The Gospel-feast opened, or, The great supper of the parable by Joseph Hussey.

THE Gospel-Feast OPENED , OR THE Great SUPPER of the PARABLE . LUK. XIV . 17. latter part .

— Come , for All things are now ready .

THE Occasion of the whole Parable ( beginning at the 16th , and ending with the 24th Verse ) appears to be grounded upon an Expression that seems at the First Taste to be Speech seasoned with Salt , Col. 4.6 . dropt from the mouth of a Pharisee that sate at Luk. 14.1 meat . with Christ , in the House of one of the chief Pharisees . Christ under the Roof of this Pharisee , accompanyed with other Pharisees at the Table , and Lawyers , ( i. e. not such Civil Lawyers as we have now in the State , but Ecclesiastical Interpreters or Expositors of the Law of Moses , as the words in the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Original do signifie in all the Evangelists , ) had argued many Things concerning Feasts , unto v. 15. and behold in the 15th , one of the Company breaks forth into this Expression , Blessed is he that shall eat Bread in the Kingdom of God .

This Great Speech of the Rabbie ( who indeed is thought by † † Vid. Peli Synop. Critic . in locum . Interpreters to have entertained but a gross Notion of the State of Heaven , measuring it chiefly from the outward Dignity and Pomp of Pharisees and Lawyers sitting there , yet ) seems to be a Religious Utterance , and looks as if the Speaker had been a Gracious Proselyte , and spoke as one that believed the Truth in Christ , and lied not . But alas ! you mistake the scope and sense of this Doctour : he utters fine Plausible words without the root of the matter in him , Job 19.28 . and none of his own saying neither , only he had pickt up a Proverbial Speech currant among the * * Sententia crebra apud Rabbinos qui 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 imagine 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 d●pingtbant . Grotins . Rabbines , who drew in faint colours the Invisible Things of God by the Pattern of Visible , and fancyed the gaudy Shine of their Long Robes , together with the other splendour of such as fared sumptuously every Day , to be a Goodly Draught of Heaven . We may gather from his Ignorance and Disaffection to true Spiritual Things , that thô he uses refined Language , yet he is no more than an Unrenewed Pharisee : for when Christ doth afterwards in the Parable propose and set spiritual , celestial Food , the Bread of the Kingdom of God , before him , our Lord seems to find no more Faith on the Earth in this Talking Zealot , than in any other Pharisee , or Lawyer of the Company . The * * Mr. Sa●● . Cradock's Harmony of the Evangelists . Scope of our Saviour's Parable argues , that howsoever these Pharisees ( eo nomine ) might pretend to value the Kingdom of God ; yet the Love of the World , the Profits , Pleasures , secular Employments , and Avocations of this Life , would prevail to keep them off from embracing the Calls of God , and shut them out of Heaven .

Observe , There may , upon some Occasions , be Discourses of the Things of God that drop from unsanctified Lips , where the Speakers have no inward Savour , or true undestanding of those Things . The Language of Canaan may be got and us'd by rote , where also men retain the speech of Ashdod under their Tongues . Neh. 13.24 . A Person like this Pharisee may discourse of the Kingdom of God , and yet be a Child of Disobedience , in whom the god of this World rules .

But let me open the 16th Verse , where the Parable begins , and also the former part of the 17th , to bring in the Text.

Then said he . ] V. 16. Christ hereupon takes the Occasion , and replyes .

Unto him . ] 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in the Singular Number . q. d. Unto the Pharisee that spake at the 15th . Vers. before .

Christ observed the Saying , and taking the word out of the mouth of this Pharisee , instructs him by a Parable , that taught the Way of God more perfectly . Acts 18.26 The other Guests at the Table were silent , but this man spake , and therefore the Son of Man hath somewhat to say unto Him , to state the matters of the Kingdom , and discover how the Pharisees would dislike it , and then reject the King that should reign over them .

A centain man made a great Supper , 〈◊〉 14.16 and b●de many .

A certain man . ] This Evangelist Luke calls him indeterminately , describing him by no Character or Degree ; but Matthew expresseth whom , and declares how great a man he was , rendring him by that certain Preheminence , and Supreme Authority which met in him : The Expression therefore is cloath'd with Royalty , A certain King , or , Math. 22.2 as the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Original reads it , a man , a King . This was none other than the Great God , giving his own Son Jesus Christ to be married to our Natures and made like unto us in assuming Flesh , Joh. 1.14 . when the Word was made Flesh , and dwelt among us .

As to the Reason why God is set forth in this Agency by a Man ( according to the Original of the Parable in Matthew , and our own Translation in Luke , ) I find Interpreters silent . However , I think it may satisfie , to remember , that the Language of the Holy Ghost is Sovereign , he being at Liberty to use what Idiom or Terms he pleaseth ; and that he condescends and stoops in the Expression to our Weakness , as he doth in all other Metaphorical Allusions of Scripture elsewhere , ( The Eyes of the Lord , his Face , Arm , Hands , &c. )

Made a great Supper . ] That is , says * * Mr. Sa● Clark A● not . on the N. T. one , Appointed the Grace and Priviledges of the Gospel , the Glory and Happiness of Heaven consequent thereupon . He prepared Grace for the Benefit of our fallen Nature , and Glory in the Second Adam , when we were recovered out of the Ruines of the First .

* * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Luk. 14.16 A Supper . ] Yet † † Matth. 22.4 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Matthew varies in the Name , and calls this Entertainment a Dinner ; Behold I have prepared my Dinner . Both mean the Provisions of Grace made for Poor sinners , and so agree in the Substance , where they vary in the Circumstance . It was Grace made ready , whether we consider it as a Dinner at the Worlds Noon-Day , when the Fulness of ●ime was come , as soon as God sent forth his Son : Gal. 4.4 . or whether we consider it nearer the Evening of the World in those Ages that border upon the Second Coming of the Son of Man ,

As to the Circumstance of a Supper ,

1. Luke might allude to the usual and ordinary time of Entertainments more commonly ( perhaps ) observed in that Age. We may gather some Evidence out of the Mouth of Two Witnesses to establish it , Mark and John . — Herod on his Birth-Day made a Supper to his Lords , High Captains , and chief Estates of Galilee , Mark 6.21 . And when Jesus came to Bethany , there they made him a Supper . The Jews were not wont always to treat their Guests , as Joseph did his Brethren , when he told the Egyptians , that these men should Dine with him at Noon . And as the Name might be proper in reference to the Jewish Banquets , so the aptitude of the Phrase seems to be further countenanc't in Scripture from the Practice of the Thing among some Gentiles also . The Apostle leaves it upon record as his Observation among the Greeks , that they that are drunken , are drunken in the night , 1 Thess. 5.7 . The Church at Thessalonica to whom he there writes was planted in Greece , A Drunken soil that was often drown'd by Night ; for the Ancients , as a * * Mr. Joseph Mede . Solebant veteres vespertino Tempore convivia agitare , & mero indulgentes , ad multam noctem p●●ducere . Learned Man notes , were wont to banquet late , and falling afterwards into Intemperance by drinking Wine long , after they had Supt , were overcome , and drunken with it in the Night . Thô alas ! I may note it ( obiter ) by the way , that now men will be drunk , while it is yet day , quickly after Dinner , before the Night cometh .

2. The Evangelist might allude to the Puschal Supper ; for the Paschal Lamb was to be slain in the Evening , Exod. 12.6 . and to be eaten the same Night , The Paschal-Supper typified and shadowed forth our Lord 's own Supper , instituted afterwards as a Commemoration to shew forth the Lord's Death untill he come , 1 Cor. 11.26 . and twice called the Lord's Supper , Luk. 22.20 . 1 Cor. 11.20 . Now as the Paschal Supper typified , so this Supper of the Gospel might allude also to the Lord's Supper . For indeed the Lord's Supper , not intended directly in this Parable , is yet comprehended under it virtually , by a Synechdoche , as the Part is contained in the whole . The Great Supper of the Gospel designs the utmost extent of all Gospel-Grace and Priviledge , it reacheth the full Mystery of Godliness , and all spiritual Benefits that redound to any Soul by it . Well , a Supper because alluding to the Paschal , and the Lords Supper .

3. He might allude to the Future state of Blessedness in Heaven , which is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19.9.17 . For indeed the present state of Grace is an Emblem , or a * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Foretaste of Heaven . But I think chiefly in the last place , that

4. It alludes very naturally to the last Dispensation which we are now under . The Name - seems to bear a Peculiar reference to the Gospel - Season . What fitter Name than a Supper could be given to an Entertainment of Grace now in the Evening of the World ? The Days of the Gospel are in Scripture styled peculiarly the last Days , 2 Tim. 3.1 . Heb. 1.2 . There is a careful Father which provides in Heaven , who will have a Supper for his Children upon the Earth in these last Times ; to feast them upon Gospel-Grace , before they go to Bed , that is , before the Day of the World , or their own Day ends , Isa. 57.2 . when they must go and rest in their Beds , each one walking in his uprightness . I handle it after this nature in the end of the Discourse .

And bade many . ] Luk. 14.16 . last words . God doth not make Provisions of Grace in vain , or prepare a Great Supper , and then have none to eat it . He sends first to the Seed of Abraham , and bade many Jews . These had been a long while invited to accept of Christ , and be in a readiness to embrace the Messiah , as soon as that promised Seed came . The Jews had notice of this Approaching Supper very early in the Morning ; they had warning at the first Dawn of that Star of Jacob , to get ready , Num. 24.17 . and come in unto it .

And sent his Servant . ] 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , v. 17. That is , ( says * * Servum illum unicum , nempè Filium Dei . Poli Synops. Critic . in loc. one ) sent his only Son whom before he called his Servant , Isa. 42.1 . Behold my Servant whom I uphold , mine Elect ( or Chosen ) in whom my soul delighteth . This of whom the Prophet speaketh was none other than the Christ the Chosen of God , 1 Pet. 2.4 . Thus Luke speaks of no more than one Servant , ( and of him as the Messenger of the Covenant , Mal. 3.1 . Joh. 1.14 . last words . who was also the only Begotten of the Father , full of Grace and Truth , ) but Matthew uses the Term plurally , Chap. 22.3 . — sent forth his Servants , i. e. his Ministers and Ambassadours , after the Mission of his Son , * * Christ thô a Son by Nature , yea a Servant by Office of Mediation for our sakes . Pemble upon Zech. p. 410. to press the same Thing . Luke relates the Parable as Christ was sent in Person to treat with Sinners , and Matthew writes , as the Ministers of Christ were employed to come forth afterwards successively in the same Treaty , even to the end of the World still inviting Sinners . This two fold Testimony of Matthew and Luke is not self-contradicting , or guilty of the least inconsistency : It is no such Testimony for Christ , as that was found against him , Mar. 14.59 where neither so did their Witness agree together .

* * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . At Supper-time . ] In the Hour of Supper , it is read . Christ came out of the Bosom of the Father in the Time of Love to Souls , and the Dispensation of the Gospel is that Supper-season in which Christ is now given and sent by the Father to treat , in the Ministry of the Word with Sinners : This is the Hour when the Gospel is made ready ; This is the Evening-Time at which we may find that all is ready drest , and waits for Guests to come . The Readiness of the Things is not delay'd beyond the Supper Hour .

To say to them that were bidden . ] As they had been before invited , so now the Servant is sent to inform them 't is High-Time to come . And therefore the Message is ,

Come . ] This supposeth a Distance , which they that are bidden stand in to God ; he sends a Call to overtake such as were yet afar off . The Grace of God did once find all that are now in Christ so , Eph. 2.13 . But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off , are made nigh by the Blood of Christ . And as there was a Distance in such as are now made nigh , so there is a mighty Distance still in the All that are afar off , Acts 2.39 . even the many that the Lord our God shall call . Now the Gospel-Invitation which supposeth a Distance from God , begins with a Call unto him , Come .

For all things are ready . ] Not a Priviledge , not an Encouragement , not any kind of Gospel Grace excepted . Dost thou want Pardon , Peace , Light , Strength , Joy in the Lord ? yet whatever thy Soul lusteth after , who cryest after God , it is all ready for thee , Come . Here is a Rich Feast , refuse no longer to be a Poor Guest . Here is All , and All will be enough for thee . Where is the Tongue of that Israelite that cryed out , Psa. 78.19 . Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness ? Who can question the Power of Jehovah to prepare a Table , when they see all Provisions ready ? And

Now ready . ] The Supper of the Gospel is no such Banquet as requires any further care to make it . The Law indeed made nothing perfect , Heb. 7.19 . but the Gospel needs no higher or clearer Revelations to perfect its own Discoveries . God hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his Son , Heb. 1.2 . but from the Beginning , when he multiplyed Visions , and used Signs , and revealed his Counsels in Dark Speeches , then it was not so . The Provisions were reserved in store , and he hath kept the good Wine untill now .

In the Words there are ,

1. Plentiful Provisions made . All things ready .

2. An Invitation made unto Sinners , to partake of these things . Come .

3. A quickning Motive urg'd from the Season of Readiness , to prevail with the Guests to come . Now ready .

I shall endeavour accordingly to manage the Discourse under these three Doctrines : Doct. The Gospel is a large Feast , stor'd with all kinds of Spiritual Provision in it . Doct. God makes an Invitation unto Sinners to come in to this Feast . Doct. The Gospel is a Feast or Supper that hath all its Provisions now ready .

Doct. The Gospel is a large Feast , stor'd with all kinds of Spiritual Provision in it . All things ready .

In the Management of this Doctrine I would handle it in the following Method , under these Nine general things . To shew

Wherein the Resemblance of the Gospel to a Feast appears . I.

In what respect it is a large Feast . II.

What Things we have need of against the Feast . III.

What is the Bill of Fare . IV.

What excellent Properties there are in the Provisions of this Great Supper . V.

What suitableness from God appears in them to the Case of Man . VI.

Why it is a Feast with all things in it . VII .

What Hindrances do make it to many ineffectual . VIII .

To Apply it . IX .

The First Thing is to open the Resemblances of the Gospel unto a Feast . I.

First , 1 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the entireness of it . A Feast doth not consist in one kind , to yield Meat only , and withhold Drink , or to afford Drink and not provide Meat ; but it makes Both ready , Dr. Tho. Fuller , Pisgah-sight , p. 134. 1st . pt. Esculents and Beverage too , as one terms them . The Feast is not intire but incompleat , if either part be wanting . Thus , in the Gospel , the Provisions of Grace are made in both kinds ready , that we need take no Thought as to any Defect there , Mat. 6.31 . either what we shall eat , or what we shall drink in God's Kingdom , for we have them both provided : He dealeth his Bread to the hungry , Isa. 58.7 . chap. 43.20 . and giveth Waters in the Wilderness , to give Drink to his People , his chosen . When Wisdom entertaineth her Friends , they do not live by halves , she gives them all together , Prov. 9.5 . Eat of the Bread , and drink of the Dine which I have mingled . Wine . ] He can turn Water into Wine to create variety . Again , Eat ye that which is good , Isa. 55.2 . lat. part . And if any Man thirst , let him come unto me and drink , Joh. 7.37 . The Gospel discovers no Imperfection , for tho' it be true , as to the Ceremonial Preparations in Moses , yet it doth not hold in respect of the Evangelical Provisions in Christ , Rom. 14.17 . that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink . It is a whole Feast , and therefore in its entireness is like such an Entertainment .

Secondly , 2 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the Delicacies and Fatness of it . Entertainments are wont to be made of the best the House affords . Abraham in Entertaining of the three Angels , could he have gotten it , would have given them Angels Food ; however , he Order'd it to be prepared of the choicest Morsels , and would make it as delicate as he could , to bring it before his Guests . 'T is said Gen. 18.6 . He hastned into the Tent to Sarah , and said , Make ready quickly three measures of Fine Meal , and he ran ( himself ) unto the Herd , V. 7. and fetcht a Calf , ( 't is not said to be an ordinary one , but ) tender and good , and gave it unto a young man , and he hasted to dress it ; and he took Butter and Milk , V. 8. the best Ingredients to serve it in with , when he set it before the Men , as they are also called , v. 2. Esau likewise , when Isaac his Father bespoke that Entertainment for himself , Gen. 27.3 , 4. is directed by his Father , to go out , and take of the Dainties the Field afforded : Take now I pray thee , thy Weapons , thy Quiver and thy Bow , and go out unto the Field , and take me some Venison , and make me savoury meat , such as I love , and bring it to me , that I may eat —

Thus , the Gospel is furnished with the choicest Viands , and God's Servants behold an excellency in the very Crumbs which fall from their Masters Table . The King doth not slay any lean Kine , but in making ready for the Marriage , his Oxen and his Fatlings are killed , Matth. 22.4 . When God makes Provision , his Paths drop Fatness ; Psal. 65.11 . it is no common Furniture which is found on his Table . He hath the Best of all sorts there . He hath not brought that which is torn , and the lame and the sick to Us , tho' we have brought such a maimed , sick Offering to him : when he gives us of the Corn of Heaven , Job . 31.40 . Psal. 81.16 . it is not Cockle instead of Barley , but also with the Finest of the wheat he feeds us . The Blessings of this Gospel-Feast could be set forth by no higher or richer Expressions than a Feast of Fat Things , and of Wines on the Lees well refined , which comprehends the Delicacies of a Feast in the best of Meats and the choicest Drinks , see Isa. 25.6 . And in this mountain ( that is , the Mount Sion in Jerusalem , upon which the Temple or House of the Lord stood ) shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all People a Feast of Fat Things , a Feast of Wines on the Lees ; of fat Things full of Marrow , of wines on the Lees well refined . I know * * Day upon that place . some do make this Feast of Fat things to signifie the Assyrians slain , and Wine on the Lees to represent the Effusion of their Blood , which in that slaughter God would shed round about Jerusalem . But * * Mr. Pool's English Annotations . others do more probably interpret it of A Feast made up of the most exquisite and delicate Provisions , which is manifestly meant , says a great Author , of the Ordinances , Graces and Comforts given by God in and to his Church . And indeed the Fat of God's Sacrifices which were appointed under the Law , and should be offered again upon that Mountain after the Captivity , doth seem aptly to point at the Dainties of the Gospel , even as the Law Ceremonies did to typifie the State of the Gospel , or as Mount Sion and Jerusalem to shadow out the Church . The Fat of their Meat-Offerings , and the Vinous Juice , or Wine of their Drink-Offerings , were no obscure Emblem of the Gospel Feast , and seem plainly by the Evangelical Prophet to foretell this great Supper . It is represented by Fatness to intimate that nothing ordinary , or of a low Account is in it : It is not such course Fare as Melzar gave those four Children , Duct . 1.16 . Daniel , Hananiah , Mishael and Mariah , when he took away the Portion of their Meat , and the Wine that they should drink , and gave them Pulse ; Gen. 2● . 34 . nor as ordinary as Jacob gave Esau in the Portage of Lentiles . The Gospel hath nothing course or common , but rare and extraordinary . Such as God hath fed , have fared sumptuously every Day , Luk. 16.19 beyond the Rich Glutton . The Israelites had Quails and Mannah in the Desart , God brought them Rich Provision in a Hungry Place ; and an Israelite indeed still finds Dainties , Isa. 55.2 . Let your Soul delight it self in Fatness . The Shepherd of Israel that provideth will take his Flock , Ezek. 34.14 . and feed them in a good Pasture .

Thirdly , 3 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the Freeness of it . Feasts are Free , tho' they are Chargeable to the Founder , yet the Guests are wont to partake at Free-cost in them . Joseph's Brethren indeed may think of no other Provision than what they buy , but when they come into Egypt , they shall find Joseph will give them their Diet free . Jacob's Sons may carry down the Man a Present , a little Balm , and a little Honey , Spices and Myrrh , Nuts and Almonds , Gen. 43.11 . and take Double-money in their Hand , v. 12. but when the Steward of Egypt entertains them , he will throw their Money back : His Servants shall slay , and make ready , and let his Fathers House bring what they will to pay , these Men shall Dine with him for nothing , v. 16. They like Traffiquers may bring in the Bag , and talk hard of buying with their Money , when Joseph's Back is turn'd , but they shall find he hath left Orders with his Steward not to meddle with it , v. 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. Peace be unto you , fear not , your God and the God of your Father hath given you treasure ; I had your Money . q. d. My Master Ordered me to convey it privately into your Sacks , and send it home again ; he Orders your Entertainment gratis , and bestows all upon you freely : He will not allow it , that you should live upon your own Purse in Egypt .

So likewise in the Gospel , Sinners are prone by Nature to bring something of their own , and make exchange with Christs , Money , the Work of their Hands to purchase Grace , and buy a little Food of him . But if our Joseph nourish us , he will take our Sacks empty ; we must bring them to Jesus without Money in them ; his House is Free , we may Dine or Sup with Him for nothing ; it is Eat , Cant. 5.1 . O Friends , and drink abundantly , O Beloved , but still without Money and without Price , Isa. 55.1 . The Lord draws out his Soul unto the Hangry , tho' the Hungry cannot draw their Purse . The Gospel yields no such Bread , as we must not eat till we work and earn it . Tho' a Poor Soul should cry out in another sense with Peter , Silver and Gold have I none , Act. 3.6 . yet wherein dos this Poverty exclude from his Table , at a Feast where Christ hath paid for all ? Thou hast all given in for nothing , and shalt never hear of a Bill of Charges to be brought and laid to thine account : Isa. 55.1 . thô Christ bids thee buy Wine and Milk , it doth not suppose thou canst drop a Farthing for it ; for it is He that hath no Money , yet encouraged to buy and eat : The Holy Ghost seems to use that Language which men are first prone to take up themselves , Come , buy ; whereas it is only meant , they should take what is bought already for them . Christ , as † † Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick , Fountain Opened . p. 214. one says , never sells dear to the Poor . Free Grace will have no Pay but Thanks . Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable Gift , 2 Cor. 9.15 . We have no self - worthiness in our best Estate ; we could never move or oblige the King to feast such as we at supper . The Lord's Bounty in feasting us , was to make us Good , not as any Reward , because he found us so . Tho' in our Flesh there dwelleth no Good Thing , yet when his Spirit furnisheth our House , he doth not ask , or will ever take a Farthing ; tho' his Supper cost him more than millions , we need not lay out one mite upon it .

Fourthly , 4 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in regard of the Place of Entertainment . Feasts are not made abroad sub Dio , in the open Air , or got ready in the Markets : Things are sold , but they are not eaten in the Shambles . Luk. 22.11 . — The Master saith , Where is the Guest-Chamber , where I shall eat the Passover with my Disciples ? The Provisions are at home , i. e. where the Master dwelleth , and to be had in his Presence , at his House alone ; The Guests must not be found in other Houses , but where the Master of the Entertainment dwells . So in Things pertaining to the Gospel , the Provisions of the Grace of God do not ly in Shops and in Shambles , among our selves , but look unto Me and be ye saved , Isa. 45.22 . In buying and selling , we go only to our own Place , but in receiving the Gospel , we are come to his Dwelling-place in Sion . Psal. 76.2 . The Things of this Life are without-Doors , but if we taste of his Supper , we must eat it within his Holy Place , that is , we must be brought at least into the Church Universal . If we remain off from the Family , we shall come at no Food in it ; it is under Their Roof , that we partake of Their Repast . Grace is not to be found out of its own Circle , and Nature finds out nothing but Destruction on the other side : if we are fed , it must not be with the Wild Beasts of the Forrest , but the Sheep in Christ's Fold . If we have meat , we must not wander abroad , but walk within the Pale of the * * Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus . Church . There is no favour to be shewn us from the King , if we keep away from Court , no Priviledge of God's Subjects , but in the Kingdom of Grace , which is not of this World . As Paul said unto the Centurion and the Mariners , Acts 27.31 Except ye abide in the Ship , ye cannot be saved ; so unless you be with the Master of the Feast , 1 Cor. 11.20 . this is not to eat the Supper of the Parable . It is necessary that we be of the Body , to obtain a Relation to the Head , and that we be Members to possess our Place among them . Provision is not to be every where had ; but as we must have our Place at a man's own Habitation , if we taste of the Bounty and Generosity he shews in his House , so we must be set in the True Church with Christ , to receive our Bread , and drink of our Cup at his Hand .

Fifthly , 5 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in limiting its provisions . Feasts are not common , unexcepted Entertainments to make all men Guests . Such as are treated themselves at the Master's House , do not there meet with every one they know . A man may be at a Feast , where some of his own House are Strangers , whom he never finds there . One that hath lain in his own Bosom , one that hath sprung from his own Bowels , may Sup in another place . It is not strange then , if a man finds not the whole Neighbourhood , or all that dwell near him , at the Gospel supping by him . Latter part . I will take you one of a City , and two of a Family , and I will bring you to Zion , Jer. 3.14 . Nay , the wonder will abundantly lessen still , that the multitude should be excluded Feasting at the Master's House . 'T is no strange Thing , that a Greater company than the Guests are walking thrô the the Streets , or riding thro' the Town , and all passing by the Door , whom the Good man of the House takes no notice of . His Dinner or his Supper is ready for them alone that are bidden , whom he hath sent to call in . Tit. 2.11 . The Grace of God in like manner that bringeth Salvation is manifested and declared by himself , that it doth not extend to all ; Multitudes go by , that are neither called , nor yet come in . Some have not the Knowledge of God , 1 Cor. 15.34 . some again know him , and yet in works deny him , Tit. 1.16 . They are called , i. e. the Preaching of the Gospel calls upon them , and they profess to go unto the Marriage , Matth. 21.28 . but are like the Son that was sent into the Vineyard , who said , I go Sir , and went not . V. 30. Others may accidentally be mingled with the Holy Seed , but eat and drink not in God's Kingdom , who yet may be Strangers , and no Guests , Men and not Christians ; for many are called , but Few are chosen , Matth. 20.16 . Chap. 22.14 . As God winks , when he pleaseth , at the Times of Ignorance , looks over them , Act. 17.30 . as the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . word signifies , so he may look on the Times when more enlightned , and destroy , as he pleaseth , the Wisdom of the wise , and bring to nothing the Understanding of the Prudent . Isa. 29.14 . God's People fare well by themselves , 1 Cor. 1.19 . while others are fatned for the Day of Slaughter , and never come in to sup with them . The Lord severs between the one and the other , in reference to the true Goshen state , as he did heretofore between the Cattel of Israel and the Cattel of Egypt . Exod. 9.4 . The Friends of the Bridegroom hear his Voice , when a Stranger doth not intermeddle . Prov. 14.10

I know the Foolishness of Preaching and Man 's corrupt Wisdom in this Point do no ways agree . 1 Cor. 1.21 Corruption is more tender of its own Deformed Brow , than of the Apple of God's Eye , his Sovereignty . Nature is too high to stoop , tho' to the God of Nature , here . This is a Knee that will not how to Jesus . * * Ambr●sius , Origenes , Hieronymus censuerunt , Deum suam Gratiam inter Hemiues dispensare prout tâ quznque benè usurr●● praeviderit . Calvin . Instit. Chr. Rel. p. 320.6.8 , initie . Calvin has noted it concerning some of the Ancient Fathers , as Ambrose , Origene and Hierome , that they supposed , God distributed his Grace no otherwise amongst men , than as he foresaw the Improvement which men would make of it , and the Good use they would put that Grace to : And adds , that Augustine too was some while of the same mind , but afterwards when he grew into a better Acquaintance with the Scriptures , he not only retracted that corrupt Opinion , but confuted it with great Strength of Argument , as his words declare in the * * Adde & Augustinum in eâ fuisse aliquando Sententiâ ; sed c●m méliùs in Scriptura cognitione profecisset , non retractavit modò ut evidentèr falsam , sed fortitèr confutavit . Ibid. ( mihi ) Octavo . Margent . Men may throw his Glory whither they list , but God will never give it away himself . The King will be Sovereign in his House , and have none to sup , but whom he sends for . Thou wouldst not , Oh man , thy self , and who art thou that replyest against God ? Is it fit for Thee ; and shall it not be Lawful for Him to do what he will with his own ? ( Rom. 9.20 . Matth. 20.15 . )

Sixthly , 6 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the Order of the Guests that are plac't to eat and drink in Gods Kingdom . In Feasts it is usual for some to sit higher , others lower at the same Entertainment . This is intimated to have been observed among the Jews at Feasts , Luk. 14.8 , 9 , 10. where , Christ condemns not such a Civil Order but therein countenanceth the Degrees of respect that may be shewn among Men , while he maketh an outward Difference between the Honourable and the Base . It is thus at Our Tables , some are nearer , some are farther the upper end than others . Some are plac't more advantageously by the very Man of the House , where they have the opportunities of a Freer converse with him , and a nearer intimacy than another that sitteth by . Samuel took Saul and his Servant , 1 Sam. 9.22 and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden , where they were more Honourable than the Thirty . So in the Gospel , we may see how God spiritually makes a Difference , while of his Soveraignty , 1 Cor. 4.7 . for the Beauty and Order of the Church , he makes one to differ from another . Indeed it is not our Business , or ought-herein to be our care , to mark out the chief Rooms , Luk. 14.7 . or the uppermost Seats in Synagogues ( like the Pharisees ) ; for Christ knows no man after the Flesh , 2 Cor. 5.16 . that is , he doth not respect the man for his Natural Precedency , or Primogeniture , who cometh to our Assembly with the Gold Ring , Jam. 2.2 . or in Goodly Apparel , and much beyond the Poor man that cometh in in vile Rayment : It is not therefore as to Civil Difference or External Order according to the Flesh , which common Providence hath made among Professors , that I here assume the Parallel , but in a Spiritual Discrimination of Gifts and Graces , or manifestations of the Divine Presence to some more than others . The order lyes in that . There are Diversities of Gifts , 1 Cor. 12.4 v. 5. v. 6. differences of Administrations , diversities of Operations : God's People have neither equal Gifts , nor equal Graces . Mal. 4.2 . As the Sun of Righteousness variously shines , so one Star will always differ from another Star in Glory . Some partake of more , some taste of less , when Christ putteth of his Spirit upon them that sit under his shadow . Cant. 2.3 . He gives more out of his * * Col. 2.3 . Treasures in wisdom to some , in strength to others ; they receive not alike of his * * Joh. 1.16 . Fulness . There be Differences in the Experiences of God's People , a higher and a lower , a Right hand and a Left at the King's Table . Lo ! to one he saith , Friend , go up higher , q. d. Luk. 14.10 Thou shalt behold me , thou shalt by Faith apprehend me more , and taste me sweeter than another that hath not thy Experience , and yet he shall receive a Portion of me too . Some have greater Communications of the Love of God than others . Some are in the Dark , others walk so much in the Light of Gods Countenance , that , like Moses , they are got into the Mount , and seem to converse with God Face to Face . The Influences of the Spirit may shine upon one Believer with a comfortable Light , and a Gracious , clear Evidence , while another lyes darkned under some Eclipse , by the Cloud that cometh betwixt . God's Children are all at Table , but they cannot all look up , at Supper , and see their Father every one alike . Peradventure , God hath done more for thee than others , thou art quickned with a larger sense , and a more lively Hope ; thou art train'd up in thy Father's House under more intimate Acquaintance , Gracious Discoveries , more Ravishing Contemplations than another in the same Congregation that sits down sighing by thee . It is thus , under the Administrations of Grace among the Guests unto our God . They are plac't in order , there are ( thrô a manifold Dispensation ) Elder and Younger Brethren , and God will have them to sit at meat accordingly ; Gen. 43.33 . the First-born ( perhaps ) according to his Birth-right , and the youngest according to his Youth . However , the King observes what order ( only an order ) he will have at this Marriage-Supper , Mat. 11.26 . even so Father , because it seemeth good in thy sight . All his by the Blood of Christ are nigh in their Relation , but yet as to the manifestations of his Free Love , many may seem to sit down at Table a great way off . The Gospel is a long Table , and there be many Degrees of Grace and Comfort where the Guests sit down . Some may be cast down , others advanc't as high as the upper end of Assurance , Joh. 21.20 . even to lean upon Christ's Breast at Supper . The Church of God hath Fathers and strong men in Christ , 1 Joh. 2.13 . and the same hath Babes , and young Converts , little Children , newly brought forth . There are Old Disciples , Act. 21 16. 1 Cor. 15.8 . and also such as are born on t of due time . There are such as are in * * Rom. 16.7 . 1 Cor. 6.4 Christ before , and others that are less esteemed in the Church . So that the Gospel may be likened unto an Entertainment on respect of Order .

Seventhly , 7 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the Ministerial Watters and Attenders on it . The Queen of Sheba being enterbain'd in the Court of Solomon , takes notice not only of the meat of his . Table , 1 King . 10. v. 5. and the sitting of his Servants , ( or Nobles and Courtiers of State whom he treated and brought up in Familiarity with him ) but also of the Attendance of his Ministers , that is , his waiting Servants , and his Cup bearers . Great Tables must have great Attendance on them . Gen 40.21 . The Chief Butler gave the Cup into Pharaoh's Hand , and Nehemiah was the King's Cup bearer . Neh. 1.11 So the Marriage-Feast in Cana of Galilee , Joh. 2.1 , 2. where Jesus also was present , had its waiters attending on it ; v. 5. for the Mother of Jesus saith unto the Servants , and Jesus himself commands them , Fill the water-pots with water , and draw out now , v. 7. and bear unto the Governour of the Feast . v. 8. The Guests in the Marriage-House were not put to serve themselves .

Now the Feast of the Gospel resembles it , and is alike in this , having it's Officers and Ministerial Waiters serving at the Altar ; 1 Cor. 9.13 these indeed in one sense are of them that sit at the Table with you , but in another , they are properly of them that serve , and therefore your Servants for Jesus sake , 2 Cor. 4.5 . When Ministers have done one part of their work , that is , have called the Guests , the Master appoints the other part , to come in and wait at Table . Hence it is , that we are called Stewards of the mysteries of God , 1 Cor. 4.1 . no other Rulers over his Houshold , than to give them their Portion of meat in due season . Luk. 12.42 The Gospel is a Table at which Ministers must wait , and work too , to serve the Lords Guests . They ought to have no place to stand , or sit down in near the Table idle . The Provisions made ready find work enough for Ministers to divide the Word aright , 2 Tim. 2.15 . last words . and give unto every one a proper Portion . We are but menial Servants of Jesus Christ , to bring in the Dishes , carve out the Food , and in Applications hand it down to you . The Gospel must be opened by such as we , and its Provisions allowed you thro' our Ministry . The Lord of the Feast hath appointed the Attendance of his Ministers and his Cup-bearers in a Resemblance to other Feasts .

Eighthly , 8 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the Cheerfulness of the Guests that feed upon it . Feasts are not wont to be sad , nor the Guests thereof melancholly . So long as the Harp and the Viol , the Tabret and Pipe and Wine are in their Feasts , Isa. 5.12 . ( as the Jews used to have such Musical Instruments and Diversion mixed with them . ) They are filled up with cheerfulness , 1 Sam. 9.22 . and make Samuel's Parlour differ from the House of Mourning . Feasting and Gladness go by couples , Esth. 9.17 , 18. And Solomon who knew what it was to prove his Heart with mirth , saith , Eccl. 10.19 a Feast is made for Laughter and wine maketh merry . For Laughter ] that is for it , as the occasion * * Vbi sese Laetiti●e obtulit occasio . Mercer . offers . The innocent Design and Effect of Feasting may be a Refreshment of the Mind by the † † Mr. Pools Engl. Annot. Society of Friends , as well as the Body by the use of Creatures . Those publick Festivals , Zech. 8.19 . after the sorrow of the Captivity was turned into Joy , are called Cheerful Feasts : as if a sorrowful Feast had been a contradiction , both to the Nature of the Thing , and the Letter of a Command too , Thou shalt rejoyce in thy Feast , Deut. 16.14 . So that neither in their common or Religious Feasts they were ever wont to afflict their Souls .

And in this respect of cheerfulness , the Gospel retains the Similitude of a Feast . God hath kept such an open House under the Gospel-State to enlarge our steps , that we may rejoyce to run our Race . There are indeed some Hannah's , of a sorrowful Spirit , that sit at Gods Table ; and this doth not proceed , because they have eaten their meat with Him , but thrô Fear they have drunk poyson by themselves . Judg. 14.17 However , thô Samson's Wife should weep before him the seven Days while their Feast lasted , yet we do not read in that Marriage-Banquet , that others besides her did eat the Bread of Mourners . So , as to the Gospel , Hos. 9.4 . if some are dejected in the House of Feasting , yet the Guests do mostly eat their Bread with joy , and drink their wine with a merry Heart , because God accepteth them . Eccl. 9.7 . It is a Musical * * Lev. 23.24 . Num. 29.1 Feast of Trumpets that sound glad Tydings . Besides , this Spiritual Pleasure in God's House is the Fruit of a Gracious Promise , that was to be made good under the Gospel , Isa. 12.3 . With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation ; yea , he doubly fulfills the Promise , while at the Marriage-Supper , together with our water , he makes our Conduits run wine . Ibid. The House of Prayer was to be also made the House of Praise — Them will I bring to my Holy Mountain , and make them joyful in my House of Prayer , Isa. 56.7 . The Children of Zion in coming to the Marriage of the King's Son , were foretold should be joyful in their King , Psal. 149.2 . The Gospel is a joyful Feast , of which he that truly eateth , shall one Day truly praise the Lord .

Lastly , 9 Resemblance . The Gospel resembles a Feast in the distribution of it's Broken meat among others that are not the called Guests . We read in those Liberal Entertainments with which Christ sometimes treated the Multitudes , when he multiplyed the Loaves , and fed many thousands with them , that they took up of the broken meat that was left , seven Baskets full , Matth. 15.37 . and twelve Baskets full of the fragments , and of the Fishes , when he entertained them miraculously again , Mar. 6.43 . These Baskets of the Fragments ( or * * Fragmenta à frangendo . Broken meat , as the word signifies ) that remained over and above unto them that had eaten , might perhaps be distributed among others that had not partook of the Meal with them . It is customary now a days with such as are given to Hospitality , to distribute some of the Remainders of a Feast , even to such for whom it is not prepared , being neither invited with the Guests , nor sitting in the same Room among them , only come in upon their own account , or , as we say , occasionally . Indeed Nabal at the entertaining of his Sheep shearers deny'd such a Courtesie as this , when David and his men begg'd it ; 1 Sam. 25.11 . Shall I take my Bread and my water , and my flesh that I have killed for my Shearers , and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be ? Yet the Bounty and Kindness of a Good man extendeth sometimes even to them that he knows not whence they are , and when he calleth together his Friends and his Neighbours , is not forgetful , as the case may stand , to entertain Strangers also .

Now the Gospel resembles a Feast in this . God hath made it indeed for his Friends , and had not prepar'd it , if he had not design'd it as an Entertainment to treat them , and they only are capable to understand the Wisdom of God in a Mystery , 1 Cor. 2.7 . for the inward Glory and Saving Benefit and vertue of it is hidden from other men ; Therefore speak I to them in Parables , because they seeing , see not ; and hearing , they hear not , neither do they understand , Matth. 13.13 . Yet however it first happens thrô the common Bounty and Goodness of the Feast-maker , that he sends Portions ( thô it be in Parables ) to them for whom nothing is prepared . Nch. 8.10 . If Benignity did not prevail , Strangers should not have so much as Broken meat . God made Ezekiel a Lovely Song to a company of Deaf Adders , Ezek. 33 32. that would not hear the Charmers voice . The outward Parts and Priviledges of the Gospel are dispensed in the outward , as well as the inner Court , to Forreigners as well as Friends in the Houshold of our God . The Sons of the Alien that have no Portion in David , may yet have some of the Priviledges of David's House , and God may rain down Manna in the Gospel , as he does common Rain from Heaven , Matth. 5.45 . Heb. 12.8 . upon the just and upon the unjust both . They that are Bastards , and not Sons ( as the Apostle distinguisheth ) may receive , as to Priviledge , some Portion in the Childrens meat , and Dogs may receive the Scraps , and gnaw a Bone or a Crust , and lick up the Crumbs that fall from their master's Table . Matth. 15.27 . God may throw in some common Blessings of the Gospel to Unbelievers , while the Lot of his special Favour is cast into his People's Lap only . The one may have so much of the Word , as to hear the Gospel - sound , but the other only have All , and find Salvation by it .

The Second Thing is , II. in what respects it is a Large Feast .

First , I. It is large , if we count the Cost . It cost the Life of the Kings's Son to buy it . The Bridegroom dyes , before he could get his Bride a Supper ready . The Purchaser gave himself , Eph. 5.25 . Himself for Victuals , that she might be entertained , when her Lord should come in and sup with her . Rev. 3.20 . Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible Things , as Silver and Gold — But with the Precious Blood of Christ , 1 Pet. 18 , 19. Ye redeemed . ] When Christ bought up Victuals , he bought the Guests too that eat it , 1 Cor. 6.20 . Ye are bought with a Price . — not redeemed with corruptible Things , as Silver and Gold . ] Christ did not bring so low a Treasure , as will serve in other Markets ; he had no Coin but was a Price beyond any Purse to hold . The Banquet of the Gospel could not be gotten lower . I may say hereof , as Job speaks of Wisdom , Job 28.15 . it cannot be gotten for Gold , neither shall Silver be weighed for the Price thereof ; v. 16. it cannot be valued with the Gold of Ophir , with the precious Onyx or the Saphire : v. 17. The Gold and the Chrystal cannot equal it , v. 18. and the exchange of it shall not be for Jewels of fine Gold , no mention shall be made of Coral , or of Pearls : v. 19. for the Price ( of the Entertainment ) is above Rubies : the Topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it , neither shall it be valued with pure Gold . It is corruptible Silver and Gold , but Precious Blood ( that was Price enough to buy it . ) Every Drop of the Blood of Christ was a greater Sum than Thousands of Gold and Silver . Christ went to Market in the Garden , and then on to the Shambles upon the Cross . He was made a Curse , that we might have the Blessing . The First Adam eat Bread himself in the sweat of his Face , Gen. 3.19 . but the Second Adam with Great Drops of Blood procured Bread for us . Now this makes it so great a Feast , that Christ hath with so great a Sum obtain'd it . Silver and Gold will ransom a King , but it must be the Blood of Christ to redeem a Beggar .

Secondly , It is large in regard of the Occasion . It is a magnificent , stately Supper , because made at the Marriage of the King's Son ; Royal Cheer , because Earth is married to the Royal Line of Heaven . You shall not find it like an ordinary , every Day 's meal , when you are come to a Wedding-Court to sup . The Day of our Espousals is such a solemn Time of Love , that the Father Proclaims , It is meet that we should make merry . Luk. 15.32 The Gospel is the Day of our King , Hos. 7.5 . and he will have his Coronation kept . Tho' Sions King is * * Zech. 9.9 , Mat. 21.5 . meek , and therefore comes with no such Majesty , as the Princes of this World , because his Kingdom is not of it , yet the Kingdom of God cometh not without spiritual observation ; tho' he doth not assume an outward Glory , yet he will have a Feast suitable to the high Occasion , that is all Glorious within . We read of Great Things in Cana of Galilee , Joh. 2.2 . where Jesus was called to the Marriage ; what mighty works then are they which do shew forth themselves in him , when he comes about his own Marriage . This Supper is made an exceeding great and large Feast , to greaten the Day in which thy Maker is thy Husband . Isa. 54.5 . If Abraham took Occasion to make a Great Feast the same Day that Isaac was weaned , Gen. 21.8 . what an Occasion then was that which the Father took , when he married his only Son to make ready the Gospel in this Great Marriage Supper .

Thirdly , It is large in respect of the Quantity of Provision . It is not only much , but all ; Many Dishes had been Great , but one of every sort is greater . Who can understand the loving-kindness of the Lord ? Hast thou entred into the Springs of the Sea ? Job 38.16 . V. 37. or hast thou walked in the search of the Depth ? Who can number the Clouds in wisdom , when he poureth Manna forth ? It is a Feast of Plenty , and plenteous is joyn'd with Fat in the Provisions of God's House , Hab. 1.16 . Wisdom hath laid in of all sorts enough , Prov. 9.2 . She hath killed her Beasts , she hath mingled her Wine , she hath also furnished her Table . As Feasts are usually the best , so when provided , they are made the biggest of Entertainments . Fulness of Bread is distributed in God's House , and Flagons of Wine are allow'd his Guests . Canaan hath large supplies from Heaven , and her Countrey is nourished by the Kings Countrey . Acts 12.20 As it is not in Handfulls of Barley , so neither in pieces of Bread : Prov. 28.19 . Psa. 73.10 . He hath a plenty of Bread for her , and makes the waters of a Full Cup return hither . In the Dispensation of the Gospel , God goes not so low , Gen. 18.5 . as to fetch out a morsel of Bread ; that is enough for Abraham , but not for the God of Abraham , Chap. 15.1 . who is his Shield and exceeding Great Reward . When God prepareth our Food , Job 36.31 . he giveth meat in Abundance , spiritual Dainties as thick as Quails for Israel in the Wilderness , Psa. 78.25 . when he sent them meat to the Full. When God comes at any Time under the Gospel to make Windows in Heaven , 2 Kings 17.2 . he will pour out such a Blessing , that there shall not be room enough to receive it . Mal. 3.10 . God doth all Things in this Entertainment liberally ; Psa. 44.17 . when he feeds us , then have we Plenty of Victuals ; Psa. 78.15 . and when he gives us Drink to quench our Thirst , it is abundantly , as out of the Great Depths . He that giveth in spiritual Blessings * * Psa. 84.11 . withholdeth no Good Thing . The Gospel , Luk. 12.16 . like the Ground of a certain Rich man hath been seen to bring forth plentifully ; as the Fields of Egypt in the seven Plenteous years brought forth by Handfuls , Gen. 41.47 . so there is a Store-house in the Kingdom of Grace that supplyes the Table and his Furniture . There is a Fulness of Sufficiency for the many Thousands of Israel , Num. 10.36 . Math. 13.35 . when he makes the multitudes to sit down . The Feast will hold out , tho' the House of God be full of Guests from one end to another . Isa. 16.33 . Bread shall be given them , their waters shall be sure , tho' all his Elect were gathered from the four winds of Heaven .

The Third Branch of the Doctrine is , III. to evidence and premise What things we have need of against the Feast . For tho' the Provisions of the Gospel be first made ready , yet , as to our Benefit or Participation , the Gospel must afford also some Antecedent Requisites , before we can experience it to be a Feast good for Food .

First , There must be an Invitation before-hand . And here by an Invitation , I would not be understood to intend no more than an External Call of the Sinner by God's Messengers under the Word ; for tho' it is necessary too that there be such an Outward Call , Rom. 10.17 . because Faith comes by Hearing , yet this alone will be insufficient to partake of Gospel-Grace : I would therefore be meant to set forth the necessity of some Powerful , internal work of the Spirit upon the Heart , joyn'd with the External Call ; that the Priviledges , or highest Benefits and Graces of the Gospel may of right belong unto the Called . The Gospel is set forth in the Parable as a Wedding furnished with Guests , Mat. 22.10 both bad and good , answerable to these Two Calls : The external Call doth nothing , but brings in men bad as it finds them , and thence come the Bad Guests , such as will say at last , Luk. 13.26 We have eaten and drunk in thy Presence , and thou hast taught in our streets ; to whom nevertheless the Master will reply , I know you not whence you are , Luk. 13.27 depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity : whereas on the other hand , the Inward saving Call first changeth men into Good , and then brings them in , and thence come the Good Guests , whose company the King with his own Gracious Presence honours . If we obtrude our selves , and by an empty vain Profession without true Grace , rush in upon Gospel-Priviledges among true Guests , it will make the Master of the Feast angry , and say at last unto every such Bad Guest , Friend , how camest thou in hither ? Mat. 22.12 . So to apply the Graces of the Gospel , or the Comforts of the Holy Ghost which he no ways applyes himself , is , tho' in a secret and invisible manner , to become the Robbers of Churches , and snatch what God never carv'd to any such Guests . If men are not called out of their wickedness , God will say unto the wicked , What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes , or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth ? Psal. 50.16 . We dare not meddle with the Gospel , to apply its Priviledges and Comforts to our own use , till we are bidden to lay hold of them . We must be invited to the Great Feast , and receive a Ticket from our Father to partake of the Children's Meat . So long as men are yet in their sins , under a Profession of the Gospel , they rob God , as well as his Children , Hos. 2.8 . to feed their own lusts : They take his Corn and Wine and Oil which he hath multiplyed , and prepare them for Baal , for some Lust they prefer , while they hasten after another God . Psal. 16.4 . An Invitation therefore in some effectual work of Grace is a necessary Antecedent , or one of the Things which we have need of against the Feast .

Secondly , There must be Conduct . We are by nature strangers , and need a Guide to bring us to our Father's House . Lead me O Lord in thy Righteousness — make thy way strait before my Face , Psal. 5.8 . If we are not led , we shall quickly lose our way . — It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps , Jer. 10.23 . If we are left to trace the way our selves , we shall lose it thro' the Forrest . It was not ascribed unto the Israelites , nor yet to Moses , nor unto Joshua , tho' a Captain of the Lord's Host , to come of themselves to feast in Canaan , but it is attributed to a supreme Conduct , The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land , Deut. 8.7 . A Land of Wheat and Barley , and Vines , and Figtrees , and Pomegranates , V. 8. V. 9. a land of Oyl-olive and Honey , a land wherein thou shalt eat Bread without scarceness . They could not have found the way thro' the Wilderness , to meet with such a Table , if He that prepared it had not by the cloudy Pillar led them . Psa. 78. ult. It was not Their Eyes , but the skilfulness of his own Hands . And how should we grope as Blind men in the Wilderness our selves , if we had not the Benefit of that Promise , I will lead them in Paths which they have not known ? Isa. 42.10 . The Shepherd of the sheep leadeth them out , Joh. 10.2 , 3. And he must carry his Lambs in his Bosom , Isa. 40.11 . to feed them as a Lamb in such a Large place . Hos. 4.16 .

Thirdly , There must be Protection . Conduct is not enough , if we have not a Captain to fight our way thrô : Plead my Cause O Lord , with them that strive with me , fight against them that fight against me , Psa. 35.1 . If the Lord delivers not the Soul of his Turtle Dove from the multitude of the wicked , Psa. 74.19 . the Hawks will intercept and seize it before it can fly as the Doves to their windows . Isa. 60.8 . Deliver the Poor and needy , rid them out of the Hand of the wicked , Psa. 82.4 . * * Psa. 102.8 . when those that are mad , are sworn against them , he must keep them , who hath called them , and preserve them from this Generation for ever , Psa. 12.7 . Such as set their Faces toward Zion , Jer. 50.5 . do stand at last with their * * Psa. 122.2 . Feet within Jerusalem , because thou Lord defendest them , Psa. 5.11 . He compasseth them with favour , as with a * * Ps. 5.12 . Job 41.28 Shield , and therefore the Arrow cannot make them flee . The Devil would gather up Instruments enough to stop us in our way , if we had not a Convoy to bring us safely on . He would make a Prey of us , before we could otherwise come nigh our own Provision . We should be in jeopardy of perishing , Num. 20.17 . if while we did go by the King's High-way , we had not his Protection .

Fourthly , There must be Appetite , for to the Hungry every bitter thing is sweet . Prov. 27.7 latter part . God requires an opening of the mouth , when he comes with a Hand of Grace to fill it ; Open thy mouth wide , and I will fill it , Psa. 81.10 . We are not * * Dickson somewhat changed . straitned in God , but many a Blessing goes beside , because of our own narrowness to receive it . A keen Appetite suits with a Great Entertainment . The sharper our Hunger , the sweeter God's Provision . A man of an Evil Eye may invite his Neighbours , and when they are come to his Banquet , Prov. 237. may not look well upon them ; now the wise man tells us , that such a Man's Delicacies are not worth a Desire , Prov. 23.6 . Eat thou not the Bread of him that hath an evil eye , neither desire thou his Dainty meats . He steels his Victuals into Knives that may stab thee more than Hunger ; but we may bring our Appetite safe to swallow down morsels that we need not * * V. 8● vomit up again . We cannot hunger and thirst too much upon the Road to Heaven , Gen. 45.21 . when God gives us Provision for the way . When the Israelites fell a lusting in the Wilderness , Num. 11.33 . they digged their Graves with their Appetite , while God gave them their own Desires ; Psa. 78.29 but Spiritual Desires can do us no harm , thô we have such choice Longings in our Souls , that our Ardency is singular , and there is none upon the Earth that we desire besides , Psa. 73.25 . In a word , we shall disparage the full Table of the Gospel , if we bring not an empty Stomach thither .

Lastly , The Entertainment of the Gospel requires a Palate to distinguish it . Doth not the ear try words , Job 12.11 . and the mouth taste his meat ? As it is true naturally , so spiritually it is no lye , chap. 34.3 . for the Ear tryeth words , as the mouth tasteth meat ; the sanctified Ear tries Gods Words , as well as the Natural Ear the common things of Man . A man that hath the Spirit of God savoureth the things that be of God ; he can distinguish between Husks that the Swine do eat , Gen. 27.9 . and savoury meat such as he loveth . His Taste can discern between a Fish and a Scorpion , he will tell you , the one satisfies , the other only stings him . David had a Holy Palate , and could relish an holy Entertainment , Psa. 119.103 . Oh! how sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea sweeter than Honey to my mouth ! The Language of the New Testament speaketh of Senses exercised , Heb. 5.14 . or as the Original renders it , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Senses made naked , that the Object may not be intercepted , or the influence of the thing kept off ; as suppose by a Garment upon the Flesh to obsturct feeling , or a covering hung before the Eyes to hinder seeing ; J●● 6 , 30. so a Palate made naked , that hath no perverse thing as a medium to intervene between a Spiritual morsel , and its own sensing it . Spiritual Senses are not like natural , to decay in Old Age ; an old Disciple need not complain of God's Table , as Barzillai at fourscore did of the King 's , Can thy Servant taste what I eat , 2 Sam. 19.35 . or what I drink ? he wanted a Palate at that Age to distinguish and savour the Dainty Morsels of a Prince , and therefore David's Table at Court would be fitted better by a young Chimham , than an old Barzillai : v. 37 , 38. Now it is not so with the Servants of the Lord , as with that old Servant of David , but thô they have been of a long standing , yet their Taste still remains , and their Palate can discern between Good and Evil. God's Children tho' you blind-folded them that their Eyes could not behold their Teachers , yet would tell you when their heavenly Father feedeth them . Mat. 6.26 . Job 6.6 . They can distinguish between that which is unsavoury , and Food convenient . A Spiritual , Prov. 30.8 . judicious Palate will discern , Gen. 43 , 34 tho' it be of a Benjamin's Mess , whether it be always with Grace seasoned with salt . Col. 4.6 . And this is the Palate which we have need of against the Feast . If we come to God's Provision without our Taste , we shall roll nothing under our Tongue , thô we eat of the fat , and drink the sweet ; Neh. 8.10 . but the most delicious Fare of the Gospel will afford us Morsels , of which we shall say without a sanctified , Eccl. 12.1 . Gracious Palate , we have no pleasure in them . IV.

The Fourth Thing is to bring in the Bill of Fare , and open the Provisions of this Gospel-store more distinctly .

It will appear that the Gospel is a mighty Table , enough to maintain the Guests beyond our weak Faith , Isa. 59.1 . seeing the Lord's Hand is not shortned that hath made all things ready . Moses indeed thought when the People were six hundred thousand footmen , that it was impossible to give them a sufficient Meal in that kind they askt , and still more impossible to feed them with such a continued plenty , that they might eat of it a whole month together , Num. 11.21 , 22. Shall the Flocks and the Herds be slain for them , to suffice them ? or shall all the Fish of the Sea be gathered together to suffice them ? which deserved that check from the Lord for his Unbelief in the verse following , v. 23. Is the Lord's Hand waxed short ? Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass to thee , or not . Now as the Lord rain'd down victuals in so great a measure to satisfie the Longing of that mixed multitude in the Wilderness , Num. 11.4 so he hath provided Plenty and Store enough in the Gospel for all the hundred forty and four thousand which are redeemed from the Earth . Rev. 14.3 . latter part . Indeed Solomon's Provision for one day amounted to a large Bill of Fare , 1 Kings 4.22.23 . — Thirty measures of fine Flower , and threescore measures of meal , ten fat Oxen , and twenty Oxen out of the Pastures , and an hundred Sheep , beside Harts and Roe-bucks , and fallow-deer , and fatted fowl . But the Supper of our God is in a Richer and more abundant store than that , as will appear when serv'd up in this following Account , viz.

Milk for Babes , Meat for strong men , the true Bread from Heaven , Living water , Flesh to eat , Blood to drink , the Lamb of God , the fatted Galf for Prodigals , the Marrow of rich Forgiveness , the food of Knowledge , the nourishment of Faith , the feast of Holiness , ( or the bunch of Hyssop in Sanctification of the Spirit ) the hidden Manna of Election , the Royal Dainties of Assurance , the Evangelical honey comb dropping Free Grace , the fatness of God's house in Ordinances , the Supplies of the Spirit of Jesus , the morsel of Hope for them that fail not to sit with the King at meat , the full meal of Contentment for them that have left all and followed Christ , the Refreshments of the Peace of Conscience , the Oyl of Joy , the Cup of Consolation with the Wine of the Kingdom running over , the continual Diet of Perseverance in the sure mercies of David , and the Fruit of the Tree of Life .

1. Milk for Babes , even the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the sincere Milk of the Word , which the weakest of God's Little ones may lye at the Breasts and suck . On this wise speaketh the Apostle Peter in his Exhortation , 1 Pet. 2.2 . As new born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word , that ye may grow thereby . The Holy Scriptures are made ready in the Plainest Truths for a Hungry Infant that will not be quiet till it finds the Breast out . Lam. 4.4 . The Tongue of God's sucking Children would cleave to the Roof of their mouth , if they could not get to the Word , and there be , as one that hath sucked the Breasts of his Mother . Cantic. 8.1 . Heb. 5.12 . The first Principles of the Oracles of God are compar'd to Milk , because the first sort of Truths that young Converts Learn , and are wont at the beginning of the New-Birth to be most affected with . The Apostle Paul speaking of the Infancy of his Corinthian Church , tells them in his Epistle which he first wrote unto them , 1 Cor. 3.2 . I have fed you with milk and not with meat , for hitherto ye were not able to bear it , neither yet now are ye able . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Fed you with Milk ] I have given you a Liquid Food you might swallow easie ; Others have drank what I have given you to eat ( as the Milk of Babes may by strong men be eaten or drunk either . Not with meat , ye were not able to bear it : ] That is , ye could not digest the stronger and higher sort of Doctrines , neither yet now are ye able . 1 Cor. 14 20. Children in understanding must have the Food of their Souls , as their lack of Age requires it , Philem●● 9 and such a one as Paul the aged knew it . Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ had such weak Disciples with him , that he forbore a while feeding them with strong meat , and stays till more cubits were added to their Spiritual Stature , before he weans them from the milk of Babes , Joh. 16.12 . I have many things to say unto you , but ye cannot bear them now . He dealt with them proportionably to their present state and weaker Capacities in Christianity : So young Converts must be fed with Food convenient , Prov. 30.8 . ( not only convenient in the Quantity , and Measure as Agur meant it , but convenient in the Quality and Nature of it ) and not too strong for them . Weaker Christians must be fed with weaker Diet , that their Souls may digest it , and be made the better for the Truths they take in .

Now the Gospel hath its Milk in Doctrines easie to be understood . 1 Cor. 14.9 Come ye therefore , says the Evangelical Prophet , Isa. 55.1 . and buy milk . It is a sort of Victuals treasur'd up in our Fathers House , that when ye rceive the Kingdom of God , Mark 10.15 as a little Child , I mean , with a very Childish and low Capacity , you may meet with Provisions therein suited to you . Isa. 60.16 . Our Babes in Christ may suck the Milk of the Gentiles , that is , those plain Revelations of the Son of God , who is now believed on in the World . 1 Tim. 3.16 They can milk out from these Breasts of consolation , Isa. 66.11 till they are delighted with the Abundance of her Glory ; Jerusalem ( God's Church ) the Mother of us all , Gal. 4.26 . hath Breasts given her which her Children shall never draw dry . The Holy Ghost stoops in very low Expressions , 2 Tim. 3.15 that from a Child a Believer may know the Holy Scriptures . Its Doctrines are suited to the Understanding and Capacities of the meanest . The Gospel hath a Plenty that will furnish all sorts : Heb. 5.13 . The Vnskilfull in the Word of Righteousness is not left destitute , but may receive the Word of his Grace , and use it's Milk , while he is a Babe . Tho' like Zaccheus , Luk. 19.3 . you are Little of Stature , yet you may reach of the Fruit , when you cannot climb the Tree of Life before you . The Gospel abounds with a Treasure of Holy Learning which some have received , tho' never brought up at the * * Act. 22.3 . Chap. 19.9 . Feet of Gamaliel , or the School of one Tyrannus . You may be taught the Truth as it is in Jesus , Eph. 4.21 . Luk. 2.46 . and know the Master of the School that sat among the Doctours , tho' you be not rankt among the wise and prudent . I thank thee , O Father , Lord of Heaven and Earth , that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent , and hast revealed them unto Babes , Matth. 11.25 . The Word of God indeed hath its Depths , where there is no passing over , without swimming beyond your reach ; but yet it hath its shallowes , where going lower you may wade or foord thro' . 1 Tim. 3.16 . Tho' it be the Mystery of Godliness , yet a Mystery so revealed , that the ordinary Readers or Hearers may be taught to profit by it . Exod. 8.19 . There be plain Truths written with the Finger of God , and clear Truths copied out , as with a Sun-beam from Heaven ; God's Word is a Text-Hand , and he that runs may read it . In a word , Isa. 7.22 . it hath the Abundance of Milk for Babes , to nourish even the least in our Father's House .

2. Meat for strong men , or the strong Meat of the highest Gospel-Mysteries . Sublime and spiritual Doctrines may be set forth by Meat , as the Apostle doth in that forementioned place , 1 Cor. 3.2 . and strong meat as he calls them , Heb. 5.14 . which belongeth to them that are of Full Age , ( that is , above New Converts ; the Adult , ) who by reason of use have their senses exercised , to discern both Good and Evil : by reason of Vse , ] or , as the word is * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . rendred , thro' a Habit. Altho' young Children's Stomachs will not endure strong meat , yet the Stomachs of grown men are habituated to receive Diet according to their Age ; their Constitution is stronger than Children's , and therefore their Meat above them . Not , that any who are † † Isa. 28.9 . weaned from the Milk are above the Word , but they are by it grown taller in Knowledge than just to reach unto first Principles , and are not still little Children learning their Rudiments in the School of Christ . While others are * * 2 Tim. 3.7 . drawn from the Breasts , ( that is , are yet as the Infant whom the Mother hath but newly taken off her Breasts , ) these are gone higher in spiritual Gifts and Attainments , than when they were first coming to the * * 1 Tim. 3.13 . Knowledge of the Truth . They have taken a Good Degree under the Teachings of Gods Spirit . The Gospel yields these Provisions of Strong meat for them .

