The Good Samaritan, Part 22 – Part 23
And tooke care of him. Text.
foreign. As this Samaritane had undertaken the cure, ſo he doth it with care. Truth it is,
Doct. All ought to be providently carefull of what we undertake within the compaſſe of our calling, whatſoever our hand findeth to do, we muſt do it with all our might, Eceleſ. 9.10. read Pro. 6.6, 7, 8. & 27.23 & 30.13. 1 Cor. 7.32, 34. 2 Cor. 11.28. 1 Tim. 5.8.
Vſe. Wherfore ſuch miſſe it much, as are careleſſe in their particular callings under pretence of Religion, and works of Piety. S. Pauls rule is, ſo to labour as that we be not chargeable unto others, 1 Theſ. 5.11, 12. And he tells us plainly that who ſo provides not for his Family hath denied the Faith and is worſe then an Infidell: 1 Tim. 5.8.How this Proviſion can be made and no care taken, I cannot conceive.
Object. But Mat. 6.31. foreign, ſaith our Saviour, take you no thought, and Phil. 4.6. foreign, be carefull for nothing: no worldly care then it ſeems is allowed unto a Chriſtian.
Reſp. There is a twofold care. Sollicitudo diligentiae & diffidentiae.
A Care of diligence, this is called, foreign, and a care of diffidence, foreign, the former of theſe is Regular, well confined and kept within the bounds of moderation: And is deſcribed to be, An act of wiſedome taking up the understanding faculty (eſpecially) whereby after a man hath rightly judged what be ought to doe, and what not, he with more or leſſe intention of mind (accordingly as the nature of the thing requireth) is provident to finde out, and diligent to uſe all lawfull meanes that may further his deſires, expecting the ſucceſſe from God with a contented ſpirit. This care is honeſt and warrantable, no where forbidden but every where commanded and commended 2 Cor. 11.28.
The latter of theſe is Irregular and ariſeth out of a diſtruſt of God and feare of wants: It is a cutting, dividing, diſtracting care, nor will it ſuffer it ſelfe to bee limited within the bounds of Chriſtian moderation; but cauſeth a man over-eagerly and inordinately to purſue his deſires, perplexing himſelfe likewiſe with fearefull thoughts about the ſucceſſe. And this care is ſtill blamed and in Scripture condemned, and the care that is ſpoken of in the former Texts.
Doct. As all ought to be carefull of what they undertake within the compaſſe of their callings, ſo eſpecially thoſe who have undertooke the looking and providing for, of impotent and diſeaſed perſons. Such in a ſpeciall manner are to have a care over their cure and charge.
The life of man is deare to him and of great worth, Skin for skin and all a man hath will he give for his life, Iob 2.4. Salomon cals it animam pretioſam, the pretious life, Pro. 6.26. And ſo it is both in it ſelfe being rationall and ſo excells that kind of life which the irrationall and ſenſitive creatures live (And yet anima Muſcae eſt Sole preſtantior, the ſenſitive ſoule of a Fly is more excellent in nature then the glorious Sun) As alſo in regard of Ʋſe. For,
1. God hath glory by it, Non enim ſepulchrum, ſaith Hezekiah, Iſay. 38.18, 19. The grave cannot praiſe thee, death cannot celebrate Gods glory, Vivens, vivens, ipſe celebrabit te, The living, the living, they ſhall praiſe the Lord.
2. The Church and Common-wealth have benefit by it: Saint Paul confeſſeth of himſelfe, that he aboad ſtill in the body for the good of the Philippians, Phil. 1.24, 25.
