The Wedding Supper, Sermon 12
The Twlefth Sermon.
Mat. 22. ver. the 14.
For many are called, but few are choſen.
NExt to the Commiſſion for the execution of the unworthy Gueſt (of whom ye have heard often, formerly) followeth the ground or reaſon of it. viz, that howſoever this (condemned) man came into the Church by reaſon of an outward call; yet he was none of Gods choſen ones, he was not of the number of Gods elect (as neither are many others (though called outwardly (as he was) to the profeſſion of religion) becauſe, many are called, but few are choſen.
Object. But ſome may Object, (and indeed I find ſuch a queſtion in Mr. Calvin, upon this Parable) If all be bid to come, and yet when men come they ſhall be rejected, and caſt out for lack of a wedding garment: then who ſhall be ſaved? or is it in mans power to procure it himſelf?
Sol. To this I anſwer, that the Holy Ghoſt, intends not here to ſhew whence the garment is to be had, (for he that invites to the marriage, cloaths alſo. Ezek. 16.7 and 10. v.) But the ſcope is, to ſhew that ſuch as are found in their ſins, ſhall periſh; not that the garment of righteouſneſs and Salvation is to be found in any mans own Cheſt. God finds nothing in us, but miſerable nakedneſs and filthineſs: Neither are we any otherwayes reformed unto the image of God, but as we put on Chriſt. Therefore (I ſay) here is not a diſcovery or Doctrine of mans power to cloath himſelf; but of Gods Method in the work of converſion; who worketh that in the elect, which he commandeth men to have. See Calvin in Iſai. 1. ver. 16. His words are theſe as they are tranſlated. Now we know that the ſpirit of God is wont to attribute that to men, which himſelf works in them, who is therefore ſaid to pour clear water, Ezek. …6.25. Becauſe repetance is a worke proceeding from him. So that (I ſay) if God that bids you come to Chriſts wedding, do not give you a wedding garment, it is a ſign you are not one of his elect or choſen ones; For all are not that are called; For many are called, but few are choſen.
Now for the ſence of the words; We are by called ones here to underſtand, not ſuch as are effectually called, (as in ſundry places the word is taken; among others, 1 Cor. 1.24. where the Goſpel is ſaid to be the power of God unto called ones;) but here by being called, is meant only a partaking of an outward call; to wit, to hear of ſuch a one as Chriſt was, and to joyn outwardly with Chriſtians; either according to Law (I mean mans Law,) or according to cuſtom, or the practice of our forefathers; (of which called ones, the greateſt part, are but a rude heap of baptized Pagans and Infidels) or elſe, ſuch as are Temporaries and Hypocriets, that have ſome common works of the Spirit; ſome fear of Hell, ſome ta…t of the powers of the world to come: and yet are found to be reprobate ſilver. True it is, that ſuch as are inwardly and effectually called, are likewiſe ſo called, and ought to joyn themſelves with Gods People, and Will: But yet this is the ſumme, that many are ſo called outwardly, that yet ſhall periſh everlaſtingly. The Next word to be expounded is the word (choſen, few are choſen) Whither we underſtand hereby choice ones, approved ones (as ſome expound the word) or elſe Gods election in Chriſt before all time, of ſome to be veſſels of grace (which yet in my poor opinion, may rather be called a purpoſe of election, then election it ſelf:) I ſay underſtand it either way; Tis plain the meaning of the Holy Ghoſt, is, That among the Multitudes of People that are by general profeſſion Chriſtians, there are but few choice plants, choſen of God and pretious, which indeed none are but ſuch as God hath predeſtinated unto the adoption of children, by Jeſus Chriſt unto himſelf, according to the good pleaſure of his will. Eph. 1.5. And this election from everlaſting, is called Gods purpoſe and grace (and ſaid to be) given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began, 1 Tim. 1.9. And none but ſuch (though outwardly called ones) ſhall ever be fitted, and trimmed to go in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and to be bid wellcome there.
