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
their sins The eye affects the heart Think while you are hearing as if that were really and visibly before you by which Christ and sin is represented in preaching of the word 4. Labour to be transformed into what you hear obeying this word of truth from the heart Rom. 6.17 Consider that this word of God engraffed within us is able to save our souls Jam. 1.22 and if it be an engraffed word it will be a fruitful word appearing in our conversation CHAP. VI. Come c. THis word Come containeth what those messengers who are sent about the Gospel-errand are to say that is to speak to the guests to come away and partake of that Gospel-provision to which they were invited The word is metaphorical answerable to the matter spoken of Here I note Obser That God would have us come at his call in the voice of the ministry Matth. 22.4 What this call in the voice of the ministry is ye have formerly heard Now we are to consider Sect. 1. Whither God would have us come 1. He would have us come to our selves for naturally we are besides our selves The prodigal came to himself Luke 15.17 we begin to come to our selves when we begin to act our reason like men considering how it hath been how it is and how it may be with us 2. He would have us come to his people for naturally we are aliens from the common-wealth of Israel Eph. 2.12 Come therefore we must unto Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 This coming is the maintaining of affection to and communion with the people of God Paul after his conversion went to the Disciples of Jesus Christ and would not be beat off from them though they at first were shy of is company 3. He would have us come to himself 1. The father would have us come Return to me saith the Lord Jer. 4.1 return to him from whom we have gone astray 2. The son would have us come come to me Matth. 11.28 come to him as a Mediatour to make up all your differences come to him as a Physitian to heal our infirmities and as a Prophet to remove your ignorances 3. The spirit would have us come Rev. 22.17 He cometh to us that we may come to him to get victory over our sin Now these three are not contrary Masters to distract our thoughts about our coming to them but they are all one Sect. 2. By what means should we come 1. By the use of all means of grace Oh come let us worship and bow down before the Lord Psal 95.6 To worship God is to serve him in the participation of his ordinances to pay tribute and do homage to the King of Kings to seek God in his own way 2. By the exercise of the truth of grace and in special the acting of faith He that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is good Heb. 11.6 The stedfast belief of divine truth doth very much raise the affections Some call the affections the feet of the soul Acceptation Adherence affiance Assurance are four steps in the exercise of faith whereby we rid groâ—nd and make progress in the way of Christianity 3. By pressing forward towards the perfection of grace Phil. 3.12 as men do their arms in swimming or their legs in running These pressing forward appears in regular desires and in endeavours proportionable Sect. 3. In what manner should we come 1. Humbly as the prodigal to his father I am not worthy to be called thy son Luke 15.19 fall down lie prostrate before the Lord. This gesture suits our meanness and his greatness 2. Speedily as Zacheus to our Saviour who made haste and came down Luke 19.6 delays are dangerous in matters of great importance 3. Joyfully as we come to a feast especially to a marriage-feast such as this Gospel provision is Mat. 22. Sect. 4. How it appears God will have us come Here let us consider three remarkable junctures of time wherein Christ who is sent of God hath bid men come 1. When he came unto the world and appeared with the sole power of saving souls All things saith he are delivered to me of my father and presently he addeth Come unto me Matth. 11.27 28. as if he had said the power my father hath given me is to be employed for this end to perswade you to come unto me or to come unto him by me 2. The eight or last day of the feast the Jews called Hosannah Rabbah When he was to sâ—m up many days preaching in the last day of a great feast these were his last words come to me John 7.37 as if he had said were I to preach to all the world and were then presently to leave the world these should be my last words come to me 3. When he was ascended and sent his mind in a Letter in that book of the Revelations these words are the close of that Epistle come come Rev. 22.16 as if he had said I am still of the same mind I was when I was upon the earth heaven and earth rings of his coming The Spirit and the bride say come The bride upon earth the spirit in his Saints and Christ from heaven And in effect Christ tells his elect I have a heart to come to you but I must have all you mine elect to come to me first you would have me come down but I must stay here till all that the father hath given me be come unto me CHAP. VII Use 1. HOw much are they to blame then that will not come ye will not come to me saith Christ John 5.40 Great men take it ill when men wilfully refuse to come upon a solemn invitation Many that are invited instead of coming to God rebel against him Amos compareth such unto horses running upon a rock where first they break their hoofs then their necks Amos 6.12 To come to God in Christ is the best entertainment we can give the Gospel To come to hear is something to receive God's messengers respectfully is something to be reclaimed from profaneness and to take up a form of Religion is something but the chief of all is wholly to give up our selves to Jesus Christ This is the seal and glory of the Gospel ministry 2 Cor. 3.1 2. Phil. 4.1 Use 2. For Caution though God would have us come at his call yet he will not always call upon us to come Gen. 6.3 the day of grace proves but a short day to many Consider likewise though God would have us come at his call yet no man can come of himself No man can come to Christ except the father draw him John 6.44 There can be no motion towards God without an influence from God Use 3. Be exhorted to come come and see John 1.46 Take notice of the Messias and the plentiful provision which God hath prepared for mankind through him consider the worth that is in him behold the Lamb of God John 1.29 God hath sent forth his son that
