THE FIXED SAINT Held forth in a farewell SERMON PREACHED At All-Hallowes-Lumbard-street, August the 17. 1662.  
By Mr. THOMAS lie.  
Printed in the year 1662.   

To the Reader.  
IT was not to merit praise, nor to cast a reproach, that these Sermons were published, nor for the Printers profit; since the best of Books are used but like Beads, which as soon as the Prayers are done, are dropped down, or like Vows never minded, when they be made.  
But the Author who was skilful in divine airs, has sung to his Auditors an Epithalamium of Love, and having ended( with this Sermon) his service, with a weeping Epilogue, he bids thee farewell.  
Some may condemn it, because tis Presbytery, but others will honour it, because tis Divinity. Mr. lie did preach it, yet there is no lie in it, but truth in triumph rides with virtue and unarmed innocence. And though this tapour is extinguished, and shot his head into the feeble air, his holy conversation, has so specious a glory, it will the brighter shine, when his funeral lights burn dim.  
Thus Reader, things of the greatest profit are offered at a little price I will hold thee no longer; if I may have the good will of some, which I ever desired, I will bear the envy of others that I never deserved.   

Mr. lies Sermon.  
August 17 h Ann. Dom. 1662.  Phil. 4.1. 
Therefore my Brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and Crown, so stand fast in in the Lord my dearly beloved.  
BEloved, I do well remember that upon the 24th of this month, 1651. I was then under the sentence of banishment that very day I preached my farewell Sermon to my people, because I would not swear against the King, having taken the Covenant to maintain his just power; then I could not forswear myself. The God of Heaven keep me that I may never do it; I am apt to think I could do any thing for this loving Congregation: but since beloved, the sentence is now gone out against us, and we that cannot subscribe, must not subsist: this is my last day I must preach to you. I shall now speak to you( God assisting me) if my passion will give me leave, just as I would speak as if I were now to die. Therefore my Brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my Joy and Crown, stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved.  
Paul was now a prisoner at Rome for the Gospel of Christ. 'Twas his second imprisonment; he was not far from being offered up for that Gospel he had preached; this Gospel the Philippians had heard him preach, and they sent so far to visit Paul, and to supply his wants: A gracious temper that God hath given the Saints in London, and I believe God hath a blessing in store for them.  
Paul thinks he is not so much concerned in his own bands, as in the estate of the Saints. Pafradicus tells him that there were Hericanes abroad, false Doctrines, but yet the Philippians stood fast; hereupon Paul writes to them to go on, and as they stand fast, to stand still and keep their ground, and be sure not to give an inch, knowing that at the long run their labour should not be vain in the Lord.  
And so I come to enter my Text, wherein there are two things considerable.  
First, a most melting compellation.  
Secondly, a serious exhortation. The compellation, brethren dearly beloved, and longed for.  
The exhortation, wherein there is matter of duty, stand fast, stand it out, stand so as you have stood, so stand fast in the Lord; In the Lords strength: for to stand in your own strength would be the way to fall, and to lay yourselves open to temptation. If there be any wicked catchers here, let them know I speak nothing but what is the mind of the Text, and would not give occasion to be a greater sufferer then I am like to be.  

Observe from the words.  
First, for the melting compellation, my brethren, my dearly beloved, Paul was such an Officer in the Church of God, as God did not abhor but approve, and Paul wrote to some of the poorest of the Philippians, and yet he calls them brethren: from whence take this observation.  
That the highest officers in the Church of Christ, though they be by office rulers over, yet by relation they are no more but brethren to the meanest Saints.  
Here we have no such thing as rabbis, to whom we must swear; because they say it, we must swear it. Paul calls them brethren, and so he writes to them Col. 1. and so James the highest Apostle that Christ ever made, James 2.5. My dearly beloved Brethren; And so Peter, Wherefore the rather brethren; and John the beloved Disciple, Beloved brethren I writ no new Commandement, 1 Joh. 2.7. Well if this be so beloved, that the highest officers in the Church of Christ, that Christ doth approve of, they are but brethren to the meanest Saints, then they are brethren to their fellow officers; if they had no more relation to the to in the body, then no more to the eyes.  
