Office of the Apostles we learn that this is one speciall use for which all true Miracles wrought in the Church do serve even to confirm and ratify the true and sound Doctrine of the Word of God To this end served the Miracles of Christ and of his Apostles they were so many Seals of the true and sound Doctrine taught by them Mark 16. ult They went forth and Preached every where the Lord confirming the Word with signes following See Heb. 2. 4. Vse 1 Use 1. Hence gather that there is now no such need of Miracles as was in the Primitive Church because the Doctrine of the Gospel hath bin long since sufficiently confirmed and sealed by those Miracles which were wrought by Christ and his Apostles at the first Planting of the Gospell He that will not now Believe without Miracles himself is a great Miracle August Use 2 Use 2. See a Rule whereby to know true Miracles from false if they be joyned with true and sound Doctrine and serve to confirm it they are true and of God but if they be separate from true Doctrine and serve to confirm Errors as the Popish Miracles they are false See Deut. 13. Lastly out of this Verse and the former we may generally observe some things wherein the Twelve Apostles and other ordinary Ministers of the Gospell do agree and are like each other and some things wherein they differ The things wherein they are alike are these two 1. The Apostles as we have heard did not take upon them that Office of themselves without a Calling from Christ So all ordinary Ministers of the Gospell must have a Lawfull Calling to that Office else they must not take it upon them 2. The Apostles were appointed to be Preachers of the Word and so are all other Ministers of the Gospell it is one main part of their Office to Preach the Word The things wherein they differ are these three 1. The Apostles were Called and sent immediately and extraordinarily by Christ himself in his own person but other ordinary Ministers are Called mediately by the Church 2. The Twelve Apostles conversed and lived with Christ upon Earth seeing his Miracles and hearing his Doctrine c. So do not other ordinary Ministers of the Gospell 3. The Apostles had the extraordinary power of working Miracles conferred on them which other Ministers of the Gospell have not Mark 3. 16 17 18 19. And Simon He surnamed Peter And James the Son of Zebedee and Johnthe Nov. 7. 1619. Brother of James and he surnamed them Boanerges which is the Sons of Thunder And Andrew and Philip and Bartholomew and Matthew and Thomas and James the Son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus and Simon the Cananite And Judas Iscariot which also betrayed him and they went into an House IN these Verses the Evangelist describeth the Twelve Apostles by their severall names Concerning which I will speak as briefly as I may Some of them are Greek names as Peter Andrew and Philip the rest are Hebrew Names as Simon James John Bartholomew c. Touching the severall significations of them all I will not speak Some of these Apostles had surnames given them by our Saviour Christ as the three first Simon surnamed Peter James and John surnamed Boanerges c. The rest had no such surnames given them therefore they are described by single not by double names as the former although some of them also had two or three Names a piece but they are not all mentioned here neither were those other names given them by Christ but by others The first Simon These words are left out in the most and best Greek Copies of the new Testament as Erasmus observeth but that they should not be left out may appear as Beza sheweth 1. Because Matthew and Luke do speak in like manner Matth. 10. 2. Luke 6. 14. 2. Because otherwise the words following will have no good coherence or connexion with that which goeth before as may appear in the Originall Text. Peter Which signifieth a Rock or stone the same in Greek that Cephas is in the Syriack Tongue which our Saviour Christ spake therefore elsewhere he is called Cephas as Joh. 1. 42. and 1 Cor. 15. 5. When or at what time this surname of Peter was given him by Christ is uncettain It was promised him Joh. 1. 42. but it is likely to have bin given him either at this time when he was chosen to be an Apostle or else afterward at the time when he made that excellent Confession of Christ Matth. 16. 18. Touching the reason of this Surname given him it may be gathered out of the same place where Peter having made an excellent Confession of Christ that he was the Son of the living God our Saviour thereupon tells him Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church c. q. d. As I have given thee this name Peter or Cephas which signifies a Rock or Stone so thou hast now shewed thy self to be so indeed by the strength of thy Faith which thou hast shewed in confessing me to be the Christ and the Son of God know therefore that upon this Rock that is upon my Self whom thou hast by so strong a Faith confessed I will build my Church So then out of this place it may appear that our Saviour gave this name Peter unto Simon to shew and set forth that strength of Faith which he would give unto him whereby he should be able boldly and plainly to Confess Christ the true Rock on which the whole Church is built Object Object Peter fell from Christ dangerously by denying and forswearing him c. therefore this name of Peter or a Rock seems not to agree unto him Answ Answ 1. Though his Faith were then dangerously shaken yet it did not fail altogether as may be gathered by that promise of our Saviour made to him Luke 22. 32. And afterwards he was constant to the death 2. This name was given to Simon not onely in respect of himself to note out the strength of his Faith but also in respect of the rest of the Apostles and all other Believers that should be converted by their Ministery to set forth the strength and stability of their Faith in Christ the true Rock and Foundation of the Church This may appear because Peter made that excellent Confession of Christ not in his own name onely but in the name of the rest of the Apostles for our Saviour propounded that question to them all Whom say ye that I am unto which Peter answered for them all Thou art the Christ c. Now from this place where Peter is named first of all the Apostles the Papists would prove him to be above the other Apostles in Authority and power but the weakness of this Collection may appear by these Reasons 1. It doth not follow that because he is first in order therefore he was first in Authority and Power 2. The Evangelists do differ and vary much in
