Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 2 · Verse 12
Verse 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorifie God in the day of visitation.
VNtoUnto the former Exhortation of purging the heart, he adds this, of looking to our outward behavior and conversation among men; namely, that it be honest, good, godly, and every way such as may not onelyonly not be offensive, but may be of good example, yea to the very wicked, that though for a time they speak evil of us (as our nature is to do of every one that differs from us, thinking our own courses still to be best) yet at last they looking more narrowly, and seeing our constancy in well-doing, may be enforced to think well of us; and whensoever God shall touch their hearts with his grace, they may glorifie God, and say, This is the onelyonly true way of worshiping God, and thank God for it, and all the means that have brought them to the sight of it.
The parts are two, 1. The Exhortation. 2. The Reasons thereof. The Exhortation is to godly life, and that is inlarged by the circumstance of persons or company, before whom, namely the Gentiles, that is, the Idolatrous, Wicked, and Unbelieving. The Reasons, 1. That they may be prepared to their conversion, by beholding our good life, which is set forth by the contrary in former time, namely, their speaking ill of us. 2. That they may glorifie God, which is set out by the time, namely, when God shall please particularly and in a special maner to bestow his grace upon them, so that by our innocent godly life led among the wicked, we shall provide for our own credit, their good, and Gods glory, which is the thing we should chiefly aym at in all our actions.
Here observe we first our Apostles order: He begins at the right end; as a wise Builder he lays a good Foundation, then builds on it; as a skilful Chyrurgion he first purgeth out dead flesh, then heals; which else would heal, and break out again.
Reformation (if ever if be good) must begin at the heart:Doctr. No man can have a good conversation whose heart is Unregenerate,Reformation must begin at the heart. and Unsanctified, for from the heart proceeds the life; if sin and lusts be nourished there, they will break out as fire hid in straw or dry wood; for our bodies are as apt to execute,See Ier. 4. 14. as our hearts to broach evil: For one to purge the Channels,Mat. 12. 33, 34 & 15. 19. and 23. 26, 27. and leave the Fountain foul, were to lose his labor; for one also to pull off the tops of the weeds, and leave the roots still,2 Cor. 7. 1. were to no purpose:Tit. 2. 11, 12. The heart must be washen, kept, cleansed from inward lusts, else no godly life.
1. This confutes the Papists that talk of good conversation,Use 1. and yet regard not the heart,Acts 15. 9. either seek after true justifying faith whereby to purge the same.Use 2.
2. This shews and rebukes the folly of those that think to frame a good life as civil persons, and yet never knew the corruptions of their hearts, nor what Faith means that purifieth the heart, nor make Conscience of their inward lusts: Hence it is, that they shamefully deceive themselves, especially in the first Table, and in the sight of a true Christian, that can tell what belongs to good conversation. Numbers think upon occasion they will never do as they have done, but promise great amendment; as upon hearing something out of the Word, or after some affliction, or after they have been ashamed with some sin, O they will do thus and thus, who alas never labor with their heart; Some say, Give me but a shilling from you, and Ile never come at such a place, never game more, &c. but alas, its not so soon done as said: They dig not deep enough, they work not under ground, the heart's let alone all this while; they think to cut off the sprouts, but while the root is whole, they shoot our again. Many at variance are made friends, and promise, and think for the present so to continue, yet not conscionably looking to the beginning and root, Pride, Self-love, Wrath, and such lusts, but suffering them to abide there still, alas they break out again presently:Mat. 5. 22. Our Savior saith, He that is angry with his brother unadvisedly, shall be in danger of the judgement, &c. Hence comes Racha (fool) and murther; now if a man think to keep his hand from murther, and his tongue from Racha, and such distempered speeches, and yet suffer wrath in his heart uncontrolled, unrepented, and unpurged, the other will break out. Hence is it, that many make such fair promises, but perform nothing nay while together, because they have not the grace to seek the washing of their heart from all sin.
3. It teacheth Christians to be much occupied in searching and knowing their hearts,Use 3. and the corruptions and lusts thereof, and still be purging out of these, so shall we do much work at once; else though we covenant not to be so worldly, &c. as before, yet if the root of Covetousness, Unbelief and Pride be let alone, we will to it again: So if one should say, I will not break out, but live peaceably with my family and neighbors, yet if high mindedness and anger continue, we shall be deceived, and shame our selves; and thus do many Christians.
