The Christians Two Chiefe Lessons

p. 1THE CHRISTIANS First Chiefe LESSON, Viz. Selfe-deniall.

Then said Iesus unto his Disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himselfe, and take up his Crosse, and follow me.

OVR Saviour Christ, having told his Disciples in the 21. Verse of those troubles that should shortly befall himselfe and them, viz. That he must suffer many things at Ierusalem of the Elders, and chiefe Priests, and Scribes, and bee p. 2killed, &c. The matter now comes to this, how Peter carried himselfe upon this occasion; Hee grieves that Christ should be deprived of honour, and of an earthly Kingdome, and that he should die, and therefore hee controls Christ, verse 22. Where he argueth either Christ fearfulnesse, or rashnesse; either that Christ should not goe, or if hee went, that this should not be: Thus Peter would doe that, which would undoe the whole world. Hence Christ speakes to Peter, and checks him sharpely; for he saw Satan in Peter tempting him; therefore as he reproves him, hee speakes again to the Apostles to fortifie themselves against the stumbling block Peter had laid, and he tels them what shall befall them, and himselfe too; for if the head be wounded, the members must needs feele it also; if you will be Christs Disciples, you must take up your Crosse, as Christ did.

In the Text are three things considerable.

1. The Preface.

3. The Reason, in 25. and 26. Verses, both verified by Christ, verse 28.

In the Preface there is

1 The Parties to whom,

2 The time when.

In the Dutie there is,

1 The Act, follow.

2 The Ground, there must be a Resolution.

3 The Meanes used, and they are,

Two-fold,

1 To deny a Mans-selfe.

2 To take up the Crosse.

p. 3Now to the Preface where I observe two points.

1. The Parties he speakes to, His Disciples.

Doct.

That even the best of Gods Servants need seasonable Counsell and Advice.

Hee said to his Disciples, q. d. Let not Peter deceive you, you must have Crosses, you must not dreame of Crownes; therefore expect a Crosse, for it will befall you. Hence come all those Exhortations, Heb. 3.13. [Heb. 3.13.] Exhort one another daily, there is none excepted▪ this must not be seldome, but daily, and not hereafter, but now, while it is called today. But what need is there of it? lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sin. As who should say, there is great reason; for there are many distempers, wee are bad of our selves, and ready to be led away to sinne; therefore exhort. This is the reason of all those Caveats, 2 Pet. 3.17. [2 Pet. 3.17.] Beware lest yee be led away with the errour of the wicked: Hee exhorts also the like in other places. Beware, that implies there is a need, for the heart is open to many dangers. So Luke 12.4. [Luke 12.4.] I say unto you, my friends be not afraid, &c. It is friendly counsell, not to the wicked, but to Gods owne; the strongest bones need sinewes, an Arme cannot lack the least bone; the greatest Pillars have need of the lesse things: So in the Church, the strongest members in the same need advice, and support; the richest man must use the Market; so none can live without the Market of the society of Saints; and there is need of helpe to the best. Thus we see, even a Disciple, the best Saints need the helpe of others.

p. 4Reason

In regard of their weakenesse.

1 The wisest man understands not every thing.

2 What wee know, we oftentimes forget.

3 Though we know, and forget not, yet we are unconstant to follow that we know.

4 Though wee know, and remember, and are not unconstant, yet our hearts are not so affected with the truth, as they should. Therefore, for all these causes we have need the best of us, of Counsell and advice; for what wee know not it may reveale; what we remember not, it may recall; what wee consider not, it may helpe; what we affect not, it may stirre up to, Act. 15.32. Iudas and Silas exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them, (i) setled and grounded them better in the faith: Even, Moses had his hands held up. So we stand in need of savoury Counsell.

Vse 1

It reproves the disposition of carnall men, that cast off Counsell, that turne the deafe eare to it, that mock at it, that thinke they have not need of it; it matters not whether they have it or not. O this is a sturdy Resolution; what sturdy hearts have men now a dayes, that beat back the meanes of grace, and stand upon their Pantables: that say, let him keepe his breath to informe them that need it: I for my part will have none, wee are too old to be taught: hast thou no need? the wisest need it, and thou needst it; because thou sayest thou needs it not.

But what hath he to do with mee? to play the Bishop in another mans Diocesse, and to row in another mans Boat, &c.

Answ.

Every Saint hath to doe with one another, wee p. 5are our Brothers Keepers except we be Cains, and will have Cains wages: therefore hee hath to doe with thee, if hee love thee as he should.

But he is unfit; if a grave, wise, learned man should doe it, then it were somewhat: but what? for such a young upstart to doe it? he is unfit.

Answ.

Wilt thou refuse physick, because it comes in an earthen Pot, and not in a silver Cup? or refuse a salve, because it sticks on leather, and not on velvet? so because a weake instrument, though not so grave as others, offers helpe, wilt thou therefore neglect it? Doe not cast away Counsell, because of the weaknesse of the Instrument, 1 Sam. 2. Old Elies sonnes despised Counsell, and why? the Text saith, God had a purpose to destroy them. It is an Argument God hath a purpose to destroy a man, when hee refuseth Counsell, Exod. 10.28. [Exod. 10.28.] When Moses had often spoken to Pharaoh, at last he cast him out, and bad him see his face no more, get thee gone, I will have no more of thee. Marke how Moses answers: I will see thy face no more; hee came no more to counsell him, but God came to plague him: therefore take heed thou that sayest, away with counselling and preaching: Brethren, if that comes not, take heed lest God came with vengeance.