second particular is to speak of the Honourable person that gives occasion for this feast And that is Christ who is to be married whose Spouse is the Holy Church In this particular there are divers things of great weight to be taken notice of First The Author and fountain of saving grace viz. God called here A King making a Marriage for his Son Secondly Here is implied the neer union that is betwixt Christ and the Elect. It is agreed that there shall be a marriage concluded upon according to God the Fathers everlasting purpose between them and his son Jesus The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a King that made a Marriage for his Son Thirdly we shall also out of these words speak of the way and Means whereby this Grace from God in the supper of the Lamb is conveyed made out to the Elect towit the powerfull preaching of the Gospel This lies wrapped up in these words the Kingdom of Heaven whereby is meant as I told you in the beginning the word of the Kingdom The plain Truth is and the Summary Sense The preaching of Christ and the offering of him in the Ministry of the Gosepl is the way the Lord hath ordained to work faith by whereby we are united unto Christ and justified I will begin with the first and so proceed to the handling of the rest at this time as in the presence of the Lord. Doct. The first Doctrine shall be this From the first That grace here and glory hereafter are the free gift of God It it his pleasure that his Son be Married and such a Wedding Supper held as may shew forth the riches of his Grace according to the capacity of man somewhat answerable to the bounty of a God You see the Subject matter is Grace which we must warily speak of that we may shun the Charybdis of Popish merit and yet not fall upon or into the Scylla of Lawless Antinomianisme Most certain it is that Salvation is of Grace and not of works as that learned Dr. of the Church the Apostle Paul disputes it and demonstrates it both in his Epistle to the Romans and also in his Epistle to the Galatians And although there are many uses of the Holy Moral Law which I purpose not now to meddle with yet must it stand aside as weak and insufficient through the flesh and give place unto Gods sending his Son into the world that whosoever believeth in him and accepteth of Gods offer of Grace should not perish but have life everlasting This Grace of God is by much the Elder brother if we look no higher then Abraham Gal. 3.17 And this I say saith Paul that the Law which was 430. years after cannot disannull the Covenant that was before of God in respect of Christ that it should make the Promise of none effect All is of Grace First Election is of Grace Rom. 11.5 There is a remnant according to the election of Grace Ephes 1.5 6. Having predestinated us c according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved See Cap. 2. to the tenth And in many other places Secondly all the Coordinated Mediums all that God works by all are free and of Grace As first Christ is given Romans 8 32. Who spared not his own Son but gave him for us all to Death Secondly The word bringing savation is free and is therefore called the Grace of God Titus 2.11 bringing Salvation Thirdly Repentance is of Gods giving also Acts 11.18 Fourthly Likewise Faith that mother-Grace is the gift of God Phil. 1.29 And generally the whole Law of the Spirit of life as it is called Rom. 8.2 is of Gods gracious working as is testified Ephes 2.1 And you hath he quickned which were dead in trespasses and sinnes Reas 1 We may reason from the very name Grace it signifies that which is imparted gratis Conveniunt rebus nomina saepè suis that is freely So the Holy Ghost often reasons in these words or else Grace were no Grace And Grace and Merit do stand extremly in opposition one to another Secondly We may reason from universality from the General to Particular Quicquid praedicatur de genere praedicatur de specie Of him and through him as well as for him are all things Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the father of lights c. James 1.17 All common Graces are of his Grace and free gift much more saving grace which is a more speciall effect of his love and favor Vse 1 But I come to the Uses having two other Doctrines to dispatch at this time And first here falls to the ground the Doctrine of merit so mightily and subtilly among our latter Popish School-men contended for What should I read Lectures of Polemical Divinity in this popular auditory They have a blind distinction of merit of congruity and condignity one place of Luke will serve for all Cap. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all that is commanded you say We are unprofitable Servants There is neither merit of congruity before justification nor merit of condignity after But by Grace are we saved through faith Dona sua coronat Deus non meritatua Aug. and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Ephes 2.8 not our Merits but Gods gifts are with his mercifull and bountiful vouchsafements crowned here and hereafter Vse 2 Secondly comfort ye comfort ye your selves with these words O all ye desirers of saving Grace They that hunger and thirst c. are pronounced blessed Mat. 5.6 What though ye see nothing in your selves but that which loads you even such are invited to come Mat. 11.28 If God send to invite surely he will not reject those that desire him though they be never so sinfull But we must take heed First of being contented with a few weak and faint desires If thy desires come from a right principle they are as truly Grace as faith it self There is Grace desiring Gratia sitiens sitiata as well as Grace desired Secondly take heed of regarding wickedness in your hearts Psal 66.18 or else the Lord will not regard your desire And no marvail These desires so accompanied shew themselves not to proceed from that preventing Grace which all successfull desires do proceed from Vse 3 I have yet one use more Grace here and Glory hereafter are of the free gift and Grace of God Ye see where to go for both the one and the other God is the Author and Fountain of all Grace seek it of him Mot. 1 And to move you consider first the Excellency of that condition ye shall be in Christ to partake of his goodly Image and Grace to be transformed into his Image from Glory to Glory Secondly It is of absolute necessity that ye come to this supper I say He that refuseth and cometh not shall
