The Parable of the Great Supper Opened, Sermon 14
SERM. XIV.
LUKE 14.22.
And the ſervant ſaid, Lord, it is done as thou haſt commanded, &c.]
CHAP. I.
IN this verſe are two things for the further explaining this Parable. 1. The relation of what is done by vertue of the Goſpel. 2. The notification that more may be done. Concerning the firſt, the Relation is made by way of Report unto him, who ſends out the meſſengers of the Goſpel. And the ſervant ſaid, Lord.] Which phraſe, for the ſubſtance of it we met with in the former verſe. The matter related, which we are now to enquire after, relates to the latter part of the former verſe: As if the ſervant ſhould have ſaid, Lord, thou biddeſt us go out quickly, and bring in hither the blind,foreign eſt adverbium ſimilitudinis et veritatis. the maimed, &c. Behold Lord, it is done as thou haſt commanded.] This particle [As] is a note of ſimilitude and of verity. The ſenſe may be therefore juſt like unto the command. This word [command] is an injunction by Authority, according to which the meſſengers of the Goſpel muſt act in all they do.
Obſer. What God will have done, is done by the miniſtry of the Goſpel, Act. 10.42.
I. What God will have done declaratively in the offer of grace unto ſouls, when he ſaith, go out quickly into the ſtreets and lanes of the City, it is done as he hath commanded: and this is done by the Goſpel-miniſtery.
1. By their accepting that office which God calls them to; Lord, it is done, I am ready to do tay work, which thou giveſt me in charge: here I am, ſend me.
2. By their calling upon people to receive that Doctrine which is prepared to them from the Lord. Lord, it is done; what I received from thee, I delivered to them, 1 Cor. 11.23. Thoſe talents thou entruſtedſt me with, I have improved for the advancement of the world's Saviour, and for the advantage of ſinners in the world. I have not defrauded any ſouls of their due, Act. 20.20, 27. the myſtery of the Goſpel hath been revealed to them.
3. By their beſeeching people to walk anſwerable to that Doctrine which God ſendeth to them. Lord, it is done, I have been with them, I have gently handled them, and ſovingly entreated them, as thou commandedſt me, Rom. 12.1.
4. By their waiting on people who are bad, to ſee if God in his due time will make them better. Lord, it is done, though thou ſendedſt me among deſpicable creatures, I was willing to wait upon them to attend thy ſervice, 2 Tim. 2.24, 25, 26. I condeſcended to my inferiours, I d d bear with the weak… was patient towards the obſtinate. I was w lling to deny my ſelf any way wherein I … not deny the truth; I was willing to becom… all things to all men, if by any means I might win ſome.
II. What God will have done effectually in the work of grace upon ſouls: when he ſaith, bring in hither the poor,Apoſtoli praedicationis Evangelicae reti colligerunt omnes bonos viros Judaeos. Irenaeus. and the maimed, &c. it is done as he hath commanded. But this is done by the Miniſters of the Goſpel inſtrumentally, and principally by the Lord, 1 Cor. 3.5. it is done by vertue of God's ordinance with them, and his bleſſing upon them.
CHAP. II.
THe work of grace is alſo done upon the hearers of the Goſpel thus.
1. The danger by nature is over, the worſt is paſt; they have eſcaped the corruption that is in the world through luſt: they are got out of priſon, the ſhackles of their ignorance and diſobedience are knockt off, and they ſet in a ſtate of liberty.
2. The happineſs of heaven is purchaſed for them, and bequeathed to them, Eph. 1.14. John 17.24. Chriſt hath paid for it, and is willing to beſtow it upon them, wherefore thoſe that have him, are ſaid to have life, 1 John 5.12.
3. The deſires of their ſouls are ſatisfied as to the truth of what they deſire, though ſtill they deſire more, as to the perfecting of what they have fixt upon, John 4.14. They thirſt no more after another kind of happineſs, though ſtill they thirſt after more degrees of this kind of happineſs.
4. The diſpoſal of all things here below is for their good, Rom. 8.28.Venenum aliquando pro remedio fuit, quicquid ad me venerit, bonum fict. Senec. poiſon ſometimes is an ingredient into a medicine, and it doth well, where there is a skilful hand to mingle correctives with it.
Queſt. 1. Why muſt that be declared by the Miniſtry of the word, which God would have declared?
