A Christians Duty and Safety in Evil Times, Sermon 2
A Divine Ballance To weigh All Doctrines by.
Text. 1 Theſ. 5.21.
Prove all things; Hold faſt that which is good.
IN the later part of this chapter the Apoſtle laies down many practical Concluſions to bee obſerved, The con…e…top… ed.and performed by us in our Chriſtian courſe, and converſation: He begins at the 14 verſe and ends at the 22. And therein you have 12 or 13 excellent Concluſions, which are as it were an Epitomie of our whole duty both towards God, and man; Warne them that are unruly. Comfort the feeble minded. Support the weak. Bee patient towards all men. Render not evil for good unto any man. Ever follow that which is good both amongſt your ſelves, and to all men. Rejoyce evermore. Pray without ceaſing. In every thing give thanks. Quench not the ſpirit. Deſpiſe not Propheſyings. Prove all things; hold faſt that which is good. Abſtain from all appearance of evil. Now the words of the Text are almoſt the laſt, but they are not the leaſt dutie here preſcribed.
Interpreters take pains to give, not only the ſence, but the dependance of theſe words, upon the former; I ſhall not trouble you with the connexion, but only mind you of that wch goeth immediately before the Text, What is meant by Propheſiing.viz. Deſpiſe not Propheſyings. Propheſying in this place is not taken for that great, and extraordinary gift which the Prophets had, both in the old Teſtament, and alſo in the new, whereby they were enabled by God to foretel things to come by immediate revelation, and to interpret the Scripture with an unerring Spirit. Now this extraordinary kinde of Propheſying is ceaſed, the Lord haveing fully revealed in the Scriptures whatſoever is neceſſarie to bee known touching the ſtate of his Church unto the worlds end. So that by Propheſying here is meant only Preaching 1 Cor. 14.31. 1 Cor. 14.31.Ye may all Propheſy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted: that is, preach one by one; for it would make a confuſion in the Congregation for many to ſpeak at once. It is obſerveable to whom the Apoſtle gave this injunction, not to the wicked of the world, but to the Theſſalonians, who were not weak Chriſtians, Babes in Chriſt, as the Philippians were, but ſtrong Chriſtians, grown Chriſtians, who had attained to a great meaſure of ſaith, patience, and holineſs, as 1 Theſ. 1 Theſ. 1.71.7. Ye were examples to all that beleive in Macedonia, and in Achaia. They were Chriſtians of the upper form, famous for faith, and godlineſs, examplary to neighbor Churches, yet the Apoſtle bids them, not to de ſpiſe Propheſying; not to deſpiſe the Preaching of the Word of God. There are in our daies many vain and ignorant people, who out of a phantaſtical conceit of their perfection in knowledg, and high achievements of grace, think themſelves to bee above all Ordinances, above Prayer, hearing the Word, or receiving the Sacrament: they live altogether in excel…s, you ſhall never ſee them below the third heaven, their common diſcourſe is of unexpreſſible raviſhing communion with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and hereupon they contemn all the Ordinances of the Goſpel, as beggerly Rudiments, as Childrens food. But let ſuch conſider, That if any Church, or people in the world might have pleaded, that they were above Ordinances, the Theſſalonians might have done it, who were every way gracious, even beyond compariſon; yet the Apoſtle preſſeth upon them the neceſſity of attending upon a Goſpel Miniſtry. Obſerva. Hence obſerve, That men that have attained unto the higheſt perfection of grace and knowledge, that it is poſſible for men in this life, to attain unto, are not to deſpiſe, or neglect the Ordinances of Ieſus Chriſt. Not only doth a Child need daily food, but the ſtrongeſt man in the world will faint, and die without it. I have wondred to think how the Devil could ever get this deceit into the hearts of men, to make them to think that they are above Ordinances when as the Scripture ſpeaks ſo expreſly againſt this opinion. 1 Cor. 14. 1 Cor. 14.22.Wherefore tongues are for a ſign, not …o them that beleive, but to them that beleive not, but Propheſying ſerveth not for them that beleive not, but for them which beleive. Here you ſee, the Apoſtle clearly aſſerts it, that beleivers (nay ſtrong beleivers) are not to deſpiſe Propheſying. And David a great Prophet, a man after God's own heart, rich in guifts, and grace, yet longs after God's preſence in the Tabernacle, Pſal. 84.2. It was his earneſt deſire, his cheifeſt comfort yea he accounted it the greateſt happineſſe that he could attain unto, in this world, to be near where the Ark of God was (the place of his reſidence amongſt men in thoſe daies) to behold the face of God in his Sanctuary, to enjoy the publique Ordinances of God. And ſaith the Apoſtle Heb. 5.14. Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even thoſe who by reaſon of uſe, have their ſences exerciſed to diſcerne both good, and evil. Thoſe who are of full age, i.e. in compariſon of thoſe hee before compared to babes. By reaſon of uſe, i.e. by hearing, reading, and meditateing on the Word of God. Have their ſences, i.e. their underſtanding, judgment, and memory. To diſcern both good and evil, i.e. to chooſe that which is good, and refuſe that which is evil. Now the Apoſtle expreſly ſaith, Ephe. 4.11, 12. 13. Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13.That people are to abide under the Word preached, until they come to heaven. He gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teathers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, untill we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledg of the ſon of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fullneſs of Chriſt. The uſe of the Miniſtery is perpetual, it is to continue ſo long as the Sun and Moon endure, untill all the Elect of God are brought in, until we come to be perfect men, which ſhall be in the World to come. We muſt live under the means of grace, until we come to glory.
