A47086:29
A trumpet blown in Zion, or, An alarm in God's holy mountain containing an exposition of that metaphorical Scripture, Matth. III, 12 : lately delivered in two sermons ... / by Benjamin Keach ...A trumpet blown in Zion, or, An allarm in God's holy mountain containing an exposition of that metaphorical Scripture, Matth. III, 12 : lately delivered in two sermons ... / by Benjamin Keach ...
London : s.n., 1694
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.
First, If we cast our eyes abroad, we shall soon espy a very 1great, old and decayed Barn, that hath a mighty floor or heap of People in it; called Christians, and Reformed ones too; But it is to be feared, when Jesus Christ comes with his Fan, to fan, and purge this floor, he will find it almost all Chaff: 'Tho' I doubt not, but in this great heap there will be found some Wheat, or godly Christians, but like as when a man comes into a Barn, and views a floor of Corn newly thrashed, he at first sight can hardly see or discern any thing save a heap of chaff: so it is here: Do but view the National floor, and you cannot but say, Sure 'tis a heap of filth, a heap of Chaff; for what an evil, polluted, and abominable Company; of People are in this floor! are there worse, or more notorious, more loose, light, profane, unbelieving and ungodly Wretches living on the face of the Earth? yet call themselves Christians, and members of Christ, and despise, nay reproach others, as if they deserved not that Name. I question whether there were worse in Sodom than some are who belong to this floor: Turks and Pagans abominate some of those actions and deeds of Darkness that are among them, behold their hellish Debauchery.
First, If we cast our eyes abroad, we shall soon espy a very 1great, old and decayed Barn, that hath a mighty floor or heap of People in it; called Christians, and Reformed ones too; But it is to be feared, when Jesus Christ comes with his Fan, to fan, and purge this floor, he will find it almost all Chaff: 'Tho' I doubt not, but in this great heap there will be found some Wheat, or godly Christians, but like as when a man comes into a Barn, and views a floor of Corn newly thrashed, he at first sight can hardly see or discern any thing save a heap of chaff: so it is here: Do but view the National floor, and you cannot but say, Sure 'tis a heap of filth, a heap of Chaff; for what an evil, polluted, and abominable Company; of People are in this floor! are there worse, or more notorious, more loose, light, prophane, unbelieving and ungodly Wretches living on the face of the Earth? yet call themselves Christians, and members of Christ, and despise, nay reproach others, as if they deserved not that Name. I question whether there were worse in Sodom than some are who belong to this floor: Turks and Pagans abominate some of those actions and deeds of Darknessthat are among them, behold their hellish Debauchery.
1. See what a heap of profane Swearers and cursed Blasphemers are here, who daily belch out most abominable Oaths, calling upon the holy and patient God to Damn them every day: you may hear them as you walk along the streets; nay their very Children by the Example of their wicked Parents, learn to swear and curse, as soon as, nay before, they can speak plain.
1. See what a heap of prophane Swearers and cursed Blasphemers are here, who daily belch out most abominable Oaths, calling upon the holy and patient God to Damn them every day: you may hear them as you walk along the streets; nay their very Children by the Example of their wicked Parents, learn to swear and curse, as soon as, nay before, they can speak plain.
2. Then, O what a great and a filthy heap of beastly and brutish Drunkards are in this floor also, who show their Sins as Sodom, and hide it not! many of them go reeling along the Streets, and some spewing as they go, foaming out their own shame, and little think what Poison they drink to their own precious and Immortal Souls, whilst they Tipple down their glasses of Wine and strong Drink; and this they do without all fear of humane, or divine Laws, having no dread of present nor future Punishment; tho' God positively threatens them, and all other ungodly Persons, with the loss of Heaven, and the Torments of Hell-fire (for, no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.) yet they dread it not.
2. Then, O what a great and a filthy heap of beastly and brutish Drunkards are in this floor also, who shew their Sins as Sodom, and hide it not! many of them go reeling along the Streets, and some spuing as they go, foaming out their own shame, and little think what Poyson they drink to their own precious and Immortal Souls, whilest they Tipple down their glasses of Wine and strong Drink; and this they do without all fear of humane, or divine Laws, having no dread of present nor future Punishment; tho' God positively theatens them, and all other ungodly Persons, with the loss of Heaven, and the Torments of Hell-fire (for, no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.) yet they dread it not.
3. Behold also in this floor a third Sort, even as bad or worse than the other two, viz. Unclean Persons, or vile, filthy and impudent Whores and Whoremongers, who are the shame of this City and Nation! What a multitude of common Harlots are here among us, besides Secret ones, who are beheld by him whose eyes are like a flaming fire. Alas! they cannot hide their filthiness from his eyes, yet without fear how do they sin, 'till some bring Rottenness on their Carcasses, a Curse upon their Estates, Poverty on their Families, and Hell upon their own Souls: for he that commits Adultery with a Woman destroys his own 1Soul.
3. Behold also in this floor a third Sort, even as bad or worse than the other two, viz. Unclean Persons, or vile, filthy and impudent Whores and Whoremongers, who are the shame of this City and Nation! What a multitude of common Harlots are here among us, besides Secret ones, who are beheld by him whose eyes are like a flaming fire. Alas! they cannot hide their filthiness from his eyes, yet without fear how do they sin, 'till some bring Rottenness on their Carkasses, a Curse upon their Estates, Poverty on their Families, and Hell upon their own Souls: for he that commits Adultery with a Woman destroys his own 1Soul.
4. There is also another part of this floor, that are Chaff, which the fire of Gods wrath will Consume and burn up, viz. all tho proud and haughty ones. This Sin reigns at this time to such a degree that we may fear some sad and fearful Judgment is near; Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty Spirit before a fall. Behold the strange Dresses, and high Heads! which clearly 1represents the Vanity and Haughtiness of the Heart: The show of their Countenance testifies against them: Women go to the Assemblies of religious Worship as if they went to Play-houses; and tho' God hath showed in several poor Animals, his great Wrath and displeasure against this filthy Fashion, or high and shameful Head-dresses, yet they will not reform, nor leave them off: Nor is this sin only found among those of this floor, this ⟨p. 6⟩heap, but also amongst others, who would be thought more pure, and of a finer sort: but let them know, the Fanner will suddenly come with his Fan in his hand; the day comes shall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, and all that do evil, shall be stubble, &c.2
4. There is also another part of this floor, that are Chaff, which the fire of Gods wrath will Consume and burn up, viz. all tho proud and haughty ones. This Sin reigns at this time to such a degree that we may fear some sad and fearful Judgment is near; Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty Spirit bfeore a fall. Behold the strange Dresses, and high Heads! which clearly 1represents the Vanity and Haughtiness of the Heart: The shew of their Countenance testifies against them: Women go to the Assemblies of religious Worshp as if they went to Play-houses; and tho' God hath shewed in several poor Animals, his great Wrath and displeasure against this filthy Fashon, or high and shameful Head-dresses, yet they will not reform, nor leave them off: Nor is this sin only found among those of this floor, this ⟨p. 6⟩heap, but also amongst others, who would be thought more pure, and of a finer sort: but let them know, the Fanner will suddenly come with his Fan in his hand; the day comes shall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, and all that do evil, shall be stubble, &c.
5. What a cursed heap is there also of Atheists; and Graceless Wretches, who contemn God and all Supernatural Revelation of the Divine Being, and Religion! these despise and ridicule the holy Gospel, or at best will acknowledge no other Worship nor Religion, than what the old Heathens owned, and were taught by the Light of Nature: The preaching of the Cross, or of 1a Crucified Christ, is to these foolishness; others that can't believe, nor will receive that Doctrine that comports not with their own carnal reason: What believe they can be justified by the Righteousness and Obedience of another! and their own Inherent Righteousness no part of their Justification before God! This is a strange Doctrine. For there are of this sort in this heap, such as are grievously corrupted, and erroneous, carried away with Arminianism, Socinianism and Antitrinitaism, and disallow of the chief Corner-stone God hath laid in Zion: For if Christ be not the most high God, God by Nature, Coequal and Coeternal with the Father, and one in Essence, 'tis Idolatry to yield divine Worship and homage to him; for that glory 2God will not give unto another. The gods-that have not made the Heaven and the Earth, even they shall perish.3
5. What a cursed heap is there also of Atheists; and Graceless Wretches, who contemn God and all Supernatural Revelation of the Divine Being, and Religion! these despise and ridicule the holy Gospel, or at best will acknowledge no other Worship nor Religion, than what the old Heathens owned, and were taught by the Light of Nature: The preaching of the Cross, or of 1a Crucified Christ, is to these foolishness; others that can't believe, nor will receive that Doctrine that comports not with their own carnal reason: What believe they can be justified by the Righteousness and Obedience of another! and their own Inherent Righteousness no part of their Justification before God! This is a strange Doctrine. For there are of this sort in this heap, such as are grievously corrupted, and erroneous, carried away with Arminianism, Socinianism and Antitrinitaism, and disallow of the chief Corner-stone God hath laid in Sion: For if Christ be not the most high God, God by Nature, Coequal and Coeternal with the Father, and one in Essence, 'tis Idolatry to yield divine Worship and homage to him; for that glory
6. What abundance of carnal Worldlings, covetous and Earthly-minded Wretches are there also, whose gain is their Godliness, who value no Religion, but what suits with their filthy Lusts! some of these set up for Preachers, merely for their Earthly gain, and make a Trade of it, living profane and ungodly Lives, being Guilty almost of all manner of gross and abominable Sins, preferring humane Rites and Ceremonies above Christs Institutions, and a Form of Godliness above the Power of it.
