4. That they that are conceited in the opinion of their own goodness, without seeing their want and necessity of Jesus Christ; are of all sorts of people in the world most unlikely to be effectually called by Jesus Christ. This I urge from Matt. 9.13. I came not, saith Christ, to call the righteous, &c. Mark, who are they? that is, Christ came not to call the Pharisees, who were righteous in their own eyes, and who had a self conceitedness that things went well with them; and saw no need of a Mediator, and Intercessor, and Redeemer; I came not to call the righteous: Jesus Christ excludes that sort of men from being called by him; men that are self opinionated, and have a conceit of their own goodness, without any want of Jesus Christ. Wherefore all you that think you have a strong faith towards God ever ⟨p. 51⟩since you were born, that think you live honestly among your neighbours, pay every man his due, and therefore see no need of Christ all your days; the Lord show you mercy; you are more unlikely to be called then any men in the world. Matth. 21.31. There is a parable of a man that had two sons, he bid both work in the vineyard; one son said he would not work, he was obstinate; the other son said he would work, but did not, and so was worse then his word. Now these two sons, they are the emblem of two sorts of men within the pale of the Church; some are profane and obstinate men, and they answer as the first son, and say, they will not work: the second are professing men, men that make a good profession, but do not answer their profession in their practice. Now mark; Whether of these twain will the father accept? and they said unto him, the first, the most obstinate; that said, he would not go, but went. Verily, saith Christ, so I say unto you, Publicans and Harlots shall go into heaven before you. Mark, how Christ applies the parable from their own mouths; you that are Pharisees, that are righteous and honest in your own eyes, I will sooner call whores, and harlots, and the worst of men, then I will call you. Publicans and Harlots; Publicans, they were the worst sort of men that were, they were sitting at the receipt of custom, their calling exposing them to a great deal of extortion and bribery, yet these men should go to heaven before others that made a glorious profession of Jesus Christ. Again,
4. That they that are conceited in the opinion of their own goodnesse, without seeing their want and necessitie of Jesus Christ; are of all sorts of people in the world most unlikely to be effectually called by Jesus Christ. This I urge from Matt. 9.13. I came not, saith Christ, to call the righteous, &c. Mark, who are they? that is, Christ came not to call the Pharisees, who were righteous in their own eyes, and who had a selfe conceitednesse that things went well with them; and saw no need of a Mediator, and Intercessor, and Redeemer; I came not to call the righteous: Jesus Christ excludes that sort of men from being called by him; men that are self opinionated, and have a conceit of their own goodness, without any want of Jesus Christ. Wherefore all you that think you have a strong faith towards God ever ⟨p. 51⟩since you were born, that think you live honestly among your neighbours, pay every man his due, and therefore see no need of Christ all your daies; the Lord shew you mercie; you are more unlikly to be called then any men in the world. Matth. 21.31. There is a parable of a man that had two sons, hee bid both work in the vineyard; one son said he would not work, he was obstinate; the other son said he would work, but did not, and so was worse then his word. Now these two sons, they are the emblem of two sorts of men within the pale of the Church; some are profane and obstinate men, and they answer as the first son, and say, they wil not work: the second are professing men, men that make a good profession, but do not answer their profession in their practice. Now marke; Whether of these twain will the father accept? and they said unto him, the first, the most obstinate; that said, he would not go, but went. Verily, saith Christ, so I say unto you, Publicans and Harlots shall go into heaven before you. Mark, how Christ applies the parable from their own mouths; you that are Pharisees, that are righteous and honest in your own eyes, I wil sooner call whores, and harlots, and the worst of men, then I wil call you. Publicans and Harlots; Publicans, they were the worst sort of men that were, they were sitting at the receipt of custome, their calling exposing them to a great deal of extortion and briberie, yet these men should go to heaven before others that made a glorious profession of Jesus Christ. Again,
