The Bottomless Pit Smoking in Familism, Sermon
A Sermon preached immediatly before M. Coppe came in to Preach at Burford Sept. 23. 1651.
GALAT. 1. 8, 9.
Though we or an Angell from Heaven ſhould preach any other Goſpel unto you, then that which we have Preached unto you, let him be accurſed: as I ſaid before, ſo ſay I now againe, if any man Preach any other Goſpel unto you, then that which you have received, let him be accurſed.
THe words are the Apoſtles cenſure paſt on all falſe Goſpels, and ſuch Goſpel preachers: 'tis ſhort, but ſharpe; they are, and let them be accurſed.
As for the occaſion of the words and the Epiſtle, you may underſtand, Galatia was a newly planted-Church, the light of the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt had lately broken in upon them, in purity and with power. the Apoſtles had ſo Preach'd it, theſe Galatians had ſo received it.
It ſeemes it fell out with them, as with moſt other Churches, not onelyonly in ours, but the Apoſtles times where ever God had yet his Church, there the Divell would have his Chappell. Hee'le have his Goſpel and his Preachers too, though both accurſed.
There were ſome troublers, perverters of this glorious Goſpel of Chriſt crept in among them, and as it ſeemed overthrew the faith of ſome. I marvaile that you are ſo ſoon removed &c. from him that called you into the Grace of Christ. to be removed from the ſound profeſſion of the Goſpel, which is the doctrine of the free and rich grace of God, ſaving ſinners by a Chriſt, his righteouſneſſe, his death v. 6. his blood, his ſacrifice, is to be removed from God-Salvation-Grace, to another Goſpel, any other doctrine of ſalvation, beſide that by the grace of Chriſt, is another Goſpel farre different from, and directly contrary to, that Goſpel which God revealed, and declared, which is not another. though the Divel and falſe Apoſtles may conſpire to frame and deviſe another Goſpel, then the true Goſpel, revealing Salvation by the grace of Chriſt, yet 'tis no true Goſpel. there is but one Goſpel, there is not another Goſpel, beſide that one which is indeed a Goſpel, brings glad tidings of ſalvation. there's not another Goſpel. to us there is but one God, one ſalvation, one Mediator, one Faith, one Goſpel. againſt ſuch Goſpels and Goſpellers, the Apoſtle oppoſes theſe two or three verſes, which I have read.
He tels them their troublers were the Perverters of the Goſpell, nay more then ſo, theſe Perverters and their Doctrines were both accurſed, and ſo to be accounted by them, whatever they might pretend themſelves, or theirs to be. Might the Apoſtle ſay, be ſure there is no other Goſpell, no more to be revealed for Goſpel truth, …hen what we have made known unto …ou, and what you have already recei…ed, and entertained. Talke not of new …ight, Revelations, New-teachings, this or that, though we our ſelves, or an Angel from heaven, could you be infallibly perſwaded, he came from the throne of Glory &c. yet beleeve him not, there are no new Editions, to be expected of the true Goſpel. No more additions or alterations to be paſt upon it, Chriſt hath ſealed it up with his own blood, and revealed unto us fully, clearly, by his infallible, and unerring ſpirit. So we have Preached it, ſo you have Received it. I tell you, there is no other Goſpel, though we or an Angel from heaven ſhould Preach't &c. Thus for the occaſion and ſcope of this Text. I ſhall be very plain and briefe in what ſhall follow. For obſervations take theſe
1. Obſ. Obſ. 1 It's no new, no ſtrange thing, to heare of new Goſpels, true Coſpel perverters, falſe Goſpel-Preachers.
You ſhall heare of ſuch in the pureſt Churches, the Primitive Churches, Churches planted even by the Apoſtles themſelves. Goſ. Piſt. Rom. 1. Cor. 15John mett with ſuch as denyed the Divinity of the Sonne of God. Paul ſuch as denyed the Imputative Righteouſnes of Jeſus Chriſt, the Reſnrrection of the Dead. Some there were that told them the Reſurrection was paſt already, of whom was Hymaneus and Philetus. 2. Tim. 2.16.17. &c.
