unto him Doct. 1. The Lord knoweth the intentions of his honest servants and sets a price on their good deeds therby therfore saith he She did it for my buriall 2. Our Lord knew that the gospell should be preached through the world c what was to be preached also for Where this gospel shal be preached saith be this shall be told c. 3. True faith seeth afar off for this woman seeth life in death believeth the Lord Jesus to be the true Saviour worthy of all honour in his death as well as in his life believeth that he should not see corruption believeth that his death should be a sweet smelling sacrifice to God and the savour of life unto his people for She did it saith Christ for my buriall 4. The memorial of the just shall not go to the grave with them but their good deeds shal be had in everlasting remembrance In this woman we have assurance of it for This shall be preached for a memorial of her saith he 5. Whosoever do any thing for Christ shall never have cause to rew Christ accounts more of it then it is all worthy for She hath wrought a good work on me saith Christ before and now This shall be told of her for a memoriall Ver. 14. Then one of the twelve called Iudas Iscariot went unto the chief Priests 15. And said unto them What will you give me and I wil deliver him unto you and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver 16. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him Iudas minding to have gain some way seeketh opportunity first to sel then to betray Christ. Doct. 1. When a wicked man is ingaged to do an evill turne he never taketh rest till he act it as is here seen in Judas from that time he sought opportunity to betray Christ. 2. When men have an evil turne in their heart and want opportunity only they shall not want occasion long as Judas minding to sell Christ doth seek and find fit Merchants the chief Priests 3. God will suffer wicked men to follow their designes even against himselfe when he seeth it fit for his own glory as here he wil not hinder a Judas to go to the high priests 4. He that is greedy of gain will sel his Soul and Heaven and Christ for money as Judas here doth 5. He that is not Christs friend in truth will soon turn Traitour as Iudas here doth 6. Hypocrites wil be found in best societies for here a Traitour is one of the twelve 7. The wicked shall bear their own blame and the society shall be free as here Judas is named alone 8. Secret enemies and open will easily agree together and own one another as here Judas and the high Priests make a short bargain 9. He thaâ—â—ellâ—th Christ knoweth not his worth for Whâ— wilâ— you giâ—e me saith the seller 10. He that will sin and sell Christ will do it upon a naughty condition ere he want all Thirty pieces of silver or what may be had will make the bargain â—all Ver. 17. Now the first day of the Feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Iesus saying unto him Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passeover The doctrine of the covenant of grace being delivered by our Lord and confirmed abundantly by miracles the institution of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper followeth for sealing up of this covenant unto the believer and to this intent mention is made of Christs last eating of the Sacrament of the Passover unto which was subjoyned the institution celebration of the Sacramental Supper for the clearing of some circumstances whereof and of the duty of preparation for right receiving of it that which is here spoken of the Passeover doth give light Doct. 1. It is commendable to remember Gods Ordinances in due time and to prepare for them as here The first day of the Feast the Disciples came and make ready for it 2. Our Lord made himself so poor that he had not a house of his own albeit he was Owner of all the earth as Where wilt thou that we prepare doth import 3. Our Lord subjected himself unto the Law and did keep exactly both the Moral and ceremoniall Law that he might deliver us from the yoke of the one and from the cursefor breaking of the other He kept the Passover 4. The terms of Sacramental speech were wel understood by Christs disciples as to put the thing signified for the sign namely by this phrase To cat the Passeover they mean to â—at the Lamb the Sacramental memorial of the Angels passing over of the houses of the Israelites in Egypt Ver. 18. And be said Go into the city to such a man and say unto him The Master saith My time is at hand I will keep the Passoever at thy house with my Disciples 19. And the Disciples did as Iesus had appointed them and they made ready the Passeover Christ directeth them to a friends house a worthy man for so holy a service Doct. 1. The Lord wil not want friends whersoever he is here in Jerusalem he hath friends as he had also in Bethany Go into the city to such a man saith he 1. He hath such commandement of the spirits of men as he can bow their will to do what service he pleaseth for he is sure to make such a man obey 3. Christ hath taken on him to be our Teacher and to him only the dignity of Master is due therefore he calleth himself the Master 4. It is of his own free choise that our Lord doth imploy any man more thâ—n another for Go to such a man and say importeth this 5. The more near our time to depart this life doth draw the more carefull should we be to have all things done by us which should beâ— done therefore saith he My time is at hand I will keep the Passeover 6. It is the part of true Disciples to follow Christs direction in all things and being clear in the command to go about the obedience of it for The Disciples did as Iesus appointed Ver. 20. Now when the even was come he sate down with the twelve For clearing of the history of the Lords Supper which was instituted at the close of the Passeover we have here set down the circumstances of eating of the Passeover as time place and persons whereby we have ground to conceive that Iudas was present at the Sacrament of the Passeover he being one of the twelve for first seeing there is no question made that as Iudas was imployed in the Apostleship with the rest so he was admitted also with the rest unto the fellowship of all Worship and Divine Ordinances and was present at so many former feasts of the Passeover as Christ did keep with his Disciples there can be no inconvenience to suppose him present at the Passeover at this time also Secondly seeing whatsoever is said by Historiographers concerning a
