Power of God through Faith unto Salvation for who can be too strong for omnipotent Power 30 I and my Father are one That is one in Essence and Nature one in Authority and Power and not barely one in Will and Affection or one in Concord and Consent That this is the Genuine Signification of the Words appears by a threefold Argument 1. From the Original Words it is not said I and my Father are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Person in the Masculine Gender but in the Neuter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I and my Father are one thing Now if that Thing be not the Divine Being they cannot be one for since the Father is confessed to be God the Son cannot be one thing with the Father if he be not God too 2. It appears from the Context our Saviour in the preceding Verses ascribed the Preservation of his Sheep to the Power of his Father None can pluck them out of my Father's Hand and he ascribes it also to his own Power None shall pluck them out of my Hand plainly intimating that his Sheep were equally safe in his own Hand as well as in his Father's for says he I and my Father are one that is one in Power and if they be one in Power they must be one in Nature unless we make an Almighty Creature which is a Contradiction 3. It appears evidently by what Follows in the next Verse that the Jews understood our Saviour in this Sense why else did they take up Stones to stone him We stone thee say they for Blasphemy because thou being a Man makest thy self God The Jews took up our Saviour's meaning aright and were satisfied that when he said I and my Father are one he asserted himself to be God and deserved to dye and well he had deserved it if he had not been God The Adversaries of our Saviour's Divinity to elude the Force of these Words which make so much against them interpret the Words thus I and my Father are one that is say they we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one in Will and Affection one in Concord and Consent This is a Truth but not the great Truth contained in these Words for thus Believers are one with God and one with another Namely by an Harmony of Wills and Desires so far as they are regenerated God's Will and theirs are Unisons they will and desire the same thing and are of one Heart and of one Mind But God and Christ are one in a much higher Sense than Christ and Believers are one namely one in Essence and Nature one in Authority and Power being Consubstantial with God Learn hence That the Lord Jesus Christ is for Nature Coessential for Dignity Coequal and for Duration Coeternal with the Father 2. That although Christ be one in Essence with the Father yet are they distinct Persons one from Another I and my Father we are one 3. Learn hence That the Son being one in Essence one in Power one in Consent and Will with the Father they are both equally concerned for the Perseverance of the Saints for preserving them in Grace and for bringing them to Glory None shall pluck them out of mine or my Father's Hand for I and my Father are One. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him 32 Jesus answered them Many good works have I shewed you from my Father for which of those works do ye stone me 33 The Jews answered him saying For a good Work we stone thee not but for blasphemy and because that thou being a man makest thy self God Observe here 1. How the Jews understood our Saviour affirming that he and his Father were one that is one in Essence and Nature and himself a Person equal with God This they lookt upon as Blasphemy in him to arrogate to himself what is proper to God only Observe 2. That the Jews lookt upon it as a Piece of Justice in them to stone Christ for this apprehended Blasphemy Then the Jews took up Stones to stone him According to the Law of God the Blasphemer was to be stoned to death but then he was first to be judicially tryed and judged But such was the furious and fiery Zeal of these Jews that in a tumultuous Manner they attempt to stone him to death Lord how far doth the fury of Men in opposing Truth out-strip the True Zeal of thy faithful Servants in defending Truth Obs 3. With what Meekness our Lord receives this horrid Indignity of stoning for it is probable that some Stones were cast at him he saying For which of these Works do you stone me He clears his own Innocency and expostulates with them for rewarding him Evil for Good Many good Works have I shewed you from my Father that is by my Father's Authority and Commission I have been sight to the Blind Feet to the Lame a Tongue to the Dumb and Hearing to the Deaf Do any of these Works deserve such Usage as stoning at your Hands Learn hence That such was the perfect and spotless Innocency of Christ in all his Actions that he durst and did appeal to the Consciences of his most inveterate Adversaries For which of these Works do you stone me 34 Jesus answered them Is it not written in your law I said Ye are gods 35 If he called them gods unto whom the word of God came and the scripture cannot be broken 36 Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God Here our Saviour by a twofold Argument vindicates himself from the Imputation of Blasphemy in asserting himself to be God 1. Because the Old Testament gave to Magistrates and Judges the Title of Gods as Psa 82.6 I have said Ye are Gods Now Christ argues strongly from the less to the greater thus If Judges and Magistrates may be called Gods because they are commissioned by him and derive their Authority from him how much more is that Title due to me who was sanctified separated and ordained for a Mediatour and appointed to the Work of Redemption before I came into the World and consequently was God from all Eternity This Place the Socinians those professed Adversaries of our Saviour's Godhead produce to prove That Christ was not God by Nature but only in respect of his Sanctification and Mission It is a certain Truth That he that was sanctified and sent was the Son of God but he was not therefore the Son of God because sanctified and sent His Sanctification was not the Ground of his Sonship but his Sonship was the Cause of his Sanctification Christ was not therefore God's Son because he was sanctified and sent but he was therefore sanctified and sent because he was his Son He was a Son before he was sent even from Eternity otherwise it must have been said That God sent him to be his Son and not that God sent his Son This supposes him before he was sent to have
Mysteries to the World 2. That Christ was so intent upon laying down his Life for Sinners that he would not have his Death hindred by an untimely Declaration of his being truly and really God After his Death it was that He declared himself to be the Son of God with Power by the Resurrection from â—he Dead 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day Obs 1. The Wisdom of our Saviour in acquainting his Disciples with the near Approach of his Death and Sufferings This he did for several Reasons 1. To let them understand that he was really God as they had just before confess'd him to be by his foreknowing and foretelling things to come 2. To convince them of their Error in apprehending that his Kingdom was of this World and that he was to Reign here as a Temporal Prince 3. To prevent their being offended at his Sufferings and to prepare them for their own that they might neither shrink at them nor sink under them Obs 2. The Persons foretold by Christ that should be the bloody Actors in the Tragedy of his Death namely the Rulers and Chief Priests It was the Poor that received Christ and embraced the Gospel it was the Great Ones of the World that rejected him and set him at nought and the Rulers both in Church and State condemn'd and crucifi'd him 22 Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying Be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee No doubt Peter spake all this out of a sincere intention and with a singular Affection towards our Saviour but Pious Intentions and Good Affections will not justifie unwarrantable Actions From this Counsel of St. Peter to Christ we Learn 1. How ready Flesh