second particular is to speak of the Honourable person that gives occasion for this feast And that is Christ who is to be married whose Spouse is the Holy Church In this particular there are divers things of great weight to be taken notice of First The Author and fountain of saving grace viz. God called here A King making a Marriage for his Son Secondly Here is implied the neer union that is betwixt Christ and the Elect. It is agreed that there shall be a marriage concluded upon according to God the Fathers everlasting purpose between them and his son Jesus The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a King that made a Marriage for his Son Thirdly we shall also out of these words speak of the way and Means whereby this Grace from God in the supper of the Lamb is conveyed made out to the Elect towit the powerfull preaching of the Gospel This lies wrapped up in these words the Kingdom of Heaven whereby is meant as I told you in the beginning the word of the Kingdom The plain Truth is and the Summary Sense The preaching of Christ and the offering of him in the Ministry of the Gosepl is the way the Lord hath ordained to work faith by whereby we are united unto Christ and justified I will begin with the first and so proceed to the handling of the rest at this time as in the presence of the Lord. Doct. The first Doctrine shall be this From the first That grace here and glory hereafter are the free gift of God It it his pleasure that his Son be Married and such a Wedding Supper held as may shew forth the riches of his Grace according to the capacity of man somewhat answerable to the bounty of a God You see the Subject matter is Grace which we must warily speak of that we may shun the Charybdis of Popish merit and yet not fall upon or into the Scylla of Lawless Antinomianisme Most certain it is that Salvation is of Grace and not of works as that learned Dr. of the Church the Apostle Paul disputes it and demonstrates it both in his Epistle to the Romans and also in his Epistle to the Galatians And although there are many uses of the Holy Moral Law which I purpose not now to meddle with yet must it stand aside as weak and insufficient through the flesh and give place unto Gods sending his Son into the world that whosoever believeth in him and accepteth of Gods offer of Grace should not perish but have life everlasting This Grace of God is by much the Elder brother if we look no higher then Abraham Gal. 3.17 And this I say saith Paul that the Law which was 430. years after cannot disannull the Covenant that was before of God in respect of Christ that it should make the Promise of none effect All is of Grace First Election is of Grace Rom. 11.5 There is a remnant according to the election of Grace Ephes 1.5 6. Having predestinated us c according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved See Cap. 2. to the tenth And in many other places Secondly all the Coordinated Mediums all that God works by all are free and of Grace As first Christ is given Romans 8 32. Who spared not his own Son but gave him for us all to Death Secondly The word bringing savation is free and is therefore called the Grace of God Titus 2.11 bringing Salvation Thirdly Repentance is of Gods giving also Acts 11.18 Fourthly Likewise Faith that mother-Grace is the gift of God Phil. 1.29 And generally the whole Law of the Spirit of life as it is called Rom. 8.2 is of Gods gracious working as is testified Ephes 2.1 And you hath he quickned which were dead in trespasses and sinnes Reas 1 We may reason from the very name Grace it signifies that which is imparted gratis Conveniunt rebus nomina saepè suis that is freely So the Holy Ghost often reasons in these words or else Grace were no Grace And Grace and Merit do stand extremly in opposition one to another Secondly We may reason from universality from the General to Particular Quicquid praedicatur de genere praedicatur de specie Of him and through him as well as for him are all things Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the father of lights c. James 1.17 All common Graces are of his Grace and free gift much more saving grace which is a more speciall effect of his love and favor Vse 1 But I come to the Uses having two other Doctrines to dispatch at this time And first here falls to the ground the Doctrine of merit so mightily and subtilly among our latter Popish School-men contended for What should I read Lectures of Polemical Divinity in this popular auditory They have a blind distinction of merit of congruity and condignity one place of Luke will serve for all Cap. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all that is commanded you say We are unprofitable Servants There is neither merit of congruity before justification nor merit of condignity after But by Grace are we saved through faith Dona sua coronat Deus non meritatua Aug. and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Ephes 2.8 not our Merits but Gods gifts are with his mercifull and bountiful vouchsafements crowned here and hereafter Vse 2 Secondly comfort ye comfort ye your selves with these words O all ye desirers of saving Grace They that hunger and thirst c. are pronounced blessed Mat. 5.6 What though ye see nothing in your selves but that which loads you even such are invited to come Mat. 11.28 If God send to invite surely he will not reject those that desire him though they be never so sinfull But we must take heed First of being contented with a few weak and faint desires If thy desires come from a right principle they are as truly Grace as faith it self There is Grace desiring Gratia sitiens sitiata as well as Grace desired Secondly take heed of regarding wickedness in your hearts Psal 66.18 or else the Lord will not regard your desire And no marvail These desires so accompanied shew themselves not to proceed from that preventing Grace which all successfull desires do proceed from Vse 3 I have yet one use more Grace here and Glory hereafter are of the free gift and Grace of God Ye see where to go for both the one and the other God is the Author and Fountain of all Grace seek it of him Mot. 1 And to move you consider first the Excellency of that condition ye shall be in Christ to partake of his goodly Image and Grace to be transformed into his Image from Glory to Glory Secondly It is of absolute necessity that ye come to this supper I say He that refuseth and cometh not shall
