Invitations to the Gospel Feast, Sermons · Sermon 10
SERMON X.
DOCTRINE IV. Miniſters ſhould be SPEEDY and URGENT in Inviting Sinners to Chriſt.
1. THey ſhould be SPEEDY in this Work. We here find, v. 21. The Maſter of the Houſe ſaid to his Servant, go out Quickly into the Streets and Lanes of the City, and bring in the Poor, Maimed, &c. He muſt go Quickly, Speedily without any delay on this Important Buſineſs. It may Intimate, that after the Jews generally refus'd Chriſt, the Gentiles were Quickly, Speedily Invited to accept Salvation thro' Him. And ſo it was. The Jews denied Chriſt, prefer'd a Murderer to Him, they Crucifi'd the Son of God. Act. 3.13. & 15. Soon after this, the Apoſtles were Commiſſioned to Preach to the Gentiles. Mat. 28.19, 20.— And the Gentiles were Soon, Quickly, entertained with Goſpel Invitations; and many of them accepted the Call, (Act. 5.7, 19.) and that very gladly too, Act. 13.46. — 48. And as this Phraſe, go Quickly, may Intimate the Speedy Calling of the Gentiles, after the Apparent Unbelief of the Generality of the Jews; ſo it may alſo Intimate to us in General, that Miniſters ſhould be Speedy and Vigorous in Inviting Sinners to Chriſt, and to live as becomes ſuch, that they may obtain the happy Fruits of ſuch a moſt reaſonable Submiſſion to the Son of God. There's great reaſon why they ſhould be very Speedy and vigorous in this Work.
1. The more they are ſo, ſo much the more they themſelves do Pleaſe and Glorifie God. The Great GOD ſets them about this Work, their Hearts ſhould be Intenſely Ingag'd in it; the more they are ſo, ſo much the more ſpeedy they will be in it, Abhorring of all Negligence and Delays. God loves to ſee them in Good Earneſt and Speedy in what He ſets them about; that they don't do the Work of the Lord Negligently, but Willingly and of a ready Mind, 1 Pet. 5.2. They ſhould be, not Slothful in Buſineſs, but Fervent in Spirit ſerving the Lord, Rom. 12.11. When Paul was Converted (and Commiſſioned by God) he ſtraightway (that is, ſpeedily) Preached Chriſt, Act. 9.20. Immediately, he Conferred not with Fleſh and Blood, but ſet about his Work of Preaching, Gal. 1.16, 17. In this Speed and Diligence, he ſhew'd his Love to God, Zeal for God, as well as Compaſſion to the Souls of Men: And this muſt needs Pleaſe and Glo…ifie God. We ſhould not be Dull and Sluggiſh▪ …old or Backward in any Work God ſets u… …bout. The Slothful Servant is a Wicked Ser…ant, Mat. 25.26.
2. The Weight and Importance of the Work, requires Speed and great Activity. In Matters of the greateſt Weight and Importance, greateſt ſpeed and Diligence ſhould be us'd. Now the bringing of Sinners to obtain Salvation through Chriſt is a Matter of the greateſt Weight that can be.
1. The Glory of God is Greatly concerned therein. While Sinners are Eſtranged from Chriſt, they continue Deſpiſing of God, Rebelling againſt Him, Trampling on His Authority, Diſhonouring and Provoking of Him. But when they Heartily come to God on Goſpel Terms, then they give Him the Glory of His Wiſdom, Holineſs, Grace, Faithfulneſs, &c. God is greatly Diſhonoured by their Impenitence and Unbelief, and greatly Honoured by their Repenting and Believing. Since 'tis ſo, ſurely Miniſters ſhould uſe Utmost Speed in Inviting Sinners to Chriſt. They ſhould do their Utmoſt, that Sinners may no longer continue Diſhonouring and Provoking of God, but that …hey may forthwith come into thoſe Ways that Pleaſe and Honour Him.
2 The Everlaſting Welfare of Sinners is concerned therein. This alſo is a Matter of very great Weight. It's not a Matter of mighty Weight or Importance, whether Perſons are Rich or Poor, Honour'd or meanly Eſteem'd in this W…ld; becauſe they're to continue in this World but a very little Time. But it's a Matter of the greateſt Importance that can be for Sinners to eſcape Eternal Inconceivable Torments in Hell, and to obtain Endleſs Inconceivable Glories in Heaven: Yet they cannot Eſcape the former nor Obtain the latter of theſe, unleſs they Heartily Imbrace Christ on Goſpel Terms. Verily then, ſince this Work is ſo Weighty and Neceſſary, Miniſters ſhould uſe Utmost Speed and Diligence to promote it.
