of his Kingdom for there were in Christs dayes divers opinions of men about him even among them who were not his opposite enemies for Some said he was Iohn Baptist c. 3. Of such as have most means of the knowledg of Christ most is to be expected and if Christs Disciples have a right estimation of him the less matter what others have but chiefly it is necessary that such as are to preach Christ know him rightly Therefore saith Christ But whom say ye that I am Ver. 16. And Simon Peter answered and said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God From Peters answer Learn 1. That the Apostles knew Christ to be very God and very man in one person for Peter saith Thou art that Christ i. e. The promised Christ. 2. The vail of his humane nature and infirmities did not keep the eye of their faith from seâ—ing him to be one in substance with he living God for Thou art Christ the son of the living God say they Vers. 17. And Iesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thée but my Father which is in heaven 18. And I say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Christ commendeth this confession of Peter as a saving truth revealed from Heaven whereupon in despite of Satan he would settle his church and rule the same by the Ministry of his servants and would ratifie in heaven their service done upon earth Doct. 1. It is very acceptable and pleasant unto Christ that his disciples do profit in knowledge and grace Therfore saith he Blessed art thou 2. None get saving knowledge of Christs person and offices but by special revelation from God for Flesh and blood hath not revealed it saith he 3. Such as know Christ rightly are truly blessed for this cause he saith Blessed art thou 4. Such as bear testimony unto Christ he will bear testimony for them and will give them a new name as here he pronounceth Peter A lively stone builded on a sure rock and that by way of confirmation of the name which he had given unto him at his first calling saying Thou art Peter or a stone 5. The truth that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah very God and very man in one person the anointed Saviour of the world is The main ground-stone wherupon the faith of all believers is founded as upon a rock for Upon this rock I will build saith he 6. All the power and policy of the divel and his instruments shall not be able to overturn this truth nor the Lords building of his church upon it nor the work of Gods grace in any member of the church which is builded on this truth for so he promiseth in a speech borrowed from the manner of these times when the Judges sat at the Port and gave judgement And so what wisdome or power was in the towne was in the gates thereof The gates of hell shall not prevail against it saith he 7. The church properly belongeth to Christ as his own peculiar neither Pope nor King nor Parliament nor any one or moe in heaven or earth may subject the Church unto themselves as it is the church for Christ hath reserved the church for himself and hath appropriate this incorporation as such unto himself alone and called the church his own proper saying I wil build my Church 8. Howsoever there be many particular churches distinguished one from another yet must they all endeavour for an unity among themselves that they may be one church with and to Christ and among themselves keeping the unity of faith in Christ and unity of subjection to all his ordinances in the bond of peace among themselves for Christ hath called them one and appointed them to be one saying I will build my Church in the singular number 9. Whatsoever externall defence comfort cherishing and assistance unto the church be required of the Magistrate for the service of Christ yet all the means of edification of the church and all the administration of the means of the internall building of the church Christ reserveth unto himself to be done by his own means and his own chosen instruments for this worke he taketh unto himselfe saying I will build my Church Ver. 19. And I wil give unto thee the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven In this promise made to Peter in name of the Apostles and their Successours in the Pastorall charge in whose name he did speak learn 1. Christs church visible is his Kingdom even on this earth not an earthly Kingdom but a spiritual and heavenly Kingdom wherein he as King of heaven in heavenly things doth reign therfore he calleth the church visible The Kingdom of Heaven 2. This Kingdom or church hath keys to let in and keep in subjects to cast out and hold out rebels by doctrine and Discipline and is not left without Ordinances and Order for the preservation and inlargement of it self for I will give Keyes saith he 3. The Ministriall power of their keyes is promised to the Ministers of this Kingdom that is the Apostles and their Successours in the Pastorall charge in whose name Peter did speak unto Christ and in whose name he is spoken unto by Christ for he saith I will give to thee 4. Such as have the office of administration of the keyes have their authority in that office only from Christ in whose Name the keyes are to be used for He only is the Giver of the keyes for it is said I will give thee the keyes 5. What the Lords Ministers do by vertue of their office in admitting unto the fellowship of God and his Saints or excluding from the same binding unto judgment and loosing from judgment in Christs Name according to their commission it is ratified by God in Heaven as done by his warrant for it is promised Whatsoever ye shall binde on earth or loose shall be so in Heaven Ver. 20. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Iesus the Christ. This mystery he commandeth them to keep to themselves till he should give further order Hence learn Christ hath his own fit times when he will reveal his own mysteries therefore be charged them that they should tel no man that he was Iesus the Christ for if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory He will not have his death hindred by the untimous proclamation of his Truth Vers. 21. From that time forth began Iesus to shew to his disciples how that he must go into Ierusalem and suffer many things of the elders and â—hief priests and Scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day The disciples being now