Having your conversation honest,Tit. 2. 12. &c.] This is all one with that of St. Paul, To live holily, righteously, and soberly. So that
Its not enough that we have or pretend to have a good heart and pure conscience,Obser. but we must also have a good conversation outwardly;Christians are also to have a good conversation. we must not onelyonly approve our selves before God and Angels, but also before men; we must have a good outside, as well as a good inside;See Mat. 5. 16. we must so walk, as men may see by our actions, speeches, and our whole behavior,Rom. 12. 17. that we be the servants of God,2 Cor. 8. 21. and minde to go to Heaven:Isa. 4. 3. Thus walked Abraham, Job, Zachary, Elizabeth, with others; we must thus walk both for the winning of others on, and for the good report which we should be careful to procure to our selves,Prov. 22. 1. it being better then much silver:Eccles. 7. 1. not that we must do good Pharisaically for the speech and praise of men onelyonly, which is base and hypocritical,Phil. 4. 8. for we are first to aym at Gods glory; yet we may desire also so to live, as we may give good example, and get good report while we live,1 Cor. 6. 20. and a good memorial when we dye; and again, God will be served both in body and soul,Tit. 2. 1…. as we look to be glorified in both.
1. This stoppeth the mouthes of carnal men,Use 1. that being dealt with for faults in their conversation, either ill done, or good not done, they straight rid themselves with this answer, and blinde them that deal with them that they cannot see to take them as they think, O we have as good an heart as you or any, and God knows my heart, and I have a good conscience, God knows all, and he shall be my judge; yea, he will indeed so be, and that too soon, except thy conversation be better: for deceive not thy self by thinking thy heart is good, which affords an ill conversation, a merciful heart, that hath a niggardly hand, a chaste heart, that hath a wanton tongue and behavior, a godly heart, that can prophanely spend the Sabbath in worldly matters: But what if one should grant your heart were good, is that sufficient? Is it not meet your hand and whole conversation were so? Did not he that made that which is within, make that which is without also? Numbers care little for their conversation, are not over nice and curious about that; so that they be none of the worst, they think their condition good enough.
2. This rebukes those that blame men,Use 2. and reproach them for their profession of Religion, O you are of these Professors! O what a wretch art thou, that darest controle another mans, nay Gods servant, for doing his masters Commandments? Hath not he enjoyned us, that our light should shine, and that we should confess him in our several places? If thou beest not also a Professor, be it known to thee, the Lord will one day profess he never knew thee, and bid thee depart as a worker of iniquity: And what dost thou profess thy self, that railest on him for professing himself the servant of God? The servant of the Devil, and one of the Malignant company, the son of the Bondwoman, even persecuting the children of the Promise, therefore one that shall never be heir with them, but shall one day wish to be shrowded under any of them, but shall not be able: And what is his fault?Tit. 1. 16. he is a Professor; The Apostle saith, They profess they know God, this he blames not, and take heed thou dost not; but the latter part,2 Tim. 3. 5. By works they deny him, blame that if thou knowest it; Having a shew of godliness, this is praise-worthy, and every man must have it; But have denyed the power of it, if thou know this, blame it; but I would wish you to take heed that you meddle not with their Profession, to discourage them from it.
Conversation] Not some few actions where and when they list,Observ. but our whole conversation must be good,Our whole conversation must be good. in one thing as in another sutably: We must have respect to all Gods Commandments, else shall we be confounded;Psal. 119. 6. God spake all as well as some,Htb. 13. 18. and so joyned them together, that they may not be broken asunder: God can abide no halving,Iames 9. 10. though the Devil be so reasonable and manerly; Whatsoever we do in word or deed, 1 Cor. 10. 31.must all be done to his praise: This includes our general and particular callings,Col. 3. 17. duties of the first and second Table, all places, all times to serve God in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.Luke 1. 75.
