Uses
Hereby we learne 1 That even the best men are not in this life free from possibility of sinning;* and therefore that Christianity is not a state of security but of watchfulnesse, wherein we ought to work out our salvation with feare and trembling.
2 That even the greatest and mightiest of men (for who greater then a king? or who can challenge any exemption or prerogative above him?) are yet subject to the law of God. For sin is a transgression of the law: now no man can transgresse the law but he that is subject to the law. The sinnes there∣fore of great men are sins: and seeing He that Page 38is higher then the highest observes them (Ec∣cles. 5.8.) they must (without repentance) render an account to Him of them, and that so much the heavier, by how much their sin∣full example hath been more dangerous to others, and their sins in themselves so much the more hainous, as they being obliged to God by more benefits have broken more bonds of duty.
This reproves,* 1 Libertines &c. who think they are come to that height of perfe∣ction, that they can not by any temptation be drawn into sin; yea that the acts which they commit, though sins in other men, (as drunkennesse, theft, whoredome &c.) yet in them are no sins, neither can defile them, see∣ing to the pure all things are pure. But against this opinion (so absurd, that it is a wonder the devil himself is not ashamed to perswade any man to it) there needs no more to be said for the present, but that David (another manner of man for holinesse and perfection then the best of them) had his iniquities, and so called and accounted of them.
2 Carnall Gospellers, who have little or no care of hearing the word, or performing other duties of religion, who know not what belongs to the girdle of sincerity, the helmet of hope, &c. yea who dare adventure upon Page 39any occasions of sin, and yet think they have so good command of themselves that they can keep within compasse well enough. What's the matter? I wonder. Is sin grown lesse dangerous, or men more skilfull to a∣void it now then heretofore? Sin was wont to be very watchfull and crafty to catch men, Gal. 6.1. Eph. 4.22. Heb. 3.13. 2 It was wont to be so strong that none but Christ, Who hath power to subdue all things unto Him∣self, was able to deliver any that once came within the reach of it. 3 It was wont to be so cruell, that look who were not pluck'd out of its jawes by Christ, it would use them most unmercifully. All the miseries of this life pro∣ceed from sin, and yet all doe not satisfy the cruelty of it, but at last it brings to death, Rom. 5.12. Nor is it yet satisfied: for it drawes the soul also to the place of torment, and at last the body also united to it, and so drowns the whole man in wofull perdition. Nor is it yet fully satisfied: for being com∣mitted against an infinite justice, it requires that the sinner should likewise undergoe an infinite punishment. But because the creature being finite can not undergoe a punishment infinite in measure, therefore it rests (though hardly) content with a punishment infinite in duration. Such was sin wont to be. And is Page 40it now grown to some better terms of mode∣ration? No surely, it is as ready to intrap men now as ever; which appears by the ab∣ounding of it every where, and daily ensna∣ring such as would think much not to be ac∣counted very wise men. And 2ly it holds those it once seises upon, as fast now as ever: for still that stands good, that there is no Name under heaven whereby men can be sa∣ved, but onely the Name of Jesus; it is onely He that can save His people from their sinnes. Lastly, the rigor in binding over to punishment is nothing abated; the same law being broken, and the same infinite justice of∣fended. Well then, sin being the same it was wont to be, why are not we so watchfull a∣gainst it as the servants of God have been in former times? who were so wary that in some things they would not doe all they might, but used to make railes on either side their way to heaven, lest unawares they should fall into sinne; as never thinking them∣selves far enough out of the reach of it, till they should get to heaven. But oh the pier∣cing wit, the undaunted courage, the firm faith of our age! All foregoing generations were but babes to us the world had never any men to shew till we came in play. We know so exactly how far we may goe in every thing, Page 41and can so accurately (to the very cleaving of a haire) distinguish between the use and abuse of things, that we scorn to lose any jote of our privileges. Yea many times we make a sport of it, to shew how nigh the pits brink we can goe, and yet not fall in. Nay we mock, and sometimes deadly hate such as dare not goe so far as we think they might. Those proverbs of not touching pitch, or not putting coals in∣to the bosome, &c. befitted those simple souls in time of yore, but are now out of date. Sim∣ple Job! why wouldst thou so restrain thy self as to make a covenant with thine eyes not to look upon a maid? (Job 31.1.) we have such as can dally with them, and dance with them, and court them whole nights together, & yet look to the main chance well enough: who much delight in lascivious songs, wanton plaies, and such like frothy execrable filth, & yet never any infection once comes neare them; nay they can pick as good lessons out of these as others doe out of sermons. David, what a silly weakling wast thou, to think thou couldst not keep Gods commandements, un∣lesse thou didst first proclaim, Away from me ye wicked? (Psal. 119.115.) And Solomon, thou the wisest of men, & hadst no more wit, but to forbid ill company, and that six times together with a breath? (Prov 4.14 15.) He Page 42is no body now adaies that is not for all com∣panies. We have them, that care not if the devil himselfe came into their company, if he would not hurt their bodies; and would not fear a straw what he could doe to their souls. No, their knowledge is so sound, their faith so strong, and their hearts so good to God, that they scorn any company should doe hurt on them. And Paul, why wouldst thou be so strict as to keep under thy body, &c. (1 Cor. 9.27.) as though a man may not pam∣per himself with all variety of delicates, and yet be far enough from reprobation? Not to bring any more instances, we have some tast of the marvellous wit of our happy age. But if it be well compared with the wisdome of those forenamed Saints of God, we shall find, that they out of a deep desire of Gods glory and their own salvation, and a suspici∣ous feare of the strength of sin and their own weaknesse, bent their whole endeavour to keep as far from sin as possibly they could; and our men out of a love of their lusts, and a tickling desire to give them some satisfa∣ction, labour to come as near to sin as possi∣bly they can without falling into it: Where∣as we may well imagine it is not for nothing that the onely wise God hath forbidden the occasions so expressely in Scripture. See for Page 43the occasions of drunkennesse, Prov. 23.20, 31. Of whoredome, Prov. 5.8. & 6.25, &c. & 7.6, &c.