Resp. 1. Becauſe God is Lord and Maſter unto the meſſengers of the Goſpel; they are his ſervants, as in our Text, and therefore muſt ſpeak nothing but what he commandeth.
2. All divine truths are inſpired of him; therefore whatſoever any give out in matters of ſalvation, muſt be according to what he hath given forth in the ſacred Scripture, either immediately from Texts of Scripture, or mediately by undeniable deductions from thoſe Texts.
3. How can it be otherwiſe? for the Lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but propheſie? Amos 3.8. So Paul, we knowing the terrour of the Lord, perſwade men, 2 Cor. 5.10, 11. wherefore the Prophets of old did readily do what God commanded, though the things were of ſuch a nature as ſeemed ridiculous, and might expoſe them to contempt and ſcorn, Ezek. 12.7.
Queſt. 2. Why is that effectually done, which God will have effected by the miniſtry of the word?
Reſp. 1. To ſhew, that the election hath obtained it, though the reſt are hardened, Rom. 11.7. what God decreeth, is brought to paſs. The Election is ſure, the Lord makes it known, that he knows who are his.
2. To ſhew the irreſiſtibleneſs of divine working: God worketh, and who can let? Iſa. 43.13. No bolts or bars on mans heart can keep him out, when he is pleaſed to take poſſeſſion of the heart.
3. To ſhew the tenour of the Covenant of grace in the work of grace upon the ſoul. Lord, 'tis done as thou commandeſt. This is according to the Covenant of grace, I will be your God, and ye ſhall be my people, Heb. 8.10. I will have it ſo, and it ſhall be ſo; it is but a word, and a work with God.
CHAP. III.
Uſe 1. THis ſhews us, what an unreaſonable thing it is for any to be angry with the meſſengers of the Goſpel, for declaring what God commandeth them. Some are angry, when the word of God by us his meſſengers comes cloſe to them, ſtriking at their beloved ſins. Alas we cannot help it, we are but ſervants, and upon pain of our Maſters diſpleaſure muſt do what he commandeth us, deliver his meſſage, be it pleaſing or diſpleaſing.
This alſo informs us, that God ſets his ſeal to the miniſtry of the Goſpel. The work of converſion is effectually done according to his command: he owneth the m…niſtry, whether men will own it or no, 1 Cor. 9.2.
Uſe 2. Yet for all this, the Goſpel is …d to many, 2 Cor. 4 2, 3. as it is with the … in the firmament, it is often hid in a cloud, when it ſhines in the air. So it is with the Sun-ſhine of the Goſpel, it is veiled to ſome, when it ſhineth round about them.
Uſe 3. Hearken to the will of God revealed to you in ſcriptural exhortations, Prov. 4.1. yea ſo hear, that your ſouls may live. As Miniſters muſt preach, ſo people muſt hear according to the command of God. It is a Rule in Divinity, that active verbs are given to thoſe things which do not properly, and by an immediate influx effect that which the verbs do ſignifie, but do concur to the ſame. God ſaid to Moſes lift up thy rod, ſtretch out thine hand over the Sea, and divide it, Exod. 14.16. Had Moſes power to divide the ſea? No, but becauſe there was a certain concurrence of Moſes, uſing the rod according to direction, therefore that is attributed to Moſes, which was the work of God alone. In this ſenſe of the uſe of means according to direction, muſt thoſe places of Scripture be underſtood, which bid man believe, repent, &c.
Labour alſo to feel the will of God effected in you in a real converſion. Make tryal of by this your keeping God's commandment. Zanchy well obſerveth,Zanch. there is a threefold keeping the commands: The firſt is perfect and compleat, as Chriſt upon earth did, and the Saints in heaven do. The ſecond is imperfect, but yet ſincere, as the Saints on earth do. The third is external only and unſound, as the hypocrites on earth do. In the firſt ſenſe it is impoſſible for us in this life to keep the commandments; yet this impoſſibility is not by reaſon of the Laws rigidneſs, but by reaſon of our corruption. In the third ſenſe, it is ſinful keeping the commandments, when we reſt in externals. But in the ſecond ſenſe, it is poſſible, and honourable to keep the commandments. It is poſſible upon this double account, the will being accepted for the deed, and the failings in all our duties being pardoned through Jeſus Chriſt.
