Sermon for the Reformation of Manners, Sermon
A SERMON For the Reformation of Manners, &c.
Pſalm LI. 13.
Then will I teach Tranſgreſſors thy Ways, and Sinners ſhall be Converted unto Thee.
IN theſe Words David ſpeaks not only as became a Penitent and a Convert, a Prophet and a Preacher, but alſo as became his Royal Dignity and State, the King of Iſrael. Not only is it the part of the Prieſthood, but it belongs alſo to the Prince and the Civil Ruler, to endeavour the Reclaiming of Tranſgreſſors, and the Converſion of their People from Sin unto GOD.
IT being therefore Recommended to me to day by the Honourable the GOVERNMENT over us, to read publicly unto You the ROYAL PROCLAMATION Emitted by our Soveraign Lord the KING, for the Encouragment of Vertue and Piety, and for the preventing and puniſhing of Vice Prophaneſs and Immorality, and to Enforce the ſame with a ſutable Exhortation to you; I have choſen theſe Words of the Royal Prophet, King DAVID, to uſher in the moſt pious Reſolution and Declaration of our Proteſtant King; in which like David He would teach Tranſgreſſors GOD's ways, and would have Sinners converted unto Him.
YOU are therefore preach'd to rather from the Throne to day than from the Pulpit: But indeed from the Throne of GOD (by whom Kings reign, and by whoſe Laws they are to govern) from his High Throne you are always taught.
IN theſe Words of Holy David you may Obſerve,
I. A gracious Purpoſe and holy Reſolution: I will teach Tranſgreſſors thy Ways. It is no ways below a Prince to do this; but it is the ſpecial Duty and Office of a Prophet always to be doing it. Who would not hearken to, learn of and obey ſuch a Teacher? Where the Word of a King is there is Power. He ſpeaks from GOD, a Greater KING, whoſe Name is dreadful.
BUT whom would the King of Iſrael teach? the Sinner and the Tranſgreſſor? the Profane and Impious? Yes: for the King is alſo the Lawgiver and the Judge.
AND what would He teach them? GOD's ways. The Ways of Religion and Holineſs: GOD's Laws and Commandments: the way of Life and of Salvation.
TRULY a moſt pious and Princely Care for the Good and Welfare of his People, and a moſt devout and worthy Regard to the Will and Honour of GOD.
TRANSGRESSORS might fear the Wrath of ſuch a Religious King, and look to be puniſhed with Severity; but He would firſt have them Inſtructed carefully and taught their Duty, and then if they ſtill go on to tranſgreſs he would ſee the Laws in force againſt them duly Executed. This was David's Purpoſe and Reſolution.
II. OBSERVE the End which He propoſes, and the good Effect which He promiſes to Himſelf, in teaching Tranſgreſſors GOD's ways: And that is their Converſion unto GOD. The moſt kind, the moſt noble and generous Intention that one could poſſibly have. And a moſt natural Effect of Divine teaching. For why are we taught GOD's ways, but to turn our feet into His Teſtimonies?
HAPPY the People whoſe Prince labours their Converſion from Sin into the Holy ways of Religion and true Godlineſs. Such a Prince is indeed the Father of his People, and in GOD's ſtead. He rules for GOD and in his Fear.
BUT as the Converſion of Tranſgreſſors from their evil ways, was David's aim and deſire, ſo he perſuades himſelf of Succeſs, and expreſſes a humble Confidence thro' Grace that it would be ſo: Sinners ſhall be converted unto Thee.
MAN propoſes well very often, but GOD only knows the Event. Eſpecially is it thus in perſuading men, whoſe hearts are only in God's hand. How often are we ready to promiſe our ſelves great Succeſs, but how vain are our Expectations for the moſt part! However, it is nobly propoſed, and GOD is to be Confided in that Sinners ſhall be converted while they are taught GOD's ways. For the Converſion of Sinners is the very End of Teaching.
