OF PRIDE.
Second, I come, in the second place, to speak a word of pride, and loftiness of heart and life.
1. Pride, in general, it is that which causeth a man to think of man and his things, above what is written (1 Cor 4:6).
2. It hath its seat in the heart among these enormities, fornications, adulteries, lasciviousness, murders, deceit, &c. (Mark 7:21-23) and showeth itself in these following particulars.
(1.) When you slight this or that person, though gracious; that is, look over them, and shun them for their poverty in this world, and choose rather to have converse with others, that possibly are less gracious, because of their greatness in this world. This the apostle James writes against, James 2:1-3, under the name of partiality; "for indeed the fruits of a puffed-up heart is to deal in this manner with Christians" (1 Cor 4:6, 7). Now this branch of pride floweth from ignorance of the vanity of the creature, and of the worth of a gracious heart; wherefore get more of the knowledge of these two, and this sprig will be nipped in the head, and you will learn to condescend to men of low degree (Rom 12:16).
(2.) It argues pride of heart, when men will not deny themselves in things that they may, for the good and profit of their neighbours.
And it argueth now, that pride has got so much up into self-love and self-pleasing, that they little care who they grieve or offend, so they may have their way (Oba 12-15).
(3.) It argueth pride of heart, when sober reproofs for sin, and unbeseeming carriages, will not down with thee, but that rather thou snuffest, and givest way to thy spirit to be peevish, and to retain prejudice against those that thus reprove thee. Saith the prophet, "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken." That is, hear the reproofs of G.o.d for your sins, and break them off by repentance; "but if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride," &c. (Jer 13:15-17). So also in Hosea, "They will not frame their doings to turn unto their G.o.d: for the spirit of wh.o.r.edoms is in the midst of them, and they have not know the Lord. And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face"
&c. (Hosea 5:4, 5). This argueth great senselessness of G.o.d, and a heart greatly out of frame.
(4.) It argueth pride also, when a reproof or admonition will not down as well from the poorest saint, as from the greatest doctor; and it argueth a glory in men, 1 Corinthians 3:21, and that they would, that their faith should stand in their wisdom, and not "in the power of G.o.d;" that is, of naked truth 1 Corinthians 2:5.
(5.) It argueth pride of heart, when a man that hath this or that in his heart to do, in reference to G.o.d, but yet will slight a sober asking counsel and direction of G.o.d in this matter: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after G.o.d,"
saith David (Psa 10:4).
(6.) It argueth pride of heart, when persons are tickled with thoughts of their own praise, that secretly l.u.s.t after it; that think of themselves and others above what is written; which those do who do not acknowledge that man in his best estate is altogether vanity: but such kind of people have forgot the exhortation, "Be not high-minded, but fear:" (Rom 11:20). And also, That there is a knowledge that puffeth up, and edifieth neither themselves nor others (1 Cor 8:1, 2). Wherefore, to such the apostle saith, Be "not desirous of vain-glory," but in lowliness of mind "let each esteem others better than themselves" (Phil 2:3; Gal 5:26).
Pride also there is in outward carriage, behaviour, and gesture, which is odious for Christians to be tainted with; and this pride is discovered by mincing words, a made carriage, and an affecting the toys and baubles that Satan, and every lightheaded fool bringeth into the world. As G.o.d speaketh of the daughters of Zion, "they walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet" (Isa 3:16). A very unhandsome carriage for a people that profess G.o.dliness, and that use to come before G.o.d to confess their sins, and to bemoan themselves for what they have done. How can a sense of thy own baseness, of the vileness of thy heart, and of the holiness of G.o.d, stand with such a carriage? Dost thou see the vileness of thy heart, the fruit of sin? And art thou afflicted with that disagreement that is between G.o.d and thy heart, that layest the reins on the neck of thy l.u.s.ts, and lettest them run whither they will? Be not deceived, pride ariseth from ignorance of these things (1 Tim 6:3, 4). A sense of my vileness, of what I have deserved, and of what continually in my heart opposeth G.o.d, cannot stand with a foolish, light, and wanton carriage: thou wilt then see there is other things to mind than to imitate the b.u.t.terfly. Alas, all these kind of things are but a painting the devil, and a setting a carnal gloss upon a castle of his; thou art but making gay the spider: is thy heart ever the sounder for thy fine gait, they mincing words, and thy lofty looks?
Nay, doth not this argue, that thy heart is a rotten, cankered, and besotted heart? Oh! that G.o.d would but let thee see a little of thy own inside, as thou hast others to behold thy outside: thou painted sepulchre, thou whited wall, will these things be found virtues in the day of G.o.d? Or, is this the way that thou takest to mortify sin? "An high look, and a proud heart, the plowing of the wicked, is sin" (Prov 21:4). Pride is the ringleader of the seven abominations that the wise man nameth, Proverbs 6:16, 17, and is that above all that causeth to fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Tim 3:6).
