Christs School, Class 1 · Section 2
II. Uſe of Exhortation.
1. To them without and not yet Babes in Chriſt, being not new-born.
2. To them within, of all ranks and degrees.
1. TO them without, who are not yet new-born, but remain in a ſtate of nature, and who cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, unleſs they be born again, as our Saviour aſſures us with no leſs than four Verilies, Job. 3.3. and 5. And alas how many are there who yet lie under the condemnation of the Word and their own Conſciences, as having known nothing of converſion, no not in a profeſſion, but live in a known and owned courſe of a ſinful life? Oh that I might yet intreat, perſwade and prevail with ſuch to conſider their way and the end thereof, which is Hell, if they turn not to God, and believe in Chriſt Jeſus. To you, poor ſouls, I have ſpoken before by way of conviction and invitation too, under the two heads of Repentance and Faith, when I made Application thereof, which I intreat you to peruſe and conſider, that I may not ſpeak the ſame things over and over. Further,
And beſide that, I have two other things to ſay unto unto you, by way of Exhortation; 1. Do not offend any of Chriſts little ones, no not his Babes. 2. Be not offended with Chriſt and Religion, becauſe of Babes, though they be yet but as carnal.
1. Let me exhort and beſeech you not to offend theſe little ones, the leaſt and weakeſt of the ſtock of Chriſt: 'tis a great ſin, and a ſin which will be greatly puniſhed to offend one of Chriſts little ones. If not for their ſake or Gods ſake, yet for thine own ſake take heed of this ſin. There is an enmity in the heart of ſinners againſt the ſeed of God, which they expreſs by reproaches and perſecutions, by which they are injurious to and do offend and wrong them; but oh that they would hear and fear and do no more ſo wickedly, for Jeſus Chriſt doth not only take notice of what offences are committed again his perſon and dectrine, but of what are committed againſt his people, the very leaſt of them. Conſider what himſelf hath ſaid in this caſe, Matth. 18.6, —10. Whoſoever ſhall offend (i. e. deſpiſe, verſ. 10.) one of theſe little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a milſtone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea: This being thus drowned was lookt on as a dreadful puniſhment, but that's nothing compared with being thrown into the depth of Hell, with a Milſtone weight and load of thine offences about thy neck: for if Jeſus Chriſt deal ſeverely with them that were not merciful to his people, as he will, Matth. 25.41,—45. how, oh how will he deal with them that have been cruel to his people? Eſpecially ſeeing 'tis a cruelty to himſelf! Of this not only their Angels carry tydings, Verſ. 10. but Chriſt himſelf knows it by feeling, as he tells Paul, Acts 9.4. And he will one day ſay to non-converted ones that have ſlain his little ones, Judges 7.as Gideon ſaid to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they wh…m ye ſlew at Tabor? and they will then A ſwer, As thou art ſ… were they, each …f them reſembled the Children of a King; to which he will reply, as Gideon did, They were my Brethren, if ye had ſaved them alive I would not have ſtain you; but now you ſhall be demned body and ſoul, I will deſtroy you in Hell. P…part ye curſed, take them Devil. Hear therefore and fear to deſpiſe or offend his little ones. And,
2. Take heed ye be not offended with Chriſt and Religion becauſe of the Babes who are yet as carnal: as it ſhould and doth oblige Gods people not to be as carnal, leſt they give the enemies of God (as David did) an occaſion to blaſpheme, and cauſe the way of truth to be evil ſpoken of; ſo it obligeth the men of this world not to be offended with and to blaſpheme the way of God and his people, becauſe ſome of them, viz. the Babes, are yet as carnal and walk as men. The worldly ſeed is hugely illogical and draw many non ſequiturs, for ſay they, Theſe profeſſors are as bad as others, they are all alike, and this is their Religion. Not ſo neither, for though they are as carnal, yet they are not carnal and in the fleſh as other men are, (nullum ſimile eſt idem) though they be too much like, yet they are not carnal men, for they are in Chriſt Jeſus; and though they take too many ſteps after the manner of men, yet they walk nor (their whole converſation is not) after or according to the fleſh as other men, who are in and walk according to the fleſh; and though ſome are as carnal, yet all are not ſo, there are who are ſpiritual and walk in and according to the Spirit. As for them that do otherwiſe, 'tis not their Religion but they are to blame, for they have not ſo learned Chriſt Jeſus, his doctrine teacheth not, but (dedocet tales mores) unteacheth them ſuch ill manners, to walk as men. 'Tis the Devils Logick to draw an Argument from ſeeming to being, or from ſimilitude to Identity; from a particular to a univerſal; and from the concrete to the abſtract: that becauſe they are as carnal, therefore they are but carnal and wholly ſo: becauſe one is bad, they are all alike; becauſe Profeſſors are to be blamed, therefore Religion it ſelf is criminal! The grace of God hath taught all to deny ungodlineſs and wordly luſts, to live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world; which if Prof;eſſors do not do, 'tis not graces fault but theirs, and therefore take heed ye be not offended with Chriſt and Religion becauſe of them. And you profeſſors learn from hence to walk circumſpectly, leſt the way and name of God be blaſphemed through you; and leſt Chriſt ſuffer, becauſe you ſin. Let not the world deſpiſe you, let them not have any occaſion given them by you to deſpiſe you and that which is better than you, viz. the Chriſtian Religion. And this leads me to the ſecond Branch of the Exhortation.
