32. Mr. Sclater's Farewell Sermon

32. Mr. Sclater's Farewell Sermon
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. Little Children, keep your selves from Idols." - 1 John 5:1; 1 John 5:21
This general Doctrine I have already delivered unto you from this Text, which indeed is the marrow and substance of the whole Chapter; That Gospel-believing is a duty, which they that really perform, are highly priviledged by, to their greatest advantage. I have spoken concerning Gospel-believing, and that is a duty, and that they that do really perform it are highly dignified and priviledged by it, as hath been made to appear from the Chapter; that which remains to be done, and shall be, as God enables the work of this morning, is to make improvement of this Doctrine, which is one of the most material and momentous Doctrines that can be preached to us. Gospel-believing it hath most precious priviledges entailed upon it; Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus is come in the Flesh; is born of God, knows God, and shall be eternally blessed of God, and with God; surely then the world runs upon a very great mistake. I have hinted something already to that purpose, but I have left the more full discussion and discovery of the matter until now. Why, who is there among the generality of common Professors that is not very pregnant to hold forth this to be their Faith? If so be that it should be put to the Question, Friend, what is your Faith? What belief are you of? Why? not one in a thousand, I think, but will be apt to say, why truly, I will give you this account; There is a Gospel which is preached among us and in the world, and this Gospel doth hold forth this for true Doctrine, that Jesus the Son of Mary, that was born at Bethlehem, is the Christ, is the Messiah which was promised by the Father, and which the world did live in expectation of so long, This Jesus I believe is the Son of God, this Jesus I verily believe is come in the flesh, and he is come to be the Saviour of the world: This is the Belief, and that which is the common Profession that is made by the generality of people. Why, but will you consider now, this Text, and other Scriptures do speak fully to the purpose; Whosoever doth believe this, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that he is come in the flesh, whosoever believes this, is of God, is born of God. And it doth clearly appear, and may be most convincingly made out, that many thousands that profess their belief concerning these things, yet notwithstanding are not born of God. Why, certainly there must needs be a great fallacy in the business: Gospel-faith and Believing, it is not so common a thing as many take it to be, and therefore if this be Gospel-faith, and that which doth interest persons in such great and precious priviledges, truly it concerns us to look well to it, that we be not mistaken concerning this belief. Now this I would say, there is something in it to be considered with respect to the time wherein Christ appeared visibly to the world, and the after-times wherein the Apostles did hold forth these great Doctrines of the Gospel concerning Christ. And this we are to say, that in such a time as that was, when this was the critical point as it were, the discriminating thing, in such a time for any to make this Profession, and to hold forth this to be their Faith and Belief, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, it was of high signification; and might very well, as to man, beget a comfortable confidence and hope concerning such persons, that certainly they were born of God, as to man, and according to rational Charity it might be very comfortable that such persons as did thus believe, and profess this to be their Faith and Belief, there were some blessed beam upon their Souls; for mark you, it hath been thus in the world, and among the people of it concerning matters of God and Godliness, that there hath been such and such a Truth, that hath been the Critical Truth, as I said; that hath been, as I may so say, the Shibboleth whereby people are distinguished one from another. I allude to that passage in the Book of Judges, concerning the Gileadites; they made a profession of themselves to be such and such, and they were put to it to pronounce Shiboleth; they that could not speak out the word, and clearly pronounce it, they were not judged to be persons that they professed themselves to be; but they that could do it held their liberty; so such and such a Doctrine is ordered out to be a distinguishing point, upon the account of the desperate opposition that the world makes against it; and upon this account the Priests, and the Rulers, and the rest of the world were desperately bent against Jesus; they called him Jesus, but could not endure him to be called Christ the Son of God; it was an Act and Decree amongst them, That whosoever should confess Jesus to be Christ, should be put out of the Synogogue, should be excommunicated. Now for persons at such time, wherein it was as much as their liberty, it may be their lives were worth, to own that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, for persons now •t such a time to own this Jesus, that was in so mean a condition, to be the Christ, there is very much in it, infinitely more, than for persons now to take up this profession.
