Works, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness; An humble frame; Suppressing sin in its first rise; the knowledge of God.
TEnthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness, Walk humbly with thy God. A tree the more deeply its rooted, the more it groweth under ground, the more upward in fruitfulness: The Christian will find that by growing in humility, he shall thrive in godliness. He that turneth his eyes upward is ready to stumble at every rub that lyeth in his way; but he that looketh downward, seeth and avoideth those stones. A proud man, is like a little man with an high-heeld-shooe, raised thereby in his own conceit, above others of the same rank, but it fits him with many a fall. The proud person giveth not glory to God, and therefore must not expect that God should give grace to him; But the humble man honoureth God, and sanctifieth his name, and sets the Crown on his head, and so may expect (because God hath promised) that God should honour him, and sanctifie his soul; God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. He leaves those high hills barren, but makes the valleys to abound in Corn. Tis in vain to undertake to pour liquor into a full Vessel, it will all run over, but the empty Vessel will receive it. The proud person is full still of self, and so will not be thankful for an almes; but the humble man is empty, hungring, and thirsting, and he shall be satisfied. Proud Vashti divorceth her self, and provoketh her Lord to disown and disclaim her; but humble Hester is thought worthy of a Crown, and admitted into the Kings embraces. The fig-tree that blooms not at all, brings forth most pleasant fruit, when the Sallow which hath most glorious palms is barren. Hypocrisie kills the flower of grace at the root, Pride nips it in the bud. Sincerity like Paul, planteth grace; Humility like Apollo, watereth it, and helpeth it to flourish. We may take notice all along in Scripture, that the humblest men, were the holiest men; and those that were eminent for any grace, were eminent for Humility. The deepest streams were most silent, and made the least noise. Abraham was famous for Faith, strong in Faith, he beleived in hope against hope, but loe how lowly was he! Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. So Iacob, named Israel by God himself, for his fervency and prevelancy in prayer; I am less then the least of all thy mercies. David, that man after Gods own heart, I am a worm and no man, as a Child wea…ed from his mothers breasts, for humility. So As…ph, Psa. 23. 21. Agur, Prov. 30. Isaiah, Isa. 6. 3. The Virgin Mary, the Centurion, the Syrophenician, Paul, all like full vessels sounded not their own praise, and like Stars, the higher they were in holiness, the less they appeared. When Elizabeth had conceived, she hid her self three months; they who are the most fruitful in holiness, make the least boasting of it. Lord, said holy Hooper, I am Hell, but thou art Heaven; I am full of sin, but thou a gracious God. Bradford would subscribe his Letters, The most miserable, unthankeful, hardhearted sinner, John Bradford. The greater the fire of grace, the less the smoke or shew of it to the world. The weightiest Wheat seeks for the lowest place, when the light chaf… flyeth in the Air.
Whe… the Sun is at the highest, the shadow is the least, and the more directly the Sun shineth on u…, the less our shadow is; so the higher Christians are in Gods favour, the lower they are in their own ey…s; The more God exalted David, the more he debased himself, What am I, and what is my Fathers-House, that thou hast brought me up hitherto, and yet thou speakest of thy servants house for a great while to come? 2 Sam. 7. 18, 19. This was Davids language, when Nathan brought him word that God would build him a sure house. Those trees which spread much and grow low, near the ground most commonly bring forth more and larger fruits then high trees, that aspire up into the air. The highest trees are barren; so the proud and high-minded man, but with the lowly is wisdom.
The humble Christian is nearer God then others, and so must needs thrive above others; though God beholdeth the proud afar off, he dwelleth in the humble heart. The lowly Christian is most lovely in his eye, and shall have most of his company. God appeared to Moses, not in a lofty Cedar, but in a low, mean, …bject bush. If he that walketh with wise men becomes wise, and is the better for such good company; what good doth the humble Christian get by walking with his God?
Pride is like the Remora to a ship, which will arrest it under full sail; hinder the Saint in his heavenly passage, when he is making the greatest speed. its like those weeds which are of so poisonous a nature, that they will suffer no good hearbs to grow near them. The servant that hath been trusted and honoured by his Lord, if he prove a Theif, and steal from his Lord, provokes him to take his stock out of his hands, and to trust him no longer. The proud man steals from God, and robs him of that glory which is due to him; and therefore its no marvail if he deny to trust such an unfaithful servant with any more spiritual riches.
