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APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 191
respect unto them who publicly taught philosophy; to which pur- pose the words of Themistius are remarkable: Orat, 1, ’ Aversudépoug re 0 ovv ovrws eiploxovres xa Piroxpnucdrovs re xol dprayec, Aosdpoug re ral Pirarexdnuovas nai ahaldvac, dorspods re xa! exiCovAous, ox oinoovras Ex Qioews 7 tHs mportpag Buvavolas exe reg xFpacs, GAN airicoovros én PtAocoPing wpooyivesda:. Whatever vices most men observe in such persons, they will not attribute them unto their depraved natures or inward corruptions, but unto the philosophy they profess. Hence it is enjoined them that in “all things they show themselves patterns of good works,” Tit. ii. 7; 2 Thess. iii. 9. “Be thou,” saith our apostle unto his Timothy, “an example unto believers, in word, in conver- sation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity,’ 1 Tim. iv. 12. This is the dignity, honour, and preferment, that the Lord Christ calls his ministers unto, namely, that they should in their own persons re- present his graces and the holiness of his doctrine unto others. Those who are otherwise minded, whose designs and affections look another way, will find themselves to fall under the effects of a great mistake. I do not reflect any thing upon what outward, secular, circumstantial advantages men may have in this world, but I do say, whatever they have of that kind which doth not enable them the more effectually in their course and work to express the meekness, humility, self- denial, and zeal of Christ, with the holiness of the doctrine they teach, or should so do, it will not redound unto any great account in the kingdom of God.
Fourthly, It is also incumbent on them to attend with diligence unto that rule and holy discipline which the Lord Christ hath ap- pointed for the edification of the church, and the preservation of it in purity, holiness, and obedience. This, indeed, most pretend a readiness to comply withal, as that which is condited unto their appe- tite by an appearance of authority and power, which seldom are unaccompanied with other desirable advantages. I shall only say, it will be well for them by whom they are administered according to the mind of Christ; but that more belongeth thereunto than is usu- ally apprehended so to do, I suppose few sober and intelligent per- sons will deny.
That these things, yea, and many others of the like kind, with all those duties which are subservient or any way necessary unto them, are required of all ministers of the gospel, teachers, guides, rulers of the church, and that constantly to be attended unto with zeal for the glory of God and compassion for the souls of men, none, I suppose, who profess themselves Christians will in general deny. And if in these things the life and power of the ministry (whereon the purity and holiness of the church depend) do consist, where they are want- ing, it is morally impossible but that the generality of the people
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192 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
will gradually degenerate into ignorance, profaneness, immorality, and unholiness of every kind.
There is nothing I could more desire than that the present defec- tion from evangelical holiness, which is so visible in the world, might neither in whole nor in part be charged on a defect in these things among this sort of men, yea, that it might not be so unto qualifica- tions, principles, and actings directly contrary unto what is thus re- quired ; for if it be not so, there will be yet hopes of a stay to be put unto its progress, yea, of a healing and recovery from it. But I shall a little inquire into that which offers itself unto the view of all, pre- mising these two things:—1. That I do not intend the ministry of any one place or nation, or age or time, more than another, but shall speak indefinitely unto what hath been and is in the Christian world. 2. That if indeed, upon trial, none be found blameworthy, none defective in these things, there is no harm done in that any are warned what to avoid. And,—
1. Have they all kept the truth, and doctrine, and mysteries of the gospel, committed to the ministers thereof? Are there not many of this sort who are themselves wofully ignorant of the counsel of God revealed therein? nay, are there not many who have neither will nor ability to search into the mysteries of the doctrine of Christ, and do therefore despise them? Can men keep in a way of duty what - they never had, nor ever used those means for the attaining of it with- out which it will not be sodone? And is it not manifest what must needs be, and what really are, the effects and fruits hereof? Do not hereon multitudes perish for want of knowledge and continue in the ways of sin because they have none to teach them better, at least none to teach them on such principles as are alone effectual unto their con- version and holiness? Théy must die, they shall die in their sins, but the blood of their souls will be required at other hands; for all the causes of gospel holiness, all proper motives unto it, all effectual ways and means of attaining it, are hid from them.