Why? because this Doctrine hath obtained in the world, and it is a Doctrine among Papists as well as Protestants; there is no such danger now for persons to be of this belief. But shall I say this, that for all that to believe this really according to the right account, and true genuine interpretation of Gospel-believing, the case is the same with them and with us at this day, setting aside the consideration of times and time; the danger then, and the encouragement now; the Case is the same, Gospel-believing of these truths according to a genuine interpretation of Gospel-believing, it is the same now as then, and then as now: And therefore we must consider and look further.
I would put these few things to your Consciences; You profess this to be your Faith, you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that he is come in the flesh; these things you profess to believe, & if you do so indeed you are highly privileged people, blessed of God, & shall be to all eternity but do you not mistake, Do you believe this, that Jesus is the Christ? How came you by this belief? What account can you give of it? How were you brought over to this belief? Did you not come to this Faith and belief by common report? You were born to this Doctrine; you look upon it as that which is the benefit you have by your being born in a Nation, and among a people that profess the Name of Christ, and this hath been instilled into you by Education, and upon this account you take it: Did you ever buy this truth? It is a Truth, that Jesus is the Christ, how came into be yours? Did you ever buy this Truth? Buy it? I say buy it. For the very Truth is, we are never able to make a good Title to any Scripture-Truth, until such time as we can say, we have bought it: How, why, by serious meditation, studying the Scriptures, search∣ing into them, seriously pondering and weighing of them, crying mightily to God, that he would manifest them to us, and encountering temptations from without, and from within, being at a point, willing to engage liberty and estate, and life, and all for this Truths sake: Can you say, we have pondered, and are so fully satisfied about it, as that if all the World should come in a way of contradiction, and rise up in opposition to us, and come with fire and sword to beat us out of this Truth, yet we are resolved to stick to it? Can you give such an account of your selves, That you have not taken it up upon a common report, but are able to say, there hath been an inward Revelation made of these things to your Souls, that there hath been a sanctified work of the Spirit upon your understanding, that you come to see into the mystery of these Gospel-Testimonies? Is there an habitual frame of Spirit wrought in you, whereby you are carryed out to close with every Truth of God, and to close with it upon this account, because of a Divine Authority stampt upon it? When we give assent to common Truths, but not with a common spirit, but in the strength of an inward conviction, we assent to it upon the account of an Unction that we have received from the Holy One; and we assent to this and that truth upon the account of a Divine Authority which we see to be stampt upon it, and withall we finde that there are suitable workings of our heart in the loves, and desires, and delights of them, to these Truths (as there will be a kindly working of the heart, where there is a right assent suitable to the Truths assented to;) as if there be a Threatning, the Soul assents to it, and will tremble before God: If a Promise be made, or a Gospel-Revelation, it will be accompanied with a holy rejoycing in God, that ever he should make such a Promise or Revelation; and then there will be a holy resolution of Spirit, Come what will come, I will never part with this Truth; I have bought the Truth, that was my duty; and having bought it, I will never sell it, that is my duty too; can we give such an account as this? But then withal, let me a little further improve that which I have already spoke from the Chapter.
You say, this is your belief, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of GOD; but can you give an account of those priviledges that are entailed upon this belief? For you must know that the priviledges which belong to such, will serve as evidences that they are such.
Now if you believe, it is your priviledge to be born of God; and this being born of God must be the evidence of this belief. Can you give an account of your being born of God? If you are not born of God, you do not believe, That Jesus is the Christ. Can you give an account of your overcoming the World? Are you such as are enabled to stand out in opposition to the Errours, and Heresies, and corrupt Doctrines and Practises that are in the World? Can you bear up against the lust of the Eye, the lust of the Flesh, and the pride of Life? If you are in slavery to the World, in bondage to the beggarly Rudiments of the world, you are mistaken, if you believe That Jesus is the Christ: For, he that believeth, according to the true interpretation of Gospel-believing, That Jesus is the Christ, doth overcome the World, and by vertue of this belief, he is enabled to get a conquest over the World, and over the Corruptions that are in it through lust.
