Several Works, Work 2 · Part 10

Several Works · Work 2 · Part 10

p. 325Verſe 10.

—foreign.

IN this Verſe you have a twofold obſervation of the coming of the Bridegroom: His coming is, to make a full diſtinction and ſeparation between the precious and the vile, the end is the differencing thing, Mark the perfect, &c. the end of that man is Pſal. 37. 37.Ps 37:37peace; hypocrites and real believers promiſcuouſly go in and out in this Church Militant, this heaven upon earth; but now there ſhall be a difference put; to ſome the door of heaven is opened, and they enter, to others it is ſhut, it is clapt againſt them.

We will in the firſt place a little conſider the firſt, they that were ready went in with him unto the Marriage. There are divers things Note-worthy in this little clauſe; I ſhall but briefly run over them. 1. Some then it ſeemeth are ready for entrance into glory. 2. Such as are ready do enter. 3. That they enter with Chriſt, with the Bridegroom. And 4. That this glory is ſet forth by a Marriage, or a Marriage-Feaſt, as the word elſewhere imports, of which afterwards.

I will wind up the two firſt into one Note or Doctrine.

That ſuch as are ready when Chriſt cometh, do enter into Doctr▪glory.

This is ſufficiently clear from the Text, the Parable ſetting forth the ſtate of all the Saints as they ſhall be differenced from hypocrites at the day of their appearance before Chriſt, for it is the Kingdom of heaven is here compared to the Virgins, the Church viſible, to the wiſe and fooliſh, the Church inviſible to the wiſe Virgins, ſo I underſtand it. Now theſe wiſe Virgins, they were ready prepared for the entrance in to the Marriage, though the fooliſh were not; they that were ready, that is to ſay, all the wiſe Virgins, they entred in; ſo that this reacheth the condition of Gods people in all times and ages, who are a part of this Kingdom; p. 326The Iſraelites, when God had proved and prepared them, by enuring them to the wilderneſs, to ſo many hardſhips, then they entred into Canaan. … not before fourty years; they wandered before they muſt enter, but when once prepared they enter. So the Apoſtle, when he had finiſhed his courſe, and fought the good fight, then he was ready to enter, and he entred into glory; therefore it is, that it is ſaid of the righteous, he is gathered like 2 Tim. 4. 7.2 Tim 4:7a Shock of corn in his due ſeaſon: that is to ſay, when it is Job 5. 26.Job 5:26fully ripe and ready to the ſickle; a wiſe husband-man will not reap the field while it is green and unready, no more will the Lord gather his Saints to him until they be prepared; they muſt hang in the Sun ſo long, and endure the nipping of cold and injuries of weather ſo long, until they be ready, and then they are gathered.

Two things I ſhall do before I come to the Application. Firſt, a little inquire what is meant by this readineſs; and herein indeed only put you in mind of what you have heard in a great part, while I have been upon this parable already, and all of it doubtleſs at other times you have heard again and again; but I would put you in remembrance, as is neceſſary; and then, 2. The arguments to confirm this point, and ſo to the Application.

Firſt then, a man is ready, or this is a part of it, when he hath gotten this oyl in his veſſel, without this no readineſs; though the fooliſh Virgins be awaked after their long profeſſion and falling aſleep; yet you ſee they are unready, and are all in a hurry, as people unready uſe to be; when the Bridegrom cometh, they are going to them that ſell, that they might buy oyl, therefore they were unready; my meaning is Brethren, untill a man hath received from the Lord the ſpirit of holineſs to dwell in him, to be a living Cruſe of oyl that never fails, to be a ſpring of grace in his ſoul, to water, and refreſh, and ſupply him in all his conditions, a man is not ready to enter. Paul was a choſen Veſſel, but though he: was a ſtrict man, (I pray you mind it Brethren) I doubt ſtricter then moſt of us, the ſtricteſt ſect of the Phariſees, and touching the Law blameleſs, at leaſt in the Phariſees ſenſe, in the outward obſervance of the Law, which is more then many can ſay. Well, now when the Lord meeteth him going to Damaſcus, If he had called for him out of the world, had he been ready Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14for him? ſurely no▪ woful had been his condition: there muſt then p. 327be a holineſs, without which there is no ſeeing God. This is one thing then, he that hath the root of the matter in him, the ſeed of God in him, he is ready in part, ſo far he is prepared.

2. There muſt be alſo the brightneſs ſhining, the activity of the graces, they muſt be in act, or ſtirred up and bettered before we can be ready, for the wiſe Virgins were not ready, though they had oyl in their veſſels, becauſe their Lamps were not trimmed, their oyl grew low, muſt be ſupplyed, therefore they go about that work in the firſt place; If Chriſt had come and given them no warning, but taken them ſleeping, they had been all unready, therefore you ſhall find ſtill in Scripture, the graces of the Saints ſmell ſweeteſt, and be moſt lively uſually toward their latter end: When was Paul, or David, or any of them more ſweet? they muſt ſtand with their loins girded and Lamps burning, elſe they are not ready altogether.

3. There muſt be mortifying of corruption, a ſubduing of iniquity in a good part, in how great a meaſure is hard to ſay: It is true, at the firſt when we believe, ſin hath its deadly wound, but it many times recovers in a great meaſure, and ſtrugleth hard for life; it muſt have many a thruſt, a blow by the ſword of the Spirit, wielded by the hand of faith before it will die. When our Saviour ſaw how lively that pride and ambition was in his Diſciples, he telleth them, they muſt be converted, and become like little children, in reſpect of that emulation, before they could enter Mat. 28. 3.Matt 28:3into the Kingdom of God. When ſin had gotten ſuch a hand over David, had he been fit to have dyed then, to have entred into glory then? though I believe it caſt him not out of the ſtate of grace, yet it laid him in a ſwoon, and prevailed much againſt him; now was he ready to enter while ſin was ſo ſtrong? ſurely no: We muſt firſt overcome, before we ſit down with him in his Throne; we muſt fight the good fight, of which this is a great part; and Rev. 3. 21.Rev 3:21how low the Lord will have our corruptions brought, and how much deadned he will have the root of ſin, before he tumble down the walls of theſe Tabernacles of clay, we are not able to ſay.

4. A man is never ready until he can go out of all this, and the main thing with him is to be found in Jeſus Chriſt, &c. This is indeed the firſt and laſt, upon the matter, of all, for Chriſt is all; we are ready then to go in to our heavenly Father, when we have p. 328our elder Brothers garments upon us, when we have put on Chriſt, which is for holineſs, as you have heard, & for redemption from our ſins, our vain converſations, our fooliſh and hurtful luſts. But withall, if we have him not on, and girded cloſe to us for righteouſneſs, we are not ready; if we have him on, but he ſitteth looſe upon us; therefore you ſhall find this was the main thing the Apoſtle Paul minded and ſtrove after, that he might be found in Jeſus, not having his own righteouſneſs upon him, he ſpeaks of the day of death and appearing before him, the reſurrection, that he may be found then in Jeſus. When we have done all, if we deny not all, we undo all again, this only will terminate the ſight of the Father, he will ſee through all other coverings whatſoever; therefore the Apoſtle prayeth that One ſiphorus may find mercy in 2 Tim. 2. 16.2 Tim 2:16that day. It is mercy then that muſt ſtand us in ſtead, even when we have done all. Remember this brethren as a fourth part of this readineſs.

5. A finiſhing our work; ſo our Saviour, I have finiſhed my work, &c. Joh. 17. 4, 5. and thus Paul; I have finiſhed my courſe, &c. 2 Tim. 4. 7. And thus David, Acts 13. 36. ſerved his generation, &c.

Now theſe are the readineſſes for an entrance. But we muſt know that ſome of the Saints have not only an entrance, but an entrance is miniſtred to them abundantly into glory, they go with 2 Pet. …. 11.a full ſail, not only make a ſhift; though it is true, they have no oyl to ſpare from themſelves, for they can ſpare none of their abundant entrance, it is that wherein God is moſt glorified in them, and this they cannot part with, and themſelves have greateſ comfort in. Now this is not common indeed to all Believers, I pray you mind that, leſt any poor ſoul ſhould be cauſeleſly diſcouraged, becauſe he findeth not that readineſs for it, to which afterwards we ſhall ſpeak.

Firſt then, to this abundant entrance into glory, as a readineſs or preparation, there is required, beſides a faith in Jeſus Chriſt for righteouſneſs, holineſs, redemption, a knowledge reflecting, whereby they know that it is thus with them; many a poor ſoul hath the ſalvation of God near him, and Jeſus Chriſt in their arms, and knoweth it not, and is weeping after Chriſt when he ſtands by him, as he did Mary; and it may be, if they ſhould now die, they would think themſelves undone, the terrours of God are ready p. 329to cut them off, the fear of what would become of them; and yet they ſhall have an entrance into glory too, they would not miſcarry, but they paſs as through a narrow pinching wicket: But now a man that hath a perſwaſion, he hath an abundant entrance into glory; there muſt be then to this readineſs, a making the calling and election ſure, by adding faith to faith, and grace to 2 Pet. 1. 9, 10.2 Pet 1:92 Pet 1:10grace, as it is in that place of the Apoſtle Peter. Then when Simeon had gotten Jeſus Chriſt into this arms of his faith as well as of his body, and ſaw his ſalvation with the eye of faith, as well as of the body, then he cryeth out, Lord, now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace. Now he was ready to enter into glory. And ſo the Luk. 2. 29.Luke 2:29Apoſtle Paul had ſuch a perſwaſion, and therefore he was ready, henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of glory, &c.

2. There goeth many times, if not alway, to this abundant entrance, as a readineſs or preparation to it, an earneſt waiting of Ioh. 14. 14. … hil. 1. 21.John 14:14the ſoul for its change, a deſire to be diſſolved and to be with Chriſt, which is far better: There is many a poor heart when the body of death weigheth them down, and tryeth them, groan earneſtly, and could be contented to dye, that ſin might dye with them. As Sampſon ſaid, let me even dye with the Philiſtians, if no other way will deſtroy their luſts. But alas, when they are to ſeek in point of aſſurance, they look upon death as a dark paſſage that leadeth them they cannot tell whither, this maketh them fly back, this kills thoſe deſires, nippeth them as ſoon as they put forth, they come to no maturity: But now when a man hath the right art of believing, notwithſtanding his body of death he groans under, as the Apoſtle, that yet he is perſwaded through Chriſt it is pardoned, and ſhall be utterly diſſolved and not hinder him, then he can bleſs the Lord, and deſires with Paul to be diſſolved. So many of the Patriarks it is ſaid of them, they dyed full of daies, 2 Cor. 5. 4. …om. 7. 24. Iob 42. 17. Gen. 25. 8.2 Cor 5:4Job 42:17Gen 25:8ſatisfied with daies; that is to ſay, they lived as long as they deſired, they had now a deſire to be at home, knowing that while they are preſent in the body, they are abſent from the Lord, from that near, and ſweet, and full Communion with him, whereof they have had a little taſte and earneſt, but if they know not that they ſhall be preſent with him by departure▪ but for ought they know, more ſeparate from them, no marvel if they go to death with drawing back.

Yet I deny not, but a child of God may be ready before he deſire p. 328duplicate page p. 329duplicate page p. 330it; And may deſire it before he be ready for this entrance. I ſay, a child of God may be ready before he deſire it, as in the caſe before mentioned (and upon other grounds, as Hezekiah and David, that I may declare thy power to this generation) may be ready Pſal. 71. 18.Ps 71:18and not have ſuch an aſſurance, but he is not ready for an abundant entrance, until the Lord come with a full ſealing of his love to his heart.

2. He may deſire it before he be ready, as in ſome paſſionate impatient fit, as Elijah, 1 King. 19. 4. weary of his life, the King perſecuting him, and thinking he ſhould fall by his hand, would have God take away his life from him, but he had not yet done his work. And ſo Job, God had not yet done with him, he muſt paſs through more changes, and proſper and flouriſh again, and hold forth his name to that generation before he departed, he had not done his work. But I ſpeak of the ſerious, ſettled, well-grounded frame of a Believers heart, upon a ſound perſwaſion of the Love of God in Jeſus Chriſt, and a knowledge that he hath finiſhed his courſe, then for ſuch a one to wait for his change, when the bleſſed hour will come, is a part of readineſs for an entrance, an abundant entrance into glory. But this is not the portion of every child of God; many Suns ſet in a Cloud, &c.

For the ſecond thing, which are the arguments of the point, they are ſuch as theſe. Firſt, becauſe elſe Gods work would be in vain, he hath prepared an inheritance for the Saints, a Kingdom 2 Cor. 5. 5.2 Cor 5:5prepared before the world was; and his work upon our hearts, what is it but to prepare us for this Kingdom? as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, he that hath wrought us to this ſelf-ſame thing, is God, he hath wrought us to it, there is no ſuitableneſs between heaven and an ungracious heart; a glorious Kingdom, and a vile filthy ſpirit; therefore the Lord takes much pains with us to purge us to himſelf, to purifie us, to adorn us with the rich graces of his Spirit, and all is to work us to heaven, to ſalvation, to prepare us for this entrance, and therefore when God hath done this, ſhall his work be in vain? ſurely no: not a ſoul that is ſo wrought up by the Lord to a heavenly frame, and temper, and nature, that ſhall miſs of an entrance, when it is thus prepared, elſe Gods work were in vain, the greateſt work of God.

2. Becauſe elſe the Lord Jeſus would fail of his purchaſe and p. 331prayer for his poople, who did buy us at ſo dear a rate as his own moſt precious blood; was it think you, to ſuffer us for ever to be at ſuch diſtances from him, whom he ſo dearly loved? did his love to us draw him out of heaven to us, and will it not (think you) draw us to heaven to him? he will not have his Spouſe that he hath redeemed with his blood, to be abſent from him any longer then is needful for his Fathers glory and their good. It is a fruit of his death and of his prayer, Father I will, that where I am, there Ioh. 17. 24. Chap. 14. 3.John 17:24they may be, for they are the fulneſs of Chriſt, and he accounteth himſelf, as I may ſay, imperfect without them: and therefore he will have them there. Indeed Brethren, ſo dear is the heart of Jeſus Chriſt to his people, that he would not ſuffer ſo long an abſence, at ſo great a diſtance from them, but that there is a neceſſity in it; though at his firſt pitching his love upon us, he looks at nothing, but notwithſtanding all blackneſs, and deformity, and loathſomneſs, his love overcometh all: Yet before they come to this Communion and fellowſhip with him, they muſt be purified with ſpices and odors, as thoſe were for the King of Aſſyria, and for other holy ends.

3. Becauſe elſe the promiſe of God, and hope of the Saints would Ioh. 6John 6fail, and heaven and earth ſhall ſooner fail, then the word of promiſe. Chriſt hath promiſed not only to give life, but eternal life; God hath promiſed to give not only grace but glory; there is a Crown laid up in the purpoſe and promiſe of God, and if they ſhould miſs of this, they would be made aſhamed of their hope; now this cannot be, the Pſalmiſt prayeth, that he might not be Pſal. 84. ….Ps 84aſhamed of his hope, which is virtually a promiſe, it ſhall not be; never any yet were diſappointed that hoped upon right grounds▪ Indeed if men make Promiſes to themſelves of heaven, let them live after the imaginations of their hearts; or whether they truly believe or no, their own promiſes may fail, but Gods promiſes never fail, nor a lively hope founded upon them.