On the other side here is comfort for an humble broken hearted Christian,* who is so possessed with the horrour of his sinnes, that he makes question whether they can be par∣doned or no. Consider well of this Doctrine, David haed his iniquities: And were not they as ill as thine? But say that for the mat∣ter, or outward act, and number, thine be worse then his; yet weigh the circumstances. He was more bound to God by outward blessings then thou art: and I suppose, thou that thinkest so meanly of thy self, wilt not say but he had more strength of grace to have resisted his sins, then ever thou hadst. But yet suppose that both for substance and cir∣cumstances, thy sins be every way worse then his; yet dost thou think that he tasted the ve∣ry utmost of Gods mercy? Is there no fur∣ther degree of it, then was shewed on him? Yes surely, Gods mercy reacheth unto the clouds, yea is infinite as Himself. But it must be remembred all this while to whom I speak, to the humble, broken-hearted sinner: for him alone is this comfort provided. If any of you had a dish of dainty meat provided for some speciall friend ill at ease, or weary Page 44with travell &c. and a licorous boy should begin to finger it before it came at the table, I suppose you would rap him over the knuc∣kles, and tell him, Hands off, it was not pro∣vided for him. Even so must I deale with any wicked profane man, that shall offer to catch at Davids example. Thou must know that this serves to refresh such as are weary and heavy laden with their sins, and not to pam∣per thine unruly lusts. Oh, but thou wilt say, I do not meane to lose my hold so: this is the best refuge that I have against censorious precise fellowes. When they check me for my faults, I can tell them, I am not the first, nor shall be the last: I have my faults, as who hath not? I hope David himself was not without. And thus I can beare out the matter in some good fashion. But take this plea from me, and then all is gone. Well then, if thou wilt needs stick so close to Da∣vids example, let us make some brief compa∣rison between him and thee, and see how far ye run parallel. David had his faults, so hast thou: he repented of them, so dost not thou: he upon his repentance obtained pardon and salvation, so shalt not thou in thine impeni∣tence. And what good now will Davids ex∣ample doe thee? But for such an one as I spake of before, let not the horrour of thy Page 45sins drive thee to despaire, but stir thee up to godly sorrow, working repentance unto sal∣vation not to be repented of.
Lastly,* seeing sin so prevailed against Da∣vid, it behoves us much more warily to arme our selves against the assaults of it. To this purpose we have need both of Diligence and Confidence. That without this soon languishes and vanishes into Desperation. This without that growes up into Presumption and fool∣hardinesse, and consequently into idlenesse and carelesnesse. Both therefore must be e∣qually nourished.
- 1 Diligence. For the whetting whereof, consider 1 How terrible an adversary the devil is, who tempts us to sin. 1 In respect of his power, Eph. 6.12. for which he is com∣pared to a lion, to a strong man armed, &c. 2 In respect of his subtilty both naturall and acquired. This is signified by divers words in Scripture, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Eph. 6.11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 2 Cor. 2.11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Revel. 2.24. For this he is called The old serpent, Revel. 12.9. a serpent for the subtilty of his nature, and an old ser∣pent for his so many yeares experience. 3 In respect of his vigilancy and indefatigablenesse Job 1.7. & 2.2. & 1 Pet. 5.8. To whom eminently agrees that which Hannibal said of Marcellus; Sive vincat sive vincatur, sem∣per Page 46instaurat pugnam: Whether he give or take the foile, he ever reinforces the fight. 4 In respect of his cruelty; for which he is compared to a red dragon, a roaring lion &c. 2 Consider how easily, if we take not the more diligent heed, we may fall into sin. 1 In respect of the weaknes of our understanding. 2 In respect of the perversnesse of our affecti∣ons. Our understanding is so weak, that 1 it may be ignorant of many things necessary to be known, 1 Cor. 13.12. 2 It may know something in generall, and yet faile in the particular application. 3 Both in generall and particular, it may know habitually, and yet not actually consider; as being hindred by multitude of businesse, bodily distemper &c. Our affections also are so addicted to be led by sense rather then by right reason, that there is many times great danger lest seeing and approving that which is better, yet we embrace and follow that which is worse, contrary to our knowledge and con∣science. 3 Consider how prone we are to negligence, to put off our arms, and to be lulled asleep with the pleasures of the flesh.
- 2 To diligence we must add Confidence. Which we must not put in our selves, or in any earthly helps, Jer. 17.5. but we must ex-spectare look out of our selves, and lift Page 47up our eyes to God and His promises, where∣by He hath given assurance of victory to them who manfully resist the devil, Jam. 4.7.
