Fear of Losing the Old Light, Sermon

Fear of Losing the Old Light · Sermon

p. 1FEARE OF LOSING THE OLD LIGHT.

REVEL. 2. 5.

And will remove thy Candleſtick out of his place, except thou repent.

1. THis Epiſtle was wrote to the Angel of the Church of Epheſus, to him eminently, not excluſively, to Him chiefly, not only; to Him, yet ſo to Him, as a Letter of Publique concernment, directed to the Prolocutor, with intent that He (according to his office) ſhould acquaint all the Chriſtian Members of the Epheſian Church with p. 2the contents thereof. Yea, the very word Angel imports no leſſe, ſignifying a meſſenger, imployed by appointment, and intruſted for the benefit of others.

2. Miniſters ought not to monopolize the ſpirituall intelligence which they have received from God, but to communicate it to others. And the more precious the knowledge is which they have, the greater is their obligation to impart it. David ſaith, **Pſal. 119. 11.Ps 119:11Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee; and yet the ſame David had **Pſal. 40. 10.Ps 40:10ſaid, I have not hid thy righteouſneſſe within my heart, I have declared thy faithfulneſſe and thy ſalvation. Miniſters muſt, and muſt not hide Gods word in themſelves; muſt, as faithfull Stewards, muſt not, as crafty Huckſters; muſt, out of carefulneſſe to obſerve it; muſt not, out of covetouſneſſe to ingroſſe it.

3. The Epiſtle conſiſts of three principall parts.

1. A commendation of the Epheſians former Piety and Patience.

2. A Reproofe of their preſent backſliding, that they had forſaken their firſt love.

3. A Threatning of them with future miſery, in caſe they did not quickly amend.

Preachers muſt vary their voices interchangably p. 3uſing frownes, ſmiles, ſwords, ſalves, cordials, corraſives as occaſion is offered. If all the Body of our Sermons be Praiſing, where is reproving? if all be Reproving, where is Comforting? Phyſitians adviſe Nurſes, not alwayes to give the ſame receit to their Infants ſick of the wormes, but rather to make uſe of ſeverall Medicines, leſt otherwiſe, the Wormes accuſtomed to the conſtant taking of the ſame thing, by degrees turne that Phyſick into their food, and ſo are encreaſed, by what was intended for their deſtruction. It is wiſdome in Miniſters to try all wayes, to work on the hearts of their Hearers, full of ill Humours, and whoſe Corrupt Nature, if ever uſed to one Receit, will improve their badneſſe upon it, and bee the more confirmed by what was preſcribed to confute them.

4. See here, no Church in this world can be free from all Faults. Even Epheſus, the beſt of the Seven, had ſomewhat amiſſe in it. As long as there be ſpots in the Moone, it is vaine to expect any thing Spotleſſe under it. The earneſt of Perfection (which is Sincerity) may be received in this life, but the full Payment thereof muſt be expected in another. Such as Fancy a Poſſibility of a Perfect Church here, muſt not onelyonly mold a New forme, but make a new matter, cauſe frailty to be firme, folly to bee wiſe, fleſh to be Spirit, Men to be Angels, Saints being p. 4too little in this Life, as full of their Infirmities. Witneſſe the Church of Epheſus: For though He that was, praiſeth them for what they had bin, yet He that is reproveth them for what they were, and He that is to come, threatneth them with what they ſhall be. And will remove thy Candleſtick out of his Place, except thou repent.

5. I will ſing (ſaith **Pſal. 101. 1.Ps 101:1David) of Mercy, and Iudgement. Of theſe two, Iudgement the moſt ſolemne, Mercy the moſt pleaſing Muſick. Behold them both in the Text. Judgment pronounced in the Commination; And I will remove thy Candleſtick out of his place. Mercy promiſed in the Condition, except thou repent. Yea, the Text conſiſts wholly of Mercy, and Mercy, there being Mercy in the very Commination; God, not ſurpriſing this Church with ſudden Deſtruction, but in ſome manner arming it againſt himſelfe, by forewarning it. Satan never barks before he bites, never tels before hee tempts, becauſe he deſires and endeavours the ruine of mankinde. But God who intends their Amendment, not confuſion, alwayes warnes before He wounds, that ſo by tendering them the Opportunity of a ſeaſonable Submiſſion, they may prevent the miſery of their finall deſtruction. And I will remove the Candleſtick out of his Place, &c. By Candleſtick is meant not the dull and dead Candleſtick, but it quickned and p. 5enlivened with a Candle, namely the Word of God. Which amoun…eth to this effect, that God would Un-church Epheſus, and deprive it of the Benefit of the Goſpel, which enlighteneth mens Soules in their wayes to heaven. In the Commination three Doctrines are obſervable, whereof this the firſt.