A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE Evangel of JESUS CHRIST According to MATTHEW By DAVID DICKSON Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Professor of Divinity in the University of GLASGOW PHIL. 2. VER 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Iesus Who being in the form of God though it not robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the crosse Wherfore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name That at the name of Iesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father The Third Edition LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill neer the Royall Exchange 1651. TO THE Right Honorable and truly Noble MY LORD EARL OF LOUDOUN LORD OF MAUCHLIN and TARINZAN c. High Chancellor of SCOTLAND c. And to His Honorable and Hopeful Eldest Son my Lord MAUCHLIN Grace and Peace Right Honourable IT is a sweet and remarkable Providence that within these not many yeers such a multitude of Impressions of the holy Scriptures are vented among these three united Kingdoms and so many thousands are of Scots and English who delight not only to have the holy Bible in their possession and houses but also to carry it in their pockets for reading of it upon all occasions This as it speaketh much of the desire after divine Knowledge raised up by God in peoples hearts and as it promiseth much of the spreading of the light of the Gospel in these Dominions especially the Lord having now seconded his own Work by drawing from the fountain of his own free grace the body of these Kingdoms into a solemn Covenant for purging of all his holy Ordinances and promoving of sound Religion so doth it call aloud to all the Pastors of his Flock and to all the godly learned by all means to lead the Lords people in upon the right understanding of the Scriptures left the plain and marvellously consonant word of God be mistaken and wrested by the instability and unskilfulnesse of such as have not their senses exercised to discern the single meaning of the Lords Voyce and the admirable harmony of his heavenly Speeches Many worthy men of God it is true have profitably taken pains to this purpose and some have written large Commentaries upon sundry Books and parcels of Scripture others have translated out of Latine the Commentaries of others But of those worthy mens Labours only such as have much leasure and patience to read can make use Others have written short Paraphrases of harder places others Expositions of hard words others have minded herewith some sweet notes and observations all of them contributing one with another to the common good so much as each sort of Writing could carry Yet besides all these laudable wayes of explication of Scripture it seemeth that these dangerous Times wherein so many diverse errours are privily crept in and begun openly also to avow themselves do call for such an Explanation of the whole Bible as might not only shew the scope of each Book and Chapter with the cohesion of the Verses and the meaning of the Words but also propone the speciall heads of Doctrine in each place whereby people might see the whole grounds of Religion in the Text and be guarded against all damnable errours in which those persons are easily ensnared who know not the Scriptures nor the power of God and all this to be in such brevity and cleerness That men in their daily set-reading of the Lords word might in the space of half an hour peruse a competent portion of Scripture thus explained I say Set-time for their private reading because albeit every man is not set apart for the Word and Doctrine but most part have by Gods appointment civil callings and necessary imployments about the matters of this life each calling and imployment having its own work and each work requiring his own time so that there remaineth little time beside unto many yet that man is too much busied in temporall affairs and more involved in the World then he can answer for who doth not daily redeem so much time as the necessary exercise of Religion in the Word and Prayer doth require beside secret ejaculations of Prayer unto God mixed with his affairs and the Mason-like-looks of his Conscience levelling its eye to each action to see if it be conform to the Rule for presuppose a man were imployed as much as a King and had so many Realms to govern as were under David K. of Israel yet could he not be excused for this to neglect Gods word prayer for Dav. oftner then once a day yea in the night also found time to call on God praise his name verse himself in his Word Ps. 119.55 62 164. Let the men of this world who have their portion in this life have set up in their hearts the filthy idols of worldly profit pleasure preferment for gaining keeping wherof they make use not only of all men but also of God and Religion so far only as they may be suitable serviceable to their base ends Let such men I say neglect