disquieting the heart Esay 51 12 Who art thou that thou shouldest feare c. Marke 4 40. 3 It where great injurie to God a hatefull unthankefullnesse to be carelesse of receiving such mercie or stirring up our selves to get it when wee know God giveth it Esay 56 2. 1 Iohn 5 9 10. Iohn 14 11 Beleeve mee at least beleeve mee for the worke sake I am bound to beleeve God testifying to my heart that I am in grace and to rest in his testimony not to neglect it I am more bound when by his workes hee proves his authoritie to commaund me My sinne is greater if I doe not Iohn 15 Else they should not have had sinne Workes within are great witnesses 3. It is expedient it is of great profit to a man to know that hee is in grace 1. To justifie the ministerie under which hee hath gotten life 2 Cor. 3 2. 2 Cor. 5 11 and 13 5. 2 To worke love to God for love knowne 1 Iohn 4 10 16. 3. To doe God free service without servile feare as our dutie is Psal. 2. With feare that hath rejoycing in assurance of his favour and so without feare Luke 1 74. For inforcements by love to give our selves to God Rom. 6. Rom. 12 1. To dye to our selves 2 Cor. 5. Gal. 6. whereby I am crucified to the world and the world to me By Christ. 4. For sufferings for Christ knowing what his sufferings for us hath made us to bee possessed or in hope of after wee suffered a little Rom. 5. Heb. 10 34. 5. For putting on graces meet for such as are so much above others bound to God and therefore to doe as becomes them Exhortations have their ground from hence that they are and know themselves to bee in such a state Coloss. 3 12. 1 Thess. 5 8. 4. It is granted to most of them that are in grace to all before their spirit bee called for to returne to him that gave it to know that they shall bee saved The sending of the Angels to bring them to heaven implies some certificate of it from God to their soules as at Christs comming the just know their sentence and are filled with joy at the immediate signes of the judges comming before they heare it Iohn writes generally signes to know that wee have eternall life 1 Iohn 5. It may provoke such as know not yet their gracious estate to seeke and wait till God come to them and manifest himselfe as Christs promise is to them that love him Iohn 14 21. God denying this knowledge supplyeth it by giving other grace for good to his though hee shew himselfe an enemie to trust in him against sense to give him glory of truth in that hee hath said and done He brings forth the grace of esteeming and desiring the knowledge of his love by deferring the sense of it This day Who knowes what a day may bring forth Conversion though an admirable worke a supernaturall change yet is it quickly done when God will put forth his power unto it This day As Christ our Saviour bare witnesse of the grace of Zacheus and the day in which hee received it so wee are in a speciall sort as wee can take notice to Gods prayse both of our grace and the time when it pleased God to come to us with salvation or any speciall good God appointed dayes of remembrance of his benefits three times in a yeare which hee called his feasts Levit. 23. He is pleased to make some dayes memorable by soâ—e speciall worke in them That they are singularly dayes that the Lord hath made as in the creation God would have his workes distinctly set downe upon such a day such things made that wee might more distinctly meditate them to his glory Gen. 1. So he would set certaine dayes to the delivering or conferring some speciall good upon his Church and keepe his day without fayling and such a day was to bee remembred for ever Exod. 12 41 42. and 13 3 9. Psal. 118 24. The day in which God set David in his kingdome and delivered his Church hee calls a day that the Lord hath made wherein they will rejoyce and bee glad The scripture makes mention of evill dayes and good dayes evill when the Divell in a speciall sort is permitted ordered to tempt Gods servants either with inward or outward darting at them to wound them if hee can to kill them flesh and soule Daungerous and fearefull to the weake servant of God but hee armed with the whole armour of God and resisting in the Lords might standing with victory it is a day to bee remembred as that Father confesseth there was opportunitie there wanted temptation there was temptation there wanted opportunitie there was both opportunitie and temptation and the Lord delivered mee Such dayes are to bee remembred to Gods prayse There be dayes set by the enemies of Gods Church sometime to destroy and root it out that their names be no more in remembrance the Lord discovers their lot and their plot and turnes all upon their owne head that the net hath catcht themselves they fall into the pit they digged the wicked is snared in the worke of his owne hands the followeth Higgaion Selah A double noting Psal 9. as greately to bee meditated As in that particular betweene Haman the Iewes adversarie and Mâ—rdechai and the people the day determined for their destroying utterly was turned unto a day of their deliverance and destruction of their adversaries by that God who turnes kings hearts which way he will as men turne the course of rivers and streames Ester 8. 17. It may warrant and incourage unto the keeping of some dayes in a speciall thankefullnesse to the Lord for some speciall benefits received thereon As Herod kept his birth day without blame but by the abuse They kept the feast of the dedication of the Temple at which our Saviour was as it seemes Iohn 10 22 23. with approbation The Sabboth wee keepe seemeth therefore to bee chaunged from that seventh which was for remembrance of finishing Gods worke increation to our seventh in remembrance of restoring of all things by Iesus Christ and is therefore called the Lords day Revel 1. Not onely as author of our keeping that day but referred to the remembrance of his worke Mordecai by decree established the keeping of the memorie of the Iewes deliverance every yeare two set dayes together the 14 and 15. of the Moneth Adar 〈…〉 ster 9 21 22. If dayes of deliverance and birth and benefits specially concerning our temporall life bee so warrantably observed and remembred then dayes of our spirituall eternal deliveraÌ„ce new birth unto a life that lasts for ever much more Alwayes ought wee to be thankefull but specially remembring the day in which salvation came to us if men and women keepe their wedding day yearely why not the day of their espousing to Christ The Apostle reproves such observation of dayes as
was but his base borne sonne not in lawfull copulation Thirdly against the Commandement written in his heart Thou shalt not kill Fourthly against the promise Gen. 21 12. In Isaack shall thy seed be called the posteritie propagated by Isaack onely to be reckoned for the seed in which heeâ— would performe the promises made to him which circumstance might directly fight against faith whereby hee beleeved to receive the blessing in the life of Isaack All which notwithstanding he obeyed spedily Gen. 21 3. Abraham rose up early in the same morning c. Hee was not long in resolving neither desired respite but presently addresseth himselfe to this worke Ioseph warned in a dreame to go into Egypt with Iesus and his mother to disappoint Herods bloudy purpose to take away his life hee tooke them by night departed into Egypt Paul when God called him to preach the Gospell among the heathen immediately he consulted not with flesh and bloud but resting in Gods authority hee buckled himselfe to the worke Gal. 1 16. And when hee knew certainly that God called him into Macedonia to preach the Gospell he forthwith prepared to goe Act. 16 10. The Iailor when God converted him tooke Paul and Sylas into his house and washed their wounds and set meate before them the same houre of the night and was baptised straightway with all that were in his house verse 33. It is required in every duty that it be done with forwardnesse Our preaching requires a double aptnesse one for conveying â—itly unto the understanding of others the knowledge which God hath given unto us a grace faculty of communicating our doctrine with apt expression for instruction and edification of others Secondly a willing propension to take all opportunities Meeknesse and long suffering devouring indignities so long as there may be hope 2 Tim. 2 24. 