be_v here_o if_o thou_o will_v let_v we_o make_v here_o three_o tabernacle_n what_o a_o strange_a piece_n of_o stupidity_n be_v this_o and_o how_o well_o do_v it_o appear_v how_o incapable_a such_o gross_a and_o ignorant_a man_n be_v of_o entertain_v the_o least_o design_n of_o impose_v upon_o other_o beside_o what_o make_v st._n matthew_n relate_v this_o circumstance_n what_o honour_n can_v accrue_v thereby_o to_o peter_n and_o how_o can_v it_o of_o itself_o enter_v into_o his_o mind_n verse_n 16._o and_o i_o bring_v he_o to_o thy_o disciple_n and_o they_o can_v not_o cure_v he_o in_o this_o passage_n appear_v the_o evangelist_n sincerity_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v have_v oblige_v he_o to_o relate_v that_o circumstance_n or_o make_v he_o so_o free_o own_o the_o defect_n and_o want_n of_o faith_n in_o a_o society_n he_o himself_o be_v a_o member_n of_o chap._n xviii_o 3._o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o except_o you_o be_v convert_v and_o become_v as_o little_a child_n you_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o child_n shall_v be_v so_o simple_a no_o man_n ought_v to_o wonder_v because_o their_o want_n of_o knowledge_n be_v a_o pure_a effect_n of_o their_o age_n but_o that_o even_a man_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o return_v from_o the_o most_o refine_a notion_n of_o worldly_a policy_n from_o that_o sinful_a cunning_n and_o dexterity_n so_o often_o see_v in_o they_o to_o a_o state_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o amiable_a sincerity_n that_o they_o shall_v at_o once_o become_v simple_a and_o prudent_a righteous_a and_o religious_o wise_a be_v such_o a_o thing_n that_o man_n be_v whole_o unacquainted_a with_o and_o which_o discover_v to_o we_o both_o the_o greatness_n and_o high_a perfection_n of_o that_o person_n who_o teach_v man_n a_o doctrine_n so_o sublime_a and_o elevate_v verse_n 4._o whosoever_o therefore_o shall_v humble_v himself_o as_o this_o little_a child_n the_o same_o be_v great_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n how_o different_a be_v these_o notion_n from_o the_o common_a one_o of_o man_n how_o different_a be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n from_o all_o worldly_a empire_n and_o how_o well_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o such_o surprise_a maxim_n as_o these_o can_v not_o possible_o proceed_v from_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n verse_n 9_o and_o if_o thy_o eye_n offend_v thou_o pluck_v it_o out_o etc._n etc._n by_o the_o eye_n here_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v our_o darling_n sin_n or_o whatever_o else_o be_v dear_a to_o we_o so_o that_o christ_n hereby_o teach_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n whatever_o we_o dear_o prize_v and_o value_v most_o do_v ever_o any_o teacher_n less_o flatter_v man_n vanity_n verse_n 22._o i_o say_v not_o unto_o thou_o until_o seven_o time_n but_o until_o seventy_o time_n seven_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a number_n make_v use_v of_o for_o a_o uncertain_a one_o which_o signify_v that_o we_o must_v continual_o forgive_v that_o mercy_n have_v no_o bound_n and_o that_o charity_n can_v be_v limit_v who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o such_o a_o concern_v to_o unite_v all_o heart_n together_o to_o banish_v all_o misunderstanding_n among_o man_n in_o give_v so_o vast_a a_o latitude_n to_o charity_n and_o mercy_n can_v proceed_v from_o none_o but_o he_o that_o be_v master_n of_o all_o heart_n and_o the_o common_a father_n of_o mankind_n chap._n xxi_o 43._o therefore_o say_v i_o unto_o you_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o you_o and_o give_v to_o a_o nation_n bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o this_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a express_a prediction_n of_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n verse_n 46._o but_o when_o they_o think_v to_o lay_v hand_n on_o he_o they_o fear_v the_o multitude_n because_o they_o hold_v he_o for_o a_o prophet_n what_o can_v be_v so_o remarkable_a in_o jesus_n christ_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v take_v for_o a_o prophet_n but_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n whereby_o he_o confirm_v it_o chap._n xxiii_o 36_o 37._o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v come_v upon_o this_o generation_n o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n thou_o that_o kill_v etc._n etc._n here_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v very_o plain_o set_v down_o chap._n xxiv_o 28._o for_o wheresoever_o the_o carcase_n be_v there_o will_v the_o eagle_n be_v gather_v together_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n crucify_v be_v the_o carcase_n and_o the_o