\u201cThe mystery of iniquity doth already work.\u201d <\/i><\/p>\n
2 Thess. 2:7.<\/p>\n
1. Without inquiring how far these words refer to any particular event in the Christian Church, I would at present take occasion from them to consider that important question, \u2014 In what manner the mystery of iniquity hath wrought among us till it hath well-nigh covered the whole earth.<\/p>\n
2. It is certain that \u201cGod made man upright;\u201d perfectly holy and perfectly happy: But by rebelling against God, he destroyed himself, lost the favour and the image of God, and entailed sin, with its attendant, pain, on himself and all his posterity. Yet his merciful Creator did not leave him in this helpless, hopeless state: He immediately appointed his Son, his well-beloved Son, \u201cwho is the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person,\u201d to be the Saviour of men; \u201cthe propitiation for the sins of the whole world;\u201d the great Physician who, by his almighty Spirit, should heal the sickness of their souls, and restore them not only to the favour, but to \u201cthe image of God wherein they were created.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. This great mystery of godliness began to work from the very time of the original promise. Accordingly, the Lamb being, in the purpose of God, \u201cslain from the beginning of the world,\u201d from the same period his sanctifying Spirit began to renew the souls of men. We have an undeniable instance of this in Abel, who \u201cobtained a testimony\u201d from God \u201cthat he was righteous.\u201d (Heb. 11:4.) And from that very time all that were partakers of the same faith were partakers of the same salvation; were not only re-instated in the favour, but likewise restored to the image, of God.<\/p>\n
4. But how exceeding small was the number of these even from the earliest ages! No sooner did \u201cthe sons of men multiply upon the face of the earth,\u201d than God, looking down from heaven, \u201csaw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth;\u201d so great that \u201cevery imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil,\u201d only evil, and that \u201ccontinually.\u201d (Gen. 6:1\u20135.) And so it remained, without any intermission, till God executed that terrible sentence, \u201cI will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.\u201d (Gen. 6:7.)<\/p>\n
5. Only \u201cNoah found grace in the eyes of the Lord;\u201d being \u201ca just man, and perfect in his generations.\u201d Him, therefore, with his wife, his sons, and their wives, God preserved from the general destruction. And one might have imagined that this small remnant would likewise have been \u201cperfect in their generations.\u201d But how far was this from being the case! Presently after this signal deliverance we find one of them, Ham, involved in sin, and under his father\u2019s curse. And how did \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d afterwards work, not only in the posterity of Ham, but in the posterity of Japheth; yea, and of Shem, \u2014 Abraham and his family only excepted!<\/p>\n
6. Yea, how did it work even in the posterity of Abraham; in God\u2019s chosen people! Were not these also, down to Moses, to David, to Malachi, to Herod the Great, a faithless and stubborn generation, a \u201csinful nation, a people laden with iniquity,\u201d continually forsaking the Lord, and \u201cprovoking the Holy One of Israel?\u201d And yet we have no reason to believe that these were worse than the nations that surrounded them, who were universally swallowed up in all manner of wickedness, as well as in damnable idolatries; not having the God of heaven \u201cin all their thoughts,\u201d but working all uncleanness with greediness.<\/p>\n
7. In the fulness of time, when iniquity of every kind, when ungodliness and unrighteousness, had spread over all nations, and covered the earth as a flood, it pleased God to lift up a standard against it by \u201cbringing his first-begotten into the world.\u201d Now, then, one would expect \u201cthe mystery of godliness\u201d would totally prevail over \u201cthe mystery of iniquity;\u201d that the Son of God would be \u201ca light to lighten the Gentiles,\u201d as well as \u201csalvation to his people Israel.\u201d All Israel, one would think, yea, and all the earth, will soon be filled with the glory of the Lord. Nay: \u201cThe mystery of iniquity\u201d prevailed still, well-nigh over the face of the earth. How exceeding small was the number of those whose souls were healed by the Son of God himself! \u201cWhen Peter stood up in the midst of them, the number of names was about a hundred and twenty.\u201d (Acts 1:15.) And even these were but imperfectly healed; the chief of them being a little before so weak in faith that, though they did not, like Peter, forswear their Master, yet \u201cthey all forsook him and fled:\u201d A plain proof that the sanctifying \u201cSpirit was not\u201d then \u201cgiven, because Jesus was not glorified.\u201d<\/p>\n