6. I. Doct. God alone is the manager of the motions of the Candle of the Goſpel. Hee that cauſeth it to **Amos 4. 7.Amos 4:7raine upon one City, and cauſeth it not to raine upon another City, one piece was rained upon, and the Piece whereupon it rained not withered: He it is that vouchſafed the Goſpell unto unrepenting Corazin and Bethſaida **Mat. 11. 21, 22.Matt 11:21Matt 11:22, and denyed it to Tyre and Sidon, beſtowed it on unthankfull Capernaum, and withheld it from Sodom, which would have made better uſe thereof; God alone it was that forbad Paul to preach the word in **Acts 16. 6.Acts 16:6Aſia, yea, when he aſſailed to goe into Bithinia, the **Acts 16. 7.Acts 16:7Spirit ſuffered him not, but he was diverted with a Viſion, Come over into Macedonia, and help VsUs.

7. Nor can any other Reaſon bee rendred hereof, ſave onelyonly the Councell of his **Epheſ. 1. 5.Eph 1:5Will. This appeareth plainely in the People of the Jews. The Lord did not ſet his love upon **Deut. 7 7.Deut 7:7you, nor choſe you▪ becauſe ye were more in number then any People (for yee were the leaſt of all People) but, Becauſe the Lord loved you &c. Feweſt of all People, being ſoone ſummed up in Abraham and Sarah, p. 6no more then two Cyphers in point of Procreation, without a Miracle. And as their number was inconſiderable, ſo their Nature was intollerable, for when they wandred 40. yeares in the wilderneſſe, their intricate windings in their Progreſſe ſeemed ſtrait in compariſon of their crooked Conditions, and their wayes towards God, were more indirect, then their walking on Earth. Yea, in every outward reſpect; ſome of their neighbouring Nations did ſurpaſſe them. The Aegyptians excelled them in Wit, the Phaeniceans exceeded them in wealth, the Edomites in Antiquity, the Perſians in Induſtry, the Arabians in Activity, the Syrians in Cunning, the Aſſyrians in command, the Philiſtims in ſtrength, and the Anakims in ſtature, notwithſtanding all which, the Lord loved the Jews before and above them all, even ſo Father becauſe it pleaſeth thee.

8. And bleſſed be God that it is in his power alone, to order the Motions and Stations of the Goſpel. Good ſucceſſe have He with his Honour: He that hath the moſt might and right holdeth the Candle. It cannot be put into a better Hand. Had ſome Envious or Covetous men (ſuch as our Age affordeth too many) bin imployed in ſo great a truſt, abſolutely to diſpoſe of the Goſpel, when, where, and to whom they pleaſed, O what ſtrange worke would they have made? Our Saviour ſaid, **Mark 10. 23.Mark 10:23How hardly ſhall p. 7they that have Riches enter into the Kingdome of God? But in this Caſe, how Hardly ſhould they which want wealth be ſaved? their Poverty being unable to Purchaſe Gods Word for themſelves, and ſuch Miſers charity unlikely freely to beſtow it upon them. Such Simoniacall Patrons as Sell ſo deare their Preſentations to Church-livings, what unconſcionable rates would they ſet on the Goſpel it ſelfe, if it were in their Power to make merchandiſe thereof? But this marres their Mart, that the giving of the Goſpel to any Place or Perſons, ſooner or later, the continuing it longer or ſhorter, the removing it, ſlowly, or ſuddenly, are all, and every one, only and abſolutely placed in his power and pleaſure, who ſpeakes in my Text, And I will remove the Candleſtick out of his place, except you repent.

9. Come wee now to the ſecond Doctrine contained in the Commination, which may thus bee propounded. God will not finally extinguiſh, but onelyonly remove the Candleſtick of his word. The Dove will not wholly flye away, but onelyonly build her a new Neſt; the Setting of the Goſpel in one Place, will be the riſing thereof in another, what is loſt in a Kingdome, will be found in the World; Particular Churches may, the Church cannot fall away. And it is worth our obſerving, that when the word hath beene ſleighted and neglected by p. 8ſome, immediately it hath bin embraced and honoured by others.

10. Thus the Gaderens **Luke 8. 37.Luke 8:37, the whole multitude of their countrey beſought Chriſt to depart from them. Strange that this wind ſhould blow from all parts of the Compaſſe, that Wanderers ſhould entreat the Right Way to leave them. Sure the Patient is more ſick in Minde then Body, that is importunate to ſend away his Phyſitian. Well, their Sute is granted, ask and ye ſhall have, the Goſpel is a Gueſt which will not ſtay, where it perceiveth it Selfe not to be welcome. Away goeth our Saviour to the other Side, (oppoſite to the Gadarens in Poſition, and Diſpoſition) where behold his entertainement, And it came to paſſe that when Ieſus was returned, the People gladly received Him, for they were all waiting for him. Thus Gods word is a Commodity of quick Vent, it will not lye long on the Merchants hand for want of Chapmen, but if one will not, another will have it. Another Inſtance is preſented us in the Jews, who diſpiſed the Preaching of S. Paul at **Acts 13. 42.Acts 13:42Antioch, And when the Iews were gone out of the Synagogue, the Gentiles beſought that theſe words might be preached to them the next Sabboth. The Leavings, yea the Loathings of the Jews, were the longings of the Gentiles; the ones fragments, the others feaſt. They requeſted not the Apoſtles to make new Proviſion for them, (conſcience deſires not p. 9what is novell, but what is needfull) but would be pleaſed with the Repetition of what He had formerly delivered; and indeed, a Sermon being newly broached, taſteth the beſt at the ſecond draught. The Reſult of all is this, Thoſe feet of Gods Miniſters, who finding themſelves unworthily uſed, do ſhake the duſt off from them, (according to Chriſts **Mat. 10. 14.Matt 10:14command) in witneſſe againſt an ungratefull Place. I ſay, thoſe very ſelfe-ſame Individuall feet, ſhall elſewhere bee welcomed, as the **Rom. 10. 15.Rom 10:15Beautiful bringers of the Goſpel of Peace, and glad tidings of good things.

II. And here it will bee neither improper nor unprofitable, to obſerve ſome Paſſages concerning the Motions and Poſtures of the Candleſtick in my Text. And firſt, we may take notice, that the Perſecution gave the Occaſion to the ſpeedy propagatiō of the Goſpel. Had Satan bin contented to ſuffer the Saints to dwel peaceably in Jeruſalem, probably Chriſtianity had not made its Progreſſe ſo faſt, and ſo far into the world. But it was Death to Him to ſee Good Men live in quiet, and therefore his malice muſtered all his might to diſperſe **Acts 8. 1.Acts 8:1them, after the martyrdome of Stephen, whereby hee ſcattered the fire of the Goſpel inſtead of quenching it. Infant Chriſtianity, like infant **Luke 2. 52.Luke 2:52Chriſt, encreaſed in ſtature, and in favour with God and Man. Yea, it is uncertaine, whether Martyrs which did dye, or Confeſſors who did flye, contributed p. 10more to the advance of Religion, the former by their patient ſuffering confirming more, and laying the Truth the thicker, the latter by their Painfull preaching converting more, and ſpreading the Truth the broader. Thus the Devill did the Church an ill office, and God made it a good turne. Wee will pay our thanks where they are due, not to his malice who intended it to our miſchiefe, but to his ſtrength, wiſdome, and goodneſſe who diſpoſed it for our happineſſe.

