IT is a true saying ( Right Honourable , Right Worshipfull , and dearely beloued Men , Brethren and Fathers . ) That Gods Schoole is more of affection , then vnderstanding ; both Lessons are very needfull , and very profitable , for the Lord Iesus is at hand , in flaming fire to render vengeance to them that know him a a 2. Thess. 1. 8. not : and not farre from my Text , hee threatneth ( with detestation ) to reiect his Church , because shee loued him b b Reue. 3. 16. not . Both these therefore as a paire of Turtle Doues ought to bee sacrificed vnto God , for to know and vnderstand much , without zeale and deuotion , is but Painted hypocrisie : and to bee zealous and deuoute without knowledge and vnderstanding ; is but blind singularitie . But in these dayes the second Lesson is more needfull to be taught and vrged , because as Christ prophesied , the loue of many is growen cold : yea , if there bee some that haue much zeale and litle knowledge ; there are many that haue much knowledge and little or no zeale : long peace and tranquilitie , seconded with wonderfull wealth and dignitie ; hauing lulled most men and women into a spirituall slumber , in the Cradle of carnall securitie . Giue me leaue then in your wonted Sermon at Pauls Crosse on New-yeres day last . Christian patience , hauing not long since in publike and solemne place by Doctrine , informed your minds and vnderstandings , in the knowledge of your dueties ; Now , by word of Exhortation , to put heate and life into your affections and deuotion , for the practise of your dueties . For which purpose I haue chosen this excellent portion of Scripture to intreate of , wherein Saint Iohn ( by the direction of Gods holy spirit ) doth Graphically describe the heauenly Summe of the Text. happinesse of a Conuert soule : First , before her conuersion , in that her Sauiour , vouchsafeth ( as it were ) bare headed , at the doore of her heart to intreate her Conuersion , and to stand with much patience , waiting when shee will open vnto him : Secondly , in the meanes which he vseth for her Conuersion , which are , louingly , to call vnto her , and friendly , to knocke at her doore : Lastly , in the benefits of her Conuersion , which are his perpetuall dwelling and feasting with her , Behold , I stand at the doore and knocke .

Iohn , the Disciple whom Iesus loued , and who leaned Coherence . on his Lords c c Iohn 13. 23. brest , being first put into a vessell of scalding Oyle by “ “ Fasciculut temporum . Abdias . Traian ; and afterwards , For the word of God , and for the witnessing of Iesus d d Reue. 1. 9. Christ being banished by Domitian into * * Euseb. Eccle. Hist. li. 3. ca. 18. Patmos , one of the Ilands called Cyclades , or Sporades , lying in the West part of Asia the lesse , neere to the Churches to whom he writ , and by the Egean Sea ; as Christ loued him when he was present with him in body , so now , no lesse doeth he loue him being absent , and therefore as he appeared to Abraham in the e e Gene. 22. 12. mount , to Iacob in the f f Gene. 28. 11. field , to Moses in g g Exod. 3. 2. Midian ; to Ieremie in the h h Iere. 38. 6. Dungeon , to Daniel in i i Dan. 2. 23. Babylon , and to Peter in the Tanners k k Act. 10. 11. house : So , in good time , hee doeth appeare to his beloued Iohn in this poore I le , and comfort him in his exile , with sweete voices , heauenly visions , and most glorious Reuelations .

The Title of the Booke declareth the vse of it . ❀ ❀ Titulus libri frontispicie adscriptus . E●casm . lo. Fox pag. 1. It is called ( according to the Greeke “ “ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Apocalyps : and ( according to the Latine ) Reuelation ) that is to say , a Discouerie or Manifestation of thinges which before were hidden and secret , in respect of men , for the common good of the Church . Which very () () 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Title doth most notably confute the Argument which the Iesuites vse , whereby to discourage the People of God from reading and searching of this * * Rhem. annot. in cap. 1. sect. 2. Booke : For what though Saint ❀ ❀ De●●iuitat . dei lib. 20. cap. 7. Augustine and others haue spoken of the darkenesse and obscure mysteries of this Booke , Tot Sacramenta , quot verba , etiam singulis multiplices latent intelligentiae : One of the ancient Fathers saith ❀ ❀ Irenaus lib. 4. cap 43. truely , ( writing vpon a Sentence of Daniel , viz. that the booke should be sealed till the end of the time l l Dan. 12. 4. determined ) euery Prophesie is darke before it be fulfilled , but then it is cleare ; so , many things might seeme very darke Aenigmaes to those godly learned Fathers , who liued before the fulfilling of them , which nowe vnto vs are most cleare , and euident * * FVLKE . Reuelations .