There are indeed Doctrines in the Word of Righteousness , Heb. 5.13 . that contain the Great Mystery . To instance briefly in some , as , (1) * * Tho' Faith cannot comprehend the Matter believed , yet it knoweth the Ground why it doth believe , namely , the Testimony of Gods Word which saith it is thus and thus . Anthon. Burgess , Exposition of the 3d. Chapt. of the 1 Epist. to the Cor. pag. 71. That Profound Mystery in the Trinity of Persons , the Father , Son , and Spirit , that these Three are one , one God , and yet Three Persons for ever . This is a High Mystery : For ( as † † Culverwell , Light of Nature , pag. 148. one says , ) tho' the Vnity of a Godhead is Demonstrable and clear to the Eye of Reason , yet the Trinity of Persons , that is , three Glorious Relations in one God , is certain to none but an Eye of Faith . Indeed ( as another * * Dr. Bates , Christian Religion proved by Reason , p. 187. excellent Author well observes , ) The Unity and supreme Equality of the Three Persons in the Godhead , transcends our Conception , but Reason cannot prove it to be impossible . The Doctrine of these Three Glorious Subsistences in one single , uncompounded , indivisible , Divine Essence , is a Truth , but passeth all Vnderstanding . Phil. 4.7 . (2) The Doctrine of Reconciliation in making Satisfaction to Divine Justice for Man's Breach of the Law , by the Death of the Second Person in the Trinity , Eph. 2.15 . so making Peace , is so much above our shallow Reason to comprehend , that * some ( rather Professors of Reason than Faith or Divinity ) dare strike at the Foundation , to see whether they can remove our Corner-stone . (3) The Mysterious Hypostatical Union of the Two Natures in the Glorious Person of the Mediatour ( or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ) with other Doctrines contained in the sure Word of Prophesie , 2 Pet. 1.19 . are Truths above the Understanding of the Highest Christian , or the Greatest Scholar in the World , tho' not to apprehend , yet to comprehend them . Understandings ( we may say ) that are got to the Fullest measure of the stature of Christ , Eph. 4.13 . are yet out of their Reach , when they are walking in the search of the Depth , Job 38.16 . and try to fathom these Deep Things of God . Alas ! these are Mysteries in Christ which they that are * * Col. 2.10 compleat in Christ must sit down at the Well-Head of Life , and cry out with the Apostle , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . O the Depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God , how unsearchable are his Judgments , and his ways past finding out ! Rom. 11.33 . Nay , as * * Mr. Sam. Lee , Joy of Faith , p. 214. one says , These are Things which the Glorious Angels strain at , and makes their Wisdoms bend like an Ozier in a Storm ( to look down into them ) and can never feel the Bottom of these Deeps without Drowning .

But however , there are Doctrines also in the Gospel which may very properly be likened to the Strong Meat and Food of grown Christians . These also are found among the Mysteries of Knowledge given us from the Spirit of Revelations ; as concerning the Decrees , Rom. 11.7 . both touching the Election in Christ , and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the rest that were Blinded ; Ibid. and concerning Christ's Natures , that there are Two ( setting the mysterious consideration of the Modus in their Personal Union aside ) ; concerning his Offices , Prophetical , Sacerdotal and Regal ; his Two States , of Humiliation and Exaltation ; his Accomplishment of all the Types in the Old Testament , Personal and Mystical , those * * Dr. Tho. Taylor of the Types , p. 2. Swadling-cloaths in which Christ was exhibited to the Fathers ; All the Glorious Prophesies of his Gospel-Church state and Mediatory Kingdom to be yet seen in the Kingdoms of this World ; Rev. 11.15 . The Doctrines of the Resurrection , the Last Judgment , and an everlasting Future state , are the strong meat at this Plenteous Entertainment for Christians that have arrived to some Maturity in Knowledge , and with a competent measure of understanding are able to digest what they feed upon .

3. The true Bread from Heaven . 3. Ruth . 1.6 . The Lord hath visited his People in giving them Bread , Ezek. 5.16 . as well as Strong meat . Bread is the Staff of Life , take away Bread , and a Morsel of strong Meat may be enough to overcome us ; so take away Christ , and when we had to do with some of the Doctrines in the Word of Truth without him , they would be too strong for us , and make us spit them out again : For Example , if we were left to consider the Infinite , naked Essence of God , his Divine Immensity would swallow us ; or if we were to consider the Infinite Holiness of God , Hab. 1.13 . that is of purer Eyes than to behold evil , and that cannot without an unspeakable Abhorrency , look on Iniquity ; if we were to ponder his strict and inexorable Justice , abstracting the consideration from the Person of the Mediatour , such a morsel of strong Meat would be so much beyond our Natures to endure , that we could not take the Name of God into our Mouths . We are such rotten Stubble since our Fall , that if we have not always to do with a God in Christ , Psal. 106.18 . Heb. 12.29 the Flame will burn up the wicked , for our God is a consuming Fire . We must never touch any strong meat , if we have not the Bread of God at hand . And we must not approach unto God immediately , but come thro' Christ to God , that he may behold us in the Son of his Love only . When we are famished , and cry unto God for Bread , as the Liberal Entertainments in the Dearth cryed unto Pharaoh , he sends us for supplyes to Christ ; says Pharaoh , Go unto Joseph , what he saith unto you , do , Gen. 41.55 . and saith God , This is my Beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased , hear ye him , Math. 17.5 . Gen. 47.12 This Joseph was sent into Egypt to nourish all his Fathers houshold with Bread , Chap. 45.7 . and save their Lives by a Greater Deliverance , than that other Joseph , when he saved the Lives of his Father's Houshold in the Type . What is man , that he should eat the Bread of his God! Psa. 8.4 . that he should have Christ at the meal , to eat with every morsel ! And yet thro' the Riches of Grace we have the True Bread to eat with Strong meat from Heaven ! Christ is our Bread at the Feast , or we could not live upon fat and Plenteous meat without him . Hab. 1.16 .

This is evident , and grounded upon those words , Joh. 6.32 . My Father giveth you the true Bread from Heaven , which is called the Bread of God , and more fully in the next Verse explained , Joh. 6.33 . For the Bread of God is He that cometh down from Heaven , — the Bread from Heaven 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , by way of eminence ; otherwise the Mannah of the Israelites in the Wilderness , is called Bread from Heaven too , as Neh. 9.15 . And gavest them Bread from Heaven for their Hunger ; so Psa. 105.40 . — and satisfyed them with the Bread of Heaven . But yet considering how infinitely short that Mannah was of the Blessings of Gospel-Grace , Christ makes a Distinction between the Bread of Moses , and the Bread of God , tho' Both came down from Heaven . He grants it to be That which came down from Heaven , but it was not * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . He that came down from Heaven . As if he had said , It was not Jesus Christ the Son of the Father , tho' it was Bread real , yet it was not Bread personal ; Moses gave you not Him , or That Bread from Heaven , Joh. 6.32 . middle part . To sum up all , It is as if he had told them , The Bread which God nourished your Fathers with miraculously , under the Dispensation of Moses , was not the intended , spiritual , Gospel-Bread , which God would send under a new Dispensation , but I am the Bread which my Father gives at Supper . The Israelites had Mannah , but now my Father offers Me. Thus , our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ is such Bread as is the Staff of Life to Faith .

Now in the Storehouse of the Gospel we are furnished with this Transcendent , Mysterious Bread . Oh! who ever beheld among Men or Angels such another Glorious Loaf as this ! he was stampt in the Mill , and ground to Powder , and then moulded into Bread for us , when it pleased the Father to bruise him ! Isa. 53.10 . Lo ! now there is Bread enough in our Father's House to go the whole Table round . This is the Bread that strengtheneth Man's Heart ; Ps. 104.15 . it hath a Faculty to preserve our Strength , and when our Strength is spent , a power to renew our Vigour : Tho' man lives not by other Bread , Matth. 4.4 . yet he lives by this Bread alone . It is Vnleavened Bread , who did no sin , neither was Guile found in his mouth . 1 Pet. 2.22 It is Bread to be eaten ; He that so loved the World as to give his Son , hath cast his Bread upon the waters among much People , to minister Bread for our Food . They that sold him indeed for Thirty pence did not think him to be Two hundred penny-worth of Bread to satisfie a multitude here in the Wilderness ; Psa , 34.8 . but we that have tasted that the Lord is good , must cry like the Daughters of the Horsleech , Pro. 30.15 . Give , give , Lord evermore give us this Bread ! Joh. 6.34 . And surely , as we should at all Times be affected , so more especially herewith when he is known of us in Breaking of Bread and in Prayers . Acts 2.42 .

4. The Living water . Bread and Water , Meat and Drink are coupled , they virtually comprehend all , and contain the several Particulars of a perfect and compleat Entertainment . The Provision that may be eaten is commonly under one General Term reduced to Bread , and the Portion to be drank , of whatsoever kind , may also alike be comprehended under the Name of Water . So that here is the Stay and the Staff , the whole Staff of Bread , and the whole stay of Water , Isa. 3.1 . only it must be remembred in a Conformity to the Scope of the Parable ( on which this Spiritual Feast is grounded ) that Bread Water , &c. are no more than Metaphorical and borrowed Terms , to express in a Figure Christ and the Benefits of the Gospel , representing them to our Faith under distinct and various Notions . Well , at the Supper of the Parable there is the Gift of this Living water : See Joh. 4.10 . If thou knewest the Gift of God , and who it is that saith to thee , Give me to drink , thou wouldest have asked of him , and he would have given thee Living Water . The Woman of Samaria questioned from whence it came , and did not believe it could be had in the manner Christ reported , Joh. 4.11 . From whence hast thou that Living water ? She apprehended no other than that Well of Sychar on the Place , her Eyes were yet opened to see no more than a common Well of water , she found out Jacob's , but saw not the Well of Jesus ; and therefore cries out , From whence hast thou that Living water ? But Christ directs her to seek it in the Benefits and offer of himself , who could furnish her with such a Water , as would never waste in using , but spring up into a Well of it in Him or in Her that drank it , Joh. 4.13 , 14. Whosoever drinketh of this Water ( that is , of this Well at Sychar , or any other Earthly water like it ) shall thirst again ; * * Quo plùs sint potae , plus sitiuntur aquae . ( thô it may somewhat allay and slake the thirst at present , yet it never advanceth the Partaker into the Fruition of any perfect Good ) but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him , * * Thirsts no more after any other Thing , neither thrô necessity or variety . Shaw's Immanuel , p. 211.212 . shall never thirst , but the water that I shall give him , shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting Life . Springing up . ] The Benefits of Christ which are set forth by Living water in this Gospel-Feast are like the Loaves in the Miracle that multiply in the Distribution ; Mark 8.19 20. for the more we drink of this Living water , the more we shall see still Flowing by . Christ is the Fountain of Life , Song 5.1 . and thô we drink abundantly , we shall never exhaust the ten Thousandth part of this Living Fountain-head . This is the true Rehoboth , Gen. 26.22 the spacious well that hath Room enough for every one that is athirst , Rev. 22.17 to come and drink round it . 2 Sam. 23 15. This water of the well of Bethlehem comes without Contention , and we need not call the Well Ezek: Gen. 26.20 . For as Christ now is Bread that we need not get with the Peril of our Lives , so he is Water , Lam. 5.9 . that , to fetch , 2 Sam. 23.16 . we are not bid like the three mighty in David's Guard , to break first thrô an Host that encamps against us . Psa. 27.3 . Joh. 4.28 . This is a Well where we may leave our water-pot , since when we have drank of the Water , we carry a well away with us . v. 14. It is the Lamb's Fountain , and thou mayst wring more out of this Fleece , than Gideon's a a Judg. 638 Bowl full , or Hagar's b b Gen. 21.15 bottle , or Elijah's four c c 1 Kings 18.33 . barrels of water . This is none of the bitter water that causeth the d d Num. 5 22. curse , but a Blessing , when it comes into the e e Ps. 109. ●● Bowels like water . Our other Drink is f f Hos. 4 . 1● so●●r , but this is a Fountain that yieldeth sweet water g g Jam. 3 11 . This Precious Liquor , this incomparable and true Aqua vitae , was set abroach upon the Tree of the Cross , when one of the Souldiers with a Spear pierc'd his side , and there forthwith came out Blood and (h) (h) Joh. 19.34 . water . And lo ! he continues still as a pure River of the water of life , running plentifully down the Gospel by his Guests at the Table side . In a word , he is water to cleanse our Filth , Rev. 22.1 . and water to quench our Thirst besides .

5. Flesh to eat . When the mixed multitude in the Wilderness fell a lusting , it was to eat Flesh , Num. 11.4 . insomuch that the Children of Israel wept again , and said , who shall give us Flesh to eat ? and can he provide Flesh for his People ? Psa. 78.20 . last words . But lo ! he that commanded the Clouds rained down . Flesh upon them as Dust , and feathered Fowls like as the sand of the Sea , v. 27. Who indeed would have looked for such a Shower ? for when they tempted God in the Desert , one might rather have feared he should have turned them to grass with their Flocks and Herds , than have rained Flesh out of the Clouds upon them . Yet tho' they had provoked God in the day of Temptation in the wilderness , he tells them on the morrow ye shall eat Flesh , Num. 11.18 . But alas ! what was their Flesh , tho' the Flesh of Quails , to the Flesh of Jesus Christ ? What was the Flesh he gave unto all this People , in comparison of the Flesh of the Son of God , which he gives the Soul to feed upon by Faith ? Jesus Christ yields a variety to the Faith of God's Elect ; Num. 21.5 . and it doth not follow , that their Soul , like those Israelites , doth loath him as light Bread , because their Soul also longeth for his Flesh to eat . But we may here lawfully put in that wish in Job , Oh! Job 31.31 . that we had of his Flesh ! God doth not call you to eat the Flesh of your Sons , Jer. 19.9 . but the Flesh of His ; nor the Flesh of your Friend , Zech. 13 7 but the Flesh of the man that is his Fellow . What strange Flesh was that which the Poor Woman in Samaria had , when she boiled her own Son for meat ! 2 Kings 6.29 . Isa. 13.18 . She parted with the Fruit of her Womb , being stricken thrô for want of the Fruits of the Field ! Lam. 4.9 . But 't is a more astonishing wonder , that God parted with the Son of his Bosom , that we might eat the Flesh of this Sacrifice ! And there is no fear of making our Brother to offend by eating this Flesh while the World standeth . 1 Cor. 8 . 1●

This mysterious Delicate the Flesh of Christ , contains the Benefits of the Gospel which make up this Royal Entertainment , that he purchas'd by his Death and Sufferings in the Flesh , when he was put to Death in the Flesh , 1 Pet. 3.18 but quickned by the Spirit . This Doctrine of the Flesh of Christ given for meat unto our Faith , is a further Exposition of the True Bread , Joh. 6.51 . And the Bread that I will give is my Flesh — Now God must be first manifest in the Flesh , 1 Tim. 3.16 . Rom. 8.3 . and in the likeness of sinful Flesh , and in this Flesh of ours die , to prepare meat for us ; for as the Creatures that have Life die , that we , a while in our Bodies , by their Death might live , so it is the very Flesh of Christ and him crucified that must give Life unto our Souls . His Flesh suffer'd , his Flesh was pierc'd , he was hung upon that Flesh book of the Cross , when God gave him to be meat unto us : His Flesh was powdered in the very Grave where other Things corrupt , but his Flesh did not see Corruption , Acts 2.31 . to be made ready as a sweet and Dainty Morsel for us . The wrath of God broke forth upon the Body he had prepared , Heb. 10.5 . and kindled a Fire in his Anger that even boil'd him as Flesh within the Caldron , Mic. 3.3 . and roasted him that his Flesh might be meat indeed for us , Joh. 6.55 . his Flesh was bor'd thro' and thro' , tho' not a Bone of him should be broken . Thus was he bruised for our Iniquities , Isa. 53.5 . or there should no Flesh be saved . Hence he hath spoken , Matth. 24.22 . ( Joh. 6.57 . last words , ) He that eateth me , even he shall live by me . This may serve to answer either the Jew's , or the unbelieving Gentile's Question , Joh. 6.52 . How can this Man give us his Flesh to eat ? it being not to be understood of a Sacramental eating , as the Rhemists gloss it , but a spiritual by Faith alone . Oh! how may we stand amaz'd at the Provisions in Him whose Name is Wonderful ! Isa. 9.6 . This is the Fifth Dish , the Flesh of Jesus Christ .

6. Blood to drink . Perhaps our Ignorant squeazy old man may loath it , as the Egyptians did to drink of the water of the River , Exod. 7.18 . after it was smitten with the Rod of Moses , and turned into Blood ; but our New-man redeemed by Blood will take great Delight in it . Alas ! we have sinn'd our selves into such a Feavour , that our own common Drink inflames ; we have kindled a Burning , which nothing but Blood , the Blood of Christ will quench : if man tryes to put the Fire out by any Works of Righteousness which he hath done , Tit. 3.5 . the sweat of his Brows will drop in , and like Oil still increase the Flame . Nay , it is not Water barely , separate from Blood , will quench our Anguish , tho' we trusted that we could , Job 40.23 . with the Behemoth , draw up Jordan into our mouths , we must still have Blood to drink . Oh! it requires great Faith in the Son of God to see it , for otherwise Corruption will make us too nice to be entertain'd with Blood . Faith , and Faith alone is kept alive by it ; it cannot , it needs not live upon a more Generous and Sprightly Liquor than this pure Blood of the Grape ; Deut , 32.14 . last words . 1 Pet. 1.2 . p●●t . it makes every Morsel of the Banquet Savoury , that 't is sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus Christ ! Flesh as before , and Blood now , do include the whole Body , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an intire Christ , every Thing in him ; it is not only Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Except ye drink his Blood too , ye have no Life in you , Joh. 6.53 . It is not meant of a corporal Drinking him Sacramentally , as the Papists say , that he speaks of in this Chapter , ( as under the former particular it was hinted to be neither spoken of a Sacramental Eating of his Flesh ) for then except ye partook every one of the Lords Supper , ye could not be saved ; whereas it might so happen , that no space is given ( at least to all ) after Conversion to partake of any other Lords Supper , than the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb in Heaven . Besides , it is principally to be considered , that the Lord's Supper was not instituted till afterwards , and therefore could not be here intended . Indeed it is most evidently a Truth , that we have Blood both ways to drink ; that is , we have it spiritually to receive by Faith , when the Soul ventures out to fetch in all that it needs from the Efficacy and vertue of this Blood ; and we have it also Sacramentally , as represented under the Element of Wine , while Love that bled , drops the earnest into our Hearts , and seals it up in us , ( this Consideration will fall in more properly under the Cup of Consolation ) . We are now to consider the Blood of Christ as it notes the special Application of it to the Soul for the Being and Support of a New Creature . And thus , it is rendred infinitely richer to the believing Soul than any vinous Liquor to make it fat and flourishing .

Drinking of the Blood of Christ implyes an Act of Faith in the Soul which receives all into it that was wrought by the Blood of Christ without it , or takes hold of the Vertue of this Blood , and applyes it to the proper Use and End which God himself hath given it . To make it more plain ; it is Blood to (a) (a) 1 Joh. 1.7 . Rev. 1.5 . Rev. 7.14 . cleanse , Faith steps out to this Blood , and brings in a cleansing vertue from it ; it is Blood to (b) (b) Isa. 34.3 . soften , Faith makes out to it , and receives in the foftning Influence of this Blood , till the Stone dissolves , and (c) (c) Ezek. 36.26 . mountains are melted with it : it is Blood to * * Col. 1.20 . atone , Faith runs for the Blood of Atonement hither : It is Blood to (d) (d) Acts 20.28 . Eph. 1.7 . Col. 1 : 14. Rev. 5.9 . redeem , Faith takes in the Redemption by it , and knows that the † † Job 19.25 . Redeemer lives . It is Blood to justifie , ( Rom. 5.9 . ) Faith rests here for absolution from Guilt , and real Imputation of a Perfect Righteousness without , to appear at the Bar of God in : It is Blood to confirm , Zech. 9.11 . Faith believes it shall be even as God hath spoken , and under its cloud looks up to the Blood of the Covenant , and sees this Bow in it . In a word , it is Blood to save , ( Rom. 5.9 , 10. ) and Faith makes readily out to it , 1 Tim. 6.12 . to lay hold upon Eternal Life . It is every way , as the Scripture speaketh abundantly of this Precious Blood , 1 Pet. 1.19 that Faith drinks it in . The manifold Benefits of this Blood of Christ do make it a Generous Drink to Faith , that as his Flesh is Meat , so his Blood is Drink indeed , Joh. 6.55 .

Blood under the Law was forbidden , Gen. 5.4 . but lo ! here is Flesh with the Life , Lev. 17.10 , 11. ( that is , with the Blood ) thereof allow'd us , Faith must receive it in the Antitype , tho' Sense was to refrain it under the Type : we must in all our Food have a recourse to the Mediatour , and when we eat of his Banquet , drink his Blood also . Job 31.17 . We must never eat of our morsel alone without the * * Heb. 12.24 . pt. Blood of Sprinkling . Indeed it could not have been a Banquet without Blood . Our Feast had been otherwise spoil'd , and all our fair Hopes spilled . Oh! Blessed , yea , for ever Blessed be the Master of our Feast for this One Thing among the All Things ready , even the † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 alludes both to the Sacrifices , and the Place of the Sprinkling the Blood . Charnock , Vol. 2d . p. 896. Propitiation which we have thro' Faith in his Blood , Rom. 3.25 . A Propitiation , ] 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Grateful Offering unto God , that every way pleas'd him . It was thro' the Scent of Blood , this perfumed Blood of Christ in the Nostrils of Jehovah , that God was well pleased . In whom we have Redemption thro' his Blood , according to the Riches of his Grace , Eph. 1.7 . * * In effusione Sanguinis fuit complementum Satisfactionis . Davenant in Ep. ad Col. ch. 1.14 . p. 91. Satisfaction to Justice was compleated , when he had filled the Ephah with his Blood for the measure of our sins . Christ came not by Water only , tho' a Fountain to wash in , or a Well to drink of , but he came by Water and Blood , 1 Joh. 5.6 . swimming htro ' two Seas at once . Water may signifie his coming to sanctifie Vs , and Blood to satisfie God for us : Our Holiness springs from one , as he is made of God to us sanctification , and our Happiness flowes from the other , as he is made both our Righteousness and Redemption . 1 Cor. 1.30 .

The maintaining of Justification ( as a * * Charnock , 2d . Vol. p. 1186. Great man observes ) by this Blood seems to be the Great contest between the True Church and the Antichristian State . It hath many Enemies , especially those two Bands of Warriours , the Papists and Socinians , 2 Pet. 2.1 . that carry away the Beauty of the Cross by denying the Lord that bought them : It seems to be the more deformed in the Latter , because they have renounced many Romish Abominations , but will still retain the Greatest . And yet the Socinians , to take off the Efficacy of Christs Blood on the Cross , positively assert that he now maketh the Expiation , where he maketh the Intercession . Christ makes our Peace ( say they ) now in Heaven by the * * Virtute & Potestate plenâ & absolutâ quam à Patre consecutus est ▪ Cateches . Racov. ( mihi ) 16ᵒ. An. 1651. Absolute Power he hath with the Father there ; which if true , must shut him wholly out of Heaven as a Mediatour of the Covenant , to admit him in as the Second Person only in the Godhead . But our High-Priest hath not entred into the Holy of Holies without Blood , Heb. 9.7 . which he once offered for the Errours of the People , nor yet as the High Priests of Old , with the Blood of Goats and Calves , but by his own Blood , he entred in once into the Holy Place , † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , when he had found out , or obtained a Redemption for us , it must not be construed in the present Tense . having obtained Eternal Redemption for us , Heb. 9.12 . so that our Redemption is by his Blood , and was accomplished antecedently to his ascending into Heaven , and sitting at the Right Hand of God . It is the Merit of his Blood he carried up with him , and which he still , in his Intercession as a Priest , pleads there . So that the Notion of Christs reconciling us to God [ by an absolute Power in Heaven , ] without any reference to his Blood , shed on Earth , is a Socinian Dream , which , with every one that is awake , and stands up from the Dead , will vanish . The Gospel had been a Dry Feast , whatever Socinians think of it , if He that made it , had not given us Blood to drink . In a word , Phil. 3.18 . they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ , who will not know him Crucifyed . And we must contend earnestly for the Faith , Jude 3. and for the Faith in his Blood , since a whole * * Vt priùs . School of Prophets would rob us of the Cup of the New Testament in Christs Blood ( considered meritoriously , ) Luk. 22.20 as well as a Colledge of Jesuites deprive us of the same Sacramentally by denying the Cup in the Lords Supper .

7. The Lamb of God . Christ is still represented in the Scripture by a copious variety at his Supper of the Parable . As we have the Blood of Christ provided , so it is of the Lamb * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 immaculate , . 1 Pet. 1.19 . a Lamb without Blemish , and without Spot . The word signifies one so perfectly every way accomplisht , that a carping Momus which finds fault with every thing , or the very Herodians that lye in wait to catch him , shall yet find out no Righteous Charge against him , this Dish at our Feast was Typically represented by the Paschal Lamb : For so we read in the Institution of the Jewish Passover , Exod. 12.8 . That all the Congregation of Israel were to take every man a Lamb , Exod. 12.5 according to the house of their Fathers , a Lamb for a house . This male of the first year taken out from the Sheep , or from the Goats , was a very apt representation of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World , as we read in the Salutation of John , when he seeth Jesus , Joh. 1.29 . In the Passover the Lamb was entire and undivided , in the Gospel it is a whole Christ prepared , his entire Humane Nature united to the Godhead , his whole Body and his whole Blood set forth collectively under one , as before we had him all distributively under two , that is , Bread and Water , Flesh and Blood apart . We may behold him here in the Lamb , as an entire mess that is served all in at once . We read it particularly express'd , that when Samuel entertained Saul and his Servant , there was a single joynt provided , 1 Sam. 9.24 . ( and indeed one was enough for Saul who had no portion with David , ) The Cook took up the shoulder , and that which was upon it , and set it before Saul : but God required the Jews to make ready their Lamb , as it consisted of every joynt whole , not so much as the Legs or Appurtenances thereof excepted , Exod. 12.8 . to signifie a Redeemer that was not to be parted , but to be given all away . This is the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World , Rev , 13.8 . latter part , that is , he was determinately slain in the Counsel and Fore-knowledge of God , being infallibly ordained to it , and therefore lookt upon by God that hath yesterday , to day and for ever always present before him , as if it had been done from thence actually ; and he was slain virtually , for Adam had the benefit thereof from the beginning , when God promised the seed , Gen. 3.24 . before he drove out the man , as much as if the Act had passed . Well , the Table of the Gospel hath this most Glorious Provision on it of the Lamb slain , and slain actually for the Entertainment in these last Days . Heb. 1.2 . Lo ! God hath pitied the Lost Sinner , like that poor wayfaring man , and hath not spared to dress of the Lamb that lay in his own Bosom for him . 2 Sam. 12.3 . This Lamb of the first year , this Firstling of the Flock is brought as a Lamb to the Slaughter to be serv'd up in meat for them to whom it is the Fathers good pleasure to give the Kingdom . Isa. 53.7 . Luk. 12.32 This Lamb was a richer present from the King of Heaven , thô One , than that which the King of Moab rendred unto the King of Israel in one hundred Thousand Lambs , 2 King 3.4 and as many Rams with the Wooll . It is true of Believers on Earth , as well as spoken of such in Heaven , the Lamb shall feed them . Rev. 7.17 .

8. The Fatted Calf for Prodigals . The Gospel and the Blessings of it by Christ in the sumptuous Provisions made ready are set forth in a Parable by Christ , under the very same Resemblance . We need not be any ways asham'd of Christ or his words , Mark 8.38 in this adulterous and sinful Generation , nor think it low Divinity to preach , or speak as Christ teacheth us . He tells us , Luke 15.13 . of a younger Son that gathered all together , and took his Journey into a far Countrey , and there wasted his Substance with Riotous living , and that he had * * V. 14. spent all , tho' he went off at first with never so great a Stock , and he began to be in want ; but yet afterwards , when he * * v. 20. arose and came to his Father , his Father , when he was yet a great way off , saw him , hath compassion on him , embraceth him , bringeth him into his House , and presently ordereth a sumptuous , costly Entertainment to treat him at coming home . * * v. 23. Bring hither the Fatted Calf , and kill it , and let us eat and be merry . This is the Parable , this is the Letter , but let us see how the Spirit giveth more life . 2 Cor. 3.6 . last words .

The Great God in the dispensation of the Gospel deals after the same way with Sinners . We Foolish Gentiles were once like this younger Son , happy and wanting nothing in our Father's House , God made man upright , Jews and Gentiles were both in Adam perfect : But we quickly grew Prodigal , and run into a great excess of riot ; Eccl. 7.29 [ we sought out many Inventions . ] Acts 11.18 But nevertheless under a new Covenant God hath granted Repentance unto Life , Heb. 2.10 . in the bringing of many Sons and Daughters unto Glory , and he hath brought forth an Entertainment upon his receiving of poor Gentiles home . These tender mercies of our God were displeasing to the Elder Son , Luk 1.78 . and grievous in the sight of the Jews . These had , tho' the Parable doth not expresly note it , Gen. 21.11 . 12. been taken first , ( after the Revolt in Adam ) into their Father's House ; they had been brought into a Church-state a great while before , and treated so well with the Fatness of the Olive , they had forgot the Poverty and Distress of the younger Brother , and grew angry to see how these Gentiles are treated with the Riches of the Gospel ; Rom. 11.17 . whereas he had never bestowed more than the Beggarly Elements of the Law on them , not so much as a Kid , nothing like this fatted Calf to rejoyce or be merry with . But lo ! Gal. 4.9 . however it pleaseth the Father , Luk. 15.29 tho' it angers his Eldest Son . He puts on Bowels , and is a Father of mercies to a wandring , disobedient Son ; he spares him , thô he were not a Son that serv'd him . Mal. 3.17 . He doth not leave poor hungry , and Thirsty Travellers to wander in the wilderness where there is no way , Psa. 107 40 Psal 103 . 1● but like as a Father pitieth his Children , he provideth a Gracious , Heavenly Entertainment ; killeth the best to invite the worst to Supper ; the Fatted Calf , the Furniture of Gospel Grace to feast us , that we might have an Allowance at the King's Table . 2 King . 〈◊〉 30. The Woman at Endor killed a Fat Calf to entertain a di distressed Prince , 1 Sam. 28.24 . but the Father in the Parable killeth his to entertain a distressed Prodigal . ●en. 18. v. 2.7 Abraham . killed his Calf for the sake of Three Angels , but He in the Parable for any one Sinner that repenteth to cause a joy among Angels . Luk. 5.10 .

9. The Marrow of rich Forgiveness . The Forgiveness of Sins ( where the poor Soul hath been made sensible of Sin and Wrath , both as guilty and condemned ) is such a Provision of the Grace of God , as well resembles Marrow . The Remission of sins that are past , ( Rom. 3.25 . ) is a Hearty , supporting Diet for us , being * * Pro. 16.24 Health unto the Soul , and a morsel that makes the Bones fat . Prov. 15.30 . When Christ speaks to the Paralytick , ( Mat. 9.2 . ) Son be of good cheer , ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , take Heart , Son ) thy Sins be forgiven thee . Thô his condition might have sunk him to the Heart , as we may gather from the word , yet the News of Remission was enough to recover his Spirits , and put him into Heart again . We may take notice of many a Poor Soul , that hath wanted the sense of Forgiveness , or Pardoning Love to help it , as Jonadab observed of Amnon ( one of the King's Sons ) that tho' he stood in so near a Relation to David , 2 Sam. 13.4 yet he was lean from Day to Day . But Forgiveness has holpen a poor Servant of the Lord's , thô lean-fleshed , that he hath been satisfied ( like David himself ) as with Marrow and Fatness , Psa. 63.5 . The Forgiveness of our sins is Health , but the Apprehension of our Guilt dryeth the bones . It breeds Marrow in us , when it hath been brought first as Marrow to us . Pro. 17.22 — The Lord shall satisfie thy Soul in drought , and make fat thy Bones , Isa. 58.11 . As there is a Present Refreshment , so it yields an after-Improvement of our Souls , when we are feasted , or fed with the Gracious Sense of Pardon . A Malefactor condemned to die would find a Feast unsavoury , and a Banquet made only to feed him against the day of Slaughter , Jam. 5.5 . but the news of a Pardon would make it sweet and Dainty . Now at the Table of the Gospel there is this Dish of Marrow set . Christ hath such a Plenty in himself , as affords of this sort also , in whom we have — the Forgiveness of Sins , Col. 1.14 . So Acts 13.38 . Be it known unto you therefore , Men and Bretheen , that thrô this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins . We must come indeed in Repentance , and 't is fit we should , to our Father , with the Ropes about our Necks , 1 Kings 20.31 . but he meets us as he did the Prodigal , and gives Remission to us ; as he makes a Feast , so he pardons our Fault , that we may partake of all acquitted .

10. The Food of Knowledge . I call it so , as warranted from that expression , Jer. 3.15 . I will give you Pastors according to my Heart , that shall feed you with Knowledge and understanding . Knowledge is Provision , your Souls are fed by Knowledge , as your Bodies are by Food . This is a sort of Spiritual Repast that may cause the Eater in some measure to express it like that of Solomon — Yea my Heart had great experience of wisdom . Eccl. 1.16 It is a Dish , that the more we take of , the clearer we find our * * He was refreshed , and recovered his lost spirits , whereof part went into his optick nerves and so clear'd his sight , which was much darkned by Famine , as is usual . Mr. Pool . Eye-sight . Jonathan when he put forth the end of the Red that was in his hand , and dipt it in an honey-comb , and put his hand to his mouth , his Eyes were enlightned , 1 Sam. 14.27 . He was almost Blind with Famine , that is , † † Being enfeebled with extreme Labour and Emptiness , his Eyes waxed dimm , which now by this little refreshing were enlightened again . Arthur Jackson . his Spirits were so weak for want of Food , that he could not discern as at other Times ; but a little refreshment reviv'd him , fetcht his Spirits again , and made his Sight clearer ; so when Wisdom entreth into thine Heart , and Knowledge is Pleasant unto thy Soul , ( Prov. 2.10 . ) it is a Provision that giveth Vnderstanding to the Simple . This makes the Eyes of the Spouse like the Fish-pools of Heshbon , ( Cantic. 7.4 . ) * * Fuller , Pisgab Sight , pt. 1st . p 66. of a clear and perspicuous vision in the mysteries of Christ .

Now in the Gospel-Entertainment there is this Food of Knowledge ready . Our Great Provider when he maketh a Feast doth not starve our Judgments . He makes ready enough to suffice the Faculties of a Man , or the Graces of a Christian . This of Knowledge is a Portion of his Feast he sends our Understandings . He provides Good Doctrine to rectifie and inform a Bad Judgment . The Lord appoints us his Truth , that hereby we may know ( and avoid ) the Spirit of Error , ( 1 Joh. 4.6 . ) The Gospel is the Treasury of Wisdom , that however we may be * * 1 Cor. 4.10 . Fools for Christ , yet we may not appear Fools , and of no Understanding , in him . We have lost our Knowledge which we had in Adam at our first Table in Paradice , and therefore have Food again at our second Table in Christ , that * * Col. 3.10 . renews us in Knowledge . We had gone so long Fasting , that we were empty of the things of God , but now have a Gospel that we may be † † chap. 1.9 . filled with the knowledge of his Will. The Knowledge of the Gospel indeed still encreaseth our Appetite , whets our Mind , provokes us into more Enquiries , and follows Vs , Hos. 6.3 . until we follow on to know the Lord ; but withall affords so large a measure , that our utmost Capacities may run over , tho' the Hand that fills us doth also press our Measure down . The Gospel is a Feast that contains the utmost encrease of Knowledge , 1 Cor. 13.2 . pt. it hath all Mysteries and all Knowledge , and he that partakes of the Entertainment shall know of the things , what they are , and find how they are all given of God , to encrease our understanding . It is the Meat and Drink of a Christian to know , as it was of Christ , to do his Father's Will. The Feast is a Feast of Knowledge , and while you are feeding , you may be adding still to what you have , not only to Virtue , Knowledge , as 2 Pet. 1.5 . that is , one kind of Grace to another , but even to Knowledge it self a larger measure and Degree of Understanding .

11. The Nourishment of Faith . As in the Gospel you may be fed with Knowledge , so also nourished up in the words of Faith and of Good Doctrine . The Apostle doth very expresly in that place , 1 Tim. 4.6 . compare our Faith , or reception of the saving Truths of the Gospel , to Nourishment . You may eat , but you will not thrive without it . We may have the Word for our Food , but it will not Nourish us , if it be not mingled with Faith to make it nutrimental , Heb. 4.2 . For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them , but the Word preached did not profit them , not being mixed with Faith in them that heard it . Not being mixed , ] or as the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Word may import , not incorporated by mixing . The Food must unite , incorporate , be turn'd into † † In succum & sanguinem . an Alimentary Juice , mingle it self with our Blood and Spirits to make it nourishing . Thus , Faith must unite and incorporate , mix the Provisions with the New Creature , before we are by the Word of the Gospel nourished up in our Father's House . Faith is so nourishing a Provision to the New Nature , that the just are said to live by it , Hab. 2.4 . Heb. 10.38 . The Doctrine of Faith in the Gospel , and the Grace of Faith in the Soul , do make a blessed Nourishment in the New Man , when Both meet together . Faith is the Gift of God , Eph. 2.8 . and the Fruit of Christ's meritorious Purchase , it is given in the behalf of Christ , Phil. 1.29 . Faith , as * * Mr. Anthony Burgess , Spiritual Refinings , Fol. 1st . pt. p. 62 , and p. 169. one expresseth , hath several Acts , Knowledge , Assent , Fiducial Application ; and the Scripture doth by a Synechdoche express the whole Nature of Faith by one Act of it . Now the Gospel-Provision affords and maintains such a Principle in the Soul , as exerts Faith in the Complex , and produceth it in all its various Acts. Heb. 8.2 . There is not a Guest of the True Table which the Lord hath pitched , and not Man , but he hath Ordained among other Provisions for him like precious Faith with Vs . 2 Pet. 1.1 . There 's not a Saint but shall find it in the All things ready ; Luk. 14.17 . it is one of the Parts , and not the least of the Entertainment ; and it is a Dish to be had at this Feast only . A Man full of Faith , like Stephen , Acts 6.8 . is one whom the Entertainment nourisheth and cherisheth , Eph. 5.29 . Psal. 17.14 . and hath had his Belly filled with hid Treasure . Rom. 10.8.17 . The Word of Faith which we preach , and your Faith that comes by hearing is some of the Royal Provision of the King's Meat , Dan. 1.5 . to be found at God's Table only .

12. The Feast of Holiness , inward Sanctification of the Heart by a cleanly purifying Bunch of Hyssop , better than a Dinner of any other Herbs . This clean Hyssop may be said for the Virtue of it , as was of the grown Mustard-seed for its Dimensions , Mat. 13.32 . to be the greatest among Herbs . Nay , indeed we are not here speaking of such a poor , low statur'd Hyssop as with us runs upon the ground , but of that which runs up in the Man whose Name is the * * Some indeed affirm litterally that haec Planta in Judae● arborescet . Grotius in Joh. 19.29 ▪ Branch , ( Zech. 6.12 . ) into a Tree as high as Heaven : It is from hence that this purifying Branch , or Holy Bunch is gathered . Christ is He who of God is made unto us — Sanctification — 1 Cor. 1.30 . I ground the Comparison on the Ceremonial Cleansing of the Leaper , as was instituted under the Law , Lev. 14.4 . where among other purifying Ingredients , this of the Hyssop is one , to which David alludes , as it Typed out the righteous Branch to be rais'd to David , Jer. 23.5 . when he cries out in the Bitterness of his Soul for this sweet Herb in the Garden of God , Ezek. 28.13 , &c. to dress his other Meat ; see Psal. 51.7 . Purge me with Hyssop , and I shall be clean : as if he had broken out into this Self-abhorrency , I am a filthy Leaper , Joh. 13.10 and I need to eat of the Dish that is most fit to cleanse me , let me be therefore every whit clean thro' this sanctified Provision made ready , 1 Pet. 1.16 . Rev. 22.11 being neither * * Act. 11.8 . common nor unclean it self . I would be Holy as God is Holy , and tho' by Nature and Practice I am now otherwise , yet I would not remain filthy still .

Now in the Gospel our Feast-maker hath also provided this blessed Dish ready : God hath prepared his Table of hallowed Bread , Holy , as well as Evangelical Furniture , Holiness it self to Feast you with a pure Conscience . 1 Tim. 3.9 . As this is the Will of God , even your Sanctification , 1 Thes. 4.3 . so it is the Work of God to form it , Ezek. 36.25 , 26 , 27. As the Precept of the Gospel requires Holiness , Heb. 12.14 without which no Man shall see the Lord , so the Promise doth encourage it , and the Spirit by an Almighty Operation works it : He creates a Principle within that yields it , and a Life without that acts it ; for 'till Grace be infused into the Heart , it cannot in the Conversation be diffused or shed abroad .

There is Sanctification enough provided to supply our utmost wants thereof ; a Stock of it prepared , to serve for Spirit , Soul and Body , as the Apostle Prayeth for his Thessalonians to be throughly Feasted with it , 1 Thes. 5.23 . And the very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly , and I pray God your whole Spirit , and Soul , and Body , be preserved blameless unto the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . God would not have a Feast to be made under the Gospel without a universal Holiness , to run thro' all the Parts of it : Provision that sanctifieth , and Provision sanctified , Holy it self , and to make Vs Holy too . Indeed ( as he saith * * Isa. 3● . 24 . ) if the very Oxen and the young Asses that ear the ground , should eat clean Provender , which had been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan , much more would he assign holy Diet for his Table in these dayes of our Purification . Corrupt † † Mal. 1.7 Priests . may , but our Great High-Priest will never set any Polluted Bread upon his Altar .

13. The Hidden Mannah of Election . This is one of the glorious Dishes of our Feast , and was garnished from Eternity , to be serv'd up before our Face in Time : Mat. 13.35 Tho' it hath been a secret kept hid , Psal. 25 14. yet the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him . If the Lord open a wide Door , Rev. 3.8 . his People may look in and see what God hath done for them from Eternity in an * * 1 Kings 22.25 . inner Chamber . Our Work here is to † † 1 Tim. 6.12 . fight , and hereafter to him that overcometh will he give to eat of the hidden Mannah , Rev. 2.17 . This overcoming indeed will be fully known in Heaven , and yet the Saints shall obtain lesser Victories before . 2 Tim. 2.3 . The good Souldiers shall gain the * * 2 Tim. 2.5 . 1 Cor. 15.57 . Mastery , tho' not the Crown here , through our Lord Jesus Christ that giveth us the Victory . For when we have so much of that Faith ( spoken of under the eleventh particular ) as to have Victory over the World , 1 Joh. 5.4 . and other Enemies by it ; this is the overcoming in this Life , that so far as is consistent with the Knowledge of our Election here , we are become the Brethren beloved of God , and knowing also our Election , 1 Thes. 1.4 . Indeed the Saints do rather taste than eat of this Hidden Mannah here : God gives them some , Job 26.14 . but lo ! how small a Portion is it now ? 't is no more than just to save their longing ; he reserves it as it were for Glory , Exod. 16.33 . to bring forth the whole Pot hereafter : 'T is too rich a Dish for every Saint while on Earth to spend upon in common . Thou must be contented to see this Dish as it were but now only served in , and must not murmur at the good Man of the House , Matth. 20.11 . if it be carried off ( as to a great part ) again , and laid up in the Secrets of God , from whence it came forth , to be kept unto the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19.7 .

It is clear from the Spirit of Revelation that there is an Election of Persons , tho' some would throw in their Vote , to decide it for Propositions , being Enemies to the Apostle's word * * Rom. 8.30 . Eph. 1.5 . 1 Cor. 2.16 . Predistinated , and bring in that vain thing , Post-destination ; but the Apostle who had the mind of Christ , hath given us a clear light shining in this dark Place , Eph. 1.4 . According as he hath chosen us in Him before the Foundation of the World . The Father pitch'd upon an Elect Company , whom first he gave to Christ , and afterwards bestow'd Christ on them ; so 2 Thes. 2.13 . God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation thro' sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth : Which place discovers the Election of Means , as well as the End , Faith and Holiness here , as well as Salvation in Heaven . That also is a full Text and a comfortable , 2 Tim. 2.19 . Nevertheless the Foundation of God standeth sure , having this Seal , the Lord knoweth them that are his . We may look upon our selves as the lost Sheep of the House of Israel , Matth. 15.24 . Joh. 10.14 . but the Good Shepherd knows the Sheep by a Mark the Sheep see not . The Scripture also speaketh individually , and in the Distribution of this hidden Mannah , gives a Portion as it were to seven , Eccl. 11.2 . and also to eight ; a few particular Women , with Clement also , and other Fellow-Labourers with the Apostle , whose Names are in the Book of Life , Nomina non nisi singulo●um . Phil. 4.3 . The Doctrine of Election is so personal , as well as express , that the Spirit of God in the Scripture descends so low as to a Rufus , chosen in the Lord , Rom. 16.13 . and the Elect Lady , 2 Epist. Joh. v. 1. Thus we have a manifestation thro' the Word , of the Secrets in this Pot of Mannah , being the Mystery of his Will , which he hath purposed in himself , Eph. 1.9 . The Scripture also lays it down absolutely , without any limitations of it to the foreseen Conditions of Man's Faith and Obedience : It is he hath Chosen , not as he foresaw we would be Holy , Eph. 1.4 . but positively that we should be Holy . The Lord in tender as well as sovereign Mercies , did not look to what we might be , ( That had left Salvation uncertain to every one ) or to what we would be , ( That might have concluded us all immediately under Wrath ) but he lookt to his own Pleasure , what we should be , Rom. 9.23 . when he made us Vessels of Mercy ( and that makes Salvation certain unto some . ) I say , the Scripture lays it down absolutely , without any conditionality : Names are written so close in the Book of Life , that it leaves not room to put in an [ If ] between . — The Children being not yet born , neither having done any good or evil , that the Purpose of God according to Election might stand , not of works , but of him that calleth , Rom. 9.11 . I know * * See Dr. Hammond upon the Place . some do Interpret the Place by restraining it to point out God's Election of Jacob to a better Condition than Esau in the Temporals of this Life : But , 1. Esau's Temporal Portion compar'd with Jacob's was not so much behind his Brother's , as to make a Parallel to the Divine Love or Hatred , v. 13. Jacob have I loved , but Esau have I hated . Now , tho' God did not bestow the Land of Canaan upon the Posterity of Esau , yet he gave them Mount Seir , Deut. 2.5 . and he seems to bestow more in outward Things upon his Person , than he did on Jacob , sets him up as my Lord Esau with four hundred Men , Gen. 32.4 . v. 6. which were large Crusts and Parings of Common Bounty , to throw a Dog with this Motto on his Collar , Rom. 9.13 . Esau have I hated . 2. These Men which speak of an Election from foreseen Works in the matters of Eternity , would do well to give us some fair Account why the Election then here in Temporals ( as they suppose it ) is yet an Election not at all of Works . Now sure if Works take so much with God , that he chooseth from the foresight of them to an everlasting State of Happiness , it might seem the more congruous to Reason , that God should have chose the Temporal Lot and Condition of those two Brothers , from the same things foreseen : If they resolve it , as they must , into the good Pleasure of God , that he acted as a Sovereign in this Election to Temporals , being said expresly , Rom. 9.11 . not of Works , but of him that calleth ; then why must not God be allowed as well to be sovereign in the other , but ty'd to our Works there ? Alas ! what should we gain by Limiting the Holy One of Israel ? Psal. 78.41 . for the allowing God a Sovereignty doth ( as was said before ) make Salvation sure unto some , whereas the leaving it upon the Mutability and unstedfastness of our Wills , had been to make Salvation equally uncertain , and very doubtfull , if not impossible to all .

The Spirit of God fixeth upon a variety of * *

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mat. 11.26

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rom. 9.11 .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Act. 2.23 .

Words in the New Testament , to express this Doctrine of Election by , and discovers that the very Calling , that is , an Efficacious , saving Call of Grace in working the New Creature , is but subservient to an Eternal Purpose , Rom. 8.28 . but that Purpose carries security in its Bosom , for the Election hath always obtain'd it , Rom. 11.7 . They are not vain words , but * * Deut. 32.47 . it is your Life , in those words of Peter , 2 Pet. 1.10 . Wherefore the rather , Brethren , give diligence to make your † † It is dangerous to tread on the highest round first , and here it is impossible Culverwet The White Stone , p. 167. Calling and Election sure . God does not only write down the Names of his Elect in the Book of Life , but he writes such a Nature or Law within their Hearts , that they may at last be brought to read their Names in that other Volume of his Book .

I know this Mannah we are treating of doth not please every Man's Taste : tho' Grace counts it pleasant , Corruption calls it fulsom , and the Old Man in our Flesh spits it up again . Election ! Joh. 6.60 . Election ! This is a hard saying , who can hear it ? alas ! it savours so much of the Sovereign Grace of God , that Man is too prone to rebel , and fight against God . We have a clear Specimen or Proof hereof from the Jews , when Christ Preacht up this Subject to that untoward generation ; Acts 2.40 . see Luk. 4. from the 25th . to the 29th . Verse ; they bore his Discourse , 'till he came to Limit the Grace of God unto some , Jude v. 22. making a Difference , as , Tho' there were many Widdows in Israel , in the dayes of Elias , yet unto none of them was Elias sent , save unto Sarepta , a City of Sidon , unto a Woman that was a Widdow ; and many Lepers were in Israel in the time of Elizeus ( or Elisha ) the Prophet , and none of them was cleansed saving Naaman the Syrian : And lo ! now they can bear no longer , but break out into a Rage , and would have cut off the Preacher , tho' the Prince of Life ; Acts 3.15 . and murder'd him , if they could , before the time . — All they in the Synagogue when they heard these things , were filled with wrath , and rose up , and thrust him out of the City , and led him unto the Brow of the Hill , ( whereon their City was built ) that they might cast him down headlong : They grew outragious , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , they were filled with a Stomachful wind , and would have let out That , and the Blood of our Lord at the Brow of the Hill together : Their Fury was precipitant , and would have Tumbled him ( if it had been possible ) into Hell , for Preaching a Doctrine he brought them down from Heaven .

It is true , 2 Cor. 12.1 that the Grace of the Gospel doth not bring the Elect to Visions and Revelations , and unwritten means of knowing it ; v. 7. it does not exalt them above measure , to carry them into the Heights , and open the Book of Election immediately , as it lyes before the Face of God . 1 Cor. 4 . 6● This is to be wise above what is written , and to pretend to open what is shut up in the Purposes of Eternal Counsel : For Election was first in God , but 't is to be last seen of Us ; He began , but we must end with it . We are not to look only to the Purposes of Grace in God's mind from everlasting , but must take in his Operative Grace ( as * * Dr. Goodwin's Works Fol. 2d . Vol. on Election . p. 9. a great Man expresseth it ) in Calling , comprehended under it . The Grace of the Gospel instead of leaving us to climb up to the Throne of God , carries us humbly to the Foot of Jacob's Ladder , and sets us up upon the Round of Sanctification that stands next to us , from which tho' our Beginnings are small , Job 8.7 . yet our latter End shall greatly encrease , 'till it reach out from the Root-Grace in Election , to the Top-stone in Glory : Zech. 4.7 . It carries us unto the Bible in the written Word , and directs us to read the Transcript , or the Hand-writing within our Heart , Col. 2.14 . and by the Help of this Fescue we may see whose Image and Superscription we bear , Matth. 22.20 . and when we discern Grace , we may surely read both our Election and the Epistle of Christ together . 2 Cor. 3.3 . This brings in

14. The Royal Dainties of Assurance : Election and Assurance are both so nigh of kin , Eph. 2.15 . that of twain they make up ( in the Point of Comfort and Satisfaction about our State ) one clear Evidence in the New Man . From the Knowledge of our Sanctification springs the Knowledge of our Election , and from the Knowledge of our Election springs up Assurance . The Chain of Salvation is fastened with sure Links , tho' some of the poor Saints can discern neither end of it . Rom. 8.30 . Moreover whom he did praedestinate , them he also called ; and whom he called , them he also justified ; and whom he justified , them he also glorified . Royal Dainties of Assurance . ] It deserves a high Name : Jacob in blessing Asher his second Son by Zilpah , whom she had Named the Son of her Happiness , Gen. 30.13 bestows this Kingly Epithite upon his Table , Gen. 49.20 . Out of Asher his Bread shall be fat , and he shall yield Royal Dainties . Assurance is the white-stone , on which the New Name Copied out of the Book of Life is written , Rev. 2.17 . latter part . — And will give him a White Stone , and in the Stone a New Name written , which no Man knoweth , saving he that receiveth it . The Holy Ghost seems to allude , as * *

Durham .

Dr. J. Collings , Supplement to Mr. Pool's Engl. Annotations .

Interpreters observe , to the Judicial Custom of some Heathen Nations , in their Acquitting and Condemning Malefactors , as also in their Elections of men to any Trust or Honour , in all which they were wont to take white and black Stones ; on the white Stones were written the Names of the Persons absolv'd or chosen , and on the black Stones was no Name written : Now he that received the Black Stone , if a Malefactor , was surely Cast and Executed ; if a Candidate , or one that stood for an Election , yet ( nigro carbone notatus ) he was rejected ; but He that had the White Stone , with his Name upon it , was acquitted from the Punishment , or honourably Chosen into Place or Priviledge : So the Assurance of the Favour of God in Electing or Accepting Grace and Love , is compar'd to the Name written upon the White Stone of him that was sav'd alive , or made Choice of . These are the Royal Dainties of the Gospel , which are made ready at this Supper of the Parable , and unto some are given , tho' our Father which is in Heaven doth not Carve them to every one that eats of the Childrens Bread . Truth of Grace , and Assurance of Grace , are a Blessed Couple , tho' they often dwell asunder . The Apostle speaks of a * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Plerophory , or a Full Assurance , Heb. 6.11 . and Chapt. 10.22 . But the Spirit doth not fill every Sail we hoise , but often breaths in a lesser Gale , when we make towards Immanuel's Land . The Knowledge of our Personal Election and Assurance of Eternal Life , are Royal Dainties that none can receive , except it be given him ( in a peculiar manner ) from above . Joh. 3.27 . We read our Evidences for Heaven ( says † † Dr. Bates , Sermons on Death , p. 171. an eminent Divine ) in the Light of God's Countenance : And as he was a free Agent at first to cast his Eye , so he is still at sovereign Liberty where he will cause his Face to shine . Psal. 67.1 .

15. The Evangelical Honey-comb dropping Free-Grace . A Honey-comb of it self drops , you need not wring out the sweetness of it . 1 Sam. 14.26 . And when the People were come into the Wood , the Honey dropped : The coming of the People into that Wood had no Influence upon the Honey , nor their continuance by it any Vertue upon the Distillation , but it dropt from its own * * i. e. A Natural Disposition while it flows , to fall down in Drops . intrinsick fluency : So the Grace of God distills of its own accord , it drops upon the Creature freely , this Honey - Dew that descends upon the Mountains of Sion comes of its own accord . Psal. 133.3 . The Lord commands the Blessing , and it tarries for no concurrence in any of the Sons of Men. Mic. 5.7 . If God doth but break his Love to Us , 't is a Love that drops , a Love that distills so fast , we need no Hand to squeeze it . Now the Gospel is the Treasury where it drops , this is our Canaan now that floweth with Milk and Honey . Numb. 13.27 . Lo ! here God hath provided the Rivers , Job 20.17 . the Floods , the Brooks of Noney and Butter . Grace is a Stream that 's Free , and runs without Desert , or else it would be a River like Jordan , Psal. 114.3 . quickly driven back .

When he hath brought Us into his Banquetting-House , we shall see it to be his Arms drawn over the Banner of Love ; Cantic. 2.4 . I will love them freely , Hos. 14.4 . It is a Free Gift , and we need not be shye to take it : This is a Honey that Bring 's the King's Blessing , a Jonathan may come in , and need not fear a Saul's Curse to eat it . 1 Sam. 14.27 , 28. This Honey-comb of Free-Grace may be mixt with all our Acknowledgments we make to God , Psal. 101.1 . when we sing of Mercy . Tho' common Honey was forbidden to be used in any Sacrifice under the Law , Lev. 2.11 . yet we cannot offer the Sacrifice of Praise under the Gospel , Zech. 4.7 . lat. pt. if we mix not This Honey , and cry Grace , Grace , unto it . This hath a sweeter Taste than any , it is beyond any Corporal Preparations , being sweeter than Honey or the Honey-comb : How sweet are thy words unto my Taste , yea sweeter than Honey to my Mouth ! Psal. 119.103 .

16. The Fatness of God's House in Ordinances : He hath made ready the Ministry , which he hath given to be Meat , and Ordinances as the Dishes in which the Feast is serv'd . He appoints Divine Institutions as Food for Nourishment , and Divine Officers to administer the Banquet too : He affords a Divine Presence in his own Appointments , which fattens and fills them up unto us : His Paths drop Fatness , Psal. 65.11 when he walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks . Rev. 2.1 . There be Fat Sacrifices in God's House , tho' we can perform but poor lean Service . When we bring our own , we offer lean Kine ; but if we offer his , they are Fatlings that come up with Acceptance upon his Altar . Isa. 60.7 . We are apt indeed to wait upon the Lord , 1 Cor. 7.35 . and attend with much Distraction , but lo ! in God's House when we see what he hath done , there we shall behold the Fat and the Head in Order . Lev. 1.12 . God's House is rich , you shall meet with enough to spend on there , and to carry home besides . Many a Favourite of God's , when he hath gone from an Ordinance , hath found that a Mess of Meat hath followed him from the King . 2 Sam. 11.8 . Oh! the Stores that God hath brought forth in Ordinances , as Scriptures , Sermons , Sacraments , and a House-full of Prayer and Praise , by which he says , ( as to his People , at the slaughter of Gog ) Ye shall be filled at my Table ! Fzek. 39.20 . form . part . If you go into the Sanctuary and enquire , you shall find God doth not keep an empty House for you , but he makes such Provisions in the Ordinances for his Guests , Psal. 36.8 . that they shall be satisfyed with the Fatness of thine House .

17. The Supplies of the Spirit of Jesus . Ordinances will not of themselves be a Feast without God's Spirit : Rom. 1.4 . He must be a Spirit of Holiness to regenerate , and a Spirit of residence to inhabit , a Spirit to change , and a Spirit to dwell in us , that may abide with us for ever . Joh. 14.16 Now at this Feast he is wont to shed on us the Renewings of the Holy Ghost . Tit. 3.5 . It is the Office of the Spirit here to put us into a Capacity to glorifie God and enjoy him . The Spirit stamps a Divine Impression , and then witnesseth to us that we are the Children of God . Rom. 8.16 . We lose much of the Savour of the Word , when we have forgotten how it sounded forth ; the Spirit therefore is provided to quicken and refresh our Memories and Understandings , when it brings all things to our Remembrance : Joh. 14.26 . It is to help our Infirmities in Prayer ; Rom. 8.26 . we know not what to Pray for as we ought , 'till the Spirit worketh a Sense of what we need , and stirreth up a Praying Frame in us . Christ had the Spirit without measure , Joh. 3.34 . an inexpressible Effusion of the Holy Ghost was poured forth on him , and he hath made ready some Droppings of that Spirit to descend on Vs , as we sit at Meat . When your Spirit is faint , still he hath the Residue of the Spirit for you , Mal. 2.15 . when you cannot eat as you would of the King's Venison , God hath then provided you his Spirit to quicken you to your Meat , and make your Stomach sharper . You need not rise without a Supply of the Holy Spirit , where you may ( like the Disciples ) according to your measure , Act. 13.52 . be filled with the Holy Ghost . God's Spirit will make up the Imperfections of our own , and be helpfull still to furnish us , tho' we want spiritual Blessings in any heavenly things whatever : I will pour out my Spirit unto you , Prov. 1.23 . I will put my Spirit within you , Ezek. 36.27 . If you have had a little measure of the Spirit of God at one time , he hath prepared enough to infuse a Double Portion , which you shall receive perhaps at another time from the Fulness of the same Spirit . It is not only a Stook that will reach to some few Individuals , as suppose a Portion to Me and to Thee , but a supply for the whole Israel of God . And we may now under the Gospel expect a more plentifull Effusion of the Spirit to come , than hath been seen yet in Drops , and wait for the full Shower , until the Spirit be poured from on high , Isa. 32.15 . And in a word then , if you were never so greedy after this New Wine , you might still be filled with the Spirit . Eph. 5.18 .

18. The Morsel of Hope for them that fail not to sit with the King at Meat . We are saved by Hope , Rom. 8.24 . We are sometimes tost in a Storm at Sea , we are ready to be drown'd with our own Tumultuous Waves , but Hope steps in as an Anchor of the Soul , and saves our Ship from splitting , that we make no Wrack upon the Fair Havens side . The Sea is safe , tho' it it be not smooth , thou sailest on to Heaven : Thy Ship may reel , thy Table shake , thy Banquet for a little moment lose its relish ; thy Fears may cause thee to apprehend the Storm will surely make thee lose thy Meal , but so long as thou keepst thy seat , and holdst by Christ that sits at Table with thee , thy Fears will shortly vanish , and thou shalt find a Hand to pick thy Morsel up : Tho' long at Sea , yet thou wilt quickly get a View of that Cape of Good Hope thro' Grace : 2 Thes. 2.16 . Job 8.13 . Prov. The Hope of the Hipocrite may even dash him out out of Countenance , but the Hope and Expectation of the Righteous is found at this Banquet to be a Hope that maketh not ashamed . He that feedeth at home , Rom. 5.5 that is , hopes God will be mercifull , because he is temperate in all things , or wrongs and defraudeth none , hath not one solid Morsel that will yield saving Nourishment ; but he that sets his Hope on Jehovah , apprehending none but a God in Christ to save him , has obtained the Better hope , and got a true Portion of the Feast . This Entertainment hath all in every kind we need , and our Days would be spent without Hope , if our Help did not ly here ; but as the Prophet speaks , the Lord will be the Hope of his People , and the Strength of the Children of Israel , Joel 3.16 . latter part . And again , The Eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him , upon them that hope in his mercy , Psa. 33.18 . If thou hast yet obtained help of God in no other kinds , thou mayst however , so long as thou art found at Gods Feast , Psa. 71.14 find hope continually . If thou art not plentifully rich in Faith , thou mayst be poor , and yet meet with Hope , Job 5.16 . So the Poor hath hope , low in thy Spirits , and yet lifted upwards , that thou dost not sink into Despondency , or stick , when thou art sunk in the miry Clay .