This rebukes those that would be counted honest men,Use and yet do but what they list: Some will yield in all great matters, but in some small things as they take them; as when they say, By their Faith and Troth, they must be born with, especially if true; so a game or two at Tables or Cards, and if it be on the Lords-day, in company of their equals, especially of their betters, talk thereon of worldly businesses at their pleasure,Mat. 5. 19. But he that breaks the least Commandment, shall be little counted in the Kingdom of Heaven: Some again will yield in little things, the Word shall so far prevail with them, but in some great beloved sin,Mark 6. 20. they will not, as Herod; Some cry out against Covetousness,Mat. 23. 23. and be Proud and Masterful; and so on the contrary, Some seem very devout and forward in the first Table, and make little conscience of the second Table; Some in their Shops and Dealings deceitful, hollow, and unjust; Some in the state of servants, that shew some forwardness to good duties, hearing, good company, and the like, who yet fail exceedingly in the duty of subjection, diligence, trustiness, and the like; Some profess the like also, and men say, they be honest persons of good gifts, but they follow no calling, borrow here and there, and never mean to pay, deal hardly with poor work-folks, &c. A man must shew his Religion in his particular calling: no man is a good man, that is not a good Minister; if he be a Minister, so a Magistrate, Father, Husband, Dealer: Some contrarily seem very smooth in the duties of the second Table, and yet have no savor of the first; as 1. Papists, which are profest Idolaters, and make no conscience of an Oath, nor of the Sanctification of the Lords-day, who yet keep a good house, and seem merciful and liberal, which yet they do corruptly to merit by; and hence they get the commendation of a company of carnal people, that measure all by the belly, and can look no further: Its not possible for an absolute Papist, to be an absolute Christian. 2. Our civil persons that give men their due, but God can have no part of his in any Spiritual performance of duty, either on the week days or Sabbath days: Let all that know its thus with them, know themselves but hypocrites, and let them halt no longer, but if God be God, serve him altogether, and let him be whole, and not either quarter or half-master, yet many men be good at plots: Would we like in our field to have here a taste and there, and a great breadth after nothing? No, but to stand so as we may spread a sheet and receive the fruit; when mens obedience comes by fits, such aguish obedience Gods likes not: But if we would approve our selves sound, and have true peace, let there be some proportion between our actions; not some very forward, some quite another way; in some things hot, in some as cold as ice; else like Nebuchadnezzars Image,Dan. 2. 33. Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, Clay, these things hang not together; lets not be hot and cold, but the same in prosperity, adversity, at home, abroad, in all companies, and the like.Doctr.
Among the Gentiles] That is,Christians ar… to live godly even among the wicked. the wicked; Where note, That
Its our duty not onelyonly to live godly among the godly, but even among the wicked so to do; we must not follow a multitude to do evil,Exod. 23. 2. but shine among a naughty and crooked nation;Rom. 12. 2. we must not be made crooked by them,Ier. 15. 19. if we can straighten them, so it is: If we see any go crooked or halt,Phil. 2. 15. we will notwithstanding go as straight as we can,Gen. 6. 9, 12. and not go crookedly as they: This is a commendation of Lot, That he continued just in that filthy City; so of Noah, that when its said, That all flesh had corrupted their ways, yet he was found Righteous, when they were in security, he continued in zealous worshipping of God, and sincerity of life;Iob 1. 1. so of Job, That even in the Land of UZ he feared God, and eschewed evil: It had been no such matter to have lived well in Abrahams or Jacobs Family, but in such places a great mastery, and yet required of us: God hath appointed we should live among the wicked;In the worst places God will have his, and why. though some places be worse then some (lets choose the best we can) yea, even the very bad ones God will have his people, 1. That his power in gathering and keeping them may be seen. 2. That their Faith and Patience might be proved, and exercised, and encreased. 3. That they might convert the ungodly, as through Gods mercy it falls out sometimes,Heb 11. 7. or if not, condemn them, as Noah condemned the old world:Gen. 13. 7. In such places we must walk squarely,Neh. 1. 9. as Abraham; and as the fishes retain their fresh taste, though they live in salt waters, so must we our goodness in bad places, and among them that are set on evil. True, its no easie thing with the cruel to live mercifully, with the hurtful to live helpfully, with the prophane to live holily, yet it is to be attained unto, and we must labor for it.
1. This rebukes such Monks and Fryers,Use 1. as severing themselves from all company (because they would not be tainted nor troubled with mens ill maners) betake themselves to a solitary, Hermits life. Truly, if a man were onelyonly born for himself, it were a good, wise, and safe way, though not most praise-worthy; But we are not born for our selves, but for our Parents, Countrey, Gods Church, therefore we are not to m…w up our selves: Besides, its no such mastery for a man to avoid all occasions, as to live among occasions, and not be tainted with them; but let men seek no occasions, but those that they must necessarily meet withal, and yet not be hurt by them, this is most worthy: Its not so much commendation for a man to fly from his Adversary, as to encounter and overcome him, or come away unhurt.
2. It rebukes those that be for all companies:Use 2. In good company they will be sober, in ill as the company is, drunk with their friends for company, will swear with swearers, lye also and dissemble when they be with such, so thinking that they may hold with the Hare, and run with the Hound; like the Camelion they change themselves into all colours, but these are none of Gods honest men, they are not for his turn, as if he were not the God of all places and times; let such know they have rotten and unsanctified hearts.
Q. But how should a man do to live well among such?How to live holy among the wicked.
A. As they that live where the Plague is, take and use preservatives; So must we daily pray to God next our heart to keep us in a continual hatred of sin, considering often of the happiness of them that hold out: Think of Noah, Lot, Abraham, and their commendation; observe the judgements that fall upon bad men, and think what will be hereafter. Again, avoid private familiarity with them, be kinde to all, but familiar with no open bad man; we cannot touch pitch, and not be defiled, walk on coals, and not be burnt; for so we shall be brought either to like their maners, or at least cooled in our goodness; let them not breath on us, from them there's great danger of infection.2 Pet. 2. 3. Lastly, mourn even for their sins as Lot.
