The Morning Exercise Methodized, Conclusion
THE Concluſion.
2 TIM. 1.13.
Hold faſt the form of ſound words which thou haſt heard of me in faith, and love, which is in Christ Jeſus
AT the beginning of this Moneths Exerciſe I entred upon this Text, and then reſolv'd the matter contained therein into theſe four Doctrinal Obſervations.
1. Evangelical words are ſound words. Or, All Goſpel-truth is of an healing nature.
2. It is of great uſe and advantage both for Miniſters and private Chriſtians to have the main Fundamental truths of the Goſpel collected and methodized into certain Models and Platforms.
3. Such Forms and Models are very carefully and faithfully to be kept.
4. Faith and Love are as it were the two hands, whereby we may hold faſt Goſpel-truth.
I fingled out the ſecond of theſe Doctrines to be the ſubject of that firſt introductive Sermon which fell to my lot in the courſe of this morning Exerciſe.
I ſhall now for the CONCLƲSION of this Service, make choice of the third Doctrine. Scil.
Such Forms and Collections of the ſpecial Heads of Goſpel-Doctrine are to be kept and obſerved with all care and diligence.
The other two Doctrines, namely the firſt and laſt, may be uſefull ſome where or other in the managing of the preſent Truth; which is,
That Forms and Models of Goſpel-Truths are carefully to be kept, &c.
The Greek word foreign hath both ſignifications in it, ſcil. to Have and to hold; to get ſuch Models, and to keep them when we have them: Our Engliſh word implyeth the first, and expreſſeth the ſecond;
Hold faſt, i. e. firſt have them, and then, let them not go when you have them: And the word in the next verſe expounds this to the ſame ſenſe, both in the Greek and in the Engliſh, foreign, Cuſtodi, keep; keep as in ſafe Cuſtody, as under Lock and Key. That good thing which was commtited to thee; what was that? Some extend it to his whole Evangelical MINISTERY, which was committed to Timothy with the gifts and graces conferr'd therewith by Divine Ordination: Others reſtrain it to the form of ſound Doctrine in my Text, which Timothy had received either by word of mouth: or in ſcriptis from Saint Paul, whichſoever, or both, as he muſt have it, ſo he muſt preſerve it ſafe and ſound; Hold fast, keep, &c.
Thus in the Old Teſtament the Kings and Princes of Iſrael muſt get a Copy of the Law of God; and when they have it, they muſt keep it, and keep cloſe to it, Deut. 17.18, 19, 20. for
Firſt, He muſt write him a Copy of the Law in a book.
And then it muſt be WITH HIM, and he ſhall READ therein all the dayes of his life.
The good King Hezekiah cauſed his Secretaries to make a Tranſcript of Solomons Proverbs, a bundle or Model of Divine Aphoriſmes, both for knowledge and practice: Theſe are alſo the Proverbs of Solom…n which the men of Hezekiah King of Judah copied out. Prov. 25.1.Theſe were to be laid up ſafe as a ſacred depoſitum; and carefully preſerved for the publique uſe and ſervice of the Church.
The Jews Phylacteries mentioned by our Saviour, Matth. 23.5. were in their firſt inſtitution of the ſame nature, that is to ſay,The Hebrews call them Totaphoth; the Greek foreign, from foreign. Conſervatoria quibus memoria legis conſervabatur. certain Memorials appointed of God, by the help whereof they might have the Law of God alwayes in their mindes and memories, which the pride of the Scribes and Phariſees (not contented with the command of God) had enlarged into broad ſcrolls of parchment, upon which were written certain abridgments of the Law, which they wore (over and above Gods inſtitution) about their arms, and necks, and heads; which practice of theirs although a ſuperſtitious addition to the Divine appointment, yet it held forth Gods deſign, which was the having and preſerving Models of divine principles, both for knowledge and practice.
It is the expreſs command of God in the cloſe of all the Prophets in the Old Teſtament, Remember the Law of Moſes which I commanded him in Horeb for all Iſrael, Mal. 2.2.with the Statutes and Judgments. Though Goſpel times were drawing nigh, yet the Law of Moſes muſt not be forgotten, but muſt be kept exact and entire, as an eternal rule of righteouſneſs.
In the New Teſtament the frequent repetition of thoſe words of command,
HOLD, 2 Theſ. 2.15. Heb. 3.14.
HOLD FAST, 1 Theſ. 5.21. 2 Tim. 1.13. Heb. 3.16. Heb. 4.23. Rev. 2.25. and 3.11.
KEEP, 1 Cor. 11.2. and 15.2. 1 Tim. 6.20. 2 Tim. 1.14. Rev. 1.3. and 22.9.
CONTINUE, Joh. 8.31. Acts 14.22. Gal. 2.9. Col. 1.23. 1 Tim. 4.16. 2 Tim. 3.14.
ABIDE, Joh. 15.7. 1 Joh. 2.14, 24. 2 Ioh. 9.
Theſe I ſay, and other of like nature, all of them relating to Goſpel-doctrine, either in general, or in ſome of the ſpecial forms and Models thereof give ſufficient teſtimony to the Point in hand.
For further proof whereof, I ſhall need to add no other Grounds or Reaſons then what we made uſe of to the Confirmation of the firſt Doctrine.
Thoſe very Conſiderations which commended to us the having of ſuch Collections and Models of Goſpel-truths, do commend alſo the keeping and holding of them faſt as a ſacred treaſure. The end of having is keeping, and the end of keeping is uſing; we cannot duplicate page duplicate page uſe unleſſe we keep; and we cannot keep unleſs we have: The Reaſons therefore why we ſhould get ſuch Models of Evangelical Truths, will ſufficiently evidence the neceſſity of holding them faſt.
All then that I ſhall do in the proſecution of the Doctrine ſhall be to ſhew you
HOW, or in what RESPECTS ſuch Collections or Forms of Doctrine are to be HELD FAST.
Now the Rules and Directions for the keeping of them are to be ſuited to the ſeveral Orders and Sorts of Perſons concerned in this great Truſt and Depoſitum.
And they are of three Ranks and Conditions;
Scil.
Rulers and Magistrates.
Miniſters.
Chriſtians of a more private rank & relation.
ſuitable to each Station and Capacity muſt the Rule be;
Magiſtrates concerned in this charge.Firſt Rulers and Magiſtrates, they are to hold faſt ſuch forms of ſound words.
1. Rulers and Magiſtrates, they are to keep theſe Models and Platforms of Fundamental Truth; and that for thee Reaſons.
1. For a teſt of the publick Miniſtry.1. That there may be a certain teſt for the publick Miniſtery, that ſo they may know whom they ought to encourage with their countenance and maintenance, as it was Hezekiahs praiſe that he ſpake comfortably to all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the Lord, 2 Chron. 30.22. Certainly Magiſtrates are to take notice what kind of Doctrine is preached in their Dominions; for they are bidden to be wiſe, and to be inſtructed, Pſal. 2.10. which importeth more than a bare negative act that they ſhould take heed only they do not oppoſe Chriſts Doctrine; but ſomething poſitive, that they ſhould protect and countenance it. The Magiſtrate has a great truſt as to ſacred things, for which he is reſponſible to God; and many wayes may he offend in the not diſcharging of it, as by oppoſing the truth, by tolerating Errors, and which is a higher degree, by countenancing thoſe that broach them; to tolerate falſe Doctrines is a ſin, but to ſhare out his reſpects equally to the Heterodox and Orthodox, is a greater; much more when the Heterodox are only countenanced, and thoſe that preach the good word of the Lord in the Land are burdened with reproaches and all manner of contempt. Certainly the leaſt that can be expected from him, is that the true Religion by his civil ſanction ſhould be preſerved from reproach; and the profeſſors of it from being affronted in the exerciſe thereof.