thee alone if he shall bear thee thou hast gained thy brother After disswading us from stumbling of others he teacheth us how to remedy scandals given unto us by others that the offender may be reclaimed and the church receive least damage therby and 1. He giveth direction about private scandals saying Moreover c. Doct. 1. When scandal is given we must not onely beware our selves to stumble though we cannot eschew but be grieved but also must study to reclaim the offender for this direction is given to us to remedy scandals given 2. The scandalous sin of a brother or professed believer especially must be cared for and cured by believers If thy brother offend thee 3. Private admonition especially in case the offence be private is a mean of reclaiming our brethren from their sinful courses Go tell him his fault alone 4. It is not necessary to divulge every fault which we alone know or to let others know of it for it is said Tell him between him and thee alone 5. The most discâ—eet easie and gentle wayes are first to be assayed in the case of private offences Therefore saith he Tell thou him alone 6. It is the gaining or saving of a brother to reclaim him from his sin and an obligation put upon the reclaimed sinner toward the Brother who admonished him for saith he Thou hast gained thy brother 7. We are bound to hear and obey private admonition even as we would be saved for if he bear thee saith he thou hast gained thy brother Ver. 16. But if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established Now he teacheth how to proceed if private admonition prevail not Doct. 1. If private admonition profit not and the party admonished will not amend we must not give over the cure of his scandalous course but must use further means and take the assistance of some others to help to reclaim him Therefore saith he Take with thee one or two more 2. The admonition of two or three serveth to convince the Offender of his fault the more clearly or to bear witnesse against him in case of his disobedience for In the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth shall be established Ver. 17. And if he shal neglect to hear them tell it unto the church but if he neglect to hear the church let him be unto thee as aâ— heathen man and a publican The former failing he teacheth what further must be done Doct. 1. When more private means avail not to remedy a scandall Christ hath appointed more and more publick Censure and Discipline in his Church for he saith Go tell the Church 2. Christ hath appointed a church of Governours or rulers over congregations and over all particular persons within the same which must attend the complaints of the Offended and remove scandals and who have power to call before them and to examine and censure the Offender for that end for so importeth Christs saying Tell it unto the Church 3. The Church hath means and power to remove publick scandall which being imployed by the church and obeyed by the Offender Excommunication is not to be used for Neglecting to heare the Church presupposeth the church Direction and Order to be given forth for amendment of the Offender and removing of the scandall 4. When the church hath given sentence upon the Offender and hath appointed the way to remove the scandall then the Offender should obey in the Lord for Christ declareth it a sensurable fault to Neglect to bear the Church 5. If the Offender disobey the churches direction for removing of the scandal then the church may and should excommunicate the obstinate that is declare him to be deprived of the honour of a Christian till he repent and to be holden in such dis-respect as the heathen and publicans were by the Jewish Church in those dayes for Let him be to thee such presupposeth he is found and declared by the church to be holden for such 6. When the church declareth an offender contumacious or excommunicateth him as unworthy of the fellowship of the Saints for his present abominable condition then every beleever must carry himself toward the excommunicate as toward a man disgraced and cast out of church-honour for Christ hath said Let him be unto thee as an heathen man that is as one without the church and a publican that is a despised sinner for so were Publicanâ— esteemed of among the Jews to the intent the Offender may be ashamed of his sin and repent Ver. 18. Verily I say unto you whosoever ye shall binde on earth shall be bound in heaven and whosoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Here our Lord confirmeth the Authority given unto the church or Assembly of church-Governours Doct. 1. The church or Assembly of church-Governours hath authority from Christ in Christs name to pronounce guilty and lyable to judgment and to pronounce absolution and remission of sin as they finde cause for saith he Whosoever ye binde or ye loose 2. Christ will ratifie in heaven what the church assembled do in his Name in the exercise of the keyes of Doctrine and Discipline whether to the condemning of the guilty or absolving of the penitent for he saith It shall be bound in heaven loosed in heaven Ver. 19. Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them To give assurance that the execution of his ordinances by the church shall be ratified in heaven he sheweth them that the consent of never so few of his Saints agreeing together upon a petition unto God shall have a blessed effect in heaven how much more shall the consent of the church-Rulers in execution of publick ordinances be ratified and have effect and this he further confirmeth by certifying us of his gracious presence where never so few two or three suppose there be no more Rulers in some small congregations are met in his name much more when a greater number do assemble and meet for his publick service Hence learn 1. That for mutuall edification one christian may take the help of another for prosecuting joyntly some particular petition before God for it is said If two of you shall agree upon a petition c. 2. God doth so love the communion of Saints that the consent of more of his children in one suplication hath the encouragement of this particular promise for What they ask shall be done 3. If the consent of some shall be blessed when they joyntly prosecute one petition much more may the church be confident that their publick consenting unto the execution of Christs ordinances shall be blessed for this the scope of