4. That the poor, weary, toſſed, afflicted people of God may have reſt in the boſom of the Father and the Son, and holy Spirit, there Heb. 4. 9.Heb 4:9remaineth a reſt to the people of God, they have not their reſt here, expect it not; but either from within, or without, or both, we have our troubles; the world caſteth them out as the off-ſcouring of all things, they are the deſpiſed, hated, mocked people; the ſong of the drunkard, the laughing-ſtock of the world, and therefore p. 332becauſe they caſt them out, the Lord will receive them. If we have not perſecution without, we ſhall have our exerciſes, what between corruption and temptation, and ſometimes the terrors of God, and ſenſe of his wrath, ſometimes breaking bones, hiding his face from us; there is no reſt until we come to enter with him; now we lie among the pots, but then we ſhall indeed be made glorious, like the wings of a Dove in ſulneſs. Now this is agreeable not only to the truth, but the goodneſs, tenderneſs, bowels of the Lord to his people, that his poor afflicted People ſhould reſt with himſelf, when he hath by theſe filings, and ſcourings, and ſiftings, and turnings up and down made them meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light. So much for the Arguments.

For the Application of this, that they that are ready do enter into Glory. Firſt, it ſerveth to ſhew the bleſſed condition that the diligent, lively, prepared ſoul is in; heaven Gate is ready to receive ſuch a ſoul: the boſom of Abraham, of Chriſt opened ready to receive him, he ſhall enter; they have this priviledge, that many that profeſs Jeſus Chriſt have not; many ſhall ſeek to enter, but ſhall not be able, that ſtrive not, as he doth: Bleſſed is that ſervant (ſaith our Saviour) that his maſter ſhall find Luke 13. 24.Luke 13:24watching, ſhall find ready for his coming: why he will not leave Luke 12. 37.Luke 12:37any ſuch ſoul behind, they ſhall all enter into glory: how bleſſed a condition this is, may appear by many conſiderations more.

2. Such a ſoul as this cannot be ſurprized, ſo far as he is ready, he is never ſurprized: ſurprizals are terrible: if Jeſus Chriſt had come without any warning upon the wi…e Virgins while ſleeping, it had been terrible to them, though they might have entred with him alſo; but if we be ready, that day will not take us at unawares: indeed if a child of God be once ready, he cannot be altogether ſurprized more, though in part he may, if he carry it not the better; he will be ſtill habitually ready, if not actually; ſo the fooliſh Virgins were not. They ſtill have the root of the matter, though it may be under ground, and hid from their eys, and is not this a bleſſed thing? as often as you think of the coming of Chriſt, to think, now let my Saviour come when he pleaſeth; I am through rich grace ready for him. A ſervant, p. 333when his work is done, a Spouſe, when her ornaments are put on, and the houſe trimmed, and all ready for her Bridegroom, now come when he will, I am ready for him; before the thoughts of his coming are troubleſom and painful, now they are pleaſant and delightful.

3. When death comes, how ſhall they lift up their heads with comfort, becauſe their Redemption draweth near; O how will they be able to welcome death, welcome Jeſus Chriſt, welcome the kingdom of heaven! it is their entrance into a kingdom, Luke 21. 28.Luke 21:28though it be bitter indeed, and terrible to the wicked, and though there be ſome reluctancy in nature againſt death, and a Paul would rather be cloathed upon, then diſſolved; and ſince it is the birth of ſin that brought it into the world, no marvel if 2 Cor. 5. 4.2 Cor 5:4Grace it ſelf have no delight in it, yet conſidering that it is an entrance (though narrow and pinching) into Heaven, into Glory: the Saints that are ready for it, they can bid it welcom. As a poor, weary, toſſed Marriner can bid his Port welcome, though there may be ſome fear of Rocks, or the like in his landing.

4. Are they not bleſſed ſouls that ſhall enter, that now all their diſtances between them and Jeſus Chriſt ſhall be done away? now he whom your ſouls loved and longed for, yea, your ſouls have many times broken within you, for the longing for him, now he cometh to take you to himſelf, that you may be with him, near him, alway in his boſom. Is not this a bleſſed Condition? what tends all your ſtriving, and running, and fighting, your wreſtling, praying, and weeping to, but this? now the end of your hope, the ſalvation of your ſouls cometh upon you: bleſſed, yea for ever bleſſed is ſuch a ſoul: if Chriſt and heaven, the Father, Son, and Spirit enjoyed in an unſpeakable boſom-communion, will not ſpeak a man bleſſed, nothing will: but thus much for this firſt.

2. Then methinks brethren now we ſhould be putting the queſtion to our own hearts now, whether we be ready or no? O here is bleſſedneſs Ʋſe. 2.indeed! you cannot but judge that man or woman (though a man of ſorrow while in the world) haply through temptations, and a heavy body of death, yet that ſhall enter in Glory when all is done; ſure you cannot but judge this man a bleſſed man, that is ready for it, for he, and he only ſhall enter. And can it be p. 334but you ſhould reflect now, and enquire of the Lord, and of your own hearts? Lord, am I ready for this coming of Jeſus Chriſt, or am I not? for one of the two I am; Dear friends, I ſhall not uſe any more arguments to you, but theſe two or three conſiderations.

1. How uncertain this coming of Chriſt to you, to call for you, is? do you know when he will appear? do you know brethren, whether you ſhall be warned again, called upon again to prepare for his coming? this may be the Cry, it may be the Cry is paſt with many of you already: is it not high time to awake, to look about you, to conſider whether you be ready or no?

2. To conſider, That there will be then no time given to prepare. If you be ready, well and good, you enter; if not, you are ſhut out, as afterward we ſhall ſpeak. O then, how can we ſatisfie our ſelves, and quiet our Conſciences with an ignorance, how it is with us? It is high time ſurely brethren, to enquire.

3. Except we do enquire, we are not likely to take a courſe to make ready: he that thinketh he is ready, or careth not whether he be ready or no, if he be unready; now he is like to be unready, for ſuch a man will not ſet about the work. O that the Lord would therefore perſwade you this day to conſider with your ſelves, are you ready, or are you not?

4. There is very great need of this enquiry, becauſe alas, many are ready, and think they are unready, and then cannot have the comfort of their Condition, except they come to ſee to it in ſome meaſure. 2. Others are ready, and know it, but are not ſo thankful for it, have not the ſweetneſs of their condition ſo freſh upon their ſpirits, becauſe they do not oftentimes review their condition. 3. There are many that are unready, and think themſelves ready: and O how is it likely it ſhould be better with them, until they come to know how the caſe ſtands with them? will any go to buy Gold that they might be rich, or white Rayment that they might be cloathed, untill they ſee they are poor and naked? ſurely no. 4. Others are unready, and though their hearts miſgive them they are unready, yet they care not much for it; or elſe, they know not how it is with them, and they are contented to be ignorant. Now except the Lord perſwade us all brethren, to look into our ſtate, it is never like to be better with us: ſuch as p. 335we are, ſuch ſhall we be found at the appearing of Chriſt, yea, every day farther and farther off.

Therefore ſhall I beg of you brethren, that you would conſider it, ſet ſome time apart, it is the weightieſt buſineſs you have to do in the world; you will have a time for all other neceſſary things, your eating, drinking, managing your civil affairs; and is the ſoul-concernment the leaſt, that you ſhould ſo ſlight it? Well then, wil you this day retire your ſelves, deal effectually with your hearts? what if this night you ſhould be taken away, or you ſhould never ſee Sabbath more, are you ready for the coming of Jeſus Chriſt? I doubt our hearts would anſwer no; alas, our work is to do: alas, how many poor ſouls that have not a Zech. 12. 10.Zech 12:10week, a monethmonth haply to live, yet have not one dram of Grace! O put that queſtion, have you this oyl? have you the Spirit of Grace and Supplication given to you? have you Chriſt dwelling in you, and transforming and changing you into his image from Glory 2 Cor. 3. 18.2 Cor 3:18to Glory? Ah dear friends, what mean our loathſom converſations then? what mean the vileneſs of our hearts, the fulneſs, and rottenneſs, and ſin that is there? are you mortified in any good meaſure, or no? It may be you have forſaken the pollutions of the world, but is the heart of ſin killed, hath it its deaths wound, out of which continually the life and ſpirits of ſin are emptying, are you weary of it? do you loath it, and your ſelves for its vileneſs? O do not deceive your ſelves.

Again, Are your Graces lively? It may be thou haſt a ſpark, but it is buried in the aſhes. Indeed I doubt brethren, theſe times of proſperity to the Church, bury more Chriſtians alive, then any days that ever we ſaw: why now, are we ready? are our Lamps burning, our loins girded? O how active, and ſtirring, and lively are the Graces of the Spirit in ſome, over they are in others! you are ſo far unready for the coming of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo far it will be uncomfortable to you; beſides, do ye live by faith above all this for righteouſneſs, elſe we are not ready? Is this the top of all, that we might be found in him? (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſearch and ſee, take heed, you have to do with deſperately wicked and deceitful hearts.

Again, Are we ready for the abundant entrance? how few of us have this perſwaſion? our calling and election is not made ſure; we do not know what would become of us, if God ſhould p. 336call for us: how can his coming be comfortable to us? we are ſo far from waiting for his coming, that every thought of it goeth cold to our hearts; that which ſhould moſt warm us, refreſh us. O brethren, let me beg of you for Jeſus ſake, no longer to ſlight this great and neceſſary work; give your hearts no reſt, until you ſee whether you be ready or no. Suppoſe you ſhall find your ſelves unready, it is better to know it in time, then when it is too late: now there is hope, if you be not ready, you may obtain mercy: you may make the more haſte to get ready, that that day may be a bleſſed, a comfortable day to your ſouls.

3. Then brethren, If we be not ready for his appearing, ſhall I Ʋſe 3.beg of you brethren, for Jeſus ſake, and for your poor ſouls ſake, that you would now reſolve whatever buſineſs be done, you would not leave this at ſix and ſevens. It is the one thing neceſſary you have to do: nothing will yield you a dram of comfort, nor arm your hearts againſt the fears of death, but this; nothing will give you entrance into Glory, but this. Indeed if riches would be an entrance, or he that keeps the doors, and openeth, and no man ſhutteth, could be bribed with the multitude of gold, it were ſomewhat for men to heap it up as the duſt, and raiment as the clay; if men were admitted according to their glorious apparrel, or if the riches of the head, and treaſuries of humane knowledge would do it, Scholars might do well to ſpend all their time in ſearching after that, and none, or little or none to make ready for the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt: but ſurely brethren, ſurely you will find, nothing will find an entrance, but readineſs for his coming. The Lord give you believing hearts this day: how unwearied are men for other things which are trifles, and will not profit, and not one hour in an hundred ſpent ſeriouſly with their own ſouls? And though ſome men have more time then others, yet ſurely brethren, he that is moſt buſie, muſt find time for this great work, or miſearry. O therefore labour, preſs hard after it, uſe all means poſſible, you muſt take pains brethren; ſuch unready hearts as we have, will not be had in readineſs without much and conſtant pains-taking: As a Garden that is quickly overgrown with weeds, it muſt be taken pains with again and again; ſo here, &c. And ſo in keeping an houſe clean p. 337and ready, there muſt be pains taken with it. Ah brethren, except your ſouls follow hard after Chriſt, you will never find him to your comfort. The Lord touch your hearts, and then you ſhall find him.

Again, you will ſay, Why I hope I am ready; Well then labour to maintain this readineſs. Alas, how ſoon is the ſweeteſt frame loſt? think not, I have now done the main work, therefore you may take more liberty then other men, now you may indulge your ſelves, take more eaſe, more liberty about the world, then other men. Alas brethren, how ſoon will the world, and cares of it overcharge you? how hard a thing is it to buy, as if you poſſeſſed not, to uſe it, as if you uſed it not? and if you be overcharged Luke 21. 34.Luke 21:34with the cares of the world, this day will overtake you at unawares. Yea, I tell you brethren, if that day take you at unawares, as I doubt, if it ſhould come at any day upon us, it would take many of us when we are overcharged: O eaſe your ſelves of ſome of your burthen, have no more to do then will give you leave to maintain your communion with God, and make ſure of the main thing, to get your ſouls ready, and keep them ready for the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt: O that we would be perſwaded to this end, to have every day ſome converſe with this his coming, and to labour to work the thought of it upon our hearts, that accordingly we may be affected with it, as we find our ſelves ready or unready, and ſo be carried out to make proviſion for it.

And how ſhould we willingly ſubmit to any dealings of God with us, that tend to make us ready. Therefore the Apoſtle would have them count it all joy, when they fell into many temptations or Iames 1. 2.Jas 1:2trials; this is the knocking of the torch, this is the ſnuffers which muſt take off the wick of our Lamps, and ſo trim them up; we ſhall find one day, we have more cauſe to be thankful for our afflictions, if ſanctified, then for the contrary diſpenſation: I do verily think there is nothing here below helpeth us forward more. And labour to ſee all working together for this great end, that we may be found ready at the appearing of the Lord Jeſus. And labour for a readineſs, for an abundant entrance into Glory. As the Apoſtle exhorts them.

And though at preſent thou canſt not find thou art ready, be not diſcouraged, for thou mayſt be ready in a good part, and for p. 338the main, and yet not know that thou art ready: only ſtick not here, let not fear ſo overcharge thee, as to hinder thee, and weaken thy hands, but make it thy work with thy whole might, to make ready for his coming, pray hard, ſtudy thy heart much, ſtir up thy ſoul, and the graces that are there; though much corruption do appear, & the aſhes fly about their ears in this ſearching, yet ſearch and try, and yet not ſo much blow the little ſpark as to blow it out, but labour to cheriſh it, increaſe it; O Lord increaſe our faith; then corruption will down, then communion with Chriſt will riſe higher and higher, for it is with us indeed according to our faith; therefore whatever we do, take heed of what weakens our faith, of diſcouraging, deſponding thoughts, ſtudy promiſes, the neceſſity of God in Chriſt: O the unſearchable treaſures of comfort that are in every promiſe, in every letter of his Name! Labour to live by faith brethren, and as that groweth, all the reſt will come on; and thou wilt come at laſt to be ſenſible that thou doſt believe, to feel it, and know it, and then thy readineſs for Chriſt will be more then ordinary, and thy entrance abundant into this Glory.

The next thing we are to conſider in this coming of Chriſt, is, that they went in with him to the marriage, foreign Verſe 10.The note will be this.

That ſuch as are ready for the coming of Jeſus Chriſt, they go in with him to the Marriage with the Bridegroom.Doctr.

Here is to be noted then. 1. The Marriage; and 2. The going in with Chriſt the Bridegroom to the Marriage: and ſome what ſaid for the opening of them. And then we ſhall confirm the Doctrine, and apply it.

