Dissuasive from Tavern Haunting and Excessive Drinking, Sermon
THE All-ſeeing Eye of GOD OUR JUDGE Should Reſtrain us from SIN, and Quicken us to DUTY; urg'd in a Lecture-SERMON, Preached at Boſton, N. E. December 22. 1709.
JER. XVII. 10.
I the Lord ſearch the Heart, I try the Reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
EVERY Creature, is always under the Eye & in the Hand, of God it's Creator; and every Man, muſt give an account of his carriage to God, who will reward or puniſh him according to what his behaviour has been. That every Man ſhall be thus dealt with, ſeems evident from the Text now read. In the 5. & 6. verſes, we have a curſe denounc'd againſt thoſe, who Trust in Man, but their Hearts depart from God. In the 7. & 8. verſes, we have a bleſſing pronounc'd on thoſe, who Truſt and Hope in God. Tis then added, v. 9. The heart is decietful above all things, and deſperately wicked; who can know it? Some ſuppoſe theſe laſt words, to refer to the 5. v. where a Curſe is denounc'd againſt thoſe that Truſt in Man; as if the Prophet had ſaid, Man is not fit to be Truſted in, for his Heart is very decietful; he may pretend much kindneſs, when he intends miſchief. Others look on the words of v. 9. as ſome reply to Self flattering Hypocrites, who pretended, that their hearts were right with God and did not depart from him; as if the Prophet had ſaid to ſuch, Take heed that you be not miſtaken, for the Heart is decietful, &c. If this latter be the true meaning, 'tis ſomething like the Apoſtles caution to every man, Not to think more highly of himſelf than he ought, Rom. 12.3. And that, if he thinks himſelf ſomething when he is nothing, he deceives himſelf, Gal 6.3. But whether the 9 v. refer to the one or other of the fore-mention'd particulars, yet in the end of it 'tis ſaid of Mans heart, who can know it? Now the words of our Text, give a compleat full anſwer to the Queſtion, God knows the Hearts of all. Tho' no man knows the hearts of others, nor fully knows his own; tho' he knows not the depth of that decietfulneſs which is in him; knows not how far he may fall, if he ſhould meet with opportunities and preſſing temptations; yet God moſt fully and compleatly knows, all that is in the hearts of men. He not only hears all their words, and ſees all their outward actions, but is alſo as fully acquainted with their hearts. The Heart and the Reins, ſeem here to ſignify one and the ſame thing; even the Rational Soul; with as it's Motions and Actions. When men deſire to be fully ſatisfy'd about a matter, they commonly Inquire, Try, make Search, that ſo they may come to the bottom of the buſineſs. Job ſpeaking of himſelf as Judge, ſays: Job 29 16. The cauſe which I know not, I ſearched out. In alluſion to ſuch Inquiries among men, God is here ſaid to Search the heart, and Try the reins. So he is ſaid, to Weigh the Spirits, Prov. 16.2. To Weigh Actions, 1 Sam. … 3. To Search Jeruſalem with Candles, Zeph. 1.12. Men ſometimes light a Candle, look into dark holes and corners, to make diſcovery of what they knew not before. Now theſe things are ſpoken of God, after the manner of men; they don't ſignify as tho' God Took pains, and did really Strive and Labour to know what is in men; but they note, the moſt full compleat knowledge which God has of all men, and of their hearts. God takes the moſt exact notice that can be, of what's in the heart of every Man, Woman and Child in the World. And what does God do this for? Why 'tis not as an Idle unconcern'd Spectator, that he critically obſerves all that's in the hearts of Men, but he does it as a Witneſs and Judge; That he may give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doing. To give to every Man, it ſeems then, that every Man muſt have to do with God as his Judge. Very often in this World, God deals with Perſons in ſome meaſure according to their ways. He ſometimes brings on the Wicked very ſore Judgments, which on ſome ſpecial accounts, are remarkably the fruit of their doings; and ſometimes the Godly meet with bleſſings, which ſeem to have a remarkable Relation to their good deeds. I ſay 'tis ſometimes thus, yet the Godly and the wicked cannot fully, much leſs conſtantly be diſtinguiſh'd from one another, by external diſpenſations of Providence to them, here in this World. All things come alike to all, Eccleſ 9 2. But in the World to come, in the Day of Judgment, then each particular Perſon ſhall recieve from God, according to what his heart and ways have been. From our Text therefore we may raiſe this,
DOCTRINE. GOD exactly Knows the Heart of every Perſon, and will give him according to his Ways.
