Ezr. 9.13 14. if God renew our lives should not we renew our obedience The reasons why we should thus spiritualize earthly things are these Reas 1. God hath appointed all things here below to raise us up unto him who is above Job 12.7 creatures are glasses to represent the Creatour Seculum Speculum They have a teaching voice they read us Divinity-Lectures of God's providence The world below is as a glass wherein we may see the world above they who cannot read other books may read the Volume of the creatures here they may run and read This is the plow-mans Alphabet the Sheepherds Kalendar the Travellers Perspective The least creature hath some lively resemblance of the great God 2. This is the way to have always an heaven upon the earth which we should aspire after Psal 73.25 'T is said of two worthy Divines the one reconciled heaven and earth Mr. Ball Mr. Dod. because worldly occasions did not distract him in heavens way The other turn'd earth into heaven by a spiritual improvement of all earthly affairs CHAP. IV. Use 1. HErein ye may see a main difference between the children of this world the children of God The children of this world are like little children who finding a picture in a book do graze upon and make sport with it but consider not who it is but God's children are like those men who examine the story the picture representeth they will pick some farther matter out than that which is represented to the eye Here we may also see how far they are from spiritualizing earthly enjoyments who abuse them unto wickedness not acknowledging from whence they come but using them contrary to the honour of the true owner of them Hos 2.5 This is fighting against God with his own weapons heaping sins against him while he heaps kindnesses upon them Great ingâ—aâ—iâ—ude Use 2. Take this by way of caution our spiritualizing earthly things is not the same with God's spiritualizing us When he spiritualizeth us he changeth our natures turning our sinful qualities into spiritual pulling down one frame and setting up another 2 Cor. 10.4 5. But when we spiritualize the creature we do not change the nature of it we only make use of it unto such spiritual ends Moreover though true Christians do spiritualize earthly things yet there be those who are called Christians that carnalize spiritual things who conceive of heavenly things with gâ—oss and carnal thoughts because they are represented under earthly terms and figures Solomon's song hath been abused by many this way Some are so drowned in natura naturata that they do not think of natura naturans Use 3. Let us all be exhorted to the practice of this truth 1. Let us spiritualize earthly possessions Make use of the goods ye possess unto those high and noble ends as everlastingly to be advantaged by them Luke 16.9 Testifie your faith by your works Rebus nâ—n me trado sed commodo Sen. and your works by the distribution of your goods look upon your houses ye dwell in but as houses of clay and think of the eternal mansions John 14.2 Our hearts should not be upon our Estates an heart surcharged with the cares of this life is like a foul stomach which unless it be emptied by a Vomit it fills the body with noysome diseases 2. Let us spiritualize earthly callings God made none to be idle Whiles ye are diligent in any particular calling spiritualize that in giving all diligence about the calling of Christianity 2 Pet. 1.10 Trade and traffick for heaven Phil. 3.20 Let saith be your factor into that far Country 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that is the way to gain the Pearl of great price 3. Let us spiritualize earthly relations being weaned from those we do enjoy 1 Cor. 7.29 And being raised by the same to think of that relation between Christ and the soul Uxori nubere nolo meae or Christ and his Church Eph. 5.30 4. Let us spiritualize earthly affections 1 Cor. 7.30 When the affections of joy or sorrow are running see that they run in the right channel your joy for Christ your sorrow for sin 5. Let us spiritualize earthly afflictions looking upon them as tryals 1 Pet. 1.6 7. They are tryals both of corruption and grace for the consuming of the one for the refining of the other Let afflictions make you more serious to look into your ways more conscientious to look after your ways 6. Let us spiritualize earthly delights When ye see your Field or Garden bravely decked remember they are gone in an instant Jam. 1.11 Set your hearts on comforts of a lasting nature Heaven is set forth by all those expressions of delight which we are taken with upon the earth as a City a Country a Kingdom an Inheritance Rest our Fathers house Abraham's bosome Some delight in the City others in the Country some delight in Honour others in Pleasure and Prosit 7. Let us spiritualize earthly deliverances Is it such a mercy to be freed from trouble from sickness from war then what a mercy is it to be freed from hell How much are we bound to bless God for Christ who is Jesus that delivereth us from wrath to come 1 Thes 1.10 8. Let us spiritualize earthly dominions Is it an honour to be Head Governour of a Town or Ruler of a Nation what will it then be to be Judges of the world and such honour shall all the Saints have 1 Cor. 6.2 As Christians should not disdain those below them so they need not envy those above them To direct you therein use these means 1. Look that ye have a spiritual mind As the eye is the light of the whole body so is the mind of the whole man Matth. 6.22 An impure mind is like mud water but a pure mind is like clear water whereby other things look clear 2. Maintain spiritual converse and society where ye may hear spiritual discourse Heb. 10.25 Holy Conferences wherein Christian experiences are related are great advantages unto this To move you hereunto Consider Mot. 1. If you do but enjoy the bare use of earthly things you live not only beneath Christians but beneath men The very beasts have creatures as the objects of their sences and that in an exquisite manner 2. Those that now turn earth into heaven in the spiritualizing of earthly things they shall one day be translated from earth to heaven to the enjoyment of eternal things 2 Cor. 4.18 2 Cor. 5.1 This spiritualizing earth doth likewise make way for the familiarizing of death CHAP. V. Then said be unto him c. THis Then relateth to that When in the former verse where we have the immediate occasion of this Parable One of the guests being somewhat affected with our Saviour's Table-discourse speaks thus by way of admiration Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God This eating of bread may be taken in the same sense in
work of our Redemption which he undertook to do is done 't is finished wherefore this Priest of ours is set down at the right hand of God Heb. 10.12 as one having done his work in opposition to the Priests of old who stood daily ver 11. The mystery of the Gospel in man's recovery is a curious piece of work but 't is perfectly wrought there are many particular excellent stories about it but they are all compleated 1 Tim. 3.16 The incarnation passion resurrection and ascension of Christ are all over 3. The remission of sin upon the score and account of Christ is ready God is ready to pardon Neh. 9.17 but 't is through Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 Pardons are as it were written our and ready to be distributed to those who will accept of them Yea pardoning grace is daily ready to be renewed according to the fresh acting of faith 4. The glorious inheritance in heaven is now ready God hath prepared that City for all believers Hel. 11.16 heaven is a Kingdom prepared for them Quest How doth all now appear to be in readiness Resp. Since Christ's coming in the flesh the veil is taken off from the Law of Moses the Curtain is drawn aside that the light comes in abundantly those Riddles are now unfolded Moreover since Christ's Incarnation the new Testament is added to the old whereby there is a great advantage for light the prophesies are now turned into Histories the Canon of Scripture is now compleated no more is now to be added Rev. 22.18 CHAP. IX Use 1. THis informeth us that man hath nothing to do toward his own happiness but to receive what God hath prepared and to walk as he hath received it the receiving is by faith a weak faith is a joynt Possessor though no faith is a joynt purchaser of this special priviledge The walking as we have received Christ is to express the truth of our faith in the holiness of our life with all conscientiousness as in God's sight and exemplariness as in mens sight Col. 2.6 7. Here see the difference between God and man in reference to Gospel-provision All is ready on God's part but alas what an unreadiness is there on our part how indisposed are we to any thing that is good Inasmuch as God speaks thus to man wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Men linger in the state of nature as Lot in Sodom and did not God pull them out there they would abide for ever Use 2. For Caution Though all things be said to be now ready we must not think as if all were but now ready we must know that Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 so that Christ's bloud in its vertue and God's acceptation was of force for man's salvation in the days before he came personally into the world And as for the foundation of man's happiness in his election this was prepared before the foundation of the world Rom. 9.33 Moreover though all things are said to be now ready yet there is much to be done before all the elect come to heaven there are many enemies of Christ which must be pull'd down 1 Cor. 15.25 and though Christ hath done the work of a Priest on earth in offering up himself as a sacrifice yet he is still doing the work of the High Priest in heaven presenting the worth of his sufferings in the presence of his father as he did once die for us so he doth ever live for us Heb. 7.25 Use 3. Be exhorted to answer this readiness of God 1. Be ready to receive this grace of the Gospel all things are ready therefore come Matth. 