Firſt, The Marriage here, what is meant by that? Here then by Marriage, we may underſtand a Marriage-feaſt, the conſummation of the Marriage, and the Marriage-feaſt, made in token of joy: nothing was more ordinary then this, at Marriages to make feaſts. As in the example of Sampſon, at his Marriage they made a feaſt. And ſo Laban made a feaſt of ſeven Iudg. 14. 10.Judg 14:10daies long for the Marriage of his daughter, fulfill her week, and then I will give thee the other alſo. And ſo again in Cana of Galilee, p. 339Gen. 29. 20.Gen 29:20you ſee they were at a Marriage-feaſt. So now at the Mariage of the Lamb; of the Lord Jeſus, there is a feaſt, a Marriage-feaſt: Yea, but you will ſay, this is not ground enough to underſtand here by the Marriage, a Marriage-feaſt, for they are diſtinct things: It is true, they are diſtinct, but yet in ordinary practice they were not ſeparated one from another, but went ſo together, that uſually in Greek and Latin, the Feaſt is comprehended under the word for Marriage, if not principally ſignified in many places. So in that of Laban, he made a Feaſt, ſaith the ſeventy Interpreters, he made a Marriage. So there was a Marriage in Cana of Galilee, (that is to ſay) a Marriage-feaſt was made there. And ſo it ſeems the Syriach renders it uſually in the New Teſtament by a Feaſt; as Grotius upon this place, and Matthew in the beginning noteth. Therefore here by Marriage, we will underſtand a Marriage-feaſt; Ioh. 2.John 2So Eſther 1. 3. The King made a Marriage-feaſt.

Now the Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a Feaſt, both the kingdom of Grace, and the kingdom of Glory. The kingdom of Grace is a Feaſt, and a rich Feaſt, full of royal dainties, as you may find by ſeveral Scriptures; In that of Matthew, The Mat. 22. 4.Matt 22:4Kingdom of Heaven ſhall be compared to a certain King, who made a Marriage for his Son, which the Syriach well terms a Marriage-feaſt or Banquet, which Matthew cals a Dinner, and Luke cals a Supper; and indeed it is both, for the Father, Son, and Luke 14. 16.Luke 14:16Spirit do come in, and dine and ſup with us; they do continually eat bread at his Table, as Mephiboſheth did at Davids Table, 2 Sam. 9. 7. So it is clear, Behold I make a Feaſt of fat things, of wine on the Lees, a Feaſt to all Nations; what is that, but the Goſpel Iſa. 25. 6.Isa 25:6of Jeſus Chriſt, and the Ordinances thereof, and Chriſt held forth in them to be a Feaſt to every one that will come to him, as the carkaſs is to the Eagles; as the Lord ſometimes in Scripture invites the fowls of heaven to a Feaſt he maketh for them, (that is to ſay) Mat. 24. 28. Ezek. 39. 17.Matt 24:28Ezek 39:17to the dead carkaſſes of his enemies; but here, to the carkaſs of his Son, who is ſlain for Sinners, a crucified Chriſt is the carkaſs, he is the fatted Calf indeed, he is the kidneys of the wheat, the fat, Deut. 32. 14.Deut 32:14the fineſt of it: his fleſh is meat indeed, and drink indeed. Now this muſt be ſpiritually underſtood, not carnally; the Kingdom of Rom. 14▪ 17.Rom 14:17Heaven is not in meat and drink, much leſs in eating and drinking the fleſh and blood of Chriſt, carnally, as the Papiſts ſay, p. 340but ſpiritually: It is joy, peace, and righteouſneſs, joy in the holy Ghoſt, here is the Feaſt. If here below we muſt know that this Rom. 14. 17.Rom 14:17Feaſt may be lookt upon, either according to the externals, or elſe the internals of it; and yet in both reſpects ſpiritual; The Jews that fell in the wilderneſs, did all eat the ſame ſpiritual meat, and drink the ſame ſpiritual drink and yet they fell in the wilderneſs. 1 Cor. 10.1 Cor 10The ordinances, the word, the ſealing ordinances, baptiſm and the Lords ſupper, ſitting at the Lords Table, theſe are the externals of the Feaſt, that many Carrion-Crow may come to. And you ſee there in the Goſpel, He that had no wedding garment upon him, yet came to the Feaſt; Sure he went no further then the externals, you ſee he is caſt out into utter darkneſs.

Now this may be called the Marriage, or the Feaſt, becauſe here below they are neceſſary for us as ſigns of that ſpiritual communion; the Lord ſeeth it good we have theſe royal dainties thus repreſented to us by viſible, ſenſible things, becauſe of our weakneſs; and to magnifie his own condeſcending Grace to us, to make that myſterie of ſalvation by a crucified Chriſt, which all the reaſon in the world cannot fathom; and that which neither eye hath ſeen, nor ear heard, yet in a ſort viſible to the eye, and to be perceived by the ear, that we might even in Iſa. 64. 4.Isa 64:4this ſacramental ſenſe even touch, and taſte, and handle (as I may ſay) the word of life.

2. As they are ſeals and pledges of this ſpiritual communion, being ſeals of the Covenant of Grace whereof Jeſus Chriſt is the ſum and ſubſtance, it ſealeth it up to a believers Faith, and ſo ſtands us in great ſtead: And,

3. It is a means of our ſpiritual communion, the Conduitpipe that runs wine, the diſhes that hold the dainties, though but gold, as Kings and Princes uſe to be ſerved up in ſuch State, yet it is not them we feed upon, they are but the means, the vehicula, and therefore becauſe they have ſuch a reſpect to our ſpiritual communion with Jeſus Chriſt, they may be ſo called.

But ſecondly, the internal communion with Jeſus Chriſt is that indeed which is the Feaſt, the Marriage-feaſt, even here below, to eat and drink the fleſh and blood of the Son of God, which giveth life, and maintains life; this is the Feaſt, Eat and drink, yea drink abundantly, ſaith the Lord; I ſhall be ſatisfied abundantly with the goodneſs of thy houſe; abundantly p. 341Cant. 5. Pſal. 36. 8.Song 5Ps 36:8ſatisfied, watered, inebriated with the fatneſs of thy houſe: what is that? not meerly with the Ordinances, no; but with Chriſtin them, beholding his might and glory in the Ordinances, the mighty prevailing of the Spirit of Chriſt againſt our unbelief, Pſal. 106. 4.Ps 106:4to quiet all our doubtings, O it is this, to ſee the good of the choſen of the Lord; thoſe choice inward refreſhings which the poor believers have from the preſence and powerful workings of Chriſt in them, to the joy of faith, and to ſtrengthen againſt corruption, to ſtrengthen for action, for ſuffering his will, this is that they cry out after, even after the living God, to enjoy him. And all this is but the Kingdom of God below, this is but the firſt courſe, as I may ſay, of this feaſt.

For ſecondly, The Kingdom of glory as well as the Kingdom of grace; which is that now I am to ſpeak to; this is a feaſt, a Marriage here called, that is to ſay, a Marriage-feaſt; for what is the Kingdom of grace here below, but a foretaſte of heaven? as Grotius upon Matth. 22. ſaith. As in the Marriage-feaſt at Cana of Galilee, contrary to the uſual manner, our Saviour kept his beſt wine laſt; ſo it is here, as by and by we ſhall ſee here the wine, the ſpirits indeed. But a little to prove this by a Scripture or two, that it may appear plain, ye that have continued with me in my temptation, I appoint to you a Kingdom, as my Father Luk. 22. 29, 30.Luke 22:29Luke 22:30hath appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my table, in my Kingdom: So many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and from the Weſt, and ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob in the Kingdom Mat. 8. 11. Exod. 32. 6.Matt 8:11Exod 32:6of heaven; ſit down, foreign, their table jeſture, Joh. 12. 2. they that ſit at the Table are Gueſts: But now eating and drinking in Scripture many times do ſignifie a feaſting; and ſo it is here to be taken: and let it be noted by way of further Judg. 9. 27.Judg 9:27proof, that the Jews did not ordinarily drink wine, except at their feaſts, and then they did drink abundantly, if the obſervation of ſome be true, as Piſcator in his Schol. upon Math. 26. 29. cited by Mr. Brinſly; but whether ſo or no, ſure we are, they did uſe to drink more liberally then, eat the fat and drink the ſweet, when it was a good day or a merry day to them; for his heart was merry, his heart was good; and the ſadneſs of the heart was Neh. 8. 10.Neh 8:10called the evil of the heart in the Hebrew often; inſomuch that the ordinary word in the Hebrew for a feaſt, is a drinking, foreign. So in Ahaſhuerus his feaſt is called, and Labans feaſt is p. 342called a drinking; and it appears by the abundance of wine our Gen. 29.Gen 29Saviour made at the Marriage-feaſt at Cana of Galilee. Therefore you ſhall find that the feaſt which Chriſt maketh is a feaſt of wines on the Lees well refined; come and buy wine and milk without Iſa. 25. 6.Isa 25:6money, and without price. And ſo for this Kingdom of heaven, Mat. 26. 29.Matt 26:29this Marriage-feaſt at the height, is called a drinking of new wine with them in the Kindgom of the Father, that is to ſay, the Kingdom of glory, called his Fathers Kingdom; becauſe at that day, that is to ſay, at the day of the reſurrection, he will give up his diſpenſatory Kingdom to his Father, that God may be all in all: 1. Cor. 15. 24.1 Cor 15:24And for other reaſons, but I muſt not ſtay upon that. Well, here he will drink new wine with them, which is nothing elſe but a periphraſis of this feaſt, this Marriage-feaſt in heaven. The cup of bleſſing, the cup of conſolation, the cup of health or ſalvation is the feaſt of Chriſt here below: but this now muſt be drunk new in the Kingdom of his Father; there will be a new feaſt of wine, a feaſt of new wine. And ſo much for the proof of this.

Now we muſt underſtand Brethren, that this feaſt in heaven is not any corporal thing, I hope it is needleſs to tell any of you this; the heathens dream of an Elyſian-field, and the Mahometans of their carnal delights after death, thoſe are poor husks, that will not ſatisfie a ſoul of a child of God here, they are ſordid and infinitely below a heaven-born ſpirit; no, it muſt be ſomewhat of as high a nature as the ſpring from whence they come. Why you may judge what it is in the General Brethren, though particularly we know not what we ſhall be: What is the Kingdom of heaven here below, but righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the Holy-Ghoſt, the ſweet and ſpiritual communion with Jeſus Chriſt, the Rom▪ 14. 17.Rom 14:17fellowſhip of his death and ſufferings, life and reſurrection, whereby we are in part changed into his Image? that a man liveth upon will change him ordinarily, therefore the King, you know, would have the children in Dan. fed with a portion of his meat; generousſpirited wine, will beget more and better ſpirits then courſe and cold, &c. So here, by this communion we are changed in part, 2▪ Cor. 3. 18.2 Cor 3:18though alas, in how little a part. But now in heaven Brethren, the ſame communion heightned, it ſhall be ſo powerful, as that we ſhall be like him indeed; then ſhall we be like him, this we know, ſaith the Apoſtle.

p. 343I will inſtance in a few things Brethren: Then will there be the love of Chriſt manifeſted to us. It may be thou haſt had thy heart touched with him, and thou knoweſt not what aileth thee, poor ſoul, but follow him thou muſt, thou canſt not give him over, thou art ſick of love for him; but thou haſt ſcarce ever had a good Cant. 1. 2.Song 1:2look from him, little of his love, or as thou thinkeſt, none. Now Brethren, will it be the Love of God in Jeſus Chriſt to us, that will be the feaſt indeed, O thy love is better then wine; it is better, it is ſpirits, it is life, it is that which giveth life, and keepeth life, and fetcheth life again when it is even going; this then is the feaſt, the love of God in Jeſus Chriſt to thy poor ſilly ſoul, that thou lookeſt upon as neglected by God, and neglected by men, no man careth for thy ſoul. Believe it Brethren, you that follow Chriſt thus, you ſhall have a time of making out his love to you, and this will be the feaſt, the Love of God will anſwer all the dainties that can be deviſed, a compleat feaſt, it is virtually all. Even among men you ſee, Love will turn a dinner of hearbs into a feaſt; O how much more then where Love it ſelf is the filling of Prov. 15. 17.Prov 15:17every diſh!

2. The ſouls joy in this love, not to ſpeak of the ſouls returns of love again, and praiſes, hallelujahs to eternity, which are the fruits; but the joy in this Love, it conſiſts here in joy, in that place to the Romans; can it choſe but be joy to a poor ſoul think you, to ſee the heart of the Father. opened to us in Jeſus Chriſt, his Rom. 14. 17.Rom 14:17bowels of Love all ſhed abroad upon us? therefore the Kingdom of heaven is ſo expreſſed by joy, enter thou into thy Maſters joy, or the joy of the Lord. But to ſpeak a little to ſoul-heightning Mat. 25. 23.Matt 25:23conſiderations of this feaſt in thoſe particulars, that we might get our hearts in love with heaven, with this feaſt.

Firſt conſider, It is now Brethren to be more immediate, then here below, it is new wine, the moſt excellent in its kind, that is reſerved until the laſt; the excellency of this feaſt of wine in heaven will appear by this among other conſiderations: That the Communion ſhall be more immediate, Dulcius ex ipſofonte, waters are moſt ſweet out of the Fountain immediately; now God ſhall be all in all when the Kingdom is given up to him, he ſhall be inſtead of 1 Cor. 15. 24.1 Cor 15:24all Ordinances; Now indeed the Conduits run wine, and we may drink, and that freely, but yet it is not ſo immediately, we are indeed not fit for ſuch a condition; we muſt make uſe of them until p. 344he come again, uſe theſe ſhadows and types; So that the communion is not ſo immediat… N…e ſee him not as he is, but then we ſhall, ſaith the Apoſtle … more through a glaſs darkly, 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 1 Cor. 13. 12.1 John 3:21 Cor 13:12and ſullyed glaſs by our polluted breath our corrupted hearts do ſully Ordinances, elſe we ſhould ſee him much more brightly then we do; but there ſhall be no more need, but face to face. If the beauty of Chriſt his love do take us ſo, when we have but dark hints of it, as a face in a dim glaſs: O what will it be when we ſhall ſee him as he is? we ſhall not need the pipes any more, but even go to the Fountain, the Rivers, the Seas of Love.

2. More ſincerely, it is now altogether without mixture: Alas Brethren, we now eat the Lord Jeſus our Paſſ-over, and feed upon his love, but all the while it is with ſowr herbs, there is a mixture of grief when we look upon our crucified Saviour. Crucified by us and for us, and ſo his love is better then wine now to Cant. 1. 2.Song 1:2us; but alas, there is ſome gall or Vinegar mixed with it; ſome ſin, ſome temptation, ſome affliction without, that weakens the comfort the ſoul might take in the love of Jeſus Chriſt. But in heaven there ſhall be none Brethren, no mixture at all, here the Lord giveth us a cup of trembling to drink, a cup of mixture: Pſal. 75. 8.Ps 75:8that is to ſay, ready prepared wine, and his people drink round of it uſually, and he ſeeth it neceſſary; there muſt be ſome Acrimony, ſome ſalt to keep us from corrupting, before we come to our glorified ſtate, and ſo be able to bear that his love without any mixture at all of the contrary; No anger, the meat ſweet, the ſauce ſweet, the wine ſweet, the bread ſweet.

