17. Mr. Lye's First Sermon

17. Mr. Lye's First Sermon
"Therefore my Brethren, dearly Beloved, and longed for, my Joy and Crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly Beloved." - Php_4:1.
My Beloved, I do very well remember that upon the 24th of this instant month, in 1651. I was then under the sentence of banishment; and that very day did I preach my Farewel Sermon to my people from whom I was banished, because I would not swear against my King, having sworn to maintain his just Power, and Honour and Greatness; and now behold a second Trial; then I could not forswear myself, the God of Heaven keep me that I never may: I am apt to think I could do anything for this loving Congregation, only I cannot sin; but since Beloved, there is a sentence gone out against us, that we that cannot subscribe must not subsist; this is the last day that is prefixed to us to Preach; I shall now speak to you (God assisting me) if my passion will give me leave, just as if I would speak, if I were immediately to die; Therefore hearken my Brethren, dearly Beloved, and longed for, my Joy and Crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly Beloved. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome, for the Gospel of Christ; 'twas his second imprisonment, and he was not far from being offered up a sacrifice for the Gospel he had preached. This Gospel the Philippians had heard him preach, and the godly Philippians having heard of his imprisonment, they sent so far from Philippi to Rome to visit him, and to supply his wants. A gracious temper, which I hope the Eternal God hath given the Saints in London, and for which, if for anything, God hath a blessing in store for them. Paul is not so much concerned in his own bonds, as in the Philippians Estate: Epaphroditus tells him that there were Heresies, and false doctrines got in amongst them, but yet the Philippians stood fast: and herein Paul rejoyces, writes this Epistle, bids them go on, stand fast, keep their ground, and to be sure not to give an inch, but to stand fast, knowing that at long run, their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.
I shall without any more ado enter upon the Text; in which you have two things considerable.
A most melting Compellation, and a most serious Exhortation.
1. A melting Compellation, my Brethren, dearly Beloved, &c.
2. A serious Exhortation, and in it first, the Matter of the Duty, stand, and stand it out, and stand fast. Secondly, the Manner. First, so stand, so as you have stood, stand fast. Second, In the Lord, stand so, and stand in the Lord, in the Lords strength, and in the Lords cause; to stand in your own strength, would be the ready way to fall, and to stand in your own cause, for your own fancy, would be the ready way to expose your selves to all manner of Temptations: Therefore my brethren, dearly Beloved in the Lord, stand, and so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly Beloved.
In the next place, by way of Observation from the words; and if there be any wicked Catchers here, let them know, that I shall speak no more then I shall draw from, and is the mind of my Text; I would not give occasion to be a greater sufferer then I am like to be. But for the words.
First, For the Melting Compellation, my Brethren, my dearly Beloved. Paul was an Apostle, and an high Officer in the Church of God, and he writ unto the Philippians, to all the Philippians, to the poorest of them; and see how he bespeaks himself to them, (my Brethren) from hence take this observation, That the highest Officers in the Church of Christ, though they are indeed by Office Rulers over them, yet by Relation, they are no more then Brethren to the meanest Saint. Here we have no such Rabbis, to whom we must swear, because they say we must swear it. Paul calls them Brethren, and so writes to them, Galatians 1:2. and James a Scriptural Officer, one of the highest Apostles Christ ever made; saith, Hearken my beloved Brethren, James 2:5. So Peter an Apostle of Christ, Wherefore the rather Brethren; and John the beloved Disciple, Brethren, I write no New Commandment, &c. 1 John 2:7. Well then,
1. If this be so, that the highest Officer in the Church, such as Christ approves of, are but Brethren to the meanest Saint, then certainly they are but Brethren to their fellow Officers; If no more Relation to the Toe in the Body, then no more to the Eyes: If there be any of a light Spirit would bear Rule, that love to have preeminence, I would desire them to read two Scriptures, the first is, Luke 22:26. the second, Matthew 26:27. Doth Christ say, whosoever will be chief among you, let him be one that will Domineer over your Estates, over your Persons, over your Consciences, doth not Christ say so? no, but Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your Minister, —let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to Minister, and to give his life a Ransom for many: You have this also, Luke 22:25. And he said unto them, the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, (i. e.) over their slaves, over their vassals, but ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief as he that doth serve. Sure if Paul be but a Brother to Philip, then he is no more to Timothy.
