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.

A certaine man went downe, [Text.] &c.

First looke we into the Story: (Consider we the words according to the letter) and then after into the Mystery. The Text saith; Homo quidam. A certaine man there was, but who this man was, is left uncertaine.

[Doct.] Scripture sets downe things necessary for Salvation, not for satisfying curiosity. It is well observed that in the books of the Kings and Chronicles, this is often repeated. The rest of the Acts, &c. They are written in the bookes of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iuda, &c. So Ester 10.2. The rest is written in the bookes of the Kings of Persia. As if the Spirit of God should say: I have sufficiently told you here, so farre as may corcerne the Church, and make for your edification in Godlinesse; it is not my manner to sa∣tisfie your curious desires, and lustfull appetites, if you would know more go you to your owne Registers. See 2 Tim. 3.16.

[Vse] Beware we than how we abuse any part of Scripture by jesting or overcurious handling, to please mens humors: This is (as it were) to put the Prophets and Apostles in∣to a Fooles-coat. They are not penned for any other end then to further mans salvation and happinesse And in reading of them let our aime be to profit, and not to passe the time away, True it is there is no History so pleasant as the Sacred: The magnificence and antiquity of the matter, the sweetnesse of compyling, the strange variety of me∣morable occurrences doth sweetly steale away both time and Reader. But let us still remember, the delight in reading is nothing unlesse it be reduced to Ʋse: God penned his Word not to tickle the eare, but to save the soule.

In the Mystery; This certaine man was Adam, and e∣very one that comes from the loynes of Adam; even mans whole nature. Homo enim iste ipse Adam intelligitur in gene∣re humane (saith St. Austine.)

In this Expositors do agree concluding (according to

the truth.) That Adam and, [Doct.] his posterity is the rob'd and spoyled man. See Gen. 3. Ps. 49.12.

[Vse] Let every one then so looke upon himselfe, and thus judge. So did St. Paul, Rom. 7.24. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 O wretched (spoyled) man that I am.

Man by Creation was indeed an admirable creature, the Master-piece of all Gods works, consisting of a mate∣riall body, but as immortall as his soule which was divine and immateriall: his Inside was full of spirituall, his Outside was full of naturall perfection, both carrying the Image of his God, and he in both being the glory of Gods Worke-manship in this inferiour world: Placed in a Paradise, prepared and furnished with all de∣lights and rarities for his entertainement. Such a place as no mans eyes might ever bee so happy as to be∣hold, but his owne: Appointed Lord and Soveraigne over all the creatures upon the Earth, which received their denomination from him, and did their homage most readily unto him. In a word, he was a creature every way so absolutely happy, that unlesse we had againe his first perfections, it is impossible to make com∣pleate relation of his happy and glorious condition.

Thus God made man upright, but he hath sought out many inventions of his owne. Although he was created thus Excellent, yet mutable. He was made good, but change∣ably good: In power of standing, and possibility of fal∣ling: Power of standing he had from God his Creator; possibility of falling from himselfe being a creature; so as that this his estate might be altered and changed by force of temptation.

That the creature (righteous by Creation) may so e∣ternally remain; Two helps, or favours from God, are necessarily required. 1. A power to persevere in goodnesse (for without this Power the creature of it selfe ceaseth to be good.) 2. An act or deed; and that is the will to persevere or perseverance it self. Both these helps the good Angels have, and ther∣fore

kept their standing. Adam received the first of God, but not the Second: For besides the goodnes of his will, he received of God, a power constantly to persevere in goodnes, if he would; Yet the act of perseverance was left to the choice and liberty of his own will; which power he abused, and so falling into the hands of Theeves, the Divel and his Angels, was soon rob'd and spoyled (as we shall see in the Prosecu∣tion)

[Object.] But how had Adam sufficient grace having not the will to will that good he could and might.

[Respon.] He received sufficient for the perfection of his na∣ture; (if he would not have bin wanting to him∣self;) but he received not sufficient grace for the immutability of his nature; nor was that of necessi∣ty to be given to a creature: For then God had created a God (who only hath his Name and Nature I AM: it being only proper to him to be unchangeable good.)

A Gold-Smith makes a Jewell of great valew (saith one) he compounds it of gold, pearls and precious stones, when he hath brought it to perfection he doth not put this property to it, that if it fall it shall not be bruised nor broken: Thus God created man in all perfection, and gave him power and ability to con∣tinue in the same, if he would; yet he did not put unto his nature this condition, that it should be un∣changeable, when it should be assayled by the force of outward temptation (as it was, whence he fell, and as a rob'd and spoyled man now remaines.) Judge not then of Gods goodnes to him by what now he is.

[Vse 2] Nor let any now trust to his own strength and pow∣er; you see the weaknes of man at his best estate without the power of God; he could not avoid the least assault of the Theefe or robber further than he was assisted by Gods good grace; which should cause

us (now much more) to renounce our selves and cleave to God; wholy depending upon his gracious assistance in all our actions and attempts. Let not our false heart deceive us which thinkes to goe beyond the Divell in swallowing of his baite and yet avoid his hook; Worlds of soules perish by this fraud, fondly beguiling them∣selves, whilest they make themselves believe by their wit, and strength, they can beguile the Temp∣ter.

Thus much for the Person spoken of. Next consider we what it is that is said of him.

[Text.] He went downe from Hierusalem to Iericho and fell amongst theeves, &c.

First, we must speake of the termes before we come to other particulars.

Notes

• Dr. Hall
• Aug: Tom: 4. Quest Evang: l: 2. cap: 2.
• Eccles. 7.29.
• Basil: