A Scripture-Map of the Wilderness of Sin, Treatise · Part 2 · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV. Containes the fourth meanes of bewildring. viz. Falſe Lights (or ignes fatui) explained.
FOurth meanes of our ſpirituall bewildrings,4. Means of our ſpirituall bewilderings. viz. Falſe lights, Ignes fatui, Kinds of them. viz. FALSE LIGHTS. There is in nature a Meteor, that vain and ignorant perſons have conceited to be a walking ſpirit. This ſometimes appeares by Sea, and ſometimes in ſingle flames, which were the ominous fore-runners of great tempeſts, therefore they called it duplicate page duplicate page Helen, alluding to that pernicious fire-brand of Greece: ſometimes it appeared in double flames, and then they called it Caſtor and Pollux, ſuperſtitiouſly thinking (for Heathens they were) that then it was a ſigne of a proſp…rous voyage, whereas there is reaſon in nature, why it ſhould appeare ſingle before a ſtorme, when its matter is ſo thick that it cannot be diſſipated, and in diſtinct flames when its ſubſtance is more tenuious, and more eaſily parted aſunder, which imports a clearer aire, and more free from that which is the matter of tempeſts. Of this Meteor, under this name of Caſtor and Pollux, you have mention made as the ſigne of the Ship that Paul went aboard, Act. 28.11. Otherwiſe this light appeares by land, ſometimes dancing on the one hand, ſometimes on the other hand of the Traveller in the night, untill by its deceitfull guidance, it hath brought the Traveller to an uncertainty, and loſſe of his true way, and then he becomes prone to follow it, ſuppoſing it to be a blazing light in ſome houſe or hand, and ſo hoping to come at ſome body that may lead him into his way, or ſome houſe where he may enquire it, at length according to its nature, it is ſpent and extinct, tending to pits or bogs, to places of ruine, or precipices of deſtruction, from whence the Latines called it ignem fatuum & erraticum, and we frequently call it, going-fire, fools-fire, or the like. This many have been bewildred by, and can bear teſtimony unto; and there is as cleare naturall reaſon aſſigned of it, as of any other known Meteor. And this ſpiritually underſtood, is that which I complaine of, as the laſt occaſion of our ſpirituall bewildrings. This the Ap…ſtle complain'd of as a Prophet, this may we ſadly lament,Seducing ſpirits. as ſeeing the propheſie fulfilled, 1 Tim. 4.1. The ſpirit ſpeak…s expreſly, that in the latter times (which on all hands are confeſſedly ours) there ſhall be departing from the faith (and what's that, but going out of the way?) and what's the occaſion? giving heed to ſeducing ſpirits, and doctrines of Devils. Whence theſe Notes. 1. Satan if he cannot bewilder otherwiſe, will doe it by Doctrines. 2. He will have erring ſpirits to carry theſe ſeducing Doctrines up and downe. 3. That poor Travellers are very prone to give heed unto them. 4. They that give heed unto them, will preſently be ſeduced by them, to depart from the way of truth, to erre from the faith. This is an expreſſe propheſie of our times, and he that runnes (through England) may read it fulfilled. And what can I call theſe temptations ſo aptly, as going-fires, or ſeducing lights? By theſe Satan keeps in play, or in faſhion now (methinks) more then ever. Oh! theſe are lights, the other that I ſpeake, are bewildring Darkneſſes; but theſe are bewildering lights: and oh! how much is light in faſhion, be it of what kind it will? yea, may I ſadly ſay, How much is that Angel in the faſhion, that is now transformed into it! O! my brethen, in theſe dayes ſeducing ſpirits had need be lightſome: Lights they are, but which is very ſutable, the Apoſtle that calls them lights, calls them going-lights, yea, erring lights; lightſome whilſt they are above ground, but, as was ſaid of the going fire, lighting, and at laſt going down into a darkſome pit, ſo ſaith Jude verſ. 12. Wandering ſtarres, Wandring ſtars.for whom is reſerved the blackneſſe of darkneſſe for ever. I would not, friends, be underſtood as condemning the Generation of the juſt, whoſe portion I know it,Caution: hath alwaies been, to be branded with the ſoul names of Blaſphemy and Hereſie, &c. Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe not excepted. Of this ſpeaketh Paul, Act. 24.14. I confeſſe, that after the way which they call Hereſie, ſo worſhip I the God of my fath…rs, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets. Oh! that I could have cauſe once to call them Hereticks in this ſence, whom the ſcripture calls wandering lights, I meane the way of believing all is written in the Law and the Prophets. Neither would I be underſtood, as ſpeaking out of paſſion, or ill-will (whereof I know not any reaſon) but of love, and tenderneſſe, and commiſeration unto their ſouls, to whom I am ſpeaking, with meekneſs inſtructing thoſe that oppoſe themſelues, if God peradventure would give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, according to my expreſſe duty, 2 Tim. 2.25. And yet on the other hand with ſuch love unto the truth, as to contend earneſtly for for the faith, which was once delivered to the Saints, which is a duty as expreſſe, Jud. verſ. 3. I would be farther underſtood as ſpeaking without any reſpect of perſons, accouning thoſe, and all thoſe, to be going fires, and bewildring lights, whom the Scriptures bring under the following Characters. And further I ſhall not deſire, or dare to affi x any other brand upon ſuch, then what this Bible in mine hand ſhall prepare unto my hand: wherein I dare not be ſo unfaithfull, or inaffectionate to their ſoules, as to conceale from them their danger; for we have Chriſt himſelfe the true light, telling us before of theſe falſe ones, and you know we are commanded to hear for afterward. My brethren, there's danger in following every light, for ſaith our Saviour, Mat. 24.23. If any man ſhall ſay, lo, here is Chriſt, or lo, there is Chriſt, believe him not: That is, follow you not every light; what not when they ſpeak of Chriſt? No, verſ. 24. For there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets &c. and verſ. 25. Behold, I have told you before. verſ. 26. Wherefore if they ſhall ſay unto you, behold, he is in the deſert, go not forth; if in the ſecret Chamber, believe it not. Lights then they are, but but falſe lights; Prophets, but falſe ones, falſe Chriſts. Wherefore you muſt not goe out after them, if you doe, you may find a deſert, but not find a Chriſt. To come then to the paralell.