and Blood is to oppose all that tends to Suffering Master spare thy self 2. What need we have to be fortified against the Temptations of Friends as well as of Enemies for Satan can make good Men his instruments to do his Work when they little think of it Peter little suspected that Satan set him on work to hinder the Redemption of Mankind by disswading Christ from Dying But observe in the next Verse with what indignation Christ rejects Peter's Advice 23 But he turned and said unto Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of Men. Christ lookt upon Peter with Anger and Displeasure Christ heard Satan speaking in Peter 'T was Peter's Tongue but Satan tuned it therefore Christ calls Peter by Satan's Name They that will do the Devil's Work shall have the Devil's Name too He that would hinder the Redemption of Mankind is Satan an Adversary to Mankind From our Saviour's smart Reproof given to Peter Learn That no Love or Respect to Mens Persons or Piety must draw us to flatter them in their Sins or cause us to speak lightly of their Sins From our Saviour's Resolution not to favour himself notwithstanding Peter's Advice Learn That so intent was the Heart of Christ upon the great Work of Man's Redemption that he could not bear the least word that should obstruct him in it or divert him from it 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples If any Mâ—n will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Observe here 1. How our Saviour recommends his Religion to every Man's Choice not attempting by force and violence to compel any to the Profession of it If any Man will come after me that is If any Man choose and resolve to be a Christian 2. Our Saviour's Terms propounded 1. Self-denial Let him deny himself By which we are not to understand the Denying and Renouncing of our Senses in matters of Faith nor yet the Renouncing of our Reason in matters of Religion but by Self-denial is meant that we should be willing to part with all our Earthly Comforts and quit all our Temporal Enjoyments for the sake of Christ and his Holy Religion 2. Gospel-Suffering He must take up his Cross An Allusion to a Roman Custom that the Malefactor who was to be Crucified took his Cross upon his Shoulder and carried it to the place of Execution Where Note Not the making of the Cross for our selves but the patient bearing of it when God lays it upon our Shoulder is the Duty injoyned Let him take up his Cross 3. Gospel-Service He must follow me that is Obey my Commands and follow my Example He must set my Life and Doctrine continually before him and must be daily Correcting and Reforming of his Life by that Rule and Pattern 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it Observe here 1. That the Love of this Temporal Life is a great Temptation to Men to deny Christ and to Renounce his Holy Religion 2. That the surest way to attain Eternal Life is Chearfully to lay down a Mortal Life when the Glory of Christ and his Service calleth us thereunto 26 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul Learn 1. That God has intrusted every one of us with a Soul of inestimable worth and preciousness capable of being saved or lost and that to all Eternity 2. That the Gain of the whole World is not comparable with the Loss of one precious Soul The Soul's Loss is an incompensable and irrecoverable Loss 27 For the Son of Man shall come in the gloâ—y of his Father with his angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works There is a twofold Judgment spoken of by this Evangelist St. Matthew namely a particular coming of Christ to execute Vengeance on the Jews at the Destruction of Jerusalem and a general coming at the Day of Judgment If we understand this place of the latter we have then 1. The Judge Described The Son of Man he who was and is both God and Man shall Judge both Angels and Men. 2. The Splendour of that Day declared He shall come in Glory with his Holy Angels The Attendance of Angels shall be requirâ—d by Christ not for Necessity but for Majesty 3. â—he Work and Business of that Day demonstrated and that is To Render to every Man according to his Works Learn That the Judgment of the great Day will be both Glorious and Righteous Christ will be Glorious in his Person and Glorious in his Attendance and the Judgment will be according to Righteousness Without respect of Persons according to what has been done in the Body 28 Verily I say unto you There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom A
threefold Sense and Interpretation is given of these words 1. Some will have them referr to our Saviour's Transfiguration mentioned in the next Chapter As if he had said Some of you as Peter James and John shall shortly see me upon Mount Tabor in such Glory as I will come in to Judgment 2. Others understand the words of Christ's exercising his Kingly Power in the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation which St. John did Live to see 3. Others referr the Words to the Times of the Gospel after Christ's Resurrection and Ascension when the Gospel was propagated and spread far and near according to St. Mark 9.1 There are some standing here that shall not taste of Death till thâ—y see the Kingdom of God come with Power that is till they see the Encrease and Enlargement of the Church by the Gospel Thence Note That where the Gospel is powerfully Preached and chearfully Obeyed there Christ cometh most Gloriously in his Kingdom CHAP. XVII 1 AND after six days Jesus taketh Peter James and John his Brother and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart 2. And was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light The former part of this Chapter gives us an Account of our Saviour's Glorious Transfiguration He laid as it were the Garments of frail Humanity and Mortality aside for a little time and assuming to himself the Robes of Majesty and Glory the Rays of his Divinity darted forth his Face shined with a pleasing Brightness and his Raiment with such a Glorious Lustre as did at once both Dazle and Delight the Eyes of the Beholders Here Observe 1. The Reasons of our Lord's Transfiguration 1. To Demonstrate and Testifie the Truth of his Divinity That he was Christ the Son of the Living God According to St. Peter's Confession just before This Divine Glory was an Evidence of his Divine Nature 2. Christ was thus transfigured to prefigure the Glory of his Second Coming to Judgment when he shall be admired of his Saints as here he was admired by his Disciples Obs 2. The Choice which our Saviour makes of the Witnesses of his Transfiguration his Three Disciples Peter James and John But why Disciples Why Three Disciples Why these Three 1. This Transfiguration was a Type and Shadow of the Glory of Heaven Christ therefore vouchsafes the Earnest and first Fruits of that Glory only to Saints upon whom he intended to bestow the full Harvest 2. Three Disciples were Witnesses sufficient to Testifie this Miracle Judas was unworthy of this Favour yet lest he should murmur or be discontented at his being left out others are also left out besides him 3. These Three rather than others because 1. These Disciples were more eminent for Grace Zeal and Love to Christ and consequently are most highly dignified and honoured by him The most eminent Manifestations of Glory are made by God to those that are most eminent in Grace 2. These Three were Witnesses of Christ's Agony and Passion to prepare them for which they are here made Witnesses of his Transfiguration This glorious Vision upon Mount Tabor fitted them to abide the Terrors of Mount Calvary Learn That those whom God singles out for the greatest Trials he will fit beforehand with the best Enablements 3 And behold there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him Observe here The Glorious Attendants upon our Saviour at his Glorious Transfiguration they were two two Men and those two Men Moses and Elias This being but a Glimpse of Christ's Glory not a full Manifestation of it only Two of the Glorified Saints attend upon Christ at it When he shall come in his full Glory then Thousands oâ— Thousands