'Tis the empty Barrel that makes the greatest sound. The poor women that have nothing but a few Matches, or Pins, or Band-strings, or Threadlaces; the men that have onelyonly a few Brooms, or some Small-coal, or Roots, make a great stir, and loud noise about the City, and would have every body acquainted with their ware. When the great Usurer that is worth thousands in Bills and Bonds, and the rich Shopkeeper, whose estate swelleth to a vast bulk, never proclaim what they are worth, but rather endeavour to hide it; Those that have least spiritual riches, are most guilty of boasting; Laodicaea bragged much that was poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, and worse then naught, They who are fullest of Faith, and richest in good works, make the least sound; When their hearts and lives like the face of Moses, shine brightly with grace and holiness, they do not, they will not, know it. They consider their greatest light and lustre, is but a reflection from the Father of lights, and therefore they have no reason at all to boast of borrowed goods.
The worm of pride breeds soonest in rotten wood. The proud Pharisee who justified himself, had nothing in him but matter of condemnation: When the poor humble Publican, affected with his own vileness and baseness, had something of worth in him, even his sense of his own unworthiness. Brass makes a greater sound, and is heard farther then Gold, but every one knoweth there is no comparison between them; Chaff is seen above the Wheat, not because it is better, but because it is lighter.
Alas, what is man? what hath man that he should be proud? He is but enlivened dust, moving earth, refined clay, that which beasts trample under their feet; He hath nothing that good is, but what he hath received; He lives wholly upon the alms and charity of another. A proud heart and a beggars purse do not agree. As he is a sinner, he is more vile and base, more noisom and loathsom then any Toad, or Snake, or Serpent, and hath he any reason to be proud? Reader, be cloathed with humility; learn of thy Redeemer, for he was meek and lowly in heart. Though he thought it no robbery to be equal with God, yet he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, Phil. 2.7,8.
When pride cometh, then cometh a fall. As a Wrastler, if he can lift his fellow from the ground, quickly gives him a fall; so the Devil, if he can lift up with pride, doubts not but to throw them. Physicians observe that the Dropsie and Consumption are usually together: when once thou swellest with this Dropsie of pride, expect a Consumption of thy godliness. He walks but dangerously who walks on high places, as on the ridges of houses, and on ropes; he that walks below is more safe. Angels, Adam, David, Hezekiah, Peter, and many others in Scripture confirm the Wisemans Proverb, Pride goeth before a fall. Trees that are set on mountains are easily shaken and torn up by the roots, when stormy winds arise. Indeed tis no wonder that a proud man should fall into sin, for he relieth on his own strength, which is but a broken reed. Peter had not fallen so fouly, if he had not undertaken to stand upon his own legs, which were too weak to bear his weight; But before honour is humility. The lower the foundation, the higher the building.
A proud man hath a great infelicity, in that he is his own enemy, and makes all others his enemies. God is his enemy; there is no sinner whom he proclaims such open war against, in such express terms, as the Proud; God setteth himself in battel array against the proud. Twere better Earth and Hell should unite their force against him, then one God. Ah who knoweth the power of thine anger! Men are his enemies; he disdaineth others for their meaness or pove…ty, or want of parts, and they disdain him for his pride. He that over-valueth himself shall soon be under-valued by every one. Pride makes him scorn friends (for familiarity would deprive him, he thinks, of that reverence which he deserves) and therefore all must be his enemies; but he is his own enemy most, in cutting such a gash in his soul by his pride, and making way for all other sins to fall on. He that is lifted up with pride, quickly falls into the condemnation of the Devil. Satan had found this vice, Pride, by experience so prevalent to draw the creature from God, that he knew no better bait to catch Adam with, Ye shall be as gods; and when afterwards he encountred David, 'twas with this weapon; he tempted David to number the people.
Yet alas, though it be so prejudicial, how natural is it to us? Pride is a weed, a worm that gets into the best Garden. It was a witty taunt which a proud Cardinal had from a friend of his, that upon his election went to Rome on purpose to see him, where finding his behaviour stretcht to nothing but pride and state, he departed and put on a mourning suit, and the next day comes in black to visit him; The Cardinal asking the cause why he was in mourning, he answered, It was for the death of Humility; which fetcht its last breath in him when he was elected Cardinal. Most of us have cause to put on mourning upon the same account.
