A77988:521
Gospel-Worship
Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughs, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Cripple-gate, London.Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in generall. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughes, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Criple-gate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole and R.W., 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And for Tares that were among the Wheat, take it that this is meant concerning the Church, suppose it were (and yet Christ saith plainly that the field is the World, and 'tis the godly and ⟨p. 239⟩the wicked living together in the World, and so I find many interpreters take it; but howsoever take it that it is meant of the Church-communion; yet thus far is clear that it was through the fault of the officers that there should be any Tares among the Wheat; for so the text saith plainly that while the servants slept there did Tares spring up; therefore there should have been none.
And for Tares that were among the Wheat, take it that this is meant concerning the Church, suppose it were (and yet Christ saith plainly that the field is the World, and 'tis the godly and ⟨p. 239⟩the wicked living together in the World, and so I find many interpreters take it; but howsoeuer take it that it is meant of the Church-communion; yet thus far is clear that it was through the fault of the officers that there should be any Tares among the Wheat; for so the text saith plainly that while the servants slept there did Tares spring up; therefore there should have been none.
Secondly, they were not such Tares as would spoil the Wheat, but as Jerome saith in those countries the Tares did grow much like Wheat all the while it was in the blade, so that they were hardly to be distinguished, though some that were of more understanding were able to discern them from the Wheat; therefore though such as do grow up like unto the Wheat may be suffered, and yet in this case only, that is, in case that it will prejudice the Wheat, that is, when they are so close to the Wheat as there will be danger by plucking them up to pluck up the Wheat too, then they must be let alone; Mark, first it was through the negligence of the officers; they should have been kept out. Secondly, if they do get in, yet while they grow so close to the Wheat as there will be danger that when you pluck out them, to pluck out the wheat too, only in that case it must be forborne; but this gives no liberty that therefore all sorts may be let into the Church, and there should be no kind of Ordinance to cast out those that are venomous weeds that will do hurt and mischief.