ingageth the rest to resist the Magistrate with the present hazard of their life and draweth on the blot of sedition upon Religion 2. No man shall have thanks to fight for Christ without a warrant for to Peter Christ saith Put up thy Sword 3. They deserve to perish by the sword whosoever draws the sword under whatsoever pretence without Gods warrant for it is said They that take the sword shall perish with the sword 4. They do entertain wrong thoughts of God whosoever go about to help their cause by unlawfull means Thinkest thou that I cannot help my selfe saith Christ. 5. When the Lord seeth it fit to glorifie himselfe rather by the deliverance than by the sufferings of his servants he can finde means to save them and hath Angels in abundance ready if men should fail for he saith Cannot I pray for legions of Angels 6. Our Lord suffered most willingly with expressâ— purpose to fulfill the Scriptures which do speak of the way of our redemption for How saith he shall the Scripture be fulfilled that thus it must be Ver. 55. In that same hour said Iesus to the multitudes Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves to take me I sat daily with you teaching in the Temple and ye laid no hold on me 56. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled Then all the Disciples forsook him and fled Christ cleareth himselfe and convicteth his Enemies of an evil conscience in their apprehending of him because albeit openly they could not challenge him yet did they now in the night time come with armed men against him as if he had been guilty of crimes and a fugitive from the Law Then after he hath thus convicted them he yeildeth himself to them according to the Scriptures whereupon the Disciples flee Doct. 1. To clear our own innocency and to convince the adversary of wrong done to us may stand well with readinesse to suffer for Christ in yeilding himselfe to suffering giveth us example in both 2. The conscience of a man's holy conversation by-past is comfortable in the day of suffering as Christ here comforteth himselfe that they could lay nothing to his charge save care and painfulnesse to save their souls by daily teaching in the Temple 3. The course which Christ's enemies do follow against him bewrayeth them to have an ill cause and conscience for they come now in the night as against a Thief and yet when he sate daily teaching in the temple they laid no hold on him 4. The Scripture is a fit mean to lead us by the stumbling block of the Cross therfore saith Christ All this was done that the scripture might be fulfilled 5. Resolution to suffer wil fail in the day of triall except God give strength as here is to be seen The Disciples who promised to stand fast do all for sake Christ and flie Ver. 57. And they that had laid hold on Iesus led him away to Caiphas the high Priest where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled These are Christs sufferings in the Garden now are set down his sufferings in Caiphas Hall together with Peters deniall and first an Assembly of church men are gathered at Caiphas House to judg him Doc. 1. God disposeth of the sufferings of his Martyrs as he seeth fittest for his glory for these who are permitted to apprehend Christ are not permitted to kil him in a tumultuous way but must present him to judgment before Caiphas and the Scribes and Elders assembled in Caiphas House 2. It is now new thing that such as have begun to persecute Christ in any degree go on from one degree to another as these men who were his adversaries in affection had spoken against him and consulted how to take him shall not now be rid of him but he is taken and set before them in judgment where his part and theirs also his innocency and their cruelty may both be seen Ver. 58. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high Priests Palace and went in and sate with the servants to see the end Peter followeth on to wit what should befal Christ. Doc. Albeit the evidences of love to Christ may be cut off for a time yet love cannot be rooted out of the heart of a sincere disciple for though Peter fled once yet he followeth on again and albeit he followeth afar off yet he seeketh to be where Christ was that he might see the end Ver. 59. Now the chief Priests and Elders and all the councel sought false witness against Iesus to put him to death 60. But found none yea though many false witnesses came yet found they none At last came two false witnesses 61. And said This fellow said I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days This corrupt church-assembly is resolute to have his life yet will they seek to keep a form of Justice and to lead Witnesses Doct. 1. Malice against the Innocent is so shameful â—thing that such as are most guilty of it shun to seem guilty 〈◊〉 these men seek to have some appearance of Witnesses â—gainst Christ and when they have found disagreeing false Witnesses they do reject them till they find such false Witnesses 〈◊〉 might agree in one and seem true 2. Christ his greatest Eâ—emies could find no fault in him but were forced to make that â—lauâ—t which was none to wit His foretelling of his own death and resurrection which was the matter of his glory and our comfort Destroy this Temple and I will build it in three dayes saith Christ that is Do your worst against me in destroying the Temple of this Body of mine and I will raise it up again the third day which words the Witnesses do alter and repeat them as if he had promised to destroy the Temple of Jerusalem and build it again in three dayes and therefore are these men justly called here