19. The full meal of Contentment . When thou hast eaten and art full , thou shalt surely feel quietness in thy Belly . Thou shalt obtain so much to make up a Spiritual Interest , that thy Portion in God will quiet thee , thô thou hast not thy Part in many other Things . — I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content , Phil. 4.11 . Thô carnal desires will be discomposed , yet a Gracious mind will be settled , when the will of the Flesh is contradicted . The whole World will be a common Ordinary , and too light , when this Feast of the Lord in the Ballance is weighed against it . If the World leaves thee poor , and the Gospel makes thee rich , thou wilt not repine at the loss of their Skins and Dung , when the Fatlings themselves are ready . Thou shalt see so much in Christ at this Plenteous Table , Job 31 , 24 ▪ that thou wilt not regard to make Gold thy confidence , or fine Gold thy trust ; Silver will be unto thee as Dross , that is , thou wilt take the World as it is , Heb. 13.5 . and be content with such things as thou hast ; having Food and Raiment ( I mean spiritually , Food and Raiment out of the King's Stores ) thou wilt be therewith content ( far more delighted with thy Treasure , 1 Tim. 6.8 than if another King should open thee his rich Exchequer . ) If thou hast thy Father's Inheritance , thou wilt leave other Children Rattles . Psa. 4.6 . Hos. 2.8 . Others may cry out for Corn , and Wine , and Oyl , and think they can never have enough of this World , tho they had never so much of the Gospel with it , but a Barrel of meal and a Cruse of Oyl ( a little of this World ) shall suffice a poor Woman in Sarepta , when God sends an Elijah to her . A Generation of Murmurers and Complainers may use their Language which came out of the Wilderness , Jude v. 16. Would God we had been content , Josh. 7.7 . last words . and dwelt on the other side Jordan : But an Israelite indeed , a Soul in Christ , Joh. 1.47 . is content , thô he hath some * * Num. 33 55. Pricks in his Eyes , and Thorns in his side , because the Lines are fallen on this side of it . The Increase of God contents him , having gain'd an Interest in his Son Christ Jesus , who is all in all to him .

20. The Refreshments of the Peace of Conscience . A good Conscience seems to be a Table spread in the very Soul , where we may sup by our selves in an inner Chamber : for as Solomon says , He that is of a merry Heart hath a continual Feast , Prov. 15.15 . Peace in thy Soul is a little , private Banquet , the King sets by , Job 31.17 where thou mayst eat of thy Morsel alone . When the Blood of Sprinkling ( we spake of under the sixth Particular ) is drank down , it fetcheth out all the Evil Spots of Conscience , — having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience , Heb. 10.22 . Conscience would quickly cry against us , if God had not provided at this Feast enough to stop its mouth ; yea , the Soul would die , if the Conscience had not the Food of God to live on , as the Child would be starv'd , if the Nurse were not fed . But lo ! Psa. 72.7 . the Gospel hath a Table that hath abundance of Peace upon it , Peace to feed on publickly , when at an Ordinance , there be others that are dipping their hands with us in the Dish , Mat. 26 23 and Peace to feed in our Solitudes , while no Eye beholds us . Lnk. 2.14 The Invitation unto the Feast is Peace on Earth , the Ministerial Waiters at the Table are a a Act. 10.36 preaching Peace by Jesus Christ , the things ready are the things that do b b Luk. 19. belong unto our Peace ; the Apostle wrote not one Epistle , when he sent Messes unto the Churches , but it came still to them with these Refreshments , * *

Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.3 .

2 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.3 .

Eph. 1.2 Phil. 1.2 .

Col. 1.2 . 1 Thes. 1.1

2 Thes. 1.2 Exod. 32.17 . Nahum 2.4 . Isa. 19.2 Exod. 2 . 1●

Grace and Peace to you . The Gospel serves it in most excellently , Rom. 5.1 . Therefore being justified by Faith , we have Peace with God thrô our Lord Jesus Christ . Thô there is a noise of War in thy Camp , thy Corruptions fight , and justle one against another : nay , not only Egyptian against Egyptian , but an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew ; Corruption opposeth Grace , and maketh an uprore in thy Soul ; yet the Gospel hath a Prince of Peace to allay the Tumult , Heb. 7.2 . Psa. 147.14 and to make Peace in thy Borders . There is Provision made for a Blessed Calm upon thy Soul , when the Son of God shall rebuke thy Storm , and say to the Winds that made it , Mark 4.39 tho' furious Blasts from Satan , Peace , be still . Thou shalt see it to be fair weather upon the Kings Feast-day . Peace I leave with you , my Peace I give unto you , not as the World giveth , give I unto you , Joh. 14.27 . In a word , here is a Feast you may Sleep well after , not in Sin , or Security , but in a Refreshment , or Repose of your Spirits in the Peace of Conscience .

21. The Oyl of Joy * * Isa. 61.3 . It was the Blessing of Asher , that he should dip his Foot in Oyl , Deut. 33.24 . and be as it were over shoes in his Inheritance where God's Paths dropped fatness . Psa. 65.11 It is clear in Scripture , that Oyl by the Appointment of God was put to various uses . The Children of Israel were commanded with Oyl to * * Exod. 25 6. & v. 37. compared . dress their Lamps , and with a finer to dress their † † Lev. 2.4 , 5. &c. meat in the Legal Sacrifices , and with a most refined Oyntment made of various * * Exo. 30.23.25 . Spices after the Art of the Apothecary , to † † v. 26. anoint the Tabernacle , and his * * v. 27. &c. Furniture , by all which was Typified that Spiritual Oyl which the Gospel now affordeth : we have now an Oyl , an Oyl of Joy that feeds the * * Oleum flammis alimoniam suppeditat , Moller , enar in Psalmos . Ps. 45.7 . Candle of the Lord , and makes it burn comfortably ; an Oyl of Grace that feeds the Lamp of our Profession , that we be not in the Dark at * * Mat. 25.3 , 4 , 5 , 6.8 . midnight , when we should see to go out and meet the Bridegroom ; we have now also an Oyl to dress our Sacrifice , since we have received an Vnction from the Holy One , 1 Joh. 2.20 . an Oyl that fattens our Entertainment , and an Oyl , as we sit at meat , Psa. 104.15 . that makes our Face to shine . There is an Oyl of Joy communicated to the Head , our Lord Jesus Christ , and an Oyl of Joy imparted to his Members . This Box of precious Oyntment was poured on his Head by a greater than Mary † † Mat. 26.7 Joh. 11.2 Magdalen ; God anoints him , Therefore God , thy God , hath anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy Fellows , Psa. 45.7 . latter part . So Isa. 61.1 . The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me , because the Lord hath anointed me — He is therefore in the New Testament styled by way of eminence the Christ of God , and * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Luk. 2.26 . part . the Lord 's Christ , which signifies the Lords Anointed . Now at the Feast his Members , in some Conformity to their Head , are anointed also . He that ordained a Lamp for his anointed , and made the Horn of David to bud , hath also a Horn of Salvation to pour the Anointings of the Spirit on us . God's Children may suck in this Oyl plentifully at the Feast , where there be Springs of Joy to feed a chosen Vessel . Thou preparest a Table before me , — thou anointest my Head with Oyl , Psa. 23.5 .

22. The Cup of Consolation with the Wine of the Kingdom-running over . The Cup of Consolation was a Cup for Mourners , a Portion mingled more especially to support them at the Death and Loss of Dear Relations , and tho' used commonly among the Jews , yet was deny'd them , Jer. 16 5. latter part . when God had taken away his Peace from them , even loving kindness and mercies ; — neither shall men give them the Cup of Consolation to drink , v. 7. for their Father , or for their Mother . The Cup of Consolation was a little to sweeten the Bitterness unto their Children after their Parents had tasted Death . Now the Feast of the Gospel hath its Cup of Consolation to wash off sadness from them that mourn in Zion ; it hath the Wine of the Kingdom for the Children she brings forth , when they are bowed down heavily , as one that mourneth for his Mother , because of the Afflictions of the Church of God . Nay , suppose the Trouble should arise more from a Reflection upon their own Personal State , this Cup of Consolation is then to wash off their Fears , Rev. 14.10 least they should drink of the Wine of wrath out of the Cup of Indignation . The Wine of the Gospel is a refreshing Cordial from the Grace of God , to cheer up drooping Spirits , and comfort heavy Hearts . It is a Cup of Salvation , Psa. 116.13 . to a poor Soul that hath been afraid of that Red-wine in the Threatning , lest he should pledge it in the Second Death . A Man's Body , when his Spirits are low , needeth Recruits , Prov. 31.6 . Give strong Drink unto him that is ready to perish , and wine unto those that be of heavy Hearts , and so in Paul's Advice to Timothy , 1 Tim. 5.23 . Drink no longer water , ( that is , such as was commonly us'd at Meals in those hotter Climates , as we drink Beer ) but use a little wine for thy Stomach's sake , and thine often infirmities . In like manner the Spirit of a Man , when wounded , or broke and sunk within him , doth need Wine , the Wine of the Kingdom , that is the manifestations of the Love of Christ to chear it ; for the Spirit of a man may sustain his Infirmities , ( that is , he may bear up under outward Trouble he meets with in the Flesh ) but a wounded Spirit who can bear ? Prov. 18.14 . Such a one must have the Cup of Consolation from Christ's own Hand , for his Love is better than wine , Song . 1.2 . The Roof of his mouth when he speaks a kind pleasant word , like the best wine , goes down exceeding sweetly , causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak , Song . 7.9 . If God's Children be sunk down thro' long heaviness , and begin to sleep the Sleep of Death in their own sad Apprehensions , Psa. 13.3 . yet a Cup of this pleasant Wine from Christ , on a sudden makes an Alteration , and breaks out in Praises , Psa. 118.17 I shall not die , but live , and declare the works of the Lord . Blessed Consolation ! Now the Gospel hath provided a Full Cup of this . This , is that precious Cluster , Isa. 65.8 . where the new wine is found in it . He that loveth me , shall be loved of my Father , and I will love him , and will manifest my self to him , Joh. 14.21 . latter part : So v. 23. latter part , My Father will love him , and we will come unto him , and make our abode with him . What a Heavenly Nectar is this Cup of Consolation ! you may drink it at Ordinances in the Golden Vessels of the Temple , Dan. 5.2 . Esth. 5.6 . where there needs at this Banquet of wine to be no * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , inspectores vini . Weemse Christian Synagogue . pag. 209. Inspectours or Overseers set to mind you , least you prove Spiritual wine-bibbers at these Vessels filled up to the Brim ; no † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Godwins Hebrew-Rites , pag. 45. Song . 5 1. Eyes of the Feast , to see you do not drink too much , as is reported to have been customary at the Oriental Feasts , among the Jews and Persians : But you may drink abundantly of the Love of Christ , and yet not be drunk with Wine . This Cup of Consolation is most excellently represented in the Cup of Blessing , 1 Cor. 10.16 . Mat. 26.27 where at the Communion of the Blood of Christ , he saith unto his Friends , Drink ye all of it . Lo ! Prov. 23.31 . 1 Cor. 11 ▪ 26. there it is seen how it giveth its colour in the Cup , and moveth it self aright , by shewing forth the Lord's Death until he come ( even a second time to Judgment . ) The Gospel is like those water-pots that stood in Cana at the Marriage-Feast , Joh. 2.7.9 . they yielded water at the beginning , but afforded wine unto the Guests before they rose up : So , as Christ was represented first by water , his Love is now shed abroad like Wine : Oh! Blessed is the Benjamin in whose Sack this Silver Cup is found ! Gen. 44.12 These Consolations of our God abound , Psa. 23.5 . my Cup runneth over . Oh! the Depth of these Streams of Love , when we swim in the Rivers of his Pleasure ! how incomparable is the Wine of the Kingdom , Dent. 32.14 . beyond any other Blood of the Grape .

23. The continual Diet of Perseverance . 'T is said of Jehoiachim , that he was so provided for by the King of Babylon , that he did continually eat Bread before him all the Days of his Life ; and for his Diet , there was a continual Diet given him of the King of Babylon , every Day a Portion , untill the Day of his Death , all the Days of his Life , Dan. 1.5 . Jer. 52.33 , 34. So in the Gospel there is a Daily Provision of the King's meat , Grace to feed thee every Day for new work fresh : He will persevere to relieve thee on thy way , that thou mayst persevere to come thy Journeys-End home : He will continue thy Meat , because he will not have thee to break thy Work off , before thou hast made a Full end of it . He will feed thee , because Grace will finish what Grace hath once begun : He that hath begun a good work in you , shall also confirm you unto the end , Phil. 1.6 . 1 Cor. 1.8 . Thou shalt not be kept upon the Corn of Heaven for one Day only , or ten Dayes , or Twenty Days , Num. ●● . 19 or a whole Month , as they did eat of the Quails in the Israelitish Camp , but thou shalt have Grace to stablish , strengthen , settle thee to thy Live's end , and keep thee on thro' Faith unto Salvation . 1 Pet. 5.10 . 1 Pet. 1.5 .

24. Lastly , Rev. 2.7 . The Fruit of the Tree of Life . Fruit is wont at Entertainments to be last served in , and so I place it last ; for Glory which is the Fruit of the Tree of Life , shall begin where Grace here ends . There may be indeed some 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Rev. 19.9 . some Foretasts of the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb , and it is enough for an Israelite , so long as in the Body ; Num. 13.23 . to have a Cluster or some few at most from the Edge of Canaan ; he must be caught up into Paradise before he can gather the Full Vintage ; 2 Cor. 12.4 he must take possession of that better Countrey , before he can eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God , Rev. 2.7 . It is fit , my Brethren , that both you and I should be now content with Grace : tho' I have been enabled to lay before you the Meat and Drink which will enable us to do the Will of God , Joh. 4.34 . yet I cannot climb the Tree of Life for you , Rev. 3.12 . Rev. 22.2 . to bring down out of the New Jerusalem any one of those Twelve manner of Fruits , which grow in Plenty upon this Tree of Life above . It will be the work of Eternity , when our Days are as the Days of Heaven , Psa. 89.29 . to behold these Precious Things that are put forth by the Sun , Deut. 33.14 Mal. 4.2 . 1 Cor. 2.9 . the Sun of Righteousness in Heaven ; for Eye hath not seen them here , save the Eye of Faith only . And therefore so much may suffice us at the Threshold of our Father's House , Joh. 7.37 . on this Great Day of the Feast .

The Fifth General Thing propounded was to shew what Excellent Properties there are in the Provisions of this Great Supper .

1. Transforming . 1 Property There is a marvellous Efficacy put into these Provisions , that begets a Divine Likeness . Ye shall be like God ; not in that bad , lying sence the Devil intended it , when he deceived our first Parents with a Deceitful Godlikeness , Gen. 3.5 . Ye shall be as Gods , knowing good and evil , whenas it only transformed them and their Posterity into the Black and Filthy Image of the Devil . We are by Nature Partners with that which entred into the World , Rom. 5.12 . and defileth , but by Grace are made Partakers of the Divine Nature , 2 Pet. 1.4 . When it is said of the Poor , they have the Gospel preached to them , Mat. 11.5 . last words . the Original expresseth it in the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Passive , are Gospellized , transformed into the Image of the Truths they hear , made other sort of Creatures . Thus , the Provisions of the Gospel Feast have an efficacious , converting influence thrô the Operations of the Holy Ghost , that by our Participation , 2 Cor. 3.18 we are changed into the same Image of God we see .

2. Wholsom . Other Diet , 2 Property if we eat it , we may prove the worse after ; in killing hunger it may create Diseases , but this is for your health . Acts 27.34 The Gospel is wholsom in every part of it . The Guests at this Entertainment may safely feed of any Dish that God hath set before them . Psa. 68.21 . Indeed wicked men that are resolv'd to go on still in their Trespasses , may cry out like those Sons of the Prophets , 2 Kings 4.40 . Oh thou man of God! there is Death in the pot . But if God throws in Meal , or mixeth his Loving Kindness and mercies with it , let others throw in their Lap full of wild Gourds , there is still no harm in the Pot. 2 Kings 4.39 , 40. Every Guest may adventure safely , it is Food that will need no Physick , unless we abuse our Morsel , and play the wanton with it . It is wholsom , and never hurts any , but such as provoke the wrath of God to fall upon them , while it is yet in their mouths , like those Israelites , while chewing Dainties in their Teeth , that provok't the Founder of the Feast , Psa. 78.30 31. who slew the fattest of them .

3. Delightful to every renewed Palate . 3 Property Christ to a Believer hath no ill Taste with him . Christ , thô considered in his lowest Estate of Humiliation ( in the Grave ) where others have lookt upon him as a Carcase , yieldeth meat unto our Faith in a Pleasant Vessel . Rev. 5.5 . We may say of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah , Judg. 14.5 as Samson did of that young Lion that roared against him by the Vineyards of Timnath , * * v. 14. Out of the Eater came forth meat , and out of the strong came forth sweetness . It seems to be represented well by the Israelitish Manna in the Pleasantness of its Tast , which relisht according to what every Man liked best , as Augustine hath Noted out of the Rabbins , tho' * * Fuller's Pisgah-sight , 2d . pt. p. 53. others conjecture that Rabbinical Tradition fabulous . However as to the Celestial Mannah , or Bread that came down from Heaven , we may cite the Experience of every Christian that hath tasted the Lord is good , Psal. 34.8 . to evince its Delicacy to the Palate ; who will agree not only to say an Equality unto any thing they like , but to witness a Transoendency herein above all Creature-sweetness . There is nothing bitter in this Evangelical Entertainment , but the People of God in all can experience that he hath given them Pleasant things for Meat : Lam. 1.11 . I sat under his shadow , ( saith the Church ) and his Fruit was sweet unto my taste , Song 2.3 . The Food of Heaven is not first sweet in the Mouth , Rev. 10.10 and then like the Book in the Revelation , as soon as 't is eaten the Belly is bitter : But as 't is sweet in the Mouth , it retains the Property , and becomes sweet in the Stomach also . It is Cordial in the Act , and Comfortable in the Remembrance too ; for it is the Morsel only of the Sinner , when he eats the Fruit of his own Doings , Isa. 3.10 . that breeds so ill a Digestion , as when he hath eaten , Job 20.20 . surely he shall not feel quietness in his Belly .

4. Sufficing . 4 Property This Feast is enough for Ministers , and enough for People too , Jer. 31.14 . I will satiate the Soul of the Priests with Fatness , and my People shall be satisfied with my Goodness , saith the Lord : So Psal. 132.15 . I will abundantly bless her Provision , I will satisfie her Poor with Bread . Zion's Poor ( in Spirit ) shall have Bread enough for an Alms at the Door of God's House : Yea , Christ will have them come in , and sit down at his Table , Prov. 7.18 . and take their fill of Love .

5. Not Surfeiting or Cloying . 5 Property There is no Intemperance in the Gospel , when we feed in the highest Degree upon it . In other Feasts the Guests can take but Part , and in that may take too much , but in the Gospel , if we do not take of all , we shall take , and have too little . Literal Provisions will surfeit , we may nauseate and thro' an Excess bring them up again . Hast thou found Honey ? says the Wife-man , eat so much as is sufficient for thee , Prov. 25.16 . but v. 27. intimating an Excess , he addeth , It is not good to eat much Honey ; the end of the foregoing sixteenth Verse is a Reason , lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it . There may be an overcharging * * The Throat is a slippery place , and a sin may get down e're you are aware , Dr. Manton on Jude , p. 414. Luk. 21.34 Psal. 69.22 Jude v. 4. with surfeiting and drunkenness at our own Tables , while our Table may become a snare unto us , but we can never surfeit upon Spiritual Provisions , 'till our Corruption turns our Stomach , and we turn the Grace of God into Wantonness . A Holy Guest , tho' he be filled with the Wine of the Gospel , is filled at a Feast in which is No Excess : Other Wine will intoxicate , Eph. 5.18 . but the Wine of the Spirit which possesseth our Heart , will never hurt the Brain . Luk. 13.26 The more we have eaten and drank in his Presence who hath prepared our Table , Psal. 23.5 : the more ready we may find our selves to go about our Father's Business , Luk. 2.49 . contrary to the effect of other Tables , which indispose both the Body and the Mind , when the Belly is fill'd with Meats . In a word , we need not at this Feast of the Parable , fear Intemperance , as Daniel did , Dan. 1.8 . when he took care lest he should be defiled with the Portion of the Kings Meat , and of the Wine which the King drank .

6. Vndiminishable . 6 Property Jesus Christ is the same yesterday , and to day , and for ever , Heb. 13.8 . He hath Provision , of which one Guest hath not the less , because another Guest hath more . This great Stock in the Gospel never wastes , 1 Kings 17.14 . no more than the Widdow's Barrel of Meal , or her Cruise of Oyl , after Elijah eat thereof . v. 13. If we eat and drink never so long of God's Provision , he never needs to buy in any new Store . Ordinary Food will diminish , but in Extraordinary , we leave as full a Table as we find . Tho' Guests increase , the Diet still keeps the same . When Christ feedeth the Multitude of the Gospel , he worketh a greater Miracle than when he fed the multitudes in it ; because in the Gospel we read only of Fragments taken up , Luk. 9.17 . but of the Gospel it self , when Men have eaten sufficiently , Joh. 2.10 . or well drunk , the Feast remains : This Box of Oyntment is broken , and yet 't is always whole .

7. Incorruptible . 7 Property It is not like the Victuals of the Gibeonites , that had all the Bread of their Provisions dry and mouldy : Josh. 9.5 . It is unperishable , and this Mannah will not melt and consume away , Exod. 16.21 . as other Mannah did . The Bread that God gave the Israelites in the Wilderness forty Years , v. 35. would not preserve from Putrefaction , but when over-kept , like the rest of common Provision , bred worms and stank , Exod. 16.20 . And tho' some of it was put into a Pot , Exod. 16.33 . as the Lord commanded Moses , v. 34. ibid. and laid up before the Lord in the Ark of the Testimony , to be kept as a Memorial throughout their Generations , v. 33. that the Children which should be born might see wherewith God had Nourisht their Fathers in the Wilderness , v. 32. yet it was preserved thus from after-putrefaction , for so many Ages , by a special Miracle attending it , and not from the inherent Qualification of the Food it self , Psal. 39.5 . Joh. 6.27 . and therefore in its best Estate we may reckon it the Meat that perisheth ; especially , considering that even this Pot of Mannah now ceaseth , as well as the whole Jewish State . But the Gospel is a Food in its own Nature incorruptible , a Provision as well as an Inheritance that fadeth not away . 1 Pet. 1.4 . When other Victuals will utterly perish in their own Corruption , 2 Pet. 2.12 this is the Meat that endureth to Life eternal , Joh. 6.27 . latter part .

8. Lastly , 8 Property Perpetual Nourishment , and the Partaker kept alive for ever . He that cometh to me shall never hunger , and he that believeth on me shall never thirst , Joh. 6.35 . latter part . And he that eateth of this Bread shall live for ever : He shall never pine or dye away for want of Meat or Drink : It shall implant such a Nutrimental Habit , as shall secretly , in the greatest Difficulty , keep the Soul alive . Hunger shall never kill , and Thirst shall never hurt Believers . To conclude , other Feasts have supply'd the Wants of the Body but for as many Dayes as the Feast lasted , and the Guests have been quickly empty , and the Virtue of their feeding lost , as well as their Entertainment over : But the Nourishment received , the Seed of Grace obtain'd at this Rich Feast of Plenty , is a perpetual and enduring Habit , or Principle of Grace , that will spring up in Glory .

The Sixth thing is to evidence what suitableness there is in these Provisions of the Gospel to the Condition of poor Gospel-Sinners , VI. or to discover that the Case of any Soul may be suited among these All things ready

First , The Gospel hath Enlivening Provisions , suited to the Condition of dead Souls . It hath got wherewithall to infuse Life into them , either the Being of Life , as they are found in a Dead State , or the Degree of Life , as they are fallen under any Dead Frames of Spirit .

1. The Gospel hath enlivening Provisions , suited to the Condition of dead Souls , as they are found in a dead State .

Indeed it is necessary that the Gospel become first a vital Principle , before it is made a Nutrimental : It must quicken the Dead , before it can feed the Living , and raise Sinners out of a Grave , before it sets them down at Table . Nourishment must presuppose Life . The Being of the New Creature is first in Order , and afterwards Food to maintain the Growth of it . A Man cannot feed , tho' he hath all Things before him , until he be quickned and made a Living Man : So they that are spiritually Dead ( that is , separated from all Spiritual Converse and Communion with God , remaining still as they were cut off from him in the first Adam ) can do nothing at this Table , which requires us to touch , taste and handle the Provisions of it . Spiritual Death is unfit for Spiritual Dainties ; you must be translated out of a Dead State , and chang'd from Dead Works ( that is , advanc'd beyond the Power of Nature in the most active refined Morals ) before you can serve the Living God , Acts 14.15 or receive the Gospel-Food . The Priviledge of the Gospel lyes in receiving Grace first , to quicken and enable us to do in the strength of Grace after . It is not the Dead , so long as they are dead , can meddle with these things . The first thing the Gospel can do for us , is to beget us by the Word of Truth , ●am. 1.18 . and then with its Nourishment to bring us up . The Breath of Life must pass upon us , before the Bread of Life can be eaten by us . Dead Sinners may be brought to some outward means of Grace , and so a Carkass may be stir'd , and held up by an External Force , while Meat is set before it ; but there must be an inward Principle in both , to take Food and digest it , or live and grow by it . You may as soon stand to purpose with a Dish of Provisions before a Carkass , and put Meat forcibly into the Mouths of Dead Men , as expect the Plenty of the Gospel should yield any Nourishment or Benefit to Dead Sinners , before they have gotten true Life in them . In a word , they must be Created in Christ Jesus , Eph. 2 , 10. or the Provision is lost , tho' you Carve out Dainties to them .

Now the Gospel hath its Enlivening Provisions , suited to a Dead State : And you being dead in your sins , and the uncircumcision of your Flesh , hath he quickened together with him , Col. 2.13 . The Life of Jesus is prepared to be made manifest to create Life , 2 Cor. 4.10 as it finds thee Dead in trespasses and sins . Our Blessed Lord takes an occasion to reveal this in the Spirit , when he made use of his Divine Power in the Letter , to teach us , that as he was able to infuse Life into the Dead Body of Lazarus , so he could quicken any dead Soul he roucht , Joh. 11.25 . I am the Resurrection and the Life , he that believeth in me , tho' he were dead , yet shall he live : Tho' thou art fallen down from an upper Chamber dead , yea , from the House top in Adam , Acts 20. ●● yet Christ can raise thee upon thy Feet , and set thee up believing : He hath Life to move thee , and Faith to make thee see the Marvels he worketh out for thee . Art thou dead , stark dead , that a little Life will not suffice to help thee ? why , yet Christ came on purpose to bring thee enough of those Vital Spirits with him , Joh. 10.10 . latter part . I am come that they might have Life , and ( as if he had said , If Life be too little ) that they might have it more abundantly .

If thou art a poor Dead Soul that dost not yet know what to make of Bread and Flesh , yet thou mayst hear a good Word suited in the Mouth of Christ to thee , Joh. 6.51 . latter part . And the Bread that I will give is my Flesh , which I will give for the Life of the World . The Bread that I will give is my Flesh . ] Alas ! if Christ had stopt there , it might not have suited to thy Case , or the Condition of some of thine ! peradventure , thou art weeping over some dead Soul by thee , either some poor Relation in thy Bosom , or some poor Child as a withered Branch sprung out of thy Roots , or a Brother , E●h . 〈…〉 . or a Sister , yet dead in Trespasses and sins ; and thou mournest over their Graves , alas ! my Brother ! alas ! Sister ! what is Bread , or wherein doth Flesh suit at all with thee ? why , Zech. 1.13 . the Place answers thee with good words and comfortable , It is the Bread of Life , and living Flesh ; ( the Bread that I will give is my Flesh , which I will give for the life of the world . ) As if Christ had said , tho' they are dead , and cannot take it yet as Food , I will put such a Morsel into the Mouths of dead Men , as shall presently become Life , and afterwards yield Nourishment . Oh! how suitably doth this Gospel provide to help thee in thy poor dead State ! tho' you are yet many of you Dead , Sinners , and can't as you are Dead take in Nourishment , or so much as come ( by a spiritual Act of the Soul ) where Nourishment is provided , yet the Gospel is prepared to come to You in power , 1 Thes. 1.5 and with the Holy Ghost , that Life may enter into your Carkasses , Jer. 25.34 . and the dayes of your Slaughter be accomplished , that you shall be like the slain that lye in the Grave , Psal. 88.5 . no more . Christ hath a Vertue to renew you , Exod. 8.19 . beyond all the Magicians of Egypt , and their Enchantments , that try to work Grace by Nature . Moral Vertues , ( as * * Flavel , Soul of Man , p. 44● . one says ) are but as so many sweet Flowers strow'd over a Dead Corps , which hide the loathsomness , but inspire not Life into it . Whereas there is a Quickning Touch in the Son of God that doth raise the Dead , and will enable you to stand up from the Dead and live . Eph. 5.14 .

2. The Gospel hath Enlivening Provisions , suited to the Condition of Dead Souls , as they are fallen under a Dead Frame . Thou mayst have Life at the Root , and yet thy Branch may look as if 't were dead in Winter ; or there may be a Concoctive Faculty , and an inward Power of Digestion thro' Grace , where thine Appetite to Food seems at present gone : The Gospel therefore hath Enlivening Provisions that suit thy Dead Frame : It hath Spirits to fetch thee , when thou art fallen into a dead Swoon . There 's a Word to quicken thee , when thou art dead to Duty , tho' thou art not thro' Grace , wholly dead in Sin : For Dead Frames in the New Man are the Reliques of the Old , or the Remainders of thy Dead State before . Now the Gospel hath a Portion to quicken thee , a Preparation to whet thine Appetite , when thou seemest to be dull , and thy Senses are not as heretofore exercised ; Heb. 5.14 . see Psal. 119.50 . This is my Comfort in mine Affliction , for thy Word hath quickned me : And v. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts , for with them thou hast quickned me : So that if thou art dropt asleep , or fallen into a dead Swoon , as a living Man may do , thou seest how he hath provided quickning Means to help thee , and excite thy Life again : Thou art not destitute of such a Help Meet , Gen. 2.20 . but it is gotten thee among the All things ready .

If thy Sap be retired inwards , there 's a Sun to cherish it , and call it forth into outward Vital Acts agen . If like Wax that hath melted , thou art Congeal'd , and hast contracted thy wonted hardness , there is a Fire in the Sanctuary to melt thee at the Presence of the Lord again : Yea , sometimes , thô thou art even ready to question the work that God maketh from the Beginning upon thy Soul , Eccl. 3.11 . and thou hast been certain dayes Dead in thy Stony Frame , Dan. 8.27 . or dry and withered , that thou thinkest it almost impossible for these dry Bones to live , Ezek. 37.3 yet there is a Quickning Virtue , an enlivening Power procur'd , and made ready for thee , and thou sometimes feel'st it suddenly at an instant . Isa. 29.5 . The Spirit of Life from God that hath seemed for a time to be drawn back from thee ( like Peter's sheet ) up again into Heaven , Acts 10.16 yet is ready to come down and re-enter , as at the Resurrection of those slain Witnesses , after the three Days and a half , Rev. 11.11 . That 's the first Case wherein Gospel-Provisions do suit , as well as are made ready . They are enlivening , either to raise from a Dead State , or to quicken under any Dead Frame .

Secondly , The Gospel hath Enlightning Provisions , suited to the Condition of Blind Souls . A Man may be a living , yet a blind Creature that cannot see his way . Nicodemus was so blind in spirituals , when Christ discoursed the matters of Salvation with him , that he could not discern the Mystery of the New Birth , but was fain to put that Question in the Ignorant Man's Catechism , Joh. 3.9 . How can these things be ? It is but a blind Approach to Christ , if we come to him only by the Hearing of the Ear , and our Eyes have not seen him . Job 42.5 . Thou must therefore cry out as that Blind Man did , when Christ askt him what he should do for him , Luk. 18.41 Lord , that I may receive my sight . The Gospel is not suited to thee as Blind , but as it hath an Influence upon that Film , to remove it , which closeth up thy sight . There must be a gracious and invisible Touch to open Blind Eyes , as certainly , tho' not so miraculously , as there was of Paul , when immediately there fell from his Eyes , Acts 9.18 . as it had been Scales : God first struck him Blind , and afterwards made him see his Error .

Now the Gospel in its Enlightning Provisions will exactly suit such a Blind Case . Tho' thou hast liv'd in a State of gross Darkness , without any Glimpse of the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . true Light , yet the Gospel is appointed and made ready to discover it : This is plain in the Commission Paul received to Preach it , Acts 26.17 , 18. Delivering thee from the People , and from the Gentiles , to whom now I send thee , to open their Eyes , and to turn them from darkness to light : As if God had said , Come , Paul , I will send thee into a spiritual Egypt , where the People are groping in worse than Egyptian Darkness , and I will send the Blessing of Goshen with thee , Exod. that there shall be Light in all their Dwellings . As in Natural Vision the Organ must be opened and clear'd , as well as the Object illuminated , and the Medium transparent , thro' which the Visual Rays do pass : So in the Opticks of the Gospel , God hath made a Provision for every one of these : His Spirit openeth the Eyes , enlightneth the Object , ( by shining upon Gospel-Truths ) and ( for a Medium ) doth utter Knowledge clearly . Job

Art thou Ignorant of Salvation ? yet the Gospel is suited to give Knowledge of Salvation . Luk. 1.67 . Art thou lying spiritually in the dark , that thou knowest not what to make either of thy Condition , or of many needful Truths before thee ? yet the Gospel is provided to give light to them that sit in darkness . v. 79. Art thou groping with that old Staff in thy Hand , of Nature , and trying by thy self how to find the way , but after all thine Attempts dost thou find thy self uneasie ? well , still the Gospel is ready suited to guide our Feet in the way of peace : * * ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 To guide strait , as the word imports , that in the Dark we may not run into Crooked Paths , or turn any where aside . The Master of the House sets up a Candle in his Entry , that we may see , tho' by Night , to come in to the Feast he makes . Thou bast been already , perhaps , under the means , and yet dost complain still of much Obscurity ; every new Tryal casts a kind of a mist before thine Eyes , and if thou seest any thing for thy Soul , it may be it is but as he did , that looked up , and said , Mark 8.24 I see men , as Trees , walking : But however , the Gospel provideth to work thine Eye-sight better , tho' Pharisees ( who object in scorn , Are we blind also ? ) Joh. 8.40 . despise such Clay and Spittle . Tho' thro' Blindness thou hast wandered far about , yet the Gospel provideth to bring thee by a way , as Joshua saith unto the Israelites , Josh. 9.4 . which ye have not passed heretofore ; yea , as saith the Spirit by the Prophet , Isa. 42.16 . I will bring the Blind by a way that they knew not , I will lead them in Paths that they have not known ; I will make darkness light before them . That Promise indeed ( as * * Arthur Jackson , Vol. 4th . upon Isai . a Judicious Interpreter observes ) might litterally and then more immediately refer to the Jew's Return out of Babylon , who saw nothing of their approaching Deliverance , any more than Blind Men , and knew not which way to turn themselves : But nevertheless spiritually it was a Promise suited to these Times of Refreshing , which are come thus far from the Presence of the Lord already , Acts 3.19 . as to enlighten Blind Eyes , and bring Man into the only way of Salvation , which he never saw before . Nah. 2.5 . Tho' thou stumblest in thy Walk , for want of Light to guide thee , yet God's Word is prepared to be a Lamp unto thy Feet , and a Light unto thy Path , Psal. 119.105 . as also the Entrance of thy words giveth light , Psal. 119.130 . it giveth understanding to the simple . And his Testimonies are so suited , Psal. 19.7 . that they are sure , making wise the simple . Tho' thou art a Child of a very low Capacity , Jam. 1.17 . yet there be Beams of Knowledge from the Father of Lights will reach thee .

The Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ is made ready for thy need , to be a Light shining forth in Darkness . The Night it may be puzzles thee to find the way to thy Father's House , but God hath made ready something for thee , to whom the Night shineth as the Day , Psal. 139.12 . and he prepares to shew thee both as to the Darkness and the Light what thou never sawst before . Mal. 4.2 . The Sun of Righteousness is ready to pierce thro' all the black and dismal Shades that cover thee , and tho' Darkness hath hid thy self as well as God from thee , Psa. 42.8 . yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day-time , and find out what thou couldst not in the dark take Notice of thy self ; Psa. 139.12 . for the darkness and the Light are both alike to Him .

Thirdly , The Gospel hath Expiating Provisions , suited to the Condition of guilty and condemned Souls . Expiating , that is Reconciling , making Peace for thee . * * Reconciliare nihil aliud est quàm amicitiam off●nsione aliquâ gravi diremptam resarcire , & sic inimicos in pristinam Concordiam reducere . Davenant , Exposit. ad Coloss. in versic. 20. pag. 126. To reconcile is to piece up a Friendship that hath been broken off by some grand Miscarriage , and so to bring Enemies to their old Amity and Accord again . This is the state of the Case as it lyes between God and Man , from hence it cometh to pass , that tho' thou art guilty thro' the Offence of one , Rom. 5.15 . even the First Adam that involv'd thee , and guilty thro' thy own Personal Offence besides , yet here is this Provision for thee in the Gospel , that thou art to do with a God not imputing Trespasses . 2 Cor. 5.19 This account the Scripture gives of it , that when we were Enemies , we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son , Rom. 5.10 . when we were Enemies , or , as the words are read , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . being Enemies ; the first Look of Kindness which Heaven cast upon us , beheld Enmity in our Hearts , and the Weapons of Rebellion in our Hands . Yet then were we reconciled by the Death of his Son , the Foundation of our actual Reconcilement was then laid , that the saving Application of the Death of Christ might be evidenc'd in our Effectual Calling . This the Apostle pursues further , 2 Cor. 5.19 . To wit , that God was in Christ , reconciling the World unto himself , not imputing their Trespasses unto them . Reconciling the World . ] The World is to be understood ( as * * Charnock . Vol. 2d . p. 1187. a great Divine expounds it ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , for all Ages , all Times of the World , as he observes the same to be meant , 1 Joh. 2.2 . Reconciling the World . ] Tho' the World be a World at Variance with God , 1 Joh. 5.19 and a World that lyes in wickedness , yet God will be so far reconciled unto this World , Gen. 6.12 . ( where All Flesh have Corrupted his way upon the Earth , Rom. 3.10 . as it is written , there is none Righteous , no not one , ) that he will find outhis chosen , and bring in them to Christ , that they in Christ shall be reconciled also unto God . The Holy Ghost witnesseth to the same purpose in those words of Peter , Elect , according to the foreknowledge of God the Father , 1 Pet. 1.2 . through sanctification of the Spirit , unto Obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ , Grace unto you , ( you Elect ) and Peace be multiplied : So that when God comes to manifest that thou art one of these , by calling thee out from the World by a gracious and mighty Operation of his Spirit , he then actually reconciles Thee by the Atonement , and shews thou art one to whom this Blood of the Atonment belongs , Rom. 5.11 . — by whom we have Now received the Atonement .

Now tho' thou art never so sensible of indwelling Enmity , convinced that thou art an Enemy by Nature , and hast manifested the Carriage of an Enemy a thousand times over , yet the Gospel provideth a Pacifying Reconcilement to make God and Thee Friends , i. e. To make Reconciliation for Iniquity , Dan. 9.24 . Thou hast an High-Priest , in things pertaining to God , that remembred thy Name upon the List among those Few Names in Sardis , Rev. 3.4 . when he made Reconciliation for the sins of the People , Heb. 2.19 . This is most excellently and fully described Col. 1.20 . Having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross , by him to reconcile all things unto himself . God was fallen out with the Creation for the Creature 's sin , but he looks amicably again in Christ upon an apostate , revolted Creature , nothing is reconciled but by the Blood of his Cross only . Now tho' Guilt and Enmity , as considered absolutely in the Creature , may both tend to drive thee from God , yet while both are pursuing thee , Isa. 64.5 . they drive thee where thou meetest him that rejoyceth to procure thee a gracious Friendship , and bring thee back through the Atonement reconciled to God again .

The Law of God condemns , but by Vertue of this Reconcilement in Christ it is God himself justifies , Rom. 8.33 . It is God that justifieth , who is he that condemneth ? It is God . ] God hath a Prerogative of Grace upon the Mercy seat to absolve a Trembling Criminal , as well as of Righteous Condemnation , when he sits upon a Throne of Justice , and when God pronounceth thine Absolution , the Sentence of Condemnation will prove of no effect to hurt thee : There is none shall call thee to any just Account for Life , because thou hast one that now hath traverst Death . The Council of Heaven pleads to save thee , and a Black-mouth'd Crew in Hell , or foul-mouth'd Crew on Earth shall never make thy Cause , through Accusation , now to go against thee . What unrighteous Plea shall ever over-rule , Luk. 18.6 . or unjust Judge stand up to overthrow the Highest Court of Justice . He that justifyeth , will turn every Letter of the Law-Curse to make up the Gospel-Blessing . Tho' thou art verily Guilty in thy self , Rom. 3.19 for all the World is become Guilty before God : And tho' by offending in one Point , we are truely Guilty of all , Jam. 2.10 . yet tho' we are the Sinners , the Gospel comes in ready with the Son of God , 2 Cor. 5.21 who was made sin for us . Tho' we owe our very Lives unto the second death , Rev. 20.1 . 21.4 . the Gospel hath procur'd the Free Gift to save them , that our Statute of Death unto Condemnation might be Repealed and Enacted unto Justification of Life . Rom. 5.18 . He that passeth by and sees thee in thy Blood , delivers thee from Blood guiltiness ; he takes thee up , and imputes not thy Trespass , tho' a poor * * Felo de se is the term which our Engl. Law gives a self-murtherer . Felo de se , that hast sadly destroy'd thy self , Hos. 13.9 . O Israel ! thou hast destroyed thy self , but in me is thy Help found .

Fourthly , The Gospel hath Healing Provisions , suited to the Condition of back sliding , sick and wounded Souls . The Gospel provides something Medicinal to purge out Corruption , and Restoratives to fetch the Patient again , and gracious Lenitives to mollifie a Bleeding Wound , and a Skilfull Hand to bind up and make all whole again , as well as provides Aliment and Food to Nourish . Alas ! our very Corruptions , if we had not Grace provided to remove them , would spoil all our Feast . We have such Foul Stomachs by Nature , that we need a Pill to cleanse them , before our Morsel enters . Deut. 28.59 . We have all Naturally great Plagues and sore Sicknesses that turn our Stomach upon a Feast of Fat things : And 'till we find something in the Gospel among its All Things to Cure us , our Soul will be like that sick Man 's in Job , Job 33.20 Psal. 107.18 . whose Life abhorreth Bread , and his Soul dainty Meat : We shall otherwise be too bad to touch Meat , or receive the daintiest that can be brought us . The Corruption of the Heart before it is in any measure purged , makes a Sinner disdain the Gospel , and hate the Diet of the Soul , Num. 21.5 like the Israelites that loathed Mannah , and call'd it light Bread , and said , chap. 11.6 . there is nothing at all besides this Mannah before our Eyes . This is the true Natural State of a Man , before the Gospel hath been as Physick to work with healing Grace upon him .

Now therefore the Gospel among its All Things ready hath its Provisions of Medicine , as well as Meat : The Grace of it will heal and nourish both , it can furnish the Patient , and supply the Guest ; create a soundness of Constitution by Due Preparatives , and keep it up with Provisions and Supplies in other kinds after . The Gospel is like those yielding and plentiful Trees in Ezekiel's Vision , where the Fruit was for Meat , and the Leaf for Medicine , Ezek. 47.12 . lat. pt. The Balm of them was Healing , and would work a Recovery upon the languishing , as well as the Fruit Nourishing to supply the Hungry , and the Juice refreshing to allay a thirsty Appetite : Jer. 8.22 . So there is Balm in Gilead ; a Physician and a Feast there both : Mat. 9.12 . Jer. 33.6 . A Physician that doth bring it Health and Cure . The Gospel purgeth out Corruption , as well as prepares our Table ; it cleanseth our Vessel , and then pours the precious Mannah in . In a word , it is Physick first , and refreshing Diet after .

Now this Gospel suits with thy Condition ; tho' thou hast been a Backslider in thy ways , and art now sick and wounded . Psal. 38.5 . Do thy Wounds stink ? are they corrupt by reason of thy Foolishness ? and do the steams of Corruption make thine Heart sick ? yet God hath a Healing Medicine to settle thee at thy Heart , and when broken , Job 5.18 . the Lord makes thee whole . This is most graciously illustrated Hos. 14.4 . I will heal their backsliding , I will love them freely : This is a Remedy suits thy sick Case . I will heal . ] * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 The word is Metaphorical , and shews the Efficacy of the Physician , that tho' there hath been a † † Iniquitates morbis , se medico , Christum medicinae comparat . Rivet in Nesemn . Complication of Distempers in thy Defection , insomuch that now the sense of it hath wounded thee in thy Spirit , and the Disease hath bruis'd thee , yet thy sickness shall not be unto death , but for the glory of God in healing thee ; for a Bruised Reed shall he not break , Matth. 12.20 . Not Break. ] i. e. as the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 word imports , he will not do any thing against it , to hurt or handle with violence such a Feeble Slip ; his Hand is gentle , he will touch the Bruise with Care , Isa. 57.16 . least the Spirit should fail before him , and the Soul that he hath made . Tho' you came as a Troop of Lazaruses , Luk. 16.20 and were laid at his Gate full of Sores , Mat. 4.24 . tho' you are taken with divers Diseases , some with one spiritual Infirmity , some with another , whatsoever Sickness , 1 Kings 8.37 . whatsoever Plague it be , yet he hath prepared to send his Word and heal you , Psal. 107.20 . Be thou sick , rent or torn , whom He hath put to Pain , Hos. 6.1 . yet run over the List of the All Things , and thou shalt not complain , thou hast no healing Medicine . Jer. 30.13 . Thy Disease indeed hath desperately broken out , and it may be now hath fercht out many a Groan , a Sigh , and a Tear , to see thy own Plague : But while your Tears gush out , God hath provided to stop an Issue of Blood . Mark 5.29 That Sore of thine which hath ran in the Night , and ceased not , shall not break out , 'till there be no Remedy , 2 Chron. 36.16 . because there is a Physician by whose Stripes ye are healed , 1 Pet. 2.24 . Nay , Rev. 13.3.12 . after thy deadly Wound is healed , thou may'st carry some Marks of an Old Sore upon thee , but no * * Nisbet upon Peter . Skar in thy Wound can hurt thee , Joh. 20.25 when thou hast also the Print of his Nails .

Fifthly , The Gospel hath Releasing Provisions to free thee , if a spiritual Captive , and break thy Chains off . When the Gospel maketh a Feast , it lets us out of Prison , Mat. 26.51 that we may follow the Banquet into our great High-Priest's Palace . The Grace of the Gospel takes off our Restraints , as well as takes up a Holy Repast for us : It easeth us of a Yoke , as well as spreads our Table . Grace enables us to walk at Liberty , Psa. 119.45 before we can leave work to earn the Wages of Death , and sit down to Meat . We read of a Feast , Matth. 27.15 . at which the Governour was wont to release a Prisoner : The Jews having † † Credebile est , a Romanis hoc ess● , Polt Synop. Crit. probably learnt it from the Roman Custom : However , this as * * Dickson upon Matthew . some account it , might be an unwarrantable Practice , yet it is a gracious Priviledge at this Feast of the Gospel to release a Prisoner , ay , and a Notable Prisoner too , Mat. 27.16 Mankind , as notable in the Species , as ever Barabbas , the Individual , was . The Gospel which Preacheth up a Feast , proclaims a Free Liberty to Captives , Isa. 61.1 . The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me , because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach good Tidings unto the meek , he hath sent me — to proclaim Liberty to the Captives , and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound . Christ came to free the Servant of Corruption , and a Slave of the Devil , that being loosned out of Bondage , Gal. 5.1 . the poor Soul might afterwards stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free : For a Plain Text asserts the Security of such a Freedom , Joh. 8.36 . If the Son therefore shall make you free , ye shall be free indeed . 'T is called expresly a Redemption , Col. 1.14 . it being the Release of Prisoners and Captives by the Payment of a Price , at such a Rate as the Son of God paid for the Redemption of them through his Blood . Now , suppose thou art yet in Bondage to Sin , Heb. 12.1 . Rom. 7. v. 17 , 20. the sin that doth so easily beset thee , the sin that dwelleth in thee , yet the Gospel provideth against the intanglement , that thou may'st be made free from sin ; Rom. 6.18 . i. e. Free from the Lordly Dominion of sin by the Spirit of Christ , and free from the severe Condemnation of sin by the Blood of Christ , according to the Atonement . Suppose a Slave , that thou art ty'd to Satan's Galleys , and one whom Satan hath bound , lo ! these eighteen , or twenty , or perhaps forty Years , yet the same Gospel that provideth to turn thee from Darkness to Light , is ready also to turn thee from the Power of Satan unto God . Act. 26.18 . Art thou bound with a Chain that cuts thee , and imprints its ragged Indentures on thee , whilst thou art sensibly feeling of thy self to be staked down , as if something had fastened thee with Bands to Unbelief ? yet the Gospel is made ready to come in with Faith , and more Evidences of Might in the Day of Christ's Power , when unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ to believe on him . Phil. 1.29 . Tho' thou canst not believe , except it be given thee from above , and thine Impotence makes thy Bondage , yet the Gospel provides to release thee from the Bondage of Corruption , Rom. 8.21 . and translate thee into the Liberty of the Children of God .

Now therefore if Bound , what can suit thee more than the Loosning Power of the Gospel ? If thou lack'st to be called unto Liberty , Gal. 5.13 . nothing can be fitter for thy Case than the Gospel that proclaims it , and a God that procures it for thee . No Power under Heaven can reach thy Case so fitly , while of a truth thou art Bound , as the Son of God that can make thee Free indeed . The Gospel is suited to thy Condition , tho' thou art shut up in Prison ; thou may'st be a Prisoner of Hope , Zech. 9.12 tho' thou feelest the weight of thy Chain , Psal. 107.10 . and art laid in Affliction and Iron . The Day of the Gospel is a Year of Jubilee , a great Year of Release , Isa. 61.2 . and called the Acceptable Year of the Lord , in which he accepts of a Ransom for thee . Tho' thou hast been barbarously us'd in Egypt , he hath set open a Door of Hope , Hos. 2.15 . thro' which thou may'st see , and a Door of Entrance thro' which he will bring thee in Free to Canaan . The Gospel hath Grace ready to set thee at Liberty , and then to keep thee for ever Free from the Tyranny and Dominion of thine old Jailors , that thou may'st always dwell in safety . Psal. 4.8 . This is provided suitably to thy Case among the All things ready .

Sixthly , The Gospel hath Apparelling Provisions , suited to array the Naked , and adorn Nasty Souls .

1. It hath Provisions suited to our spiritual Nakedness , to cloath and cover it . The Gospel hath a Wardrobe of the richest Wear , as well as a Table of the choicest Viands . Song 3.11 . Christ in the Day of his Espousals cloaths the Naked , as well as feeds the Hungry . We read of the Marriage-Feast of Samson , that when he had put forth a Riddle unto the Phlistines , he promised to give them thirty Sheets , and thirty Change of Garments , Judg. 14.12 . if they could certainly declare it to him within the seven dayes of the Feast , which Samson afterwards upon their telling it , gave them in full Tale ( as He had agreed ) punctually . Now the Gospel-Feast at the Marriage of the King's Son , affords to us Changes of Raiment likewise , ( thô not upon such hard Conditions as Samson made with the Philistines , for when we have Food and Raiment in the Gospel , 1 Tim. 6.8 . he frankly gives us Both. ) Tho' we are stript in the First Adam , yet we may be cloathed with the Second . Hence it is the Scripture speaks of putting on Christ , Rom. 13.14 . But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ — Tho' we want Cloaths in a Righteousness of our own , yet we may put on the Lord Jesus , Rev. 3.18 . that the shame of our Nakedness do not appear . God hath provided Christ therefore accordingly to suit us , as * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jer. 23.6 . Iehovah , or the Lord our Righteousness : if common Providence hath provided a Suit which the very Grass of the Field and the Flowers of it wear , Special Grace would not come behind , but provide the Righteousness of God , in the Garments of Salvation , to Cloath you . Mat. 6 30. Oh ye of little Faith ! Job 1.21 . tho' you come Naked into the World , yet He hath provided that you may carry this Cloathing out .

2. It hath Provisions suited to our spiritual Nastiness , to adorn us , and put the Garments of Praise upon us . This Raiment indeed is for Sinners that come Nasty , but not for such as are resolved to continue so . Alas ! we come in to the Feast of our selves , Jam. 2.2 . like the Poor Man in vile Ratment , but the Bounty of the Feast-maker provides us with a better Suit to appear at his Table , and before his Presence in . Mat. 22.10 Luk. 14.21 , 23. The Guests at this Feast are come off from the Hedges and the High-ways , in a mean , dirty , tatter'd Garb , and therefore had need of a clean Wedding-Garment to sit down in . The Dirt and defilements that clave unto us do make God abhorr our Persons , and loath our Performances , 'till he put of his Comliness upon us . Ezek. 16.14 .

The High-Priest Joshua was cloathed Zech. 3.3 . but yet with Filthy Garments , when he stood before the Angel , or before the Lord Jesus Christ , Mal. 3.1 . the Angel of the Covenant , who appears unto this High-Priest as the same Person that was to come in the Flesh , Heb. 3.1 . the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession . Now this Glorious Angel , this bright Seraphim beholding the Righteousness of Joshua as an Eye-sore in the Pure sight of God , commands it to be taken away : He answered and spake unto those that stood before him , v. 4. saying , take away the Filthy Garments from him : These Filthy Garments could not be meant properly of his Iniquities , because Sin is such an Abomination in the Abstract , that when Men begin to entertain the true Sentiments of Religion , they dare not put on their Sins for a Covering , but yet are very prone to wrap up themselves in warm Thoughts with their own Services , even as Men , who tho' they do not use to array themselves with Dirt , may put on Dirty Garments . I therefore understand by these Filthy Garments , which the Angel commands to be taken away , all Workings whatsoever in the great Business of our Justification , because of the immediate Impurity convey'd by the Worker , Luk. 16.15 that must make them ( absolutely consider'd ) to be an Abomination in the sight of God : For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean ? Not one , Job 14.4 . Man himself is polluted , and so are all his Duties : Now upon this Account in that Type of Joshua the Angel proceeds , after the Removal of those Filthy Garments : Zech. 3.4 . And unto him ( unto Joshua ) he said , behold I have caused thine Iniquity to pass from thee , ( I have provided thee a Remedy against thy impure Services , and therefore much more against thine Impurities or sins ) and I will cloath thee with change of Raiment . I confess * * Pemble . some Expositors do make this Change of Raiment to be the Robe of Sanctification : But † † Hutcheson others do Interpret it ( I think in the most natural and genuine sence ) of the Robe of Christ's Righteousness , because his Righteousness being without us , is more aptly compared to Raiment worn upon us ; not but tho' it was principally intended to signifie our Pardon and Justification by Christ's Righteousness , it suppofeth also our Sanctification to be ever accompanyed herewith ; 1 Cor. 1.30 for Christ is made of God unto us Sanctification and Redemption , wherever he is made Righteousness : He answers our Pollution by a Work of his Spirit in us , ( of which afterwards ) as well as our Guilt by his Righteousness , for the sake whereof God passeth an Act of his Grace on us . We may therefore look upon this Expression of the Change of Raiment , to shadow out Christ's Righteousness for Pardon and Justification , and yet that Holiness of Heart and Life must ascertain unto Vs the Efficacious Interest we have in such a Righteousness to change our State , and so evidence it to be no Dream and Delusion . Alas ! when we come to partake of the Priviledges of the Gospel in our own Righteousness , we do not only come like the Gibeonites with old Garments clouted , Josh. 4.5 . and rent upon us , but we are all as an unclean thing , with unclean and filthy Raggs about us , as our Righteousnesses are expresly termed by the Holy Ghost , Isa. 64.6 . Our Plague sores issue out and defile all our Service , that we have not a Rag fit to put on .

Now the Gospel among its All things ready , Gen. 27.15 provides us the goodly Raiment of our Elder Brother , and takes Care that we be found in Christ's Righteousness , when we are plac'd at God's Table : Hence it is Psal. 45.13 . that the King's Daughter is all glorious within , her Cloathing is of wrought Gold . Christ in her , and Christ upon her , his Spirit inhabiting , his Righteousness adorning , makes her truly Noble : Psal. 149.9 And this Honour have all his Saints , that never a Pharisee in the World with the Long Robes of a Self-Righteousness is arrayed like one of th●se . Luk 20.46 Christ hath got●en thee Raiment that is Ornamental , Rev. 19.13 as well as Covering , for tho' it be a Vesture dipt in Blood , yet it doth not stain thy Ratment . Isa. 63.2 , 3. Tho' he was red in his Apparel when he trod the Wine press , because the Sprinklings of his Blood dyed his own wear , Rev. 19.8 . yet it was made so White in the Blood of the Lamb , that ever since it hath been to the Saints a Suit of Fine Linnen . Alas ! v. 14. it would not match your spiritual Vileness , if a Prince should Cloath you in Scarlet , 2 Sam. 1.24 . as Saul did the Daughters of Israel , and put on Ornaments of Gold upon your Apparel : But the Prince of the Kings of the Earth brings forth the Best Robe , Luk. 15.22 . to Cloath you gorgeously , infinitely beyond the Attire of all such as are cloathed with strange Apparel . Zeph. 1.8 . That is the Sixth Case , in which the Provisions of the Gospel suit .

Seventhly , The Gospel hath Sanctifying Provisions suited to the Universal Defilements of Spirit , Soul and Body . The Gospel requires Holy Vessels , when it makes ready Holy Victuals . As thou art Filthy , it opens a Fountain to wash in , Zech. 13.1 . In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the House of David , and to the Inhabitants of Ierusalem , for sin , and for uncleanness : It is true , The more full Accomplishment ( as * * Hutcheson upon the Minor Prophets . one observes ) of these things were reserved for the Converted Israelites , and therefore are peculiarly promised in that Day when they shall repent and be restored , yet are the common Priviledge of the Gospel-Church in every Age. Thus far He. It is a clear Promise of Sanctification fulfilled in the Cleansing Vertue and Efficacy of Christ's Blood under the Gospel : That Fountain opened is ( as * * Mr. Hurst , Supplement to Pool's Eng. Annotations . Song 4.12 . one calls it ) the true Siloam , which purifies and cleanseth every Leper whom God puts into it ; and as the same Author observes , tho' the Spouse is to Christ a Fountain Sealed , yet Christ is to Sinners a Fountain opened . For the House of Judah , and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem . ] i. e. for every one that is made to look out to Christ , it is opened for every one that sees the Necessity of Holiness or Purification from it : These shall be all Purifyed in that Bath which is prepared to cleanse us from all Filthiness and Pollution both of Flesh and Spirit . 2 Cor. 7.1 . The Generation of God's Children are not left to be like that other Generation which is not washed from their Filthiness : Prov. 30.12 . But God hath provided that they may be Partakers of his Holiness , Heb. 12.10 . last words . The Gospel will cleanse thee of thy Spot , which otherwise tho' thou wash thee with Nitre , and take thee much Soap , would remain a Spot still , with thine Iniquity marked before me , saith the Lord God , Jer. 2.22 . The Gospel brings thee a Laver full of Christ's Blood , and this is the Blood that rinseth all clean , 1 Joh. 1.7 last words . And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin . Nitre and Soap , either apart or mingled , are searching Ingredients ( you would think ) to cleanse a Dirty Spot ! but alas ! tho' Man seeks out many Inventions , Eccl. 7.29 . to try to wash himself clean , yet it will not do for a Garment spotted with the Flesh , Jude v. 23. if God search this out ; nothing will fetch out Sin 'till we dip in Jordan , 2 Kings 5.14 . Psal. 44.21 Isa. 9.5 . 1 Joh. 5.6 . nay , not only wash in Water , but with our Garments roll'd in Blood , i. e. the Blood of Christ , who came by Water and by Blood , for our Spot to fetch it out clean , Rev. 1.5 . being said to have loved us , and washed us from our sins in his own Blood . The Gospel provideth suitably to our Pollution , Heb. 9.13 . for it sanctifieth to the Purifying of the Flesh , 'till we are made meet for Communion with the God of the Spirits of all Flesh , Numb. 16.22 . even sanctified in Christ Jesus , 1 Cor. 1.2 .

Eighthly , The Gospel hath Rich Provisions for the Poor Saints , tho' never so impoverisht , lowly in Mind , or Poor in Spirit . The Gospel abounds with the Liberality of the Grace of God , to supply the Poverty and Wants of all Men in Christ . Tho' thy Transgressions have beset thee , and the Iniquity of thy Heels have compass'd thee about , that thou art now like the Man in his way to Jericho , that fell among Thieves ; yea , Luk. 10.30 thou may'st cry out with Micah of the Danit●'s Plunder , Judg. 18.24 . They have taken away ( tho' not my Gods , to Complain just like him , yet ) the Image of my God , mine Original Perfection , as I was made once like him , my Knowledge , Righteousness , and true Holiness , and what have I more ? Well , be it thus , here is enough left thee still to be a poor , broken Petitioner at the Throne of Grace , crying out for a New Stock to set up with Christ , in whom are hid all the Treasures that will make thee Rich agen . Col. 2.3 . Art thou Poor ? Luk. 22.21 thou may'st be Rich towards God . When thou art got to the Gospel , thou art got to God's Treasury , which he unlocks , to make known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles , Col. 1.27 .

Ninthly , The Gospel hath Full Provisions , suited to the Condition of empty Sinners . There be Lengths and Breadths in the Love of God , that will give thee full measure , Luk. 6.38 . pressed down and running over . Thou art empty in thy self , and till He refresh thee with his Loving-Kindness , Prov. 7.18 . thou canst not take thy Fill of Love . Hast thou ever met with the Emptiers , that have emptied thee out ? Nah. 2.2 . The Gospel hath Provisions to come in and fill up all that empty space again . Tho' at home thou art like her that is empty , and void , and wast , Nah. 2.10 . as Nineveh that was once full of Men , Counsel , Treasures , yet afterwards emptyed out of all , so thou hadst once the sensible Manifestations of one that lodg'd in thy House to fill thee , but now at home empty ; and also tho' abroad , like Naomi , thou hast gone out upon some Oecasions full , if thou hast gone to an Ordinance , thou hast it may be sometimes carried much of the Presence of Jesus Christ with thee , yet the Lord ( to try thee ) hath brought thee home again empty , Ruth . 1.21 . yet still the Gospel hath Provisions suited to thee , that when most sensible of thine Emptiness , thou may'st receive thy measure , and not like proud careless Boasters , who presume on something when they have nothing , * * Luk. 1.53 Joh. 1.14 . last words . be sent empty away . Thou hast to do with one that is full of Grace and Truth , and with one besides , of whose Fulness thou mayst receive , Joh. 1.16 . even one that will never leave thee empty , because he filleth all in all , Eph. 1.23 . let it be as low with thee in thy Beginning as a sense of Want can make it , yet thou shalt never take up the Complaint of Babylon in thy latter End , Jer. 51.34 . the Lord hath made me an empty Vessel .