III. IN the Text we may obſerve Something referr'd to and ſuppoſed, on the Suppoſition whereof it is that David forms his preſent holy Reſolution and Expectation: Then will I teach—ſays He. When ſhould it be? what doth this Then refer to?
IF you look into the Pſalm you find it to be the moſt Eminent of his Penitentials. He had been himſelf a Great Tranſgreſſor in the matter of Uriah: this he confeſſes and bewails and implores the forgivneſs of and to be cleanſed from the pollution of: He was now a happy Penitent and pardoned, but not ready to conclude ſo of himſelf ſuddenly: He begs therefore in the Verſes before my Text that GOD would clear up to him the Truth of his own Repentance and pardoned ſtate, his own Renovation and GOD's Reconciliation, and ſo reſtore unto him the Joy of his Salvation, and then (ſays he) will I teach Tranſgreſſors thy ways, and Sinners ſhall be Converted unto thee.
PENITENTS have been ſome of the beſt Teachers. They can ſpeak feelingly, by a ſad and by a happy Experience. In Gratitude to God who has forgiven them they will teach others, and who will teach with more pathos, pertinence, tenderneſs and power? This is the Teaching which we might truſt will convert Tranſgreſſors.
Here then we learn theſe three Truths.
I. Tranſgreſſors muſt be taught GOD's ways.
II. In teaching them GOD's ways we muſt propoſe and aim at their Converſion to Him.
III. We had need get ſome happy Experience of our own Converſion, and GOD's free Forgivneſs of our own Sins, in order to our teaching others the ways of GOD, with any hope of being Inſtrumental to convert them.
I do not propoſe any full Diſcourſe on either of theſe great and copious Truths, but only a general Reflection or two on one and other of them.
I. TRANSGRESSORS muſt be taught GOD's ways. But who are Tranſgreſſors? and what are GOD's ways? and who muſt teach them? and why muſt they needs be taught? and how muſt it be done? … Very briefly.
1. WHO are Tranſgreſſors? A general and full Anſwer to this the Apoſtle John gives us 1 Joh. 3.4. Whoſoever committeth Sin tranſgreſſeth the Law, for Sin is the Tranſgreſſion of the Law. So that whoever lives in any ſinful way, in any known and allowed courſe of Diſobedience to the Will and Word of GOD, he is a Tranſgreſſor. We are called Tranſgreſſors from the womb, and that moſt truly, being born in Sin and by Nature under the Power and Rule of it. Every Act of ſin, and any one Act of it, makes a Man a Tranſgreſſor in the ſight of GOD and of his own Conſcience. The beſt man that lives is a hainous Tranſgreſſor in the impartial Judgment of his own Heart: for in many things we offend all, and he that offends in one point is guilty of all. Job 13.23. How many are my Iniquities? make me to know my Tranſgreſſion and my Sin.
BUT to be ſure the Text means at leaſt Impenitent and Unconverted Sinners; and it may be more eſpecially the openly Irreligious, leud and profane. In this groſs ſenſe our Saviour was numbred with Tranſgreſſors. And for ſuch the Law is made; for the lawleſs and diſobedient, for the ungodly and for ſinners, for unholy and prophane. 1 Tim. 1.9. i.e. to reſtrain from ſuch Ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men, by revealing the wrath of GOD from Heaven a gainſt it; or to doom them unto Everlaſting Deſtruction in caſe of final Impenitence therein.
LET us then underſtand here by Tranſgreſſors all Impenitent and ungodly Sinners, both ſecret and open: the laſt are Tranſgreſſors in the ſight of men, the firſt before GOD.
