The zealovs Christian taking heaven by holy violence in severall sermons, tending to direct men how to hear with zeal, [how] to pray with importunity / preached by ... Mr. Christopher Love ...

MAT THEW 11. 12.

And from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now, the * 1.1 Kingdom of heaven suffer∣eth violence, and the vio∣lent take it by force.

THis Text is part of the largecommendation that Christ gives of the per∣son * 1.2 and Ministery of John the Baptist. John was a crier in the wilder∣nesse to publish the glo∣ry of Christ, and Christ an Herauld to pro∣claim the praise of John. And this he doth,

1 For his constancy in the doctrine of Religion, vers. 7. What went you out to see? * 1.3 a read shaken with the winde? a light, fickle, and inconstant Preacher, that like a reed

turnes with every winde of doctrine. John was no such man, not like a reed, to yield to the stream or blast of every winde, but like the oake or cedar that stands unmovea∣bly in the midst of the greatest stormes.

2 For his holinesse and high measure of mortification, vers. 8. What went you out to see? A man cloathed in soft raiment? John * 1.4 was no such man. He was not at all addict∣ed to the garbe and pompe of the Court, but He had a raiment of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loines, Matth. 3. 4.

3 By comparing him with the former Prophets, with those Teachers that went before him, vers. 9. What went you out to see? * 1.5 a Prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more then a Pro∣phet. & v. 11. Verily I say unto you. Amongst * 1.6 them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater then John the Baptist. He gives him the precedency above all his predecessours; not in regard of the dignity of his office, but in respect of the perspicuity of his do∣ctrine. Yet lest he might be proud him∣selfe, or others too much admire him, it is added by way of qualification in the end of the 11 verse, He that is least in the King∣dome of heaven is greater then he. Those Dis∣ciples and Apostles that should live after the resurrection of Christ, (from whence the Gospel or Kingdom of heaven is dated) should be greater then John, in regard of that full knowledge and clear manifesta∣tion

they should have of Christ.

4 He commends him for the successe∣fulnesse of his Ministery, and that is set forth in the Text: From the dayes of John the Bap∣tist the Kingdome of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. A little for the explication of the Text. * 1.7

By the kingdome of heaven] is not meant the glorious seat of the blessed An∣gels, but the Evangelicall state of the Chri∣stian Church. a 1.8 It signifies the preaching of the Gospel, and propagation of the Church. b 1.9 It notes that state and condition of the Church which is properly called Christian. The Kingdome of heaven is in Scripture interpreted a breaking off from the observation of the Ceremoniall law, and a publishing of the Gospel by John the Bap∣tist, and so it begun when John did first preach the Gospel. And whereas Matthew tels us, Matth. 3. 1. John preached, saying, Repent, for the Kingdome of heaven is at hand. Mark cals this, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mark 1. 1. And therefore it is that John is called an Evange∣licall Preacher.

Suffereth violence] Violence is not to be taken as it is in our dayes of opposition, and as in the dayes of persecution; as it is in our dayes in opposition to right and justice, and as it was at the first comming in of the Gospel, when the wicked men of the world

did go about to oppose and obstruct the publishing of the Gospel, but it is an holy violence whereby men presse forward to ob∣tain the grace of this Kingdome. And so it is generally taken to be an holy violence of affection, or a gracious disposition that was implanted and wrought in the hearts of many men in John Baptists dayes.

Violence is here opposed to lukewarm∣nesse and moderation in Religion, to that coldnesse and frozennesse that is in the hearts of men under the preaching of the Word. It is called an holy violence, to di∣stinguish between them that were Christi∣ans indeed and other men; to distinguish them from the Scribes and Pharisees that were cold and frozen under the Ministery of the Cospel. They were so earnest after Christ in the Gospel, that no difficulties or discouragements could take them off from * 1.10 their pursuits after Christ. 'They were so greedy of Christ, that no force could pluck them away, but they would rather die then be drawn away from the Gospel. It is a metaphor taken from warriours, who force their passage into a City, and take it by storm, and divide the spoil. The parallel phrase is, Luk. 16. 16. Every man presseth into the Kingdome of God.