Again,
3. The longer Sinners ſtay away from Chriſt, the more Difficult (Ordinarily) their coming to Him will be. 'Tis true, if the beſt Means are Diligently us'd with Young Sinners, before they are Accuſtomed to any open Way of known Wickedneſs, yet this cannot Convert them without the Co-operating Renewing Grace of God. Though the Word of Truth be never ſo Speedily and Diligently Preached to them, yet tis God of his own Will that muſt beget them (Jam. 1.18) if ever they are truly Converted. On the other Hand, if Perſons have been long Accuſtomed to evil Practices, and much Hardened therein, yet God can Convert even ſuch Chief Sinners if He Will. But notwithſtanding theſe things thus Granted, 'tis ſtill true, that the longer Sinners ſtay away from Chriſt, Ordinarily the more Difficulty there is in their coming to Him. Continuance and Cuſtomarineſs in Sin, tends to Blind the Mind, Stupify the Conſcience, Harden the Heart: I… tends to render the Soul leſs Thoughtful of Spiritual Duties, of Eternal Concerns, and to ſtrengthen it more in Wicked Practices which lead to Hell Torments. The longer Sinners continue Impenitent ſo much the Worſe they grow: They grow more Averſe to God and Godlineſs, more Prone to continue and go on in Sin. It's hard Healing an Old Sore, a Deep Wound of long Continuance. It's Difficult breaking off from long Continued ill Cuſtoms. When Iſrael had been long Accuſtomed to ill Practices, twas no eaſy Thing to Divert and Reform them, Jer. 13.23. Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? Then may ye alſo do Good that are Accuſtomed to do Evil. Nay, the more Perſons are Accuſtomed to Sin and Hardened in it, ſo much the more Backward they commonly are, ſo much as to Hear Good Counſels or come in the way of them: They are ready to Hate thoſe that would Faithfully Counſel and Adviſe them for their Good. Abab Hated Micajah, for Teſtifying againſt his Wickedneſs, 1 King. 22.8. It's plain therefore, that as to Men and Means and the uſual Proceſs of Things; that the longer any continue in Sin, …e more Difficult tis to draw them to Chriſt. And ſince tis ſo, Miniſters ſhould uſe utmoſt need in indeavouring their Converſion to God: …or the longer tis Defer'd, ordinarily the more Difficult it is, if ever it be at all.
4. The Shortneſs and Uncertainty of Life, ſhou… …icken Miniſters to uſe great ſpeed in this Work… No Man has any leaſe of his Life his Life's … vapour that appears for a little time and …hen vaniſheth away. No one knows what …all be on the Morrow.
1. The Lives of Miniſters are Uncertain. In …eneral, their Lives are as ſhort and uncertain as any others. Beſides this, if they have a due and deep ſenſe on their Hearts, of the great Weight and Importance of their work; and are ſuitably Studious, Prayerful, Laborious in their Office-Imployment; this tends greatly … exhauſt their Spirits, weaken their Bodies and ſhorten their Lives, more than many other Callings do. Inaſmuch therefore as they know not how ſoon they may be taken off their work, or out of the World; this ſhould quicken them to greateſt ſpeed and diligence in their work. The Apoſtle Peter, conſidering that he muſt Shortly put off his Tabernacle, his Body; ſaid, Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance of theſe things, &c. 2 Pet. 1.12, — 14. When Miniſters are Praying among, or Preaching to their People, they don't know but it may be the Laſt Time, the Last Opportunity they may ever have for ſuch work. And ſhould they not then diligently take Every Opportunity, when it Firſt comes into their hands, to do all the good they can for Souls? Yes, ſurely they ſhould. And if they always bore on their hearts, a due ſenſe of the Shortneſs and Uncertainty of their Lives; this might give wings to their Zeal and Diligence, and might abundantly Inliven and Invigorate their Studying, Praying, Preaching, and Privately Diſcourſing; and ſo by the bleſſing of God, they might be more eminently uſeful in promoting the good of Souls. To Study, Pray, Preach like Dying Men, who expect but little time more, and dont know that they ſhall have any more for ſuch work; how greatly would this quicken them?
