Christ ver 16. 2 That no man should dare to think as if there were any contradiction in these and such like Scriptures as Faustus the Manichee did who did deny this Gospel to be penned by Matthew and denied this Sentence to be any of Christ's words because it is false that Christ did not destroy the Ceremonies seeing Christians do not observe them Consider the Law having no place in justification and nothing contrary to the Law of the New Testament in point of meats days or ceremonies we ought with Paul to think it holy just and good Ob. But if the law be thus fulfilled what shall we think of the ten Commandements Answ The Decalogue or ten Commandements is part of the Law of nature Rom. 2.15 Which shew the works of the Law written in their hearts Yea every command of them was observed before the giving of the Law upon Mount Sinai even the command of the Sabbath Exod. 16.29 now they being the Law of nature are to be observed for example it s writ in every mans heart that there is a God and that this God is one and that he is the immediate object of worship and that his name is to be sanctified c. All the question is about the Sabbath or seventh day from the creation which is put to an end Col. 2.16 yet is it written in every mans heart that if God be to be worshipped there must be a time for his worship and if it be left to the scantling of every carnal mans heart it will be little enough yea in time it will come to nothing among such it remains then that godly men as they have it writ in their hearts to give God a time so that they give him that time which the Churches at Corinth and Galatia and Troas gave unto him and as they so doubtless all the Apostolical Churches This was the day which the Spirit calls the Lords day as like phrases call the Lords table the Lords body the Lords supper whereto that speech of Psal 118.24 hath respect This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad herein For all the rest of the Commands as the obedience of inferiours to superiours and that every man shall enjoy his own wife life state and good name c. is writ in every mans heart Moreover for that of the Sabbath the distinction of divers of the Rabbins is to be observed viz. one thing is commanded in these words Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath the cause of which holy worship is a thankful remembrance of the creation of the world another thing is commanded in these words The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do not manner of work this rest respecting their servitude in Aegypt belongs to the Hebrews onely Exod. 31.13 remembring their own servitude in Aegypt they should handle their own servants gently which also was the opinion of Irenaeus l. 4. c. 30. and Eusebius l. 1. c 4. so that to distinguish rightly we must distinguish the commands of worship and the commands of rest as by their causes so by their times The Christians observed the Sabbath and had their assemblies thereon in which assemblies the Law was read Acts 15.21 which continued to the Council of Laodicea to whom it seemed better that that day the Gospels should be read and therefore from the ancient fathers Balsamon observs that almost in all things the Sabbaths were equal'd to the Lords days which two days Nyssen calls brethren Also Justin Martyr against Tripho before Abraham there was no need of circumcision nor before Moses of the celebration of the Sabbath feasts and offerings p. 186. Asterius cals them a beautiful couple also Clement Const l. 7. c. 24. saith Keep holy the Sabbath day and the Lords day because this is dedicated to the memory of the creation the other to the memory of the resurrection also cap. 8. he saith let servants labour five days but on the Sabbath day and Lords day let them wait on the doctrine that makes to Godliness in the Church In the ancient Church they had a custome not to fast on the Sabbath because it was a day of gladness except on the Sabbath that was before the burial of Christ Ignat ad Philip Tertul. de jejun and therefore Eusebius mentions that Constantine forbade Christians to be summoned to law on the Sabbath no less then on the Lords day because those days were dedicated to holy assemblies and therefore whereas some think from that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of the Sabbaths the Lords day is placed into the room of the Sabbath they are deceived seeing there is no mention hereof by Christ or the Apostles Now when the Christians observed these two days viz. the Sabbath and Lords day they did not do it of any command of God or of the Apostles but by voluntary consent by the power of liberty given to them unless I should add by divine example which is not of little force see Jer. 26.18 Unless we add that the spirit calls the day of worship the Lords day Rev. 1.10 on this day there was a meeting of all that dwelt in the City and Country though he call it Sunday Justin Apol. 2. Q. Whether to these ten commandements as the law of nature may not other commands of the Gospel be refer'd A. Yes to the first we may refer all those commands which forbid the least shew of worship to be given to false Gods 1 John 5.21 and that the true God alone be worshipped John 17.3 1 Cor. 8.6 To the second command we may refer all commands forbidding resemblances of God and the worshipping of God through any mean which himself hath not instituted Matth. 6.24 Ephes 5.5 Phil. 3.19 To the third command we may refer the due sanctification of the name of God Matth. 6.9 and to keep our words in the bounds of yea and nay Matth. 5. â—4 Jam. 5.12 To that of the Sabbath we may refer that certain hope concerning the rest in heaven the taste whereof we have in peace of conscience Heb. 4.9 10 11. To the fifth we may refer all honour due to Princes Rom. 13.1 2 3 6 7. to Masters Col. 3.22 to Husbands Eph. 5.22 to Pastors 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.17 To the sixth command all wrath and hatred which are the seeds of murthers Matth. 5.22 1 Joh. 3.15 To the seventh command are reckoned all impurities and all divorces without the cause of adultery Matth. 19.9 To the command against theft are refer'd not only those commands which forbid us to hurt the goods of others but that we should profit them Col. 3.25 1 Cor. 12.7 To the ninth is refer'd those commands which caution us against lying and enjoyn us a continual care of truth Eph. 4.24 25. To the tenth are refer'd the commands of quenching inordinate motions Gal. 5.24 Eph. 5.22 23. the baits of which concupiscence are wealth honour