Tenthly , The Gospel hath satisfying Provisions , suited to the Condition of Longing Souls , Matth. 5.6 . that hunger and thirst after Righteousness . Be thou as Dainty in thy Palate Heaven-wards as possible , yet in the Gospel thou hast a God who satisfyeth thy Mouth with good things , Psal. 103.5 . He will not deny Dainties , or withhold Mannah , or keep back the Fruits that thy Soul lusteth after . Rev. 18.14 Thou shalt not be estranged from thy Desire in the things of God , Psal. 78.30 thô thou wouldst eat his Lambs out of the Flock , Amos 6.4 . his Calves out of the midst of the Stall , v. 6. and drink his Wine in Bowls . If six Days common Provision at home hath made thee long for Dainties , he hath appointed a Festival upon the Holy Sabbath , when thy Flesh longeth for the Courts of the Lord . Psal. 84.2 . This Longing of the Soul may be reduc'd unto Two Heads , Hungring and Thirsting , and the Gospel hath suitable Things for Both.

1. It hath Satisfying Provisions , suited to Hungry Ones , Psal. 107.9 . For he satisfyeth the Longing Soul , and filleth the Hungry Soul with Goodness . There is many a Hungry Appetite hath been brought into his Presence , and be hath filled the Hungry with good things , Luk. 1.53 . Perhaps thou art one that hast lost a Meal , thro' a Providential Hand of God upon thee , and where God sets out Food , thou comest the more Hungering thither : Some Black Providence may have put on Sackcloth upon thy Soul , Nehem. 1.4 . that thou hast mourned and fasted certain Dayes , and lo ! a Restraint of the Bread of God whets thee further on : Thou canst not forbear crying when thou art Hunger-bitten , Prov. 30.15 . like those Daughters of the Horse-leech , Give , Give ; I have been thus long from an Ordinance detain'd , Psal. 109.24 . and my Flesh faileth of Fatness , I must break out to the Supper now , I can stay no longer in . Well , if it be thus , the Feast is still meet for thee . Christ that Invites thee to sit down , 1 Sam. 30.12 . will Feast thee with his Love 'till thy Spirit comes again .

2. It hath satisfying Provisions suited to Thirsty Ones . If thou long'st for some Pleasant Draught , yet the Lord doth satisfie such a * * Animam sitientem . Moller . Enarr . in Psalmes . Longing Soul , as some do Expound it of Thirst , Psal. 107.9 . form pt. before mentioned . Thy Thirst it may be is vehement , but that Ocean in God will suit it , where thou art bid to drink abundantly , Cantic. 5.1 . last words . Seeing thou may'st come and drink , it will fare but the better with thee , when thy Soul thirsteth for the Living God , Psal. 42.2 . If like Samson thou art ready to dye for Thirst , Judg. 15.18 what can be more suitable to thy Case , than for God to break up the Fountains of the great Deep , Gen. 7.11 . 'till thou find an Enhakkore , the Well of him that cryed , Judg. 15.19 . In short , if God cleave a Hollow in the Rock , and open Christ the true Rock that follows us , 1 Cor. 10.4 thou shalt then be suited , and then satisfyed from the Clefts of it , much better than Samson from the Hollow of the Jaw-bone .

Eleventhly , The Gospel hath supporting Provisions , and Provisions light and easie , suited to the Condition of Burdened and Oppressed Souls . 1. Supporting under Heavy Burdens . 2. Substituting Light and Easie in the room of Heavy ones .

1. The Gospel hath Provisions that are Supporting under Heavy Burdens . Are Afflictions heavy ? Do they gall our tender Necks , or fret sadly inwards ? yet where our own shoulders sink , the Gospel hath provided to put the everlasting Arms underneath , Deut. 33.27 . — underneath are the everlasting Arms. Thou canst not perish in Affliction , because in all thine Affliction he hath made Provision ; indeed otherwise the Burden would be utterly insupportable , Psal. 119.92 . Vnless thy Law had been my Delights , I should then have perished in my Affliction : I could not have stood under my Burden , if he had not stood by to lean on . The * * Redeunt dolores & redeundo erescunt , at tandem opprimunt . Rivet in Psa. 119. v. 92. Vol. 2. pag. 461. Col. 2. Renewal of mine Afflictions , together with their Encrease must have otherwise overcome me : But now as the Case stands , when his Hand presseth thee sore , Psal. 38.2 . Yet the Lord upholdeth thee with his Hand ( too , ) Psal. 37.24 . when thou fallest into outward Calamities , he doth mitigate the Affliction , that it shall not overwhelm thee . A word of Power is prepar'd to bear thee up in his Hands , Psal. 91.12 while leaning Melancholly upon thine own , thou art bowed down heavily . Psal. 35.14 Suppose thou touchest the Bier , Luk. 7.14 . thou art next akin to one that is carried to his long home , Eccl. 12.5 . yet God hath made something ready to support thee , while thou art chief with the Mourners that go about the streets . ibid. He that is better to thee than ten Sons , as Elkanah hath it when he Comforts Hannah , yea , the chiefest of ten thousand , 1 Sam. 1.8 . Cant. 5.10 . is better to thee than so many Relations , were they possible , in any kind whatever . The Gospel hath such supporting Provisions , as will keep thee at the very Grave's mouth from sinking , where others slide in .

2. The Gospel hath Provisions that substitute a Light and an Easie Burden in the Room of Heavy ones . If thou hast a Burden upon thy Back , a Burden upon thine Hands , yea , one upon thine Head , and a heavier Load at Heart , yet the Gospel is ready to exchange them , and afford thee so light a Yoke , thou needst not call a Burden : If thou dost , yet still with Christ thou mayst say , it is a Burden is not heavy , My Yoke is easie , and my Burden light , Matth. 11.30 . Christ doth not leave his People to do all in their own Natural Strength , it is the Covenant of Works that serves the Worker so ; Christ makes it easie to hold his Yoke , because his Hand lightens it , while his Hand holds it on us . Isa. 30.20 . Tho' thou hast eaten the Bread of Affliction that lyes heavy at thy Heart , yet he hath prepared thee a Table of Bread to digest easier , while he appoints it thy Meat and Drink to do the Will of God ; Joh. 4.34 . her ways are ways of pleasantness , Prov. 3.17 . For tho' it be hard in it self to bear the very Gospel Yoke , yet it is not hard , when thou hast strength to bear of him . Psal. 78.39 He remembers that we are Flesh , and therefore provides his Spirit to be willing , when our Flesh is weak . Christ is a Master that will not deal like others . Sin was imperious , Satan cruel , other Lords that have had Dominion worse than Hagar's Mistress , Sarat , that dealt hardly with her , Gen. 16.6 . but Grace is order'd to deal with Thee gently , as David charg'd his Captains to deal gently with the young Man Absalom . 2 Sam. 18.5 .

Twelfthly , The Gospel hath Establishing Provisions , suited to the Condition of wavering and unsteddy minds . Art thou like a Wave of the Sea , Jam. 1.6 . that is driven up and down , and tost , yet the Gospel hath a Rock , not to break or wrack , but settle thee , whereon thy Soul may rest . It provides the Author of thine Establishment , God himself , 2 Cor. 1.21 . Now he which establisheth us is God : It provides the means of thine Establishment , the Grace of God , the sure Doctrine of Grace , that thou mayst know what to believe , and what to Practise , instead of the Craft and Sleight of Cunning-men . Eph. 4.14 . Heb. 13.9 . It is a good thing that the Heart be established with Grace , not with Meats ; as if he had said , The substance of the Gospel will , but the shadows of the Law will not afford an establisht Posture for you . The Gospel suits unto the settling of the whole , or of any part that needs it . Do you want Footing ? it hath laid the Path-way to Heaven , and cut it out upon the Rock the tryed way thither . Would you Catch , and meet with sure Hand-hold ? it provides you that which is fit to fasten on , that you may lay hold upon Eternal Life . 1 Tim. 6.12 It hath Establishment for gidày Heads , and enough for any gracious Hearts . It will keep you steddy in the Centre , that you shall not , like others in the Circle turn always round . Briefly , it hath all that can be suited to perfect , stablish , settle you , 1 Pet. 5.10 . last words . The Elegant variety of the words may denote the highest Degree of stedfastness , an establishment that can never be overthrown . The last words , * * Fundare , est Radicem ipsam gratiae magìs-magisque infigere . Ames in Pet. Job 19.28 settle you , seems to have a reference to the security of the Root , and shews that Grace is of a settling Nature unto all that have the Root of the matter in them . Grace without will find out the smallest measure of it within , to secure and fix the Subject , that it shall not be moved away from the Hope of the Gospel . Colos. 1.23

Thirteenthly , The Gospel hath strengthening Provisions , suited to the Condition of weak Souls . Tho' thou hast lost some of the Power which was given thee from above ; i. e. tho' the exercise and and actings of Grace be low , yet the Gospel hath got ready to encrease Grace , and strengthen its Principle within thee , when thou canst not of thy self strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye , Rev. 3.2 . tho' thou art , as to spirituals , sadly pin'd away , yet God hath provided such a Hearty Meal for thee , that yet again out of weakness thou may'st be made strong . Heb. 11.34 Tho' thou art so weak of both Hands , thou canst not keep thy hold , he hath got such a Feast to put thee into Heart , as will make thee thou shalt not let it go . Tho' thy New Creature be yet so weak , it will only lye in Arms , yet thy nursing Father is ready to open its Mouth to speak ; Psal. 8.2 . for out of the mouths of Babes and Sacklings hast thou ordained strength : He opens the Lips , He loosens the Tongue of the spiritually sucking Infant , that the New born Babe in Christ shall give the Glory due unto his Name , and say , Psal. 29.2 . Thô I a Little Child am weak , yet Oh my Father , Psal. 89.8 . who is a strong Lord like unto thee !

Fourteenthly , The Gospel hath succouring Provisions , suited to the Condition of Tempted Souls . The Devil may suggest a Defect in Gospel-Grace , as if there were nothing that did suit among the All things with thee , but in this very Case of his Assaults , it hath succours , and brings the Anchor of the Soul to throw out , while Satan makes the Storm . Heb. 6.19 Tho' he hath deluded and bewitched with his Sorceries , Acts 8.11 . thou may'st bid him stand now with thine Enchantments , Isa. 47.12 . and with the multitude of thy Sorceries , wherein thou hast laboured from thy Youth , if so be thou shalt be able to profit , if so be thou mayst prevail : ( to allude to that Challenge of the Holy Ghost made to the Babylonian Confidence of old . ) Make ready thy Snares and Devices , 2 Cor. 2.11 Job 2.5 . of which we are not ignorant , put forth thy Hand , and now do thy worst ; here is that in the Gospel , Satan , which will put thee to everlasting Silence , Mark 5.9 . thô thy Name be Legion , and thou hast many with thee , here be All Things against thee . Deut. 32.4 The God of Truth hath prepared to rebuke thy Lyes , and the God of Peace to tread thee under Foot ; Rom. 16.20 the God of Power will tye up thine Hands and stop thy Breath , and strike thro' the Leviathan that hath troubled the Holy Waters , even Leviathan that piercing and crooked Serpent , Psal. 27.1 . and will wound the Head of the Dragon ( of this presumptuous and accursed Dragon ) in the Waters . Psal. 74.13 The Provisions of the Gospel are succouring ; it will relieve thee to meet with a Gospel that makes a greater opposition to Satan , than Satan can to Thee ; to meet with a Gospel that lays open the Care in the Heart of Christ for thee , to appear and withstand him while he winnows , Luk. 22.31 . And the Lord said , Simon , Simon , behold , Satan hath desired to have you , that he may fift you as Wheat * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , signifies to shakt , or stir violently up and down . . To sift you . ] The Devil would shake the Corruptions in the Heart together , that Grace should be invisible , and all buried in them ; but Christ's Intercession is a security to these Graces , and keeps them he shall not sift or jogg them out of their Place .

There is a Good Spirit in the Gospel provided against the Evil one , either to drive him from , or to deal with him on us . Tho' thro' Satan's continual Injections and Suggestions thou art grievously vexed with a Devil , Mat. 15 22 yet the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him , and delivereth them , Psal. 34.7 . Art thou assaulted by the strong man armed ? Luk. 11.21 , 22. yet the Gospel brings a stronger than He into the Field , that looks always well to thee , and will not suffer the Devil to be too long upon thee , Eph. 6.12 . or Principalities and Powers to wrestle too much against thee . Art thou Conversant in some Plat he hath beset about with Wiles ? yet here is the Wisdom of the Seed to supplant and counter-work the subtilty of the Serpent , that thou mayst stand against the Wiles of the Devil , Eph. 6.11 . In the Gospel , the Lord taketh Care that there hath no Temptation taken you , but such as is common to Man ; and God is Faithful , who will not suffer You to be tempted above that ye are able , but will with the Temptation also make a way to escape , that ye may be able to bear it , 1 Cor. 10.13 . God shews you in the Gospel , that he intends no Temptation but what he will thro' his succouring Help make you fit to bear ; be they what Tryals ( suppose ) or incitements to Sin they will , either God tries , or Satan tempts , or our own Lusts entice , they are but slight matters , and never rise above the common measure : God doth not suffer you to be over-rated , he doth not exact , nor will he allow to be exacted more on you than others . Eph. 6.16 . If Satan winnow you , God will order it to blow away your Chaff : If he throws his Fiery Darts upon you , God will have it consume no more than burn up your Dross . Tho' ye fall into divers Temptations , Jam. 1.2 . yet the Gospel provides a Saviour that hath suffered being tempted , who is able to succour them that are tempted , Heb. 2.18 .

Tho' the Devil haunts thee with Despair , or casts in Black and Blasphemous Thoughts upon thee , yet the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under thy Feet shortly , Rom. 16.20 . The God of Peace . ] Tho' the Devil comes in with War , and may suggest God an Enemy , yet there is Peace from God towards thee : 1 Pet. 5.8 . Tho' your Adversary the Devil be that Roaring Lyon which goeth up and down , seeking whom he may devour , yet thou shalt tread upon the Lyon and Adder , ( that old crooked Serpent that hath so often Poysoned , or tormented thee with his Sting ) the young Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou trample under Feet , Psal. 91.13 . Tho' a Messenger of Satan buffet thee , 2 Cor. 12.7 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of Temptations , 2 Pet. 2.9 . Tho' the Devil should cast some of you into Prison , yet the Gospel hath Provisions still to succour you , even where Satan's seat is . Rev. 2.13 . Heb. 2.10 . Mat. 9.34 . ch. 12.34 . The Captain of our Salvation will protect you against the Prince of Devils . Here is not only a Shield and a * * Eph. 6.17 . Eph. 6.11 . Helmet of Salvation , but the whole Armour of God to secure you against all his Fiery Darts , 2 Cor. 12.9 and His Grace sufficient when you are tempted of the Devil . Matth. 4.1 . In a word , there is all ; and when he goes about to cause thine Heart to despair , Eccl. 2.20 . he shall never discover it of this Gospel , that it is not entire , wanting nothing . Jam. 1.4 .

Fifteenthly , The Gospel hath Cordial Provisions , suited to the Condition of Fainting Spirits . Judg. 19.5 Thou may'st comfort thine Heart with a Morsel , when thou hast eaten other sorrowful Meat , Job 6.7 . or with a Cordial to fetch thine Heart again , that will even fill thy Mouth with Laughter , Psal. 126.2 after thou hast minglea thy Drink with weeping : Psal. 102.9 Psal. 13.2 . Tho' thou hast sorrow in thine Heart daily , and art shook with continual Feebleness of Mind , yet He that made thee , can speak a word that shall make thee be of good chear , thou shalt eat thy meat with Gladness , when He hath join'd and created singleness of Heart , Acts 2.41 . In the Gospel he hath it ready for thee : Tho' thou a Poor Creature faintest , yet hast thou not known ? hast thou not heard , that the everlasting God , the Lord , the Creator of the Ends of the Earth , fainteth not ? Isa. 40.28 . He doth not flag in his Power , thô an Arm of Flesh hangs dangling from the Bone , by a little skin that holds it . It may keep thine Heart up , to think that neither the Hand , or the Heart of God is ever cast down . The Ministry of the Gospel is to be a Cordial , to keep thine Heart , and cheer up thy Spirits : see 2 Cor. 4.1 . Therefore seeing we have this Ministry , as we have received Mercy , we faint not : and v. 16. for which cause we faint not . It is a Cordial that warms , when thou hast suckt in other Spirits , and gat no Heat by them . 1 King . 1.1 16.

Sixteenthly , The Gospel hath Quieting Provisions , suited to the Condition of Troubled Minds . Mal. 4.2 . It hath a Sun of Righteousness to shine after God's Face hath been long hid : Job . 16.2 . If miserable Comforters disturb , here is a merciful Creator quiets thee . When other Comforters are Physicians of no value , Job 13.4 . too weak and unskilful to remove or repel the Disease that troubles thee , the Gospel is afforded , that we might have effectual Remedy ; or , as the Holy Ghost by the Apostle , that we might have a strong Consolation , Heb. 6.18 . That is , as * * Dr. Owen on the Hebrews , Vol. 3d. Fol. a Learned Man glosseth it , prevalent against opposition . It is able to still the Causes of our unquiet Tumult , and suppress the furious Agitations that roll within our Breasts . Tho' thou hast Great Troubles , Job 15.11 yet the Consolations of God are not small with us . Tho' thou also as well as the Wicked dost sometimes look like a Troubled Sea , Isa. 57.20 . yet with this Difference , he remembers God and is troubled , Psal. 77.3 . whereas in the multitude of thy Troubled Thoughts his Comforts delight thy Soul , Psal. 94.19 . The Gospel is so universally contrived in the whole Frame of it , thro' all its Counsels , Promises , Experiences , that when He giveth Quietness , there is none can cause Trouble . Job 34.19 . He hath sweet Morsels to roll under thy Tongue , after thou hast taken bitter Pills from him , This is my Comfort in mine Affliction . Psal. 119.50 . God hath so suitably provided Gospel-Grace , and so order'd it in all the Tribulations of his Children , Cant. 2.3 . that they might be encouraged to rest quietly under his shadow , who shakes down some Fruit into their Laps , as a Testimony that he doth know their state , Col. 4.8 . and will comfort their Hearts : And therefore be of good cheer , 1 Thes. 4.18 . and comfort one another with these words .

Seventeenthly , The Gospel hath Resolving Provisions , to answer thy Scruples , and remove all thy Doubts and Fears . The Soul oftentimes puts such Questions about its own State , that it needs a Messenger with it , and an Interpreter one of a thousand , Job 33.23 . Sick Souls as well as Sick Bodies do require an able spiritual Doctor by 'em , to shew unto Man his uprightness ; i. e. * * Arth●● Jackson , Vol. 3d. 4 to . To shew how he must come to be presented Righteous and upright in the sight of God ; Ad exponendum Homini , i. e. pro homine in usum hominis . Mercer in loc. Isa. 19.18 . Dan. 5.16 . and whether the Sick or Doubting Party may be yet in such a Case . Now for this an Interpreter is requisite ; not only a Man that can speak the Language of Canaan , but also read the Hand-writing which the Finger of God's Spirit hath written , tho' in so small a Character , that he who carries the Book may not read the Hand : Such a Text-man is call'd an Interpreter , and an Interpreter one of a Thousand , or as * * Multis è millibus unus . Mr. Mat. Pool , Morn . Ex. Giles's in the Fields . some read it , One of many Thousands . Dissolving of Doubts was one of the things that made Belshazzar's Queen conclude of Daniel , Dan. 5.11 , 12. that the Spirit of the Holy gods was in him . Oh! what Spirit then is that in the Gospel , that will resolve thy Soul Doubts , Acts 8.22 . and tell thee if perhaps the Thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee ? that will untye the very Knot that lay upon thy mind , thou didst not dare to utter ? This is an Interpreter indeed , one of a Thousand , one of ten Thousand Casuists ; He is one that speaks as never Man spake . The Spirit of God is one that can speak in us , when a Man , Gal. 1.8 . or a meer Angel frrom Heaven could only speak to us . It may be , with Naomi , Ruth 1.20 . the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with thee ; and perhaps , as * * Dr. Tho. Fuller , Comment. on Ruth . pag. 122. one Notes it , thou makest sour Faces , whilst thou canst not resolve the Doubt , whether with Ephraim thou art God's pleasant Child , Jer. 31.20 . or no ; yet the Gospel hath a Spirit will search this out , Psal. 44.21 because it searcheth the Deep Things of God . 1 Cor. 2.10 If there be never so many Dark circumstances in thy state that puzzle thee , yet do not Interpretations belong to God ? Gen. 40.8 . He is a Revealer of Secrets , Dan. 2.47 . Act. 27.23 . and will tell thee whose thou art , and whom thou servest ; Dent. 32.4 . yea , a God of Truth that will not belye thy Case . Ah! thou art often at a loss to know what God would have thee do , but God hath made Provision in the Gospel to shine upon thy Path , and make thy way clear , that when the Spirit bids thee go , thou shalt go on with thy Duty , as Peter did with the Three Men from Cesarea , doubting nothing , Acts 11.12 . There 's not a Scruple you make , but the Grace of God can make reply to it : Not a Knot , which either the Devil or your own Fearful Hearts may tye , but the Sword of the Spirit waits to cut in sunder ; Eph. 6.17 . that in whatsoever you doubt , you might go into the Sanctuary and enquire , Psal. 73.17 Phil. 3.15 . and God shall reveal even this unto you .

Eighteenthly , The Gospel hath saving Provisions , suited to the Condition of the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel . Matt. 10.6 . Tho' you apprehend that you are in jeopardy every hour , 1 Cor. 15.30 . yet the Gospel is prepared to shew forth his Salvation from Day to Day : Psa. 96.2 . Tho' you think the Pit is ready to receive you in , Psa. 69.15 . and shut her mouth upon you , even Hell , Job 17.1 . while the Graves are ready for you , yet the Gospel opens the Everlasting Gates , Psa. 24.7 , 9. that you may look thro' a Door of Hope . Hos. 2.15 . Tho' you Mourn in your Complaints and make a Noise , Psal. 55.2 . yet he can still the Voice of your crying , Psal. 5.2 . when he stops the Voice of his Justice , and prepare you to sing of Mercy : Psa. 101.1 . Tho' you count it that for your Parts , Ezek. 37.11 . Psal. 1.3 . your Hope is gone , and your Branch is withered , yet he that planted it by the Rivers of Water , Isa. 55.10 . will cause it to bud and spring forth again . In a word , tho' you cry out with those Frighted Mariners in Paul's Ship , Act. 27.20 . that all Hopes of being saved is taken away , yet the Gospel still suits your Case , for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost , Matth. 18.11 . He finds you out , tho' you are got where you lose your selves , tho' you are muffled up in shades , 1 Sam. 10.22 . or hid behind the Stuff , or covered over with Dust , or disguis'd with Tears , or wrapt in a Mantle of Confusion , Psal. 109.29 . you throw in a Fright about you .

Nineteenthly , The Gospel hath All-sufficient Provisions , suited to the Condition of wretched Creatures , sunk below the Recovery of any Men or Angels . God can do for thee , what Men , Neighbours , thine Acquaintance , Companions , Brethren , nay , thy own Flesh and Blood cannot . The very Called and Chosen of God that are made nigh to Christ , Eph. 2.13 . can but stand round about thee weeping , but the Lord can break in with Tender Mercies , Luk. 1.78 . Psal. 136.23 . and in thy Low Estate recover thee : I was brought low and he helped me , Psal. 116.6 . last words . It is the work of God , and beyond the sufficiency of Men ; God's Friends may pity thee , but 't is God himself must favour thee ; thou may'st lye in thy Pit while their Eye trickleth down with Tears , Lam. 3.49 . but the Arm of the Lord can quickly draw thee out . Isa. 53.1 . They may lament thee fallen , but he can lift thee up : I looked and there was none to help , therefore my own Arm brought Salvation , Isa. 63.5 . * * Arthur Jackson upon Isai. 4th . Vol. somewhat changed from the Author 's . When God sought but a little Help of Man , to do his People Justice , he found not one appear'd ; much more then doth it note an Insufficiency for any Helper besides Him that hath the All-sufficiency of Free Grace and Power , to save Men , tho' sunk in Misery , ( thro' an Original Apostacy . ) If God should look out for Help thro' the whole Creation round , he would never find any but what himself brings : And He can speak a word , which neither Heaven nor Earth , Angels or Men , ever dare pronounce , My Grace is sufficient for thee , 2 Cor. 12.9 .

Lastly , The Gospel hath Eternal Provisions , suited to the continuance of Man's Immortal Spirit . As the Soul must endure for ever , the Gospel hath Provisions to make it Happy thro' the same endless Parallel . Jam. 2.5 . Do you hope as Heirs of the Kingdom , for a Kingdom that cannot be shaken ? why , the Gospel hath such a Kingdom prepared for you , Matth. 25.34 . Heb. 12.28 . Do you hope for Glory , when you see a Full End of Grace ? why , Heb. 6.18 . Heaven is the Hope that is set before you . Do you expect more than to be ransomed for a little moment here ? the Gospel suits with your Expectation , for the ransomed of the Lord shal return , and come to Zion with Songs , and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads , Isa. 35.10 . It is an Eternal Inheritance that is prepared for the Heirs of the Grace of Life , Heb. 9.10 . an Eternal Salvation , Heb. 5.9 . an eternal weight of Glory , 2 Cor. 4.17 . In one word , you can never see a Full End of these All Things , tho' you look towards the utmost Bounds of the Everlasting Hills . Gen. 49.26 And thus I have shewn , that as the Feast of the Gospel is full and plenteous , so it is a Banquet of suitable Provisions that do fit all the Guests of it . And Oh! that now as Man hath try'd to suit them , and Apply them to your Case , so God would by the Application of his Spirit press these Clusters for you into a Cup of Saving Health .

VII . The Seventh thing is to give some Account , Why it is a Feast with all Things in it .

1. It is so in regard of the Great Founder , Reas. 1 who is a God that had All Things to give . It is not the Provisions of a mortal Man , but the Supper of the great King ; and no wonder when a King Feasts his Subjects , if he hold a Feast in his House , like the Feast of a King . 1 Sam. 25.36 . The Lord is a Great God , and a Great King above all gods , Psal. 95.3 . And therefore the Entertainment he makes , must be a Feast that hath Provisions above all Feasts whatever , a Feast with All Things in it . Song 1.12 . The King sitteth at his Table , and the Feast of a King proclaims a Full Table , and the Royal Founder of Divine Grace makes this Heavenly Fare the greater . If this Great Provider were not God , Joh. 9.33 . he could do nothing ; Nihil dat quod in se non habet : None can supply another with what he hath not himself antecedently ; but now All Things are eminenter in Deo , that is , they are dwelling by a Transcendent Fulness in him ; he is the God of all Grace , 1 Pet. 5.10 . first words ; and therefore he gives us all this Plenty . We may say of every Dish made ready for God's Table , as David spoke of the Materials he had made ready for the Temple , 1 Chron. 29.16 . All this Store — cometh of thine Hand , and is all thy own . In himself is the Abundance of All Things , and therefore the abundant Grace redounds . 2 Cor. 4.15 . There is a Full Treasure in God , and therefore a Full Table he hath disht and garnisht forth for us . This is the Lords Doing , Psal. 118.23 . and therefore nothing Defective in it . The Lord had so many Things to give , that he made bare his Holy Arm , Isa. 52.10 . that nothing might hang in his way , to obstruct the Communication of a Full Gift to us . In a word , he is All , and therefore he hath all ready .

2. The Gospel is a large Feast , Reas. 2 with All Things ready , because , wheresoever God bestows that one Gift , the Lord Jesus Christ , he gives in all other Things with him . Every Child of God hath a Richer Portion than he thinks of , meerly for his Elder Brother's sake : For He that spared not his own Son , but delivered him up for us * * Gave him up to Death for the Salvation of all the Elect. Dickson upon the Epistles . all , how shall he not with Him freely give us all Things , Rom. 8.32 . When God provided his Son , he would to magnifie this unspeakable Gift , 2 Cor. 9.15 bestow a House-full of all other good , that his Family should have Plenty , and every Day variety . When he parted with his Jewel , he purchased All Things with it . The Price of that dear Blood could not procure less than to buy in all Provision . The Pouring out of Christ's Blood made the Cup of Salvation brim full : Psal. 116.13 . So that when we receive of Christ's Merits we receive a full Reward ; 2 Joh. 8. we shall not be kept upon Gospel-Grace with Part , when we have Christ that fully paid for All.

3. There be all Things , Reas. 3 because they all spring from God's abundant Love and Goodness : What he gives , he gives with all his Heart , 1 King . 4.29 . and he that hath a Largeness of Heart infinitely more than the Sand upon the Sea-shore , is large in Communicating , and in his Gifts doth not bestow Little Matters on us ; Eph. 2.4 . But God who is rich in Mercy , for the great Love wherewith he loved us . He put forth his Heart , and then he put forth both Hands for us . The Act of his Will to love us , awakened and call'd up the Mercy of his Nature to appear for us ; and from hence where he sets his Love , ( as Psal. 91.14 . He hath set his Love upon me ; ) there he provides All Things to shew it . It was such a manner of Love , ( 1 Joh. 3.1 . Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us ) that when it appears , makes no less matters of it . All Love overlookt our Defects , and did not think All Things too many .

The Largeness of the Divine Love in making such a Feast ready , may be heightened by a Consideration of his Bounty in Common Mercies to us . It is a Royal Act of Grace , that affords us any thing from Court . He is a Benefactor that prepares our own Tables , but the Riches of his Grace proclaim him more Bountiful to furnish the Table of the Lord , Mal. 1.12 . and make the Gospel of his Son ready for us . It was Love and Bounty that filled our Cup to the Brim with common Mercies , Psa. 116.13 . but it was a larger Love than this that made the Cup of Salvation overflow . It was Love and Bounty that gave us Corn , that we ever see or hear of the Shocks of it to come in in their Season , Job 5.26 . in the Appointed Weeks of the Harvest . , Jer. 5.24 . but it was a Larger Love that hath given us of the Corn of Heaven . Psa. 78.24 . It was Love and Bounty that he hath given for the Use of Man , to drink of the pure Blood of the Grape , ( as Wine is called among that Inventory of the Good Things of Men , Deut. 32.14 . ) but it was infinitely more that he gave us Blood to drink , Rev. 16.6 . even the Blood of Jesus Christ . Oh! what a Large Love was that , Isa. 63.3 . to give us one that should tread the Wine-press of his Father's Wrath ! This was infinitely beyond the common Bounty that made our Presses to burst out with New Wine ! Prov. 3.10 . Oh! Love Emphatical ! God so loved the World , that he gave his only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth on him should not perish , but have everlasting Life , Joh. 3.16 . If God had not left it upon Record , with a so he loved us , we had never had , no nor ever heard of such a Royal Entertainment , as the Riches of his Grace in Christ . Herein is Love , 1 Joh. 4.10 . not that we loved God , but that He loved us , and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins : Oh! what a Present , what a Gift of Love , 2 Cor. 9.15 what an unspeakable Gift is here ! we may call the Gospel with an Emphasis a Love-Feast , a Feast filled infinitely more with Love than those 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , those other Feasts of Charity , Jude v. 12. which were no more than * *

Banquets of Love : The Ground of these Ancient Love-Feasts was Provision for the Poor Brethren , and preserving mutual Love among themselves . Jenkyn upon Jude . Fol. pag. 111 , 112.

* These were Suppers used in the Primitive Times , either to manifest their Brotherly Union , or for the Comfort and refreshing of the Poor , in Obedience to Christ's Injunction , Luk. 14.12 , 13. Dr. Manton on Jude . p. 407.

Entertainments used in the Apostle's Days , and the early Times of the Gospel to express a Love in the Primitive Christians ( and all this was but the Love of Creatures ) to one another : But the Gospel is a Feast of Charity that is filled with the Love of a Merciful Creator , 1 Pet. 4.19 and a Faithful Redeemer to us : His Bowels opened , and he shut up nothing from us ; His Affections rolled towards us , and so brought in all to make a full Provision for us . It was a Large Love , and therefore a Little Flock feeds in large Pastures . He was a God * * Psa. 86.5 . v. 15. Psa. 103.8 . plenteous in Mercy , Hab. 1.16 . and therefore we have plenteous Meat .

4. It is the result of the whole Counsel of God , Reas. 4 and therefore no wonder to see the Feast large . The Apostle not only calls it Wisdom , but the † † Multiformis , vel , ut alij reddunt multi ●aria Sapientia . Bodius in loc. p. 368. col. 1. Manifold Wisdom of God , Eph. 3.10 . The Infinite Wisdom of God did exert it self in such a wonderful variety of wise and mysterious Operations , that he hath laid before us a Vniversal Entertainment . Manifold Wisdom contriving what Dishes to provide , must needs find out Dainties , and prepare a great many . He that was wonderful in Counsel is also excellent in working , Isa. 28.29 . He who doth all Things according to the Counsel of his own Will , Eph. 1.11 . was a God that could search this out , Psa. 44.21 . even a Spiritual Feast with All Things ready . The Apostle argues it , Eph. 1.8 , 9. Wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence ; — according to his Good pleasure , which he hath purposed in himself . * * Inculcat , nihil hìc temerè , nihil inconsulto neque fortuitò contigisse . Idem . pag. 369. col. 2dâ . The Lord did nothing rashly , or unadvisedly , or by chance , but carried on the whole Platform of the Gospel by Wise and Prudent Counsels . The Wisdom of God had the management and ordering of all that was ever made known by the Foolishness of Preaching to us : 1 Cor. 1.21 And this was sufficient to find out All Things for us , that his understanding was infinite . Psa. 147.5 . A Divine Contrivance could find out all the Dainties that any Poor Soul could ever want or wish : I Wisdom dwell with Prudence , and find out Knowledge of witty Inventions , Prov. 8.12 . Wisdom searcheth , and discovers to us how his ways are past finding out . Rom. 11.33 .

5. It is a Provision against All Evils , Reas. 5 and therefore nothing less than All Things would serve us . A Poor Soul that doth find it self to be in Temptations ( it may be ) more abundant , in difficulties above measure , 2 Cor. 11.23 . in Afflictions more frequent , in Deaths oft , and tho' long brought up under the means of Grace , yet ( perhaps ) that Soul is still ready to cry out , I was almost in all evil , in the midst of the Congregation and Assembly , to allude to Prov. 5.14 . tho' I have lived under Means , yet still I need Mercy . Now what would have prevailed to have done such a Soul good , if all Grace had not abounded towards us . You have seen before what a multitude of Cases meet , some in one , some in another , many or them uniting and centring in the same Person : Now God hath provided All Things , that in our very dividing of the Word , 2 Tim. 2.15 we might have enough to give to every one a proper Portion , and you might all find some . In many things we offend all , Jam. 3.2 . and we had need of all , Rom. 5.18 . that Judgment might not pass upon all unto Condemnation . We fell into all sorts of Misery , and we had need of all sorts of Mercy .

6. It is to procure all Happiness in God's Favour here , Reas. 6 and his Full Presence hereafter ; and therefore he provides all things accordingly . To invest us in the Possession of all Good , it was necessary there should be the Provision of all Good Things . The Means must be correspondent to the End . All Men indeed are not saved , but yet the Gospel is ( as the Apostle said he became ) All Things , 1 Cor. 9.22 that it might by all means save some : As the Apostle tries to pull this way , and that way , and the other , Zech. 3.2 . if he might pluck a Brand out of the Fire , and save it any ways from burning ; so the Gospel comes in with this and that and the other Provision , even All Things ready , if it might but with any of them save us . Nothing must be excepted in the means , if we attain the End of our Faith : 1 Pet. 1.9 . There must not be one Link of the Chain drop , if we are drawn to Heaven . There must be Election to Grace , or there can be no Effectual Calling , no Adoption , no Justification , no Sanctification , no Perseverance in Grace , ( I mean the State of it ) and there must be all these , or no Glorification after . So that All Things must be provided to begin our Happiness in God's Favour here , and to perfect it in his full Presence hereafter . The Gospel is to advance us , and therefore the All Things are the many steps to it . You can never ascend from the Bottom to the Top of Jacob's Ladder , Gen. 28.12 if you do not pass thro' many Rounds between .

7. God hath been always providing ; Reas. 7 providing before Time , providing in Time , providing early , providing late , even to this moment , and therefore in the issue we must needs have rich Pasture . Prov. 4.7 . It is impossible but with all his Gettings , he should have got in all Things for us . The Gospel-Blessings he hath brought to your Ears ( tho' of yesterday in the report ) are the result of his Counsels that were of old . Job 8.9 . Isa. 25.1 . The Ancient of Days was not idle , Dan. 7.9 . Job 38.4 . before the Foundations of the world were laid , but was employ'd in accomplishing our Happiness , Heb. 3.4 . after he had built all Things in time . It was before the Sons of the Morning shouted , Job 38.7 . that he was making Supper ready . Before the very Worlds were frramed by the Word of God , Heb. 11.3 . his Grace was a laying in of all Things in order . The Apostle takes great Notice of the Antiquity and Eldership of Divine Grace , Eph. 1.4 . and carries up the Date of it into an Eternity , a parte ante , before the Foundations of the World . Nature is young , but Grace is the First-born of Heaven . The great God was cutting out this work in Eternity , which we see in Time made up into such a Coat of divers colours . Gen. 37.3 . It was an Eternal Purpose , and therefore such full and various Preparations ; according to the Eternal Purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord , Eph. 3.11 . It is a Feast so large , because so long a getting .

Reas. 7 They are all Things that God's People may have enough without meddling with any Things forbidden : Luk. 6.38 . It is measure running over without a Grain from the Devil's Heap . We have a Full Table from God , that we might not Covet of any Dish he hates : Gen. 2.16.17 . — of every Tree of the Garden thou mayst freely eat , but of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil , thou shalt not eat of it . * * Mr. Cooper . Morn . Exer. at Giles's in the Fields . p. 84. He grants him a vast Latitude to eat of all freely , that he need not be straitned to eat of that one Tree excepted . So in the Gospel it is all lovely Grace , that you might not cry after one Beloved Lust . All the Milk and Honey , Num. 13.27 . the Spice and Balm , the Fruits and Clusters that grow in Canaan , v. 24. that your Mouths may never water after the Leeks Num. 11.5 and Garlick , and stinking Onions , the Diet of the old Man in Egypt . He offers the Fatness of the Olive , Rom. 11.17 . that , having tasted it , we may never relish the Fruits of the wild Tree agen . You shall have Bread enough and to spare , Luk. 15.17 that you may not whine for Husks , or cry out for the Trough to be fed among Swine . You shall be provided with Grace and Glory , Psal. 84.11 Things here and Things in Heaven , that you might not take up with , or be delighted in things viler than the Earth .

9. It is that all Men's mouths may be stopt . Reas. 9 Oh! it is a Silencing Argument that makes God's own People Dumb , without a reply , when he comes to reckon up his Mercies , and their foul Miscarriages : See it in David , 2 Sam. 12.7 , 8 , 9. ( where God is reproving David by his Servant Nathan the Prophet , for that scandalous Trespass , after he had gone in to Bathsheba , ) Thus saith the Lord God of Israel , I anointed thee King over Israel , and I delivered thee out of the Hand of Saul , and I gave thee thy Master's House , and thy Master's Wives into thy Bosom , and gave thee the House of Israel and of Judah ; and if that had been too little , I would moreover have given unto thee such and such Things , wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord , to do evil in his sight , &c. Now here David's mouth was stopt , the Provision that God made in so many things silenc'd him : He could not plead ( after God had graciously conferr'd so much upon him ) for the killing of Vriah , the snatching away of Bathsheba , and when God had given him the whole Flock of Israel , to usurp and dress of the Poor Man's Ewe . 2 Sam. 12.3 , 4.

So likewise it was a silencing Argument to his Church of old , when he comes to reckon up the Mercies he had bestowed , in that Song of his Beloved , touching his Vineyard , Isa. 5.1 , 2. He had planted it in a Fruitful Hill , ( but the Slip prov'd naught , there was nothing to be reprehended in the Soil , or the Scituation ) He had ( also ) fenc'd it , ( his Providence watched over it , his Protection was round about it , he kept out Thieves and Robbers by Night , Obad. v. 5. that would have stole 'till they had enough ; he fenc'd out the Wild Beasts from breaking in , and the subtle Foxes of the Desart from creeping thro' ) he gathered out the Stones thereof , Ezek. 13.4 ( he took away such Hindrances as were most likely to marr the Soil ) he planted it with the choicest Vine , ( no People under Heaven that he had chosen to do these Things for but They , no Vine but that which he brought out of Egypt did he ever plant in Canaan ; Psal. 80.8 . he chosen the Slip , and therefore the choicest , because the chosen Vine ) he built a Tower in the midst of it ; ( he had plac'd a Tower of Defence to save them , in planting his own Presence there ; as a Tower in the midst is a necessary Fortification to Command all the Out-works , and cover them under its Protection ; yea , he built a Tower to discern all the Coasts round , and as a Watch-tower to observe all Enemies Postures , or Approaches towards it ) he had also made a Wine-press therein ; ( the very Afflictions he order'd were all design'd in mercy , to press out and save the Liquor of their ripe Grapes , if they had brought forth any ) insomuch that when God queries and expostulates hereon with them , it stopt all their mouths . The whole House of Judah , and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem are all silenc'd , when God challengeth the Vineyard for their Wild Grapes ; every one hereby came to be Convicted in his own Conscience , Joh. 8.9 . and could make no reply to God .

Now in the same manner these all things are provided in the Gospel to stop Sinner's mouths , who dare provoke him to Displeasure , after all that God hath made ready . I have done thus and thus for thee , Sinner , and made a Large Feast to encourage thee to become my Guest ; and what ? dost thou kick at my Sacrifice , 1 Sam. 2.29 . and slight all my Kindness ? I have sent in Provision , and serv'd up one Course after another , and wilt thou despise Mercy , and turn all my Grace to wantonness ? Oh! Jude v. 4. it will shut the mouths of carnal , loose Professors , that God's Hand hath been so open towards them , Rom. 3.19 . lat. pt. That every Mouth may be stopped , and all the World may become Guilty before God . Hadst thou trampled upon One Grace , or Two Graces of the Spirit of God provided , thou hadst had of the Swine in thee , Eph. 3.10 . but to trample upon the Manifold Grace , all the Grace of God at once , and tread under the Pearl of Price , Oh! Mat. 13.46 what a cloven-footed Swine art thou ! God provides all Things to stop all Sinners Mouths : Indeed Sinners are naturally talkative , and think they have a great deal to say for themselves ; in the Parable they all began to make excuse , Luk. 14.18 . but however when all things are so openly provided , they can have no cloak for their sin . Joh. 15.22 God now writes it over the Door of their Lips , therefore thou art inexcusable Oh Man , Rom. 2.1 . They who fancy they have enough to plead for themselves , will find God hath more , even all to put to silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men ; 1 Pet. 2.15 Psal. 39.2 . Mat. 26.73 or , if they are not dumb with silence , their very speech will bewray them , Luk. 19.22 . Out of thy own mouth will I judge thee . If all things should not work upon thee , yet God will have them all Preacht , that thou mayst be one of them whose Mouths must be stopt . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ●re occlusus est . Angl. He was muzled , as still in the mouth , as a Beast that hath a Bit put into him , or a muzzle laid upon him . Luk. 10.42 And he was speechless , Matth. 22.12 . He was so , who thought it so slight a matter to be found where All Things were ready , tho' he wanted the one thing needful . In short , the more things there are in the Gospel , the fewer words such will have to say for themselves , Isa. 53.6 . that turn each one to his way .

Lastly , Reas. 10 All Things are provided , that God may be admir'd and ador'd by the Saints to all Eternity . A rich and plentiful Gospel shall cause these to sing , while it makes others silent . The Saints shall stand up for ever in Admiration of this Supper of the Gospel , when they are got to that other Marriage-Supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19.9 . And therefore the Second Coming of Christ ( when he shall come in the Clouds of Heaven ) is set forth by this Blessed Description , Mat. 24.30 to be glorifyed in his Saints , and to be admir'd in all them that believe , 2 Thes. 1.10 . As Christ's Personal Glory was a Ray that Shone from Everlasting , Joh. 17.5 . Prov. 8.23 , &c. so Christ's * * Sclater on the Thessalonians . Social Glory ( or the Glory of the Head in Fellowship and Conjunction with the Members ) shall result to his Person from the Praises of the Elect. The Saints , Rev. 15.2 , 3. having the Harps of God , will admire him in the Song of Moses , and in the Song of the Lamb for ever : Yea , the Saints shall then admire and adore him for those Things which the Angels already look into , 1 Pet. 1.12 . last words .

The Eighth Thing is to lay open what Hinderances do make it unto many ineffectual . VIII . The Feast of the Gospel meets with very many . Now that we may not suffer any of these Hinderances to slip away in the Crowd without Notice , it will be convenient to seize as many as we find , by stopping them at these Two Doors , and shewing first what Hinderances do make the Gospel wholly ineffectual to Sinners ; and secondly what Hinderances peculiar do make it in part to be ineffectual to Saints .

First , The Hinderances of Sinners that render this Feast of the Gospel ineffectual to Them are numerous , no less than these Eighteen . 1. Insensibleness of the Things of God . 2. Inward Captivity of the Mind . 3. Ignorance . 4. Obstinacy . 5. Other Banquets . 6. The Cares of this Life . 7. Slothfulness . 8. Prejudice . 9. The General Disesteem which the Gospel meets with in the World . 10. Bad Company . 11. Carnal Relations . 12. False Teachers . 13. A Conceit of Self-Fulness . 14. Scandals . 15. Carnal Disappointment . 16. Plain dealing . 17. Sometimes open Persecution . 18. God's Righteous Induration , his hardning and giving them up judicially .

First , 1 Hinderance . Insensibleness of the Things of God , or a Spiritual Death in sin . If we Preach to a Company of Moral Stocks , that are no more affected with the Doctrines of the true God , than if we had Preacht up Stocks , and Dumb Idols , and the Doctrine of Vanities , alas ! Jer. 10.8 . what doth it profit ? The Gospel indeed hath Enlivening Provisions , as hath been shewn , but there be many nevertheless Dead in Sin , Jam. 2.16 . that have not yet received them . Oh! how do we Preach still , as if the Assembly were a Golgotha , Mat. 27.33 a Place of Dead Men's Skulls ! alas ! how small is the inner in comparison of the outer Court among us ! how many come to Meetings , that never met with God! how many Graves have the Trumpet sounded over , Rev. 20.13 that never yet have opened and given up their Dead ! we wait to see that Question graciously resolved in the Affirmative , Psa. 88.10 . shall the Dead arise and praise thee ? Some , blessed be the Lord , are made Living Men , because he lives , Joh. 14.19 they do , and shall live also . But how do we Preach Christ Jesus the Resurrection to a great many others that never found Life ! chap. 11.25 that were never yet awakened ! never sensible , never stirred ! never had the Beginnings of any Good Work upon them ! These are Dead , Rom. 5.15 . Thro' the offence of one , many be Dead ; Dead in Sins , Eph. 2.5 . Now All Things to him that is insensible , or not spiritually risen from the Dead , are nothing . So long as a Man is Stupid , there comes not a Sigh , or ever one Groan , or Tear from him . Acts 2.37 . You must be prickt at the Heart before the Liquor runs : 'Till then , no Pantings , no Desires , no Enquiries , no melting Warmth , no Motions of the Soul towards God . If thou art a meer Carkass in Divinity , or Profession with thy Pulse gone , thine Affections lost , thy Breath stopt , and thou art found but just where Adam ( our first Father that sinned ) left thee : Isa. 43.27 . This will be an insuperable Hinderance to thee , 2 Thes. 2.7 'till it be taken out of the way . And yet this is the Condition , this is the State of every one by Nature .

Secondly , 2 Hindran . An inward Captivity of the Soul . 1. Under Sin . And 2. By the God of this World .

1. Captivity under Sin is a Hinderance to the Gospel-Feast . If a Man be not in such a stupid , blockish Case , as to remain grossly Dead , and altogether insensible of the Things of God , but suppose him some ways Apprehensive , brisk and lively in his Temper and Deportment ; yet if sin commands him , he is but a merry Slave still , and a stranger to Gospel-Grace : For so long as a Man is overcome of the evil that doth so easily beset him , Heb. 12.1 . he is made a True Slave to it , 2 Pet. 2.19 . latter part . Of whom a Man is overcome , of the same is he brought in Bondage : His Iniquities seize him , and carry him off as a Bond-slave , without his own Resistance : A Lust sets upon the Soul and ravisheth her , and whether it finds her in the House , or in the Field , she never like the Betrothed Damsel * * Nisbet upon Peter . Deut. 22.24 . Cryed to Christ for Help . This is an easie Conquest , a voluntary Surrender , a Running into the Enemy's Hand . Now 't is no wonder , that Men are hindred from the Things of God , when their Iniquities withhold Good Things from them ; your Iniquities have separated between you and your God , and your sins have hid his Face from you — Isa. 59.2 . Sin like a mighty Cord draws the Wicked more and more from God , and then winds so fast about them , they can make no return ; Sin at last will hold them in the snare , notwithstanding all their faint * * Wishings and Wouldings , as some express it . Velleityes to escape , Prov. 5.22 . whether they will or no. His own Iniquities shall take the wicked himself , and he shall be holden with the Cords of his sins . Men first give way to sin , and at last sin † † Peccata quae nexuisti , instar Retium & Tendicularum sunt , quae vinctum te , & constrictum tenebunt , ut te expedire nequeas . Cartwright in loc. twines so close about them , they can never get free , or , by all the Art and Endeavours they use , make it loose its hold . Natural Conscience at first makes them start , while it hath beheld how the Snare hath caught them , but afterwards Conscience wasts , and they sin under the Dominion of the Tyrant with more Greedy Delight than ever . This is most notably represented in the Prophet , Isa. 5.18 . Wo unto them that draw Iniquity with Cords of Vanity , and sin as it were with a Cart-rope . The Holy Ghost seemeth to speak there of the brisk , active Servants of Sin , who scorn with Ahab to serve it a little , ● Kings 10.18 . but with Jehu will serve it much , as Jehu counterfeits in the Case of Baal's Priests . That draw Iniquity with Cords . ] There is a Generation of Active Sinners in the World , that will bring wickedness in by the Hand , if a Temptation be slow-pac'd , and doth not come fast enough alone , or present it self quickly : If Sin without should be long a coming , the wickedness of their Hearts is impatient , and will go out half way to meet it , Prov. 4.16 for they sleep not except they have done mischief ; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall ; they hate either to go to Bed , or to rise without sin with them . And sin as it were with a Cart-rope . ] * * Mr. Pool . Engl. Annotations . As Beasts commonly do that draw Carts with Ropes . (a) (a) Arth. Jackson . Whilst others are drawn away to sin , they draw sin upon themselves . It denotes the Great Pains they take , and their toilsom endeavours they use with all possible Eagerness to accomplish what they have contrived . They will pull hard , like a Man at a Cart-rope , when he is binding Sheaves in the Field , rather than suffer sin to lye loose upon them , and hazard its dropping off . Now these in this mighty strugling with the Cord , are caught fast in it , and lye bound worse than Samson with the New Ropes , that if they would , they cannot get away . When Sin hath Dominion over them , they are made to do its Drudgery . The Will of the Flesh is put in opposition to the Will of God . Joh. 1.13 . If sin therefore reign in your mortal Body , that you should obey it in the Lusts thereof , Rom. 6.12 . His Servants ye are , to whom you obey , v. 16. And if you are the Slaves of sin , you are no Subjects of the King that hath made this Gospel-Supper ready , nor will you be able 'till freed to meddle with it .

2. Captivity under the God of this World is also a Hinderance to the Gospel-Feast . The Devil hates the Gospel , and he will allow none of his to love it . He keeps them as much as possible under Blindness , least if they see the light , they should break loose : 'T is therefore ascribed to the Malignant Influence of the god of this World to blind wicked Men , 2 Cor. 4.4 . In whom the god of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not , least the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ , who is the Image of God , should shine into them . If the Devil did not keep his Prison - windows , as well as his Prison - Doors fast , his Prisoners would not lye contented , or be so quiet in their Place , to see by Christ's Light this Black Gaoler buckle on their Chain . Now this Blinding Power which he hath over them follows upon their Captivity they are in under him ; for when God leaves them in his Hand , Satan uses them at his own Pleasure : He is a Tyrant where-ever he is a Conquerour , and deals with his Slaves as Nebuchadnezzar with Zedikiah , when he carries them Captive , he binds them in Fetters , Jer. 39.7 . and puts out their Eyes : And tho' they cannot see , they shall be still made to work , for he deals with them too as the Philistines did with Samson , they must grind in his Prison-house , Judg. 16.21 . ( to allude to those words literally , tho' in Samson we may understand them , as (b) (b) See Dr. Smith's Pourtraicture of Old Age. p. 116. some do , Metaphorically , to represent how he did perform the Offices of Nature , as eating , drinking , and being nourished there , &c. ) Oh! there 's many an old Slave of the Devil 's kept so hard under a Spiritual Chain , that they can't stir a Foot to partake of this Feast . Poor Sinners that have been (c) (c) Charnock's Discourses . The First Volume . p. 68. as it were the Electors of him to the Government , and by their sin made him the god of this World , have chosen a mighty Tyrant over them , that now it may be they are so taken Captive by him at his Will , 2 Tim. 2.26 . that he will not let them go their Chain 's length to any means of Grace . This is another mighty Hinderance , which makes Gospel-Grace oftentimes very ineffectual to Men.

Thirdly , 3 Hindran . Ignorance , and Carnal Apprehensions of the Things of God . Men do naturally want Illumination , and mistake the very Notions of the Grace of God sometimes , but , if they hit upon right Notions , they may still fall short of an Experimental Acquaintance with those Things , having their Vnderstanding darkned , Eph. 4.18 . or † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Gr. darkned in their Intellectuals , obscur'd and bemisted in their Reasoning Faculty , they are brought into corrupt and deceitful Argumentations : The Natural Man hath little other Logick besides what those Two corrupt Tutors , the Devil and his own Heart , read him , that is made all up of Fallacy , and makes him conclude he is safe , because he sees no hurt . The Apostle hath given a very Faithful and clear account of it , 1 Cor. 2.14 . The Natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God , for they are Foolishness unto him , neither can he know them , because they are spiritually discerned . The Natural Man . ] It is not the Carnal Man , as some would strenuously try to render it , but the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is one that hath all that is or can be derived from the first Adam , one endowed with a Rational Soul , and who hath the use and exercise of all its Rational Faculties . Dr. Owen of the Spirit . p. 217. Animal , or Souly Man , as the word imports ; i. e. it is rather the Man that hath a Principle of Fleshly Wisdom to guide him , than the Man that hath only Carnal Affections to over-ballast him ; but tho' he be ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) a Man of never so great a Soul , one of a piercing insight to reach and perceive other Things , a clear-ey'd Observer in all humane Speculations , yet 't is otherwise when he hath the Things of God before him ; for without a Spiritual Apprehension superadded to his most sublimated Reason , and exquisite Knowledge in Philosophy and Politer Learning , he receives them not , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , he doth not take , or apprehend them ; you may reach them out to him , but he cannot take them with one of his Fingers : For the words [ not receiveth ] do imply ( as a (d) (d) Charnock's Discourses . 2d . Vol. pag. 497. Learned Man observes ) an offer of those Things . Men's Intellectuals are blind ; Sinners naturally argue wrong , and from thence in their Actions run to Crooked ways . (e) (e) Mr. Matth. Mead , Good of Early Obedience . p. 319. A Dark Mind is ever accompanyed with a Disobedient Heart ; where there is no sharing in the Light of Christ , there can be no subjection to the Law of Christ . Now this Hinderance may be opened under a Fourfold Division in reference to the Gospel-Feast .

1. Ignorance of the Invitation that calls , is a Hinderance . Poor Sinners discern not what Grace utters , when it tells them how Bowels of Mercy yearn over them . They mistake God's Voice for a Poor mortal Man's , like Samuel while a young Stripling , that took God's Voice for Eli's , 1 Sam. 3.6 . Here am I , for thou didst call me . The Lord had called him in the 4th . Verse , Samuel ; and Samuel misunderstands ; the Lord calls him again in the 6th . Verse , and still Samuel mistakes the Voice , for Samuel did not yet know the Lord , neither was the Word of the Lord yet revealed to him . Thus , under the Gospel , if Men have an outward without an inward Call , they may hear a Sound , but know not the meaning of the Voice ; if there be not a Divine Light shining , 1 Cor. 14.11 . the Messenger may be as a Barbarian speaking . Sinners understand not an Ambassadour of God , 'till the Spirit interpret that Language in which he speaks to them . Who then is the better for a Feast , that utterly misunderstands and mistakes the Invitation ? what signifies Spiritual Provision , when Men have Carnal Thoughts about , and are meer Strangers to , a saving Call to take it ? no wonder , if it hinders the Banquet , when you are ( any of you ) held back for want of knowing that sweet and inviting Call that bids you .

2. Ignorance of the Master of the Feast that provides , is a Hinderance thereunto . Sinners do not know the great God that makes it . When the World have thought themselves wisest , yet still the World by Wisdom knew not God , 1 Cor. 1.21 . They are meer Strangers to the Action of God the Father in sending Christ into the World with these Provisions . The King sends his Servant , or this Messenger of the Covenant , Mal. 3.1 . to treat with Poor Sinners , and because his Deity was vail'd with Flesh , Flesh and Blood did not know him . (f) (f) Dr. Owen . Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ . pag. 79. A very Learned and. Holy Man hath thus remarkt it , The World was so far from looking on him as the True God , that it believ'd him not to be a Good Man . Nay , the Father and the Son were both unknown alike , Joh. 8.19 . middle pt. Jesus answered , ye neither know me , nor my Father . Alas ! what was a Spiritual Feast to a Poor , Ignorant and Carnal Generation , that neither knew God who provided it , nor Jesus Christ that came from him with it . So Joh. 4.10 . If thou knewest Who it is that saith unto thee , Give me to drink ; speaking there to the Samaritaness who was Ignorant of him that brought the Provision of the Gospel with him : Christ had there to do with a Poor , Ignorant Woman , that took him for no more than a common Jew , with whom such Samaritans as she had no Dealings , v. 9. How is it that thou being a Jew , askest Drink of me that am a Woman of Samaria , for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans ? Alas ! so long as she continued Ignorant of Christ , she was never the better for all that Living Water in him ! tho' it was Jesus , he would not save her , so long as she lookt upon him as a meer Jew , and wanted an Eye to look thro' the Vail of his Flesh , Heb. 10.20 and by Faith see the Son of God in him . Thus , Sinners that have heard of the Gospel will be hindred from partaking of it , so long as they discern not by Faith who provides it . God's Ministers in the Pulpit may say to Sinners , Come ; God's People may be trying to deal with them too in private , and both to see , if they can perswade them into a Love with the ways of Sion ; but if Sinners are still Ignorant of Jesus Christ who speaks by his Friends to them , this Feast is an Entertainment that is likely to do no good upon them . Men are apt to conclude we go about to Proselyte them to a Party , Act. 20.30 . and draw Disciples after us , and thus it will be 'till they come to believe on Christ , thro' our words to them . And therefore Christ prays for all that should see their Master's Mind in the Servant's Message , Joh. 17.20 . Neither pray I for these alone , but for them also which shall believe on me thro' their Word . Not believe on you , tho' thro' your words on Me. 'T is your Message , but my express Will.

3. Ignorance of the Provisions made ready is a Hinderance to them . Men are Fools and Blind , Mat. 23.17 and don 't see what is set before them , no more than who it is that hath got it served Up. Christ also reprehends this piece of Ignorance in the same Woman of Samaria , Joh. 4.10 . If thou knewest the Gift of God . An Ignorance of what Christ hath , as well as of what Christ is , is an ordinary and frequent Ground of the Sinners Miscarriage to him . If thou knewest the Gift . ] Were thine Heart sensible of the Grace that is now brought so nigh at Hand , it would make it leap within thee , and thou wouldst not rest 'till matters were at another pass with thee . Alas ! if you don't know the Gift in the Gospel , you will partake of no Gospel-Grace by it . If you are Ignorant of the Table he hath prepar'd , you will never sit at Meat . If Men have low , carnal Conceits of the Good Things of God , and carry their Thoughts no further than the Letter , when the Spirit speaks herein , it will beget ordinary Conceptions in the Mind , and prove an Hinderance to the Gospel . There will be no Spiritual Application of the Substance , so long as our Thoughts rest and terminate superficially upon some Corporeal Image : This was the Grand Miscarriage of a great many Followers of our Lord , who seem'd to Covet to wait upon him in a Body , with a great deal of Religious Zeal and Forwardness . Our Blessed Lord had Preacht this Doctrine of a spiritual Repast , and manifested himself to be the Provision which the Soul by Faith must live upon ; whereas it begat only in the * * Or , Capernaites . Jews a gross Conceit of some Literal and Corporeal Banquet that Christ aimed at , and rais'd in them a certain Question even to Indignation , as they strove among themselves , saying , How can this Man give us his Flesh to eat ? Joh. 6.52 . insomuch that Christ taxeth their Ignorance , by expounding to them his own Doctrine , v. 63. latter pt. The words that I speak unto you , they are Spirit ; as if he had said , I have been upon a spiritual Subject , but you have not understood me : I have spoken of a Feast to nourish you inwardly , but it is your own Ignorant Fancy that suggests the Corporeal Images of other Meats and Drinks , as when ye did eat of the Loaves and were filled , v. 26. Now when the Gospel in the Matters of it is ignorantly mis-interpreted , it becomes a like Hinderance to it . If it be not apprehended and experienc'd a Feast of the Soul , we shall rest in outward Conveyances , and lose the Kernel by holding fast the Shell . It will be but as if we made Provision for the Flesh , Rom. 13.14 . if we receive it not as a Feast of the Renewed Mind , Joh. 4.32 . which our Flesh knows not of . We must be spiritually enlightned to know the Things that are given to us of God ; 1 Cor. 2.12 for He that is spiritual judgeth all things , 1 Cor. 2.15 . Besides , Ignorance of Gospel-Provisions causes Men to turn the Truth of God into a Lye , and embrace an Error instead of the Truth as it is in Jesus . Eph. 4.21 . This is a Hinderance therefore to the Holy Feast we speak of . You are like to be fed with no other Mannah than that which will breed Worms and stink , Exod. 16.20 . if you are Ignorant of the True Bread .

