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 Iesus answering said] [Text.]

[Doct.] The Author of this Parable is Iesus Christ, the wisdome of the Father. Parables have God for their Author as well as any other part of holy Scripture, 2 Tim. 3.16. Mat. 13.10, 53 and 21.45. Mar. 4.34.

Their fullnesse, fitnesse, purity, preservation, together with the Churches acceptation and confirmation puts it out of doubt.

[Vse 1] Wherfore acknowledge we Gods goodnesse who doth not onely teach us what is necessary for our salvation by plaine Principles, and affirmative Conclusions, but conde∣scendeth to our capacities in a more familiar and de∣lightfull way, so as to teach us by Comparisons and Similitudes, the better to imprint in our hearts and me∣mories what so nearely concerns us. This God would have his Church take notice of for a speciall favour. Hos. 12.10.

[Vse 2] And it may justifie the practise of such Ministers, who keeping within the bounds of modesty and sobriety, take paines in opening and applying divine Parables to their hearers. If all Scripture be profitable to teach, improve, &c. 2 Tim. 3.16. then these Scriptures; (without questi∣on) Passe wee from the Author to his Manner of deli∣very.

[Text.] [Answering said] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, suspiciens autem Jesus dixit (so the Vulgar reade) As if Christ should make Answer with his eyes lift up to heaven: malè quidem legerunt suspiciens (saith Barradus) legendum enim suscipiens: (And so doe our best Interpreters) Some of our later (Excipiens) Erasmus, Respondens: So wee render it; and that aptly for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth some∣times to answer, or to begin a speech 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Plutarch de des••orat.

He said] Oratoris est dicere, vulgi loqui. There is no

little difference betwixt speaking and saying: Speaking comes by Nature; Saying by Art: Children speake, the Learned say: Christ so spake, as if he said. He spake, and answered. First observe.

[Doct.] Teaching by word of mouth is the most effectuall kind of tea∣ching.

Thus Exo. 20 1. God spake, saying, therefore Act. 7.38. they are called verba viventia, lively oracles: or as some co∣pies have it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sermonem vivum.

For further confirmation of this Position, read 1 Kin. 19 11. Rom. 10.14.17. Act. 10.44. 1 Cor. 1.21. Pro. 28.9. Gal. 3.2.

What thinke you then of that position of Papists:* 1.1 Images are Laymens books? And that of Bellarmine melius interdum docet pictura quam Scriptura.

And what of the conceit of Anabaptists, Familists, and such like; who are of opinion, that the publike mini∣stery is needlesse, they are to depend on Apparitions and Revelations, &c.

As for us, attend we to the Word read and preached; Christ enters in by the Dore, not Window, he leaves that to the hireling. Be ye open ye everlasting dores that the King of glory may enter in.

Notes

• * 1.1

  De Imagie: 10.