I would desire them that would hold authority, and bear rule, to red these two Scriptures.  
The first is, Luk 22.25.  
The second is, Matth. 20.26, 27.  
That of Mat. is, Whosoever will be chief among you, one that would domineer, not onely over your estates, but over your consciences to, let him be your servant; for the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to Minister, and give his life a ransom for many.  
And he said unto them, 
Luke 2.25.26  The Kings of the Earth exercise Lordship over them, that is, over their slaves; but it shall not be so with you.  
No, he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; sure if Paul be but a brother to Philip, then he is no more to Timothy.  
If the highest Officers in the Church of Christ, be but Brethren, then it is not for Brethren for to Lord it over their fellow-Brethren, to Lord it over Gods heritage. I have endeavoured to help your joy, but not to press your faith, to cause you to believe this or that because I believe it. If so, you might turn Papist to morrow. says Christ to him that would have had him speak to hs Brother to divide the Inheritance with him; Man, who made me a Judge over you? So say I, Man, who made thee a Lord over thy fellow Brethren? 2 Peter 5.3.  
Thirdly, If the chiefest Officers in the Church of Christ be but Brethren, then there should not be any discord between fellow-Brethren; And truly it is one of the greatest comforts I have in the world, We have lived in love, blessed be God. Let us not fall out, says Abraham the Elder to Lot his younger cousin. Beloved, the discord between the Pastor and people is not the example of Christ.  
Fourthly are those chief Officers that Christ does own, but Brethren? then let those appear before their Father in Heaven, if they durst, that have not a care of the Souls of their Brethren; we that are called by some the doggs of the Flock, what shall we prove dumb doggs!  
What a comfort is it to a hundred of my dying Brethren this day, that they can say, Lord, we are clear from the blood of our Brethren! God says He will require the blood of a Brother of his Brother.  
Take ye heed every one of his Neighbour, 
jer. 9.4.  and trust ye not in any Brother; for every Brother will utterly supplant, and every Neighbour will walk in Slanders.  
If men will be great Officers and talk at a rate they understand not, I commend that Scripture, which I could wish were writ upon the lintels of the Posts of the doors; the place is;  
Wherefore if meat make my Brother to offend, 
1 Cor. 8.13.  I will eat no meat as long as I live; rather then in danger his soul, I will part with all these gew gaws, and toys.  
Secondly, you have these terms of dearest affections,  
My Brethren, my Joy, my Crown, dearly beloved; hence take this second observation;  
That it becomes the highest Ministers, much more the lowest to bear the most vehement, ardent, strong, melting affections towards their Flock and people.  
Thus you have Paul to the Philippians in the Text; Beloved, you shall find Paul in all his Epistles thus melt in love to them, 2 Cor. 2, 3. His Corinthians were in his heart to live and die with, not onely to live with them, but if God called him to it, to die for them. So abundantly did he love them. 2 Cor. 12.15. he would gladly spend and be spent for them; he did long for them; not onely for them that were rich; but for all.  
As for his Thessalonians, he tendered them as Children, 
1 Thes. ●. 7.  that he could be willing to part not only with the gospel, but his soul also for them.  
First then, give me leave to bespeak you in the words of Job,( for the hundreds of the Ministers of the Gospel, that this day are to be ravished from the delight of their eyes) Oh have pity upon me, for the hand of the Lord is upon me; What will nothing serve but our eyes to be plucked out? how sad is it for the the Father to be plucked from the Child, the Shepherd from the Flock, the Child from the Nurses Breast! This is a lamentation, and ought to be; and among the rest of thy faithful servants O Lord, I would say this of myself: I cannot say as she of her Husband, A bloody Husband hast thou been unto me; but I know a loving Congregation have you been to me; I know none of you have desired my destruction, and which is more, there is not a man of you, that hath endeavoured to attaint my name, not three of you did ever mention any thing that might traduce my conscience; and there is not four of you that ever did deny to pay me my duties. Oh who could but love such a people, and who would deny and refuse to die for such a people? well then, the Pastor must love his people.  