From this verſe thus opened and expounded, I ſhall obſerve three ſhort points of Doctrine, and briefly handle them at this time, and ſo end my Sermon, and this whole Parable.
Doctr. 1 That many by preaching partake of an outward Call.
That few of thoſe are elected and choſen of God, or truly choice and pretious here by the working of the Holy Ghoſt.
That thoſe that are not ſo ordained of old, and ſo ſanctified by the Holy Ghoſt (as hath been ſaid) ſhall periſh at laſt, notwithſtanding their outward call, and profeſſion of religion. For (ſaith the Text) many are called, but few are choſen. Of theſe in order.
Reaſon. And firſt of the firſt of them, viz. that many partake of an outward Call. For both Jews and Gentiles partake thereof, as hath been already ſhewed out of this parable. The whole world conſiſts of two ſorts of People; all the world are to be invited one time or other. The Jews from the time of Abraham unto the diſſolution of their ſtate. Then for the Gentiles you have Mat. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Rom. 10.18. All Nations muſt be taught. Every creature muſt be preached unto. The ſound of the Goſpel muſt go out into all land…. The general coming of people to the Ordinances is compared to the calling of Swine & pigs to the mingle mangle, Come pyr, come pyr to the mingle mangle. So it hath been (the more the pitty) in our time; and is yet where unhallowed Miniſters have to do. Surely all that are admitted in the beſt Societies of Chriſtians are not cercainty ſound.
Ʋſe 1 For the firſt uſe, we may learn that the preaching of the Goſpel is no hidden thing. It is preached to a multitude, and muſt be; how elſe ſhall they be converted? It muſt be made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith. Rom. 16.26. The preaching of the Goſpel muſt not be too much reſtrained. The World muſt hear of Chriſt. Some there are that preach very ſweetly to Saints in private places; there may be a time for that. But there muſt be a time to tell all the World that Chriſt died for ſinners; that he that believeth not, ſhall be damned; that Tophet is prepared of old, &c. Some blame Miniſters for that they preach Moſes too much. Beloved, let Moſes go firſt; by the Law commeth the knowledge of ſin; But let Chriſt follow after; For the Law is a killing Letter, the Goſpel is the grace of God which bringeth Salvation. Jude ſaith, difference muſt be made; of ſome (indeed) we muſt have Compaſſion: but others muſt be ſaved with fear, and pulled out of the fire, ver 22. and 23. of that Epiſtle. Though ſometimes our words muſt diſtill as the rain, and drop down as the dew; yet there muſt be fire, and a hammer, to break the rock in pieces.
But it may be objected, The Goſpel is a hidden treaſure. Mat. 13.44. And a myſtery, and hidden wiſdom. 1 Cor. 2.7.
I anſwer, Not in regard of the outward means; for it is openly to be revealed, as before was noted our of Rom. 16.25.26. but becauſe of the blindneſs of mans underſtanding, becauſe the natural man cannot diſcern it. 1 Cor. 2.14. Becauſe the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4. But the blame is in men, and it is to them a ſign of perdition; for, If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loſt, ſaith Paul, in the 3. verſe of the forementioned chapter, and Epiſtle to the Corinthians.
And ſo much for the firſt uſe, or firſt branch (rather) of the information.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, Then great is Gods mercy and favour to multitudes, in regard of the means of grace vouchſafed; and although many ſhall periſh that live under them; yet that the means of Salvation is vouchſafed to them, is a rich mercy.
Ʋſe 3 And therefore take heed how ye abuſe this mercy; improve it to your benefit; Mot. For otherwiſe, you will have the greater damnation; you will have it with a vengeance; Your having of it, will be an aggravation of your puniſhment; as it is ſaid to Capernaum Mat. 11.23. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven, ſhalt be brought down to Hell. It will be ſo far from being enough to you, to enjoy the outward Call, that it will be eaſier for them that never heard of it, at laſt.
And ſo I come to the ſecond Doctrine, That few are choſen, or choice ones of thoſe many to whom the ſound of the Goſpel cometh.
