27. Mr. Craddacott's Farewell Sermon

27. Mr. Craddacott's Farewell Sermon
"—And heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of Peace shall be with you."- Php_4:9
From this Verse we may observe three Doctrines:
That the People's eyes must be taught by the Ministers holiness of life, as well as their ears by the Ministers soundness of Doctrine.
Paul did not preach one thing, and practice another; he practised as he preached, and he both practised and preached the fore-mentioned Duties in the verse before the Text. And to this end the Lord appointed a Ministry to be perpetuated through all Ages of the World: And it is the Lords appointment, that the peoples ears should be taught with sour'd Doctrine, to the matter and manner of it: and it is the Lord appointment, that the Peoples eyes should be taught by the Minister, holiness of life, as well as their ears, by their soundness in Doctrine; and this is necessary for the Minister himself, and necessary for the people: No marvel then that a faithful Ministry is the Butt of the Devils malice, of his craft and cruelty; and that the Devil hath in all Ages attempted and endeavoured utterly to overthrow the Ministry, or to poyson and fly-blow it shamefully; and this is the method whereby Satan hath endeavoured to fly-blow the Ministry. Why, then see the folly and madness of those people, who affect, or cry up those Ministers, who do not teach their people with sound Doctrine, or a holy life; and whether there be no such Ministers, which do not teach their peoples eares with soundness of Doctrine, or their eyes with a holy life? and whether there be not such a people as do cry up such Ministers? and whether or no such people are not guilty of spiritual folly and madness? judge ye.
Doct. A Ministers soundness in Doctrine, and holiness of Life and Conversation, doth lay a very great obligation on a people, to a due conscientious practice of every commanded duty. The Apostle, we see, maketh his Preaching and Practice an argument to excite the Philippians to the fore-mentioned commanded duty, as in the Text, and the verse before the Text.
As first of all, the Appellations and Titles given in Scripture, to such Ministers whose Doctrine is sound, and whose lives and conversations are exemplary holy.
They are called, 1. The Salt of the Earth, as Matthew 5:13. read that, saith Christ to those great Teachers of the Gospel, and Dispensers of his Oracles, and in them to their Successors. Salt hath two things in it; namely, Sharpness, and Savouriness; and thus Ministers, First, must rebuke sharply, that people may be sound in the Faith, as Paul enjoyns Titus, as in Titus 1:13. And secondly, Ministers must speak savoury things to every person, and to every palate, that their people may be savoury both in heart and life; but to be as unsavoury as stinking Carrion in the Nostrils of the Almighty God, under such a sa∣voury and seasoning Ministry, this is woful. It is the nature of Salt, to cause barrenness where it seasoneth not; Therefore we read of Abimelech in Judges 9:45. That be sowed the City with Salt: So that people who live under a sharp and savoury Ministry, and are not seasoned therewith, and preserved from putrefaction in their sin and corruption thereby, their case is very dangerous.
They are called again, The Light of the world, in Matthew 5:14. read that. As for their Doctrine, The Salt of the Earth; so for their lives, The Light of the world; and they must therefore lead convincing lives, as Job. 5:35. read that: It is there said of John the Baptist, our blessed Lord and Savior gives him this commendatory Character, or Testimonial, That he was a burning, and a shining light; burning in himself, and shining to others. Or, as it was said of Basil, Thundring in his Doctrine, and Lightning in his Life and Conversation. Now if good Ministers be the Light of the World, then hence we may infer,
1. Inference. First, That without a godly, and faithful Ministry, the World lyeth in darkness, ignorance, error, sin, and misery. It is said of Galilee, in Matthew 4:16. That the people that sate in darkness, saw great light; read that. Why, had they not Priests and Levites? I answer, they had indeed sorry Priests, but they had not a faithful Ministry; and therefore the Evangelist tells them, They sate in darkness, yea, in the region and shadow of death, notwithstanding the sorry sottish Priests they had: But when they had a faithful Ministry, they are said to see a great light. Again, if good Ministers be the Light of the World, then we may draw this Corollary, that to be offended at the Light of a faithful, a powerful Ministry, argues and speaks a very sinful and wretched frame of heart. Nothing is so excellent, but some will be displeased at it, and with it, as Ecclesiastes 11:7. Even the Light itself, we know is offensive to sore eyes. And thus the burning and shining Light of a godly and faithful Ministry is offensive and terrible to some; but who are they? Sore diseased souls, the Lord knows. The Ark of God, which was the monument of his presense, whom did it smite with Emrods, but the Philistims? What then, is the Ale-house more easie to thee, than thy Pew is to thee, in this place? than a Conscience, Soul-searching Sermon? What art thou offended at a powerful faithful Ministry? Oh fearful Plague-tokens!
2. To do all that men can do to put out the Light, this is worse. It is the most horrid hellish Plot that can be designed or named; and of this I am sure the Church of Rome cannot plead Not Guilty, which, like the Scribes and Pharisees take away from the people the Key of Knowledge, and shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men. How terribly doth our blessed Lord thunder-strike those stupid Pharisees for this, Matthew 23:13? And as did the Pharisees, so did the Papists: For,
1. Heretofore they made it a moral sin to read Gods Word.
2. Afterwards, they clogged the liberty they granted with such cautions and restrictions, as that very few escaped of those that were within the reach of the Inquisition.
3. Those cloggs contented not, but now it is thought fit utterly to deny liberty, and can there be a more horrible hellish Plot assigned than this? to take from people their knowledge of salvation?
And thus the Church of Rome, whether they have Church-snuffers or not, to be sure they have Church-extinguishers, and various means to put out the Light; Oh fearful is this! as in John 3:19-20. That is the reason men hate the light, because their deeds are evil.