4. Ignorance of the Way by which every one must come , is likewise a Hinderance that keeps from these Provisions . If you take it as a sufficient Act to put forth a little of your own Strength towards God , and rest in Dead Works , it will hinder your Benefit by the Gospel-Entertainment . You must throw your selves upon Christ as Sinners , this is your first Work , to come as you are , and venture upon the Son of God , and afterwards God's Spirit gradually works such Qualifications that you may come then as Sons and Daughters . 2 Cor. 6.18 . The Substance of this is represented in that Directory for Conversion which Christ taught the Jews , Joh. 6.28.29 . Then said they unto him , What shall we do , that we might work the works of God ? Jesus answered and said unto them , this is the work of God , that ye believe on him whom he hath sent . It is to believe , and not properly to (g) (g) Men indeed by Nature retain such an Impression of the first Covenant of Works , that they know no way of Acceptance before God , but by the way of Works . Hutcheson upon John . work . Such as sit down upon outward Performances , without going forth to Jesus Christ to rely on him by Faith , do assuredly sit upon Thorns , tho' a little slight Covering they have woven , or patcht together from Works that cometh betwixt , Job 36.32 . may at present bear off their Pricking , that now they feel no smart . Faith it self indeed is a Work , but doth not justifie as a * In opposition to all Works , Christ leads them to this one Work , that they believe . And his calling it a Work , doth not import that Faith as a Work doth justifie , for it is only the Hand to receive Christ who is our Righteousness : But he gives it this Name , speaking in their own Terms who doted on Works , and so the Doctrine of Faith is called a Law , Rom. 3 27. because the Jews boasted so much of the Law . Hutcheson upon John . pag. 102. Work : It justifies no otherwise than as it apprehends a justifying Object , and it is a saving Work , no otherwise than as it fastens and relies upon a saving Worker . Hence it cometh to pass , that without Faith it is impossible to please God , Heb. 11.6 . Now Ignorance of this way to the Provisions in Christ , makes them unto many so ineffectual .

If you think it an easie matter to thrust in to God any how , without Christ as your Way , his Word as your Rule , and his Spirit as your Guide , you will profit little by the Gospel , so long as such a corrupt perswasion leads you : Joh. 14.6 . I am the Way , the Truth and the Life . The Way . ] No access , or coming unto the Father but by me . The Truth . ] No Doctrine can be sound , that leads off from me . The Life . ] You will never enter into Life , Mat. 19.17 if you enter not in by me , as the Door , and unto me as the Provision . Again , The Word must be your Rule , Psal. 119.133 . Order my Steps in thy Word . (h) (h) Si extra Legem tuam incedo , non est Stabile solum sub Pedibus meis , coeno demergor . Rivet . Via vitae , seu medit . in Psat . 119. operûm vol. 2do . p. 472 If I step besides thy Law , ( saith the Learned Rivet ) I tread where the Ground will not bear my Feet , and where I am over Head and Ears in Dirt. Tho' Christ is the Way , yet we should never know what Steps to take to or in him , 'till the Word lays Christ forth , and discovers each of them to us . So for the Spirit , it 's Guidance is necessary : The Spirit of God hath branded it as Foolishness in those that follow their own Spirit . Ezek. 13.3 There is no Spirit fit to be our Guide but His. Thy Spirit is Good , lead me into the Land of uprightness , Psal. 143.10 . Thy Spirit is good , lead me , or , as (i) (i) Tuo spiritu bono deduc me . Junius . some read it , By thy Good Spirit lead me . If we had Christ as the Way , and his Word as the Rule too , yet if we had not the Spirit as our Guide , we should not by reason of the Darkness in us and upon us , see the Straitness and Perfection of the Rule before us , or know of our selves how at any Time to use it . There is an absolute need of the Spirit 's Guidance after Conversion , hence is that of the Apostle inculcated , Walk in the Spirit , Gal. 5.16 , 25. and walk after the Spirit , Rom. 8.1 . and that Phrase , if ye be led by the Spirit , Gal. 5.18 . all which do import a submitting to the Conduct of the Spirit , as our Guide . And if there be a need of the Spirit for Saints , after they have received Christ , be sure there is a necessity of the Spirit 's Guidance for Sinners to bring them in to Christ . Well , Ignorance of and Unacquaintedness with the way of the Lord , must needs be an Hinderance to the Feast of the Lord , that makes Sinners desire none of his Dainties . That is the Third Hinderance .

Fourthly , Obstinacy , 4 Hindran . or an obstinate Aversion to the Things of God . The Parable gives this account of it , Matth. 22.3 . that when the King had sent to call them that were bidden to the Supper , they would not come . Alas ! if Men will become their own Hinderers , no wonder that the Gospel proves ineffectual . If they will choose rather to starve than eat , how can a Feast preserve or relieve such as these ? and yet this is the wretched and deplorable Case of Sinners , their Hearts do naturally stand off from God , therefore they say unto God , Depart from us , for we desire not the Knowledge of thy ways , Job 21.14 . There is a mighty Stubbornness and Rebellion in the minds of Men that God takes Notice of , this was expresly laid open in the Jews , Isa. 48.4 . I knew that thou art obstinate , and thy Neck is an Iron Sinew , and thy Brow brass . Sinners will choose Poverty and despise Riches , run into Misery and forsake their own Mercy . Jonah 2.8 . The Gospel would pity , relieve and save them , but they are a stiff necked Generation that will not turn and live . Ezek. 18.23 . v. 32. It would feed them , but they will rather dye of spiritual Hunger ; it would cloath them , but they will rather to Hell naked , than go with Christ's Robe to Heaven . They will rot in their Chains before they will stoop to choose a Free Release , and will venture to fall Blindfold into the Ditch , Mat. 15 14 Rev. 3.18 . Joh. 9.7 . rather than anoint with Eye-salve , or wash in the Pool of Siloam .

Fifthly , Other Feasts besides . 5 Hindran . Tho' in the Gospel it is the Supper of the great God , yet in eating , Sinners have taken every one his own Supper before it , 1 Cor. 11.21 . as the Apostle speaketh of the Lord's Supper . They will have Banquets to corrupt the Flesh , but none of that Holy Diet which might save their Spirits in the Day of the Lord Jesus . Sinners will snatch especially at these Three , the Lust of the Flesh , 1 Cor. 5.5 . the Lust of the Eyes , and the Pride of Life , 1 Joh. 2.16 . The World that reject a Feast provided by Father , Son and Spirit , yet will banquet with their own * * Hec Tria pro trino numine mundus habet Trinity . .

1. The Lust of the Flesh is a Banquet with Sinners that obstructs the Gospel-Feast . Lusts of the Flesh are such Pleasures , says (k) (k) Coton upon the 1 Epist. of John . one , as Men find in Meat and Drink , or Women ; either Intemperance or Incontinence . And then again , Pleasures , whether we consider them as gross or vain , the Pleasures of the Body or the Mind , do hinder the Efficacy of Divine Provisions .

1. Gross and Filthy Pleasures , or Fleshly Lusts ( as the Apostle Peter calls them ) that War against the Soul , 1 Pet. 2.11 . * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Greek T. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pleasure is a Net that entangles ungodly Men. Fleshly Concupiscences the Original reads it , alluding to that inbred Appetite of the old Man which goes forth after Morsels roasted at the Fire of Lust , and took off the Devil's Spit . Abstain , saith the Holy Ghost , from these . Rom. 1.26 The Lust of the Flesh is a bad Appetite , a vile Affection , that covers to be a Partaker with Devils , and rejects Angels Food . Psa. 78.25 . It will find out a Banquet that quite spoils the Feast . I may say here of the whole Gospel , as the Apostle doth of the Lord's Supper in a Part of it , 1 Cor. 10.21 . Ye cannot drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils ; ye cannot be Partakers of the Lords Table and the Table of Devils . Carnal Concupiscence that eats the Flesh as it were Fire , Jam. 5.3 . will breed no other Appetite than that which sups with Venus , Prov. 7 27. and then lodgeth her Guests in (l) (l) That which wicked Men have in their Lusts is but like Tickling of the Itchy Place , which leaveth more smart afterwards . Anthon. Burgess . Sp. Refininings , part 2d , pag. 94. ( mihi ) Fol. Hell .

So likewise the gross * Prov. 21.17 . He that loveth Pleasure shall be a Poor Man . Gaudium scilicet cibi & potûs , voluptates amat corporis . Mercer . Pleasures of Intemperance in the Acts of Gluttony and Drunkenness , as sure as those of Incontinency in the Acts of Whoredom and Fornication , or motions towards Uncleanness , do hurt the Gospel-Feast . The Guests ( who have Animus in patinis , their mind running upon Dishes , or ) whose God is their belly , Phil. 3.19 . ( such as pour down Meat-offerings and Drink-offerings to an Idol , Rom. 16.18 . Psa. 16.4 . Heb. 11.40 Isa. 28.8 . and serve their own Belly ) will not hasten after another God that hath provided some better Thing . Isa. 28.8 . The Tables that are full of Vomit have no Guests about them , Prov. 30.12 . that 'till they are washed from their Filthiness , do ever sup with Christ . Sick Tables , Sick with Bottles of Wine , Hos. 7.5 . have none well enough for Him . The Guests at these Tables , says (m) (m) Mr. Cruso . Tender Conscience . pag. 88. a Writer ( who hath psctur'd such spotted Beasts in their own Native Colours ) are so many Filthy Bruits oftentimes in the shape of Reasonable Men. Alas ! these unclean Birds ( to which they may be also compared ) are rather for * * They are such Beastly Creatures , 't is a hard matter to speak of them in cleanly Terms . Sir William Waller' s Meditations , p. 47. Carrion upon a Dunghill than be with the Holy Doves to pick up the finest of the Wheat . The Swine will not exchange their Acorns and their Trough for the greatest Festival in the World . 1 Cor. 15.32 . Voluptuous Epicures had rather eat and drink of Meats and Drinks for the Belly , tho' to morrow they dye , than partake of Gospel-Grace , and live with God for ever . All Inordinacy , as a (n) (n) Mr. Sam Lee. Joy of Faith . pag. 176 , 177. Learned Man expresseth it in ventre & sub ventre , whether Intemperance or Uncleanness , will make the Sensualist very sparing , and the more niggardly in the Things of God .

2. Vain Pleasures that cannot profit do render the Gospel to many ineffectual . They are sensual Delights and not spiritual ( tho' men by an Art may sift them finer ) which do relish with the Carnal Gust of Man . Some Light Spirits had rather feed upon Frothy Pleasures than the solid Food of Christians . A Feast for Conversion will be of no account with them 'till they are delivered from their vain Conversation . 1 Pet. 1.18 . They that spend their Years in Pleasures , will account one Day at a Banquet in God's Courts a Burden . They who are given to Pleasures , Isa. 47.8 . like the Chaldeans , will not carry it to the Gospel-Feast as Christians . Lovers of Pleasures , 2 Tim. 3.4 . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The Friends of it will be Enemies to God and his Provision for their vain Pleasure's sake . If Sinners covet to enjoy the Pleasures of sin for a season , Heb. 11.25 they will cast off the Thoughts of those Pleasures at God's Right Hand for ever . Psa. 16.11 . So long as they walk in the Vanity of their Mind , Eph. 4.17 . they will never pitch upon Food that shall make them more solid . Such Trash shook into their Laps will take off their Mind from the very Tree of Life . Rev. 22.2 . This as to the Lust of the Flesh .

2. The Lust of the Eyes is a Banquet with Sinners that obstructs the Gospel-Feast . This Lust of the Eye , say (o) (o) There are Lusts in the Fancy , I take it that is the meaning of John , 1 Joh. 2.16 . — Lust of the Eyes . So Eccles. 11.9 . Rejoyce Oh young Man ( because these are fullest of Fancy ) — and walk — in the sight of thine Eyes . Dr. Tho. Goodwyn . Vol. 2d . part 2d . pag. 92. some , is Fancy . Others do understand by it more particularly that Piece of Concupiscence seated in the Eye , which cannot be satisfyed without the Object . Lusts of the Eye , because (p) (p) Cotton upon John . the Eye is only satisfyed with them . Covetousness begins at the Eye . Eve had a sight of the Tempting Object , and then sought to embrace it . When the Woman saw that the Tree was good for Food , and that it was pleasant to the Eyes , she took of the Fruit thereof , Gen. 3.6 . (q) (q) Satanas incepit 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & successivè 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 invasit . Jun. Praelect. in Gen. Col. 74. The Devil first set upon her Reasonable Faculty , suggests a mighty Prerogative of Divine Empire to the Eye of her mind , ye shall be as gods , knowing good and evil , Gen. 3.5 . and then sets upon her desiring Faculty , shews her an Apple with a Fair Skin , but a Foul Core , to delude and captivate her other Eye of Sense . And so it far'd with Achan , Josh. 7.21 . that when he saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish Garment , and two hundred shekels of Silver , and a wedge of Gold of fifty shekels weight , then he coveted them and took them . The Entertainment therefore which this Lust of the Eye finds out abroad , takes off Sinners from the Provisions of Gospel-Grace : When Men would fain fill their Belly with encrease , snatching on the Right Hand and on the Left , to gather with their Hand what a covetous Eye beholds , and greedily to hoard up what they see , they will lay up no Treasures in Heaven . Mat. 19.21 Carnal Profit is a Banquet that makes the wordly Eater thereof undervalue and contemn Spiritual Good . A Poor Worldling that makes to himself a Feast of Wealth , could live with content tho' there were a Famine of God's Word : He that looks so much upon the smiles of Gain , can see no Gain in Godliness . 1 Tim. 6.6 . He that rolls the World so delightfully in his Fancy , will roll no other Morsel under his Tongue , than from such a Banquet as his Fleshly Eyes have seen . The Gospel will not fill the Heart , where it meets with an evil Eye that is not fill'd with seeing . Eccles. 1.8 .

3. The Pride of Life is a Banquet that obstructs the Gospel-Feast , and that two ways ; as it puffeth up 1. With Applause . And , 2. With Worldly Pomp.

1. As it puffs men up with Applause . The Ambition of Simon Magus that would be known to be * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . some Body , or , as we read it in our Translation , giving out that himself was some great one , Act. 8.9 . is not a Little one , among the Hinderances that obstruct the Gospel-Feast from some . When Men affect their own Carnal Excellencies , they feed at home , and leave the Gospel-Feast to others . A Man's Affectation of Carnal Praise sets so high an Esteem upon his own worth , that he thinks the Gospel to be little worth to him . Applause blows Men up with Conceits , and instead of eating at a Feast , turns them into spiritual (r) (r) Ephraim pascit ventum & sequitur Eurum , Hos. 12.1 . quo sensu homines vanos & inanes , ambitionis mancipia & van●e Gloriae appetentes , frivolis ac inanibus Studiis occupatos , vocamus Chameleontes , & dicimus aere anrâqa ; pasci . Rivet in loc. Chameleons , 'till they are made as Ephraim that feedeth upon wind . He that lives upon this Air , hath a Bladder must be prickt , before he will take a Plenteous Meal down . Indeeed he that lives in Religion upon Good words and fair Speeches , Rom. 16.18 . or is contented with the Commendation of a Professor that owns , or of a Preacher that teacheth Christ , without being in him , Rev. 3.20 . and supping with him , is but like Him that dines or sups upon the White of an Egg , as Job speaks , in which he shall find no Tast , Job 6.6 . and yet He that can live upon such a Hungry Banquet , will despise the Gospel-Feast . There was an ambitious and vain-glorious Temper in the Pharisees , which hath left their Character upon record , Joh. 12.43 . They loved the Praise of Men more than the Praise of God . There is scarcely a greater Snare found to draw a Man from the Things of God , than an inordinate Affection to his own Name . This Ambition in Herod broke forth in Blasphemy , and made him receive such Praise of his Flatterers for an Oration , as was due only to God himself in the Publishing Glad Tidings ; Luk. 1.19 . Act. 12.22 . it is the Voice of a god , and not of a Man . But he that could feast upon that Blasphemous Piece of Praise , was turn'd into a vile Banquet himself , v. 23. and serv'd up for Worms .

2. As it puffs Men up with Worldly Pomp and Gallantry . The Pride of Life in the Pomps of Men ( of Carnal and Earthy Affections ) is an Enemy to these Provisions . Ambitious Men have a huge swallow for the World , but so narrow a one for God , that a little Religion choaks them . The word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which we render Pride of Life , signifies the Pride of Ambition to be raised up to Preferments , Dignity , and external Grandure ; a Fastuous , aspiring Itch to climb into Honour , the Honour that cometh from Man , without any regard of God , or the Honour which have all his Saints . Psa. 149.9 . Now when Men aim to post themselves high , and are Ambitious of Advancement into Great Places , affecting Gallantry , which is but the finest Scene of Pageantry , in the * * 1 Cor. 7.31 . Fashion of this world that passeth away ; they are got too high to stoop to an Entertainment where God giveth Grace unto the humble . Jam. 4.6 . If Men once get up to that which they call Church-Preferments ( suppose ) and stand upon the Pinnacle of their Temple , Matth. 4.5 . they often look down with Disdain upon the very Bottom from whence they rise , but with a great deal more upon the Provisions of the Gospel , spread they think so much below them upon that Mountain of the Lord's House near them . Isa. 25.6 . Isa. 2.2 . Worldly Pomp was ever such a pleasing Garnish upon this World's Dishes , that makes the Table of the Lord , Mal. 1.12 . and his Meat contemptible . When Agrippa was come , Act. 25.23 . and Bernice with great Pomp , ( tho' it was but with great Phantasie ( or Fancy ) neither , the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Original saith , so little account doth the Spirit of God make , when it speaks of the Great Things of Man ) the Gospel doth not signifie much to either of these two . Festus shining in Pomp and Purple at the Bench , laughs the Gospel to scorn , while Paul in relating his Conversion , gives them some account of it ; he could not forbear the laying open of his contemptible Thoughts towards the Gospel in the midst of the open Court , but cries out , that all Men might hear , Paul , thou art beside thy self , much Learning doth make thee mad , Act. 26.24 . See now what a Hinderance to the Gospel this Worldly Grandure was in the way of the most Noble Festus : Act. 26.26 . He hath too big a Name , and Titles too high and gallant to stoop and submit to a Gospel that knock'd Paul down : This as to Festus . And we shall see Agrippa too , that seems to be carried away with the Pomp of the World least , yet but almost perswaded , V. 28. Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian . Oh! this decking , this garnishing , this Glory of the out-side , dazles the Eyes of Flesh , they can see no Feast besides . The All Things look very despicable with Them in the presence of these (s) (s) Bp. Hopkins's Sermon at the Funer , of Algernon Grevil . pag. 75. Nothings set astrut . Alas ! if there be no more in it but such Bravery as is used in decking the more uncomely part , the Body , it makes up such a gaudy Banquet of the Pride of Life for Ambition to feed upon , 1 Cor. 12.23 . as hinders the Reception of a better Entertainment . Thus I have spoken of that Hinderance to the Feast of the Gospel from other Banquets which are Spots in Feasts , Jude v. 12. and to Sinners will spoil the Feast where no Spot is . To conclude it , they breed such Worms in the Mind , as first take away the Appetite to Food , and then gnaw out the Entrails .

Sixthly , 6 Hindran . A Conceit of Self-Fulness . This lyes rather inwardly in a Proud Mind under Concealment , than in the Pride of Life outwardly . It is when a Man will not be emptyed of his own to receive of Christ's Fulness , Joh. 3.16 . nor throw out the Puddle-water to fill up the Vessel with New Wine . Self-Fulness is a Hinderance to the Feast of Fat Things . There is in some , a Tumor Cerebri , as Bishop Reynolds calls it (t) (t) Of the Passions , pag. 159. 4 to . ( mihi . ) a Learned Pride , when Men's Acquirements are risen to such a Pitch , that they are too full to admit of any saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ or his Gospel . If the Brain swells with the numerous Volumes of some Heathen Philosophers ; nay , if it be only with some lesser Systems and Maxims of Philosophy , it may grow too big for the Gospel , and make a vain Philosopher imagine that the Truths of both the Testaments may be crowded into as small a compass , as one did of Homer's Iliad's , that thought they might be contained in a Nut-shell . But these Men's Brains swell , and a Crown of Glory would be thought too little to suit with their great Heads .

There is also in others a Tumor Cordis , a Religious Pride that swells them at the Heart , and puffs them up with a Conceit of a Self-Righteousness , 'till they grow too big to enter in at the Strait Gate , or get in at Christ's Table ; Matt. 7.13 . see Rom. 10.3 . — Going about to establish their own Righteousness , have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God . Have not submitted . ] The Translation is in the Active Voice , but the Original is Passive , different from the word by which We render it , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . they were not laid in order . Self-Fulness swells Men so big , that it puts them out of their place , disorders them , that 'till they are laid in order , and in their Right Mind again , Gospel-Provisions will be very ineffectual . Men that have enough of their own , do not use to buy , they live upon their Stock , while others go to Market . The full Soul loaths the Honey comb , Prov. 27.7 . He mocks at it , say the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Septuagint , and scorns a Dainty Morsel offer'd . A Sinner's full Stomach turns at any Feast provided . If he doth not Vomit up the sweet Morsel he hath eaten , and be emptyed of all his Self-Excellency , Wisdom , Righteousness , Strength , and seem so little that he is nothing in his own Eyes , the Provisions of the Gospel will ( 'till then ) be all nothing with him . In a word , so long as a Man can eat and drink at his own Charges , he will scorn to depend upon any other Table : And as long as the Soul thinks it self fed well enough already , it will hearken the less to Christ to come in and sup with Him .

Seventhly , 7 Hindran . The Cares of this Life . Worldlings plant such a Brake of Thorns in their way , that do hedge them out of God's Pasture ; they are afraid of the True Bread , lest they should lose other Loaves for it . When Christ comes to be propounded to them , they have a thousand carking , tormenting Thoughts that rend and tear their minds from him , when they make any offers to sit down with him : Mat. 6.31 . What shall we eat ? or what shall we drink ? or wherewithall shall we be cloathed ? how shall the Family be maintained , and the Year brought about ? these Things therefore leave a Gap in their Soul , which 'till made up , but not with their Thorns in the Flesh , will keep Christ and their distant Hearts from uniting . Jesus answered , and said unto Martha , thou art careful and troubled about many Things , Luk. 10 . 4● . The * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . word is , thou art Divided in thy Thoughts , and knowest not which of thy Matters to unite and fix them on . † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pasor . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Cares , are Divisions of the Mind , that make it anxious and Doubtful where to settle , or what to take up withall . Thus is it in Religion , the Things of God are Preached unto Carnal Men , the Thoughts of the World it may be for the present are just laid asleep , and the Word knocks up Conscience , which being awak'd for the present in a calm alone without other interruptions , listens to Gospel-Truth , hears it , and in the Hearing a little outwardly approves it , insomuch that the Mind is divided between God and the World , and grows anxious which side to choose ; but alas ! the mischief is , that their Hearts had been sown before with a Field-full of Worldly Cares , just ready to spring up fresh after the Word falls , and immediately all Thoughts of Faith and Fellowship with Christ are choakt , the Man reverts , his earthly Heart tumbles to his Centre , and instead of a new creature to live upon this Feast , becomes the carking , Earthly , old Man agen . He that received the seed among the Thorns is he that heareth the Word , and the Care of this World , and the Deceitfulness of Riches choke the Word , and he becometh unfruitful , Matth , 13.22 . Worldlings have their Hearts and their Hands both full of Dirt , and have no room for any Dish of God's in either . Should they put off the World a little , yet it will return , it will follow them into the very Assemblies of God's People , and in a Crowd find 'em out . And alas ! a Happy Meeting ! they know not how to be so unkind to the World , as to chide it home again : If such Men look a little out towards God , their Dear Idols come weeping about them , and are presently enough to break their Heart to leave them . * * O curvae in Terras animae , & inanes coelestium ! Persius . Men's Carefulness in the Things of the World is their Hinderance in all the Gospel brings .

Eighthly , 8 Hindran . Slothfulness . This is also a Fault that will do the Feast hurt . Many would like the Provisions of the Gospel better , if like Tamar's couple of Cakes which she dress'd for Amnon , they might be brought to them into their Chamber , 2 Sam. 13.5 , 6. while they are lying upon a Bed of Sluggishness , as he was upon a Bed of Lust . Nature , saith (u) (u) Rutherford's Letters , p. 244. one , would have Heaven come sleeping to us in our Beds . A Sinner may seem occasionally to run after the Gospel , like a Man that hunts for Venison , yet what doth it profit him , if he be like Solomon's slothful Man , Prov. 12.27 . that roasteth not that which he taketh in hunting ? I mean , if he be loth to take Pains diligently to apply or practise the Word he went so hastily forth to hear ? if he grows too lazy to lay up some special Truth he hears , he lays out all his mighty Pains in vain . What Good will the Dainties of the Gospel do him , so long as he (w) (w) Videtur ad gestum desidiosorum alludere , quibus ferè mos est manum in sinum aut manicam inferre , aut sub axillâ tenere . Cartwright in loc. folds up his Arms like the Sluggard , and will be at no spiritual Pains to pick up the Morsel ready carved to him ? A slothful Man hideth his Hand in his Bosom , and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again , Prov. 19.24 . So Prov. 26.15 . The slothful Man hideth his Hand in his Bosom , it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth : i. e. He had rather to indulge his Laziness , sit and look on than eat . So it is a Hinderance to the Gospel when Men choose rather barely to profess it , than be at any Pains to profit by one Discourse of the Grace of God they hear .

Ninthly , 9 Hindran . Prejudice . That is , a Fore-judging of Things or Persons , as if Men were resolv'd to condemn the Cause , before they have heard or try'd it . Men are often angry with a Party , or with a Person , and will reject the Truth , tho' they are convinc'd it is the Truth , meerly because it comes by such Instruments , or such means as they have got a Prejudice against . A wicked Ahab did believe Micaiah a better Prophet than those at Ramoth-Gilead , and able to inform him truly touching the Success of the War between Syria and Israel , but he values neither Micaiah's Abilities in the Spirit of Prophesie , nor yet his Honesty in prophesying Truth , because he hates him , 1 Kings 22.7 , 8. And Jehoshaphat said , Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides , that we might enquire of him ? And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , there is yet one man ( Micaiah the Son of Imlah ) by whom we may enquire of the Lord , but I hate him , for he doth not Prophesie good concerning me , but evil . God's Elijah's would take their Food , 1 Kings 17.6 . tho' God should send a Raven to them with it , but the Prejudic'd Ahab's of the World will not meddle with Their's tho' Elijah himself brought it . The Gospel is ineffectual to many by reason of Prejudice .

Tenthly , 10 Hinderance . The General Disesteem which the Gospel meets with in the World . The World represents God's Morsels , as they will one Day find their own Sauce , sowre . They account it a melancholy and uncomfortable Entertainment . Religion is a Diet that will imbitter all their Portion in this Life . They think the Guests that partake of this Supper , ( i. e. Separated , Holy Christians ) are every one of them like Him in the Book of Job , Job 21.15 that dyeth in the Bitterness of his Soul , and never eateth with Pleasure . They cry it up and down in the Streets of Ashkelon , 2 Sam. 1.20 . that the Ordinances and Appointments of Jesus Christ are Vessels in which is no pleasure . Hos. 8.8 . The Fare of the Gospel is represented by them like John Baptist's in the Wilderness , Mat. 3.4 . as Locusts and wild Honey . Thus , its Provisions have got an ill Name by some , and they will not be drawn by the very savour of Christ's Ointments , Song 1.3 . so long as this low repute it hath in the World , doth cast in Dead Flies among it , Eccles. 10.1 . Dead Flies cause the Ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour . The Grace of God is not courteously received , but treated ill , tho' it comes with good will to Men. Luk. 2.14 . The Dishes of the Gospel by an unthankful , unholy World , are much cryed down , and therefore when served up are generally much set by , Acts 28.22 . As concerning this Sect , we know that every where it is spoken against . This Sect. ] * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . This Heresie , saith the Greek . The World concludes it Heresie , and therefore will not regard it , tho' it be the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven . 1 Pet. 1.12 . middle pt. Wicked Men will Nick-name God's Truth , and then fly from the Truth for the very Name 's sake they gave it . They entertain Bad Conceptions of the Truths of God , and are become Judges of Evil Thoughts , Jam. 2.4 . and therefore reproach and trample upon good Things under them . The World imagine Fish to be Serpents , and then fly from them , as Moses did , when he cast his Rod upon the Ground , Exod. 4.3 . and while it became a Serpent , fled from before it . A vile and a scornful Generation do esteem of the Bread of Life as Stones . Oh! it is a mighty Hinderance to their embracing the Gospel of Christ , that when his Oxen and his Fatlings are killed , Mat. 22.4 . they take up these Spiritual Mysteries with no more regard , than if it were but the slaying of Pharaoh's lean Kine : Gen. 41.3 , 19. But no matter to God's Children what such insinuate , 3 Joh. 10. that prate with malitious words , the Children must take their Bread , tho' Dogs bark , and an Enemy calls it Poison . I confess this ( saith Paul ) that after the way which they call Heresie , Act. 24 14. so worship I the God of my Fathers .

Eleventhly , Bad Company . 11 Hinderance . If a Man had some Towardly Inclinations to embrace the Gospel , yet so long as he goeth in Company with the workers of Iniquity , Job 34.8 . he will not be able when these Sinners entice him , to consent not , Prov. 1.10 . Certain Lewd Fellows of the baser sort do often set upon a Man that is otherwise soberly inclined , even as they assaulted the House of Jason , Acts 17.5 . and never leave 'till they have worn out his Sober Impressions , that you can read nothing at last but the Devil 's Brand upon him . Exo. 23.2 . When Men follow a multitude to do evil , Psa. 42.4 . they care not to walk unto God's House in any other Company . The Gospel of the only wise God , 1 Tim. 1.17 signifies nothing to a Companion of Fools that shall be destroyed . Prov. 13.20 Psa. 119.61 . The Bands of the wicked will rob thee of the Feast , if thou art not one that hast no Fellowship with them . Eph. 5.11 .

Twelfthly , 12 Hinderance . Garnal Relations . If there were neither Adversary , nor evil occurrent abroad , yet if a Man's Enemies be the Men of his own House , Mic. 7.6 . and a Man's Foes be those of his own Houshold , Matth. 10.36 . there is such a Radical Enmity in the corrupt mind of Man against the Truth of God , as will make their Eye Evil , and their Hand severe towards their own Flesh and Blood . They will violate the Bonds of Nature to fight against Grace . Now this is enough without Special Grace that opens the Heart , to keep the Gospel and its Provisions wholly out of Doors . Men will often hearken to the Voice of their own Flesh and Blood , when a Stranger they will not follow . Joh. 10.5 . Ahaziah hearkens to the pernicious Advice of his Mother Athaliah , for his Mother Athaliah was his Counsellor to do evil , 2 Chro. 22.3 . Carnal Relations will sometimes be very earnest to beat off young Beginners , that they may not take up with the New Man , tho' perhaps assaulting them with that old Argument , that none of their Kindred are called by it , Luk. 1.61 . There is none of thy kindred that is called by this Name . You may be beaten off by such as are related to you , if you be not related as Sons and Daughters to the Lord Almighty . 2 Cor. 6.18

Thirteenthly , False Teachers . 13 Hinderance . A corrupt Ministry sets the World against the Truth . Unsound Teachers are against Salt , because they have lost its savour . Mar. 9.50 . Men's Lyes to make the very Truths of God of no effect with some . When Sinners are beguiled , and thro' the craft and sleight of cunning Men mis-led , Eph. 4.14 . their Minds will be corrupted from the simplicity of the Gospel ; 2 Cor. 11.3 if they hearken to such as are not Teachers of good things , Tit. 2.3 . they will not value the Gospel that hath all good things ready . If they regard vain Talkers and Deceivers ( as the Apostle calls corrupt Doctors ) Tit. 1.10 . Teaching things which they ought not , v. 11. it will hinder the Advantage of Gospel-Grace provided . If there be * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . False Teachers among you , 2 Pet. 2.1 . it will greatly damage your receiving the Truth as it is in Jesus . Eph. 4.21 These have a beguiling Artifice to lay their varnish upon the worst Complexion'd Face , and for a well-favour'd Rachel bring in a Leah that is blear-ey'd . Gen. 29.23 , 25. They wash over a little false Coin in Doctrine , and then put it off to such as cannot try the Spirits , 1 Joh. 4.1 .

Fourteenthly , 14 Hinderance . Scandals in Professors . When such as sit at Meat do prophane the Table of the Lord , Mal. 1.12 . it makes others even trample upon the Lord's * * Panis Propositionis will be quickly oppositionis also . Shew-bread . Tho' you offer and propound Holy Things to them , they will oppose themselves , if they can find but any Stain dropt upon our Garments at this Holy Feast ; I mean any thing in the World which they see by Vs , to deride a Love-Feast , and reproach the Gospel for . The World doth not look so much upon Religion , Jam. 1.27 . v. 26. pure and undefiled , as upon him that seemeth to be Religious . Neither is the Holiness so much talk'd of as the Spot of God's Children : Deut. 32.5 . Their acerba Ingenia , as the (x) (x) Instit. Chr. Rel. fol. 284. Sect. 11. ( mibi ) 8ᵒ. Learned Calvin calls them , their sharp or sowr Wits will try at an Advantage to render our Feast high-seasoned , and then in our Thirst their Mockery will give us Vinegar to drink . Psa. 69.21 . We therefore who profess the Gospel had need be cautious , that we be without offence unto the day of Christ , Phil. 1.10 and not keep others from the Provisions at God's Table , Gen. 4.7 . because of our Sin that lyeth at the Door .

Fifteenthly , Carnal Disappointment , 15 Hinderance . Men come forth ( it may be ) expecting to meet with one thing , and lo ! in the Gospel they find quite another . They get out at the Rumour of a Feast , thinking to meet with some Dainty Morsel ready , and alas ! when they come they meet with nothing which a Carnal Palate likes , but with a Dish their Corruption can in no wise relish . It is a Feast where neither the Meat nor Drink doth please them . They bring so many Nice Corruptions to the Well-Head of Life , that the Living Water is worse than brackish to them : It grows as bitter to their Taste , Rev. 8.11 . as if that Star in the Revelation , whose Name is Wormwood , had fallen into the Waters , and made them the Waters of Marah , where such as they come . They find the Gospel brings no such Tidings to their Ears , as they are hearkning after . — No such Things as I supposed , saith Festus in Paul's Accusation , Acts 25.18 , 19. But certain Questions of their own Superstition , and of one Jesus which was Dead , whom Paul affirmed to be alive . Alas ! such a Disappointment spoils their Approbation of the Gospel , and puts them out of Love with its Provisions ( it may be ) ever after . They come perhaps for the Preacher to scratch an itching Ear , Act. 7. 54. but are cut to the Heart ( like Stephen's Hearers that gnasht upon him with their Teeth ) and go away with their Consciences in the mean while accusing them . Rom. 2.15 .

Sixteenthly , 16 Hinderance . Plain Dealing . They think the Truths of the Gospel are too keen , and they should better savour them , if the Morsels were not so often dipt in Vinegar ; or if it were a Passover made ready without any Bitter Herbs . Exo. 12.8 Herod. heard John Baptist gladly , and seem'd to like the Feast well , 'till he met with that Biting-grain of Mustard-seed , It is not lawful for thee to have thy Brother's Wife , Mark 6.18 , 20. compared : And we never read afterwards that Herod would endure to come and Dine or Sup with John again . He met with God's Hook that prickt him , and being never in earnest , was resolv'd to play no more with the Bait. When Men bring their Lusts unto Christ to feed , Sinners find themselves mistaken in their Aim ; and so long as they resolve to continue in their sins , they shall find it to be a Banquet that affords not a Bone for any sin to pick.

Seventeenthly , 17 Hinderance . Sometimes open Persecution is a Hinderance to the Entertainment . They are afraid of the Gospel , when God's Shew-bread and Goliah's Sword are coupled . 1 Sam. 22.13 . When God's House is beset , Sinners for Refuge will flee far enough from his Table . They care not to be found within , when there is a Judas without , Mat. 26.47 and with him a great multitude from the chief Priests with Swords and Staves for to take them . A Persecuted and a Professed Subjection to Christ with them will not stand together . 2 Cor. 9.13 If there be not Liberty from Men , they will renounce God's Liberality ; for when Affliction or Persecution ariseth for the Word's sake , immediately they are offended , Mark 4.17 . whereas it is a Character of the Saints of the most High , that being persecuted they suffer it , 1 Cor. 4.12 . last words .

Lastly , 18 Hinderance . God's Righteous Induration , his hardning and giving Sinners up judicially . They are first obstinate , and then God is just . On Their Parts it is a contracted Obstinacy , on His a judicial Obduration . They are Haters of God , Rom. 1.30 . and then ( saith He ) my Soul loathed them ; as Zech. 11.8 . My Soul loathed Them , and their Soul also abhorred Me. Sinners Discover an Aversation to God , and God manifests an Induration towards Them : They will not be sostened , and he will leave them hardened . When Men despise the Fatness of God's House , he suffers such a gross Fatness to grow at last upon their Hearts , that they cannot understand with their Heart , Isa. 6.10 . and be Converted . Now will not this be a Hinderance to purpose , when Men have Eyes to see the Provision , and yet God is so wroth with them they shall not see , or regard one Dish before them ? and when they have Ears to hear , and yet they shall not hear and understand one word of Grace and Good Will to Men spoken ? Luk. 2.14 . Joh. 12.39 , 40. Therefore they could not believe , because that Esaias said again , he hath blinded their Eyes , and hardened their Heart , that they should not see with their Eyes , nor understand with their Heart , and be converted , and I should heal them . This Hardness is Originally from themselves , 't is their own voluntary Work to contract the sin , and 't is God's judicial Act to inflict the Punishment , and give them up to augment it . Indeed God doth not infuse a Positive Hardness , by shedding abroad any malignant Influences of a hardening Nature , but he hardens by a pure Privation , i. e. He doth not infuse Evil , but with-holds the Good he is not bound to give , and a Man's Heart will then as naturally grow hard , as Metals that are taken off the Fire . So much for the First Branch of Hinderances , which obstruct Sinners , and render this Gospel-Feast of no more use to them .

Secondly , The Hinderances of Saints , II. which render this Feast of the Gospel so ineffectual to some of them ( I mean as to the Comsort and Quietude of their State ) are chiefly these ●our .

1. Dissatisfaction about their Relation to God , and Right to this Feast . They are not satisfyed whether God is their Father , and that makes them thrive no better by any Children's Bread . Mat. 15 26 They question their Right , and dare not make an Application of the Promises , because they know not by what Authority they can do these things : chap. 11.23 They fear the Feast doth not belong to them , but is appointed and decreed for others , Mat. 20.23 for whom ( alone , they think ) it is prepared . A Saint may be ready to interpret Christ's words absolutely , thou hast no part with me , which yet he lays down no more than Conditionally , [ If I wash thee not ] thou hast no part with me , Joh. 13.8 . They query , what if they should be Dogs , to whom it doth not appertain to take the Children's Bread ? Mat. 15.26 but alas ! why should this hinder or discourage you ? it did not the Woman of Canaan , tho' Christ call'd her Dog expresly , Matth. 15.26 . It is not meet to take the Children's Bread , and cast it to Dogs ; as if he had said , the Bread of the House is too good for such a Dog as thee : But this Woman still comes in with a reply of Faith , and seeing good store of Provision in Christ , tho' she were not a Jew by Birth , but a Syro-phenician by Nation , Mark 7.26 . yet she would not give over , or be content to lose all : If she were a Dog , she would plead with Christ for Crumbs , and gather her Meat under his Table , v. 27th . and she said , Judg. 7.1 . Truth Lord , yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs which fall from their Master's Table ; insomuch that Jesus now tells her she was no Dog , but a Daughter of the true Faith of Abraham , v. 28. Then Jesus answered and said unto her , O Woman ! great is thy Faith , be it unto thee even as thou wilt : As if he had said , thou hast been sueing for Crumbs , but now thou mayst take what Meat thou wilt .

2. Vnacquaintedness with the True Notion of the Gospel . They want Light , and therefore walk in Darkness . They look more to Qualifications for Christ , than to Christ for Qualifications . They would fain see more Works in themselves before they dare venture to rely on Him . But my Brethren , tho' we apprehend never so much unworthiness , guilt , pollution and misery in our selves , yet our work is to come to Jesus Christ as we are , that in him and from him we may be made better : For , if you try to place your own Obedience in the Front , and Faith in Jesus Christ at the Foot of the account afterwards , that is , you would arrive to such a pitch of Holiness , to such a measure of Sincerity , to such a Degree of Brokenness , to so much Fruitfulness in every good word and work , Col. 1.10 . and then you could safely rest on Christ ; alas ! this is to put a Nought in the first place , and then a Figure in the next ; for it is impossible to arrive unto any Degree of acceptable Obedience , 'till Faith closeth with him , who is the ground of all acceptation , This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased , Matth. 3.17 . — He hath made us accepted in the Beloved , Eph. 1.6 . There is by Faith an antecedent Union ●to , and a Being in Christ as the Foundation of all our acceptance with the Father , which I seriously profess was the sweet and prevailing Allurement when the Spirit of God enlightned me in this part of the Gospel , and wrought with a Divine Power , to bring me to give up my self as a Sinner to believe in him , having been a long while deluded by this Fatal and pernicious Mistake , that I must be first a Saint , and then might set up for a Believer . But let none from hence misunderstand me , to plead for a vain Faith , which never joyns with Holiness : I speak only of the order , to shew where Holiness must be plac'd , not against the thing , as prophane Libertines do , to exclude it out of all place . If we look first to Christ , and then to Holiness , we need not , as some weak Believers are apt under Temptation and the Hidings of the Face of God , to question our State , while we bewail a Body of Death ; because our Justification , as soon as by Faith we first received Christ , brought us into a Compleat State , tho' it hath not brought us , nor will in this Life , to perfect Degrees of Holiness . But if we are preposterous , and look first to such measures of Holiness , and then in the second place look to Christ , we overturn all the order of the Gospel , which placeth Christ , or Faith in Christ , at the beginning , and then Holiness immediately to be carrying on gradually to our last end . It is as much Satan's Art on one Hand to trouble Souls that have been awakened , by separating Christ from Holiness , as it is the industrious Art of some Men to separate Holiness from Christ . The Devil accuseth us , because we are not perfect in our selves , and become our own Saviours ; others accuse us , because being perfect in a Saviour , we will yet talk of pressing towards the Mark , Phil. 3.14 . 2 Pet. 3.18 . and growing in Grace and Holiness ; as if Men in Christ were to make the Church a Monster , that is , a Holy Head , and prophane Filthy Members ; therefore say some , who I am sure have not learnt the Truth as it is in Christ , there is no need of an Evangelical Righteousness , when we are found in Christ's Righteousness , no need of our Obedience , poor , imperfect , rotten , because of Christ's which is absolutely compleat and spotless ; Alas ! this is no more than to tell us , because we are not justifyed by Holiness , therefore we must not labour after Holiness , nor pray for Holiness , nor look for Holiness , nor preach up Holiness : I would fain know why our Holiness on Earth should impair Christ's Righteousness more than our Holiness shall do in Heaven ? for we shall there in Person be Holy to Perfection , and yet have nothing , after we have been millions of Years thus Holy , but all of it for and in Christ . Now , how can an incompleat Holiness that be sure must be justifyed it self by Christ , injure Christ's Righteousness on Earth , when our perfect and Angelical Obedience in Heaven shall not diminish or eclipse one Ray of this Sun of Righteousness to all Eternity ? But to return , Mal. 4.2 . and in a few words close this Hinderance to the Feast , in reference to such as err about Holiness and Obedience in the misplacing it , as I began the particular . Let Christians take heed where they place Faith , for if they do not begin with it , they will put that , and Christ's Merits , and their own Obedience too all out of place . It is an excellent Passage to this purpose which I have met with in a Divine that hath also wrote very soundly an entire Piece upon the Point of Justification ; saith he , in another (y) (y) Anth● . Burgess , Spiritual Befinings , 1st . part . p. 249. Treatise , As in the Holy of Holies every thing was Gold , or covered with Gold , so all that is accepted with God , is either Christ , or Duties covered with Christ . Again , that you may not entertain a wrong Notion of the Gospel , take heed , that in your view of sin , you do not spy out more in your own Iniquities than you do in the very Grace of God , to receive you graciously , Hos. 14.2 , 4 and love you freely : And beware that you do not fancy a deeper Red ( different from other Death-colours ) in your own Body of Death , than is seen in the Blood of Jesus Christ . An Unacquaintedness with the true Notion of the Gospel is a Hinderance to the Gospel-Feast .

3. Remaining Vnbelief in the Actings of slavish Fear . Reigning Unbelief indeed is the Property of Sinners , but Remaining Unbelief is a great Hinderance hanging in the way of Saints . There are Remnants of this Sin to bring you under spiritual Sickness and Infirmities , when there be no Ruling Signs-that it is unto Death upon you . There is much Fluctuation in our Hearts , an unsteddy rolling too and fro like the Waves of the Sea , sometimes carried out towards the Shore in Hope , then driven back again to Sea in Fears , whereas our Rock is the same for ever , tho' we roll aside . Oh! were our Faith ( says (z) (z) Dr. Sibb● , Bruised Reed , p. 23 , 24. one ) as firm , as our State in Christ is secure , what manner of Men should We be ! A Saint may be brought many ways low , but he shall be brought no ways under . Now by how much the less it is you live in the Exercise of Faith , 〈◊〉 . 2.20 . i. e. By the Faith of the Son of God , by so much the less in your spiritual State will you thrive by Gospel-Grace . As you want any measure of Faith to digest the Food of God's Word , so much the less of Nourishment and Sweetness you will find in any Morsel of it . Jesus said unto him , if thou canst believe , All Things are possible unto him that believeth , Mark 9.23 . If you have not , Oh weak Christians , a stronger Degree , a higher Measure of Faith , your Fears will make you jealous , and suspect the Love of God every time you try to eat and drink in his Kingdom . It is observed of Peter , he never sank in the Waters , 'till he sank first in Fears ; when he saw the Wind boisterous he was afraid , and upon this followeth his beginning to sink , Matth. 14.30 . Fears will suggest nothing but such wrong and uncomfortable Thoughts as these ; Well , this Feast of the Gospel is too great for such poor Dust , and too good for so vile a Worm as I , therefore it belongeth not to me . But Oh! take heed of this , let not Unbelief carry it without a check in thy Soul , when it calls the Bread of Life Poyson , or tells thee , thou art damn'd , if thou venturest so far as to meddle with it .

4. Lastly , Refusing to be Comforted . God's People sometimes will not , tho' we take his own words , be satisfied . The Consolations of God are so small with them , Job 15.11 that they will not take this Cup of Consolation down , Jer. 16.11 . Psa. 77.2 . last words . My Soul refused to be comforted , let me hear what I would , it was all one with me . That was Good Asaph's case a while . Now what will All Things avail , when no thing shall be allow'd to comfort you , but you will choose to go down into the Grave mourning ? Gen. 37.35 What signifies Moses to tell the Children of Israel , that God had looked upon their Affliction and Bondage , and to assure them of Deliverance , that it was now even at the Door , Mat. 24.33 whenas they hearkened not unto Moses for Anguish of Spirit , and for cruel Bondage ? Exod. 6.9 . It is observable indeed , that at the first Newes of their Deliverance , which Moses brought them from God , they are hugely affected with it , Chap. 4.31 . The People believed , and when they heard that the Lord had visited the Children of Israel , and that he had looked upon their Affliction , then they bowed their Heads , and worshipped : Oh! how glad and comforted do they seem that there comes any Relief to alter their Afflicted case at last ! Well , but God will yet try their Patience under their Burdens and Adversity a little longer ; in the next Chapter Pharaoh comes , and He multiplies their Burdens still more and more , and lo ! now the Double Labour of their Bricks and the Stripes of their Task masters upon their Backs , beat them quite out of Heart ; insomuch that at last Moses with all his Arguments and Perswasion could no ways still them ; for they are resolved to hear , to wait , to trust no longer ; they hearkened not , &c.

Thus , some of God's Children will seem to be born up notably , when God comes first into their Souls with Comfort ; but alas ! if God , to try them , lays them again in the lowest Pit , in Darkness , Psa. 88.6 . in the Deeps , immediately their Mountain is overturned , their Sun is set , and the Rainbow of the Covenant blotted out of Their Cloud . They refuse to be comforted , and seem loth to look out towards the Everlasting Hills again . Psa. 121.1 . Now hence it is that the Gospel hath been very often ( in part ) ineffectual ( for a Time ) to some of God's own Children . To conclude therefore in a word , your Meat will not strengthen you to flee as a Bird to your Mountain , Psa. 11.1 . so long as with Ephraim you remain a silly Dove without Heart , Hos. 7.11 . And so much for the Doctrinal Part.

The Ninth and last Thing propounded in the General method was the Application of this Doctrine . IX . The Vses I design to make ( by God's further Assistance ) are the Three following , Information , to discover such Truths , Humiliation , to bewail such Sins , and Exhortation , to beswade to such Duties as naturally flow from it .

First , I. Vse . by way of Information , in these Thirteen Particulars .

1. 1 Inf. We may learn the Fitness of Earthly Comparisons to bring down Heavenly Truths to our Capacities . I say , the Fitness of Earthly Comparisons , for in this Body of Flesh we have more Earth than Spirit , and need to put on Spectacles to help our weak Eyes . It is a piece indeed of condescending Workmanship in our Maker , to blow up the very Earth and the Things of it into a Glass , and then shew us Heaven and the Things thereof thro' it ; which made the Apostle use the same Metaphor , when he was comparing the Knowledge of Believers here with that perfect Sight they should have in Heaven , 1 Cor. 13.12 . Now we see thro' a Glass darkly , but then Face to Face . Thus the Holy Ghost declares , I have used Similitudes by the Ministry of the Prophets , Hos. 12.10 . (a) (a) Deus se quodammodò transformat in verbo suo , in quo non loquitur pro su● Majestate ; sed prout congruere videt modulo nostro , & infirmitati . Rivet . in loc. Vol. 2. p. 774. col. 2. ultim . Obs . When God speaks to instruct us in his Word , he doth as it were transform himself , not speaking according to his own Essential Majesty , but agreeably to the measure of our Frailty . The Scripture often instructs us in Metaphors , and sets forth our State , Priviledges and Duty by them . It was Christ's frequent way of Teaching , Luk. 1.76 . who was the Prophet of the Highest , but used * Similitudes may be Preacht out of God's Word , according to the Scope wherein the Similitude holds . Vines , God's drawing and Man 's coming , pag. 25. Similitudes as well as the Prophets of the Old Testament . The Master when he taught his Disciples , did point to the Things that are not seen by a Fescue from those that are . He did oftner open his mouth in Parables , Matth. 13.35 . than express the Kingdom of God other ways ; as particularly , we may see in the Text and Context , where the Kingdom of God ( that is the Church of God ) is likened to a certain King that made a marriage for his Son , Mat. 22.2 . or to a certain man that made a great Supper , Luk. 14.16 . Ver. 17. and bade many , and then sent forth his Servant at Supper-Time to say to them that are bidden , Come . There are many Similitudes , Parables and Figures in the Book of God , taken from things below , that do all tend to set forth our Priviledges , and the Riches of the Grace of God to us . To conclude it therefore , let our Adversaries tell us , we embrace (b) (b) Parker , Eccles. Polity , p. 75. a few gaudy Metaphors , yet we judge it very allowable , being justified by the General current of Scripture , to use such as (c) (c) R. Ferguson , Import and Vse of Scripture-Metaphors , pag. 296. carry a due Proportion , Analogy and Similitude to the Things they are brought to illustrate .

2. 2 Inf. If , under these Metaphors , there be a Plentiful Store of all Provisions in the Gospel-Feast , then there could not have been more than there is , ●eb . 11.3 . made ready . There might have been more Worlds framed by the Word of God , but there could be but one plenteous Redemption . Psa. 130.7 . Nature might have been printed in a larger Volume , Luk. 2.14 . but Grace and Good will to men could not be publisht † † Auctior & emendatior . Heb. 10.7 . Psa. 40.7 . more large or lovely , than God hath made them in the Volume of his Book . He hath provided more to save one Soul , than was sufficient to make many Worlds . * * Primogenitus ante quem nullus , unigenitus post quem nullus . He had one only Son , and he gave a richer Portion with this one , and this only Son of his Love , than could be encreased by this whole World's Goods . It was impossible we should have more than so great a Feast at the Marriage of the King's Son . He that provided the Feast made the Match , and gave his own Son to marry us . And lo ! Matth. 4.8 . All the Kingdoms of the World with the Glory of them , if they had the Golden Mines of Ophir or (d) (d) Both the same place as some think ; but others do make them distinct , and seem to encline that Parvaim was no other than the Country of Peru in the American Continent . Mr. Sam. Lee , Temple of Solomon , pag. 224. Parvaim (e) (e) Others again believe that Parvaim might be a Country now altogether unknown . Dr. Tho. Fuller . Pisgah-Sight , 1st Part. pag. 371. , nay , the Riches of ten Thousand Times ten Thousand Indies , would be all † † Isa. 40.17 . less than nothing and vanity in comparison of this ‖ ‖ 2 Cor. 9.15 . unspeakable Gift of his Love . When God So loved the (*) (*) Taken ( as before noted ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , for the Elect in all Ages of the world . World , that he gave his only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting Life , John 3.16 . He could not enrich it with a greater Dowry , than this invaluable Treasure . One Christ brings in more than Millions can reckon up to count it . We may find Words , says (f) (f) Rutherford , Christ's Dying , p. 136. one , to paint out Creatures , and the Garment may be wider than the Thing ; but should Angels come and help us to find out Expressions for this matter , Words would be too low and on this side of it . The very Apostle was at a loss for a higher Word to utter it than the unsearchable Riches of Christ , Eph. 3.8 . * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Riches beyond our Footsteps , Riches we can never trace out : (g) (g) Altitudinem babent , bumance mentis Angustias modulum● , superantem . Bodius in Eph. pag. 358. Col. 1. They have a glorious Height that transcends our Low Stature . These All Things in the Everlasting Gospel could not be made more glorious , if ten Thousand Worlds heapt upon so many Millions were added new to them ! The Apostle again calls it the exceeding Riches of his Grace , Eph. 2.7 . which (h) (h) On the Ephesian● . 2d Vol. of his Works . Part 2d . pag. 237. Dr. Goodwyn observes is an Epithete given no where else in the Scripture to the Grace of God . Grace is Exceeding , and there can be no more added to it .

Alas ! every Thing in this poor sorry World of our's is capable of a very high Enlargement : Rom. 8.22 . The World is a Prisoner , and the whole Creation groans to be set free , Eccl. 1.3 . and nothing under the Sun hath a Divine Perfection in it ; but the Love of God to Sinners is so big with Treasure , it could not be bigger , or possibly any other ways compleated . The Reason is , because it is Infinite , a Feast without any Bounds , or Dimensions of Love that made it ! The Store of the Gospel is so large , Psa. 24.1 . that Heaven and Earth with the Fulness thereof could not augment the Riches of his Grace , or swell the Love of God higher . That God who hath prepared this magnificent Entertainment , may apply the same Interrogatory to the Feast , which he put concerning the Vineyard , Isa. 5.4 . — What could have been done more that I have not done in it ? i. e. No Means had been in any Kind wanting ; so in the Gospel , there could be no further Preparation , no Dish or Dainty , nor Morsel of the Grace of God made , to be added to what is Made ready . Doth the Salvation of a Precious Soul require a Greater Price than hath been fully paid to save it ? Could God give us more than his Son , or could he give us any Son besides . Could Christ have given more than richly give himself , Eph. 5.25 . when the Son of man came to give his Life a ransom for many ? There are all things , and what ? Mat. 20.28 Could there have been more than all at once ready ? there is nothing wanting to be added unto Grace , or need either be put into the Scale to make up the exceeding weight of Glory . 2 Cor. 4.17 There are all things that appertain to Life , or belong to Godliness , Godliness here in Christ , and Eternal Life hereafter with him . In a word , the Gospel makes up so full an Entertainment , that we may put in what Christ at the Time of his Crucifixion pour'd forth , when he was bowing of his Head , and giving up the Ghost , Joh. 19.30 . It is Finished , no more Ransom to be paid , no more store for the Feast to be provided . He had purchased at once wherewith we might be perfected for ever . Heb. 10.14 The Gospel needs no more of the work of God about it , to make the Grace of God richer ; he hath brought it into a Blessed Perfection , and hath put his Last Hand to it .

3. As the Gospel could be made no larger , 3 Inf. so the Provisions could be made no less for Love to make enough . Grace and Love are Two sweet Springs that have not bubled or been broken up in vain . We indeed thro' Corruption may turn the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness , Jude v. 4. but yet no Streams of it that make glad the City Psa. 46.4 . of our God shall ever run waste . Wisdom would not have contriv'd , or the Power of Love accomplisht , All , if Less had not been too little . Tho' the Psalmist ( when he is pursuing the String of Vanity that runs through the Pearls of all Humane Excellency ) seems to make a meer nought of this Life , yet we must not make a Cypher of the next ; and tho' he expostulates , Psal. 79.47 . latter part . Wherefore hast thou made ( we cannot add , and say Wherefore hast thou redeemed ) all Men in vain ?

Love could not be ty'd in little Knots , when the Silver Cord was twisted , Eccl. 12.6 . to draw us in Bonds of Love with it . Hos. 11.4 .

The Ocean of Grace that overflow'd could not be pent up or confined in any narrow Seas . God would not be contented , but would give in all , when he gave any Thing to us .

And indeed as Less than All had not suited with the Infinite and Boundless Love of the Giver , so it had not been proportioned to a Fallen Creature 's Misery . If the Line of Love had been shorter , it had not reacht to save us . Man's Case was at the worst , and there had been no Relief found , if the Gospel had not been in its best Estate provided . Psal. 39.5 . If Christ had but dealt like Anantas , to have kept back part of the Price , Acts 5.2 . the Gospel would have been no Purchase for us . And therefore if we were Happy , we must have all , and could not have less than All the Gospel ours . As when Israel went out of Egypt , the House of Jacob from a People of strange Language , Psa. 104.1 they could not go out fewer than their whole Multitude , Num. 16.33 . and all that appertained to them , ( insomuch that when Moses is debating with Pharaoh about the Terms upon which they would leave Egypt , he tells him ) there shall not be so much as their Flocks and their Herds exempted , Ex 10.26 . our Cattle shall go with us , there shall not an Hoof be left behind : So to allude in the Case before us ) when Man was to be redeemed from everlasting Destruction , and advanced into Fellowship and everlasting Communion with the Great God , there was not one Essential * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , not so much as a little Greek Letter , or one Hebrew Point . Jot or Tittle of the Gospel must fail ; if it had , our Salvation had failed with it . As in the Law , to ‖ ‖ Jam 2.10 offend but in one point had been a Breach guilty of all ; so in the Gospel , to have left out but one Provision of † † 1 Pet. 4.10 the manifold Grace of God ( necessary to our Salvation ) had been enough to have shut us everlastingly out of all Happiness , Gal. 3 22 and concluded us under all Misery .

Jesus Christ did not merit one Benefit in the Work of our Salvation , that could have been left undone or spared : and therefore he tells his Disciples , Luk. 24.44 . after they had seen such a concurrence of Wonders that seem'd to be drawn as so many black Lines from the Circumference , and met in him the Centre ; that is , after he had liv'd obscurely , and dy'd with Publick Infamy , being made a Curse for us , Gal. 3.13 . to procure our Entertainment ; These are the words ( says he ) which I spake unto you , while I was yet with you , that all things might be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses , and in the Prophets , and in the Psalms , concerning me . If there had been but one thing omitted , there had been a Defective and not a Full Accomplishment : There had been too Few , unless All things ready , we can spare none of them . Every part of the Grace of God , and that which the Grace of God tends to , is so rich a Treasure , that the Loss of it had been irreparable . Nothing in the Pearl of Price but is Divine and Precious , there 's not a Jewel could be spar'd in the Crown either of Grace or Glory : The one is necessary to bring us to the Full Assurance of Hope , Heb. 6.11 . 2 Ep. Joh. 8. and the other that we receive a Full Reward in Heaven .

4. Tho' the Gospel be a Feast with All Things ready , 4 Inf. yet with nothing He prepar'd . The Father of Spirits will stand alone the Provider , and will have no Flesh to glory in his Presence , 1 Cor. 1.29 . We must say of all as (i) (i) Meisnerus de Ecclesiâ . pag. 46. one doth judiciously pro nobis , sine nobis ; it is Grace for us , but yet Grace without us ; it is a Feast sent to us , but nothing of its Provisions were got in or served by us . He puts it in the Singular Number [ I ] , when there was no Plural with him ; [ I ] ( not You and I ) have laid Help upon one that is mighty , Psal. 89.19 . The King in the Parable makes his own Supper , his Servants have a Commission to call you , but are no Caterers to buy up or prepare any of his Rich Provisions for you . If thou art Hungry , Psa. 50.12 . thou canst not say thou wilt not tell Him , for the Food in the Gospel is His , and all the Fulness thereof , and thou didst not by any kind of Work so much as procure thine own Appetite ; thy Stomach to this Food , as well as this Food to thy Stomach , comes alone from him . Isa. 26.8 . The Desire of our Soul cannot be unto his Name , and to the remembrance of Him , 'till first he provides himself and All Things for us , and therefore the Psalmist first mentions Him , and then his own Desire , he puts in the Object , and then puts forth the Act , Psal. 73.25 . Whom have I in Heaven but Thee , and there is none upon the Earth that I desire besides Thee . Now if we could not desire a Crumb , or long to taste of one Drop from Heaven , Psal. 2.4 . 'till He that sitteth in the Heavens creates our Appetite , much less could we have our Hand , or put in a little Finger to the Work in procuring this Blessed Meat and Drink . Our Poverty must be supplyed by , it could not contribute towards God's Liberality . If we had sold our selves , we could not have made , Mar. 12.42 or got up one Widow's Mite to throw into his Publick Treasury . All our Mony will not buy a Sacrifice , much less could it mix with the Price of Blood to sanctify . Mat. 27.6 . It would not avail to procure a Supplication to our Judge , Job . 9.15 . how could it joyn then in purchasing a Satisfaction , Mic. 6.6 , 7. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord , and bow my self before the High God ? Shall I come before him with Burnt-offerings , with Calves of a Year old ? Will the Lord be pleased with Thousands of Rams , or with Ten Thousands of Rivers of Oyl ? Shall I give my First-born for my Transgression ? The Fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul ? Our largest Offers had been infinitely too little for one of the least of God's All things to have come at our Price . Mat. 25.40

5. All These Things must surely put a Dignity upon all True Gnests . 5 Inf. What an Honour have all his Saints , while the Palace of the King sends to treat the Cottage ! Psal. 45.15 What a Preferment is it that God should stoop down to maintain a Communion with us ! That our Lord should prepare so great a Feast , and then gird himself to come forth and serve us ! Luk. 12.37 These mighty Things will make Believers great , tho otherwise they are little both in their own and other men's Eyes . The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour , Mat. 10.42 Prov. 12.16 . If we state all Accounts truly , little ones , God's Little ones are greatest . The All Things do put an Honour upon the Brother of Low Degree whom others make the Footstool . Jam. 1.9 . Such as are highly favoured of God shall not be found Ignoble . Luke 1.28 Tho' he sends out into the High-ways , and takes up Beggars , Mat. 22.9 . yet here 's a Feast that makes them Kings and Priests unto our God , Rev. 1.6 .

