A Christian Library, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
§ 1 A Wise man (saith Solomon) foreseeth the evil, and preventeth it: but fools go on, and are punished, Prov. 22.9. An argument that most men; yea, almost all men are stark fools, as willfully appear, if we observe but these three, things.
The Precepts of the Gospel.
The Predictions of the Gospel.
The Testimonies of the Gospel.
First, Observe but how strict holy, just, and good the Precepts or Rules …, by which we ought to walk.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy minde, and with all thy strength, Mark 12.30.
Whether … eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10.31.
Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even the same do you unto them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matth. 7.12.
Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thine heart, but thou shalt plainly tell him of his faults; and suffer him not to sin, Levit. 19.17.
And then consider, how few there are amongst us; and how rare (onelyonly here and there one) like rich men, among the multitude, or jewels among other stuff, that either do, or care to walk by this golden Rule; Yea, that instead thereof, make not the World onelyonly their God; and Pleasure, or Profit alone their Religion.
§ 2. Secondly, Observe (ô that we had the grace seriously to observe and minde…) but the Predictions; touching the paucity & fewness of those that shall be saved. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many will seek to enter, and shall not be able; because strait is the gate, and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that finde it: But wide is the gate, and broad the way, that leadeth to destruction; and many there be that go in thereat, Matth. 7.13, 14. Luke 13.23, 24. Again, Many are called (viz. by the outward Ministery of the Word) but few chosen, Mat. 20.16. and 22.24. Yea, St. Iohn affirmeth, that the whole world lieth in wickedness, 1 John 1.19. And that the number of those, whom Satan shall deceive, is as the sand of the Sea, Revel. 20.8. and 13.15, 16, 17. Esa. 10.22. Rom. 9.27.
And we finde it too true, by sad experience; for what eyes can but run over to see, for the most part, how ignorant and erroneous men are, and what lives they leads for scarce one of a hundred, whose knowledge, belief, and life, is in any degree answerable to the Gospel, or the Title that they bear; for Christians they are called, but no otherwise then the Heathen Images are called Gods: because he that is a Christian indeed, will strive to imitate Christ, and square his life in some measure, according to the rule of Gods Word ▪
§ 3. Thirdly, Observe but the Testimonies manifesting how they must be qualified, who mean to be saved. O that we would but believe them; for God expresly tells us, That no unrighteous person shall ever inherit the Kingdome of Heaven; but that such shall have their part and portion in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Gal. ….21. Rev. 21.8. And that without holinesse no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12.14. And that except our righteousness exceeds the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharisees: (who yet excelled our formall Hypocrites, and civil Iusticiaries) we cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 5. 20. And that he will recompence every man according to his works, be they good or evil, Psal. …2.12. Rev. 10.13. & 22.12. Rom. 2.6. Ier. 2….14. and 82. 19. and 50.29. and 51.56. Ezek. 7.4, 8, 9. and 9.10. and 11.21. and 16. …. And that we shall give an account at the day of Iudgement, for every idle word we speak, Mat. 12.36. And that Christ will come the second time in …aming fire, to render vengeance unto them that know him not, and that obey not his Gospel, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8. Psal. 11.6. Yea, the Lord tels us expresly, that he will not be mercifull to such as flatter themselv…s in an evil way, but that his wrath and jealousie shall smoke against them; and every curse that is written in his book, shall light upon them, &c. Deut. 29.19, 20. And that if we will not regard, nor hearken unto him when he calls upon us for repentance: he will not hear nor regard us, when in our distress and anguish, we shall call upon him for merciemercy, but even laugh at our destruction, and mock when our fear cometh, Prov. 1.24, to 33. See other places to this purpose, Hebr. 12.29. Deut. 4.24. Mat. 25.30, 41, to 46. and 3.10.
§ 4 Nor can it indeed consist with his justice to pardon such as continue in an evil course of life; neither was it ever heard, that any ascended into heaven without going up the staires of new obedience: that any have attained unto everlasting life, without faith, repentance, and sanctification of Spirit: For even the Thief upon the Crosse believed in Christ, and shewed the fruits of his faith, in acknowledging his own sin, in reproving his fellow, in confessing his Saviour, even when all denied and forsook him, in calling upon his Name, and desiring by his means and merits everlasting life. Besides we read not, that ever he was outwardly called, until this very hour. Secondly, though there was one saved at the last hour, that none might despair: yet there was but one, that none should presume. Thirdly, the Thiefs conversion was one of the miracles, with the glory whereof our Saviour would honour the ignominy of his Cross. Fourthly, he was saved at the very instant of time, when our Saviour triumphed on the Crosse, took his leave of the world, and entred into his glory: And it is usual with Princes to save some hainous Malefactors a… their Coronation, when they enter upon their Kingdoms in triumph, which they are never known to do afterwards. Nor was his sudden conversion ever intended in Gods purpose for an encouragement to Procrastinators; And therefore no cause have we to expect that he should deal after a new and extraordinary way with us, then he hath with all others, and so break the course of his so just, and so long continued proceedings: Yea, he binds it with an Oath, that whomsoevr he redeemeth out of the hands of their spiritual enemies, they shall worship him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of their lives, Luk. 1.73, 74, 75. 1 Pet. 2.24. Which Scriptures sufficiently shew, that they who in life wil yield no obedience to the Law, shall in death have no benefit by the Gospel, Nor ought any indeed, to pro…es… Christ, or once to name him with their mouths, except they depart, from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.19.
§ 5. The which Scriptures, if they be true, (and they fall short of the Devils that deny it, Iam. 2.19.) what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godlinesse? as the Apostle speaks, 2 Pet. 3.11. And yet most men live as if the Gospel were quite contrary to the rule of the Law, as if God were neither to be feared nor cared for, as if they were neither beholding to him, nor stood in awe of him, both out of his debt and danger; yea, as if there were no God to judge, nor Hell to punish, nor Heaven to reward.
And (which mightily aggravates their sin, and will add to their torment) let some Boanerges be sent unto them, with a message from God, it fares with them as with the Adder, no charming can charm them. The strongest command the loudest denunciations of judgements, the shrillest and sweetest promu…gations of mercies, will do no good upon them: For while they are in Dalilahs lap, and lie sleeping like Drones by the hearth of hell, they think themselves as safe, as if they were in Abrahams bosom: Their Adamantine hearts will neither yield to the fire, nor to the hammer, admit of no impression; yea, let them hear of never so many judgments, they tremble and relent no more then the seats they sit on, or the stones they tread on: Even the declaration of sins, denunciation of judgements, description of torments, and the like, no more stir them, then a tale moves one in a dream; their supine stupidity is no more capable of excitation, then the Sea Rocks are of motion, or the Billowes of compassion; which would make one even tremble to think of it.