sate at Jesus feet and heard his words Observe 1. Both these Sisters were Holy and Devout Women both had an Honour and Reverence for Christ and both are forward to entertain him these were Sisters by Grace as well as by Nature yea they both for a time attended upon Christ's Preaching Mary also sat at Jesus Feet implying that Martha sat there too till Houshold occasions called her away Oh how happy is that Family where all Parties are agreed to receive and entertain the Lord Jesus Christ Observe 2. No sooner is Christ entered into Martha's House but he falls a Preaching whilst they provide Bodily Food for him he prepares spiritual Bread for them oh that in our place and measure we might all imitate Christ in this Can we come into any House or Company and find nothing to say or do for God Observe 3. The Holy and Humble Deportment of Mary upon this occasion she sate at Jesus Feet and heard his words When Christ was speaking Mary was hearing and little things could not take her off Lord how carefully should we take the present opportunity for our Souls to hear and learn of thee as Mary did She was not sure of another opportunity therefore hears humbly attentively affectionately as if it were her last hearing Season 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him and said Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone Bid her therefore that she help me Observe here 1. Martha's Behaviour She was cumbered about much serving that is much taken up with providing for the Entertainment of Christ and his Friends all which considered in it self was no miscarriage but a token of Martha's endeared respect to her best Friend A Person that sincerely loves Christ as Martha did thinks it can never shew enough of respect unto him Martha having such a Guest to Honour her House puts forth her self all she can yea more then she was able to give him Entertainment She was cumbered about much serving Observe 2. Martha's complaint to Christ concerning her Sisters not joyning with her in the Work that lay so hard upon her Lord dost thou nâ—t care that my Sister hath left me to serve alone bid her therefore that she help me as if Martha had said is it a fit thing that both thy self and all this Company should be unprovided for or is it reasonable that the whole Burthen should lye upon me whilst Mâ—ry fits still and doth not touch the least houshold Business with one of her Fingers Lord What infirmity and weakness intermixes and mingles with the Vertues and Graces of the best of thy Servants especially when they give way to their distempered Passions This good Woman at this time did not attend upon Christ's Preaching her self but interrupts him witâ— a â—rivolous Complaint about her Sister Bid her that she help me But why did not Martha speak to her Sister her self and whisper in her Ear and acquaint her how she wanted her help but makes her moâ—n to Christ Answer 'T is like she thought her Sister was so tyed by the Ear with those Aâ—â—mantine Chains of Christ's heavenly Doctrine that until Christ was silent she had no Power to stir doubtless she believed that Mary would not move unless Christ spake to her so to do Obs 3. That all this while Mary speaks not one word for her self no doubt it troubled her good Woman to hear her Sister complain of her to Christ and to find her self blam'd for her Piety and implicitly condemn'd for lâ—â—inâ— hold upon such a sweet opportunity of hearing the Beloved of her Soul whose Lips dropt as the Honey-comb However she speaks not a word in her own Vindication but leaves her Answer to her Saviour Learn thence That when we are complain'd of for well-doing it is our Duty and may be our Prudence to Seal up our Lips in Silence and to expect our Vindication from above Mary says nothing but Christ speaks for her in the next Verses 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her Martha Martha Thou art careful and troubled about many things 42 But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her As if Christ had said Martha Martha I well know thou dost all this in Love to me and it is no more then what is thy Duty in its proper Season but thou hadst now an opportunity to hear my Word which thou canst not have every daâ— and it would have pleased me better to whom it is Meat and Drink to feed Souls if I had seen thee fitting with thy dear Sister at my Feet and yielding an aâ—tentive Regard to my Holy Doctrine then to find thee performing a necessary Civility to my Person Thou hast not made a bad Choice but Mary has made a Better she has laid all aside to attend upon my Ministry and the fruit of it will continue with her to all Eternity It is that good part which shall never be taken away from her Note here 1. The unexpectedness of our Saviour's Answer to Martha how contrary it was to her Expectation she thought that her Sister should have been sent away with a check and her self with thanks but she is quite mistaken for all her good cheer that she had provided for Christ he spares not to tell her of her fault Martha Martha thou art troubled about many things Learn thence That no Obligations to any particular Person should so enthral us but that our Tongues should be at Liberty to reprove the Faults of our best Friends wherever we find them Martha tho' a pious and good Woman tho' a friendly and kind Woman tho' a Woman greatly Beloved of Christ yet is she reproved by Christ Note 2. The Reproof given to Martha Thou art troubled about many things where Christ condemns not her Hospitality but her sollicitude and superfluity her distraction and perplexity oh how prone are we to exceed in things Lawful and necessary and to go beyond our Bounds in them when we are satisfied in the matter we are prone to exceed in the measure Martha's Entertainment of Christ was a noble Service but she was too anxious and sollicitous about it she was cumbered she was careful she was troubled Note 3. Our Saviour's Admonition But one thing is needful that is there is one thing which ought first and principally to be regarded by us and is of the greatest Concernment to us namely the Business of Religion and the Care of our Souls Salvation Learn thence That the care of Religion and our Souls Salvation is the One Thing Necessary and that which every Man is concerned in the first place and above all other things to regard and mind Note 4. Our Saviour's justification of Marys choice Mary hath chosen that good part Non Tu malam sed illa meliorem Christ did not tell Martha she had chosen a Bad part but her Sister had chosen the Better Martha's