25. Bâ—th wayes doctrine 1 Pet. 5 2. Hearing requires drawing neere to it Eccles. 5 1. Swiftnesse to heare Iames 1 19. Desire to heare 1 Pet. 2 2. In giving almes readie to distribute willing to communicate 1 Tim. 6 18. Not differring the poore of their desires Iob 31 16. not bidding them come againe to morrow if wee have it now to give them Prov. 3. 28. In beleeving in Christ God requires the present time now therefore bee wise kisse the Sonne least hee bee angrie Psal. 2 10. In repentance Now therefore saith the Lord turne ye unto mee Ioel 2 20. First seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse Math. 6 33. Now consider this ye that forget God Psal. 50 22. As saith the holy Ghost which is added for more reverence and quicker yeelding to the exhortation To day if ye will heare his voyce harden not your hearts Heb. 3 7. Ministers are to remember their hearers of this dutie to bee readie to every good worke Titus 3 1 Being made meete for their Lords use by sanctification and prepared to every good worke they should have propension of will and a readie mind to doe good things to Gods glory to be presidents of good works continually given thereunto The writing of the law in their heart is a delivering of them into the forme of the doctrine bringing the commandement and their heart together they agree presently with pleasure and delight Psal. 40 8. This readinesse argues reverence of the Commandement and of Gods authoritie as obedience is set forth by fearing the commandement Prov. 13 13. Ezra 10 3. The feare of God is as the root and the keeping of the Commandements as the fruit Eccles. 12 13. The more reverence the readier obedience Heb. 11 7. It glorifieth the word of the Lord shewing it is lively and mighty by the Spirit going with it Act. 13 48. As when Christ commanding the divell to goe forth of the possessed hee went out the people amazed at it spake among themselves saying What a word is this what new doctrine is this they referre the glory to the doctrine in the powerfull effect of it they saw something in it more than humane so call it new Thus when the Lord commands an adusterer to be chaste and a drunkard to bee sober a niggard to be liberall the profane to be holy and it is as he commands forthwith it is the glory of his word causing that to stand sorth which was not As the kingdome of the Messiah is prophecied of the eyes of the blind shall bee opened and the eares of the deafe shall bee unstopped then shall the lame man leape as an Hart and the tongue of the dumbe sing Esay 35 5 6 And a high way shall bee there and a way and it shall be called the way of holinesse The uncleane shall not passe over it but it shall bee for those the wayfaring men though fooles shall not erre therein v. 8. For 〈…〉 xhortation to sinners to be abrupt in their repentance and not to take dayes for returning fooles to forsake their way readily to walke in the way of understanding they have made haste to sinne good reason they should hast to come to the Lord for life and godlinesse and all that perteines thereunto David professeth that upon consideration of his wayes hee turned his feet unto Gods testimonies he made haste and delaied not to keepe his Commandements His subjoyning a negation of the contrary answerable to that which he affirmed notes his earnestnesse overcomming all impediments and difficulties true zeale burning up his corruptions 1. A man must either turne to God or bee turned into hell if hee repent noâ— hee perisheth and his torment shall bee answerable to his sinnes the impenitent are said to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath Rom. 2 5. So the fire will burne sorer as it is said of the hypocrites in heart They increase or heape up wrath because they cry not when God blinds them Iob 36. 13. Sinning of maliciousnes rooted stubbornesse they doe as it were kindle the fire more and more which shall burne them as the fire will bee hotter by heaping on more wood so by adding sinne to sinne and binding them together they augment the curse which shall consume them God saith enough to interrupt their presumption if they had any heart as that hee will not be mercifull to them his anger and jealosie shall smoke against them and separate them unto evill according to all the curses of the covenant Deut. 29. 19 20 21. That hee will set their sinnes in order before their eyes Psal. 50 21. These things hast thou done These things thou hast not done Math 25. Both sinnes of omission duties not perfourmed and of commission evill workes they shall will they nill they reade the catalogue of them in a distinct order and in the full pitch and degree of evill and perceive by experience that the Lord hath not forgotten any of their workes Amos 8 7. They are sealed up among his treasures Deut. 32 34 Which hee will in due time bring to light Hee
must seeke and waite till God grant it 401 Wee must take notice of the time when God doth visit us with salvation 404 It is warrantable to keepe some dayes of speciall thankfullnesse to the Lord. 407 Calling to grace what it is 414 We ought to make our calling sure 415 Such as know their calling must be thankfull 419 The faithfull and godly with their housholds are saved P. 421 Men must strive to be placed in good and godly families P. 425 To be the childe of Abraham what 427 The fatherhood and dignity of Abraham 433 One faith and way to salvation 434 We must proove our selves Children of Abraham 437 The end of Christs comming into the world 439 Reproofe of selfe-conceited men 443 Our calling justifies our actions 447 Comfort in trouble while we walke in our calling but daungerous to meddle out of ouâ— callings 453 Christ tooke all oportunities to instruct and save sinners 437. 438 We seeke not Christ till hee looke after us 462. A note of Gods Children to seeke the Lord. 467 Our risings after falles to be ascribed unto Gods mercy 470 It should stirre up our hope love and care to seeke men that are lost 472. 473 Faith breedeth love to God and his Children 476 The successe may provoke to the duty 477 Christ fulfilled the Law for us 481 With our sinnes hee tooke the full punishment due to them 491 Christ makes intercession for us 496 The workes prayers and prayses of the faithfull like sweet odours 499 Our union with Christ. 501 Papists differ from us 506 The Gospell what we are commaunded to beleeve it 509 We must be changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory 511 Adoption belongs to glorification which is by degrees 513. 514 The regenerate respect all the commaundements given them 519. Grace freeth the godly from the reigne of sinnes 520 They are safely preserved 526 By faith men recover themselves after fals and get victory over Satan and sinne 531 By faith and prayer we must prevaile in inward combats temptations 532. 533. 534 Wee ought to ascribe unto Christ the power and ability of our standing 537 All other Saviours besides him are excluded 541 Whether heathens may bee saved by keeping the Law of nature 543. Papisme saves none though some amongst Papists may bee saved 547 The matter of our salvation 551 The forme of our justification 555 We are bound to trust and rejoyce in Christ alone for our whole salvation 156. 157 To Christ alone belongs the honour of binding our consciences 560 The condition in which Christ findes us is To be lost 562 We must take notice of this our miserable condition 567 Our love to men specially the brethren and faithfull 571 Reasons to induce a sinner to come out of his misery unto Christ. 572 We must abhorre Satans suggestions unto desperation 554 A man may not despaire of the pardon of any sinne that can be repented 578 Howsoever some are children of perdition as we are all by nature yet others are appointed to salvatioÌ„ by Iesus Christ. 580 The uses to be made thereof 581 The Apostle Paule ascrihes all the good that was in him or done by him to Gods free grace 583 To what uses this should serve us 583. 584 FINIS ZACHEUS HIS CONVERSION Luke 19. 