the Spirit into the Wilderness So that in the same day he was baptized he began his Fast of forty days He was led of the Spirit 2 His Tentation is set down from the efficient Cause v. 12. the Spirit He was led of the Spirit or driven or cast out by the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Mark or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 led away or snatched away These phrases set down the violent impulsion and force of the Spirit in his heart as appears Luke 4.1 Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the Wilderness It was not then Satan that led him but the Spirit of God Whether carried through the air as Elias 2 Kings 2.16 and Ezekiel cap. 3.12 and Philip when he was taken from the Eunuch or whether he went on his feet I leave it in the midst but from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sursum and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 duco I incline to think he was carried up into the air 3 Whither he was led viz. Into the Wilderness It 's like the great Wilderness where he was with the wilde Beasts yet are not any persons to live in Wildernesses now for Penance for though every action of Christ be for our instruction yet is it not for our imitation What popish Eremite is so carried as Christ was Christ went into the Wilderness to testifie his divine glory in abstinence not onely from flesh but from all manner of meat which hath no place in Eremites he went to be tempted of the Devil and therefore chose the fittest place even a solitary Wilderness We pray that we may not be led into Tentation If there were any such end of an Eremitical or Wilderness Life as Penance yet were it meet to be profest rather among men than beasts that they who have beheld our Fall may behold our Repentance And if the Warrant of a Wilderness Life be fetcht from the Example of Christ it must of necessity be shut up in the space of forty days and forty nights after the end of which forty days Temptation he lived the rest of his life in the society of men To be tempted of the Devil This was the end Christ was led into the Wilderness Christ was thus tempted first that he might be fitted for his Ministry by Tentations for knowledg of Tentations is one great requisite to make an able Teacher 2 To shew with what Weapons a Christian ought to oppose the Temptations of the Devil 3 That he might be succouring and helpfull to us in our Tentations Heb. 2.17 For that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted 4 To shew that Christ is stronger than Satan in time of Tentation 1 John 4.4 Christians overcome because greater is he that is in them than he that is in the World 5 That we may come unto him with boldness and confidence seeing he was in all the principal points of Tentations tempted as well as we Heb. 4.15 16. He was in all points tempted like unto us let us come therefore unto him with boldness 6 Satan tempted Christ that in overcoming Christ he might hinder the Work of our Redemption by drawing him to sin for the high Priest that was to redeem us was to be holy and harmless and undefiled Heb. 7.26 7 That by his combating with Satan he might obtain victory to us John 14. ult 8 To let young Converts see that after Baptism that is the profession of a sincere and holy life Temptations hang over such 9 To let us see that bare Tentations are not sins unless we give our consent to them Satans Temptations to evil are our crosses and Satan's sins provided we groan under them and oppose them In holy men God works a distaste of Satans Temptations yet may a Saint have as horrid thoughts cast into his heart as the Devil can invent who is indeed the great temptation-master 10 That we by Christ his Example may learn to fight it out with Satan and not to give way like valiant Souldiers that stand and maintain their ground against their Adversary Ephes 6.11 Put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Learn we from this seeing Christ was led or driven of the Spirit to his Tentation that we do not rashly cast our selves into Tentations because we know not what weakness we may shew therein V. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights he was afterwards an hungred When he had fasted forty days Christ his temptation is amplified from the concomitants that accompanied his temptation which was prayer and fasting Because fasting kindles prayer therefore he used fasting as Moses and Elias had communion with the Lord miraculously Exod. 24.18 forty days and forty nights 1 King 19.8 so had Jesus Christ From hence Papists stablish Lent They say Christ his example is a command for us but by this reason all the miracles of Christ should be instead of a command but who can imitate Christ in miracles Moses at the receiving of the Law and Eliah at the restoring of it and Christ the restorer of the new Law fasted forty days apiece but what is this to us The example of Moses and Elias gave no warrant to the Jews to imitate that fast no more doth Christs fast give warrant to us to imitate that 2 There is great difference between Christ his fasts and Papists for Christ fasted but once they yearly Christ abstained from all meat and drink they onely from flesh and that which comes of it Christ abstained from food without need or appetite to it they hunger when they fast Besides in their fasts the Shambles are onely chang'd into Fishmarkets or into Grocers and Comfit-makers shops which are more pampering to the flesh Luke saith that in those forty days Christ did eat nothing Luke 4.2 but they eat every day Now for the fast of Christ it was supernatural For to fast above seven days is death for though sick persons in whom there is abundance of slimy phlegm and their natural heat is weak may live above seven days without meat for they are nourished of the moisture of the body and phlegm which the little heat in their body doth slowly eat up Yet man naturally cannot live without meat seven days because for want of nourishment the natural heat dies As the fire of a Lamp is put out for want of oyl the body also being dried becomes unfit that the soul should inform it besides the bowels as Hippocrates observes wanting chylous moisture growes together and then the man dies For Christ his divine power did keep his body strong without hunger and did likewise suspend the action of natural heat and other contrary qualities weakning one another and in the mean time afforded strength and animal spirits to the head and brain which were necessary to the
