The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 25
VERS 25.
THe Goſpel ſeldome enjoyeth amy long or ſuccesfull progreſſe without oppoſition: The Sun ſhineth not many dayes, but ſome clouds ariſe to obſcure & darken it: The Corn cannot ſpring ſo faſt, but ſome weeds will ſpring up amōg it to overtop if. If foraigne enemies fail, domeſticke jarres & quarrels ſhall be raiſed, rather than Chriſts Kingdome ſhall go forward without contradiction: the Diſciples among themſelves, ſhall be at variance, rather than the Schoole of Chriſt ſhall enjoy quietneſs: No ſooner did our Saviour publickly undertake his office, his Diſciples baptize, people frequent their baptiſme, but then their aroſe a queſtion between ſome of the Diſciples of John and the Jewes about purifying: In which words we may take notice. I. Of the time when this queſtion or cōtroverſie aroſe: then. II. Of the parties between whom it aroſe, ſome of Johns Diſciples and the Jewes. III. The matter whereabout their controverſy was, about purifying: Firſt of the time, then our Saviour came into Judea, tarried there, his Diſciples baptized many, he poured the gifts and graces of his Spirit upon them, many reſorted to him, the day-ſtarre of the Goſpel began now to ſhine more clearly, the way of life and ſalvation had more travellers in it than uſuall, and now began the contention, whence note.
Doctr. That the cleare & open ſhining of the Goſpel is uſually attended with much contention, the ſhining of Gideons Lampes, and the cry of the ſword of the Lord & Gideon, made the Midianites to ſheath their ſwords each in others bowels:Judg. 7.22. Herod & the men of Ieruſalem were much troubled, when the Star, pointing out the birth of the new borne King, appeared, and our Saviour himſelfe hath beforehand told us, Mat. 10.21, 22, 34. And you know the parable, Matth. 14.25. Luc. 12.49, 50, 51, 52, 53.
Reaſ. 1 The more plainely and powerfully the Goſpel, is preached, the more Satan is enraged, the more his malice is, like the waves of the Sea, when the wind bloweth high, are toſſed, he is loath to loſe his prey, to forſake his Kingdome; therefore he roareth like a mighty Lion, when God ſendeth out his Shepheards to take his prey from him; when the Lord of hoſts laieth ſiege againſt him by the Miniſtry of his Goſpel. When Iſrael began to hearken to Moſes, Exod. Mat. 13.then Pharaoh raiſed his forces, when the good wheate was ſown, then the envious man ſowed his tares, the enemy caſt not tares in, before the carefull Husbandman had ſown good ſeed.
Reaſ. 2 Sathan is ſubtil, and by raiſing quarrels and contentions, he doth hope to diſhonour the Goſpel, to open the mouths of wicked men to reproach it, to withdraw themſelves from it, to ſhun all fellowſhip with them that entertaine it, & accompt Gods faithfull meſſengers ſeeds-men of diſcord, 1 King. 18.17. peſtilent Perſons, Acts 24.5.
Reaſ. 3 The more plainly and plenteouſly the Goſpel is preached, the more Sathans Kingdome is ſhaken, the more the number of his ſouldiers are abated: and therefore he ſtirreth himſelfe ſo much the more to defend his owne Kingdome againſt the miniſtry of the Goſpel: when a houſe is beſet, a city, a countrey beſeidged, the Maſter of the Family, the Gouvernour of the towne, the Prince of the countrey girdeth on his armour, ſtirreth up all that are under him for the defence of the Houſe, Towne, or Kingdome; they that ſlept are now awaked, they that were on the bed, are now in the ſtreet, in the field, they who were naked, are now ſtrongly armed, thus Zach. 3.1. Acts 13.8. therefore, &c. Luc. 11.21. As the thunder ſendeth downe the lightning, ſo doth the thunder of Gods Word caſt down the Devill, Luc. 10.17, 18.
Reaſ. 4 It is a great vexation and torment to Sathan to ſee the Kingdome of Chriſt to flouriſh, as it was to Saul to ſee David thrive, to Eſau to ſee Jacob proſper, to Pharaoh to ſee Iſrael encreaſe, it is to him as a prick in the eye, a thorne in the ſide, an arrow in the bowels, fire in the bones, a grievous torment, Matth. 8.29.
Reaſ. 5 The cleare and open ſhining of the Goſpel doth provoke and ſtirre up the corruption, wich is in the hearts of the people; like a ſounding trumpet it awakeneth the ſleepy; like a ſearching Officer it diſcovereth the ſtolne goods, like a ſtorme it ſearcheth the Ship, rowſeth them that are in it, hence many that were quiet, ſociable, peaceable men, not having the Word of God preached to them, diſcover much hatred of the truth, utter hard words againſt the truth, againſt the people of God, whē the word hath been faithfully preached amōg them; much coine that hath been thought good, hath been found naught by the touch-ſtone, many bodies have diſcovered much diſtemperature after the receiving of Phyſicke, Rom. 7.8.
Reaſ. 5 The faithfull miniſtery of the Word doth breed a ſeparation between people, it converteth ſome unto God, endoweth them with new qualities, maketh them holy, righteous, full of love to God, his wayes, his ſervants, leaving other in ignorance, uncleaneſs, hardnes of heart, enlightning the one, making the other more blind, like the Sun ſofting the waxe, hardning the clay, ſo that thornes and bryas, & vines, light & darknes, Lambs & Lions are not more unlike one another, more repugnant one to the other than theſe are, Gen. 3.15. 1 Iohn 3.11. as Exod. 32. They that joyned in adoring Idolls, when Moſes came ſheathed their ſwords in each others bowells.
Reaſ. 6 The faithfull miniſtry of the word and ſucceſſe of the Goſpel is much maligned, and ſtirreth up envy in the hearts of many that hear it, as Sanballat and Tobihu were grieved to ſee Nehemiah to build up the walls of Ieruſalem, Neh. 2.10. thus Acts 13.45.46.
Obj. If ſuch contention be occaſioned by it, then better be without it; how can it be a Goſpel of peace, if it occaſion ſuch and ſo much warr; an ambaſſage of reconcilement, if it breed ſuch diviſion?
Anſ. 1. It is in it ſelfe tidings of much joy, a fountaine full of pure pleaſant water, a tree loaden with delightfull fruite, an Alabaſter boxe of precious ointment, a Sun full of light. 2. It is to Gods People a river making them glad, Pſal. 46.4. A feaſt of ſweet and ſavoury meat, 2 Cor. 2.15. A joyfull meſſage, Rom. 10.15. A healing medicine, Jſai. 57.19. A word of much peace; like the Olive branch to Noah; like the voyce of Chriſt to his Diſciples in the toſſed Ship, rebuking the winds and the waves of the Sea; like Jordan to Naaman waſhing away the ſin of their Souls. 3. To wicked men it is accidentally an occaſion of diſturbance, increaſe of ſin and condemnation, an unſavory food, 2 Cor. 5.15. a wounding arrow, Pſalm 45.5. a killing Letter, no healing medicine, 2 Cor. 3.6. Like ſoile to ſome grounds, making them more full of weeds, like the Sun to ſome eyes, making them more dark: but ſhall we therefore ſay it were better the Sun did never ſhine, becauſe it is offence to diſeaſed eyes, that there were no Phyſicke, becauſe it maketh ſome diſeaſed patients more ſicke, that it were good that no dewes did diſtill, that no ſoile were caſt upō the ground, becauſe ſome fields grow the more full of weeds; ſhall we condemne the uſe of ſwords, becauſe Saul fell on his ſword and killed himſelfe; the uſe of fire, becauſe children inſtead of warming do burne their fingers in it, the uſe of water, becauſe Pharaoh was drowned in the red Sea?
