A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 1

A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4 · Part 1 · Subpart 1

p. 12 TIM. 3.1. &c. This also know, That in the last dayes perilous times shall come.

THE Apostle, having in the two fore-going Chapters fore-warned,Praemonitus, praemunitus. and so fore-armed, his dear son Timothy against those Schismaticks, Hereticks, Hypocrites, and false Teachers which were then arising and creeping into the Church; he comes now, by a Propheticall instinct, to fore-tell of greater evills, and of more false Teachers and Seducers, which should yet arise, especially towards the end of the world.

In this Chapter we have 1. A Prediction,Est Prophetia quâ praevidet & denotat Apostolus quanta mala imminerent ab mimicis fidei, viz. Haereticis & Pseudo-christianis. Espencaeus. or prophetical narration, of the men and manners of the last times, from verse 2. to verse 9.

2. The better to avoyd them, we have here the marks whereby the Seducers and Impostors of the last times, may be knowne.

1. They are glozing Hypocrites, verse 5. they have a form, and but a form, of godlinesse.

2. They are of an insinuating disposition: they slily and secretly creep into houses, verse 6.

3. They are subtle: they set first on the weaker vessel, like the devil their father, that first set on Eve, that he might by her the better deceive Adam, v. 6, 7.

4. You may know them by their opposing the Truth, and the faithfull Ministers thereof, verse 8.

5. By their corrupt principles and practises, verse 8.

6. By their Apostasy: they fall away more and more, and grow worse and worse, verse 13.

3. Lest Timothy should be discouraged, here is first a consolatory promise for the bounding and breaking of the follies, and fopperies, of the malice and madness, of these Impostors, verse 9.

2. The better to encourage him, Paul sets before him his own Example, and shews him what troubles and persecutions he under-went, and how the Lord delivered him out of all, verse 10, 11. and withall tells him that persecution p. 2was not peculiar to him, but that it was the common lot of all the godly, whilst they live in this world.

4. He exhorts Timothy to constancy and perseverance in the doctrine which he had received, verse 14, 15, 16, 17. and withall to a diligent study of the holy Scriptures, which he adorns with a most elegant Encomium, drawn

1. From their divine Authority.

2. From their singular Utility.

3. From their compleat Perfection.

This also know.] q. d. O Timothy, my dearly beloved Son whom I have begotten in the faith, I have armed thee before against present dangers, and against those enemies to the truth, which are already risen up in my life time;V. Mr. Vines on the Sacrament, cap. 2. §. 6. p. 29. Epiphanius in Haeres 26. Thinks the Apostle aymes at the Gnosticks in this place, who were a most vile sect wholly given up to the lusts of the flesh. such as Alexander, Hermogenes, Hymenaeus, Phyletus, &c. I come now by a spirit of Prophesie to foretell thee of future troubles, which shall befall the Church of God, not only immediately after my death (for even then from amongst your selves, shall ravenous Wolves arise, Act. 20.29, 30. such as Menander, Carpocrates, Cerinthus, &c. who shall have a form of godnness, but will deny the power of it) but especially towards the end of the world: those last dayes will be the worst, iniquity will then abound, and the love of many shall wax cold. Be not therefore, my son, discouraged, neither let any of Gods faithful Ministers, thy Successours, be dismayed, or take offence at the Sects and Schismes, at the Heresies and Blasphemies, which shall in those last and loose dayes arise; do not wonder at them, as if some strange and new thing were come into the World; for this also you must know; That in the last dayes perilous times shall come.

foreign, in extremis diebus. Beza.In the last dayes.] That is, all the time from Christs first coming in the flesh, till his second coming to Judgement. In scripture the latter or last times, are taken two wayes: 1. More generally for all Gospel-times, from that time since Christ came in the flesh and publisht the Gospel; this is called the Gospel-time in opposition to the Legal administrations: and this is frequently in scripture phrase called, The last time, and, The last dayes. This appeares by those parallel Texts. Ioel 2.28. compared with Acts 2.17. Heb. 1.2.See Doctor Gouge on Heb. 1.2. and Weems. Vol. 1. p. 1.Heb 1:2 1 Pet. 2.20. & 2.3.3. Isai 22. Hos. 3.5. Mich. 4.2 & 33. Thus we may understand that saying of Iacob to his sons. Gen. 49.1. Gather your selves together; that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last dayes. (i.) at the coming of the Messiah, or when Shiloh comes, v. 20. Hence Gospel-times are called, The end of the world, 1 Cor. 20.11. Heb. 9.26. and the last houre. 1 Iohn 2.18.

Now these are called The last dayes.

1. Because all was then consummated which was prophesied concerning the work of mans Redemption, and so is the perfection of all times, or, as the Apostle cals it, The fulness of time. Gal. 4.4. Nothing now remains but a looking for the day of judgement, which how soon it may come, we know not.

2. Because the whole time of the worlds continuance being distinguished into three great Periods, the Gospel-time is the last of The three. The first was from the creation to the giving of the Law upon Mount Sinai. The second from the giving of the Law, till the Appearance of Christ in our nature. The third from that Appearance in Humility, till his Appearance in Glory; and this is that which in scripture is oft called the Last time, because after it there shall be no more.

Tanto pejora sunt tempora futura, quanto fini hujus mundi & extremo udicto fuerint proximiora.3. Comparatively, in respect of the precedent times which have past since the beginning of the world, those times were longer than these Gospel-times are like to be.