the Bramble a base Plant usurping Authority when the more noble Trees the Olive the Fig-tree and the Vine refuse it In a word that the good man is compared to the green-tree and the wicked unto the dry The Scripture is very copious in borrowed expressions and partly for our weakness condescending to us to make us to understand the deep Mysteries of God by earthly things It sets forth Christ as one noteth 1. From inanimate things from the Sun the Stâ—r a Rock 2. By vegetative the Root the Branch 3. From sensitives the Lion called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah 4. From Rationals the Son of man to shew that Christ is all in all Parables are either 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the nature of the thing doth make the comparison as in that of the seed the variety of increase by the word preached is expressed by the greater or lesser increase of the grain according to the ground whereon it falleth Or 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the disposition or affection makes it as when Christ compareth himself to Children piping and dancing to express the mild means he used for the saving mens souls Or 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when a passion or perturbation makes it as when Christ's coming is resembled to a Thieves Burghlary or to a woman's travel for the suddenness and affrightment Or 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the action is only brought for comparison as in the Parable of the unjust Steward Luke 16.6 that as he made friends of his Masters money against an hard time so should we of the goods lent us by the Lord by giving alms to the poor whose prayers may help us in the day of tryal Our Saviour was frequent in the use of Parables in his discourse and doctrine and therein he acommodated his speech to his Auditors The Jewish Nation was much used to Parables as appears by the doctrine of the Prophets of old So the corruption of the Church is set forth by the similitude of a degenerate Vine Isa 5. and of a most unclean harlot Ezek. 16.30 31. c. we read Ezek. 21.2 6. Of a Parable of a Wood to be burnt with fire then the Prophet is commanded to turn his speech to the men of Jerusalem and to denounce destruction to them from ver 7. ad 10. at length he is commanded to sigh and groan and lament bitterly even to the pain of his loins And if they enquire into the cause of these things to answer because evils are coming at which every heart shall melt away Now by this kind of language Christ took a course to enflame their minds after Gospel mysteries And albeit divine mysteries were veiled in the Parables as barely propounded to the reprobate world making them the more inexcusable through the just judgment of God yet these mysteries were revealed by Parables as clearly expounded to the elect through the goodness of God in Jesus Christ But although Parables do familiarly explain and illustrate divine truths yet they darken divine truths to some to whom it is not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and our Saviour saith that therefore he spake in Parables to them because they seeing saw not and hearing heard not nor did they understand A singular judgment of God on them for their contumacy and contempt of the Gospel It is an observation of Oleaster that the holy Prophets especially to great men spake most in Parables that since the people were so shy of naked truth it might be presented in some Guise Doubtless the design of our Saviour in laying things under parabolical expressions and as it were out of sight was that his hearers might seek out the things hereby intended with more diligence and find them with more pleasure for this way of Illustration makes things very delightful and pleasant and it is not only a way whereby the ignorant may be made to understand but the scope of them being once found it will then appear that no falshoods but real truths are contained in them because truths not falshoods were not only intended but signifyed by them and so Parables are not only lawful but commendable and very grateful to the ingenious Reader or Hearer How then should every one desire to know the meaning of Scripture-parables as Christ's Disciples came unto him saying Declare unto us the Parable of the Tares of the field Matth. 