The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 32
Verſe 32.
The Doctrine of life and ſalvation is of all things the moſt infallible, the moſt certaine; yet of all things hath the worſt entertainment in the world: This is the ſureſt guide, yet hath the feweſt followers; the beſt merchandize, but hath the feweſt buyers; the beſt Phyſick, but hath the ſmalleſt number of Patients; the trueſt narration, but findeth the ſmalleſt credence in the world.Mat. 7. This is the Rock wheron the wiſe man builded, which the rainy tempeſt could not overthrow: This world, as the ſand whereon the fooliſh man built, whoſe houſe ſoon fell: This like the bow of Jonathan which returned not back, and the ſword of Saul that returned not empty:1 Sam. 1.22. The world like Iſrael, a bow that ſtarted back in the day of battel: This like a fountaine, alwayes full of water; the world like the brooks of Tema, dryed up in ſummer. Yet notwithſtanding all this, the world hath audience, affection, attendance, acceptance, when little or no reſpect at all is given to Chriſt Jeſus; for though that which he teſtifieth be no other then what he hath ſeen and heard, yet no man receiveth his teſtimony.
As in the former verſe the Baptiſt commended our Saviour from the excellency of his perſon; ſo in this verſe he commendeth him by the certainty and truth of his Doctrine. That which a man doth both hear and ſee, and whereof he is able to perſwade another mans conſcience that he muſt needs know with a moſt certain and ſure knowledge: But in ſuch manner doth our Saviour know what he ſpeaketh, therefore that muſt needs be moſt ſure and moſt certain which he teacheth: And to the end the Baptiſt might perſwade his Diſciples to believe in Chriſt, he doth commend Chriſts Doctrine to them from the certainty of it, intimating to them, whatſoever imperfection, errour, or deceit might be in other mens doctrine, whatſoever occaſion there might be of doubting, yet the doctrine of Chriſt muſt needs be true, free from all errour: And though it be a doctrine thus void of all exception, ſo wholſome, good, holy, heavenly, profitable; yet there is no entertainment given thereunto by the world, few beleeve it, love it, ſubject themſelves unto it.
In the verſe we have 1. The certainty of Chriſts Doctrine in it ſelfe. 2. The entertainment given to it in the world. From the firſt learn.
Doct. 1 That the Doctrine of life and ſalvation is a moſt ſure and certain doctrine; it is that which Chriſt ſaw and heard; it is a light free from all darkneſſe, a rule exempted from all crookedneſs, ſilver ſeven times purified, no droſſe in it, Pſalm 12.6. Therefore called a ſure word, 2 Pet. 1.19. A foundation whereupon whoſoever is built ſinketh not, Eph. 2.20. A word more durable then the world, Matth. 5.18. Letters more firm, more laſting then ſuch as are written with a pen of iron, and the point of a diamond, they ſhall never be defaced nor blotted out; like the Lawes of the Medes and Perſians, they ſhall not alter. Likened to a fountaine of living water, which is pure and conſtant, Jer. 2.13. And it is evident,
1. By the nature of the Author of it, he is the truth it ſelf, John 14.6. Without ſin, without guile, 1 Pet. 2.22.
2. By his fulneſſe of knowledge, Col. 3.2, 3. John 3.33. As the Sun is full of light, the Sea is full of water; ſo is he full of knowledge.
3. By his neer union and communion with the Father, John 1.18. Matth. 11.23.
4. By the oppoſition which this Doctrine was to meet with from wicked men and devils, who would ſurely have overthrown it, if there had been any errour or imperfection in it; but this is tryed ſilver, Pſal. 12.7. A ſure veſſel, Luke 23.4. Acts 4.12.
6. For the eſtabliſhment of the faith of Gods people, who muſt be builded thereupon, Eph. 2.20.
6. For the diſcovery of ſin, Heb. 4.12.
7. For the pacifying of the conſcience, againſt all aſſaults and accuſations, Iſa. 57.19. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19.
Ʋſe 1 If it be ſo, then beleeve, put confidence, and reſt on this ſure pillar, a tree that hath firme rooting, a light that cannot be darkened: other foundations may fail, and light too may wax dim; but this abideth for ever, therefore beleeve it.