12. Secondly, wee hitherto cannot finde a Countrey, from which the Goſpel did totally depart, to which it ever afterwards returned. The white **Revel. 6. 2.Rev 6:2horſe in the Revelation, (which generally is interpreted the word of God) went forth conquering, and to conquer. Went forth, ſtill in a Progreſſive not Retrograde motion, like the Sun in the Firmament, which **Pſal. 19. 5.Ps 19:5commeth forth as a Bridegroome out of his chamber, and rejoyceth as a Giant to run his courſe, his retreating ten Degrees on the Diall of **King. 20. 11.Ahaz, being extraordinary and miraculous. Wherefore ſeeing it ſeems not to ſtand with the State of the Goſpel, to goe away animo revertendi, it will bee our wiſeſt courſe, carefully to retaine, what wee have no Preſident to recover.

13. Thirdly, Chriſtendome is a Zoar, a little one, in compariſon of the Pagan part of the world. Call for a Map, as our Saviour did for p. 11a Penny, and ſee how ſmall a circuit thereof hath the Image and ſuperſcription of Chriſt upon it. Thus it is meet, that all the Earth being Gods Demeanes, his Private Garden ſhould bee leſſe then his common grounds about it. There was a place in the city of Jeruſalem, called the Daughter of Zion, ſo named, ſaith an **Adricomius Theatro. Ter. Sanct. p 152. numb. 26.Author, becauſe it was a parcell of buildings, which branched or iſſued out of old Zion, as a Colony thereof, and ſurely pretty it was to behold this Babe in the arme of her Mother. But, oh that I might but live to ſee a Daughter of Chriſtendome borne! I meane a Plantation of Piety amongſt the Pagans, a Copy like our Originall, (ſave onelyonly that it be not written with ſuch red Inke) in matter of doctrines, and knowledge of Religion.

14. Fourthly, Chriſtianity hath beene theſe laſt hundreds of yeares, little effectuall in converting of Heathen. For, be it reported to Serious Conſideration, whether thoſe Indians, rather watered then baptiſed, driven into the Church, as the money changers out **John 2▪ 15.John 2:15of the Temple, deſerve to be accounted ſolid Chriſtians. Abate theſe, and then we ſhall finde ſmall impreſſion and Improvement of the Goſpel in theſe latter Ages on Paganiſme. I have not heard of many fiſh (underſtand me in a myſticall meaning) caught in New England, and yet I have not beene deafe to liſſen, nor they I beleeve p. 12dumb to tell of their Achievements in that kind. I ſpeake not this, (God knoweth my heart) to the diſgrace of any Labourers there, being better taught, then to condemne mens endeavours by the ſucceſſe; and am ſo ſenſible, how poorely our Miniſtery prevaileth here at home, on profeſſed Chriſtians, that I have little cauſe, and leſſe comfort, to cenſure their Preaching, for not taking effect upon Pagans. OnelyOnly I ſpeake this, to the intent that we all ſhould enter into a ſtrict Scrutiny in our owne ſoules; what may be the Reaſon, of this unuſuall barrenneſſe of our Chriſtian Religion. Surely it is no infirmity in the Doctrine it ſelfe, diſabled with Age, like Naomi that could have **Ruth 1. 11.Ruth 1:11no more Sons in her wombe: the fault is not in the Religion, but in the Profeſſors of it, that of late wee have beene more unhappy in killing of Chriſtians, then happy in converting of Pagans.

15. Laſtly, from Jeruſalem (whence the Goſpel firſt ſtarted) this Candleſtick is obſerved to have a favourable inclination to verge more and more Weſtward. This putteth us in ſome hopes of America, in Gods due time; God knows what good effects to them our ſad war may produce, ſome may be frighted therewith over into thoſe Parts (being more willing to endure American, then Engliſh Savages) or out of curioſity to ſee, neceſſity to live, frugality to gaine, may carry Religion over with them, p. 13into this Barbarous countrey. OnelyOnly God forbid we ſhould make ſo bad a bargaine, as wholly to exchange our Goſpel for their Gold, our Saviour for their Silver, fetch thence lignum Vitae, and deprive our ſelves of the Tree of life in liew thereof. May not their planting be our ſubplanting, their founding in Chriſt our confuſion; let them have of our light, not all our light; let their candle bee kindled at ours, ours not removed to them, as God threatned the Epheſians in my Text, I will remove thy Candleſtick out of his place, except thou repent.