4. By the last times more especially is sometimes meant the times that are somewhat near the end of the World, which are the latter times of these last dayes; when people shall give themselves to luxury, and security, p. 3and all manner of vices. Mat. 24.24, 37, 38. and thus it hath relation to the times we live in, wherein iniq…ity abounds, and love to God, his people, his Ministers, and Ordinances abates. Apostolicall times were bad, but these dregs of dayes,foreign, Tempora molesta, Beza, Periculosa Vulg. Dura. Tremel. Difficilia. Castalia, saeva, gravia, infesta, acerba, aspera. atrocia, noxia. Erasmus, et alii. Omnia sunt generaliter intelligenda, nisi ubi aliquid specialiter urgent circumstantiae. Mercer. See more in my Schooles Guard. Rule 24. Periculosa & perniciosa. Periculosa sunt tempora, quia sub specie pietatis falsi doctores occultant omnia, ad perdendas animas. and this dorage of the world will be far worse. This also know, That in the last days perilous times shall come.

Perilous times shall come.] That is, hard, hurtfull, hatefull, heavie, pernicious, perilous; troublous times shall come.

On this clause there are almost as many Opinions, as there are Writers; and as many Interpretations, as there be Interpreters. Yet in all this Variety there is no contrariety, they may easily be reconciled, tending all to one and the same end. I shall therefore take them in all; for it is a Rule in expounding Scripture, That when a Text admits of many (but not contrary) senses, it is a safe way to take in all, lest we misse the meaning: where no reason doth constrain, we are not to restrain the words, but may take them in the largest sense; especially when neither matter, phrase, context or scope do hinder us.

1. The last dayes are called perilous, because of those perilous, pestilent, wicked men, and wicked manners that shall then abound. This sense is genuine, if we consider the context; The last dayes shall be perilous: and why so? not so much because of the sword, plague, famin, persecution, or any corporal distresse that shall molest men, but bccause of those perilous sins which shall then over-spread the face of the Church. This Reason is clear, verse 2. For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetons, boasters, proud, blasphemers, &c. These, even these are the things which make the times truly perilous, and really pernicious: And therefore Grotius and his followers are much mistaken, who place the perill of the times onelyonly in affliction and sharp persecutions, citing Gen. 47.9. Psal. 49.5. whereas the Context clearly evinceth the contrary.

2. They shall be troublesome times,Molesta & infesta Meton. Effecti. Hinc foreign, à foreign laedo, infesto, laxo, labefacto, everto. Scapula. because of the predominancy of sin, which will create much trouble to the godly: for there is nothing more grievous to a gracious soul than sin; as nothing is dearer to such a man than the glory of God, so nothing affects him more, than Gods dishonour; and as the last dayes will be troublous to all the godly in generall, so especially to Gods Timothies, to his faithfull Ministers, who are bound, by their place and calling, to witnesse against them. 2 Cor. 12.26.

3. The last times will be sharp and sad times to the godly,Acerba & aspera. who are the light of the world, and so hatefull to these Owles, as the light is to the thief, which discovers him.

4. Cruell and outragious times,Saeva & atrocia. because of those outragious sins and sinners, which shall then be rife. Thus the Devils are called [foreign, Saevi valdè] Mat. 8.28. exceeding fierce, The men of the last times shall resemble this their Father; for, as the godly are holy because God their Father is so: so these shall be fierce and furious, because the devill their father is so. Hence the way of transgressours is said to be harsh and hard, Prov. 13.15. they are men of fierce and furious spirits, full of malice, hatred, envie, and all manner of cruelty. 2 Tim. 3.3.

5. Difficult and dangerous times,Difficilia & dura, quia homines illis temporibus futuri erunt difficiles & molesti, imo pessimi. Chrysost. wherein it will be very difficult to discern what counsell or course to take, and how to behave our selves amongst such monsters rather than men, as shall arise in the very bosome of the visible Church.

2. They may be called hard times, in respect of the men that shall live in those dayes: they will be hard-hearted, impudent, impenitent sinners, these are called [duri facie, & duri corde. Ezek. 3.7.] brazen-faced men; hence Tyrannicall government is called hard and cruell government: Dan. 2.40. p. 4because Tyrants use to rule with rigour and cruelty. Hard things cannot be bowed or bended:So Terence useth the word, Ad…óne ingenio es duro atque inexorabili, ut neque misericordiá neque precibus molliri queas? Terent. in Phorm. you may break them sooner than bend them; a hard Adamant no fire can melt it, no hammer break it: So the last dayes shall be perilous, because men will be so hardened in sin, that all that mount Sinai, or mount Sion, can afford, neither the curses of the Law, nor promises of the Gospel, can work upon them.

3. They shall be hard times, in respect of the proud, boasting, blasphemous speeches, which men shall utter; these are called hard words in Scripture, as 1 Sam. 2.3. talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogancy [or hard words] come out of your mouth: thus blasphemous Atheists are said to utter hard things. Psal. 94.4. Thus in the last dayes men shall be proud, boasters, blasphemers, exalting themselves, and their own By-wayes as the only way, blaspheming God and his Ordinances, and slandering his faithfull messengers. For these hard speeches they must one day answer, Iude 15. 'tis these sins that make these last times so hard, 2 Tim. 3.2.

4. They will be hard times, because it will be hard for a man to keep himself free from the infection of the sins of those times: all that live in them will be in danger of being partakers of the sins of those about them, either by complying with them, or conniving at them, or not mourning and witnessing against them, It will be very hard to keep our selves pure in the midst of such an impure generation.

