A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 1

A Golden Mine Opened · Sermon 1

p. 1MATTH. III. 12. Whoſe Fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather the Wheat into his Garner, but the Chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

Sermon 1. Preacht Feb. 5. 1693.OUr Text is Metaphorical, and as touching the main Scope and Coherence of it, it is one and the ſame with the 10th. verſe of this Chapter, which I have already ſpoken unto, and lately publiſhed the Sermons unto the World.

John the Baptiſt endeavoureth to take off the Jews from their pretended Priviledges, of having Abraham to their Father, or their being his natural Seed, or Offspring; and as ſo p. 2conſidered in Covenant with God, and thought their State and Condition good: Which he ſtrove to convince them was a miſtake, and this he doth by that Tropical Expreſſion in ver. 10. Now alſo is the Ax laid to the root of the Trees. And in this 12th. verſe, Whoſe Fan is in his hand, &c. As if he ſhould ſay, You ſhall e're long ſee your ſelves deceived, for all your great confidence in the fleſh, touching your external, federal, relative holineſs, and legal priviledges: For Chriſt with his Ax will now quickly cut you down: And with his Fan, fan you away as Chaff, if you have no better right to Church-memberſhip on Earth, and to the glory in Heaven, than that which is derived to you from the account whereof you boaſt, viz. Having Abraham to your Father. So much only ſhall now ſerve as to the Scope and Coherence of the Words.

1. I ſhall proceed to give you the parts of the Text.

2. Open the Terms thereof.

3. Note two or three points of Doctrine therefrom.

4. Apply the whole.

1. As to the parts, you have,Parts opened.

Firſt, The perſon ſpeaking, and that is John the Baptiſt.

Secondly, The perſon ſpoken of, and that is Jeſus Chriſt.

Thirdly, The Predicate, or what is ſpoken of Chriſt, i. e. Whoſe Fan is in his hand, &c.

John the Baptiſt was a great Prophet, yea the greateſt Prophet Luk. 7. 28.Luke 7:28that was born of Women, having greater Light and Knowledge of the Meſſiah than any of them that went before him, in that he could tell them this is he: He was ſent to prepare the way of the Lord, as his great Meſſenger or Harbinger. He therefore was well inſtructed into the Nature and Excellency of his Maſters Kingdom; which was ſuddenly to be ſet up, upon the removalof the old Jewiſh Church, and Church-Memberſhip; Mal. 3. 1, 2.Mal 3:1Mal 3:2this John was he that the Prophet Malachi ſpoke of, that God would ſend as his Meſſenger, to prepare the way of the Lord, as alſo how he would do this, even by a ſpirit of Burning: that ſhould conſume that People, and leave them neither Root nor Branch, i. e. burn up all their hopes in reſpect of their Root, viz. That external Covenant God made with Abraham; on which they ſtood, and of which they boaſted; as alſo all that confidence they had in their own good works, p. 3and inherent Righteorſneſs: And this John's Miniſtry clearly held forth, and thereby diſcovered the grand Effect and glorious Deſign or Chriſts Doctrine, and Nature of his ſpiritual Kingdom, which was near at hand.

Secondly, As touching Jeſus Chriſt, who is the perſon John ſpeaks of. I ſhall not now treat of his Office, Power, Dignity, and Glory, which are more fully hinted at in the Context: Whoſe ſhooes I am not worthy to bear, he ſhall baptize you with the holy Ghoſt and with Fire. v. 11.

But I ſhall paſs by that, and ſhall explain the Terms.

1. Shew you what is intended by Chriſts Floor.

2. What is intended by the Fan in his hand, by which he doth purge his Floor.

3. What is meant by the Chaff, and why ſo called.

4. What is intended by the Wheat, and why ſo called.

5. What we are to underſtand by Chriſts Garner, and gathering the Wheat into it.

6. And laſtly, what is intended by the Fire, and by Burning up the Chaff.

Terms opened.Firſt, I ſaid before our Text is Metaphorical, therefore no doubt by floor the holy Ghoſt alludes to that which in common acception is well underſtood by Husbandmen, i. e. A floor is a heap of Corn, that is threſhed out of the Straw, and laid in a Barn, Wheat and Chaff together; this uſually is called a floor.

Queſt. But what is intended or meant by it here? what is Chriſts floor, which he is ſaid to purge?

Anſw. What meant by Floor.I anſwer, By floor is doubtleſs intended hereby more directly and immediately the Jewiſh Church, but in a more remote and comprehenſive ſenſe, any ſpiritual community of Chriſtians, Church, or body of People, profeſſing religion.

1. The Jews were then Gods floor (or Gods People) as God himſelf is called an Husbandman, and they were a great Heap, John 15. 1.John 15:1a mighty floor: But almoſt all Chaff; very Lees, i. e. looſe, vain, empty, carnal, and unbelieving Men and Women. A more prophane and ungodly generation was hardly ever in the world; and but a very few godly ones among them, but a very little wheat, viz. few ſincere ones, or believing perſons in all that floor, who waited for Chriſts Coming, and did when he came, in truth receive him.

p. 4But now the Lord Jeſus was come, with his Fan in his hand, to ſeparate the Wheat from the Chaff, and not let them remain any longer together on that floor, in that old Barn, i. e. in the Legal Jewiſh Church ſtate, according to the external Covenant of peculiarity God made with Abraham, and his natural Seed as ſuch: Which had ſtood near its full period of time perfixed by the Almighty, but now muſt be pulled down, Jeſus Chriſt being come, and juſt a going to build a new ſpiritual Garner, or Goſpel Church, to put all his choice Grain or Wheat into, viz. all believing and true penitent perſons; this primarily I am ſatisfied is intended by floor: For the Jewiſh Church was not to abide or continue any longer than till the Death and Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt, it being a Typical Church, when the Antytype was come that muſt needs vaniſh away.

2. Yet in a remote ſence, floor may refer to any Spiritual Community, Church, or people, in the times of the Goſpel; profeſſing themſelves to be Chriſtians: Among which may be Chaff as well as Wheat: Evil and ungodly Perſons, as well as Believers, gracious and true Religious ones; and the truth is, there is more than one floor of this ſort in our days. For,

National floor opened.Firſt, If we caſt our eyes abroad, we ſhall ſoon eſpy a very great, old and decayed Barn, that hath a mighty floor or heap of People in it; called Chriſtians, and Reformed ones too; But it is to be feared, when Jeſus Chriſt comes with his Fan, to fan, and purge this floor, he will find it almoſt all Chaff: 'Tho' I doubt not, but in this great heap there will be found ſome Wheat, or godly Chriſtians, but like as when a man comes into a Barn, and views a floor of Corn newly thraſhed, he at firſt ſight can hardly ſee or diſcern any thing ſave a heap of chaff: ſo it is here: Do but view the National floor, and you cannot but ſay, Sure 'tis a heap of filth, a heap of Chaff; for what an evil, polluted, and abominable Company; of People are in this floor! are there worſe, or more notorious, more looſe, light, prophane, unbelieving and ungodly Wretches living on the face of the Earth? yet call themſelves Chriſtians, and members of Chriſt, and deſpiſe, nay reproach others, as if they deſerved not that Name. I queſtion whether there were worſe in Sodom than ſome are who belong to this floor: Turks and Pagans abominate ſome of thoſe actions and deeds of Darkneſs that are among them, behold their helliſh Debauchery.

p. 51. See what a heap of prophane Swearers and curſed Blaſphemers are here, who daily belch out moſt abominable Oaths, calling upon the holy and patient God to Damn them every day: you may hear them as you walk along the ſtreets; nay their very Children by the Example of their wicked Parents, learn to ſwear and curſe, as ſoon as, nay before, they can ſpeak plain.

2. Then, O what a great and a filthy heap of beaſtly and brutiſh Drunkards are in this floor alſo, who ſhew their Sins as Sodom, and hide it not! many of them go reeling along the Streets, and ſome ſpuing as they go, foaming out their own ſhame, and little think what Poyſon they drink to their own precious and Immortal Souls, whileſt they Tipple down their glaſſes of Wine and ſtrong Drink; and this they do without all fear of humane, or divine Laws, having no dread of preſent nor future Puniſhment; tho' God poſitively theatens them, and all other ungodly Perſons, with the loſs of Heaven, and the Torments of Hell-fire (for, no drunkard ſhall inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.) yet they dread it not.

3. Behold alſo in this floor a third Sort, even as bad or worſe than the other two, viz. Vnclean Perſons, or vile, filthy and impudent Whores and Whoremongers, who are the ſhame of this City and Nation! What a multitude of common Harlots are here among us, beſides Secret ones, who are beheld by him whoſe eyes are like a flaming fire. Alas! they cannot hide their filthineſs from his eyes, yet without fear how do they ſin, 'till ſome bring Rottenneſs on their Carkaſſes, a Curſe upon their Eſtates, Poverty on their Families, and Hell upon their own Souls: for he that commits Adultery with a Woman deſtroys his own Soul.Pro. 6. 32.Prov 6:32

4. There is alſo another part of this floor, that are Chaff, which the fire of Gods wrath will Conſume and burn up, viz. all the proud and haughty ones. This Sin reigns at this time to ſuch a degree that we may fear ſome ſad and fearful Judgment is near; Pride goes before deſtruction, and a haughty Spirit before … fall. Behold the ſtrange Dreſſes, and high Heads! which clearly Pro. 16. 13.Prov 16:13repreſents the Vanity and Haughtineſs of the Heart: The ſhew of their Countenance teſtifies againſt them: Women go to the Aſſemblies of religious Worſhp as if they went to Play-houſes; and tho' God hath ſhewed in ſeveral poor Animals, his great Wrath and diſpleaſure againſt this filthy Faſhon, or high and ſhameful Head-dreſſes, yet they will not reform, nor leave them off: Nor is this ſin only found among thoſe of this floor, this p. 6heap, but alſo amongſt others, who would be thought more pure, and of a ſiner ſort: but let them know, the Fanner will ſuddenly come with his Fan in his hand; the day comes ſhall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, and all that do evil, ſhall be ſtubble, &c.Mat. 4. 1.Matt 4:1

5. What a curſed heap is there alſo of Atheiſts, and Graceleſs Wretches, who contemn God and all Supernatural Revelation of the Divine Being, and Religion! theſe deſpiſe and ridicule the holy Goſpel, or at beſt will acknowledge no other Worſhip nor Religion, than what the old Heathens owned, and were taught by the Light of Nature: The preaching of the Croſs, or of 1 Cor. 1. 18.1 Cor 1:18a Crucified Chriſt, is to theſe fooliſhneſs; others that can't believe, nor will receive that Doctrine that comports not with their own carnal reaſon: What believe they can be juſtified by the Righteouſneſs and Obedience of another! and their own Inherent Righteouſneſs no part of their Juſtification before God! This is a ſtrange Doctrine. For there are of this ſort in this heap, ſuch as are grievouſly corrupted, and erroneous, carried away with Arminianiſm, Socinianiſm and Antitrinitaiſm, and diſallow of the chief Corner-ſtone God hath laid in Sion: For if Chriſt be not the moſt high God, God by Nature, Coequal and Coeternal with the Father, and one in Eſſence, 'tis Idolatry to yield divine Worſhip and homage to him; for that glory Iſa. 42. 8.Isa 42:8God will not give unto another. The gods that have not made the Heaven and the Earth, even they ſhall periſh.Jer. 10. 11.Jer 10:11

6. What abundance of carnal Worldlings, covetous and Earthly-minded Wretches are there alſo, whoſe gain is their Godlineſs, who value no Religion, but what ſuits with their filthy Luſts! ſome of theſe ſet up for Preachers, meerly for their Earthly gain, and make a Trade of it, living prophane and ungodly Lives, being Guilty almoſt of all maner of groſs and abominable Sins, preferring humane Rites and Ceremonies above Chriſts Inſtitutions, and a Form of Godlineſs above the Power of it.