The Booke containeth ( and may fitly bee diuided into ) three Visions , as it were into three generall Partes , the first is contayned in the three first Chapters : the second , from the fourth to the twelueth : the last , from the twelueth to the end . The first Vision is of seuen golden Candlesticks , and seauen Starres , representing seuen famous Churches and their Bishops in Asia minor , to which hee was directed to write so many seuerall Epistles , viz. Ephesus , Smirnah , Pergamus , Thyatire , Sardis , Philadelphia , and Laodicea , and he chose rather to write to these Gentile Churches in Asia , then to the Churches in ‡ ‡ Scribit ad Asiaticas non Iudatca● Ecclesias vt sic ostenderet , regnum Christi●am etiam peru●●i●●e ad gente● . B●lling . Conc ▪ 3. fol. ● . ●ag . 2. Iudea , to signifie that now the kingdome of God was come to the Gentiles , and that the partition wall beeing broken * * ●●he . 2. 14. downe , the Gentiles were admitted & adopted into the fellowship of Gods people : yet so , as vnder the seuerall estates of these 7. Churches , the state of the whole Church militant is laid open , and the doctrine therin contained , so neerly concerneth euery one , that the Conclusion of euery Epistle is , Let him that hath an eare , heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches .

The seuenth and last Epistle was written to the Angel or Bishop of the Church of Laodicaa , of which name there were diuers Cities , one in Macedonia , another in “ “ S●r●bo . lib. 1 16. fol. 365. & 510. Syria , this was doubtlesse a most famous Citie in * * Vrbi erat celeberima in Asia . Ecphras . Pet. Bulleng. Trecons . in Apoealips . Asia , scituate in the Countrie of ❀ ❀ Plin. lib. 5. cap. 29. Caria ; builded as Histories witnesse by Antiochus Theos , and honoured with his wiues name Laodicaea , and sometimes called ( ‡ ‡ Vt refer● Bulleng. in Ecph. fol 110. Diospolis . ) Some suppose that Saint Paul did Preach the Gospell vnto this () () His videtur Paul●s predicauisse Euangelium . Hen. Bulleng. in Apoc ▪ fol. 27. Church , because hee maketh mention of it in his Epistle to the Colossians , and requireth them to read the Epistle written from n n Coloss. 4. 16. thence ; and the first Epistle to Timothie is subscribed to haue beene written from Laodicaea ; but others more probably gather that the subscription is erronious , and that hee was neuer “ “ M. Cudworth . Comment. on Gall. 6. pag. 657 there ; because in that Epistle written to the Colossians ( which was written at Rome in his last troubles a little before his death ) hee saith expresly they had neuer seene his o o Coloss. 2. 1. person . Howsoeuer , it was a Church that enioyed many worthy Bishops , as Eusebius * * Socrates , Eusebius , Alexandrinus , Anatolius Stephanu● , & Theodore . Euseb. Pamph. lib. 7. cap. 32. reporteth ; but was now wonderfully decayed , as this Epistle testifieth , and nothing lesse then their name did import or signifie : viz. a righteous † † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Populus Iustus . people .

The Partes of this Epistle ( as of all the other ) are foure , viz. First an Exordium or Preface , in the foureteenth verse , and hath three parts , viz. first , a Commandement , ( Write . ) Secondly , the Person from whom , described by three things , viz. first Amen , secondly , Faithfull and true witnesse , thirdly , Beginning of the creatures of God . Thirdly , the persons Generall Diuision . to whom he must write described , first , by his office , an Angel , secondly by the place where , of Laodicaea . The second part of this Epistle containeth a generall proposition , in these wordes ; I know thy workes : The third generall part is spent in a narration , in the latter part of the 15. and throughout the 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20. The fourth and last part , is the conclusion , in the 21. and 22. verses , and hath two partes , Viz. a promise in the 21. verse , and a command in the 22. verse .