and scraping together the dung of the World You may peruse Luk. 19.41.42.43 and 44. ver The sin is they knew not their visitation they considered it not and this puts me upon a Reaâ—on of the point Reason to wit they know not the worth of it this is the reason they put such a low price upon the seasons of Grace Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart Ephes 4.18 And they give themselves to other wayes ver 19. Men that have not learned Christ have no understanding no judgement they are bewitched And such as go about to hinder them from walking in their evil wayes they account them troublesome persons So Ahab accounted Eliah 1 Kings 18.17 Art thou he that troubleth Israel and his Enemy cap. 21.20 Hast thou found me O mine Enemy But they are their best friends if they could see it that tell them Gods truth Paul is become an Enemy to the Galatians for telling them the truth cap. 4.16 Alas What reason can People give why they will not love Gods People but only because their minds are worldly and because the light of God doth not shine in them The minds of Earthly People are so drawn after the World that they cannot see the excellency of the love of God nor the worth of his Salvation They cannot say with Simeon Luk. 2. their eyes have seen his Salvation A worldly man may abhorr some sin because of the baseness of it but a Saint doth eschew it with a spiritual heart which he that is a worldly man hath not And this is the cause that many sins which indeed have much sinfulness in them seem no sins or very little ones to People that are Worldly ones Covetous men are usually proud men they think themselves none of the worst and yet upon the matter they are grievous murderers as will be shewed hereafter God willing when we come to the 7. vers Pharaoh said who is the Lord c. These say in effect who is Christ what is Salvation ye talk so much of They are murderers of Christ upon the matter that do not receive him they are accursed and accursed 1 Cor. 16.22 They are self murtherers Soul murtherers They hale their neighbours to hell what in them lieth by refusing Christ and by their selling him with Judas for the pelf of the World But I forget where I am Let us make use of this point Vse 1 Great is their folly Great is their fault and Great will be the punishment of worldly minded men I shall referr you to some places Heb. 10.28.29 There the greatness of the sin is argued by a comparison between despising of Moses his Law and neglecting Christ And great language is used to set out the greatness of the latter sin Treading under foot the Son of God counting the blood of the sanctifying Covenant an unholy thing a doing despite unto the spirit of Grace O consider this ye worldlings ye Gadarens that preferr Hoggs to which ye are fitly compared in Scripture before Christ When a great man hath made a feast and hath sent out for his poor Tenants and poor Kindred to come to him promising them great Legacies when he dieth and great gifts in the mean time and they shall scorn to come or for a penny matter stay away would he not be angry and be ready to vow that they shall never come within his door more and bid his Servants go out and fetch in the beggars to eat up that meat so prepared This doth a little set forth the greatness of their sin that do refuse to come to Christ to partake of Gospel-Ordinances to believe in the Lord Jesus which he that doth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 And as the folly and sin is great so will the punishment be great also of all such as neglect so great Salvation Because I have called and ye refused I have streched out my hand and no man regarded but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof I will also laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear commeth c. O what a wosull condition will that man be in to whom God will be as a hard-hearted man to his Enemy whose utter ruine he takes pleasure to hear of whose dolorous groanes he laughs to hear without the lest pitty in the World Not that God is properly harsh or milde angry or pleased Note these are attributed to God that we might a little behold him who is invisible and know him who passeth knowledge They are effects not affects as the Schoolmen distinguish But lastly Last use The example of worldly minded men is not to be followed unless you think it be a sport to be damned And let me say this word by the way of the Torments of Hell that in comparison of them the cruellest Torments that ever were invented are but as flea bitings If God will then act as God in execution of justice upon ungodly men judge what they shall undergo on whom the full vialls of his wrath shall be poured out The drowning of the old world the burning of Sodom and Gomorra the swallowing up of Korah and his company the Soul-melting miseries of Jerusalem at its last destruction Eating of children of a span long to be flead alive to be gang'd to death and the like these are sad stories But O when Gods righteous judgement shall be revealed Rom. 2.5 which till then is as it were covered tremble ye souls and shake even into shivers at the thoughts thereof what Torments even as long as God shall be shall be endured Walk not therefore with Gospel-despisers Mot. 1 Their practice is hatefull to Allmighty God Hurtfull to thine own soul How wouldst thou look upon that man that seeks thy life And wilt thou not with indignation behold them which go about to damn thy Soul Who so despiseth the word shall be destroyed Prov. 13.13 Take heed therefore of following their Example Quest Quest But how shall I know whither I make light account of the season of Grace or no Answ I answer By thy labouring or not labouring to take the benefit offered thereby If a man want a commodity when the Market or Fair comes he will come to seek for it he will buy it If it be dear yet if it be of absolute necessity as corn to make bread or the like he will say It is no matter I must have it whatever it cost If Christ were here in person he would heartily chide many a Martha who are as bold to plead as she was and to blame those bookish Sermon gadding Maries that seem to be more precise then wise c. But yet it will remain for a truth that they have chosen that good part which shall not be taken from them Luk. 10. They which neglect not the seasons of Grace but improve them
fruitfull Vines upon the Walls of the house whose children stand like Olive plants round about the Table Psal 128.3 Such as are married in the fear of God have a promise of this blessing This is made good First in each Saints growth in Grace Isaiah 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyfull in my God For he hath clothed me with the garment of Salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth herself with Jewels The Saints are led forward towards perfection Heb 6.1 O many a sweet Babe doth a gracious Soul bear and Nurse to the Glory of God But wicked men bring forth ugly bratts of Malice Pride Uncleannness they are in conjunction with the Divel their Fruite and Wine is of Sodom not of Jerusalem And then Secondly In the Churches increase it is also verified Isaiah 61.4 5 6. And they shall build the old wastes they shall raise up the former desolations and they shall repair the wast Cities the desolations of many Generations c. The Summe is the Church is a fruitfull Motheâ— Jerusalem the Mother of us all in conjunction with Christ brings forth many Sons The Sons of the Church come from far and her Daughters are Nursed at her side Isaiah 60.4 This comes to pass by Christs Husband ship the Church seemingly barren and a Widdow brings forth many Children to Christ Fifthly There is a transacting of conditions The râ—ches of the Husband becoms the Riches of the Wife and the debts of