7. Beſides, what a heap have we among us, of Traiterous, blind and deceitful Perſons, who ſeek to betray the Proteſtant Intereſt, and all our Civil and Religious Liberties, into the hands of the common Enemy; who neither Fear God, nor Honour the King! As alſo what a multitude of Thieves, High-waymen, Houſe-breakers, and bloody Villains, skulk and hide themſelves in this heap! The very mentioning of theſe things is enough to grieve and wound our very Souls, conſidering how good and gracious God hath been to us in this Land; p. 7and what a Nation this hath been, and what Wonders the Almighty hath formerly and of late times wrought for us, I mean for the Land in general. May we not fear that the Fanner will come with his Fan, and ſever the Chaff in his direful Indignation from the Wheat, and let the Fire of his Anger ſeize upon it and burn it up? what can we expect but ſome amazing and fearful Judgments from the Lord, unleſs a National Repentance and Reformation, like that of Nineveh, doth ſpeedily prevent it?

Secondly, There is another Heap, that may be called Chriſts floor, tho' not ſo big as the former, and tho' they ſeem to be more refined—yet if we conſider them all together (for they are too much divided amongſt themſelves) what abundance of Chaff is there here alſo! Are there not many amongſt theſe as bad as others, viz. People of ill and corrupt principles, bitter and cenſorious Spirits, and of ſcandalous lives: What Malice, Envy and Hatred, do they diſcover one againſt another, becauſe of their differing Sentiments in and about ſome principles of Religion, rendering their Brethren odious to the World, Back-biting, Reproaching and Scandalizing each other, to the great diſhonour of God, and ſhame of their ſacred profeſſion? one while charging and condemning the Innocent, and yet acknowldege not their Evil; and at another time ſtriving to vindicate and clear ſuch as are greatly guilty before God? both which are abominable and hateful in his ſight, who will judge righteouſly, and render to every man at laſt according to his Works.

Certainly there is ſarcely a worſe Sin than the Sin of Back-biting; he that hates his Brother (Robbing him of his good Name out of Malice and Envy) is a Murtherer, and no Murtherer hath eternal Life abiding in him, 1 John 3. 17. ſuch who are deſtitute of Chriſtian Love and Charity, or hate their Brethren, clearly ſhew they act contrary to the divine Principle of Grace, nay of Morality, and ſo are void of that ſacred Life, Nature, and Image of God. For as love to the Bretheren is an Evidence of our being the Children of God, ſo he that is poſſeſſed with Wrath, Envy, Malice, and Hatred, ſhews he is one of the Children of the wicked one, who is called the Accuſer of the Brethren. Clear it is that this is a Diabolical Sin, and renders ſuch in whom it is found, like to the Devil. In this the Children of God are manifeſt, and the Children of the p. 8Devil; Whoſoever doth not Righteouſneſs, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother.1 Joh. 3. 10.1 John 3:10

Nay this great evil and wickedneſs is a ſad ſign that ſuch are given up and left of God, as not retaining God in their knowledge, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Gentiles, who when they arrived to ſome degree of knowledge of God, yet did not glorifie him as God; but violated his Law written in their Hearts: Therefore 'tis ſaid, that God gave them up to vile Affections, and they were filled with all Vnrighteouſneſs, Rom. 1. 28. 29.Rom 1:28Rom 1:29Fornication, Wickedneſs, Covetouſneſs, Maliciouſneſs, full of Envy, Murther, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, Whiſperers, Backbiters, Deſpiteful, Proud, Boaſters, &c. No doubt but that the Sin of Backbiting, Wrath, Malice, and Envy is as bad, if not worſe, than Fornication, Swearing or Drunkenneſs; and lamentable it is to ſee this Sin, found among ſome who account themſelves no ſmall perſons for Knowledge, Zeal and Piety in theſe days. But alas! alas! how ſad and deplorable is their Condition, and vain that profeſſion they make of Religion! let them repent of this their great wickedneſs, and get a changed heart. Moreover, are there not in this floor others who are proud, earthly, carnal and covetous Perſons? they are called Nonconformiſts, but 'tis not ſo far as they ought from the Sins and Pollutions of this World, they conform to them in their deteſtable faſhions and covetous practices: Do not many of them appear to love Sons and Daughters more than Chriſt or his ſinking Intereſt? they can lay out plentifully to feed and cloath their own Children, whilſt their bowels are ſhut up againſt the poor Members of Chriſt or Children of God; they'll ſpare more to gratifie the Pride and baſe Luſts of their Children, than they will ſpare to ſupply the neceſſities of the poor Saints, or to ſupport the Intereſt of Chriſt and his Goſpel: Many pounds ſhall go for the firſt uſe, when a Shilling is thought a great deal with ſome of them for the ſecond; they think nothing too much to enrich and uphold their own Families, whilſt the Family of God ſuffers want, and the Cauſe of Chriſt languiſhes in their hands. O how little does the power of Grace and true Godlineſs ſhine amongſt this ſort! what formality and lukewarmneſs is there in theſe days, amongſt ſuch who are called Saints and holy Brethren! This, it is true, may be called Chiriſts Floor eſpecially, but abundance of Chaff, no doubt will be found in it, when the Fanner comes to fan it. Look to it you Sinners in Sion: Fearfulneſs will e're long ſurprize the Hipocrite. p. 9Who among us ſhall dwell with devouring Fire? who amongſt us ſhall dwell with Everlaſting Burning? Iſa. 33.

But ſo much as to what is meant by Chriſts Floor.

Queſt. 2. What is intended by the Fan?

Anſw. A Fan is a certain Inſtrument which the Husbandman uſes to cleanſe, or purge his Corn from the Chaff, evil Seeds, and all ſilth whatſoever: And this Inſtrument he holds in his hands, and uſes upon his Knees, by which he toſſes up the Wheat and Chaff together: And then ſhakes it to and fro, moving all at once, by which a wind is made, and the Chaff is blown away, and the Wheat ſeparated and purged from it: Now John Baptiſt alludes to ſuch an Inſtrument as this.

Queſt. But what is meant by Chriſts Fan in a ſpiritual ſenſe? what is ſignified hereby?

What is meant by Chriſt's Fan.Firſt, I anſwer, By Chriſts Fan is meant his Word, his holy Goſpel, eſpecially the Doctrine thereof; 'tis by this he cleanſes, and purges his floor. Now you are clean through the Word which I have ſpoken unto you. (Now the unclean perſon, the Traytor Judas John 15. 3.John 15:3is gone out from you:) Thro' my Word, i. e. through my Doctrine, you believing in me, and receiving me by Faith for Righteouſneſs and eternal Life. 'Tis ſaid Chriſt gave himſelf for his Church, that he might ſanctify and cleanſe it with the waſhing of water by the Word, Eph. 5. 26. Cleanſing here imports the means by which it is wrought, or the Inſtrument, namely the Word of the Goſpel, eſpecially the Promiſe of free Juſtification and Sanctification by Chriſt, received thro' Faith, which Baptiſm was a Sign or Symbol of; ſee 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing ye have purified your ſelves in obeying the truth thro' the Spirit, &c. This was done in ſubjecting themſelves to the Faith of the Goſpel, to which the purifying of the heart is aſcribed principally in Act. 15. 9. Annatators.Acts 15:9Juſtification, whereby the guilt of Sin is purged away, as appertaining to the conſcience; he alludes alſo to the ſanctifying power and virtue of the holy Spirit. Compare this with Pſal. 119. 9. Wherewith ſhall a young man cleanſe his way? that is, the way of his Heart, and alſo the way of his Life: The anſwer is, By taking heed thereto according to thy Word; that is, let him take heed according to that holy doctrine taught and held forth in God's Word; ſo that he attain unto a right knowledge of God, and of the Meſſiah, promiſed and typified by the Sacrifices of Aaron, by whoſe Blood, and thro' whoſe Righteouſneſs only, Juſtification is to be had: for without Chriſts Blood there is no cleanſing from Sin and ſilthyneſs, p. 10neither of Heart, nor Life, for young nor old. It is not only to direct young Men to reform their Lives and Ways according to the Precepts of God's Word, nor to think by any degree of moral Righteouſneſs or inherent Holineſs they could be cleanſed; no, no, but to take heed according to the myſterious and ſublime Doctrine of God's free grace in Chriſt: Which was the only way of Salvation, as well under the Law as under the diſpenſation of the Goſpel. Sirs, this was, and ſtill is, Chriſts Fan, namely the glorious Doctrine of God's Grace thro' the Redemption that is in Chriſt's blood; and it was by this fan Chriſt cleanſed that Jewiſh floor, to which my Text primarily refers. For the Jews were his floor, in which was abundance of Chaff; and now Jeſus Chriſt was come with his fan in his hand, to purge this floor; and evident it is, his holy Doctrine ſevered, or ſeparated the Wheat from the Chaff; and by this means was the Wheat gathered into Chriſts Goſpel-Garner, and the Chaff blown away: for as Chaff cannot endure the wind of the fan, ſo could not thoſe unbelieving Jews, and hypocritical Phariſees, endure Chriſts holy and heavenly Doctrine. See Joh. 6. 52. to v. 60. How can this Man give us his fleſh to eat? They thought he ſpake of a Natural eating of his fleſh, as we eat the fleſh of Beaſts or Fiſh: His Doctrine was not underſtood by them. Then Jeſus ſaid unto them, Verily, verily I ſay unto you, except you eat the fleſh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you, ver. 53.

Now the eating of Chriſts fleſh, and drinking of his blood, is no other thing than the receiving Jeſus Chriſt by Faith for Righteouſneſs and eternal Life: Believing in Chriſt, coming to Chriſt, looking to Chriſt, leaning, truſting, or ſtaying on Chriſt, receiving of Chriſt, and eating of Chriſt, imply one and the ſame thing: It is our going out of our ſelves to him, or feeding by faith on him, or reſting, or relying on his Merits, on his Obedience in his Life, and in his Death, for Juſtification and eternal Life, without any Works done by us, or any Righteouſneſs wrought in us, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks. But to him that Rom. 4. 5.Rom 4:5worketh not, but believeth on him that juſtifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouſneſs.

But this myſterious and ſublime Doctrine the Jews could not bear, but it was ſuch a Fan as fanned them all away that believed not: For they being ignorant of God's Righteouſneſs, going about to eſtabliſh their own Righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves to the Righteouſneſs of God. They thought their own perſonal p. 11Rom. 10. 3.Rom 10:3and inherent Righteouſneſs was that by which they muſt be juſtified, accepted, and eternally ſaved: they had meat of their own to eat; and therefore ſaw no need to go to their Neighbours door for it; they were full, and increaſed in Goods, and thought they had need of nothing: And hence the Doctrine of Juſtification by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt alone was rejected by them, it was not underſtood by them; that Chriſt's fleſh ſhould be Meat indeed, and his blood Drink indeed, was a ſtrange Doctrine in their apprehenſions; they could not conceive how ſuch things could be, (as Nicodemus ſpake of Regeneration.) Nor can any Man whatſoever who will receive Joh. 3. 9.John 3:9no point of Faith, but what his natural reaſon can comprehend; and thus this Doctrine of our Lord Jeſus was a Fan in his hand, and it fanned away all the Chaff of that mighty Jewiſh floor, even all that received not that Doctrine, or who believed not in Chriſt, received not Chriſt by Faith for righteouſneſs and eternal life: Nay it was ſuch a Fan that it fann'd away ſome of Chriſts Diſciples, (not ſuch who were his Diſciples indeed,) but many that followed him, and who are ſaid to believe on him; they believed he was the true Meſſiah, had ſome kind of faith, tho' not the Faith of Gods Elect: Many of his Diſciples when they heard this, ſaid, This is a hard ſaying, Joh. 6. 60.John 6:60who can bear it? It ſeemed hard to them, becauſe they could not comprehend it by their own carnal reaſon: From thàt time many of his Diſciples went back, and walked no more with him. Such a Fan was this Doctrine then, and ſuch a Fan it is now, Joh. 6. 66.John 6:66that it may be ſaid to make a diſcrimination between the pure Wheat and the Chaff: for no doubt all that receive not this holy Doctrine (whatever fair ſhew they make in the fleſh) are but Chaff in the ſight of God, and will be found ſuch at the laſt day. Nor ought they to be ſuffered to abide in Chriſt's Garner on Earth, (as they ſhall not be gathered into his Garner in Heaven) but be eſteemed as Chaff, or droſſy, profeſſors, whatſoever their converſations may be: (I mean ſuch who eat not Chriſts fleſh, and drink not his blood, i. e. wholly feed not upon Chriſt, rely not alone upon the Merits of a crucified Chriſt, or ſeek not Juſtification by his Righteouſneſs only, but go about to bring in their own Works and inherent Holineſs with Chriſt's Merits in point of Juſtification in God's ſight.) But to proceed: But like as a Husbandman hath more Fans than one, even ſo alſo in the

