Orders given out; the Word, Stand Fast. As it was lately delivered in a farewell SERMON BY Major Samuel Kem, to the Officers and Soldiers of his Regiment in Bristol. Novemb. 8. 1646. For now are we alive if ye stand fast in the Lord. Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand, etc. LONDON, Printed by I.M. for Michael Spark, and are to be sold at the sign of the blue Bible in Green Arbour. 1647. TO the Noble and Experienced faithful Officers of my Regiment, Captain Hart signior, Capt. Grig, Capt. Pope, Capt. Roe, Capt. Lieut. Richards. Noble Gentlemen, IT was your love first engaged me to take the charge of the City Regiment, and I appeal to you, whether my private gain, or the public service was my ends, in accepting of my Commission; since which received; I have put you in a posture, whereby you are enabled to defend yourselves, or offend the Kingdom's Enemies; it is my happiness I can say and none dare gainsay, the faithful acting my part, Yet am I a debtor to your Love; and in regard the chamber stock of my abilities fail me to discharge what I own; yet were it dishonesty not to keep promise, what therefore you heard with so much patience; and importuned (with more hope to be granted) I have here presented to your charity. Do but believe it, and stand fast in the Truths of Jesus Christ, and it shall be a complete compensation for all my labours with you. And since I must leave you, give me leave to comfort you, and to tell you my heart: that I think you are the happiest Garrison in the Kingdom maugre you semi-Reducement, whilst you possess within your line, that real piece of Valour, humility, and sincerity, and no less Noble than Cordial Patriot of his Kingdom, your Governor: Who, abhors all self-ends, and denyeth attendance only for the public good, and should I here that he were Charioted from you either by discouragement or engagement, I should sadly cry out, Oh my Father, my Father, the horsemen and chariots of Israel and pray for a double portion of his Spirit on all his public aiming scholars in this Kingdom. Yea, give me leave to council you: the word is, Stand Fast, I beseech you do so to God and his Glory; to Jesus Christ and his Truths, to your Covenant in its naked true primitive intentions, as at first before the All-seeing-God; to both the honourable Houses of Parliament who have adventured all for you, to the worthy assembly of Divines who seek God continually for you and attend his Will to declare it to you, and to me the most unworthy of the Kingdom and your servants who flies to you for protection; yielding my Commission and subscribing myself, Noble Gentlemen, Yours and the Kingdoms faithful, although mean, Servant Samuel Kem Upon his much honoured friends Farewell Sermon M. D. these few lines. KNow Soldier, these ensuing pages tell The properties of a true Centinel; Orders are given out, The word Standfast, Which intimates true valour first and last For let me tell thee if thy heels prove light What ere thy Colours be, thy Liver's white, Therefore be steadfast, Though the giddy rout Wear windmills in their heads and wheel about Keep thou thy Posts, though others Hedgehog like Shrink up their courage in some narrow Dike Of self respects, there's no such liberty In Truth's plain field either to squat or fly. Such as outrun the Truth may here well know They can have no good ground for what they do; Stand to your Arms then (Christians) and advance To beat all falsehood out of Countenance, And rout the infantry of new raised Crimes And Troops of Hobby-horses of these Times; This is the only way to get to be Captain Lieutenant to Integrity▪ Now to the Author of this Book one word, Who speaks and then maintains it by the sword, Still crop the peaking Errors which appear, That Malobus like not one may show its ears. Still preach the truth, although some Gadarens Have made thee quit their Coasts by hoggish means Still fight for truth fear not a squint-eyed troop Of false opinions, rather make them stoop To sense and truth, or else so rout their train That they may never Rally up again. Well hast thou left the Land to put to Sea Where you'll not find so much inconstancy; Fisher of men, cast out thy net once more 'Tis like you'll catch at Sea, more than a shore. To his friend the Author: SIR, will you leave us, and is this your last Orders given out, the word stand fast, we'll you obey, and seeing we must part Who ever commands our persons you the heart: Farewell dear Major, this we are forced to say You put us in a posture, and we wish your pay Yours in Truth, R. R. 1 CORINTH. 