Ʋſe. This muſt teach us not to take offence at the Goſpel, & the preaching thereof, becauſe many ſtrifes do ariſe, much diſcord is accidentally occaſioned; it cannot be avoided, the Goſpel is no way to be blamed, the fault is in our ſelves, the corruption, the rebellion of mans heart, the diſorderly lives of mans life, is the proper cauſe of all this trouble: If the Kings of Canaan with the people thereof riſe in armes at Joſuas coming into the countrey, Iſrael muſt not be offended, Joſua muſt not go back: If Pharaoh rage, thereaten, lay heavy burthens; upon Iſrael, when they ſet their faces towards Canaan, turne their peace into trouble, ſet the whole Kingdome in a combuſtion; yet they muſt not accompt it ſtrange, nor fooliſhly charge Moſes their leader therewith. It is not Eliahs Prophecy, Exhortation, Doctrine; but the ſin of Ahab and his Fathers houſe that troubled Iſrael: it is not Davids fault, but Saul's envy that breedeth the quarell between them. It is not the Goſpel but our corruption, not the preaching but our tranſgreſſing of the word breedeth all the diſſenſion: It is.
1. The ſtrength of our love unto ſin that cauſeth ſo much enmity againſt the Goſpel, and the preachers thereof: It is Herods love to Herodias that maketh enmity between him, and the Baptiſt, Mar. 6.2, 21. It is not ſo much the Womans ſong, that Saul had ſlaine his thouſand and David his ten thouſand, as Sauls pride & love of honour did occaſion the contention between him and David, 1 Sam. 18. It was Mica his love to his Idoll that made him ſtirre up the men of Dan to run after him, Iud. 18.23, 24.
2. The guiltines of our conſcience: Were our faces cleane, the looking glaſſe would never trouble us: Were we good graine, currant ſilver, the fanne the touch-ſtone could not diſquiet us, Da. 5.5. Had Baltazars heart been ſound, the handwritting on the wall could not have filled him with ſuch ſhakeing: had not Adam eaten of the forboden fruit, the voyce of God walking in the garden could not have been ſuch an offence unto him.
3. Sathan hath ſuch ſway in the hearts of wicked people, they are under his command, ſo obſequious unto his beck, Eph. 2.3. ſo carefull to ſupport his Kingdome, ſo devoted to his ſervice, that they will beare armes againſt all his enemies, caſt in priſon ſuch as ſeek the ruinating of his Kingdome, Rev. 2.10.
4. The diſſimilitude and diſcord between wicked men and Gods Children is ſo great, that they can no more agree than fire and water, than the Lamb and the Lion, the Dove and the Raven, the malignity of ſinfull mens hearts, not the Goſpel and power of Religion is ſo great, that the Father becometh a ſtranger to the Sonne, the Mother a ſtepdame to the Daughter, naturall friends accuſers, executioners of them, that are in the bond of nature moſt ſtrictly tied to them; it turneth ſmiling into frowning faces, Math. 10.21. pleaſant tongues into quivers ſēding out venomous, arrowes, bowels of compaſſion into bowells of iron, helping into deſtroying hands, as Saul maligned, reviled, threatned Jonathan for affecting David, 1 Sam. As Eſau hated Iacob, becauſe he had obtained the bleſſing, ſo do ſinfull men maligne the people of God, becauſe they love the truth, becauſe they ſhine in the grace of the Spirit. This is the fountaine whence the bitter waters of ſtrife do flow, the roote whence all the branches of diſcord do ſpring, as in another caſe, Hoſ. 13.9. ſo in this, thy contention, thy quarelling is of thy ſelfe, a fire of thine owne kindling, a ſeed of thine owne ſowing; but to me in the Goſpel is true peace, therefore they are much to blame, that blame the preaching of the Goſpel, becauſe accompanied with contention, that like the Philiſtines will needs have it removed, becauſe it cannot agree with Dagon, 1 Sam. 5.4, 6. Like Demetrius accuſe Paul, becauſe his Doctrine ſtandeth not with his gaine, and the honour of Diana, Acts 7. They are ſilly travellers that are offended, refuſe to go forward, that will have the horſe legs cut off, becauſe the beating of their hoofe upon the pavement doth make the Dogs to barke, cowardly ſouldiers, that will not follow the Drum, becauſe the ſounding thereof doth awaken the enemy. Fond men that will have the light hidden under a buſhell, becauſe diſeaſed eyes take offence at it, becauſe wicked men rebell againſt it, Job 24.13. Was it ever otherwiſe, was not Chriſt a ſtrumbling block, a ſtone of offence, 1 Pet. 2.7. Was not Herod troubled to hear of his birth, Mat. 2.2. Did not Adam run when he heard the Lords voyce, Gen. 3. Was not Ieremy a man of ſtrife and of contention to the whole earth, Ier. 15. Was not Amos accuſed for ſpeaking of hard words, Acts 24. The Apoſtels for ſeedsmen of ſeditions, it is the power of the Goſpel to awaken the conſciences, to ſhake the hearts of the wicked; it is the honour of the Goſpel, a ſeal of our Myniſtry to be oppoſed by them the are unſanctified, the fruit of the Goſpel to make a ſeparation between the reprobate and Gods choſen, Ier. 15.19, 20, 21.
