A Christians Duty and Safety in Evil Times, Sermon 4 – Title page
A DESCRIPTION OF True Bleſſedneſſe.
Text. Luke 11.28.
But hee ſaid, yea rather bleſſed are they which bear the Word of God, and keep it.
IN the obſcure humanity of Jeſus Chriſt, there did break forth ſuch a glorious luſtre of his Divinity, that though, as to his perſon, he was deemed deſpicable, and contemptible, yet the words that he ſpake, and the works that he did, declared him to bee no leſſe then the Son of God. The words hee ſpake declared it, his enemies themſelves being judges, John 7.46. Iohn 7.46.The Officers anſwered, never man ſpake like this man. And for the workes he did, the miracles he wrought, of them it is ſaid, That it was never done thus from the begining of the World. As upon his healing of the man born blinde, ſay they, Iohn 9.32.It was never heard that a man born blind, could afterwards ſee.
His miracles wrought admiration in the hearts even of thoſe men, The coherence of the wordsin whom it wrought envy. The miracle he wrought in this chapter, which was the diſpoſeſſing of the Devil, out of a man that was dumb, cauſed the fame of Chriſt to have great renown through many parts of the World. And though for all this, his enemies would not acknowledge the Divinity of Chriſt, yet a certain young woman (as may be gathered from the hiſtory) came, and lifted up her voice, and ſaid unto him, Bleſſed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps that thou haſt ſucked. Now Chriſt inſtead of giving her thanks for applauding of him, doth rather give her a rebuke, a check, and ſaid, I will tell thee who are bleſſed, Rather bleſſed are they that bear the Word of God, and keep it. Thus you have the coherence of the words.
This ſpeech of the woman, was a proverbial ſpeech amongſt the Jews, when any perſon did an acheivement that was praiſe worthy, they would cry out, and ſay, Bleſſed is the womb that bare thee. And from this proverbial ſpeech, I would note thus much, Obſerva∣tion. viz. That good children are a great prayſe, and bleſsing to their parents. This woman could bleſſe the mother of Chriſt, who bare ſuch a ſon as he was. Solomon ſaith, A wiſe ſonne maketh a glad father: Pro. 15.20. And in many other places you read what great bleſſing, Pro 15.20.and honour doth accrue to parents whom the Lord hath bleſſed with wiſe, and godly children. And on the contrary, the Scrípture marks thoſe parents with a brand of reproach, that bring forth wicked children into the World, children to encreaſe the number of the damned, to fill Hell, and to pollute the Earth; therefore it is that you ſo often read in Scripture, Pro 10.1.5That a wicked child is a ſhame to his parents. Pro. 10.1.5.
Ʋſe The Uſe is to teach you whom God hath bleſſed with good children, to to be exceeding thankful unto God, for it is a greater bleſſing unto you, then if God ſhould fill your houſe with ſilver and gold. And you whom God hath thus afflicted, in ſuffering bad children to come out of your loyns, oh mourn under the heavy hand of God, that he hath made you inſtrumental to bring forth children into the World, which ſhall encreaſe the number of the damned in Hell.
Thus much from the womans ſpeech who ſaid, The words of the text opened.Bleſſed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps that gave thee ſuck. But Chriſt ſaid, Rather bleſſed are they which bear the Word of God, and keep it. Chriſt ſaid, Rather bleſſed: He doth not ſay, that his mother was not bleſſed, but that the woman might not too much dote on his mother, to think that ſhe was ſo greatly bleſſed, onelyonly for bearing him in her womb; therefore he ſaid, I will tell thee who indeed is the bleſſed man, and woman, even they that bear the Word of God and keep it. Chriſt would not give way to her applauſe, but he gives her a milde, and loving rebuke. Hence obſerve: Obſervation. That you muſt take heed that you bee not tickled with pride, when you heare your ſelves, or yours commended. Chriſt would give no way to the womans commendation. She thought that the virgin Mary was the happieſt woman in all the World, yet Chriſt puts a Rather on them that make conſcience of hearing the Word of God, and keeping of it. A beleiver hearing, and obeying Jeſus Chriſt, is Rather bleſſed in ſo doing, then the virgin Mary was mearly for bringing Chriſt into the World, although it was the happieſt birth that ever was brought forth. Oh how ſhould this bee a ſpur unto you, to hear, and to practiſe what you heare, ſeeing that by ſo doing you are thus bleſſed.
Obſervation 1 Now I ſhall obſerve ſomthing from the manner, or form of expreſſion that Chriſt doth here uſe. It is not ſaid, bleſſed are they which hear the Word of God; for there are many ſorts of hearers who come ſhort of bleſſedneſs: but bleſſed are they that hear the Word of God, and Keep it, that incorporate it into their ſouls, and become transformed into the Image of it. There are four forts of hearers ſpoken of Mat. 13. Mat. 13.and three of them fell ſhort of bleſſedneſſe. All hearers, although it be the Word of God which they hear, do not attain unto bleſſedneſſe; It is not hearing, but keeping, and obſerving the Word of God, which makes men bleſſed.
Obſervation, 2 2. Obſerve again, That it is not ſayd, Bleſſed are yee that believe; although it be indeed a truth, that all true beleivers are bleſſed, yet it is not ſo ſaid, leſt men ſhould think that a naked beleiving is enough to make them bleſſed; or leſt they ſhould think that they are above hearing, praying, or receiving, which are the proud aſpiring vanities of many in this age.