Here are two Propoſitions. (1) God exactly knows the heart of every Perſon. (2) He will give to him according to his Ways.
PROP. I. GOD exactly Knows the Heart of every Perſon.
This is evident,
1. Becauſe Gods Power upholds and concurs with, every Creature in all its natural Operations. The ſame God who Made all Creatures does Preſerve them, Neh. 9 6. The ſame Almighty power, which was neceſſary to give them being, is neceſſary to preſerve them in being. We live, move, and have our being in God; he holds our Souls in Life and preſerves our Spirits; he upholds all things by the word of his power. The Divine Power, cauſeth the Wind to blow, the Sea to flow and ebb, the celeſtial Bodies to keep their Stated regular motions. Tis the Divine Power, that upholds or preſerves the Natural Powers, which are in all living Creatures; and ſo in men as well as in others. Tis the Divine Power that upholds in men, the animal faculties of Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, &c. and that does concur with theſe faculties in ſuch Senſations. So the Divine Power preſerves the Rational Soul, all its natural powers and abilities, and concurs with the faculties in all their natural operations. If God ſhould with-draw his ſuſtaining power, the Creature would preſently ſink into its original nothing. Or if God ſhould preſerve the Creature in being, yet it could not act, exert or exerciſe its uſual natural powers, if the Divine Agency or Concourſe were with-held. All the actions of the Soul may be call'd Natural, as perform'd by the Rational natural faculties (whether Supernaturally or Graciouſly aſſiſted or not) tho' at the ſame time they may be call'd Moral too, as they refer to the Rule or Law of Actions. Now conſider'd as Natural Actions, a Divine Concourſe is abſolutely neceſſary▪ in order to the performance of them. Divine power actually upholds and aſſiſts the faculties of the Soul, in all their operations. And ſince there is ſuch a Divine Concourſe, in all humane actions outward or inward, it neceſſarily follows, that God knows all the motions and actions even of the Souls of men. For the Soul can do no action without … Divine Concourſe, inaſmuch therefore as God, power is concern'd in ſuch an action, he muſt needs know all about it. That God knows the hearts of men, is evident,
2. Becauſe he has given Laws, to regulate and govern even the hearts of men. The Divine law requires us, to Love the Lord our God with all our Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength; and our Neighbour as our ſelves, Mat. 22 37—39. It forbids us to Hate our Neighbour, Lev. 19 17. It bids us Trust in God, Rejoyce in him, it bids us be Patient; and indeed multitudes of Divine Precepts, have an Immediate direct reference, to the Inward Motions of the Soul which other Men cannot ſee. Nay indeed all the Commands of God reach to the Soul, to the heart; for we ſhould obey and ſerve God with all our heart. Now ſince God gives laws, to regulate even the inward ſecret actions of the heart, the Soul, it plainly follows, that he knows thoſe inward ſecret actions; for if he knew them not, his laws would ſignify nothing, he could not tell when they were kept or broken, and ſo could not puniſh or reward Men according to their ways. That God knows the hearts of Men, appears,
3. From plain direct Aſſertions in Scripture. God is a boundleſs Infinite Being, He's every where Preſent, and neceſſarily knows all things. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the Evil and the good, Prov 15 3 There is no Creature that is not manifeſt in his ſight, all things are open and naked, to the eyes of him with whom we have to do, Heb 4.13. Man is a ſhort ſighted Creature, many things are hid from his eye; but nothing is hid from Gods eye He knows all the outward bodily actions of men, tho' done never ſo ſecretly. For the Darkneſs hideth not from him, but the … ſhineth as the day: the darkneſs and the light are both alike to him, Pſal. 139.12. Indeed his eyes are open, on all the ways of the Sons of Men, Jer. 32.19 Men commonly know thoſe things, that are done before their Face, under their eye, they looking on; Well, Gods eyes are always open, and that on all the ways of the Sons of men. So God knows all the Words men ſpeak, tho' never ſo ſecretly Whiſper'd: Pſal. 139 4 There is not a Word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord thou knowest it altogether. No, not One word but what God exactly knows. Tho' 'tis utter'd with the loweſt Whiſper, 'tis as audible to God as Thunder. And indeed in the Judgment day, Men ſhall give an account of every late Word they ſpeak, Mat. 12.36. Men ſometimes plot, contrive, cabal to carry on ſome vile deſign; poſſibly they uſe utmoſt care to keep the matter Secret; but alas, God hears every word about it. But beſides all