For the more full ſetting home of this upon you, to beleeve, put confidence on this Doctrine of Chriſt, take theſe following conſiderations.
1. Becauſe it is a Doctrine moſt beneficial, a doctrine of conſolation, Heb. 6.17, 18. A doctrine healing ſoules, Matth. 8.13. and bodies, opening the eyes, Matth. 9.28, 29, 30.
2. Becauſe it maketh all proſper, 2 Chron. 20.20. Like the Ark of Obed-edom: it makes a man like the tree by the waters, Jer. 17.7, 8.
3. Becauſe it is the key that openeth the doores of the Kingdome of grace to ſoules, Matth. 21.31, 32.
Now that we may beleeve, conſider the following particulars.
1. Caſt away ſin: if ever we would believe, wee muſt have nothing to doe with ſin: read theſe places, Mark 1.15. Pſal. 50.16. Pſal. 66.18. 2 Cor. 6.14. John 9.31. 2 Tim. 2.19·
2. Deny your ſelves: conſult theſe Texts for this, John 5.44. Rom. 7.9. John 9.41. Rom. 7.18.
3. See the fulneſs that is in Chriſt, meditate on it, Gen. 17.1. John 6.68. John 14.10, 11.
4. Attend the word, Rom. 10.17. Acts 16.14. Eph. 1.13.
Ʋſe 2 Follow this fiery pillar, ſure guide, beſt light; ſay of this as Ruth to Naomi, Ruth 1.16. Follow it as a ſhadow, the body; and that you may doe it aright, follow it
1. Heartily, Rom. 16.17. Pſalm 119.168. 1 Cor. 16.14.
2. Fully: as 1 Kings 18.21. Num. 14.24. 1 Kings 11.6.
3. Univerſally, Luke 1.6. Pſalm 119.128. James 2.10. In every linke, ingredient.
4. Freely, willingly, Pſalm 110.3. Pſalm 119.32. 2 Cor. 8.3. Phil. 1.15.
5. Holily, 1 Pet. 1.15, 16.
6. Conſtantly, not going back like Iſrael, Judg. 7.3. Like thoſe mentioned, 2 Pet. 2.22.
Ʋſe 3 Get intereſt, and make ſure of this doctrine of life and ſalvation to thy ſoule, ceaſe not till thou finde this.
1. An inſtructing word, Pſ. 119.99. 2 Tim. 3.17.
2. A purifying word, Matth. 3.12. Jer. 23.29. John 17.17. purifying as Jordan.
3. A quickning word, Phil. 2.14.
4. A pacifying word, 2 Cor. 5.19.
5. A rejoycing word, Jer. 15, 16. As the Star to the wiſe men, Matth. 2.10.
6. A fructifying Doctrine, Matth. 13 24. Deut. 32.2.
But to paſs by that obſervation, and to come to a ſecond, which may be gathered from the ſecond particular, namely the entertainment this doctrine of Chriſt had, the generality of the world received not, entertained not, loved it not, no man: very few that is; whence obſerve
Doct. That it is but a very ſmall number that doe faithfully, ſavingly embrace, and firmly build upon the doctrine of ſalvation.
Of four grounds in Matth. 13.24. but one ſavingly received the doctrine of ſalvation.
This the Prophet complained of, Iſa. 53.2. Iſa. 65.2. Jer. 8.6. We read of a few Pearles, a few Vines.
Reaſ. 1 In regard of the Election, Matth. 20.16. now onelyonly thoſe are capable of wiſedome, Matth. 11.19.13.11.
Reaſ. 2 In regard of the ſtrong ſway of corruption.
Reaſ. 3 In regard that the natural man cannot ſee into Chriſt, or the Goſpel, Job 21.14. Iſa. 53.2.
Reaſ. 4 Becauſe there is an Antipathy between carnal ſoules and Chriſt, as between light and darkneſſe, 2 Cor. 5.14. Saul and David.
Reaſ. 5 In regard of the hardneſſe of the leaving of all things for Chriſt and the Goſpel: all muſt be rejected: every falſe way, that is cleare: but this hard; therefore many men embrace not the Goſpel.
