IF we may judge of the Excellency of things by their usefulness , we must confess , that Parables are very excellent , since they are of such use . Although the things mentioned in the Parables that were delivered by our Saviour and others in Scripture , were never acted according to the Letter , yet something like those very things was acted by those very persons to whom the Parables were spoken , which had it been spoken in plain down-right language , would not have instructed them half so well : for Parables are such clear Glasses , as ( being held up to men ) do represent both them and their actions in a most lively manner , and that so fully , as that they a●e forced to pass sentence upon themselves by their own judgment and conscience , which otherwise could never be so convincingly done . I say , to pass judgment against themselves , even as David did upon Nathan's Parable against him ; and the Jews did upon our Saviour's Parable against them , Mat. 21.41 .

It is lawful to use Parables , when a man is able so to fr●me them , Per terresh is intelligit Christus doctrinam lactis ; sive similitudines illus rustieas & terrest●es quibus uti solebat . Marlorat . that the true scope m●y both appear and instruct ; and the words be so chosen and placed , as an understanding ear may discern them to be a Parable , not a story .

A Parable ( saith Peter Martyr ) is nothing else but a simili●ude , or example to illustrate the matter in hand . Parables do familiarly explain divine truths , representing heavenly matters under earthly resemblances . If I have told you earthly things saith our Saviour , John 3.12 . that is earthly resemblances , or similitudes , representing those heavenly truths , which all believers ought to know and practice while they are upon the earth . Parables in Scripture do hold forth the same truth under divers similitudes . In one Chapter , viz. Matth. 13. We see how many Parables Christ makes use of to set out the kingdom of heaven by . It is said ver. 3. he spake many things to them in Parables , saying , A sower went forth to sow . And ver. 24. Another Parable put he forth unto them , saying , the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field . And ver. 33. Another Parable spake he unto them , saying , The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of Mustard-seed , which a man took , and sowed in his field : divers other Parables : of like nature ye have in the same Chapter . So that as some speak of the Jews Manna , it was turned into all manner of savoury tests , according to the several palats of them that eat it , so there is that in heavenly Doctrine , which suiteth with all true desires of happiness .

Moreover in Parables , similitudes are fetcht from the several and usual employments of all sorts , to illustrate that Doctrine of the Gospel , which belongeth to all sorts . This every one should heedfully mind ; how Christ speaks to them in the language of their own Trades and Callings : here each person in his own Trade and Occupation may learn something for his Salvation . Here the plough-man may meditate on the Parable of the sower , when he is ploughing up his ground , and turning up the furrows of the earth , which may put him in mind of plowing up the f●llow-ground of his heart : and when he is breaking up the clods of the earth , he may remember , that Gods calls for a broken and contrite heart : and when he put his hand to the plough , this shew him the constancy of an holy profession . No man having put his hand to the plough , and looking back , is fit for the kingdom of God , Luke 9.61 . hereby a man may learn what pains to take with his own heart , so preparing it for the true seed , the word of life : and when he casteth in the seed in the season , he may understand his own season : and as that which a man soweth , is not quickned , unless it die , so he may learn that the body of man after it dieth , and rotteth in the earth , shall rise again : and he that seeth not so much in the sowing and reaping his grain , is a fool in the Apostles sense , 1 Cor. 15.36 . his plowing up the ground may also shew him the grievousness of afflictions , how the wicked plow upon the backs of the Righteous , and make long their furrows . He that thus meditates at the plough , shall alwayes have a Sermon before him , every furrow being a line or sentence ; and every grain of Corn that he soweth , a Lesson whence he may learn something of God .

Here the Gardiner may receive the Gospel as brought to him in his own language , and may consider the Parable of a certain man that bad a fig-tree planted in his Vineyard , &c. Luke 13.7 , 8. That is , God , who for our capacity is compared to a man , signifying , that he used them not as beasts and slaves , but lovingly and kindly as men do , or should do one to another , drawing them with the cords of a man , and the bands of love , Hos. 11.4 . Had a fig-tree planted in his Vineyard , ] that is , had a people whom he had chosen to himself , and both planted , pruned , and watered , by his word and Sacraments : by the Vineyard he may understand the Church of the Jews , or the Land of Jury , and by the fig-tree the Inhabitants thereof . Of God's particular planting this Vine , we read , Psal. 80.8 , 9. God brought a Vine out of Egypt , cast out the Heathen , and planted it , prepared room for it , and caused it to take deep root , so that it filled the Land , the hills were covered with the shadow of it , and the boughes thereof were like the goodly Cedaers . And whensoever the Gardiner ( like Adam ) walketh am●ng the trees of the Garden , and beholdeth the Vine , he may think of that Mystical Union between Christ and his Church ; that he is the Vine , his people the branches , that whosoever abideth in him , and he in him , the same bringeth forth much fruit . That the Church of God also is a Vineyard of red wine , that the Lord doth keep it , and water it every moment , and lest any hurt is , he will keep it night and day , Isa. 27.2 , 3. That men also are compared to Trees , as in Jotham's Parable , who compareth A●imilech to the Bramble , a base Plant , usurping Authority , when the more noble Trees , the Olive , the Fig-tree , and the Vine refuse it . In a word ! that the good man is compared to the green-tree , and the wicked unto the dry .