2. WHAT are GOD's ways? which muſt be taught to Tranſgreſſors, and which they need to learn. I anſwer
Firſt, GOD's ways are the holy Precepts, Rules and Directions of his written Word, his revealed Will; wherein the Indiſpenſible Duty of ſinful Man is laid down, what he muſt be and do to be ſaved. In theſe are contained the whole Way of Holineſs, the way of life, the way to Heaven Luk. 10.25, 26. Or
Secondly, GOD's ways may here in particular mean the Manner of his dealing with Souls in bringing them to Repentance, and graciouſly pardoning them upon their Repentance; together with the Neceſſity of inſtant Repentance, and the dreadfulneſs of His Wrath in caſe of final Impenitence. The penitent and pardoned David had well learn'd theſe Holy Leſſons, and was well able to Inſtruct Tranſgreſſors both in the way of GOD's convincing a Soul of Sin, renewing him to Repentance, and ſealing to him his pardon. He wou'd now teach to Sinners their way unto GOD by Repentance, and GOD's ways of Mercy and Grace toward them that repent. Pſal. 66.16. Come all you—and I will declare what GOD hath done for my Soul: I cried unto him with my Mouth (ſay, under the pains of Guilt) and he was extolled with my Tongue, (under the Joyful ſenſe of his pardoning Mercy.)
TRANSGRESSORS need to be taught theſe things, that they may "neither fearleſly perſiſt in their ungodly Courſes, nor under the Conviction of the Evil of them deſpair of finding Mercy. Tranſgreſſors muſt be taught how evil and bitter a thing it is to tranſgreſs GOD's Laws; and how CHRIST hath finiſhed Tranſgreſſion, and made an End of Sin, and made Reconciliation for Iniquity.
3. WHO muſt teach Tranſgreſſors GOD's Ways? I will, ſaid David. Let us every one anſwer like him for our ſelves, and ſay—So will I, and ſo will I. We all may do it, and ought to do it, each one in his own place. Every man in his own line is his Brothers Keeper, Monitor and Teacher. But more particularly,
Firſt, IT is the Immediate Office of the Miniſters of Religion to teach Tranſgreſſors GOD's ways. They are Called and Separated unto this very Work. GOD has ordained that there be an Order of men Devoted to Inſtruct others in his Will, to admoniſh them not to dare to offend againſt it, to require them to Obſerve it, to declare his Wrath againſt the Diſobedient, and his Mercy to them that obey him. Neceſſity is therefore laid upon Us, and wo unto us if we preach not the Goſpel; which is a Doctrine of Repentance and the Remiſſion of Sin, as CHRIST Himſelf came to call Sinners to Repentance.
Secondly, Magiſtrates are alſo ordained of GOD to be His Miniſters in the Gates, there to teach Tranſgreſſors his ways. So Moſes, Joſhua, and the Judges of Iſrael, Samuel, David and Solomon; Aſa, Jehoſhaphat and Hezekiah; Joſiah, Nehemiah, &c. taught their People the way of the LORD. And the ſame is Incumbent on the Chriſtian Magiſtrate, even to require of their Subjects Obedience to the Divine Laws, and to puniſh the open Contempt and Violation of them. The Legiſlature teach GOD's ways in the Good Laws they Enact for the promoting his Worſhip and true Religion, Morality and Vertue among their People, and for the puniſhing of Irreligion and Prophaneſs, vice and wickedneſs. And while They do this and rule according to Godlineſs, it is as much Irreligion and as ſure Damnation to diſobey Them, as it is not to comply with the Word which we preach. And this ſeems the real Scope of what the Apoſtle teaches us in that famous place, Rom. 13.1,—5. Let every Soul be ſubject to the Higher Powers. For there is no Power but of GOD: The Powers that be are ordained of GOD. Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth the Power, reſiſteth the Ordinance of GOD; and they that reſiſt ſhall receive to themſelves Damnation. For Rulers are not a Terror to good Works but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good and thou ſhalt have praiſe of the ſame: For he is the Miniſter of GOD to thee for Good. But if thou do that which is evil be afraid; for he beareth not the Sword in vain: for he is the Miniſter of GOD, a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye muſt needs be ſubject, not only for wrath, but alſo for Conſcience ſake.
