The good Samaritan; or an exposition on that parable Luke X. ver. XXX----XXXVIII. A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell amongst theeves, &c. By Nehemiah Rogers, preacher of the gospel.

And when he saw him he had compassion on him]

[Text.] He turned not away his face, as the Priest and Levite did, but so lookes upon his wounds as to have his heart affected with his miseries.

First then observe.

[Doct.] The eye affects the heart, Lam 3.51. Pro. 15.30. Psal. 119 158. Act. 17.16. Deut. 28.31, 32, 34. Esay. 1.7. 2 Pet. 2.7.

[Reason.] For the Eye is. 1. Sensus perspicacissimus: of all sen∣ses the quickest of apprehension; It can see the sky and starrs though farre remote; it goes out for a prey and brings it home in an instant, receiving species from the ob∣ject and so bringing home, (according to that of Aristotle) rather then by casting out beames, and darting out the visive faculties to the object (according to the opinion of Plato.)

2. It is Sensus efficacissimus; no sense so firmly imprinteth formes in the Imagination; what it sees once intentively, it sees many daves after.

3. It is Certissimus; things seen are most certainly known, and in that respect they move the more. I saw it, is an evi∣dent testimony: In which respect one Eye-witnesse we preferre (in divers cases) before ten Eare-witnesses.

[Vse 1] What a helpe then to the soule might the Eye be, being well used? But if ill, how great a hinderer? Certain it is the sight hath a marvellous influence into the speeches, thoughts and actions of men, Gen. 3.6. Iosh. 7.21.

2 Sam. 11.2. Most sins begin commonly at the Eyes, Sa∣tan dealing as the Chapman with his wares, who laies them forth upon the Stall that with the sight the buyer may be drawne in to buy, Mat. 4.8. The Eye is the Maid by which he woes the Mistresse. And so on the other side great helps they are to the spirit, when placed upon war∣rantable objects, whence it was (as is conceived) that A∣braham when he would stir up his soule to sorrow for the losse of Sarah, wept in the sight of the dead Corps, Gen. 23.2, 3. that behoulding it, he might be the rather mooved.

Make we then a covenant with our Eyes, as Iob did Cap. 31.1. and place them on such objects as God hath provi∣ded for them, that the soule be not intrapped but bene∣fitted.

First, Lift them up unto the hils, from whence thy salvation commeth, Ps. 121.1. To see God in Christ, is the most plea∣sant and durable object, Exo. 33.21, 22.23 Christ is the rock; when once we are in him, God will cause his glory to passe before us.

Secondly, the Creatures also we may look upon, pro∣vided that we see God in them, Isay. 40.26. Psal. 8.1 — 9 happy we thus to see them▪ or with those, Ioh. 2.23. So to see the works which God hath done, as therby to be the better induced to believe them.

Thirdly, we are to cast our Eyes upon our Brethren in their wants and miseries. Quod non videt oculus cor non dolet. Alexander the Great was reported to have, Cor durum & avarum; but his covetousnesse he overcame by his ambition of command and Empire, and his hardnesse by his Eye-pitty; for he seeing in Greece a great number of poore people that were naked and distressed, the teares trickled from his Eyes (saith Diodorus) and forthwith he tooke order that they should be furnished both with cloths and mony.

You read, Mat. 9.36. that when Christ saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion.

Fourthly, upon our selves: We should looke home∣ward, and with the Bird when she prunes her selfe, turne our Eyes into our own brests: Look on what you will, you may see somewhat that is a brand of your sin and shame; so shall your hearts be the better affected, as was Davids, Ps. 119.136.

Lastly, upon Gods Ordinances we should look; especially in the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper: When we see the Bread broken, and the Wine powred forth, O what a deepe impression should that make? Zach. 12.10.

[Vse 2] Secondly, it sets forth the blessed condition of the faith∣full departed, and taken out of this wretched world: First in regard of what they see not, Isay. 57.2. 2 Kings 22.20. Iosiah had a tender heart, it melted to heare of the threatnings; how would he have endured then to see the miseries of his country and people? therfore God tells him. His eyes shall not see that evill; he will first take him away by death: The like promise did God make to the young child of Ieroboams, 1 King. 14 13. And it was the Prayer of Luther, that he might not live to see the Judgements which he did verily believe God would bring on Germany for their sins, and therin God heard him, for soon after his death, the land was al∣most made desolate by the sword.

Secondly, in regard of what they doe see; though not (as yet) with their bodily Eyes, yet by Vision. But one day both they, and we shall see with these Eyes face to face, Iob 19.27. 1 Iohn 3.1. O think how great then that joy and happinesse shall be, when the Eyes both of soule and body shall be full! If the sight be such a working sense, what impressions then will they make upon the soule. In these respects why should it be thought a thing unlawfull to blesse. GOD for soules de∣parted?

[Vse 3] This is a terrour to wicked ones, who no sooner shall peepe out of their graves, but they shall see

him, whom they have crucified (with the scarrs and wounds in his sides which they have made) come in the cloudes to judge them, to see those they have derided and scorned to be taken up to him; to see all that they have delighted in burning about them, and them∣selves, with those they have drawne into sin (their own Friends, Children, Acquaintance, &c.) to be dri∣ven from Gods presence into everlasting vengeance, how this will affect their hearts, let them in time thinke.

[Vse 4] Lastly, desire we the Lord to cast his Eye upon us, seeing sight worketh so effectually on the heart. We read 1 Sam. 6.5. what advice the Priests of the Philistines gave their Princes who were stroken with Emerods, make Images, say they, of your Emerods, and Images of your Mice, which marre the Land, and you shall give glory to the God of Israell: Peradventure he will lighten his hand from you: Conceiting with themselves (as some con∣ceive) that God but looking upon the similitude of their loathsome disease and grievance (presented before the Arke) his bowels would be mooved with compassion towards them: Sure I am that David thought it enough to shew God his trouble, Psal. 142.2. And to say, As∣pice afflictionem meam, looke upon my affliction and misery, Psal. 25.18. This kind of cunning Martha and Mary used, Behold he is sicke whom thou lovest, Iohn 11.3 And so Hezekiah, 2 King. 19.14, 16. God never casteth his Eye upon any, but there he setleth his affection, and he never setleth his affection without an intention of blessing.

As Christ cured mens bodies with a word, so their souls with a look: He looked upon Saint Peter, and presently he repented: He looked on Zacheus and presently he was justified: He looked on Saint Mathew and presently he was called. Lord look on us miserable sinners that we are, and the bowels of thy compassion will be mooved, and our soules saved.