The second use is to show us how things should be carried in the true and reformed Christianity.
1. With such meekness, modesty, and mortification, that our reli- gion may be known to be established by a crucified Lord, whose doctrine and example do visibly and eminently hold forth the contempt of the world. The pride and ambition of the pastors of the church hath been the cause of all the evil in it ; therefore nothing so unsuitable to the gospel as a domineering spirit. We, that are to preacli heavenly- mindedness and self-denial, should not affect the greatness of the world, lest our lives contradict our doctrine,
2. How eminent and exemplary we should be in our obedience to magistrates, for this is to be opposite to the antichristian estate, God is very tender of the honour of civil powers and authorities, and will have every soul to be subject to them : Eom, xiii. 1, ' Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God ; the powers that be are ordained of God ;' and again, 1 Peter ii, 13, ' Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or to governors, as them that are sent by him,' Great respect and submission is due to them for God's sake, and that we may commend religion to the profane world, and live down the reproaches of the gospel. They were branded as wicked men that were not afraid to speak evil of dignities, that despise governments in their own hearts, or weaken the esteem of it in the hearts of others by their speeches : 2 Peter ii. 10, ' But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanliness, and despise government ; presump- tuous are they, self-willed ; they are not afraid to speak evil of dig- nities.'
3. What a wickedness it is to usurp divine honours ! We do so when we take that praise and admiration to ourselves which is only due to God : Acts iii. 12, ' And when Peter saw it, he answered unto
46 THE FIFTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 5-7.
the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this ? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as tliough by our power or holiness we had made this man to walk ? The God of Abiaham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fatliers, hath f^lorilied his Son Jesus, &c. ; and his name, throu<;h taith in his name, hath made this man strong, whom we see and know; yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this per- fect soundness in the presence of you all.'
SERMON V.
Remcmher ye not, that, while I loas ivith you, I told you these things f and now you hnoio ivhat loiihholdeth that he might he 7'evealed in his time ; for the mystery of iniquity doth already lum'h ; only he tcho now letteth loill let till he he taken out of the way. — 2 TiiEs. II. 5-7.
In tliese words is : —
First, A digression, calling them to remembrance of what he de- livered by word of mouth,
Secondly, A progress in the further description of Antichrist. He had hitherto been described by —
1. His names and titles ;
2. His nature and properties ; now —
3. By the time of his appearing, where take notice of three things : —
I. That Antichrist was not then revealed, because there was an im])ediment hindering his revelation.
II. That though he was not then revealed, yet that mystery of ini- quity did begin to work, but secretly.
III. That when that impediment shall be removed, then Antichi'ist shall be revealed.
First, I begin with his putting them in mind of what he had told them before by word of mouth : ' Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things ? ' This showeth the certainty and useful- ness of this doctrine ; for though the event were not to be accom- plished in their days, yet he taught tliem before when present, and now repeateth it again when absent ; he preached it in private, and now writeth it for public good, and laboureth to confirm the truth of it, and fasten it uj)on their memories.
Observe, then, tliat the doctrine of Antichrist is a profitable doc- trine, and a point very necessary to be preached and known.
1. It is a point very necessary to admonish and warn the faithful, that they be not circumvented with these delusions, and be found in the opposite state to Christ Jesus, and the interests of his kingdom. God hath blown his trumpet: Rev. xviii. 4, 'Come out of her, my people, tliat ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues ;' God calleth his people out of spiritual Babylon ; it i.s dangerous and unsafe being there. If we would escape Babylon's
2 ThES. IL 5-7.1 THE FIFTH SERMON. 47
punishments we must escape her sins, not live in that communion and society where there are such temptations to idolatry and other detes- table enormities. It is disputable whether the errors of Popery he damnable, or there be any possibility of salvation in that religion. Some deny all possibility ; others, abating from the rigour of that opi- nion, assert a very great difficulty : 1 Cor. iii. 13, ' Saved as by fire;' if so much Christianity left as to save them, it is with much ado. But the question is not about our benefit, but our duty; not whether possibly we may be saved ? but what is the way the Lord will have us to walk in ? And if there were possibility or probability of salvation in the way, in the general, yet there is very little or none for them that live in a known sin, and especially in a sin of such a dangerous nature as abetting an opposite faction to Christ, such as is that of Antichrist.