with the elders and had taken counsel they gave large money unto the soldiers 13 Saying say ye His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept 14 And if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you 15 So they took the money and did as they were taught and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day Observe here 1. How the Priests and Elders endeavour by a notorious Lie to hinder the Belief of our Lord's Resurrection they suborn and bribe the Soldiers to say that his Corps were stoln out of the Grave Lies have been an old Refuge which the Enemies of Christ have all along had Recourse unto â—â—lying is an ancient Device of Satan But Observe 2. What an improbable and unlikely Lie this was which they put into the Soldiers Mouths to vouch Say his Disciples came and stole him away while we slept If the Soldiers were asleep how could they discover the Disciples stealing away the Body If awake why did they not prevent their stealing it Besides how improbable was it that Christ's few and fearful Disciples should attempt to open the Sepulchre guarded by Soldiers And as unlikely was it that the Soldiers should be all asleep together and so fast asleep too that the great Stone at the Mouth of the Sepulchre should be rolled away and not one of the Soldiers awaked with the Noise Yet Observe farther That this incredible Falshood finds a fast and firm rooting in the Belief of the Jews to this Day Note thence That it is a Righteous Thing with God to deliver up to those strong Delusions even to the believing of notorious Lies who will not yield their Assent to Divine Truths upon the clearest Evidence and most convincing Demonstration How strange is it that such a Falshood as this should find Belief amongst the Jews to this Day But where Truth is obstinately rejected a Lie tho' never so improbable is received 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them 17 And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted This Meeting of our Saviour and his Apostles upon a Mountain in Galilee was an appointed and general Meeting The Mountain is supposed to be that near Capernaum where he made that famous Sermon called the Sermon on the Mount and the Meeting is supposed to be appointed as a general Rendezvous for confirming the Faith of all his Disciples in the Certainty of his Resurrection Possibly our Lord appointed this Place in Galilee so far from Jerusalem that his Disciples might without Danger come thither to see their Saviour alive again after his Crucifixion This is judged to be that famous Appearance of which St. Paul speaks 1 Cor. 15.6 When he was seen of above Five Hundred Brethren at once And those that saw him worshipped him who before had doubted Learn hence That when Faith is once satisfied and sees Christ to be God it engages the Soul to worship him Divine Worship is due to Christ upon the Account of his Divine Nature No Creature can be the Object of Divine Worship therefore they that worship Christ by praying to him and yet deny him to be God are certainly Idolaters If Christ had had an Angelick Nature that had not made him capable of Divine Worship for Adoration is founded only in Divinity and what is but Humane or Angelical is not Adorable 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth 19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Observe here 1. A Power asserted 2. An Authority delegated 3. A Command injoined 4. A Promise subjoined Observe 1. A Power and Authority asserted by our Saviour as belonging to himself All Power is given to me both in Heaven and in Earth 1. In Heaven which comprehends a Power of sending the Holy Ghost a Power over the Angels and all the Host of Heaven and a Power to dispose of Heaven to all that shall believe in him 2. In Earth which comprehends a Power to gather a Church out of all Nations and Authority to rule govern and defend the same against all its Enemies Learn hence That all Power and Authority concerning the Church of God was given unto Christ and conferr'd upon him upon the Account of his Meritorious Death and Triumphant Resurrection All Power is given to me That is as Mediator but this Power was inherent in him as God from all Eternity Observe 2. This Power delegated by Christ to his Apostles Go ye therefore and teach and baptize all Nations instructing them to observe all things whatsoever I command you Here is a threefold Power delegated by Christ to his Apostles 1. To congregate and gather a Church a Christian Church out of all the Heathen Nations throughout the World Before he had confined them only to Israel now they must travel from Country to Country and proselyte the Heathen Nations which before had been taught of the Devil and were led away by his Oracles and Delusions Go and disciple all Nations without any Distinction of Country Sex or Age whatsoever and make the Gospel Church as large as you can Thence Note That the Apostles and first Planters of the Gospel had a Commission from Christ to go amongst the Pagan-Gentiles without Limitation and were not to take up their settled Residence in any one Nation but to travel from Country to Country instructing them in the saving Mysteries of the Gospel The second Branch of their Power was to baptize in the Name of the whole Trinity Baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Where Observe That all adult and grown Persons are to be first taught and instructed before they be baptized But it follows not from hence that the Children of such Parents may not be baptized before they are taught for the Apostles were to baptize all Nations of which Children are a chief if not the chiefest part Besides those that were proselyted to the Jewish Religion tho' before they were circumcised themselves they were instructed in the Law of God yet when they were circumcised themselves their Children were not denied Circumcision at Eight Days old In like manner have we no Reason to deny the Children of baptized Parents who are in Covenant themselves the Sign and Seal of the Covenant which is Baptism God having assured his People that he will be the God of them and of their Seed If this Priviledge be denied the Children of Christian Parents are in a worse Condition than the Children of the Jews and consequently Infants are in a worse Condition since Christ's coming than they were before and the Priviledges
the Cock the more principal Christ's looking upon Peter and Peter's remembring the word of Christ 1. The less principal means of St. Peter's rising and recovery by Repentance was the crowing of the Cock as the voice of the Maid occasioned him to sin so the voice of the Cock occasioned him to reflect that God who always can work without means can when ever he please work by weak and contemptible means and open the mouth of a Bird or a Beast for the conversion of a Man But why doth our Lord make use of the crowing of a Cock to be the means of bringing St. Peter to Repentance There is ever some mystery in Christ's Instruments the Cock was a Preacher to call St. Peter to Repentance there being something of Emblem between the Cock and a Preacher The Preacher must have the wings of the Cock to rouze up himself from security and to awaken others to a sense of their Duty he must have the watchfulness of the Cock to be ready to discover and forewarn Danger he must have the Voice of the Cock to cry aloud and tell Israel of their sins and terrify the Roaring Lyon of Hell and make him tremble In a word he must observe the hours of the Cock to crow at all seasons of the Night to preach in Season and out of Season the glad Tidings of Salvation Again 2. The more principal means of St Peter's Recovery was first Christs looking upon Peter Christ first looks upon Peter before Peter look'd either upon Christ or upon himself Oh! wonderful Love and Grace towards this poor Disciple when our Saviour was upon his Tryal for his Life a time when our thoughts would be wholly taken up about our selves even then did Christ find leisure to think upon Peter to remember his disconsolate Disciple to turn himself about and give him a pittiful but piercing look a look that melted him into Tears We never begin to lament our Sins till we are lamented first by our Saviour Jesus looked upon Peter that was the first more principal means of his Recovery and Repentance But 2. The other means was Peter's Remembring the words of Christ before the Cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice Now this remembrance was an applicative and feeling remembrance he remembered the prediction of Christ and applied it sensibly to himself Teaching us that the efficacy of Christ's word in order to a sound Repentance depends not upon the Historical Remembrance of it but upon the close application thereof to every Man's Conscience Observe 3. The manner of St. Peter's Repentance it was secret he went out it was sincere he wept yea wept bitterly says St. Matthew it was lasting and abiding even all the days of his Life 1. His Repentance was secret he went out verè Dolet qui sine Teste Dolet he sought a place of Retirement where he might mourn in secret Solitariness is most agreeable to an afflicted Spirit and as St. Peter's Sorrow caused him to go forth so might also shame put him upon going out Christ looked upon him but how ashamed must he be to look upon Christ considering that he so lately denied that he had ever seen him 2 St. Peter's Repentance was Sincere he wept he wept bitterly His Grief was extraordinary and his Tears abundant there is ever a weeping that must follow sin sin must cost the Soul sorrow either here or in Hell we must either now mourn a while or lament for ever doubtless with Peter's Tears there was joined hearty Confession of Sin to God and smart Reflections upon himself we may suppose after this manner Lord what have I done I that did once acknowledge my Master to be Christ the Lord have since denied him with Oaths and Imprecations I that promised to lay down my Life for his sake have yet disowned and denied him at the voice of a Damsel Oh! what weakness what wickedness what unfaithfulness was here Oh! that my Head were Waters and mine eyes a fountain of Tears that I might weep all my days for the fault of this one Night Blessed are indeed the Tears of a Converted Revolter and Happy is the very Misery of a mourning Offender 3 This holy Man's Repentance was lasting and abiding he had a very quick sense and lively remembrance of this Sin upon his Soul all his life Ecclesiastical story Report that ever after when St Peter heard the crowing of a Cock he fell upon his knees and wept Others say that he was wont to rise at Midnight and spend the time in penitent Devotion between Cock-crowing and day-light and the Papists who delight to turn every thing into Superstition began that Practice of setting a Cock upon the top of Towers and Steeples to put People in mind of this sin of Peter's and of his Repentance also by that Signal Lastly St. Peter's Repentance was attended with an extraordinary Zeal and forwardness for the Service of Christ to the and of his Life he had a burning Love towards Christ Lord thou that knowest all things knowest that I love thee and as evidence of it he feed Christ's Sheep for in the Acts of the Apostles we read of his extraordinary Diligence to spread the Gospel and his Travels in order thereunto are computed to be 950 Miles Have any of us fallen with Peter tho' not with a formal abjuring yet by a practical denying of him Let us go forth and weep with him let us be more vigilent and watchful for time to come let us express more extraordinary love unto and zeal for Christ more diligence in his Service and more concernedness for his Honour and Glory This would be an happy improvement of this Example the Lord grant it may have that Blessed effect Amen CHAP. XV. 1 AND straitway in the Morning the Chief Priests held a Consultation with the Elders and the Scribes and the whole Council and bound Jesus and carried him away and delivered him to Pilate The fore-going Chapter gave us an Account of Judas his Treason in delivering our Saviour into the Hands of the Chief Priests In this Chapter we find our Holy Lord brought by the Chief Priests unto Pontius Pilate the Roman-Governour in order to his Condemnation Whence Observe That it has been the old Policy of Corrupt Church Governours to abuse the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Executing their cruel and unjust Censures and Sentences upon holy and innocent Persons The Chief Priests and Elders do not kill our Saviour themselves for it was not Lawful for them to put any Man to Death being themselves under the Power of the Roman-Government accordingly they deliver Christ over to the Secular Power and desire Pilate the Civil Magistrate to Sentence and Condemn him 2 And Pilate asked him Art thou the King of the Jews and he answering said unto him thou sayest it 3 And the Chief Priests accused him of many things but he answered nothing 4 And Pilate asked him saying answerest thou nothing Behold how many things
is no Desire like unto God's Desire of a People's Repentance no Longing like unto God's Longing for a People's Salvation Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thee When shall it once be CHAP. XXIV 1 AND Jesus went out and departed from the temple and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple 2 And Jesus said unto them See ye not all these things Verily I say unto you There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down Our Blessed Saviour had often acquainted his Disciples with his approaching Death at Jerusalem The Son of Man must go up to Jerusalem to be Crucified Now in this Chapter he acquaints them with the Destruction that should come upon Jerusalem in general and upon the Temple in particular for their putting him the Son of God to Death The Disciples looking upon the Temple with Wonder and Admiration were apt to think that the Temple in regard of its invincible Strength could not be destroyed or that at least in regard of its incredible Magnificence 't was great pity it should be destroyed and accordingly they say to Christ See what goodly Buildings are here as if they had said Master what great Pity is it that such a magnificent Structure should become a ruinous Heap But hence we Learn 1. That Sin brings Cities and Kingdoms as well as particular and private Persons to their end There are no places so strong but an Almighty God is able to destroy them and Sin is sufficient to lay them waste Observe 2. That the Threatnings of God are to be feared and shall be fulfilled whatever appearing Improbabilities there may be to the contrary God had threatned Jerusalem with Destruction for her Sin and now it is not all her Strength that can oppose his Power Learn 3. That notwithstanding Magnificence and Worldly Glory doth mightily dazle our Eye yet how little doth it affect Christ's Heart Even the Temple it self that most magnificent Structure Christ values no more than an Heap of Rubbish when the Impiety of the Worshippers had devoted it to Destruction Not one Stone says Christ shall be left upon another unthrown down This threatning was fulfill'd Forty Years after Christ's Death when Titus the Roman Emperor destroyed the City and burnt the Temple and Turnus Rufus the General of his Army ploughed up the very Foundation upon which the Temple stood Thus was the Threatning of God fulfilled Jer. 26.18 Zion shall be ploughed as a Field and Jerusalem shall become Heaps The Truth and Veracity the Faithfulness and Fidelity of God is as much concerned in the Execution of his Threatnings as in the Performance of his Promises 3 And as he sat upon the mount of olives the disciples came unto him privately saying Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the World 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you 5 For many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many A double Question is here propounded by the Disciples to our Saviour First As to the time of the Temple's Destruction Secondly As to the Signs of that Destruction As to the former the time when the Temple should be destroyed See the Curiosity of Humane Nature both in desiring to know what should be hereafter and also when that hereafter should be Thence Learn That there is found with all of us an itching Curiosity and Desire rather to inquire and pry into the hidden Counsels of God's secret Will than to obey the manifest Declarations of God's revealed Will. Tell us when these things shall be As to their second Question What should be the Sign of his coming Our Saviour acquaints them with this amongst many others That there should arise false Christs false Prophets and Seducers a multitude of Impostors that should draw many after them therefore he bids them Take heed and beware Where Observe That Christ doth not gratifie his Disciples Curiosity but acquaints them with their present Duty to watch against Deceivers and Seducers who should have the Impudence to affirm themselves to be Christ Some Christ Personal or the Messiah others Christ Doctrinal affirming their erroneous Opinions to be Christ's Mind and Doctrine From the whole Note 1. That there will be many Seducers many erroneous Persons and false Opinions before the end of the World For Jerusalem's Destruction was a Type and Emblem of the World's Destruction 2. That such Seducers will come in Christ's Name and their Errors and false Opinions shall be given out to be the Mind of Christ 3. That many will be seduced and carried away with their fair Pretences and plausible Deceits 4. That Christ's own Disciples had need to take heed lest they themselves being led away by the Error of the Wicked do fall from their own Stedfastness Take heed that no Man deceive you for many will come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet 7 For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows The next Sign which our Saviour gives his Disciples of Jerusalem's Destruction is the many Broyls and Commotions civil Discords and Dissentions that should be found amongst the Jews Famines Pestilence and Earthquakes fearful Sights and Signs in the Air. And Josephus declares that there appeared in the Air Chariots and Horses Men skirmishing in the Clouds and encompassing the City and that a Blazing Star in fashion of a Sword hung over the City for a Year together Learn 1. That War Pestilence and Famine are Judgments and Calamities inflicted by God upon a sinful People for their Contempt of Christ and Gospel Grace Ye shall hear of Wars Famine and Pestilence 2. That altho' these be mighty and terrible Judgments yet are they the Forerunners of worser Judgments All these are the Beginnings of Sorrow 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Names sake 10 And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate on another 11 And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many 12 And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold 13 But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Our Saviour here goes on in giving farther Signs of the Destruction of Jerusalem 1. He declares the sharp Persecutions which should fall upon the Apostles themselves they shall kill you Thence Learn That the keenest and sharpest edge of Persecution is usually turn'd against the Ambassadors of Christ and falls heaviest on the
Bloodshed Accordingly they industriously suborn false-witnesses to take away his Life not sticking at the grossest Perjury so they might destroy him The Chief Priests and Elders and all the Council sought false Witness against Jesus to put him to Death Abominable Wickedness Innocency it self cannot protect from Slander and false Accusation No Man is so innocent or good whom false Witness may not condemn Yet Observe farther Our Lord's Meekness and Patience his submissive Silence under all these wicked Suggestions and false Accusations Jesus held his Peace v. 63. Guilt is clamorous and impatient Innocency is silent and careless of mis-reports Learn hence That to bear the Revilings Contradictions and false Accusations of Men with a silent and submissive Spirit is an excellent and Christ-like Temper Our Lord stood before his unjust Judges and false Accusers as a Sheep before the Shearer dumb and not opening his Mouth Altho' a Trial for his Life was managed most maliciously and illegally against him when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously Oh let the same humble Mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus 63 And the high priest answered and said unto him I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of God 64 Jesus saith unto him Thou hast said nevertheless I say unto you Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven 65 Then the high priest rent his cloaths saying He hath spoken blasphemy what further need have we of witnesses behold now ye have heard his blasphemy 66 What think ye They answered and said He is guilty of death 67 Then did they spit in his face and buffetted him and others smote him with the palms of their hands 68 Saying Prophesie unto us thou Christ who is he that smote thee We observed even now that our Saviour was silent and did make no Reply to the false Witnesses that evidenced against him at his Trial because being so manifestly contradicting they did fall to the Ground of themselves But now when the Question was solemnly put by the High Priest Art thou the Christ He said I am Thence Learn That altho' we are not obliged to answer every cavilling or ensnaring Question yet we are bound faithfully to own and freely to confess the Truth when we are solemnly called thereunto Christ who in the former Verses was silent and as a deaf Man that heard not now witnesses a good Confession Teaching us both by his Example and Command to confess and own both him and his Truth when lawfully required when our Silence will be a denying of the Truth a Dishonour to God and a Scandal to our Brethren Christ knew that his Answer would cost him his Life and yet he durst not but give it Art thou the Son of the Blessed Jesus said I am Yea farther Observe That as Christ answer'd directly and plainly at his Trial so he did not refuse to answer upon Oath I adjure thee by the living God says the Judge of the Court that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ That is I require thee to answer this Question upon Oath for adjuring a Person or requiring them to answer upon Oath was the manner of swearing among the Jews Now to this Adjuration our Saviour answer'd plainly and directly I am Mark 14.61 Hence Learn That swearing before a Magistrate upon a just and great Occasion is lawful If Christ in the Fifth of St. Matthew forbids all Oaths then here his Practice was contrary to his own Doctrine but it is evident that Christ answered the Magistrate upon Oath and so may we Observe Lastly The Sentence of Condemnation which the Council passed upon him for owning himself to be the Son of God He hath spoken Blasphemy and is worthy to die Hereupon the unruly Rabble affront him with the vilest Abuses and most horrid Indignities They Spit in his Face they Blind-fold him they Smote him with their Fists and Palms of their Hands and in a way of Contempt and Mockery they bid him Divine or Prophesie who it was that smote him Learn hence That there is no Degree of Contempt no Mark of Shame no Kind of Suffering which we ought to decline or stick at for Christ's sake who hid not his Face from Shame and Spitting upon our Account 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace and a damsel came unto him saying Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee 70 But he denied before them all saying I know not what thou sayest 71 And when he was gone out into the porch another maid saw him and said unto them that were there This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth 72 And again he denied with an oath I do not know the man 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by and said unto Peter surely thou also art one of them for thy speech bewrayeth thee 74 Then he began to curse and to swear saying I know not the man And immediately the cock crew 75 And Peter remembred the words of Jesus which said unto him Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice And he went out and wept bitterly This last Paragraph of the Chapter gives us an Account of the Fall and Rising of Peter of his Sin in denying Christ and of his Recovery by a speedy and severe Repentance Both must be consider'd distinctly First As touching his Sin and Fall there are Four Particulars Observable namely the Sin it self the Occasion of that Sin the Reiteration and Repetition of it and the aggravating Circumstances attending it Obs 1. The Sin it self the Denial of Christ I know not the Man a manifest Untruth Next he adds an Oath to confirm that Untruth he swore that he knew not the Man And last of all he wish'd an horrid Curse and Imprecation upon himself That is he wish'd himself excommunicated and cast out of the Church Say some he wish'd himself eternally separated from the Presence of God Say others he wish'd in effect that the Devil might take him if he were acquainted with Jesus The inordinate Love of Life and slavish Fear of Sufferings and Death may draw the best Men to commit the worst of Sins Obs 2. The Occasions of this Sin and they were Three his following Christ afar off his being in bad Company amongst Christ's Enemies and his presumptuous Confidence of his own Strength and Standing 1. His following of Christ afar off To follow Christ is the Work of Faith and Fruit of Love but to follow him afar off was the Effect of Fear and Frailty Wo unto us when a Temptation comes if we be far off from Christ's Presence and Assistance 2. His being in wicked Company amongst Christ's Enemies Oh Peter thou hadst better have been a cold by thy self alone than sitting by a Fire compassed in with the Blasphemies
said by the Holy Ghost the 〈◊〉 sâ—id to my Lord sit thou on my right hand till I make thine Enemies thy footstool 37 Dâ—vid therefore himself calleth him Lord and whence is he then his Son and the common people heard him gladly The Pharisees had often put forth several questions malitiously unto Christ and now Christ puts forth one question innocently unto them namely What they thought of the Messiah whom they expected They reply that he was to be the Son of David that is a secular Prince descending from David who should deliver them from the power of the Romans and restore them to their Civil Rights This was the Notion they had of the Messiah that he should be a meer Man the Son of David according to the flesh and nothing more Our Saviour replys Whence is it then that David calls the Messiah Lord Psalm 110. v. 1. The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand how could he be both David's Lord and David's Son No Son being Lord to his own Father therefore if Christ were David s Soveraign he must be more than Man more then David's Son as Man so he was David's Son as God-man so he was David's Lord. Note hence 1. That although Christ was truly and really Man yet he was more then a bare Man he was Lord unto and the Salvation of his own Fore-fathers Note 2. That the only way to reconcile the Scriptures which speak concerning Christ is to believe and acknowledge him to be God and Man in one Preson the Messiah as Man was to come forth out of David's Loyns but as God-man he was David's Soveraign and Saviour As Man he was his Fathers Son as God he was Lord to his own Father 38 And he said unto them in his Doctrine beware of the Scribes which love to go in long cloathing and love Salutations in the market place 39 And the chief seats in the Synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts 40 Which devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers these shall receive greater Damnation Observe here What it is that our Saviour condemns not civil Salutations in the Market place not the chief seats in Synagogues not the uppermost Rooms at Feasts but their fond Affecting of these things and their Ambitious aspiring after them It was not their taking but their loving the uppermost Rooms at Feasts which Christ condemns Observe 2. How our Saviour condemns the Pharisees for their gross Hypocrisy in colouring over their Covetousness with a pretence of Religion making long Prayers in the Temple and Synagogues for Widows and thereupon perswading them to give bountifully to Corban that is the common Treasury for the Temple some part of which was imployed for their maintenance whence we learn that it is no new thing for designing Hypocrites to cover the fowlest Transgression with the cloak of Religion The Pharisees made long Prayers a cloak and cover for their Covetousness 41 And Jesus sat over against the Treasury and beheld how the people cast money into the Treasury and many that were rich cast in much 42 And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two mites which makes a farthing 43 And he called unto him his Disciciples and saith unto them verily I say unto you that this poor Widow hath cast more in then all they which have cast into the Treasury 44. For all they did cast in of their abundance but she of her want did cast in all that she had even all her living As our blessed Saviour sat over against the Treasury that is that part of the Court of the Temple where the Corban or Chests for receiving the Peoples Offerings and Gifts were set he observed and took notice of those that offered their Oblations and some that were rich offered very liberally but a certain poor Widow came and offered two Mites Our Saviour hereupon takes occasion to instruct his Disciples in this comfortable Truth namely that Almighty God accepts the will of those that give chearfully though they cannot give largely This poor Woman cast in more in respect of the inward affection of her heart and in proportion to her estate then all those that were Rich and Wealthy that had cast in before her a mite to her being more then a pound to them From the whole Note 1. That the poorer yea the poorest sort of People are not exempted from good works even they must exercise charity according to their Abilities Learn 2. That in all works of pious charity which we perform God looks at the heart the will and the affection of the Giver more then at the largeness and liberality of the Gift if there be a willing mind says the Apostle 2 Câ—r 8.12 It is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not CHAP. XIII 1 AND as he went out of the Temple one of his Disciples saith unto him Master see what manner of stones and what buildings are here 2 And Jesus answering said unto him seest thou these great buildings there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down Our blessed Saviour being now ready to depart from the Temple never more after this entring into it and his Disciples shewing him with wonder and admiration the magnificient Structures and Buildings thereof apprehending that in regard of its invincible strength it could not be destroyed or that at least in regard of its incredible magnificence it was great pitty it should be destroyed They say to Christ Master behold what Buildings are here not considering how sin will undermine and blow up the most famous Structures Sin brings Cities and Kingdoms as well as particular persons to their end not one stone of this magnificent Structure says Christ shall remain unpulled down which threatning was exactly fulfilled after Christ's Death when Titus the Roman Emperor destroâ—ed the City burnt the Temple and Turnus Rufus the General of his Army ploughed up the very foundation on which the Temple stood Thus was the threatning of God fulfilled Jer. 26.18 Zion shall be ploughed as a Field and Jerusalem shall becâ—me an heap Learn hence 1. That sin has laid the foundation of ruin in the most flourishing Cities and Kingdom 2. That the threatnings of God are to be feared and shall be fulfilled whatever appearing improbabilities there may be to the contrary 'T is neither the Temples strength nor beauty that can oppose or withstand God's Power 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the Temple Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately 4 Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled A double question is here propounded to our Saviour by his Disciples namely When the Destruction of Jerusalem shall be and what should be the signs of that Destruction See here what an itching curiosity there is in the best of Men to know
of his pardoning Love to her and not the Cause of it She did not first Love much and then Christ forgave her but Christ first forgave her and then she loved much Her Love was a Love of Gratitude because she was pardoned and not a Love of Merit to Purchase and procure her Pardon The Papists interpret this Word For as if it were the Antecedent Cause of her Forgiveness whereas it is a consequential Sign and Evidence that the free Grace and Mercy of Christ had forgiven her her many and great Sins were forgiven her and therefore she Loved much The Debt is not Forgiven because the Debtor Loves his Creditor but the Debtor therefore Loves because the Debt is Forgiven Forgiveness goes before and Love follows after Hence Learn That much Love will follow great Forgiveness Love will work in the heart towards God in some proportion to that Love which we have Experienced from God Observe Lastly The very Gracious Dismission which this Woman meets with from our Blessed Saviour What could she desire that is not here granted to her Here is Remission Safety Faith and Peace all these here meet to make a Contrite Soul Happy Remission is the Ground of her Safety Faith the Ground of her Peace Peace the fruit of her Faith and Salvation the Issue of her Remission Oh Woman Great was thy Sin Great was Christ's pardoning Grace and Great was thy Joy and Comfort Thy Sins are forgiven thee thy Faith hath saved thee go in peace CHAP. VIII 1 AND it came to pass afterwards that he went throughout every city and village preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and the Twelve were with him Observe here the great work and business which not only the Apostles but Christ himself was engaged in and imploy'd about namely preaching the Gospel those glad Tidings of Salvation to a lost World Where Note That Christ himself labour'd in this Work of publick Preaching he did not send forth his Apostles as his Curates to work and sweat in the Vineyard whilst he himself took his ease at home but he accompanieth them himself yea he goes before them himself in this great and excellent Work Jesus went preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel and the twelve were with him Learn thence That Preaching of the Gospel is a great and necessary Work incumbent upon all the Ministers of Christ let their Dignity and Preheminence in the Church be what it will Surely none of the Servants are above their Lord and Master did he Labour in the Word and Doctrine well may they Observe 2. The places where Christ and his Apostles preached not only in the populous Cities but in the poor Country Villages They went through every city and village preaching the Gospel Some will preach the Gospel provided they may preach at Court or in the capital Cities of the Nation but the poor Country Villages are over-look'd by them Our Saviour and his Apostles were not of this mind it 's true they were Itinerary Preachers we are settled but be the place never so mean and obscure and the People never so rude and barbarous we must not think it beneath the greatest of us to exercise our Ministry there if God calls us thither Christ went through the villages as well as cities Preaching 2 And certain women which had been healed of evil Spirits and infirmities Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seven Devils 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and Susanna and many others which ministered unto him of their Substance Amongst the number of those that did Accompany our Saviour and his Apostles mention is here made of certain Women who had been healed by Christ of Evil Spirits and Infirmities that is of Spiritual and Corporeal Diseases for the Jews were wont to call Vices and evil Habits by the Name of Devils as the Devil of Pride the Devil of Malice c. Now as concerning these Womens following of Christ and administring to him several Circumstances are Observable as 1. That Women did make up a considerable number of Christ's Followers ay and of his Apostles Followers too the Devout Women not a few Acts 17.4 And verily it is no Disgrace or Shame but matter of Glory and cause of Thankfulness if our Ministry be attended by and Blest unto the weaker Sex I believe in many of our Congregations and at most of our Communions are found two Women for one Man God grant them Knowledge answerable to their Zeal and Obedience proportionable to their Devotion Observe 2. One of these Women that followed Christ was Joanna the Wife of Herod's Steward What one of Herod's Family transplanted into Christ's Houshold oh the freeness of the Grace of God Even in the worst Societies and Places God has a number to stand up for his Name and bear witness to his Truth we read of a Joseph in Pharaoh's Court of an Obadiah in Ahab's Court of a Daniel in Nebuchadnezar's Court of a Church in Nero's House and of a Joanna here in bloody Herod's Family who had put John the Baptist to Death Observe 3. The Holy courage and resolution of our Saviour's Female Followers no doubt they met with Taunts and Jears with Scofs and Scorns enough and perhaps from their Husbands too for following the Carpenters Son and a few Fishermen but this does not damp but inflame their Zeal The Holy Gospel acquaints us with several instances of Masculine Courage and manly Resolutions in the Women that followed Christ as his Female Disciples at our Saviour's Tryal the Women cleave to him when his Disciples fled from him they accompanied him to his Cross they assisted at his Funeral they attended his Hearse to the Grave they watched his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the rudeness of the Soldiers These feeble Women had more courage then all the Apostles Learn that Courage is the special and peculiar Gift of God and where he gives Courage it is not in Man to make afraid Observe 4. The pious and charitable care of these Holy Women to supply the Wants and outward Necessities of our Saviour they administred to him of their Substance Where Note 1. The great Poverty of Christ he lived upon the Basket he would not honour the World so far as to have any part of it in his own hand but was beholding to others for what he eat and drank yet must we not suppose that either Christ or his Apostles were common Beggars but it is probable there was a Bag or common Purse amongst them which upon occasion supplied their Necessities and there were certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sisters or Christian Women as the Learned Dr. Hammond observes who accompanied Christ and his Apostles in their Travels and provided Necessaries for them when they went up and down Preaching the Gospel Note also 2. The condescending Grace and Humility of Christ he was not ashâ—med either of these Womens following of him or administring to
as Man he was David s Son as God man he was Lord to his own Father 45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his Disciples 46 Beware of the Scribes which desire to walk in long Robes and love greetings in the markets and the highest Seats in the Synagogues and the chief Rooms at Feasts 47 Which devour widows houses and for a shew make long prayers the same shall receive greater Damnation Observe here What it is that our Saviour condemns not Civil Salutations in the Market-place not the chief Seats in the Synagogue not the uppermost Rooms at Feasts but their fond affecting of these things and their ambitious aspiring after them it was not their Taking but their loving the uppermost Rooms at Feasts which our Saviour condemns God is the God of Order there may and ought to be a Precedency among Persons God commands us to give Honour to whom Honour is due but Pride and Ambition are detestable and hateful Vices especially in such as are Preachers and ought to be Patterns of Humility Observe 2. How our Saviour condemns the Pharisees for their gross Hypocrisy in colouring over their abominable Covetousness with a specious pretence of Religion making long Prayers in the Temple and Synagogues for Widows and thereupon perswading them to give Bountifully to Corban that is the Common Treasury for the Temple some part of which was employed for their Maintenance Whence we Learn That it is no new thing for Designing Hypocrites to cover the fowlest Transgressions with the Cloak of Religion thus the Pharisees made their Prayers a cloak and cover for their Covetousness CHAP. XXI 1 AND Jesus looked up and saw the rich men casting their Gifts into the Treasury 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites 3 And he said Of a truth I say unto you That this poor Widow hath cast in more then they all 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God but she of her penury hath cast in all that she had At the door of the Temple thro' which all the People passed in and out who came up three times a Year at the Solemn Feasts to Worship Almighty God in his own House there was a Chest set like the poor Mans Box in some of our Churches into which all Persons cast in their Free Will Offerings and Oblations which were employed either for the use of the Poor or for the Service of the Temple and what was thus given our Saviour calls an Offering to God v. 4. These of their abundance have cast in unto the Offering of God Thence Learn That what we rightly give to the Relief of the Poor or for the Service and towards the Support of God's publick Worship is Consecrated to God and as such is accepted of him and ought to be esteemed by us Observe 2. With what pleasure and Satisfaction our Saviour sets Himself to view those Offerings he beheld the rich men casting their Gifts into the Treasury Thence Note That our Saviour sees with pleasure and beholds with Delight whatever we have Hearts to give unto him whether for the Relief of his Members or for the Support of his Service Oh Blessed Saviour while now thou sittest at thy Father's Right Hand in Glory thou seest every hand that is stretched forth to the relief of thy poor Members here on Earth But a certain poor widow cast in two mites Several Circumstances relating both to the Person and the Action are here Observable as 1. The Person that offered was a Widow the Married Woman is under the careful Provision of her Husband if she spends he earns but the Widow has no hands but her own to work for her 2. She was a poor Widow poverty added to the Sorrow of her Widowhood she had no rich Joynture to live upon it is some alleviation of the Sorrow that attends Widow-hood when the Hand is left full tho' the Bed be left empty this Widow was needy and desolate but yet gives some in her Circumstances would have look'd upon themselves as having Right to receive what was given by others rather than to give any thing themselves 3 Observe her Bounty and Munificence in giving her two Mites are proclaimed by Christ to be more then all the rich Mens Talents more in respect of the mind and affection of the Giver more with respect to the proportion of the Gift a Mite to her being more than Pounds to others Pounds were little to them two Mites were all to her she leaves her self nothing so that the poor Woman gave not only more than any of them all but more then they all Christ's Eye look'd at once into the bottom of her Purse and into the bottom of her Heart and judge of the Offering rather by the Mind of the Giver than by the value of the Gift From this instance we Learn 1. That the Poorer yea the poorest sort of People are not exempted from good Works but even they must and ought to exercise Charity according to their Ability This poor Widow that had not a Pound nay not a Penny presents God with a Farthing 2. That in all Works of pious Charity which we perform God looks at the Heart the Will and the Affection of the Giver more then at the largeness and liberality of the Gift it is not said the Lord loveth a Liberal Giver but a chearful Giver He accepteth the Gift according to what a Man hath and not according to what he hath not Oh our God the poorest of us thy Servants have our two Mites also a Soul and a Body perswade and enable us to offer them both unto thee tho' they are thine own already yet wilt thou graciously accept them and oh how happy shall we be in thy acceptation 5 And as some spake of the Temple how it was adorned with goodly Stones and Gifts he said 6 As for these things which ye behold the days will come in which there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down Our Blessed Saviour being now ready to depart from the Temple never more after this Entering into it and his Disciples shewing him with Wonder and Admiration the magnificent Structures and Buildings thereof apprehending that in regard of its Invincible Strength it could not be destroyed not considering that Sin will undermine and blow up the most magnificent and famouâ— Structures For Sin brings Cities and Kingdoms as well as particular Persons to their End Not one stone says Christ shall be left upon another which threatning was exactly fulfilled after Christ's Death when Titus the Roman Emperour destroyed the City burnt the Temple and Turnus Rufus the General of his Army ploughed up the very Foundation on which the Temple stood Thus was the Threatning of God fulfilled Jerem 26.18 Zion shall be ploughed as a Field and Jerusalem shall become an heap Learn hence 1. That Sin has laid the
ye dead and come to Judgment Observe lastly How readily obedient Lazarus was to the Call and Command of Christ He that was dead came forth and if Lazarus did thus instantly start up at the Voice of Christ in the Day of his Humiliation how shall the dead be rouzed up out of their Graves by that Voice which will shake the powers of Heaven and move the Foundations of the Earth in the Day of his Glorification Question But where was Lazarus his Soul all this while that he was dead if in Heaven was it not a wrong to him to come from thence If not doth it not prove that the Soul sleeps as well as the Body Ans Souls go not to Heaven by Necessitation as the Fire naturally and necessarily ascends upward But are disposed of by God as the supream Governour those that have served him go to Heaven and those that have served the Devil to Hell and those that are not yet judged to either place but are to live presently again upon Earth as Lazarus was are reserved by God accordingly whether shut up in the Body as in a Swound or whether kept in the Custody and Hands of an Angel not far from the Body waiting his pleasure either to restore it to the Body or to return it to its proper place of Bliss or Misery The Scripture has not told us whether and it would be too great Curiosity to inquire and greater presumption to determine 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen the things which Jesus did believed on him 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees and told them what things Jesus had done 47 ¶ Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council and said What do we for this man doeth many miracles 48 If we let him thus alone all men will believe on him and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation Observe here 1. The different Effects which this Miracle had upon those Jews who were present at the raising of Lazarus Some of them believed on Christ but others persisting in their Unbelief went to the Pharisees and informed against him Notwithstanding all the Evidence which our Saviour gave of his being the Messias by the Miracles which he wrought yet many rejected him and refused to believe in him to their unutterable and inevitable Condemnation Obs 2. How greatly disturbed the Pharisees were upon the Account of our Saviour's Miracles Knowing how proper an Argument they were to convince Men they concluded that if Christ were suffered to go on and work Miracles he would draw all Men after him Learn thence That Jesus proved himself to be the true Messias by the Miracles which he wrought his Enemies themselves being Judges For we find here the worst of our Saviour's Enemies were afraid of his Miracles that by them he would draw all Men after him If we let him alone all Men will believe on him Obs 3. What was the Ground of the Pharisees fear if they let Christ go on to work Miracles that he would have so many Followers as would Alarm the Romans and awaken their Jealousie and cause them to come upon them with an Army to deprive them of the little Liberty they indulged them and take away their Place and Nation Their Place that is their Place of Worship the Temple And their Nation that is bring the whole Body of the Jewish Nation to utter Destruction Learn hence How all the Enemies and Opposers of Christ and his Kingdom do endeavour to colour their Quarrel with some specious Pretences that they may hide the odiousness of their Practices from the Eye of the World and may not be openly seen to fight against God Thus the Pharisees here persecute our Saviour not as the Messias though the Miracles he wrought were a sufficient Evidence that he was such but as one who would bring Ruine upon their Nation If we let him alone the Romans will come and take away both our Place and Nation 49 And one of them named Caiaphas being the high-priest that same year said unto them Ye know nothing at all 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not 51 And this spake he not of himself but being high-priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation 52 And not for that nation only but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad The foregoing Verses acquainted us with the Apprehension which the chief Priests had of the Necessity of taking away the Life of our blessed Saviour Lest the Romans should take away both their Place and Nation Now here in these Verses Caiaphas the High-Priest delivers his Opinion for the preventing of this danger he tells the rest that they ought not to boggle at the Matter but come to a positive and peremptory Resolution to provide for the Publick Safety Right or Wrong and that it is great Folly to prefer one Man's Life though never so innocent before a Nations Welfare a most wicked and devilish Speech as a Judge he regarded not what was lawful but as a wicked Politician he consulted what was expedient he declares that one Man though never so good and holy though never so just and innocent had better dye than a whole Nation suffer Whereas it is in any case unlawful to do Evil that Good may come Learn hence That although it be the Duty of all Persons to pray for and endeavour after the publick Welfare of a Church and Nation whereof they are Members yet it is altogether unlawful to promote the greatest National Good by wicked and unlawful Means Observe further How God over-ruled the Tongue of Caiaphas beyond his own intention prophetically to foretel that great good which by our Saviour's death should redound to the World And that the Fruit and Benefit of his death should not only extend to the Jews but to the Gentiles also and that he should gather into one Body or Church all that truly believe in him though far and wide dispersed upon the Face of the Earth Hence learn 1. That the Spirit of Prophecy did sometimes fall upon very bad Men and God has been pleased to reveal some part of his Mind to the worst of Men. Thus Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezar had in their Dreams a Revelation from God what things he intended to do Learn 2. That it is consistent with the Holiness of God sometimes to make use of the Tongues of the worst of Men to publish and declare his Will Caiaphas here though a vile and wicked Man was influenced by God to prophesie and speak an Oracle Almighty God may when he please employ wicked Men this way without any prejudice to his Holiness This Caiaphas spake not of himself but being High-Priest he prophesied that Jesus should dye for that Nation 53 Then from that day forth
a Corn of Wheat fall into the Ground and die it abideth alone That is as Corn unsown lodg'd in the Barn or laid up in the Chamber never multiplies nor encreases but sow it in the Field and bury it in the Earth and it multiplies and encreases and brings forth a plentiful crop So if Christ had not died he had remained what he was the Eternal Son of God but he had had no Church in the World Whereas his Death and Sufferings made him fructifie That brought a plentiful Encrease of exaltation to himself and Salvation to his People Observe 3. How plainly our Saviour dealt with his Followers he did not deceive them with a vain hope and expectation of Temporal Happiness but tells them plainly that all that will be his Disciples must prepare for Sufferings and not think their Temporal Life too dear to lay down for him when he calls them to it this being the surest way to secure unto themselves Life Everlasting He that loveth his life shall lose it but he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal Learn hence That the surest way to attain Eternal Life is chearfully to lay down our Temporal Life when the Glory of Christ and the Honour of Religion requires it at our hand 26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be if any man serve me him will my Father honour That is if any Man assumes the Title and enters into the sacred engagement of being Christ's Servant let his Conversation correspond with his Profession and let him be willing to follow him in the Thorny path of Affliction and Sufferings from this Assurance that all his grievous Sufferings shall end in Eternal Joys Where I am there shall my Servant be and him will my Father honour Learn hence 1. That all that will be Christ's Servants must be his Followers they must obey his Doctrine and imitate his Example 2. That Christ's Servants must not expect better usage at the hand of an unkind World than he their Master met with before them 3. That such as serve Christ by following of him shall at Death see him as he is and be with him where he is Where I am there shall also my Servant be 4. That God will crown the fideliâ—y and constancy of Christ's Servants with the highest Dignity and Honour If any Man serve me him will my Father honour 27 Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say Father save me from this hour but for this cause came I unto this hour 28 Father glorifie thy name Then came there a voice from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie it again Whilst our Saviour was thus preaching of his own Death and Sufferings a Natural horror of his approaching Passion tho such as was without Sin seizes upon him his Father giving him a Taste of that wrath which he was to undergo upon the Cross for our Sins Hereupon he betakes himself to Prayer Father save me from this hour this was the harmless inclination of his sinless nature which abhorred lying under wrath and therefore prays against it yet as it were recalling himself he submits to what his office as our surety required of him and prays again unto his Father to dispose of him as may most and best conduce to the purposes of his Glory Father glorifie thy name Learn hence 1. That meer Trouble is no Sin Christ's Soul was troubled Christianity doth not make Men Senseless Grace introduceth no stoical Stupidity 2. That fear of death especially when accompanied with apprehensions of the wrath of God is most perplexing and Soul-amazing My Soul is troubled and what shall I say 3. No extremity of Sufferings ought to discourage us from laying claim to that Relation which God stands in to us as a Father Our Saviour in the midst of his distress calls God Father Father save me from this hour 4. In the extremity of our Sufferings we may be importunate but must not be peremptory in our Prayers as Christ in his Agony prayed more earnestly so may we in ours but always submissively Father Save me from this hour but for this cause came I unto this hour 5. That our exemption from Suffering may sometimes be inconsistent with the Glory of God Father save me from this hour Father Glorifie thy name Observe lastly The Father's Answer to the Son's Prayer There came a voice from Heaven saying I have glorified it and will glorifie it again That is as God the Father had been already glorified in his Son's Life Doctrine and Miracles so he would farther glorifie Himself in his Death Resurrection and Ascension as also by the Mission of the Holy Ghost and the Preaching of the Gospel for the Conversion of the Gentiles to the ends of the Earth Learn hence That the whole work of Christ from the lowest degree of his Humiliation to the highest degree of his Exaltation was a glorifying of his Father he glorified his Father by the Doctrine which he Taught he glorified his Father by the Miracles which he wrought by the unspotted Innocency of his Life and by his unparallel'd Sufferings at his Death by his Victorious Resurrection from the Grave and by his Triumphant Ascension into Heaven 29 The people therefore that stood by and heard it said that it thundred others said An angel spake to him 30 Jesus answered and said This voice came not because of me but for your sakes 31 Now is the judgment of this world now shall the prince of this world be cast out 32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me 33 This he said signifying what death he should die Observe here 1. The way of God in speaking to his People by a Voice in Thunder for the greater declaration of his Glory and Majesty Thunderings and Lightnings usually attended the voice of God even in Consolations and when he spake comfortably to his own Servants Oh how dreadful and terrible then must the Voice of God be to his Enemies when he shall come in flaming Fire to render vengeance to them If there was such Dread and Terrors such Thunderings and Lightnings at the giving of the Law Lord What will there be another Day when thou comest to punish the violation of that Law Observe 2. The end why God the Father now spake with an Audible Voice to Christ his Son it was for his Consolation and the Peoples Confirmation His Soul being troubled he stood in need as Mediatour of comfort from his Father and the People had here a farther and fuller Confirmation of his being the promised and true Messias that so they might Believe in him This voice came not because of me That is not only or chiefly because of me but to confirm your Faith in the Belief of this great Truth that I am the Son of God by whom the Father hath glorified and will farther
glorifie his Name Observe 3. Our Saviour declares a double effect and fruit of his Death and Passion 1. The judgment of this World Now is the judgment of this World now shall the Prince of this World be cast out That is my Death will be the Devil's overthrow will bring down Sin and deliver the World from the Tyranny and Dominion of Sin and Satan Learn hence 1. That Satan is the Prince and Ruler of all those who live in Sin not a Prince by Legal Right but by Tyrannical Usurpation 2. That this Usurper Satan will not quit his Possession unless he be cast out 3. That Christ by his Death has cast out Satan dethroned him and deprived him of his Tyrannical Usurpation Now is the Prince of this World cast out That is I will shortly by my Death deliver the World from the slavery of Sin and Dominion of Satan and particularly from that Idolatry which the greatest part of the World were then in slavery under The second effect and fruit of Christ's Death which is here declared is his drawing all Men unto him When I am lifted up from the Earth I will draw all Men unto me There is a twofold lifting up of Christ the first Ignominious when he was hung upon the Cross the second Glorious in the Preaching of the Gospel by this he draws all Men unto him that is by the Preaching of the Gospel he calls and invites all persons to himself he offers the Benefits of his Death to all and gathered a Church to himself out of the Gentile as well as the Jewish World Learn 1. That all persons are naturally unwilling to come to Christ they must be drawn 2. That Christ meritoriously by his Death and instrumentally by the Preaching of the Gospel draws Sinners unto himself 3. That it is not a few or small number but a very great number consisting both of Jews and Gentiles Bond and Free persons of all Nations Sexes Ages and Conditions whom Christ draweth Not that all are effectually drawn to Christ so as savingly to Believe in him but by the Preaching of the Gospel they are called and invited to him and the Benefits of his Death are offered to them Thus Christ being lifted up upon his Cross and on the Pole of his Gospel draws all Men unto him 34 The people answered him We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever and how sayest thou The Son of Man must be lift up who is this Son of Man 35 Then Jesus said unto them Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth 36 While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light These things spake Jesus and departed and did hide himself from them Observe here 1. Tâ—â— Objection which the Jews make against our Saviour's being the True Messias Their Argument runs thus It was foretold under the Law that Christ or the Messias abideth for ever but thou sayest the Son of Man must be lift up and die How then canst thou be the promised Messias The Answer is in his state of Humiliation unto Death he was lifted up but in his state of Exaltation he abideth for ever Learn hence That Christ's lifting up by Death and his abiding for ever do very well consist together for both are true of him The one in his state of Humiliation the other in his state of Exaltation Observe 2. Our Saviour returns no Answer to their cavilling Objection nor doth he undertake to demonstrate how his Sufferings and his abiding for ever are consistent but gives them intimations that he was the Light of the World and advises them whilst they had the Light with them to prize it highly and improve it faithfully Yet a little while is the Light with you walk whilst ye have the Light lest Darkness come upon you Note here 1. A choice and singular Priviledge injoyed the Light is with you a personal Light Christ a Doctrinal Light the Gospel Both these brought with them a Light of Knowledge answering our Darkness of Ignorance a Light of Grace and Holiness answering our Darkness of Sin which we had brought upon our selves and a Light of Joy and Comfort answering the Darkness of Misery and Horror which we lay under by reason of our guilt Note 2. The time of injoying this priviledge limited yet a little while is the Light with you The time of a Peoples injoying the Light and Liberty of the Gospel it is a limited time it is a short time Note 3. A Duty injoined by Christ answerable to the priviledge injoyed by us Walk whilst ye have the Light An uniform and constant course of Holy walking according to the Rule of the Gospel is the indispensable Duty and Obligation of all those that injoy the Light and Liberty of the Gospel Namely To walk according to the precepts and commands of the Gospel answerable to the Priviledges and Prerogatives of the Gospel answerable to the helps and supplies of Grace which the Gospel affords and answerable to the glorious hope and expectation which the Gospel raises us unto Note 4. A danger threatned to the neglecters of this Duty lest Darkness come upon you Namely A Darkness of Ignorance and judicial Blindness a Darkness of Error and Seduction a Darkness of Horror and Despair and the fatal and final Darkness of Death and Hell for all contemners of Gospel Light there is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever where Sin and Torment run parallel their Torment makes them Sin and their Sin feeds their Torment 37 ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled which he spake Lord who hath believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed 39 Therefore they could not believe because that Esaias said again 40 He hath blinded their eyes and hardned their heart that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them 41 These things said Esaias when he saw his glory and spake of him Observe here 1. The astonishing Infidelity and unbelief of the Jews who heard our Saviour's Doctrine and were Eye-witnesses of his Miracles Tho' he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him Let not the faithful Ministers of Christ be discouraged and over much dejected at their want of success in dispensing of the Gospel when they observe and consider the small success of our Saviour's own Ministry in the Hearts and Lives of his hearers Yea tho' his Ministry was accompanied with Miracles and tho' his Miracles were many in number mighty in nature clear and obvious to Sense being wrought before their Eyes yet his Ministry succeeded not and his Miracles prevailed not Lord what little success
Visible Church may be guilty of such tremendous Acts of wickedness as the Conscience of an Infidel and Pagan may boggle at and protest against Pilate a Pagan Absolves Christ and seeks to release him whilst the Hypocritical Jews who heard his Doctrine and saw his Miracles condemn him Observe 3. How wretchedly Pilate suffers himself to be overcome with the Jews importunity and contrary to the light of his own Reason and Conscience delivers the Holy and Innocent Jesus first to be Scourged and then Crucified Learn thence That it is a vain Apology for Sin when Persons pretend that it was not committed with their own consent but at the instigation and importunity of others for such is the frame and Constitution of Man's Soul that none can make him either wicked or miserable without his own Consent Then Pilate took Jesus and Scourged him 2 And the souldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head and they put on him a purple robe 3 And said Hail King of the Jews and they smote him with their hands The next part of our Saviour's Sufferings consisted of cruel mockings Christ had owned himself to be the King of the Jews that is a Spiritual King in and over his Church But the Jews expecting that the Messiah should have appeared in the Pomp of an Earthly Prince and finding it to be quite otherwise in our Saviour they look upon him as a Deceiver and Impostour and accordingly Treat him as a Mock-King with all the marks of Derision and Scorn for first they put a Crown upon his Head but a very Ignominious and Painful one a Crown of Thorns They put a Scepter in his Hand but that of a Reed a Robe of Scarlet or Purple upon his Body and then bowed their Knees unto him as they were wont to do before their Princes crying Hail King Thus were all the marks of Scorn imaginable put upon our dear Redeemer yet what they did in Jest God permitted to be done in Earnest for all these things were ensigns and marks of Sovereignty and Almighty God caused the Royal Dignity of his Son to shine forth even in the midst of his greatest Abasement Whence was all this Jearing and Sport but to flout Majesty and why did the Son of God undergo all this Ignominy Disgrace and Shame but to shew what was due unto us for our Sins as also to give us an Example to bear all the Scorn Reproach and Shame imaginable for the sake of him who for the Joy that was set before him despised the Shame as well as indured the Cross 4 Pilate therefore went forth again and saith unto them Behold I bring him forth to you that ye may know that I find no fault in him 5 Then came Jesus forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe And Pilate saith unto them Behold the man 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him they cried out saying Crucifie him crucifie him Pilate saith unto them Take ye him and crucifie him for I find no fault in him Observe here 1. The great variety of our Saviour's Sufferings he is made the Foot-ball of Cruelty and Scorn his Sacred Body is stripped of his Garments and his Back disguised with Purple-Robes his tender Temples wounded with a Thorny Crown his Face spit upon his Cheeks buffetted his Head smitten his Hand Sceptred with a Reed By his wearing a Crown of Thorns he took away the bitterness of that Curse which our Sins brought upon the Earth Gen. 3.18 Thorns and Briars shall it bring forth Christ by his Bitter and Bloody Sufferings has turned all the Curses of his People into Crowns and Blessings Observe 2. The noble Testimony given of Christ's Innocency by the mouth of Pilate I find in him no fault at all he doth not say I find him not Guilty of what is laid to his Charge but gives an universal Testimony of our Lord's Innocency I find no fault at all in him In spight of all Malice Innocency shall find some Friends and Abettors Rather than Christ shall want witnesses Pilate's mouth shall be opened for his Justification how fain would he have freed Jesus whom he found faultless Our Lord found more Compassion from Pilate an Heathen than he did from them of his own Nation Pilate would have saved him but they cry out for his Blood Hypocrites within the visible Church may be guilty of such monstrous Acts of wickedness as the Consciences of Heathens without the Church may boggle at and protest against Pilate a Pagan pronounces Christ Innocent whilst the Hypocritical Jews who had heard his Doctrine and seen his Miracles do Condemn him Observe 3. Who influenced the main Body of the Jews to desire Pilate to put Jesus to Death it was the Chief Priests and Elders they perswaded the Multitude Wo be to the Common People when their Guides and Leaders are corrupt and wo unto them much more if they follow their wicked and pernicious Counsels the Jews here followed their Guides the Chief Priests but it was to their own destruction as well as their Leaders when the Blind lead the Blind both fall into the Ditch 7 The Jews answered him we have a law and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God 8 ¶ When Pilate therefore heard that saying he was the more afraid 9 And went again into the judgment-hall and saith unto Jesus Whence art thou But Jesus gave him no answer Observe here 1. How Ambitious the Chief Priests were that Christ should Die under a colour of Law We have a Law and by that Law he ought to Die The Law which they allude to is the Law for putting false Prophets and Blasphemers to Death of which number they conclude Christ to be because he made himself the Son of God whereas he did not make himself so or only pretend to be so but really and indeed was so to wit the eternal Son of God Such as are indeed Blasphemers and do Arrogate to themselves what is proper to God only by the Law of God they ought to be put to Death but Christ was not Guilty of the Violation of that Law for he was indeed the Son of God and did not make himself so Observe 2. How full of fear the Conscience of Pilate was when the Jews told him that Jesus made himself the Son of God he was afraid to Condemn him not knowing but that he might be some Divine and extraordinary Person and consequently might draw down Divine Vengeance on his own head Learn hence That serious thoughts of a Deity will strike terror even into a natural Conscience especially when the Sinner is following a course which his own judgment cannot approve when Pilate heard of Christ's being the Son of God he was afraid knowing that what he had done to him was against his own Conscience Observe 3. The Question Pilate puts to Christ upon this occasion Whence art thou that is what is thy