16.13, 14. Stand fast in the Faith: quit you like men: Be strong. Let all things be done in love. THE words of departing friends, if seasonable, make sensible not the head, but the heart, of those in Relation; These are my last, and I am come to take leave of you, for action, but never in affection; Communions below, howbeit lasting are not everlasting; The stakes of the Tabernacle must be removed; And every Member of the Church Militant must be joging on: The Temple is our type of a settled condition above: In a word I am to leave you; and therefore desire to leave such orders (becoming my Trust with you) as may secure you for God's glory and your mutual comforts. The Alarm beats Christian soldiers, to your arms, take heed (as the case stands) of facing about, but as you were; to your ground of Scripture foundations, and so stand fast in the faith. And although reducable, in regard of humane Actings, yet never in this life must you expect a discharge from spiritual military undertake, for when you were listed in Jesus Christ muster-role it was not for a day less or more than your life, And therefore I beseech you stand fast. The grand General against your precious souls hath taken the field with a vast Army, as subtle, as powerful, as cruel to execute, as malicious to prosecute his designs; his main body is sinful flesh, and the more dangerous because so nearly related unto us. And I must tell you that Relations in War are of dangerous consequence: This Body is flankt on the right and left with potent Troops of prevailing Enemies; And Self-ends hath under hand Commission to be Scout-master General; whose sub-undertakers are acting under various shapes; all specious; yet all servants to Self-ends. Avoid his Ambushments, when falling on, and you may, standing fast, come off with honour. These thing premised (as that there is no further use of me in this City, and I being designed for other service; and knowing that errors in battle are irrecoverable; I could do no less, but hearty wish I could do more, then direct you, and counsel you; Especially upon the discovery of a late, large, and numerous Recruit on the Enemy's Party; for the most part all consisting of such as have revolted from our own Party; and have quit their ground of truths: The Commander in chief of this Regiment is Error, whose Colours are fresh, and of glorious resplendency; but changeable; and therefore stand fast, for his fairest quarter is ruin; which appeareth by his free quarter in your families, when his first actings are to division, yea betwixt those of the nearest and dear relations, and a house divided cannot stand. I by Commission am engaged for your relief, and therefore for your future security I shall entreat you to strengthen yourselves by this Recruit consisting of three Divisions. First, Fidelity, or Constancy. Stand fast in the truth: quit your selus like men, be strong. Second, Spiritual Gallantry. Stand fast in the truth: quit your selus like men, be strong. Third, Unity. Let all things be done in love. The first of these will keep you from being Routed. The second from being Conquered. The third from being Ruined. The first will argue you men. The second will report you gallant men, or men of men. The third will demonstrate you holy and humble Christian men. And therefore now beloved Officers and Christian fellow Soldiers, take Courage; take you the Field to scare not to face your Enemies, and give me leave to show you your General, completely accoutred in John's vision, observe his ordering the Field; and give me leave (leaving the issue to God) to fall on. First, let Constancy in the Faith, and all the Truths of Jesus Christ have the Battalia. Secondly, let spiritual Courage have the right wing. Thirdly, let Love have the jest, and overcome all. I shall adventure to fall on with Constancy; second me with Courage; and I beseech you that all may be done, and suffered by the conquest of Love. First, of the first. Stand fast that's the Word; Faith in the heart, not in the head, is the signal; Stand fast not a while and then revolt or give ground. To walk a while in the truth, and after for any ends to desert it, is base, it argues not a Soldier to list his name, and to purchase a feather (shows are light things in military actings) or wear a sword, or to appear on the march, if they either take hedge or windmill for a shelter, or quit their ground, or trust in the shock of Battle. Truly we say a drunken man never made good Soldier; nor a reeling headed man a good Christian Soldier. Secondly. In the Faith, not in falsehoods, in the truths, not shows; zeal and steadfastness are right, when the one is a sharp weapon for Truth, and the other is stiff and unbending for the Faith. Now you are to know there is a twofold Faith; One by which we believe. Secondly, Is, that which is believed; and this is called Doctrinal Faith. Now when Christians are zealous, resolute, and will die in the Truths, and for the Truths of Jesus Christ, this is to stand fast in the Faith, Observation. Standing fast to the Truths of Jesus Christ strenuously with constancy, is a notable piece of spiritual Gallantry, This you shall find hinted to the Angel of the Church of Smirnians, Revel. 