A01980:226
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
14. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. This direction is given by the Apostle (Ephes. 4.1.) in these very words: and oft inculcated, under these and such like phrases, worthy of God who hath called you (1 Thess. 2.12.) worthy of the Lord, &c. (Col. 1.10.) In these phrases the Word importeth not any merit, or ⟨p. 61⟩condignity, but a mere meetness and congruity, as is evident by this phrase, fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3.8.) that is (as the very same phrase is translated, Mat. 3.8.) meet for repentance. For if worthy should there imply any matter of desert, evil fruits would there be intended. For evil fruits they are which deserve repentance. Fitly is this word thus translated (Phil. 1.27.) as it becometh. Let your conversation be *as it becometh the Gospel of Christ. This worthy walking imports a blameless conversation. A man of a loose life, whose conscience checks him for living in sin, dares not venture his life, no not in Gods cause. He can have but small hope of Gods accepting him. Uprightness worketh boldness. This made Saint Paul so bold and courageous in all his trials, as he was, that he had lived in all good conscience, Acts 23.1. He therefore exhorteth Timothy (1 Tim. 1.19.) to hold faith and a good conscience. And to press this point the further, he giveth instance of some that had put away a good conscience, and concerning faith had made shipwreck. By this inference he showeth that a good conscience is as a ship: and faith as rich lading therein. If the ship be full of leaks, ship and lading are like to be lost. A bad conscience cannot hold faith in time of persecution. Holy men have ever been the stoutest Martyrs.
14. Walke worthy of the vocation wherewith yee are called. This direction is given by the Apostle (Ephes. 4.1.) in these very words: and oft inculcated, under these and such like phrases, worthy of God who hath called you (1 Thess. 2.12.) worthy of the Lord, &c. (Col. 1.10.) In these phrases the Word importeth not any merit, or ⟨p. 61⟩condignity, but a meere meetnesse and congruity, as is evident by this phrase, fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3.8.) that is (as the very same phrase is translated, Mat. 3.8.) meet for repentance. For if worthy should there implie any matter of desert, evill fruits would there be intended. For evill fruits they are which deserve repentance. Fitly is this word thus translated (Phil. 1.27.) as it becommeth. Let your conversation be *as it becommeth the Gospell of Christ. This worthy walking imports a blamelesse conversation. A man of a loose life, whose conscience checks him for living in sinne, dares not venture his life, no not in Gods cause. He can have but small hope of Gods accepting him. Vprightnesse worketh boldnesse. This made Saint Paul so bold and couragious in all his trialls, as he was, that he had lived in all good conscience, Acts 23.1. He therefore exhorteth Timothy (1 Tim. 1.19.) to hold faith and a good conscience. And to presse this point the further, he giveth instance of some that had put away a good conscience, and concerning faith had made shipwracke. By this inference hee sheweth that a good conscience is as a ship: and faith as rich lading therein. If the ship be full of leakes, ship and lading are like to be lost. A bad conscience cannot hold faith in time of persecution. Holy men have ever beene the stoutest Martyrs.
15. To all other means add faithful, fervent, constant prayer. When the hour of ⟨p. 62⟩Christs suffering came he went into a garden to pray. There he prays not once, but again, and again: and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, Luke 22.44. To this the Apostle alludes (Heb. 5.7.) where he saith of Christ, that he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard. This means he also used for Peters stability, when Satan desired to have him, that he might sift him as wheat, I have prayed for thee (saith Christ, Luke 22.32.) that thy faith fail not. So as prayer is an especial means to keep faith from failing. These things are written for our learning, that we might be incited to use the same help. Use it therefore before the trial, use it in the trial. Call upon him that is able to establish thee, and thou shalt assuredly be heard.
15. To all other meanes add faithfull, fervent, constant prayer. When the houre of ⟨p. 62⟩Christs suffering came he went into a garden to pray. There he praies not once, but againe, and againe: and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, Luke 22.44. To this the Apostle alludes (Heb. 5.7.) where he saith of Christ, that he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and teares unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard. This meanes he also used for Peters stability, when Satan desired to have him, that he might sift him as wheat, I have prayed for thee (saith Christ, Luke 22.32.) that thy faith faile not. So as prayer is an especiall meanes to keepe faith from failing. These things are written for our learning, that wee might be incited to use the same helpe. Use it therefore before the triall, use it in the tryall. Call upon him that is able to establish thee, and thou shalt assuredly be heard.
1To that which hath been said to such as are in danger to be lost, let me add a word of exhortation to you that live at home safe and secure under the protection of the Defender of the true, ancient, Catholic, and Apostolic faith: have pity, have pity on those that are in bondage under adversaries, and persecutors of the said faith; on such in particular as are, as this Penitent not long since was, taken captive by Turks. Among other evidences of your pity afford some help to redeem them. This is one of the seven capital works of charity and mercy. The seven are these.