2. Becauſe without preſerving of unity and uniformity in Religion, civil peace cannot be long maintained; 2. Becauſe civil peace is bound up in Eccleſiaſtical.no differences being carried on with ſo much heat and earneſtneſs of contention as differences in matters of Religion; for, that which ſhould be a Judge of ſtrifes, then becomes a party; and what ſhould reſtrain our paſſions feeds them: Therefore when one ſcorneth what another adoreth, Summus utriuquc Inde furor vul…o quod nomina vicinorum O…it uter que lotus. Juvenal. Noununquam tumultus Eccleſiarum antegreſſi, Reipublicae autem confuſiones conſecutae ſunt. Socrat. Scholaſt. Hiſt. Eccleſ lib. 4. in Proaemio. 3. For the keeping of youth untainted.there muſt needs be great contentions and exaſperations of mind▪ and when every man is left to hold what he liſts in matters of Religion, all manner of miſchief and confuſions muſt inevitably follow; and every one ſtickling for the precedency of his party, there can be no ſolid union of heart under ſo vaſt and boundleſs a liberty. Tumults in the Church do neceſſarily beget confuſions in the Common-wealth; for the Church and State, like Hippocrates twinnes, they weep, and laugh, and live, and die together.
3. That youth may be kept untainted, and ſeaſoned with good Principles in Churches and Schools; the durable happineſſe of the Comm n-wealth lying much in the education of youth which is the ſeed-plot of future felicity; and we uſe to ſay that Errors in the firſt concoction are hardly mended in the ſecond; when youth are poyſoned with Error in their firſt education, they ſeldom work it out again in their age and riper years. But becauſe the power of Magiſtrates in Sacred things is much queſtioned, and we are uſually ſlandered as a Rigid ſort of men that would plant Faith by the Sword, and are more for compulſion of conſcience than Information; I ſhall a little give you a taſte of what we hold to be the Magiſtrates duty in and about Sacred things.
We ſay therefore that Religion may be conſidered as to be planted; o… as already planted in a Nation.What is to be done when Religion is to be planted. When it is to be planted, and hath gotten, no intereſt or footing among a people, the Preachers and Profeſſors of it muſt run all hazards, and boldly own the Name of Chriſt, whatever it c…ſt them; the only weapons which they have to defend their way, are, Prayers and tears; and whatever Proſelites they gain to the faith of Chriſt, they muſt uſe no reſiſtance, but only overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their teſtimony, not loving their lives to the death, Revel. 12.11. And thus did the Chriſtian Religion get up in the face of the oppoſite World, not by any*Nè videretur Authoritate traxiſſe aliquos, & veritatis ratio non pompa gratia praevaleret. Ambr. publick intereſt and the power of the long ſword, but meerly by its own evidence and the efficacy of Gods grace accompanying the publication thereof; And though it were a Doctrine contrary to nature, and did teach men to row againſt the ſtream of fleſh and blood, yet it prevailed without any Magiſtracy to back it. The Primitive Chriſtians, how numerous ſoever they were, never made head againſt the Powers then in being, but meekly and quietly ſuffered all manner of butcheries and tortures for the conſcience of their duty to God. And what we ſay concerning Religion in the general, holdeth true alſo concerning Reformation or the restitution of the Collapſed ſtate of Religion; when men oppoſe themſelves againſt the ſtream of corruptions which by a long ſucceſſion and deſcent run down againſt them, and are armed by Law and Power, they are in patience to poſſeſs their ſouls, and to ſuffer all manner of extremity for giving their teſtimony to the truths of God: And in this caſe we only preſs the Magiſtrate to be wiſe or cautious that he do not oppoſe Chriſt Jeſus, Pſal. 2.10.by whom Kings Reign, and Princes decree Juſtice.
What the Magiſtrates duty is when Religion is plantedBut when Religion is already planted, and received among a people, and hath gotten the advantage of Law and publick Edicts in its favour, not only for its ſecurity and protection, but alſo for its countenance and propagation, then it becomes the peoples birth-right as the Law of Moſes is called the inreritance of the Congregation of Jacob, Deut 33.4. and ought to be defended and maintained by the Magiſtrate as well as other Laws and Priviledges which are made for the conſervation, welfare, and ſafety of that Nation. Yea much more; becauſe if the Magiſtrate be the Miniſter of God for good, Rom. 13.4. then he is to take care of the chief good, which is Religion, as concerning not only the bodies but ſouls of the people committed to his charge; and therein to take example from the holy Magiſtrates of the people of the Jews who were zealous for God in this kind.
The Government of Chriſt is to be owned publickly.For firſt it is the will of Chriſt who was appointed to be King of Nations as well as King of Saints, Rev. 15.3. not only to erect himſelf a Government in the hearts of his people; but alſo to be publickly owned by Nations, as to the Religion which he hath eſtabliſhed. There is a National acknowledgement of Chriſt, as well as a Perſonal and Eccleſiaſtical. Chriſt is perſonally owned when we receive him into our hearts: He is Eccleſiaſtically owned by his worſhip in the Churches of the Saints: And Nationally owned, when the Laws and Conſtitutions of the civil Government are framed ſo as to advance the intereſt of his Scepter, and the Chriſtian Religion is made a National Profeſſion; this is ſpoken of in many places of Scripture, Gen. 18.8. Iſa. 55.5. Iſa. 60.12. Matth. 28.20.
2. When Religion is thus received and imbodied into the Laws of a Nation, A contempt to Chriſt when his intereſt is ſlighted.it is the greateſt ſcorn and affront that can be put upon Chriſt, that ſuch an advantage ſhould be loſt and careleſly looked after, when other Priviledges and birth-rights of the people a e ſo zealouſly and with ſuch heat and ſharpneſs of conteſt vindicated and aſſerted.
In Scripture God often debates the caſe with Nations upon this account, Jer. 2.9, 10, 11, 12, 13. He calls upon the Sun to look pale upon ſuch a wickedneſs, and the Creatures to ſtand amazed that any people ſhould be ſo fooliſh as to caſt off their God, So Iſa. 43.22. God complaineth of Iſrael they were grown weary of him, and Mich. 6.2, 3. Hoſ. 8.12. The ſumme of all thoſe Scriptures is this; If Magiſtrates who are to open the gates for the King of glory to come in, Pſal. 24. and to welcome Chriſt into their Dominions, ſhould be ſo far from opening the gates to him that they ſhould turn him out when once entered, and ſhould look upon the great things of his Law as a ſtrange thing, Hoſe 8.12. that wherein they were not concerned, or which they knew not what to make of, what a vile ſcorn is this put upon the Majeſty of God?
It will be more tolerable for a Nation who had never known Chriſt, than after a publick and National owning of him, they ſhould be cold, indifferent, and negligent in his intereſt; if the buſineſs had been to introduce a Religion, the crime of refuſal were not ſo great,The Magiſtrate is to ſee that Religion when once eſtabliſhed, be not violated. as when the buſineſs is to conſerve and defend a Religion already received, that it may be tranſmitted to poſterity.