3. Much good and profit comes to a mans ſelfe hereby; For firſt the Perſon of man is preſerved in its eſſe or being by it, through the perſonall Union of ſoule and body which otherwiſe would be diſſolved. Secondly, through it we become capable of comfort here: By the bleſſing of life other good things become bleſſings to us (under God) All the comforts of this life are nothing to a dead man; In which reſpect Salomon ſaith, A living Dog is better then a dead Lyon, Eccleſ. 9 4. Thirdly, by meanes of it we come to be made partakers of the joyes of a better life; whilſt we do imploy it in working up of our ſalvation with feare and trembling. Every way then life is a pretious thing; now if we thinke our ſelves bound to preſerve a Jewell of our Neighbours committed to our care and truſt, then the life of our neighbour much more, which being farre more pretious.
And as life and health is pretious in it ſelfe, ſo with much ado it is hatched up and preſerved: The life of no other creature is ſubject to ſo many dangers, outward and inward; nor ſooner overthrowne then mans: It is like a brittle glaſſe full of pretious liquour, a ſmall knock breakes all: Or like a watch conſiſting of many wheeles and gimbals which every day muſt be wound up and kept in reparation; by meat, drinke, ſleepe, exerciſe, &c. Often it gathers duſt and growes fowle and then the hand of Phyſick is employed to cleanſe it, which if it be not carefully done, all falls to peeces preſently; The body drops aſunder and here lies a pin and there a wheele, here one bone and there another, till the exquiſite workman who firſt made it, takes it again in hand to repoliſh it and reunite it.
Vſe Therefore let Phyſitians, Surgions and ſuch other as have undertaken cures, conſider what a charge is committed into their hands; and beware how they commit the health and life of their Patients unto the Apothecary or his boy. Life is more pretious then ſo; Phyſicke ſhould be taken cum cuſtodia, ſo likewiſe adminiſtred and given.
This might likewiſe be applied to Overſeers of the poore in Pariſhes, whoſe care ſhould be that nothing neceſſary be wanting to impotent and diſeaſed perſons: as alſo to ſuch as are keepers and tenders of ſick: But I leave the proſecution to your private meditations and come from the History to the Myſtery.
So this ſets forth unto us the great care that our Saviour (that true Samaritane) tooke for mans Salvation,
Doct. While he was upon the Earth he was full of care and tenderneſſe for our ſoules welfare.
Our Saviour makes this care one ſpeciall note of difference, betwixt himſelfe and hirelings, Iohn 10.12, 13. And he did notably ſhew it in each part of his office of Mediatorſhip: As in his Propheticall, Prieſtly and Regallfunction, in none of which was wanting any care.
As our Prophet, he carefully revealed the whole wil of his Father to us (ſo farre as concerned our Salvation, Iohn 15 15. and 17.8.) He went about from place to place doing good, preaching the Goſpell, working of miracles. Act. 10.38. Inſomuch that the people who ſate in darkneſſe ſaw great light, Math. 4.16. And as thus in generall; ſo in particular diſtributions according to the ſeverall eſtates, and ſecret demands of each ones particular condition, ſo as that each paſſage of the word was exactly ſutable therunto; wherby he manifeſted that his care reached unto particular men: Some were broken hearted, Iſa 61.1, 2, 3. Luk. 4.18. Iſa 42.3. Mat. 12.20.them he bindeth up: Some Captives, to thoſe he proclaimed liberty: Some mourners, for them he had beauty: Some bruiſed reeds, ſmoaking flax, theſe he did ſo carefully tend, as that they might not be broken nor quenched, altogether, he was carefull that Iudgement might be brought forth into victory: He had proviſion for any want: medicine for any diſeaſe; comfort for any diſtreſſe; anſwer for any doubt; direction for any difficulty; ready at hand as occaſion ſhould require. There is no eſtate wherin a Chriſtian can be ſet, but the aboundant care of Chriſt towards him is magnified in the Goſpell.