False Witnesses Ver. 62. And the high Priest arose and said unto him Answerest thou nothing what is it which these witnesse against thee Our Lord could have answered for himselfe but because he stood in our room he answered nothing and was content to be condemned for our faults though he was free of all sin in himselfe as also the matter witnessed was not worthy to be disputed for presuppose he had said so it was no matter of accusation he had done greater miracles than to do this yea the raising of his own Body promised by him in case the Witnesses had faithfully reported his words was a greater work than the building of the Temple alledged always we learn to his glory and our comfort that against our Redeemer no more than this could be alledged Ver. 63. But Iesus held his peace And the high priest answered and said unto him I adjure thee by the living Goâ— that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of God The High Priest finding all matters
Lord did suffer much contradiction and temptation by wicked Sectaries here divers mo at one time come against him 2. Satans children how opposite soever one to another can agree to oppose Christ for the Pharisees and Sadduces here do joyne against Christ though they were otherwise adversaries one to another The Pharisees maintaining the resurrection of the body the immortality of the soul the Sadduces denying both 3. Such as would make shew that they would believe if such and such signes or not promised conditions were granted unto them are both lying hypocrites and tempters of God also in prescribing new means of believing when God hath given sufficient already Therfore it is said They came tempting him in desiring a signe Ver. 2. He answered and said unto them When it is evening ye say It will he fair weather for the skie is red 3. And in the morning It will be foul weather to day for the skie is red and lowring O ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the skie but can ye not discern the signes of the times 4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a signe and there shal no signe be given them but the signe of the prophet Ionas And be left them and departed Because Christs doctrine and miracles did prove that the Messiah was come and the time of the Kingdome of grace Therefore he reproveth them for not discerning the times Doct. 1. The Lord hath made the offer of the means of grace a signe of the time of grace as well as he hath made signes in the sky of foul or fair weather approaching therfore are they worthy to be blamed who do not observe the time for Can yâ— not discern the signes of the times saith Christ. 2. Hypocrites and men in nature are able to discern of naturall things but not of spirituall Thus Christ taxeth the Pharisees saying Ye can discern the signes of the sky but not the time of grace 3. Such as set not their heart on God revealed in Christ are not of the true church nor Spouse of Christ but are adulterers Therefore Christ calleth these Pharisees and Sadduces Adulterous generation 4. Christs enemies shall get no satisfaction in signes such as they prescribe to help them to discerne Christ by in his Doctrine and Operations shall be suffered to go on in opposition till they have vented their malice to the full and then shall they know by Christs victory over them and over death it self and over all his enemies that Christ is indeed the true Messiah for saith Christ No signe shall be given them but the signe of the prophet Ionas who after three daies arose as it were out of the grave 5. Hypocrites and such as tempt God shall be left unto themselves as here Christ left them and departed Ver. 5. And when his disciples were come to the other side they had forgotten to take bread This forgetting to take bread is told us partly That we may know how our Lords train was maintained to wit As souldiers they carried their bread with them and to shew us that our Lord had a care that his followers should not be burdensom to any But in speciall it is spoken of to clear the occasion of the disciples mistaking of the speech of Christ herafter set down in his warning of his disciples to beware of corrupt doctrine under comparison of leaven Ver. 6. Then Iesus said unto them Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Under the similitude of leaven Christ bids his disciples beware to be infected by the corrupt doctrine of these sectaries Doct. 1. False doctrine is like leaven for it infects the lump secretly and totally therfore Beware of leaven saith he 2. The doctrine of justification by works professed by the Pharisees and the doctrine of the Sadduces denying the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul are both poisonable leaven therfore Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadduces saith he putting both the sects in a like condition of infection Ver. 7. And they reasoned among themselves saying It is because we have taken no bread The disciples imagine that Christ was speaking of bodily leaven Doct. Readily are our Lords words mistaken even by disciples and upon a mistake wrong conclusions are drawn and so the intent of Christs words are lost for Because we have no bread is this admonition given say the disciples Ver. 8. Which when Iesus perceived he said unto them O ye of little faith why reason ye among your selves because ye have brought no bread 9. Do ye not yet understand neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many basket ye took up 10. Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many baskets ye took up 11. How is it that you do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces 12. Then understood they how that he had them not beware of the leaven of bread but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Christ is offended that they should be so carefull of bread and imagine that himself was anxious about bread also seeing they had experience lately of his power to provide bread at his pleasure Doct. 1. Our Lord will not change his speech for our mis-taking but rather reprove our dulnesse and then help to a right understanding as here he doth saying Why do ye reason thus 2. Christ will make it a matter of reproof if he see his disciples anxious about any thing in this world as here for this Because they had brought no bread 3. Not to profit in faith is the matter of greatest controversie between Christ and his followers as here O ye of little faith 4. The right use of Christs works in speciall of his miraculous feeding many with a little food is to assure us of Christs power to provide bread for his servants and that they need not to be anxious about that matter Therefore saith he Remember the miracle of the loaves 5. The Lords reproof is a mean of rectifying our understanding for after the reproof then they understood that he meaned by leaven The corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees Vers. 13. When Iesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his disciples saying Whom do men say that I the Son of man am 14. And they said Some say that thou art Iohn the Baptist some Elias and others Ieremias or one of the prophets 15. He saith unto them But whom say ye that I am Christ is about to clear and confirme his disciples in the knowledge of himself and maketh way for this by questions Hence learn 1. That it is expedient for Pastors to examine the knowledge of their flock as Christ here asked his disciples 2. It is no new thing to see diversity of judgement concerning Christ and the matters
the Damned are brought in giving unto Christ as pleading for themselves learn 1. That the wicked do conceive they have such excuses as will bear them out at the great day but which will faile them altogether Therefore When saw we thee c. say they 2. If omission of duties shal be a sufficient ditty unto condemnation how great shall the ditty be when all commissions shall be joyned with all omissions and all sorts of sins shall be joyned together for here is their ditty In as much as ye did it not to one c. 3. Misregarding of Christ's servants and children in their need of our help shall be interpreted a mis-regarding of Christ for so importeth Ye did it not to me 4. The sentence of absolution shall be executed as it is pronounced and so shall the sentence of condemnation also Everlasting life shall be the portion of the godly and everlasting punishment the portion of the ungodly for They shall go away c. but the righteous into life CHAP. VI. Christ forewarneth his Disciples of the manner of his death to be within three dayes which accordingly was fulfilled for his enemies resolve to kill him before the feast day verse 5. And Christ giveth warning again of his death and buriall in Simons house by occasion of oyntment poured on him verse 13. Then Judas selleth him to the Priests verse 16. But Christ before he was apprehended celebrateth the Passeover and instituteth the Sacrament of his Supper that night he was betrayed and forewarneth his Disciples of his being betrayed that same night verse 36. After which he goeth to the garden and endureth horrible agonies in his soule verse 46. Being apprehended he endureth hard things of the Priests and Elders and is condemned in Caiaphas hall where Peter having denied him is raised up again by repentance Ver. 1. ANd it came to passe when Iesus haâ— finished all these sayings he said unto his Disciples 2. Ye know that after two dayes is the feast of the Passeover and the Son of man is betrayed to be cruâ—ified AFter Christ hath taught his Disciples what was fit to be told them in answer to their questions about the time of the day of judgment he telleth them of the time of his passion because that was most necessary Doct. 1. The Lord hideth and sheweth secrets to his people as may best profit them 2. His foretelling the time of his sufferings which his enemies knew not albeit they longed for it sheweth his fore-knowledge of and resolute willingnesse toward the work of redemption for he saith After two dayes the Son of man shall be betrayed Ver. 3. Then assembled together the chiefe Priests and the Scribes and the Elders of the people unto the palace of the high Priest who was called Caiphas 4. And consulted that they might take Iesus by subtilty and kill him 5. But they said Not on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people In this wicked assembly decreeing to kill Christ Lehrn 1. That councels may erre and such as have the title of rulers and elders in the Church may prove enemies to Christ for such is the assembly of the chiefe rulers here 2. Satan laboureth to have and often findeth men of most power in Church and State to be against Christ as here Elders and Scribes 3. The craft and malice and blood-thirstinesse of Christ's enemies is great as here They resolve to take him by subtilty and kill him 4. Wicked men are wise to foresee temporall inconveniences but blinde to foresee the danger of sinning as here Not on the feast day say they lest there be an uproar among the peopleâ— but no fear of God is in their heart to kill the Innocent 5. When the people are zealous for Christ it muzleth the mouthes of bloody dogs as here Lest there be an uproar say they among