shall attend him These two Attendants were two Men not two Angels because Men were more nearly concerned in what was done they were not only Spectators but Partners Man's Restauration was Christ's principal Aim the Angels Confirmation his less principal Design But why Moses and Elias 1. Moses the Giver of the Law and Elias the Chief of the Prophets attending both upon Christ did shew the Consent of the Law and the Prophets with Christ and their Fulfilling and Accomplishment in him 2. Because these two were the most laborious Servants of Christ Both adventured their Lives in God's Cause and therefore are highly honoured by Christ Such as honour him he will honour 4 Then answered Peter and said unto Jesus Lord it is good for us to be here if thou wilt let us make here three tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias Observe here 1. The Person supplicating Peter No doubt the other two James and John were much affected but Peter is most servent and forward yet there is no arguing with the Papists from his Fervency to his Superiority his Personal Prerogatives were not hereditary Obs 2. The Person supplicated Jesus not Moses or Elias the Disciples make no Prayer no Suit to them but to Christ only Prayers to Saints departed are both vain and unlawful Obs 3. The Supplication it self and that was for their Continuance where they were It is good for us to be here Oh what a ravishing Comfort is the Fellowship of the Saints but the Presence of Christ among them renders their Joys transporting Obs 4. Their Proffer of Service to farther this Continuance Let us make Three Tabernacles This Motion was well meant and devout St. Peter will stick at no Cost or Pains for the Enjoyment of Christ's Presence and his Saints Company yet was the Motion unadvised and rash St. Peter errs in desiring a Perpetuity of that Condition which was but transient and momentary This Vision was only a Taste of Glory not a full Repast He errs in that he would bring down Heaven to Earth and take up with Tabor instead of Heaven He errs in that he would enter upon the Possession of Heavens Glory without suffering and without dying Peter would be clothed upon but was not willing to be uncloathed Learn 1. That a Glimpse of Glory is enough to wrap a Soul into Extasie and to make it out of Love with Worldly Company 2. That we are apt to desire more of Heaven upon Earth than God will allow We would fain have the Heavenly Glory come down to us but we are unwilling to go by Death to that we know not what we say when we talk of Felicity in Tabernacles upon Earth 5 While he yet spake behold a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Observe here 1. A Cloud was put before the Disciples Eyes for two Reasons 1. To allay the Lustre and Resplendency of that Glory which they were swallowed up with As we cannot look upon the Sun in its full Brightness but under a Cloud by Reflexion So the Glory of Heaven is insupportable till God vails it and shelters
of those that live under the Gospel are streighter and narrower than those that lived under the Law Observe farther In whose Name Persons are to be baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Where we have a Profession of our Belief in the holy Trinity a Dedication of the Person to the Worship and Service of the holy Trinity and a Stipulation or Covenant Promise that we will continue faithful in the Service of Father Son and holy Spirit to our Lives end The third Branch of the Power which Christ delegated to his Apostles was by their Ministry to press upon all their Converts an Universal Observance of and Obedience to all his Commands Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you Where Note 1. That preaching is the ordinary and instituted Means to convert Nations unto God 2. That preaching must not only go before Baptism but follow after it Obedience must be prest upon and practised by all those that enter into Covenant with God otherwise they lye under a greater Condemnation 3. That preaching the Gospel is a chief part of the Ministers Work and no Apostle thought himself above that Duty 4. As the Apostles did not so the Ministers of Christ ought not to teach any thing but what Christ commands them 5. As they are to teach what Christ commands them so are they to teach all things whatsoever Christ commands them Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you Lastly Observe The Promise subjoined Lo I am with you always to the end of the World That is I am and will be with you and your Successors lawfully called by my Power and Authority by the Blessing and Assistance of my holy Spirit I will be with you to uphold my own Ordinance to protect encourage and reward you and all your Successors in the faithful Discharge of your Trust and this not for a Day a Year or an Age but to the End and Consummation of all Ages Learn hence That the Ministry of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments are a standing and perpetual Ordinance to continue in the Christian Church throughout all Ages Learn 2. That all the faithful Ministers of Christ in what part of the World soever God shall cast their Lot and in what time soever they shall happen to live may comfortably expect Christ's Gracious Presence with their Persons and his Blessing upon their Endeavours Lo I am with you I am always with you and to the end of the World I will be with you Thanks be to Christ for the Gracious Promise of his Spiritual and Perpetual Presence with his Ministers to the end of the World May this Promise cause us to gird up the Loins of our Minds encrease our Diligence Zeal and Fervour accounting no Labour too great no Service too much no Sufferings too severe so that we may but finish our Course with Joy and fulfil the Ministry we are engaged in Amen Amen The End of St. MATTHEW EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO ST. MARK DEUT. vi Ver. 6 and 7. These Words which I command thee this Day shall be in thy Heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children And shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the Way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO S T. MARK St. Mark the Writer of this Compendious History of our Blessed Saviour's Life and Death was the Disciple and Companion of St. Peter and some affirm that he wrote his Gospel from St. Peter's Mouth it being Dictated by St. Peter and Indited by the Holy Ghost But since we are assured that the Spirit of God Indited the Book we need not trouble our selves to find out whose Hand it was that held the Pen. CHAP. I. 1 THE beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the son of God The Word Gospel signifies a Message of glad Tydings and intimates to us that the Doctrine of the Gospel contains the most gladsome Tydings the most joyful Message that ever was sent from God to Mankind Happy Tydings concerning our Reconciliation with God and Salvation by Jesus Christ Oh how highly should we prize how stedfastly believe how cordially embrace these good Tydings of great Joy Observe 2. This Gospel is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ because Christ as God is the Author of this Gospel and also the principal Subject and Matter of it Indeed St. John the Baptist was the first Publisher and Preacher of the Gospel Doctrine but Christ himself was the first and principal Author and likewise the chief Subject-matter of it for whatever is taught in the Gospel relates either to the Person and Offices of Christ or to the Benefits received by him or the Means of enjoying those Benefits from him Observe 3. How St. Mark stiles Christ the Son of God as St. Matthew had stiled him before the Son of David the one sets forth the Verity of his Humane Nature the other the Reality of his Divine Nature Signifying to us that the true and promised Messias was both God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person for ever He is true and real God as well as the Father and the Holy Ghost not a meer Man but God as well as Man 2 As it is written in the Prophets Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee St. Mark begins his Gospel