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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54583	A learned, pious, and practical commentary, upon the Gospel according to St. Mark wherein the sacred text is logically analyzed; the meaning of the holy Spirit clearly and soundly opened: doctrines naturally raised, strongly confirmed, vindicated from exceptions, and excellent inferences deduced from them: all seeming differences in the history between this and the other evangelists fairly reconciled: many important cases of conscience, judiciously, succinctly, and perspicuously solved. By that laborious and faithful servant of Christ, Mr. George Petter, late Minister of the Gospel at Bread in Sussex.	Petter, George.	1661 (1661)	Wing P1888; ESTC R220413	2,138,384	918

because he was begotten of God the Father from Eternity Therefore Joh. 5. 18. he called God his own Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Rom. 8. 32. Quest Quest How was Christ the Son of God begotten of God the Father from everlasting Answ Answ This is a high mystery of Faith impossible to be fully conceived or uttered yet that we may in some measure conceive of it aright we must know that Christ is said to be begotten of God the Father because he did from everlasting receive the beginning of his Person from the Father after an unspeakable manner I say he received the beginning of his Person from the Father not the beginning of his Essence or Divine Nature for that he hath of himself and from himself as well as the Father He is God of himself but he hath the beginning of his Person from the Father so that he is begotten of the Father not as he is God simply but as he is the Son Observ 1 Observ 1. The truth of Christ's God-head that he is not onely true Man but true and very God in one and the same Person yea equal with God the Father in respect of his Divine Nature and Essence See this Point proved Chap. 1. ver 1. Use 1 Use 1. To strengthen our Faith in this main Point of Doctrine and Article of Christian Faith touching Christ's God-head and to move us to hold and maintain the same against all Hereticks who have denied or opposed it either in ancient or latter times In the ancient times of the Church near unto the Age of the Apostles this Doctrine was greatly opposed by sundry wicked and blasphemous Hereticks as Ebion Cerinthus Arrius c. who stirred up great troubles and bloody persecutions against the true Church for maintaining this truth of Christ's God-head and eternal Generation from the Father And it is God's great mercy to us in these times that the Church is not troubled with such dangerous Hereticks as heretofore for which it behoveth us to be thankful Vse 2 Use 2. Hence gather That he is that true Messiah foretold by the Prophets and appointed of God to be our Saviour in that he is both God and Man in one and the same Person For such a one was the true Messiah to be and so was he described by the Prophets as Isa 9. 6. To us a Child is born c. His Name called Wonderfull Counsellor the mighty God c. And Isa 7. 14. He must be Immanuel God with us that is God incarnate c. Now then this Jesus the Son of the Virgin Mary being such a person as is both God and Man this proves him to be the true and onely Messiah or Christ ordained of God to be our Saviour and Redeemer The sum of the Gospel is that Jesus is the Christ Joh. 20. ult These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God c. We must therefore imbrace him alone as our onely Saviour seeking Salvation in him alone c. Use 3 Use 3. See the cause why the Death and Sufferings of Christ though but short yet have sufficient Power and Vertue in them to satisfie God's Justice for the eternall punishment of our Sins and to procure and purchase God's favour and eternall Life for us namely because of the dignity of his Person that Dyed and Suffered for us being the Son of God and God himself c. See Hebr. 9. 14. called precious Blood The Blood of God Acts 20. 28. Use 4 Use 4. Teacheth us further That Christ is a most powerfull and sufficient Saviour c. See Chap. 1. ver 1. Mark 9. 7 8. And there was a Cloud c. Aug. 6. 1626. Observ 2 Observ 2. CHrist being the Naturall Son of God by eternall Generation by this we may see how such as are by Nature Children of Wrath do come to be Adopted and made the Children of God namely by believing in Christ the Naturall Son of God This is the way and there is none other Joh. 1. 12. As many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name And Ephes 1. 5. we are said To be predestinated unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ c. Gal. 3. 26. Ye are all Children of God by Faith in Jesus Christ. Reas 1 Reas 1. By Faith in Christ true Believers are most nearly united and joyned to Christ in a spirituall manner They become one with him and he with them They become Members of his Body Flesh and Bones Ephes 5. 30. Therefore they cannot but have one and the same heavenly Father with him they cannot but be his Brethren Rom. 8. 