Eleventhly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness, Suppress sin in the beginning. This foul Bird is easiest kild in the egge. When a fire is first broke out in a Chimny it may with much less labour be quenched, then when it hath seised the Timber of the House; What small beginnings had those fires which have conquered stately Pallaces, and turned famous Cities into ruinous heaps? An Hair is but a little thing, yet some have been choaked with it; If the Tetter be not killed, it will come to be a Ring-worm. Passion at the first kindling may be quenched, but if let alone, sends such a smoke into the understanding, which thickens into a cloud, and hinders us from the sight of our selves and our duties. The Tree may soon be pulled up, before it hath taken root, but then it may be too hard for the strongest man. A prick with a Pin, or a Thorn, being let alone, hath sometimes caused the cutting off of a limb, nay, the loss of life. Minutes to sin, are like Cyphers to a figure, which quickly increase it to vast sums. Sin increaseth by degrees, Iam. 1. 14, 15. First it surprizeth the heart in a thought, then it stealeth into the affections for approbation, then the affections plead with the will for its consent, and then that commandeth the act of it, and frequent acts cause an habit, and custom in sin causeth despair, despair causeth men to defend sin, their defence of sin a boasting and glorying in it, and the next step is Hell. Sin is therefore fitly by the Prophet compared to a Chain, for one link draweth another.
As the Ivy by little and little creepth upon the Oak, till at last it doth destroy it; so doth sin cling about the soul, and by degrees over-run and undo it. When the water begins to freeze, it will hardly bear a peny weight; let it alone a little longer, and it will bear a shilling, then a pound weight, then a man, then a horse, then cart and load and all. As the cloud which Elijahs servant saw, was at first no bigger then a mans hand, but afterwards it spread till it covered the Heavens. Peter first denyeth his Master, then sweareth, then curseth, and forsweareth himself. Cain first ha…bours envious thoughs of his brother, then murdereth him in his heart, then kills him with his hand, then quarrelleth with God and despaireth. There is no staying when we are once down the Hill, till we come to the bottom; If this Giant of sin get in but a limb, he will quickly get in his whole body. Wanton thoughts, if not stifled, bring forth actual uncleanness. Sin is like water, if we give it the least way, run it will in spight of us. If we get not the conquest over it in its infancy, we shall not overcome it when it is brought to maturity. He that cannot put out a spark, will be much more unable to put out a flame. The smallest of these twigs, will prove thorny bushes, if not timely stubbed up.
The Horse must be broken when a Colt, and the Lion tamed when a Whelp; Its best to deal with sin, as Iocasta with Oedipus, to cast it forth in its infancy. The Israelite must dash these Babylonian Infants, against the wall, if he would be a blessed man, Isa. 13.18. The Christian that checketh and curbeth sin when it first appeareth, doth as David to the Philistine, wound it in the forehead, and so slayeth it certainly. As the Snail by little and little creepeth up from the root of the tree to the top, consuming the leaves as it goeth, and leaving nothing behind it but filth and slime: So sin gradually infecteth the whole man. This poison if not presently vomited up, as soon as taken down, flieth to, and destroyeth the vitals. The Apostle calleth it a Canker, and truly so it is in regard of its spreading nature, both as to persons, from one man to another, and to parts, from one faculty of the soul and member of the body to another. How dreadful was the effect of a few boys joyning with Massianello in Naples, anno 1647. whom the officers and people laughed and jeered at, instead of subduing! What murders, and burning Palaces and Churches did ensue and arise from so contemptible means! Therefore as wise Princes will be heedful to suppress riots, and petty insurrections, knowing that if they be let alone they will break out into open rebellion, and cause much bloodshed and mischeif: So Reader, do thou stifle and kill sin in the womb, before it be quick, lest thou like the young Serpents, if brought forth, it tear out thy bowels, and its birth cause thy death.
Twefthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness, study the knowledge of God. Tis ignorance of God, that is the original of all sin. Did men know the sad fruits of his fury, they durst not by sin provoke him. Did men know the sweetness of his favour, they would do, they would suffer any thing to please him. It is in the mist of ignorance that they lose their way, and wander from him who is the chiefest good. The Devil is bound in chains of darkness, and so are all his Children.
They who know God most, love him most, and fear him most, and trust him most. It is life (spi…tual, and the seed of life) eternal, to know thee the onelyonly true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent, Joh. 17. 3. All godliness, all grace, is seminally in the knowledge of God, and floweth from it. They who with open face behold the Lord, though but as in a glass, are changed into his image, from glory to glory; from one degree of grace to another, … Cor. 3. 18.
