through their pretended interest in the church and its privileges, even flagitious sinners were secured of immortality and glory. 3. For the increase of their satisfaction, for the confirming of their
security, they found that hell and destruction were denounced only
against them who were not of the church. For besides one great maxim of truth which passed current amongst them, but [was] falsely
applied unto their advantage, namely, that owt of the church there - was no salvation, which church they were; and one also of no less
use to them, though of less truth in itself, that the church was like Noah’s ark, all were saved that were in it, and all drowned that were out of it, with others of an alike encouraging nature; they saw
200 . THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
the truth of them exemplified before their eyes: for if it so fell out that there were any who did not belong unto the church as they did, nor would comply with it, although they were evidently in their ways — and lives more righteous than themselves, they saw them, by the authority of the church, cursed, condemned unto hell, cast into dun- geons, and consumed with flames. And herewith they could not but be fully satisfied that there was no fear of danger and trouble, in this world or another, but only in not being of the church; which sin they were resolved not to be guilty of, seeing they could avoid it on so easy terms. And it will be found always true, that as per- secutions, with the sufferings of the saints of God, do tend to the brightening of the grace of some, and the confirmation of the faith — of others who really believe, so they do greatly unto the obdurateness and impenitency of wicked men in their sins) Never was there a more pernicious engine against the glory of the gospel invented, than for professed Christians to persecute, hurt, and destroy others, in like manner professing Christian religion with themselves, who visibly excel them in a holy, fruitful conversation, because in some things they dissent from them; for what can more secure men in their impieties than to persuade them that they are justified in them by the rule of the gospel, above those who in all duties of morality do really excel them? Certainly, for swearers and drunkards, profane persons and unclean, to persecute such for religion as are visibly pious, sober, temperate, given unto prayer and good works, is no useful representation of Christianity. But,—
4, These privileges and these attestations were not absolutely and always such armour of proof unto sinners, but that some arrows of conviction would ever and anon pierce into their minds and con- sciences, giving them no small disquietment and trouble. One thing or other, either in some beam of truth from the gospel or from con-— science itself, on the occasions of new surprisals into actual sin, or from fear, or an apprehension of some public judgments, would ever and anon befall them, and that unto an inward disturbance beyond what the advantages mentioned could reduce them from; and this was the most likely way of awaking them out of their security, and causing them to inquire what God yet required of them. In this case were the other helps and supplies mentioned found out and proposed unto them. “TIf it be so that you are not absolutely satisfied with your interest in the advantages of the church in general, if sin will yet give you any disquietment, then you must to confession, and pen- ances, and works of redemption, with the like approved medicines and remedies for troubled minds. But if the conscience of any prove so stubborn or inflexible after all these mollifying and suppling medi- cines, that the wound will not be skinned over, all that is yet want-
OTHER CAUSES OF THE DECAY OF HOLINESS. 201
ing shall be well issued and secured in purgatory, wherein it is most certain that never any soul did miscarry.”
_ By these and the like means, the generality of mankind were brought into an utter unconcernment with gospel holiness. They neither understood it, nor found any need of it, nor did like what by any means they might hear of it, until at length a blind devotion, deformed with various superstitions, obtained the reputation of it, the world in the meantime being drenched in ignorance, profaneness, and all manner of wicked conversation. So, under the name of the church and its privileges, were Christ and the gospel almost utterly lost amongst men.
Tt will not be otherwise where the same principles are entertain- ed, according unto the degrees of their prevalency. And were it not that the minds of men are powerfully influenced with reserves from these things, it were impossible that so many called Christians
‘should in their lives and conversations exceed heathens and Mo-
hammedans in wickedness. The commands of the gospel are moss holy, its promises great, and its threatenings most severe; and yet,
_ under a profession of owning them all; men lead lives worse than the
heathens, who know nothing of that holy rule, or of those promises and threats of eternal things wherein the highest blessedness and utmost misery of our nature do consist, which these profess to be
_ regulated by.