13.36 that so they may come to the clear and sound knowledge of divine truth Parables are pleasant like a Picture drawn with lively colours And profitable also Galeacius Caracciolus that noble Marquess of Vico was converted by a similitude used by Peter Martyr in a Sermon seconded with private discourse Much honoured in the Lord Here you have in this ensuing Treatise which I humbly Dedicate to you a judicious Explanation and faithful Application of one of our Saviours Parables The Parable of the Great Supper to which many Guests were invited The Author was better known to you than to my self yet not altogether a stranger to me He was not only a word-man but a work-man a work-man that needed not to be ashamed a pattern of wholsome words in sound teaching a pattern of good works in well doing so that a man might read his Sermons written as it were in the lines of his life He was a light of direction in teaching and a pattern of perfection as it were in his life His Preaching and his Practice his Words and his Works agreed together The Law of God is a Lanthorn good example bears it it is safe following him that carrys the light That Minister only know how to speak well that hath learned to do well Then doth the seed of the word bring forth fruit when the godliness of the Preacher doth water it in the breast of the Hearer Thus eraving pardon for this my boldness that the Lord may add to those gifts and blessings he hath bestowed upon you is the prayer of Your most humble and affectionate Servant in the Gospel W. GEARING Books to be sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Golden Bible on London-Bridge THe Protestants Triumph being an exact answer to all the sophistical Arguments of Papists By Ch. Drelincourt A Defence against the fear of Death By Z. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed By William Geering The Godly Mans Ark or City of refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrâ—s Moores Evidences for Heaven By Ed. Calamy The Almost Christian Discovered or the false Professor tryed and cast By Mr. Mead. Spiritual Wisdom improved against temptation by Mr. Mead. The Doctrine of Repentance Heaven taken by Storm The Mistery of the Lords Supper A Divine Cordial A word of comfort for the Church of God A Plea for Alms in a Sermon at the Spittle The Godly Mans Picture drawn with a Scripture-pensil These seven last were written by Tho Watson The True bounds of Christian freedom or a Discourse shewing the extents and
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
recording the Martyrs such a thing saith one as the former age had even despaired of the present age admireth and the future shall stand amazed at Thus he speaks of the Reformation in England CHAP. VII This work is brought to pass 1. BY the Ascension of Christ who went up in the Chariot of a cloud Act. 1.9 which moves swiftly and upon his Ascension the spirit came down in the form of fire Act. 2.3 which is quick of motion 2. By the operation of the spirit 1. Giving utterance to them that spake for those Primitive preachers spake as the spirit gave them utterance Act. 2.4 uttering divine Apothegms the Oracles of God 2. Making entrance into them that heard The word in their mouths called the sword of the spirit was sharp and penetrating It is said the Angels went whither the spirit was to go Ezek. 1.12 so do the Angels of Churches the Ministers of the Gospel The reasons why it is thus are these 1. Because things of the greatest worth and such the Gospel-message is are to be speedily dispatcht If a pardon be to be sent to one that is ready to be executed he that carrys it must make haste Letters of great importance have this writ upon their backside post-haste 2. Because both those that preach and those that hear the Gospel too are but creatures Mark 16.15 therefore preachers are to make as much bast as they can in delivering the Gospel-message to their hearers who have but a little while to be hearing CHAP. VIII Use 1. SEe here how liberal God is how speedy in shewing mercy which doth very much set it off he comes apace towards his people Psal 104.3 4. clouds and Chariot wings and wind spirits and fire all speaks speed every word shews swift motion See here also how unbeseeming sloth and laziness is in the Ministers of the Gospel A lazy labourer an idle Minister is as absurd as a blind eye God cannot bear with such Oh thou wicked and slothful servant Matth. 25.26 Such a loyterer is an unfaithful Steward in God's house who wraps up his talent in idleness and burys it in the earth where perhaps he is playing the worldling all his time Vse 2. Though the messengers of the Gospel are to go quickly when they are sent yet they are not to run before they are sent We read of a scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven Matth. 13.52 it is not for every one who can speak an hour to adventure upon the work of reaching Again though Ministers sent are to go quickly yet they must not in their speaking be too quick for their hearers they should make no more hast than good speed Old Mr. Dod observes it as a general fault among Ministers to shoot over their hearers Ministers should explain divine truths leisurably that the weakest capacity may understand the same Use 3. Must ministers go quickly to you then answer this Doctrine with the quickness of your motion be swift to hear Make use of all opportunities where ye may hear safely for the good of your souls Be you as quick in closing with the Gospel as God would have his messengers quick in disclosing it Make your peace with God speedily Matth. 5.25 The only way for this is through Christ that one mediatour between God and man 1 Tim. 2.5 If you would not hazard the loss of all by continuance in sin make haste to compound through faith in Christ Be sure ye do not put off Gospel-advice a day longer Heb. 3.7 Christ bid Zacheus make haste and come down and accordingly he did and received him joyfully Luke 19.5 6. Be restless in your spirits till you find Christ who is the rest of your souls Enquire diligently whether you are in the way to heaven then make haste in that way go on with speed The life of Christianity is as a race therefore so run that ye may obtain 1 Cor. 9.24 Sin is like a sore the longer you let it alone the more it festers and ranckles and the worse it is to heal The Scripture saith To day lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3.13 sin encroacheth upon the soul by degrees James 1.14 15. let young men remember God in their youth the sooner any receive the Gospel-message they are in a capacity to do God the more service Do not put off the doing or receiving good till old age Yet let not this discourage old people from minding good Better late than never If you come in though at the eleventh hour you shall have your reward Matth. 