A01980:285
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.
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.
4. A fourth ground of an Apostates recovery is the extent of Gods promises, which extent is so large, as (except before excepted) it excludeth none. All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men, 1saith the Judge himself, Mat. 12.31.
4. A fourth ground of an Apostates recovery is the extent of Gods promises, which extent is so large, as (except before excepted) it excludeth none. All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men, 1saith the Judge himselfe, Mat. 12.31.
5. A fifth is Gods faithfulness in ratifying the just censure of his Church. For Christ gave to his Church in the person of Saint Peter power of binding and loosing, when he said (Mat. 16.19.) ⟨p. 77⟩I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: whatsoever thou shalt loos• on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. When therefore the Church upon due observation of an Apostates true repentance absolves him, and receives him into her communion, that Apostate may justly be accounted to be recovered, and to be brought into the state of salvation.
5. A fift is Gods faithfullnesse in ratifying the just censure of his Church. For Christ gave to his Church in the person of Saint Peter power of binding and loosing, when he said (Mat. 16.19.) ⟨p. 77⟩I will give unto thee the keyes of the kingdome of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt binde on earth shall be bound in heaven: whatsoever thou shalt loos• on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. When therfore the Church upon due observation of an Apostates true repentance absolves him, and receives him into her communion, that Apostate may justly be accounted to be recovered, and to be brought into the state of salvation.
6. The last ground,1 which now I intend to note, is example. For we read that in all ages Apostates, and that of all sorts and kinds (except before excepted) have been recovered, and received into the favour of God and his Church.
6. The last ground,1 which now I intend to note, is example. For we reade that in all ages Apostates, and that of all sorts and kindes (except before excepted) have beene recovered, and received into the favour of God and his Church.
Adam, 1the first man was a most notorious Apostate. Yet the Church in all ages hath taken it for grant, that he repented and was saved. It is therefore reckoned among the heresies of the Tacians, that they opposed the salvation of the first man. The promise of redemption was first made to our first Parents, Gen. 3.15. and that they believed it, may be inferred from their teaching their children to offer sacrifice, Gen. 4.3, 4.
Adam, 1the first man was a most notorious Apostate. Yet the Church in all ages hath taken it for grant, that he repented and was saved. It is therefore reckoned among the heresies of the Tacians, that they opposed the salvation of the first man. The promise of redemption was first made to our first Parents, Gen. 3.15. and that they beleeved it, may be inferred from their teaching their children to offer sacrifice, Gen. 4.3, 4.
The children of Israel in Egypt played the parts of Apostates, by the Idolatry which they committed (Ezek. •0.7, 8.) so in the Wilderness (Exod. 32.1, 2, &c.) and in the land of Canaan, under their Judges (Judges 2.17:) and under their Kings (2 King. 29.6.) Yet upon their humiliation and repentance, God received them to grace and favour.
The children of Israel in Egypt played the parts of Apostates, by the Idolatry which they committed (Ezek. •0.7, 8.) so in the Wildernesse (Exod. 32.1, 2, &c.) and in the land of Canaan, under their Judges (Iudges 2.17:) and under their Kings (2 King. 29.6.) Yet upon their humiliation and repentance, God received them to grace and favour.
