A Saintindeed
I A
SAINTINDEED.
OR, The greatWork of aCHRISTIAN, openedandpreſſed, From Proverbs iv. 23.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
Tomydearlybelovedandlongedfor,the FlockofJeſusChrift inDartmouth, over whom the HolyGhoſt hath made me anOverſeer: Sound Judgment, true Zeal, and unftained
Purity, areheartily wiſhed.
MydearFriends, HERE are th T threefad fights withwhich oureyes ſhould continually affect our hearts : The ( 1.) Is to behold in everyplace, ſo manyprofaneand diſſolute ones, who hear the very image of Satan; the face ofwhoſe converſation plainly diſcovers whatthey are, and whither they are going, Philip. iii. 18, 19.
Theſe look like themſelves, the children ofwrath.
The(2.) Is tofee ſo many curſed hypocrites artificially difguiſing themſelves, andwith marvellous dexterity acting the partsoffaints, ſothateven ajudicious eye mayſometimes miſtake thefimilar workings ofthe Spirit on them, for hisfaving workings on others : To hear ſuch aperſon conferring, pray ing,bewailinghis corruptions, and talking ofhisexperiences ; wouldeasilyperfuade amanto believethat he hath theheart, aswell astheface, ofa fincere Chriſtian : For,
Sic oculos,fic ille manus, fit ora ferebat.
So the people ofGoddo ſpeak, ſo they pray, and even fo they open their conditions : Theſe look like faints, but are none. The (3.) Is to ſee ſo many real ſaints, in whom the Spiritoftruth is,whoyet,throughthe impetuous workings of theircorruptions, andneglecting ofthe watchover theirhearts,
VOL. VII.
The Epistle Dedicatory.
( dooftenfall intofuch ſcandalous practices, that they look like hypocrites, though they are not fo.
Theſe are three fad fights indeed,andO thatmy head were waters, andmine eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep abundantly over them all !
For thefirst, I would mourn heartily, confideringthat they (ſocontinuing) must be damned eternally, 2 Theff. i. 8, 9.
1 Cor. vi . 9.
For thefecond, Iwould both weep and tremble, confidering that they (fo abiding) must be damned doubly, Matth . xxiv. 51 .
And for the third, no leſs than any ofthe reſt, becauſe, though they themselves may, and ſhall be faved, yet their examples make fast the bonds of death upon both the former,
Matth . xviii. 7. 2 Sam. xii. 13, 14.
Alas! that ever they ſhould ſhed the blood ofothers fouls, for whom Chriſt ſhed his own blood ! That ever they ſhould be cruel to others, who have found Chriſt ſo kind to them ! I know they dare not do it directly and intentionally, but ſo it proves occafionally and eventually.
Sufferme here to digreſs a little, and expoftulate with theſe prejudiced and hardened fouls, I will preſently return toyou again. O why do you miſchieve your own fouls by other mens examples ? Becauſe they ſtumble and break their ſhins, willyou fall and break your necks ? I defire all ſuch as harden themſelves by theſe things,and take up a good opinion oftheirowndeplorable condition, would foberly confider, andanſwertheſethree queries.
Query 1. Doth religion any way countenance or patronize the finful practices of its profeſiors ? Or doth it not rather impartially and ſeverelycondemn them ? It is the glory ofthe
Chriftian religion, that it is pure and undefiled, Jam. i. 27.
No doctrine ſo holy, Pſalm xix. 8.
Nor doth any make moreproviſion for anholy life, Tit. ii. 11, 12. Indeed there isa caſe wherein we may charge the evil practices ofmen upon theirprinciples, but that is when their practices naturally flowfrom, and neceſſarily follow their principles : As for example, if I fee a Papiſt ſin boldly, Imay charge itupon his principles, for they ſet pardons to ſale, and ſo make way for looſeneſs.
If I fee an Arminian flight the grace ofGod, and proudly advance himself, Imaycry ſhame upon his principles, which directly lead to it : But can Ido ſo where ſuch practices
Lare condemned, and provided against by their own avowed principles who commit them ?