than he that is in the World Isai 43.1 2 When thou goes through fire and water the Lord will be with thee Rom 8.37 We are more than Conquerours How We are sure of Victory before we fight 1 Cor 10.13 5 There 's a day coming when God will reckon with all Persecutours Psalm 9.12 When he maketh inquisition for Bloud he remembereth them God will inquire who slew Hooper Bradford c. who articled against such and such who brought them before Ecclesiastical Courts High-Commissions Committees Assizes Sessions Psalm 12.5 For the sighing of the Prisoner will I arise 2 Thess 1.6 6 A great deal of good comes to Christians by suffering Persecution 1 Hereby affections come to be loosened from the World and to be fastened upon God Psalm 142.4 5 2 Christians formerly loosened one from another come now to be fastened The Children of one Father that fall out among themselves are soon united against a common Enemy 3 Persecutions tend to the furtherance of the Gospel Phil 1.12 1 By propagation or spreading of the truth Upon Stephen his Persecution many of the Brethren preached the Word of God far and near Acts 11.19 and the hand of the Lord was with them v. 21 to convert many 2 By confirmation of those who are weak in faith Phil 1.12 Many of the Brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the Word without fear 3 Hereby the World sees that God hath Worshippers who do not cleave unto him for worldly advantage Whiles for the hope of Israel they are bound with Chains Acts 28.20 and will not accept of Deliverance out of most painfull sufferings in hope of a better Resurrection Heb 11.35 7 Consider the cause for which thou sufferest set down 1 By the goodness of it Acts 5.41 Rejoycing they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Rom 8.36 For thy sake we are killed all the day long Revel 1.9 John was in the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ This cause is more worth than thousands of my Life 2 By the clearness It is not wrapt up in consequences and must have Sophisters to fetch it out but it 's clear Dan 3.16 the three Children said O Nebuchadnezzar we are not carefull to answer thee in this O King as if he should say We desire no clearer cause to lose our Bloud in It 's a comfort in suffering clearly to see our way 3 By the fewness of Witnesses and multitudes of Adversaries 2 Tim 1.15 4.16 when Paul came to witness before Nero all those of Asia forsook him at his first Answer 8 Consider the wofull condition that will befall Persecutours 1 Their strokes and malice falls on Christ Zach 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine Eye Acts 9.6 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 2 They have extreme horrour of conscience Jer 20.2 3 Pashur was a Persecutour he smote Jeremiah and put him in the Stocks and God threatens to make him a terrour to himself and to all his friends Zedekiah who smote Micaiah 2 Kings 22.24 in a day of trouble goes from chamber to chamber to hide himself Herod was tormented with John's death 3 Such persons as persecute have upon them at present an evident token of perdition as you that suffer persecution have of salvation Phil 1.28 4 The people of God every where are imploring God against Persecutors Luke 18.7 Shall not God avenge his own clect that cry unto him daily I tell you he will avenge them and that right speedily Herod might have lived long had it not been that the Church was imploring God against him Acts 12.5 Lam 5.59 60 61 c. 5 Persecutors come to fearfull ends Acts 12.23 Herod was eaten up of worms Jezabel thrown out of a window and eaten up of dogs why She slew the Prophets of God Revel 6.9 10 11. 6 They are branded with infamy to posterity 2 Ti. 4.14 Alexander the Coppersmith did me much evil and greatly withstood my words Elimas Acts 13.10 there 's present information given among the godly who persecute 7 All godly men rejoice at the downfall of persecutors the Jews teasted when Haman was hanged When the wicked perish there is shouting Prov. 11.10 Let not this joy be out of personal hatred but because justice is glorified the Church delivered and Satans kingdome weakned 9 Submit to the providence of God in all persecutions and look to it for 1 If the hairs of our heads are noted by God much more our lives Matth. 10.29 30. 2 Persecutours cannot touch the soul Matth. 10.28 3 Our times Eberties estates are not in the hands of persecutors but in Gods hand Psal 31.13 14 15.83.4.5 Revel 2.10 for it is God gives us our cup to drink John 18.11 as mastiff dogs fall upon men when their chain is unloosed so do wicked men upon Saints when God unlooses his cham of providence 4 As in active obedience we labour that what we do may please God so in passive obedience endeavour that what God doth may please us 2 Sam. 15.25 26. Behold here I am let him do to me as seemeth him good Mark 14.36 Take away this cup from me nevertheless not my will but thine be done 1 Sam. 3.17 It is the Lord let him do what seems him good 5 In all persecutions and sufferings commit thy soul to God desire him to take care of that so Christ Luke 23.46 Father into thy hands I commit my spirit so Stephen Acts 7.59 As in times of extremity we commit our jewels into the hands of trusty friends when houses are on fire and there are combustions men have principal respects to their jewels and gold oh that I could save that The worst persecutors can do is to take away life when the body dies it 's like the setting of the Sun which in short time rises again Therefore in all persecutions commit your soul to God in well-doing 1 Pet. 4.19 as into the hands of a father We reade of many deceits in Scripture but we never reade of a father that beguiled his childe We must also commit our bodies and goods to God but we must be at a point with these if God will have them but we must not be so with our souls 6 Beware of indirect means of escaping that persecution which providence casts thee into In particular beware of cowardliness compliancy to great friends and kindred base shisting tricks and distinctions gluedness of heart to earthly things 2 Tim. 4.16 Imitate Antipas who held the faith though sure to die for it Revel 2.13 7 Consider that all second causes are onely instruments in the hand of God The wicked are called Gods sword Psalm 17.13 the staff in their hand is Gods indignation Esai 10.5 6. Who gave Jacob to the spoil and Israel to the robbers did not the Lord Esai 42.24 25. 2 Samuel 16.12 2 Use Consolation In sufferings and persecutions you have a kingdome