If there were found a Judas, among but twelve, and that of Chriſts own chooſing; Then a thouſand to one but ſome of you that ſit here this day, will be damned. O conſider this, look to your ſelvs; Search your hearts; do as the Diſciples did, when their Maſter told them one of them ſhould betray him, they began to enquire, Maſter, is it I? Maſter is it I? O if any of you ſhould fall under that ſentence, Go ye curſed; good had it been for you, if ye had never been born.
Reaſon. Now the Reaſon thereof, viz. why ſo few of many are choſen, is, becauſe there are few that are effectually wrought upon, even of thoſe that hear the word. The ſeed of Gods word is ſown, but moſt ſorts of ground are naught. Mat. 13 ver 3. to the 9. And ſo Rom. 10.16 17. They have not all obeyed. All ſaid I! Nay of four ſorts of ground there is but one good, as ye may ſee in the forementioned place of Matthew. We read in Scripture, Acts. 5. Acts. 8. 2 Tim. 4.10. 1 Tim. 1.20.of Ananias and Saphira his wife, of Simon Magus, of Demas, of Hymeneus and Alexander (perhaps the ſame Alexander mentioned afterward to be the Copperſmith, who did Paul much wrong. 2 Tim 4.14.) all profeſſors, but ſtark naught. Nay even in the ſmall company of prophets, in the Jewiſh Church, ſee what the moſt were, to wit, blind watchmen, dumb doggs, greedy doggs, drunken ſwine, Iſai. 56.10.11. And what a generation of Vipers were there among the Jews? Mat. 3.7. And Mat. 23.33. Ye ſerpents (ſaith Chriſt) ye generation of Vipers, how can ye eſcape the damnation of Hell? And alſo Acts 7.51. Stiffnecked ones (as Steven called them,) uncircumciſed in heart and ears, ſuch as did alwayes reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt. And ſo in Moſes his time, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, men of renown, and famous in the congregation. Numb. 16.1.2. A Zidkijah againſt Michajah, 1 Kings 32.24. Azariah the Son of Hoſhajah, and Johanan the Son of Kareah, and a knot of other proud men more, that give the Lords prophet (as it were) the lye. Thou ſpeakeſt falſly (quoth they) thou art angred by Baruch the ſon of Neriah. O many are called, but few are choſen. I need go no ſurther then our own Town for proof hereof; the Lord grant that it may be thought upon. Ʋſe 1 Vain therefore is the conceit of univerſal grace; they that are elect in reſpect of the reſt of the world are few. Salvation depends not on him that willeth, nor on him that runneth, but on Gods election. Vocation followeth praedeſtination (I ſpeak now of effectual vocation.) Rom 8.30. The knowledge of election, (indeed) is diſcovered upon the receiving of the Goſpel, and following of the Apoſtles. 1 Theſ. 1. ver. 4.5.6.7. but not the being of it. It was from everlaſting, and is a cauſe of receiving Chriſt, not an effect thereof. We have a willfull ſort of free-wil men riſen up, Grace-deſtroying men, Chriſt-headers, that ſeparate him from his body, (the Church) the members whereof (even every one) were written in Gods book from everlaſting. He had a body given him for whom (as well as with which) he muſt die.
And how (ſecondly) are they deceived, that think it enough to be born in Chriſtian Lands, and to perform outward actions of religion; and to buy for their babies twelve penniworth of water to ſprinkle their faces (or ſometimes it will coſt a couple of ſhillings when theſe tails of men, and ſcumme of the country come a mile further then ordinary) I tremble to think how this ſealing Ordinance is abuſed, prophaned, even every week almoſt, by theſe Empyricks, and vagrant Mountebancks, who are not afraid, nowithſtanding God hath pluckt ſo many of them out by the ears in our dayes. O when God ſhall come to make a ſearch in our town; for his choice ones that have the mark of election upon them; I fear, I fear, what will become of the moſt of you that hear me this day.
I will name you, but four ſorts, look to your ſelves.
