The Disabled Debtor Discharged, Table of contents
A TABLE OF THE DOCTRINES AND OBSERVATIONS COLLECTED and Proſecuted in this enſuing Expoſition of that Parable, Luk. 7.40, 41, &c.
VERSE 40.
1. CHRIST much affected a parabolicall way of teaching. Doct. Pag. 9.
2. The Heart hath a tongue in it. pa. 11.
3. God hath an anſwer for the words of the minde, pag. 12.
4. Sinners (not ſinning preſumptuouſly) are to be reprooved with the ſpirit of mockeneſſe, page 13.
5. It is lawfull ſometimes to reproove by name, p. 16.
6. When our Brother ſinnes, we ſhould ſay ſomewhat to him, pag. 19.
7. Courteous uſage ſhould not hinder reproofe, p. 22.
8 The name and diſpoſition are ſomtimes ſutable, p. 25
9. Reverence and reſpect is due to Gods Prophets▪ p. 27
10. What Chriſt ſaith we ſhould readily attend unto, page 31.
VERS. 41.
1. Borrowing and lending is a practiſe of long ſtanding, Doct. page 36.
2. God is a Creditour, page 40.
3. Sinners are indebted Perſons, page 44.
4. The elect before converſion are indebted with the wicked, pag. 50.
5. All are not alike indebted to the Lord, pag. 51.
VERS. 42.
1. Sinners are diſabled Debtors, Doct. page 55.
2. Diſabled debtors ſhould be dealt mercifully with, pag. 61.
3. Remiſſion of ſinne is feiſable and attaineable, p. 62.
4. Whom God forgives, hee fully forgives, page 67.
5. Remiſſion is of free Grace and MercieMercy, page 71.
6. It is generall to all who caſt themſelves on Gods free mercy for it, page 78.
7. God forgiveth great debts, ſo well as ſmall, page 81.
8. Who owes leaſt needs pardon, as well as he who owes most, pag. 83.
9. Who have beene beneficiall to us ſhould be reſpected of us, page 87.
10. The more kindneſſe wee have received from any the more ſhould they be endeared to us, pa. 1.
11. God is truly loved of all whoſe ſins are pardoned, pa. 92.
12. All that love God doe not yet love him with the like degree of Love, pag. 97.
13. Who loves God moſt? is no unprofitable Queſtion, pag. 103.
14. Love is Loves load-stone, pag. 105.
15. After the Iudgement is rightly informed, Sentence may be paſſed, pag. 108.
VERS. 43.
1. A wiſe Reproofe is not in vaine to an honeſt heart page 100. Doct.
2. The truth muſt be told, page. 113.
3. The more mercy in the Forgiver, the greater Love (as may be ſuppoſed) is in the Forgiven, pag. 122.
4. The truth ſhould be received, whoever brings it, pa. 125.
5. There is place for praiſe as well as for reproofe, p. 129
VERSE 44.
1. VponUpon our turning to God, God wil turn to us, Doct. p. 132.
2. Sorrow is often ſilent, pag. 135.
3. The deportment of a true Penitent, is worth our obſerving, pag. 37.
4. It is lawfull to behold a woman, pag. 140.
5. Not onelyonly the guilt of ſinne, but the ſtaine of it is done away by true Repentance, pag. 144.
6. The best women are best worthy ſeeing, pag. 146.
7. By weake inſtruments, God confounds the wiſedome of the wiſe, pag. 147.
8. Circumſtantiall omiſsions in the entertainment of our friends may forfeit much of our thankes, pag. 151.
9. Christianity is no enemy to curteſie, pag. 155.
10. Things (in themſelves lawfull) ſuperstitiouſly abuſed may notwithstanding ſuch abuſe be uſed lawfully pag. 157.
11. The loweſt member of the body may not be deſpiſed pag. 161.
12. Where ſinne is truely repented it is lamented, pag. 166.
13. The greatneſſe of ſinne ſhould be anſwered with the greatneſſe of ſorrow, pag. 177.
14. What hath beene abuſed in the ſervice of ſinne, true Repentance converts to the ſervice of God, page 181.
15. The best ornament is not thought too good for Chriſt by a true Penitent, p. 182.
VERSE 45.
1. The ſignes of true affection may not be forgotten, Doct. p. 184.
2. Whoſ… loves Chriſt will kiſſe the Feet of Christ, pag. 186.
VERSE 46.
