Sober Singularity, Title page – To the reader
Sober Singularity, OR An Antidote againſt Infection By the example of A MULTITUDE Being Practical Meditations, On Exod. 23. verſ. 2.
Wherein is opened, the Influence of the practiſe of a Multitude, to draw men to Sin; the ſpecial caſes, wherein it concerns us to be moſt cautious; Reaſons why we muſt not follow them; together with the Application of the whole.
And therein, Beſides the General improvement of the point, an Inſtance given of Nineteen practiſes of the Multitude to be avoided Seven of their Grand Principles to be rejected: Sundry Particulars concerning Peace, and Unity, and the Sanctification of the Lords day, uſeful for theſe times.
By R. Stedman, M. A.
1 Tim. 5.22. Be not Partaker of other mens ſins. Keep thy ſelf pure.
Defenſio communis furoris eſt furentium Multitudo M.F. Oct.
LONDON, Printed by for Thomas Parkurſt, at the Golden Bible on London-Bridg, under the Gate. 1668.
A PREFACE To the READER.
AS the juſt meaſure of the truth of all Theological Aſſertions, is to be taken from their conſonancy to the word of God: So the uſefulneſs and profit of any undertaking of that nature is to be eſtimated by the ſeaſonableneſs and ſubſerviency thereof to the grand Deſignes of the Goſpel. In both which reſpects the following Treatiſe, however attended with many imperfections, may for the ſubſtance and ſcope of it, make Appeal to the judgments of ſuch as are really touched with the concernes of Religion; and have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcern wherein it's intereſt lieth, and how the progreſs of it is retarded.
The great Intendments of the Goſpel, to the propagation and furtherance whereof all particular attempts ſhould be ſubordinated, are moſtly reducible to three heads. The illuſtration and magnifying of the Grace of God, in the ſalvation of loſt ſinners. The Exaltation and advancement of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the only Mediatour of the Covenant of Grace. The vindication and promoting of real holineſs and purity, amongſt the children of men. And the drift and purport of the Tract enſuing more directly relates to the laſt of theſe: To miniſter help in the following after Godlineſs, and to remove out of the way the main impediments, that hinder from an hearty cloſure therewith.
It is a point as clear as the Noon-day, and cannot be denyed by ſuch as own the Scriptures, that a vigorous and cordial proſecution of holineſs in the greateſt ſtrictneſs and heighth of it, is of indiſpenſeable neceſſity to the Beatifical viſion, and enjoyment of God. Without which, all profeſſions of faith and love to God are but empty names, and counterfeits; indeed, a meer mockery of the moſt High. How ſhall any be induced to believe, that a man doth unfeignedly embrace and love the principles, by which he refuſeth to ſteer his courſe? Or that ſuch divine truths have a real ſeat in his affections, which are openly diſavowed and contradicted in his converſation. He that will give a ſolid teſtimony of his ſincere reſpects to the doctrine of Chriſtianity, muſt do it by a demeanour anſwerable thereunto. It is by upright and humble walking as in the ſight of God, that Religion muſt be adorned, that it may attract the hearts of them that are without: Hereby our profeſſion muſt be juſtified, both in the ſight of men and to the approbation of our own conſciences: And in this way alone, we can comfortably expect to be conducted with ſafety to the Kingdom of Heaven.
When the nature and excellency of holineſs and the fear of the Lord, are conſidered ſeparately, in themſelves, without reflection upon the quality of the perſons preſſed thereunto, it may ſeem a needleſs task, to ſpend much time, or many words, in defence of it. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations! for unto thee it doth appertain? Jer. 10.7. Who, that has any ſpark of ſound wiſdom, would not be found faithful, in the covenant of God? Who, that hath an inſight into the beauty of holineſs, would not admire and fall in love, with it?
But ſuch is the enmity radicated in mens hearts, againſt the Lord, and their perverſe diſputings againſt the purity of the wayes of God; and their addictedneſs to conform unto this world; that it is rather a wonder of free grace, that any perſons are prevailed upon, to cloſe effectually with the power of Godlineſs; than that it ſhould be confined within ſo narrow a compaſs, as the experience of all ages, too abundantly manifeſteth it to be. Beſides, it is a matter of no difficult obſervation, to a thoughtful Chriſtian, who hath his eyes open, and is in the leaſt degree akin to the children of Iſſachar, that had underſtanding of the times, what have been the crafty machinations and methods of the Devil, and his adherents, in theſe late dayes, to bring the ſtrictneſs of Religion into contempt, and to make it a reproach; by caſting loads of accuſations upon the profeſſours thereof: that ſo Godlineſs may be wounded through their loynes, and the ſpirits of men deterred, and diſcouraged from the ſedulous purſuance of it. And what if the miſcarriages and extravagancies of ſome who ſeemed to be eminent for piety, have miniſtred too much occaſion to them, that lye at the catch, to raiſe an evil report, and to vent their ſlanderous revilings againſt the truth? Yet it muſt needs appear to be but a very ridiculous piece of Logick, to argue from the corruption of ſome, to the condemnation of all. As if all ſorts of money were to be rejected in payment, becauſe ſome pieces are but braſs ſilvered over: eſpecially ſeeing it is none other, than what the ſpirit of God hath plainly intimated, that there will be tares mingled with the wheat untill the harveſt: There will be hypocrites and diſſemblers in outward fellowſhip with the Saints, even unto the end.
However, from hence ariſeth a neceſſity of Pleas, Apologies, and vindications to wipe off the ſlurres and calumnies, which men of profligate principles and ſeared conſciences are wont to caſt on the face of religion: And a like neceſſity of arguments and provocatives to quicken men to follow after righteouſneſs: and of anſwers to be returned to the carnal reaſonings, whereby they cavil againſt the truth; and ſtudy to evade the convictions that are ſometimes wrought upon their ſpirits.
If the Meditations here commended to thy candid and ſerious peruſal, may contribute aſſiſtance to this purpoſe; that any of the Truths that are according to Godlineſs may be cleared up; The prejudices and ſtumbling blocks removed out of the way of ſalvation; ſuch as are declining may be recalled, and thoſe that are ſound in the faith further ſettled and eſtabliſhed; the Author hath attained his end; and let all the glory be aſcribed unto God. To whom doth moſt deſervedly appertain, All honour, and praiſe, love, ſubmiſſion, and ſervice, in the Church, by Chriſt Jeſus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.