reading the Scriptures and all serious following of religious exercises But let not the children of God do so who hold their standing here and the hopes of eternal life hereafter by faith in Christ for promoving of whose cause and Kingdom they are resolved to bear his Crosse were it even to the doors of Heaven if so GOD please and to lay it down on the threshold with thanks and praise that ever they were counted worthy to suffer for his Name let not these blessed Soules walk in the way of the ungodly but rather delight themselves in the Law of GOD and meditate therein night and day Psal. 1.2 3. For the service of such saints and facilitating of their reading of holy Scripture I come forth as before in the brief Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews so now in the brief explanation of the Evangel according to Matthew to call yet again unto the Godly Learned to stir up themselves for contributing one with another unto some such brief explanation of the whole Bible as their Godly wisdome shall agrâ—e upon a mould this or any other because apparently it is but little and not considerable which any one man alone can overtake in this Work As for this Piece such a one as it is There is great reason why it should bear your Honourable Name in the title of it it being a part of the fruit of your Lordships labour who as
Messiah unto Christ as that true Lamb of God was singular These and such like other excellencies are reasons why our Lord said there hath not risen a greater then Iohn the Baptist among them that are born of women Mean time lest John should be too much esteemed of Christ having thus preferred him unto all that were born of women doth except Himself and justly preferreth Himself unto John saying He that is least or no man in the kingdom of God is greater then he So doth Christ describe himselfe as he was esteemed of by the rulers of the Church for who could be lesse in the Kingdome of God in their estimation then he whom they did excommunicate Now the rulers did excommunicate Christ and for his cause also did cast out of the synagogue all that confessed him He was the Stone which the builders refused whom the chief Priests and Elders did not esteem worthy to be a member of the Church or to have any place in the building of Gods Temple So Christ was in their estimation The least that is no man in the Kingdome of Heaven as this phrase is taken Mat. 5.19 20. And who except Christ can be greater then John who is called greater then any of all the Prophets yea of all which were born of women It is true that Christians who lived since Christ ascended have the history of many particulars concerning Christ which John did not live to see But who shall perswade us that the least member of the Christian Church or the least Preacher of the Gospel do see more of Christ in the Word of history then any of the Prophets or John who is greater then any of the prophets did see in the spirit and word of prophesie And put the case that in regard of historical knowledge they did know many particulars which John did not know yet this sort or measure of knowledg doth not make them simply greater then John Now the comparison here of John with the least of the Kingdome of Heaven is not simply in respect of knowledg but in respect of greatness which greatnesse comprehendeth all the forenamed six points of excellency and also whatsoever other respect may contribute to excellency and thus if we take greatness none can be called greater then John except Christ who in the estimation of the rulers of the Jewish church at that time was the least that is no man in the Kingdom of God and the stone of offence which the builders did reject Hence learn 1. That whensoever any greatnesse or excellency of man is spoken of the excellency of our Lord Jesus must not be obscured but rather lifted up thereby for where he is a greater then Solomon is a greater then John Baptist is 12 Whosoever shall dishonour Christ he will not deny himselfe He will take unto him his own glory for he declareth himselfe here greater then John though the rulers of the church and others esteemed him to be the least or no man in the Kingdom of Heaven Ver. 12. And from the dayes of Iohn the Baptist untill now the kingdome of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force The sixth point of Johns commendation is the fruitfulness of his doctrine that by the clearnesse of Johns preaching the gates of Heaven and the way of the Church were made so patent that men did not stand upon the bar and partition of ceremonies or upon any orderly way of the proselites coming into the church But multitudes did leap over all the Leviticall ceremonies so that publicans sinners heathen legally unclean and the naturally lothed lepers did thrust themselves all in upon the company of converts and upon the grace manifested by Johns doctrine and indeed obtained grace to enter in the Kingdome of Christ by this their ingyring themselves upon him Hence learn 1. That the legall ceremonies were never appointed to hinder people from Christ but to lead them to him and therfore when the observation of these ceremonies might be a hinderance of people coming to Christ As for example so many dayes behoved to passe ere a leper were legally purified that he might come in the company where the Word of God was preached in such a case God was not displeased that men overpast violently ran over these impediments to come to Gods Grace manifested in Christ for saith he The violent take it by force 2. Yea the doctrine of Grace being clearly revealed no impediment of bygone sins or sense of unworthiness present should hinder a humbled soul from entry in the Kingdom of Grace for this Kingdom is taken by force If we cannot remove impediments let us set our foot on them and make stepping stones of them thrusting our selves so much more on Christs grace as we find our selves unworthy laying hold so much more on his offered salvation as we find our selves otherwayes to be lost Ver. 