[Page: 1]

march the 20 1757—.

Rev. Elnathan Wight.

[Page: 2]

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works or else I will come quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of its place except thou repent (Revelation 2:5) from the words we have observed this doctrine viz.—

That when the visible church of Christ fall from good beginnings they have reason to expect to be unchurched or have their candlestick removed out of its place

In speaking to this doctrine I proposed the following method—

1. To show that the visible churches of Christ do at some times fall from good beginnings—

2. when they may be said to be thus fallen—

3. That they have reason to expect to have their candlestick removed out of its place except they speedily repent—

4. when a visible church of Christ may be said to have its candlestick removed out of its place—

5. By what means it is that the Lord Jesus Christ doth this thing to any of his visible churches.—

6. and lastly to make some improvement by way of application—

[Page: 3]

Having spoken to the four first things proposed I proceed now to the

5. which is to show by what means it is that the Lord Jesus Christ removed the candlestick of any of his churches out of their place.

1. He doth it some times by wars this is what he did by his professing people in the days of old there was vast multitudes that were put to the sword, and others that were carried into captivity, O god the ~~heathen~~ heathen are come into thine inheritance thy holy temple have they defiled they have laid Jerusalem on heaps the dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of heaven the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them (Psalms 79:1-3) , how doth the city sit solitary that was full of people, how is she become as a widow. she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces how is she become a tributary (Lamentations 1:1) . Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude, she dwelleth among the heathen she findeth no rest (Lamentations 1:3) . thus people had their candlestick

[Page: 4]

removed out its place by a bloody and calamitous war

2. The Lord Jesus removeth the candlesticks of some out of their places by his suffering persecution to arise, indeed persecutors are set to work by the devil but not without leave from Christ. they could do nothing without a commission from him, there has been many in particular churches that have been wholly broken up by persecution no doubt there has been millions of the Saints that have been put to death by their persecuting foes. they have made havoc of the church and have shed a sea of blood since the apostles' days, history inform us (saith mr. flavel.) that in the ten primitive persecutions so many of the saints and martyrs of Jesus Christ have been slain that you may allow five thousand a day for every day in the whole year, those bloody emperors sported themselves with the death of the saints many precious christians were burnt by night at Rome to serve as torches to light their enemies thro the streets. ¹ eight hundred thousand martyrs are mentioned in the space of thirty years since the Jesuits arose out of the

[Page: 5]

bottomless pit. (thus he) the numbers of those that have died by persecution and have been cruelly put to death since the apostles' days is almost incredible if the exact number could be reckoned up. we could scarcely believe it. because so many. and no doubt multitudes of particular churches that have had their candlesticks removed out of their places by this means, the Lord may at some time, break up some churches by famine, or pestilence or some other judgment of the like nature, but his most usual way is by wars and persecution. what hath been said may suffice for the doctrinal part I proceed now to the improvement, and from what we have heard we may learn—

1. That it is a matter of great concernment to all the churches of Christ to see to it that they do not fall from their own steadfastness, nor lose their first love and their first zeal for God and his glory. for if t they once lose their first love they fall into manifold sins, snares and temptations and they are in a very dangerous condition seeing the Lord has declared that he

[Page: 6]

will come quickly and will remove their candlestick out of its place if they have departed from him, except they repent and reform, such as are real saints and have backslidden from god. they are in danger of losing all their spiritual privileges and the means of grace, and their own lives. they can not lose their souls, but they may lose almost every thing else and such as are hypocritical, and formal professors are in danger of being deprived of all external privileges and of being wholly given up to themselves. and in the greatest danger of perishing soul and body for ever, so that it is what highly concerns all the churches of Christ to see to it that they do not leave their first love nor depart from him—

2. Hence see that such as have fallen and are departed should immediately repent and reform this is the wisest, and best course they can take there is no other way that they can escape ruin, at least their church state being broken up because this is what Christ has threatened them with, it, so that there is no other way for them to escape it. but by turning to him by repentance, it is a matter

[Page: 7]

of the greatest concernment that they do this, for if they do it not their case will be very lamentable, and if they do heartily repent and reform all this evil will be prevented which they are threatened with if they repent not.—

3. from what we have heard let us be excited to examine, and see whether god's professing people have not reason to expect that the Lord Jesus Christ will come quickly and remove our candlesticks out of their places. have not the churches in general fallen from what they were once, have not the most of them left their first love, and their first Zeal religion is under very great decay throughout the whole christian world at this day as near as we can learn, there is but little more than the form of religion to be observed, and very much of that is lost many have a name to live when they are really dead it would be well if this [might] not be said of some whole churches. sin and error vice and immorality. and open profaneness greatly prevail. and the gospel is unsuccessful. and very much slighted and despised. christians

[Page: 8]

themselves are very unfruitful under the means of grace which they enjoy, cold and indifferent in things of religion, many have very evidently left their first love and first zeal; they have not that love to god, to his word, and ordinances to his house and worship that once they had, this is what we our selves are witness to. for we have known the time when many would read more in the word of god than now they do, and when they took greater delight in hearing the word preached, when they would take great pains, and go thro’ great difficulties to attend the hearing of the word they were so in love with the worship of god, and gospel of Christ that there was no small thing that could turn them from attending upon it. for it was the delight of their souls. but alas. alas. how are the times altered their love is grown cold (Matthew 24:12) , and their zeal abated, and that to a very great degree how small a matter will hinder many from going to public worship. if they feel the least indisposition of body. or if the wether be uncomfortable, or the traveling difficult it will serve for an excuse to tarry at home almost ~~[*]~~ whole families will do this at some time, this is a sure sign that they have greatly departed from god

[Page: 9]

for there are some of these very persons for the sake of some small worldly gain would go thro’ four time as much difficulty and think their time well spent, these things are signs that such a people have departed from god and not only so but signs that we shall have our candlesticks removed out of their place. because the Lord Jesus has threatened to do thus to such as we are, and has really done it, is it not an evident sign that the professing people set light by their religious privileges, and the means of grace when they will not take much pains to attend upon them, and who can think that god will continue them to such an unthankful and unfruitful people, the Lord Jesus Christ whose eyes are as a flame of fire (Revelation 2:18) walks in the midst of his golden candlesticks (Revelation 2:1) . and he sees and beholdeth how little they value their spiritual privileges he perfectly knoweth how it is with us as ~~a pple~~ a people again further what want of love is there amongst professed Christians it seems as if they had but little love one to another, and but, very little love to, nor esteem of the ministers of Jesus Christ. there are many that hate them in their hearts whose greatest joy it would be to have them all removed out of the world especially such as are the most faithful

[Page: 10]

indeed this is not the case with any of the children of god, but it is with some that call themselves so by their profession, and with many of the profane part of the world that live under the light of the gospel, these things are signs of the gospel, being removed, and if we search and look further we shall see greater signs yet. have we not reason to think that the greater part of the christian world remain in very great security ~~now~~ notwithstanding the many loud calls and solemn warnings by the providence of god to. a sleepy world. to awake and repent, tho’ there has been tremendous earthquakes in divers places (Matthew 24:7) . and tho’ that awful judgment of a, calamitous war seems to be hastening on very fast, yet the most are fast asleep in sin, and are not alarmed by these things but grow more hardened, and blinded under them these are very dark signs upon us that the very judgments which were sent to awaken us and bring us to repentance, only serve to harden us and set us further from it what can look more threatening upon—us than this when we seem to be ripening for pain

[Page: 11]

it is the opinion of some wise and learned men who seem to understand the signs of the times, that the darkest time is hastening on and is very near at hand that ever the church has seen since the gospel day, god only knoweth how it may be in this respect, but if it should be as some expect that the popish party should prevail over us and a time of persecution should come on, o it would be such a day my heavens as we never beheld. nor have had any real conceptions of, it will be a time of fiery trial. we have none of us as yet resisted unto blood striving against sin as we must if such a day should come if we approve our selves to God— since we have reason to fear that such a day is coming on, let us a little consider what we may reasonably expect to see if such time should come, we should think on these things before hand that we might be the better prepared to meet with them, and to endure the ~~tra~~ trial, but let us proceed to consider of some things which no doubt we shall see if our popish enemies should prevail against us, and a time of persecution should ensue, if this should be the case, all the preachers of the gospel will immediately be silenced, and have their mouths stayed and commanded to speak