Thirdly, I might go on and ſay, Chriſtians muſt teach every one his Nei'bour, and every one his Brother, ſaying, Know the LORD, and let us walk in his ways. You are a People of Religion, and are to watch over one another in love, as Brethren in Chriſt: You muſt love your Brother in your heart, and not ſuffer Sin upon him, but muſt in any wiſe rebuke thy Nei'bour. We muſt be Exhorting one another daily while it is called to day, leſt any be hardned thro' the Deceitfulneſs of Sin. 1 Theſ. 5.14. Now we exhort you Brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, ſupport the weak,—and ever follow that what is good both among your ſelves and toward all men.
IN particular, Relatives ſhould teach one another GOD's ways: Parents their Children, Husbands their Wives, Maſters their Servants; every One his Houſhold as Abraham and David did theirs, to keep the way of the LORD.
THUS we may be all of us Teachers to one another, being our ſelves taught of GOD naturally to care for each others Souls. And if any one be a Tranſgreſſor and he come in our way, let us wiſely tell him the Evil of his way and the Miſery therein; the Excellency of GOD's ways, and the Neceſſity of his Converſion into them. But
4. WHY muſt Tranſgreſſors needs be taught? The Reaſons are too many to give them all, and too obvious to need almoſt to name them. For is not the Word of GOD written, and the Preaching thereof ordained, for this very End? The Law is nigh thee, even in thy hand and heart and mouth; and is to dwell richly in us, teaching and admoniſhing one another; being profitable for Doctrine, for reproof, for Correction and Inſtruction in Righteouſneſs.
MOREOVER, The Relations wherein GOD has ſet us one toward another cannot be otherwiſe anſwered, or the Duties of them diſcharg'd according to his Will and unto his Glory. He has made us of one Blood, made us together his Covenant People, ſet us in our Offices and in a Chriſtian Brotherbood, told us how we muſt carry it one to another and fulfil the Law of love, pleaſe and honour him, do good and be Bleſſings in the World, and be bleſſed our ſelves for Evermore.
TRANSGRESSORS are ſo hard to learn, dull of hearing and ſlow of heart, to believe, that therefore they ſhould the rather be taught. And Compaſſion to their Immortal Souls ſhould be inſtead of a thouſand Arguments with us, to be at any pains to teach them. How do we hate 'em in our hearts if we ſuffer them to periſh in the ways of Sin? It were more Inhumane and barbarous than to let a blind man go over a Precipice, and not tell him his danger or ſet him in his way: or to ſee a Mad-man ſtabbing himſelf and not hold his hand.
Finally, The good Order of the World, the peace and welfare of Mankind, require that Tranſgreſſors be taught GOD's ways. The Foundations of the World are elſe out of courſe, and the Earth and all its Inhabitants muſt diſſolve. This bears up the Pillars of it,—I ſaid unto the Fools deal not fooliſhly, and to the wicked lift not up the born.
THERE wou'd be no living here on Earth, if it were not for the Inſtruction and Government which GOD has ſet up among men. Our Sabbaths and the Preaching of GOD's Word are an unknown Good to a wicked World tho' ſo few are converted; and ſo is the Reſtraint that lies on Mankind for fear of the Sword of the Magiſtrate and the laſh of humane Laws.
BUT the laſt and chief Reaſon why Tranſgreſſors muſt be taught GOD's ways is their Converſion and Salvation: of which hereafter.
5. And laſtly, HOW muſt we teach them? I anſwer
1. AUTHORITATIVLY. For it is in GOD's cauſe, and in his ſtead, and we may be bold, as an Inferior Officer may command in the King's Name. Magiſtrates may not fear a Multitude, nor Miniſters the Faces of any. Our Lord taught as one having Authority, and he has veſted his Miniſters in his own Authority: Tit. 2.15. Theſe things ſpeak and exhort, and rebuke with all Authority, let no man deſpiſe thee.
