A01980:265
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.
2. A mixture of Merit and Virtue in Christs Sacrifice is evidenced. Of Merit in procuring pardon for such as denied him. Of Virtue, in altering their mind and disposition.
3. The extent of the operation of the Holy Ghost is made known: and that by healing the wounds of the soul by repentance, as well as by easing the anguish thereof by assurance of pardon.
3. The extent of the operation of the Holy Ghost is made knowne: and that by healing the wounds of the soule by repentance, as well as by easing the anguish therof by assurance of pardon.
4. The Gospel, which publisheth Gods free grace and rich mercy, is freed from the unjust imputation of a doctrine of looseness and licentiousness, in that it calleth such sinners to repentance, as it offereth grace unto.
4. The Gospell, which publisheth Gods free grace and rich mercy, is freed from the unjust imputation of a doctrine of loosenesse and licentiousnesse, in that it calleth such sinners to repentance, as it offereth grace unto.
5. Faith which justifieth a sinner without works, is proved to be justified by works, in that the sinner who with the heart believeth unto righteousness, with the mouth maketh confession unto salvation.
5. Faith which justifieth a sinner without workes, is prooved to bee justified by workes, in that the sinner who with the heart beleeveth unto righteousnesse, with the mouth maketh confession unto salvation.
6. The Church which admitteth none but penitents, is thereby declared to be an holy Church, and a communion of Saints.
Thus we see what good ground there is to lay down this ground-work of Penitency as a qualification for such as are restored to the state of salvation: so as all that shall be further spoken of restoring Apostates, must be understood to to be spoken of Penitents. For Christ hath once and again as an irreversible doom denounced, that except men repent they shall perish, Luke 13.3, 5.
Thus we see what good ground there is to lay downe this ground-worke of Penitency as a qualification for such as are restored to the state of salvation: so as all that shall be further spoken of restoring Apostates, must be understood to to be spoken of Penitents. For Christ hath once and againe as an irreversible doome denounced, that except men repent they shall perish, Luke 13.3, 5.
Proceed we now to the structure to be erected upon the afore-said foundation. And that it be not raised higher then the foundation will well bear, we must distinguish betwixt the different kinds of Apostates.
Proceed we now to the structure to be erected upon the afore-said foundation. And that it be not raised higher then the foundation will well beare, we must distinguish betwixt the different kinds of Apostates.
1There are Apostates who having once turned their face from their Lord, never turn to him again, as they of whom it is said (Joh. 6.66.) From that time many of Christs Disciples went back and walked no more with him. Of these, some are such, as in regard of the event, never do repent. Others are such as in regard of the nature of their sin, never can repent.
1There are Apostates who having once turned their face from their Lord, never turne to him againe, as they of whom it is said (Ioh. 6.66.) From that time many of Christs Disciples went backe and walked no more with him. Of these, some are such, as in regard of the event, never doe repent. Others are such as in regard of the nature of their sin, never can repent.
1I find in Scripture one and that but one only kind of Apostates excluded from all hope of recovery. True it is that every Apostate implungeth himself into the state of perdition (as hath been proved before) inso-much as if he live and die in that estate of Apostasy he cannot be saved. But there is a kind of Apostasy which is styled a sin unto death, for which no prayer is to be made (1 John 5.16.) and for which there remaineth no more sacrifice (Heb. 10.26.) and which ⟨p. 71⟩shall never be forgiven (Math. 12.32.) Such an Apostate is he who falls totus, a toto, in totum: wholly, from the whole, for ever.
1I find in Scripture one and that but one onely kinde of Apostates excluded from all hope of recovery. True it is that every Apostate implungeth himselfe into the state of perdition (as hath beene prooved before) inso-much as if he live and die in that estate of Apostacy he cannot be saved. But there is a kinde of Apostacy which is stiled a sinne unto death, for which no prayer is to be made (1 Iohn 5.16.) and for which there remaineth no more sacrifice (Heb. 10.26.) and which ⟨p. 71⟩shall never be forgiven (Math. 12.32.) Such an Apostate is he who falls totus, a toto, in totum: wholy, from the whole, for ever.
