1. If this twofold ruinous apostasy will and doth press upon us,
* Owen refers to a work by the learned Joseph Mede, entitled, «The Apostasy of the Latter Times; or, the Gentiles’ Theology of Demons Revived in the Invocation of
Saints, Adoring of Relics,” etc. It was published in 1642. An edition of it appeared
so recently as 1836.—Ep.
oS
Ay
a
APOSTASY FROM THE HOLINESS OF THE GOSPEL, 161
on whom the ends of the world are come, we ought surely to stand
upon our guard, that we be not surprised with it nor overcome by it. How ought we to “pass the-time of our sojourning here in fear!”
It was the advice of him whose confidence had like to have been his
ruin. It is assuredly no time for any to be careless and secure who design, or so much as desire, to be preserved from this fatal evil. However, we cannot any of us plead that we were not warned of our danger, nor called on for that circumspection and watchfulness, that care and diligence, that earnestness for divine help and assistance, which our condition requireth, and which will be a means of deliver- ance and safety. And,— ‘
2. Being found in the way of our own duty, we need not be greatly moved or “shaken in our minds” when we see these things come to pass. It may be a prospect of the state of religion at this day in the world is ready to terrify the minds of some, at least to fill them with amazement; for if things should always so proceed, they may be afraid lest Christian religion should at length lose all its beauty and glory. But these things are all of them punctually fore- told, whereby the efficacy of the temptation from their coming to pass is prevented. Yea, considering that all our faith is resolved into the Scripture, and built on the infallibility of its prophecies and predictions, seeing they are foretold, the temptation would be accom- panied with more vigour and efficacy if we saw them not come to pass than it is now we do, seeing it is evident from other circum- stances that we are fallen into the “latter times,’ which the accom- plishment of these predictions renders unquestionable. See Matt. xxiv. 9-13, 24; Acts xx. 29, 30; 2 Thess. 11.3; 1 Tim. iv. 1-3; 2 Tim. iu. 1-5. And the truth is, there was never any persuasion more perni- cious befell the minds of men, than that churches, this or that church, or any church, are not, or is not liable or obnoxious unto these de- cays, declensions, and apostasies, or that any in them or of them
can be preserved from them without the utmost care and diligence
in attending unto the means appointed for their preservation. When the Jews fell into such a foolish confidence with respect unto their temple and worship, God was wont to bid them go to Shiloh and see what was become thereof, as assuring them that what fell out in one time and place might do so in another. And we know how it was in this matter with the first Christian churches, and how soon (as hath been declared), Rev. i. 4, 5, iii, 1-8, 14-17. We may go to them and learn how vain are all the pretences of outward privi- leges and exemptions; for assuredly, “ unless we repent, we shall all likewise perish.”
That, therefore, which we shall now inquire into is, the natwre, the causes, and occasions, of that apostasy or falling off from the hol-
vou NIE = i
162 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APQSTASY.
ness of the gospel, in churches and by particular persons, which is thus foretold to fall out in the “latter times,” and hath done so ac- cordingly. And we shall have respect herein both unto that general apostasy of this kind which fell out in former ages under the conduct of the Roman church principally, and that also which, by various ways and means, is at present prevailing in the world. And some things must be premised unto our consideration hereof :— .
1. The doctrine of the gospel is a@ doctrine of holiness. This it teacheth, requireth, and commandeth; this the mysteries and grace of it lead unto; this the precepts of it require; and this the great example of its Author, proposed in it unto us, doth enjoin. And it doth not this as that which is convenient for us, or some way or other necessary unto us, but as that without which we can have no interest in any of its promises. No unholy person hath any ground to expect the least advantage by the gospel, here or hereafter. When all things come to their issue, and shall fall under eternal judgment according to the gospel, all other pleas and pretences will utterly and for ever fail them who are “ workers of iniquity,’ Matt. vi. 22, 23.
2. The holiness which the gospel requireth is an obedience of another nature and kind than what is required by any other doc- trine or way of instruction. The law of nature continueth to sug- gest unto us many important duties towards God, ourselves, and other men; the written law is an exact representation of all those moral duties which were required of us in the state wherein we were created ;—but there is a holiness required by the gospel, which, al- though it include these things within the compass of its law and order, yet (on sundry considerations) is of another kind than what is ~ required by those laws, in the manner wherein it is required in them; for it proceedeth from other ‘principles, on another formal reason and motives, hath other essential properties, acts, duties, and ends, than the obedience by them required hath. This hath been so fully evinced in our discourse of the nature and necessity of gospel holi- ness* that it need not be here again insisted on.