2. THE Great and powerful Motives of Religion muſt be taught together with the Doctrines and Rules of it: the Penalty with the Precept, the Promiſes and Threatnings together with the Commandments. Life and Death, the Bleſſing and the Curſe muſt be ſet before men, together with the Statutes and Judgments. So Moſes denounced unto Iſrael that they ſhould ſurely periſh quickly in caſe of Diſobedience and Impenitence: and ſo ſaid the Apoſtle, Knowing the Terrors of the LORD we perſuade men.
3. WE muſt teach Tranſgreſſors with Meekneſs and Love, Affection and Entreaty. What will ye, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Corinthians, ſhall I come unto you with a Rod? or in love and in the Spirit of Meekneſs? He had Authority to do the one, in caſe of Contumacy; and Goodneſs eno' to chuſe the other in caſe there were any hopes of prevailing on them by kindneſs and Gentleneſs. Read the Character of the LORD's Servant, 2 Tim. 2.24. The Servant of the LORD muſt not ſtrive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekneſs Inſtructing them that oppoſe themſelves, if GOD peradventure will give them Repentance. And accordingly the Apoſtles of our Lord JESUS have left us this Example: I beſeech you by the meekneſs and Gentleneſs of CHRIST: As tho' GOD did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſt's ſtead: Wherefore tho' I might be much bold in Chriſt to Injoyn thee that which is Convenient, yet for Love-ſake 1 rather Entreat thee. So Gentle is the Goſpel toward Sinners and Saints, amidſt all its Authority and Terrors.
4. TRANSGRESSORS muſt be taught with all Long-ſuffering: patience as well as lenity. 2 Tim. 4.2. God bears long with the perverſneſs and Obſtinacy of men, and ſtill waits on them to be gracious. Num. 14.11. How long will this People provoke me? how long ſhall it be e'er ye believe me? We continue therefore in our Work, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and Year after Year, in Seaſon and out of Seaſon, and line muſt be upon line, and precept upon a precept, here a little and there a little: It may be they will yet hearken and receive Inſtruction! When ſhall it once be?
5. And laſtly, IF Tranſgreſſors will not learn GOD's ways, but openly defy and violate his Commandments, They muſt then be taught as Gideon taught the men of Succoth, with the briars and thorns of the Wilderneſs. I mean, That open Tranſgreſſors fall under public Church-Cenſures, and under the laſh of the Civil Law; both which are ordained by GOD for the opening mens Ears to Diſcipline, and to command them to return from Iniquity. So the cenſur'd Corinthian was humbled and reſtored: and ſo Hymeneus was delivered to Satan that he learn not to blaſpheme. And ſo has the LORD commanded, Them that Sin rebuke before all, that others may fear. And for the ſame Reaſon is the Civil Magiſtrate the Miniſter of GOD, and the Penalties of the Civil Law are GOD's Ordinance,—that all Iſrael may hear and fear and do no more ſo wickedly.
AND thus have I briefly ſaid, who are Tranſgreſſors? and what are GOD's ways? and who muſt teach them? and why they muſt needs be taught? and how it muſt be done?
BUT the two laſt of theſe Enquiries may receive a farther Anſwer in the next Obſervation.
II. IN teaching Tranſgreſſors GOD's way we muſt propoſe and aim at their CONVERSION unto GOD. This is the End of Divine Teaching: to turn men from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Sin and Satan unto GOD. The Miniſtry of the Word ſerves unto this glorious End, and this we muſt propoſe in all other Occaſional Inſtructions unto any. This is inſtead of a thouſand Reaſons why we ſhould teach, and why ſinners ſhould hear and learn: And this gives us a Rule and Direction how to teach, namely, ſo as may beſt tend to the Converſion of men from the ways of Sin. How ſeriouſly therefore, and with what Earneſtneſs and Importunity, Affectionatneſs and Solemnity, ſhould we teach you GOD's Ways?
INDEED our Solemn Aſſemblies were a ridiculous Pageantry if it were not that the Converſion of Sinners is the thing propounded in them. And for want of this Actual Intention it is that the Worſhip of ſo many is a Mockery. Moreover, The Severity of a Godly and ſtrict Diſcipline in the Church, and thoſe of Humane Laws in the puniſhment of Tranſgreſſors againſt the State, were a vain thing if it were not to reclaim men from their evil ways, and reform them.