thee unto me for ever c. Therefore come away marry this Kings son forsake not your mercy do not overstand your Market You will never have such an offer again I mean not of another opportunity for what am I to limit the Holy one of Israel But of another happiness for in this seed of Abraham alone blessedness is to be had I say you cannot possibly speed your selves better There is none so lovely none so able to make you every-way happy none so willing to do every body good These expressions of ours are to your capacity These glorious beams of Christ shine brightly the Lord open your eyes to see them seek by Prayer wait upon Ordinances argue upon promises And the Lord strike hands with you in much mercy Amen Amen It remaineth that something be spoken of the means Ordained by the Lord to attain this assurance of Union with Christ to wit the Preaching of the Gospel signified by these words The Kingdom of Heaven for by it is saving Grace conveyed Gospel preaching is Ordained and appointed of the Lord to that end that men may hear of Christ believe in Christ be saved by Christ and be glorified with Christ So in that the Kingdom of Heaven that is the Gospel Preached is compared to a Marriage-making I observe this last Doctrine The end of the Preaching of the Gospel is to prepare People for a Marriage with Christ the Son of God Reason And the Reason is because it is that very instant of Grace which God who hath appointed a time for every action hath appointed for his Elect to come and joyn hands with Christ in the Act of believing It is the means of faith Rom. 10.17 So then faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God The Lord hath appointed that the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached over all the World for a witness unto all Nations That the Elect in every place may be brought in according to Gods eternal purpose of Love to communion with the Church and Union unto Christ Vse 1 We may hereupon conclude in the first place the necessity of the Preaching of the Gospel contrary to their vain conceit that think it needless they see not the end of it to wit a Marriage with Christ Or if they do yet they mean not to be divorced from their wicked Lusts unto which they are already Wedded But yet lodge this truth among the Oracles of God That Gospel Preaching is necessary And that it is the ordinary and usual means to obtain Faith Vse 2 O Therefore what a happiness do those people enjoy if they had eyes to see it that have the Gospel faithfully preached unto them to prepare them for a Marriage with Christ Vse 3 And how shall they escape which neglect so great salvation Which to do is a greater sin then to break the whole Law The punishment shews the greatness of the sin a double curse is pronounced against them that love not the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 16.22 that is against those that neglect Gospel offers and Ordinances in which Christ goeth 〈◊〉 wooing to the children of men If any one therefore here present be an Enemy to the dispensations of the Gospel or a neglector of this gracious offer of Christ therein let him look upon himself as on an execrable thing which God hates and let him see God even stretching out his power to confound him and the Gospel cursing him Vse 4 Be exhorted therefore to improve this appointed imployment This concerns both Preacher and Hearers Motive Motive It is the best preferment a man can come unto to be United and Married to Christ And therefore no small preferment to be imployed in this high work of bringing People to Salvation And to move other People let this be weighed well that to lose all things in the world to gain Christ is the best bargain that ever man made Phil. 3 7. 8. But what things were gain to me these I counted loss for Christ Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ Quest But how shall Ministers improve this benefit Answ I answer by Preaching Christ unto the People Plainly Powerfully in the evidence of Gods spirit not in the enticing words of mans wisdom 1 Cor. chap. 2. ver 1. c. Object But if a man do not Preach eloquently he shall lose his repute and the Grace of his pains Sol. I answer No for although some that know not God will be prating yet he is the best schollar that edifies most 1 Cor. 14 v. 12.18.19.21.22 To excell to the edifying of the Church to speak five words with understanding that others may be taught to Prophesie so as men may believe are special Phrases in those verses A man that speaks pithily to the conscience will shew himself a scholler besides his purpose to all judicious hearers Such men shew themselves to have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness not handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 And yet further ver 5. For we Preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your servants for Jesus sake And then note I said not only plainly but powerfully We should have such a spirit as Paul who out of the abundance of his Zeal was stirred in spirit Acts 17.16 And so Philip. 3.18 He told them WEEPING of their faults that were Enemies to the Cross of Christ This proceeded out of the abundance of his Love to Christ and mankind And this was a sign of Lots sincerity that his righteous soul was grieved and vexed c. 2 Pet. 2.7 And to hate the work of the Nicolaitans which God hateth is very commendable Rev. 2.15 To hate them that hate God Psal 139.21 and to be grieved with those that rise up against him Now for Hearers They must improve this benefit and blessing of Gospel Preaching 2. Hearers By striving and labouring hereby to be prepared for a Marriage with Christ By putting off the old man and putting on the new man Ephes 4. ver 16. to the 25. People must forget their own People and their Fathers house and labour to be clothed with clothing of wrought Gold Psal 45. ver 10.13 Labour to get Oyle in your Vessels as well as in your Lamps Mat. 25.4 That ye may enter in with him to the Marriage when the door shall be shut against such as have neglected these opportunities ver 10. You must labour to make your selves ready for the Marriage of the Lamb to put on Christ who is the clean and white and fine Linnen of the Saints Rev. 19.7.8 O that you would know now even now in this your day the things that do belong to your