3. It rebukes such Christians as living among such,Use 3. walk not so holily as they should, but if they do not approve of, yet consent to their bad behavior, without dislike, especially being with their betters: But he that is not with me, is against me, and though often we cannot do good as we would, no nor stop evil, yet at least let our righteous souls always grieve thereat, yea, and as much as may be shew our dislike, by hasting out of the company, and silence if we may not speak, and if we be askt our mindes, lets speak, though wisely and humbly; lets not dare to turn our backs upon God and his cause, for any mortal mans sake, whether our Landlords, betters, or otherwise; lets come as little in such dangerous places as may be, but being there, lets take heed we deny not our Master with Peter; and hear goodness, or Gods Servants railed on, or slandered, and we consent, or not shew our dislike.
4. If God would have us live well among the wicked,Use 4. what would he then in the midst of all good means? what then is their sin, and where shall they appear that break out, and live badly in the midst of the means of good, the Ministery of the Word, good company, and the like, wherewith they are shoared up on every side? what would these do, if they were far from such means?
5. It rebukes those that professing Religion more then ordinarily,Use 5. yet remember not with whom they live, but as if they were onelyonly among the good, which would hide all their frailties, or interpret them to the best, not as if they were among the wicked, that seek occasion against Gods Servants, Canaanites and Perezites that desire no better booty then the fall of a Professor, that not regarding this nor the Gospel, by their careless and ill life, and the bad actions they break into, set open the mouthes of ill men, not upon themselves, that were the less, but upon the holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus; for that they will flie upon straight, when alas the Gospel is not in fault: the contrary was in Abraham, 2 Sam. 12. 14.Wo be to the world, Gen. 13. 7.because of offences, but especially,Matt. 18. 7. wo to them by whom they come: For hereby the good are grieved, the weak hindred, the wicked strengthened in their dislike of the Gospel, and some of whom there might be some good hoped, by this means held off: O you that have thus done, thus hurt, repent heartily, and labor to make amends; and you that are as yet free, pray God that ye may never live to that day (if it be his blessed will) wherein ye should shame your selves, blemish the Gospel, and grieve the rest of Gods faithful Servants; but that living and dying, ye may credit it.
That whereas they speak against you as evil doers,] Reasons to provoke to a godly life.Now follow the Reasons to provoke to godly life; 1. We shall cause the wicked to speak well of us, and of the Gospel of God, yea, though they have spoken ill of us and it before, yet upon a serious consideration of our innocent and constant conversation, they will change their mindes. 2. They shall by that means be brought to glorifie God, and both like, and speak well of the truth, which they shall then do, when God shall graciously visit their hearts, and work by his Word and Spirit true conversion in them; then being prepared before by our good life, they shall be made to glorifie God for his truth, and for us, and for opening their eyes, and moving their hearts to embrace it: Forcible Reasons. We shall by our constancy in a good life, 1. Provide well for our own credit, the credit of the Gospel, and the wickeds conversion. 2. Which is the main, we shall provide for the glory of God.
In the first place is set down the nature,Observ. disposition, and practise of the wicked towards Gods children;The wicked speak ill of … truth of Go… Religion, a… the professors thereof. as they speak evil of the truth of God and Religion, so do they of those that truly profess the same: Its in mens nature to mislike all that be of another Religion and Practise then themselves, for such is our inb…ed pride, we think best of our selves and our own Religion, and all others to be in error, and to be deceived: The Crow thinks her own bird the farest; But though men mislike all differing Opinions, yet none so much as the truth, that we naturally hate; as black, blew, and green differ, yet not so much as black and white which are opposite; so wicked ones hate the truth especially, for that is our nature to do, and the more sincere any is in professing the truth, the more the wicked naturally hate him; Thus have Gods children ever been ill spoken off:Matt. 5. 11. Ishmael mocketh Isaac, Gen. 21. 9.as his brood yet do:Gal. 4. 30. Elias was reputed, A troubler of Israel; One of the children of the Prophets counted a mad fellow: 1 King. 18. 17.Micaiah smitten on the mouth, as one that spake without God:2 Kings 9. 11. Jeremiah, with them is as one that raveth, and fit to be put in the stocks; yea, they speak ill of the truth and goodness it self:Ezr. 4. 5, 6. …17. The Jews were accused for nothing but doing that which God required, and Cyrus had permitted; namely,Neh. 6. 5, 6. to build the City and Temple,Ester 3. 8. wherein to worship and serve God; and they were a poor contemptible company in the others eyes:Acts 24. 14. So we read of them that called the Gospel Heresie; sore eyes cannot abide the light:Matt. 11. 19. Thus was our Savior Christ,Luke 11. 15. the most innocent and blessed Son of God,Iohn 8. 48. reproached and spoken ill off, as if he had been a glutten, a winebibber, Acts 2. 19. and 6. 11. & 16. 20, 21.was a Samaritan, and had a Devil: So the Apostle Peter and the rest, were termed drunk; and Steven, that he had blasphemed God and Moses: They cannot indure the wrath of God, because it crosseth their humors and vile lusts which they set so much by, See Acts 17. 18. and 19. 13. and 19. 6. and 24. 5. To come down to the Primative Church, were they not most horribly slandered, as if they had been Canibals, and lived of mans flesh, and eat their own children, That they met in caves in the night to worship, and that then the candles being put out, they committed filthiness promiscuously, without respect of Kindred, &c. and if any plague came, as that Tyber did overflow to great hurt, and that Nilus did not overflow her banks as it used to do, or any the like, it was because of them, and by their means, thereupon they fell upon them, and killed them like Dogs: Thus have they used always to incense great persons against Gods servants, with such false suggestions, and to make them odious to the common people: It hath ever since been the maner of the Church of Rome, which hath a mouth that speaketh blasphemies, to call the Truth, Error, and the Gospel, Heresie; and with them, we that profess it be all Hereticks, cursed to Hell, and who should have nothing but fire and faggot if they could help it; and the sincerest Professors, and godliest men, they hate most, and have ever particularly devised horrible lyes against the great men in the Church, whom God hath raised up to be hammers of their false Religion, and defenders of the Truth, as of Luther, Calvin, Beza, Junius, and others; so in the powder Treason, they had devised and purposed to spread it abroad by Proclamation (if their detestable villany had taken effect) That the Puritans blew up the Parliament House,This sin rise in these days. &c. Among our selves also Gods Truth and servants especially have enemies enough; and none that hate the faithful Ministers and Christians worse, then such as be in the bosom of the Church; How are they traduced, ill spoken of, railed on universally in great places, in mean places,Note. on Alehouse-benches, where not? If they can finde any fault of theirs, its that they rejoyce in above anything, and they lie in wait for the same: If they can observe no sin, but understand of any infirmity, which yet they strive against daily, yet this shall be set abroad and encreased, as some ugly thing, when themselves and theirs have many filthy sores running on them, horrible sins, which yet they account nothing: If any of themselves have never so many faults, if he have but a little odde good quality, as to be somewhat courteous, a Good housekeeper, and the like, O he shall be magnified as a right honest man indeed: If any of Gods children have never so many graces, and but one infirmity, this shall be set on the tenters, all the other hidden: If they can know nothing, they will devise something; if not, yet if they do but hear any thing flying, though never so unlikely, and from no ground, yet it goes for good wares with them, and is received; nay, though they turn their own vices into vertues, yet the vertues of Gods servants they make vices, for want of other matter: If they be couragious in a stout cause, they be stout and stomackful; if they be patient and gentle, then they be blockish; if wise and prudent in handling their matters, crafty, subtile fellows; if diligent, very officious; if they take pains in the offices they be called to, they be busie fellow, meddlers, and trouble their neighbors; If they differ from others upon never so good ground, they be Scismaticks, Proud, Singular, Humerous, Giddy; If they dare not run with others into the same excess of riot, then precise fools, Puritans; Oh, we must have a new world made for you, you are so holy, a company of proud peevish fellows, &c.
1. Seeeing the wicked are so apt to speak evil,Use 1. and lie so in the catch, we should give all diligence to look so to our ways, as we give them no just occasion so to do,2 Cor. 11. 12. but take away occasion from them that seek occasion (for is it time for us to be heedless, and our Enemies as it were lie in wait?) that they may look till their eyes dazle, and they be weary of looking, ere they have that they would, and that if they speak ill of us, it may be unjustly, falsly, as none can escape their ill tongues,See 2 Cor. 6. 8. not our Savior Christ, innocency it self; therefore we may look for it, but let it be without cause; as Hypocrites, yet such as labor for sincerity; hating Hypocrisie, as troublers, yet such as seek the peace of Church and Common-wealth.
