The Practice of Repentance, Chapter 13
CAP. 13. Lets of Repentance from the paucity of true penitents in the world.
THe third let of Repentance cast in our way by the world is the fewnesse and paucitie of sound godly men. In the world wee see Repentance and sound godlinesse practised but by a few, and euerie vnregenerate man hath an vnwillingnesse to row against the streame of time, the age and customes of men; so that most will doe as the most doe, that the fewest may scorne them; and the most common reproach cast vponupon Religion, is, They be but a few sorrie fellows that professe it.
Ans. To remoue this lett,
1 Wee must know that the number of faithfull Christians, that stick close vntounto Christ, are but a small number, and as small in worldly reputation, for foure reasons:
1 The true Church of God is a little park or pickle of God, empaled from the rest of the world; a garden inclosed, Cant. 4.12. a paradise of God, not the waste of the world; a fold, not a field: It is the floore of Christ, in which are a little wheate in an huge heape of chaffe, a little gold in a whole mountaine of clay or drosse, a gleaning after a haruest, a few berries after the vintage: so the members of the Church are but few, compared with the heape of wicked men. Gods company was alwayes a little flocke, Luke 12.32. The number of Gods companie are said to be one of a Citie, and two of a Tribe, Ier. 3.14. As if in a great inundatiō of water, which carrieth away whole townes or countries, some one or two houses or persons should scape: or as if in a raging and vniuersall fire deuouring a whole Citie, one or two houses should bee left standing.
2 Consider how few are chosen. Matth. 20.17. few are to be saued: If Israel were as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant only should be saued, Rom. 9.…9. As a Tradesman hauing cut off the whole peece of cloth, a small remnant is remaining: so the true professors of Christ are a very small remnant of the whole piece and people of the world. Reuel. 12.10. It is called the remnant of the womans seed; that is, as a little seed corne is reserued out of a great heape for store, which is nothing to the whole croppe; so is the small number of true beleeuers reserued by grace to the whole field, and crop of the world: In the Arke a few, euen eight persons were saued, 1. Pet. 3.
3 Consider the truth of that of our Sauiour, Math 7.14. strait is the gate, and narrow the way, that leadeth to life, and few find it. Which must not bee vnderstood simply in themselues, for many shall come from East and West, and sit downe with Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob Math. 8.11. And Iohn saw a multitude, which none could number, of all Nations, Kindreds, and Tribes, and Tongues, standing before the Lambe, in white robes, Reuel. 7.9. But comparatiuely, in respect of Vnbeleeuers, Infidels, Hypocrites, and Reprobates; they be an handfull, to an house full; a sparke to a flame; a drop to a streame. And the reason is twofold,
1 The worth of grace and saluation, and excellency of eternall life, alloweth it not to bee common, but is a precious commodity in the hands of a few; as Pearles and Iewels are so much more aduanced in price, as they be harder to come by.
2 Because there bee so few that will indure the persecution, sharpenes, the selfe denyall, the mortification, the many losses and crosses which the straight way is strewed with; eueryevery man naturally desiring to walke in the easie and broad way, where is elbow-roome, profit, pleasures, applause of others, and pleasing a mans selfe.
2 This should be so farre from offending any, as that eueryevery one should striue to be of the little flocke, and remnant, and walke in the way of good men; and though thy company be small, it shall be good: Nay, thou must prayse God that euer hee vouchsafed thee mercy to ioyne thee to this small number of them that feare the Lord; Considering
1 That the world yeeldeth his haruest to the God of this world, and the earth affoordeth much clay for Pottes, but little oare for gold: pebbles are many, pearles but a few.
2 Yea, in the particular Churches, there are but a few names that defile not their garments, Reuel. 3.4. All are not Israel, that goe for Israel; neither all that goe for Virgins, are admitted into the Bride-groomes Chamber.
3 Consider the day comming, wherein thou that shunnest this small number, shalt wish thy selfe of it, and shalt bee most vnhappy in the fellowship which thou hast chosen, when all the drosse & chaffe shal be swept together, and cast into the fire.
And on the contrary, thou that hast sorted thy selfe with these few, shalt praise God for a farre higher mercy to thee, than it was in the great deluge, to saue one Noah; and in the dreadfull burning of Sodome, to saue one Lot.