The Parable of the Great Supper Opened, Sermon 5
SERM. V.
LUKE 14.17.
And ſent his ſervant at Supper time, &c.
CHAP. I.
WE are now to conſider the time when the ſervant was ſent, viz. at Supper time.] The Greek word,foreign, hinc latinè hora, & Angl. Hour. here tranſlated Time, doth properly ſignifie an hour. In holy Scriptare it is uſed for time, for an age, for a moment, for the opportunity of time, Joh. 16.2. Joh. 12.18. Luke 12.12. Rev. 9.15. it ſignifyeth likewiſe beauty. So the Adjective of this Subſtantive is uſed, Rom. 10.15. how beautiful? or how ſeaſonable? That being beautiful which is timely, opportunely, or ſeaſonably. So it is with the Goſpel diſpenſed: and this is the ſenſe of the word in our Text.
This hour of ſupper is that fulneſs,Hora coenoe fuit plenitudo temporis, &c. Salmer. fitneſs, or ſeaſonableneſs of time, wherein God ſent his ſon into the world, to accompliſh that great work of mans Redemption: or the laſt time, or latter ages of the world, which were come in the Apoſtles days, compared with the fore-going time: after which no more alteration in Goſpel-diſpenſation was to be expected: This ſupper time being the laſt meal. Hence I note,
Obſerv. That Chriſt's coming into the world was very ſeaſonable. 'Twas ſupper time for Goſpel-proviſion: the fulneſs of time, the very nick of time for man's Redemption, Gal. 4 4. This may appear
I. By conſidering the time when he came into the world.Nos ſumus in quos fines ſeculorum devenerunt. In hoc fine ſervus mittitur. Gloſs. Ordin. 'Twas under the reign of Auguſtus Ceſar, the ſecond Roman Emperour, who then had the Jews (among other Nations) under his power, Luke 2. And he was crucified under the reign of Tiberius Ceſar, the third Roman Emperour, Pontius Pilate being governour of Judea, Luke 3. This was the remarkable jancture of time, of our Saviour's coming in, and going out of the world, about 1600 years and upwards from our time, according to the ordinary computation of Chronologers.
II. By comparing ſeveral accidents with this time.
1. In reſpect of the accompliſhment of Propheſies: as that propheſie in Gen. 49.10. The Scepter ſhall not depart from Judah, &c. until Shiloh come. The right of ſupream power, & adminiſtration of juſtice in temporal dominion, ſhould not be quite taken away from Judah, until the Meſſias came, who ſhould be of Judah's poſterity, and change it into a ſpiritual and everlaſting kingdom, deſtroying a little while after by means … Romans, both the people and form of any Jewiſh common-wealth. Till Chriſt came, Judah always had the right, and kept ſome reliques of the poſſeſſion in their greateſt captivity, having the body of its common-wealth ſeveral, with its divine and humane laws. And when Chriſt came, his ſpiritual kingdom was over all people; was not this opportune and ſeaſonable? many other Propheſies alſo might be lookt upon.
2. In reſpect of the truth and ſubſtance of theſe figures and ſhadows in the legal ceremonies. When Chriſt came into the world, he was fitted with ſuch a body, as was meet to be a real ſin-offering, to anſwer all the typical ſin-offerings of old, Heb. 10.5. A body of man's nature, yet without man's corruption; a body made of a woman without the help of a man: a body joyned with the deity, and to be an expiatory ſacrifice for ſin. He was fitted with a name anſwerable, called the Lamb of God, John 1.29. the true Paſc…al Lamb, yea he was fitted with a ſpirit anſwerable, moſt deſirous to give himſelf a ſacrifice for ſin, Lo I come, lo I come, Heb. 10.7.9. he was ſtraitned with deſire till the baptiſm of his ſufferings was accompliſhed.
3. In reſpect of the expectation of God's dear children, who in the days of Chriſt's coming were earneſtly waiting for the conſolation of Iſrael through the coming of the Meſſias; Witneſs Simeon, Luke 2.25. and Anna. ver. 36.37. This was the ſugar by which they ſweetned all their croſſes in thoſe dark times: when a friend cometh, that hath been long lookt for, how ſeaſonable and welcome is his coming? eſpecially when we ſuffer much by his abſence, and enjoy much by his preſence.