to confound the Mighty c. He was able by the Preaching of poor unlearned Fishermen and such like mean Persons to confute and confound the great learned Philosophers and wise Men of the World He was able by their Ministery to beat down Satans Kingdom insomuch that he is said to have fallen from Heaven like lightning at their Preaching By their Ministery he was able to convert the World and to Call many thousands in a short space to the Christian Faith In a word by these weak instruments and means the Lord effected greater matters then all the Kings and Monarchs in the World could do with all their Power So Josh 6. he overthrew Jericho by weak meanes The Lord brought great Plagues upon Pharoah by small meanes c. Use 1 Use 1. Admire this wonderfull Power of God which is so far above all means and able to bring so great things to passe for the good of his Church by so weak means and yield him the Glory and Praise of his Almighty Power Use 2 Use 2. See the reason why the Word preached by mortall men like our selves hath such powerfull effects being able to beat down Sin and Satan in men to regenerate men to convert and save them c. No marvail for God doth shew his Almighty Power in this his own Ordinance 1 Cor. 1. 21. It pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching c. Look not at the weakness of the means in appearance but remember God can work great matters by weak instruments and means Therefore despise not the means but use them conscionably and seek to God by prayer to accompany them with the powerfull work of his Spirit to make them effectuall Use 3 Use 3. Comfort for the Church in distresse when there is small means to help c. More particular Observations Observ 1 Observ 1. In that our Saviour gave such a name to Peter as might put him in mind of that strength of Faith that should be in him and such a name to the Sons of Zebedee as might put them in mind of their Duty which was to Preach the Word with zeal and power of the Spirit Hence gather That Parents should be carefull to give unto their Children such names as may teach and admonish them of good things especially such as may teach them piety and the fear of God Also such names as may put them in mind of the good examples of their religious Ancestors or of other holy Men and Women which we read of in Scripture or which we have heard of Thus Luke 1. 59. the Friends of Zachary and Elizabeth would have named John Baptist after his Fathers name but that his Father and Mother were moved by speciall instinct to call him John In the times of the Old Testament names were given either by Propheticall instinct or else according to some speciall events which happened about the time of their Birth In our Times it is fit to give usuall names so as they be such as may put the party in mind of Piety and Vertue Observ 2 Observ 2. In that our Saviour gave to Simon the Surname of Peter which signifies a Rock to shew the strength of that faith which he would give to him and to the rest of the Apostles Hence observe That great is the strength and power of that true justifying Faith which God gives unto his Elect it makes such as are indued with it like unto Peter that is Rocks able to withstand all adversary power that opposeth it self against them and their salvation 1 Pet. 2. 5. The rest of the Faithful are called living Stones c. Therefore Hebr. 3. 14. faith is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or subsistance or the Foundation by which we are upholden because it is that by which the Elect of God are inabled to stand against all enemies that oppose their Salvation 1. Joh. 5. 4. This is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith By the World there understand all things in the World that oppose against our Salvation as the Devil the Flesh wicked Men Afflictions c. Faith stands against them and overcometh them all Ephes 6. Faith is the Shield that quencheth all the fiery Darts of the Devil See also Hebr. 11. 33 c. The reason hereof is because true Faith uniteth Believers unto Christ and so doth not onely make them partners with him in that Victory which he hath obtained over their Spirituall Enemies but also it doth convey spirituall strength from Christ unto them whereby they are inabled to stand out against Satan the World and all Enemies that oppose their Salvation And hence it is That Matth. 16. 18. it is said The Gates of Hell shall never prevail against the true Church being by Faith united unto Christ and built upon him Use Use See by this the excellency and necessity of true Faith in Christ This is that grace that builds us upon Christ the true Rock of the Church and so makes us also living stones or Rocks like unto Peter inabling us constantly and couragiously to withstand all Spirituall Enemies that lift themselves up against our Salvation yea it makes us more then Conquerers over them Labour for this Grace of Faith which may joyn us to Christ and make us one with him Then shall we from him receive strength and power to stand against all Enemies of our Salvation This will make us like the House built on the Rock which though the Winds blow and the Rain fall and the Floods come and beat against it yet it stands firm and unmovable because it is built upon a Rock So shall it be with us if we have Faith in Christ yea though it be but a small measure of this grace like the grain of Mustard-seed yet if it be true Faith great is the power and strength of it able to make a Christian to stand like an invincible Rock against the assaults of all Spirituall Enemies Indeed it is to be granted that a Christians Faith may sometimes be dangerously shaken by the assaults of the Devil the World and the Flesh but it can never be wholly overturned or vanquished The prayer of Christ for Peter Luke 22. 32. is effectuall for all the Faithfull therefore though Satan may winnow them yet their Faith shall not fail So much of this Point Observ 3 Observ 3. And he surnamed them Boanerges c. Hence gather That Ministers of the Word should shew zeal and power of the Spirit in Preaching the Word Isa 58. 1. Cry aloud spare not lift up thy Voyce like a Trumpet c. Hos 8. 1. Set the Trumpet to thy mouth c. Examples of this we have in Eliah Jeremy John Baptist Paul of whom Hierom saies Paulum Apostolum quotiescunque lego non verba audire videor sed tonitrua Apolog. advers Jovinianum So also James and John were indeed sons of thunder that is zealous and powerfull Preachers of the Word James did so thunder against the