To them within of all ranks.
1. IN General to all, to walk wiſely towards them that are without and within, to be circumſpect and accurate, not as fools but as wiſe, redeeming the time, becauſe our daies are few and evil. How we ſhould walk inoffenſively, yea winningly, theſe following Texts will tell us, Matth. 5.16. with Tit. 3.8. 1 Cor. 10.31,—33. with Epheſ. 5.15.—17. and Col. 4.5, 6. 1 Pet. 2.12,—18. with Chap. 3.1, 2. and 8,—17. All Saints ſhould exerciſe themſelves to keep good Conſciences void of offence to God and to men, both them without and them within. What other uſes concerned all I have taught at the beginning, viz. in the Application made in the Introduction, to which I refer you: what remains as to particulars, I ſhall reduce to two H…ads, 1. An Exhortation to grown Saints. 2. An Exhortation to Babes.
1. To grown Saints, to whom I would ſay theſe things. 1. Remember what you were, not only when unconverted, as 1 Cor. 6.11. (I ſpeak not to that now) but what you were at your firſt converſion, viz. but Babes, for ſuch were you: be not like Iſrael who forgat Gods work of old. Call to mind the former daies, Forſan & haee olim meminiſſe juvabit, 'twill be worth your while and be of great uſe to you. Remember there was a time when you were but Babes and ſucklings, and how before that God took you by the hand and taught you to go, what go-carts and hold-bys you made uſe of then; remember what kiſſes you have had from his mouth when you were little Children, and how he led you forth after that to fight his battles when you …me to be young men; and by ſighting the fight … Faith, and uſing the ſword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, you overcame the wicked one and led captivity Captive; if you are Fathers remember him whom you have known from the beginning, who hath given you all the experiences and wiſdom with which you are endowed. Though you can eat ſtrong meat now, yet time was you could eat but Milk.
The remembrance of theſe things will be of huge uſe to you to give God the glory of your higher attainments and all your advances from ſtep to ſtep: 'twill make you greatly uſeful to the inſtruction of Babes, which is one of your great works and duties: 'twill keep you low in your own eyes, when you ſee that you owe a beholdingneſs to God for bringing you hitherto, meerly of and by his grace, not for any worth or merit of your own: 'twill help you to know that you were converted long ago, and not to think (as ſome are apt to do) that all the work was as nothing, till they came to ſuch or ſuch a pitch; which occaſions a neglect of them below that pitch, and an ingratitude to God for what went before it and led to it. Thus will it be many waies advantageous to remember the work of old.
2. Be exhorted to bring forth fruit anſwerable to your ſtate. Time was when fruits worthy of Repentance were the fruits called for, but now you are to bring forth fruits worthy of aſſurance, victory, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt. 'Tis true, God had ſome little praiſe from you when but Babes, but now he expects much more: that you bring forth much fruit and be filled with it, that you be ſtrong in Faith, that you abound in love, that ye be filled with all wiſdom and knowledge, to walk worthy of God to all-well-pleaſing, and to do all to his glory.
3. Be not aſhamed of your youngeſt brethren that are but Babes, Paul, nay Chriſt himſelf was not aſhamed to call them Brethren; but carry it lovingly, gently and tenderly towards them; you know the heart of a Babe, for you your ſelves were once Babes, as 'tis ſaid to Iſrael in behalf of the ſtranger, Exod. 23.9. and Levit. 19.33, 34. It may be ſome (patres aequum eſſe cenſent nos jamjam a pueris illico naſci ſenes) poor Babes complain, that ſuch and ſuch do not regard them, becauſe they are not grown up to their ſtature; but pray remember, theſe things ought not to be ſo, there is an honour due to the weaker veſſels and uncomely parts, 1 Cor. 12. We ſhould be nurſes to theſe froward Bantlings, and crying Babes, and as Paul was among the Theſſalonians, we ſhould be gentle as a nurſe that cheriſheth her own children nurſlings, 1 Theſ. 2.7.
4. Give good examples to Babes, and abuſe not your liberty to their offence: I told you that Babes mind example much, and if they have bad ones given them, eſpecially by good and eminent men, they are drawn aſide by it; as when Peter diſſembled, the other Jews diſſembled alſo, inſomuch that Barnabas (…n …minent perſon) was carried away by that diſſimulation, Gal. 2.13. …d ſaith the Apoſtle, take heed leſt by any means your liberty become a ſtumbling block to them that are weak; for if any (weak and ignorant, which is a Babe) man ſee thee which haſt knowledge to ſit at meat in the Idols Temple, ſhall not the conſcience of him that is weak be emboldened (gr. edified) he takes thy example for a warrant, and thinks he is edified thereby, when alas 'tis to his loſs and detriment, 1 Cor. 8.9, —13.
5. Acquaint the Babes with your experiences, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 1.6,—10. and with Satans devices, as he did, 1 Cor. 7.5. 2 Cor. 2.11. 2 Cor. 11.2. Babes have but little skill to diſtinguiſh between good and evil, between impreſſions from the good or evil ſpirit; eſpecially if Satan transform himſelf into an Angel of Light: Iſrael of old was to tell the ſtory to and write an Hiſtory (of Gods dealing with them and Amaleks againſt them) for after Ages: and to inſtruct the children how God had dealt with the Fathers; ſo do you. Let the little Children tell ſtories of the Fathers love; the young men of his power; and the Fathers of his wiſdom, in carrying on the work of Grace: how God overthrew Pharaoh, led them through the Wilderneſs, ſought for and provided for them from heaven, till they came to the good Land. But,
2. 'Tis time to ſpeak to the Babes whoſe caſe we have in hand, and ſo to conclude. There are three things that I would exhort Babes unto.
I. To be glad that they are Babes.
II. To be humbled that they are but Babes.
III. To preſs after being more than Babes.
1. TO be glad that they are Babes, newborn and in Chriſt Jeſus. Glad, alas! there's no comfort for me, who am but a Babe; no, yes but there is, that thou art a Babe, though but a Babe: 'tis true, it doth not belong to thee as carnal, but as a Babe in Chriſt: the leaſt work of God is great conſolation to the leaſt of Saints, viz. to Babes. Conſider, whether this be nothing,
1. That thou haſt attained to the firſt Reſurrection, viz. from being dead and loſt in ſin; thou art called out of Egypt, and art called his Son, and as ſuch brought out of Egypt: the work is begun, thou art new-born, and eateſt Milk, the Foundation is laid, and is this nothing? who knows to what a great Tree this little Muſtard-ſeed of Grace may grow? The Babe that lies in the Cradle may become a Father in Iſrael; and is this nothing? He that hath laid the Foundation will lay the top-ſtone, and thou ſhalt cry out with ſhouting, Grace, Grace unto it. God is not like the fooliſh Builder, he hath caſt up his coſt, and hath wherewithal to finiſh what he hath begun, he will not be laught at and mocked as one that laid a Foundation, began to build, but could not finiſh it: though thou be a knotty piece, yet he will fit thee for thy place, and perfect that which concerns thee; for this work is not only that of his hand, but of his heart; and is this nothing? Pray to him and believe, as Pſal. 138.7, 8.
2. Thou art not only brought out of Egypt, but he hath drawn thee into the Wilderneſs, and though thou be in the Valley of Achor, yet even there is a door of hope. Thou art bewildered, and thy motions are full of windings and turnings; now forward and then backward almoſt to Egypt again, that thou ſeemeſt to wander rather than to walk or to go a journey; true, but yet thou art in thy way and God is leading thee to his holy Hill, Mount Sion. 'Tis obſervable how differently the condition of Iſrael (and ſo thine) is expreſt, Pſal. 107.4. with 7. in the 4. Verſ. 'tis ſaid, they wandred in the wilderneſs; but in the 7. Verſ. 'tis ſaid, he led them forth: in the 4. Verſ. 'tis called a ſolitary way; but in the 7. Verſ. 'tis called the right way: in the 4. Verſ. they found no (and deſpaired to find any) City to dwell in; yet Verſ. 7. that they might go to a City of habitation: So 'tis with thee, poor ſoul, and notwithſtanding thy unbelief and murmurings, yet he holds thy Soul in Life, and when thou art hungry and thirſty he provides food and drink convenient for thee; and thy Cloaths ſhall nor wear out.
3. Thy being a Babe hath more of incouragement than diſcouragement in it: Thy being a Babe in Chriſt is more to thy ſafety, than thy being as carnal is to thy danger, though it muſt be thy ſorrow: Babe is the name of a Saint not of a carnal man, and it makes more for thee that thou art a Babe, than it doth againſt thee that thou art as carnal. Is it nothing to thy Joy that thou art born? though thou be not yet cloathed with a robe, nor kiſt with thy Fathers lips? 'Twas more for the Prodigal that he was alive, than againſt him, that he had been dead, and came home without raggs, even naked and bare. 'Twas more for the Diſciples that the Spirit was willing, than againſt them that the fleſh was weak. 'Tis ſo with us as to our Babes, their being ours doth more indear them to us, than their being froward and peeviſh doth diſingage us to them. And though the elder Brother chargeth his Father as guilty of an indiſcreet and partial fondneſs to make ſo much of a Prodigal, yet he ſtill owns it as meet that they ſhould rejoyce, and be glad.
4. Though thou be as carnal, yet on conviction of this thy carnality thou art angry with it and thy ſelf, and doſt repent and abhor thy ſelf as in duſt and aſhes. The Corin…hia… Babes were no ſooner convinced of theirs, but they made the Apoſtle glad by their ſorrow, ſeeing their ſorrow wrought Repentance never to be repented of, becauſe it was to Salvation, 2 Cor. 7. Yea thus it was with the Inceſtuous perſon himſelf, 2 Cor. 2.4, 7. ſo that the Apoſtle on the account of this ingenuous Repentance pronounceth them clear, and him a perſon to be comforted. Now the ſame conſolation belongs to thee if thou do likewiſe; and I am ſure 'tis in thy new nature to do it, when ever thou art under the conviction of thy ſin: and I can ſafely tell thee that ſin repented of (as theirs was) will not be laid to thy charge.
5. Though thou be but a Babe yet God hath ſome praiſe from thee; 'tis true indeed he hath more from others, but yet 'tis true that he hath ſome from thee: thou doſt help to perfect his praiſe. 'Tis one of the burthens of theſe poor ſouls that they are ſuch unprofitable ſervants, not only (as others are) in that they do but their duty, but alas in that they do not do their duly, but fall ſhort of it and the glory of God: herein is God glorified when much fruit is brought forth, but as for us, ſay they, we bring forth but little. 'Tis true, but yet thy Mite of grace gives a meaſure of glory; all the good-ground Hearers brought forth fruit to the glory of God, though ſome more than others, Matth. 13.8. When the Phariſees were diſpleaſed at the Hoſanna's aſcribed to Chriſt by little ones, and are angry with him that he had not rebuked them, as if they had taken Gods name in vain, for ſay they with a ſcorn, Heareſt thou what theſe ſay? Yea, ſaith he, have ye never read, Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou haſt perfected praiſe? Matth. 21.15, 16. Chriſt hears their Hoſanna's with joy and gladneſs, as that which full-fills a Scripture, and helps to fill up the praiſe and glory of God. A Babe is one of the joynts and members of the Body, and ſupplies its meaſure even to the perfection of praiſe. As 'tis in Nature, there is one glory of the Heavens, another of the Earth; One of the Son, and another of the Moon and Stars; the Heavens declare his glory, and the Earth his goodneſs, for 'tis full of it; the Sacred and Royal P…ophet doth not only admire the Heavens and the Sun, but the Moon and Stars too, and that in the very Pſalm where he ſpeaks of Babes and Sucklings (from whence our Saviour quotes it) Pſal. 8.2, 3. For as 'tis in Nature, ſo 'tis in grace, not only the greateſt, but leſſer Luminaries; not only the higheſt but the loweſt creatures do contribute ſomething to the praiſe of God: the Sun indeed ſhines bright, and gives a great luſtre, but the Stars alſo do twinkle; ſo though an Abraham, &c. is ſtrong in Faith giving great glory to God, yet Gods praiſe is not fully perfected, till the Babes contribution be taken in, ſmall though it be. In the body, the leaſt member; in an Houſe the leaſt Pin hath its uſe and tends to the perfecting of the whole; and veſſels of an inferiour office ſerve not a little to eek out the glory of more honourable one
The Milk that the Babes do eat, doth every ſpoonful of it, give praiſe and glory to God: Repentance doth ſo, Faith towards God, ſubmiſſion to Ordinances, trembling at his Word, deſires after growth, love of the Brethren; theſe all praiſe and glorifie his name, though not with ſo loud a voice and ſo open a mouth as that (and the higher attainments) of Children, Young-men and Fathers doth do. And the truth of it is, that 'tis not a little glory which accrews to God hereby; for, that theſe poor Babes who have ſo much corruption (and not without conſiderable temptations too) ſhould yet be kept from Apoſtafie; that Grace ſhould live (like a ſpark of fire in the midſt of waters) and not be extinct, is a wonder; and ſuch an one, as that 'tis not ſo great a wonder that other Saints of higher Forms cleave cloſe to God, as that theſe do; no… that the Devil is conquered and baffled by them, as that he is defeated by theſe: 'tis much to the praiſe and glory of God and his grace, though not ſo actually given by them, as 'tis by others.
2. The ſecond Branch of this Uſe is to exhort Babes to be humbled that they are but Babes, i. e. as carnal, and not paſt the ſpoon, and ſo incapable of having ſtrong meat to eat, or of any more than the Alphabet of Religion, ſuch as we Preach to ſinners, viz. Repentance, and Faith towards God, &c. which is but Milk: and this eſpecially concerns them, who are old in years, and yet but Babes as to underſtanding and practice, who have been profeſſors of long ſtanding, but little proficiency. 'Tis a prime part of the Chriſtians ingenuity to be low and vile in his own eyes, under the ſenſe of imperſections and defects, yea and that though God be pacified towards him, Ezek. 16.60,—63. Let Babes therefore that are as carnal, though they be in Chriſt Jeſus, be very humble in the ſenſe of their defectiveneſs, and, which is worſe, their carnality. Eſpecially conſidering,
1. That they have enjoyed means and helps by which they might have been more ſpiritual, had they not been dull of hearing. We are all careful to uſe means, but we ſhould take one care more, and that is to make uſe of means to profit thereby, the want whereof calls for being humbled. The Apoſtle might well twit the Corinthian Babes with this, you boaſt of Paul, Apollo and Cephas, but is it not a ſhame to you to be carnal under ſuch mens Miniſtry? The more perſons are priviledged with means, the more improved ſhould they be by the means; and if not ſo, they ſhould be the more humbled for their non-proficiency. Many of you have had not only the Milk but the Cream of the Goſpel, and are ye yet carnal? let it then be for a lamentation and anſwerable Humiliation!