theirs The Beast might live a day without Water the Beast might not be sick but this Woman was in sore distress and had been so for eighteen years nay she was in the hands of the Enemy of Mankind bound by Satan Was it not then a greater Act of Mercy and Compassion to loose her than to lead a Beast Observe 6. What Effect Our Lord's Vindication of himself had upon the Hearers of it His adversaries were ashamed the people rejoyced v. 17. his Accusers were ashamed and probably convinced perhaps silenced but we read not that they confest their Errour or acknowledged their unjust Censure or craved Christ's pardon When Persons judgments are under Conviction of an errour and mistake it is very hard to bring themselves to confess and own their mistake because all men stand very much upon the Credit and Reputation of their Understandings and look upon it as a Reproach to own themselves mistaken tho' it is really otherwise But tho' our Saviour's Adversaries were only ashamed others Rejoyced for all the glorious things that were done by him 18 Then said he Unto what is the kingdom of God like and whereunto shall I resemble it 19 It is like a grain of Mustard-seed which a man took and cast into his Garden and it grew and waxed a great Tree and the fowls of the Air lodged in the branches of it 20 And again he said Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God 21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened Our Saviour's Design in both these Parables is to keep his Disciples and Followers from being offended at the small Beginnings of his Kingdom and to fore-tell the future great Success of the Gospel notwithstanding the present small appearance of the efficacy of it to this purpose he compares the Kingdom of God that is the Gospel-Church to a grain of Mustard-seed which being one of the least Seeds yet in that Country grew into so large a Tree that the Birds did Roost and Lodge in the Boughs of it He also likens it to Leaven which quickly diffuses it self through the whole Mass and Lump instantly turning a great heap of Meal into its own nature Christ shews hereby of what a spreading Nature the Doctrine of the Gospel would be notwithstanding all the Malice and Opposition of the wicked Men. Learn thence That how small Beginnings soever the Gospel had in its first plantation yet by the fructifying Blessing of God and the influence of the Holy Spirit it has had and shall have a wonderful encrease 22 And he went through the cities and villages teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem 23 Then said one unto him Lord are there few that be saved And he said unto them 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Observe here 1. The unwearied pains and diligence of our Holy Lord in preaching and publishing the glad tidings of the Gospel to lost Sinners He went through cities and villages teaching not in great and populous Cities only but in poor and obscure Villages also not preaching by his exemplary Life only but by his Holy Doctrine likewise Let such preachers who look upon the work of Preaching as the least part of their Business consider the indefatigable pains which our Lord took in that work and how will his diligence shame our negligence Observe 2. A curious question put to our Saviour concerning the number of those that should be saved whether they should be few or many Lord are there few that be saved Where Note How curiously inquisitive we naturally are after the Knowledge of things that do not concern us how forward to pry into unrevealed Secrets and to search into God's hidden Counsel it concerns us rather to understand what sort of Persons shall be saved than how man shall be saved and to make sure that we be of that number Observe 3. Our Saviour gives no direct Answer to the Curiosity of this Inquirer but turns his Speech from him to the People Jesus said unto them strive to enter in at the strait gate for c. Where Note 1. The Metaphor which Christ is pleased to set forth Heaven and the Happiness of a future State by he compares it to a streight gate to a Gate to denote the possibility of entring to a streight gate to denote the difficulty of Entrance a Gate supposes the entrance possible but a streight gate bespeaks the Entrance difficult 2. Here is a Duty urged and enforced upon all those that expect the Happiness of another Life and desire to enter in at this streight gate and that is a diligent and industrious striving Strive to enter in at the streight gate 3. We have a forcible argument and motive to excite and quicken to the practice of this Duty drawn from the paucity or small number of those that shall obtain Salvation in a dying hour Many will seek to enter in but shall not be able Learn hence 1. That Heaven or the Happiness of a future State is attainable 2. That it is not attainable without Labour and difficulty 3. That all those difficulties may be happily overcome by a diligent and industrious striving 25 When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are 26 Then shall ye begin to say we have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets 27 But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity 28 There shall he weeping and gnashing of Teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out 29 And they shall come from the east and from the west and from the the north and from the south and shall sit down in the kingdom of God 30 And behold there are last that shall be first and there are first that shall be last Our Saviour having exhorted all his Followers in the foregoing Verses to make sure of Heaven and Salvation to themselves whilst the door of Hope and Salvation is open to them by this Parable of a Master of a Family inviting Guests to his Table and waiting for their Coming and at last shutting the door against them because they either deny'd or delay'd Coming Christ hereby represented to the Jews the great danger they were in if they neglected the present Season of Grace and Salvation which now they did enjoy telling them farther how little it would profit them at the day of Judgment to alledge that they had eaten and drunk in his presence that they had heard him preach in their streets if they did not