Tempora tristia. Cujus spiritus sive animus duré affligitur. Piscat.5. They will be sad times, and therefore hard times: for sad things in Scripture are called hard things. Thus those that are sad and troubled in spirit, are said to be of an hard spirit, 1 Sam. 1.15. thus Hannah is said to be a woman [††Kesath ruach (i. e.) Mulier duri sive amari Spiritûs. duri spiritûs] of a sorrowfull spir…t. So a sad messenger is called an hard messenger, 1 Kings 14.6. I am sent to thee with hard tidings (i. e.) with sad newes. In this sense also the last times will be hard times, by reason of those sad tentations and oppositions, which the godly will meet withall from that degenerate generation; and because of those abounding sins and errours, which will much sadden the hearts of Gods people.

Tempora gravia.6. They will be grievous times: grievous things in Scripture are called hard things. Thus the grievous servitude of Israel in Egypt, is called a Hard bondage. Exod. 1.14. and 6.9. and the yoke of Tyrants is called a hard and grievous yoke. 1 Kings 12.4. So the last times will be hard and grievous times; not onelyonly in respect of the opposition of Tyrants on the one hand, who like wilde boars will endeavour to root up the Lords Vine-yard, Psal. 80.14. but also in respect of subtle seducers, and pernicious Hereticks, who like Foxes will endeavour to destroy Christs Vine. Cant. 2.15.

foreign, Instabunt, at instare dicitur quod jam praesens est. V. Plura apud Grotium in 2 Thes. 2.2.2 Thess 2:2Thus those perilous times which then were instant, are now extant; no sooner do the last times come, but perilous times are presently come. This also know, That in the last dayes perilous times shall come.

There are yet two Questions to be answered, and then I come to the Observations.

1. Quest. How can the times be said to be perilous, hard, hurtfull, &c. since Time in it self is good, being given us by the God of goodnesse, for good Ends and Uses?

Metonim. Subjecti. Non dies nec tempora, sed homines qui tunc futuri sunt, carpit. Chrysost.Answ. 'Tis a Metonymicall speech, the times being put for the men that live in those times; a Trope very frequent in scripture. Psal. 49.5. Ephes. 5.16. the dayes are evill (i. e.) the men living in those dayes. So in our common speech we cry; O tempora! O wicked times! when we mean the wicked men that live in the times. [See more in my Schooles Guard. p. 172.] So Amos 5.12, 13. the Prophet calls the time wherein many crying sins reigned, an evill time, by reason of an evill and ungodly generation which made it so.

2. Quest. How can the last dayes be called perilous, when the Scripture so p. 5frequently proclaimes them glorious? Isay 2.2, 3. & 11.9. & 60.6, 7.10.18. & 62.5. &c. Hosea 1.11. & 3.5.

Answ. The last dayes may be said to be both glorious and perilous in different respects. 1. They may be said to be glorious, in respect of the great light, liberty, knowledge, company, commentators, encouragements, clearer manifestation of the Gospel, and many other gloriou… priviledges, which former ages never enjoyed.

2. Yet they will be perilous times in respect of the sad abuse of those glorious priviledges, and sinning against such great light and love. Iohn 3.19. the higher we are lifted up with priviledges, the greater will our fall be if we abuse them, Mat. 12.23. we cannot sin at so cheap a rate in these last times, as formerly men did. The sinners of the last times will have the lowest place in hell.

Besides, they will be perilous times, in respect of the swarmes of sinners and seducers, which will then over-spread the face of the earth, going up and down (like the Devill their Master, that grand Peripatetick) seeking whom they may devoure; Vermine of this kind will then abound every where: weeds grow no where so rank, as in a fat soyle.

So that if we take the words in the largest construction, yet the Text is ours; as our Saviour said sometimes of a Text in Isay, so may I say of this Text in Timothy; This day is this Scripture fulfilled in our eares: our times are a Comment on this Text. I appeale to all that know them, whether they be not perilous, pernicious, troublous, hurtfull, hatefull, hard times.

I come now to some practicall Observations.

1. Observe from these words, [This also know] That it is our duty to take notice of the Prophecies delivered to us in the word of God. As they are not sealed by him, but left open for our use; so they must not by our negligence be as a sealed Book to us. Deut. 29.29. we must not barely read, but search out the meaning of the word. Iohn 5.39. So did Daniel [9.2.] though he were a great and excellent Prophet, yet he doth not disdain to read: and when by reading the Prophet Ieremy he understood that the time was come for the accomplishment of Gods propheticall promises, then Daniel begins to pray for the fulfilling of the promises. The Book of the Revelations is an excellent prophecie of the downfal of the Churches enemies, and of the great things which in the latter dayes God will do for his people, even to the end of the world; and therefore the Lord would have us attentively to consider, and humbly and accurately to weigh what is written there; that so our faith may be strengthened, and we may be quickened (by remembring his promises) to serve his providence, acting and praying for the downfall of Babylon, which God hath so clearly promised shall come to passe. And to encourage us to read, the Lord hath pronounced them blessed that read the words of that prophecie, viz. with attention, affection, application and practice, Revel. 1.3. God takes it ill when he shall write to us the great and glorious things of his Law, and we shall count them as strange things, that concern us not, Hos. 8.12. this makes people (especially in the Churches distresses) so faithless, prayerlesse, comfortlesse, and carelesse. The Evangelist gives this as a Reason why the Jewes committed that great sin in crucifying Christ, it was because they knew him not to be the Messias, nor did they understand the prophesi…s of him, [Acts 13.27.] though they were read to them every Sabbath day.