8. It was then, when he had \u201cascended up on high, and led captivity captive,\u201d that \u201cthe promise of the Father\u201d was fulfilled, which they had heard from him. It was then he began to work like himself, showing that \u201call power was given to him in heaven and earth.\u201d \u201cWhen the day of Pentecost was fully come, suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and there appeared tongues as of fire; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.\u201d (Acts 2:1.) In consequence of this, three thousand souls received medicine to heal their sickness, were restored to the favour and the image of God under one sermon of St. Peter\u2019s. (Acts 2:41.) \u201cAnd the Lord added to them daily, \u201cnot such as should be saved;<\/i> a manifest perversion of the text; but \u201csuch as were saved.\u201d The expression is peculiar; and so indeed is the position of the words, which run thus: \u201cAnd the Lord added those that were saved daily to the church.\u201d First, they \u201cwere saved\u201d from the power of sin; then they \u201cwere added\u201d to the assembly of the faithful.<\/p>\n
9. In order clearly to see how they were already saved, we need only observe the short account of them which is recorded in the latter part of the second and in the fourth chapter. \u201cThey continued steadfastly in the Apostles\u2019 doctrine, and in the fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers:\u201d That is, they were daily taught by the Apostles, and had all things common, and received the Lord\u2019s supper, and attended all the public service. (Acts 2:42.) \u201cAnd all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.\u201d (Acts 2:44, 45.) And again: \u201cThe multitude of them that believed,\u201d now greatly increased, \u201cwere of one heart and of one soul: Neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.\u201d (Acts 4:32.) And yet again: \u201cGreat grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: For as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the Apostles\u2019 feet: And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.\u201d (Acts 4:33\u201335.)<\/p>\n
10. But here a question will naturally occur: \u201cHow came they to act thus, to have all things in common, seeing we do not read of any positive command to do this?\u201d I answer, There needed no outward command: The command was written on their hearts. It naturally and necessarily resulted from the degree of love which they enjoyed. Observe! \u201cThey were of one heart, and of one soul:\u201d And not so much as one (so the words run) said, (they could not, while their hearts so overflowed with love,) \u201cthat any of the things which he possessed was his own.\u201d And wheresoever the same cause shall prevail, the same effect will naturally follow.<\/p>\n
11. Here was the dawn of the proper gospel day. Here was a proper Christian Church. It was now \u201cthe Sun of Righteousness\u201d rose upon the earth, \u201cwith healing in his wings.\u201d He did now \u201csave his people from their sins:\u201d He \u201chealed all their sickness.\u201d He not only taught that religion which is the true \u201chealing of the soul,\u201d but effectually planted it in the earth; filling the souls of all that believed in him with righteousness,<\/i> \u2014 gratitude to God, and good-will to man; attended with a peace<\/i> that surpassed all understanding, and with joy unspeakable and full of glory.<\/p>\n
12. But how soon did \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d work again, and obscure the glorious prospect! It began to work (not openly indeed, but covertly) in two of the Christians, Ananias and Sapphira. \u201cThey sold their possession,\u201d like the rest, and probably for the same motive; but afterwards, giving place to the devil, and reasoning with flesh and blood, they \u201ckept back part of the price.\u201d See the first Christians, that \u201cmade shipwreck of faith and a good conscience;\u201d the first that \u201cdrew back to perdition;\u201d instead of continuing to \u201cbelieve to the\u201d final \u201csalvation of the soul!\u201d Mark the first plague which infected the Christian Church; namely, the love of money! And will it not be the grand plague in all generations, whenever God shall revive the same work? O ye believers in Christ, take warning! Whether you are yet but little children, or young men that are strong in the faith, see the snare; your snare in particular, \u2014 that which you will be peculiarly exposed to after you have escaped from gross pollutions. \u201cLove not the world, neither the things of the world! If any man love the world,\u201d whatever he was in times past, \u201cthe love of the Father is not\u201d now \u201cin him!\u201d<\/p>\n