the Wife become the debts of the Husband 2 Cor. 5. the last For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Sixthly There is a Sympathising between Christ and his Church Acts 9.4 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me So Christ calls out of Heaven And again Mat. 25.40 In as much as ye did it to the least of these my brethren ye did it unto me And the Church again is very sensible of Gods dishonors And it grieveth David to see the transgressors because men keep not Gods Law Pâ—alm 119.136 But Seventhly Between such as are knit in the Marriage knot there is a great working in affection great joy in the presence one of another grief in the absence one from another even so if God do hide his face from David he is troubled Psal 30.7 And his heart longs to be in the Temple where God was wont to shew his beauty and come with embraces to him and others of his People Vse 1 Now singular use may be made of this Soul ravishing Doctrine but I shall confine my self to 3. One of information another of consolation and the last of exhortation and in all shall be brief because I have one point more to dispatch and the time runneth on apace I say First We may be informed of the great worth of Gospel Ordinances under which there is such a neerness held forth yea such a conjunction with Christ enjoyed Here are kisses and embraces to be had Meetings for the enjoyment of them are Christs bed of Love For there to wit in the use of Church Ordinances the Lord commanded the blessing even life for evermore Psal 133.3 and again By night on my bed I sought him whom my Soul loveth Cant. 3.1 That is in the Communion of Saints and enjoyment of Ordinances They are not much acquainted with Christ it is to be doubted that cry down what he is wont to make himself out by to his Saints Vse 2 But Secondly Gracious souls should take comfort and rejoyce in their match and well they may It is not an ordinary one it is no small thing to be Married to the Son of God We have great and many particular things to take comfort in but I will be brief First He looks for nothing to draw his Love therefore our want of beauty cannot dissolve the knot Secondly No infirmity in us can draw away his Love from us for his Love is immutably firm because it is Eternal and Free Thirdly Nothing can hinder our conversing with him we have a priviledge to carry about Christ with us All the powers in Earth and Hell cannot make a separation between Christ and a Christian no not for one minute Object What. cannot Sin doth not the Scripture say Thy sins have separated between thee and thy God c. I answer God is the same in his suspensions which are his Physick that he is in his Ordinances of feeding and in all prosperous Vouchsafements And so by the way ought the Church and every Christian to be in their Reproofs Checks Admonitions of the same frame of spirit aiming at the good of the party dealt withall as in their most pleasing dealings Let all your things be done in Charity I say to return to this branch of the comfort All the world cannot separate you nor hinder you from enjoying Christ no not a minute sin may be an occasion of a hiding of his face But God would not let his people sin if it were not for their good For all things must work together for their good Rom. 8.28 This is a mighty priviledge the Saints have Fourthly He will enable you to do what he commands you The Saints have not only habitual Grace to wit the new Creature But also the Lord is bound by promise to be with them to direct them to help them and assist them with continual supplies of Grace for they are taught to wait upon him and to seek unto him to be much in trading with God and all his Factors and therefore must needs be better able to do his will You shall find Psal 25.12 What man is he that feareth the Lord Him will he teach the way that he shall choose The greatest hindrance of Gods service and of doing his will is fear Now God being Lord of the affections can quickly take away fear or give trembling but he is bound by promise as to withhold no good thing so to withdraw every evil thing as all that hinders obedience is evil from his servants Lastly the Love of God which is by reason of this Union is above all Love it shall transcend all Love The happiest Wife in the World may possibly expect or desire too much from her Husband though the best Husband in the World We cannot be too bold with God in expecting or desiring unless it be in sinfull desires I say We cannot expect too much from God We can never build too much upon his Love it is transcendent Vse 3 I come now to the last Use I told you first I would make three of which two are finished The third is a use of exhortation You see a Son offered by God to be Married to you You see that no less Priviledge is to believers in Christ vouchsafed then to be Married to him as he saith Hosea 2 19. And I will betroth
peace And especially to be often hammering on this that this rich vouchsafement will have its Errands end one way or th◠other It is like strong Physick if it do not work t will kill If the word be not the savour of life unto life it will be the savour of death unto death Thus have I finished the second verse wholly Out of which I have spoken of the Subject matter of this Parable the Kingdom of Heaven and of two Branches of the praedicate viz. the Marriage-maker and the Bridegroom and in the latter of all three particulars viz. the fountain of Grace the Union between Christ and his Church and the way and means whereby this is wrought The third viz. the Guests is next to be handled So much for this time The Third Sermon Matthew 22.3 And send forth his Servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding And they would not come THis verse begins the point of the Guests that are gratiously invited by the Lord to come to Christ The third particular in the praedicate Both Jews and Gentiles The double Call of the Jews Gods old acquaintaince is vers 3. to the 8. And then the Call of the Gentiles upon their refusal unto the end of the Parable We are now to make enterance and to speak of the first invitation of the Jews Gods old customers as it is set down in this verse now read unto you In which we have two parts First Gods favour in giving them the first offer of this Grace in these words And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the Wedding Secondly Their ingratitude shewed in their willfull refusing of it in these latter words of the Text And they would not come We will begin with the first and therein again we have many particulars to take notice of and speak upon As first a description of the Jews the parties invited 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a word wherein their priviledge is gloriously held forth They were the bidden ones or the called ones as the word signifies Such as before the comming of Christ were entrusted which the Oracles of God and were Gods People Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The instruments of their present invitation are said to be his Servants Gods Servants Thirdly The ground of these