Looke we upon him in the diſcharge of his Prieſtly function, there we ſhall finde no care wanting, neither in offering up ſacrifice, and oblation, nor making interceſſion (for in theſe two acts the Prieſthood of Chriſt conſiſted) by the former he ſatisfies for the debt of man, which debt was two fold. 1. Active, in doing the duties of Gods Law (which we were bound unto as wee were Gods Creatures.) 2. Paſſive, in ſuffering willingly the penalty of the Law, (and this we owed unto God as we were his Priſoners.) In both theſe was Chriſt very obſervant; and for both made exact, and punctuall payment. Mat. 3 15. & 5.17, 18, Not one ceremoniall type remained to be fulfilled, as S. Paul to the Hebrews …t large ſheweth. Aſſoone as ever he was borne he began to pay and fill all thoſe water pots, Ioh. 2. No ſooner doth S. Mathew ſpeake of his birth, but one veſſell is filled ſtrait. Mat. 1.22. and that was Eſais meaſure. So Math. 2 17. there was a meaſure of Hoſea filled. Hoſ. 11.1. & Math. 2.6. there was a veſſell of Michaias filled. Mich. 5.2. & Mat. 2.17. there was a veſſell of Ieremiahs filled. Ier. 31.13. Whereſoever he went he was filling as Mat 2.23. whatſoever he ſpake was to fill up. Mat. 13.35. when hee ſpake not, it was to fulfill alſo. Act. 8.35. whatſoever hee did was to fill-full, Mat. 21.5. whatſoever he ſuffered was the like, Ioh. 12.38. & 15.25. And at his death he fulfilled all, Mat. 26.56. and gave not over till all was finiſhed. This may appeare by that of Paul, Col. 2.14. for how could the bond have beene cancelled had not the debt beene paid? So Rom. 8.3, 4. And in theſe reſpects he is ſaid to be the holy one, and the juſt one, Acts 3.14. & 4.27. & 2 27. and a Lamb without ſpot and blemiſh, 1 Pet. 1. that taketh away the ſins of the world, Ioh. 1.29.
As for the other act of Chriſts Prieſt-hood, his Interceſſion, he was no way wanting in that neither; See his care in that Prayer of his, Iohn 17. and in the very time of the Sacrifice, whilſt it was hanged up, Luk. 23.34. Now that he ſits at Gods right hand, his care is not leſſoned. See Heb. 7.25. 9.24. Rom. 8.34. 1 Ioh. 2.1.
Laſtly, If we look on him in the diſcharge of his Regall or Kingly office, in the exerciſing of thoſe kingly duties which belonged to his regall function, we ſhall find his care was no way wanting.
Firſt in the gathering of his ſubjects to himſelfe, by his Word and ſpirit, Iſa. 11.11, 12. Ioh. 10.16.
Secondly, In governing thoſe he hath gathered. 1. In ruling of their hearts and leading them in the way, Iohn 10.3, 4. Iſay. 30.21. 1 Pet. 2.9. 2 Pet. 1.3. 1 Cor. 1.48.
Next in Protecting or ſuccouring of them in all temptations, Heb. 2.17. Pſal. 121.4. Mark. 4 38.40.Iohn 16.33. 1 Cor. 10.13. Phil. 4.19 Rom. 15.4.
Thirdly, In Execution of Iuſtice. 1. Towards his owne Subjects, in juſtifying and acquitting them, Rom. 8.
And alſo in diſtributing of Rewards amongſt them, Ephes;. 1. & 4.1.2. Towards his Enemies, confounding their Projects, holding up his kingdome in the midſt of their malice.
2. Their Perſons, ſo that not an enemy was left unſubdued. Not Sin, 1 Cor. 15.17. Not Death, 1 Cor. 15.54. Nor Hell, Revel. 1.18. Nor Satan, Coloſ. 2 15. Nor the World, Ioh. 16.33.
Vſe 1 The Uſe of this is, firſt to informe us of the worth of the ſoule and the excellency of Salvation: Were it not a rate and a pretious thing, would Gods owne Son have come downe from Heaven, and himſelfe perſonally tooke the care therof? Had it not bin of great worth, would he ever have undertaken ſuch a peculiar charge, 1 Pet. 1.10. And yet we neglect ſo great Salvation. We have a care to preſerve a plant from withering, a beaſt from periſhing, a body from dying, and count of them who have care and skill this way; but who eſteemes or accounts of that care which keeps a ſoule from damning: The more grace we have, the more ſhall we be taken up with the contemplation of this ſubject and with the continuall ſtudy and care after it.