And the Reaſons hereof are theſe: 1. Reaſon Our ſanctification is not perfect.1. Becauſe our ſanctification in this life is not perfect: the Scripture laſt quoated, doth intimate thus much: There is the old man, and the new man, fleſh and ſpirit in the beſt Saints, although ſin hath received its deadly wound, and ſhall never reign as a King in the ſoul, yet it may tyrannize in us, and we ſhall never be perfectly freed from the rebellion thereof, untill we come to Heaven.2 Reaſon Sinne lies hidden in the ſecret corners of the heart.
The heart is exceeding deceitfull, deceitfull above all things, Jer. 17.9. The heart of man is the greatſt cheater in the world, there is not ſuch a deceiver, it is ſo wickedly wicked, ſo unſearchably wicked, beyond all expreſſion, who can know it! Wickedneſſe lies hidden in the ſecret corners thereof: There is no man (no not the moſt knowing and the moſt innocent) knoweth how often be offendeth, Pſal. 19.12. Therefore Solomon ſaith, Prov. 28.26. He that truſteth in his owne beart is a fool. Now the preaching of the Word is an effectuall meanes for the unbowelling of corruption, and diſcovering of the ſecret turnings and windings of the heart; Heb. 4.12 The Word of God is quick and powerfull, and ſharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing aſunder of Soul and Spirit and of the joynts and marrow; and is a diſcerner of the intents and thoughts of the heart. This I thought good to name, to ſhew you in my paſſage to the Text, that whilſt you live in this World, you are to wait upon the Miniſtery of the Word, and not to deſpiſe Propheſying.
Now after the Apoſtles injunction, my Text comes fitly in; for many will deſpiſe the Miniſters Doctrine before they trie it: therefore the Apoſtle when he ſaid, Deſpiſe not propheſying, ſubjoines, Prove all things. Trie, trie, and if there bee any error in what you heare, then deſpiſe it: Deſpiſe not Preaching, only this is your work, Trie all things, and hold faſt that which is good.The words of the Text explained.
In the firſt place I ſhall give you the meaning of the words; prove, the word in the Greek foreign is a word borrowed from Gold-ſmiths, who when they would trie their mettall whether it bee currant or not, bring it to the Touchſtone; ſo the word ſignifies to trie, or to know by experience: and thus you are to trie by the Touchſtone of the Word, all Doctrines you heare, that is the Standard to trie them by. Try or prove all things, by all things here is meant all Doctrines preached, all Propheſyings or Preachings you heare. It is obſervable, that when the Apoſtle Paul ſpake theſe words, the Evangeliſts were not written, nor commended to the publique care of the Church of God: It is thought that this Epiſtle was written thirtie years or more before the Evangeliſts: Now in that the Apoſtle doth command them to trie the Doctrins preached, he therein referres them to the Scriptures of the Old Teſtament. It followes, Hold faſt that which is good: There is a twofold holding faſt; 1 An holding faſt in judgment the Truths of the Goſpel, that you doe not run into error. 2 An holding faſt in practice the power of the Goſpel, that ye doe not run into ſin.
1. 1 Hold faſt in judgment, that ye run not into error.Hold faſt in judgment the truths of the Goſpell, that yee doe not run into Error: This is laid down 2 Pet. 3.17. Therefore beloved ſeeing ye know theſe things, beware leſt yee alſo being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own ſtedfaſtneſſe; that is in judgment: there muſt bee a foreknowledg of the truths of the Goſpell, before ye can attain unto ſtedfaſtneſſe in grace; and beſides knowledg, there is required vigilance and carefulneſs if wee would hold faſt the truths of the Goſpell: Thus you are to retain in judgment the Doctrines of the Goſpell, that ye run not into erronious Principles. It is childiſh, Eph. 4.4faith Saint Paul Epheſ. 4.14. to be toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine: to be over credulous, eaſie of beliefe, fickle and wavering as children are.