Sermons have thy prayers and thine encouragement to make publike some other labours Thomas Larkham The VVedding Supper As it was handled out of the fourteen first verses of the two and twentieth Chapter of Matthew in sundry Exercises in Tavistook in Devon The first Sermon Matthew 22. Verse 1.2.3 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by Parables and said The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain King which made a Marriage for his Son and sent forth his Servants to call them which were bidden to to the Wedding and they would not come IN the latter end of the former Chap. from the ver 33. to the end thereof Christ under a Parable of a certain housholder planting a Vineyard and letting it out to Husband-men declares First Gods mercy towards the Jews in taking them for his Church ver 33.34 of that Chapter Secondly Their great ingratitude towards him manifested by their cruell dealing with and usage of his Servants beating some and killing others And by their most wicked murthering of his own Son ver 35. unto the 40. Thirdly Gods judgements to be inflicted on them for the same and that by their own acknowledgement ver 40.41 Now in the former part of this 22. Chap. our Saviour mentioneth under another Parrable Gods abundant kindness both towards the Jews and also the Gentiles in the blessed Means of Grace and Salvation In which Parable consider First the Preface Entrance or Introduction unto the same Secondly the Parable it self The Introduction is in the 1 verse And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by Parables saying In which words we have First the Party propounding the parable Jesus Secondly the occasion intimated in the Word Answered to wit one speaking touching the blessed condition of such as shall eat bread in the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 14.15 Lastly the Parties to whom this Parable was propounded viz. unto the Auditors present in the Pharisees house as may be seen out of the forementioned Luke 14 ver 7. of that chap But to pass over these things come we to the Parable it self In which we have to consider First what is spoken of or represented to wit the Kingdom of Heaven Secondly whereby it is represented of which afterward For the Subject matter viz. The Kingdom of Heaven we must enquire after the meaning of the words in the first place Know therefore that sometime these words the Kingdom of Heaven signifie the Kingdom of Glory but not so here Sometimes they are taken for the Kingdom of Grace and that in diverse respects First the manner of the working of Grace is sometime meant as Mat. 13.31.32 in the Parable of the grain of mustardseed and of the leaven Secondly In respect of the season of grace as Math 3.2 The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand hat is now is the season of Grace now the door of the Kingdom standeth open Thirdly in respect of the meanes of Grace the Preaching of the Gospel So this Phrase the Kingdom of Heaven is used Mat. 13.47 where it is compared to a Nett that was cast into the Sea and gathered of every kind The same phrase is used also Fourthly for the visible Church â—â—â—â—â—ng out Christ in preaching and other â—â—â—â—…ances in diverse Places and Verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thirteenth Chap. and also elsewhere In â—ll these particulars is this Phrase used by the Holy Ghost Grace in the heart is like a grain of Mustard seed which is the least of all Seeds Yet afterward it comes to be a great Tree So that in those Eastern places the birds made Nests in the Branches of them as the Scripture speaketh And we have seen very great Stalkes with Branches in this our own Land in some places The first seed of Grace is very little and sometimes it is long before a gratious Soul can perceive any thing in himself of this pretious seed in his own Soul But at last it makes sign where it is And for that other resemblance you know Leaven gives a tang to all the Meal so doth Grace to the whole man And for the opportunities of Grace and the powerfull preaching of the Gospel they may well be called the Kingdom of Grace They are the very way to the Kingdom Joh. 17.3 the knowledge of God and Christ is said to be life eternal because it is the way unto it In the same regard Joh. 12.50 his Commandments are called life everlasting to wit because the observing of them brings to life everlasting and they are sure fruits of faith in Christ So I say the preaching of the Gospel is called the Kingdom of Heaven because it is that by which God hath appointed to bring Souls unto the Kingdom of Heaven This being the acceptation of the Phrase as I take it in this Parable I will give you some reasons why it may very fitly so be called First in regard of God the Author the King of Heaven Secondly In regard of the end of the preaching of the Gospel viz. to prepare and fit people for Heaven to shew them the way of Salvation The Divel himself in the Pythonyss acknowledgeth rhis truth Act. 16.17 Thirdly In regard of the present condition of such as receive the word I believe it they are heirs of the Kingdom priviledged with a guard of Angels Heb. 1.14 Kings and Kingdoms are terms of relation All the Saints are made Kings as well as Priests Rev. 1.6 The imposition of this high tittle on Gospel-preaching gives occasion to note Doct. That the Preaching of the Gospel where it is afforded is a very great and pretious vouchsafement The truth of this Point will the better appear if we take notice of the glorious titles given to the word preached in Scripture It is called a hidden treasure Mat. 13.44 a Pearl verses 45 46. The word of eternal life Joh. 6.68 The words of this life Acts 5.20 The word of Salvation Acts 13.26 The Salvation of God Act. 28.28 The power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1.16 The word of faith Rom 10.8 The word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 The grace of God that bringeth Salvation Titu 2 11. The immortal seed of regeneration 1 Pet. 1.23 So that as it is said of the Church Psal 87 ver 7.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee thou City of God it may also be said of the word of God glorious things are spoken of it Reas And that not without cause for First It hath a notable power to illuminate the understandings of men Therefore we find that the people which sate in darkness when Christ came among them to preach saw a great light And to them which sate in the region and shadow of death light was sprung up Mat. 4.16 And that Christ preached is set to be a light of the Gentiles and Salvation unto the ends of the earth Act. 13.47 Secondly It is of great power to convince the conscience So we may see 1 Cor. 14.25.26 But if all Prophesie and there come in one