Again, if good Ministers be the light of the world, then hence may we draw this Conclusion, that it concerns people very nearly to believe in the light, and to walk in the light, and to work while the light lasteth; as our blessed Savior exhorteth in John 12:35-36. read that. God sets up his Ministers as Lights, as Candles, on the Candlesticks of his Church, to awaken men, and to light men unto eternal life: And ought not people to pray hard, and to work hard while the light lasteth? God removes many times the Candle and Candlestick, and makes the Sun to go down at Noon-day, as Amos 8:9. so darkens the Earth at clear day. Good Ministers they are called the light of the world, and they are called.
3. Stars, as in Revelation 3:1. And who are meant by the seven Stars, Revelation 1.? they are the Angels, that is, the Ministers of the seven Churches. Now the Stars are said to affect those inferiour bodies:
1. By their influence. And thus godly and faithful Ministers, by the influence of their lips, they feed many with the bread of life.
2. By their regular motives of their lives, they confirm many.
3. By the light of both they confirm many.
One while their employment is to instruct poor souls, and so they are like stars shining in a dark winter-night; Another while they are to converse in their courses, Judges 5:20. Now to enjoy and live under the Ministry of such Stars, and yet to walk in darkness, and to have fellowship with the works of darkness, to remain unconvinced, unconverted, unhumbled, unmortified, unfruitful, this is woful, this is a very lamentable state.
4. They are called the Lords Messengers and Embassadours, Malachi 2:7. and the Ministers of the Gospel; for indeed the Ministers of the New Testament they are nowhere called Priests, they are called Embassadours for Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:20. Godly, faithful Ministers are the Lords Messengers and Embassadours in matters concerning the soul, the precious, immortal, never-dying soul of man, not in the matters of this life, but for the soul. Now this is no mean imployment to treat with God for the Soul.
5. They are called the Lords Husband-men. Gods Church is his Husbandry, 1 Corinthians 3:9. and Ministers are Gods Husbandmen; naturally we are like a barren Wilderness; Now the Lord sends his Husbandmen to those barren Wildernesses, to make a fruitful Paradise: Now for Gods Husbandmen to plow, sow, and harrow, and yet no fruit, no crop, Isaiah 5:6, When Gods Vineyard brought forth no fruit, I will take away all their rainy clouds, saith God, you shall have clouds, but you shall have clouds without rain; you shall have Ministers still, but such as shall never do your souls any good.
Well, you see the Titles given to them in Scripture; they are called the Salt of the Earth, and the Light of the World, and Scars, and the Lords Messengers and Embassadours, and Husbandmen; all which doth import a very great obligation lying on a people, who live under such a Ministry, and who live under, and practice every commanded duty.
2. Inference. Secondly, Dangerous and fearful is the state of those, who have enjoyed, and lived under, and have not been wrought upon by such a Ministry. And this will appear, if we consider,
1. How fearful a sentence the Lord Jesus Christ hath given to those that live under, but despise, and profit not by the Ministry of his faithful Servants, Matthew 10:14-15. And do not think that Christ said this touching the Ministry of the Apostles only, certainly the Lord Christ would have it to be understood of the Ministry of all his faithful Servants, whom he sendeth to teach his people, John 13:20. whomsoever he sends; and so, He that despiseth whomever I send, despiseth me. Then is the Message of the Lords faithful Messengers received aright, when people do not only hear it, but receive it, and bring forth fruit, as our blessed Lord speaks of good hearers, Mark 4:20. Those are they that hear and receive the fruits sown in good ground. And thus our blessed Lord expounds himself, Matthew 11:24. he telleth us there, that they of Capernaum shall be in a worse case than they of Sodom and Gomorrah; and why? because they repented not at Christs Sermons and Miracles; they were not to be seen in their lives, notwithstanding Christs Ministry, notwithstanding Christs preaching, and his miracles among them, they did not amend their hearts and ways: O how fearful a sentence hath our Lord Jesus Christ denounced against such!
2. If a People be not wrought upon by such a Ministry, what hope can such a People have, that anything should do their souls any good? For is not the Ministry of Gods faithful Servants, the power of God to salvation, and the ministration of the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:8? That is, that Ministry whereby the spirit of grace and holiness is infused into the hearts of the Fathers chosen ones in Christ Jesus. The Poets speak of excellent Musicians, who, by the power of their Musick, made stones to leap into a wall. A godly faithful Ministry hath done more, it hath taken the stone out of mans heart, and hath given them new hearts; it hath made all the Commandements of God easie to a poor soul, because it loves its Father, its Redeemer, and Comforter. There is a kind of obedience in a godly faithful Minister; and if this will not do, nothing will, as in Luke 16:31.
3. Is not the cause of the non-proficiency of such a people, under such a Ministry, in themselves? Oh men do hinder the fruit of the Word in their own souls, the powerful operation and working of the Word on their own souls! The Lord prophesies that sentence on the Jews, Matthew 13:14. he lays all the blame on themselves, and assigns their own sins as the reason and cause of it, as in Verse 13. And thus our blessed Savior expounds the Parable of the Sower, shewing how many that hear the Word, are never the better for it; and he layeth the blame on themselves, as in Luke 8:14. What then, hast thou not profited under the Ministry of the Lords faithful Servant? Oh lay the blame on thy self.
4. Consider, Hath not the Lord himself a hand in the proficiency, or non-proficiency under such a Ministry? Surely the Lord hath a chief hand in making the Ministry of his Servants fruitful, or not fruitful, to them that enjoy it. Now to enjoy, and not to enjoy, is it not a fearful sign, that you are not of God? as John 8:47. Is it not a sign, that thou are not of Gods elect, at least of Regeneration? But you will say, Did not the Jews hear Gods Word? Yes, they did, with their bodily ears; but they heard it not with saith, submission, and fruitfulness; and therefore our blessed Savior tells them, they were not of God, that is, they were at least in an unregenerate, if not in a reprobate condition. And so John 10:26. Ye are those Goats (saith Christ) that must stand at my left hand in that great day; and then Unbelievers shall reflect on themselves, not on Christs Ministry, by the mouths of his Servants.
But if any should say, what then, will you say that all of us are Reprobates, that are not wrought on by your Ministry? I say not so; for that seed which hath been sowen on you, may •o your souls good hereafter, though it hath done them little or no good as yet. But secondly, that I may boldly say, that if any of you dye in your present state, un∣converted, unregenerate, you will carry with you to your grave, as fearful marks of reprobation, as we can finde any in the whole Book of God. John Baptist compares the Ministry of the Gospel to a Fan, in Matthew 3:12. When the Lord Jesus maketh use of the Ministry of his faithful Servants among the people, when he maketh use of those Fans, it will appear who among them are Wheat, and shall be gathered into the Lords Garner; and who among them are Chaff, and shall be cast into fire. And now, whether the present state that you have lived under, and are not yet wrought upon by a faithful Ministry, be not very dangerous, judge ye? And so much may suffice for the Doctrinal part.
If so be then, That a Ministers soundness in Doctrine, and holiness of life and conversation, doth lay a great Obligation on a people, conscientiously and duly to practice every commanded duty. Then first of all, the first Use we shall make of this Doctrine, shall be by way of Tryal and Examination, and that in two particulars.
First, Whether you in this Parish, in this place, you here before the Lord, do make conscience of the due practice of every commanded duty.
Secondly, Whether the Ministry you have enjoyed, and lived under, doth not lay a great Obligation on you so to do?
For the first of these, whether you here before the Lord, do make conscience of the due practice of every commanded duty, in obedience to Almighty God? you may try your selves by these three excellent Ingredients.
First, Universality; Canst thou in the witness of thy conscience say, that through grace thou dost every, as well as any part of the Lords revealed Will, so far as thou knowest it?
2. Uniformity; Dost thou do all without prejudice or partiality?
3. Ubiquity; Art thou the same at home as abroad? in thy Closet, as well as in the Congregation? and dost thou mind inward and secret, as well as open and outward holiness? What saith Conscience to this?
As first, have commanded Duties a Throne in your own Souls and Conscience? Secondly, have they a Throne in thy Family?
First, have commanded Duties a Throne in your own souls and consciences? Are your hearts fully posses with the power of those divine and heavenly Truths, which you have often heard, which hath been again and again inculcated upon you, as it was upon the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 1:5? their carnal principles were confuted, their passions moderated, their lusts mortified, their self-ends confounded; are yours so? Have commanded Duties a Throne in your souls and consciences? Oh that all your consciences could give a satisfying answer to this Query.
Secondly, have commanded Duties a Throne in your Families? Do you make conscience of Family-duties? Are your houses Bethels, that is, houses of God, house of Prayer? Are your habitations of holiness and righteousness? Do you make conscience of relative, as well as of personal duties? Oh that all your consciences could give a satisfying answer to this Query!
But now the second Branch of this Use of Tryal and Examination is this, Whether the Ministry you have enjoyed, and lived under, doth not lay a very great Obligation on you, to put in execution every commanded Duty, as Romans 10:6-8. that is, the Word of Faith we preach; read that place. And may not we take up that with some variation, and say, You have heard of the disease, the misery and remedy. When the great God shall arraign thee at the great and fearful Day, and shall say thus, Thou rebellious Wretch, why didst thou not forsake thy evil ways, thy drunkenness, thy tipling, thy covetousness, thy snuffling at Purity; thy inveterate heart and spirit against my holy ways and Ministers? why didst thou not forsake thy evil ways? wilt thou be able to say, Lord, I lived under,
1. A soul-betraying, non-resident Minister, one that made it his business to fleece indeed, not to feed the flock: Or
2. under a soul-poysoning Innovator: Or
3. under a soul-pining dry Nurse: Or
4. under a soul-guiding Guide: Or
5. under a soul-unsettling Temporizer: Or
6. under a soul-destroying Discountenancer.
1. Canst thou say that thou livest under a soul-betraying, non-resident Minister, one that made it his business to fleece, and not to feed the flock? one that looked after the wool and fat of the flock: the fleece, but never minded the flock: but non-residency hath been hitherto decryed, as that as breeds a Minister idle and erroneous, or licentious? but wilt thou be able to say, Lord, I lived under such a Minister, that was a soul-betraying Minister, one that was greedy of Livings, and had perhaps two, or three, or four, but so bad a man, that the worst was too good for him? or wilt thou be able to plead? or canst thou say,
2. Lord, I lived under a soul-poysoning Innovator, one that was for formality more than reality of true Worship; one that preached such Doctrine as did not season, but poyson and destroy the souls of his Hearers: such are Romish Teachers, Jesuites, Priests and Seminaries, who so affect the outward pomp, as they neglect the inward power of it? Wilt thou be able to say, Lord, I have lived under the Ministry of such an one, who was more zealous for the formality of thy worship, than the reality: more zealous for those things that will not endure the tryal of the Lords day of appearance, than for the substance of Religion? Or,
3. Canst thou plead that thou hast lived under a soul-pining dry Nurse, one that did not, nor could not feed us with the sincere milk of the Word: one from whom thou never heardest a soul-solid, a soul-working Sermon all thy life? I appeal to your Consciences, have you not heard often of your miseries, and Gods mercy, and Christs merits? Have you not heard often of the necessity of a holy life? Oh the convictions, informations, exhortations, perswasions, directions, you have enjoyed and lived under! Hath not thy state by nature been ripped up, and the Anatomy, (not of the Council of Trent) but of Gods Book, been shewed to thee? What shall I say, Hath not Hell and Damnation to all rebellious, and Heaven and Salvation to all true penitent Souls been preached unto you?
4. Or canst thou say that thou livedst under a Soul-misguiding Guide, as 1. A blind Seer, a blind Watchman, a blind Leader of the blind, one who knew not Heavens way? Canst thou say thou livedst under such a Creature that is not to be found in Christs Catalogue, an Idol-preacher, as in Psalms 135:16-17. verses, read that. Or 2. If not ignorant, yet one so Vicious, that he pulled down more with his foul hands, than he built up with his fair tongue? Canst thou say thou livedst under one, who by his Conversation gave his Doctrine the lye? Wilt thou be able to plead thus at the great day? or wilt thou be able to say,
5. That thou hast lived under a Soul-unsettling Temporizer. What would he not do, rather than he would lose his Living? which made me think Religion to be but a fantasie. Wilt thou be able to say at the great day, Lord, it was my sad lot and portion to live under the Ministry of such a one, who turned his Fiddle to the times of every one? I, Or
Lastly, wilt thou be able to say thou livedst under a Soul-destroying discountenancer of all purity and holiness; one (perhaps) though no Dunce, or Drunkard, yet a prophane scoffer; one that preached holiness, out of his Pulpit, and Parish, and House, and the like.
But first of all, we can through grace, appeal in this case both to the Lord, and to your selves, that it hath not been so with you.
2. Consider how inexcusable you will be, if you live and die in your ignorance, impenitency, and unbelief.
1. Consider, we can in this case appeal both to the Lord, and to your selves. 1. To the Lord; we are able with an humble boldness to appeal to him, and say, Lord, thou knowest we have given this people warning, Ezekiel 3:18. Now blessed be the Lord, we can humbly appeal to his Majesty, O Lord, thou knowest we have warned the wicked to turn from his wicked way, and the profane from his profaneness, and the superstitious from his superstition, and the schismatical from his schisme, and the formal from his formality, and the civil honest man from resting in his mortality. O blessed be thy name, we have endeavoured to take off this people from all their Sandy, quagmiry Foundations? Lord, thou knowest our Prayers for them. And so,
2. To appeal to you: And this was a very great comfort to St. Paul, that he could appeal to the people themselves, as Acts 20:26-27. This was a great comfort to him: and blessed be the God of Grace, it is a great comfort to us, that we can take you to record, that we are pure from your blood, we have not ceased to declare all that the Father hath shewn to us; we have not been afrighted by any man, or mens frowns, nor debauched to conceal any part thereof by any mans smile.
3. Consider how inexcusable you will be, if you live and dye in your ignorance, impenitency, and unbelief, Ezekiel 3:10. Observe it, if you miscarry for eternity, the blood of your souls will not be charged on us; Nay, it will be on your own heads; And therefore the Apostle Paul, when he preached Christ to the Jews, and they opposed and blasphemed, their blood was upon their own heads, as Acts 18:5-6. Oh consider it! if your Ministers have been faithful, they are clear, and free, and guiltless; the Lord will never charge the blood of souls on them. Consider it therefore, how speechless will you be at the great day, if you live and die in your sins? may not the Lord say of this place, as he did of Capernaum, Matthew 11:23. For thou hast enjoyed the Ministry of many of my Servants. Dare any of you meet us in the day of Judgment, under whose Ministry you have lived in an unregenerate estate, and say that you have lived under a soul-betraying, non-resident one; or under a soul-poysoning Innovator; or a soul-pining dry-Nurse; or a soul-misguiding guide, or a soul-unsetled Temporizer; or a soul-destroying discountenancer, in an unregenerate estate? the Lord will then make you to know what it was to have a faithful Labourer among you, as Ezekiel 33:33. Then, when you shall be convinced in your own Consciences, you shall then say, You heard all those things, and we cannot say we were unwarned, either in sin or danger; we had precept upon precept, but we slighted all warning, and exhortion, and direction; therefore now are lost and undone everlastingly. So much may serve for the first Use.
The second Use is a Use of Direction, which will fall into many very sutable and practical particulars, whereto I do beseech you to hearken unto, as the words of a dying man do commonly take the deepest impression on the surviving hearts. Now this may be, for all that I know, my last words to you in this place, therefore I beseech you to hear me: An interruption, a suspension of my weak worthless pains and labor among you there will be, for any thing I know, from this day; but observe, it is no resignation from me, or my Reverend Brother; and therefore what other dissolution of the property and relation between your Pastor and you, there may be, as of that mutual intercourse, I shall not account, o• call it forfeiture of his place, whatever others may call it, let them call it what they will. Then hearken to my words, as the words of a dying man, yet not dead, but alive, and perhaps shall not die, but live, and declare the Word of the Lord, and hold forth the Word of the Lord to you many a time in this place, when-ever it pleaseth God to set open a door for me.
If it be so, That the Ministers foundness in Doctrine, and holiness of life and conversation, do lay great obligation on a people, duly and conscienciously to practice every commanded duty; Then from this Doctrine I would suggest and leave with you several words and hints of counsel: And on that the Lord God of Heaven, would effectually engage and set them home on every one of our hearts.
My first Counsel is this, that when the Lord taketh away such Ministers whose Doctrine is sound, and their lives exemplary holy, you would then be duly apprehensive, and deeply sensible, both of the inflicting cause, and also of the meritorious deserving cause thereof.
1. For the inflicting cause: and that is the Lord himself, Isaiah 3:1-2, Who is it that taketh away from the people the natural staff, and the civil staff, the spiritual staff, saith the Prophet? The Lord, the Lord of Hosts. Whoever it be that is the Instrument, it is certain, it is the Lord himself that is the principal efficient cause of this judgment on a people; and this will appear, if we consider.
1. The Lord hath threatned this judgment on a rebellious people, Amos 8:11-12. I (saith the Lord) will bring this judgment on them. A most dreadful spiritual judgment! Gods Word is the spiritual food of our spiritual lives; and therefore, as the granting of it is a blessing indeed, so the with-holding of it is a judgment. This ireful, dreadful judgment of the Lord, we see, threatens; yea, that is not all, the Lord hath not only threatned it, but
2. Inflicted it; as the Lord takes away his faithful Messengers and Embassadours.
1. Sometimes by death, out of the world, out of the Land of the living. And thus the Lord took away the Prophet Enoch, Genesis 5:24. And,
2. Sometimes by removal. Thus the Lord took away the Prophet Jonas from Israel, and sent him to Nineveh, as Jonah 1:2. And thus Paul and Barnabas went away from the Jews, and turned to the Gentiles, as Acts 13:4.
3. Sometimes by deprivation. A time there was, when the good Priests and Levites were forced to flee their own places and possessions, 2 Chronicles 11:13-14.
4. Sometimes by suspension. Thus a time there was, when it was said to the Seers, see not, and to the Prophets, prophesie not, Isaiah 30:9-10. Thus a time there was, when people would have Pastors, but would not endure faithful Jeremiah; and a time there was, that there was a Law made, Look ye speak no more in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:11. And a time there was when Paul and Timotheus, and Silvanus, were forbid to preach to the Gentiles, 1 Thess. 2:15:16. Thus we see the Lord himself hath inflicted this dreadful Judgment on a people: and the Lord hath divers wayes, and methods, and means to inflict it.
3. Consider, The Church and people of the Lord hath been very sensible of the Lords hand in this judgment, as we may see in Psalm 74:1. and 9. verses compared. Why, what is the matter? as if they have said, God was wont heretofore to give us signs and tokens, he would even work miracles for us; the Lord would send us some Prophets to converse with, and instruct us; we had those that could tell us how long our troubles should last; but now we see no sign, the Lord leaveth us as it were to the wide world, and how sensible was the Lords Church in this judgment? as ver. 1. of that Psalm. This is the first endeavour, We are to be duely sensible, and deeply apprehensive of the afflicting cause of such a judgment; and that is the Lord himself.
2. Of the meritorious Cause, and that is sin. Say not we, it is long of such and such, but it is long of ourselves, we may thank our selves for this, and we appeal to your selves, whether this judgment may not be charged?
1. From the general inflexibleness and untractableness of people under the Ministry of the Word: For this very cause the Lord plagued and poured his vengeance upon the ten Tribes, as in 2 Kings 17. from v. 13. to 19. The Lord testified against Israel by all the Prophets, and by all the Stars, saying, turn you from your evil wayes, notwithstanding they will not hear. And for this very cause did the Lord afterwards plague all Judah, as Jer. 20:17,18,19. And for this very reason did the Lord Jesus Christ remove Paul from Jerusalem, because the people were a stiff-necked people, and they would not receive Pauls testimony concerning Jesus, as Acts 22:18. Paul had a great desire to stay at Jerusalem, as ap∣peared by his reasoning with the Lord, as ver. 9, 20. But what saith the Lord Christ, ver. 21. Now can England, can London, plead not guilty of this heinous provocation, a general inflexibleness, untractableness under a Conscience-ransacking, a Conscience-searching Ministry. What shall the Lord do with such a people, under such a Minister? Is it not just with God to let them alone that are prophane and superstitious? Let there be like People, like Priests? Let the blind lead the blind, and let the wicked rebellious Minister lead a wicked, loose people, that both may perish together everlastingly.
2. The unfruitfulness, formality, lukewarmness, declining of Gods own people; and for this the Lord threatens the Church of Ephesus, Revelation 2:4-5. I have (saith Christ) somewhat against thee, thou hast left thy first love; though not absolutely for nature, yet eminent for measure: And can England, can London plead not guilty of this sad provocation? Now indeed we cannot but observe, and approve of your flocking to the Lords Ordinances, as Doves to the holes of a Window; but did you do so some Months agone? Oh your voluntary and fearful distractions, avocations, diversions from the Worship and Service of God! And is it not just with the Lord to take away that abundance, and choice of Spiritual helps a people had, when they approved not of them; yea, when they undervalued, and despised, and abused them? Oh the Lord God help us all to affect our souls, and lay ourselves low before his All-seeing Majesty, for our provoking him to do this! and endeavour to be duly apprehensive, and deeply sensible of the inflicting cause, and meritorious cause thereof.
2. Take heed of a prophane delight in loose, lewd, wicked, dissolute Ministers. And here we will premise two or three things. 1. Too many people are too ready to cavil at many Ministers without a cause.
The life of our blessed Lord and Saviour, was it not traduced? Did not some say he was a friend to Publicans and Sinners? We see Christ was cavilled at, and quarrelled with by some: And thus the holy Apostles, their lives were traduced, they went through evil report, as well as good report, 2 Corinthians 10:2. And thus Athanasius, who was traduced for an Adulterer by the Arians; and so Luther and Calvin are represented and reported by the Papists, as if they had been the vilest Creatures in the World. The wicked man cavils at, and finds spots (at least doth what he can to find spots) in the Sun; and some, who are not so wicked: do look for an Evangelical perfection in Ministers, and all theirs, their Wives, and their Children, and their Servants, and their Company: How ready are people grossly and uncharitably to censure a Minister for any, yea, the least they discern in him, or his; and is this their Vertue? nay, is it not their Vice and Corruption?