For the period of time wherein this vio∣lence was declared and expressed; it was in the 15th. year of Tiberius, as you read,

Luke 3. 1. in the 29th. yeare of Christ.

Many doctrines may be raised from these words, but I shall not multiply observati∣ons. The first and main doctrine is taken from the time wherein this violence was, and the doctrine is this.

[Doct.] At the first promulgation of the Gos∣pel the preaching of the Word was more successefull, multitudes of men did express more holy violence and vehemency of af∣fection towards the service and worship of God then in any age beside. From the dayes of John the Baptist untill now the Kingdome of heaven suffereth violence. a 1.11 The people were cold and frozen under the Ministery of the Scribes and Pharisees, they were heated under the Ministery of John.

In the handling of this point two Que∣stions must be answered.

1 Whence it came to passe that people were at that time so fervent and affectionate towards the Gospel, that the Gospel was so successefull then?

2 Whence it comes to passe that it is no more successefull now, or why that holy violence is now abated?

1 What are the reasons why it was so * 1.12 successefull in the dayes of John the Bap∣tist? I answer, divers reasons may be ren∣dered.

[Reson 1] 1 Because of the novelty of the Gos∣pel.

b 1.13 New things are most affecting and pleasing to mans nature. This was the ground of the peoples admiration at Christ, Mark 1. 27. They were all amazed, saying, What new Doctrine is this? For with authority * 1.14 commandeth he the unclean spirits, and they obey him We are like to the Athemans, of whom it is written, Act. 17. 21. They spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. While Johns Ministery was new and fresh, all rejoyced in it, John 5. 35. * 1.15 Ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in hulight. And so the Ministery of Paul was most suc∣cessefull * 1.16 among the Thessalonians in the beginning of it, 1 Thess. 2. 1. You know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain. It was Melanchthons observation, that men were favourers and followers of the Gospel when it first came into a place.

[Reson 2] Another ground of the successefulnesse of the Gospel at that time is this: Because the prophecies of the Old Testament were to be accomplished, both for the extensi∣on of the Church in regard of place and persons, and the intention of affection. 1 For the extension of the Church in regard of place and persons: That was fore-spo∣ken of in Holy Writ, Isa. 54. 1, 2. Sing, Oh * 1.17 barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with childe: for more are the children of the desolute then the children of the married wife,

saith the Lord. Enlarge the place of thy tents, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes, &c Which place is applied by Paul to the conversion of the Gentiles upon the first promulgation of the Gospel, Gal 4. 27. where he cites the very words of the first verse now mentioned.

Another prophecy of the same nature you have, Isa. 2. 2. It shall come to passe in the * 1.18 lust dayes that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hils, and all Na∣tions shall flow unto it. Which promise in the same words is repeated, Micab 4. 1. Another promise of the same nature is Isa 60. 3, 4, 5. * 1.19 and in many other places, which it is need∣lesse now to mention.

2 There were promises also for the in∣tention of the affections, Isa. 40. 31. They * 1.20 that wait upon the Lord shal renue their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. The eagle is a bird of the strongest and highest flight of any that flies in the air. So 12 Zach. 8. In that day he that is feeble shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God. * 1.21 So 110 Psal. 3. It is prophesied of the first bringing in of the Gospel, that Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power. And this was to be when God should send forth the rod of his power out of Sion, as it is vers. 2 You know what Hushai said of David, 2

Samuel 17. 8. He and his men were * 1.22 mighty men, and chased in their mindes as a Beare robbed of her whelps in the field. And yet he that is feeble shall be as David. Deodate referres this promise to the begin∣ning of the Gospel, and so Cartwright. That is the second reason.

[Reson 3] 3 The Lord did this to put a greater glory upon the Gospel, and to raise the estima∣tion of it in the hearts of men: for had the Gospel had but a few converts, and had it had but a little successe at the first pro∣mulgation of it, the people would not so much have taken notice of it, neither would they so much have admired it, nor so high∣ly esteemed of it, as they did.