1 2 to 10. THese verses containe the Story of the conversion of Zacheus In which he is described and his condition his description is First by his place of abode Iericho Secondly his office dignitie in it He was the cheife among the Publicans Thirdly his condition He was rich His conversion is noted of the occasion and the cause Occasion First Iesus passing through Iericho to goe to Ierusalem Secondly his desire to see Iesus who he was which is amplified by his endeavour to obtaine it in which is noted what hindered him the preasse and his low stature and the helpe which he used First he ranne before Secondly he climed up into a Sycomore Tree to see him being to passe that way The cause of his conversion Christ who called him outwardly and inwardly to receive him into his house and heart set forth by his looking up to him calling him by name to come in hast downe to him to entertaine him declaring his purpose to abide that day at his house Which calling is further declared by the efficacie of it in his heart and the events following The efficacie First in his comming downe and receiving him amplified 1. by his readinesse hee made haste 2. his joy and cherefulnesse he received him joyfully Secondly in his profession to Christ of two acts of two excellent vertues First of liberality giving to the poore inlarged by the quantitie the halfe of his goods Secondly of justice in possessing men againe by restitution of that which hee had taken from them by false accusation enlarged also by the measure fourefold Both graced with a signe of confidence and constancie his standing forth the events following First in the multitude they all murmured at Christ for going in to a sinner to be his guest Secondly in Christ who testified of Zacheus that hee also was the son of Abraham declared by the priviledge of Abrahams Children salvation both to him and his house with the circumstance of time that day Secondly Christ justified his fact of going to Zacheus though a sinner by his Office in two things 1. seeking 2. saving declared further by the object that which is lost applyed to Zacheus and his house who were such before Christ sought and saved them And Iesus entred and passed through Iericho Iericho was in the way as Iesus was to goe to Ierusalem to offer himselfe to the death appointed him there by his Father and foretold by the Prophets which hee in the Chapters before signified to his Disciples and in his way he meets with this opportunitie at Iericho and some other before mentioned Whence by the way wee may observe That the sufferings and death of Christ were voluntarie he was offered because he would it was not at the will and malice of his enemies who yet doing what they could and what was sufficient to kill made themselves guiltie of his death First he could have hindered his passion in respect of the course of things which may appeare in that they that sought to kill him even when he provoked theÌ„ were by his divine power so bound both hand and tongue that they neither laid hands on him nor said any thing to him because his houre was not come Ioh. 7. 26. 30. He escaped out of their hands Luke 4. 29. 30. Iohn 8. 59. His words wrought so in the hearts of the officers when they were sent to fetch him that they had no will to bring him that spake so as never man spake Iohn 7. 45 46. When the â—â—ure was come and the power of darkenesse at that word I am hee meaning whom they sought to take to death they went backeward and fell to the ground
though like a reede halfe broken and smoking weeke almost gone out for want of oyle yet will hee attemperate himselfe to their infirmitie till hee kindle in them light more full and supplie them with solide strength This appeares in Zacheus and in many the little sparkles of faith and hope in whom hee excites of his immeasurable goodnesse Certaine workings there bee in the hearts of men that are of the efficacy of the Spirit yet not well knowne to them to bee so The Apostle speaking of the Spirits helpe in our infirmities when wee know not what to pray as wee ought saith that hee himselfe maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot bee uttered not onely for that they are for a thing unutterable as heavenly glory or that they cannot bee sufficiently spoken according to their proceeding from the holy Ghost but because breaking into them by the Spirits impulsion they farre passe the capacity of our witts and wee scarce discerne what our owne hearts meane our affections being much oppressed with darknesse they bee certaine inarticulate groanes and breathings which the searcher of the hearts knowes with approbation to be the inspirations of his owne Spirit disburdening us into Gods lappe or bosome Mary the sister of Lazarus annointing Iesus his feete with precious ointment is defended by him against the murmour and censure of Iudas at the wast as hee called it that she had kept it against the day of his burying It was not lost but kept she did that now which she could not doe at his buriall God so governing her mind that at this time shee should poure it upon the Lord to signifie his death and buriall to bee at hand so was it done for funerall service it is not like that she had any further intent than to shew her love in the honouring of Christ and to refresh his spirits by the sweete savour of the oyntment as it is said oyntment and perfume reioyce the heart Prov. 27 9. but the Spirit of God impelling her heart burning in love to Christ with desire to doe thus foresaw further and directed the fact to this end which Christ speakes of So are men moved by the holy Ghost to something with further scope than they presently understand The Disciples of Christ much people that were come to the feast and children were caried to receive Christ comming to Ierusalem with the joyfull shout of a King unwonted acclamations and honour given him in spreading their garments in the way By some others cutting downe branches from the trees and strewing them in the way ascribing to him kingdome power of saving Hosanna to the Son of David First pray to him for salvation Hosanna in the highest In part out of the words of the Psalme 118 25. Save now Secondly blesse him Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Thirdly and his kingdome Blessed be the kingdome of our father David that commeth in the name of the Lord with this gratulatory addition Peace in heaven and glory in the highest places It angred the Pharises to heare it they disdained that hee should receive Testimonie of Children willed him to rebuke his Disciples hee defends both the Children from Psal. 8 2. Out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise the Disciples with necessitie of their duty which if they failed in the stones would immediately cry out Luke 19 36 40. All this by secret instinct they were excited by internall â—fficacie of the Spirit but the meaning of this was unknowne to the Disciples themselves till Iesus was glorified Iohn 12 16. yet in due time the fruit appeared Thus God brings on his worke To observe secret motions unto good though you perceive not where they shall end yet attend Gods workeâ— out of small beginnings great workes are brought forth by him who passeth on and goeth by us when wee cannot finde him out Iob 9 11. When one that was before carelesse of Christ heares such a description of him in which is set forth his excellencie so as he is convinced they are the only holy happy people that are joyned to him that their earnest love to him is not without just cause so begin to inquire how hee may meete with him where hee may seeke him let him not despise it let him thinke with himselfe is not God come to mee with offer of himselfe This light and motion seemes more than naturall it is a good steppe towards good when men begin to inquire after the Lord Iesus are desirous to know him and how to have their desire satisfied Cant. 5 9 6 1. Desire implyeth some measure of knowledge of the worth of that which is desired Iohn 4 10. and love of it so knowne where more love is there is more desire which in a sert makes the desiring apt and ready to the receiving of the desired as it is at least probably said That they in whom love is more full to God shall see him more perfectly and so bee more blessed for the