Secondly, must the Pastors love their people? then the people must love their Pastors also. It is true, it lies in the power of man to separate the pastors and the people; but it lies not in their power to separate their hearts: If we do not see one another, yet we may love one another, and pray for one another. But oh for my poor Brethren, hundreds of you that think you are undone! but you are not undone, though you cannot see as far as other men can see; I know if possible, you would live in love, and keep your consciences quiet.  
Thirdly, must Pastors love their people? then here you may see the cause why they should not so much regard their livings. This is the great question, What is it worth, how much a year? Do they pay well? will it serve for such and such a thing? 2. Cor. 12.14. Not yours, but you; there it should go. We should not say as they, It is an excellent good living; As one said that I have heard of, Let me have their tithes, and let their souls go to the devil. Not yours, but you; blessed be God, there be many can truly say it has been their peoples souls they have more loved then their peoples pay.  
Once more; we must love them and tenderly too; What and yet leave us? It has been objected to me.  
Yes, we must venture any thing for them, but damnation. I do not come here to throw fire-brands. I bless God I have a Christian regard for all of my fellow Brethren, the Ministry. And though I am unsatisfied myself, yet I condemn no man. I believe they do in their consciences subscribe( many of them) as I protest in the fear of God I cannot subscribe; for To him that doubts, says the Apostle, to him it is sin; Because I have not that light that others have.  
Now my Brethren, I hope you would not have us to sin; for I protest in the fear of God, it is not the living I regard, but to serve my Master. If I should to keep my place, forfeit my communion with God, Woe unto me.  
As David said; And oh that I could speak it with as good a heart as David did: Zadok, carry back the Ark of God again; if God delight in me, he will bring me back again that I might see it and his Temple; if not, here I am, let him do what seemeth good in his eyes.  
Brethren, I could do any thing for you, but I will not sin. I know they will tell you that it is peevishness in us, and that we have preached against it, and are tender of our reputations. Beloved, I do prefer my Wife and Children before a blast of Air of peoples talk: I am very sensible what it is to be reduced to a morsel of bread, let the God of Heaven and Earth do what he will with me, I would do any thing, but sin against my God I dare not.  
Thirdly my joy, my Crown; that is, his present joy and future Crown: Or my joy, which I value more then a Crown.  
Hence in the Third place take this, That the fixed, flourishing growth of the Saints in the love of the Gospel and Gospel-obedience, is or ought to be the Pastors joy and Crown.  
Though there was a Plague among them, yet they were not infected, though Paul was in the Goal, yet this was his Crown, that they stood, I hope all are not pevish, I hope so, it will be our joy and crown to hear of your growth in gospel knowledge, and gospel profession. And if this be so as John said I have no greater joy in the world then to here that thy Children walk in the truth, so it should be the prayers and endeavours of all those that with their souls do really love their people when they themselves cannot look after their Children, that good Nurses might be looked out for them. What a joy was it that Moses Mother was made his Nurse, and who can tell, it may be our governors, may act as God does, give us to be Nurses to our own Children.  
It may be thought not out of any merit of ours, yet of their own Clemency. But if I cannot Nurse my child myself, I will wish it as well as I can.  
Lord whosoever shall succeed let him have a double ray, a triple portion of thy Spirit. That the Souls of the Sheep may thrive, that he may have skill to use both heart and hand.  
Secondly, if the peoples thriving be the joy of a Godly Pastor, what do you think of those that hinder their thriving? I will give you two Scriptures.  
The pharisees said amongst themselves( they durst not speak publicly) but who was it against? 
John 12.19.  Why it was against Christ. Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold the whole world is gone after him, but we will be sure to lessen his congregation or shut the doors against them; why now these pretended to be the guides, wo unto you Scribes, pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up Heaven against men, what the pharisees who pretended they had the keys of Heaven, 
Mat. 23.13.  these shut up Heaven, It may be their was not rome enough in Heaven for them and the people. Nay says our Saviour, you neither go in yourselves nor suffer them that are entering to go in. They shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men, I dare not tell you at this time what that is, you may better imagine then I can tell you, but remember I speak of the pharisees all this while.  