22.4 let thy heart be ready and prepared remove the filth that is in thy heart adorn thy heart with gracious qualities attend upon means of grace there God comes with a blessing This Gospel feast is ready but are you ready for that Are your cloaths ready have you put on the Lord Jesus whose righteousness is the white garments of Saints are your stomachs ready is your appetite up to this feast 2. Be ready to express this grace of the Gospel answer this readiness of God's good will in your readiness to do the will of God express it in acts of piety towards him be read to hear what the Lord hath to speak Eccl. 5.1 Prepare your hearts unto the Lord 1 Sam. 7.3 holy duties call for holy preparation The Jews had their laver in their services washings with sacrifice Express it likewise in acts of charity towards â—en In reference to the soul be ready to give an answer to those that ask you a reason of the hope that is within you 1 Pet. 3.15 Which tends much as to the confirming of the truth so to the edifying of souls In reference to the body be ready to distribute your worldly goods to supply the bodily wants of others 1 Tim. 6.18 Shew it also in your readiness to suffer the will of God St. Paul was ready not only to be bound but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus Act. 21.13 but as for the exercise of this hard part of Religion the spirit is ready sometimes but the flesh is weak Mark 14.38 Now to move you unto this readiness to receive and express the grace of the Gospel Consider The grave is ready to receive you wherefore work out your salvation with fear and trembling The Tribunal of God is ready to receive you All must give an account to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead 1 Pet. 4.5 heaven is ready to receive you if you thus receive and express the grace of the Gospel 't is a kingdom prepared for you the gates of this kingdom are open for you if your hearts are open to the word of this kingdom Otherwise hell is ready to receive you and everlasting fire is preparing for you Tophet is prepared for the highest rank of sinners Isa 30.33 SERM. VI. Luke 14.18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse c. CHAP. I. OF the invitation to Gospel-provision ye have heard The Guests prove Recusants now followeth the answer of the Guests who were invited and their answer is returned by way of denyal which denyal or refusal of theirs is first more generally described and then more particular or distinctly answering to though it be an ill requital of the invitation which was first generally delivered and then more distinctly renewed This refusal of theirs in general may be branched out thus for our more methodical proceeding in the handling of the words 1. Here is the universality of it And they all 2. The unanimity of it or rather the the conspiracy of it with one consent 3. The plausibility or rather the hypocrisie of it Began to make excuse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est particula non universalis simpliciter sed indefinita restringâ—nda ad materiam subjectam Beza For the first the refusal
Alas be not deceived Abels bloud cryed when he was dead Gen. 4.10 and as there is a voice in the bloud of Martyrs so there is a voice in the Doctrine of preachers after they are dead and gone Use 2. Yet God doth sometimes continue his messengers among those that are obstinate Ezek. 2.5 though they grow worse by it yet they shall enjoy it surely it will be to make them the more inexcusable Here is one of the depths of God's judgments that those enjoy the means who grow worse by the same and those want the means who would grow better by the same but Christ pronounceth the severer wo against such Matth. 11.21 who abuse that means which others would improve On the other hand though those that refuse the Gospel cause Ministers to go from them yet those that receive the Gospel cannot always keep Ministers with them St. Paul was called away from those that wept sore at his departure Act. 20.37 38. Christ hath the stars in his right hand and he placeth and displaceth them according to his pleasure They that are glad at the sight of their Minister must arm themselves for this affliction their minister must be removed out of their sight Use 3. Refuse not the Gospel when brought to you by the messenger of the Gospel Continue not in your unbelief hearing the Doctrine of faith preached to you do not reject the word receive the message of the Gospel now it is tendred to you in the ministry of the word The messengers of the Gospel will not always continue Walk in the light while ye do enjoy the light John 12.35 believe in Christ who is the true light ver 36. be guided by the spirit of God according to the word of God follow the Doctrine and examples of Gods faithful messengers who are called the light of the world Matth. 