WHETHER therefore it be that we teach Sinners from the Pulpit, or whether it be the Lawgiver who does it, or the Judge; or whether it be that Chriſtians privatly inſtruct and admoniſh them that tranſgreſs againſt GOD; both one and other ought to propoſe and act for this one End, to Convert a Sinner from the Error of his way, and to ſave a Soul from death, And this very thing ſhould make Inſtructions and Reproofs welcome unto Sinners, whereon in public or in private: Let the righteous ſmite me it ſhall be a kindneſs, let him reprove me it ſhall be an excellent Oil, &c.
I wiſh truly that Teachers and Reprovers of every ſort, as well as thoſe that are Admoniſhed and corrected by them, wou'd propoſe and act for this one End, the ſpiritual and Everlaſting Good of Souls. It is to be own'd that Miniſters themſelves are too often Defective in this Actual Intention, tho' it be the very End of their Miniſtry. And more is it to be Apprehended, that the Generality of thoſe who come to hear have not at all their own Converſion and Salvation at heart. The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the Soul; i. e. perfectly fitted to this End: yet how rarely is it effectual upon the Souls of Sinners? Truly Brethren, the fault lies either on Us who preach, or on You that hear, or on both together. Either we don't eno' propoſe and act for your Converſion to GOD, or You your ſelves don't do it.
BUT then, Is it our Care alone to miniſter to the Converſion of Souls? by no means. You that are Parents, when you teach your Children the way of the Lord, is it not to beget them again unto God? And let Children hearken to their Father that begat them and unto the Law of their Mother that bare them, that by the Bleſſing of GOD on their good Inſtructions and Charges they may betimes be born again. Take heed that all this pious and tender Care of your Parents for your Souls be not loſt, and turn at laſt to your greater Condemnation, and you mourn at the laſt, How have I hated Inſtruction, and my heart deſpiſed reproof, and I have not obeyed the voice of my Teachers, nor inclined my Ear to them that inſtructed me.
BUT then there is the other great Inſtance, wherein it is to be fear'd that leaſt of all have the world of Mankind any Apprehenſion of any pious Intention for the Converſion of Sinners: ſoil. the legal Conviction and Judicial puniſhment of Tranſgreſſors, by the Civil Magiſtrate and Judge. Never the leſs it is certain that Chriſtianity obliges thoſe in the Magiſtracy to propoſe even the Converſion of Criminals and Malefactors from their vile ways unto thoſe of Vertue and true Godlineſs: And convicted Sinners ought to accept of their public Puniſhments and Shames as ſo meant: Which tho' it may ſeem ſtrange Doctrine and a ridiculous Expectation in a corrupt World, yet is in it ſelf the moſt Juſt and Reaſonable thing in the world; and renders Magiſtracy ſo much the more wirthy of the Ordination of a Holy GOD, and the Benefit of it ſo much the more Apparent in a Chriſtian State. For if the Civil Powers are ordained of God not only for the preſent peace and good Order of the world, but alſo in ſome meaſure for the Eternal Welfare of men; ſo much the more Venerable are they to a people of Religion. Nor is here any Claſhing of Orders; for as the Miniſtry of the Word tho' it directly ſerve to the bringing Souls to a better Life, yet abundantly ſerves to the peace and good Order of the World at the ſame time, ſo tho' the direct and Immediate End of Civil Government be the outward peace, tranquility and Felicity of the People, yet it has alſo really a further Aim, Influence and Effect, even in the Religion and ſpiritual Good of its Subjects.
