The Wedding Supper, Sermon 7
The ſeventh Sermon.
Matth. 22. ver. 8. unto the 15.
Then ſaith he to his ſervants, The Wedding is ready, but they which were hidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the high wars, and as many as ye ſhall finde bid to the Marriage. So theſe ſervants went out, &c.
HItherto of the Invitation of the Jews, &c.
Now followeth to be conſidered the Calling of the Gentiles.
In which we may conſider
1. The Kings Commiſſion, ver. 8 9.
2. The ſervants diligence in the execution thereof, v. 10.
3. The Trial, Proof, and Puniſhment of unworthy Gueſts, ver. 11, &c.
1. As touching the Kings Commiſſion we have
1. The occaſion, ver. 8.
2. The matter of the Commiſſion, ver. 9.
The occaſion was the readineſs of that admirable Wedding Supper, and the unworthineſs of the invited Jews to taſte thereof; from bo… which I collect this Doctrine.
Doct. Not any defect in God or his Son Chriſt, but mans own unworthineſs deprives him of good.
There is here no defect in God; Chriſt is given to death, the Fathers Juſtice is ſatisfied, he hath by his one oblation of himſelf once offered, made a full, perfect, and ſufficient oblation and ſatisfaction, for the ſins of the whole world. The Wedding truly is ready; Though your ſins be as crimſon (ſaith God) I will make them as white as ſnow. If there were ten thouſand times more ſins, and wicked perſons then there be; yet the Wedding is ready; nothing can hinder from mercy, ſuch as are willing to accept of it. O Judas, thou didſt commit a very great ſin in betraying thy Maſter; but a far greater in running from him, and hanging thy ſelf. The former was to make his Manhood ceaſe to be, the latter was as it were a nulling of his Godhead, a very murder as it were of Chriſts Deity. Mary Magdalen was a woman out of whom went ſeven Devils, a ſinner in the worſt ſenſe; yet there was not a more holy woman living afterward. She came to Chriſt, much was forgiven her; there's enough in God, enough in Chriſt. Not any want of will in God. As I live ſaith the Lord, I do not deſire the death of a ſinner. Not any want in Chriſt, for he paid enough for a thouſand worlds. But they which were bidden, were not worthy. Mans unworthineſs deprives him of good. Why did the Apoſtle turn from the Jews to the Gentiles, but becauſe they did put the Goſpel from them, and did judge themſelves unworthy of everlaſting life? Acts 13.46. they were wanting to themſelves; the Supper was ready they were ſent for, they would not come. What was that which turned Adam out of Paradiſe? His own unworthineſs. He had one eaſie Commandment given him; but he hearkened to the Serpent, and forgot God his Creator, Gen. 3. What was that drowned the old world, but ſin, diſobedience? they hearkened not to Noah ſent for their good; Gods longſuffering waited in his Miniſtry and preaching; they were unworthy; they are now priſoners in Hell for their labour. Read 1 Pet. 3.19, 20. This unworthineſs made the earth to ſwallow up Corah, Dathan, and Abiram; they roſe up againſt Moſes and Aaron, which were Gods Servants, they wanted for nothing (as we uſe to ſay) but they would not be ruled, Numb. 16. there you have their ſtory. This unworthineſs in King Saul loſt him his Kingdom; Samuel was ſent to him with a Meſſage from God; he did not punctually obſerve it. See 1 Sam. 15.23. what is there ſaid. Rebellion is the ſin of witchcraft, and ſtubborneſs is as iniquity and idolatry: Becauſe thou haſt rejected the word of the Lord, he hath alſo rejected thee from being King. Mens unworthineſs is the common cauſe of all calamities. Health, wealth, the Goſpel, it is unworthineſs of them deprives you, robs you of them all.
Ʋſe 1 If this Doctrine be true, if not any defect in God, or want in the merits of Chriſt, but unworthineſs be the cauſe of rejection; if our ſins be the cauſe of all our ſorrows we lie under; then God is not to be blamed, when we are deprived of his benefits; men may thank themſelves for miſery in any kinde. Friends, you ſhould never live one ſad hour more, if you would accept of Chriſt, if you would be ruled by God. Tis true, Joſeph was in priſon, yea, but God was with him. What care I (may a Saint ſay) where I am, whither in a Palace or a Priſon, if God be with me.
Reaſon. Surely, this uſe may be made good upon this Reaſon; God is rich in mercy, and of a liberal diſpoſition to beſtow his grace and good things: therefore ſaith Iſaiah (cap. 59.1, 2, 3. Behold the Lords hand is not ſhortned, that it cannot ſave; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have ſeparated between you and your God, and your ſins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear, &c.
It ſhews alſo the greatneſs of mans ſin, that will not open his mouth to be filled though God bid him to open it wide, and hath promiſed to fill it. Ʋnto us a child is born, and unto us a ſon is given: Here is a Chriſt offered to you all to ſave you from your ſins. O what a ſin is this, men will not thankfully accept of Gods offers!
Conſid. 1 Conſider. 1. This provokes the Lord wonderfully, it moves him to take away his offers.
2. It is a greater ſin to refuſe Chriſt, then to break all the ten Commandments. He that believeth not ſhall be damned, Mar. 16.16. If any man love not the Lord Jeſus, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 1 Cor. 16.22. Let him be curſed, and curſed over and above. This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkneſs rather then light, Joh. 3.19.
3. Men ſin againſt themſelves; they rob themſelves, undo themſelves, caſt themſelves away; this is a ſin of a high nature, it is a ſin againſt nature. Men bring miſery upon themſelves through their fooliſhneſs. Beaſts that we are! to deprive our ſelves of the means of grace, of the fruit and benefit of them, of health, friends, wealth, every thing! Chriſt hath provided all things; O what pitty tis ſo much good chear ſhould be loſt! Surely it is a very ſinfull ſin ſo to forſake our own mercies, and to be guilty of our own miſery.
Next for Counſell. Seeing there is no defect in God or Chriſt; ſeeing mans own unworthineſs deprives him of good; are you loth to be deprived of Gods benefits? be carefull to walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleaſing, being fruitfull in every good work, and increaſing in the knowledge of God, Col. 1.10. Otherwiſe we may be juſtly deprived of good.
Q. But what is it to walk worthy of the Lord?
It is for a man to improve to Gods glory, and to the good of his own ſoul, all thoſe vouchſafements and enjoyments, which the Lord hath beſtowed upon him. Say thus, God hath given me wealth; I will uſe my wealth to his glory: the Lord hath given me opportunities of grace, I will improve them to the utmoſt. The talents which God hath given us, we muſt imploy them, trade upon them; we muſt not wrap them in a napkin; Have we riches, honours, children, lands, large poſſeſſions, any thing: Let us improve all to Gods glory; let God be firſt in our thoughts, let us exalt him in all things. Servants, Children, Houſholders, Parents, Conſtables, Magiſtrates, uſe your Talents, your Relations: improve your Intereſts to the glory of God, this is to walk worthy of the Lord. And this is the way, or rather a ſign, that God hath been, will be, and continue to be your God unto death.
We come to the matter of the Commiſſion. Ver. 9 Go ye therefore into the high ways, and as many as ye ſhall finde bid to the Marriage. In which words we may obſerve 1. The ground and occaſion hinted. Therefore 2. The word of command go ye. 3. The place whither they muſt go, viz. into the high ways. 4. The work to be done. As many as ye find, bid to the Marriage.
From the firſt (beſides what hath been ſaid already) we may learn this Leſſon.
Doct. The refuſal of ſome is an occaſion of the offer of grace to other ſome.
So Acts 13.46 47. The refuſal of the Goſpel by the Jews, is an occaſion of the offer of it to the Gentiles. So Rom 11.11. Through the fall of the Jews, Salvation is come to the Gentiles; if one will not, another ſhall.
Reaſon. For God will have his full number whom he hath choſen to life, to be called, in ſpight of all oppoſition. Yea, to ſee a People, given up to obſtinacy, and hardneſs of heart, is but to ſee Gods puniſhment on ſuch, to make way for the calling of others. The Lord will not have his Goſpel to be preached in vain; if the Jews reject it, the Lord will incline the hearts of the Gentiles thankfully to embrace it. Acts 13.48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. And ſo alſo Rom. 11.25. Blindneſs is hapned to Iſrael, untill the fulneſs of the Gentiles be come in. Therefore go ye out, &c.
Ʋſe 1 Then we may learn for our inſtruction, That the coming and going of the offers of grace, is not limited or diſpoſed according to mens wills, but according to the minde of the Lord. If men ſeek never ſo much to ſtop the current, they labour in vain. God alone doth all in this as in other things. If Gods elect be but few or none in one place, they be the more in another: If the word want good ſucceſs in this town, it will find better in the next. And yet let ſuch places take heed as will not receive the Goſpel, as will not hear our words. It ſhall be more tolerable for ſuch as never enjoyed the word; It ſhall be eaſier for the Land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, then for thoſe places. Read Mat. 10.14 15. It is a monſtrous abſurdity, to think that the removal of Miniſters is in the power of two or three addle-headed fools. Surely it is a buſineſs of a higher concernment then ſo. Davids times were in Gods hands, and ſo are the times of all; and therefore no queſtion Goſpel preachers go and come by Gods ſpecial will.
