The Parable of the Sower and of the Seed, Title page – Dedication 1
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER AND OF THE SEED. DECLARING IN FOVRE SEVErall grounds, among other things:
1. How farre an Hypocrite may goe in the way towards heauen, and wherein the sound Christian goeth beyond him.
And 2. In the last and best ground, largely discourseth of a good heart, describing it by very many signes of it, digested into a familiar method: which of it selfe is an entire Treatise.
And also, 3. From the constant fruit of the good ground, iustifieth the doctrine of the perseuerance of Saints: oppugneth the fifth Article of the late Arminians; and shortly and plainly answereth their most colourable Arguments and euasions.
By THOMAS TAYLOR, late Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge, and Preacher of the Word of God, at Reding in Bark-shire.
Imprinted at London by Felix Kyngston, for Iohn Bartlet, and are to be sold at the signe of the gilded Cup, in the Goldsmiths Rowe in Cheapside. 1621.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL, MASTER WALTER BATEMAN, Mayor of the Towne of Reding, Master EDVVARD CLARKE, one of the Masters of the Chancery, and Steward of the same Towne, Master IOHN SAVNDERS, Iustice of Peace, Master NICOLAS GVNTER, late Mayor, Master CHRISTOPHER TVRNER, my especiall friend; with all the rest of the Magistrates, and Burgesses of the same Corporation: Grace and plenty of peace from God, &c.
RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL:
WE reade, that when Obed-edom entertained the Arke of the Lord, the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all that hee had, because of the Arke of God. That Arke was a signe of Gods presence, and a type of our Ministery, to which Iesus Christ hath tyed his speciall presence. That Arke was graced with many miracles: By it, the waters of Iordan diuided themselues, and gaue way to Israel to passe, as on dry land. By it, the huge walls of Ierico fell downe to the ground. By it, Dagon, the Idoll of the Philistims, was throwne to the earth and dis-membred. This our Euangelicall Arke is countenanced with as many, and mighty miracles as euer that was: It passeth all the Israel of God thorow the mighty flouds, and impassable streames of afflictions and impediments, that otherwise would stop them in their way to Canaan. By it, the huge walls of wickednesse, and lusts, euen all high thoughts, lift vp against God, and reared vp against heauen, are throwne downe, and cast to ground. By it, the adored Dagon of Popish Idolatry, and superstition; of errours, heresies, false-worship, and ignorant conceits, is cast vponupon his face, not able to abide the presence of the Arke, and truth of God: and a thousand such miracles are daily wrought by it in the conuersion of men. From that Arke, the Lord gaue immediate answeres, and diuine Oracles. From ours, we hauehave as sure directions, in all cases of faith, and sound doctrine, and also of Christian manners. In that, were the Tables of stone written with Gods finger: In this, are those Tables, not laid vp, but vnfolded, and Christ, the end of the Law, included. Before that, was the Pot of Manna, and the flourishing Rod of Aaron. This exhibiteth Christ the Bread of Life, and the Manna that came downe from heauen; together with his Rod and gouernment, which seemed quite cut off, and withered, in his death; bur gloriously budding, and flourishing againe in his powerfull Resurrection. Now the way to meete wi…h blessing, is, to entertaine our Arke, as Obed-edom did that. For it was not the presence of the Arke, but Obed-edoms reuerent entertainment of it, that procured his prosperity. No more is it the presence of a powerfull Ministery (suppose by Christs owne person and presence) but the kind and louing respect of it, that may expect blessing from it. This kind entertainment Obed-edom expressed in these particulars.
1. He loued God himselfe first, and for his sake, the Arke of his presence. Hee that loues not God, can neuer entertaine the Arke: and a sure signe of a man hating God himselfe, is the hatred of a faithfull Ministery.
2. Obed-edom embraced the Law of God with a reuerend affection; and for the louelove of that, entertained the Arke, in which the Law was preserued. For if Obed-edom had violated the Tables of stone, or broken the Rod of Aaron, or mis-vsed the Manna; he had been so frrre from being bettered by the presence of the Arke, that it would hauehave proued his destruction. No man can friendly embrace the Ministery, that liueth in the ordinary violation of any of the Lawes of God; or despiseth any of the rules by which Iesus Christ gouerneth his Church. Yea, for such a man to liue vnderunder a godly Ministery, it rather furthers his Iudgement, than any way procures his prosperity.