2. 2 Hold faſt in practice that yee run not into ſin.It implies an holding faſt in practice, that ye run not into ſinne, that yee hold on your courſe of holineſſe, ſetled and unaltered: and this is laid down Phil, 2.15.16. That you may bee blameleſſe and harmleſſe, the ſonnes of God, without rebuke, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Nation, among whom yee ſhine as lights in the World, holding forth the Word of Life: that is, in a blameleſſe, holy, and humble converſation. A man then holds faſt, when hee frames his life according to the direction of the Word of God; for knowledge is emptie and vain, and profiteth not, if it bee not reduced unto practice; and practice in our Chriſtian courſe is difficult, up the hill, it requires heed and watchfulneſſe, therefore we muſt be ſolicitouſly carefull to hold out in our practice, that which we are convinced in our judgment is the Truth and Will of God revealed in his Word. So that the ſence of the words is this, Trie all the Doctrins of that Miniſter under which you live, by the Word of God, whether they be true or falſe, ſound or corrupt; and what ye finde to be the truth, and conſonant to the Word of God, embrace it, hold it faſt in your judgment, that you run not into contrary Opinions, and in your practice, that yee run not into any vicious courſes in your lives and converſations; and what ye finde to be falſe and ſinfull, reject it. And thus you have a briefe paraphraſe and explication of the words. From the firſt part of the words, Prove all things, I ſhall draw this Obſervation, viz.
Doctrin That it is the duty of all hearers of the Word, to try and prove all the Doct…rines which they heare. It is the injunction that Saint Iohn gives in his firſt Epiſtle, ch. 4. v. 1. Beloved,1 Iohn 4.1 believe not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits, whether they are of God, becauſe many falſe Prophets are go…e out into the World: that is, Try the Doctrines that ſuch men preach, who pretend that they have the Spirit, and preach by the Spirit, whether they be true or falſe. Erronious Teachers will boaſt of the Spirit, and therefore we muſt try what ſpirit their Doctrin cometh from; we muſt not with Solomons fool, give credence to every thing that is publiſhed under the glorious name of Truth: But wee muſt conſider that the Church of God hath alwaies been peſtered with falſe Teachers; in Ieremiah's time there were ſuch as publiſhed the Viſions o… their own Brain, for ſound Doctrine: and the Apoſtle Paul doth often complain of falſe Teachers that transformed themſelves into Angels of Light: it is the Devils policy many times to transform himſelfe into an Angell of Light; and becauſe his commodities will not ſell in his own Market, therfore he labours to bring them into Gods Market (for ſuch is the Preaching of the Word) thinking that none will ſuſpect them there. Have wee not then great reaſon to trie all Doctrines that we heare!
In the handling of this Doctrine, I ſhall firſt give ſome Cautions: Secondly, the Reaſons thereof: Thirdly, lay down ſome Directions about trying what you heare.
The firſt Caution is this, 1 Caution People muſt not take liberty to trie all Preachers.When the Apoſtle bids you prove all things, he doth not thereby intend that people ſhould have a liberty to heare any body, and ſo to trie all Preachers; as Calvin upon the place well obſerves: for, by this meanes a man may ſooner ſuck in an Error, than embrace the Truth. Nay, the Scripture is expreſly againſt it: If you can heare a man that doth preach the Truth, you are not to follow ſuch as are known to divulge Errors: 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. 2 Tim 4.3.4For the time will come when they will not endure ſound Doctrine, but after their own luſts ſhall they heap to themſelves Teachers, having itching eares; and they ſhall turn away their eares from the Truth, and ſhall bee turned into Fables. And 2 John 10.11. 2 Iohn 10 11If there come any unto you, and brings not this Doctrine, receive him not into your Houſe, neither bid him, God ſpeed, for he that biddeth him God ſpeed, is partaker of his evill deeds. M…th 24 3 24And Math. 24.23, 24. If any man ſhall ſay unto you, Lo bere is Chriſt, or there is Chriſt, beleeve it not, for there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew you great Signes and Wonders; inſomuch that if it were poſsible they ſhould deceive the very Elect. And verſe 26. Wherefore if they ſhall ſay unto you, behold Hee is in the Deſart, go not forth, behold Hee is in the ſecret Chambers, believe it not. Falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, and what ſhall they ſay? Lo here is Chriſt; not as if Chriſt was there perſonally, but doctrinally. Some ſhall ſay He is in the Deſart, for theſe falſe Teachers uſed to draw people out into deſart places where they might more ſecurely publiſh their Errors and Hereſies; Veritas non quaerit angulos.wheras Truth ſeeks no corner. But go not out after