The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 28
VERS 28.
THe matter contained in theſe Words hath been already opened for the moſt part, onelyonly here we may obſerve. I. A reprehenſion of that particular ſin whereof they were guilty. II. How hardly men are brought to the knowledge of the truth being once poſſeſſed with prejudice. III. The deſire of Gods people to have all the glory given unto Chriſt, not to rob him of the leaſt part of it: The firſt of this will teach us.
Doctr. That Gods Miniſters muſt reprove the peculiar and particular ſins of their hears, the Phyſican doth apply to the particular diſeaſes of his patient, the gardiner reacheth the hands to the weeds, which are moſt noyſome, thus Iſa. 58.1. and 2 Sam. 12.11, 12. Mar. 6.20. Acts 2 36.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe theſe ſins are moſt dangerous, it is the predominant diſeaſe, that threatneth the diſſolution of the body.
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe this will awaken the conſcience, convince the judgment, lead unto repentance. 1 Sam. 15.14, 19. When the Lot was caſt on Achan than he confeſſed, ſo 2 Sam. 12.13.
Ʋſe 1 Therefore Miniſters muſt acquaint themſelves thoroughly with the ſtate of the people, ſearch into their particular diſeaſes, as Phyſitians try the eſtate of their patients, marriners look to the ſtate of their ſhips, builders the decayed places of the houſe, and accordingly prepare their exhortations, for the convincing of the obſtinate, informing of the ignorant, awakening of the ſecure, reclaiming of them that ſtray, 2 Tim. 3.16. and conſolation of the dejected, thus as they are ſtiled, ſo ſhall they ſhew themſelves, ſeers, ſtewards, Phyſitians, guides, lights, and thus Ier. 15.19.
Ʋſe 2 This muſt cauſe the people to be patient, willing, thankfull to hear their particular ſins diſcovered, reproved, as they would have the diſeaſe of their body launced, the breaches of their houſes repaired, Pſ. 141.5. 1 King. 18.21. Heb. 13.23.
The ſecond point teacheth us,
Doctr. That men are hardly brought to the knowledge of the truth, when once they are poſſeſſed with prejudice againſt it; theſe men were perſwaded that the Baptiſt was the Chriſt, they would not be driven from it,Ier. 38.4 1 Ki. 22.8. 1 Ki. 21.20. though he plainely told them he was not, Mat. 13.56, 57. Ioh. 7.52. By this means things appear in other colours than indeed they are, as to him that looketh thorough a glaſſe of a red colour things ſeeme to be of a red colour, therefore let us take heed that this weed ariſe not, ſtand not in the garden of our hearts, quench it like fire, deſtroy it like ſtubble, Iſa. 20 8. Pſa 57.3.17. Let us ground the perſwaſions of our hearts upon apparant teſtimonies, which will not deceive us.Pſ. 2….9 Acts 10.33. Let us ſtill be of humble diſpoſition, readily ſubjecting our ſelves to the Doctrine of Gods Word. Let not affection, conceit, fond opinion, but a judgment well informed be our guide. Let all truths find entertainment, approbation, ſubjection, ſo ſhall the Word bring comfort, ſtabliſh our faith, reconcile and draw us home to God, aſſure us of his favour; enrich us with his grace. I. But if prejudice poſſeſſe our hearts, bear ſway within us, we are taken in Satans ſnare, we ſhall be lead like blind men into the pit of our deſtruction, he hath put out the eye of the underſtanding, that we ſhall not ſee the glorious light of the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 4.4 II. The ſweet waters of life will be to our Palate as bitter as Gall, the moſt ſumptuous feaſt ſhall be but as the bread of adverſity and the water of affliction, Mal. 3.14. The moſt pleaſant and delightfull light will be either an offence to the eye, or at leaſt as a Lamp without Oile, Iob 34.9. All Religious and holy exerciſes will be as a cloud without raine, as a vine without grapes. III. The wiſeſt counſell will be taken either as flattery, or as treaſon, the trueſt teſtimonies of the ſincereſt love will be looked on as baits upon the hooke to draw the fiſh to his death, as meat ſpread by the fowler, an allurement to the ſnare, 2 Sam. 10.4. IV. Prejudice, like a diſeaſed ſtomack, turneth good food into corrupted humours, 2 Cor. 2.14. Like a diſeaſed eye it beholdeth things in contrary colours; Like David in one caſe it taketh friends to be enemies, and enemies to be friends, 2 Sam. 19.6. Like thornes and bryars in the field, it cauſeth the ſeed of the word that it can take no roote, Matth. 13.12. Like Sheba, that blew the Trumpet of Rebellion, it cauſeth the people to diſclaime the Meſſenger of the Lord, and to ſay they have no part in his Doctrine, 2 Sam. 20.1, 2. Like the evill Spirit that aroſe between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, it doth breed a great diviſion & haſten, their ruine, Iud 9.23. Like a diſeaſe in the body, it maketh men greedily imbrace, what will nouriſh it, Ahab being poſſeſſed with prejudice againſt the Prophet, caſt him into priſon, opened his eares to the falſe Prophets, who deceived him, 1 King. 22. for the prevention whereof we muſt labour.