the order of naming the Apostles as may appear by comparing them therefore no certain Argument can be drawn from the order of naming them to prove any superiority of one above another 3. Gal. 2. 9. James is set before Peter c. Zebedaeus So called to distinguish him from James the son of Alpheus Boanerges This word comes Originally from two Hebrew words Bane or Bene which signifies sons and Ragash which signifies fremere or tumultuari to make a great noise or tumult whence it is applyed to the noise of Thunder See Beza Drusius c. Sons of Thunder This surname he gave unto these two Apostles to put them in mind of their Office and Duty which was with great Zeal and power of the Spirit to sound forth the Doctrine of the Gospell like Thunder and withall to assure them that He would give unto them this Spirit of Zeal and power so to sound forth the Gospell Andrew Brother to Peter as we heard chap. 1. Philip Concerning him and his first Calling to be Christ's Disciple we read Joh. 1. and that he was of Bethsaida the City of Andrew and Peter this Bethsaida was a little Town or Village in Galilee Bartholomcw Some think this was Nathaniel who was brought unto Christ by Philip Joh. 1. because he is still joyned with Philip where the names of the Apostles are mentioned and because also Joh. 21. Nathaniel is reckoned among those Disciples which were Apostles Sic Jansen Harmon in Joh. 1. But it is uncertain Matthew Or Levi the Publican of whom we heard chap. 2. Thomas Who was also called Didymus Joh. 20. 2. which in Greek doth signify a Twin as Thomas doth in the Hebrew tongue See Drus Commentar in N. Test James the son of Alpheus So called to distinguish him from the other James the son of Zebedee before mentioned And this is he that is called the Brother that is the Kinsman of Christ Gal. 1. 19. for it is thought that he was the son of Mary the wife of Cleophas who was sister to the Virgin Mary the Mother of Christ Thaddaeus This was the surname of Lebbaeus as he is called Matth. 10. And Luke 6. 16. he is called Jude the Brother of James so that he had in all three names Simon the Cananite Called also Simon Zelotes Luke 6. and Acts 1. to distinguish him from Simon Peter He is called the Cananite as is most probable in respect of the Place where he was born and lived before his Calling to Christ which place is likely to have been that Cana a Village in Galilee mentioned Joh. 2. where our Saviour turned Water into Wine Judas Iscariot The son of one Simon so called Joh. 12. 4. to distinguish him from the other Judas the Brother of James And it is likely that the Word Iscariot is compounded of the Hebrew word Ish which signifies a Man and Kerioth or Kirioth which is the name of one of the Cities of the tribe Judah mentioned Joh. 15. 25. so that Iscariot is as much as a Man of Kirioth because as is likely he was born or lived there before his Calling to be Christ's Disciple Who also betrayed Him This is added as a note of infamy and disgrace with which he is branded and marked out from the rest of the Apostles as a wicked Apostate in that he fell away and did betray Christ unto Death of which Treason we shall see more afterward God willing Chap. 14. Quest Quest Why did our Saviour Christ choose Judas a wicked Traytor and a Reprobate into the number of the Apostles seeing he knew before hand that he would prove such a one For Joh. 6. 64. he knew from the beginning who should betray Him Answ Answ The principall reason hereof was this that the eternall purpose and counsell of God the Father concerning the betraying of Christ unto Death might by this means be fulfilled He knew before that it was his Fathers will and that it was so foretold in the Scripture that one of his own familiar Companions and Disciples which did eat Bread with him should betray him Joh. 13. 18. I know whom I have chosen but it is that the Scripture might be fulfilled He that eateth bread with me hath lift up his heel against me And none could be so fit an Instrument to betray Him as one that conversed familiarly with Him c. So much in way of clearing the sense of these Verses Now briefly to gather some Instructions from them And first to observe some things generally from them and then some other things more particularly Generally from these Verses Observ 1 Observ 1. In that the severall names of the Apostles are Registred here as also in three other places of Scripture as Matth. 10. Luke 6. and Acts 1. This the Lord would have done no doubt to honour them by preserving the memory of them unto all Ages because they were speciall Instruments of his Glory in being the first Planters of the Christian Churches Hence gather That God will honour those that honour Him and that are speciall Instruments of setting forth his Glory See 1 Sam. 2. 30. Therefore it is That we find the Names of such Chronicled and Registred in the Scriptures to their eternall Praise and Glory And although the names of wicked Men are also mentioned in Scripture as the name of Judas the Traytor in this place yet they are commonly mentioned with some mark of infamy and disgrace as Judas is here said to be he that betrayed Christ But on the other side good Men and Women are named in Scripture to their honour and praise in respect of those Graces that have been in them and in regard of those famous deeds which they have done in way of Glorifying God Use Use See then that the onely way to get true Fame and Renown with God and Men is to labour so to live that we may be speciall Instruments of Glorifying God in our Places This is the way to get an everlasting name Psal 112. 6. The Righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance And Prov. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is blessed c. Exod. 35. 30. The names of Bezaleel and Aholiab are registred c. Observ 2 Observ 2. Many of these Apostles before their Calling were Men of mean outward condition in the World viz. poor Fishermen as we heard upon Chap. 1. touching Peter and Andrew James and John and they were also men unlearned as appeareth Acts 4. 13. and yet our Saviour chose them to be Apostles that they should be the first Planters of the Christian Church and that upon their Doctrine he might build his Church as it is Ephes 2. 20. Hence we may learn That such is the power of God that he is able to bring to passe great matters for the good of his Church by weak means 2 Cor. 12. 9. His strength is made perfect in weaknesse 1 Cor. 1. 27. He hath called foolish things to confound the wise and weak things