Reaſ. 6 In regard of the ſtrong engagement of the hearts of men to the world, Matth. 6.24. 1 John 2.15. Matth. 8.34.
Ʋſe. It ſhewes that few partake of Chriſt, becauſe few partake of grace and the Goſpel: the number is but few: they are called a little flock: few entred into the Ark the Text tells us: few came into Canaan, and but few embrace the Goſpel and receive it.
Not to leave the way of life becauſe few embrace it. It is no wiſe project for men to lodge among Tombs, becauſe mad men did, as the Scripture mentions, or to forſake meat becauſe ſick men doe: Nor is it any wiſedome for men to leave the way of life Chriſt Jeſus and his Goſpel, becauſe the generality of men in the world do.
3 This muſt cauſe to try what entertainment we give unto Chriſt, whether our hearts be open to receive his teſtimony or ſhut againſt it; whether it be to us as the dew to the dry earth, or to the hard rock; as Muſick to the hearing, or to the deaf ear; as a friend, or a ſtranger; as a Phyſitian, or a wounding enemy; and this will be diſcerned,
1. By the abandoning and exiling of ſinne: no man giveth credit to the teſtimony of Chriſt, no man giveth entertainment unto Chriſt, but he thruſteth ſin out of the doores of his heart. No man entertaineth his Soveraign into his houſe, but he cleanſeth his houſe, beautifieth and adorneth the ſeveral roomes thereof; the woman that wiveth her ſelfe in wedlock, putteth off her menſtruous and unſeemly rayment; the Sun appearing in the Horizon, the darkneſſe, clouds, miſty and filthy fogs are diſpelled; no man entertaineth Chriſt the Lord of life, the Prince of glory, but he purgeth his ſoule, 1 John 3.3. Departeth from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.19. No man joyneth himſelfe in wedlock with Chriſt, but is Pſal. 45.13. Ezek. 16.9, 10. The Sun of righteouſneſſe ariſeth and ſhineth in the horizon of no mans ſoule, but with healing in his wings; he healeth their ſpiritual diſeaſes, endoweth them with ſtrength of grace, and maketh them fly from ſin, as Moſes fled from his rod when he ſaw it turned into a ſerpent, though before it was alwayes in his hand, he made continual uſe of it; ſo when men entertaine Chriſt once with their ſoules, though ſinne were never ſo pleaſant, delightfull, profitable to them, yet now they hate it as the onelyonly enemy of their ſoules, complaine of it as the heavieſt burthen, labour to root it out as the moſt noyſome weed.
2. By the neglect; deſpiſing, rejecting of the world: When the Sun appeares, the candles are extinguiſhed; when the Prince cometh, the fellowſhip, the preſence of beggars is not regarded; when Chriſt is once entertained into the ſoule, ſuch is his Beauty, Fulneſs, Majeſty, Glory, that then the world, though before very glorious, yet now it is as dung, Phil. 3.8. As withered graſs, Iſa. 40.8. As a dead thing void of life, beauty, profit, Gal. 6.14. As a thing of nought, Amos 6.13. This maketh them ſell all for this pearle, leave all to entertaine him; to forſake goods, Heb. 10.3, 4. Friends, Matth. 10 37. Life, Rev. 12.11. This maketh the grapes of the choiceſt worldly Vine be full of ſoureneſſe; the cup of her ſweeteſt wine to be full of poyſon; the pureſt manchet full of gravel.
3. By the holy fellowſhip and communion we have with Chriſt, as many as receive him, put their confidence in him, have felowſhip with him, as the Scholler with the teacher; they ſit at his feet, they heare his voice,Lu. 10.39. Jo. 15.15. as one friend with another; communicating their mind to him, he imparting his councels unto them, ſhedding the warm & ſhining beames of his love into their hearts, and their hearts reflecting with love againe to him, as the ſpouſe with the Husband after a more entire manner then with any thing in the world, as the ſervants with the Maſter of the family, as the members with the head of the body; his preſence with them, his dominion within them, his love to them, is vouchſafed and apprehended after a manner unknowne to the unregenerate world; hee is to the world a ſun under an Eclipſe Pſa. 53.2. to true beleevers, as the Sun in a clear day Mal. 4.2. to ſinfull men as a ſtranger, Epheſ. 2.12.1 Jo. 1.6, to others as a brother, a man well known Cant. 8.1.