3. Obed-edom entertaining the Arke, entertained also the Officers of it; hee brake not off the rings, nor the barres in the rings, by which it was carried to and fro. No man can benefit himselfe by the Ministery, that despiseth such godly Ministers, who as the barres in the rings of the Arke, propagate the Truth, and carry the Word of saluation among the Nations. This entertainment of the Arke of God, hath promise of blessing to our selues, and all that we hauehave. It is true, that Gods presence is not to bee desired for outward blessings: but yet euen these are annexed often vntounto it. For godlinesse is neuer without some great gaine; nor the doctrine of godlinesse so sory a ghest, but it leaues some bountifull gratuity for kind and louing entertainment. The Arke was neuer separated from the Mercy-seate; to shew, that Gods mercy is neere vntounto him that affecteth Gods presence.
To you (Right Worshipfull) I commend this care of prizing Gods Arke, set vp amongst you, because I thirst after your prosperity. Faile in this, and you hauehave let out the vitall spirit of your Corporation, which shall runne vponupon rocks and ruine, as the ships on a stormie Sea, whose Mariners hauehave cast away their Card. Your wisdomes know what Gods Wisedome is plentifull in teaching, that declining in goodnesse, for most part bringeth a declination in the outward estate: whereof Salomon had wofull experience; whose departing from Gods wayes, lost him ten parts of his Kingdome at one clap. The dying speech of Phineas his wife is memorable; that when the Arke was taken from Israel, The glory is departed from Israel. Many things I might heere moue in, but I spare both you, and my selfe, seeing I can weakly speake vntounto you. OnelyOnly now I will turne precepts into praiers, that as the dew from Hermon, and Mount Sion, did distill on the valleyes round about them; so may this Towne, by your prudent gouernment, bee a patterne of piety, charity, and sobriety, to the whole Countrey about you. And as this famous Towne for pleasant situation, and rich commodities, for prudent gouernment and ciuill state, but especially for the plentifull meanes of knowledge and grace, is as a light set vp in a Candlestick, as a Tower on the top of an hill, and as a Beacon to the whole Countrey: so your godly care may be so much the more to walk worthy your great priuiledges. For if darknesse should be on this Hill, what can be expected in the valleyes? And if your faith should not bee published, and your obedience should not come abroad, among whom Gods Arke hath been seated so long, who can expect the continuance of your prosperity? I speak not, to blot you with dis-respect of your Ministers, or the meanes of Gods presence which you enioy; for I praise God, to see the House of God so frequented, and your selues can confesse, how God hath been a good Pay-master already for some good affections this way, in much increase added of late yeeres to the outward estate both of your publike Corporation, and many priuate persons: but to incourage you, both to the continuing, and adding to that you hauehave begun; as knowing, it is no lesse vertue to keepe, than to get; and that the more respect you giuegive to the Arke of God, the more will the Lord respect you in goodnesse. Your example that are in eminent place, shall greatly further in others with Gods glory your own reckoning. Of Vespasian we reade, Bonis legibus à se latis multa correxit, sed exemplo probae vitae plus effecit apud populum: Good Magistrates doe more good by good examples, than by good Lawes: and on the contrary, Plus exemplo nocent quam peccato: Their sinne is not so hurtfull as their example. But I hauehave inioyned my selfe silence; and onelyonly for your furtherance to the duty perswaded, make offer to your Worships this little helpe and direction. A signification of my louelove, a testification of my duty, and a piece of my thankfulnesse for sundry fruits of your louing respect of me both publike and personall. And to whom should I rather dedicate this labour, than to you, who heard it preached with much gladnesse? some of whom hauehave often professed the much comfort and content which you receiued in the hearing, and since hauehave been instant spurres and perswaders for the publishing, that you might hauehave it by you for a more continuall and constant direction. As I hauehave giuen way to your desires: so God giuegive a plentifull blessing vntounto it, as also to your whole gouernment and Corporation, that it may still bee happy in the Arke, and for the Arke. Amen.
Your Worships in the Lord, THOMAS TAYLOR.