6. What abundance of carnal Worldlings, covetous and Earthly-minded Wretches are there also, whose gain is their Godliness, who value no Religion, but what suits with their filthy Lusts! some of these set up for Preachers, meerly for their Earthly gain, and make a Trade of it, living prophane and ungodly Lives, being Guilty almost of all maner of gross and abominable Sins, preferring humane Rites and Ceremonies above Christs Institutions, and a Form of Godliness above the Power of it.
7. Besides, what a heap have we among us, of Traitorous, blind and deceitful Persons, who seek to betray the Protestant Interest, and all our Civil and Religious Liberties, into the hands of the common Enemy; who neither Fear God, nor Honour the King! As also what a multitude of Thieves, High-way-men, House-breakers, and bloody Villains, skulk and hide themselves in this heap! The very mentioning of these things is enough to grieve and wound our very Souls, considering how good and gracious God hath been to us in this Land; ⟨p. 7⟩and what a Nation this hath been, and what Wonders the Almighty hath formerly and of late times wrought for us, I mean for the Land in general. May we not fear that the Fanner will come with his Fan, and sever the Chaff in his direful Indignation from the Wheat, and let the Fire of his Anger seize upon it and burn it up? what can we expect but some amazing and fearful Judgments from the Lord, unless a National Repentance and Reformation, like that of Nineveh, doth speedily prevent it?
7. Besides, what a heap have we among us, of Traiterous, blind and deceitful Persons, who seek to betray the Protestant Interest, and all our Civil and Religious Liberties, into the hands of the common Enemy; who neither Fear God, nor Honour the King! As also what a multitude of Thieves, High-way-men, House-breakers, and bloody Villains, skulk and hide themselves in this heap! The very mentioning of these things is enough to grieve and wound our very Souls, considering how good and gracious God hath been to us in this Land; ⟨p. 7⟩and what a Nation this hath been, and what Wonders the Almighty hath formerly and of late times wrought for us, I mean for the Land in general. May we not fear that the Fanner will come with his Fan, and sever the Chaff in his direful Indignation from the Wheat, and let the Fire of his Anger seize upon it and burn it up? what can we expect but some amazing and fearful Judgments from the Lord, unless a National Repentance and Reformation, like that of Nineveh, doth speedily prevent it?
Secondly, There is another Heap, that may be called Christs floor, tho' not so big as the former, and tho' they seem to be more refined—yet if we consider them all together (for they are too much divided amongst themselves) what abundance of Chaff is there here also! Are there not many amongst these as bad as others, viz. People of ill and corrupt principles, bitter and censorious Spirits, and of scandalous lives: What Malice, Envy and Hatred, do they discover one against another, because of their differing Sentiments in and about some principles of Religion, rendering their Brethren odious to the World, Back-biting, Reproaching and Scandalizing each other, to the great dishonour of God, and shame of their sacred profession? one while charging and condemning the Innocent, and yet acknowledge not their Evil; and at another time striving to vindicate and clear such as are greatly guilty before God? both which are abominable and hateful in his sight, who will judge righteously, and render to every man at last according to his Works.
Secondly, There is another Heap, that may be called Christs floor, tho' not so big as the former, and tho' they seem to be more refined—yet if we consider them all together (for they are too much divided amongst themselves) what abundance of Chaff is there here also! Are there not many amongst these as bad as others, viz. People of ill and corrupt principles, bitter and censorious Spirits, and of scandalous lives: What Malice, Envy and Hatred, do they discover one against another, because of their differing Sentiments in and about some principles of Religion, rendering their Brethren odious to the World, Back-biting, Reproaching and Scandalizing each other, to the great dishonour of God, and shame of their sacred profession? one while charging and condemning the Innocent, and yet acknowldege not their Evil; and at another time striving to vindicate and clear such as are greatly guilty before God? both which are abominable and hateful in his sight, who will judge righteously, and render to every man at last according to his Works.
