Several sermons upon the fifth of St. Matthew .... [vol. 2] being part of Christ's Sermon on the mount / by Anthony Horneck ... ; to which is added, the life of the author, by Richard Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells.

SERMON XVI. ON THE Fifth of St. Matthew.

VOL. II.

St. Matth. Ch. v. Ver. 15.

Neither do Men light a Candle, and put it under a Bushel; but on a Candlestick, and it giveth Light to all that are in the House.

HAD I consulted Brevity, I might have handled the 13, 14, 15, and 16th, ver∣ses together, because they all speak of the same Subject, viz. The Exemplary Lives of Christians: But being willing to examine the Emphasis of every Expression, I have resolved to treat of these distinctly. As our Saviour hath compared his true Followers to the Salt of the Earth, with respect to their Reforming others; To the Sun, or Light of the World, with respect to their Enlightning and Enlivening others; To a City set on an Hill, with respect to their free and open Profession of their Prin∣ciples,

and acting accordingly; which was the Subject of our last Discourses: So here he goes on, and adds one Comparison more, viz. That of a lighted Candle; the use of which is to give Light to them that are in the House. Neither do Men light a Candle, &c.

Though the Subject seems to be in a manner exhausted, by the preceding Discourses; yet I shall so order the matter, that I may either more clearly explain what I have hinted before, or alledge something agreeable to the Similitude.

What Venerable Bede observes upon this Pas∣sage, That he puts his Candle under a Bushel, who obscures the noble Light of the Doctrine of the Gos∣pel, by his covetousness, and greediness after the Profits of the World: And, That he sets it on a Candlestick, who so submits to God, that the power of the Gospel, like Oyl, swims a top; and pleasing the flesh, is the least of his Concerns: And what the same Author adds concerning our Saviour, That he lighted a Candle when he irradiated and in∣flamed the dark Lanthorn of humane Nature with his Divinity; and placed this Candle, his Divine Power, in the Candlestick, his Church; and that the Candle, the Gospel, could not be put under a Bushel, i. e. confined to the Jewish Common-wealth, but was to give light to the whole World:

These, I say, are pious Allusions, rather than the direct and natural sense of the Words; or if they relate to the Sense, they are but a small part of it, or rather Inferences from the scope and drift of our Saviour's coming into the World, than an Explication of the Words, which enforce the Duty of being Exemplary in our Lives; a Duty strangely neglected, and which

cannot be urged too often. I shall therefore en∣quire, with Relation to the Text,

I. How we cover and hide the Light of our Piety and Goodness.

II. What Injury we offer (by doing so) to God and Man.

III. What the Advantages are of letting the Light of our Piety shine to those that are round about us.

I. How we cover and hide the Light of our Piety, and Goodness; and this is done,

1. When we content our selves with the Name of Christians, and do nothing that doth properly belong to Christians, as Christians. What it is that constitutes a Christian, Christ hath told us; and you have often heard it: It is Mat. 16.24. If any Man will come after me, let him deny him∣self, and take up his Cross, and follow me. How do we deny our selves, when we indulge our natural Desires and Affections; connive at that which we should restrain; give our selves leave to think, and speak, and do, what our Flesh suggests to us, without curbing those Inclina∣tions; or do not subject our Appetites, our Thoughts and Words, and Desires, and Acti∣ons, to the Government and Will of God? Is this denying our selves, when we let loose the Reins of our inordinate Lusts, to Pride, to Covetousness, to Wrath, to Uncleanness, to Slandering and Abusing our Neighbours? &c. Do we take up our Cross, when we take it ill, that God sends Afflictions upon us? Repine and murmur when we are corrected; are impatient under the Rod, and look upon the Scourge as

our greatest Enemy? Do we follow Christ when his Example moves us not, when his Meekness and Humility make no Impressions upon us, when his delight in doing Good, and his com∣passionate Temper charms us not into Imitati∣on? And if we do none of these things, and yet call our selves Christians, do we not hide the Light, which that Name imports, under a bushel? Do not we obscure it; do not we cover it; do not we keep it from shining forth? What! will the Name bear us out? will the Title make us Favourites? Do we believe that God is pleased with those that have the Name that they live, and are dead? What! A Christian, and Cheat, and Lye, and Dissemble, and commit a Thou∣sand Abominations? A Christian, and do things as contrary to the Nature of Christianity, as Light is to Darkness? Are not these perfect Absurdities? And yet Men will Glory in the Name alone.

2. We hide it when we suffer the Honours, Plea∣sures, and gay Things of this World to obscure it. Do not you see how Tares, how Thistles, and Bryars, and Thorns, cover and hide the Wheat, the good Corn that grows among them? that's the Emblem of our hiding the Light of Good∣ness and Piety. There is an admirable Seed sown in our Hearts by the great Husbandman, God blessed for evermore; Light is sown for the Righteous, and gladness for the upright in Heart, Psal. xcvii. 11. He sows it by the Word, and there fall into the Soul good Motions, excellent Inclinations, Christian Dispositions, Sparks of the Coal from the Altar; which are ready to break forth into a light Fire: But here come the

Riches, the Pleasures, the Cares of this Life, and beat these Inclinations back, will not suffer them to advance into Fruits, and Works; and if here and there a little Virtue, like an Ear of Corn, peeps forth, the force and power of it is hid, and darkened by the Locusts of Worldly Lusts. And is not this hiding the Light, when thou hast an Inclination to do Good, and a car∣nal worldly Reason presently discourages thee? When thou hast some Thoughts of paying thy Devotion to God, and Company, and some lit∣tle impertinent Business can divert thee from thy Purpose: When thou hast a good mind to Reprove thy Neighbour for his notorious Faults, and thoughts of thy worldly Interest, and fear of losing his Favour, stops the good Intent: When thou purposest to mind thy Salvation with greater seriousness, and the sweetness of gain, and profit; and the Opinion and Censures of Men cool or damp that desire: Is not this hiding the Light of our Piety and Goodness?

3. We hide it, when we suffer it to be put out, or darkened by Temptations. The Devil is watch∣ful, and the Evil Spirits that are about us, are very busy, and do what they can to hinder our good Thoughts and Desires, from breaking out into suitable actions. Many Men could find in their hearts to break off their Sins by Repen∣tance, and to forsake their Evil Courses: They have Twitches within, and Stings in their own Consciences; and this Day they will set about it, and the next Week, or the next convenient Opportunity they will do it. But here Temp∣tations come in; either, That it's time enough to do it hereafter; or, The present Circum∣stances

they are in, will not yet permit it; or, It's too early to torment themselves about their future State; and therefore they will consider a little more of it: If they were in another Condition of Life, it would do well enough; but there is some danger in going about it, with∣out great deliberation. When such Temptati∣ons as these put by the nobler Checks within: When the Voice of these drowns the Voice of that inward Witness: When Men find Piety working within, and ready to be delivered; and then suffer such Temptations to Strangle the Babe in the Birth; what is all this, but hiding the Light? Is not this Drawing a Curtain before it, that it may not be seen? Is not this shutting it up in a Dark-Lanthorn, when it should be set on a Candlestick?

4. We hide it, when in times of Danger we dare not own it. And now behold, saith the Apostle, Acts xx.22, 23, 24. I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; saving that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every City, saying, that Bonds and Afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my Life dear unto my self, so that I might finish my course with Joy. This is the Language of a Chri∣stian, the Voice of a Man who beholds him that is invisible. But when with Peter in the High-Priest's Hall, thou deniest thy Master; when with Demas, in time of Persecution, thou for∣sakest thy Pious Companions, and embracest this present World; when for fear of Disgrace, and being ill-spoken of, thou darest not Profess what thou knowest; when thou darest not stand in the Evil Day; when Piety is out of Fashion,

or is not the Custom of the Place thou art in, and therefore forbearest to practise it; when for fear of the Scribes and Pharisees, for fear of being put out of the Synagogue, thou neglectest the Command of God: Surely this is hiding the Light, not setting it upon a Candlestick, that it may give Light to all that are in the House.