draw out some words that shall be against the Governours or the Laws of the place where you live Matth. 22.15 16 17. 2 Take heed of feigned and treacherous men who shall bring you to Councils Psal 55.12 13 14. 3 Of enticing men who shall perswade you by flatteries to deny the faith Dan. 11.32 34. 4 Take heed of all natural men indefinitely It behoves Christians to stand upon their guard seeing all men naturally have an hatred unto them therefore must we beware of them though they be civil and courteous For they will deliver you up to the Councils Not onely unto the Council of three and twenty but also to the great Synedrium or the Council of 70. of which mention was made cap. 5.23 so was Peter and John Acts 4.7.5.27 and Stephen Acts 6.12 And they will scourge you in their Synagogues Acts 5.40 Peter and John were so scourged Heb. 11.36 For even by Synagogues civil Courts were meant 1 Machab. 7.12 Of this mention is made Acts 5.21 The high Priest came and they that were with him and called the Council together and all the Senate of the children of Israel The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Eldership of the children of Israel Because the things they acted against the Apostles seemed to be dangerous to the Commonwealth they took the voices and advices of the chief men herein they joyned the Senate of the City with the Senate of the people This was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great Synagogue So that Christ his speech ascends higher then before so that his meaning is You shall not only be brought before ordinary Consistories but extraordinary Conventions and Assemblies shall be called together to try you Before this extraordinary Convention the Apostles were beaten with rods V. 18. And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake for a testimony against them and the Gentiles And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings Christ still ascends higher in his speech to wit that for the witness of his truth they should be brought before Governours and Kings By Governors he means Vice roys and Governors of Nations Provinces and also before Kings that depute such Governours For the distinction of Governours from Kings see 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man whether unto the King as excelling the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or unto Governours as to those that are sent of him Besides when Christians have been condemned by Councils the execution of them hath been by secular powers as in Queen Maries raign and now under the Spanish inquisition Yea many times Princes have themselves sate in judgment against Christians as the Emperour Sigismond c. When Christians shall thus be brought before Kings and Governours Christ would have his Disciples not to be dazled with the glister of earthly Majesty but to be of undanted spirits when they come before them as Paul was before Nero 2 Tim. 4.17 Thus Paul was brought prisoner to Faelix and Festus Acts 23.24 Peter and James to King Herod Agrippa Under pretence of Law civil judicatories condemn and execute Christians For my sake Because ye preach me to be the Messias and that through faith in me all that believe shall obtain remission of sins We should look to the cause why we suffer even that we suffer for Christ Hence Peter and John rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name 1 Pet. 4.14 15 16. If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed Rom 8.36 For thy sake we are killed all the day long Meaning in one place or other either actually or by way of sympathy Indeed the Princes and Councils of the world have other pretences for their malice against Christians but the true cause is for the sake of Christ But if we be brought before Kings and Governours let it be onely for the sake of Christ Let none of you suffer as thieves and murtherers and busie-bodies c. 1 Pet. 4 15. For a testimony against them and the Gentiles That is to witness against the Council and the great Convention of the Jews and to witness for me against the Rulers and Kings of the earth Your imprisonment whipping and death shall witness both to Jew and Gentile Qu. But how or wherein Answ 1 That you have witnessed the truth before them and therefore that you are free from their blood 2 They shall witness your ingratitude in the day of Christ and their faithfulness 3 They shall be inexcusable in the day of judgement when they shall alledge they knew not Christ Moses went to Pharaoh Exod. 7.3 and Isai to a stubborn people c. 6.9 so Ezekiel c. 2.2 to v. 8. That they might be without excuse 4 They shall be witness against you for not believing their Message The Lord will call out Peter and say Didst not thou warn the Jews and to Paul Didst not thou warn the Gentiles the Romans and Faelix and Agrippa he will say Yes Lord but they would not believe but instead of receiving our Message they whipt and imprisoned us Was it so will the Lord say and the unbeliever will then be speechless What follows Christ will say Depart thou cursed into everlasting fire 5 As wounds and scars testifie the constancy valour and faithfulness of Souldiers to their Prince or General so Prisons whippings torments shall testifie the faithfulness of Christians to Christ Luke 21.13 V. 19. But when they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak Here is a consolation when they should be brought to answer before Kings and Governours that the Spirit should pour into their mindes what they should speak Take no thought how or what ye shall speak Not as if we were in this case to be careless stupid or negligent but Christ means we should not be carkingly carefull or over fearfull The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 21.14 Settle it in your hearts before hand not to meditate what you shall answer in which Christ doth not forbid all foregoing meditation but that which hath a distrust of the providence and help of Christ And all laborious preparation such as is used in speeches and oratory and therefore Mark hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the like sense Christ forbad carefulness for the morrow Matth. 6.25 that is perplexing and distracting carking Therefore those who are daily in expectation of suffering in their questions and torments should be much in prayer that God would give them wisdom to answer and courage to suffer For it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak That is if any thing be wanting in you the Spirit shall supply it and suggest it to you Acts 6.10 The Libertines were not able to resist the Spirit by which Stephen spake Luke 21.15 I will give you a