3. More fully, infinitely more fully; if I may ſo ſpeak of that which a finite, though a glorified creature is capable to receive: Now we have a drop or two Brethren, but then our fulneſs, then the narrow-mouthed vials ſhall be enlarged to receive more fully, and to expreſs more fully to Jeſus Chriſt again in his high and everlaſting praiſes. What is that which cometh through the Conduit to the Fountain? the Sea it ſelf. Ah Brethren, here we are at a loſs, we do not know what the Lord hath to pour out upon us, the fulneſs of his Love in Jeſus Chriſt, ſo as that we ſhall be ſwallowed up. It is ſo much here, that the Apoſtle admireth it, behold what manner of love is this, that we, poor worms, ſhould be called the ſons of God? then they ſhall admire much more; but … Ioh. 3. 1.John 3:1alas, the meaſure doth not appear, it cannot enter into the heart of p. 345man, it is too narrow, and the love too great, it cannot enter into his heart to conceive: Some of the Saints have had ſo much of love manifeſted, and joy in that love, that they have been fain to beg of God to hold his hand, they could hold no more; and ſo great, as to quench the flames, that they could not hurt nor pain them, they could feel nothing; O ſure this was a flood, that Pſal. 16.Ps 16could put out ſuch flaming torments. But yet this is nothing, it appears not what we ſhould be, at thy right hand there is fulneſs Mat. 25. 23.Matt 25:23of joy; and ſo much, as that the Saints are ſaid to enter into it, it cannot enter into them, they are ſwallowed up; O this will be a full feaſt indeed; here there will be an abundant drinking. And it muſt needs be ſo, Brethren, if we conſider;

1. What it is that maketh this feaſt; or firſt, that it is a feaſt; it is not an ordinary meal: Now you know men at a feaſt do more liberally provide for their friends here below, it is a feaſt indeed, but nothing to this.

2. Who provideth this feaſt; it is not a poor mans feaſt, but the feaſt of a King; ſuch a feaſt you ſee Ahaſhuerus made for his Princes; now a King will make a feaſt like a King; Princes have Heſt. 1. 3.their names from liberality and free, with a free ſpirit, thy Princely ſpirit, all thoſe as a King did Arauna give to the King, liberally, 2 Sam. 24. 23.2 Sam 24:23freely; it was a great gift freely given. So here, it is a King that maketh this feaſt; Kings uſually have larger, more noble ſpirits, as they have larger purſes, and therefore at their feaſts they uſe to ſhew the Magnificence, and glory of their Kingdom. And ſo doth God here Brethren; A King, yea the King of heaven, the King of glory, the King of Kings, and King of Saints, he will ſhew the glory of his Kingdom, and his magnificence, the excellency of his greatneſs in making this feaſt; therefore ſurely there muſt needs be fulneſs of love and joy.

3. It is a feaſt, not an ordinary, but a Marriage-feaſt, and ſuch uſed to be more then ordinary alſo, being a time of greateſt rejoycing; you ſee the Marriage feaſt at which Chriſt was, what an abundance of wine there was turned from water by our Saviour; if you compute it, it will appear ſome 300. gallons full; ſix water-pots, holding three meaſures a piece or two, and each meaſure an hundred pints; very great ſtore indeed.

4. It is a feaſt, a Marriage-feaſt, not only for a ſervant or friend being married, but for a Son, the only Son, a Son and heir p. 346of all, a beloved Son, moſt dearly beloved; all theſe ſurely will exceedingly heighten the conſiderations of the fulneſs of the feaſt brethren, the fulneſs of that love which ſhall there be manifeſted, and of the Believers joy in that love; theſe things are heightned to us in that place of Matthew: Indeed the very feaſt here Mat. 25. 34.Matt 25:34in the Goſpel is heightned by theſe conſiderations; but much more then this. Yea,

5. Conſider yet further, It is a Marriage-feaſt, for which preparation hath been making from eternity, God hath been providing for it, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you before the world; in theſe things he would have us ſurely to underſtand the decree and purpoſe of ſuch a thing: And withal, we may note the greatneſs and magnificence of the feaſt. You know men if they would royally entertain a Prince, they make proviſion long before, and as long as they can, to get all about them, the rarities that the earth or Sea affords, ſpecially if a King be the provider. O Brethren, the Lord hath been laying in, as I may ſay, this wine, preparing it for us from eternity: therefore ſurely it will appear in an unſpeakable fulneſs.

Laſtly, It will be more conſtantly, without interruption; and laſtingly, without any end: No interruption at all; here we have our viciſſitudes, now we have a ſweet cup, a draught, a full draught, Cant. 2. 5.Song 2:5a flagon, it may be to ſtay us when we are ſick of love; by and by we have nothing but our wormwood and our gall to chew upon; now we can behold him, have a glorious view of him, and our hearts raviſhed with it; by and by he is upon the Croſs nailed by our ſins, and we cannot but look upon him with a mourning eye. But there, Brethren, ſhall be no interruption, nothing but eating and drinking this Love of God in Jeſus Chriſt. All his thoughts will be love to us, and all our thoughts love and joy: no room for one ſigh, for one tear of ſorrow, for one groan any more: and then, it is not for a term, and then to end, but it is for ever, at thy right hand there are pleaſures for evermore.Pſal. 16.Ps 16

For the time when, and the place where this ſhall be; It will be at that day in the Kingdom of the Father: It will begin at the ſouls going to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect; it goeth to Chriſt, this day thou ſhalt be with me in Paradiſe; it goeth to the boſom Mat. 26. 29. 2 Tim. 4. 8. and 1. 12.Matt 26:292 Tim 4:82 Tim 1:12of the Lord Jeſus, to Abrahams boſom; and beginneth this feaſt. p. 347But the fulneſs of it is not until the glorified body ſhall be united to the glorified ſoul, and then both together ſhall be filled with this fulneſs of love, and fulneſs of joy to all eternity.

For the place, It is in heaven, where Jeſus Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of the Father: There Stephen ſaw him, and there he abideth, where he is, there the Saints will be; ſome think this is Luk 22. 12.Luke 22:12typified probably by the upper Chamber where they did eat the Paſſ-over and the Supper; but no more of that.

Now the ſecond thing cometh under hand, that is to ſay, That they go in with the Bridegroom to this feaſt. Wherein theſe things will be conſiderable.

Firſt, How he brings them in unto the feaſt. And then,

Secondly, Why it is ſo. And then ſomewhat to the Application.

Firſt then, he may be ſaid to bring them in, and they to go in with him into the feaſt, becauſe he is the meritorious cauſe of their entrance into glory: As he is the entrance of a Believer into the Eph. 2. 18.Eph 2:18grace wherein we ſtand, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, ſo alſo into the glory. There is no acceptance with the Father, no acceſs, but in Rom. 5. 2.Rom 5:2and through Jeſus Chriſt; as a poor creature hath no admittance into the preſence and table of a King, but that the ſon takes him by the hand and leads him in; the Lord Jeſus then is the meritorious cauſe, he went to prepare a place for us.Ioh. 14. 2.John 14:2

Secondly, he doth now, as I may ſay, when a ſoul is brought to His aſcention and return to fetch them.heaven, after the manner of men, I may ſay, he doth receive it, and ſo preſent it; they go in with Jeſus Chriſt. But,

Thirdly, And chiefly at the laſt day, at that day he ſhall come again with his glorious Angels, to gather all the Saints together, and ſo to bring them to his Father, to deliver the Kingdom up unto him, to preſent them as a Spouſe without ſpot, or wrinkle, or any Eph. 5. 27. 1 Theſ. 4.Eph 5:271 Thess 4ſuch thing; thus he ſhall appear the ſecond time without ſin, to them that look for him, and ſo they ſhall for ever be with the Lord.

Fourthly, He brings them unto the Marriage, they go with him even into thoſe joyes, unto that eternal bliſs and glory he leads them into, and there ſitteth down with them at the Marriage-feaſt, eating & drinking with him this new wine in the Kingdom Heb. 9. 28.Heb 9:28of the Father; It is not only his bringing of them, or their going in with him into the place where theſe glorious manifeſtations p. 348of God ſhall be for ever, but even into the very depth of thoſe diſcoveries, and there he ſitteth down with them.

For the Arguments, Beſides that none elſe could do it for us, as you heard.

Firſt, His faithfulneſs to them requireth it, He hath promiſed he will never leave them, until he had fulfilled for them all the good that he hath ſpoken; now this is ſpoken, that he will give Ioh. 6. 54.John 6:54them glory as well as grace, that he will give them eternal life, and raiſe them up at the laſt day, elſe he were not a faithful High-Prieſt nor a faithful Saviour, if he ſhould leave them ſhort; you know it was his laſt Will and Teſtament, in that place of Ioh 17. and will he ſee his own Will and Teſtament violated? Father, I will that where I am, they ſhall be alſo; now they cannot Ioh. 17. 24. Ioh. 6. 39, 40.John 17:24John 6:39John 6:40come to be where he is, except he bring them with him, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, they ſhall enter in therefore with him; having undertaken to ſave them, he will do it to the utmoſt: yea, it is the will of his Father alſo, which he hath undertaken to ſee fulfilled, therefore how can he be faithful except he make it good to the utmoſt? this is one.

2. His own Communicative, He is not willing to be alone in the enjoyment of this glory wherewith he is glorified with the Father, he would not ingroſs thoſe delights and pleaſures which are at the right hand of the Father for evermore, but would Ioh. 14. 16.John 14:16communicate them to ſome; now he is in heaven, and his people upon earth, yet he would not be alone in thoſe comforts, but though himſelf muſt ſit at the right hand of his Father, yet he ſendeth the Spirit the Comforter to his people, to give them a taſte, an earneſt of thoſe joys of that Feaſt that is to come; indeed ſo much joy, that it is unſpeakable and full of glory to many of the people of God: many Saints are, as I may ſay, in heaven upon earth; the Lord Jeſus would not eat and drink abundantly, and let his people have none, that were unkindneſs indeed; where there is little goodneſs in a creature, as all in the creature is but little in compariſon of him, Job would not eat his Iob 31. 17.Job 31:17morſel alone; ſo will not he Lord Jeſus, but he will have his people to go in with him to the Feaſt, to the Marriage, and drink wine with him, as you have it in the Canticles, He hath eaten his honey and honey Comb, and drank his wine and milk, and what Cant. 5. 1.Song 5:1then? Then drink ye, O my friends; yea, drink abundantly, &c.

p. 3493. Becauſe they have ſet their love upon him, therefore he will put this high favour and honour upon them; as it is in the Pſalms, Becauſe he hath ſet his love upon me, therefore Pſal. 91. 14.Ps 91:14will I be with him, and deliver him, and honour him; with long life will I ſatisfie him, and ſhew him my Salvation. Give him to injoy it, and not only here but hereafter: The Saints they do love the Lord Jeſus, every one of them, their hearts are ſet upon him, and they cleave to him with full purpoſe of heart in all conditions; as the Diſciples did, they continue with him in Luke 22. 29.Luke 22:29his temptations; in his poor condition, in his impriſoned condition; therefore he appointeh them to ſit down with him: And ſo you know they are not every one that is admitted to a Marriage Feaſt, they were the friends of the Bridegroom, or of the Bride: there were thirty young men attending Sampſon, theſe were at the Feaſt among others: And ſo, who goeth to the Kings Banquet of wine, but the Kings Favorite, even Haman? Eſther 5. 5.Esth 5:5he goeth along with him, he puts it upon him as a great honour; and this is the glory of Jeſus Chriſt, the honour which he doth to the man whom he delights to honour, who hath ſet his love upon him, even to bring him in to the Feaſt, the Marriage Feaſt; he hath not been aſhamed of him before men, nor will the Lord be aſhamed of him before men and Angels, and his Father, though while he was here below, it may be a man full of infirmities; ſo the Saints are called his friends in many places: 2 Chro. 20. 7. Mat. 12. 50.2 Chr 20:7Matt 12:50Abraham my friend: Ye are my friends, Ioh. 15. and ſo his Mother, and brethren, and ſiſters they are called theſe are the Favorites which muſt needs be at the Marriage Feaſt.

4 For his glory as well as for theirs: Indeed his glory is theirs, Mat. 5. 16.Matt 5:16and theirs is his; now the Lord Jeſus cometh to be made glorious in his Saints, when the light of the Saints ſhines before men, and they ſee their good works, he is glorified; the vertues of him that calls them out of darkneſs to light are ſhewed forth: but alas, this is with ſo many cloudings & interruptions, it can ſcarce be called a glory; He ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, ſaith the Apoſtle; will not the fulneſs of the Saints being brought 1 Pet. 2. 9. Ephe. 1. 2. and 3.1 Pet 2:9Eph 1:2Eph 1:3in, be his glory? they are called the fulneſs of Chriſt; ſo that he accounteth not himſelf full without them, but to be, as I may ſay, imperfect, without ſome of his Members; now at that day he will bring them all, and then he will be glorified indeed in them p. 350more fully then ever; then the general aſſembly of the firſt born H…b. 12. 23.being gathered together, how much honour will he have in it? that by his death, by his blood he hath redeemed ſuch an innumerable company, that he hath by his Spirit ſanctified them, kept them alive, cheared them, comforted them, raiſed them, and brought them together, and put ſo much glory and beauty upon them all; herein he will be much glorified: and that every one of them ſhall have to the full, be filled even to admiration of him; will not this honour him exceedingly, acknowledge and hold forth the glory of his grace before his Father and 2 Theſ. 1. 10.2 Thess 1:10Angelsglorified?

5. He will exceedingly rejoyce in them, as well as they in him; he ſpake thoſe things, made that prayer in the world, that they might have his joy fulfilled in themſelves: his joy efficienter, and his joy ſubjective, for herein he did and doth rejoyce exceedingly, Ioh. 17. 13. Luke 22. 15.John 17:13Luke 22:15ſurely according to his deſire to communicate with his people, which is according to his ſtrength of Love to them, will be his joy in the communi…n, therefore ſaith he, thy love is better then wine; to ſee his own love take ſuch an impreſſion upon our hearts as to draw out our love to him, this is a great joy to the Lord Cant. 4 10.Song 4:10Jeſus. I deſired with deſire to eat this Paſsover with you, ſaith he to his Diſciples; great deſire, ſo great joy: ſo ſaith he, I have eaten my honey and honey comb: he doth, as I may ſay, feed upon the graces of his people, that is to ſay they are pleaſing, delightful Cant. 5. 1.Song 5:1to him, even when there is mixture in them. O what will it be then when there ſhall be no honey comb, no wax, no imperfection, when grace ſhall be glorious: will it not be his joy and delight to pour out of his love, and manifeſt himſelf in the moſt open glorious manner to his people, and then to behold them, to be filled with love, ſwallowed up of this love, and filled with this joy? yea, ſwallowed up with that alſo, to ſee their faces to ſhine gloriouſly with grace, and joy, and comfort unconceiveable O this will be joy to him!

6. Becauſe indeed the Saints they are ready to enter in with him; they are his Spouſe, though here conſidered only as Virgins waiting upon the Bride, yet they are the Spouſe; and ſure, if any muſt be brought to the Marriage Feaſt, the Spouſe muſt be there, the Angels ſhall be rather attendants; the Saints ſhall ſit down with Jeſus Chriſt at his Table as his Spouſe for p. 351ever: as the poor man in the Parable, his wife is compared to an Ewe Lamb, which did lie in his boſome, and eat and drink with him; ſo ſhall the Saints ſurely, becauſe of this relation of theirs 2 Sam. 12. 3.2 Sam 12:3to the Lord Jeſus. Ah, bleſſed are ye Believers, ye that are ready for the appearing of the Lord Jeſus.