them, ſaith Chriſt: If they ſhall ſay Hee is in the ſecret Chamber, doe not believe them. Things honeſt ever rejoyce in being made publique, Nocte latentmendaebut viciouſneſſe would be concealed; and therefore it is that they ſeek out ſecret Chambers, Lucern…m ext…guunt FuresDarkneſſe beſt becomming their deeds of darkneſſe. Hence it is that in the Scripture you have a command to take heed not only whom you heare for the Preacher, and how you heare for the manner, but alſo what you heare for the matter; ſo the Evangeliſt expreſſeth it, Mark 4.24. Take heed what you heare. Mark 4.24.The Phyſician may be authorized to practiſe, and yet may preſcribe dangerous potions: the Miniſter may be true, as to his Office, and yet a falſe Teacher, as to his Doctrine, and ſo to be rejected; we muſt not only look to the meſſenger, but to the meſſage: And if any man (whatever hee bee) preach any other Goſpel than this Gal. …al. 2 …1.8. let him be accurſed. Theſe erronious and ſeducing Doctrines are the Devils tares, and the preaching of them is the Devils ſeed time; and if wee would not have theſe tares to grow in our field, wee muſt not bee preſent where the Devil ſoweth them; for we muſt know, that a Chriſtian may be poiſoned to death, as well as ſtarved; therefore it is the duty of Chriſtians to take heed what they heare, leſt they ſwallow down poiſon inſtead of wholſom food, ſoul damning opinions inſtead of the ſincere milk of God's Word. 1 Pet. 2.21 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, not the fantaſticall Notions and Opinions of vain minded men. Will yee look to the food of your bodies, and will yee not minde the food of your ſoules? will yee bee carefull that that be bread, and bread indeed that yee feed upon for bodily ſtrength? and will ye be ſo careleſſe as to feed upon husks, and poiſon for your ſoules? Therefore take heed what ye heare, and whom ye heare, for ſin firſt entereth in by the eare; and the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor 15.331 Cor. 15.33. Evill words corrupt good manners. So this is the firſt Caution, when ye are bid to prove all things, you have not thereby a liberty given you to hear all ſorts of Preachers.
Secondly, when the Apoſtle ſaith, 2 Caution wee muſt not bee ſcepticks in Religion.prove all things, hee never intended that men ſhould be unſtable in Chriſtianity, ſcepticks in Religion, wandering ſtars, never fixed in the truths of the Goſpel, like Seekers (for ſo they may very well be called) who ſettle no where, but are alwaies finding out new Truths, with their new Lights, which uſually in the End prove to be nothing but old Errors. The Coloſsians were called upon, to ſeek rooting and eſtabliſhment in the faith, Col. 2.7.Col. 2.7
Thirdly, 3 caution wee muſi not bring the Scripture to …u… opinion, but our opinion to the Scripture.In proveing all Doctrines that you heare, be ſure you doe not bring the Scripture to your opinion, but bring your opinion to the Scripture; for the Scripture teacheth nothing but truth, and commandeth nothing but goodneſſe. Many force the Scriptures to ſpeak that which was never intended by the Holy-Ghoſt, that ſo they may ſeeme to countenance thoſe erronious opinions which are divulged; Quicquid in Scriptura docetur, …eritas; quicquid praecipitur, bonitas.they ſet the Scriptures as it were upon the wrack to make them confeſs that which they never intended; thus it was with Hereticks of old, and this alſo is their practice in our daies, they deal with the Scripture as he did with the Oracle of Delphos, to make it ſpeak what he meant. But this is the Caution that I would give, Doe not bring your ſence to the Scripture, but labour to carry away the Holy-ghoſts ſence from the Scripture.4 Caution Be not over conſident of your own opinion.
Fourthly, In proving the Doctrins that you hear, Lean not too much to your own underſtanding, think not your ſelves infallible, bee not over confident of your own opinion in matters controverſial, eſpecially if contrary to the judgment of thoſe who are eminent both for guifts and grace. Ponder the Scriptures throughly, and ſeek unto God by prayer, before ye reſolve in matters that are ambiguous. Pro. 4.26. Ponder the path of thy feet.
Having diſpatched the Cautions, I ſhall give the Reaſons why men muſt try the Doctrines that they hear:
Firſt, 1 Reaſon There is a neare reſemblance betwixt er tonions, and true Teachers.Becauſe erronious and corrupt Teachers, may carry a very near reſemblance to them that preach the truth. I have read of two Painters Parrhaſius and Zeuxis, who contending for the maſtery in that Art, the one painted Grapes ſo exactly, that the birds came to pick them, thinking they had been very Grapes: And the other painted a Curtain ſo exactly, that his fellow Painter came to draw it, ſuppoſing that it had bin a real Curtain. There is ſuch a near affinitie betwixt ſound Teachers, and ſeducing Teachers, that it is no eaſie matter for a man to diſcern betwixt them.
