Use 1. Information.
1. That true zeal is not seen so much in fighting with antiquated errors, as in being ' established in the present truth,' 2 Peter i. 12, iv Tfi irapovar) aXr)6e[a. The present truth of that age was to acknow- ledge Christ to be the Messiah. When truths are upon the stage, then to give our testimony to them, this is to be God's witnesses. To declaim against the errors of former ages is but a safe and wary zeal. The Jews that opposed Christ yet pleaded for the prophets slain by their fathers. Corah, Dathan, and Abiram were as hateful to them as Judas to us ; but they had no eyes to see for the present. Christ taxeth the hypocrisy of them that maligned the living prophets, and garnished the tombs of the dead, Mat. xxiii. 29. It is no thank to own Christ in the day of his exaltation, as when he is opposed and slighted. Old truths are only opposed by natural prejudices, but present truths by carnal interests.
2. That it is a great folly in them that will profess nothing till the world be agreed. Laziness is apt to pretend want of certainty. This is the old prejudice. Chrysostom bringeth in a heathen disputing — I would fain become a Christian, but there are so many divisions among you, that I know not what to choose. Men are loath to put thenaselves to the trouble of prayer and search, and would have all fitted to their hands, and therefore, till all be agreed, keep themselves in a wary reservation. Should a traveller stand still because he meeteth with many ways ? Jer. vi. 16, ' Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls,' Or should a man that is sick refuse physic till all physicians be of one mind ? It is your
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duty to search, and it is praiseworthy to own Christ in times of contest.
3. It informeth us that a multitude is no excuse, because all went that way. We should own Christ though the world know him not, though it hate him, though it persecute him. We should have an eagle eye. The old world was not spared for the multitude ; there were but eight persons of another judgment. We often presume that many eyes see more than one, and so spare the labour of examination ; but one man that hath the use of his eyes seeth more than a thousand blind men ; and often-times it falleth out that a few find the true way : Mat. vii. 14, ' Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.' Therefore it is brutish to follow the track. We should examine, because mostly the world is out, and the multitude foUoweth that which is evil ; nay, it is rather a ground of suspicion ; the most are not the best.
Use 2. It presseth us to be more earnest to get a clear and satis- factory knowledge in the controversies of the age, in the truths that are now upon the stage. To that end —
1. Desire the direction of Christ, and consult with him. As the woman of Samaria, John iv. 20, ' Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.' Whether Zion or Gerizim ? Present it often to Christ. Prayer is the best way to get satisfaction, and our doubts are best solved by consulting with the oracle. You can have no certain light from men without his illumination.
2. Search and prove all things : 1 Thes. v. 21, * Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.' We should stand in the ways and see : Jer. vi. 16, ' Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.' We should be able to render \6yov, 1 Peter iii. 15, ' A reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.' And we have iStov arqpiyixa, ' a steadfastness of our own,' 2 Peter iii. 17. We must not only regard the consent of others, but our judgments must be balanced with sound and weighty grounds, otherwise we shall be carried about with every wind of doctrine, when the posture of interest is changed, or a new opinion is started. Non ex2jloratis tradiiionum rationihus 2wohahilem fidem portcmt Such men have no principles.
But must we not hold fast what we have received ? must we always be searching, and keeping ourselves in a wary reservation, and be never settled ? I answer —
[1.] For principles and fundamental doctrines, we are not to doubt of them : Deut. xii. 30, ' Thou shalt not inquire after their gods, say- ing, How did these nations serve their gods ? even so will I do like- wise.' It is dangerous to loosen foundation-stones, though with an intent to settle them better. Here we should be at a certainty.
[2.] For lesser truths, when they are already cleared, and God hath taught them, it is good to hold fast what we have already received, and not to loosen the assent, or keep the soul suspensive, out of a jealousy or supposal that something may be said against what we now hold. 'Ever learning, and never coming ek eTrlyvwaiv, to the know- ledge of the trutli,' But in case of actual doubt, it is good to search.