12^ ^ o^ i^ «^:^ i:^. ^^ AT PRINCETON, N. J. x> c» ::v _^. T X <3 :v c» !•• SAMUEL AONEW, OF PHILADELPHIA. PA. Th/fiA/cJ^ M y&^j«^\ ;<!-„. ^ - - SheJf, Section.
THE R E D E E M E R's CHARGE Againft his declining CHURCHES, ^c. Price One Shilling,
THE R E D E E M E r'S C H A R G E Againft his Declining CHURCHES, Exemplified in the Cafe of the CH^RCH of EPHESUSy And applied to the State of Religion, in theprelent Time. In which the Symptoms, ^Caufes, and Confe- -• quences of Declenfions in the Churches of C H R I s T, are particularly confider'd. Fiid preached, and now publiflied with fome Enlargement at the Requeft of thofe who heard it. / . By BENJAMIN^t^'ALLIN. Cry aloud, fpare not, lift up thy voice like a. trumpet, and fliew my people their tranfgreffion, and the hoj^ile of Jacob their fins. Isaiah Iviii. i. LONDON: Printed for J. Wa r d at the King's- Anns in Little-Britain ; and fold by E. G a r d i n e r in Lcmbard'Street. M dcc xlviii.
THE PREFAC H ^^MM^ is v^ £/ for the doSfrines and ordU nances of the Go/pel is now become very iinfajhionable^ and too generally efteemed a chke of hypocrijy, or the fruit of ignorance and bigotry ; infomuch that a per1071 who is animated to pleadfor them^ fmijl expeB to fall under reproachy while he that dejpifes them^ or is indifferent about his religious Jentime?its andpraBiceSy is applauded as a f?ian of Jeftfe and candour. If we would ejcape the cenfare ofmapy in this day, who make high pretenfions to charity, wc muft be fure to avoid contendifig for the truth we love, whatever meafures are taken by them, or others to imdervalue, a?ui Jink it into contempt. Thus when errors dia- A metrically
ii The PREFACE. metrically oppofite to the faith once delivered to the SaintsJ are induftrioujly fpread amongft us, thofe who have embraced it^ however aff'edled with its importancey are by no means tojlirfor its vindication and honour. But 'tis unreafojiable to expeSf fuch ccncejjions fro7n thofe who are friends to the Go/pel \ or that while iuany^ under the charaSfer of Proteftants, are takitig pains to dcjlroy the credit of thofe glorious do- Brines that were rejcued from Popery at the Peformation^ and are of the lafl importance to the intereft oj true religion ; thofe who are convinced of their excellency fhould keepfle7ice, IT is a great jnercy the Bible is in our hands and that nGtwithftanding the fad departure^ there is among us, from the principles of our Reformers^ the doctrines they preached arife with the fullefl evidence from the facred word to the confciences of inany^ who embrace them, with no lefs fatisfa£lion and joy -, nor is it any fmall happinefs there a7'e fillfotne left who are both able and willing to engage in the neceffary work of defending this Gofpel^ both frotn the pulpit and the prefs. BU'T I apprehend the enemy has none of the leaft of his advantages againfl the truths from the I
The PREFACE. iii the lukewarm and inadlive Jlate of thofe, ivho profefs their adherence to it, and which therefore jhoiild not be overlookd ; for it is of great irnportance to maintain the ordiiiances in their primitive purity and ife, and keep up to a becoming converjation, in order to preferve the fimplicity andfoundnefe of Chrijiian doSlrine. Theje muji not be divided, if we niDOuldfee the ifttereji of true religion flourifi. The prefent defeSlion rf profefors, efpecially in their relative capacities as members of the Churches ofChrifty has induced me to comply with a reque/ifor the publication of this fmall piece, in hopes it might be fubfervient, under the divine blefling, to provoke feme who are greatly declined from their firjl principles of their profejfon, and their many obligations and vows, to repent and do their firll works. I am very fenfble it is an unthankful oflice to attempt the awakening thofe who are betrayed into fo drowfy a frame as to love toflumber ; and I fear this is the condition offeme in our day. In fuch a cafe, if a man is not happily infirumental oj convincing the perfons he difturbs of the necejjity of the alarm, he is fire to draw on himfelf their difpleafure, and muJi expe£i to meet with a fevere rebuke, for what they will A 2, call
iv The ? R E F A C E. call bis impertinence and folly. But as I am perjiiadcd there 7nuft be an alteration in our conduSi before the candle/iicJzs, yet continuing with lis^ will fiine with that glory and brightnejs we are daily praying for -, I am willing to venture the confequence^ in hmnble cxpediation that at leajl one backfliditig profeffor willJo accept the word of exhortation^ as to return to his former works ; this will redound to the hojiour of Chrift, and be an advantage to thoje with whom he is infellowfip. ALL the labours of Minifiers both in preaching a?2d writing for the conviBion of gainfayers^ andfor the warning or ejiablifoment of thofe who are under a profejion, are like to prove ifieffcBual, if the latter remainfleepy and liupified. When fuch are not vigorous and diligent to fill up their chara^er^ by a holy a?id fpiritual converfation^ by a conftant and reverent attendance upon the inftitutions of their Lord, and by bringing forth the fruits of love^ it firengthens the prejudices of car?jal men againfl the importance and influence of the truth, and adminifiers to their infidelity. It is to little purpofe to have a tiame in a Church, without dljcharging the duties or enjoyiitg the privilerres offilch a relation ; to hearfermons without pondering
The PREFACE. v dering them over in our hearts^ or to fiibjcribe for or piirchafe paraphrajes, expojitions^ &c. without J'earching into the?n : yet there is ground to fujpeB this is the conduSl of mcmy^ who are fiink into a fupine a?jd carnal frame : hence they arefofoon ahafhed by thofe who defpife the Gofpel^ and turned afide thro theirfubtleties, 'The declenfions lamented are the more affeSiing, as they difcover how little praBical godlinefs there is in the clofets and families of Chriftians ; for private negleBs of duty are always previous to a vifible abatement of publick ^eal: True religion fir/i difplays itfelf infecret \ and in our retired devotion^ its decays are firfi to be difcerned. When our Congregations bear the melancholy Jymptoms laid down in the fequel, there is room to be jealous of a too general omiffion offecret afid family prayer^ of reading and meditating on the Scriptures^ and of every other branch of private duty. When I fee a perfon make a practice of coming very late into publick fervicey without any apparent catfe, I amfcareful he has fpent little or no ti?ne in his clofet for obtaining a flit able frame for thefandiuary^ or a blefjing on the Word and Ordinances. For thd in fome infiances it may be unavoidable^ yety confidering the thne of day appointed for our fated
vi The P R E F A C E. flated ajfemblies, I believe upon examination it will be found in mojl cafes to be utterly inexcufable, '\tHERE is another thing which I apprehend has had 710fmall influence towards our publick declenfiojis^ \\z. the little care taken byfome Profejjors of late years, to inftil into the minds of their children the principles of religion, by caufing them to read the Scriptures daily, en- , couragijjgthem to learnJoine peculiar parts of it by hearty catechifmg them, and putting them upoji, and infiruBing them in the performance of the 7iecefj'ary and reafonable duty of prayer* Our not being able to bejlow Jpecial grace on the fouls of our children, is no excufe for the negleSi of thefe means -, it is exceeding weak, and jnay be of dangerous confequence to argue againft our endeavours after thefpiritual profit of thofe under our care, becauje we are not able to give a faving eficacy to thetn. T^heforce of the objeBion is the fame againjl all inflrudlions with reJpeSi to the ignorant and unconverted ; and upon this principle, preaching the word itfelf (the neceffary means of falvation) mujl be laid afide as fruitlefs, with refpedi to unbelievers. I am inclined however to think, that the negleSi of this duty is in moft inflames owij2g ra^ ther to a fpiritual Jlothy and declenfon of parents
The PREFACE. vil rentsfront thatferventJpiritual affeBion^ which animated our itmnediate predecejjors to a diligent difcharge of it. Butfrom what occafwn foever the omi[jion arifes, it is attended with very bad effedls on the minds of our youth ; and to this I conceive is owing in a great meafure that flight and contempt^ which isfo vifibly caft by many of the prefent and rifmg generation on the profefjion oj their fathers^ without any juflifabk reafon^ or decent excife, together with other fad confequenceSf whichfor brevity fake Iforbear to relate. lAMfarf'om thinking the Dijj'enters^ or any part of them^ whom I may befuppofed principally to refer to, are alone in their declenfions ^ there is a general Jcorn of religion too apparent almoft every-where, and particularly to be difcerned in publick Worjhip j a negledi of which has remarkably prevailed in proportion to the fpread of thefefentimentSy which are fubverfive of the glory of divine grace in the falvation of flnners by the Blood of Chrifl, and other peculiar doSlrines of the GoJpeL I am credibly informed, in many of the Affemblies of thofe who are of the eftablified perfuafion, this negleB is notorious, to the grief of all ferious perfons among them. Lamentable cafe indeed! On what denominatioti foever
viii The P R E F A C E. Jbever we turn our eyes, we behold the contempt of dhine Ordinances. We have need therefore all to unite in humbling ourjelves before God^ on account of this fure token of a growing infidelity in the nation^ and of the dreadful hardnefs and impenitency cf the people, who can thus impioufiy defy the Almighty^ and defpif'e his providence^ by cafiing off the form of hisfear^ at a time when we are chaftifed by a deflating and expenfive war^ and a fpreading peflilential difeafe among cur cattle. Judgments which have often forerun the de/iruBion of a wicked nation, who have objiinately perfiflcd in their rebellion againfl God, MT requefl to the Reader is, that his candour inperujing thefefleets, ?nay befollowed with his prayers for the blefjing of God upon themy that they ?nay be offo7ne fervice towards the revival of vital and experimental Religion among us, to which I remain a mojlfmcere and hearty well-wijher. REV.
*'l^HEO LOGICAL REV. ii. 4. '^^^fAP-I-^^ Neverthelefs^ I have fomewhat agaijjjl thee^ becaufe thou haft left thy ji?'Jl love, CHAP. I. T'he introduBion, the accufation laid againjl the church of Ephejiis explain d, their having left their firft love no prejudice to the faints filial perfeverance^ the awfulnef of the charge confdering who brings it. THE fadts contained in the Epidles to the feven Churches in Ajia were doubtlefs literally true concerning them, and all the threatnings and promifes they comprehend were immediately diredled to them; but yet they are juftly efteemed prophetical and typical of the future condition of the Churches of Chrift in different periods of time, and of his difpenfations towards them. It is evident froipi experience that Chriflian focieties in all ages are incident to the like circumftances 3 and as no fcripture is of private interpretation, lb thefe Epiftles are recorded for the learning of the people of God to the end of the world. Chrifl and his word are un- B chani^eablv
2 T^he Redeemer s Charge changeably the fame; with him there is no refpeS: of perfons ; what he fays to his Churches and thofe who make a profeflion of his name in any Age, and under any circumftances, he fays to all his Churches in every Age under the Uke circumftances to the end of time ; and therefore if we are found in the condition our text defcribes the Ephefian Chwxh to be, what Chrift fays to them he fays to us, and woe be to them who defpife the words of the prophecy of this book. Chap.\. ver, '^. and 22 'uerjes 18 and 19 compared. Th E pafTage before us contains, as you fee, a?2 accujation /^/^ again ft the Church of Ephefus, in an Epiftle wrote at the command of Jefus Chrift, and fent by John to the Angel, or Minifter who had the overfight of that Church. It is prefaced with a defcription of him who fends it, who is reprefented as holding the feveii Jiars in his right handy and walking in the mid/i of the feven golden candleftich : the fignification of which figures is obvious from the laft verfe cf the preceding chapter ; and there are various inftrudtions to be gather'd from this reprefentation for the encouragement of the faithful difciples of Chrift, which the brevity I intend will not permit me to mention. Th e Epiftle goes on to take notice of the zeal and fruitfulnefs of this Church : [i;^r. 2, 3.] the fenfe of which feems to be as follows: '' J know th\ works, and thy laboury dec. thy in- " duftry
againjl his declining Churxhes. 3 ** duftry, care, and pains in maintaining the ** purity of my docflrine, and my ordinances, " and tho' exercifed with many trials, thou " haft endured them with patience j yea, fuch an " indignation haft thou continued to difcover " againft fin and error, that thou canjl not bear " them which are evil^ either in do6lrine, or " pra(5tice. Such a becoming diligence has ** been ufed in examining thofe that have been " received into thy communion, that their fpi- " fits have been tried whether they be of God ; " and thou haft been ftill more exad: and care- " ful in examining thofe who have claimed the " Apoftolical Charadter without any Autho- " rity from Chrift, and haft found them " liars. Thus thou haft detedied many pre- " tenders of this fort, bearing thy teftimony ** againft, and rejeding of them : This thy " zeal has expofed thee to much reproach and " periecution, not only from the prophane of " the world, but alfo, and more especially, " from thefe hypocritical profeffors and their " adherents j but thou haft born up with cou- *' rage and conftancy ; and this thou haft done " not out of oftentation, or for the fake of con- " tention, or with any finifter view, but for " my names fake^ purely out of love to me, '' and with regard to my honour, thou haft la- " bouredy and hafi not fainted^ Noble Charader indeed ! How beautiful is a Church of Chrift thus exerting herfelf ? And how honourable doth this Church appear, when her Lord condefcends to bear witnefs in this manner to her becoming condud ? B 2 But
4 T*he Redeemers Charge But the Epiftle does not run thus fmooth and delightful to the End 3 had it ftopp'd here, we fliould have finiOied the account with a pleafing admiration : but, alas, the note changes ! and here is a melancholy antithefis in the text which calls for lamentation. Nevertbelejsj *' notwithftanding all this thy former zeal and " fruitfulnefs, O thou Church oiEphefuSy once " fo famous for thy watchfulnefs and diligence, " thy courage and conftancy for my name's " fake, / have a charge againji theCy becaiife 5' thou are declined and fallen, thou haft: left " thyjirft love!' Sad news indeed ! what went before in this epiftle was highly in favour of this Church, and much to their honour ; but this is againji her, and greatly to her dijgrac^y and carries in it an awful intimation of the difpleafure of him that wrote it. I N the words we may obferve, (i.) The Charge j and (2.) Tji E Perfon that lays it. (j.) The Charge, viz. 7hou haft left thy firjl love. Christian love is ^ fpirltual grace, which has God and Chrift for its prime objed:s, and naturally difplays itfelf upon every perfon, and every thing that bears their image and authority ; and as it is that which no man, in his natural
againjl his declining Churches. 5 tural and depraved ftate experiences; for the carnal mind is en??iify againjl God, [Rom. viii. 7.] {o it is what no true believer is deilitute of, for he that loveth not^ knoweth not God-, i. e. \% 2l flranger to the regenerating influences of the Divine Spirit, and fellowfhip with God ; for God is lovey [i John iv. 8.] Indeed brotherly love, which is the fruit of this grace, feems intended in this palTage -, but the principle itfelf muft needs be included : for if he that is cold and unprofitable to his Brother, lays himfelf under fufpicion with regard to his relation to God, and wants the evidence of being his fon, becaufe he is deilitute of the fruits of divine love in the heart ; furely the man in whofe heart this love dwells not, can have no juflifiable claim to this Charadler. This love is wrought by the almighty energy of the Divine Spirit ; he implants this principle in regeneration, by his illuminating and attra6ting influences, as a Spirit of life from Chrifl:, and the Spirit of adoption from the Father ; hence it is faid, the fruit of the Spirit is love. [Gal. v. 22.] Now when this divine principle is wrought, in the foul, it abides there, whofoever is born of God his feed remaineth in him, fays the Apofl:le, [ 1 John iii. 9.] There is no extirpating this principle ; it would be a work unworthy its glorious Agent, confidering the profefled end of his fandifying influences, viz, the falvation of the fubjed:, if any power in earth or hell could poflibly deftroy it : but we know from
6 'Ihe Redeemer s Charge from the word of the Lord, as well as the nature of the thing, it is an eternal principle j for we are confident of this very things that he which hath begun a good work in us, will perform if until the day of fefus Chriji : [Philip, i. 6 And tho' what the Apoftle takes notice of with fo much pleafure and triumph, [Romans viii. 39.] is generally underftood as referring to the love of God to his people, yet it is at leaft applicable to their love to him. Not a7zy creature ihall be able to feparate them. And therefore the Believer may be perfuaded neither Satan, nor his indwelling Corruptions, (from which the danger is naturally the greateft) 1 fay the Believer may be fully aflured that neither of thefe, much lefs any other creature Jhall be able to feparate \\\vcifrom the love of God, which his Spirit has kindled in his heart, and which is in Chriji fejus his Lord, This divine principle exerted under the affiflancc of its bleffed author, is the fpring of all thofe fpiritual exercifes and duties, whereby the difciples of Chrift diftinguifh themfelves under a profeffion of his name, and in fellowfhip one with another. It muft be acknowledged, that in this flate of imperfedion, this love is liable, from a variety of caufes, to decline in its vigour, in proportion to which its precious fruits difappear, and this is verified in the Inftance before us. There was formerly much of this love to God and Chrift difcovered in the temper and conduct of the members of the Church at Ephefus.
againfi his declining Churches. 7 fuSy but now they were declined, and charged with leaving, or relinquiihing the vigorous exerci/e of it, tho' not with entirely lofing it. As our tranflators render it thou hajl left thyjirft love ; fo any one that will examine the original will find * the word by no means neceffarily implies the final and total lofs of that to which it is applied, but is clearly expreflive of a remitting, or abating in the fervency of it: •f* I mention this becaufe it is afi^erted, that this text deflroys the protejimit dodlrine of the faints final perfeverance j tho' I apprehend without the leaft foundation j for if it were admitted that the term might be tranflated lofl, it is to be obferved the words would not then read, they had loft their love^ but theirfirft love j which plainly intimates love ftill fubfifted among them, and that the degree of this love, and thofe fervent ad:ings by which it formerly difcovered itfelf, was loft, and not the eflence or exiftence of the principle itfelf. Besides, • ^\<^yig.i from et'(pfH(Uj , relinquo, remitto, omit to — not amitterey to lofe his love ; but remittere, to abate of the fervency thereof. —The fame word is ufed in the Septuagint, i Kings xvii. 40. of David's leaving the fheep to a keeper, when he fought Goliath, to which he afterwards returned. Fid. LeighV Critica facra. The word agrees to the Hebrew ^iJ Jj . Vid. Trommius^ Vol. I. f>. 232. •}- The Papifts of the feminary at Rheims, who tr.mflated the New Teftament out of the vulgar Latin, with great confidence aflert, that this Text plainly refutes that which fomt hereticks hold, 'That a man once in the grace of charity can never fallfrom it. See Dr. Fulk's confutation of the h\k g'offes of that fet of mf n, printed anno 1 601
8 Z5^ Redeemers Charge Besides, fuppofing it was faid they had loft their love, it is fpoken to a colleBive Body, and it is no juft arguing here from a general to a particular. If it could be demonftrated that all the Churches in E?igland were utterly deftitute of love to God, it would fall fhort of proving that any one true Believer ever loft this principle of Divine Grace, which we are fpeaking of; fince (tho' in charity we hope better of every vifible body of faints incorporated in a Church ftate, how much foever declined, yet) it is not impofjlble but there might be the form of a Church without any one true Believer in it; and till this is proved impo[jible, I think it is unreafonable to argue from the defection of a Church, to the falling away of any true Believer : and therefore all objections againft the important dodrine of perfeverance, taken from fuch inftances, are to be rejeCled, as having no foundation in the word of God, or the reafon of things : and confequently the infmuations of its Adverfaries from this text, in favour of that uncoffifortabk, unfa-iptural, and Popijh do6lrine of falling away from grace, are impertinent and groundlefs. The matter of the accufation againft this Church of Ephejiis was not their having loft their love ; for love they had ftill, as appears from the teftimony bore in the context : but they are charged with having fallen off, gone backward, and not keeping up to their former zeal, courage,
agahijl his declining Churches. 9 rage, and fruitfulnefs,, which was greatly to their fliame and reproach, as it is to every Community under the hke declenfion. Bat I proceed, 2^/y, To confider who it is that lays this Charge again ft the Church of Ephefus. This is a Circumftance of great weight, and has no fmall influence on the importance and Gonfequence of an accufation, as might eafily be fhewn. The profefTed difciples of Chrift and his vifible Churches compofed of fuch, have many accufers. The Devil is not a litde forward to this work J this adverfary is unwearied in his accufations of the brethren, as appears from [Rev. xii. 10.] and doubdefs lays his charges againft them in a coUeBive as well as an indi" vidual view. The men of the world, as they naturally defpife and hate fuch who are feparated from them by a profeffion of the name of Chrift, and that in proportion to their zeal and fpirituality of converfation, are ready to accufe them upon every falfe ftep, and every apparent deficiency, either as a bod}'', or feparately conlidered. And if they were at a lofs for fads of this kind, (as would to God they always might be) yet they will rail againft them unjuftly, rather than fail of charging them with hypocrify, and ilanderoufly accufing even their good converfation. Sifter Churches may accufe a Church of Chrift, they may have juft caufe of complaint againft her, or may accufe her thro' in- C advertency
lo l!he Redeemers Charge advertency and mifunderftandlng without foundation: for Churches are not infallible, and fometimes err in their complaints againft each other. Now accufations from either of thefe Quarters are to be deprecated, they often fill the minds of good men with forrow, throw a Community into much trouble and confufion, hurt its character, and terrify the minds of the members. Charges brought from thefe accufers are not to be difregarded, but all occafions for them, as much as poflible, avoided. But of how much greater importance and more deferving ferious attention, is a charge from Chrift himfelf, who is the Perfon that lays the accufation in our text. The words ftand in immediate connexion ^ with the firft verfe : Thefe things fays he that holdeth the feven ftars in his right handy i. e. Jefus Chrift ; I have fomewhat againji thee, &c. There are three things that aggravate this charge and render it awful, which are to be gathered from the confideration of him that lays it. (i.) The truth of the fad. (2.) The heinous nature of the crime, and, (3.) The dreadful confequences of impenitency under it. Firf^
againjl his decli/iing Churches, i r Firji, This charge is awful from him who lays it, as it is, and muli: be iindouhtediy fad:: This is certain from the infinite knowledge and inviolable faithfulnefs of Jefus Chrifr, who is the Amen^ the true andjaithfulwitnejs, \Cbap.\. 3.] The Epiftle to the Church of Laodicea is ufliered in with this confideration, \Chap. iii. 14.] Chrill: is no falfe accuferj oti^Ys may bring wrong accufations, either thro' miftake, or by delign ; but this cannot be tlie c^de with hh7i who lays the charge in our text \ the perfe- (Slions of his nature, and his Love to his Church and people, forbid our entertaining any fuch thoughts of him. He is the omnifcisnt and faithful Jefjs j and therefore charges brought by him will certainly be made good : and thofe he lays any accufation againft will furely be found guilty. The Church of Ephefus, like other Churches who leave their firft love, feemed in- (enfible of her cafe. Thefe declenfions are for the moft part gradual ; confcience grows lilent under the allowance of fin, and a people by this means become unaffeded with their own condition. Now Chrift's accufing them in perfon might juftly awaken them ; forafmuch as the leafl; credit given to the report, muft, without any further enquii y, upon the firft refledion on his perfon and charader, ftrike them with a deep convidion of their guilt. Secondly^ This charge is very awful if we confider from whence it comes, if we refled on the relation fubfifting between Chrift and them, C 2 the
1 2 T^he Redeefners Charge the obligation they were under to him, and their conftant dependance upon himj 1 fay, if we confider all thefe circumftances the" heinoufnefs of the crime will abundantly appear. This accufation was not laid by a ftranger, or an enemy, one that had no affedion for, or (lood in no relation to the Church of Ephefus ; but by him, who was her Friend and Redeemer, lier Lord, Head, and Kufband ; for this is the relation Chrift Aands in to every vifible Church, and indeed to every individual believer as well as to the Catholick Chiirch, or body of the eled: in general. It was laid by hirn, who had done great things for her, and laid her under the bigh-fl; obligat'ons; and, in a word, by him on whom fhe abfoluteiy depended for all fupply as a Church, for her proted:ion, for her furniture, and for her continuance. Thefe confiderations (hew tl:e rebellion, ingratitude, and folly of all fuch back-fiidingS;, and how threatening an afped: tPie difpleafure of ChriO: muft cany within, which is a great addition to the awfalnefs of the charge, efpecially if we fubjoin. Thirdly^ The power and authority Chrift has, as God and Mediator, to take vengeance on thofe who, being found guilty, are impeni- ' tent. Thefe things taken together render the accufition very iblemn and important j and it is as if he had iaid, " I the true and faithful v/it- " nef-^, I your fovereign Lord and gracious Re- " dcerner, who gave you being, who have ^' from time to time fupplied you with every " needful
againfi his declining Churches. 1 " needful vhing, and done great wonders for, " and in the inidfc of you j I, on whom you " depend f jr your continuance and profperity, " -d-w^ am able to favc or deftroy ; I, who have " all authority to recompenfe vengeance on " them that deipife me, and flight my caufe; " / ha-ve jomeixhat againjl thet\ becauje 'thou " haft left thy jirfi love.'' This was the cafe of the Church of Ephefus ; fhe was greatly fallen off from her zeal and affedtion for Chrifl and his caufe, and had abated much in that fervency and fruitful nefs (he had formerly been famous for. This the Lord Jefus Chrifl: himfelf charges her with, which might juftly awaken her to a kwit of her aggravated crime, and of his dif^ pleafure, and ought to have deeply humbled every particular member before him, left he {hou'd come forth in a way of judgment againft them. CHAP. II. Some general obftTvations fro?n the charge brought againfi the Ephefian Church for having left her firft love, applicable to the Churches of Chrifl in all Ages, &c. AVING, in the former chapter, explained the cafe of the Church of 'Ephe^ fuSy and, I hope, fet it in a true light, I proceed to lay down the following obfervations, viz, (I.) That
14 ^^ Redeemers Charge (I.) Th at it is ufual for the Churches of Chrift to be very zealous and adive, upon their firfl eilabhOitnent. (II.) It has been found by fad experience, that Churches, once famous for their love and fruitfulnefs, have declined and abated in their zeal for the name and caufe of Chrift, and vital Religion. And, (III.) Th at all fuch declenfions are taken notice of by Jefus Chrift, are. highly difpleafmg to him, and are fuch, againft which he will furely, fooner or later, teftify his refentments. These truths are obvious to every obferving Chrifiian, and are fo evidently founded, partly on the facred Word, and partly on the experience of all Ages, that it would be needlefs to take up time in the proof of them. I F we confider the materials of a Church, when firft gathered, we (hall not wonder at the activity and zeal difcovered in the midft of it. Whenevery/Vc/j a Community is raifed, efpecially where darknefs and ignorance have formerly reigned, as was the cafe at Ephejiis, whofe Inhabitants were very remarkable for their Idolatry, it is always owing to the mighty power of the Divine Spirit working with the word of faith, enlightening, convincing, and converting fuch who were afar off from God, and dead in trefpaffes in fins. Now 'tis reafonable to
agalnjl his declining Churches. 1 to fuppofe, that altho', where the word of the Gofpel has thus prevailed, before a competent number are fufficiently difcipled into the order of Chrift's houfe, fome hypocritical perfon, or perfons, may creep in among them, (as feemcd to be the cafe in the earlieft times) yet, I fay, it is reafonable, and in charity we ought to conclude, that the greateft number of thofe who conftitute a Church, on its firft fettlement, are indeed true difciples, whofe hearts are glowing with fincere and ardent afFe(5lion to Chrift. Thefe perfons, in the love of their efpoufals, and the kindnefs of their youth, are iludying how to teftify their affedion to Chrift, being willing to deny themfelves, or, as far as they can judge, even to lay down their lives for his fake. Young converts, who have been lately delivered from the terrors of an awaken'd confcience, in the views of death and damnation for fin, by a manifeflation of the all-fufficient Saviour, and appropriating faith in his blood, they are filled with peace and joy -, they fee fuch an excellency in the Perfon, offices, facrifice, and grace of the Redeemer, and are fo fenfible of their infinite obligations to him, for dying in their room and ftead, that his love conftrains them to make the moft lively and affectionate returns. Such perfons unfeignedly delight in his word, his ordinances, and his people 3 and every perfon, inftampt with his image, and bearing his authority, is highly eileemed and readily embraced by them. Now a body corporate, compofed chiefly of fuch members whofe
1 6 T'he Redeemers Charge whofe hearts burn with love to Chrift, muft needs be very adtive and zealous, according to their light in thofe things v^^hich their Lord has appointed, and which make for the advancement of his honour in the world, and their mutual edification. Churches are indeed eftablifh'd through other occafions, fometimes through divifions that happen among thofe who are in communion together, which may arife either from the ill fplrits of fome, who promote contention, and caufe a feparation ; or from the corruptions that may have crept into a Church, to the offence of many, whereby they were obliged to fet up a feparate community, to fatisfy their confciences. Thefe fad occafions are to be avoided if poflible, yet fometimes are permitted and over-ruled for the railing honourable and ufeful Communities in the world : but in thefe inftances I apprehend the obfervation will alfo hold, efpecially in the latter, which mofl frequently happens. I believe it will appear upon examination, that if for the fake of any dcfpifed or negledted Do6trine or Ordinance of the Gofpel, after proper endeavours to convince the Body of their guilt, any number of Members feparate and embody themfelves, a peculiar zeal for the glory of Chiifl, and love to each other, will commonly be found to prevail upon this their firfl eftablifhment : witnefs the temper and condud: of the Proteflant Churches at the glorious Reformation from Popery, and the behaviour
agai7ijl his declining Churches. 1 havlour of the Proteflant DiOenters in this land at their firft feparation from the Eftabhiliment upon the Hime principles: On the mentioning of which, one can fcarce forbear at leafl: to wifh that the like zeal had continued to this day. But, lively and vigorous as the Churches of Chrift are upon their firft fetting out, 'tis evident that, thro' one temptation or another, they are liable to decay, and to leave this their jirjl love. Such was the In fiance of the Church of EpheJuSy and every Age has produced too many examples of this fad truth : Our land abounds with inftances of the fame kind, to be lamented over. What numbers of Churches, once famous for their zeal and fruitfulnefs, bear the tokens of this melancholy alteration ? Are there not, in all the denominations of Proteflant Dif^ fenters, many Communities, where formerly the honour of Chrifl, and the mutual welfare of the members were profecuted with that unanimity and vigour, that it was evident to all about them, which now, if we may judge by outward appearance, tho' they may not openly difavow the do6lrines of the Gofpel, and change the ordinances of Chrifl, yet they are fadly declined from their firfl love ? How are the members of many Churches feized, in thefe days, as with a dead palfy ? Are they not as cold and as inaftive in fpiritual things, and what concerns the body they belong to, as a natural limb when flagnated and wither'd with that frightful difeafe ? Such \s the ftupidity and D unpron-
1 8 T^he Redeemer s Charge trnprofitablenefs of too many, who continue in the relation of Church- memberftiip in our day ; there appears no warmth of Chriftian love, no motion towards works of edification ; thefe members have the fame unhappy influence on the fpiritual body, as the natural members have on the body of a man, when under the circumftance before-mentioned : they fink the fpirits, they fill the lively members with difcouraging apprehenfions, they chill the whole conflitution, and occaiion their fellow - members to move heavily, fo that the love of the beft circulates but flowlyi and when this is the cafe, very little is done by that Church either for the glory of the Redeemer, or the advantage of precious and immortal fouls. Thus we fee it is often found, after the fad example of the EphefianSy that Churches, once famous for their vigour and fruitfulnefs, decline from their zeal, or, as in the words of the text, leave their firji love. Now, when Churches decline in this manner, the Lord Jefus Chrift takes notice of it, and is greatly offended with it; his eyes are upon thofe who engage in fellowfhip under a profeflion of his name : he walks among the golden candlefticks, and however infenfible a cold and lifelefs people may be themfelves of their defedion, Chrift marks every degree of apoftacy, and remembers hovv^ fhort they come of their former zeal. Thefe abatements and fhamefal backflidings are highly difplealing to the Redeemer, who is very jealous of his glory j and
againjl his decU?ting Churches, 1 and nothing is more provoking to him, than to behold his inftitutions deipifed and abiifed by thofe to whom they are committed : A cold and formal people, who make light of the provifions of his infinite wifdom and love, are very obnoxious in his fight. It is no better than flying in the face of Chrifi:, infulting his dignity, and trampling upon his grace, to treat the lacred privileges of his houfe with indifFerency and tho' he may wait long, and manifeft great ^ patience towards Churches in this lifelefs condition, yet after many warnings, if they repent not, they muft expeft he will teftify his refentment againfl them, in a manner fuitable to the righteoufnefs and dignity of his Charadter. This being the fi:ate of the cafe, and the declining condition of the Churches being fo vifible in our lukewarm day, I fhall, for our further improvement of this awful Complaint, confider it in the following method. Firji^ I SHALL attempt to (hew by what iymptoms it will appear, that a Church of Chrifi has left h^rjirji love. Secondly^ Point out fome of the principal caufes of thefe declenfions j thirdly. Consider how Chrifi: exprefles his difpleafure, at all fuch defeBions from a lively zealfor his Interefl and Glory^ D 2 But
20 The Redeemer s Charge But before I proceed, I would premife, that Th E charge given in the text by our Lord again 1l this Church is appUcable, not only to all other Churches, but alfo to every individual difciple of Chrift, and more efpecially fliould every Church-member apply it for his ov^n warning ; tho' I have chofen to follow the cafe the text relates to, and with a view to the prefent melancholy fituation of Churches, lamented by all ftrious Perfons in the midft of us, to coniider it as referring to profefs'd Saints in a collective capacity ; yet each particular Chriftian (liould examine himfelf, and look back on his former experience and condudl, and upon conviction of backiliding receive thefe awful words, as fpoken to his own foul : I fhall therefore take leave to make one reflection applicable to particular Perfons, viz. Th is fhould alarm flothful Profeflbrs, who, notwithflanding vifible and great declenfionsfrom their former love, are fatisfyingthemfelves at leafl-, if they can keep up their character in the Church to v/hich they belong, and are under no cenfure by the Community with whom they have fellov/fhip. It muft be owned with grief, many are fo hardened and fcornful in the prefent day, that they defpife the cenfures of a Church, tho* founded on the plaineft fcriptural authority ; it is fometimes feen that reproofs, miniftred by a Church of Chrift according to the divine rule, •^.re treated with contempt or anger, and fet the delin-
agatnji his declining Churches. 2 delinquents a reviling inftead of repenting: fuch Defpifers are far gone in impenitence and unbelief indeed ! But there are many ProfefTors who, though they have not thus trampled on all the powder inverted in a Church by the Lord for edification, nor fo defpifed their privilege, as to make it an indifferent thing whether they are in fellowfhip or not j yet they remain unconcerned, in a fupine and negligent ftate, and feem to think, if their ftation in the Church is unimpeached, and if they are in full Communion, all is well : this is the cafe with fome who have notorioufly left their firft love, and who do by • no means maintain their former zeal for the glory of Chrift, and the profperity of that body, of which they, by their own con fen t and defire, are conflituent members. There arc fome ProfefTors who are thus at eafe in Xion^ and look upon thcmfelves as honourable Chriflians, if they are clear of any charge in the records of the Church to whom they are joined. But the egregious folly of this will appear, if we confider the accufations laid by our Lord himfelf, as in the pafTage before us, againfl all his people who abate in their fervency under a profefiion of his Name. Know, O backfliding Chriflian, Chrifl has fomewhat againfl you, tho' his Church has not : If you have left your firft love, it will be of little comfort or advantage to you hereafter, that you have efcaped the cenfure of the Church, under your unprofitable condud:, fmce it evidently appears the Lord himfelf, whofe judgment is in truth and righteoufnefs,
2 2 ^he Redeemer s Charge teounefs, will furely cenibre you. Perhaps it will appear hereafter, that Chrifl has a charge againfl: the Church to which you ftand related, among other things, becaufe they have not duly exhibited and profecuted a charge againft you : this may be an inftance of their declenlion and difobedience, which if it does not add to your guilt, can never be fuppofed to diminifli it. "Tis a great mercy to have the watchfulnefs of a Church over us j or, if we go aftray, to have its difcipline properly exercifed upon us, Thefe are fome of the privileges of Chriftian fellowfhip but if the Community to which we relate has fo abated in its zeal, as to let us alone under our manifeft departure from our firft love, either for want of care or courage, there is neverthelefs an accufation in Chrift's Book againft us ; he notes all our unfaiihfulnefs, ingratitude, and difobedience. There is not a negled: we are guilty of, or an evil practice we allow ourfelves in, under a profeffion of his name, and as members of a particular Church, but he will reckon with us for. Let every Chriftian therefore, who values the comfortable prefence of his Lord, and the tokens of his love, fearch his own heart and ways, and under all his declenfions, remember from whence he \s fallen, and repefit, and do his Jirji works ; for otherwife he muft not expedl to efcape fome fevere token of his difpleafure. I now come to the profecution of the particulars propofed. And, Firji,