And then again, you profess to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: Oh! but are you able to give an account that you have believed into this Jesus, and upon this Jesus? For that is it the Text holds forth: He that believes that Jesus is the Christ, doth believe on Jesus the Christ: Are you by vertue of this believing which you profess, drawn out to a closing with Christ? Do you roll your selves upon him? Own him for Righteousness and Salvation, and are willing to yield your selves up in subjection to him? You believe Jesus to be the Christ; but do you believe on that Jesus whom you profess to be the Christ? Now this being thus laid down as a Foundation, I would infer thus, and so go on to a farther branch of this Application; Either you do really believe with a Gospel-believing the Truths and Doctrines concerning Christ, or you do not: Why, they that do profess they do, but in truth they do not, there is a clear and manifest contradiction which this profession meets withal, and that upon the accounts I have formerly given, as alas, this profession suffers contradiction generally; generally the Professours of this Faith, That Jesus is Christ, doe clearly make a flat contradiction; and I am very confident that there are thousands, that if they should be put to the trial, Will you stick to this truth? If you do, it shall cost you the losse of your Liberty, and Estates: Nay, your Life shall go for it. Oh! I am very apt to think, that you shall have thousands that will turn their backs upon this Profession, renounce this Profession. Now concerning such, this I would say,
First, That the condition of such persons as are not right in Gospel-believing, is a most mournful and miserable condition; however it may be with them in other respects, yet it is sad to think what a condition they are in: for consider first of all, they that do not perform this great duty of Gospel-believing, according to the truth and reality of it, I will tell you what they do, they do give God the lye, they do, by interpretation, tell God to his face that he is a very Liar; and what higher blaspheming can there be, than to give the lye to the God of Truth! everyone will be apt to bless themselves, and say, Oh far be it from me, God forbid that I should be charged with such a horrid impiety as this! Oh, but Brethren, the very truth is, it is a very common thing by interpretation to give the lye to God: and all that do not believe according to that Gospel-believing that you have heard, do tell God to his face that he is a Liar. How doth that appear? Why take a little help, such I am able to give you; To profess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that he came to be the Saviour of the World, is ordered out to be our Righteousness, is sent of God to preach Liberty to captives, to heal diseased souls, and to deliver poor creatures from the bondage of the Devil; these things people generally profess to believe: but mark you now, they never come to Christ, nor never set in with him upon this account, and to this purpose, O Lord thou art the Jesus, the Anointed of God; I come to thee for life, I am a poor dead creature, I am in a state of unrighteousness, and thou art given to be for righteousness; Lord I flye to thee for it, I am a poor diseased creature; the Plague is set upon my soul, and thou art appointed to heal the Soul of the Plague; I come to thee for healing.
There is not one of thousands that come thus to Christ. Will you now see how the lye is given to God? I profess for my part, saith one, I know no such matter (Jesus is the Christ, and I profess to believe so, and he is appointed of God for such and such things; he is sent to preach liberty to the captives; I know not that there is such bondage. Christ came to save sinners; alas, I know no need of any such salvation by him, he came to heal diseased Souls; I am well enough, what need have I of Christ? What is this but to give the lye to God? He that receives not Christ, makes God a liar; for he doth in effect say, Lord, thou sayest so and so concerning the World, I know nothing of all this, and so the lye is given to God. And is it nothing to give the lye to the great God, the God of Truth? And I tell you, while you profess this Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God, and in the meantime flye not to him, you believe him to be the Son of God, and that all authority is given unto him, and you will not subject to his authority, why you give the lye to God, and is this nothing?
2. Consider the sad condition of such as believe not according to a right Gospel-believing, they are such as are liable to the dreadfulest touches from the Devil that possibly can be: He that believeth is born of God, overcomes the World, and is enabled to keep himself, that the wicked one doth not touch him with a mortiferous touch: But I tell thee, whatever thou art, that are under the power of unbelief, thou are in danger of a dreadful touch from the Prince of Darkness: And if thou livest and diest in a state of unbelief, thou wilt fall under the power of condemnation. I remember what our Saviour speaks, and consider well of it: You stand out in opposition to my Doctrine, but I tell you, Except you believe I am he, you shall dye in your sins; a dreadful word, you shall dye in your sins, and what then? be damned eternally: this is the condition of all such as are in a state of unbelief: But then on the other hand, in case we be able to give a good account of our believing that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, and of our believing on him concerning whom these Testimonies are given. Oh what cause have all such to rejoyce in their condition, the condition of such persons is happy beyond all expression and comprehension, that have owned these Truths, owned that Jesus of whom these faithful testimonies are given.