for the Hardness of their Hearts That is he did not punish it not allowing it as good but winking at it as a lesser Evil because the Jews were so barbarously cruel to their Wives as to turn them away upon every Disgust Now our Saviour in his Reply referrs them again to the Primitive Institution of Marriage bidding them compare the Precept and their Practise together for in the Beginning it was not so Learn That according to the Word and Will of God nothing can violate the Bonds of Marriage and justifie a Divorce between Man and Wife but the defiling of the Marriage-Bed by Adultery and Uncleanness This is the only Case in which Man and Wife may lawfully part Whosoever shall put away his Wife except for Fornication committeth Adultery 10 His disciples say unto him If the case of the man be so with his wife it is not good to marry That is if a Man be so strictly tied by Marriage it is best for him not to marry A very rash Saying of the Disciples discovering both their great Carnality and also the Tyranny of a sinful Practice grown up into Custom Learn 1. That the best of Men have their Weaknesses and Infirmities and the Flesh takes its Turn to speak as well as the Spirit in them All that the Saints say is not Gospel Learn 2. How impatient Nature is of Restraint and how desirous of sinful Liberty and to be freed from the Ties and Bonds which the Holy and Wise Laws of God put upon it 11 But he said unto them All men cannot receive this saying save they to whom it is given 12 For there are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it As if our Lord had said You my Disciples do not consider what you say All Men without sinning against God cannot abstain from Marriage But those only to whom God has given the Gift of Continency and Grace of Chastity Some indeed by Nature or natural Impotency are unfit for Marriage Others wickedly are made unfit by Castration others by Religious Mortification bring under their Bodies That being freed from the Incumbrances that attend a Marriage State they may give up themselves the better to the Exercises of a Holy Life Learn 1. That Almighty God has given to divers Persons different Tempers and Constitutions Some can subdue their impure Desires and Affections without the Remedy of Marriage others cannot 2. That Continency or an Ability to live chastely without the use of Marriage is the special Gift of God not common to all but bestowed only upon some A Gift it is worthy of our fervent Prayers worthy of our best Endeavours 3. That a Vow of Chastity is not in our Power to quench a natural Affection requires a Supernatural Gift All have not received it but he that is able to receive it let him receive it 13 Then were brought unto him little children that he should put his hands on them and pray and the disciples rebuked them 14 But Jesus said Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven 15 And he laid his hands on them and departed thence Observe here A solemn Action performed Children are brought to Christ to be blest by him Where Note 1. The Persons brought Children young Children sucking Children as the Word imports St. Luke 18.15 They brought them in their Arms not led them by the Hands 2. The Person they are brought unto Jesus Christ but for what End Not to Baptize them but to Bless them The Parents looking upon Christ as a Prophet a great Prophet the great Prophet do bring their Infants to him that they may receive the Benefit of his Blessing and Prayers Whence Learn 1. That Infants are Subjects capable of Benefit by Jesus Christ 2. That it is the best Office that Parents can perform unto their Children to bring them unto Christ that they may be made Partakers of that Benefit 3. If Infants be capable of Benefit by Christ if capable of his Blessing on Earth and Presence in Heaven if they be Subjects of his Kingdom of Grace and Heirs of his Kingdom of Glory then they may be baptized For they that are in Covenant have a Right to the Seal of the Covenant If Christ denies not Infants the Kingdom of Heaven which is the greater what Reason have his Ministers to deny them Baptism which is the less 16 And behold one came and said unto him Good master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life Observe here A Person addressing himself to Christ and propounding an important question to him namely What he should do to gain Eternal Life Where Note 1. He believes the Certainty of a future State 2. He professes his Desire of an Eternal Happiness in that State And 3. He declares his Readiness to do some good thing that he may obtain that Happiness Learn That the Light of Nature or natural Religion directs and teaches Men that good Works are necessary to Salvation or that some good thing must be done by Men that at Death expect Eternal Life What good thing shall I do that I may have Eternal Life It is not talking well and professing well but doing well and living well that entitles us to Eternal Life 17 And he said unto him Why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God but if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments The Person thus addressing himself unto Christ was either a Pharisee or a Disciple of the Pharisees who did not own Christ to be God or to come from God but taught that Eternal Life was attainable by fulfilling of the Law in that imperfect Sense which the Pharisees gave of it And accordingly 1. Christ reproves him for calling him Good Why callest thou me Good When thou wilt neither own me to be God nor to come from God For there is none Good that is Essentially and Originally Good but God only Nor any derivatively Good but he that receiveth his Goodness from God also Obs 2. That our Saviour might convince him of the Error of the Pharisees who believed that they might without the Knowledge of him the true Messias enter into Life by keeping the Law of God according to that lax and loose Interpretation which they the Pharisees had given of it he bids him Keep the Commandments Where Note Christ calls him off from outward Ceremonies which the Pharisees abounded in to the Practise of Moral Duties yet withal lets him understand that if he expected Salvation by the Moral Law he must keep it perfectly and exactly without the least Deficiency which is an Impossibility to Man in his laps'd Estate Learn 1. That such as seek Justification and Salvation by the
Messias a King of the Jews should come riding upon an Ass But this Ass was a Colt the Foal of an Ass on which never Man had rode before says St. Mark Ch. 11. 