2. The Lives of their Hearters are Uncertain. As Miniſters done know how ſoon Death may take them away; ſo neither do they know, how ſoon Death may remove any of their Hearers. Thoſe whom they ſee at Publick Worſhip on One Sabbath, they know not whether ever they ſhall ſee them there again. The Elder Ones or Younger Ones which are now attending Gods Publick Worſhip, none knows who of them ſhall ever come here again. It would be no ſtrange thing, not at all uncommon; if ſome that are now here, whether Old or Young, ſhould be ſpeedily ſeiz'd with Sickneſs, or impair'd by ſome Accident, and remov'd out of the World by Death, ſo as never more to have one opportunity of hearing a Sermon. This conſideration alſo, ſhould quicken Miniſters to greateſt ſpeed and Diligence in their Work. They know not how ſoon any or all their hearers may be remov'd by Death, and then they'l have no more opportunity forever, of doing any good to them. Therefore they ſhould uſe utmost ſpeed and Diligence in indeavouring the ſaving good of Souls, ſince tis a matter of the greateſt Importance, and they know not how little time they have for it. Since tis thus, Miniſters ſhould walk circumſpectly not as Fools but as Wiſe, Redeeming the time. They ſhould go quickly, ſhould wiſely imbrace and improve every opportunity for doing good to Souls. And as they ſhould be very ſpeedy in this Work, ſo
2. They ſhould be very URGENT and Earneſt in it. The Servant is here bidden, v. 23. to compel them to come in. Miniſters ſhould compel Sinners to come to Chriſt, that is, be very Sollicitous, Preſſing, Urgent with them to come. It does not mean, that they ſhould uſe any Outward means of Force, Violence or Compulſion. Chriſt came to ſave men from their ſins — to bleſs them in turning them from their iniquities, Mat. 1.21. Act. 3.26. No Outward Force or Violence can do any thing in this Work. If by Outward Penalties, Fines, or any External Violence, Perſons ſhould be frighted and forced to Read God's Word, hear it Preached, to attend Prayer, or any other Religious Exerciſes; yet all this Outward Force could not of it ſelf effect any real change in their Souls, any Repentance of Sin, Faith in Chriſt or Union to Him. Neither are Miniſters Authorized by Chriſt, to uſe any Outward Forcible means at all in this matter. The General Method they are to take, is to Preach the Goſpel, Preach the Word, 2 Tim. 4.2. They are to tell Sinners plainly from God's Word, that if they Believe and are Baptized they ſhall be Saved, if they Believe not they ſhall be Damned. So their Commiſſion runs, Mark 16.16. When Chriſt ſent forth His Miniſters to Preach, and any refus'd to receive them or their Doctrine, even in that caſe they were not to uſe Outward Violence, but to leave them, Shaking off the Duſt of their Feet as a Witneſs againſt them, Mat. 10.14, 15. This Method Paul and Barnabas took, when the Jews outragiouſly oppos'd them, Act. 13.51. They us'd no Outward Violence, the Apoſtle therefore declares, 2 Cor. 10.4. The Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal, but Mighty thro' God to the pulling down of ſtrong holds, &c. They us'd no Carnal Weapons, or Outward Violence to ſpread the Goſpel and win Souls to Chriſt; but only declar'd the Revelations of God's Will, Urging Men to comply therewith, which Spiritual Means God bleſs'd (when He ſaw meet) to pull down the ſtrong holds of Sin & Satan in the Souls of Men, and ſo to the Converting of Sinners to Chriſt. So that no Outward Force or Violence can be meant, by the Compulſion here ſpoken of. The Word here rendred Compel, comes from a Word that ſignifies neceſſity: Miniſters ſhould neceſſitate Sinners to come to Chriſt; that is, they ſhould indeavour to ſhow them the abſolute neceſſity of it, and ſo be Urgent and Sollicitous in Reaſoning with them, in Exhorting and Perſwading of them to come to Chriſt for Life. We have already mention'd ſeveral Reaſons, why Miniſters ſhould be ſpeedy in Exhorting Sinners Heartily to give up themſelves to Chriſt; the ſame Reaſons ſhould quicken to be very Earneſt, Preſſing, Urgent in the Work. Therefore