with an Account of St. John the Baptist's Preaching and Ministry and declares 1. That the Prophets of old particularly Isaiah and Malachy did long before foretel the Baptist's Message and Ministry that he should go before Christ as his Harbinger to prepare the Way for him Behold I send my Messenger to prepare thy Way Where Note 1. The Dignity and Authority of the Ministers of Christ they are his Messengers sent by him to deliver his Mind and Will unto his People This Ministerial Mission is twofold Extraordinary and Ordinary the former when God immediately by himself calls Men to the Holy Function the latter when he uses the Ministry of Man in order thereunto Observe 2. The Work and Office of the Ministers of Christ declared and that is to prepare People to receive Jesus Christ offered and tendered to them in the Gospel Behold I send my Messenger to prepare thy Way before thee Learn thence That the great Design and End of the Ministry of the Word is to prepare and fit Men for entertaining the Holy Religion of Christ in their Hearts and to oblige them to walk according to the Rules and Directions of it in their Lives 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight Here Note 1. The Title given to John the Baptist He is called a Voice in respect of his Ministerial Office which was to speak forth to
Observe how zealous Hypocrites are for the lesser things of the Law whilst they neglect the greater and superstitiously addicted to outward Ceremonies placing all Holiness in the Observation of them neglecting Moral Duties Observe farther 3. How our Saviour defends the Actions of his Disciples in gathering the Ears of Corn in their Necessity by the Practice and Example of David Necessity freed him from Fault and Blame in eating the Consecrated Bread which none but the Priests might lawfully eat For in Cases of Necessity a Ceremonial Precept must give place to a Moral Duty Works of Mercy and Necessity for preserving our Lives and the better fitting us for Sabbath Services are certainly Lawful on the Sabbath-day Obs 4. A double Argument which our Saviour uses to prove that the Sabbath's Observation may be dispensed with in a Case of absolute Necessity 1. Drawn from the end of the Sabbaths Institution The Sabbath was made for Man That is Instituted of God for the Good and Benefit of Mankind both with Respect to their Souls and to their Bodies The outward observing and keeping of the Sabbath is subordinate to the Good of Man and therefore the Good of Man is to be preferr'd before the outward keeping of the Sabbath 2. Argument is drawn from the Authority which Christ the Institutor of the Sabbath has over it The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath That is He has Authority and Power both as God and as Mediator to institute and appoint a Sabbath to alter and change the Sabbath to dispence with the Breach of it upon a just and great Occasion And consequently Acts of Mercy which tend to fit us for Works of Piety not only may but ought to be done upon the Sabbath-day which was the Proposition which our Saviour undertook to prove CHAP. III. 1 ANd he entered again into the synagogue and there was a man there which had a withered hand 2 And they watched him whether he would heal him on the sabbath-day that they might accuse him 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand Stand forth 4 And he saith unto them Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath day or to do evil to save life or to kill but they held their peace The former part of this Chapter reports to us a miraculous Cure wrought by Christ upon a Man who had a withered Hand The place where he wrought it was the Synagogue the time when was the Sabbath-day the manner how was by speaking of a Word the Persons before whom were the envious and malicious Pharisees These Men were always cavilling at our Saviour's Doctrine and slandering his Miracles yet our Saviour goes on with his Work before their Faces without either Interruption or Discouragement Learn thence That the unjust Censures and malicious Cavils of wicked Men against us for well-doing must not discourage us from doing our Duty either towards God or towards our Neighbour Tho' the Pharisees watched our Saviour and when their Envy and Malice could find no Occasion of Quarrel would invent and make one yet such was our Lord's Courage and Resolution that he bids the Man which had the withered Hand stand forth To shew that he was resolved to heal him notwithstanding their malicious Purpose to accuse him for it as a Breaker of the Sabbath Opposition met with in doing our Duty must not discourage us from doing Good if we will follow the Example of our Blessed Redeemer 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger being grieved for the hardness of their hearts he saith unto the man Stretch forth thine hand And he stretched it out and his hand was restored whole as the other Obs here 1. The Pharisees sinful and graceless Disposition and that was Hardness of Heart The Heart of Man is naturally hard and full of Obstinacy and Enmity against Christ but there is an acquired Hardness which Continuance in Sin occasions the Pharisees laboured under both Obs 2. A double Affection which this Hardness of Heart found in the Pharisees did stir up in Christ namely Anger and Indignation Grief and Commiseration He was grieved for the Hardness of their Hearts Learn hence 1. That Humane Passions are not sinful and that Christian Religion doth not destroy natural Affections 2. That Anger at Sin either in our selves or others if kept within its due Bounds is not only lawful but commendable 3. That our Anger against Sin ought to be accompanied with Grief and Compassion towards Sinners We should pour out our Tears of Compassion when Men pour forth their Abominations 4. That of all Sins Hardness of Heart and Unbelief are most grievous and offensive most displeasing and provoking to Jesus Christ He looked about with Anger being grieved for the Hardness of their Hearts Obs 3. The sudden and instantaneous Cure which our Saviour wrought upon the Man that had the withered Hand Our Saviour did not touch him but only said to him Stretch forth thy Hand and it was presently cured Learn hence That Christ's having absolute Power over all bodily Diseases and Infirmities to cure them miraculously without Means only by a Word speaking is one Argument that proves him to be truly and really God 6 And the Pharisees went forth and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him how they might destroy him 7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea and a great multitude from Galilee followed him and from Judea 8 And from Jerusalem and from Idumea and from beyond Jordan and they about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude when they had heard what great things he did came unto him 9 And he spake to his disciples that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude lest they should throng him 10 For he hâ—d healed many insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him as many as had plagues 11 And unclean spirits when they saw him fell down before him and cried saying Thou art the Son of God 12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known Obs here 1. What a dismal Effect this famous Miracle of Christ's had upon the Pharisees and Herodians Instead of being convinced by it they conspire against him for it These Herodians and Pharisees were of different Opinions Enemies to one another yet they join together in seeking the Death of Christ The Pharisees were against paying Tribute to Caesar looking upon themselves as a free People and accounting the Roman Emperour an Usurper The Herodians were for it Herod being made by the Roman Emperour King of the Jews was zealous for having the Jews pay Tribute to Caesar and such of the Jews as sided with him particularly his Courtiers and Favourites were stiled Herodians but both Pharisees and Herodians take Counsel against Christ Learn thence That Unity and Consent is of it self alone far from being a Mark and Note of the true Church Unity in the Faith and Doctrine of
