Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 11

Twelve Single Sermons · Sermon 11

p. 216Sermon, XI. Diſobedience TO THE GOSPEL, Is a Deſpiſing of GOD.

I. THES. IV. 8.

He therefore that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not Man, but GOD.

MEN don't care to be deſpis'd themſelves, even then when they deſerve contempt; yet they often deſpiſe the ever bleſſed God, who is moſt worthy of the higheſt honour, eſteem and love. Men can't bear ſuch vile treatment from one another, as they too frequently offer to the moſt High God. p. 217That Men do ſometimes deſpiſe God, is plainly ſuppos'd in our Text, as well as aſſerted in other Places of Scripture. In the 1. v. of this Chapter the Inſpired Apoſtle exhorts the Chriſtian Theſſalonians, to abound in ſuch a walk, or holy practice, as he had taught them in Preaching the Goſpel; even ſuch a walk as would pleaſe God. After this general Exhortation, he more particularly cautions and warns them againſt Uncleanneſs; and then adds in our Text, He that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not Man, but God. It is as if he had ſaid to this purpoſe.

I and others who have faithfully Preached the Goſpel to you, are but Miniſters, Meſſengers of God, Ambaſſadors of Christ; 'tis Gods truth, His mind and will (not cuningly deviſed fables, 2 Pet. 1.16. nor commandments of Men, Mat. 15.9.) that we declar'd to you; therefore thoſe who don't live agreably to this Goſpel Preached to them, they deſpiſe not Men, but God.

Not Man but God, the meaning is, he deſpiſeth not only Man who declares this Divine Meſſage, but alſo God who ſends the Meſſage; or the aggravation of this deſpiſing is, that 'tis not ſo much againſt the Meſſenger (a frail mortal Man) as againſt God that ſends both Meſſage and Meſſenger. So, when Iſrael Murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron, Moſes ſaid to them, What are we? Your Murmurings are not against us, but againſt the Lord, Exod. 16.2, 8. So Peter ſaid to Ananias, Act. 5.4. —Thou haſt not lied unto men, but unto God. The great aggravation of the Sin was, that it, was chiefly, principally, ultimately againſt God as the object of it. So, the Apoſtle having exhorted p. 218the Theſſalonians, to live agreably to the Goſpel faithfully Preach'd to them (which Goſpel, was not the word of Men but of God, 1 Theſ. 2.13.) on ſuppoſition any of them liv'd contrary to it, ſays of ſuch an one, He is a Deſpiſer; and not a deſpiſer of Man only, but which is more vile and abominable, a deſpiſer of God alſo.

From the words we may obſerve this

DOCTRINE. Thoſe under the faithful Preaching of the Goſpel, who live contrary thereto, are Deſpiſers of God.

Here are Three Propoſitions, viz. (1.) Miniſters ſhould faithfully Preach the Goſpel. (2.) Some under ſuch faithful Preaching, live contrary to it. (3.) Such are Deſpiſers of God.

PROP. I. Miniſters ſhould faithfully Preach the Goſpel.

Such a faithful Preaching of the Goſpel, is neceſſarily ſuppos'd as the Foundation of what is ſaid in our Text, about Deſpiſing of God. For the clearing of this Propoſition, we may conſider,

1. All meer Men, at coming from fallen Adam, are Sinful and Guilty. The firſt Adam was a publick Perſon, repreſenting his Poſterity. In his falling from God, Humane Nature became Sinful and Guilty. All his Poſterity p. 219are Sharers in the Guilt of his firſt Sin, and have a ſinful Nature derived to them. By one Man Sin entred into the World, and Death by Sin; ſo Death hath paſſed upon all Men, for that all have ſinned. — By one Mans Diſobedience, many were made Sinners. Rom. 5.12, 19. As coming from fallen Adam, we are Children of Wrath by Nature; were ſhapen in Iniquity and conceived in Sin; have Hearts deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked. Every Mouth muſt be ſtopped, and all the World are guilty before God, (Rom. 3.19.) and the Wages of Sin is Death; it deſerves Eternal Damnation in Hell.