roman_a standard_n where_o the_o eagle_n which_o be_v to_o fall_v upon_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o the_o carcase_n be_v verse_n 34._o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o this_o generation_n shall_v pass_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v the_o same_o reflection_n must_v be_v make_v in_o this_o place_n as_o we_o have_v make_v above_o chap._n xxvi_o 13._o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o wheresoever_o this_o gospel_n shall_v be_v preach_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o shall_v also_o this_o that_o this_o woman_n have_v do_v be_v tell_v for_o a_o memorial_n of_o she_o a_o prophecy_n that_o have_v be_v sufficient_o fulfil_v verse_n 28._o for_o this_o be_v my_o blood_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v shed_v for_o many_o for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n do_v ever_o any_o man_n act_n or_o speak_v after_o so_o unheard_a of_o and_o surprise_v a_o manner_n can_v we_o find_v a_o man_n who_o not_o only_o foretell_v his_o suffering_n but_o also_o establish_v beforehand_o some_o memorial_n of_o a_o death_n he_o may_v easy_o have_v avoid_v and_o who_o but_o christ_n ever_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o shed_v his_o blood_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o mankind_n verse_n 38_o 39_o then_o say_v he_o unto_o they_o my_o soul_n be_v exceed_o sorrowful_a even_o unto_o death_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o go_v a_o little_a further_o and_o fall_v on_o his_o face_n and_o pray_v say_v o_o my_o father_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a let_v this_o cup_n pass_v away_o from_o i_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o explain_v what_o this_o exceed_a sorrow_n and_o agony_n be_v yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o it_o present_v we_o at_o first_o view_n with_o a_o object_n very_o surprise_v and_o that_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o those_o man_n who_o chief_a design_n be_v to_o invent_v such_o thing_n as_o shall_v be_v most_o for_o their_o master_n honour_n shall_v yet_o give_v we_o such_o a_o description_n of_o his_o suffering_n at_o least_o we_o find_v here_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o disciple_n which_o sincerity_n show_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v without_o scruple_n to_o receive_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o relation_n chap._n xxvii_o 42._o he_o save_v other_o himself_z he_o can_v save_v if_o he_o be_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n let_v he_o now_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n and_o we_o will_v believe_v he_o by_o this_o text_n it_o appear_v that_o christ_n pass_v for_o a_o person_n that_o have_v perform_v several_a miracle_n verse_n 45._o now_o from_o the_o six_o hour_n there_o be_v darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n unto_o the_o nine_o hour_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o can_v have_v make_v a_o whole_a city_n believe_v such_o a_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o true_a verse_n 51_o 52_o 53._o and_o behold_v the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v in_o twain_o from_o the_o top_n to_o the_o bottom_n and_o the_o earth_n do_v quake_v and_o the_o rock_n rend_v and_o the_o grave_n be_v open_v etc._n etc._n how_o can_v st._n matthew_n have_v persuade_v man_n to_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o against_o their_o own_o knowledge_n to_o the_o contrary_a can_v the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n or_o the_o rock_n be_v rend_v can_v the_o earth_n quake_v and_o the_o grave_n open_a and_o yet_o the_o jew_n know_v nothing_o of_o it_o to_o who_o do_v the_o evangelist_n relate_v all_o these_o thing_n he_o write_v they_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n nay_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o consequent_o in_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v several_a thousand_o of_o people_n still_o live_v that_o can_v witness_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o how_o then_o can_v he_o so_o much_o as_o imagine_v he_o can_v deceive_v so_o many_o witness_n concern_v in_o the_o business_n to_o who_o he_o preach_v these_o thing_n and_o who_o he_o design_v to_o bring_v over_o to_o his_o party_n nay_o some_o of_o who_o have_v already_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o form_v a_o very_a numerous_a and_o considerable_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n where_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v happen_v and_o where_o he_o attempt_v to_o persuade_v other_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o chap._n vii_o wherein_o we_o shall_v further_o produce_v out_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n several_a place_n very_o proper_a to_o make_v we_o true_o sensible_a of_o
relate_v such_o thing_n as_o at_o first_o shock_n our_o thought_n and_o which_o impious_a man_n chief_o insist_v upon_o such_o as_o this_o complaint_n of_o jesus_n christ_n my_o god_n my_o god_n etc._n etc._n beside_o this_o the_o circumstance_n with_o which_o they_o relate_v all_o the_o action_n of_o their_o master_n will_v sufficient_o convince_v we_o of_o their_o sincerity_n for_o be_v it_o probable_a the_o evangelist_n shall_v have_v invent_v or_o forge_v the_o murmur_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o reproach_v they_o say_v why_o do_v you_o eat_v and_o drink_v with_o publican_n and_o sinner_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o controversy_n betwixt_o the_o ambitious_a disciple_n on_o who_o account_n it_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v take_v up_o a_o little_a child_n tell_v they_o they_o must_v be_v like_o that_o child_n if_o they_o will_v qualify_v themselves_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n a_o wonderful_a discourse_n indeed_o both_o for_o its_o shortness_n and_o simplicity_n which_o sufficient_o show_v we_o the_o very_a soul_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n it_o be_v not_o one_o single_a writer_n of_o all_o these_o that_o relate_v those_o action_n there_o be_v three_o of_o they_o who_o write_v after_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o manifest_o evince_v they_o copy_v not_o one_o another_o write_n and_o if_o you_o will_v be_v further_o satisfy_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o prove_v the_o holiness_n of_o life_n of_o their_o divine_a master_n by_o imitate_v his_o action_n the_o primitive_a christian_n show_v we_o how_o well_o the_o apostle_n live_v by_o follow_v their_o example_n if_o you_o shall_v desire_v we_o shall_v produce_v some_o authentical_a testimony_n of_o holiness_n virtue_n sweet_a and_o peaceable_a temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n there_o be_v abundance_n to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o very_a enemy_n we_o need_v only_o a_o indifferent_a knowledge_n of_o antiquity_n to_o banish_v all_o suspicion_n in_o that_o respect_n thus_o the_o truth_n appear_v on_o all_o side_n and_o i_o sensible_o perceive_v it_o as_o soon_o as_o i_o frame_v any_o idea_n to_o myself_o of_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n yet_o i_o be_o willing_a however_o that_o the_o incredulous_a shall_v not_o whole_o conform_v their_o judgement_n to_o i_o and_o if_o this_o argument_n do_v not_o move_v and_o convince_v they_o as_o much_o as_o it_o do_v i_o they_o need_v only_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o other_o chap._n viii_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n they_o will_v perhaps_o be_v much_o more_o affect_v with_o the_o prophecy_n that_o occur_v in_o the_o gospel_n several_a of_o which_o be_v very_o express_o deliver_v but_o among_o the_o rest_n we_o shall_v make_v choice_n of_o one_o which_o we_o shall_v particular_o examine_v it_o be_v that_o concern_v the_o final_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o may_v easy_o perceive_v how_o clear_o it_o be_v set_v down_o by_o the_o evangelist_n who_o bring_v in_o jesus_n christ_n foretel_v it_o and_o how_o exact_o it_o be_v afterward_o fulfil_v the_o word_n of_o the_o prophecy_n be_v these_o and_o jesus_n answer_v say_v unto_o he_o see_v thou_o these_o 2._o â—reat_a building_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v leave_v one_o â—tone_n upon_o another_o that_o shall_v not_o be_v throw_v down_o etc._n etc._n and_o when_o you_o shall_v hear_v of_o war_n and_o rumour_n of_o war_n be_v you_o not_o trouble_v for_o all_o these_o thing_n must_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o the_o end_n be_v not_o yet_o for_o nation_n shall_v rise_v against_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n against_o kingdom_n and_o there_o shall_v be_v earthquake_n in_o divers_a place_n and_o there_o shall_v be_v famine_n and_o trouble_n for_o all_o these_o be_v but_o the_o beginning_n of_o sorrow_n etc._n etc._n when_o you_o therefore_o shall_v see_v the_o abomination_n of_o desolation_n speak_v of_o by_o daniel_n the_o prophet_n stand_v where_o it_o ought_v not_o whoso_o read_v let_v he_o understand_v then_o let_v they_o which_o be_v in_o judea_n flee_v into_o the_o mountain_n let_v he_o which_o be_v on_o the_o house_n top_n not_o come_v down_o to_o take_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o his_o house_n etc._n etc._n but_o woe_n unto_o they_o that_o be_v with_o child_n and_o to_o they_o that_o give_v suck_v in_o those_o day_n for_o in_o those_o day_n shall_v be_v affliction_n