2. If the highest Officers in the Church of Christ be but Brethren to the meanest Saint, then 'tis not for those Brethren to Lord it over their fellow Brethren, Lord it over Gods Heritage; remember 'tis Gods Heritage. I hope your Consciences will bear me witness, that I have laboured as much as in me lies, to be a helper of your joy, not to Lord it over your faith, 2 Corinthians 1:24. to press or cause you to believe this or that, because I believe it, if this may be allowed, then may I turn Papist tomorrow. Saith Christ to him that would have had him speak to his Brother, to divide the inheritance with him, Man, who made me a Judge over you? Luke 12:14. So say I, Man, who made thee a Tyrant, and Lord over thy fellow Brethren? 1 Peter 5:3. Neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage, &c.
3. If the highest Officers in the Church of Christ be but Brethren and no more, then there should be no discord between those Brethren. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity: and truly I may comfortably speak that, and it is one of the greatest comforts I have in the World. I hope we have lived together in love, blessed be God: Let us not fall out, saith Abraham, the elder, to Lot his younger Cousin, for we are Brethren, Beloved, the discords between Pastor and People, have made the best musick in the ears of the Jesuits.
4. Are Pastors; nay, the highest Officers that Jesus Christ hath, and doth own in the Church, but Brethren? Oh! then let those Brethren if they will appear before the Bar of their Father in Heaven with comfort, take care of offending the souls of Brethren: for at the hand of every Brother, God will require the soul of his Brother, Ezekiel 33:6. His Bloud will I require at the Watchmans hand. We that are called by some the Dogs of the Flock, what shall we prove dumb Dogs? what a comfort will it be to my dying Brethren this day, if they can but say, Lord, we are clear from the Bloud of our Brethren? the Officers of Christ should never behave themselves so, that they should give their people occasion to say, we are Brethren to Dragons. But Jeremiah 9:4. Take ye heed every one of his Neighbor, &c. I would commend one Scripture to all my Brethren in the Ministry, 1 Corinthians 8:13. A Scripture that I would have writ in letters of Gold on the Lintel posts of all Ministers doors. Wherefore if meat make my Brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my Brother to offend. Rather then to endanger my soul, led away with all these Toys and Gew-gaws.
2. From the terms of dearest affection, dearly Beloved, longed for, &c. Take this Observation, that it becomes the highest Ministers, much more the lowest, to bear a most tender, vehement, ardent, melting affection, towards that flock or people that God hath committed to their charge. Thus Paul to the Philippians in the Text: My brethren, dearly beloved, &c. You shall find Paul in all his Epistles, in a thawing frame to his people, melting in love unto them: the Corinthians were so in his heart, not only to live with them, but, if God called him, to die for them, so abundantly did he love them, 2 Cor. 12 15. That he would very gladly spend, and be spent for them, carried them in his heart, and earnestly longed after them all. As for the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 2:8. He, as a Nurse, tendereth and nourisheth them as Children, and is so affectionately desirous of them, that he is willing to impart to them not only the Gospel, but his own soul, because they were dear to him. Then,
1. Is this so? ought the Pastors so to love their People? Give me leave to bespeak you in the words of Job, (in respect of those hundreds of Ministers, that are to be plucked from their people:) Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, Oh ye my friends! for the hand of God hath touched me, Job 19:21. What will nothing serve but plucking out our very eyes? our very heart (being so much the objects of the peoples love?) how sad is it for the Father to be pluckt from the Child, the Shepheard from the Flock, the Nurse from the Child? this is a lamentation, and ought to be for a lamentation, that there must be a parting between David and Jonathan, who loved one another as their own souls; this cuts them to their very heart. And this I may say in respect to myself, I bless God, I cannot say as she of her Husband, A bloudy Husband hast thou been unto me: but a loving Congregation have you been unto me. I know none of you have desired my destruction, nor to taint my name; never did I hear three in this Congregation speak of pressing anything against me, that was contrary to my Conscience, nor can I say, that there are four in this Parish that did ever deny to pay me my legal due, blessed be God for such a people; you have not encroached upon my Conscience, as I hope I have not upon yours. Pastors must love their people, do not blame them if their hearts be almost broken, when they are to part with such a people.
2. Must the Pastor love his people? then the people must love their Pastor. Tis true, it lies in the power of man to separate Pastor and People, but not to separate their hearts; I hope there will never be a separation of love, but that will still continue; if we do not see one another, yet we may love one another, and pray for one another, I hope a Husband doth not cease from loving his Wife because she is absent from him. But Oh! for my Brethren, hundreds of them think that you are undone, but you are not undone, though you cannot see as far as other men, you may live in love and keep your conscience quiet.