againft his declining Churches. 2 3 Firfiy I AM to fhew by what fymptoms it will appear, that a Church of Chrift has left her firft love. I N general, the relinqui(hment of this love is to be oblerved by a decay of its fruits. The example before us fhews, that fuch declenfions are difcernible in the temper and condud of a people, who are negligent and flothful in the difcharge of thofe duties incumbent upon them. In the verfe following the text, the Church of Ephefiis is charged with not doing her Jirft works : i. e. there was a ceafing from the performance of thofe things (he was heretofore in the practice of, which tended to the glory of her Lord, the advantage of his intereft in general, and the edification of her own particular body : fo when any Church has left its firfl love, It v/ill difcover itfelf in an indifferency and backwardnefs to, if not a tcral negledl of many neceffary duties and works, which when fervent in fpirit were diligently performed. To enter into a minute confideration of the many duties incumbent on, and exercifed in a Community of Chriftians while in their priftinc zeal J and to ftiew how thefe are neglected when they are fallen into the fad circumftances mention'd in the text, would take up too much room J let it therefore fuffice, that I touch on fome common, known inftances, whereby a Community thus declined will appear to be fo. And, (i.)ThI3
24 ^^- Redeemer s Charge (i.) This abatement of love will be vlfible in their publick alTemblies. A Church of Chrift properly fpeaking, has no perfonal appearance, but as its feveral Members are colledled together for thofe exercifes appointed for her edification; fuch are prayer, and finging the praifes of God together, hearing the word, attending the adminiftratlon of the facraments, and the exercife of difcipline. Thus far a Chriftian Church agrees with all other Societies, "jiz. it is a collcBive Body ; and I think it mud be allowed, that the gatherings together of the individual Members at dated, convenient feafons, for the particular ends of its incorporation, are neceffary to its edification, and indeed to its exiftence. Now a concern for maintaining thefe alTemblies is what Churches, when firft fettled, are noted for, or when upon any remarkable revifal their love is fervent ; but when a people grow cold, thefe meetings together are foon negleded. There are two confi derations indeed, which one would think (hould be effe(ftual again ft this deftru(5tive prad:ice of forfaking thefe Aflemblies, even tho' the af!ed:ions of a People (hould in a great meafure abate, 'oiz, (i.) The voice of reafon, with refpedl to the abfolute neceffity, as I juft now obferved, of maintaining fuch AiTemblies, in order to prevent their diffolution. And, (2.) The voice of confcience, with refpejft to the obligations Chijrch-members have folemnly laid themfelves under, to ufe their utmoft endeavours for the fupport of the Body to which they join : but experience
againjl his declining Churches. 25 experience fadly verifies, that when perfons decline in their fpiritual love under a profeffion of Chrift's name, they are deaf to the united cry ©f thefe Monitors, and being deadened in their affedtions to the things of Chrift, are left to adt inconfiftent with both. We have a lively {pecimen of this forwardnefs to Church-afTemblies, when love is fervent, in the ufual behaviour of young Converts upon their firft entring into fellowfhip : tho' it muft be acknowledged, in thefe cold times, the goodnefs of fuch too frequently goes off as the early deWy their love is of (hort continuance, and in many inftances, 'tis to be feared, the zeal of thefe newly enlighten'd perfons is quenched by the converfation of thofe, who, by their ftanding in the Church, ought to be as nurfmg Fathers and Mothers in IJrael. However, for a time ufually this zeal for the Affemblies is difcernible ; all opportunities of this kind are defired, delighted in, and attended upon, as feafons in which the foul hopes to find communion with Chrift, and her fellow-members, and whereby fhe may attain further degrees of light, and be inftrumentally ufeful to promote the increafe and profperity of the Body. Let fuch who have felt the power of God's grace, and who have enter'd into the fellowfhip of the Saints under the conftraints of divine love, refledl on their paft experience. I need not tell thofe who can remember the love of their Efpou- E fals,
26 I'he Redeemer s Charge fals, how glad they were then to come up to the houfe of the Lord. " How different was *' your frame and condudl, O revolting Be- ** liever, at that time to what it is now ? What " a privilege did you think it to have a place in " the Church ? What an afBidion was it to " you to be difappointed of coming to her At- *' femblies, even fuch as were of a more com- " mon and publick kind j but efpecially when " there was any thing to be performed peculiar " to the Church, fuch as confulting the affairs " of God's houfe, hearing the experiences of " thofe who were brought home to a Redeem- *' er, ^^. ? In the profped; of fuch opportuni- '* ties, how did you rife early, fit up late, and " contrive, if poffible, coniiftent with the dif- " charge of your civil duty, to be prefent? " This, I am perfuaded, many mufl own was their difpofition and behaviour at firft converfion. When the love of Chrifl thus conftrains the Members of a Church, her Affemblies are frequent, early, and full, in proportion to the number and circumftances of thofe who conftitute it ; all her publick appearances are beautiful and encouraging. But when love abates, the face of things is fadly altered, thefe gatherings together are negledled. Members are not careful to maintain their places, they will be at litde pains or expence to be prefent when ordinances are to be adminiftred, Church-meetings are defpifed, and 'tis difficult to uphold any fpecial feafons for prayer in the Church. Thus thefe
againjl his declining Churches, 2 7 thefe declenfions are vifible in all their AfTemblies, whether private or publicki inftead of being frequent, readily and univerfally attended to, they are feldom, late, and thin ; there is a general backwardnefs to them, and a fhameful negle<ft of them. Now, that the omiffion of thefe Aflemblies is owing to a declenfion in love, appears from [//f^r. x. 24, 25.] where the infpir'd author exhorts us to provoke one afiofher to love^ to prevent tht forjaking the affembling OURSELVES together^ as the manner offbrne is. This fymptoin I have more largely infixed upon, becaufe here begins the apoftaiy which often ends in the ruin of Churches. CHAP. III. Divers fymptoms of the declenfions of Churches -, felfifonefs offpirit^ and a fo7'getfulne)s of divine mercy^ thefrequent occafons of them, HAVING fpoken fomewhat particularly to the appearances the declenfions of the Churches of Chrift make in their Aflemblies, which fail in proportion to a want of love, and by a negledl of which many flourifliing Communities have been finally diflblved ; I proceed to confider fome other fymptoms of the like melancholy and threatening defedion j and, (2.) Where a Church falls into this unhappy condition, of leaving herfirft love^ it is further E 2 . difcerni-
2 8 l!he Redeemers Charge difcernible in the conduct of the feveral Members towards each other. The firfi: love of the primitive Chriftians was apparent in a kind affedionate carriage towards one another, and their great concern for each other's welfare. Thus it always will be, where love to Chrift, and a zeal for his intereft operates with any degree of fervency ; this effedt of love will difplay itfelf in a variety of fruits, each Member endeavouring to prefer the other [Rom. xii. lo. Philip, ii. 3.] forbearing with o?ie another [ Ephef. iv. 2-—32. Col of. iii. 13.] and by love J^-ving one another [Gal. v. 13.] Influenced by a fpirit of religion, Chriftians will not only take delight to meet together on proper occafions, but in all their meetings will be courteous, pitiful, carefully avoiding all occafions of offence, feeking every method to be helpful, and to render each other as comfortable and as extenfively ufeful as poffible. Thus they a(ft when under the conftraints of divine love; but when this love abates, thefe good fruits difappear, and this lovely carriage ceafes in proportion j members walk at a diftance from, and are (hy of each other. If we may judge by the condud of fome they have no care in their hearts, left they ftiould offend and grieve thofe they are in fellowftiip with, no compaffion for them when in diftrefs; they fcarce know one another in the Church, much lefs can it be hoped that they (hould take notice of one another when out of it : they are unacquainted
againjl his declining Churches. 29 qualnted with each others afflictions and temptations (the natural confequence of forfaking their affembling themfelves together) and if the forrows with which any are exercifed providentially turn up to the view of the reft, they exprefs little or no fympathy, or difcover any fear left the temptation fhould occafion them to fall and there is reafon to be jealous, that under fuch circumftancesvery few, if any private interceffions are put up in the behalf of thofe that are in diftrefs. Thus there is a general backwardnefs to that mutual endeavour after the honour, comfort, fafety, and ufefulnefs of each other, which is evident in the Churches of Chrift, where an ardent fpiritual affedion prevails ; and this difcovers their declenfion from their firft love. Where this becoming temper and condudt prevails in a Church, it will difcover itfelf in the converfation of its Members with relation to thofe that are abfent : if the perfon fpoken of be under affliction, or have been overtaken with a fault, fomething ftiall be dropt to exprefs the fympathy and defire of feeing him reftored : if he be in profperity, and is enabled to walk with honour and ufefulnefs in the Church, fuch will teftify their joy and thankfulnefs, for cha^ rity envieth not. Thus their difcourfe of one another will tend to raife the compaffion or cfteem of thofe they converfe with towards their Fellow- Chriftian, 'according to the circumftances he is in ; but when a people league ihti: Jirji love, flander and envy takes place, and
30 Tlje Redeemer s Charge and the Members of Churches are too apt to rail againft, and backbite one another. But, (3.) This is further evident when erroneous or ungodly perfons, and fuch who defpife the Church by their continual allowed neglecfts, are permitted to go on without cenfure or rebuke. One thing in which the Church oi Ephejus difcovered her zeal was in a due adminiftation of difcipline, thou canfi not bear them which are evil: and thou haft tried them which fay they are apoftlcs, and are not ; and ha/i found them liars, [ver. 2.] It is a melancholy fymptom of the defection we are fpeaking of, when a people become indifferent as to theDo6lrine or behaviour of thofe employ'd to preach among them, when they are unconcerned about the fentiments or converfation of thofe who are in fellowfhip with them, when thro' cowardice, carelefsnefs, or partiality, there is not a watchfulnefs to avoid, and a faithfulnefs in dete»5ting and bearing teftimony againft fin and error in whomfoever it be found ; and yet to this fad pafs do Churches, when decayed in their love to Chrift, gradually decline : And indeed it naturally follows upon their forfaking of their afTemblies, and falling into that indifferency towards each other beforementioned j for hereby they leave the proper motive and means of exercifing the difcipline of God's houfe, and then it muft ceafe of courfe. (4.) Such declenfions from love will be difcernable in their converfation with one another.
3^ againjl his declining Churches. ther. This fymptom is of a private nature, and is peculiar, as its appearance is in a great mcafure confined within themielves, and not fo vifible to them that are without, Hke thofe already mentioned: but the fubjeds their difcourfe turns upon when together, is a natural and good rule, by which Profeffors may form a judgmeni of the warmth and fpirituality of each others hearts. While there is a fervency of fpirit towards the things of Godjthere will be a frequent fpeaking of them with pleafure.The converfation of fuch who are in a fpiritual and lively frame will be much employed on the Sermons they have heard, the opportunities they have enjoyed, the reli{h and experience they have had on thefe occafions, and the heavenly city where they exped: to dwell with Chrift and one another for ever. When in a right fpirit, believers in fellowfhip will be glad to meet together to confer about thefe things ; and when they are affembled either occafionally or otherwife, the love of Chrift, the fulnefs of Chrift, the affairs of the Church of Chrift, and their fpiritual concerns will be the chief fubjeds of their difcourfe. Where love prevails in the heart Chriftians delight to think of thefe things, and therefore will be ready to fpeak of them ; how backward foever they may be when in a carnal frame to fuch converfation. This is the true ftare of the cafe 'Tis prepofterous and abfurd to fuppofe any thing fhort of this will be the effed of a zeal for Chrift and the gofpel ; foj- out of the abundcrnce of the heai^ the mouth fpcaketh, [Matt. xii. 34.] This is
32 7^^ Redeemers Charge is natural to man in every ftate, both in relpecft to civil and religious matters. But when a Community declines, the converfation of its members when together upon any occaiion degenerates, ('tis to be hoped) not into filthy talking, fiich as thofe who are entirely under the dominion of fenfual lufts delight in, yet too often into fooliQi jefting, condemned by the Apoftle [Ephefv. 4.] and at beft their difcourfe turns upon trifles, fuch as are far beneath, and quite foreign to the purpofe of their Chriftian character and affociation. I am feniible the people of God have occafion to enter into difcourfe both with the men of the world and one another, about worldly concerns, and thatwhen unavoidably incumber'd with the company of ignorant perfons for a feafon, it may be convenient to refrain from that religious converfation otherwife fo defirable ; and I am far from condemning every fubjedl of a civil nature among profeft Chriftians when by themfelves difcourfe of this fort may be many ways fubfervient to their edificatiop : but I fay when profeflbrs of religion, whether members of one and the fame particular Church, or of different Communities meet together from time to time, without any particular view to temporal concerns, and when they have no interruption from worldly men, and yet fay little or nothing of thefe heavenly things, 'tis a lad fign they have left their Jirji love. Under
againfl his declining Churches. 3 3 Under this head we might obferve the too general negled: of profefTors, as to converfation with the Minifter of the Church to which they belong. 'Tis no fmall difcouragement, in the prefent day, to many Paftors of Churches, wlio long after the fpirituality of their People in the bowels of Jefus Chrift, to hear no more from thofe under their care about their fpiritual aftairs. In this refped: how mournful are the flated feafons (for it is cuftomary and reafonable to fix on fuch feafons) wherein thofe who have any thing to communicate, efpecially in relation to their fouls, are invited to come ? how many weeks and months are fpent without anfwering the Ipiritual end of fuch appointments ? If the backfliding profeiTors of our times were to find themfelves negledied in their civil ftations by thofe they expe(5l to be concerned with, as they flight their minifters j I believe it would fadden their fpirits much, if not wholly difcourage them. Thefe negleds oblige the Minifters of the Gofpel either to lay afide fuch appointments, or at leaft to put up with now and then a few vifits that are but carnal at beft. 'Tis a trying cafe for a Faftor to difcharge his duty with faithfulnefs and earneftnefs to a people year after year, and perhaps for many years together, and to be able to obtain but very feldom a free acknowledp^ment of the influence of his adminiftrations. But as thi,s is cruel to a faithful laborious minilier, fo it is a token that the people are declined from that love which is the fource of all true religion. And, F (5.) To
34 7^^ Redeemer s Charge (5.) To thefe particulars I would fubjoin another fymptoni of a Church leaving her firfl love, viz, when animofities and divifions prevail. Charity is the bond ofperfe5lnejs^ [Colof. iii, 14.] but carnality brings contention and fchifm in the body. Thus it was in the Corinthian Church [ I Cor. i.] All reparations and confufions in communities are owing to this defection for the effedls of love to Chrift and one another are unity and order. When this fymptom appears it is a very threatning cafe, and there is danger of a dilTolution ; if not immediately, as when the natural body is burnt up in a few days by a malignant fever, yet more gradually, as when, from the dregs of feme bad diforder, or fome other caufe, a perfon falls into a confumption, and waftes away. This dangerous fymptom is naturally produced thro' the declenlions we have been treating of: for when once the members of a particular Church become negligent of gathering together, grow fliy, and are unconcerned about each others fpiritual welfare, when once they come to be indifferent about the dodrine, the fentiments or converfation of their minifters, and fuch who are in fellowfhip with them j when once they leave off quickening one another in private converfation, the enemy foon finds matter for contention and divifion; roots of bitternefs quickly fpring up thro' thofe corruptions indulged, and the many vain perfons which are permitted to creep in while the body continues in this carnal ftare. This naturallylead s me to the next general head propofed, viz. ScGondly^
avainjl his declining Churches. 3 5 Secondly^ To point out the principal caufes of fuch declenfions in the Churches of Chriil. And it is eafy to fee that the immediate and diredt caufe of this defection in a Church arifes from the degeneracy of thofe individual perfons whereof 'tis compofed, who for the moft part are all in general culpable, more or lefs, and who, (awful confideration !) ftand accufed by Jefus Chrift himfelf, in proportion to their guilt for every fuch melancholy alteration. But I fhall attempt in a few particulars very briefly to give fome idea of the rite and progrefs of fuch declenfions; and I think it will appear in fome meafure from the following known occafions of degeneracy in thele communities. ( I.) It originally fprings from the indulgence of carnality and felfifhnefs in many of its members. As the corrupt heart of man is the fountain from whence proceed all the adulteries, impieties, and cruelties feen on the face of the earth ; fo the beginnings of thefe forrowful declenfions, vifible at any time on the Churches of Chrift, are to be traced to the individual perfons who conftitute them, and are owing to the deceitful lufis that war in their members. Some luft fallies forth at an unguarded hour with fuccefs, and betrays the profeflor into its hands; this demands obedience, and is permitted to captivate the foul to its will, and thus brings forth F 2 thq
36 T^he Redeemer s Charge the bitter fruit ; indulgence of fin lays the foundation of declenfion in the perfon overtaken, from whence the Church he is related to is infeded, in proportion to his influence in the body. Here we may date the partial apoftacy of a Church, which if grace prevent not will iflue in its utter deftrudtion. When perfons firft fet out in a profeffion of the name of Chrift, warmed with a fenfe of divine love, and rejoicing in the bleffing of redemption thro' the blood of Chrift, they are humble, fpiritual, and generoufly difpofed to lay themfelves out for the Redeemer's caufe then they are vigorous and adtive, careful to fill up every duty and exert themfelves in their feveral ftations j but after they have run well for a feafon, Satan, vigilant and fubtle, is often permitted to fet his trap and hinder them. This is more frequently the cafe, where perfons are cali'd in their minority before they are entangled with the cares and concerns of public life tbefe profeiTors unexperienced in the world, together with the deceitfulnefs of their hearts and the devices of Satan (an unfkilfulnefs common to perfons firft enlightened) are very liable to be enfnared, and indeed are for the moft part drawn afide more or lefs from th€\vjirft love in this way. The God of this world prefents fome bait: there is perhaps an advantageous marriage, or fettlement, or opportunity for mending his outward and temporal circumftances that offers itfelf to the profefibr, but fo plainly inconfiftent with his continuing in the zealous difcharge
againfl his declining Churches. 3 7 difcharge of his duty in the Church of Chrift, that the danger, cannot be overlook'd; this throws him into great diftrefs of mind, for tho* fome may be fo void of fhame as to make no fcruple under fuch a circumftance to feize the earthly treafure, yet where the love of God is in the heart, and even, in moft cafes, where only ftrong convi(ftion may have afFedled the mind of a perfon and brought him under a profeflion, confcience will ftartle, and the profeffor helitate what ftep he had befl to take. Now while this net is at his feet, and he is parlying with the temptation, the great Seducer fteps in, he ftirs up carnal reafonings, and all the lufts of the flefh and the mind, as far as he is permitted. Well, fays Satan, this may be done without carting off your profeffion or forfeiting your chara(5ter in the Church 5 fee how fuch and fuch a Church-member lives and ads : you may do it with as much fafety to your eternal welfare as he, for this does not depend on a number of duties and ordinances. Thus the Devil knows how to mifapply the greatefi truths to pervert the fouls of men into mifery. Yea, further fays the Tempter, thou art poor, and mayft never have fuch another opportunity of rifing in the world, and tho' the propofal before you may oblige you to flacken your diligence and zeal for the prefent, yet hereafter when you have got into poffeffion of abundance, you will be better able to ferve the Church of Chrift. O horrid deceiver ! alas ignorant profeffor ! how like a filly bird does this Fowler catch thee in his fnare ?
