A01980:318
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. Be very circumspect over thy self for the remainder of thy life, that thou bring forth fruit meet for repentance. This is that worthy walking, whereof we spake before. As a wife that hath formerly lived loosely, and defiled the marriage bed, being received into the favour of her husband again, must carry her self more soberly, more modestly, more inoffensively, and must be more watchful in avoiding all temptations that might allure to that sin again, yea and all suspicions thereof: So an Apostate received by the Church into grace and favour, must walk more circumspectly then if he had not fallen. For it much lieth on him to repair his Christian credit: or rather to be the more zealous in honouring God, and bringing glory to the Gospel of Christ & to his Church, yea and in giving matter of rejoicing to professors ⟨p. 87⟩of the true religion. This is a point that merely concerns thee, O Penitent.2 Be like that young man, who having followed Harlots, after some while absence, that kind of love being extinguished in him, met with an old love of his, but said not one word to her. She wondering that he spake not to her, thought he had not known her, and thereupon said, Sir, it is I. Whereunto he replied, But I am not I: that is, I am not the same that I was before. In like sense, Be not thou, thou: Be not the same thou wert before.
14. Bee very circumspect over thy selfe for the remainder of thy life, that thou bring foorth fruite meete for repentance. This is that worthy walking, whereof wee spake before. As a wife that hath formerly lived loosely, and defiled the marriage bed, beeing received into the favour of her husband againe, must carry her selfe more soberly, more modestly, more inoffensively, and must bee more watchfull in avoiding all temptations that might allure to that sinne againe, ye and all suspicions thereof: So an Apostate received by the Church into grace and favour, must walke more circumspectly then if he had not fallen. For it much lieth on him to repaire his Christian credit: or rather to be the more zealous in honouring God, and bringing glory to the Gospell of Christ & to his Church, yea and in giving matter of rejoycing to professors ⟨p. 87⟩of the true religion. This is a point that meerely concernes thee, O Penitent.2 Be like that young man, who having followed Harlots, after some while absence, that kind of love being extinguisht in him, met with an old love of his, but said not one word to her. Shee wondering that he spake not to her, thought he had not knowne her, and thereupon said, Sir, it is I. Whereunto he replied, But I am not I: that is, I am not the same that I was before. In like sence, Be not thou, thou: Be not the same thou wert before.
15. Take heed of relapse. Christ himself saw this to be a needful caveat: and thereupon pressed it once and again on such as he had recovered from sin: as on the woman taken in the act of adultery (Joh. 8.11) thus, Go and sin no more: and on him that had been diseased 38. years he enforceth it with a commination (Joh. 5.14.) thus, Sin no more, lest a worse thing come to thee. For if, after we are freed from the misery of sin, we return to it again, sorer vengeance is like to befall us. Experience shows how dangerous a relapse is after a recovery from a bodily sickness. Much more dangerous is a spiritual relapse after repentance from an heinous sin. The heart of man by such a relapse will be much more hardened in sin; and the Devil in such a case will take with himself seven other spirits more wicked then himself, and they will enter in, and dwell there (Mat. 12.45.) Yea and God himself may be so incensed thereby, ⟨p. 88⟩as to afford no more grace to him that hath so ill employed his former grace, as to depart clean away from it. Thus the last state of that man is worse then the first. Look therefore narrowly to thy self, thou who art now restored: and make use of those directions which were before given to such as go down to the Sea, to make them constant in holding the faith.
15. Take heed of relapse. Christ himselfe saw this to be a needfull caveat: and thereupon prest it once and againe on such as he had recovered from sin: as on the woman taken in the act of adultery (Ioh. 8.11) thus, Goe and sinne no more: and on him that had beene deseased 38. yeares he enforceth it with a commination (Ioh. 5.14.) thus, Sin no more, lest a worse thing come to thee. For if, after we are freed from the misery of sin, we returne to it againe, soarer vengeance is like to befall us. Experience shewes how dangerous a relapse is after a recovery from a bodily sicknesse. Much more dangerous is a spirituall relapse after repentance from an heighnous sin. The heart of man by such a relapse will be much more hardned in sin; and the Divell in such a case will take with himselfe seven other spirits more wicked then himselfe, and they will enter in, and dwell there (
16. Believe that thou art now acquitted of that heinous sin of renouncing the Christian faith. If thine heart be upright thou hast good cause to believe it, in that thou hast taken that course which in Gods Word is prescribed for obtaining a discharge. Thou hast been pricked in thine heart for thy sin (as the Jews, Acts 2.37.) Thou didst go to thy Pastor, and enquire what in thy case thou shouldst do (as they who being defiled came to Moses, Numb. 9.7.) Thou hast subjected thy self to the order which the Church prescribed (as David did to Gods advice, 2 Sam. 24.19.) Thou hast made penitent confession of thy sin (as they did who came to be baptized of John, Mat. 3.6.) Thou hast desired this Congregation to pray for thee (as the Israelites desired Samuel to pray for them, 1 Sam. 12.19.) The Church looseth and absolveth thee (as the Church of Corinth absolved the incestuous person, 2 Cor. 2.10.) On these grounds thou mayest safely, thou oughtest faithfully to believe that thy deep-died scarlet sin is washed away by the blood of thy Saviour to whom thou art now returned: and that thou art fully ⟨p. 89⟩acquitted and discharged thereof. We do undoubtedly believe that by repentance sins are abolished: so as,2 if we return not to them again they shall never be imputed to us. In this respect a true penitent is blessed. For Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity: and in whose spirit there is no guile, Psal. 32.2. If therefore thy conscience shall hereafter be overmuch troubled with doubtings, and fears, and despair of pardon of thine Apostasy, account it a temptation of Satan, and yield not unto it, but resist it; and say to thy soul, Why art thou cast done, O my soul? why art thou disquieted in me? Hope in God: He is thy God, reconciled unto thee: He hath discharged thee: who then shall lay this sin to thy charge? By exercising thy faith after this manner thou wilt bring much peace to thy conscience, and make the remainder of thy life more comfortable to thee: and with much cheerfulness carry thy self as a child of the Church in the works of thy calling: and in all duties of piety, justice, and charity. Only be careful to observe the former directions with this consolation.
