Orders Given Out, Sermon
1 CORINTH. 16.13, 14.
Stand faſt in the Faith: quit you like men: Be strong. Let all things be done in love.
THE words of departing friends, if ſeaſonable, make ſenſible not the head, but the heart, of thoſe in Relation; Theſe are my laſt, and I am come to take leave of you, for action, but never in affection; Communions below, howbeit laſting are not everlaſting; The ſtakes of the Tabernacle muſt be removed; And every Member of the Church Militant muſt be joging on: The Temple is our type of a ſetled condition above: In a word I am to leave you; and therefore deſire to leave ſuch orders (becoming my Truſt with you) as may ſecure you for Gods glory and your mutual comforts. The Alarum beats Chriſtian ſoldiers, to your arms, take heed (as the caſe ſtands) of facing about, but as you were; to yout ground of Scripture foundations, and ſo stand faſt in the faith. And although reducable, in regard of humane Actings, yet never in this life muſt you expect a diſcharge from ſpiritual millitary undertakings, for when you were liſted in Jeſus Chriſt muſter-role it was not for a day leſſe or more then your life, And therefore I beſeech you ſtand fast.
The grand General againſt your precious ſouls hath taken the field with a vaſt Army, as ſubtil, as powerful, as cruel to execute, as malicious to proſecute his deſigns; his main body is ſinful fleſh, and the more dangerous becauſe ſo neerly related unto us. And I muſt tel you that Relations in War are of dangerous conſequence: This Body is flankt on the right and left with potent Troops of prevailing Enemies; And Self-ends hath under hand Commiſſion to be Scout-maſter General; whoſe ſub-undertakers are acting under various ſhapes; all ſpecious; yet all ſervants to Self-ends. Avoyd his Ambuſhments, when falling on, and you may, ſtanding faſt, come off with honor. Theſe thing premiſed (as that there is no further uſe of me in this City, and I being deſigned for other ſervice; and knowing that errors in battel are irrecoverable; I could do no leſſe, but heartily wiſh I could do more, then direct you, and counſel you; Eſpecially upon the diſcovery of a late, large, and numerous Recruit on the Enemies Partie; for the moſt part all conſiſting of ſuch as have revolted from our own Partie; and have quit their ground of truths: The Commander in cheif of this Regiment is Error, whoſe Colours are freſh, and of glorious reſplendency; but changeable; and therefore ſtand faſt, for his faireſt quarter is ruine; which appeareth by his free quarter in your families, when his firſt actings are to diviſion, yea betwixt thoſe of the neereſt and deared relations, and a houſe divided cannot ſtand. I by Commiſſion am ingaged for your relief, and therefore for your future ſecurity I ſhal intreat you to ſtrengthen your ſelves by this Recruit conſiſting of three Diviſions.
Firſt, Fidelity, or Conſtancy. Stand faſt in the truth: quit your ſelvs like men, be ſtrong.
Second, Spiritual Gallantry. Stand faſt in the truth: quit your ſelvs like men, be ſtrong.
Third, Unity. Let all things be done in love.
The firſt of theſe wil keep you from being Routed.
The ſecond from being Conquered.
The third from being Ruined.
The firſt wil argue you men.
The ſecond wil report you gallant men, or men of men.
The third wil demonſtrate you holy and humble Chriſtian men.
And therefore now beloved Officers and Chriſtian fellow Soldiers, take Courage; take you the Field to ſcare not to face your Enemies, and give me leave to ſhew you your General, compleatly accoutred in Johns viſion, obſerve his ordering the Feild; and give me leave (leaving the iſſue to God) to fal on.
Firſt, let Conſtancy in the Faith, and all the Truths of Jeſus Chriſt have the Battalia.
Secondly, let ſpiritual Courage have the right wing.
Thirdly, let Love have the leſt, and overcome all.
I ſhal adventure to fal on with Conſtancy; ſecond me with Courage; and I beſeech you that all may be done, and ſuffered by the conqueſt of Love.
Firſt, of the firſt.