Wherefore anſwer this Doctrine by your ſincere obedience, that ye may be able to ſay, Lord, it is done as thou haſt commanded. Therefore do not only what God hath commanded, but do it as God hath commanded it: So do the work of grace, that the fruits of the ſame may appear continually to be done by you, ſee that your obedience be according to the full latitude of God's Law, whoſe law is exceeding broad.
CHAP. IV. And yet there is room.]
THe ſervant having related what had been done of the preaching and prevalency of the Goſpel, he addeth theſe words by way of notification, that more was yet to be done. And yet] that is, notwithſtanding the converſion of ſo many Jews, or the gathering in the wandring and loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael. There is room] that is,foreign. Aug. for the Gentiles, thoſe of any Nation that ſhall embrace the Goſpel. There is room, or place: the Greek word properly ſignifying that which containeth, circumſcribeth, and terminateth our bodies, and it doth figuratively ſignifie the feat or heads of Arguments. They are called Topicks, or Common-places; the boundaries of reaſonings, containing the grounds and foundation of diſcourſe. This phraſe [yet there is room] ſignifies the ſuperabounding of divine grace ſpoken of before, under the notion of a Feaſt, or great Supper. And yet] that implyeth, that many were already brought in to partake of this great Supper, this Goſpel-proviſion. There is room] this ſheweth the ſufficiency of it, to feed, and to ſatisfie many more.
Obſerv. Notwithſtanding the many that have been brought in by the power of the Goſpel, yet there is rome for more, Acts 2.39.
CHAP. V.
THat many have been brought in thus appeareth.
1. This way of bringing men in began very early in the world. Chriſt being the Lamb ſlain virtually in the firſt age o… the world, Rev. 13.8. Abel offered up acceptable ſacrifice to the Lord, Gen. 4.4. witneſſing his Righteouſneſs in this Goſpel-ſenſe, Heb. 11.4. God teſtifying either by fire from heaven, or ſome other viſible expreſſion of his gracious acceptation, whereby Abel's faith was confirmed touching life and ſalvation through Chriſt. Since that time many more have been brought in.
2. God brought in many eminent perſons in the old Teſtament, for this very end, that they might be inſtrumental to bring in others. God ſaith of Abraham, I know him, that he will command his children, and his houſhold after him, and they ſhall keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18.19. and he had an eminent Son for Religion, viz. Iſaac, and a choice ſervant, viz. Eleazar, ſo Joſhua ſaith, I and my houſe will ſerve the Lord: So for the good Prophets, and the good Kings. The converſion of ſome choice ones, proves eminenly inſtrumental for the good of many.
3. Multitudes have been brought in together at the ſame time, and the ſame place: about three thouſand in one day at St. Peter's Sermon, Act. 2.41. and the Lord added daily to his Church ſuch as ſhould be ſaved, ver. 47. Sometimes whole families together. The Goaler believed in God with all his houſe, Act. 16.34. So Lydia, and her houſhold.
4. The Apoſtles did according to their commiſſion preach the Goſpel in all Nations, and had very good ſucceſs: witneſs the many Churches that were formed in ſeveral Countries, unto whom many of the Epiſtles in the new Teſtament are directed. The door of faith was opened unto the Gentiles, Act. 14.27. at which door the King of glory comes into the ſoul of man.
5. In the darkeſt times both in the old and new Teſtaments, when very few appeared, there were thouſands that kept cloſe to the true God. Seven thouſand that did not ſubmit to Baal, 1 King. 19.18. There were an hundred forty and four thouſand ſealed ones; ſuch as did not ſubmit to Antichriſt and his falſe worſhip, Rev. 7.4. if it be thus in the dark times, what is it in the clear ages for Goſpel-light?
Yet notwithſtanding ſo many have been brought in, there is yet room for more in that houſe where Goſpel-proviſion is made ready, viz. in Mount Sion, the Church of God, where there is the Feaſt of fat things for all people, Iſa. 25.6. This houſe hath two ſtories. The lower rooms, where God communicates himſelf in the uſe of means, the Church militant. The upper rooms, where God communicats himſelf immediately, the Church triumphant: and in both theſe parts of God's houſe, there is room for more than are in them.