13. However, this plague was stayed in the first Christian Church, by instantly cutting off the infected persons. By that signal judgment of God on the first offenders, \u201cgreat fear came upon all;\u201d (Acts 5:11; ) so that, for the present at least, not one dared to follow their example. Meantime believers, men full of faith and love, who rejoiced to have all things in common, \u201cwere the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.\u201d (Acts 5:14.)<\/p>\n
14. If we inquire in what manner \u201cthe mystery of iniquity,\u201d the energy of Satan, began to work again in the Christian Church, we shall find it wrought in quite a different way; putting on quite another shape: Partiality crept in among the Christian believers. Those by whom the distribution to everyone was made had respect of persons; largely supplying those of their own nation, while the other widows, who were not Hebrews, \u201cwere neglected in the daily administration.\u201d (Acts 6:1.) Distribution was not made to them according as everyone had need. Here was a manifest breach of brotherly love in the Hebrews; a sin both against justice and mercy: Seeing the Grecians, as well as the Hebrews, had \u201csold all they had, and laid the price at the Apostles\u2019 feet.\u201d See the second plague that broke in upon the Christian Church! \u2014 Partially; respect of persons; too much regard for those of our own side; and too little for others, though equally worthy.<\/p>\n
15. The infection did not stop here, but one evil produced many more. From partiality in the Hebrews, \u201cthere arose in the Grecians a murmuring against\u201d them; not only discontent and resentful thoughts, but words suitable thereto; unkind expressions, hard speeches, evil-speaking, and backbiting, naturally followed. And by the \u201croot of bitterness\u201d thus \u201cspringing up,\u201d undoubtedly \u201cmany were defiled.\u201d The Apostles indeed soon found out a means of removing the occasion of this murmuring; yet so much of the evil root remained, that God saw it needful to use a severer remedy. He let loose the world upon them all; if haply by their sufferings, by the spoiling of their goods, by pain, imprisonment, and death itself, he might at once punish and amend them. And persecution, God\u2019s last remedy for a backsliding people, had the happy effect for which he intended it. Both the partiality of the Hebrews ceased, and the murmuring of the Grecians: And \u201cthen had the churches rest, and were edified;\u201d built up in the love of God and one another; \u201cand, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.\u201d (Acts 9:31.)<\/p>\n
16. It seems to have been some time after this, that \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d began to work in the form of zeal. Great troubles arose by means of some who zealously contended for circumcision, and the rest of the ceremonial law; till the Apostles and Elders put an end to the spreading evil, by that final determination, \u2014 \u201cIt seemed good unto the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication.\u201d (Acts 15:28, 29.) Yet was not this evil so thoroughly suppressed, but that it frequently broke out again; as we learn from various parts of St. Paul\u2019s Epistles, particularly that to the Galatians.<\/p>\n
17. Nearly allied to this was another grievous evil, which at the same time sprang up in the Church; \u2014 want of mutual forbearance, and, of consequence, anger, strife, contention, variance. One very remarkable instance of this we find in this very chapter. When \u201cPaul said to Barnabas, Let us visit the brethren where we have preached the word, Barnabas determined to take with him John;\u201d because he was \u201chis sister\u2019s son.\u201d \u201cBut Paul thought it not good to take him who had deserted them before.\u201d And he had certainly reason on his side. But Barnabas resolved to have his own way. egeneto oun paroxysmos<\/i>, \u2014 and there was a fit of anger.<\/i> It does not say, on St. Paul\u2019s side: Barnabas only had passion, to supply the want of reason. Accordingly he departed from the work, and went home; while St. Paul went forward \u201cthrough Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.\u201d (Acts 15:41.)<\/p>\n