Again, Now the Saints are made ready for this glory; now we are not able to bear it old Bottels will not hold this new Wine that he will drink with them in his Fathers Kingdom: ſtrong Duties were too ſtrong for the Diſciples then in their minority, as I may ſay, how much more the Duties of heaven, everlaſting Hallelujahs, and admiring of God in Chriſt: therefore they muſt be changed before they can be fit for that feaſt; a little joy now would ſwallow us up, ſo as to unfit us for any thing: Alas, the Apoſtle, like a wiſe Nurſing Father, would not give ſtrong 1 Cor. 3. 1.1 Cor 3:1meat to babes, they could not bear it: and ſo our Saviour, when upon the earth, they could not bear many things, therefore he fed them with milk; if you ſhould give ſtrong meats to children, and wine, what would ſooner ruine them? therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, I ſpeak the Wiſdom of God in a M…sterie among 1 Cor. 2. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 4.1 Cor 2:62 Cor 12:4them that are perfect, yet he had ſome things which he ſaw in his Viſion that he could not, or might not utter to them; likely they could not bear them. You ſee Iſrael could not indure to behold Moſes face when it had but a beam of the divine glory within the cloud reflected upon him; and the glory of the Angel aſtoniſhed Iohn▪ ſo eminent a man in ſaith, and love and holineſs: therefore I ſay, we ſhall then be fitted for this Communion; Exod. 34. 33, 34.Exod 34:33Exod 34:34the old Bottles be made new, the capacities of ſoul inlarged, the mouth opened wider then we can conceive, and the body raiſed in power. It muſt be an extraordinary ſtomack, brethren, that can continually ſit at a Feaſt and d…geſt it and never be ſatiated; therefore it is that the Marriage feaſt, the fulneſs of it, is reſerved for heaven, and heaven is ſo compared in Scripture.

For the Uſes of the Doctrine, Firſt then, Behold what maner of love the Father hath loved us with, that we ſhould be made the Favorites, a people ſo near to him, that he will take any of us with him into the Marriage. The Apoſtle admireth the condition of the Saints for what they have in hand already: What manner of love is this, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God? p. 3521 Ioh. 3. 2.1 John 3:2that is to ſay, made ſuch; his Word is operative, he cals things that were not, as if they were; but ſaith he, this is not all, it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be, until Christ who is our life Rom. 4. 17.Rom 4:17appear, then ſhall we appear with him in glory: the Saints in heaven, though their apprehenſions, as well as the reſt of their capacities ſhall be inlarged, heightened, perfected, yet ſhall not be able to comprehend the depth of the river of pleaſures at the right hand of God, no more then a Veſſel that is put into the Sea can comprehend the Ocean, and therefore they ſhall admire it, then the Lord Jeſus ſhall come to be admired in all the Saints, their fulneſs will be unſpeakable, greater then that of the Saints 2 Theſ. 1. 10.2 Thess 1:10here; though ſometimes they are filled with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory; yet alas, in both conditions far ſhort of comprehending it, therefore we ſhould admire it, Such things as eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, nor can enter into the heart of man, God hath prepared: Do you not ſee how Haman glorieth in it, Iſa. 64. 4.Isa 64:4though he had little cauſe, if he knew all, that he among all the Courtiers was invited to the feaſt of Wine to the Queen; he accounted it an high favour, a ſignificative teſtimony of his eſpecial love to him above others. Ah brethren, you that are Saints indeed, let me ſpeak to you all in the words of the Angel to Mary, you are highly favoured of God, you ſhall all be admitted to this Marriage Feaſt; be thou as poor in outward condition as may be, and as poor in Spirit as may be, never ſo low in thine own thoughts, thou ſhalt enter into this Marriage Feaſt; thou thinkeſt with the poor Publican, Thou art not worthy to come near the place where his honour dwels, nor lift up thy eys towards heaven, nor be reckoned among his people, nor come to his Table here below: Well, be thou as vile as thou canſt in thine own eys, thou ſhalt enter with the Lord Jeſus into the Marriage Feaſt, if thou be ready for his coming. O admire this Love! the Lord help poor weak creatures unbelief in this point, that they may admire it; what, will he admit ſuch a one as I? ſuch a vile creature? ſuch a grieving creature to his holy Spirit? yea, ſuch as he hath once pitched his heart upon to love them, they ſhall enter with him into this feaſt: Saith Mephihoſheth, What is thy ſervant, thou ſhouldeſt look upon ſuch a dead 2 Sam. 9. 8.2 Sam 9:8dog as I? &c.

2. If this be ſo, that the ſtate of Glory, or Kingdom of glory, p. 353into which the Saints enter with Chriſt, is ſuch a Marriage-feaſt, it ſhall be an invitation then to poor ſinners to this Feaſt, this Marriage: Wiſdom hath builded her houſe, hewn out ſeven Pillars, killed her beaſt, mingled her wine, made it ready, a cup of Prov. 9. 1, 2.Prov 9:1Prov 9:2mixture, that is to ſay, a cup made ready, and now ſends forth her Maidens to cry, turn in ye ſimple ones, &c. O that the uncircumſicion of our hearts, that are the Meſſngers may not hinder: but the Lord Jeſus by us, brethren, doth invite you ſinners to this feaſt. he would fain have his Table full of gueſts, how welcome would he make man, woman, and child; if they would but come, he would caſt out none that cometh to him; no, no, in Ioh. 6. 3….John 6:3any wiſe whatſoever, as I have told you ſometime from the Text. But for the better underſtanding of this Exhortation. I will note two things, and then a little further preſs it upon us

Firſt then, That we do not invite you to this Feaſt, this Marriage in heaven, to enter in with Chriſt, continuing ſuch as you are, in your blood and uncleanneſs; but we do firſt invite you to come to Jeſus Chriſt here on earth, that ſo you may enter in with him into the Marriage; your union with Chriſt, and your communion with him muſt begin upon earth, though it end in heaven; and this communion here is two-fold, though both ſpiritual; it is internal, and, external; internal, a fellowſhip with the Father in the Son, a fellowſhip with Chriſt in his death, the power of it, that we may dye to ſin, and be free from the condemnation. God will not have this Marriage-Feaſt for his Son in heaven filled with Goal Birds, condemned creatures, ſuch as have their bolts and fetters upon them, the naſtineſs of the priſon upon them, the evil ſavour of their ſins upon them, ſuch as have their priſon cloaths, their rags, by the exacteſt righteouſneſs that ever creature performed. upon them; no, no, you muſt firſt come to Jeſus Chriſt, have theſe bolts knockt off, He it is that looſeth the priſoners; you muſt firſt have your …ilthy garments taken away from you, and be robed with the royal apparrel, ſuch as is put upon them whom the King of Heaven delights to honour with ſo near an aporoach to himſelf for ever: you muſt have the ſavour of his Oyntments anointing Zech 3 2.Zech 3:2…our head, his Spirit poured out upon you firſt brethren; as they uſed to annoint their heads with ſweet oyl at their ſeaſts, p. 354before you can come to that feaſt, ſinners, do not think you ſhall croud into heaven in the condition you are in; but be perſwaded in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt, firſt to come to him, to get your hands and hearts, and all waſhed in innocency it ſelf, in the blood of the ſpotleſs Lamb, elſe believe it, there will be no entrance for you.

(2.) There is an external communion alſo, which men that have no more but a profeſſion may have: eating the ſpiritual bread, and drinking the Sacramental feaſt brethren, which the Saints ought to come to, have communion with; the Lord Jeſus and his people will, until he come again; it is not an indifferent thing, 1. Cor. 10. 1 Cor. 11. 24. Acts 15. 9. Mat. 26. 29.1 Cor 101 Cor 11:24Acts 15:9Matt 26:29Do this in remembrance of me; and as often as you do it, ye keep in remembrance the Lord his death until he come; Now brethren we do immediatly invite you to come to Jeſus Chriſt, to cloſe with him, that you may be waſhed and cleanſed through faith in his blood▪ and have your hearts purified by faith in him, and then to this Sacramental Communion with Jeſus Chriſt, which is a ſign and pledge of this Marriage-feaſt in heaven, as plainly our Saviour tels his Diſciples, I w…ll hence…o…th drink no more of this fruit of the Vine, until I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom. Well, this is but the firſt.

Secondly brethren, that by your now coming in to Jeſus Chriſt, you do, as I may ſay, take up your room in your places before hand at his Table in his heavenly Kingdom: In which reſpect the Saints now are ſaid to ſit together in heavenly places, Epheſ. 2. 6.Eph 2:6and hereby you will come to have fellowſhip with the Lord Jeſus in his Reſurrection and Aſcention, and his Work in heaven, which is, to prepare a place for his people (and as I may ſay) to keep it for them; and as one ſweetly expreſſeth it wri… ing as I may ſay every ones name over his Manſion, over his Place, even with his own blood, that none ſhall take it from them over their heads: If Jeſus Chriſt prepared not a place for you Ioh. 4. 2.John 4:2in heaven now, brethren, you will find no room at his Table.

Therefore now brethren, Let me preſs this Exhortation upon you, that you would come to him, now, even now, while it …s called to day, it is his voyce brethren that ſpeaks to you; O that your ears were bored to hear, the fatted Calf is killed, the Lord Jeſus is Crucified for ſinners, the Wine is mingled, all is ready, there wants nothing now but your coming to Dine and p. 355Sup with Jeſus Chriſt: yea, indeed but your opening to him, Rev. 3. 20.Rev 3:20he knocks, he will come to you, to feaſt with you, bring his royal dainties with him, and his wine of the Kingdom, his Royal Wine with him. O his love, which is better then wine, if you will but open to him; O do not nectere moras now; can the Lord Jeſus, brethren, find in his heart to have his blood poured out, to become royal Wine indeed, full of ſpirits, ſweet and cordial to a poor fainting ſoul, to give his own fleſh to eat? which is bread indeed, it is virtually all dainties: therefore the Scripture ſetteth it forth by Wine and Milk, and Honey, and Bread, and Marrow, and Fatneſs, the fat of the Kidni…s of the Wheat, by Apples and Flagons: Is he willing▪ brethren, to be the Feaſt to be fed upon, and ſhall we not come? O therefore come where the Carkaſs is; follow not your Carrion any more, the ſtir…king loathſome delights and pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon: Be ye no more drunk with wine, but be ye filled with the Spirit of Ephe. 5. 18. Pſal. 36. 8.Eph 5:18Ps 36:8Chriſt, ſaith the Apoſtle; be Inebriated, as ſome read it; abundantly ſatisfied with the goodneſs of his Houſe, and with the flowings of his heart towards you poor ſinners.

But me thinketh now I hear the returns that ſinners make to Jeſus Chriſt, to this invitation; ſay ſome, I have a feaſt already, Stoln waters are ſweet, and bread eaten in ſecret is pleaſant, Prov. 9. 17.Prov 9:17and ſhall we forſake theſe delights we have in the world for we know not what? Ah poor ſouls, you know not what you ſay, if this be the language of your hearts. If you mouths were not much out of taſte, you would never judge ſin a ſweet thing; a poor child of God that hath his taſte healed, though but in part, he drinketh nothing in the world ſo bitter to him as ſin, that which goeth down ſo merr…ly with many. Were not the Num. 11. 5.Num 11:5Iſraelites mouths much out of taſte, when they preferred their Onions and Garlick, ſtinking things of Egypt, before their ſweet, their heavenly Manna, their Angels bread, fit for them to eat, or which came by their Miniſtry.

(2.) Remember this brethren, though it be ſweet to the taſte, it turns to bittereſt gall; as the Wiſe man ſpeaks of wine that moveth it ſelf aright, it ſparkles, is lovely, ſweet to the taſte, at laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Ad…er. Prov. 23. 27.Prov 23:27Behold ſuch are all the delights of ſin; and whether you believe it or no now, you ſhall be ſure to feel it after a little ſeaſon, for p. 356your pleaſures are but for a ſeaſon. So that you know not what you ſay, if any thus excuſe himſelf for coming.

Again, Shall you change for you know not what? Indeed you do not know, for eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive, before he hath had experience of it himſelf. O that I might but perſwade you brethren Iſa. 64 4.Isa 64:4to make a tryal, and if you do not find one days communion of Jeſus Chriſt be not worth a thouſand with your companions in ſin, then believe not this Goſpel any more; there is much ſweetneſs indeed in the breaſts of the world, to a wordly Pallate: O what drink, golden drink do poor Earth-worms drink? and this is their Nectar. Believe it brethren, if the Lord do but bring you, and ſet your mouths to the wounds of Jeſus Chriſt, ſet your mouths to the ſweet promiſes of pardoning grace, and purging mercy, to draw from them ſtrong conſolation, you will find the other but Gall and Wormwood to you. O let them periſh, ſaith Galeac. and his money with him, that preferreth all the world before an hours communion with Jeſus Chriſt.

I pray you therefore do not excuſe your ſelves with them in the Goſpel, I have bought this, and that, and I cannot come, I Luke 14. 18. Phil. 3. 8.Luke 14:18Phil 3:8have ſo many Cuſtodiums, I cannot mind theſe things, I have ſo much to do in the world, and it is to be minded. A poor ditchwater, that is preferred before this Wine of the Kingdom; will droſs and dung, meat and husks, which is Swines meat, nouriſh your ſouls to eternal life? make as much account, brethren, of theſe things as you will, to ſlight now the matters of eternity, time will come when you would give all the fruit of your labours, if it were a thouſand times more, for one ſight of Jeſus Chriſt, one taſte of his love, one hours communion withhim, before you go hence, and be no more.

Alas, But ſome will ſay, I am a poor ſinner, the vileſt filthy creature, lame, and blind, and have all my life time been feeding with Swine upon husks, and ſwill, and traſh, theſe delights of ſin and pleaſures of the world, O my days are conſumed in ſin; and doth he invite ſuch as I? and may I come? Yea, brethren, you find the poor, lame, and blind from the hedges and high-ways ſide were invited to his feaſt; if you come but to Mat. 22▪ 10.Matt 22:10Jeſus Chriſt, he will open the eys of the blind, he hath eye…alve for you, and he will be legs to the lame, and cloathing p. 357to the naked, if you do but come to him, put on Chriſt. It is not any other infirmities, (which will abide upon the beſt of Gods people in part) that can exclude us, or caſt us out, but only the want of the wedding Garment; if a man be never ſo well furniſhed Rom. 13. 14.Rom 13:14otherwiſe as he thinketh. O therefore come Brethren, the Feaſt is made for ſuch as you, you are invited to it; the ſimple, the man void of underſtanding, (that is to ſay) the ſinner, for ſin is folly in Scripture-phraſe; you are invited to turn in this Prov. 9. 4.Prov 9:4day to the Feaſt, the Marriage-feaſt which is begun here upon earth, but will end in heaven, therefore be not diſcouraged.