29. He is said To be the first-born among many Brethren Reas 2 Reas 2. By Faith Believers do apprehend and apply Christ's Righteousness whereby they are justified before God and being justified they are also adopted as Children c. Use 1 Vse 1. See what is to be done of all such as are yet in their Naturall estate and out of Christ Labour for true Faith whereby to believe in Christ and so to become one with him that in him thou mayst be accepted and as righteous adopted as the Child of God Thou must first be joyned by Faith to him that is the Natural Son before thou caust be an adopted Child of God by Grace Labour then for some measure of this Faith in Christ the Son of God that in him thou mayest also be accepted as the Child of God by Adoption To this end thou must have a true feeling of thy Naturall misery without Christ that in thy self thou art a Child of Wrath and not to only feel this but to be truly humbled for it c. Then thou must hunger and thirst after Christ and his Righteousnesse and God hath promised to satisfie thee therewith Matth. 5. 6. This very hungring and thirsting after Christ is accepted of God as a degree of Faith and upon this Faith he will accept thee in Christ as his Child Then being the Child of God thou art also sure to be an Heir of his heavenly Kingdom Rom. 8. 17. If we be Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ c. Use 2 Use 2. Comfort to true Believers being by Faith joyned to Christ the Naturall Son they must needs be Children by Grace and Adoption As certainly as Christ is the Naturall Son of God so certainly art thou his adopted Child c. no cause to doubt our Adoption built on a sure Foundation Now how great a priviledge is this to be a Child of God the greatest in the World 1 Joh. 3. 1. Observ 3 Observ 3. In that Christ our Saviour is the true and naturall Son of God we may hence take notice of the unspeakable love of God shewed to us and to the rest of his true Church and faithfull People and the great desire and care he had of our

Miracles by his help because he did confesse him and seem to honour him so much Hence as some think grew that wicked slander of the Pharisees against our Saviour that he cast out Devils by Belzebub Matth. 12. 24. So much of the sense of the Words Observ Observ There is an Historicall Faith in the very Devils whereby they know and believe in generall that Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah or Saviour of Mankind Therefore they confesse him so to be as here and else where in the Gospels as Mark 3. 11. Thou art the Son of God c. So Acts 19. 15. Jesus I know and Paul I know c. Yea further they know and believe in general the Truth of the Word of God both the Law and Gospel Therefore Jam. 2. 19. it is said The Devils Believe and Tremble Quest. Quest How come they to this Historicall Knowledge and general Faith Answ Answ Not by supernaturall enlightning of God's Spirit where of they are not partakers But 1. By help of that naturall light of understanding which they had by Creation which though it be much obstructed and lessened by their Fall and Apostacy from God yet it is not quite taken away but they still retain since their Fall a great measure of naturall understanding which no doubt helps them to conceive the things set down in the word of God 2. They attain to this generall Knowledge and Faith by experience and observation 1. Of the Ministery of the Word in the Church for when the Word is Preached they perceive what is taught and cannot but yield assent to the Truth of it 2. By seeing the Miracles of Christ living upon Earth 3. They do also perceive what is written both in the Scriptures themselves and in other good Books by which means they come to increase their Knowledge Nevertheless though they have this Historicall Faith yet they come far short of true Faith because they cannot apply those things which they know to themselves for any good or comfort to themselves nor make any use of them Vse 1. This condemneth such as come short of the Devils themselves in this Historicall Faith How many have we that are grosly ignorant in the Word of God both in the Doctrine of the Law and Gospel How many that are meer strangers to the Scriptures How many that are to seek in the plainest and easiest grounds of Christian Religion scarce knowing so much as the meaning of the Commandements or Lord's Prayer or of the Articles of the Creed The Devils go beyond these in the Knowledge of Christ and of his Word and what a shame is this for them Again others though they perhaps know something of the Word yet give not assent of mind to the Truth of it Object Object God forbid but we should belive the Word to be true Answ Answ But thy loose profane life shews the contrary If thou didst indeed believe and rest firmly perswaded that the Soul that sinneth shall dye or that covetous Persons Drunkards Raylers c. shall be shut out of God's Kingdom wouldst thou live in these or the like Sins Perhaps thou believest the promises but not the threatnings of the Word to tremble at them But the Devils believe both though they cannot apply the promises to themselves for Comfort or Salvation Use 2. Rest not in an Historicall Knowledge or Faith if thou do it will not save thee for if it would then it would save the Devils for they have this literal Knowledge and general belief of the Word Dost thou think it enough to know and believe that Christ dyed for Sinners The Devil and his Angels know and believe as much Labour then to out-strip them and to get a better Faith then is in them Labour to apply to thy own Soul the promise of Salvation through Christ and not onely to know the Word but to frame thy Heart and life to it c. The Holy One of God The Devil 〈…〉 the former words professed in generall his Knowledge of Christ now he professeth more particularly what he is The meaning of the Words see before Observ Observ 1. Hence we may learn this truth even from the mouth of the Devil that that Jesus which was born of the Virgin Mary is the true Messiah foretold by the Prophets that is that Speciall and Eminent Person which was Ordained of God to be the Saviour of Mankind Our Saviour professeth as much of himself Joh. 4. 26. And Paul testified to the Jews at Corinth Acts 18. 5. that Jesus was that Christ Reas 1 Reas Whatsoever the Prophets foretold concerning the Person or Office of the Messiah is fulfilled in this Jesus they foretold nothing touching his Conception Birth Sufferings Resurrection c. and touching the Circumstances of them but it is all verified in this Jesus as might be shewed at large But I will not here insist upon it Vse Vse See the fearful Judgment of God resting upon the Jews at this Day in that for the sin of their Ancestors in Rejecting and Crucifying the Son of God they are given over of God to such blindnesse and hardnesse of heart that they stand out in denyall of this that Jesus is the Christ which yet the Devils themselves do here acknowledge See Rom. 11. 25. Blindness or hardness is come to Israel c. and Ver. 22. Behold the severity of God towards them c. It is a wonder That they reading in the Prophets those things which are there spoken of the Messiah and finding them all fulfilled in this Jesus yet deny him to be the true Messiah notwithstanding that themselves are driven to confesse that the time appointed for his coming is expired many hundred years ago Let us be warned by their example to take heed of willful rejecting Christ or his Word lest the Lord justly give us over to blindness and hardness of heart Observ 2 Observ 2. Christ Jesus is a Person most Holy and Sanctified in extraordinary measure Revel 3. 7. Thus saith he that is Holy and True Hebr. 7. 26. Such an High Priest it became us to have who is Holy Harmlesse Vndefiled separate from Sinners Now He is thus Holy both in Himself and in respect of His Church 1. In Himself 1. As He is God so he is essentially Holy yea Holinesse it Self 2. As He is Man and that both in His Conception and Birth as also in his whole Life In His Conception and Birth He was not onely pure from all Sin but also indued with a fulnesse and perfection of Sanctifying Grace so far as his humane Nature was then capable of it Object Object He came of Adam's Posterity which is wholly tainted with sin How then can He be holy in His Conception and Birth Answ Answ He descended not of Adam in such manner as other Men do that is by ordinary Generation but he was extraordinarily conceived in the Virgin Marie's Womb by the special Vertue and Power of the Holy Ghost See

to suffer which though it be not expressed in the words yet is it to be understood or else the Sentence is imperfect q. d. As it is written that the Son of Man that is my self should suffer many things So likewise is it appointed of God that John Baptist my Harbinger or Servant should be evil entreated and suffer much hard measure in the World at his coming Vide Gualter et Jansen in loc As it is written that is Fore-told in the Writings or Books of the Prophets in the Old Testament Quest Quest Where or in what Books of the Prophets was this fore-told Answ Answ In sundry places but specially in these Dan. 9. 26. The Messiah shall be slain or cut off Isa 53. throughout the Chapter He was wounded for our Transgressions He was bruised for our Imquities Oppressed and afflicted He was brought as a Sheep to the slaughter He was cut off from the Land of the Living He hath powred out his Soul unto Death c. Psal 22. the very particular manner of his Sufferings was fore-told Ver. 14. I am powred out like Water and all my Bones are out of joynt Ver. 16. They pierced my hands and my feet I may tell all my Bones c. They part my Garments among them c. Son of Man that is Christ himself This Title He gives himself in respect of his Humane Nature c. That he should suffer many things that is Many Afflictions Miseries and Punishments laid upon him of God with many Abuses Wrongs and Indignities at the hands of men and that for the sins of Mankind See Chap. 8. ver 31. And be set at nought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is be greatly contemned vilified and made nothing of In the words consider 1. The Person who was to suffer The Son of Man 2. The Sufferings of Christ fore-told by him 3. The Proof or Confirmation of them by Testimony of Scripture Of the first I have often spoken before lately upon Ver. 9. Observ 1 Of the second Observ 1. The Sufferings of Christ Jesus our Saviour which he was to suffer for the sins of Mankind were not one or few but manifold Many miseries and punishments were imposed on him of God and many abuses and indignities offered him by men and all for our sakes Thus was it written of him before-hand by the Prophets to shew that it was so ordained of God Touching these manifold Sufferings of Christ see some Questions answered before Chap. 8. 31. Vse 1 Use 1. See by this the heinousness of our Sins how offensive to God and hard to be taken away and God's Wrath appeased in that Christ Jesus the Son of God must not onely suffer but so many things Vide Chap. 8. 31. Use 2 Use 2. To humble us with godly sorrow c. Vide ibid. Mark 9. 12. And be set at nought Dec. 24. 1626. Doct. Doctr. THat one great and principal part of Christ's Sufferings which he was to endure for us was the great Contempt Ignominy and Disgrace amongst men which he was appointed to suffer So it is reckoned here and particularly named as a main part of his Sufferings yea this only among all his manifold Sufferings is named to shew the greatness of it So in other places See before on Chap. 8. Ver. 31. Vse Use See that it is no easy matter to suffer contempt and disgrace in this World and at the hands of men for Christ's sake but a hard and grievous triall One chief part of Christ's Sufferings was to be set at nought If so hard for him to bear how much more for us c. See Hebr. 11. 36 37. and 1 Cor. 4. 13. Experience proves this to be hard to Nature for many can better bear pain loss of goods c. than reproaches mockings c. Other Uses see before Chap. 8. 31. Now followeth the Proof or Confirmation of Christ's Sufferings by Testimony of Scripture being foretold by the Prophets As it is written c. Quest Quest Where or in what Books of the Prophets is this written Answ Answ Vide suprà Quest Quest Why were the Sufferings of Christ fore-told in the Writings of the Prophets so long before Answ Answ For these Reasons 1. That the faithful who should live at the time of Christ's coming in the Flesh and of his suffering when they did see these things fulfilled in Christ Jesus alone might thereupon be moved to believe undoubtedly that he was the true Messiah and should not look for any other 2. To teach the Church of God among the Jews what manner of Redeemer and Saviour their Messiah was appointed to be namely a spiritual Redeemer and Deliverer not a temporal King coming in earthly Pomp and Glory not one that should by force of Arms or external Power deliver them from their Enemies but such a Redeemer as should save and deliver them from their Sins and the Wrath of God by suffering death and the greatest contempt and abasement for them 3. To the end that when they should see Christ Jesus to suffer these things at the hands of the High-Priests and Pilate c. they should not be offended in as much as he suffered nothing but what was fore-told by the Prophets long before Observ 1 Observ 1. The truth and certainty of the Article of Christ's Sufferings forasmuch as all that he was to suffer was fore-told by the Prophets and therefore was of necessity to be fulfilled in due time for otherwise the Predictions of the Prophets should have been found false but this was impossible in as much as they spake and wrote by the immediate direction and infallible assistance of the Holy Ghost Therefore it was a matter of necessity in this respect that Christ should suffer because otherwise the Prophecies that went before of his Sufferings could not be fulfilled and this was one special cause why he suffered and was to suffer so many things that so the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled Luke 24. 26. And therefore the Evangelists in setting down the History of the several parts of Christ's Sufferings do often alledge this cause that the Scripture might be fulfilled And for the same cause though our Saviour had power to have saved himself from death yet he would not See Matth. 26. 53 54. Now as it was necessary in this respect that Christ should suffer because otherwise the Prophecies going before of him could not be fulfilled so it is as certain that he did in due time actually suffer as appeareth by the History of the Evangelists recording the same unto us which therefore being compared with the Writings of the Prophets ought generally to confirm our Faith in this Article and Doctrine of Christ's Sufferings Otherwise that Reproof of Christ Luke 24. 26. will take hold of us O Fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken c. Therefore labour undoubtedly to believe and rest assured of the Truth of Christ's Sufferings and of the

to take pains in doing them This should cause us to work out our Salvation with fear c. Phil. 2. 12. knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord seeing there is such a blessed reward laid up for us and promised us in the life to come Think of this when we feel pain or difficulty in good duties as in the practice of Repentance in denying our selves in taking up our Cross c. Look at the reward promised which is eternal life which is well worth all our pains as hath bin said before Though we cannot by good works merit heaven neither ought we to do them onely or chiefly for the hope of reward yet the consideration of that blessed reward should incourage us to diligence pains and chearfulness in God's service and in all good duties for to this end is the excellency of the life to come so commended and set forth to us in Scripture The servant that hath a good and bountifull Master that hath promised him a good reward for some special work which he hath enjoyned him how chearfully will he work what pains will he take So ought we in hope of eternal life Use 3 Use 3. To comfort the Godly 1. Against all miseries and afflictions of this life though never so many and great as pain grief sickness poverty disgrace c. Let them by eyes of Faith look at the blessed estate of the life to come which they hope for in which they shall be free from all these miseries and shall have all tears wiped away c. This will sweeten all Crosses and give comfort in the midst of them yea cause thee to rejoyce in Tribulation under the hope of that heavenly glory as it is Rom. 5. 2 3. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. Our light afflictions but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternall weight of Glory while we look not at things that are seen c. Therefore if thou wouldst find comfort and be able to rejoyce and be chearfull under the Cross look beyond the Cross at heaven c. So did Moses Hebr. 11. 26. yea Christ himself Hebr. 12. 2. 2. This serves to comfort the godly against the fear of death by considering that it is no death to them properly because it hath no sting or curse in it their sins being forgiven in Christ but a passage to that blessed and glorious life in Heaven which shall never have end 2 Cor. 5. 1. We know that if this earthly c. Use 4 Use 4. Seeing eternal life is so great and excellent a blessing more excellent then the fruition of any thing in this World that is dear to us this should make us willing and well content to part with those things which are most dear to us in this life for the attaining of everlasting life and rather than be hindered and kept from being partakers of it Matth. 13. 44. The kingdome of Heaven is like to a Treasure hid in the field the which when a man hath found he hideth c. and selleth all he hath and buyeth that field And ver 46. Like to a Pearl of great price c. Who would not be content to part with that which is worse for the obtaining of that which is better what wise man would not willingly part with Lead or Brass for Gold or to give dust or pibble-stones for Pearls Eternal life doth as much excell things all in this life though never so dear to us as Gold doth Lead or Pearls Pibble-stones Therefore for the obtaining of eternall life and rather than be deprived or come short of it let us most willingly part with all things in this World though most dear to us as Riches Profits Pleasures Friends Liberty yea life it self if the Lord call us to it at any time Thus did the blessed Martyrs whom we must herein follow if the Lord shall put us to it as he did them In the mean time prepare daily to do that in heart and affection which we must do actually in time to come if the Lord call us to it And to encourage us to it remember that promise Mark 10. 29. There is no man that hath left house or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake and he Gospells But he shall receive an hundreth fold now in this time c. and in the World to come Life everlasting Observ 1 Observ 1. That there is an estate of eternal life and glory to be expected and enjoyed by the Saints of God after this life in heaven I say by the Saints of God because it is not to be enjoyed by all but onely by the Saints and Faithfull people of God chosen to Salvation who shew and testify their Faith by holiness of life Col. 1. 12. Called the Inheritance of the Saints Now that there is such an estate of eternal life to be expected and enjoyed by the Saints after this life is presupposed here in this place by our Saviour And it is an Article of our Faith and therefore I need not stand long in proving it one or two places may suffice Joh. 10. 28. My sheep hear my voice c. And I give unto them eternal life Rom. 6. 21. Being made free from sin and become Servants of God ye have your fruit in Holinesse and the end Everlasting Life This Paul knew and therewith comforted himself when he was near unto death 2 Tim. 4. 8. See Matth. 25. 46. Vse 1 Use 1. To convince all prophane Atheists who deny or doubt of this truth and Article of Faith touching that eternal life and glory of the Saints which is to be enjoyed after this life Many there be who though they confess it in words yet deny it in heart and shew it in life and practise by setting their hearts wholly and onely upon this present life and upon those things which they here enjoy on earth as worldly Profits ●arnal delights c. Vse 2 Use 2. To strengthen our Faith in belief of this Article or point of Doctrine touching that eternal life which is to come and which is to be expected and enjoyed after this life in heaven by all and every one of the Saints of God neither must we onely labour to believe and rest perswaded hereof but also in life and practice shew that we believe it by setting our hearts chiefly on it Col. 3. 1. as also by indeavouring to shew and approve our Faith by Repentance and holiness of life as becommeth those which shall be partakers of that heavenly Inheritance and to walk worthy of that Kingdome Rev. 21. 27. 2 Tim. 2. 21. If any man purge himself he shall be a Vessell unto honour c. Mark 9. 43 c. And if thy hand offend thee cut it off c. Nov. 25. 1627. THese Verses contain a serious and weighty admonition given by our Saviour to his Disciples and to all Christians touching the avoiding and