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.

[Verse 38] VERS. 38. And he that taketh not up his Crosse and followeth after me is not worthy of mee.

[Sect. 1] §. 1. And followeth after me.

[Observ.] Our Saviour here expresly teacheth, that it is not sufficient to beare the Crosse, except also wee follow him. Mat. 8.22. and 4.20.22. and 9.9. and 19.27. Luke 18.43. Revelat. 14 4. Iohn 10.4.27.

[Quest. 1] Why is it not enough to suffer, but we must al∣so follow Christ?

[Answ. 1] First, because wee cannot suffer persecution for any other cause: for to beare the Crosse, for error or pride, or vaine glory, or desperation, or the like belongs not at all unto Christ, it being the cause, not the punishment that makes the Mar∣tyr.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, because this is the end of persecuti∣on, it being so hard to follow Christ, that a man cannot do it without some persecution or other; or without crosses in some kind or other. Many are the enemies of Christ and religion, and ther∣fore we must suffer, that so wee may follow our Saviour, which without suffering wee cannot doe: for if a man could follow Christ without persecution, there were then no need that hee should suffer at all.

[Quest. 2] To whom doth it belong to follow Christ, or who must doe it?

[Answ.] This duty of following Christ belongs unto all, and is common to all, none being excepted or exempted, but onely those who exclude them∣selves: Here observe three sorts of men. viz.

First some thinke that sanctity belongs not unto them, but onely unto Ministers; but these must know, that they who follow not Christ in the waies of holinesse, follow the Divell in the waies of wickednesse.

Secondly, some say they have their labours, and employments, and callings to follow; and therefore have neither leasure nor spare time to follow Christ▪ but these must know, that to fol∣low Christ is the principall, and most generall vocation of the soule, and woe bee to him that puts, Christ into the Manger, and post-pones the following of him unto wordly affaires.

Thirdly, some binde themselves Apprentices, and give themselves wholly up to the service of Christ, both in prosperity, and adversity, both in persecution; and peace: And these as the best of the three by much, are to bee imitated.

But it may bee objected, that this dedicating of men unto the service of God, [Object.] doth make them neglect their vocations and callings: And there∣fore is it not to be imitated.

Religion doth not teach this; [Answ.] and therefore they who under colour of Sanctity and professi∣on neglect their callings, doe amisse, and are nei∣ther to bee imitated nor excused. For

First, Religion teacheth us to devote our selves wholly up to the service of the Lord. And

Secondly, to follow our callings in the Lord; because hee hath so ordained, so commanded.

§. 2. He is not worthy of mee. [Sect. 2]

None is worthy of God or Christ; [Object.] and therfore this censure of our Saviours is needlesse.

First, certainely no man in himselfe is worthy [Answ. 1] of God or Christ.

Secondly, without doubt none can repute or [Answ. 2] think themselves worthy of God or Christ, with∣out a great measure of pride: for if any be worthy indeed, then grace is no grace. Rom. 11.

Thirdly, but the Lord is graciously pleased [Answ. 3] to esteeme those who are in grace worthy of him as was shewed before verse 13. Hence wee may then observe.

That those who endeavour to give themselves [Observ. 1] up in love to the service of Christ; Christ will esteeme them as worthy of himselfe by his grace. See before verse 10. and Luke 21.36. Culos. 1.12. and 2 Thes. 1.5.

Why will Christ esteeme such as these wor∣thy? [Quest. 1]

First, because their persons are worthy, both [Answ. 1] in regard of the Covenant contracted betweene the Lord and them; and in regard of their parti∣cipation of Christ; and also in regard of that New Garment of Christs which they have put on.

Secondly, the Lord is pleased to thinke such [Answ. 2] worthy, because the holy Spirit leads them unto worthy workes. Ephes. 4.1. and 3 Iohn 6. Galath. 5.22. And therefore if wee desire that our Lord should thinke us worthy of him, let us walke worthily, bringing forth fruits worthy of a∣mendment of life. Mat. 3.8. Acts. 26.20. Philip. 1.27. Colos. 1.10. and 1 Thessal. 2.12. For I. This God commands. And II. Unto this the Spirit aid•• and assists us.

What is the scope of these words, He is not wor∣thy [Quest. 2] of mee?

First, our Saviour hereby would teach us, why [Answ. 1] others are rejected? namely because they were unworthy. Mat 7.23. and 22.8.

Secondly, our Saviour hereby would teach us, [Answ. 2] why others are unworthy, namely because they despise Christ who gives such great things, for vile, and base things. Whence we learne▪

That it is a most unworthy thing to preferre [Observ. 2] worldly things before Christ. Ierem. 2.13. Ionah 2.8. Esa. 1.4.28. and 1 Samuel 8.8. and 15.11.

How doth it appeare that it is an unworthy [Quest. 3] thing to preferre other things before Christ?

First, because God hath done such great [Answ. 1] things for us. Iohn 3.16.

Secondly, because hee is the living fountaine [Answ. 2] of all good, Ierem. 2.13. Iames 1.17.

Thirdly, because Christ purchased us at so deare a rate; to wit, by his death and suffring.

[Answ. 3] Fourthly, because all worldly things, in re∣gard [Answ. 4] of Christ are base, and vile Philip. 3.8. And therefore to preferre such things, such a God, and Saviour, and Redeemer, is a most unworthy thing.

[Quest. 4] How is Christ to bee preferred before all other things?

[Answ. 1] First, we must admire his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and love of mankinde, which is miserable without his love.

[Answ. 2] Secondly, wee must desire his society and fel∣lowship before all other things. Psalm. 27.5.

[Answ. 3] Thirdly, untill hee come, and reveale himselfe unto us, we must weepe and mourne for his ab∣sence, Like Raebel who would not be comforted. Mat. 2.

[Answ. 4] Fourthly, wee must forsake all worldly things that keep, or hinder us from Christ.