Obſervation. 3 Neither is it ſaid, Bleſſed are ye that keep the Word of God, in a diſjunction from hearing, but in a conjunction with hearing: Bleſſed are yee that heare, and keep. Many men pretend to a great perfection of life, and converſation, in keeping what Chriſt commands: but it is with a diſjunction from hearing, they leave off hearing the Word. But thoſe only are bleſſed in the eſteem of Jeſus Chriſt, who hear and keep the Word of God.
Obſervation. 4 Again, it is not ſaid, Bleſſed ſhall ye be that hear, and keep the Word of God; but Bleſſed are yee: To ſhew that ye ſhall not only be Bleſſed when ye come to Heaven, but that yee are bleſſed, in ſo doing, whilſt ye are here on earth. Rom. 6.22. Rom. 6.22.But now being made free from ſin, and become ſervants unto God, you have your fruit unto holineſſe, and the end everlaſting life. Thou haſt thy fruit, O man, if thou art an holy man, even before thou comeſt to everlaſting Life.
Obſervation. 5 Again, it is not ſaid only, Bleſſed are ye, if ye hear, and keep: But if ye hear the Word of God, and keep it. Thou maiſt heare men that preach, damnable errors, and keep them faſt in thine heart; but in this caſe, thou art nearer a curſing, then a bleſſing. Men may bee followers of Sermons, but if thoſe Sermons which they hear, and practice bee not agreeable to the Word of God, be not grounded upon the Scriptures, they are under a curſe and not a bleſſing, by what they beare. Therefore the Holy-ghoſt here faith, Bleſſed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it. This ſhould teach men how they hear, whom they hear, and what they hear: that they hear nothing but the Word of God, and then keep what they hear: We read of Teachers, who ſhall bring in Damnable Hereſies, and that many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes. … Pet. 2.1, 2, 3.2 Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. But there were falſe Prophets alſo amongſt the people, even as there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, who privily ſhall bring in damnable Hereſies, even to deny the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction; and many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes, by reaſon of whom the way of Truth ſhall bee evil ſpoken of, and through covetouſneſſe ſhall they with fained words make marchandize of you; whoſe judgment now of a long time lingereth not. Now they are not bleſſed that hear men that bring in ſuch damnable Hereſies. The Scripture doth not entaile bleſſing on all hearing, but on hearing the Word of God, and keeping of it.
Obſervation 6 Again, It is not ſaid, bleſſed alſo, but bleſſed rather: Chriſt doth not ſay, my mother is a bleſſed woman, and they alſo are bleſſed that heare the Word of God, and keep it: But Chriſt comes in with a Rather, as if he ſhould have ſaid, I account thoſe men and women, Rather bleſsed, then mine own Mother, mearly for being inſtrumental in bringing mee into the World. Oh how ſhould the conſideration hereof enflame your hearts, and provoke you to a dilligent hearing of Gods Word, and conſcientious practifing of what you heare! There is not the like phraſe in all the Bible.
Obſervation, 7 It is not ſaid, Rather Bleſſed are they that hear my words, and my ſayings; it is ſo ſaid in ſome other places: but here it is ſaid, they that hear Gods Word. For had Chriſt ſaid, rather bleſſed are they that hear my word, then people might have thought that Chriſt did impute bleſſedneſſe only to his own preaching, and to thoſe that heard him perſonally preach. Therefore Chriſt faith, rather bleſſed are they that heare Gods Word, be it preached by Peter, Paul, or Apollo; by any Diſciples, now living, or by any Miniſter of the Goſpel that ſhall live afterwards to the Worlds end. Whoſoever ſhall heare the Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the old and new Teſtament, and keep it, they are rather bleſſed then my mother was, if ſhee be conſidered only, as inſtrumentall to the bringing of mee into the World. And in this expreſſion there is a ſecret Glory or Honour put upon the Miniſters of the Goſpel, by Jeſus Chriſt, who would not limit the bleſſing to his own preaching, but extends it to the Word of God in any Miniſters mouth. And that is the reaſon (as many think) of that ſaying in Scripture, viz. Hee that beleiveth ſhall doe greater workes then Chriſt did. It is not meant of the workes of Redemption, but of the miniſterial works; that a faithfull Miniſter ſhall convert more ſouls then Chriſt by his Miniſtry did convert. Chriſt indeed could have converted all that heard him, but hee did it not, leſt men ſhould have thought that they muſt have heard none but Chriſt. We do not read of many that were converted by Chriſts preaching, there were more converted by Peter, and other Apoſtles, then by Chriſt himſelf; this Chriſt did that people might not diſpiſe any of his ordinary Miniſters. If Chriſt had converted more then all the Diſciples, people then would have ſlighted the Diſciples, and followed only Chriſt. This diſtemper began to grow in the Apoſtles daies. 1 Cor. 1 Cor. 1.121.12. Now this I ſay, That every one of you ſaith; I am of paul, I am of Apollo, I am of Cephas, and I am of Chriſt. The Apoſtle blames them that they ſhould ſay, I am of Chriſt. The meaning is not, as though men were blame-wothy, for following, and loving of Chriſt, God forbid; it is our higheſt duty ſo to doe: But there were ſome in the Church of Corinth who were ready to ſay, I care not for hearing of Paul, or Apollo, but I am only for hearing of Jeſus Chriſt. This was a vain, and ſinfull crying up of Chriſt. Thus for men to cry up Chriſt, to preach Chriſt, and in the mean time to cry down the Miniſtery, this is ſinfull, and Chriſt will never own this to bee a preaching of him: For Chriſt faith, Bleſſed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it, Let it bee preached by any faithfull Miniſter whatſoever.