Ʋſe. 2 Next we may learn that the Lord is able to bring good out of evil, which may comfort Gods ſervants. They that profit not by the means offered, ſhall ſmart for it, as the Jews do even to this very day. But yet God will bring good out of it. This conſideration is of great uſe, we will a little look into it. All the creatuets both in heaven and earth, act, go, and come at Gods command. When we ſee men bold in their oppoſing the wayes of God, we many times are troubled; we do not conſider, that as in wiſdom he made all things, ſo in wiſdom he ordereth all things excellently. Gen 45. ver. 5.7.8. ſaith Joſeph there, God did ſend me before you to preſerve life, &c. And Gen. 50.20. but as for you ye thought evil againſt me, but God meant it unto good, to bring it to paſs, as it is this day, to ſave much People alive. And ſo for luſts, and temptations, God ſuffers them ſometimes in his own children; either to teach us to obſerve his rules better; or to humble us, that we may cleave cloſer to God, and that graces may grow (Humility) ſaith one) is the Nurſe of graces) or that we may know God, and our ſelves better, or that we may be the more thankfull when victory comes: but yet all this while God is bringing good out of it: and that Oracle (worthy to be remembred) that all things ſhall work together for good to them that fear God, &c. Rom. 8.28. will be found in the end to be gloriouſly true.
Ʋſe 3 Therefore let us learn to take notice of the power, wiſdom and goodneſs of God, that can and doth thus bring good out of evil, good effects out of evil cauſes.
Mot. 1 This will confirm us in the truth of Gods goodneſs, and other attributes.
And Secondly, It will teach us in evill times, inſtead of murmuring to bleſs God for his providences, and goodneſs and power in (thus) converting of evil to good.
And Laſtly, It will make us to walk confidently and to lie down confidently, and to put our truſt in God, and in nothing to be carefull. Though we meet with afflictions, yet we ſhall not be much troubled, becauſe we ſhall by taking notice perceive that theſe are to nurture us. Deut. 8.2.5. that we may learn to know him better, and to know our ſelves. Therefore it is good (I ſay) to take notice of Gods dealing in this kind. So much for this point.
From the word of command. Go ye, we may learn, Doct. That Chriſtians muſt do warrantable actions.
They muſt have a care to do what they have a word of command for; at leaſt, what is neither directly nor indirectly forbidden in the word of God. For there are ſome actions which are called indifferent, as 1 Cor. 7.28.30. If thou marry, thou haſt not ſinned, &c. and to weep as though we wept not, and to rejoyce as though we rejoyced not. Such things are not a tranſgreſſion of a Law (for ſo ſin is 1 Jo. 3.4) they are indifferent in themſelves; Though every particular determined thought word or action be either good or bad, a ſtep either to heaven or to hell: yet for the actions themſelves, there are ſome that are neither good nor bad.
But to the point, I ſay, Chriſtians muſt do warrantable actions.
Reaſ. 1 For firſt they are Gods Servants. Servants muſt attend upon the commands of their Maſters.
And Secondly, We have all the ancient practices of the Saints to look upon. As firſt of Noah Gen. 7.14. and cap. 8.1. … In both which chapters, he had a word … mand, both for his making, and alſo for … entring into the ark. and ver. the 8. for his taking in accordingly clean and unclean beaſts as he was commanded. c. 8.12. and 16. he ſtaied other ſeven dayes, that is, he would have a warrant for his comming out of the Ark. And Abraham, Gen. 12.1. had a command to go out of his country, & from his kindred, and from his fathers houſe, &c. And Jacob Gen. 31.3. muſt be bid to return unto the Land of his fathers and to his kindred. And in his old age though he reſolve to go to Egypt, Gen. 25.28. yet he muſt have and had a warrant, cap. 56. ver. 1.2.3. and 4. And Numb. 9.18. At the commandment of the Lord the children of Iſrael journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched, &c. Heb. 5.4. No man taketh this honour unto him (to wit of the prieſthood) but he that is called of God as was Aaron.