1. God allowes both for neceſsity and delight, Doct. p. 191.
2. Mirth at Feaſts is allowable, pag. 191.
3. Love is liberall of the beſt it hath, pag. 198.
VERS. 47.
1. Doctrines delivered ſhould bee well grounded and aptly inferred, Doct. pag. 201.
2. Chriſts word is ſufficient confirmation of Doctrine pag. 202.
3. Incontinency of life is accompanied with other ſins p. 204.
4. Grievous ſinners upon Repentance ſhall find merciemercy, p. 208.
5. A proofe from the effect is very demonſtrative, p. 215
6. Love of Chriſt is a ſure ſigne that ſin is remitted, pag. 216.
7. Loving much, argues much received, pag. 219.
8. Proportionable to that aſſurance which we have of Remiſsion by Chriſt will be that love we beare to Chriſt, pag. 220.
VERS. 48.
1. The power of Abſolution belongs unto Chriſt, Doct. pa. 223.
2. It is not enough that our ſins are pardoned in Heaven, but the Aſſurance thereof in our owne conſciences ſhould be ſought after, pag. 229.
VER. 49.
1. Christ was ſociable, pag. 233.
2. Thoſe that d…p in the ſame diſh with us are ſometimes enemies unto us, Doct. pag. 2…6.
3. Sinners are worſe within then without, pag. 273.
4. The thoughts of the heart are knowne to Chriſt, pa. 240.
VERSE 50.
1. Who ſo are abſolved by Chriſt are diſmiſſed the Court, Doct. pag. 253.
2. The true and beleeving Penitent even in this life is ſaved, pag. 256.
3. Faith, Hope, Charity and other Graces are concomitants, pag. 258.
4. Who ſo would be juſtified and ſaved muſt have a Faith of their owne, pag. 261.
5. More is required of a Chriſtian then bare beleeving▪ pag. 265.
6. Peace of Conſcience is the fruit of Iuſtification by Faith, pag. 271.
The PENITENT CITIZEN: OR, Mary Magdalens Converſion.
LUKE 7 VER. 40, 41, &c.
And Ieſus anſwering ſaid unto him, Simon, I have ſomwhat to ſay unto thee, and he ſaith, Master, ſay on. There was a certaine Creditor which had two debtors, &c.
OUr Saviour being invited by a Phariſee to eate meat; honoured the Inviter with his bleſſed preſence, he went into his houſe and ſate down to meate, (ſaith the Text.D. H…ll. Cont. in Nov. Teſt. lib. p. 73.) Not for any pleaſure that he took in the diſhes (for what was that to him who began his work in a whole Lent of daies?) but that he might doe his Fathers will, which was his meate and drinke, Iohn 4.34. and for the benefit of his ſo winning a converſation, who comming downe from Heaven, did not only frame himſelfe to our nature, but being on Earth, complyed himſelfe to the ſeverall diſpoſitions of men, becomming all things to all, that he might win ſome.
Whilſt our Saviour ſate at meate, A very memorable paſſage fell out in the Converſion and publike remiſſion of a ſinner, led in with a note of wonder, verſe 37. Behold a woman in the City, &c.
To heare of a true Convert is both Good newes and Great: A greater work it is to Convert, then to Create, ſhould we put into the one hand of God the World created, and into his other hand a ſoule converted; the glory of this hand would be the greater. If at our Creation David falls a wondering, Surely I am fearefully and wonderfully made, much more ſhould we admire the work of our ſpirituall Regeneration and Converſion.
Every Penitent may juſtly be brought in with a ſhoute; this by an eminence; whoſe Change in the order and diſpoſition of her life,Luke 15. was farre more ſtrange then the Returne of that Prodigall in the Parable, who yet went very farre, as there we reade.
He was urged and driven thereto with the ſtormes of affliction and diſtreſſe; Need, Impatient hunger, and a baſe ſervice did beate him back; But this Woman enjoying the morrow as to day, and every day ſolemnizing (as it were) the Coronation of her ſinfull pleaſures, in the height of glory, when ſhe might have vied with the Summer-beames in pride and gliſtering: Then (like the King of Nineveh) to ariſe from this her throne,Jonah 3. and lay aſide thoſe roabes of her delights, and to cover her ſelfe in a wave of ſalt and bitter teares (as with ſackcloth.) And (ſitting downe in the aſhes of her ſorrow) to proclaime a perpetuall Faſt from ſin; why, this (in mortall eyes) if ever any thing were ſtrange, was even ſtrangely wonderfull and full of admiration.