Obſervation. 8 Again, It is not ſaid, Bleſſed are they for hearing, and for keeping: but Bleſſed are they that heare, and that keep. Bleſſedneſs doth never come with a for, but with an if or a that. The Lord doth not bleſs thee for thy hearing, although thou hear as many Sermons, as there are dayes in the yeare; but he bleſseth them that hear, in obedience to his Command, and practiſe what they here. Thus you have eight Notes from the form of ſpeech which Chriſt here uſed.What is meant by keeping the Word of God.
Now I ſhall come to ſhew what is meant by Keeping of the Word of God which we hear. And there is a double keeping of the Word of God.1 A keeping it in our memory Luke 2.19,
Firſt, There is a keeping of it in your memory, Luke 2.19. Mary kept all theſe things, and pondered them in her heart. She kept them in memory. Out memories ſhould be as the Arke wherein the pot of Manna was kept. The pot of Manna is Divine Truths, theſe ſhould bee kept ſafe in our memories: But this is not the keeping here ſpoken of, for there are many men that have good memories to keep what they heare, and yet have neither good hearts, nor good lives, and therefore not bleſſed, by their keeping.
Secondly, 2 A keeping of the Word in our practisThere is a keeping of the Word in your practice; and that is done when there is a conſcionable eare to ſquare your lives and converſations, anſwerable to what you hear, or know. Now Bleſſed are you that hear the Word of God, & thus keep it. And thus I have opened all the difficulties that may appear in the words. Doctrin The Obſervation is this, viz. That they are rather bleſſed that heare the Word of God, and practiſe what they heare, then the Mother of Ieſus Chriſt was for bringing him into the World. It is a point I confeſſe which doth well deſerve a ſcanning, and if it had not been in the Bible, it would have been incredible, that Chriſt ſhould put a rather on thee O man, or woman, in every age of the VVorld, that ſhalt hear the VVord of God, and keep it.
It is worthy your notice, what a different Dialect is uſed by the woman in the Text, and Elizabeth, that was kinſwoman to the Virgin Mary. The woman in the Text faith, Bleſſed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps that thou haſt ſucked. Luke 1.45But Elizabeth cryed out, Luke 1.45 Bleſſed is ſhee that Beleiveth. Upon which words a Learned Author hath a very good note; faith he, If the Virgin Mary had not born Chriſt in her heart by faith as well as in her womb, ſhe had not been bleſſed: for Elizabeth here declareth wherein the bleſſedneſs of the Virgin Mary, and of all the Elect conſiſteth.
Now how may this confute the dotage of the Church of Rome, Ʋſe for Reprehenſion.that doth ſo exceſſively cry up the Virgin Mary. I have a little viewed over ſome Popiſh Authors, and I finde that for one tract of the Dignity, and Glory of Chriſt, they have written many, of the Dignity of the Virgin Mary. And they relate ſtrange ſtories, & fooleries concerning her, The idola try of the Church of Rome detected.ſuch as were never heard of in former times, idolatrouſly to advance her fame, as that ſhe was free from original ſin; whereas the Scripture ſaith expreſly, that all that deſcend from Adam, are polluted with original corruption, and therefore the Virgin Mary alſo, being a daughter of Adam. The Papiſts ſpeak more honourably of the Virginity, Dignity, and Holineſſe of the Virgin Mary, the mother, then they do of the Righteouſneſs, Grace, and Merits of Chriſt the ſon. And therefore they hold juſtification by works, and not by faith, in the righteouſneſs of Chriſt: Yea they ſo dote on the Virgin Mary that they make her the great Mediatoreſs to God the Father. A man would think it unneceſſary to treat againſt the popiſh Doctrin, but Miniſters never had more reaſon for it, then now: for there never was more likelihood of popery its ſpreading then in theſe dayes, wherein under the notion of a curſed Toleration, Preiſts, and Jeſuites do publiſh their blaſphemous, and idolatrous Tenents, and drive on their Jeſuitical Deſignes: and God knows, how ſoon you that will not lay your neck under Chriſts yoak, may be brought under the popiſh yoak. This I can ſay upon mine own experience, That I never found ſo many to ſtagger towards popery, as I have done of late. They who have profeſſed the Proteſtant Religion, are ſtaggering, and apoſtatizing, from their former profeſſion, and ſolemne Covenants, and God knows how ſoon they will prefer the Virgin Mary before Jeſus Chriſt. But I hope better things of you. Therefore I ſhall paſs this, and come to the Reaſons of the point, which are theſe.
Firſt, 1 Reaſon From the near relation they ſtand in to Chriſt.They are rather bleſſed that hear, and keep the Word of God, then the Virgin Mary was for bringing Chriſt into the Word; Becauſe Chriſt doth account ſuch to ſtand in more manifold near Relations unto him, then his owne natural freinds were. Luke 8.21. And he anſwered, and ſaid unto them, my Mother, Luke 8.21and my Brethren are theſe, which heare the Word of God, and do it. Loe here is the right way of being brought into a near Relation unto Chriſt, of becoming akin to Jeſus Chriſt, to bee accounted the brother, ſiſter, and mother of Jeſus Chriſt; and that is by hearing, and obeying the will of Chriſt.2 Reaſon They only ſhall perſevere.