2. Be the more humbled conſidering that many of the more refined ſort of Heathens would have ſcorned to be ſo carnal as ſome of you: the Apoſtle upbraids the Corinthian Babes and thereby provokes them to ſhame by this very thing, 1 Cor. 5.1, 2. It is reported commonly (and in this, fama non eſt mendax, report is no Lyar) that there is Fornication among you, and ſuch Fornication, as is not ſo much as named (recorded of any) amongſt the Gentiles, that one ſhould have his Fathers Wife, and yet ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned. It ſhould deeply humble Chriſtians to be guilty of that which the Gentiles are not and ſcorn to be.
3. Let your Humiliation and Humility be the more, that ye have been better taught, Epheſ. 4.17,—21. and that for a long time, Paul had ſpent a year and an half among theſe Corinthians, Act. 18.11. and had written to them two or three times, and was yet ready to come again to correct their B…biſh-carnality, as 2 Cor. 12.14. with 20.21. and Chap. 13.1, 2. Our Saviour upbraids his Diſciples with this, that he had been ſo long with them, and yet they were ignorant of the Father and of him, Jeh. 14.9. and another time asks them (as one grieved and angry too) How long ſhall I be with you? will ye never learn, &c. 'Tis with this that the Author of the Epiſtle to the Hebrews twits them alſo, that for their time and ſtanding they might have been Teachers, and yet were ſtill to learn, yea and ſtood in need of being taught their Primer over and again, Heb. 5.12. When men have been planted in Gods Hort-yard and have been often watered with the dew of Heaven, and he comes year after year for Fruit, yet finds none, this calls for deep Humiliation. To be old … profeſſion, and novices in knowledge and practice is that which ſhould lay us low.
4. Think of this alſo to humble you, how many that came in long after you are gone far before you; Paul was a Poſthume, born after Chriſt died and roſe and went to Heaven, yet out-ſtript and labour'd more abundantly than many that lived in Chriſts time and Family. To allude to the Story in 2 Sam. 18 23,—. I may ſay that many like Cuſhi run firſt, and yet are out-run by Ahamaaz, who ſet out after him, for he run the way of the plain, when others (like Cuſhi) fetch a compaſs about, and are for vagaries and wandrings. The Gentiles came in laſt, but out; un the Jews who were firſt: and is't not ſo with you alſo, that ſome who were called but the other day, long ſince you, have yet out-learnt and outwrought you? be humbled therefore.
5. Let this …k out your humbling, that a… yet you are incapable of the ſtrong meat, which God hath prepared for his: 'tis true, you are fed with Milk, which keeps your ſoul in life; but the choiceſt dainties are behind, reſerved for a ſecond courſe. Were you more ſpiritual he would lead you into his Wine-Cellar, he would feed you with Apples, and his Binner of Love would be diſplayed to you and ſpread over you: he would make you drink of his Flaggons, yea of his Rivers of pleaſure, and fill you with joy unſpeakable and full of glory. While you are but Babes you c… bear this, you are ignorant of the choiceſt of Goſpel myſteries, of the moſt intimate and ſweeteſt communion with the Father and the Son; and how ſhould this theſe you and make you lay your mouth in the duſt, that after ſo long a ſtanding, you ſhould be capable of no more than the common chear, the ordinary fare of the Goſpel, which is but Milk, without Bread and Wine, &c.
6. Let this help to break thine heart and make it humble, that thy being as carnal doth open the mouth of the wicked and carnal to cry out of and to blaſpheme Religion for thy ſake: though it be their ſin to do ſo, yet 'tis thy ſin (and ſhould be thy ſhame that 'tis thy ſin) that gives them occaſion ſo to do. On ſay the wicked, beſide profeſſion we ſee no difference between profeſſors and our ſelves, they are as peeviſh, as humorous, as proud, as carnal as others. Alas! I beſeech thee be humbled, that thou ſhouldſt open their mouth to ſpeak evil not of thee only but of the way of truth, and lay thy ſins to the charge of Religion; Tertullian tells us that Chriſtians had wont to be known by the amendment of their lives and being better than other m…n: I, this indeed adorns the doctrine of God our Saviour, and otherwiſe men bring diſgrace and reproach upon it. If we would not do Religion (and our ſelves) the right to practiſe it, we ſhould not do it the wrong to profeſs it; yea, and ſtand in the way of their coming in, who are ready to enter, were they not put back by them that are as carnal. Saith Paul, Dare any of you go to Law before unbelievers? what will they ſay to theſe things? will they not laugh at and ſcorn you and your Religion too? Think what became of them that brought up an ill report on the good Land.