Now all the Chapter, according to the account I have given you, comes in to the purpose of comforting and rejoycing the hearts of such persons. Here is your comfort now, really believing according to a right interpretation of Gospel-believing, this is your priviledge, you are the persons that are born from above, you are the persons that shall be enabled to over∣come the world, to bear up against all opposition that Men and Devils can make against you; you are the persons that have the witness within you, and you shall be able to bear up against all the contradictions of sinners; you are the persons that have Christ, and have eternal life by him: you shall have it, nay, you have it already; He that believeth on the Son of God, hath eternal life; he hath it in the beginnings of it, and shall have it in the compleat state of it, being brought over to Gospel-believing, you may come with boldness to God in a way of Prayer, with holy confidence, that whatever else you ask believing, you shall have a good account of it; God doth not neglect any believing Prayer of a believing Soul. And all the priviledges of the Gospel are entailed upon you, and you are entitled unto them, and you shall have the benefit of them while you live, and when you dye, unto all eternity; well may it be said of such a person, Blessed is be and she that hath believed with a Gospel-believing, Gospel-Truths, and Testimonies concerning Christ, and on Christ, on whom those Testimonies are given, for there shall be a full and perfect accomplishment of whatever God hath spoken with his mouth concerning such.
And then lastly, if the Grace of God hath brought us over to a closing with Christ, of whom these Truths and Testimonies are given; why the last branch of the explication is but this, that you would but justifie your believing, and labour to manifest the reality of your believing, according to the Gospel, by a suitable walking; this is that that shall be the closing up of this application.
Oh Brethren, let us consider well, our Saviour tells us in Matthew 11. Wisdom is justified of her Children: Why, if ever we mean to approve ourselves to be Wisdoms Children, our care must be for to give in our Justification of Wisdoms sayings, and for to carry it in a congruousness, and suitableness unto that Gospel-believing which we profess to be by grace brought over to. Why, but what is that you will say? why, consider the Text, and see what remains of the Chapter. I shall make it out, give it out to you in this way.
Why first of all, this one special duty that lies upon you, that you would study your mercy, and know what God hath been to you, and done for you, and how highly you are dignified, and not be always in a fluctuating state, and upon the questioning and disputing point, but to come to some well-grounded confidence, that you may be able to say, we know that this and that is our condition, and this and that is our dignified priviledge, that we are planted under.
Do but mark how the point in hand doth charge this upon us, in the thirteenth Verse of this Chapter, these things have I writ to you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. Here is your duty according to what the Text itself doth charge upon you; if you be such as by grace are brought over to a Gospel-believing, the Apostle John that did write this Epistle, and I from it, preach unto you, in the Name of the Lord, and by authority from him, that this is your duty, to know that you are persons that have eternal life, that you are such as Christ by his Bloud hath made a purchase of eternal life for; that he hath by his Bloud once for all entred into the holy place, that is not made with hands, that he may prepare for you, and that you might have the possession of those blessed Mansions, that he hath made preparation of
Eternal life it is yours, and you may be bold to claim it, and you are bound to hope and rejoyce in the expectation of the full enjoyment of it, and not to be always upon the question, and disputing point, but to go on with a holy confidence towards God, according to what the Apostle expresses, 1 Corinthians 2. We know that when this earthly Tabernacle shall be dissolved, we shall have a House not made with hands, &c.