2 Your bleſſedneſs appears in this, becauſe if you hear, and practiſe, you ſhall preſevere unto the end, when others ſhall apoſtatize, Math. 7.24.10 28.and ſall back from the Faith. Mat. 7.24 to 28. Therefore whoſoever heareth theſe ſayings of mine, and doth them, I will liken him to a wiſe man, which built his houſe upon a rock, and the rain deſcended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that houſe, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock: And every one that hears theſe ſayings of mine, and doth them not, ſhall bee likened unto a fooliſh man, which built his houſe upon the ſand, and the rain deſcended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that houſe, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. Thoſe onelyonly that hear the Word of God, and keep it, do preſevere, they only have their ſouls built upon a rock, and ſtand unmovable in the time of perſecution: Indeed fall they may, and fouly too (as David, Peter, and many other precious Saints have done) through the violence of Satans temptations, and remainder of corruption that is in them, but finally and irrecoverably they ſhall never fall, becauſe they are builded upon a rock which can never be removed, and that rock is Chriſt, who is both the author and finiſher of their ſaith, Heb. 12.2. And hee hath prayed that their faiths faile not utterly, Luke 22.2. And this hee hath procured, and therefore though the ſtormes and waves ariſe, they can never fall irrecoverably. Others fall off, and fall away, when winds, and ſtormes ariſe.
3 The Lord doth make glorious promiſes to ſuch as hear the Word of God, and keep it. 3 Reaſon The Lord makes glorious promiles unto ſuch.Rev. 1.3. Bleſſed is hee that readeth, and they that hear the words of this propheſy, and keep thoſe things which are written therein, for the time is at hand. Here you ſee thoſe that hear the Word of God, and keep it, that is, lay it up in their hearts, and expreſs the power of it in their lives, they are bleſſed.4 Reſon Ye may be inſtrumental to bring others unto bleſſedneſs
4 By practizing what you heare in the Word, you may bring others unto bleſſedneſs: And happy are ye that are inſtrumental to bring others to Heaven. 1 Pet. 3.1.1 Pet. 3.1. Likewiſe yee wives, bee in ſubjection to your owne huſbands, that if any obay not the Word, they may alſo without the Word, 1 Pet. 2.12.be won by the converſation of their wives. ſo 1 Pet. 2.12. Having your converſations honeſt amongſt the Gentiles, that whereas they ſpeak againſt you as evill doers, they may by your good works-which they ſhall behold, glorify God in the day of viſitation. Their godly converſation might be a means to bring others to Heaven.
5. 5 Reaſon Yee ſhall ſurely obtain Salvation.If ye make conſcience to practiſe what you heare, yee are bleſſed, becauſe (although ye ſhould not bring others unto Heaven) you your ſelves ſhall ſurely come to Heaven, ſhall ſurely come to bleſſedneſs. Rev. 14.12, 13.Rev. 14.12.13. Here is the patience of the Saints, here are they that keep the Commandements of God, and the faith of Ieſus. I heard a voice from Heaven ſaying unto me, write, bleſſed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, ſaith the Spirit that they may reſt from their labours, and their works follow them. O you that make conſcience to keep the Commandements of God, and the faith of Jeſus, you ſhall ſurely goe to Heaven, although you bring none with you, but your ſelves. It was a notable ſaying of one of the Fathers, viz. That when a Goſpel life doth go before, an Angels life ſhall follow after. O therefore make conſcience to practiſe what you hear, and know.
Now I come to the Applycation, and the Uſe ſhall be two fold.
1 For Lamentation. If it be ſo, Ʋſe for Lamentation.that they that heare, and keep the Word of God, are rather bleſſed then the Virgin Mary was mearly for bringing Chriſt into the World, ſhould not this then bee for a lamentation that men will not ſeek after bleſſedneſs when they may have it upon ſuch eaſy termes? Had God ſaid, I will bleſſe thee, if thou removeſt Mountains, if thou fulfilleſt my Law in every jot, and tittle thereof: Theſe indeed had been works impoſſible to be done. But ſaith God, bleſsed art thou if thou heareſt the Word of God, and keep it; therefore if thou wilt not practiſe what thou heareſt, thou doſt refuſe thine owne mercy: The Devil could not damn thee, if thou wouldeſt not damn thy ſelfe. Thou O man that haſt an obſtinate heart, that (let the Preacher ſay what hee will) wilt doe what thou liſteſt, ſtat pro ratione voluntas.who makeſt little conſcience to hear, and leſs conſcience to practice what thou heareſt, thou art inexcuſeable. Now to ſet home this Uſe, take theſe five Conſiderations.
1. Thou wilt but aggravate thy condemnation.Thy hearing, if thou doſt not practiſe what thou heareſt, will but aggravate thy condemnation another day. John 15.22. If I had not come and ſpoken unto them, they had not had ſin, but now they have no cloke for their ſin. The fault admits of ſome extenuation, Miner erat culpa, ubi erat culpae ignorantia.where there is no knowledge of the fault; it is a far greater ſin to contemn the known Law of God, then to bee ignorant of the Law of God; they that ſin againſt knowledge, have no cloake nor excuſe for their ſinne. *Luke 12.47.That ſervant which knew his Lords Will, and prepared not himſelf, neither did according to his Will, ſhall bee beaten with many ſtripes. In Eſay 13. wee read of many Nations and People, againſt whom the Lord commands the Prophet, to denounce a burdenſome Propheſy. But in Eſay 22 we read of the burden of the valley of viſions, that is, of Ieruſalem, and it is obſerved that that burden was the heavieſt of all others, none ſo burdenſome as the burden of the valley of viſions: It was a place where knowledge was, where preaching was, therefore that burden was heavier then againſt Babylon, Tire, Damaſcus, and all the reſt. Though other men that live in the American parts of the World, ſhall go to Hell, for their diſobedience: Yet remember, thou that liveſt in England, where the Goſpel is profeſt & preached, ſhalt go to Hell with an heavier load on thy Conſcience, then thoſe that have not the Goſpell; thou ſhalt bee damned with a wittneſſe, that heareſt the Word of God, and makeſt no Conſcience to practiſe what thou heareſt, and what thou knoweſt. It would make one ſtand amazed to read that paſſage Ier. 10.35. Poure out thy fury upon the Heathen, that know thee not. Now if the fury of the Lord ſhall be poured out upon poor ignorant Heathens that know not God, that have not the means of knowledg, that hear not of the Goſpel of Chriſt! what wrath ſhall then be poured out upon the Chriſtians that know not God? but above all, what unexpreſſible fury and vengeance ſhall be poured out upon thoſe Chriſtians that ſin againſt the Knowledg of God, that ſin againſt Light ſhining clearly before their eyes, that ſin againſt an awakened, and convinced Conſcience? If any place in Hell bee hotter then other, it ſhall bee for them, for it is a far greater ſin to contemn the known Law of God, then to bee ignorant of the Law of God; they that ſin againſt Knowledg, have no cloak nor excuſe for their ſin.
2 Conſider, Thou art voyd of love to God.thou art voyd of love to God, if thou doſt not practiſe what thou heareſt, 1 John 2.5. Who ſo keepeth his Word, 1 Iohn 2.5in him verily is the love of God perfected.
3. Conſder, Thy profeſſion is nothing worth.God doth look upon thy profeſſion as nothing worth, unleſſe thou practiſeſt what thou heareſt. In Arithmetick, put never ſo many Ciphers together, and they make no ſumme, but put one Figure there unto, and then it makes a great ſumme: So make never ſo many prayers, and heare never ſo many Sermons, yet all ſtands but for Ciphers, unleſs thou joyneſt therewith a conſcionable courſe of life, anſwerable to what thou heareſt, and what thou prayeſt. Conſider, wouldeſt thou (who haſt been thus long a Profeſſor) have God to look upon thee, as if thou hadſt been a prophane man all thy life? God looks on thee as ſuch, if thou doſt not practiſe what thou heareſt, 1 Sam. 2.12and knoweſt. 1 Sam. 2.12. Now the ſons of Eli were ſons of Belial, they knew not the Lord. They knew not God, ſurely that they did, by their education they had a ſpeculative knowledge of God and his Law, for they were Preiſts of the Lord, and God would not chooſe ignorant men for his Preiſts. But they had no practicall, efficatious, and ſaving Knowledge of God, for they were men of wicked lives and converſations, and therefore God looked upon their Knowledge, as no Knowledge, and upon their Profeſſion, as no Profeſſion: Ier. 2.8.ſo Ier. 2.8. The Preiſts ſaid not, where is the Lord; and they that handled the Law, knew mee not; the Paſtors alſo tranſgreſſed againſt me, and the Prophets propheſied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. They knew me not, God did not regard the Knowledge they had of him, becauſe they tranſgreſſed againſt him. Remember, God will account thy hearing, as no hearing; thy praying, as no praying; thy receiving the Sacraments, as no receiving, if thou doſt not make conſcience to obey what thou heareſt.
4. Thou canſt have no good perſwaſion, nor diſcovery, thou canſt have …o aſſurance of the love of God unto thee.in thy ſoul of the love of God unto thee, unleſſe thou makeſt conſcience to keep what thou heareſt. If yee love mee, keep my Commandements. John 14.16. And therefore you finde in Scripture that the love of God, is often ſubjoyned to keeping the Commandements of God, Exod. 20.6. Exod. 20.Shewing mercy unto thouſands of them that love me, & keep my Commandements. They are both put together to ſhew, that where there is a love of God, there will bee a keeping of his Commandements.
5 If we do not make Conſcience to practiſe what wee hear, God will take away the Word from us.wee ſhall provoke the Lord to take away the Goſpel from us, Amos 8.9. And it ſhall come to paſſe in that day, ſaith the Lord God, that I will cauſe the Sun to goe down at noon; and I will darken the Earth in the clear day. verſe 11. I will ſend a Famin, not of Bread and Water, but of hearing the Word of the Lord. Remember it, God will take away the Word, for our not profiting by what we hear. Mat. 21.43. Therefore I ſay unto you, the kingdom of Heaven ſhall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. By the Kingdom of God, we are to underſtand the Goſpell, the Word of God, and Miniſtry thereof, this ſhall be taken from you, and given to others, if ye do not bring forth the fruits thereof.
And here wee may read both our ſinne, and judgment; for if ever any people in the World were guilty of barrenneſſe, and unfruitfulneſſe under the means of grace, we of this Nation are, wee have been lifted up to Heaven, and therefore we may juſtly expect to be caſt down to Hell.