6. It informs also of the Happiness as well as the Dignity of True Guests that have got the Gospel-Feast Theirs . 6 Inf. They are not only by an Advancement set up , but are a People saved by the Lord . Oh! Deut. 33.29 . we may break out into Admiration , when we think deeply of the Blessedness of the People of God , who may come freely and partake of all these Things as their own ? The Gospel is not to feed thy Phancy , and please a meer Imagination , as if there were no richer , or more satisfying Good to the owners thereof , Eccl. 5.11 . saving the beholding of it with their Eyes , as Solomon speaks of the Increase of the best Earthly Things : But 't is a Feast made ready to be Thine , to fill thee brim-full with thy own share of Christ . Oh! blessed are they that have believed and obeyed God , who requires the Obedience of Faith as that Work of God which will give them a Right unto the Tree of Life ; Rev. 22.14 . Blessed are they that do his Commandments , that they may have a Right to the Tree of Life . God doth not require his People to look up as Strangers , Eph. 2.19 . but as Citizens belonging unto Sion , and as Servants that have * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Orders from their Lord to meddle with it ; Authority to appropriate the Tree of Life to 'em . A Right to the Tree of Life , ( says (k) (k) Durham on the Revelation . one ) is a Right to Jesus Christ , and Glory in Heaven with him . Now , how rich and happy are they that have an Interest by Faith in the Riches of the King's Son ! Oh! 1 Sam. 17.25 . he endows them with great Riches and Honour , they can never want Portion , and he gives them this Entertainment that they may be Happy in all things , and never want Provision . An Interest in the Son of God doth not only make the best , the most , but all things thy own . Matth. 4.9 . Luk. 4.7 . If thou wilt fall down and worship him , all shall be thine . He hath purchas'd that thou mayst get Possession . Oh! blessed View of Faith , that can appropriate Gospel-Grace , tho' it be a Self-emptying Grace that will lye at Christ's Foot , 'till the Soul cry out , I am a vile Wretch , Isa. 6.5 . I am undone , because I am a Man of unclean Lips ! yet is a Grace that exalts a Saviour , and will not leave the Soul hanging off from Christ , but clinging fast and crying out with Thomas , My Lord and My God! Joh. 20.28 . God's Children that have his Spirit witnessing , see the Gospel for themselves , and not another exclusively . Job 19.27 . The Saints of the most High have a Priviledge beyond all other Men. We have an Altar whereof they have no Right ( says the Apostle ) to eat that serve the Tabernacle , Heb. 13.10 . The Apostle there means that the Faithful in Christ Jesus had such Priviledges by Christ as others had no Right to , who adhered to Jewish Customs and Superstitions . So there is a Spiritual , Divine Participation , which natural , unsanctified Men have nothing to do with . Oh! blessed therefore are the Houshold , Gal. 6.10 . Eph. 2.12 , 13. the Houshold of Faith that be not aliens and strangers , afar off , and having nothing to do with these Things ! Blessed are the Family that come in to the Feast , because God hath given them Meat , and 't is now their own Food ! They have Children's Bread , Mat. 15.26 Luk. 6.20 . and Blessed be ye Children , for yours is this Bread .

7. An outward Liberty and a safe Protection of the Guests at God's Table is a great Mercy . If all Things be ready , 7 Inf. it is an Excellent Security that affords a Protection under the Roof of God's House , to enjoy them . None indeed shall be able to keep God's Children out of their Fathers House , that come nigh the Door with their Father's Name written in their Foreheads . Rev. 14.1 . The Lord of the Feast doth also plant a special Providence that guards the Table , while his Guests are plac'd about it . Heb. 1.14 . He hath Ministring Spirits that are set for the Defence of the Gospel ; Phil. 1.17 . they stand as watchful Centinels for the Good of his Chosen , Psa. 106.5 . because he maketh a House of Defence to save them . Psa. 31.2 . He hath given his Angels a charge over them , Psal. 91.11 . Heb. 1.14 . that his Guests may partake of the Feast in Quietness , and when He giveth outward Quietness in a Day of Liberty , Job 34.29 . as well as internal Peace and Calmness , who then can make Trouble and Disturbance while he entertains us ? The Lord hath made a Hedge and a Wall so high about his People , Job 1.10 . that none shall climb over , or break thro' to destroy the Gospel-Banquet , and spoil that Holy Festival : Vpon all the Glory shall be a Defence , Isa. 4.5 . The Holy Mountain is safely fenced round . The Guest may trust to a Protection , where he tasteth God's Provision . For He that hath said Bread shall be given him , his Waters shall be sure , hath said also that his Place of Defence shall be the Munitions of Rocks , Isa. 33.6 . 2 Cor. 6.7 . There is the Armour of Righteousness on the Right Hand and on the Left to guard both the Guests and Provision too : And 't is with no less than the Mighty Power of God that ye are kept through Faith unto Salvation . 1 Pet. 1.5 . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Kept . ] Kept as a Thing or Person is when there be Souldiers set upon the Guard to look well to them , kept as the Two Centurions with their two hundred Souldiers , and Horsemen threescore and ten , and Spear-men two hundred at the third Hour of the Night were to guard Paul to Cesarea , to bring him safe unto Felix the Governour , Acts 23.23 , 24. The Table of the Gospel is defended with a Flaming Sword , Gen. 3.24 . a Divine Presence that * * Psa. 97.3 . burneth up his Enemies round about him , and will no ways suffer them to rush in and spoil the Banquet , or Spill the Blood of his Guests that sit in Peace about it .

8. These All Things do inform us that they are worthy of all Acceptation . 8 Inf. 1 Tim. 1.15 . Oh! with how much chearful Readiness doth it become us to accept the Lord's Kindness ! nay , it becomes us to take it of the Lord with all sorts of Acceptation : Our Hearts should be humble , our Hands active , our Feet nimble and our whole Lives thankful . With Acceptation . Shall we dare reject the Grace of God ? if the Alms be so Bountiful , shall not the Beggar be so wise to take it ? if God stretch out his Hand , Prov. 1.24 . shall we pull our Hand back , and refuse what he offers ?

9. All these things do argue it a Dishonour for the Guests , 9 Inf. who are Partakers of them , to have any Fellowship with the Works of Darkness . Their Company and Conversation ought to be suitable to their Table . If any of the Professors that sit at Meat with them become loose and scandalous , it is their Duty to abstain from Communion with such , and in order to Purity in the Fellowship of the Gospel to cast them out . Joh. 9.34 . Nay , there must be a Forbearance of all unnecessary Communion or Fellowship and Converse with them , not only at the Lord's Table , but at our own Common Tables besides : 1 Cor. 5.11 . But now I have written unto you , not to keep Company , if any Man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator , or Covetous , or an Idolater , or a Railer , or a Drunkard , or an Extortioner , with such a one no not to eat . It is a Dishonour for Christ's Servants to go and sit with the wicked that wear the Devil's Livery . Psa. 26.5 . Our Master indeed when he came from Heaven , came to eat with Publicans and Sinners , which the Pharisees did upbraid him with , not knowing the End of Christ's coming into the World ; and therefore When the Pharisees saw it , Mat. 9.11 . they said unto his Disciples , Why eateth your Master with Publicans and Sinners ? And in another place the Pharisees and Scribes murmured , Luk. 15.2 . saying , This Man receiveth Sinners , and eateth with them : But Christ's Presence with Sinners was like a Physician 's Presence with the sick , Mat. 9.12 . that came to take away the Disease , but ours with them would be like those of young Blood , to partake of the Infection . When Christ comes to Sinners , v. 13. it is to call them out of their sins , I came to call sinners to Repentance ; but if we go to them needlessly , Prov. 1.14 . it must be to cast in our Lot among them . God comes to Vs in our sins to make us good , but if we go among others in their sins , it tends to make us bad , and in the conclusion may leave us stark naught . Rom. 4.5 . He that justifyeth the ungodly , that is , cometh to change their State , covers them with a Robe of Righteousness , Isa. 61.10 . which makes it a Dishonour ever after to have any Fellowship with Iniquity . The Honour that God bestows at this Marriage-Supper should be a Perpetual Bill of Divorce to all our old Lovers . Deut. 24.1 Grace makes Men too high to return again to Nature . The New Diet with the King makes it a Dishonour to Covet , or eat of the old Store agen . A Saint cannot sin without double Dishonour , because he is one that hath received Double Honour , the Honour that cometh from God , and the Repute he hath had with good Men. So a Professor debaseth himself every time he walks not worthy of , or according to the Honour and Credit of the Gospel . Alas ! their Table raiseth them to so high a Dignity , that 't is a shame for the Lord's Guests to keep Company with them of an ill Blood . What ? shall the King's Favourites run out of his Presence-Chamber , or leave the Guest-Ceamber for his Stables and Kitchin , to go mix with Grooms and Scullions ? Wicked Men are no others but such as the Great Lord employs in his Kitchen and Stables below in this World . Now is it not a shame when we have been with Christ to sit again with Belial ? The Jews held it , ( as one of our (l) (l) Dr. Lightfoot , Harmony of the New Testament Vol. 1. pag. 23. ●ol . See also 〈◊〉 . p. 2●1 . Edit ( ●●bl ) 〈◊〉 . Learned Countrey-men expresseth it ) That a Scholar of the Wise by their Canons might not eat with one of the vulgar , much less with Publicans and Sinners , the worst sort of all the vulgar that were . If the Jews held this when they ate Bread among themselves , much more should Christians that hold a Feast unto the Lord . Ex● . 10.9 .

10. If there be such a Plenty in the Gospel made ready , 10 Inf. then it is very sad where there is a Famine of the Word of God , and nothing of these All things enjoy'd . How sad is it to consider dark Places of the Earth where the Light of this Gospel never shined , Psa. 74.20 . and the wast places of the Earth where they wander up and down for lack of Meat ! Job 38.41 . how sad is it to think upon those Children of our Heavenly Father , that thro' the Fury of their Persecutors are deprived of all Ordinances , and ready to be starv'd for want of Bread ! how solitary and uncomfortable is their state , while they are Hungry and Thirsty , Psa. 107.5 . and their Souls are fainting in them ! It is a Terrible Dispensation to have the Word of the Kingdom taken away , Mat. 13 19 and spiritual Feasts turned into Soul-Fasts ! this is so represented in the Prophet , as is enough to make the Ears of them that hear it tingle : 1 Sam. 3.11 Amos 8.11 , 12. Behold the Days come , saith the Lord God , that I will send a Famine in the Land , not a Famine of Bread , or a Thirst for Water , ( as much as to say , I have a more grievous Judgment for you , I will not deal so gently , as to inflict a Famine of Bread , or a Thirst for Water ) but of hearing the Words of the Lord , and they shall wander from Sea to Sea , and from the North even to the East ; they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord , and shall not find it . Oh! dreadful is the Dispensation , when the multitude have been assembled , Mat. 15.32 having nothing to eat ! when God hath suffered the Enemy to break up the solemn Meeting , to disperse the Assembly , ibid. and send them away Fasting , tho' divers have come from far ! Mark 8.3 . 'T is sad , when the Things of our Peace are hid ( tho' it be but under a Bushel ) and there is no open Vision ! Luk 19.42 . 1 Sam. 3.1 . when the Wilderness is dry , and the Rain from Heaven that should have filled the Pools thereof , Psa. 84.6 . restrained ! if the Gospel hath All Things ready , Psa. 120.5 . Wo unto such as Sojourn in Meshech , and dwell in the Tents of Kedar , in places where there is nothing of the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ found ! 't is very sad with those poor starved Souls , if in Famine he doth not redeem them from Death , and in Hunger from the Power of Want .

Alas ! who can express the Judgment , the Desolation of a Forsaken People ! do we know what it is to see the Table of the Gospel like those Tables of the Money-Changers in the Temple , Joh. 2.14 , 15. overthrown ? it was the misery of the old World , and it will be the greatest Judgment and Calamity can befall our selves , if God should say of us as he did of them , My Spirit shall not always strive — Gen. 6.3 . It is Terrible to have the Vials of Wrath unstopt , and the Cup of Salvation put , or took away from us ! to be in a Kingdom that is full of Darkness , Job 3.16 . among poor Pagans and Idolaters that never saw Light ! to lose the Plentiful Provision of all things , Deut. 28.48 . and be made to serve our Enemies in Hunger and Thirst , in Cold and Nakedness , and in the Want of all things ! this is Dreadful , and yet there are many Desolate Places of the Earth that were once fed to the Full , Jer. 5.7 . yet now do not know where they can go to an Ordinance , 1 Sam. 2.36 . Rev. 1.4 . to eat a Peice of Bread ! The Seven Churches are in the Dark , and have their Lights wholly put out . The Nation of the Jews that did once eat of the same spiritual Meat , 1 Cor. 10.4 and drank the same spiritual Drink , are now turned out of their Inheritance , Dan. 4.32 , 33. like Nebuchadnezzar , when he did eat Grass as Oxen. The Glory ( of the Lord ) is departed from the Threshold of their House , 1 Sam. 4.22 . and now when God is gone , Jerusalem her self is without a Priest , and without a Sacrifice , Hos. 3 , 4. their Temple is destroyed , their Provision gone , and they have none to keep House for them ! And alas ! how equally sad and dismal would our own Case be , Gen 41.54 if the Meat were cut off before our Eyes ! Joel 1.16 . and the Famine begun in the Land ; q. d. if the Gospel that hath been spread in so large a Table , were taken quite from us ! if he should cause to cease out of this Place , and out of this Pleasant Land of ours , the Plentiful Field , Amos. 4.6 . and send a Cleanness of Teeth in the Want of Gospel-Bread among us , Oh! how black might our Souls be by reason of the Terrible Famine ! Lam. 5.10 . it is the Plenty of the Gospel thro' our Lord Jesus Christ that is able to save much People alive , Gen. 50.20 as at this Day : This Bread shall do it , Matth. 4.4 . by every word of Blessing that proceedeth out of the mouth of God . Well , if the Provisions of the Feast have all and abound , Eccl. 5.13 . it is a very fore Evil hath been seen under the Sun , when there is a Famine of the Word of God , and none of these All Things enjoy'd !

11. They are in a miserable Condition likewise , 11 Inf. who are in the Presence of this Plenty , and see it with their Fyes , but do not eat thereof ! what a Wretch was that Lord upon whose Hand the King leaned ! 2 Kings 7.2 . he sits crowded in the Gate , saw the Victuals come tumbling in out of the Syrian Camp , he beheld the Windows of Heaven opened , and a shower of Provision fell apace about him , but the Poor Wretch had no Vessel to put any of it in ! he must only see it with his Eyes , but not eat thereof ! he had not the Priviledge of a Dog to take the Crumbs , but was trod to Death under the Table ! his Carkass was spread like Dung , after God had provided and spread before him Dainties ! v. 20. so it fell out unto him , for the People trod upon him in the Gate , and he dyed .

So likewise as to Gospel-Grace , is it not a very sore Judgment to sit under Plenty of Means , and yet in a spiritual Sence not partake thereof ! to have the Table of the Gospel spread among us , and a large Feast prepared , when so many of those that are bidden perhaps touch not a Morsel of it , Luk. 14.24 Joh. 8.21 . but dye in their sins , and go to Hell at last . 'T is one thing to hear of Grace , and another thing to have it . Oh! how many natural , carnal ones , ( meer Vnbelievers while they hear of the Means of Faith , and the Provisions of Grace to work Faith in them ) that have not one Dram of true Faith or Grace to lay hold of the Gospel offer ! they have heard many a Sermon about the Feast , and yet go away Fasting ; q. d. as natural and Carnal , as empty and unhumbled as they came hither ! miserable Wretches ! what have these to live upon but the Bread of Idleness , or the Bread that perisheth , but no Portion of that which endureth to Life Eternal ( as hath been shewn ) ? God is opening of his Hand , and yet many of you are shutting your Mouths against him ! God is raining down Mannah , and you will not stoop to take Mannah up ! he drops Fatness , but you look on , and your Souls are lean still ! he prepareth Plenty , but you have such other Plenty besides , in your divers Lusts and Pleasures , that you care for none of it ! He giveth Meat in abundance , but how ill a use do you make of it , that come to see it a little upon the Lord's Days , but go away and do not meddle with , or perhaps so much as think upon the Provisions all the Week after ! how miserable are You !

Again , what will become of others that are Prophane , Filthy , Abominable , Disobedient , and to every good Work reprobate ? Are there not some who have been instructed in the Particulars of this Feast , and yet can feed upon Oaths , if a slight Provocation move them ? do not Prophane Dogs lick up the Devil's Scraps , and tho' they look upon God's Table , yet return to their Vomit again ? Now , is not your Case miserable , Sinners ! whose mouth ( it may be ) is full of Cursing , Rom. 3.10 . tho' out of the Mouth of the Lord you have heard so many Gospel Blessings ! and full of Biiterness , tho' that Mouth of yours should have been filled with the sweetness of the Honey and the Honey-comb ! are there not some of you have thrown aside the Cup of Salvation , and taken up the Cup of the Drunkards ? have you not changed the Glory of all that Holy Bill of Fare , to shame ? yea , into such a shame thro' your own beastly Intemperance , as the Prophet expresseth by a shameful Spewing ! Hab. 2.14 . Oh! how sad is it with you while you come and look upon the Provisions here , and as soon as you have turn'd your Backs , and are gone Week after Week , should be found in the Devil's Company , or about the Devil's Work again , eating and drinking your own Damnation ! dare any of you thus to prophane the Table of the Lord ? And , you that are Scoffers ridicule the Provisions , make his Meat contemptible ? Again , How do you think after this Plenty , that God takes it at your Hands , you that break the Third Command , and customarily take his Name in vain , Exo. 20.7 . irreverently , wickedly and prophanely in your mouths upon every slight Occasion , blaspheming and dishonouring that worthy Name which should only have been praised for his Bounty and Goodness to us ? Would you thank that Guest who should go away reproaching , and ungratefully vilify your own Names , after you had either kindly entertain'd him , or offered courteously to treat him ? I trow not . And what ? Luk. 17.9 . shall the Great God of Heaven and Earth be dishonoured in his Name , after he hath created , preserved and provided all , and spread so large a Table with Blessings of Heaven above , Gen. 49.25 and Blessings of the Deep that lieth under ? Further , dare any of you be Disobedient to Parents , and tho' you have heard of so much at God's Table , yet continue as cursed Slips , instead of Olive-Plants round about Their Table ? Psa. 128.3 . Surely miserable is the Congregation of the Wicked , and sad is your state that have the Opportunities of Gospel-Grace , and yet do but see it with your Eyes , and never eat thereof ! and that hear of Heaven , but must never , if you be not changed , enter in there ; Rev. 21.27 for there shall in no wise enter into it any Thing that defileth . Let those words , 1 Cor. 6.9 , 10. dwell much upon you , Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God ? Be not deceived , neither Fornicaters , nor Idolaters , nor Adulterers , nor Effeminate , nor Abusers of themselves with Mankind , nor Thieves , nor Covetous , nor Drunkards , nor Revilers , nor Extortioners , shall inherit the Kingdom of God . Remember all these Things must pass away , and there must be nothing of them remain , but only to testifie of the Grace of God that such were some of you . 1 Cor. 6.11 12 Inf.

12. Continuance in Vnbelief , and a Refusal of these All Things , is Dreadful . The State of Unbelievers must be miserable that hath no Portion in these Things , and the Sin of Unbelievers must needs become provoking that keeps them from laying hold upon them . Did you believe , Rom. 6.1 . you dare not trifle , or continue in sin , when Grace thus abounds . You dare not grow loose , if you did believe , or joyn with this Grace that was made to knit our Hearts to Christ . Oh! your Unbelief , which carries all your other sins in the Belly of it , is a Monster big with Aggravation . Let me represent the Dreadfulness of your Sin in two or three Instances .

1. You refuse the only Remedy . You sin against Grace , and Works cannot save you . These all things are for the reconciling you unto God , Col. 1.21 . and yet you prefer to be Enemies in your Minds ( and in your ways ) by wicked Works . They are for sanctifying and renewing your Abominable , polluted Natures , and yet you choose to remain Filthy still ! Rev. 22.11 They are for healing you , and yet you will die of your Wounds before ! They are for feeding and cloathing you , and yet you will be starv'd , and then turn'd out naked to the Judgment Seat of God! In one Word , they are for saving you , and yet you will die , and be damn'd for ever , Prov. 8.36 . He that sinneth against me wrongeth his own Soul , all they that hate me love Death .

2. You rebell against the Light . You have heard , you have seen enough to cast you , if you do not quickly cry for Mercy , and if Jesus the Son of God have not mercy on you . Mark 10.47 , 48. Oh! where will you flee to hide , when Christ lays this Sin at your Door , that you had been inform'd of the Provisions made for Sinners , and the more you knew , the more you hated God's Offers made to you ? See John 15.24 . If I had not done among them the Works which none other Man did , they had not had sin , ( i. e. nothing in comparison of what they now have ) but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father . You have heard of what Importance this Feast is , and therefore it is a Rebelling against the Light to make light of it .

3. You trample upon Distinguishing Grace that comes with outward Peace to you . God might have kept a Market with the Enemy , Psal. 44.11 and given you as Sheep appointed for meat . Asaph enditeth a sad Complaint of this nature , Psal. 79.1 , 2. O God , the Heathen are come into thine Inheritance , thy Holy Temple have they defiled , they have laid Jerusalem on heaps ; the Dead Bodies of thy Servants have they given to be meat unto the Fowls of the Heaven , the Flesh of thy Saints unto the Beasts of the Earth : And v. 3. Their Blood have they shed like Water round about Jerusalem . Consider , others have been fain to break thro' the Hosts of the Mighty to come at Bread , or fetch a supply of Living Water ; but you are offer'd Both in a Day of Gracious Liberty , when you need not get your Bread with the Peril of your Lives ! Lam. 5.9 . Oh! come and see the Works of the Lord abroad , Psa. 46.8 . what Desolations he maketh in the Earth , while he provides a Sanctuary for You that is not desolate for the Lord's sake . Dan. 9.17 . How do Wars ruine and eat up the Countries round you , while you have Peace in your Borders , Ps. 147.14 and meat to eat which they know not of ! Oh! the Distinguishing Grace of God , that he should on you be raining Mannah , when on so many Thousands in the World he has been seen raining Blood ! Ah! Could you have lookt into Neighbouring Countries , and seeen the Frights , the Perplexities , the Distress of Nations , Luk. 21.25 the Groans of Dying wounded Men , the Revenge of Armies boiling in their Blood , the Thunder of the Captains and the shouting ! Could you see that Supper which God hath been making beyond the Seas for the Fowls upon slain Carkases , as the Holy Ghost signifieth , when he speaks of an Eagle flying in the Sun , Rev. 19.17 , 18. and crying with a loud voice , saying , to all the Fowls that fly in the midst of Heaven , Come , and gather your selves together unto the Supper of the Great God , that ye may eat the Flesh of Kings , and the Flesh of Captains , and the Flesh of mighty men . Oh! how might you then admire , that he should send forth any of the Angels of the Churches , any Servants of His at our Gospel Supper-Time , to say to them that are bidden , Luk. 14.17 come ! that they should be Angels to invite you , and not Armies to devour you ! And will you sin against the Distinguishing Grace of God that calls you to this Supper , when you might have been disht up among slain Carkases at the other ? The Lord could have bidden Guests which should have come upon the Wing , if he had but said , Deut. 28.26 . Thy Carkase shall be Meat unto all the Fowls of Heaven .

13. If there be such Plenty now where God's People partake of the Gospel , 13 Inf. Oh! what an infinite Stock of Plenty is That which is still reserv'd for Heaven ! If it be so much to look upon his Love , when thou art looking thro' the Lattess , what will it be when the Windows fly open , and thy Soul shall mount up like the Chariots of Amminadab , Song 6.12 . upon Angel's Wings to be for ever with the Lord in singing , and Mansions of Everlasting Joy ! What will it be then to see him as he is for ever ! Thy All now is nothing in comparison of what it tends to , 1 Joh. 3.2 . when thou shalt be all in the Third Heaven , 2 Cor. 12.2 all rapt up in Love , all Joy , all bath'd in the Rivers of Pleasure to all Eternity . Psa. 16.11 . So much for the first Use .

The Second Use is of Humiliation , II. Vse . upon these Three Accounts particularly , as , 1. That we have Despis'd it . 2. Forsaken it . 3. Tasted so little , when we have taken something of it .

1. It should humble us , that we have despised the Gospel-Feast . God hath been making ready , Mat. 22.5 . and we have been making light of it . This Great Supper hath been set before us ; I laid Meat unto thee , Hof. 11.14 . saith God of Israel and Ephraim , but we have cast it behind our Backs . 1 King . 14.9 It is the Wedding-Supper , Mat. 22.2 , 3. and yet how loth are some of us he hath bidden , to be courted to it ! It should bring us into the Dust , that we have preferred Dusty Things before it . Those Three Despisers in the Parable all seek their own , Phil. 2.21 . and with one Consent shut out the King and his Gospel-Supper . One had rather be abroad in his Field viewing a piece of Ground , Luk. 14.18 than under the Roof of God's House at Supper . Another prefers his five Yoke of Living Oxen he had bought before all those other Oxen and Fatlings in the Parable that were killed , v. 19. and made ready to be given . Mat. 22.4 . They each made light of it , v. 5. ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) not caring for the Provisions of the King , to taste of his Supper ) and went their ways , ibid. one to his Farm , another to his Merchandize . And the other Third that was married , careth for the Things of the World how he may please his Wife , 1 Cor. 7.33 Luke 14.20 . It should humble us , that when God hath took up this Supper of the Gospel by a Hand of Grace , we have been taken up with our Hands in other Things , which we have valu'd and preferred more . It should humble us , Psa. 94.19 . that in the multitude of our Thoughts we have run so low , when God thro'out so many High Mysteries plainly tells us , Isa. 55.8 . My Thoughts are not as your Thoughts ! Again , that our Words have cast so many Reflections upon these mighty Works of God! Mat. 14.2 . That our Actions have wrought much Provocation , when He hath laid in so much Provision to nourish and sustain us to all Eternity ! That we should design his Glory no more , who hath accomplisht so much to declare our Good ! That we should set up our selves ( vile Worms ) before this great Provider ! That we should so often prefer a Mess of our own Pottage , I mean the Things below , 2 Kings 4.40 . where there is Death in the Pot , and esteem this large Benjamin's Mess in the All Things , no more ! Sure , it should make us with shame to take the lowest Room , and abase our selves , that have exalted our ways against God , ●uk. 14.9 . that hath done so much at the Vpper End for us !

2. It should humble us , that we have forsaken our First Love , we have once shewn to it . The Church of Ephesus , Rev. 3. seemed to have fed so long , that she took a Spiritual Surfeit , and cared less for her Meat than she was wont to do before : The Master of the House takes notice how well she kept to her Diet , v. 3. and that tho' she had met with never so many Difficulties for this Feast 's sake , yet had a long while bore them : Thou hast born , and hast Patience , and for my Name 's sake hast laboured , and hast not fainted : But when she grew weary of her Bill of Fare , he brings in a Bill of Indictment in a sad Charge against her , v. 4. Nevertheliss , I have somewhat against thee , because thou hast left thy first Love . And should we not bewail it , that our own Plenty hath brought forth the Ephesian-Surfeit in England , and that even as to the very Profession of the Gospel there hath been so great a forsaking in the midst of the Land ? Isa. 6.12 . Have we not in our Plenty forgotten the Bread of Adversity ? Cha. 30.20 Oh! how precious was the Provision , when we thought we should eat no more of it ! When God was threatning to break up House , did not we promise to prize his Table better ? When some of the Synagogues of God in the Land had been shut up , and others , thro' the Fury of the Enemy pulled down , had not we like Caleb another Spirit given us ? Num. 14.24 .

At the opening of our Liberty , when God set open that Door of Hope , Hos. 2.15 . how did we see many entring in by the Door , that since have returned , and now are climbing up some other new way ? Joh. 10.1 . Nay , how many in the straitest Times of Difficulty , have seem'd to run well , Gal. 5.7 . and followed Christ for the Loaves , I mean have been so zealously affected towards the Gospel , that rather than fast , 1 Sam. 21.6 would put Hot Bread into their Mouths , when Persecution hath been greatest , and yet now are hindred either from running or walking more with us ? Joh. 6.66 . Again , as to others that come now and then to see what House God keeps among us , did they not seem once to come with more Appetite ? Were not Men's Spirits once more akin to Job's , to love the Gospel of Christ , and esteem the Words of his Mouth more than their own necessary and Appointid Food ? Job 23.12 did not this Heavenly Repast from God determine their choice best , when it came in competition with the Food that perisheth ? Joh. 6.27 Could not some have been contented to lose a Meal at home , to get out to an Entertainment with our Beloved , where his Followers have gained more than Meat , and yet now steal away from the Table , having loved this present World , 2 Tim. 4.10 . whither a Deceived Heart hath turned them aside . Isa. 44.20 .

Again , should it not abase us , that we seem'd once to have more Valuation for the Gospel upon a Sick-Bed , Mark 2.9 than we have had since God hath made us take up our Beds and walk ! Mat. 16 . 2● Did we not better savour the Things of God , when we thought of the Graves ready for us , Job 24.20 and the Worms that should feed sweetly on us ? What strong Cries could many pour out , when they lay howling upon their Beds , which have been long since forgotten , and worn off by Laughter in the House of Fools ! Eccl. 7.4 . How many have made a fair shew in the Flesh , Gal. 6.12 . while their Face hath been foul with weeping , that yet have worn off former Troubles , after we had hop't by the sadness of their Countenance to have seen their Hearts made better . Alas ! Eccl. 7.3 . how deep in Shame should these Considerations lay us , that we are not ( perhaps any of us ) as in Moneths past , Job 29.2 . and as in the Days when God began to send Plenty to us ! The Gospel is the same , but we are sadly chang'd .

3. It should humble us , that we have tasted so little of this Feast , Job 16.8 . when we have taken something of it . Who would not rather judge that some of us , by our Leanness that testifies against us , had kept a Fast , and never been at God's House a Feasting ! How starv'd are our Souls , tho' such Plenty lies before us ! How wither'd are our Graces after the Dew hath been all Night upon our Branches . Job 29.9 He that hath gathered much of this Holy Mannah ( much comparatively , 1 Cor. 14.30 . more than another that sitteth by ) yet hath nothing over , Exo. 16.18 and he that hath gathered little hath the more lack . The Entertainment hath been full , but how many have risen out of their Seats and gone empty away ? We have but Tasted of the Heavenly Gift , Heb. 6.4 . when the Kindness of God hath provided all , that we might have taken more of it . We have Often fed , but we need still to be fed with the same Dish again . Heb. 5.12 . Ye have need that one teach you again which be the First Principles of the Oracles of God . Some had need to lye at the Infant-Breasts and suck a Catechism , being such Babes that many Sermons are too strong meat for them . Well , it should humble us , that we have had a great Feast , a rich Gospel provided , but little Stomach to , little Strength from it .

The Third and last Use is of Exhortation , III Vse . to perswade and counsel you in reference to this Large Feast in all the Things before us . Take these Twelve Directions .

First , 1 Dir. Labour to understand the Provisions of the Gospel more . Search into the Mystery of Christ that you may not have any meat to eat , which you know not of . Be acquainted more with your Table , that you may see what is set before you . The Heart of him that hath Vnderstanding seeketh Knowledge , Prov. 15.14 . Let not God therefore complain of you , when he hath sent these Treasures of his Gospel , as he did of Israel , when he had written to them the great Things of his Law , Hos 8.12 that they are counted as a strange Thing . Eat of the Tree of Knowledge that you may partake of the Tree of Life . The Supper will be lost in thy Winter-Evening , if thou hast not the Candle of the Lord to light thee , and discover the Things that he hath made ready . Cry therefore after Knowledge , and lift up thy Voice for Understanding , be no Stranger to thy Diet , but know thou it for thy Good , Job . 5.27 .

Secondly , 2 Dir. Meditate often upon the Furniture of this Table . It is no Spiritual Intemperance tho' you have ( Animus in Patinis ) your Minds running much upon it . I meditate ( saith that Holy Psalmist ) on all thy works , I muse on the work of thy Hands , Psal. 143.5 . When others only wonder a little at the Gospel they know not why , as They at those Things which were told them by the Shepherds . Luk. 2.18 . Be you like Mary in the following Verse , that kept all these Things , v. 19. and ponder'd them in her Heart . A good Christian ( said an (m) (m) Mr. Jenkyn . eminent Preacher ) is much in Isaac's Walks . He meant in Meditation , because Isaac went out to meditate in the Field at the Eventide , Gen. 24.63 . Such Spiritual Wanderers can turn Fields of carnal Pleasure into a Paradise of Holy Meditation . Meditate then in the Gospel , which is a plentiful Field where thy Thoughts may walk to and fro with Freedom . Muse upon the Extent , ponder the Depth , contemplate the prodigious Stores of Grace , Psa. 50.11 . all the Fowls of the Mountains , and the Fish of the Sea , and the slain Beasts on Earth are nothing to the House that God keeps for thee , therefore meditate upon these Things . 1 Tim. 4.15

Thirdly , 3 Dir. Be not satisfyed till the Provisions are all made yours . Children have [ Ye ] any meat , John 21.5 . What have you laid in of chose Things wherein God hath laid out . It is not Sight but Interest , no● Speculation but Enjoyment will be of use to you . If you gain not this Point , you lose your selves for ever . But how comfortable will you find it , to read over this Bill of Fare in the Text , when you can add Paul's Comment in the Margent , all are yours , 1 Cor. 3.22 . last words .

Fourthly , 4 Dir. Partake Plentifully of this Entertainment . Deal not with a well-furnish'd Table , as Men do with a Frugal Diet , to be sparing . Let not this (n) (n) Significat & victûs Rationem , quam quis sibi velut decernit & praescribit , ut eam non transgrediatur . Mercer , in Job . 23.12 . Appointed Food be ty'd to any scanty Rules . 'T is not indifferent to a Child of God , whether he eat little or much . I would not therefore only , as Paul exhorted in another case , press you to take some meat , Acts 27.34 . but would say as the Angel of the Lord did to Elijah when he touched him the second Time , ( still ) Arise and eat , 1 Kings 19.7 . The Prophet had once at the Motion of the Angel eaten before , of a Cake baken on the Coals , and drank of a Cruse of Water at his Head , v. 5 , 6. But because the Journey was too great for him to perform after ordinary , slender feeding , he is bid to eat agen , and accordingly he arose , v. 8. and did eat and drink ( i. e. plentifully , a double Meal , ) and went in the strength of that Meat forty Days and forty Nights , unto Horeb the Mount of God . He took a large Meal , and then he held a very long Journey . So I would perswade you to partake plentifully of the Gospel , believe with all thine Heart , eat and drink with all thy might , and take of what Dish thou wilt . Here is no need of putting the Knife to thy Throat , Prov. 23.2 . tho' thou be a man given to Appetite , as Solomon directs the Epicure . (o) (o) Summum tibi Damnum & Ignominiam ac●erses , nisi Gulam cohibeas . Idem . Other Dainty Meats may undo thee , if thou hast not more Grace , than Appetite . Take plentifully therefore of the Dainties wherein is no excess .

Fifthly , Return Thanks . 5 Dir. As it comes in Love , return it to Love agen . Jenkyn upon Jude , 2d pt. pag. 118. mihi Fol. Wicked Men ( as one observes of their common Mercies ) drink of the Stream and forget the Fountain , and assoon as ever they have filled their Bucket turn their Backs upon the Well . But God's People are to shew more holy Ingenuity ; and God's Mercies that draw out their Hearts , make them they dare not shut their Lips . What shall I render ( saith David ) unto the Lord for all his Benefits ? Psal. 116.12 . All God's Benefits do require all , and more than we can ask or think to pay him . When David had been studying what Thanks to render , he takes the Grace-Cup , v. 13. I will take the Cup of Salvation , and call upon the Name of the Name of the Lord . (p) (p) Cùm videat nihil habere se quod rependat confugit ad . Gratiarum Actionem . Mollerus in locum . Thanks is all God requires , and all that Man hath to pay . The Sacrifice of Thanskgiving is the greatest Offering we can bring to God's Altar . Praise is as much of the Lord's Tribute as we can pay in the Glory due unto his Name ; and we must not pay less . We ought neither to eat of our own common , or of his hallowed Bread without giving Thanks . The Dove , as (q) (q) Pag. 109. Dr. Spurstow observes in his Treatise of the Promises , picks not up a Grain without casting up its Eye to Heaven , and shall not the Soul of this Turtle that hath Dove's Eyes cast them upwards , Psa. 74.19 . Song 4.1 . while she is picking up his Mercies ? As we must be Beggars for Mercy , we ought to be Thank-offerers those Sweet Singers of Israel upon our receiving of it , especially for the Gospel , in which we are prevented with his Blessings that are granted before we ask them . Be ready to shew forth the Praises of him that hath called you , 1 Pet. 2.9 . Even the Praises of Providing Love that hath fetcht out such wondrous Stores for you , and brought in all to treat you . Yea , bless him for Sabbath-Festivals , that he treats you upon every such Solemn Feast Day . Psal. 81.3 . I had gone with the Multitude , I went with them to the House of God , with the Voice of Joy and Praise , with a multitude that kept Holi-day , Psal. 42.4 .

Sixthly , 6 Dir. Work the Works of God . Be not found a Spiritual Sluggard in God's Kingdom , that sitteth to eat the Bread of Idleness . Take Pains , Christians , with your own Hearts , and don 't carry it at Sion , as those did at the Foot of Sinai , that sate down to eat and to drink , Exo. 32.6 and then rose up to play . The more Grace , and the more we are justified without Works , the more we should delight to work the Works of God . Ezek. 16.49 . This Fulness of Bread should not be joyn'd with any , much less with Abundance of Idleness in us . ibid. Don't think you can do too much for God , that hath provided and done so much for you . Advance his Glory , as you may be most serviceable and useful in the Places God hath set you . In a Word , new Obedience unto Him , who hath provided all Things new and old for you .

Seventhly , 7 Dir. Pray Affectionately for more Appetite , for Growth and the continuance of Plenty to you . You may rise from this Feast , tho' the greatest Banquet in the World , and assoon as you are up be fit to fall down and pray .

1. Pray for more Appetite to this Plenty . Be desirous of his Dainties , for they are Not deceitful Meat , nor like those which the Wise-Man cautions the Man of Appetite to forbear , Prov. 23.3 . Cry unto the King least Desire fail , Eccl. 12.5 . when thou shouldst eat of his Son's Venison . Indeed in other Things , ( as a (r) (r) Dr. 〈◊〉 Bates Final Happiness of Man , p. 59. great Author observes ) we may sigh thro' Desire , and when they are obtain'd we often sigh for Grief : 2 Cor. 7.11 But our Vehement Desire , or the utmost Languishment of our Souls , that God would * * 2 Cor. 9.10 . minister this Bread for our Food , is a Desire not to be repented of . Pray then that the Holy Spirit would set an Edge upon your Appetite , that your Food when carved for you , may not be found lying useless by you . One Meal at thy Table , one Day in thy Courts , is beter than a Thousand elsewhere ? Psal. 84.10 .

2. Pray for Growth by it . Beg that God may never deal with Thee , as he did with the Israelites , when they tempted him by asking meat for their Lust , Psa. 78.18 . while he gave them their Request , Ps. 106.15 . but sent Leanness into their Soul : Cry therefore and make this Intercession , Oh Lord , I beseech thee send now Prosperity , Psal. 118.25 . As it is given you to sit at meat , pray that you may thrive by a Plenteous Feast . That you may not live upon God's Ordinances , and yet it cannot be known either by your Health or Growth what your Diet is , like those lean and ill-favoured Kine in the Dream of Pharaoh , that did eat up the first seven fat Kine , and when they had eaten them up , it could not be known that they had eaten them , Gen. 41.20 , 21. Ask Improvements , many Cubits in your Spiritual Stature , that while you live upon the Gift you may grow in Grace , 2 Pet. 3.18 . Much growth should be desired from much Plenty and Variety . This will be a means to adorn the Gospel , and recommend the Provisions of it .

3. Pray for the continuance of Gospel-Plenty to you . You can never more aptly apply that Petition in the Lord's Prayer , Give us this Day our Daily Bread , Mat. 6.11 . Jam. 4.3 . than here . Ask not any Meat for your lust , but ask in Faith all other Things and have . Entreat the Lord , that he would not deal with you , as your Persecutors more than once have done , to make empty the Soul of the Hungry , or cause the drink of the Thirsty to fail , Isa. 32.6 . last words . Pray , that the Good Shepherd would still provide , and the Sheep of Christ be yet suffered to go in and out and find pasture , John 10.9 . Pray , that God would Not cast thee off , or throw thy Meat quite away from thee , Psal. 51.11 . Cast me not away from thy Presence , and take not thy Holy Spirit from me . Beg that the Golden Pipes of Ordinances ( as they are Typed out in the Prophet's Vision of the Golden Candlestick , and the two Golden Olive-Branches ) may also empty the Golden Oyl out of themselves , Zech. 4.12 . That Ordinances may neither be broken , as the Pipes sometimes that convey the Water are , nor yet their Fatness or Moisture fail , as a means of conveying all Things ready .

Eighthly , 8 Dir. Look beyond the Instrument , any meer Servant of the King 's sent to call you , or bid to wait at Table on you . Look off from Instruments , and behold the First Cause . Holy Mr. Rutherford has an excellent Passage to this purpose in his Letters (s) (s) Pt. 3d. p. 37. , Such as are Hungry look more to the Meat than the Carver . Oh! look off as hungry Feeders from the Attendance of his Ministers to view the great Provider , and taste the Vertue of all his great Provision . Why look ye so earnestly on us , as tho' by our own Power or Holiness we had made this man to walk ; the God of Abraham , and of Isaac , and of Jacob , the God of our Fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus , Acts 3.12 , 13. It is the Glorifying of his Son Jesus , and not the Abilities of Paul , or Apollos , or any Ministers by whom ye believed : We are but poor Lacqueys , that run after our Lord , to be with him where he is , upon any great Day of the Feast .

Ninthly , 9 Dir. Learn to be weaned from Temporals , when you have such Provisions made in Spirituals . Take what you have in Christ , and be Content , the meek shall eat and be satisfyed , Psal. 22.26 . tho' God blesseth your other Basket and your Store , Deut. 28. ● . yet live above the World , upon Him who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) in Heavenly Things in Christ . Eph. 1.3 . When he calls you to dwell in his House , regard not your Tents , nor lodge among your own Stuff . Take off your Hearts from many Things , and lay them up with your Treasure here in All , Col. 3.2 . Set your Affections upon Things above , not on Things on the Earth . Pant not after the Dust , Amos 2.7 . when God pours Waters out of his Buckets . Num. 24.7 Be more Crucifyed to the World , Gal. 6.14 . since he that hung upon the Cross hath prepar'd enough ( by getting all ) without it . If God hath drawn some Earthly Breasts dry , yet let these Breasts of Consolation in the Gospel wean you from the Paps that you have sucked . Let that World to come provided put the World that now is under you . In one word , be contented to wash off your Thick Clay which sticks upon your Fingers , 1 Joh. 1.1 . and handle the Word of Life .

Tenthly , 10 Dir. Pity others that want your Plenty . The less they have , let your Bowels grow the larger to them . Be not of a Narrow Spirit that shuts out the sense of other Men's Necessity , when you feed in large Pastures . Be grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph , Amos 6.6 . and don 't carry it like his unnatural Brethren , that when they had cast him into a Pit , Gen. 37.24 , 25. sat down to eat their Bread . Think of God's Prisoners , tho' the chief Butler may forget them , when he is pressing the Cup into Pharaoh's Hand . Tho' you have got a Pleasant South-Land , and the Streams in the South to make it fruitful , yet think of your Brethren in France , that are driven out of their South-Land , and have their Springs of Water dry . Put on Bowels , when you behold your Table , and are about to fill your Belly .

Eleventhly , 11 Dir. Tho' you have Plenty , waste none . Make no Orts of Crumbs . When your Table is full , turn it not into wantonness , least God overturn it . Tho' you have found so much , do not lose any . Beware of every Morsel , let none fall under the Table to be trod on . Gen. 32.10 Make much of the least of all God's mercies , thou mayst yet be low in thy State , tho' thou art high-fed at present ; and tho' such a Feast be now set before thee , Luk. 16.21 thou mayst desire again hereafter to be fed with the Crumbs that fall from the Rich man's Table .

Twelfthly , Abound in Love , 12 Dir. both to the Maker of this Feast , and to all our Fellow-Guests with us . Professors of the Gospel should love , and such as eat together , cleave to one another . Love is a special Duty we owe at such a Love-Feast .

1. Abound in Love to God . The Words of the Commandment that were written in Stone should be transcrib'd upon the Fleshy Tables of our Heart ; 2 Cor. 3.3 . see Deut. 6.5 . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart , and with all thy Soul , and with all thy Might . Oh! how should we send Love streaming out of our Souls , when Love pricks the Vein , tho' we bleed to Death with Love !

2. Abound in Love to all your Fellow-Guests . 1 Joh. 4.21 . And this Commandment have we from Him , that he who loveth God , love his Brother also . Shall there be Contentions among Brethren at the same Gospel-Table , when (t) (t) Jenkyn upon Jude , 2d . pt. pag. 118. the eating at one Rack hath bread Peace between the very savage Beasts . It is the Note of an Egyptian , Gen. 43.32 to have an Hebrew in Abomination , and refuse to Bread with him . Let those quarrel who sit at the Devil's Banquets , but let us agree , who have our Table prepar'd of God . Let the Dogs fall out that fight for Bones , but let the Children that eat of Children's Bread , unite : Behold , how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity , Psal. 133.1 . It is comely to sit together in our Profession at the Gospel-Table , Eph. 1.3 . as we hope to sit together in the Heavenly Places , and not like Foolish Children wrangle and contend about our Meat , to provoke our Heavenly Father , to take the Dishes off , or send Vs to Bed , to our Graves , without a Supper .

II. Doct. That God makes an Invitation to Sinners in the Preaching of the Gospel to come in to this Feast .

The Method in which I shall endeavour to prosecute and handle this Truth , will lye in Four things . 1. To open the Properties of the Invitation , and shew you the perswasive Force , or Strength , and sweet import of this Blessed Word , Come . 2. To explain also the Nature of Man's coming , when God's Call prevails . 3. The Reasons , or Necessity of this coming urg'd upon us , Why it must be . And , 4. The Vse .

The First Thing is to open the Properties of the Invitation , I. and explain the Nature of God's Call to Sinners , when he Invites them by the Preaching of the Gospel to partake of His Feast . Take them in these Ten Particulars .

1. It is a Gracious Invitation , 1 Property a Come that is full of Grace and Love , an Invitation that springs not from common Tenderness , Luk. 1.78 . but the tender Mercies of our God . He is styled the Father of Mercies , 2 Cor. 1.3 . and therefore sends out to the Children of Wrath to shew Mercy on them . Eph. 2.3 . He is a Gracious and a compassionate Father even to Children that have wasted the substance , and run out the Portion he gave once unto them : He is full of Pity to such as have run away in the original Revolt from him , and therefore sends out to such Prodigals as we , a Come , Return , to fetch us home again . Isa. 21.12 . He seeks , he sends , he calls , and 't is nothing but Grace in every Act , in every Voice , in every Line of Pity to you , as Paul was wont to Preface his Epistles , admiring Gospel-Grace . Oh! 't is with a mighty Emphasis in the Language of the Gospel , that by Grace ye are saved , Eph. 2.5 . And again , ( by Grace are ye saved ) v. 8. it is by a special , extraordinary Favour that is let out of the Heart of God to you . (u) (u) Nempe Dilectio , Misericordia , Gratia atque Benignitas . Bodius in Eph. pag. 259. col . 1 Grace indeed is diversified in the Scriptures , and comprehends various Terms of a Divine Affection to save , but they all agree in the Temple-Language without any uncertain sound , 1 Cor. 14.8 that we may utter our Acknowledgments , and break out with Shoutings , Zech. 4.7 . crying Grace , Grace , unto it . When God looks down from Heaven , and beholds from the Habitation of his Holiness , and of his Glory , it is with the Sounding of his Bowels , Isa. 63.15 . and of his Mercies towards us . They are Compassions towards Vs that afford us a Call towards Him . The Church indeed seems there to complain of an Abatement of the Divine Care to her , as appears by the manner of her expressing it , Where is thy zeal , ibid. and thy strength , the sounding of thy Bowels , and of thy Mercies towards me ? are they restrained ? As if she had said , Why are thine Affections stopt from flowing out unto me ? but alas ! if God had forgotten to be Gracious , Psa. 77.9 . as good Asaph too was ready to complain , there had never been an Invitation to any such as Me ; O taste and see that the Lord is good , ; Psal. 34.8 . This Come in the Text had been blotted out of his Remembrance , Isa. 49.19 . if thro' Grace he had not engraven it upon the Tables of his Heart continually . He is a God that hath done every thing Graciously , Hos. 14.2 . he receiveth Graciously after , he invited graciously at first . Psa. 103.8 . The Lord is Merciful and Gracious in dispensing such a Call to us ; Psa. 145.8 . Gracious and full of Compassion in the Gospel-Message ; Lam. 3.22 . his Compassions fail not while he sends to fill us with good things . That is the First Property of his Call to Sinners , it is a Gracious Invitation .

2. It is a Free Invitation . 2 Property Nothing mov'd , nothing compell'd the King , in ary possible Deserts or Obligation , to send for such a one as Thee : He consdered thee as Poor , and therefore would invite thee according to the Free Riches of his Grace : Eph. 1.7 . He comes freely in his Visit , and calls thee as thou art a Sinner , as a Great Sinner , as the Chief of Sinners in thy own Apprehension . When he maketh a Dinner or a Supper , Luk. 14.12 he calls not the Rich that can make a Recompense , not the Righteous , such as are Self-Righteous , but he calls Sinners to Repentance , Matth. 9.13 . The Lord does not look for some Great Thing in you , to make you worthy of a Look or a Call of his after you , but when he comes to save you , he finds you as you are , and yet knocks at your Door to take up his Abode with you . Tho' you have not a Good Word in your Tongues , or a Good Work yet begun in your Hearts , yet the Lord invites you to begin and carry both on .

3. It is a Sovereign Invitation . 3 Property As nothing in us could move him to it , so nothing he saw in us , or by us , should divert or put him off from such an Invitation . God will Call thee , tho' Satan casts in many Things against thee . The Law of God condemns thee , but yet however he will bring his Gospe , and have it offered to thee . Conscience may accuse thee , but he will not always hear the Plea against thee ; nay , Thou also in Self-abhorrency mayst say even to the Almighty , Lord , bid me not ! do not look upon such a Dead Dog as I ! 2 Sam. 9.8 . yet he will not be ty'd , he will not let thee stop him , Hos. 2.6 . thou shalt not hedge up his way with Thorns , but he will invite thee to his Son , take it how thou wilt of him , Exod. 33.19 . And he said , I will make all my Goodness pass before thee , and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before thee , and I will be Gracious to whom I will be gracious , and will shew Mercy on whom I will shew Mercy . He breaths in Sovereignty , when he opens his Lips , and brings Grace , Grace forth . He will invite , he will entertain , he will exercise a Prerogative while he offers to , while he bestows the Gift upon whomsoever it seemeth meet unto him . His own shall be bestowed where the Owner pleaseth . He invites not only where he foresees a Heart void of Towardly Dispositions and moral Inclinations to receive his offer , but where there is a perfect Aversation , a natural Hatred and Reluctancy thereunto . Even so Father , because it seemeth good in thy sight , Matth. 11.26 .

4. It is a clear Invitation . 4 Proper● There is nothing in the Gospel but lays his Heart open , nothing in his Calls but doth make our way to Him clear . We may apply the Testimony of his Disciples to confirm this , Joh. 16.29 . His Disciples said unto him , Lo , now speakest thou plainly , and speakest no Proverb . He had before declared to them , Joh. 16.28 he came forth from the Father , and was come into the World ; as if he had told them , I came down from God , to seek , to call , to treat with Sinners , and bring them up to Him : Again , I leave the World and go to the Father : i. e. I must go back to the Place from whence I came , and give an account how my Message sped . The Invitation was therefore clear , his Disciples understood the Call , lo , now speakest thou plainly . What can be clearer than Prov. 9.5 . Come , eat of my Bread , and drink of the Wine which I have mingled . Tho' these Things are Parables unto Men by Nature , yet when the Spirit of God hath formed a seeing Eye within us , to discern and perceive Spiritual Things , we may then answer as the Disciples did to Christ , when he made an enquiry about their Understandings , Matth. 13.51 . Have ye understood all these Things ? and they say unto him , Yea Lord .

5. It is a Commanding Invitation . 5 Propert. Ministers have received a Command to Call you , and you have receiv'd a Command to Come . When Orders are given from the Lord , Joh. 1.13 . you are not left to the Will of the Flesh to put off the Invitation which from the Will of God you hear press'd upon you . The Servants indeed intreat you , and beseech you to be reconciled unto God , 2 Cor. 5.20 but the Master of the Feast doth require this of you . He is a Great King , and where the Word of a King is , there is Power , Eccles. 8.4 . to employ his Agents , and Commission such as he makes the Officers of his Trust to deal with you . It is affirmed of the King in the Parable , Matth. 22.3 . that he sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden . 2 Cor. 8.23 The Messengers of the Churches must speak the mind of God and Christ to you . Matth. 8.9 Ministers are under one having Authority , and 't is their Duty to declare unto you , what they have received from the Lord . 1 Cor. 11.23 The Servants that call you can shew their Lord 's express Warrant to you , and a Commandment both to Them and You , to tell you by what Authority they do these things . Mat. 21.23 Christ hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth to speak , Cha. 28.18 and his Messengers have an Authority by Delegation from him to speak also ; Isa. 48.16 . Come ye near unto me , hear ye this , I have not spoken in secret from the Beginning , from the Time that it was , there am I : and now the Lord God and his Spirit hath sent me : So likewise that Commission for Christ's Messengers to invite you , will stand , so long as the World stands it self , Matth. 28.19 , 20. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations , baptizing them in the Name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you , and lo ! I am with you always , even to the end of the World , Amen . There is the Divine Commission at large , which warrants the Messengers to Invite you with a Come and See , Rev. 6. sparsim . Psal. 34.8 . with a Come and Taste the things that God hath prepared for you . Now if the Commission lays an Obligation upon Them to call you , is it not a Command , or an Authoritative Invitation from the God that sends them for you to come in . If they must Preach the Gospel , must not you receive it , and embrace it ? David lookt upon it as an Argument of weight , thou hast given Commandment to save me , Psal. 71.3 . and when God hath Charg'd us to believe and obey the Gospel , may we be at Liberty as we will , to accept or refuse the Invitation ? Prov. 1.23 . either to turn at his Reproof , 2 Pet. 2.21 . or turn aside from the Holy Commandment delivered to us ?

6. It is an Open Invitation . 6 Propert. The Gospel is said to proclaim , Isa. 61.2 . and not to whisper the Grace of God to you . These Gracious Calls are Publick , Psa. 40.9 , 10. 1 Kings 19.12 . you may hear Inviting Mercy in the Great Congregation , as well as the small , still Voice , at home . When the Gospel is spoken of by Christ , Mark 13.10 . he tells us , it must be Published among all Nations , it was not enough that these things were done in a Corner . Act. 26.26 . So when the Servants in the Parable are sent forth to call them that were bidden , Luk. 14.17 they are Commanded to go out quickly ( but not any whither , here or there at random , into by-corners of the City , where their Message would want a Conveniency to divulge and noise forth abroad , Go out quickly therefore ) into the Streets and Lanes of the City , Luk. 14.21 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , into wide Places , as the word may signifie , where you shall meet with Room enough for the Company , the many Sinners in Jerusalem , Luk. 13.4 . to gather thick about you , and hear your Message which I have sent by you ; and v. 23. Go out into the High-wayes and Hedges : Go , proclaim your Errand , where you are most likely to find Company , be it in City or Countrey , Jerusalem , or in Judea , throughout all the Region round , or in the Kingdoms of the Gentiles , beyond Judea .

For , it is thought by Interpreters that by Streets and Lanes of the City , Christ meant the Jews that were then nigh at Hand , and to whom by reason of that nearness the Servants or Preachers of the Gospel could go out quickly ; for These were to have the Gospel first Preached , beginning at Jerusalem ; Luk. 24 47 and 't is thought that by the High-ways and Hedges he intended the Gentiles a great way off from Judea and Jerusalem , to whom also the Word should come , and be Preacht afar off in Places remote and distant from their Countrey and Metropolis . Well now , the Servants and their Message are come forth as openly into your High-ways and Hedges , i. e , unto and among such Inhabitants as dwell afar off from Jerusalem , whom the Parable seems to intend and set forth metaphorically under these Terms ; yet as openly Preached unto you now in these High-ways and Hedges as it was in Christ's time in the Streets and Lanes of the City among the Jews themselves . The Invitation was Open then , Luk. 12.3 . the Invitation is not in Private now . The Word that descended from the House-Tops is not whisper'd and confin'd to Closets : Joh. 18.20 . I spake openly , to the World , I ever taught in the Synagogue , and in the Temple , whither the Jews always resort , and in secret have I said nothing : Why so

The Proclamation of Gospel-Grace is now open , the Silver Trumpet comes sounding close by you ; there 's no Restraint upon a Message from God to you ; nothing to arrest it before it reach your Ears . When Wisdom crieth , she cryeth without , she uttereth her Voice in the Streets , she cryeth in the (w) (w) Loco ubi variae semitae concurrunt , & ubi sibi invicem , quam plurimi hominum occurrunt . Mercer in loc. chief Place of concourse , in the openings of the Gates , Prov. 1.20 , 21. so chap. 8.2 , 3. She standeth in the Top of High Places , by the way in the Places of the Paths ; she cryeth at the Gates , at the Entry of the City , at the coming in at the Doors . These are Phrases that express the openness of a Thing done in the Face or the Ears of much People , as if Wisdom's Message had been delivered , not so much in the Street , whether of this side of the way or that , where the Passengers half are lost in passing by on the other , but in the openings of the Gates , and at the coming in at the Doors , where the way of all sides doth meet , and every one is pressing to crowd in or out thro' . The Word of the Lord that invites you , is intimated to be in its own Nature an open Vision , 1 Sam. 3.1 . tho' it was then so precious and scarce in those dayes , that there was no open Vision actually . 'T is no less than a Ho! if any Man Thirst , let him come unto me and drink , Isa. 55.1 . compar'd with Joh. 7.37 .

7. It is a large and comprehensive Invitation : 7 Propert. A Come that shall reach Jew and Gentile both ; the Arms of Love shall make a wider Circle , Many are called , Matth. 22.14 . and all Israel shall be gathered . People , Nations and Languages will be invited to come and hear the Gospel , Mark 16.15 . Go into all the World , and Preach the Gospel to every Creature , i. e. (x) (x) Cuivis hominum ordini . Poli Synops. omni Generi singulorum , non omnibus singulis Generum . to Men of every Rank and Order ; to men indifferently of any Quality , Character or Degree , to all the Kinds , be they Barbarian , Scythian , Bond or Free , tho' not to every Individual neither , appertaining to those Kinds . Again , to every Creature , i. e. as the word Creature is restrained to Mankind : Thus Eve is called the Mother of all Living , Gen. 3.26 . i. e. of all Mankind Living , be they Male or Female , but not to be understood of Living Creatures produced of any other kind . Well , the Call of the Gospel shall be a wider , a more extensive Call than now : The Hour is coming in the which there shall be no Speech nor Language where their Voice , Psa. 19.3 . the Voice of them that will be Called to Preach Glad Tidings , shall not come . But however , it is a large Come , an extended Call at present . God speaks it in the Ears of many Nations , Come , fill your selves with Fatness ; Kings are exhorted to accept of it , to be wise and Kiss the Son , Psa. 2.12 . i.e. be subject to him , alluding to the Kiss of Homage which was used by the Jews . Cities , Towns and Villages are spoken to , Families and single Persons have a Message of Grace sent them , and the Voice still cryeth , Come . You particularly of this Congregation in Cambridge , are invited to come near and hearken , to incline your Ear to near , and your Souls shall live , Isa. 55.3 . it is large and comprehensive , the Voice Cryes to many .

8. It is a Pressing , 8 Property Earnest Invitation . It gives no rest , but solliciteth and thro' the forbearance and long-suffering and goodness of God follows thee Day after Day . Rom. 2.4 . The Call refused hath become a Call repeated : Isa. 62.11 . Once hast thou heard it , yea twice that ( Grace and Mercy , as well as ) Power belongeth unto God . If thou art slow , that shouldst be swift to hear , upon one Week or Sabbath-Day that 's past thee , God● hath followed thee with another , and try'd thee by his Goodness once again , if Instruction may but enter , and thine Ear be bor'd at last . Thou hast now a Call , if thou wilt but come in and embrace it with this Day 's Mercies . The Apostle expresseth this Earnestness , with an as tho' God did beseech you by us , 2 Cor. 5.20 . The Call is urgent with Thee , as the Angel was with Lot to hasten him . While he lingred , Gen. 19.16 the Men laid hold upon his Hand , the Lord being merciful unto him ; Mercy was earnest , Mercy press'd him , it would not leave him to be consum'd with a Sodom burning round about him . Why thus Mercy pleads with thee , Why wilt thou dye ? Ezek. 18.31 . Mercy is urgent , it lays hold upon thee , Sinner , and would pluck thee as a Brand out of Everlasting Fire ; Zech. 3.2 . Mercy is loth to give thee up for ever : It comes with a sweet and gracious Importunity , it cryes continually in thine Ears , Judg. 16.16 . presseth thee with words , and would draw thee with Bands of Love to Jesus .

9. It is a seasonable Invitation . 9 Propert. It is Mercy that is not come too late . He calls thee while it is yet Day , Joh. 9.4 . that thou mayst see thy way before the Night cometh : He sends out to invite thee with a Summons of Love before the Sun be down , and therefore let not this Day 's Sun go down upon his Wrath , Eph. 4.26 . before thou art willing to come and Sup with him . If you lose him now , you may lose him ever ; if you dye in your sins , Joh. 8.24 . you drop without Recovery ! when thy Mouth shall be stopt with Dirt , thou wilt not eat of this Bread that strengtheneth Man's Heart . Psa. 104 15 Death like a Thief is stealing in upon thee , and may rob thee of thy Table , before thou take thy Food ! it may come with a rough Hand apace , to overthrow thy Table , and snatch away Cloth and Thee , and All for ever ! but of this more under the next Doctrine .