[Reson 4] 4 This comes to passe because of the perspicuity of the doctrine of the Gospel above that of the law. The Gospel came now to be preached to the peoples capacity more then it was in the time of the law. Though it is true, that pure Gospel for the substance of it was preached in the time of the Law, yet not so plainly as in the time of the Gospel. For the law is nothing else but a dark Gospel, and the Gospel nothing else but a clear law. The law was hid and vail∣ed under dark shadowes and ceremonies: But the Gospel was clear and evident. This you have fully set forth, 2 Cor, 3. 15. When * 1.23 Moses was read, there was a vail upon their hearts, v. 6. and when they turn to the Lord,

the vail shall be taken away. And vers. 18. But * 1.24 we all with open face behold as in a glasse the glory of the Lord, &c. This is also foretold, * 1.25 Isa. 30. 26. at the promulgation of the Gos∣pel, The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the ligho of the Sun shall be se∣venfold as the light of seven dayes, &c.

[Reson 5] 5 Because of that great and glorious li∣berty which the Gospel instated them in above the law, I do not mean sensuall, but a Christian and holy, a Gospel-liberty. Thus Baptisme was appointed in the room of Circumcision. Our Saviour made this * 1.26 proffer, Come unto me, all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Matth. 11. 28. Which place is not onely to be understood of labouring under the burden of sin, but also under the bondage and yoke of the Ceremoniall law, under all those costly, painfull and toilsome rites imposed upon them: which were a yoke that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear, as Peter speaks of Circumcision, Acts 15. 10. And so you have the reasons for the Gospels suc∣cesse * 1.27 in the dayes of John. And thus much for the first question.

The second question is this. How comes * 1.28 it to passe that the Ministery of the Word is not so successefull now as it was in the dayes of the first preaching of it? I an∣wer, many reasons may be given. Some from the Minister, some from the people.

1 In regard of the Minister, and they are five. * 1.29

[Reson 1] Because Ministers are not so powerfull in preaching, and exemplary in life as John was, Joh. 5. 35. He was a burning and a shi∣ning light. There was his zeal in preaching, there was the holinesse of his conversation. Luke 1. 16. And many of the children of Is∣rael * 1.30 shall he turn to the Lord their God, and he shall go before them in the spirit and power of E lias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the chil∣dren, and the disobedient to the wisdome of the just, &c. Nazianzen said of Basil, that he thundred in his doctrine, and lightened in his life.

[Reson 2] Ministers preach not the Gospel so pure∣ly and perfectly as John did, Mark 1. 1. John preached the Gaspel of Jesus Christ. Verse 3. He preached repentance and remission of sins. Although John did bring in the Gos∣pel, yet withall he preached up duties, and not cried down duties; he pressed on duties, and did not cast them off; he did earnestly presse on the duties of the morall law, he preached repentance, whereas many Mini∣sters now a dayes account this but a legall and servile work not fit for Christians un∣der the Gospel to be employed about, not fit for Ministers to preach, or people to hear. And this is one great reason why men take up such sinfull liberty to follow their own wayes and lusts, and by which meanes the

Gospel comes to be the lesse successefull. But this you see was far from Johns minde and temper; for, said he, Repent, for the Kingdome of heaven is at hand, Matth. 3. 2. Oh generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? was our Saviours lan∣guage, Matth 22. 33. Jerem. 23. 22. But if * 1.31 they had stood in my counsell, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evill way, and from the evill of their doings: and 32. Behold, I am against them that prophesie false dreams, saith * 1.32 the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to erre by their lies, and by their lightnesse; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them, therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. 2 Cor. 4. But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in * 1.33 crastinesse, nor handling the Word of God de∣ceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth com∣mending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. It doth enervate and e∣masculate the power of the Word to have it mixed with falshoods. Much truth is preached in the Church of Rome, yet con∣version is not ordinarily amongst them, be∣cause they adulterate the truth by many er∣rours.

The Scribes did little good by their preach∣ing, because they did mingle so many un∣grounded traditions which they taught without any authority, Matth. 7. 29. Christ

taught as one having authority, and not as the * 1.34 Scribes.

