A01980:280
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.
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.
It is impossible to renew such Apostates again unto repentance. But all others may be renewed, and restored to salvation: as
It is impossible to renew such Apostates againe unto repentance. But all others may be renewed, and restored to salvation: as
1. Such as have fallen away in outward profession only, not in heart and affection.1 Such an one is not an Apostate totus, wholly. In him, this undue pretence (My tongue alone hath sworn, 2my mind remains unsworn) may be taken in the fairest sense: though not for justification, yet for extenuation, at least in comparison of him who doth it totus, wholly.
1. Such as have fallen away in outward profession onely, not in heart and affection.1 Such an one is not an Apostate totus, wholy. In him, this undue pretence (My tongue alone hath sworne, 2my minde remaines unsworne) may be taken in the fairest sence: though not for justification, yet for extenuation, at least in comparison of him who doth it totus, wholy.
2. Such as have renounced, not all the Articles ⟨p. 74⟩of the Christian Religion, but those only for which they were called in question. These fall not a toto, from the whole faith.
2. Such as have renounced, not all the Articles ⟨p. 74⟩of the Christian Religion, but those onely for which they were called in question. These fall not a toto, from the whole faith.
3. Such as fall animo resurgendi, with a mind and purpose to rise again, and to return to the Church again: and that upon the first opportunity of escape that they can get. These fall not in totum, with an utter, final desertion of the Church, at least in their intention.
3. Such as fall animo resurgendi, with a minde and purpose to rise againe, and to returne to the Church againe: and that upon the first opportunity of escape that they can get. These fall not in totum, with an utter, finall desertion of the Church, at least in their intention.
Every of these kinds of Apostasy, is indeed most heinous in the kind thereof: from yielding whereunto every Christian ought to be far: and more ready to endure the most bitter Martyrdom that ever any Christian did, then either in profession alone, or from any one fundamental Article of the true faith, or for any intended time to fall. For in every of these ways is God highly dishonoured, his Son our Saviour extremely under-valued, the glorious Gospel vilified, the profession thereof disgraced, weak brethren offended, and adversaries occasioned to triumph and insult.
Every of these kindes of Apostacy, is indeed most heighnous in the kinde thereof: from yeelding whereunto every Christian ought to be farre: and more ready to endure the most bitter Martyrdome that ever any Christian did, then either in profession alone, or from any one fundamentall Article of the true faith, or for any intended time to fall. For in every of these waies is God highly dishonoured, his Sonne our Saviour extremely under-valued, the glorious Gospell vilified, the profession thereof disgraced, weake brethren offended, and adversaries occasioned to triumph and insult.
Yet are not the fore-mentioned Apostates, no nor others, though worse then they (except only before excepted, such as sin unto death) to be excluded from all hope of recovery, mercy, and pardon. And that for these reasons,
Yet are not the fore-mentioned Apostates, no nor others, though worse then they (except onely before excepted, such as sinne unto death) to be excluded from all hope of recovery, mercy, and pardon. And that for these reasons,
1. The freeness of Gods grace. For God justifieth freely by his grace, Rom. 3.24. and his free gift is of many offences, Rom. 5.16. Wherefore that the freeness of Gods grace may more clearly be manifested, it pleaseth him to extend ⟨p. 75⟩it to such, as of all others are most unworthy (as Apostates who deny him, are.1) Mans unworthiness gives evident proof of the freeness of Gods grace. And the more unworthy any may be thought to be, the more free will that grace which is extended to him, be known to be. So as pardon of sin may in faith be expected from him who will not the death of a sinner, but that repenting he may be freed from destruction, and saved by the mercy of God. If any think otherwise, he is not a Christian, but a Novatian.
1. The freenesse of Gods grace. For God justifieth freely by his grace, Rom. 3.24. and his free gift is of many offences, Rom. 5.16. Wherefore that the freenesse of Gods grace may more clearely be manifested, it pleaseth him to extend ⟨p. 75⟩it to such, as of all others are most unworthy (as Apostates who denie him, are.1) Mans unworthinesse gives evident proofe of the freenesse of Gods grace. And the more unworthy any may be thought to be, the more free will that grace which is extended to him, be knowne to be. So as pardon of sin may in faith be expected from him who wil not the death of a sinner, but that repenting he may be freed from destruction, and saved by the mercy of God. If any thinke otherwise, he is not a Christian, but a Novatian.
2. The riches of Gods grace. God is said to be rich in mercy, Ephes. 2.4. Now the greatness and heinousness of sin commends the riches of mercy, and shows that to be true, which is said, Rom. 5.20. Where sin abounded grace did abound much more. But by Apostasy sin aboundeth, and may be reckoned in the number of great crimes: yet in the Church, such as repent ought not to despair of Gods mercy.
2. The riches of Gods grace. God is said to be rich in mercy, Ephes. 2.4. Now the greatnesse and heighnousnesse of sinne commends the riches of mercy, and shewes that to be true, which is said, Rom. 5.20. Where sinne abounded grace did abound much more. But by Apostacy sin aboundeth, and may be reckoned in the number of great crimes: yet in the Church, such as repent ought not to despaire of Gods mercy.
3. The infinite value and worth of Christs sacrifice. It is a sufficient price for any sin, yea and for all sins: in which respect it is said, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin, 1 Joh. 1.7. If from all sin, then from Apostasy.
3. The infinite value and worth of Christs sacrifice. It is a sufficient price for any sinne, yea and for all sins: in which respect it is said, that the blood of Iesus Christ clea•seth us from all sinne, 1 Ioh. 1.7. If from all sin, then from Apostacy.
Answ. Not so: and that for these Reasons.
1. They wilfully and utterly reject the only means of pardon, the Lord Jesus Christ. In this respect they are said to tread under foot the Son of God, Heb. 10.29.
1. They wilfully and utterly reject the onely meanes of pardon, the Lord Jesus Christ. In this respect they are said to tread under foot the Sonne of God, Heb. 10.29.
2. They neither will, nor can repent. It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. 1As other sinners who do not repent are not pardoned, so these Apostates, because they cannot repent cannot be recovered.
2. They neither will, nor can repent. It is impossible to renue them againe unto repentance. 1As other sinners who doe not repent are not pardoned, so these Apostates, because they cannot repent cannot be recovered.
3. An irreversible doom of the Judge is absolutely without any limitation gone out against these: but it is not so against any other sinners. The doom is this, Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, Mat. 12.32.
3. An irreversible doome of the Judge is absolutely without any limitation gone out against these: but it is not so against any other sinners. The doome is this, Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, Mat. 12.32.
4. The means to be used by others for recovering sinners is absolutely forbidden in these mens case. The means is prayer. The prayer of faith shall save the sick: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him, James 5.15. But the Apostle, even where he prescribeth this means for obtaining pardon, excepteth the sin unto death, thus, If any man see his brother sin a sin, which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life, for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, I do not say that he shall pray for it, 1 Joh. 5.16.
4. The meanes to be used by others for recovering sinners is absolutely forbidden in these mens case. The meanes is prayer. The prayer of faith shall save the sick: and if hee have committed sinnes they shall be forgiven him, Iames 5.15. But the Apostle, even where he prescribeth this meanes for obtaining pardon, excepteth the sin unto death, thus, If any man see his brother sin a sin, which is not unto death, he shall aske, and he shall give him life, for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, I doe not say that he shall pray for it, 1 Ioh. 5.16.