5.14 obey them that have the rule over you submit to them that watch for your souls Associate your selves with the children of light 1 Thes 5.5 maintain intimate familiarity with them whose words are pure whose lives are shining Be ye perfecting holiness on earth by way of preparation for the perfection of holiness in heaven every degree of grace is a step to glory CHAP. IV. And shewed his Lord these things HAving heard the return of the messenger we are now to hear the report that is made And shewed The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to relate or to bring back again an answer to a message that was sent A word frequently made use of by humane writers in that language Poets Orators Historians Moralists and by some in this sense to make report as Embassadours do when they return from their embassage So that great Moralist makes use of the word which sense suits well with our Text. His Lord that is he who made the feast and sent him as a messenger to invite These things that is the very naked truth of those several excuses as they were given in by the Recusant Guests without any excusing of their excuses Obser That the messengers of the Gospel do relate unto God those answers which are made by the refusers of the Gospel The answers made by the refusers of the Gospel we heard before in the examination of their several excuses now let us see how the messengers do relate or shew these things unto their Lord. 1. By producing the commission they had to speak in God's name they shew unto their Lord the dispatching of their errand according to his mind He that had the five talents said Lord thou deliveredst to me five talents and behold thus and thus I have made use of them And so he that had the two Matth. 25.20 22. Lord saith the preacher Thou didst put me into such an office Thou didst endue me with such gifts and I did execute that office and employ those gifts among such a people I wholly gave up my self to the work Here be those I spake among let them deny it if they can 2. By declaring what and how they spake by vertue of that commission They shew unto their Lord the Scripture they preached the Texts they handled the Argumens they used the affection they expressed in the discharge of their duty in the work of the ministery John 17.14 15.22 Lord saith the preacher I gave them thy word to whom thou didst send me and though some did receive it yet others did refuse it and hated those who did receive it Thy word I taught without mixture and deceit pressing the Authority of thy sacred majesty 3. By complaining of the obstinacy of those who hear the word Lord who hath believed our report Isa 53.1 Lord how few are there that regard what we speak They look upon thy word as our report as though it had no other Author than our selves and so give no heed or credit to what we say They consider not that thou speakest when we speak and so they think they are not bound to believe us 4. By reporting the ill usage they meet withall from the opposers of the Gospel They shew their Lord what they suffer for his names sake The Apostles returning from their Adversaries to God said And now Lord behold their threatnings Act. 4.29 Lord saith the preacher behold how many speak against us because we speak for thee how many threaten us because we denounce thy threatnings against them for their sins We may be sure that God hearkens to such grievances 5. By appealling to God as the supream power whose name hath the greatest wrong by the opposers of the Gospel Act. 4.24 25. They shew unto their Lord that the opposition of enemies is not so much against them poor servants as against himself and Son and heir Christ Jesus In outward appearance it is against us but of a truth it is against thy holy child Jesus CHAP. V. NOw the time when the messengers of the Gospel do make this report is 1. In this life when they address themselves to the throne of grace by prayer Act. 4.23 24 31. As the speak from the Lord so they have daily occasion to speak to the Lord and they must tell him of their hearers manners as well as tell them of his mind yet so as in this life while there is hope to beg pardon in their behalf Luke 23.34 Those many souls brought in at St. Peters Sermon Act. 2. Some attribute as a gracious return to the fore mentioned prayer of our Saviour and some make St. Pauls conversion as an answer to St. Stephens prayer lay not this sin to their charge 2. In the life to come when they appear to give up their account at God's tribunal then they shall lay all open and speak plainly against all that oposed the truth Like as the the Prophets sometimes prophetically desired absolutely that the curse of God might fall upon such enemies of theirs Jer. 18.20 23. which kind of imprecations though God's messengers must not now follow yet
surely hereafter they will Lord remember that heretofore I stood before thee to interceed for this people that they might be blest but now I stand before thee to accuse them that they may be curst The reasons why God's messengers must do thus are these 1. Because God is their Lord in a peculiar sense according to the phrase in our Text unto whom they stand responsible for all that they have done in the work of the ministry 2. Because God made them witnesses Act. 26.16 and they must not be false witnesses Surely as their persons so their labours and their lives and their sufferings will all come in as witnesses at the great day 3. Because God hath made them stewards 1 Cor. 4.1 and so they must give a true account I have observed in the Courts of Judicature here below at our Assizes when those that are called do make default the officer is called who summoned them an Oath administred to the Baily of such an hundred and then this is propounded to him By virtue of the Oath which you have taken did you warn such a man Yes saith he then is he liable to the censure of the Court. Thus methinks 't will be at the Great Assizes speak you Ministers of such a City of such a Town of such a Village did