17. Do wha• lieth in thee to bring other Renegadoes to return to the Church, to submit themselves to the discipline thereof, to be willing to give satisfaction by public penance. And the rather to encourage them thereunto, make known unto them the inward peace and comfort which thou hast received hereby. This is a duty which on a like ground Christ enjoined ⟨p. 90⟩to Peter (Luke 22.32,) in these words, When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren: and David undertaketh to do as much, Psal. 51.12, 13. where he maketh this prayer and promise, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit: Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. This is a good kind of recompense which such as fall, make to the Church. As by their fall many are offended, so by their rising many may be established. If by private means thou canst not so far prevail with such as thou knowest to be Renegadoes, as to bring them voluntarily to make satisfaction to the Church, then follow Christs advice, Mat. 18.17. Tell it unto the Church. As for thy self, that thou mayest remain henceforth steadfast and unmoveable in the faith, thou shalt not want the prayers of them, who now with much rejoicing praise God that the Text is accomplished in thee: in which respect we may conclude as we began, and say, HE WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND.
17. Doe wha• lieth in thee to bring other Renegadoes to returne to the Church, to submit themselves to the discipline thereof, to be willing to give satisfaction by publick penance. And the rather to encourage them thereunto, make knowne unto them the inward peace and comfort which thou hast received hereby. This is a duty which on a like ground Christ enjoyned
FINIS.
Recensui concionem hanc cui titulus est [A recovery from Apostacy] nec in ea quicquam reperio quò minus cum utilitate publicâ Imprimatur SA: BAKER. Ex edibus Londin: Feb. 4. 1638.
16. Beleeve that thou art now acquitted of that heighnous sin of renouncing the Christian faith. If thine heart bee upright thou hast good cause to beleeve it, in that thou hast taken that course which in Gods Word is prescribed for obtaining a discharge. Thou hast beene pricked in thine heart for thy sin (as the Jewes, Acts 2.37.) Thou didst goe to thy Pastor, and enquire what in thy case thou shouldst doe (as they who being defiled came to Moses, Numb. 9.7.) Thou hast subjected thy selfe to the order which the Church prescribed (as David did to Gods advice, 2 Sam. 24.19.) Thou hast made penitent confession of thy sin (as they did who came to be baptized of Iohn, Mat. 3.6.) Thou hast desired this Congregation to pray for thee (as the Israelites desired Samuel to pray for them, 1 Sam. 12.19.) The Church looseth and absolveth thee (as the Church of Corinth absolved the incestuous person, 2 Cor. 2.10.) On these grounds thou maist safely, thou oughtest faithfully to beleeve that thy deepe-died scarlet sinne is washed away by the blood of thy Saviour to whom thou art now returned: and that thou art fully ⟨p. 89⟩acquitted and discharged thereof. We doe undoubtedly beleeve that by repentance sinnes are abolished: so as,2 if we returne not to them againe they shall never be imputed to us. In this respect a true penitent is blessed. For Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity: and in whose spirit there is no guile, Psal. 32.2. If therefore thy conscience shall hereafter be overmuch troubled with doubtings, and feares, and despaire of pardon of thine Apostacy, account it a temptation of Satan, and yeald not unto it, but resist it; and say to thy soule, Why art thou cast do•ne, O my soule? why art thou disquieted in me? Hope in God: He is thy God, reconciled unto thee: He hath discharged thee: who then shall lay this sinne to thy charge? By exercising thy faith after this manner thou wilt bring much peace to thy conscience, and make the remainder of thy life more comfortable to thee: and with much cheerefullnesse carry thy selfe as a child of the Church in the works of thy calling: and in all duties of piety, justice, and charity. Only be carefull to observe the former directions with this consolation.