2. It is no breach of the Churches peace, no argument of a contentious and unquiet spirit in a Minister, to speak vilely of vile Ministers, and enemies of the Churches peace. Why, who are they? John Baptist tells us, he calls them Vipers, a generation of Vipers: why, were they not Preachers? Matthew 3:7. And will you say that John Baptist was a man of a contentious Spirit, of an unquiet Spirit? And who were they whom our blessed Saviour calls a Generation of Vipers? Matthew 12:34; Matthew 12:38-39. And who were they whom our Saviour calls a Generation of Vipers, and an evil and Adulterous Generation? were they not Preachers? and it is very observable, both John Baptist, and our Saviour did call those Preachers thus, even in the hearing of them who were their ordinary hearers; and do but observe what strange terms of disgrace St. Peter gives them, 2 Peter 2:12. to certain Preachers in his time, verse 14. what strange terms doth the Apostle give to those Teachers, whose pernicious wayes many would follow, as in verse 2. of that Chapter. But did not the Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses's Chair? and did they not preach some good Doctrine? insomuch that Jesus Christ bids the people hear them, and observe what they said, though not what they did, as Matthew 23:1-3. Therefore may some say: It seemeth strange that Christ should thus disgrace the Scribes and Pharisees; was not this the way to make their Ministry contemptible?
First, it is very clear and undeniable, that there was a Generation of pitiful sorry Teachers, as in Matthew 9:36. Why, did not the people enjoy the Teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees; yes, they did; but the Scribes and Pharisees were Idol-Shepherds, they knew how to feed their Flock, and therefore Christ lookt on the people as Sheep scattered abroad, for all the Scribes and Pharisees. They did not understand that there was heart-murder, or heart-adultery, until our blessed Saviour instructed them: The Scribes and Pharisees, they did but strike at the bough only, but our Saviour Preached with authority, and not as the Scribes did. And withal, I answer,
2. That beyond all peradventure, our blessed Saviour saw, that although the Scribes and Pharisees did teach some truths, yet by their Life and Doctrine they did more mischief than good; and therefore the more credit they had among the people, the more mischief they were like to do: And therefore from hence our blessed Lord and Saviour calls them a Generation of Vipers. But I hope you will not count it an argument of the breach of the Churches peace, to speak vilely of a vile Ministry; It was no more than John Baptist did, and than our Saviour did.
Thirdly, no mans sin deserves so sharply to be reproved, as the sins of Ministers; because his sins of all others, are the chief sins committed in a Land; at the Sanctuary of prophaneness too too often begins.
Therefore when Gods people met in their publick Fasts, they made solemn Confession of those sins of the first Magnitude, by which they had most provoked the Lord; they do make Confession chiefly of the sins of their Magistrates and Ministers, Nehemiah 9:33-34. The Jews there bewailed the sins of their Magistrates and Ministers, as the particular cause of their plagues. Oh the sins of Teachers are the Teachers of sin, and therefore no mans sin deserves to be so sharply reproved, as the scandalous sins of Ministers. Now if you love your souls, take heed and beware of a prophane, delight in lewd, loose, dissolute Ministers. We send the Lord complaining of the wickedness of the Prophets, and of the Priests and People, as Jeremiah 5 ult. the people, did take a prophane delight in false Prophets, and in polluted Priests; and so likewise in the Prophet Micah 2:11. the people, although they did oppose the Prophet Micah, and other true Prophets, yet they did approve of and delight in false Prophets, such as were of their own leaven, their own way and mould, such as would flatter them, and promise them wine and strong drink: and are there not many such people in the world, that had rather hear such a Minister, than such as preach close-walking with God, and of getting to Heaven under pain of damnation? Will you cry up, and will you prophanely delight in a Ministry that shall preach peace, peace to all prophane rebellious people; in short, such a one that will poison you in Doctrine, or in his example.
Fourthly, take heed and beware of a sinful Idolizing of godly, faithful Ministers; the Apostle decries this with much zeal, ardency, and servency of Spirit; what is Paul's planting, and what is Apollo's watering? 1 Corinthians 3:5-6. As excellent gifts, parts, and graces as these men had, yet they look higher: so it is your duty to look above mens parts, and above mens gifts and graces; Paul and Apollo cannot give increase; Paul indeed may plant, but there is no rooting indeed in these plants, but by Christ. And read v. 7. It is God and he only that can give increase: As Elisha's Servant could carry his Masters staff and lay it on the dead child, but the child could not be raised to life, until Elisha came himself; thus godly faithful Ministers can but lay Gods Message before you, but unless the Lord set it to the heart, never a dead Soul can be raised from the death of sin, to the life of grace and holiness. Remember godly and faithful Ministers, although they have the Lords Sword, yet they have not the Lord Christs arm; and alas, what can the Lord Christs Sword do without his Arm.
Fifthly, take heed of being leavened with prejudice against the Ministry of the Word, because of the misdemeanors or miscarriage of the Minister. Surely the efficacy of the Word and Sacrament doth not depend on the quality of the Minister. It is the Word of the Lord that converts, not the person of the Dispenser or Speaker. A seed that is sown in a good soil, may, yea will grow and thrive, although perhaps the Sower had a very dirty hand, 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. The Apostle tells the Corinthians, that they are, saith he, The Epistle of Christs Ministry by us; the hand is Christs, Ministers are but the Pen. Hence it was, that the Ministry of the Scribes and Pharisees was not to be rejected, but to be esteemed; so long as they sailed not in the substance thereof, and hence the Apostle rejoyceth that Christ was preached of the false Apostles, Php_1:15-18. though out of envy; take heed therefore and beware of a total separation from disserting of, and forsaking Church-assemblies; and yet I conceive it is a very rare thing for unconverted Ministers to convert some. For what saith the Lord by the Prophet Zephaniah, Zephaniah 3:1-4. Ob saith the Lord to Jerusalem, that hath such Prophets and such Priests, woe to such a City, to such a Country, to such a Parish. And what saith Christ himself in Matthew 15:14. Let them alone; oft-times it falls out so, that it made Archbishop Abbot speak in a Lecture of his, and profess, that his heart did even bleed within him, to think of the precious Souls of many people, who had such Ministers, that if they had not been in the Ministry, they would not have been fit Hogherds for Swine. And yet we must remember not to tye the efficacy of the Word and Sacraments, to the goodness or badness of a Ministers person.