4. In reſpect of the converſion of the Gentiles to be added to the believing Jews, or to come in the room of the obſtinate Jews, who would have none of this Goſpel-proviſion. The fields were white unto harveſt, when Chriſt came, John 4.35. The ſeveral nations of the world were ready to receive the Goſpel upon the tender of it to them;Cuncta at que continua tolius generis humani aut pax fuit, aut pactio. Flor. hiſt. lib. 4. they being as it were at leiſure, or ready to hear; for 'tis obſervable, when Chriſt the Prince of peace came to preach the Goſpel of peace, there was in that age generally either a peace, or truce throughout the nations of the earth: So Florus obſerveth, that writeth the Hiſtory of that time. How ſeaſonably did Chriſt come in this time of publick quietneſs to reaſon with men in a calm manner about their ſouls?
5. In reſpect of Chriſt's herauld, or immediate fore-runner, John Baptiſt coming in the ſpirit of Elias, Luke 1.17.
6. In reſpect of the inſtitution of Goſpel-ordinances in the room of the legal. When the ceremonial ſervice appeared an intolerable yoke, Act. 15.10. then Chriſt cometh, who inſtituted baptiſm inſtead of circumciſion, and the Lord's Supper inſtead of the Paſſeover, Matth. 26.26.
Queſt. But here it may be demanded, why a ſupper?
Resp. It fitly anſwers to the word [Supper] in the Text, which expreſſeth the grace of God in the Goſpel.
1. The Supper-meal is the ſweet meal, in regard of the work of the fore-going day which is paſt, and the reſt of the ſucceeding night which is to come. This may refer to the hard ſervice of the ceremonial law paſt, and to the ſweet powrings forth of the ſpirit to come at this ſupper time.
2. 'Tis the laſt meal; the laſt meſs of the Goſpel ſerv'd in, not another Chriſt to come. Now God would have us methodical in the uſe of means, firſt to cloſe by faith with Goſpel-proviſion in the word preached, Rom. 1.16. and when the word preached hath had its due work, then to partake of the Lord's ſupper.
CHAP. II.
Uſe 1. HEre ſee the manifold wiſdom of God in the diſpenſation of Goſpel-proviſion, Eph. 3.10. how ſeaſonable was the time of the Goſpel's diſcovery in the clearneſs or brightneſs of it? when the day-ſtar appeareth, the Sun is at hand; ſo before Chriſt's nativity a ſtar appeared; whence the wiſe men concluded, that the Sun of Righteouſneſs was riſing.
Here alſo obſerve, that we have one priviledge above them who lived before Chriſt came in the fleſh: they had the dawning of the morning, but we the light at noon-day, Col. 1.26. They had the Parable, we the interpretation of it. The Goſpel was once confined to one Country, the Land of Judea, but now the Commiſſion is to preach it in every Country, to every creature, Mark 16.15. And generally believers in the new Teſtament have a greater meaſure of grace than thoſe in the old Teſtament. There have been more plentiful effuſions of the ſpirit ſince Chriſt came in the fleſh, Joh. 7.39.
Uſe 2. For caution: This doth not make but that many before Chriſt came in the fleſh did partake of this Goſpel-proviſion, and went to heaven in the ſtrength of this food. Witneſs thoſe many worthies, Heb. 11. in all ages of the world, who lived and died in the faith of Jeſus. Chriſt, the true Meſſias. So 1 Cor. 10.3. Rom. 4.11.
Uſe 3. Be exhorted to anſwer the time of Chriſt's ſeaſonable coming by knowing the time or ſeaſon of our ſalvation, Rom. 13.11. The Apoſtle calls upon us, as men upon their ſervants to go about their work, becauſe the Sun is up. Now is the accepted time, 2 Cor. 6.2. Chriſt counſelleth you to improve this time, now ye may be accepted, John 12.35.36. 'Tis very ſad if you do not, Luke 19.42.
CHAP. III. To ſay to them that were bidden, &c.]
THeſe words contain the manner or way, how, or wherein the Goſpel-errand is to be delivered, and that's by word of mouth. The ſervant ſent was Praedicator; to ſay, is Praedicare. The ſervant here ſent is not as an ordinary meſſenger to carry a Letter, but as an extraordinary officer of ſtate appointed, an Embaſſadour commiſſionated to treat with others; ſuch is the diſpenſation of the Goſpel in the miniſtry thereof. Hence I obſerve
Obſer. That the word ſpoken by the miniſtry of men appointed thereunto, is the way which God uſeth to ſave men. This is the uſual way of propounding Goſpel-invitations, the real acceptance whereof tends to ſalvation, 1 Pet. 1.23, 25.
Sect. 1.
Queſt. 1. What is meant by the word, which is to be spoken or ſaid unto people for their ſouls good?