give Entertainment to them and their Doctrine They were to denounce the Judgments of God against such Contemners by shaking off the Dust of their Feet for a Testimony against them Thence Learn That the Contempt of God's Ministers and especially of their Ministry and Doctrine is an odious and execrable Sin detested by God and which ought to be abhorred by Man Shake off the Dust of your Feet This Action was Emblematical signifying that Almighty God would in like manner shake them off as the vilest Dust Learn 2dly That where-ever the Word is preached it is for a Testimony either a Testimony for or against a People For if the Dust of a Minister's Feet bear Witness against the Despisers of the Gospel their Sermons much more Observe Lastly The dreadful Judgment denounced by our Saviour against the Contemners of the Apostle's Doctrine Verily it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City Where Note 1. That there shall be a Day of Judgment 2. That in the Day of Judgment some Sinners shall fare worse than others 3. That of all Sinners the Condition of such will be saddest at the Day of Judgment who having lived under the Gospel have died after all in Impenitency and Infidelity Verily I say unto you it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than c. 14 And king Herod heard of him for his name was spread abroad and he said That John the Baptist was risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him 15 Others said That it is Elias And others said That it is a prophet or as one of the prophets 16 But when Herod heard thereof he said It is John whom I beheaded he is risen from the dead 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John and bound him in prison for Herodias sake his brother Philip's wife for he had married her 18 For John had said unto Herod It is not lawful for thee to have thy brothers wife 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him but she could not 20 For Herod feared John knowing that he was a just man and an holy and observed him and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly 21 And when a convenient day was come that Herod on his birth day made a supper to his lords high captains and chief estates of Galilee 22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and them that sat with him the king said unto the damsel Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee 23 And he sware unto her Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me I will give it thee unto the half of my kingdom 24 And she went forth and said unto her mother What shall I ask And she said The head of John the Baptist 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king and asked saying I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist 26 And the king was exceeding sorry yet for his oaths sake and for their sakes which sat with him he would not reject her 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought and he went and beheaded him in the prison 28 And brought his head in a charger and gave it to the damsel and the damsel gave it to her mother 29 And when his disciples heard of it they came and took up his corps and laid it in a tomb The History of John the Baptist's Death is here recorded by this Evangelist as St. Matthew had done before Ch. 14.1 2. here we have these Particulars farther observable 1. The Character and Description of a zealous and faithful Minister He is one that deals plainly and durst tell the greatest Persons of their Faults Herod tho' a King is reproved by the Baptist for his Incest in taking his Brother's Wife The Crown and Scepter of Herod could not daunt the faithful Messenger of God There ought to meet in the Ministers of God both Courage and Impartiality Courage in fearing no Faces Impartiality in sparing no Sins Obs 2. Who it was that commanded the Baptist to be beheaded It was Herod the King whom he had reproved How sad is it when Kings who should be Nursing-fathers to the Church do prove the bloody Butchers of the Prophets of God The severest Persecutions which the Prophets of God have fallen under are usually occasioned by their telling great Men of their Crimes Men in Power are impatient of Reproof and imagine that their Authority gives them a License to transgress Obs 3. The time of the Baptist's Death It was upon Herod 's Birth-Day It was an ancient Custom among the Eastern Kings to celebrate their Birth Days Pharaoh did so Gen. 40. and Herod here but both with Blood yet these personal Stains do not make the Practice unlawful when we solemnize our Birth-Days with Thankfulness to our Creator and Preserver and recommend our selves by Prayer to his Gracious Providence and Protection for the Remainder of our Days This is an Act of Piety and Religion But Herod's Birth-Day was kept with Revelling with Feasting with Musick and Dancing All which were made sinful to him by the Circumstances which did attend it Great Men's Feasts and Frolicks are too often the Season and Occasion of much Sin Obs 4. The Instigators and Promoters of the Holy Baptist's Death Herodias and her Daughter Lord How deadly is the Malice of Soulâ— debauched with Lust Imprisonment would not satisfie them they must have his Blood Resolute Sinners who are mad upon their Lusts run furiously upon their Opposers and resolve to bear down all Opposition they meet with in the Gratification of their unlawful Desires Obs 5. With what great Reluctancy Herod consented to this Villany The King was exceeding sorry Wicked Men oft-times sin with a troubled and disturbeâ— Conscience there is a mighty Struggle betwixt their Reason and their Lusts but at last they master their Consciences and choose rather to gratifie their Lusts than to obey their Reason So did Herod here for notwithstanding his Sorrow he commands the Fact he sent and beheaded John in the Prison Obs 6. The Motives and Inducements which prevail'd with Herod to behead this Holy Man 1. The Conscience of his Oath Nevertheless for his Oath sake See his Hypocrisie he made Scruple of a rash Oath who made no Scruple of real Murther See here not only the Folly but great Impiety of rash Vows especially in ignorant Persons who think themselves obliged by them Whereas it is their Duty first to repent of them and then to break them as fast as they can St. Chrysostom says Herod might have spared the Baptist's Head and yet have kept his Oath to Herodias for he sware to give her only half of his Kingdom and his Head was worth more than his
as they were afraid and bowed down their Faces to the Earth they said unto them Why seek ye the Living among the Dead 6 He is not here but is Risen Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee 7 Saying The Son of Man must be delivered into the Hands of Sinful Men and be Crucified and the Third day Rise Again 8 And they Remembred his Words 9 And Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things unto the Apostles and to all the Rest 10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the Mother of James and other Women that were with them which told these things unto the Apostles 11 And their words seemed to them as Idle Tales and they believed them not 12 Then arose Peter and ran unto the Sepulchre and stooping down he beheld the Linnen Cloaths laid by themselves and departed wondering in himself at that which was come to pass The Lord of Life who was put to Death upon the Fryday was Buryed in the Evening of the same Day and his Holy Body Rested in the silent Grave all the next Day being the Jewish Sabbath and some part of the Morning Following Thus Rose he again the Third Day according to the Scriptures neither sooner nor later Not sooner lest the Truth of his Death should have been questioned that he did not Dye at all not later lest the Faith of his Disciples should have failed Accordingly when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene getting the other Women together she and they set out very early in the Morning to Visit the Holy Sepulchre and about Sun-rising they get to it intending with their Spices and Odours farther to Embalm their Lord's Body Observe here 1. That although