Now to awaken your Conſciences, I ſhall in the firſt place lay down ſome Demonſtrations, that wee are extreamly guilty of barrenneſſe under the means of grace. And that therefore in the ſecond place we are in great danger to have the Goſpell removed from us, and given to a Nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof. That we are guilty of unfruitfullneſs under Goſpell Ordinances may appear:
Firſt, 1 Demonstration of our unfruitfulnes under the Goſpel.By the ſad complaints that the moſt fruitfull ſtocks and plants in Gods Vineyard do make, they with greife and ſighing of heart, complain of their unfruitfulneſſe under Goſpel Ordinances: Now if the trees of righteouſneſſe of the Lords planting, in the Lords Vineyard complain, that they bear not fruit, ſurely then the trees of the Forreſt are barren: If the trees of Gods garden bring not forth fruit, what can the trees of the wilderneſſe doe? If the people of the Lord ſit down and lament becauſe no anſwerable fruit is to bee found in them, what cauſe then have the wicked of the World to complain, whoſe hearts remain as hard as the nether milſtone, notwithſtanding all the heavenly dew which from time to time deſcends upon them?
Secondly, 2 Demonſtration,It appears by the ſad complaints of Gods husbandmen, the Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, who diſcern but little fruit to appear after all their labour, little ſucceſſe to attend their Goſpel Miniſtry; therefore they lie down upon their beds in ſorrow, and with ſadneſſe of ſpirit complain, as Peter did, that they have fiſhed all night, but catched nothing, that they plow upon the rocks, and break their inſtruments, but cannot break the hearts of men, that they weare out their own lives, conſume their own lungs, but cannot conſume peoples luſts. And thus they complain with the Prophet (in the perſon of Chriſt) * Eſa. 44.4.I have laboured in vain.
Demon¦ſtration. 3 Thirdly, It may appear by comparing our times, with the time in which the Goſpel was firſt planted, ſaith Chriſt, Mat. 11.12. Mat. 11.12.From the dayes of John Baptiſt, untill now, the kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth violence and the violent take it by force. In thoſe dayes men did uſe an holy violence in the wayes of Religion, but where is that violence now to be found? when the ſeventy Diſciples had a commiſſion from Chriſt to preach the Goſpell, it was ſaid of them Luke 10.18. Luke 10.18That they went forth preaching the Word, and what followeth? God was with them, and many were converted, and the Devil like lightening did fall from Heaven. Their Miniſtry had a moſt glorious ſucceſſe. And it is ſaid Eſay 44.2. Eſay 44 2.(which is a Propheſy of the firſt times of the Goſpels preaching) Enlarge thy tents, and let them ſtretch forth the curtains of thine habitation. As if there was not room enough for the converted men; Therefore enlarge thy Tents, which is referred to the Gentiles, upon their firſt converſion. And ſaith the Apoſtle, Gal. 4.27. Rejoyce thou barren that beareſt not, Gal. 4.27.break …orth, and cry thou that traveleſt not, for the deſolate hath many more children then ſhee which hath an buſband. And it is ſaid, Acts 11.21. The hand of God was upon them, Acts 11.21and a great number beleived, and turned unto the Lord. Yea three thouſand were converted by one Sermon of Peters, whereas now three thouſand Sermons will hardly convert one ſoul to Chriſt. And ſaith the Prophet, Pſal. 110.3. Thy people ſhall bee a willing people in the day of thy power, Pſal. 110.3in the beauties of holineſſe; from the womb of the morning, thou haſt the dew of thy youth. The meaning of theſe words, from the womb of the morning, thou haſt the dew of thy youth, is this, that the converts upon the firſt preaching of the Goſpel ſhould be as numerous as the drops of dew upon the graſſe in the morning; But now-a dayes, the converting of ſouls, the bringing in of men to Jeſus Chriſt, is not as numerous as the drops of dew, but as rare as Pearls and Diamonds.
Demon¦ſtration. 4 Fourthly, It will appear that there is a general barrenneſſe under all the means of grace, Becauſe in theſe days more people are perverted from the truth and ſimplicity of the Goſpel, then are converted by the power and efficaſy thereof. The converſion that is wrought now-a-dayes, is but a power upon mens heads, not upon their hearts, it works in them only Fancies, and Notions, not practical godlineſſe; like the Moon (not the Sun) whoſe influence gives light, but no heat: the Word it may bee reclaims them from drunkenneſſe in practiſe, but the Devil makes them drunk with Opinions and Errors.
Now this beeing ſo, I ſhall in the next place give ſome Demonſtrations that wee are in danger to have the kingdom of God, the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt removed from us, therefore let us not be ſecure, for there is great danger the Goſpel ſhall bee removed, if not from the Nation, yet from particular places.
Demon¦ſtration, 1 That the Goſpel is in danger to bee removed fromus.Firſt, It may appear from that implacable oppoſition that is in the profeſſors of the Goſpel againſt the preachers of the Goſpel: thoſe very people that did eſteem the feet of their Miniſters to bee very beautiful, doe now ſay that the Mark of the Beaſt is upon their forehead: thoſe people that would have pulled out their eyes to do their Miniſters good would now pull out their Miniſters eyes, thoſe very people that looked upon us as the ſervants of Chriſt, and ſtewards of the Myſtery of Salvation doe now account us the limbs of Antichriſt, and perverters of Religion Now there is no way more likely to drive away the Goſpel from us, then to ſpurn at and oppoſe the Goſpel, and the Miniſters thereof; this will bee the great in-let (if the Lord prevent it not) to our utter confuſion, and an out-let to the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt. I would have ſuch men, who had rather ſee godly Miniſters in priſon, then in the Pulpit, to conſider, that if God ſhould take them away, ye would have worſe in their room. The Sectaries were weary of godly and learned Iunius, therefore God ſuffered Arminius that peſtilent enemy to the Goſpel of Chriſt, to riſe up after him. God may juſtly ſend us unable, and ſeducing Teachers, for our ſleighting of thoſe learned, and godly Miniſters that are amongſt us; when Paul and Barnab as were ſleighted and oppoſed by the unbeleiving Iewes, ſay they, Acts 13.46. Seeing ye put away the Word of God from you, and judge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting Life, Lo, wee turne to the Gentiles. They loſt the Goſpel by it.