18. The very first society of Christians at Rome were not altogether free from this evil leaven. There were \u201cdivisions and offences\u201d among them also; (Rom. 16:17; ) although, in general, they seem to have \u201cwalked in love.\u201d But how early did the \u201cmystery of iniquity\u201d work, and how powerfully, in the Church at Corinth! Not only schisms and heresies, animosities, fierce and bitter contentions were among them; but open, actual sins; yea, \u201csuch fornication as was not named among the Heathens.\u201d (1 Cor. 5:1.) Nay, there was need to remind them that \u201cneither adulterers, nor thieves, nor drunkards\u201d could \u201center into the kingdom of heaven.\u201d (1 Cor. 6:9, 10.) And in all St. Paul\u2019s Epistles we meet with abundant proof, that tares grew up, with the wheat in all the Churches, and that \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d did every where, in a thousand forms, counterwork \u201cthe mystery of godliness.\u201d<\/p>\n
19. When St. James wrote his Epistle, directed more immediately \u201cto the twelve tribes scattered abroad,\u201d to the converted Jews, the tares sown among his wheat had produced a plentiful harvest. That grand pest of Christianity, a faith without works, was spread far and wide; filling the Church with a \u201cwisdom from beneath,\u201d which was \u201cearthly, sensual, devilish,\u201d and which gave rise, not only to rash judging and evil-speaking, but to \u201cenvy, strife, confusion, and every evil work.\u201d Indeed, whoever peruses the fourth and fifth chapters of this Epistle, with serious attention, will be inclined to believe, that even in this early period the tares had nigh choked the wheat, and that among most of those to whom St. James wrote, no more than the form of godliness, if so much, was left.<\/p>\n
20. St. Peter wrote about the same time \u201cto the strangers,\u201d the Christians, \u201cscattered abroad through\u201d all those spacious provinces of \u201cPontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia\u201d Minor, \u201cand Bithynia.\u201d These, probably, were some of the most eminent Christians that were then in the world. Yet how exceeding far were even these from being \u201cwithout spot and blemish!\u201d And what grievous tares were here also growing up with the wheat! Some of them were \u201cbringing in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them:\u201d (2 Pet. 2:1.) And \u201cmany followed their pernicious ways;\u201d of whom the Apostle gives that terrible character: \u201cThey walk after the flesh,\u201d in \u201cthe lust of uncleanness, like brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed. Spots they are, and blemishes, while they feast with you;\u201d (in the \u201cfeasts of charity,\u201d then celebrated throughout the whole Church:) \u201chaving eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest, for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.\u201d And yet these very men were called Christians, and were even then in the bosom of the Church! Nor does the Apostle mention them as infesting any one particular church only; but as a general plague, which even then was dispersed far and wide among all the Christians to whom he wrote!<\/p>\n
21. Such is the authentic account of \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d working even in the apostolic Churches! \u2014 an account given, not by the Jews or Heathens, but by the Apostles themselves. To this we may add the account which is given by the Head and Founder of the Church; Him \u201cwho holds the stars in his right hand;\u201d who is \u201cthe faithful and true Witness.\u201d We may easily infer what was the state of the Church in general, from the state of the seven Churches in Asia. One of these indeed, the Church of Philadelphia, had \u201ckept his word, and had not denied his name;\u201d (Rev. 3:8; ) the Church of Smyrna was likewise in a flourishing state: But all the rest were corrupted, more or less; insomuch that many of them were not a jot better than the present race of Christians; and our Lord then threatened, what he has long since performed, to \u201cremove the candlestick\u201d from them.<\/p>\n