The Scripture is very copious in borrowed expressions , and partly for our weakness condescending to us , to make us to understand the deep Mysteries of God by earthly things . It sets forth Christ ( as one noteth . ) 1. From inanimate things , from the Sun , the St●r , a Rock . 2. By vegetative , the Root , the Branch , 3. From sensitives , the Lion called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah . 4. From Rationals : the Son of man , to shew , that Christ is all in all .

Parables are either . 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when the nature of the thing doth make the comparison , as in that of the seed ; the variety of increase by the word preached is expressed by the greater or lesser increase of the grain , according to the ground whereon it falleth . Or 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when the disposition or affection makes it , as when Christ compareth himself to Children piping and dancing , to express the mild means he used for the saving mens souls . Or 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when a passion , or perturbation makes it , as when Christ's coming is resembled to a Thieves Burghlary , or to a woman's travel for the suddenness and affrightment . Or 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when the action is only brought for comparison , as in the Parable of the unjust Steward , Luke 16.6 . that as he made friends of his Masters money against an hard time , so should we of the goods lent us by the Lord , by giving alms to the poor , whose prayers may help us in the day of tryal .

Our Saviour was frequent in the use of Parables in his discourse and doctrine , and therein he acommodated his speech to his Auditors . The Jewish Nation was much used to Parables , as appears by the doctrine of the Prophets of old . So the corruption of the Church is set forth by the similitude of a degenerate Vine , Isa. 5. and of a most unclean harlot ; Ezek. 16.30 , 31. &c. we read Ezek. 21.2 . — 6. Of a Parable of a Wood to be burnt with fire : then the Prophet is commanded to turn his speech to the men of Jerusalem , and to denounce destruction to them from ver. 7. ad. 10. at length he is commanded to sigh , and groan , and lament bitterly , even to the pain of his loins : And if they enquire into the cause of these things , to answer , because evils are coming , at which every heart shall melt away . Now by this kind of language Christ took a course to enflame their minds after Gospel mysteries . And albeit divine mysteries were veiled in the Parables , as barely propounded to the reprobate world , making them the more inexcusable , through the just judgment of God ; yet these mysteries were revealed by Parables as clearly expounded to the elect , through the goodness of God in Jesus Christ .

But although Parables do familiarly explain and illustrate divine truths , yet they darken divine truths to some , to whom it is not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven : and our Saviour saith , that therefore he spake in Parables to them , because they seeing saw not , and hearing heard not , nor did they understand . A singular judgment of God on them for their contumacy and contempt of the Gospel . It is an observation of Oleaster , that the holy Prophets ( especially to great men ) spake most in Parables , that since the people were so shy of naked truth , it might be presented in some Guise .

Doubtless , the design of our Saviour in laying things under parabolical expressions , and as it were out of sight , was , that his hearers might seek out the things hereby intended with more diligence , and find them with more pleasure ; for this way of Illustration makes things very delightful and pleasant , and it is not only a way , whereby the ignorant may be made to understand , but the scope of them being once found , it will then appear , that no falshoods , but real truths are contained in them ; because truths , not falshoods , were not only intended , but signifyed by them , and so Parables are not only lawful , but commendable , and very grateful to the ingenious Reader or Hearer .

How then should every one desire to know the meaning of Scripture-parables ? as Christ's Disciples came unto him , saying , Declare unto us the Parable of the Tares of the field , Matth. 13.36 . that so they may come to the clear and sound knowledge of divine truth . Parables are pleasant , like a Picture drawn with lively colours . And profitable also . Galeacius Caracciolus , that noble Marquess of Vico , was converted by a similitude used by Peter Martyr in a Sermon , seconded with private discourse .

Much honoured in the Lord !

Here you have in this ensuing Treatise ( which I humbly Dedicate to you ) a judicious Explanation , and faithful Application of one of our Saviours Parables : The Parable of the Great Supper , to which many Guests were invited . The Author was better known to you than to my self , yet not altogether a stranger to me . He was not only a word-man , but a work-man ; a work-man that needed not to be ashamed : a pattern of wholsome words in sound teaching , a pattern of good works in well doing , so that a man might read his Sermons written as it were in the lines of his life . He was a light of direction in teaching , and a pattern of perfection ( as it were ) in his life . His Preaching and his Practice ; his Words and his Works agreed together . The Law of God is a Lanthorn , good example bears it ; it is safe following him that carrys the light . That Minister only know how to speak well , that hath learned to do well . Then doth the seed of the word bring forth fruit , when the godliness of the Preacher doth water it in the breast of the Hearer . Thus eraving pardon for this my boldness , that the Lord may add to those gifts and blessings he hath bestowed upon you , is the prayer of