12. signifying thereby that the most unruly and untamed Creatures become obedient and obsequious to him and upon a borrowed Ass the use of which he demands thereby manifesting his Soveraign Right to all the Creatures and accordingly he bids his Disciples tell the Owner of the Ass that the Lord had need of him not our Lord but the Lord that is he that is the Lord of all whose are the Cattel upon a Thousand Hills he that is Lord of all the Beasts and the Owners too Observe farther That notwithstanding Christ's supream Right to the Ass and the Colt he will have neither of them taken without the Owner's Knowledge or against his Will but the Disciples must acquaint him with it and by a double Argument move him to it 1. Christ's Right of Dominion and Soveraignty over them he is the Lord that sends for them 2. His present Occasion for them the Lord has need of them Obs lastly What a clear and full Demonstration Christ here gave of his Divine Nature by his Omnisciency in foreseeing and foretelling the Event by his Omnipotency in inclining the Heart and over-ruling the Will of the Owner to let the Colt go and by an Act of Soveraignty as he was Lord of the Creatures to command and call for their Service when he needed them 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion Behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass Here the Reason is assigned why Christ rode upon the Ass into Jerusalem it was to fulfil an ancient Prophecy that the Messias or King of the Jews should come riding upon that Beast into Jerusalem There was not any Prophecy of Christ more plainly fulfilled than this The Prophecy alluded to is Zach. 9.9 Rejoice greatly oh Daughter of Zion shout oh Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Foal of an Ass Where Note the Character given of the Messias he is the Supream King and Governour of his Church thy King cometh The Errand that he comes upon Bringing Salvation and the Entertainment which his Church was to give him Namely To receive him with Triumphs of Joy and Universal Acclamations Rejoice oh Daughter of Zion and shout oh Jerusalem for Joy 6 And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them 7 And brought the ass and the colt and put on them their cloaths and they set him thereon 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way others cut down branches from the trees and strawed them in the way 9 And the multitudes that went before and that followed cried saying Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest Observe here 1. The Obedience of the Disciples and the Motions of the Multitude the Disciples never dispute their Lord's Commands nor raise Objections nor are afraid of Dangers but speedily execute their Lord's Pleasure and find every thing according to their Lord's Prediction When our Call is clear our Obedience must be speedy What God commands we are not to dispute but to obey The Disciples did as Jesus commanded them Obs 2. The Actions of the Multitude in acknowledging Christ to be their King They cast their Garments on the Ground for him to ride upon according to the Custom of Princes when they ride in State and they do not only disrobe their Backs but expend their Breath in joyful Acclamations and loud Hosanna's wishing all manner of Prosperity to this meek but mighty King In this princely yet poor and despicable Pomp doth our Saviour enter into the famous City of Jerusalem Oh how far was our Holy Lord from affecting Worldly Greatness and Grandeur He despised that Glory which Worldly Hearts fondly admire yet because he was a King he would be proclaimed such and have his Kingdom confest applauded and blest But that it might appear his Kingdom was not of this World he abandons all Worldly Magnificence Oh glorious yet homely Pomp Oh meek but mighty Prince 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved saying Who is this 11 And the multitude said This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee This is not the first or only time that Jerusalem was moved and troubled at the Appearance of Christ at his Birth Matth. 2. we read all Jerusalem was troubled together with Herod and now he that rides into Jerusalem tho' in so mean a Port yet there is a new Commotion Jerusalem instead of being thankful for his Company is troubled at his Presence Thence Learn That such Persons and Places aâ— have the greatest Helps and Priviledges afforded to them are not always the most answerable in their Returns of Thankfulness 'T is not Christ's Presence with us but his Welcome to us that makes us happy Christ is daily taught in our Synagogues and preached in our Streets yet alas Multitudes are ignorant of him and say with the Men of Jerusalem when Christ was before their Eyes Who is this 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of them that sold doves 13 And said unto them It is written my house shall be called the house of Prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves Our Blessed Saviour having entered Jerusalem Observe his first Walk was not to the Palace but to the Temple and his Work there was to purge and reform All Reformation of Manners must begin first at the House of God Our Lords Business was to reform the Temple not to ruin it Places dedicated to publick Worship if prophaned and polluted ought to be purged from their Abuses not pull'd down and destroy'd because they have been abused But what was the Prophanation of the Temple which so offended our Saviour Answ Within the third or outward Court of the Temple there was a publick Mart or Market held where were sold Oxen Sheep and Doves and such things as were needful for Sacrifice many of the Jews coming an Hundred Miles to the Temple it was burthensome to bring their Sacrifices so far with them Wherefore order was taken by the Priests that Sheep and Oxen Meal and Oil and all other Requisites for Sacrifice should be had for Money close by the Altar to the great ease of the Offerer Nothing could be more plausible than this Plea But the fairest Pretences cannot bear out a Sin with God therefore our Blessed Saviour in Indignation at so foul an Abuse whips out these Chapmen casts down their Tables
2. The Name is given or at least declared at the time of the Child's Circumcising and that by its Parents His Mother said he shall be called John But how did his Mother know That when her Husband was dumb Answ 'T is like her Husband Zachary had by Writing informed his Wife concerning the whole Vision and what Name was imposed upon him by the Angel therefore she says he shall be called John and Zachary ratifies it his name is John The Nomination was originally from the Angel the Imposition of the Name is now at Circumcision from the Parents Obs 3. How Ancient a Custom it has been to give Names to Children according to the Names of their Fathers or Kindred There is none of thy Kindred of this name say they The Jews made it a part of Religion to give suitable Names to their Children and significant Names Accordingly they either gave them Names to put them in remembrance of God's Mercy to them or of their Duty to him Thus Zachary signifies the Remembrance of God which name points at God's Mercy in remembring him and his Duty in remembring God Well then is it usual and useful for Parents to give significant Names to their Children then let Children have a Holy Ambition to make good the Signification of their Names Thus John signifies the Grace of God but how will that Gracious Name rise up in Judgment against that Child that is Graceless Obs 4. How Zachary's Speech is immediately restored to him upon the naming of his Child The Angel v. 20. told him he should be dumb till the things he told him should be performed and now that they were