They who know the infiniteness, and immensity of his being, cannot but despise all things for him, esteem all things as nothing to him, as nothing without him, look on the whole creation, as less then nothing in comparison of him. Ah what admiring, reverent thoughts of that being of beings, of him whose name is, I am, have they who lanch a little (for 'tis but a little that they can here) into this Ocean! All Nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity; they canno… but desire and labour to enjoy so boundless a portion.
They who know the power of God, cannot but fear him, and stand in awe of his presence and threatnings; They fear him who is able to cast soul and body into hell, Mat. 10. 28.Heb. 12. 27, 28. They will depend on him, because there is no want which the Almighty cannot supply, no weakness which he cannot remove, no danger which he cannot prevent or support in. Acquaintance with him who is mighty in strength, makes the Christian resolute in Gods cause, and as bold as a Lion at his call and command.
They who know the eternity of God, will chuse him before temporal vanities; What are the pleasures of sin for a season in his eye, who seeth the pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore? What are the honours on earth, to him who knoweth the eternal weight of glory? What are temporal relations, in comparison of the everlasting Father? Nay, what is his natural life to eternal life? no good is little that is eternal; how great then is the infinite and eternal God?
They who know the wisdom of God, will submit to his Providences, and acquiesce in all his dispensations. He is wise in heart, his understanding is infinite, and he knoweth what is best for thee and me and all others, and therefore there is all the reason of the world, why I should rest in his will and be satisfied in his pleasure. It is the Lord (saith the soul in his greatest afflictions) who is infinite in wisdom, and knoweth what will do me most good) Let him do what seemeth good in his eyes.
They who know the faithfulness of God, will credit his word, and make him the object of their Hope and Faith; They that know thy name will trust in thee, Psa. 9. 10. His truth commandeth our trust. We will rely on faithful men, who will not lye, but the Christian seeth infinitely more reason to rely on the faithful God who cannot lye.
They who know the mercy and love, and goodness of God, will love, and admire, and trust, and praise him. The knowledge of his love to us, will call out our love to him, as one that deserves it, being infinitely amiable in himself, and the more deserving of our love, for his love to such loathsom ones as we are. It will cause us to rely on him; for infinite love, joyned with infinite strength and faithfulness, will not, cannot deceive us. It will help us to see the odious nature of sin, in that it is an abuse of infinite love; The goodness of God will lead the soul to repentance.
They who know the holiness of God, will sanctifie him in their approaches to him, and walk humbly and watchfully with him. They know that sin is loathsom to him, because contrary to his holy nature, and therefore they hate it; they know that holiness is lovely, as it is his Image and Excellency, and therefore they follow after it. They are upright, and serious, and zealous, and humble, and reverent in their holy performances, because therein they have to do with such a holy God.
They who know the anger of God, will stand in awe and not sin; They know that God is not to be mocked; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, for our God is a consuming fire. They know his fury is terrible, intolerable; none can abide it, no sinner can avoid it; therefore they hate sin, the object of it, and flie to Christ, who delivereth from it.
O what a work, a gracious sanctifying work doth the knowledge of God make in the soul! It makes the understanding to esteem him above all, the will to chose him before all, the affections to desire him, to delight in him more then all; the whole man, to seek him, to serve him, to honour and praise him beyond all in Heaven and earth. What is the reason that God is so much loved, admired, and worshipped, and glorified in his Church, when all the World besides despise him, but this, In Judah is God known, his name is great in Israel! Psa. 76. 1.
O Reader, be confident of this; the more thou knowest of the excellencies of God, the more thou wilt prize his Son, submit to his spirit, crucifie the flesh, contemn the world, fear to offend him, study to please him; the more holy thou wilt be in all manner of conversation.
Hence the main work of Christs prophetical office was to reveal God to the world.
And the Devils great work is to keep men from this knowledge of God, knowing that it will tend so exceedingly to their sanctification and holiness, and to the overthrow of his interest. The Miller mufleth and blindeth his Horse that draweth his Mill, and thereby keeps him at his round, deceiving him, in making him to think he goeth forward. The first work of the Philistines was, to put out Sampsons eyes, and then they made him grind at their Mill and make them sport. The Eagle (saith Pliny, Nat. Hist. lib. 10. cap. 20.) before he setteth upon the Hart, rolleth himself in the Sand, and then flyeth at the Staggs head, and by fluttering his wings, so dustieth his eyes, that he can see nothing, and then striketh him with his Talons where he listeth. Satan darkneth mens understandings, and thereby commandeth their wills and affections, and destroyeth the whole man; If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that perish, whom the God of this world hath blinded their minds, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God should shine unto them, 2 Cor. 4. 4, 5.