Obj. But some Men will say here: Is not this the Case of the present Ministers of the Church of England? who formerly have been so Zealous for Passive Obedience and Non-resistance; and now the Times being changed, and there being some danger in professing that Principle, they have no Courage to meddle with that Pious Doctrine; and is not this hiding the Light?

Sol. 1. What some Men do and think, must not be look'd on as the result of the Church's Doctrine.

2. Personal Faults must not, cannot be char∣ged upon the Church.

3. What Laymen do, must not presently be laid to the Charge of Clergy-men.

4. Though Passive Obedience and Non-resistance are the Doctrines of our Church, yet they must not be understood without any Limitation at all.

5. Our present Case being very difficult, and having some Circumstances in it which are not usual, and perhaps never happened before, we must not wonder to see Men differing in their Opinions concerning it: And therefore

6. If charitable Constructions of the Actions of our Neighbours are necessary, they must be

so more than ordinary, in a Case where both Parties have much to plead for themselves; and therefore though the Case be not altogether the same, yet let the Apostle's Rule be our Di∣rection, Rom. xiv.3. Let not him that eateth, de∣spise him that eateth not; and let not him that eat∣eth not, despise him that eateth.

7. It may not be fear of Danger that makes us forbear speaking of this Doctrine. There may be several Reasons why Men of Learning forbear it: As

• (1) Because there is not that occasion now to practise it, that once there was.
• (2) Those that think themselves obliged to be subject to the Powers God hath placed over them, may in Prudence wave it, because they would give no just Offence.
• (3) Other Lessons may be thought more neces∣sary. In a word, in all difficult Cases, let us judge charitably; and not presently call it Covetousness, or Interest, or Apostacy, when the Action will bear a more favourable Inter∣pretation.

8. Before ye judge any particular Persons, consult those very Persons at whose Proceedings you are offended; upon what ground they do it; and do not condemn them before you know their Reasons.

9. Let not every supposed Fault in others, discourage you from Religion. It's a sign it hangs very loose about you, if a mistaken Acti∣on of others can make you quit it. I shall con∣clude this particular with Rom. xiv.17, 19. For the Kingdom of God is not Meat, and Drink, but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy

Ghost. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another. But let us enquire

II. What Injury we offer (by hiding our Light) to God and Man?

1. This is a tacit accusing of God, as if he had given us no Light at all. He that doth not make use of the Gift God hath given him, appears to others as if he had received none; and his neg∣lect to improve it, is so far a denial of it. And what Ingratitude is this? What a false Accusa∣tion of God? Hath not God wash'd thee with the Water of Baptism? Hath not he bestowed his Holy Spirit on thee? Hath not he vouchsafed thee the Light of his Gospel? Hath not he given thee large and plentiful means of Grace? Hath not he set Examples before thee in Scripture, and in the World? Hath not he surrounded thee with Motives, and Incentives, and Incouragements? And all that thy Light, thy Goodness, thy Seri∣ousness, and Love to God might shine forth, and give Light to those that are in the House? And then hath God given thee nothing? Hath not he water'd thy Ground, and caused Manna to rain upon thy Field? And after all, canst thou complain that he hath not visited thy Earth with his Showers? He hath! He hath! But whilst thou livest and actest as if he had given thee no∣thing, dost not thou accuse him that he hath neglected thy Soul, and given thee no Kid to make merry with thy Friends? And if thou charg∣est God with Unkindness, when he hath been miraculously kind, dost not thou offer Injuries and Indignities to him?