This Scripture is a member of the third generall part of this Epistle , which is the narration thereof ; and hath three partes , Viz. first a reprehension , secondly good counsell , thirdly waightie admonitions . First , he very sharpely reproueth them , and that by an elegant metaphor , saying , thou art neither cold nor hote : that is , they knew the truth , but liued in a carelesse mediocrity , and idle security ; they did neither vtterly denie the Gospel , nor soundly professe it ; they were neither professed enemies , nor sound “ “ Necplane hostes , nec vere amicised neutrales . friends , but wholy plied their trades & merchandise , not greatly caring which end went forward in Gods matters , so they might enioy their pleasures and profites ; yea , hee telleth them flatly this is their estate , and that they were deceiued , for they thought themselues rich and increased with goods , and had neede of nothing ; when as in truth , they were wretched , and miserable , and poore , and blind , and naked ; and therefore this will be the end of it , if they continue in this state : hee will spue them but of his mouth . And truely as it is a marueilous ordinary thing , for them that liue in wealth , and abound with pleasures , and haue all things which the flesh desireth , to grow secure : so if wee make application hereof to our selues , wee shall find , that most Congregations , men and women in this land , are fearefully growing luke-warm , and thinke themselues in farre better estate then they be .

Thus hauing laid open their dangerous estate , ( that it might appeare vnto them , hee sought their good , and delighted not in their destruction . ) In the second place hee giueth them louing and good counsell , and sheweth them how they may become rich , couer their nakednesse , and cure their blindnesse : Thirdly and lastly , hee doth very grauely admonish them , first to make good vse of their corrections , by becomming more zealous and amending , in the verse immediatly going before ; secondly to make good vse of the present meanes and occasion of their good , in the wordes of my text : Beholde , I stand at the doore and knocke .

We are guilty of this Churches sin , I pray God we may make good vse of this admonion , and this day that God speaketh and knocketh , let vs take heede we harden not our hearts ; she was reproued , let vs repent ; she was well counselled , let vs obey ; she was threatned , let vs tremble ; she was admonished , let vs take heede ; yea , she is now punished , Oh let vs beware .

Thus with Noahs Doue , I haue long houered , but now I haue recouered the Arke : yea , with the Arke I haue long floted ▪ but now am arriued on the mountaine of Armeniah , and ( I hope not vnprofitably ) made way to the Scripture that I purpose to insist vpon : for the more orderly handling whereof , these partes are to be considered : Viz. first a proposition Particular Diuision . in these words ; ( Behold , I stand as the doore and knocke ) secondly promises , in these words ; ( If any man heare my voyce , and open the doore , I wil come in vnto him , and will suppe with him and he with me . ) The proposition sheweth the great willingnes of Christ to a sinners conuersion : the promises shew the endlesse happines of the sinner conuerted . In the proposition , Sub-diuision . two things are to be considered : Viz. First the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preamble , or note of regard wherewith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . it is fronted , ( Behold ) Secondly , the proposition it selfe , and therein these two things are remarkable , Viz. first the subiect , which is Christ , expressed by this pronoune ( I ) secondly the praedicate , or what is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pronounced of him ; and that is threefolde , Viz. first his gesture how he behaueth himselfe ; I ( stand ) secondly the place where hee standeth , ( at the doore ) thirdly what he doth standing at the doore ( and knocke ) In the promises two things are to be considered , viz. first the conditions whereon ; and secondly , the promises themselues , what they are : in the conditions , two things are to be considered , viz. first , the generalitie and largenesse of them , in these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . words of Proclamation ( if any man ) secondly , the Conditions themselues , which are two , viz. first ( to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . heare his voyce ) secondly , ( to open the doore . ) The promises made vpon these conditions , are two , viz. first , perpetuall abode , ( ( I will come in vnto him ) secondly , perpetuall reioycing together , expressed by the Metaphor of feasting or banquetting , which is twofold , viz. first , the Sinners feasting of Christ ( I will suppe with him ) and secondly , Christs feasting of the Sinner , ( and he with me ) The note of attention set at the doore of my Text , doth knocke at the doores of your hearts , for reuerent and christian attention to the handling of all these Partes . And first , let vs salute the Porter .