But then, a second thing that I have to charge upon you is this, that you would acknowledge with all thankfulnesse and enlargednesse of heart to God, the riches of his mercy, and grace to you, that hath been pleased to call you out of an unbelieving world, and bring you over to the Gospel, and to the participations that are by Christ, according to the Gospel: Oh! this you should set your hearts upon joy admiring the riches of his grace, and say, Lord, why shouldst thou manifest thy self to us, and not to the World! That many thousands should live and die in the total ignorance of Christ, and the Gospel-mysteries, or else live and dye in an empty profession; and yet that God should be pleased to pitch upon me! This is that the Text doth hint unto us in the nineteenth verse of this Chapter. Oh! saith he in a triumphing manner, we know that we are of God, and that the whole world lyes in wickedness, Oh! our mercies, and the riches of Grace that hath appeared to us, while the whole world that lies in wickedness, is put into the Malignant one, lies in the Devil, for he is the Malignant evil one, while the whole world lies in the Devil in malignity! Oh! It is a sad condition, infinitely more sad, than for a man to lie in the most noisome stinking Ditch, or in the loathsomest kennel, why this is that that heightens the mercy to poor souls that are called by grace according to the purpose of God, that while the whole world lies in wickedness, and so are like to lie: yea, and to lie in Hell to all eternity, that God should please to lay you in the bosom of his Son, and to take you into the arms of his mercy; this is that, that should heighten our thankfulness. I may make use of that expression which we find in Acts the fourth, when Paul and Barnabas came unto a company of heathens, and they saw what great things were done by them, and took notice of the gracious spirit that they discovered; sure, say they, The Gods are come among us in the likeness of men. Considering the state of times, and what a height of wickedness many at this day are grown up unto the dreadful swearing, blaspheming of God and his ways: truly judge of it your selves, whether we may not say the Devils are come among us in the likeness of men. Why now, Oh! how should we heighten our love and thankfulness to God, that should please in free grace to bring us over to close with Jesus Christ!
But then as many as are brought over to Gospel-believing, this is your duty to study, and endeavour what you can your advantages in faith; and so the Apostle gives it in charge here in the Chapter in v. 13. These things have I writ to you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the Son of God. This is that you should set about, if God hath brought you over to a closing with Christ, and an embracing of the Testimonies concerning him, believe more and more, labor for your advancement, and let it be your prayer, Good Lord encrease our faith: labor that you may be clear in your apprehensions of gospel-mysteries, and that you may be more strong in your adherence to Christ, of whom those Gospel-testimonies are given, and that you may not only come to have an adhering faith, but to an assuring faith; that you may not be like waves tossed and tumbled up and down, but that you may come to be rooted and established, and grounded in your faith, that you may not come to be unsettled by Heresie, corrupt Doctrines, or the Apostacy of others, but that you may be stedfast and unmovable.
Yet further, fifthly, this is to be given in charge to such as do believe according to the Gospel, that they carry it suitably to a believing state, as in those particulars that I have insisted upon, so in a deportment congruous and sutable to the privileges which belong to believing: You are born of God, carry it as men and women that are so indeed: what I born of God? the sons and daughters of God? What and not live according to God? and not study conformity to God? I remember what he speaks there concerning Amnon, how is it, that thou bring the Kings son, art lean from day to day? How is it, that we that profess to be the sons and daughters of God, are lean and lank, not more improved? that we do not shew forth God and express Christ? This lies in the beginning of the Chapter, if you be born of God, remember that you be born of him that is the God of Love: And therefore you are to manifest this birth, and your believing, and your being born of God, by loving God, and by loving them that are born of God; He that believeth is born of God, and be that loveth him that begat, loveth him that is begotten of him. The God of love doth beget a people of love; a loving God, a loving people; and this is that you should express your believing by, and your adoption by, by the love you bear to God, and the children of God.
A hateful, spiteful spirit, where it doth discover itself, speaks those persons not to be born of God, but of the Devil; carry it as Believers, as persons of God, by studying a conformity to God, and by keeping his Commandments, subjecting your selves to his authority, not living according to your lusts, but according to the laws and rules which God hath given you, saith the Apostle here, this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments.
It is not a love in word, and in tongue, but in reality, a love discovering itself by a conscientious care to hold conformity to all the will of God; and if any should object, this is a hard saying, who can bear it? saith the Apostle. No such matter, there is never a believing soul will say the Commandments of Christ are grievous or burdensome: No, they are light to them that are brought over to the faith of the Gospel.