Stand fast that's the Word; Faith in the heart, not in the head, is the ſignal; Stand fast not a while and then revolt or give ground. To walk a while in the truth, and after for any ends to deſert it, is baſe, it argues not a Soldier to liſt his name, and to purchaſe a feather (ſhews are light things in military actings) or wear a ſword, or to appear on the march, if they either take hedge or windmil for a ſhelter, or quit their ground, or truſt in the ſhock of Battail. Truly we ſay a drunken man never made good Souldier; nor a reeling headed man a good Chriſtian Soldier.
Secondly.
In the Faith, not in falſhoods, in the truths, not ſhews; zeal and ſtedfaſtneſſe are right, when the one is a ſharp weapon for Truth, and the other is ſtiffe and unbending for the Faith. Now you are to know there is a two-fold Faith; One by which wee beleeve. Secondly, Is, that which is beleeved; and this is called Doctrinall Faith. Now when Chriſtians are zealous, reſolute, and will dye in the Truths, and for the Truths of Jeſus Chriſt, this is to ſtand faſt in the Faith,
Obſervation.
Standing faſt to the Truths of Jeſus Chriſt ſtrenuouſly with conſtancy, is a notable peece of ſpirituall Gallantry,
This you ſhal find hinted to the Angel of the Church of Smirnians, Revel. 2.10. Fear none of theſe things which thou ſhalt ſuffer for the truth; and in the 11. verſe and latter end, Be faithful to the death, and I wil give thee a crown of life; The Spirit of God records this point of Gallantry in the Church of Pergamus, verſe 13. I know thy works, where thou dwelleſt, where Sathan hath his ſeat; i. e. where wicked men are in authority, and hereſie prevaileth; yet thou holdeſt faſt my name, and hast not denyed the faith, even in thoſe dayes wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr ſuffered, &c. Rev. 3.10, 11, 12. 1 Joh. 2.23, 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning; If that ſhall abide in you, ye ſhal continue in the Son, und in the Father, now to be in God, is to be Heroick indeed, 2 Pet. 1.12. That ye be eſtabliſhed in the preſent truth; 1 Pet. 5.9. Whom reſist stedfaſt in the Faith: 2 Theſ. 2.15. Therefore brethren ſtand faſt. It was Gallantry in the Grecian women, who when their ſons put on their ſheilds, gave them in charge either to bring them back or dye: It is ſtoryed of Epaminondes that hee was ſo addicted to his buckler, that he was wont to ſay, I wil either hold thee, or dye with the loſſe of thee.
It was the gallant reſolution of a Roman Officer either to keep his ground or loſe his life. Truly Chriſtian friends it is gallantry in you in theſe ſad times of Alaruming Truth in its quarters; and upon the ſeveral charges is given the men of truth, daily to stand or fall with it in our hearts.
Quaere.
But Sir I pray what is truth? one ſaith he is for truth, and this is truth, another ſays that is, and is for it; what is the truth you councel us to ſtand faſt unto.
Solut.
There are humane moral Truths, rules in ſecular Arts, ſuch as Paul held faſt until his converſion, but then let go, not the uſe of them but the abuſe of them, he left glorying in them, counted all dung for the excellent knowledge of Jeſus Christ.
Secondly.
There are Divine truths called Scripture truths, theſe are either Imaginary or Real; I do not ſay it is gallantry to ſtand faſt to all that every man delivers to you for truth, or propounds, or conjectures to bee ſo, but ſuch as Scripture determines to be ſo; ſuch as the word wil own, and wil own the word upon demand, in the evidence of his, not our own ſpirits. For truly it is with Truth at this day, as with the Infant brought to Solomon, the falſe mothers cry divide it, and let every one ſhare in that limb, which his own conſcience (which indeed is no conſcience) guides him unto, which is to profer themſelves to poſterity, the founders of an intolerable Toleration of all Errors; and by this way, Antichriſt himſelf (againſt whom we have ſolemnly proteſted, and before God ſo unanimouſly covenanted) muſt be in equity admitted a childs portion; The LORD direct our Solomons to that height of ſurpaſſing wiſdome, as to give the child of Truth to its own Parents that cry a whole, and one or none.