Should we but caſt our eyes on each Particular Circumſtance of her Faith and Repentance, as we have them re… ated in the Text, we ſhould find them worthy our beſt conſideration.
Firſt, ſhe was a woman by Sex, and ſo the weaker veſſell, 1 Pet. 3.
Secondly, a woman in the City (whether Naim or Ieruſalem, it much matters not) a place uſually ſupplied with more variety of temptations then ordinarily the ſolitary and ſtill Countrey; and might be rubbs in her way and hinderances to her Converſion.
Thirdly, a woman in the City that was a Sinner, one infamouſly diſſolute, and obdured in a notorious trade of evill. Now that ſuch an one, ſhould preſume to come to a Phariſees houſe, a place of an awfull and ſevere preſence; and at ſuch a Time, when there was a Feaſt whereat Chriſt was preſent, who was purity it ſelfe. And after ſuch a manner, in a kind (as it may ſeeme) of importunate unmannerlineſſe (unwontedly incident to a womans condition) to thruſt in, and then lay hold upon her Saviour; why theſe, every one ſeverally were pregnant Circumſtances of a moſt extraordinary repreſentation of a rare Faith in ſo young a Convert.
Nor do the other Circumſtances of her Repentance, deſerve any leſſe accent of admiration; be having found her Ieſus, ſhewes the true remorſe of her heart in ſix particulars.
Firſt, in her Humility; ſhe takes her ſtand at the feet of Chriſt, eſteeming the loweſt place too good for her, ſo vile an abject.
Secondly, Baſhfullneſſe and ſhame; ſhe doth not boldly face Chriſt, but gets behind him; being conſcious of her ſins, which thus placed her deſervedly.
Thirdly, Sorrow; The Rock is now turned into a water-poole, and the flint into a river of waters: ſhe weepes, and in ſuch abundance, as that ſhe waſheth Chriſts feet with thoſe ſtreames of Penitence.
Fourthly, Revenge; That haire which ſhee had ſo often gently combed, and cunningly broydered againſt the glaſſe, and then ſpread forth as a net to catch her amorous Companions withall, ſhe now imployes in the wiping thoſe Feet, which ſhe had with her teares waſhed.
Fifthly, Love; manifeſted in kiſſing Chriſts Feet, acknowledging thereby that ſhe taſted of the Comfort that was in him. O how gladly will one that hath eſcaped drowning kiſſe the ſhoare!
Sixtly, Bounty; ſhe powres a pretious and coſtly ointment upon thoſe Feet ſhe had thus waſh't, and kiſſed: Every way ſhe approved her ſelfe a perfect Penitent And therefore no marvell (the great prize comming) if the Trumpets ſound; the newes of this rare Convert is proclaimed with an Ecce, Behold a woman.
All this did Simon the Maſter of the Feaſt behold, but yet a ſquint; none ſtood ſo much upon the termes of their owne righteouſneſſe, as the Phariſees; nor did any more ſcornefully diſdaine the company of a perſon infamous, then did they. This Phariſee (though of the better ſort, as we may conceit in that he invited ſuch a gueſt as Jeſus) did ſtrongly ſavour of the leaven of his Profeſſion; for where he ſhould have admired Chriſts Mercy, he queſtions his Calling; Before this he judged him a Prophet; now he queſtions whether he were ſo much: were this man a Prophet he would ſurely know what manner of Woman this is that toucheth him, for ſhe is a ſinner, q. d. I thought I had invited a Prophet to my houſe, but I ſee he is none. He is no Prophet who is ignorant of the life of one ſo vitious comming ſo neare him as to touch him. But of the vitious life of this woman who toucheth him and waſheth his feet he is altogether ignorant: It cannot be therefore that he is what I took him to be. The Propoſition he takes for granted, 1 King. 14.6. 2 King. 1.3. 2 King. 5.26, which yet is not true; for every Prophet, knew not every thing, no nor did the beſt Prophet ever know all things; their knowledge reacheth onelyonly ſo farre as it ſhall pleaſe God to extend it, See 2 King. 4.27. &c. 2. ver. 3, 4.
The Aſſumption he thus makes good, did he know how vitious a woman this is, he would not ſuffer her to come behind him and waſh his feete, &c. But this he ſuffers willingly, therefore he (queſtionleſſe) is ignorant what ſhe is.