Resp. 'Tis the revealed will of God, fully made known in the holy Scriptures for man's eternal good: thoſe writings being inſpired of God for matter and words: the perfect diſtribution of which is ſet forth by the Apoſtle, 2 Tim. 3.16. profitable
1. For doctrine; containing all things needful to be known, or believed, in reference to our ſalvation: as the Doctrine of our innocence, of our fall, of our recovery. There is not a ſyllable of this in any of the Volums of the Heathens, Pſal. 147.20. Theſe things are revealed only by the Scripture.
2. For reproof; to confute all thoſe falſe Doctrines, which oppoſe the true. Truth diſcovereth, and conſoundeth errour, Iſa. 8.20.
3. For correction; to reprehend the vices and ill manners of thoſe that walk contrary to this word.
4. For inſtruction; to direct us to lead our lives according to this word. And all this muſt be (as is added) in righteouſneſs: and it muſt be ſo, ſeeing this word is the truth, 1 Pet. 1.22. which cannot juſtily be contradicted.
Sect. 2.
Queſt. 2. How muſt this word be spoken?
Resp. I. If we look at God from whom 'tis ſpoken, it muſt be ſpoken
1. Exactly, according to his mind: what we deliver to others, muſt be received from him, 1 Cor. 11.23. Miniſters muſt learn as well as teach, hear before they ſpeak, Ezek. 3.17. what the Prophets and Apoſtles had immediatly, Miniſters now have mediately.
2. Reverently, as in his ſight, 2 Cor. 5.11. before whoſe dreadful tribunal born ſpeakers and hearers muſt one day appear.
3. Authoritatively, as in his ſtead, 2 Cor. 5.20. as Writs and Warrants run in the name of the ſupream power: ſo muſt the word preached in the name of God.
II. If we look at the word which is ſpoken, it muſt be ſpoken
1. Gravely; according to the weight of the matter, and majeſty of the ſtile. There ſhould not be an affected language, but ſober expreſſions ſubſervient to the matter.
2. Methodically; according to the diſtinct heads of divinity held forth in the Scripture, 1 Cor. 15.3.
3. Pertinently; according to the particular portion of Scripture which is fixt upon, keeping to the matter in hand, as Sr. Paul doth in the confirmation of the Reſurrection. A man may ſpeak according to truth, or the word in general, when he doth not ſpeak according to his Text, or the Scripture which he quoteth.
III. If we conſider by whom the word is ſpoken, it muſt be ſpoken
1. Underſtandingly; and that according to the analogy, or proportion of faith.
2. Reſolvedly; in an open and free manner, boldly declaring the word of God, 2 Cor. 4.13. Rom. 1.16. being ready to defend what we deliver.
3. Affectionately, Phil. 3.18. our Sermons ſhould not only be informing, but enflaming: affectionate ſpeeches help much to work upon affection, and they ſeem to flow from affection.
IV. If we look at thoſe to whom the word is ſpoken, it muſt be ſpoken
1. Audibly; with the voice ſo lift up, as the ſtanders by may take it, John 7.37. the lungs are of uſe, as well as the brains in the miniſterial employment.
2. Plainly, 2 Cor. 3.12. ſpeaking in a familiar ſpeech; not uttering fine phraſes like painted glaſſes, which makes a ſhew, but keeps out the light: we muſt ſpeak to the capacity of all ſorts of hearers.Qui pueriliter, populariter, trivialiter, & ſimpliciſſimè docent optimi ad vulgus ſunt concionatores. Luther. The learned can underſtand plain words, but the unlearned cannot underſtand elegant words. 'Tis beſt therefore to uſe thoſe words which all know.
3. Diſtinguiſhingly: ſeparating the precious from the vile, Jer. 15.19. giving unto each the portion belonging to him: for this end a Miniſter had need obſerve the carriage of his people, that he may accordingly diſcharge his duty towards them.
Queſt. 3. How doth this appear to be the way that God makes uſe of?
Resp. 1. The Scripture-rule illuſtrated with inſtances cleareth this. The Rule is, Rom. 10.14, 15. The inſtances are, that of St. Peter ſent to Cornelius, Act. 10. That of Ananias ſent to St. Paul, Act. 9.
2. The daily experiences of Saints confirm this. Where is the man or woman that hath received any of the gracious workings of God's ſpirit, and have not received it this way?
CHAP. IV.
Uſe 1. THis may inform us of diverſe things.
1. That the gift of utterance is very requiſite for a Miniſter, Eph. 6.19. for Miniſters are ſpokes-men by their office. Iſaiah was bid to lift up his voice like a Trumpet, which yieldeth a loud & a diſtinct ſo and. John Baptiſt's language was as the voice of a cryer, Matth. 3.1. which is a ſtretched out voice, and an authoritative voice: yet ſhould a Miniſter take heed he be nothing but voice, an empty ſound.