over them c. But it shall not be so among you c. Our Saviour well knew before hand how apt his Apostles and other Pastors and Governours of the Church would be ambitiously to affect and seek Pre-heminence and Glory in the World and one above another The Scribes and Pharisees were by Office Teachers of the Church and how full of Ambition were they So Diotrephes 3 Joh. ver 9. being a Minister of the Church as is most probable loved to have the Pre-heminence amongst his fellow-Ministers yea he sought Pre-heminence above Paul himself So in the Ages following after the Apostles it may appear by the Histories of the Church how much the antient Pastors and Bishops of the Church were tainted with this sin of Ambition what striving was there amongst them for primacy what contention for the chief seats in general Councils And at this day experience teacheth how apt this sin of Ambition is to bear sway in the Pastors and Governours of the Church and how great hurt this one sin hath done in the Church c. Reason Reason Ambition is a fruit of Pride which is occasioned by the Gifts of God in which because Pastors of the Church do excell others therefore c. 1 Cor. 8. 1. Knowledge puffeth up Use Use Of all others especially Ministers ought to watch against this sin in themselves Observ 4 Observ 4. Against the Papists That the Disciples as yet did neither know or acknowledge any primacy of Peter above the rest of the Apostles in respect of Power and Authority neither had our Saviour formerly taught them any such matter or promised to Peter any such primacy as the Papists do falsly gather from those words of our Saviour spoken to Peter Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church c. for then the Disciples would not have disputed this matter who should be chief of them in his Kingdom Therefore this debating of the matter shews plainly that they did as yet know of no such primacy of Peter above the rest for then the controversy had been ended between them See Cartwr answ to Rhem. on Matth. 18. 1. Mark 9. 35. And he sate down and called the Twelve c. Aug. 5. 1627. IN the two former Verses we heard of the occasion of our Saviour's Teaching the Doctrine of Humility to his Disciples in a private house at Capernaum viz. A controversy and disputation arising between them by the way as they Journeyed to Capernaum touching Primacy or preheminence one above another which of them should be chief or have highest place of Honour under Christ in his Kingdome which they ignorantly supposed that it should be administred on earth and in some respects after the manner of earthly Kingdomes in this World Now in the next place the Evangelist setteth down the Doctrine it self viz. the Doctrine of true Humility which our Saviour upon this occasion taught his Disciples Where 1. Consider the Preparation which he used before he taught them which stood in two things 1. The outward gesture used by him He sate down to teach them 2. In calling unto him his Twelve Apostles or Disciples 2. The Teaching it self or matter taught by him viz. the Doctrine and practice of Humility which he teacheth them two wayes 1. By way of Precept ver 35. 2. By a reall Type or example of a young Child which he took in his Arms and set before them c. ver 36 37. First of his Preparation used before he taught He sate down This he did after the custome of those times which was to teach sitting and after his usual manner at other times when he did purposely and in solemn manner addres himself to teach either his Disciples or others of the people especially at the times of his publick Preaching as Matth. 5. 1. and Luke 4. 20. And sometimes also in his private teaching he used the same gesture and Preparation when he wâ—s in any special manner to teach and instruct his Disciples in some very weighty matter or point of Doctrine such as this was touching the practise of true humility which he was now minded to instruct his Disciples in and therefore he sate down before he began to teach them shewing thereby that he was now minded to instruct them in this matter not slightly or negligently but carefully diligently and throughly as being a matter of great use and necessity for them to learn where by the way also it seems very probable that â—eeing our Saviour did now sit down in this solemn manner before he began to teach this Doctrine to his Disciples that therefore in teaching it he did use many more words then are expressed by the Evangelists whose manner is not to set down the Sermons or Doctrine of Christ at large but onely the brief sum and substance oâ— that he taught Observ Observ That the Doctrine of Humility is a Doctrine of great weight and necessity for Christians to be taught and instructed in and that not slightly or negligently but carefully and diligently for which cauâ—â— our Saviouâ— being to teach this Doctrine now unto his Disciples did in solemn manner sit down and so prepare himself to teach it and we shall see how carefully and diligently he taught them this matter not onely by word of mouth or by Precept as in this verse but also by a special and extraordinary gesture and example which he set before them of a young Child c. What doth all this shew but that our Saviour held this Doctrine and practise of Humility which he was now about to teach to be a very serious and weighty matter and of great necessity for his Disciples to learn Reason Reas Humility is the very ground and foundation of true Religion and Christianity without which we cannot be Christ's true Disciples The first Lesson to be learned in his School being this to deny ourâ—elves as we heard before chap. 8. which cannot be without true Humility yea this is such a Grace wiâ—houâ— which we are unfit for the Kingdome of Heaven Matth. 18. 3. Verily I say unto you except ye be Converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter into the Kingdome of Heaven A Grace which our Saviour did in special manner teach by his own example while he lived on Earth Matth. 11. Learn of me for I am lowly c. Use Use See then how carefull Ministers of the Word should be to teach this Doctrine of Humility not slightly but diligently not seldome but often to urge and press the same as alâ—o how carefull every Christian should be to learn and be well and throughly instructed in this Doctrine and true practice of Humility being a matter of so great weight and necessity and yet so hard as it is to be learned so contrary to corrupt nature c. The second thing in his Preparation He called unto him the Twelve This he did 1. That by thiâ— meanâ— he might the
some Popish Writers as sufficient to answer the Devil's temptations and to help a man to understand the Scripture and to discern true Doctrine from false Thus Staphylus commended the implicit Faith of a certain Colliar who lying at point of Death and being tempted by the Devil touching his Faith answered that he did believe and dye in the Faith of the Church and being again asked what was the Faith of the Church That Faith said he that I believe in By this Faith saith Staphylus the Devil was put to flight See White Of the Church part 1. pag. 6. Use 2 Vse 2. To convince those amongst us who tye their Faith and Opinion in matters of religion to the Faith and Opinion of others especially of such as are in great Place and Authority in the Church or Common-wealth or in accompt for Learning The main thing they look at is what such and such great Men do hold what Faith and Religion they are of c. In the mean time never labouring nor being carefull to examine and try the Opinions of others by the touch-stone of the Scriptures nor yet to get a true and sound Faith of their own whereby to know believe and rest perswaded of the Truth in all necessary points of Faith and Religion Hence it is That they are so wavering and uncertain in their Opinions in matters of Religion so unsetled in the Faith being ready to be carryed about with every wind of Doctrine and to be seduced by false Teachers because they have no certain Faith of their own grounded upon sound knowledge of the Word of God but they rest in others Opinions not trying the Spirits as they should c. Use 3 Use 3. To admonish and teach us not to leane too much to the opinion and judgment of others in matters of Faith and Religion nor to rest in the Faith of others without warrant from the Word of God but to labour above all to have in our selves a true and sound Faith of our own grounded upon the Word of God in all necessary points of Christian Religion Though men of great Place hold such and such opinions in Religion yet we are not to tye our selves to their Opinions further than we have warrant from the Word of God but we are to look that our selves do believe and hold the sound Truth Though Herod himself were of opinion that Christ was John Baptist risen from the Dead yet our Saviour here shews That he would not have his Disciples build their Faith upon his Example but to look that themselves did hold the Truth in this point of Faith touching his person No more must we rely upon others opinion in matters of Faith but have a true and sound Faith of our own which must not be built upon Men but upon the Word of God I deny not but that we are to reverence the Opinion and Judgment of such as are of Authority and Accompt in the Church for their Learning and Piety but yet we are not to tye our selves to their Opinion in all things but to look that our Faith be grounded on the Word of God Whatsoever others hold or think in this or that point of Religion is nothing to us to build our Faith upon further than it hath warrant from the Word of God but we must look that our selves do hold the Truth and that our own Opinion and Faith be such as is agreeable to the Word of God and hath warrant from the same Use 4 Use 4. See here again how needfull it is for all Christians to be well grounded in the sound knowledge of the Word of God and to have it dwell richly in us c. For knowledge is the ground and beginning of Faith or rather a part of it and therefore if every one of us must have a true and sound Faith of our own to believe and be perswaded of all necessary points of Christian Religion taught in the Word of God then must we also have a true and sound knowledge of our own in all needfull Doctrines of Faith revealed and taught in the Word of God Hence it is That Knowledge is put for Faith sometimes in Scripture as Joh. 17. 3. This is life eternall to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ c. Mark 8. 29. And he saith unto them But whom say ye that I am Peter answereth and saith unto him Thou June 12. 1625. art the Christ NOw followeth the Answer of Peter in the name of the rest of the Disciples Peter answereth and saith unto him Thou art the Christ That Peter made this Answer not for himself onely but for all the rest is proved Joh. 6. 69. Where we have two things set down to consider 1. The person who made this Answer for all the rest Peter 2. The Answer it self containing in it an excellent confession of the Faith of the Apostles touching the Person and Office of Christ Thou art the Christ Of the first The person answering and uttering this Confession Peter Quest Quest Why did he answer and speak for all the residue of the Apostles Answ Answ 1. This is by some imputed to his great zeal and fervency of Spirit which made him more forward than any of the rest to speak at this and other times 2. But the principal Reason as is most probable was this That he was the chief of the 12 Apostles in Authority and Accompt among them and that partly in regard of his excellent Gifts above the rest and partly in regard he was the most antient in time standing being the first that was called to the Apostleship as may be gathered from Joh. 1. 42. For although Andrew first followed Christ yet Peter was the first to whom Christ promised the Apostleship which was implyed by giving him the new Name of Cephas See Dr. Raynold's Conference Cap. 5. Divis 3. pag. 176. For which cause also he is first named Matth. 10. 2. Mark 3. 16. Now in regard of this Preheminence of Authority and Estimation which Peter had among the other Apostles It is most like That they gave unto him the primacy of order in speaking to be as it were the mouth of all the rest at this and other times Observ Observ That although the Apostles of Christ were all equall in Ministeriall Power that is in the Power and Office of preaching administring Sacraments and of binding and loosing by that Power of the Keys committed unto Peter and under his name unto them all Matth. 16. 19. Yet notwithstanding there was among them some difference of Order and Place as also of Authority and Estimation of one above another in regard of excellency of Gifts and priority of Calling to the Office of Apostles and in these Respects Peter had the Preheminence above the rest As here we see in that he was as the Mouth of the rest to speak for them all and to utter in all their names this excellent confession of Christ So Joh. 6.