And the last thing I have to charge upon you, upon the account of your Gospel-believing, and being brought over to a closing with Christ, it is this, and so upon the matter I have given you an account of the substance of this precious Chapter, having reduced it to that general Doctrine I propounded before: I say the last thing is this, That you would walk suitable to a believing state, by being very careful concerning your Worships that you do perform, that they be according to God, and according to the Gospel; and this is that which the Apostle closes the Chapter withall in the 21. verse, Little Children, keep your selves from Idols, Amen. As I take it, in the former Translation it was Babes, Babes, keep your selves from Idols; here it is Little Children. I observe in this Epistle the Apostle makes a distinction of Believers into three Ranks, as you shall finde in the second Chapter, I write unto you little Children, I write unto you young men, and I write unto you Fathers; in the close of this Epistle he concludes with this charge to little Children: now whether he includes all the rest under this Title of Little Children, I forbear to dispute; but sure I am, it is a duty lies upon one and the other, whether they be Babes, or young men, or Aged Fathers in Christ. Whatever our rank or condition be, I am sure of this, this is a great duty that lies upon all that will approve themselves in Godliness, and be brought over to the Faith of the Gospel, that they look to their worship, and that they take heed of Idols; as if he should say, He that is born of God, he keeps himself that the wicked one doth not touch him. Oh Little Children, shew forth that spiritual ability that by Grace you are furnished withall, by being able to keep your selves from Idols.
It might be said, what is this to us? Are we in danger of Idols? True, well might the Apostle give in such a Charge to them in those times, when the greatest part of the World were in a state of Heathenism, and in estrangement from Christ, and the mysteries of the Gospel: But this I say, it doth really concern Christians in Gospel-times, that have had the breakings out of the Gospel-light, and the knowledge of the Gospel-mysteries, to be careful of this Charge, that they keep themselves from Idols: there were the Idols of the Heathens: grant it, and so still there are a generation of people that our souls should mourn over to consider their state, and are wrapt up in ignorance of God, know nothing of the true God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is the state and condition of the Jews at this day; and what a sad condition are they in? Grant it they worship not Idols after the manner of the Heathens, yet they worship not the true God, because they worship not God in Christ; for, saith the Apostle, Whoever sins, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ; he hath not God; He that abides in the Doctrine of Christ, he hath the Father and the Son: And so the Jews at this day, they not abiding, not owning the Doctrine of Christ, they have not God, because they have not the Father and the Son; this is their condition: and thus I say, there were not only the Idols of the Heathen: Oh! but sadly be it spoken, there are Idols among Persons pretending to Christ, and Gospel Faith, and the Doctrine concerning Grace by Jesus Christ.
How many Idols and Idolaters are there? I might tell the Covetous person is an Idolater, the voluptuous person, and the self-justitiary sets up his own Righteousness, and Idolizeth that: But I say this there are Idols among Christians; Papists hold forth the Name of Christ, but, yet what woeful Idolatry is there among them? There was the Dragon worship in the time of the Heathens, and in the room of that, there is come up the Beast-worship, and of that worship the generality of the world runs upon; and it concerns us to keep from Popish Idolatry, it being the grossest Idolatry that ever was, because there is the suitest petence of Worshipping Jesus and yet they turn him into an Idol: What else means their worshipping and bowing to Image, their Breaden gods, and the like? Oh therefore it concerns us to keep ourselves from Idols; and there is a Scripture, if it were but well studied, would cause trembling of heart, and make all that have any care of their souls, to look about them; that Scripture I refer you to, is in Revelation 13. compared with Revelation 20. In Revelation 13:11. whereas before there was Dragon-worship, it is said here, I beheld another Beast coming out of the earth, and he had two Horns like a Lamb, and he shake as a Dragon, and he exerciseth all the power of the first Beast before him, and causeth the Earth, and them that dwell therein, to worship the first Beast, whose deadly wound was healed: now look at verse 8. says he, and all the dwellers upon the Earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World. Oh! it is a terrible word, and that that should make us to fear and tremble, lest in any kind we should be drawn into the worship of the Beast; for as many as were not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb, they were drawn into the Worship of the Beast. This is that that should make us keep ourselves from Idols, from whatsoever hath but so much as a tincture of Superstition and Idolatry, and the rather, considering that other Scripture, Revelation 20:15. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life, was cast into the lake of fire: All that are not written in the Lambs Book of Life, are prevailed to perform the worship with the Beast, and not being writ there, must be tumbled into the Lake forever.