2. The calling of the miniſtery is very uſeful; 'tis to beſpeak ſouls for heaven, by inviting them to accept of Goſpel-proviſion, Tit. 1.2, 3. none need think it too mean a calling for their children; the honourableneſs and uſefulneſs of preaching may be eſtimated by the preciouſneſs of ſouls.
3.See Mr. Hieron. his preachers plea. How fooliſh are they who account preaching of a plain Sermon to be a poor way of profiting an intelligent man, in reſpect of the reading of a Learned book. And upon this account many (I fear) abſent themſelves from hearing, thinking they have a tolerable exc…ſe: yea ſome have been obſerved to be ſo irreverent, as to read a book in Sermon time. But know, it is the word ſpoken, nor the word written, is the ordinary way of ſalv… on, the fooliſhneſs of preaching, 1 Cor. 1.21. not, but that to real good books is a good exerciſe, if it be done in its proper time.
Uſe 2. Miniſters ſhould not only preach with their tongues,Sanctiores ſunt aures plebis q…am corda ſacerdotum. Milar but likewiſe with their hearts feelingly. The heart is the beſt Oratory. St. Paul's ſpirit was ſtirred within him to preach againſt the Idolatry of the Athenians, Act. 17.16. 'Tis a ſad complaint of Hilary, that the peoples ears were better than their Teachers hearts.
Miniſters ſhould alſo preach with their lives, Phil. 3.17, 20. Ariſtotle ſaith, that a good Oratour muſt be a good man. There be many preachers, ſaith Calvin, very clamorous in declaiming againſt the ſins of the people, but do no good, becauſe the people ſee they are not moved themſelves with what they preach to others. Chriſt preached often when he opened not his mouth, as Theophilact obſerves,Theophilact. in Mat. 5.2. viz. foreign, by his life, and by his miracles.
Conſider further, though preaching be the ordinary way of converſion, yet reading the Scriptures is very uſeful and neceſſary. Junius turn'd from Atheiſm to Chriſtianity by reading the firſt Chapter of John. Chriſt bids us ſearch the Scriptures, John 5.39. God can alſo make Chriſtian conference effectual. Moreover, it is not the breath of a man, but the inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt, which worketh converſion: and God's ſpirit doth not tie himſelf to means, though he tie us, but bloweth (as the wind) where he liſteth. And this ſpirit may breath into little children, as well as into grown men: they may have the teachings of God, though they are uncapable of the teachings of men.
CHAP. V.
Uſe 3. LEt us be thankful to God, that the word of faith is ſo nigh us in the preaching of the word, Rom. 10.6, 7, 8. that Manna falls at our very doors, 'tis but ſtepping out, and taking it up. If Plato could bleſs the Gods, that he was not only a man, but a Graecian and Athenian, and that he lived in the days of Socrates: if Bucholcerus counted himſelf happy, that his birth fell out in Melancton's time; how may we bleſs God for the many helps we have to attain ſaving knowledge. Therefore
1. Speak to God in prayer before you come to hear, that he would bleſs the word to you when you do hear.
2. Diligently attend to God's word which is ſpoken, Eccleſ. 5.1. Be not praying or reading when you ſhould be hearing. Our King Edward VI. heard Sermons with great reverence, penned them with his own hand, and diligently ſtudyed them afterwards, Conſtantine the Great in hearing the word would many times ſtand up all Sermon-while: and when ſome of his Courtiers told him, it tended to his diſparagement, he anſwered, that it was in the ſervice of the great God, who is no reſpcter of perſons.
3. Be affected with the word you hear. The word preached doth as it were repreſent truth before the eyes, Gal. 3.1. Thus the Prophets were to ſhew the people their ſins. The eye affects the heart. Think while you are hearing, as if that were really and viſibly before you, by which Chriſt and ſin is repreſented in preaching of the word.
4. Labour to be transformed into what you hear, obeying this word of truth from the heart, Rom. 6.17. Conſider, that this word of God engraffed within us, is able to ſave our ſouls, Jam. 1.22. and if it be an engraffed word, it will be a fruitful word, appearing in our converſation.
CHAP. VI. Come, &c.]
THis word [Come] containeth what thoſe meſſengers, who are ſent about the Goſpel-errand are to ſay: that is to ſpeak to the gueſts to come away, and partake of that Goſpel-proviſion, to which they were invited. The word is metaphorical, anſwerable to the matter ſpoken of. Here I note.