But all is not gold that gliſters: 2 Cor. 11.13, 14.A notable Text you have for this, 2 Cor. 11.13, 14. For ſuch are falſe Apoſtles, deceitful workers, transforming themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt; and no marvel, for Satan himſelfe is transformed into an Angel of light. Falſe Apoſtles may transforme themſelves ſo, as to be like the Apoſtles of Chriſt; and Miniſters of the Devil, factors for hell, may transforme themſelves ſo as to be like the Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt: Therefore there is good reaſon that you ſhould try all Doctrines that you hear, whether they bee agreable to the Word of God, or no.
Secondly, 2 Reaſon the Scripture foretels that there ſhall be many falſe Teachers.Becauſe the Word of God doth foretell that there ſhall be as many (if not more) falſe Teachers under the new Teſtament, then under the old, and more in the later daies, then were in the former ages of the world; this is plain from that Text of Scripture, 2 Pet. 2.1.2 Pet. 2.1. But there were falſe Prophets alſo among the people, even as there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, who privily ſhall bring in damnable Hereſies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction. They were of old under the Law, they ſhall be with you under the Goſpel. Although the Phariſees are dead, who corrupted the Law, yet the ſame Spirit ſtill lives in men, and will doe to the End of the World. The Apoſtle gives this, as a reaſon why we ſhould try ſuch Doctrines as we hear, becauſe in the times of the new Teſtament many falſe Teachers will appear, 1 John 4.1. 1 John 4.1.Beleive not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they are of God, becauſe many falſe Prophets are gone out into the World. Believe not every man that ſaith he hath the Spirit, and that the Spirit doth teach him that Doctrine, that he preacheth, but try whether it be agreable to the Word of God, or no; and the reaſon he gives is, becauſe there are many (not few) falſe Prophets, and thoſe not gone into a corner, or bound up in one part of the World; indeed in former time, the neſt of them was encloſed in one part of the World, in Germany, and eſpecially in Amſterdam; But now they are gone out into the whole World: Therefore try the Spirits whether they be of God; try before ye truſt, before ye beleive.
Thirdly, 3 Reaſon Falſe Doctrines are publiſhed very craftily.trie all Doctrines that you hear preached, becauſe falſe Doctrines and Hereſies come from the publiſhers of them very ſlily and craftily into the minds of men: There is not more legerdemain ſhewed by a cunning juggler, then by theſe falſe Teachers, they are ſubtile & cunning to pervert the minds of men: As the Apoſtle ſhewes Epheſ. 4.14. Ephe. 4.14That we henceforth be no more children, toſſed to and fro, and carryed about with every wind of Doctrin, by the ſtight of men, and cunning craftineſse whereby they lie in wait to deceive. The word in the Greek is very emphatical, foreign, by mens cogging of a die: It is a word borrowed from cheating gameſters, that can throw with a die, what way they pleaſe. Theſe Teachers can as eaſily convey errors into the minds of men, as a cunning gamſter can cheat with a die. We have had many ſuch ſly, and ſubtile convayances, or elſe the truths of God could never have been perverted amongs us as they are. It is Obſervable, Rev. 9.8. That the locuſts that came out of the Eaſt, Rev. 9.8.had their faces like the faces of women. Interpreters expound them to be Ieſuites, and factors for Rome; they had womens faces, inſinuating and allureing countenances, invea gleing, enticeing, and bewitching of men with their follies. Of ſuch the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Rom. 16.18. For they that are ſuch, Ro. 16.18.ſerve not our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, but their own bellies, and by good words, and fair ſpeches, deceive the hearts of the ſimple. Even as a foul faced whore, painteth her face, ſo do they their damnable errors, with eloquent inſinuations; ſometimes they tickle itching ears with ſuch eloquent Notions as may make them admired. And ſometimes they ſuggeſt high priveledges, unſpeakable advantages by what they deliver; As the Devil did to our firſt parents, ye ſhall be like unto Gods. Error muſt have good words to varniſh it over, and fair ſpeeches, plauſible, eloquent, and accute deliveries. By good words they deceive the hearts of the ſimple. And 2 Pet. 2.1. the Apoſtle ſets forth their flyneſſe in bringing in damnable Hereſies. 2 Pet. 2.1.Had Peter lived in our age, he would have been accounted a bitter man, to call them Hereſies, yea, and damnable Hereſies; but they were privily brought in, and ſaith he, many ſhall follow their pernicious waies, and through covetouſneſſe ſhall they with feigned words make merchandiſe of you: with feigned words this muſt be done, under the ſpecious pretence of Truth, & new Light; they will mix ſome gold with their copper, ſome truths with their falſehoods, Sunt mala miſta bonis, ſunt bona miſta malis.they will ſweeten their baits, that they may take the ſooner. For if Error was nakedly brought in, there is ſcarce a man would embrace it, it would appear in ſuch an ugly ſhape, and therefore it is that they cloath it with a ſemblance of truth and piety.