such_o as_o be_v not_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o creation_n which_o god_n create_v unto_o this_o time_n neither_o shall_v be_v again_o and_o except_o that_o the_o lord_n have_v shorten_v those_o day_n no_o flesh_n shall_v be_v save_v but_o for_o the_o elect_v sake_n etc._n etc._n and_o then_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v say_v unto_o you_o lo_o here_o be_v christ_n or_o lo_o he_o be_v there_o believe_v it_o not_o for_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n to_o seduce_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a even_o the_o elect._n but_o take_v you_o heed_n behold_v i_o have_v foretell_v you_o all_o thing_n it_o be_v not_o requisite_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o jewish_a history_n to_o know_v that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v exact_o fulfil_v those_o who_o doubt_v it_o may_v consult_v the_o history_n josephus_n write_v of_o it_o there_o they_o will_v hear_v of_o trouble_n of_o war_n rumour_n of_o war_n of_o famine_n earthquake_n from_o place_n to_o place_n which_o precede_v for_o some_o year_n the_o final_a destruction_n of_o judea_n therein_o they_o will_v find_v jerusalem_n surround_v with_o army_n and_o tread_v down_o by_o the_o gentile_n there_o they_o will_v read_v of_o a_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v much_o better_a for_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o miserable_a country_n to_o forsake_v their_o abode_n in_o the_o city_n and_o to_o flee_v to_o the_o mountain_n there_o they_o will_v see_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n burn_v down_o and_o demolish_v without_o have_v one_o stone_n leave_v upon_o another_o and_o sure_o be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v never_o tribulation_n like_a unto_o the_o tribulation_n of_o those_o day_n they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o ignorant_a of_o the_o abomination_n of_o desolation_n set_v up_o in_o the_o holy_a place_n which_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n speak_v of_o when_o they_o shall_v see_v the_o jew_n rush_v into_o the_o temple_n and_o there_o cut_v one_o another_o throat_n on_o a_o solemn_a feast_n day_n but_o if_o they_o will_v further_o consult_v our_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n or_o the_o primitive_a father_n they_o will_v find_v they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o relation_n that_o the_o faithful_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n flee_v to_o a_o little_a city_n call_v pella_n after_o have_v be_v forewarn_v of_o it_o by_o the_o spirit_n and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o long_o reason_n to_o think_v these_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n obscure_a but_o pray_v you_o that_o your_o flight_n be_v not_o in_o the_o winter_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v few_o people_n but_o what_o perceive_v the_o exact_a conformity_n of_o this_o prophecy_n with_o its_o event_n and_o we_o need_v not_o at_o all_o question_n the_o certainty_n of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o very_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v not_o compose_v after_o the_o event_n and_o it_o will_v concern_v we_o to_o inquire_v into_o it_o it_o appear_v then_o first_o that_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v be_v compose_v before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o st._n luke_n write_v not_o the_o book_n of_o act_n till_o some_o time_n after_o he_o have_v compose_v his_o gospel_n as_o he_o testify_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n the_o former_a treatise_n have_v i_o make_v o_o theophilus_n of_o all_o that_o jesus_n begin_v both_o to_o do_v and_o to_o teach_v etc._n etc._n act_v 1._o 1._o beside_o it_o seem_v that_o st._n luke_n have_v write_v the_o book_n of_o act_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o speak_v of_o that_o event_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o speak_v of_o jerusalem_n as_o of_o a_o city_n that_o be_v still_o in_o be_v and_o wherein_o there_o be_v a_o flourish_a christian_a church_n but_o perhaps_o this_o be_v not_o so_o much_o insist_v upon_o it_o may_v be_v further_o ask_v whether_o that_o prophecy_n may_v not_o have_v be_v insert_v in_o the_o gospel_n by_o some_o zealous_a christian_n who_o have_v see_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n may_v have_v take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o honour_v their_o master_n by_o pretend_v he_o have_v foretell_v it_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o doubt_n we_o shall_v observe_v first_o that_o though_o this_o prophecy_n be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n in_o the_o three_o gospel_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v yet_o it_o be_v express_v after_o a_o very_a different_a