Second place, Jeſus Chriſt hath another Fan alſo, and that is p. 12(I doubt not) likewiſe intended here: viz. The diſpenſation of God's Providence; for this was as a Fan in Chriſt's hand, by which he fann'd away thoſe unbelieving Jews, and ſo purged his floor: I mean, the time was now come, that their national, legal and external Church-State muſt be pulled down and diſſolved; the Diſpenſation was changed, the Prieſthood changed, and right of Church-memberſhip changed; they having Abraham to their Father, or being the Seed of profeſſing Parents, would do them no good, nor avail them any thing. Becauſe the Covenant of Peculiarity God made with him and his natural ſeed as ſuch, as to the Date of the Duration thereof, was now run out and expired, the Ax being now laid to the root of the Tree, ver. 10th. So that unleſs they receive Chriſt, believe in Chriſt, and are found gracious perſons, fit Wheat for Chriſts ſpiritual Garner, or Goſpel-Church (which is built up of lively ſtones) as Chaff the Goſpel-diſpenſation like a Fan purges them out; as indeed it did, and blew them all away: And we are not alone in reſpect of this great Truth, for many of our worthy Brethren (who in ſome things differ from us) aſſert the ſame: particularly, Reverend Mr. Cotton, who ſpeaking of this Text, Mat. 3. 10. ſaith, "The firſt is the root of Abraham's Covenant, which this people much truſted upon, and of that it is which John Baptiſt ſpeaketh, Now is the Ax laid to the root of the Tree, think not to ſay within your ſelves, we have Abraham to our Father; ſo that all their confidence that they had in Abraham's Covenant, Temple and Tabernacle, and ſuch things, are burnt up, and ſo they have no Root left them to ſtand upon, and this is one thing intended by the Root."

"Secondly, There is (ſaith he) ſomething more in it; the Lord by the power of his Spirit doth cut us off from any power of our natural Gifts and Parts, and ſpiritual Gifts alſo, or from any Confidence of our own ſufficiency; the Lord hath cut us off from hope in the Righteouſneſs of our Parents, and from boaſting of Ordinances. And again he ſaith, This we read of, Mat. 4. 1. It is ſpoken of the Miniſtry of John the Baptiſt, which did burn as an Oven, againſt all the Scribes and Phariſees, and left them neither the Root of Abraham's Covenant, nor the Branch of their own good Works: He cutteth them off from the Covenant of Abraham, &c. And by cutting them off from the Root, he leaveth them no ground to truſt on." Thus Mr. Cotton on The Covenant, p. 177, and p. 21, 22. Now evident it is, that nothing but the diſpenſation of God's p. 13Providence, or the Expiration of that period of Time determined by the Almighty for the ſtanding of the Church of Iſrael, could cut the Jews off as a Nation, from being a Church and peculiar People unto God; I mean in reſpect of that Legal Covenant. I deny not but that the Covenant of Grace God made with Abraham, and with his true ſpiritual Seed, ſtands firm for ever and ever, and none in that Covenant can be cut off, nor fanned away: for the Jewiſh Prieſthood, Churchſtate and Church-memberſhip, and all their Church-priviledges, were to remain until Chriſt came, or until the time of Reformation; that is, till the Goſpel-days and Goſpel-diſpenſation took place, and no longer: But now that time being come, and they not ſeeing an end put to the old Covenant-Church, as it was made with the natural Offspring of Abraham; and that their right to legal Ordinances, and Church-memberſhip, could not give them any right to Goſpel Ordinances, nor Goſpel-Church-memberſhip, and they not believing in Chriſt, not accepting of the Terms of the Goſpel, were all of neceſſity purged out or fanned away, by the Fan of the New Teſtament-diſpenſation, and ſo were no longer a people in any ſenſe in Covenant with God.

Thirdly, Chriſt hath alſo another Fan in his hand, viz. The Fan of Church-Diſcipline. And many perſons falling into ſin are purged like Chaff out of his floor. Hereby,

1. Sometimes ſome evil and corrupt Perſons, who get among God's people (or into his Church) and paſs a while for Wheat, i. e. for gracious Perſons, yet in time God ſuffers them to fall into one Temptation or another, by which means they are fann'd away, the Holy Jeſus by his wiſe. Providence makeing a diſcovery of them, and their evil Tempers and Diſpoſitions.

2. May be ſome glorious Truths, or Truth of Jeſus Chriſt, is revealed, or cleared up to his Church in General, to which ſeveral Perſons of the ſame Congregation may not only want Light in, but may be filled with Prejudice againſt, and not only againſt the Truth, but againſt the Church or Miniſter for ſeeking to bring it in; and this may riſe to ſuch a height, through their Pride and Stubborneſs, that they will not abide any longer Members thereof, but violently rend themſelves by Schiſm, and ſo are purged out. Tho' (as 'tis obſerved by an Husband-man) ſome light Corn, may be good Wheat, may be fanned out with the Chaff, which he knows how p. 14to recover by fanning the Chaff alſo afterwards. And thus it was with ſome of thoſe who were called Chriſt's Diſciples, they could not, would not endure that bleſſed Truth Chriſt Joh. 6. 60. 66.John 6:60John 6:66preached to them, of Eating of his Fleſh, &c. but cried out, This is a hard ſaying, who can bear it? and ſo went away and walked no more with him. O ſee what the Effects of preaching ſome Truths may be! how many are there who cannot bear in this day ſound Doctrine, but deſert his People, and ſome Truths of Chriſt, and ſeem to ſhut their eyes againſt them, caling them Error and falſe Doctrine, and what not? And this way God takes (in his wiſe Providence) to purge out ſome rotten Members, which poſſibly were a repoach to his People: And altho' may be ſome Wheat, may by this means through Satans Temptations, and Corruptions of their own hearts, and their great Ignorance, be fanned out with the Chaff, they being carried away by the Craftineſs and Subtilty of ſuch whom Chriſt hath a mind to ſever from the Body; yet he knows how to gather up the Wheat again, as the Husbandman doth.

3. Others, whom Chriſt would have purged out of his Church, may be ſuffered to ſuck in ſome evil, corrupt and dangerous Principles, or Errors in Fundamentals, like that of Hymeneus and Alexander, whoſe Errours being diſcovered, were purged out.1 Tim. 1. 20.1 Tim 1:20

4. Alſo others fall into notorious and ſcandalous Sins, and ſo are purged out.

5. Some who are Chaff, or unſound Chriſtians, may be ſuffered to take up undue offences againſt the Church, or Churches to whom they belong, and by giving way to Temptation, they may become unreconcileable, magnifying their own Wiſdom and Self-conceitedneſs, and ſo by a ſecret hand of God be diſcovered and purged out: But it muſt be conſidered that the uſe and exerciſe of the Keys, or Rules of Church-Diſcipline, is appointed by Chriſt, as the proper Fan by which thoſe ſorts of Perſons laſt mentioned, and ſome others, are to be purged out of the Church or Congregations of the Saints. Now the Fan of Diſcipline is two-fold.

Firſt, The Act of Excommunication: In the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, when ye are gathered together, with my Spirit, to deliver ſuch a one unto Satan, for the Deſtruction of the Fleſh, that 1 Cor. 5. 41.1 Cor 5:41the Spirit may be ſaved in the day of the Lord Jeſus. The Perſons, Chriſt by this Fan of Diſcipline purges out, are of three ſorts.

p. 151. All groſs and ſcandalous Perſons, who are Guilty of any Act or Acts of Immorality, as Theft, Swearing, Drunkenneſs, Vncleanneſs, Covetouſneſs, Lying, &c. Theſe being publick and reproachful Crimes, the Offender ought ſorthwith (upon clear proof) to be purged out, that the Name of the Lord may not be expoſed to contempt, and his People villified by the ungodly World; and time given to him for the proof and Trial of the ſincerity or Truth of his Repentance; which in part will be manifeſted by his Carriage and Behaviour under his Puniſhment; I mean the Righteous Cenſure of the Church.

The Second ſort that this Fan of Diſcipline takes hold of, are ſuch that ſuck in Hereſies or Capital Errors; theſe after Tit. 3. 10.Titus 3:10the firſt and ſecond Admonition, ought to be rejected and delivered up to Satan, that they may not learn to Blaſpheme.1 Tim. 1. 20.1 Tim 1:20

The Third ſort are ſuch who refuſe to hear the Church after their caſe (in which they have offended) is regularly brought in againſt them according to the Rule contained in Matthew; Matth. 18. 17.Matt 18:17the offence at firſt may be againſt one brother, and the offended party is firſt to tell him his fault between himſelf and his Brother or Siſter that hath offended him alone: Whom if he can bring to ſee and acknowledge his evil, it is to proceed no further; but if he cannot, then he is oblidg'd by the holy Law of Chriſt to take one or two more, and go to him, and ſtrive to convince him, and bring him to a ſight and ſenſe of his iniquity; but if he cannot do it, then it ought to be brought unto the Church, and if he will not hear the Church, then the Fan of Excommunication is to be uſed in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt, and they purged out.

As to ſuch who rend themſelves from a Church, or violate their ſacred Covenant by irregularly withdrawing themſelves, they ought to be marked, and ſolemnly in the publick Congregation Rom. 6. 17, 18. 2 Theſſ. 3. 6, 14, 15. Matth. 18.Rom 6:17Rom 6:182 Thess 3:62 Thess 3:142 Thess 3:15Matt 18declared to have withdrawn, rent, and cut off themſelves from the Communion of the Church, and no longer to be owned nor lookt upon as Members, and none to Communicate with them until they have given ſatisfaction by Repentance.

The Second part of the Fan of Diſcipline is that rule laid down by the Apoſtle, of withdrawing from every Brother and Siſter that walketh diſorderly; as ſuch that are Buſibodies, Tatlers, 2 Theſſ. 3. 6. Matth. 18. 17.2 Thess 3:6Matt 18:17or Idle; or ſuch that neglect their Duties in attending on the Church in times of ſolemn Worſhip, or that make Parties, or p. 16cauſe Diviſion in the Church, and refuſe to live in Obedience to Chriſt, under the due and juſt Government thereof, or to obey them that are ſet over them in the Lord, or who ſtrive to have the prehemience, like Diotrophes, being Vain-glorious, prating againſt, or deſpiſing of Dignities, or the juſt Authority of Chriſts Miniſters, or Angels of his Churches, as the beloved Apoſtle ſpeaks, 3 Joh. 9, 10. Wherefore if I come, I will Remember his deeds which he doth, prating againſt us with malicious Words, and not content therwith, neither doth he himſelf receive the Brethren, and forbideth them that would, and caſteth them out of the Church. Theſe are to be marked and withdrawn from, 2 Theſſ. 3. 6. Not to be counted as Enemies, but exhorted as Brethren: Unleſs they provoke the Church to further and a more ſevere Cenſure. Some of this ſort oft-times ſtrive to draw away diſciples after them, and ſeek to diſquiet the Peace of the Church, and in a fawning and flattering manner to deceive the hearts of the Simple; therefore theſe, if they will not hear the Church, are to be quite fanned out alſo by Excommunication, and to be looked upon as an Heathen-man or Publican, as in the Caſe of Notorious and Scandalous Sinners, or ſuch who are guilty of Hereſie. Mat. 18.