the Hearts of these Holy Women did burn with an Ardent Zeal and Affection to their Crucified Lord Yet the Commanded Duties of the Sabbath are not omitted by them they keep close and silently spend that Holy Day in a Mixture of Grief and Hope A good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Observe 2. These Holy Women go but not empty-handed She that had bestowed a costly Alablaster upon Christ whilst alive prepares no less Precious Odours for him now Dead thereby paying their last Homage to our Saviour's Corpse But what need of Odours to perfume a precious Body which could not see Corruption True his Holy Body did not want them but the Love and Affection of his Friends could not withhold them Observe 3. How great a Tribute of Respect and Honour is due and payable to the Memory of these Holy Women for their great Magnanimity and Courage They followed Christ when his Cowardly Disciples left him they accompanied him to his Cross they attended his Herse to the Grave when his Disciples did not durst not appear And now very early in the Morning they Visit his Sepulchre Fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the Presence of the Watchmen though a Band of rude Soldiers Learn hence That Courage and Resolution is the special Gift of God if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it shall not be in the power of Armed Men to make them afraid But to come to a close Consideration of the several Circumstances relating to the Resurrection of our Holy Lord. Note 1. With what Pomp and Triumph our Holy Lord Arises Two Men that is Two Angels in the Shape of Men V. 4. are sent from Heaven to roll away the Stone But could not Christ have Risen then without the Angels help Yes doubtless he that Raised himself could easily have Rolled away the Stone himself But God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison-door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice â—â—â—y Satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Note 2. our Lord's Resurrection declared He is Risen he is not here Almighty God never intended that the Darling of his Soul should be left in an obscure Sepulchre He is not here said the Angels where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost its Prisoner Note 3. It is is not said He is not here for he is Raised but he is Risen V. 6. The Original Word imports the Active Power of Christ or the Self-quickning Principle by which Christ Raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself alive after his Passion Hence Learn That it was the Divine Nature or God-head of Christ which Raised the Human Nature from Death to Life others were Raised from the Grave by Christ's Power but he Raised himself by his own Power Note 4. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first declared and made known to Women to the two Mary's But why to Women and why to these Women To Women first because God sometimes makes choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the weakness of the Instrument Redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent In the whole Dispensation of the Gospel God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the Conception of Christ was by the Power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenter's Spouse So the Crucifixion of Christ was in much Meanness and outward Baseness being Crucified between two Thieves But the Powers of Heaven and Earth Trembling the Rocks Rending the Graves opening shewed a mixture of Divine Power Thus here God Selects Women to declare that he will Honour what Instruments he pleases for the Accomplishment of his own Purposes But why to these Women the two Mary's is the first Discovery made of our Lord's Resurrection Possibly it was a Reward for their Magnanimity and Masculine Courage These Women cleave to Christ when the Apostles forsook him They Assisted at his Cross they Attended at his Funeral they Waited at his Sepulchre These Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes them Apostles to the Apostles This was a Tacit Rebuke a Secret Check given to the Apostles that they should be thus out-done by Women These Holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Note 5. The quick Message which these Holy Women carry to the Disconsolate Disciples of the Joyful news of our Saviour's Resurrection They Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things to the Eleven Verse 9. And the other Evangelists say That they were sent and bidden to go to the Apostles with the Notices of the Resurrection Go tell the Disciples says the Angel Matthew 28.7 Go tell my Brethren says Christ Verse 10. A most endearing Expression Christ might have said Go tell my Apostate Apostles my Cowardly Disciples that left me in my Danger that durst not own me in the High Priest's Hall
Chief Priests and Pharisees for apprehending a single Person Gown-Men and Sword-Men Young and Old Jew and Gentile all sorts of Persons contriving his Death as all Conditions of People were afterwards to receive Benefit by it But what need these Lanthorns and Torches it being then as some observe Full-Moon when they sought him in the Garden All this argued their zealous Industry for our Saviour's Apprehension that they might be sure to find him in case he should hide himself in any holes or corners of the Garden Learn hence That Persecutors and wicked Apostates are not asleep in their designs and actings but very Vigilant and Active when at the same time Christ's own Disciples and Followers are asleep and careless how active is Judas and how watchful was his Bloody Crew even at that time when Christ's Disciples could not keep their Eyes open 4 Jesus therefore knowing all things that should come upon him went forth and said unto them Whom seek ye 5 They answered him Jesus of Nazareth Jesus saith unto them I am he And Judas also which betrayed him stood with them 6 Assoon then as he had said unto them I am he they went backward and fell to the ground Observe here 1. How our Lord's Sufferings were all foreknown to himself before they came upon him and yet how willingly and chearfully did he go forth to meet them Should our Sufferings be known unto us before they come upon us how would it disquiet and disturb us yea not only discompose us but distract us in great Wisdom therefore and in tender Mercy has God concealed future events from us but it was otherwise with Christ he had an exact Knowledg of those bitter Sufferings which he was to undergo and yet with a composed Mind he goes forth to meet them Jesus knowing all things that should come upon him went forth Lord How endearing are our Obligations to thy self that when thou knewest before-hand the bitterness of that Cup which the Justice of God was about to put into thy hand thou didst not decline to Drink it off for our sakes Observe 2. That it was not Man's Power but Christ's own Permission which brought his Sufferings upon him How easily could Christ have delivered himself out of his Enemies hands who with a word from his Mouth caused them to go backward and fall to the Ground Christ in speaking those words did let out a little Ray or Beam of his Deity and this struck them down O what fear will Christ send out when he cometh to judge the World who could send forth such a fear when he yielded up himself to be judged and condemned in the World If there was so much Majesty in the Voice of Christ in one of the lowest acts of his humiliation What will the Voice of a Glorified Christ be to Sinners when he shall come as a Judge to Condemn the World 7 Then asked he them again Whom seek ye and they said Jesus of Nazareth 8 Jesus answered I have told you that I am he If therefore ye seek me let these go their way 9 That the saying might be fulfilled which he spake Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none Here Note 1. How voluntarily and freely Christ laid down his Life when his Enemies were fallen to the Ground he suffered them to rise again and offers himself to them to take him and carry him away Note 2. How the sight of this glorious Miracle of the Soldiers falling to the Ground did not deterr