Ah but you will ſay, I have no ſuch appetite to the Feaſt, to hunger and thirſt, and is there any invited to come to it, but ſuch as have an appetite? what ſhall they do there? I anſwer, no marvel thou haſt no great appetite, until thou haſt more communion with him, if thou haſt had any: And no marvel, if thou haſt no appetite, if thov haſt never been with Jeſus, for thou haſt ſo long lived upon traſh, that it takes away the ſtomack to the ſweeteſt and wholſomeſt food in the world. But withal remember this, who ever will, is invited to come, brethren, and take freely. It may be thou doſt not find, poor ſinner, Rev. 22. 18.Rev 22:18ſuch a ſtrong deſire, ſuch a breaking of ſoul for longing; but haſt thou a Will? wouldſt thou have Chriſt, wouldſt thou have his body, this meat indeed; this blood, this drink indeed; this wine of the Kingdom, and begin this Feaſt, this Marriage-feaſt upon earth; why doſt thou not take him then? come, and take it freely; O that this might be the day of his power, to many of your poor ſouls, that you might become a Pſal. 110. 3.Ps 110:3willing people, that you might have a heart to cloſe with him, to take him upon his own terms, that you might begin your heaven upon earth, your communion with Jeſus Chriſt.

I will but add one word more, and that is this; It is no indifferent thing, whether you cloſe with this invitation or no? there is a neceſſity lies upon you to come to the Marriage-feaſt, except you reſolve upon it to periſh for ever; God he was wroth, and ſent forth his armies to deſtroy, &c. Ah what gnaſhing of teeth will there be to poor ſinners in hell, Math. 22.Matt 22when they ſhall ſee their neighbours, who heard this Goſpel with them, ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob at the table of Chriſt in his kingdom, and themſelves caſt out! Ah brethren, p. 358Mat. 8. 12.Matt 8:12I beg for you a believing heart, you muſt either feaſt with Chriſt, or ſtarve for ever with Satan and his Angels, and then not a drop will be had to cool your tongues; now flagons Luke 16. 24.Luke 16:24are tendered you, now wine and milk without money and price, now rivers of pleaſures at Gods right hand, and fulneſs of joy is promiſed you, is held out to you, cometh a begging to you; Ah then, then brethren, ſhall you beg for a drop, and ſhall not have it; rivers of burning brimſtone will be your bathing, when the Saints are ſwallowed up of thoſe rivers of pleaſures at his right hand; then will you be chewing upon your gall and wormwood, then will you be breaking your teeth upon your gravel, when the Saints are drinking this new wine in the kingdom of their Father with Jeſus Chriſt. Ah think of it brethren, think of it; you have now your good things, many of your eyes ſtand out with fatneſs, you ſpend a world upon your luſts, live like Epicures, wantonizing in the abundance of your enjoyments; how woful will that ſentence be! Son, remember, thou in thy life time hadſt thy good things, Luke 16. 5.Luke 16:5and now thou art tormented; hadſt thy wine and drinking unto drunkenneſs, now the ſtings of it abide upon thee; the Saints have their worſt firſt, and the beſt kept until the laſt; but you have your conſolation in this world, and the wine of aſtoniſhment Luke 6. 24.Luke 6:24will be your portion for ever, if you will not be perſwaded. Therefore take your choice brethren, I ſet life and death before you, and conſider of it, How will you eſcape, if you neglect this great ſalvation? you may now be received to the Feaſt, Heb. 2. 3.Heb 2:3the door ſtands open, it will not alway be ſo, it will be ſhut againſt you. O how will you anſwer it another day before the Lord Jeſus, if you now trample under foot his blood, and precious offers of his Grace, though by the hand and mouth of a poor worm like your ſelves?

Thirdly, Then Brethren, let as many as have received power Ʋſe.to believe in the Lord Jeſus, and ſo are admitted to the beginning of this Marriage-ſupper upon earth, to inward fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt in the Graces of his Spirit, and merits of his death and reſurrection, labour brethren, to prepare your ſelves for this Feaſt in heaven, by feeding heartily upon theſe dainties upon earth; the more men eat and drink, the more their ſtomacks are extended p. 359uſually, and the more they will receive; ſurely it is ſo in ſpirituals, the more a ſoul feeds upon Chriſt, and the more abundantly he drinketh, the more he may, it enlargeth the deſires; Hitherto (ſaith our Saviour) you have asked nothing, little or nothing; Ask, and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full; Ioh. 16. 24.John 16:24the more abundantly the ſoul is ſatisfied with the goodneſs of the houſe of God, the more will the mouth be opened to receive; now, as our capacities do enlarge, ſo much the more fitter are we for this Marriage-feaſt. O therefore let us not come to the table of the Lord brethren, this ſign and pledge of that Marriage-feaſt in heaven, but with mouths opened, ſouls enlarged, that we may eat and drink abundantly, he that cometh hungry, will hardly go away without his fill; we come with narrow hearts, mouths half-opened, and therefore go away with little or nothing.

Fourthly, This ſhould much edge our deſires after Heaven, and Ʋſe.the glory that is to be revealed: it is a feaſt, who is not willing to go to a Feaſt, if he be hungry and pinching? and yet alas, how backward are we for heaven? how do we hang back? it is a ſign we have little deſire after that fulneſs of communion with Jeſus Chriſt, all is not right with us, we are not ready, when we can be contented to ſit down by the pipe, and may go to the fountain, to the rivers, the ocean of unſpeakable delights in the Lord. O therefore brethren, eye heaven more, and the Glory of it, this Marriage-feaſt; the eye affecteth the heart; though it is true, it doth not appear diſtinctly what we ſhall be, yet ſome hints are given, whereby we may conceive how tranſcendent the delights of heaven will be above all we enjoy below. What Solomon dehorts men from as an occaſion of luſting after wine; look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveh his colour in the cup, moves it ſelf aright, when it ſparkles, and Prov. 23. 27.Prov 23:27hath a pure colour, if you look, you will be enticed by it. But here is a feaſt of wine, of new wine, more excellent, tranſcendent, full of ſpirits and vigour; look upon it brethren, with the eye of faith, and ſerious contemplation; ſometimes behold how it ſparkles, what a ſpirit there is in this wine, that to all eternity maketh the Spirits of the Saints to exult, and triumph in his glorious praiſe, a duty ſo far above our cold and heavy frames here below. O methinks this ſhould ſomewhat quicken p. 360us, and raiſe our deſires to heaven, to be with Chriſt, drinking this wine new with him, in his kingdom, that here we drink only ſacramentally; and theſe are not deceitful meats, your expectations cannot be ſo high of heaven, but you ſhall find abundantly more to admire.

Fifth Uſe ſhall be a word of comfort and encouragement to the Ʋſe.people of God according to the neceſſities of their various conditions, if ſo be that the Saints ſhall enter in with Chriſt unto the Marriage, unto this Feaſt.

Firſt then, Here is matter of encouragement againſt the troubles and afflictions the Saints meet with in the world, and from the world. It is true, this is a time wherein at preſent the world ſmiles upon Religion, but they are but like the Crocodiles ſmiles, ready to devour them notwithſtanding, yea indeed, her very embraces are killing. But if times ſhould but turn a little, the world would be the world ſtill, it hates the Saints, and it would diſcover it ſelf, what it is, more plainly then now it doth; the times will not bear hoſtility againſt the people of God: but ſuppoſe ſuch an hour of temptation may come upon us, this may encourage us againſt it (brethren): What though the world may give you gall and vinegar to drink, as they did to Jeſus Chriſt before, you are now going ready to enter in with the Bridegroom to the Marriage-feaſt of new wine, and drink with Heb. 12. 2. &c.Heb 12:2him at his Table in the Fathers kingdom to eternity. Indeed brethren, there is ſo much refreſhing to a poor creature in this Feaſt of wine on the lees upon earth, in the Church, in this poor and dark communion with him, that it is enough to allay the bittereſt cup which God puts into his peoples hands to drink; witneſs this comfortable Propheſie, Though you have the bread of afflictions, and water of adverſities, yet will I not remove your Teachers any more into a corner; give wine to him that, &c. Iſa. 30. 20.Isa 30:20Prov. 31. 6. This will ſweeten all; one taſte of honey and ſweetneſs at the end of the Rod, (and all wicked men are but Gods rod to chaſten his people) I ſay, this taſte enlightneth the eyes, reviveth the poor drooping fainting ſoul; Ah what are the Luke 22. 28.Luke 22:28joys of Heaven then! Again, ſuppoſe it be not a perſecution for righteouſneſs ſake, but it is from the hand of God for thy ſins that thou ſmarteſt; yet this brethren, methinks if our hearts p. 361were more upon it, would allay the ſmart; there will be a time, when there will be no room for one ſigh, nor one groan more, no interruption will be in your joy. Yea, ſuppoſe it be ſin that moſt troubles thee now, and temptation, and this is a bitter thing indeed to a gracious heart: O remember brethren, that in the Marriage-feaſt there will be a ſwallowing up of all theſe things.

Secondly, It may be encouragement to a poor ſoul that longs, and preſſeth hard after a fuller communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt, Rom. 8. 17.Rom 8:17and cannot reach it; but ſtill let them attain to what they can, their deſires are higher, and reaching after more; and that deſire 2 Tim 2. 12.2 Tim 2:12ſpeaks emptineſs in part, and hunger, and that hath pain, the ſoul muſt needs be reſtleſs in ſuch a condition. O remember brethren, there will be an entrance into the Marriage-feaſt, where you ſhall ever be with the Lord, you ſhall be ever drinking with him this new wine in his Fathers Kingdom, at his Kingdom: ſuppoſe there be not that to ſatisfie and fill thee, in the pipe (though the Conduits run wine, and the Ordinances be a feaſt of fat things) ſtill thou wouldſt have more; there brethren, your deſires will be ſwallowed up, your enjoyments will be above your deſires. I know it is a ſight of Chriſt crucified ſitting with us at the Table, which is the reviving of the poor ſoul; but alas, he quickly loſeth that poor imperfect glimpſe he had of him; but there ſhall thy eye be ſatisfied with ſeeing him in his glory, and thine ear with hearing his bleſſed voice: there ſhall thy ſoul be filled indeed, and alway filled, becauſe alway ſwallowed up in this fellowſhip and communion with the Lord Jeſus.

3. It is matter of encouragement to ſuch, as it may be, are not admitted to every diſh, or every courſe in this Feaſt of fat things, this Marriage-feaſt upon earth; it may be the people of God may not be ſatisfied in ſome, to admit them, though the Lord have received them, it appears not to them; it may be their own ſpirits are not free to enjoy them in ſuch a way as they are to be had in the places where they live, ſome ſtumbling block or other is in the way, which they cannot get over, and ſo they mourn after them, but cannot enjoy them. O that God would remove all ſtumbling blocks, and help his people ſo to prize them, as not upon every ſlight matter to be kept from p. 362them: but ſuppoſe thou canſt not come poor ſoul, and yet thy ſoul longs for them, and haply more then many that do enjoy them, if thou couldſt without ſin. Be of good comfort, though it is true, thou maiſt loſe many a ſight of Jeſus Chriſt ſitting with his people at the round table, and thou knoweſt not what thou loſeſt, yet if it Cant. 1. 12.Song 1:12be meer tenderneſs of Conſcience which keepeth thee off, and not perverſeneſs, thou haſt ſure much of the inward fellowſhip and communion with Chriſt, otherwiſe he can, if he pleaſe, ſupply it otherwiſe; but however, though not admitted among men, thou ſhalt enter in with Chriſt unto the Marriage-ſupper for ever, and this will make amends for all. Though far be it from me to ſtrengthen any mans hands in the neglect of the Ordinances of Chriſt on earth, and take heed, that our excuſes will ſpeak loud enough for us in Gods ears, whatever they do in mans. But if thou canſt not be admitted to the pipe, Is it not a comfort that thou ſhalt be admitted to the fountain, to the ſea? O methinks this ſhould put on ſuch above others, make a vertue of neceſſity, and ſo much the more long for his appearing to thee, that thou mayſt enter in with him to the Marriage-feaſt.

Fourthly and laſtly, It may ſerve to allay the bitterneſs of death: It is a bitter thing, not only to the wicked; it is bitter, it muſt needs, having the ſting of ſin in it, and being a trap-door, 1 Sam. 15. 32.1 Sam 15:32(as I may ſay) to let them ſink or drop into the everlaſting flames, this muſt needs be bitter: But to the Saints it is in ſome ſort bitter alſo, nature is diſſolved by it: it is the fruit of ſin, and we find by continual experience of the Saints, that there is a hanging back; But methinks, this conſideration, that it is an entrance into this Marriage-feaſt, ſhould much ſweeten it to a child of God. Our Saviours death was the bittereſt that ever was endured, O it was a deadly cup, but this was it that ſweetned it, the conſideration that he ſhould drink this new wine with his people in his fathers kingdom, there feaſt with him for ever: for the joy that was ſet before him, he endured the Croſs; ſo brethren, do but ſet before you continually this joy, this pouring out of this love Heb. 12. 2.Heb 12:2of Chriſt upon your ſouls, thoſe immediate, ſincere; full, conſtant, and eternal delights of your ſouls in the light and love of the Father, and of the Son, and ſee if it ſwallow not up the bitterneſs of death unto you? But ſo much for this Doctrine. p. 363—foreign. Here is the ſecond Conſideration of Verſe 10.this coming of the Bridegroom, a doleful conſideration it is to all ſuch as were not ready, for the door was ſhut; what is the ſence of ſhutting the door in the Parable, I ſuppoſe is eaſily underſtood, (that is to ſay) an entrance is denied to them that were without; as well as they that were within, were ſhut in by the ſhutting of the door. But I conceive that is the thing meant here; the ſcope of the Verſe being to ſhew the different end of a believer and an hypocrite; the one is received into the Marriage-feaſt, the other is ſhut out, the door is clapt againſt them.