2. That we think it not strange to be ill spoken of;Use 2. its the nature of the world thus to do, as for the birds to fly, and we must not be discouraged at it, and say, I have striven to do as well as I can, and yet I am ill spoken of, I cannot tell what to do, and so faint and melt as wax, as some do: O no, but let it be as a whetstone to sharpen you on more,2 Sam. 6. 22. as David said to Micol, I will yet be more vile; if spoken ill of falsly, study innocency the more; being thus used, thou art blessed: Thus were the Prophets served,Mat. 5. 11. thus Christ himself; And if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they them of his houshold.
3. This might make men not too ready to believe reports,Use 3. and think ill of men by and by upon flying reports, seeing the world are so apt to speak evil wrongfully, especially of Gods children.
4. For them that be ill speakers of Gods Servants,Use 4. they cannot bear a worse badge, as ill a sign as can be of any; for if he be transl… ted from death to life that loves the Brethren,1 Iohn 3. 14. what then he that hates them?Psa. 15. & 16. 2. he is no true member of the Church, nor led by Davids Spirit; but is of Ishmaels generation, and will be cast out as he; worse then Balaam, nay, of Satans brood, who is the accuser of the brethren: How shall they escape the curse threatned,Num. 33. 8. Isaiah 5. 20. Prov. 17. 15? The Lord hath prepared a day,Rev. 12. 10. when he will judge them of these things:Iude, verse 14. Therefore if you will not joyn with them, yet cease to speak ill of them: The time will come when you would be glad to joyn with them, but it will be too late.
They may be your good works, &c.] These words shew the inducement whereby we shall bring these ill speakers to think and speak well of us,Observ. and of Gods truth,Good works the best way to put our adversaries to silence. and so glorifie him, namely, when they shall see us constant in good works. So that
The strongest defence of our selves, or confutation of ill speakers, is not by words, but by good works; for the world will not much regard words, they think they be cheap, and themselves will speak any thing, and therefore think others wil do so too, and what can words do while the works are not seen, or are contrary? Thus David confuted Saul, and quitted himself a good Subject: How? not by telling Saul he meant him no hurt (he might have said so as long as he would, it should never have been regarded) but by his good works, and innocency towards him, that he never sought his hurt, no not when he might, as when he cut off the skirt of his Rayment, and took the pot of water from his head;1 Sam. 24. 17. This made Saul say, Thou art more righteous then I, and for the time broke his heart: This often doth good, The constancy of mens carriage, overcomes them that have thought and spoken ill: Many are carried away easily to think and speak ill of Gods Servants, that know not why, as upon false suggestions, that after having observed their lives, have changed their mindes; as a Papist having heard that Junius had a cloven foot (as it was currant among them) coming to the sight of it, and that it was contrary, he began to suspect their Religion, and it was one means of his conversion therefrom.
This rebukes them,Use. that being evil spoken of will take it very hotly, and by great words or protestations clear themselves, or shift, when it may be they are faulty, and give glorious speeches, when deeds answer not; and such as will be very angry, and rate others, even before company.
Now if it be a matter of great weight, and that the Gospel hear ill also, we may so do; but yet that is not all nor the most, we must confute them quietly by a good life, and by all contrary good conversation.
Which they shall behold,] Observ.Though the wicked will do no good works, yet they look we which profess Religion more zealously,The wicked have an eye on the godlies actions. should, and herein we are beholden to them: If any be forward in profession, the world looks they should be very innocent in life, and it ought so to be; and seeing not onelyonly God, Angels, and good men, look for good life,Use. but even the very wicked, let's look to it, they may have that they look for, and see what will come of it.
Good works,] See Downhams Warfar. part. 2. p. 53. cap. 7.Here's occasion offered to speak of good works, but I cannot at large; consider we onelyonly briefly,
1. What good works are;What good works are. namely, Things commanded of God, done by a Regenerate man in faith to the glory of God in our Neighbors good.Col. 2. 23. 1. They must be things commanded; Gods Word being our rule, and that which makes things good, what is forbidden then is vile, and what's of our own heads, what shew soever it hath: Popish Religion stands most in such. 2. Done of a Regenerate man, For who can bring a clean thing out of that which is unclean? Iohn 14. 4.we had need look whether we be Regenerate, else we did never good in our lives, whether in thought, word, or deed. 3. In faith, not onelyonly of a man that hath faith,Rom. 14. 23. but in a particular faith, that that action is lawful and warrantable by the Word of God, let's look to our selves, I doubt many run to those Games, and to Usury, which they have no warrant and Faith for. 4. The end whereat we must aym, must not be our selves, nor our own merit, credit, profit, but Gods glory in our neighbors good; and thus done, not onelyonly the duties of Gods Worship, which indeed are principal, and duties done to our neighbors bodies and Souls, be good works, but even our eating and drinking, and following our calling are good works; though Papists make no good works, but such as maintain their Religion by gifts, and such as fill the belly.