( Behold ) This word hath principally a double vse ; 1. Part. 1. VSE . First , it is as a Demonstration , vsed for the greater certaintie and assurance of a thing , as a man is most certaine of that which he seeth ; therefore said the Disciples vnto Thomas ; We haue seene the Lord ; and he said , Except I see in his hands the print of the nayles , I will not p p Iohn 20. 25. beleeue . Thus for greater certaintie and assurance of the Lords neere comming to Iudgement , Saint Iude vseth this phrase of speech , Behold , he commeth with thousands of his Saints , to giue iudgement against all q q Iude 14. men . And Saint Iohn to like purpose , hath the like phrase , Behold , hee commeth with r r Reue. 1. 7. cloudes , viz. he commeth so certainely , and is so neere , that if you will but looke vp vnto the cloudes , you may see him . So to assure vs , that this is no fable , he saith here , ( Behold ) I stand &c. yea , if we had but the eyes of Balaams s s Num. 22. 23. Asse , we might see him : but if we had a true faith , we would make no doubt of it , for the assurance therof is greater then of sight or “ “ Fides anbiguum non habet . Barn ▪ de consid. 5. cap. 3. Maior est fides certitudo quam sensus . Aquin. knowledge .

The second vse of this word , is to procure attention 2. VSE . to a thing spoken : and to that purpose , most familiar with the Prophets , Christ , and his Apostles , Yea , sildome doth this worde goe before to prepare the way , but there followeth matter of exceeding weight and importance in the heele , and that specially in a double Case .

First in matters of wonder , the more to prouoke 1. Case . men to maruell , this word is vsed ; So the Prophet Isay , intreating of the rare and extraordinary , strange and wonderfull maner of Christs Conception , thus expresseth it , Behold , a Virgine shall conceaue and beare a t t Isay 7. 14. Sonne .

Secondly , in Case of gladnesse , the more to prouoke men to reioycing , this word is vsed ; as when 2. Case . Christ , the Prince of peace and eternall glory , should come into the Citie of Ierusalem , to the great ioy of all such as receiued him , the Euangelist cyting the words of the Prophet Zacharie , sayeth , Goe tell the daughter of Sion , Behold , thy King commeth vnto thee , meeke and sitting on an Asse , therefore reioyce greatly , yea , showt for u u Zach. 9. 9. matth. 21. 5. ioy : So here , to assure vs that the matter here deliuered is no trifle , but both cases concurring , the more to prouoke vs both to wonder and reioyce , he thus deliuereth it , ( Behold , ) I stand at the doore and knocke . Yea , there is not one word in this sentence , but deserueth the stampe , and impression of this Character vpon it .

( Behold , ) not a Seruant or Minister ; not a Prophet or an Apostle ; not a Saint or an Angell ; but Christ Iesus the Lord of life and glory himselfe : If I had not come and spoken , they had had no w w Ioh. 15. 22. sinne . ( Behold , ) he neither sitteth , nor walketh , nor runneth ; but ( standeth ) as most desirous to enter , and patiently expecteth the sinners x x Psal. 95. 10. leisure .

Behold , hee standeth not in the Hall , Parlour , or Chamber , places and roomes for friends , and of comfort , entertainement , and content , but at the ( doore ) in the open ayre , a place for strangers and enemies , where the head is filled with dew , and the lockes defiled with the drops of the y y Cantic. 5. 2. night .

Behold , he standeth at the doore , not mute , still , and silent ; but most friendly and louingly calleth and z z Prou. 1. 24. knocketh . Yea , behold all these together , ( and as the Prophet saith ) it will make you euen showt for wonder and a a Zach. 9. 9. ioy : Oh , behold and consider , what a matter of certaintie and importance , to cause both wonder and ioy ! But I will not stand any longer at the doore of my Text.