arm our selves against this trial because it is no easy matter but hard to our Nature to bear such contempt and disgrace in the World for the Name of Christ Use 4 Vse 4. To comfort us against all contempt and disgrace which we meet with in the World at the hands of men for the Name of Christ or for well-doing and to encourage us patiently to bear the same What though thou be rejected and despised of men or basely esteemed Christ thy Head and Saviour was so rejected and despised before thee He hath gone before thee in this kind of Suffering leaving thee an example to follow his steps Therefore be content to follow Him The Disciple is not above his Master If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub how much more will they so reproach and disgrace the Servants Now follow the Persons by whom our Saviour was to be rejected The Elders Chief-Priests and Scribes Observ 1 Observ 1. That those Persons who by their Place Calling and Authority in Church or Common-wealth should be the greatest friends of Christ and favourers of Christian Religion are oftentimes the greatest Enemies of Christ and of Religion Such were these Elders Chief-Priests and Scribes who being men of Place and Authority in Church and Common-wealth ought to have used their Authority to the favouring countenancing and defending of Christ and his Doctrine but they on the contrary abused it to the contemning and disgracing of him yea to the putting of him to death as appears in the words following Act. 4. 11. Peter tells the High-Priests Elders and Scribes being assembled that Christ was the Stone set at nought by them who were the Builders that is who by their Place and Calling ought to have been Builders of the Church and friends and favourers of Christ the chief Corner-stone in the building but they were nothing less they rejected Christ the precious Corner-stone and were rather Destroyers than Builders of the Church So the Scribes and Pharisees should by their Place and Calling have been among the chief friends and favourers of Christ but we see the contrary how they were his most malicious and deadly Enemies So Herod and Pilate c. Psal 2. 2. The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed These should have stood for Christ above all other but they were his main Adversaries Act. 17. 18. when Paul came to Athens and disputed there and taught Christ the learned Philosophers who should have been most forward to embrace the Doctrine of Christ were greatest Enemies to it Use 1 Use 1. See that it is not safe for us to tye our practice to the Examples of men of great Place and Authority in Church or Common-wealth lest by this means we become Enemies to Christ and his Religion as men of great place are oftentimes By following the example and practice of great men of the World we may come to reject and despise Christ as they oftentimes do If the Apostles of Christ or others Disciples and Believers in him had followed the Example of the great ones as the Scribes Pharisees Elders Chief-Priests c. they had never believed in Christ nor embraced his Doctrine but on the contrary had proved his dangerous enemies So if Athanasius had followed the other Bishops or the Emperour c. In Queen Mary's dayes if the Martyrs had taken example by many great men then living as by Popish Bishops Doctors c. they had persecuted Christ and the Gospel in the Professors and Preachers of it as those great men did See therefore the folly of such as make the example and practice of great men the Rule of their life as if it were alwayes safe to follow such Here we see the contrary for such great ones are oftentimes the greatest enemies of Christ and of the Gospel Therefore take heed of following them further than they follow Christ and his Word Vse 2 Use 2. To shew what need there is for us to pray unto God for such as are in Authority and Place above us in the Church and Common-wealth as for our Magistrates and Ministers that God may put his true fear in their hearts and make them truly religious that so they may be friends and not enemies of Christ and of the Gospel See what cause we have to pray that they may use their Authority and Dignity to the help and furtherance of Christ's Kingdom and not to the hinderance thereof 1 Tim. 2. 2. I exhort that Prayers be made for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honesty Such great ones if they be not religious and friends to Christ and to Religion then are they usually the most dangerous enemies of Christ and of Religion and therefore there iâ— great cause to pray for them that they may be religious and that they may use their authority credit honour wealth learning c. to the glory of Christ and good of his Church and furtherance of his Gospel Observ 2 Observ 2. That there is no Calling Office or Dignity though never so high amongst men that can or doth exempt those that are called to it from Errour in judgment or practice Though these which rejected Christ were men of high Place and Authority yet they erred dangerously in refusing and rejecting Christ So the Pharisees and High-Priests themselves Yea the Apostles themselves were not simply and absolutely priviledged from Errour by their outward Calling and Office but so far onely as they were immediately infallibly assisted by the Holy Ghost in the execution of their Office as in Preaching and writing the Scriptures they were therefore in other matters wherein they were not guided by the infallible assistance of the Spirit they were subject to Errour Act. 1. 6. at the Ascension of Christ they dreamed still of an earthly Kingdom and Act. 10. 14. Peter was ignorant that the Ceremonial Law touching the distinction of clean and unclean Creatures was abrogated by the death of Christ See Perk. in Gal. 2. 4. Use 1 Use 1. To confute the fond Opinion of the Papists touching their Pope's being exempted from Errour in matters of Faith by vertue of his Papal Office and Function But let them shew any ground of Scripture to prove that his Office doth priviledge him from Errour more than the Office of these Elders Chief-Priests and Scribes did exempt them from Errour Vse 2 Use 2. To teach us not to build our Faith upon mens Opinion or Judgment though they be of never so high Place Authority or Calling in the Church but upon the Word of God Mark 8. 31. And be killed c. Aug. 7. 1625. NOW followeth the second particular kind of Suffering foretold by our Saviour viz. His Death that He must be killed or put to death An Article of our Faith For the opening of which some Questions are to be answered