It cannot be more ſtrange now in our daies, on whom the very ends of the world are come: Our bleſſed Saviour for 1600 yeares agoe foretold us this, read through the 24th Chap. of Matthew, and there you'le ſee that even in theſe dais, there are to be falſe Chriſts, & falſe Prophets, & ſhall ſhew great ſignes and wonders, and if it were poſſible, deceive the very Elect: they ſhall ſay loe here is Chriſt, and loe there is Chriſt, but beleeve them not, take heed that no man deceive you. Here's a Prophecy of falſe Teachers, even the groſſeſt in theſe latter Ages of the World, note firſt their Doctrine, they hold new Chriſts, and many Chriſts, ſeverall Chriſts, loe here, and loe there a Chriſt, even as many Chriſts as men. Secondly their growth, their ptogreſſe, to deceive even the very Elect. The Temptation it ſeemes muſt fal hard even upon the Elect of God, not the groſſer part only of the world, but even the very Elect ſhould be quite (were it not Impoſſible) to be deceived by them. Such as belong to Election, given to Chriſt, taken into an everlaſting Covenant with God, it may go hard with them, but becauſe of their Election, they ſhall not be finally deceived. Thirdly, Their power, ſignes, and wonders, but for lying wonders, we have enough of thoſe. Fourthly, Take this Caution, think not this ſtrange, when it comes to paſſe, ſee I have told you, be not deceived there will be, if Chriſt be true, falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, and ſhall deceive, and utterly deceive many, though the Elect ſhall ſtand. So you have in 2. Pet. 2. throughout, and in the Epiſtle of Jude, there ſhall be falſe Teachers, even denying the Lord that bought them. Damnable Hereſie, they bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction, read the Chapter, and the 3. verſe of Jude, ungodly men denying the only Lord God, and even our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, turning the grace of God into Laſciviouſneſſe, (as ſome of theſe ſay, let us ſin that grace may abound,) even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them, in like manner giving themſelves over to Fornication, and going after ſtrange Fleſh, filthy Dreamers, note that, I have heard enough of them, defile the fleſh, deſpiſe Dominion, ſpeak evill of Dignities, &c. theſe are ſpotts, &c. woe unto them.
Think it not ſtrange if you meet with ſuch now, the Scripture is true, they make it good, you are forewarned, their Goſpel are curſed Goſpels, but of this anon.
2. Obſ. Obſ. 2 From the Apoſtles Practiſe and his undertaking, note this.
That it is the work of the Miniſtry of the true and everlaſting Goſpel of God in Chriſt, as to Preach this Goſpel to every Creature, to take all opportunities for this, and to lay out themſelves in this, ſo to defend this Goſpel, and to take all opportunities, and to lay out their ſtrength, and to beſtir themſelves with might and maine, in maintaining this true, and oppoſing all falſe Goſpels, and perverters of the true.
You ſhall find this was the work of the true Prophets againſt the falſe: the true Apoſtles againſt the falſe Apoſtles. The Apoſtles themſelves had as much to doe, in preſerving Churches, as in planting them, in defending the true doctrines of the Goſpel as in Preaching. The ſeries and ſcope of moſt of their Epiſtles are taken up with this.
See the charge which Paul gives unto the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, Acts 20. from 28. to 32. read the Scripture.
'Tis a ſpeciall commendation which Chriſt gave the Angel of the Church, of Epheſus, Revel. 3.I know thy works, and thy labour. &c. how thou can'ſt not bear with them that are evill, and thou haſt tried them which ſay they are Apoſtles and are not, and haſt found them lyers, &c. Pauls words in 20. Acts (there ſhall grievous wolves com in among you) it ſeems were true, &c. and for my name-ſake haſt laboured, and haſt not fainted. O 'tis an excellent thing to ſpend, and be ſpent for the ſake of the name of Chriſt, to labour and not faint. This Angel had his faults too, but yet this was praiſeworthy, that the deeds of the Nicolaitans he hated, which he alſo hated, what ere this generation were, it appeares they were too bad. Some would have them of neare kin to theſe ſprung up in our generations, &c. a filthy beaſtly ſect it ſeems it was. God hates ſuch, and the Miniſters of the goſpel ſhould hate ſuch Wretches, Iude.for they are accurſed.
Contend then earneſtly for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, or elſe the blood of Chriſt, the blood of Soules, will cry againſt you. Paul buckles himſelfe againſt them, our matter which we have now to doe with, is other-gueſs'd matter, then that which Paul had: (the point of Circumciſion, and Jewiſh obſervations impos'd on the Gentiles, though that were bad enough) the whole Goſpel perverted, the very Foundations overturned in their Doctrines, the Perſon, the Office, Underſtandings, the Righteouſnes, the Death, the Blood, the Goſpel, the Ordinances, the wayes of Chriſt Blaſpheamed and reproached, ſome turning the very grace of God into laſciviouſnes, denying even the Lord that bought them, giving themſelves over unto uncleanneſſe, to follow all manner of laſciviouſnes, and that with greedineſſe. How ſhould we plead with this Accurſed Generation, you that love Chriſt, hate theſe.
3. Obſ. That Goſpel which Paul preached, and the Apoſtles preached, and in the Scripture is recorded, which holds out the grace of God in Chriſt unto ſalvation, that's the true Goſpel, be ſide this thereis no other, & this Goſpel is the rule, and Standard of all Goſpel doctrine: by which all men's doctrine muſt be tried.
This Goſpel is the Everlaſting Goſpel' the ſame Goſpel which was from the beginning. Revel. 14.6.The Fathers knew no other Goſpel, glad tidings of ſalvation but through the blood death and Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. The Apoſtles received no other Goſpel from Chriſt, they preacht no other the Churches planted by them received no other, into this, and this alone they were baptized? There is, there can bee, no other Goſpel or doctrine of ſalvation, but this, there is no other name, Act. 4.14by which wee can be ſaved, but onelyonly by the name of the Lord Jeſus, and that as, dying upon the Croſſe, at Jeruſalem, for our ſins, according to the Scripture.
Let all other Goſpel be tried by this. If they ſpeak not according to this they are accurſed Goſpels.
I ſhall give you ſome Characters of true-Goſpel doctrine and preachers. I had rather ſhew you the true then rake all dunghils for the falſe, truth will manifeſt errour. I take this as the maine. That's the true Goſpel, and they are the true-Goſpel preachers, that lay the whole weight and burthen of our ſalvation on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt the ſon of God, the ſon of man Equall with God, that is God, yet God in our fleſh, our nature I meane not our particular perſons, as they would have it, who deſpiſe this Chriſt, they lay ſalvation on a Chriſt within them, this Chriſt within, in the Goſpel ſence, is true but in theirs is groſſely falſe. however the ſtreſſe of our ſalvation lyes not there, that may bee an Evidence, an Earneſt of ſalvation but Chriſt in the wombe of the virgin Mary, Chriſt lying in the manger, Chriſt living in Judaea, that poore deſpiſed Chriſt, that Carpenters ſon, as ſome abominably call him, is the true Chriſt; and the ſtrength of our ſalvation: that Chriſt, that lived here on earth in a low meane way was crucified at Jeruſalem, dying upon the Croſſe, lying in the grave, ariſing againe the third day, viſibly and corporally aſcending into heaven, and fitting now there at the right hand of the Majeſty on high, thats the true Chriſt, and our Saviour, that Chriſt, that ſhall come againe in the ſame viſible way, bodily way, & manner, as he went up into heaven, to judge the World, render to quick and dead, Good and bad, every man, all fleſh, according to their deeds done in the fleſh, that ſhall take his Saints into heaven, and curſe the wicked and blaſpemous to eternall torments: thats the true Chriſt, and the true Goſpel places Salvation in this Chriſt and in no other. This is our Saviour, our Redeemer, neither is there Salvation in any other. not in Men, not in Angels, no not in God himſelfe abſtracted from this Chriſt that was borne of Mary, lay in the manger, died on the Croſſe doe yee know what God out of that Chriſt is? he is a conſuming fire. Everlaſting burning, and who ſhall dwell with him? ſhall ſtubble? God out of that Chriſt conſidered is an Idoll not our God. for God is now God manifeſt in our fleſh, in our nature, the fleſh that was at Jeruſalem upon the Croſſe, now in heaven.
