A44342:708
The application of redemption by the effectual work of the word, and spirit of Christ, for the bringing home of lost sinners to God ... by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I know (as one of the […] brings in his sins) our old […] like old […] will threap kindness from […], plead prescription and continuance, we have […] long, taken much sweet Counsel together, […] much delight and content. Give us warning […], before you give us a discharge, let us […] our […] of […] for the while, and hereafter let […] think of amendment: Thus the same Father when […] had often resolved to renounce his bosom […], and the beloved lusts of the flesh, still that sounded in his ears, To morrow, to morrow; as the burden of Satan's song, To morrow soon enough, hereafter time enough; thus while he was startling and […] by the terrors of his Conscience, he lulled him, and rocked him a sleep again by delays, […] at last in a holy kind of violence and indignation of heart, breaks through all, demurs no more, delays no longer, but cries out, Why not to day, why not to day Lord? and from that day following God gave him victory. Go thy ways and do thou likewise, stand not haggling and dallying with the Almighty, set down a resolution like the Laws of the Medes and Persians, never to be revoked; that thou wilt from this […], and ever hereafter, wait upon the […] of grace, and give way to the work thereof. ⟨p. 258⟩Dispute no more, but determine thus with thy self, Why yet am I here in the land of the Living, yet […] this side the bottomless pit, the Lord still tenders the offers of Salvation, strives still with this sturdy heart of mine, I know not how soon I may be taken from the Means, or the Means from me, or the Blessing of the Lord from us both; while therefore the spirit speaks to my Soul, Seek thou my face; give me a heart to echo back again, Thy face Lord will I seek this day.
I know (as one of the 〈…〉 brings in his sins) our old 〈…〉 like old 〈…〉 will threap kindness from 〈…〉, plead prescription and continuance, we have 〈…〉 long, taken much sweet Counsel together, 〈…〉 much delight and content. Give us warning 〈…〉, before you give us a discharge, let us 〈…〉 our 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 for the while, and hereafter let 〈…〉 think of amendment: Thus the same Father when 〈…〉 had often resolved to renounce his bosom 〈…〉, and the beloved lusts of the flesh, still that sounded in his ears, To morrow, to morrow; as the burden of Satans song, To morrow soon enough, hereafter time enough; thus while he was startling and 〈…〉 by the terrors of his Conscience, he lulled him, and rocked him a sleep again by delayes, 〈…〉 at last in a holy kind of violence and indignation of heart, breaks through all, demurs nomore, delayes no longer, but cryes out, Why not to day, why not to day Lord? and from that day following God gave him victory. Go thy wayes and do thou likewise, stand not haggeling and dallying with the Almighty, set down a resolution like the Laws of the Meads and Persians, never to be revoked; that thou wilt from this 〈…〉, and ever hereafter, wait upon the 〈…〉 of grace, and give way to the work therof. ⟨p. 258⟩Dispute no more, but determine thus with thy self, Why yet am I here in the land of the Living, yet 〈…〉 this side the bottomless pit, the Lord still tenders the offers of Salvation, strives still with this sturdy heart of mine, I know not how soon I may be taken from the Means, or the Means from me, or the Blessing of the Lord from us both; while therefore the spirit speaks to my Soul, Seek thou my face; give me a heart to eccho back again, Thy face Lord will I seek this day.
After all this, the heart still sings loath to depart, and the deluded sinner lingers after his lust, as Lot after Sodom, and therefore puts in a new Plea on this manner: Imagine the worst, should I put off this fair and kind Call of the Lord? Yet since it is in my power to entertain it hereafter, there is not so much danger though I now refuse it.
After all this, the heart still sings loath to depart, and the deluded finner lingers after his lust, as Lot after Sodom, and therefore puts in a new Plea on this manner: Imagine the worst, should I put off this fair and kind Call of the Lord? Yet since it is in my power to entertain it hereafter, there is not so much danger though I now refuse it.
Answ. Be it granted, Thy life might be prolonged, the words of the text do most apparently dash this presumptuous conceit, Its the Season of Gods acceptation; Its not in thy power, but depends merely upon his good Will: We are not the Patrons of the means of Grace, much less of their work, it is not in our Gift; the Sending and Blessing of both issues only from the good pleasure of the Almighty: prolong not then, put not off the time, deny not Gods gracious offer, lest thou never have offer again; he that now holds out the golden Sceptre of Mercy to receive thee, hath an Iron rod wherewith he can […] thee to nothing, and break thee in pieces like a Potters vessel: He that hath the Keys of David, and now sets open the gate of Salvation, he can shut it and no man shall open it any more; and when thou hast stayed too long, and comest too late, thou mayest knock hard with the foolish Virgin, and cry aloud with Esau, and yet receive neither Blessing, ⟨p. 259⟩nor Birthright, and its just with God it should be […], that the Word which thou hast despised, should […] […] a dead, or killing Letter, and never work […]; the motions of his Spirit which thou hast […], should never stir more with thee. Thus Wisdom threateneth the scorners of her Counsel, Prov. 1. 24. Because I have called and they refused, I […] stretched out my hand, and no man regarded, […] they shall call, but I will not answer; they […] seek me early, but they shall not find me.
Answ. Be it granted, Thy life might be prolonged, the words of the text do most apparantly dash this presumptuous conceit, Its the Season of Gods acceptation; Its not in thy power, but depends meerly upon his good Will: We are not the Patrons of the means of Grace, much less of their work, it is not in our Gift; the Sending and Blessing of both issues only from the good pleasure of the Almighty: prolong not then, put not off the time, deny not Gods gracious offer, lest thou never have offer again; he that now holds out the golden Scepter of Mercy to receive thee, hath an Iron rod wherwith he can 〈…〉 thee to nothing, and break thee in pieces like a Potters vessel: He that hath the Keyes of David, and now sets open the gate of Salvation, he can shut it and no man shall open it any more; and when thou hast stayed too long, and comest too late, thou mayest knock hard with the foolish Virgin, and cry aloud with Esau, and yet receive neither Blessing,
Nay, it may be thou shalt not only not find what […] […], and that with some eagerness, which is […] state miserable enough, but shalt not have a heart […] much as once to seek for Mercy, as many […] have, and Hypocrites do; and this is a […] next to the damned in Hell, unconceivably […]. This was Jerusalems case just as the Lord […] it, Oh that thou hadst known at least in […] thy Day, the things belonging to thy peace, but […] they are hid from thine eyes, Luke 19. 42. Christ […] now weeping over the City, preaching his farewell […] amongst them, yea, now come to die amongst them: the presence of the Means makes the Plague more remarkable, when through Gods just judgment for their contempt of the truth, they have eyes but they are made dim and see not, they have ears but […] heavy and hear not, and hearts made hard even […] the blessed Ministry of the Gospel, and so they understand not; they have all before their eyes, and […] all hid from their eyes: The like Curse the Lord usually pours out upon the hellish despisers of the Doctrine of Grace, deliver them up to blind minds, and seared Consciences, reprobate senses, that they who shut their eyes against the power of Gods Ordinances, should never see nor be […] of, either that or their own misery, which is the […] misery of all.
Nay, it may be thou shalt not only not find what 〈…〉 〈…〉, and that with some eagerness, which is 〈…〉 state miserable enough, but shalt not have a heart 〈…〉 much as once to seek for Mercy, as many 〈…〉 have, and Hypocrites do; and this is a 〈…〉 next to the damned in Hell, unconceivably 〈…〉. This was Jerusalems case just as the Lord 〈…〉 it, Oh that thou hadst known at least in 〈…〉 thy Day, the things belonging to thy peace, but they are hid from thine eyes,
Yet all this will not content, there is one cavil which the carnal §4heart Objects, and its most desperate; Be it, God will […] vouchsafe Means nor Work by them, nor I receive any benefit therefrom, let me live as I list now, let me shift as I can hereafter; if I loose all, the loss is not great. Answ. What! […] great? God forbid that such a Thought should be in any […] Heart, such a Word come out of any mans Mouth. Its no less than Salvation it self, Its […] day of salvation saith the text, […] loss not to be valued, not to be recovered, will never, can […] be repaired again; yea, I appeal to thy own Conscience, and […] thy self in cold blood be thy own judge: Think but seriously […] the Rivers of pleasure which are at Gods right hand, of […] 1Kingdom […] undefiled, and that sadeth not away, […] and consider of that Crown of Glory, that exceeding […] 2weight of glory reserved in the heavens; and weigh but with […] 3self, in thy most retired thoughts, the […] Mercy of a God, the […] Redemption of a Christ, the Comforts of a Spirit […] glorious; imagine you heard that Sentence passed, Come ye Blessed, […] the Kingdom, possess the Crown, enjoy […] Pleasures, and if thou hast but the heart of a man, let it Answer: Canst thou lose all these, and account the loss little? and yet if the day of Grace be gone once, all these go too; neglect that now, and never think to enjoy these: An Argument able to stay any in the most eager pursuit […] these lying vanities, and to cause him to […], and steer his course another way.
