Sermon 17 July 1700, Sermon
PROV. xxix. 1.
He that being often Reproved, Hardneth his Neck, ſhall ſuddenly be Deſtroyed, and that without Remedy.
In which Words you may Obſerve Three Parts.
I. A Duty and a Privilege imply'd, viz. Frequent Reproof; in theſe words, He that being often reprov'd.
II. An heinous Sin ſuppoſed, viz. Obſtinacy and Incorrigibleneſs; in theſe words, hardneth his neck.
III. A Dreadful Threatning denounced againſt ſuch Sinners, and for this Sin, viz. Sudden and Remedileſs Deſtruction; in theſe words, ſhall ſuddenly be destroy'd, and that without remedy.
I ſhall Treat of each of theſe Points diſtinctly, and then Conclude with ſuch an Application as is ſuited to my preſent Auditory, and the Occaſion of this Aſſembly.
I. There is a Duty and a Privilege imply'd, viz. Frequent Reproof I ſay a Duty and a Privilege, for 'tis both the one and the other: For I ſhall make it appear, 'tis the Duty of ſome Frequently to Reprove, and the Privilege of others to be frequently Reproved. And I am obliged to take notice of this Frequent Reproof, in an Active and Paſſive ſignification; Becauſe, in the Original it is,foreign Verl. Septuag. foreign as in the Margin of your Bibles, A Man of Reproofs, &c. So that the meaning of the Text may be this, He that frequently Reproves others, and, at the ſame time, is, and remains Guilty himſelf, ſhall be ſuddenly deſtroy'd, and that without Remedy. And this is an Undoubted Truth, and what I ſhall again take notice of in the Application. Tho' I rather think the Meaning of the Text is, as our Tranſlators Render it, and as the Generality of Expoſitors underſtand it. That the Offender that remains Obſtinate, and Unreformed, notwithſtanding he hath enjoy'd the Privilege of being Frequently Reproved, ſhall certainly and ſuddenly be deſtroy'd.
That we may the better Underſtand whoſe Duty it is to Reprove, and how it appears that 'tis a Privilege to be Reprov'd; We muſt take notice of a Twofold Reproof; Fraternal, and Authoritative.
1. There is a Fraternal Reproof; which is, A certain Cenſure of a Brother's Evil Words or Actions, either by our Speech or Behaviour; whereby the Guilty Party may be made ſenſible of, and brought to Repentance for his Sin, and Induced to a Future Amendment.
This is the Duty of every one, when there is Juſt Occaſion. 'Tis one Precept of the Law of Kindneſs; and, a Branch of that Love, which is the fulfilling of the Law. Without this we cannot Acquit our ſelves, as having Faithfully Diſcharg'd our Duty, which requires us to Love our Neighbour as our ſelves: And, Be not Deceived; It is Impoſſible to Love God with all our Heart and Soul, Mat. 22.37-40.1 Joh. 4.20.and Mind and Strength, if we do not Love our Brother alſo.
Now, if we do not Reprove our Offending Brother, we do not Love him; nay, we Hate him in our Hearts. For ſo much is plainly Imply'd in that Text, where the Duty I am ſpeaking of, is plainly Commanded, Levit. 19.17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy Brother in thine Heart; Thou ſhalt in any wiſe Rebuke thy Neighbour, and not ſuffer Sin upon him. There is no difficulty to underſtand who are Obliged by this Command; For it concerns every ſingle perſon. Nor is it hard to know, who are to be Reprov'd. 'Tis our Offending Brother, called alſo in the Latter Part of the Verſe, our Neighbour. But if any ſhould go about to Excuſe Themſelves, as the Lawyer endeavour'd to Juſtify himſelf by Asking, Who is my Neighbour? I refer him, for an Anſwer, to our Bleſſed Saviour, That Teacher come from God, Mat. 10.30-37.
Our Saviour himſelf ſaith,Iuk. 17.3. If thy Brother Treſpaſs againſt Thee, Rebuke him. And, 'tis certainly no leſs your Duty, if he Treſpaſs againſt God or his own Soul. And therefore, in other places of Scripture, this Duty is more Generally laid down, in ſuch Expreſſions as theſe.
Warn the unruly: 1 Theſ. 5.14. Coloſ. 3.16.Let the word of Chriſt dwell richly in you, with all Wiſdom, Teaching and Admoniſhing one another.
This Duty may be perform'd by our Words, tho', ordinarily, 'tis moſt Efficacious when 'tis done by our Actions: And perhaps that may be the Meaning of the Apoſtle, when he Exhorts the Epheſians, Epheſ. 5.11.To have no Fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of Darkneſs; But rather to reprove them this way, viz. By abſtaining from them themſelves. St. Peter gives this Honourable Teſtimony of Righteous Lot; That he Living among the Sinners of SODOM and GOMORRHA,2 Pet. 2.8. vexed his Righteous Soul from day to day with their Ʋnlawful Deeds. And, 'tis not to be queſtion'd, But that his Righteous Words, and Actions too, Reprov'd their Wicked Deeds, or elſe, tho' he might have been a Preacher, he would not have been a Practicer of Righteouſneſs.