This should startle us, and make us not only to enquire into the precepts and promises of God, but also into the prophesies which he hath publisht for our good: for this is one great reason why so many stumble and take offence at Gods wayes, because of the Heresies and Apostasies of many: they forget p. 6this prophesie of the Apostle, viz That the last days should be perilous times; and therefore This also know.

2. Observe. The people of God, and specially his Ministers, his Timothies, should be so prudent as to know and observe when perilous times are approaching: as the prudent man foresees the evill of punishment before it comes, [Prov. 22.35.] so he more especially improves his spirituall prudence in foreseeing the evill of sin and error; and having by certain sins and signes discerned a tempest in the clouds, he hides himself in the chambers of Gods special protection and providence. Isay 26.20.

This spiritual prudence can hurt neither Pastor nor People, but will advantage us much.Hora novissima, tempora pessima sunt, vigilemus. This pre-vision is the best meanes of prevention; in vain is the snare laid in the sight of a bird. It will make us pray more fervently, watch more diligently, gird on our armour, and walk more hum…ly: and this singular priviledge we shall have, that we shall more quietly and calmely undergo these trials by false Prophets,Quicquid expectatum est diu, levius accedit. Sen. which God shall be pleased to exercise us withall; we shall not fret and fume as the wicked do, but in an holy silence we shall submit to the hand of God, considering this, that which we have long since foreseen,Praevisa tela minùs laedunt. and prepared for. Foreseen evills come no whit sooner, but far the easier to us when prepared for, Acts 21.13. Darts foreseen are dintless: that which suddenly falls on a man, may trouble a constant mind, but that which is long expected, is more easily borne; and therefore This also know, that you be not offended at it. It was a good resolution of Peter (had he not taken it up in his own strength) Though all men should be offended at Christ, yet would he never be offended. Matth. 26.33. Let us take up the like in the strength of divine assisting grace, Though many be offended, though all should be offended at Religion, yet so will we not be: though never so many scandals be given by others, yet shall they not be taken by us, so as in the least to distast the wayes and truth of God. To this end God would have us acquainted with these things before hand, that we may not be offended when they come, nor think it strange vvhen vve hear of Errors, Schifmes, Heresies, false Teachers:Ordo seculi, tanquam pulcherimum carmen, constat ex quibusdam quasi antithetis; antitheta verò sunt elocutionis ornamenta. August. de civit. Dei. lib. 11. cap. 18. Vbi ovile, ibi lupus. foreign, cert… scito. Consule Danaeum in Augustin. de Haeresibus. thus it hath been, thus it is, and thus, vve see it foretold in the Text, it shall be. There was of old a Iannes and a Iambres to resist Moses; an Hananiah against the Prophet Ieremy; 400. false Prophets against a good Micajah; an Alexander, chief Priests, and Pharisees against Paul. Where ever God hath his Church, the Devill will have his Chappell; where God hath his true Prophets, the Devil hath his false ones to oppose them. From hence vve may yet gather this encouragement, That we have the true Church of Christ amongst us, because the Wolves are so busie: where there are no Sheep, the Wolf seldome appeares; but where the folds are full, there the Wolves are busie. Iohn 10.12. and therefore think it not strange, but this know, and know for certain, That the last dayes will be perilous: we think it strang to hear of Arrians, Arminians, Socinians, Anabaptists, &c. but they are not new nor strange to Germany, no, nor to the primitive Church; for in S. Augustins time we read of many old Heresies which now go under the name of new light, when 'tis neither light nor new, but onelyonly old error new vamped, an old Hag put in a new dresse.

3. Observe Gods singular love unto his people, in that he warnes them of perilous times long before they come. He will do nothing against his Church and people, but he will first reveale it to his Prophets, that they may reveal it to his people. Amos 3.7. Not that the Lord is bound to observe this Method: for he may execute corporall and spiritual judgements when and how he pleaseth, without revealing it to men or Angels: onelyonly it pleaseth him out of his tender love and gracious condescension to his people, ordinarily to observe this Method: First to shoot off his warning pieces, before he p. 7shoot off his murdering-pieces, Hence he tels Abraham, Ioseph, Noah, Lot, Daniel, &c. of dangers before hand; he makes them of his privy Counsel: and as Gods Love appears in fore-warning us of corporal judgements; so his tender care over us especially appeares in fore-warning and fore-arming us against spirituall judgements, and spirituall enemies, which hunt for the precious soule. Now, that we might prepare for the battell, and fear no dangers nor difficulties; that we might not be despondent, Christ foretells us thrice in one Chapter of false Prophets, and admonisheth us to beware of them, Matth. 24.4.11.24.25. So Matth. 7.15. Mark 13.23. Iohn 16.1. And that we might not be seduced by such Impostors, the Apostle also is frequent in admonishing us against them. Acts 20.30. 1 Cor. 11.13. 2 Tim. 2.17.18. & 1.4. 1. Phil. 3.2. Rom. 16.17, Gal. 1.7, 8, 9. and Iohn frequently in his Epistles admonisheth us to beware of deceivers that should arise in the last times, 1 Iohn 4.1.3.5, 6. Peter doth excellently characterize them; that we might the better know them and avoyd them. 2 Pet. 2.1.10.13, 14, 15, 18, 19. so doth Iude 4. to verse 20. he spends almost his whole Epistle (it being an Epitome and summary of the second of Peter) in describing false Teachers, and counselling us against them. This must inlarge our Love and Thankfullnesse to our God, who is thus carefull, over and over to caution and counsell us, and to fore-tell us of perils long before they come; with a This also know.