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied untill Iohn The seventh point of commendation is that John pointed at Christ now already come at Grace already laid open whereas the Law and the Prophets onely did prophesie and foretell that it was to come and this is a reason of the fruitfulnesse of Johns Ministry Hence learn 1. That the pointing forth of the fulfilling of the promises and prophesies in Christ is a mean to bring men in multitudes unto the Kingdome of Heaven and this is imported in the particle â—or wherein a reason is rendered of what is said in the former verse for saith he all the Prophets and the Law prophesied untill John but John shews the accomplishment And therefore multitudes did thrust themselves into the Kingdome of Heaven 2. The Church of the Old Testament had a dark time in comparison of what we have now for their light was prophesies of things to come but ours is preaching of what is already come for The Law and the Prophets prophesied untill Iohn Ver. 14. And if ye will receive it this is Elias which was for to come The eighth and last point of Johns commendation is that John was that Elias prophesied of to come before Christ Malachi 4. John is called by the name of Elias because of like zeal for God and successful imployment in the reformation of Religion for as Elias in his dayes so John in his dayes did in the power of the same Spirit stir up men to seek the true God in Christ. Doct. 1. When truth is told to people never so cleerly yet wil they hardly beleeve it no not though Christ himself should speak it Therfore saith Christ If you will receive it 2. Whether men beleeve or not Truth must be told them to make them inexcusable This is Elias saith Christ If ye will receive it Ver. 15. He that hath ears to hear let him hear If Christs testimony of John had been beleeved then Johns testimony of Christ had been beleeved also for John testified that Christ was the promised Messiah therefore Christ did so much
the parts of his own worship and if a man presume to prescribe what shall be worship to him which he hath not prescribed it is a sufficient cause to reject mans ordinance for In vain do they worship me c. Ver. 10. And he called the multitude and said unto them Hear and understand 11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man but that which cometh out of the mouth this defileth a man A fourth reason delivered unto the multitude by way of apology for his Disciples This sort of pollution which cometh to the mouth by unwashen hands is not a sin which defileth the conscience but the wickednesse of the heart vented by the mouth such as is these wicked mens quarrelling of my Disciples that indeed doth pollute the man Therefore these Pharisees rather then my Disciples are polluted Hence learn 1. That contesting against Christs Disciples slandering and reproaching of such as do not observe humane traditions is a pollution of the slanderer and more dangerous then the omission of humane ceremonies which may be omitted without pollution of sin for That which cometh out of the mouth polluteth 2. Albeit unto mocking adversaries we need not alwayes give reasons of what we do or omit yet unto different spectators it is good to give a reason for their edification and our own clearing as here Christ giveth satisfaction to the common people for He called the multitude and said 3. The fountain of the pollution of a mans actions is his heart conscience and affections not being rightly disposed for Out of the heart cometh such and such evils Ver. 12. Then came his disciples and said unto him Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying The Disciples do wonder that Christ did regard so little to displease the Pharisees Hence learn 1. Truth must be taught whosoever may be displeased for so did Christ preach albeit the Pharisees were offended 2. Nothing will vexe false teachers more then the discovery of their false doctrine before the multitude as the Pharisees for this Cause were offended 3. Men are ready to stumble and offend at the teaching of Truth where no stumbling block is laid before them as at Christs doctrine The Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying Ver. 13. But he answered and said Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up Our Lords answer serveth for a reason 1. Why he spake against the Pharisees false doctrine and 2ly against their traditions and 3ly why he misregarded in this case their offence-taking because both their ceremonies their false doctrine and they themselves also being altogether reprobate stuffe were plants which God had not planted in his field but Satan and therefore they were all to be rooted out for the good of the vineyard and field of the Lords church Hence learn 1. That in the visible church and Garden of the Lord there may be some plants not of Gods plantation but of Satans such as false doctrine corrupt inventions of men thrust into Gods worship and wicked men defenders of both for this is imported in Every plant which my Father hath not planted 2. God the good Husband-man will have these evill weeds discovered and cast out as God giveth a calling and occasion therefore saith he They shall be rooted out Vers. 14. Let them alone they be blind leaders of the blind And if the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch Christ doth cut