I remember when I was a Child beloved, we had a Minister that one Lords day would preach up Holiness, and if any of the Parish did practise it, the next Lords day he would preach against them for practising of it.  
And now my Brethren I am come to the last. My Ioy, my dearly Beloved: well I have but one word to leave with you the words of a dying man; you have known the Lord, and you have practised according to your knowledge, I see a Huracain a coming, keep your ground, if ever you hope to live with the Lord hereafter, keep your ground, stand fast, and live in the Lord here.  
Here ends the morning Sermon.    

Mr. lies afternoon Sermon and farewell.  Phil. 4.2. 
THree Doctrines from these words we have already handled.  

1. That the highest officers of the Church of Christ are but brethren to the meanest Saints.  
2. That it becomes the true Ministers of the Gospel to bear a vehement and tender affection to the stock that God has committed to their charge.  
3. That the flourishing state of Gods people in the growth of Grace, practise and profession of the Gospel, is the Joy and Crown of their Paster.   
These we have spoken unto.  
That it is the great duty of all true believers, in the blackest and most shaking seasons, to stand fast in the Lord.  
This is the Counsel that Paul had to leave behind him, says he, you are now my Ioy and my Crown, do but stand fast, and my Ioy that a little before was but at Gamat, will get a note above Ela; we live if you stand, though we die while you stand.  
Whether these be black and shaking seasons or no, I am not now to determine, but I am now to show you your duty, and for Gods sake, let the words of a civil dying man take place; It is a Maxim, that the words of a dying man that revives again, he will remember when he comes to himself; It is most probable beloved, that neither you nor I, may see the faces of one another again till the day of Judgement. Mark your duty, it is indispenseable for all sincere believers in the blackest seasons to stand fast in the Lord.  
I confess I have a love for the whole auditory. I have a mess for them, but my Benjamins mess, is to those I could once call my own people; of all the world I love this City, and God loves it, or I am mistaken.  
This proposition I shall prove, and then improve.  
If I do not grossly mistake, this is an hour of temptation threatened by God to this place, and tis a comfort that a Christian may stand with God, when he fals with man. Col. 4.12. Epaphras the servant of Christ saluteth you, and always striveth for you in prayer, that ye may stand fast in all the will of God, Phil. 1.20. let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel, that when I come to see you( alas poor Paul thou wert beheaded before thou camest thither.) But says he. whether I come or no you may strive together( not to pluck out one anothers throats, no more of that) but for the faith of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 15.5. Wherefore my beloved, be steadfast and immovable all ways abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.  
But wherein shall we stand steadfast?  
It is my comfort I have no new Doctrine to Preach unto you I do not begin to broach a new Opinion. But God will surely bring his people to his own terms or else farewell to England, If God should continue me here( a mercy I can hardly hope for) I should Preach this Doctrine.  

Stand fast.  
First Stand steadfast in Judgement.  
Secondly Stand steadfast in Resolution.  
Thirdly Stand steadfast in Faith.  
Fourthly Stand steadfast in your Conscience.  
First, stand fast in your judgement; strong doctrines are like waves; if they do not split, they will shake; therefore be sure that you cast Anchor well; Stand fast in the truth( I had almost said all in a word) the Protestant truth, stand fast; strange Doctrines are beating upon you, and beat they may, but shall never hurt you, if you stand fast; be no more Children tost to and fro, carried about with every wind of Doctrine by their sleights and cunning craft, that can cog a die; you must not waver, you must stand steady in judgement. I would have you stars, not meteors; I hope better things of you.  
First, get good Principles; then be sure to stand to them. Though I cannot say but some tares are sown in this Parish; yet for the generality, I leave here an Orthodox place.  
Secondly you must stand fast in Resolution. 1. Cor. 15.58. Be steadfast and immovable; such as stand upon some foundations that do not stagger; if they find you stagger, they will think you are falling; though all the world turn about the Poles, the Poles do not, for they are fixed; many turns we have had; and beloved, at this day the largest turn that ever we have known. If ever I have preached false doctrine among you, witness against me at the day of Judgement; but if I have preached the truth, then stand to it. If you cannot witness against it, but leave it, and not stand fast, it will witness against you at the day of Judgement.  
says Hester, I know it is death to go in unto the King, but I have sought God, and now Come life, come death, I will go, it is for the truth, if I perish, I perish, you must resolve against wavering.  