In the last Dayes.

Whence observe, That the dayes we live in, are the last dayes. Our times are the last times, they are oft so called in scripture. This is the last hour, 1 Iohn 2.18. and upon us the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10.11. the Coming of the Lord is said to draw nigh. Iames 5.8. and the Day of the Lord approacheth, Heb. 10.25. 'tis but a little while ere Christ come to judge the World; hence he's said to come quickly, Rev, 6.11. & 22.12. and the time is at hand: Rev. 1.3. and our full Redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21.28. and the end of all things is at hand, 1 Pe…. 4.7. If the Apostle thought the day of the Lord was at hand 1600. yeares agoe, we may well conclude that it is neer now. The Apostle, seeing Christ come, all the Prophesies of him fulfilled, the Gentiles called, and the Mystery of iniquity beginning already to work, he concludes the day of the Lord was near, and so it was.

1. Comparatively, in respect of the times before Christ: it was nearer than to those under the Law.

2. In respect of the certainty of it: the day of the Lord will as surely come as if it were come this day. 2 Pet. 3.9, 10.

3. In respect of God; to whom a thousand years are but as one day. Psal. 90.4. 2 Pet. 3.8.

4. In respect of Eternity: a thousand yeares, or two thousand yeares, are as nothing, being compared with the time to come; 'tis but as a little drop of water to the whole Ocean. So that this great day of the Lord which was near in the Apostles time, is much nearer now: then began the last time, but now is the end thereof. It cannot then be long to the day of judgement; for all the Signs and Fore-runners of it are accomplisht, excepting the ruine of Rome, which falls apace; for, as Rome was not buil't in a day, so she shall not down in a day: but as she rose gradually, so shall she fall gradually; in England, Scotland, Ireland, Poland, Holland, and France.

2. There wants but the destruction of the Turk, and the calling of the Jewes, and then comes the End.

Now, since the time is short, and we live in the last dayes, this should wean us from the world, and take off our hearts from these fading, perishing things, p. 8and make us labour for grace, which is durable riches. 'Twas an aggravation of their sin, Iames 5.3. That they heaped up treasure for the last dayes. When they were going out of the World, then they were drowning themselves in the World. We should labour to do much good in a little time: and as at all times we ought to be carefull and conscionable in fitting our selves for our Masters coming; so then especially when we see the day of the Lord draw nigh: then we must double our diligence, as a servant will when he knowes his Master is at hand. They that lived a thousand yeares agoe were bound to lead holy lives but we that live in the clearest times, and the nearest to judgement, ought to lead more holy and heavenly lives; that our Lord when he comes, may find us prepared.

2. It may teach us patience under all tentations and afflictions: 'tis but yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and he will not tarrie. Heb. 10.36, 37. Let therefore your moderation and equanimity be not only in your brest, but let it be visible and knowne, not to one or two, but to all men, both friends and foes; why so? for the Lord is at hand, ready to help you, and to judge your enemies. Phil. 4.5. Iames 5.7, 8. [See in Sangar. his morning Lect. p. 225.226.]

Perilous times shall come.

Hence note, That the last times will be the worst times.

Though in respect of the clear light of the Gospel, (which shall then abound) they will be glorious times: yet, in respect of the contempt and abuse of the Gospel to Libertinisme and profanesse, they will be inglorious and perilous times; so bad that it will be ††Omne tempus Clodios, non omne Catones feret. Seneca ep. 98. In his ultimis & pessimis temporibus. Bern. Sicut in sentinam profundi maris colluviones omnium sordium; sic in mores nost…orum▪ quasi ex omni mundo, vitia fluxerunt Salvian.dangerous saying how bad they be; hence Bernard long since called them, The last and worst times. These last dayes will be the common sink and sewer, the very receptacle of all the vile abominations and heresies of former ages. As all the creatures met in Noahs Ark, and all the waters meet in the sea; so all those prodigious enormities, and flouds of error,(In this third age of the World. Aetatem parentum pejorem esse seculo avorum, & subsequentem Aetatem progeniem daturam vitiosiorem. Horat. Adhuc in processu sunt vitia; invenit luxuria aliquid novi inquod insaniat. Invenit impudicitia novam contumeliam sibi. Invenit delitiarum dissolutio aliquid tenerius, molliusque quo pereat. Seneca l. 7. Nat. 2. cap 32. &c. which have appeared in former ages, will meet in this Ocean. They will come forth in a Third Edition, Auctiores, non Emendatiores: enlarged, but nothing bettered. The Sinners of former times were but children in wickednesse, the Sinners of the last times shall be men. As that old Serpent the Devill, the older he growes, the more subtle and experienced he is; so it is with the wicked who are the Seed of the Serpent, the elder they grow, the more skillfull Practitioners they be in sin; they are wittily wicked, and understand more how to contrive Sin, and defend Errours by the improved experiences of their own, and former times. As it is in every Art, by length of time, custome, and experience, it is improved to a greater degree of finenesse and exactness: so it is in this of sinning; time and experience make men more cunning in wayes of sin, and more subtle to defend them. Those Sins and Errors which formerly were dammed up, shall, in these last and loose times, break forth with greater violence. Now Heresie, Blasphemy, Envy, Pride, Atheisme, Hypocrisie, Apostasy, contempt of the Gospel, prophanation of holy things, &c. will exceedingly abound. The Devill is broke loose, and now there appeare amongst us with open face; Arrians, Arminians, Socinians, Anabaptists, Familists, Separatists, Mortalists, Perfectists, and (a compendium of all these in one) Quakers. The common crying Sins of other nations, are ri…e amongst us: here you may find the Drunkennesse of the Dutch, the Lust of the French, the Italians Ambition, the Spaniards p. 9Treachery, the Laylanders Witchcraft, the Covetousness of the Jew, the Cruelty of the Turk, and the Monsters of Munster.