Servants proceeding in the work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God sent them that had a Commission for what they did Of these in order They which were bidden to the marriage to wit anciently must first have the News when Supper is ready 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By these words saith Piscator are understood those which a little before the preparation of the Marriage feast Intelliguntur invitati qui paulo ante apparatum nuptialis convivii invitati ad illud fuerunt were invited to it The like Phrase we have 1 Sam. 9 13. And afterwards they eat that be bidden that is such as are invited Hence this Doctrine That the Lords bidden Guests are readiest to be called unto his sons Marriage Here they were the Jews Gods selected People Gods peculiar People and treasure above all People Exod. 19.5 And so Deut. 7.6 The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a speciall People unto himself above all People that are upon the face of the earth They were bidden in Abraham Gen. 17.7 And I saith God will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee It was their priviledge and dignity to have Gods Oracles committed to them Rom. 3.1.2 They were Israelites to whom pertained the adoption and the Glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Rom. 9.4 Reason And there is some reason or illustration of the truth of it For such are as it were registred in Gods note book for this very purpose It is an allusion saith Mr. Calvin to such men as write a Catalogue of their chief friends whom they intend to make their Guests when they make a Feast O say they we must needs bid such a one and we cannot leave out such a one c. So is it with the Lord so he is wont to deal Mat. 10.5 6. These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them saying Go into not the way of the Gentiles and into any City of the Samaritans enter ye not But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel And cap. 15 ver 24. saith Christ I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel To make this out more fully that it may be fitted for use to be made of it The Lord being about to reform his Church in all places of the word for the time is at hand of glorious things to be done for and in Christs Church looks upon England his old acquaintance for whom he hath done much often to whom of old he hath been many ways gracious England I say shall have a fair offer they shall be first bidden yea bidden again O England saith the Lord Thee have I known of old I rooted out Popery out of thee I delivered thee in 88 from the Spanish Invasion I discovered the hellish Gun-powder-Plot I have for thy sake poured contempt upon Princes and shattered Nobles Armies commanded by Royalty have been brought to nothing c. Now take me while I am offering my self to thee in this my reforming time And so to this very place may we apply it O Tavistock I have afforded that to thee which I have not to all Towns Hath not the Lord striven with you in former times Mr. G. H. in regard of that powerfull Ministry you enjoyed And hath he not as it were made you the first in Church-resurrection in these parts Doth not the Lord even beg you to accept of him Doth he not suffer many abuses in his Servants among you well what shall I say You are fairly offered you are first offered you have the Refuse as we use to say So much for the Explanation Vse 1 The first use shall be for information to store you with this one truth among others That it is a priviledge for a people to live in the visible Church and under Ordinances to be within sound of this Bow-bell of the Gospel For when times of discoveries of God and reformation come about these shall have the priviledge to be served first at least with offers And it shall be their fault as we say if they partake not of the richest effusions of the spirit that are going And doubtless then it must needs follow that To make light of Gospel priviledges is a fearfull sin as may be gathered out of the following verses of this Parable I wish from my heart that you would be convinced of this truth What a priviledge it is to enjoy the sound and saving Ministry of Christ And
best spent time When once you come to know the terrors of the Lord you will not think any labour too great to get news of a crucified Christ Galeacius nor all the wealth in the world to be compared to one Minutes Society with Jesus Christ O my mouth is opened my heart is enlarged O what would a damned Soul in Hell give to come out of his condition I am the more earnest upon mine indignation at the abominable boldness of earthly-minded People T is well t was Christ himself spake and that it was to Martha If we should say but half so much to Christs pretended Disciples now we should hear of it again hot and wholy as our country folks phrase it and they would tell us that if all should be of our minde we should all quickly go a begging and our hair would grow through our hood We should have as good as we bring Such is the boldness of covetous persons Such is the conceit that People have of the harmlesness yea or rather of the commendableness of worldliness whereas indeed it is a vice full of deadly poyson full of ignorance of God of Atheisme of Idolatry Injustjce Oppression and indeed of all iniquity as will be more at large shewed in the uses of the Point which now I come unto Vse 1 And first It serveth for information that there is great danger in affecting worldly things It is saith the Doctine a great occasion to make People set light by the means of Grace holy religious employments and therefore it must needs be a very dangerous thing for a man or woman to let his or her affections to run out after the world 1 Tim. 6.9.10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and peirced themselves thorrow with many sorows It is the ready way to restrain and keep back our affections from God and good excercises and a sign that men do not savor of religion to let them runn out after the things of the World Now the things of the World are as John saith 1 John 2.16 the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that is Voluptuousness Covetousness Ambition Let me single out this Goliah to encounter it and draw out the sword of the spirit out of that sheath Prov. 11.4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath And Ezekiel 7.19 They shall cast their silver in the streets and their gold shall be removed their Silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath they shall not satisfie their Souls neither fill their bowels because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity And so we might say of all the pomp of this World Psal 49 6.17 When men die they shall carry nothing away their glory shall not descend after them And the forenamed Ezekiel 7. ver 10.11 Behold the day behold it is come the morning is gone forth the rod hath blossomed Pride hath budded Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness none of them shall remain nor of their multitude nor of any of theirs neither shall there be wailing for them You have seen