Obſer. That God would have us come at his call in the voice of the miniſtry, Matth. 22.4. What this call in the voice of the miniſtry is, ye have formerly heard. Now we are to conſider
Sect. 1. Whither God would have us come.
1. He would have us come to our ſelves; for naturally we are beſides our ſelves. The prodigal came to himſelf, Luke 15.17. we begin to come to our ſelves, when we begin to act our reaſon like men; conſidering how it hath been, how it is, and how it may be with us.
2. He would have us come to his people; for naturally we are aliens from the commonwealth of Iſrael, Eph. 2.12. Come therefore we muſt unto Mount Sion, Heb. 12.22. This coming is the maintaining of affection to, and communion with the people of God, Paul, after his converſion went to the Diſciples of Jeſus Chriſt, and would not be beat off from them, though they at firſt were ſhy of is company.
3. He would have us come to himſelf. 1. The father would have us come: Return to me ſaith the Lord, Jer. 4.1. return to him from whom we have gone aſtray. 2. The ſon would have us come, come to me, Matth. 11.28. come to him as a Mediatour to make up all your differences: come to him as a Phyſitian to heal our infirmities; and as a Prophet to remove your ignorances. 3. The ſpirit would have us come, Rev. 22.17. He cometh to us that we may come to him to get victory over our ſin. Now theſe three are not contrary Maſters to diſtract our thoughts about our coming to them, but they are all one.
Sect. 2. By what means ſhould we come.
1. By the uſe of all means of grace. Oh come, let us worſhip, and bow down before the Lord, Pſal. 95.6. To worſhip God is to ſerve him in the participation of his ordinances, to pay tribute, and do homage to the King of Kings, to ſeek God in his own way.
2. By the exerciſe of the truth of grace, and in ſpecial, the acting of faith. He that comes to God, muſt believe that he is, and that he is good, Heb. 11.6. The ſtedfaſt belief of divine truth, doth very much raiſe the affections: Some call the affections the feet of the ſoul: Acceptation, Adherence, affiance, Aſſurance, are four ſteps in the exerciſe of faith, whereby we rid gro…nd, and make progreſs in the way of Chriſtianity.
3. By preſſing forward towards the perfection of grace, Phil. 3.12. as men do their arms in ſwimming, or their legs in running. Theſe preſſing forward appears in regular deſires, and in endeavours proportionable.
Sect. 3. In what manner ſhould we come.
1. Humbly; as the prodigal to his father; I am not worthy to be called thy ſon, Luke 15.19. fall down, lie proſtrate before the Lord. This geſture ſuits our meanneſs and his greatneſs.
2. Speedily, as Zacheus to our Saviour, who made haſte, and came down, Luke 19.6. delays are dangerous in matters of great importance.
3. Joyfully, as we come to a feaſt, eſpecially to a marriage-feaſt, ſuch as this Goſpel proviſion is, Mat. 22.
Sect. 4. How it appears God will have us come.
Here let us conſider three remarkable junctures of time, wherein Chriſt, who is ſent of God, hath bid men come.
1. When he came unto the world, and appeared with the ſole power of ſaving ſouls. All things (ſaith he) are delivered to me of my father, and preſently he addeth, Come unto me, Matth. 11.27, 28. as if he had ſaid, the power my father hath given me is to be employed for this end, to perſwade you to come unto me, or to come unto him by me.
2.The eight or laſt day of the feaſt the Jews called Hoſannah Rabbah. When he was to ſ…m up many days preaching, in the laſt day of a great feaſt, theſe were his laſt words, come to me, John 7.37. as if he had ſaid, were I to preach to all the world, and were then preſently to leave the world, theſe ſhould be my laſt words, come to me.
3. When he was aſcended, and ſent his mind in a Letter in that book of the Revelations, theſe words are the cloſe of that Epiſtle, come, come, Rev. 22.16. as if he had ſaid, I am ſtill of the ſame mind I was, when I was upon the earth: heaven and earth rings of his coming, The Spirit, and the bride ſay come. The bride upon earth, the ſpirit in his Saints, and Chriſt from heaven. And in effect Chriſt tells his elect I have a heart to come to you, but I muſt have all you mine elect to come to me firſt: you would have me come down, but I muſt ſtay here, till all that the father hath given me be come unto me.
CHAP. VII.