The Doctrine will be a ſad word; it is this, That the Gate of Doctr.heaven, or the door will be clapt againſt all formal Profeſſors, and fooliſh Virgins that are not ready to enter with Chriſt; for this is implied in the other part of the words; they that were ready, entred with Chriſt into the Marriage, and the door was ſhut; upon whom? ſurely upon them that were not ready for that his coming; whatever hopes they are big with, now they prove abortive. There is a door of entrance into Heaven, and an outer door, (as I may ſay) which I may call a door of hope, which the Hypocrite hath not, when it cometh to a pinch, not a well-grounded hope, The wicked is driven away in his wickedneſs, but the righteous hath hope in his death. There is a door of hope Prov. 14. 32.Prov 14:32to him, but none to the wicked; but his hope which he had before, many times at death, is like the giving up of the Ghoſt; Iob 11. 20: Rev. 22. 15.Job 11:20Rev 22:15without are dogs, &c. either filthy perſons, ſuch as with the Dog returneth to the vomit again, after their ſorrow, and vomiting up their ſweet morſels; ſuch as with the Dog are ſometimes 2. Pet. 2. 22.2 Pet 2:22ſin-ſick, and ſeem to repent, to vomit up the bottom of their ſtomacks, but return to it again with delight after their repentance, and tears, and prayers; theſe are ſhut out. Dogs alſo, who are they, but ſuch barking, biting, foul-mouth'd, falſe Teachers? ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, Beware of Dogs, evil workers, of the conciſion; beware of ſuch as would bring in the Phil. 3. 2.Phil 3:2circumciſion as neceſſary to Salvation; beware of theſe, they are Dogs, though they may ſeem never ſo zealous and holy, have a ſheep-skin upon them, they are Dogs, and Woolves, and all manner of workers of iniquity, as Sorcerers, Whoremongers, p. 364and Idolaters, and whoſoever loveth and maketh a lye. Why, you will ſay, theſe are not Hypocrites ſure, they are down-right profane perſons? brethren, a man may live in theſe ſins many of them, and yet carry a fair ſhew, but the gate ſhall be ſhut againſt them, whoever they be. As for Adultery, or whoring, though men be not guilty of the outward act, is there not heart-adultery? is there not contemplative wickedneſs? againſt which Job reſolveth, I made a Govenant with mine eye, why ſhould I think upon a maid? he that luſteth after her beauty in the heart, commits Iob 31. 1.Job 31:1adultery with her in his heart; yea brethren, by the thoughts, the very ſpirits (as I may ſay) and oyl of ſin are ſqueezed out, or extracted, as in a Limbeck, and that is more deadly and dangerous; Prov. 6. 25. Mat. 5. 28.Prov 6:25Matt 5:28a man may eat a thing, and do him no great hurt, but the oyl of it is deadly, haply. So the Murtherer, it may be many a man that hath a form of Godlineſs, never imbrued his hands in blood, but his heart hath been ſteeped in blood, full of envious and malicious thoughts, he can with wiſhes and deſires of revenge and malice murther and bury all his neighbours. And ſo, though it may be we make no pictures of Images, or fall down before them, to give them any abſolute or relative worſhip, yet we have Idols in our hearts, we love money, are covetous it may be, and this is idolatry, and fall down to our own parts, our own gifts, and live in this, like it well; theſe brethren, ſhall have the door ſhut againſt them, and ſuch as love and make lyes, though officious lyes, to help others; nothing more ordinary in mens Callings and Shops, then to lye, and ſpeak falſly for a little advantage; and yet it may be have a colour, and a ſhew of Profeſſion, and allow themſelves in theſe things; They ſhall be ſhut out, the door ſhall be clapt againſt them; many ſhall ſeek to enter, but ſhall not be able. No marvel, for the Gate is not only ſtrait, but ſhut againſt them; it is ſtrait, Luke▪ 13. 24.Luke 13:24when it ſtands open in mens lives, and they will not ſtrive, and therefore fall ſhort. But now this ſtrait Gate is ſhut againſt them, and therefore they cannot enter. But ſo much for the proof of this Doctrine; I ſhall not ſtay long upon it, nor indeed is it needful, having ſpoken before to their ſurprizal.

Only a word or two brethren, for the opening of the Point, and then to confirm it, and then ſome ſhort application of it to our ſelves. For the opening of it, What is meant by the unreadineſs p. 365here ſuppoſed? for it is againſt them that the door is ſhut; And then the ſhutting of the door, what is meant by that? Firſt then, What is meant by this unreadineſs? I hope you have not altogether forgotten what was ſpoken lately to the readineſs of a poor creature to enter in with Chriſt to heaven, which if you remember, you may eaſily conceive what it is to be unready; we will not ſpeak to the readineſs for an abundant entrance, but only for an entrance into heaven, and you remember they were ſuch things as theſe.

1. There muſt be a pardon of a mans ſins, a righteouſneſs of faith in the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, elſe a man is never ready; Every Zach. 13. 1.Zech 13:1unbeliever therefore is unready, let him be as ſpecious in his ſhews and pretences as he may, yet he is unready, he is in his ſins condemned, &c. Joh. 3. And though the Gate of mercy, and the kingdom of Grace …and open for ſinners to come to Jeſus Chriſt, yet the Gate of Heaven, whereby an entrance is made into Glory, ſtands not open to any, but ſuch as are pardoned, have the robes of their elder Brother, the Lord Jeſus, Joh. 8. 21.John 8:21upon them. Ah how ſad a word is that of the Jews, ye ſhall die in your ſins; then ſurely brethren, they are not ready for heaven, the door will be ſhut againſt them.

2. There muſt be a dying to ſin, as well as a pardon of ſin, before we can be ready; as you heard; the roots muſt be withered before the wall be tumbled down; therefore every unmortified man or woman is unready. Hear this word of the Lord, ye whoſe Luſts are yet in their full ſtrength, your pride and hardneſs of heart, and ſenſoriouſneſs, your looſeneſs and wantonneſs, you that walk with a froward mouth, and perverſe lips, Prov. 6. 12. & 18.Prov 6:12Prov 6:18whoſe hearts deviſe miſchief, whoſe feet make haſte to do evil; it is an ill ſign that the old man is mortified, you are an abomination to God, as the wiſe man ſpeaks, and will he not clap the door againſt all ſuch workers of iniquity? no evil can dwell with Pſal. 5. 4.Ps 5:4God. Ah brethren, you that cheriſh that old man of ſin, (as I may ſay) rub him, and chafe him, and pour wine, and ſtrong drink into him, aqua vitae, and ſpirits into him; by your meditations of ſin, vain thoughts, luſtful, proud, paſſionate thoughts nouriſh your ſins ordinarily, and ſo blow up the coal into a flame, you are far from mortifying your luſts: inſtead of bringing water and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, to kill your ſins, you bring to the p. 366flame: well, all unmortified perſons are unready, let our profeſſion be what it will, the door will be clapt upon ſuch, I mean ſuch as are altogether unmortified, have done nothing in the work. I know a child of God may not be ſo mortified as he ſhould, and ſometimes for ſome acts may cheriſh ſin, uſe the bellows to the fire within, but it coſts him bitterneſs afterward; he liveth not in ſuch a courſe: If he do, it is good for him to be jealous of himſelf how the caſe ſtands with him.

Thirdly, He is unready that hath no real holineſs put upon him, without it none ſhall ſee God; he knoweth his prima facie, as I may ſay, he can ſee the image and comelineſs upon a ſoul if it be Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14there: If not, he will not own any baſtards, any ſuppoſititious children, changelings that Satan laies in the lap of the Church, as I may ſay, and rocks in the Cradle of ſecurity, but the Lord will ſhut the door againſt them. This real holineſs, you know what it is, a conformity to the will of God in our underſtandings, 1 Joh. 1. 5.1 John 1:5light as he is light, and no darkneſs in him. In our wills and affections, conformity to his will revealed to us. A holy diſpoſition of heart to do his will, ſuffer his will, and delight in it; which occaſioneth our grief when we cannot; well, this is holineſs. Hear this then ye that never mind the will of God, purblind ignorant creatures, ſtubborn rebellious creatures, you that have iron ſinnews and brazen faces, which refuſe to return or to be aſhamed, though the Lord do blazen your iniquities before you continually by his Heralds, which cry aloud, and teach Jacob their tranſgreſſions, and Iſrael their ſins, and ſpare you not, nor ſpare themſelves, yet you refuſe to return, and to be aſhamed to conform to Iſa. 58. 1.Isa 58:1the will of Chriſt; you never were brought to that ſweet ſubmiſſive frame of Paul, Lord, what wouldſt thou have me to do? Acts. 9.Acts 9Well, believe it, thou art unready, the gate will be clapt againſt thee.

Fourthly, Then others are unready; And who are thoſe? Such as have received work to do, and they have not done it, men of no action for Chriſt; then the Apoſtle was ready, and our Saviour, when they had done their work he gave them to do: Chriſt had wrought out a perfect righteouſneſs for his people, and therefore he went up to heaven, and the world ſeeth him no more, Joh. 16. 8, 9.John 16:8John 16:9and this the Spirit convinceth the world of; if he had not done that work perfectly, heaven would not have held him: Remember p. 367this then Brethren, they are unready that have not done their work, whether Magiſtrates, Miniſters, or private people: He giveth to his ſervants, ſome five talents, ſome ten, ſome two, ſome one; mind you, he that had but one, haply out of envy at others who had more, or dejection and diſcouragement, or thinking he had little, and therefore could do little good with it, hid it in a Napkin, and did not trade with it; and therefore, was the gate open to him? No, thou wicked and ſloathful ſervant, ſaith the Mat. 25. 26.Matt 25:26Maſter to him, &c. and ſo he is caſt off; the merchandiſe oſ wiſdom is better then the merchandiſe of ſilver, and the gain thereof then Prov. 3. 14.Prov 3:14fine gold: that is to ſay, the great gain and improvement that cometh by uſing the wiſdom and knowledge, the gifts and graces which God giveth us; O the tongue of the juſt is as choice ſilver, and the lips of the righteous feed many. Do we do our work Brethren? Prov. 10. …0, 21.Prov 10or have we never ſet ſtroke in it? God hath given ſome charge of ſouls, how little have they done in it? Maſters of Families have the charge of children, of ſervants, their ſouls, you have done nothing, you have gifts and parts enough for every thing elſe. Well Brethren, ſuch ſhall be ſhut out alſo.

Now to ſhew you two or three ſorts of perſons, who will likely be unready in ſome, or all theſe reſpects.

Firſt then, all ſuch as triſle away their time in the world, ſpending their ſtrength for that which profiteth not, labouring for the Luk. 14. 18.Luke 14:18meat which periſheth, which will not endure to eternal life: you ſee the world was that which kept them from coming to the Feaſt in the Goſpel, one could not have while, another could not have while: a man cannot have two treaſures, except he had two hearts, two contrary treaſures, earth and heaven both; and where the treaſure is, there will the heart be alſo; therefore Brethren, Mat. 6. 21.Matt 6:21while men are ſo altogether taken up with the world, they cannot but neglect the main thing, and ſo are found unready. …et worldlings hear this word and tremble, if any others be likely to be found unready, you are the men. Even the people of God themſelves, if they be unready in part, it is the world likely will put them out of order, off the hinges; take heed, ſaith our Saviour, your hearts be not at any time overcharged with the cares of this world, becauſe there is no time but that day may overtake Luk. 21. 34.Luke 21:34you, and then you will be taken unawares; therefore much more a man that is drowned and buried in the world, he will be ſure to be unready.

p. 368Secondly, Such as do but dally with God, and Religion, and the things of eternity; they ſpend themſelves and their ſtrength to feed a formality, to put forth broad and pleaſant leaves, and there is all; but for faith, and repentance, and the great works of a Chriſtian, they ſcarſe ever meddle with them at all; they go to the creature here with the fooliſh Virgins, go to the opinions of others, to the graces of others, to their flattering paraſite Preachers, to be ſeared and daubed up; ſuch as theſe are likely to be found unready, none in more danger then a formal profeſſor.

Thirdly, Such as fail in the midſt of their Chriſtian courſe, as you ſee theſe Virgins did; uſually ſuch are hardly recovered again, for you ſee how they wandered up and down from mountain to hill, from creature to creature, and come not to Jeſus Chriſt. So in the Goſpel, when the unclean ſpirit is gone out of a Mat. 12. 43.Matt 12:43man, &c. Such are like to the Laodiceans, ſpiſed out of the mouth of God, which none returneth to again; the Dog returneth to Rev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17the vomit, but not a man; our time is fruitful in experiences of this kind; you ſee the door is here ſhut againſt thoſe Virgins which failed, I mean it of a total Apoſtacy, not partial declinings; ſuch the Saints themſelves had, the wiſe Virgins, but the other loſt all, true ſaving grace they had none, their form, their profeſſion, it went out, and then they were in darkneſs, could not expect the coming of their Lord with their Lamps burning. So much for the opening of it.

The door is ſhut, the meaning of this is no more, but that an entrance into heaven is denyed unto them that are not ready, there is no manſion made ready for them that are not made ready for theſe manſions: the Lord Jeſus he is the door into the Church, Ioh. 14. 2.John 14:2the Kingdom of grace, and into the Kingdom of glory, as you have beard, they that enter, muſt enter in by Jeſus Chriſt, have acceſs by him; now he will ſhut the door, that is to ſay, ſhut up his bowels and tender mercies for ever; though they have been Joh. 10. 17.John 10:17opened to poor ſinners here upon earth, then they ſhall be ſhut up, he will have no more compaſſion on them, but when they cry and call, ſhut out their prayers; they have clapt the door of their hearts and lockt them againſt him, and now will he ſhut up Prov. 1. 28.Prov 1:28his heart, and lock it againſt them for ever. Time was when the Jews might have found Jeſus Chriſt, but now, ſaith he, ye ſhall ſeek p. 369me, and ſhall not find me, but ſhall dye in your ſins. Indeed Brethren, Ioh. 8. 21.John 8:21the door may be ſhut againſt a man here on earth, after Gods waiting upon a people to be gracious to them, he ſware in Pſal. 95. 11.Ps 95:11his wrath, they ſhould never enter into his reſt, which was a type of heaven. And ſo thoſe that were invited to the feaſt, they ſhall not taſte of my dainties, ſaith the King, for they are not worthy; If men refuſe and reject the Goſpel, either profeſſedly or in practiſe, no marvel if the Lord turn the key of heaven gates upon them, and they be ſhut out, without any more hope for Mat. 22. 7, 8.Matt 22:7Matt 22:8ever.

For the Arguments to confirm this a little.

Firſt, Becauſe this feaſt in heaven admitteth no Gueſts without a wedding garment, without holineſs no entrance into heaven, no man Heb. 12. 14. Ioh. 17. 3.Heb 12:14John 17:3ſhall ſee the Lord, except the Lord Jeſus have known them, and they have known him, which is life eternal: for ſo the Apoſtle puts them together, we know that we know him, or rather are known of him, elſe Brethren, there is no entrance, he knoweth no man, will acknowledge none then, but with a wedding-garment here, in the adminiſtrations of the Kingdom of grace; a perſon may creep into the feaſt withont the wedding-garment indeed, for the word preached, it is for all, but the diſtinguiſhing Ordinances men may be admitted to haply, though they have no wedding-garment, as you have it in that place of Matthew, but he ſhall not abide there, but ſhall be caſt out, he will bind him hand and foot, and caſt him out; though he …eaveth the admittance Mat. 22. 11, 13.Matt 22:11Matt 22:13of them into the viſible Church and viſible communion in his ordinances to us, who can judge but according to appearance and by the rules of charity; yet himſelf cometh and vieweth the gueſts, and who are fit to be owned as the gueſts of heaven, that ſhall have entrance there, he whoſe eyes are a flame of fire, or like it, piercing into the inwards of our ſouls, to ſee what our ſpirits are cloathed with. And if he takes it ſo ill of them that creep into the Communion of his Saints and Ordinances here below without a wedding-garment; Surely then, he will never admit any to this feaſt of new wine to eternity, without ſuch a wedding-garment.

Secondly, Another Argument or Conſideration to make this out, may be this, they that are unready ſhall not enter, the door ſhall be ſhut upon them, becauſe they have neglected, deſpiſed the p. 370Lord Jeſus, who is the door, and hath the key of David, and openeth Rev. 3. 7. Rom. 10. 21. Iſa. 65. 2.Rev 3:7Rom 10:21Isa 65:2and ſhutteth, therefore now, they ſhall be rejected; the door hath ſtood open all the day long, all the day long hath he ſtretched out his hands to a rebellious and gain-ſaying people; he would have gathered them, and they would not, therefore now he will not; now he will deſpiſe them, as they have deſpiſed him, and there is all the reaſon that can be, that they that would have none of Chriſt, by whom alone there is acceſs to the Father and to this glory, that he ſhould have none of them neither; they have reſiſted the motions of his Spirit, the Holy-Ghoſt offering to convince them, and now he will reſiſt them, clap the door againſt them.