1. For a ſound judgment to be able to diſcerne the things which differ, to make choiſe of the things which are moſt excellent, a cleare eye judgeth and diſtingueſheth colours beſt, delight is moſt welcome to that ſight which hath moſt perfection, ſound Doctrine hath beſt approbation among men of ſound knowledge and good underſtanding, and ſurely as Paul ſaid in another caſe, Acts 26 2.3. So may the Miniſter of God ſay in this caſe, and therefore 1 Cor. 14.20. Col. 1.9. 1 Cor. 10.15 1 Theſ. 5.21. but ignorance is the common cauſe of prejudice, 2 Pet. 2.12.
2. For a good affection, an entire love to the Meſſenger of the Lord, this the Apoſtle requireth, 1 Theſ. 5.13. This will cauſe us to hearken to their Doctrine with diligence, to endure the word of exhortation with patience, to imbrace it with thankfulnes, to ſubject our ſelves to it with readines, we take bitter pils contentedly from the Phyſitian whom we affect, and you know what the Apoſtle ſaith of love, 1 Cor. 13.5, 6, 7.
3. We muſt ſtrive for an humble and teachable Spirit, the broken ground entertaineth the ſeed, the meeke in heart do readily ſubject themſelves to the Doctrine of ſalvation, the yoke of Gods precept is not irkſome to the humble, therefore, Mat. 11.29 & were we humble as Chriſt was, then as he, notwithſtanding all his ſufferings, Iſa. 42 2. no more would we ſtirre, and cry and make a noiſe, and tumult, when the axe is ſaid to the roote of the tree, we would not kick againſt the Word of the Lord, though it prick like a goade, and pierce like an arrow, Ex. 12.11. Pſ. 45.4. The humble …oul ſhall find ſweetnes in it, it ſhall be a word of glad tidings, Iſa 61.1. a pleaſant food, Pſal. 22.26.
4. Carefully try all things by the touch-ſtone of Gods Word, examine it by that line wherein there is no crookednes, weigh it in that ballance, wherein is no deceit; try it by that touch-ſtone, which will infallibly diſtinguiſh between good and reprobate ſilver: the day, 1 Cor. 13 13. that is the light of Gods Word, Rom. 13.12. ſhall make it manifeſt: the fire, Gods Spirit, ſpeaking in the Scriptures, will certifie you of the truth of what was taught, therefore Iſa. 8.20. 1 Joh. 4.1. Acts 17.11. By this meanes ſhall ye find, that it is not ſo much man as God that ſpeaketh: by this meanes ye ſhall perceive more power in it, attend with more feare and reverence to it, and ſubject your ſelves thereunto with more willingneſs.
5. Allow not your ſelfe in any evill way, be not wedded to any ſin, but reſolve in the uprightneſs of your hearts, to ſubject your ſelves to the whole will of God, be glad to be informed in any truth, and be able to ſay to Gods Meſſenger, as Cornelius did to Peter, Acts 10.33. and the people to Moſes, Deu. 5.27. Then ſhall not your hearts rebell againſt any truth, not diſtaſt any wholeſome Doctrine, not take offence at any godly exhortation, more than a traveller, reſolving to go to his journeys end doth to be guided in the right way when he ſtrayeth, or a ſick man deſirous of a freedome from all diſeaſes, doth at the good counſell of a wiſe Phyſitian, but ſhall with David, 1 Sa. 25.32, 33. The allowance of ſin maketh true Doctrine unacceptable, godly admonition unwelcome, the tidings of peace an occaſion of trouble, the ſweet flowers gathered out of the garden of the Scriptures, as a bundle of noiſome weeds, the honey comb of the word as gall; therefore let us put iniquity farr away, and let no iniquity dwell in our tabernacles; and then we ſhall receive the word without prejudice.
The Third thing
is the Baptiſts, deniall of himſelf the removing of all that honour from himſelf, which they would falſely have aſcribed to him.
Doctr GOds Servants muſt not ſeek their owne, but the honour of the Lord Jeſus; This is given in charge, 1 Cor. 6.20. this we are taught to make our firſt Petition, Mat. 6.9. This the Saints, Angels of God have refuſed to receive, when men either ignorantly or ſuperſtitiouſly would have beſtowed it on and have willed them to give it unto God and Chriſt, Acts 10.25, 26, Acts 14:14, 15. Rev. 19.10. our Saviour blamed the want of this in the Phariſes, Joh. 5.44. and the Lord plagued them that, neglecting his, ſought their owne glory, Acts 12.21, 22. Dan. 4.30, 31.
Reaſ. 1 In regard of that perrogative which God hath over all, he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth, Rev. 1.5. every knee muſt bow to him, Rom 14.11. He hath dominion as King over ſubjects, Iſai. 43.15.
Reaſ. 2 In regard of the right he hath in them, they are the work of his hands, he is the potter, and they are the clay, the Creatour, and they the thing formed by him, trees of his planting, tabernacles of his building, Joh. 1.3.
Reaſ. 3 In regard of the price he hath paid for them, not gold and ſilver, hay, ſtubble, but his owne blood, 1 Pet. 1.19. 1 Cor. 6.20. The Captivne being ranſomed muſt live to him that did redeeme him, 2 Cor. 5.14.
Reaſ. 4 In regard of the relation between them, Chriſt is the head, they the members, Chriſt the Husband, they the Spouſe, Chriſt the Prince, they the ſubjects, therefore theſe muſt above all things ſeek the honour of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle ſaith of the wife, 1 Cor. 7.34.
Reaſ. 5 Becauſe the honouring of the Lord Jeſus is more dear to Gods Servants than their owne lives, neither honours, riches, pleaſures, nor ſucceſſe in worldly undertakings is ſo delightfull to them, as the glorifying of the name of the Lord, Acts 20.24. Acts 21.13.
Reaſ. 6 Becauſe this is the moſt ready way to do good unto our ſelves, the ſeeking of Gods glory will intereſt us in Gods favour, make us capable of Gods bleſſing give us comfort and courage in all eſtates, and much boldnes in the day of the Lord Ieſus, 1 Sam. 2.30.
Reaſ. 7 Becauſe this is that which God hath chiefly, and peculiarly reſerved to himſelfe; this is to the Lord, as the crowne to the King, though the Lord graunt us many favours, yet he will not graunt us this, this is as the apple of his eye, no man muſt touch it, Iſai. 42.8. therefore Pſa. 148.13.
Ʋſe. This diſcovereth the iniquity of ſuch as regard not what become of the honour of God & Chriſt, ſo themſelves may have honour, that regard not though the Sun of Gods glory be overſhadowed with an everlaſting Eclipſe, ſo the corrupt meteor of their vaine glory may ſhine, the extinguiſhing of the ſhining Lamp of the Goſpel, the ruinating of the Walls of Syon, the breaking downe of the hedges of Gods vineyard, the plucking off the grapes which grow on the Lords vine, the entring of the wild boare, Pſal. 80.12, 13, 16. All this doth not trouble them, ſo the trees in their owne Orchard flouriſh, bud, bloſſome, beare, who knoweth not that Satan is now let looſe, his chaine lengthned, his fury and his indignation great? Whoſe eyes do not behold, that as, Rev. 6.12. thorough the inſolency, & pride of Antichriſt, the glorious Sun of righteouſnes is eclipſed, The Doctrine,Rev. 9.7 the Sacraments, the Worſhip of God is made black with hereſies, ſuperſtitious Idols, and the Church bloody with warres, tyranny, oppreſſion, perſecution? Who ſeeth not the bottomles pit is now opened, the ſmoak aſcending, the ſmoaky Doctrine of the Pope ariſing, like ſmoake out of a great fornace to obſcure the Doctrine of life, & ſalvation by Chriſt? Who ſeeth not a fearefull Apoſtacy,Rev. 6.13. the ſtarres falling from heaven, Doctours, Biſhops, learned men, like vaniſhing Meteors to fall to the earth, the World, the fleſh, earthly honours, Idols? Who can but ſee how out of this ſmoake of Popiſh Doctrine, there comes forth a multitude of locuſts,Rev. 9. Prieſts, Jeſuits, Monks, who like the locuſts leape from earth to earth flying aloft in the aire, ſavour not the things of God, but onelyonly the things here below, like the locuſts go together in great troups, ſinging the ſonnet of their proſperity, leape and delight in idlenes, enter the meadowes, green paſtures, and eate up all the green things? Who ſeeth not bow