The Reasons are obvious. 1. In respect of Satans rage, the last times will be the worst. The Devills time now growes short, and therefore his wrath grows great. Revel. 12.12. Satans malevolence is a Spur to his diligence, and he labours to supply the shortness of his time with the sharpness of his assaults: insomuch that the Devills themselves seem to be possest of far more violent Devills;Morsus morientium bestiarum maximè solent esse mortiferi. Ar…stot. they rage above their ordinary rate, since their Kingdome is so near an end: Dying creatures bite most fiercely. Besiegers make their last onset upon a Town or Castle, the most resolute and terrible of all others. Satan now sets upon Soules by seduction most furiously, because when these Times are at an end, his Work is also at an end, in this kind. He's like a malicious Tenant; who, perceiving that his Term is almost expired, doth what he can to ruine the house. Or like a bloudy Tyrant; who suspecting the loss of his usurped Soveraignty, makes havock amongst his Subjects.

2. This is the Worlds Old age, 'tis its last and worst time; for Old age is the Winter of a mans dayes,Senectus mille morbis, taediis & aerumnis est obnoxia. the dregges of his life, full of weaknesse, coldness, diziness, and virtiginous; all our dayes are few and full of misery: but Old age (in respect of those diseases and infirmities, which oppress both Soul and Body) is most miserable, and therefore Solomon calls it, an Evill day, Eccles. 12.2. This evill day (in a spiritual sense) is come upon the World, it's come to its Old age, I had almost said, to its Dotage; it drawes upon the Lees, and its dregges are apparent. 'Tis now Winter with the World, it growes old and cold, according to the Prophesy of our Saviour, Matth. 24.12. speaking of the Fore-runners of the end of the World, he sets down this as one speciall Sign, That iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall wax cold. That Sin abounds and superabounds, none can deny; that Love waxeth cold, there are many complaints. Where's our fervent love to God, his Ordinances, his Wayes, and People. The World (saith one) hath been once destroyed with Water, for the heat of Lust, and shall be again with Fire, for the coldness of Love. Latimer saw so much lack of Love to God and goodness in his time, that he thought verily Doomes-day was then just at hand; what would he have thought, had he lived in our age, wherein it were farre easier to write a Book of Apostates, then a Book of Martyrs▪ yea so grossly degenerate shall the last dayes be, that Christ makes a question whether he shall find Faith in the Earth, when hee comes. Luke 18.8. false Prophets will so abound, (in those last and loose dayes) that if 'twere possible, they would deceive the very Elect, Matth. 24.24. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. 1 Pet. 4.1. 1 Iohn 2.18, 19.

2. Old mens Heads, by reason of weakness, are full of Phantasies, so the World in this its decrepit Old age, and declining time, abounds with fantastick fopperies,Mundus senescens patitur phantasias. Gerson. and follies. The world is crazed in its Intellectualls, and Crazed in Moralls; crazed in its Doctrines, and crazed in its Discipline. It hath many gray hayres (Signes of old age, and death approaching) yet such is its Security, that it is insensible of them; She knowes it not. Hos. 7.9. but as it was in the dayes of Noah, so it is, and will be in these last dayes, Men give themselves to eating, drinking, marrying, &c. and other sensual delights, till judgement arrest them. Matth. 24.37, 38, 39.

Yea so prolificall and fruitfull are the vaine Fancies of these last doting times, that they may not unfitly be compared to a Mathematicall p. 10line, which is semper divisiblis, in semper divisibilia, and hath no end.

We are so divided, and subdivided, that Love and Unity are fled the land. Non enim partes solùm sunt inter nos, sed partium novae partes. This should be matter of Lamentation to us, and cause sad thoughts of heart.

3. Old age is testy and troubled with morosity: old persons usually are froward, and hard to please. So in this dotage of the World, men are very froward and perverse; they cannot endure sound doctrine, but are ready to fly in the face of a Reprover. 2 Tim. 4.3.

4. In Old age the Senses decay. Seeing, Hearing, Tasting, are impaired. 2 Sam. 19.35. So in this decrepit age of the World, it's Spirituall senses are lost, 'tis so blind, that it cannot discern between Light and Darknesse, Truth and Errour; so deaf, that it cannot hear the voyce of the Charmer, charme he never so wisely: so senselesse, that it cannot savour the things of God.

Vse. Whilst we complain of the badnesse of the times, let us not make them the worse for us;Quo ad fieri potest numerum malo…um pietate nostrâ minuamus. Baldwin. but let us so walk, that we may make these last times, the best times; and these Perilous times, Glorious times. Get convincing lives, be burning and shining lights. Walk up unto your Priviledges, answer your Gospel-light, with Gospel-lives; how oft is this duty prest upon us? Eph. 4.1. Phil. 1.…7. Col. 1.10. 1 Th. 2.12. We should all make the times and places we live in the better, and not the worse, for u…. Magistrates should be so zealous against evill-doers, and Ministers so active against Sin and Error, and Governours of Families so carefull to Rule for God, that they may live desired, and dye lamented;Qu… periculosiora sunt tempora, eò cautiores simus ne commune malorum diluvium nos unà cum impiis abripiat. Baldwin. that so when you are dead, it may be said, We misse such a man, he was zealous against Sabbath-Prophaners, Drunkards, Swearers, Sectaries, &c. He was forward to works of Piety, and Mercy, and ready to every good work. 'Twas Davids commendation, Acts 13.36. that he served God in his Generation; he did not seek himself, nor serve God for a day or two, but he served him his whole Generation, as Noah did. Gen. 6.9.