1. They ſhould plainly ſhow Sinners the abſolute neceſſity of their coming to Chriſt. They ſhould from the Scriptures, plainly declare to them the Holineſs of God's Law, that it requires Perfect, Spotleſs, Conſtant Obedience in Heart and Life; and threatens Death, even Eternal Miſery for the leaſt Offence. The Wages of Sin it Death. Rom. 6.23. Curſed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them. They ſhould ſtrive fully to convince them, that they are ſinful by Nature and Practice, and ſo do moſt juſtly deſerve Eternal Plagues and Puniſhments from God. That God, the one Lawgiver who alone can Save or Deſtroy, has given His Son Chriſt Jeſus, to ſave Sinners; and has plainly ſtated the termes, declaring that Perſons muſt Heartily Repent of their Sins, Believe in Chriſt Jeſus, truſt in His Righteouſneſs alone for Juſtification, give up themſelves to be conſtantly and heartily Obedient to Him, as ever they expect to eſcape Hell and enter into Heaven. And therefore Miniſters ſhould declare to them, how abſolutely, Indiſpenſibly neceſſary tis for them to be Born again. Born of the Spirit, to become New Creatures, and to commence and maintain a conſtant Mortal War againſt all their Luſts and Corruptions; and to become Sincerely, Diligently, Conſtantly Holy in Heart and Life, ſhowing them the abſolute neceſſity of theſe things, they ſhould Exhort, Urge, Perſwade, Intreat them to be reconciled to God, to flee from the Wrath to come and lay hold on Eternal Life. To this end, they ſhould ſet forth the Fulneſs of Chriſt, the All-ſufficiency of His Meritorious Righteouſneſs to ſave all that Penitently truſt in Him, the Freeneſs and Readineſs of Divine Grace to receive all ſuch. They ſhould Urgently Exhort and Direct them, to attend all proper means for their Spiritual Good, to avoid as carefully what tends to Blind Harden and Destroy them; and to Pray moſt Earneſtly and Conſtantly to God, for the efficacious ſaving Influences of His Good Spirit.
2. They ſhould think no Pains too much, in this urging Sinners to come to Chriſt. They ſhould nor grudge or think much of, Hard Laborious Reading, Studying, Praying, Preaching to promote the good of Souls. They ſhould be willing to Spend and be Spent in this moſt Noble Excellent Work, 2 Cor. 12.15. They ſhould give themſelves wholly to their Work that their Profiting may appear to all Men, 1 Tim. 4.15. They ſhould Study to ſhew themſelves approved unto God, Workmen that need not be aſhamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, 2 Tim. 2.15. They ſhould carefully Teach the good Ways of God, by their Lives as well as by their Doctrine, 1 Tim. 4.12. — Be thou an Example of Believers, in Word, in Converſation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity. And beſides their Publick Labours in Praying, Preaching, and other Adminiſtrations; they ſhould not grudge to take all Opportunities they can in Private to promote the Good of Souls. The Apoſtle Paul at Epheſus, Taught Publickly and from Houſe to Houſe, Act. 20.20. The Servant in our Text was bidden to go into the Streets, Lanes, High-Ways and Hedges and bring in Perſons to the Feaſt. If they would not come to him, he muſt go to them, ſeek them out and Invite them. Miniſters ſhould be as ready to look after Sinners, to go from Street to Street, from Lane to Lane, to go to them, and ſeek an Opportunity (if it can't otherwiſe be gotten) to ſpeak to them and Counſel them for their Spiritual Good. They ſhould not grudge to go into the meaneſt Houſes, the meanest Cottages to do Good to Souls. Neither ſhould they grudge to take care of the pooreſt, meaneſt, vileſt Sinners, (ſuch as have no Place but High-Ways and Hedges to abide in) if they can do any thing for the Benefit of their Souls. The pooreſt Servants, yea the moſt mean Abject Slaves, have Immortal Souls, in their own Nature as Precious and Valuable as the Souls of any in the World. And Miniſters as they can get Opportunity, ſhould be as ready to do good to the Souls of ſuch as to any other. As to their Miniſterial Office-Work, they ſhould not Prefer one before another, they ſhould do nothing by Partiality, 1 Tim. 5.21. The Servant in our Text, was bidden to Invite the Poor, Maimed Halt and Blind; if any are really in ſuch Decrepit, Afflictive Circumſtances, Miniſters ſhould (notwithſtanding their Outward Meaneſs) be as ready to promote the Good of their Souls, as the Souls of any other: Their Souls are in themſelves as Precious as any. They ſhould indeed grudge no Pains, for the bringing of Souls home to Chriſt. Nay, they ſhould deſire and indeavour that many may come to Chriſt. When the Servant in our Text was bidden to bring in the Poor, Maimed, &c. He ſoon ſaid, Lord, it is done as Thou haſt Commanded, and yet there is room, v. 22. Though many