2. That's the true Goſpel which holds out the true ſalvation, and true damnation, the ſtates of men after this life. Salvation 'tis true in ſome ſence is begun here, in title, earneſt, firſt fruits. but ſalvation, to ſpeake fully and properly of ſalvation, is a ſtate to come. the wrath from which we are ſaved, is a wrath to come, and the great Evill of ſin, though I ſay ſome be here, is yet to come Even then when Chriſt, that Chriſt, of whom we ſpeake ſhall appear. not to our fancies, not in the worke of grace, neither in the ſpeciall tokens of his ſpirituall preſence, but appeare bodily, corporally, viſibly. then ſhall we ſee him as he is, and not till then. then ſhall he appeare unto our compleate Salvation, and not till then. other ſalvation there is not. vile wretches ye are that would deſtroy and annihilate ſalvation it ſelfe: We ſhall have our bodies, and with theſe eyes ſhall we then ſee our ſweet redeemer. Salvation is not a phancy. 'tis reall and for its fulneſſe 'tis yet to come. firſt comes death and judgement, and then compleate ſalvation. and for damnation and hell, let fooles make a mock of Hell, they ſhall find there is another hell, beſide that fancied hell of theirs in this life, ſome of them (I will not ſay all) are ordained of old unto this deſtruction, they are reſerved in chaines of darkneſſe, to the blackneſſe of the darkneſſe of that day. He that beleeveth ſhall be ſaved, but he that beleeveth not he ſhall be damned.
3. The true Goſpel laies the maine cauſe of our ſalvation next to the work of God the father, on the obedience, on righteouſneſſe, Rem. 1.17. Rom. 3.25. Rom. 5. Eſ. 53. Heb. 10.on the ſufferings, on the death, on the blood of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt his ſoule preſented unto God as an offering, a ſacrifice, a propitiation for our ſinnes, making ſatisfaction to divine juſtice, bearing, the wrath of God, which was due unto us for our ſinnes. He was made ſinne for us, 2 Cor. 5. ult.though he knew no ſinne, our ſinne was imputed unto him, that we might be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him, that his Righteouſneſſe might be Imputed unto us for our Righteouſneſſe. Rom. 9.6.thus the Goſpel is the power of God unto ſalvation, as it reveales this righteouſneſſe of Chriſt (imputed to us) from faith to faith the goſpel places the maine cauſe of our ſalvation, not in any thing within us, but without us, not as righteouſneſſe, though wrought in us by the power of God, but a righteouſneſſe without us in the perſon of the Sonne of God, Rom. 5.that was made fleſh, and dwelt among us. There is no other ſaving name but this. you are ſaved by the merits alone of that pretious blood, Acts 20.that very corporal blood of the man crucified at Jeruſalem as ye call him.1 Pet. 1.17.
4. Rom. 3.25. Mark. 16.16.That's the true goſpel which holds out the true application of theſe merits of Chriſt unto us, in beleeving, by faith, which holds out the true faith, as carrying in it theſe few particulars.
1. True goſpel faith, ſaving faith hath this for its generall argument, it ſets its ſeale to all Scripture truth, 1 Ino 4.2.3. Ino, 1.1.à free and a powerfull aſſent to the whole doctrine of the goſpel. particularly, that the man at Jeruſalem, as they call him, was and is the Sonne of God. God bleſſed for ever.
2. That he is true man, God-man Immanuell. Eſ. 7. Mat. 1.theſe two natures meet in one perſon. one told me not long ſince, that he that had two natures in one perſon was Antichriſt.
3. That he is our Mediator ſufficient, 1 Tim. 2.5.only mediator, ſurety, betweene God and us.
4. That he lived, died, roſe againe, aſcended. Sits in glory, ſhall viſibly come againe, judge the World, and whatever elſe the Scripture ſpeaks of him.