Yet all this will not content, there is one cavil which the carnal §4heart Objects, and its most desperate; Be it, God will 〈…〉 vouchsafe Means nor Work by them, nor I receive any benefit therefrom, let me live as I list now, let me shift as I can hereafter; if I loose all, the loss is not great. Answ. What! 〈…〉 great? God forbid that such a Thought should be in any 〈…〉 Heart, such a Word come out of any mans Mouth. Its no less than Salvation it self, Its day of salvation saith the text, loss not to be valued, not to be recovered, will never, can be repaired again; yea, I appeal to thy own Conscience, and thy self in cold blood be thy own judge: Think but seriously the Rivers of pleasure which are at Gods right hand, of
As Elisha said, Is this a time to take […]? So when […] consider all Opportunities, and Means, and Mercies, say, Is this a time, to follow the World, and the Profits thereof? to […] our selves with sinful Delights, and forsake Christ, and his Gospel, and Salvation and all: Me thinks Nature would […], Reason would Persuade, It is a Day of Salvation, our Lives, […] Hopes, our Comforts, our Salvation, and All depend upon […]. It is the time that God hath bestowed for this end, therefore […] sure to improve this time so, as we may attain this end. In […] word, It is a Day, therefore a Season; and but a Day, […] short; a Day of Gods Accepting; and a Day of Salvation; The Season so Fit, the Time so Short, and the Purchase so Great, what remains then, but we should improve this Time to our utmost, that we may Receive that Spiritual Good from the Lord in it, that he is willing to bestow, and we stand in […] of, for our Comfort here, and our everlasting welfare in another World.
As Elisha said, Is this a time to take 〈…〉? So when 〈…〉 consider all Opportunities, and Means, and Mercies, say, Is this a time, to follow the World, and the Profits thereof? to 〈…〉 our selves with sinful Delights, and forsake Christ, and his Gospel, and Salvation and all: Me thinks Nature would 〈…〉, Reason would Perswade, It is a Day of Salvation, our Lives, 〈…〉 Hopes, our Comforts, our Salvation, and All depend upon 〈…〉. It is the time that God hath bestowed for this end, therefore 〈…〉 sure to improve this time so, as we may attain this end. In 〈…〉 word, It is a Day, therefore a Season; and but a Day, 〈…〉 short; a Day of Gods Accepting; and a Day of Salvation; The Season so Fit, the Time so Short, and the Purchase so Great, what remains then, but we should improve this Time to our utmost, that we may Receive that Spiritual Good from the Lord in it, that he is willing to bestow, and we stand in 〈…〉 of, for our Comfort here, and our everlasting welfare in another World.
FINIS.
MATTH. 20. 5, 6, 7. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, why stand ye all the day idle? He saith unto them, Go also into the Vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that ye shall receive.
MATTH. 20. 5, 6, 7. Again he went out about the sixt and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, why stand ye all the day idle? He saith unto them, Go also into the Vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that ye shall receive.
WE have done with the Season of Salvation in regard of the means, consider we now the time which the Lord takes in regard of the Parties, upon whom it is wrought who do yet enjoy their lives, and the means of Grace: Amongst these the dispensation of the Lord is divers, ⟨p. 262⟩dealing as it seems best to his Heavenly Wisdom; some he calls, and converts in their younger, some in their older, but most usual it is to bring home sinners to himself in their riper age.
WE have done with the Season of Salvation in regard of the means, consider we now the time which the Lord takes in regard of the Parties, upon whom it is wrought who do yet enjoy their lives, and the means of Grace: Amongst these the dispensation of the Lord is divers, ⟨p. 262⟩dealing as it seems best to his Heavenly Wisdom; some he calls, and converts in their yonger, some in their older, but most usual it is to bring home sinners to himself in their riper age.
For the scanning of this Point, we have made choice of this Parable of the Vineyard: which presents to us four things at the first view.
For the scanning of this Point, we have made choyce of this Parable of the Vineyard: which presents to us four things at the sirst view.
1 The […] of the Vineyard, who owed it. 2 The […], who dressed it. 3 The […], when they were hired. 4 The Reward here promised and given for their […]. Under the Letter or which words, this […] […] is […], […] ought to be conceived.
1 The 〈…〉 of the Vineyard, who owed it. 2 The 〈…〉, who drest it. 3 The 〈…〉, when they were hired. 4 The Reward here promised and given for their 〈…〉. Under the Letter or which words, this 〈…〉 〈…〉 is 〈…〉, 〈…〉 ought to be conceived.
The […] is the Church, Isai. 5. 7. The Master and Householder, is the Lord Christ: The […] […], are his redeemed ones, whom he calls by the effectual operation of his blessed Spirit in the […] of his Word, to be painful and fruitful in good works as in Christ they are created unto, and 1[…] or dained they should walk in. The diversity of the time of their hiring, shows the difference of the times wherein they are converted, some sooner, and some later, and for the right and ready […] of this Circumstance, let it be remembered that it was the received manner amongst the Jews to divide their Nights into four Watches, and their Days […] of twelve hours, into four Stations2 or Portions, designing three hours to each part; so […] from […] to […], was the Third hour; from […] to twelve, the Sixth hour; from twelve to three, […] […] hour; from thence to five, the Eleventh […], one hour before the ending of the day.