Fourthly, 4. Reaſon There is an aptneſs in our nature to be turned aſide unto error.You ſhould try all Doctrines that you heare, before you beleive them, becauſe through the credulity that is in us, men of the moſt ſollideſt judgments are apt to be led away with novelties and deceived with error: we are by nature like the ſand in the Sea, Eſt natura hominum novitatis avida.moved with every wave, like reeds ſhaken with every puff of winde. A notable text you have for this. 2. Cor. 11.3. But I fear leſt by any means as the ſerpent beguiled Eve, through her ſubtilty, ſo your mindes ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. The Devil would not make uſe of a dotiſh ſoo liſh creature, but a ſubtil Serpent to beguile Eve, in makeing her to eat of the forbidden fruit. Now ſaith the Apoſtle, I am affraid leſt the Devil by his ſubtile temptation, ſhould pervert your minds from the truth of the Goſpel: This ſhewes that there was an aptneſſe in their nature to be turned aſide unto error. And moreover, even the moſt holy, and moſt underſtanding in the myſteries of God, are but in part enlightened; wee ſee through a glaſſe, 1 Cor. 13.12.darkly, 1 Cor. 13.12 And though they would not willingly miſſend you, yet through the remain der of ignorance and corruption that is in them, it is poſſible that they may take error for truth; therefore no mans piety, or learning, ſhould ſo far blind us, as to beleive whatſoever he ſpeaks, without bringing of it unto the Touchſtone of the Word; for we muſt not build our faith on humane, but on divine authority; we muſt imitate the noble Beraeans, and daily ſearch the Scriptures, whether thoſe Doctrines that we heare, bee indeed the truth of God: They were commended for this, Acts 17.1…Acts 17.11. O Beloved, Take nothing upon truſt, upon the Authority of the preacher, weigh all things in the Ballance of the Sanctuary. You muſt do with the Doctrins you hear, as you doe with gold; a man wil not take gold without weighing of it, O there is as much falſehood in opinions, as in mettals, therefore weigh all things: It is not what this man ſayes, be he Cephas or Apollo; be he never ſo emminent for Learning, and Religion: But what God ſaies in the Scripture, for the Scriptures are the Rule of Faith, Quod de Scripturis ſacris authoritatem non habet eadam facilitate contemnitur quae probatur.and whatſoever is not according to this Rule, reject it, as the droſſe of mans corrupt brains, and doe not receive it as the gold of Gods pure Word.
Now it may be ſaid, you have given divers Reaſons why we ſhould not beleive ſuch Doctrins as we hear, before we have tried them: But what Rules and Directions can you give how ſuch a weak ignorant Chriſtian as I am ſhould bee able to try, and judge of ſuch Doctrines as I hear? bic labor, hoc opus: But I ſhall endeavour both in general, and in perticular, to give Anſwer to this great Quaerie: And I hope it will bee of great uſe unto us in theſe erring times wherein falſe Teachers, and falſe Doctrines doe ſo much abound.
Firſt, … General Rule … the …ipture … the …andard … which … all …ctrines.take this general rule. Be ſure you make the Word of God to bee the Scandard by which you try and prove all Doctrines that you heare, and if there bee any thing preached (although it ſhould be by an Angell from Heaven) that is not according to the Word of God, beleive it not. This is the Prophets direction Eſay 8.20. To the Law, …. 8.20.and to the Teſtimony: if they ſpeak not according to this Word, it is becauſe there is no Light in them. By the Law and Teſtimonie, wee are to underſtand the Word of God, which is his Teſtimonie, and if any ſpeak otherwiſe then according to Gods Word, it is a cleare and evident ſigne that there is no Light, nor Truth in them. I give you this direction becauſe there are multitudes of vaine people in theſe our daies, who wave the written Word of God, and run to Inſpirations, and Revelations, to try Doctrines by, which are no certain Rules: and ſo by this means they entertain ſatanical deluſions, and not heavenly inſpirations. But I would deſire ſuch ſeriouſly to mind this one Text of Scripture, 2 Pet. 1.18, 19.It is in 2 Pet. 1.18, 19. And this voyce which came from Heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount: wee have alſo a more ſure word of Propheſy. The written Word of God is more ſure in regard of us, then if wee ſhould heare a voyce from Heaven. And that is the reaſon that when Dives deſired that ſome extraordinarie courſe might be taken, Luke 16.to prevent his brethrens coming to Hell, and therefore deſired that Lazarus might bee ſent from the grave to forewarne them, and then he thought they would beleive; Abraham ſends him to Moſes and the Prophets, and ſaith, If they will not hear them, neither would they be perſwaded though one ſhould riſe from the dead. If wee ſhould hear a voyce in the aire, we muſt not beleive that voice, but we muſt beleive what we finde on record in the Word of God. Deut, 29, ult.Deut. 29 ult. Secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but thoſe things which are revealed, belong unto us, and to our Children for ever, that we may do all the words of this Law. This I mention to ſhew you, that men that pretend ſo much to Revelations, and leave the written Word of God, are in the ready way to run into Satanical deluſions, and groſſe miſtakes.