16. The third and laſt Doctrine couched in the Commination is this, God never removes the Goſpel from a Nation, untill they or their Anceſtors firſt remove themſelves from his ſervice. Where the Goſpel is given, it is Gods Mercy, not mans Merit, where it is denyed, it is Gods Pleaſure, no Injury to man; where it is removed, it is Gods Juſtice, and mans puniſhment, who hath beene unthankfull for it, and unprofitable under it. Thus the Jews our elder brethren were diſinherited for their Infidelity, at this day wandring in all lands, yet having no Land, ſine Rege, Lege, Solo, Salo, (I had almoſt ſaid Coelo too) ſtumbling at Him that ſhould ſtay them, unhappy if they knew their condition, and more unhappy, becauſe they are ignorant of it.

17. Object. But this is hard dealing, ſo p. 14juſt, that it is unjuſt, that children for the default of their Parents ſhall be debarred from the meanes of their Salvation. Will God baniſh the ſound of a Proverb **Ezek. 18. 3.Ezek 18:3out of Iſrael, and practiſe the Senſe thereof in his owne proceedings, ſetting the childrens teeth on edge, (even to their **Mat. 8. 12.Matt 8:12gnaſhing in Hell fire) for the Sowre grapes which their fathers have eaten.

18. Anſ. The Day of Judgement wil be the day of the manifeſtation of the righteouſneſſe of God, whoſe actions which now are juſt, ſhall then appeare ſo, to the clearing of his wayes, and convincing of others wickedneſſe. The Damned ſhall want a drop of the water of a colourable excuſe, to coole their tongues with, diſcontented with their condition, but ſatisfied with the cauſe thereof, ſo that they may blaſpheme, but not complaine. Untill then let us be content, to tarry the Lords leaſure, ſuſpending our Cenſures, and admiring what we cannot underſtand. David ſaith to God, Thy way **Pſal. 79. 19.Ps 79:19is in the Sea, and the ſenſe is the ſame though inverted, There is a Sea in thy way, and that a bottomleſſe one, (not like the Adriatick, Acts 27. 28 wherein the Marriners ſounded, and found it 20. fathoms, and when they had gone a little farther, they ſounded againe, and found it 15. fathoms,) but in this Ocean the farther we ſaile the deeper we ſinke; and therefore let us make what ſpeed to the Shoare, except the Pilot here had more skill, p. 15or his tackling more ſtrength.

19. Meane time, how carefull ought Parents to be, leſt by their wickedneſſe they wilfully deprive their Poſterity of the Goſpel. Here, O let me plead for them who cannot ſpeak for themſelves; yea, I know not how to call my Clients, being as yet unnam'd, unborne, unbegot, I meane ſuch little little Levi's, which as yet lye hid in the Loynes of their Grandfathers: Oh let not their Soules be ſlain before their bodies be borne, by wilfull debarring them, by the prophaneneſſe of this preſent Age, from the future benefit of Gods word. Let that ſturdy father, careleſſe of himſelfe, be conjured into Piety, by that potent charme, per ſpem creſcentis Iuli. Who can reade the horrid Hiſtory of ſo many thouſand Childrens corpſes, drowned (as they ſay) in one fiſhpond in Italy, by thoſe Votaries, their mothers, and is not inſtantly ready, if the fact be proved, to arraigne, condemne, and execute the Memory of ſuch Monſtrous Murderers. What then ſhall we ſay to ſuch Parents as plunge the Soules of Millions in the Pit of Perdition, ſacrificing the Spirituall lives of their Sons and Daughters to Devils? ſo that as they walke on in their wicked wayes, the floore whereon they tread, may bee ſaid to be paved with ſlaughtered Infants, and that they trample on a Charnel-Houſe of childrens Soules of their owne killing, becauſe the candleſtick of the p. 16Word, was removed from them for their fathers offences.