22. Such was the real state of the Christian Church, even during the first century; while not only St. John, but most of the Apostles were present with and presided over it. But what a mystery is this, that the All-wise, the All-gracious, the Almighty, should suffer it so to be, not in one only, but as far as we can learn, in every Christian society, those of Smyrna and Philadelphia excepted! And how came these to be excepted? Why were these less corrupted (to go no farther) than the other Churches of Asia? It seems, because they were less wealthy. The Christians in Philadelphia were not literally \u201cincreased in goods,\u201d like those in Ephesus or Laodicea; and if the Christians at Smyrna had acquired more wealth, it was swept away by persecution. So that these, having less of this world\u2019s goods, retained more of the simplicity and purity of the gospel. <\/p>\n
23. But how contrary is this scriptural account of the ancient Christians to the ordinary apprehensions of men! We have been apt to imagine, that the Primitive Church was all excellence and perfection; answerable to that strong description which St. Peter cites from Moses: \u201cYe are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people.\u201d And such, without all doubt, the first Christian Church, which commenced at the day of Pentecost, was. But how soon did the fine gold become dim! How soon was the wine mixed with water! How little time elapsed, before the \u201cgod of this world\u201d so far regained his empire, that Christians in general were scarce distinguishable from Heathens, save by their opinions and modes of worship!<\/p>\n
24. And if the state of the Church in the very first century was so bad, we cannot suppose it was any better in the second. Undoubtedly it grew worse and worse. Tertullian, one of the most eminent Christians of that age, has given us an account of it in various parts of his writings, whence we learn that real, internal religion was hardly found; nay, that not only the tempers of the Christians were exactly the same with those of their heathen neighbours, (pride, passion, love of the world reigning alike in both,) but their lives and manners also. The bearing a faithful testimony against the general corruption of Christians, seems to have raised the outcry against Montanus; and against Tertullian himself, when he was convinced that the testimony of Montanus was true. As to the heresies fathered upon Montanus, it is not easy to find what they were. I believe his grand heresy was, the maintaining that \u201cwithout\u201d inward and outward \u201choliness no man shall see the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
25. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, in every respect an unexceptionable witness, who flourished about the middle of the third century, has left us abundance of letters, in which he gives a large and particular account of the state of religion in his time. In reading this, one would be apt to imagine, he was reading an account of the present century: So totally void of true religion were the generality both of the laity and clergy, so immersed in ambition, envy, covetousness, luxury, and all other vices, that the Christians of Africa were then exactly the same as the Christians of England are now.<\/p>\n
26. It is true, that during this whole period, during the first three centuries, there were intermixed longer or shorter seasons wherein true Christianity revived. In those seasons the justice and mercy of God let loose the Heathens upon the Christians. Many of these were then called to resist unto blood. And \u201cthe blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church.\u201d The apostolic spirit returned; and many \u201ccounted not their lives dear unto themselves, so they might finish their course with joy.\u201d Many others were reduced to happy poverty; and being stripped of what they had loved too well, they \u201cremembered from whence they were fallen, and repented, and did their first works.\u201d<\/p>\n
27. Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle, patient love, which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck in the fourth century by Constantine the Great, when he called himself a Christian, and poured in a flood of riches, honours, and power upon the Christians; more especially upon the Clergy. Then was fulfilled in the Christian Church, what Sallust says of the people of Rome: Sublata imperii aemula, non sensim, sed praecipiti cursu, a virtutibus descitum, ad vitia transcursum<\/i>. [Mr. Wesley doubtless quoted from memory; and this accounts for the slight mistake into which he has here fallen. the passage referred to does not occur in Sallust, but in Velleius Paterculus, and reads thus: \u2014 Remoto Carthaginis metu, sublataque imperri aemula, non gradu, sed praecipiti cursu, a virtute descitum, ad vitia transcursum<\/i>. Lib. ii. cap. 1. \u2014 Edit.] Just so, when the fear of persecution was removed, and wealth and honour attended the Christian profession, the Christians \u201cdid not gradually sink, but rushed headlong into all manner of vices.\u201d Then \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d was no more hid, but stalked abroad in the face of the sun. Then, not the golden but the iron age of the Church commenced: Then one might truly say,<\/p>\n
Protinus irrupit venae pejoris in aevum<\/p>\n
Omne nefas; fugere pudor, verumque fidesque,<\/p>\n
In quorum subiere locum fraudesque, dolique,<\/p>\n
Insidiaeque, et vis, et amor sceleratus habendi.<\/p>\n
At once, in that unhappy age, broke in<\/p>\n
All wickedness, and every deadly sin:<\/p>\n
Truth, modesty, and love fled far away,<\/p>\n
And force, and thirst of gold, claim\u2019d universal sway,<\/p>\n
28. And this is the event which most Christian expositors mention with such triumph! yea, which some of them suppose to be typified in the Revelation, by \u201cthe New Jerusalem coming down from heaven!\u201d Rather say, it was the coming of Satan and all his legions from the bottomless pit: Seeing from that very time he hath set up his throne over the face of the whole earth, and reigned over the Christian as well as the Pagan world with hardly any control. Historians, indeed, tell us, very gravely, of nations, in every century, who were by such and such (Saints<\/i> without doubt!) converted to Christianity: But still these converts practised all kinds of abominations, exactly as they did before; no way differing, either in their tempers or in their lives, from the nations that were still called Heathens. Such has been the deplorable state of the Christian Church, from the time of Constantine till the Reformation. A Christian nation, a Christian city, (according to the scriptural model,) was nowhere to be seen; but every city and country, a few individuals excepted, was plunged in all manner of wickedness.<\/p>\n
29. Has the case been altered since the Reformation? Does \u201cthe mystery of iniquity\u201d no longer work in the Church? No: The Reformation itself has not extended to above one third of the Western Church: so that two thirds of this remain as they were; so do the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Churches. They are as full of heathenish, or worse than heathenish, abominations, as ever they were before. And what is the condition of the Reformed Churches? It is certain that they were reformed in their opinions, as well as their modes of worship. But is not this all? Were either their tempers or lives reformed? Not at all. Indeed many of the Reformers themselves complained, that \u201cthe Reformation was not carried far enough.\u201d But what did they mean? Why, that they did not sufficiently reform the rites<\/i> and ceremonies<\/i> of the Church. Ye fools and blind! to fix your whole attention on the circumstantials of religion! Your complaint ought to have been, the essentials of religion were not carried far enough! You ought vehemently to have insisted on an entire change of men\u2019s tempers<\/i> and lives;<\/i> on their showing they had \u201cthe mind that was in Christ,\u201d by \u201cwalking as he also walked.\u201d Without this, how exquisitely trifling was the reformation of opinions and rites and ceremonies! Now, let any one survey the state of Christianity in the Reformed parts of Switzerland; in Germany, or France; in Sweden, Denmark, Holland; in Great Britain and Ireland. How little are any of these Reformed Christians better than heathen nations! Have they more, (I will not say, communion with God, although there is no Christianity without it,) but have they more justice, mercy, or truth, than the inhabitants of China, or Indostan? O no! we must acknowledge with sorrow and shame, that we are far beneath them!<\/p>\n
That we, who by thy Name are named,<\/p>\n
The heathens unbaptized out-sin!<\/p>\n
30. Is not this the falling away<\/i> or apostasy<\/i> from God, foretold by St. Paul in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians? (2 Thess. 2:3.) Indeed, I would not dare to say, with George Fox, that this apostasy was universal; that there never were any real Christians in the world, from the days of the Apostles till his time. But we may boldly say, that wherever Christianity has spread, the apostasy has spread also; insomuch that, although there are now, and always have been, individuals who were real Christians; yet the whole world never did, nor can at this day, show a Christian country or city.<\/p>\n