off any more speaking of these wicked men Doct. 1. Obstinate maintainers of false doctrine and of corrupt traditions enemies to Christ and his disciples are given over of God and are worthy also to be given over and let alone by men that is fellowship is not to be kept with them Therefore he saith Let them alone 2. Where the teachers and people follow mens traditions in Religion and not the rule of Gods word the leaders and they that are led are both blind This is it he saith They be blind leaders of the blind 3. The following of false teachers and blind guides will not be an excuse before God for people to plead immunity But seeing none should follow any man but as that man doth follow the Lord the blind guide and the blind follower shall both perish if they hold on in their wrong way for Both shall fall into the ditch Ver. 15. Then answered Peter and said unto him Declare unto â—â— this parable 16. And Iesus said Are ye also yet without understanding 17. Do not ye yet understand that whatsoever entreth in at the mouth goeth into the belly and is cast out into the draught 18. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile the man 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts murders adulteries fornications thefts false witnesse blasphemies 20. These are the things which defile a man but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man Peter doth not understand the parable of not being polluted by meat and so moveth this question Doct. 1. It is good to be asking of Christ whatsoever we understand not whatsoever reproofe may follow for our dulnesse therefore saith Peter declare unto us this parable From Christs answer learn 1. That when disciples do not take up the plain speeches of Christ they are reproof-worthy Therfore saith Christ Are ye also without understanding 2. Albeit Christ reprove our faults and be angry at them yet he wil go about to relieve us of them for he is about to teach after reproof saying do not ye understand 3. Every action or word doth testifie what is in the heart and doth adde a degree of further pollution and guiltiness unto that which the man had before he brake out externally for Evil words coming forth from the heart do pollute the man yet more 4. When a needless ceremony and a superstitious invention of man is neglected or forborn it is not a sin notwithstanding of whatsoever humane authority or tradition of the Elders commanding it for Christ here doth pronounce the disciples eating with unwashen hands though contrary to the tradition of the Jewish doctors Not to defile the man Ver. 21. Then Iesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon 22. And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cryed unto him saying Have mercy on me O Lord thou son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a divell Christ having ended his dispute goeth to seek a wandering Sheep from this his journey-taking for the woman of Canaans cause Learn 1. That where Christ hath a lost sheep or a work of mercy to work he spareth no pains to compasse his purpose for here He departed to the coasts of Sidon 2. The persons to whom Christ hath a mind providence will draw them after him Behold a woman of Canaan came 3. Faith findeth the smell of Christ where ever he be and draweth
in unto him for She cometh and calleth on him 4. Faith pressed with need is earnest in prayer for She cryed unto him 5. Faith doth fix on Christ as the true promised Messiah for she calleth him Son of David Faith looketh on Christ as compassionate and mercifull it pleadeth for mercy and pretendeth no merit for thus saith she Have mercy on me 6. Love owneth them whom it loveth whatsoever be their condition for here the trouble that her child is troubled with she counteth it as her own saying Have mercy on me for my daughter is troubled 7. Faith giveth Christ the glory of ability to do all that it desireth so she ascribeth unto him power to cast out the divell saying My daughter is vexed of a divell Vers. 23. But he answered her not a word And his disciples came and besought him saying Send her away for she cryeth after us There are 4 means used for the triall of her faith The first is Christs keeping silence when she prayeth Hence learn That God albeit he love the Suppliant and do accept his petition yet possibly he will keep silence and not seem to take notice for a time for He answered her not a word The next means of her triall is the small assistance she hath of the disciples prayers wherin learn That saith loveth the help of the prayers of the Faithfull militant as a means prescribed of God for mutuall comfort for She cryed after the disciples 2. When God thinketh it fit to try our faith by delaying to hear us he will for our tryall make other means which we use to fail us also as here the disciples would be rid of her importunity and have her dispatched that she should not trouble them Therefore say they Send her away She cryeth after us Ver. 24. But he answered and said I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel The third means of the triall of her faith is By our Lords telling her that his commission reached only unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel which was indeed true in regard of his particular and personal Ministry in the days of his humiliation wherein he was to make offer of his grace first and chiefly unto the Jews and this is true again If we take Israel for the Elect of God both Jews and Gentiles He came for these Elect ones only But unto this woman who understood not so high a matter it could not seem but that his commission was to the Jews only and not to the Gentiles of which sort was she Hence learn 