performed his Tongue is loosed and he praises God in a most Thankful manner Obs 5. The effect which all this had upon the Neighbourhood fear came upon all that dwelt round about them that is an awful and Religious fear of God occasioned by these miraculous operations and they laid up these sayings in their hearts that is considered of them and pondered upon them It argues a very vain Spirit and temper of Mind when we pass over the Observation of God's wonderful Acts with a slight Regard The true Reason why we do so little admire the wonderful Works of God is because we consider so little of them Obs 6. The special favour vouchsafed by God to this Child John The hand of the Lord was with him that is God was in a special manner present with him to direct and assist him to protect and prosper him The hand of God in Scripture signifies the help of God the strength and assistance of God The hand of Man is a weak and impotent hand a short and ineffectual hand but the hand of God is a strong hand an Almighty hand able to assist and help able to protect and preserve The hand of the Lord was with him that is the heart of God and the help of God the Love and Favour of God to support him and the Power and Providence of God to protect and preserve him Lord let our Hearts be with thee and then thy Heart and thy helping hand will be with us 67 And his Father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophecied saying 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people 69 And hath raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began 71 That we should be saved from our Enemies and from the hand of all that hate us 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fore-fathers and to remember his holy Covenant 73 The Oath which he sware to our father Abraham 74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life 76 And thou child shalt be called the prophet of the Highest for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way 77 To give knowledge of Salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins 78 Through the tender mercies of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace Here observe 1. That no sooner was Zachary recovered and restored to his Speech but he sings the Praises of his Redeemer and offers up a Thanksgiving to God The best Return we can make to God for the use of our Tongue for the giving or restoring of our Speech is to publish our Creator's Praise to plead his Cause and vindicate his Honour Obs 2. What it is that Zachary makes the subject matter of his Song What is the particular and special Mercy which he praises and blesses God for It is not for his own particular and private Mercy namely the Recovery of his Speech tho' undoubtedly he was very thankful to God for that Mercy but he Blesses and praises God for Catholick and Universal Mercies bestowed upon his Church and People He doth not say Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath visited me in Mercy that hath once more loosed my Tongue and restored my Speech but Blessed be God that has visited and redeemed his people Whence Learn that it is both the Duty and Disposition of a gracious Soul to abound in Praise and Thankfulness to God more for Catholick and Universal Mercies towards the Church of God then for any particular and private Mercies how great soever towards himself Blessed be God for visiting and redeeming his people Obs 3. In this Evangelical Hymn there is a Prophetical Prediction both concerning Christ and concerning John Concerning Christ he declares that God the Father had sent him of his free mercy and rich Grace yet in performance of his Truth and Faithfulness and according to his promise and Oath which he had made to Abraham and the Fathers of the Old Testament Where Note 1. he blesses God for the Comprehensive blessing of the Messiah Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited his people namely in his Son's Incarnation The Lord Jesus Christ in the Fulness of Time made such a visit to this sinful World as Men and Angels admired at and will admire to all Eternity Note 2. The special fruit and benefit of this gracious and merciful Visitation and that was the Redemption of a lost World he hath visited and redeemed his People This implies that miserable Thraldom and Bondage which we were under to Sin and Satan and expresses the stupendious Love of Christ in buying our Lives with his dearest Blood and both by price and power rescuing us out of the hands of our Spiritual Enemies Note 3. The Character given of This Saviour and Redeemer he is an Horn of Salvation that is a Royal and Glorious a Strong
Act of Obedience doth the holy Virgin here perform to two Ceremonial Laws The one concerning the purification of Women after Child-birth the other concerning the presenting of the Male Child before the Lord. The Law concerning the purification of Women we have Recorded Levit. 12. where the time mentioned for the Womans Purification is set down namely after a Male Child forty days after a Female Fourscore days after which time she was to bring a Lamb of a year old for a Burnt-offering in case she was a person of ability or a pair of Turtle-Doves or two young Pidgeons in case of extreme poverty Now as to the Virgins Purification Observe 1. That no sooner was she able and allowed to walk but she Travels to the Temple Where Note That she visited God's House at Jerusalem before her own house at Nazareth Learn thence that such Women whom God has blest with safety of Deliverance if they make not their first visit to the Temple of God to offer up their Praises of Thanksgivings there they are Strangers to the Virgins Piety and Devotion Obs 2. Another Act of Mary's Obedience to the Ceremonial Law she presented her Child at Jerusalem to the Lord. But how durst the Blessed Virgin carry her holy Babe to Jerusalem into Herod's mouth It was but a little before that Herod sought the young Child's Life to destroy it yet the Virgin sticks not in Obedience to the command of God to carry him to Jerusalem Learn hence That the apprehension of no dangers either imminent or approaching either at hand or afar off ought to hinder us from performing our Duty to Almighty God we ought not to neglect a certain Duty to escape an uncertain Danger Observe further as the Obedience so the Humility of the Holy Virgin in submitting to the Law for purifying of Uncleanness For thus she might have pleaded What need have I of purging who did not conceive in Sin Other Births are from men but mine is from the Holy Ghost who is purity it self Other Womens Children are under the Law mine is above the Law but like the Mother of him whom it behoved to fulfil all Righteousness she dutifully fulfils the Law of God without quarrelling