Uſe 1. HOw much are they to blame then, that will not come; ye will not come to me, ſaith Chriſt, John 5.40. Great men take it ill, when men wilfully refuſe to come upon a ſolemn invitation. Many that are invited, inſtead of coming to God, rebel againſt him. Amos compareth ſuch unto horſes running upon a rock, where firſt they break their hoofs, then their necks, Amos 6.12. To come to God in Chriſt is the beſt entertainment we can give the Goſpel. To come to hear is ſomething; to receive God's meſſengers reſpectfully is ſomething, to be reclaimed from profaneneſs, and to take up a form of Religion is ſomething; but the chief of all is wholly to give up our ſelves to Jeſus Chriſt. This is the ſeal and glory of the Goſpel miniſtry, 2 Cor. 3.1, 2. Phil. 4.1.
Uſe 2. For Caution: though God would have us come at his call, yet he will not always call upon us to come, Gen. 6.3. the day of grace proves but a ſhort day to many.
Conſider likewiſe, though God would have us come at his call, yet no man can come of himſelf. No man can come to Chriſt, except the father draw him, John 6.44. There can be no motion towards God without an influence from God.
Uſe 3. Be exhorted to come: come and ſee, John 1.46. Take notice of the Meſſias, and the plentiful proviſion which God hath prepared for mankind through him; conſider the worth that is in him: behold the Lamb of God, John 1.29. God hath ſent forth his ſon, that men may look upon him, and be taken with his perfect beauty.
Come and buy, Iſa. 55.1. ye can bring nothing to purchaſe Goſpel-proviſion, but ye may make it as truly yours as any thing you have bought is yours, by your applying it by a true and lively faith.
Come alſo and eat, Iſa. 55.1. Labour to taſte the ſweetneſs of this Goſpel-proviſion in a way of experience: live ſo, that it may appear you are nouriſhed by Goſpel-food. Finally, come and rejoyce together, Pſal. 95.1. give thanks for all thoſe Goſpel-mercies he beſtows upon you.
Queſt. Here it may be demanded, who ſhould come?
Resp. 1. Come ye diſtreſſed ſouls, that know not where to have eaſe elſewhere. Come all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, Matth. 11.28. ſteep your ſouls in this ſweet ſentence of our Saviour, 'tis a precious cordial. Mr. Midgeley ſometime Miniſter at Ratchdale in Yorkſhire, A remarkable ſtory.oppreſſed with melancholy and ſad temptations to ſelf-murder, and going down to the waterſide to drown himſelf, having the new Teſtament in his pocket, took it out, and opening it, happily caſt his eye upon this Text, come unto me all ye that labour, &c. whereupon he was ſo ſupported, that he uttered theſe words, ſayeſt thou ſo? then will I not drown my ſelf. Ah precious word of God!
2. Come ye empty ſouls, that have no money, Iſa. 55.1. that are ſenſible of your own wants and worthleſneſs.
3. Come ye hungry and thirſty ſouls, that would fain have ſupply, Rev. 22.17. here ye may fill your ſouls to ſatisfaction.
4. Yea come, who will come, Rev. 22.17. ye that are willing to take Chriſt upon Goſpel-terms, ye ſhall not go without him.
Motives to perſwade you thus to come.
1. Conſider, Chriſt cometh down, who is the true bread of God, John 6.33. he came among us, that we might come to him.
2. Doctrine comes down, and that like rain, which ſhall not return without ſome effect wrought, Iſa. 55.10, 11. God ſpeaketh out of his holy Temple: …h the ſweet diſtilling voice of God in the Goſpel!
3. Grace comes down; the gracious working of God's holy ſpirit, Jam. 1.17.
Conſider what entertainment ye ſhall have … ye come.
1. If ye will …, ye ſhall be moſt heartily welcome. Chriſt …a…th, Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe … John 6.37. If you truſt your ſouls in his hand, they ſhall not miſcarry.
2. If you now come to Chriſt by his ſpirit, he will one day come in his own perſon to fetch you, John 14.3. like a bridegroom, who having prepared all at home, cometh himſelf, and fetcheth his bride, and doth not ſend for her by others becauſe it is a time of the neareſt and mileſt kind of love.
3. If you will not come at God's call to obey him, God will not come at your call to relieve you, Prov. 1.28. Nay, in…e…d of this voice, [come] there will be that voice [Go,] or depart from me ye carſed, Matth. 25.41. what amazing horrours will then poſſeſs you.
CHAP. VIII. For all things are now ready.]