38 *jthe Redeemer s Charge fnare? not confidtring the unfatisfying nature of the creature-portion, the unhappy influence of worldly enjoyments to take away the heart from Godj it fpecial grace prevent not, the unwary profefTor flies to the net, and coveting after this world deftroys his credit and ufefulnefs as a Chriftian, and pierces hitnfelf thro with manyJbrrows. Multitudes are drawn afide after this manner, 'till the things of time and fenfe imperceptibly gain on their affedions, then they grow proud, carnal, and felfifli, and inftead of being as heretofore, provokers of love, are like cold water to the affedions of others. Those who attain the riches of this world at the expence of their duty in the Church of Chrift, are ufually by their fad example under the influence of thefe fenfual enjoyments the greatell; inftruments of her declenfion and ruin. But whatever caufe it arifes from, where felflove creeps in, and fenfuality prevails, a fervent aflfedion to Chrift and fpiritual things goes out, and when the members of a Church are carnal and felfifh, it tends to the evil lamented. We are told that in thefe lafi days among other exercifes, the Church is to be tried with fuch who are lovers of their ownj'elves ; [2 Tim. iii. 2.] and fo remarkable did this fpirit prevail even in the Apoftolick age, that there is a complaint, \Phil ii. 21.] T^hat all fought their own, and not the things of yefus Chrift. I have been the more particular on this head, it being the main fource of every other temptation, w/'/V/^ ^<?/^fj place to the prejudice
againji his declining Churches. 39 prejudice of zeal and all fpiritual proiperity in the Churches of the living God. But, (2.) Another occafion of declenfion among profefTors is a forgetfulnefs of the mercy and kindnefs of God, both to their own fouls, and to the Church to which they belong. This was the cafe o^ Ifraeloi old [Jer. ii. 2.] I remember thee^ the kindnefs of thy youth ^ the love of thine ejpoufals, when thou wenteji after me in the wildernefs, &c. The Lord charges her \yer, 6.] with not faying, where is the Lord that brought us out of the land 0/ Egypt, that led us thrd the wildernefs^ thrd a land of defarts and fits, &c. They had forgot his wonderful works, he reminds them therefore, how he brought them into a fruitful country to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof [ver. 7.] So when perfons are captivated by their lulls, and entangled with the pleafures and profits of this world, it lulls them into a forgetfulnefs of the love and grace of God, that was manifefted to them at their converlion, and when he brought them out of fpiritual Egypt-, how kindly and feafonably light, and a view of pardon broke in upon them, 'when they were filled with terror, and under the apprehenfions of the divine wrath j they forget the condefcention of the Lord in hearing their prayers in fuch times of diftrefs, and the vows they made upon it. And thus when a Church declines thro' the defedion of its members, there is a forgetfulnefs of their pall experience,
40 Hoe Redeemer s Charge experience ; the providences that fettled them at firft, and how kind the great Shepherd had been from time to time, in proteding and furnifliing the Church to which they relate with gifts, railing up one and another to fupport his caufe among them, and preferving the candleftick in its place. When a people lofe a fenfe of God's paft goodnefs, and forget the many wonderful favours he has wrought for, and in the midft of them, no wonder they decline in their zeal for his glory. CHAP. IV. A further account of what promotes declenfom in Churches^ together with the manner in which Chrift exprejfes his difpleafure againfl the com^ munities on who?n they arefound. FROM the confideration of the indulgence of a carnal felfifh fpirit, and a forgetfulnefs of divine mercy thro' various temptations, as the frequent occaiions of a Church leaving htvfrji love; I pafs on to (hew, (3.) These declenfions are not a little promoted thro' the increafe of formal profeffbrs. Hypocrites ufually multiply upon the abatement of zeal in the true difciples of Chrift; when fuch who fear God are betrayed thro' carelefsnefs into a carnal frame, and flacken in their diligence, with refped: to thofe they admit among ii
agatnfl his declining Churches. 4 among them j there are perfons who take occafion to enter into their fellowfhip, defiring for feme finifter ends the form of godlinefs. Therefore when a Church is in a cold lakewarm ftate, it becomes each member to examine himfelf J for there is room to be jealous there are not a few who deceive their own fouls in the midft of them : Thefe carnal profelTors can by no means comply with the pains and patience, the felf-denial and watchfulnefs necel^ fary to the Churches profperity, and which when fervent in fpirit (he is careful to exercife; they are not for that purity in dod:rine, that flricftnefs in difcipline, that holy and fpiritual converfation, which thofe who are animated with zeal for Chrift aim at ; 'tis burthenfome to their minds, yea, 'tis dangerous ; for as they like not to conform hereunto, fo if this godly zeal (hould too much prevail, their contrary converfation will foon expofe them to cenfure, and hereby they will either lofe their places in the Church, or at lealT: lofe their end in maintaining them, which is to be efteemed righteous and holy perfons. Carnally minded profeflbrs will always, in proportion to their influence in a Church, render abortive the endeavours of the fpiritually minded believer, to promote a fervency for the dodlrines and ordinances of the Gofpel; efpecially thofe which, thro' the degeneracy of the times, are defpifcd. They are for the moll popular notions, for having the greateft reputation, but for meeting with no oppo fition in their profeffion ; hence they will fecretly G or
4 2 ^he Redeemer 5 Charge or openly dlfcountenance all thofe meafures taken for the revival of true godlinefs, vi^hen decayed. Such men are very foothing, and ufually have fome fpecious pretence for the oppofition they make to the propofals and attempts of others, for the reftoring meetings of prayer, for keeping up watchfulnefs over the members of the Church, for calling fuch to an account who walk diforderly, and for reviving fpiritual difcourfe, all which may have long lain negleded J I fay, this oppoiition of formal profeffors is for the moft part carried on under fome fpecious pretence; a cry of liberty and charity fliall glofs over their condu6l, and thereby deceive many. Thus they become the occafion of a Church leaving her firfi love more and more ; and thro' their obtaining a majority in number or power, hath many a lively and reputable Community of faints been difgracedand deftroved. (4.) Sometimes the coldnefs of other Churches, fituated in the neighbourhood, adminifters to this evil. Apostacy, in what fubjedt foever it refides, in all fliapes and degrees is infectious like the plague ; as one member in a community connived at in the indulgence of fin leavens another, and thereby, if the appointed means is neglected, the whole body will be gradually corrupted: fo one community of profefTors declining in their zeal, is often the occafion of anothers
againjl his declining Churches, 43 anothers going off from tneir former love. The iniquities indulged, and the duties negledied in one Church, like roots of bitteriieji fpring up and defile others; the infediion fpreads infenfibly, and fometimes conveys its poilon to a great diftance ; but, however, where feveral Chnrches lie contiguous, 'tis leldom feen that one decays alone. It is true, the conftitution of particular Churches, which are independant bodies, makes it poffible, that where divers border upon each other, one may drop and the reft ftandj but fad and abundant experience {hews us that this is fcarcely to be expe(5ted. It is obfervable, that where one has declined, unlelb a remarkable fpirit of reformation has been given, the reft have foon followed. All the Churches in Jljia were infedled, more or lefs, pretty near together, and decayed within a little of each other. We are prone to be content with a comparative righteoufnefs and goodnefs; there ftill lurks in the hearts of true Chriftians fomething of this vanity, and it often very much affeds their condud:, not only in a private but a collective capacity ; and 'tis evident how greatly this unhappy propenfity muft needs expofe them to injury, from bad example. The beft of us are too apt to fquare our condud: by this falfe rule of comparifon, a rule that deceives many fouls into a groundlefs hope, and moft fatal fecurity, to their utter deftrudlion ; and that betrays Chriftians in fellowftiip into a negled of G 2 their
44 TZ^ Redeemer s Charge their relative duties, and an indifferency of fpirit towards the doctrines and ordinances of the Gofpel, before they are aware. The heft anfwer many profelTors can give upon enquiry, why they are fo feldom, fo late, fo inad:ive in their places in the Churches to which they belong, is that they come up to, or it may be in feme little degree exceed, what fame back- Aiding members of neighbouring Churches do : Surprizing ftupidity 1 but fuch is the fad trifling of fome in a carnal frame j they boafl themfelves in a comparative way, by the conduft of formal and diforderly perfons, under a like profeffion with themfelves; tho' they might juftly be afhamed to compare their prefent behaviour even with their own former conduct, much lefs with the rule of Chrift's word, and with the facred vows that are upon them. We fee then, that the defection of a Church arifes from the degeneracy of its members, it originally fprings from their being betrayed thro' the remainders of fin by the fubtlety of the Tempter into a fenfual and private fpirit, which occafioning a forgetfulnefs of the mercies of God heretofore manifefled in their favour in this indifferent ftate formal profelTors multiply, who ufe all their intercft to prevent the , revival of fpirituallty and religious zeal, and thefe declenfions are not a little promoted thro* the ill example of other Churches who are fallen from their ftedfaftnefs. Which brings me to the laft thing propofed, "uiz.
agamjl his declining Churches. 45 thirdly. To confider, how Chrift exprelTes his difplealbre at all fuch defedions from a lively zeal ior his intereft and glory. This is clearly illuftrated In the cafe of the Church of Ephejus^ and plainly related in the context 5 therefore any conliderable enlargement is unneceflary. The fubjedls on which the effed:s of his anger will terminate, are doubtlefs the people under a profeflion of his name, who may expedl to feel his refentment, as private perfons, and as a publick body. It is not fuitable to my delign to enter into an enquiry after the tokens of his difpleafure againft particular perfons, who are the inftruments of thefe declenfions in a Church flate, fuch will have their reward in this life, or that which is to come but Chrift expreffes his difpleafure againft his Churches, (i.) By charging them with their declenfions. Thus, in the text, he accufes the Ephefian Church, I haveJbimwhat againft thee, thou haft left thy firft love. In the times of the Prophets, under the former difpenfation, the Lord charges the backflidings of bis revolting people Ifrael upon her ; and by fuch charges they might fee how difpleafed he was with their forfaking his ordinances and defpifing his word. So the Lord Jefus by charging his Churches with their declenlions, teftifies his difpleafure againft them. It
46 The Redeemer s Charge It is not to be expeded there (hould be a frelh revelation from heaven, as in the inftance before us ; he has by this very paffage iffued out a Handing charge againft all his Churches, who like this at Ephefus^ leave \ht\v Jirfi love. Chrift is here (as obferved in the introdudlion) fpeaking in his word to his Churches, and when any Church is under the like appearance with that to whom the words were firft directed, the Minifter ought to apply the accufation faithfuully, and woe be to thofe who contemn the charge on account of the mefTenger that brings it in the name of the Lord. It is remarkable that this accufation was not miniftred by the Angel that aflifted in the Revelation, nor by John to whom the revelation was made, but by the Minifter or Overfeer of the Church to whom it was fent for that purpofe ; fo that the Churches in the prefent day, if back-fliding, have the word adminiftred in the fame way the Church of Ephefus had. But, (2.) Christ expreffes his difpleafure by warning his backfllding Churches to repentance, which warning is accompanied with a threatning in cafe of obftinacy. Th I s alfo ftands recorded in the eternal, facred Word to be miniftred out by his faithful AmbafTadors. When a people are vifibly upon the decline indeed, there is a mixture of .kindnefs in thefe warnings. 'Tis a mercy and an undeferved favour, when a people forfake their zeal.
agai?ifl his decli?iing Churches. 4-7 2eal, that he does not fuddenly, and immediately pour out his vengeance on them for their ingratitude, treacheiy, and difobedience : But he is a merciful God, flow to anger, and of great compaffion. Thefe warnings however belpeak his refentment againft their proceedings, and involve in them the awful intimations of his difpleafure. Sometimes to his word he adds other warnings by the Difpenfations of his Providence 5 as when he withdraws the light and fuccefs they formerly were indulged with ; when he removes a laborious Minifter, and many other valuable perfons by death, or otherwife when he fufFers great trials to the body, thro* the diforderly condu(5l of its members : thefe and fuch like intimations call upon a people to remember whence they 2lxq fallen, and fhould be received as tokens of Chrift's controverfy with, and difpleafure againft a declining Church. But then, 3. It is certain, if a people perfift, and all the inftrudlion of his Word and Providence do not awaken them to repentance, he will at length execute his anger in their diffolution. This was the threatning againft the Church of Ephefus : and what was the confequence ? Chrift removed the candleftick out of its place \yer, 5.] This the Lord will do, if a Church continues to revolt, under all the charges laid againft them in his word, miniftred by his faithful fervants, and after many rebukes and warnings. And this Chrift can do, confiftent
48 lloe Redee^ners Charge fiftent with the purpofes of his heart, and the unchangeable covenant of grace. The promifes that infallibly fecure the falvation of every true Believer, and the flability of the Church of God, are no fecurity againft the utter ruin of particular Churches, if they degenerate into a contempt of his inftitutions. The Lord can ilrip a nation, full of formal Churches, of all the means of grace, and remove every appearance of the Gofpel from them, confiftent with all that he has purpofed or declared j and he is able to teftify his anger by thefe fatal means. All the dependance of a Church is upon him gifts neceflary for edification are in his pofTeffion, and muft be given forth from him j yea, the Spirit itfelf comes from him. Christ has a fbvereign jurifdicftion in the univerfal Church, and all particular Churches are at his difpofal : he is the only true Head of the univerfal Church, the chief Shepherd of the flock, and will let no Church continue longer than may conduce to his own glory, and the good of his true difciples : He can take them down at his pleafure. I apprehend indeed a Church (efpecially in times of outward eafe) never dilTolves but thro' her own default; and many particular profelTors provoke the Lord to anger, and may be called to his bar before the expiration of the Church they have been the occafion of deftroying ; but Chrift is able, when the iniquity of a backfliding people is full, foon to diflblve them, by withdrawing his prefcnce, by
againjl his declim7ig Churches, 49 by calling home faithful Minifters, and permitting difqualified perfons to fucceed for a while; by withholding the Spirit of truth, on whofe operations all fuccefs depend. In a word, by leaving them to their own fpirits j then, alas their floth, pride, hypocrify, and covetoufnefs prefently introduce contention, by which they often bite and devour one another, till the Body is confumed. When carnal profefTors by this means come to have their full fwing of power and influence, the ufeful zealous members, if a few remain alive, are obliged to leave the Church, and betake themfelves to feme other Communion j or if they are at too great a diftance from fuch a relief, they are obliged to mourn in filence at the view they have of the approaching ruin of the Community, which they cannot prevent. By thefe and fuch like forrowful methods Chrift takes down a Churchftate, and will teftify his refentment againfl a body of people, who, under that character, impenitently trifle with his Inftitutions. Th u s I have endeavoured to give fome account of the fymptoms that appear upon a Church that has left her firft love, the fources of thefe declenfions, and the way in which the Lord Jefus Chrift will exprefs his difpleafure againft fuch departers from him. H CHAP,
^6 7.he Redeemer'' s Charge CHAP. V. An application of the foregoi?ig truths to the temper and conduB of the profjjhrs of religio7i in our day^ and the pernicious tendency of all notions which lead believers to an indiff-'erency to the duties of their flation in the particular Churches to which tljey feverally belong. TH E application of the things laid down in the preceding Chapters, is eafy to every obferving Chriftian j and I think there is too great a likenefs in the prefent temper and conduct of many profeiTors amongft us, to be overlook'd by conliderate and knowing perfons. Who that refleds on the prefcnt ftate of Religion amongft us can deny, that in general, and efpecially on many particular Churches in our day and land, thefe melancholy fymptoms too vifibly appear ? If an abatement in zeal for affembling together is any proof of having forfaken our frfi love^ furely the charge llands good againfl us. How fadly is the houfe of God neglected ! The more publick ftated feafons for worlhip, are fo fhamefuUy treated, that (unlefs arrived to a great degree of infenfibility) one cannot take a ferious review without blufhing. We agree to meet God and one another at o?ie hour, and generally come together near upon the borders of the 7iext I What a ftrange difturbance do the few that come early meet with near half the time of their devotion, from the rufliing in of thofe who come late, and are by far the greater number
agai?ijl his declining Churches. 5 i number in many places? The Minifter, and they who make confcience of being in the affembly to begin with him, could never proceed with any compofure in the divine lervice, for the ruilling of cloaths, and the clattering of doors, were it not that curtom has at length render'd it fomewhat tolerable : And, in fhort, were we to wait for a decent fileuce before we begin, we (hould have fcarce any time for either of the branches of publick worfliip. And after fo much time is elapfed with little or no religious fervice performed, is it not grievous to fee how many fall afleep under the word, while others give too much fufpicion of a wandering heart, by the roving of their eyes ? Many fymptoms of a reftlefsnefs, during the {hort fpace, are apparent in fome, who feem more watchful of the clock, left the preacher fhould exceed the time, than of the word fpoken, left at any time they fliould let it flip : Nor will fome fpare their refledtions if they are detained a few minutes longer than common. I acknowledge it is neceflTary for the moft part to keep to the time appointed, and am far from pleading for a continuance in publick fervice to the diforder of families; but when people are offended upon every little excurfion of this kind, however the fubjed; may call for it, (as is the cafe of fome) it is a fad lign of carnality, and want of afFed:ion for the things of Chi ift. This is the manner in which even Proteftant Diflenters are too geiferally found to attend their religious aflemblies. H 2 Now
5 2 I'he Redeemer s Charge Now let any ferious perfon refle<ft on thefe things; is not this the true ftate of the cafe? and IS this right ? Is this becoming the courts of the Lord's houfe, or anfwerable to the great defign of fuch meetings? If a yew or Mahometan^ who never heard the juft complaints of our declenfions, was, upon enquiry after the time and places of our worfhip, to attend as a fped:ator, would he not be (urprized, think you, to fee the houfe empty near half the time appointed for devotion ? would not a ftranger be tempted to think, that after all our profeflion, we had no fuch fenfe of our obligations to Chrift, no fuch reverence for our Saviour and his word, no fuch apprehenfions of the authority and importance of his inftitutions, no fuch delight in his fervicej in a word, no fuch expe6lation of his fpiritual prefence, or of a blefling from his hands, as we talk of? Men who are in good earneft about their temporal honour and interefts, will not thus attend the Exchange, or other places of publick refort for the negotiating of bufinefs, according to their feveral profeffions; nor if they have acknowledgments to make to their earthly Prince, or any favour to afk of him, will they atiend his prefence-chamber, in this manner, if they have any regard for acceptance with him. And why then fhould they think it fufficient, or decent thus to attend the worfhip of the great God ? How thoughtlefs foever we may be, the Lord is difpleafed with fuch fervices, and will not accept them ; what he fays by his Prophet is applicable
agawjl his declining Churches, 5 3 applicable to the cafe in hand. [Malach.i. 8.] Off'er it now to thy governor^ will he be pleafed with theey or accept thy perfoii ? faith the Lord ofHofis. Strange, that men, and good men too, {hould bs funk into fo carnal a frame, or be fo ftupined, as^ to conceive, that what would be ju<tJy refented by an earthly Prince, {hould be acceptable to the glorious Jehovah, who is declared in his Word to be a jealous God.— It is not at all to be wondered at, that we have fo little of the divine prefence in thofe affemblies, in which his Majefty and grace arc thus affronted. It may be thought that in this reprefentatlon I have deviated from my fubjedt, feeing this negligerxe and indecency is chargeable upon the hearers of the word in general, and not peculiar to Church-members. I admit it, but I thought it. not unnatural to introduce the account here, and indeed it was almoft neceflary in refpecSt to the firfl fymprom laid down of a declining ftate ; and I appeal to all who make any obfervation on our publick aifemblies, if many Church-members by their late attendance, and in fome inftances by their behaviour, are not ill examples to others j and whether when perfons under fuch a profeffion generally condud: themfelves in this manner, it is not highly criminal in itfelf, and an undeniable token of their having left their firji love. But
54 ^^^ Redeemers Charge DuT if we look into meetings of prayer of a more private nature, how are they attended ? in how many Churches are they entirely laid afide ? — Church-meetings, for hearing the experiences of fuch who propofe for Communion, enquiring into the converfation of the feveral members, purging out evil perfons, and other neceffary duties for the admonition and comfort of every one in fellowfhip, and the prefervation of the body ; are they better attended, than the more pubhck affemblies? If any judgment can be formed by what is feen and heard, many under a profefTion of the name of Chrift have much to anfwer for, for their negled: of his caufe, and their own fouls in the omiffions of fuch neceffary meetings. It is complained that in fome Communities there is fcarce any appearance of fuch afTemblies, which the nature of their conftitution, and the command of Chrift fo earneftly demands : and the few who, under the difcouragements of the prefent lukewarm time, attend the exercifes, are witnefles in almoft every Church, that many never appear in thefe her weekly or monthly affemblies, or dlfcover any concern for the welfare of the body. The like is to be obferved with regird to fympathy with fellow members in dirtrefs, and fpiritual converfation among them : Some profeitors never give any proper evidence of the one, or are found engaging in the other, from year to year ; but are mere nominal members of the Church to which they relate, excepting now and then hearing a Sermon in publick, or receiving
againjl his dccUri'nig Churches. 5 ceiving the Sacrament, and even thefe are too frequently omitted, by feme, and that upon very flight occafions. While I am fpeaking of thefe forrowful backllidings, I would obferve, it is however to be acknowledged that many proi'tflbrs are very generous with their fubftance, efpeciaily in and about the City of London ; beiides other occafional and liberal exhibitions, there are many noble charities fupported by yearly contributions in the Churches, and even by thofe, on whom" too many of the fad fymptoms 1 have been defcribing are to be found. This difpofition indeed is truly worthy of the Chriftian Charadter j may the Lord continue and increafe it. But fuch charities can never be thought to excufe the declenfions we lament. Our bounty will not atone for our formality, nor our generous donations to pious defigns fave us from the difpleafure of Chrift, if in other refped:s we (light nis Gofpel, and pour contempt on his Ordinances. And indeed if irreligion increafes upon us in this manner, there is reafon to fear that this charitable difpofition will foon decline, or the charities themfelves be mifapplied. This is the fad fituation of the Churches; thefe the tokens of declenlion upon us; yea, I might fubjoin, that, fo ignorant, or fo much indifpofed are fome members ofChurches, that they feem aftonifhed and are even offended if their Minifters tell them of thefe things, and flir tb.eni up
56 T^e Redeemers Charge up to a more vigorous difcharge of their duty. Melancholy alteration indeed from thofe times, when through afBidion and perfecutions the Churches I am fpeaking of, were firft eftabliOied in our land ! Then the fellowfliip of the Saints was efteemed honourable j then it was the mutual endeavour of Chriflians to build up each other in their holy faith, and to encourage one another in the ways of the Lord ; then few were miffing at the times appointed for affemblies of every fort neceffary to edification, and then there was a general forwardnefs to every good word and work. O that it were with us as in years part, as in the days when the love of God was (hed abroad in the hearts of his people, and the zeal of his houfe was ready to eat them up I come now to make fome refledions upon the whole ; and, {hall clofe this chapter with obferving, F/Vy?, How prejudicial to the Churches of Chrift are all notions and prad:ices, that flacken the zeal and diligence of believers in the duties of their profeffion ? I fhall enlarge fomewhat particularly on this reflexion, becaufe I think it highly neceflary, confidering the temper and condudl of many profeflbrs at this time, who are, I apprehend, unwarily, employing themfelves in this unthankful office} and inflead of building up (as I be.
againfl his decli?iing Churches, 5 7 I believe moft of them intend) are pulling down the Churches of Chrift *. If tiie negligence and declenfions of a particular Church are fo difpleafing to the Redeemer, and what he will refent in the awful manner we have feen ; it muft needs be very injurious to the Churches, and the vifible intereft of Chrift in the worlds to propagate any fentiment, or give into any conduct, that has a tendency to abate the concern of a profeft believer, to fill up his ftation in the houfe of God. It appears from the conftitution of a Church, (he can only be zealous and fruitful in proportion to the adivity and vigour of her feveral members 5 who by a frequent and ready aflembling together, difcharge the duties of their reiped:ive Nations in the body. Every thing therefore that leffens the obligation upon a believer's confcience, or alienates his I defires * It is dear to me from Scripture, that the catholick vifible Church on earth is divided into many particular Churches, at the appointment of our Lord, who by his infpired Apoftles inftrufted us into their formal conftitution. Such particular Churches, I apprehend, with many of my Chriftian Brethren, to be diftinft independant bodies from each other, and are to be confidered as different parts of the one Catholick Church, which Church appears with beauty and luftre in the world, in proportion to the number and brightnefs of thefe particular communities, ftyl'd in in Scripture ^o/f/tw candlejiicks : Now the continuance and glory of thefe particular communities are maintained thro' the adlivity and zeal of their coniHtuent members who under the conftraints of divine love, thro' the afliftance of the bleffed Spirit, are diligent in the exercife of every grace and difcharge of every duty. If this be a juft reprefentaticn, 'tis eafy to fee the dreadful tendency of breaking in upon the orderly and lively difcharge of theie duties incumbent upon Chriftians as members of particular vifible Churches.