when there is a working faith and a labouring love and a patient hope and all in sincerity in the sight of God our Father when People become followers of the Lord though much affliction follow and do receive the word with joy of the holy Ghost this is excellent doings and yet much more might be fetch'd out of that Chapter had I not other things to acquaint you with Therefore to stoop to my poor silly unbred yet populous Auditory I will name some particulars First If you be carefull to amend your ways Secondly Marks of men chosen of God To seek knowledge Thirdly To renounce the World Fourthly To feel and resist temptations Fifthly To fight against thy flesh Sixthly To forsake ill Company Seventhly To mourn and pray against special sins Eighthly To love Gods children that are the pretious ones and Gods Jewels Ninthly To hate Rascals and Athiests with a deadly hatred and not only to shun their society for that may be done for by-ends but to hate the very Garment spotted with the fiesh As Psal 15. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned Psal 26. I have not sate with vain persons c. Psal 139 Lord saith David do not I hate them that hate thee And am I not grieved with them that rise up against thee Yea I hate them as though they were mine own enemies And lastly Learn the folly of the mostdo men of our days O say men every body doth it I say it is an Argument that none but stark buzzards in Religion will use Gods People you see plainly out of this Text are of the number not of those many that are called only but of those few that are chosen O simple objection against Godly men yet common they be like no body Why it must be so it is so in the Text. And it behooveth all to try whether they be of the little number sheep of the little flock and a mighty Motive to labour in this search we have next to handle for a Doctrine it is the third and last to wit Doctr. That they which are not partakers of an effectual Vocation from Election must perish notwithstanding their outward calling to the profession of the Gospel This point ariseth from this word For which sheweth the ground of the condemnation that man lay under that yet was partaker of an outward calling he was not chosen he was not elected therefore it was that he was damned Reason And the Reason is because salvation depends upon Gods election as may be seen Rom 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called c. Rom 9 11.12 For the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works but of him that calleth it was said to Rebekah the elder shall serve the younger Rom. 11.7 What then Israel hath not obtained that which he seeks for but the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded Vse 1 Now if it be so as you plainly see it is then miserable may a mans condition be notwithstanding he enjoy the outward means of grace If he have not do not one time or another taste of the power of Gods Spirit it is a sign he is not ordained to life But because there is no good use to be made of this matter but to convince and to stir up to labour for assurance it will be necessary for me to answer an objection which is Object That if God hath not chosen a man in Christ to be his it is but in vain to labour for grace for it will not be had by any means Sol. Now I answer That secret things belong to God whose revealed will is Joh. 3.15 That not one that believeth in Christ shall perish It is my duty therefore knowing this to believe by doing whereof I may safely conclude mine election And therefore labor to believe every one of ye shew your faith by your works But to return whence I did digress They erre that think it enough to live under a good Ministry Judas lived under the best Teacher that ever was And we finde Mat. 7.21 22. that many that shall say Lord Lord shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven And further many shal say in the last day Lord Lord we have prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderfull works to whom yet it shall be said Depart from me ye that work iniquity Vse 2 Secondly then it must needs be bad with them that disclaim Profession Ordinances and the means of grace he that runneth may read their damnation Vse 3 Lastly let us all in earnest fall to enquiry about our Election and make a search for it Methinks every one should be carefull about a business of this concernment We are carefull to preserve our lives temporal much more should we be careful about our life and to be preserved from erernal destruction Quest But how may a man prove his election of God Answ I Answer I shewed before out of 1 Thes 1.3 to the end of the Chapter And further effectual Vocation is an evident signe of Election Rom. 8.30 And the fruits of holiness and righteousness 2 Pet. 1. ver 5. to the 11. Faith love patience sincerity and adhering to Christ a delighting in the excellent ones Consider whom dost thou love whom wouldst thou preserve if it were in thy power O consider this ye that hate Gods people that exclude thē what you can sometimes shamefully though shamelesly out of your Counsels for no other reason but because they make conscience of their ways and the Ordinances of Christ which ye contemn the time will come when ye shall be excluded The ungodly shall not stand in judgement nor sinners in the Congregation of the righteous And let such as have these forementioned graces rejoyce they shall grow and at last come unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ ERRATA In the Epist to the Parl. pag. 3. in the Margin insert Mr. I. B. blot it out in the next pag. in the 24. l. of the 3. page for while read untill In the 6. pag. of the same lip for where read whence In the Margin of the 7. for Brerewich read Greenwich p. 8. l. 2. for Sermon 1. Sermons In the book Pag. 1. the title for Tavistook r. Tavistock pag. 6. l. 17. for 7. put 2. pag. 51. l. 23. sor word r. world in the 46. p. l. 20. between the two words business and indeed insert the word Which FINIS