20.9 Abraham was old when God called him It was late ere the Thief on the cross was converted he had a quick passage from the Cross to heaven CHAP. IX Into the streets and lanes of the City THese words do seem in a special manner to refer to the preaching of the Gospel unto the body of the Jewish people after the refusal of it by the great ones among them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Latini quoque utuntur vocabulo platea pro vla urbis latiore Plaut Terent. according to that commission where the charge is to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Matth. 10.6 the accomplishment of which appears in that sacred H story of the Acts of the Apostles Into the streets and lanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 urbis locus in quem omnes certatim confluunt the two Greek words signifie places of resort where there are continually multitudes of people This phrase the streets of the City may bear the same sense Territorium universum urbis ditioni subjectum designans Med. in Apoc. 11. as judicious Mr. Mede takes that in Rev. 11.8 who understands it for the Territories belonging to the Dominion of that City Here then it must be taken for the whole Country of Judea among whom God would have the Gospel publish'd And then in the high ways and hedges among the sinners and out-casts of the Gentiles Thus Salmer glosseth upon our Text understanding these words of the Jewish commonalty who have their houses together in streets and lanes as the Nobility have theirs alone Streets and lanes denote the multitude of persons to whom and the publickness of place where the Gospel is preached Observ God would have the Gospel preached openly where it may be free for all to hear it Prov. 8.2 3. and Chap. 1.20 1. In streets there are rows of houses together Hence we have the name Parish from the scituation of houses one by another Parish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the joyning of several houses together Thus then the going into Streets and Lanes is the preaching of the gospel in Cities Towns Villages Parishes where people dwell together Thus the Apostles went from City to City preaching the gospel Act. 14.21 and preaching Elders were ordained in every City Tit. 1.5 God in mercy providing for the conveniencies of people in sending the Gospel to their very doors it is but for
them to step out and they may gather up this heavenly Manna 2. Streets and lanes are places of concourse where there is continual going and coming they are thorow-fares passages in which some are daily and hourly passing by Prov. 7.8 Thus then the going into streets and lanes is the preaching of the Gospel unto men who are a company of Travellers upon earth exhorting them as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from sin 1 Pet. 2.11 whiles they are going to and fro God would have them hear that which may do them good for ever 3. Streets and lanes are places of pastime Boys and Girls are playing in the streets Zech. 8.5 Thus then the going into streets and lanes as the preaching of the Gospel unto the children of men to take them off from earthly vanities and to perswade them unto heavenly excellencies Act. 14.13 15. Eccl. 11.9 10. 4. Streets and lanes are places of merchandise your shops and markets are in your streets Thus then the going into streets and lanes is the preaching the Gospel to supply mens necessities for the good of their souls that they may have food and raiment for their souls The preaching of the Gospel is the holding forth spiritual wares Isa 55.1 where men by believing may make spiritual mercies as surely theirs as any thing is theirs which they have bought Every Lord's day is a market day for our souls 5. Streets and lanes are places for the proclaiming of Acts and Edicts Proclamations are read and posted up in the streets in allusion to which Jeremiah is bid to proclaim the word of the Lord in the streets of Jerusalem Jer. 11.6 Thus then the going into streets and sanes is the preaching the Gospel by an office-ministry sent of God to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel Wisdom stands in the tops of the high places and cryeth in the Gates Prov. 8.2 3. as the Herauld and Cryer standeth above the rest that he may be heard CHAP. X. The reasons why God will have the Gospel preached openly are 1. TO shew the soveraign use of the Gospel The leaves of this tree of life are for the healing of the Nations Rev. 22.12 it is for redemption out of every kindred and Tongue and people and nation Rev. 5.9 2. To shew the honourable employment of the work of the preaching of the Gospel it is a work none need be ashamed of Rom. 1.16 God's messengers appear openly in the streets they are not ashamed to hold up their wares against the Sun Their preaching in the light and upon the house tops Matth. 10.27 sheweth that preaching is justifiable before all the world 3. To shew the good will of God who would have all come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 he is no respecter of persons but in every place those that fear him are accepted with him Act. 10.34 25. he sends the gospel-invitation into the streets and lanes without prefering one house before another 4. To shew the inexcusableness of men in refusing the gospel-offer They cannot plead they never heard of it Not only the dust of the street but the stones and houses of the street will rise up in judgment against those who refuse the gospel preached CHAP. XI Use 1. THis informs us that a publick ministry is a great mercy The ministry of the gospel by publick persons such as are authorized thereunto and in publick places where any have free leave to attend upon means of grace which the Prophet mentions as a special favour when our Teachers are not removed into corners but our eyes see our Teachers Isa 30.20 teaching in our view not driven to hide themselves This also informs us of several sorts who are blame-worthy in opposing this truth as 1. Such as pretend themselves to be gospel-messengers and decline the publick dispensation thereof who instead of going into streets and lanes to convert men to and confirm men in the faith creep into houses to subvert the faith of some leading captive filly women 2 Tim. 3.6 2. Such as wilfully sit within their doors when the gospel is preached in their streets that come nor forth to hear the voice of wisdom that cries in their streets Matth. 12.42 3. Such as will not suffer the messengers of the gospel to preach openly or to teach in their streets contradicting or disturbing the publick preachers like those in Act. 13.45 or suspending and banishing them when it is in their power Use 2. Yet this doth not make but that upon occasion the gospel may be lawfully preached in private houses Paul taught publickly and likewise from house to house Act. 20.20 in every place Religious service is accepted if it be done in a right manner not but that the conveniency of publick houses to meet in is a great mercy as was hinted before let none then be prejudiced with the circumstance of place so as to be hindered of the substance of the gospel yet there is a vast difference between this going into houses to build up one another in our most holy saith and that creeping into houses as it were by stealth to subvert the faith of others The one is like the visit of a friend the other like the sly entrance of a Thief Use 3. Hear then and give ear you that inhabit the streets and lanes and villages about this Town Jer. 11.6 God sent his Seers to take notice what they did in Jerusalem according to their streets ver 13. your Town is divided into several streets and lanes Take therefore the word of God as though you had a particular message sent into every street and lane this day from heaven God knoweth Maidstone as well as he did Jerusalem ye therefore that inhabit the streets of this Town the High-street the South-side and the North-side of it Week-street Stone-street c. ye that inhabit the several lanes of this Town East-lane Ballock-lane c. look into your hearts and ways Moreover ye that are come out of your doors into the streets meeting the message of God thus openly consider wherefore ye are come as Christ said to the multitudes that went to hear John Baptist What went ye out for to see Mat. 11.7 the reasons why we hear any preacher should be well examined as to hear him because he is an officer in that work John was a Prophet and more than a Prophet John was not a reed shaken by the wind Be ye sure to seek Christ in the streets in the publick ordinances Cant. 3.2 3. Ask the watchmen that go about the City The Priests lips of old were to preserve knowledge Receive those messengers of God into your houses who preach in your streets Mat. 10.12 13. Give countenance and maintenance to their persons give audience to their Doctrine welcome those that come in the name of Christ and give them high esteem for their work-sake Receive us saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 7.2 make room for us in your houses and hearts let their peace
your selves 2. There is room in those Ordinances that are dispensed by the Ministers of the Gospel Wisdom's gates are wide enough to receive all that come Prov. 8.34 The Gospel is preached that all Nations may be discipled and that all who partake of the Covenant of grace may partake of the seals of it Matth. 28.19 And when particular Churches grow so numerous that they cannot conveniently meet together in one place for the participation of Ordinances then like Bees swarming they are to be gathered and seated under several hives that still we may say yet there is room This is a warrantable propogation of Churches not a sinful separation from Churches 3. There is room in the vertue of Christ's bloud and riches of God's g ace which is held forth in Ordinances Rom. 5.20 21. Christ's bloud is as fresh as ever it was in the day wherein it was shed it is that new and living way to heaven Heb. 10.19 20. which never waxeth stale and what wonderful Cures hath it wrought and the grace of God is as free as full and efficacious as e-ever it was II. In the Church triumphant yet there is room There are many mansions John 14.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversorium There are so many mansions in heaven as would suffice infinitis mundis Rolloc The word in the Syriack Testament for mansions signifies an Inn or publick place An Inn is a common receptacle for travellers so is heaven for Saints who are pilgrims and strangers upon earth 1 Pet. 2.11 Christ when he came into the world was laid in a manger because there was no room for him nor His in the Inn but when he went out of the world he went to such an Inn or publick place where there is room enough for him and all his whether believers of divers Countries come Rev. 5.9 There is room enough 1. Objectively without us God fully communicating himself to the Saints above 1 Cor. 15.28 the joys of heaven are as the very spirits of things extracted of very great worth and efficacy 2. Subjectively within us The understanding widened clearly to know God 1 Cor. 13.13 the will widened fully to love God CHAP. VI. Use 1. THis informs us that when any who hear the Gospel do perish it is not through any scantiness of the Gospel-provision out for want of applying that provision Consider it seriously if ye be shut out of heaven it is not for