or discourage them from their wicked purpose they get up again and go on with their blody design Learn thence That obstinate and obdurate Sinners will not be reclaimed by the most evident and convincing by the most miraculous and surprizing appearances of God against them Note 3. How mindful in the midst of his Sufferings Christ was of his dear Disciples to secure them at this time from Death and Danger If ye seek me let these go their way That is my Disciples against whom you have no Warrant at this time Learn hence That Christ is so tender of his Followers that he will not put them upon Trials or call them forth to Sufferings till they are ripe and ready fitted and prepared for them The Disciples yet were weak and feeble timerous and fearful And Christ had much Work and Service for them to do in the World namely to plant and propagate the Gospel in Foreign Countries he therefore resolves not to lose any one of them by Persecution at this time And thus was his Word fulfilled of them which thou gavest me I have lost none 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it and smote the high priests servant and cut off his right ear The servants name was Malchus 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter Put up thy sword into the sheath Observe here St. Peter's Love unto and Zeal for his Lord and Master in defence of whom he now draws his Sword But why did he not rather draw upon Judas than upon Malchus Possibly because tho' Judas was most faulty yet Malchus might be most forward to carry off our Saviour Oh how doth a pious Breast swell with Indignation at the sight of any open Affront offered unto its Saviour Observe farther The Rebuke which Christ gave St. Peter for what he did tho' his Heart was sincere yet his Hand was rash good Intentions are no Warrant for irregular Actions Christ will thank no Man for drawing a Sword in defence of him without a Warrant and Commission from him To resist a lawful Magistrate even in Christ's own Defence is rash Zeal and discountenanced by the Gospel 11 The cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it Here observe 1. A Metaphorical Description of Christ's Sufferings They are a Cup put into his Hand to drink of and that by his own Father They are a Cup and but a Cup God will not over-charge his People and this Cup is from the Hand of a Father yea from the Hand of our Father The Cup which my Father hath given me Observe 2. Our Lord's Resolution to drink off this Cup how bitter soever being put to his Mouth by his Father's Hand Shall I not drink it That is I will drink it Learn hence 1. That oft-times the Wisdom of God is pleased to put a Cup a very bitter Cup of Affliction into the Hand of those to drink whom he doth most sincerely love 2. That when God doth do so it is their Duty to drink it with silence and submission Shall I not drink it That is I will certainly drink it with chearfulness and resignation 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him 13 And led him away to Annas first for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas which was the high priest that same year 14 Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people Judas having made
vindicates himself and defends himself both with Law and Reason If I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil But if well why smitest thou me Note 2. That when the Soldier had struck Christ upon one Cheek he did not turn to him the other also according to Matth. 5.39 Which evidently shews that That Precept if they smite thee on one Cheek turn the other also commands only this That rather than take Revenge we should take a second Injury Christians ought rather to suffer a double Wrong than to seek a private Revenge Christianity obliges us to bear many Injuries patiently rather than to avenge one privately But tho' it binds up our Hands from private Revenge yet it doth not shut our Mouths from complaining to publick Authority Christ's own Practice here expounds the Precept elsewhere Matth. 5.39 for he complains here of the Officers Injustice in smiting him before the Judicatory and challenges the Man to bear witness of the Evil. Observe Lastly How our Lord was not only buffetted but bound and sent bound from Annas to Caiaphas from Caiaphas to Pilate from Pilate to Herod and from Herod to Pilate again And all this on foot through the Streets of Jerusalem from one end of the City to the other partly to render his Passion more publick being made a Gazing-stock to the World and a Spectacle both to Angels and Men. And his condescending to go bound from one High Priest to another and from one Tribunal to another teaches his People what Delinquents they were before the Tribunal of God and what they deserved by reason of Sin even a Sentence of eternal Condemnation at the Tribunal of the Just and Holy God 28 ¶ Then â—ed they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment and it was early and they themselves went not into the judgment-hall lest they should be defiled but that they might eat the passover There were two Courts of Judicature which our blessed Saviour was brought before and condemned by 1. The Ecclesiastical Court or Sanhedrim in which the High Priest sate as Judge Here he was condemned to Death for Blasphemy 2. The Civil Court or Judgment-Hall where Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor sate Judge who because he was a Gentile they would not go into his House lest they should be defiled for they accounted it a Legal Pollution to come into the House of a Gentile Where Observe The notorious Hypocrisie of these Jews they scruple the defiling of themselves by coming near the Judgment-Hall where Pilate sate but make no scruple at all to defile themselves with the guilt of that innocent Blood which Pilate shed When Persons are over-zealous for Ceremâ—nial Observations they are oft-times too remiss with reference to Moral Duties They brought him to the Judgment-Hall but they themselves went not in lest they should be defiled 29 Pilate then went out unto them and said What accusation bring you against this man 30 They answered and said unto him If he were not a malefactour we would not have delivered him up unto thee Observe here 1. How Pilate humours these Jews in their Superstition They scruple to go into the Judgment-Hall to him he therefore goes out to them and demands what Accusation they had against Christ They charge him here only for being a Malefactor or an evil Doer in the general but elsewhere Luke 23. they particularly accuse him 1. For perverting the Nation 2. For forbidding to pay Tribute to Caesar 3. For saying that he himself was Christ a King All of which was filthy Calumny yet Christ underwent the Reproach of it without opening his Mouth Teaching us when we lie under Calumny and unjust Imputation to imitate him who opened not his Mouth but committed his Case to him that judgeth uprightly 31 Then said Pilate unto them Take ye him and judge him according to your law The Jews therefore said unto him It is not lawful for us to put any man to death 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake signifying what death he should die The Jews being now under the Power of the Romans tho' they had a Power of Judging and Censuring Criminals in smaller Matters yet not in capital Cases they could not pronounce a Sentence of Death upon any Person say some they might and did say others punish Blasphemers by stoning them to death but then their Sentence was to be ratified by the Roman Power Accordingly here they had in their Ecclesiastical Court condemned Christ for Blasphemy now they bring him to Pilate the Roman Governor to confirm the Sentence of Death From hence it appears that Christ was the true Messias being sent into the World when the Sceptre was departed from Judah according to that ancient Prophecy of Jacob Gen. 49.10 The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come The Jews now had no Power absolutely to condemn any Man or to put him death but this Power the Roman Emperor reserved to his own Deputy This contributed towards the fulfilling of our Saviour's Words Matth. 