7. And laſtly, remember and forget not this, that though thou go to Heaven 'twill c…ſt thee dear before thou come there, that thou haſt been as and ſo carnal: 'twill bring down thy gray hairs with ſorrow to the Grave. Thou maiſt be ſaved, yet ſo as by fire, as Paul tells his Babes, 1 Ger. 3.13.—15. This fl…ſh and blood of thine cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, thou muſt through a Purgatory of water … fire, of Repentance and Z…al, before thou … thine inheritance among them which are …a…ctified by Faith in J…ſus. Be thou therefore humbled betimes, and … not the ſenſe and weight of all this to come upon thee when thou art on a death-bed, leſt they latter and know more ſorrow than thy beginning, and a worſe thing befall thee then, than there did all thy life before. Be humbled for being as carnal. And,
3. Be exhorted alſo to preſs forward after being more than a B…be, yea than a Babe at the beſt: It ſhould not ſuffice us barely to be in Chriſt Jeſus, but we ſhould be ambitious to walk in him, C…l. 2.6. Yea not only to be and walk in him, but to abide in him, and to walk as be walked, 1 Joh. 2.6. to be rooted and built up in him, to be eſtabliſht in the Faith, as we have been taught, and to abound therein with thanſgiving, Col. 2.7. Having taſted that the Lord is gracious, ſhould quicken our appetite after the Word to grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. to grow in Grace and (as an help to it) in the knowledge of our Lord and Siviour Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3.18. that we may abound in Faith with thankſgiving as before; in hope, Rom. 15.13. in liberality, 2 Cor. 8.7. in every good work, 2 Cor. 9.8. in mutual love, Phil. 1.9. and 1 Theſ. 3.12. in the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 15.58. in pleaſing God, 1 Theſ. 4.1. in all grace, 2 Pet. 1.8. There are many encouragements hereunto; as 1. Becauſe grace hath abounded toward us, Rom. 5.20. and Epheſ. 1.7, 8. And 2. our labour is not, nor ſhall be, in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15.58. But 3. an abundant entrance ſhall be miniſtred to us, into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviout, 2 Pet. 1.8,—11. And leſt we ſhould ſear and deſpond as if 'twere not attainable, we are Fourthly to knew this, That God is able to make grace abound, 2 Gor. 9.8. Let us therefore go on to perfection, from Babes to little Children, from little Children to Young-men, from Young-men to Fathers; till we all come into the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perſect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.13,—16.
In relation hereunto I ſhall add to what hath been ſaid, 1. Some Conſiderations to provoke to growth. 2. Some helps to further and promote growth. To the firſt, in brief, none knows but he may attain to more than a Babe and therefore ſhould preſs forward on theſe Conſiderations.
1. The higheſt Saints (Fathers) preſs forward, and therefore much more ſhould you. See how Paul preſſeth forward, Phil. 3.8,—14. Shall one that hath attained ſo much as he had, be ſo preſſing, and will not you that have attained but little? Let the zeal of the higheſt provoke the loweſt to zeal.
2. Little Grace hath but a little comfort: Though the Babe have enough for a being, yet but a little for well-being. Vivere eſt valere, to live is not barely to be, but to enjoy ones ſelf and to be well; as to this Life we do not take care only for ſo much as will keep life and ſoul together, but that we may live comfortably: and ſhall we not much more endeavour it as to our ſpiritual life? Little Faith is full of Fear (which exclules preſent joy and comfort) and is as no Faith in that reſpect, for ſo ſaith our Saviour, Matth. 8.26. Why are ye fearful, O ye of-little Faith? which Mark 4.40. is thus expreſt, Why are ye ſo fearful? how is it that ye have no Faith? Would ye therefore have leſs fear and more joy? preſs forward then to grow in grace.
3. Little grace gives but little glory to God; 'tis true, the Babe contributes ſomething to the perfecting of Gods praiſe, but 'tis very little; herein is our Father glorified when we bring forth much fruit, Joh. 15.8. 'Tis being filled with fruits of righteouſneſs which brings full glory to God, Phil. 1.11. And Abraham being ſtrong in Faith gave glory to God, Rom. 4.20. If therefore you would glorifie God to purpoſe, grow in Grace.
4. While you are but Babes you are of little uſe to others; 'tis true, the leaſt member is of ſome uſe, 1 Cor. 12. but 'tis of leaſt uſe. A Candle may give ſome light, but none in compariſon of what the Sun gives: Now, we ſhould be (as John was) not only burning but ſhining lights: and our light ſhould ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee our good works, and glorifie our Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 5.16. But,
2. I proceed to give you ſome Directions by way of help and aſſiſtance, to promote and advance grace to growth: If and as ever you would grow in grace be exhorted,
1. To be humble and lowly in mind; Humihty promotes us, 'tis foreign to aſcend downward. Humility and a low eſteem of our ſelves is the ready way to grow high. The Trees ſpread moſt upward that have the deepeſt roots. Before Honour is Humility, 'tis Hoours Uſher, Prov. 15.33. He that is lifed up is like to fall, Prov. 18.12. ſo Heb. 2.4. with H…b. 10.38. But the ſame God who takes no pleaſure in, but reſiſteth the proud, is greatly in love with, and will aſſiſt, teach and give grace to the humble. Some Babes alas are apt to be puſſed up (though without cauſe) 1 Cor. 4.8. but pride hinders growth.
2. Be thankful for what's received: ingrateful and unthankful perſons never or ſeldom thrive, Rom. 1.21. Becauſe when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, they became vain in their imaginations, and their fooliſh bearts were darkened, profeſſing themſelves to be wiſe, they became fools. But he that bleſſeth God for what he hath, is like to be bleſt with more, as Luke 19.16,—26. To every one that hath (thankfully acknowledged his Receipts and Improvements) ſhall be given (more) but from him that hath not, even that which he hath (or as Luke 8.18. that which he thinks he hath or ſeems to have) ſhall be taken …om him.
3. 'Tis no little help to growth to be united one to another in oneneſs of mind and affection; they are not like to come to much excellency that are divided in Jaceb and ſcattered in Iſrael; for where there are diviſions, there is leaſt contribution of help and mutual aſſiſtance. When the Apoſtle exhorts the Corinthian Babes to be perfect, he ſubjoynes this as conducing thereunto, he of one mind, live in peace, 2 Cor. 13.11. for Love is the bond of perfectneſs, Col. 3.12, 13, 14. and the bleſſing of the God of love and peace will be with ſuch, as the Apoſtle tells them, 2 Cor. 13.11. and his bleſſing maketh rich, Prov. 10.22.
4. Attend conſcientiouſly and with eager deſires on the word of grace that you may grow thereby: uſe Ordinances to make uſe of them for your perfection; to which end they are as much deſigned as to bringing in, Epheſ. 4.11. Paſtors and Teachers are for the perfecting of the Saints, for the edifying of the Body of Chriſt (and every member thereof) till we all come to a perfect man: Deſire therefore the ſincere Milk of the Word that you may grew thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2.
5. Get better acquaintance with Chriſt Jeſus: The Apoſtle knew Chriſt Jeſus in a good meaſure; and yet that he might perfectly win him and perfection by him, and attain to the mark and the prize, he breaths and preſſeth after more, even the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus, Phil. 3.8,—14. Babes in Chriſt know not the Father, and are unskilful in the Word of righteouſneſs; now the Father cannot be known but by the Son, nor grace grow but through the diſtinct and excellent knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, 2 Pet. 3.18. As ever therefore you would grow in Grace and attain aſſurance of the Fathers love, look after the diſtinct and excellent knowledge of Chriſt, which conſiſts moſtly in being …ound in him, i.e. his righteouſneſs, in knowing the power of his Reſurrection, though it be by the fellowſhip of his ſuffering and by being made conformable to his Death (by deſanding that we may aſcend as he did) Phil. 3.9, 10. Epheſ. 4.9, 10.
6. Would ye grow? make uſe of the Promiſes then, which are given not only that we might eſcape the pollutions which are in the world by luſt, and ſo be made partakers of a divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. but that we might cleanſe our ſilves from all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit to perfect holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. and might add grace to grace, to abound and be fruitful, as it follows in 2 Pet. 1.5,—8. The Covenant refers to our being and birth, but the promiſes to our well-being and growth: if therefore Davids houſe do not grow he hath recourſe to the Covenant, 2 Sam. 23.5. but that it may grow, he hath recourſe to the Promiſes, 2 Sam. 7.25,—29. As ever therefore you would enjoy what's promiſed and contain'd in the Promiſe, be careful to do that to which the Promiſe is made: as for inſtance, Would ye that God be a Father (and not only a God) to you, and you be to him (not only a people, but) Sons and Daughters, then be ye ſe…arate and touch not the unclean thing, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. and mark it, theſe Promiſes, viz. of being a Father, &c. are of moſt uſe to the perfecting of us: for ſo it follows, 2 Cor. 7.1. having theſe Promiſes (the Emphaſis is in theſe) let us cleanſe our ſelves, &c. that ſo we may injoy what's pr… miſed, viz. God as a Father, &c.
