APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 185
dently declared in the gospel. And it is to be feared that something of the like nature hath fallen out among Christians also. The first apostasy the Christian world fell into was by superstition and idola- try, principally under the conduct of the church of Rome; and this, as it will always be, was accompanied with wickedness of life in all sorts of persons. Many churches and nations being delivered from this abomination, it is well if, by the same means, they are not fall- ing into that of a worldly, sensual, profane conversation.
The Scripture is so full on this subject, and the nature of the thing itself is such, as seems to require a deep and thorough consideration of it; but the nature of my design will not admit of enlargement on any particular head, for I intend only to point at the chief springs and occasions of this evil, and accordingly this part of our subject must be only briefly (as that preceding) treated on.
What was before asserted in general, namely, that the well-being
of the church depends on the right discharge of the office of the ministry, will, I suppose, be acknowledged by all; and it is plainly declared by the apostle, Eph. iv. 11-15. In proportion thereunto it will thrive or decay. The nature of this office, the ends of its in- stitution, the works and duties of it, with the universal experience of all ages and places, do evince this observation beyond all contra- diction. If, therefore, those who undertake the exercise of this office do eminently and notoriously fail in the performance and discharge of the duties thereof, especially if they do so generally, and in any ~ long succession of time, it cannot be but that the people will be cor- rupt, and degenerate from the rule of the gospel. The flocks will not be preserved where the shepherds are negligent; and fields will be overrun with weeds, thorns, and briers, if they be not duly tilled. “I shall therefore, in the first place, call over some of those things which are indispensably required in and of the ministers and teachers of the church, that it may be preserved in its purity, and kept up unto its duty in evangelical obedience; and I shall insist only on those which all men will acknowledge to be such duties, or which none who own the gospel can or dare deny so to be:—
First, It is required of them that they keep pure and uncorrupted the doctrine of the gospel, especially that concerning the holiness en- joined in it, both as to its nature, causes, motives, and ends. So of old, the “ priest’s lips were to keep knowledge,” and “the people were to seek the law at his mouth.” This was one main end for which the Lord Christ gave unto, and instituted the office of the ministry in the church: Eph. iv. 11-15, “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edi- fying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith,
186 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we hence- forth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” The preservation of the truth, the declaration, vindication, and de- fence of it, so as the members of the church, the disciples of Christ, committed to their charge, be neither through weakness or ignorance as children, nor through the delusions of seducers, turned off from it or unsettled in it, was one great end why the Lord Christ insti- tuted this office therein. And upon their discharge of this duty de- pend the growth, the obedience, the edification, and salvation, of the whole body. And therefore doth the apostle give this principally in charge unto the elders of the church of Ephesus, in his solemn giv- ing of it up unto their care and inspection, when he himself was no more to come among them: Acts xx. 28-30, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my de- parting shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” As he hath a regard unto other things, so in an especial manner to the introduction of perverse and corrupt opinions, contrary to the truth wherein they had been instructed by him, which comprised “all the counsel of God” concerning their faith and obedience, with his own worship, verse 27. This they were to.do by their careful, faithful, diligent declaration, vindication, and defence, of the doctrine which they had received. Especially doth he press this upon his beloved Timothy. He being for a season fixed in the ministry of the church, he was chosen out by the wisdom of the Holy Ghost to be a pattern and example, in the instructions given unto him, unto all ministers of the gospel in succeeding generations. This charge is expressly committed unto him, 1 Tim. vi. 13, 14, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pon- tius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this com- mandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Verse 20, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” 2 Tim. ii. 13, 14, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the sub-