God hath abundance of dishonour done him by profane persons, and Religion suffers much by them; now we should labour to repair the dishonours done to his name, by being blamelesse and harmlesse, shining like lights before a perverse nation. The worse the times we live in are, the greater will our honour be, if we be faithfull. 'Twas Lots commendation that he was good in Sodom, and Job in an Heathenish Vz. The more Sinne abounds, the more our Grace should abound; and the more Sin appears in the World, the more should we appear against it.

The Lord hath done more for us of this last age of the World, then ever he did for our fore-fathers, and therefore he expects more from us, then he did from them; where he bestowes much, he looks for much again: where we bestow double cost, we look for a double crop. Christ is now more clearly preached to us, and we enjoy the helps and advantages of former times.When Caesar was wounded to death in the Senate-house, Brutus coming for his blow, Caesar looks him in the face saying, What, & thou my Son? foreign. A Pigmy set upon a Gyants shoulders, may see further then the Gyant himself. It's a shame for us if we do not our work better by Sun-light, then others that have had but Twy-light. God takes it very ill to be wounded in the house of his children and friends; for when he hath done so much, Isai 1.2, 3. Zach. 13.6. Will ye also forsake me, said Christ to his disciples? will you, whom I have redeemed and loved above all the people of the World, you whom I have brought forth in dayes of greatest Light and Love, when 'twas free with me to have brought you forth in Mid-night of Popery and Superstition; will you also rebell against me? There is nothing renews the Gospel so soon as this contempt; it makes p. 11the Lord repent of all the kindnesse he hath shewed us.

2. Note.22Observation. We must not look for a Church in this World without its imperfections and corruptions, if ever the Church on Earth shall be pure and glorious, it shall be in the last dayes; yet we see the spirit of God tells us here expresly, that these last dayes shall be perilous times, by reason of the swarms of wicked men,Non de iis qui planè foris sunt loquitur▪ sed de iis qui saltem externa professione in ipsa Ecclesia sint futu…i. Aestius. which shall be in the very bosome of the Church; who shall indeed pretend to much Piety, yet shall be full of Impiety, and Hypocrisy; they shall have a form of godlinesse, but they will deny its power. v. 5. There will be to the end of the World a mixture in the Church of God, there will be Tares and Wheat, good and bad in the Church alwayes. Mat. 13.25. One told the Emperour Frederick, that he would go to a place where no Hypocrites were, then (said he) you must go beyond the frozen Ocean, where there are no Inhabitants; and yet thou wilt find an Hyprocrite there, if thou find thy self there. He that looks for a perfect Church in this World, or for such a Church wherein there shall be none but Reall Saints,A tempore Abel usque ad Christum semper fuerunt mali permixti bonis, & erunt ad finem seculi. Sasbout. in 1 Tim. 3.1.1 Tim 3:1 may look till his eyes rot in his head, before he see that day. Christ had but twelve, and one of them was a Devill; and the rest that were sincere, yet had their failings. The Apostle tells us that in the bosome of the Church, there shall be seducers. Acts 20.29, 30. from amongst your selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. All the Churches we read of in the Scripture, have had their failings and blots, as the Church of Ierusalem, Corinth, Galatia, and the seven Churches of Asia: yet Christ owned them, and communicated with them still, and sent his disciples to them; and therefore be not offended, when you see defects, corruptions, and disorders in the Church; perfection indeed is to be wisht for, but it is reserved for Heaven. No Church ever was, is, or shall be perfectly free from sin on Earth.

Let us not then forsake the Lords Floore, because there is some Chaffe in it; nor run from Sion instead of Babylon, as many in our dayes do, that cry out against the Church of England as a false Church (though all the Churches of God in the World own her for a true one) and run from her as from Babylon, and so run into Babylon: from a supposed, into a Reall, Babylon. Babylon signifieth Confusion; now amongst those that separate what sad confusion is there? Division upon division; separation upon separation, &c. till they have broken themselves all to pieces, and at last are faine to sit, like Owles, alone. These are they that abhorre a mixt company, yet flye from Reall Saints. This they call new Light, when it is nothing but an old Error of the Catharists, V. Danaeum in Augustinum de Haeresibus. cap. 38. & cap 69.and Donatists, who, out of a conceit of their own exceeding holinesse, did separate themselves. [Perfectionem justitiae & Angelicam sanctitatem hic ab hominibus requirunt Donatistae; quam etiam se, suosque illos impuros coetus habere jactant, & profitentur; tam sunt arrogantes, coeci, & à vero suae infirmitatis & rebellionis sensu alieni. Danaeus loco citato, ubi plura.] Causelesse Separation (saith a learned **Doctor Owen's Rules for walking in fellowship. p. 53.Divine) from established Churches walking according to the Order of the Gospel (though perhaps failing in some small things) is yet no small sin. Let such consider.