20. See a ſad ſpectacle hereof, in the Church of Epheſus, to which God at this Day hath done, what hee threatned in the Text. Indeed, ſome hundreds of years after the writing of this Epiſtle, Epheſus ſtill continued the Staple of Religion and learning, where ſome Generall Counſels were celebrated. Till at laſt, growing notoriouſly erronious in doctrine, and vicious in Manners, it is at the preſent reduced to a miſerable condition, ſhrunke almoſt inviſible in our Moderne Maps, ſave that ſome charitable Geographers, in reverence of what ſhee hath beene, allow her a bare remembrance in their larger Deſcriptions. The few Chriſtians therein, and thereabout, grow contented vaſſailes to the Turke, and the ſoundeſt of them are infected in the Point of the Progreſſion of the holy Spirit, with many other grievous errours. Generally in thoſe Parts, God hath permitted his Arke to fall downe before Dagon, the Alchoran hath baniſhed the Bible, the Candle of the word is put out, and in the roome thereof the Moone of Mahomet is riſen, whoſe Light is worſe then darkeneſſe it Selfe. All which had beene ſeaſonably prevented, if the Epheſians had beene but as carefull to take, as God was kinde to tender the Caution in my Text. And will remove the Candleſtick out of his Place, except you repent.

p. 1721. Now for application, to leave Epheſus and come to England: Know then in the firſt place, our Land hath equalled Epheſus in favours received. No Iland in the world ſo farre diſtant from Jeruſalem, ſaw the Light of the Goſpel ſo ſoone; yea, it was morning here, when it was midnight in Germany, the laſt, was firſt, our Countrey placed in the Rere of the world, marched one of the formoſt in receiving the Chriſtian Religion. And ſince the Word was here once planted, hitherto it was never totally loſt, but ſtill grew amongſt the barren Mountaines in Wales; as Piety hath ever an ambition to keepe company with Poverty. Yea, here Religion hath enjoyed her ſelfe as purely and plentifully, as in any other place, and though often ſick of ſeverall Superſtitions, yet theſe were not the Peculiar Diſeaſes of England, but the Epidemicall Infections of thoſe Ages.

22. Secondly, England (what by her ſinnes, which have cauſed this war, and which this war hath cauſed,) hath equalled Epheſus in faults committed. In one particular hath exceeded Her. For, the holy Spirit commendeth Epheſus in the next verſe, for hating the Nicolaitans, whom he alſo hated. Theſe Nicolaitans were ſo called, from **Acts 6. 5.Acts 6:5Nicolas one of the p. 18ſeven Deacons, who (as Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtory reporteth) having a Beautifull wife, and being taxed for being cauſeleſly Jealous of Her, to confute his Accuſers, proſtituted his wife to the unchaſte embraces of any, thereby to wipe off the Aſperſion of Jealouſie. So then, thoſe who evidence their oppoſition to any Error in Judgement, or demonſtrate their diſtance from any vice in practiſe, with ſuch violence and furious indiſcretion, that they fall into the oppoſite error, or reele into the contrary Vice, are moſt truly and properly, though not Literall, ſpirituall Nicolaitans. And in this Senſe, how many wee have of this Sect in our Kingdome, not hated, but favoured, and foſtered, I am grieved to thinke, and unable to number.

23. But now the third Parallel I dare not ſpeake, and I dare not conceale. Yet, why ſhould I not ſpeake it? In Spaine, great rewards are given to ſuch, as firſt are the meſſengers of Bad newes, provided they doe not diſperſe it to the Diſadvantage of the publick, but impart it onelyonly to the State, which may mend ill accidents before they become worſe. Sure then, though I deſire no favour, I deſerve no frowne, if from the ſimplicity of my heart, without ſiniſter intents, I ſhew the danger p. 19likely to ceaſe on us, if not providently diverted by ſpeedy repentance. Plainely tis this, I feare we ſhall be like Epheſus in future puniſhment, and that the candleſtick will be removed out of his place.

24. Objection. There is no danger of the departure of the Light which now daily encreaſeth. Preaching now a dayes is like Silver in the reigne of **1 King. 10. 21.1 Kgs 10:21Solomon, ſo plentifull that it was nothing accounted of. The Goſpel formerly going afoote, now rides on horſebacke. Wherefore concerning the removing of the Word, you fancy cauſleſſe feares, then fear your cauſleſſe fancies, it now ſhineth brighter then ever before.