Our Bleſſed Saviour well perceiving Simons error to ariſe out of Ignorance or weake miſtaking, and not proceeding from a malicious ſpirit (as did other Objections made by ſome of his fellow Phariſees) Returnes a Convictive Anſwer by way of Parable, telling him of a certaine Creditor which had two debtors: wherein he doth firſt vindicate himſelfe, and make it evident to Simon, that he knew both this womans life and heart, and ſo was a Prophet, yea and more then ſo. Secondly, defends this woman, proving that ſhe was not now what ſhe had beene, nor as he conceived her to be. For ſhe was changed from what ſhe was, and therefore not to be cenſured for that ſhe is not.
In which Parable, we have Firſt, the Prologue or preface to it, v. 40. Secondly, the Parable it ſelfe, to be conſidered, v. 41.—50.
The Parable is prefac'd, Firſt with the words of the Evangeliſt to us, [And Ieſus anſwering ſaid,] And Secondly, with our bleſſed Saviours wordes unto Simon, [I have ſomewhat to ſay unto thee, &c.]
The wordes of the Evangeliſt to us, acquaint us both with the Author and the Occaſion.
The Author of the enſuing Parable, is Ieſus, A Prophet mighty both in word and deed, (however Simon eſteemed him to be.)
The Occaſion was, the Objection that Simon made within himſelfe, upon the ground you heard before; His Heart made the Queſtion, and Chriſt makes Anſwer to it.
The wordes of our Saviour to Simon conteyne in them; An Excitation of Simon to Attention, [Simon I have ſomewhat to ſay unto thee,]. To which is added the Replication that Simon made to Chriſt, [Maſter ſay on,]
In the Former we have conſiderable; 1. The Perſon nominated [Simon.] 2. The Purpoſe or Intent of our bleſſed Saviour ſpecified, [I have ſomewhat to ſay unto thee.]
In the Latter, we may take notice, Firſt of the Reverend Appellation given by Simon to our Saviour, [Maſter.] Secondly, of his Submiſſive obedience, and ready attention, [Say on]
The Parable it ſelfe followes, from, verſ. 41. to the end. Where more particularly conſider we, Firſt, the Allegoricall narration. [The was a certaine Creditor, &c. verſ. 41.—44.] Secondly, The Morall or Application. [And he turned to the Woeman, and ſaid, &c. verſ. 44, &c.]
In the Narration we have, Firſt a caſe propounded, verſe. 42. And then reſolved and determined, v. 43.
In the Propounding part, we have Firſt, A Relation made of the parties whom the caſe concernes, verſ, 41 Secondly, a Quere made upon it, verſ. 42.
The Parties are, A Creditor and his two Debtors: The Creditor is deſcribed to us, Firſt in Generall, he was a certaine Ʋſurer, (for ſo the word is.) Secondly, by his Practiſe or dealing with theſe his Debters in particular, [hee frankly forgave them both.]
The Debters are ſet forth, Firſt by their Number; [Two,] Secondly, By their Condition, which is to be conſidered; Firſt, As it was Alike, and that in two things; 1. Both were indebted. 2ly. Both were forgiven. Secondly, as it was Vnlike, and that in two things. 1. One ought a greater ſumme then the other. 2. That one loved more then the other.
The Quere made upon this Relation, we have in thoſe wordes, [Tell me therefore, &c. verſ. 42.] Wherein conſider we, Firſt, the Demand made, [Tell me.] Secondly the Ground thereof, [Therefore.] It beeing as hath bin related to thee.
This Caſe being thus Propounded, is Reſolved and determined, verſ. 43. [Simon anſwered and ſaid,] Wherein we have conſiderable, Firſt, Simons Sentence, [I ſuppoſe he to whom he forgave moſt.] Secondly, our Saviours approbation of it, [thou haſt rightly judged.]
The Application followes, verſ. 44. to the end. Wherein obſerve we Firſt, the Posture our Saviour uſed. Secondly, the Speech our Saviour made.
Our Saviours Poſture is layed downe in theſe wordes, [And he turned to the woeman,] Where firſt his Action, ſecondly, the Object muſt be conſidered.
Our Saviours Speech is directed, Firſt, to Simon. Then unto the Woeman. To Simon, verſ. 44.—48. And it conteyneth in it, Firſt, an Interrogation or Queſtion. [Seeſt thou this woeman?] Secondly, an Expoſtulation with Simon about what had formerly paſſed, [I entred into thy houſe, &c.]
In the Interrogation, there is firſt a Duty impoſed, [ſeeſt thou,] i.e. Behold her better, ſee her Converſation and behaviour. 2. The Perſon on whom this duty is impoſed [Thou] who holdeſt thy ſelfe to be more righteous and juſt then ſhe.