But, altho' this Fraternal Reproof b… our Duty Commanded by God, in order to the Good of our Neighbour, and is a Part or Teſtimony of our Love to an Offending Brother; yet 'tis to be performed only where there is juſt occaſion. And, withal, 'tis a Poſitive Command; which, although it is an Abiding Obligation upon us, to perform the Duty Commanded, yet doth it not require the Performance thereof at all times. And there is one Time, or Seaſon, to name no more, when this Duty of Fraternal Reproof is not to be perform'd, or at leaſt not Alone: Before I Name it, Let me beſeech you not to make an Ill Uſe of it, either to Countenance your Cowardiſe, or Ʋncharitableneſs. The Time, I mean, is this: When there is Evident Reaſon to Conclude, 'twill do the Party Reproved no Good; and the Reprover much Hurt. Then the Advice of the Wiſe Man takes Place;Prov. 9.7, 8. Not to Reprove a Scorner, leaſt he hate thee. For he that Reproveth a Scorner, getteth to himſelf ſhame: and he that rebuketh a Wicked Man, getteth himſelf a Blot.
There are ſuch Swine, before whom this Pearl is not to be caſt: For, if you do, they'l ſhew they have the Rage and Cruelty of a Wild Bore, as well as the Fierceneſs of an ordinary Swine, and turn again and Rent you; or, at leaſt, do their Utmoſt to Deſtroy you: And, to ſuch Snarling Dogs, This Holy Thing is not to be Given. I Speak no harder words then our Saviour did, as you may find, Mat. 7.9.
'Tis alſo the Precept of our Lord, tho' too often Abuſed;Matth. 10.16. That we ſhould not only be as harmleſs as Doves; But alſo, as wiſe as Serpents. And this Direction of our Saviour, will Juſtify and Commend the Cuſtom of Magistrates; who, in Complyance with the Reaſonable Requeſt of this and other-like Societies, do ordinarily conceal their Names, who Inform them of the Scandalous Crimes of ſuch, who do, by their Enormities, ſeem to ſay, They do not Regard Man; as 'tis evident, they do not Fear God.
In ſuch Sad Caſes there is need of another ſort of Reproof, viz. That which is,
2. An Authoritative One. And, if we may obſerve any Contexture in this Chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon, where my Text lyeth; This ſort of Reproof ſeems to be intended: Becauſe the Beginning of this Chapter contains Obſervations concerning Publick Government, as the Contents of the Chapter in our Bibles tells us.
This ſort of Reproof differs from the former; Inasmuch as it is the Duty of ſome Perſons only, and not of all: And 'tis to be manag'd in another way and manner than the other ſort ſhould be.
1. I ſay, This Authoritative Reproof is the Duty of ſome Perſons only, and not of all: And 'tis eaſy to know of whom, viz. Such as are in Authority in any Society, whether Sacred or Civil.
In Sacred Societies, otherwiſe called Churches, there muſt be a part in Authority, and a part under that Authority; A part that is to Govern, and a part that is to be Governed, otherwiſe it is no Society, nor doth it deſerve the Name of a Church, any more than that Mixt Multitude, which cauſed an Uproar at Epheſus, of which you Read in the 19th Chapter of the Acts of the Apoſtles.
In thoſe Societies there are Officers of Divine Appointment, and their Work, as well as Commiſſion, is from Heaven; which is, not only to Teach, but to Admoniſh alſo.
And, tho' this is evident by Reaſon, and the Light of Nature; yet, becauſe ſome are apt to think, it is a hard ſaying, and will not eaſily bear it; Read the Particular Direction, for this purpoſe, to all the Miniſters of Chriſt, given immediately indeed to Titus. Tit. 2.15Theſe things ſpeak and exhort, and REBƲKE with all Authority. Let no Man deſpiſe thee. This is one of the things that St. Paul gives in Charge, even to young Timothy, in a moſt Solemn Manner; Even as in the preſence of God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall Judge the Quick and the Dead at his Appearing, and in his Kingdom; not only, that he Preach the Word, and be inſtant therein, even in Seaſon and out of Seaſon; But alſo, that he REPROVE, and REBƲKE, as well as Exhort, with all Long-Suffering and Doctrine.2 Tim. 4.1, 2.
A Juſt Decorum indeed is to be obſerved, as he Directs elſewhere*1 Tim. 5.1, 2. ; But not to the Prejudice either of his Faithfulneſs to God, or the Souls of Men, or the Authority he was Inveſted with. And therefore he is Directed, in ſome Caſes,Tim. 5 23. Publickly, or Before All, to Rebuke them that Sin, that Others may Fear. …t. 1.13.And Titus is Exhorted, to Rebuke ſome Sharply.
And ſo alſo in Civil Societies; This Authoritative Reproof is a Duty Incumbent on the Governours thereof, whether they be Magiſtrates, in a Nation, City, or any Corporation; or Parents and Governours of a Family.
The very End of Magiſiracy is, that there might be ſome Authoriſed, and Empower'd to be a Terrour to Evil Doers, and a Praiſe to them that Do Well. For this GOOD they are deſign'd and appointed by God,1 Pet. 2.13 14 as his Miniſters and Vicegerents For this very Reaſon we are bound to be Subject to them for Conſcience ſake:Rom. 13.3 And therefore alſo Tribute is Due to them: Becauſe they do, or ſhould attend con… ally on this VERY thing. And tho' I will not ſay, if this their Duty be by them neglected, Inferiours may, or ſhould Deny the Honour and Subjection, or withold that Tribute, which is otherwiſe, undoubtedly, their Due: Yet I will be bold to ſay, ſuch Magiſtrates as do manifeſtly and utterly pervert the very Deſign of their Inſtitution, do take from their Inferiours that, which, in God's Account, is not due to 'em.