To ſtand faſt to this whole truth of God, and for it, is indeed Spiritual gallantry.
Athanaſius and others of the Nicene Fathers would not add one jot about the Diety of Jeſus Chriſt, no not in any time; Times may differ, men may change and vary, but Truth never; whether in proſperity, as in Constantines days, or in adverſity, as in Neroes, truth is the ſame; The fixed ſtars ſhine in the coldeſt nights, yea then brighteſt.
Joſephus reports of the Samaritans that if any good befel the Jews, then they would claim their kindred, and boaſt that they came from Jacob; but if in any miſery, or under a cloud with the ſtate they gave out, they had no relation to them. Many there are that vary their reſpects to truth according to the ſavour, the eminent perſons in it ſet on it. But give me the men that wil ſtand their ground on aſſault, and make up the breach although they fal man by man in the gap; yea under the ſword, own truth as Paul, or in a Den of Lions, or a fiery furnace, that piſh at all the barkings, bitings, frownings, fawnings of curriſh hereticks, that have Peters gallantry better managed, Although all forſake thee I wil not.
Quaere.
I pray Sir inform us how we may quit our ſelves like men, and ſtand faſt to Truth?
Solut.
Firſt, get a ſolid ſound judgement; ſo made by the light of a clear & ſanctified underſtanding of Scripture principles, admit not of a reeling head, a revolting Soldier is a baſe man, unworthy the name or ſociety of ſoldiers; never to be truſted more; Epheſ. 4.14. the Apoſtle exhorteth them that they be henceforth no more children toſsed to & fro with every blast of doctrine by the ſlight of men; take heed of ſuch a judgement as is carryed up and down with the current. The Primitive times yeelded more ſound judgements; Athaniſius held faſt in his Judgement the diety of Chriſt againſt the Arrians; Auguſtine the doctrine of grace againſt the Pelagians; Truly I confeſſe it is an honor to a man to confeſſe an Error, but a horrid ſhame to ſuffer for any ſelf-ends any truth to bee ſupplanted, by any Innovation or Errour.
Secondly.
Labour to have a ſtubborn and ſtout wil in relation to what is ſurely known to be the truth of God; take heed of a flexible coming wil; yea hold it faſt in affection, that which we love dearly we ſtick cloſe too. A child wil hardly be weaned from the breſt it hath found ſweetneſſe and ſtrength from, and is experienced in nouriſhment; you that have found God preſent with much ſweetneſſe in his Ordinances by the publick adminiſtration, I beſeech you do not now trample on them and deſpiſe them, whilſt they and theirs is the ſame for ſweetneſſe, for holineſſe.
Thirdly.
Stand faſt to the Truth in profeſſion, Philip. 2.18. holding forth the word of life, not only to beleeve Truths, but to confeſſe them before men, not with Peter to revolt and effect to ſay we know not the man.
Fourthly.
In converſation practiſe Truth, Saint John cals it walking in the Truth, when men hold on in the Truth againſt all diſcouragements; although they loſe by it apparantly, yet they hold it forth couragiouſly.
Quaere.
But pray Sir why do you ſo far ingage us in this ſervice, in theſe days of Liberty.
Solut.
It is worthy thy ingagement, for it is more excellent then the excellenteſt of the creatures, Prov. 3.14, 15. you cannot pitch on ſuch an excellency; Revel. 3.11. Hold fast, ſays the Spirit, let none take thy Crown; the Crown is the top of Royalty; who would not keep his ground, if a Crown were the ſtake.
But its excellency wil further appear if you conſider theſe two particulars: Firſt the holineſs of it; The more holy, the more excellent; Corruptions are diminutions of excellency; the more mixt things are, the more baſe they are; as the mixture of Gold and Tin, Wine and Water, Silver and Droſſe; ever the more pure, the more glorious. Now the Truths of God are holy, not as men with mixtures of Corruption, but as the Light at Noon-day, without any miſts, fogs, mixtures of darkneſſe; and although Truth may be in a fog as the Sun, yet not foggy.
Secondly.