4. By the comforts wee finde in him, hee refreſheth and receiveth the ſoules of all ſuch as entertaine him, comforteth and delighteth their hearts, more then all the pleaſant things of the world, Cant. 1.2. he is to the ſoules of beleevers, as the ſtarre to the wiſe men, Math. 2.10. As a feaſt to the hungry, Rev. 3.20. as the ſhadow of a great rock to the weary. Jſa. 32.2. as a precious pearle to the poore; Math. 15.44. when all the world like Baal, is dumbe and cannot utter a word of comfort, then doth Chriſt rejoyce the hearts of his ſervants Ro. 3.5. when the world is like an empty pit, then is Chriſt as a fountaine of living waters, refreſhing the ſoules of his children,Pſa. 4.6. when the abilities of the earth are as a candle extinct, then is Chriſt to his ſervants a glorious Sun Pſa. 5.6. when the world is like a dry breaſt, then Iſa. 66.10.11. God doth give comfort to all true beleevers, 2 Theſ. 2.16. making their joy anſwearable to their ſorrowes, 2 Cor. 1, 5. he will ſpeake unto them when their conſciences are perplexed, as once he ſpake to the diſciples, Mat. 14.26.27. as Iohn 14.1.18. Acts. 18.9. and 23.11.
5. By the ſpirituall liberty and freedome wee gaine by beleeving in him, by opening our hearts to entertain him, though wee are oppreſſed, reproached, aſſaulted within and without, burthened with variety of corruptions, ladden with manifold afflictions, yet entertaining Chriſt into our hearts by faith, we ſhall 1 Jo. 5.4. and Ro. 8.36, 37. bee like Cyrus, Iſa. 5.1.2. ſo 1 Jo. 3.8. Heb. 2.14. ſo that all that give credit to Chriſts teſtimony do feele the fetters of ſinne ſmitten off, the burthen of the iniquity removed, the holds of Satan caſt downe, they themſelves delivered Iſa. 1.74, 75. made free Jo. 8.36. from the dominion of ſinfull luſts, free from the tyranny of Satan the Prince of darkneſſe, free from the world that it cannot carry us away captives, free to know God, free to love God, free to beleeve, receive, and delight in God. Rom. 6.18. no more the children of the bond, but of the free woman, Gal. 3 31 no more like Lazarus in the grave, but like Lazarus riſen, walking after, following, and eating with Chriſt, obeying, delighting, and rejoycing in him; no more going about the duties of holineſſe by compulſion, but like the elders Iud. 5.3.
6. By the matter of our mediation having entertained Chriſt into our hearts, we thinke of Chriſt (the things appertaining to his kingdome, more then of any other thing whatſoever. As the Wife thinketh of her Husband, more frequently, more affectionately, with more freedome, fulneſs, ſtrength, with more motion of love, then of any other mans; the good ſubject ſpendeth more, and better thoughts about his Soveraigne, then about a forraign Prince; ſo all they who by a lively faith have betrothed themſelves to Chriſt, given up their names to him, do frequently, and fervently, meditate upon him, and his teſtimonies, Phil. 4.8. Cant. 3.1. Pſa. 1.2. Phil. 3.20. Heb. 13.14.
7. By the ſimplicity plainneſſe and integrity of our hearts, true believers, are true Nathaniels, like Chriſt, in whom there was no deceit,Io. 1.47. 1 Pet. 2.22 Io. 19.23. their diſpoſition, their converſation is like Chriſts Coat, without welt or gard, therefore likened to Doves. Mat. 10.16. to little children, Mat. 18.3 & Rom. 16.19. like bounglers, that have no skil, no art in working what is unlawful, this is the exoration of the Apoſtle, Phil. 2.15. and this is the care of Gods ſervants. Acts. 23.16. And this is the joy of Gods people, 2 Cor. 1.12, and by theſe things may we know whither we have entertained Chriſt or not.