Demon¦ſtration 2 Secondly, It appears that there is danger that the Goſpell ſhould be removed from us, by the generall wantonneſſe and wearineſſe of people in liveing under it. When children are wanton with bread in their hand, the parent takes it from them, and makes them faſt; wee have dealt with the Goſpell, as children deal with bread, when their bellies are full, wee are grown wanton, and are become weary of it, ſo that now if a Miniſter preach of Faith, Repentance, Mortification, Zeal, Selfe-deniall, and Heavenly mindedneſſe; theſe are accounted thred-bare Doctrines. Now when the Lord ſhall ſee a people grow weary of, and wanton with the Goſpel, he will cut them ſhort, he will make them know the worth of the Goſpell, by the want of the Goſpell: When the Iſraelites once loathed Manna, God quickly ſuffered them to bee hunger-bitten. He that runs, may read our ſin, and danger, in this particular; for thoſe very people that did with delight wait upon the Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt, oh how are they become weary of Ordinances! thoſe people that accounted the ſix daies tedious, and thought it long before the Sabbath came, now do not care for ſanctifying of a Sabbath all the yeare long! thoſe people that could not live a day without the Goſpell, can now live not only without, but above the Goſpell! like thoſe we read of 1 Cor. 1.12. who were ſo high flown, that they ſcorned Paul, Apollo, and Cephas, and cried up only Chriſt. Now when once a people grow weary of the Goſpell, it will not bee long before the Goſpell grow weary of them, and depart from them.
Demon¦ſtration. 3 Thirdly, it appeares that the Goſpell is in danger to be removed from us, by reaſon of the great encreaſe of ſuch Opinions as are contrary to the Goſpell, as are deſtructive to the power and purity of it: When once men ſhall uſe ſtrong endeavours to bring in a Toleration of all Religions, that is the way to bring us to no Religion at all. Ezek. 43, 8Ezekiel 43.8. When the people had ſet their Threſhold by Gods Threſhold, and their Poſt by Gods Poſt; that is, when they added their Traditions, their own Inventions to Gods Precepts, then there was a wall bevreixt God and them: this their wickedneſſe was as a wall of Separation, God was departing from them. Thoſe that plead for a licentious Toleration of all Opinions, doe as much as in them lies to put a wall of ſeperation between God, and England.
Demon¦ſtration. 4 Fourthly, An encreaſe of damnable errors, and hereſies, is a Demonſtration of the Goſpels remove. The Goſpell is the Sun that ſhines in our horizon, hereſies are as foggs, and miſts that darken the bright beams of the Sun. One well obſerves, that it was not corruption in manners that did unchurch the Church of Rome, but mearly corruption in Doctrine; Rev. 12.15. when the woman was flying into the Wilderneſſe, Rev. 12.15it is ſaid, The Dragon out of his mouth poured out a flood of water to drown the woman. This flood of water, was a flood of Herefies, and peculiarly the Hereſie of Arianiſme. If the Lord ſhould ſuffer the Dragon to pour out a flood of Hereſies to overflow the Land, wee may then juſtly fear the removal of the Goſpel from us.
Demon¦stration. 5 Fiftly, The implacable oppoſition that is againſt the ſettlement of Church government is a Demonſtration of the Goſpels remove. Tis true, Government is but the hedge, the Goſpel is the fruit, but if you break down the hedge, the fruit will be little, this is the way to have the field over-run by the wild Boar. It was Luthers ſaying, (at his firſt declining from the Church of Rome) that the Goſpel did get more prejudice by ſeven years ſuſpenſion of a well ordered Government, then it could recover in forty ſeven years afterwards, and the Lord grant it prove not thus with us.
Now by all this it may appear that we are in great danger to have the Goſpel taken away from us, oh how carefull then ſhould we be to improve the means of grace, whilſt we do enjoy them, for if the Goſpell is gone, all is gone, we had better looſe the light of the Sun, then the light of the Goſpell: for,
1 If the Goſpell goes from a people, peace goes from a people; the remove of the Goſpell of peace, will cauſe the going away of your peace.
2 If the Goſpell goes, plenty goes as well as peace.
3 If the Goſpell goes, if the worſhip of God be taken away, our ſafety is gone. The Ark was the Iſraelites ſafety, when the Ark was taken away, their ſtrength, and ſafety was taken away. When the Jewes did reject the Goſpell, ſo that it was tranſlated to the Gentiles, then the Romans came, and took away both their place, and Nation.
4 When the Goſpel goes, our civil Liberty goes; when the Iewes once ſleighted the Goſpel, they lived no longer free men, but became ſlaves and tributary to the Romans.