1To that which hath beene said to such as are in danger to be lost, let mee add a word of exhortation to you that live at home safe and secure under the protection of the Defender of the true, ancient, Catholick, and Apostolick faith: have pittie, have pitty on those that are in bondage under adversaries, and persecutors of the said faith; on such in particular as are, as this Penitent not long since was, taken captive by Turkes. Among other evidences of your pitty affoord some helpe to redeeme them. This is one of the seven capitall workes of charity and mercy. The seven are these.
1. To feed the hungry.1 2. To give drink to the thirsty. 3. To clothe the naked. 4. To entertain strangers. 5. To visit the sick. 6. To redeem captives. 7. To bury the dead.
1. To feed the hungry.1 2. To give drinke to the thirsty. 3. To cloathe the naked. 4. To entertaine strangers. 5. To visit the sick. 6. To redeeme captives. 7. To burie the dead.
To redeem Captives is in sundry respects the best of them. For it extends to the good of their bodies, and of their souls. Of their bodies in freeing them from slavery. Of their souls in keeping them from Apostasy.
To redeeme Captives is in sundry respects the best of them. For it extends to the good of their bodies, and of their soules. Of their bodies in freeing them from slavery. Of their soules in keeping them from Apostacy.
It were a worthy work, well beseeming the famous Cities of this Land, for every of them to have a sacred treasure for this end, to redeem Captives. But I fear least such a work be more to be wished then hoped for. Yet I conceive that it may well be wished and hoped for too, that all who have good intelligence by certificate from the Trinity-house, or otherwise, would contribute something towards the redeeming of every one, that time after time they shall hear to be held in captivity under the Turks, or other like enemies of the Christian faith. If every one of ability would make conscience of this duty, though they gave but a little to one, and a little to another, many hundreds more might be relieved then now are.1 For many hands make light work.
It were a worthy worke, well beseeming the famous Citties of this Land, for every of them to have a sacred treasure for this end, to redeeme Captiues. But I feare least such a worke be more to be wished then hoped for. Yet I conceive that it may well be wished and hoped for too, that all who have good intelligence by certificate from the Trinity-house, or otherwise, would contribute something towards the redeeming of every one, that time after time they shall heare to be held in captivity under the Turkes, or other like enemies of the Christian faith. If every one of ability would make conscience of this duty, though they gave but a little to one, and a little to another, many hundreds more might be releeved then now are.1 For many hands make light worke.
O that in pressing this exhortation my voice were louder then Bow-bell, that it might sound into the ears of every rich man in and about ⟨p. 64⟩London, yea that it were like that voice which soundeth so loud, as there is no speech nor language where the sound of it is not heard. If with all it might pierce into the hearts of them that hear it, and move their bowels with compassion, then might my hope be answerable to my wish. But let the bowels of you which hear me be moved, and this my charitable motion will not be altogether in vain.
O that in pressing this exhortation my voice were lowder then Bow-bell, that it might sound into the eares of every rich man in and about ⟨p. 64⟩London, yea that it were like that voice which soundeth so loud, as there is no speech nor language where the sound of it is not heard. If with all it might pierce into the hearts of them that heare it, and move their bowells with compassion, then might my hope be answerable to my wish. But let the bowells of you which heare mee be mooved, and this my charitable motion will not be altogether in vaine.
Hitherto of the first general part of my Text: the danger of Apostasy, He was lost.
Hitherto of the first generall part of my Text: the danger of Apostacy, He was lost.
The second follows, which showeth the Advantage and benefit of Penitency, He is found. Well note the grounds whereupon this word FOUND is used, and ye will clearly discern that it importeth true Penitency, and a great benefit thence arising.
The second followes, which sheweth the Advantage and benefit of Penetency, He is found. Well note the grounds whereupon this word FOVND is used, and yee will clearely discerne that it importeth true Penitency, and a great benefit thence arising.
The grounds are these.
11. The Prodigals mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himself. He was before witless and senseless: as a mad man, out of himself.
11. The Prodigalls mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himselfe. He was before witlesse and sencelesse: as a mad man, out of himselfe.
2. He discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
2. Hee discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a far country, ver. 13. But now he thinks of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and go to my Father.
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a farre countrey, ver. 13. But now he thinkes of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and goe to my Father.
4. He meditates on a solemn confession of his sin, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
4. Hee meditates on a solemne confession of his sinne, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
5. He aggravateth his sin, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
5. Hee aggravateth his sinne, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
6. His heinous sin more troubles him, then his heavy affliction, I have sinned, saith he.
6. His heighnous sinne more troubles him, then his heavie affliction, I have sinned, saith hee.