love of sinfull correspondency make unhappy discoveries this way Mic. 7.5 Trust not in a friend put not confidence in a brother 4 Beware of purposing to turn back into the waies of errour because of the opposition we finde in Gods wayes If once we put our hand to Gods plow we are not to look back Luke 9.62 5 Beware of a cowardly giving way to the opposers of the truth Jeremy complained there were some were not valiant for the truth Jer. 9.3 Contrary Paul would not give place by subjection to the false Teachers no not for an hour Gal. 2.5 that the truth of the Gospel might continue If any man should intrench upon your names estates relations you would contend against them and not spare your purses in this case let us be like minded in matters of Religion so Nehemiah c. 6.9 11 15. To this the Apostles exhort Phil. 1.27 28. Jude 3. It was well said by Luther I will not fly God assisting nor leave the word of God in the front of the battel I had rather burn among the living coals then stink halfe alive if not altogether dead Reason thus either the cause is Gods or not if not why stir we a foot in it if it be why go we not thorow with it 6 Let all that are godly be united among themselves if not in a same opinion yet in a charitable affection and united conjunction to oppose wickedness and to stand for holiness Divide and overcome was the old maxime There 's a story of a Father that gave a quiver of arrows to his sons and bad them break them being united in the quiver but they could not he bad each of them after to take out a single arrow and then any one of them could break them he made the application that so long as his sons were united none could hurt them but when disjoyned and severed one from another they became a prey to all I may apply this fitly to all Saints who are the subjects of the worlds rage Psalm 133.1 3 Use Consolation to saints under much opposition They in this world have little peace but in heaven there remains a rest for them Heb. 4.10 11. Rev. 14.13 Yet as the weather-beaten mariner in sight of his Haven is comforted in the hopes of his arrival therein where he shall have an end of all storms so we being tossed under a continual storm should comfort our selves by faith and hope in the haven of our rest To these contentious persons that obey not the truth but oppose the professors of it there will be tribulation Rom. 2.7 8. but to thee who by a patient continuance in well-doing goes on there will be peace Christians are apt sometimes to grow passionate under the oppositions of the world Jer. 15.10 Woe is me saith Jeremy that thou hast born me a man of contention and strife to the whole earth but this is our comfort 2 Thes 1.6 7. It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels V. 35. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law Obj. But what seems more monstrous then this Text Christ seems to overturn all Laws which ordain honour and love of children to their parents Christ contrary comes to set them at variance Answ The nearest end of Christ his coming was by his doctrine to unite hearts but the separation mentioned here was an accidental end The world cannot indure the Gospel but hate all that receive it so that the argument is he that stirs up strife and variance is guilty of sin but Christ doth so therefore he is guilty of sin Answ The proposition is true by it self the assumtion is true onely by accident else it s false for what a blessed peace should we have would every man receive the Gospel Obj. It s said of John Baptist He shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just Answ This is the proper end of the Gospel if wicked men hindred it not but the contrary through wicked mens malice oft falls out Gods children may retort those words which Eliah did to Ahab to the wicked of the world 1 Kings 18.17 18. Art not thou he that troubles Israel Eliah answered I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy fathers house in that ye have forsaken the commandment of the Lord as Joshua said to Achan Jos 7.25 Why hast thou troubled us the Lord shall trouble thee this day The cause why the world troubles the Saints is because they witness against their evil John 7.7 The world cannot hate you but me it hateth because I testifie of it that the works thereof are evil There 's no bond so strait which the Gospel will not break in sunder through the corruption of wicked mens hearts See it Jer 12.6 For even thy brethren and the house of thy father even they have dealt treacherously with thee they have called a multitude after thee believe them not though they speak fair words unto thee One part of the trial of Christians is to be exercised with contentions when the Lord calls his people from the wicked of the world 2 Cor. 6.15 16 17. Come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing and I will be your God and ye shall be my sons The world thinks this an intolerable wrong to make a departure the mother is angry with her daughter for it and the daughter with the mother yea sometimes a Church with a member and casts him out for this because he will preserve his conscience pure Church-communion is an high priviledge but to sin against conscience is too high a price for it V. 36. And a mans foes shall be they of his own houshold Christ had in part set forth the variance the Gospel brings not of it self for Christ is the Prince of peace Esa 9.6 The Gospel of it self is the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 Believers are the children of peace and follow after it 1 Pet. 3.11 but by accident in that wicked men will not suffer their superstitions and wickedness to be reproved he comes to close up all that a mans enemies shall be they of his own houshould The unconverted wife or servant will oppose the converted husband and master as Christ had prepared his Disciples in the former verse against the enmity of kindred and neighbours which words were in part taken out of Jer. 9.4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour and trust ye not in any brother for every brother will utterly supplant and every neighbour will walk with slanders So now Christ prepares his Disciples against all enmity which shall be in their own houses Some times the childe is angry with