or disputing Observe Lastly as the exemplary Humility so the great poverty of the Holy Virgin she has not a Lamb but comes with her two Doves to God Her Offering declares her Penury The Best are sometimes the poorest seldom the wealthiest yet none are so poor but God expects an Offering from them he looks for somewhat from every one not from every one alike The Providence of God it is that makes difference in persons abilities but his pleasure will make no difference in the Acceptation Where there is a willing mind it shall be accepted according to what a person hath 2 Cor. 8.12 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same was just and devout waiting for the consolation of Israel and the holy Ghost was upon him 26 And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ 27 And he came by the Spirit into the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law 28 Then took he him up in his arms and Blessed God and said No sooner was our Saviour brought into the Temple and presented to the Lord by his holy Parents but in springs old Simeon a pious and devout Man who had a Revelation from God that he should not dye until he had with his bodily Eye seen the promised Messiah Accordingly he takes up the Child Jesus in his arms but hugs him faster by his Faith then by his feeble Arms and with Ravishment of heart praises God for the Sight of his Saviour whom he calls the Consolation of Israel that is the Messiah whom the Israel of God had long look'd and waited for and now took Comfort and Consolation in Note here 1. How God always performs his Promises to his Children with wonderful advantage Simeon had a Revelation that he should not Dye until he had seen Christ now he not only sees him but feels him too he not only has him in his Eye but holds him in his hands Tho' God stays long before he fulfils his Promises he certainly comes at last with a double Reward for our expectation Note 2. That the Coming of the Messiah in the fulness of Time and his appearing in our Flesh and Nature was and is matter of unspeakable Consolation to the Israel of God And now that he is come let us live by Faith upon him as the Foundation of all Comfort and Consolation both in Life and Death Alas what are all other Consolations besides this and without this They are impotent and insufficient Consolations they are dying and perishing Consolations nay they are sometimes afflictive and distressing Consolations The Bitterness accompanying them is sometimes more than the Sweetness that is tasted in them but in Christ who is the Consolation of Israel there is light without darkness joy without sorrow all Consolation without any mixture of discomfort 29 And he said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word 30 For mine eyes have seen thy Salvation 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him These words are a sweet Canticle or Swan-like Song of old Simeon a little before his Dissolution He had seen the Messias before by Faith now by sight and wishes to have his Eyes closed that he might see nothing after this desirable sight It is said of some Turks that after they have seen Mahomet's Tomb they put out their Eyes that they may never defile them after they have seen so glorious an Object Thus old Simeon desires to see no more of this World after he had seen Christ the Saviour of the World but sues for his Dismission Lord let thy servant depart Note here 1. That a good Man having served his Generation and God in his Generation faithfully is weary of the World and willing to be dismist from it 2. That the Death of a good man is nothing else but a quiet and peaceable departure 't is a departure in peace to the God of peace 3. That it is only a spiritual sight of Christ by Faith that can welcome the approach of Death and render it an object desirable to the Christian's choice he only that can say My eyes have seen thy Salvation will be able to say Lord let thy Servant dâ—part Observe farther Holy Simeon having declared the Faithfulness of God to himself in the Gift of Christ Next he celebrates the Mercy of God in bestowing this invaluable Gift of a Saviour upon the whole World The world consists of Jews and
from your feet for a Testimony against them 6 And they departed and went thro' the Towns preaching the Gospel and healing every where We heard before Ch. 6.13 of our Saviour's choosing his Twelve Apostles and their several Names they were first chosen Disciples to be with Christ to learn of him and be instructed by him and to be Witnesses of what he said and did Now after some time thus spent in preparing and fitting them for publick Service our Saviour sends them forth to preach the Gospel and gives them a power to confirm their Doctrine by Miracles Observe here 1. The Person that sends the Apostles forth to preach the Gospel it is Christ himself Learn thence that none ought to take upon them the Office of Preaching or any other Ministerial Function in the Church till thereunto called by Christ him-himself The Apostles were called by Christ and immediately sent forth by himself The Ministers of the Gospel now are called mediately and receive Authority from Christ by the hand of the Governours of the Church Observe 2. The Power given to the Apostles by our Saviour to Work Miracles for confirming that Doctrine which they preached He gave them power over unclean Spirits c. Now this miraculous Power given to the Apostles was necessary partly to procure Reverence to their Persons being poor and unlearned Men but principally to gain Credit and Authority to their Doctrine for the Doctrine of Faith in the Messiah as now come and exhibited in the Flesh being a strange and new Doctrine to the Jews the truth and certainty of it was to be extraordinarily ratified by Miracles which are the Broad Seal of Heaven to testify that such a Doctrine comes from God Obs 3. The charge here given by Christ to his Apostles at the time of their sending forth and this is Threefold First touching their preparation for their Journey he forbids them to take much care or to spend much time in furnishing themselves with Victuals Money or Cloaths because they were to finish their Journey speedily and to return again to Christ their Master This command of our Saviour to his Apostles not to incumber themselves when going forth to preach the Gospel Teaches his Ministers their Duty to free themselves as much as possibly they can from Worldly incumbrances which may hinder them in their ministerial Services 2 Tim. 2.4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life Secondly touching their Lodging in their Journey Christ advises them not to change it during their stay in one place But into whatsoever house they entered they should there continue