that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth Therefore Paul saith speaking of this word 2 Cor. 10.4.5 6. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience c. And so Heb. 4.12 For the word of God is quick and powerfull and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart This iron Mace knocks down the contradictory spirits of men Thirdly This word called the Kingdom of heaven works faith and sound conversion That must be of great worth which worketh a man into Heaven and giveth him Power to prevail with God and to overcome the world all which faith doth But this the word preached doth work as may be plainly seen Rom. 10.14 15 16 17. It is the power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1.16 The engraffed word which is able to save our Soules Jam. 1.12 That brings Salvation Tit. 2.11 Highly esteemed bonds and loss of life do not move Paul if he may fulfill his ministery Acts. 20. ver 22. to the twenty fifth The Saints weep and sorrow for the loss of Paul ver 37.38 And both for Preacher and People Read Acts 21.13 Then Paul answered What mean ye to weep and to break my heart For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus You see then how Paul prizeth it and how the Saints prize it and weep to hear of the binding of that blessed Preacher Paul Angels scorn not to learn of the Church the Mysteries of the Gospel Ephes 3.10 they enquire after these things of the word 1 Peter 1.12 which things the Angels desire to look into Vse Now for the use of the point Seing Gospel-preaching is such a rich Vouchsafement Surely then great is their folly which undervalue the same And of these there are two sorts First Prophane people foolish Gaderens that lose the seasons and opportunities in which God way be found in which they might meet with this rich jewell Christ These were wont to be the only men we had to oppose But now we have a Second sort Such as are deluded and puzled by the Divel It is sad to consider that many once forward and eminent professors of Religion do now account it the height of their excellency to slight preaching and preachers The ground of this extream is the formalitie of the Calves-men in Dan and Bethel against whom zeal burning for lack of watchfulness and wariness and their unadvisedness of Sathans wiles hath driven many into these extravagancies in these Ordinance-contemning dayes We were wont to shoot our arrows against that ungodly generation who by First Their careless comming Secondly Their unreverent behaviour being present Thirdly Loose carriage afterwards and losing by and by what they have heard Luke 8.12 gave us greatest offence But now alas fear of being gull'd by black coats hath brought a snare upon many endangered by men whose coats are of another colour But I say to all Wisdom crieth without she uttereth her voice in the streets c. Prov. 1. from the twenty fourth to the 33 v. Whiles Christ wooeth t is good to be wooen He cries take me to be your King Priest Prophet and Teacher O t is a rich Vouchsafement the Gospel is a precious commoditie which puts me upon a second Use Vse 2 Seeing it is such a blessing Learn to improove it ye that do enjoy it First Diligently frequent the places where the word is faithfully preached Be not so superstitious or silly as to think it is nowhere to be had but in a Parish Church Nor so absurd and deluded as to think it is not there to be had at all Can there any good come out of Galilee was a question in Christs time the answer was Come and see I give you that counsell Come and see I give hear for sake no meeting where ye may meet Christ The opinion of holiness of places is now exploded take heed of the other extream Least ye leap out of the frying pan into the fire or at best get out of Gods Paradise into a warm Sun What with the mad running after Jeroboams calves on the one side and seeking Asses with Saul on the other side the passeover is neglected and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah forsaken Secondly Neither is it enough to frequent places of preaching but being there you must hearken attentively Thirdly Ponder it in your hearts Fourthly bring forth fruit in your lives The commoditie is a rich one Paul thanketh God on the behalf of the Corinthians for the Grace of God which was given them by Jesus Christ That in every thing they were enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge and that the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in them that they came behind in no gift 1 Cor. 4.5 6 7. O it is a rare jewel it is not for every ones obtaining For you see your calling brethren saith the same Apostle ver the twentiesixth of the same chap. How that not many wise men after the flesh not many Mighty not many Noble are called Though ye be poor Mat 11.5 ver 25. Jam. 2.5 yet the Gospel is Preached to you t will make you rich if ye receive it Though babes yet these things revealed to you will make you men perfect men in Christ Jesus Though poor in wealth yet you shall be rich in faith yea heirs of the Kingdom which God hath promised to them which love him Vse 3 Lastly learn to rejoyce in the priviledge of living under a godly ministry It is a great blessing Mot. 1 be moved therefore with its excellency it is a Pearl Math. 13.44 And Secondly The necessity of having it upon pain of perishing If our Gospel be hidden it is hidden to yea from them that are lost 2 Cor. 4 3. Be joyfull therefore you that have the word See the Lord stretching out his hand all the day long And take heed let it not be to a rebellious and gainsaying People So much of this Doctrine The praedicate or cui comparatum of that goodly Subject matter or thing spoken of in this Parable which is the second thing to be considered and is indeed that by which the Kingdom of Heaven is represented hath in it three Particulars two whereof are in this second verse and the third takes up all the other verses unto the fifteenth First we are to take
