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to the devil; and giving him full liberty over them. Therefore we must not be offended, when we see those who have tasted the gospel, revolt from the obedience of God; but let it rather be a confirmation of our faith: for God showeth us plainly that his word is of such importance, that he cannot in any wise have men abuse it, nor take it in vain; neither disguise or profane it.

We must learn to take heed, and walk fearfully and carefully. Let us view these things as a lookingglass set before our eyes, that we may see those who seemed to be passing for good christians, fallen; having in themselves nothing but wickedness, using detestable speeches, having nothing but filthiness in all their lives. Seeing God hath placed these things before us, let us take warning thereby, and awake and walk in the simplicity of the gospel, that we may not become a prey to satan.

It is true, these men had a fantastical resurrection as some do at the present day; who would make us believe, that to become christians, was to rise again: but the scripture calleth us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we be always ready and prepared, that he may be made manifest; and until that time our life is hidden, and we are, as it were, in the shadow of death. When the scripture calleth us to our Lord Jesus, these fanaticks say, we must look for no other resurrection, except that which takes place when we are enlightened in the gospel.

We will here observe, that our old man must be crucified, if we will be partakers of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and rise again with him. St. Paul hath shown us, that if we will be of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be partakers of his cross; we must walk in death before we can come to life. How long will this death continue? As long as we are in this world. Therefore St. Peter saith, baptism is, as it were, a figure of the

ark of Noah. 1 Pet. iii. 21. For we must be enclosed, as it were, in a grave; being dead to the world, if we will be quickened by the mark of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They that would have a resurrection at midway, do they not pervert the nature of baptism, and consequently all the order that God hath set among us? Let us learn, that until God shall take us out of this world, we must be as pilgrims in a strange country: and that our salvation shall not be shown us, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: for he has become the first fruits of them that slept. 1 Cor. xv. And likewise, "He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Col. i. 18. It is true that Jesus Christ has risen again; but he must needs appear to us, and his life and glory must be shown us, before we can come to him.

St. John saith, that we are sure we are God's children that we shall see him even as he is, when we shall be made like him. It is true, God is revealed to us when he transformeth us into his image; but that which we conceive by faith, is not yet seen, we must hope for it at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding the great absurdity of the errour, St. Paul informs us that the two individuals here spoken of, have overthrown the faith of some. This is a thing that ought to make us tremble; to think that a doctrine which ought to be laid aside at the first sight, should overthrow the faith of some.

We see how the children of God are afflicted in this world; yea, it is often pitiable to behold their situation; while the unbelievers who contemn God, are at their ease, and live in pleasure they make their triumph whereas the saints are made as the off-scouring of the world. 1 Cor. iv. 13. How is it possible for men to conceive this heresy; to say the

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resurrection is already past? And yet we see that this was welcome to some; yea, in the primitive church; in the time of the apostles. When they, whom Jesus Christ had chosen to preach his truth throughout the world, still lived, some fell from the faith.

When we see such an example, have we not occasion to be astonished, and walk in fear! Not that we should doubt but what God wil help and guide us, but it behooveth us to arm ourselves with prayer, and rely upon the promises of our God. Well may we be amazed, when we think upon the heinousness of this errour; that God hath suffered some to be turned away from the faith already. If the apostles, who exercised all the power that was given them from above, to maintain the truth of God, could not prevent men from being misled, what must we expect now-a-days! Let us be diligent in prayer, and flee to God that he may preserve us by his holy spirit. May we not be puffed up with presumption, but consider our nothingness; for we should quickly be overthrown, if we were not upheld by the supreme Being.

These lessons are not given us without a cause. Although Hymeneus and Philetus are not alive at this day, yet in their persons the Holy Ghost meant to degrade the wicked, who go about to pervert our faith; that we may not be grieved at whatsoever comes to pass; that we may not depart from the good way, but be guarded against all offences. We must not be so puffed up with pride, as to go astray after our own foolish imaginations; but we must take heed, and keep ourselves in obedience to the word of God: then we shall be daily more and more confirmed, until our good God taketh us to his everlasting rest, whereunto we are called.

SERMON V.

TITUS, Chap. i. verses 15 and 16.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure; but unto them that are de filed and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profes that they know God; but in works they deny him being abinable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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ST. PAUL hath shown us that we must be ruled by the word of God; and hold the commandments of men as vain and foolish; for holiness and perfection of life belongeth not to them. He condemneth some of their commandments; as when they forbid certain meats, and will not suffer us to use that liberty which God giveth the faithful. Those who troubled the church in St. Paul's time, by setting forth such traditions, used the commandments of the law as a shield. These were but men's inventions: because the temple was to be abolished at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those in the church of Christ, who hold this superstition, to have certain meats for-bidden, have not the authority of God, for it was against his mind and purpose that the christian should be subject to such ceremonies.

To be short, St. Paul informs us in this place, that in these days we have liberty to eat of all kinds of meat without exception. As for the health of the body, that is not here spoken of; but the matter here set forth is, that men shall not set themselves up as masters, to make laws for us contrary to the word of God. Seeing it is so, that God putteth no differ- . ence between meats, let us so use them; and never inquire what men like, or what they think good. Notwithstanding, we must use the benefits that God hath granted us, soberly and moderately. We must remember that God hath made meats for us, not

that we should fill ourselves like swine, but that we should use them for the sustenance of life: therefore, let us content ourselves with this measure, which God hath shown us by his word.

If we have not such a store of nourishment as we would wish, let us bear our poverty patiently, and practise the doctrine of St. Paul; and know as well how to bear poverty, as riches. If our Lord give us more than we could have wished for, yet must we bridle our appetites. On the other side, if it please him to cut off our morsel, and feed us but poorly, we must be content with it; and pray him to give us patience when we have not what our appetites crave. To be short, we must have recourse to what is said in Romans xiii. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." Let us content ourselves to have what we need, and that which God knoweth to be proper for us; thus shall all things be clean to us, if we be thus cleansed.

Yet it is true, that although we were ever so unclean, the meats which God hath made are good; but the matter we have to consider, is the use of them. When St. Paul saith, all things are clean, he meaneth not that they are so of themselves, but as relateth to those that receive them; as we have noticed before; where he saith to Timothy, all things are sanctified to us by faith and giving of thanks. God hath filled the world with such abundance, that we may marvel to see what a fatherly care he hath over us : for to what end or purpose are all the riches here on earth, only to show how liberal he is toward man!

If we know not that he is our Father, and acteth the part of a nurse toward us; if we receive not at his hand that which he giveth us, insomuch that when we eat, we are convinced that it is God that nourisheth us, he cannot be glorified as he deserveth: neither can we eat one morsel of bread without com

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