As to Parents and Governours of Families; Their Authority, as 'tis not deny'd by any, ſo 'tis alſo deſign'd for the ſame End. And, at preſent, I only Intreat all ſuch, that they would reſolve upon ſuch a Behaviour in their Houſes, as David reſolves upon in the 101 Pſal. Throughout.
Thus have I ſhewn, this is the Duty of ſome, viz. Such as are in Authority: Let me add, 'tis the Duty of others alſo; yea, of all, in their ſeveral Places, to endeavour, that this ſort of Reproof may be Adminiſtred by thoſe, whoſe proper Office it is. An Argument this is, That hath been ſeveral Times well Diſcourſed on to ſuch Societies as thisVid. The Sermons of Mr. D. Williams, and Mr. J. Shower.. And therefore I paſs it now.
As this Authoritative Reproof differs from that which is Fraternal, inasmuch as 'tis the Duty only of ſome, and not of all: So alſo,
2. This ſort is to be Managed in a way and manner different from the other. As might be ſhewn in ſeveral particulars; To Inſtance in one only, i. e. It ought to be accompanied with proper Impartial Puniſhments.
Theſe Puniſhments are to be Inflicted according to the Nature of the Offence, and of the Authority or Office, that he is Intruſted, or Inveſted with, that doth, or ought to Inflict it.
Every little Fault ought not to be Puniſh'd as if it were a Capital Crime. Nor ſhould the Great Enormities be paſſed by with a ſlight Rebuke, as if they were but Peccadillo's.
The Parent, or Maſter of a Family, may not Puniſh as the Magiſtrate doth: But, in ſome Sad Caſes, Parents muſt call in the Aid of the Magiſtrates, or Call for Juſtice againſt their own Children. And becauſe the Text will not only Juſtify your Proceedings, but may ſerve to make you Impartial in your Reſorming-Work, Read it, as you may find it, Deut. 21.18-22. If a Man have a Stubborn and Rebellious Son, which will not obey the voice of his Father, or the voice of his Mother, and that when they have chasten'd him, will not hearken to them: Then ſhall his Father and his Mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the Elders of the City, &c.
And the Puniſhment in the Church of Chriſt are different from either.
The Magiſtrate hath a Sword put into his Hand by God Himſelf: Which he muſt not bear in vain; But muſt Vſe in ſuch Caſes, and for ſuch Ends, as the Law of God and the Land Directs. And if the Magiſtracy be Diſhonour'd, or Deſpis'd, the Magiſtrate may, if he pleaſeth, eaſily Vindicate the Honour of his Office.
The Miniſters of Chriſt, in his Church, have a Sword too; I do not mean a Temporal one; But that which is more Terrible, if rightly uſed, viz. The Authority committed to them by Chriſt himſelf, whereby Obſtinate Offenders are to be Cut Off, and caſt out of the Viſible Church and Kingdom of Chriſt, and Society of Chriſtians. And 'tis this, I doubt not, the Apoſtle means in his Direction to Titus, Chap. 1.13. Rebuke them ſarply. You have the †foreign.Word uſed, once more, evidently in this ſenſe, 2 Cor. 13.10. The Apoſtle Alludes to the Practice of Surgeons; who, at firſt, indeed, ſhould Search the Sore, and try to Heal it. But, if Gentler Methods fail, muſt Cut away the Proud, and Dead, and Rotten Fleſh: yea, and the Corrupt Member too, that the Whole Body may be kept from periſhing. And, to this end, doth the Solemn Ordinance of Chriſt, called Excommunication, ſerve: Which I mention the rather, becauſe, how Bleſſed might the Effects be; If whilſt ſome are endeavouring to Reform the Nation; Thoſe, who are more nearly concern'd, would Concurr with their Attempts, to Reform the Churches of Chriſt therein!
Thus have I Explain'd the Duty, and Prov'd, that 'tis the Duty of All, to Adminiſter Fraternal Reproof; and, of Some, to Adminiſter Authoritative Reproof alſo, as occaſion requires.
Let me Briefly ſhew, that 'tis a Privilege to be Reprov'd, and ſo I will conclude the Firſt General Propounded.
Many are the Advantages that accrue by Fraternal Reproof; by which it appears to be a Priviledge: Certainly there is hardly any greater felicity than a Faithful Friend; who will, with Tenderneſs and Fidelity, admoniſh us, concerning thoſe Errors and Miſcarriages, which Self-Love is apt to hide, from our own Obſervance; or, to excuſe either, as to fact, or fault, or both. The Wiſe Man tells us,Prov. 27.5, 6. That, Open Rebuke is better than Secret Love. Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend; But the Kiſſes (or Flattery) of an Enemy are Deceitful; and they are hurtful too. Who, of us, can take up Holy David's Words? who, though he was a King, ſaid, Let the Righteous Smite me; (For he dare not Slander and Backbite; but) in a Friendly manner give me a Faithful Wound (tho' it be a deep one) and it ſhall be (not only Deſign'd by him but Eſteem'd by me) a Kindneſs. A… iet him Reprove me, it ſhall be an Excellent (Odoriferous and Healing) O… which ſhall not hreak my Head; But …al my Soul: And,Pſal. 141.5. ſuch as theſe I will not return upon with Recrimination, or Rage; But, my Prayer ſhall …, for them, in their Calamities; tho', …erhaps, by reaſon of the ſame Fault they Reprove in me.Eccleſ. 4.9, 10. Two are better … one; For, if they fall, the one will lift up his Fellow: but woe to him that is alone, when he falleth; For he hath … another to help him up.