so Humble Yet such we read of Psal 12.4 who have said with our tongue will we prevail our lipps are our own who is Lord over us Malacy complains cap. 3.15 That the proud were called happy This is the cause of contention among People Prov. 13.10 Only by Pride cometh Contention but with the well-advised is wisdom O that men would marke such threatning Scriptures as I shall mention against Proud men Lev. 16.19 I will break the pride of your Power Prov. 15.25 The Lord will destroy the house of the Proud Prov. 16.18 Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall Luk. 1.51 He hath shewed strength with his arm he hath scattered the proud c. James 4.6 God resisteth the proud but he giveth Grace to the Humble Pride is either in regard of God or men but I must not meddle now with those particulars Vse 2 A second use therefore is to comfort those that are Humble They are like God God will not despise such as be like himself He will teach them Psa 25.9 He will honour them Ps 113.7 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill that he may set him with Princes even with the Princes of his People He will dwell with them as Isaiah 57.15 mentioned before Humility is the fore-runner of honour Vse 3 as a haughty heart is of destruction Prov. 18.12 Let the Sons of men be in love with this Grace Who would not be like God Motive 1 This Grace of Humility is a most excellent Grace Knowledge Wealth Honour zeal neither of them is comparable to it Yet further think upon the necessity of having it the want of it is a fore runner of destruction in the forenamed Prov. 18.12 No entring into the Kingdom of Heaven without Mark 10.15 Thirdly Consider the sins we have committed the judgements we have thereby deserved For the first what good have we done in our places with our wealth how unprofitably have we spent our time And then consider wrath is abroad the world This is not a time sure for men to be proud The 2. branch Doctr. But I proceed to the second thing held out concerning God viz. his dignity Though he will be likened to a man yet it shall be to a man that is a King Surely Gods humility ought not to cause disrespect of his dignity Kings are to be honoured 1 Pet. 2.13 The King is Supream and therefore to be submitted unto to be honoured v. 17. And if Earthly Kings how much more the King of Heaven the King of Glory God is the King of Glory Psalm 24. ver 7.8 9. and 10. In every one of those four ver he is called the King of Glory Lift up your heads O ye Gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors that the King of Glory may come in Who is this King of Glory the Lord strong and Mighty the Lord Mighty in Battel Lift up your heads O ye Gates even lift them up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in And twice in the last verse Who is this King of Glory The Lord of Hoasts he is the King of Glory Selah He is a King that remains for ever whereas other Kings die and leave their Kingdoms to others Psalm 29.10 the latter part of the verse Yea the Lord sitteth King for ever His dominion is an everlasting dominion and his Kingdom is from Generation to Generation Deuteronom cap. 4. ver 34. Reason Although God be Humble yet he must not be despised for this Reason Because Humility in great Ones call's for the more respect We have a saying of a proud heart and a Beggers purse when we will set out an absurd Ass Surely even so To say a Mighty man and an Humble Soul is to give a notable Character of one worthy to be had in Honour The Humble carriage of Abraham a man of Might he had in his house thirty eight Pâ—sse nollenobile * Gen. 14.14 Trained Souldiers got him a great deal of respect among the children of Heth. You may read the story at large your selves Gen. twenty three ver six unto the thirteenth He stood up he bowed himself to the people of the Land even to the children of Heth. ver 7. And again Abraham bowed down himself before the People of the Land So I say Gods humbling of himself should rather be a cause why People should give him the greater Honour and Reverence But I must draw to an end I therefore shall speak a word by way of Use and Application and so end this first particular to wit the feast maker and also this Sermon Vse 1 The first Use shall be to reprove sharply that Jndian-like frame of Spirit so common among men Those poor Infidels stand in great awe of their Hoggery God as they call him Abamaccho because he doth them much mischief But their good God Tanto they care not how they use Surely they are much to blame that abuse the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth them to repentance Romans 2.4 O despise not the Humble and plain wayes of the Lord undervalue not his Gospel because the poor receive it Matthew 11.5 and the rich blaspheme that worthy way Ja. 2.7 If you do provoke him and grieve him and slight him he will make a way for his Anger Psal 78.40 41.50 He will be terrible the heathen shall perish out his land Psal 10.16 The Lord reigneth let the People tremble Psal 99.1 He is a great King and his name is dreadfull among the Heathen Malachy 1.14 They that abuse Gods kindness shall not gain by it They that scoff at his patience as 2 Pet. 3.3 c. or at the meaness of his worshippers Joh. 7 48 49. and the like shall find that blue-apron Mechanicks shall be too hard at last for Scarlet-coats and bring down the mighty from their throne Vse 2 Be of good cheer ye that honour God God will honour you 1 Sam. 2 30. Though God would walk low and seem to be not worth the looking after yet he will come at last to be glorified and admired by them that have beleeved his testimony and have worshipped him even in a stable and have kept the despised faith But here shall be an end The Second Sermon Mathew 22.2 The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a King that made a Marriage for his Son WE have finished in this place of meeting besides divers other things dispatched the last time the first of those three Particulars noted in the predicate of this parabolical Proposition viz. the feast maker we have heard of that twofold representation of him as a man to shew his condiscension and humbling of himself for our good And yet a man that was a King to set forth his dignity and greatness over all Now the next thing we have to do The
And this was implicitely foretold Matth 10.28 And fear not them which kill the body And we see their spirit Acts 22.22 Away with them cried those Jews of Paul for it is not fit that he should live I shall out of this verse from all these particulars handle but one Point of Doctrine Doct. That the grace of God offered unto men in the preaching of the Gospel hath not only such enemies as contemn it but also such as carry themselves with all possible baseness and cruelty against the Messengers thereof This appears out of the 21 of Matth ver 35 to the 39. likewise cap. 23. ver 34. to the 38. cap. 26 4. Acts 7.52 to the 59. It is very evident that such was the usage of the Servants of Christ in the time of the Jewish Church and Common wealth Peter and the other Apostles whipt Acts 5. Steven stoned Acts 7. James slain with the sword Acts 12. John banished into Patmos Rev. 1. And the stories of the Church do shew what usage they have had since But what may be the reason hereof Christ who sends is the Prince of peace the Gospel is the Gospel of Peace and the end eternal peace What therefore should be the reason Christ should have no better entertainment in the world The son of man came not to destroy but to save t is true but yet men do either think that such as pretend to be Messengers sent of God are not but are wicked men as the Jews did not stick to say of Christ himself Joh 8.48 and they thought they said well and ver 52. they are very confident that he had a Divel And Joh. 10.53 they pretend they did not find fault with him for any thing but blasphemy or else they think that they are their enemies because in declaring the grace of God they declare their duties or rather their properties that are partakers of it Tit. 2.11.12 For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world But this wicked men cannot abide to be told because they cannot choose but know that they are not such as they are to whom Christ appeareth in power And because their sins and they are one like Hippocrates Twins born together live together and die together he that toucheth their sin toucheth the apple of their eye They and their sins do mean to run their fortunes together Now we tell you as the truth is that they that take Christ to be their Priest must and shall take him to be their King to rule them and their Prophet to instruct them Now men think we are too strict unreasonable that we abuse them and they will not be so used by us But Friends we must tell you the truth and we have the best Preacher that ever was for our example John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil c. VVe must be plain if you will not love the children of God if you will not make much of them that fear the Lord if vile persons in your eyes be not contemned if you do not hate the congregation of the wicked if you love to sit with vain persons if you set not up God in your families if you be cozeners oppressors prophane if you neglect the Kingdom of God and the ways of the Lord Jesus and the Ordinances which are prescribed by the Lord to wit Sacraments and the ways of worship c. you must know that it is not we that make the breach but your selves because ye are in the Gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity as Peter told Simon Magus Acts 8.23 Vse 1 And therefore for the first Vse they are deceived that think otherwise John Baptist was a famous Preacher he spake plainly he calls them a generation of vipers he plainly rebukes Herod Mark 6.16 to the 20 verse Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him as after she prevailed to have it done Yet mans deceitfull heart makes himself stark blind it is deceitfull above all things O if the Jews had lived when their Fathers did they would have been loth to have killed the Prophets but yet they thought it no sin to put Christ to death Ye cannot think what hearts ye have if God do but leave you to your selves You have all of you the seeds of all sin even of the vilest abominations Christ only hath this priviledge that the Prince of this World coming found nought in him both because of his freedom from Original corruption and that special supportation that he had from God But secondly It sheweth the greatness of their sin that are come to this height to abuse them that intreat them to be reconciled unto God This is our work 2 Cor. 5.19 20. And what your work hath been the Sun can witness But yet it is though to you a sign of perdition to us a token that we are right and do our duty because we finde such entertainment from ungodly men among us as I profess I know not one man that hath the least testimony or signe of grace that hath opposed us But these dirty ways you make us to trot through though they be somewhat irksom to us as we are men yet are they comfortable because we know by the dirtiness of them that we are in our way for all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution Vse 3 Yet God forbid that I should cease praying for you or give over advising you I will sow the precious seed of councell once more who can tell whether the Lord will leave a blessing behind O take heed ye be not in the number of them that deal cruelly with the Messengers of Gods grace that deal despightfully with those that bring the gospel of salvation For our parts we live in the upper region we are above ye we are upon such an high Tower as makes ye all look like crows in our eyes though ye were bigger then ye be For he that can make his calling and election sure if he have to do with the greatest Nimrods in the world he need not fear his strength shall be the munition of rocks c. But I advise you for your own sakes and your poor families whom you would be loth should be Vagabonds and beg their bread as I have known the children of some opposers and persecutors to do that had as big sooks one day as any of you as I say you would be loth the curse of God should light on you and yours take heed of touching these apples of Gods eye I say as Pilates wife said to her husband Matth. 27. Have nothing to do with these men Ye were better anger all the Witches in the World O take heed how ye force the Church to fall to their desperate prayers and to set God upon some notable Work for his great
