Sermon 12 August 1639
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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
SERMON Preached by the Reverend MR ALEXANDER HENDERSON, Before the sitting down Of 〈◊〉 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Begun the 12. of August 1639.
Printed in the Year 16 ••
PREFACE.
WE have now found an access to the Throne of Grace, and I pray God that these that are assembled here together to get this work crowned, may first labor t • get these two things removed; First, the conscience of our guiltiness, alas! there are non • that discerns or considers their sins, one thin • should move our hearts that the Commons 〈◊〉 the Land are so ignorant that they know n •• God; and from that proceeds such wickedness If that Pastors had been more diligent in instructing, this Church had had a better fa •• ere now. Secondly, Our weakness stays as mountain, and we cannot climb unless • we be helped, there is no remedy but th • brightness of his mercy that he would dissip ••• these clouds, and no remedy for our wea •• ness but the Power of his might let us therefore beg the same in the Name of JESUS.
TEXT. ACTS Chap. V. 32. to the end.
When they heard that they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Then stood there up one in the Counsel, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a Doctor of Law, had in reputation among all the People, and commanded to put the Apostles forth a little space.
And said unto them, ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye intend to do as touching these men, &c.
T HE Words that were spoken by Peter and the other Apostles could give no just Cause of Provocation to the Adversaries, for in their Doctrine they insisted upon two innocent Points; One was faith in Christ, that since the Lord whom they crucified was now exalted to be a Prince that therefore they might believe in him, and get Remission of Sins, and the other was Obedience, they ought to obey God rather then men; yet they resolved to kill them, and had done so, if the Lord had not raised up a man to save them, and he prevailed that their fury was laid, wherein the Apostles rejoiced and doubled their Zeal.
There are 4. particulars in the Text very considerable.
- 1. The bad affects the Apostles preaching had upon the people's hearts.
- 2. The mean that God did use in Saveing of his Servants.
- 3. The unjust proceedings of the Adversaries.
- 4. The Disposition and Diligences of the Apostles that ceased not; whereby you may learn that often times it comes to pass that men in Authority are provoked against Religion, whither in Obedience to God, or in the trial of their faith yet the Lord hes many ways to save his own Children, and the end shall be joy to the Saints and Advancement to the Gospel.
Let us return to the first, which was the bad effects of the preaching, and that was twofold, one in their hearts, another in their heads, they were cut to the heart, the Word is borrowed from the cutting of a Sword o • Sau, in the 7. Acts, it is said they guashed with their teeth, and Acts 2.37. it is said they were pricked in their hearts, we find another effect, but it is different, the one and the other are very like; Rom. 11. v. 8. he calls the Spirit of Slumber the Spirit of compunction, the Godly have a pricking and your wicked have a pricking, as in that place, Acts 2, 37. they were pricked and took Counsel, but they go to them that wounded them, but they do not so here, but would slay them.
The Word of God his very different effects in the Godly, and the wicked, Rev. 1:16. it is like a two edged Sword, and Heb. 4. lively and weighty in Operation it either pricks or cutts, it is either a Word to cure thee or to kill thee. The Ministers of Christ although they be other ways of no Reputation, yet if they could handle this Sword a right it should wound; the children of God when they are wounded should bear it patiently, they are wounded because of their Sins, the other because they cannot commit Sin. So the one prepares for Christ, the other for Distruction, • he one shall end in health the other in woe, and 〈◊〉 may seem very Strange that all this time we • hold never have heard a Word or Letter from • ur Prelates, that have been wounded with the •… word; Men and Brethren I will not insist • pon their guiltiness, for we can say no more of them then the Text says. And they toke counsel to slay them, and now we come to the Counsel, they resolved to slay them, Counsel is good and excellent neither hath it been derogatory to Authority for as Solomon says in Counsel there is stability, these matters that are not agitat by Counsel are tossed upon fancy, as Solomon felt the benefit of using it; 1. because it was young. 2. Because it was violen • consider the Counsel of our Adversaries, i • was very violent but it had not the other fo • the men wanted not their years, yet they ha • this violence, and they had another bad quality to Supply that, and this ye may Learn • from the 17. Verse, many of them were Sadducees and so unmeet to be Counsellers, for in Ac • . 23. you see they believe not a Resurrection and when such unbelievers are Counselors their Sentence will be to cut the throat 〈◊〉 Church an Common Wealth, they care no • what violence they use to get preferment bu • especially Kirkmen that are Sadducees wh •• cruelty shall be exercised by them, but esp • cially when they are given over to the Devil •• Ministers when they fall are like Angels that a •• Devils, no men in the Scripture are call •• Devils but Ministers so they become incarna •• Devils, give God thanks (and his Majest •• that his given us this day to meet together a •• no thanks to them that either you are hearing, or that and I am preaching to you.