2. How necessary they are:How necessary they are. They are of absolute necessity to Salvation,Eph. 2. 10. the path to Heaven, yet not as causes of our Salvation and Justification before God, as the Papists hold, but effects of our Justification to declare the soundness of our Faith, and that we are persons justified. Papists cry out of us, That we renounce good works, profess liberty, and set open a flood-gate to sin, because we teach that works merit not; but we establish works better then they, even true good works:They merit not. We dare not yet say they merit, for 1. They are not done by our own power. 2. They are but our bounden duty. 3. They are imperfect. 4. We are perfectly justified, before we can do any good work, for we are justified by the Righteousness of Christ, which is absolute and perfect, then follow good works to declare we be persons justified, by true Faith, apprehending the Righteousness of Christ; to declare our Election, our Faith to be living, our selves justified persons, and in the way to Heaven: And are they so necessary to Salvation? lets examine our lives; they that can witness to themselves before God, that they unfeignedly hate all evil, and love God and his Commandments, endeavoring in all things to be obedient thereunto,Eph. 1. 4. let them be of good comfort, its a sign of Election,Rom. 8. 1. a mark of true Faith,Eph. 2. 10. and one in Christ, and of one in the high-way to Heaven: Therefore rejoyce what pains soever you have taken to come to this state, and proceed chearfully: This way will bring you to Heaven, may comfort you in assurance of Faith.
Glorifie God] That is, may change their mindes to think well of you and of the Truth, be prepared to their Conversion, and when God shall work withal, break forth into his praise. Hence note, That
If we continue in innocency of life,Observ. we shall be the means that God shall be glorified,A Christians perseverance in well-doing, procures glory to God from others. not onelyonly in our selves by well-doing, but also that others shall so do, and so we shall prepare them to Conversion, and make them like the better of the Truth, and think they will be hearers too, and doers of Gods will; whereas on the contrary, if we do contrary to our profession, we shall dishonor God doubly, both in our selves, and move others so to do, and so set them further off from the Truth which be too far already, and make them speak evil thereof: O this ought to be the greatest spur to godliness that may be, we shal hereby win our neighbors soul, as it were, and provide well for Gods glory, the two greatest things that can be next our own Soul, & the latter far above it: O who would not look to himself, when the Soul of our neighbor, and the glory of God lyeth upon it, and the credit of the Gospel? so that the life of Christians is not a little to be regarded, but great things depend upon it; and what joy may we have of our selves to live to win our Neighbors, and bring glory to God?
O this rebukes the wonderful fault and negligence of many Christians,Use. that partly falling into foul things, partly yielding unto their own affections, are carryed by their lusts, living as others, as froward, as proud, as hard, and worldly, some loose of promise, some idle, some living in every bodies debt, &c. do dishonor God, and beat others back from Religion! O if there were no more but the single dishonor to God, it were too much, considering what God hath done for us! but, Oh! when so many lyes are upon us, that shall take hurt or good, what a fault is this to be careless? What a fearful thing is it to live to set men further off from Religion, or open their mouths against Religion? for they will not think ill or speak ill of you onelyonly, but they will fly upon the Gospel,Gen. 13. 7. and the name of God which is innocent: O therefore awaken your selves: welfare Abraham, that knew well the Canaanites and Perizzites dwelt then in the Land, therefore walk the more watchfully. O beloved, if ever we took good, it was by the Gospel, and shall we thus require it? and do we profess Gods holy name, and yet cause others to reproach it? O grievous!
In the day of visitation.] To visit taken two ways.That is, when God shall in mercy look upon them, and work the grace of Conversion in their hearts (visitting here is taken in good part, as Luke 1. 68. Isa. 24. 21, 22. as elswhere in an ill part, as Exod. 20. 5.) when God shall in his goodness turn his eye toward him that is in the snare of the Devil, and by his Word and Spirit work Conversion in his heart. Whence note,
1. That Conversion is the work of God:Obs. All men and Angels cannot change the heart of a man;Conversion is the work of God. its a work surpassing all Christs miracles, and as great or greater then making the world of nothing, and we our selves have no power, but lie dead in sins; no, all the means in the world cannot do it without God: but we go on and on in the Devils service, and hasten to destruction; and when we are thus going, God saith,Ier. 31. 18. I will go visit yonder poor creature, who will else perish. We are Patients, Convert thou me, and I shall be converted: No Minister, the best in the world, hath any power of himself; O see how they labor and sigh to do good to their own Wives and Children, and yet see no good thereof;1 Tim. 4. 16. they onelyonly save as the Lords instruments, not otherwise.