2. God of his infinite Love, gave his only begotten Son Chriſt Jeſus, to ſave Men from this ſinful, miſerable Condition. 1 Joh. 4.9. In this was manifeſted the Love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might live though him. Chriſt purchaſed his Church with his own Blood, gave himſelf a Ranſom for them, bought them with a Price, bare their Sins in his own Body on the Tree, was made a Curſe, to redeem Sinners from the Curſe of the Law, Gal. 3.13. He was manifeſted to deſtroy the Works of the Devil, to bleſs Men in turning them from their Iniquities, ſaving them from Sin, making them Holy, ſaving them from Wrath to come, and bringing them to endleſs Glory. He ſuffered, the Juſt for the Unjust, that he might bring us to God, 1 Pet. 3.18.

3. Perſons muſt turn from Sin to God in Chriſt, p. 220if ever they would obtain Salvation. Chriſt did not come to ſave Men in their Sins, but from their Sins, and from the Miſery deſerved by them. Therefore Sinners muſt Repent or Periſh, (Luk. 13.5.) Believe in Chriſt, or be Damned, (Mark 16.16.) become ſincerely Holy, elſe they can't ſee God, and be Happy, Heb. 12.14. The Scope and Deſign of the Goſpel is, To turn Men from Darkneſs to Light, from the Power of Satan to God; therefore they muſt have their Sins, with Abhorrence turn from them, truſt in Chriſt's Merits for Pardon; Love, Obey and Serve God Sincerely, if ever they would be Saved. Chriſt is the Author of Eternal Salvation, to them that obey him, Heb. 5.9. But thoſe who will not that he ſhould reign over them, are his Enemies, and ſhall be ſlain before him, Luk. 19.27.

4. Miniſters ſhould faithfully Preach theſe Things to Men. The Command to them is, 1 Tim. 4.2. Preach the Word, (that is, the Word of God, his Mind and Will made known in the Scripture,) be inſtant, in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon; rebuke, reprove, exhort, with all Long-ſuffering and Doctrine. They muſt teach Men, to obſerve all things whatſoever Chriſt has commanded, Mat. 28.20. They ſhould plainly Preach, Declare, Publiſh Scripture Doctrines, Precepts, Promiſes, Threatenings. They ſhould teſtify to Men, Repentance towards God, Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Acts 20.2…. Should plainly tell them of their Sin and Danger, warn them to forſake their Evil Ways, to believe in Chriſt, to live Holily, that they p. 221may die Safely. They ſhould urge Men to deny Ungodlineſs and worldly Lusts, to live ſoberly, godlily and righteouſly, in this preſent World; for ſo the Grace of God, which brings Salvation, teaches and requires Men to live, Tit. 2.11, 12. Thus Miniſters ſhould faithfully Preach the Goſpel.

PROP. II. Some under ſuch faithful Preaching, live contrary to it.

Indeed many under the faithful Preaching of the holy Prophets, Apoſtles, and of our holy Redeemer too; liv'd contrary to the holy Doctrines, Precepts, Exhortations that were given to them Indeed in every Age, too many who hear the Goſpel, yet live contrary to it. Here therefore we may enquire,

QUEST. When way Perſons be ſaid to live contrary to the faithful Preaching of the Goſpel?

ANSW. I might ſay in general, When they live in the Service of the Devil, of their own Luſts and Corruptions, then they live contrary to the Goſpel; for that requires them to cleanſe themſelves from all Filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting Holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. It's true, a perfect Freedom from Sin, exact, compleat Holineſs, are not attainable in this Life. There is not a just Man upon Earth, that doth good and ſinneth not, Eccl. 7.20. If we ſay we have no ſin, we deceive our ſelves; and the truth is not in us. 1 Joh. 1.8. p. 222But though Perſons can't get quite free from Sin in this World, yet they muſt hate and war againſt their Luſts and Corruptions, ſtrive to ſubdue and mortify them; they muſt not live ſerving and obeying of them, for this is quite contrary to the Goſpel. Therefore under this Propoſition, I'll briefly mention a few general Heads, and ſay, Perſons live contrary to the Goſpel,