THUS Humane Laws ſerve under the Divine, and by That theſe are to be fram'd, and to It to be ſubordinated. So Moſes and Aaron are Brethren, and join in bringing the Iſrael of GOD on toward Canaan; tho' it is JESUS only that gives 'em Reſt. And therefore the Subjection of the LORD's People muſt be Religious and Conſcientious: for the Law of GOD is one and the ſame in the mouth of the LORD's Prophet, or His Judge: Do People then reverence their Miniſters and the Word of GOD, in their Mouth? and ſhall they not pay a higher Reverence to their pious Rulers, & to a Divine Sentence in the Mouth of their KING? 1 Tim. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. I exhort therefore that firſt of all Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of Thanks be made for all men: for Kings and for all that are in Authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlineſs and Honeſty: For this is good and acceptable in the ſight of GOD our Saviour; Who will have all men to be ſaved, and to come unto the Knowledge of the Truth. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15. Submit your ſelves to every Ordinance of Man for the LORD's ſake, whether it be to the King as ſupream, or unto Governours as unto them that are ſent by Him, for the puniſhment of evil doers and for the praiſe of them that do well: For ſo is the Will of GOD that with well doing ye ſhould put to Silence the Ignorance of fooliſhment.
ONE more Obſervation lies before us from the Text, and a very Serious one it is, and with it I ſhall ſhut up my Diſcourſe.
III. THAT they whoſe Office it is to teach unto others GOD's ways, and who are to miniſter to the Converſion of Tranſgreſſors unto GOD, had need to get ſome comfortable Experience of their own Converſion, and of GOD's free Forgivneſs of their own Sins. Then will I teach Tranſgreſſors thy ways, ſays David in the Text; ſoil, When thou LORD haſt renewed and forgiven me; when thou ſhalt graciouſly give to me the happy Senſe of my Pardon and Cleanſing.
TRULY my Brethren, how ſhall we take upon us to teach others, with any proſpect of Succeſs, if we are not our ſelves taught of GOD! with what face or decency can we expect that GOD ſhould own us in this great Service, or Men regard us, if we our ſelves are the ſervants of Sin! Not but that GOD ſometimes uſes them that are wicked to do good unto the Souls of others. But what Comfort can there be in this? if after I have preached unto others I my ſelf ſhould be a Caſtaway, 1 Cor. 9.27. to be Inſtrumental to the bringing others to that Salvation, which we are never like to come unto our ſelves! how can one bear to think of it? Wherefore take heed to thy ſelf, and unto thy Doctrine (as the Apoſtle writes to Timothy) that thou mayſt both ſave thy ſelf and them that hear thee. 1 Tim. 4.16.
IT can never be expected that we ſhall be hearty, earneſt and vigilant in ſeeking the Converſion of others, if we have never felt our own miſery and periſhing ſtate without the ſaving and free Grace of GOD, nor had any Experience of the Work of Converſion in our own Souls. If we have not car'd for our own Souls, how ſhall we for the Souls of others! If we have never been apprehenſive of our own Danger in an unconverted State, how ſhall we be zealous for another's Deliverance from wrath? Or how ſhall we ſpeak aright of the Grace of GOD to others, if we know nothing of it experimentally our ſelves? How ſhall we Encourage others to go unto a SAVIOUR whom we have never ſought unto for Mercy our ſelves? nor receiv'd any Mercy from? Yea, to the wicked GOD ſaith, What haſt thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou ſhouldſt take my Covenant into thy Mouth? ſeeing thou hateſt Inſtruction and caſteſt my words behind thee. Pſal. 50.16, 17. And again, Thou therefore which teacheſt another, teacheſt thou not thy ſelf? Rom. 2.21. Apply this to every ſort of Teacher, for the Preacher of the Word is not the only Teacher whom the Reproach bears upon: It falls as hard on others. Parents, who command your Children to know and keep the way of the LORD, are you Irreligious? Man that telleſt thy Nei'bour of the Blemiſh in his Eye, haſt thou a Beam in thy own? You that by Commiſſion ſearch out and puniſh Immoralities in others, are you vicious, leud or unjuſt your ſelves? Sitteſt thou like Ananias to judge others according to Law, and breakeſt thou the Law thy ſelf? Thus the Rule holds univerſally among Chriſtians, and obliges in the Civil Order as well as in the Sacred. Thou, when thou art Converted ſtrengthen thy Brethren.