Upon this Account, It is not good that Man ſhould be alone; which the …btil and Malicious Tempter knows very well; and therefore, 'tis more than probable, he took the Advantage of our Common Mother's being Abſent from her Husband, when he Tempted her to Eat the Forbidden Fruit. And the Victory of the Captain of our Salvation, the Seed of the Woman, was the more Giorious, By how much the place of Combat was, on the I empters ſide, more Advantagious, viz. In a Solitary Wilderneſs.
How great alſo is the Benefit that Accrues by Authoritative Reproof! And that not only to the Party Reproved, but to others alſo.
1. Others receive Benefit thereby; Inasmuch as 'tis a means to preſerve the Innocency and Safety of the Whole Community.
When the Sins of others, as well as of our ſelves,Eccleſ. 8.11. go Unpuniſh'd; and Sentence againſt an Evil Work is not ſpeedily executed; Therefore the heart of the Sons of Men is fully ſet in them to do evil. But on the contrary, wh… the Judgments of the Lord, (either by his more Immediate Hand,Iſa. 26.9. or by his Miniſters) are in the Earth, the In… bitants of the World will, ſometimes, learn Righteouſneſs thereby. One great End of Puniſhment (in this World at leaſt) is to deter others from the like Wicked Practiſes,Deut. 13.11.17.13.19.20. That other may hear and fear, and do no more … ſuch Wickedneſs; or preſumptuouſty, i. e. Preſuming upon the account of the preſent Impunity.
Moreover, hereby the Innocence of the Whole Community is preſerved; in that the Evil of the Sin (as well as of the Puniſhment) is, in ſome Senſe, put away from the Society, (Deut. 19 19.)
The Crime of a Private Perſon is no longer the Sin of the Publick, when the Governour doth Oppoſe and Puniſh it: Whereas, on the contrary, Tho' Iniquity be not Eſtabliſh'd by a Law; …ay, tho' Good Laws be made againſt it; yet, if Sin be Encouraged, by the Neglect of putting thoſe Good Laws in Execution; The Crimes of Private Perſons, and Inferiours, do thereby become the Crimes of Superiours, and the Sins of the Publick; And the Puniſhment alſo will reach Further than the Private Offender. For, as Innocency and Safety; ſo Guilt and Puniſhment, are things, which God hath joyned together, and which none can put aſunder.
2. And eſpecially this Reproof may be Beneficial to the Party Reproved: And therefore is a Privilege. For, to Inſtance in no more Particulars, 'tis a Remedy to prevent his Sin and Ruin.
'Tis Appointed by God himſelf, as a Means, in order to this End, and is accompanied with his Promiſe. What is ſaid to Parents, may be apply'd to other Governours;Prov. 19.18.23.13, 14. Chaſten thy So… while there is hope, and let not thy So… ſpare for his crying. Withold not Correction from the Child: For if thou beateſt him with the Rod he ſhall not … Thou ſhalt beat him with the Rod, and ſhalt deliver his ſoul from Hell. And you know the Reaſon, why the Inceſtuous Corinthian was to be caſt o… of the Kingdom,1 Cor. 5.5. or Church of Chriſt to be deliver'd to Satan; 'twas for the Deſtruction of the Fleſh, and that … Spirit might be ſaved in the day of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Moreover, as this is a Means ap…inted by God, in order to this happend; ſo, in its own Nature, it hath Tendency thereunto; For, Prov. 29.15.the Rod … Reproof give Wiſdom: Inaſmuch … the Rod of God hath a Voice, that …eaks as Loud, and as Plain ſometimes, as his Word, and which we are …ound to hear, Micah 6.9.
Afflictions and Puniſhments, in the General, have a Tendency, if not to Soften, yet to Break the Stony Hearts of Sinners, and Prepare the Way for Inſtruction. It is not altogether a New, and Unheard of Thing,Iſa. 48.10. if God ſhould Chooſe a Sinner in the Furnace of Afflictions.
If any one ſhould Ask you, What doth it ſignify to lead a Profane Fool to the Correction of the Stocks? You may Anſwer, Who knows but when his Feet are Faſten'd there, God may …e Merciful unto him, as to Manaſseh; who, when he was took among the Thorns, and bound with Fetters, did, in his Affliction, Beſeech the Lord, and humbled himſelf greatly: As you may Read more at large, 2 Chron. 33. In all this I have only ſpoke the Sentiments of Elihu, Job 33.
And we may the rather hope for this Good Event, when there is no need for Men very narrowly to Enquire; nor is it Difficult to Know, wherefore the Lord, in his Providence, doth Contend with them But the Sin is very Notorious by the Puniſhment.
I Proceed to the Conſideration of the Second Part of my Text, wherein you have,
II. An heinous ſin ſuppoſed, viz. Obſtinacy and Inc…rigibleneſs. Which ſin is ſet forth by this Expreſſion, Hardeneth his Neck.
A Metaphor taken from Unruly Beaſts, ſuppoſe Horſes, that are impatient of reſtraint. St. James tells us, the Tongue is ſuch an unruly Evil, James 3.8.th… no Man can Tame: And there are ſome Evil-Talkers, and Evil-Doers, which, like Wild, and Head-ſtrong Horſes, refuſe to be Bettered, or Managed, tho' the Bridle and Whip are both uſed. Let it not ſeem Uncivil to Compare ſuch to Beaſts; For the Wiſe Man tells us, He that hateth Reproof is Brutiſh.Prov. 12.14
By Conſequence this Sin muſt be very heinous; And will appear to be ſo, If you conſider;
'Tis a Sin againſt Knowledge. Ignorance, tho' it doth not wholly Excuſe, yet, it doth, in part, Extenuate a Crime, provided it be not Affected. But when a Man ſins againſt Light and Knowledge, his Crime is Aggravated, and himſelf Rendered altogether Inexcuſable. If the Faults we commit, are, in their own Nature, heinous; yet, if they are done Ignorantly, we have more ground to hope we may obtain Mercy. But then are our Deeds very Evil, when we hate the Light, that is manifeſted, and chooſe, 1 Tim. 1.13.or prefer Darkneſs before it, and Live in the Practice of the Deeds of Darkneſs, which are Reproved by the Light.John 3.19, 20.
Beſides, this Sin muſt be Heinous; Becauſe the Tranſgreſſor Offends againſt, and after Correction: In Oppoſition to the Means or Remedy, that is Appointed, and Uſed, in Order to his Amendment.
It plainly Argues Pride of Heart; Contempt of God and his Ordinances: It ſhews he hath render'd himſelf like Pharoah, who was reſolved upon his Sin; and, 'tis a Sad Sign that he is appointed for Deſtruction. When ſinners arrive to this Pitch of Wickedneſs, It ſeems ſomewhat neceſſary that God ſhould ſay,Rev. 22.11. Let them be Filthy ſtill: That ſince they will not retain God in their Knowledge, God ſhould give them up to vile Affections, Rom. 1.and to a Reprobate Mind, to do thoſe things which are not Convenient: And then will the Arrows, and Inſtruments of Death, which the Righteous and Angry Judge hath Prepared;Pſal. 7.11, 12.13. The Sword of Divine Vengeance, which he hath whet, be uſed for the Certain, Speedy, Total, Final Overthrow of ſuch Sinners.
This brings me to the
III. And Laſt Part of my Text, which contains a Dreadful Threating, denounc'd againſt ſuch Sinners, and for this Sin. They ſhall ſuddenly be deſtroy'd, and that without Remedy.
Obſerve the Evil it ſelf that is Threatned; and then the Properties or Aggravations of it.
1. Obſerve the Evil it ſelf that is Threatned, which is Total and Final. Overthrow. He that being often reproved hardneth his Neck, ſhall be deſtroyed utterly, or broken all in pieces. The Mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it; He that hates Reproof ſhall Dye.Prov. 15.10.
When Amaziah, King of Judah, turned to Idolatry, and bid the Prophet forbear Reproving him; Then ſaith the Prophet,2 Chron. 25, 16. Now I know that God hath determin'd to deſtroy thee, Becauſe thou haſt done this, and haſt not hearkened to my Counſel. And ſince the Canon of Scripture is Compleat, There is no need of a Spirit of Prophecy to know, that the Nation, City, Town, or Private Perſon, which remains Unreform'd, notwithſtanding all Reproofs, will be Deſtroy'd.
I have often thought, that ſuch Societies as yours, ſo Generally Spread over this Kingdom, is one of the Beſt Omens that we have at this day. But if the Wicked prevail, and you be diſhearten'd, and the Deſign Defeated and Attempts prove Ineffectual, and the Profane Remain Incorrigible, and Unreformed, and the Contagion of Iniquity do ſpread, (which God, … Infinite Mercy, prevent.) Then prepare to meet thy God, O England, in way of Judgment, more Terrible, perhaps,Amos 4.12. than ever thou waſt yet Viſite with.
If this do not Affect you; Let particular Sinners Remember, That if they deſpiſe This Mercy, and the Riches of God's Goodneſs and Forbearance, and Long-Suffering, and ſtill harden their Impenitent Hearts; They do but Treaſure up Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath, and the Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God.Rom. 4.4, 5.
The Wiſe Man ſaith, It is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe, than for a Man to hear the Song of Fools. Eccl. 7.5.O what happy days do the Profane and Wicked (which are Fools in the Wiſe Man's Language and Eſteem,) The Swearer, The Drunkard, The Debauched, The Sabbath breaker, think we ſhould have, if they might be allowed to Sin without controul! If there were no more Preaching againſt Prophaneneſs and Immorality, nor Puniſhment for it! Whereas there is no more Sure Sign of Approaching Deſtruction, than this, When God ſaith to his Miniſters, as to the Prophet Ezekiel; You ſhall be dumb, E…ek. 3.26.and ſhall not be a Reprover to them, For they are a Rebellious Houſe.
You may be ſure that God hath … Controverſy with the Land, when there is no Truth, nor Mercy, nor Knowledge of God in it: But 'tis filled with Swearing and Lying, and Killing, and Stealing, and committing Adultery; and, when theſe ſins break out, when they don't lye hid, when they overcome oppoſition, when ſinners act with a Forehead of Braſs, and go on till blood toucheth blood, and one ſin cauſeth more; no doubt, I ſay. But ſuch a Land ſhall Mourn, and the Dwellers therein languiſh; Eſpecially if God ſay, Let no Man Strive, nor Reprove another, Hoſ. 4.1-4.in order to his Ameadment.
2. Obſerve the Properties, or Aggravations of the Evil that is Threatned; 'Tis ſudden and remedileſs.
'Tis ſudden Deſtruction: ſuch ſinners may be cut off with ſwift Vengeance. So ſudden, perhaps, ſhall the Stroke be, as was the Earthquake at Port-Royal in Jamaica; when, if ſuch an Abſurdity were true, that the bare Crying, God have Mercy upon them, would ſave their Lives, or their Souls, they ſhould not have time enough allow'd even for that. Their ſins tend to this, and the Threatning is plain; For however they may ſlatter themſelves with Peace and Safety, ſudden Deſtruction ſhall come upon them, as Travail upon a Woman with Child, 1 Theſ. 5.3. And they ſhall not eſeape.