Query 2. Is it nota moſt irrationalthing to let fly at religion
The Epistle Dedicatory... becauſe of the ſcandalous ways of fome, whilft, in themean, time, you wholly flight andover-look the holy andheavenly converſation of manyothers ? Are all that profeſs godliness looſe and careleſs in their lives ? No, ſome are anornament to their profeffion, and the glory of Chrift: And why muſt the innocentbecondemnedwiththe guilty ? Why the eleven, for one Judas ?
Query 3. If you condemn religion becauſe of the ſcandalous lives ofſome that profeſs it, muſtyou not then caft off all religioninthe world, and turndown-right atheists ? Surely this is the conſequent of it : For what religion is there,but ſome that profeſs it walk contrary to their profeffion ? And then, as Conftantine told the Novation,you must fet up a ladder, and go toheaven byyourſelf.
But, alas ! it is not our printed apologies for religion, but the viſible reformations ofits profeffors, that mustboth falve its honour, and remove thoſe fatal ſtumbling-blocks at which the, blindworld ſtrikes, and falls into eternal perdition .
Now there are two ways by which this may be effected :
First,By convincing the conſciences of profeſſorsof their mifcarriages, and the evil aggravations ofthem.
Secondly, By medicating the heart, and cleanfingthe fountain whence they
proceed.
In thefirst of theſe, a worthy and emiSeeGospelglass. nent ſervant ofChriſt hath lately laboured,holding acleargoſpel-glaſs before the faces ofprofeffors, which truly repreſents their ſpots and blemishes : ifhethat reads it will confider, apply, and practiſe, it ſhall doubtleſs turn tohis ſalvation ; but, ifitturn tonogood account, tohim thatreads it, Iknow it ſhall turn to a teftimony for him thatwrote it.
Thesecond is a principal deſign of this ſmall treatiſe, the ſubject whereof is exceeding weighty, andofdaily ufe to thepeople ofGod,thoughthe manner ofhandling it be attendedwith many defects and weakneſſes : every onecannot be excellent,who yet may be useful.
Iwill exerciſeyourpatience nolongerthan whilstI tell you, :
1. Why I publiſh it tothe viewofthe world.
2. Why I direct it particularly to you.
First, For the publication of it, take this fincere andbrief account, That as Iwas led to this ſubject by a ſpecial providence, ſo to the publication of itbya kind of neceffity: the providence at firſt leading me to it, was this, A dear and choice friendofmy intimate acquaintance being undermuch inwardtrouble, upon the accountofſomeſpecial heart-diforder,
A2 i
The Epistle Dedicatory. openedthe cafe tome, and earnestlyrequeſtedſome rules and helps inthat particular ; whilft Iwas bending mythoughts to that ſpecial cafe, divers other caſes oflike importance(ſomeof whichweredependant uponthatconfideration) occurred tomy thoughts, and this ſcripture, which Ihave inſiſtedupon,preſented itſelf, as a fit foundationforthe wholediſcourſe; which being lengthenedout towhatyouſee,divers friends requested me to tranſcribe for their uſe, divers ofthe caſes here handled, and fomeothers begged me to publiſh thewhole, towhichI was inamannerneceffitated, toſave the pains oftranſcribing, which tome is averytedious,andtireſome work: andjust as I had almoſt finiſhed the copy, anopportunity preſented (and that fomewhat ſtrangely) to make it public. Sothat from firſt to laſt, Ihavebeen carriedbeyondmy firſtintentions inthis thing.
Objection. Ifany ſay, The world is even cloyedwith books, and therefore though the diſcourſe be neceſſary, yet the publication is needleſs .
Solution 1. I anſwer, There are multitudes of books indeed, and ofthem many concern not themſelves about roottruths, and practical godlineſs, but ſpendtheir ſtrengthupon impractical notions, and frivolous controverfies ; many alſo ſtrike at root-truths, and endeavour toundermine the power of godliness ; and ſome there are that nouriſh the root, and tend to clear andconfirm, toprepare andapplythe great truths of thegoſpel, thattheymaybebreadforfouls to liveandfeed on :
Now, though I could wiſh that thoſe who have handledthepen ofthe fcribe, had better employed theirtime and pains, than toobtrude ſuch uſeleſs diſcourſesuponthe world ; yet forbooks ofthelatter rank, I ſay, that whenhusbandmencomplain of toomuch corn, letChriſtianscomplainoftoo manyſuchbooks.