Fifthly, Jeſus Chriſt hath alſo another Fan in his hand to purge his floor, or cleanſe his Wheat from the Chaff, filth and defilement of Sin, namely, the Holy Spirit; and by this means he cleanſes and Purifies in a gracious manner the Souls of his own People: Such were ſome of you, but ye are waſhed, but ye are Sanctified, but ye are Juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, 1 Cor. 6. 11.1 Cor 6:11and by the Spirit of our God. What filthy Creatures were thoſe Corinthians, before the Lord Jeſus by his Spirit had purged and Sanctified them.

Faith, of the the Operation of God, is a moſt excellent Grace; it is by Faith in the Blood of Chriſt that we come to be purged from the Guilt of Sin; Faith applying his Merits and Righteouſneſs unto the Soul in Juſtification; and ſuch is the Nature thereof, that it makes holy the Hearts and Lives of all ſuch Perſons in whom it is by the Spirit wrought or infuſed in Sanctification: And hath put no difference between them and us, Purifying their hearts by Faith. Yea, it cleanſeth them Acts 15. 9.Acts 15:9from all filthyneſs of Fleſh and Spirit, that they may perfect Holyneſs in the fear of God.2 Cor. 7. 1.2 Cor 7:1

But let me tell you that the Spirit and Grace of Chriſt in this reſpect is as a Fan, rather to Cleanſe the Saints, by p. 17purging out the Chaff of Corruption, which naturally is in their Hearts and Lives, than to purge Hypocrites and groſs Profeſſors out of the Church, and to that I Principally referr here.

6. Moreover Chriſt hath the Fan of Perſecution, or the Sufferings of the Croſs, and all other afflictions which he brings upon his People, which he uſes to purge and purify their Souls, and his Churches too.

And from hence Afflictions are compaired to a Refiners fire: He ſhall ſet as a Refiners fire, and Purifier of Silver: He, that is the Meſſiah, i. e. our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; this is his Mat. 3. 3.Matt 3:3Work, viz. to purge his People, who in this Place are compared to Silver and Gold that is refined: As in my Text they are likened unto Wheat, in this he is compared to a Refiner, and hath his Furnace; in the other to an Husbandman, and ſo hath his Fan. Both theſe Texts allude to the ſame thing, and doing the ſame work, namely, to ſever and ſeparate the clean from the unclean, the Gold from the Droſs, the Chaff from the Wheat. And evident it is, that Perſecution, Trials and Afflictions, commonly make a great diſcovery who are Wheat or pure Gold, viz. Sincere Believers; and who droſſy and chaffy Profeſſors. If Wheat, Perſecution purges and purified them: But if they are Chaff, it uſually fans them away. But he that received the ſeed in ſtony places, the ſame is he which heareth the Word, and anon with joy reciveth it: Yet hath he not root in himſelf, but endureth for a while; for when Tribulation or Perſecution ariſeth, becauſe Mat. 13. 20. 21.Matt 13:20Matt 13:21of the Word, by and by he is offended. Thus the fan of Perſecution purges theſe Chaffy Profeſſors out of Chriſts Spiritual floor, or rather his garner: Namely, his Church, into which in a day of Liberty they got, and had a place; but they cannot bear the Wind and blaſt of Affliction and Tribulation: And as it purges out much Chaff, ſo alſo the Wheat is thereby refined and made more clean and fit for the Lords uſe. Of ſo great benefit is Perſecution to Gods Church, that they cannot ſome times be without it; it is if need be that we are in heavineſs; if we need it not, or if Chriſt ſees there is no need of it, we ſhall never feel the Rod: He doth it Heb. 12. 10.Heb 12:10not for his pleaſure, but for our profit, that we might partake of his Holineſs. And this Jehovah by the Prophet further makes known to us: This is the fruit of all, the taking away your Iſa. 27. 9.Isa 27:9Sin. And thus the Lord purgeth away the filth of the Daughter of Sion, and the Blood of Jeruſalem from the midſt thereof, by the p. 18Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning. The Rod of Affliction, or Furnace of Perſecution, cannot purge out the Iſa. 4. 4.Isa 4:4filth of Sin that is in the Lords People, without the operations of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit is called a Spirit of burning, becauſe like fire it burns up and conſumes the Filth, Chaff and Droſs that is in us: Before Trials and Perſecution comes, Chriſt ſeems to have a very great floor, a great heap, or much Corn; but when he comes to try them with this fan in his hand, one great part thereof is found meer Chaff, and the wind drives it away. So much ſhall ſuffice as to the Fan in Chriſts hand by which he purgeth his Floor.

Queſt. Thirdly what is meant by the Chaff?

Anſw. I anſwer the Chaff may be underſtood to be two fold.

1. Men and Women who get into Gods Church, or among his People, but are not Wheat, but vile Hypocrites, pretending to be that which in truth they are not; thus all that are of Iſrael are not Iſrael. Tho' they bore his Name, were called Jews, called Saints, yet were unſound at heart, and graceleſs Rom. 9. 6.Rom 9:6Souls, or meer Chaff in Gods ſight.

2. By Chaff may alſo be intended Sin, or that Filth and Corruption which cleaveth oft-times to the beſt of Gods People, which Chriſt muſt and will purge out.

Queſt. Why are Hypocrites or ungodly Perſons in the Church compared to Chaff? and how may they be known?

Anſw. I anſwer, Hypocrites and ungodly men in the Church are compared to Chaff;

1. Becauſe Chaff before it is ſeparated from the wheat, cleaveth cloſe to it, and it is hard to ſever it from the wheat, and it alſo ſeems like unto it: Even ſo ſome carnal and hypocritical Profeſſors cleave to the Church, and ſeem to love and embrace the Godly in their Arms, and to lay them in their hearts; they walk in Company, nay in outward Fellowſhip and Church-communion with them; they Pray, and Break-bread with them, as if they were really gracious, and are not known to their Brethren to be otherwiſe: And as it is hard to diſcern them from the Godly, ſo 'tis as hard to ſeparate ſuch from them. Chaff is ſo much like to the Wheat, that ſome have taken it at firſt view to be Wheat; ſo are theſe taken to be Saints, and there may be no ſevering them from the Congregation of the Lord, till Chriſt comes with his Fan to purge his floor.

2. They may be compared to Chaff, in regard of the great pains that is, and muſt be uſed to ſeparate it from the Wheat: p. 19The wheat muſt be threſhed and fanned, nay fanned again and again, before all the Chaff can be ſevered from it. So unſound Profeſſors or ſome Hypocrites in the Church, ſeem to cleave ſo cloſe to the Godly, and are in ſuch ſeeming union and and oneneſs with them, that the Lord ſees there is no other way to ſever them from each other, but by threſhing his wheat with the flail of Perſecution, and then the chaff flies away by the wind of this fan. O what a multitude ſeemed to cleave to our bleſſed Saviour, and to be his Diſciples, in a day of peace and proſperity, when he was riding in Triumph to Jeruſalem, Crying out, Hoſanna, bleſſed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord! but when our Saviour came to the Croſs, how did they Mat. 21. 29.Matt 21:29leave him, and diſown him, nay, may be cryed out Crucifie, Crucifice him: So and in like manner in our former days of Joh. 12. 13.John 12:13Liberty, what great numbers flocked to our Aſſemblies, and made a profeſſion of Religion; but when that hot perſecution aroſe, how did they fall off, and diſown that People which once they ſeemed to cleave unto: The fan of perſecution fanned them away as chaff, and not only a multitude of Profeſſors, but alſo how many great Preachers did baſely betray the truth which they profeſſed, and in their Pulpits ſeemed a little before zealouſly to maintain, particularly that of Separation from the National Church. This way Chriſt took to diſcover the filthy and rotten hearts of ſome, and ſlaviſh fear and weakneſs of Faith in others, who were left to a ſinful Complyance and Confirmity, building again that which they had deſtroyed, and deſtroying that which they had been a building; and thus it appears Jer. 23. 2….Jer 23:2as Chaff, cannot bear fanning, but is blown away; ſo chaffy Profeſſors cannot bear ſpiritual fanning, i. e. they cannot ſtand in an hour of Temptation, but fall away. Alas! tho we have now again multitudes that ſeem to cleave to our Churches and to our Aſſemblies, yet ſhould Chriſt come with his Fan upon us, you will ſoon ſee (it is to be feared) the former Effects again.

3. Chaff is of very little worth or value unto Wheat: What is the Chaff unto the Wheat, ſaith the Lord? One peck of good Jer. 23. 28.Jer 23:28Wheat is worth many Buſhels of Chaff. So ungodly men and and women are but of little worth in Gods ſight; a wicked man to him is lothſom, as Solomon ſhews, and that which is loathſom and hateful in our ſight we value not, but caſt away: Pro. 13. 5.Prov 13:5The Prayers of the wicked are abominable to the Lord, becauſe their perſons are not accepted in Chriſt; Whatſoever p. 20the ungodly do, or whatſoever ſhow they make of Religion, let them Pray, Hear, Read, Preach, or give to the Poor, it is not regarded nor accepted of the Lord; one godly Perſon is more to him than a multitude of unſanctified and hypocritical perſons. The tongue of the juſt is as choice as ſilver, the heart of the wicked is but of little worth. The beſt part of a Child of God is his Heart, tho' he thinks that is the worſt of all; and the worſt part of an unholy man is his Heart, tho' he thinks that is beſt of all. Saints are wheat, Hypocrites chaff, the one is Gold, the other Droſs in Gods eſteem. Hence the Lord ſaith, Since thou waſt precious in my ſight, thou haſt been honourable, and I have loved thee, therefore will I give men for thee, and People for thy life: I will give Aegypt for thy Ranſom, Aethiopia and Sheba Iſa. 43. 3, 4.Isa 43:3Isa 43:4for thee. God ſo little values graceleſs perſons, that he will ſacrifice thouſands of them in love and mercy to his faithful ones.

4. Chaff is light and airy, it is no ponderous thing, therefore the wind carries it this way and that way at every turn: Nay, every ſmall breath of wind moves it to and fro, whereas wheat ſtirs not, moves not, but abides in its place, it being a weighty and ponderous thing. Even ſo all hypocritical and unſound Profeſſors, whatſoever they ſeem to be at ſome times, (by making a ſhow of Religion and pretending to Piety) yet they are in Gods ſight as light as vanity; they are like chaff, not ſerious, weighty and ponderous, they are but a flaſh, a ſhaddow, and no ſubſtance, having meer dry, barren and empty Souls: And their lightneſs appears and ſhews it ſelf in many reſpects.

1. It appears ſometimes by their light, frothy and airy talk and diſcourſe: They may ſometimes ſeem ſerious, but if watch'd, they will be diſcover'd, their Tongues will betray them, by their fooliſh and vain words, and communication: They ſetting no watch before the door of their lips, and bridle not their Tongues, therefore their Religion is vain; as the Apoſtle James ſhews: They are full of vain James 1. 26.Jas 1:26words and fooliſh talk; The words of the wiſe are gracious, but the lips of a fool will ſwallow up himſelf: They are offenſive to others, and pernicious to themſelves: A fool alſo is full of Words; either a Talkative, or elſe full of vain Boaſts, magnifying and admiring Eccl. 10. 14.Eccl 10:14himſelf, and leſſning the worth and worthineſs of others: His vain and light Tongue diſcovers a vain, carnal, proud and empty heart, ſome unprofitable matter in diſcourſe or another you ſhall obſerve theſe people will be full of: May be talk and prate of this Man, or that Woman, to pick up one thing p. 21or another to their reproach, (who are gracious perſons) and inſtead of diſcourſing of a Sermon they have heard, or telling their Experiences, may be they will tell you what Garbs, Cloaths and Dreſſes, ſuch and ſuch People had on, or elſe they talk of their earthly and worldly Affairs, or ſome Idle Jeſts, Stories, or fooliſh Talk; but little of God beſure is in their mouths, when they are out of the ſight and hearing of ſober and pious Chriſtians: Indeed as our Saviour intimates, how can they being evil, ſpeak of good things? there is much vanity in their unſanctified Hearts, and their Tongues diſcover it;Mat. 12. 34.Matt 12:34 For out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth ſpeaketh; a good man out of the good treaſure of the heart, bringeth forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treaſure bringeth forth evil things.v. 35.

But I ſay unto you, that every idle word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment.v. 36.

For by thy word thou ſhalt be juſtified, and by thy words thou ſhalt be condemned.v. 37.

God will not only condemn men for evil actions, but their evil words alſo ſhall riſe up againſt them at the great day: And as the gracious words which proceed from a ſanctified and renewed Chriſtian tends to his Juſtification, eſpecially when the main deſign and purport of his Speech tends to exalt and magnifie God and his Free-Grace in Jeſus Chriſt; ſo the evil words of the unſanctified Chriſtian tends to his Condemnation, and declares him to be but meer chaff, or a hypocritical perſon; but if idle Jeſting and fooliſh Talking is the Character of a vain man, what is a detracting and back-biting Tongue, a Tongue that is ſet on fire by hell, who vilifie and render odious ſuch who truly fear God, that are not guilty of thoſe foul things laid to their charge; ſuch perſons are not like to aſcend Pſa. 15. 1.Ps 15:1Gods holy hill, nor abide in his Tabernacle, viz. That taketh up falſe and wicked ſlanders and reports againſt his Neighbour, to leſſen his reputation among Men: And 'tis with the greater aggravation, when it is done out of Envy, Prejudice or Malice; and 'tis further aggravated when 'tis done to a Miniſter of the Goſpel, on purpoſe to obſtruct or hinder unthinking Chriſtians to adhere unto his Doctrine, or receive that truth which they ſee not; but ſet themſelves to oppoſe and gainſay, who do not only in an undue manner ſpread ſuch Reproaches, but alſo raiſe them: It is a great evil to divulge or propagate a fault committed by a Brother, by making it publick when it was private, (they breaking thereby the expreſs p. 22Precept of Jeſus Chriſt, Mat. 18.) But it is far worſe to publiſh falſe and groundleſs Slanders and Accuſations of him or others: And tis an abominable evil in ſuch who are ready to entertain, and eaſily to believe, and greedily receive ſuch Reports of him who deſerveth it not. Such men are by the Lord called vile perſons, Pſa. 5. 4. and are contemned by ſuch that fear the Lord, howſoever great and honourable they ſeem to be. Moreover, if it be ſo great an evil for men thus to uſe their Tongues or Pens, to ſpeak evil of, and to blaſpheme innocent men, what is the Nature of their Crimes who curſe and ſwear, and blaſpheme the ſacred Name of God and the holy Jeſus? like as the Phariſees did, who ſaid, this fellow doth not caſt out Mat. 12. 24.Matt 12:24Devils but by Belzebub the Prince of Devils; aſcribing that to the Devil that was proper to God alone, and wrought by his almighty Power.

Chriſtians, if you would not be found chaff at the great day, take heed of a reviling Tongue, leaſt you deceive your ſelves, and all your Religion and Profeſſion be vain:Jam. 1. 26.Jas 1:26 "He either decieveth his own heart (ſaith our Annatotors) in thinking himſelf religious, when indulging himſelf in things contrary to Religion, or elſe deceiveth his own heart, being blinded with ſelf love, and lifted up with ſelf-conceit, which is the cauſe of his Railing, Cenſuring, and ſpeaking evil of others: Their Religion is vain, empty, and to no purpoſe, having no reality in it ſelf, and bringeth no Benefit to them."

O what a Reproach doth the talkative and prating perſon bring on the Name of God: This Man, this Woman, ſay they, is a Member of ſuch or ſuch a Church, and ſee what vain talk, frothy words, and frivolous Diſcourſe proceeds from their Lips: But much more evil is in ſuch who back-bite, revile, and defame others (as was hinted before.) This I ſay may diſcover ſuch to be but chaff.

2. They appear to be Chaff, not only by their light, vain, idle and back-biting Tongues, but alſo by their light Behaviour; for the lightneſs of the heart is as much diſcovered by a looſe and airy Deportment, as by looſe and vain words; their wanton Looks, and rowling Eyes, or other unſeemly and uncomely carriage, ſhews in part what they are; they being not of a grave, ſober, and ſerious ſpirit, but behave themſelves as if they had no ſenſe of the Omniſciency of God upon their hearts, nor of his holineſs, not ſetting the Lord always before them, gives cauſe to all to fear they are but chaff.

p. 233. Their light, empty and airy Attire, Dreſſes, and antick Antick Head-Dreſſes diſcovers the vanity of the Heart.Faſhions, which they wear and take delight in, doubtleſs too much diſcovers the Lightneſs, Vanity and Emptineſs of their Spirits: I am perſwaded theſe high and ſhameleſs Head-dreſſes which ſome Women appear in, that come into Chriſtian Aſſemblies, are but as Tell-tales of the Vanity, Pride, Emptineſs, and Haughtineſs of their hearts; who but they that ſell Wine will put forth a Buſh? I cannot ſee how a ſober, ſerious Chriſtian Woman ſhould be ſatisfied to wear ſuch Antick Dreſſes: Their Souls ſure muſt needs bluſh at the Thoughts of them; when they conſider whoſe Eyes behold them, Firſt, Many gracious Men and Women, with no little trouble: And in the ſecond place, their faithful Miniſters, to the wounding and grieving their Souls. Thirdly, And a multitude of looſe and ungodly People, who reproach and laugh at them, and caſt contempt upon Religion on that account. Fourthly, And which is more, the holy Angels, they come into our Aſſemblies, and obſerve all, both Males and Females, how they do adorn their Profeſſion and behave themſelves. Women ſhould cover their heads, becauſe of the Angels; they ought to be in ſubjection, and therefore 1 Cor. 11. 10.1 Cor 11:10before all things their head ought not to be exalted, but to lye low, and be modeſtly attired; no doubt tis a palpable Breach of the holy Precept, for 'tis not a modeſt dreſs, becoming Women profeſſing Godlineſs; tho' I dare not ſay but ſome ſincere Chriſtians may be overtaken with this Evil as well as others, yet I hope God will ſoon convince them of the odiouſneſs of it: Yet no doubt it doth clearly diſcover that ſome of this ſort are looſe and vain perſons, and but meer chaff in Gods ſight, which the day that is coming will burn up: And ſuch eſpecially have cauſe to ſuſpect themſelves, who pride it in their own hearts, and take delight in thoſe hateful and abominable faſhions, and cannot bear to be told of it, tho' in never ſo wiſe and diſcreet manner, nor will they be brought by any perſwaſions to reform, and leave them off, tho' it wounds the very Souls of many of them they have Communion with. Fifthly, O that they that fear God would conſider that he beholds them, and looks upon them, whoſe eyes are like unto a flame of Fire. Theſe Dreſſes, O ye Daughters of Zion, know aſſuredly none but fooliſh and vain perſons do like and approve of, even none but the Devil and his Followers; is it not ſad, in ſuch a day of diſtreſs, ſorrow and humiliation, when Gods Hand is lifted up upon the Nation, and thouſands of poor Families want p. 24Bread, that Chriſtians ſhould thus walk, and conſume their Subſtance on their Pride and coſtly Luſt.

4. They appear to be but chaff, who ſeem to make it a ſmall matter to grieve the Hearts of ſincere Chriſtians; what care they who they wound and afflict, they'll have their Fancies, their Humours, tho' the thing in it ſelf may be doubtful, whether a breach of Gods Law or not; and ſo like eating of Meats, that was a thing indifferent in it ſelf, and might or might not be done. Nay, that make light of grieving the Holy Spirit, in themſelves, and in others alſo; let the Lord be grieved, his Spirit grieved, his poor Miniſters grieved, and his faithful Children grieved, they regard it not, but ſet light by it. Theſe may alſo be ſuſpected, i. e. that are indifferent in and about Cloſet and Family-Prayer, (and other weighty Duties of Religion) or are looſe and formal in it: This ſhews they bear no weight, they are not ponderous, but light as Chaff. Moreover, ſuch may be ſuſpected, who ſet light by Hearing the Word of God; alas, to go to hear a Sermon is a light thing with ſome, if there be any worldly Loſs attending it, tho' it be not to the Value of a Groat, they can't go, or if the Weather be not very good, they plead Excuſe; as not being able to go ſo far, tho' may be the next day in worſe Weather they can go about their earthly Buſineſs twice as far.

Likewiſe ſuch who for every ſmall matter refrain from coming to the Lords Table; may be any trivial offence ſhall hinder them; they are offended with this Perſon, and that Perſon, and ſo caſt a ſlight upon Chriſt, and on his Sacred Ordinance, and thus perſiſt from time to time: They can go to Church, or ſtay at home: Can pray, and hear, and can forbear: Religion is a light and indifferent thing with them. This ſhews ſuch are under fearful Temptations, or elſe looſe and light Profeſſors in the ſight of God.

5. Such are Chaff that only have the husk or ſhell of Chriſtianity: Chaff is the husks of Wheat; many Profeſſors pleaſe themſelves with the external part of Religion, having a form of Godlineſs, but are Strangers to the Life and Power thereof: Like the fooliſh Virgins they have Lamps, but no Oyl; a Name, but want the Nature of true Believers; can talk and diſcourſe of Religion, of the Covenant of Grace, and excellency of Chriſt; they may have, I grant, clear Notions in their heads of the Myſteries of the Goſpel, and defend it too againſt oppoſers, yet their Hearts are unſanctified, and never felt nor experienced p. 25the work of Faith with Power; they have the out-ſide of a true Chriſtian, the Shell of the Wheat, but if tried and ſearched there's nothing but Chaff, no Kernil in them, they want the root of the Water: All true Believers have paſt through the Pangs of the New Birth; they found they were once Dead, but are now alive, once blind, but now they ſee, once loſt in their own Eyes, but now found, once Carnal, but now Spiritual, once had their affection ſet on things below, but now on things above; Sin was once Sweet and Pleaſant to them, but now 'tis bitter and Loathſom in their Eyes, becauſe they ſee it is ſo in the ſight of God: Their Judgments are informed, their Underſtandings ſavingly enlightned; Chriſt and heavenly things are valued and eſteemed above all things here below, yea, above ten thouſand Worlds, by them; and their underſtandings are not only brought to aſſent to the truth of Chriſt, to the Glory and Beauty of Chriſt; but their wills alſo are ſubjected to him, they are brought to conſent, and yield themſelves to the Lord; they believe, and love, believe and obey, believe and ſuffer reproach, taking up the Croſs, putting on the yoke of Chriſt; their affections are ſo changed, and under divine Influences, that what they loved once, they hate, and what they once hated, or liked not, they dearly love and approve of now: But thus it is not with Chaffy Profeſſors: They may be changed from open Prophanneſs to an outward Reformation of life, but their Hearts are not changed, Sin is not Crucified in them, ſelf is not ſubdued; that enmity that was naturally in their hearts, or diſlike of the Life and Power of ſtrict Godlineſs is not removed; they act only from common Illuminations of the Spirit, and ſo they put a force upon themſelves, when found in religious Duties; and find not a natural Inclination and ſweet Propenſity in their hearts to heavenly things, and this ſhews they are no more then Chaff.

6. And laſtly, Chaff I told you was Light, and every breath of wind will move it, this way, and that way, and if it riſes high it will may be blow it quite away, there being no Kernel in it, whereas the Wheat abides.