I. In the Church militant, yet there is room.
1.foreign non habitatis anguſtè in nobis. So Piſcator renders it. In the hearts of the faithful preachers of the Goſpel, they wiſh well to the ſouls of their hearers. O ye Corinthians, ye are not ſtraitned in us, 2 Cor. 6.11, 12. that is, ye have room enough in our hearts. Our ſerious thoughts run more of you, than yours do of your ſelves.
2. There is room in thoſe Ordinances that are diſpenſed by the Miniſters of the Goſpel. Wiſdom's gates are wide enough to receive all that come, Prov. 8.34. The Goſpel is preached, that all Nations may be diſcipled, and that all who partake of the Covenant of grace, may partake of the ſeals of it, Matth. 28.19. And when particular Churches grow ſo numerous, that they cannot conveniently meet together in one place, for the participation of Ordinances; then like Bees ſwarming, they are to be gathered, and ſeated under ſeveral hives, that ſtill we may ſay, yet there is room. This is a warrantable propogation of Churches, not a ſinful ſeparation from Churches.
3. There is room in the vertue of Chriſt's bloud, and riches of God's g ace, which is held forth in Ordinances, Rom. 5.20, 21. Chriſt's bloud is as freſh as ever it was in the day wherein it was ſhed; it is that new and living way to heaven, Heb. 10.19, 20. which never waxeth ſtale: and what wonderful Cures hath it wrought? and the grace of God is as free, as full, and efficacious, as eever it was.
II. In the Church triumphant yet there is room.
There are many manſions, John 14.2.foreign diverſorium. There are ſo many manſions in heaven, as would ſuffice infinitis mundis. Rolloc. The word in the Syriack Teſtament for manſions, ſignifies an Inn or publick place. An Inn is a common receptacle for travellers, ſo is heaven for Saints, who are pilgrims and ſtrangers upon earth, 1 Pet. 2.11. Chriſt, when he came into the world, was laid in a manger; becauſe there was no room for him nor His in the Inn: but when he went out of the world, he went to ſuch an Inn, or publick place, where there is room enough for him and all his, whether believers of divers Countries come, Rev. 5.9. There is room enough. 1. Objectively: without us, God fully communicating himſelf to the Saints above, 1 Cor. 15.28. the joys of heaven are as the very ſpirits of things extracted of very great worth, and efficacy. 2. Subjectively: within us. The underſtanding widened, clearly to know God, 1 Cor. 13.13. the will widened fully to love God.
CHAP. VI.
Uſe 1. THis informs us, that when any who hear the Goſpel do periſh, it is not through any ſcantineſs of the Goſpel-proviſion, out for want of applying that proviſion. Conſider it ſeriouſly, if ye be ſhut out of heaven, it is not for want of room in heaven, but for want of faith in your hearts, Heb. 12.19. Eſau found no place for repentance; no wonder they find no room or place in heaven when they die, who find no place for faith, or repentance, or other graces whiles they live. The coming ſhort of Chriſt and holineſs, makes men fall ſhort of heaven and happineſs.
This alſo informs us, that there is more room than company, more proviſion than gueſts at the Goſpel-feaſt. There is bread enough, and to spare, Luke 15.17. it is likened to a fountain, out of which there is more water runs waſte than is made uſe of.
Though Goſpel-grace be full and free, and all men need it, yet many there be that make no account of it; they are wholly enſlaved to their ſenſe, and taken up with lower things: heavenly things ſeem to be too far diſtant, to work upon their affections; they ſee the world, but they ſee not God, nor Chriſt, nor their ſouls, nor everlaſting glory.
Uſe 2. Though yet there is room, yet we know not how long there may be any room for us: we had need therefore be careful, leſt any ſhould ſeem to come ſhort of it, Heb. 4.1. Thoſe that knock after the door is made faſt, muſt go away as they came, Luke 13.25. thoſe that ſtay ſo late till the bridg be drawn up, cannot get over the water. Chriſt is now as a bridge to heaven: if we make us of him in time, well and good, but know, this bridge will be drawn up, and then you muſt ſtay on this ſide happineſs. There is a great gulph between heaven and hell, and no bridge to get over it, as there is here between earth and heaven, Luke 16.26.