The 〈…〉 is the Church, Isai. 5. 7. The Master and Housholder, is the Lord Christ: The 〈…〉 〈…〉, are his redeemed ones, whom he cals by the effectual operation of his blessed Spirit in the 〈…〉 of his Word, to be painful and fruitful in good works as in Christ they are created unto, and 1〈…〉 or dained they should walk in. The diversity of the time of their hiring, shews the difference of the times wherein they are converted, some sooner, and some later, and for the right and ready 〈…〉 of this Circumstance, let it be remembred that it was the received manner amongst the Jews to divide their Nights into four Watches, and their Daies 〈…〉 of twelve hours, into four Stations2
To apply: The Day is as it were our Life; God […] some of his Servants in the morning of their youth; some at mid-day, in their middle age; some at the eleventh hour, in their aged and declining ⟨p. 263⟩time, when their Sun is near setting, and they drawing on to the end of their days, not long […] their death, not long before their souls depart out of their bodies, and they depart from the Land of the Living.
To apply: The Day is as it were our Life; God 〈…〉 some of his Servants in the morning of their youth; some at mid-day, in their middle age; some at the eleventh hour, in their aged and declining ⟨p. 263⟩time, when their Sun is neer setting, and they drawing on to the end of their daies, not long 〈…〉 their death, not long before their souls depart out of their bodies, and they depart from the Land of the Living.
I am not ignorant that some Interpreters run another way, and conceive by Labourers, […] only to be understood, whether they be good or bad; and their […], their calling unto that […] in the Church: He that is a Demas and seeks […] World, his penny, his praise, and applause, if […]; his profit and wealth, if Covetous, and for that he makes his agreement with the Lord, when first he makes entrance upon the work of the Ministry: When he that is sincere hearted, and seeks the things of Christ, the penny for which he indents, and the hire he would have, is the hearts of poor […], the conversion of souls, and […] of the body of Christ are instead of all the Tithes and […], Livings, and Benefices he desires to look after: though the sense is pleasant and spiritual, yet I do not think it suits with the Scope […] this place, nor here intended by the Spirit. For of those […] Parable must be understood, of whom that conclusion in the last verse of the 19. chapter was spoken, Many that be first shall be last, and many that be last, shall be first: This Parable being inferred for the opening and proving of that, as the first words of the first […] of this 20. chapter, do plainly evidence, For the Kingdom, &c.
I am not ignorant that some Interpreters run another way, and conceive by Laborers, 〈…〉 only to be understood, whether they be good or bad; and their 〈…〉, their calling unto that 〈…〉 in the Church: He that is a Demas and seeks 〈…〉 World, his penny, his praise, and applause, if 〈…〉; his profit and wealth, if Covetous, and for that he makes his agreement with the Lord, when first he makes entrance upon the work of the Ministry: When he that is sincere hearted, and seeks the things of Christ, the penny for which he indents, and the hire he would have, is the hearts of poor 〈…〉, the conversion of souls, and 〈…〉 of the body of Christ are instead of all the Tythes and 〈…〉, Livings, and Benesices he desires to look after: though the sence is pleasant and spiritual, yet I do not think it suits with the Scope 〈…〉 this place, nor here intended by the Spirit. For of those 〈…〉 Parable must be understood, of whom that conclusion in the last verse of the 19. chapter was spoken, Many that be first shall be last, and many that be last, shall be first: This Parable being inferred for the opening and proving of that, as the first words of the first of this 20. chapter, do plainly evidence, For the Kingdom, &c.
But they are without question, the […] only who are there meant, such who have left all for Christs sake, such who shall inherit […] life, vers. 29. always with this proviso, Many that are first called, if they bear up themselves somewhat too much upon their own worth, shall be last rewarded; ⟨p. 264⟩they who are last called, if yet they do renounce all confidence in their own excellency and sufficiency, and depend upon the free mercy of God, they shall be amongst the chiefest that shall be recompensed: Following then the sense which the Scope of the Text, and the best Interpreters give; the Point which fits our purpose, and offers it self to consideration without any forcing from the Words, is this:
But they are without question, the 〈…〉 only who are there meant, such who have left all for Christs sake, such who shall inherit 〈…〉 life, vers. 29. alwaies with this proviso, Many that are first called, if they bear up themselves somwhat too much upon their own worth, shall be last rewarded; ⟨p. 264⟩they who are last called, if yet they do renounce all confidence in their own excellency and sufficiency, and depend upon the free mercy of God, they shal be amongst the chiefest that shal be recompenced: Following then the sense which the Scope of the Text, and the best Interpreters give; the Point which fits our purpose, and offers it self to consideration without any forcing from the Words, is this:
