2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor… I. THE TRUE VISIBLE CHURCH IS LIKE A GREAT AND KINGLY HOUSE. For, did net the King of kings contrive its platform? lay its foundation? rear its walls? and perfect its building? Doth He not protect it, dwell in it, and prescribe laws to govern it? For its circle, is not that also great, spacious? Doth it not extend itself to the four corners of the world? Who can number the inhabitants of it? or tell the tenth part of this household? Is not its provision wonderful? Do not its servants eat angels' food, bread from heaven, and drink the choicest wines, the water of life? II. IN THE VISIBLE CHURCH ARE GOOD AND BAD PERSONS. III. ALL GOD'S SERVANTS ARE NOT EQUALLY SANCTIFIED. IV. STRONG CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE VESSELS OF GOLD. First, they are resembled to vessels, both good and bad persons; this is common to all. Secondly, unto vessels of gold and silver; this is proper to the good, not the bad. Why to vessels? Because they are capable to receive the water of grace and corruption, as vessels any liquid or solid matter. Again, they are of use in God's house, like vessels in man's. And grown Christians are like golden vessels; for they are rare, precious, pure, glorious; of honour, profit, and will endure the fire, hammer, and come out of the furnace the more purged from tin, dross, corruption. And, as noblemen engrave their arms on the one, so doth God imprint His image on the other. But you will say, How may I know myself to be such? Well enough; for golden vessels have the most fiery trials, endure much hammering, are strongest set on by the devil, have the hottest skirmishes in their captain's army, scatter the words of grace the farthest, and rejoice in the greatest tribulation. V. WEAKER CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE VESSELS OF SILVER. VI. THE WICKED ARE NOT EQUALLY CORRUPTED. VII. PERSONS LESS PROFANE ARE LIKE WOODEN VESSELS. VIII. THE BASEST SORT OF MEN BE LIKE EARTHEN ONES. IX. THE FINAL ESTATE OF MEN IS BUT TWOFOLD. (J. Barlow, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. |
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