In the Expoſtulation made with Simon, we have firſt a Preference, verſ. 44, 45, 46. Secondly an Inference, verſ. 47.
The Preference hath in it, Firſt, a Reprehenſion of Simon for his defects; Secondly, a Commendation of the Woeman for her respects. And theſe are layed downe Antithetically; the one by way of oppoſition to the other, for the better illuſtration.
Simons defects for which he was reprooved were three 1. Againſt Civility, he gave him noe water for his feete, 2. Againſt Charity, he gave Chriſt noe kiſſe. 3. Againſt Hoſpitality, he annointed not his head with oyle, yet Invited him to a feaſt.
The Woemans respects were ſeene in ſupplying all theſe wants, 1. The want of water ſhe ſupplies with her Teares. 2. In ſtead of kiſſing his cheeke or lips, ſhee kiſſeth Chriſts Feet; (the loweſt member of his body.) 3. In ſtead of annoynting his head, ſhee powers her oyntment upon his feet, which before ſhe had waſht, and kiſſed.
Next our Saviour directs his speech unto the woeman, [And he ſaid to her, verſ. 48, 49, 50.] Wherein we have 1. Her Abſolution, verſ. 48, 49. 2. Her Diſmiſſion, verſ. 50.
In the Former we have, Firſt, the Sentence given. And in it conſider. 1. By whom: [hee ſaid.] 2. To whom, Thy ſinnes, &c. Secondly, Offence thereat taken, verſ. 49. Where the Perſons that are Offended, They that ſate at meate, 2. The Ground of it, and that was their Ignorance of Chriſt and his office, [Who is this, &c.]
In the Latter, the woemans diſmiſſion, verſ 50. We have mention made, firſt of the Inſtrumentall cauſe of her juſtification, [Thy faith hath ſaved thee.] 2. Of the Effect, [Goe in peace.]
Parables, (like Trees,) have in them both Barke, and Pith. It is not Gods minde that we ſhould ſticke in the Barke, Creditor il'e Deus eſt, in cujus albo omni um mortalium continentur nomina. Aret in loc. Adunbratur per hos Simon & mulier illa peccatrix foreign vero totum genus humanum equo nemo quiſquam ſ…lvendo exſiſtat, quā vis ratione peccati actualis vnus altero plus debeat. Mutheſ in loc.or outward letter, but endeavour the myſticall and more noble ſenſe. Who (then) this Creditor is; and who theſe Debters are, and what that Debt is which was owing, and forgiven; would be briefly knowne.
The Creditor is, God almighty, ſo he is compared in other places, as Math. 18.24. Our Saviour expoundeth this himſelfe, verſ. 35. And in the application of the Parable he doth the like.
The Debtors here ſpoken of, were Simon the Phariſee and this Woman, who had beene a notorious and looſe liver. But more generally, All mankind under theſe two are compriſed, even the whole Poſterity of Adam; eſpecially ſuch as are within the Pale of the Church, and profeſſe Gods truth. All of us are Debters to the Lord, yet one more deepe then another, in reſpect of Actuall trangreſſion, and breach of his Law.
Our Sinnes are our Debts, which Debt no man is of himſelfe able to pay: onelyonly Remiſſion can diſcharge and free us from it:Debitum quid eſt niſi peccatū &c. Aug de verb. Dom. c. 28 and this we doe obtaine through the mercy of God in Chriſt. Theſe with other Particulars in the Parable, ſhall be further opened and explained in the proſecution. Wee now looke backe againe upon the parts; and ſo firſt begin we with the Preface.
[And Ieſus anſwering ſaid unto him. Text. ]
Theſe are the wordes of the Evangeliſt to us; yet indited by the Spirit, (as was all other Scripture,) and ſo no leſſe to be eſteemed Gods, then that which followes; albeit they were not ſpoken immediately from Chriſts owne mouth. They acquaint us with the Author of the enſuing Parable, together with the Occaſion. Text. True convert on Luk. 15.1, 2. Familiare eſt Syris, & max imè Paleſtinis, ad omnem ſer monem ſuum Parabolas jungere, ut quod per ſimplex praeceptum teneri ab auditoribus non poteſt, per ſimilitudinem exempla que teneatur, Hier. in Math. 18. & Clem. Alex. l. 5. Strom. Lege Chryſolog Ser. 96. Ariſt. lib 3. de anima. text. 39.The Author was Ieſus.