this, God as fully knows the Hearts of men, as he does their Words or outward Actions. Solomon ſaid to God, 1 King 8.39. Thou even thou only, knoweſt the hearts of all the Children of Men. There is not ſo much as any one of the Children of Men, but God knows his heart. He knows all the Thoughts of men, for no thought can be with-holden from him. He knows the thoughts afar off, Pſal. 139.2. What can be more plain and expreſs than what God ſays? Ezek. 11.5. I know the things that come into your Mind, every one of them. No one ſingle thought can paſs thro' our Minds, but God obſerves it. God knows what belief we entertain in our Minds, about himſelf, about his glorious perfections, about his holy Truths and Ways; what opinions we have about our ſelves, about our own ſtate as to the future World, about our own ways and actions; what opinions we have, about other Perſons, other things, & the actions of others. He knows all our deſigns, purpoſes, contrivances of what nature ſoever they are; whether men know any thing of them or not. He knows all the arguings and reaſonings we at any time have, about any affair whatſoever. God knows all our doubts, fears objections; all our hopes, deſires, wiſhes whether good or bad. He knows what we Love and what we Hate, what we Grieve for or Rejoyce at. In a word, God is moſt perfectly acquainted with all the ſecret actions and motions of the Soul. He has a more exact knowledge of every mans heart, than the man himſelf has. Tis undeniably true, that God exactly knows the heart of every Perſon. This was the firſt Propoſition: we therefore proceed to the Second.
PROP. II. He will give to him according to his Ways.
GOD has made all Creatures for his own Glory. Prov. 16.4. And he will have glory from every one of them, in one way or other. As for Rational Creatures, they are Subjects capable of Moral Government; therefore God their Soveraign has given them Laws and Rules to act and walk by. They ſhould glorify God, by yielding unfeigned Obedience to his Laws; if they don't, He'll glorify himſelf in Puniſhing them for their Diſobedience. Indeed all men have ſinned, they all fell in Adam; and ſo became legally obnoxious, to the Everlaſting Wrath and Vengeance of God. But God (in the wonders of his Grace) has ſo loved the world as to give his only begotten Son, this whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting Life, Joh. 3 1… Tho' mens ſins have been never ſo many or great, yet if they heartily ſpent of and turn from them, accepting of Chriſt on Goſpel terms: they ſhall then be Pardoned and Saved for Ever. But if they don't heartily comply with this way of Salvation, they muſt periſh unavoidably to all Eternity. Well, God will call all men to an account, and he will deal with them, according to what their hearts and ways have been. He ſometimes (as we hinted before) deals with them in ſome meaſure, according to their ways even here in this world: but 'twill be more fully and compleatly done, hereafter in the Great Day of Judgment. Here therefore we may obſerve,
1. That every Perſon ſhall be brought to Judgment. We read, Mat. 23.31, 32. That all Nations muſt be gather'd before Christs Throne. They muſt be there aſſembled to be Tried Rom. 14.10. We muſt all stand before the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt. All! What muſt none be excus'd? No, not ſo much as one. Small and Great muſt appear, and the Books (wherein their thoughts words and deeds were recorded) muſt be opened, Rev. 20.12. Rulers and Ruled, Rich and Poor, High and Low, Young and Old muſt appear. The Maſter as well as the Servant, muſt then appear; thoſe that were Judges on Earth, as well as thoſe that were Judged by them. The mighty Ones of the Earth, Kings and Emperors muſt appear; and alſo the Meaneſt and Loweſt in the world. But what, may not ſome appear by Proxie? Mayn't they get ſome Attorney to repreſent them, and manage their cauſe for them? No Indeed, every one muſt Perſonally appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt. There's no poſſibility to avoid or eſcape it. Sometimes in this world, thoſe that ſhould be brought on their Trial, for ſome Crime they're accus'd of; do yet eſcape ſuch a trial. It may be they hide, and ſo can't be bro't forth; or flee, they run away and can't be ſeiz'd; or they Fee or Bribe one or other; and ſo are not Tried as they ſhould be. Such things as theſe are too common among men, but no ſuch thing can be in the Day of Judgment. The Angels ſhall be the Sheriffs (if we may ſo term them) to bring all to the Bar of Chriſt; they ſhall be the Reapers, who ſhall gather both Wheat and Tares to recieve their reſpective Doom, Mat 13 37 — 43. There's not one Man, Woman or Child in this Congregation, or in this World, but what muſt perſonally appear before the Judgment-ſeat of Chriſt.