Briefly then, that which we ſay, is this, that a Religion received by a Nation, and eſtabliſhed by Laws, ſhould not be violated, and the Magiſtrate is to ſee that it be preſerved againſt all open oppoſition and ſecret underminings, and in no caſe contemned and-ſcorned. The conſciences of men are liable only to the judgment of God; but their words and practices come under the Magiſtrates cognizance. Inquiſition into mens thoughts we condemn; but taking notice of their hard ſpeeches and contemptuous revilings, and publick oppoſition againſt the truth, is that which we commend in the Chriſtian Magiſtrate; the Law of Theodoſius concerning Hereticks doth fully expreſſe our ſenſe:Sibi tantummodo nocitura ſentiant, aliis obfutura non pan dant. If men will periſh by holding pernicious Doctrines, let them periſh alone; but let not others periſh with them by their holding them out. The Canon in this caſe, is,*Tit. 1.11. Their mouths muſt be stopped; we contend not puniſhment ſo much (unleſs in point of*The Blaſphemer muſt die, Levit. 24.16. blaſphemy) as prevention. If Seducers be not ſeverely chaſtiſed, yet (like wilde beaſts) they muſt be*foreign. Rom. 15.1. muzled, (that's the Metaphor) that they may do no harm; their mouths must be ſtopped, leſt by teaching things which they ought not, they ſubvert whole houſes. Once more; we are not ſuch Rigid Impoſers as the world doth make us to be, as that in leſſer things wherein good men may erre or differ, we ſhould preſently call in the power of the Magiſtrate to avenge our quarrel; we know there is a due latitude of allowable differences wherein the ſtrong ſhould bear with the weak; and are ſo farre from making uſe of civil cenſures in ſuch caſes,Miniſters Gods witneſſes and Truſtees to keep the truths of God. that we think the Church ſhould not uſe any extream courſe, but rather all manner of patience and indulgence. And thus much for the Magiſtrates duty.
The Miniſter's follows.
Secondly; Miniſters are to hold faſt this form of ſound words; By Catechyſing.for they are Gods Witneſſes to the preſent age, and Truſtees for the future. 1 Tim. 1.11. The glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God which is committed to my truſt; and 1 Tim. 6.20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy truſt, &c.
Now they are to keep it,
Firſt by Catechizing and inſtilling theſe Principles into the hearts of young ones: 2. Preaching.Foundation ſtones muſt be laid with great exa…tneſs and care; for they ſupport the whole building. It ſeems by Heb. 6 2. that there was an Ap…ſtolical Catechiſm wherein ſome Principles were laid as a foundation f…r all other Chriſtian Doctrine.
Secondly by aſſiduous preaching, that they may explain and apply theſe Principles, and ſtill keep up the remembrance of them in the Church: God that hath appointed Apoſtles and Prophets to write Scriptures, hath alſo appointed Paſtors and Teacher… to explain and apply Scriptures; Therefore are Evangelic l Miniſters called Prophets, becauſe they are to interpret the Oracles of God: Nabi ſignifying an Interpreter as well as a Foreteller of truths to come, Epheſ. 4.11. 'Tis a part of our truſt to keek theſe things ſtill a foot. 2 Tim. 2.2. The things that thou haſt heard of me among many witneſſes, the ſame c…mmit th…u to faithful men, who ſhall be able to teach others, by ſolid explications, without innovating either as to the matter or expreſſion; for uncouth words make way for ſtrange Doctrines.
Thirdly to vindicate them from the gloſſes and oppoſitions of Seducers; for the good Shepherd muſt not only fodder the ſheep, but hunt out the Wolf. foreign.This is part of our tru;ſt for we are ſet (ſaith the Apoſtle) for the defence of the Goſpel, Phil. 1.17. And we are to convince gainſayers, to hold faſt the Word of Truth, Tit. 1.2. foreign, the word ſignifieth to hold faſt a thing which others would wrest from us,Miniſters muſt not be of too eaſie a ſpirit. and implies that Miniſters ſhould be good at holding and drawing, and be able to maintain the truth, when others would force it out of their hands.
Two things will hinder us in the diſcharge of our duty herein.
Firſt a faulty eaſineſs; the wiſdome that is from above is gentle and*James 4.17. eaſie to be intreated, but 'tis in that which is good; in other things we muſt be obſtinate and reſolute, and not betray the truths of God by our condeſcentions and compliances. It is ſaid of Chryſoſtome that he was foreign, by his own ſimplicity and candour often drawn into inconveniences; when this goodneſſe of nature is apt to abuſe us, Miniſters ſhould awaken themſelves by a zeal for Gods glory; ſhall we be yeilding when his Truths are deſpiſed, his Name blaſphemed? No, let us reſiſt them to the face, and give not place, no not for an hour, Gal. 2.5, 11. as alſo by a comp…ſſion over ſouls; ſhall we ſuffer them to be ſeduced, and by droves led into error, and be ſinfully ſilent? God forbid.
Secondly, by a fearful cowardize; the Prophet complaines,Act. 20.24. none are valiant for the truth upon the earth, Jer. 9.3. We muſt ſtand to theſe Principles, though it coſt us bonds and impriſonments, yea life it ſelf; a good Shepherd will lay down his life for the ſheep, Joh …0. Chriſt did for their Redemption, and we muſt, for their confirmation in the Faith, and not be light and vain, off and on as our carnal intereſts be more or leſs befriended. Thus for the Miniſters duty.
The peoples followeth.
Thirly, The people are to hold faſt theſe Truths. Chriſtians of all Ranks and Sizes, People muſt hold faſt.they are to hold them faſt in their judgements, memory, practice, and in contending for the truth.
Firſt, In their judgements; every Chriſtian ſhould have a Platform of ſound Doctrine;In their judgement. not only ſome ſcraps and fragments of knowledge but a diſtinct and clear deleination of Goſpel-truth, that they may know things not only at random, but in their order and dependence, Chriſtians liable to two miſtakes.how they ſuit one with another: Two faults are Chriſtians uſually guilty of: Either they content themſelves with warm affections without knowledge; and then are like a blind horſe full of mettle, To reſt in affection without judgement.but ever and anon ſtumbling; their wild affections miſguide them, not being directed and governed by an anſwerable light. Or ſecondly, they content themſelves with looſe Notions, without ſeeing the truths of God in their frame, and ſo are never ſtable and ro…ted in the Faith; In looſe Notions without method.therefore this ſhould Chriſtians firſt look after,*Col. 2.2. the riches of the full aſſurance of underſtanding in the Myſteries of godlineſs.
Secondly, Chriſtians muſt keep ſuch Models of truth in their memory; the memory is like the Ark wherein the holy things of God are to be kept. The Spirit of Chriſt Jeſus is given not only to teach us all things, but to BRING ALL things to our REMEMBRANCE, 2. In their memories.Joh. 14.26. and Scripture is written upon this occaſion, not to lay in new truths, but to keep the old in remembrance, 2 Pet. 3.1. This ſecond Epiſtle I write unto you by way of Remembrance. His firſt Epiſtle was like the Sermon, the ſecond as the Repetition; the firſt to inform the judgement, the ſecond to help their memories; ſo muſt Miniſters pegge in one Sermon with another, never leave repeating the ſame truths, till they are faſtened upon their Auditors. Phil. 3.1. To write the ſame things to you, to me it is not grievous, but to you it is ſafe. Mens underſtandings are dull to conceive, hard to believe, and their memories apt to forget; therefore we ſhould preſſe, if not; foreign, alwayes the ſame things; which Hippius liked not; yet foreign much about the ſame matters, as Socrates adviſed. The memory is a leaking veſſel, therefore as the Apoſtle exhorts, it concerns us foreign, more abundantly to attend, to give the more diligent heed; leſt we let them ſlip, and thereby we loſe the*2 John 8. To live truth. Miniſters and our own labour;
Thirdly, Hold faſt the Models of Divine Truth in your pratice a; practical mem ry is the beſt memory; to live the truths which we know, is the beſt way to hold them faſt.