Certainly there is scarcely a worse Sin than the Sin of Backbiting; he that hates his Brother (Robbing him of his good Name out of Malice and Envy) is a Murderer, and no Murderer hath eternal Life abiding in him, 1 John 3. 17. such who are destitute of Christian Love and Charity, or hate their Brethren, clearly show they act contrary to the divine Principle of Grace, nay of Morality, and so are void of that sacred Life, Nature, and Image of God. For as love to the Brethren is an Evidence of our being the Children of God, so he that is possessed with Wrath, Envy, Malice, and Hatred, shows he is one of the Children of the wicked one, who is called the Accuser of the Brethren. Clear it is that this is a Diabolical Sin, and renders such in whom it is found, like to the Devil. In this the Children of God are manifest, and the Children of the ⟨p. 8⟩Devil; Whosoever doth not Righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother.1
Certainly there is sarcely a worse Sin than the Sin of Backbiting; he that hates his Brother (Robbing him of his good Name out of Malice and Envy) is a Murtherer, and no Murtherer hath eternal Life abiding in him, 1 John 3. 17. such who are destitute of Christian Love and Charity, or hate their Brethren, clearly shew they act contrary to the divine Principle of Grace, nay of Morality, and so are void of that sacred Life, Nature, and Image of God. For as love to the Bretheren is an Evidence of our being the Children of God, so he that is possessed with Wrath, Envy, Malice, and Hatred, shews he is one of the Children of the wicked one, who is called the Accuser of the Brethren. Clear it is that this is a Diabolical Sin, and renders such in whom it is found, like to the Devil. In this the Children of God are manifest, and the Children of the ⟨p. 8⟩Devil; Whosoever doth not Righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother.1
Nay this great evil and wickedness is a sad sign that such are given up and left of God, as not retaining God in their knowledge, as the Apostle speaks of the Gentiles, who when they arrived to some degree of knowledge of God, yet did not glorify him as God; but violated his Law written in their Hearts: Therefore 'tis said, that God gave them up to vile Affections, and they were filled with all Unrighteousness, 1Fornication, Wickedness, Covetousness, Maliciousness, full of Envy, Murder, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, Whisperers, Backbiters, Despiteful, Proud, Boasters, &c. No doubt but that the Sin of Backbiting, Wrath, Malice, and Envy is as bad, if not worse, than Fornication, Swearing or Drunkenness; and lamentable it is to see this Sin, found among some who account themselves no small persons for Knowledge, Zeal and Piety in these days. But alas! alas! how sad and deplorable is their Condition, and vain that profession they make of Religion! let them repent of this their great wickedness, and get a changed heart. Moreover, are there not in this floor others who are proud, earthly, carnal and covetous Persons? they are called Nonconformists, but 'tis not so far as they ought from the Sins and Pollutions of this World, they conform to them in their detestable fashions and covetous practices: Do not many of them appear to love Sons and Daughters more than Christ or his sinking Interest? they can lay out plentifully to feed and clothe their own Children, whilst their bowels are shut up against the poor Members of Christ or Children of God; they'll spare more to gratify the Pride and base Lusts of their Children, than they will spare to supply the necessities of the poor Saints, or to support the Interest of Christ and his Gospel: Many pounds shall go for the first use, when a Shilling is thought a great deal with some of them for the second; they think nothing too much to enrich and uphold their own Families, whilst the Family of God suffers want, and the Cause of Christ languishes in their hands. O how little does the power of Grace and true Godliness shine amongst this sort! what formality and lukewarmness is there in these days, amongst such who are called Saints and holy Brethren! This, it is true, may be called Christ's Floor especially, but abundance of Chaff, no doubt will be found in it, when the Fanner comes to fan it. Look to it you Sinners in Zion:
Nay this great evil and wickedness is a sad sign that such are given up and left of God, as not retaining God in their knowledge, as the Apostle speaks of the Gentiles, who when they arrived to some degree of knowledge of God, yet did not glorifie him as God; but violated his Law written in their Hearts: Therefore 'tis said, that God gave them up to vile Affections, and they were filled with all Unrighteousness,
Fearfulness will ere long surprise the Hypocrite. ⟨p. 9⟩Who among us shall dwell with devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with Everlasting Burning? Isa. 33.
Fearfulness will e're long surprize the Hipocrite. ⟨p. 9⟩Who among us shall dwell with devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with Everlasting Burning? Isa. 33.
But so much as to what is meant by Christs Floor.
Answ. A Fan is a certain Instrument which the Husbandman uses to cleanse, or purge his Corn from the Chaff, evil Seeds, and all filth whatsoever: And this Instrument he holds in his hands, and uses upon his Knees, by which he tosses up the Wheat and Chaff together: And then shakes it to and fro, moving all at once, by which a wind is made, and the Chaff is blown away, and the Wheat separated and purged from it: Now John Baptist alludes to such an Instrument as this.