escape the danger of death for the profession of Christ so Peter to save his life denied that he knew Christ Shall lose it that is unless with Peter he repent of his treachery upon a sincere repentant purpose to dye in truth for the confession and profession of the name of Christ our former treacheries we believing pardon in Christ and bewailing them shall not be charged upon us Whatsoever men talk of faith we see none are saved but Martyrs those that either actually or habitually in the preparation of their hearts do dye for Christ Hence sprange those noble resolutions of sundry of the Saints Acts 20.24.21.13 Gal. 6.14 2 Cor. 4.11 12. Rev. 2.13.12.11 Tertul. in Scorpiaco cap. 11. saith he hath found his life that hath denied Christ by gaining life but he shall destroy it in hell he that thinks in denying to gain his life shall lose it at present qui confessus occiditur he that confesses is kill'd but he shall finde his life into an everlasting life How can we better expend our life then to lay it out for Christ which in a short time will dye of it self how many lay down their lives for the Princes of the world and shall not we dye for Christ And he that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it that is had rather dye then deny the profession of my truth and Gospel they shall finde it in the day of the resurrection this is not easie as men think Thy letters pleased me not because I smelt in them I know not what spiritual presumption do not boast that thou wilt do and suffer many things for the word of God he that stands let him take heed that he fall not Thou hast not yet fought with death It s not so easie a thing as it is easily spoken of it c. Therefore walk in the fear of God and contempt of thy self and pray God that he would do all thy works and thou do nothing but be a sabbath to Christ Luth. Tom. 2 epist fol. 62. ad Gabrielem Didimum Pastorem Aldinburgensem Learn we then to contemn our life for the witness of Christs truth Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives unto the death and so overcame by the word of their Testimony If life be to be contemned much more are estates friends and liberties for the cause of Christ seeing nothing is more dear unto us then life Happy is that day happy is that death with joy and chiefest thankfulness if at any time it fall out that I be apprehended and be destroyed in that cause Tom. 2.302 When one Christian is slain ten are begotten Luth. V. 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Here is the last suffering which the Disciples might fear viz. That no man would receive them being so miserable to this Christ saith Look as there will be those who will receive me and my Father so will there be those who will receive you to their houses and that kindness they do to you I will take it as done to my self Matth. 25.40 What good man would shut out Jesus Christ no more will they shut out you Look as in the receiving of an Ambassadour the King is received in receiving him Preachers are Ambassadours for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 Therefore in receiving them Christ is received All believers are members of his body in the happiness of whom the head is wont to sympathize Thus was Paul at first received by the Galatians as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus Gal. 4.14 15. They being willing to have given their eyes unto him Preachers and other godly men might in the midst of so much hatred of the world be ready to think how shall we do to live therefore Christ opens the doors of all godly men to them to excite them whereto Christ proposes a great reward so that as the Princes of the world reward the kindnesses that are done to their Ambassadours and friends so and much more will Jesus Christ Receiveth him that sent me as if he should say he that receiveth my Apostles receiveth me and not onely me but also him that sent me Now he that receiveth God receiveth everlasting blessedness much whereof is seated in the beholding of God We may see wherein the Law of hospitality consisteth not in keeping open house for tag and rag but in the receiving the Messengers and Saints of Christ Luke 14.12 They cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the Resurrection of the just Heb. 13.2 Be not forgetfull to entertain strangers for some thereby as Lot and Abram have entertained Angels unawares Take heed your hearts grudge not at the charge of receiving such 1 Pet. 4.9 Remember Gaius who was not onely Pauls host but also the host of the whole Church Rom. 16.23 In receiving such we are fellow helpers to the truth 3 Epist of John v. 8. It was the wickedness of Diotrephes v. 9. That he would not receive the apostle nor yet the poor Saints but cast those out of the Church that did receive them When at the day of Christ Christ shall acknowledge himself to have been relieved in his Saints many hard hearted men will wish they had received him V. 41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous mans reward Here 's a second consolation against fear of not receiving taken from the Reward that will redound to such as shall receive good men Quest What is meant by Prophet Answ One that is enabled to expound the prophetical places of Scriptures There are three sorts of Disciples here mentioned 1 Apostles v. 40. The second sort are Prophets 3 Righteous men In general by Prophets he means Teachers of the Gospel these are in several places put next to the Apostles Ephes 2.20 Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Ephes 3.5 Which in other ages was not made known as it is now revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets Ephes 4.11 He gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets 1 Cor. 12.28 First Apostles secondarily Prophets These Prophets are distinguished from righteous men as a sort of men abounding in spiritual wisdom 1 Cor. 12.29 Are all Apostles are all Prophets 1 Cor. 14.37 If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spiritual man So here in the Text they are distinguished from ordinary righteous men by the name and by the reward Now for Prophets we finde them in several of the Churches as at Rome Rom. 12.6 He that prophesieth let him prophesie according to the proportion of faith At Antioch also Acts 13.1 there was in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers as Barnabas Simeon Lucius Manaen Saul In the Church at Jerusalem there was Judas and Silas Acts 15.32 who being Prophets exhorted Acts 11.27 the