were already brought in, yet the Servant of his own accord ſays, Yet there is room. It ſeems to Intimate, that the Servant himſelf Deſired that his Maſter's Houſe might be Filled with Gueſts, that more might come till empty vacant Places were filled up. So Miniſters ſhould deſire and Indeavour, that many might come to Chriſt and be Saved. Notwithſtanding all that have come to Him already, Yet there is room for more. There's room enough in the open Fountain of Chriſt's Blood, for more Sinners, many more to come and be Cleanſed. There's room enough under Chriſt's Saving Wings, for many more Sinners to come and find Shelter from the Scorching Heat of Divine Vengeance. If many thouſands of Millions of Sinners will yet come to Chriſt by Faith; there is room enough for them in Heaven, notwithſtanding the many Believers there already. Heaven is a Large Place, there are many Manſions there: There is room enough for all that will come to Chriſt, let them be never ſo many. Oh Sinners, be perſwaded all of you without Exception to come to Chriſt; there is room enough for you to be received into his Tender Arms, room enough to be receiv'd into the Number of his People, to partake of ſpecial Ordinances, room enough to receive you into the Heavenly Manſions for ever. Oh come, for there is yet room, room enough for all the Sinners in the World if they'l Heartily Submit to Chriſt. But inaſmuch as this Servant ſaid to his Lord, there is yet room, told his Maſter of it: it may Hint to us, that Miniſters ſhould Pray to God that He would bring more Sinners to Chriſt. May they not Expoſtulate with God in Prayer, and ſay,
Lord, thou haſt bidden us Invite Sinners to Christ, we have done it, ſome have accepted; but yet there is room for Multitudes more, Lord, let that room be filled up; therefore by thine Almighty Grace (without which, our Invitations will be ineffectual) draw many more Sinners unto Chriſt.
DOCTRINE V. No meaneſs of Outward Circumstances, can exclude or hinder any from Goſpel Benefits, and Bleſſings.
Our Text tells us, the Poor, Maimed Halt and Blind were bidden to the Feaſt; yea thoſe Destitute, Miſerable Perſons, who had no certain Dwelling Place, who when Evening (Supper-Time, v. 16.) came, were to be look'd for in the High-Ways and Hedges, v. 23. It's very likely, that by theſe Perſons thus Deſcrib'd by their Outward, Mean, Miſerable Circumſtances the Gentiles may be firſtly and chiefly intended. The Jews were apt to Truſt in, and Boaſt of their External Privileges, their Viſible Covenant Relation to God, their being the Children of Abraham, Mat. 3.9. They rested in the Law, and made their Boaſt of God, Rom. 2.17. As they were thus Self-Conceited, many of them on the Account of their External Viſible Priviledges, without ſeeking after Heart-Circumciſion, Conformity of Soul to God's Preceptive Will; ſo they were as ready to Deſpiſe and Contemn the Uncircumciſed Gentiles, counting them Blind, Poor, Miſerable Wretches. They look'd on themſelves as God's Children, counting the Gentiles to be as Dogs: That this was a known, common Sentiment or Opinion among them, ſeems evident from our Saviour's Saying to the Canaanitiſh Woman, It is not meet to take the Children's Bread, and caſt it to Dogs, Mat. 15.22, 26. Well, however mean and vile the Gentiles were, either Really in Themſelves, or in the eſteem of the Jews; yet our Saviour, ſoon after His Reſurrection Commiſſion'd His Diſciples to Invite them to the Goſpel Feaſt, to partake of Saving Bleſſings: He ſent His Apoſtles, to Teach (or Diſciple) all Nations, Mat. 28.19, 20. Now though this Calling of the Gentiles (who were eſteemed Mean and Deſpicable by the Jews) may poſſibly be chiefly intended in this Invitation given to the Poor, Maimed Halt and Blind; yet it may intimate to us alſo, that the Perſons really in ſuch Mean Outward Circumstances, are not thereby at all Exempted from Goſpel Invitations and Bleſſings. Our Lord Himſelf Preached the Goſpel to the Poor, and extended of His Powerful Goodneſs to the Blind, Lame, &c. Our Lord ſaid to the Meſſengers ſent to Him by John Baptiſt; Mat. 11.5. The Blind receive their Sight, and the Lame Walk, the Lepers are Cleanſed, and the Deaf Hear, the Dead are raiſed up, and the Poor have the Goſpel Preached to them. Since then our Lord Himſelf Preached the Goſpel to ſuch Miſerable Creatures (Mat. 4.23, 24.) Surely ſuch Outward meaneſs in any can't hinder them from Goſpel Saving Benefits.