There are Heretical manners as well as Heretical Doctrines. Infidelis diſputat contra fidem, improbus Chriſtianus vivit contra fidem Aug.Prophane Chriſtians live againſt the Faith, whileſt Heterodox Chriſtians diſpute againſt the Faith: There be not a few that live Antimonianiſme, and Libertiniſme, and Atheiſme, and Popery, whil'ſt others Preach it: Apoſtates are practical Arminians; a prophane man, a practical Atheiſt. Whil'ſt others therefore live Error, do you live the truth; whil'ſt others deny the Goſpel, do you live the Goſpel: As you have received the truth as it is in Jeſus, ſo walk in it, to all well-pleaſing; without this a man forſakes the truth while he doth profeſſe it. They profeſs to know God, Tit. 1.16.but in thei… works they deny him, being abominable, and diſobedient, and unto every good work diſobedient.
Yea to live the Truths we hear, is the way not to hold them only, but to hold them forth to others; as the Apoſtle ſpeaks,To hold forth truth to others. holding forth the Word of Life, foreign. It is a Metaphor taken either from Fire-lights upon the Sea-coasts burning all night,Phil. 12.6. the uſe whereof is to give notice to Seamen of ſome neighbouring Rocks and Quickſands that may endanger their Veſſel; or elſe from Torch-bearers in the night-time, who hold out their lights, that paſſengers may ſee their way in the dark; according to which Metaphor our Saviour calls true reall Chriſtians the Lights of the world, a City ſet on a hill, Matth. 5.14.to enlighten the dark world with their beams of holineſs.
It is a bleſſed thing when the Converſations of Chriſtians are practical Models of Goſpel-truths, walking Bibles, holding forth the graces or excellencies of him who hath called them out of darkneſſe into his marvellous light.foreign. 1 Pet. 2.9.
Fourthly,To contend for the truth. Chriſtians are to hold faſt Models of truth by contending for the Truth, againſt all the oppoſition of the reprobate world, in contending and publickly owning the truth, whatever it coſt them; God ordereth the love which the people ſhow to the truth, not ſeldom to be a reſtraint to carnal Magiſtrates when they would introduce miſchiefs into the Church by force and power, Matth. 14.5. He feared the multitude. Matth. 21.46. They feared the multitude, becauſe they took him for a Prophet. Acts 4.21: They let them go becauſe of the people: Thus doth God make uſe of the people, though contemptible for their quality, yet conſiderabe for their number, as a bank of ſand to keep back the waves of furious and oppoſite greatneſs: Yea when the flood of Perſecutions is already broken in upon the Church, their zealous owning of the Truth keeps it alive, and is a means to propagate it to after ages. We owe our preſent truths not only to the diſputations of the Doctors, but the death of the Martyrs who were willing to reſiſt unto blood, ſtriving againſt ſinne, Heb. 12.4: By whoſe flames, after ages ſee the truths of the Goſpel more clearly.
ƲSE.
The firſt Uſe may ſerve for Lamentation.
We live in a frozen and dull age, wherein men have learned to hold faſt every thing but the Truth; Rich men will hold faſt their Eſtates, though Chriſt, his Church and Cauſe have never ſo much need of them. Ignorant People will hold faſt their Ignorance; ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth: Superſtitious people will hold faſt their Superſtitious Cuſtomes and Idolatries: Vain people will hold faſt their Faſhions and Modes: Seduced wrerches will hold faſt their Errors; Non perſuadebis etiamſi perſuaſeris; yea they are bold and impudent in juſtifying and propagating their falſe Doctrines; they bend their tongue like their bow for lies, but they are not valiant for the Truth upon the Earth; Jer. 9.3.while multitudes are outragious againſt the Truth, few, very few are couragious for it. We may take up that complaint, Iſa, 1.21, 22. How is the faithful City become an Harlot? how is our gold become droſſe? and our Wine mixt with water? who would have thought England could have ſo quckly forgotten Jeſus Chriſt, and changed the truth of God into a lye? have the Nations been guilty of ſuch a thing! Jer. 2.9. The World once wondered to ſee itſelf turnd Arrian; England may wonder and be aſtoniſhed to ſee itſelf turned Arminian, Antinomian, Socinian, Anabaptiſt, Quaker, Papiſt, Atheiſt, any thing but a Chriſtian! This is a lamentation, and ſhall be for a lamentation; Oh that mine head were waters, and mine eys rivers of tears, &c.
And now my Brethren, to make ſome brief Application of what what hath been ſaid, in order to this morning Exerciſe.
As you have heard, ſo you have ſeen, Application to the morning exerciſe.this MonethMonth now elapſed hath brought to your view an foreign or Model of ſound words; you have had as it were, the Summe and Subſtance of the Goſpel preached over in your hearing: I know it falls far ſhort both in reſpect of Matter and Method, of a perfect body of Divinity, an exact and full delineation of all the chief Heads and Principles of Religion: But conſidering the ſmallneſs of the Circle of this monethly courſe in which this Model was drawn, I dare take the boldneſs to ſay, there hath as much of the Marrow and Spirits of Divinity been drawn forth in theſe few Morning Lectures, as can be rationally expected from men of ſuch various Studies, and aſſidnous labours in the Miniſterial work. Former ages have rarely heard ſo much Divinity preacht over in many years, as hath been read in your ears in twenty ſix dayes: Theſe few Sermons have digeſted more of the Doctrine of faith, than ſome large volumes, not of a mean conſideration, now extant in the Church of God,
Truely, every ſingle Sermon hath been a little foreign within itſelf. Each Subject in this morning Exerciſe hath been handled in ſo ample a manner, and with ſo much judgement, acuteneſs, and perſpicuity, that it may well paſſe for a little Treatiſe of Divinity; wherein many profound Myſteries have been diſcuſt, and ſtated, not with more judgment in the Doctrine, than with life and vigor in the Ʋſe and Application.
The Preachers have ſought to find out acceptable words, Eccleſ. 12.and that which was ſpoken was upright, even words of truth. Inſomuch that a man that had never heard of a Goſpel before, this moneths conduct had been ſufficient, not only to have left him without excuſe, but with the wiſe mens STAR to have led him to Chriſt.
The more I dread to think what a tremendous account you have to make, who after twenty, twirty, fourty years Revelation of the Goſpel, have the addition of this monethmonth of Sabbaths alſo, to reckon for in that day when the Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, &c. if while in this Mirror, 2 Theſ. 1.8.beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, you are not changed into the ſame image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
I ſhall not undertake (as *Morning Exerciſe, May 1654.formerly) to extract the Summe and Subſtance of what you have heard; I have ſome hope to be ſaved that labour upon a better account.
I ſhall recount to you the Heads only, and Points of Chriſtian Doctrine which have been handled in this Monethly Exerciſe, that now in the cloſe of all, you may behold as in a Map or Table, the Method and Connexion which they hold amongſt themſelves.
foreign, Or a Summary repetition of the Heads of Divinity preacht upon in this Courſe.
The firſt Divine (after the preparatory Sermon) that preached to you, began with that which is the firſt and chief object of Knowledge and Faith; that α and ω in Divinity,
Subject. 1 THERE IS A GOD,
Heb. 11.6. He that cometh to God, muſt believe that GOD is, &c.