the people Therefore these wicked men preveened the feast day Ver. 6. Now when Iesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper 7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious oyntment and poured it on his head as he sat at meat There is a remarkable passage of anointing of Christ unto his buriall observed here In which history learn 1. That in little Bethany as well as in great Jerusalem God hath his own as here Simon and this woman 2. The man who is sensible of his cleansing by Christ will love him all his life long after as Simon the leper here receiveth entertaineth Christ and his Disciples 3. When our by-past infirmities may glorifie Christ it is no shame to bear the memorials thereof for here the Evangelist calleth him Simon the leper though now whole 4. Love spares no cost where love is hot there nothing is dear as is to be seen in this woman who breaks an alabaster box of very precious ointment and pours it out upon Christ. Ver. 8. But when his Disciples saw it they had indignation saying To what purpose is this waste 9. For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor 10. When Iesus understood it he said unto them Why trouble ye the woman for she hath wrought a good work upon me 11. For ye have the poor alwayes with you but me ye have not alwayes Judas bearing the bag was offended that this ointment was not sold and put in his custody and moveth the rest to mislike the waste as he calleth it Doct. 1. One murmurer may infect a whole company one Judas doth insnare in his fault other disciples Therefore it is said When his Disciples saw it they had indignation â— 2. When men look after the manner of the world upon Christ they account all to be losse that is bestowed on him To what purpose is this waste say they 3. Avarice wants not faire pretences as here It might have been sold for much and given to the poore say they 4. Good mens best actions may be misconstrued even by Christs own disciples as here may be seen 5. It is no small trouble to the godly to find their good works mis-interpreted especially by the godly Therfore saith Christ Why trouble ye the woman 6. Albeit men mis-interpret good works yet Christ will judge aright of them and take part with his owne and defend them as here is seen She hath wrought a good work saith he 7. Such good works as offer themselves rarely and will not readily occur again should not be neglected but instantly be followed and preferred to other good works whereof more frequent occasion is offered as here The poore you have alwaies with you saith he Ver. 12. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body she did it for my buriall 13. Verily I say unto you Whersoever this Gospel shal be preached in the whole world there shall also this that this woman hath done be told for a memoriall of her This holy woman foresaw his death and doth the last duty
56. Among which was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Iames and Ioses and the mother of Zebedees children When the Disciples were fled except John It is observed here that many women waited on and were witnesses of Christs Death Doct. 1. It is usuall with the Lord to shew his power and grace most upon the weak and the despised for here he giveth strength and courage to women to attend his sufferings when men had failed 2. Whatsoever grace the Lord bestoweth upon his own it is so bestowed as their weaknesse in themselves doth usually appear also for these women attend But for fear they behold afar off 3. The power of faith in Christ and love to him is such that it will make these that are weakest in the midst of fear and infirmities to spare no travell nor expences but to hazard if need be their life for him Many even women were there who had followed Iesus from Galilee ministring unto him 4. So acceptable unto Christ are the evidences of Believers love that he will subject himselfe to the standing in need thereof and will receive the fruit of their love and cause to register it for the parties honour and others edification as here he causeth to write down that these women ministred unto him of their means followed him out of Galilee and attended on him at his death The name of some of whom he causeth to be set down to let us see that none of them nor such as they are forgotten Ver. 57. When the even was come there came a rich man of Arimathea named Ioseph who also himself was Iesus disciple 58. he went to Pilate and begged the body of Iesus then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered 59. And when Ioseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linnen cloth 60. And laid it in his own tomb which he had hewn out in the Rock and he rolled a great stone to the door of the Sepulchre and departed 61. And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting over against the Sepulchre The manner of our Lords buriall is set down to verse 61. and the securing of the buriall place by the adversaâ—ies to the end Our Lord being dead it was expedient that he should be buried 1. That the type of Jonah and other figures in Scripture should be fulfilled 2. That the truth of his death might be known 3. That his buriall might be as a step lower in humiliation so also a mid passage unto a more glorious resurrection 4. That he might sanctifie our burials and by following death as it were to its den make a way through the grave unto our resurrection and full victory over death and the grave Doct. 1. When shame and sufferings are ended some degrees of glory do begin as God provideth here for an honourable buriall unto Christ after the shame of the