25. Anſw. As all is not Gold that gliſters, ſo all is not light that ſhines, for Glowormes and rotten wood ſhine in the darke. Firebrands alſo doe more harme with their Smoake, then good with their Light; and ſuch are many Incendiaries, which without either authority of calling, or ability of learning invade the Miniſteriall function. Whoſe Sermons conſiſt onelyonly of two good Sentences, the firſt, as containing the Text, and the laſt, which muſt bee allowed good in this reſpect, becauſe it puts an end to a tedious and impertinent diſcourſe. p. 20Notwithſtanding all pretended new lights, and plenty of preaching. I perſiſt in my former Suſpicion. Yet am I not ſo much affrighted with all the Prodigies reported to have appeared in the Ayre, as with the portentous Sins which I dayly behold committed on the Earth. And this I ſay. God commonly moves the candle before he removes it. The light ſeemes ſicke and faint before it dyes. In Mines, before a dampe commeth, candles begin to burne blew, as by inſtinct mourning their owne funerall before hand. Some ſuch ſad ſymptomes diſcover themſelves in our Candle, in the preaching of the word, if ſeriouſly conſidered.

26. Firſt, it is an ill ſigne that ſo many wantonly play with the Word. When children begin to try Concluſions with a Candle, ſporting themſelves at in and out with it, their Parents uſe to take it from them, leaving them to doe pennance in the Darke, for their wantonneſſe. I am afraid God will ſerve us in like manner: ſo many have dallied with the Scripture, producing it for the maintenance of their upſtart monſtrous Opinions. Secondly, ſo many Theeves in the Candle, ſuch variety of Sects and Schiſmes, which waſt and miſpend the light, is another ill boding Symptome. Yet whilſt others wonder that they are ſo many, I p. 21wonder they be no more; for untill a good Peace be ſetled, which God Speed, and whilſt the great Bond of Diſcipline is broken, every ſtick in the Fagot will be abſolute and ſet up for it ſelfe. Laſtly, if the wax be taken away from the candle, (as in many places it is, and Tithes denied for the Miniſters maintenance) the light muſt decay; the five fooliſh **Mat. 25. 8.Matt 25:8Virgins having ſo much wiſdome, as to know that their Lamps could not burne when they wanted oyle, except any doe thinke Miniſters may be like the miraculous **Exod. 3. 2.Exod 3:2Buſh, which did burne and not conſume, that ſo they may alwayes worke, and yet never waſt. Put theſe together, (and others I could inſtance in) and though Miniſters, Gods Doves, delight not to be Ravens to croake Funerals, though they Gods fixed Stars, would not be Comets preſaging ſad Events, though theſe **2 Cor. 5. 20.2 Cor 5:20Ambaſſadours, praying you to be reconciled to God, are loath to bee Heraulds to proclaime war: Yet be theſe things ſeriouſly conſidered, and may they not amount to make us Iealous over England with a godly jealouſie, what for the future will become of us? And this I will boldly adde, that an awfull feare of loſing the Candleſtick is the beſt Hope we have to keepe it.

27. But I foreſee a Poſterne Doore ready to p. 22be opened, that eſcaping thorow it my Auditors may decline whatſoever this Day I have delivered. Some will ſay, what Joſiah was **… Cron. 34. 28.promiſed, we preſume on, the Evill will not come in our Dayes. The Goſpel will laſt my life in the Land, and if we are not to care for to morrow, much leſſe will wee carke for the Day after our Death. Beſides, if a generall Judgement ſhould come in my Time, I ſhall beare but my ſhare, and ſhift as well as another.

28. Well, Beloved tis true, this inconvenience attends all generall diſcourſes, (ſuch as this Dayes Sermon is) that as filius populi hath no father, ſo publique reproofes are ſeldome particularly applyed by any to themſelves. But, that I may catch ſome fiſh, I muſt weave my net cloſer, and draw the threds thereof neerer together. Bee it granted what we hope, and thou believeſt, that the light of the Goſpel will laſt thy life, yet how long or little time thy life will laſt, there is the Queſtion. Nor will it be any violence to my Text, in a ſecondary Senſe, to expound this Candle, of the Life of every man, which how long ſince it hath beene kindled we know, but how ſoone it may bee quenched God knows. Some wares in England, are uſually ſet to ſale by the candle; that chapman p. 23carrieth them, who giveth the moſt before the candle is burnt out. Such is all our condition at this time; Heaven now is to be had, Happineſſe to be purchaſed, **Prov. 23. 23.Prov 23:23Buy the truth, and ſell it not, loſe not a good bargaine, bid bountifully, be not body wiſe, and ſoule-fooliſh; the candle weares, the candle waſts, caſualty may, ſickneſſe will, Age muſt extinguiſh it. If once the light be out it is too late, there is no worke, **Eccleſ. 9. 10.Eccl 9:10nor deviſe, nor knowledge, nor wiſdome in the grave, whither thou goeſt.