want of room in heaven but for want of faith in your hearts Heb. 12.19 Esau found no place for repentance no wonder they find no room or place in heaven when they die who find no place for faith or repentance or other graces whiles they live The coming short of Christ and holiness makes men fall short of heaven and happiness This also informs us that there is more room than company more provision than guests at the Gospel-feast There is bread enough and to spare Luke 15.17 it is likened to a fountain out of which there is more water runs waste than is made use of Though Gospel-grace be full and free and all men need it yet many there be that make no account of it they are wholly enslaved to their sense and taken up with lower things heavenly things seem to be too far distant to work upon their affections they see the world but they see not God nor Christ nor their souls nor everlasting glory Use 2. Though yet there is room yet we know not how long there may be any room for us we had need therefore be careful lest any should seem to come short of it Heb. 4.1 Those that knock after the door is made fast must go away as they came Luke 13.25 those that stay so late till the bridg be drawn up cannot get over the water Christ is now as a bridge to heaven if we make us of him in time well and good but know this bridge will be drawn up and then you must stay on this side happiness There is a great gulph between heaven and hell and no bridge to get over it as there is here between earth and heaven Luke 16.26 Secondly though there be room in heaven and Christ is gone to prepare a place for us yet we must not conceive of heaven as an house like ours 2 Cor. 5.1 consisting of many rooms and those not yet furnished or finished but the mention of many mansions and great preparations is for the setting off the excellency of heaven and for the raising up our expectations Use 3. Then do not perish in the midst of such plenty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Occumen turn not the grace of God into wantonness as some do to their own destruction do not transpose or remove it from its ordinary end and use from Gospel-ends so as to cast off obedience to the Law of God Return unto God who is thus provided to entertain those that come unto him This use the Prodigal makes of that consideration Bread and to spare in his father's house I will arise and go to my father Luke 15.17 18. why will ye expose your selves to storms and tempests when there is room enough to house you and shelter you why will ye feed upon husks upon emty trash with the swine without when you may live like men and fare like God's children feeding upon the spiritual delicates of the Gospel Make room now for the Gospel in your hearts that there may be room made for you in heaven 1. Make room for the messengers of the Gospel Receive us saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 7.2 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies make room for us Why we have wronged corrupted defrauded no man neither in name judgment nor estate Place us therefore in your hearts as you are in ours Their feet are beautiful who bring the glad-tidings of peace Rom. 10.15 give them therefore room or entertainment for their work-sake house them prize them pray for them 2. Make room for the message of the Gospel receive not the grace of God in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 let it appear that the grace of the Gospel is operative within you and know this that this grace worketh most kindly and properly when it orders your conversation in holiness and raiseth your expectation to happiness 3. Make room for the Mediator of the Gospel Great Princes have their harbingers go before crying make room make room let open the door of your hearts that the King of glory may enter in Psal 24.7 as they of old were to open their gates that the Ark called elsewhere the glory the Type of Christ might enter in Let your understanding will memory affections conscience be all free to entertain Christ resign up all to him that he may do what he will with you 4. If you would have room in the kingdom of God let the kingdom of God have room within you that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 That righteousness
to go through the service of God without weariness 4. With spirituality raised a spiritual body ver 44. not maintained by natural helps of food Physick sleep c. but kept by the power of God Then body and soul making one person shall serve and obey God without interruption for ever The reasons why it is thus are 1. The filling of heaven is decreed of God and therefore must be effected Though many Angels left their own habitation Jâ—de ver 6. yet their habitation abideth to be possessed by others There is not as some observe the least atom of grace or glory intended for the creature lost to the universality though forfeited by the individuals for what was retracted as to the extent of it to more was supplyed by the intensiveness of it in the fewer whereby the divine justice was fully displayed and the bounty not at all diminished And as the creatures find no abatement of happiness conferred upon them so neither shall the Creator find any abatement of homage attributed to him 2. The preaching of the Gospel and converting of souls is the only way to fill up heaven for this is the way to have Christ in us the hope of glory Col. 1.27 This is the way to be joyned to that Church which is the body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Eph. 1.22 23. CHAP. IV. Use 1. HOw may this support us under all our losses and sufferings What though we be cast out of house and home and lose all for the Gospel yet if we help fill heaven when we are gone from hence will not that make amends Heb. 10.34 what if we should