58 T'he Redeemers Charge defires to be found adive, according to his ability in the body whereof he is a member, tends to the declenfion of that body, occafions the difpleafure of Chrift againft it, and ftrikes at the very being thereof; and indeed as far as the influences of fuch bad examples reach, it is levelled at the exilience of all other Churches. We are not without deluiions and temptations of this kind in the prefent day. It has even been infinuated there is no particular rule in Scripture for the order of a Church-ftate *, this is making * This at once takes off all authority from the difcipline of a Church, the neceflary and appointed means of preferving the body from being corrupted and ruined, by erroneous, immoral, and diforderly members ; and is in efFedl what is called Era- Jiianifm, from one Thomas Erafius a Svoifs phyfician, who arofe during the time of the Civil W'ars in England: his diftinguifliing tenet was that the Church had no right to difcipline. The difference indeed is, that Erafius feems to acknowledge a Church, but difowns her power to excommunicate, abfolve, i^c. but this notion I have mentioned, virtually deftroys the very being of a Church, by denying there is any fuch Corporation, i. e. any fociety whofe formal conititution is according to the exprefs direftion of the Lord Jefus ; for this is impolfible if there is no particular rule in Scripture for it. They come much to the fame ; for a Church without difcipline will foon difToIve, or at leaft be fo defiled as to be no fit habitation for a heavenly-minded perfon ; yet the latter feems the more bold and prefumptuous aflertion. Chriftians indeed have differed in their opinions concerning the mind of Chrift in this important article, thro' the different degrees of light they have in this imperfeft ftate and this is confiftent with an univerfal acknowledgment of the authority of our Lord in his word. But when perfons come to queftion there being any command or exprefs rule for Church order, this overturns all things in the houfe of God, and opens awide door to all the inventions of men. Chriftianity itfelf, in my opinion, in this cafe is in great danger ; for when the Churches are
againjl his declini?ig Churches. 5 9 making fliort work with ordinances indeed : upon this principle a voluntary fociety of Chriflians cemented by a few bye-laws and inventions of their own, and deftitute of the fpecial ordinances of Chrift, has equal authority with a Church which has no other efTential band of union, than what is prefcribed in the divine word, and where there is a facred regard to all the wife and gracious inftitutions of the Redeemer ; but fuch vain imaginations are to be protefted againft as derogating from the Kingly office of Chrift, and as a means of introducing anarchy into his Churches, which, where it takes place; if not timely remedied, muft naturally iflue in their dilToiuticn. *Tis much to be lamented that many private Chriftians, and even fome of a more publick chara6ter in the Churches have countenanced practices that favour of a notion fo deftrudive to the honour of Chrift in the world. Far be it from me to fuppofe, that all who give into fuch a condu6t, have any felfifti view, nor would I allow myfelf to judge any one individual Ringleader of thefe pernicious fentiments ; 'tis the prerogative of the great fearcher of hearts to I 2 judge are demolifhed religion is in a defencelefs ftate : the prefence of Chrift and his Spirit departs from a nation when the Candleflicks are removed, and nothing but grofs darknefs can be exr pefted, as it is now in Afia, once fo famous for gofpel-light, now over-run by the ^urk, and fubjefl to the blafphemy and fnperftition of that vile Impoftor Mahomet : for tho' there is a toleration, this is the eftablilbcd and prevailing religion.
6o 'The Redeemer $ Charge judge and condemn ihofe who feek theml'elves, under a pretence of fecking the things of Chrift. I would hope there are very few if any fuch among us. But what ends foever perfons may have who efpoufe fuch unfcriptural notions, it appears to me that thefe fentiments may be fubfervient to defigning men, who he in wait to captivate weak and unwary Chriftians, and that they are calculated to deftroy religion from the face of the land, and bring in an inundation of enthufiafm, fuperftition, and error among us. Let us remember our Lord is a God of order, and maintain a reverence for his inflitutions, according to the light of our confciences, if we would efcape the inare of the Devil, for he always fets up his flandard in confufion. It is not a general notion of the dodlrines of the Gofpel, or a flaming zeal for one or two particular truths, how important ibever, that will atone for the contempt of the appointments of infinite wifdom for fupporting the caufe of Chrift. When the enemy has led one part of a religious community into an apoflacy from their facred engagements with the Church of God, and rendred the reft indifferent about fellowfliip in the method prefcribed in his word, his bufinefs is done; the breach is made; he will foon remove the remaining part of the treafure, and find means to pervert men from that dod:rine, which for a feafon has been the bait to unguarded perfons. Therk
agatnji bis declining. Churches, 6 f There have been divers attempts of late years on. the members of Churches, in order to aHenate them from the communities to which they belong. It has, with too much fuccefs in many inftances, been infinuated, that fuch are really u:^,der no obligation to fill up their places, that it is as acceptable to Chrift if we are but where any of his dear children are gathered togCchcr, as tho' we were prefent with thofe in pukticular with whom we are engaged to walk in feilowfliip : a fentiment fb glaringly unjuft, tha. i'c is wonderful it fhould ever captivate any horded ferious mind. Much pains has been taken to draw off fuch whofe names are in the Churches, by diredtly or indire(5lly accufing their minifter or their fellow members to them, with want of fpirituality and Chriflian love in g'.neral, or with want of aifedion to them in particular, or perhaps under a pretence of finding more of the prefence of Chrift and communion with him ehewhere. But who cannot fee that the drawing afide of profelTors by thefe or any other bafe methods or fpecious pretences, is naturally levelled againft, and injurious to the Churches of Chrift in general that it muft neceflarily incapacitate them for doing their former works which they performed, when the members adted a rational and faithful part in difcharging their duties; and confequently, that, according to the example of the Church of Ephefus it muft bring down the difpleafure of Chrift upon them. Can this be an acceptable fervice to the Lord .? muft not they who
6 2 ^he Redeemer s Charge who arc found in fuch pradices be under great deluflon ? There are others who pra<5lically prejudice the Churches and Inftitutions of Chrift j among whom may be reckoned, fuch who through an indulgence of carnal pleafure are neghgent of the Church they belong to. Alfo thofe who, in the judgment of charity, are true difciples, and who in private profefs they believe in Chrift, refting their falvation upon him, and yet fubmit not to his publick ordinances. And, if there are any perfons more injurious to the Inftitutions of of our Saviour than either of thefe, I apprehend they are fuch, who having met with fome offence in the Church they belonged to, paffionately withdraw, and go on year after year, and perhaps to the end of their days, out of Church-fellowihip ; as if becaufe of the infirmities of thofe who, it may be, have given them juft caufe of offence, they are difcharged from their obligations to obey the Lord Jefus, and from being found in the ways of his appointments. Thefe Chrift ians do not confider the ill effects their example has to bring the importance of Chriftian Ordinances into fufpicion, if not contempt. I perfuade myfelf they are not defignedly, but I am certain they are really, in proportion to their influence, greatly prejudicial to the vifible Church of Chrift in the day in which they live. CHAP.
agalnjl his declining Churches. 6 3 CHAP. VI. Shewing how this charge condemns jiich^ who nc- 'ver manifefted any proper zealfor the name of Chrift ; with a call to felf-examination j and the conclufion. IT is greatly to be lamented that there appears fo much of the fame fpirit and behaviour, with which the Church at Ephejus is accufed, among the Churches of Chriil in the prefent time ; and that there are fo many vain and foohfti notions prevailing, which tend to enervate the Arength, and mar the beauty of fuch communities: This was the mournful fubjecft of the preceding chapter. I {hall efteem it a great happinefs, if the reprelentation given is inftrumental of ftirring up the zeal of any of Chrift's people, who may be funk into a lukewarm frame, to lay it to heart, and fpread it before the Lord ; and that any fuch (hould hereby be animated to an earneft endeavour after a different temper and condud: for the future. As a further means of convi(ftion and revival, under the divine bleffing, I proceed, by way of reflection, to obferve, Seco?idlyy This charge againfl the Church of Ephefus, and by them to all Churches and their feveral Members who leave their firfi: love, reproves thofe who never difcovered any zeal for Chrirt and his ordinances at all. Of thefe there are
64 7^^ Redeemer s Charge are two forts ; viz, fome who are under a profeffion, and others who never took upon them the name of the Redeemer in a publick manner. Some perfons fet out under a profefTion of the name of Chrift, in thefe lukewarm days, in fo cold and lifelefs a fpirit, that they never give any publick token of the fervency ufually difcovercd by young converts. It becomes fuch to confider, wherefore they are deftitute of fruits fo natural to the love of the Believer in the day of his efpoufals, whence it comes to pafs they have nofirji love. Spiritual afFedtions are not alike flrong in every one upon firft converfion, nor have all an equal talent for the di{play of them but fome zeal is found with every convert ; and the fruits of this love, at leaft in a defire and readinefs to affociate with the Church, is to be expe<^ed from them. Under what temptation then does the young ProfefTor feem to come fhort of it ? But there arc others, who tho* they privately declare their love for Chrift, and dependance upon him for falvation, yet never joined themfelves to his difciples, or bore a teftimony of their obedience to him by a publick profeffion. Thefe perfons do well to beware, that the contempt ignorant and carnal men caft upon the Inftitutions of Chrift is not the caufe of their negleft; for our Lord has plainly declared, Whojhever fkall be ajhamed of -rim and h i s words in an adulterous and finful generation^ of him
againfl his declining Churches. 65 him nljojljall the Son of man be afia?ned^ nvken he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. [Mark viii. 38.] I hope this is not the cale with many. But there are others who never (hew any love to Chrift by a publick profeffion, thro' 11avilh fear of their incapacity to grapple with the corruptions of their hearts, to withftand the temptations to which they are Hable^ and to difcharge the duties that will be incumbent on them under that profeffion. Thefe fears are too often indulged under a falfe notion of their propriety and fitnefs to a weak and fmful creature, but are to be condemned as what indeed favour of unbelief and felf-confidence ; all fuch fliould confider, that the grace of Chrift is fufficient for them, who has enjoined this duty upon his people, and that difobedience to him, thro' a diftruft of his promifes, is a very provoking fin. To thefe inftances it may be added, that 'tis to be feared many keep at a dillance from the Churches of Chrift from the profped of the indifferent behaviour of fome perfons who are under a profeffion of religion. It muft be acknowledged with grief many walk nnbeccming the Gofpel they profefs, and that this is a great ftumbling-block : but let thofe who flumble at it remember, the unprofitablenefs of thofe who have taken upon them the name of Chrift, and the flight fuch put upon the privileges of his houfe, can afford no juft excufe for the omiffion K of
66 iTje Redeemers Charge of their duty. The guilt of fuch profeflbrs is very deep, but it is fo far from juftifying any indifferency to the ordinances of Chrifl: in them that love him, that it aggravates their neglect j for in proportion to the contempt that others caft on his authority, they ought, and if in a right frame would naturally be forward to teftify their zeal for his glory. Those who have altogether omitted a profeffion of Chrift's name, or under a formal profeffion, never difcovered any zeal for his honour, are not chargeable indeed with having kfi their Jjr/l love. But Reader, if thou haft any well grounded hopes of an intereft in Chrift, and art among this number; confider, this charge brought by Chrift again ft thofe who have declined in his ways, implicitly condemns thee. By it you may eafily difcern, the dilpleafure of your Saviour at your condu(fl ; for if Chrift is dlfpleafed with thofe who abate in their diligence in his Church, notwithftanding the many things they have done for his name's fake heretofore ; he can never be well pleafed with you that have not fo much as fet your hand to the plough. If fuch who profefs his name arc rebuked and threatened becaufe of their formality and unfruitfulnefs, what muft be exped:ed from him towards thofe who are even deftitute of the form ? T'hirdly\ Let each of us who are under a profeffion, on the prefent melancholy appearance
agalnji his dcclbiing Churches, • 67 pearance of things in the Churches, examine ourfelves, and fee what we have done, what we have negled:ed j how far we have been acceObry to the declenfions of the particular Community we ftand related to. Cold unaffeded believer, that art inadive in thy flation in the Church of Chrift, confider whence^ and tvherefore thou art fallen; remember thy former zeal and repent: Confider it is not our part works and labour that will excufe our prefent (loth and barrennefs yea, rather our zeal in former times (hall be brought in evidence againft us, and reprove the lukewarmnefs of our prefeiit frame, if we continue to revolt. We are never to lay down our arms, or go off from our watch while in this ftate of fin and temptation ; nor are we continued any one feafon in the vineyard here below, without an expecflation of bringing forth fruit to the glory of him that has planted us. So long as we remain in the body, the Church, it (hbuld be our ftudy to edify it in love. Satan fometimes betrays a perfon into the negled of his duty, from the confideration of what he has already done ; he takes occafion from his having been kept ftedfaft, and enabled to continue active under a profeffion for a confiderable time, to ftir up high thoughts and prefumptuous conceits of his future ftanding ; and thus old profefibrs are fometimes captivated, who were too vigilant and wary for the Serpent, when firfl they fat out in religion. Be not ignorant of Satan's devices ; what he cannot compafs at one time, he will at another, if we are not on our K 2 watch.
68 lloe Redeemer s Charge watch. Beware Chriftian of thinking you have done enough, you mutl work while it is day^ i. e, (o long as Hfe lafts. In this refpedt we are to forget the things that are behind and to prefs forward towards the mark for the high calling of God in Chrijl Jefiis : Thus it bccometh us 'till our race is finifhed, and our warfare fully accompliftied. To conclude; Confider, O Believer, who haft deviated from thy former zeal, and art indifferent about the things of Chrift, whofe caufe thou art flighting, and trifling with ; is it not the caufe of thy Redeemer, who has bought thee with his precious blood ? Is it not trifling with the moft facred infl:itutions, and abufing that truft which thy Lord has put into thy hands, by granting thee a place in his vifible Church, and. muft thou not Ihortly be accountable to him for it ? O, Sirs, confider the obligations you are under to Chrift, the obligations you have laid yourfelves under to his Church, what vows are upon you, and what opportunities you mifs of communion with your Lord, and a blefling from his hand, when you flight and negledl your duty among his people. Confider the offence and grief you are to your Minifter and your Fellow-members, to whom you owe, in the Sight of God, and by all the ties of gratitude and fidelity, your utmoft endeavours after their comfort and encouragement. If thefe things are not fuflicient to move your t>owels, and rouze your carnal, fluggifli Spirits, remember
agalnjl his declining Churches, 69 remember again, and more particularly, the ilrong love of Chrift which perfevered through all his dreadful fufFerings for your guilty fouls, even to the drinking up the cup of divine wrath, and thereby faved you from everlafting deftru6tion, and made way for your eternal happinefs. This is your hope, if you are true Believers in Chrift 5 and is it poffible to have this hope in you, and be unconcerned about the honour of this Redeemer ? Is it poffible to be daily exercifing faith upon him, as having made reconciliation for you, and at the fame time to make lighter of the privileges of his houfe, than of the common bounties of his providence, and treat his Church and Ordinances in a manner you would fcorn to treat any thing you have the leaft efteem for ? Consider, O negligent and carelefs Believer, Chrift has not left his firji love to you he is unchangeable in his afFed:ion ; his love is ft ill employed in your behalf in the court of heaven. We have an advocate iinth the Father Jefiis Chrift the righteous, [i John ii. i.] Great reafon have we all who profefs to hope he has loved us, and given himfelf for us an offering and facrifice to God, and have joined ourfelves to his people, to be aftiamed of every wilful omiffion of duty in his houfe, and confounded at every inftance in which we have been backward to glorify his name ; for the ingratitude and unfaithfulnefs of fuch condu6l is not to be expreffed. However, bleffed be his name, this is
yo Ithe Redeemer s Charge is our unfpeakable and undeferved mercy, that, if with grief of heart for thefe backflidings, we humble ourfclves before him, his love will cover all this folly, his arms are open to embrace his repenting people j he is always faying with aftonifhing kindnefs in his word to every one who bemoans his departure, I will heal your backjlidings^ I will love you freely. [Hofea xiv, 4-] In a word, let us, under a convidbion of the decays from our former love, invoke the Holy Spirit, whom we have grieved and provoked. A declined people are not without a charge of ingratitude and fin againft God the Spirit. As men grow cold to the things of Chrift, and are carnal in their frames, it will be found upon examination his glory has not been afferted, nor his influences fo fincerely depended upon, or earneftly fought after, as they ought to have been. The beft of us, in this lukewarm day, may perhaps on refled:ion fee caufe to acknowledge our indifferency towards him, and his honour. Infidelity abounds with refpedt to this glorious divine Perfon in our day and nation : I fear he has been too much negled:ed by us that profefs a regard to him. The little concern we have {hewn for his Perfon and Operations, while denied by fome, and defpifed by others who have the form of godlinefs, is a humbling confideration, and renders us unworthy his notice but he is a gracious and loving Spirit, and is ready, on our humiliation before the Lord, and fuppli-
againjl his declining Churches, 7 fupplications for him, to return with his fvvect and powerful influences. We (hould not therefore be difcouraged from applying for his almighty aids. Through his efficacious operations we fhall revive and flouri(h again. With contrite fpirits then let us hft up our eyes to him from whence our help muft come, and in the language of the Church, [So/omon's Song, chap, iv. 16.] fervently cry, Awake, O north wind^ and come thoufouth, blow upon my garden, that the Jpices thereof may flow out : then will all thefe mifls of vanity, raiied by fenfuality and delufions of one kind and another, that damp our fpiritual affe<5tions, and under which we are wandering from the path of duty, be difpelled, our graces will renew their vigour, and be drawn forth into lively exercife. Thus we may expedt the manifeflation of Chrifl's fpiritual prefence, to our own joy and the glory of his Church, according to the requefh or hope exprefs'd in the latter part of the fame verfe. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat of his pleafant fruits. M AY the Lord gracioufly heal the backflidings of his children in every Church of every denomination in the midfl: of us. O that he would, for his name's fake, defcend as the dew upon our Ifrael, fo fhall our branches fpread, our beauty floall be as the olive-tree, and our fmell as Lebanon ! Hofea xiv. FIN! S.