Entering in , the first thing I meete withall , is the 1. Part in the Proposition , VIZ ▪ the subiect . subiect of this Proposition ; which in English is expressed , and in the Greeke and Latine “ “ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Sto. verbs implicitly included ; ( I ) stand , viz. ( I ) that am all one with my b b Iohn 10. 30. Father : ( I ) that am full of grace and c c Iohn 1. 14. trueth : ( I ) that am the Lord of d d 1. Cor. 2. 8. glory : ( I ) that haue made all e e Coloss. 1. 16. things : ( I ) in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth f f Coloss. 2. 9. bodily : ( I ) that for thee and thy saluation came downe from g g Ephe. 4. 9. heauen , tooke vpon mee the forme of a seruant , and was obedient to the death of the h h Phil. 2. 7. Crosse : ( I ) that haue all sufficiency in and of my i i Psal. 45. 7. selfe : and desire to enter , not for mine owne , but thy k k Deut. 5. 29. good . Oh open vnto me , for ( I ) doe stand and knocke : From whence two things are chiefly to be considered , viz.

First , his great and incomprehensible louing kindnesse 1. Obseruation 1. Consider Christs alsufficiencie in himselfe . towards vs , who will vouchsafe to come to our doore ; but much more to stand and knocke there ; which most fully appeareth from these three considerations , viz. First his owne al-sufficiency in himselfe , in that he standeth not in need of vs , or any thing that we l l Psal. 50. 10. haue , being the heire of all m m Heb. 1. 2. things , equall with his n n Philip. 2. 6. Father , and infinite with him in glory , from o o Iohn 17. 5. euerlasting . Indeede , wee are said by our praises , to p p Psal. 34. 3. magnifie or make him “ “ Magnum facere . great , which is not in regard of himselfe , who is already most * * Optimus maximus . great , but when by our preaching and praysing his glory and goodnesse , we make that which is infinite in it selfe , to be reputed great of others . For as one well sayth , to magnifie , is nothing else , but to signifie , that it is * * Magnificare , nihil aliud est , nisimagnum significare Lexic. Theolog. verb. magnif . great .

The second consideration , tending to amplifie his 2. Consider our indignitie kindenesse towards vs , is our owne indignitie ; Oh , what kindnesse is this , that the Lord of glory vouchsafeth to stand & knocke at the doore of his Church , which he hath pronounced already , to be wretched , and miserable , poore and blind , and naked ? Will you see the loathsome condition of vs all by nature ? Then hearken what God saith by his Prophet , In the day of thy Natiuitie when thou wast borne , thy Nauell was not cut , thou wast not washed with water , nor salted with salt , nor swadled in cloutes , no eye pitied thee , but thou wast cast out in the open field , to the contempt of thy Person , and when I passed by thee , I saw thee polluted in thine owne blood , and I said vnto thee , thou shalt q q Ezekiel 16. 4. &c. . liue . Oh herein is loue , not that we loued him , but he loued vs : yea , euen when we deserued to be hated .

Thirdly and lastly , that he doeth not passe by her 3. Consider his importunitie . doore finding it shut , but doth stand , call , and knocke , and importune her to open , ( as an one we shal heare ) Open vnto me , my loue , Sister , Doue , and r r Cantic. 5. 2. vndefiled .

Secondly , let vs hence ( to the shame of the faces 2. Obseruation of vs all ) obserue , our great vnthankfulnesse and vnkindnesse towards Christ , that will not open vnto him , but let him stand at the doore . If a man of any account , but specially if an earthly King should knocke at our doore , Oh what a stirre wee would make to let him in quickly ! What a shame then is it , that the King of heauen knocking at the doores of our hearts , we should heare him as aloofe off , stand vpon tearmes and conditions , with if , and , and how , and giue him cold sluggish excuses ( as the Church confesseth shee did ) I haue put off my coate , and I haue washed my s s Cantic. 5. 3. feete , and yet this is not all , but to fill vp the measure of our vnkindnesse and vnthankfulnesse ( as Christ checked the Iewes , saying , If another come in his owne name , him ye receiue , but ye receiue not t t Iohn 5. 43. me . ) No sooner can the Diuell , World or Flesh , knock , by any temptation or suggestion , but wee presently heare and open vnto them , but suffer Christ with his graces to stand at the doore ; Oh , my good brethren and sisters in the Lord , let vs consider and bee ashamed of this Sinne . .