10. Lastly , 10 Property . It is an effectual , saving Call to all the Elect of God . If God's Power be accompanyed with his Voice , we may add that of Paul to the Invitation , who hath saved us and called us with an Holy Calling , 2 Tim. 1.9 . when the opening of God's Mouth is joyn'd with the out-stretching of his Arm , then calling and saving us do both go together . Now God doth this to make the Call effectual ; he puts forth his Hand , and the Sinner comes to God's Foot immediately . Eph. 3.7 . The Gift of Grace and the Effectual Working of his Power do meet , and make the Invitation saving . When God saith Come , to those he intends to bring in , he wakeneth their Ear to hear , Isa. 50.4 . and gives them Feet to walk . He removes all Obstructions , and will make the very mountainous way to Zion become a Plain , Zech. 4.7 . when he intends to save unto the uttermost , Heb. 7.25 . Isa. 30.21 . and saith , this is the way , walk ye in it . Every Lost Sheep shall be found and brought home , before the Shepherd hath done crying after it .

The Second Thing is to open the Nature of Man's Coming , II. when God's Call prevails . Coming in the General implyes a coming off from some Things , and a coming on to others : For in all Motion ( suppose it Natural ) there be two opposite and contrary Terms , Terminis a Quo , and Terminus ad Quem , one from which we pass , the other to which we arrive . 'T is the same Thing in spirituals , in the Motion of the Soul towards God . We must come from many Hinderances , before we come to Him : There is much within us to be forsaken , and much to be left without us , before we break thro' all our way to Him .

First , I shall rank the Terms From which we must begin our motion in the Lord , and place them under these four General Heads , Sin , Satan , our Selves , and this present evil World . When we come , when we run after Him that calls us , we must start from every one of These . We must come off from these four Terms like those four Points in the Compass , if we begin a new , distinct motion ; that is , if we are Spiritual , and do not walk as Men ; for it is not Northwards or Southwards , towards the East , or towards the West , but a sursum corda , our Hearts only upwards .

1. Sin is a Term we must be sure to come from . The Invitation of the Gospel is a Holy Calling , 2 Tim. 1.9 . and the Feast is a Feast of Holiness , and it will surely hinder our Complyance , if we are resolv'd to touch the Vnclean thing : 2 Cor. 6.17 . Shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound ! Rom. 6.1 . Tho' Grace should abound , that is , the offer of it to us , yet it will work out nothing , if it doth not work us off from sin . Rom. 1.26 It must take of● our vile Affections , as the Apostle calls them , that we do not hate the good , and love the evil , it must eat off the Chain we bind our selves in ; for this continuance in Love to sin must be broken off , before we yield to any New Complyance . We shall never stir towards a Saviour , so long as we stand in any Evil Thing . If Iniquities prevail , Psa. 65.3 . the Invitation worketh no Perswasion or Success upon us . All Things in this Great Supper will be too weak to perswade , if there be but one Beloved Lust prevails . You must not defile , you must not foul your Hands with sin , and your Fingers with Iniquity , when you come to eat Bread in the Kingdom of God , but wash ye , make ye clean , Isa. 1.16 . and touch not the Unclean Thing , 2 Cor. 6.17 . Wherefore come out from among them , ( that is , from Unrighteousness , from Darkness , v. 14. ) and be ye separate , saith the Lord , and touch not the Vnclean Thing , and I will receive you . (y) (y) Egress●● in Scripturâ animo , non modò corpori tribuitur . Camer . Myroth . p. 355 Be ye separate . ] i. e. Remove , be gone , be not contented to lye still in sin , change your Doings and Behaviour , tho' you don't change your Dwelling ; come off in your Affections and Conversations from the Pollutions that have cleaved to you ; 2 Cor. 7.1 . Cleanse your selves from all filthiness both of Flesh and Spirit , or you will never accept of the Invitation that calls you to such a cleanly Feast . Tho' Wisdom cryeth without , Prov. 1.20 . she will not help you , 'till she is suffered to break off the League which you have made with Folly , You must come from Sin , for it is unto Death , Rom. 6.23 . The Wages of Sin is Death ; or you will not come to this Feast , to take of the Bread of Life in it . You must get off the Broad wan , that leadeth to destruction , Mat. 7.13 . before you can advance aright , or come on to the Gate that 's strait , and the narrow way to Heaven .

2. Satan is another ( Terminus a Quo , or ) Term we must likewise come from . Natural Men are apt to imagine that the Devil and They are far enough asunder , his Name perhaps affrights them , tho's they can bear his Nature on them . And therefore if we comply with the Invitation of Gospel Grace , we must Return where we have turned aside after Satan . This may be opened in three Things .

1. Sinners must come out of the Devil's Family . The Devil is expresly called the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Father of Wicked Men , Joh. 8.44 . Ye are of your Father the Devil , and the Lusts of your Father ye will do . Of your Father , and therefore of your Father's House . His Lusts ye will do . ] His Children obey him , tho' they can never obey this Parent in the Lord . Eph. 6.1 . You must Dis-obey , 1 Pet. 1.14 fly from Him , if you would be found the True obedient Children . You can never be the Children of God , if you remain the Children of the Evil one . Again , you must change your Family , and get off from your old Lord , before you you can serve a New Master ; for you are but one , and can never serve Two , Mat. 6.24 . tho' Satan be a Prince , Eph. 2.2 . yet you must not confent to let him lord it over you : Tho' he be Lucifer , Son of the Morning , Isa. 14.12 . yet he is fallen from Heaven , and if you obey him , you fall down and worship Hell . Tho' he be the God of this World , 2 Cor. 4.4 . yet it is Treason against the King of Kings , to consent as They unto the Bramble , Judg. 9.14 . come Thou , and reign over us . He is called the Prince of the Power of the Air. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 not , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The Word is the Authority , not the Intrinsick Power : And his very Authority too is wholly Precarious and dependent , and what he exerciseth in the Air as the Seat of his Empire and Dominion , is no otherwise than by Delegation ; Eph. 2.2 . so that tho' he be the Power of the Air , you must resist the Powers of Hell , or you resist the Ordinance of God . Jam. 4.7 . Resist the Devil , rebel against the Tyrant , tho' you have been born and trained in his Court. In a word , you can never become the Friends of God , ch. 2.23 . so long as you are related to this Enemy of God that owns you : You must come out of Satan's Family .

2. Sinners must come off from the Devil's Work . When they leave his House , they must leave his Service , both within , and out of Doors too . Alas ! Men are nothing but Abominable , Strange Flesh , so long as th●y are acted by this Spirit . It matters nothing how they are swept and garnished , tho' their Houses be hung with a Profession , and they stick their Windows with the Boughs , so long as the Vnclean Spirit dwells within . Eph. 2.2 . lat. pt. He is the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience ; that worketh in , or * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the Inward Worker : He doth not only stand by and look over the Children of Disbbedience , but he works himself in them , i. e. saith (z) (z) James Ferguson in loc. one , by way of Inspiration and a kind of Breathing . The Devil blows up Men to Wickedness , their minds swell , while that cruel Task-master enters in , and they are filled with the Devil : He suffers none of his Slaves to rest idle , among the many Millions he employs in his Service every Day . He worketh at the Trade of Hell , and will make all his Servants help him . He cuts out work continually , and all Natural Men , who remain under his Power , he keeps close , as a hard Master to it . Now Sinners must be brought to leave these Works of the Devil , Joh. 9.4 . before they can work the works of God . You must put nothing in Satan's Hands , when you present your selves unto the Lord . You must throw off his Drudgery , if you would be doing the Holy Will of God . You must not make your Bricks in Egypt , if you go to be built up for an Habitation unto God in Canaan . You must be willing to be freed from His Slavery , before you are Free for Christ's Service , and shake off his Yoke of Iron , before you can take the Yoke of Christ on , Prov. 1.9 . as an Ornament of Grace , or a Chain of Gold about your Neck .

3. Sinners must come off from all his Flattering Adurements , let him promise what Reward he will . We shall be ty'd by the Heels , tho' we think to come to Christ , 2 Tim. 2.26 . if in the Snare of the Devil we are taken Captive by him at his Will. You will never come to the Banquet of the Gospel , so long as you relish His Baits . You must not have Fellowship with Devils , 1 Cor. 10.20 . if you partake of God's Dainties . You will never be drawn in the Bands of Love to Christ , if you listen to the Subtilty of the Serpent , to be snar'd by his Enticements . His Voice is as full of the old Poisonous Flattery now , as it was unto Eve of old , 2 Cor. 11.3 when the Serpent beg uiled her , and she did eat , Gen. 3.13 . lat. pt. You must come off therefore from all his Allurements , tho' he points to a Tree of Knowledge , Gen. 3.6 . and a Tree to be desired to make one wise , or a Tree thou wouldst fain be at , if it bears forbidden Fruit upon it .

3. Our Selves is a Term from which we must come likewise off . Sinners must be taught to go out of themselves , before they comply with Gospel Grace that calls them . We are all so naturally ty'd to Self , that it will be one of the last Things we leave for Jesus Christ ; And yet if God's Call prevails , we must come off from our selves in these Five Things following , viz. Our own Bottom , Ease , Interest ( where it contradicteth the Interest of Christ , ) as also from our Unwillingness to come at Christ's Call , and all our Carnal Fears that discourage us from Christ , and suggest Evil Things to us .

1. In coming off from Self , we must come off from our own Bottom . We must depart from a Sandy Foundation , before we can come to dig one in the Rock that is higher than we . Mat. 7.24 . Our own Hearts , our own Strength , our own Counsels , and our own Righteousness are all such a Bottom of our own that we must remove our Tabernacle from , before we can pitch in Christ to have our Foundation in the Holy Mountains . Psa. 87.1 .

1. In coming off from our own Bottom , we must come off from trusting our own Deceitful Hearts . We are lying Children , if we say our Hearts are good , while we think them not so bad as others . It is but next akin to that other Boast of the Perfectionist , to say we have no sin in us . 1 Joh. 1.8 . Thine Heart is the Dungeon where all thy Vermine breed , Matth. 15.19 . Out of the Heart proceed evil Thoughts , ( and that is enough to pronounce it bad , tho' the rest of the Vipers be not reckon'd in ) Murders , Adulteries , Fornication , Theft , False Witness , Blasphemies . Men are naturally prone to think it is enough , that their meaning is good , and intend hurt to none . They have good Hearts , tho' they have not such Heads and Tongues to speak as others : But you must come off from this piece of Blind Self , for he that trusteth in his own Heart is a Fool , Prov. 28.26 . Your Heart is desperately evil , and the worse because you are not Good enough to know it . There be Depths of Wickedness in this hidden man , which you that have Grace have too short a Line to fathom , and can you then that have nothing but Nature search it out unto Perfection , that have not one Thread of Grace to help you ? The Heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked , who can know it ? Jer. 17.9 .

2. In coming off from our own Bottom , we must come off from all our own Strength . All our's , did I say ? alas ! our strength is dryed up like a Potsheard , Psa. 22.15 . since our Springs were cut off in Adam , and if we would come by a Right Hand we must have Union with Jesus Christ our Head . We may talk and boast of something , but Christ hath told us , (a) (a) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 bîc non est simpliciter fine , sed majus aliquid quasi dicat Christus , seorsum a me , nam to loco Christus agit de unione nostri cum ipso , quam tàm ait esse neceslarium quàm sit unio Palmitum cum vite . Camer . Myroth . pag. 163 , 164. Without me ye can do nothing , Joh. 15.5 . Vain Man thinks he hath strength enough to catch , but we can trust our Hands no more than trust our own Hearts . The Flesh is weak , until his Spirit from on high be sent to work upon us . And we must let go all confidence in this Flesh , Phil. 3.4 . before the Spirit can be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus . 1 Cor. 5.5 .

3. In coming off from our own Bottom , we must come off from all our own Wisdom . Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart , and lean not to thy own understanding : In all thy Ways acknowledge Him , and He shall direct thy Paths . If we lean to our own understandings , we have found out a Poor Reed instead of the Pillar of Truth to lean on . 1 Tim. 3.15 Acknowledge Him . ] In Him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge . Christ is a Full Treasury of every Thing we need . (b) (b) In humanâ Christi Naturâ inest omnis plenitudo infusae & creatae scienti●e , seu omniscientia absoluta . Davenant in Coloss. in loc. There is a Created Fulness infused into his Humane Nature , and an Uncreated Fulness absolutely Possessing his Divine . If we are not therefore Fools for Christ's sake , we shall never be wise , 1 Cor. 4.10 . ( as we ought to be truly wise ) in Him . If Christ be not our Wisdom , the best of our Wisdom will become our own Folly . Nay , were we Ahitophel's , and Men , like Oracles , should consult us , yet if we took not Counsel from above , 2 Sam. 15.31 . all our Wisdom would be turned into Foolishness . Jesus Christ calls us , and if we do not learn to choose our way of Him , we shall drop into Hell , tho' to a Foolish mind that 's darkned , Heaven may seem but just before us . We must become as Little Children , Mat. 18.3 . i. e. as ready to take Direction in our way to Christ , as a Little Child might be taught in the Way how to come to Vs . If we think our own ways the wisest , in the Matters of our Souls , we make the Wisdom of God a Cipher , and , I am sure , our selves a great Figure for Destruction . You must pluck out your own Eyes with those Galathians in another sense , Gal. 4.15 . I mean renounce all Fleshly Wisdom , that you may see none but Jesus Christ to guide you on , and help you . If the Father bids us to a Feast , no man can come unto the Father , to be welcome unto his House , but by the Son alone , Joh. 14.6 . lat. pt. No Man cometh unto the Father but by me . You must despise your own Wisdom in competition with Christ , and not carry it as if you knew of your selves what , and how to do without him .

4. In coming off from our own Bottom , we must come off from our own Righteousness . I do not mean to put off Morality , or the Works of Piety and Charity , and become loose , Ungodly and Licentious ; but I mean , that , when in the Discharge of our Duty , we may seem to others , or to our selves to be Righteous , then not to trust our own Works . It is an excellent * * The 14th . among the Nine and Thirty . Article to this Purpose in the Church of England , and I wish it were received as an Article of Truth , as well as an Article of Peace among all the Sons that she hath brought forth . That Article words it plainly in the close with the very express words of Scripture , When you have done all are commanded you , say you are Unprofitable Servants . Tho' thou couldst not discern a Spot , yet to justifie thy Self in the sight of God is not the Spot of God's Children ; Deut. 32.5 see 1 Cor. 4.4 . For I know nothing by my self , yet I am not hereby justifyed . Tho' thou canst not discern a Mote in thy own Eye , yet the Eye of the Lord may behold a B●am in it , for in his sight shall no man living be justifyed , Psal. 143.2 . Now , tho' it be the Garment of Christ's Righteousness , and not thy own must cover thee , yet thou must be brought to pull off thy own , before thou put on His. So much for that First Term in our selves , we must come off from , viz. Our own Bottom .

2. In coming off from our selves , we must come off from our own Case . This is another thing we must leave in Self , before we can come and accept of Christ's Call . If we choose our Ease , and would wrap up this Lust warm , we shall be loth to bring it with us Naked and barefoot to Christ to be turned out of Doors . If Christ invites us to partake of Gospel-Grace , we must leave off that slothful Note , Soul take thine Ease , Luk. 12.19 . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Rest Soul , said that Sluggard , I have enough , cease from taking further Care ; so the word signifies . We shall not care to gird up our Loins and walk after our Master , if we had rather sit down in our Poverty and lost Estate , and be contented in a Natural and Sinful state with such things as we have . Heb. 13.5 . We shall not be Christ's Sheep , if we leave not that Practice of Foolish Shepherds off , who for this are compar'd to Dogs , Isa. 56.10 . in sleeping , lying down , and loving to slumber . If we come to Christ , he will call us out to Watchfulness , and what shall we do , if we cannot endure to watch with our Lord so much as one Hour ! Mat. 26.40 we had need to have another Spirit , and other Language than that Tongue of the Sluggard , yet a little sleep , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleep , Prov. 6.10 . A Call to put on Christ's Yoke , and sit at Christ's Table , tho' in never so sweet and gracious an Invitation , Job 12.5 . yet will surely be despised in the Thought of him that is at Ease . A Man must cease to be like that wicked and slothful Servant , Mat. 25.26 and not continue to be Slothful in Business , Rom. 12.11 before he 's one whose Soul shall truly dwell at Ease . Psa. 25.13 . We must come off from our own Ease and Sloth , and be willing to have Peace with God any how , tho' we put our Sinful Flesh to Pain .

3. In coming off from our selves , we must come off from our own Interest , where Christ's and our own are inconsistent . We must come chearfully unto Christ , whatever our Journey costs us , or we may go away sorrowful , like that young Man who had great Possessions , Mat. 19.22 . We must deny our selves , or we are likely afterwards to deal very ill with Christ . We must be ready to lose what the Flesh might gain , before Christ and the Gospel can be sound the best Gain to us . When we are building this Tower , we must sit down and consult the Cost , or it may quickly end in Babel , i. e. Confusion , before we finish , or have half done our Work : So long as all seek their own , i●e , are swallowed up wholly with making Provision for the Flesh , Rom. 13.14 . they will be such as the Apostle speaks of , that seek not the Things of Jesus Christ , Phil. 2.21 .

4. In coming off from our selves , we must come off from our Vnwillingness to come at Christ's Call . If we come against our Wills , tho' it be but hither to our Solemn Meeting , to hear what God the Lord should say , we go up a Double Hill , Pelion upon Ossa , Heaps upon Heaps , Hill upon Hill all the way to Zion . A Man's Legs may bring his Body into the Assembly , while his Mind starts back like a Deceitful Bow , never bent for God ; a Friend at home or Neighbour near you , may by accident perswade you out to hear , but so long as your Wills , Sinners , are hanging off from Christ , your Consent is no ways Cordial ; your Iron Sinew yet was never toucht , to come bending and melting all the way on . Ah! here lyes one of the Dying Symptoms , in this Plague of thine Evil Heart , which the Physician speaketh of , ye will not come unto me that ye might have Life , Joh. 5.40 . Salvation it self , as (c) (c) Dr. Sibbs , viz. Bruised Reed . pag. 182. one observes , will not save those that spill the Potion , and cast away the plaister . You must be Cur'd of Obstinacy , before you close with Jesus . Tho' you are bidden to a Feast , yet your Wills must be taken down , before you can take up your Beds , and walk to it . Willing and Obedient go by couples , when God invites you to eat the Good of the Land , Isa. 1.19 .

5. In coming off from our selves , we must come off from all our Carnal Fears , that discourage us from Christ , and are ready to suggest an ill thing to us . When Christ calls a Soul unto him , if that Soul hath been much awakened , it often happens , as when a Stranger calls a little Child , the Child is loth to draw near , he looks like a Stranger , and he knows not how to trust him : But wilt thou serve thy best Friend so ? Man's corrupt Imaginations suggest Evil Things to him : Our Eye is ready to be evil , Mat. 20.15 because Christ is good , and we are ready to think , as if this Joseph , tho' he invites us to nourish us in a time of Famine , would yet find some occasion against us ; as Joseph's Brethren thought and spake of him in Egypt . Now we must lay aside our Fears that terrifie us , before we can come to Jesus Christ to treat us . Methinks Christ's Invitation should bring our Faith , and banish all our Fears : Mat. 1049. Be of good comfort , rise , he calleth thee , were words enough to make the Heart of the Poor Blind Man to leap within him . Oh! how did he shake off every Impediment , throw his very Cloaths by to take hold of the Hem of Christ's Garment ! and should not we shake off this Spirit of Heaviness , that clogs our Approaches , and makes us sweat with Fear , when we might in Christ have Boldness ( or (d) (d) James Ferguson upon the Place . Liberty to speak all the mind freely ) and Access with Confidence by the Faith of Him ? Eph. 3.12 . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . With Confidence , ] in a gracious and well-grounded perswasion of kind Acceptance with him . I speak this only to you that have been mourning like the Doves of the Valley for the manifestation of the Love of Christ to you . And thus you have had an account of the Third Term , our selves , we must come off from , before we can come to the Gospel Invitation .

4. This present Evil World is a Term from which we must come , before we comply with God's Invitation . The World it self , as well as sin and our selves , and the god of this World , will try to draw us from Christ , tho' it be but with Cords of Vanity . Indeed this Temptation from the World , be it twisted with never so small a Thread , is enough to pull the Corruption of our Natures down-Hill : But neither must the World be a Hinderance , if we fall in with the In-Invitation of our God , and close with Gospel-Grace . Let me open this of the World briefly , as to the Things and the Persons of it .

1. In coming off from the World , we must come from the Things that keep us off from Christ ; the Profits , Pleasures , and Applause , or vain Esteem of Men.

1. You must come off from the sinful Profits of the World . These do either eat you out with Cares , or press you down with the Carriage , or scatter and divide your minds with Covetousness , and may put you upon unlawful means to gain it . You must come off therefore in your Minds and Affections , and hang loose upon all Earthly Profits . Thô the Gospel will allow you to buy and sell , and get gain , yet if you embrace the Truth as it is in Jesus , you must come from such Bargains where you have put Conscience to sale , and not strike your Hands in Cases where God hath smitten His. Behold therefore (e) (e) Percussi manum meam . Tigur . vers . complosi manum meam . Jun. I have smitten my Hand at thy Dishonest Gain which thou hast made , Ezek. 22.13 . When you are putting the World into your Scale , take heed lest the over-weight press you down to Hell ; for what is a Man profited , if he shall gain the whole World , and lose his own Soul ? or what shall a Man give in exchange for his Soul ?

2. You must come off from the sinful Pleasures of the World . You must leave off your Stolen Waters , if you take of the Free Gift of God . You must not come nigh these Foul Cisterns , or resolve to taste a Corrupt Spring , if you drink of the true Fountain-water . Ye have lived in Pleasure on the Earth , and been Wanton , ye have nourished your Hearts , as in a Day of Slaughter , Jam. 5.5 . And the Apostle Peter expresseth it by their counting it a Pleasure to riot in the Day-time , 2 Pet. 2.13 . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Gr. The Original reads it , counting Riot in the Day a Pleasure . The Word Riot in Divinity , signifies an effeminate Softness of the Mind contracted by much Wickedness in Pleasure , that even † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 luxus , deliciae ; a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 frango . Pasor . breaks , and un-mans us ; and if it destroys the Man , it will surely Mar the Christian . There is much of this Riotous Living in the World , among them that count it a Pleasure not only to be seven Years , but if it were possible seventy times seven serving divers Lusts and Pleasures . Now if you come to Christ , you must first come away from These : You must depart out of their Track , who are described 2 Thes. 2.12 . to have had pleasure in Vnrighteousness , before you can tread in the Paths of Wisdom , and take in New Delights .

3. You must come off from the Applause and vain Esteem of Man : You must step over this Threshold , before you come into God's House to Feast ; for how can ye believe , saith Christ , which receive Honour one of another , and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only ? Joh. 5.44 . It hath put by many that have seem'd to approach towards Christ's School , but never threw out any that were truly entered , to upbraid them with This , we are Moses's Disciples , we know that God spake to Moses , as for this Fellow , we know not from whence he is , Joh. 9.28 , 29. it hath likewise overthrown the Faith of some , but never shook the Faith of God's Elect , to be told that Great Men have disown'd God's way , have any of the Pharisees ( the Doctors of the Chair ) or the Rulers believed on him ? Joh. 7.48 . But if you will come under the Sun of Righteousness , you must not be frighted with this Shadow that cometh betwixt .

2. In coming off from the World , we must come from the Persons that keep us off from Christ .

1. Sinful Companions . If we have Fellowship with these Works of Darkness , we can have none with the Father of Lights ; for what Fellowship hath Righteousness with Vnrighteousness , and what Communion hath Light with Darkness ? and what Concord hath Christ with Belial , or what part hath he that believeth with an an Infidel ? and what Agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols ? wherefore come out from among them , and be ye separate , saith the Lord , 2 Cor. 6.14 , 15 , 16 , 17. So Eph. 5.11 . And have no Fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness , but rather * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 reprove them , i. e. convince them both by Life and Argument , for a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed , Prov. 13.20 .

2. Carnal Relations . You must first shake off their Objections , before you will yield to Christ , thô we should produce our Causes for your Duty , and bring forth our strong Reasons for it . It was a Carnal Relation , Luk. 14.20 . in him that had Married the Wife , and could not come to Christ ; for had she been a Spiritual Yoke-fellow , she had put her Husband forward . We must be brought into a Hatred of Evil Counsel , thô from our own Flesh and Blood , before We can be brought into True Love to Christ ; see Luk. 14.26 . If any Man come to me , and hate not ( Carnal Relations may be willing you should come to Christ a little , but they are ready to put in Pharaoh's Condition , ye shall not go far away : Therefore saith Christ , it is not enough to come , if you do not come to purpose , notwithstanding such Relations , if any Man come to me , and hate not ) his Father and Mother , and Wife and Children , and Brethren and Sisters , ( all that would keep him off from Christ ) yea , and his own Life also , he cannot be my Disciple . You must hate their Advice , thô never hate or disrespect their Persons , that hereby you may have the Person of Christ , as you ought , in chiefest Admiration .

3. Other Evil Counsellors : Thô there be not Relations as a Bar in your way to Christ , yet there may be a conferring with other Flesh and Blood , which the Apostle would not entertain , Gal. 1.16 . Immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood . The * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Greek word in its most genuine and immediate signification relates to the putting a Thing to one , and so I conferred not , is as much as , I never put it to them as a Case fit to be decided by them . We may have Carnal Acquaintants we must overcome , before we acquaint our selves with God , and must be at some War perhaps with Them , before we can fully be at Peace with God , Job 22.21 .

Having now shewn you that in coming at the call of God in the Invitation of Gospel-Grace there is a Terminus à Quo , a Term from which we must begin our Steps , I shall next briefly open the Terminus ad Quem . Therefore

Secondly , The other Term we must come to , or the Point in our Spiritual Compass we must arrive at , when the Gospel-call prevails and enables us to come , may be opened in Two Things that clear it , particularly , A Believing close with the Gospel-Invitation , and an obedient accepting the Gospel-Entertainment .

1. A Believing Close with the Gospel-Invitation . When the Soul comes , it is drawn with a Full consent to Christ ; the Understanding is enlightned , the Will persuaded , the Affections are drawn forth , and the Soul doth not any longer draw back . When the Snare is broken , and the Cords that held it back are cut , the Soul comes pressing forwards , towards the High-calling of God : Phil. 3.14 . when 't is loosned of its wonted Hold , it complies , and begins a close with that Blessed Person of the Son of God that calls it . Heb. 10.39 . For we are not of them that draw back unto perdition , but of them which believe unto the saving of the Soul . When our more than a Threefold Cord is broken , Eccles. 4.12 . then a call prevails , and we are drawn in Bands of Love to Christ . We can ( thro' Grace ) take hold of Christ , when He hath loosned our Knots that ty'd us so close to other Things before . Oh! if we come once to be like that Band of Men whose Hearts God had touched , 1 Sam. 10.26 . we shall be even prickt to the Heart , we did not come sooner , Acts 2.37 . and be earnest to dispatch our close with Jesus Christ the faster . We shall then to purpose sincerely mind his Calls , and evince our Hearty closing with them ; not answering swering like that Second Son we read of , that was bid to go work in the Vineyard , but play'd the Hypocrite and never came there , Matth. 21.30 . Igo Sir , and went not ; but like the First , tho' obstinate a while , yet at last obedient , that afterwards repented and went , v. 29. When the Soul closes , it is glad of an Errand to come for any thing to Christ , as before it was glad of a shift , and sought an excuse , to keep it off from him . Lo ! now it will not be satisfied with a Call , if the Soul but suspects it doth not come away . Oh Blessed , Sweet and Gracious , Universal Change ! The Will consents unto the Invitation , Rom. 10.9 with the Heart the Man believeth , and with the Mouth the Poor Soul confesseth , and lo ! a change wrought upon the Invited Sinner you may discern all over ! Oh! how does the Soul press after the mark , when the Call of Jesus Christ prevails ! It is no sooner loosned from Prison and from Death , but 't is joined unto the Lord in Free-hold .

I come Lord , I come with my Soul , I desire to bring my Body in also . I renounce my Sins , and now I seek a Saviour ; I throw off Satan , and now I put on the Lord Jesus Christ ; I come out of my Self , Lord , whither shall I go ? I come to thee alone ; I flee from the World , Psa. 55.6 . and with the Wings of a Dove , by the Help of thy Spirit am fleeing in to thee : Psa. 119.30 . I have chosen the way of Truth , I have cast mine Eye , my Feet are bent to thee : I am resolv'd by the mighty Power of thy Grace to be taken off , to be called away , to be seized and stopt by none that calls , by none that comes but Thee .

2. It is an obedient accepting the Gospel-entertainment : The Soul is willing to take the Provisions of the Gospel as they are , Mat. 20.11 without any murmuring against the Good man of the House . When the Soul comes to the Provisions of Christ , it is pleas'd in his House , delights in the entertainment , and takes without a Reserve of any Dish he gives it . The Soul comes , when it will be at the Feast to meet with a Christ , and to feed on a Christ at every Opportunity ! when Souls are brought to accept of Divine Provisions , and cry out with an Holy Importunity , Lord , Joh. 6.34 . evermore give us this Bread ! when the Soul takes up the very Fragments of the Bread of Life , and would have nothing lost that is ready among the All Things . To come , is to accept of him that calls , and accept of what he offers , and comply with thy Lord who is ready to welcome and kindly accept of thee . Lord , I come , here I am , 1 Sam. 3.6 . for thou calledst me , ( as Samuel said to Eli ) and I never read thou sendst me back agen ; I think my self happy to be a Guest , where the Master of the Feast that sent to call me , will be sitting by to serve me . Lord , I am come to seek my Meat of thee ; I remember thy Kindness to call a poor Worm forth , and lo ! here I am to eat of the Bread , Prov. 9.3 . and drink of the Wine which thou hast mingled . This coming of the Soul at the Gospel-call to Christ , is a Readiness ( thus ) to accept of the Glorious Things that are spoken of this Table , where these All Things are spread : for Glorious Things are spoken of the Supper as well as of the * * Psa. 87.3 . City of our God . The Provisions of Grace are wonderful , as well as the Treasures that are laid up in Glory . And the coming of the Soul is to accept of such as these ; untill it be filled with all the Varieties of the Word of the Kingdom , Mat. 13.19 which God can bestow , or man receive of him .

The Third Thing is to enforce it by Arguments , III. and urge the necessity of man's coming at the Call unto these Holy Commons of the Gospel ( for there is a Communion of Saints held at this Table . ) And in evincing why it must be so , I would lay open the Necessity of the Thing these two wayes in General : 1st . Necessitate Praecepti , as a Command . 2dly . Necessitate Medii , as the Means appointed . It is no matter of Indifferency , other Things are convenient , but this one Thing is needful , Luk. 10.42 .

1. It is necessary , necessitate Praecepti , as the Master of the Feast requires it . It is his command , and that will render a compliance with it necessary . God hath bid you to a Feast , and it should not lye before you as a common , slight indifferency , if ye be disposed to go . 1 Cor. 10.27 . The Commandment saith , Seek ye the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness , Matth. 6.33 . The Gospel-Dispensation is called the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness by a Phrase that is equivalent to and comprehensive of its Provisions made ready . Now this Provision in the Kingdom of God , God commands us to seek , and seek it † † Potiùs quàm Priùs . first ; seek it rather ; let the Priority be in your Affection , seek it more than all Things else . This is seeking first , when you give God's Provisions the Preference in your Hearts , tho' other Things have got the start , and were sought by you first in Time . Christ is there taking off his Disciple's Hearts and Thoughts from laying out their chief Care in maintenance about their Bodies , and setting them upon a more necessary Duty than Provision for their Body was . The Master of the Feast knows that the Soul is more than the Body , Matth. 6.25 . as the Body it self is more than Raiment , and therefore he commandeth his Disciples and Followers to be careful rather in This , and come away unto the Feast of the Gospel , seeking Soul-Food . It is the Will and Commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ , Rom. 16.18 . that we serve not our own Belly , but in obedience to his Divine Injunction , come and fill us with Hidden Gospel-Treasures . Labour not for the Meat which perisheth , John 6.27 . But doth not this Negative thwart a Positive command , 2 Thes. 3.10 . This we commanded you , that if any would not work , neither should he eat ? Doth not Paul a Servant of Jesus Christ seem to contradict our Lord Jesus Christ himself ? I answer in the words of a clear (f) (f) Streat ' s Dividing of the Hoof. pag. 418 , 419. Reconciler of the Scriptures , No ; for , To live without a Calling is one Thing , and to swallow up all Care for Heaven in this Earthly Calling is another . Labour not for the Meat which perisheth . ] i. e. Do not lay out your Thoughts , nor spend your Time and Pains about that Provision alone which is not your chief Portion , as if your Happiness consisted in the Abundance of the Things that you possessed : but ( it follows , labour ) for that Meat which endureth unto Everlasting Life . Thus , he that hath prepared his Dinner , hath also bid his Guests , and therefore necessity is laid upon us to go up unto this Feast . There is a necessity we should partake of the Grace and plenty of the Gospel , because God hath required this at our Hands . It puts a must upon the Invited , and they cannot in point of Duty refuse or put it off . We must in this be all Servants , and Ministers of his to do his Pleasure .

2. It is necessary necessitate Medii , as a means of becoming Gospel Guests . * * Finis priùs intentione , posteriùs executione . The means are first in Execution , and the end after . There must be a compliance with the Invitation before we can be called Guests . The Provisions of the Gospel will be hid , until Men come and see by Faith what the Things are . Coming , which signifies a Conversion of the whole Man to God , is performed in the first place , and partaking of the Feast ( or a feeding upon the Provisions of Grace that are made ready for the nourishment of the Soul in it's converted state ) is brought about after . God first brings the Soul to himself , and then he fills it with Good Things . The Prodigal could not partake of the Fatted Calf , so long as he was absent from his Father's House ; it was therefore necessary ( as a means of receiving it ) that he should come away and be with his Father where he was . I will arise and go to my Father , and say , Father , I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee , Luke 15.18 . But this necessity of coming as a Means will appear Three ways .

1. It is necessary to come to the Gospel-Entertainment , because all our Labours cannot purchase Bread . Isa. 55.2 , 3. Wherefore do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread , and your Labour for that which satisfieth not ? Hearken diligently unto me , and eat ye that which is Good , and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness ; incline your Ear and come unto me , hear and your Soul shall live . Here are plainly Two Feasts spoken of in opposition ; God's Entertainment which he provides for Sinners , and Sinner's Entertainment which they provide for themselves at their own charges ; now the Poor Sinner so long as an awakened Conscience sets him on Works and the Duties of Obedience , but never looks to Christ , he sweats , he labours , lays down a Price , and pays dear for nothing , he spends Money for that which is not Bread ; all the poor Creature doth , or can possibly reach to , is infinitely short of Christ , he makes a Feast of his Duties , but when he comes to sit at Table wants Bread to eat . Alas ! he must hearken to another Provider , before he will get supplies ; he must come and taste of God's Bounty , before he will ever fill his Belly ; hearken diligently unto me , incline your Ear , and come . If we come not to this Plenteous Feast of the Gospel , we may strive and take much Pains , but all our Reward will be Husks with the Swine , instead of Bread with God's Children . We may stir , we may strive in a way of outward working , but if it be out of Jesus Christ , we are Poor and can't maintain our selves . We may look upon one another , as we read of Jaoob's Sons , Gen. 42.1 . when there was Corn in Egypt ; but if we will live by Bread , we must go for Food to Joseph . All the Plenty in the Land of Egypt was deposited in Joseph's Granaries , not a Sack could be fill'd tho' it came from his Fathers House in Canaan , but it must come thro' Joseph's Hands ; v. 25. then Joseph commanded to fill their Sacks with Corn. So there is a necessity we should come to the Son of God for Food , because all is lodg'd with Him , * * Col. 2.3 . Treasures , † † Joh. 1.16 Fulness , . while all our Labours will not purchase Bread . Again ,

2. It is necessary to secure our Souls from Starving . We perish with Hunger , if we do not come for Food . We must have Bread to preserve our Lives , and yet we can have it no where else but here . As our Bodies would starve , if our necessary Food were gone , so will our Souls , and the Souls of others under our charge , if we do not take a little Food for the Famine of our Housholds , to supply us and them . We must come forth to this Rich , Gospel-Feast , where there is no want of any Thing ( as the old Man that came out of the Field from his Work at Even , Judg. 19.16 . told the way-faring Levite in the Street of Gibeah , v. 19. latter part , ) if we would not have our selves , and all that is within us come to want . No other Table hath Vertue enough to preserve our Souls , but that which the Redeemer of our Souls hath furnisht . No Bread will sustain us , but the Bread that came down from Heaven , and no Feast but the Gospel-Feast alone .

Why sit we here until we die was the Language of those four Leprous Men that were ready to perish with Hunger at the entring of the Gate of Samaria , 2 Kings 7.3 . last words . They could not live in so Black a Famine as we read preavailed , Chap. 6.25 . where an Asse's Head ( in this extremity , perhaps not common , yet Legally unclean ) was sold for fourscore pieces of Silver , i. e. (g) (g) See Mr. Pool's Engl. Annot. in loc. If we compute those Pieces by the common Estimation , or the common Shekel , which was half the value of the Shekel of the Sanctuary , and reckoned at Fifteen pence , then being multiplyed Eighty Times will amount to Five Pound , as the Price of an Asse's Head in that extraordinary Famine . And ( it follows ) the fourth Part of a

( h ) The Kab answers to our Quart. Dr. Fuller's Pisgah-sight . p. 399. ( mispag'd on the other fide 397 ) .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 This contained 24 Eggs , and held proportion with our Quart. Goodwyn . Moses and Aaron . lib. 6. Heb● . Measures , p. 262.

See also Weymse Hebr. Weights and Measures . Vol. I. p. 136 , 137. But

Others think this meafure by Egg-shells must be very uncertain , because of the Disproportion to be found in Eggs ; and therefore are not so exact , to adjust the measure to our Quart. Saith one ,

This way of dealing with Eggs in measures , I doubt will make nine measures of ten prove addle . Lee's Temple of Solomon , pag. 110.

Kab ( which was the least Hebrew-measure ) of Dove's Dung ; i.e. no more of this Dung neither for Food , than they say could be contain'd in six Egg-shells , that is , the fourth part of once 24. ( 24 being reckoned the entire measure of the Kab ) ; and these six Egg-shells of Dung too at no lower rate than five Pieces of Silver , or , as is estimated according to the value of our English Coins at 6 s. and 3 d. Well , ( this Durum Telum , necessitas ) this mighty strait makes these four Leprous Men resolved to quit their Post in the Gate , and venture out into the Camp of their very Enemies , to find better Quarters . They had starv'd , if they had not sought supplies , or had lookt that the Stones of their Gate should be turned into Bread . Indeed these Distressed Hungry Lepers must be fain to put it to the issue , as the History relates , v. 4. whether they should get their Bread upon the Place where they agreed to go forth . They are not Invited to any Entertainment , but must venture upon their Enemies Swords to get their Bread with the Peril of their Lives . But lo ! Lam. 5.9 . necessity spurr'd them on . Why sit we here until we die , was Argument enough to venture any where to live !

Why , so there is the same necessity for our coming to the Gospel-Entertainment . We die , if we have not this Feast , this Food to keep our Souls alive ! And lo ! we are more abundantly encouraged to seek our Bread than They ! These Lepers sought it of Bloody Syrians , we may of a Saviour that hath shed his own Blood for us . They of their Enemies , and we of the best Friend we have . They ventured to the King of Syrta's Camp , we may approach to the King of Sion's Court. They ventured without inviting , we are bid to come . And shall we not go ? shall we not gird up our Loins and run ? 1 Sam. 17.29 . Is there not a Cause ? And shall we starve our Souls to indulge our sitting still ? We have nothing left by Nature , no Bread under our Hand to feed us , 1 Sam. 21.4 . and tho' we are Prodigals that have wasted our first Allowance , we cannot find our second Keeping in any far Countrey , or upon the Husks that any Swine do eat . We must be nourisht in the King's Houshold , under the Roof of his Loving Kindness , or we pine , and die in the open Field with Hunger ! Oh! wo unto us , we are undone , if we make not out to our Father ! There 's a mighty Famine in the Land , and we are Strangers in the Earth , Psa. 119.19 . and from below we have neither inward Grace , nor outward open Vision . And is it not necessary we should come ? Shall we slight a Feast of Plenty ? Shall we hear the Calls , shall we smell the Entertainment , shall we see the Provisions served up before us ? And yet shall we hear , shall we see ? Shall we do any Thing but come and taste that the Lord is good ? Psa. 34.8 .

3. Lastly . It is necessary to come , to maintain the Healthful and Vigorous Constitution of the Soul , with the nourishment of Grace continually . Coming to the Gospel Feast is necessary not only to preserve our Life , but to encrease our Strength , which is also one of the Proximate and Immediate Ends of Eating , according to Eccles. 10.17 . Blessed art thou O Land , when thy (i) (i) Inferiour Rulers and Officers of State . Pemble . Analytical Exposition of Ecclesiastes . p. 333. Princes eat in Due Season , for (k) (k) Ad Corporis robur & animi vires , ut vivant & valeant Cartwright . Homil. in Eccles. Strength , and not for (l) (l) Ad reficiendum , non ad Luxuriam . Mercer . Drunkenness . As the Tables of the Greatest Men should be spread to no other end than the Refreshment and Supplies of Nature , so the Table of our Great God must be furnished , and we partaking of it , as a means of Nourishment and Encrease of Grace . If we would have strength in our Souls , Judg. 16 5 we must come to the Provisions where our great strength lyes . When Grace hath put a new , Healthful Constitution into the Soul , it procures a Diet to preserve that same Blessed Temper . If we would be strong and lively , and wait upon the Lord to renew our strength , Isa. 40.31 . if we would mount up with Wings as Eagles , if we would run and not be weary , and walk and not faint in our Journey towards the New Jerusalem , as the Holy Ghost hath promised , and spoken by the Mouth of his Servant Isaiah , Isa. 40.31 . we must come to a Feast that hath Healthy Diet in it . 'T is by means we obtain the End . Waiting , running , walking , as the Means , before strength and not fainting as the End . Would you be strong in the Lord ? Eph. 6.10 . you must first accept of his Invitation , and partake of strong ( that is Soul-strengthening ) meat . This is the way by which you may come to be strengthened with all might according to his Glorious Power , Col. 1.11 . So much for the Doctrinal Part.

The Last Thing is the Vse , IV. only in some Few Truths we may learn from it .

1. Inf. If we must Come , Oh! what need then of the Spirit of God to bring us ! we need a Real Aid , and a mighty , wise and holy Guide with us . We must have a Principle of Internal , Spiritual Assistance wrought by the Holy Ghost , first to enlighten our Ignorance , and then to strengthen our Impotence : we cannot stir , if the Spirit do not strive with us . Psal. 143.10 . Thy Spirit is Good , lead me into the Land of uprightness . I must come , Lord , to thy Table , I must see what House thou keepest for me ; (m) (m) Da igitur sidum illum ducem , qui non prehendat tantùm manum , sed vires sufficiat , & motum . Rivet . in loc. vol. 2. Joh. 6.63 . Grant me therefore thy Spirit to be my Sure and Faithful Guide to thee , who will not only take me by the Hand , but afford me sufficient Strength and Motion , as the Pious and Learned Rivet glosseth it . The Spirit that Quickneth must give Life and Motion , Legs to the lame , and Feet to walk with them . If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you , He that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you . Rom. 8.11 . (n) (n) Charnock's Discourses . Vol. 2. p. 1321. The Spirit must be our Auxiliary upon Earth , as well as Christ our Advocate in Heaven . As we can never be obedient to the Truth till we come to the God of Truth that calls us , so we can never come to be thus obedient , till there be an obeying of the Truth thro' the Spirit , 1 Pet. 1.22 . He may call , he may command , This is the way , walk ye in it , but we can never run the way of his Commandments , till He enlarge our Hearts , Psal. 119.32 . Acts 17.28 For 't is in him that we live and move , and have our Being Spiritually , as well as Naturally , both are from him , because all our Springs are in Him . We must have our motion from him , before we can make any motion to him . A moving Principle to cause our Pace , or we shall either stand still , or start back , or turn aside , or tumble down , or stumble in our walk , when we try to come along .

2. Inf. God's Calling and Man 's Coming are not the same , but Two Distinct Things . 'T is His Grace , but 't is our Work and Duty ; He draws , but 't is we must run , Cant. 1.4 . Draw we , we will run after thee . The Call is often sent , when there is no coming seen . Christ oft invites , but Men too oft refuse . He holds out a Sceptre of Grace , but They remove the Shoulder , and will not stretch out one Hand to take it . Calling is the Act of God , Coming is the Duty or the Act of Man in the received strength of God . God's Act in calling often goes alone , but our's never doth so , because it is impossible tho' God calls of himself , that we should come alone . These Two then must be distinguished , God's Calling and Man 's Coming ; neither must Man deceive himself to think he comes , because God calls him . For he may be no Guest after God hath given , and a Man hath had a Gracious Invitation . The Invitation may be made on God's Part , and yet no compliance seen on Man's .

3. Inf. There may be also much coming to Ordinances , and little coming unto God with any Spiritual motion in them . Alas ! there be many Foolish Guests , that follow their own Spirit , and rather come at their own call than God's . They bid themselves , and so come in the Flesh , but never understand what to make of a motion in Spirit and in Truth to God . They hear not with Spiritual Distinction the Voice of the Son of God , but with a Confusion and Disorder the Flesh makes , and therefore can't come , but rather from some Forcible external Cause are brought , without any Life in them . You may be going from the Feast in a Spiritual Sense , when you are seen to come to it in the Literal . The Heart must be upright , or you will come all awry in a crooked Line with the workers of Iniquity , while you appear in these Duties . You know what was said of Ezekiel's Hearers , Ezek. 33.31 . They come unto thee as the People cometh , and they sit before me , as my People , and they hear thy words , but they will not do them , for with their Mouth they shew much Love , but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness . (o) (o) Judaei magnâ frequentiâ ad Prophetam concurrebant & coràm illo non secùs consistebant , quàm si animum planè induissent populo Dei dignum . Jun. in loc. They carried it well to the Prophet , but very ill to God . They would throng to their Preacher , but be easily thrust away from God . They stood before the Prophet as if they had put on the same Ornament of the Mind which the best of God's Children wear ; but yet God saw , their Hypocrisie stood before him naked . So you may seem to come , when your Heart goeth after your Covetousness . You may come and make such a Dust with the Earth about you , while you put out the Eye of Faith , that you see not where you are .

4. Inf. If God invites us by the Gospel-Call , other Invitations should be of less account with us . When the Law of Mercy in the Gospel requires us to come and eat , shall the Law of Cruelty in our Members be obey'd , that saith , Abstain from Meats ? It casts a Disparagement upon the great God , that his Call must be neglected , while other little calls are minded ; that you have an Ear open to let in the Persuasions ( suppose ) of a Mortal Man , while you stop it against your Maker ! wilt thou stay with the Swine , when thou art Invited to the Sheep-folds to lye down in green Pastures ? Canst thou raise an Objection against the Sequel , because the Antecedent is so clear , Arise , He calleth thee ? 'T is the Voice of a God and not of a Man , of the God of the Spirits of all Flesh that calls thee , and shall the Voice of a Creature , the Voice of a Dying Man , or the Voice of a Condemned Malefactor stop thee ? Who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered ? Job 9.4 .

5. Inf. It is an Aggravation of our Trespass against Love and Kindness , to turn our Backs upon the High-calling of God . This is a Prodigious Evil , tho' Men have Presuming Thoughts upon it . This Rebellion ( this Refusal to come to Court when sent for ) is as the Sin of Witchcraft , and Stubbornness is as Iniquity and Idolatry , 1 Sam. 15.23 .

6. Inf. It is such a Sin to stand it out against God's Calls , as God will severely punish . A neglect of God's Calls will make our own Cries unpitied . Prov. 1.24 , 25 , 26. Because I have called , and ye refused , I have stretched out mine Hand , and no Man regarded , but ye have set at nought all my Counsel , and would none of my Reproof , I also will laugh at your Calamity , I will mock when your Fear cometh . Such as refuse the Load-stone , and are not drawn with Mercy , shall have a Milstone ty'd about their Necks that will make them sink for ever . Such as would not be call'd shall be cast into Hell .

7. Inf. and last . The Invitation of the Gospel should find in us a suitable compliance with it . I say a suitable or a meet compliance . As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord , ( so walk ye to him ) so walk ye in him . Col. 2.6 . For instance , the Grace of this Blessed Invitation should make us Gracious under it . The Freeness of this call should make us ready of our own accord , and not find , or rather not leave us , like those that are drag'd by others to every good word and work . The Soveraignty of the call should dissolve our Stone , and bring it unto Christ in Dust and Ashes . The clearness of the Invitation should leave no dispute about it . The Authority of the Call should meet with no Denial . The openness of the Thing should make us less asham'd of Christ ; we should have more Boldness in our Profession , when we are bid with such a Publick Invitation . We need not be Timerous or Afraid of what we go about , to come either by Night with a Nicodemus , or by Day that no Eye should see us . The Largeness of the Invitation should take hold of us . The Earnestness of the offer requires us we do not trifle with it . The Solemnity of the Call enjoins us not to Jest with it . The Sincerity of it requires , that we do not hear a little , and pray a little , and then go away , and sin much for it . In one word , the Seasonableness of the Gospel-call requires us while it is yet Day to come . If God calls us in the Day of Prosperity , we should not stay till the Day of Adversity to consider it . If in the Day of Health , Peace , Strength or Liberty , we must not delay till Sickness , Calamity , Weakness and Restraint . If in the Days of our Youth he makes the Invitation , we must remember our Creator before the Evil Days come . Eccl. 12.1 . If he calls us in the Day of Life we must not loiter 'till the Night of Death . To conclude , whenever he calls us in the Day of Grace , while the Spirit breaths and blows upon us , we must come , least we Quench the Spirit , and provoke him to blow out our Light , that the Things of our Peace shall be ever hid from us .

Doct. That the Gospel is a Feast or a Supper in which all its Provisions are Now ready .

In the handling of this Proposition there will be only these Three Things to do . 1. To Open : 2. To Prove ; and 3. To Apply it .

The First Thing will be to Open it , I. and unfold this Present Readiness coucht under the word Now.

There is a Twofold Readiness in the Marriage Supper of the Gospel ; the one is Absolute in the Provider , as all its Provisions are now got , I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do , Joh. 17.4 . lat. pt. This hath been largely discours'd already . The other is a Respective Readiness , being a reference unto Men , as these Provisions are now ready to be had . It is the latter kind of Gospel-Readiness which I must here speak of . This may be opened under a Threefold Regard . 1. To Place . 2. To Time . And 3. Opportunity .

1. The Supper of the Gospel is now ready for the Place where the Gospel comes . In every Nation , Town , Family , where an Evangelical Message arrives , God's Heralds may proclaim the Supper now ready , Isa. 65.1 . I said , behold me , to a Nation that was not called my Name . It is now ready for this Quarter of the World , for these Nations , for our own Native Countrey , for the Inbitants of this Isle , Isa. 20.6 . for the Town in which we are , or the obscure Villages to which any of us may belong , Act. 10.35 . In every Nation he that feareth him , and worketh Righteousness , is accepted with him ; i. e. It doth not suppose there can be any Acceptable Fear of God , or Works of Righteousness in any Nation where the Gospel was never Preacht , for these must be the Fruits and Effects of the Gospel it self ; but the meaning is , in every Nation where the Gospel comes and produceth this Fear , and these works of Righteousness , not finds them antecedently , there the Gospel is now ready to instate them with all true Happiness in God's Acceptation . The Supper is now ready for any Place whither the King sends forth a Message , thô it be in the Hedges and the High-ways , Luk. 14 23 where poor Sinners are cast out into the open Field . Ezek. 16.5

2. The Supper of the Gospel is now ready for the Age or Particular Time of the World in which the Gospel comes : It is Preached unto the Generation that now is , and therefore ready for them that are now upon the Stage , and do hear it from the House tops , Luk. 12.3 . or from the Pulpit-Top in our Gospel-Day . The Generation that is come up , and stands over the Graves of their Ancestors , are acquainted with the Voice of Preaching , and many Thousands in the World do now live , when God doth this . Behold , Num. 24.23 . the Mysteries of the Gospel are by Preaching now made known . Dark Ages of Popery , and the Brightest Ages of Judaism saw not what we see . The Light shined thro' a Vail to the Church of old , and as for our Pagan Ancestors their Lot was cast in such a Midnight-Darkness , that neither Sun , Act. 27.20 . nor Moon , nor Stars , nor any Light appeared . But in our Age the People that sate in darkness , have seen great Light . Math. 4.16 There were in the Apostle's Days , as he takes Notice , Eph. 2.7 . The Ages to come that God would look after , that he might shew them the Exceeding Riches of his Grace , in his Kindness towards us through Christ Jesus . Ages to come . ] (p) (p) Chrysostomus , Anbrosius , Hieronymus , ea ad futurum seculum referunt . Bodius in loc. The Ancients do interpret these Ages of which the Apostle speaketh , of that Eternity of Ages in the Future State which is to follow after the Dissolution of the World ; but others reser the Scope of the Apostle's meaning unto the after-ages of this World . Dr. Goodwyn thinks (q) (q) Dr. Goodwyn's Works , Vol. 2. pt. 2d . see him from p. 236. to p 248. the Apostle had both Senses in his Eye , and therefore professeth ( the Reasons for both being so cogent ) that if one Stream of these Interpretations should be exclusive of the other , he should hardly know which to prefer . However it be , it doth not exclude a shewing forth the Riches of his Grace to us that live so many Ages since the Apostle's Days ; for We now , thro' Mercy , do find our own ( thô otherwise miserable enough ) to be one of those happy , Golden Ages . Our Gospel now ( tho' Hid to them that are lost ) is the Revelation of the Mystery , 2 Cor. 4.3 which was kept secret since the World began , but now is made manifest , — Rom. 16.25 , 26. The Apostle also speaks of it to the same purpose elsewhere , Col. 1.26 . Even the Mystery which bath been hid from Ages , and from Generations , but now is made manifest to his Saints . Alas ! how many Ages before Christ were filled up with Generations of Men from whom the Mystery in Christ was hid ! (r) (r) Dr. Burthogg , Causa Dei , p. 195. All the Light before Christ , was but Moon , or Star-light , designed only for the Night preceding , ( as that famous Apologer cited in the Margent observeth in a Learned Tract . ) And it must needs be a Thick Darkness upon the Pagan World , while the Divine Light did but faintly shine in Goshen . God's own People had but some Prelibations and Fore-tasts so early , not a full Gospelmeal : Holy Diet was more sparing , thô they were sed with never so many slain Beasts , both in the Morning and at Noon ; because the Chief Meal in the Day of Grace at the Supper of our God was not then come . But we under the Gospel may say now ready , even we of this Age to whom the Gospel is Now come . Job 8.9 . We are but indeed of yesterday upon the Earth , and our Span will reach but a little way , tho' it extendeth most upwards ; Luk. 1.78 . yet no sooner did the Day-spring from on high visit our Quarters , but God sent in Provision with it . 1 Sam. 25.8 We come in a Good Day that are born at the Hour of Supper . We are come forth into this World a little before Night , and just as the Gospel hath met us , reeking in our Pollution , Ezck. 16.6 and lying in our Blood as it passeth by , the Grace of it unto us may be dated now ready . It is ready for poor Dark Families , that have been full of the Habitations of Cruelty , Psa. 74.20 . and Dark Souls , even now when God springs in with Light , and reformeth the Times of this Ignorance , which before he winked at , coming now in the Preaching of the Gospel to command them every where to repent , Acts 17.30 . And the Times of this Ignorance God winked at . ] There was a Time when the Nations were in the Dark , and God took no Notice of them ; he * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . overlookt them , as the Word is , he had not an Eye of Mercy for them , but lookt over their Dark Times to instruct other Ages in the Knowledge of Saving Truth ; so we have a Paralel Testimony given us , Acts 14.16 . Who in times past suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . In times past he did so , that is , in the Ages and Generations of Men that are gone , such whom Time hath now carried us off a great way from : But God hath now alter'd the Case in Mercy , and tho' he did shut his Eyes on Them , and righteously wink and overlook them , yet his Eyes are not contracted at this Day , but he opens and graciously fixeth them to look full on us . And now commandeth all Men every where to repent . ] That is , the Times in which the Gospel comes , are the Times in which a People do receive the Grace of God in Christ , and therefore God looks to such , Heb. 9.10 . and expects they should be I imes of Reformation . Well , the Gospel is now ready for you of this Age , when God hath taken that which letteth out of the way , be it any obstruction whatsoever , and it comes in the Preaching of it to you : 'T is now ready to give understanding unto the simple , when God perceives of most of you , that you are ignorant and unlearned Men , and hereby will have your poor Ignorant Neighbours , and your Carnal Kindred and Acquaintants , who it may be will not be perswaded to come along with you , take Knowledge that you have been with Jesus . He sends the Light of the Gospel among you , to acquaint you with the Things of your Peace , which perhaps you had lived all your Days in the World ( some of you ) and never knew till now . 'T is now ready to regenerate and save such of you as have been Dead and Lost until now ; the Gospel hath been excellently made known by many a Saint that is now Dead , and now in the Grave , and yet speaketh , whose Testimony agreeth with some that are alive and remain , that now confirm the same Gospel also . You have Great Things that have been made known in this Age , I speak particularly of this 17th Century since Christ ; whereas our Ancestors in some Ages and Generations past were nurst up universally in the Darkness of Popery , and again before that in the blackest Shades of (s) (s) See Verstegan's Antiquities . Chap. 3. from p. 73. to p. 89. ( mibi ) 8ᵒ Edit. 1673. Paganism , and never had a Glimpse of the True Light that now shineth , or a Taste of the Supper now ready .

3. The Supper of the Gospel is now ready in regard of the opportunity , or special season now afforded us . Opportunity is that happy juncture which (t) (t) Jenkyn , Supplement to the Morning Exercise . pag. 92. Sect. 7. one expresseth thus , The Spiritual Market-day for the procuring of saving Provisions for our Souls , upon which we are to live for ever . The original expresseth the opportunity of Time by a Distinct word , 1 Cor. 7.29 . We translate it the Time is short , but the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Greek readeth it The opportunity is short ; it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . I shall consider this ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , this Punctum Temporis , or ) present Readiness of the Gospel , according to the Season , under a Five fold Division .

1. Now ready , while Life now continues , Life is in a continual Lapse , it is a Thread that slips , and hath nothing but a succession of present Moments that like Points hold it together in continuity ; now we have no more properly for our Season than these instant Points , or Moments : We can say only of Time past , it was , Punctum est quod vivimus . of Time to come , it is not ; and therefore it remains only that we possess the Time that now is . Life consequently is a going , and the work of it for our Souls must be done , can be only done , while Time 's a lasting . John 9.4 . I must work the works of him that hath sent me , while it is Day , the Night cometh , when no Man can work . The Night of your Departure is at hand , and drawing on apace in which you can neither eat , nor see to walk , or work ! Now ( you hear ) is but a Point , and 't is always Passing . Life never standeth still , the Time is short if we measure it from one end to the other with our common Span. Alas ! what is Methuselah's Age to Eternity ? Gen. 5.27 . And what is Threescore years and Ten to Methuselah's , Psa. 90.10 . and what is to Morrow , that we cannot boast of , Prov. 27.1 to Threescore years and Ten ! And yet we have but such a short and uncertain season of Life to come and receive Mercy in . Mercy ( if we refuse it ) can but follow us all the days of our Life , Psa. 23.6 . tho' often Mercy steps back , and leaves a Sinner to himself sooner , and doth not follow him ( I speak of the offers of Saving Mercy ) to his Live's end . However , after Death , if the Time of Life be slipt , Psa. 6.5 . in the Grave there will be no Remembrance of us , the Gospel can be only ready for us now , before we are like the Slain that lye in the Grave , Psa. 88.5 . whom it remembreth no more . Well , but now Life continues , and there is some capacity of Improvement , some Help and a Possibility of Recovery by the means of Grace . It is said of him that is joined to all the Living there is Hope , Eccles. 9.4 . We are now thro' the Merciful Providence and Good Hand of our God , Living Men ; Neh. 2.8 . God hath not yet rooted us out of the Land of the Living , Isa. 52.5 . where our Place shall know us no more , Job 7.10 . but we may yet ( thro' Mercy ) walk before him in the Light of the Living . Psa. 56.13 . The Angel hath not yet Sworn it in our Hearing , even the Messenger of Death by a Sentence of Death within us , 2 Cor. 1.9 . Rev. 10.6 . that Time shall be no longer ; but God hath spar'd us to recover strength , after many a Humbling Visitation that had brought , and once kept us low . He hath rais'd us , when we were fallen upon a Sick-bed , and did not know whether ever we should come down from that Bed on which we were gone up , but might surely die . This is therefore the Season unto us who are all here present before the Lord , Act. 10.33 because Life continues with us , and to us whom he hath granted Life and Favour in a Recovery from Sickness , Job 10.12 and his Visitation that hath preserved our Spirit .

2. Now ready , when Grace is now offered . This may be opened in Two Things . 1. Now , when Crace is offered unto Saints to comfort them that mourn in Sion . 2. Now , when Grace is offered unto Sinners to bring them in to Christ .

