vantage from any acknowledged principles of truth; but as to the
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92 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
preservation of men in the profession of truth which they have re- ceived and owned, the work on many accounts seems to be more expedite and easy. If, therefore, the dispensation of the word, as it is God’s ordinance unto that end, hath been a sufficient and effectual means for the former, what reason can be assigned that it should not be so for the latter also, without farther force or vio- lence?
It will be said that the first preachers of the gospel were furnished with extraordinary gifts, whereby their ministry was rendered effec- twal unto the first conversion of the nations; but whereas now those gifts do cease, the efficacy of the ministry doth so also, and therefore stands in need of such owtward assistance as the former did not. I say, for my part, I wish it all the assistance which those unto whom it is committed can desire, so that no force be offered to the con- sciences or persons of other men. But why shall we not think that the ordinary gifts of the ministry are as sufficient for the ordinary work of it as the extraordinary were for that which was extraordt- nary? To speak the truth, the difference lieth in persons in the dis- charge of their duty, and not in the things, gifts, or duties themselves. Were all those who are called, or profess themselves to be called, unto the preservation of the truth of the gospel m the work of the ministry, as conscientiously diligent in the discharge of their duty, as well fitted, according to the rules of the gospel, with those ordi- nary spiritual gifts which are necessary unto their work and.calling, did as fully represent the design and nature of their message unto men in a holy conversation, as those first appointed unto the conver- sion of the nations were and did, according to their larger measures of grace and gifts, the work would have a proportionate success in their hands unto what it had in the beginning. But whilst those unto whom this charge is committed do neglect the use of this means, which is the ordinance of God unto this purpose, that the truths of the gospel be preserved amongst men; whilst either they judge that the principal end of their office is to capacitate them for secular ad- vantages, and to give them outward rest therein, with the enjoyment of those things which unto the most in this world seem desirable ; and therewithal think meet to betake themselves unto other expe- dients for the preservation of the truth, which God hath not ap- pointed nor sanctified to that end,—it is no wonder if faith and truth fail from amongst men.
The apostle Paul foresaw that a time would come wherein some men would “ not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts would heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears,’ who should “turn them away from the truth, and turn them unto fables,” 2 Tim. iv. 8, 4; and we may see what course he prescribeth for
ENMITY A CAUSE OF APOSTASY. 93
_ the prevention of this evil, that it might not proceed unto a general apostasy. It must also be observed that the advice he gives in this case, though originally directed unto one individual person, who was immediately concerned, yet it lies in charge on all that are or shall be called unto the rule of or ministry in the church. This _ course he proposeth, verses 1, 2, 5, of that chapter: “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” This is that course and way which he prescribeth for the preservation of the truth against the corruptions of men’s minds and the craft of seducers; and the charge of this duty he giveth with so great a solemnity, and urgeth with so many motives emphatically expressed, as manifest of how great moment he conceived it to be.
Perhaps this way of the preservation of the truth and the salva- tion of the souls of men, by continual labouring in the word and doc- trine, with an undergoing of all those difficulties which attend it, is not esteemed so advisable as formerly; for what good would men’s lives or preferments do unto them if they should be obliged thus to labour in this sweaty kind of preaching? But if it be so, they must at one time or another be contented to part with the truth and all the advantages they have by the profession of it; for let men turn themselves which way they please, let them traverse their methods and multiply their counsels, to secure religion according to their ap- prehension, however they may hereby chain their idols, as the hea- _thens did their gods of old to prevent their departure from them, and fix a profession of lies, the truth of the gospel, as unto any use- ful end of it, will be no otherwise preserved in a nation, church, or people, but by this means of God’s appointment.