Firſt, The notorious evil liver; the raſcals, of which we have (I cannot ſay good, but) great ſtore in every ſtreet in the Town. Enemies to God and all good men, enemies to the State and all the bleſſed proceedings thereof: men indeed, fitter to be dealt withall with ſtripes then words; but that God is able to make words (and ſometimes doth ſo) to break (not only bones) contrary to the common proverb) but alſo hearts.
Secondly, we have ſome civil honeſt people, that have a little exactneſs that way; and this makes a greatſhow in a Country-Church (as we ſay;) all the world ſhall not put them off from their good conceit of themſelves.
Thirdly, but if they come to be conformable to the outward preſcriptions for Religious performances, and to pen a Sermon, or to be (as now we phraſe it) a Member of a Church: why then they are made for ever. And yet ſuch may be as far from happineſs as the worſt of men.
There are laſtly, A great heap of highflown Apoſtates, back-ſliders from grace, that ſhew they were never choſen of God and pretious, by their turning with the dog to their vomit, and with the Sow that waſhed to her wallowing in the mire. O the fearfull doings of our glorious times, in theſe unglorious carriages. But the Devil is Gods Ape; when God pours out great meaſures of his Spirit, he hath his ſtore of deluſions to deceive if it were poſſible the very elect No marvell then ſo many flie off; For many are called, but few are choſen, or elected.
Ʋſe 3 In the third place, it concerns every one to try and examine himſelf, whether beſides an outward profeſſion and generall calling, there be any evidence of Election by an effectuall Vocation. O we muſt take heed how we reſt in an outward Calling. Let no man or woman be content, untill they have found themſelves in the number of the Lords choſen ones. A notable place for diſcovery of it we have 1 Theſſ. 1. v 3. unto the end of the Chapter. O when the word is in power and in much aſſurance, when there is a working faith, and a labouring love, and a patient hope, and all in ſincerity, in the ſight of God our Father: when People become followers of the Lord (though much affliction follow:) and do receive the word with joy of the holy Ghoſt; this is excellent doings; and yet much more might be fetch'd out of that Chapter, had I not other things to acquaint you with. Therefore (to ſtoop to my poor ſilly unbred (yet populous) Auditory) I will name ſome particulars.
Firſt, If you be carefull to amend your ways.
Secondly, Marks of men choſen of God.To ſeek knowledge.
Thirdly, To renounce the World.
Fourthly, To feel and reſiſt temptations.
Fifthly, To fight againſt thy fleſh.
Sixthly, To forſake ill Company.
Seventhly, To mourn and pray againſt ſpecial ſins.
Eighthly, To love Gods children that are the pretious ones, and Gods Jewels.
Ninthly, To hate Raſcals and Athieſts with a deadly hatred; and not only to ſhun their ſociety (for that may be done for by-ends) but to hate the very Garment ſpotted with the fieſh. As Pſal. 15. In whoſe eyes a vile perſon is contemned. Pſal. 26. I have not ſate with vain perſons, &c. Pſal. 139, Lord (ſaith David) do not I hate them that hate thee? And am I not grieved with them that riſe up againſt thee? Yea, I hate them as though they were mine own enemies.
And laſtly, Learn the folly of the moſtdo men of our days. O ſay men, every body doth it. I ſay it is an Argument that none but ſtark buzzards in Religion will uſe. Gods People (you ſee plainly out of this Text) are of the number (not of thoſe many that are called only, but) of thoſe few that are choſen. O ſimple objection againſt Godly men (yet common) they be like no body. Why it muſt be ſo, it is ſo in the Text. And it behooveth all to try whether they be of the little number, ſheep of the little flock; and a mighty Motive to labour in this ſearch, we have next to handle for a Doctrine; it is the third and laſt, to wit, Doctr. That they which are not partakers of an effectual Vocation from Election, muſt periſh notwithſtanding their outward calling to the profeſſion of the Goſpel.