So Chaffy and vain Profeſſors are ſtartled at every ſmall blaſt of Perſecution, and preſently begin to move out of their place, and ſhun aſſembling themſelves with Gods People: Nay, every wind of corrupt Doctrine is ready to blow ſome of this ſort a way; they are unſettled Perſons, they want weight, or p. 26are not rooted in the Truth, wanting a good Underſtanding, and a Principle of ſaving Grace in their Hearts; Be not carried away with divers and ſtrange Doctrines, for it is good to have the heart eſtabliſhed with Grace, and not with Meats.Heb. 13. 9.Heb 13:9

This ſort are ſoon corrupted from the Simplicity of the Goſpel, by the Cunning Craſtineſs of Men, being ready to receive any ſtrange Notion, or cloſe in with a New Scheem of Religion, ſome turning to Judaiſm, and add Moſes to Chriſt, or joyn to the Goſpel their own Works; they are commonly corrupt, either in Principles or Practices, or in both, making a ſtir about the Mint, Annis and Commin, i. e. about the ſmaller matters of Religion, as concerning Meats and Obſervation of Days, as if in ſuch things lay the great ſtreſs of Chriſtianity; how many are there who like thoſe falſe Teachers, and deluded People in the Primitive Times, plead for Juſtification ſome other way than by Faith only, and bring in their own inherent Holineſs and ſincere Obedience, and add that to the Merits of Chriſt, in point of Juſtification before God; or exalt the Power and Will of the Creature, to the Eclipſing the Doctrine of Free-Grace. Sirs, tho' I will not deny but many ſincere Chriſtians may be ſhaken by the wind of falſe and corrupt Doctrine, or drawn away through the ſubtilty of men, yet no doubt chiefly they are the Light, Formal and Chaffy Profeſſors which are carried away, and Toſſed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine, and this becauſe of the want of Grace, a ſound Judgment and a good Underſtanding in the Myſteries of the Goſpel. A good underſtanding (ſaith David) have all they that do his Commandments. Pſa. 111. 10.Ps 111:10Moreover, ſuch who ſeem unſetled in their places in Gods Houſe, or particular Churches where they are Members, being uneaſie, and every little difference that may ariſe in a Congregation is ready to turn them away; or ſeem to be moved and diſturbed at the Charges the Intereſt of Chriſt, or which the Houſe of God calls for; theſe I ſay, give cauſe to fear they are but Chaff, or under great Temptation, if Sincere.

Secondly, By Chaff may alſo be meant, Sin, Filth and Corruption, Sin is likened to Chaff.which cleaveth to the Hearts and Lives of true believers, which Chriſt by the Fan of his Word, Spirit, and Afflictions, as you have heard, purges out: He ſhall purify the Sons of Levi, and purge them as Gold and Silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteouſneſs. This is ſpoken of Jeſus Chriſt, Mat. 3. 3.Matt 3:3whoſe Fan is in his hand: It ſhews his Work and Office, p. 27namely, to refine and fan his People, not only Members, but Miniſters alſo, ſignified by the Sons of Levi, that they all may offer acceptable Service unto God: Beſides, our Lord Jeſus ſometimes makes uſe of wicked Men as a Fan in his hand to purge his People, and thus he did of old fan Iſrael by the Babylonians, and by the Aſſyrians; I will ſend unto Babylon Fanners, as I have ſometime fanned and ſcattered my people by them; ſo will Ger. 51. 2. Chap. 4. 11. 12. Jer. 35. So Jer. 15. 7.Jer 35Jer 15:7I fan them by the Medes and Perſians, who ſhall empty the Land of them; After Chriſt hath fanned or purged away the Chaff and Filth of the Daughter of Zion, he will fan their Enemies, and they being all Chaff, the wind of his Indignation will drive them away. Let this be noted, that Chriſt hath many ways to fan and purge his People, yet ſtill it is for their good, and they ſhall loſe nothing but their chaff, their Sin and Corruptions thereby.

Queſt. Fourthly, Why are the Saints compared to Wheat?

Anſw. I anſwer, for many Reaſons.

Why the Saints are compared to Wheat. Prov. 12 26. Pſa. 6. 3. Mat. 3. ult.Prov 12:26Ps 6:3Matt 31. Wheat is a choice Grain, the beſt Grain, ſo true Believers are a choice People in Chriſt's ſight: The righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour; they are called the excellent in all the Earth. God calls his People his Jewels, or choice Treaſure; they are men of a high and heavenly Birth, of a high ſublime and excellent Spirit, they are eſpouſed by an excellent perſon, act and are influenced by excellent principles, and have glorious Ends and Aims in all they do; and from hence may be compared to Wheat.

2. Wheat hath much pains uſed with it, the ground muſt be made good, it muſt be well plow'd and manured before the Wheat is ſown; ſo the hearts of poor ſinners muſt be firſt made good, and by ſpirituall Convictions be plowed up, before the ſeed of Grace is ſown; for like as Believers are compared to Wheat, ſo is alſo the Grace of God.

Wheat muſt be weeded as well as gathered into the Barn, and alſo Threſhed, fanned, and well Purged.

Believers may be compared to Wheat upon this reſpect, Chriſt takes much pains (to ſpeak after the manner of men) with his own Elect, not only by Plowing, Manuring, but by ſowing, watering, weeding, fanning and Purging them like Wheat.

3. Wheat will endure cold Froſts and Snow, and all manner of bitter and ſharp Weather, better than any other Grain. Sow Barly before Winter, and you will find but little of it will live, but Wheat will live in the ſharpeſt Winter that can come; p. 28what a good Harveſt had we here in England after the laſt great Froſt; alas, the Wheat was not deſtroyed thereby, but was made better, the Weeds and Worms being killed, which is found to hurt and annoy it oft-times.

Even ſo ſincere Chriſtians, who are Chriſts Spiritual Wheat, abide faithful under the greateſt Trials, Perſecutions and Afflictions they can meet withal; they endure the Froſts and bitter North-Winds of Tribulation, and furious Storms of the Wrath of wicked men, which kills the falſe-hearted Profeſſor, they die and wither away, they can't live, and maintain their ſeeming hope and Confidence, when true Believers can; a Hypocrite is but Summer Corn, or rather Weeds or Tares that ſpring up with the Wheat, tho' they look like it, yet are only the product of Natural Conſcience, or the common Influences of the Sun, or Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt.

4. An Ear of Wheat when it is near ripe doth hang down its head, the Corn being full and weighty, when light and empty Ears hold up theirs; commonly a light and chaffy Ear ſtands ſtrait upright, in a lofty manner.

So a true gracious Chriſtian is of an humble Spirit, he hangs down his head (as it were) and is aſhamed of his beſt Duties and Services, ſeeing ſo great weakneſſes and Infirmities to attend him; he abhors himſelf, yea, loaths himſelf; he knows he hath nothing to glory in, but in the Croſs of Jeſus Chriſt; he ſees himſelf nothing; VntoUnto me who am leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, is Eph. 3. 8.Eph 3:8this Grace given, (ſaith Paul:) what an humble Perſon was he, what a full and weighty Ear of choice Wheat was this Apoſtle: If you ſee a Man or Woman proud, or of an haughty and conceited Spirit, being lifted up, you may conclude they are but empty Ears, no true Grace being in their hearts.

5. Wheat hath its Chaff cleaving oft-times cloſe to it, yea, it will ſtick and cleave ſo to it, that it is not eaſily ſeparated.

So it is with Chriſts Spiritual Wheat, the filth or Chaff of internal Corruption is very ſubject to cleave to them, and hard it is for them to get rid of it. When I would do good, Sin is preſent with me, for the good I would, I do not, but the evil which I would not do, that do I.Rom. 7. 21.Rom 7:21

Oh! wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from this body of Death! v. 19. & 24.I am (as if he ſhould ſay) even wearied with continual Combating, I cannot get rid of this dead Body, this inward Filth and Corruption, the remainders of Sin in my fleſh; this Chaff cleaves to all Chriſts Wheat.

p. 296. Wheat is of prime and chiefeſt uſe, of it excellent things are made, as Meat for Princes. So the Lords faithful People are of chief uſe in Gods hand of all others; the Lips of the Righteous feed many.

7. That Nation that abounds with the fineſt Wheat is eſteemed a choice Land, a happy Nation: So likewiſe that Kingdom and Nation in which are abundance of godly Chriſtians, it is a happy Kingdom, a bleſſed Nation, becauſe ſuch are the common Intereſt of the Land or Place where they dwell; they are called the Pillers of the Earth.

8. Wheat is Threſhed with the flail, to ſever it from the ſtraw and chaff, by the Husbandman; ſo God to ſever the Wheat, i. e. the godly from the chaffy Profeſſor, and free them of the Filth and Corruption of their own hearts, brings his flail of Affliction and Perſecution upon them.

9. Wheat is alſo fanned, to cleanſe it; and it is to be noted, that the fan in the Hand of the Husbandman toſſes up the Wheat and Chaff together, and then he ſhakes it to and fro, this way and that way, on his knees.

So the Lord Jeſus with his ſpiritual Fan toſſes the Godly and Hypocritical Profeſſor, by the ſame Afflictions, Trials, Perſecutions and Tempations. And O what hurryings, toſſings and Tumblings to and fro in their Spirits have ſome Chriſtians met with in the late times, and ſtill daily meet withal? they have their ups and downs, this Affliction, and the other Temptation, this Loſs, and the other Croſs: But yet, nevertheleſs, they are not toſt out, or blown away by the fan, but evident it is the Chaff is hereby purged out; while Chriſts Wheat is refined, they abide fanning, (as I hinted before) but ſo doth not the Carnal and light Profeſſor: They are offended, through this means, as our Saviour ſhews, and are ready to ſay with that Mat. 13.Matt 13wicked man of old, this Evil is of the Lord, why ſhould I wait upon 2 King 6. 33.2 Kgs 6:33him any longer? Believers know, God doth it not for his Pleaſure, but for their Profit, that they might be partakers of his Holineſs. Heb. 12. 10.Heb 12:10Hence it is ſaid, that they endure Chaſtening, and faint not when they are rebuked of the Lord.

Queſt. 5. What is intended by Chriſt's Garner?

I anſwer, Chriſt hath a twofold garner.

Firſt. His Church is his garner.

1. A Garner is prepared on purpoſe to retain, and ſafely The Church is Chriſts Spritual Garner.to ſecure the Wheat in a heap together, where it is carefully to be look'd after. So is the Church of God appointed and p. 30prepared to receive and ſecure his faithful People together; 'tis not built for Chaff nor Tares, and great care and pains is required of Chriſts ſervants in looking to, and taking care of his Spiritual Wheat in his Church.

2. Yet through the Negligence or want of Wiſdom in the Servants, oft-times ſome Chaff is brought into the Garner with the Wheat, which when the Husbandman ſee's it, by viewing his Grain, he is Troubled at his ſervant; ſee (ſaith he) what abundance of Chaff you have brought in with the Wheat, which ſpoils the beauty of it to ſuch a degree, that it does not ſeem to be near ſo good as indeed it is.

So it is here for want of Care, or through weakneſs or want of Knowledge in Chriſts Miniſters and Servants, in diſcerning who are ſincere Chriſtians and who are not: Many unſound and Chaffy Profeſſors are let into the Church or Churches of Jeſus Chriſt, which is diſpleaſing unto him, becauſe they ſpoil the Beauty and Glory thereof, and cauſe many to reproach his faithful ones; as it alſo renders them in the ſight of the Carnal World not to be the People which indeed they are.

3. The Husbandman therefore cauſes the Wheat in his Garner to be fanned again, to clear it of the Chaff that is got in amongſt it; ſo Chriſt with the Fan of Perſecution often times fans his, People to purge out the looſe and prophane from among them.

Secondly, By the Garner is meant Heaven it ſelf, into which Heaven is Chriſts Garner.all the Elect ſhall be put at the laſt day, and into this Garner ſhall none come but pure Wheat: And there ſhall in no wiſe enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatſoever worketh abomination, Rev. 21. 27.Rev 21:27or that maketh a Lye, but they which are written in the Lambs book of Life.

6ly. And laſtly, What is meant by burning up the Chaff with unquenchable fire?