1. When they live in groſs, vicious, ſcandalous Practices. Many under the Goſpel live in a Courſe of Drunkeneſs, that worſe than beaſtly Practice. They are every now and then Drunk, if not reeling, ſtaggering, and wallowing in their own Filthineſs, yet they drink to Invi…ible Exceſs. This is quite contrary to Gods Word, which requires Perſons to live ſoberly, denounceth Woes againſt Drunkards, and plainly ſays, they ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God Again, ſome live in filthy, unclean Practices, Fornications and Adulteries; and what can be more contrary to Gods Word than this is? For Gods Word ſays, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery, Flee Fornication, Whore▪ mongers and Adulterers God will judge, Fornicators and Adulterers ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God, &c. Again, ſome are very Unjuſt and Unrighteous in their Carriage towards Men; ſome will Rob and Steal; others who won't go ſo far as that, yet will Cheat, Defraud, Oppreſs, Extort in their Dealings. This is quite contrary to Gods Word; for that ſays, Thou ſhalt not ſteal. That no Man go beyond or defraud his Brother in any matter, becauſe the Lord is the p. 223Avenger of all ſuch, 1 Theſ. 4.6. As ye would that Men ſhould do to you, do ye alſo to them likewiſe, Luk. 6.31. Thieves and Extortioners, ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

2. When they diſregard and ſlight the Day, Worſhip and Ordinances of God. Gods Word requires, that we ſhould Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. Therefore when Perſons profane the Lords Day, his holy Sabbath, by Idleneſs, Sleeping, Gaming, or minding worldly Affairs, as if it were a common Day; they then act quite contrary to Gods Word; for this Day ſhould be ſpent in ſerious Exerciſes of Religion, both Publick and Private. Again, God bids us Pray always, Pray without ceaſing; Praying always, with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, Eph. 6.18. Publick-Prayer, Family-Prayer Morning and Evening, Secret or Cloſet-Prayer; all theſe ſhould be diligently attended by every Chriſtian, in the proper, recurring Times and Seaſons thereof. Therefore Prayerleſs Perſons, thoſe who never, or but ſeldom call on God, they live directly contrary to his holy Word. Prayerleſs Perſons will be condemn'd from that, Phil. 4.6. In every thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving, let your Requeſts be made known to God. Thoſe who neglect Secret-Prayer, will be condemn'd from Mat. 6.6. Enter into thy Cloſet, and when thou haſt ſhut thy Door, pray to thy Father which is in ſecret, and thy Father which ſeeth in ſecret, ſhall reward thee openly. So, thoſe who will ſuffer a little uncomfortable Weather, or ſmall trivial Inconveniences, p. 224it may be often nothing but Sloth, to keep them from attending on the Preaching of Gods Word; they act contrary to Gods Word which ſays, Faith comes by hearing, Hear and your ſouls ſhall live, Deſire the ſincere Milk of the word that ye may grow thereby; not forſaking the aſſembling of your ſelves together, Heb. 10.25. Therefore when Perſons without any ſufficient Bar in the way, neglect to hear the Goſpel Preached on Lecture Days, eſpecially on Lords Days; therein they caſt contempt on God, deſpiſe his Ordinances, as tho' it were not worth their while to hear what the great God has to ſay to them. Poſſibly if they knew of a Market, Auction or Vendu… …ey would go and look for a good bargain; but when the Goſpel is Preach'd, which offers Chriſt that Pearl of great Price, and Invites them to buy tried Gold that they may be Spiritually Rich, white Raiment, Wine and Milk without Money and without Price, (Iſai. 55.1.) I ſay, when theſe things are offered in the Goſpel, they contemptuouſly neglect to hear them. So, thoſe who diſregard the Sacraments, Baptiſm and the Lords Supper, take no care to receive them, nor to obtain the Spiritual benefits repreſented by them; they act quite contrary to Gods Word, Mat. 28.19, 20.