OF ADULTERY OR UNCLEANNESS.
Now I come in the last place to touch a word or two of adultery, and then to draw towards a conclusion. Adultery, it hath its place in the heart, among the rest of those filthinesses I mentioned before (Mark 7:21, 22) of which sin I observe two things.
1. That almost in every place where the apostle layeth down a catalogue of wickednesses, he layeth down adultery, fornication, and uncleanness in the front; as that in Mark 7:21, Romans 1:29, 1 Corinthians 6: 9, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Hebrews 12:16, James 2:11, 1 Peter 2:11, and 2 Peter 2:10.
From this I gather that the sin of uncleanness is a very predominant and master sin, easy to overtake the sinner, as being one of the first that is ready to offer itself on all occasions to break the law of G.o.d.
2. I observe that this sin is committed unawares to many, even so soon as a man hath but looked upon a woman: "I say unto you," saith Christ, "that whosoever looketh on a woman to l.u.s.t," or desire, "after her, he hath committed adultery with her already in his heart"
(Matt 5:28). This sin of uncleanness, I say, is a very taking sin; it is natural above all sins to mankind; as it is most natural, so it wants not tempting occasions, having objects for to look on in every corner: wherefore there is need of a double and treble watchfulness in the soul against it. It is better here to make a covenant with our eyes, like Job (Job 31:1) than to let them wander to G.o.d"s dishonour, and our own discomfort.
There are these three things which discover a man or woman too much inclining to the uncleanness of their own hearts.
(1.) The first is a wanton eye, or an eye that doth secretly affect itself with such objects as are tickling of the heart with the thoughts of immodesty and uncleanness. Isaiah calls this a wanton eye: and Peter an eye full of adultery, that cannot cease from sin (2 Peter 2:14; Isa 3:16). This is that also which Christ calleth an evil eye, and John the l.u.s.t of the flesh, and of the eyes, and doth defile those who are not very watchful over their own hearts (Mark 7:22; 1 John 2:16). This wanton eye is that which the most holy saints should take heed of, because it is apt to seize upon them also. When Paul bids Timothy beseech the young women to walk as becomes the gospel, he bids him do it with all purity (1 Tim 5:1, 2). As, who should say, Take heed that while thou instructest them to holiness, thou thyself be not corrupted with the l.u.s.t of thy eye. O how many souls, in the day of G.o.d, will curse the day that ever they gave way to a wanton eye!
(2.) The second thing that discovereth one much inclining to the l.u.s.ts of uncleanness, it is wanton and immodest talk; such as that brazen-faced wh.o.r.e in the 7th of the Proverbs had, or such as they in Peter, who allured "through the l.u.s.ts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error" (2 Peter 2:18). "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," wherefore if we be saints, let us take heed, as of our eye, so of our tongue, and let not the l.u.s.t of uncleanness, or of adultery, be once named among us, "named among us as becometh saints" (Eph 5:3). Mark, "Let it not be once named." This implies, that the l.u.s.ts of uncleanness are devilishly taking, they will both take the heart with eyes and tongue: "Let it not be once named among you," &c.
(3.) Another thing that bespeaks a man or woman inclining to wantonness and uncleanness, it is an adorning themselves in light and wanton apparel. The attire of an harlot is too frequently in our day the attire of professors; a vile thing, and argueth much wantonness and vileness of affections. If those that give way to a wanton eye, wanton words, and immodest apparel, be not wh.o.r.es, &c., in their hearts, I know not what to say. Doth a wanton eye argue shamefacedness? Doth wanton talk argue chast.i.ty? And doth immodest apparel, with stretched-out necks, naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s, a made speech, and mincing gaits, &c., argue mortification of l.u.s.ts? If any say, that these things may argue pride as well as carnal l.u.s.ts; well, but why are they proud? Is it not to trick up the body? And why do they with pride trick up the body, if it be not to provoke both themselves and others to l.u.s.ts? G.o.d knoweth their hearts without their outsides: and we know their hearts by their outsides.
My friends, I am here treating of good works, and persuading you to fly those things that are hindrances to them: wherefore bear with my plainness when I speak against sin. I would strike it through with every word, because else it will strike us through with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:9, 10). I do not treat of good works as if the doing of them would save us, for we are justified by his grace, according to the hope of eternal life; yet our sins and evil works will lay us obnoxious to the judgments both of G.o.d and man. He that walketh not uprightly, according to the truth of the gospel, is like to have his peace a.s.saulted often, both by the devil, the law, death, and h.e.l.l; yea, and is like to have G.o.d hide his face from him also, for the iniquity of his covetousness (Isa 57:17).