Thirdly, there is a steadfastness of faith too, when we so believe that we do not waver. Give me leave to propose to you, my dear friends, though now no more my Congregation, Give me leave to ask you, as our Saviour did the Pharisees, the Baptism of John, was it from Heaven, or of men? so the doctrine that you have heard, was it from Heaven, or of men? if it were of men cast it off, if from Heaven why should you not believe it; it is my comfort, that I never did deliver any thing to you that was not agreeable to Scripture. It is my comfort upon this day, that looks as like my dying day, as can be in the world. He that wavers is like a wave of the Sea. Blessed be God I am not now to begin to fix upon my Religion, I know no way but this; If God be God( oh my dear friends) follow him, if Baal be God follow him, do not stand disputing and doubting, shall I, shall I, God has but one way, there is but one truth; If Baal be God follow Baal; it is an infinite mercy that any of us can leave any thing for Christ, that we do not all split upon a rock, a godly man do sometimes stumble in his way, but does never halt between two opinions.  
Fourthly, there must be a steadfastness in conscience, I believe I shall never speak to you more, especially you poor tender-hearted ones, I would not be as those Watchmen that took away the veil, I would speak a word in season to you; You must be steadfast in your conscience, you have a God preserving you: a Christ redeeming you: a Heaven preparing for you; you can never be half so willing to be saved, as God is to save you: You must be steadfast against all temptations to sin, and steadfast in faith and judgement.  
Lastly, you must be steadfast in conversation; It is not running well, but running out; not to give a great deal of milk, and throw it down with your foot, then you will have a good dug, but a bad foot. Never give those brats of Babylon occasion to say, that you may be a child of God in the morning, and a child of the devil at night, that we do contradict that in our conversation, that we seem to make out in our Profession.  
But I come to the Reasons, we must be steadfast, and why.  
Would you have me give you all the Reasons, bid me number the stars, and count the sands, there is nothing in God, in Christ, in the world, in the devil himself, but would give multitude of arguments.  
First, I would argue from Christ, believers you love Christ, and now the honour of Christ lies at the stake, the Jesuits those meek Papists, will tell you, that it is a dishonour to Christ if you be not steadfast, those meek Papists that love nothing more then the Virgin Maryes milk, and the blood of the Saints. Why did Jesus Christ die, and undergo all the wrath that men and devils could inflict upon him, but to give you the Conquest, and make you stand fast; says Joshua to his Captains, Come and set your feet upon the necks of these Kings, Josh. 3 24. and what a dishonour is this to a dying Saviour, to see his servants fly. It was never known that men should fly before a conquered enemy, whose arms are taken away, whose limbs are cut off.  
Secondly, it is a dishonour to the Spirit of Christ, for the Spirit is given to dwell in our hearts, and direct us to Heaven.  
Thirdly, it is a dishonour to Christs truth. Oh let but a Saint fall, and what a dishonour does it bring to the truth. There was one poor Minister that I have heard of that slipped, and he was carried about in triumph, Here is the man that was so Zealous; I cannot excuse any man for being drunk, yet methinks it is the part of a Cham; to discover his fathers nakedness, as one observes, Religion never suffers more than under the hands of pretended Professors.  
Fourthly and lastly, it is a great dishonour to Christs alsufficiencie, I argue the point, Is thy Christ able to protect thee against all evil, and give thee all good, if not, then deny him. If he be, then stand close to him.  
Secondly, I would argue from the infinite advantage that will come to them, in a long run, upon four Grounds.  
First, to keep to the truth is a condition of safety.  
Secondly, it is a full condition.  
Thirdly, it is a strong condition.  
Fourthly, it is the freest condition.  
I profess in the fear of God I have felt these things to be true.  