nature hence we had need look our actings be sincere Job 10.4 Hast thou carnal eys as man or seest thou as man sees Had we men onely to look upon us we might trifle as we would but we cannot beguile God Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do man looks upon the appearance God upon the heart 1 Sam. 16.7 Rom. 1.9 Paul served God in his spirit Joh. 4.23 24. They that serve him must serve him in spirit and truth those that are built up a spiritual house must offer spiritual sacrifice 1 Pet. 2.5 5 There shall be a general discovery of the secrets of all hearts Luk. 12. take heed of hypocrisie why For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed nor hid that shall not be known The very counsels of the hearts shall be opened 1 Cor. 4.5 Eccl. 12.14 6 The comfort of sincerity at all times especially in an evil day at all times sincerity comforts when enemies accuse Psal 139.1 The widow had more comfort in giving her two mites then all they that had given large gifts One shilling given sincerely is more comfortable then pounds given vain-gloriously Luk. 1.75 Especially this comforts in an evil time Isai 38.3 Psal 112.4 7 8. In that time conscience will not so much ask what you have done as to whom you have done it In that day those things wherein we have had most respect unto God and least unto men will bring most comfort Hezekiah had done much for God but his chief comfort was not the things done as the manner of doing them Many have received righteous men but they will have comfort that have received righteous men as such 7 Sincerity gives a lustre and beauty to the services we do Luk. 1.6 Zachary and Elizabeth are said to be righteous before God Paul praises the graces of the Thessalonians that they were in the sight of God and our father 1 Thes 1.3 Hezekiah is commended that he turned his face to the wall and wept Isai 38.2 Hence all the duties of worship are required to be in sincerity as prayer Psal 145.18 hearing 1 Pet. 1.2 receiving 1 Cor. 5.8 yea all our service in holiness and righteousness must be before him Luk. 1.75 So that as the varnish gives a lustre to the picture the diamond to the ring so doth sincerity to our actions As hypocrisie stains all a mans actions as the burning of his body the parting with all his goods to the poor so sincerity adorns them a Ministers preaching a Tradesmans dealing a Magistrates governing a Servants working 8 There 's nothing will carry us through variety of temptations but sincerity so that sooner or later we shall discover our selves if we be not sincere as Saul Jehu Judas c. 1 Tim. 5.52 They that are otherwise cannot be hid 9 God takes pleasure delight in the sincerity of his servants Jer. 5.3 Are not thine eys upon the truth Ps 51.6 Thou desirest truth in the inward parts Such are Gods delight Prov. 11.20 Sincere men whether present with God or absent from him labour to be accepted of him 2 Cor. 5.9 If such souls pray God delights in their prayer Prov. 15.8 10 The Saints are wont to be jealous of the want of this grace above any other Psal 139.24 Try me and search me O Lord see if there be any way of wickedness in me Job 13.23 Make me to know my transgression and my sin Saints know the comfort of sincerity is great the corruptions that hinder it many the trials and sufferings to preserve it not a few hence are they so jealous of themselves hence the Disciples hearing that one of them should betray Christ all the eleven that were sincere suspected themselves Master is it 1 The ground of this jealousie in sincere souls is because they finde so much crookedness and falshood in particular actions hence they doubt lest they should be unsound in the main yea they know their comfort or misery doth in a great measure depend hereon 11 No Preacher under heaven can speak comfort to a person in an evil day unless he be sincere Job 33.23 The Interpreter one of a thousand declares comfort unto a sick man but how doth he it Even by declaring unto him his uprightness Afflicted souls send to Preachers in an evil day we speak peace to them if they be upright Prov. 2.7 He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly Prov. 10.9 He that walks uprightly walks surely 12 All sincere souls and none else have cause to rejoyce in God Psal 97.11 Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart Yea all such are bid to rejoyce in God Psal 32.11 Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Though they have many imperfections hanging upon them and though their grace be sometimes like a grain of Mustard seed yet are they to rejoyce Many poor Christians are apt to be discouraged by their failings yet know that sincerity may stand with the having many weaknesses but not with the allowing excusing maintaining wilfull winking or denying of any All sins which we acknowledge and defend not are pardoned but the sin which is defended is unpardonable Luth. Tom. 3. Lat. 104. Others are discouraged because of their fruitlesness let this humble thee not discourage thee Because thou brings forth fruit onely thirty fold and not sixty charge thy self with weakness and negligence not with hypocrisie Grounds why sincere souls have cause to rejoyce in God 1 Such have their sins pardoned Psal 32.1 2. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute iniquity but who is that viz. in whose spirit there is no guile that is no allowance of guile or no reign of guile for in the holiest heart there is but too much guile Isai 63.8 Surely they are children that would not lye therefore was he their Savior 2 The more the afflictions and disasters of such abound the more in Gods time shall comforts abound Job 8.20 Behold God will not cast off the perfect man Psal 97.11.112.4 3 Such persons have the special presence of God determined unto them Psal 11.7 His countenance doth behold the upright Psal 140.13 The upright shall dwell in thy presence Job 13.16 he also is my salvation but an hypocrite shall not come before him that is into Gods special presence as I do and other Saints 4 God hath special care to protect such in time of danger 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect with him Isai 33.15 He that walketh uprightly his place of defence shall be the munition of rocks 5 In the dispensation of rewards among professing people in this life God hath special respect to those who are sincere Psal 18.23 24. I was upright before him therefore hath the Lord