Sixthly, take heed and beware of being leavened with prejudice against all Ministers, because of the Vileness, and monster-like unbeseeming Carriage of some Ministers. It hath been granted over and over that some Ministers evil, licentious Carriage and Conversations, are notorious; the Lord knows, too many Ministers have Esau's hands with Jacob's voyce; what then, must this redound to the general disgrace of all Ministers? because some Professors of the Law live lawless, must therefore all be censured and condemned for the lawless Livers? because Judas was a Devil, and a Son of Perdition, will you therefore say that all the Disciples of Christ were naught? Perhaps you do know some Sir Johns, some blind Seers, some blind Watchmen, who know nor Heavens way, some blind Droans; or secondly, some that carry themselves insolently, as Jeremiah 20:1-2. Pasher did: or thirdly, some that are too like that evil servant in the Gospel, as Luke 12:45. or perhaps you know: Fourthly, Some apostarizing Demas's, who embrace this present world and revolt from their principles and profession, as 2 Timothy 4:10. Or perhaps you know, filthy, some aspiring and climbing Diotrephes, as 3 John 1:9. perhaps you know some such as these I have instanced, what then? is there any Profession as it were, but it hath a certain scum? why then in the face of some, who thorow grace are free from these miscarriages, take heed and beware of being leavened with prejudice against all Ministers, because of the vileness and miscarriage of some.
Seventhly, be earnest with the Lord for a godly, faithful Ministry, whose labour and pains among the people the Lord useth to bless; The Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest Patron of all Livings, as a reverend man now in Heaven, once said; He can present whom he will to a parish, and he can restore whom he will to their people, as Acts 12:5-7. as he did Peter out of Prison by the peoples prayers; and thus when Paul was in prison at Rome, observe how he writes to Philemon 1:22 of his Epistle, and thus when the Author of the Hebrews was restrained from preaching, observe what an Exhortation he useth, Hebrews 13:12-18. Oh pray therefore! pray for godly faithful Ministers; their pains, their labours, the Lord useth to bless among a people, as Mal. 26. we read that the Lord blessed the labours of Levi, so that he was an instrument in the Lords hands to turn wicked men from their iniquities; and v. 5. so it was said of Barnabas, that by his Ministry, much people were added to the Lord, Acts 11:24. And if we would have godly faithful Ministers; as we must pray for them, so we must first repent us of our sins, Jeremiah 3:14-15. repent we must for our sins, and particularly our contempt of the Ordinances and worship of God. Secondly, we must prize the Gospel more than we have done; the Gospel loves to come and stay where it is welcome. Of all the 7 Churches of Asia, the Church of Philadelphia was the best, that Church used the word best, and that Church enjoyed the word longest. Be earnest with the Lord for godly faithful Ministers, whose pains and labours among the people the Lord useth to bless and prosper.
7. Be earnest with the Lord, that the refining work of a National-Reformation, a City, a Country, a Family-Reformation, a Personal-Reformation, may begin at the refining and purging of Ministers. None will deny, but that there is a great need of a Reformation; there is none of you but will confess, that the Seed of Leaven had need sometimes to be winnowed out from amongst us, as 2 Chron. 29:48. Hezekiah began at the Priests and Levites, Hezekiah began his reformation at them; and thus at our first reformation, the Protestants, did then affirm, that there could never be any good reformation, unless they begun at the Court of Rome: and it is very observable, that when the Prophet speaks of the Lord Christs coming as a refining fire, and as Fullars soap; this also is prophesied of refining the Sons of Levi, Malachi 2:2. when he shall purifie the Sons of Levi, when he shall purge them as Gold and Silver; as it was in Judah, in the reign of that good King Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 29:34. The Priests were too few there; and as it was in Judah then, whether it be not so in England now I affirm not, but leave you to judge. But a Ministers soundness in De∣ctrine, and holiness of Life and Conversation, should lay a great obligation on a people, duly & conscientiously to practice every command to duty. And this may suffice for the second Doctrine. Come we now to the third Doctrine, deducable to be handled from this Text, and that is, That in the due practise of commanded duties, Gods People may may warrantably and confidently expect much of the gracious presense of the God of peace, even in the worst of times. These things think on, saith the Apostle, v. 8. These things do, saith the Apostle in the Text, and what then? The God of Peace shall be with you. In the due practice of commanded duties, Gods people may confidently expect much of the gracious presense of the God of peace in the worst of times; then take counsel from this Doctrine, that you may have the gracious presense of the God of peace with you; and if this Pulpit were my death-bed, I should give such counsel as this following to you.
First, Crown the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ in your hearts and lives; I say, Crown the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, in your hearts and lives; receive him as your Lord and King, set a Crown on his head here in your hearts and lives, and he will crown you with peace in this life, and set a crown of Glory, a crown of Immortality on your heads in the life to come. If you have Christ, you have all things, all heavenly graces, and spiritual comforts, all temporal blessings; if you have Christ, God will and can give you all things that are good for you; without Christ you are not, and you can do nothing that is acceptable to God. Therefore this is my first counsel to you, Crown the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ in your hearts and lives.