2. There will be but two ſorts of Perſons, in the Day of Judgment. There will be the Godly and the Ungodly. The Godly are ſet forth, under the name of Sheep ſtanding at Chriſts Right hand; and the Ungodly, under the name of Goats ſtanding at his Left hand, Mat. 25.33. All that ſhall be raiſed from the Dead, and all that ſhall be Judged (for both Quick and Dead muſt be Judg'd at Chriſt's appearing, 2 Tim. 4.1.) are diſtributed into the Juſt and Unjuſt, Act, 24.15. Into thoſe that have done Good, and thoſe that have done Evil, Joh. 5.28 29.
3. All the Good Deeds of the Godly ſhall be mention'd in the Day of Judgment, and be Eternally Rewarded. We read, that their Faith ſhall be found to Praiſe, Honour and Glory, in the Day of Chriſt's appearing, 1 Pet 1.6, 7 Then, their Secret Prayers ſhall be rewarded Openly, Mat. 6 6. Their Alens-deeds ſhall then be rewarded, Mat 25.34.35. Yea we're told in general, Eph. 6.8. That whaſoever good thing any man doth, the ſame ſhall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. All the Pious Words and Counſels of the Godly; all their Juſt Righteous and Commendable Deeds; yea all their Holy Serious Thoughts, Deſigns, Purpoſes, Deſires, ſhall then be Openly Publiſhed, Eternally and Gloriouſly Rewarded; a reward of Grace ſhall then be beſtowed, for all their exerciſe of Grace here in this world. Then the Godly ſhall find by moſt bleſſed experience, that they ſerv'd a good Maſter; that none of their doings or ſufferings for Chriſt, were loſt or in vain. They'll never repent of any thing they did, or ſuffer'd for Chriſt. That day of Recompence, will be a day of inconceiveable Joy to them. No Tongue can expreſs, how ſurprizing, how raviſhing their Joy and Delight will be, and that for ever.
4. All the Sins of the Wicked ſhall be openly mention'd it the Judgment Day, and be Puniſh'd for ever. As that day will bring ſurprizing Joy and Glory to the Godly; ſo 'twill bring ſurprizing Shame, Woe and Miſery to the Wicked. Then their ſinful Deeds, ſhall be laid open before the world. Now they often ſtrive to Conceal their ſins from men, and if they can do that, they content themſelves. The Apoſtle ſays, Eph 5.12. Tis a ſhame even to ſpeak of thoſe things, which are done of them in ſecret. They do them in Secret, becauſe they're aſham'd to have them known. Job 24, 14, 15. The Murderer riſing with the Light ſlayeth the Poor and Needy; and in the Night is as a Thief. The eye alſo of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight; ſaying no Eye ſhall ſee me: and diſguiſeth his face. Thus the wicked ſeek to hide their Sins from men, but God will make them known hereafter. Doubtleſs there are many ſecret Murders, ſecret Thefts, ſecret Fornications and Adulteries, ſecret Extortions and methods of Unrighteous Gain; which the wicked would not have known to their Neighbours by any means. It may be they would not have them known to ſuch a number of People as are now in this Houſe, for all the World; and yet they muſt quickly be known to all the World For God will bring ever work into Judgment, with every ſecret thing, whether it be Good or whether it be Evil. Eccl 12 14 Wo to them that ſeek deep to hide their Counſil from the Lord▪ and their Works are in the dark, & they ſay, who ſeeth … & who knoweth us? Iſa. 29 15. But all their indeavours can never hide their Counſels nor Works from God; He ſees them and will diſcover them. Mary of the wicked would Flaſh, and be aſham'd to ſhow their heads, if but ſome of their Secret Villanies, were now known to a few of their next Neighbours; but they'll all of them be made Publick to Angels and Men, in the great Day. Abſolom's going in unto his Fathers Concubines on the houſe-top, was ſaid to be done, before all Iſrael and before the Sun, 2 Sam. 12.12 But the moſt Secret ſins of the wicked, ſhall be made more Publick than that, in the Day of Judgment. Their ſinful Words ſhall be then made publick and known, as well as their ſinful outward Actions. God will then convince ungodly ſinners, of all their hard ſpeeches which they