1. Their Poverty can't …inder their obtaining Saving Benefits. Their Poverty can't hinder their Piety on Barth, nor their Felicity in Heaven. Tho' they're never ſo Poor, yet Heavenly Treaſures may be offer'd to them and accepted by them. Jam. 2.5. God hath ch…ſen the Poor of this World, Rich in Faith and Hens of th… K…n… dom. If any are never ſo Poor in this World, this can't hinder them from obtaining an enduring Subſtance, an Eternal Crown of Glory.
2. Bodily Blindneſs, can't hinder the obtaining ſuch Bleſſings. If they're Blind, this can't hinder their hearing the Goſpel, nor their accepting the Salvation therein Offered. If they have no Bodily Sight, yet their Minds may be Illuminated, their Souls turn'd from Darkneſs to Light, from the power of Satan unto God: they may have an Eye of Faith to ſee Him that is Inviſible, to look on the things that are not ſeen and are Eternal; and may hereafter come to ſee God, that is, to be Eternally happy in His Favour. The pure in Heart ſhall ſee God, Mat. 5.8. And the Blindneſs of the Eyes can't hinder the Purity of the Heart.
3. If any are Maimed or Halt; if they were Born with any remarkable Defect or Deformity of Body, or have ſince met with any ſuch thing thro' Age or by any Accidents; yet theſe things can't exclude them from Goſpel Benefits. If they're ſo Maim'd or Halt that they can't Go, or Walk, this can't hinder them from Coming to Chriſt by Faith. If they're ſo Crippled that they can't Work with their Hands, (1 Theſ. 4.11.) this can't hinder the Working out their Salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2.12. If they're as Poor as the Beggar Lazarus, and as full of Sores as he; this can't hinder them from the Duties of Piety in this World, nor keep them out of Abrahams Boſome in the next, Luk. 16.20, 22.
4. If Perſons have no certain Dwelling Place, no better Place than High-ways and Hedges to abide in; this can't hinder them from Goſpel Saving Benefits. Tho' the Foxes had Holes, and the Birds their Neſts; yet our Lord Jeſus had not where to lay His Head, Mat. 8.20. Thoſe who wander about in Mountains, Deſarts, Dens and Caves of the Earth, may yet be ſuch as the World is not worthy of, and may be Intitled to an Houſe not made with Hands Eternal in the Heavens, Heb. 11.38. 2 Cor. 5.1. Indeed no Outward meaneſs can exempt from any Goſpel Duties, nor exclude from any Goſpel Privileges. And ſince tis ſo
1. Let us never deſpiſe or contemn any, for their Outward meanneſs, their Poverty, Blindneſs, Lameneſs, or any Bodily Infirmity or Deformity whatſoever. Who maketh thee to differ? Notwithſtanding their Outward meaneſs, yet they may be far preferable to us on many accounts.
2. None ſhould be Dejected or Deſponding, meerly on the account of Outward meaneſs. The greateſt Adverſity on Earth, can't hinder them from matchleſs endleſs Felicity in Heaven.
3. Thoſe Outwardly mean, ſhould make ſure of Goſpel ſaving Bleſſings. Since they're Outwardly Poor, or otherwiſe Afflicted or Diſtreſſed; this ſhould quicken them to ſecure for themſelves true Proſperity in the Future World. Mat. 5.20. Lay up for your ſelves Treaſures in Heaven, where neither Moth nor Ruſt doth corrupt, and where Theives do not break thro' nor ſteal.