3. When they have little or no regard to the Government of their Tongues. The well governing of the Tongue, is an Important Article in the Chriſtians conduct, and tends greatly to adorn his Profeſſion. But if a Man ſeem to be Religious, and yet bridleth not his Tongue p. 225but deceiveth his own heart, his Religion is vain, Jam. 1.26. How many are there who fall under this condemnation, whoſe unbridled Tongues prove their Religion to be vain? (1) Many Indulge a profane Tongue, they rend the Holy and Dreadful Name of the eternal God, by their horrible Oaths, Curſes, Blaſpemies. Such profane wretches look like the firſt born of the Devil, act as if they had hell in their Hearts foaming out of their Mouths; and ſeem to dare and challenge the third Commandment, which ſays, Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſs that taketh his Name in vain. (2) Some Indulge an angry Tongue, if they're but a little croſs'd or thwarted, oh how Hot, Firy, Paſſionate are they? They're for ſending out a flood of rage, as tho' they would drive all before them, as tho' they were of that wicked temper, Pſal. 12.4. With our Tongues will we prevail, our Lips are our own, who is Lord over us? Theſe act quite contrary to Gods word which ſays, Pſal. 34.13. Keep thy Tongue from evil, and thy lips from ſpeaking guile. (3) Some Indulge a Medling Tongue, they'll be Medling and Prating about almoſt every Perſon and every Matter, tho' they're not concern'd therewith. They are much for ordering and directing in, cenſuring and condemning of, Matters that don't belong to them. They ſpeak evil of things they know not, are buiſy bodies in other Mens matters. Theſe act contrary to that word: 1 Theſ. 4.11. Study to be quiet, and to do your own buſineſs. (4) Some Indulge a Light, Frothy, Laſcivious p. 226Tongue; they'll vomit out naſt and rotteneſs in their obſcene words. The opening of their Mouths, is like the opening of a Sepulchre that lets out ſtink and noiſomneſs; or like the Lancing of a putrifi'd Ulcer that lets out Filth and Corruption. This is as contrary as can be, to Eph. 4.29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your Mouth, but that which is good to the uſe of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. As for Filthineſs, Fooliſh Talking and Jeſting which are not convenient; let them not be once named among you, for this becometh Saints, Eph. 5.3, 4. (5) Some Indulge a backbiting, reviling, ſland…ing Tongue: Their Tongues are as Swords, as Sharp Raſors working deceitfully, they cut the throat of their Neighbours Reputation, they cut and hack his good Name all to pieces. This is quite contrary to Gods word which ſayes, Jam. 4.11. Speak not evil one of another, Brethren. Tit. 3.2. Speak evil of no man. Revilers ſhall not Inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. (6) Some Indulge a falſe lying Tongue in matters of dealing. Poſſibly he that Sells, will affirm his Wares or Goods to be Sound and Good, when he knows the contrary: Poſſibly the Buyer will ſay, it is Naught, it is Naught, till he gets it below the worth, and then brags of his good bargain. Many are ſo falſe in dealing, that there's ſcarce any believing what they ſay. It may be they'l make Poſſitive Promiſes, when they have neither Ability nor Deſign to fulfill them. They wont bear to have another give 'em the lie, they take it as a great Affront; but p. 227they give themſelves the lie, prove themſelves Lyars very frequently, by being falſe to their poſſitive Promiſes and Ingagements. This is very contrary to that Simplicity and Godly Sincerity, which well becomes us, 2 Cor. 1.12. It's contrary to Eph. 4.25. Wherefore putting away lying, Speak every man truth with his Neighbour.

Sure I am, thoſe who have little or no regard to the Government of their Tongues, have little or no regard to the Word and Authority of God. They are not of David's Spirit who ſaid, Pſal. 39.1. I will take heed to my ways, that I ſin not with my Tongue. We're told, Jam. 3.2, — If any man offend not in word, the ſame is a perfect man, and able alſo to bridle the whole body. But thoſe who have unbridled Tongue, they break God's bands and cast his cords from them, (Pſal. 2.3.) diſregarding and ſlighting thoſe awful words of our glorious Judge: Mat. 12.36, 37. Every Idle word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give account thereof in the day of Judgment. For by thy words thou ſhalt be Juſtified, and by thy words thou ſhalt be condemned.