Anſw. I anſwer, by burning up the Chaff with unquenchable fire, What meant by burning up the Chaff.is meant the direful Wrath of God, which ſometimes ſeizeth on ungodly perſons in this world, and ſhall eternally take hold of all the Chaff in the world to come. The Wrath of God is often compared to fire in the Scripture. There went up a ſmoke Pſa. 8. 8.Ps 8:8out of his noſtrils, and a fire out of his mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it. So in another place it is ſaid, A fire goeth before Pſa. 97. 3.Ps 97:3him, &c. Shall thy wrath burn like fire, Pſa. 89. 46. His fury Nah. 1. 6.Nah 1:6is poured out like fire, and the Rocks are thrown down by him.

p. 311. Fire is a terrible and moſt amazing Element, eſpecially when it breaks forth like a maſterleſs Enemy, and none can ſtop it: So is the Wrath of God very terrible, when he poureth it forth in his greateſt fury. O what a frightful Cry doth a dreadful Fire that breaks out in a Town or City cauſe! what wringing of hands! Men tremble, Women miſcarry oft-times, Children ſcreech out, it frightens the very Fowls of the Air, and Beaſts of the Earth, and turns all Faces into Paleneſs! how amazing was the flames of Sodom, and how terrible is the burning of Monnt Aetna! the Wrath of God when it furiouſly breaketh forth upon a People and Nation, or particular Perſon, cauſeth dreadful horror, it maketh the ſtouteſt heart to quake, and the ſtrongeſt hands feeble: At his wrath the earth ſhall tremble, and the nations ſhall not be able to abide his indignation: His fury Jer. 10. 10.Jer 10:10is poured out like fire, and the Mountains are thrown down before him: Can thy heart endure, or thy hands be ſtrong, in the day when I contend Nah. 1. 6.Nah 1:6with thee? Who can ſtand before his indignation? O how will the wicked fly into holes, quiver like a leaf, and cry to the Rocks and Mountains to fall upon them, and hide them from the face Rev. 6. 16.Rev 6:16of him that ſitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

2. Fire breaks out ſometimes very ſuddenly, when none think of it, but all are as they judge, ſafe and ſecure, yet in a moment how are they ſurprized, when nothing but the horror and cry of fire, fire, fire, is heard in their ears. So Gods Wrath, like a dreadful and an unexpected fire, breaks out ſometimes ſuddenly upon the ungodly. How ſurprizing were the flames of Sodom, and the amazing hand-writing on Belſhazars wall, when he was drinking Wine in Bowls! immediately the Kings countenance was changed, and he was troubled in his thoughts, ſo that Dan. 5. 5. 6.Dan 5:5Dan 5:6the joynts of his Loins were looſed, and his Knees ſmote one againſt the other: When they cry peace and ſafety, then ſudden deſtruction cometh, as travail upon a woman with child, and they ſhall not eſcape.1 Theſſ. 3. 3.1 Thess 3:3

3. A fire ſometimes breaks forth in the Night, when men are aſleep: So God comes upon men many times in the night of ignorance and unbelief, while they lye on their Beds of Eaſe and carnal Security, by amazing Judgments, or by ſudden Death. How ſecure was the old World, and the rich man in the Goſpel, to whom God ſaid, this night thy ſoul ſhall be required of thee.

4. A conſuming Fire deſtroys, waſts and devours exceedingly, as Sodom found, and London alſo by woful experience. So God when he breaks forth in his Wrath and Fury, he makes p. 32moſt lamentable deſolation, The Lord ſhall ſwallow them up in his wrath, and the fire ſhall devour them. The Wrath of God is Pſa. 21. 9. 10.Ps 21:9Ps 21:10compared to a conſuming fire: For our God is a conſuming Fire.Heb. 12. ult.Heb 12

5. A Conſuming and raging fire ſpares none, the Palace of the Prince no more than the Cottage of the Peaſant, the mighty Oaks as well as the loweſt Shrubs are devoured by it; ſo the wrath of God ſeizeth, and will ſeize on all wicked men, on the mighty and honourable of the Earth, as well as the poor and contemptible ones; the King on his Throne, as well as the Beggar on the Dunghill: His wrath ſhall be on every one that is lofty, and upon every one that is proud and lifted up, and Iſa. 2. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,Isa 2:12Isa 2:13Isa 2:14Isa 2:15Isa 2:16he ſhall be brought down; upon all the Cedars of Lebanon, and upon all the Oaks of Baſhan.—He will come upon Princes as upon morter, the whole earth ſhall be devoured by the fire of his Jealouſy, neither Zeph. 1. 18.Zeph 1:18their Gold nor Silver ſhall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath.

6. Wood, Hay and Stubble, are fit fuel for the fire to ſeize upon, and ſuch things that are combuſtible make it to burn the more vehemently. And if high ſtrong Towers cannot ſtand before a conſuming fire, how is it poſſible for Briars and Thorns? Some Sinners are like ſtubble fully dry: They are fit Fuel for the Wrath of God like fire to take hold of. O what horrid Guilt lies upon ſome mens Conſciences, juſt like a great heap or pile of wood, well dried, or Cart loads of ſtraw, or dry ſtubble: What if God will to ſhew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long ſuffering, the veſſels of wrath Rom. 9. 22.Rom 9:22fitted to deſtruction.

A long Courſe in ſin, Cuſtom in ſin, reſiſting the Grace of God, ſlighting Convictions, hardening the Heart againſt Reproof, ſtiſling the Accuſations of Conſcience, and abuſing the Patience and long Suffering of God, fits men for the fire of his Wrath; Whilſt they are folden together as Thorns, and whilſt they are drunken Nah. 1. 10.Nah 1:10as Drunkards, they ſhall be devoured as ſtubble fully dry. Such that are drunk with Pride, drunk with Pleaſures, or whoſe Souls are ſurfited with the Riches and Cares of the World, the fire of Gods Wrath, as fit matter or combuſtable ſtuff, will ſeize upon.

7. A dreadful fire when it breaks out, turns all joy into ſorrow, and makes a day of mirth a day of Mourning: So the conſuming wrath of God, whether it ſeizes on the conſciences of Men only whilſt alive in the body, or on Body and p. 33Soul both here, or on the Soul at Death, it turns all joy into ſorrow. O what extremity of miſery do ſuch feel! ask Judas or Spira, they could tell you.

8. Fire is a moſt cruel and dreadful tormentor; if a man be caſt into a fire, what intollerable pain and anguiſh doth it put him to! but alas, alas, that's nothing to the Wrath of God, when God kindles it in the Conſciences of men, nor to Hell fire. You will ſay, O 'tis a fearful thing to fall into a furious fire, into a burning Furnace, but O Sirs, how much more dreadful is it to fall under the Wrath of God! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: For our God is a conſuming fire. Heb. 2. 12.Heb 2:12If it be terrible to have a finger, a foot, or a hand to be burned off, or to have the whole body caſt into a Furnace of boyling Oil, (as ſome of the holy Martyrs were) how then can ſinners, who are as chaff, bear the Thoughts of Gods wrath and vindictive Vengance, which is far more intollerable than any fire into which any Mortal was ever caſt? For

1. Other fire burns only the external part, or temporal, or corporal matter, but the fire of Gods wrath burns and torments the Spirit, the Soul, the inviſible part.

2. Elementary fire is ſeen, but internal Wrath is only felt inwardly, it cannot be ſeen.

3. The fierceſt fire that ever was kindled hath been overcome, and by Engines or Inſtruments put out, but the fire of Gods Wrath when kindled, and the Soul thrown into Hell, cannot be put out, nor be extinguiſhed, 'tis unquenchable fire. Tho' the burning of Mount Aetna, and other burning Mountains, are impoſſible for man to extinguiſh, yet doubleſs they ſhall not burn always, they will be put out, but wrath ſhall burn for ever. So much as to the Explanation of our Text. From hence we may obſerve divers Propoſitions or Points of Doctrine.

1. Doct. The old floor is gone, 'tis removed, viz. The old Jewiſh Church, or national Church of Iſrael, the wheat that was in it being taken into Chriſts Goſpel-Garner, and the chaff or all graceleſs perſons or unbelievers, are fann'd away. Now Chriſt hath removed the partition-wall that was between Jew and Gentile, and hath reconciled both unto God in one body. Now there is no knowing men after the fleſh, fleſhly Priviledges, i. e. being Eph. 2. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 17.Eph 2:162 Cor 5:17the Seed of Abraham, or being the Seed of Believers, as ſuch, gives no right to Spiritual ſaving and eternal Bleſſings. Both thoſe two People, Jews and Gentiles, that believe of twain are p. 34made one, i. e. one new man, or one Chriſtian or Goſpel-Church. And this is done by Jeſus Chriſt, who by his Fan or Diſpenſation of the New Teſtament hath aboliſhed the old Covenantright of Church-Memberſhip; not the fleſhly Seed, but the ſpiritual Seed of Abraham, are to be received into Chriſts Goſpel Garner; Ye as lively ſtones are built up a ſpiritual Houſe, 1 Pet. 2. 5.1 Pet 2:5&c. But this I ſhall not proſecute.

2 Doct. Jeſus Chriſt would have none but pure Wheat be gathered into his Garner; not the fleſhly and ſpiritual Seed, not the Believer and the Vnbeliever, not godly ones and ungodly ones, not the Chaff and the Wheat, as it was under the Law, in the National Church of the Jews. Not whole Pariſhes, or whole Nations, no, no, none but true Chriſtians, or holy perſons, ſanctified and ſincere, and truly gracious Souls.

3 Doct. Chriſts great Work and Office is to purge his People, to cleanſe them, and make them holy, and to ſever the Wheat from the Chaff, the pure from the impure; or to ſeparate Hypocrites from his Church, and purge his Saints from all their inward Filth and Corruption: He would have no Chaff there, none that are falſehearted and unſound, ſuch he will firſt or laſt purge out; and he will make them that are good to be much better, more clean, more holy, more pure, he will purge out the chaff of Hypocriſie, Unbelief, Pride, Paſſion, Covetouſneſs, Vain Glory, Carnality, and all manner of Corruption whatſoever that is in them; he ſets as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver, and he will throughly purge away their Droſs, and take away all their Tin. The Iſa. 1. 25:Isa 1:25time draws near in which the ſinners in Zion ſhall be afraid, fearfulneſs ſhall ſurpriſe the Hypocrites: Who amongſt us ſhall dwell with Iſa. 33. 14.Isa 33:14devouring fire? who amongſt us ſhall dwell with everlaſting Burnings?

4. Doct. All true Believers, or all Chriſts Wheat, ſhall be ſaved, ſhall be received into Heaven, or be gathered into his glorious Garner above, and into which place no wicked perſon, no falſe-hearted profeſſor, no hypocrite, no carnal and ſelf-deceived Goſpeller, ſhall come. Though ſome of this ſort get into the Church militant, they ſhall not get into the Church triumphant, tho' they may get a ſeeming place in his Garner below, yet they ſhall have no place in his glorious Barn or Garner above. Sirs, you that ſeem to take delight in the Company of the Saints, and ſeem to feed and lie down with Chriſts ſheep, yet know p. 35you ſhall one day be ſeparated as Goats from the Sheep, as fooliſh Virgins from the wiſe, as Chaff from the Wheat, and as Droſs from the Gold; all you that are not ſincere muſt go to your place; and thoſe that ſhall be ſet at Chriſts right hand ſhall receive the Kingdom prepared for them, and all that ſhall be on his left hand muſt go into everlaſting fire, prepared Math. 25. 41.Matt 25:41for the Devil and his Angels.

Doct. 5. A diſcriminating day will come, a day of ſevering the good from the bad, &c.

Doct. 6. The Wrath of God, whether internal or external, is intollerable.That the Wrath of God is like fire, 'tis intollerable; or the miſery and torments of the damned, or of all hypocrites and unbelievers, will be diſmal and amazing; or there's no expreſſing how fearful their condition is and will be, who fall under the vindictive Wrath and Vengance of an angry God. I purpoſe to ſpeak unto one or two of theſe Propoſitions, but at preſent I ſhall cloſe with a word or two by way of Uſe.

The Application.