This therefore concerns us to keep from Idolatry, from whatever hath a tendency that way, and that hath any tincture of Superstition upon it; and consider with your selves, that our Duty is in matters of Worship, and in things concerning the Worship of God, to see to it, that we keep a humble dependance upon God, that we walk not according to the will of Men, but according to the will of God; You were bought with a price, be not servants of men. We are to walk by a Line, by a Plummet, and what is not warranted by the Word of God, or maintainable by Argument drawn from it, we should not close with.
And for the closing up of all, do but consider how this Chapter; and the things that I have spoken to you, and preached from it, how they do all influence this Exhortation, Little Children, keep your selves from Idols; see to it, that you approve your selves in holy Worship to God and the Lord Jesus. Do but argue thus; You profess to be Believers, and is it not your duty to answer to this profession? Your Faith is a pure Faith, and an obediential grace; it is a grace that will tutor you to hang upon Christ, and his appointments and Institutions; and therefore being Believers, study to keep your selves from Idols, and whatever is not consonant to the will of God concerning Worship.
You believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, keep your selves from Idols in this respect; for he is come into the world, and hath shewed the pattern of his House; and then you are born of God: carry it like a people that are born of God, that are high born, and credit your holy profession, by keeping a dependance upon that God, of whom you are born: and then being Believers, you are born of God, and have overcome the world, and therefore shew forth your heroick spirit, by standing out in all opposition to Idols, and whatever is contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of godliness.
You have an Unction from the Holy One, and this engages you to look to it, that you keep your selves from Idols: And then we know (saith he) that the Son of God is come, and hath given us understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. And thereupon he brings in this, Little Children; keep your selves from Idols: as if he should say, this is the true God, God in Christ, Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, this is the true God, and he hath eternal life with him; other god are false gods, and what benefit will you have by following them and performing worship to them? Nothing but eternal death: false gods can bestow no eternal life upon you, but this is the true God, and he can give you eternal life: And therefore Little Children keep your selves from Idols.
And now yet one word more. I would not occasion any discomposure of spirit that is not becoming you: But this I must say, for ought I know, you have the words of a dying man, and we use to say, that the words of dying men are apt to take somewhat a deep impression; I mean a dying man, not in properness of speech according to nature; and if it should be so, I hope there would be cause of rejoycing on my part: but I speak the words of a dying man in respect of the Ministerial Office.
I suppose you all know there is an Act come forth by Supream Authority, and it is not for us to quarrel at all, but to submit to it, and hold correspondency with it so far as we can, with a good conscience; and there being many Injunctions, that many, besides myself cannot comply withall, therefore we are willing to submit to the Penalty inflicted.
This I say, you have for many years had the benefit of my poor Labours; I have fulfilled near up towards forty years, and have performed my service to God, Christ, and his People, and I bless his Name, not without acceptance and success. My work, so far I know, in this course, as in the weekly course, is now at an end; my desire is, that you whose hearts have been inclinable to wait upon God in the way of my Ministry, may be kept faithful to God, and that you may have the blessing of the everlasting Covenant coming upon your Souls, and that you may have the power of this Doctrine, held forth in this Sermon, put forth upon your hearts; that as you do believe that Jesus is the Christ, that as you profess these things, you may carry it suitably to your profession, that you may walk in love to God, love to Christ, and love to one another; that you may labour to manifest a noble generous Spirit in overcoming the world in Errours, Corruptions, false Doctrines, and unwarrantable Worship; that you may in all things labour to approve your selves: And little Children keep your selves from Idols, Amen.