Yea ( though I am most vnworthie of all ) seeing Exhortation . the Lord hath vouchsafed me this houre , this day , to bee his Spokesman and Suitor , to wooe and intreat you , and because I know I shall neuer speake to most of you any more , giue me leaue in my Masters cause to intreat you againe and againe , and to importune you to bee reconciled vnto him ; Yea , happie man I , and most happie dayes worke , if I could but winne one Soule , to open vnto him . Oh , yet , that I knew what words of exhortation to vse , that not one , but many ; yea ( as Saint Paul saith ) That all that heare me this u u Act. 26. 29. day , might bee wonne vnto Christ ! that this might be the day of renewing the Couenant , and sealing it with our hearts , and of our vndoubted betrothing with Christ ; yea , what madnesse hath possessed vs , that we should not doe so ? for haue him , and haue all things : Art thou a miserable lost creature , he is a ( w w Matt. 1. 21. ) Sauiour , and bringeth Saluation vnto * * Luke 19. 9. thee : art thou hungry ? hee is the hidden Manna , and Bread of y y Iohn 6. 51. Life : art thou thirstie ? hee will giue thee Water of Life ; whereof , whosoeuer drinketh , shall neuer thirst any z z Iohn 4. 14. more : art thou naked ? he hath white Robes of righteousnesse to couer thee a a Reue. 19. 8. withall : art thou poore , and miserable ? hee is the heire of all b b Heb. 1. 2. things ; will make thee c c Reue. 3. 18. rich , and set a Crowne of glory on thine d d 1. Pet. 5. 4. head : doest thou weepe and mourne ? he wil wipe all teares from thine e e Esay 25. 8. eies , and fill thee with such occasions of gladnesse , that the very broken bones shall f f Psal. 51. 8. reioyce : doest thou groane , and art tyred with the burthen of sinne ? hee will ease and refresh g g Matth. 11. 28. “ “ Clamat Satan , ego decipiam , mundu● , ego deficiam ▪ caro ▪ ego inficiam mor● ▪ ego interficiam ▪ at Christu● , ego re●iciam . Barn . in Cant. thee : art thou vexed with the stormes of Gods wrath ? he will be as the shadow of a great Rocke vnto h h Esay 32. 2. thee : art thou sicke ? hee is a Physition to heale i i Matth. 9. 12. thee : art thou blind ? he is a Chirurgeon to cure k k Iohn 9. 39. thee ; beeing that Light , which lighteth euery man that commeth into the l l Iohn 1. 9. world : to conclude , art thou subiect to errour , falshood and death ? he is that Way , that Trueth , and that m m Iohn 14. 6. Life ; the Way without Errour , the Trueth without Falshood , the Life without * * Via sine errore , veritas sine falsit a●e , vita sine morte . August . in loc. Death : euen all in all vnto his n n 1. Cor. 15. 28. people . Oh , then bee no longer so vnkind vnto Christ and thine owne Soule , but say , Welcome sweet Sauiour , and open the euerlasting doore of thine heart vnto him , that it may bee well with thee for o o Deut. 5. 29. 2. Generall part of the Proposition . euer , and hee no longer take vp this Complaint against thee , ( l ) stand at the doore . And so much for the Subiect of this Proposition .