An Exhortation againjl quenching tha Spirit, SERMONPreached to a Society of Young Men, No VEMEER the 7^\ ^748. By BENJAMIN WALLIN Fublified at their Reqiieji. But they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit : therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought againft them. Isaiah Ixiii. 10. L N B IS!: Printed for J. Wa r d in Little-Britain, and fold by E. G A R D I N E R in Lo?nhordj}yeet^ M DCC XLVIIl.
T O T H E SOCIETY, Affembling on a Lord's-Day Evening, at the Meeting-Houfe near the Maze-Pondy Southwark My dear Friends, AT your importunity I have confented to publilli this plain difcourfe, and it will yield me pleafure, if it fhould be the evident means of your improvement. There are fome alterations, and additions which I thought neceflary in tranfcribing what was compofed without the leafl expedation of its appearing in the world ; nothing however is inferted, butwhat the fubflance of was intended, and would have been exprelTed had time permitted. In this day of growing infidelity, the Deity, Perfonality, and Operations of the bleffed Spirit, are boldly denied and impioufly derided ; Happy fuch who have a witnefs
witnefs in themfelves of the reality arid efficacy of his gracious influences j fuch trufl: I have concerning you, and therefore hope this exhortation will not be in vain. The temptations I have warned you againft, are frequently known t6 captivate young Profeffors, many arc utterly ruined by them, and few efcape fome degree of injury from their unhappy influence j I would therefore advife you in the words of the Apoflle, Seeing you know thefe things before^ bewarey left ye aljb being led away with the error cf the wicked, fallfrom your own Jiedfaftnefs. Remember, that he only who enduieth to the end, (hall be faved. That the holy Spirit may defcend upon you with his heavenly gifts and graces, enable you to flee youthful lufts, and follow after righteoufnefs, and keep you by . his mighty power thro' faith unto falvation, is the unfeigned deflre, j.nd fervent prayer, of l^our fincere Friend, and Servant in the Lord, Benjamin Wallin,
2Thessalonians v. 19. ^luench not the Spirit, IT has been the forrowful experience of every age, that many perfons iiave been excited in their younger days to make fome promifing fhew of" rdigion, whofe goodnefs has been as the fiiorning cloud, and as the early dew : Among thefe. Tome Jike the ftony-ground hearers, having no root in themfelves are turned afide ; they fet themi^lves openly againfl the truth, and after all their profeffion become fcofFers walking according to their own ungodly lufts : It happens unto them according to the true proverb^ the dog is 2 Pet. ii. turned to his own vomit again ; a}id the fow that was wajhed, to her wallowing in the mire. And the latter end is worfe with them than the beginning. But there are others concerning whom we may charitably hope better things, neverthelefs being too little acquainted with the deceitfulnefs jf their own hearts and the devices of Satan, are foon captivated thro* the fubtlety of thisTempter, and led away with divers lufts into luch Ihameful backflidings, as greatly prejudice their future comfort and ufefulnefs. B For- 20. 22.
An Exhortation againjl Forafmuch as I have engaged to addref^ fome of you this evening under the charader of a religious Society, I thought it might be feafonable to warn you of the temptations to which you are cxpoled, left the Adverfary get an advantage of you and break in upon your mutual endeavours for fpiritual edification, or deftroy the credit and comfort of any one annongfl; you. The pafTage read is fhort but comprehenfive ; it contains an exhortation to what is of great importance to our perfeverance in faith and holinefs, and it implies a watchfulnefs againft that which is the original fource of all declenfions that appear among profefibrs, and which to fome prove the forerunner of their final apoftacy and eternal deftruflion. I would hope better things of you, many of whpm I truft are the feals of my own miniftry in the Lord, as the reft are the property of anothers. O that neither of you, after the example of fome, may thro* carelefnefs become the pccafion of fhame to thofe who have rejoiced over you as the inftances of fpecial grace through their labours. With a view under the divine blefling, to prevent this with refpeft to thofe of you who have made a profefTion, together with the edification of all who are companions with you in this Society, and our general prolit, I have at this time chofe to explain, and attempt the improvement of thefe words. The
qtienclnng the Spirit, The evident defign of the apoftle y/as to promote the perfeverance of the '^ejjaloriians, earneftly defirmg tlielr com'pleat fanftification in order to their future joy : It is plain froin the context he has in profped, that bleffed hope and glorious appearance of our Lord jefus, when all the chofen feed having obtained a part in the firft refurreftion, and put on thei^* fhining bodies, will bear a luftre round their glorified Lord and head. Agreeable to this we find the apoftle prays, vei\ 23. that thefe difciples might be preferved blamelefs to this joyful feafon ; and if my prefent difcourfe fiiould in any meafure contribute as a nieans to our meetnefs for joining the-redeemed in that -day.;' we Ihall then rejoice. together, at the opportunity now put into our hands. In treating on thefe words I propofe ; i. A brief defer iption of the perfon fpoken of in the Text. II. To explain the caution given us conterning him. III. Offer fome reafons to excire our regard to this exhortation. IV. To fet before you various methods by which many who enjoy the means of grace, become guilty of quenching the Spirit. And, V. Shew the melancholy confequence of fo doins. '£3* B 2 LI
4 An Exhortation againjl I. I am to give fome defcription of the perfpoken of in our text. l!be Spirit. By the Spirit we are not to underftand the fplrit of man, or light of reafon and voice of confcience ; this is natural and common to every one •, and what profane, immoral perfons fin againfl, and as it were, quench the light of, by their abominable praftices : Some perfons who bear the name of Chriftians talk much of the Spirit, and feem by their difcourfc as if they defired to be guided by the Spirit, and were led by the Spirit, when, alas! upon examination it is found they mean nothing more than reafon, and natural confcience, or their own fpirits ; they know nothing, nor do they own any thing properly fpeaking of the divine Spirit, or his gracious influences. Sad delufion indeed I May the Lord the Spirit open their underftandings, and (hew fuch their dangerous conceit. The inward light of nature, or light of reafon, is not here intended •, in being guilty of the evil dehorted, perfons do indeed ad irrationally, and confcience is abufed, as we may fee hereafter. But this is not intended by the Spirit in the text. Nor are we to underftand by the Spirit any of the angelic hofl:, thofe chofen fpirits that refide in the heavenly courts above. Our text fpeaks not of one of that innumerable and glorious company j thefe are all fpirits,
quenchi?ig the Spirit, 5 rits, holy, wife, powerful and obedient to the will of Jehovah, and by the miniftration of whom the Lord has frequently inftruded his people Into his mind. A difobedience to, or difbelief of one of thefe heavenly meflengers, has been followed with the tokens of God*s difpleafure. * However, Angels are vifibly employed only on fpecial occafions. It is not the common experience of the fons of men to be fenfible of an Angel's miniftration ; but this exhortation is given to all the faints, or profeflbrs at Thejfalonica^ and the perfon intended muft be one whofe influences they are all fuppofed to have been fenfible of. The fubjeft of the text, is that uncreated divine Spirit who bears record in heaven, even Jehovah the Spirit, who is a real diftindt divine perfon, equal in perfection and glory with the Father and the Son. This Spirit is the holy Ghoft. Thus our Lord promifes his difciples John xiv. the Father fhould give them another comforter, 16, 17. even the Spirit of truth j the fame perfon is ftyled the holy Ghoft, ver. 16. and indeed the original word is the iame. This is that Spirit to whom * Thus Zacharias was ftruck deaf and dumb becaufe he believed not the angels words, concerning the birth of John, Luke i. 22. The term tranflated dumb, fignifies both deaf and dumb, becaufe thofe which naturally are deaf, are in confequence dumb, and that Zacharias was deaf is plain from ^er. 62. Now this temporary deprivation of thefe natural fenfes, was indeed a fufficient fign for the confirmation of the angels tidings, but at the fame time, a manifeft token of the divine difpleafure at the unbelief of Zacharias,
6 -^n "Exhortation agalnji whom every divine perfefbion is mofl: truly and propedy afcribed \ he is omnifcient, for he t Cor. ii. fearcheth all things^ yea the deep th'inp of God, *°* His perfonalty and deity are both ftrongly implied in that palTage, for fuch knowledge is incommunicable to a Creature ; none but he that is God can know all the fecrets of the divine mind. This Spirit is alio omniprefent P/cxxxix. thus the Pfalmift fays, Whither /hall I go from ^* thy Spirit? Or whither fhall I flee from thy prefence ? And this is evident from his inhabitation in the hearts of believers in every age all over the world ; it is the felf-fame Spirit which refides in each perfon that is called by the grace -of God in every place, and who is proraifed -to abide with them for ever, and confequently he muft be omniprefent. Moreover, omnipotence is afcribed to this Perfon ; he is faid to be the power of the Highefl: ; not as a property, or perfeftion, in the divine nature, for that is inconfiftent with many things revealed concerning him, which fhews him to be a dillin<5t and true Perfon ; but he is fo called as he is no lefs than the mofl high God ; and that he is fo, appears from his creating the world ; for as Pf. xxxiii. ly the word of the Lord the heavens were made^ fo were the hoft of them by the breath of his tmutb. Elibii afcribes the formation of his Job xxxiii. nature to him. iToe Spirit of God hath fnade me^ 4- and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Jehovah the Spirit, who had an equal concern with the other divine Perfons in the works of creation, is here intended. This
i6. quenching the Spirit, f This is that glorious divine Perfon, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, and who in Jove to the chofen feed has condefcended to operate in fubferviency to the wonderful and gracious defign of their falvation. Accordingly this divine Spirit wrought in the Prophets from the foundation of the world j for as falvation thro' the blood of Chrift was their united teftimony, they all bore their witnefs under his infpiration ; thefe holy Men of God fpake, not according to their own will, but as ibey were 2 Pet. I. moved by the holy Ghofi. And he that infpired ^^' thefe inftruments of revelation, is God, all fcripture is given by infpiration of God. This 2 Tim. iii. Spirit formed the human nature of Chrift, and forms Chrift in every Believers heart. He is the Author, or Agent of all that light, fandification and grace, whereby any of the loft race of apoftate Adam are brought to the faving knowledge of the Redeemer. He is ftyled a holy Spirit, and is juftly lb called both in refped of the perfe<5t holinefs eflential to his divine nature, and alfo as he is the Immediate efficient caufe of all holinefs in the fouls of God*s children •, for it is not mere moral fwafion or the exertion of any human gifts in the preaching, even of the true Gofpel, that can effedually convince, humble, and turn finners to God, as experience abundantly teftifies ; but it is owing to this Spirit of wifdom and revelation that any are changed and renewed. This is
8 An Exhortation agatnjl is the Spirit that convinces of fin, righteoufnefs and judgment to come. He begins, carries on, and compleats the work of converfion, and his operations and influences are abfoluteJy neceflliry : He alfo is the Author of all fpiritual gifts, which he difpenfes in a fovereign 1 CoA-. xii. '^^y> i^^'^'^^wg io every man feverally as he will. II. This is the perfon of whom our text fpeaks* even that divine perfon whofe perfedlions are adorable, and whofe love to the faints is confpicuous in the office he executes in order to their falvation, to whom, as well as/or whom. Believers are to pray -, thus the Apoftle, jind the Lord dire^your hearts into the love of God, and into the iTheff m.P^^^^^^ ^<^f/w^/c'r Chrifi. * In a word, he is 5. that Spirit, without whofe aids neither particular perfons, nor focieties, nor churches, can flourilh, or even fubfift with any fpiritual advantage ; for he is the life and foul of all true powerful * Nothing can be clearer than that the divine Spirit is the perfon addreft in this paflage, who is evidently diilinguifhed from the Father, into whofe love the hearts of the faints were to be directed, and from Jefus Chrifi: whom they were alfo to be direfted into a patient waiting for ; and this agrees with the work afcribed to hini in other places, where he is promifed to guide, and is prayed for, and faid to lead the children of God, and fhed abroad the love of God in the heart, ^c. Pfal. cxliii. i o. Rom. viii. 14. John xvi. 13. Rom. v. 5. Now this addrefs proves the Spirit to be a perfon, a diftin£l perfon from the Father and the Son, and no lefs than the true God, both as the objedl of prayer, and as capable of performing what is requefted of him ; for 'tis God alone that fearches and bears an uncontroulable fway in riie hearts of men, or is able to anfwer fuch a requeft.
quenching the Spirit, "9 powerful godlinels, who worketh in and among the faiiKs according to his own good pleafure. Which leads me, as propo fed, II. To explain the caution given us concerning this glorious divine perfon. Here is a caution concerning this Spirit and his operations, V12.. not to quench him •, quench not the Spirit. The Spirit who is the inditer of^ll revelation, has thought fit to reprefent himfelf to us under a variety or metaphors in the facred writings, each of which is adapted to our in- (Iruftion and comfort. Sometimes he is compared to water, Except a man he horn of water John iii. 5. and of the Spirit^ i. e. I apprehend, born of the Spirit as with water •, for I conceive his regenerating and fanftifying influences are intended, and not water baptifm, becaufe regeneration is the profefs'd fubjefl of our Lord's difcourfe ; thefe his influences are fitly compared to water ; for as water cleanfeth that which is foul, fo the operations of the divine Spirit enlightening and ^hanging a finner's heart, purifies it from all that fpiricual defilement in which it lay while under the dominion of luft. And this allufion anfwers to the promife given thro* the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel, Then will Jfprinkle clecij^ r. ? water upon \ou^ and ye fJ:all he clean^ i^c. His xxxvi. 25. gifts are likewife compared to the fame element -, He that helieveth on me, as the fcripture jg^„ y^ hath [aidy out of his helly /hall flow rivers of liv- 3*» 39' C in^
lO Ail "Exhortation againjl tng -water. * This [pake he of the Spirit ^ which they that believe on himjhould receive^ i^c. Thus the Spirit is compared to water both in his gifts and graces. Again, fometimes the Spirit is compared to wind v under which allufion is convey*d an idea of the fovereignty, and imperceptible nature of his influences, together widi their quick ^<7^«iii.S. and powerful effe61s. Thus, the wind hloweth ivhcre it lijieth, and thou hearefi the found thereof ^c. -^^ So is every one that is horn of the Spirit I q. d. thus are the Spirit's operations on the foul he regenerates. But at other times this holy Ghofl: is com- Natt. iii. P^r^^ fo fii"^* fh^s (^^ys Jo^^f^ the baptift, \ I fpeaking of Chrift) He fball baptize you tvith the holy Ghoft and with fire. The gifts and graces of the divine Spirit are comparable to this element alfo for their illuminating and purifyfying effecls -, and, agreeable to this metaphor, we find the Spirit's vifible appearance was, cloven tongues like as of fire, when it fat upon Abs \\. 2. each of the apojiles in the day of Pentecofl. To this miraculous appearance moft have thought the * See Jfaiah, xliv. 3. yoel. 11. 28. where the gift of the Spirit is termed a pouring out, anfwerable to the element of water. -|- The Spirit feems addfefs'd under this charadler, Solomon s Song, chap. iv. 1 6. Anjoake O north ivind, and, come thou fouth', agreeable to this, we read the Spirit came down in the day of Pentecoft with a found from, heaven as of a mighty rufhing 'ivind, A£ii ii. 2,
quenchi77g the Spirit, 1 tlie Baptlft refers. The Spirit, however, Is reprefented by fire •, and this aptly fets forth his influence on the hearts of men, enlighteningj Warming, and melting them down as it were, thereby purging out the drofs of pride, ignorance, fenfuality^ and unbelief. Under his efficacious operations the word of God burns like fire, either in a way of convidion, or confolation : It fometimes burns by way of convidion : Is not my word like fire ? Thus when the Jer. xxilii prophet thought to fpeak no more in the ^^' name of the Lord to a fcornful generation, he found the word of the Lord was in his heart as a burning fire fhut up in his hones. Sometimes the chap. xjc, hearts of God's children burn with joy, when the 9- Spirit works upon them under the miniftration of the word : Thus the difciples found it when their rifen Lord taught them as they were going to Emmaus -, hence on his difappearing, they [aid one to another^ Did not our heart hum ^^ f y -^ within us while he talked to us hy the way^ and 32. 'while he opened to us the fcriptures. Now the Spirit is im,plicitly reprefented to Us under this figure in the' text, for the term quench^ ufed in the caution, evidently alludes to fire, being proper alone to that element. Thus the Pfalmift ufing the fame figure in reference to his Enemies and their utter deftrudlion, fays. They are quenched as the fire of thorns. To /v cxviiii quench fire, we know is to put it out, or, at ^2. lead, to abate its force and influence by throw- C 2 ins
1 An Exhortation agatnjt ing water upon it, or by fome other means. Now every degree of damp which by any method is put upon a fire, whereby its heat and influence is leflened, may be juftly (lyled quenching, as well as a total extinguifhing the fame. In this light I take the phrafe by which our Lord fets forth the torments of hell, when Mark ix. ^^ ^^Y^ there the fire is not quenched. It feems to 44. imply, there Ihall be no abatement * of that wrath which Ihall be poured out on the impenitent in the ftate of punifliment. As fire exprelTes the torment to be exquifite, fo its not being quenched intimates there fhall be no allay, but that it fhall be perpetual, and even increafing. Fire is an aftive principle, and by its conftant motion is ever changing its degree of heat to greater or kfs^ if it does not decreafe it will increafe ; therefore when it is faid it is not quenched, it points out the increafing torment of the damned, and that this fire fhall be blown up ftronger and ftronger ; all which is fuitable to the account we have in the Scriptures. I believe the Spirit will have his concern, and be the principal efficient caufe of the mifery of the wicked ; as the communications of divine love are thro* his agency, fo I apprehend this divine Perfon will be the more immediate convey- Za/f XVI * T^hus the rich man in the parable being in hell lift up his eyes and makes application to Ahrahatriy but is ^' refufed one drop of water to cool his tongue which was tormented in the flame.
quenching the Spirit 13 conveyancer of the wrath of God ; this I think is fuggefted to us in Scripture. The wicked, it is faid, Jhall be punijhed with everlajling deftru^ion zTheJfA. from ihe-prefence of the Lord, and from the glory ^' of bis power *. Who is the glory of his power ? but him who is called the power of the higheft ; which we have already feen is one of the charafters of the holy Ghoft, and he feems intended, where we have an awful defcripiion of Tophet, which clofes thus ; the breath of the Ifai. xxxi Lord, like a firearn of brimjlone, doth kindle it \^^' even that breath of the Lord by which the hoft of the heavens were made, as before obferved. However (to return from this digrelTion ;) as quenching confifts in abating, cooling, or extinguifliing a fire, fo it Hands oppofed to quickening, or maintaining the fame, and therefore a caution againit the former naturally involves an exhortation to the latter, and it neceflarily follows, that when we are forbid to quench the Spirit, we are commanded to do every thing required towards preferving, and increafing his work, and the gift he has bellowed upon us. But * T\\e prefence of the Lord^ and the glory of his po^Jtcr are phrafes and chara£lers particularly applied to the divine Spirit ; and I apprehend the particle, from, is cafual, as fome eminent Writers have obferved, and ic feems to imply that from, or by the Spirit, as the immediate efficient caufe^^ the punifhment of the wicke4 will arife.