First, it is the safest condition, never do the Saints take hurt, but when they are from their center; while they are there, the devil cannot lay one of his claws upon them. Let but a man leave but his Scriptural station, and what temptation is he able to stand against. Let a man fall from the top of a house, and he cannot stop himself, 
1 John. 5.18.  The evil one touches them not.  
Secondly, it is the fullest condition, it is best living upon a single God; there have many professed to me their prison has been like a Paradise to them, they never enjoyed so much of God, as when they had least of the creature.  
Thirdly, it is the strongest condition, it is as a man that stands upon a rock, they that are in the sea may dash themselves with water, but not him. He is like samson with his locks, Let all the Philistines come, what does he care.  
Lastly, it is the freest condition, he that deserts his principles, he thinks that every man is an Informer against him, he is afraid of one promoter or another; but where the Spirit of God is there is freeness. Thus beloved, I had thought to speak to several Heads; but I have a little work to do after this, a Funeral Sermon I must preach for a Minister deceased.  
It may be your interest will hardly swallow these things, you will say, If we stand, we shall fall, nay, if you do not stand, you will fall.  
It is the great duty of Christians to stand fast.  
Then first, by way of lamentation first over our own souls.  
Secondly, over other Congregations, Lord, must we say Hundreds.  
First, over our own hearts we must stand; Oh how should we lament over the instability of our own hearts, our declining from the true foundation every day. This is that that God complains of, and therefore we have much of reason to do it. To day we have been apt to cry Hosanna to the Son of God, tomorrow crucify him; Give us barrabas. To day the Lord he is God, to morrow Baal he is God, any thing for our own interest.  
Oh Lord what wilt thou do with such a people, believe it, these seven years I have expected the day that now we see.  
1. I did think there was no other way but what we see.  
2. With respect, secondly to our congregation. Beloved, this I confess, I cannot speak, my heart is too big for my head. Is it the duty of people to stand, how should we mourn over those poor souls, that run away from God? Do you look upon it as a strange thing, for a ship to be tost to and fro? alas! the Pilot is taken from them: and for a flock of sheep to be scattered? why their shepherd is taken from them: and that children should fall, and beat out their brains, their mother is taken from them.  
Though a company of debauched wretches speak against us, without doubt, I am confident this City is the best place that God has in all the world; they hate the God that we worship, there is an ulcer in heart and head, you are afraid of it, but what will you do when you feel it.  
I remember old Jacob when he came to die, he would bless his children, 
A Use of Exhortation.  and says Esau to his Father isaac, bless me, even me also, oh my father. Beloved, I have but a few blessings, a few exhortations to leave with you. It is very probable we shall never meet, till we meet at the day of judgement. I bless God, I never had a hand in any change of Government in all my life, therefore hear me now, though you should never hear me more: the Exhortation is to stand fast in the Lord, I do not know the least person of you that is inclined to Popery; you are a people that have waited on the Ordinances of God, and have not persecuted your Minister: and I am sure a Minister may live as comfortably here as in any place in England, be sure always abound in the work of the Lord, and though you do not know now, you shall know hereafter, your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.  
And here I could give you some Arguments as this. If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, I could show you some Examples of Heathens, as Alexander, when he was at India, he would see the greatest rarity in that country, there stepped out some old men to him, and  told him, Sir, when you come to Greece, tell them, that here are some old men, that cannot be made by all your powers to change their mindes: but what do we tell of old men, our very women their faith has conquered their tormentors: I could tell you of six, of seven troubles, that God has delivered us from, and he will not forsake us, he may forsake you for comfort, but never for support.  
In the next place, you are engaged to God, there are Baptismal Vows upon you, you have sworn to God, and have undertaken to be true to God to your lives end: Remember Zedekiah's Cause, Ezek. 18. you may play fast and loose with men, but do not do so with God, he will not take it at your hands: And beloved, if you do not stand you lose all you have laid out all your prayers, and all your sufferings. Remember beloved, you have but one God, and 'tis no matter if there be ten thousand devils against you, 
2 Chron. 16.9.  they are all in one Chain.  
But what shall we do that we may stand?  
I will tell you what I intend to do, and what I would advice you in this difficult hour.  