3. Must Pastors love their People? then you may see from hence what should be the grand object of the Pastors affection, i. e. the People, not what the people have. This is the great enquiry, what's the Benefice worth? what is the preferment? do they pay well, &c. Whereas we should not seek so much the Fleece as the Flock, we should not take oversight of a Congregation for love of their pay, but of their souls; not, 'tis an excellent good living, as one said I have heard of, let me have their Tythes, and let their souls go to the Devil; but as the Apostle, I seek not yours, but you, 2 Corinthians 12:14. And I hope there be many hundreds can say, it hath been the peoples souls they have more loved and affected, than anything that the people had.
4. Once more: We must love them, and love them tenderly; why, and yet leave them? Yes my Beloved, we are so to love our People, as to venture anything for them, but our own damnation. I come not here to throw fire-brands, I bless God I have a most tender affection for all my Brethren in the Ministry; and though I am not satisfied myself, yet I condemn no man; I believe there be many of them do as conscientiously subscribe, as deny to subscribe. I protest in the fear of God, I cannot subscribe, perhaps it is because I have not that light as others have; for he that doubts, saith the Apostle, is Damned. My Beloved, I hope you would not have us sin against God and our own consciences: it is not my Living that I desire, but my Office to serve my Lord and Master; but if we should, to keep communion with you, lose our communion with God, this is the ready way to have all our labour and pains lost; but as David said, (and Oh that I could speak it with as good hopes as David!) Zadock, carry back the Ark of God, If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his Habitation, &c. 2 Samuel 15:25. Brethren, I could do very much for the love I bear to you, but I dare not sin; I know they will tell you, this is Pride and Peevishness in us, and are tender of our Reputation, and we would fain all be Bishops, and forty things more: but the Lord be witness between them and us in this. Beloved, I prefer my Wife and Children before a blast of air of peoples talk; I am very sensible what it is to be reduced to a morsel of bread: let the God of Heaven and Earth do what he will with me, if I could have subscribed with a good conscience, I would; I would do anything to keep myself in the work of God, but to sin against my God, I dare not do it.
3. My Joy and Crown; therefore my dearly Beloved and longed for, my Joy and Crown, my present Joy and future Crown: my Joy which I value more than a Crown, my principal Joy. Hence observe this Doctrine, That the fixed, standing, flourishing growth of Saints in Gospel practice, and Gospel obedience, is, or ought to be, matter of transcendent Joy to their Pastors. It was so to the Apostle Paul; Paul heard how they stood, though there was a plague amongst them, yet they were not infected; and though he was in the Gaol ready to be beheaded, yet this was his Joy and Crown, that his people did stand; and I hope my Brethren, it will be our joy and crown to hear of your standing and growth in Gospel-knowledge and profession: And,
1. If this be so, as John said, I rejoyced greatly, that I found of thy Children walking in the truth: It should be the prayers and endeavours of all Pastors, really to love the souls of their People, and to pray for them: that when they cannot look after the souls of their Children, yet that good Nurses may be lookt out for them; What a joy was it that Moses's Mother was made his Nurse? and who can tell, it may be, though not out of any merit of ours, yet of their own clemency, our Governours may give us to be Nurses over our own Children: but if I cannot Nurse my Child myself, I will wish it well, and as good a Nurse as I can: far be it that those that are to succeed, should not prosper: Lord, it shall be the prayers of thy servant, that those that are to succeed, may have a double and trebble portion of thy spirit, that they may be both painful and faithful, &c.
2. If the peoples growth in grace and knowledge, be matter of Joy to a faithful Pastor: then what do you think of those that hinder their thriving? I shall give you two Scriptures, John 12:19. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves (they durst not speak publickly; but who was it against? why, it was against Christ) perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold the world is gone after him. But we will order him for that, we will lessen his Congregation; if we cannot do that, we will shut the doors against him; see Matthew 23:13. Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites, for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: what! shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men! what the Pharisees, that pretended they had the Keys of Heaven, and to be the guides! I, that it is, because there is not room enough in Heaven for us and them too? No, faith Christ, there is no such matter, for ye neither go in your selves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. I dare not tell you at this time, what it is to shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men, you may better imagine it than I can speak it; but thus did the Pharisees, they would not go in themselves, nor suffer them that were entering to go in. I remember when I was a Child, we had such a Minister, that would one Lords day preach up Holiness, and the next Lords Day preach against the practice of Holiness.
And now my Brethren, I come in the next place to speak to the last part, Stand fast; and because I see a Hurricane a coming, keep your ground, stand fast, and live in the Lord here, that you may live with him hereafter.