j|. An eDihortation agaiftji But in the application of this figure to the divine Spirit, we mud carefully avoid any notion that is unworthy his perfeflions, ot the declarations of the gofpel. In order thereto, let it be premifed ; Firfi, We are not to conceive by this caution, that the ftrength of lull in the heart of man, whereby he perverfly oppofes and refifts the Spirit, prevails agalnft the will and power of this divine Agent : The influences of the Spirit are efficacious and irrefiftible •, indeed fuch is the (late of the human foul by nature, and under the dominion of fin, that were it pofTible for the bafenefs and ftoutnefs of men* fo to refift the Spirit as to fruftrate his workj none would ever be converted , for man is naturally, through pride, ignorance and vile affections, not only indifpofed, but even averfe to a change, and confequently will naturally oppofe it to the utmoft of his power ; but the Spirit is uncontroulable in his operations ; with refpeft to him it may be faid. Who hath refifted his will ? When he works none can let j hence it is that any are made willing in the day of his power.. Figures taken from inanimate beings, and applied to intelligent ones, are not to be drained to the deftruftion of their nature, who are reprefented by them, this would be highly unreafonable ', but this would be the cafe if it were to be inferr'd from the caution in the text,
quenching the Spirit, i^ text, that the perverfenefs of man could per^ vert the Spirit's defigns, or oblige him to ceafe from his work. It is unworthy the perfecflions of the holy Ghoft to conceive that a created power, in any ftate or condition, is capable of obftrudiing his almighty arm, or rendring abortive his gracious defigns j to fuppofe the creatures obftinacy and wickednefs can fniftrate the will, orovercome the power ofthe divine Spirit is abfurd and impious, a notion that contradidts the fovereignty and omnipotence of this glorious perfon, and deprives him of the honours due to his divine nature. Moreover, this would render the regeneration and compleat fanftification of every one precarious ; the everlafting abode ofthe Spirit in the heart he has taken poffefTion of would then be uncertain, and therefore his inhabitation no infallible evidence of being favingly wrought upon. If this were the cafe, he could not be the earned of the inheritance Ephefiam which Chrlflians are called to the hope of, as ^" ^^' the fcriptures fhew ; fo that fuch a conceit derogates from the glory of the Spirit, and deftroys the comfort of the Believer. Secondly^ Nor are we to imagine from this exhortation, that where the Spirit has wrought efFedtually, his work can be deflroyed ; it is not in the power of fm or Satan to do this. True light, faving faith, and divine love, which are the fruit of his operations, as a Spirit of life from Chrift, Ihall never be totally eclipfed, or utterly
1 An Exhortation againfl utterly and finally extinguifhcd. This is inconfillent wiui the engagements of the Father in the covenant of grace, wherein he has promifed his Spirit Ihall not depart from his peo- Ifaiab lix. pie. Wherever the Spirit takes up his abode ''• as the Comforter, from the Father and the Son, he abides for ever, purfuant to this gracious promife ; and we are confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in us, will -perform it until the day of Jefu^ Philip. I. Chrifl. The holy Ghoft will never forfake the work of his hands, nor fliall the habits of grace and holinefs once implanted be ever rooted up. Thus Ihould we beware of entertaining any notions from this caution, inconfiftent with the irrefiflible and efficacious influence of the divine Spirit on the hearts of finners, or the certain continuance and completion of the work of grace where it is really begun ; for all fuch cont* ceptions are unworthy the perfed:ions of,this glorious Agent, and contrary to the aflTurances given in the everlafting covenant. What then are we to underftand by quenching the Spirit? To quench the Spirit is the fame as to' refiftj^vex, grieve, rebel againfl, or do defpite unto him •, all which are applied to the condu6l of men with refpe(^t to the blefled Spirit, and arc expreflive of a greater or lefi^er degree of oppofition to, or provocation of him ; and, 1 concieve in general * j^Sisvn. 51. * I/arablxni. 10. Efhefiam iv. 30,
quench'ifig the Spirit, ij ^^eral it fignifies a neglecting, or defpiring the tokens of his pov^er and grace, and thereby offending his holinefs, fo as to occafion his voluntary departure in a way of chaflifement, or Judgment. When perfons are found in the practice of thofe things which naturally tend, and which by experience has appeared to extinguifh the light, and abate the warmth produced at any time by the divine Spirit, in and among them, and when they alfo omit what is adapted and appointed for the continuance and , increafe thereof, they may be faid to quench the Spirit •, for by thus prejudicing his work, and adling contrary to him, they greatly offend him, and caufe him to withdraw. That the Spirit of grace has met with fuch treatment is evident from the facred writings ; 'jiriany with whom he has contended by the external miniftry of his word, by the mouth of the Prophets, yea by ftirring in them convictions, by gifts, ancf common illuminations, I fay, many fueK;*'t?ir6' the hardnefs and impeniteney of their hearts,' have rebelled againft him, and he has ieft them in judgment to fill •up the meafure of their iniquity. Thus their fin has been the procuring caufe of his depar tufe from them, an4 their damnation has followfed. The finners of the old world are a fearful example of this, who were fwept away ^vith the flood, and whofe fpirits are in prifon. , p,tei> Many of literal Ifraet:, riot only in the wilder- "i. ig- D nefs.
i8 An Exhortation againjl nefs, where their carcafTcs fell becaufe of unbelief, but afterward, and efpecially at the time of our Saviour's appearance on earth, erred in their hearts, and refifted the holy Ghofl to their deftruftion. Time would fail to recite the Perfons and Communities, yea Societies that have been in the form of a gofpel Churchy who are upon record, facred and profane, as monuments of this fad truth, that men have been left to quench the Spirit to their utter ruin. By this means many, who have been partakers of the holy Ghofl in divers of ^lis gifts and operations, have apoftatized, and Heh. vi. 4, tJone defpite to this Spirit of grace. Thus percompared. ^^ns may enjoy many favours of an external nature, and be followed with convidlions, and yet be void of faving grace ; their un mortified lufts may return and quench the light, and thefe refiftings aggravate their future condemnation. Moreover, there are-fweet and peculiar influences of the divine Spirit on the hearts of the regenerate, whereby they are indulged with that degree of light and capacity, which minifters to their joy and ufefulnefs ; thefe may, through their own folly, be fufpended and withdrawn ; for tho* (blefled be God) the habit of grace cannot be deftroy'd, yet the vigour of our graces may decline, and their lively exercife abate \ the Spirit may fo withdraw from his own people as to leave them low and dead
quenching the Spirit, 1 deatl in their frames i their hearts may be forrowful and diftrefl: in confequence of his departure, and this ufually follows upon thei^ fpiritual Hoth and negle<5l of his work : Hence the apoftle exhorts. Grieve not the holy Sprit Ephef. iv. of God^ whereby ye are fealed unto the day of re- ^°* defnption. This is what thefe I'beJ/'alonians are commanded, viz. that they would do nothing to offend the divine Spirit ; beware of neglecting his kindnefs and grace in the midft of them, left he fliould withdraw and fufpend thofe influences and manifeftations of his power, with which they had hitherto been indulged •, but on the contrary, that they would cherifh his motions upon their hearts, and feek to promote his honour and work amongft them. Now this is a leffon to all perfons who have felt any thing of the divine work upon their fouls, or that are indulged with any degree of fpiritual light and comfori:, whether in fellowfliip with the Churches of Chrift or not. It is no lefs adapted for the warning of all religious Societies, whether incorporated in the order of a Church- ftate or otherwife. The inllru6lion of the paffage thus explain'd may be comprized in the following obfervation, viz. It Ihould be the great concern of all who profefs the fear of God, and are favoured with the divine prefence and bJeffmg, whether in a private, or publick capa- D 2 city.
^9 An Exhortation againjl cjiy, to, take heed they quench not the Spirit. Which brings me to the next thing propofed, III. To ofTering fome rcafons for exciting our regard to this exhortation. The reafonablenefs and importance of attending to the caution is fo obvious upon what has been faid, 1 fhall not multiply or enlarge on this head, but content myfelf with little more than mentioning two or three arguments, that I may have the greater opportunity for treating on the next head of difcourfe, which • I have principally in view for our farther im- L provement. FirJI:^ T{ien, in order to quicken our attention, let us confider, to the Spirit we are indebted for all that degree of light and thofe heavenly gifts wc enjoy : If we have any true knowledge in the gofpel, any faving faith in Chrift, any degree of the love of God in our hearts, he is the efficient caufe : It is owing to the manifeftations and operations ot the bleffed Spirit, that a perfon is endowed with any valuable gift, or the leaft meafure of grace ; If religious Societies, or gofpel Churches exift, are furnifliM and edify, it muft be afcribed to his Jove and power ; to quench the Spirit therefore, and thereby offend his holinefs, is to abufe the richeft grace, and be guilty of the higheft ingratitude. Secondly^ The continuance of his prefence and gracious operations are abfolutely neceffary to
' quenching the Spirit, ^i to our future comfort and edification. Duties are pcr;o;m'd, and privileges enjoy'd, without zuy iCiifibJe pleafare and advantage in the hearts or Socierics of Chriftians, when the Spirit departs and ceafes to exert his mighty power; for under, this alone, the bed of means becomes effedlual to filvation ; the fufpenfipii of his heavenly influences is attended with darknefs, and dedenfion, if not deftrudlion. 'Thirdly, The Spirit has withdrawn from many perlbns and Societies, who rebelling againft him have quenched his work in and among them ; he will not always drive ; wc have already mention'd divers inilances of this kind. Thefe have been overthrown and deftroy'd thro' their perverfenefs and unbelief; we fhould therefore be warned left we fall after the fame example. Thefe things may juftly awviken our diligence, to avoid every thing that has the leaft tendency to quench the Spirit : To him we are indebted for all the fpiritual gifts and graces we enjoy, his prefence and influence are necefi^ry to our comfort and advantage, and there are awful inftances of his leaving thofe who have rebelled againfl: him» and vexed him. I pafs on *, IV. To fet before you fome methods by which many who enjoy the means of grace become guilty of quenching the Spirit. Now • If this fermon be thought too long to read at once, here is a proper period.
22 An Exhortation againjl Now as perfons may be confidered enjoying the Spirit in his fpecial prefence, and fenfiblc operations, under a twofold capacity, vix. private, and publick, I Ihall attempt fome inllru(5tion by ranging my thoughts under this head into two general divifions, the particular branches of which I fhall endeavour to adapt to each of thefe capacities diflinftly ; by this means I may the more advantageoufly deteft and guard againft thofe temptations peculiar to the one and the other, and fo under the divine bleffmg, profitably addrefs each perfon on this important fubjed as he may be refpedively circumftanced. Firfi^ I would expofe to view and caution againrt fome occafions, or methods of quenching the Spirit in regard to private experience, and with refpeft to the Spirit's work on the fouls of men feparately confidered. And, I. This is done by ftifling of convi(5lion ; that there are many inward motions and convidions raifed in the minds of men under the means of grace, which they thro* the power of fin and unbelief ftifle, is generally allowed, and indeed few, if any, upon refleftion, can acquit themfelves from the guilt of this perverfenefs •, this is far from proving any thing againft the irrefiftible nature of the Spirit's operations, as fome would fuggeft, but it mews the wretched difpofition of our depraved hearts, and the melancholy condition of fuch from
quenching the Spirit. 23 from whom the Spirit finally fufpends his unfruftrable grace : The Spirit may have concern in raifing thofe convidions in perfons which they, being left to themfelves, ftifle and render abortive, in doing which they may be faid to quench the Spirit. I apprehend thofe who Tit under the preaching of the word fooner, or later, fall under fuch con virions with refped to fin, and righteoufnefs, and judgment to come, as in cafe of final impenitcncy will aggravate their condemnation, in that day when God fhall judge the fecrets of hearts by Jefus Chrifl: : In that awful day of revelation, multitudes, yea I believe all who perilh under the means of grace, will then be fclf-condemned, and will appear wilfully^ tho* perhaps fecretly^ under the power of fome Jud, or temptation, to have rejefled the council of God againft themfelves, and negledted the great falvation (God forbid it Ihould be the lot of any prefent) but I am of opinion * all who difobey the Gofpel will be found quenchers of the Spirit. The Perfons addreft in our text are fuppofed to have received fome fenfible imprefilons, and that their hearts were enlightened and warmed by the divine Spirit, otherwife they could not be the proper fubjeds of this exhortation ; to quench, * But thofe mine enemies which njoould not that I fhould reign over them, l^c. Luke xix. 27. Thus the enemies of Chrift will be charged with perverfenefs upon the execution of divine vengeance.
24 An Exhortation againjl quench, implies fire or light, fo that there mull have been fome kindlings and illuminations of the Spirit, either of an ordinary and common, or of an extraordinary and faving nature, to render the caution pertinent. Now when perfons thus wrought upon refill thefe motions, and ftifle thefe conviftions that arife from ,., fuch impreflions, they are guilty of quenching the Spirit. For inftance, when the word enters the confcience under the influences of the Spirit fo as to give a fenfe of fin in heart. Or life, and thereby calls for humiliation and repentance, whether this refpedls our conduft in the houfe of God, or our own, if we endeavour to fupprefs the conviftion and fhake ofi^ the concern raifed in our minds, or if we continue in that fin, we are then guilty of this evil. Again, when under hearing of the word, or by any other means we are reproved for a practice we cannot without felf-denial forfake, or when we are convinced of a docffcrine, or an ordinance of the gofpel, an open .and zealous avouchraent of which will expofe us to fcorn and difficulty : I fay, when under fuch circumftances, we do thro* the prevalency of fome luft, from fear and cowardice, or for the fake of eafe, ftifle thefe convictions ; in fuch inftances, we quench the Spirit. 1 believe it will appear upon examination^ that fometimes even while perfons are hearing, reading.
quenching the Spirit, 2 e reading, or meditating on the word, they are betrayed into this evil, and at the very inftanc of illumination, betake themfeJves to carnal reafonings, by which they labour as much as poflible, to reconcite themfelves to a difregard of the voice of conicience J fuch are frequently the workings of our vain and hypocritical minds, even when engaged in an attendance on the means of grace ; thus the flefh is luft^ ing againft the Spirit in folemn duties, infomuch that were our hearts differed and laid open to view, we fhould have juft caufe of fliame ; but thefe convidions recei\^ed under the miniftration of the word, are oftner ftifled by rufhing into the cares of the world, or the pleafures of fenfe, after the opportunity is over ; by what means foever it is effedled, this is quenching the Spirit. 2. The Spirit is quenched when thofe duties are neglefted, that are adapted and appointed tofeedandcherillithls fire in the foul. * Agreeable to what has been obferved in the explanation, when we are commanded not to quench the Spirit, it implies an exhortation to ftir E him * What the apoftle exhorts timothy rerpe<?Hng his ex-» traordinary gift, 'u'ljt. not to negleft, but to ftir it up, 1 Ephef. iv. 14. 2 Ephef. i. 6. is applicable to all gifts, and graces of the Spirit ; for by not ftirlng them up in the ufe of means, light grows dim, and love abates its fervency. Believers themfelves ihamefully leave, tho' they Ihall not utterly lofe their firft love.
26 An "Exhortation agatnfl -him up, and by all appointed means, to maintain his work upon us -, now there are divers methods of attaining this, iuch as frequent fupplication at the throne of grace, felf-examination, and ferious meditation on what we have felt of his operations upon us v to the fame tendency is diligent reading the fcriptures, converfation upon fpiritual things, making fuch our companions who fear God, and in a word, following the diclates of our confciences i thefe and fuch like are the natural and proper methods to maintain and promote the Spirit's work on our hearts, and the omiflion of thefe duties bring a perfon under the charge of quenching the Spirit. A fire neglected goes out ; he whofe interefV, or duty it is to preferve it, if he does not ufe the means, is as really, tho' not fo heinoujly^ guilty, as he that pours water upon it, Jlnd thereby extinguifhes it. Many are warmed under hearing the word, they are favoured with fome fpiritual light, and their affedtions are railed to divine things, fo that their hearts have burned within them •, but for want of meditation, private prayer, and fpiritual converfation, it has all been loft and gone off like a vapour. This is too generally the cafe in the prefent day ; there is no occafion to prove it by any particular inftances, if we may judge by the temper and condu(5l of many, who feem to tafte fome fv\^eetnefs in hearing, yet regard the word but
quenching the Spirit* ^y bat as a lovely fong •, the little favour of divine things in their converlation, and want of zeal for the ordinances of Chrill, fo jufl:- \y lamented, manifeftly difcover it. Altho* perfons may not be fo abandoned and hardened as to fet himfelf againfl, and wilfully oppofe the work of the Spirit, yet thro* negligence of this fort, they may give place to the devil and leave room for their lufts to quench it. Such are guilty of this evil, and have reafon to humble themfelves before God. 3. The Spirit is quenched when gifts are negledled or experience concealed ; a fire often goes out when it is confined and kept too clofe, by this means it always deadens and lofes much of its heat and vigour. This obfervation may feem a little foreign to the metaphor in the text, but it anfwers the in- (truftion intended thereby ; the defign of the pafiliges and the allufion in it, is to warn us againft abating, or extinguifliing the Spirit and his motions, as fire is extinguifhed or put out •, now this is fometimes the confequence of not ftirring it up, or opening it and giving it room to difplay itfelf, and diffufe its heat abroad ; every thing that obftru(5ls the operation and influence of the Spirit*s work, is included in the exhortation. There are diverfities of gifts among profef- Ibrs which are diftributed from the exalted E 2 head
3 8 An 'Exhortation againjl head of the Church for the work of the miniftry and the edification of his myflical body •» I Cor. xii. thefe are all wrought by the Spirit i when his "' gifts of wifdom and knoNvledge, utterance and prophecy are neglected, defpifcd, or fuppreft, cither in ourfelves, or others, the Spirit is quenched : perfons are fometimes tempted to fupprefs the gifts be(tov/ed upon others thro* pride and prejudice, or perhaps thro* an overvalue of thofe human acquirements, which fome fuch gifted perfons may be deftitute of, and which however to be efteemed in their place, are of fmall fervice for fpiritual profit, unlefs the fubjetfl is endowed with fome fpiritual gift from above *. There is room to fear we are very guilty in this point in our day, and by all appearance this negligence will foon be lamented, in the want of Inftruments for the fervice of the fanduary ; but this feems more properly belonging to the methods of quenchr ing the Spirit in a focial, or publick capacity. It is no lefs certain many are tempted to hide their talents, and ftifle the gifts they themfelves have received for ufefulnefs, thro* (loth and felfiftineis, thro' fhame and fear, or b^&^ it When gifts are not prayed for, not fought after, not cultivated, or when they are not encourged and employed, it tends greatly to oiFend the divine Spirit and quench his wcrk j and whether by all lymptoms, thefe defires and endeavours are not greatly wanting in the prefent time, I leave every obferving Chriftian OH Tefle<iUon to judge.