Again, Perſons live contrary to the Goſpel,

4. When they're under the Governing Influence of an Envious, Spiteful, Revengeful Spirit. As our firſt and great duty is, to Love God with all our hearts; ſo our next is, to Love our Neighbours as our ſelves. The Scripture does abundantly Inculcate, preſs, urge this duty of Brotherly Love; he that hates his Brother is a Murderer. 1 Joh. 4.7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God: and p. 228every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. Our Saviour ſaid, Joh. 13.35. By this ſhall all men know that ye are my Diſciples, if ye have love one to another. We ſhould love our Neighbours, heartily deſire and endeavour their Welfare, rejoyce in their Welfare, grieve for their Adverſity. If therefore we care not how it goes with them, or envy & grieve at the Good they do or enjoy, or rejoyce in their Adverſity, or in their Sin becauſe it tends to hurt & blaſt them; I ſay, if ſuch a Spirit as this prevails in us, 'tis quite contrary to the Goſpel, which ſays, Rom. 12.15. Rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep. So, if we are of a ſpiteful, revengeful Spirit, and will by no Means forgive Injuries; this is as contrary as can be to what Gods Word ſays, Rom. 12.17, 19. Recompence to no Man Evil for Evil. — Dearly beloved, avenge not your ſelves. Mat. 6.14, 15. If ye forgive Men their Treſpaſſes, your heavenly Father will alſo forgive you. But if ye forgive not Men their Treſpaſſes, neither will your Father forgive your Treſpaſſes. So, Eph. 4.31, 32. Let all Bitterneſs, and Wrath, and Anger, and Clamour, and evil Speaking, be put away from you, with all Malice; and be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt's ſake hath forgiven you. Therefore, as for ſpiteful malicious Perſons, they are rather the Children of the Devil, that Lyar and Murderer from the beginning (who ſeeks whom he may devour) than the Children of God, who is Love, and delights in Mercy. Perſons live contrary to the Goſpel,

p. 2295. When they are under the governing Influence of a worldly Spirit. Jam. 4.4. The Friendſhip of the World is Enmity with God. To be carnally minded is Death. All that is in the World, the L…ſt of the Fleſh, the Luſt of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life; is not of the Father, but is of the World, 1 Joh. 2 26. Earthly Riches, Honours, Pleaſures, are ſometimes call'd the carnal Man's Trinity. Some are Lovers of pleaſures more than Lovers of God; have an higher Value for ſenſual Gratifications, than for any Converſe or Communion with God. So, ſome love the praiſe of Men more than the praiſe of God, Joh. 12.43. If they can but be applauded and honoured by mortal Men, they care not what the Eternal God thinks of them. Others, they make Gold their god. Pſal. 49.6. They truſt in their Wealth, and boaſt themſelves in the multitude of their Riches. Their chief Study and Labour is, to get and enjoy Riches, though they loſe their Souls thereby. 1 Tim. 6.9, 10. They that will be Rich (that are ſet and reſolv'd upon it, right or wrong) fall into temptation and a ſnare, and into many fooliſh and hurtful luſts, which drown Men in deſtruction and perdition. For the love of Money is the root of all evil, which while ſome have coveted after, they have erred from the Faith, and pierced themſelves through with many ſorrows. Nothing can be more contrary to the Goſpel, than for Perſons to indulge ſuch a carnal, worldly Spirit; for the Scope of the Goſpel is, to bring Sinners to God, to ſubdue their Eſtrangedneſs and Alienation p. 230from him, reconcile them to him through Chriſt, conform them to his holy Image; and to make them eſteem his Favour as Life, his loving Kindneſs as better than Life; to thirſt after God, as the Hart after the Water Brooks; to eſteem nothing in Heaven or Earth, comparable to the Communications of his Grace and Favour. But alas, of many it may be ſaid, Their god is their belly, they glory in their ſhame, they mind earthly things; and ſuch are Enemies to the Croſs of Christ, (Phil. 3.18.) Enemies to what Chriſt who was Crucified, requires of them. Tho' they profeſs to know God, yet in works they deny him; being abominable, diſobedient, and to every good work raprobate, Tit. 1.16. Once more, Perſons may be ſaid to live contrary to the Goſpel,

6. When they are deſtitute of unfeigned Repentance of Sin, and Faith in Chriſt Jeſus. Too many under the Goſpel, content themſelves with a Name to live, though they are ſpiritually dead; with a Form of Godlineſs, though they deny the Power of it. They content themſelves with outward Shows, Profeſſions, Performances of Religion; tho' their Hearts were never truly humbled and broken for Sin, never emptyed of themſelves, never brought off from their own Righteouſneſs; though they never as ſelf-condemned Sinners, heartily embrac'd Chriſt as Prince and Saviour, as the only Prophet, Prieſt and King of their Souls, All ſuch Perſons diſobey the Goſpel. Though Perſons are never ſo Orthodox p. 231in their Faith and Profeſſion; never ſo ſtrict and conſtant in the Externals of Religion; never ſo blameleſs and commendable in their outward Behaviour; yet, if they have not been born of the Spirit, nor had the waſhing of Regeneration, nor been created in Christ Jeſus unto good Works; if they have not reciev'd Chriſt by ſuch a Faith as purifies the Heart, and works by Love; they never heartily obeyed the Goſpel of God. For the Scope of the Goſpel is not to make Men Hypocrites, to reform their outward Behaviour, and ſuffer Sin to reign in their Souls: No indeed, but that with the Heart they ſhould believe unto Righteouſneſs, and with the Mouth make confeſſion to Salvation, Rom. 10.10. God ſearches the Heart, ſees the whole Frame, Temper, Diſpoſition, Behaviour of it; and requires that it ſhould grieve for Sin, turn from it with utmoſt Abhorrence of it, truſt in Chriſt alone for Juſtification, yield unfeigned Submiſſion to his Authority, and Obedience to his Precepts. Jam. 4.8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you; cleanſe your hands ye ſinners, and purify your hearts ye double-minded. None but the pure in Heart, ſhall ſee God, Mat. 5.8. Indeed God tries the Heart; he can't be deceiv'd, and won't be mock'd; if the Heart be not ſound in his Statutes, right with him, and ſtedfaſt in his Covenant; then he's not pleas'd with ſuch a Perſon, nor does he accept of any of his Services. Rom. 8.8. They that are in the Fleſh (that is, Unregenerate) cannot pleaſe God. Heb. 11.6. Without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. p. 232Hypocrites may flatter themſelves, and provoke God, but pleaſe him they cannot; for he requires that they ſhould worſhip him in Spirit and in Truth, and glorify him with their Spirits as well as with their Bodies, 1 Cor. 6.20. The end of the Commandment is Charity, out of a pure Heart, and a good Conſcience, and of Faith unfeigned, 1 Tim. 1.5. Therefore, if Perſons draw near to God with their Mouths, and honour him with their Lips; and yet remove their Hearts far from him, then they worſhip him in vain, (as to any ſaving Benefit to themſelves) Iſai. 29.13. with Mat. 15.8, 9.

Having ſhewed in theſe few general Hints, that ſome who live under the faithful Preaching of the Goſpel, yet live contrary to it, we may proceed to

PROP. III. Such are Deſpiſers of God.

Thoſe who Diſobey God, are ſaid to Deſpiſe him. David's killing Uriah the Hittite, is call'd a Deſpiſing the Commandment of the Lord, 2 Sam. 12.9. God ſaid to his People, Lev. 26.15. If ye ſhall deſpiſe my Statutes, or if your Soul abhor my Judgments, ſo that ye will not do all my Commandments, but that ye break my Covenant. Thoſe therefore who diſobey the Goſpel faithfully Preached to them, they deſpiſe God.

1. Becauſe 'tis the Goſpel of GOD which they diſobey. The Holy Bible, the Scriptures, they are God's Word and not Man's. Holy Men p. 233of God, ſpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1.22. Holy Men were infallibly moved by Gods Spirit, to declare Gods Mind to thoſe to whom he ſent them. So, thoſe who wrote the Scriptures, were infallibly aſſiſted by Gods Spirit in doing of it. 2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God.

2. Miniſters are but God's Servants, in faithfully Preaching the Goſpel. They are but Stewards of the Myſteries of God. The Goſpel of Reconciliation is committed to them, they are Ambaſſadors of Chriſt, (2 Cor. 5.20.) ſpeak in his Name and by his Authority, when they faithfully Preach the Goſpel. They are but Gods Servants in faithfully publiſhing his Will; therefore (as he bids them) they muſt lift up their Voice as a Trumpet; tell Men of their Sin and Danger, and warn them to turn and live. They muſt declare God's Mind, whether Men will hear, or whether they will forbear, Ezek. 2.7. Wo be to them if they do not Preach the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 9.16. If they don't faithfully warn Men (as God bids them) to turn from their evil Ways, they'l bring the Guilt of the Blood of Souls on themſelves. Therefore, when they faithfully Preach the Goſpel, if Men diſobey it, they diſobey GOD, diſobey the Meſſage he ſends to them; and therein throw Scorn & Contempt upon God, deſpiſe him, as though he were not worthy to be minded, regarded, or obeyed by them.