2. Thou dost not believe his Promises, but charg∣est them with Falshood; and therefore art inju∣rious to him. For can we say we believe his Promises, when we will not let the Light of our Piety shine before Men? Dost thou believe that Godliness is great gain, having the Promises of this Life, and that which is to come, and yet art afraid to lay thine Hand to the Plow? In Temporal Concerns, if thou believest such a Man will make thy Fortune, and enrich thee with a considerable Estate, dost not thou endeavour to please him? And what! Dost thou believe that God will reward thy Godliness with Crowns, and Scep∣ters, and Diadems, and Power, and Majesty, and Dominion, and Triumphs over Hell and Devils; and with a Sea of Glory, and Bliss, and Felicity; and can nothing of all this stir thee up to let the Light of it break forth, and shine, and dazzle considerate Spectators? If thou believest not his Promises, why dost thou profess the be∣lief of them? If they cannot move thee to Piety, to Goodness, to a strict Conversation before Men, how canst thou be said to believe them?

Ay, but I see not the Blessings promised.

Dost not thou believe there is a God though thou seest him not? And canst not thou believe the Blessings he hath promised, though thou see∣est them not? The Reasons for the one are as convincing as the other. In a word, Believing God's Promises is to venture upon that Piety to which the greatest Blessings are promised. And therefore, not letting thy Light shine before Men, it's a sign thou dost not believe his Promises; and not to believe his Promises, is either to sup∣pose that he hath made no such Promises; or to

think if he hath made any, they are not true. And what an injury this is to God, judge you, to whom God hath given Reason, and Wisdom, and Understanding, to know that Heaven and Earth shall sooner perish, than one jot or one tittle of his Word shall fail?

3. It is an injury to Men too. For by not let∣ting the Light of your Piety shine forth, you hinder others from the Ways of God. Men are led by Example, if you have an aversion from the Ways of Righteousness, will not this tempt others to have an aversion too? If you offer the Blind and the Lame, will not others imitate you? If to serve God be a weariness to you, will it not be so to others? It is true, God may restrain them from following your example; but if he doth not, is not this the natural consequence of it? It was very well said of St. Chrysostom, There would not be a Heathen left in the World, if we all of us labour'd to be Christians indeed; and strictly obey'd the Counsels, and Admonitions of the Gospel; if being affronted, we did suffer it; if we did not render evil for evil; if being cursed and abused we did bless; if we render'd good for evil. There is hardly any Man would be such a Brute, as not to apply himself to the Fear of God, (whose Precepts cause such an admirable Temper) if all of us shew'd the same Zeal for the Gospel.

But when we, like Gallio, care for none of these things, we make others as careless as our selves; We especially, whom the meaner sort look upon as better Bred, and more Knowing; and having had the advantage of Education. For this is the common Language:

Such a Man is a Scholar, he can Read and Write, and hath the Bible at

his Fingers Ends: If that Man believed these things were necessary, he would certainly pra∣ctise them: But making no Conscience of them, why should I, who am not learned, and know not so much as he doth?

So that this must needs be a manifest injury to Men; for we make others regardless of Piety, while we our selves do not place that Light on the Candlestick of our Lives and Conversations, that it may give Light to all that are in the House. But

4. This is not all; for hereby we do not only hinder them from the Ways of Piety, but we en∣courage them in Evil; we harden others in their Sins; help them to be miserable; see them perish∣ing, and promote their Ruin. Though we may not be so bad as others, yet in not being so good as we might be, and ought to be, we confirm them in their Opinion, that what they do is harmless. And thus we turn Fiends and Devils, teach others to Sin, and prompt them to be Children of Perdition. Our evil Actions are unhappy Schoolmasters, to instruct others in the Art of Sinning. We destroy Souls; and instead of be∣ing helpers of their Faith, we are helpers to hasten their Damnation. And if this be not a signal Injury done to Men, I know not what we can call Injury. But it's time I should

III. In the last place shew you, What the Ad∣vantages are of letting this Light of our Piety shine forth before Men.

And though this be properly the subject of the next Verse, yet something of it I will men∣tion by way of preparation for the Discourse I intend upon that Exhortation of our Saviour.