[Reson 3] 3 Because Ministers preach not so plain∣ly as John did, either in matter, method, or manner of expression. 1 Cor. 14. part of the 5 verse,—Greater is he that prophesieth then he that speaketh with tongues, except he in∣terpret, that the Church may receive edifying. Many Preachers are like Heraclitus, who was called the dark Doctour, they affect sublime notions, obscure expressions, un∣couth phrases, not making difficult truths plain, but plain truths difficult. They darken * 1.35 counsell by words without knowledge, Job 38. 2.

[Reson 4] 4 Because Ministers preach not so me∣thodically as John did. Matth. 3. 2. John preached, saying, Repent, for the Kingdome * 1.36 of heaven is at band; Mark saith, the Gos∣pel * 1.37 begun with Johns Ministery, Mark. 1. 1. and his doctrine began with repentance Men take up other methods now adayes, and so prove unsuccessefull.

[Reson 5] 5 Because there is not that harmony a∣mong Ministers now that was formerly. John preached what the Prophets taught, and Christ trod in Johns steps, and the A∣postles exactly agreed with and continued in the doctrine of their predecessours. But now in our time Ministers are divided; one preacheth one thing, another preacheth an∣other thing; and this doth very much trouble the mindes of people, and makes

many stumble at the word, and so the Gos∣pel proves unsuccessefull.

2 This comes to passe from the people, * 1.38 and that for four reasons.

1 People do more question the office, and calling of the Ministery now then they did question Johns. Matth. 21. 26.—All men hold John as a Prophet. The reason why Pauls Ministery was ineffectuall to many Corinihians was this; because they questi∣oned his calling, and therefore he labours to vindicate his Apostolicall authority all along the Epistle. This doth take off that awe and majesty that should be in men to the Word. As on the contrary, the reason why the Ministery of Paul was so effectuall to the Thessalonians, was this: Because when they received the Word of God, they recei∣ved it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) as the Word of God, which effectually worketh in them that believe, 1 Thess. 2. 13. * 1.39 I know that some question the lawfulnesse of our Ministery upon this ground, because miracles do not attend our preaching, as they did at the first promulgation of the Gospel. But this is no just reason, and (that I may remove this obstacle of the successe of the Gospel) I shall by the way briefly disprove it. * 1.40

1 John had his calling from heaven, Mat. 21. 25, 26. and yet John did no miracle, John 10. 41.

2 Miracles are not necessary now as they * 1.41 were at the first planting of the Gospel. There was more need of miracles then that the people might give attendance to the Ministery in those days. The Jews require a signe, 1 Cor. 1. 22. 1 Cor. 14. 22. Tongues are for a signe not to them that believe, but to them that believe not, but prophesying serveth * 1.42 not for them that believe not, but for them which believe,

3 Miracles were signes of the Apostleship but not of the Ministery, 2 (or. 12. 12. The signes of an Apostle were wrought among you,—in signes, and wonders, and mighty deeds. * 1.43 Timothy and Titus could work no miracles, yet no man doubts of their authority. So that want of miracles doth not at all inva∣lidate the authority of the Ministery. So I have removed the first impediment of the successe of the Gospel in our dayes:

That is the first reason.

[Reson 2] The long continuance of the Word makes it unsuccessefull, (such is the corrup∣tion of mens hearts.) The nature of man is for new things, and in tract of time the love of men to the Word is eaten out, whereas at the first people flocked to the Gospel, as Doves to the windowes, yet af∣terward they grew carelesse and negligent in Gods Ordinances. Manna at first was loved, but afterwards it cloyed the Israe∣lites, and they loathed it. Many men are

Christ and Gospel glutted.

[Reson 3] Another reason is, because Discipline is not joyned with Doctrine. The Church is the garden of God, the Doctrine is the flowers of this garden, Discipline is the hedge. Neither Christ nor John the Baptist by their comming would destroy the go∣vernment of the Church among the Jews, and when that was taken down Christ set up another in its stead. Now look, as it is in a State, the intervals of government breed many State-heresies, if I may so call them, mutinies, factions, and parties among the people, interrupting the peace of the land: So it is in the Church, when the reines of government are let loose, in-come errours and disorders; and the good seed is choak∣ed by that meanes.

