The other evil that attends it is this, — that this deadness and in- differency unto ordinances, and want of bringing our necks to the yoke of Christ therein, against all disputings and arguings of flesh and blood, hath taken such place among us, and proceeded so far, that all ways of reformation are useless. Men may make divisions, and do I know not what ; but this I know, there is no way of obtain- ing any reformation, but for men to engage their hearts to return unto God in more delight in his service than there hath been. Some utterly forsake the assemblies ; some come with great indifferency, — using their liberty, off and on, at their pleasure. Are not these things evidences of great decays among us? To me they are. I speak not as to this congregation in particular, but as to the state of all churches that I know or can hear of in these nations.
[4.] The last evidence I shall mention of these decays among us, is our worldly-mindedness, — conformity to the world, and security. These things have been so often spoken to you, and no reformation hath ensued, that now they are looked upon as words of course; and I am discouraged from speaking of them any more. But assure your- selves, this conformity to the world, and this security that is yet found
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among us, is a great evidence that the glory of God is departing from us. Ministers preach against worldly-mindedness, security, etc., but it makes no impression upon the minds of men ; for we can scarce give an instance of any, the least reformation. These things plainly demonstrate that we are all under great decays.
(2.) A sense of this general decay among churches, church -mem- bers, and professors, ought to be an exercise and concern unto our minds. If we think all is well with us, and are satisfied, while we are free from outward troubles, and [do] not concern ourselves about our decays, I will not say we are hypocrites, but, truly, we are poor, low, dead, carnal, unspiritual Christians. I thought to have spoken to these three heads, to show you, —
[1.] How God is dishonoured by this general decay;
[2.] How the world is offended and scandalized at it ;
[3. j How the ruin of churches is hastened by it ; — which will befall them assuredly, unless God recover us out of this bad state : but I shall waive these things, and proceed : —
(3.) Suppose it be thus (and we do complain of it to one another, not knowing what the issue will be, nor what it may come unto), — hoiu shall we live by faith under this consideration ? what is the work of faith in this state? If things are so (and I wish any one could evidence they are not ; but suppose, for once, that they are so), and our souls are burdened with an apprehension that they are so, — then what will faith do to enable us to pass through this exercise, and to live to God?
I will tell you something of what I find. And if God help you not to better things, make use of these, and improve them, that you may give glory to God by believing under this condition also : —
[1.] Faith will mind the soul that notwithstanding this also, yet Christ hath built his church upon that rock, that it shall not be utterly prevailed against. " The promise," saith faith, " extends it- self as well to the inbred adversaries of our own souls, unbelief, dead- ness, and all these things, as to our outward enemies." Matt. xvi. 18, " Upon this rock I will build my church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Though we were all dead, helpless, lifeless, poor creatures, — though we had retained almost nothing but outward order, and had lost the very vigour and essence of faith and obedience, — yet Christ's church shall abide and stand, and those that belong to him shall be preserved. " Such and such are turned apostates," saith the apostle, 2 Tim. ii. 19, " Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." Here is my ground of hope, notwithstanding all this, though one falls after an- other, though one decays after another, — "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure ;" and it hath a seal upon it, " The Lord knoweth
vol. ix. 33
514 THE USE OF FAITH IN A TIME OF
them that are his." Every one whom he hath effectually called, and built upon the rock, Jesus Christ, shall be preserved, whatever befalls the residue of the world. To see such a confluence of all manner of dangerous evils from without as are coming this day upon the church of God ; and to see, in the meantime, so many evidences of a decaying spiritual state in believers themselves ; it will put faith to exercise it- self upon this promise of Christ, — " Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it/' If you find your spirits at any time pressed with these things, if nothing- better occurs at hand, exercise faith upon this promise of Christ, and upon the firm standing of the foundation of God, — that he knoweth who are his, and will carry them through all these difficulties, and land them safe in eternity.