Ʋſe. 1 Therefore ſuch as do unwarrantable actions, can have no comfort in their doings. For they ſin, though they think not ſo. Sin is not defined to be a thing againſt the Law only in regard of the actions of ſin: but even ſinfull habits are forbidden in the Law; therefore mans nature being out of tune, is not ſo ready to do good, nor ſo knowing what good is. God therefore hath given rules to be obſerved, which not to obſerve is a ſin.
Mot. 1 And indeed well done will be pronounced only to thoſe that have done what they have been bidden and warranted to do.
Neither will Conſcience be ſo well ſatisfied with doing naked actions that are deſtitute of command and example, and every thing that might be a ground of comfort to the conſcience of the doer.
Neither will God have any glory from unwarrantable actions; it is as if God were not wiſe enough to give rules, or as if we had not a perfect rule to walk by.
Laſtly, It is an evil example to walk in this liberty of doing what is right in our own eyes, as if we had no Law-giver; this brings in boldneſs among men, and makes them fearleſs. But bleſſed is he that feareth allwayes. I omit the School utrums upon this point, as not being ſo uſefull to this auditory.
Go ye therefore into the high wayes. From the word of command, we come to ſpeak of the place where they they muſt go. Luk. 14.23. hath it thus, Go out into the highwayes and hedges. The mind of the ſpirit is to ſhew us Doct. That God in the offer of grace is altogether without reſpect of perſons.
For all mankind are alike to him. Reaſon. Job. 31.15. Did not he that made me in the womb, make him? and did not one faſhion us in the womb? cap. 34.19. He accepteth not the perſons of Princes: nor regardeth the rich more then the poor: for they are all the work of his hands.
Therefore are the Commiſſions ſo large. Mat. 28.19. and Mark 16.16. All Nations muſt be taught; every creature muſt be preached unto. Acts 10.34.35. Then Peter opened his mouth, and ſaid, Of a truth I perceive that God is no reſpecter of perſons: but in every Nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteouſneſs, is accepted with him Read Acts 13.46.47. And mark the laſt words of the latter of thoſe verſes; I have thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou ſhouldſt be for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth. Mat. 11.25.26. At that time Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, I thank thee O father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, becauſe thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and haſt revealed them to babes. Even ſo, father, for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight. 1 Cor. 1.26. For you ſee your calling, brethren, how that not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. Laſtly, James 2.5 comes in for a witneſs. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God choſen the poor of this world, rich in ſaith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promiſed to them that love him?
Ʋſe. 1 Surely then great men, are never the happier, never the neerer Heaven, never the the more in Gods books for their greatneſs. They are deceived that think to be eſteemed of God as they are in the World. Friends, you ſhall all ſtand alike naked and bare; glory not in any thing.
But let ſuch take comfort, though mean, that are taught to come to Chriſt: and let poor ones know, that they may do as well in this reſpect as the greateſt.
And let the means of grace be carefully improved, by all of all conditions: Seing God exempts none, let not exempt themſelves, be ye never ſo poor or vile.
Mot. O conſider (as hath been ſaid) to neglect grace offered is a great ſin and will bring ſevere puniſhment.
Fourthly, And as many as ye find, bid to the Marriage. This is the laſt particular in the matter of the Commiſſion. In which words we are ſhewed what a happineſs it may prove, to be in the way of the Goſpel, as it takes its walk through the world. The Apoſtles and Servants commiſſionated to preach, have Authority to invite to Chriſt, all that they have any occaſion to meet with: while they are in the execution of their office. Not all, but as many as ye ſhall find, muſt be bidden to the Marriage. There ſee Doct. That all are not made partakers of an outward calling by the Preaching of the Goſpel.
It is true, many more are called then converted; Yet there is a ſpecial providence of God in the outward call to Chriſt. There are times of grace for Nations, Towns and Villages. It was a good while before the Gentiles had it at all. Mat. 0 5.6. Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any City of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael. Acts 11.19. Now they which were ſcattered abroad upon the perſecution that aroſe about Steven, travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, Preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only. But Acts 13.46. it is made plain both for the Jews and Gentiles; the words are: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and ſaid, It was neceſſary that the word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken unto you: but ſeeing ye put it from you, and judge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life: Lo we turn to the Gentiles. And through the fall of the Jews, Salvation is come to the Gentiles. Rom. 11.11. Sometimes in one place, ſometimes in another, is the Goſpel Preached; not in all places.
It is a precious commodity. Things of price are not commonly to be had in all places.
Object. 1 But ſome will ſay, out of Mark 16.15. The commiſſion is, that it muſt be preached to every creature in all the world.