crosse is past 2. Grace maketh no difference of rich or poor but sanctifieth riches and poverty to his own for Ioseph of Arimathea is a rich man and a Disciple of Iesus also 3. Love to Christ feareth no inconveniences neither thinketh shame of any service unto Christ for Ioseph goeth boldly unto Pilate and professeth it a favour to have liberty to take care of Christs crucified body 4. Christ both in life and death was a friend to magistracy he will have justice satisfied and order kept in his taking down from the crosse no lesse then in his crucifying he will be taken down at Pilates command 5. God provided for Christs buriall so as it should be known that he verily arose for he is put in A new Tombe hewen out of a rock wherein never man did lie before him 6. As persons are more zealous for Christ so are they more particularly taken notice of by God Therefore these women which did attend him so carefully are specially spoken of 7. Love will never shed with Christ in what condition soever he be and will bestow on him what it may as these holy women do bestow looks upon the place he is put into when they can do no more Vers. 62. Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation the chiefe Priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate 63. Saying Sir we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive After three dayes I will rise again 64. Command therfore that the sepulchre be made sure untill the third day left his disciples come by night and steal him away and say unto the people He is risen from the dead so the last errour shal bee worse then the first 65. Pilate said unto them Ye have a watch go your way make it as sure as ye can 66. So they went and made the sepulchre sure sealing a stone and setting a watch To make the matter of our Lords buriall and resurrection yet more cleare Divine providence makes use of the adversaries malice they think to keep Christ under and to provide against his resurrection by setting a guard about the Sepolchre and sealing of the stone Doct. 1. Christs enemies are vexed about him how to suppresse him as here is to be seen while he is alive and while he is dead they can never be secure enough for fear he shall overcome them when they have him dead they know not how to make the sepulcher sure 2. They make of his words and of his servants words as best serveth their purpose for when hee told them that though they destroyed the Temple of his body yet hee would raise it again the third day they passed by his meaning and made it a matter of his ditty and now they take up his meaning and make advantage of it against him 3. When Christ and his cause is brought low every wicked man wil speak as he pleaseth as here they call the God of truth A deceivâ—r 4. Hypocrites do respect religion only for their own ends and as it may serve their turn They pretended to have great respect to the sabbath that they may have Christ shortly out of the way and now they stand not to pollute the sabbath by making a business to secure his sepulchre 5. Magistrates are in a dangerous condition when the rulers of the church are enemies to Christ they will ever be insnaring them in some one thing or other against Christ as here Pilat is used 6. He that sets not God before his eyes but is given to please men will prove a slave to every mans affection such a man is Pilat who granteth whatsoever Christs enemies doe require 7. Whatsoever power of craftinesse can work for obscuring of Christs glory his enemies will go about it carefully albeit with ill successe as here They seal the grave-stone and set a watch thinking to keep Christ fast in the tomb CHAP. XXVIII In this chapter Christs resurrection is declared by Angels to vers 9. By Christ himself ver 11. by the watch to the priests who do corrupt the watch and make them to
deeds for this is the intent of the similitude 2. As a man carryeth himself for Christ or against him so is he good or evil and though he were as blameless otherwise as these Pharisees yet he is a wicked man if he be against Christ for The tree is known by his fruit Ver. 34. O generation of vipers how can ye being evil speak good things For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A second reason because the whole â—ect of the Pharisees were a wicked Pack seeming to be friends to the Law but adversaries to Christ the true intent thereof adversaries to the grace of God and to righteousnesse by faith and so not only by nature but also by succession to their Predecessours in holding their poisonable doctrine they were a generation of vipers the worst sort of adders who being evill could not speak good and having their heart full of poison could not but speak as their heart dyted unto them Hence learn 1. It is impossible for unrenewed men to speak good far more impossible to do good for How can you that are evil speak good saith he 2. Men who glory in their forebears as these men did in Abraham Isaac and Jacob and do not follow their footsteps are in Gods account to be fathered on Satan and are the viperous brood of his children Therefore justly doth our Lord call these men Generation of vipers A third reason Because the overflowing of their hearts in blasphemous words did prove them to be wicked blasphemers Doct. 1. The heart is the fountain of a mans words and works as it is set so is the current of a mans words and works good or evil for Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh 2. Whensoever evill doth break forth in a mans words for that time at least evil aboundeth in the heart for Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Ver. 