they incroach upon us as the Sea upon the earth, when it hath eate thorough the banks, as a fire upon the towne when it hath once fired one houſe, as the frogs on the Land of Aegypt till they made it ſtinke?Exod. 8.6, 14. Beſides who heareth not the bla…phemies and hideous ſwearings who ſeeth not the ſwiniſh drunkenes, the matchles pride? who heareth not of the whoredomes & fornicacions amōg us, of the ſtrang contempt of the Goſpel, by all which the name of God is blaſphemed, Rom. 2.24. yet who almoſt regardeth this, whoſe eyes guſh out as David, did? Pſal. 119.136. Whoſe countenance us ſad as Nehemiahs was? Neh. 2.3, 4. Who rend his garment and his Mantle as Ezra did? Ezr. 9.3. If but the hemme of our owne garment be touched, but the leaſt ſpot of diſgrace caſt on us, we are much diſpleaſed, diſquieted; but who layeth to heart the diſhonour done to God? If men may keep up their owne Dagon, they care not what become of the Lords Arke, 1 Sam. 5.4, 5. If their Ship may row in a ſecure haven, they care not if the Ship of the Church ſink in a ſtorme, Amos 6.6. If they may be rich, they care not though the Church be poore, if they may be crowned with the earthly glory, they care not who take the crowne of Gods praiſe from him; like Gallio, they care for none of theſe things, if they may be at eaſe in Syon, Amos 6.1, 6. Whereby it is manifeſt, that they are not Gods Children, for a good Child ſeeketh his Fathers honour more than his owne, that they are not the ſpouſe of Christ, for the Wife is grieved to ſee her Husband diſhonoured, that they love not the Lord Jeſus, delight not in the Goſpel, ſeek not that honour which cometh from God, but that which cometh from men: were it otherwiſe, the loſſe of their owne peace, plenty, revenew, praiſe would not be ſo offenſive to them, as to ſee God diſhonoured; but as theſe men grieve not to ſee God diſhonoured, forbeare not to rob him of his praiſe, ſo the time is at hand wherein God will cover them with ſhame, 1 Sam. 2.30. Ezek. 28.2. to 9. Dan. 5.22, 23, 24. 1 Sam. 2.29.
2. Therefore this muſt occaſion every one of us neglecting our owne ſelves, thoughts, ends, to ſeek the honour and the glory of our God, and give the Lord the praiſe due to his name, let this be the prime deſire of our Souls, Pſal. 71.8. Let us long after this as much as ever Rahel did after Children, Gen. 30 1. And as we are or will make it appeare that we are the Children of God, ſo let us ſet our whole hearts, and all our ſtrength to glorify him, for this doth God challeng by vertue of our ſonneſhip, and his owne dominion, Mal. 1.6. and this let us make the choiſe of our endevours, Mat. 6.33. this let us value before our owne life, Joh. 12.27, 28. yea, let us deſire life chiefly for this end, Pſal. 118.17. and unto this let us frame all the abilities we do enjoy, whether inward or outward, Prov. 3.9. Let every talent be imployed to the advantage of our great Lord and Maſter, let every creature become a ſtring to ſound out Gods praiſe, Pſal. 113.1, 2. Let ſoule and body, like well yoaked oxen draw in this yoake, let all the members of the one, and all the faculties of the other, like an army of well trained ſouldiers fight theſe battles, let the heart in thinking, the will in choſing, the affections in imbracing, the eye in ſeeing the eare in hearing, the hand in working, the tongue in ſpeaking, the foot in walking aime at the honour of God, according to that of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal 103.1, 2. thus we ſhall anſwer Gods goodnes, Iſa. 43.20. ſhall have honour in the eyes of Gods Servants, 2 Sam. 6.22. ſo ſhall we accompliſh the end, for which God hath delivered us, 1 Cor. 16.35. rejoyce in Gods preſence, 1 Cor. 16.28, 29, 33. So ſhall we ſhew our thankfulnes for his mercies, ſo ſhall it appeare that we have been ſenſible of his goodnes towards us, mindfull of the vows we made in our diſtreſſes, Pſal 66.2, 11 12, 13. So ſhall we be ſure of honour, when others are buried under the duſt of ignominy, ſo ſhall the clouds of all our diſgrace be turned unto a bright and ſhining Sun, our dunghill into a palace, our wildernes into a paradiſe, our thorney into a golden crowne, Iſa 58.13, 14. Though we are now as a deſolate widdow, yet we ſhall be the ſpouſe of Christ, Iſai. 62.3, 4, 5. and ſo here.