How can he that carrieth himself basely in the sight of men, think he yet well behaveth himself in the sight of G.o.d? And if so dim a light as is in man can justly count thee as a transgressor, how shall thy sins be hid from him whose "eye-lids try the children of men?" (Psa 11:4).
It is true, faith without works justifies us before G.o.d (Rom 3:28; 4:5): yet that faith that is alone, will be found to leave us sinners in the sight both of G.o.d and man (James 2:18). And though thou addest nothing to that which saveth thee by what thou canst do, yet thy righteousness may profit the son of man; as also saith the text: but if thou shalt be so careless as to say, What care I for being righteous to profit others? I tell thee, that the love of G.o.d is not in thee (Job 35:8; 1 John 3:17; 1 Cor 13:1-3). Walk therefore in G.o.d"s ways, and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear of all these statutes, and say, "This great nation is a wise and understanding people" (Deu 4:6).
THIRD. Observe. Every believer should not only take heed that his works be good, and so for the present do them, but should carefully study to maintain them; that is, to keep in a continual exercise of them.
It is an easier matter to begin to do good, than it is to continue therein; and the reason is, there is not so much of a Christian"s cross in the beginning of a work, as there is in a continual, hearty, conscientious practice thereof. Therefore Christians have need, as to be pressed to do good, so to continue the work. Man, by nature, is rather a hearer than a doer, Athenian like, continually listening after some new thing; seeing many things, but observing nothing (Acts 17:20; Isa 42:20). It is observable, that after Christ had divided his hearers into four parts, he condemned three of them for fruitless hearers (Luke 8:5-8). O it is hard continuing believing, continuing loving, continuing resisting all that opposeth; we are subject to be weary of well-doing (Gal 6:9). To pluck out right eyes, to cut off right hands and feet, is no pleasant thing to flesh and blood; and yet none but these shall have the promise of life; because none but these will be found to have the effectual work of G.o.d"s grace in their souls (Matt 18:8, 9): "If ye continue in my word, then are you my disciples" INDEED (Matt 24:13; John 8:31). And hence it is, that you find so many IFS in the Scripture about men"s happiness; as, "if children, then heirs;" and "if ye continue in the faith;" and "if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Rom 8:17; Col 1:23; Heb 3:14).
Not that their continuing in the way of G.o.d is the cause of the work being right; but the work being right causeth the continuance therein. As John saith in another place, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, [saith he]
they would, no doubt, have continued with us" (1 John 2:19). But I say, where the work of G.o.d indeed is savingly begun, even there is flesh, corruption, and the body of death to oppose it. Therefore should Christians take heed, and look that against these opposites they maintain a continual course of good works among men.
Besides, as there is that in our own bowels that opposeth goodness, so there is the tempter, the wicked one, both to animate these l.u.s.ts, and to join with them in every a.s.sault against every appearance of G.o.d in our souls. And hence it is, that he is called the devil, the enemy, the destroyer, and him that seeks continually to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), I need say no more but this. He that will walk like a Christian indeed, as he shall find it is requisite that he continue in good works, so his continuing therein will be opposed; if therefore he will continue therein, he must make it his business to study how to oppose those that oppose such a life, that he may continue therein.
FOURTH. Now then to help in this, here fitly comes in the last observation, to wit, That the best way both to provoke ourselves and others to good works, it is to be often affirming to others the doctrine of justification by grace, and to believe it ourselves.
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in G.o.d, might be careful to maintain good works" (t.i.tus 3:8).
I told you before, that good works must flow from faith: and now I tell you, that the best way to be fruitful in them, is to be much in the exercise of the doctrine of justification by grace; and they both agree; for as faith animates to good works, so the doctrine of grace animates faith. Wherefore, the way to be rich in good works, it is to be rich in faith; and the way to be rich in faith is to be conscientiously affirming the doctrine of grace to others, and believing it ourselves.
First, To be constantly affirming it to others. Thus Paul tells Timothy, that if he put the brethren in mind of the truths of the gospel, he himself should not only be a good minister of Christ, but should be nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine (1 Tim 4:6). It is the ordinance of G.o.d, that Christians should be often a.s.serting the things of G.o.d each to others; and that by their so doing they should edify one another (Heb 10:24, 25;1 Thess 5:11).
The doctrine of the gospel is like the dew and the small rain that distilleth upon the tender gra.s.s, wherewith it doth flourish, and is kept green (Deu 32:2). Christians are like the several flowers in a garden, that have upon each of them the dew of heaven, which being shaken with the wind, they let fall their dew at each other"s roots, whereby they are jointly nourished, and become nourishers of one another. For Christians to commune savourly of G.o.d"s matters one with another, it is as if they opened to each other"s nostrils boxes of perfume.19 Saith Paul to the church at Rome, "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me" (Rom 1:11, 12).