is meant of John Baptist who should be the fore-runner of Christ and should come in the Spirit and Power of Elias as is said Luke 1. 17. and as our Saviour himself doth interpret the place after as we shall hear See also Matth. 11. 14. Like to this errour of the Scribes is that of Papists touching the coming of Henoch and Elias three years and an half before the end of the World Grounded upon the false interpretation of that place Rev. 11. 3. Observ 1 Observ 1. That Christians may be well grounded in the true Faith and Doctrine of Christ and yet not able to answer such doubts and difficulties as may arise or be objected by enemies against the Truth As here the Disciples of Christ were grounded in the truth of Christ's Person and Office being throughly perswaded that he was the true Messiah and yet they were not able to answer to the contrary Objections of the Scribes nor to convince or disprove their Errors This is matter of comfort for such as do hold the sound Truth in main matters of Faith and Religion by warrant from the Word of God being able from thence to prove the same though they be not able by reason of their ignorance of some places of Scripture to answer and confute the contrary Doubts Objections which do arise or which are alledged against the Truth by Hereticks and Sectaries as Papists Anabaptists Brownists c. Though it is a matter necessary to Salvation for every Christian to understand and believe the Truth in fundamental points of Faith yet is it not of like necessity for every one to be able to confute the contrary Errours or to answer all contrary Doubts and Objections of others against the Truth Ignorance in the main and fundamentall Truths and positive Doctrines of Faith doth prejudice the Salvation of a Christian but unability to answer and confute all contrary Errours and Objections is not prejudicial to the Salvation of any And yet nevertheless this hinders not but that every Christian should labour for as much knowledge in the Scriptures as is possible that so he may not only hold the Truth but be able also in some measure at least to answer and confute the contrary Errours c. Observ 2 Observ 2. In that the Disciples being doubtful in this matter and not able to resolve themselves do propound their Doubt unto Christ their Master to be resolved by him not trusting herein to their own Wit Knowledge or Judgment we may hence gather what is fit for us to do in such Questions Doubts or Controversies of Faith and Religion wherein we are not able to resolve our selves viz. To propound them unto others that have more Knowledge and Judgment than our selves and to seek Resolution from them but especially we are to seek to Christ that is to his Word and Ministers Malach. 2. 7. The Priests lips should keep Knowledge and they should seek the Law at his Mouth c. The Disciples used to go to Christ for Resolution in their Doubts in matters of Faith whensoever they could not resolve themselves As Chap. 4. 10. when they could not understand his Parables they went to him in private and asked him the meaning of them So Mat. 24. 3. when they were doubtful about the time of the Destruction of Jerusalem and of Christ's coming and the end of the World they propounded their doubts to Christ So should we in all our doubts seek to Christ that is to his written Word c. withal seek to him by Prayer Observ 3 Observ 3. In that the Scribes being men of great place and Office amongst the Jews did hold and teach this grosse Errour touching the personal coming of Elias we learn that no outward Calling or Office in the Church though never so great doth priviledge or exempt men from Errours in matters of Faith and Religion but such as are of highest Place and Calling in the Church may erre and have erred in matters of Faith So the Scribes and Pharisees though men of great Place and Calling in the Church of the Jews in our Saviour's time yet were tainted with many gross and dangerous Errours in matters of Faith in so much that our Saviour was fain to warn his Disciples to beware of the Leaven of their Errours Ut supra Chap. 8. 15. They erred grosly in their Expositions of the Law as may appear Mat. 7. 5. and Matth. 23. They erred also as grosly in their Opinions of Christ of his Doctrine and Miracles as we have often heard before So also did the High-Priests and chief Priests insomuch as they all conspired together with the other Jews to put Christ to death Joh. 11. 47. Neither is this true onely of those which were open Enemies of Christ but even of the Apostles themselves For although as Apostles in execution of their Office of Preaching and Writing the Books of the New Testament they could not erre being immediately inspired by the Holy Ghost yet in the particular matters of Faith when they were left to themselves and not enlightned or guided by the Holy Ghost they were subject to Errour and did erre grosly As for example In supposing Christ's Kingdom to be earthly accompanied with temporal Glory and Prosperity as appeareth Act. 1. 6. it was the common Errour of all the Apostles So Act. 10. 14. Peter himself erred in a matter of Faith touching the Calling of the Gentiles and touching the abrogating of the ceremonial Law about the distinction of clean and unclean meats And if it were thus with the Apostles how much more with all their Successours c. Hence is it that the most excellent of the ancient Fathers which were of highest place and dignity in the Church had every one their Errours So those of latter times Luther Calvin c. Use 1 Vse 1. To convince the Pride and Arrogancy of the Pope of Rome holding himself to be priviledged from Errour in matters of Faith by vertue of his Office But herein he doth arrogate to himself a Priviledge above all Bishops and Pastors of the Church that ever were before him yea above the Apostles themselves and that without all ground from the Word of God yea contrary to the same Use 2 Vse 2. For admonition to such as are of highest Place and Calling in the Church not to presume too much upon the dignity of their Calling as if this could exempt them from Errour in matters of Faith but be humble-minded and to pray and seek to God continually for the light and direction of his Holy Sâ—irit to lead them into all necessary truth and to preserve them from contrary Errours For otherwise if God leave them to themselves they may fall into as gross and dangerous Errours as any other c. Use 3 Vse 3. This must teach us not to tye our selves to the Judgment or Opinions of men in matters of Faith not to build our Faith and Religion upon men though of never so high
