A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 3 · Part 4 · Subpart 11
The Word of God compared to Leaven.
Mat. 13.33.
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Leaven, which a Woman took and hid in three measures of Meal, till the whole was leavened.
SOme understand by Leaven in this place the VVord of God, others Grace; the one concludes it is the VVord of Grace, the other the Grace of the VVord; a third sort understand the Church of God is intended by it.
The VVord and Grace of God may be compared to Leaven in three or four Considerations.
Parable.
LEaven is of a diffusive Quality, it infuses it self into every part, till the whole Lump is leavened.
II. Leaven is of an assimilating Quality, it turns the Meal in which it is hid into its own Nature.
III. The Woman took the Leaven and hid it in the Meal. Leaven must be hid, that so it may leaven the Meal the better.
IV. Leaven secretly and invisibly worketh and altereth the Meal, and maketh a Change therein, turning of it into Dough.
V. Leaven doth not change the whole three measures of Meal all at once, but it accomplishes its Work by degrees.
VI. A little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump. 1 Cor. 5.6. Gal. 5.9.
Parallel.
THe Word and Grace of God is of a diffusive nature, it will where it is received in a spiritual sence, leavens every Faculty of the Soul, until the whole Man, Body, and Spirit is leavened therewith. By three measures of Meal, some understand the Body, Soul and Spirit to be meant.
II. The Word of God, where it is in Truth received (such is the assimilating Nature thereof,) doth convert by its powerful Operation the whole Soul into its own Likeness, it changes the evil Quailties thereof, and works divine and spiritual Qualities in the room of them, making a glorious and visible change in the Heart and Life.
III. The Word of God must be received into the Heart, it must be hid as it were there like Seed that is covered in the Earth, that so it may have its blessed Effect in order to leaven the Soul in a spiritual Sence the better:Psal. 119.9 Thy Word have I hid in my Heart.
IV. So the Workings and Operations of God's Word are secret and invisible; our Saviour alludes to this, when he compares the Work of the Spirit in Regeneration to the Wind, as is well observed, the Word and Spirit work secretly, their Operations are invisible to the outward Eye.
V. So the Word and Grace of God, works not that blessed Change in the Soul all at one instant; but Grace is carried on in Believers by degrees. I deny not, but at the first Infusion of Grace or Act of Faith, a Man is really and actually justified; yet the Work of Conversion, and Holiness is gradually carried on, and may be a great while before it is perfected.
VI. So a small Quantity, or but a dram of true Grace will spiritually leaven and change the whole Man; hence Grace in the beginning is compared to a Grain of Mustard-Seed.
Parable.
LEaven is taken in the Scripture in an evil sence for Hypocrisy, evil Doctrine, Malice and Wickedness, from that sowre Quality that is in it.
Disparity.
THe Word of God hath no unpleasant or sowring Quality in it, but contrariwise it is the only means through the Spirit to purge out that old Leaven, whether it be evil Doctrine, Hypocrisy, Malice, or Wickedness, that sowreth and corrupteth the whole Man.
2. This may further inform us, touching the nature of the Word and Grace of God. And from hence we may be able to make some Judgment, whether Conversion be truly wrought in our Souls? or whether the Kingdom of God, (where Christ spiritually rules, which is Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit,) be in Truth begun in us or no?