the danger both of Soul and body too Vse 2 Come we to a second information of the sinfullness of their sin the greatness of their abomination that let their spirits run out after the world They go quite contrary to God that neglect his Sabbaths and Sanctuary Exod. 31 15. Six dayes may work be done but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest holy to the Lord whosoever doth any work in the Sabbath day he shall surely be put to death And so Jer. 17.27 But God threatens to kindle a fire not to be quenched to devour the places of such as will not hearken to hallow the Sabbath day If men will not hallow Gods Sabbaths nor reverence his Sanctuaries but will be cross to God God will be cross to them They that cannot allow him his own day because they are so drownd in the world that they cannot remember it before it comes much less observ it when it is come God will lay great sin to their charge because it proceeds from undervaluing of him through ignorance this hath much sinfullness in it Therefore Mat. 6.33 Christ wils to seek first the kingdom of God because it is a very sinfull thing to prefer the world before God the things of his Kingdom God and the very quintessence of the world stand in opposition ex diametro The very wisdom of the flesh is enmity to God Rom. 8.7 And thence is it that there is so much sinfulness in the love of the World because the spirit and the soul do runn out excessively after the World and do take great delight in these carnal things And when the Soul and affection runs out to take pleasure and delight in any thing more then in God there is there much sinfullness There is in sin three thing considerable The baseness of it the viciousness of it and the sinfullness of it Now t is true there is not so much baseness in this sin as there is in some others As to instance in Adultery it is a sin that hath much baseness in it it carrieth with it a stain and a blot that shal never be blotted out Yet this sin of worldliness is a far greater sin though it be not majoris infamiae of greater infamie yet it is Majoris culpae of greater fault there is far more irregularity in it Quest Why then is it not so esteemed among men Answ I answer Men do not use to judge of sin according to the rules of the Word but according to the customes of men And among men it is meet that sometimes sins though of lesser fault in themselves yet of more mischievous consequence and more destructive to the peace and comfort of humane society should be more severely punished and so consequently the committers of it more hooted at and had in dishonour And this is the cause that Covetousness passeth so orderly and quietly through the judgements of men untill it come to break out into Robberies and violencies which are prejudicial to the peace of men living together in humane Society Secondly There is in some sins more vitiousness then in othersome Sins that are against Moral Vertues and Natural Conscience do stare more Gastly someties then greater sins against God do Because a man that hath no Grace hath yet a Conscience which is a true rule according to its proportion but is too short to measure sins by that are more immediately committed against God So Paul when he was Saul lived in all good Conscience Acts 23.1 He saw not the greatness of the sin of persecuting the Saints He thought
your fitting your tickets and libells of contentioâ—… and strife to be read on Lords days and usually on such of them as the Church use to receive the Lords supper upon that you may fill up the measure of your sin and God pour on you and yours the Vials of his wrath which most certainly he will do if repentance prevent not Vse 2 Here is in the next place a comfort to Gospel-Preachers God who is able to right them takes notice of their wrongs And this should keep up their Spirits in the middest of all their barbarous usages Vse 3 O take heed all of you that hear me this day and this shall be my last use of this point take heed I say of this sin be not injurious to the Ministers of the Gospel God takes notice of it and will severely punish it which is the second thing in the vers and comes next to be handled The 2. particular He was wroth And without any more ado it affords us this Doctrine Doct. That base usage of the Messengers of God c. is a sin that greatly provokes Gods wrath Read the chap. before this the one and twentieth ver 35. to the 42. You have their sin in all the verses except the last which is the one and fortieth and in that the miserable effects of Gods wrath are foretold He will miserably destroy those wicked men Which came to pass sure enough not long after Reason Now the Reason hereof is because God favours no sin All sin is contrary to his holy nature and righteous Laws and tends to the destruction of his creature but this above any other sin whatsoever is displeasing to God for First It is a crushing of Gods grace so far as a man can It is a God-killing sin And if it be a sin to kill a man what is it to go about to kill God The grace of God is the most glorious thing in the world Was there ever such love heard of That God should not spare his own son but give him to death for us admirable love And here is unparalleld justice too the Son though the Son must die that justice may be satisfied And wisdom able to make all the wise men of the World quite mad so much as once to look upon it And much might be said of the glory of the Gospel the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ And therefore to go about to hinder this design of God for his glory is a provoking sin and brings down great wrath And then Secondly Opposing Gospel-Preachers tends to the destruction of thousands eternally If we call them bloody men which spoyl and kill and have no mercy which cast into Prison as many of our poor neighbours were by cursed Cavaliers into Lidford Castle and the Town hall here where they starved divers of them I say how much more are they bloody butchers among you that go about to hinder your Salvation and to keep you in such a condition as will be for the everlasting destruction both of body and soul Friends I fear the blood of those that starv'd in this Town in the late troubles will be laid to the charge of some of you that did not pitty them nor relieve them but rather rejoyced in their misery as many of you did and helped to make it greater O do not add to body-killing soul-killing do not add to man-killing God-killing Christ-killing Vse 1 But be informed that though a few vain men among you are such Grace-enemies and are countenanced by such of you as should have more wit and should improve your eminencies to better purpose and will when ye have tasted the Lord is gracious yet the righteous God likes it not Vse 2 And secondly wo to the guilty It were better to provoke all the men in the World then God to wrath as all abusers of Ministers do Vse 3 And that I may end this point also let me perswade you do so no more good people you provoke the heavenly King to wrath and this will turn to the shame and confusion of your own faces yea to your utter destruction