faculty of seeing God not agreeing to the created understanding according to the nature of it as it is now but by the light of glorie the more it partakes of that light the more perfectly it seeth God and the more love a man hath the more hee participates of that light because there is more desire which shall bee satisfied Love declared by obedience hath promise of further revelation of Christ and Communion with God Iohn 14 21 23. Zacheus of some love to Christ as the sequele declares desiring to see him comming downe at his bidding to receive him to his house enjoyed him in an excellent measure of his grace Faith not being yet framed in him as it may seeme how could there bee love in his heart to Christ and thence desire unto him did hee looke for more in Iesus than the outward sight of his person Sure he looked for more for it is not likely that hee would with neglect of his reputation being a principall man for state and prioritie in his calling and in the sight of a great multitude climbe up like a boy into a tree without regard of the scornes of men onely to see any Prince in the world 2. Did Christ so regard any that came meerely to see him 3. Would hee with such speed and joy come downe and receive him to his house and so professe workes testifying repentance to Christ if there had not beene more than a desire of an outward sight of him His affection to Christ in such fervencie may bee ascribed to the knowledge that hee had gotten of Christ and himselfe of himselfe to bee a great sinner whose sinnes God would not suffer alwayes to goe unpunished of Christ that he was not onely a great Prophet but the Saviour that should come into the world the Sonne of David exercising mercie not onely in miraculous cures of the body but in forgiving
God was so forcible in him that hee was caried with more earnestnesse to proceede in the course of his office whereunto God called him Bartimaeus desiring mercie of Christ for restoring his sight being rebuked by some that went before that hee might hold his peace and not offend Christ with clamorous importunitie like a provident begger as having farre more high matters to handle than attend a beggar asking a common almes as they it seemes thought of him hee was the more stirred and cryed so much the more Thou Sonne of David have mercie on me Luke 18 39. Or as Marke hath it he cryed the more a great deale Marke 10. â—8 Paul pulled away untimely in respect of his worke from among the Thessalonians inforceth himselfe more abundantly to see their face with great desire and beggs earnestly exceedingly night and day that God himselfe even our Father and our Lord Iesus Christ would direct his way unto them to adde that which was lacking in their faith David mocked by Michal in his piety a King and a Prophet of God adornes his defence that it was before the Lord and was magnificently both to bee thought and spoken of and professeth yet to play before the Lord and to bee more vile and to bee base in his owne sight 2 Sam. 6 21 22. And the same holy man showes how his grace not onely maintained it selfe against opposition when the wicked by bands and troopes spoyled him made a prey of him hee held fast Gods doctrine and could not bee drawne from the obedience of truth but more his devotion was such as hee resolued to rise at midnight to serve him with prayse of righteous judgements Psal. 119 61 62 And when wicked men destroyed his law overthrew the doctrine hee loved it so much the more as more precious than the most fine gold verse 126. 127. It is thus in sinfull nature that the lust increaseth by opposition The Sodomites by Lots exhortation to desist from their wicked enterprize confirme their resolution to do worse and that to him Gen. 19. 9 Hee came in to sojourne say they and he will needs bee a Iudge The Priests at Pilats motion to release unto them Christ Iesus cryed out the more Let him bee crucified Math 27. 23. Sinne becomes out of measure sinfull by the Commandement Rom. 7. 13. working death by that which is good So in grace it not onely holds in opposition but is more intensive for the Spirit of God the author of the goodnesse of the will helps it and strengthens it to produce the good worke where unto hee hath inclined it that it overcomes impediments The calling of the elect is the revealing of the arme of God the putting forth of the exceeding greatnes of his power they become like firebrands that will not be blowne out with the winde as candles but kindled more as if fire in the water should not onely not goe out quenched but still burne up higher and higher Which serves to discover the unsoundnesse of vanishing desires which are quelled with every little crosse or impediment and difficultie yea somtimes when they be not reall but imagined as Solomon writes of the slothfull man as faining dangers he saith A Lyon is without I shall bee slaine in the streets Though hee speake not such words yet he hinders himselfe from that which he should doe by casting dangers imagining lets having alwayes one excuse or other that though hee wish and desire all the day yet his hands will fall to no worke His way is as a hedge of thornes Prov. 15. 19. his feares and griefes pricke and stay him like thornes and bryars The desires and goodnes of the temporary beleevers are two wayes faulty by hypocrisie it is but seeming to have Luke 8. 18. and by vanishing away Hos. 6. 4. Your goodnesse is as a morning Cloud and as the early dew it goeth away As in much heat sometime the morning Clouds give the husbandman hope of raine but the Sunne rising they are dissolued or dissipated and frustrate his expectation so in some pang they shew some probabilities of returning but their lusts waxing hot the hope is cut off And as the morning dew seemes to moisten the earth but is consumed away by the sunne so their shewes of piety frequenting the assemblies instituting publike prayers c. passe away without effect As the rush growes not long without mire nor the flag without water morish herbes that have their nourishment from it though greene and not cut downe wither before any other So are the path's of all that forget God and the hypocrites hope shall perish They have not their sappe from Christ and what freshnesse so ever they shew it must needes wither and that discovers that they were not rooted in God who maintaines the lot of his people against all that fights against it the fruition of the grace hee hath given them shall remaine safe unto them It may bee for consolation to such as hold still their desire to good and follow after it though they bee differred and increase in earnestnesse as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse they are such as a man may alledge to God Psa. 119 20. My soule breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times 40. Behold I have longed for thy precepts Hee offers his desires to bee looked upon As Esay 26 8. The desire of our soule is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee 9. With my soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within mee will I seeke thee early It is an argument of a well set and disposed heart when a man dare present it to the Lord that hee may looke upon the intentions and desires of it Desires without grace to confirme them and keepe them in vigor are but as a false conception which evanisheth and commeth not to the birth But such as be deepely rooted not light motions but make the heart breake to see how we can not do as wee desire in Gods matters and this permanent it is of grace I opened my mouth and panted because I loved thy commandements This propension of the soule and vehement intension of spirit where the soule vehemently longs to feele that power and comfort which it knowes to bee in the word knowledge of the good constantly holding the desire to it is that which God lookes for the opening of our mouth wide as a man wearied in travaile opens his mouth to take breath and swallow up the aire As it is of corruption reigning that a man is restlesse in his desire of sinning Prov. 4 16. And it is abhomination to him to depart from it Prov. 13 19. It is deadly greife to bee hindred and pulled from sinfull delights yea to thinke that hee shall not accomplish his wicked desire so it is of grace reigning that a man cannot rest till hee accomplish his desire of good his will is converted to it It