Secondly, then maintain a constant, and a conscientious intimate communion with the God of peace. It was good counsel which Eliphas gave to Job, Job 22:21. Would you have much of the presence of the God of peace? Oh! then frequently fall down and lie at the foot-stool of the Lords Throne, for grace and for peace; and when you do so, be not unmindful of us, who have been often your mouths to God, and Gods mouth to you. And to engage and encourage you herein, consider.
First, the Lord Jesus Christ hath promised to be with his poor Ministers always, even to the end of the world. Matthew 28. ult. If always, not in the Pulpit only; no, the Lord hath promised to be with his faithful Servant, out of the Pulpit, as well as in the Pulpit; in the prison sealing the truth, as well in the Pulpit preaching the truth? Oh then will you put this in suit by prayer, that the Lord Christ will be with his poor Ministers to the end of the world.
Secondly, we shall not fail to pray for you, 1. Sam. 12:23. Our sequestring from our preaching-work from you, will give us advantage to lay our more time to fetch sighs from our hearts in praying-work for you; and I trust the Lord will give us hearts, so to improve our time for you, as Samuel said, so God forbid we should sin against the Lord in causing to pray for you, as Peter did to the people with a promise, as 1 Peter 5:10. And not only for you. But
Secondly, even for such as have treated us somewhat uncivilly and unkindly, to say no more of them, although their number be very inconsiderable; but such I trust we shall not forget in our prayers: As Moses fell down on his face for the children of Israel, when they treated him very unkindly, and spit in his face; I trust we shall not forget Moses's prayer for the people: and so when they danced before their Idol, Jeremiah wept for those in his time, as Jeremiah 13:17. And that we shall not forget Jeremiah weeping for you: And I trust likewise, that we shall remember Stephen being on his knees for his Persecutors, powring out his life and prayer together, Acts 7:60. I doubt not but my reverend Brother, and myself shall remember Pauls willingness to spend, and to be spent both in prayer and preaching for you all. Though the more abundantly he loved, the less he was beloved, 2 Corinthians 12:15.
Thirdly, maintain and nourish all tenderness in your Conscience all your dayes: Oh! go not without, much less against the dictates of Conscience, rebel not against the light of it; beware of stifling and suppressing a warning Conscience, lest a warning Conscience prove a gnawing Conscience, and prove a tormenting Conscience. And consider. First, Remorse of Conscience, hath an eye against all sin past. Secondly, Tenderness of Conscience, which hath an eye to all fin to come. Take heed then of all calmness of heart.
Fourthly, take heed of Apostatizing. Chrysostom hath a notable saying, namely, That Ministers have a greater trouble, because they never find their work as they leave it, as other workmen do. Oh! in how short a time doth a poor Minister find all his work put out of frame and order? Did not Moses find it so? Exodus 32:8. Moses had no sooner turned his back as it were, but the People were turned out of Gods way, of worship: And did not Paul find it so? Galatians 1:6. The Galatians were quickly removed, Paul was but lately gone from them, and they were quickly apostatized. Now this cometh to pass;
First, it is by reason of a crafty, subtle, deceitful Devil, as in the Gospel we read, While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares, Matthew 13:25. And who this Enemy is, we may see in Christs expounding the Parable, ver. 39.
And secondly, partly by reason of mens own deceitful hearts, as Hebrews 3:12. observe it. There is an evil heart of unbelief in the best, it dwells in the best, but it reigns in the wicked; And what is that? one of these evil hearts of unbelief, in apostatizing, in departing from the living God.
Thirdly, it is partly by reason of deceitful Workers, as the Apostle calls false Apostles. It is partly by reason of such: Then take heed of Apostatizing, either from truth of Doctrine, purity of Worship, or practice of Conversation.
First, From truth of Doctrine. Be not weary of old Truths; take heed, and beware of itching after novel Doctrines; take heed and beware of admiring this or that Opinion, which, as new Lights, drop down from Heaven, but indeed is but as the smoak of the bottomless pit.
Secondly, From purity of Worship also. Let not your zeal be cold, but kindled against every bracelet of the Scarlet-whore. How often doth the Apostle call the People Adulterers, and Adulteresses, because they Apostatize from the Word and Worship of God.
Thirdly, In Practice and Conversation. Prize the Gospel, love it, and live accordingly to it: With constancy look on every motion of thy soul, and every action of thy life is a step of life, or a step to death; as a step towards Heaven, or a step to Hell, Heb. 10 31. To close this Counsel, the Author of the Hebrews bringeth in the Lord protesting against Apostatizing. If any man draw back from Gospel-principles, and Gospel-worship, or from a Gospel-conversation, saith the Lord, If any man draw back thus, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Tremble then at this, thou Apostatizer, whoever thou art, where ever thou fittest or standest, My soul shall have no pleasure in thee. I loath and abominate that person, saith the Lord.
5. All of you then study peace, and particularly you who do unfeignedly set your hearts and faces towards Heaven, study peace and follow after it; though it run from you, pursue after it. You profess your selves to be them that are truly searing God, and truly honouring the King, and truly loving one another; Oh then seek peace.
You who do unfeignedly set your hearts and faces towards. Heaven, study peace alwayes, and decline all dividing principles and practises among you; and that you may not either breed or feed circumstantial differences, or substantial divisions, consider, God is the God of peace, our Saviour is the Prince of peace, our Comforter is the Comforter of peace, our Calling is the Calling of peace, our Way is the Way of Peace. Oh that we may so live in Peace, that the God of Love and Peace may dwell with us; and that the God of Peace may live with us here, that we may live with the God of Peace hereafter!