Uſe. 2 2. Is the preaching of the Goſpel uſually attended with contention, ſtrife and diſcord, then let them that profeſſe the Goſpel take heed they give not any juſt occaſion hereof, for Sathan will moſt diligently endeavour it, he will take hold of any thing that may ſtirre up this fire, take all occaſion to ſow this ſeed, do his utmoſt to make theſe cleare waters foule, that he may take the fiſh living in the ſame; and therefore to fruſtrate Sathans policie in their behalfe, we muſt ſtudy to be quiet, and to have our hearts knit together in love, to joyne as ſtones in one building, as ſouldiers in one army, as marriners in one Ship, to help forward the cauſe and Goſpel of God, againſt all furious oppoſitions, to defend the Goſpel and maintaine the honour of it againſt all ſpirituall pyrats, that ſeek to rob us, either of the being, or well being of the ſame, and that we may continue and enjoy this peace, we muſt labour,
1. To be truely humble and meek, and of a teachable and tractable Spirit; the low ſhrubs are quiet, when the trees of high tops are toſſed, and ſhaken with the winds: no ſuch enemy to peace as pride and haughtineſs of Spirit, Prov. 13.10. Prov. 28.25. Pride, like the wind in the Sea, maketh men to toſs and roule to and fro, troubleth the calme Waters, but meeknes hath the promiſe of peace, Pſal. 37.11. And is preſcribed as a rule to preſerve peace, Epſ. 4.2, 3.
2. To be truely wiſe unto ſalvation, to ſee the things wich belong unto our peace, to diſcerne the things wich differ, ignorance of the manner of Gods proceeding, of what is good and beneficiall for our ſalvation, 1 Cor. 2.8. Want of ability to judge what is good for us, is the cauſe of much ſtrife: But true wiſedome, Ia. 3.17. is the way to peace, Prov. 3.17.
3. To be patient in hearing the word of exhortation, Heb. 13.22. Receive it gladly when it launceth as well as when it healeth, Pſal. 141.5. Get thy heart ſo affected, that thou mayeſt be able to ſay to every one that admoniſheth thee, as David to Abigal, 2 Sam. 25.32, 33. Why did Iſrael murmur and ſtrive againſt Moſes, but because they wanted patience; Why did the Libertines gnaſh the teeth on Stephen, but becauſe they were of an impatient mind, and could not endure the word of exhortation.
4. To live in no known ſin, but univerſally reforme thy wayes, apply thy ſelfe to every commandement of God, if thou leave but one unruly perſon in the family, he will diſtrub the whole houſe; if you leave but one leak in the Ship, the water coming thereat will diſturb all that are within the ſame. What bred the ſtrife between Herod and the Baptiſt, but Herod allowing himſelf in that ſin of inceſt, Mar. 6.20.