Let them therefore which have felt this work,Use. acknowledge God in it, and give him all the glory.
They that be yet without it, let them not defer it, as a small matter to the last, as if they could couvert themselves when they list, as most mens behavior is, but that they humbly seek it of God, in attending on his Ordinances appointed to that end.
2. That its Gods great mercy to convert a sinner,Obs. Oh, its the greatest mercy that can be bestowed;Its of Gods great mercy. a mercy to be delivered from sickness into health, from Prison into liberty, from poverty to riches, from death to life; as of Israel out of Egypt, Joseph out of Prison, &c. But alas,Col. 1. 13. these be but toys to this; To be delivered out of the power of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son; to have his eyes opened that was blinde, raised out of the grave of sin, delivered out of the slavery of Satan and bondage of sin, from being a limb of Satan, to be a member of Christ, O the most happy change that can be expressed! This is the happy day for a man; then Salvation comes to his house, where none was before: Thus was Zacheus, thus three thousand at one time, thus the Jaylor, thus many among us are visited;Mat. 18. 3. O happy visitation, and day to be remembred! We never see good day, till this day come; we may see merry days, sinful days, but never good day till this, without this undone.
Let those that have felt it and obtained it,Use. for ever give glory to God.
3. That a man can never glorifie God,Observ. till God thus visit and convert his Soul;No man can truly glorifie God till he be converted. for so saith the Text, That they may glorifie God, When? when God shall visit them.
Therefore labor for this, for what can we do without it? nothing but dishonor him,Use. do not at all glorifie him: O that this were considered!
4. That when a man is converted,Obs. then he will glorifie God;So soon as a man is converted he will glorifie God. yea, he cannot chuse but in heart admire Gods goodness, and love him; in tongue, break out into his praise of his truth and service; and in his life seek to glorifie him:Luke 22. 32. Then will he also do all he can to gain others, as Christ to Peter; as good hide fire in straw from breaking out, and hold oyl in your hand, as not thus glorifie him when once converted: They see their case so happily altered, as they never took so much pleasure in sin, but now it vexeth them as much, and they are as desirous to glorifie God.
Therefore when men in heart are not moved,Use. have no tongue to praise God, speak of his Truth, call upon others, nor in lives study to please God, let such know they are yet in their sins, and not in the number of converted persons.
5. That even such as have been ill speakers of the Truth and Gods servants,Obs. may yet be converted,Even the slanderers of the Truth may become Converts. and prove good Christians; for why? God draws his number out of the Devils rabble, for so we are all by nature: So was Paul, yet proved an excellent Christian, so no question there are some in this company,Acts 2. 13. that would not now do that they have done for all the world.Rom. 6. 17.
1. Never despair of them that be very bad,1 Cor. 6. 9. but pray for them,Tit. 3. 3: give them good counsel;Use 1. Who knows what God will do, especially being come of good Parents? Above all, lead an innocent life before them, which may so work with them, as in Gods good time they may be happily changed.
2. This may be an exceeding provocation to the worst,Use 2. that they may prove good and be saved, as unlikely as it is: Me thinks it should wonderfully move vile wretches to fall down and humble themselves before God, and never cease till the Lord do as much for them, as for the Jaylor, and others, seeing it is a thing that may be, and God hath set down such examples to that end:1 Tim. 1. 13. 16. Thy disease though grievous, yet is not irrecoverable, so thou seek to the Physitian of thy soul in time;Isa. 1. 18. therefore dispare not: They that seek earnestly, labor, strive, give all diligence, study, call for wisdom, cry for understanding, and that early, to day while it is called today; (and when God call men to repentance, and points no time, he means the time present, as in writings between man and man) They that thus seek, shall finde.
3. Yet let none in stead of good take hurt by this,Use 3. and heart to go on in sin, seeing vile persons, and the worst may become converts, and saved ones (so they may, as they may handle the matter, seeking the Lord humbly and speedily) for if any think they have not done enough already, and therefore will go on to adde new sins unto their old, and that its too soon, and will put off, and presume that they may repent when they will, and so shall at last; let such know, they shall finde God a just and severe revenger of all such proud contemners and presumptious persons: O many such shal rounce at Gods mercy-gate, that shall never come in;Matth. 25. 12. as the five foolish Virgins; and Esau, that sought the blessing,Heb. 12. 17. though with tears: how many be now in Hel, that had thought to have repented before their death, and so enjoyed Heaven? No, men shal know, they shal not despise his mercy at their pleasure, and yet have it at command:Prov. 1. 28. Then shall they call upon me (saith the Lord) but I will not answer, Isa. 55. 6.they shall seek me early, but they shall not finde me: Therefore, Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found; call ye upon him, while he is near.