THis clauſe gives us the reaſon of the foregoing words. All things.] Some of the Fathers underſtand theſe words of both Teſtaments, all the holy Scriptures. Others of the myſtery of the Goſpel in every part of it. We may take the meaning of theſe words of Chriſt, in thoſe other words of his Apoſtle St. Peter, foreign paſſim uſurpatur pro foreign. Cujus rei cauſa petenda eſt ex ombiguo Ebraei foreign ſeu foreign quod & parationis & firmationis notitionem babet.all things appertaining to life and godlineſs, 2 Pet. 1.3. Are n…w ready.] Now ſince the time o… Chriſt's coming in the fleſh, all things are ready. The Greek word in the Text for ready, is ſuch a kind of readineſs, wherein there is ſureneſs, firmneſs, compleatneſs, and that according to divine deſtination. So Amam…, and the ancient Helle…iſes do uſe the word. Hence I obſerve,
Sect. 1.
Obſer. That all things appertaining to man's happineſs, do now appear to be in readineſs, Matth. 22.4. All things may be ſaid to be ready,
I. In metaphorical or borrowed words, anſwerable to the language of the Text.
1. The houſe is prepared, wherein this Goſpel-proviſion is made. Wiſdom hath builded her houſe, ſhe hath hewen out her ſeven Pillars, Prov. 9.1. This wiſdom is Chriſt: The houſe built is the Church, 1 Tim. 3.15. that is the mountain wherein the feaſt of fat things is made:The Hebrew word for wiſdom is in the plural number foreign and this may be honor is cauſa, or by an Ellypſis, as if it were wiſdom of of wiſdoms. Junius renders it ſumma ſapientia. that is the upper room, wherein this ſupper of the Lord is eaten. This is that building of living ſtones ſpoken of, 1 Pet. 2.5. that ſelect company, unto which God adds thoſe whom he intends to ſave, Acts 2.47. the hewing of ſeven pillars is the laying of a firm foundation: ſuch, as the gates of hell cannot prevail againſt the Church of God, Matth. 16.18. and the pillars hewen, may ſignifie that ſpiritual beauty, which accompanies the Church's ſpiritual ſafety.
2. The beaſts are killed, of which this Goſpel-proviſion conſiſteth, ver. 2. the Oxen and fatlings of the King of Kings, Matth. 22.4. the typical ſacrifices are ſlain, and ſo is the real ſacrifice, Chriſt; the Scripture ſpeaks of him brought as the Lamb to the ſlaughter: and he is the Lamb ſlain, acceptable to God, nouriſhing us.
3. The wine is mingled which belongs to this Goſpel-proviſion, ver. 2. mingled either with ſpices, to make it the more delicious, or with water, whereby Wine in thoſe hot Countries was cooled, and became the more refreſhing: ſuch mingling kept from enflaming thoſe that drank it. Hereby is intimated the delicious, or refreſhing dainties in the Goſpel, Iſa. 55.1.
4. The Table is ſpread, or furniſhed, by which this Goſpel-proviſion is ſet forth before others, ver. 2. The ſhew-bread is ſet down, which of old repreſented Chriſt's body, both natural and myſtical. Chriſt is evidently ſet forth before our eyes in Goſpel-ordinances, Gal. 3.1.
5. The attendants are in a waiting poſture, by whom this Goſpel-proviſion is ſerv'd unto others. Wiſdom hath ſent forth her Maids, ver. 3. that is, meſſengers, and diſpenſers of holy things. Not that Maids, or Matrons, or any women are allowed to be Miniſters, but the allegory is proſecuted with correſpondent terms. Chriſt being compared to a Queen; the Paſtors and Teachers are reſembled to Maids of honour.
Sect. 2.
II. In proper and plain words: All things are ready thus.
1.Litera Scripta Manet. The mind of God concerning the ſalvation of all his elect is ready: the foundation of the Lord ſtandeth ſure, 2 Tim. 2.19. their names are already written in the Book of Life, and what he hath written, he hath written, it ſhall there abide.
2. The work of Chriſt for the recovery of loſt man is ready; that work of our Redemption which he undertook to do, is done, 'tis finiſhed, wherefore this Prieſt of ours is ſet down at the right hand of God, Heb. 10.12. as one having done his work, in oppoſition to the Prieſts of old, who ſtood daily, ver. 11. The myſtery of the Goſpel in man's recovery is a curious piece of work, but 'tis perfectly wrought: there are many particular excellent ſtories about it, but they are all compleated, 1 Tim. 3.16. The incarnation, paſſion, reſurrection, and aſcenſion of Chriſt, are all over.
3. The remiſſion of ſin upon the ſcore and account of Chriſt is ready. God is ready to pardon, Neh. 9.17. but 'tis through Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.19. Pardons are (as it were) written our, and ready to be diſtributed to thoſe who will accept of them. Yea, pardoning grace is daily ready to be renewed according to the freſh acting of faith.
4. The glorious inheritance in heaven is now ready: God hath prepared that City for all believers, Hel. 11.16. heaven is a Kingdom prepared for them.