if you go on O if God should once say and swear forasmuch as I have been stifled and strangled by you so long and my rich offer so trampled on in the dirt of your pride and prophaness passion and worldliness you shall be troubled no more it would be sad news And so I come to the severe punishment of this sin and therein first of the instrument which God makes use of and the means whereby he punisheth ungodly men He sent forth his Armies The nature and quality of the offence and the severity of the punishment it self shall be spoken of God willing afterward But first I say of the Instrument or means I am almost out of doubt that thâ— holy-Ghost here hath an eye to the Roman Armies which came and besieged Jerusalem by Gods appointment and sending even to the utter destruction of that City but yet I will enlarge somewhat upon this Doctrine Doct. That God hath armies to execute vengeance upon his ungodly adversaries that set themselves against his Ordinances and the Ministers and observers of them I add that the observers of them because usually wicked men joyn them together in their opposing them as Saul made havock of the Church Acts 8.2 and haled not only Preachers but other men yea and women to Prison I confess through the mighty power of God Curst Kine have short horns among us but yet what may be done and what the times will permit to be done is extended to the very utmost even against all that are of this way both old and young Now seeing it is â—o let us muster up the Lords Forces that they may be terrible to you that by repentance the coming of them may be prevented Reason That God hath many Armies we may easily demonstrate from the variety of his creatures which are many hosts and from whence it cometh to pass that he is sometimes called the Lord of hosts as Psal 84.1 8 â—2 In all which verses he is so called The several sorts of Hosts or Armies we will shew you First Angels some whereof are good some are bad 2 Sam. 24.16 An Angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it to wit by the plague 2 Kings 19.35 An Angel of the Lord smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand These are called a heavenly host Luke 2.13 And suddenly there was with the or that Angel that brought to the shepherds the news of Christs birth a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying c. Acts 12.23 And immediatly the Angel of the Lord smote him that is King Herod because he gave not God the Glory and he was eaten of worms and gave up the Ghost 2. Sometimes the Lord makes use of the Sun Moon and Stars and this is another sort of Army the Lord makes use
good in thy sight 1 Cor. 1.26 For you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called Lastly James 2.5 comes in for a witness Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in saith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Vse 1 Surely then great men are never the happier never the neerer Heaven never the the more in Gods books for their greatness They are deceived that think to be esteemed of God as they are in the World Friends you shall all stand alike naked and bare glory not in any thing But let such take comfort though mean that are taught to come to Christ and let poor ones know that they may do as well in this respect as the greatest And let the means of grace be carefully improved by all of all conditions Seing God exempts none let not exempt themselves be ye never so poor or vile Mot. O consider as hath been said to neglect grace offered is a great sin and will bring severe punishment Fourthly And as many as ye find bid to the Marriage This is the last particular in the matter of the Commission In which words we are shewed what a happiness it may prove to be in the way of the Gospel as it takes its walk through the world The Apostles and Servants commissionated to preach have Authority to invite to Christ all that they have any occasion to meet with while they are in the execution of their office Not all but as many as ye shall find must be bidden to the Marriage There see Doct. That all are not made partakers of an outward calling by the Preaching of the Gospel It is true many more are called then converted Yet there is a special providence of God in the outward call to Christ There are times of grace for Nations Towns and Villages It was a good while before the Gentiles had it at all Mat. 0 5.6 Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any City of the Samaritans enter ye not but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Acts 11.19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Steven travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch Preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only But Acts 13.46 it is made plain both for the Jews and Gentiles the words are Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken unto you but seeing ye put it from you and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life Lo we turn to the Gentiles And through the fall of the Jews Salvation is come to the Gentiles Rom. 11.11 Sometimes in one place sometimes in another is the Gospel Preached not in all places It is a precious commodity Things of price are not commonly to be had in all places Object 1 But some will say out of Mark 16.15 The commission is that it must be preached to every creature in all the world Sol. I answer that place is not to be taken exactly according to the Letter for then beasts and birds should be preached unto but for all sorts of mankinde Object 2 But yet again Rom. 10 18. It is said there Their sound went into all the earth and their words unto the end of the world Sol. 1 But for Solution First that place is to be understood of Gods works as may be gathered out of Psal 19.1 2. 3. There is neither speech nor language where their voice is not heard that is of the Heavens and Firmament and Sun c. But Secondly I answer The Gospel may be preached to all the world though not at the same instant time Object 3 Why but then those that it is not preached unto are to be excused for how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher Rom. 10.14 Sol. But here to answer I say All have Gods works to behold which is a sufficient witness on Gods part and leaves men inexcusable Acts 14.17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness in that he did good and gave rain from heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness And so Rom. 1.18 19 20. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven c. So that they are without excuse Vse 1 Yet first Miserable is their condition that have no portion in the means of Grace that are out of the way of preaching and great is Gods favour to those that have it if they have hearts to prize it Mot. 2 And therefore such should be thankfull as have this Pear It is no common vouchsafement Quest But how shall one do to shew himself thankfull therefore Answ I answer by his ready joyfull and carefull receiving of it as the Gentiles did Acts 13.48 so much of the 9. verse Now out of the tenth we are to speak briefly of the Servants diligence which haâ—h two things 1. Their Pains So those Servants went out into the high ways c. 2. The Success And the Wedding was furnished c. Doctr. The former doth teach us It is the property of Gods faithful Servants to be obedient to Christ their Master a Gen. 6.22.12.4.22.2.3.16 Noah b Gal. 1.15 16. Abraham Paul and many more might be instanced in For it is first their duty And Secondly it is their frame of Spirit And lastly It is their priviledge and upon this they look as upon a priviledge as indeed it is a very great one Vse 1 And therefore we may boldly say God hath but a sew faithful Servants Sin and sinfull lusts have more obedience then God Rom. 6.16 Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey c. Vse 2 And it may be a good evidence and comfort to such as delight to do Gods will Vse 3 And it concerns all to look after this property that desire to know themselves to be Gods faithfull Servants Mot. 1 Consider the necessity of this property all profession is vain without it To obey is better then Sacrifice 1 Sam. 15.22 and great is the utility and profit that comes by it Lastly look on examples and adde to those formerly named Christs example Phil. 2.8 Further from the Servants pains we learn Doctr. That an outward Call is common to good and bad 1. Reason In respect of God Rom. 9.21 22 23. 2 In respect of the Godly for their probation and trial of faith 1 Cor. 11.19 3. In respect of the wicked to leave them without excuse Vse 1 They err that would have the visible Church without mixture See these places Gen. 4.3 4. cap. 9.18.25 cap. 17 18 19. cap. 27. ver 41. Mark 10.4 Acts 5.1 cap. 6.5 cap 18.13 Rom. 9.6 7. cap 10.16 1 Cor. 5.1 Jude
he that invites to the marriage cloaths also Ezek. 16.7 and 10. v. But the scope is to shew that such as are found in their sins shall perish not that the garment of righteousness and Salvation is to be found in any mans own Chest God finds nothing in us but miserable nakedness and filthiness Neither are we any otherwayes reformed unto the image of God but as we put on Christ Therefore I say here is not a discovery or Doctrine of mans power to cloath himself but of Gods Method in the work of conversion who worketh that in the elect which he commandeth men to have See Calvin in Isai 1. ver 16. His words are these as they are translated Now we know that the spirit of God is wont to attribute that to men which himself works in them who is therefore said to pour clear water Ezek. â—6 25 Because repetance is a worke proceeding from him So that I say if God that bids you come to Christs wedding do not give you a wedding garment it is a sign you are not one of his elect or chosen ones For all are not that are called For many are called but few are chosen Now for the sence of the words We are by called ones here to understand not such as are effectually called as in sundry places the word is taken among others 1 Cor. 1.24 where the Gospel is said to be the power of God unto called ones but here by being called is meant only a partaking of an outward call to wit to hear of such a one as Christ was and to joyn outwardly with Christians either according to Law I mean mans Law or according to custom or the practice of our forefathers of which called ones the greatest part are but a rude heap of baptized Pagans and Infidels or else such as are Temporaries and Hypocriets that have some common works of the Spirit some fear of Hell some taâ—t of the powers of the world to come and yet are found to be reprobate silver True it is that such as are inwardly and effectually called are likewise so called and ought to joyn themselves with Gods People and Will But yet this is the summe that many are so called outwardly that yet shall perish everlastingly The Next word to be expounded is the word chosen few are chosen Whither we understand hereby choice ones approved ones as some expound the word or else Gods election in Christ before all time of some to be vessels of grace which yet in my poor opinion may rather be called a purpose of election then election it self I say understand it either way T is plain the meaning of the Holy Ghost is That among the Multitudes of People that are by general profession Christians there are but few choice plants chosen of God and pretious which indeed none are but such as God hath predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1.5 And this election from everlasting is called Gods purpose and grace and said to be given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 1 Tim. 1.9 And none but such though outwardly called ones shall ever be fitted and trimmed to go in unto the marriage of the Lamb and to be bid wellcome there From this verse thus opened and expounded I shall observe three short points of Doctrine and briefly handle them at this time and so end my Sermon and this whole Parable Doctr. 1 That many by preaching partake of an outward Call That few of those are elected and chosen of God or truly choice and pretious here by the working of the Holy Ghost That those that are not so ordained of old and so sanctified by the Holy Ghost as hath been said shall perish at last notwithstanding their outward call and profession of religion For saith the Text many are called but few are chosen Of these in order Reason And first of the first of them viz. that many partake of an outward Call For both Jews and Gentiles partake thereof as hath been already shewed out of this parable The whole world consists of two sorts of People all the world are to be invited one time or other The Jews from the time of Abraham unto the dissolution of their state Then for the Gentiles you have Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 Rom. 10.18 All Nations must be taught Every creature must be preached unto The sound of the Gospel must go out into all landâ— The general coming of people to the Ordinances is compared to the calling of Swine pigs to the mingle mangle Come pyr come pyr to the mingle mangle So it hath been the more the pitty in our time and is yet where unhallowed Ministers have to do Surely all that are admitted in the best Societies of Christians are not cercainty sound Vse 1 For the first use we may learn that the preaching of the Gospel is no hidden thing It is preached to a multitude and must be how else shall they be converted It must be made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 The preaching of the Gospel must not be too much restrained The World must hear of Christ Some there are that preach very sweetly to Saints in private places there may be a time for that But there must be a time to tell all the World that Christ died for sinners that he that believeth not shall be damned that Tophet is prepared of old c. Some blame Ministers for that they preach Moses too much Beloved let Moses go first by the Law commeth the knowledge of sin But let Christ follow after For the Law is a killing Letter the Gospel is the grace of God which bringeth Salvation Jude saith difference must be made of some indeed we must have Compassion but others must be saved with fear and pulled out of the fire ver 22. and 23. of that Epistle Though sometimes our words must distill as the rain and drop down as the dew yet there must be fire and a hammer to break the rock in pieces But it may be objected The Gospel is a hidden treasure Mat. 13.44 And a mystery and hidden wisdom 1 Cor. 2.7 I answer Not in regard of the outward means for it is openly to be revealed as before was noted our of Rom. 16.25.26 but because of the blindness of mans understanding because the natural man cannot discern it 1 Cor. 2.14 Because the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 But the blame is in men and it is to them a sign of perdition for If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost saith Paul in the 3. verse of the forementioned chapter and Epistle to the Corinthians And so much for the first use or first branch rather of the information Vse