The more God is in any thing the more excellent but God, is altogether in his Truth: Hee is there in the brightneſs of his wiſdom; in the greatneſs of his power; in the Riches of his mercy, in the honor of his juſtice; yea in this Word is his Chriſt and our Jeſus, therefore worth ſtanding faſt unto.
Thirdly.
Truth is made over to us under termes of Conſtancy and perpetuity, and therefore in Scripture termed our heritage, perſonal eſtates are often ſold, thoſe that are out by deſcent hereditary ought to be kept for poſterity; God forbid, ſaid Naboath, I ſhould ſel the inheritance of my Fathers: Pſa. 119.111. They are my heritage, ſaith David, for ever. Let me tel you, poſterity is worthy our thoughts, and what we ſhal leave to them in point of Truth.
Fourthly.
God truſts us with his truths, 2 Tim. 1.14. It is by the Apoſtle called the good thing committed to us to keep; now in matters of truſt we ſhould be faithful; It is the moſt vileſt and unworthyeſt thing in the world to betray a Truſt, eſpecially where truth is on their ſide; In matters of truſt we ſhould be faithful to the death. It is obſervable Truſt muſt be redelivered: 2. wholy, not leſſe then delivered: 3. Only to the Truſter; and truly otherwiſe it is extreamly injurious to God; For although they are ours for efficacy, yet they are Gods for the authority. Truths are Gods Jewels of truſt; and he will call all of us to an account what uſe wee have made of them; what we have done with them; what unto them; what mixtures of our own heads with them.
Fifthly.
It concerneth you to keep your ground, for your eternall wel-being dependeth on it: You can no more live ſpiritually without pure truths, then corporally without bread; you cannot be convinced without Truth; you cannot be contrite, and have your corrupt hearts prickt, but by the Truth, Acts 2. When they heard thoſe Truths they were prickt at their hearts &c. Converſion is from Truth, Pſa. 19.7. Converting ſouls, &c. Faith is brought into the ſoul by hearing the Truth; Augmentation is from it, in grace; Jeſus Chriſt is united to the ſoul by faith, Perſeverance is from it; Rom. 1.16. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. vid.
Uſe 1. Information.
Of the unworthy walking of this age for the moſt part in relation to this duty of ſtanding faſt to the Truth; yea of many that are eminently furniſhed with common gifts and excellent parts, there is much ſlipperineſſe and baſe unſetledneſſe of ſpirit upon them, even to truth it ſelf, both in doctrine and converſation, for truth in doctrine we may complain as the Apoſtle to the Galatians in the 1. and 6. I wonder you are ſo ſoon removed from him that called you into the grace of Jeſus Chriſt unto another Goſpel; it is grown no wonder in our times; for how do the moſt, for moſt baſe ends, quit their ancient grounds which they received and beleeved, and gloryed in for truth; and for preferment-ſake ſhew truth a fair pair of heels, and a foul heart. The ancient Diſciples left ſhips, nets, cuſtome-houſe, for to follow truth; but now profeſſed Diſciples leave Chriſt for places of Exciſe and Cuſtom-houſe. Some turn ſneaking Anabaptiſts; ſome fal off to Socinian blaſphemies; ſome to Antinomians fancies; and many Seekers. Seek you any of you great things for your ſelves, ſeek them not; It is no time to be furniſhing your Cabins, when the boults and butt-ends of the very planks of the ſhip are ſtarted out. The Lord pity us, what a ſpirit of giddyneſſ is upon us▪ and if any old errors which is unknown to moſt, with ſome quaint expreſſions and hye-flying Phyloſophical notions are delivered, how cowardly do we ſtart off from the old truths of Jeſus Chriſt, and are invaſſail'd by upſtart errors; It is a ſad time, but this a more ſad omen of worſer times, even the rabble of opinions in this City of Briſtol; of which I may ſay, that as the ſword hath ſlain many, ſo hath error many more in a few moneths time. One while ſuch a man preacheth truth, and you are willing to pul out your eyes to do him good; a little after, you are ready to pul out his eyes, and he is a low man, and not worthy your preſence, and ſo diſcouraged. How many wayes do you make to heaven in this place? I beſeech you where I am related unto, to look to your Guards; Keep a ſtrict watch, double your Guard, eye your ſallyports; and put on the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to ſtand faſt to the Truth in the day of aſſault; that you may quit your ſelves like men.