live in a world filled with violence and oppression as the old world was Gen. 6.13 yet God hath an Ark for Noah an heaven for Saints what though we should be filled with scorn and contempt as Israel was Psal 123.3 4. yet there is exceeding joy in the presence of God Jude ver 24. Use 2. Though heaven shall be filled with inhabitants yet it shall be without any annoyance to those inhabitants We must not conceive that house above where Saints immediately attend God's service like these houses below where we attend upon God in the use of means Hear when an house is filled people are crowded they stand and sit in Little Ease so that the very attendance upon means for the soul is not without some annoyance to the body but it shall not be so in heaven That house is not an house made with hands 2 Cor. 5.1 but eternal in the heavens it is of an everlasting continuance and of a very vast circumference without the least inconvenience Use 3. Let us live as those upon earth who shall help fill heaven hereafter let us be cleansing our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and so be perfecting holiness upon earth which is the ready way to perfection of holiness in heaven 2 Cor. 7.1 This is like w ping the feet before we enter a room kept clean and fair No unclean thing must enter heaven as full as it will be Without are dogs Rev. 22.15 the fittest place for them what should they do within Men that live like dogs here must fare like dogs hereafter heaven is no kennel for dogs but a Palace for Kings for Saints who are Kings and Priests unto God Let us look to be filled with the fruits of righteousness to be filled with such fruits here is to be fitted for glory hereafter Grace like Grapes grows by clusters A cluster of these grapes of Canaan we may view Gal. 5.22 and we must look to be filled with such fruits now if we would have heaven filled with us hereafter it is called the fruit of the spirit such fruit as doth not grow in Natures Garden 1. Love the bond of perfectness As the Curtains of the Tabernacle were joyned by loops so are all true Christians by love 2. Joy that in special whereby we rejoyce in our Neighbours good 3. Peace the peace of concord with our brethren 4. Long-suffering patience drawn out at length continuing as long as the trouble 5. Gentleness amiableness and sweetness in behaviour 6. Goodness usefulness in our places 7. Faith taken here for fidelity 8. Meekness not easily provoked a readiness to pass by injuries 9. Temperance whereby a Christian as Master in his own house doth so order his affections that they do not irregularly move nor inordinately lash out To make us now to mind the way to heaven consider what lyeth in our Text the goodly company we shall enjoy in heaven It was the speech of good old Grynaeus O faelicem diem quum ad illud animorum concilium proficiscar ex hac turbâ colluvione discedam Grynaeus Oh happy day when I shall depart from the crowd and sink in this world to go to that blessed councel of souls There is but one heaven to hold all Saints they shall all be in one house Hold up your heads O Christians we shall be in that heaven where all the godly Patriarchs Kings Prophets Apostles Martyrs and Preachers are and where all our dear friends in the Lord are who are gone a little before us Doth it affect you to read the stories of the Patriarchs the writings of the Prophets and Apostles the sufferings of the Martyrs the Acts and Monuments of the Kings the Sermons of godly Preachers Oh how will it affect us to see those very persons another day and to be happy with them SERM. XVII Luke 14.24 For I say unto you that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper CHAP. I. THis verse containeth the conclusion of the Parable the definitive sentence upon the whole In which we have 1. A Preface 2. A Proposition The Preface is a form of speech usually prefixed to raise our attention unto the weighty matter spoken of And this very phrase I say unto you is used near an hundred times by our Saviour in the four Evangelists The Prophets prefaced their Doctrine with Thus saith the Lord. But our Saviour prefaceth his Doctrine with I say unto you The Prophets were but men speaking in the name of the Lord but Christ is God as well as man and therefore could speak in his own name as well as in his father's name because his father and he are one Here the consideration of him that speaks is sufficient to make us receive what is spoken Obser The Authority of the speaker is sufficient ground for the truth and our belief of the holy Scripture The Authority of the speaker in sacred Scripture is altogether divine it being the word of God and so the Authority of the only Deity Quest How doth it appear that those writings which we call the sacred Scripture is the very word of God Resp. 1. It is evident so to be if ye look at the Pen men of Scripture and their impartial proceedings in their writings setting down their own commendations and discommendations