is the note of the godly that they follow after righteousnesse upon their knowledge of it Esay 51 1 7. It containes the studie of their mindes and indevours of their will with constant desire till they obtaine which is not in this life as lovers that have set their affection on any most studiously follow to obtaine them and they rest not but in fruition thereof Affections setled on supernaturall objects agreeable to the qualitie thereof argue spirituall and supernaturall being This proofe the Apostle would take of the resurrection of the soule the first resurrection rising with Christ seeking and setting the affections on things that are above thinking and desiring and following things concerning another life spiritual things spiritually discerned and affected and godlinesse as it is of God and conformes us to him That we are in this world concerning beginnings as he is and the kingdome of heaven for his presence to dwell with the Lord to be where Christ is to behold his glory and to be perfectly guided by his Spirit Our conversion begins in Gods worke in us infusing grace by way of seed 1 Iohn 3 9. Which manifests it selfe by new disposition and inclination in us that our desiring spirituall things agreable to their nature is an action of that life of God begun The will first suffers Gods worke upon it and then acts aspires to conversion constantly desires it Inclines us still to seeke God Ier. 31 19. In which God confirmes it he prepares the heart and inclines his eare Psal. 10 17. And when Iesus came to the place hee looked up and said unto him c. Here is the successe of the desire of Zaccheus in that which hee desired and in that which he it may be thought not of Christs looking up speaking to him by his name offering himselfe to be his guest such is the benignitie goodnesse of Christ whence observe that seeking Christ and good things in him by spirituall motion shall not bee in vaine Good desires may be deferred but not denied alwayes the expectation of the poore shall not perish for ever though wee have not our desires so soone as wee conceive them yet if we cast not away our confidence but wait and seeke still our hope shall not frustrate us The desire of the righteous shall bee granted him and his hope shall bee gladnesse his desire is onely good obtaineth that which is good and onely that The Lord is good First actually out of his owne favour and goodnesse hee doth good to them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him Lament 3 25. God hath not said in vaine to the house of Israel seeke yee me Therefore hath hee not spoken it in secret nor in a darke place of the earth as the prophets of the heathen gods who spake uncertainly and so obscurely and out of darke dennes but goodnesse and truth concurre in him goodnesse in inviting us to seeke him as willing to bee found and truth in not deceiving and frustrating our hope when wee do come to him therefore shall wee not faile to finde him because hee will give us to seeke him and search for him with all our heart Ier. 29. 13. God hath made himselfe a debtor by his promise to them that seeke him that hee will come to them and raine righteousnesse upon them Hos. 10. 12. Vnder righteousnesse we may comprehend all kinde of goodnesse which hee will give from heaven not sparingly but largely therefore hee calls it rayning righteousnesse not only that whereby he justifieth us in Christ receiving us into fauour and regenerateth us rendering unto man his righteousnesse Iob 33 29 But the performance of all promises in due time concerning the present life or that which is to come Hee called Bartimeus crying to him and gave his sight as he desired The woman secretly seeking vertue from him to the healing of her issue of bloud found it in her selfe All that would make use of Christ found him reedie to their good if they sought him aright God is faithfull and of never failing compassions in the experience of his servants they are new every morning Lam. 3 23. Hee both meetes with testimonies of deare love such as he seeth coming towards him to seeke his presence as the father of the prodigall met him with wonderfull expressions of a fathers affection in the happie returne of a sonne that seemed to bee lost and also calls them to behold him and to seeke him that had no thought of it who so prevented with his grace upon his call desire and seeke him seeking finde him and finding him enjoy him unto salvation with eternall glory Which serves abundantly for consolation to such as linger after Christ and his grace in holy desires their hearts God hath touched and they follow him as given of God to save them they shall be satisfied When men have a right estimation of Christ that they preferre him before all things in the world as hee knowes their love he so esteemes it and will give himselfe to be enjoyed of them that they shall as it were lye in his armes and sweetly rest with him in gracious imbracements as the Church sicke of love as it were swounding by vehemencie of hir desire to Christ calling to the Pastors of the Church to refresh her spirits with the meanes that they have in trust to convey by them spirituall things into her soule findes her selfe on the sudden upheld by Christ imploying both his hands for her reliefe and streng thening No sooner calling but he heares and answeres and come to her helpe and comfort so willingly as nothing can stay his pace towards her he skips by the mountaines and leapes by the hills neither her greater sinnes nor lesser infirmities can stay him nor humane power can hinder his accesse with celeritie Cant. 2 5 6 8. In his speede hee is like a Roe or young Hart she seeth him as at the dore behind the wall yet not fully expressing and exhibiting himselfe in his presence to her but he lookes forth at a window and shewes himselfe through the grates or lattesse she beholds him but imperfectly yet with certaintie and with signification of favour But to them that desire to see him in heaven not satisfied with the sight of him as it is now by faith he will give them in due time their desire they shall see him as hee is They shall be where he is and behold his glory the shadowes shall flee away whatsoever hinders the full content in the sight of him as ignorance unbeleefe trouble of conscience outward tribulations the day starre shall arise in their hearts and the day breake the time of th' other world beginning at our death and more fully at our resurrection the morning of that day which shall never give place to night when the righteous shall have dominion over the wicked and shall be ever with the Lord when they shall no
more neede the light of Prophets or Apostles but by himselfe shall they see God giving a divine light into their understanding whereby they know as they are knowen Yea and in the meane time they shall have a more pure and explicate knowledge of the mysteries of Christ he will reveale himselfe to them that love him and their requests of heart framed by the spirit in them with unexpressible groanings God will not frustrate the inspirations of his owne spirit please him for they are according to his will the spirit makes them to pray as they ought which of themselves they cannot he helpes their infirmities Zâ—ccheus make haste and come downe for to day 〈◊〉 must abide at thine house This is singular grace and favour that the Lord of his owne accord bids himselfe to his house who it is like durst not presume to request him though willing to entertaine him this is above that he desired thus he vouchsafed to honour him whom hee had by his Spirit secretly working drawen to him In which we may observe that God is pleased to give above our desires many times when wee offer our selves to him Whereof we have many examples Thus happy was Zaccheus in his indevour to see Christ hee seeth him hee heares him calling him by his name as if hee were familiarly knowen and receiveth him to his house and to abide there and all of his owne accord notable humanity of the Son of God to come to him whâ—m the common sort did hate and that unrequested Abrahams request to God was that Ishmael mighty live before him and that would content him having a sonne borne to him hee subsists in him though God promised him another sonne by Sara his wise it may seeme it was more than he durst hope for though hee reject not Gods favour in the promise of a new seede but if it please him to extend his liberalitie no further but to conserve the life of Ishmael which he hath given he desires no further Concerning Ishmael God heares him and grants him not onely life but multiplication of seede to make him a great nation and his children to be of great place twelue Princes he should beget Yet would he extend his goodnes to him further as he promised Sara shall beare him a son indeed and with him his seede he would stablish his everlasting couenant Iacob in his journey to Padan Aram desired of God provision but necessary and protection in his way with a safe returne to his fathers house which he had and above his desire God made him two bands Gen. 28. 