[Page: 12]

no more in the name of the Lord upon pain of death, some will be removed into corners, others into dark prisons. . . and there kept till the day of their execution no doubt multitudes will be put to death for the cause of Christ in the most cruel, and barbarous manner. no doubt all our worshipping assembly will be broken up so that we shall not be suffered to meet together to pray to god. nor to ~~sign~~ sing his praises, nor to speak nor hear his word; such as have one spark of grace in them, and are now cold and indifferent about the public worship of god. will then remember it with shame, and sorrow of heart, they would then give all that they may have in the world to enjoy the privileges which they now undervalue, and set too little by. and they will have reason to acknowledge that god is just in taking away those privileges which they so slighted, and despised, they will be made to see the worth of these things by the want of them, and that to their grief, and sorrow. our houses of public worship it is likely will be either set on fire and burnt to ashes or made use of by our persecuting foes to worship dumb idols in, we shall hear no more the joyful sound of the gospel. and of salvation by Christ. in a public manner they that have spoken to us

[Page: 13]

in the name of the Lord we shall hear no more, they that are the true children of god must expect to meet with very sharp trials if a time of persecution should come, such trials as you may not be aware of, some may be ready to think that if our popish enemies should prevail against us. and they should proceed from war to persecution, that they who are now our open enemies would be our persecutors and none but they, and that we should all be sufferers but alas we have reason to fear that the saints and people of god, will have much more to try them than this ~~methi~~ methinks that one, and another may be ready to think what greater trials can any one have than to suffer persecution, and death it self from a barbarous and cruel enemy, if there be any of you bearers that think thus within your selves. and inquire what can be greater, I will endeavor to tell you some thing there will arise up persecutors among our selves that will join with the enemies. such as are well acquainted with their own hearts and see much of the deceitfulness, of them, may be ready to say as the disciples did when Christ said unto them one of you shall betray me, they may be ready to say to you Lord is it I (Mark 14:18-19) . while others that are [ignorant]

[Page: 14]

of their own hearts may say as Hazael did, what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing (2 Kings 8:13) , they may say within themselves shall I be a persecutor far be it from me, yet when they come to the trial they will do it, and that to a very great degree for I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock, also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30) , and this no doubt would be the case with us. some that are members of the same church would persecute those that they are in solemn covenant with, and have promised before God angels and men that they would walk towards them in brotherly love and holy watchfulness what giveth us reason to think that this will be the case is this, we have reason to suppose that there are some hypocritical professors in almost every church if not in all, and when such come to be tried with persecution who have not a spark of grace in their hearts nor the least degree of love to god nor his ways but instead thereof are full of enmity against him they can not endure the trial the fire of persecution is too hot for them

[Page: 15]

so they will renounce their profession and turn apostates. and when they have done this they will turn persecutors and many times the most bitter and cruel if any of you should see this would it not be a great trial to you and especially if it should be such as you have had a good opinion of and thought real christians and have gone in company with them to the house of god and took much comfort in their conversation and have sat down with them at the table of the Lord o believer such things as this would try every vein of thy heart, but this is not all that believers would be tried with if there should come a time of persecution. for they will be ~~pers~~betrayed and persecuted not only by those that are near to them by profession but by those that are the nearest to them by the bonds of nature perhaps a child of thy bowels or the wife of thy bosom, or an unconverted husband a man's foes shall be those of his own house now the brother shall betray the brother to death and the father the son and children shall rise up against their parent, and shall cause

[Page: 16]

them to be put to death (Mark 13:12) ; this may seem strange and unnatural at first view. but such is the rooted enmity betwixt the seed of the serpent, and the children of god (Genesis 3:15) . that when this enmity has full liberty to act like it self, that the nearest relation they stand in to the saints according to the flesh will not be any restraint against their persecuting of them even unto death we have reason to fear that there may be some in this assembly if there should come a time of persecution who would rejoice to imbrue their hands in the blood of their parents and other godly friends who faithfully reprove them for ~~the~~ sins and would keep them back and restrain them therefrom they would be glad with all their souls that there was not a righteous person upon earth to reprove them for their sins that they might take the full liberty which they desire, the ungodly hate the righteous for their religion tho’ they may stand in a near relation one to the other according to the flesh. and may have some natural affection to one another on this account as is often the case betwixt men and their wives

[Page: 17]

parents and children and brethren yet so much of religion as they ungodly see ~~of religion~~ in them so much they hate in them The nearness of the relation doth not alter the case on this [account] this is evident from the holy scriptures. Luke 21. 16. 17. and ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren and kinsfolk. and friends and some of you shall they cause to be put to death and ye shall be hated of all men for my name sake (Luke 21:16-17) . not as Cain who was of that wicked one and slew his brother, and wherefore slew he him? because his own words were evil and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:12) , when the nearest relations will betray and persecute their best friends if they are godly this is a very sharp trial to them we can not conceive of it except we had the trial of it our selves—