Uſe 2.
Informeth us of the cauſes of this lowerlineſſe, and baſeneſſe of Spirit; and inconſtancy to Truth.
Firſt.
When men are ignorant, they may eaſily prove inconſtant; True men have abundance of indiſtinct knowledge, much head knowledge, little heart knowledge, Now the one makes men talk admirably, but the other to ſtand to it gallantly: Truly Ignorance is the ſpunge to ſuck in all Errors; and ſpiritual Pride the bawde to vent them; that which is weak is light; chaff may be toſſed any way.
Secondly.
When mens apprehenſions are very large, but their affections very foul; when men know much of truth, but withall love much of the world, or ſelf, or ſinful Liberty: Now you know a foul ſtomach ever makes an il head, and a ſecret love of ſin works out a love of truth: Men eaſily grow erroneous when they affect Liberty, and wax Irreligious.
Third Cauſe.
Men are ſtrangely infected with a baſe and late predominant Epidemical diſeaſe the Itch of ſpiritual Pride, which was caught of our firſt Parent; The greateſt Errors ever drop from thoſe that are moſt proud, and are taken up by thoſe that are moſt ignorant.
Fourth.
Many have Athenian wits, and long after Novelties; and although old Wine be beſt, yet they love to drink in faſhion.
Fifth Cauſe.
A Colloging ſlaviſhneſse, many giving up their faith and ſouls to opinions of other great men, or to Relations.
Sixth.
An eminent love of the world, this made Demas and Hymenaeus forſake truth. A ſlave to the world wil never be a faithful ſervant to truth; he that dares pawn their ſouls, wil in time venter to ſel the Truth.
Seventh.
Licentious hearts, when men affect pleaſure, for corrupt doctrines gives more ſcope, then truth, to a libertinious heart; and we are apt to beleeve that ſooneſt that pleaſeth us beſt. Erroneous points are more for pleaſure and eaſe, yea and purſe too; Divine truths are for ſtrictneſſe. Now there are many Grecian-like give up their weapons for their ſports; many forſake the truth, that they may more freely injoy their Liberty, in thoſe ways are moſt pleaſing to their ſpirits.
Ʋſe Exhortation.
I am come heartily to beg of you this one thing, to lay a ſolid foundation in the knowledge of the truths of God. Confuſed brains cauſe unſettled hearts, reſt not with Pilates quere, where art thou? or with Iſrael to halt betwixt two opinions, nor to take up any truth on truſt for any mans ſake whatſoever, or any ſelf-ends or aims; but with the honorable Bereans ſearch the Scripture, receive truth upon the evidence of truth; be ſure of the Word, there is litle difference betwixt ſhiboleth and ſiboleth; yea and in the laſt days many ſhal ſay loe this is Christ, and here is Chriſt; yet try: yea, the Enemy hath got the word, therefore be ſtrict upon examination, bring the moſt ſpecious expreſſions to the Standard, try all there.
Quaere.
How ſhal we know the truth upon his march, there being ſo many gone out under his banners to deceive; and all is not gold that gliſters, Try the ſpirits, for every ſpirit is not of God.
Solu.
You may make a diſcovery
Firſt, by its Unity.
Second, by its Purity
Thirdly, its Efficacy.
Fourthly Antiquity.
Fifthly, Simplicity.
For the firſt obſerve it, you ſhal find it one as God is one, Unum et verum convertuntur; There is but one way to heaven, many to miſs it. It is an uniſone with its principles. Erroneous doctrines want no outward harmony, and outward conſent; but truth, as it is one in itſelf, ſo it works men to oneneſſe, to be of one mind; truth is of a binding up nature.
Secondly.