in express terms as Moses doth his meekness at one time and his provoking God at another time Now as it is a base thing for a man to commend himself so it is a foolish thing for a man to blaze his own faults It appears therefore the Pen-men of Scripture were not led by humane policy but by divine Authority And hereby it is evident they were moved by the Holy Ghost to set down what they did 2 Pet. 1.21 As for that objection which some make from the circumstantial different expressions of the Pen-men writing the same things as the four Evangelists we may retort the objection seeing the difference is not substantial but circumstantial and thence fetch a good argument to prove the divine authority of the Scriptures viz. that the Pen-men did not lay their Heads together about the framing of their writings and did not transcribe one anothers Copies they agreeing in the main and yet differing in things of a lesser consideration which is admirable to consider of 2. If we look at the matter of these writings it is evident it comes from heaven because it tends to heaven directing men thither and taking them off from the world There is not one tittle of it that savours of earthlyness or tends to the maintaining of carnal interest so then as the light of the Sun sheweth it self to be the Sun as the discourse of a learned man proves himself to be learned so the language of the Scripture evidenceth it to be sacred it breathing forth nothing but godliness thereby it appeareth to be the very breath of God 3. If we look at the effects of these Scriptures what a wonderful force they have upon the insides of men Tertullian tells the Jews that those places among the Brittains which the Romans could never come at were subdued by Christ that is by his word Here we may appeal to mens consciences for evidence The awakened conscience of a natural man trembleth at this word The clear conscience of an holy man feels a through change within made by force of this word I can speak it by experience saith Erasmus that there is little good to be gotten by the Gospel if a man read it cursorily and carelesly but if he exercise himself therein constantly and conscionably he shall feel such a force in it as is not to be found again in any other book whatsoever 4. If we consider the preservation of these Scriptures That writings penned by so many several men at so many several places in so many several ages should be kept so entire together is more than humane power to bring it to pass The Reason why the Authority of the Speaker is ground enough for our belief of Scripture is Because as God is so Almighty and independent as none can contribute to his being so neither to his truth Let a man but grant a God and he must needs grant his authority to be authentick and that absolute credence is to be yielded to him Hence those Heathen Law-givers Numa Lycurgus c. would needs seem to derive their Laws from some Deity And Mahomet's dictates may not be disputed upon pain of death Let God be true and every man a Liar Rom. 3.4 and Christ Jesus is truth it self John 14.6 and God in Christ is that God who cannot lie Tit. 1.2 CHAP. II. Vse 1. THis shews us the difference between the holy Scriptures and other writings No other writing must be believed barely for the Author's sake but for their agreement to right reason or to the rule of these holy Scriptures In other Sciences we first know and then believe but here it is otherwise we must believe the truth and integrity of the Scriptures because they are of God and then we shall know whether these things are of God or not Humane Authors are apt to go awry in their writings being biassed by self-interest and therefore must not presently be credited as Learned Scâ—liger observeth of Baronius that he did not write but make Annals This also shews us the vanity and vileness of thâ—se who so magnifie reason as they vilifie faith who will believe no more than they see reason for Quid proderit Papismum â—eliquâ—sseâ— et in Socinâ—am 〈◊〉 incidisse câ—lâ—um imagi num detâ—â—â—â— et cul tum maginâ—tionum ampleâ—â—i Prideaux who think it beneath a rational creature to ground faith upon the Authority of the Speaker Such are the Sâ—cinians That which is said to be spoken by a person of Quality of this Nation of that judgment is a very prophane speech Whaâ— saith he do you talk to me of faith Give me reason every Cobler may have faith But the Scripture saith Faith is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 the demonstrative evidence it is the nature of faith to believe God upon his bare word and that against sense in things invisible and against reason in things incredible Sense corrects imagination reason corrects sense but saith corrects both faith helpeth at a dead lift Use 2. Yet this doth not make that we should take divine truths upon trust when men utter the same though they quote Scripture for what they speak let who will be the preacher we should examine what we hear Act. 17.11 there is a judgment of discretion that belongs to every one to make trial of their own actions Secondly this doth not make Christian Religion irrational no Ratio Christianorum est fides Luther it is a most reasonable service Rom. 12.1 where we cannot see a natural reason for what we believe yet it is most reasonable we should believe it when we know the Supream cause hath spoken it The knowledge of the Scriptures and the power of God would make those things credible to faith which seem impossible to reason Matth. 22.29 Use 3. Let us be ashamed of our slowness to believe what is spoken in the sacred Scriptures As it is our misery that we are so dull to conceive so it is our folly that we are so slow to believe divine truths Luke 24.25 let us be sure throughly to understand those arguments which prove the Authority of sacred Scripture let us believe God upon his bare word believing though we have not seen John 20.29 grounding our faith according to our duty upon the Authority of the Speaker Study the Supremacy of God's Authority This made the Centurion believe Christ upon his bare word Matth. 8.8 9. And be acquainted with those Experiments that assure you that God is as good as his word Such as that of God's delivering Israel out of Egypt just at the time appointed Exod. 12.41 God kept his word to a day 1. Herein is the high commendation of faith when we can thus believe God on his bare word This made Christ say of the Centurion's faith he had not found so great faith no not in Israel Matth. 8.10 he admired it as incomparable and matchless Some required Christ to come to them others required Christ to