A little to inform you about making uſ of and improving promiſes, I ſhall (to prevent a miſtake) inlarge further on this head: Some perſons do think that the chief if not only way of improving promiſes is by believing (as they call it) than which I think there is ſcarce a greater miſtake, that is in this ſenſe; when they read or hear a promiſe (as that God will be a Father, that all things ſhall work together for good, &c.) they think there is to more required but to believe that God will make this good, and do as he hath promiſed; there is no queſtion but he will, for he is faithful that hath promiſed and cannot lye; but beloved let me tell you (leſt you deceive your ſelves) that 'tis not ſo much Faith as obedience and practice which is neceſſary to the enjoyment of theſe promiſes: if you practiſe the duty to which the promiſe is made, God will make it good, whether you believe it or no, 2 Tim. 2.11,—13. but if you believe it a thouſand times over and do not do the duty, God is under no obligation to make good the promiſe. If you love not God, how can you expect that all things ſhould work together for good to you, when the promiſe is made to none but lovers of God: ſo if you ſeparate not from uncleanneſs, how can you expect God will be a Father to you, when 'tis promiſed only to them that ſeparate, &c. Take heed then of an idle and dead Faith: 'tis true, Faith is a duty, but not Faith alone, Faith that's idle and dead; what ever promiſes are made to Faith, ſhall be made good to Faith; and what ever promiſes are made to Love, to Humility, to Patience, ſhall be made good when theſe graces are acted. Saith the Apoſtle, Heb. 10.23, 24. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full aſſurance of Faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil Conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with clean water. Let us hold faſt (this) profeſſion of our Faith without wavering, for he is faithful that hath promiſed: by which we ſee that there can be no Plerophorie or full aſſurance of Faith (without the other qualifications therewith mentioned, viz. a true heart, &c.) by which we can expect the performance of promiſes, This I thought good to hint, that none might think Faith enough in relation to the promiſes without obeying in that very particular to which the promiſe is made. But to proceed.
7. Would you attain to perfection, be patient then: Babes are apt to be impatient and peeviſh, for which they have been already noted; but impatiency hinders growth; as ever therefore you would be perfect, let patience have its perfect work, then ſhall ye be perſect, intire and lack nothing (viz. of perfection) Jam. 1.4. Patience is a compleating and perfecting grace, as God ſpeaks to Abraham, Gen. 17.1. Walk before me and be th… perfect, that is, not only ſincere (as 'tis in the Margent) but patient; wait yet a while longer till I give thee ſeed by Sarah, perfect thy hitherto waiting, by waiting to the end. So the good-ground-hearers bringing forth fruit with patience, is oppoſed to the Thorny-ground-hearers not bringing forth fruit to perfection, Luke 18.14, 15. ſo that patience doth not a little contribute to the bringing forth perfect fruit, and to our growing up to a perfect ſtature. For,
1. It eſtabliſheth the heart, makes it ſtedfaſt and immoveable, which helps to abounding and growth, as appears by the places where they are joyned together, 1 Cor. 15.58. 2 Pet. 3.17, 18. While perſons hang looſe and are toſſed to and fro (as Babes are apt to be, Eph. 4.14.) they are not in a growing conditior: but patience doth ſettle, fix and eſtabliſh the ſoul, as the Apoſtle tells us, Jam. 5.8. Be patient, ſtabliſh your hearts, i.e. ſtabliſh them by patience: For, as 'tis hinted in a parallel place, Luke 21.19. In patience we poſſeſs our ſouls; when as an impatient man is wavering and unſtable, is uncertain, inconſtant and double-minded, ever doubtful and in ſuſpenſe, and therefore receives little if any thing from the Lord, Jam. 1.6,—8.
2. Patience helps the ſoul to wait notwithſtanding diſappointments and ſufferings: diſappointments, &c. are diſcouraging things, they diſhearten, weaken and make us faint, and ſo put us under an incapacity of thriving, but patience ſteels and ſtrengthens our hearts; when hope deferred makes us ſick, patience gives ſupports and cordials, inabling to wait till the hoped and long'd for deſire be granted, which is as a Tree of Life. This may be ſeen in ſuch places as theſe, Rom. 8.23,—25, Heb. 10.35.36. and 12.1. Both theſe waies (to name no more) doth patience help us onward.
8. As ever you would grow and proceed to perfection, watch over your hearts and lives, and keep your accounts well, obſerving how you gain or loſe day by day: narrowly view your daily experiences conſidering what's attained and what's lacking, that you may forget what's behind (ſo as to reſt in it) and preſs forward to what is yet before, as the Apoſtle did, Phil. 3.13. They are not like to thrive that keep not their Books and Accounts well, but let all go at fix and ſeven, and run at random: As ever you would grow, keep your diurnal, monthly and annual annotations, for elſe how can you diſcern the difference between what you were, are and ought to be?
9. And laſtly, make Conſcience of Prayer, your own and others: Praying Saints, and Saints Prayed for are moſt like to proſper. The great Apoſtle not only prayed himſelf, but often beg'd the Prayers of others (his inferiours alſo) for himſelf; much more ſhould you, who being but ſickly Saints cannot pray as much and well as you ought for your ſelves, and therefore ſhould call in the help of Elders and the Church to pray for you. Read over the Prayers which the Apoſtle made for Babes, and make them for your ſelves. I will inſtance only in one, and with that conclude this whole Diſcourſe, 'tis that in Heb. 13.20, 21. Now the God of Peace, who brought again from the Dead our Lord Jeſus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the everlaſting Covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his Will, working in you that which is well pleaſing in his ſight through J… ſus Chriſt, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.