quenching the Spirit. 29 It may be thro' a love to their pleafures and fenfual enjoyments which the diligent and con- Hant exercife of their talents would interrupt, thus they negled: the gift that is in them. Various are the caufes that betray men into this evil ; but all fuch negligence is criminal, 'tis quenching the Spirit j gifts are loft for want of exercife, and if they remain, the end of their being beftow'd is ioft ; for the manifefiation i Or. xli. of the Spirit is given to every man to profit 7' withal ; let every one therefore beware of yielding to fuch temptations. '^'^ Moreover, when perfons conceal their ex-^ perience and are backward to make known the divine power they have felt, to acknowledge their con virions, and confefs the mani-' feftations of love and mercy vouchfafed unto them, they hereby quench the Spirit. The paffage laft quoted is applicable to an experience of the grace of God in converfion, and when after illuminations and comforts are received, as well as to gifts ; for the defign of all the difpenfations of divine love and grace into our hearts by the holy Ghoft Is that his name may be praifed, and hi$ people encouraged ; fuch who keep filence and are not ready to fay with David^ Come, and hear all ye pr , gg that fear God, and 1 will declare what he hai 16. done for my foul, are chargeable with the evil dehorted in the text. But 1 proceed, 4. The
JO An exhoj'tation agamjl 4. The indulgence of any known fin has a fure and unhappy influence to occafion the Spirit's departure, and put out the light, or abate the fpirituai warmth begotten in our fouls under his gracious influences. Many quench the Spirit by allowing themfelves in the omiffion of known duties, which is a great affront to this holy One, who has revealed and convinced us of any infl:itution of the Lord appointed for his honour and our fpirituai edification ; but the tendency this has to extinguifli the Spirit we have feen under a former head. More efpecially does the wilful gratification of any lufl: tend to quench the Spirit ; when perfons after being warmed with convifbions, or entertained with delight in any ordinance publick, or private, go away and plunge themfelves into any iniquities their confciencies teflify againft, it obdurates the heart, darkens the underftanding, fenfual affeflions gain the afcendant, and over-run the foul, fo that all fpirituai light and heat with which their minds were impreft mud vanifh and wear off in courfe. Thus the iron of the Smith when heated in the fire till 'tis almoft melted down, glows and burns as the fire itfelf, but being haftily thrown into •water inftantly changes its complexion, and becomes cold and even harder than before it paffed under the operation ; t;he application is eafy.
quenching the Spirit, 31 Fire is quenched by pouring upon it the oppofite element, water : Now water is not more oppofite to fire, than the lulls of the flefh are to the divine Spirit and his operations ; the Spirit's work takes place upon and tends to the deftrudlion of fin j there is a natural, neceflary, and violent conteft between the motion of the Spirit and the motion of fin in the members j the flejh lujleth againjl Cal. \C the Spirit, and the Spirit againji the flejh: *7* and thefe are contrary the one to the other^ &c. Nothing therefore has a more dired: and dreadful influence towards extinguifhing fpiritual light and holy afFeftions than the indulgence of pride, paflion, fenfuality, or any finful appetite, foon after the enjoyment of the means of grace and fome imprefTions upon the mind under it. To thefe crifriinal allowances Satan is continually waiting to captivate the minds, efpecially of young profeffors, whofe youthful lufts greatly expofe them to his fnare. Thus the Spirit is often quenched by perfons in a private capacity, or with refpeft to his work on their own fouls. They frequently, under one temptation and another, are doing this, by ftifling their convidtions, by negledling thofe duties that are adapted and appointed to maintain and promote the Spirit's work upon them ; by negleding their gifts, and concealing their experience, and by allowing themfelves in the pra6tice ofany known fin. Thefe things tend to
32 An Exhofiailon againji to prejudice,; and are often permitted to hinder" the influence of the Spirit's motions, they extinguifh the light, and abate the fpiritual warmth produced under ordinances, and grieve or offend the holy Spirit, who is often hereby provoked to withdraw : this is quenching the Spirit. Which brings me, as propos'd. Secondly^ To fet before you fome of thofe methods by which the Spirit is quenched by profefTors confider'd in a focialj or publick capacity. And, I. When the members of religious focieties or churches negled thofe dated aflemblies by which the work of the Lord is to be carried on in the midft: of them ; perfons who enter into facred engagements with one another for the ends of fpiritual edification, and are flothful and backward to afiemble with the body at the appointed feafons for coming together are guilty of this evil. Union is neceffary to warmth, the brifkeft: fire will go out upon feparating the coals and keeping them afunder ; a zealous affeftion for Chrift, his caufe and one another is promoted in a chriftian fociety by frequent and univerfal afTociating of its feveral members 5 and this vigour abates in proportion to a negligence thereof. Yet fuch is the condud. of many who have entered into churchfellowfliip, or contradled with a religious fociety of a lower clafs, that they wander about till thro* the fpread of fuch a vagrant inclination
quenching the Spirit, 3 3 nation, to ufe the words of the prophet, 2 Ifaiah there is not a coal to warm, and the whole ' ^^ ftrudure beconnes lifelefs and unprofitable : This unreafonable conduft in the members of any Society*, as it tends tothededrudlion of the body, fo It difcourages the hearts of thofe with whom they are thus engaged ; thefore every nich wilful omifllon of a member throws fome quantity of cold water on the Society to which he belongs : If perfons in fellowfhip, thro' love to their temporal profits and carnal pleafures, or from a wavering djfpofition, make a pradlice of abfenting themfelves when there is a gather^ ing. together for the miniftration of the word and adminiflration of the ordinances and.difcipline of Chrift's houfe, they are quenchers of the Spirit -, for hereby their own affediions are more and more deadned to the body, hereby alfo the fpirits of their fellow-members are fadened, and thus the fpiritual fervour, joy and zeal, which once prevailed and would otherwife be maintained, is extinguifh'd and loft. Too many who are join'd to chriftian Societies, by their temper and behaviour feem to have crept in F for * The reafonablenefs and juftice of avoiding this deftrudlive praftice I lately took occafion to mention in the Redeemer s charge agai>:Jt his declining Churches, pag. 24. The fame negleft which is owing to the abatement of love, if continued in, decreafes it liill more, and at length, as it has been experienc'd, in fome melancholy inllances, it has utterly extinguifh'd the power and fpirit of religion in a Society, and itTued in , their diffolution.
34 ^^ Kxhortatton againjl for no other purpofe but to be the Engines for quenching the fire of divine love and that holy zeal which is the animating fpring of adion in every fpiritual Corporation, whereby its feveral members are edified : Whatever their own defigns may be, this is the evident ufe Satan makes of them under a profeflion ; and however they may defpife the entreaties, or exhortations of their minifters and fellow-chriftians, who are grieved fnr their condufl, if fuch perfons are not humbled under a fenfe of their felly, it may be expefted their end will be according to their works. 2. The Spirit is fometimes quenched by a mifimprovement of the time when we are alTembled together ; a deficiency of this kind may be found in Churches, efpecially in thofe Affemblies that are appointed for the difcipline of Chrifl;*s houfe ; it becomes each member to behave himfelf with reverence and order in the houfe of God, to avoid every thing that is light and airy, and much more every thing that favours of arrogance and felfifhnefs ; fuch ought to ftudy wifdom, humility and love in all they fay or do, as they are call'd upon in the fight of the Lord : Sometimes members of Churches do not behave themfelves after this manner on fuch folemn occafions ; the confequence has been confufion and contention among them. This tends to prejudice the intereft of Chrift and the work of the Lord in the
quenching the Spirit. 3 5 the midfl: of them, the holy Spirit ufually withdraws from fuch a people, and rhey quickly become coJd and formal. But under this head I have a more immediate regard to Chriftian Societies of an inferior order. The old Serpent is generally too cunning for young converts. Man is a focial Being in every ftate and condition ; agreeable to which thofe who are beginning to feek the kingdom of God and his righteoufnefs, naturally fall into fociety. Now when Satan cannot tempt them from accompanying together for their mutual edification, he attempts to pervert their defiga by enfnaring them into fpending their time, at leaft fo as to exclude, as much as pofTible, thofc exercifcs that are mod likely to anlwer their end. For inftance, inflead of being principally exercifed in earneft fupplications at the throne of grace, an exercife which is moft conducive to promote humility and fpiritual edification, an exercife by which young plants are, as it were, water'd by the Spirit to their growth in grace ; I fay inftead of chiefly exercifing themfelves in this foul-nourifhing duty, they are captivated to lay out much of their time in fpeaking from texts of fcriptures, and in frequent and long finging, ^c. inftead of keeping clofe in their con verfation, to points of experience, and filling up part of the opportunity in relating any frefli excrcifes they have F 2 Iiad
36^ An Exhortation aga'mjl had with the corruptions of their hearts, with the temptations of Satan, or in rehearfing any frefh light, or renewed teftimony of divine love whereby their knowletlge and faith have been increafed, or their hopes revived : I lay, inftead of employing themlelves after this manner, and thus declaring in the fimphcity of their minds the dealings of the Spirit with their fouls, the crafty Tempter often deludes them into vain and impertinent queftions which have a fhew of wifdom, but are not for godly edifying. I fpeak not againft young Profeflbrs admonifhing each other in pfalms and hymns and fpiritual fongs when alTembled together, but would rather promote that appointed and delightful means of grace -, nor would I difcountenance an humble communication of the light afforded to any, into any particular part of fcripture, or debating fome fpecial points of dodtrine, concerning which feveral may have doubts : Thefe things are profitable when purfued with that modefty which becomes thofe who are newly enlighten'd ; but when fuch things, under any pretence, intrude upon prayer, and godly conference about experimental thino-s, it becomes a fnare. It is ufually found fuch condud degenerates into ftrife about words, and adminifters to pride, by which Cometh contention, and this excites thofe lufts which are contrary to the Spirit, and quenches hu-D 5
quenchmg the Spirit. 37 him •, beware therefore of thefe things, for fuch meetings together are not for the better but for the worfe. 3. Another thing which quenches the Spirit in religious Societies is partiality -, the divine Spirit is no refpefter of perfons, and it offends him, and tends to dcftroy harmony and affedion in a Society when partiality is indulged. Now this generally follows upon the aforementioned! abufe of their folemn meetings ; when young Chriftians employ themfelves in their affmblies after the manner defcribed, the carnality of their minds is excited, and there foon appears a refpedt of perfons ; when this is the cafe, fome are exalted above meafure, and others depreciated as low ; on the one hand, the Spirit himfelf, who is the author of all gifts, and under whofe influence alone they can be beneficial to each other in the exercife of their fpiritual talents, is neglected ; this divine. Comforter, I fay, is little thought of, ""or depended upon, and as feldom the fubjeft of their prayers, or praifes •, on the other hand weak believers, whofe knowledge and gifts are but fmall, are defpifed and difcouraged j this often occafions the light and affeflion of a Society to go out, it quenches the fpark in thefe little ones, and is highly provoking to that Spirit who created it in their fouls •, for it is contrary to his mind who will not quench the fmoaking fiax, till he hath finilhed his work where he has begun
38 -^ft Exhortation aga'infl gun it, and hath brought forth judgment unto vidory. 4. The Spirit is quenched when a Society retains thofe among them who hold errors fubverfive of the true gcfpel, or indulge themfelves in pradlices that are unbecoming their holy profeffion ; prophane and ungodly perfons in a Community by their temper and condud are quenchers of the Spirit j the example and influence of fuch make againft the increafe of fpiritual fervour in the fervice of the Lord ; thefe perfons are continually endeavouring to difcourage all felf-denying meafures propofed, or taken, by a Society for the manifeftitative glory of the Redeemer, or their mutual edification; the zeal of others is a refiedion upon them, and therefore they object to it, and by fecret, or open methods difcountenance it as much as pofTible ; it has often been found that connivance at fuch perfons in a Community has been attended with the lofs of their vigour, till thro* the departure of the holy Spirit, all their vital heat and fpiritual light has been extinguifhed. 5. And laftly, It alfo quenches the Spirit when the meetings of Chriflians for godly edification are followed with vain and trifling converfation ; this is a fnare Chriftians are frequently entangled with, either in different company, or with one another ; if the latter, the more dangerous j when members of churches have
quenching the Spini, 39 have been together in the houfe of God, where their hearts have been affefted with what they have feen and heard, and in fome meafure humbled, rejoiced and inftruded, for any number of them to go away, and immediately tall into converfation about trifling matters is very prejudiciaJ, for this efFedualJy takes off the favour of divine things, and banilhes that fpiritual light and comfort they have received, and renders them carnal in their frames ; what is this but quenching the Spirit ? Thus it is in refped: to all ether religous Societies, for this has been a fatal evil and deftroyed the good effedls of many a fweCt opportunity •, young profcfTors after they have been together, and been made inflrumental of exciting in each other fome fpiritual livelinefe and joy, have frequently been deluded into foolifh talking and jefting which is not convenient, whereby ail the advantage of that feafon has been lofl: i all frothy converfation among fuch perfons. at fuch a time more efpecially, fruftrates the defign of their fellowfhip, and pulls down every thing that has been built up in their attendance upon duty together. Beware therefore of this pra(5lice, for our vain minds are exceeding prone to this evil, and Satan is peculiarly vigilant to delude us into it, after having been exercifed together in fpiritual matters, knowing if he (hould prevail, (as he too frequently does) it effedlually quenches
^ An "Exhortation againjl quenches and extinguifhes the holinefs and fpirituality of our frames. Thefe are the methods by which perfons quench the Spirit in a fecial, or publick capacity -, VIZ. by ncglefting the dated aflemblies of the Society whereof they are members, by a mifinprovement of the time when afiembhed together, when a partiahty prevails amongft them, by retaining profane, or immoral perfons in the Community, and thro' impertinent and frothy converfation together, efpecially after they have been engaged with one another in religious exerciles ; all thefe pra(5tices abate fpirituality and zeal, hinder the advancement of light and holinefs, and often occafion the Spirit of grace to depart in a way of judgment. It remains only that I attend to the V. and lafi: thing propofed, wz. To fhew the melancholy confequences of quenching the Spirit. This has been in fome meafure anticipated, efpecially under the fecond general, upon which confideration, together with that of my having already detained you fo long, I Ihall but juft mention the particulars, and draw to a clofe. Firfl^ By this means all true pleafure in religion is loft -, fuch violence offered to an enlightened confcience deftroys all delight in du-
quenching the Spirit, 4 c ty, the mind is hereby rendered incapable of Spiritual joy ; the Spirit thus refilled and quenched withdraws his gracious influences* the deferted foul is depreft and funk, and her appetite for heavenly food is gone. "When this is the cafe, the Chriftian finds a leannefs of Spirit, he is exceeding dull and heavy in his private frame, and every thing grows formal and lifelefs in a focial way. Secondly^ Infeflion incfeafes both as to doctrine and praftice ; when the Spirit is quenched, the flefii quickens, the hearts of particular perfons are fubjed to deceitful lulls, and eafily captivated to the law of fin in the members j the Church, or Society, where this evil is continued in, being juftly forfaken, is expofed to delufions, and becomes a prey to every Deceiver, and unlefs the Lord, in great mercy, returns to revive his work, a people grow worfe and worfe. Thirdly, It brings great diftrefs on the confciences of Believers when they are awakened to convicSt;on ; fometimes it pleafes God to convince fuch of their folly, and make thenl fenfible of their ingratitude, fo that after they have provoked the Spirit to withdraw, they are led to fee the forro\\^ful alteration, and bewail the unhappy confequences of his departure from them. This is accompanied with bitternefs, and efpecialjy as they are ufually G left
42 An 'Exhortation agalnji Jefc to feek and cry a long time before he returns with his cheating influences. But, Fourthly^ If in judgment, (which is fometimes the awful cafe) any are left to impenitency, the end is fore and heavy deftruftioni By this means, Societies without number have been ruined, many Churches have been diffolved, and a multitude of profeflbrs, who have had only the form of godlinefs, have funk under the weight of aggravating guilt into endlefs mifery. Such are the dreadful confequences of quenching the Spirit v/I clofe with a Ihort refledion or two. I. We fee the bold impiety, and fatal folly of thofe who deny the perfonality, deity, and operations of the blelTed Spirit. It is too common in the prefent day for perfons who call themfelves Chridians, not only to oppofe the do(5lrines that relate to the perfon and glory of Jefus Chrift, and the way of falvation by him, and thereby give juft offence to the Holy Ghoft, by whom the prophets and apoftles were infpired j but they alfo deny the reality, and much more the neceflity of his divine agency in the hearts of God's children, yea, they ridicule all Chriltian experience j po wonder fuch are given up to blindnefs of heart, and a reprobate mind ; we need not be
quenching the Spirit, 43 be furprifcd to find their confciences are feared as with an hot iron ; fuch pcrfons refill the Holy Ghoft, who alone can molify, enlighten, and convert the foul, and if the quenching his work has the forrowful efi^eft on thofe who have not utterly difpifed him, as before- mentioned, how can it be expelled thefe " daring infidels fliould have any difcernment, or fenfation of fpiritual things ? " II. Let us bewail the fymptoms of quenching the Spirit, that are apparent in the prefent day. Whence is it there is fo much complaint of the fpread of error .? Why is there fo little confolation in Chrift, or edification in fellowfhip, fo little ftedfafinefs in the ways of the Lord, or delight in his ordinances ? Is it not becaufe we have, and do daily quench the Spirit by our negligence and carnality '^. Do we not ftifle conviftions, and omit thofe duties that are proper to the maintaining a livelinefs in our hearts, and in the Societies to which we are related ? Are not gifts neglefted ? Is not there too little communication oi our experience, and too much indulgence of fin ? Do we improve our time together as becomes thofe who defire to fee the Spirit's work flourifh in and among us ? Is there that impartiality, and that faithfulnefs which is acceptable to the Holy Spirit ? I prefume, G 2 on
44 -^^^ Exhortation agalnjl^ &'c. on examination, it will be allowed that the inftances by which the Spirit is quenched are too frequently tbiind upon us. O let us each examine ourfelves, and be concerned for the Communities to which we feverally belong ; let us watch againft thefe things, and make it our daily and earneft fupplication, that the ^ holy Spirit may not be taken from us. In fine, let me befeech you, at whofe requefl; I have now been fpeaking in publick, to think of thefe things ; watch over your hearts, be circumfpefl in all your afiemblies, endeavouring by fupplications conjoined to all other graces and duties to build up one another in faith and holinefs ; and let fuch of you who are members of this, or any other Church of ChrilV, purfue this defign confiftent with your duties in the houfe ot God. Remember your greateft honour and higheft obligation is in the Church to which you belong, take heed therefore you are not deficient in your duties there, while you are employing your thoughts and time upon any other fcheme for edification. In a confcientious regard to this, you may expc(5t the Comforter will abide with you and blefs all your endeavours for encouraging others to tafte and fee the goodnefs of the .Lord, with whom your fellowiliip fliall be flill increafing, till you are made meet for the fujl enjoyment of the inheritance among the faints in light, A
45 A HYMN of Praife to the Blessed Spirit. I. ADORE, ye faints, the heav'niy Dove, His grace and pow*r proclaim, Whofe quick'ning rays of light and love. Revive your drooping frame. II. He firft awakens from the dead. Doth life from Chrift impart, 4nd love divine by him is (hed Abroad in ev*ry heart. III. As Fire refines the drofly Ore, Our fouls he purifies. And banifh'd comfort doth reftore. Hence joys unknown arife. IV. Thus doth his grace our minds prepare, To view our Saviour's face. And oft before we are aware, Enlivens ev'ry grace. V. To
46 y^ H Y M N, &^c. V. To light, from darknefs he doth turn. And our affeftions raife. Our hea,rts within us then do burn^ To fing Jehovah's praife. VI. O may we never once offend, . r His glorious holinefs, Left he his influence fufpend. And leave us in diftrefs. FINIS.
PubliJISd by the fame Author, Printed for J.Ward in Little-Britain. I . A I A H E Chriftian Life, in divers of its X Branches, defcibed and recommended, in Four Parts ; being the Subftance of fcveral Difcourfes on Philippians \v. from the 4th to the 7th Verfe inclufive. To which is added, A ferious Exhortation to Prayer ; in Two Sermons on i ^hejf. v. 17. ^vo. Price Bound 5 J. 2. The Compaffion of the dying Saviour to ibofe that crucified him, confidered and improved. In a Sermon on Luke xxiii. 34. Price 6d. 3. ^be Redeemer*s Charge againfl the Declining Churches, exempHfied in the Cafe of the Church of E-phefiis, and applied to the State of Rehgion in the prefent Time. In which the Symptoms, Caufes, and Confequences of Declenfions in the Churches of Chrift are particuarly confider*d. Preached and publifhed, with fome enlargement, at the Requeft of thofe who heard it. Price i s.