An Exhortation Unto Reformation

p. 1AN Exhortation unto Reformation.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works—

GOD who at sundry times, and in divers manners spake in time◊ past to the fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son. This Book, wherein we finde ou◊ Text, it hath this peculiar unto it, that it bears the Style and Inscription of this great Prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, Chap. 1.1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. And indeed it bears a very lively impression of his Image (as it were) in the Frontispiece of it, drawn out to the Life by a twofold description of him, in his Person, Office and Work, Chap. 1. ver. 5, 6, 7, 8. & ver. 13, 14, 15, 16— as also throughout the whole Book, respecting both the Matter of it, and the Manne◊ of delivery, in the Mystery and Majesty of it. It hath also this peculiar Eminency and Excellency, that it contains a Systeme, or the Sum of all Gospel Prophesie. It is a Prophetical Revelation of all Mysteries of Divine Dispensation, in the whole Series and Succession of it, in every Age and Generation, and in every state and condition of the Church; respecting both the Propagation of his Kingdome, and the destruction of his Enemies, untill all the whole Mystery of God be finished, and Time shall be no longer, (at least) untill the last and utmost Prophetical Period. It is the last great and general Prophesie, which doth compleat the Canon of Holy Writ, intimated Chap. 22.18. Therefore bl◊ssed is h◊ that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophesie, &c. Chap. 1.3. John, the beloved and bosome Disciple, and last Apostle, is the Minister of this Revelation, Chap. 1. ver. 1. therefore the Dedication of it is from John, unto the Seven Churches in Asia, Chap. 1. v. 4. John to the Seven Churches in Asia. This general or indefinite Dedication, makes way for the particular Inscription of an Epistle unto the several Angels of those Churches, in the 2d and 3d Chapters. Our Text lyes in the first of th◊s◊ p. 2Epistles, inscribed, Vnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, Chap. 2.1. I shall not detain you with any discourse concerning the Scituation of the City, or Typical Relation of the Church of Ephesus; nor stay upon an Artificial Resolution of the Context, by an Analytical Expo◊◊tion of the Epistle; which are vulgar with Expositors. The way to our Text is easie and open: it lyes in that part of the Epistle which is Narrative. The words (as to Mode of expression) they are Monitory, and withall highly Imperative or Commanding. The duty commanded, it is to labour (according to direction given) unto a full and through Restitution from that Declension and Defection in Religion, which that Church was fallen into. In order hereunto, three things are proposed in the words, as parts of the work and duty commanded to be done.

p. 21. An awakening sight and sense of their declension and defection; (in these words) Remember from whence thou art fallen. The word Remember here, it imports an awakening, convincing Remembrance: it is often used in Scripture to express a conscience and conviction of sin, Ezek. 16.61, 63. —from whence thou art fallen, or elapsed, slidden, backslidden; plainly signifying, Backsliding and Apostacy.

2. A penitential Confession of, and humiliation under the sin of their decl◊nsion and defection; in this word, Repent. It signifies Repentance in the proper act of it, which is a sad and solemn recognition of, and reflection upon our past evil actions, with Confession and Humiliation.

3. Reformation; in these words, Do the first works: which signifie Reformation in the proper act of it, positive, practical Reformation; — Remember from whence thou art fallen, repent, and do the first works. It is as if our Lord Jesus Christ should have said unto this Angel and Church of Ephesus, Although thou hast been commendable (and I have commended thee) for thy strong and stedfast perseverance, by the great labour of thy Faith and Patience, in the sincere, pure, and powerful Profession of the Gospel, respecting both Doctrine and Worship, with extraordinary Zeal against Heresie and Apostacy, Hereticks and Apostates, and that also with extraordinary Courage and Constancy, under many great Temptations, and much and great Tribulation: and although thou hast been extraordinarily beautified and blessed with my Presence, in the exercise of my Kingly and Prophetical Office; though thou hast been Eminent, yea Excellent among the Churches; and although thou dost yet hold up thy Profession in the external Form of it, and dost therefore still deserve some Commendation: Yet know, O Ephesus, that thou art fallen; thou hast left thy first love, thou hast lost thy first life, thou hast deserted thy first works; thou art not what thou hast bee◊, p. 3thou art fallen into a state, frame, and way of backsliding and Apostacy. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and labour to recover thy self speedily from thy declension and defection, and to retrive thy pristine and primitive Profession and practise of Religion, unto its former internal and spiritual Life and Power, from which it is chiefly that thou art fallen, or else I will withdraw my gracious Presence from thee, and come unto thee quickly in my wrath, and devest thee of all thy Priviledges, Church-Order, Ordinances and Administrations, of the Dignity and Beauty, yea of the very Being of a Church, by the Amoture of the Candlestick: Remember from whence thou art fallen, &c. The words thus plainly opening themselves unto us, afford us this Doctrine.

p. 3Doct. That it is the present, and most important Duty and Concernment of any Collapsing or Back-sliding Church or Churches, to labour (under an Awakening, Convincing sight and sense (or under an Awakening Conviction) of their Declension and Defection) unto a full and through Restitution from it, by Repentance and Reformation.

p. 3The Text it self is so good a Doctrine, it doth seem needless to invert the terms of it. …