ſuffered many things in vain, Gal. 3.4. Many things make up a Chriſtian ſufferer. Men may bear the Croſs, and not follow Chriſt.
16th. Plea. But I give liberally to the Poor of my Subſtance, am much in the exerciſe of Charity to perſons in neceſſity.
Anſw. The Apoſtle ſuppoſeth ſtill, that a Man may beſtow all his Goods to feed the Poor, yet not have Charity, 1 Cor. 13.3. You'l ſay this is a ſtrange Paradox; what is Charity, but a free diſtribution? But the Apoſtle diſtinguiſheth, betwixt an Hand-Charity and a Heart-Charity; the poor Widow with half a Farthing, and a free Heart gave more then all the other rich mens large diſtributions, Matth. 6.1, 2. Mark 12.41, 44. Some give for Oſtentation, others of Neceſſity; yea, out of Covetouſneſs; you give nothing, unleſs you give your ſelves firſt to God, 2 Cor. 9.5, 7.2 Cor. 8.5.
17th. Plea. I am forward for Reformation in my place, appear against Prophaneneſs, Sabbath-breaking, and am of a publick Spirit.
Anſw. It's well done, but ſee you miſtake not; how oft did the Jews find fault with our Lord for healing on the Sabbath day, and his Diſciciples for plucking Ears of Corn. Mark 12.1, 2. Take heed blind Zeal tranſport you not: but ſuppoſe it be againſt Sin, ſee whether Self bear not ſway, as it did Jehu, who was partial in his Reformation, 2 King. 10.28, 29. At leaſt temporary as Joaſh, who was very zealous for Reforming, whilſt his good Uncle Jehoida lived, 2 Chron. 24.2-18.
18th. Plea. I thank God, I have good Gifts in Diſcourſe, in Prayer, and can edifie others, that are apt to admire me.
Anſw. Gifts are one thing, Grace another; all gifted men are not gracious men: who more eminent than Judas the traytor, yet an Apoſtle; and ſome will ſay in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not propheſyed in thy Name? Mat. 7.22, 23. To whom he'll ſay, I never knew you, depart from me. The Devil hath finer Gifts then any of you all: yet he's a damned Fiend in Hell: Gifts come upon another Errand than Grace, 1 Cor. 12.7. Gifts are given to profit others, Grace for a man's own Soul.
19th. Plea. I am verily perſwaded I am ſound at Heart, my Conſcience flyes not in my Face, yea, I have great Peace, Joy and Comfort within.
Anſw. God knows whether your Peace be of the right Stamp or no: I have told you, there's a Peace of the Devil's ſpeaking, and that may ariſe from Conſcience's Sleep, Security. I now tell you of a Joy riſing from the common workings of the Spirit, the ſtony Ground hearers anon with Joy received the Word, Mat. 13.20. but had no Root? Luk. 8.13. It's not to tell what Joy and Triumph ſome may conceive upon a duplicate page duplicate page Miſtake. Some taſte of the good Word, yea, of the heavenly Gift, Gal. 6.3. James 1.22. Yet fall away totally and finally, Heb. 6.4, 5, 6. Look to your ſelves, thouſands deceive themſelves in this weighty Affair.
20th. Plea. You are ſeeking to drive us to deſpair, but that I will never do, I will hope well ſtill, ſay what you will.
Anſw. There's a double deſpair, 1ſt. Good, and Neceſſary, a deſpair of ever being ſaved in the ſtate of Nature, wherein we are born, and this God brings the Sinner to, in order to planting ſound Hope, and ſincere Faith in the Soul; 2dly. There's an Evil, ſinful deſpair of obtaining Mercy at God's hands through Chriſt: God forbid we ſhould drive Sinners to this deſpair: no, no, its the former we aim at. Such as Paul felt, Rom: 7.9. I was alive without the Law once, but when the Commandment came, ſin revived and I dyed; ie. I ſaw my ſelf in a damnable ſtate, no hopes of Salvation, while I continued in the ſtate of Nature: we are ſure till Souls ſee themſelves condemned, they will never look after a Pardon; it's this we drive men to: Therefore, 2dly. there's a twofold Hope, 1. A bad, a falſe, rotten Hope, that's built upon mens Fanſie and Imagination, Job 8.14.—11.20. This will be ſwept away like a Spiders-Web, give up the Ghoſt; what hath the Hypocrite gained by his hope, when God taketh away his Soul, ch. 27.8. It's the beſt Office we can do the Sinner, to break the Heart of this groundleſs Hope; that we might bring in a better Hope: Hence, 2. There's a good Hope through Grace, an Hope that will not make aſhamed, 2 Theſ. 2.17. Rom. 5.5. An Hope that reſts upon the Promiſes of Grace in the Goſpel, its this that will do Men good at the laſt: but men muſt be ſure to obſerve and comply with the terms of the Promiſe, elſe it is groundleſs preſumption: A Prince hath as much reaſon to be offended with him that keeps not cloſe to his Commiſſion, as with another that acts without a Commiſſion: The Iſraelites of Old, ſaith one, durſt make God and his Promiſe a Leaning-ſtock for their foul Elbows to reſt on, Iſa. 48.2. They call themſelves the holy City, and ſtay themſelves upon the God of Iſrael: See alſo Micah 3.11. Nothing more common, yet nothing more dangerous, for ſuch are more bold then welcome: for though a Prince may be ſo condeſcending as to let a poor Sick or Wounded Man, eſpecially in his Service, fainting and unable to go alone, upon his humble requeſt, make uſe of his Arm, rather then periſh in the Street, yet would reject a reeling Drunkard, if he deſired to lean on him: thus a poor bleeding, humble Penitent is entertained, when a preſumptuous Rebel is kickt off with infinite abhorrency; we muſt incourage the former, and convince the latter, that their Hope may be daſht, and another Hope, (begot again a lively hope, 1 Pet. 1.3.1 John 3.3. that teacheth Perſons to cleanſe themſelves) be planted in the Soul: For the wicked is driven away in his wickedneſs, but the righteous hath hope in his Death, Prov-14 32.