1. That among other trialls of the faith of the Lords people this is one To suffer them to be questioned whether they be of the number of the Elect for thus much importeth I am not sent but to the lost sheep of Israel 2. Christ hath an errand to such as find themselves in perill to perish for He is sent to the lost sheep Vers. 25. Then came she and worshipped him saying Lord help me She cannot answer this doubt and therefore passeth it over and insists in prayer what Christs commission is she will not dispute but sure she is she must be helped Hence learn That when any doubt doth tend toward excluding us from the number of such to whom the Gospel is sent we shall do well to passe by such doubts without disputation and to insist in prayer grounded upon Gods goodnesse and power to help for so did this woman Then came she and worshipped 2. The more the Lord seem to refuse us we should so much the more humble our selves before him and continue in prayer for it is marked That then she worshipped and said Lord help me Ver. 26. But he answered and said It is not meet to take the childrens bread and cast it to dogs The fourth means of her tryall is By seeming to exclude her as a heathen or unclean dog without the covenant from al the benefits of the Messiah belonging to Israel who are the children of God by covenant as their proper food and here the former doubt is augmented and put more nearly home unto her Hence learn 1. That the Lord when he will try doth try unto the quick and humbleth unto the dust the soul under triall and for this end maketh the last difficulty more then any of the former for now he saith It is not meet to give to dogs c. 2. Such as are within the externall covenant of Grace are in some respect holy as consecrate to God and appropriate unto him by covenant and such as have the priviledges of Gods people belonging unto them as unto children while others who are without the covenant are counted dogs This he importeth saying It is not meet to cast the childrens bread to dogs 3. The representation of our unworthiness before our eys is a main point of triall of our faith Therfore for her last trial he compares her to a dog Ver. 27. And she said Truth Lord yet the dogs eat of the crums which fall from their masters table The Lords Spirit looseth the doubt unto her Hence learn 1. That Christs commission albeit it was chiefly unto the Jews to set much on their table yet it was not so limited but that crums of their food especially being neglected by them might be bestowed upon the Gentiles this is it she seeth Crums fall from the table 2. The Lord in tryal of faith makes the Believer of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord to mark all advantages whereby it may strengthen it self Therefore saith she Truth Lord yet the dogs eat the crums 3. The Believer is content to be humbled as deeply as the Lord pleaseth and to acknowledg his own unworthiness to the uttermost only he cannot be content to be excluded from God and the benefits of his grace for this woman can be called a dog but cannot want some crums of Christs kindness 4. It is a special wisdom to turn motives unto discouragement into motives to believing and drawing so much the more near to Christ as the motives unto dscouragement do drive us away from him for so this woman doth The more her natural uncleanness unworthiness and her alienation from the common-wealth of Israel is represented unto her she beareth her self the more in upon Christ when she seemeth to be boasted away from him as a dog she creepeth in under the childrens table to catch crums falling from it Ver. 28. Then Iesus answered and said unto her O woman great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt And her daughter was made whole from that very hour From Christs answer learn 1. That faith doth please Christ exceedingly therfore saith he O woman 2. This is a true and kindly faith not to take a refuse of Christ answer as he pleaseth but to pursue constantly our petition for his grace and by no means to part with him for this cause Christ saith to her Great is thy faith
witnessed to be but frivolous adjureth our Lord to confesse whether he were the Christ the Son of God Doct. 1. The Messiah by the Jews own acknowledgement behoved to be the Son of God for Tell us saith the High Priest whether thou be the Christ the Son of God importing that the promised Messiah or Christ was to be no other than the Son of God 2. The wicked labour to make the fear of God a trap to take the godly when they cannot otherwayes overtake them I adjure thee by God to tell us saith the High Priest 3. Profane and crafty men stand not to take the Name of God in vain when it may serve to their own ends for I adjure thee by the living God saith the high priest when he mindeth nothing but to make the answer a snare Vers. 64. Iesus saith unto him Thou hast said neverthelesse I say unto you Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven Christ avoweth himself to be what the High Priest had said and forewarneth them all that though he was to them a despised man yet should they see him to be the Son of God and Judge over them at the day of judgement and so in a manner summoneth them to answer at his tribunal that day Doct. 1. That Christ is the Son of God is a truth judicially deponed by himselfe being adjured to answer upon his Oath and being now ready to die for Thou hast said saith he or I am the same whom thou inquirest for 2. Such as will not receive Christs woâ—d as divine shall be forced to acknowledge his power to be divine for thus saith he Nevertheless or though ye believe me noâ— yet Ye shal see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and