Secondly, though there be room in heaven, and Chriſt is gone to prepare a place for us, yet we muſt not conceive of heaven as an houſe like ours, 2 Cor. 5.1. conſiſting of many rooms, and thoſe not yet furniſhed or finiſhed; but the mention of many manſions, and great preparations, is for the ſetting off the excellency of heaven, and for the raiſing up our expectations.
Uſe 3. Then do not periſh in the midſt of ſuch plenty:foreign. Occumen. turn not the grace of God into wantonneſs, as ſome do to their own deſtruction, do not tranſpoſe or remove it from its ordinary end and uſe, from Goſpel-ends, ſo as to caſt off obedience to the Law of God. Return unto God, who is thus provided to entertain thoſe that come unto him. This uſe the Prodigal makes of that conſideration, Bread and to ſpare in his father's houſe.] I will ariſe, and go to my father, Luke 15.17, 18. why will ye expoſe your ſelves to ſtorms and tempeſts, when there is room enough to houſe you, and ſhelter you? why will ye feed upon husks, upon emty traſh with the ſwine without, when you may live like men, and fare like God's children, feeding upon the ſpiritual delicates of the Goſpel? Make room now for the Goſpel in your hearts that there may be room made for you in heaven.
1. Make room for the meſſengers of the Goſpel. Receive us, ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 7.2. the word foreign, ſignifies, make room for us. Why? we have wronged, corrupted, defrauded no man, neither in name, judgment, nor eſtate. Place us therefore in your hearts, as you are in ours. Their feet are beautiful, who bring the glad-tidings of peace, Rom. 10.15. give them therefore room, or entertainment for their workſake: houſe them, prize them, pray for them.
2. Make room for the meſſage of the Goſpel: receive not the grace of God in vain, 2 Cor. 6.1. let it appear that the grace of the Goſpel is operative within you: and know this, that this grace worketh moſt kindly and properly, when it orders your converſation in holineſs, and raiſeth your expectation to happineſs.
3. Make room for the Mediator of the Goſpel. Great Princes have their harbingers go before, crying make room, make room, let open the door of your hearts, that the King of glory may enter in, Pſal. 24.7. as they of old were to open their gates, that the Ark, called elſewhere the glory (the Type of Chriſt) might enter in Let your underſtanding, will, memory, affections, conſcience, be all free to entertain Chriſt: reſign up all to him, that he may do what he will with you.
4. If you would have room in the kingdom of God, let the kingdom of God have room within you, that kingdom which conſiſteth in righteouſneſs, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt, Rom. 14.17. That righteouſneſs which is implanted by the ſpirit of grace, and expreſſed in the life of grace. That peace, whereby the members of Chriſt's myſtical body do ſweetly agree together. That joy, whereby we delight in ſuch righteouſneſs and peace.
Uſe 4. This Doctrine is conſolatory.
1. If we look at God's Elect yet not called.
There is room enough to entertain all the Elect of God as they come in, one after another. God ſhall enlarge Japhet, and he ſhall dwell in the Tents of Shem, Gen. 9.27. and Chriſt ſaith, other ſheep I have, them alſo I muſt bring, and there ſhall be one ford, John 10.16. a fold big enough to hold them all.
2. If we look at the called ones, who are at preſent ſtraitned.
Hereafter they ſhall be ſo enlarged, as to have room enough, here they are ſtraitned.
1. Outwardly ſtraitned: ſo much the Greek word foreign ſignifyeth, 2 Cor. 6.4. tranſlated diſtreſſes: as it were in Little Eaſe, pent up, ſo that they know not which way to turn. I have read of a French Martyr, who was pent up in ſuch a narrow room for ſeven weeks together in Paris, that he could neither ſit nor lie down. Sometimes they are ſtraitned in their Eſtates, kept at ſhort allowance: but hereafter there will be room enough.
2. Inwardly ſtraitned: ſtraitned in their knowledge, know ng but in part, and that darkly, but hereafter it will be fully and clearly, 1 Cor. 13.11, 12. ſtraitned alſo in their obedience: there is ſome reluctancy in their obedience: while the mind is for ſerving the Law of God, the fleſh is for ſerving the Law of ſin, Rom. 7.25. The unregenerate part pulls backward, while the regenerate part puts us forward to any good. So likewiſe ſtraitned in love, and other graces, the comfort is, that theſe graces will act with more ſcope or room in heaven: Oh welcome that happy day.