First, if ever you would stand, be not proud Christians; if error and profaneness be in the heart, thou canst not stand; 
2 Tim. 3.2.  If you would be steadfast, be low in your own eyes; do not judge such a one cannot be honest, he is an Independent, and the other, for he is an Anabaptist; and the other is not honest, for he cannot comform: I bless God I do not lay the stress of my salvation upon these; it has been my unhappiness always to be of the sinking side, do not spend your time in censuring this man, and justifying that man, I do profess if I could comform without sin I would, but if I do it against my conscience, I should sin and break my peace: that man or woman that is most busy in censuring others, are ever least employed in judging themselves: Remember Mr. John Bradford, he would not censure Bonner nor gardener, those Sotts, but, says he, they called John Bradford the hypocritical John Bradford: look into the main, Examine your own hearts.  
Secondly, take heed you be not loose Christians, will you remember one thing for me, a loose Protestant is one of the persons in the world to make a strict Papist, such a one he turns Protestant because his Prince is a Protestant, tell me of his Religion, he knows not what it is; observe those that are the losest among you, and see if they have any Religion at all, they will be Turks to get gain.  
Thirdly, take heed you be not worldly Christians, he that has a worldly heart, proffer him but thirty pieces of silver, and he will sell his Saviour. The world is a great temptation, and if we are overcome by the world, and the world is not overcome by us, we shall not conquer one temptation in the world( says our Saviour) You shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world; but oh Lord do but arm us, and let the smiles and frowns and love of the world do what they can.  
Fourthly, take heed you be not hypocritical Christians, that is thus, take heed you do not receive the truth, and not receive it in the love of it, 2 Thess. 2.20. they did receive it, but they did not receive it in the love of it, therefore God gave them up to believe lies, to be damned. It is just with God that they should fall into real error, whose hearts never did love real truth.  
Fifthly, take heed of being venturers, and Godtempting Christians; When do we tempt God? when I do run into a pesthouse, and say, God will preserve me from the plague; I could tell you of two spiritual Pest-houses, for principles one, for practices another, I do not say Play houses on one hand, and Masse-houses on the other hand, julian that wicked Apostate fell into his apostasy, by hearing one preach, all the world cannot answer this. Iudas was a true Apostle, though a bad man; but this I say, do not venture, and run yourselves upon temptations. You have heard of a will-worship, and you have a double mind to see it, and suppose when you be there, the devil should come and lay his paws upon you, what do you here, says he, upon my ground? If you would not be found in the divels, do not come into his pound.  
If you would not have your pockets picked, go not among the cheaters. 
1 Tim. 2.5.  If any man teach other doctrine, and consent not to wholesome words, from such withdraw thyself, that is a good separation. Another is this, where God does not find a mouth to speak, do not you find an ear to hear, nor an heart to believe. This is one of the grand points of my Compass by which I steer my course. If any come with a doctrine, that is not according to the Will of God, Go and carry your doctrine where you will( say) and open your pack in another place; this will secure in ten thousand of temptations, where I have not a promise, precept, threatening, or command, I am not to take notice of it.  
What ground have you for this?  
Jesuit, I will tell thee my ground, If I must believe with an implicit faith, I should turn Papist tomorrow, 
Matth. 15.2.  There came to Iesus the Scribes and Pharisees, the most eminent of them, saying, what do thy disciples transgress the Traditions of the Elders; They would needs tell Christ, he was not a son of the Church of the Iewes; Why, says Christ, what has my disciples done? why they wash not their hands when they eat bread; says Christ, why do you offer this tradition, you have not any Word of God for this, but, say they, is there any thing in the Word of God against it? nay, but says Christ, if you will give out your imposition, you should make out your institution; you pull down the fifth commandment, teaching children to be disobedient to Parents, If he say it is a gift; you hypocrites, you were  told of it long ago; Well did Esaias tell you, you wash your hands, and you wash your mouth, but your hearts are far off from me; but, say they, we hope our worship is good. No, says he, in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments. But what if I did wash my hands, what a piece of matter is it, yes, and starve father and mother to give to a Nunnerie and Frierie; it is no matter for father and mother, and therefore says God, in vain do they worship me.  