herein be accepted Joyn with the Lord in these actions Let us do it We have many Motives Mot. 1 For first God will hereby be glorified the contrary will be to his great dishonour Secondly the benefit will be our own for it is the only way to get grace Ask and ye shall have seek and ye shall finde knock and it shall be opened unto you Matth. 7.7 Thirdly and Lastly It will be a good example to others our example may draw others as bad examples do spread like a leprosie So much for that We come in the third place to the Message that the Lord wills to be delivered Tell them that are bidden Behold I have prepared my dinner my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the Marriage There is not much in these words which hath not been spoken of already Only mark here is an invitation to a Marriage Venite inquit non ad labores aut ad luctum sed ad Nuptias Marlorat He doth not say come to labours or lamentation but to a marriage Per terrena autem adumbrat Christus Coelestia c. Here by earthly things are shadowed out heavenly But that which I shall a little fasten upon and yet I shall not be long neither is the opportunity offered t is supper time all things are ready therefore come and take it whilest it is going as we say whilest it is to be had Doct. This shall be the Doctrine or observation That the opportunity of the season for the gaining of grace ought to be a special Argument to perswade people to come c. Reason It is an Argument that is wont to be of special force with men concerning their worldly affairs Men will go to Market upon the Market-day and make hay whilest the Sun shines cut their Corn when it is ripe much more should it be a prevailing Argument in more weighty matters For man also knoweth not his time as the fishes that are taken in an evil net and as the birds that are caught in the snare so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them Eccles 9.12 Great use is made by the Spirit of God of this Argument in many places of Scripture I will quote and read some Prov. 9.1 2 3. Wisdom hath builded her house she hath hewen out her seven pillars she hath killed her beasts she hath mingled her wine she hath also furnished her Table She hath sent forth her Maidens c. Isaiah 55.6 7. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near Let the wicked forsake his way c. Matth. 3.2 Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand 2 Cor. 6.2 For he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee behold now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation Heb. 3.13 But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin from all which Places this truth is plainly made good that the opportunity and Seasons of Grace are to be regarded And therefore we will now come to the Uses of the Point Vse 1 And first it lays great blame on them that neglect the pretious opportunities that are put into their hand that do not make hay while the Sun shines that do not repent while it is called to day Remember the foolish Virgines Vse 2 And next here is comfort for wise Virgines such as take Gods Grace when it is offered such as take oyle in their Vessels with their Lamps Mat. 25.4 Such as are faithfull ver 21. They shall enter in with the Bridegroom into the Marriage ver 10. They shall enter into the joy of their Lord ver 21. aforenamed Vse 3 Lastly hearken to this serious admonition that I am about to give you It is through the great mercy of God that you enjoy now a season of Grace Gods dinner is prepared c. O how have I been deceived in you What fair promises were made if the Lord would but let you see the face of a Minister of your own again How did the Lord seem to hide his face from you for a great while Motive 1 Consider more particularly Its Grace and mercy not desert that you are once more invited We are not worthy to be bidden Guests not the best of us all yet we are Secondly This renewed season is uncertain how long it will continue Friends it is like be a catching harvest the base carriage of the great Ones among you the like whereof I have hardly met with wherever I have lived and of the most besides threatens a removal of the means of Grace from you There is such a deal of pride and heart-burning and despight shewed to the People and wayes of God among us as that we may justly fear the season of Grace will not be long Gospel seasons in glory are not usually long Thirdly If you will consent to accept of Christ now while he is going and take him to be your Priest Prophet and King you will do your selves the greatest pleasure that possibly can be imagined Ye shall go in with the Bridegroom into the Marriage The Lord set home what hath been said Amen Amen I proceed ver 5. But they made light of it c. Here begins the second Branch under the second Invitation of the Jews The success or the manner of the entertainment of this gracious offer again renewed Some neglect it as it is in this ver Others maliciously oppose it in the next verse In the vers now in hand two things are to be spoken of First To shew you how the Jews stood affected unto the precious season of Grace vouchsafed them viz. they made light of it Secondly The ground and occasion of their light esteeming of it to wit their overprizing of their worldly profits and Commodities their Farms and Commodities of Merchandizing their shops and their livings For the first They made light of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they had no care as the word signifieth they regarded him not nor his Salvation as a thing of no worth they did set it at naught and despised it You see this Lesson plainly may hence be learned Doct. That the precious seasons and means of Grace are little regarded by worldly-minded People Or Thus. It is the property of Worldly men to slight Christ if they may get Worldly things Covetousness is a great cause of irreligiousness The Lord sends forth his Servants to invite them to come to the Marriage of his Son but they had no great minde to it So their Ancestors long before 2 Kings 17.13.14 So God complains Psalm 81.11 But my People would not harken to my voice and Israel would none of me So Isai 65.2 Till Christ come with the power of his spirit into worldly mens hearts there is nothing but raking