Christians should be often affirming the doctrine of grace, and justification by it, one to another.
Second, As they should be thus doing, so they should live in the power of it themselves; they should by faith suck and drink in this doctrine, as the good ground receiveth the rain; which being done, forthwith there is proclaimed good works. Paul to the Colossians saith thus, "We give thanks to G.o.d and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and love to all the saints; for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you." But how long ago? Why, "since the day ye heard it, [saith he,] and knew the grace of G.o.d in truth" (Col 1:3-6).
Apples and flowers are not made by the gardener; but are an effect of the planting and watering. Plant in the sinner good doctrine, and let it be watered with the word of grace; and as the effect of that, there is the fruits of holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rom 6:22).
Good doctrine is the doctrine of the gospel, which showeth to men, that G.o.d clotheth them with the righteousness of his Son freely, and maketh him with all his benefits over to them; by which free gift the sinner is made righteous before G.o.d; and because he is so, therefore there is infused a principle of grace into the heart, whereby it is both quickened, and bringing forth fruit (Rom 3:21-26; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; John 1:16).
Now then, seeing good works do flow from faith, and seeing faith is nourished by an affirming of the doctrine of the gospel, &c., take here these few considerations from the doctrine of the gospel, for the support of thy faith, that thou mayest be indeed fruitful and rich in good works.
Consider 1. The whole Bible was given for this very end, that thou shouldest both believe this doctrine, and live in the comfort and sweetness of it: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4; John 20:31).
Consider 2. That therefore every promise in the Bible is thine, to strengthen, quicken, and encourage thy heart in believing.
Consider 3. That there is nothing that thou dost, can so please G.o.d as believing; "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Psa 147:11). They please him, because they embrace his righteousness, &c.
Consider 4. That all the withdrawings of G.o.d from thee, are not for the weakening, but for the trial of thy faith; and also, that whatever he suffers Satan, or thy own heart to do, it is not to weaken faith (Job 23:8-10; 1 Peter 1:7).
Consider 5. That believing is that which will keep in thy view the things of heaven and glory; and that at which the devil will be discouraged, sin weakened, and thy heart quickened and sweetened (Heb 11:27; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9; Eph 6:16; Rom 15:13).
Consider lastly, By believing, the lover of G.o.d is kept with warmth upon the heart, and that this will provoke thee continually to bless G.o.d for Christ, for grace, for faith, hope, and all these things, either in G.o.d, or thee, that doth accompany salvation (2 Cor 2:14; Psa 103:1-3).
Third, The doctrine of the forgiveness of sins received by faith, will make notable work in the heart of a sinner, to bring forth good works. But, Forasmuch as there is a body of death and sin in every one that hath the grace of G.o.d in this world; and because this body of death will be ever opposing that which is good, as the apostle saith (Rom 7:21), therefore take these few particulars further, for the suppressing that which will hinder a fruitful life.
1. Keep a continual watch over the wretchedness of thy own heart, not to be discouraged at the sight of thy vileness, but to prevent its wickedness; for that will labour either to hinder thee from doing good works, or else will hinder thee in the doing thereof; for evil is present with thee for both these purposes. Take heed then, that thou do not listen to that at any time, but deny, though with much struggling, the workings of sin to the contrary.
2. Let this be continually before thy heart, that G.o.d"s eye is upon thee, and seeth every secret turning of thy heart, either to or from him: "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb 4:13).
3. If thou deny to do that good which thou oughtest, with what thy G.o.d hath given thee; then consider, that though he love thy soul, yet he can chastise; First, Thy inward man with such troubles, that thy life shall be restless and comfortless. Secondly, And can also so blow upon thy outward man, that all thou gettest shall be put in a bag with holes (Psa 89:31-33; Hag 1:6). And set the case he should licence but one thief among thy substance, or one spark of fire among thy barns, how quickly might that be spent ill, and against thy will, which thou shouldest have spent to G.o.d"s glory, and with thy will; and I tell thee further, that if thou want a heart to do good when thou hast about thee, thou mayest want comfort in such things thyself from others, when thine is taken from thee.
See Jude 1:6, 7.
4. Consider, that a life full of good works is the only way, on thy part, to answer the mercy of G.o.d extended to thee; G.o.d hath had mercy on thee, and hath saved thee from all thy distresses; G.o.d hath not stuck to give thee his Son, his Spirit, and the kingdom of heaven. Saith Paul, "I beseech you therefore by the mercies of G.o.d, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto G.o.d, which is your reasonable service" (Rom 12:1; Matt 18:32, 33).