Thirdly, Becauſe now the time of our working and Gods waiting is at an end; God hath long waited to be gracious to us, but now there is an end of waiting, he ſeeth it would do no good, as long as ſinners could for ſorrow, or pain, or death, hold their vanities, keep their ſins, their ſweet morſels, they would never ſpit them out, therefore now he will wait no more; though men were unready when Chriſt cometh, yet if he would ſtay a while longer, wait a year longer: O if it might be but a Sabbath, but a day, what new creatures would men become? they will promiſe fair: No, no, the time of waiting is done, he will not ſtay a jot, they have had warning enough, the cry hath paſt before him often enough, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him, but you have not taken the warning; now when he cometh and receiveth his own which were ready for him, no more waiting, the door is ſhut. Though here in the Kingdom of grace God may be Luk. 13. 7, 9.Luke 13:7Luke 13:9intreated to ſpare a barren tree or Vineyard a year or two longer, yet when the time of waiting is at an end, and he ſeeth nothing will do, he will down with them by the roots, into the fire with them; ſo it is no time for us to work then, to think of puting on Chriſt then: if we would gather Manna, it muſt be upon the ſix daies, there was none to be found upon the ſeventh. If we underſtand this of the day of the reſurrection from the dead, then it is clear, as the tree falleth ſo it lyoth, either hell-ward or Exod. 16.Exod 16heaven-ward: But if of the time of death, truly Brethren, how ever this may ſometimes through the exceeding riches of his grace be a time of repentance and faith to ſome, yet ordinarily it is not ſo. Alas they have enough to do to bear the weakneſs upon them, they can mind little elſe; or if they do return, it is p. 371but feignedly for the moſt part, with Judas; and uſually, when a ſinner hath ſo long trampled under foot the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, the Lord giveth them up to hardneſs of heart, that they ſhall never repent or believe, ſeeing, they ſhall ſee and not perceive, Iſa. 6. 9.Isa 6:9&c. leaſt they ſhould be converted and he ſhould heal them, as it is there in the Revelations, Let him that is filthy be filthy ſtill, let him Rev. 22. …1.Rev 22:1that is an hypocrite, be an hypocrite ſtill, this is fearful indeed. So much for the Arguments.

For the Application, Then Brethren, What have we all of us to bleſs the Lord for, that yet the door is not ſhut againſt us, as we may hope; indeed if God have ſealed up any heart under hardneſs, becauſe of its long reſiſting the Holy-Ghoſt, woful is his condition: but doth he not breath now and then, and ſtir and ſtrive, that is a good ſign he hath not done with thee yet, his waiting and ſtriving time is not over, he hath not given thee over yet, &c. What have we to bleſs the Lord for? what are our lives Brethren good to us for in any reſpect beſides, but that we might work out our ſalvation, make ſure of God, and Chriſt, and heaven, get our wedding-garment on, put on the Lord Jeſus for righteouſneſs and holineſs, that our nakedneſs may not appear, for heaven will not bear the nakedneſs of a ſinner; now, though ſinners have neglected this opportunity, alas how many of us have we are exceeding buſie, making proviſion for our luſts, our pride, our luxury, our backs, our bellies, proviſion for our wives, our children, but none for our poor ſouls; and yet notwithſtanding this, he waiteth, the door ſtandeth open: If you had many of you been cut off a year or a monethmonth ago, and the grave had ſhut her mouth upon you, would you not have found heaven ſhut againſt you, and hell opening her mouth wide for to ſwallow you up? Yea Brethren, if this day he ſhould come, Ah I fear, I fear, Brethren, as ſecure as many of us are now, and ſure of our conditions, we ſhould find the gate clapt againſt our ſouls: O therefore Brethren bleſs the Lord, admire his patience and long-ſuffering, that yet draweth out our day of grace, that yet holdeth his bowels open, his arms open to receive us. This is the firſt.

Secondly, Then it may ſerve to lay before us the doleful condition of poor trifling creatures, trifling profeſſors, that notwithſtanding all the ado they make with their Lamps, trimming p. 372of them, and going up and down to buy, they are found unready, the door is clapt againſt them; the Lord grant that none of your poor ſouls may ever ſee that woful day Brethren, you will then know to your bitterneſs and ſorrow, what it is to ſin away a day of grace, an opportunity, while the door ſtood open to receive you: Ah ſurely there will nothing wound poor ſinners more then this, the time was, I might have been happy, I might have had heaven, the bowels of the Lord Jeſus ſtood open to me as well as to others, but now alas it is paſt; did it make the Lord Jeſus weep for Jeruſalem, and was not her condition ſad then, and will it not make your hearts bleed? O ſure it cannot be, but every Luk. 19. 42.Luke 19:42ſuch thought to Eſau, prophane Eſau, poor Eſau, when the bleſſing was gone he ſought it with tears, every thought ſure of this time was, I might have had the bleſſing, but wretch that I was, I ſinned it away, I deſpiſed it, preferred a meſs of pottage before it, and therefore now there is no recovery of it. Every thought ſure in hell, that heaven gate did ſtand open to you ſinners, you had as fair offers of grace and as long a ſeaſon and opportunity to cloſe with Chriſt as others, but now they are gone, will fetch blood from your very hearts and ſouls: O the condition is ſad and doleful!

Thirdly, It ſhall be a word of Exhortation to us all, that we would lay theſe things to heart, It may be we have not ſo much minded them; If this be true Brethren, What need had we to look to it, that we be found ready to enter? which is an Exhortation. I have already preſt upon you, there is a promiſe left of entering, & a threatning alſo that ſome ſhall not enter, even as many as are not ready; you ſee it here by the wiſe Virgins who enter, and the fooliſh againſt whom the door is ſhut; and the Apoſtle to the Hebrews, Take heed leſt any of you fall ſhort through unbelief, Heb. 3. 18.Heb 3:18as thoſe fell ſhort; the Apoſtle maketh that uſe of it, to warn the Hebrews, though Diſciples in profeſſion, and many of them doubtleſs in reality ſuch; ſo here from this example, I deſire Brethren, both mine own and your hearts may be quickned to look about us, leſt when all comes to all, we have the gate of heaven clapt upon us.

1. Then you that are yet in the gall of bitterneſs and the bonds of iniquity, have yet your filthy garments upon you, your rotten Acts 8.Acts 8filthy rags of your own ſervices, duties, prayers, alms, as if p. 373thoſe were a wedding-garment; you that are more profane it Zech. 3.Zech 3may be, and cloath your ſelves with violence, as with a Cloak, and with curſing, as with a garment; and ſo for all manner of Pſal. 73. 6.Ps 73:6prophane perſons, I would beg of you for Jeſus Chriſt ſake this day, you would conſider this doleful word, the gate will be ſhut againſt you, if you be found unready for the appearing of Chriſt. Now there is none of you but your conſciences will tell you, that Pſal. 109. 18.Ps 109:18you are not ready for it; can a drunkard, a ſwearer, a blaſphemer, be ready for the coming of Chriſt? can you hold up your heads ſinners, when he appears, and look him in the face with comfort? Ah no. Either men believe not this coming of Chriſt to them, or elſe becauſe it is not preſent, they put it far from them, therefore they are not affected with it. O that I could preach this day Brethren, as if hell were at ſinners backs, as if the Lord Jeſus were at your backs now ready to call for you out of this world, that you may be a little ſtartled. That I would beg of you, ſhall be this, that you would without any more ifs and ands, without any more delaies, ſet about this work, to make ready for his appearing, leſt the gate be clapt upon you; you have too long delayed it already, therefore now, if ever, ſet about the work.

What would you have us to do? you will ſay; I anſwer Brethren, without any more delay, to conſider your waies, and turn to the Lord, to repent that you may believe, and believe that you may repent. O that you might have hearts to believe this terrible threatning, that ſo your hearts might be ſhaken (ſinners) out of your ſecurity; for this is the reaſon you make nothing of all theſe things, you do not believe that there will be a ſhutting out, or you do not conſider it, and that your ſelves are as likely to be the men that have the door ſhut upon you as any others; O therefore learn this day, a neceſſity of believing, if you would not be ſhut out, a neceſſity of repenting; you ſee they were ſhut out by reaſon of unbelief. I know what anſwer your hearts Heb. 3. 19.Heb 3:19will make to this, If believing will do it, you will never be ſhut out, for you do believe, and will believe, and have believed; alway you have had a good heart, and a good faith towards God and Chriſt; Brethren, I tell you, that you never lookt upon the Brazen Serpent for healing, if you were never wounded; It is for them thatare wounded. You that are all faith now, before p. 374God have touched your hearts, and ſet your ſins in order before you; if ever God come and ſhew you your guilt, there will be nothing but doubting, and fears, and terrors; It is an evident ſign to me, that a ſinner never did believe, becauſe he maketh ſo light a matter of it: No, no, Brethren, you do not come to him indeed: the door ſtands open now, and you are invited to come and enter in by the door, by Jeſus Chriſt, into the Marriage-feaſt, but you do not come to him; O therefore be exhorted ſinners, now while the door ſtands open, to come and enter in, take heed you fall not ſhort by your unbelief; and then upon this faith in Jeſus Chriſt will follow a Goſpel-repentance, a melting and mourning over the Lord Jeſus, whoſe love and bowels you have abuſed, and the love of Jeſus Chriſt will conſtrain you to another courſe of life then you have led, quite contrary, you will not be the ſame men: O break off your ſins by righteouſneſs, be abrupt Dan. 4. 27.Dan 4:27in your repentance, in greateſt haſte; men think it is hard to break off in the midſt of ſuch a deſign for the world, or ſuddenly to leave their companions in ſin, but by degrees they will do it; O break off, &c. Again,

Secondly, For you that have ſomewhat more then ordinary of a profeſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, I beg of you to look to it Brethren, that you have the main thing, leſt when all comes to all, the door be ſhut upon you, as upon thoſe fooliſh Virgins; me thinks if we did but conſider how many poor ſouls of great hope have gone out and ſunk under ſuch a ſad diſappointment as this is, it were enough to ſtartle us all: O look to your footing Brethren, for Jeſus ſake look to your Evidences, the day is coming, that if we be not ready, there will be no entrance for us, let us paſs for what we will here among men. I cannot ſtand to preſs theſe things, I have already ſpoken much to the ſame purpoſe before.

1. I pray you conſider, that upon this moment of time, (for our lives in compariſon of eternity are no more) a hand breadth, a ſhadow, a vapor, nothing; you that have lived thirty, ſixty Pſal. 39.Ps 39years in ſin, now it is paſt the ſeaſon you have had in your pleaſures, what is it but like a dream when it is paſt? but as ſhort as this time is, upon it depends eternity; he hangeth the heavyeſt weights upon the weakeſt wires: O Brethren, me thinks if men did but believe this, and it were preſent now and then upon their p. 375thoughts, there is an eternity to be enjoyed or loſt, an eternity to be endured or avoided, an endleſs happineſs or endleſs miſery; this ſhould make you ſee to it, to make ſure you be ready, leſt this gate be ſhut upon you: Brethren, you live to eternity, and you dye to eternity; how careful was that Painter of every line, very exact, took much time to draw a piece, O ſaith he, Eternitati pingo. As you live here, ſo ſhall you live to eternity: If in ſin, Brethren, you ſhall lye down in an eternal bed of ſorrow, in everlaſting burnings ſhall your ſouls be rouled up together; if you make it your work to make ready, to be found ready for his appearing, there is an entrance into everlaſting joyes, a feaſt which never ſhall have end.

2. Though time be ſhort whereupon eternity depends, yet you have time Brethren, though it is true, none but the preſent time be yours, that which is paſt is gone, that which is to come, you know not what it may produce, whether you ſhall ſee it or no, but you have a time, now while it is called to day; Ah Brethren, ſome of us have had a long day, our day of grace hath had already, ſome ſix, ſome ſeven, ſome eleven hours, and yet it is day with us, we have not wanted time, but we have waſted it, trifled it away, but ſince yet there is time, let this ſtir us up: O the long-ſuffering of God ſhould lead you to repentance: Ah bleſſed Rom. 2. 4.Rom 2:4are your ears, for they hear, and your eyes, for they ſee; Brethren, they ſee a crucified Chriſt held out before you, with his arms ſtretched out all the day long ready to receive you, they ſee the door open, ſtand open for poor ſinners to come: Your ears, they hear the joyful ſound, now you are called upon, and intreated to be reconciled, to believe. Well, you cannot ſay, ſinners, another day, but that the Lord gave you ſpace to repent, ſpace to make ſure of heaven, but you neglected it.

3. This opportunity and ſeaſon, it is headlong, it ſtaies not…, maketh haſte; and to keep pace with your ſeaſon of grace, you muſt make haſte, and if it be once loſt, it is never recovered again. O therefore Brethren, with the greateſt haſte I beg of you, to ſet about this work, leſt at laſt you cry out, all too late, all too late, as it is ſaid of a Lady that likely ſpent her time vainly; but when ſhe came to her death-bed, O then ſhe lamentably cryeth out, O time, time, a world of wealth for a moment of time, an inch of time. Opportunity is bald behind, there is no hold to p. 376be taken of it, only by redeeming it; double your diligence, if you have loſt a great part of your ſeaſon; have you been idling and loytering a great part of the harveſt? Now therefore lay about you ſo much the more earneſtly, for the opportunity cannot be recalled when once it is paſt, that is the third. O what would the damned, that have been damned from under ſuch means and mercies as you enjoy, give for one of their Sabbaths, for one of their Sermons, for one of the many daies you enjoy! but it is paſt help.

4. Conſider Brethren, If the door be ſhut by Jeſus Chriſt, none elſe can open it; and he will not himſelf open it any more, and what will become of you then? It may be ſinners think this is not ſo ſad a word, that the door ſhall be ſhut, they think they can bring a golden key of their own that ſhall open it: No, no, believe it Brethren, it is the key of David only that can open and ſhut this door, and this Jeſus Chriſt alone hath the Wards of, Rev. 3. 7.Rev 3:7your keys are not fitted for this lock; he ſhutteth therefore, and no man openeth, none elſe whatſoever openeth: Nor will he open it himſelf any more to them, he knoweth full well upon whom it is that he ſhutteth the gate; he knoweth who are, and who are not his; who are ready, and who are not. O therefore Brethren, I beſeech you conſider it, now while you have time, before it be too late, while there is hope concerning this thing; O let not the world, Brethren, nor your ſinful pleaſures eat out all your time, conſume your ſeaſon of grace, except they could open the gate of heaven for you; if they could, it were ſomewhat indeed for men to baffle ſo with Chriſt, and trifle away their ſouls as they do; but if you will not believe, nor be perſwaded by any thing which in ſo much weakneſs can be ſaid, nor by what is delivered in a better manner by others, you ſhall ſee it to your ſorrow, when you come to heaven gate and find it ſhut againſt you. O then you ſhall know Brethren, what it was to have ſuch a warning, to flee from the wrath to come, and not have a heart to embrace it. Thus much for this Application, and this Doctrine.