estate_n of_o the_o rich_a in_o teach_v they_o how_o to_o consecrate_v they_o to_o god_n and_o to_o comfort_v the_o poor_a in_o their_o necessity_n by_o enact_v such_o admirable_a law_n design_v only_o for_o their_o subsistence_n levit._n 19_o deut._n 15._o 7_o 8_o 24._o last_o to_o all_o this_o you_o may_v yet_o further_o add_v those_o wonderful_a law_n of_o equity_n and_o justice_n whereby_o their_o lawgiver_n have_v so_o prudent_o determine_v what_o judgement_n shouldbe_v execute_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o that_o people_n those_o law_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v only_o the_o first_o and_o most_o just_a determination_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o which_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o serve_v for_o a_o example_n to_o all_o civil_a and_o political_a law_n establish_v in_o the_o world_n now_o from_o all_o this_o it_o necessary_o follow_v first_o that_o the_o disciple_n can_v not_o look_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o messiah_n who_o be_v to_o come_v and_o who_o their_o nation_n expect_v with_o so_o great_a impatience_n without_o expect_v from_o he_o a_o temporal_a happiness_n and_o prosperity_n this_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o request_n which_o the_o mother_n of_o zebedee_n child_n make_v to_o jesus_n christ_n when_o she_o come_v to_o he_o say_v lord_n grant_v that_o these_o my_o two_o son_n may_v sit_v the_o one_o on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o other_o on_o the_o left_a in_o thy_o kingdom_n mat._n 20._o 21._o the_o disciple_n therefore_o must_v necessary_o be_v strange_o offend_v to_o hear_v that_o their_o master_n be_v not_o come_v to_o command_v but_o to_o serve_v and_o give_v his_o life_n as_o a_o ransom_n for_o many_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a in_o his_o kingdom_n who_o be_v most_o humble_a and_o that_o the_o great_a be_v to_o be_v as_o the_o least_o and_o as_o one_o that_o serve_v beside_o how_o strange_o must_v their_o hope_n be_v cross_v to_o see_v that_o nothing_o but_o misery_n poverty_n and_o affliction_n continual_o attend_v the_o profession_n they_o have_v embrace_v of_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n they_o must_v have_v certain_o find_v something_o or_o other_o in_o their_o master_n which_o recompense_v the_o loss_n of_o that_o temporal_a prosperity_n they_o so_o eager_o thirst_v after_o and_o make_v they_o patient_o endure_v all_o sort_n of_o affliction_n and_o that_o recompense_n can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o doctrine_n or_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o his_o doctrine_n because_o they_o understand_v it_o not_o for_o along_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o so_o many_o vain_a frivolous_a absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a question_n that_o be_v offensive_a and_o savour_v of_o little_a respect_n to_o their_o master_n beside_o what_o be_v most_o holy_a and_o most_o proper_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n be_v that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v most_o spiritual_a and_o that_o part_n be_v hide_v from_o they_o and_o they_o can_v not_o understand_v it_o because_o their_o mind_n be_v fill_v only_o with_o gross_a and_o carnal_a idea_n of_o the_o world_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o their_o discourse_n to_o their_o master_n which_o they_o themselves_o relate_v after_o so_o simple_a and_o ingenuous_a a_o manner_n they_o must_v then_o necessary_o have_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n such_o miracle_n as_o serve_v they_o instead_o of_o all_o their_o oâ—her_n desire_v and_o it_o be_v by_o they_o chief_o that_o jesus_n christ_n prove_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o his_o call_v to_o they_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o father_n have_v not_o leave_v he_o without_o a_o witness_n but_o that_o the_o work_n which_o he_o do_v testify_v that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o on_o another_o occasion_n he_o solemn_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a witness_n than_o john_n the_o baptist_n add_v that_o the_o work_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v he_o to_o do_v be_v those_o that_o shall_v testify_v of_o he_o but_o perhaps_o it_o may_v here_o be_v object_v that_o john_n the_o baptist_n can_v draw_v a_o great_a multitude_n after_o he_o and_o be_v esteem_v a_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n without_o have_v wrought_v any_o miracle_n at_o lest_o none_o that_o we_o know_v of_o or_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o jesus_n christ_n as_o well_o as_o john_n the_o baptist_n draw_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n after_o he_o not_o so_o much_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o miracle_n as_o his_o extraordinary_a piety_n and_o the_o promise_n he_o make_v they_o of_o a_o eternal_a life_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o though_o we_o read_v of_o no_o kind_n of_o miracle_n that_o john_n the_o baptist_n wrought_v himself_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n or_o of_o his_o ministry_n yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o his_o birth_n be_v signalise_v by_o a_o very_a surprise_a miracle_n which_o be_v sufficient_o know_v by_o all_o his_o nation_n to_o make_v they_o expect_v great_a and_o wonderful_a matter_n from_o he_o second_o i_o say_v that_o as_o john_n the_o baptist_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n so_o neither_o be_v he_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o prophet_n that_o be_v to_o have_v do_v any_o he_o be_v not_o that_o messiah_n of_o who_o it_o have_v beeen_n foretell_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n at_o who_o come_v god_n will_v shake_v heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o sea_n and_o the_o dry_a land_n he_o be_v no_o more_o than_o his_o forerunner_n he_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o one_o cry_v in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v you_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o path_n straight_o matt._n 3._o 3_o three_o john_n the_o baptist_n declare_v only_o to_o they_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o can_v not_o but_o very_o much_o please_v the_o jew_n and_o which_o perfect_o well_o agree_v with_o their_o hope_n and_o opinion_n his_o ministry_n have_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v very_o grateful_a and_o pleasant_a and_o it_o be_v not_o requisite_a he_o shall_v work_v any_o miracle_n to_o exhort_v the_o jew_n to_o receive_v the_o most_o welcome_a tiding_n they_o can_v ever_o hear_v of_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v oblige_v to_o show_v the_o messiah_n in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o he_o too_o so_o contrary_a to_o that_o idea_n they_o have_v frame_v to_o themselves_o of_o he_o even_o from_o their_o infancy_n so_o that_o he_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o exasperate_v they_o against_o he_o and_o to_o this_o if_o i_o may_v mention_v it_o by_o the_o way_n we_o ought_v to_o refer_v the_o different_a success_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v signify_v in_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o foretell_v that_o john_n the_o baptist_n shall_v reconcile_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o parent_n to_o the_o child_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v be_v a_o stumble_a block_n and_o a_o offence_n to_o israel_n since_o the_o jew_n so_o eager_o expect_v the_o come_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o frame_v a_o very_a agreeable_a idea_n of_o he_o to_o themselves_o as_o they_o do_v still_o to_o this_o day_n they_o invest_v he_o with_o all_o the_o splendour_n and_o glory_n they_o can_v possible_o wish_v to_o themselves_o they_o paint_v he_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v in_o colour_n suitable_a to_o their_o own_o pride_n and_o ambition_n they_o expect_v they_o shall_v speedy_o have_v king_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o their_o nurse_n father_n and_o queen_n for_o their_o nurse_n mother_n nay_o they_o imagine_v no_o less_o than_o to_o have_v they_o immediate_o for_o man_n servant_n and_o maid_n servant_n these_o thing_n they_o have_v be_v tell_v of_o from_o their_o infancy_n and_o that_o carnal_a and_o temporal_a messiah_n they_o fancy_v be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o idol_n of_o their_o heart_n soon_o after_o john_n baptist_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n who_o set_v forth_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o such_o term_n as_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n have_v make_v use_n of_o before_o he_o public_o affirm_v that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n mat._n 3_o 2_o at_o the_o report_n of_o this_o agreeable_a voice_n all_o the_o people_n run_v in_o crowd_n to_o hear_v it_o from_o jerusalem_n from_o decapolis_n from_o judea_n from_o galilee_n and_o from_o the_o city_n beyond_o jordain_n john_n preach_v repentance_n to_o they_o as_o a_o necessary_a preparation_n to_o become_v partaker_n of_o all_o the_o benefit_n they_o be_v to_o expect_v under_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o willing_o hearken_v to_o his_o preach_n he_o exhort_v they_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o