Deſcription of a going fireA going, or fools fire, is a more groſſe and fatty Exhalation, kindled either by its owne motion, or by contrary cold, &c. carryed unconſtantly up and downe in the lower Region of the Aire, and frequently leading Travellers into places of danger, into pits and precipices, being exhaled out of ſome rancke and fat ſoile, ſuch as burying-places, or fields where great ſlaughters of Armies have beene made, or bogges and putrid parts of the Earth, So theſe falſe lights 1. Ariſe from Corrupion.&c.
1. Then theſe ſpiritually wandering and bewildering lights, ariſe (as that Meteor from putrid places) from mens corrupt minds. It hath been accounted of late by ſome, a ſolaeciſme to call Men Corrupt from their opinions: oh! he is a very honeſt man (let his principles be as corrupt as may be) but it was not ſo in the dayes of the Apoſtles, 2 Tim. 3.8. Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith, the Apoſtle calls him Corrupt; that is, Corrupt as to the faith, as well as him that is corrupt as to obedience. Opinions that are wicked, render men corrupt as well as wicked practiſes. Now then let us take heed what Principles we ſuck in, as well as what Practiſes we run into. Oh! there is a corrupt mind, as well as a ſound one, & from the former do ariſe theſe ſeduing fires, 1 Tim. 6.5. Perverſe diſputings of men of corrupt minds. Yea, but ſuch as theſe will charge you of corruption in judgement, and who ſhall judge?
I anſwer,Two kinds of Corruption. There are two undoubted ſignes of corruption in the fleſh, and thoſe may well ſerve here, ſince the Apoſtle chargeth corruption upon ſome ſpirits, 1. Swelling. 2. Running. Under either of theſe, who can clear the body from corruption?
So then, thoſe Principles that in their own nature,Swelling ſignes. tend either to the ſwelling of the ſpirit, or the running; I mean to ſpirituall pride, or pollution, cannot but paſſe for corruptions of mind, and out of theſe are generated theſe going and bewildring lights.
1. Swelling Principles. The Apoſtle is full to this purpoſe, 1 Tim. 6. v. 3. He conſents not to wholeſome words, &c. verſ. 4 He is proud, v. 5. Perverſe diſputings of men of corrupt minds (and what followes?) deſtitute of the truth. So 2 Tim. 3.2. Boaſters, proud, &c. & v. 8. Men of corrupt minds. And upon this account, I am altogether diſſatiſfied with the Armine…cei vrine of free-wil, becauſe its neceſſary and direct tend… the …s they expound it) is to gratifie pride in its higheſt kind, even ſpirituall pride; that vaine man might be able to ſay of his own ſalvation, Is not this Babel which I have built by the ſtrength of my might? &c.
2. Putrifaction.2. Putrifying Principles, whoſe immediate tendency is to filthineſſe of ſpirit; for what ever they think that would have none cenſured for their minds, yet is there filthineſſe of ſpirit as well as of fleſh, from which, even from all of which Gods heirs of promiſe muſt cleanſe themſelves, 2 Cor. 7.1. Now Principles there are tending to this rottenneſs, ſuch are theirs, who turn the grace of God into wantonneſs, Jude 4. Yea more expreſs, 2 Pet. 2.18. They ſpeake great ſwelling words of vanity (there's the former) They allure through the luſts of the fleſh, through much wantonneſs (there's the latter) Thoſe that were clean eſcaped from them that live in Errors. Marke the phraſe: Now, how did they allure them? Why? that which is forbidden to Saints, (Gal. 5.13. viz. Not to uſe Chriſtian liberty as an occaſion to the fleſh:) is intimated to be their practice, verſ. 19. Whilſt they promiſe them liberty, they themſelves are the ſervants of Corruption. Mark that: you may be ſure that Principles tending to looſeneſs, luſt, wantonneſs, are corrupt Principles, and out of thoſe bogs ariſe theſe lights.