1. That the Root of this separation is bad,Pharisaei à Parash, separare, dividere V. Godwin's Jewish Antitiquitie. cap. 10. and therefore the fruit cannot be good. It springs from Pride and Censoriousnesse, as we see in the Pharisees, who were great Separatists, and have their name from thence.

2. Such are Schismaticks, and in a short time they will he Hereticks; for, Schisme is the way to Heresy: they make a Rent in the Church, whose Peace should be very dear to us; for, though Peace be not the Esse p. 12and being of a Church, yet it tends very much to its bene esse, and well-being: for as a Kingdom, so a Church, divided, cannot long endure.

3. The Pretences made for Separation are now removed, there's no Bishop, Surplesse, Cross, Common-prayer, &c. for them to stumble at; and yet separation was unlawfull then, but now its farre more vile, and therefore the Lord punisheth the Separatists of this age more severely, by giving them up to viler opinions than formerly.

4. 'Tis a scandall and wrong to a Church: 'tis ill to forsake the society of one good man without a cause; but to un-church a whole Church causelesly, now great is that sin?

God punisheth the Separati…s of our times worse than formerly. V. Edwards's Gangreen. 2 Part. Corol. 3. p. 195.5. They cannot escape the revenging hand of God. Though men may suffer them, yet God will not; one of the saddest judgements that we read of in the Scripture, befell schismaticall Corah, and his company: Numb. 6.16. they thought to have levelled all, but God levelled them; they would destroy both Magistracy and Ministery, but God destroyes them; they made a rent in the Congregation, and the Earth rent and devoured them: all this is done for a memoriall to succeeding Ages, that they take heed how they make rents in the Church of God. verse 40. So Cain, the first Separatist that we read of, Gen. 4.16. he went from Gods presence (i. e.) from Gods Church and Ordinances, and then he becomes a Vagabond.

Suave est ex magno tollere ac…vo. Horat. See more on verse 5.He that would see more against this Sin, let him peruse Mr. Perk…ns on Iude 19. Mr. Robert Bolton's Saints Guide ▪ p. 126. Mr. Pagits Arrow against Separation. Mr. Rutherfords Plea for Presbytery, p. 120. Mr. Bernard against Smith, D. Hill's Fast Sermon, 1644. on 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Mr. Blake on the Covenant, chap. 31. p. 228. &c. and on the Sacrament; chap. 8. Sect. 3. p. 314. Camero Praelect. de Ecclesia mihi. p. 322. and above all, Mr. Brinsly of Yarmouth, His Arraignment of Separation.

A fourth Observation.

That the doctrine of the Millenaries is a meer fancy. The Text is clear against it; for it sayes expressely, The last dayes shall be perilous times. Many dream of peace and joy, and, I know not what, golden, glorious, flourishing times, wherein they shall be free from Sin and Sinners, and live in this World without tentations and troubles. But do not you deceive your selves with such vain conceits, for I tell you (saith the Apostle) the last dayes shall be very perilous, wherein all manner of Sins, and Sinners shall abound; men shall be Covetous, Proud, Blaspemers, &c. verse 23. Now whether shall we believe Paul, or these Dreamers; that say, Christ shall come from heaven, and shall reign visibly and personally in Ierusalem a thousand yeares, as an earthly Monarch, in outward glory and and Pompe, putting down all Monarchy and Empires. Then shall the Church of the Iewes and Gentiles live without any Trouble or Enemy, without Sin or Sorrow, without Word, Sacraments, or any Ordinances. They shall passe this thousand yeares in great worldly delights, eating, drinking, building houses, planting vineyards, and eating the Mille annos post Resurrectionem in terreno regno Christi secundum carnales vèntris, & libidinis voluptates futuros fabulantur Cerinthiani. V August de Haeresibus. cap 8. These wild grapes they would gather from Mat. 26.29.Matt 26:29fruit of it, Marrying wives, getting children, and enjoying all the lawful pleasures which all the creatures, then Redeemed from their ancient slavery, can afford? In this earthly happiness shall the Church continue till the end of thousand yeares, and then comes the day of Judgement. Upon this point I find so many men, so many opinions, 'tis a harder thing to find out certainly what they hold, then 'tis to conquer them. Piscator saith, The Martyrs shall rise a thousand yeares before others, and shall reign with Christ in heaven. Alsteed comes, and he saith it shall be on Earth, yet after the day of judgement. Mr. Mede with his new light differs from all the rest, affirming, That this reign shall be in and during the day of Judgement, p. 13which shall continue a thousand yeares.Delirium hoc est, non D…gma Theologicum. Spectrum cerebri Anabaptistici. [Chimaera Chimaer…ssima] a very fiction without foundation in the Word of God. Thus these builders of Babel, are divided and confounded amongst themselves.

The first opinion I find to be most generally received hy the Millenaries. Indeed such carnal Doctrine, suits well with such carnall Saints, This is some of the new light of our times; being nothing but an old errour broached by Cerinthus the Heretick in the first Century,Nullo modo ista p…ssunt nisi à carnalibus credi. August. de Civit. Dei. l. 20. c. 7 This piece of rich coin (as Mr. Sterry calls it) hath been butied in the earth a long time, but of late dayes hath been digged up again. 1500. yeares agoe. He was a loose Libertine, and therefore he invented this loose Opinion, to uphold his riotous practises. S. Augustin opposed it. It hath layen dead for a long time, till some some Libertines and carnall Anabaptists of late have revived it, and put a new gloss upon it.

The vanity of this opinion will appear by the arguments in my Chiliasto-Mastyx against Doctor Homes.