2.And ifyou be ſohighlyconceitedofyour own furniture and ability, that ſuch books are needleſs to you ; if you let them alone, theywilldo you no hurt, and otherpoor hungry fouls willbegladofthem,andbleſs God for what youdeſpiſe and leave.
Objection. Ifitbeſaidthat ſeveralof the caſes here handled touchnotyour condition, I anſwer, Solution 1. That which is not your conditionmaybe ano ther's condition. If you be placed inan eaſy, full and proſperous ſtate, and ſo have noneed of thehelps here offered to ſupport yourhearts underpinching wants, others are forcedto live by faith for every day's proviſion : Ifyou bedandleduponthe knee ofprovidence, fome ofyour brethren are under.
The Epistle Dedicatory. its feet: Ifyou have inward peace and tranquillityof fpirit, andfoneednotthe counſelshere given, to ward offthoſede ſperate concluſions that poor afflicted ſouls are ready todraw upon themſelves at ſuch atime ; yet it may be aword in ſeaſonto them, and they mayſay as David to Abigail, " Bleffed
" be thou ofthe Lord, andbleſſed bethy advice."
2. Thatmay be your condition ſhortly, which is notyour conditionatpreſent ſaynot,thymountain ſtands ſtrong, thou ſhaltnever be moved: there are changes in the right-hand oftheMost High ; and thenthoſe truths whichare littlemore eſteemedthan hedge-fruits, will be as apples ofgold in picturesoffilver. InJer. xxxiii. 10, 11. the prophetthereteaches theJews(whothendwelt in theirown houſes) howto defend their religion in Babylon, and what they ſhould ſay to the Chaldeans there, and therefore that verſe is writteninChaldee.
Somuch forthe reaſonsofits publication.
Next, for thededicationofit to you, Iwas induced thereto by the confideration, > 1. OftherelationI have to you above all the people in the world: I lookupon my gifts as yours, my time as yours, and allthetalents I am intrusted with, as yours : it is not with you as with awomanwhoſe husband isdead, and ſo is freed fromthe lawof her husband, the relation ſtillcontinues, and fodo allthe mutual duties of it.
2.By the confideration ofmy neceffitated abſence fromyou, Iwouldnot thatperſonal abſence ſhould by infenfible degrees untwift (asusually itdoth) thecord of friendship; and therefore Ihave endeavoured (as abſent friends uſeto do) to preſerve and ſtrengthen itbythis ſmall remembrance, It was Vefpafian's anſwer toApollonius,whenhedefired acceſs for two philoſophers, My doors (faid Vefpafian) are always opento philoſophers, butmy verybreast is opento thee.'
I cannot faywithhim, mydoors are open for the free acceſs of friends, beingbyafadprovidence ſhut against myself; but thisI can fay, myverybreast is ſtillopento you ; you are asdear to me asever.
3. Another inducement (and indeedthemain) wasthe perpetualusefulness and neceffityoftheſetruths for you, which you willhavecontinual need of: AndI knowfew ofyouhave fuchhappymemories to retain, and I cannot be always with you toinculcatetheſe things, but literafcripta manet.
Iwas willing to leave this withyou as a legacy, as a teftimonyof fincere love for, and care over you : this may counſel anddijectyouwhen I cannot: Imay be rendered uſeleſs to you by
The Epistle Dedicatory. acivil ornatural death; but this will out-live me, and oh that itmayferveyourfoulswhen Iam filent inthe dust.
Tohaftennow to a concluſion, I have only theſe three requeſts toyou, which I earnestly beſeech you notto denyme; yea, I chargeyou, as ever you hope to appearwith comfort before the great Shepherd,do notdare to flight theſe requests.
1. Above all other ſtudies inthe world, ſtudy your own hearts : waſte not a minute more ofyour precious time about frivolous andfaplefs controverfies. ItItisis reportedeven ofBellarmine (how truly I examine not) * Quod aftudiisscholasticae theologiae avertereturfere nauseabundus, quoniamfucco carebant liquidae pietatis, (i. e.) he turned with loathing from theſtudy of ſchool-divinity, becauſe itwanted the ſweetjuice ofpiety; I hadrather it ſhouldbefaid ofyou, as one faid of‡
Swinkfeldius, (" He wanted a regularhead, but not an honest " heart") thanthat youshouldhave regularheads, and irregularhearts. Mydearflock,Ihave according to the gracegiven me, laboured inthe courseofmy miniſtry amongyou, to feed you with theheart-ſtrengthening bread of practical doctrine ; and Ido affure you, itis far better you should havethe ſweet and ſaving impreſſions of goſpel-truths feelingly and powerfullyconveyedto yourhearts, than only to understand them byabare ratiocination, or dry fyllogiftical inference.