[Reson 4] 4 This comes to passe from the dis-use of family-duties. The reason why the re∣formation succeeded so well in Germany was because the peoples catechizing went a∣long with Luthers preaching. It was laid as a charge upon masters of families, that they should catechize their children, Deut. 6. 6, 7. And these words which I command thee * 1.44 this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, &c.

People do not back the Ministers preach∣ing of the Word with this duty of prayer,

that God would sanctifie the word preach∣ed to their souls, and make it successefull. It is an observable passage which you finde, Mark 4. 24. Take heed what you hear; for with what measure you were it shall be measu∣red to you, and unto you that hear shall more be given. Sometimes this expression is referred to rash judgement, as Matth. 7. 2. sometimes to works of mercy, but here it is used as an argument to stir up people to prepare their hearts for the hearing of the Word with care and conscience. For if it be your care to fit your selves for the Word, and to set∣tle it in your hearts, and practise it in your lives, God will then measure the same back unto you by his blessing of the Word, to the salvation and edification of your souls: whereas the neglect of this duty is a great cause why the word is not so successfull now as it was formerly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sermons Preachtat Lawrence Jury, April 22, 1649. SERMON I.
• * 1.2

  The Con∣tent open∣ed.
• * 1.3

  Verse 7.
• * 1.4

  Verse 8.
• * 1.5

  Verse 9.
• * 1.6

  Verse 11.
• * 1.7

  The Text opened. Coelum Em¦pyreum.
• a 1.8

  Regnum coelorum denotat prae¦dicationem Evangelit, & propa∣gationem Ecclesiae. Paraeus.
• b 1.9

  Regnum Dei signifi∣catstatum, & conditi∣onem Ec∣clesiae, quae propriè Christiana ••c••tur. Camero in Mat. 18. ••.
• * 1.10

  Adeo avidi di sunt ut nulla vi rbstrahi possunt, sed potius mo∣aiuntur quam ab∣strahantur ab Evange∣••io. Luther.
• a 1.11

  Frigebant sub mini∣sterio legis Scribarum & Phari∣saeorum, fervebant sub mini∣sterio Joan∣nis. Musculus.
• * 1.12

  Quest. 1 Why the Gospel so successfull then?
• b 1.13

  Natura hominum novitat is avida.
• * 1.14

  Mark 1. 27.
• * 1.15

  1 Thes. 2. 1.
• * 1.16

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Primum advertum nostrum. Principiis savebant, &c.
• * 1.17

  Isa. 54. 1, 2.
• * 1.18

  Isa. 2. 2.
• * 1.19

  Isa. 60. 3, 4, 5.
• * 1.20

  Isa. 40. 31.
• * 1.21

  Zach. 12. 8.
• * 1.22

  2 Sam. 17 8.
• * 1.23

  2 Cor. 3. 15, 16.
• * 1.24

  18.
• * 1.25

  Isa. 30. 26.
• * 1.26

  Mat. 11. 28.
• * 1.27

  Acts 15. 10.
• * 1.28

  Quest. 2. Why the Gospel not so succes∣full now as formerly? Reasons.
• * 1.29

  1 In re∣gard of Minister
• * 1.30

  Luke 1. 16.
• * 1.31

  Jerem. 23. 22.
• * 1.32

  32.
• * 1.33

  2 Cor. 4 2
• * 1.34

  Matth. 7 29.
• * 1.35

  2 Cor. 14 5.
• * 1.36

  Job 38. 2.
• * 1.37

  Mat. 3. 2.
• * 1.38

  2 In re∣gard of the people. Reason 1. Mat. 21. 26.
• * 1.39

  1 Thes. 2. 13.
• * 1.40

  Mat. 21. 25, 26. John 10. 41.
• * 1.41

  Miracula non sunt multipli∣canda sine necessitate 1 Cor. 1. 22.
• * 1.42

  1 Cor. 14 22.
• * 1.43

  2 Cor. 12 12.
• * 1.44

  Deut. 6. 6, 7.