1. Are not we fond of Peace of Conscience? Do not we talk of it? Do not we commend it? Do not we say all the kind things of it? Do not we prize it in those that have it? Do not we hear Men upon their Death-beds wish for it? If it be so precious a thing, why, this is the way that leads to it; even this letting the Light of our Piety shine forth. How often have you heard that Say∣ing of the Apostle, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoycing is this, the Testimony of our Conscience, that in Sim∣plicity, and Godly Sincerity, not with fleshly Wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Conversa∣tion in the World. Ay, this is the Spring, the Fountain, the Root, the Vein, from which Peace of Conscience flows. It can no more arise from a sinful, carnal, sensual Life, than Olive-berries can grow upon a Thorn-bush. The Light of Piety, causes Light in the Conscience; this makes it easy, and lightsome under all Burdens, and gives a chearful merry Heart under the sharpest Dispensations of Providence. All the Joys of Sinners and Hypocrites are not to be compared with it; for they die when the Body dies; and fill the Soul with Horrour. But Peace of Consci∣ence survives the mortal Part, and leaps, and skips, and mounts with the Soul, into the bound∣less Ocean of Eternity.

2. Would you see and tast how sweet and gracious God is? Why this setting the Light of your Piety on a Candlestick, that it may enlighten all that are round about you, is the way to it. God can never ap∣pear truly Sweet to that Soul that hath an Aversi∣on from his Service. It is impossible that he should look amiable and charming to that Eye, that de∣lights in beholding Vanity. It is the Holiness

of God that makes him sweet and amiable to the Soul: And how can that Soul delight in his Beauty, that sees no Beauty in Holiness?

We wonder not that many Men stare, and wonder, and think we tell them Stories, and Romances, when we speak of the admirable Sweetness of God, which a Soul enlightened from above, is sensible of; as well may a Horse understand the Study of the Mathematicks, as He apprehend how sweet and amiable God is, that rushes into Sin as the Horse rushes into the Battel. But notwithstanding all this, there is such a thing; and the Soul, whose pious Life shines be∣fore Men, feels, and sees, and tastes how sweet, and charming, and lovely, God, the best of Be∣ings, is. Sweet beyond Roses, sweet beyond Perfumes, sweet beyond Comparison, sweet to Admiration, sweet to Extasy.

And now I should add, after all, that this letting the Light of your Piety shine forth, is the way to engage others, (what in you lies) to Praise God. But that must be the subject of my next Meditation. However, because it is very pertinent to my purpose, I will add that which must be the beginning of my next Discourse, Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good works, and Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. I shall conclude with a word or two to those that intend this Day to partake of the Blessed Sacrament.

3. Think what a Feast, what Consolation the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be to you, if you let your Light break forth and shine. How chearfully may you come to this Holy Table; where you may expect that the Lord Jesus the

Son of God, will meet you, and communicate himself to you; and make the Union between him and you closer, the Friendship greater, the Correspondence more endearing, the Agree∣ment sweeter, the Reconciliation surer, and the Application of his Promises firmer, and more comfortable! You bear his Name before Men, and he will write his Name, and the Name of God on your Foreheads, and enter your Names in the Book of Life.

Christians! Let the Light of your Piety shine forth, &c. and behold the Sacrament is the Trea∣sury-chamber, where you are to receive your Reward. What Reward? Even a Reward which the unhappy Spirits in Hell would give ten thou∣sand Worlds for, if they had them; even for∣giveness of your Sins, and being wash'd in the Blood of the everlasting Covenant: Heaven, Eternal Life is consign'd into your hands; and Christ enters at it, even into Bonds and Obligations that you shall inherit it, when your Race is run. And thus the Sacrament proves to you the Suburbs of Heaven; the Anti-chamber to the Mansions of Glory; and in this outward Court (if I may so call it) you receive Assurances, that e're long you shall be admitted into the very Palace of him who dwells in Light inaccessible; and surely this must be a great encouragement to let your Light shine forth before Men.