have ſpoken againſt him, Jude v. 15. Yea of every … word they ſpeak, they muſt give an account in the Day of Judgment, Mat. 12 36 Some are now ſo harden'd in ſin, that they'll Openly ſpeak filthy, obſcene, profane, blaſphemous words. Others not ſo daringly wicked, will yet ſpeak vile abominable words in Secret; they'll Secretly revile, backbite, raiſe and ſpread ill and falſe reports of others; they'll ſecretly carry on vile deſigns of various ſorts, their Tongues are ſet on fire of hell; but alas, theſe their Tongue-tranſgreſſions ſhall be laid open before the world, in the great Day. Yea their Secret heart-ſins, which never broke forth into Words or outward Actions, ſhall then be laid open alſo. Our Saviour ſpeaks of committing Adultery in the heart, Mat. 5.28 So there are ſuch things as Heart-Thieft, Heart-Murder and the like; when the hearts of the wicked ſecretly deſire to do ſuch things, and pleaſe themſelves with the thoughts of doing them. Well, even Heart-abominations ſhall be called over, and condemned in the Judgment Day. For then, God will bring to light the hidden things of darkneſs, and the counſels of the heart ſhall be made manifest, 1 Cor. 4, 5. Indeed all the ſins of the Wicked, in their Thoughts, Words and Deeds, ſhall be made Known and Puniſh'd in the Great Day: That Day is called, Rom. 2 5 The Day of the Rebelation of Gods Righteous Judgment. Twill Indeed be a Day of Revelations, a Day of great Diſcoveries; the ſins of the Wicked ſhall then be openly diſcover'd, and God's Wrath againſt them ſhall be diſcover'd too. Then ſhall the Wicked receive from their Judge, according to all the Bad (the Evil) that they have done here in the Body, 2 Cor. 5.10. They ſhall be cover'd with Shame and Everlasting Contempt, Dan. 12.2. They ſhall receive Wrath and Vengeance, in full weight and meaſure for all their offences. Then they'll find to their moſt ſorrowful coſt, that their neglecting and provoking God, was the higheſt Folly as well as Rebellion. Their pleaſures in Sin were but for a Seaſon, their plagues for Sin will be Everlaſting. Their luſts burnt in them on Earth. Gods wrath will burn on them in hell for ever. Their Sins ſhall be ſet in order before their Faces, the view of which, will fill them with unutterable horror and confuſion for ever. Their Conſciences, which in this World are often Sleepy▪ yea ſometimes ſear'd as with an hot Iron; ſhall then be awaken'd, and ſhall roar upon them, and fill them with inconceivable anguiſh to all Eternity.
We may now proceed to the USE of theſe things, in a few Inferences.
I. We ſhould never allow our ſelves in any Sin, under the Notion of it's being SECRET. Indeed, Sins are frequently and properly diſtinguiſh'd into Open and Secret; but this diſtinction refers only to Men, and not at all to God: for all things are equally known to him. Therefore Oh Man, never indulge thy ſelf in any Sin, tho' thou canſt keep it ſecret a while from Men; ſuch Secrecy, cannot exempt thee from Puniſhment at laſt. If thou dareſt not do ſuch or ſuch an ill thing, before Men, for fear of blame, ſhame and puniſhment from them; and yet dareſt to do the ſame ill thing in Secret, then thou ſheweſt more regard to Men than to God. Tis ſaid of ſome Idolaters, Rom. 1.25. They worſhipped and ſerved the Creature, more than the Creator. So thou ſheweſt more regard to Creatures, than to the Creator; if thou canſt dare to Sin becauſe 'tis in Secret. Thou ſheweſt more regard to Mans preſence, than to Gods preſence; to Mans eye than to Gods eye. Canſt thou dare to Steal, becauſe men don't ſee thee? But conſider Oh man, the Great GOD, the Holy JEHOVAH ſtands by and looks on. Canſt thou commit Fornication or Adultery, becauſe there are no humane Witneſſes by? But conſider, the great GOD ſees thy filthineſs, as plainly as he ſaw Abſoloms on the Houſe top, before all Iſrael and before the Sun. Canſt thou dare to extort, cheat, defraud, becauſe thou reckoneſt thou canſt hide it from men? But alas, notwithſtanding all thy Whiffling ſhuffling tricks, notwithſtanding all the baffling