2.10. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer for the truth; and in the 11. verse and latter end, Be faithful to the death, and I will give thee a crown of life; The Spirit of God records this point of Gallantry in the Church of Pergamus, verse 13. I know thy works, where thou dwellest, where Satan hath his seat; i. e. where wicked men are in authority, and heresy prevaileth; yet thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied the faith, even in those days wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr suffered, etc. Rev. 3.10, 11, 12. 1 Joh. 2.23, 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning; If that shall abide in you, ye shall continue in the Son, und in the Father, now to be in God, is to be Heroic indeed, 2 Pet. 1.12. That ye be established in the present truth; 1 Pet. 5.9. Whom resist steadfast in the Faith: 2 Thes. 2.15. Therefore brethren stand fast. It was Gallantry in the Grecian women, who when their sons put on their shields, gave them in charge either to bring them back or die: It is storied of Epaminondes that he was so addicted to his buckler, that he was wont to say, I will either hold thee, or die with the loss of thee. It was the gallant resolution of a Roman Officer either to keep his ground or lose his life. Truly Christian friends it is gallantry in you in these sad times of Alaruming Truth in its quarters; and upon the several charges is given the men of truth, daily to stand or fall with it in our hearts. Quaere. But Sir I pray what is truth? one saith he is for truth, and this is truth, another says that is, and is for it; what is the truth you council us to stand fast unto. Solut. There are humane moral Truths, rules in secular Arts, such as Paul held fast until his conversion, but then let go, not the use of them but the abuse of them, he left glorying in them, counted all dung for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ. Secondly. There are Divine truths called Scripture truths, these are either Imaginary or Real; I do not say it is gallantry to stand fast to all that every man delivers to you for truth, or propounds, or conjectures to be so, but such as Scripture determines to be so; such as the word will own, and will own the word upon demand, in the evidence of his, not our own spirits. For truly it is with Truth at this day, as with the Infant brought to Solomon, the false mothers cry divide it, and let every one share in that limb, which his own conscience (which indeed is no conscience) guides him unto, which is to proffer themselves to posterity, the founders of an intolerable Toleration of all Errors; and by this way, Antichrist himself (against whom we have solemnly protested, and before God so unanimously covenanted) must be in equity admitted a child's portion; The LORD direct our solomon's to that height of surpassing wisdom, as to give the child of Truth to its own Parents that cry a whole, and one or none. To stand fast to this whole truth of God, and for it, is indeed Spiritual gallantry. Athanasius and others of the Nicene Fathers would not add one jot about the Deity of Jesus Christ, no not in any time; Times may differ, men may change and vary, but Truth never; whether in prosperity, as in Constantine's days, or in adversity, as in Nero's, truth is the same; The fixed stars shine in the coldest nights, yea then brightest. Josephus reports of the Samaritans that if any good befell the Jews, than they would claim their kindred, and boast that they came from Jacob; but if in any misery, or under a cloud with the state they gave out, they had no relation to them. Many there are that vary their respects to truth according to the savour, the eminent persons in it set on it. But give me the men that will stand their ground on assault, and make up the breach although they fall man by man in the gap; yea under the sword, own truth as Paul, or in a Den of Lions, or a fiery furnace, that pish at all the barkings, bite, frownings, fawn of currish heretics, that have Peter's gallantry better managed, Although all forsake thee I will not. Quaere. I pray Sir inform us how we may quit ourselves like men, and stand fast to Truth? Solut. First, get a solid sound judgement; so made by the light of a clear & sanctified understanding of Scripture principles, admit not of a reeling head, a revolting Soldier is a base man, unworthy the name or society of soldiers; never to be trusted more; Ephes. 4.14. the Apostle exhorteth them that they be henceforth no more children tossed to & fro with every blast of doctrine by the slight of men; take heed of such a judgement as is carried up and down with the current. The Primitive times yielded more sound judgements; Athanisius held fast in his Judgement the deity of Christ against the Arrians; Augustine the doctrine of grace against the Pelagians; Truly I confess it is an honour to a man to confess an Error, but a horrid shame to suffer for any self-ends any truth to be supplanted, by any Innovation or Error. Secondly. Labour to have a stubborn and stout will in relation to what is surely known to be the truth of God; take heed of a flexible coming will; yea hold it fast in affection, that which we love dearly we stick close too. A child will hardly be weaned from the breast it hath found sweetness and strength from, and is experienced in nourishment; you that have found God present with much sweetness in his Ordinances by the public administration, I beseech you do not now trample on them and despise them, whilst they and theirs is the same for sweetness, for holiness. Thirdly. Stand fast to the Truth in profession, Philip. 2.18. holding forth the word of life, not only to believe Truths, but to confess them before men, not with Peter to revolt and effect to say we know not the man. Fourthly. In conversation practise Truth, Saint John calls it walking in the Truth, when men hold on in the Truth against all discouragements; although they lose by it apparently, yet they hold it forth courageously. Quaere. But pray Sir why do you so far engage us in this service, in these days of Liberty. Solut. It is worthy thy engagement, for it is more excellent than the excellentest of the creatures, Prov. 3.14, 15. you cannot pitch on such an excellency; Revel. 3.11. Hold fast, says the Spirit, let none take thy Crown; the Crown is the top of Royalty; who would not keep his ground, if a Crown were the stake. But its excellency will further appear if you consider these two particulars: First the holiness of it; The more holy, the more excellent; Corruptions are diminutions of excellency; the more mixed things are, the more base they are; as the mixture of Gold and Tin, Wine and Water, Silver and Dross; ever the more pure, the more glorious. Now the Truths of God are holy, not as men with mixtures of Corruption, but as the Light at Noonday, without any mists, fogs, mixtures of darkness; and although Truth may be in a fog as the Sun, yet not foggy. Secondly. The more God is in any thing the more excellent but God, is altogether in his Truth: He is there in the brightness of his wisdom; in the greatness of his power; in the Riches of his mercy, in the honour of his justice; yea in this Word is his Christ and our Jesus, therefore worth standing fast unto. Thirdly. Truth is made over to us under terms of Constancy and perpetuity, and therefore in Scripture termed our heritage, personal estates are often sold, those that are out by descent hereditary ought to be kept for posterity; God forbidden, said Naboath, I should sell the inheritance of my Fathers: Psa. 119.111. They are my heritage, saith David, for ever. Let me tell you, posterity is worthy our thoughts, and what we shall leave to them in point of Truth. Fourthly. God trusts us with his truths, 2 Tim. 1.14. It is by the Apostle called the good thing committed to us to keep; now in matters of trust we should be faithful; It is the most vilest and unworthyest thing in the world to betray a Trust, especially where truth is on their side; In matters of trust we should be faithful to the death. It is observable Trust must be redelivered: 2. wholly, not less then delivered: 3. Only to the Truster; and truly otherwise it is extremely injurious to God; For although they are ours for efficacy, yet they are Gods for the authority. Truth's are Gods Jewels of trust; and he will call all of us to an account what use we have made of them; what we have done with them; what unto them; what mixtures of our own heads with them. Fifthly. It concerneth you to keep your ground, for your eternal well-being dependeth on it: You can no more live spiritually without pure truths, then corporally without bread; you cannot be convinced without Truth; you cannot be contrite, and have your corrupt hearts pricked, but by the Truth, Acts 2. When they heard those Truths they were pricked at their hearts etc. Conversion is from Truth, Psa. 19.7. Converting souls, etc. Faith is brought into the soul by hearing the Truth; Augmentation is from it, in grace; Jesus Christ is united to the soul by faith, Perseverance is from it; Rom. 1.16. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. vid. Use 1. Information. Of the unworthy walking of this age for the most part in relation to this duty of standing fast to the Truth; yea of many that are eminently furnished with common gifts and excellent parts, there is much slipperiness and base unsettledness of spirit upon them, even to truth itself, both in doctrine and conversation, for truth in doctrine we may complain as the Apostle to the Galatians in the 1. and 6. I wonder you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Jesus Christ unto another Gospel; it is grown no wonder in our times; for how do the most, for most base ends, quit their ancient grounds which they received and believed, and gloryed in for truth; and for preferment-sake show truth a fair pair of heels, and a foul heart. The ancient Disciples left ships, nets, customhouse, for to follow truth; but now professed Disciples leave Christ for places of Excise and Custom-house. Some turn sneaking Anabaptists; some fall off to Socinian blasphemies; some to Antinomians fancies; and many Seekers. Seek you any of you great things for yourselves, seek them not; It is no time to be furnishing your Cabins, when the bolts and butt-ends of the very planks of the ship are started out. The Lord pity us, what a spirit of giddyness is upon us▪ and if any old errors which is unknown to most, with some acquaint expressions and hye-flying Philosophical notions are delivered, how cowardly do we start off from the old truths of Jesus Christ, and are invassailed by upstart errors; It is a sad time, but this a more sad omen of worse times, even the rabble of opinions in this City of Bristol; of which I may say, that as the sword hath slain many, so hath error many more in a few month's time. One while such a man preacheth truth, and you are willing to pull out your eyes to do him good; a little after, you are ready to pull out his eyes, and he is a low man, and not worthy your presence, and so discouraged. How many ways do you make to heaven in this place? I beseech you where I am related unto, to look to your Guards; Keep a strict watch, double your Guard, eye your sallyports; and put on the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to stand fast to the Truth in the day of assault; that you may quit yourselves like men. Use 2. Informeth us of the causes of this lowerlinesse, and baseness of Spirit; and inconstancy to Truth. First. When men are ignorant, they may easily prove inconstant; True men have abundance of indistinct knowledge, much head knowledge, little heart knowledge, Now the one makes men talk admirably, but the other to stand to it gallantly: Truly Ignorance is the sponge to suck in all Errors; and spiritual Pride the bawd to vent them; that which is weak is light; chaff may be tossed any way. Secondly. When men's apprehensions are very large, but their affections very foul; when men know much of truth, but withal love much of the world, or self, or sinful Liberty: Now you know a foul stomach ever makes an i'll head, and a secret love of sin works out a love of truth: Men easily grow erroneous when they affect Liberty, and wax Irreligious. Third Cause. Men are strangely infected with a base and late predominant Epidemical disease the Itch of spiritual Pride, which was caught of our first Parent; The greatest Errors ever drop from those that are most proud, and are taken up by those that are most ignorant. Fourth. Many have Athenian wits, and long after Novelties; and although old Wine be best, yet they love to drink in fashion. Fifth Cause. A Colloging slavishness, many giving up their faith and souls to opinions of other great men, or to Relations. Sixth. An eminent love of the world, this made Demas and Hymenaeus forsake truth. A slave to the world will never be a faithful servant to truth; he that dares pawn their souls, will in time venture to sell the Truth. Seventh. Licentious hearts, when men affect pleasure, for corrupt doctrines gives more scope, than truth, to a libertinious heart; and we are apt to believe that soon that pleaseth us best. Erroneous points are more for pleasure and ease, yea and purse too; Divine truths are for strictness. Now there are many Grecian-like give up their weapons for their sports; many forsake the truth, that they may more freely enjoy their Liberty, in those ways are most pleasing to their spirits. Use Exhortation. I am come hearty to beg of you this one thing, to lay a solid foundation in the knowledge of the truths of God. Confused brains cause unsettled hearts, rest not with pilate's quere, where art thou? or with Israel to halt betwixt two opinions, nor to take up any truth on trust for any man's sake whatsoever, or any self-ends or aims; but with the honourable Bereans search the Scripture, receive truth upon the evidence of truth; be sure of the Word, there is little difference betwixt shiboleth and siboleth; yea and in the last days many shall say lo this is Christ, and here is Christ; yet try: yea, the Enemy hath got the word, therefore be strict upon examination, bring the most specious expressions to the Standard, try all there. Quaere. How shall we know the truth upon his march, there being so many gone out under his banners to deceive; and all is not gold that glisters, Try the spirits, for every spirit is not of God. Solu. You may make a