I conclude with a word of exhortation to every one in this assembly to do all that in your lieth to get ready for suffering times seeing we have so great reason to expect them, indeed a speedy repentance and reformation may prevent it for Christ warns before he strikes

[Page: 18]

so that if we as a people truly repent and return unto the Lord he will save us from this distressing judgment, but let the exhortation be—

1. Go such as are yet out of Christ to do all that in you lieth to be prepared for the worst. ye have reason to tremble, and to be horribly afraid. for if such a time should come as we have reason to expect ye will be in a very miserable condition, tho’ some of you may not make a profession of religion, yet no doubt ye will then be obliged to own Christ or openly deny him, and you may depend upon it that ye will openly deny him, and not only so but will turn a persecutors your selves. and open enemies to Christ and his cause, and if so what do ye think will become of you for there will remain no more sacrifice for sin but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversary. ye will seal your own damnation and make it sure, o be persuaded to break off from your sins by repentance and turn unto the Lord by righteousness, now immediately without the least delay, forsake every sin and receive Christ in to your hearts that ye may stand in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13) and may be saved at the last.—

[Page: 19]

2. Let the saints and people of god do their best endeavor to be prepared for trying times we have reason to expect to see greater tribulation and trials than ever yet we have seen and it highly concerns us to be prepared for it, for if such a time should come upon us unawares and unexpected and find us unprepared to meet with such trials it will be very surprising even to god's own children it is the duty and interest of all the saints to be prepared for the worst which they may expect to meet with. Christ directeth his disciples and followers to sit down and count the cost. lest when they come to meet with unexpected difficulties and trials they would turn back and desert his cause, Christ says if any man will be his disciple let him deny him self and take up his cross and follow him (Luke 9:23) , and he tells them that foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the son (Luke 9:58) so that such as would follow him must expect to meet with trials and thro’ much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of heaven o beloved may it be your great concern to be ready for trying times and if you should see such a time it will be to your comfort, and joy that ye are prepared for it and if ye should never see a day of persecution. your labor will not be in vain, nor last. no I dare

[Page: 20]

promise you, that it shall turn to a good account; and you will ~~rea~~ reap the benefit of it even in this life there is nothing lost by a close walk with god, but it is great gain to every one that lives in the practice of it, if ye would be prepared for sufferings, and would suffer cheerfully and joyfully. ye should have your evidences cheer for heaven. you should consider what a difficult ~~[*]~~ time it will be with you if ye should be very much in the dark about your spiritual state, when ye are called to lay down your lives for Christ for you may be greatly terrified with the fear of death because ye may be at a loss to know whether your peace is made with god. and it may be that you may be afraid to lay down your lives at uncertainties least you should be mistaken for ye will know at the hands of god for dying in his cause and that this can not save you if ye are destitute of the grace of god in your hearts. and it may be put to your choice either to own Christ and die some cruel, and painful death or deny him, and renounce your profession, and live, and perhaps have some worldly riches, or honor conferred upon you, and ye may be afraid to die for Christ

[Page: 21]

lest you should have no interest in him, and afraid to deny him lest he should deny you and cast you off for ever. and it may be that you may see many others deny Christ that you thought were better Christians than your selves, and they may say unto you that ye had better deny Christ than to throw away your lives upon uncertainties. o a time of persecution is a day of temptation and especially to those that are in the dark about their spiritual state no doubt such will be carried thro but it will be with much difficulty o be persuaded to do all that in you lieth to get ready for such a hour. and if ye are among those that have left their first love (Revelation 2:4) and have fallen from good beginnings hearken to the voice of Christ in the words of our text. remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works. you should look back to the day of your espousal with Jesus Christ and call to mind how you gave your selves up to him in an everlasting covenant never to be broken nor forgotten, how you then resolved with all your heart to be for Christ and no other, you should remember how you then rejoiced in Christ your redeemer, but how have you

[Page: 22]

fallen from this and wandered away from god and after other lovers. o repent and reform never rest at such a distance from god but get nearer to him than ever, live at the greatest distance from sin and walk in the ways of all god's commandments, and in the lively exercise of every christian grace and then let what will come ye will be ready for it, and if ye should be called to lay down your s lives for Christ ye will rejoice and be exceeding glad that ye are counted worthy to suffer for his sake if ye have but a sense of Christ's love in your heart, ye can willingly go thro’ the fire that ye may go to heaven there to behold his glory and to Dwell with him for ever and ever—