Vſe 2 It ſhould teach us dependancy upon Chriſt for life and for Salvation. Paul was not aſhamed of Perſecutions, 2 Tim. 1.becauſe he knew whom he had beleeved; he doubted neither of his care nor power, and therfore committed his ſoule unto him againſt the laſt day when all forſook him, 2 Tim. 4.16, 17, 18. And ſurely want of conſideration of the care of God and Chriſt is the ground of all diffidence, Math. 6. Why do men truſt in themſelves and friends, but becauſe they reſt aſſured of their care and good-will towards them? Did men reſt aſſured of the care of Chriſt, and compare his affections with other ſuccours, they would rather chooſe to build their hopes and aſſurances on him, hence it is that Saint Peter uſeth this as an argument; Caſt your care upon him, quoniam ipſe cura eſt de vobis, for he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5.7. A right Judgement of Chriſt would help us to imploy our Faith in any condition whatſoever, be it never ſo hard, as 1 Sam. 26.10, 11. While David had Faith in Gods Providence, he could ſay of Saul, The Lord ſhall ſmite him, or his day ſhall come to dye, or he ſhall deſcend into the battaile and periſh; Abſit mihi a Iehovah, God forbi that I ſhould ſtretch forth mine hand against the Lords annoynted. But when he once began to doubt of Gods care and providence, then he ſaid, Tandem abſumar die unaper manum Saulis, Surely I ſhall one day periſh by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1. See therfore that we get Faith in Gods Providence, as well as in his Promiſe; and feare not any of our adverſaries or their malitious practiſe againſt us, they ſhall never hinder us of ſalvation, Pſal. 23. None ſhall be loſt that are under his hand, Ioh. 10.29. It is Gods command that he which hath received a calling ſhould waite upon his calling: Go then boldly to Chriſt (thou that art of a drooping ſpirit) beſeech him to continue his care over thy poore ſoule: It is of his fold, beſeech him not be abſent when the woolfe commeth: Be not thou wanting to thy ſelfe, and reſt aſſured he will no way be wanting unto thee, 1 Pet. 1.13.
Object. But I am weake, my ſinnes are many: How ſhould he take care of ſuch a wretch as I am?
Reſp. What was in this wounded man to move this good Samaritane to take this care of him, but compaſſion in himſelfe and miſery in the object? This is it that puts on Chriſt, and cauſeth him (as it were) to turne Projector, which way to ſhew mercy and do good: So Hoſ. 11.8. The Lord there ſets himſelfe to ſtudy and contrive mercy for his people, gathering together his thoughts of mercy to conquer their ſinnes, which they in pride, as it were, did ſet up to poſe his Covenant.
Object. But though he hath taken this tender care of the Salvation of poore ſinners, will hee doe ſo ſtill?
Reſp. He is Ieſus Chriſt, heri & hodiè, Yeſterday and to day and the ſame for ever, Heb. 13.8. there is conſtancy and continuance in this his care; his mercies endure, his compaſſions faile not.
Object. But he is now in Heaven, how then can he take care?
Reſp. He is ſo, but there he is our Advocate and practiſing for us in that Court,
Secondly, he hath made preparations and proviſions for the future for us.
And on the morrow when he departed, Text. &c.
Verſ. 35 This good Samaritane could make no long ſtay upon the Earth, but as he tooke care of his Patient while be was preſent with him, ſo now being to depart he commends him to the care of the Hoaſt, with whom he leaves mony to ſupply that diſtreſſed mans neceſſities, and withall gives ſpeciall charge that he be well lookt unto, promiſing to pay at his returne, what ever (above that he left) ſhould be laid out.