Q16. Further Motivations for Observing Gospel Institutions

Is there yet any other consideration that may stir up believers to a holy and religious care about the due observation of the institutions of the Gospel?

Yes, namely that the great apostasy of the Church in the last days, foretold in the Scripture, and which God threatens to punish and revenge, consists principally in false worship, and a departure from the institutions of Christ (Revelation 14:4, 5; Chapter 17:1, 2, 3, 5).

Explication.

That there is an apostasy of the Church foretold in the book of Revelation is acknowledged by all who with sincerity have inquired into the mind of God therein. The state of things at this day, and for many ages past in the world, sufficiently confirm that persuasion. And herein sundry things in general, are obvious to every sober consideration thereof.

First the horrible evils, troubles and confusions that are to be brought into, and upon the world thereby.

Secondly, the high guilt and provocation of God, that is contained in it, and does accompany it.

Thirdly, the dreadful vengeance that God in his appointed time will take upon all the promoters and obstinate maintainers of it. These things are at large all of them foretold in the Revelation, and therein also the apostasy itself is set forth as the cause of all the plagues and destructions that by the righteous judgment of God, are to be brought upon the world in these latter days. Now as God does earnestly call upon all that fear him, not to intermeddle, nor partake in the sins of the apostates, lest they should also partake in their judgments (Chapter 18:4, "I heard a voice from Heaven, saying, come out of her my people that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues."), so he does plainly declare wherein the apostasy and sin itself should principally consist, and that is in the corrupting and contaminating of the ordinances of his worship, or the introduction of false worship joined with the persecution of them who refused to submit thereunto. For this cause, is the sin itself, set out under the name of fornication, and whoredom; and the Church that maintains it, is called the Mother of Harlots (Chapter 17:5). That by fornication, and whoredom, in the Church, the adulterating of the worship of God, and the admission of false self-invented worship in the room thereof, whereof God is jealous, is intended, the Scripture every where declares. It is easy then to gather of how great concernment to us it is, especially in these latter days wherein this so heinous and provoking sin is prevalent in the world, carefully to attend to the safe unerring rule of worship, and diligently to perform the duties that are required therein.