09. THE FOURTH CLASSIS, OR, FATHERS IN ISRAEL.
THE FOURTH CLASSIS, OR, FATHERS IN ISRAEL. From 1Jn 2:13-14.
Vers. 13. I write unto you, Fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.—
Vers. 14. I have written to you, Fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.— The Fathers, it seems (if I may adventure to say anything of them) are usually such for Age as well as attainments, the Ancients and Elders of Israel, whose gray hairs are wise and found in the way, and filled with the fruits of righteousness, which is their Crown of Glory. The Word of God dwells richly in them in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, in sense, experience and judgment, by which they discern persons and things that differ. They are <H&G> and <H&G> spiritual and perfect in the third and superlative degree. They have gone through all the former States and Degrees, having (like Enoch) a continual intercourse and conversation with, as well as knowledge of him that is from the beginning from the first to last: and by reason of this their knowledge and experimental wisdom, Jas 3:17-18, they are able to speak to all the Cases of Conscience (and the various dispensations) which belong to the whole Christian course: they can divide the Word aright and speak words suitable (and in season) to all; giving everyone their portion. They bring out of their treasures things new and old; they know how to speak to the saint and weary, to the broken-hearted, and them that are cast down, to the deserted and tempted ones, knowing also how to discern between form and power, hypocrisy and sincerity, pretensions and realities, &c But— Haec desiderantur. Of this State let days speak, and multitude of years teach this wisdom, Job 32:7. I am but few of days and durst not show you mine opinion (that I may borrow more of Elihu’s words) in relation to this State, beyond what I have now hinted in the general. To conclude therefore, my design being to help Christians to discover their States, attainments and growths, I shall to all that hath been said add but a few things more to further this design.
1. That a Christian may know his state, in what Classis and Degree he is. As it may be known whether in the Faith, 2Co 13:5. So it may be known how far a man hath proceeded in the Faith. For though there may be some Heteroclita (quae genus & flexum variant) some random-Saints, if I may so speak, that are not fixed but fleeting; yet these also may be reduced (as to their state in general) to one or other Classis for the most part.
2. ’It is a great advantage (in many respects) to know where one is: to know ones place, rank and station: as ’tis for a Servant in a Family, or a Soldier in an Army. They that know not what their work is, know not how to do their work; but if we know our station, our work (both what and how to be done) is clear before us, and we may up and be doing.
3. Though a Saint should be content with his present state, yet but for the present; he should desire and pray, breath and pant, he should hunger and thirst, endeavor and labor after progress and preferment. Though he should not forget to bless God for, yet he should forget (what is behind) to rest in, what he hath; and not think that he hath attained so much, or were already so perfect, as if there were no more to be attained; reaching and pressing forward (as Paul did) is the duty of all, till they attain to the Resurrection of the Dead. There’s no state on earth so satisfying as should take a man off from looking & hastening to the coming of Christ, that we may be always with him and altogether like him, Php 1:23. 1 Job 3:2. 2Pe 3:11, —13. The good and bad things and conditions in this world call upon us to long to be above in Heaven; For, if it be bad to be here, ’tis good to be there; if it be good to be here, ’tis better to be there, to be sure: though we may have enough sometime to say, ’It is good to be here, yet we have never enough to say, ’It is best to be here.
4. We should all take heed and beware that we do not place our growth and advance, only in knowledge (head and Book learning) nor only in gifts and parts, nor only in common graces; no, nor in going from one opinion to another, or one form of Church-Government to another, from one profession to another; this I fear hath been a great mistake, as if it were a going on to, when (alas! if this be all!) ’tis a going from perfection: for to be tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine, is but babish, Ephes. 4.13, —16. Alas! What is it to be Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational, &c. our Religion lies not, much less our perfection, in these or any other opinions, and forms of Government. I doubt not but there are Saints in all these Forms, yet withal I believe and affirm that none of these Forms make them Saints; a man may be in any of these and yet be but a Babe, yea and not be a Babe but carnal. This is but like them that go up and down the Streets of London, crying, Old Satin and ends of Gold and Silver, by which they never grow rich, nor get any considerable estate.
5. We should be as careful to mind and discharge the duties as to enjoy the privileges and dignities of our state; and mind not only to be in Christ but to walk in him and as he walked. Study commands as well as promises, and look after light that ye may walk in the light; for if we walk in the light (as children of light) we have fellowship one with another (i.e., God and we have.) Thus as God glorifies us, we glorify him, for which we should have a great ambition; yea, and to let our light so shine before men, that they also may glorify our Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 5.13, —16. Let us live in love, and truth it in love, for oh how good and pleasant a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity! Let us not be like Ephraim and Judah, to envy and vex, to bite and devour one another; but love one another with a pure heart fervently. In fine, let us make it our business (and our pleasure too) to adorn the Doctrine of God our Savior, and to walk worthy of God to all-well-pleasing: to which end, Let us grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that to him (and to the Father by him) there may be thanks and glory given, both now and forever. Amen.
FINIS.