Hereupon, becauſe if there be a God, then he is to be worſhipped; and if to be worſhipped, then there muſt be a Rule of that worſhip; and if a Rule, it muſt be of Gods own appointment; therefore
Subject. 2 The Second dayes work was, againſt all other Books and Writings in the world, to Evince this Truth, the
SCRIPTƲRES CONTAINED IN THE BOOKS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT, are THE WORD OF GOD;
2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by Inſpiration of God.
By theſe Scriptures that great Myſterious Doctrine of the Trinity, which the light of nature can no more diſcover than deny, was aſſerted and opened as far as ſo profound a Myſtery can well admit; and ſo
The third mornings work was to ſhew,
Subject. 3 THAT IN THE GODHEAD THERE IS A TRINITY OF PERSONS IN ƲN…TY OF ESSENCE; GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY GHOST, God bleſſed for ever;
1 Joh. 5.7. There are three that bear Record in Heaven, the FAHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST, and theſe three are ONE,
Subject. 4 The Creation of Man in a perfect, but mutable Eſtate, by the joynt Power and Wiſdom of theſe three glorious Perſons, was the
Fourth Subject opened from that Text, Eccleſ, 7.29. God made man upright, but they have ſought out many inventions.
Man thus Created, God entred into a Covenant with him, and ſo the COVENANT OF WORKS which God made with Adam and all his poſterity; ſucceeded in order to be the Subject matter of the
Subject. 5 Fifth morning Lecture: the Text was, Gen. 12.17. In the day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die.
This Covenant no ſooner made (almoſt) then broken; the work of him that preacht the
Subject. 6 Sixth Sermon was, THE FALL OF ADAM, and therein more ſpecially of PECCATƲM ORIGINALE ORIGINANS, or ORIGINAL SIN IN THE
FIRST SPRING and fountain of it; the Scripture Rom. 5.12. By one man, ſin entred into the world, &c.
The Fruit and ſad effect whereof being the loſſe of Gods image, and the total depravation and corruption of mans nature;
Subject. 7 The ſeventh thing that fell naturally to be handled, was, Peccatum originale originatum, or, Original corruption in the STREAM and DERIVATION OF IT TO POSTERITY; from
Pſal. 1.5. Behold, I was ſhapen in iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me.
This is the Source of all that evil that hath invaded all Mankind; that therefore which naturally ſucceeded in the
Subject. 8 Eighth courſe of this morning Exerciſe, was, MANS LIABLENESS TO THE CURSE; or the MISERY OF MANS ESTATE BY NATƲRE;
Deut. 27.1. Curſed is every one that continueth not in all the things of the Law to do them; or Epheſ. 2.3. By nature the children of wrath;
Subject. 9 Ninthly, Mans impotency to help himſelf out of this miſerable eſtate, was the next ſad Proſpect preſented to your view, by that Reverend Brother that preached the ninth courſe, and he took his riſe from Rom. 5.6. When we were without ſtrength, Chriſt died for the ungodly.
That the doctrine of mans impotency, when it had laid him in the duſt, might not leave him there; the
Subject. 10 Tenth Preacher diſcourſed to you of the COVENANT OF REDEMPTION, conſiſting of the tranſaction between
God and Chriſt from all Eternity; from that Text, Iſa. 53.10. He ſhall ſee the travel of his ſoule and be ſatisfied.
In the eleventh place, THE COVENANT OF GRACE REVEALED IN THE GOSPEL, came next to be unfolded, as being (if I may ſo ſay) the Counterpart of the Covenant of Redemption, which the Preacher to whom the
Subject. 11 Eleventh courſe fell, opened to you out of Heb. 8.6. Jeſus Chriſt, hath obtained a more excellent Miniſtry, by how much alſo he is the Mediatour of A BETTER COVENANT.
This done, it was very ſeaſonable to let you hear of the Mediatour of the Covenant; which was performed by the
Subject. 12 Twelfth Miniſter who preached to you JESUS CHRIST in his PERSON, NATƲRES, and OFFICES, from that Scripture,
1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God, and one Mediatour between God and man, the man Chriſt Jeſus.
Next to his Natures and Offices, it was proper to treat of the two ſtates of Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore the
Subject. 13 Thirrteeth Preacher opened to you Christs ſtate of Humiliation, out of
Phil. 2.7, 8. He made himſelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a Servant, and being found in faſhion as a man, he humbled himſelf, and became obedient to death, even the death of the Croſſe.
Subject. 14 The fourteenth, CHRISTS STATE OF EXALTATION, out of the ninth verſe, Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name, &c.
Time not allowing a more copious and diſtinct enquiry into this great Mystery, God manifeſted in the fleſh; that which came in the Subject. 15 Fifthteenth place under conſideration, as moſt proper, was, THE SATISFACTION WHICH CHRIST MADE TO DIVINE JƲSTICE; and that was done on that Text,
Col. 1.20. And (having made peace through the blood of his Croſſe) by him to reconcile all things unto himſelf; I ſay, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And becauſe the Redemption made by Chriſt upon the Croſſe, ſignifieth nothing in effect without the Application of it to the conſcience: The Miniſter to whom the
Subject. 16 Sixteenth turn fell, Treated of EFFECTUAL CALLING, from Rom. 8.30. Moreover, whom he did predeſtinate, them he alſo called.
In, and by which Call, the ſoul being really, but yet Spiritually joyned and united to Jeſus Chriſt; that which fell next under conſideration in the
Subject. 17 Seventeenth Courſe of this Exerciſe, was that exceding precicious Myſtery; The SAINTS UNION WITH JESƲS CHRIST.
His Scripture was, 1 Cor. 6.17. He that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit.
And inaſmuch as Ʋnion is the Foundation of Communion, Intereſt in Chriſt the Fountain and Spring-head of Fellowſhip with Chriſt; the Subjects which followed naturally to be handled, were Juſtification, and Filiation.
Subject. 18 JƲSTIFICATION in the eighteenth Courſe, out of Rom. 5.1. Being juſtified by Faith, we have peace with God. And the Nineteenth, Subject. 19
FILIATIN, or Divine Son-ſhip to God; which branching it ſelf into theſe two great priviledges of the Covenant
ADOPTION.
REGENERATION;
the one whereby out State is changed; by the other, our Natures, they were twiſted together into one Sermon, on that portion of Scripture, John 1.12. To as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the SONNES of God, even to them that believe on his Name.
In which Filiation, it being evident by the Scripture quoted, that Faith hath ſuch a ſpecial ingrediency, therefore it was ſeaſonable in the next place to ſpeak of SAVING FAITH; which was the Subject preacht on in the
Subject. 20 Twentieth morning of this Moneths Exerciſe; the Text being Acts 16.31. Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thy houſe.
And although Repentance be uſually before faith, in the order of ſenſe and feeling; yet faith being before Repentance, in the order of Nature and operation, it being the primum mobile in the orbe of grace, (as unbelief in the orbe of ſins, Heb. 3.12.) hence it was proper, next after Faith, to ſpeak to you of REPENTANCE, Subject. 21 which was handled by him that preached the one and twenty Lecture; his place of Scripture being Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince, and a Saviour, for to give repentance, and remiſſion of ſins.
Matth. 3.8.And becauſe true repentance is alwayes accompanied with fruits meet for Repentance; therefore as the great and comprehenſive fruit thereof,
Subject. 22 the twenty ſecond Exerciſe was ſpent in ſetting forth the Nature, neceſſity, and Excellency of HOLINESSE from theſe words of the Apoſtle,
Heb. 12.14. Follow peace with all men, and holineſs, without which none ſhall ſee the Lord.