this in part came to passe first in his resurrection next in his Spirit poured forth on the Apostles thirdly in the conversion of multitudes of soules and fourthly in the overthrow of the Jewish church and Nation in their own time not long after 3. Such as wil not acknowledg Jesus to be the Son of God for their salvation shal see him come to judge them at the last day for You shal see me coming in the clouds of heaven saith Christ. Ver. 65. Then the high priest rent his clothes saying He hath spoken blasphemy what further need we of witnesses behold now ye have heard his blasphemy 66. What thinke ye They answered and said he is guilty of death 67. Then did they spit it his face and buffetted him and others smote him with the palmes of their hands 68. Saying Prophesie unto us thou Christ who is he that smote thee This good confession of Christ is counted blasphemy and he therefore condemned buffetted spitted upon and mocked Doct. 1. A man given over to unbelief though he pretend to desire to know truth yet wil he not beleeve when truth is told him no not when it is confirmed by the oath of him who cannot lie and when it is proved by many miracles but hâ— will affront his own conscience in all this as here He hath spoken blaspemy said the high priest when Christ had told the truth which before was proved by his workes and was undertaken to be proved yet more 2. Profane and gracelesse hypocrites when it may serve their turn will put on the mask of marvelloos zeal to the glory of God as here The high priest doth rend his clothes and saith You have heard his blasphemy 3. Partiality and malice in Christs came especially can hardly be hid for the high priest even when he will seem to do justice doth first condemne Christ of blasphemy and then asketh the voice of his councel 4. Assemblies and councels may erre so far as to agree in one to condemne Christ to death for here this councell answered and said He is worthy of death 5. Albeit Christ be most free of blasphemy and of all sin yet because they in whose room he did stand are guilty of it and of all sort of sin therfore it is provided by Divine Justice that Christ shall be condemned for our cause and sentence given thus He is guilty of death 6. What must we be worthy of when Christ is spitted upon buffetted blind-folded and mocked for our cause Vers. 69. Now Peter sate without in the Palace and a Damsel came unto him saying Thou also wasâ— with Iesus of Galilee 70. But he denied before them all saying I know not what thou sayest How Peter denied Christ thrice and then repented is set down in the end of the chapter wherin we learn 1. That it is dangerous to be in the place with and company of Christ's enemies wiâ— hour a speciall calling for the occasion of Peters being tempted was his sitting in the high priests hall 2. A smal blast of temptation is sufficient to overturn a man who is puffed up with confidence of his own strength as here The voyce of a Damsel â—ver â—â—rneth Peter 3. The shifting of a confession for Christ when it is requisite is in effect a denyal of him for Peters saying He knew not what the damsel said is called here A denyall Ver. 71. And when he was gone into the porch another maid saw him and said unto them that were there This fellow was also with Iesus of Nazareth 72. And again he denied with an oath I do not know the man The second denyall follâ—weth wherin learn 1 That when temptation doth prevaill change of place will nâ—t hinder the tempter to pursue the victory he will follow on and prâ—sâ—e his point so long as the sicknesse and sin doâ—h adhere for Another Damsell is set on work by Satan to tempt Peter when he goeth out into the porch 2. Sin groweth by degrees from the time that a man falleth therein til he repent he stil groweth worse for Now Peter denieth expresly and with an oath that he did not know Christ. Ver. 73. And after a while came unto him them that stood by and said to Peter Surely thou also art one of them for thy speech bewrayeth thee 74. Then began he to curse and to swear saying I know not the man And immediately the cock crew This is the third denyall Wherein learn the horrible tyranny of Satan and unspeakeable weaknesse of a sinner left to himselfe still Satan draweth men unto deeper and further sinning and the sinner as he is more tempted sinneth more for now standers by do fall on Peter and presse him yet more and he at last denyeth with oathes and cursing of himselfe if be knew Christ This was a pittifull spectacle Ver. 75. And Peter remembred the words of Iesus which said unto him Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice And he went out and wept bitterly After this fearfull fall the Lord raiseth Peter up again by bringing to his remembrance the words which he did not beleeve till now and by this meanes
56. Among which was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Iames and Ioses and the mother of Zebedees children When the Disciples were fled except John It is observed here that many women waited on and were witnesses of Christs Death Doct. 1. It is usuall with the Lord to shew his power and grace most upon the weak and the despised for here he giveth strength and courage to women to attend his sufferings when men had failed 2. Whatsoever grace the Lord bestoweth upon his own it is so bestowed as their weaknesse in themselves doth usually appear also for these women attend But for fear they behold afar off 3. The power of faith in Christ and love to him is such that it will make these that are weakest in the midst of fear and infirmities to spare no travell nor expences but to hazard if need be their life for him Many even women were there