Rev. III. 2.] engl^vnd's spiritual languishing. 435
to wreck, iniquity growcth impudent, and religion is borne down. Solomon saith, Prov. xx. 8, ' A king that sittetli upon the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes;' that is, when magistrates employ and draw out their power, they scatter evil as the sun scattereth mists.
[.5.] Another cause may be want of catechising, by which means truths would be more revived, and kept fresh and savoury in the thoughts, and so have the more awe upon us. Martyrology and catechising were two of the most successful engines against Popery. Truths work most when we discern that cognation and kin, by which they touch and respect one another ; indistinct knowledge doth but dispose to error or looseness. Sermon hints, a hint here, and a hint there, doth not so much good, for men of weaker conceits cannot so easily discern how one truth is inferred from another, and what analogy and pro- portion there is between them, and so are easily overcome by more subtle and stronger wits ; or else, not discerning that fair compliance that is between practical and comfortable truths, grow loose. Certainly religion would be more propagated if this exercise were revived. We are debtors to wise and unwise, Rom. i. 14 ; and Christ, that bade Peter feed Trpo/Sara, his sheep, bade him also feed dpvla, his lambs, John xxi. 1.5, 16. For want of this pattern of sound words, and these condescensions to weak ones by this exercise, many mischiefs have abounded amongst us, to the great damage of religion and godliness.
These are part of the causes ; others might be mentioned, but I shall forbear. You will say then. What remedy ? Tlierefore I shall proceed to the next thing, which is to show you : —
Thirdly, What we should do to 'strengthen the things that are ready to die,' or to repair decayed godliness. Give me leave to speak a word : —
First, To all in general, as we are Christians. Several things are necessary. Let me point at a few.
1. Oh ! that we would all join together, quasi manu faciei — it is Tertullian's word — in a holy conspiracy to besiege heaven by prayers, until more spirit and life be poured out, and in greater abundance. God hath said that he 'will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh,' Acts ii. 15. Oh ! beg it for England ; go to him that hath the seven Spirits, to look upon another dead Sardis. God must offer violence to us ere we can offer violence to the kingdom. It is the mighty quickening Spiiit, that must revive us in our lauguishings. That which carrieth the soul to God, must come from God. Waters can arise no higher than their spring. Eeligion is like the pure vestal flame, which, if it went out, was to be kindled only by a sunbeam. Oh ! then let us go and wait before God for those seven Spirits, those mighty and quickening operations. The Spirit came upon Christ in the appear- ance of a dove, to show his meekness ; but upon the apostles in cloven tongues of fire, to show the might and force that is in his operations.
2. Let us study how we may more honour and adorn religion by a godly and peaceable walking before God and men. Every Christian should be the gospel's ornament, as a hypociite is the gospel's dis- gTace : Titus ii. 10, ' Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.' Let the world know there is more in religion than pretence and policy.
436 England's spiritual languishing. [Rev. III. 2.
While hypocrites and such as seek themselves betray the honour of religion, do you advance it; let them see there are true stars as well glaring meteors. Your lives should make God glorious : 1 Peter ii. 9, hold forth the praises, to,'? dpeTa<?, of him that hath called you ; let them read God in you of a truth, and be not distinguished so much by a party and profession as by holiness. TertuUian saith of the ancient Christians, JS^on aliunde noscibiles quam de emendatione vitiorum — their distinction was their innocency. When divers libertines had dishonoured religion, and walked unworthily in their relations, Peter pressed the true Christians to good conscience and more honest walking, 1 Peter ii. 12, and iii. 16 ; indeed, both those chapters are to this purpose. This will be a real confutation, and then God will give you praise in the land of your shame, Zeph. iii. 19. Hair cut will grow again if the roots remain ; and though the razor of censure hath brought baldness and reproach ujjon the head of religion, yet its good name will grow and flourish again, and they will be ashamed that falsely accuse your godly conversation. 0 brethren ! at such times we should walk with more care. It is a smart question that, Neh. v. 9, ' Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our adversaries ? ' When your lives are thus sleek and innocent, this dirt will not stick.
3. Stir up yourselves, and provoke one another to more forward- ness in dead times. We should strive who should be first, and exceed in godliness. You know that noted place, Heb. x. 24, ' Let us con- sider one another, to provoke unto love and good works.' This is ayadij epc<;, an holy contention, when we contend who shall be most forward in the matters of God. We often provoke one another to carnal strife, to excess in vanity. Oh ! when do we sharpen and whet each other's graces ? The sons of the coal, how do they enkindle one another, and strengthen each other's hands in wickedness. See how the idolaters are described : Isa, xli. 6, 7, ' They helped every one his neighbour ; every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer, him that smiteth on the anvil,' &c. The prophet speaketh of the time when the gospel was sent to the isles, ver. 1 ; that is, to the European countries, which are usually expressed by isles in Isaiah, Now, as soon as they listened to this doctrine, down went the pictures and images, but there being some hope offered of their re-erection, they came and strengthened one another's hands : ' Be of good courage.' They hoped to bring up their craft and way again with pomp and triumph. Oh ! when they strengthen one another, will not you ? Nazianzen was wont to call the enemies of the church kolvou^ Sia\- XaKTo,^,^ the common reconcilers, because when they unite and support one another ag-ainst the church, it doth but invite the people of God to a more close union, and free communion with one another. This would be an excellent way to prevent the decays of love and piety.