This giveth the Believer a capacity, though not a merit of a joyfull reſurrection, and the next Preacher took therefore the RESURRECTION Subject. 23 for his Subject, upon the
Twenty third morning, and for his Text, thoſe words of St. Paul. Acts 26.8. Why ſhould it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God ſhould raiſe the dead?
And as upon the Reſurrection follows the day of Judgement; in the ſame Method, the diſcourſe of the LAST JƲDGEMENT ſucceeded, and was the work of the
Subject. 24 Twenty fourth day the Preachers Text was Acts 17.31. G…d hath appninted a day in the wich he will judge the world in Righteouſneſs, by that man whom he hath ordained.
Subject. 25 The ſentence of that day was the next thing in order to be conſidered: and although the ſentence of the Elect be firſt in the proceſſe, yet becauſe it is laſt in the execution, as appeareth in comparing the 34. verſe of the 25. of Matth. with the 46. therefore the TORMEMTS of HELL was the ſad and ſtartling Subject which the twenty fifth Preacher inſiſted on, from Math. 25.41.—Everlaſting Fire prepared for the Divell and his Angels, &c.
And when the Righteous have had the honour as Aſſeſſors with Chriſt, to behold with their eyes that ſentence executed upon the Reprobate, and their perſons dragged away into everlaſting burnings by the Miniſtry of the infernal Angels:
Then the joyful ſentence ſhall be accompliſhed upon the Elect of God, and they ſhall ride in triumph with Jeſus Chriſt the King of Saints, into the gates of the New Jeruſalem; and ſo the
Subject. 26 Twenty ſixth, and moſt bleſſed Subject with wich the laſt Miniſter did moſt ſweetly cloſe this morning Exerciſe, was the JOYES of HEAVEN; and his Text was Matth. 25.34. Receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
And thus honourable and beloved, I have preſe ted you with the Epitomy or Compendium of ſound words, which hath Methodically been delivered in the courſe of this monethmonth in divers of the chief Heads and Points of Goſpel-D…ctrine.
There is no man that is acquainted with the Body of Divinity, but may eaſily obſerve this Method or S…ſt…me to have been in ſome Points (poſſibly) redundant, but in more defective: He that will object the former, may conſider that eve…y man ſees not by the ſame light; inſomuch as if twenty Divines ſhould have the drawing up of twenty ſeveral Models of Divinity, not two of them would meet exactly in the ſame heads or order; in this caſe therefore, veniam p…timuſ que damuſque viciſſim.
And he that will object the latter, muſt alſo remember, that if we had taken in more Points, there muſt have been more dayes, which the courſe of this Exerciſe doth not allow.
Sufficient to the dayes hath been the labour thereof; and when we cannot do all we would, it his honourable to do what we can: To the glory of God be it ſpoken; ſince this Exerciſe was firſt ſet up, ſuch a monethmonth hath not been known in this City.
A word of Exhortation.
What now remaineth, men and brethren, but that the Miniſters of the*foreign. Cyril. Hieroſ. praef. Cat. Noſtrum eſt dicere, veſtrum vero agere, Dei autem perficere. Goſpel having done their work in holding out unto you a Form or Model of ſound words; you ſtir up your ſelves in the ſtrength of Jeſus Chriſt to do yours? and what is that, but that which is commended here to Timothy, That you hold faſt the form of ſound words, which you have received of them?
They have held it forth, it concerns you to hold it faſt.
Firſt ſee therefore that you hold it faſt in your underſtandings.
My brethren, in this Moneths Exerciſe you have had many of the chief Heads and Points of the Chriſtian Faith unvailed to you,*foreign. Idem ut ſupra. Non exiſtimes inſtitutiones iſtas homiliis eſſe ſimiles, &c. Sed haec quae per ordinem tradimus documenta, &c. not only as ſo many ſingle truths, and ſeveral precious Jewels to lie by you, but (that to which poſſibly moſt of you have been ſtrangers hitherto, as far as the deſign could well ſuffer) Methodized as it were into a Chaine of Pearls to weare about necks; truths fitly joyned together and compacted into a body, by that which every joynt ſupplyeth.
Now your duty is, to wear this Chain or Bracelet carefully that it may not be broken. Your labour muſt be to imprint this Method of truth in your mindes and judgements, by vertue whereof you may be able to know them in their Series and Connexion; and when you hear any of theſe Points handled in Sermons, you may be able to know one truth from another, where they are to be fixed in the Orb of Divinity, and ſo to refer them to their own proper place and ſtation; which will prove to be a greater advantage to your proficiency in the knowledge of Chriſt then you can eaſily believe. It is obſervable, Rom. 8.28. when the Holy Ghoſt having hinted effectual calling as the ground of that bleſſed truth, that all things work for good to thoſe that love God; yet he mentions it again in the very next verſe; and why? but to ſhew us what place it obtains in the golden chain of ſalvation; how it takes its room between Predeſtination and Juſtification; Whom he did predeſtinate, them alſo he CALLED, and whom he CALLED, them he juſtified; of ſo great moment it is not onelyonly to know Goſpel-truths, but how to poſture them in their proper rank and file, where every truth is to ſtand: This advantage in a great meaſure you have had by this Moneths Exerciſe; ſee that you improve it to the clearing of your underſtandings in the Method of Goſpel Doctrines.
Secondly, Hold them faſt in yor Memory.
Truely the Order of this Moneths Exerciſe, if you be not wanting to your ſelves, will not contribute leſſe ſtrength to your memories than light to your underſtandings. The truths themſelves have been a Treaſure given you by your heavenly Father; and the Method will ſerve you for a ſack or purſe to keep them in: and truely it would be a labour neither unprofitable nor uncomely to take ſo much paines your ſelves, and to teach your Families to do ſo too, ſcil. to Conne this Model without book; and the Lord teach you to get them by heart.
You may once a week, or ſo, revolve them thus in your minds.
I. There is a God.
II. The Scriptures are the Word of God.
III. In the God-head there be three Perſons or Subſiſtencies, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, God bleſſed for ever.
IV. God Created man in a perfect, but in a mutable eſtate.
V. The Covenant of works God made with man in his innocency.
VI. Original ſin in the firſt ſpring of it, in Adams firſt transgreſſion.
VII. Original corruption derived from thence into mans nature.
VIII. Mans liableneſſe to the curſe, or the miſery of mans ſtate by nature.
IX. Mans impotency to help himſelf out of this eſtate.
X. The Covenant of Redemption, or the tranſaction between God and Chriſt from all Eternity, about mans ſalvation.
XI. The Covenant of Grace revealed in the Goſpel.
XII. Chriſt the only Mediatour between God and man, conſidered in his Perſon, Natures, and Offices.
XIII. Chriſts ſtate of Humiliation.
XIV. Chriſts ſtate of Exaltation.
XV. Chriſts ſatisfaction to Divine Juſtice.
XVI. Effectual calling.
XVII. Ʋnion with …hriſt.
XVIII. Juſtification by Chriſts Righteouſneſſe.
XIX. Son-ſhip to God, conſiſting in
Adopition.
Regeneration.