USE. We may now proceed to the Uſe or Application. From what we have heard we may Infer,

p. 2341. That Ministers ſhould Preach nothing but what's agreeable to Gods Word. They are Ambaſſadors, and ſhould ſtick cloſe to their Instructions. Their Commiſſion runs, 2 T…m. 4.2. Preach the Word. 'Tis God's Word they muſt Preach and Publiſh. Paul could ſay, 1 Cor. 11.23. I have received of the Lord, that which alſo I delivered unto you. Miniſters ſhould not Preach their own Whims, Fancies and Inventions; nor ſay, Thus ſaith the Lord, when the Lord hath not ſpoken it. They ſhould not get into the Pulpit to tell their own Stories, but to deliver God's Meſſage agreeably to his Word. They ſhould Preach no Doctrines as Divine, but what are agreeable to the Scriptures; forbid nothing as Sin, but what Gods Word declares to be ſo; require nothing as Duty, but what they have Scripture Warrant for: They ſhould lay no Burdens on Men's Conſciences, but what Gods Word lays there.

2. We ſhould all be deeply humbled, that we have deſpiſed God ſo much as we have done. If thoſe Civil Rulers, whoſe proper Work it is to iſſue out Proclamations, enact and publiſh juſt Laws; Subjects ſhould endeavour to underſtand the ſame, that they may conform thereto. How much more then, ſhould we Read and Hear the Word of the Great GOD, the Eternal KING Study and Pray too, that we may underſtand and obey it? So far as we have neglected to Read and Hear Gods Word, to underſtand and obey it; ſo far we have deſpiſed God. And where is the Perſon, that is not at leaſt in ſome grievous p. 235Meaſure guilty? We have not us'd ſuch care and diligence as we ſhould have done, to hear, underſtand, and obey the word of the living God, time one Lawgiver who can ſave or deſtroy; this we ſhould be deeply humbled for.

3. It's unreaſonable and groundleſs, to be offended with Miniſters for the ſake of Goſpel truths; or with Goſpel truths for the ſake of Miniſters. Many are apt to be offended with Miniſters for their Preaching, tho' it is plainly agreable to the word of God. They can quietly hear a Miniſter Preach againſt Sin in general; can hear him condemn Pride, Unrighteouſneſs, Evil Speaking and the like, in general termes; but when their Sins are pretty plainly and particularly deſcribed and condemned in the word Preach'd, then they're angry with the Preacher. They're ready to ſay, the Miniſter Intended them in particular, when poſſibly he never knew, that they perſonally were ever guilty of this or that crime in particular, which he condemn'd in his Preaching, Very often when Perſons are touch'd to the quick, their Sins laid open and condemn'd, their guilty Conſciences ſmitten by the faithful Preaching of the word; then they're diſguſted at the Preacher; apt to hate and revile him, and to ſay as Ahab of that faithful Prophet Micajah, 1 King. 22.8. I hate him, for he doth not Propheſie good of me, but evil. They hate him that rebukes in the Gate, Amos 5.10. The wicked often hate, faithful Reprovers who are their beſt Friends; tho' ſuch Friends offer them Pearls (faithful Reproofs, are ſo) they'll turn p. 236again and rent them. Such treatment of Miniſters for their dealing faithfully, is unreaſonable and abominable. What, would you have Miniſters Propheſie ſmooth things; and cry Peace, Peace when there is no Peace? Would you not have them faithfully declare God's Mind; if you would, why are you angry when they do it? If a Servant brings to you a Letter from his Maſter, that contains grievous things in it; you have no reaſon to be offended with ſuch a Servant, he did but his duty to deliver the Letter as his Master bad him. So when Miniſters faithfully Preach Gods word, tho' it pierceth Conſcience never ſo deeply, ſtings and wounds never ſo ſharply; yet you ſhou…d not be angry with them for it, they do but their duty in faithfully declaring Gods Mind and Will: Inſtead of being blamed they deſerve to be commended. If Men can't bear ſound Doctrine, 'tis becauſe they have itching Ears and diſtempered Hearts. Faithful ſearching Sermons, diſpleaſe none but thoſe who Indulge ſuch Luſts and Corruptions as ſhould be ſlain by the Sword of the Spirit. The end of Preaching, is not to tickle an itching ear, and gratifie a corrupt fanſie; but to Inſtruct the Mind, reach the Conſcience, move the Will and Affections to every thing that's Holy, Juſt and Good; and to move them againſt the contrary. It's therefore unreaſonable to be diſpleas'd with Miniſters, when they faithfully aim at theſe things in Preaching.

And as it's unreaſonable to be offended with Miniſters for faithfully Preaching the Goſpel; ſo it's unreaſonable to be offended with the Goſpel p. 237for the ſake of Miniſters. Too many are apt to act, as tho' they were Qualifi…d & Authoriz'd to cenſure Miniſters; ſometimes they'll condemn the Voice as being too low, or it may be too high; ſometimes the Style as not being Polite, Correct and Curious enough for their nice ſqueamiſh humours; ſometimes the Method as not being Logical enough for their Phyloſophical genius; and by thus faulting one thing or other which they're pleas'd to diſlike in the Preacher, they let ſlip and diſregard the weighty and divine truths delivered by him. The Apoſtle in his Preaching, Indeavour'd to commend himſelf to every Man's Conſcience in the ſight of God, 2 Cor. 4.2. And did not ſpeak in the words which man's wiſdom teacheth, but whi…h the Holy Ghoſt teacheth, 1 Cor. 2.13. Yet ſome of his pround, ſelf-conceited Auditors made bold to cenſure him, ſaying, 2 Cor. 10.10. His bodily preſence is weak, and his Speech contemptible. If this great Apoſtle was thus cenſured and deſpis'd, no wonder if ordinary Miniſters are tho' they do never ſo well. Well, but whatever opinion you have of Miniſters, yet don't think meanly of what they Preach agreably to Scripture. Don't deſpiſe heavenly Treaſures, becauſe they're convey'd in earthen Veſſels. When great and weighty Truths and Duties are Preached, if Men diſregard them becauſe of ſome diſlike they have to the Preacher; this ſhows great and prevailing Corruption in their Minds. If Men were well an hungry, they would be glad of wholſome food, tho' not diſh'd and garniſh'd after the neweſt niceſt mode. New born Babes, ſhould p. 238deſire the ſincere Milk of the word that they may grow thereby. If Perſons did hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, they would prize & value Divine Truths tho' in never ſo plain a dreſs.

Don't take upon truſt all that Miniſters Preach, don't believe it as a Divine Truth meerly becauſe they deliver it, but try it by the word of God: 1 Theſ. 5.21. Prove all things, hold faſt that which is good. When the Apoſtle had been Preaching to the Bereans, he commends them, That they received the word with all readineſs of mind, and ſearched the Scriptures daily whether thoſe things were ſo, Act. 17.10, 11. They readily and gladly heard the word Preach'd, and as diligently ſearch'd the Scriptures, to ſee whether what was Preach'd agre'd thereto. This was noble indeed. If Miniſters Preach contrary to the Scriptures, you have a divine Warrant to reject it. Iſai. 8.20. To the Law and to the Teſtimony, if they ſpeak not according to this word; it is becauſe there is no light in them. But if Miniſters Preach agreeably to the Scriptures, then reject it at your Peril. Act. 5.39. If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; leſt happily ye be found to fight againſt God. He that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not Man but God; he that diſobeyeth, diſobeyeth not Miniſters but God that ſends them. When Miniſters Preach agreably to the Scriptures, they may truly ſay, Thus ſaith the Lord; and thoſe who reject it, do reject the Lords Meſſage to them. When Miniſters call on you to Repent of Sin, heartily to Believe in Chriſt Jeſus, or to do this or that Duty requir'd by Scripture; then remember, the Great GOD by His Meſſengers calls on p. 239you to do theſe things, and to neglect them (how mean ſoever the Meſſengers in themſelves are) is rebellion againſt Heaven, againſt your Law-giver and your Judge. Let us therefore hear and obey Gods Voice, in the Mouths of His faithful Meſſengers. Let us not think it enough, to commend good Miniſters, or good Sermons, this alone wont pleaſe God nor ſave your Souls; but let us Live Gods Word, obey His Voice, do as He bids us. This is the way to have a bleſſing. Jam. 1.21, 22, 25. Wherefore lay a part all filthineſs, and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs; and receive with meekneſs the ingrafted word, which is able to ſave your Souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own ſelves. — But whoſo looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man ſhall be bleſſed in his deed.