The Predicate is laid downe in a sweet Allegoricall speech , “ “ Nego●tum exponit Sermone ●llegorico & am●no . euery man being compared to a house , his heart vnto a doore , and Christ vnto a guest , standing and knocking , to come in , not so much to finde curtesie , as to shew fauour and kindenesse : and the 1. Predicate his gesture , which is ( standing . ) 3. Things signified by Christs ( standing ) first , his willingnesse to enter . Predicate is threefold ; the first declareth his gesture , which is ( standing ) whereby three things are signified : Viz. first his willingnes to enter , secondly his patience to wait our leisure , thirdly his obseruance of our vnkindenes in not opening : For the first , in that comming to the doore of our hearts , and finding the same shut and barred against him , hee sitteth not , walketh , nor lyeth not aloofe off , as carelesse whether he enter or no * * Non sede● qu●etus , aut tacet ignauu● , sed stat operi omnino in●entus . ●mb . but ( standeth ) at the doore ( as it were ) harkening and listening , ready to enter vpon euery occasion : It noteth his great desire to enter , which appeareth from this threefold consideration ; First , wishing that they would open vnto him , Oh that there were such an heart in them to feare me , and to keepe 1. Consideration . all my commaundements alway , that it might goe well with them , and with their children for p p Deut. 5. 29. euer . Oh that my people had harkened vnto me , and Israel had walked in my wayes , I would soone haue brought downe their enemies , and haue fedde them with the finest wheate q q Psal. 81. 13. &c. flowre : Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commaundement , then had thy prosperity bin as the floods , and thy righteousnesse as the waues of the r r Esay 58. 18 . Sea : Oh Ierusalem , that thou haddest knowne in this thy day , those things which belong to thy s s Luke 19. 42. peace : Yea , and that none shal open in vaine , hearken what Dauid saith , Lord thou hearest the desire of the poore , thou 2. Consideration . preparest their hearts , and thou bendest thine eare vnto t t Psal. 10. 17. them : Yea , harken what God himselfe saith , While they speake I will heare , yea before they call I will answere , here am I u u Esay . 58. 9. 65. 24. 3. Consideration . . Will you see examples of this ? no sooner did Dauid open the doore of his heart by repentance , and confest , I haue sinned against the Lord , but by and by the Lord entred with remission of sinnes , and absolution , pronounced by Nathan , the Lord hath put away thy sinnes , thou shalt not die . w w 2. Sam. 12. 13. Yea , hearken what Dauid himselfe confesseth ; I thought , I will confesse against my selfe , my wickednesse vnto the Lord , and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne : Selah . x x Psal. 32. 5. Aremarkeable * Mor● impatiens . Fer. defilio prodig . Serm. 7. sentence ♣ ♣ Signum est excitandae voc●s & animi maxime intendend● . Vatab. in ps 3. 2 indeede : The prodigall sonne but resoluing in himselfe , I will rise and goe to my father , and say vnto him , father , I haue sinned against heauen and before thee : he was preuented , for his father seeing him a farre off , had compassion , and being impatient of delayes , ran & fell on his necke , & kissed him y y Luke 15. 18. &c. Nondum vno verbo audito , squalidum & deformem amplectitur . Aug. Vide c●lerem patris misericordiam Theo. . So willing the Lord is to entertaine a Conuert , that ( as Dauid saieth ) Hee neuer failed them that seeke him z z Psal. 9. 10. 2. His patience . .

Secondly , this gesture doth signifie the great patience of Christ towards poore sinners , who ( because he would not his death , a a Ezek. 18. 23. but rather that hee might come to repentance and be saued b b 2. Pet. 3. 9. : ) finding the doore shut , giueth not a call , a rappe , and away , as a Poast that runneth by ; but standeth and tarrieth , long waiting his leasure , when to open vnto “ “ Indefessa perseuerantia pul santis significatur . Tittlem in Cantic . him : It was Gods lawe , When thou commest neare vnto a Citie to fight against it , thou shalt offer it peace , and if it offer thee againe peaceably , and open vnto thee , then let all the people that is found therein , be tributaries vnto thee & serue thee : but if it wil make no peace with thee , but make war against thee , then shalt thou besieg it c c Deut. 20. 10. &c. : which law the wise woman of Abel obiected vnto Ioab * * Mandatum dei ●oabo , mo deste obiicit . Tremell . They spake in the old time , saying , they should aske of Abel , and so haue they d d 2. Sam. 20. 18. continued : That is , first they should call a Parle , and open their griefes , before they vsed Hostility against it : the law giuer is the law-keeper , for though his sword bee alwayes drawne and burnished , his bow bent , his arrowes prepared , and the instruments of death alwaies ready ; yet seldome doth he poure downe his plagues , but there goeth a shower of mercy before them : Peace be vnto this e e Luke 10. 5. house ‡ ‡ Pax Domui huic . Debellaturu● mundum , offert pacem . Stell . ibid. was sounded to euery doore where the Apostles entred : it is Gods manner first to discharge a warning Peece before he batter ; and the Lion of Iudahs tribe f f Reue. 5. 5. wil first roare before he g g Osea 11. 10. deuoure : Yea , by threatning of plagues , and of hell fire , he teacheth vs how to auoid both them and ❀ ❀ Nisi Gehenna intentata esset , omnes in Gehennam laberemur . Chris . Homi. 15. in prim . Timoth. it .