35. A good man out of the treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things A fourth reason proving them to be wicked is because they did delight to lay up wickedness in their heart and to bring forth ill out of their heart Doct. Whether a man be renewed and a good man or unrenewed and an evil man it may be known by the stuffe which delibrately he layeth up in his heart and deliberately brings forth out of his heart for If it be a good treasure he is a good man if it be an evil treasure he is an evill man for here such as the man is such is his treasure for A good man out of the good treasure and an evil man of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth c. Ver. 36. But I say unto you That every idle word that men shal speak they shal give account thereof in the day of judgement Thus Christ hath removed the pretext and conceit of the Pharisees holiness now he removeth the conceit of the smalnesse of their sin in respect it was a matter of words for two reasons The first is Idle words should be punished much more blasphemous words Hence learn 1. How little soever men do esteem of words yet in Gods ballance they weigh not light for not only wicked words but also idle words such as serve for no good purpose or for no lawfull end shall come in reckoning as so many sins Therefore saith he Every idle word they shall give account therof 2. There shall be a day of judgment wherein all sins even words shall come to be judged for here a day of judgment is set and this judgment shall passe upon particulars even upon words whereof men have not before given account and received pardon Ver. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Another reason shewing that words will be respected by God whatsoever men think of them because the course of a mans words being naughty shall be sufficient to be a ditty to prove a man unrighteous and being well seasoned shall be a sufficient evidence to prove a man righteous therfore words are not to be slighted Hence learn That as a well governed tongue and the course of wisely ordered speeches is and shall be in Gods judgement a sufficient evidence of a man renewed and justified so also a loose tongue is and shal be an evidence of the contrary Ver. 38. Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees answered saying Master we would see a sign from thee Another dispute about signes which the Pharisees craved of Christ wherein learn 1. That Christ was exercised with divers sorts of temptations by his adversaries some openly blaspheming some subtilly insinuating as if they would deal reasonably with him Master say these men we would see a sight as if they never had seen any of his miracles before or as if upon the doing of some miracle they minded to believe in him 2. Christs miracles were sufficient to cleare that he was the Messiah for even his enemies can crave no more but to have a sign for say they We would see a sign from thee 3. Obstinat unbeleevers wil not be satisfied with any of Gods words or works but stil wil crave new ones as these men after numbers of signes crave yet a sign 4. Mis-beleevers are also limitators of the Holy One of Israel nothing will satisfie these men but a sign at their direction We desire to see a sign say they Ver. 39. But he answered and said to them an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of the Prophet Ionas 40 For as Ionas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the son of man be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth Our Lord refuseth to give them any signe save this That after they had killed him he should rise from the dead as Jonas came out of the Whales belly and so they would not prevaile over him for all their malice In this answer learn 1. That a people that doth not embrace the Lord as he is pleased to offer himselfe is a people alienate from God and is a follower of another God of their own devising for therefore he calleth them Adulterous generation 2. As when Jonas his doctrine was rejected by the Jewes God made him be accepted in Niniveh So shall it be with such as will not receive Christ offering himselfe unto them he shall find others to take the offer If the Jews refuse the Gentiles shal receive him this is one way of having the signe of Ionas 3. Again the enemies of Christ who will not cease to peâ—secute him shall know by Christs victory over them that he is the Messiah for as Jonas was proved to be the Lords Peophet by his miraculous delivery from death so shall Christ be found to be the true
Messiah by the resurrection from the dead and by his victory over the persecutions of his adversaries and this is another way of having the signe of the Prophet Ionah signes of both these sorts are proper to mis-beleevers Verse 41. The men of Niniveh shall rise in judgement with this generation and shall condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Ionas and behold a greater then Ionas is bere Christ after refusing to giâ—e them a signe or to work any miracle at their pleasure certifieth them that they shall be condemned for their mis-belief by two witnesses The first witnesse is The men of Niniveh who repented at the preaching of Jonas whether this repentance was better then the repentance of Achab it skilleth not to dispute because presuppose it was no more then was in a naturall man upon the historicall beleeving of temporall judgement coming upon them like unto Achabs repentance yet it was more then these hard-hearted people did who were obstinate unbelievers and were neither moved with the preaching of mercy nor judgment