5. To love Gods Word unfainedly, to delight in it as in the light of our eyes, to feed upon it as upon the food of our ſouls, to walke by it as by the rule of our converſation, this is the means to breed true peace, Iſa. 57.19. This hath the promiſe of peace, Pſal. 119.16.5.
6. To be of one mind and of one heart in things of the beſt nature, to be guided by one Spirit, to attend on Gods word with one conſent, as Acts 2.1. Phil. 2.1, 2. Let us agree in this and we ſhall agree in all other things.
7. To love one another unfainedly, Epheſ. 4.31, 32. This will cover many infirmities, paſſe by many weakneſſes, 1 Cor. 13.5, 6, 7.
8. To conſtrue all that is done and ſpoken in the beſt ſence, till the contrary doth evidently appeare, the want of this breeds ſtrife, 2 Sam. 10.4. John 11.47. Matth. 2.2.
9. To uſe the gifts we have received to the glory of God, the good of his Church, the edification of the faithfull in the knowledge of the truth, the incouragement of our brethren in the way of godlineſs, to the diſcountenancing of ſin, and not to the diſgracing of the godly, the maintenance of any evill.
10. To beare with the weaknes of our brethren, to ſuffer wrong, rather than to contend or quarrell: Abraham gave Lot liberty to choſe, Geneſ. 13.8.9.
Thus of the time, next of the parties between whome; ſome of the Diſciples of Iohn and the Jewes, which beleeved in Chriſt and were Baptized of him, both parties were baptized, attended Gods Ordinances, yet contended.
Doctr. Sometimes there are contentions even among them that after a peculiar manner frequent Gods Ordinances; the Sonnes of one family, the ſouldiers of one army do ſometime contend, Acts 15.39. Gen. 27.41. Cor. 11.12.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe there is corruption remaining, even in the beſt of Gods people, ſome pride, forwardneſs, ſelf will, which being not well looked to, getteth advantage and breaketh out, 1 Cor. 3.3, 4. Luc. 22.24.
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe there be many make externall profeſſion, who want internall ſanctifications, are mere ſtrangers to the power of godlines, nay enemies to them that ſhine in holines, Gal. 1.29. They were both circumciſed, 1 Tim. 3.4, 5, 6.
Reaſ. 3 Becauſe ſome profeſſe the truth; but love not, deſire not, but envy the ſpirituall welfare of their brethren, Gen. 27.41. 1 John 3.11. Like Ioſephs brethren.
Reaſ. 4 Becauſe it is neceſſary that offences ſhould come for the triall of Gods people, whether they love him, whether they will continue conſtant with him, Matth. 18.7. 1 Cor. 11.19.
Uſe. We may not raſhly condemne the Goſpel, withdraw our heart from it, becauſe they are not all of one heart and mind that doe profeſſe it, there is no muſicall inſtrument ſo well compoſed, but ſometimes there is jarring in it, no army ſo well ordered, but ſometimes they are diſordered; no family but ſometime heareth of more or leſſe diſcord; it is the perrogative and priveledge of heaven to enjoy that peace, which is unchangeable, to ſee that day, which hath no cloud, let not other mens contentions make us leave the Goſpel of peace, but let their ſtrivings make us the more in love wich peace, the more conſtant in attending the means of peace, the more carefull to ſhun the hinderances of peace, the more dilegent in perſuading to peace.