When his disciples heard it they were exceedingly amazed saying Who can then be saved 26. But Iesus beheld them and said unto them with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible Upon this mans departure Christ teacheth his disciples wholesome lessons wherin learn 1. That Christ edifieth his church upon all occasions whether men joyn themselves to him or separate from him as here 2. It is as impossible to have riches and not to trust in them not to be insnared and hindred from heaven by them as for a camel or cables sow to go through a needles eye by reason of the naturall corruption which iâ— in man ready to intangle and drown the mans mind and his time and affections in the world and cares and pleasures of it Therfore saith Christ A rich man shall hardly enter in the Kingdome of heaven 3. Whatsoever difficulties be told us of in the way to heaven they serve onely to make us despaire of our own strength and abilities and to flee in unto God to whom nothing is impossible for he can â—o loose the heart of a man from the world as riches shall be no impediment to hinder him from Heaven and whatsoever elseâ—â— impossible to us he can make it possible and bring it to passe for To God all things â—â— possible Ver. 27. Then answered Peter and saâ—d unto him Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee what shall we have therefore 28. And Iesus said unto them Verily I say unto you thâ—â— ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the Son of man shal sit in the throne of his glory ye also shal sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel 29. And every one that hath forsaken houses or Brethren or Sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Here upon occasion Christ sheweth the felicity of his faitfull disciples In Peters question Learn 1. Albeit it be little that we suffer for Christ yet we think much of it for Peters worldly case in following Christ was little worse â—hen when he traded onely in the fishing notwithstanding he thus speaketh saying We have for saken al as if it had been some great matter 2. Howsoever it be not worthy to speak of what we do or suffer for Christ yet the least thing done in sincerity is not despised by Christ but highly esteemed and richly rewarded â— for Christ promiseth a reward 3. Christ doth not narrowly mark the infirmities of his own but doth cherish the smallest beginnings and formenteth the smoaking flax as here may be seen in his answer to Peter albeit Peters speech smell of pride yet he paseth it over saying Verily I say unto you c. 4. Although Christ doth not always answer his peoples expectation by giving them the very thing which they look for yet he will not fail to give them a better thing as here the Apostles dreamed of an earthly Kingdom and of earthly honours to be given unto Christ and themselves this he will not give them but he leadeth them higher shewing them that what they loved to have in this life should be given them in substance and in a more eminent way in the life to come to wit a Kingdome to each of them which should be satisfactory unto them and that in stead of the Kingdom which they did affect over the twelve Tribes of Israel in their earthly conceit of his Kingdom saying Ye shall sit upon Thrones 5. The day of judgment shall be a sort of regeneration wherein our bodies and souls shall be renewed perfectly for glory and immortality â— Therfore Christ calleth tha◠〈◊〉 in the regeneration 6. At that day Christ even in his humane nature shall be seen to reign in glory sutable to his divine Majesty â— for He shall sit on the Throne of his glory 7. Such as follow Christ must resolve for Christs sake to be deprived of what is dear unto them in this life if he shal be pleased to put them to triall that is imported in Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren 8. What men do lose for Christ shall breed them gain a hundred fold even in this life because the comforts and priviledges of Christs Kingdome are a hundred fold better then any thing they can be deprived of for the Gospels cause for saith he They shall receive an hundred fold 9. Beside what spirituall gain is gotten in this life to such as suffer for the Gospel life eternall is also given for an inheritance in the world to come which is able to make up all losses sustained for Christ for it is said And they shall inherit eternall life Ver. 30. But many that he first shal be last and the last shall be first Howsoever Christ esteem much of what his servants do suffer for him yet he giveth advertisement to Peter and the rest in them to al men that they should not conceit of any merit in their sufferings or worth in any other specious excellency but to study rather to be humble and sincere because at the time of Gods reckoning many who in their own eyes and before men were first should be found to be last that is of no esteem with God and such as in their own eyes and in the eyes of the world seemed nothing should be with God in prime estimation many who in the conceit of their own merit were first in the reward should be last and of no account and many who in the opinion of the merit were last and worthy of nothing should be first in the reward this is imported in saying But many that are first shall be last c. CHAP. XX. Christ sheweth in a parable how many that are last shall be first to ver 16. Forewarneth his disciples of his sufferings to ver 20. Dischargeth prelacie among them ver 29. And healeth two blind men Ver. 1. FOr the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an housholder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard 2. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a peny a day he sent them into his vineyard 3. And he went about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market-place 4. And said unto them Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right I wil give you And they went their way 5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour and did likewise 6. And about the Eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and saith unto them Why stand ye here all the day idle 7. They say unto him Because no man hath hired us He saith unto them Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right that shall ye receive 8. So when even was come the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward Call the labourers and give them their hire beginning