5. Heb. 10.That his death was à ſacrifice for ſin. That it is his imputative righteouſneſſe, by which we are juſtified, on the account of which our ſins are pardoned, our ſoules accepted, ſaved, &c.
6. Ino 6. 1 Cor. 15.That there is a life, a ſalvation to corne, a judgement, a reſurrection of the body. I know not how any man can be ſaved that denies any of theſe. I am ſure he that profeſſedly blaſphemes any one of all theſe, ſo living and ſo dying he ſhall not. he that beleeveth not ſhall be damned. Mar. 16.16.
Take heed bow ye depart from the faith, leaſt ye depart from ſalvation with it.
If you be ſaved by Chriſts righteouſnes, mediation, you muſt beleeve all theſe truths and more.
2. Rom. 3.25.True goſpel faith carries the ſoule of it ſelfe, and from of any thing elſe, and applies it, by a clinging and a cleaving of the ſoule, unto Chriſt above fo Salvation.
It caſts the ſoule upon that perſon, hi offices, his righteouſneſſe, the merits o… his death and ſufferings, and there expects Salvation, and no where elſe, like a ſhipwrackt creature that catches at a planke, and on that layes hold to come to ſhore. Not one falne ſoule ſhall come alive to ſhore (that ever heard of Chriſt and the Goſpell) but this way.
Faith caſts the ſoule on Chriſt the ſonne of God, the ſonne of Mary, and if there be no ſalvation in this crucified Chriſt, 'twill be content to periſh in thoſe floods of guilt, and flames of wrath, to all eternity. 1 Cor. 2.2it knowes no other, it will have none elſe, Chriſt, and none but Chriſt for me.
3. Rom. 6.That's the true faith which purifies the heart, and transformes the ſoule into the likeneſſe of this death of Chriſt, to dye to ſin to live to righteouſneſſe, there is no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, Rom. 8.1.and they are ſuch as walke not after the fleſh but after the ſpirit, as have crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts. Faith derives a power from the death of Chriſt to kill us to ſinne, and ſin to us there is the likeneſſe of his death brought home unto us, and wrought within us, but this is not (as Familiſts would have) that death of Chriſt by which we are ſaved, and have our ſinnes pardoned, our perſons juſtified, this is the conſequent, the fruit of that.
Such Goſpel, and ſuch faith as leads unto Licentiouſneſſe, that is a falſe Goſpel, an accurſed Goſpel, and ſuch Preachers are curſed Preachers, ſo living and ſo dying, Heb. 12.ye ſhall never ſee God. without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee the Lord.
You ſee the true Goſpell, you may hereby know the falſe. they that deny that deny that Chriſt, his righteouſneſſe, reproach his blood, his death, that deny thoſe Goſpell truths, they that preach not this faith; take this from me, (but not from me, take it from God himſelfe) their Goſples, they are falſe accurſed Goſpells, and ſuch preachers they are falſe and curſed Preachers, they are ſo to God, they ſhould be ſo to you. and thats the next poynt. with which I end.
Other Goſpels, and Goſpel-pretending-preachers beſides the true, the old, the everlaſting, they are accurſed Goſpels, accurſed goſpel perverters: God ſo lookes upon them, and ſo ſhould all good men.
An accurſed thing whats that? It's a thing moſt abominable, deteſtable, to be abhorred by all that come a neare it. like the accurſed things that were under the law accurſed. Deut. 2.26.
2. An accurſed thing (ſuch as theſe goſpels) is ſuch as render every perſon, thing it touches or comes neere unto accurſed. Joſh. 6.18.you know what it was with Achan, the accurſed thing rendred him accurſed, and ſome of this fell upon the whole campe; and accurſed goſpel is the plague of the perſon, that preaches it, that heares it, to entertaines it, the plague of the place to which it comes, and where ſuch like are: unleſſe deteſted, abhorred, look't upon both as to their perſons and doctrines as accurſed, by all that know them.