20. 21. David asked life God gave him long life even for ever and ever Psal. 21. 4. Not onely heard him when fearefull of death by the malice of his enemies hee prayed against it but granted him over and above to live till he was full of dayes nor that onely but succession in his posteritie unto eternitie of his kingdome which was accomplished in Christ who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh as God promised him by Nathan which mercie David admiring prayeth that as the Lord had said so he would doe that with his blessing it would please him to blesse his house to continue for ever before him 2 Sam. 7. Solomon asking an understanding heart to judge Gods people to discerne betweene good and bad not onely obtaines it but in an excellencie to bee singular in it so as none had before nor after him And besides that which hee asked not riches and honour so as there should not bee any of the Kings like unto him all his dayes 1 King 3. 9 12 13. The sicke of the palsie sought his health of Christ which he received and unto that the forgivenesse of his sinnes Math. 9 2 6 7. The ruler sought to Christ for his sonnes life and hee had it and with it faith in his owne and his household hearts whereby they addicted themselves to him as his Disciples under the hope of eternall life The theefe upon the Crosse prayed Christ to remember him in his Kingdome hee was heard and by a serious asseveration secured that that very day he should passe from the miserie of the crosse to the felicitie of paradise and there have fellowship with him in eternall glorie Luke 23 42 43. He is the Father of mercies 2 Cor. 1 3. As a most kind Father hee powres out manifold gifts and benefits upon men of his meere mercie and imparts unto them not light and slender but strong and abundant consolation that are his freinds as the God of all consolation He that is Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10 12. Not onely abounding with riches but powring out plentifully unto those that depend upon him hee gives to all men liberally and upbraideth not Iam. 1 5. He gives even to wicked men that set their faces against heaven more than heart could wish Psal. 73 7. That their prosperous successe exceeds the conceivings of their mind as if nets were laid to catch for them while they sleepe His faithfull are more regarded than infidels In our glorifying of God therefore wee are to say with the Apostle Now unto him that is able to doe exceeding abundantly above all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in us as wee find by experience in our selves be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus throughout all ages world without end Amen From hence reprove faithlesse feare damping hope upon conceit partly of our unworthinesse partly of the greatnesse of the things we aske too great for such as wee be Wee must not measure Gods wayes by mans whose wayes are as farre above ours as the heavens are the earth Esay 55 9. And yet even men give according to their greatnesse and consider what is fit for them to give rather than what is fit for the other to receive We may aske what God seeth meet for his glory to give and not onely what we feele ourselves to need but what our Father seeth that we need Math. 6 8 without doubt or feare commending our selves to his love and wisedome And this the Lord our maker requireth of us that we commend the care of our necessities to his faith and providence in termes of greatest incouragement Esay 45 11. Aske me of things to come concerning my sonnes and concerning the worke of my hands command ye me Make haste c. Whether hee would have his prompt mind knowen the gift of faith to appeare with speed or hast his owne worke the time being come Observe that when the time determined with the Lord for the manifesting of his goodnes to his people is come he is willing to doe it speedily When the people with earnest desire to heare the word followed Christ to attend upon the opportunitie hee left his meate and went to teaching and incurred among his kindred a suspicioÌ„ of
Which is for abundant consolation to them whom he hath drawne of his everlasting love Ier. 31. 1. Having loved his owne that were in the world he loved them unto the end Iohn 13 1. Having found grace in his sight that hee selects them from the world they shall have given them grace upon grace till they be filled with all the fullnesse of God The Church is commended of her spirituall ornaments under termes of rowes of Iewels upon her cheekes and Chaines of gold about her necke and withall is promised that the whole Trinitie shal give her further increase of holinesse and all rich graces that nothing shall bee wanting to her comelinesse meete for so great a spouse but her spirituall glory in all parts and numbers shall bee perfected in similitude borders of gold with studdes of silver God is in covenant with the people whom hee once receives to rejoyce over them and never to turne from after them to do them good to be an everlasting Father following them with perpetuall favour and liberall blessings Ier. 32 40 41. It is one chiefe use of benefits received by experience to confirme our hope to finde God as we have found him in present and in future necessites Christ remembers his Disciples of the miraculous feeding the five thousand with five loaves the foure thousand with seaven loaves and a great deale left to cure their difference or weaknesse of faith about provision for bread Math. 16 8 9 10. David from former experience of Gods care of him concludes in hope thus Surely goodnesse shall follow me and mercie all the dayes of my life And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever The Apostle teacheth this Rom. 5. 10. If when we were enemies we were reconciled by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled wee shall bee saved by his life I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lyon and the Lord shall deliver mee from every evill worke and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdome But take heed of wronging him in his love not rendring according to the benefit as Hezekiah is someting blotted with it in his Chronicle and David reproved for it yet with declaring the readinesse of God to proceed in blessing his with more and greater blessings 2 Sam. 12 8. If that had beene too little I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things 2. Pray the Lord to rejoyce in his works Psal. 104 31. In which our state is founded as that speach of Iob implies Thou wilt have a desire to the worke of thine owne hands Iob. 14 15. For this David prayeth Psal. 138 8 Forsake not the worke of thine owne hands Cry with the Church for new inspirations of Gods Spirit to increase of pleasant fruits to invite Christ to his garden replenished with chiefe spices and hee will accept of such invitation and declare his good acceptance of such entertainment and call you in due time to come to him out of the miseries of this troublesome world when hee shall satisfye all your desires according to that loving call Come with me from Lebanon my spouse with me from Lebanon And hee made haste and came downe and received him joyfully In this