Totus, wholly: that is in outward profession and inward disposition: in tongue and heart.
Totus, wholy: that is in outward profession and inward disposition: in tongue and heart.
A toto, from the whole: that is from all the Articles of the Christian religion.
In totum, for ever: or with a settled peremptory resolution never to return to the Religion again.
In totum, for ever: or with a setled peremptory resolution never to returne to the Religion againe.
They who thus fall, use to hate, blaspheme, and persecute the faith from whence they are fallen, and the preachers and professors thereof: which they do notwithstanding they have knowledge and be in their soul persuaded of the truth of that Faith from which they so fall.
They who thus fall, use to hate, blaspheme, and persecute the faith from whence they are fallen, and the preachers and professours thereof: which they doe notwithstanding they have knowledge and be in their soule perswaded of the truth of that Faith from which they so fall.
Such were the Pharisees, whom Christ chargeth with blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Mar. 3.29, 30. Such were Hymeneus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1.20.) whom Paul delivere• unto Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme: and against whom he maketh a just imprecation. 2 Tim. 4.14.
Such were the Pharisies, whom Christ chargeth with blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Mar. 3.29, 30. Such were Hymeneus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1.20.) whom Paul delivere• unto Satan, that they might learne not to blaspheme: and against whom hee maketh a just imprecation. 2 Tim. 4.14.
1Such an one also was Julian styled the Apostate: of whom it is reported that suddenly he did so openly and impudently renounce his faith in Christ, as with certain Sacrifices ⟨p. 72⟩and enchantments, and a bloody offering he washed away the Baptism received of Christians: and renounced his admittance into the Church: and from that time used privately and publicly killings and quarterings of beasts and other superstitious rites of the Gentiles. This mind of Julian, then Emperor, about the solemnities of the Gentiles, did not a little trouble and astonish Christians, especially because he had been a Christian before. For, as one addicted to his fathers ▪ (which was the Christian) religion, he was of a child trained up according to the custom of the Church, and instructed in the sacred Scriptures and brought up under Bishops and ecclesiastical persons.
1Such an one allso was Iulian stiled the Apostate: of whom it is reported that suddenly he did so openly and impudently renounce his faith in Christ, as with certaine Sacrifices ⟨p. 72⟩and inchantments, and a bloody offering he washed away the Baptisme received of Christians: and renoūced his admittance into the Church: and from that time used privately and publickly killings and quarterings of beasts and other superstitious rites of the Gentiles. This mind of Julian, then Emperour, about the solenmities of the Gentiles, did not a little trouble and astonish Christians, especially because he had beene a Christian before. For, as one addicted to his fathers ▪ (which was the Christian) religion, he was of a child trained up according to the custom of the Church, and instructed in the sacred Scriptures and brought up under Bishops and ecclesiasticall persons.
1Through excess of hatred against the Doctrine of Christ, he omitted no kind of malice. He ⟨p. 73⟩was the most spiteful, mortal, malicious and mischievous enemy that Christians ever had: and so continued to his death: wherein though he were forced to acknowledge the powerful revenging hand of Christ upon him,2 yet he did it with a scoff; For being mortally wounded (none can tell how) he took an handful of his own blood, and casting it abroad in the air, cried, O Galilean thou hast got the victory.
1Through excesse of hatred against the Doctrine of Christ, he omitted no kinde of malice. Hee ⟨p. 73⟩was the most spightfull, mortall, malicious and mischievous enemy that Christians ever had: and so continued to his death: wherein though hee were forced to acknowledge the powerfull revenging hand of Christ upon him,2 yet he did it with a scoffe; For being mortally wounded (none can tell how) he took an handfull of his owne blood, and casting it abroad in the aire, cryed, O Galilean thou hast got the victory.