5 The dignity, and ſplendor of a Nation goes, when the Goſpell goes, as old Eli ſaid, when the Ark was taken, The glory is departed from Iſrael. And tis ſaid Math. 26. Math. 26.That Bethelem was not the leaſt amongſt all the Princes of Iudah; Micah 5.2yet Micah ſaith chap. 5. v. 2. That Bethelem was the leaſt, that is, the leaſt in regard of its ſcituation, and ſmall number of inhabitants: But not the leaſt, as Matthew ſpeaks, becauſe the Meſſiah was there borne, and the Goſpell there preached: The Goſpel of Chriſt made Bethelem more then it was, and therefore it is that Capernaum is ſaid to bee lifted up to Heaven, becauſe the glad tidings of the Goſpel was there publiſhed. Now if God ſhould take away the Goſpel from us, he would leave us as Bethelem, the leaſt of a thouſand Citties. We ſhould not meaſure the greatneſs of a City, by the great trade, and great number of people therein, but by the flouriſhing of the Goſpel there in: London will be the leaſt City of a thouſand if the Goſpel bee removed from it. Oh then what cauſe have wee to know and conſider in this our day the things that concerne our peaoe, leaſt hereafter they bee hid from our eyes: And not content our ſelves with a bare hearing of the Word, but bee doers of it, expreſſing the power, and authority thereof in our lives and converſations.
Object. But you will ſay, No man can keep what hee heareth.If they only are bleſſed, that hear the Word of God, and keep it, that practiſe what they hear, then where is a bleſſed man to bee found? for where is that man alive that can keep, that can live anſwerable to what he hears? I hear many a ſin reproved which I cannot forbear, I hear many a duty preſſed, which I cannot perform, I hear many a grace perſwaded unto, which I cannot act: Now how can any man bee bleſſed, ſeeing hee cannot keep what hee heareth?
Anſwer Didſt thou indeed live under a Covenant of works, VnderUnder the Covenant of Grace God accepts of the Will for the Deed.thou couldeſt never be a bleſſed man, becauſe thou canſt never keep what thou heareſt, according to that exactneſſe which a Covenant of works requires, for that commands a man to keep the whole Law, to keep it perfectly, and to keep it perſonally. But for thy comfort know that thou art under a Covenant of Grace, which doth not require a perfect, but a ſincere obedience to the Law of God, which accepts of the Will for the deed. O remember that thou art not under a Covenant of works, but a Covenant of Grace, which accepts of what Chriſt hath done and ſuffered for thee (if thou art a beleiver) as if done in thine own perſon. Though indeed that is true which Chriſt ſaid to the young man, Math. 19.17. If thou wilt enter in to Life, keep the Commandements. Yet you muſt know, that Chriſt ſpake this unto him, becauſe he knew him to bee of a Phariſaicall temper, and that he thought to bee ſaved by his good works. But if Chriſt ſhould ſay thus unto any of us, thou ſhalt goe to Heaven, if thou keepeſt every Command, thou ſhalt never goe to Heaven if thou breakeſt any one Command: The Lord have mercy on us, we ſhould then all periſh to eternity. But Chriſt ſaith, Beleive and live. Now promiſe (not work) is the object of Faith, V…nl…m tanquam ex fide, non ex debito ſper…mus.Rom. 4.16. Therefore Ambroſe was wont to ſay, let us hope for pardon as of faith, not of debt. In a word, make conſcience to keep what thou heareſt, bewaile thine inabillity to fullf…ill the Law of God, do what thou canſt, mourn that thou canſt doe no better, and then God will ſay, though thou canſt not keep the Law compleatly, yet my Sonne hath kept it for thee, I accept of his obedience, as thy obedience, and his righteouſneſſe, as thy righteouſneſſe. O what grace, and mercy is here! how may this chear up your hearts in the midſt of all diſcouragments that lie upon you? Again for thy comfort know, that if in ſincerity of heart thou endeavoureſt to keep what thou heareſt, in divine acceptation it is all one, as if thou hadſt perfectly kept all that thou heareſt. If it bee the deſire and labour of thy ſoul, to obay Gods Will, and obſerve his Commands, in divine acceptation, it is looked upon, as if it were actually done by thee. It is worthy your notice, what is ſaid, Heb. 11.17. By faith Abraham when he was tryed, offered up Iſaac, and hee that had received the promiſe, offered up his only begotten Son. Abraham did not actually doe it: But becauſe Abraham did it in the purpoſe of his heart, becauſe the deſire and reſolution of his ſoule was to obay Gods Command, therefore the Scripture accounts it as done. O take this for thy comfort, thou that art a ſon of Abraham, that walkeſt in the ſteps, and faith of Abraham, the very deſires, and purpoſes of thine heart are looked upon as if they were really, and actually done; If thou wouldeſt pray better, hear better, and practiſe more then thou doeſt, in divine account this is looked upon, as if thou hadſt already done it.
FINIS.
THE SAINTS REST OR, Their happy Sleep in DEATH.
As it was delivered in A SERMON At Aldermanbury, London, Aug. 24. 1651, being the next Lords Day after Mr LOVE was put to death.
By EDMUND CALAMY B. D.
Iohn 11.11 Our friend Lazarus ſleepeth.
Pſalm 116.15 Precious in the ſight of the Lord is the Death of his Saints
LONDON, Printed for E: Brewſter and G: Sawbridge, at the ſigne of the Bible on Ludgate-hill, near Fleetbridge, 1653