XX. Saving Faith.
XXI. Repentance.
XXII. Holineſſe.
XXIII. The Reſurrection.
XXIV. The laſt Judgement.
XXV. Hell.
XXVI. Heaven.
Chriſtians, this, and other ſuch like Catalogues or Formes of the Articles of Chriſtian Faith imprinted upon your memories, will be of great benefit and ſervice to you. Do ye ſerve your memories, and your memories will ſerve you; foreign. Cyril. Hieroſ. praef. Catechiſ.labour to get them ſo imprinted upon your memories, that they may never be blotted out.
Thirdly, Hold faſt; yea hold forth theſe precious Truths delivered to you in your lives and converſations.
Chriſtians, let it be your care (and behold it ſhall be your*Deut. 4.6. wiſdom in the eyes of all the beholders) to live this morning Exerciſe, the glory whereof hath filled this Aſſemblie for a monethmonth together. To engage and quicken you herein, let me mind you of one rare advantage this Model carrieth with it, above moſt of the acute and learned Treatiſes of Schoolmen, or ſolid Tractates of Catechetical Divines, who have taken great paines in opening and ſtating the Principles of Chriſtian Religion.
The Reverend Divines who have travelled in this ſervice of your Faith, have in their ſeveral Sermons with ſingular skill and piety, brought down Principles unto practice, and improved all their Doctrines to Ʋſe and Application; wherein they have ſhewed themſelves Workmen that need not be aſhamed; wiſe Builders that know how to handle the Trowel as well as the Sword; and that made it their deſign to build up their hearers in holineſſe as well as in knowledge: The School and the Pulpit met together; the Doctor and the Paſtor have kiſſed each other.Omne tulit punctum qui miſcuit utile dulci. They have not diſcuſt the Doctrines of Faith in a jejune frigid ſpeculative way only; but what they cleared to the judgment, they wrought it home upon the heart and affections, with ſuch warmth and ſweetneſſe, as that the hearers ſeem'd for the preſent to be carried into the mountain of transfiguration, where they cryed out with Peter, It is good for us to be here: So that although their Sermons were very large, yet the greateſt part of their Auditories thought they had done too ſoon; and went away praiſing God that had given ſuch gifts unto men.
Oh let it be your care, dearly Beloved, that as this Model hath been delivered unto you, ſo you may be delivered into it: Rom. 6.17. foreign. The Form of doctrine into which ye were delivered. Efficacius vitae quam lnguae teſtimonium. Ber. Confeſſion. Bernard.What a ſore judgement will abide ſuch as ſuffer all theſe morning influences to paſſe away as water over a ſwans back; that come the ſame from theſe morning viſions, they came to them. How ſhall we eſcapt, if we neglect ſo great ſalvation?
Hold it forth I ſay Chriſtians, in your lives; the Converſation is a better teſtimony to the truth then the confeſſion.
I have met with a general vote in the Auditory, that attended this morning Ordinance, that theſe Sermons might be Printed; that ſo what hath once paſt upon your ears, might be expoſed to your eye; whereby you might ſtay and fix upon it with the more deliberation. Whether I may prevail with the Brethren, or no for their ſecond travel in this Service, I know not.
There is one way left you, wherein you may gratifie your own deſires, and Print theſe Sermons without their leave, though I am confident, not without their conſent, and that is,
PRINT THEM IN YOƲR LIVES AND CONVERSATIONS.
Live this morning Exerciſe in the ſight of the world, that men may take notice you have been with Jeſus:
You have been called up with Moſes into the Mount to talk with God. Now you come down, oh that your faces might ſhine; that you would commend this morning Exerciſe by an holy life, that you may be manifestly declared to be the Epiſtle of Chriſt miniſtred by ƲS.2 Cor. 3.3.
Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven.Matth. 5.16.
To that end
Take along with you theſe two great helps in the Text
FAITH.
LOVE.
Hold faſt the form of ſound words in FAITH and LOVE. I know ſome Expoſitors interpret theſe as the two great COMPREHENSIVE HEADS of ſound words or Goſpel-Doctrine, in this foreign; Faith and Love: Faith towards God, and Love towards men: Faith the ſumme of the firſt Table, and Love of the ſecond; or Faith in Chriſt, and Love to Chriſt; or Faith as comprehending the Credenda, things to be believed; Love as comprehending the Facienda, things to be done. But I am ſure it is not againſt the Analoge of Faith, or the Context to improve theſe two as Mediums to ſerve this command of holding faſt ſound Doctrine. And ſo in the entrance it was propounded, as the fourth Doctrine, ſcil. Faith and Love are as it were the two hands whereby we hold-faſt the Form of ſound words.
1. Faith.Firſt then (Chriſtians) look to your Faith; that is an hold-faſt grace, which will ſecure your ſtanding in Chriſt. As unbelief is the root of Apoſtacy, and falling back from the Doctrine of the Goſpel, Heb. 3.12. So Faith is the ſpring of Perſeverance. 1 Pet. 1.5. Kept by the power of God through faith to ſalvation. Faith keeps the Believer, and God keeps his faith; Now faith keeps the believer cloſe to his Principles upon a two-fold accompt.
Faith realizeth Goſpel-truth.1. Becauſe faith is the grace which doth REALIZE all the Truths of the Goſpel unto the ſoul. Evangelical Truths to a man that hath not faith, are but ſo many prettie Notions, which are pleaſing to the fancy, but have no influence upon the Conſcience; they may ſerve a man for diſcourſe, but he cannot live upon them: ſuffering Truths (in particular) are pleaſing in the Speculation, in times of proſperity; but when the hour of temptation cometh, they afford the ſoul no ſtrength to carry it through ſufferings, and to make a man go forth unto Chriſt without the Camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb. 13.13.But of Faith, ſaith the Apoſte, it is foreign, and foreign; the ſubſtance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not ſeen; faith makes all Divine Objects (although very Spiritual and ſubtile in their own nature) faith makes them (I ſay) ſo many realities, ſo many ſolid and ſubſtantial verities; it gives them a being, not in themſelves, but unto the believer: and of inviſible it makes them viſible; as it is ſaid of Moſes, he ſaw him that was inviſible; How? by faith, verſe 23.24: that which was inviſible to the eye of nature, was viſible to the eye of faith. Faith brings the object and the faculty together.Heb. 11.27. Hence now men yet in their unregeneracy, though haply illuminated to a high degree of Goſpel-Notion, in time of tribulation will fall away, and walk no more with Jeſus, becauſe through the want of Faith. Divine Truth had no rooting in their hearts; all their knowledge is but a powerleſſe notion floating in the brain, and can give no reality or ſubſiſtence to Goſpel-verities: Knowledge gives luſtre, but Faith gives being; knowledg doth irradiate, but Faith doth realize; knowledge holds ou… light, but faith adds life and power.
It is Faith my Brethren, whereby you ſtand; 2 Tim. 1.12.Faith is that whereby a man can live upon the truth, and die for the truth; I know whom I have believed; and I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day. Look to your Faith Chriſtians. For again,Faith fetcheth ſtrength from Chriſt.
Secondly, Faith will help you to fetch ſtrength from Jeſus Chriſt, to do, to ſuffer, to live, to die for Jeſus Chriſt, and the truths which he hath purchaſed, and ratified by his own blood, Phil. 4, 13. I can do all things through Christ which ſtrengtheneth me. Faith inveſts the ſoul into a kind of Omnipotency; I can do all things: Other mens impoſſibilities are faiths triumph: Faith is an omnipotent grace, becauſe it ſets a work an Omnipotent God. In the Lord I have righteouſneſs and ſtrength, is the boaſt of faith, Iſa. 45.24. Righteouſneſſe for Juſtification, and ſtrength for Sanctification; and for carrying on all the duties of the holy life: this is inſinuated in my Text, Hold faſt, &c. in FAITH which is in CHRIST JESƲS: So that if it were demanded How ſhall we hold faſt? the anſw. is by Faith: how doth faith hold faſt? in Chriſt Jeſus; ſcil. as it is acted by, and as it acts upon Jeſus Christ. Jeſus Chriſt is a Fountain of ſtrength, Pſal. 71.16.and that ſtrength is drawn out by faith; hence Davids Reſolve, I will go in the ſtrength of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy Righteouſneſſe, even of thine onelyonly.2. Love.