Truth is comprehended in Purity, Errors are much in outward beauty (like Curtizans little in honeſty; Truth is pure in its ſelf and unto us; It is an adverſary to all ſin, becauſe all ſin is an adverſary to Jeſus Chriſt and to Gods glory; It is pure likewiſe in its operations, it ſets it ſelf againſt all baſeneſſe; Titus 1.14, 15. It is truly pure, not counterfeitly pure.
Thirdly.
By the efficacy of truth other doctrines add to our Notions, but never meddle with our corruptions, they ſwel our heads, but never mend our hearts; they work in the brain, but never meddle with the ſpirit; increaſe much wit to talk wel, but conveigh little ſtrength to walk cloſe with God. In a word, they never bring grace or peace from Jeſus Chriſt: The truth that comes from God, leadeth to God. It makes the bad good, and the good better. Truth works the heart, not only from groſſer, but leſſer ſins, even the ſpots of the world; 1 Theſ. 5.22. vid. Truth works the heart to a liking of nothing unlike it ſelf, or unbecoming the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt.
Fourthly.
By the Antiquity, Id demum veriſsimum quod antiquiſsimum; and truly as it was ſometime replyed to thoſe of Rome, that we can look beyond Luther, So may we to the rabble of Hereſies in theſe times, we can look and ſee the time when they had not a being; indeed they are comparatively but of yeſterday: and it is poſſible for an eaſie Herald to drive the pedigree of the Anabaptiſt, Browniſts, Antinomians, Pelagians, Socinians, Arians, Antetrinitarians, Seekers, &c. and to demonſtrate them to be all ſubſervient, although active actors for Scout maſter general, ſelf-ends or aims, when truth like the Sun hath run its courſe through all ages, not that all have imbraced it, but ſome have received it.
Fifthly.
By its Simplicity it wil indure handling, it is found; Erroneous doctrine like unfound fleſh, or ſore eyes, abhors a touch, or the light; and therefore is more in private then publick; not that I oppoſe private duties, but priſe them, but reſiſt thoſe that oppoſe publick Ordinances; For if what any deliver in their private conventions bee good and ſound truth, I beſeech them let it come to light, Bonum quo communius eo melius; Truth fears no trial; although il faced women would have al glaſſes broken but ſuch as they have got made to flatter them; Truth put it ſelf upon proof; yea in publick, Veritas non querere argales, eſpecially in days of Liberty of the Goſpel, and when truth is pallizadoed with ſo many oaky fortifications: It is not now accuſation enough to be a Chriſtian; no, be as holy as David, as muke as Moſes, as wiſe as Solomon; walk with God, and be upright before him with Abraham, yea let every man be followers of Jeſus Chriſt, and injoy his Liberty in the Truths of Ieſus Chriſt; for, bleſſed be God, there may be ſome pretences (but no juſt ground for the leaſt fear of perſecution for conſcience-ſake.
Laſtly.
Having found out the truth, I beg heartily of you, yea (more then for my Arrears) to love the truth, do the truth, ſuffer for the truth, this wil bee a ſure boult to keep out all Errors; when Truth is ſtil ſtirring in your ears, and Sin ruling in your hearts, you can never do good on it; he muſt needs have a meek hand to hold faſt truth, or foot to ſtand faſt that hath a wicked heart; Hymenaeus let go faith and a good conſcience together, 1 Tim. 1.19. Wherefore I beſeech you be doing Chriſtians, as wel as knowing ones; And now ſhould I fal on with the reſerve, and ſhew you the beauty and honour of a reſolved ſpirit for the truths of Ieſus Chriſt; And have given a thorow and thorow charge to the ſad, yet bold diviſions of theſe times with my left wing under the prevailing Banner of Love and Unity; and ſhown you how good a thing it is, for brethren to live in Love and Unity, but I am prevented in managing this onſlaught at preſent, and ſhal take leave of you, praying you that all things may be done amongſt you in love; And praying for you, That the God of truth would lead you on from this day, and fix and eſtabliſh you in the Truth. Finally brethren farewel, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in love and peace, and the God of love and peace ſhal be with you; yea, now the very God of peace ſanctifie you all throughout. And now the Lord of peace himſelf give you peace by all means; The Lord be with you all.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Kem, Orders Given Out (1647)