Followes the mean the second thing, which was the man that spake and his Speech, the man was a Pharisee, he was Learned and a Doctor of Divinity, for his good parts of reputation naturally and Politickly wise, and upon such grounds he convinces them all, and further he seems to be a Peaceable man and does what he can to save innocent blood but there was one thing wanting, Faith in Christ, and love to his word. Act. 22. It is said, Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, as was his Scholar so was his Master, he was ignorant and so a persecutor, there is more required for accomplishment of a man then the gifts of the mind, which this man seems to have a man's natural parts are like a vesture of gold, & the gifts of grace like precious stones, but this faith is like a precious Diamond in the middle, incomparably greater in worth judge of things according to their quality the best of these beside the great jewel are given to the wicked and the godly and are bestowed on them for other men's good and not their own but this is proper to thyself and for thyself and this jewel shall make the rich and it concerns non more then Ministers it is required of Ministers that they should be Learned and in reputation with the people, wise, peaceably disposed and Learned 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 altho they cannot come to Eminent yet competent knowledge. 1 Tit. •… to exhort and comfort and convince the en •… my not like these men that have sheares an •… tubs to cut of the woul and carry, their mi •… away but no care to feed them, I say the •… should be furnished with all things both i •… wardly and outwardly, and it is a pity that w •… have not a Lebanon for trees to grow in, Professor here & a Professor there all the plan •… ing will Soon be destroyed if there be not place for them, we are all crying for good M •… nisters, have a care of the good plants that not Learning to read a Sermon and to Spill it i •… the telling it is a pity that these that boast s •… should be so vain, ard als great a pity that w •… have not sound Divinity, many get other men •… preachings and these that are Learned should •… be given to such alterations, yet altho though •… wert als Learned als Gamaliel if thou have n •… more, thou art not meet to be a Minister o •… Christ, you know what entertainment the Apostles got at Athens, they mocked them, 〈◊〉 man that his a Learned head and a gracele •… heart is not fit for Christ's work let us join both together of all men that ever I was acquainted with, I sau none so profane as Ministers, what was good in this man, let us strive to imitate and what he wants let us Labor •… o have our Souls filled with the love of Christ and think more of grace than of Learning. Before I come to his Speech, see not only God's mercies but also God's Providences which his wisdom had designed and there or two pieces of his Providence here seen one was the Lord brought them back from the gates of death when their soul as it were was in their hand; the other by such a mean as they could not dream of, and these two are very ordinare with the Lord when yuu are in extremity he shows himself and in such ways, and we may truly say that he hath done so with us, that when Episcopacy was deeply rooted even then God would cut them down. Quest: Wherefor doth the Lord so. 1. Answer for 3 reasons, 1 that when the Lord comes in Exstremity that his hand may be discerned and he get the greater glory, Isaiah, 33, 7.9. Lebanon is ashamed and cut down. 2. For the further confusion of the enemies. Obad. 3. Whose habitation is in the high rocks who says in their hearts who shall bring me down to the ground. 3 For our encouragement & our Posterity after us, that we should only put our confidence in him who is only able to help us.
Now we come to the speech itself, wherein take notice of his intention, to Restraine he was a wise man and kneu no good would follow, if they were harmed he knew the Roma •• would be angry, and that the people had good liking to them, this was a good and peaceable intention, though not a pure and pious if he had had any aim to God's glory and the Gospel of Christ it had been good; I ma • no question, there are many among us, th ••• have peaceable desires and Laudible intent • tions, but more is required, let us labor ••• have pious intentions, not only to have t •• present troubles settled, it shall soon break forth again, see what is aggreeable to his will Iste est malus, qui suae causae bonus, he is b •• that is good only for himself, let us beseech th • Lord that we may have hearts to seek his ho • our and the enlargement of Christ's Kingdom.
Now for his argument, I would have y • refrain from these men, if it be of God, will come to pass; this Argument had its own weakeness; if it be of men it should be hindere • if of God it should have be enfurthered the th ••• should put them to trial; we will not pass wh •• is commendable in him, he proceeds on a goo • ground, if of men, to be rejected; if of God; •• be received Mat: 21.25. The Baptism of Joh • was it from heaven or of men. Ephes: 4. T ••• the Spirits whether they be of men or God it was the perpetual doctrine of the Prophets Thus saith the Lord, and Paul saith, th •• which I received do I deliver; they that are •… sciples, must be Believers, not what man •… ith: First that it is true in matters internal •… t not in matters external. Moses when he appointed to build the Tabernacle, he gets •… s directions: Solomon when he built the •… emple had his warrand from David; and lest •… hey think Solomon's warrand not to be sufficient, Hezekiah had his warrand according to •… he commandment of David. O but you will •… ay, it is not so in the New Testament, there •… re not so many ceremonies, it is a pitiful •… ing, we will not acknowledge that which we are ignorant of; distinguish betwixt multi •… ude and number of ceremonies, they had ma •… y we have fever, shall we think, we have •… ot so great light, as these who were to put an •… spersion on Christ, let us strive to learn what God's will is, when it is of God receive •… t, but when of men reject it. Many ceremo •… ies have exercised the Church of God many •… imes and especially that of the Government of the Church, and there are two causes that hinder the decideing of it. 1. The huge judgment of God upon the congregations, and so puts God's Servants to trial. 2. Cause is the avarice of Churchmen, so long as their avarice lasts there is no end of Episcopacy. 3. Because we do not examine, what kind of Government Christ gave, the Question Government is not Juris but facti. W •… is that agreeable with reason and civil Government, No, but de •• cto, what Governm ••• Christ hath established, an office that is J •••• Divino should be established, but if it be office of man it ought to be rejected. T ••• great Doctor teaches us that when God fig •• against man he shall prevail, but when M •• fights against God, they shall be found fight ••• against him, Gen. 11. The builders of Bab •• the Lord made everyone of them that th •• knew not what another said, this was an ea •• thing to the Lord, and so the work was inte • rupted in building: The Lord is wonderful building, and can bring down Babel, gre ••• opposition was, made against Joseph by h •• Brethren, and great opposition against David yet God's counsel behooved to stand, what o • position was made against God's people in Egypt in bringing them out of Egypt yet the behooved to come forth: and you know in you • propagation of the Gospel and the work of reformation, and because many his opposed yet it hath gone through. And you kno • great opposition is been used against this wor •• by the wicked, but yet blessed be God it ha •• proclaimed itself through the Land.