1. Caution. Take heed you are not Chaff, or prove not chaff, when the Fanner comes to fan you. O ſee you are not looſe, carnal and empty Profeſſors; if you have only a form of Godlineſs, the Name of Chriſt only, or Lamps, and no more, ſad will it be with you; if you are not ſolid, weighty and ponderous Chriſtians, if you experience not the divine power of Godlineſs, the Sin-killing, the Soul-quickning, the Heart-transforming, and God-exalting power of Chriſts Spirit, you are undone.

Take a few Motives to ſtir you up to take heed.

1. The Fanner is coming with his fan in his hand: A Providence may be near, yea, ſuch a providence and diſpenſation which you little think or dream of. I might have ſhewed you that the whole Earth is but Chriſts common floor, and he is now about to fan this mighty floor; he hath many fans to do this. What are his fearful Judgments but as a fan in his hand, whether it be War, Peſtilence, or Famine, or other ſtrange Judgment, 'tis and will be but as a fan to purge the Earth, and conſume the ungodly, or blow them away as Chaff.

What amazing Earthquakes have there been lately in divers places, have not we in England, in London, felt ſome of it, (as well as moſt Nations in Europe) tho' not like to p. 36that in Jamaica, and ſome other places? are not theſe fearful Tokens and Signs of Gods Wrath and Indignation? are they not Harbingers and Preſages of what is coming upon the World, and of the end thereof? Look to it, there is great Wrath at the door, I am afraid thouſands will be ſuddenly ſurprized, and paleneſs of face take hold of them: God is certainly abnout to ſhake and Toſs the Earth too and fro; the ſeven Viols of his Wrath will quickly now begin to be poured out: Expect all of you to be toſs'd and fan'd, as wheat and chaff is toſſed and ſhook together: The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord hath ſpoken, who can but propheſie? there is a worſer Amos 3, 8.Amos 3:8Earthquake near, as the wicked ſhall find it; yea, ſuch an Earthquake that will make all their hearts to tremble, which will ſhake down the foundations of Myſtery Babylon, and all falſe States; it will be ſuch a one that never was ſince the World began; theſe which have been of late, may be but Signs and forerunners of that. In the Earthquake which is near, the tenth part of the great City ſhall fall, and ſeven thouſand of the names of men, or names given to religious men, that were never given to them by Jeſus Chriſt, meer Antichriſtian names, ſhall be no more, ſtrange will be the effects of it no doubt. O what will you do in the day of Gods Wrath if ye are Chaff, or but counterfeit Chriſtians? if not ſincere? if not in Chriſt? thou ſhalt be viſited of the Lord with Earthquakes and a great noiſe, &c. Iſa. 29. 6.Isa 29:6Great Changes, Commotions, Mutations and Revolutions, will ſuddenly come from the Lord of Hoſts: He will make the earth empty, and turn it upſide down, and it ſhall be as with the people ſo with the prieſt: He will fan, ſhake and tumble the People together Iſa. 24. 1.Isa 24:1; you will find Diſtreſs of Nations, and Perplexity with a witneſs in a ſhort time; nay, no doubt but the day of Judgment and End of the World, or Coming of Chriſt is very near; for he hath foretold as Signs thereof, that there ſhall be great Earthquakes in divers places.

Mat 2. 4.Matt 2:42. If you be Chaff among the Wheat, you ſpoil the Beauty and glory of the Wheat; you bring a reproach upon the Saints and upon the Church; the ways of God are evil ſpoken of thro' your means; your Pride, your Covetouſneſs, your Back-biting and detracting Tongue, and Unjuſt Dealing, hinders the propagation of the Goſpel; your formality, deadneſs, ſlighting and neglecting of the Worſhip of God, and want of Zeal, and Love to Chriſt and to his people, hath bitter effects on the unbelieving World, as well as it will have on your own Souls.

p. 373. If you are Chaff, you ſhall e're long be ſeparated or ſevered from the Wheat: There is a time near that that will diſcover all, and make a full diſcrimination between the righteous and the wicked, between him that ſerveth the Lord, and him that ſerveth him not. There ſhall not (e're long) be a Cannanite Mal. 3. ult.Mal 3in the Houſe of God any more.

4. Nay, and (remember my Text) The Chaff ſhall be burned with unquenchable fire; into Hell at laſt all falſe-hearted, light and looſe Profeſſors, ſhall be thrown. O Take heed for your Souls ſake, that you reſt not upon a bare Profeſſion, or on a name of Chriſtians!

This may inform us alſo, that Chriſt hath a gracious end in bringing Perſecutions and Trials on his People; it ſhews us why he uſes the Fan of ſevere Providences, Judgments and Afflictions: It is, you have heard, to purge, to purifie them, and to ſeparate the Chaff from them. O do not then think it ſtrange concerning fiery trials, as if ſome ſtrange thing had befallen you.

Exhort. Let me exhort you to ſee to it in time, that you are not deceived, and ſo prove Chaff, and Vain Perſons, empty and fooliſh Virgins at laſt.

Motives, 1. O how far may men go, and yet be but almoſt Chriſtians! Remember this.

2. Many when Chriſt comes ſhall have great Confidence, and go forth to meet him, and yet be found fooliſh ones: Some deceive their own Hearts, and others have Hearts that deceive them, by truſting in them, and never examine how matters are between God and their own Souls.

3. Men may Preach and Propheſie, yea, ſpeak as if they had the Tongue of Men and Angels, and Caſt out Devils in Chriſts 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2.1 Cor 13:11 Cor 13:2Name, and yet be nothing; they may Preach, no doubt, to the Converſion of others, and yet may not be Converted themſelves.

4. Wheat is commonly weighed, to know the goodneſs of it; ſo God weighs Men, he weighs the Actions of Men: Thou art weighed in the ballance, and art found wanting: Weighed in a Ballance alluding to the weighing of Gold or Goods exactly in Scales. God tries Men and Women, that all may know he will proceed Juſtly and Righteouſly with them; he weighs them in the ballance of the ſanctuary, or trys them by the Touch-ſtone of his Word, and if found full weight, or pure Gold, then he declares that they are his, and he owns them p. 38as his People, as his Wheat; but if too light, or not hold weight, but are greatly wanting, there being no worth in them, but are Droſs, Chaff, light and empty Perſons, unfound and unſanctified ones, then he rejects them as none of his, but are as reprobate Silver, falſe Coin, People of no value with him.

As he weighs Men, ſo he weighs their Works, their Graces, their Gifts, their Duties, to ſee whether they hold weight, whether true and righteous or not; whether the Grace be true Grace, ſpecial Grace, not common Grace, and their Gifts not Counterfeit Gifts, or meer Natural Gifts, or only humane and acquired Gifts: Some boaſt of falſe Gifts, which as Solomon tells us, is like Clouds and Wind without rain: What a ſtir doth a vain Perſon make of a ſtrong Memory, crying it up as if it was a Spiritual Gift, and as if none were true Miniſters but ſuch who have a great Memory, and can deliver all they have got by their Study, by the ſtrength of their Memory; alas, all men of any ſenſe know, that is but a Natural Gift, which ſome wicked men have as well as ſome good men; but let him know, God knows what mens Hearts are, what their Ends 1 Sam. 2. 3.1 Sam 2:3and Deſigns are, what their Gifts are, and what their Duties are, as well as what the matter of their Worſhip is, which they perform to God; that is, whether it hath his Image ſtampt upon it; or is of his Authority, his own Appointment, his own Inſtitution, or but Humane Inventions; he alſo weighs the manner how they perform all Divine Worſhip towards him, from what Principle, Life, Power, End and Deſign; whether 'tis from a changed Heart, from unfeigned Faith and Love to Chriſt, in ſincerity, with Zeal, and to glorify God; if not, he will diſcover them, weigh them, and they will be found wanting, and be found no better than Chaff at laſt: Though they may ſeek ways to hide and cover their Wickedneſs, and falſe Spirits, and baſe deſigns, yet let them know, he that weighs the hill in ſcales, and the mountains in balances, doth and will weigh them, and find out all their Curſed Deeds, their Pride, their Malice, and put a rebuke upon their back-ſliding and detracting Tongues: Talk (ſaith Hannah) no more ſo exeeding proudly, let not arrogancy come out of thy mouth for God is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed: "Thou Peninnah (as our Annotators note) ſpeak no more ſo inſolently and reproachfully of me as thou haſt done; he knoweth thy Heart, and all that Pride, Envy and Contempt of me, which p. 39thy own Conſcience knows, and thy perverſe Carriage towards me:" God pondereth, and tryeth all mens Thoughts and Actions, as a Juſt Judge, to give to every one according to their works.

Oh what a Motive ſhould this be to us all; God weighs our Perſons, our Graces, our Gifts, our Dutys, and all our Services, in Scales: Take heed you are not found too light, found wanting, as be ſure you will if you be found Chaff, when put into the Ballance of the Sanctuary.

Direction. 1. If you would not be found Chaff, try and weigh your Spirits, your Perſons, your Faith, your Love; ſee if it holds weight by the Kings ſtandard, ſee on what Foundation you are built; have you dugg deep, and laid your foundation on a Rock? what Love have you to Chriſt? is he precious to your Souls, the chiefeſt of ten thouſand? what Love have you to the Children of God? how do you carry it at home and abroad? do you feed the Hungry, Viſit the Sick, and Cloath the naked? is Chriſts Family, Chriſts Servants, Chriſts Poor, more in your eſteem, love and affections, than Sons and Daughters, than Brethren and Siſters, that are not his Children? if you do not love Chriſt more than Father and Mother, more than Son or Daughter, you may juſtly fear whether you are Wheat or no: And if it be ſo, that you do ſo Love him, and his Saints, Miniſters and People, it will appear whilſt you live; and when you come to die, you will not forget Chriſt then, his People and Intereſt then: O think onthis!

2. And to you Sinners, if you would be found Wheat in the day of Chriſt, then receive Chriſts true Doctrine, labour to diſtinguiſh between Truth and Error; beware of that ſtrange and new Scheme that darkens the Free-Grace of God, and tends to deſtroy the Covenant of Grace: Remember to exalt Chriſt alone in your Salvation. How do ſome turn the Goſpel of Gods Free-Grace into a Law, by the performance of which, as the Conditions of Life and Juſtification tell thee, thy Salvation doth depend. See what ſubtle Oppoſers (of the cleareſt Goſpel) are riſen up amongſt us, and labour to avoid them, though their Tongues ſhould ſeem to be tipp'd with Silver, yet their Doctrine is Copper.

3. Be ſure Build on Chriſt alone, and ſee that that Faith thou haſt in him, be the Faith of Gods Elect, which ſanctifies both Heart and Life, and is attended with Good Fruits; you muſt work from Life, and not for Life.

p. 40Conſolat. 1. Laſtly, By way of Comfort and Conſolation: Be not afraid, O Child of God, tho' thou art in Chriſt's Fan, and art toſt up and down with Temptations, Trials and Afflictions: Know that his Deſign is wholly herein for thy good, it is but to purge out thy Chaff, that thou as pure white Wheat may'ſt ſhine the more bright and clear in Grace and Goſpel-Holineſs, for Sin and Corruption ſpoils thy Beauty to all that behold thee. No Doctrine tends to promote Goſpel Holineſs like the Doctrine of Gods Free-Grace: Shall we ſin becauſe grace hath abounded? God forbid.

2. O what a Mercy of Mercies it is that Gods Wrath is appeaſed towards you: Chriſts Blood has quenched this dreadful fire, as to you who believe, and indeed nothing elſe could do it; O bleſs God for Chriſt, and for that River of Water which proceeds from him, to the extinguiſhing this flaming Fire; he hath born it, and allay'd it, nay, quite put it out, ſo that you ſhall never feel the burning or tormenting Nature thereof.

3. Thou ſhalt at laſt, whoſoever thou art, if ſincere, if Wheat, be gathered into his Garner; viz. into Heaven it ſelf, for Chriſt will not loſe one grain of his ſpiritual Wheat, not one Sheep of his ſhall periſh; He that has begun that good work in thee, will perform it to the day of Chriſt.Joh. 10. 28. Phil. 1. 6.John 10:28Phil 1:6

He will gather his wheat into his Garner, but the Chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

So much for this time.