discovery First, by its Unity. Second, by its Purity Thirdly, its Efficacy. Fourthly Antiquity. Fifthly, Simplicity. For the first observe it, you shall find it one as God is one, Unum et verum convertuntur; There is but one way to heaven, many to miss it. It is an unisone with its principles. Erroneous doctrines want no outward harmony, and outward consent; but truth, as it is one in itself, so it works men to oneness, to be of one mind; truth is of a binding up nature. Secondly. Truth is comprehended in Purity, Errors are much in outward beauty (like Courtesans little in honesty; Truth is pure in its self and unto us; It is an adversary to all sin, because all sin is an adversary to Jesus Christ and to God's glory; It is pure likewise in its operations, it sets itself against all baseness; Titus 1.14, 15. It is truly pure, not counterfeitly pure. Thirdly. By the efficacy of truth other doctrines add to our Notions, but never meddle with our corruptions, they swell our heads, but never mend our hearts; they work in the brain, but never meddle with the spirit; increase much wit to talk well, but convey little strength to walk close with God. In a word, they never bring grace or peace from Jesus Christ: The truth that comes from God, leadeth to God. It makes the bad good, and the good better. Truth works the heart, not only from grosser, but lesser sins, even the spots of the world; 1 Thes. 5.22. vid. Truth works the heart to a liking of nothing unlike itself, or unbecoming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fourthly. By the Antiquity, Id demum verissimum quod antiquissimum; and truly as it was sometime replied to those of Rome, that we can look beyond Luther, So may we to the rabble of Heresies in these times, we can look and see the time when they had not a being; indeed they are comparatively but of yesterday: and it is possible for an easy Herald to drive the pedigree of the Anabaptist, Brownists, Antinomians, Pelagians, Socinians, Arians, Antetrinitarians, Seekers, etc. and to demonstrate them to be all subservient, although active actors for Scout master general, self-ends or aims, when truth like the Sun hath run its course through all ages, not that all have embraced it, but some have received it. Fifthly. By its Simplicity it will endure handling, it is found; Erroneous doctrine like unfound flesh, or sore eyes, abhors a touch, or the light; and therefore is more in private then public; not that I oppose private duties, but prize them, but resist those that oppose public Ordinances; For if what any deliver in their private conventions be good and sound truth, I beseech them let it come to light, Bonum quo communius eo melius; Truth fears no trial; although i'll faced women would have all glasses broken but such as they have got made to flatter them; Truth put itself upon proof; yea in public, Veritas non querere argales, especially in days of Liberty of the Gospel, and when truth is pallizadoed with so many oaky fortifications: It is not now accusation enough to be a Christian; no, be as holy as David, as muke as Moses, as wise as Solomon; walk with God, and be upright before him with Abraham, yea let every man be followers of Jesus Christ, and enjoy his Liberty in the Truths of jesus Christ; for, blessed be God, there may be some pretences (but no just ground for the least fear of persecution for conscience-sake. Lastly. Having found out the truth, I beg hearty of you, yea (more than for my Arrears) to love the truth, do the truth, suffer for the truth, this will be a sure boult to keep out all Errors; when Truth is still stirring in your ears, and Sin ruling in your hearts, you can never do good on it; he must needs have a meek hand to hold fast truth, or foot to stand fast that hath a wicked heart; Hymenaeus let go faith and a good conscience together, 1 Tim. 1.19. Wherefore I beseech you be doing Christians, as well as knowing one's; And now should I fall on with the reserve, and show you the beauty and honour of a resolved spirit for the truths of jesus Christ; And have given a thorough and thorough charge to the sad, yet bold divisions of these times with my left wing under the prevailing Banner of Love and Unity; and shown you how good a thing it is, for brethren to live in Love and Unity, but I am prevented in managing this onslaught at present, and shall take leave of you, praying you that all things may be done amongst you in love; And praying for you, That the God of truth would lead you on from this day, and fix and establish you in the Truth. Finally brethren farewel, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in love and peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you; yea, now the very God of peace sanctify you all throughout. And now the Lord of peace himself give you peace by all means; The Lord be with you all. FINIS.