Theologicall questions, dogmaticall observations, and evangelicall essays, vpon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to St. Matthew Wherein, about two thousand six hundred and fifty necessary, and profitable questions are discussed; and five hundred and eighty speciall points of doctrine noted; and five hundred and fifty errours confuted, or objections answered: together with divers arguments, whereby divers truths, and true tenents are confirmed. By Richard VVard, sometimes student in the famous vniversities of Cambridge in England: St. Andrews in Scotland: and Master of Arts of both the kingdoms; and now a preacher in the famous city of London.

VERS. 10. And it came to passe, as Iesus sate at meat in the house, behold many Publicans and sinners, [Vers. 10] came and sate down with him, and his Disciples.

Came and sate downe with him.

Although undoubtedly many came unto Christ, who were not truly converted unto Christ, yet we see be re••eives all that come, with∣out any strict examination of them: Teaching us,

That Christ receives, [Observ.] and entertaines all that come unto him, Esay 55.1. Iohn 7.37. For the better understanding hereof, observe three things: namely,

First, there is a double Church; to wit, exter∣nall, and visible; internall, & spiritual: Now Multi in, non de; many are of the former, which are not of the latter: As here was a traitor, & Devil amongst the Twelve; so many were received in outward society by Christ, who inwardly were rejected.

Secondly, there is a double reward for those, who are in the Church of Christ; namely, a re∣ward of hypocrites, which is given to formall Professors; and a reward of children, which is given to those, who are sincere.

Thirdly, these hypocrites which are not of the spirituall Church, neither shall be made par∣takers of the reward of children, are yet not∣withstanding suffered, and permitted to be in the visible Church, because they are profitable unto the faithfull, and members of the invisible; al∣though the stalke of the corne be hollow, yet it is strong, and supports the corne; and although the chaffe be light, yet it keeps the corn warme, and nourisheth, and preserveth it. So there are many in the Church, no better then chaffe and straw, and yet are profitable, and helpfull, and beneficiall, unto the children of God.

Who are here to be reproved? [Quest.]

They who are too rigid, and austere, that is,

First, the Anabaptists, and Brownists, [Answ.] who se∣parate t emselves from our Communion, and Church, for some blemishes (as they say) which are amongst us, and in our Church.

Secondly, the Novations, who deny repen∣tance unto those, who sin after Baptisme.

Thirdly, those who exclaime against other mens sins, and reproach the sinners: Indeed Mi∣nisters are enjoyned to instruct, and that with meek∣nesse, those who oppose themselvesh 1.1: And people have this charge given unto them by the same Apo∣stle, To beare one anothers burdens; and to restore in the spirit of meeknesse, those who are overtaken in a fault, considerihg that the best may be so tempted, as that they may be overcomei 1.2.

Fourthly, they are faulty here, who exclude from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all sin∣ners; wheras onely notorious sinners (that is, either those who are hardned in sin, or those who often apostatize, and relapse into sin) are to be kept back, and debarred.

Fifthly, they also are too blame, who deny all communication, conversation, association, or fellowship with wicked men; whereas it is not unlawfull to associate the wicked, with this de∣sire

and endeavour; that we may reclaime them from their wickednesse, and be as Physicians un∣to them.

[Object. 1] Here it will be objected, Saint Paul hath forbid∣den us to keep company with wicked m••n, 1 Cor. 5.11.

[Answ.] Hee forbids brethren to accompany sinners, but he forbids not Physicians.

[Object. 2] But it may be objected againe, a Physician doth teach those who are sick, but he doth not eate with those who are sick: And this is the very thing, which Saint Paul in the place obje∣cted prohibits, If a man be wicked, eat not with him.

[Answ. 1] First, Saint Paul in that place, speaks not of all sinners, but of those only who are excommuni∣cated.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, Saint Paul in that place doth not forbid them to keep company with Heathens, but only with Professors who were wicked: If any man which is called a brother be a Fornicator, or cove∣tous, or an Idolater, &c. keepe him not company, eat not with him.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, it is certainly prohibited to associate with those, who are notorious sinners, and who remaine hardned in sin: Now all sinners are not such as these. I conclude therefore this Question, let all these five sorts of persons, whom we have here taxed, remember, that Christ received all that came unto him, he are with Publicans, and Harlots, hee dismissed the woman taken in adul∣tery, he reproved the cruell zeale of his Apostles, when they would have called for fire from hea∣ven, telling them, they knew not what spirit they were of, and therfore let them not be so rigid, and severe against all sinners, as they are, con∣demning all, and despising all for some faults, or failings.

Notes

• h 1.1

  2 Tim. 2.25.
• i 1.2

  Gal. 6.1.2