plea's thou doſt uſe with thy Sleepy Conſcience; yet God obſerves very critically, all thy methods of Unrighteous gain; and he ſtamps a curſe on thee for them. 1 Theſ. 4.6. That no man go beyond or defraud his brother in any matter (not in any matter whatſoever) becauſe the Lord is the avenger of all ſuch. Canſt thou dare among ſome of thine Intimates, to belye, revile, reproach others, to blaſt their reputation, to raiſe or ſpread ill reports of them; canſt thou dare to do this, thinking 'twont be known that it comes from thee, or that it can't be prov'd upon thee? Alas, the great GOD hears, and critically obſerves all this thy wickedneſs. So far as thou doſt Indulge any Sin, under the Notion of it's being Secret; ſo far thou doſt practically deny God to be Omnipreſent, and Omniſcient. For thou ſeemeſt to ſuppoſe, that there is no God, or that he is not an Allſeeing and Holy Judge. Oh let not ſuch curſed Atheiſm prevail in thy Soul. Thou ſhouldeſt avoid Sin chiefly for this reaſon, to wit, that it diſpleaſeth and provoketh God; therefore thou ſhouldſt avoid Secret as well as Open Sins, for the former as well as the latter are known to him, and provoke him. The Allſeeing eye of thy glorious Judge is always upon thee, by Day and by Night, whether alone or in company; let the thought; of this, keep thee from allowing thy ſelf in any known Sin whatſoever. When Joſeph was tempted to Sin in Secret, he reply'd, Gen. 39 9. How ſhall I do this great wickedneſs, and Sin againſt God! He dare not do it, tho' in Secret as to Men, for he conſider'd that God would ſee and be provok'd with it.
II. We ſhould Repent even of our Secret Sins. Tis not enough, that we repent of our Sinful Words and Actions, which are commonly known to thoſe about us: but we ſhould heartily Repent of our Secret Sins too, for our glorious Judge knows them all. Oh Man, Woman, it may be thou haſt been guilty of ſecret Murder, ſecret Fornication or Adultery, ſecret Lyes or Perjuries, ſecret Reproaches and Defamations, ſecret Thiefts, Cheats, Frauds and Curſed methods of unrighteous gain; Well, God thy glorious Judge knows all theſe things What if men don't know them, yet thy Judge does, and he needs no Witneſſes. What if thou ſhouldſt go on Secretly in thy Wickedneſs, and go Impenitent and Undiſcover'd to the Grave? What then? why all thy ſecret Villanies, ſhall hereafter be publiſh'd before the World, and be Publiſh'd for ever. Therefore ſpeedily Repent of Secret (as well as open) wickedneſs. Awaken thy ſleepy Conſcience, let it do it's office, let it ſpeak plainly and faithfully; hearken to it's reproofs, don't ſtiffle them; for it will roar dreadfully hereafter, and that to thine eternal confuſion too, if ſpeedy hearty Repentance prevent not. Oh be ſerious and in good earneſt, examine thine heart, thy paſt actions Secret as well as others; unfeignedly Repent of, Mourn for, and Turn from even all thy Secret as well as open Sins. And if thou haſt Secretly wrong'd others, in their Name or Eſtates, do thine utmoſt to make Reparation. Don't keep what thou haſt gotten in any unjuſt way, tho' never ſo ſecretly; thou wilt keep the Curſe and Wrath of God on thy Soul, if thou doſt. Oh take warning before 'tis too late, ſpeedily and heartily Repent▪ fly to the blood of JESUS for Pardon, and forſake thy evil ways. GOD is now calling on thee and warning of thee to Repent; if thou doſt not now take warning, it may be few or no more warnings may be given thee: or if they be, poſſibly God may Judicially give thee up to a ſeared Conſcience; and may ſay, Let him that is filthy be filthy ſtill, let him that is unjuſt be unjuſt ſtill▪ What if God ſhould ſay, if ſuch an one, or ſuch an one does not take warning, repent and reform now; then he ſhall go on in his ſecret ways of wickedneſs, and ſhall be blinded and hardened in Sin, till he drops into the unquenchible flames of the pit below; if God ſhould ſay thus, how dreadful would it be! For the Lords Sake, and for our Souls Sake▪ let us conſider theſe things and impreſs them on our Conſciences.
III. Here's matter of Support and Comfort to the Godly, under falſe Charges and Accuſations laid againſt them. The world is commonly fill'd with groundleſs Rumors and falſe Reports; and the Godly often ſuffer much by them. The Apoſtle ſaid, Rom. 3.8 We be ſlandorouſly Reported. David ſaid, Pſal. 35.11. Falſe Witneſſes did riſe up, they laid to my Charge things that I knew not. Well, the conſideration of the All-ſeeing Eye of our Glorious Judge, ſhould quiet and ſupport us if at any time vile falſe Reports are raiſed of us. If any Charge us with ſaying ſuch or ſuch ill things, which we never ſaid; or with doing ſuch or ſuch ill things which we never did; or with having ſome ill deſign which we never had; if it be ſo, this may Support us, That GOD who knows all things and will Judge us at laſt, knows that we are Innocent in theſe matters. If our Conſciences Teſtify for us in ſuch Caſes, they are better (as to our own inward Peace and Satisfaction) than a Thouſand Witneſſes. Indeed, if men raiſe falſe Reports of us, and our Name ſuffer thereby; we ſhould ſeriouſly Conſider God's Hand in ſuch Affliction, (David Ey'd the Hand of God in Shimei's Curſing) inquire into the Voice and Meaning of ſuch a Providence, and Indeavour to comply therewith by growing more Humble and Holy. Yet ſo far as we are Innocent, the thoughts of our Innocency being known to God, ſhould greatly Quiet and Comfort us.
IV. We ſhould be Incouraged to Secret Duties. As the Conſideration, of the All-ſeeing Eye of our Glorious Judge, ſhould keep us from Secret as well as Open Sins; ſo it ſhould quicken us to Secret as well as Open Duties. We ſhould be Religious in our Caſes, as well as in the place of God's Publick …. Remember what Motive our Lord …, to Quicken unto Secret Prayer, Mat. 6 6. Enter into thy Cloſet, and when thou haſt ſhort thy Door, Pray to thy Father which ſeeth in Secret; and thy Father which SEETH IN SECRET ſhall REWARD THEE OPENLY. God Sees and will Reward, Secret as well as Open Duties; therefore we ſhould be Incourag'd to them We ſhould be Quicken'd to do what's Good and Laudable, tho' men don't ſee us, tho' there's little or no notice taken of it by others; for God ſees every Sincere Duty, is Pleas'd with it and will Reward it. If men give Alms out of Obedience to God, tho' ſo Secretly that their right hand ſcarce knows what their left hand does; yet he that ſees in Secret will reward it Openly. Such Alms ſhall come up for a Memorial before God. He that is Secretly and Sincerely (as well as Externally) Pious, ſhall be Openly and Eternally Glorious.
V. We ſhould uſe utmost Diligence to be Sincere and Hearty, in all our External Religious (or other Commendable) Performances God not only hears all our Words and ſees our Outward Actions, but He alſo obſerves the Inward Principles from whence they flow; even all the ſecret Deſigns of the heart in them. Many things have a fair Outſide to men's Eye, but a black In-ſide to God's Eye. The Phariſees did Outwardly appear Righteous to Men but Inwardly were full of Iniquity and Hypocriſy: All the good things they did, they did them to be ſeen of Men, Mat. 23.5, 38. Men often ſerve the Devil and their own Luſts, under a Mask of Religion, under a plauſible ſhow and pretence of Holineſs. Abſolom asks leave to go to Hebron, under a pretence of paying his Vows to God; when Treaſon was in his Heart; his deſign was to raiſe a Rebellion againſt his Royal Father. Jezebel orders a Fast, pretends to have Juſtice done, and a Reformation wrought; when the deſign was, to Murder Naboth and get his Vineyard. Herod Inquires after the holy Child Jeſus, pretending to Worſhip him, but intending to Murder him, Mat. 2. ch Alas, the Devil transforms himſelf into an Angel of Light, and his Children often Imitate him in ſuch helliſh diſſimulation. They often pretend much zeal for God, when indeed their hearts are Set on their wickedneſs. Well, let us never allow our ſelves in ſuch hypocritical practices, for GOD our Judge Sees our Hearts; tho' 'tis poſſible to deceive Men 'tis impoſſible to deceive God. Let our main care therefore be, to approve our hearts to God in all we do. We all call our ſelves Chriſtians, we profeſs and pretend to be the Diſciples of Chriſt; but if we are not hearty and ſincere in it, God will damn us for our Unbelief and Hypocriſy. If we have not the Power as well as the Form, of Godlineſs; if we have not Oyl in our Veſſels (i. e. Grace in our Souls) as well as in our Lamps (i. e our outward Profeſſion) then we ſhall periſh for ever. Therefore On Man, be a Chriſtian indeed and in truth, unfeignedly receive Chriſt on Goſpel-termes, and live to him as Prince and Saviour. Outward ſhews without inward Sincerity, will avail thee nothing in a dying-hour What tho' thou doſt profeſs the ſelf … Chriſtian, what if thou art a Church Member, and doſt lead a blameleſs Life in the view of Men, and all thy Neighbours count thee an eminent Saint; yet if thy heart be unſound and hypocritical, God will caſt thee into Hell for ever. Ih never content nor ſatisfie thy ſelf, meerly in approving thy ſelf to Men, and getting their good Opinion of thee; but approve thy heart to God in all things. Don't content thy ſelf in doing thoſe things that are Materially good, but ſee that thine heart be right with God, in the doing of them. When thou heareſt a Sermon, let thy heart be Ingag'd with God in that Duty. When thou makeſt a Prayer, let thine Heart as well as thy Mouth draw nigh to God. Oh Chriſtian, take heed that thou doſt not deceive thy ſelf, even in doing that which is Materially good and commendable. Be vigorous to promote every thing that's Holy Juſt and Good; yet don't be Hypocritical in it, don't do it to be ſeen of men: but do it out of hearty Obedience to God, aiming at his Glory therein, for he ſees thy heart whatever thy pretences are. Be zealous againſt Sin in others, duely to witneſs againſt and ſuppreſs it; this is thy Duty, don't neglect it. Yet don't allow the ſame Sins, nor any others in thy ſelf. And again take heed, that thou art not carryed forth by a Spirit of prejudice or revenge; for if 'tis perſonal prejudice or revenge, that makes thee condemn the faults of others, then thou doſt ſerve the Devil and thine own luſts in doing it: thou doſt make the luſts of others, fuel for thine own luſts to feed on. Take heed therefore that thy heart be right with God, even in doing thoſe things which are Materially good and laudable; for God ſees the heart, and hares Hypocriſy. He hates Robbery for burnt offerings, Iſa 61 8 He hates that Men under a pretence of honouring him, ſhould ſerve the Devil and their own corruptions. Therefore do the things that God commands, but do them with an Upright Heart, and with Sincere Deſigns.
VI. We ſhould not allow our ſelves in any thing, but what we can give a good account of in the Day of Judgment. Surely this ſhould be our greateſt Study and Care, ſince our Text tells us, That God will Give to every one according to his ways. It may be when we are to manage ſuch or ſuch an affair, we think and conſider what to do in it; and we inquire in our own Minds, what will ſuch and ſuch Perſons, it may be great Men, or it may be ſome intimate Friends or near Relations; what will they think or ſay of it, how will they like it? I ſay, it may be we are apt to reaſon thus with our ſelves, about what we are going to do (and indeed it may not be improper, in many caſes and circumſtances thus to query) but our great inquiry ſhould be. How will God like of it? What will our glorious Judge think of it? Will it pleaſe him? Then let us do it tho' it diſpleaſe all men. Will it diſpleaſe God? Then let us ſhun it tho' Men are never ſo much provok'd thereby. Let us act or not act, as ſhall be moſt for our Peaceable and Comfortable account, in the great Day of Judgment. According as we behave our ſelves now, ſo ſhall we be dealt with here-after. For we are told Joh. 5.28, 29. (with which I ſhall conclude) All that are in they Graves ſhall hear his (that is, Chriſt's) Voice, and ſhall come forth; they that have done good to the Reſurrection of Life, and they that have done Evil to the Reſurrection of Damnation.
BOSTON, N E. Printed by B. Green, for a Publick Good. 1710.
End of the text · Benjamin Wadsworth, Dissuasive from Tavern Haunting and Excessive Drinking (1710)