The ſecond grace which you muſt look to is LOVE. Love is another hold-fast grace, I held him, and would not let him go, ſaid the Spouſe of her Beloved, Cant. 4.3. I tell you ſirs, Love will hold faſt the truth, when Learning will let it go; the reaſon is, becauſe Learning lieth but in the head, but Love reſteth in the heart, and cauſeth the heart to reſt in the thing or perſon beloved.
I cannot diſpute for Chriſt, ſaid the poor Martyr, but I can dye for Chriſt.
Love will ſay to the truth, as ſhe ſaid to her Mother in Law, Whether thou goeſt I will go, and where thou lodgeſt I will lodge; thy people ſhall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou dieſt, I will die, and there will I be buried; the Lord do ſo to me, Ruth. 1.16, 17.and more alſo, if ought but death part me and thee.
Gen. 34.3.Love is the glue that makes the heart cleave to the Object; as it is ſaid of Shechem, His ſoule clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob.
Minuit Felix octa.Love is the twiſt of ſoules Crederes unam animam in duobus eſſe diviſam, it is but one ſoul that informs Lovers.
Chriſtians, if you would hold faſt the truth, LOVE IT. Love hates putting away: 2 Theſ. 2.11, 12when ever your love begins to decay, you are in danger of Apoſtacy. For this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſions to believe lies; for what cauſe? why, becauſe they received not the love of the truth.
Chriſtians, look to your ſtanding; there is much of this judicial blaſt abroad; the generality of Profeſſors have contented themſelves w…th, and rejoyced in the Light of the Truth, and in the Notion of the Truth, and in the expreſſions of the Truth, but they have loſt their love to the truth. Parts without grace hath been the precipice of this evil and adulterous generation: the fooliſh Virgins of this age have got Oyle only in their Lamps, but none in their Veſſels, and ſo periſh.
2 Pet. 3.17.You therefore Beloved ſeeing ye know theſe things before, beware leſt you alſo being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own ſteadfaſtneſs.
Let it be your care to receive the truth in the power of the truth, in the impreſſions of the truth upon your hearts, in the love of the truth: Love the truth, even when the truth ſeems not to love you; when it makes againſt your Carnal intereſts; when it calls for your right eye, and your right hand: The right eye of your ſinfull pleaſure; the right hand of your diſhoneſt gain: when the truth comes to take away all your falſe Principles, and to take away all your falſe evidences; not to leave you worth a Duty, or a Church-priviledge, not to leave you ſo much as a Creed, or a Pater-noſter, or a good meaning: but caſts you out of all, which ſelf, and fleſh hath counted your gain in point of ſalvation,Ezech. 16.5. (Phil. 3.7.) to the loathing and abhorring of your perſons, &c. Yet even then I ſay, Receive the truth in the love of it: God intends you more good in it then you are aware of: and therefore ſay with young Samuel, Ure ſe…a, corripe, ut ae…ernum parcas, Bern.Speak Lord, for thy ſervant heareth; and with Bernard, do Lord, wound me, ſcorch me, ſlay me, ſpare me not now, that thou mayeſt ſpare me for ever.
Thirdly, There is yet another means, Ver. 14. foreign.and that is in the verſe next to my Text, relating to the ſame duty, though under a various expreſſion.
That good thing which was committed to thee. KEEP. The good or excellent truſt and depoſitum; was either the Miniſterial Office, with the gifts and graces which Timothy received by Ordination for the edifying of the Church; or elſe
The form of ſound words here committed to him in my Text: whichſoever, this duty is incu…cated upon Timothy again and again, that he muſt keep it, foreign; preſerve it as under Lock and Key; and ſaith Beza, He keeps his depoſitum that improveth it ſo, that the depoſitor findes no cauſe why he ſhould take it away.
But how ſhall Timothy, or any other Evangelical Miniſter or Chriſtian be able ſo to keep it? it followeth foreign, &c.Occupatio eſt. by the Holy Ghoſt; The duty indeed is very difficult, but by calling in the help of the Spirit of God, Believers ſhall be enabled to do it; and he is not far from every one of them;Rom. 8.26. Col. 1.29. for ſo it follows by the Holy Ghoſt WHICH DWELLETH IN ƲS; He is IN them as a Principle of life and power by his vertue and influence helping their infirmities, and working in them mightily: Great is the oppoſition that Believers meet withall: and Satan, and this preſent evill world hath been too hard for many; not Profeſſors only, but Miniſters alſo, men that ſeemed to be ſtars of the firſt magnitude, they have proved to be but falling-ſtars, meer Comets, that for a time make a great blaze, but quickly extinguiſh: They went on from us, becauſe they were not of us, 1 Joh. 2.19.
But real Saints, true Believers ſhall hold out; why? becauſe, greater is he that is in them, then he that is in the world, 1 Joh. 4.4. — keep, by the HOLY GHOST THAT DWELLETH IN ƲS.
Chriſtians, walk in the Spirit, and pray for the Spirit; cry mightily to God for the continual preſence and operation of the Holy Ghoſt; and for your encouragement,Luke 11.13. take along with you that bleſſed promiſe of our Saviour.
If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more ſhall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Now to the King eternal, immortal, inviſible,1 Tim. 1.7. the only wiſe God, be honor, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
FINIS.
Books Printed for Ralph Smith, at the Bible in Corn-Hill.
THE works of that learned and laborious Divine John Weemſe, in four Volumes, 4.
Mr. Byfield on the Colloſſions, fol.
Mr. Thomas Edwards Gangraena, four Volumes in 4.
Ainſworths works, fol.
And his communion of Saints, 12.
Dr. Staughtons heavenly converſation, 12.
Bp. Downam on the Covenant of grace, 12.
Robins Eſſayes, 12.
Mr. Dicksons Expoſition on Matthew.
Mr. Brinſley a learned Treatiſe of Chriſts Mediatorſhip, and the ſouls implantion, 8.
Mr. Brinſley Brazen Serpent, and Chriſts Memberſhip—
Mr. Dicksons Expoſition on the whole book of the Pſalms, one Volume, 8. ſecond edition.
Mr. Watſons works, viz.
1. The Art of Divine Contentment, the fourth edition.
2. The Chriſtians Charter, ſhewing the priviledges of believers in this life, and the life to come, the fifth edition.
Mr. Aſhes Sermon, at Mr. Whitakers funeral—
Dr. Spurſtow on the Promiſe, ſecond edition.
Retorford on the Covenant of grace —
Mr. Cottons Expoſition on the book of Eccleſiaſtes and Canticles, ſecond edition.
A learned Treatiſe, proving the Deity of the Holy Ghoſt, by Mr. Eſtwick.
Mr. Gurnals Chriſtian Armor, third Edition.
Mr. Hutcheſon on the Goſpel according to St. John, in fol.
On the twelve ſmall Prophets, ſecond edition.
Mr. Gurnals Chriſtians Armour, the ſecond part.
Dr. Guile on the Canticles.