2. Let this occaſion ſuch, as are called to the profeſſion of the truth, to do what in them is to have peace with all men, ſpecially among themſelves: & that. 1. Becauſe ſuch breaches are moſt advantagious to Sathan; what maketh more for a forreine enemy than civill warres, brawles and contentions between the people of that Kingdome or city wich he goeth about to poſſeſſe. 2. Becauſe this giveth greateſt cauſe of ſcandall to the adverſaries of the truth, when Abſolon the Sonne of Davids love rebelled againſt him, then Shemei opened his mouth to revile David. 3. This caſteth great diſgrace upon the Goſpel of peace whereof we make profeſſion; We profeſſe our ſelves to be ruled by the Goſpel of peace, to be the ſubjects of the Prince of peace, to be travellers in the way of peace, to be poſſeſſed by one and the ſame Spirit of peace: If contrary to all this we live like Salamanders in the fire of contention, do we not much diſhonour the Goſpel? The Goſpel teacheth us to be innocent as doves, meek as Lambs, and can we without the reproach thereof contend like Dogs and Lions? 4 This expoſeth the Goſpel, the Church to ruine; a divided Kingdome cannot ſtand; a diſtracted army flieth before the enemy, a disjonted houſe ſoone falleth to the ground: when the evill Spirit came between Abimelch and the men of Shechem, it was not long before both came to ruine, and this taketh away the comfort they might have in the Ordinances of God, the ſweet refreſhment they might find in that holy & mutuall Communion that ought and otherwiſe would be between them: When the Wood is diſperſed that fire extinquiſheth wich otherwiſe would burne. 5. Hereby the doing of much good to our brethren is hindered, a divided ſtreame cannot drive that mill which a full ſtreame will; one ſtick cannot give that heate wich many can. 6. Hereby aſſaults, afflictions become much more burthenſome, than they would be: many hands can eaſily beare that weight, which is a burthen inſupportable to one arme: A Ship ſtrongly linked & joyned together will endure that ſtorme, which will ſink, a leaking Ship to the bottome of the Sea. 7. Hereby many times the Ordinances of God are perverted. Phyſicke is turned into poyſon, the Lamp is made a ſtumbling block, the ſtaffe is become a ſnare, 1 Cor. 11.17, 18. And therefore all that beare the name of Chriſtians, ſpecially they, who profeſſe themſelves to be the friends of Chriſt, the Children of light, the lovers of the truth, the Family of God, the Diſciples of Chriſts Schoole, muſt ſtrive to have their hearts firmly linked, and knit together in Christ Jeſus; Leading a peaceable life in all godlines and honeſty, 1 Tim. 2.2. And according to that charge of the Apoſtle, let us be all of one mind, &c. 1 Pet. 3.8.9, 10, 11. And eſpecially let us be carefull to agree in matters concerning life and ſalvation; wich is the next thing to be conſidered, the matter where about this controverſy was, about Purifying.
To purifie is to make that cleane and pure, wich was foule and defiled, this was typically done by the blood of buls, goats and beaſts before the coming of Chriſt, Heb. 9.14. Sacramentally by Baptiſme under and ſince Chriſt, Epheſ. 5.26. But effectually by faith in the blood of Ieſus Chriſt, wich maketh us perfectly pure by imputation, and imperfectly pure by ſanctification, Acts 15.9. By purifying here, Baptiſme is moſt probably conceived to be meant: For ſo the Diſciples of John in the next verſe complaine to their Maſter that Chriſt Baptized: this then preſenteth the matter of there controverſie, Baptiſme, the nature of it, the fruit, which they, who are truely baptized, obtaine, Purity, from the firſt we may learn.
Doctr. That in the Church of God there uſually have been controverſies beetween the people about matters appertaining to life and ſalvation, 2 Pet. 2.1. Acts 15.1, 2. I might relate an infinite Catalogue of Hereſies, which in all ages have peſtered the Church of God, and cauſing ſtrivings between the people profeſſing Christ: as between Jacob and Eſau in one womb, who ſhall have the the preheminence, as between the two Women living in one houſe, whoſe ſhould be the living, and whoſe ſhould be the dead Child, 1 King. 3.23. and the reaſon of it ariſeth:
1. From the wiſedome of God hereby intending to try the integrity, the faith, love, and conſtancy of his people, as Deut. 13.1, 2, 3. So 1 Cor. 11.18.