For, as their Puniſhment ſhall be Sudden, it ſhall be Remedileſs too. Alas! What will Sinners fly, or truſt to then? What can they have, or propoſe, as a ground of hope, or ſafety, in the midſt of their Over-whelming Fears; when Deſolation, Deſtruction, Diſtreſs and Anguiſh ſhall ſeize them, with the ſurpriſing force of a Whirlwind? Will they be ſo Conſident then, as now, to Diſhonour and Affront the Mercy of God, by pretending to truſt thereto? no; their very Dope ſhall periſh: and yet, if it did remain, 'twill then appear to be, what indeed it always was, Groundleſs, Preſumptuous and Vain For God will Laugh at them when th… howl and weep; He will Mock them in Deriſion who deſpiſed his Reproo… And thoſe that refuſed to hear when Go… called, and did not regard, tho' Go… ſtretched out his Willing and Almighty hand of Mercy to Save them; ſhall then call and cry, but in vain; and tho' they ſeek God early, he will not be found of them: As you may find, if you Read Prov. 1. from v. 24. to the End.
Now, that I may Conclude, with ſuch an Application, as may be moſt Profitable, and Suited alſo to this Preſent Aſſembly, and the Occaſion there of: Let me Seriouſly Addreſs my ſelf,
Firſt, To all in General; having alſo a more Particular regard to ſuch as do, or may need, and meet with Reproof. And,
Secondly. To ſuch of you as are United in a Society, in order to Reprove that ſo you may REFORM Offenders.
1. More Generall; If what you have heard is true, Let me Beſeech all Perſons to look with a Favourable Eye upon the Laudable Undertaking of thoſe among us; who, from a Senſe of their Duty, and in hopes of doing Good, are Engaged in a Deſign, and do Actually Endeavour the Reformation of ſuch, as are Enemies to God and the Publick Safety, as well as highly injurious to their own Souls and Bodies and Families.
Nay, my Requeſt is not only, that you would Approve of their Deſign, But Aſſiſt them alſ; By your Ready and Hearty Joyning your ſelves unto them; or, at leaſt, by your Serious Frequent Prayer for them, and the Succeſs of their Attempts. Let your Tongues be employ'd in their Vindication, and your utmoſt Endeavours uſed for their Encouragement.
And as to ſuch who need, and may meet with Reproof and Puniſhment for their Sins; They ſhould look upon theſe Perſons as the moſt Beneficial Members of the Town and Corporation and in Particular their Beſt Friends.
No Man can, with any Colour of Honeſty, or Charity, Accuſe 'em of Aiming at any Private Worldly Advantage, in this their Hazardous Attempt. 'Tis the Vileſt and moſt Uncharitable Cenſure, to Charge 'em with Hypocriſy. Your own Conſcences muſt Witneſs to this; That thoſe who are Engaged herein, are ſome of the moſt Peaceable, Juſt, and Virtuous Perſons in all the Neighbourhood. (Not that I Accuſe others, who, as yet, Decline the Joyning themſelves to their Society, provide… they wiſh well to the Work thereof. How hearty is their Love to your How commendable is their Love to one another? Their Union, I truſt, … firm in the Beſt, i. e. Common-Chriſtian Cauſe; and ſuch, I am Perſwaded, as will not be broken, by Reaſon of ſuch Circumſtantials in Religion; as have, ever ſince the Reformation, Deliverance from Popiſh-Ignorance and Idolatry, been the Bones of Contention among us in theſe Lands; and have cauſed ſo many Irreligious Contentions in the Church, and ſo …uch Miſchief, with reſpect to our Civil Intereſts and Concerns. The Amiable and Amicable Agreement, which is ſo apparent among them, and all ſuch Societies as theirs; not only in the Vigorous Efforts againſt the Common Enemy, and Chief, if …ot the only Cauſe of Diviſions; I mean Licentiouſneſs and Ʋngodlineſs: But alſo their Conſent to Meet together for the Pure Worſhip of the Undivided Trinity; will, I doubt not, be an Evident and Permanent Confutation of …he moſt Senſeleſs of all the Objections that were ever made againſt them and their Deſign; That Faction and Schiſm is in Danger to be Promoted …ereby.
The Work theſe Perſons Engage in, is always Neceſſary, and 'tis more eſpecially ſo at this Day in our Land. Th… Method they have taken, which is, by Acting in Conjunction with, and i… Aſſiſting one another; Having Formed themſelves into a Society for the Good End; cannot, with any Reaſon be ſpoken againſt.
'Tis the moſt likely way to accompliſh the Deſigned End: Eſpecially conſidering the Combination of Devils with Wicked Men againſt 'em And that (to the Reproach of ou… Chriſtian Nation) Atheiſts and Scoſfers, with other Profane Perſons, have their conſtant Clubs, and Helliſh Meetings, to defeat their attempts.
Moreover, this Method is approved by many of the Nobility, and Biſhops, and Judges of Both the Kingdoms of England and Ireland. Yo… may ſee their Names, to the Number of Seventy Two, in the Book Entituled, An Account of the Societi… for Reformation of Manners in England and Ireland, &c.
And 'tis not only Approved by theſe; …ut Actually Promoted by the Intereſt and Authority, by the Power and Purſe …f the Inferiour Magistrates, and ſuch …s are the Wiſeſt and Beſt throughout the Kingdom. I ſpeak this, That their Zeal might Provoke others to this Branch of Love, and Good Works.