till they departed out of that place that so they might avoid all shew of lightness and inconstancy and testify all gravity and stayedness in their behaviour this being a special means to gain reverence to their Persons and Authority to their Doctrine Thirdly Christ gives a special Charge to his Apostles concerning their Carriage towards such as should refuse to give entertainment to them and their Doctrine they were to denounce the Judgments of God against such Contemners by shaking off the dust of their feet for a Testimony against them This Action was Emblematical signifying that Almighty God would in like manner shake them off as the vilest Dust for wherever the Word is Preached it is for a Testimony either a Testimony for or against a people for if the dust of a Ministers feet whilst alive and the ashes of his Grave when dead do bear Witness against the Despisers of the Gospel their Sermons much more 7 Now Herod the Tetrarch heard of all that was done by him and he was perplexed because that it was said of some that John was risen from the Dead 8 And of some that Elias had appeared and of others that one of the old Prophets was risen again 9 And Herod said John have I beheaded but who is this of whom I hear such things and he desired to see him The History of the Holy Baptist's Beheading by Herod is briefly here hinted at by St. Luke but not largely set forth by him as we find it by St. Matthew ch 14. and St. Mark ch 6. See the Notes there That which St. Luke takes particular notice of is that great perplexity of mind which Herod's guilty Conscience did occasion he had murthered John and now is afraid his Ghost haunted him Herod was perplexed Learn hence That Guilt is naturally troublesome and uneasy it disturbs the peace and serenity of the mind and fills the Soul with Storms and Thunder Guilt is always full of fear every thing affrights the Guilty a bad man is a terror to himself and needs no farther Disquietment then what his own Guilty Conscience doth occasion him 10 And the Apostles when they were returned told him all they had done and he took them and went aside privately into a desert-place belonging to a city called Bethsaida 11 And the people when they knew it followed him and he received them and spake unto them of the kingdom of God and healed them that had need of healing St. Luke here gives a short account of several material passages as 1. concerning the Apostles return to Christ after their first mission and sending forth they acquaint their Master how they had executed their Office and discharged the Trust he had reposed in them 2. He withdraws privately into a desert place from the multitude that he might enjoy himself and his Disciples but there the people find him out and flock after him and Christ whose Meat it was by day and sleep by Night to do good embraces the opportunity bestowing upon their Souls instruction Reproof and Counsel upon their Bodies health and healing teaching us by his example to mix Spiritual Alms with Bodily Relief we must be in fee with the Body sometimes that we may come at the Soul Happy is that Christian whom God has made both able and willing to intermix Spiritual Alms with Corporal and knows how to feed two at once Soul and Body both This is the Duty of all but especially of Spiritual Persons the Lord give us Wisdom and Grace to manage it to advantage 12 And when the day began to wear away then came the Twelve and said unto him send the multitude away that they may go into the Towns and Country round about and lodge and get Victuals for we are here in a desert-place 13 But he said unto them give ye them to eat and they said we have no more but five Loaves and two Fishes except we should go and buy meat for all this people 14 For they were about five thousand men and he said to his Disciples make them sit down by fifties in a Company 15 And they did so and made them all sit down 16 Then he took the five Loaves and the two fishes and looking up to Heaven he blessed them and brake and gave to the Disciples to set before the Multitude 17 And they did eat and were all
be thou planted in the Sea and it should obey you Here our Saviour tells his Disciples that if they have the smallest degrees of true Faith lively operative Faith it will enable them to perform this difficult Duty of Forgiving Injuries and all other Duties with as much facility and ease as a miraculous Faith would enable them to remove Mountains and transplant Trees Learn That there is nothing which may tend to the Glory of God or to our own Good and Comfort but may be obtained of God by a firm exercise of Faith in him All things are possible to him that believeth 7 But which of you having a Servant ploughing or feeding Cattel will say unto him by and by when he is come from the field Go and sit down to meat 8 And will not rather say unto him make ready wherewith I may sup and gird thy self and serve me till I have eaten and drunken and afterward thou shalt eat and drink 9 Doth he thank that Servant because he did the things that were commanded him I trow not 10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable Servants we have done that which was our Duty to do The Design and Scope of this Parable is to shew that Almighty God neither is nor can be a Debtor to any of his Creatures for the best Services which they are able to perform unto him and that they are so far from meriting a Reward of Justice that they do not deserve a return of thanks three Arguments our Saviour makes use of to evidence and prove this 1. In respect of God who is our absolute Lord and Master and the Argument lies thus if Earthly Masters do not owe so much as thanks to their Servants for doing that which is commanded them how much less can God owe the Reward of Eternal Life to his Servants when they are never able to do all that is commanded them in a perfect and sinless manner 2. In respect of our selves who are his Bond-servants his Ransomed Slaves and consequently we are not our own Men but his who hath redeemed us and accordingly do owe him all that Service yea more then all that we are able to perform unto him and therefore whatever Reward is either promised or given it is wholly to be ascribed to the Master's Bounty and not to the Servants Merit 3. To Merit any thing by our good Works is impossible in regard of the Works themselves because all that we can do altho' we did do all that is Commanded us is but our Duty The Argument runs thus to bounden Duty belongs no Reward of Justice but all the Service we do perform yea more than we can perform to God is Bounden Duty therefore there is due unto us no reward of Justice but of free Mercy From the whole Note 1. That we are wholly the Lord's both by a right of Creation and