VeU. 10.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 295
speaketh f lovrardness ; ' that is, they know what is acceptable to Grod ; they are instructed out of his word how to order their speech for profit, that it may be good, and minister grace to the hearers ; others easily bewray the corruption of their hearts by their tongues. So for all our actions towards God and men. For worship, God accepteth that which he hath required ; other things are vain oblations : Isa. i. 12, 13, ' When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts ? Bring no more vain oblations ; incense is an abomination unto me ; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies I cannot away witli ; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.' And for our conversation with men, how to show forth righteousness, goodness and truth, we may know what is the will of God in his word ; this rule will teach us : Gal. vi. 16, ' As many as walk according to this rule,' <fec. Onr rule is not left indifferent for us to choose, nor arbitrary for us to impose, but it is fixed in the word of God revealed in the scripture.
Thirdly, If we would know God's mind revealed in his word, we must use search and trial. Jo/ct/xa^oi/re?, ' proving,' noteth great diligence and care that we may know the mind of God ; for it greatly importeth us, and we are often pressed to it : 1 Thes. v. 21 , ' Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.' If we see but a piece of money that hath the king's image stamped upon it, we bring it to the touch- stone to see if it be right : do so with doctrines and practices, bring them to the law and to the testimony, see how they agree with God's word : 1 John iv. 1, ' Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God ; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.' Every man that teacheth, some S})irit or other cometh upon him ; therefore try what kind of spirit it is, whether it be a formal worldly spirit, as some fashion their religion according to the world, or a heavenly spirit, which is of God ; whether it be a spirit of bitterness against the saints, or a spirit of love, meekness, and gospel sincerity. This is the course we must take if we would know the mind of God in doubtful matters. We must seriously weigh all things in the balance of the sanctuary, read, hear, confer, pray, meditate, use all holy means to know God's will.
I will — (1.) Prove this is a christian's duty ; (2.) State it.
1. That it is every christian's duty, in reference to his own warrant and settlement of conscience, to use a judgment of discretion, and not to depend upon the judgment of others; yea, not to satisfy himself barely with the public judgment of the church, but to try things, that he may know that he is in God's way, and wherein he shall be approved and accepted of him.
[1.] Certainly every one that feareth God should be acquainted with his word, and have his senses exercised therein, that by long conversa- tion in holy things he may come to have a discerning faculty. The apostle speaketh of some, Heb. v. 14, ' Tliat have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil ; ' which are gotten by long use. There- fore much study, meditation, and attention is necessary to find out the true sense and meaning of God's word, that we may discern between good and evil. And still this habit is more to be increased in us. We are told in the book of Job, chap, xxxiv. 3, ' Tlie ear trieth words,
296 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XII.
as the mouth tasteth meat.' But it had need be a judicious ear that shall as readily distinguish doctrines as the mouth doth meats, as they are hurtful and noxious to us. Now christians being to have this ear of discretion, to try and judge of what is spoken to them, they should be much acquainted with the word of God, to get this habit of spiritual prudence : Prov. xiv. 15, ' The simple believeth every word ; but a prudent man looketh well to his going,' Christians should be men of experience and knowledge, free from the itch of fancies and novelties,, and free from the distempers of passions, prejudices, and interests, or whatsoever may corrupt their taste. On the other side, God complaineth that his people were strangers to his law : Hosea viii. 12, ' I have written unto them the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.' We should not be strangers to the scriptures ; everyone (especially in a disputing age, wherein sects abound), accord- ing to his measure, should be satisfied of the truth which he professeth, that he be not deceived, and carried away with every foolish insinua- tion, and so embrace Leah for Kachel, Babel for Sion, and every fond suggestion for the truths of God.
[2.] Because we are not to take up opinions by chance, but by choice : Jer. vi. 16, ' Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, ask for the good old paths, Where is the good way ? and walk therein, and ye shall find rest to your souls.' Men in a tempest are sometimes cast upon a place of safety, rather than make thither out of intention and foresight ; therefore a man needeth to search and try things ; the more he receiveth truth upon evidence, the more firm is his assent, and the more steady and constant is his practice ; for then he hath (2 Peter iii. 17) 'a steadfastness of his own ;* he doth not stand by the steadfastness of others, or the common consent ; he hath proper reasons within himself to sway his assent, or command his practice; therefore a christian is to prove and try all things.