you not warn such a people did you not leave such a summons with them did you not preach such a Doctrine among them make many a prayer for them yea Lord but they refused to bear thy Sons yoke they would not reform their lives according to thy Laws This will be dreadful against all the refusers of the Gospel CHAP. VI. Use 1. HEre ye may see Omnis praedicator est vir rixarum judiciâ— ac cogitur ex officio reprehendere quicquid vitiosum est non habita ratione vel personae vel officii in auditoribus Luther why ministers are so much despised by many it is because their employment is to discover the faults of others and that displeaseth those that are faulty Act. 19.28 not only the profane but the erroneous too do fall out with sound and faithful teachers When the truth is spoken against errours it causeth many enemies Gal. 4.16 The preachers office displeaseth those that allow themselves in any sin and so consequentially it cannot be but their persons are opposed Again it is but a folly for any to think to fare the better for their acquaintance with the messengers of the Gospel when they refuse the message of the Gospel for they must relate things as they are 'T is required in stewards that a man be sound faithful 1 Cor. 4.2 Though the hearer should be Wife Brother or Sister to the preacher and should live contrary to the Doctrine of holiness which he preacheth yet none of them shall be advantaged by their relation to him Use 2. Yet 't is not the messenger of the Gospel Malitia tua te ad mortem adduxit non nos Lyran. but the refusal of the Gospel-message that condemneth men it is mens own sin that casteth them Witnesses of old were wont to put their hand upon the head of the offendor and say it is thine own wickedness that condemneth thee and not we The most obstinate man the Heretick is condemned of himself Tit. 3.14 holding such an erroneous opinion he doth vertually condemn himself declaring that he is fallen from the truth and is an opposer of the same Now though God's messengers make a report to God yet it is not to inform him as though he did not know those things without that report God is greater than our reports yea than our hearts and knows all things 1 John 3.20 all things are naked and open in his sight Heb. 4.12 Use 3. Then let this Doctrine be a watch-word to you that are our hearers Ministers must do your errand Must Ministers shew to the Lord what you do oh then take heed what ye do Venture not upon any known sin upon any pretence Prov. 1.10 Think with your self would you do such a thing if the passages of it should be told to the whole Town oh then why will ye venture upon such sinful practices which must be reported unto God before all the world at the last day do not continue in any known sin be not as the men of this world who lie in wickedness 1 John 5.19 Ye that will go on in the ways of your own heart know ye that for all these things God will bring you to judgment Eccl. 11.9 If it be thus then consider what answer will ye now give to the messenger of the Gospel to be returned in your behalf 1. Let it not be a refractory answer like that of the Jews to Jeremiah We will not walk therein Jer. 6.16 oh let not your hearts rise and swell against the holy word of God 2. Let it not be a delatory answer like that of Felix to Paul I will call for thee when I have a convenient season Act. 24.25 A meer put-off to spin out time 3. Let it not be a cursory answer like that of Israel to Joshua All that thou commandest we will do Josh 1.16 suddenly spoken without the consideration of what was to be done or with what strength they would do it as appears by their frequent revolting afterwards Some people are ready to answer as fast as a Minister can ask them will you forsake the Devil and all his works the pomp and vanity of the world oh yes we will do any thing but alas they little consider what they say as appeareth by their soon turning aside from the paths of holiness 4. Let it not be a nugatory answer with those gâ—ests in our parable who preferred the trifles of this world before the eternal good things of the Gospel But let it be an humble holy answer like that of the Psalmist Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes in answer to that Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently Psal 119.4 5. SERM. XII Luke 14.21 Then the Master of the house being angry c. CHAP. I. THese words begin the fourth general part of the parable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noting one that ruleth over things as if he had them tyed in bands the Result upon the former the resolution of him who made the feast upon the Contempt offered by some to fill up his table with other guests Then When the report was returned of the excuses made by those who refused the Gospel-provision The master of the house or the Master of the family He of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named the father of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 3.14 15. or the Master or that house which is the Church of the living God 1 Tim. 3.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appetere sc vindictam Being angry the Greek word signifies the inflammation of the mind with a purpose of revenge proper