cause of Blindness but that neither the one nor the other was the cause in that Man's case but that the Power and Mercy of God might be seen in Restoring this Man to his Sight therefore was he Born Blind Whence Note 1. That tho' Sin be always the deserving yet is it not always the procuring cause of Affliction 2. That we seldom think of or hit upon any other cause of Affliction but only Sin tho' the design of God looks beyond the Sin of Man in Afflictions yet Man seldom looks beyond that or thinks of any other design of God in Afflicting but only punishing for Sin 4 I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day the night cometh when no man can work 5 As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world Here our Saviour tells his Disciples that he was sent by God into the World and had a great work assigned him by God during his abode in it Namely To Instruct Reform and Save Mankind and what our Saviour says of himself is Applicable to every one of us in a lower Sense we are sent into the World to work out our own Salvation in the first place and then to promote the Salvation of others as much as in us lies Note 1. That every one has a work to do in the World a great work assigned him by God that sent him into it 2. That the Time allotted for the finishing and dispatching of this great work it is a limited Time it is a short Time our working Season is a short Season While it is Day 3. That after the working Season is past and expired there will succeed a Night of Darkness in which there must be a cessation from work The Night cometh 6 When he had thus spoken he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay 7 And said unto him Go wash in the pool of Siloam which is by interpretation Sent. He went his way therefore and washed and came seeing Two things concurred towards the Cure of this Blind Man Namely An act of Divine Power on Christ's part and an act of Faith and Obedience on the Man's part 1. An act of Divine Power on Christ's part he Tempers Clay and Spittle together and Anoints the Man's Eyes therewith and behold he sees What an improbable remedy and means was this to Humane Reason Much fitter to put out a seeing Man's Eyes than to cure a Blind Man's Had Christ pull'd out his Box and Applied some Medicinal Oyntment to his Eyes then the praise had been ascribed to his Skill not to his Power But now it plainly appeared that all the vertue was in Christ not in the means Lord What great things canst thou do by weak and unlikely means yea by opposite and contrary means But it is the praise of Omnipotency to work by Improbabilities From the Contemptibleness of the means or Instrument always redounds the greater honour to the Agent Observe 2. An act of Faith and Obedience on the Man's part He went his way and washed his Eyes in the Pool of Siloam and returned seeing Where Note 1. How Christ delights to exercise and try the Faith of his People by their subjection and Obedience to difficult commands 2. That true Faith joined with sincere Obedience never faileth the expectation of them that exercise it especially in obeying the most hard and difficult commands Therefore the Evangelist addeth that the Blind Man after washing Returned seeing 8 ¶ The neighbours therefore and they which before had seen him that he was blind said Is not this he that sat and begged 9 Some said This is he others said He is like him but he said I am he 10 Therefore said they unto them How were thine eyes opened 11 He answered and said A man that is called Jesus made clay and anointed mine eyes and said unto me Go to the pool of Siloam and wash and I went and washed and I received sight 12 Then said they unto him Where is he He said I know not The Blind Man thus miraculously cured returns with much Joy to his Neighbours and Acquaintance who confer with him upon this matter they enquire whether he was the person cured or not who was the person that cured him and where that person was He assures them he was the very person that was Blind but now cured that he that cured him was Jesus that the means used was Clay and Spittle but where this Jesus was or what was become of him he knew not Learn hence 1. That the miraculous cures of God work a sensible alteration in Men not only in their own Apprehension but in the judgment of others This Miracle shined forth among the Neighbours who having seen and observed the Blind Man admire his healing Learn 2. How frankly the Blind Man acknowledges and how freely he confesses that he was the person whom Jesus had healed I am he It is an unthankful silence to smother the works of God in an affected secrecy to make God a loser by his bounty towards us is a shameful injustice Oh God we are not worthy of thy common favours much less of Spiritual Blessings if we do not publish thy mercies on the House Top and praise thee for them in the great Congregation 13 ¶ They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind 14 And it was the sabbath-day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight He said unto them He put clay upon mine eyes and I washed and do see 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees This man is not of God becauseth he keepeth not the sabbath-day Others said How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles And there was a division among them Observe here 1. How the Jews who should have been full of silent wonder and inclined to believe in Jesus Christ so omnipotent an Agent are prejudiced against him and bring the late Blind Man before the Pharisees our Saviour's professed Enemies Observe 2. The time which our Saviour chose for working this cure it was on the Sabbath many if not most of Christ's famous Miracles were wrought upon the sabbath-Sabbath-day Upon that Day he cured the withered Hand Math. 12. Upon that Day he cured the impotent Man at the Pool of Bethesda St. John 5. Upon that Day he cured the Bâ—ind Man here Thus Christ did probably for two Reasons 1. To confirm his Doctrine which he Preach'd on that Day by Miracles therefore his preaching and working Miracles went together 2. To Instruct the Jews had they been willing to Receive instruâ—tion in the true Doctrine and proper Duties of their Sabbath and to let them know that works of Necessity and Mercy are very consistent with the due Sanctification of the Sabbath It his hard to find out any time wherein Charity is unseasonable for
but never think or speak of them with the least Delight or Satisfaction for this in God's Account is a new Commission of them and lays under an Additional Guilt 62 Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation the chief Priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate 63 Saying Sir we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive After three days I will rise again 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day lest his disciples come by night and steal him away and say unto the people he is risen from the dead so the last errour shall be worse than the first 65 Pilate said unto them Ye have a watch go your way make it as sure as you can 66 So they went and made the sepulchre sure sealing the stone and setting a watch This last Paragraph of the Chapter acquaints us with the Endeavours that the Murtherers of Christ used to prevent his foretold Resurrection They ask and obtain of Pilate that his Sepulchre may be strongly guarded till the Third Day was past and over when probably they intended to have exposed his dead Body to the view of the People and accordingly a threefold Guard is set about the Grave the Stone the Seal and the Watch concluding that Christ was safe enough either for rising or stealing The Stone making the Grave sure the Seal making the Stone sure and the Watch or Band of Soldiers making all sure The Stone being sealed with the publick Seal no Person might meddle with it upon pain of Death Where Note 1. The wonderful Wisdom the over-ruling Power and Providence of God by this excessive Care and extraordinary Diligence the High Priests hoped to prevent our Saviour's Resurrection but the Truth and Belief of it was hereby confirmed to all the World How much Evidence had Christ's Resurrection wanted if the High Priests and Elders had not been thus maliciously industrious to prevent his rising Learn 2. That the Endeavours used to obstruct our Lord's Resurrection have render'd it more certain and undoubted had not all this Care and Caution been used by his Enemies the Grounds of our Faith had not been so strong so evident and so clear It was very happy that the Jews were thus jealous and suspicious thus careful and distrustful for otherwise the World had never received so full and perfect an Evidence of Christ's Resurrection as now whereon all our Comfort and Salvation doth depend Verily their solicitous Care to suppress our Redeemer's Resurrection has render'd it more conspicuous and freed it from all Suspicion of Forgery CHAP. XXVIII This last Chapter of St. Matthew contains the History of our Saviour's Resurrection and gives us an Account of what he did on Earth between the time of his Triumphant Resurrection and his Glorious Ascension 1 IN the end of the sabbath as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre The Lord of Life was buried upon the Friday in the Evening of that Day on which he was crucified and his holy Body rested in the silent Grave the next Day and a part of the Morning the Day following Thus he arose again the Third Day neither sooner nor later not sooner lest the Truth of his Death should have been question'd that he did not die at all and not later lest the Faith of his Disciples should have fail'd And accordingly when the Sabbath was past and it dawned towards the first Day of the Week in the Morning very early before Day Mary Magdalen and other devout Women go to visit the holy Sepulchre intending with their Spices and Odours farther to imbalm our Lord's Body But Observe Altho' the Hearts of these good Women did burn with an Ardent Love and Zeal to their Crucified Lord yet the commanded Duties of the Sabbath are not omitted by them they stay till the Sabbath is ended and then early in the Morning they go with Odours in their Hands to perfume his Sacred Corps fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the Presence of the Watchmen How great a Tribute of Respect and Honour is due and payable to these Women for their Magnanimity and Courage They follow'd Christ when his Disciples left him they accompanied him to his Cross and follow'd his Hearse to the Grave when none of his Disciples durst appear Learn hence That Courage is the special and peculiar Gift of God and where God gives Courage it is not in Man to make afraid 2 And behold there was a great earthquake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it 3 His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men Observe here 1. With what Pomp and Triumph doth our Lord arise The Earth that quaked before at his Crucifixion quakes now again at his Resurrection it quak'd then at the Dissolution now at the Reunion of his Humane Nature to tell the World that the God of Nature then suffer'd and now conquer'd Observe 2. How an Angel is imploy'd in Christ's Resurrection He rolls away the Stone But could not Christ have risen then without the Angel's Help Yes sure he that raised himself surely could have removed the Stone But God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison Door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice fully satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Observe 3. How unable the Keepers of the Grave were to bear the Sight and Presence of the Angel they shake for Fear and became as dead Men. Angels being pure and perfect Spirits Man is not able to bear the Sight of an Angel no not in Humane Shape without Terror and Affrightment and if the Sight of an Angel be so dreadful what is the Sight of God himself 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women Fear not ye for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified 6 He is not here for he is risen as he said come see the place where the Lord lay 7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and behold he goeth before you into Galilee there shall ye see him lo I have told you Observe here 1. Our Lord's Resurrection asserted and declar'd He is risen God never intended that the darling of his Soul should be lost in an obscure Sepulchre he is not here says the Angel that is in the Grave where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost her Guest Observe 2. It is not said He is not here for he is raised but he is risen The Word imports the active Power of
yea the Prophet Isa Chap. 53.9 Declared our Lord's Funeral and the Manner of it long before he was born he made his Grave with the wicked and with the Rich in his Death pointing by that Expression at this Tomb of Joseph's who was a Rich Man and laid him in the Tomb designed for himself 3. He was Buryed to compleat his Humiliation They have brought me to the Dust of Death says David a Type of Christ This was the lowest step he could possibly descend in his abased State lower he could not be laid and so low his blessed Head must be laid else he had not been Humbled to the lowest degree of Humiliation 4. Christ went into the Grave that he might Conquer Death in its own Territories and Dominions His Victory over the Grave causes his Saints to Triumph and Sing Oh Grave where is thy Destruction Our dear Redeemer has perfumed the Bed of the Grave by his own lying in it so that a Pillow of down is not so soft to a Believer's Head as a pillow of Dust Observe Lastly Of what use the Doctrine of our Lord's Buryal may be unto us his Disciples and Followers 1. For Instruction Here we see the amazing Depths of our Lord's Humiliation from what and to what his Love brought him even from the Bosom of his Father to the Bosom of the Grave Oh how doth the depth of his Humiliation shew us the Sufficiency of his Satisfaction and therewith the Heinousness of our Transgression 2. For Consolation against the fears of Death and the Grave the Grave Received Christ but could not Retain him Death swallowed him up as the Fish did Jonas but quickly Vomited him up again and so shall it fare with Christ Mystical as it did with Christ Personal as it was done to the Head so shall it be done to the Members the Grave could not long keep him it shall not always keep us as his Body Rested in Hope so shall ours also and although we see Corruption yet shall we not always lye under the Power of Corruption in short Christ's lying in the Grave has Changed and Alter'd the Nature of the Grave it was a Prison before a Bed of Rest now a Loathsom Grave before a perfumed Bed now he whose Head is in Heaven need not fear to put his Feet into the Grave Awake and sing thou that dwellest in the Dust for the enmity of the Grave is slain by Christ 3. For our imitation Let us study and endeavour to be Buryed with Christ in respect of our sins I mean Rom. 6.4 Buryed with him into Death Our sins should be as a dead Body in several Respects Are dead Bodies removed out of the Society of Men so should our sins be removed far from us Do dead Bodies in the Grave spend and consume by Degrees so should our sins daily Will Dead Bodies grow every day more and more Loathsome to others so should our sins be to our selves Do dead Bodies wax out of Memory and are quite Forgotten so should our sins also in respect of any delight that we take in the remembring of them we should always Remember our Sins to our Humiliation but never think or speak of them with the least Delight or Satisfaction for this in God's Account is a new Commission of them and lays us under an aggravated Guilt and Condemnation CHAP. XVI This last Chapter of St. Mark 's Gospel contains the History of our Saviours Resurrection and gives us an Account of what he did upon Earth between the Time of his Triumphant Resurrection and his Glorious Ascension 1 AND when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James and Salome had brought sweet Spices that they might come and anoint him 2 And very early in the Morning in the first day of the week they came unto the Sepulchre at the Rising of the Sun The Lord of Life was Buryed on the Fryday in the Evening of that Day on which he was Crucified and his Holy Body Rested in the silent Grave all the next day and some part of the day following Thus rose he again the third day neither sooner nor later not sooner lest the truth of his Death should have been questioned that he did not dye at all and not later lest the Faith of his Disciples should have failed Accordingly when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene getting the other Women together she and they set out before day to visit the Holy Sepulchre and about Sun-rising they get to it intending with their Spices and Odours farther to Embalm their Lord's Body Here Observe 1. That although the Hearts of these Holy Women did burn with an ardent Zeal and Affection to their Crucified Lord yet the Commanded Duties of the Sabbath are not omitted by them they keep close and silently spend that Holy Day in a Mixture of Grief and Hope A good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian imitation Observe 2. These Holy Women go but not empty-handed She that had bestowed a costly Alabaster upon Christ whilst alive has prepared no less precious Odours for him now dead thereby paying their last Homage to our Saviour's Corpse But what need of Odours to Persume a Body which could not see Corruption True his Holy Body did not want them but the Love and Affection of his Friends could not with-hold them Observe 3. How great a Tribute of Respect and Honour is due and payable to the Memory of these Holy Women for their great Magnanimity and Courage They followed Christ when his Cowardly Disciples left him they accompanied him to his Cross they followed his Hearse to the Grave when his Disciples durst not appear and now very early in the Morning they go to Visit his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the presence of the Watch-men Learn hence That Courage is the special Gift of God and if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to Timorous and fearful Women it is not in the power of Men to make them afraid 3 And they said among themselves Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the Sepulchre 4 And when they looked they saw that the Stone was Rolled away for it was very great 5 And entring into the Sepulchre they saw a young Man sitting on the right side cloathed in a long white Garment and they were afraid 6 And he saith unto them Be not affrighted ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was Crucified he is Risen he is not here behold the place where they laid him 7 But go your way tell his Disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee there shall ye see him as he said unto you 8 And they went out quickly and fled from the Sepulchre for they trembled and were amazed neither said they any thing to any Man for they were afraid Observe here 1. With what Pomp and Triumph doth our Lord Arise An Angel is sent from Heaven to roll away the Stone But
which denotes both the certainty and proximity of this Peoples Ruine Learn 1. that the ruine and destruction of Sinners is wholly chargable upon themselves that is on their own wilfulness and impenitency on their own obstinacy and obduracy I would have gathered you says Christ but ye would not Learn 2. How deplorably and inexcusably they will perish who perish by their own wilfulness and obduracy under the Gospel 3. That there is no desire like unto God's desire of a Peoples Repentance no longing like unto God's longing for a Peoples Salvation Oh Jerusalem how oft would I have gathered thee when shall it once be Jerem. 13.27 CHAP. XIV 1 AND it came to pass as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat Bread on the Sabbath-day that they watched him 2 And behold there was a certain man before him which had the Dropsy 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the Lawyers and Pharisees saying Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day 4 And they held their peace and he took him and healed him and let him go 5 And answered them saying which of you shall have an Ass or an Ox fallen into a Pit and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath-day and they could not answer him again to these things Several particulars are here worthy of our Observation and Imitation Note 1. The freedom of our Lord's Conversation with Men he delighted in humane Society and was of a sociable Temper we do not find that whenever he was invited to a Dinner that he disdain'd to go not so much for the pleasure of Eating as for the opportunity of Conversing and doing good Note 2. The House he goes into and is entertain'd in one of the chief Pharisees who were some of his chiefest Enemies a great instance of our Lord's humanity humility and self-denial in that he refuses not the Conversation of those whom he knew did not affect him teaching us to Love our Enemies and not to shun Conversing with them that thereby we may gain an opportunity of being reconciled to them Note 3. The day when our Saviour dined publickly at the Pharisees House among the Lawyers and Pharisees it was on the Sabbath-day Learn thence That it is not sinfully unlawful for us to entertain our Friends and Neighbours with a plentiful Meal on the Lord's day it must be acknowledged that Feasting upon any day is one of those Lawful things which is difficultly managed without Sin but more especially upon that day that it does not unfit us for the Duties of the Sabbath However our Lord's Example in going to a publick Dinner amongst Lawyers and Pharisees evidently shews the lawfulness of feasting on that day provided we use the same moderation in eating and drinking that he did and improve the opportunity as a Season for doing good as he has taught us by his Example Note 4. How contrary to all the Laws of Behaviour the Decency of Conversation and the Rules of Hospitality the Pharisees watched him making their Table a Snare to catch him hoping they might hear something from him or see something in him for which they might accuse him He entered into the house of the Pharisee to eat Bread and they watched him Note 5. Our Saviour chose the Sabbath-day as the fittest Season to work his miraculous Cures in in the Pharisees House he heals a Man that had the Dropsy on the Sabbath-day Christ would not forbear doing good nor omit an opportunity of helping and healing the distressed tho' he knew his Enemies the Pharisees would carp and cavil at it calumniate and reproach him for it it being the constant guise of Hypocrites to prefer Ceremonial and Ritual Observations before Necessary and Moral Duties Note 6. How our Saviour defends the Lawfulness of his Act in Healing the diseased Man from their own Act in helping the Beast out of the Pit on the Sabbath-day as if Christ had said Is it lawful for you on the Sabbath-day to help a Beast and is it sinful in me to heal a Man Note Lastly How the Reason and Force of our Saviour's Argument silenced the Pharisees convinced them no doubt but we read nothing of their Conversion the obstinate and malicious are much harder to be wrought upon than the Ignorant and Scandalous it is easier to silence such Men then to satisfy them to stop their Mouths than to remove their Prejudices for Obstinacy will hold the Conclusion tho' Reason cannot maintain the Premises They could not answer him again to these things 7 And he put forth a Parable to those that were bidden when he marked how they chose out the chief Rooms saying unto them 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding sit not down in the highest Room lest a more honourable person than thou be bidden of him 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee Give this man place and thou begin with shame to take the lowest Room 10 But when thou art bidden go and sit down in the lowest Room and when he that bade thee cometh he may say unto thee Friend go up higher then shalt thou have Worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted It was observed before that our Blessed Saviour Dined publickly on the Sabbath day with several Pharisees and Lawyers that which is here worthy of our Notice is this how holy and suitable our Lord's Discourse was to the Solemnity of that day may it be the matter of our imitation it is not unlawful for Friends to Dine together on the Lord's Day provided their Discourse be suitable to the Day such was our Lord 's here for observing how the Company then at Table did affect precedency and taking place one of another he that before their Eyes had Cured a Man of a Bodily Dropsy attempts to Cure the Persons that Dined with him of the Tympany of Pride Where Note That it is not the Taking but the Affecting the highest Places and uppermost Rooms that our Saviour condemns There may and ought to be a Precedency amongst Persons it is according to the Will of God That Honour is given to whom Honour is due and that the more Honourable Persons should sit in the most Honourable Places for Grace gives a Man no exteriour Preference it makes a Man glorious indeed but it is glorious within Note farther the way and course the method and means which our Saviour directs Persons to in order to their attaining real Honour both from GOD and Men namely by being little in our own Eyes and in lowliness of mind esteeming others better than our selves as GOD will abase and Men will despise the proud and haughty so GOD will exalt and Men will honour the humble Person Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted 12 Then said he also to him
manner of our Lord's Funeral it was hasty publick and decent it was hasty by reason of the streights of Time the Sabbath was approaching and all Business is laid aside to prepare for that Teaching us how much it is our Duty to dispatch our Worldly business early in the Evening of the Lord's Day that we may be the better prepared to Sanctifie that Day Again our Lord's Funeral was publick and open all Persons that would might be Spectators to cut off occasion from any to object that there was deceit and fraud used in or about our Lord's Burial yet was he also Interr'd decently his Holy Body being wrapt in fine Linen and perfum'd with Spices according to the Jewish Custom Observe 5. The Reasons why our Lord was thus buried seeing he was to Rise again in as short a time as other Men lie by the Walls doubtless it was to declare the certainty of his Death and the reality of his Resurrection to fulfill the Types and Prophesies which went before of him As Jonas being three Days and three Nights in the Whale's Belly he was also buried to compleat his Humiliation this being the lowest step to which he could descend in his abased State Finally he went into the Grave that he might conquer Death in its own Territories Observe Lastly Of what use our Lord's Burial is to us his followers It shews us the amazing depths of his Humiliation from what and to what his Love brought him even from the Bosom of his Father to the Bosom of the Grave It may also comfort us against the fears of Death the Grave could not long keep Christ it shall not always keep us it was a loathsome Prison before it is a perfum'd Bed now he whose Head is in Heaven need not fear to put his Feet into the Grave Awake and Sing thou that dwellest in the Dust for the Enmity of the Grave is slain by Christ CHAP. XX. This and the following Chapter gives us an Account of our Saviour's Exaltation and Victorious Triumph over all his Enemies by his powerful Resurrection All the four Evangelists do confirm the Truth of it by recording the several steps and degrees of the manifestation of it In this Chapter Christ's Resurrection is confirmed first to Mary Magdalene next to Peter and John then to all the Disciples except Thomas 1 THe first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre In this Verse is Recorded how Mary Magdalene came early to the Sepulchre on the first Day of the Week to Anoint the Dead Body of our Lord Jesus Where Note That tho' her Heart did burn with an ardent Zeal and Affection to her Crucified Lord yet the commanded Duties of the Sabbath were not omitted by her she kept close and silently spent that Holy Day in a mixture of Grief and Hope her Example is a good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Note 2. What magnanimity and courage is found in this weak Woman she followed Christ Couragiously when his Disciples left him Cowardly she accompanied him to his Cross she followed his Hearse to the Grave when his Disciples durst not appear and now very early in the Morning she goes to visit his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the presence of the Watch-men Learn thence That Courage is the special gift of God and if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it is not in the Power of Man to make them afraid 2 Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith unto them They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him It was a great Honour that God put upon this poor Woman Mary Magdalene that she has the first Notice of our Saviour's Resurrection and is the first that discovers it to the Apostles But why had not the Virgin Mary his Disconsolate Mother this Priviledge conferr'd on her rather than Mary Magdalene who had been a grievous Sinner Doubtless this was for the Comfort of all True Pentitents and Administers great Consolation to them As the Angels in Heaven Rejoyce much more doth Christ Joy in the Recovery of one repenting Sinner than in multitudes of Holy and Just Persons such was the blessed Virgin who need no Repentance 3 Peter therefore went forth and that other disciple and came to the sepulchre 4 So they ran both together and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre 5 And he stouping down and looking in saw the linen clothes lying yet went he not in 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him and went into the sepulchre and seeth the linen clothes lie 7 And the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen clothes but wrapped together in a place by it self 8 Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre and he saw and believed 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead Here observe 1. How Peter and John moved with Mary Magdalens words They have taken away the Lord c. do run to the Sepulchre to satisfie themselves in the Truth of it Such as sincerely Love Christ upon the least intimation that he is missing bestir themselves with great Activity and Diligence that they may see him or hear of him Peter and John run to the Sepulchre to see what was become of their Holy Master Observe 2. That there were such clear Evidences about Christ's Grave as made it apparent that he was indeed Risen from the Dead and not conveighed away either by Friends or Foes It cannot be supposed that any of his Friends could they have come at it would have so handled his Holy Body as to carry it away naked and for his Foes had they Stole away the Body they would never have left the Fine Linnen behind them Observe 3. That when Christ arose from the Grave he left his Grave Cloaths behind him whereas when Lazarus arose he came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him it Teaches us that Christ Rose never to Die more but to Live and Reign for ever therefore he left his Grave Cloaths in the Grave as never to make use of them more But Lazarus was to Die again Death was once more to have Dominion over him he therefore came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him Observe Lastly How ignorant the Apostles were of the Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection and of the Holy Scriptures which declared he was to Rise again from the Dead They knew not the Scriptures That is They did not heed and regard them ponder them in their Hearts and feed upon them by Faith 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home 11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping and as
the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness In the foregoing Verses our Saviour acquainted us what in our Affections and Judgments we should esteem as our Chief Treasure Now this Judgment concerning our Chief Treasure is by our Saviour here compared to the Eye as the Eye is the Candle of the Body that inlightens and directs it so our Understanding and Judgment of the Excellency of Heaven and the Things Above will draw our Affections towards them and quicken our Endeavours after them Note thence That such as our Judgment is concerning Happiness such will our Desires and Endeavours be for the Attainment of that Happiness Our Affections are guided by our Apprehensions where the Esteem is high Endeavours will be strong 24 No man can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other Ye cannot serve God and mammon Observe here A twofold Master spoken of God and the World God is our Master by Creation Preservation and Redemption he has appointed us our Work and secured us our Wages The World is our Master by Intrusion Usurpation and a general Estimation too many esteeming it as their Chief Good and delighting in it as their Chief Joy Obs 2. That no Man can serve these Two Masters who are of contrary Interests and issue out contrary Commands When two Masters are subordinate and their Commands subservient each to other the difficulty of Serving both is not great but where Commands interfere and Interests clash it is impossible No Man can serve God and the World but he may serve God with the World No Man can seek God and Mammon both as his Chief Good and Vltimate End because no Man can divide his Heart betwixt GOD and the World Learn That to love the World as our Chief Good and to serve the World as our Chief and Sovereign Commander cannot stand with the Love and Service which we bear and owe to God The World's Slaves whilest such can be none of God's Free-men 25 Therefore I say unto you Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink nor yet for your body what ye shall put on is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment 26 Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Are ye not much better than they The next Sin which our Saviour cautions his Disciples against is immoderate Care for the things of this Life such a solicitous and vexatious Care for Food and Raiment as is accompanied with Diffidence and Distrust of GOD's Fatherly Providence over us and Provision for us and the Arguments which our Saviour uses to disswade from this Sin are many and cogent laid down in the following Verses 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature 28 And why take ye thought for raiment Consider the lilies of the field how they grow they toil not neither do they spin 29 And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arayed like one of these 30 Wherefore if God so cloath the grass of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven shall he not much more cloath you O ye of little faith 31 Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be cloathed 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things Four Arguments are here used by our Saviour to disswade us from the Sin of Anxious Care 't is needless 't is fruitless 't is heathenish 't is bruitish 1. 'T is needless Your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these things and will certainly provide for you and what need you take Care and God too 2. 'T is fruitless Which of you by taking thought can add one Cubit to his Stature That is by all our Solicitous Care we can add nothing either to the Length or Comfort of our Lives 3. 'T is heathenish After all these things do the Gentiles seek 4. 'T is brutish nay worse than brutish The Fowls of the Air and the Beasts of the Field are fed by God much more shall his Children Has God a Breakfast for every little Bird that comes chirping out of its Nest And for every Beast in the Wilderness that comes leaping out of its Den And will he not much more provide for you Oh ye of little Faith Surely he that feeds the Ravens when they Cry will not starve his Children when they Pray 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you That is Let your first and chief Care be to promote the Kingdom of Grace in this World and to secure the Kingdom of Glory in the next and in order unto both seek after an Universal Holiness and Righteousness both of Heart and Life and then fear not the want of these Outward Comforts they shall be added in Measure tho' not in Excess to Satisfie tho' not to Satiate for Health tho' not for Surfeit Obs 1. That Christians must here on Earth set themselves to seek Heaven or the Kingdom of God 2. That God's Kingdom cannot be sought without God's Righteousness Holiness is the only way to Happiness 3. That Heaven or the Kingdom of God must be sought in the first place with our chief Care and principal Endeavour 4. That Heaven being once secured by us all Earthly Things shall be superadded by God as he sees needful and convenient for us 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it self sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Here our Saviour reinforces his Dehortation from Solicitous Care for Worldly Things assuring us That every Day will bring with it a sufficient Burden of Trouble and therefore we ought not to torment our selves by antedating our own Sorrows and foretelling what may or may not come to pass Learn That it is a Painful Sinful and Unprofitable Evil to perplex our selves with distrustful and distracting Fears of what may come upon us Every Day has its own Duty and Difficulty and tho' Sufferings must be expected and prepared for yet we must not torment our selves to Day with the Fears of what may be to Morrow but every Day cast our Burden of Care upon that God who daily careth for us CHAP. VII Our Blessed Saviour having continued his Sermon on the Mount in the former Chapter concludes it in this with an Exhortation to several Duties the First of which is To forbear Rash Judging of others 1 JUDGE not that ye be not judged 2 For with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall
that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Here we have a sweet Invitation backt with a gracious Incouragement Christ invites such as are weary of the Burden of Sin of the Slavery of Satan of the Yoak of the Ceremonial Law to come unto him for Rest and Ease and as an Encouragement assures them that upon their coming to Him they shall find Rest. Learn 1. That Sin it is the Soul 's Laborious Burden Come unto me ye that Labour Labouring supposes a Burden to be labour'd under this Burden is Sin 's Guilt 2. That such as come to Christ for Rest must be Laden Sinners 3. That Laden Sinners not only may but ought to come to Christ for Rest they may come because invited they ought to come because commanded 4. That the Laden Sinner upon his coming shall find Rest Come c. 29 Take my yoak upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls Obs 1. Christ's Disciples must wear Christ's Yoak This Yoak is twofold a Yoak of Instruction and a Yoak of Affliction Christ's Law is a Yoak of Instruction it restrains our Natural Inclinations it curbs our Sensual Appetites it is a Yoak to corrupt Nature this Yoak Christ calls his Yoak Take my Yoak upon you 1. Because he as a Lord lays it upon our Necks 2. Because he as a Servant bore it upon his own Neck first before he laid it upon ours Obs 2. That the Way and Manner how to bear Christ's Yoak must be learnt of Christ himself Take my Yoak upon you and learn of me that is Learn of me both what to bear and how to bear Obs 3. That Christ's Humility and Lowlimindedness is a great Encouragement to Christians to come unto him and learn of him both how to obey his Commands and how to suffer his Will and Pleasure Learn of me for I am meek 30 For my yoak is easie and my burden is light Observe here 1. Christ's Authority and Greatness he has Power to impose a Yoak and inflict a Burden My Yoak My Burden 2. His Clemency and Goodness in imposing an easie Yoak and a light Burden My Yoak is easie my Burden is light that is my Service is good and gainful profitable and useful not only tolerable but delightful and as is my Yoak such is my Burden the Burden of my Precepts the Burden of my Cross both light not absolutely but comparatively the Weight of my Cross is not comparable with the Glory of my Crown Learn That the Service of Christ tho' hard and intolerable to Corrupt Nature yet is a most desireable and delightful Service to Grace or Renewed Nature Christ's Service is easie to a Spiritual Mind 1. It is easie as it is a Rational Service consonant to Right Reason tho' contradictory to Depraved Nature 2. Easie as it is a Spiritual Service delightful to a Spiritual Mind 3. Easie as it is an Assisted Service considering that we work not in our own Strength but in God's 4. Easie when once it is an Accustomed Service tho' hard to Beginners it is easie to Progressors the farther we walk the sweeter is our Way 5. Easie as it is the most Gainful Service having the Assurance of an Eternal Weight of Glory as the Reward of our Obedience Well therefore might our Holy LORD say to his Followers My Yoak is easie and my Burden is light CHAP. XII Our Blessed Saviour in this Chapter takes occasion to Instruct his Disciples in the Doctrine of the Sabbath shewing that Works of Necessity and Mercy may be performed upon that Day without any Violation of the Divine Command 1 AT that time Jesus went on the sabbath-day through the corn and his disciples were an hungered and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat Obs here The poor Estate and low Condition of Christ's own Disciples in this World they wanted Bread and are forced to pluck the Ears of Corn to satisfie their Hunger God sometimes suâ—â—ers his dearest Children in this World to fall into Straits and to taste of Want for the Trial of their Faith and dependance upon his Power and Providence 2 But when the Pharisees saw it they said unto him Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath day Obs here 1. The Persons finding Fault with this Action of the Disciples the Pharisees many of whom accompanied our Saviour not out of any good Intention but only with a Design to cavil at and quarrel with every thing that either Christ or his Disciples said or did Obs 2. The Action which they found fault with The Disciples plucking of the Ears of Corn on the Sabbath-day Where Note It is not the Theft which the Disciples are accused for by the Pharisees For to take in our Necessity so much of our Neighbour's Goods as we may reasonably suppose that if he were present and knew our Circumstances he would give us is no Theft but it is the servile Labour on the Sabbath in gathering the Corn that the Pharisees scruple Learn thence How zealous Hypocrites are for the lesser Things of the Law whilst they neglect the weightier and how superstitiously addicted to Outward Ceremonies placing all Holiness in the Observation of them 3 But he said unto them Have ye not read what David did when he was an hungred and they that were with him 4 How he entred into the house of God and did eat the shew-bread which was not lawful for him to eat neither for them which were with him but only for the priests 5 Or have ye not read in the law how that on the sabbath-days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless 6 But I say unto you that in this place is one greater than the temple In these Words our Saviour defends the Action of his Disciples in plucking the Ears of Corn in their Necessity by a double Argument 1. From David's Example Necessity freed him from Fault in eating the Consecrated Bread which none but the Priests might lawfully eat for in Cases of Necessity a Ceremonial Precept must give place to a Moral Duty Works of Mercy and Necessity for preserving our Lives and the better fitting us for Sabbath-Services are certainly lawful on the Sabbath-Day 2. From the Example of the Priests in the Temple who upon the Sabbath do break the outward Rest of the Day by Killing their Sacrifices and many other Acts of Bodily Labour which would be accounted Sabbath-Prophanation did not the Service of the Temple require and justifie it Now saith our Saviour If the Temple-Service can justifie Labour on the Sabbath I am greater than the Temple and my Authority and Service can justifie what my Disciples have done From the whole we Learn That Acts of Mercy which tend to fit uâ—â—â—r Works of Piety not only may but ought to be done on the Sabbath-Day 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth I will
have mercy and not sacrifice ye would not have condemned the guiltless Learn hence That the Law of Mercy is much more excellent than the Law of Ceremonies and where both cannot be observed the less must give place to the greater God never intended that the Ceremonies of his Service in the First Table should hinder Works of Mercy prescribed in the Second Table All GOD's Commands are for Man's Good Where both cannot be obeyed he will have the Moral Duty performed and the Ceremonial Service omitted He will have Mercy and not Sacrifice that is he will have Mercy rather than Sacrifice where both cannot be had 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath-day As if Christ had said I who am Lord of the Sabbath declare to you that I have a Power to dispence with the Observation of it and it is my Will that the Sabbath which was appointed for Man should yield to Man's Safety and Welfare Christ the Son of Man was really the Son of GOD and as such had Power over the Sabbath to dispence with it yea to abrogate and change it at his pleasure 9 And when he was departed thence he went into their synagogue 10 And behold there was a man which had his hand withered and they asked him saying Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-days that they might accuse him 11 And he said unto them What man shall there be among you that shall have one sheep and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath-day will he not lay hold on it and lift it out 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath-days Here we have another Dispute betwixt our Saviour and the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath Whether it be a Breach of that Day mercifully to Heal a Person having a withered Hand Christ confutes them from their own Practice telling the Pharisees that they themselves judg'd it Lawful to help out a Sheep or an Ox if faln into a Pit on that Day How much more ought the Life of a Man to be preferr'd Here we may remark how Inveterate a Malice the Pharisees had against our Saviour when they could find no Crime to charge him with they blame him for working a merciful and miraculous Cure upon the Sabbath-Day When Envy and Malice which are evermore quick-sighted can find no Occasion of Quarrel it will invent one against the Innocent 13 Then saith he to the man Stretch forth thine hand and he stretched it forth and it was restored whole like as the other 14 Then the pharisees went out and held a council against him how they might destroy him 15 But when Jesus knew it he withdrew himself from thence and great multitudes followed him and he healed them all 16 And charged them that they should not make him known Obs 1. The merciful and miraculous Cure wrought by our Saviour's Power upon the Impotent Man He said unto him Stretch out thine Hand and his Hand was restored Obs 2. What a contrary Effect this Cure had upon the Pharisees instead of convincing them they conspire against him Christ's Enemies when Arguments fail fall to Violence Obs 3. The prudent Means which our Saviour uses for his own Preservation He withdrew himself Christ's Example teaches his Ministers their Duty to avoid the Hands of Persecutors and prudently to preserve their Lives unless when their Sufferings are like to do more good than their Lives Obs 4. The great Humility of Christ in concealing his own Praises he had no Ambition that the Fame of his Miracles should be spread abroad for he sought not his own Glory neither would he by the Noise of his Miracles enrage the Pharisees against him to take away his Life knowing that his Time was not yet come and he had much Work to do before his Death 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying 18 Behold my servant whom I have chosen my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased I will put my Spirit upon him and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles 19 He shall not strive nor cry neither shall any man hear his voice in the street 20 A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench till he send forth judgment unto victory 21 And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust That is our Blessed Saviour did those Good Acts before spoken of that it might appear that he was the True Messias prophesied of by Isaias the Prophet Chap. 42.1 2. Behold my Servant whom I have set apart for Accomplishing the Work of Salvation for a Lost World he by the Fulness of my Spirit shall Teach the Nations the Way of Truth and Righteousness He shall not subdue Men by Force and Violence but as the Prince of Peace shall deal gently with the Weak and cherish the Least Measures of Grace and Degrees of Goodness Obs here 1. A Description of Christ as Mediator he is God the Father's Servant imployed in the most Noble Service namely that of the Instructing and Saving a Lost World Obs 2. With what Meekness and Gentleness Christ sets up his Spiritual Kingdom in the World he doth not with Noise and Clamour with Force and Violence Subdue and Conquer but with Meekness and Gentleness gains Persons Consent to his Government and Authority Observe 3. The Gentle Carriage of Christ in Treating those of Infirmer Grace he doth and will graciously preserve and tenderly cherish the smallest Beginings the Weakest Measures and the Lowest Degrees of Sincere Grace which he observes in any of his Children â—nd People 22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil blind and dumb and he healed him insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw 23 And all the people were amazed and said Is not this the son of David 24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils As a farther Instance of Christ's Miraculous Power he Healeth one whom the Devil had cast into a Disease which depriv'd him both of Speech and Sight At this Miracle the Multitude wonder saying Is not this the Son of David That is the promised Messias The Pharisees hearing this with great Bitterness and Contempt said This Fellow casteth out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Observe from hence How Obstinacy and Malice will make Men misconstrue the Actions of the most Holy and Innocent CHRIST Casteth out Devils say the Pharisees by the help of the Devil There never was any Person so Good nor any Action so Gracious but they have been subject both to Censure and Misconstruction The best Way is to square our Actions by the Right Rule of Justice and Charity and then let the World pass their Censures at their Pleasure When the Holy and Innocent JESUS was thus assaulted what Wonder is it if we his Sinful Servants be Branded on
all his Elect to himself with the sound of a Trumpet Probably as there was an audible Sound of a Trumpet at the giving of the Law so there shall be the like Sound of a Trumpet when Christ shall summon the World to Judgment for transgressing of that Law A joyful Sound will this be to the Friends of Christ A doleful dreadful Sound in the Ears of his Enemies 32 Now learn a parable of the fig-tree When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh 33 So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is near even at the doors 34 Verily I say unto you this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the angels of heaven but my Father only Here our Blessed Saviour declares Two Things with reference to his coming 1. The Certainty of the Thing it self 2. The Uncertainty of the Time The Certainty of his coming he sets forth by the Similitude of the Fig-tree whose beginning to bud declares the Summer at Hand Thus when they should see the foremention'd Signs they might conclude the Destruction of their City and Temple to be nigh at Hand and that some then living should see all these Predictions certainly fulfilled Whatever Christ foretells shall certainly be fulfilled his Word being more firm than the Fabrick of Heaven and Earth Obs 2. The Vncertainty as to the precise Time when this Judgment should come No Angel in Heaven nor Creature on Earth could determine the Time only the glorious Persons in the Godhead the Father Son and Holy Ghost Learn 1. That all things are not revealed to the Angels themselves but such things only as it concerns them to know and the Wisdom of God thinks fit to reveal 2. That the precise Time of the Day of Judgment is kept by God as a Secret to himself he will not have us know that Hour to the Intent that we may be upon our watch every Hour 37 But as the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark 39 And knew not until the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 40 Then shall two be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill the one shall be taken and the other left In these Verses our Saviour declares that Jerusalem's Destruction and the World 's final Desolation at the great Day would be much like the Destruction of the old World and that in two Respects 1. In regard of Unexpectedness 2. In regard of Security and Sensuality How sensual and secure was the old World before the Flood They were eating and drinking marrying and giving in Marriage That is wholly given up to Sensuality and Debauchery and did not know of the Floods coming that is did not consider it till it swept them away Thus was it in the Destruction of Jerusalem and so will it be in the end of the World Learn hence 1. That as the old World perished by Infidelity Security and Sensuality so will the same Sins be prevailing before the Destruction of this present World As it was in the Days of Noah so shall it be when the Son of Man cometh 2. That the true Reason why Sinners are drowned in Sensuality and given over to Security is this because they do not believe the Certainty or consider the Proximity and Nearness of an approaching Judgment The old World knew not of the Floods coming Strange when Noah had told them of it an Hundred and Twenty Years together The meaning is They did not consider it and prepare for it To such as are unprepared for and unapprehensive of Death and Judgment those Evils are always sudden altho' Men be never so often warn'd of them But to such as are prepared Death is never sudden let them die never so suddenly 42 Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come 43 But know this that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up 44 Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh Here we have the Application made by our Saviour of the foregoing Doctrine concerning the Certainty and Suddenness of a future Judgment Watch therefore always not without Intermission but without giving over that ye may be not only in an habitual but actual Readiness for my Appearance Learn thence That it is the indispensible Duty and ought to be the indefatigable Endeavour of every Christian to stand upon his Watch in a prepared Readiness for Christ's Appearance both for his coming to us and for our going to him Watch always for ye know not the Hour when your Lord cometh 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing 47 Verily I say unto you that he shall make him ruler over all his goods These Words may be applied two ways 1. To all the faithful Servants of Christ in general Thence Learn That for a Person to spend and end his Days in the Service of Christ and doing his Will gives good Assurance of a blessed Condition Blessed is that Servant 2. To the Ministers of the Gospel in special may these Words be applied And here Obs 1. The Character and Duty of a Gospel-Minister He is the Steward of Christ's Houshold to give them their Meat in due Season Obs 2. The Qualifications requisite in such Stewards Faithfulness and Prudence Who then is that faithful and wise Steward Obs 3. The Reward insured to such Stewards as answer these Qualifications Blessed is that Servant Learn hence 1. That the Ministers of the Gospel are in a special Sense the Stewards of Christ's Houshold 2. That Faithfulness and Prudence are the necessary and indispensible Qualifications of Christ's Stewards 3. That where-ever these Qualifications are found Christ will graciously and abundantly reward them Our Faithfulness must respect God our Selves and our Flock and includes Integrity of Heart Purity of Intention Industry of Endeavour Impartiality in our Administrations Prudence appears in the choice of suitable Subjects in the choice of fit Language in exciting our own Affections in order to the moving of our People Ministerial Prudence will teach us by the Strictness and Gravity of our Deportment to maintain our Esteem in the Consciences of our People It will assist
himself has purchased for them Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you 35 For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in 36 Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Here our Saviour sets forth not the meritorious Cause of his Saint's Happiness but the infallible Signs of such as should inherit that Happiness the Character of the Persons that might expect it Such as fed him clothed and visited him in his Members Where Note 1. That the Godly having their Sins forgiven in this World probably there shall be no mention made of them in the Day of Judgment Christ here only mentions the good Works of his Saints Ye fed me ye clothed not a Word of their Failings Obs 2. That they are not the Duties of the first but of the second Table which here Christ mentions because Works of Charity are more visible to the World than Works of Piety Learn hence 1. That at the great Day every Man's Sentence shall be pronounced according to his Works 2. That Works of Charity done out of Love to Christ shall be particularly observed and bountifully rewarded by Christ at the great Day The Question then will be not how have you Heard Pray'd or Preach'd but whom have you Fed Cloathed and Visited 3. That whatever Good or Evil is done to the poor Members of Christ Christ reckons it as done unto himself I was an hungry and ye gave me Meat 37 Then shall the righteous answer him saying when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink 38 When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee 39 Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Here we have a Dialogue or interchangeable Discourse betwixt Christ and his faithful Servants at the great Day where Observe their Question and his Reply Their Question Lord when did we feed thee cloath or visit thee We have forgot the Time tho' such is thy Goodness to remember it Learn thence That Christ keeps a faithful Record of all our Acts of pious Charity when we have forgotten them If we remember to do Good Christ will be sure to remember the Good we have done Ay and reward it as well as remember it Again this Question of theirs may proceed from Admiration and Wonder and from an humble Sense of their own Nothingness and from the Greatness of Christ's Condescension in taking notice of such mean Services and requiting them with such a Transcendent Reward Learn hence That when Christ comes to reward his Children and People they will wonder and be astonished at the Poverty and Meanness of their own Services and at the Transcendency and Greatness of his Rewards Observe next Our Lord's Reply Inasmuch as ye did it to the least of these of my Brethren ye did it unto me Where Obs 1. The Title put by Jesus Christ upon his poorest and meanest Members My Brethren 2. The Resentment of the Kindness shewed to his Brethren as shewn unto himself Inasmuch as ye did it to them ye have done it to me Learn thence That such is the indearing Intimacy betwixt Christ and his Members that whatever is done to any of them is esteem'd by him as done unto himself 41 Their shall he say also unto them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels Here we have the Sentence of Condemnation denounced against the Wicked Where Obs 1. The Posture in which they are found at Christ's Left Hand This doth not so much denote the Ignominy of the Place tho' placing at the Left Hand is less honourable as the Impiety of their Choice they took up with left-hand Mercies the Mercies of the Footstool Wealth and Riches Dignity and Honour As for the good Things which are at God's Right Hand for evermore they never sought after these Verily a Man may know his future State by his present Choice Obs 2. The Title given to wicked Men Ye cursed Not cursed of my Father because cursing is God's strange Work We force him to it he delights not in it Obs 3. The Sentence it self Where Note 1. The Punishment of Loss Depart from me Learn thence That it is the Hell of Hell to the damned that they must everlastingly depart from and lose the comfortable Fruition and Enjoyment of God in Christ 'T is to be deprived of an infinite Good Hell is a deep Dungeon where the Sunshine of God's Presence never cometh 2. The Punishment of Sense Depart into everlasting Fire Where Note Its Severity 't is Fire its Eternity it is everlasting Fire Learn thence That there are everlasting Torments in Hell prepared for the Wicked there is a State of Torment and a Place of Torment provided by God All Princes have not only their Palace but their Prison God has the Palace of Heaven for Enjoyment of himself and his Friends and the Prison of Hell for the punishing his Enemies The Nature of the damned's Misery is set out by Fire and the whole Man Body and Soul shall be tormented in it 1. The Body in all its Members their Eyes with affrighting Spectacles the Devil and his Angels and their old Companions in Sin every time they behold these it revives their Guilt and enrages their Despair Their Ears are filled with Yellings and Howlings and hideous Outcries 2. The Soul shall suffer in Hell by reflecting upon its own Choice by remembring Time sinfully wasted Seasons of Grace sadly sâ—ighted the Mercies of God unworthily abused Lord how will the Remembrance of past Mercies aggravate present Miseries 42 For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave no drink 43 I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not 44 Then shall they also answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred or a thirst or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister unto thee 45 Then shall he answer them saying Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me Observe here 1. How Christ lays the Charge of the Wicked's Damnation upon themselves alone You gave me no Meat you took me not in Man and Man alone is the Cause of his own Destruction and Damnation Obs 2. The Kind of Sin charged on the Wicked at the great Day Consider it 1. In its generical Nature 't is a Sin of Omission Whence Learn That Sins of Omission are certainly damning
diseases and cast out many devils and suffered not the devils to speak because they knew him The Evangelist here declares sundry other Miracles wrought by our Saviour before the Door of Peter's House where he now was He healed all the Diseased that were brought unto him and cast out Devils out of them that were possessed with them But how comes it to pass that we read of so many possessed with Devils in our Saviour's time and so few either before or since Answ 1. Probably Satan perceiving that the Messiah was come in the Flesh to destroy his Kingdom did rage the more and discover greater Malice and Enmity against Mankind 2. Perhaps Almighty God permitted Satan at that time to possess so many that Christ might have Occasion to manifest his Divine Power by casting Satan out And accordingly we find our Saviour dispossessing all that were possess'd by Satan It is added That he suffered not the Devils to speak because they knew him That is Christ would not be made known to be the Son of God by the preaching of the Devil to whom it belonged not to publish the Gospel lest the World should take from thence an Occasion to think that our Saviour held a Correspondency with those wicked Spirits and that the Miracles he wrought were performed by the Devil's Assistance as being one in Combination with him possibly from the Devil 's owning Christ to be the Holy One of God the Pharisees concluded that there was a Compact and Agreement betwixt them and thereupon their Affirmation was grounded he casteth out Devils by Beelzebub c. 35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Observe here 1. The Duty performed by our Saviour namely Prayer solitary and private Prayer He went by himself alone out of the hearing of his Disciples The Company of our best Friends is not always seasonable nor acceptable there are Times and Cases when a Christian would not be willing that his dearest Relations upon Earth should hear that Intercourse which passes betwixt him and his God Obs 2. Christ chuses the Opportunity of the Morning for Prayer He rises a great while before Day to set about this Work Teaching us that the Morning is a fit Season yea the best Season for private Duties Now our Spirits are freshest and our Minds freest before the Distractions of the Day break in upon us it is better to go from Prayer to Business than from Business to Prayer 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him 37 And when they had found him they said unto him All men seek for thee 38 And he said unto them Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also for therefore came I forth 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and cast out devils Observe here Two Things First The great End of Christ in his Incarnation and coming into the World namely as a Prophet sent from God to reveal his Will and to publish the Doctrine of the Gospel Therefore came I forth that is to preach and plant the Gospel Secondly It being Christ's Design not only to plant but propagate the Gospel he would not confine his Ministry to any particular Place no not to the great City of Capernaum but resolves to preach the Word in the smallest Towns and Villages Leaving his Ministers herein an instructive Example to be as willing to preach the Gospel in the smallest Villages as in the largest Cities if God calls them thereunto Let the Place be never so obscure and mean and the Congregation never so small and little if God sends us thither the greatest of us must not think it beneath us to go and instruct an handful of People 40 And there came a leper to him beseeching him and kneeling down to him and saying unto him If thou wilt thou canst make me clean 41 And Jesus moved with compassion put forth his hand and touched him and saith unto him I will be thou clean 42 And as soon as he had spoken immediately the leprosie departed from him and he was cleansed 43 And he straightly charged him and forthwith sent him away 44 And saith unto him See thou say nothing to any man but go thy way shew thy self to the Priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them 45 But he went out and began to publish it much and to blaze abroad the matter insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places and they came to him from every quarter The last Miracle of our Saviour's recorded in this Chapter is his healing of a leper he came beseeching Christ to heal him Saying If thou wilt thou canst make me clean Where Obs 1. He doth not question Christ's Power but distrusts Christ's Willingness to heal him Lord if thou wilt thou canst Christ's Divine Power must be fully assented to and firmly believed by all those that expect Benefit by him and healing from him Obs 2. The great Readiness of Christ to help and heal this distressed Person Jesus touched him saying I will be thou clean By the Ceremonial Law the Leper was forbidden to be touch'd therefore Christ's touching this Leper shewed him to be above the Law and that he was the Lord of it and might dispence with it and his healing the Leper by the Word of his Mouth and Touch of his Hand shew'd him to be truly and really God Leprosie amongst the Jews was an incurable Distemper called the Finger of God a Disease of his sending and of his removing Our Saviour therefore as a Proof of his being the true Messiah tells John's Disciples Matth. 11.5 That the Lepers were cleansed and the Dead raised by him which two being joined together do imply that the cleansing of Lepers is as much an Act of Divine Power as the raising of the Dead And accordingly 2 Kin. 5.8 't is said Am I a God that this Man sends to me to cure a Man of his Leprosie Obs 3. The Certainty and Suddenness of the Cure was a Proof of Christ's Divine Power immediately his Leprosie was cleansed Christ not only cured him without Means but without the ordinary Time required for such a Cure Thus Christ shew'd both Power and Will to cure him miraculously who believed his Power but questioned his Willingness Obs 4. The Cause moving our Saviour to cure this Leper his Bowels were moved with tender Pity and Compassion towards him Christ's exercising Acts of Mercy and Compassion with such Condolency and Sympathizing Pity should by way of Example teach us to be inwardly moved with tender Compassion and Mercy towards such as are in Misery We are not only to draw out our Bread but to draw out our Soul to the Hungry Obs 5. A twofold Charge and Command given by Christ to the Leper after his Cure 1. To
with his sick Patients Now I am come into the World to do the Office of a kind Physician unto Men. Surely then I am to take all Opportunities of conversing with them that I may help and heal them for they that are sick need the Physician But as for you Scribes and Pharisees who are well and whole in your own Opinion and Conceit I have no Hopes of doing Good upon you for such as think themselves whole desire no Physician 's Help From this Assertion of our Saviour these Truths are suggested to us 1. That Sin is the Soul's Malady its Spiritual Disease and Sickness 2. That Christ is the Physician appointed by God for the cure and healing of this Disease 3. That there are Multitudes of Sinners Spiritually sick who yet think themselves sound and whole 4. That such and only such as find and feel themselves Spiritually sick are Subjects capable of Christ's healing They that are whole need not the Physician but they that are sick I came not to call the Opinionatively Righteous but the Sensible Sinner to Repentance 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast and they come and say unto him Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast but thy disciples fast not 19 And Jesus said unto them Can the children of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them as long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them and then shall they fast in those days 21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old and the rent is made worse 22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles else the new wine doth burst the bottles and the wine is spilled and the bottles will be marred but new wine must be put into new bottles Observe here 1. A great Difference betwixt John's Disciples and Christ's in the Matter of Fasting John's Disciples imitated him who was a Man of an Austere Life and much given to fasting Therefore is said To come neither eating nor drinking Matth. 11.18 On the other side Christ's Disciples followed him who came eating and drinking as other Men did and yet tho' there was a great Difference betwixt John's Disciples and Christ's in Matters of Practice yet were they all of one Faith and Religion Thence Learn That there may be Unity of Faith and Religion among those who do not maintain an Uniformity in Practice Men may differ in some outward Religious Observations and Customs and yet agree in the Fundamentals of Faith and Religion Thus did John's Disciples and Christ's the one fasted often the other fasted not Obs 2. In that the Disciples of the Pharisees used to fast as well as John's Disciples We may Learn That Hypocrites and wicked Men may be and sometimes are as strict and forward in the Outward Duties of Religion as the holiest and best of Christians They pray they fast they hear the Word they receive the Sacraments They do yea it may be they out do and go beyond the Sincere Christian in External Duties and outward Performances Obs 3. The defensative Plea which our Blessed Saviour makes for the not fasting of his Disciples he declares that it was neither suitable to them nor tolerable for them thus to fast at present Not suitable in regard of Christ's bodily Presence with them This made it a time of Joy and Rejoicing not of Mourning and Fasting Christ is the Bridegroom and his Church the Bride whilst therefore his Spouse did enjoy his bodily Presence with her it was a Day of Joy and Rejoicing to her and Mourning and Fasting were improper for her But when Christ's bodily Presence shall be removed there will be Cause enough to fast and mourn Again This Discipline of Fasting was not at present tolerable for the Disciples for they were raw green and tender not fit for Austerities nor could bear as yet the Severities of Religion no more than an old Garment could bear a piece of new stiff Cloth to be set into it which will make the Rent worse if the Garment comes to a Stretch Or no more than old Bottles can keep new Wine As if our Saviour had said My Disciples at present are tender and weak newly called and converted they cannot therefore bear the Severities of Religion presently but e're long I shall leave them and go to Heaven from whence I will send down my Holy Spirit upon them which shall enable them to all the Duties which the Gospel enjoins Now the intended Lesson of Instruction from hence is this That it is hurtful and dangerous for young Converts for weak Christians to be put upon the severer Exercises of Religion or to be urged to the Performance of such Duties as are above their Strength But they ought to be handled with that Tenderness which becomes the mild and gentle Dispensation of the Gospel Our Saviour here commends Prudence to his Ministers in treating their People according to their Strength and putting them upon Duties according to their Time and Standing 23 And it came to pass that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath-day and his disciples began as they went to pluck the ears of corn 24 And the Pharisees said unto him Behold why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful 25 And he said unto them Have ye never read what David did when he had need and was an hungered he and they that were with him 26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and did eat the shew-bread which is not lawful to eat but for the priest and gave also to them which were with him 27 And he said unto them The sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath 28 Therefore the son of man is Lord also of the sabbath Obs here 1. The Poverty the low Estate and Condition of Christ's own Disciples in this World they wanted Bread and are forced to pluck the Ears of Corn to satisfie their Hunger God may and sometimes doth suffer his dearest Children to fall into Streights to taste of Want for the Trial of their Faith and Dependance upon his Power and Providence Obs 2. How the Pharisees who accompanied our Saviour only with a Design to cavil at and quarrel with every thing that either he or his Disciples did blame this Action of the Disciples namely their plucking of the Ears of Corn on the Sabbath-day Yet Note First It was not any Theft which the Disciples were charged with for to take in our Necessity so much of our Neighbour's Goods as we may reasonably suppose that if he were present and knew our Circumstances he would give us is no Theft But it is the servile Labour on the Sabbath in gathering the Ears of Corn which the Pharisees scruple Whence
Observe how zealous Hypocrites are for the lesser things of the Law whilst they neglect the greater and superstitiously addicted to outward Ceremonies placing all Holiness in the Observation of them neglecting Moral Duties Observe farther 3. How our Saviour defends the Actions of his Disciples in gathering the Ears of Corn in their Necessity by the Practice and Example of David Necessity freed him from Fault and Blame in eating the Consecrated Bread which none but the Priests might lawfully eat For in Cases of Necessity a Ceremonial Precept must give place to a Moral Duty Works of Mercy and Necessity for preserving our Lives and the better fitting us for Sabbath Services are certainly Lawful on the Sabbath-day Obs 4. A double Argument which our Saviour uses to prove that the Sabbath's Observation may be dispensed with in a Case of absolute Necessity 1. Drawn from the end of the Sabbaths Institution The Sabbath was made for Man That is Instituted of God for the Good and Benefit of Mankind both with Respect to their Souls and to their Bodies The outward observing and keeping of the Sabbath is subordinate to the Good of Man and therefore the Good of Man is to be preferr'd before the outward keeping of the Sabbath 2. Argument is drawn from the Authority which Christ the Institutor of the Sabbath has over it The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath That is He has Authority and Power both as God and as Mediator to institute and appoint a Sabbath to alter and change the Sabbath to dispence with the Breach of it upon a just and great Occasion And consequently Acts of Mercy which tend to fit us for Works of Piety not only may but ought to be done upon the Sabbath-day which was the Proposition which our Saviour undertook to prove CHAP. III. 1 ANd he entered again into the synagogue and there was a man there which had a withered hand 2 And they watched him whether he would heal him on the sabbath-day that they might accuse him 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand Stand forth 4 And he saith unto them Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath day or to do evil to save life or to kill but they held their peace The former part of this Chapter reports to us a miraculous Cure wrought by Christ upon a Man who had a withered Hand The place where he wrought it was the Synagogue the time when was the Sabbath-day the manner how was by speaking of a Word the Persons before whom were the envious and malicious Pharisees These Men were always cavilling at our Saviour's Doctrine and slandering his Miracles yet our Saviour goes on with his Work before their Faces without either Interruption or Discouragement Learn thence That the unjust Censures and malicious Cavils of wicked Men against us for well-doing must not discourage us from doing our Duty either towards God or towards our Neighbour Tho' the Pharisees watched our Saviour and when their Envy and Malice could find no Occasion of Quarrel would invent and make one yet such was our Lord's Courage and Resolution that he bids the Man which had the withered Hand stand forth To shew that he was resolved to heal him notwithstanding their malicious Purpose to accuse him for it as a Breaker of the Sabbath Opposition met with in doing our Duty must not discourage us from doing Good if we will follow the Example of our Blessed Redeemer 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger being grieved for the hardness of their hearts he saith unto the man Stretch forth thine hand And he stretched it out and his hand was restored whole as the other Obs here 1. The Pharisees sinful and graceless Disposition and that was Hardness of Heart The Heart of Man is naturally hard and full of Obstinacy and Enmity against Christ but there is an acquired Hardness which Continuance in Sin occasions the Pharisees laboured under both Obs 2. A double Affection which this Hardness of Heart found in the Pharisees did stir up in Christ namely Anger and Indignation Grief and Commiseration He was grieved for the Hardness of their Hearts Learn hence 1. That Humane Passions are not sinful and that Christian Religion doth not destroy natural Affections 2. That Anger at Sin either in our selves or others if kept within its due Bounds is not only lawful but commendable 3. That our Anger against Sin ought to be accompanied with Grief and Compassion towards Sinners We should pour out our Tears of Compassion when Men pour forth their Abominations 4. That of all Sins Hardness of Heart and Unbelief are most grievous and offensive most displeasing and provoking to Jesus Christ He looked about with Anger being grieved for the Hardness of their Hearts Obs 3. The sudden and instantaneous Cure which our Saviour wrought upon the Man that had the withered Hand Our Saviour did not touch him but only said to him Stretch forth thy Hand and it was presently cured Learn hence That Christ's having absolute Power over all bodily Diseases and Infirmities to cure them miraculously without Means only by a Word speaking is one Argument that proves him to be truly and really God 6 And the Pharisees went forth and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him how they might destroy him 7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea and a great multitude from Galilee followed him and from Judea 8 And from Jerusalem and from Idumea and from beyond Jordan and they about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude when they had heard what great things he did came unto him 9 And he spake to his disciples that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude lest they should throng him 10 For he hâ—d healed many insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him as many as had plagues 11 And unclean spirits when they saw him fell down before him and cried saying Thou art the Son of God 12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known Obs here 1. What a dismal Effect this famous Miracle of Christ's had upon the Pharisees and Herodians Instead of being convinced by it they conspire against him for it These Herodians and Pharisees were of different Opinions Enemies to one another yet they join together in seeking the Death of Christ The Pharisees were against paying Tribute to Caesar looking upon themselves as a free People and accounting the Roman Emperour an Usurper The Herodians were for it Herod being made by the Roman Emperour King of the Jews was zealous for having the Jews pay Tribute to Caesar and such of the Jews as sided with him particularly his Courtiers and Favourites were stiled Herodians but both Pharisees and Herodians take Counsel against Christ Learn thence That Unity and Consent is of it self alone far from being a Mark and Note of the true Church Unity in the Faith and Doctrine of
Christ and in the Profession and Practice of the true Religion is a Note indeed of the true Church But Unity in opposing Christ his Person his Doctrine his People is so far from being a Mark of the true Church that it is the Badge of the Antichristian Synagogue Obs 2. The prudent Means which our Saviour uses to preserve himself from the Rage of the Pharisees he withdrew himself from them Christ's Example teaches his Ministers their Duty in a time of Danger to fly from Persecution and to endeavour to preserve their Lives unless when their Sufferings are like to do more Good than their Lives Obs 3. The great Zeal and Forwardness of the People in flocking after our Saviour's Ministry People come now at first from all Places and Countries from Judea from Idumea from beyond Jordan from Tyre and Sidon to hear his Doctrine and see his Miracles The People came from all parts when our Saviour first began to preach His Ministers find it thus At their first coming amongst a People their Labours are most acceptable and they do most Good our Peoples Affections are then warmest and perhaps our own too Obs 4. What sort of People they were which attended thus zealously upon our Saviour's Ministry they were the common and ordinary People the poor received the Gospel whilst the Pharisees and other Men of most Account the mighty the noble and the wise Men after the Flesh despised our Saviour's Person slighted his Ministry and sought his Life The ordinary and meanest sort of People ever have been more zealous and forward in embracing the Gospel than ever the Great the Rich and the Honourable part of the World have been It is a sad but a certain Truth Heaven is a place where few comparatively of the great Men of the World are like to come their Temptations are many their Lusts are strong and their great Estates thro' their own Abuse become Fuel to their Lusts Obs 5. The Behaviour of the unclean Spirits the Devils towards our Saviour and our Saviour's Carriage towards them They fall down at the very sight of him they cry out and confess him to be the Son of God but he sharply Rebukes them and charges them that they should not make him known Not that our Saviour would have the Knowledge of his Person supprest but because the Devils were no fit Persons to preach Jesus Christ A Truth out of the Mouth of the Father of Lies is enough to render Truth it self suspected Besides the time appointed for the full and clear Manifestation of the Godhead of Christ was not yet come This was not to be done till after his Resurrection the Divine Nature was to lye hid under the Veil of Christ's Flesh during his state of Humiliation and Abasement 13 And he goeth up into a mountain and calleth unto him whom he would and they came unto him 14 And he ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils 16 And Simon he sirnamed Peter 17 And James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James and he sirnamed them Boanerges which is The sons of thunder 18 And Andrew and Philip and Bartholomew and Matthew and Thomas and James the son of Alpheus and Thaddeus and Simon the Canaanite 19 And Judas Iscariot which also betrayed him and they went into an house As the Jewish Church arose from Twelve Patriarchs so the Christian Church became planted by Twelve Apostles the Person commissioning them was Christ None may undertake the Work and Calling of the Ministry but those whom Christ appoints and calls The Persons commissioned were Disciples before they were Apostles to teach us That Christ will have such as preach the Gospel to be Disciples before they are Ministers trained up in the Faith and Doctrine of the Gospel before they undertake a publick Charge Observe farther The Holy Preparative which our Saviour uses in order to this Election of his Apostles he goeth up into a Mountain to pray upon that great Occasion So says St. Luke 6.12 He went up into a Mountain to pray and spent the night in Prayer to God And when it was Day he called his Disciples and of them he chose Twelve In this Prayer no doubt he pleaded with his Father to furnish those that were to be sent forth by him with all Ministerial Gifts and Graces Learn thence That as Prayer is a necessary Preparative to all Duties so more especially before the publick Election and Ordination of the Ministers of the Church solemn Prayer is to be used by such as are to ordain and choose them our Lord's Practice is to be a standing Rule herein to all Church Officers Observe again Tho' Christ called his Apostles now yet he did not send them forth now He ordained Twelve that they should be with him That is that they might converse with him and be Eye-witnesses and Ear-witnesses of his Life Doctrine and Miracles And having been thus with Christ and fitted and prepared by him for their Work afterwards they went forth Thence Learn That such as are to take upon them the Office of the Ministry ought first to be fitted and prepared for it then solemnly called to it before they enterprize and undertake the Execution of it if the Apostles here who were called and qualified extraordinarily were to spend some Time with Christ to receive Direction and Instruction from him before they went forth to preach how much more needful is it for such as are ordinarily called to be well-fitted and furnished for the Ministerial Service before they undertake it Observe next How the several Names of the Apostles are here Registred and Recorded God will honour those that honour him and are the special Instruments of his Glory Of these Apostles Peter is named first and Judas last Peter is named first because probably elder than the rest or because for Order-sake he might speak before the rest From whence may be inferr'd a Primacy but no Supremacy a Priority of Order not a Superiority of Degree As the Foreman of a Grand-Jury has a Precedency but no Preheminency he is first in order before the rest but has no Authority or Power over the rest Judas is named last with a Brand of Infamy upon him that he was the Traditor the Person that betrayed his Lord and Master Whence Learn That tho' the Truth of Grace be absolutely necessary to a Minister's Salvation yet the want of it doth not disannul his Office nor hinder the Lawfulness of his Ministry Judas tho' a Traytor was yet a Lawful Minister Observe lastly That our Saviour sirnamed James and John Boanerges Sons of Thunder St. Jerome thinks this Name was given them because being with Christ in the Mount at his Transfiguration they heard the Father's Voice out of the Cloud like Thunder Others think them so called because they were more vehement and earnest than the
with an eye of Regard by him that dwells in the highest Heavens Where Note That as God magnified her she magnified him ascribing all Honour and Glory to him that had thus dignified and exalted her He that is mighty hath done for me great things and glorified be his name Obs 4. She thankfully takes notice that it was not only an high Honour but a lasting Honour which was conferred upon her All Generations shall call me Blessed She beholds an infinite lasting Honour prepared for her as being the Mother of an Universal and Everlasting Blessing which all former Ages had desired and all succeeding Ages should rejoyce in and proclaim her Happy for being the Instrument of Obs 5. How the Holy Virgin passes from the Consideration of her Personal Priviledges to the universal Goodness of God shewing us that the Mercies and favours of God were not confined and limited to her self but his mercy is on all them that fear him throughout all Generations She declares the General Providence of God towards all Persons his mercy to the pious his mercy is on all them that fear him his justice on the proud he has put down the mighty from their Seat and scattered the proud in the imagination of their Hearts his Bounty to the poor he fills the hungry with good things Learn hence the excellency and advantagious usefulness of the Grace of Humility how good it is to be meek and lowly in Heart This will render us lovely in God's Eye and tho' the World trample upon us he will exalt us to the admiration of our selves and the envy of our despisers Obs Lastly How she magnifies the special Grace of God in our Redemption he hath holpen his Servant Israel that is Blest them with a Saviour who lived in the Faith Hope and Expectation of the promised Messiah and this Blessing she declares was 1. the Result of Great Mercy he remembring his mercy hath holpen his Servant Israel 2. The effect of his Truth and Faithfulness in his Promises as he promised to our Fore-fathers Abraham and his Seed for ever Learn thence that the appearance of the promised Messiah in the Fulness of time in order to the Redemption and Salvation of a lost World it was the Fruit of God's tender Love and the effect of his Faithfulness in the promises made of Old to his Church and Children he hath holpen his Servant Israel in remembrance of his Mercy as he spake to our Forefathers to Abraham and to his Seed for ever 56 And Mary abode with her about three months and returned to her own house 57 Now Elizabeths full time came that she should be delivered and she brought forth her Son 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her and they rejoyced with her Two things are here Observable 1. The civil courtesy of the Virgin Mary towards her Cousin Elizabeth She stays with her three Months probably till she was Delivered and brought to Bed not leaving her just at the time of her Travel for the Angel told Mary v. 36. That it was then the sixth Month with Elizabeth after which Mary stays with her three Months which made up the full time To visit and accompany our Friends in the time of their Distress is not only an act of Civil Courtesy but of Religion and Piety not a Matter of Indifferency but of Duty James 1.27 Pure Religion and undefiled is this to visit in affliction that is this is an eminent act and exercise of Religion the Evidence and fruit of Sincere Religion and the Virgins doing this was an act and instance of her Piety as well as of her civil Courtesy Obs 2. The Religious joy and Spiritual rejoycing which the Neighbours and Kindred express at the lying in of Elizabeth they did not meet together upon that great occasion only to eat and drink and make merry but they rejoyced that the Lord had shewn great mercy upon her oh how rarely is this Example followed in our Age At the Delivery of the Mother and at the Birth of the Child how little is God taken Notice of How little is his power magnified and his Goodness Celebrated in opening the Womb in giving strength to bring forth And how rarely is this the Subject of Discourse at the Woman's Labours verily if the mercy of a Child and the safe Delivery of the Mother be not the first and principal things taken notice of at such Rejoycing Meetings they look more like Pagan then Christian Rejoycings 59 And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child and they called him Zacharias after the name of his father 60 And his mother answered and said not so but he shall be called John 61 And they said unto her there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name 62 And they made signs to his Father how he would have him called and he asked for a writing Table and wrote saying his name is John and they marvelled all 64 And his mouth was opened immediately and his tongue loosed and he spake and praised God 65 And fear came on all them that dwelt round about and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the Hill Country of Judea 66 And all they that had heard them laid them up in their hearts saying what manner of child shall this be and the hand of the Lord was with him Observe here 1. The Circumcision of the Child at eight days old according to the Commandment Gen. 17. where Note First the Act Circumcising Secondly the Time at eight days old God Commanded every Male Child to be Circumcised because the Males by the Fore-skin propagate Sin and convey Original Impurity By this Ordinance God gave his People to understand the exceeding filthiness of Sin and that Man brings something into the World with him which ought presently to be cut off Note also the time of Circumcising the Child at eight days old not before least the Child should be too weak to bear the pain and must not be deferred longer least God interprets the delay to be a Contempt of the Ordinance Hence by the way we may Learn that God did not tye Salvation to the outward Sacrament for if the Child had perisht that dyed uncircumcised it had been an hard thing to defer Circumcision eight Hours 'T is not the want but the Contempt and Neglect of the Sacraments that damns It came to pass on the eighth day they came to circumcise the Child we find in Scripture the Ordinance appointed and the time limited but neither the person nor the place declared Moses's Wife circumcised the Child and that in an Inn Ex. 4. A Duty is sometimes positively injoined in the Scriptures when the Circumstances belonging to the Duty are undetermined Thus the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is appointed by Christ but the time the place the gesture not positively commanded but to be prudentially determined Obs
Gentiles Christ is a light to the one and the glory of the other a light to the blind and dark Gentiles and the Glory of the Renowned Church of the Jews The Messias being promised to them born and bred up with them living amongst them preaching his Doctrine to them and working his Miracles before them and thus was Christ the Glory of his people Israel 34 And Simeon blessed them and said unto Mary his mother Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be spoken against 35 Yea a sword shall pass thro' thine own Soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed Two things are here observed Simeon's Blessing and Simeons Prediction he blessed them that is the Parents and the Child Jesus not Authoritatively but Prophetically declaring how God would bless them his Prediction is Twofold 1. concerning Christ 2. concerning his Mother concerning Christ Simeon declares that he should be for the rise of many in Israel namely all such as should embrace and obey his Doctrine and imitate and follow his example and for the fall of others that is shall bring punishment and ruine upon all obdurate and impenitent Sinners and a Sign to be spoken against that is he shall be as a mark for obstinate Sinners to set themselves against Christ himself when here in the World was a stone of stumbling and a Rock of offence to the men of the World enduring the contradiction of Sinners against himself both the virulence of their Tongues and the violence of their hands 2. Concerning the Mother of Christ Simeon declares that the sight of her Son 's bitter Sufferings would like a Sword pierce through heâ— Heart for tho' he might be born yet should he not dyâ— without the pains of his Mother as if the Throws suffered by other Women at the Birth were reserved for her to endure at the death of her Son The Sufferings of the Holy Jesus on the Cross were as a Sword or dagger at the Heart of the Holy Virgin and she Suffered with him both as a tender Mother and as a Sympathizing Member of his Body 36 And there was one Anna a prophetess the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asser she was of a great Age and had lived with an husband seven years from her Virginity 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years which departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day 38 And she coming in at that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Israel Simeon is seconded by Anna a Prophetess she also declares that the child Jesus was the promised and expected Messias and thus Christ was proclaimed in the Temple by two Heralds of different Sexes Concerning this Aged Woman Anna it is said that she departed not from the Temple night nor day not that she lived and lodged there but by her never departing from understand her daily repairing to the Temple that which is often done is said in Scripture to be always done we are said to do a thing continually when we do it seasonably Thus we pray continually when we pray as often as duty requires us to pray Learn hence That such duties as a Christian performs out of Conscience he will perform with Constancy and Perseverance Nature will have her good Moods but Grace is steady The devotions of a pious Soul like Anna's are as constant but more frequent then the returns of day and night 39 And when they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth 40 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom and the Grace of God was upon him Here we see the truth and reality of Christ's Humane Nature he grew as we do from Infancy to Childhood from Childhood to Youth and Manhood To his divine Nature no accession or addition could be made for that which is infinite cannot encrease The deity was infinite in Christ so was not the Humanity but capable of additions and accordingly as Christ grâ—w up the Stature of his Body and the faculties of his mind encreased thro' the Grace and Power of God's Spirit upon him 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every Year at the feast of the passover 42 And when he was twelve years old they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast Observe here the persons making this yearly Journey to Jerusalem our Saviour's Parents and himself 1. Joseph who is called Christ's Father not that he was his natural Father for Christ had no Father upon Earth but Joseph was his Reputed and supposed Father his nursing Father who by the appointment of God took a Fatherly care of him and and his Father in Law being Husband to Mary 2. Mary the Mother of Christ went up to Jerusalem with her Husband and her Son God commanded only the Males to go up to Jerusalem the weaker Sex were excused but the Holy Virgin well knowing the spiritual profit of that long Journey would not stay at home Such as will go no farther than they are dragged in Religious Exercises are Strangers to the Virgins Piety and devotion But 3. the child Jesus in his Minority goes up with his Parents to this holy Solemnity thereby no doubt intending our instruction when we are young to give God an early possession of our Souls to consecrate the Virgin Operations of our minds to him and in our Youth to keep close to the Worship and Service of God when we are so importunately courted by the World Obâ—erve farther This holy Family came not to look at the Feast and be gone but they duly stay'd out all the appointed time â—â—seph's Calling and the Virgins Houshold Business could â—either keep them at home nor hasten them home before the publick Duties in the Temple were dispatcht and ended All worldly Business must give place to Divine Offices and we must attend God's service to the end except we will depart unblest 43 And when they had fulfilled the days as they returned the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem and Joseph and his mother knew not of it 44 But supposing him to have been in the company went a days journey and they sought him amongst their kinsfolk and acquaintance 45 And when they found him not they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him The Service of the Temple being ended they return home to Nazareth Religious Duties are not to be attended to the prejudice and neglect of our particular Callings God calls us as well from his House as to his House They are much mistaken who think God is pleased with nothing but Devotion he that says be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord says also be not slothful in business Piety and Industry must keep pace with one another God is as well pleased
his History primarily for the Jews proves him to be the Son of Abraham and David for their comfort St. Luke designing the information and comfort of the Gentiles derives our Lord's Pedigree from Adam the common Parent of mankind to assure the Gentiles of their possibility of an Interest in Christ they being Sons of Adam Neither of these Evangelists are strict and accurate in enumerating every individual person which should Teach us not to be over-curious in scanning the parts of this Genealogy much less captiously to object against it because of some seeming contradictions in it For if the Evangelists were not nice and critical in composing this Genealogy why should we be so in examining of it Let us rather attend the design of the Holy Ghost in Writing of it which was Twofold 1. for the honour of our Saviour as Man shewing who were his Noble and Royal Progenitors according to the Flesh 2. For the confirmation of our Faith touching the Reality of our Saviour's Incarnation the Scripture making mention of all his Progenitors from the first man Adam to his Reputed Father Joseph we cannot reasonably doubt either of the truth of his humane Nature or of the certainty of his being the promised Messias Hence we may Learn That the wisdom of God has taken all necessary care and used all needful Means for satisfying the minds of all unprejudiced Persons touching the Reality of Christ's humane Nature and the certainty of his being the promised Messias for both these Ends is our Saviour's Genealogy Descent and Pedigree Recorded in Holy Scripture CHAP. IV. 1 AND Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness At the 22 Verse of the foregoing Chapter we find the Holy Ghost descending in a bodily Shape like a Dove upon our Saviour in this verse we find the extraordinary effects and fruits of the Holy Ghost's Descent upon our Saviour he was filled with all the Gifts and Graces of the Blessed Spirit to fit and furnish him for that ministerial Service which he was now entring upon But observable it is that before our Saviour undertook the ministerial Office he is led by the Spirit into the Wilderness and there furiously assaulted with Satan's Temptations Temptation Meditation and Prayer says Luther make a Minister great Temptations from Satan do fit us for greater Services for God And whereas it is said that Christ was led by the Spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil by the Spirit we must understand the Holy Spirit of God for the Devil I think is never called the Spirit but has always a brand of Reproach annext as the evil Spirit the unclean Spirit and the like By his being led by the Spirit St. Mark says he was drove by the Spirit we must not understand any violent motion but a potent and efficacious perswasion he was carried by a strong impulse of the Spirit of God or as the Learned Lightfoot thinks Christ was bodily caught up by the Holy Spirit into the Air and carried from Jordan where he was Baptized into the Wilderness where he was tempted God had put Great honour upon Christ at his Baptism declaring him to be his well-beloved Son in whom he was pleased and the next News we hear is the Devil 's assaulting him with his Temptations Learn thence that the more any are beloved of God and dignified with more eminent Testimonies of his Favour so much the more is the Devil enraged and maliciously bent against them 2 Being forty days tempted of the Devil and in those days he did eat nothing and when they were ended he afterward hungred Obs here how the Divine Power upheld Christ's humane Nature without Food What Moses did at the giving of the Law Christ doth at the beginning of the Gospel namely Fast forty days and forty nights Christ hereby intended our Admiration rather than our imitation or if our Imitation of the Action only not of the Time From this Example of Christ we Learn that it is our Duty by fasting and Prayer to prepare our selves for a Conflict with our Spiritual Enemies as Christ prepared himself by fasting to grapple with the Tempter so should we 3 And the Devil said unto him if thou be the son of God command this stone that it be made Bread Obs here 1. The occasion of the Temptation and 2. the Temptation it self The occasion of the Temptation was our Saviour's hunger and want of Bread Learn thence That when God suffers any of his Children to fall into want and to be straightned for outward things Satan takes a mighty advantage thereupon to tempt and assault them Obs 2. What Sin it is he tempts our Saviour to it is the sin of Distrust to call in question his Sonship if thou be the Son of God and then to distrust God's Providence and care command that these Stones be made Bread It is the grand policy of Satan first to tempt the Children of God to doubt of their Adoption next to distrust God's fatherly care and provision and last of all to use unwarrantable means to help themselves Thus Satan dealt with Christ and thus he deals with Christians for to work a Miracle at Satans Direction was not a lawful means of providing food for himself 4 And Jesus answered him saying It is written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God Note first That tho' the Devil abused Scripture yet Christ uses it Good things are never the worse for being abused by Satan and his Instruments Note Secondly the weapon which our Saviour made use of to vanquish Satan it was the word of God it is written says Christ Learn thence That the Scripture or the written word of God is the only sure Weapon wherewith to vanquish Satan and beat back all his fiery Temptations The Scripture is God's Armory out of which all our Weapons of War must be taken for managing our Conflict with Sin and Satan 5 And the Devil taking him up into an high mountain sheweth him all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time 6 And the Devil said unto him all this power will I give thee and the glory of them for this is delivered unto me and to whomsoever I will I give it 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me all shall be thine 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him Get thee behind me Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve The next Sin which Satan tempts our Saviour to is the Sin of Idolatry even to worship the Devil himself Oh thou impudent and foul Spirit to desire thy Creator to Worship thee an Apostate Creature Doubtless there is no sin so black and foul so horrid and monstrous but the Christian may be tempted to it when Christ himself was tempted to Worship the Tempter even the Devil himself St. Matthew reads it If thou wilt Worship
our Best friends is not always seasonable nor acceptable There are Times and Seasons when a Christian would not be willing that his Dearest Relations upon Earth should hear that Intercourse which passes betwixt him and his God Observe 3. The place our Lord withdraws to for private Prayer it is the desert he withdrew into the Wilderness and Prayed both to avoid Ostentation and also to enjoy Communion with his Father The modest Bridegroom of his Church says St. Bernard will not impart himself so freely to his Spouse before Company St. Mark 1.35 adds That our Saviour rose up a great while before day and went into this desert place to pray Teaching us that the Morning is the fit Season yea the best of Seasons for private Duties now are our Spirits freshest and our minds freest before the Distractions of the day break in upon us It is certainly much better to go from Prayer to business then from business to Prayer Note lastly that our Blessed Saviour had no idle hours here in the World his time did not lye upon his hand as ours do he was always either Preaching or Praying or working Miracles either paying Homage to God or doing good to man Lord help us to imitate this thy instructive Example by imbracing all opportunities of Glorifying God and doing good to one another 17 And it came to pass on a certain day as he was teaching that there were Pharisees and Doctors of the Law sitting by which were come out of every Town of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and the power of the Lord was present to heal them 18 And behold men brought in a Bed a man which was taken with the palsey and they sought means to bring him in and to lay him before them 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude they went upon the house-top and let him down through the Tiling with his Couch into the midst before Jesus 20 And when he saw their faith he said unto him Man thy sins are forgiven thee 21 And the Scribes and the Pharisees began to reason saying Who is this which speaketh Blasphemies who can forgive Sins but God alone 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts he answering said unto them what reason ye in your hearts 23 Whither is easier to say Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Rise up and walk 24 But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive Sins he said unto the sick of the Palsy I say unto thee Arise and take up thy Couch and go into thy house 25 And immediately he rose up before them and took up that whereon he lay and departed to his own house glorifying God 26 And they were all amazed and they glorified God and were filled with fear saying We have seen strange things this day As the great End of our Saviours Miracles was to confirm his Doctrine so commonly after his Preaching he wrought his Miracles The Scribes and Pharisees tho' they had no love for our Saviour's person nor value for his Ministry yet they frequently accompanied him wherever he went partly to cavil at his Doctrine and partly out of Curiosity to see his Miracles but Observe the gracious Condescension of our Saviour altho' he well knew that the Pharisees at this time attended upon him with no good intention yet he puts forth his Divine Power in working Miracles before them the power of the Lord was present to heal Not that Christ's Power was at any time absent but it is said now to be present because it was now exerted and put forth at his Will and Pleasure And accordingly at this time before the Pharisees Eyes he Miraculously Cures a Person sick of the Palsy as the Paragraph before us does inform us Wherein Observe 1. The Diseased and Distressed Person one sick of the Palsy which being a Resolution and weakness of the Nerves enfeebles the Joynts and confines a Person to his Bed or Couch As a Demonstration of Christ's Divine Power he was pleased to single out the Palsy and Leprosy incurable Diseases to work a Cure upon Now this Person was so great a Cripple by reason of the Palsy that he could not go nor be led but was carried in his Bed or Couch Observe 2. As the grievousness of the Disease so the greatness of the Peoples Faith The Man and his friends had a firm and full perswasion that Christ was cloathed with a Divine Power and able to help him and they hope in his Goodness that he was willing as well as able And accordingly the Roof of the Jewish Houses being flat they uncover some part of it and let the Bed down with the sick Man in it and lay him at the foot of Christ in hopes of help and healing Observe 3. That no sooner did they exercise their Faith in Believing but Christ exerts his Divine Power in healing yet the Object of their Faith probably was not Christ's Divine Power as God but they look upon him as an extraordinary Prophet to whom God had Communicated such a Divine power as Elijah and Elisha had before him Yet see the marvellous efficacy even of this Faith which obtained not only what was desired but more then was expected They desired only the healing of the Body but Christ heals Body and Soul too saying Son be of good chear thy sins are forgiven thee Thereby our Saviour signifies to them that sin is the meritorious Cause of Sickness and consequently that in Sickness the best way to find ease and deliverance from pain is first to seek for pardon for the sense of pardon will in some degree take away the sense of pain Obs 4. The Exception which the Pharisees take against our Saviour for pronouncing that this Man's Sins were forgiven him they charge him with Blasphemy urging that it is God's peculiar Prerogative to pardon sin indeed their proposition was true but their application was false Nothing more true then that it is the highest Blasphemy for any meer Man to arrogate and assume to himself the incommunicable property of God absolutely and authoritatively to forgive sin But then their denying this power to Christ of Forgiving sins which he had as God from all Eternity and as Mediator GOD and Man in one Person when here on Earth this was Blasphemy in them but the assuming and challenging of it none in him Observe 5. To Cure if possible the obstinacy and blindness of the Pharisees our Saviour gives them a Two-fold Demonstration of his Godhead 1. By letting them understand that he knew their thoughts Jesus perceived their thoughts v. 22. to know the thoughts to search the Hearts and understand the reasonings of Men is not in the power of Angels or Men but the Prerogative of God only 2. By assuming to himself a power to forgive Sins for our Saviour here by taking upon him to forgive sins in his own name and by his own
Spouse the Church 2. That this Bridegroom was to be taken away 3. That because of the Bridegroom's Removal the Church did shall and must fast The days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away and then shall they fast Again our Saviour declares that this Discipline of fasting was not at present tolerable for his Disciples for they were at present but raw green and tender unable to bear the Severities and rigours of Religion any more then an old garment can bear a piece of new cloath to be set into it or any more than old Bottles can bear new Wine to be put into them The sense of our Saviour's words seems to be this My Disciples at present are tender and weak newly called and converted they cannot therefore at present undergo the austerities of Religion fastings weepings and watchings but e're long I shall leave them and go to Heaven from whence I will send down my Holy Spirit upon them which shall enable them to all the Duties that the Gospel enjoins The Lesson of Instruction which we may profitably gather from hence is this That it is hurtful and dangerous for young converts for weak Christians to be put upon the severer Exercises of Religion or to be urged to the performance of such Duties as are above their strength but they ought to be treated with that tenderness which becomes the mild and gentle dispensation of the Gospel Our Saviour says one doth here commend prudence to his Ministers in treating their people according to their strength and putting them upon Duties according to their Time and Standing we must consult what Progress our People have made in Christianity and manage accordingly CHAP. VI. 1 AND it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the First that he went thro' the Corn-fields and his Disciples plucked the ears of Corn and did eat rubbing them in their hands 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath-day 3 And Jesus answering said unto them Have ye not read so much as this what David did when himself was an hungred and they which were with him 4 How he went into the House of God and did take and eat the Shewbread and gave also to them that were with him which is not lawful to eat but for the Priests alone 5 And he said unto them that the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath In the former part of this chapter we find our blessed Saviour defending his Disciples from the clamorous accusations of the Pharisees for breaking the Sabbath-day because they plucked the ears of Corn and rubbed them in their hands in order to the satisfying of their Hunger Where Note 1. The great Poverty the low estate and condition of Christ's own Disciples in the World They wanted Bread and are forced to pluck the ears of Corn to satisfy their hunger God may and sometimes does suffer his dearest children to fall into streights and to taste of want for the Tryal of their Faith and Dependance upon his power and Goodness Note 2. How the hypocritical Pharisees blame this Action of the Disciples namely their plucking of the Ears of Corn yet did they not charge them with Theft for so doing because to take in our great Necessity so much of our Neighbour's Goods as we may reasonably suppose that if he were present and knew our Circumstances he would not deny us is not Theft But it was the servile Labours on the Sabbath in gathering the Ears of Corn which the Pharisees Scruple and Object against Where Note How Hypocrites expend their Zeal in and upon the lesser things of the Law whilst they neglect the greater placing all Holiness in the observation of outward Ceremonies whilst they neglect moral Duties Note 3. The Argument with which our Saviour defends this action of his Disciples it is taken from the example of David Necessity freed him from fault and blame in eating the Consecrated Bread which none but the Priests might lawfully eat For in cases of Necessity a Ceremonial Precept must give place to a moral Duty Works of mercy for the preserving our Lives and the better fitting us for Sabbath-services are certainly lawful on the Sabbath-day Note Lastly The Argument which our Saviour uses to prove the Sabbath's Observation may be dispens'd with in a case of absolute Necessity and that is drawn from that Authority which Christ the Institutor and Lord of the Sabbath had over it The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath that is he has Authority and Power as God and as Mediator to institute and appoint a Sabbath to alter and change it to dispense with the breach of it upon a just and great occasion and consequently acts of Mercy which tend to fit us for works of Piety not only may but ought to be done upon the Sabbath-day This Action of the Disciples being of that Nature is without just cause censured and condemned by the Pharisees a sort of Men who were resolved to cavil at and quarrel with whatever our Saviour or his Disciples either did or said 6 And it came to pass on another Sabbath that he entered into the Synagogue and taught and there was a man whose right hand was withered 7 And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him whether he would heal on the Sabbath-day that they might find an accusation against him 8 But he knew their thoughts and said to the man which had the withered hand rise up and stand forth in the midst and he arose and stood forth 9 Then said Jesus unto them I will ask you one thing Is it lawful on the Sabbath-day to do good or to do evil to save life or to destroy it 10 And looking round about them all he said unto the man stretch forth thy hand and he did so and his hand was restored whole as the other 11 And they were filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus Observe here 1. The miraculous cure which our Saviour wrought upon the man which had the withered hand and 2. The effect which this Miracle had upon the wicked Pharisees in the former Note the place where our Saviour wrought this Miracle in the Synagogue the Time when on the Sabbath-day the manner how by speaking of a word the persons before whom namely the envious and malicious Pharisees These men were always slandering Christ's Doctrine and cavilling at his Miracles yet does our Holy Lord go on with his Work before their Faces without Discouragement Learn thence That the unjust censures and malicious cavils of wicked men against us for well-doing must not discourage us from doing our Duty either towards God or towards our Neighbour Altho' the Pharisees watcht our Saviour wherever he went and when they could find no occasion of quarrel would invent and make one yet such was our Lord's courage and resolution that he bids the man which had the withered
hand stand forth to shew that he was resolved to heal him notwithstanding their malicious Purpose to accuse him for it as a Breaker of the Sabbath Opposition met with in doing our Duty must not discourage us from doing good if we will follow the example of our Blessed Redeemer Observe 2. The influence and effect which this miracle had upon the wicked Pharisees they were filled with madness and took counsel to kill him instead of being convinced by this Miracle they conspire against him for it The Enemies of Christ and his Holy Religion when Arguments fail fall to Violence It is a certain Sign of a weak cause that must be supported by Passion which is all Tongue and no Ear. 12 And it came to pass in those days that he went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God Observe here 1. The Duty which our Holy Lord performed the Duty of Prayer We have much more Business with God in Prayer then Christ had he had no sins to confess no want of Grace to make known yet did our Lord spend much time even a whole Night in this Duty Lord what delight didst thou take in paying this Homage to thy Heavenly Father Oh how doth thy zeal and forwardness condemn our remisness and luke-warmness Observe 2. It was solitary Prayer that our Lord did so exceedingly delight in He went into the mountain alone to pray not suffering his very Disciples to be with him There are Times and Seasons when a Christian would not be willing that his dearest Relations upon earth should hear that intercourse which passes betwixt him and his God Observe 3. The place which our Lord withdraws to for privacy in Prayer He went into a Mountain as a place of Retiredness God delights to meet his children alone The modest Bridegroom of the Church says St. Bernard will not impart himself to his Spouse before Company Observe 4. The Time when Christ retired into this Mountain to pray and spent a whole Night in Prayer to God If we look back to the former part of the chapter we shall find that it was at a time when the Pharisees were filled with rage and madness against him and conspired to take away his Life Thence Learn That it is our duty at such times especially when Enemiâ—s lie in wait to do us hurt to give our selves much unto Prayer Again if we look forward the next Verse tells us that our Saviour was now about to send forth his Twelve Apostles to preach and propagate the Gospel Christ thought so great a work was not to be done without solemn and extraordinary Prayer Accordingly he spends an whole Night in Prayer to God upon that occasion leaving herein a most instructive Example to his Church to continue in Prayer at all times but then especially to abound in it when Persons are to be set apart for the momentous work of the Ministry that they may enterprize it with extraordinary dread and caution not with aspiring but tremendous Thoughts for who is sufficient for these things 13 And when it was day he called unto him his Disciples and of them he chose twelve whom also he named Apostles 14 Simon whom he also named Peter and Andrew his Brother James and John Philip and Bartholomew 15 Matthew and Thomas James the son of Alpheus and Simon called Zelotes 16 And Judas the brother of James and Judas Iscariot which was also the Traitor As the Jewish Church arose from Twelve Patriarchs so the Christian Church became planted by Twelve Apostles The Person sending them forth was Christ none may undertake the work and calling of the Ministry but those whom Christ appoints and calls not immediately by himself but mediately by the Governours of his Church The Persons Commissioned were Disciples before they were Apostles to Teach us That Christ will have such as preach the Gospel to be Disciples before they are Ministers Trained up in the Faith and Doctrine of the Gospel before they undertake a publick charge Observe next how carefully the names of the Twelve Apostles those Laborious persons in the service of Souls are Recorded and transmitted with honour to Posterity God will signally honour those who singularly honour him and are the special Instruments of his Glory Of the Twelve Apostles Peter is named first and Judas last Peter is first named because probably elder then the rest or because for order-sake he might speak before the rest from whence may be inferred a Primacy but no Supremacy a priority of Order but no Superiority of Degree as the Fore-man of a Grand-Jury has a precedency but no preheminency he is first in order before the rest but has no Authority over the rest neither did St. Peter ever assume to himself a power of deciding Controversies but we find St. James in that first General Council mentioned Acts 15.13 speaking somewhat definitively Thus I judge or determine the matter and yet St. Peter was then and there present Had the champions of the Church of Rome such a passage in all the Scripture for St. Peter's Authority it would make a louder noise then Pasce Oves Feed my Sheep St. John 21.16 Again as St. Peter is named first so Judas is mentioned last with a Brand of Infamy upon him the Traditor the Person that Betrayed his Lord and Master From whence we may gather that tho' the Truth of Grace be absolutely necessary to a Ministers Salvation yet the want of it doth not disanul his Office nor hinder the lawfulness of his ministry Judas tho' a Traitor was yet a lawful Minister an Heart-hypocrite is no hypocrite in foro Ecclesiae before the Church tho' he shall be damn'd for his Hypocrisy before God 17 And he came down with them and stood in the plain and the company of his Disciples and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon which came to hear him and to be healed of their Diseases 18 And they that were vexed with unclean Spirits and they were healed 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him for there went vertue out of him and he healed them all Observe here 1. The great zeal and forwardness of the People in attending upon our Saviour's Ministry he had newly begun to preach in this place and the people flock after him from all parts from Judea from Jerusalem from Tyre and Sidon to hear his Doctrine and see his Miracles When our Saviour first began to Preach the people came unto him from every quarter His Ministers find it thus at our first coming among a people our Labours are most acceptable and they do most good Our peoples affections are then warmest and perhaps our own too Obs 2. What sort of People they were who attended thus zealously on our Saviour's Ministry they were the common and ordinary People the poor received the Gospel the learned Scribes the knowing Pharisees those wise men after the
Necessity calls for it we be found willing to part with any thing we have for the Relief of Christ in his Members Observe also the Argument used to excite to this Duty of Alms-giving hereby we lay up our Treasure in a safe hand even in God's who will reward us openly The Bellies of the Poor are bags that wax not old what is lodged there is laid up securely out of the reach of danger we imitate the wise Merchant in Transmitting our Estates into another World by Bills of Exchange where we are sure to receive our own with Usury 35 Let your Loyns be girded about and your Lights burning 36 And ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately The next Duty Christ exhorts his Disciples to is that of Watchfulness with Reference to his Second Coming Let your Loyns be girded and your Lights burning the words may be understood two ways spoken either in a martial phrase as to Soldiers or in a Domestick as to Servants if as to Soldiers then let your Loyns be girded and your Lights burning is as much as that we should be always ready for a March having our Armour on and our Match Light ready to give fire at the first Alarm of Temptation If the words are spoken as to Servants then our Master bids us carefully expect his Second Coming like a Lord 's returning from a wedding Supper which used to be Celebrated in the Night that they should not put off their Cloaths nor put out their Lights but stand ready to open tho' he comes at Midnight when Christ comes that Soul only shall have his Blessing whom he finds watching 37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them 38 And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third Watch and find them so Blessed are those Servants 39 And this know that if the good man of the house had known what hour the Thief would come he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be broken up 40 Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not Here our Saviour makes use of several Arguments to enforce the Duty of Watchfulness upon his Disciples the first is drawn from the transcendent Reward which Christ will bestow upon his watchful Servants He will gird himself make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them a very high metaphorical Expression as if a Master should be so transported with the diligence and faithfulness of his Servant as to vouchsafe not only to let him sit down to meat in his presence but to take the Napkin upon his Arm and wait upon him himself at his Table Lord how poor and inconsiderable is that Service which the best of us do for thee and yet thou speakest of it as if thou wert beholding to us for it Thou dost not only administer to us a Supper but thou Ministerest and waitest upon us at Supper he will gird himself and serve them The Second Argument to excite to watchfulness is drawn from the Benefit which we shall receive by watching in this Life that let the Lord come when he will whether in the Second or Third Watch they shall be found ready and in a blessed Condition who are found diligent in his Service and waiting for his Appearance Note here 1. The Son of Man will certainly come at one hour or other 2. at what Hour the Son of Man will come cannot certainly be known 3. That there is no hour wherein we can promise our selves that the Son of Man will not come 4. Very joyful will the Coming of the Son of Man be if we be found upon our watch and ready for his coming Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not 41 Then Peter said unto him Lord speakest thou this Parable unto us or even unto all 42 And the Lord said Who then is that faithful and wise Steward whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season 43 Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing 44 Of a truth I say unto you that he will make him Ruler over all that he hath These words may be applied these two ways first to all the Faithful Servants of God in General and then the Note is this that for a Christian to spend and end his days in the Service of Christ and doing his Will gives good assurance of a happy and blessed Condition Blessed is that Servant Secondly These words may be applied to the Ministers of the Gospel in special and then Observe 1. The Character and Duty of a Gospel-Minister he is the Steward of Christ's Houshold to give them their Meat in due Season 2. A double qualification requisite in such Stewards namely prudence and faithfulness who then is that faithful and wise Steward Observe 3. The Reward insured to such Stewards with whom are found these Qualifications Blessed is that Servant Learn hence 1. That the Ministers of the Gospel are in a spiritual sense Stewards of Christ's Houshold 2. That Faithfulness and prudence are the indispensable Qualifications of Christ's Stewards 3. That where these Qualifications are found Christ will graciously and abundantly Reward them Our Faithfulness must respect God our Selves and our Flock and includes integrity of Heart purity of intention industry of Endeavour and impartiality in all our Administrations Our prudence must appear in the choice of suitable Subjects in the choice of fit Language in exciting our own affections in order to the moving of our Peoples Ministerial Prudence also must teach us by the strictness and gravity of our Deportment to maintain our Authority and keep up our esteem in the Consciences of our People it will also assist us to bear Reproach and direct us to give Reproof he that is silent cannot be innocent reprove we must or we cannot be Faithful but prudently or we cannot be successful 45 But and if that servant say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken 46 The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looked not for him and at an hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his portion with unbelievers 47 And that servant which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes 48 But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes for unto whomsoever much is given
and bring them to Repentance Learn hence how prone we are to dislike God's Method and Means which he has appointed for Reclaiming us from our Sins and imagin some Methods of our own would be more Successful The Scriptures read the Word Preached the Sacraments Administred these are the ordinary Means which the Wisdom of God has appointed for Mens Conviction and if we think a Messenger from the Dead would be a more conducible Means the next Verse will confute us and thoroughly satisfy us that whom the Scriptures convince not probably nothing will for thus it follows 31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho' one arose from the dead A very awakening Text this is which speaks dreadfully to Persons sitting all their days under the Ministry of the Gospel and yet find not their Understandings enlightned their judgments convinced their Wills subdued and their Lives Reformed by it Were it possible for such Persons to see one come from the Dead yea from the Damned with the flames of Hell about his Ears wringing his Hands and gnashing his Teeth bewailing his Misery and beseeching them to take warning by his Example and in time to acquaint themselves with God and be at Peace all this would have no farther effect upon them than to move their Passion a little for the present whilst the dreadful found is in their Ears the Ordinances of God and not his Providences are the instituted and appointed means for Mens Conversion and Salvation Note then 1. That no Visions or Apparitions no new revelations concerning Eternal Rewards and Punishments are to be expected from the other World in order to Mens Conversion and Salvation Note 2. That the Word of God dispensed to us and the ordinary Means of Grace enjoyed by us are a more conducible and effectual means to perswade Men to Repentance than if one should arise from the Dead and Preach unto them A Messenger from the Dead cannot bring with him either a more necessary Doctrine or a more certain and infallible Doctrine nor bring with him better Arguments for our Conviction then what the Scriptures do propound to our Consideration nor can we expect a greater Co-operation of the Holy Spirit or a greater Concurrence of Divine Power to render a Message from the Dead more effectual then doth ordinarily attend the Ministry of the Word Hence forward then let us not wonder if when a Drunkard drops down dead upon the spot the Companions say to one another drink on If Sinners daily tumble one another into the Grave without considering the Operation of God's Hand this to those that consider this Text will not seem strange For if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be converted tho' hundreds of Sinners before their Eyes drop down dead nay if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho' one arose from the Dead CHAP. XVII 1 THen said he unto the Disciples it is impossible but that offences will come but wo unto him through whom they come 2 It were better for him that a Milstone were hanged about his Neck and he cast into the Sea then that he should offend one of these little ones Two things are here Observable 1. The Necessity of Scandalous Offences It must needs be that offences come if we consider Mens Corruption Satan's Malice God's Permission and just Judgment Observe 2. The Misery and Mischief which comes by these Scandals Wo unto the World because of Offences Wo to such as give the Scandal this is vae indignantis the Wo of one denouncing and wo to such as stumble at offences given this is vae dolentis the Wo of one Lamenting From the whole Note 1. That Scandals or Offensive Actions in the Church of Christ will certainly happen and frequently fall out amongst those that profess Religion and the Name of Christ It is impossible but that Offences will come Secondly That Scandalous and offensive Actions from such as profess Religion and the Name of Christ are Baneful and Fatal Stumbling-blocks to wicked and worldly Men. Thirdly That the Offence which wicked Men take at the Falls of the Professors of Religion to the hardning of themselves in their wicked and sinful Practices is matter of just and great Lamentation Wo unto the World because of Offences Matt. 18.7 3 Take heed to your selves if thy Brother trespass against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him 4 And if he trespass against thee Seven times in a day and seven times in a day and turn again to thee saying I repent thou shalt forgive him The Doctrine of Forgiving an offending Brother is prest upon us with many forceable Arguments in the New Testament which speak it to be a Duty of indispensable Necessity This place is to be understood of private Offences and personal Wrongs and Injuries done by one Man to another which we must first reprove and then remit and altho' it be said If he repent forgive him that is not to be understood as if we needed not pardon our Brother if he neglected to repent and ask Forgiveness but whether he acknowledges his offence or no to us our Hearts must stand ready to forgive the Wrong done to us and to pray for Forgiveness on his behalf at the hands of God laying aside all thoughts and desire of Revenge in our own Cause and standing ready to do any Office of Love and Service for our offending Brother Learn hence 1. That to fall often into the same Offence against our Brother is a great aggravation of our Offence If thy Brother trespass against thee seven times in a day that is very often 2. That as the Multiplication of Offences is a great aggravation of Offences so the Multiplying of Forgiveness is a great Demonstration of a God-like Temper in us he that Multiplies sin doth like Satan sin abundantly and he that multiplies Pardon doth like God pardon abundantly 5 And the Apostles said unto the Lord encrease our Faith Observe here 1. The Supplicants the Apostles 2. the Person Supplicated the Lord 3. The Supplication it self encrease our Faith 4. The occasion of this Supplication our Saviour urging the Duty of forgiving Injuries Learn 1. That all Graces in general so the Grace of Faith in particular is weak and imperfect in the best of Saints 2. That the most eminent Saints Apostles not excepted are very sensible of the imperfection of their Faith and very importunate with God daily for the encrease of it Lord encrease our Faith 3. That Faith strengthned enables the Soul to the most difficult Duties of Obedience and particularly helps to the practice of that hard Duty of Forgiving Injuries When our Saviour had preach'd the Doctrine and Duty of Forgiveness the Apostles instantly pray Lord encrease our Faith 6 And the Lord said If ye had Faith as a Grain of Mustard-seed ye might say to this Sycamine-Tree Be thou plucked up by the Root and
giving in Marriage that is wholly given up to Sensuality and Debauchery and did not know that is did not consider the Flood 's coming till it swept them away thus was it before the Destruction of Jerusalem and thus will it be before the end of the World Hence we Learn That as the old World perished by Infidelity Security and Sensuality so will the same Sins be prevalling before the Destruction of this present World As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man 31 In that day he which shall be in the house top and his staff in the house let him not come down to take it away and he that is in the field let him likewise not turn back 32 Remember Lots wife Here our Saviour advises them that when they shall see the Judgments of God breaking out upon Jerusalem that they make all possible speed to get out of it as Lot and his Family did out of Sodom and to take heed of imitating Lott's Wife who looking back became a pillar of Salt Gen. 19. Where Observe 1. Her Offence she looked back 2. The punishment of her Offence She became a pillar of Salt her Offence in looking behind her was manifest Disobedience to the Divine Command which said Look not behind thee and proceeded either from Carelesness or from Covetousness or from Curiosity or from Compassion to those she left behind her and was undoubtedly the effect of great Infidelity she not believing the Truth of what the Angel had declared as touching the Certainty and Suddenness of Sodom's Destruction The Punishment of her Offence was Exemplary She became a pillar of Salt that is a perpetual Monument of Divine Severity for her Infidelity and Disobedience Where Note 1. The suddenness of her Punishment the Justice of God Surprizes her in the very Act of Sin with a present Revenge 2. The seeming disproportion betwixt the Punishment and the Offence her Offence was a forbidden Look From whence Carnal Reason might plead was it not sufficient for her to loose her Eyes but must she loose her Life but the Easiness and Reasonableness of the Command aggravated her Disobedience and tho' her Punishment may seem severe it was not unjust Now says our Saviour Remember Lotts Wife that is let her Example caution all of you against Unbelief Disobedience Worldly Mindedness Contempt of God's Threatnings and Lingring after the Forbidden Society of lewd and wicked Persons 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his Life shall lose it and whosoever shall lose his Life shall preserve it 34 I tell you in that night there shall be two men in one bed the one shall be taken and the other left 35 Two Women shall be grinding together the one shall be taken and the other left 36 Two men shall be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left In this Hour when Judgment is come upon Jerusalem Christ declares that whosoever shall take any unchristian Course to preserve his Life by denying him and his Holy Religion he shall loose Eternal Life but he that for Christ's sake shall loose his natural Life instead of a Mortal shall enjoy an immortal Life in Bliss and Glory Here we Learn 1. That the Love of Temporal Life is a great Temptation to tempt Men to deny Christ and his Holy Religion in a day of Tryal 2. 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 of us Christ farther adds that in this Terrible Night of Jerusalem's Calamity when Destruction comes upon her the Providence of God will remarkably distinguish between one Person and another True Believers and constant Professors shall be delivered and none else such shall escape the Danger others shall fall by it 37 And they answered and said unto him Where Lord and he said unto them Wheresoever the Body is thither will the Eagles be gathered together The Disciples hearing our Saviout speak of such Tremendous Calamities inquire where these Judgments should fall he answers them figuratively and by a Proverbial Speech That where the Carcase is there will the Eagles be gathered together signifying that Jerusalem and the obdurate Nation of the Jews was the Carcass which the Roman Armies whose Ensign was the Eagle would quickly find out and feed upon and that Judea in general and Jerusalem in particular would be the Theater and Stage of those Tragical Calamities Learn thence That the appointed Messengers of God's Wrath and the instruments of his Vengeance will suddenly gather together certainly find out and severely punish an impenitent People devoted to Destruction Where the Carcass is that is the Body of the Jewish Nation there will the Eagles that is the Roman Soldiers be gathered together CHAP. XVIII 1 AND he spake a Parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint 2 Saying There was in a City a Judge which feared not God neither regarded man 3 And there was a widow in that City and she came unto him saying Avenge me of mine Adversary 4 And he would not for a while But afterward he said within himself Tho I fear not God nor regard man 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me 6 And the Lord said Hear what the unjust Judge saith 7 And shall not God avenge his own Elect which cry day and night unto him tho' he bear long with them 8 I tell you he will avenge them speedily There is no Duty in Christianity the practice of which our Saviour presses upon us more frequently than this Duty of Prayer To encourage his Disciples and us in them to fervency importunity and perseverance in this Duty he propounds here the Parable of an unjust Judge who was overcome by an importunate Widow to do her Justice contrary to his own Inclinations from whence our Saviour argues that if Importunity will prevail with a sinful Man to grant Petitions offered to him how much more prevalent will such Importunity be with the infinitely good God to relieve the Necessities of such as devoutly implore his help And the force of the Argument lies thus the Judge in the Parable was an inferiour and subordinate Judge was an unrighteous and unjust Judge was a merciless and hard hearted Judge and yet upon her importunity he avenged her how much more will the Sovereign and Supreme Judge the Holy and Righteous Judge the Merciful and Compassionate Judge of all the Earth hear and help his Praying People and be the just Avenger of those that fear him From the whole Note 1. That Prayer or Liberty of making our Requests known to God is an inestimable Favour and Priviledge he that considers the Nature of GOD and the Nature of Man cannot question it God is a Being of infinite Fulness and Perfection a Self-sufficient and an
as they were afraid and bowed down their Faces to the Earth they said unto them Why seek ye the Living among the Dead 6 He is not here but is Risen Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee 7 Saying The Son of Man must be delivered into the Hands of Sinful Men and be Crucified and the Third day Rise Again 8 And they Remembred his Words 9 And Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things unto the Apostles and to all the Rest 10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the Mother of James and other Women that were with them which told these things unto the Apostles 11 And their words seemed to them as Idle Tales and they believed them not 12 Then arose Peter and ran unto the Sepulchre and stooping down he beheld the Linnen Cloaths laid by themselves and departed wondering in himself at that which was come to pass The Lord of Life who was put to Death upon the Fryday was Buryed in the Evening of the same Day and his Holy Body Rested in the silent Grave all the next Day being the Jewish Sabbath and some part of the Morning Following Thus Rose he again the Third Day according to the Scriptures neither sooner nor later Not sooner lest the Truth of his Death should have been questioned that he did not Dye at all not later lest the Faith of his Disciples should have failed Accordingly when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene getting the other Women together she and they set out very early in the Morning to Visit the Holy Sepulchre and about Sun-rising they get to it intending with their Spices and Odours farther to Embalm their Lord's Body Observe here 1. That although the Hearts of these Holy Women did burn with an Ardent Zeal and Affection to their Crucified Lord Yet the Commanded Duties of the Sabbath are not omitted by them they keep close and silently spend that Holy Day in a Mixture of Grief and Hope A good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Observe 2. These Holy Women go but not empty-handed She that had bestowed a costly Alablaster upon Christ whilst alive prepares no less Precious Odours for him now Dead thereby paying their last Homage to our Saviour's Corpse But what need of Odours to perfume a precious Body which could not see Corruption True his Holy Body did not want them but the Love and Affection of his Friends could not withhold them Observe 3. How great a Tribute of Respect and Honour is due and payable to the Memory of these Holy Women for their great Magnanimity and Courage They followed Christ when his Cowardly Disciples left him they accompanied him to his Cross they attended his Herse to the Grave when his Disciples did not durst not appear And now very early in the Morning they Visit his Sepulchre Fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the Presence of the Watchmen though a Band of rude Soldiers Learn hence That Courage and Resolution is the special Gift of God if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it shall not be in the power of Armed Men to make them afraid But to come to a close Consideration of the several Circumstances relating to the Resurrection of our Holy Lord. Note 1. With what Pomp and Triumph our Holy Lord Arises Two Men that is Two Angels in the Shape of Men V. 4. are sent from Heaven to roll away the Stone But could not Christ have Risen then without the Angels help Yes doubtless he that Raised himself could easily have Rolled away the Stone himself But God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison-door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice â—â—â—y Satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Note 2. our Lord's Resurrection declared He is Risen he is not here Almighty God never intended that the Darling of his Soul should be left in an obscure Sepulchre He is not here said the Angels where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost its Prisoner Note 3. It is is not said He is not here for he is Raised but he is Risen V. 6. The Original Word imports the Active Power of Christ or the Self-quickning Principle by which Christ Raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself alive after his Passion Hence Learn That it was the Divine Nature or God-head of Christ which Raised the Human Nature from Death to Life others were Raised from the Grave by Christ's Power but he Raised himself by his own Power Note 4. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first declared and made known to Women to the two Mary's But why to Women and why to these Women To Women first because God sometimes makes choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the weakness of the Instrument Redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent In the whole Dispensation of the Gospel God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the Conception of Christ was by the Power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenter's Spouse So the Crucifixion of Christ was in much Meanness and outward Baseness being Crucified between two Thieves But the Powers of Heaven and Earth Trembling the Rocks Rending the Graves opening shewed a mixture of Divine Power Thus here God Selects Women to declare that he will Honour what Instruments he pleases for the Accomplishment of his own Purposes But why to these Women the two Mary's is the first Discovery made of our Lord's Resurrection Possibly it was a Reward for their Magnanimity and Masculine Courage These Women cleave to Christ when the Apostles forsook him They Assisted at his Cross they Attended at his Funeral they Waited at his Sepulchre These Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes them Apostles to the Apostles This was a Tacit Rebuke a Secret Check given to the Apostles that they should be thus out-done by Women These Holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Note 5. The quick Message which these Holy Women carry to the Disconsolate Disciples of the Joyful news of our Saviour's Resurrection They Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things to the Eleven Verse 9. And the other Evangelists say That they were sent and bidden to go to the Apostles with the Notices of the Resurrection Go tell the Disciples says the Angel Matthew 28.7 Go tell my Brethren says Christ Verse 10. A most endearing Expression Christ might have said Go tell my Apostate Apostles my Cowardly Disciples that left me in my Danger that durst not own me in the High Priest's Hall
open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man The Heavens were open to Christ and the Angels attending upon him first at his Baptism Matth. 3. last then at his Ascension Acts 1.9 Whether Christ alludes to the one or the other or to both I shall not positively say but gather this Note That the Ministry and Attendance of the Holy Angels upon the Lord Jesus Christ in the time of his Humiliation was very remarkable An Angel foretels his Conception to the Virgin Luke 1.31 an Angel publishes his Birth to the Shepherds Luke 2.14 In his Temptations in the Wilderness the Angels came and ministered unto him Matth. 4.11 In his Agony in the Garden an Angel is sent to Comfort him Luke 22.42 At his Resurrection an Angel rolls away the Stone and proclaims him Risen to the Women that sought for him Matth. 28.6 At his Ascension the Angels attended upon him and bear him Company to Heaven And at the Day of Judgment he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels Now thus officious are the Holy Angels to our Blessed Saviour and thus subservient to him upon all Occasions 1. In Point of Affection and Singular Love to Christ 2. In Point of Duty and Special Obligation to Christ There is no such chearful and delightful Service as the Service of Love Such is the Angels Service to Christ for the Services he has done them he being an Head of Confirmation to them For that they are established in that holy and glorious State in which they were at first created is owing to the special Grace of the Redeemer Glorifie him then all ye Angels and praise him all his Host CHAP. II. 1 AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there 2 And both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage The former Part of this Chapter acquaints us with the first Miracle which our Saviour wrought in turning Water into Wine the Occasion of it was his being invited to a Marriage Feast Here Note first That when ever our Saviour was invited to a publick Entertainment he never refused the Invitation but constantly went not so much for the Pleasure of Eating as for the Opportunity of Conversing and doing Good which was Meat and Drink unto him Note 2. What Honour Christ puts upon the Ordinance of Marriage he Honours it with his Presence and first Miracle Some think it was St. John that was now the Bridegroom others that it was some near Relation of the Virgin Mothers But whoever it might be doubtless Christ's Design was rather to put Honour upon the Ordinance than upon the Person How bold is the Church of Rome in spitting upon the Face of this Ordinance by denying its Lawfulness to the Ministers of Religion when the Apostle Heb. 13.4 affirms that Marriage is honourable among all Neither the Prophets of the Old Testament nor the Apostles of the New St. Peter himself not excepted did abhor the Marriage Bed or judge themselves too pure for an Institution of their Maker Note 3. That it is an ancient and laudable Institution that the Rights of Marriage should not want a solemn Celebration Feasting with Friends upon such an Occasion is both lawful and commendable provided the Rules of Sobriety and Charity Modesty and Decency be observed and no sinful Liberty assumed But it must Be said That Feasting in general and Marriage Feasts in particular are some of those lawful Things which are very difficultly managed without sin Note 4. That our Saviour working a Miracle when he was at a Marriage-Feast should teach us by his Example that in our chearful and free times when we indulge a little more than ordinary to Mirth amongst our Friends we should still be mindful of God's Honour and Glory and lay hold upon an Occasion of doing all the Good we can Note Lastly As Christ was personally invited to and bodily present at this Marriage-Feast when here on Earth so he will not refuse now in heaven to be spiritually present at his Peoples Marriages They want his Presence with them upon that great Occasion they desire and seek it he is acquainted with it and invited to it who ever is neglected And where Christ is made acquainted with the Match he will certainly make one at the Marriage Happy is that Wedding where Christ and his Friends as here are the invited expected and enjoyed Guests 3 And when they wanted wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him They have no wine 4 Jesus saith unto her Woman what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come 5 His mother saith unto the servants Whatsoever he saith unto you do it This want of Wine was probably so disposed by the Providence of God to give our Saviour an Opportunity to manifest his Divine Power in working a Miracle to supply it Observe here 1. How the Virgin inquires into the Families Wants and then makes them known to Christ Learn hence That it is an Argument of Piety and an Evidence of Christian Love to inquire into the Wants and to recommend the Necessities of others to Christ's Care and Consideration whose Bounty and Munificence can readily and abundantly supply them Thus far the Virgins Action was Good she laid open the Case to Christ they have no Wine But Christ who discern'd the Thoughts of Mary's Heart finds her guilty of Presumption she thought by her motherly Authority she might have expected if not commanded a Miracle from him Whereas Christ was subject to her as Man during his private Life but now being entered upon his Office as a Mediator as God-Man he gives her to understand she had no Power over him nor any Motherly Authority in the Business of his Publick Office therefore he says to her Woman not Mother what have I to do with thee Observe therefore 2. Christ calls the Virgin Woman not Mother but this not out of any Contempt but to prevent her being thought more than a Woman above and beyond a Woman having brought forth the Son of God Woman says Christ not Goddess as the Papists would make her and proclaim her free from Sin even from Venial Sin But Christ's reproving of her shews that she was not faultless Observe 3. Christ would not bear with the Virgin 's Commanding on Earth will he then indure her Intercession in Heaven Must she not meddle with Matters pertaining to his Office here belowâ— and will it be indured by Christ or endeavoured by her to interpose in the Work of Mediation above No no were it possible for her so far to forget her self in Heaven she would receive the same Answer from Christ which she had on Earth Woman what have I to do with thee Or Thou with me in my Mediatorial Office But instead of this she returns Answer from Heaven to her Idolatrous Petitioners here on Earth What have I to do with you get you to my Son go you to
bodily Weakness for many Years together yea even all the days of their Life Here is a poor Man for eight and thirty Years together under the Discipline of God's Rod by bodily Weakness Observe 2. That it is the Duty of the Afflicted to wait upon God in a diligent use of all Means which God has appointed for their Help and Healing As to trust to Means is to neglect God so to neglect the Means is to tempt God This poor Man no doubt had made use of the Means before yet waits at the Pool now Observe 3. Tho' Christ well knew the Case of this afflicted Person and wanted no Information yet he asks him If he were willing to be made whole to make him sensible of his Misery to quicken his Desires after healing and to raise his Expectations of Help from him Tho' Christ knows our Wants yet he takes no notice of them till we make them known to him by Prayer Observe 4. The time when Christ wrought this Miracle of healing upon the impotent Man it was on the Sabbath-day and as an Evidence of the certainty of the Cure Christ bids him take up his Bed and walk Our Saviour's Miracles were real and beneficial they were obvious to Sense and would bear the Examination of all Persons The Miracles which the Church of Rome boast of will not bear the Examination of our Senses Their great Miracle Transubstantiation is so far from being obvious to Sense that it contradicts the Sense and Reason of Mankind and is the greatest Affront to humane Nature that ever the World was acquainted with And our Saviour's working this and many other Miracles on the Sabbath-day was for the Testification of the Miracles to all Persons that would take notice of them Observe 5. How unjustly the Jews tax the Cripple that was healed with the breach of the Sabbath for taking up his Bed and walking on the Sabbath-day whereas the Law only forbad carrying Burthens on the Sabbath-day for Profit in a way of Trade But this Man's carrying his Bed was a Testimony of God's Goodness and Mercy towards him and of his Gratitude and Thankfulness towards God Hypocritical and superstitious Persons oft-times pretend much Zeal for observing the Letter of the Law little respecting the Moral Sense and Signification of it Besides our Saviour had a mind to let the Jews know that he was Lord of the Sabbath that he had a Power over it and could dispense with it as he thought good Observe Lastly The great Modesty and Humility of our blessed Saviour how hateful all Ostentation and Vain-glory was unto him for having wrought this famous Miracle before the People at a Publick Time the Feast of the Passover to shun all Applause from the Multitude he conveys himself privately away from them Jesus conveyed himself away a multitude being in that place Our Saviour's Business was to do much Good and make but little Noise He sought not his own Glory 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple and said unto him Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee These words are our Saviour's seasonable Advice and Counsel to the poor impotent Cripple whom he had miraculously restored to Health and Soundness Where Observe 1. The Person admonishing Jesus he that had been his Physician before is his Monitor and Teacher now Behold thou art whole sin no more Oh how much is it the Duty but how seldom the Practice of those whom God makes Instruments for recovering bodily Health to put their Patients in mind of their Obligations to Thankfulness and new Obedience Thus did our Saviour here The Recovered Mans Physician gave him Instruction his Healer became his Monitor Sin no more Obs 2. The Person admonished the recovered Cripple Thou art made whole But what was he Not a Disciple not a Believer For he that was healed wist not who Jesus was v. 13. he knew not Christ therefore believed not on him and yet was healed by him Thence Learn That there are many outward Mercies and common Blessings which Christ bestows upon those that have no spiritual Knowledge of him or saving Acquaintance with him The Man that was healed wist not who he was that had healed him Observe 3. The Place where Christ meets this his recovered Patient not at the Tavern but in the Temple returning Thanks to God for his recovered Health When God sends forth his Word and healeth us it is our Duty to make our first Visit to God's House and to pay our Vows in the great Congregation and found forth the Praises of our great and gracious Deliverer Observe 4. The Circumstance of Time when Christ found him in the Temple soon after his recovery Afterwards Jesus findeth him in the Temple We must not be clamorous and importunate to receive Mercies and dumb and tongue-tied in returning Thanks but make haste and not delay the time to pay our Acknowledgments to him that healeth us Observe 5. The Admonition it self Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee where our Saviour admonishes him of the greatness of the Mercy Behold thou art made whole and subjoyns a cautionary Direction Sin no more Where it is necessarily implyed that sin is always the deserving and oft times the procuring Cause of a Person 's Afflictions and Calamities and that the best and surest way to prevent the Return of Judgments and Calamities to a Person is for a Person to return no more to sin Sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee where it is farther implied that Almighty God has sorer Plagues and severer Judgments in store for those Sinners who go on obstinately in a Course of Sin and Rebellion against God notwithstanding all the signal Rebukes of his avenging Anger From the whole Note That when the Lord doth graciously heal a Person or a People it is a Mercy to be much observed and thankfully acknowledged 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus and sought to slay him because he had done these things on the sabbath day After the Man understood who his Healer and Benefactor was he went and told the Jewish Magistrates it was Christ that had healed him This he did not with any evil Design no doubt to inform against him and stir up the Jews to persecute him but desirous to publish what Christ had done to his Honour and to direct others to make use of him Learn thence That it is the Duty of all those that have experienced the Power and Pity of Christ themselves to proclaim and publish it to others to the intent that all that need him may experience Help and Healing from him This seems to be the poor Man's Design But behold the Blindness Obstinacy and Malice of the Jews who persecuted Christ and sought to kill him for doing good and healing a Cripple that had been
Lazarus ver 41 42. Yet as God he had a Power of himself to raise Lazarus an Almighty Power communicated with his Essence from the Father by an Eternal and ineffable Generation 23 Jesus saith unto her Thy brother shall rise again 24 Martha saith unto him I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day 25 Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die Believest thou this Here Observe 1. Christ's meek Answer to Martha's passionate Discourse he takes no notice of the forementioned failings but comforts her with a promise of her Brother's Resurrection Thy Brother shall rise again Thence learn That the Knowledge and Belief of the General Resurrection is and ought to be a sufficient support under the Loss of our endeared Friends ' who die in the Lord. Observe 2. That the Doctrine of the General Resurrection was no new Doctrine Job believed it ch 19.26 Daniel publish'd it ch 12.1 The Pharisees had a Notion of it but Martha here makes it an Article of her Faith I know he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last Day Observe 3. How Christ particularly Instructs Martha in the cause of the Resurrection acquainting her that he himself is the Author and efficient cause of it I am the Resurrection and the Life That is I am the Author and principal efficient cause of the Resurrection And this with respect to both Natures 1. His Divine Nature is the efficient cause of the Resurrection he shall Raise our Bodies out of the Dust by the Power of his Godhead 2. His Humane Nature is the exemplary cause or pattern of the Resurrection For which Reason Christ is called the first Born from the Dead For tho' some were raised before him Yet was his Resurrection the cause of their Resurrection Hence St. Paul argues from Christ's Resurrection the certainty of the Resurrection of his Members Christ and Believers are one Mystical Body therefore is not Christ perfectly Risen till all his Members are Risen with him Indeed Christ's personal Resurrection was perfect when he arose and all Believers arose Representatively in him Yet till all Believers arise personally the Resurrection of Christ has not received its utmost perfection but there is somewhat behind of the Resurrection of Christ Most fitly then might our Saviour assert I am the Resurrection and the Life Observe 4. That Christ not only asserts himself to be the Resurrection but also the Life I am the Resurrection and the Life that is I am the cause of Life Natural Spiritual and Eternal and Whosoever Liveth and Believeth in Me shall never Die. That is eternally tho' his Body shall die because of Sin yet his Spirit shall live because of Righteousness 27 She saith unto him Yea Lord I believe that thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the world 28 And when she had so said she went her way and called Mary her sister secretly saying The Master is come and calleth for thee 29 Assoon as she heard that she arose quickly and came unto him 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town but was in that place where Martha met him 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house and comforted her when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily and went out followed her saying She goeth unto the grave to weep there 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was and saw him she fell down at his feet saying unto him Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not died Observe here 1. The full confession which Martha makes of her Faith in Christ as God Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World A confession which comes nearest to that of St. Peter Math. 16.16 of any that we meet with in Scripture Nay it seems more full than Peter's Confession for those additional words which should come into the World are not in his Confession the Summ is She believed Christ to be the very Messias who was Typified and prefigured Prophesied of and promised to the Old Testament Saints as the person that in the fulness of time should come into the World for the Redemption and Salvation of it Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World Thence Learn That Christ is never rightly believed in nor regularly depended upon for Salvation except he be owned and acknowledged to be the Eternal Son of God Martha was now fully perswaded of Christ's Divine Nature of which the best of the Disciples till after our Saviour's Resurrection had but a faint and uncertain perswasion Observe 2. How earnest and intent our Saviour was to dispatch the errand he came upon Namely to raise Lazarus from the Grave and to comfort the Two mournful Sisters he would not so much as enter the House till he had effected his work and therefore he goes strait to the Grave which probably was the place where Mary met him Lord it was thy Meat and Drink to do the Will of thy Father it was thy Meat and Drink by Day thy Rest and Repose by Night How unlike are we to thy self if we suffer either our Pleasures or our Profits to divert us from our Duty Observe 3. What haste and speed Mary makes to attend upon her Saviour she arose quickly and came unto him Mary's Love added Wings to her motion The Jews observing her hasty motion have a loving suspicion that she is gone to the Grave to weep there but their Thoughts were too low for whilst they supposed that she went to a dead Brother she was waiting upon a living Saviour And she that used to sit at Jesus feet now falls at his feet in an awful veneration the very gesture was supplicatory And her humble prostration was seconded with a doleful Lamentation Lord If thou hadst been here my Brother had not died Where Observe A mixture of Faith with humane infirmity Here was strength of Faith in ascribing so much Power to Christ that his presence could preserve from Death but here was Infirmity in supposing the necessity of Christ's presence for this purpose Certainly he that did raise him from Death being present could have preserved him from dying being absent had he pleased This was Mary's moan Lord hadst thou been here our Brother had not died full of Affection but not from frailty and infirmity However Christ takes no notice of her errors and infirmity but all the reply we hear of is a Compassionate Groan which the following Verses acquaint us with 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping and the Jews also weeping which came with her he groned in the spirit and was troubled 34 And said Where have ye laid him They say unto him Lord come and see 35 Jesus wept 36 Then said the Jews Behold how he loved him 37
That is Thou sparest none but tellest all Men of their Faults XIX In his Vniversal Obedience to his Father's Will and chearful Submission to his Father's Pleasure He obeyed the Will of his Father Universally Voluntarily Sincerely and with a single Eye at his Glory perseveringly and to the End and as he was so must we be faithful to the Death if ever we expect the Crown of Life And in like manner did he submit to the Will of his Providence Father not as I will but as thou wilt not my will but thine be done O let us keep this Example continually before us and every day obey the will of God's Precept universally And submit to the Will of his Providence very chearfully this is Heaven on Earth XX. In his Love and Practice of Universal Holiness both in Heart and Life He was Holy in his Nature Holy in his Principle and Motives Holy in his Aim and Ends he was perfectly Holy precisely Holy uniformly Holy exemplarily Holy he delighted only in holy Persons and holy Things it concerns us to imitate him herein if ever we expect to be where he is Heaven is the habitation of Holiness the company is Holy the imployment Holy the enjoyments Holy no unclean Thing can enter into Heaven or could be Happy in Heaven Heaven is rather a Nature than a place 'T is not the place of Heaven can make us Happy but the Disposition and Temper of our Minds in Heaven without Conformity to the Nature of God there can be no Communion with him nor Delight in him what a discourteous Courtesie would it be to turn a filthy Swine into a Garden of curious Flowers to lodge it in a Bed of sweet Perfumes to bath it in a clear and Crystal Fountain Alas its unclean Temper and sordid Inclinations would rather choose to lie down in a Kennel and to wallow in the Mire its proper Element Thus unsuitable would Heaven be that place of greatest Happiness be the greatest Vneasiness to an unholy Heart Let us then Pray and Endeavour that the Temper of our Minds and the Actions of our Lives may be a lively Transcript of the Mind and Life of the Holy Jesus that we may be like him in Purity and Holiness in Justice and Righteousness in Patience and Meekness in Charity and Universal Goodness That as he was we may be in the World Holy Humble Harmless Heavenly Minded glorifying God on Earth that we may be glorified with him and by him in his Eternal Kingdom Yet before I close this Exhortation to an Imitation of Jesus I must subjoin this cautionary Direction Take heed that you do not so imitate Christ for your Pattern as to disown him for your Priest This is the dangerous Error of those who affirm that the great End of Christ's Death was to give the World an Example of Patience Humility Meekness and the fore-mentioned Christian Graces and that his Sufferings were Exemplary but not properly Satisfactory We acknowledge that Christ's giving us an Example was one End of his coming into the World and Dying for us but not the great End A Subordinate End but not the Vltimate God preserve us from the Contagion of this growing Error other Errors only scratch the Face but this stabs the Heart of the Christian Religion in that it deprives us of the choicest Benefit of Christ's Death namely The Expiation of Sin by a proper Satisfaction to the Justice of God But blessed be God we have not so learned Christ as we are Taught so we Believe that the Holy Jesus by the Sacrifice of his Death has Redeemed us from Death and Hell and Saved us from Wrath to come by a full and adequate payment to Divine Justice and by the Redundancy of his Merit has purchased an Eternal Inheritance for us and as we are Taught and Believe so we Pray Almighty God who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a Sacrifice for Sin and also an Example of Godly Life Give us Grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable Benefit and also daily endeavour our selves to follow the blessed Steps of his most Holy Life through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty and everlasting God who of thy tender Love towards Mankind hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our Flesh and to suffer Death upon the Cross that all Mankind should follow the Example of his great Humility Mercifully grant that we may both follow the Example of his Patience and also be made Partakers of his Resurrection through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen FINIS Advertisements BOOKS published by Mr. WILLIAM BURKITT and printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside THE Poor Man's Help and Young Man's Guide Containing I. Doctrinal Instructions for the right Informing of his Judgment II. Practical Directions for the General Course of his Life III. Particular Advices for the Well-managing of every Day With reference to his 1. Natural Actions 2. Civil Imployments 3. Necessary Recreations 4. Religious Duties Particularly I. Prayer Publick in the Congregation Private in the Family Secret in the Closet II. Reading the Holy Scriptures III. Hearing of the Word Preached IV. Receiving of the Lord's Supper Unto which is added An Earnest Exhortation unto all Christians to the Love and Practice of Universal Holiness The Fourth Edition An Argumentative and Practical Discourse of Infant-Baptism In which I. The Lawfulness of Infant-Baptism is Demonstrated II. The Objections against Infant-Baptism are Answered III. The Usefulness of the Ordinance is Asserted IV. The Sinfulness of Re-baptizing Manifested V. The Non-necessity of Dipping Evidenced VI. The Practical Use of Infant-Baptism Urged and Inforced The Second Edition A Sermon at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. William Gurnall THE Works of the late Reverend and Learned William Bates D. D. In one large Volume in Folio Viz. 1. Of the Existence of God the Immortality of the Soul and the Divinity of the Christian Religion 2. The Harmony of the Divine Attributes 3. The Great Duty of Resignation 4. The Danger of Prosperity 5. Sermons of the Forgiveness of Sins 6. The Sure Trial of Uprightness 7. The Four Last Things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell In which his Book called The Final Happiness of Man is included 8. Of Spiritual Perfection 9. Eleven Sermons on several Occasions 10. A Sermon upon the Death of Queen Mary 11. A Funeral Sermon on Dr. Manton 12. A Funeral Sermon on Dr. Jacomb 13. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Baxter With his Life 14. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Clarkson 15. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Benjamin Ashurst To which are added Two Discourses never before publish'd being exactly taken in Short-hand and Approv'd by the Author in his Life-time viz. 16. A Discourse on Divine Meditation 17. A Discourse on the Fear of God c. With an Alphabetical Table to the Whole As likewise The Author's Effigies curiously Engrav'd by Mr. Robert White from an Original of Sir Godfrey Kneller And some Account of his Life and Character in a Funeral Sermon preach'd by the Reverend Mr. Howe Printed for Johnathan Robinson at the Golden-Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard There will be speedily publish'd A Catechetical Course of Sermons for the whole Year Being an Explanation of the Church-Catechism in Fifty Two Distinct Discourses on so many several Texts of Scripture Wherein are Briefly contained the most Necessary Points of Christian Doctrine in Two Volumes in Octavo With an Alphabetical Index to each Volume Recommended Especially for the Use of Families By Peter Newcome M. A. and Vicar of Aldenham in Hertford-shire Printed for John Wyat at the Rose in St. Paul's Church-Yard