Queſt. How doth all now appear to be in readineſs?
Resp. Since Chriſt's coming in the fleſh, the veil is taken off from the Law of Moſes; the Curtain is drawn aſide, that the light comes in abundantly; thoſe Riddles are now unfolded. Moreover, ſince Chriſt's Incarnation, the new Teſtament is added to the old, whereby there is a great advantage for light; the propheſies are now turned into Hiſtories: the Canon of Scripture is now compleated, no more is now to be added, Rev. 22.18.
CHAP. IX.
Uſe 1. THis informeth us, that man hath nothing to do toward his own happineſs, but to receive what God hath prepared, and to walk as he hath received it: the receiving is by faith: a weak faith is a joynt Poſſeſſor, though no faith is a joynt purchaſer of this ſpecial priviledge. The walking as we have received Chriſt, is to expreſs the truth of our faith in the holineſs of our life, with all conſcientiouſneſs as in God's ſight, and exemplarineſs as in mens ſight, Col. 2.6, 7.
Here ſee the difference between God and man, in reference to Goſpel-proviſion. All is ready on God's part, but alas! what an unreadineſs is there on our part, how indiſpoſed are we to any thing that is good? Inaſmuch as God ſpeaks thus to man, wilt thou not be made clean, when ſhall it once be? Jer. 13.27. Men linger in the ſtate of nature, as Lot in Sodom, and did not God pull them out, there they would abide for ever.
Uſe 2. For Caution. Though all things be ſaid to be now ready, we muſt not think, as if all were but now ready: we muſt know, that Chriſt is the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13.8. ſo that Chriſt's bloud in its vertue, and God's acceptation was of force for man's ſalvation in the days before he came perſonally into the world. And as for the foundation of man's happineſs in his election, this was prepared before the foundation of the world, Rom. 9.33. Moreover, though all things are ſaid to be now ready, yet there is much to be done before all the elect come to heaven; there are many enemies of Chriſt which muſt be pull'd down, 1 Cor. 15.25. and though Chriſt hath done the work of a Prieſt on earth in offering up himſelf as a ſacrifice, yet he is ſtill doing the work of the High Prieſt in heaven, preſenting the worth of his ſufferings in the preſence of his father, as he did once die for us; ſo he doth ever live for us, Heb. 7.25.
Uſe 3. Be exhorted to anſwer this readineſs of God.
1. Be ready to receive this grace of the Goſpel: all things are ready, therefore come, Matth. 22.4. let thy heart be ready and prepared, remove the filth that is in thy heart: adorn thy heart with gracious qualities: attend upon means of grace, there God comes with a bleſſing. This Goſpel feaſt is ready, but are you ready for that? Are your cloaths ready? have you put on the Lord Jeſus, whoſe righteouſneſs is the white garments of Saints? are your ſtomachs ready, is your appetite up to this feaſt?
2. Be ready to expreſs this grace of the Goſpel: anſwer this readineſs of God's good will in your readineſs to do the will of God; expreſs it in acts of piety towards him: be read to hear what the Lord hath to ſpeak, Eccl. 5.1. Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, 1 Sam. 7.3. holy duties call for holy preparation. The Jews had their laver in their ſervices, waſhings with ſacrifice.
Expreſs it likewiſe in acts of charity towards …en. In reference to the ſoul, be ready to give an anſwer to thoſe that ask you a reaſon of the hope that is within you, 1 Pet. 3.15. Which tends much, as to the confirming of the truth, ſo to the edifying of ſouls. In reference to the body, be ready to diſtribute your worldly goods, to ſupply the bodily wants of others, 1 Tim. 6.18. Shew it alſo in your readineſs to ſuffer the will of God. St. Paul was ready, not only to be bound, but to die for the name of the Lord Jeſus, Act. 21.13. but as for the exerciſe of this hard part of Religion, the ſpirit is ready ſometimes, but the fleſh is weak, Mark 14.38.
Now to move you unto this readineſs to receive and expreſs the grace of the Goſpel, Conſider,
The grave is ready to receive you: wherefore work out your ſalvation with fear and trembling. The Tribunal of God is ready to receive you. All muſt give an account to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead, 1 Pet. 4.5. heaven is ready to receive you, if you thus receive and expreſs the grace of the Goſpel: 'tis a kingdom prepared for you: the gates of this kingdom are open for you, if your hearts are open to the word of this kingdom. Otherwiſe hell is ready to receive you, and everlaſting fire is preparing for you. Tophet is prepared for the higheſt rank of ſinners, Iſa. 30.33.