who had followed Iesus from Galilee ministring unto him 4. So acceptable unto Christ are the evidences of Believers love that he will subject himselfe to the standing in need thereof and will receive the fruit of their love and cause to register it for the parties honour and others edification as here he causeth to write down that these women ministred unto him of their means followed him out of Galilee and attended on him at his death The name of some of whom he causeth to be set down to let us see that none of them nor such as they are forgotten Ver. 57. When the even was come there came a rich man of Arimathea named Ioseph who also himself was Iesus disciple 58. he went to Pilate and begged the body of Iesus then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered 59. And when Ioseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linnen cloth 60. And laid it in his own tomb which he had hewn out in the Rock and he rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre and departed 61. And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting over against the Sepulchre The manner of our Lords buriall is set down to verse 61. and the securing of the buriall place by the adversaâ—ies to the end Our Lord being dead it was expedient that he should be buried 1. That the type of Jonah and other figures in Scripture should be fulfilled 2. That the truth of his death might be known 3. That his buriall might be as a step lower in humiliation so also a mid passage unto a more glorious resurrection 4. That he might sanctifie our burials and by following death as it were to its den make a way through the grave unto our resurrection and full victory over death and the grave Doct. 1. When shame and sufferings are ended some degrees of glory do begin as God provideth here for an honourable buriall unto Christ after the shame of the crosse is past 2. Grace maketh no difference of rich or poor but sanctifieth riches and poverty to his own for Ioseph of Arimathea is a rich man and a Disciple of Iesus also 3. Love to Christ feareth no inconveniences neither thinketh shame of any service unto Christ for Ioseph goeth boldly unto Pilate and professeth it a favour to have liberty to take care of Christs crucified body 4. Christ both in life and death was a friend to magistracy he will have justice satisfied and order kept in his taking down from the crosse no lesse then in his crucifying he will be taken down at Pilates command 5. God provided for Christs buriall so as it should be known that he verily arose for he is put in A new Tombe hewen out of a rock wherein never man did lie before him 6. As persons are more zealous for Christ so are they more particularly taken notice of by God Therefore these women which did attend him so carefully are specially spoken of 7. Love will never shed with Christ in what condition soever he be and will bestow on him what it may as these holy women do bestow looks upon the place he is put into when they can do no more Vers. 62. Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation the chiefe Priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate 63. Saying Sir we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive After three dayes I will rise again 64. Command therfore that the sepulchre be made sure untill the third day left his disciples come by night and steal him away and say unto the people He is risen from the dead so the last errour shal bee worse then the first 65. Pilate said unto them Ye have a watch go your way make it as sure as ye can 66. So they went and made the sepulchre sure sealing a stone and setting a watch To make the matter of our Lords buriall and resurrection yet more cleare Divine providence makes use of the adversaries malice they think to keep Christ under and to provide against his resurrection by setting a guard about the Sepolchre and sealing of the stone Doct. 1. Christs enemies are vexed about him how to suppresse him as here is to be seen while he is alive and while he is dead they can never be secure enough for fear he shall overcome them when they have him dead they know not how to make the sepulcher sure 2. They make of his words and of his servants words as best serveth their purpose for when hee told them that though they destroyed the Temple of his body yet hee would raise it again the third day they passed by his meaning and made it a matter of his ditty and now they take up his meaning and make advantage of it against him 3. When Christ and his cause is brought low every wicked man wil speak as he pleaseth as here they call the God of truth A deceivâ—r 4. Hypocrites do respect religion only for their own ends and as it may serve their turn They pretended to have great respect to the sabbath that they may have Christ shortly out of the way and now they stand not to pollute the sabbath by making a business to secure his sepulchre 5. Magistrates are in a dangerous condition when the rulers of the church are enemies to Christ they will ever be insnaring them in some one thing or other against Christ as here Pilat is used 6. He that sets not God before his eyes but is given to please men will prove a slave to every mans affection such a man is Pilat who granteth whatsoever Christs enemies doe require 7. Whatsoever power of craftinesse can work for obscuring of Christs glory his enemies will go about it carefully albeit with ill successe as here They seal the grave-stone and set a watch thinking to keep Christ fast in the tomb CHAP. XXVIII In this chapter Christs resurrection is declared by Angels to vers 9. By Christ himself ver 11. by the watch to the priests who do corrupt the watch and make them to