When men are spoken in Scripture to be vicious and prophane, they are onelyonly said not to know the Lord, and there is no knowledge of God in the land, Ier 4 22. Hos. 4… 1. and when God undertakes in his Covenant of Grace to sanctifie and make men holy, he is said to put his knowledge in their hearts, and his promise is, They shall all know me from the least to the greatest, Heb. 10. Ier. 31.34. And they that would grow in grace, are commanded in order thereunto to grow in knowledge, 2 Pet. 3. 18.
Ignorance is the mother of all irreligion, of all atheism, Ephes. 4. 18. They are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts. As Owles, sinners may see in the night of this world, have some knowledge in worldly affairs, but they cannot see in the day; are ignorant of spiritual, of heavenly things. Sin, like the pestilence David speaks of, walketh in the dark, Psa. 91.5. And Satan is the enemy that soweth his tares by night. This is one cause why sin is called a work of darkness; It is from that darkness which is in mens understandings, that they turn their backs upon God, and run upon their own eternal ruines. It were impossible for the rational creature to be so desperately mad as to play with the wrath of God, and slight the love of God, to neglect his mercy and despise his justice, if they did but know God. When Princes go incognit…s, in a disguise, and a…e unknown, then they are disesteemed. Hence they who are obstinately prophane and resolved on wickedness say unto God, Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy ways, Job 21. 14. The hooded Hawk, that seeth not the Partridge, will never flye after it. The Israelites pitched in Mithkah, which signifieth sweetness, before they removed to Cashmonah, which signifieth swiftness. They onelyonly who know the sweetness of God, will flye to him with swiftness; Ignoti nulla cupido. He who knoweth the Allsufficiency of God, will never turn to the Creature; even as the Bee, if it did not find honey enough in one flower, would never hasten to another.
Those that are ignorant of God, abound in all manner of Atheism and wickedness. The Families which know not God, will not call on his name. There is no truth, no mercy; but lying and stealing, and swearing, and killing, where there is no knowledge of God, Hos. 4. 1, 2. 'Tis no wonder to see blind men stumble and fall, and break their limbs. I do not marvail to see ignorant men, who know not God, to live without him, to turn him out of their hearts and houses, as if they had no dependance on him, or ingagements to him.
Whence is it that men are regardless of their souls and eternal estates, that they dance over the unquenchable lake, and are merry and jovial at the very brink of destruction, that they despise the God that made them, preserveth them, bought them, and hath them in his hands, and at his mercy every moment, that they slight his Son, his Spirit, his Law, his Love, his wrath, his promises of eternal life, as if they were things of no value, and rather fit to be trampled on then esteemed; that they can lye down and sleep, and rise up and eat, and d…ink, and follow their sports and pleasures, and laugh and sing under the guilt of sin, and curse of the Law, and infinite wrath of the Lord, but their ignorance of God? Ah did they but know his holiness, his Jealousie, his Power, his Justice, they they would s…oner undergo any misery that men could inflict on them, then incur his anger, or provoke him to jealousie; they would never neglect …is Worship, or put him off with a few heartless prayers; Ludentes cum Deo ut pueri cum suis puppis, as Calvin hath it, Playing with him as children with their babies, when they come immediately to his presence, and pretend to seek his face.
The holy times under the Gospel wherein the people of God sho…ld be of one hea…t, are spoken of as proceeding from this cause; The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as waters cover the sea, Isa. 11.9. The perfection of grace and holiness in heaven will be the effect in part of this knowledge of God; When we shall see him (perfectly) we shall be (perfectly) like him, 1 Ioh. 3.2.
Reader, be perswaded therefore to study this knowledge of God; think no labour too much for it… pray, and read, and hear, and confer, and mourn that thou mayst know God. Beleive it, it is a jewel that will pay thee well for all thy pains; Encline thine ear unto wisdome, and apply thy heart unto understanding. Yea, if thou cryest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom, and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding, Prov. 2. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Did men but spend that time and strength about the knowledge of God, which they spend in endeavouring to raise their families, and advance their parties and interest, and to suppress them that in their apprehensions stand in their way; we should quickly have a Nation as famous for peace, and love, and holiness, as now it is notorious for divisions and prophaness.