O what a curſe goes with falſe goſpel, what deluſions, Rom. 1. 2 Theſ. 2.11.what a reprobate minde? what horrid wickedneſſes bring they with them? leave once Chriſt, his truth, and goſpel, and entertaine a legion of uncleane Divels. nay more, even the beſt of ſuch, if there be any that belong to God, as ſome there be. what a ſpot get they. I never knew any one yet, though I have known many of this generation that ever came of roundly to the waies of truth, to a Crucified Chriſt. Some may eſcape, but it's an hard matter if they die not in theſe ſinnes, read Heb. 6.4. what hopes there are of ſuch, and 2 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. I cannot note it now. it is a dreadfull word to me. Oh what a curſe goes there along with falſe goſpels. many of them profeſſe to returne to waies of truth, and ſome may write their recantations; but lord ſhew mercy to them, they have that abiding on them, which denotes a curſe, a plague in error.
3. An accurſed goſpel in goſpel ſence binds over to the curſe indeed, the wrath of God, everlaſting burnings. the very bottomeles gulfe of hell. 2 Pet. 2.1.if Chriſts blood dont ſprinkle them (as 'tis rare if ever) they are damned for ever. Ile ſpeak it boldly as their doome: ſuch as wilfully blaſpheame the name of Chriſt, and turne apoſtates from him, damnation is theirs, there is no hope for them. ſee a moſt dreadfull Scripture 10 of the Heb. and then judge whether this be true. in the beginning you have Chriſt in his death and blood preacht to remiſſion of ſinne, as we have now preacht it, in the 26 you ſee the ſentence on Apoſtates: if we ſinne wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, the truth that is in Jeſus, there remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſin, I tremble to read this Scripture, and to think of their forlorne condition: there's no hope no helpe, but a certaine fearfull looking for of judgement. a certaine, ô there's the dreadfull word, as God is true, theſe ſhall not live but dye, read the 28s of how much ſorer puniſhment. ſuppoſe ye, ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath troden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant a vaine thing, or an unholy, a common thing, and hath done deſpight unto the ſpirit of grace, once enlightning him, and working ſomewhat on him ſtill ſhining in the Scripture to him but rejected by him.
We know him that hath ſaid vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompence ſaith the Lord. it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Let me cloſe up all with this exhortation which the Apoſtle in theſe words gave unto his people. you ſee what the true Goſpel is, what falſe goſpels are, ô be perſwaded to ſacrifice your ſoules upon this Goſpel. and forall other goſpels, who ever bring them, whether we our ſelves, who have preacht this true Goſpel unto you, and which you have received, I ſay whoever, whether we our ſelves, or others, nay an Angell himſelfe from heaven, (ſhould he by infallible demonſtrations make it out unto you, that he came from the throne of God) beleeve them not, abhorre them, their doctrines their perſons and ſuch Preachers, looke upon them as upon the plague, as upon the Divel himſelfe, they are accurſed: touch not with them, their doctrines their principles, Ioh. ep. 2.leaſt you be partakers of their ſins, and partakers of their plagues. I beſeech you in the bowel. of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as ye love his perſon, prize his righteouſneſſe, expect ſalvation by him, as you look that his blood, his death, his mediation, his interceſſion ſhould ſave your immortall ſoules, keep and hold to this his Goſpel, let none deceive you, let the truths of Chriſt (the leaſt of which is worth your ſoules) the blood of Chriſt, the ordinance of Chriſt, the works of Chriſt, the waies of Chriſt be pretious to you. ô tender his name, that he may tender yours, ſtick cloſe and cleave to him, that he may cleave and ſtick cloſe to you. his goſpel is the true Goſpel, the power of God to ſave y our ſoules, though we or an Angel from heaven ſhould preach any other goſpel unto you, then this which we have Preached and you received. What I ſaid before, I ſay againe, and not I but the Holyghoſt himſelfe, (men may ſay we ſpeak in paſſion, and we rage and raile, but God himſelfe ſaies it, and the Apoſtle by the inſpiration of the bleſſed Spirit ſpeakes it) let them be accurſed AMEN.