Thou Christian, thou that dost expect Christs Benediction, see for his Institution. Dent. 12.32. What things soever I command thee, that do thou, thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from. You must not deal with the Ordinances of God as Procust did with men, If they were too long for his bed, he would cut them shorter, and if they were too short he would stretch them out longer. Remember, never to lend an ear, to that which God speaks not.  
Thirdly, if ever you would stand steadfast, beware of shaking doctrines.  
First, beware of all Doctrines that tend to licentiousness and profaneness; if any should tell you, you may profane the Sabbath day, remember that a Gospel Doctrine teacheth us to deny all ungodliness, and worldly lust, and to live soberly and godlily in this present world.  
Secondly, if any Doctrine lifts up-mans free will, and debases free grace, it is a wicked doctrine. The Papists will tell you, we are alive, but Paul says, we are dead? nay, they say we can close with Christ if we will. But 1 Cor. 2.4. the Apostle says, The natural man understands not these things because they are spiritually discerned; they will tell you, that a natural man may love God with all his heart; but the Apostle tells us, Rom. 8.7. that the wisdom of the flesh is enmity against God. But if they do tell us there is righteousness within us, as those poor Souls that we call Quakers hold, remember no, I must be saved by Christ alone, be as holy as if there were no Christ to save, but then onely believe in him, as if there were no righteousness in thee at all; come and tell me of the merit of Saints not to be found in him, not having my own righteousness, 
Philip. 3.9.  that is my Scripture.  
It may be their Scripture is fomthing out of the apocrypha, for it is said in Scripture, that he was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Again, when all my strings are broken I have one left, I can pray yet; as long as thou canst pray, thou wilt never die; you had rather stand against the Cannons of the Church, then the Prayers of the Saints; there is a great hour of temptation coming upon you, I believe it will be a great hour of temptation, that you that now do trade, it shall be said unto you, you shall trade no more.  
Wives and Children were great temptations, the bloody Papists knew that, and therefore they caused them to be set before the Martyrs: there is no relief on Earth, and therefore pray to Heaven, that of all things God would make you sincere hearted, in lipp and life; to him that hath shall be given.  
Lastly, would you be steadfast Christians, then make it your great work to attend those Ordinances that God has prescribed to make you steadfast.  
What are those.  
Why there are secret Ordinances, it may be thou canst not be so much in a Pulpit, but be more in thy Closet; it may be thou mayst not have that freedom with God in public, but worship him in private.  
Remember to instruct your Families; how many grave faces do I see here, that can remember thirty years ago, you could not go through the Streets on this day, but one Family would be singing praises to God, another praying to God: Let the Amorites do what they will, but for you and your servants serve the Lord. If you cannot have the preaching of Sermons, then red Sermons: let the debauched Atheists of the world do what they will, though they do not love you, they will fear you: though you cannot have the opportunity that now you have, yet make use of them that you shall have: and you Masters of this Parish, keep your Servants in your Houses this day for Gods sake, they will thank you for it hereafter, especially at the day of judgement.  
What will you have us to do for public duties.  
Where Christ does find a tongue to speak, let us find an ear to hear.  
And first, hear those that you think are godly, beg of God to give this City Pastors after his own heart, not such as may daub with untempered mortar, nor those that may prophesy lies in the Name of the Lord: not clouds without water, but able Ministers, Guides to the blind, burning and shining Lights, and faithful Stewards, What should you do? Why what did you twenty years ago, I shall be in the same capacity as you after this day, not to be owned as a Minister more, and I think myself bound to hear the word of God, but I will not hear every one.  
One advice more, what ever abuses you do find in Pastor or People, do not you go as your old use has been, to rail at them, this is wicked, but do as God has commanded, If thy Brother offend thee, tell him of it privately, if he will not hear thee, take two more, if he will not hear them, tell it the Church, and leave him with them. I have now spoken something from this Scripture, and have no more to say to you, but that the God of Heaven would give you to mind these plain things; I cannot remember one word I have spoken to you, that I would not have said, if I had been dying and going to my God.  
FINIS.