29. I ſhould now come to the Condition, except thou repent. But it is high time for me at this preſent to leave preaching, and more then high time for us all to begin practiſing of this point of repentance. Let us rend our hearts, and not our garments, and turne to the Lord our God. The melting of marble, ſo that it become fufill or runnable, is recounted one of thoſe Myſteries, which are loſt in our Age, though formerly knowne to, and performed by the Ancients. But, O let us labour that the Art of melting ſtony Hearts, (ſuch as ours are by Nature and cuſtome of ſinning) be never loſt or forgotten, but kept in ure, and put in daylie practiſe. That ſo the Candleſtick may remaine amongſt us, not onelyonly 50. dayes, the time preſcribed for **Jonah 3. 4.Jonah 3:4Niniveh's Repentance, or 15. yeares, the leaſe p. 24of **2 King. 20. 6.2 Kgs 20:6Hezekiahs health reſtored, or terme of our life outright, a gift granted to good **2 Ch…. 34. 28.Joſiah, or for an hundred and twenty yeares, ſo long was allotted for the **Gen. 6. 3.Gen 6:3amendement of the old world, or for foure generations ſucceſſively, which Leaſe of Lives on the Throne of Iſrael, was beſtowed on **2 King. 10. 30.2 Kgs 10:30Jehu, but ſo long as the Gnolam the Eternity of this world ſhall laſt, as long as the **Pſal. 72. 7.Ps 72:7Moone endureth in heaven.

30. Men naturally decline Death, and the Quick at the day of Judgement deſire, not to bee **Cor. 5. 4.uncloathed, but cloathed upon that mortality may bee ſwallowed up of Life. The ſame is our requeſt, that there may bee no interruption or intermiſſion of our Light, that it may bee not put out, but tooke up, not deſtroyed, but devoured in the tranſcendent Splendor of Glory. Then it will be no thrift to burne Day, and there ſhall bee no night there, and they need no **Revel. 22. 5.Rev 22:5candle, no uſe of preaching, Sermons ſhall ceaſe, and God alone ſhall bee the Text, the Hallelujahs of Angels and Saints the Comment upon it.

31. And now I am to take my finall farewell of this famous City of Exeter. I have ſuffered from ſome, for ſaying ſeverall p. 25times, that I thought this or this would bee my laſt Sermon, when afterwards I have preached againe. Yet I hope the Gueſts are not hurt, if I bring them in a courſe more then I promiſed, or they expect. Such would have forborne their cenſures, had they conſulted with the Epiſtle to the Romans. In the 15. Chapter, verſe 33. the Apoſtle ſeemes to cloſe and conclude his Diſcourſe, Now the God of Peace bee with you all, Amen. And yet preſently he beginneth afreſh, and continueth his Epiſtle a whole Chapter longer. Yea, in the ſixteenth Chapter, verſe 20. S. Paul takes a ſecond ſolemne vale, The grace of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt be with you all, Amen: and notwithſtanding ſtill he ſpins out his matter three verſes farther, till that full and finall Period, verſe 27. To God onelyonly wiſe bee glory, thorow Ieſus Chriſt for ever, Amen. Thus, loath to Depart, is the tune of all loving friends; The ſame I may pleade for my Selfe, ſo often taking my farewell, wherein if any were deceived, none I am ſure were injured.

Now this is all, The Rabbins have a conceit, that Manna reliſhed ſo to the pallats of the Jews, juſt as the eater thereof did fancy or deſire. Conſult with your ſelves, and wiſh your owne ſpirituall and temporall conveniencies, p. 26wiſh what you will, for Body, Soule, both, You, Yours, your Private, the Publique; confine not your happineſſe with too narrow meaſure of your owne making. And my conſtant Prayer to God ſhall be, that he would be pleaſed to be to you all in Generall, each one in particular, that very thing, which You for your owne Good doe moſt deſire.

Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Fuller, Fear of Losing the Old Light (1646)