31. I would now refer it to every man of reflection, who believes the Scriptures to be of God, whether this general apostasy does not imply the necessity of a general reformation? Without allowing this, how can we possibly justify either the wisdom or goodness of God? According to Scripture, the Christian religion was designed for \u201cthe healing of the nations;\u201d for the saving from sin by means of the Second Adam, all that were \u201cconstituted sinners\u201d by the first. But it does not answer this end: It never did; unless for a short time at Jerusalem. What can we say, but that if it has not yet, it surely will answer it? The time is coming, when not only \u201call Israel shall be saved,\u201d but \u201cthe fullness of the Gentiles will come in.\u201d The time cometh, when \u201cviolence shall no more be heard in the earth, wasting or destruction within our borders;\u201d but every city shall call her \u201cwalls Salvation, and her gates Praise;\u201d when the people, saith the Lord, \u201cshall be all righteous, they shall inherit the land for ever; the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.\u201d (Isa. 60:18, 21.)<\/p>\n
32. From the preceding considerations we may learn the full answer to one of the grand objections of infidels against Christianity; namely, the lives of Christians.<\/i> Of Christians, do you say? I doubt whether you ever knew a Christian<\/i> in your life. When Tomo Chachi, the Indian Chief, keenly replied to those who spoke to him of being a Christian, \u201cWhy, these<\/i> are Christians at Savannah! These are Christians at Frederica!\u201d \u2014 the proper answer was, \u201cNo, they are not; they are no more Christians than you and Sinauky.\u201d \u201cBut are not those Christians in Canterbury, in London, in Westminster?\u201d No: no more than they are angels. None are Christians, but they that have the mind which was in Christ, and walk as he walked. \u201cWhy, if these only are Christians,\u201d said an eminent wit, \u201cI never saw a Christian yet.\u201d I believe it: You never did; and, perhaps, you never will; for you will never find them in the grand or the gay world. The few Christians that are upon the earth, are only to be found where you<\/i> never look for them. Never therefore, urge this objection more: Never object to Christianity the lives or tempers of Heathens. Though they are called Christians, the name does not imply the thing: They are as far from this as hell from heaven!<\/p>\n
33. We may learn from hence, Secondly, the extent of the fall, \u2014 the astonishing spread of original corruption. What among so many thousands, so many millions, is there \u201cnone righteous, no, not one?\u201d Not by nature. But including the grace of God, I will not say with the heathen poet, \u2014 <\/p>\n
Rari quippe boni: numero vix sunt totidem, quot<\/p>\n
Thebarum portae, vel divitis ostia Nili.<\/p>\n
[The following is Gifford\u2019s translation of this quotation from Juvenal: \u2014 <\/p>\n
\u2014 The good are few! \u201cthe valued file\u201d<\/p>\n
Scarce pass the gates of Thebes, the mouths of Nile.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Edit.]<\/p>\n
As if he had allowed too much, in supposing there were a hundred good men in the Roman Empire, he comes to himself, and affirms there are hardly seven. Nay, surely, there were seven thousand! There were so many long ago in one small nation, where Elijah supposed there were none at all. But, allowing a few exceptions, we are authorized to say, \u201cThe whole world lieth in wickedness;\u201d yea, \u201cin the wicked one,\u201d as the words properly signify. \u201cYes, the whole heathen world.\u201d Yea, and the Christian too; (so called;) for where is the difference, save in a few externals? See with your own eyes! Look into that large country, Indostan. There are Christians and Heathens too. Which have more justice, mercy, and truth? the Christians or the Heathens? Which are most corrupt, infernal, devilish, in their tempers and practice? the English or the Indians? Which have desolated whole countries, and clogged the rivers with dead bodies?<\/p>\n
O sacred name of Christian! how profaned!<\/p>\n
O earth, earth, earth! how dost thou groan under the villainies of thy Christian<\/i> inhabitants!<\/p>\n