He brought in two instances to prove that the •… rk of man will come to naught, one of Theu •… he was one that conceived himself to be a •… phet but a false one: and Judas he would have •… waded the people from giving that duty to 〈◊〉 civil Magistrate that they ought to have •… ne, and there were Sects that followed them; •… e errors of Religion commonly springs ey •… from the Spirit of Theudas, which is a Spi •… of fantasie, or from the other and that is a •… rit of rebellion and that is not of God.
Consider all though they be the many yet there 〈◊〉 more like ways as there are Spirits contraire 〈◊〉 the Spirit of Theudas, and this is your Spi •… of Pharaoh, who said who is the Lord that •… t I should serve him, and that is Atheism, 〈◊〉 other is contrary to Judas & that is Herod's, •… t runs to flattery, an gives man that, that •… tains to God.
As Atheism is an abomination before God, 〈◊〉 is Rebellion and flatiery the true reformed •… ligion abhors disobedience, and gives to •… sar that which is Caesar's, and sure we pro •… e a harmless Religion. I would exhort you 〈◊〉 two things, first to the course of faith which •… ores godlesness and vain conceits of men 〈◊〉 am now pleading for the innocence of •… ligion) ye know what our adversaries have •… nted against us, that we are guilty of many crimes and tricks, and that we have made ople to feign themselves inpired with Spirit of divination, which is against 〈◊〉 Truth. The second thing is the course obedience there was never a greater friend Kings then Christ, there is no question about Judas os Galilee his part, whether should pay tax or not nether of that in war •• verence to Princes or that respect we carr • him, I wish his own prayers were never 〈◊〉 that doth not heartily pray for his Maje ••• but the Question is what is his part in Relig ••• and matters Ecclesiastic, it is both said printed that I should have spoken much, my fellow Brethren (the rest of the Coveters) would not allow of that I said and say regal inspection belongs to Kings over Ch •••• matters, and that the King was Supreme op over all this Kingdom, now my adv •••• ries think I have made him a Churchman, ignorant but not So, as for the head o • Church we acknowledge none but Christ for the other Episcopus is a name that 〈◊〉 well proper to a civil Magistrate as to a S •••• tual, therefore Constantine saith, Vos Episcopy intra, ego extra. Next that Gustos utriusque Tabulae, Vindication be unto him, who carries the Sword of San • and coerction, and Convocation of Syn • ow this present General Assembly is con •• ened & as he conveens so he should examine •• em, if he find anything against the Word 〈◊〉 God he should reject it, thus I speak not of negative voice his Majesty hath.
And now I have shown the particulars I •• ve been taxed upon, hopeing this honou •• ble Assembly, will further consider of it and • ow I come to speak one word to your Commissioners Grace who represents his Majesty. As for your Grace his Majesty's Commissioner we beseech you to see that Caesar have his • wne, but let not Caeser have what is due to • od, and belongs to him, God has exalted • our Grace to many high places within these •• w years, and more especially now, be thank •• l and labor to exalt Christ's Throne, some • e exalted like Haman and some like Mor • ecai.
I pray God these good parts the Lord hath • ndowed you with you may use them a right, 〈◊〉 the Israelites when they came out of Egypt 〈◊〉 give all their Silver and Gold for building • f the Tabernacle, I tell your Gr: ye must be • omptable for all your actions especially in these public busineses.
And to you right honorable and right Wor •• ipfull Members of this Assembly, go on in • our Zeal constantly, it is not true zeal that grows cold, but the nearer it is the end it be the hotter if it shall please God that by hands the light of the Gospel shall be contin •• Surely it shall be a refreshment to you and 〈◊〉 children that you should have lived when light of the Gospel was almost extinguished now to see it quickened again after all the Troubles. With a holy Moderation go on Zeal is a good Servant but an ill Master, a ship that his a full sails and wants a rudder.
We have need of Christian prudence ye know what ill speeches our adversaries h • made upon us let it be seen to his Majesty 〈◊〉 this Government can very well stand wit • Monarchiall Government, hereby we s ••• gain his Majesty's favor and God shall get Glory to whom be praise forever and ever Amen.