Place Calling or Office in the Church forasmuch as no outward Calling or Office can exempt any man from Errour but to build our Faith and Religion only upon the written Word of God which is the Word of Truth and cannot deceive or lead us into Errour Observ 4 Observ 4. In that the ground and cause of this Errour of the Scribes was their mis-understanding of that place of the Prophet Malachy before alledged hence we are taught what is one main cause of all Errours and corrupt Opinions of men in matters of Faith viz. The Ignorance or misconceiving of the true sense of the Scriptures See this handled Chap. 8. 28. Mark 9. 12. And he answered and told them Eliasverily cometh first c. Nov. 19. 1626. IN this Verse and the next is laid down our Saviour's Answer to the Question of the three Disciples propounded to him in the former Verse touching the Opinion and Doctrine of the Scribes conceâ—ning the coming of Elias before the coming and manifestation of the Kingdom of the Messiah In which Answer our Saviour resolveth the doubt moved by the Disciples and withal discovereth and confuteth the Errour of the Scribes The Answer consisteth of three parts 1. A Concession or granting of that to be in some sort true which the Scribes taught touching the coming of Elias that he was indeed to come before the Messiah 2. A further declaration or shewing both of the end of Elias his coming or what he should do at his coming He should restore all things And also what he should suffer or what ill entertainment he should find in the World at his coming namely that he should suffer such abuses at the hands of wicked men as Christ himself was to suffer according to the Scriptures 3. A plain discovery and confutation of the Errour of the Scribes teaching and holding that Elias was not yet come c. This our Saviour confuteth by avouching that he was already come and had suffered c. Of the first He answered and told them c. Though the Disciples in moving the former Question discovered much Ignorance and Weakness yet our Saviour beareth with them and gently answereth them shewing himself ready and forward to resolve and satisfy them in the matter they doubted of Elias verily cometh first q. d. It is true in some sense which the Scribes say and I grant it to be so as the Prophet Malachi fore-told that Elias ought indeed to come first that is before the coming of the Messiah Here note that our Saviour doth not speak of Elias in that sense as the Scribes did in affirming that he was to come before the Messiah For the Scribes understood this of the coming of the Prophet Elias himself in his own Person to live upon Earth again but our Saviour under the Name of Elias understandeth John Baptist the Fore-runner or Harbinger of Christ even as the Propet Malachi also doth Chap. 4. 5. before alledged calling him by the Name of Elias and affirming that this Elias that is to say John Baptist ought indeed to come before the Messiah That this is our Saviour's meaning is plain and clear Matth. 17. 13. where it is expresly affirmed by the Evangelist that the Disciples understood our Saviour's words in this sense viz. That he did not speak of Elias himself in his own Person but of John Baptist whom he called by the Name of Elias So also Mat. 11. 14. All the Prophets and the Law prophesied till John And if ye will receive it this is Elias which was for to come Quest Quest. Why doth the Prophet Malachi in the place before alledged and our Saviour in this place call John Baptist by the Name of Elias Answ Answ This Name is given to John in regard of the resemblance and likeness that was between him and Elias in sundry things As 1. In excellency of gifts and graces of the Spirit in which John Baptist resembled Elias in which respect it is said Luke 1. 17. that he should go before the Lord in the Spirit and Power of Elias Especially John resembled Elias in his great and fervent Zeal for God's Glory for as Elias was zealous for the Lord of Hosts 1 King 19. 10. and testified his Zeal by reproving Sin and setting himself against it even in the highest Persons as in King Ahab and â—esabell his Wife so also did John shew his fervent zeal in like manner by reproving sin plainly in the greatest Persons as not only in the Pharisees and Sadduces which came to his Baptism but also in Herod himself and Herodias his Wife 2. John resembled Elias in this that as Elias living in a very corrupt Age of the Church waâ— a special Instrument and means of reforming the abuse and corruptions reigning in those times and of restoring the decayed state of Religion so also John Baptist was stirred up of God in very corrupt times of the Church and was appointed as a special means of restoring the corrupt and decayed state thereof as appeareâ—h by the words immediately following this Text. 3. John resembled Elias in the manner of his outward Life and Conversation amongst men viz. In the strictness and austerity of it and particularly in his very Diet and Apparel As Elias was a man of a strict and spare Diet as may appear 1 King 19. 6. so was John also for his Meat was Locusts and wild-Hony And as Elias was cloathed in a hairy Garment in which respect he is said to be a rough or hairy man and was girt with a Girdle of Leather 2 King 1. 8. so also was John Baptist cloathed with Camel's haire and had a Girdle of a skin about his Loyns as we heard Chap. 1. Again as Elias lived for a time in the Wilderness whither he was forced to fly for his life being persecuted by Jesabel so likewise John Baptist both lived and preached in the Wilderness of Judea as we heard Chap. 1. 4. Lastly as Elias was hated and persecuted by Ahab and Jesabel and suffered much at their hands for his zeal and faithfulness in his Ministry so also did John suffer much for the same cause being hated of Herodias and imprisoned and put to death by Herod Now further when it is said here that Elias that is to say John Baptist was not onely to come but to come first This is to be understood in respect or relation to the time of Christ's Birth or coming into â—he World that John was to come before him in time that is to say to be born and to live on Earth before Châ—ist for the space of six Months as appeareth Luke 1. 26. 36. as also to exercise his Ministeriall Office of Preaching and Baptising some space of time before Christ himself Quest Quest Wherefore or to what end was John Baptist appointed to come before Christ that is to be born and to preach before him Answ Answ That he might be as a Harbinger to prepare the way for Christ that