This point ariſeth from this word (For,) which ſheweth the ground of the condemnation that man lay under, that yet was partaker of an outward calling; he was not choſen, he was not elected; therefore it was that he was damned. Reaſon. And the Reaſon is, becauſe ſalvation depends upon Gods election, as may be ſeen, Rom 8.30. Moreover whom he did predeſtinate, them he alſo called, &c. Rom 9 11.12. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpoſe of God according to election might ſtand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was ſaid (to Rebekah) the elder ſhall ſerve the younger. Rom. 11.7. What then? Iſrael hath not obtained that which he ſeeks for: but the election hath obtained it, and the reſt were blinded.
Ʋſe 1 Now, if it be ſo, as you plainly ſee it is: then miſerable may a mans condition be, notwithſtanding he enjoy the outward means of grace. If he have not, do not, one time or another, taſte of the power of Gods Spirit, it is a ſign he is not ordained to life. But becauſe there is no good uſe to be made of this matter, but to convince, and to ſtir up to labour for aſſurance, it will be neceſſary for me to anſwer an objection, which is,
Object. That if God hath not choſen a man in Chriſt to be his, it is but in vain to labour for grace; for it will not be had by any means.
Sol. Now I anſwer, That ſecret things belong to God; whoſe revealed will is, Joh. 3.15.That not one that believeth in Chriſt ſhall periſh. It is my duty therefore knowing this, to believe; by doing whereof, I may ſafely conclude mine election. And therefore labor to believe every one of ye, & ſhew your faith by your works.
But to return whence I did digreſs; They erre that think it enough to live under a good Miniſtry; Judas lived under the beſt Teacher that ever was. And we finde Mat. 7.21, 22. that many that ſhall ſay Lord, Lord, ſhall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. And further, many ſhal ſay in the laſt day, Lord, Lord, we have propheſied in thy name, and in thy name have caſt out Devils, and in thy name done many wonderfull works; to whom yet it ſhall be ſaid, Depart from me ye that work iniquity.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, then it muſt needs be bad with them that diſclaim Profeſſion, Ordinances, and the means of grace; he that runneth, may read their damnation.
Ʋſe 3 Laſtly, let us all in earneſt fall to enquiry about our Election, and make a ſearch for it. Methinks every one ſhould be carefull about a buſineſs of this concernment. We are carefull to preſerve our lives temporal: much more ſhould we be careful about our life, and to be preſerved from erernal deſtruction.
Queſt. But how may a man prove his election of God?
Anſw. I Anſwer, I ſhewed before out of 1 Theſ. 1.3. to the end of the Chapter. And further, effectual Vocation is an evident ſigne of Election, Rom. 8.30. And the fruits of holineſs and righteouſneſs. 2 Pet. 1. ver. 5. to the 11. Faith, love, patience, ſincerity, and adhering to Chriſt; a delighting in the excellent ones. Conſider whom doſt thou love? whom wouldſt thou preſerve if it were in thy power? O conſider this ye that hate Gods people, that exclude thē what you can (ſometimes ſhamefully, though ſhameleſly) out of your Counſels for no other reaſon but becauſe they make conſcience of their ways, and the Ordinances of Chriſt which ye contemn; the time will come when ye ſhall be excluded. The ungodly ſhall not ſtand in judgement, nor ſinners in the Congregation of the righteous. And let ſuch as have theſe forementioned graces, rejoyce; they ſhall grow, and at laſt come unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt.
ERRATA:
In the Epiſt. to the Parl. pag. 3. in the Margin inſert Mr. I. B. blot it out in the next pag. in the 24. l. of the 3. page for while read untill. In the 6. pag. of the ſame lip for where read whence. In the Margin of the 7. for Brerewich read Greenwich. p. 8. l. 2. for Sermon 1. Sermons. In the book. Pag. 1. the title for Taviſtook r. Taviſtock. pag. 6. l. 17. for 7. put 2. pag. 51. l. 23. ſor word r. world, in the 46. p. l. 20. between the two words buſineſs (and indeed) inſert the word Which.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Larkham, The Wedding Supper (1652)