2 ThES. II. 11, 12.] THE NINTH SERMON. 93
yet who more obstinate against him that was born there? They expected a temporal Messiah, and therefore could not see what they saw. What was apparent to children was a riddle to the rabbis. So they expect some open enemy of the church to attack it by power and force, little dreaming of a bishop, &c. (3.) Pride. Many of the Jewish church believed in Christ, but they did not profess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue : John xii. 42, 43, ' They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.' They loved not an hated opinion. Many may fear the Pope to be Antichrist, but pride and interest will not let them submit to a change. (4.) The judgment of God is the great cause that men do not, or will not, know Antichrist ; God hath not given them eyes to see, as Christ was not received in Jerusalem ; the things of their peace were hid from their eyes: Luke xix. 41, 42, ' He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes.'
2. It showeth us that the prevalency of this wicked one should be no blemish to providence ; for the permission of him is one of God's dreadful providential dispensations. That it should have such success, it raiseth atheistical thoughts in weak spirits ; yea, it is an offence to the godly, as it is a prejudice to the truth. But God hereby will show us: — (1.) That there are deceits and errors as well as truth in the world; much of choice, not chance ; and lest we should think this an anti- quated dispensation, to try the professors of the gospel who lived in the midst of pagans ; it cometh nearer to us. But he that coudemneth all reli ,ion on this account, judgeth one man for another's crime, which is unjust — doth as foolishly as he that thinketh there is no true money because there are some counterfeit pieces. (2.) That God, in concomitancy with the gospel, will discover his dreadful justice as well as his wonderful mercy by it, that we may tremble whilst we admire grace. (3.) That it is a great evil to be deceivers or active promoters of delusions, and it will not wholly excuse us that we are deceived. Mat. xv. 14. (4.) What need all serious Christians have to pray to God not to be led into temptation. Alas ! what would become of us if left to ourselves in an hour of temptation ? (5.) Let us fear to slight the grace offered. Among other threatenings, God threateneth to smite his people with blindness : Deut. xxviii. 28, ' The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart.' (6.) What a ready way to destruction it is to measure religion by worldly interests. This bred Antichrist, kept him up in the world, and blind eth his seduced proselytes to this day.
Use 2. Is caution to take heed of spiritual blindness and infatuation, that this judgment fall not upon us ; that God leave us not to our own lusts, hearts, and counsels, without check and restraint. It may in part befall God's people. What shall we do to avoid it ? (1.) Take heed of sinning against light, either by sins of omission or commission : James iv. 17, ' To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.' They will find it to be sin in the sad effects. (2.) Take heed of hypocrisy in the profession of the truth. God oweth the liypocrite an ill turn, and seemeth to be engaged to discover him
94 THE TENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 12.
before tlic congregation : Prov. xxvi. 2G, ' Whose hatred is covered by deceit, liis wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation ;' and usually it is by giving him up to some licentious practice or strong delusion, by which he breaketh the neck of his profession. (3.) Take heed of pride and carnal self-sufficiency. God may leave his people to dangerous falls when they make their bosom their oracle, and think to carry all by the strength of their own understanding : 2 Chron. xxxii. 31, 'God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.' It is good to consult with God continually. (4.) Take heed of following the rabble : John iv. 20, ' Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship,' &c. But learn to see by your own eyes, that vou may have sure evidence you are in God's way, Prov. XXIV. 13, 14.
SERMON X.
Tliat they all might he damned who believed not the fnith, hut had ]jleasure in unrighteousness. — 2 Thes. II. 12.
Their punishment in the other world. Where — (1.) The terribleness of it ; (2.) The righteousness and justice of it.
1. The terribleness : that they all miyht he damned ; that is, filling up the measure of their obduration, they may at length fall into just condemnation.