[2.] But it will be said, secondly, We are still at a loss; for what wo- fal divisions are there amongst this generation of professors ! Some are for one way, and some for another ; some say one sort are the people of God, some another; some say the Prelatists are so, some the Pres- byteiians; some the Independents, some the Anabaptists; some the Fifth-monarchy-men, some others; — and on Avhom should the valua- tion pleaded for be cast?
To this I answer, —
1st. Some do say so, and plead thus, it cannot be denied; but the truth is, the greater is their weakness and folly. It is impossible men acquainted Avith the Spirit of Christ and the gospel should say so, uidess they were under the power of one temptation or other. But it is no party, but the party of Christ in the world, and against the world — the seed of the woman against the seed of the serpent — that I am pleading for. That men, as to their interest in Christ, should be judged from such denominations as, though they make a great noise in the world, yet, indeed, signify very little things in themselves, is most unrighteous and unequal ; nor will men find peace in such rash and precipitate judgiiients.
2dli/. There may be many divisions amongst the people of God, and yet none of them be divided from Christ, the head. The branches of a tree may be entangled by strong winds, and stricken against one another, and yet none of them be broken oft' from the tree itself; and when the storm is over, every one possesses its own place in quietness, beauty, and fruitfulness. Whilst the strong winds of temp- tations are upon the folloAvers of Christ, they may be tossed and en- tangled ; but not being broken off from the root, when he shall say to the winds, " Peace, be still," they will flourish again in peace and beauty.
Sdly. Let not Satan cheat you of your duty by this trivial objec- tion. If he can keep you from duty whilst he can make divisions, he hath you sure enough. They of whom I speak, be they under what reproach or obloquies soever, they are all true men, all the children of one Father, though they are unhappily fallen out by the way.
Use 2. Of encouragement to those that have the presence of Christ with tiioni in the manner declared; — they shall be safe. In vain it is fur all the world to attempt their security; either they shall not
THE GLORY OF A NATION. 471
prevail, or they shall miscliief themsehes by their owu i)revaleucy, Mic. V. 8. As they shall be a dew where they are appointed for a blessing; so, as a lion where they are oppressed. Destruction will come forth on their account, and that tenibly, like the destraction of a lion ; speedily in passing through it shall be done. And whence is it that this feeble generation shall be as a lion? It is from the pre- sence of Christ among them, who is " the lion of the tribe of Judah;" and, to honour them, he assigns that to them which is his own pro- per work. Let men take heed how they provoke this lion. For the present. Gen. xlix. 9, he is " gone up from the prey: he stoopetli do-\\Ti, he coucheth as a lion, and as an old lion ; who shall rouse him up?" He hath taken his prey in these nations, in the destruction of many of his enemies ; he seemeth now to take his rest, to couch down, his indignation being overpast ; — but who shall rouse him up? Why! what if he be provoked? what if he be stirred up? Whj^, he will not lie down, " until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain," Numb, xxiii. 24 There is no delivery from him. No ; but what if there be a strong combination of many against him ; will he not cease and give over? Isa. xxxi. 4. Be they who they will, — the shepherds of the people ; be they never so many, — a multitude of them ; let them lift up their voice and rage never so much, — all is one; he will perform his work and accomplish it, until you have him in the condition mentioned, Isa. Ixiii. 1-6. Blessed are the people that are under his care and conduct ; yea, blessed are the people whose Cod is the Lord !
SERMON XIIL
HOW WE MAY BRING OUR HEARTS TO BEAR REPROOFS.
rREFATORY KOTR TO III!' riUlKK FOLLOWING DISCO UKSES.
In the yp.ir 1672, the government of Charles II. bej^aii to abate its severity a^'aiiist Dissent. Penal laws ajjai list the Noiico:iforini>>ts and ro];isli reciiyanis were susjieiided. They were allowed to meet for public woihhijj, on the condi- tion of taking out from government a licence to this etfoct. A large body of tlm Nonconformists availed themselves of the licence. Numerous congregations were formed; and, to ilhistrate the harmony between Presbyterians and liide])endents on the leading doctrines of the Christian system, a weekly lectureship was estab- lisiied, in which four Presbyterian and two Indejiendent ministers ofhciated in rotation. The tirst lecturers were l)r Bates, Dr Manton, Ur Owen, Mr Baxter, Mr Collins, and Mr Jenkyn. The lectures were delivered in Pinner's Hall, an ancient and curious building in Old Broad Street. This lectureship was supported by considerable sums, whicli were bequeathed for the jairjiose. A division among the lecturers took place in 1G94, occasioned by disjiutes in regard to the sound- ness of some opinions of Dr Crisp, whose works had been reprinted in lt>90. The one party held these opinions to be Antinomian ; the other ])arty, who were called Neonomians, vehemently resented a work by Dr Williams, in refutation of Crisp's views. In the end, Dr Bates, Mr Howe, Mv Alsop, and Dr Williams withdrew, and established a sejjarate lecture at Salter's Hall.