1st. It is the great end of the word preached, to bring us to a settlement in religion. Eph. 4:11, 13. “And he gave some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the edifying of the body of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children.” The word is called ‘an hammer,’ Jer. 23:29. Every blow of the hammer is to fasten the nails of the building; the preacher’s words are but to fasten you the more to Christ,—they weaken themselves to strengthen and settle you. This is the grand design of preaching,—not only for the enlightening, but for the establishing of souls,—not only to guide them in the right way, but to keep them in it. Now, if you be not settled, you do not answer God’s end in giving you the ministry.
2d. To be settled in religion is both a Christian’s excellency and honor. It is his excellency; when the milk is settled it turns to cream; now he will be something zealous for the truth, walk in close communion with God; and his honor, Prov. 16:31. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” It is one of the best sights, to see an old disciple,—to see silver hairs adorned with golden virtues.
3d. Such as are not settled in the faith can never suffer for it; sceptics in religion will hardly ever prove martyrs; they that are not settled do hang in suspense,—when they think of the joys of heaven, then they will espouse the gospel,—but when they think of persecution, then they desert it. Unsettled Christians do not consult what is best, but what is safest: “The apostate (saith Tertullian) seems to put God and Satan in balance, and having weighed both their services, prefers the devil’s service, and proclaims him to be the best master; and in this sense, may be said to ‘put Christ to open shame,’ ” Heb. 6:6. They will never suffer for the truth, but be as a soldier that leaves his colors, and runs over to the enemy’s side; he will fight on the devil’s side for pay.
4th. Not to be settled in the faith, is highly provoking to God. To espouse the truth, and then to fall away, brings an ill report upon the gospel, which will not go unpunished: Ps. 78:57, 59. “They turned back, and dealt unfaithfully; when God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel.” The apostate drops as a wind-fall into the devil’s mouth.
5th. If ye are not settled in religion, you will never grow. We are commanded ‘to grow up into the head, even Christ,’ Eph. 4:15. But if we are unsettled, no growing: “the plant which is continually removing never thrives.” He can no more grow in godliness, who is unsettled, than a bone can grow in the body that is out of joint.
6th. What great need is there to be settled; because there are so many things to unsettle us, and make us fall away from the truth. Seducers are abroad, whose work is to draw away people from the principles of religion: 1 John 2:26., “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Seducers are the devil’s factors; they are of all others the greatest felons, that would rob you of the truth; seducers have silver tongues; a fair tongue can put off bad wares; they have a slight to deceive, Eph. 4:14. The Greek word there is taken from those that can cog a dye, and cast it for the best advantage; so seducers are impostors,—they can cog a dye,—they can so dissemble and sophisticate the truth that they can deceive others. Now, the style by which seducers use to deceive, is: