about to establish their own Righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God Have not submitted The Translation is in the Active Voice but the Original is Passive different from the word by which We render it * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were not laid in order Self-Fulness swells Men so big that it puts them out of their place disorders them that 'till they are laid in order and in their Right Mind again Gospel-Provisions will be very ineffectual Men that have enough of their own do not use to buy they live upon their Stock while others go to Market The full Soul loaths the Honey comb Prov. 27.7 He mocks at it say the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuagint and scorns a Dainty Morsel offer'd A Sinner's full Stomach turns at any Feast provided If he doth not Vomit up the sweet Morsel he hath eaten and be emptyed of all his Self-Excellency Wisdom Righteousness Strength and seem so little that he is nothing in his own Eyes the Provisions of the Gospel will 'till then be all nothing with him In a word so long as a Man can eat and drink at his own Charges he will scorn to depend upon any other Table And as long as the Soul thinks it self fed well enough already it will hearken the less to Christ to come in and sup with Him Seventhly 7 Hindran The Cares of this Life Worldlings plant such a Brake of Thorns in their way that do hedge them out of God's Pasture they are afraid of the True Bread lest they should lose other Loaves for it When Christ comes to be propounded to them they have a thousand carking tormenting Thoughts that rend and tear their minds from him when they make any offers to sit down with him Mat. 6.31 What shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithall shall we be cloathed how shall the Family be maintained and the Year brought about these Things therefore leave a Gap in their Soul which 'till made up but not with their Thorns in the Flesh will keep Christ and their distant Hearts from uniting Jesus answered and said unto Martha thou art careful and troubled about many Things Luk. 10 4◠The * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 word is thou art Divided in thy Thoughts and knowest not which of thy Matters to unite and fix them on †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pasor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cares are Divisions of the Mind that make it anxious and Doubtful where to settle or what to take up withall Thus is it in Religion the Things of God are Preached unto Carnal Men the Thoughts of the World it may be for the present are just laid asleep and the Word knocks up Conscience which being awak'd for the present in a calm alone without other interruptions listens to Gospel-Truth hears it and in the Hearing a little outwardly approves it insomuch that the Mind is divided between God and the World and grows anxious which side to choose but alas the mischief is that their Hearts had been sown before with a Field-full of Worldly Cares just ready to spring up fresh after the Word falls and immediately all Thoughts of Faith and Fellowship with Christ are choakt the Man reverts his earthly Heart tumbles to his Centre and instead of a new creature to live upon this Feast becomes the carking Earthly old Man agen He that received the seed among the Thorns is he that heareth the Word and the Care of this World and the Deceitfulness of Riches choke the Word and he becometh unfruitful Matth 13.22 Worldlings have their Hearts and their Hands both full of Dirt and have no room for any Dish of God's in either Should they put off the World a little yet it will return it will follow them into the very Assemblies of God's People and in a Crowd find 'em out And alas a Happy Meeting they know not how to be so unkind to the World as to chide it home again If such Men look a little out towards God their Dear Idols come weeping about them and are presently enough to break their Heart to leave them * O curvae in Terras animae inanes coelestium Persius Men's Carefulness in the Things of the World is their Hinderance in all the Gospel brings Eighthly 8 Hindran Slothfulness This is also a Fault that will do the Feast hurt Many would like the Provisions of the Gospel better if like Tamar's couple of Cakes which she dress'd for Amnon they might be brought to them into their Chamber 2 Sam. 13.5 6. while they are lying upon a Bed of Sluggishness as he was upon a Bed of Lust Nature saith (u) Rutherford's Letters p. 244. one would have Heaven come sleeping to us in our Beds A Sinner may seem occasionally to run after the Gospel like a Man that hunts for Venison yet what doth it profit him if he be like Solomon's slothful Man Prov. 12.27 that roasteth not that which he taketh in hunting I mean if he be loth to take Pains diligently to apply or practise the Word he went so hastily forth to hear if he grows too lazy to lay up some special Truth he hears he lays out all his mighty Pains in vain What Good will the Dainties of the Gospel do him so long as he (w) Videtur ad gestum desidiosorum alludere quibus ferè mos est manum in sinum aut manicam inferre aut sub axillâ tenere Cartwright in loc folds up his Arms like the Sluggard and will be at no spiritual Pains to pick up the Morsel ready carved to him A slothful Man hideth his Hand in his Bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again Prov. 19.24 So Prov. 26.15 The slothful Man hideth his Hand in his Bosom it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth i. e. He had rather to indulge his Laziness sit and look on than eat So it is a Hinderance to the Gospel when Men choose rather barely to profess it than be at any Pains to profit by one Discourse of the Grace of God they hear Ninthly 9 Hindran Prejudice That is a Fore-judging of Things or Persons as if Men were resolv'd to condemn the Cause before they have heard or try'd it Men are often angry with a Party or with a Person and will reject the Truth tho' they are convinc'd it is the Truth meerly because it comes by such Instruments or such means as they have got a Prejudice against A wicked Ahab did believe Micaiah a better Prophet than those at Ramoth-Gilead and able to inform him truly touching the Success of the War between Syria and Israel but he values neither Micaiah's Abilities in the Spirit of Prophesie nor yet his Honesty in prophesying Truth because he hates him 1 Kings 22.7 8. And Jehoshaphat said Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides that we might enquire of him And the
part Indeed Solomon's Provision for one day amounted to a large Bill of Fare 1 Kings 4.22.23 Thirty measures of fine Flower and threescore measures of meal ten fat Oxen and twenty Oxen out of the Pastures and an hundred Sheep beside Harts and Roe-bucks and fallow-deer and fatted fowl But the Supper of our God is in a Richer and more abundant store than that as will appear when serv'd up in this following Account viz. Milk for Babes Meat for strong men the true Bread from Heaven Living water Flesh to eat Blood to drink the Lamb of God the fatted Galf for Prodigals the Marrow of rich Forgiveness the food of Knowledge the nourishment of Faith the feast of Holiness or the bunch of Hyssop in Sanctification of the Spirit the hidden Manna of Election the Royal Dainties of Assurance the Evangelical honey comb dropping Free Grace the fatness of God's house in Ordinances the Supplies of the Spirit of Jesus the morsel of Hope for them that fail not to sit with the King at meat the full meal of Contentment for them that have left all and followed Christ the Refreshments of the Peace of Conscience the Oyl of Joy the Cup of Consolation with the Wine of the Kingdom running over the continual Diet of Perseverance in the sure mercies of David and the Fruit of the Tree of Life 1. Milk for Babes even the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere Milk of the Word which the weakest of God's Little ones may lye at the Breasts and suck On this wise speaketh the Apostle Peter in his Exhortation 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby The Holy Scriptures are made ready in the Plainest Truths for a Hungry Infant that will not be quiet till it finds the Breast out Lam. 4.4 The Tongue of God's sucking Children would cleave to the Roof of their mouth if they could not get to the Word and there be as one that hath sucked the Breasts of his Mother Cantic 8.1 Heb. 5.12 The first Principles of the Oracles of God are compar'd to Milk because the first sort of Truths that young Converts Learn and are wont at the beginning of the New-Birth to be most affected with The Apostle Paul speaking of the Infancy of his Corinthian Church tells them in his Epistle which he first wrote unto them 1 Cor. 3.2 I have fed you with milk and not with meat for hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye able * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fed you with Milk I have given you a Liquid Food you might swallow easie Others have drank what I have given you to eat as the Milk of Babes may by strong men be eaten or drunk either Not with meat ye were not able to bear it That is ye could not digest the stronger and higher sort of Doctrines neither yet now are ye able 1 Cor. 14 20. Children in understanding must have the Food of their Souls as their lack of Age requires it Philemâ—â— 9 and such a one as Paul the aged knew it Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ had such weak Disciples with him that he forbore a while feeding them with strong meat and stays till more cubits were added to their Spiritual Stature before he weans them from the milk of Babes Joh. 16.12 I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now He dealt with them proportionably to their present state and weaker Capacities in Christianity So young Converts must be fed with Food convenient Prov. 30.8 not only convenient in the Quantity and Measure as Agur meant it but convenient in the Quality and Nature of it and not too strong for them Weaker Christians must be fed with weaker Diet that their Souls may digest it and be made the better for the Truths they take in Now the Gospel hath its Milk in Doctrines easie to be understood 1 Cor. 14.9 Come ye therefore says the Evangelical Prophet Isa 55.1 and buy milk It is a sort of Victuals treasur'd up in our Fathers House that when ye rceive the Kingdom of God Mark 10.15 as a little Child I mean with a very Childish and low Capacity you may meet with Provisions therein suited to you Isa 60.16 Our Babes in Christ may suck the Milk of the Gentiles that is those plain Revelations of the Son of God who is now believed on in the World 1 Tim. 3.16 They can milk out from these Breasts of consolation Isa 66.11 till they are delighted with the Abundance of her Glory Jerusalem God's Church the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 hath Breasts given her which her Children shall never draw dry The Holy Ghost stoops in very low Expressions 2 Tim. 3.15 that from a Child a Believer may know the Holy Scriptures Its Doctrines are suited to the Understanding and Capacities of the meanest The Gospel hath a Plenty that will furnish all sorts Heb. 5.13 The Vnskilfull in the Word of Righteousness is not left destitute but may receive the Word of his Grace and use it's Milk while he is a Babe Tho' like Zaccheus Luk. 19.3 you are Little of Stature yet you may reach of the Fruit when you cannot climb the Tree of Life before you The Gospel abounds with a Treasure of Holy Learning which some have received tho' never brought up at the * Act. 22.3 Chap. 19.9 Feet of Gamaliel or the School of one Tyrannus You may be taught the Truth as it is in Jesus Eph. 4.21 Luk. 2.46 and know the Master of the School that sat among the Doctours tho' you be not rankt among the wise and prudent I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Matth. 11.25 The Word of God indeed hath its Depths where there is no passing over without swimming beyond your reach but yet it hath its shallowes where going lower you may wade or foord thro' 1 Tim. 3.16 Tho' it be the Mystery of Godliness yet a Mystery so revealed that the ordinary Readers or Hearers may be taught to profit by it Exod. 8.19 There be plain Truths written with the Finger of God and clear Truths copied out as with a Sun-beam from Heaven God's Word is a Text-Hand and he that runs may read it In a word Isa 7.22 it hath the Abundance of Milk for Babes to nourish even the least in our Father's House 2. Meat for strong men or the strong Meat of the highest Gospel-Mysteries Sublime and spiritual Doctrines may be set forth by Meat as the Apostle doth in that forementioned place 1 Cor. 3.2 and strong meat as he calls them Heb. 5.14 which belongeth to them that are of Full Age that is above New Converts the Adult who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern
both Good and Evil by reason of Vse or as the word is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred thro' a Habit. Altho' young Children's Stomachs will not endure strong meat yet the Stomachs of grown men are habituated to receive Diet according to their Age their Constitution is stronger than Children's and therefore their Meat above them Not that any who are †Isa 28.9 weaned from the Milk are above the Word but they are by it grown taller in Knowledge than just to reach unto first Principles and are not still little Children learning their Rudiments in the School of Christ While others are * 2 Tim. 3.7 drawn from the Breasts that is are yet as the Infant whom the Mother hath but newly taken off her Breasts these are gone higher in spiritual Gifts and Attainments than when they were first coming to the * 1 Tim. 3.13 Knowledge of the Truth They have taken a Good Degree under the Teachings of Gods Spirit The Gospel yields these Provisions of Strong meat for them There are indeed Doctrines in the Word of Righteousness Heb. 5.13 that contain the Great Mystery To instance briefly in some as 1 * Tho' Faith cannot comprehend the Matter believed yet it knoweth the Ground why it doth believe namely the Testimony of Gods Word which saith it is thus and thus Anthon. Burgess Exposition of the 3d. Chapt. of the 1 Epist to the Cor. pag. 71. That Profound Mystery in the Trinity of Persons the Father Son and Spirit that these Three are one one God and yet Three Persons for ever This is a High Mystery For as †Culverwell Light of Nature pag. 148. one says tho' the Vnity of a Godhead is Demonstrable and clear to the Eye of Reason yet the Trinity of Persons that is three Glorious Relations in one God is certain to none but an Eye of Faith Indeed as another * Dr. Bates Christian Religion proved by Reason p. 187. excellent Author well observes The Unity and supreme Equality of the Three Persons in the Godhead transcends our Conception but Reason cannot prove it to be impossible The Doctrine of these Three Glorious Subsistences in one single uncompounded indivisible Divine Essence is a Truth but passeth all Vnderstanding Phil. 4.7 2 The Doctrine of Reconciliation in making Satisfaction to Divine Justice for Man's Breach of the Law by the Death of the Second Person in the Trinity Eph. 2.15 so making Peace is so much above our shallow Reason to comprehend that * some rather Professors of Reason than Faith or Divinity dare strike at the Foundation to see whether they can remove our Corner-stone 3 The Mysterious Hypostatical Union of the Two Natures in the Glorious Person of the Mediatour or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with other Doctrines contained in the sure Word of Prophesie 2 Pet. 1.19 are Truths above the Understanding of the Highest Christian or the Greatest Scholar in the World tho' not to apprehend yet to comprehend them Understandings we may say that are got to the Fullest measure of the stature of Christ Eph. 4.13 are yet out of their Reach when they are walking in the search of the Depth Job 38.16 and try to fathom these Deep Things of God Alas these are Mysteries in Christ which they that are * Col. 2.10 compleat in Christ must sit down at the Well-Head of Life and cry out with the Apostle * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the Depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God how unsearchable are his Judgments and his ways past finding out Rom. 11.33 Nay as * Mr. Sam. Lee Joy of Faith p. 214. one says These are Things which the Glorious Angels strain at and makes their Wisdoms bend like an Ozier in a Storm to look down into them and can never feel the Bottom of these Deeps without Drowning But however there are Doctrines also in the Gospel which may very properly be likened to the Strong Meat and Food of grown Christians These also are found among the Mysteries of Knowledge given us from the Spirit of Revelations as concerning the Decrees Rom. 11.7 both touching the Election in Christ and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the rest that were Blinded Ibid. and concerning Christ's Natures that there are Two setting the mysterious consideration of the Modus in their Personal Union aside concerning his Offices Prophetical Sacerdotal and Regal his Two States of Humiliation and Exaltation his Accomplishment of all the Types in the Old Testament Personal and Mystical those * Dr. Tho. Taylor of the Types p. 2. Swadling-cloaths in which Christ was exhibited to the Fathers All the Glorious Prophesies of his Gospel-Church state and Mediatory Kingdom to be yet seen in the Kingdoms of this World Rev. 11.15 The Doctrines of the Resurrection the Last Judgment and an everlasting Future state are the strong meat at this Plenteous Entertainment for Christians that have arrived to some Maturity in Knowledge and with a competent measure of understanding are able to digest what they feed upon 3. The true Bread from Heaven 3. Ruth 1.6 The Lord hath visited his People in giving them Bread Ezek. 5.16 as well as Strong meat Bread is the Staff of Life take away Bread and a Morsel of strong Meat may be enough to overcome us so take away Christ and when we had to do with some of the Doctrines in the Word of Truth without him they would be too strong for us and make us spit them out again For Example if we were left to consider the Infinite naked Essence of God his Divine Immensity would swallow us or if we were to consider the Infinite Holiness of God Hab. 1.13 that is of purer Eyes than to behold evil and that cannot without an unspeakable Abhorrency look on Iniquity if we were to ponder his strict and inexorable Justice abstracting the consideration from the Person of the Mediatour such a morsel of strong Meat would be so much beyond our Natures to endure that we could not take the Name of God into our Mouths We are such rotten Stubble since our Fall that if we have not always to do with a God in Christ Psal 106.18 Heb. 12.29 the Flame will burn up the wicked for our God is a consuming Fire We must never touch any strong meat if we have not the Bread of God at hand And we must not approach unto God immediately but come thro' Christ to God that he may behold us in the Son of his Love only When we are famished and cry unto God for Bread as the Liberal Entertainments in the Dearth cryed unto Pharaoh he sends us for supplyes to Christ says Pharaoh Go unto Joseph what he saith unto you do Gen. 41.55 and saith God This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Math. 17.5 Gen. 47.12 This Joseph was sent into Egypt to
God to fall upon them while it is yet in their mouths like those Israelites while chewing Dainties in their Teeth that provok't the Founder of the Feast Psa 78.30 31. who slew the fattest of them 3. Delightful to every renewed Palate 3 Property Christ to a Believer hath no ill Taste with him Christ thô considered in his lowest Estate of Humiliation in the Grave where others have lookt upon him as a Carcase yieldeth meat unto our Faith in a Pleasant Vessel Rev. 5.5 We may say of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Judg. 14.5 as Samson did of that young Lion that roared against him by the Vineyards of Timnath * v. 14. Out of the Eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness It seems to be represented well by the Israelitish Manna in the Pleasantness of its Tast which relisht according to what every Man liked best as Augustine hath Noted out of the Rabbins tho' * Fuller's Pisgah-sight 2d pt p. 53. others conjecture that Rabbinical Tradition fabulous However as to the Celestial Mannah or Bread that came down from Heaven we may cite the Experience of every Christian that hath tasted the Lord is good Psal 34.8 to evince its Delicacy to the Palate who will agree not only to say an Equality unto any thing they like but to witness a Transoendency herein above all Creature-sweetness There is nothing bitter in this Evangelical Entertainment but the People of God in all can experience that he hath given them Pleasant things for Meat Lam. 1.11 I sat under his shadow saith the Church and his Fruit was sweet unto my taste Song 2.3 The Food of Heaven is not first sweet in the Mouth Rev. 10.10 and then like the Book in the Revelation as soon as 't is eaten the Belly is bitter But as 't is sweet in the Mouth it retains the Property and becomes sweet in the Stomach also It is Cordial in the Act and Comfortable in the Remembrance too for it is the Morsel only of the Sinner when he eats the Fruit of his own Doings Isa 3.10 that breeds so ill a Digestion as when he hath eaten Job 20.20 surely he shall not feel quietness in his Belly 4. Sufficing 4 Property This Feast is enough for Ministers and enough for People too Jer. 31.14 I will satiate the Soul of the Priests with Fatness and my People shall be satisfied with my Goodness saith the Lord So Psal 132.15 I will abundantly bless her Provision I will satisfie her Poor with Bread Zion's Poor in Spirit shall have Bread enough for an Alms at the Door of God's House Yea Christ will have them come in and sit down at his Table Prov. 7.18 and take their fill of Love 5. Not Surfeiting or Cloying 5 Property There is no Intemperance in the Gospel when we feed in the highest Degree upon it In other Feasts the Guests can take but Part and in that may take too much but in the Gospel if we do not take of all we shall take and have too little Literal Provisions will surfeit we may nauseate and thro' an Excess bring them up again Hast thou found Honey says the Wife-man eat so much as is sufficient for thee Prov. 25.16 but v. 27. intimating an Excess he addeth It is not good to eat much Honey the end of the foregoing sixteenth Verse is a Reason lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it There may be an overcharging * The Throat is a slippery place and a sin may get down e're you are aware Dr. Manton on Jude p. 414. Luk. 21.34 Psal 69.22 Jude v. 4. with surfeiting and drunkenness at our own Tables while our Table may become a snare unto us but we can never surfeit upon Spiritual Provisions 'till our Corruption turns our Stomach and we turn the Grace of God into Wantonness A Holy Guest tho' he be filled with the Wine of the Gospel is filled at a Feast in which is No Excess Other Wine will intoxicate Eph. 5.18 but the Wine of the Spirit which possesseth our Heart will never hurt the Brain Luk. 13.26 The more we have eaten and drank in his Presence who hath prepared our Table Psal 23.5 the more ready we may find our selves to go about our Father's Business Luk. 2.49 contrary to the effect of other Tables which indispose both the Body and the Mind when the Belly is fill'd with Meats In a word we need not at this Feast of the Parable fear Intemperance as Daniel did Dan. 1.8 when he took care lest he should be defiled with the Portion of the Kings Meat and of the Wine which the King drank 6. Vndiminishable 6 Property Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 He hath Provision of which one Guest hath not the less because another Guest hath more This great Stock in the Gospel never wastes 1 Kings 17.14 no more than the Widdow's Barrel of Meal or her Cruise of Oyl after Elijah eat thereof v. 13. If we eat and drink never so long of God's Provision he never needs to buy in any new Store Ordinary Food will diminish but in Extraordinary we leave as full a Table as we find Tho' Guests increase the Diet still keeps the same When Christ feedeth the Multitude of the Gospel he worketh a greater Miracle than when he fed the multitudes in it because in the Gospel we read only of Fragments taken up Luk. 9.17 but of the Gospel it self when Men have eaten sufficiently Joh. 2.10 or well drunk the Feast remains This Box of Oyntment is broken and yet 't is always whole 7. Incorruptible 7 Property It is not like the Victuals of the Gibeonites that had all the Bread of their Provisions dry and mouldy Josh 9.5 It is unperishable and this Mannah will not melt and consume away Exod. 16.21 as other Mannah did The Bread that God gave the Israelites in the Wilderness forty Years v. 35. would not preserve from Putrefaction but when over-kept like the rest of common Provision bred worms and stank Exod. 16.20 And tho' some of it was put into a Pot Exod. 16.33 as the Lord commanded Moses v. 34. ibid. and laid up before the Lord in the Ark of the Testimony to be kept as a Memorial throughout their Generations v. 33. that the Children which should be born might see wherewith God had Nourisht their Fathers in the Wilderness v. 32. yet it was preserved thus from after-putrefaction for so many Ages by a special Miracle attending it and not from the inherent Qualification of the Food it self Psal 39.5 Joh. 6.27 and therefore in its best Estate we may reckon it the Meat that perisheth especially considering that even this Pot of Mannah now ceaseth as well as the whole Jewish State But the Gospel
is prepared to shew forth his Salvation from Day to Day Psa 96.2 Tho' you think the Pit is ready to receive you in Psa 69.15 and shut her mouth upon you even Hell Job 17.1 while the Graves are ready for you yet the Gospel opens the Everlasting Gates Psa 24.7 9. that you may look thro' a Door of Hope Hos 2.15 Tho' you Mourn in your Complaints and make a Noise Psal 55.2 yet he can still the Voice of your crying Psal 5.2 when he stops the Voice of his Justice and prepare you to sing of Mercy Psa 101.1 Tho' you count it that for your Parts Ezek. 37.11 Psal 1.3 your Hope is gone and your Branch is withered yet he that planted it by the Rivers of Water Isa 55.10 will cause it to bud and spring forth again In a word tho' you cry out with those Frighted Mariners in Paul's Ship Act. 27.20 that all Hopes of being saved is taken away yet the Gospel still suits your Case for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost Matth. 18.11 He finds you out tho' you are got where you lose your selves tho' you are muffled up in shades 1 Sam. 10.22 or hid behind the Stuff or covered over with Dust or disguis'd with Tears or wrapt in a Mantle of Confusion Psal 109.29 you throw in a Fright about you Nineteenthly The Gospel hath All-sufficient Provisions suited to the Condition of wretched Creatures sunk below the Recovery of any Men or Angels God can do for thee what Men Neighbours thine Acquaintance Companions Brethren nay thy own Flesh and Blood cannot The very Called and Chosen of God that are made nigh to Christ Eph. 2.13 can but stand round about thee weeping but the Lord can break in with Tender Mercies Luk. 1.78 Psal 136.23 and in thy Low Estate recover thee I was brought low and he helped me Psal 116.6 last words It is the work of God and beyond the sufficiency of Men God's Friends may pity thee but 't is God himself must favour thee thou may'st lye in thy Pit while their Eye trickleth down with Tears Lam. 3.49 but the Arm of the Lord can quickly draw thee out Isa 53.1 They may lament thee fallen but he can lift thee up I looked and there was none to help therefore my own Arm brought Salvation Isa 63.5 * Arthur Jackson upon Isai 4th Vol. somewhat changed from the Author 's When God sought but a little Help of Man to do his People Justice he found not one appear'd much more then doth it note an Insufficiency for any Helper besides Him that hath the All-sufficiency of Free Grace and Power to save Men tho' sunk in Misery thro' an Original Apostacy If God should look out for Help thro' the whole Creation round he would never find any but what himself brings And He can speak a word which neither Heaven nor Earth Angels or Men ever dare pronounce My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Lastly The Gospel hath Eternal Provisions suited to the continuance of Man's Immortal Spirit As the Soul must endure for ever the Gospel hath Provisions to make it Happy thro' the same endless Parallel Jam. 2.5 Do you hope as Heirs of the Kingdom for a Kingdom that cannot be shaken why the Gospel hath such a Kingdom prepared for you Matth. 25.34 Heb. 12.28 Do you hope for Glory when you see a Full End of Grace why Heb. 6.18 Heaven is the Hope that is set before you Do you expect more than to be ransomed for a little moment here the Gospel suits with your Expectation for the ransomed of the Lord shal return and come to Zion with Songs and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads Isa 35.10 It is an Eternal Inheritance that is prepared for the Heirs of the Grace of Life Heb. 9.10 an Eternal Salvation Heb. 5.9 an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 In one word you can never see a Full End of these All Things tho' you look towards the utmost Bounds of the Everlasting Hills Gen. 49.26 And thus I have shewn that as the Feast of the Gospel is full and plenteous so it is a Banquet of suitable Provisions that do fit all the Guests of it And Oh! that now as Man hath try'd to suit them and Apply them to your Case so God would by the Application of his Spirit press these Clusters for you into a Cup of Saving Health VII The Seventh thing is to give some Account Why it is a Feast with all Things in it 1. It is so in regard of the Great Founder Reas 1 who is a God that had All Things to give It is not the Provisions of a mortal Man but the Supper of the great King and no wonder when a King Feasts his Subjects if he hold a Feast in his House like the Feast of a King 1 Sam. 25.36 The Lord is a Great God and a Great King above all gods Psal 95.3 And therefore the Entertainment he makes must be a Feast that hath Provisions above all Feasts whatever a Feast with All Things in it Song 1.12 The King sitteth at his Table and the Feast of a King proclaims a Full Table and the Royal Founder of Divine Grace makes this Heavenly Fare the greater If this Great Provider were not God Joh. 9.33 he could do nothing Nihil dat quod in se non habet None can supply another with what he hath not himself antecedently but now All Things are eminenter in Deo that is they are dwelling by a Transcendent Fulness in him he is the God of all Grace 1 Pet. 5.10 first words and therefore he gives us all this Plenty We may say of every Dish made ready for God's Table as David spoke of the Materials he had made ready for the Temple 1 Chron. 29.16 All this Store cometh of thine Hand and is all thy own In himself is the Abundance of All Things and therefore the abundant Grace redounds 2 Cor. 4.15 There is a Full Treasure in God and therefore a Full Table he hath disht and garnisht forth for us This is the Lords Doing Psal 118.23 and therefore nothing Defective in it The Lord had so many Things to give that he made bare his Holy Arm Isa 52.10 that nothing might hang in his way to obstruct the Communication of a Full Gift to us In a word he is All and therefore he hath all ready 2. The Gospel is a large Feast Reas 2 with All Things ready because wheresoever God bestows that one Gift the Lord Jesus Christ he gives in all other Things with him Every Child of God hath a Richer Portion than he thinks of meerly for his Elder Brother's sake For He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us * Gave him up to Death for the Salvation of all the Elect.
not buy a Sacrifice much less could it mix with the Price of Blood to sanctify Mat. 27.6 It would not avail to procure a Supplication to our Judge Job 9.15 how could it joyn then in purchasing a Satisfaction Mic. 6.6 7. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow my self before the High God Shall I come before him with Burnt-offerings with Calves of a Year old Will the Lord be pleased with Thousands of Rams or with Ten Thousands of Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my First-born for my Transgression The Fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul Our largest Offers had been infinitely too little for one of the least of God's All things to have come at our Price Mat. 25.40 5. All These Things must surely put a Dignity upon all True Gnests 5 Inf. What an Honour have all his Saints while the Palace of the King sends to treat the Cottage Psal 45.15 What a Preferment is it that God should stoop down to maintain a Communion with us That our Lord should prepare so great a Feast and then gird himself to come forth and serve us Luk. 12.37 These mighty Things will make Believers great tho otherwise they are little both in their own and other men's Eyes The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour Mat. 10.42 Prov. 12.16 If we state all Accounts truly little ones God's Little ones are greatest The All Things do put an Honour upon the Brother of Low Degree whom others make the Footstool Jam. 1.9 Such as are highly favoured of God shall not be found Ignoble Luke 1.28 Tho' he sends out into the High-ways and takes up Beggars Mat. 22.9 yet here 's a Feast that makes them Kings and Priests unto our God Rev. 1.6 6. It informs also of the Happiness as well as the Dignity of True Guests that have got the Gospel-Feast Theirs 6 Inf. They are not only by an Advancement set up but are a People saved by the Lord. Oh! Deut. 33.29 we may break out into Admiration when we think deeply of the Blessedness of the People of God who may come freely and partake of all these Things as their own The Gospel is not to feed thy Phancy and please a meer Imagination as if there were no richer or more satisfying Good to the owners thereof Eccl. 5.11 saving the beholding of it with their Eyes as Solomon speaks of the Increase of the best Earthly Things But 't is a Feast made ready to be Thine to fill thee brim-full with thy own share of Christ Oh! blessed are they that have believed and obeyed God who requires the Obedience of Faith as that Work of God which will give them a Right unto the Tree of Life Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have a Right to the Tree of Life God doth not require his People to look up as Strangers Eph. 2.19 but as Citizens belonging unto Sion and as Servants that have * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Orders from their Lord to meddle with it Authority to appropriate the Tree of Life to ' em A Right to the Tree of Life says (k) Durham on the Revelation one is a Right to Jesus Christ and Glory in Heaven with him Now how rich and happy are they that have an Interest by Faith in the Riches of the King's Son Oh! 1 Sam. 17.25 he endows them with great Riches and Honour they can never want Portion and he gives them this Entertainment that they may be Happy in all things and never want Provision An Interest in the Son of God doth not only make the best the most but all things thy own Matth. 4.9 Luk. 4.7 If thou wilt fall down and worship him all shall be thine He hath purchas'd that thou mayst get Possession Oh! blessed View of Faith that can appropriate Gospel-Grace tho' it be a Self-emptying Grace that will lye at Christ's Foot 'till the Soul cry out I am a vile Wretch Isa 6.5 I am undone because I am a Man of unclean Lips yet is a Grace that exalts a Saviour and will not leave the Soul hanging off from Christ but clinging fast and crying out with Thomas My Lord and My God! Joh. 20.28 God's Children that have his Spirit witnessing see the Gospel for themselves and not another exclusively Job 19.27 The Saints of the most High have a Priviledge beyond all other Men. We have an Altar whereof they have no Right says the Apostle to eat that serve the Tabernacle Heb. 13.10 The Apostle there means that the Faithful in Christ Jesus had such Priviledges by Christ as others had no Right to who adhered to Jewish Customs and Superstitions So there is a Spiritual Divine Participation which natural unsanctified Men have nothing to do with Oh! blessed therefore are the Houshold Gal. 6.10 Eph. 2.12 13. the Houshold of Faith that be not aliens and strangers afar off and having nothing to do with these Things Blessed are the Family that come in to the Feast because God hath given them Meat and 't is now their own Food They have Children's Bread Mat. 15.26 Luk. 6.20 and Blessed be ye Children for yours is this Bread 7. An outward Liberty and a safe Protection of the Guests at God's Table is a great Mercy If all Things be ready 7 Inf. it is an Excellent Security that affords a Protection under the Roof of God's House to enjoy them None indeed shall be able to keep God's Children out of their Fathers House that come nigh the Door with their Father's Name written in their Foreheads Rev. 14.1 The Lord of the Feast doth also plant a special Providence that guards the Table while his Guests are plac'd about it Heb. 1.14 He hath Ministring Spirits that are set for the Defence of the Gospel Phil. 1.17 they stand as watchful Centinels for the Good of his Chosen Psa 106.5 because he maketh a House of Defence to save them Psa 31.2 He hath given his Angels a charge over them Psal 91.11 Heb. 1.14 that his Guests may partake of the Feast in Quietness and when He giveth outward Quietness in a Day of Liberty Job 34.29 as well as internal Peace and Calmness who then can make Trouble and Disturbance while he entertains us The Lord hath made a Hedge and a Wall so high about his People Job 1.10 that none shall climb over or break thro' to destroy the Gospel-Banquet and spoil that Holy Festival Vpon all the Glory shall be a Defence Isa 4.5 The Holy Mountain is safely fenced round The Guest may trust to a Protection where he tasteth God's Provision For He that hath said Bread shall be given him his Waters shall be sure hath said also that his Place of Defence shall be the Munitions of Rocks Isa 33.6 2 Cor. 6.7 There is the Armour of Righteousness
when in the Discharge of our Duty we may seem to others or to our selves to be Righteous then not to trust our own Works It is an excellent * The 14th among the Nine and Thirty Article to this Purpose in the Church of England and I wish it were received as an Article of Truth as well as an Article of Peace among all the Sons that she hath brought forth That Article words it plainly in the close with the very express words of Scripture When you have done all are commanded you say you are Unprofitable Servants Tho' thou couldst not discern a Spot yet to justifie thy Self in the sight of God is not the Spot of God's Children Deut. 32.5 see 1 Cor. 4.4 For I know nothing by my self yet I am not hereby justifyed Tho' thou canst not discern a Mote in thy own Eye yet the Eye of the Lord may behold a Bâ—am in it for in his sight shall no man living be justifyed Psal 143.2 Now tho' it be the Garment of Christ's Righteousness and not thy own must cover thee yet thou must be brought to pull off thy own before thou put on His. So much for that First Term in our selves we must come off from viz. Our own Bottom 2. In coming off from our selves we must come off from our own Case This is another thing we must leave in Self before we can come and accept of Christ's Call If we choose our Ease and would wrap up this Lust warm we shall be loth to bring it with us Naked and barefoot to Christ to be turned out of Doors If Christ invites us to partake of Gospel-Grace we must leave off that slothful Note Soul take thine Ease Luk. 12.19 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rest Soul said that Sluggard I have enough cease from taking further Care so the word signifies We shall not care to gird up our Loins and walk after our Master if we had rather sit down in our Poverty and lost Estate and be contented in a Natural and Sinful state with such things as we have Heb. 13.5 We shall not be Christ's Sheep if we leave not that Practice of Foolish Shepherds off who for this are compar'd to Dogs Isa 56.10 in sleeping lying down and loving to slumber If we come to Christ he will call us out to Watchfulness and what shall we do if we cannot endure to watch with our Lord so much as one Hour Mat. 26.40 we had need to have another Spirit and other Language than that Tongue of the Sluggard yet a little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleep Prov. 6.10 A Call to put on Christ's Yoke and sit at Christ's Table tho' in never so sweet and gracious an Invitation Job 12.5 yet will surely be despised in the Thought of him that is at Ease A Man must cease to be like that wicked and slothful Servant Mat. 25.26 and not continue to be Slothful in Business Rom. 12.11 before he 's one whose Soul shall truly dwell at Ease Psa 25.13 We must come off from our own Ease and Sloth and be willing to have Peace with God any how tho' we put our Sinful Flesh to Pain 3. In coming off from our selves we must come off from our own Interest where Christ's and our own are inconsistent We must come chearfully unto Christ whatever our Journey costs us or we may go away sorrowful like that young Man who had great Possessions Mat. 19.22 We must deny our selves or we are likely afterwards to deal very ill with Christ We must be ready to lose what the Flesh might gain before Christ and the Gospel can be sound the best Gain to us When we are building this Tower we must sit down and consult the Cost or it may quickly end in Babel i. e. Confusion before we finish or have half done our Work So long as all seek their own iâ—e are swallowed up wholly with making Provision for the Flesh Rom. 13.14 they will be such as the Apostle speaks of that seek not the Things of Jesus Christ Phil. 2.21 4. In coming off from our selves we must come off from our Vnwillingness to come at Christ's Call If we come against our Wills tho' it be but hither to our Solemn Meeting to hear what God the Lord should say we go up a Double Hill Pelion upon Ossa Heaps upon Heaps Hill upon Hill all the way to Zion A Man's Legs may bring his Body into the Assembly while his Mind starts back like a Deceitful Bow never bent for God a Friend at home or Neighbour near you may by accident perswade you out to hear but so long as your Wills Sinners are hanging off from Christ your Consent is no ways Cordial your Iron Sinew yet was never toucht to come bending and melting all the way on Ah! here lyes one of the Dying Symptoms in this Plague of thine Evil Heart which the Physician speaketh of ye will not come unto me that ye might have Life Joh. 5.40 Salvation it self as (c) Dr. Sibbs viz. Bruised Reed pag. 182. one observes will not save those that spill the Potion and cast away the plaister You must be Cur'd of Obstinacy before you close with Jesus Tho' you are bidden to a Feast yet your Wills must be taken down before you can take up your Beds and walk to it Willing and Obedient go by couples when God invites you to eat the Good of the Land Isa 1.19 5. In coming off from our selves we must come off from all our Carnal Fears that discourage us from Christ and are ready to suggest an ill thing to us When Christ calls a Soul unto him if that Soul hath been much awakened it often happens as when a Stranger calls a little Child the Child is loth to draw near he looks like a Stranger and he knows not how to trust him But wilt thou serve thy best Friend so Man's corrupt Imaginations suggest Evil Things to him Our Eye is ready to be evil Mat. 20.15 because Christ is good and we are ready to think as if this Joseph tho' he invites us to nourish us in a time of Famine would yet find some occasion against us as Joseph's Brethren thought and spake of him in Egypt Now we must lay aside our Fears that terrifie us before we can come to Jesus Christ to treat us Methinks Christ's Invitation should bring our Faith and banish all our Fears Mat. 1049. Be of good comfort rise he calleth thee were words enough to make the Heart of the Poor Blind Man to leap within him Oh! how did he shake off every Impediment throw his very Cloaths by to take hold of the Hem of Christ's Garment and should not we shake off this Spirit of Heaviness that clogs our Approaches and makes us sweat with Fear when we might in Christ have Boldness or (d) James Ferguson upon the Place Liberty to
you might with your Houses come in and be welcome to serve the Lord Why is it that so Few of you are setting your Faces towards Sion Chap 50.5 even when Sion's Provisions are now ready Oh why is the Season now slighted Why is the opportunity Heb. 3.15 To Day if ye will hear his Voice neglected Oh! why will you die Sinners when you might close with the Redeemer now according to the Time of Life Gen. 18.14 Why will you be Sick and yet shut the Door against the Physician 's entrance now when he would come with Grace and Healing Love to save you Why will you now be Blind Rev. 3.18 when you might have Eye-salve to make you discern every Thing clearly 2 Sam. 16.17 Is this your Kindness to your Friend that would make you highly welcome For behold now is the Day of Salvation behold now is the Accepted Time 2 Cor. 6.2 Never such an opportunity appear'd as the Day of Salvation is and therefore it is now that there is hope in Israel concerning this Thing Ezra 10.2 last words And this shews how the Provisions of the Gospel are ready in their Season as there is a fit opportunity for Sinners to be made now welcome to them So much for the second Branch of this Readiness now in opportunity being now when Grace is offer'd 3. Now ready when Ministers are now urgent They are now like Phinehas Numb 25.11 zealous for their God not to slay as He but to save and present you alive at Supper They are loth to see you starv'd and so much Victuals ready and therefore are earnest in calling out to bring you in to Christ Their Heart's Desire and Prayer Rom. 10.1 their Tears and Travel their Sermons Study Aim is that you may be saved Their Language is to Sinners turn again now every one from his evil way Jer. 25.4 5. and 35.15 Their Language is to Saints Oh taste and see Psal 34.8 They are serious and earnest towards all Faithful Ministers dare jest with none Isa 53.1 We press you to believe our report and come if by any means we may see you but safe in at Supper We blow the Trumpet Ezek. 33.3 we ring the Warning Bell to give you notice of Supper that the Feast now is ready 4. Now ready when God himself now waits to bestow Mercy on you It is your Duty to wait upon God but such is God's Grace and Condescention that he is pleas'd to wait on you And therefore will the Lord wait that he may be Gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy on you Isa 30.18 He stoops that you may be made the means by which he will raise his own Name the higher Rev. 2.21 He waits that he may be Gracious He gives space to repent and does not break up House before the set Time is come The King waits at the Supper-Hour to see his Guests in He hath limited a certain Day Heb. 4.7 And he will stay his own Time he sets As he hath constituted and set Bounds to a Sacred Day of rest as that Place must be understood which Bounds can never be broken up without a gross violation of the Morality of the Fourth Commandment so he likewise limiteth the Day of his Grace and Patience towards Sinners and he will not remove the Bounds he hath plac't by a Perpetual Decree to fence it Jer. 5.22 He hath secretly fixt a waiting-time within his own Breast and as he now waits accordingly so he hath fixt a Time when he will never wait more If thou dost not come in Sinner to this Supper within the compass of God's waiting-time he will not stay a Minute and beseech or use one word of intreaty after 2 Cor. 5.20 There is now silence in Heaven for the space of half an Hour Rev. 8.1 now God seems to be making a Pause upon Mount Ebal and will read no more Curses yet that thou might'st hear more comfortably and distinctly what is said upon Mount Gerizim Deut. 11.29 Psal 24.3 to encourage thee to ascend into this Hill of the Lord where the Fat Things wait upon the Mountain ready till thou art brought thither God now looks thro' the Pillar of the Cloud to see who comes running by the way of the Plain Exod. 14.24 2 Sam. 18.23 Numb 35.13 Mat. 7.13 Matth. 25.10 11 12. to get in at the City of Refuge and thrust in at the strait Gate to Table taking the Kingdom of Heaven by a Holy Violence now now now before the Door is shut 5. Now ready when the Spirit breathes and blows upon us For the Spirit of the Lord bloweth when as well as the Spirit John 3.8 where it listeth As the Spirit of God in the first Creation did move upon the Face of the Waters Gen. 1.2 or sit and hatch the Creature so in the new Creation under the Preaching of the Gospel the Spirit moves upon the Face of the Waters or People who often in Scripture are compared to * Rev. 17.15 Jer. 47.2 Eccl. 11.1 Psal 124.4 5 c. Waters and forms †Gal. 4.19 Rom. 6.19 Christ in them Now when Men preach and the Spirit helps the Infirmity of our Flesh the Gospel is then made ready For it is the Spirit that quickneth the Flesh profiteth nothing Joh. 6.63 It is a Time of Readiness when God sends forth the Spirit of his Son Gal. 4.6 and proclaims it in your Hearts with a crying at the Table Abba Father 1 Cor. 12.8.9 10. yea when to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit to another Faith by the same Spirit to another Prophesie to another discerning of Spirits when the Spirit lifts up Ordinances and Means above their own Power when the Spirit speaketh expresly in us as well as the Language of the Messenger speaketh to us and when we see by the Blessed Effects of it Joh. 1.32 the Spirit of God descending from Heaven while the Word of the Kingdom comes in the Demonstration of the Spirit and with Power 1 Cor. 2.4 then is the Blessed Season the opportunity of the Gospel the special Time of Supper the now when All Things are ready It is now when the Spirit breathes and blows upon us And lo God now stretcheth forth his Hand the Spirit makes some work in thy Soul that perhaps thou canst now witness yea must acknowledge it this is the Finger of God Exod. 8.19 Why now then the Provisions are ready for thee 2 Cor. 2.15 't is now a Savour of Life unto Life to many and 't is now ready to get up Thee that art Dead while thou livest 1 Tim. 5 6 The Spirit now opens some Eyes that never saw one Morsel of the Bread of Life before It reveals Mysteries unto Babes which they never heard till
King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat there is yet one man Micaiah the Son of Imlah by whom we may enquire of the Lord but I hate him for he doth not Prophesie good concerning me but evil God's Elijah's would take their Food 1 Kings 17.6 tho' God should send a Raven to them with it but the Prejudic'd Ahab's of the World will not meddle with Their's tho' Elijah himself brought it The Gospel is ineffectual to many by reason of Prejudice Tenthly 10 Hinderance The General Disesteem which the Gospel meets with in the World The World represents God's Morsels as they will one Day find their own Sauce sowre They account it a melancholy and uncomfortable Entertainment Religion is a Diet that will imbitter all their Portion in this Life They think the Guests that partake of this Supper i. e. Separated Holy Christians are every one of them like Him in the Book of Job Job 21.15 that dyeth in the Bitterness of his Soul and never eateth with Pleasure They cry it up and down in the Streets of Ashkelon 2 Sam. 1.20 that the Ordinances and Appointments of Jesus Christ are Vessels in which is no pleasure Hos 8.8 The Fare of the Gospel is represented by them like John Baptist's in the Wilderness Mat. 3.4 as Locusts and wild Honey Thus its Provisions have got an ill Name by some and they will not be drawn by the very savour of Christ's Ointments Song 1.3 so long as this low repute it hath in the World doth cast in Dead Flies among it Eccles 10.1 Dead Flies cause the Ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour The Grace of God is not courteously received but treated ill tho' it comes with good will to Men. Luk. 2.14 The Dishes of the Gospel by an unthankful unholy World are much cryed down and therefore when served up are generally much set by Acts 28.22 As concerning this Sect we know that every where it is spoken against This Sect. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Heresie saith the Greek The World concludes it Heresie and therefore will not regard it tho' it be the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1.12 middle pt Wicked Men will Nick-name God's Truth and then fly from the Truth for the very Name 's sake they gave it They entertain Bad Conceptions of the Truths of God and are become Judges of Evil Thoughts Jam. 2.4 and therefore reproach and trample upon good Things under them The World imagine Fish to be Serpents and then fly from them as Moses did when he cast his Rod upon the Ground Exod. 4.3 and while it became a Serpent fled from before it A vile and a scornful Generation do esteem of the Bread of Life as Stones Oh! it is a mighty Hinderance to their embracing the Gospel of Christ that when his Oxen and his Fatlings are killed Mat. 22.4 they take up these Spiritual Mysteries with no more regard than if it were but the slaying of Pharaoh's lean Kine Gen. 41.3 19. But no matter to God's Children what such insinuate 3 Joh. 10. that prate with malitious words the Children must take their Bread tho' Dogs bark and an Enemy calls it Poison I confess this saith Paul that after the way which they call Heresie Act. 24 14. so worship I the God of my Fathers Eleventhly Bad Company 11 Hinderance If a Man had some Towardly Inclinations to embrace the Gospel yet so long as he goeth in Company with the workers of Iniquity Job 34.8 he will not be able when these Sinners entice him to consent not Prov. 1.10 Certain Lewd Fellows of the baser sort do often set upon a Man that is otherwise soberly inclined even as they assaulted the House of Jason Acts 17.5 and never leave 'till they have worn out his Sober Impressions that you can read nothing at last but the Devil 's Brand upon him Exo. 23.2 When Men follow a multitude to do evil Psa 42.4 they care not to walk unto God's House in any other Company The Gospel of the only wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 signifies nothing to a Companion of Fools that shall be destroyed Prov. 13.20 Psa 119.61 The Bands of the wicked will rob thee of the Feast if thou art not one that hast no Fellowship with them Eph. 5.11 Twelfthly 12 Hinderance Garnal Relations If there were neither Adversary nor evil occurrent abroad yet if a Man's Enemies be the Men of his own House Mic. 7.6 and a Man's Foes be those of his own Houshold Matth. 10.36 there is such a Radical Enmity in the corrupt mind of Man against the Truth of God as will make their Eye Evil and their Hand severe towards their own Flesh and Blood They will violate the Bonds of Nature to fight against Grace Now this is enough without Special Grace that opens the Heart to keep the Gospel and its Provisions wholly out of Doors Men will often hearken to the Voice of their own Flesh and Blood when a Stranger they will not follow Joh. 10.5 Ahaziah hearkens to the pernicious Advice of his Mother Athaliah for his Mother Athaliah was his Counsellor to do evil 2 Chro. 22.3 Carnal Relations will sometimes be very earnest to beat off young Beginners that they may not take up with the New Man tho' perhaps assaulting them with that old Argument that none of their Kindred are called by it Luk. 1.61 There is none of thy kindred that is called by this Name You may be beaten off by such as are related to you if you be not related as Sons and Daughters to the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.18 Thirteenthly False Teachers 13 Hinderance A corrupt Ministry sets the World against the Truth Unsound Teachers are against Salt because they have lost its savour Mar. 9.50 Men's Lyes to make the very Truths of God of no effect with some When Sinners are beguiled and thro' the craft and sleight of cunning Men mis-led Eph. 4.14 their Minds will be corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel 2 Cor. 11.3 if they hearken to such as are not Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 they will not value the Gospel that hath all good things ready If they regard vain Talkers and Deceivers as the Apostle calls corrupt Doctors Tit. 1.10 Teaching things which they ought not v. 11. it will hinder the Advantage of Gospel-Grace provided If there be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 False Teachers among you 2 Pet. 2.1 it will greatly damage your receiving the Truth as it is in Jesus Eph. 4.21 These have a beguiling Artifice to lay their varnish upon the worst Complexion'd Face and for a well-favour'd Rachel bring in a Leah that is blear-ey'd Gen. 29.23 25. They wash over a little false Coin in Doctrine and then put it off to such as cannot try the Spirits