BUT if we have found Grace and Mercy from GOD to turn to Him from our own Sins, then may we in our places with good Aſſurance and Confidence teach the way of GOD to others. For how can we but ſpeak the things whereof we know the Certainty, Neceſſity and Excellency by a happy Experiance and deep Conviction in our own Souls? The things that have been freely given to us of GOD, and wro't in us by his Holy Spirit, we ſhall be ready to declare unto others. We ſhall ſpeak feelingly of them and ſo affectingly; out of the Abundance of our own hearts into the hearts of others.
HENCE Penitents have been ever ſome of the beſt Preachers to Sinners: So were David and Solomon, Peter and Paul; who had both felt the Guilt and bitterneſs of Sin, and known the Freeneſs and Riches of the Grace of GOD; and how to direct others in the way wherein the Spirit of GOD had led them, and to comfort them with the Comforts wherewith they themſelves had been comforted of GOD. 1 Tim. 1.16. For this cauſe I obtained Mercy, that in me firſt Jeſus Chriſt might ſhew forth all Long-ſuffering for a pattern to them that ſhould hereafter believe on him to Life Everlaſting.
LET us then make ſure firſt of our own Converſion to GOD, and then lay out our ſelves for the Converſion of others.
YOU that are Converted, teach others.
YOU that are to Teach, be you Converted.
YOU that are Tranſgreſſors, do you learn.
AND may the SPIRIT of GOD lift up a Standard, under which many may appear, to riſe up for Him againſt the Evil doers.
THE late Zeal of the Juſtices of the Peace in this Place to find out and ſuppreſs Vice has been very laudable. Be Encouraged from GOD to go on, and may He give you Wiſdom and Prudence, Courage and Reſolution, Integrity and a hearty Indignation of that which you declare againſt, that all Iniquity may ſtop its mouth.
THUS I have ended my own Sermon, and am now to read to you a Better, from the Superior MINISTERS of GOD and of Religion, the POWERS which GOD hath ſet over us: firſt from the KING in Supream, and then from the Immediate GOVERNMENT of the Province.
AND if what I have already ſaid may be Accepted as a Sutable EXHORTATION to Enforce the Religious Commands of the Government; and if Tranſgreſſors may be Converted to GOD by one Means or other, we have our Propoſed End, and ſhall not loſe our Reward.
HERE the Royal Proclamation of the KING, and that of the Government were read.
FINIS.
Books Sold by Samuel Gerriſh, written by the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman.
PRactical Diſcourſes upon the Parable of the Ten Virgins, being a ſerious Call and Admonition to Watchfulneſs and Diligence in preparing for Death and Judgment.
The Government and Improvement of Mirth according to the Laws of Chriſtianity: In three Sermons:
1. of Civil and Natural Mirth.
2. Carnal and Vicious.
3. Spiritual and Holy.
A Humble Diſcourſe of the Incomprehenſibleneſs of GOD: in four Sermons.
A Goſpel Miniſtry the rich Gift of the Aſcended Saviour to his Church: preached on a Day of Prayer kept by His Congregation, to implore the Divine Conduct and Bleſſing with them, in their Election of Another into the Paſtoral Office among them.
Some of the Honours that Religion does unto the fruitful Mothers in Iſrael; Meditated upon the Birth, and Preached at the Baptiſm of a Child.
The Divine Compaſſions declar'd and magnified, to Engage and Encourage the greateſt Sinners unto a ſpeedy and Earneſt Repentance: preached upon the Sorrowful Occaſion of a Miſerable Woman preſent under Sentence of Death for the Murder of her Spurious Infant.
A devout and humble Enquiry, into the Reaſons of the Divine Council in the Death of Good Men. Meditated on the Death and preached on the day of the Interment of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Bridge.
End of the text · Benjamin Colman, Sermon for the Reformation of Manners (1716)