Leave trifling ſtudies tofuch as have time lyingon their hands, and know not how to employ it : remember you are at the door of eternity, and have other work to do; thoſe hours you ſpend upon heart-work in your cloſets, are the golden ſpots ofallyour time, andwillhave the ſweetest influence up to your last hour.
Never forget theſe ſermons Ipreached to you upon that ſubject,
from 2 Kings xx. 2, 3.
Heart-work is weighty, and difficult work ; an error there, may coſt you your fouls : I may say of it, as Auguſtine ſpeaks of the doctrine of the Trinity, Nihilo facilius aut periculofius erratur ; Aman can err innothing moreeaſilyor moredangerouſly. Othen ſtudyyourhearts.
2. Mynext requeſt is, Thatyou will carefully look toyour converfations, and be accurate in all your ways, hold forth the word of life : be ſure by the ſtrictneſs and holineſs ofyour lives, to ſettle yourſelves in the very confciences ofyour ene. mies.
Remember that your lives must be produced in the greatday, tojudgethe world, 1 Cor. vi. 2. O then,whatmannerofperfons oughtyou to be! youhavemanyeyes overyou ;
1* Fuligattus in vitaBellarm.
† Caput regulatum illi defuit, cor bonum non defuit.
The Epistle Dedicatory.
the omniſcient eye of God, that fearches heart and reins, Rev. ii. 23. the vigilant eye ofSatan, Job i. 7, 8. the envious eyes of enemies, that curiously obſerve you, Pfal. v. 8. the quick and obſervant eye of confcience, which none of your actions eſcape, Rom. ix. 1.
Othen be preciſe, andaccurate, inallmanner ofconverfation; keep up the power ofgodlineſs in your cloſets and families, and then you will not let it fall in your more public employments and converſes in the world : I have often told you, that it is the honour ofthe goſpel, that it makes the beſt parents and children, the beſt maſters and ſervants, the beſt husbands and wives in the world.
My third and laſt requeſt is, that you pray for me : Ihope Icanfay, and I am fure fome ofyou have acknowledged, that Icameat firſt amongyou, as the return and anſwer of your prayers: andindeedſo itſhouldbe, fee Luke x. 2. I am perfuadedalſo, I have been carried on inmywork by yourprayers; it is ſweetwhen it is ſo ; ſeeEph. vi. 18, 19. And Ihope by your prayers to receive yet a farther benefit, even that which ismentioned, Heb. xiii. 18, 19. Philem. ver. 22. And trulyit isbut equalyou shouldprayfor me, Ihave oftenprayedfor you: letthepulpit, family, andcloſet witneſs for me; andGod forbid I ſhould fin againstthe Lord inceaſingtopray foryou.
Yea, friends, your own intereſt may perfuade to it : what mercies you obtain for me, redound to your own advantage; ifGod preferve me, it is for your uſe and. ſervice : the more gifts and graces a miniſter hath, thebetter for them that ſhall waitonhis miniftry ; the more Godgives in tome, the more
I shall be able to give out toyou. Iwilldetainyouno longer, but to entreat you to accept this ſmall teftification of my great love, andhave recourſe to it, according as the exigencies of your condition ſhall require : read it confideringly, and obediently; judge it not by the dress and ſtyle, but by the weight andfavourof whatyou read.
Itis a good rule ofBernard, In legendis libris, nonquaeramus fcientiamfedfaporem,
(i. e.) In reading books, regard not fo much the ſcience, as the favour.
That itmay prove the favour of life unto life to you, andall thoſeinto whoſe hands it ſhallcome, is the heartydefireof
Yourloving, andfaithful pastor Frommy ſtudyatLey in Slapton, 08. 7. 1667.
JOHNFLAVEL.