A ſecond general Direction about trying ſuch Doctrines as you heare, is this, 2 Generall Rule Rather maintain than diſpure clear principles of truth.viz. Clear principles of Truth muſt rather be maintained, then diſputed. It is a rule in Philoſophy, that principles, againſt principles, are not to bee diſputed; and this Rule holds good in Divinity, we muſt not diſpute ſuch principles as theſe, viz. whether Chriſt be the Son of God: Or the Scripture the Word of God: The Reſurrection of the body: The Salvation of Saints: the Damnation of Sinners: Iudgment to come: or Life everlaſting. Such fundamental principles as theſe are to be maintained, but not diſputed.
Thirdly, maintain no opinion ſtifly, until you have tryed it throughly. 3 Generall Rule Maintaine no opiniuntill you have tryed it.Such is the inſtability of mens minds in this erronious age, that one Sermon many times ſhall more pervert them from the Truths of the Goſpell, then twenty Sermons ſhall ſettle them again.
Object. But it will be further ſaid, ſuch as are both learned, and godly, doe differ in many things: one aſerts this to be a truth, another that to be a truth, now how ſhall ſuch a poor creature as I am judge whether ſuch Doctrines be Truth or no?
Anſwer For anſwer hereunto, As I have in the general directed you, ſo I ſhall now more particularly give you ſome Rules and Directions, by which you are to try all Doctrines that you hear.
Rule. 1 Firſt, whatſoever the Word of God doth expreſly hold forth to be beleived, and received, or whatſoever doth neceſſarily flow from Scripture, by a natural, and genuine conſequence, though it be not to be found in Scripture, totidem verbis, in open and expreſſe words, or whatſoever doth agree with the genuine fence of any one place of Scripture, although it may ſeem not to agree with the litteral fence of another place of Scripture, or whatſoever Doctrine is agreeable to the end, intent, and ſcope of the Scripture. This Doctrine is ſound and to be embraced.
But on the contrary, that Doctrine which is not to be found in Scripture, which is not bottomed upon the Scripture, which cannot be drawn rationally from the Scripture by a neceſſary conſequence, but is built upon the Traditions, & Inventions of men, which ads to the Word, or detracts from the Word, which doth wreſt and pervert the Scripture, or ſtrain it to mens corrupt opinions; or whatſoever Doctrine will not abide the tryall of the Word, will not abide the Light: That Doctrine is falſe, and to be abhorred.
Rule 2 Secondly, whatſoever Doctrine doth advance the grace of God in Chriſt, and debaſeth man, that putts the crown of glory upon Gods Free grace, that Doctrine is ſound.
But on the contrary, that Doctrine which debaſeth the grace of God in Chriſt, and advanceth the corrupt Will of man, and which ſets Freewill againſt Free grace, that Doctrine is unſound
Rule 3 Thirdly, whatſoever Doctrine doth advance the Will of God, as well as the Grace of God, which ſhewes what God would have us to doe, as well as what he hath promiſed to doe for us, that Doctrine is a true Doctrine.
But on the contrary, that Doctrine which cries up the Free grace of God and in the mean time gives liberty to men to live as they liſt, which doth make the Will of God for obedience, and the Grace of God for ſalvation, to be contrary one to the other: that Doctrine is a falſe Doctrine.
Rule 4 Fourthly, that Doctrine which advanceth all the Attributes of God, the Juſtice of God as well as the Mercy of God, the Holineſſe of God as well as the Grace of God; and approves of, and commends all thoſe wayes and paths which God hath ſet out in Scripture for us to walk in, which teaches us Faith & Repentance, Piety towards God, and Charity towards man; that Doctrine is ſound and good.
But on the contrary, whatſoever Doctrine doth rob God of his glory in any of his Attributes, that makes God either unmercifull or unjuſt, &c. or that ſleights any one of thoſe waies that God hath chalked out in Scripture for us to walk in; or that diſjoines the two Tables of God, ſeparating Pietie from Charitie, acts of Righteouſneſſe from acts of Holineſſe. Let it pretend never ſo much Charity to men, if it doth not acknowledge Pietie to God; or if it pretend never ſo much Pietie to God, if it directs not Charitie and Righteouſneſſe to men, that Doctrine is falſe and corrupt.
Rule 5 Fiftly, whatſoever Doctrine diſcovers the ſinfulneſſe of vain thoughts, luſtfull imaginations, as well as ſinfull practices, that Doctrine is true: But that Doctrine which requireth only outward reformation, and reach eth not unto heart purification, that Doctrine is unſound.
Rule 6 Sixthly, that Doctrine which advanceth all Truth, the directing Truth as well as the comforting Truth, the commanding Truth as well as the promiſing Truth, that advanceth both Law and Goſpel; that Doctrine is ſound.
But on the contrary, that Doctrine which is pleaſing to the corrupt nature of man, eaſie to fleſh and blood, that makes way for looſeneſſe and prophaneſſe; that Doctrine is unſound.
Rule 7 Seventhly, whatſoever Doctrine doth neceſſarily tend to ſettle and compoſe a troubled Conſcience, by teaching us to bottom only upon the merits of Chriſt for ſalvation, and not upon our own good works; that Doctrine is ſound.
But that Doctrine which leaves a diſtreſſed, perplexed Conſcience without any ſound bottom to reſt upon, by teaching men to place the ſtreſſe of their ſalvation upon the mutable Will of man; this is not only an uncomfortable, but an unſound Doctrine.
Rule 8 Eightly, that Doctrine that tends to the advancement of godlineſſe in a mans Chriſtian courſe, which (as the Apoſtle ſpeakes Titus 1.1.) acknowledgeth the truth which is after godlineſſe, which conduceth to the perfecting of holineſſe, that puts us on to diligent care to work out our ſalvation with feare and trembling, that helps on the work of grace in the ſoul, that tends to inform the judgement, reform the heart, and conform the life to the whol Will of God; that Doctrine is true, and good.
But on the contrary, that Doctrine which tends to Licentiouſneſſe and Libertiniſm, cauſing men to neglect the Ordinances of God, and to grow weary of Congregationall Worſhip, Family Worſhip, and Cloſet Worſhip; that turns the grace of God into Wantonneſſe, that magnifies the Death of Chriſt, but deſtroyes the Life of Chriſt, that ſets up the Blood of Chriſt, the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt, but regards not the Commands of Chriſt, the Kingly Office of Chriſt; that makes men confident of Mercy, but careleſſe of Repentance; that makes Chriſt mercifull, but leaves them ſinfull, or at the beſt, brings them but to a form of godlineſſe, without the power thereof: that Doctrine is erronious and dangerous. Truth ever advanceth godlineſſe, but erronious Doctrine is contrary thereunto; 2 Tim. 2.16. 2 Tim 2.16Shun prophane and vayn bablings, for they will encreaſe unto more ungodlineſſe: We finde in our dayes the fruit of vain bablings and Diſputes to be the broaching of ſuch damnable Opinions as theſe, viz That a man muſt not mourn for ſinne, muſt not confeſſe ſinne, muſt not pray for pardon of ſinne: and thus three parts of Prayer are taken away. So concerning the Decree of God, that if they bee decreed to bee ſaved, they ſhall bee ſaved let them live as they liſt; and if they bee decreed to bee damned, they ſhall bee damned, let them doe what they can: Whereas the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation ſhould bee a ſpur to ſtir us up in purſuit after holineſſe. So concerning the Law of God, that it is of no uſe to believers. And many ſuch like pernicious Doctrines are occaſioned by vain Diſputes; all which tend to more ungodlineſſe, which is enough to prove them to be falſe, for truth ever advanceth practical godlyneſſe in a mans Chriſtian courſe.
Rule 9 Laſtly, Doctrines of truth, will be true when they are tryed, truth fears no tryal, it is error that fears the light, that creeps into houſes, and dares not appear in publique, that ſeiſeth upon ſilly women, laden with corruption as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Tim. 3.6. but, dares not encounter with a knowing Chriſtian: 2. Tim. 3.6And therefore it is that the Turks doe forbid any man to diſpute againſt their Alkoran: And therfore it is that the Church of Rome will not ſuffer the common people to read the Bible, but they muſt pin their Faith upon other mens ſleeves, and believe as the Church believes. And thus they cauſe their Errors and Idolatries to bee ſwallowed down; whereas were they brought into the light, the weakneſſe and ſinfulneſſe thereof would appear.
The ſum of all is this; When you heare any Doctrine delivered, compare it with the VVord of God; and if you finde that it doth croſſe any part of the old or new Teſtament, believe it not; for it is not Truth, but Error.
Theſe Rules and Directions for the trying of ſuch Doctrines as you hear, may be of great advantage unto you in theſe looſe and erronious times, if the Lord give you hearts to make a right improvement thereof.
Nay, Conſcience doth not tell mee of any thing delivered unto you, repugnant unto the Scripture; But truſt nothing that I preach, untill you have tried it; and if you finde any thing diſagreeable to the written Word of God, reject it. Prove all things; hold faſt that that which is good.
FINIS.