â—acheus shewes the effect of his calling Obedience in hastie comming downe and in joyfull receiving of Christ. Wherein we may observe that the Word of Christ in calling men to him is lively and of an attractive force making the will to answere and assent to his calling There is an infallibilitie of the effect whose cause is not the studie of the Disciple but the excellencie of the maister Psal. 18 44. At the hearing of the eare they shall obey me Esay 52 15. The King shall shut their mouthes at him for that which they had not heard shall they consider Vnderstanding that the counsell of God is to save the world by Iesus Christ they shall without gainsaying submit themselves unto him for their salvation As it was in calling his Disciples not onely poore fishermen Simon and Andrew Iames and Iohn forsooke their nets and followed him but Matthew a rich man foosooke a gainefull trade and betooke him selfe to him which was neither levitie or stoliditie so soone to be moved away from their former condition and course of life But divine force making his word effectuall to that for which hee spake it That thereby they might consider that their preaching of the Gospell should not be a dead sound but with spirit and power for obedience of faith Hee so perswadeth or allureth Iapheth that he joynes himselfe to Shems tents sweetly reduceth the Gentiles to the Churches societie as the very station of felicitie Genesis 9 27. Whom hee calls to be of his household he causeth to come and joyne themselves to him and his people to the satisfying of them with the good things of his house Psal. 65 4. Hee breakes them off from the wilde stalke and ingraffts them into the true vine They are the called of Iesus Christ Rom. 1 6 That is partakers of him by their calling The Father teacheth them inwardly with their outward hearing so as hee that hath heard and learned of the Father commeth unto Christ the Father drawes him Iohn 6. 44 45. Which conteines illumination of the mind a good dâ—scerning of the things of God and forming of the will to the obedience of Christ. The dead heare the voyce of the Sonne of God and they which heare it live Iohn 5 25. In which is implied a double grace in the secret vertue and power of the word First That the dead should heare which is beside nature Secondly bee called againe to life from which they were fallen To heare is to beleeve and assent with the heart Iohn 10 16. Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall heare my voyce They shall beleeve with the heart unto an ingeneration of a new principle of spirituall life and excitation to elicite acts of this life It is not alwayes or in all persons that this word of Christ is thus effectuall some open the eare but heare not some when they heare resist and blaspheme hate him and increase their sinne Iohn 15 22. So as he is to their ruine Luke 2 34. He is a stone to stumble at a rocke of offence to them that are disobedient 1 Pet. 2 8. Whereunto also they were appointed But in them whom hee calls of his purpose it is thus effectuall so as it is refused of no hard heart because he softens it hee takes away the stony heart and gives them an heart of flesh to whom all things worke together for good whom hee calls so as hee justifieth and glorifieth them Rom. 8 28 30. According to his election of them the election obtaine it Rom. 11 7. Gods purpose is his will predestinating men to life So then when men are moved but ineffectually by the word
in themselves more holy or by institution under the Law than other dayes And so to observe dayes either by the Churches precept or by voluntary taking up to observe is reproveable for though in respect of institution and use the Saboth is more holy than other dayes yet not in the nature of the day for then it could not have beene chaunged As the water in baptisme by institution and use is holyer than other water so the bread and wine in the Sacrament but not by any inherent holinesse 2. He condemnes the keeping of such daies above other as worship of God of necessitie in conscience as if the not keeping bound to sinne When none but God can give such Lawes as the breach of them blots the conscience where is no Law is no trasgression where the Church and governers appoint or men take them up to observe they bind but as historicall helps and are free without scandal contempt 3. Hee finds fault with the keeping of them as against faith shaddowes of Christ and his benefits for which they were instituted Coloss. 2 16. Christ being come as the body of those shadowes the shadowes must cease But to keepe dayes in memory of benefits past and to stirre up to duties thereby for time to come is not against religion It reproves such as forget both benefits and dayes wherein the Lord wrought them for them Psal. 78 42 They remembred not his hand nor the day wherein hee delivered them from the enemy wee are so apt to forget benefits that wee had neede use al lawfull helps to put us in mind of them consider the charge Deut. 8 10. 11 and David charging his memory Psal. 103 1. Is salvation come The day of calling and salvation is one the same day that a man is called hee is saved 2 Cor. 6 2 Behold this is the accepted time behold this is the day of salvation the day of acceptation in Christ is the day of salvation to him that is so accepted Adoption comprehends all our blessing even the glory of the life to come Rom. 8 We wait for the adoption the redemption of our bodyes But in our calling receiving Christ we receive this dignitie of adoption Iohn 1 12. Calling is the revealing of Gods grace and his will to save us by Christ Iesus in our minds and heart so as we consent to God calling and follow after him for that life in his Sonne and cleave to him for it Comming to Christ and receiving of Christ are coupled together and the contrary not comming not having life but abiding in death 1 Iohn 5 12. Iohn 5 40. Calling is Gods worke inabling a man to performe the condition of the covenant which is to beleeve in Christ and so makes partaker of Christ that hee is of his body partaker of the promise an inheriter also Ephes. 2 6. Hee that beleeveth hath everlasting life is passed from death to life Iohn 5 24. Calling effectuall is the first revelation of predestination to life accompanied with justification and glorification Rom. 8 30. Iustification is unto life Rom. 5 18. Regeneration is Glorification or Salvation begunne Titus 3 5 7. He saved us and called us 2 Tim. 1 9. Hee saved us calling us wee are called to his kingdome and glory 1 Thess. 2 12. To obtaine salvation or the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thess. 2 13 14. To high things Phil. 3. The calling is therefore called heavenly Heb. 3 1. Not onely as from heaven but unto heaven Come up hither and then they ascend in the sight of others Revel 11. Wee are called in hope of heaven Coloss. 1 4 5. And by hope we are saved Rom. 8 24. If calling and saving in respect of beginning and certaine accomplishment bee contemporarie then bee exhorted to make your calling sure that you may be sure of your salvation with it 2 Pet 1 10. Try your selves by these signes 1. An eccho like answering to the Lord revealing his grace and will to save you by Christ Psal. 27 6 7. Hos. 2. ult Zach 13 9. Esay 44 5. God speakes first in the heart then the heart answers againe to the Lord and a man is readie to underwrite to the Lord if hee say thou art mine I have given my Sonne for thee as proofe of it The heart will say I am thine with admiration of thy love receive I thy Sonne given to mee This will further by strife against unbeleefe and the love of God and a carefull applying of our soules as given to God to doe his wil appeare though wee yet feele not our faith Vnbeleefe and other sinnes have no quiet setling no dominion over us wee labour to cast them out and linger after the Lord as having our hearts toucht by him to receive him as our King to save us as they followed Saul whose hearts the Lord had toucht 1 Sam. 10 26. As Elisha at plough after Eliah had cast his mantle upon him as a signe of Gods calling him to be a Prophet could not but follow and durst not so much as goe home without his leave 2. A standing up from the world unto new workes whereunto God called us wee forsake the worlds fashion and manner of life wee can bee no longer of one mind and heart with them Be they Heretickes civill men without religion or professing religion without power God in calling selects us from the world we cannot count them our deare companions our hearts and wayes do so disagree that we are abomination or matter of pittie one to another We are as first fruits to God 3. A Spirit sitting us for that unto which wee bee called by which wee savour things of the spirit aspire to heavenly righteousnesse not satisfyed with measure but to bee filled with the fullnes of God following apprehend that for which wee are apprehended wee meditate now high things a crowne a kingdome heavenly inheritance lower things are too meane to hold us to them Bee thankefull you that know your calling 1 Tim. 1. I thanke him The promise is to them that the Lord calls bee they neere or farre off Act. 2 39. That when you heare the promises you ought to prayse the Lord that made you true heires of them that you may say Salvation belongs to me for the promise belongs to mee in that I am called Prayse God for the fellowship with Christ Iesus his Sonne to that hee hath called you 1 Cor. 1. 8. This calling is a speciall character of Gods love the first speciall evidence of it Worldlings falsly conclude speciall love from common blessings against which Solomon opposeth Eccles. 9 1. And our Saviour Math. 5 44. And the Rhemists note is good there that outward prosperitie is certaine either of a better man or better religion but effectuall calling is an infallible evidence of Gods love from election to salvation Bee studiously thankfull for this which the Apostle puts the Romans in mind that among
personall and particular Rom. 12 4 6 8. That it may bee said it appertaines unto us Luke 12 14. Man who made me a judg or a divider over you Lest wee in curre blame of curiositie Iohn 21 22 What is that to thee Of busy bodies in other mens matters 1 Thess. 4 11. 1 Tim 5 13. 1 Pet. 4 15. Or into daunger out of which we hardly can tel how to deliver our selves Prov. 26 17. If wee walke in our calling and trouble befall us yet our conscience will comfort us But if medling out of our calling wee meete with knockes we have the blame laid upon us even by our consciences and by men of common light Wee have no assurance to bee in safetie 2 Sam. 6 7 Vzzah was smitten of God in such a case even with death and many of Bethâ—hemesh even 50000. and 70. Because they looked into the Arke 1 Sam. 6 19. Which was not lawfull but for Aâ—ron and his sonnes who must appoint others what to doe Numb 4 19. 20. Vzziah smote hee with leprosie for medling with the Priests office 2 Chron. 26 16 18. It perteineth not to thee Vzziah to burne Incense c. Thou shalt have no honour of the Lord God While he was wroth with the Priests the Leprosie rose in his forehead and hee remained a leper and dwelt in his house apart unto the day of his death The sonnes of Sceva who tooke upon them to adjure evill spirits by naming over them that had them the name of the Lord Iesus were forced to flee away naked wounded with this rebuke from the evill spirit by the man Iesus I acknowledge and Paul I know but who are you The man was carried by the Divell in him by Gods permission to use such strength as seaven young men were overcome to their great shame hurt and it fell out to much advantage of the Gospell as appeares in the chapter The Sonne of man 9. Why so called Dverse judge diversly Some that hee would bee so called that he might shew that hee was that Messiah which the Prophets foretold should take the nature of man whom Daniel called the Sonne of man Dan. 7 13. Theodoret in Dan. 7. Others that it is as if hee called himselfe the Sonne of Adam as drawing his kinde from Adam by the virgin not having any man to his father Nazianzen Others to declare the great benefit of his incarnation for us Aug de consens Euang. l. 2. c. 1. Commendans nobis quid misericorditer dignatus sit esse pro nobis Or because hee was also the Sonne of God hee would hereby distinguish the natures one from another Others to signifie that hee was indeed as hee shewed conversing among men verie man 9. Why Ezechiel onely in particular in the old and Christ in the new testament bee so called Come What. The comming is thus sent of the Fathers love to be the mediatour to reconcile God and man he tooke mans nature into unitie of person of the Sonne of God to performe the office of the mediatour to bring man againe to God To seeke This is the first end of Christs comming to seeke that which is lost Ezech. 34 11 12 16. Hee justifieth his compassion and humanitie to Publicans and Sinners by the practise of men that having an hundred sheepe leave all to seeke one that is lost wandered from the flocke and a woman seeking one gâ—oat with diligence though she have nine left And the joy of a father at the returne and finding of his lost sonne Luke 15. This seeking for lost soules is truly noted in Christs going about all their Cities and townes preaching and teaching the Gospell of the kingdome Math. 9 35. In taking opportunities as they fell out to informe men in the truth not contemning the vilest as the woman of Samaria that lived a whore with one that was not her husband his Disciples marveiled at it whether at his humilitie therein as some thinke or by reason of the basenesse of the woman which was blameable considering themselves from what and whereunto his favour had taken and exalted them but by occasion hee makes his end knowne That is out of great desire and great sweetnesse and delight to take all opportunities of conversion of men and that by two similitudes one by their desiring him to take meat to which he answers he hath meate alreadie that they knew not of and declares what he meant they not understanding inquire about some bringing him meat stil minding meat for his body w c they saw to bee needefull for strength to goe on with his worke hee declares it is the opportunitie present of doing his Fathers will And the sauce to that meat is gathering of the scattered Children of God Hee waited for the issue of his conference with the woman in her bringing of the Samaritans which was they beleeved in a double degree by her report to teachablâ—es by their hearing him to setlednesse The other similitude is from harvest that something obscured by some interpreters yet tends to the same thing Some as if it were proverbially you that is it is usually said there are foure monthes to the harvest as if haste needed not otherwise why doth our Lord say you say yet foure monthes to the harvest Here present occasion requires diligence the regions are white unto the harvest yet that seemes more to bee his meaning as harvest admits not stay but when it is ripe put in the sickle in another sense but agreeing about ripenesse and then putting in the sickle He is said to see men before hee call them as hee saw Matthew at the receit of custome Math. 9 9. Nathaniel under the Figtree before Philip spake a word to him of Christ Iohn 1. 48. His seeing in this kind is not occasionall but of purpose seeking the particulars of the election You have not chosen me But I have chosen you c. Iohn 15. He seekes the elect by the scriptures by his ministers by internall motion either of Anâ—gels or immediate of the Spirit by benefits long suffering by rebuke By corrections so he sought Manasseh So the prodigall is noted to bee brought home Thus Iob 33 He openeth the eare by corrections thus he seekes men unto conversion the coÌ„verted to repentance Because he is sent to this That nothing given him should be lost To admonish us of our naturall state to take true notice of it Wee though extremely miserable were not carried with any care of our owne freedome wee sought not God Psal. 14 2. Wee went astray every one after his owne way Esay 53 6. We have turned every one to his owne way of this more in that hee came to the lost Wee sought not Christ till hee lookt after us to recover us from our state of losse Esay 65 1. We thought not of returning to God so much as by dreame Wee are therefore to give all the prayse of our illumination to see our