2. Let me Addreſs my ſelf to thoſe among you, That are United in a Society, in Order to Reprove, and ſo Reform Offenders. And what I have to ſay to you, ſhall be by way of Encouragement and Counſel.
1. By way of Encouragement. Diſcouragements I know you have met with, and do Daily find; But you have more to Encourage you: I preſume, when you at firſt Reſolved, and Enter'd upon this Work, you did not think, That if you were Active, the Devil and his Agents would be Idle. You could never Imagine the Enemy would quit the Field, and his Poſſeſſions too, without Blows: That the Luſts of Men, which are ſo Powerful of themſelves, would be reſtrained without Reluctance.Eph. 2.2. That the Devil, w… Rules in the Children of Diſobedience; and with the greateſt Precipitance Leads, yea Drives them to Deſtruction; would abandon his Strong Holds, upon the Firſt Summons, and make no Reſiſtance. No; my Brethren: As Good Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt, you muſt Expect and Prepare to Endure Hardſhip. But do not Faint in your Minds. Give no place to the Devil. Be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might.
To Encourage you, Conſider your General. Look unto Jeſus the Captain of our Salvation. Remember h… is the Lord of Hoſts, The Lord ſtrong and mighty, The Lord mighty … Battel.
You Fight under his Banner, th… is, of Invincible Courage and Power, of Infallible Wiſdom and Conduct. Your Enemies are overcome already by him in Fight; and therefore being Defeated, are, in ſome meaſure, diſheartened. There are more for you …en againſt you; if not in Number…, … in Power. Greater is he that is … you, than he that is in the World. … a Word; There is no Poſſibility of your Loſing the Victory, but by your Cowardiſe or Revolt.
Perſiſt therefore in your Attempts. …f you Die in the Quarrel, if you Fall in the Engagement, you have this to Comfort you Now and then; You Act according to your Commanded Duty, in purſuance of your Baptiſmal …ow; And alſo in Complyance with …e Enacted Laws of the Land; and the Frequent Addreſſes of one part of the Legiſlative, and Repeated Procla…tions of the Supreme Executive …ower of this Kingdom. You do that, without which, the Magiſtrate, in a very great Meaſure, is unable to perform his Duty.
The Obloquy of Malicious an… Wicked Men, whoſe commendation is ſometimes a Diſcredit, ſhould no… affect you. For, Believe it, 'tis you… Honour to be engaged with ſo good Company as you have in ſo Good a Work as yours is. You are, in a Senſe Co-workers with God himſelf, and i… you ſucceed, may be called the Preſerves of your Country.
If you neglect this your Duty, you are Partners in your Neighbours S… and likely to be Sharers in their Puniſhment. If you perſiſt with Wiſdom and Fidelity, you perform an Act … the Beſt Neighbourhood and true… Love. If you ſucceed, you gain you… Brother, and turn a Sinner from th… Errour of his Ways, and ſave a S… from Death. However this may … God will account of you accord… to your Sincere Endeavours, and not according to your Succeſs.
And whilſt he Rains down Curſes on Flatterers and Backbiters, your Prayers, and this your Labour of Love, ſhall, at the leaſt, return into your own Boſom: He that ſaith unto the Wicked, Thou art Righteous; him ſhall the People Curſe; Nations ſhall abhor him: But, Prov. 24.24, 25.to them that Rebuke him, ſhall be Delight, and a good Bleſſing ſhall come upon them.
You may hope, that you, and your Poſterity ſhall dwell in the Land, as in a Quiet Habitation: But, if all the Methods God hath taken with us, and this of Raiſing up ſo many to plead for him againſt the Evil Doers; among the reſt, do prove Ineffectual; and God do come out of his Place, to Puniſh the Inhabitants of the Earth; you, perhaps, ſhall be gathered to your Graves in Peace, 2 Chron. 34.27, 28.neither ſhall your Eyes ſee all the Evil that God will bring upon this Place, and the Inhabitants of the ſame: As God dealt with Good Joſiah King of Judah, who Attempted a Work of Reformation in his Days. Or elſe 'tis probable, you ſhall be hid in ſome other of God's Chanbers, Iſa. 26.20.till his Indignation be over-paſt. For thoſe that Sigh and Cry for all the Abominations that are done in the Land: having alſo Endeavour'd, tho' in vain, to Prevent them; ſhall have a Mar… ſet upon their Foreheads, which the Deſtroying Angel ſhall Regard; and to ſuch he ſhall not come near to hurt 'em, when his Commiſſion is,Ezek. 9.4, 5, 6. to go through a Nation, City, or Town, and Smite and Slay utterly Old and Young.
But that your Attempts may have the Deſired more abundant Succeſs, ſuffer now, I beſeech you, the Word of Exhortation; And therefore,
2. By way of Counſel. Let me deſire you often to Read and Conſider thoſe Directions that were at firſt given in Writing to your Society; which, being ſo Ample, I have the leſs need to ſay very much here. All that I ſhall add further, ſhall be under theſe Two Generals.
Direct. 1. Beware of ſuch things …s will either Prevent, or Fruſtrate your Attempts, in order to Reform Offenders by Due Reproof. Which things, among others, are ſuch as theſe.
1. Self-Guiltineſs. When the Reprover is Guilty of the ſame Crime, or …nother as bad, for which he doth Reprove. 'Tis very Natural and Common to ſay, Phyſician heal thy …lf. This one thing ſeems to be the …reat Cauſe, why Reformation is Rearded, and Attempts, in order thereunto, are hinder'd. No wonder that be Plague of Heart doth break out … Scandalouſly in the Life, and that one Sinner Infects another, by his Profane Breath and Converſe; wh… our Phyſicians themſelves are Sick, and, inſtead of Adminiſtring Re… dies, do Propagate the Contagion.
If a Man that is Guilty himſelf, doth Reprove or Puniſh another, for the ſame Fault; It looks as if this Man Deſign'd the Applauſe of Men, and not the Favour or Approbation … God. It looks as if he were Affected with the Itch of Meddling in other Mens Matters, which makes him Reſtleſs and Uneaſie. 'Tis plain, he is no Enemy to the Sin, for he Love it, and Lives in it himſelf: T… World therefore will think, which doth is out of Ill-will to the Offender's Perſon. Our Bleſſed Savior tells us, He that goes about to p… out the Mote that is in his Brothe… Eye,Mat. 7.3, 4, 5. Rom. 2.1. and hath a Beam in his ov… Eye, is a Hypocrite. And ſuch Practice will Render you Inexcuſ… and you will be Condemned by you own Words and Actions, as well as by the Law and Sentence of God. And, upon ſuch accounts as theſe, 'tis true, if not the Truth of my Text, as I told you in the beginning of this Diſcourſe. That he that often Reproves another, and remains Obdurate, and Ʋnreformed himſelf, ſhall ſuddenly be deſtroy'd, and that without Remedy.
2. Beware of Selſiſhneſs and Covetouſneſs. A Man that is of ſuch a mean Spirit, will have all his Thoughts and Actions confin'd within the narrow compaſs of his little ſelf. With a Deteſtable Neglect of the Common Good he will venture the Divine Diſpleaſure, rather than endure the Angry Look of a Cuſtomer or Benefactor.
3. Beware of Slothfulneſs and Sinful Cowardice. Men never attempt the Good of others, or fail therein, Becauſe, whatever their Good Wiſhes are, Their hands refuſe to Labour; Or elſe, ſome are of a Servile Complying Temper, that will ſay as others ſay, and do as others do; or, as others would have 'em ſay or do; becauſe elſe they ſhall Offend, and Diſpleaſe one or other, which they are afraid of. And Sinful Cowardice, and Meanneſs of Spirit, is the true Name of this Temper, though ſome would Adorn it with the Venerable Names of Meeknefs and Moderation.
Direct. 2. When you have Opportunity, and any good hopes of Succeſs, try Milder Methods at firſt, and uſe Fraternal Reproof, before Authoritative be called for. Tell him his fault between him and thee alone. This is the Direction of our Bleſſed Saviour, Mat. 18.17. If he be not an Accuſtom'd, Hardened Sinner, perhaps, this will prove the beſt way to gain him And 'tis the Reformation of Offenders, that ought to be your End: By conſequence therefore, 'tis your Duty and Wiſdom, both to Propoſe and Proſecute, the Beſt Means in order hereunto.
Now, that you may uſe this Method to a Good Purpoſe,Coloſ. 3.16. Let the Word of Chriſt dwell richly in you, with all Wiſdom. Endeavour to Perſwade thoſe you Reprove, that you Act from Affection to them, and that you Deſign their Advantage. Be ſure that you Reprove for a Fault, and be able to Prove both the Fact and the Fault, leaſt the Party you Reprove deny either the one or the other; and you be found either a Falſe Accuſer of your Brethren, or elſe one that ſets up his own Fancy, as the Rule of Sin and Duty.
Accommodate your Selves to the Age, Condition, Quality and Relation of the Party you Reprove. Chooſe Proper Seaſons for this Work.1 Sam. 25.36, 37. Abigail deferred her Reproof of Nabal, till his Drunkenneſs with Wine was over; and 'tis as Unfit a Seaſon, when a Man is Drunk with Paſſion: For, even Jonah, at ſuch a Time,Jonah 4.9. told God himſelf, He did well to be Angry even to the Death.
If you Reprove another immediately after he hath Reproved you, your Reproof, 'tis likely, will be Eſteem'd Recrimination, or Revenge. If you Reprove another in Company, when it may be done as well, or, perhaps, better in Private; t'will look more like the Reproach of an Enemy, than the Reproofe of a Friend; or, as if you intended rather to DEFAME, than REFORM him.
Moreover, if the Offenders be Inferiours, ſuch as Children, or Servants; It is Adviſable, many times that you Acquaint the Parents, o… Maſters, before you Inform the Magiſtrate. And, it may be, the Reroof of a Godly Miniſter of Chriſt, may, in ſome Caſes, do more good, man the Pecuniary Mulcts, or Corporal Puniſhments Inflicted by the Magiſtrate.
In a Word; Remember your Deſign; 'tis the Advantage and Future Innocence of ſuch as Offend: In order thereunto, Study to know, and Labour to Practice the Beſt Methods you can.
And, becauſe you are no more than Inſtruments in the hand of God, upon him you muſt Depend for Aſſiſtance, from him you may expect Succeſs.
But, at the ſame time,Rom. 12.11, 12 Be ye not ſlothful in Buſineſs, But Fervent in Spirit. Serving the Lord. Rejoycing in Hope: Patient in Tribulation: Continuing Instant in Prayer;
And the God of all Grace, who hath called us unto his Eternal Glory by Jeſus Chriſt, after that ye have ſuffered a while, make you Perfect, Stabliſh, Strengthen, Settle you.
To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
FINIS.