1. These Provisions are Now ready , when Grace is offered unto Saints , to comfort them that Mourn in Zion . Isa. 61.3 . The Soul that thinks it hath had a Repulse , yet shall not like Jordan , now be driven back ; tho' thou hast cry'd out of a Denial in Months past , Psa. 114.5 . Job 29.2 . yet thou shalt not be deny'd thy Supper , or kept without it Fasting , when Grace is now offer'd . We do not only hear of the Kingdom , but if we believe , Luk. 12.32 it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom , that we might eat and drink in it , Luke 22.29 , 30. And I appoint unto you a Kingdom , as my Father hath appointed unto me , that ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom . There is now the offer of a Gift to Saints in whatsoever of Spirituals they may be profitted withal ; Mat. 15.5 . Mark 5.43 Christ hath commanded that something should be given them , as he did unto Her that was heal'd , to eat . Tho' thou hast been afraid , that Christ did frown upon thy coming heretofore , yet lo ! Song 3.9 , 10. now he cometh unto the Table in a Chariot Pav'd with Love , to meet thee ! Tho' thou hast cry'd under a sorrowful Spirit , he would turn thee out of Doors , yet lo ! now he puts forth his Hand upon the Handles of the Lock , Song . 5.5 . to let thee in presently . This Key of David shall be turned for , Rev. 3.7 . and not against thee to make thee lose thy Supper . Grace is offer'd , Grace is now ready for thee ; thy Redeemer is entred into the Chambers of his Love upon a Blessed Feast-Day to see thee . When thou hast wept in secret , and in solitary Retirements sighed out thy Case , Christ hath heard the voice of thy mourning , and is still taken with it ; he loves the Musick that is made by the Organs which he himself hath chosen : see Cantic. 2.14 . Oh my Dove , that art in the Clefts of the Rock , in the secret Places of the Stairs , let me see thy Countenance , let me hear thy voice , for sweet is thy voice , and thy Countenance is comely . The Poor Soul may often be compared to the (u) (u) See Durham upon the Place . Frighted Dove that runs into Holes , instead of flying in at the Windows to hide it self . Some fierce Temptation perhaps like a Hawk pursues thee , and thou like a Poor Dove for shelter art scar'd into a Hole to hide thee , and there thou lyest mourning in secret and durst not venture forth ; well , however Grace is now offer'd , and tho' thou canst not come home of thy self , Christ hath sent to fetch thee ! Thou shalt now be guarded to come forth with others that are made to fly as the Doves to their Windows . Isa. 60.8 . He will not abhor and reject , or cast thee off , but doth remember that now is a Time to embrace . Eccles. 3.5 . Christ listens to the complaint of the Frighted Soul , and is resolv'd to make it welcome . Let me see thy Countenance , let me hear thy Voice ; as much as to say , Come now into my Presence , venture to my Table 's side , and see if I do not make thee welcome ! Ask what thou wilt and it shall be given thee , even double , to the half of the Kingdom . Est. 5.3 . For Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out , John 6.37 . latter part .

2. These Provisions in the Gospel are now ready , when Grace is offered unto Sinners , to bring them now in to Christ . There is a fit opportunity upon the offer of Mercy for Sinners to be made now welcome to it . Feasts are ready , when the Guests have an opportunity to go and be made welcome at them ; so the Gospel is then ready , when Sinners may have the Freedom to hear the Doctrines of Salvation on publisht ; it is Then for Sinners to listen after and lay hold of some Good Thing tender'd by the Lord God of Israel , when they hear the Name of the Lord proclaimed , even the Name Immanuel , Mat. 1.23 . which is God with us ; being proclaimed , the Lord , the Lord God , Merciful and Gracious , Long-suffering , and abundant in Goodness and Truth , Exod. 34.6 . while he makes all his Goodness pass before us in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ . Exod. 33.19 . This is an opportunity to be made welcome ! So it is in the Preaching and Proclamations of it . A Sinner may be now accepted at this Blessed Entertainment , for it is called an Accepted Time , 2 Cor. 6.2 . A Time that God hath accepted for Sinners , and a Time in which he accepts also of them . The Gates of the Kingdom of Heaven are set wide open to receive Sinners now in . Jesus Christ now opens to let in every Sinner that comes to Him . The Gate of Mercy shall be lockt against none that have been knocking at it to come in .

Oh! how fit is the Present opportunity for Sinners to be made welcome ! how chearfully , how abundantly might they come and be refresht at the Solemn Feasts ! Ezek. 46.9 Oh! how readily is Christ now opening of the Treasures of his Grace and Love , to welcome Sinners to him ! What multitudes might there now step in , while the Banquetting House is open ! Song . 2.4 . Oh! why is it that there is but one of a Family and Two of a Tribe , Jer. 3.14 . when you might with your Houses come in and be welcome to serve the Lord ? Why is it that so Few of you are setting your Faces towards Sion , Chap 50.5 even when Sion's Provisions are now ready ? Oh why is the Season now , slighted ? Why is the opportunity , Heb. 3.15 . To Day , if ye will hear his Voice , neglected ? Oh! why will you die , Sinners , when you might close with the Redeemer now , according to the Time of Life ? Gen. 18.14 Why will you be Sick , and yet shut the Door against the Physician's entrance now , when he would come with Grace and Healing Love to save you ? Why will you now be Blind , Rev. 3.18 . when you might have Eye-salve to make you discern every Thing clearly ? 2 Sam. 16.17 . Is this your Kindness to your Friend that would make you highly welcome ? For behold now is the Day of Salvation , behold now is the Accepted Time , 2 Cor. 6.2 . Never such an opportunity appear'd as the Day of Salvation is , and therefore it is now that there is hope in Israel concerning this Thing , Ezra 10.2 . last words . And this shews how the Provisions of the Gospel are ready in their Season , as there is a fit opportunity for Sinners to be made now welcome to them . So much for the second Branch of this Readiness now in opportunity , being now when Grace is offer'd .

3. Now ready , when Ministers are now urgent . They are now like Phinehas , Numb. 25.11 . zealous for their God , not to slay as He , but to save and present you alive at Supper . They are loth to see you starv'd , and so much Victuals ready , and therefore are earnest in calling out to bring you in to Christ . Their Heart's Desire and Prayer , Rom. 10.1 their Tears and Travel , their Sermons , Study , Aim is , that you may be saved ! Their Language is to Sinners turn again now every one from his evil way , Jer. 25.4 , 5. and 35.15 . Their Language is to Saints , Oh taste and see ! Psal. 34.8 . They are serious and earnest towards all , Faithful Ministers dare jest with none . Isa. 53.1 . We press you to believe our report and come , if by any means we may see you but safe in at Supper . We blow the Trumpet , Ezek. 33.3 we ring the Warning Bell , to give you notice of Supper , that the Feast now is ready .

4. Now ready , when God himself now waits to bestow Mercy on you . It is your Duty to wait upon God , but such is God's Grace and Condescention that he is pleas'd to wait on you . And therefore will the Lord wait , that he may be Gracious unto you ; and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy on you , Isa. 30.18 . He stoops that you may be made the means by which he will raise his own Name the higher . Rev. 2.21 . He waits , that he may be Gracious . ] He gives space to repent , and does not break up House before the set Time is come . The King waits at the Supper-Hour to see his Guests in . He hath limited a certain Day , Heb. 4.7 . And he will stay his own Time he sets . As he hath constituted and set Bounds to a Sacred Day of rest ( as that Place must be understood ) which Bounds can never be broken up without a gross violation of the Morality of the Fourth Commandment ; so he likewise limiteth the Day of his Grace and Patience towards Sinners , and he will not remove the Bounds he hath plac't by a Perpetual Decree to fence it . Jer. 5.22 . He hath secretly fixt a waiting-time within his own Breast , and as he now waits accordingly , so he hath fixt a Time , when he will never wait more . If thou dost not come in , Sinner , to this Supper , within the compass of God's waiting-time , he will not stay a Minute , and beseech or use one word of intreaty after ! 2 Cor. 5.20 . There is now silence in Heaven for the space of half an Hour , Rev. 8.1 . now God seems to be making a Pause upon Mount Ebal , and will read no more Curses yet , that thou might'st hear more comfortably and distinctly what is said upon Mount Gerizim , Deut. 11.29 . Psal. 24.3 . to encourage thee to ascend into this Hill of the Lord , where the Fat Things wait upon the Mountain ready , till thou art brought thither . God now looks thro' the Pillar of the Cloud to see who comes running by the way of the Plain , Exod. 14.24 . 2 Sam. 18.23 . Numb. 35.13 . Mat. 7.13 . Matth. 25.10 , 11 , 12. to get in at the City of Refuge , and thrust in at the strait Gate to Table , taking the Kingdom of Heaven by a Holy Violence , now , now , now before the Door is shut .

5. Now ready , when the Spirit breathes and blows upon us . For the Spirit of the Lord bloweth when , as well as the Spirit John 3.8 . where it listeth . As the Spirit of God in the first Creation did move upon the Face of the Waters , Gen. 1.2 . or sit and hatch the Creature ; so in the new Creation under the Preaching of the Gospel , the Spirit moves upon the Face of the Waters , or People , who often in Scripture are compared to * * Rev. 17.15 . Jer. 47.2 . Eccl. 11.1 . Psal. 124.4 , 5 , &c. Waters , and forms † † Gal. 4.19 Rom. 6.19 . Christ in them . Now , when Men preach , and the Spirit helps the Infirmity of our Flesh , the Gospel is then made ready : For it is the Spirit that quickneth , the Flesh profiteth nothing , Joh. 6.63 . It is a Time of Readiness when God sends forth the Spirit of his Son , Gal. 4.6 . and proclaims it in your Hearts with a crying at the Table , Abba , Father ! 1 Cor. 12.8.9 , 10. yea , when to one is given by the Spirit , the Word of Wisdom , to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit , to another Faith by the same Spirit , to another Prophesie , to another discerning of Spirits ; when the Spirit lifts up Ordinances and Means above their own Power , when the Spirit speaketh expresly in us , as well as the Language of the Messenger speaketh to us , and when we see by the Blessed Effects of it , Joh. 1.32 . the Spirit of God descending from Heaven , while the Word of the Kingdom comes in the Demonstration of the Spirit and with Power , 1 Cor. 2.4 . then is the Blessed Season , the opportunity of the Gospel , the special Time of Supper , the now , when All Things are ready .

It is now when the Spirit breathes and blows upon us . And lo ! God now stretcheth forth his Hand , the Spirit makes some work in thy Soul that perhaps thou canst now witness , yea , must acknowledge it , this is the Finger of God . Exod. 8.19 . Why , now then the Provisions are ready for thee , 2 Cor. 2.15 't is now a Savour of Life unto Life to many , and 't is now ready to get up Thee that art Dead while thou livest . 1 Tim. 5 6 The Spirit now opens some Eyes that never saw one Morsel of the Bread of Life before . It reveals Mysteries unto Babes which they never heard till now . Mar. 11.25 God's Word now is Quick , Heb. 4.12 . Nah 2.4 . Rev. 3.4 . and runs like the Lightnings to find out the Few Names in Sardis : 't is now Powerful , tho' we are weak that use it . Heb. 4.12 . 'T is now sharper than a Two-edged Sword , and cuts when we do not see what is become of it out of our Hands ! It was a Dead Letter , it may be , but now a Quickning Spirit . 1 Cor. 15.45 . Eph. 6.17 . The Sword of the Spirit makes its way , when we that handle it cannot make it enter . Oh! Now God goes forth with the Chariot of Israel , 2 Kings 2.12 . and the Horsemen thereof ; he rides among some sturdy Sinners , unhorseth them , makes them acknowledge that God is in his Ordinances of a Truth , 1 Cor. 14.25 . brings them to the Ground , calleth them to his Foot , Isa. 41.2 . when they lye groveling in the Dust , and goes forth Conquering and to Conquer . Rev. 6.2 .

The Second Thing is to Prove it , II. that the Gospel is a Feast , or a Supper , with all its Provisions now ready .

1. The Guests of this Supper are now invited to it . Reas. 1 You have heard under the second Doctrine that God calls you to come and Sup with him . Now , it is a sure sign the Lord hath a Supper , as it was once that he had a Bloody Sacrifice of Destruction , Zeph. 1.7 . when he hath bid his Guests . It is now assuredly a Call to a Wedding-Banquet , because the Spirit and the Bride say Come , Rev. 22.17 . There is a Feast , for the Children of the Bride-chamber do not fast so long as they have got the Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Christ with them . It is ready , and now unquestionably , for the Elder Brother of the Family and his Servants have invited all the King's Sons , 2 Sam. 13.23 . 2 Cor. 6.18 every one of the Children , Sons and Daughters of the Lord Almighty ; i. e. all who are brought into such a Relation to him , are commanded to sit down as so many Olive-Plants round about his Table . Psa. 128.3 . This is therefore a Proof that his Provision is now ready for them .

2. The Supper of the Gospel is now ready , Reas. 2 because it is now in the Evening of the World Supper-Time . The whole Time of the Gospel-Dispensation , if taken by it self from Christ's first unto his second coming , may be term'd as one Entire Day ; and so the Apostle seems to intimate , as (w) (w) To Day , signifies now in the Time of his Appearance . Charnock . Vol. 2d . p. 1192. some observe , in that Expression , To Day , if ye will hear his Voice , Heb. 4.9 . But yet if the Gospel-Time be taken in with the other Time that went on before Christ , then it may be called the Evening of a Day ; and in this joint-consideration I now take it here , as the Apostle also doth , 1 Cor. 10.11 . latter part . They are written for our Admonition upon whom the Ends of the World are come . The Gospel is the last Season , or the utmost Difpensation that Sinners will ever meet with to make Provisions of Mercy for them . Grace therefore in this Dispensation is well expressed in the Parable by a Supper ; A Supper is the last Meal , and so is the Gospel the last Thing God hath to give you in the Evening of the World . The Food of these last Times indeed had been promis'd early , when God spake at Morning and at Noon what he would do for his People before Night , for as the Passeover in another sence , so this is a Feast to be kept at Even ; Lev. 23.5 . and now in the Evening of the World he doth give us Flesh to eat . Exo. 16.8 .

Besides , our Now is the latter part of the Day of God's Patience towards the World , and of his Provision and Grace towards us ; we live still later in the Evening , Gen. 8.11 . and lo ! in the Evening comes a Dove with an Olive-Branch to us . We are Borderers upon Eternity , and are as near that Ocean , Acts 10.6 . as Simon the Tanner that lodg'd by the Sea-side . Now then is our Supper-time ; for as now it is Evening , so the Night cometh next : God therefore provideth his Supper now , because he will have it to be in Season ready for us . Hence is it that he may say , Now have I brought it to pass , Isa. 37.26 . not as Sennacherib vaunted it in the laying waste defenced Cities into ruinous Heaps , ( no , that was a Now for mischief ) but now hath he brought it to pass , Gen. 50.20 to save much People alive , as at this Day ; and God hath now done it , because he would not , when we see a Full Congregation , kill this whole Assembly with Hunger , Exo. 16.3 . as the People in their Murmurings against Moses and Aaron complain'd unjustly . Well , God hath made ready the Provisions of the Gospel now , because he would fit them to our Entertainment now at Supper-Time ; and therefore they are Created Now , and not from the Beginning . Isa. 48.7 . God maketh Supper ready , and we may say the Hour now is for entertaining us . When the Age of the World is departed , Isa. 38.12 . Rom. 13.12 1 Pet. 4.7 . its Day is far spent , and the End of all things is at hand .

3. Many Guests do now partake already . Reas. 3 There is a Feast , because so many eat and drink ; the Supper is ready , because so many sit down . I am the Door , by me if any Man enter in he shall be saved , and shall go in and out and find pasture , Joh. 10.9 . There be many thro' Grace which have been brought into God's House thro' this Door , and set at God's Table . It is not only of our selves in these Nations , and these Churches , but there are other Sheep also which Christ hath , Joh. 10.16 that are not of this Fold , and these also he hath taken Care of , to lodge and refresh in fat Pastures . The Gospel hath not only been profitable to some of you , but there hath been the Fruits of it that appear , thro' the Blessing of the Feast-maker , among other Gentiles also . Paul witnesseth in his Day , that the Romans were not the only Gentile-Hearers , who had profited under his Ministry by the Entertainment , for he rather wisheth that They might but reap as much Benefit by the Gospel , as others had done besides , Rom. 1.13 : — that I might have some Fruit among you also , even as among other Gentiles . Other Gentiles . ] Because others had been the Seal of his Apostleship elsewhere , he tells the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 9.2 . that ye are so in the Lord ; i. e. Partakers of the Benefits and the Graces of the Gospel as well as you . So that many Guests do partake , and have partook , and therefore this Supper 's ready .

Lastly , Reas. 4 After-Delays will prove too late to sup ; and therefore it appears now ready . What will the Provision signifie ( suppose to us ) if we han't it now ! what will a Supper avail , when our Candle is out , and we are gone to Bed ! will the offers of Christ neglected now , become an Advantage when we are gone hereafter ? if Death should clinch our Hands , could we open them in the Grave , or the Belly of Hell , Jonah 2.2 . to close with Jesus Christ ? 't is Sup now , Close now with Christ and Welcome , God now accepteth thy Works ; but there is no work , nor device , nor knowledge , nor Wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest , Eccles. 9.10 . There will be no feeding for Sinners upon Dainties , Psa. 49.14 . when Death shall feed on Them . In a word , no rising from their Beds , when they lye down and sleep in the Dust of the Earth , Dan. 12.2 . to come in again to Supper !

The Third and last Thing will be to Apply it , III. and the uses will be only Two . 1. Of Information to instruct , and 2. Of Exhortation to perswade .

The First Use is of Information in these Thirteen following Points . I. If the Gospel is a Feast in which all its Provisions are now ready . Then

1. We may learn of the Times and Seasons that the Father hath put them in his own Power . 1 Ins . This is evidently cleared in those words of Christ wherewith he checkt his Disciple's Curiosity , Acts 1.7 . It is not for you to know the Times and the Seasons which the Father hath put in his own Power . The Present Readiness of this Supper argues , that the fixing and ordering of Times and Seasons for the Dispensing of Grace to Sinners , is solely in the Hands of God , and at his Soveraign Disposal . It was an Act of Soveraignty to prepare the Gospel , and make it ready in the Time that now is . As our Times are in Goa's Hand , Psal. 31.15 so are all our Mercies . It was decreed in his Soveraign Purpose , and fore-ordained according to the Good Pleasure of his Will , Eph. 1.5 . Prov. 16.33 . Eccles. 3.1 what Blessings of Grace should be the Lot to be cast into our Lap in the latter Ages . As there is a Time to every Purpose , and to every Thing a Season , so God is the Judge to dispose of it , and order every Thing in it . If the Master of the Feast had order'd it , his Supper had been ready before such a Time of Day , and he could have gotten courser Fare at Night . He that spreadeth the Morning upon the Mountains could have gotten up the Provisions early , even at the First break of Day , and at that Breakfast of the Promise made in the Garden of Eden to our First Parents , before he drove out the Man . Gen. 3.15.24 . But he was Soveraign , and would stay to bring in this till Supper .

2. We may learn from this now , 2 Inf. in the Text , that God finds out some special Season for the Things of our Peace , when he deals in Mercy with us . There is a Peculiar Day of Grace , nay sometimes a Particular Hour of that Day more than ordinary ; being a season more highly valuable than any time that we have besides in General . Our Gain or Loss of the Season proves the Gain or Loss of all for ever . Thus it is hinted of Jerusalem to the same purpose by our Blessed Lord , Luke 19.42 . Saying , If thou hadst known , even thou , at least in this thy Day the things which belong unto thy Peace , but now they are hid from thine Eyes . Thou Jerusalem in time to come maist remember that thou hadst once a Day of Grace offer'd ! Once thou mighst have sound Mercy , but now thou hast lost thy Season ! There was a Particular time , an express Day of Grace in which Christ Preacht up the Provisions of a Gospel Entertainment , a Day in which they were brought even to Jerusalem now ready . Christ tells them the Happy Minute which the Men of Judah and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem might once have closed with . Isa. 5.3 . He had a special Season of shewing Mercy , and offering the Terms of Salvation among the Jews , a Season-day , a Day of a choicer opportunity than any of their Time had been before , or was likely in that Generation to prove again . The Lord was pleased also thus to pitch upon a Particular , special Season under the Old Testament to bring Glad-tydings of Good Things to Judah and Jerusalem by the Prophet , Rom. 10.15 Isa . . 1.18 . Come now and let us reason together , saith the Lord , tho' your Sins be as Scarlet , they shall be as white as Snow ; tho' they be red like Crimson , they shall be as Wooll : As much as to say , I am now willing for your good , if you can but hit the Season , and let us now argue the Thing together . And likewise afterwards in the same Prophesie , Isa. 40.2 . when God speaketh comfortably to Jerusalem , he takes notice of it as a special Season , and expresseth it as an extraordinary , particular time of his Dealing thus with her , Isa. 44.1 . Yet now hear , O Jacob my Servant , and Ifrael whom I have chosen : Altho' God had been otherwise dealing with them for their Sins , as may be gathered from sundry passages in the former Chapter , yet he Records it as a special time in which he would change his Dealings with them , Yet now hear , O Jacob , my Servant . When God hath shewn Mercy either to Saints or Sinners , to bring in one , or eminently build up the other , he has taken a Peculiar Time that may be styled their Day of special opportunity .

And as we have heard of it in old Time , even so it is now , God is wont to come in still with the Provisions of this Gospel . Supper , Peace , Pardon , Reconciliation to himself in the Blood of Christ , and lay the Foundation of a Saving Work of Grace upon the Heart of a Sinner in some special Season , not indifferently upon any common Time . He does it when the Particulars of the Feast in the Provisions of Gospel-grace may be said to be even now upon a Feast-day ready . The Gospel must in some present Day affect , and work a change in Men. The Provisions that have now of a long time been ready to relieve one , and wrought also effectually according to the working of his mighty Power , even to Salvation upon some of you , Eph. 1.19 . may not be accompanied with the Arm of the Lord till now upon others found among you . Isa. 53.1 . One may have met with it as a special Season formerly , and have been provoked by the Love of God to be ready ( for a close with the Gospel ) a year ago , 2 Cor. 9.2 . or , it may be , many years since , whereas another may not have found it to be a Time of Love till lately , or a Time of Love till now . God meets with some of his Elect under one subject of Grace , and brings them in sooner to Jesus Christ ; then he sends out under another subject , or another Sermon , or another Preacher with the Invitations and Proposals of Grace again , and makes new ones come in as Guests , that his House may be filled with them . He 'll run over the Olive , and turn up the Branches of his Vine again , to meet with new Clusters . And therefore he comes again and calls them , tho' they have been without Christ , aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel , Eph. 2.12 . and strangers from the Covenants of Promise , having no Hope and without God in the World , it may be to the sixth , Matth. 20.5 , 6. the ninth , the eleventh Hours , till 't is almost Bed time with them . If you have not heard of the Gospel in Power , Eccl. 12.5 . Luke 1.18 until the Almond-Tree flourish , and till you have been well stricken in years , and grey hairs are here and there upon you , Hos. 7.9 . yet if you have the Gospel at last , and it calls upon you to bring forth the Fruits of it in Old Age , Psal. 92.14 this is a Season in which God is dealing with you ; and tho' of Ancient Times you have not heard it , Isa. 37.26 . yet even now the Provisions are ready for you that are old and grey-headed . Psal. 71.18 Thus God finds out a special Season , and undertakes not the work at any common time in General , to deal with Poor Sinners in .

3. God expects there should be a closing with his Calls upon special Seasons . 3 Inf. When God provideth our Summer , and brings a Harvest , he expects we should be as wise as the Ant , to lay up against Winter , which provideth her Meat in the Summer , and gathereth her Food in the Harvest , Prov. 6.8 . Solomon as (w) (w) Arthur Jackson . Vol. 3d. in loc. one observes upon the sixth Verse , had put up , as it were into the Pulpit , this little despicable Creature , to instruct Brutish Men ; go to the Ant , thou Sluggard , consider her ways and be wise . For the Ants are a People not strong , yet they prepare their Meat in the Summer , Prov. 30.25 . That Creature ( the Ant ) is so Provident , she will not slip the time of preparing Food . The Famous Cartwright that confuted the Jesuits of Rhemes in their Glosses upon the New Testament , thus Comments upon her Industry . (y) (y) Formica quasi Hyemis praescia aestate paret victum suum cùm per a●ris serenitatem , & coeli clementiam , perque viarum planitiem & munditiem justum onus comportare possit . Tho. Cartwright in Pro●erbia Solom . cap. 6. v. 8 v. 97 The Ant , ( says he ) as if she foresaw an Approaching Winter gets her Provision in the calm Summer , when the Air is mild and gentle , and the ways smooth and clean to carry her Burden in . Sure the Lord takes it very ill at the Hands of Men , when poor Insects on the Ground , and Fowls of the Air take more notice of their Appointed Times than we . Jer. 8.7 . Yea , the Stork in the Heaven knoweth her Appointed Times , and the Turtle , and the Crane , and the Swallow , observe the Time of their coming , but my People know not the Judgment of the Lord . Birds will rise up in judgment with the Men of this Generation and condemn it , Mat. 12 42 because they are upon the Wing before their Season fleeth . God expects our close . Alas ! when he hath been trying all things in kind , measure , order , and maketh Providences as well as Ordinances ready for our Good , he looks that we should take notice of his Dealings , and comply with him in them . There is a Particular now which makes God offended with us more than ordinary , when we neglect and slight it ; because there are special Tokens and Marks of his Grace upon it , and these in a special manner do require us to improve and accept thereof .

4. When God calls there is a Harmony , 4 Inf. and a special Loveliness in our Seasonable complying with it . Our Duty like every Work and Event of Providence is Beautiful in his Time . Eccl. 3.11 There is some Particular Time in which we may be called to obey the Will of God , and when Obedience carries more than a common Loveliness in the Face of it . We may see it exemplified in that great and extraordinary pattern of Obedience , the Faith of Abraham , Gen. 22.2 . Take now thy Son , thine only Son Isaac whom thou lovest , and get thee into the Land of Moriah , and offer him there for a Burnt-Offering upon one of the Mountains which I will tell thee off . Go Abraham , hearken to my Voice , and obey the Commandment now ; Then God tries him , and Then obedience and a compliance with the Call of God is Beautiful .

In like manner as to us , when the Gospel-command saith , Take now , Sinner , thy Darling , thy Beloved Off-spring , the Lust of thy Constitution , or some Peculiar Bosom-sin , Mat. 5.29 , 30. the Dalilah whom thou lovest ; Cut off a Right Hand , pluck out a Right Eye , and now cast it from thee ; accept of my Son Jesus , and let go thy Son that serves thee ; come to my Feast , and take what I offer thee , now I am come and have set out all before thee . Lo ! now God calls , and accordingly the Sinner's compliance now would prove so Beautiful the very Angels of God would joy to see it , Luke 16.7 . — joy shall be in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth . When there is such a Time to be Born , Eccles. 3.2 . and of obedience here on Earth , v. 4. it is a Time to laugh , and a cause of Mirth in Heaven .

Furthermore , There is a special Loveliness in complying seasonably with the Call of God under Afflictions : Job 36.10 If God takes off thine Ear from the Word , and bores it with an Awl of Discipline , now is a Time to hearken . David clings under the Rod , and complies when chastened , he takes notice of the Whipping Post , Job 33.11 and God's Correction , while he putteth his Feet in the Stocks , Psal. 119.67 . Before I was afflicted I went astray , but now have I kept thy Word . As if he had said , I once slighted and contemned my Father's Counsels , but since he hath made his Scourge ready , now I have complied more with him . Well , our compliance with God is Beautiful , or our obedience to his Commands , whether he calls , or chides us in to Supper .

5. If this Feast be now ready , it is sad , 5 Int. that Sinners should be now unprovided . That Supper should be ready for them , but they not ready for Supper , all things in a Posture fit for them , but they in a careless , unprovided state just fit for nothing . A want of Readiness hath produced Fatal and sad Effects . The high Places were not taken away in the Reign of Jehoshaphat over Judah , because the People had not prepared their Hearts unto the God of their Fathers , 2 Chron. 20.33 . They were ready for any but the Provisions that God had made for them , and were wholly unprovided to meddle with any Reformation . The Scripture condemns an unready Servant , Luke 12.47 . The Servant that prepared not himself — shall be beaten with many stripes : Prepared not ] i. e. He who was unprovided for God's work when it lay before him , and not ready to comply with his Master's Will , such a Servant shall feel his Master's Blows . The Charge therefore , and the Counsel which Jesus Christ gave unto his Disciples , was this , Therefore be ye also ready , Matth. 24.44 . And be ye therefore ready also , Luke 12.40 . But now it is sad , when the Gospel is made ready , Gal. 2.15 . and Sinners of the Gentiles are yet unready for it . Behold ( saith Christ ) I stand at the Door , Rev. 3.20 . and knock ; but how many obstinate , resolved Sinners that are going on still in their Trespusses do keep a Hand upon the Latch , Psal. 68.21 while he knocks , and they will not open to him ! Psal. 24.7 , 9 , 10. They refuse to let in the King of Glory , tho' he knocks to come in and bring them to a Banquet of Love prepar'd ! God is ready with his Son , Christ is ready with himself , yea , the Holy Spirit and the Gospel with the Faithful Preachers of it ( These ) are all now ready , and yet how many wretched Hearers that are yet in their Sins are not ready for them ! Oh! 't is sad , that when God calls away to Supper , Men should chuse rather to play than to come in ! Matth. 11.16 , 17. 1 Cor. 13.11 . to be like Children playing in the Markets , rather than put away Childish Things , and come in to the Provisions that have been purchased at a Dear Market for them ! It is sad , to be slothful in Business , when we should be fervent in our Spirits , Rom. 12.11 . serving the Lord ! Ah! how unworthy is their Carriage , that when all is now ready , Supper served in , Grace offered to pardon , cleanse , save them , yet they will stand off , and have neither Hearts nor Stomachs to it ! 't is a high piece of Ingratitude , when Sinners are not ready to embrace the Gospel , let the cause of their unreadiness be as plausible and specious , as a negligent Hand , or an unbelieving Heart can make it ! 't is sad , when Men will keep their Hands too dirty to dip them in the Dish with Christ ! Mat. 26.23 Luke 10.40 . Chap. 22.27 . that they will be cumbred about much serving , and will rather run up and down upon any thing among them that serve , than sit down among them that sit at Meat !

6. Again , it is still worse , 6 Ins . when Men shall even now degenerate from what they have once been ! That Men by a slight and temporary Profession should once pretend to be Guests , and yet quickly after ( it may be ) downright Apostates , at least wretched Backsliders , and Strangers to Grace and Holiness ! what a Horrible Revolt from an open countenancing of the ways of God to a visible Enmity , or at least , a secret Hatred of them ! Once Zealous in Profession , now as hot , if it lay in their Power , to stir up Persecution ! Sometime outwardly reconcil'd , now again alienated ! A sad reverse of the state of the Colossians and all true Believers ! Col. 1.21 . Oh! how sad was the degenerate state of Jerusalem , when the Prophet describes it , Isa. 1.21 . How is the Faithful City become an Harlot ? It was full of Judgment , Righteousness lodged in it , but Now Murtherers ? And what ? is it thus with any of you that have read , heard , and professed the Doctrine of the Grace of God ? Are you now degenerate , now worse than ever ? What Apprehensions have you of this Gospel now ready ? Could you once rise up in a Readiness for Communion with them that dare not forsake the Assembling of themselves together , Heb. 10.25 . to be join'd with such as do understand and seek God ? And can you now sit down in a contented slothfulness at home , as if you were shut up in Plenty , and had all things by you ? Could you once set upon the Practice of an outward Reformation , and yet when sanctifying Grace is now ready for you , are you fallen into your old course again ? Don't you need to be mourn'd over , that you should return with the Dog to your Vomit , and with the Sow that was washed to your wallowing in the Mire again ? 2 Pet. 2.22 . Did you once pretend to hate and rebuke them that regard Lying ? And what ? Are you now upon every slight occasion , accustomed to utter Lies ? ( tho' lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord of Truth . ) Prov. 12.22 . Did you once pretend a Regard to the Commandment , Swear not ? Jam. 5.12 . And yet even now you can ordinarily Swear by the Greater , Heb. 6.16 . and perhaps mock at the Tenderness of a Neighbour that feareth an Oath , Eccles. 9.2 and will tell you that even for Swearing the Land mourns ! Jer. 23.10 . Were you once convinced that you took up a Reproach against the Lord , when you prophan'd his Ordinances , despis'd his Sabbaths , trampled upon his Gospel , Blasphem'd his Reverend and Holy Name ? Psal. 111.9 And are you now as loose and extravagant , as openly wicked , it may be Debaucht or Prophane , and more than ever ? Did you not once tell Men by your Profession , that the Lord was the Portion of your Cup , Psal. 16.5 . and yet can you drink off the Cup of your Abominations , Rev. 17.4 . Deut. 29.19 . to add Drunkenness to Thirst ? Oh! 't is sad , that you should have professed Righteousness and Purity , but return again to Uncleanness , and remain filthy still ! Rev. 22.11 'T is sad , that you should have sate under the Preaching of the Gospel which hath been made and brought in now ready , and yet be hardened any of you by the Deceitfulness of Sin , Heb. 3.13 . till you are now worse than ever !

7. It will now make your next Sins the Greater . 7 Inf. Present Acts of Grace will aggravate future Acts of Sin . This Days Provision , if refused , will encrease your to Morrow's Provocation . You will presently heap up wrath , if you neglect the Treasures of Mercy longer . If you are not led to Repentance by a Saviour now ready , Rom. 2.4 . you will be more greedy to fill up your Sins alway . 1 Thes. 2.16 . If the Gospel be a Supper now ready , if all the Blessings of the Kingdom of Grace are now prepared , if Heaven it self be offered , and Everlasting Glory promis'd and set before us , and yet Sinners will not regard the offers of Salvation in the Day of Grace , Rom. 8.31 . what shall we then say to these things , but as the Prophet doth , Jer. 14.10 . latter part . That the Lord will now remember their Iniquity ? and that now also will he give Sentence against them ? Jer. 4.12 . latter part . The Sin is the greater , because a rejection of Mercy and Grace in the very Season of it . It is the sign of a more Rebellious and Revolting Heart , if we do not now fear the Lord our God . If Men will not reform , nor now turn and live , why then assuredly now shall they be found faulty , Hos. 10.2 . middle clause . i. e. Now God will look upon their Sin more than he hath been wont to do in time past . You might once perhaps have had a covering to have wrapt up and conceal'd your neglects of God before , but now you are made naked to your shame , Exod. 32.25 . and have no cloak for your Sin , and therefore now is the Judgment of this World , Joh. 15.22 8 Inf. John 12.31 .

8. It is a mistake of corrupt Flesh and Blood to look back upon the Days of Ignorance , Vanity and Sin , and yet say the former Days were better than these . Alas ! What were those Days in which we all had our Conversations in Times past ! the Apostle makes our Births which we brought forth in such a Day Monsters ! Eph. 2.3 . — fulfilling the Desires of the Flesh and of the Mind . Was it better in our Carnal Security to have Fellowship with Devils , than now at a Table to sit in Communion with God ? Was our Morality better , when we only made clean the outside of the Cup and Platter , than since we have been at a Feast which must have Vessels clean within ? Shall there be any that dippeth his Hand in the Dish , count it better to run back from Christ , and be such a Judas to betray him ? Are the Days of Darkness better than those when the Sun shines from Heaven ? and better than the shine of God's Face at Supper ? Dare any Soul that hath sate in the King's Hall , look back into the Devil's Kitchen , and say then it was better with me than now ? Corruption would fain break loose , it loves not to sit so long as Grace delights to be at Supper . It is a Torment to the Flesh , so far as unmortify'd , to keep in God's Presence . Flesh and Blood savours not the Dainties that came down from Heaven , and it would fain return back to be as in Days of Vanity , and as in Months past again . But surely , if we should hearken to these complainings in our Streets , Psal. 144.14 . and say , Wherefore are the former Days better than these ? we should ( in the worst sense ) not wisely enquire concerning this , Eccles. 7.10 . The Flesh will be ready to object , we were not once put so hard , as now , to it ; we need not once have gone so far , or took so much Pains to hear , and then have had our Faults , or every Miscarriage dealt so hardly with . We were once as Merry in our Carriage , as Light at Heart , and free from the Burdens Religion lays upon us , as our Neighbours that do but reproach us for being Righteous overmuch . Eccl. 7.16 . How is it that we are grown Melancholly and Heavy , and the Case now alter'd with us ? Come , let us return , Num. 14.4 let us make a Captain and go back , let us resolve to lay aside our Profession , and it will go as well of our side yet again as ever .

This is exactly such a kind of Revolting Spirit as fell among the Jews , when they cast off God , and embrac't Idols , and when instead of worshipping the Sun of Righteousness , they adored the Image of the Moon , Jer. 44.16 , 17. As for the Word that thou hast spoken unto us in the Name of the Lord , we will not hearken unto thee ; but we will certainly do whatsoever Thing goeth forth out of our own Mouth , to Burn Incense unto the Queen of Heaven , and to pour out Drink-offerings unto her , as we have done , we and our Fathers , our Kings and our Princes , in the Cities of Judah , and in the Streets of Jerusalem : For then had we plenty of Victuals , and were well , and saw no evil . They would rather make Cakes to worship the Devil than eat of the Bread of Life ! v. 19. Sirs , if you meet with any thing that is grievous to be born , and think the way to mend it , will be now to turn from the Holy Commandment , 2 Pet. 2.21 yet know for a certainty , Numb. 32.23 . that your Sin will find you out . It will be a base encrease of your Victuals , if you either rob ( by your own withdrawing ) or pollute ( by unhallowed Approaches ) the Table of the Lord , Mal. 1.12 . in Hopes it may fare the better with you . It will be a sad mending the Case , to chuse your own ways for the Inconveniences which you think you find in God's .

9. If this Feast be now ready , 9 Inf. then now God makes amends for all the Discouragements and Inconveniences you ever did , or do meet with , to enjoy the Means of Grace . Peradventure , thou hast sometimes found much ado with Men to break thro' all thy way to God . Thou hast met with Family-Discouragements , Reproaches at home , or Scoffs abroad ; thou hast been in Journeyings often , in Fastings , Watchings , 2 Cor. 11.26 . Temptations to enjoy Christ at Supper ; any thing , Psal. 66.12 we went thro' Fire and thro' Water , if it might but conduce to come any ways at Bread . Well , you shall now find the Gospel will become a Double Portion to you . You that have come to the Provisions of the Feast in weakness , 1 Cor. 2.3 Neh. 8.10 . the Joy of the Lord shall be your strength . The Bread of God shall be now the sweeter , as you have eaten the Bread of Affliction ; Deut. 16.3 Cant. 7.9 . Psal. 102.9 and the taste of his Love like the best Wine , since you have mingled your Drink with weeping . So that a Man shall say , Verily there is a Reward for the Righteous , Psal. 58.11 . A Man ] perhaps , a Carnal Man that sees how God doth bear thee out ; or the Man , thine Enemy , shall be forc't to acknowledge , that surely , John 4.32 . if thou hadst not Meat to eat which others know not of , thou couldst never break thro' such Discouragement , or get out to a Meal prepar'd so far from home . And blessed be God which hath not turned away my Prayer , nor his Mercy from me , Psal. 66.20 . It is a great Encouragement to wait upon God , when he will give it in to your own Experience , that in keeping his Commandments there is great Reward , Psal. 19.11 . You come it may be divers of you from far , Mark 8.3 . to come in and Sup with Him , but nevertheless you have your Reward , Matth. 6.5 if you find that God who invited you , hath been nigh and not afar off . You are wet it may be sometimes , or cold , or chid , some of you , when you are got home . Perhaps some in the Family will rebuke you for coming hither , Mark 10.13 . as the Disciples in another Case did the People when they brought in Children to Jesus Christ ; well , no matter , there is enough in the Entertainment to make amends for all . If God Rains down Mannah upon your Souls , he makes amends , tho' he does not command the Clouds in your return to rain no Rain upon you . Isa. 5.6 . 1 Pet. 1.2 . Job 14.8 . The sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus will recompense your being wet with the showers of the Mountains ; ay , the sprinkling it upon your Souls , will make amends , tho' your Bodies may a little , like Nebuchadnezzar's , Dan. 4.15 . be wet with the Dews of Heaven . The Love of Christ when he hath brought you into his Banquetting House will warm you , Song . 2.4 . and make amends while you return cold home . Weather shall not chill your Affections , if they are strongly bent for Him , as it is wont , when the Love of many shall wax cold . Mat. 24.12 Again , Jer. 15.15 . if Christ whispers Peace into your Souls , you will not think the worse of him at a Banquet , tho' for his sake you have suffered Rebuke , and the Reproaches of Christ have fallen upon you . Heb. 11.26 . It will support you , tho' you hear Grievous Things spoken proudly and contemptuously against the Righteous . Psal. 31.18 In a word , if you have chosen the way of Peace , Psal. 119.30 . you are provided with an Entertainment that shall recompense the strife of Tongues . Psal. 31.20

10. Your Hunger and Thirst , 10 Inf. your Appetite to this Feast is now come in Season . You have more than Meats for the Belly , 1 Cor. 6.13 and you could not hunger at a better Time than now . Blessed are ye that hunger now , for ye shall be filled , Luke 6.21 . God now will have you to be no more consum'd with Hunger ; Ezek. 34.29 . Lam. 2.19 . you shall not faint for Hunger in the Top of every Street . You shall not Thirst , and yet now go without a Draught from the Water of the Well of Bethlehem . 2 Sam. 23.15 . Jesus Christ is provided for your Entertainment , and you shall now have Meat and Drink both . It shall not be unto you now , as was threatned , Isa. 20.8 . Even as when a Hungry Man Dreameth , and behold he eateth , but he awaketh , and behold his Soul is empty ; or as when a Thirsty Man Dreameth , and behold he drinketh , but he awaketh , and behold he is faint , and his Soul hath Appetite . I say , it shall not be so to any who hunger and thirst after Righteousness , Mat. 5.6 . because their Appetite is come when the Provisions of God are now ready . Blessed is the condition of such as these , Job 22.7 . Chap. 24.10 . for he hath not withholden Bread , or taken away the Sheaf from the Hungry : He hath pitied us in Hunger and in Thirst , and now at once can supply our Fastings often , 2 Cor. 11.27 . John 19.24 , 28. and that the Scripture might be fulfilled , he hath prepared his Dainties against our Appetite , and made them now ready . What a Blessed Journey do we make , when we come with an Appetite to Jesus Christ ! and get to his House , while his Doors are set open ! and sit at his Table , Mat. 22.4 . when his Oxen and Fatlings are killed , and spread now in Plenty on it ! Is it not a Blessed Thing to come and find what we want of Him ? Oh! Happy is the People that is in such a Case ! Psal. 144.15 . Happy is the People whose Soul thirsteth after the Benefits of Christ as a Dry and Thirsty Land ; Psal. 143.6 because now Christ takes up the Cup of Salvation , and drinks to such as these in it .

11. Now is our Salvation nearer than when we believed . 11 Ins . This is the Testimony that is given Rom. 13.11 . our Salvation , that is , our Eternal Salvation ; we were saved Spiritually , when we were by Faith united to a Saviour ; we shall be saved Eternally , when we are with him , where he is , to behold his Glory . Joh. 17.24 Now that other Supper ( in the Presence of Christ immediately ) is approaching nearer , than when we sate down first to this . We have our Table now spread with Grace , what can we have next but the Provisions of Glory in the Highest ? Luke 2.14 Isa. 25.6 . When the Sun Sets upon this Mountain , it will be Risen upon the Saints in the Heights of Zion . Jer. 31.12 . It is but a little while , and he that shall come , will come , and will not tarry , Heb. 10.37 . The Saints do hear that now is their Supper-time , it is not long after before they shall enter into Peace , they shall rest in their Beds , ( in the Bosom of Jesus Christ ) each one walking in his uprightness . Isa. 57.2 .

12. Time should now be of a more Precious Esteem with us . 12 Inf. We had need be wise , and since we have lost so much , lay out our utmost to redeem the Time . Eph. 5.16 . Now is a Golden space of opportunity , and 't is pity to throw the Filings of this Gold among the common Heap of Dust . We may almost grudge at the occasions of this Life that come in of every side , like so many little Thieves , and steal Handfuls of Time away . We have Robbers by Day , Eating , Drinking , Conversing , Visiting , being Visited , and a Great Robber by Night that steals away our Time , when we are insensible of his Approaches . Supper is ready , but we have almost every Thing that lets us ; we had need then improve the Remainder of an allotted space to sit down at our Gospel-Meal , and Sup.

13. Lastly . 13 Inf. You that have supt may now go to Bed with Comfort . You are now at Table , but if God calls any of you to depart out of this World , John 13.1 you need not stay for your Fellows that shall tarry , and make an end after . If you are ripe for Glory , you may leave them behind you yet to grow in Grace . 2 Pet. 3.18 When it is late , and thou art tyred , perhaps thy Bones would gladly be at rest , Psal. 116.17 . Return unto thy rest , O my Soul , for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee . So Luke 2.29 , 30 Lord , now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace , according to thy Word : For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation . Simeon had Supt , and therefore thought it a Blessed Season now to go to Bed . So after thou hast Supt , and done thy work , a Bed will do well . When thou hast made an end of Supper , thou art here fit to go to thy Heavenly Sabbath's rest .

The Second use of Exhortation , II. to perswade and entreat Sinners not to forsake their own Mercies . Jonah 2.8 . The substance of the Exhortation * * Rom. 10.6 . speaketh on this wise , that seeing the Provisions of the Gospel are now ready , we would all indeed labour after more Readiness in our selves to receive our Portion of Meat in due Season . Luk. 12.42 That it may become the more useful unto us , I shall manage it under these two Parts . 1. Backing it with Motives . 2. Urging Counsel .

First , As to Motives I shall only use these Three Considerations .

1. The Day of our Entertainment is now sliding over . We may observe by what Degrees our shadow goes down . Isa. 38.8 . Wo unto us for the Day goeth away , for the shadows of the Evening are stretched out , Jer. 6.4 . latter part . Our Time spends , our Day wastes apace , the shadows are long , and if we are not quick , we must be fain to cut our Work the shorter : The shadows of the Evening are stretched out , as you know the shadows are longest , when the Sun is lowest . The Supper-Hour is expiring , wo unto us ; the end of all Flesh is at hand ! we are arrived almost in our Day to the shuting in of the Evening , God seems , as to the state of the World , to be just now lighting up his (z) (z) Dr. Lightfoot's Works . Harmony of the New Testament . Fol. vol. 1. p. 18. Sabbath-candle , that we may now see to end Supper by a little Light he lends us , before he turns all into the shadow of Death , and make it gross Darknesi , Jer. 13.16 . We must by all means keep this Feast , as the Apostle said of his keeping the Passeover in Jerusalem , Acts 18.21 and we can never keep it but in this our Day , while the Offers and Provision of the Gospel are now tendred to us . A Feast that is now ready may be quickly dispos'd of out of our Reach . Mal. 4.2 . The Sun of Righteousness hath not stood still throughout all our Day of Grace , no more than that other Sun in the Firmament is used to stay and lengthen out the common Days of Nature , tho' yet we read upon Two extraordinary occasions of a miraculous prolonging the Day , between the rising of the Sun and the going down of the same . One instance is , Psal. 50.1.113.3 . Josh. 10.13 . when the Sun stood still in the days of Joshua , and the other is , Isa. 38.8 . when the Sun returned ten Degrees backward , upon the Dial of Ahaz , by which Degrees it had gone down , in the days of Hezekiah : But the day of Grace , like our stated common days , is wearing off continually , that nothing can slacken the motions of it , or bring it one Degree backwards , to keep it a moment longer from the Period to which it hastens . The Day of Grace wastes , tho' the offers of Grace abound . And as the day of Salvation spends , so it lays a greater necessity and duty on us , to look after the work of Salvation , before the offers of the Thing come to a perpetual End . Psal. 9.6 . He that is now present to entertain us , is not afar off to judge us , if we refuse to be fed before our Supper 's over ; for behold the Judge standeth before the door , Jam. 5.9 . latter part . He is ready to step in and examine it , whether we have Grace , and eaten of the Bread of God , or no.

Consider , the Table shall not be always furnisht , or the Cloth continue after Supper for any succeeding Entertainment , to treat one Sinner here . God hath set the Provisions of Grace forth , that to day we might come and take our Fill of Love ; Prov. 7.18 . but if we will not obey , while the Lord shall command his Loving Kindness , Psal. 42.8 . in the ( Remnant of the ) Day-time , ( in the Evening-Time for us ) he will not offer us Kindness a Moment beyond the Limits of the day he sets us . If there be not an Improvement of this present passing Season , there will be no prolonging it to endure beyond our Supper-Time . Time must be observ'd , and will not wait on us , and the Dews of Grace are like the Showers upon the Grass that tarry not for Man , nor waiteth for the Sons of Men , Mic. 5.7 . That is , it is their inseparable Property to attend the Appointments of God , and not our own Pleasure . And these Dews are sliding off in the very Moments while they are distilling from Heaven on us , they are flying from us faster than ( it may be ) they are now filling of us . We may say of the Good Day of our Entertainment , as the Prophet doth of the Great Day of the Lord , Zeph. 1.14 . It is near , ( even the end of it is near ) and hasteth greatly . Much of your Day is spent already , and under every Offer and Sermon of the Grace of God you have still less of your day to come ! Alas ! it slides so fast , and hath been sliding off so long , that you have but a little while more to partake of Grace in ; and tho' you may yet see to eat while the shadows of the Evening are stretched out , yet , Jer. 6.4 . as to your own Being in this World , God will not after so long a Summer's Day light up a Candle in the Grave , Nemo finitis nundinis exercet mercaturam . to lengthen out your opportunity , when Day light's shut in .

2. What if it should be now the Last Day of the Feast , as it was when Jesus stood and cryed ! The Feast of Tabernacles among the Jews did not expire sooner , nor endure longer than the space of Seven Days , according to the Commandment , Lev. 23.24 . And on this last Day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed , saying , If any Man thirst , let him come unto me and drink . John 7.37 . i. e. If any Man wants special , Rich Grace to supply all his need , if he desires to be entertain'd with Righteousness , Counsel , Pardon , Strength , Comfort , or the like , let him come in quickly now , and I will bestow it at the shuting up of House , in the close of the Feast before the Guests are risen . It is the last opportunity , This is a Day of Entertainment , but no Feast to Morrow . So under the Gospel , we are yet within the Compass of a Spiritual Feasting-Time , but we have no Assurance how long ? Psal. 74.9 . Our Festival may expire with this Sabbath , and this Sermon prove our last Meal ! God can say to a Graceless Sinner , that loyters away his Season , as he did to the Rich Man that laid up Earthly Substance , Thou Fool , this Night thy Soul shall be required of thee ! Luke 12.20 . Your Great Possessions would be a very unprofitable heap of Lumber , Mat. 19.22 and all your Barns or Bags full of Encrease a hoard of poor Stuff , if your Souls be empty , and you are sent Supperless to Bed , at the close of the Gospel-Entertainment . Lay it , Sinner , unto thine Heart , what if God should now shut up his Tender Mercies , Psal. 77.9 . and in wrath open his Mouth against thee ! Prov. 27.1 . Boast not thy self of to Morrow , Dan. 5.30 . lest with Belshazzer thou be slain that night ; or , with a King of Israel , in the Morning be utterly cut off . Hos. 10.15

3. If it were now already with thee after Supper , in that Black Night in Hell , the offers of this Grace would be never tendred more . Now you may drink , Song . 5.1 . and drink abundantly at the Feast , but not a drop of this Living Water will be then obtained to cool your Tongue . See Luke 16.23 , 24. In Hell he lift up his Eyes being in Torments , and seeth Abraham afar off , and Lazarus in his Bosom , and he cryed and said , Father Abraham , have Mercy on me , and send Lazarus , that he may dip the Tip of his Finger in Water , and cool my Tongue , for I am tormented in this Flame . Father Abraham have mercy on me ; ] but in Hell ( if Grace doth not prevent our coming thither ) Abraham will be ignorant of us , Isa. 63.16 . and Israel acknowledge us not . There is not one Drop or little Crumb of Mercy to be had , when the Furniture of the Gospel-Table Table is over . There is neither Provision , nor so much as a Candle to Sup by in outer Darkness . And besides all this there is a Great Gulf fixed , Luke 16.26 . A Gulf ] i. e. * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . a Great gaping or parting asunder of the Two Countreys by such a wide Division you can never step over . There is no passing from the Regions of the shadow of Death , Mat. 4.16 . even of the second Death to the Better Countrey , Heb. 11.16 Luk. 16.26 so that they which would pass from hence to you , cannot ; neither can they pass to us , that would come from thence . The state will be fixt , and the offers of Grace ended . God will feed nothing in Hell , but the Worm that dieth not , Mar. 9.44 , 46 , 48. and the Fire that is not quenched . Conscience indeed will have a stinging Remembrance to gnaw upon , but the Sinner will have no Refreshment with such a Guest for ever . God will drink to you no more , Sinners , in a Lake of Fire , Rev. 19.20 , &c. unless it be in the Wine of his wrath , which will be poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation , Rev. 14.10 . There can be no rising to Supper , if he should cast you out to lodge in a Bed of Flames ! These are the Motives , and Oh! that God would fasten them upon your Minds by his Spirit , Isa. 22.23 . as a Nail in a sure place .

Secondly , As to Counsel , I would leave these following Directions with you , and close up the whole Subject .

1. Now consider this ye that forget God , Psal. 50.22 . Consider it , that Grace is now offered , and the Statute of Refusal will next be executed . God is now calling , but remember , if you will not hearken , you will be then crying ! Mercy doth now invite you , but Fury will then Fall upon you . Know therefore this Day and consider it in thine Heart , as Moses , in that Solemn Advice to Israel , Deut. 4.39 . Let Sinners that are desperate and hard hearted , or careless and unregardful of themselves , consider this . What will ye do in the Day of Visitation , and in the Desolation which shall come from far ? to whom will ye flee for Help , and where will ye leave your Glory ? Isa. 10.3 . What Provision canst thou have , if thou hast none of this Supper ? Canst thou bear it to Sup with Devils , and reject Angel's Food ? What will become of all that airy Glory thy Mind is now Feasting on ? what will it avail thee , that thou hast Supt on Vanity , if thou must be fed with Torments , when thy Day of Grace is ended . Remember , thou art going , as swift as Time can post thee , into the Land of Forgetfulness , Oh! thou busie , distracted Worldling that hast forgotten to eat thy Bread . Psal. 102.4 Men indeed will forget thee , Jam. 1.24 . Psal. 95.11 what manner of man thou wast , but God will swear in his wrath , if thou wilt not meddle 〈◊〉 the Grace he offers , Amos 8.7 . that surely he will ne●er forget any of thy Works , but will remember thy Faults that Day .

2. Acquaint now thy self with God , Job 22.21 . Be not a Stranger now to the God who will one Day take such knowledge of thee , as either infallibly to save , or else in Hell destroy thee . Look to it , Oh thou young Man ! and remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth , Eccles. 12.1 . Look to it , thou ignorant Man , and lay up sound Knowledge , that thou maist say with the Blind Man , when Christ had opened his Eyes , John 9.25 One Thing I know , that whereas I was Blind , now I see . If the Provisions are now ready , let them be no longer as a strange Thing unto thee . Be acquainted , that this is Life Eternal under the Gospel for poor , condemned Malefactors , already dead in Law , to know thee the only true God , and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent , John 17.3 . Thou wilt never taste and see , Psal. 34.8 . till thou art acquainting thine Heart with Wisdom .

3. Get now into Friendship with a Lover of Hospitality . Tit. 1.8 . Be not an Enemy in thy Heart or in thy ways to this Feast-Maker under one call more . Be at peace , thereby good shall come unto thee . Throw down your Arms , and beg for Qu●rter , if you would find mercy with th●●ord in that Day , for he spares none with their Weapons of War about them . You spoil your Banquet , so long as you run upon the thick B●sses of his Buckler . Be reconciled , and made Friends to God presently ; for he will have none but Friends to come in and Sup with him . Enemies must fall , but shall not be Feasted , Luke 19.27 . But those mine Enemies which would not have me to reign over them bring hither and stay them before me . Provoke not God by Delays , when his Supper is now ready ; if his wrath be kindled Spiritual Mannah will melt away from you , as Corporal Mannah did from the Israelites , when the Sun waxed hot . Exod. 16.21 . See that the Master of this Feast and you are made one , or at least if Two , yet you may either walk together , Amos 3 3. or sit together at Meat , when by Grace ye are so agreed . Be reconcil'd and go make your Friend sure . Do this now , my Son , and deliver thy Self , when thou art come into the Hand of thy Friend , go humble thy self and make sure thy Friend , Prov. 6.3 . As thou art now once again invited into the Banqueting-House of Love , come prostrate in the Dust , and lye at Christ's Feet ; the lower you chuse to sink , the higher you shall rise , when you sit at Christ's Hand . Friend , go up higher , the● shalt thou have worship in the Presence of them that sit at Meat , Luke 14.10 .

4. Now accept of Grace . Put forth thy Hand now and lay hold upon Eternal Life . 1 Tim. 6.12 . Tho' you have staid out from this Feast long , yet make the more haste , and be not afraid , or asham'd Now to come at last . Take Encouragement , and knock at the Gate of Mercy , for tho' the Sun be low , yet if you are in earnest for admission , 't is not too late to be let in .

5. Be now more Holy , if you partake of what is now ready . Serve the Lord better , and Act for the Interest of Christ , to keep up the Reputation and Honour of this Feast more than ever . Omit nothing which may advance the Gospel , and do nothing that may tend to make the Provisions of it sink . More especially , Now yield your Members Servants of Righteousness unto Holiness , Rom. 6.19 . Let your Eyes be more stedfastly fixed , where you have seen his Salvation ; let your Ears be more attentive , that even the Ear may now try words , and the Mouth taste his Meat . Job 12.11 Let the string of your Tongue be loosed , and speak of these All Things ( now ready ) in the Language of Canaan plainly . Stretch out your Hands unto God , that he may not stretch out his to you in vain . Refrain your Feet from every evil way . Let your Loins be girt about with Truth . Keep your Hearts with all Diligence . Take Wisdom as an Ornament to bind about your Heads , and set your Faces in reality towards Sion . This is to be Holy , Rom. 6.19 and to yield your Members Servants of Righteonsness unto Holiness .

6. Now cry and make Intercession to the Lord of Hosts . Save now I beseech thee , O Lord , Psal. 118.25 . In the Morning direct thy Prayer unto God and look up , Psal. 147.9 that He who giveth unto the young Ravens when they cry , would refresh thee with good Things : And at Evening do thou return , Psal. 59.6 . and beg thou maist not lye down upon thy Bed , until thou hast Supt upon Jesus Christ . Beseech the Lord , that he would impart to thee this Hidden Treasure , and fill thee as a Vessel of Mercy with it . Pray , that he would change thy Diet , and give thee Righteousness , Peace , and Holiness , not suffering thee ( however under some kinds of Spiritual Sickness thou maist have evil Longings ) to eat that which is common or unclean .

7. Now take Pains , rather than lose such Provision now ready . It is a shame to be so forward to encrease in Goods , and so backward to lay in Grace . Take but as much Pains on a Lord's Day to Occupy with your Talent , as you have done upon the Week , to save or gain a Penny . Lay up for your Souls , as you are wont to do for your selves . Get up and travel to a Meeting , as you could to Traffique in a Market the Day before . Go thro' as many inconveniences , wet , wind and weather , to obtain a sure reward , as you are wont to venture thro' , to partake of uncertain Riches . Think not a Few Miles to be short enough for your Pleasure or your Profit , and then too long , when you compute them for a Sabbath-Day's Journey . Think how ill Christ takes it , who travell'd farther to buy in Provisions for you , than you can to fetch them now from Him ; while he sees how backward you are to walk a Mile to hear the Word of God , and yet are compell'd by other Motives to go Twain , yea many to accomplish other Work . If you think you dwell from Jerusalem more than a Sabbath-Day's Journey , come then to a Feast as you would to a Fair , get up and Ride , and be not like the Horse or the Mule which have no understanding . Remember , Psal. 32.9 . that perhaps you have borrowed or hir'd a Horse to Trade with , but never did so in all your Days , to get to the Means of Grace , tho' you could not come on Foot . Oh! think you that have been negligent under this pretence of Distance , what Conscience will say unto it , if it were awakened in the Hour of Death ; or what God himself will , if he tries it without Mercy at the Day of Judgment !

8. Beg of God that this Holy Diet may now agree with you . It would be sad , that when God hath made ready , his Supper should be too strong for you , while you discovered an Aversation to the Pure Worship , or the Pure Ways of God! It is a sign of a most weak and sickly Stomach , when you can't bear it , perhaps sometimes , Amos 5.21 . so much as to smell in the Solemn Feasts ! the very smell of Holiness offends you , and you cannot endure the Religion of the Apostle , because it is pure and undefiled . Jam. 1.27 .

9. Don't think the Ordinances of God Tedious , or that you sit too long at Meals-Consider , that Ordinances and the Opportunities of Grace are Eating Hours , don't grudge your Time then in your way to Heaven , while you are Baiting at any Inn that 's needful . The People of God when they sit at Meat are often troubled they rise so soon , and art thou complaining , thou art made to sit too long ? To say , Behold what a weariness is it , as Mal. 1.13 . is not a sign that you are qualify'd to be for ever with the Lord . 1 Thes. 4.17 . Psal. 118.4

10. Let them now that fear the Lord say , That his Mercy endureth for ever . Remember Him that is staying you with Flaggons , and say with the Church , Now will I sing to my well-beloved , Isa. 5.1 .

11. Keep up an Honourable Esteem of Jesus Christ . Oh! don't come to a Feast , and now at last upon the close of all murmur against the Good Man of the House . Blessed is he that is not offended in me , Mat. 11.6 .

12. Lastly , Now bear Afflictions . If he breaketh thy Bones , yet bless him for Christ our Passeover , Joh. 19.36 where not a Bone of him shall be broken . Do not refuse Correction , tho' God sometimes Carves out thy Sorrowful Meat , Job 6.7 . as Job calls his Afflictions . Isa. 30.20 . If he gives thee the Bread of Affliction , and the Water of Adversity , do not impatiently or frowardly spit it out again , Psal. 111.5 seeing he will be ever mindful of his Covenant , and hath given Meat unto them that fear him . Psal. 23.5 . And thy Cup of Mercy that now runneth over may encourage thee to take a sip of that other Bitter Cup he gives thee . Thy Cup is a little Cup to Christ's ; A Drop of Wormwood , His a Draught of Gall , and full of Dregs at Bottom ; yet the Cup which my Father hath given me , Joh. 18.11 shall I not drink it ? Well then , take Encouragement , O Believer , under thy Trials , and now do not faint . Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord , nor faint , when thou art rebuked of him , Heb. 12.5 . bear his Reproofs , seeing thou art now in the Banqueting House of Love . He will not kick thee from the Table , tho' now he chides thee at it . He will not be always wroth , Isa 57.16 . tho' now he seems to have hid his Face at the upper-end from thee . Wait for the Cup of Consolation , tho' thou hast mingled thy Drink with weeping . Psal. 102.9 Bear it with Christian Patience , with a Holy Faith and Submission , 1 Pet. 1.6 . tho' now for a Season ( if need be ) ye are in Heaviness through manifold Temptations . There is enough of Love prepar'd to ease thee of thy Burdens now , and in Time to take them off from thee . Do not think the worse of the Lamb of God , John 1.29.36 . tho' thou must eat it as the Jews did their Lamb in the Posseover , Exod. 12.8 . with Bitter Herbs . God may entertain thee with Grace in a Winter's Day , which tho' short , yet is dark and stormy : But let it comfort thee in thy Tribulation , Mat. 24.32 that Summer is now nigh at Hand . When all the Bread in thy Basket is spent , and no more for thee in the City of our God here , Psal. 48.8 . but Mannah it self fails , and Grace is ended , yet still God hath provided thee a Summer's Store in Glory ! Come therefore , for all Things are now ready .

The END .