2. For the better illuſtration of the truth, the more the light of the Word is oppoſed, the more it ſhineth, the more cavils are raiſed againſt it, the more Gods people are ſtirred up by ſtudy, prayer, meditation, conference, to ſeek out the truth of it, many grounds of Religion, many points needfull to ſalvation, would never have been ſo clearly unfolded, had they not been by Hereticall cavillers oppoſed: Moſes Serpent devouring the counterfeit Serpents of the magitians was more abundantly declared to be a true Serpent, than it could, if their had been no ſuch counterfeits; The Gold enduring the fire, ſhineth the more brightly, thereby ſheweth its excellency, the Sun conſuming the clouds doth thereby ſhew its force and efficacy.
3. From the Perverſnes of many Mens minds living within the pale of the Church, ſuch as in the pride of their hearts will not ſubmit unto ſound Doctrine, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5.
4. From that ſelf-love wich ſwayeth in many living in the Church of God, that are lead by affection more than by ſound judgement, that ſeek themſelves more than the honour of God, 1 Cor. 3.3, 4. They depended on the perſons of men more than on the Word of God.
5. From the deſire that many within the pale of the Church have to fulfill their owne luſts, ſome are ſwayed with pride, ſome with covetouſnes, ſome with envy, ſome with one luſt, ſome with another, hence, 1 Tim. 6.5. 2 Tim. 3.6, 7, 8.
6. From the wiſedome of God in diſcovering Hypocrites, Hereticks, men of corrupt minds, unſound hearts, infatuated judgements and vile affections, that all his Children may diſcerne and ſhun them, 2 Tim. 3 9. Thus God bringeth good out of evill, truth out of falſhood, as he brought light out of darkneſs in the firſt creation, as Sampſon fetched meat out of the eater, ſweet out of the ſower, and as the wind by ſhaking doth often faſten the tree, ſo theſe quarrels, contentions Hereſies, theſe blaſts, wich at firſt do ſhake, do in the end the more confirm the people of God in the truth: according to that of Augustine; Aug. de vera Religion. c. 8.Haeretici plurimum proſunt, non verum docendo quod neſciunt; ſed ad verum quaerendum carnales, & ad verum aperiendum ſpirituale Catholicos excitando: Lib. 1. c. 9.& Euagrius per eos qui Eccleſiam diſerpſerunt, recta fedei dogmata emerſerunt.
Ʋſe. This may therefore in forme us in the ſtate of the Church in this behalfe in all ages; & may aſſure us, that it ſhall never be free from contentions, quarrells, Hereſies, offences, diviſions, during the peregrination thereof on earth, neither muſt we think it ſtrange, nor take offence thereat, ſince God doth thereby make the truth the more illuſtrious; the graces of his Servants the more conſpicuous; theſe do not diſanull the Church any more thā tares do diſanull the field of wheat from being a field of good graine, or Iſmael in Abrahams houſe did diſanull his Family to be a houſe of good and faithfull people, or ſome rebels in a Kingdome do diſable it to be a good and well governed Kingdome. Yet the Papiſts, wanting other arguments, labour much to prove us not to be the people and Church of God, becauſe there be,Stromat. lib. 7. as they ſay, inter Evangelicos varia de Religione diſſidia; But this is no new Calumny, no ſound argument; for we may learne from Clemens Alexandrinus, that then the Jewes and Philoſophers objected to the Chriſtians, their diſcords and controverſies about matters of faith, upon whom he retorted the darts of their owne quiver, confuted them with their owne arguments, as once David cut off Goliahs head with his owne ſword, telling the Jewes that they themſelves had many Sects among them. Phariſes, Saduces, Eſſens, and as touching the Philoſophers he reckoneth up innumerable factions among them, & therefore telleth them, if they did not for their diviſions ceaſe from their Philoſophie, and condemne it as evill, becauſe their Philoſophers, erred in many things, how could they condemne the Chriſtian Religion for the diſſenſions of Chriſtians. Tell them; that Chriſt and the Apoſtles had foretold them, that there muſt be Hereſies, adding further, that multiplicity of ſects prove not the falſity of Doctrine, but muſt breed a more earneſt inveſtigation and ſearching out of the truth: For tares grow with the wheat; and unprofitable ſour graſſe with the beſt garden flowers, & yet the Husbandman did neither ceaſ to dreſſe the vineyard, nor the gardner the garden: the ſame may be given in anſwer to the Papiſts, for none at greater variance than themſelves among themſelves, who can reckon up the diſcords between the Popes themſelves, the ſecular Prieſts and Jeſuits, the Monks, Canoniſts and the like: they muſt firſt heal their owne wounds before they can object our ſcarres. Yet their diſcords will not juſtify our contentions, no more than quarrels between thieves, cut-purſes, drunkards will juſtify the contention of honeſt & ſober men; but we muſt bewaile the diſcords that are amongſt us, pray to the God of peace to ſuppreſſe, attend the word of peace the inſtrument, with which God doth uſe to work: & therefore let mee ſay to you as the Apoſtle doth to the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſ. 5.13, 14. Let us labour for ſincerity of heart, freedome from corruption, this ſin is the cauſe of all quarrell, nothing is more effectuall to quench this fire than the water of ſanctification, which is the internall baptiſing of the heart, and for this the outward baptiſme is called a purifying: whence note.