20.19 That he should be delivered to the Gentiles and should be crucified Which was not a Jewish but a Roman Punishment Had the Jews put him to death they had stoned him But Christ was to be made a Curse for us by hanging upon a Tree and accordingly the Jews execute the Counsel of God tho' they knew â—â— not by refusing to put him to death themselves Learn hence How willing Christ was to undergo a shameful painful and accursed Death that he might testifie his Love unto and procure a Blessing for his People Thus the Saying of Jesus was fulfilled which he spake signifying what Death he should die 33 Then Pilate entred into the judgement-hall again and called Jesus and said unto him Art thou thou the king of the Jews 34 Jesus answered him Sayest thou this thing of thy self or did others tell it thee of me 35 Pilate answered Am I a Jew Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me What hast thou done 36 Jesus answered My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my kingdom not from hence Observe here 1. Pilate's insnaring Question Art thou King of the Jews How jealous are great Men of Jesus Christ and how afraid are they of his Kingdom Power and Authority as if it would be prejudicial to their Authority and Power in the World which was far enough from Christ's Thoughts Observe 2. The Wisdom and Caution of our Saviour's Answer he neither affirms nor denies though whenever we speak we are bound to speak the truth yet we are not bound at all times to speak the whole truth Christ tells him therefore That upon the supposition that he was King yet his Kingdom was no Earthly but a Spiritual Kingdom he was no Temporal King to Rule over his Subjects with Temporal Power and Worldly
manner of our Lord's Funeral it was hasty publick and decent it was hasty by reason of the streights of Time the Sabbath was approaching and all Business is laid aside to prepare for that Teaching us how much it is our Duty to dispatch our Worldly business early in the Evening of the Lord's Day that we may be the better prepared to Sanctifie that Day Again our Lord's Funeral was publick and open all Persons that would might be Spectators to cut off occasion from any to object that there was deceit and fraud used in or about our Lord's Burial yet was he also Interr'd decently his Holy Body being wrapt in fine Linen and perfum'd with Spices according to the Jewish Custom Observe 5. The Reasons why our Lord was thus buried seeing he was to Rise again in as short a time as other Men lie by the Walls doubtless it was to declare the certainty of his Death and the reality of his Resurrection to fulfill the Types and Prophesies which went before of him As Jonas being three Days and three Nights in the Whale's Belly he was also buried to compleat his Humiliation this being the lowest step to which he could descend in his abased State Finally he went into the Grave that he might conquer Death in its own Territories Observe Lastly Of what use our Lord's Burial is to us his followers It shews us the amazing depths of his Humiliation from what and to what his Love brought him even from the Bosom of his Father to the Bosom of the Grave It may also comfort us against the fears of Death the Grave could not long keep Christ it shall not always keep us it was a loathsome Prison before it is a perfum'd Bed now he whose Head is in Heaven need not fear to put his Feet into the Grave Awake and Sing thou that dwellest in the Dust for the Enmity of the Grave is slain by Christ CHAP. XX. This and the following Chapter gives us an Account of our Saviour's Exaltation and Victorious Triumph over all his Enemies by his powerful Resurrection All the four Evangelists do confirm the Truth of it by recording the several steps and degrees of the manifestation of it In this Chapter Christ's Resurrection is confirmed first to Mary Magdalene next to Peter and John then to all the Disciples except Thomas 1 THe first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre In this Verse is Recorded how Mary Magdalene came early to the Sepulchre on the first Day of the Week to Anoint the Dead Body of our Lord Jesus Where Note That tho' her Heart did burn with an ardent Zeal and Affection to her Crucified Lord yet the commanded Duties of the Sabbath were not omitted by her she kept close and silently spent that Holy Day in a mixture of Grief and Hope her Example is a good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Note 2. What magnanimity and courage is found in this weak Woman she followed Christ Couragiously when his Disciples left him Cowardly she accompanied him to his Cross she followed his Hearse to the Grave when his Disciples durst not appear and now very early in the Morning she goes to visit his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the presence of the Watch-men Learn thence That Courage is the special gift of God and if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it is not in the Power of Man to make them afraid 2 Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith unto them They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him It was a great Honour that God put upon this poor Woman Mary Magdalene that she has the first Notice of our Saviour's Resurrection and is the first that discovers it to the Apostles But why had not the Virgin Mary his Disconsolate Mother this Priviledge conferr'd on her rather than Mary Magdalene who had been a grievous Sinner Doubtless this was for the Comfort of all True Pentitents and Administers great Consolation to them As the Angels in Heaven Rejoyce much more doth Christ Joy in the Recovery of one repenting Sinner than in multitudes of Holy and Just Persons such was the blessed Virgin who need no Repentance 3 Peter therefore went forth and that other disciple and came to the sepulchre 4 So they ran both together and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre 5 And he stouping down and looking in saw the linen clothes lying yet went he not in 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him and went into the sepulchre and seeth the linen clothes lie 7 And the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen clothes but wrapped together in a place by it self 8 Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre and he saw and believed 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead Here observe 1. How Peter and John moved with Mary Magdalens words They have taken away the Lord c. do run to the Sepulchre to satisfie themselves in the Truth of it Such as sincerely Love Christ upon the least intimation that he is missing bestir themselves with great Activity and Diligence that they may see him or hear of him Peter and John run to the Sepulchre to see what was become of their Holy Master Observe 2. That there were such clear Evidences about Christ's Grave as made it apparent that he was indeed Risen from the Dead and not conveighed away either by Friends or Foes It cannot be supposed that any of his Friends could they have come at it would have so handled his Holy Body as to carry it away naked and for his Foes had they Stole away the Body they would never have left the Fine Linnen behind them Observe 3. That when Christ arose from the Grave he left his Grave Cloaths behind him whereas when Lazarus arose he came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him it Teaches us that Christ Rose never to Die more but to Live and Reign for ever therefore he left his Grave Cloaths in the Grave as never to make use of them more But Lazarus was to Die again Death was once more to have Dominion over him he therefore came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him Observe Lastly How ignorant the Apostles were of the Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection and of the Holy Scriptures which declared he was to Rise again from the Dead They knew not the Scriptures That is They did not heed and regard them ponder them in their Hearts and feed upon them by Faith 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home 11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping and as