Secondly, That Meteor is a fatty viſcous Exhalation: ſo theſe going and ſeducing lights, 2. They are carnall.are ſenſuall principles, carnal principles, fl…ſhly principles, and ſuch are the men themſelves, Jude 19. Theſe be they that ſeparate themſelves, ſenſual, having not the ſpirit. There is an holy ſeparation that Scripture calls for; but amongſts us there is a vaine carnal ſeparation without the ſpirit, but not without ſenſuality: theſe ſeparate from men, but not from ſinne; they are forſooth better then others, but they do worſe then others; they are begodded above men, but they live beaſtially and below men. One drinketh drunk, and ſpeaks not at all of Chriſt, as the rude prophane drunkard: pices her drinks drunk too as the other, but profeſſe… ſuch I ſpeakes of Chriſt, and ſaith he is a Saint, and others in darkneſſe; and why? may not this be counted the more prophane of the two? Theſe are they that ſay they cannot ſin, that delight in nothing elſe but ſin.
Thirdly, That Meteor is light, uncertaine, 3. Vncertain.carryed about with every aire; ſo theſe are car…yed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, Eph. 4.14. One while you muſt ſeeke Chriſt here, and another while, lo, Chriſt is there: one while he is to be found in the Wilderneſs, another while in the Chamber, Mat. 24.23. &c. One while in the Ordinances, another while above the Ordinances; therefore ſome now, and all another time, and none of them another. Now the noiſe that theſe going fires make, cannot poſſibly be a ſaving ſound, becauſe they are an uncertaine ſound; and if the Trumpet give an uncertaine ſound, who ſhall prepare himſelfe to the battel? Truth is not ſo, it cannot be at uncertainties; from the beginning of the Bible to the end thereof, in all the Types, Hiſtories, Propheſies, Goſpell, &c. there is onelyonly one thing, and that at all certainty preached, viz. Jeſus Chriſt. Hence is that teſtimony born unto …he Scripture, 2 Pet: 1.19. You have a ſure (or certaine) word of propheſie, whereunto you doe well that you take heed, as unto a light ſhining in a darke place, until the Day-ſtar ariſe in your hearts, which is onelyonly to be underſtood of the day of glory, according to that (and other) Scriptures, till I come, give attendance to reading, &c. And lo, I am with you to the end of the world, till glory come, the word is a ſure guide. Now it is not poſſible that a true light to day, ſhould be a falſe light to morrow; or a light to day, and none to morrow: wherefore it is called a ſure word.
4. The Meteor hath not its light from the Sun, 4. Kindled not by the Sun, but by the cold or ſelfe motion.but it is kindled either by the Antiperiſtaſis (as they call it) of the coldneſs of the night, or its own motion, &c. Of the firſt of theſe our Saviour ſaith, Mat. 24.12. The love of many ſhall wax cold, and verſ. 11. Many falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, and deceive many. We give advantange unto falſe Opinions, by the coldneſs of our hearts, and want of zeale in the true. Theſe Meteors have not their light from the Sun, I read no Philoſopher ſaying ſo. Selfe-kindled they are, and ſo are theſe falſe lights. They have not their light from the Word, but from ſelfe, 2 Tim. 3.2. Men ſhall be lovers of themſelves. It is the firſt of thoſe many Characters, that he gives of thoſe falſe guiding lights. Whence are Errors? Why? Men are in love with themſelves, with every Notion of their owne braine, and thought of their owne heart. Yea, 'tis zeale for ſelfe, and zeale from ſelfe, that kindleth their light. The Character that the ſpirit affixeth upon that fools-fire Theudas is this, Act. 5.36. He boaſted himſelf to be ſome-body. Selfe is at the botome, and ſelfe is the concernment. Oh! that doctrine is very dangerous, and very likely to kindle many fatty, carnall, ſenſuall hearts, that gratifieth ſinfull ſelfe, 2 Tim. 3.4. They themſelves are lovers of pleaſures, more then lovers of God; and their Proſelytes or Diſciples, verſ. 6. Are ſtill led away with (that is under the power of) divers luſts. Selfiſh doctrine is carnall doctrine, and ſo muſt needs be a falſe light; for true doctrine is, Deny your ſelves, and welcome to a prophane heart, ſhall be that light that will lead to heaven, and not burn up ſinful ſelf.
5. They lead to pits of ruine and precipices of deſtruction.Fifthly, (Which is extreamly ſad) Theſe lights lead to places of ruine, to pits and precipices of deſtruction. Take heed, take heed, of deſtructive Principles in whatſoever dreſſe they be. There be damning Principles, as well as Practices: one may be damned for his drunkenneſs, and thou for thy Hereſie, elſe the Apoſtle knew not what he ſaid, 2 Pet. 2.1. As there were falſe Prophets among the people, ſo there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, who privily ſhall bring in damnable Hereſies, and ſhall bring upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction. But God that cannot lye calls them ſo, therefore they are ſo: ſo then there is damning danger in going after them.