34. From many of the preceding circumstances we may learn, Thirdly, what is the genuine tendency of riches: What a baleful influence they have had, in all ages, upon pure and undefiled religion. Not that money is an evil of itself: It is applicable to good as well as bad purposes. But, nevertheless, it is an undoubted truth, that \u201cthe love of money is the root of all evil;\u201d and also, that the possession of riches naturally breeds the love of them. Accordingly, it is an old remark,<\/p>\n
Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs money increases, so does the love of it;\u201d and always will, without a miracle of grace. Although, therefore, other causes may concur; yet this has been, in all ages, the principal cause of the decay of true religion in every Christian community. As long as the Christians in any place were poor, they were devoted to God. While they had little of the world, they did not love the world; but the more they had of it, the more they loved it. This constrained the Lover of their souls, at various times, to unchain their persecutors; who, by reducing them to their former poverty, reduced them to their former purity. But still remember, riches have, in all ages, been the bane of genuine Christianity!<\/p>\n
35. We may learn hence, Fourthly, how great watchfulness they need who desire to be real Christians; considering what a state the world is in! May not each of them well say,<\/p>\n
Into a world of ruffians sent,<\/p>\n
I walk on hostile ground:<\/p>\n
Wild human bears, on slaughter bent,<\/p>\n
And ravening wolves surround?<\/p>\n
They are the more dangerous, because they commonly appear in sheep\u2019s clothing. Even those who do not pretend to religion, yetmake fair professions of good-will, of readiness to serve us, and, perhaps, of truth and honesty. But beware of taking their word! Trust not any man, until he fears God! It is a great truth,<\/p>\n
He that fears no God, can love no friend:<\/p>\n
Therefore stand upon your guard against every one that is not earnestly seeking to save his soul. We have need to keep both our heart and mouth as \u201cwith a bridle, while the ungodly are in our sight.\u201d Their conversation, their spirit, is infectious, and steals upon us unawares, we know not how. \u201cHappy is the man that feareth always,\u201d in this sense also, lest he should partake of other men\u2019s sins. O \u201ckeep thyself pure!\u201d \u201cWatch and pray, that thou enter not into temptation!\u201d<\/p>\n
36. We may learn from hence, Lastly, what thankfulness becomes those who have escaped the corruption that is in the world; whom God hath chosen out of the world, to be holy and unblamable. \u201cWho is it that maketh thee to differ?\u201d \u201cAnd what hast thou which thou hast not received?\u201d Is it not \u201cGod\u201d alone \u201cwho worketh in thee both to will and to do of his good pleasure?\u201d \u201cAnd let those give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed and delivered from the hand of the enemy.\u201d Let us praise him, that he hath given us to see the deplorable state of all that are round about us, to see the wickedness which overflows the earth, and yet not be borne away by the torrent! We see the general, the almost universal contagion; and yet it cannot approach to hurt us! Thanks be unto Him \u201cwho hath delivered us from so great a death, and doth still deliver!\u201d And have we not farther ground for thankfulness, yea, and strong consolation, in the blessed hope which God hath given us, that the time is at hand, when righteousness shall be as universal as unrighteousness is now? Allowing that \u201cthe whole creation now groaneth together\u201d under the sin of man, our comfort is, it will not always groan: God will arise and maintain his own cause; and the whole creation shall then be delivered both from moral and natural corruption. Sin, and its consequence, pain, shall be no more: Holiness and happiness will cover the earth. Then shall all the ends of the world see the salvation of our God; and the whole race of mankind shall know, and love, and serve God, and reign with him for ever and ever!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThe mystery of iniquity doth already work.\u201d 2 Thess. 2:7. 1. Without inquiring how far these words refer to any particular event in the Christian Church, I would at present take occasion from them to consider that important question, \u2014 In what manner the mystery of iniquity hath wrought among us till it hath well-nigh … Continue reading “THE
\nMYSTERY OF INIQUITY”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9289\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}