Doctr. The efficacy and the proper fruit of Baptiſme conſiſteth in the purging away of our corruption; Therefore Paul reſembleth it to a grave, wherein our corruption is buried like a dead man, Rom. 6.4. Other to a ſprinkling of water, not upon the body but the conſcience, 1 Pet. 3.21. not the putting away the filth of the fleſh, &c.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe they who are effectually Baptiſed, have Communion with Chriſt, Gal. 3.27. None are in Chriſt but ſuch as are ſanctified, 2 Cor. 5 17.
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe they who are effectually Baptiſed, are truely penitent; therefore called the Baptiſme of repentance, Luc. 3.3. Marc. 1.4. True repentance there is none, where there is not ſanctification, where ſin, like filthy dirt in the houſe, is not waſhed away.
Reaſ. 3 Becauſe they, who are effectually Baptiſed, are ingrafted into the Myſticall body of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 12.13. Now none are true and living members of that body, but ſuch as are truely cleanſed from their ſin.
Uſe. This muſt therefore teach us not to content our ſelves with the outward waſhing of the fleſh in baptiſme; but let us ſtrive to feel the internall effecacy of it in our Souls. Having our conſciences ſprinkled within, our bodies waſhed without, the inward and the outward man alſo renued, not thinking it enough, that we have the ſhell, unles we have alſo the kernell; the ſheath unles we have alſo the ſword, the bowe without the arrow, the parchment without writting, hand, ſeale, delivery, Pharaoh and the Aegyptians were in the red ſea aſ well as Iſrael, but they were drowned, Iſrael had a ſafe paſſage, as Jo. 6.63. You muſt feel the quickning Spirit move in your Souls in the uſe of this Sacrament, as the Angel moved in the Pool of Betheſhda, or the diſeaſs of your Soul will not be healed; you muſt find your luſts mortified, it is nothing worth your bodies are waſhed, if the fire of concupiſcence within be not quenched, as Gal. 6.14, 15. Nothing in the Kingdome of God is of any accompt but onelyonly a new creature, therefore under circumciſion he comprehendeth the preheminence of the Jew, which though it were much, Rom. 3.1. Rom. 9.4. by uncircumciſion, the wiſedome, ſtrength, love, Policy of the Gentile, though of great eſteeme in the eyes of the world, yet of no accompt in the eyes of God: Regeneration, ſanctification are in chief eſteeme with him; not the noble, wiſe, rich, ſtrong creature, but a new creature, ſee Luc. 16.15. 1 Cor. 1.26. and 1 Tim. 4.18. Therefore as Gideon pulled down the Altar his father had erected, and then ſet up another at Gods commandement, as men put off an old and then put on a new garment, ſo let us Eph. 4.22. whatſoever we have hither…o have been, let us be ſo no more, but let us ſtrive to be ſuch, that it may be ſaid of us, as 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11.