the blood of the Lord Christ they do in effect shed it again that do refuse this crucified Christ offered in the Preaching of the Gospel Lastly Godmurther Such as oppose Gospel-Ordinances fight against God the Author of this rich vouchsafement and resist the life of God what in them lieth We have an expression from the mouth of Gamaliel recorded Acts 5.39 of fighters against God But I lay to the charge of all that do not readily and thankfully accept of Gods offer but oppose his Ordinaces no less crime then murthering of God Such as are strangers from the life of God as stifle the life of God which is his truth O that they would consider God speaketh to us yea intreateth us that we would besaved but we withstand God we resist the Holy Ghost Act. 7.51 Learn therefore Doct. That Cruelty yea though but neglect against or of the means of Grace is in Gods account and in Scripture language Murther Vse 1 And thereforefore great is their sin that are any way guilty hereof Murder is a haynous sin Surely there be many Murderers in all the sorementioned particulars that to the utmost of their power indeavour Minister murder Soul murder Self-murther Christ murder and God-murther Vse 2 And let such know that they have a fearfull account to make before God for Murther is a hainous sin Vse 3 Tak ye all heed how ye oppose or but slight preaching under any pretence whatsoever Ye are guilty of Murther if ye do and must dy for it The severity of the punishment it self is the last particular He destroyed those Murderers and burnt up their City This is the Doctrine Doct. 3 That the base usage of faithfull Preachers and despising Ordinances shall be severely punished I shall referr you to what hath been said and proved and especially to Luk. 19.43.44 also to Mat. 10 14.15 where the Lord Christ threatneth to such as shall refuse to hear the words of his Messengers that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrâ—â— in the day of judgement then for that City â—…nd also you may read Mat. 23.34.35.36 You have the practice of evil men ver 34. to kill scourge persecute those Prophets wise men and Scribes which God sends And after the threatned accusation or enditement forerunning the severity of Gods justice most certainly to be executed Reason It must needs be so for it is the very hight of rebellion the highest treason against God Vse 1 O how hath the Divel bewitched men to make them think that they shall not smart for this sin Woe to all those that are guilty the curse of God hangs over their heads the sentence of Gods judgement is gone out against them Lastly Would ye escape this severe vengeance of Allmighty God O take heed that ye be not cruel against the Ministers of the Gospel nor careless of the Means of grace Take a Motive Severe punishment from man is terrible what then think ye will the severity of God be when a fire shall be kindled in his anger and shall burn unto the lowest hell and shall consume the earth with her increase and set on fire the foundations of the Mountains I will conclude with Heb. 12.29 For our God is a consuming fire So much for the offer of Christ to the Jews And so much for this time Let us pray The seventh Sermon Matth. 22. ver 8. unto the 15. Then saith he to his servants The Wedding is ready but they which were hidden were not worthy Go ye therefore into the high wars and as many as ye shall finde bid to the Marriage So these servants went out c. HItherto of the Invitation of the Jews c. Now followeth to be considered the Calling of the Gentiles In which we may consider 1. The Kings Commission ver 8 9. 2. The servants diligence in the execution thereof v. 10. 3. The Trial Proof and Punishment of unworthy Guests ver 11 c. 1. As touching the Kings Commission we have 1. The occasion ver 8. 2. The matter of the Commission ver 9. The occasion was the readiness of that admirable Wedding Supper and the unworthiness of the invited Jews to taste thereof from boâ—â— which I collect this Doctrine Doct. Not any defect in God or his Son Christ but mans own unworthiness deprives him of good There is here no defect in God Christ is given to death the Fathers Justice is satisfied he hath by his one oblation of himself once offered made a full perfect and sufficient oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world The Wedding truly is ready Though your sins be as crimson saith God I will make them as white as snow If there were ten thousand times more sins and wicked persons then there be yet the Wedding is ready nothing can hinder from mercy such as are willing to accept of it O Judas thou didst commit a very great sin in betraying thy Master but a far greater in running from him and hanging thy self The former was to make his Manhood cease to be the latter was as it were a nulling of his Godhead a very murder as it were of Christs Deity Mary Magdalen was a woman out of whom went seven Devils a sinner in the worst sense yet there was not a more holy woman living afterward She came to Christ much was forgiven her there 's enough in God enough in Christ Not any want of will in God As I live saith the Lord I do not desire the death of a sinner Not any want in Christ for he paid enough for a thousand worlds But they which were bidden were not worthy Mans unworthiness deprives him of good Why did the Apostle turn from the Jews to the Gentiles but because they did put the Gospel from them and did judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life Acts 13.46 they were wanting to themselves the Supper was ready they were sent for they would not come What was that which turned Adam out of Paradise His own unworthiness He had one easie Commandment given him but he hearkened to the Serpent and forgot God his Creator Gen. 3. What was that drowned the old world but sin disobedience they hearkened not to Noah sent for their good Gods long-suffering waited in his Ministry and preaching they were unworthy they are now prisoners in Hell for their labour Read 1 Pet. 3.19 20. This unworthiness made the earth to swallow up Corah Dathan and Abiram they rose up against Moses and Aaron which were Gods Servants they wanted for nothing as we use to say but they would not be ruled Numb 16. there you have their story This unworthiness in King Saul lost him his Kingdom Samuel was sent to him with a Message from God he did not punctually observe it See 1 Sam. 15.23 what is there said Rebellion is the sin of witchcraft and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord he hath also rejected