therefore Matthew Mark and Luke say As a Dove and like a Dove It 's like it was of a fiery matter as the fiery Tongues were The Spirit appears in the likeness of a Dove to shew that that Spirit that was in Christ was full of meekness Isai 42.1 2 3. I have put my Spirit upon him the bruised Reed shall he not break nor smoaking Flax shall he not quench See Matth. 11.29 Again a Dove represents the Graces of the Spirit Isai 11.2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him to shew the innocency purity and charity in Christ A Dove was the sign of the Reparation of the World after the Floud and here it is a sign of Reconciliation by Christ This Dove was a fit Resemblance to this Lamb of God for as the Lamb is most harmless among Beasts so is the Dove among Birds The Flight of this Dove denotes the divine Influence of the Spirit coming from Heaven into the Members of Christ as well as into the Head Mahomet by putting Corn into his Ear accustomed a Dove to fly to his Ear which eat what was there put by this way he perswaded the People the Spirit of God was familiar with him and suggested to him his Alcoran Yet must we not think this substance or body resembled by a Dove to be hypostatically united to the Spirit of God as the humane nature of Christ was to Christ but as Angels oftentimes took humane bodies and appeared to men with them and laid aside those bodies afterwards so did the Spirit of God As the Heavens were opened unto Christ to shew his Doctrine was not earthly but heavenly so did the Spirit come upon him to shew his Doctrine was the Ministry of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 called The glorious Ministration of the Spirit this visible Appearance of the Spirit could not but send divers of the Spectators to the perusals of those places of the Prophets forementioned Isai 11.2.42.1 2 3.61.1 especially Christ so interpreting the visible descent of the Spirit upon him Luke 4 18. To conclude by this visible sign of a Dove is shewn that Christ is that harmless one in whom the Spirit hath his constant residence in and through whom alone we are to receive of the gifts of his Spirit for whose sake rather than for his own in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily this Spirit descended upon him and especially for John's sake to whom this sign was promised whereby he should be certified in a most absolute clearness of the person of the Messiah John 1.32 On whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending like a Dove that same is he This Spirit John is said to see not essentially but believingly for by a Metonymie the name of the spiritual thing is given to the visible sign V. 17. And lo a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased We have here the third sign confirming the Call of Christ and his Instalment into his Office viz. a voice from Heaven when the Heavens clove that voice sounded It was the voice of the Father doubtless in that he saith This is my beloved Son here was the first clear Revelation of the Trinity under the New Testament the Father shews himself in a voice the Son in the flesh or humane nature the Spirit in the likeness of a Dove This is my beloved Son Not an adoptive but onely begotten my onely everlasting and coequal Son These words are partly taken out of the second Psalm v. 7. I will declare the Decree the Lord said unto me Thou art my Son By this forementioned voice he made his Son King upon Sion That Psalm is to be referred to this Of this beloved Son Isaak was a Type Gen. 22.2 Take thy son thy onely son thy son whom thou lovest And so was Solomon called Jedidiah or the beloved of the Lord. Oft was Christ called Beloved in the Book of Canticles the Fathers voice might have respect to these Figures Of this Christ speaks John 17.26 I pray that the love wherewith thou lovest me may be in them Ephes 1.6 We are said to be accepted in this Beloved In whom I am well pleased The same with that In whom my soul is well pleased Matth. 12.18 As if he should say Thou my Son onely and chiefly beloved pleasest me in all things and that infinitely and no man pleases me but by thee yea by thee am I appeased with all them I have given thee at whom I was offended by the sin of Adam and there is nothing in thee that displeases me Enoch pleased me Heb. 11.5 but not so as thou dost for in thee I am appeased and reconciled to the World of Believers The shew of a Dove was a dumb thing therefore here 's a voice to make all things concerning the Messiah out of question and also opening the whole Mystery of our Redemption for what is our Redemption but this whereas formerly we were at enmity with God now God is well pleased with us in Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself These words are taken out of Isai 42.1 and in that Chapter is the calling and sending of Christ to his Ministry described and indeed the whole Scripture whence some words are taken should be lookt into To this in the Transfiguration was added Hear him not Plato Socrates Moses further than he Witnesses of Christ but hear him who being in my bosom John 1.18 shall reveal my Mysteries which have been hid from the foundation of the world He shall open the way to Heaven to you CHAP. IV. IN this Chapter there are four parts 1 Christ his Tentation from v. 1. to v. 12. 2 Christ's Preaching in Galilee from v. 12. to v. 18. 3 Christ's calling of four Disciples Peter Andrew James John 4 The Confirmation of his Doctrine by Miracles v. 23 24 25. In the Temptation observe 1 The Time v. 1. immediately after Baptism 2 The Place in the Wilderness v. 1. 3 The efficient Cause viz. the Spirit of God 4 The End to be tempted of the Devil v. 1. 5 The kindes of the Temptations which are three 1 To Unbelief v. 2 3. 2 To Presumption v. 5 6. Cast thy self down for he shall give his Angels charge of thee 3 To the vain glory of the glory of the World v. 7 8 9. 6 The Victory Christ got over these Temptations so that the Devil was forced to give ground v 11. amplified from the Weapon wherewith Christ overcame him which was the Word of God 7 The comfort Christ had after the Temptation was over The Angels came and ministred to him V. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil This Temptation of Christ is set down 1 From the Time Then When Even presently after his Baptism Mark 1.12 Immediately the Spirit driveth him into the Wilderness and being full of the Holy Ghost he was led by