Doct. 1. Any sort of repentance presuppose it be only temporary is better then obstinate unbelief and no sort of repentance for Ninivehs humiliation is better then the Jews hard-hearted carriage 2. There is more fruit of one Sermon to be expected from Pagans then of many Sermons from the abusers of Ordinances of Religion for Niniveh repenteth at one Sermon Judea repenteth not after hearing many 3. The sin of the Mis-beleever and his judgment is the greater by so much as the means of beleeving have been more frequently applyed and Christ hath shown himselfe more in the use of means for therefore was the condemnation of the Jewes unbeliefe the greater because Christ who was greater then Ionas was not beleeved after long preaching and miracles wrought Verse 42. The Queen of the South shall rise up in the judgement with this generation and shall condemne it for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to heare the wisedome of Solomon and behold a greater then Solomon is here Another witness is the Queen of the South Doct. The Example of such as have taken paines to get knowledge or obtain any vertue whose names are recorded in Scripture must either be made use of unto imitation of their faith and diligence or else their example will serve to agredge sins unto deeper judgement for the Queen of the South shall rise in judgement against those that regard not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse 43. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man be walketh through dry places seeking rest and findeth none 44. Then he saith I will return into my house from whence I came out and when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished 45. Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked then himself and they enter in and dwel there and the last state of that man is worse then the first Even so shal it be also unto this generation The last answer serveth to shew them their own miserable condition and that by a parable of a supposed case of Satans being cast out of a man in respect of one sort of possession and coming back unto a worse and more dangerous sort of possession The scope of the parableâ—s to shew that this people by theâ—r refusing to receive the grace of God and to beleeve in Christ were in a seven-fold worse condition then if the Gospel had never been preached unto them for Christ by his doctrine had made them see the onely true way of rightâ—ousnesse and eternall life and so in regard of the refutation of their former errour and removing the ignorance wherin they did formerly lye Satan was in some sort cast out but in respect of their not receiving Jesus Christ and his grace to dwel in their hearts by faith the divel had gotten a seven-fold stronger possession of them now then before From this parable we may learn 1. That Satan is an unclean spirit for so here is he called 2. He may be cast out of a man in some sort and yet the man be not renewed As for example He may be cast out of a bodily possession and the man remain unrenewed He may be cast out in regard of a mans outward polluted life as he was cast out of these who after abjuration of their ungodly life at their baptisme did returne again to their former filthinesse 2 Pet. 2. He may be cast out of a mans mind by refutation of his former errours and illumination of him by sound doctrine and yet the man may remain unrenewed such as was the casting of Satan out of this evil and adulterous generation 3. In case a man be not taken up by the spirit of grace in whatsoever other respect Satan is cast out of him he shall be more deeply possessed by him then before Verse 46. While be yet talked to the people behold his mother and his brethren stood without desiring to speake with him 47. Then one said unto him Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without desiring to speak with thee Concerning the coming of Christs friends and kins folks unto him whatsoever was their errand their pretence is to speak with him but untimously do they call for conference while he is about another work Hence learn that Christ is indeed very man having kindly consanguinity with other men and naturall relations unto them grounded upon the verity of his humane nature for he hath Mother and brethren or Cousin germans Persons neare in blood unto him who are called in Scripture Brethren 2. The Virgin Mother was not so free of sin but she might and did fall in escapes as here in joining with the friends at least in an untimous troubling of Christs Sermon to say no more and preferring her own conference with him unto his fathers service which conference might have been delayed untill his teaching of the people had been ended and a more eminent work which was now in hand perfected Ver. 48. But he answered and said unto him that told him Who is my Mother and who are my brethren 49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said Behold my mother and my brethren 50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother From Christs answer learn 1. That respect unto kindred and friends must not be prejudiciall to any higher service of God for when Christs mother and friends called to speak with him while he is teaching he asked Who is my mother 2. Whosoever believeth in Christ and endeavours to do Gods will giveth reall demonstration of saving faith and may be assured of Christs love and estimation no lesse then if all the relations of Brother and Mother and Sister in oneâ—vere put upon him for Whosoever shall do the will of my Father the same saith Christ is my Brother and Sister and Mother CHAP. XIII