Sol. I anſwer, that place is not to be taken exactly, according to the Letter; for then beaſts and birds ſhould be preached unto: but for all ſorts of mankinde.
Object. 2 But yet again, Rom. 10 18. It is ſaid there, Their ſound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world.
Sol. 1 But for Solution; Firſt, that place is to be underſtood of Gods works, as may be gathered out of Pſal. 19.1, 2. & 3. There is neither ſpeech, nor language where their voice is not heard, that is, of the Heavens and Firmament and Sun, &c.
But Secondly, I anſwer, The Goſpel may be preached to all the world, though not at the ſame inſtant time.
Object. 3 Why but then thoſe that it is not preached unto, are to be excuſed; for how ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how ſhall they hear without a Preacher? Rom. 10.14.
Sol. But here to anſwer, I ſay, All have Gods works to behold, which is a ſufficient witneſs on Gods part, and leaves men inexcuſable, Acts 14.17. Nevertheleſs he left not himſelf without witneſs, in that he did good, and gave rain from heaven, and fruitful Seaſons, filling our hearts with food and gladneſs. And ſo Rom. 1.18, 19, 20. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, &c. So that they are without excuſe.
Ʋſe 1 Yet firſt, Miſerable is their condition that have no portion in the means of Grace, that are out of the way of preaching, and great is Gods favour to thoſe that have it, if they have hearts to prize it.
Mot. 2 And therefore ſuch ſhould be thankfull as have this Pear.
It is no common vouchſafement.
Queſt. But how ſhall one do to ſhew himſelf thankfull therefore?
Anſw. I anſwer, by his ready, joyfull and carefull receiving of it, as the Gentiles did, Acts 13.48. ſo much of the 9. verſe
Now out of the tenth we are to ſpeak briefly of the Servants diligence; which ha…h two things.
1. Their Pains. So thoſe Servants went out into the high ways, &c.
2. The Succeſs. And the Wedding was furniſhed &c.
Doctr. The former doth teach us, It is the property of Gods faithful Servants to be obedient to Chriſt their Maſter, (a) Gen. 6.22.12.4.22.2.3.16.Noah (b) Gal. 1.15, 16.Abraham, Paul and many more might be inſtanced in.
For it is, firſt, their duty.
And Secondly, it is their frame of Spirit.
And laſtly, It is their priviledge; and upon this they look as upon a priviledge, as indeed it is a very great one.
Ʋſe. 1 And therefore we may boldly ſay, God hath but a ſew faithful Servants. Sin and ſinfull luſts have more obedience then God. Rom. 6.16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants ye are to whom ye obey? &c.
Ʋſe. 2 And it may be a good evidence, and comfort to ſuch as delight to do Gods will.
Ʋſe. 3 And it concerns all to look after this property that deſire to know themſelves to be Gods faithfull Servants.
Mot. 1 Conſider the neceſſity of this property, all profeſſion is vain without it.
To obey is better then Sacrifice, 1 Sam. 15.22. and great is the utility and profit that comes by it.
Laſtly, look on examples, and adde to thoſe formerly named, Chriſts example, Phil. 2.8.
Further from the Servants pains we learn,
Doctr. That an outward Call is common to good and bad.
1. Reaſon, In reſpect of God, Rom. 9.21, 22, 23.
2 In reſpect of the Godly for their probation and trial of faith, 1 Cor. 11.19.
3. In reſpect of the wicked to leave them without excuſe.
Ʋſe 1 They err that would have the viſible Church without mixture.
See theſe places, Gen. 4.3, 4. cap. 9.18.25. cap. 17, 18, 19. cap. 27. ver. 41. Mark 10.4. Acts 5.1. cap. 6.5. cap 18.13. Rom. 9.6, 7. cap, 10.16. 1 Cor. 5.1. Jude 12. Rev. 2.9 14, 15.29. A floor of corn and chaff, Matth. 3.12. Tares and wheat, cap. 13.24. A draw net, 47, 48 49.
2. Be not content with an outward Calling. But to end; from the ſucceſs we learn,
Doctr. If all comers may be admitted, gueſts will not be wanting; men may be drawn to the outſide for by-reſpects, as Balaam, Numb. 23.10. and ſo Matth. 7.21.
Ʋſe. And therefore an outward profeſſion is not ſufficient to prove a man a true Chriſtian: and it is every mans part to look to the ſincerity of his heart.
Mot. For they are ſure to be tried; for the King will come in to ſee his gueſts; which is the third particular in the invitation of the Gentiles. But I muſt here end for this time.