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THE Scripture of Truth * 1.1, is the Ground of Faith. This Por∣tion of Scripture which now presents it self to our view, hath its Sacred Elegancies, and is all glorious
within. It was composed by Malachy, whose name imports Messenger * 1.2; he came upon an Ambassage from the God of Heaven. This Prophet was so famous, that Origen and others (though injudiciously) supposed him to be an Angel. He lived after the build∣ing of the second Temple, and was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, contemporary with Haggai, and Zechariah † 1.3.
This blessed Prophet did lift up his voice like a Trumpet, and tell the Jewish Nation of their sins; and he was the last Trumpet that sounded in the Old Testament. In the words of the Text are these parts.
Before I come to the several parts distinctly, here is a connexive particle stands in the front of the Text which may not be omitted, namely, the word Then.
Then they that feared the Lord, &c. Then, that is, after Israels return from the Babylonish Captivity; then, when the major part of the people grew cor∣rupt, and came worse out of the Fur∣nace than they went in, vers. 13, 14 * 1.4 in this bad juncture of time, then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. Hence observe,
That the Profaneness of the times should not slacken but highthen our zeal.* 1.5 The looser others are, the stricter we should be. In those degenerate times when men were arrived at the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and highth of Impudence, and durst speak Treason against Heaven; then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. When others were Plaintiffs these were Defendants; when
others spake against God, these spake for God.
In Noah's dayes all Flesh had corrupt∣ed it self, (the old World was drowned in sin before it was drowned in water:) now at this time, Noah was perfect in his Generation, and Noah walked with God, Gen. 6.9. He was the Phoenix of his age. Athanasius stood up in the defence of the Truth, when the World was turned Arrian * 1.6. The more outra∣gious others are in Sin, the more cou∣ragious we should be for Truth. When the Atheists said, 'tis Vain to serve God, Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.
* 1.7Why should we be holiest in evil Times.
* 1.81. Because of the divine Injunction. God chargeth us to be singular, Mat. 5.47. to be circumspect, Eph. 5.15. to be separate from Idolaters, 2 Cor. 6.17. to shine as Lights in the World, Philip. 2.15. He forbids us to symbolize with Sinners, or doe as they doe: the way to Hell is a beaten road, the Lord calls to us to turn out of the road, Exod. 23.2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil * 1.9. This is reason enough to keep our selves pure in a time of common
Infection. As Gods Word is our Rule, so his Will is our Warrant.
2. To be holiest in evil times is an Indication of the truth of Grace. To profess Religion when the times favour it, is no Great matter. Who almost will not court the Queen of the Gospel when she is hung with Jewels? but to own the wayes of God when they are decried and maligned, to love a perse∣cuted truth, this evidenceth a vital Prin∣ciple of Goodness. Dead Fish swim down the stream, living Fish swim against it. To swim against the com∣mon stream of evil shews Grace to be alive. The Prophet Elias continuing zealous for the Lord of Hosts, when they had digged down Gods Altars, 1 King. 19.10. shewed his heart and lips had been touched with a Coal from the Altar.
1 Vse. See hence how unworthy they are of the Name of Christians who use sinful complyance, and cut the Gar∣ment of their Religion according to the Mode and fashion of the times. They consult not what is best, but what is safest * 1.10. Complying spirits can truckle to the humours of others; they can
bow either to the East or to the Host; they prefer a whole Skin before a pure Conscience. They can with the Planet Mercury vary their motion; they can as the Mariner shift their Sail with every wind: and as the Mungril Israe∣lites speak the Language of Canaan and Ashdod. These are like the Samaritans of whom Iosephus saith, when the Jews flourished they pretended to be a-kin to them, and come of the tribe of Ephra∣im and Manasseh, but when the Jews were persecuted, they disclaimed Kin∣dred with them. The old Serpent hath taught men crooked windings, and to be for that Religion not which hath truth on its side, but power.
2 Vse. Let us keep up the vigour of our zeal in times of degeneracy. We should by an holy Antiperistasis burn hotter in a frozen age. We live in the dregs of time; Sin is grown com∣mon and impudent: 'Tis excellent to walk Antipodes to the World. Rom. 12.2. Let us be as Lillies and Roses among the Briars. Sin is never the better because it is in fashion, nor will this plea hold at the last day, that we did as the most. God will say, Seeing
you sinned with the Multitude, you shall go to Hell with the Multitude. O let us keep pure among dregs; let us be like Fish that retain their freshness in salt waters; and as that Lamp which shined in the smoaking Furnace, Gen. 15.17.
Consider, 1. To be holy in times of General defection is that which God is Greatly pleased with. The Lord was much taken with the holy conferences and dialogues of these Saints in the Text. When others were inveighing against the Deity, that there should be a parcel of holy Souls speaking of Glo∣ry and the Life to come, their words were Musick in Gods ears.
2. To keep up a spirit of Holiness in an adulterous Generation, is a Chri∣stians honour. This was the glory of the Church of Pergamus, that she held fast Christs Name, even where Satans seat was, Rev. 2.13. The Impiety of the times is a Foyl to set off Grace the more, and make it cast a greater lustre. Then a Christian is most lovely, when he is (as Ambrose saith) like the Cy∣presse, which keeps its Viridity and freshness in the Winter season. Psalm 37.37. Mark the perfect man, and behold
the Vpright: An upright man is always worth beholding, but then he is most to be admired when like a bright Star he Shines in the dark, and having lost all, holds fast his integrity.
3. To be Good in a prosligate Age, doth much animate weak beginners; it Strengthens feeble knees, Isa. 35.3. And shores up those Temples of the Ho∣ly Ghost which are ready to fall. One mans Zeal is a Torch for others to light at. How did the Constancy of the Martyrs inflame the love of many to the Truth! Though only Christs blood doth Save, yet the blood of Martyrs may strengthen. St. Paul's Prison Chain, made Converts in Nero's Court, two of which were afterwards Martyrs as History relates. Mr. Bradford's holy advice and example so confirmed Bi∣shop Farrar that he would not touch with the Roman Pollution. * 1.11
4. How sad will it be for Christians to fall off from their former Profession, and espouse a novel Religion. Iulian Bathed himself in the blood of Beasts Offered in Sacrifice to the Heathen Gods, and so as much as in him lay wash'd off his former Baptism. In the
time of Iulius Cesar this Prodigy hap∣pened, after a plentiful Vintage there were wild Grapes appeared upon their Vines, which was looked upon as Omi∣nous. When men seemed to bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness, and af∣terwards bring forth the Wild Grapes of Impiety, it is a sad Omen and Prog∣nostick of their Ruine, 2 Pet. 2.21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness, than af∣ter they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment. Let all this make us maintain the power of Holiness in the worst Times: Though others won∣der we do not sin after the rate that they do, yet, remember, it is better to go to Heaven with a few, than to Hell in the Crowd.
How may we keep up the briskness and fervour of Grace in times of Apo∣stacy.* 1.12
1. Let us beware of having our hearts too much linked to the World.* 1.13 The World damps zeal, as Earth chokes the fire. We are bid to love our Enemies; but the World is such an Enemy as we must not love, 1 Iohn 2.15. Love not the World. The World bewitcheth with
her Blandishments, and kills with her silver Darts. He who is a Demas, will be a Iudas; a lover of the World, will for a piece of Money betray a good Cause, and make Shipwrack of a good Conscience.
2. Let us be Voluntiers in Religion; that is, Choose God's service, Psal. 119.30. I have chosen the way of truth. It is one thing to be good out of Design, and another thing to be good out of Choice. Hypocrites are good only out of world∣ly design, they embrace the Gospel for secular advantage, and these will in time fall away. The Chelidonian Stone keeps its Vertue no longer than it is in∣closed in Gold, take it out of the Gold, and it loseth its vertue. False Hearts are good no longer than they are in∣closed in golden Prosperity, take them out of the Gold, and they lose all their seeming Goodness: But if we would retain our Sanctity in Back∣sliding times we must serve God pure∣ly out of Choice. He who is good out of Choice loves holiness for its beauty, and adheres to the Gospel, when all the Jewels of preferment are pulled off.
3. Let us be inlaid with sincerity. If a piece of Timber begin to bend, it is because it is not sound. Why do any bend and comply against their Conscience, but because their hearts are not sound, Psal. 78.37. Their hearts were not right with him, neither were they sted∣fast. Sincerity causeth stability. When the Apostle exhorts to stand fast in the evil day, among the rest of the Chri∣stian armour, he bids them put on the Girdle of truth, Ephes. 6.19. Stand fast therefore, having your loins Girt about with truth. The Girdle of Truth is nothing else but sincerity.
4. Let us get love to Christ. Love is an holy transport, it fires the affecti∣ons, steels the Courage, carries a Chri∣stian above the love of life, and the fear of death, Cant. 8.7. Many wa∣ters cannot quench Love: Love made Christ suffer for us. If any one ask what Christ died off; it may be an∣swered, he died of Love. If we love Christ, we will own him in the worst times, and be like that Virgin Basil speaks of, who not accepting deliverance up∣on sinful terms, cried out, Let Life and Money go, welcome Christ.
5. If we would keep up the sprightly Vigour of Grace in evil times, let us harden our Hearts against the taunts and reproaches of the wicked. David was the Song of the Drunkards, Psal. 69.12. A Christian is never the worse for reproach. The Stars are not the less Glorious though they have ugly names given them, the Bear, the Dra∣gon, &c. Reproaches are but Assulae Cru∣cis, the Chips of the Cross. How will he endure the Stake, who cannot bear a Scoff? * 1.14 Reproaches for Christ, are Ensigns of Honour, Badges of Adop∣tion, 1 Pet. 4.14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 * 1.15 Let Christians bind these as a Crown about their Head. Better have men reproach you for being good, than have God Damn you for being wicked. Be not laughed out of your Religion: If a Lame man laugh at you for going up∣right, will you therefore halt?
6. If we would keep up the Vigour of devotion in a General Epilepsy, let us beg of God confirming Grace. Ha∣bitual Grace may flag; Peter had habi∣tual Grace, yet was foyled; he lost a single Battel, though not the Victory. We need exciting, assisting, corrobora∣ting
Grace; not onely Grace in us, but Grace with us, 1 Cor. 15.10. Auxilia∣ry Grace (which is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a fresh gale of the Spirit) will carry us un∣dauntedly through the Worlds bluster∣ing storms. Thus shall we be able to keep up our Heroick zeal in corrupt times, and be as Mount Zion which cannot be moved.
Dan. 10.21.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
Drusius.
Nihil erat integrum neque in sa∣cerdotibus, neque in vulgo, laxis quasi habe∣nis in omni genere scele∣rum grassa∣ti fuerunt. Calvin.
Doct.
Iste vir totius orbis impetum sustinuit.
Quest.
Answ.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Bias.
Non quâ eundum sed qua itur. Sen.
Fox Acts & Mon.
Quest.
Answ.
Quid iste faceret in igne, qui Christum rubuit in nube? Hi∣erom.
Chrysost.