Redemption also 2. That as his we are so him we ought to serve by doing all those things which he hath Commanded us 3. That when we have done all we are to look for our Reward not of Debt but of Grace 4. That werâ—â—ur Service and Obedience absolutely Perfect yet it couâ—d not merit any thing at the hand of Justice When ye have done all say c. 11 And it came to pass as he went to Jerusalem that he passed through the midst of Samaâ—ia and Galilee 12 And as he entered into a certain Village there met him ten men that were Lepers which stood afar off 13 And they lifted up their voice and said Jesus Master have mercy on us Observe here 1. Tho' the Samaritans were bitter Enemies to the Jews and had been guilty of great incivility towards our Saviour yet our Saviour in his Journey to Jerusalem balks them not but bestows the favour of a Miracle upon them Civil Courtesy and Respect may and ought to be paid to those that are the professed Enemies of us and our Holy Religion Observe 2. Tho' the Leper by the Law of God was to be separated from all other Society God thereby signifying to his People that the Society of those that are spiritually Contagious ought to be avoided yet the Law of God did not restrain them from Conversing with one another accordingly these Ten Lepers get together and are Company for themselves Fellowship is that we all naturally affect tho' even in Leprosy Lepers will flock together Where shall we find one Spiritual Leper alone Drunkards prophane Persons will be sure to Consort with one another why should not God's Children delight in an Holy Communion when the Wicked joyn hand in hand Observe 3. Tho' Jews and Samaritans could not abide one another yet here in Leprosy they Accord here was one Samaritan Leper with the â—ewish Common Sufferings had made them Friends whom Religion had disjoined Oh what Vertue is there in Afflictâ—â— to unite the most alienated and estranged Hearts Obserâ—â— 4. These Lepers apply themselves to Christ the great Physician they cry unto him for Mercy with respect to their Afflictions they jointly cry they all lifted up their voice with fervent importunity Teaching us our Duty to joyn our Spiritual Forces together and set upon God by Troops Oh Holy and Happy Violence that is thus offered to Heaven how can we want Blessings when so many Cords draw them down upon our Heads 14 And when Jesus saw them he said unto them Go shew your selves unto the Priests and it came to pass that as they went they were cleansed Observe here 1. The preventing Grace and Mercy of Christ their Disease is Cured e're it can be complained of Go shew your selves to the Priests says Christ and in their going they were cleansed they were healed before they could come at the Priests that as the Power that healed them was wholly Christ's so might the Praise be also Observe 2. A twofold reason why Christ commanded them to go to the Priests 1. In Complyance with the Ceremonial Law which required the Leper to be brought to them to judge whether healed or not and if so to receive the Offering prescribed in Token of Thankfulness 2. For the Tryal of their Obedience had they stood upon Terms with Christ and said alas to what purpose is it to shew our selves to the Priests what good can their Eyes do us we should be glad to see our selves Cured but why should we go to them to see our selves loathed Had they thus expostulated they had not been healed what Command soever we receive from Christ we must rather consider the Authority of the Commander than the weight of the thing Commanded for God delights to try our Obedience by small Precepts happy for these Lepers that in obedience to Christ went to the Priests for as they went they were healed 15 And one of them when he saw that he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God 16 And fell down on
little time in the Wilderness Christ nourishes the Soul the Souls of all Believers be they Jew or Gentile Bond or Free and this not for time but for Eternity the Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World 34 Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this bread 35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst 36 But I said unto you that ye also have seen me and believe not Observe here 1. How the carnal Jews hearing the Bread which Christ had commended so highly and conceiving of it carnally desire they may partake of it constantly Lord evermore give us of this Bread The Commendation of Spiritual Things may move the Affections and quicken the Desires of Natural Persons but if their Desires be not Spiritual and Serious Diligent and Laborious Constant and Abiding they are no Evidence of the Truth of Grace Obs 2. Christ discovers another excellent Effect of this Bread of Life which he had been recommending that such as feed of it shall never hunger more that is inordinately after the perishing Satisfactions of this World but shall find an All-sufficient Fulness in him and compleat Refreshment from him for the preserving and perpetuating of their Spiritual Life He that cometh unto me shall never hunger c. Obs 3. How justly Christ upbraids the Jews for their obstinate Infidelity Ye have seen me says our Saviour yet ye believe not Ye have seen me in the Flesh you have heard my Doctrine you have seen my Miracles I have done amongst you those Works which never any Man did to convince you that I am the Messiah yet you will not own me to be such nor believe on me Oh the Strength of Infidelity and Unbelief The Devil has as great an Advantage upon Men by making them strong in Unbelief as God hath by making his People strong in Faith 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Our Blessed Saviour having lamented the obstinate Infidelity of the Jews in the foregoing Verse who though they had seen him would not believe on him he doth in this Verse comfort himself with the assured Expectation that there would be a number which should certainly and infallibly come unto him All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me c. Here observe 1. An Account of the Persons that shall come to Christ All that the Father hath given him There is a double Gift of us to Christ 1. In God's Eternal Purpose and Counsel 2. In our Effectual Vocation and Calling When our Hearts are by the Holy Spirit of God perswaded and enabled to accept of Christ as he is freely tendred to us in the Gospel Obs 2. The gracious Entertainment which Christ gives to those that come unto him He will in no wise cast them out where the Positive is included in the Negative I will not cast them out that is I will kindly receive and graciously entertain them Learn hence 1. That both God the Father and Christ his Son are unfeignedly willing and cordially desirous of the Salvation of lost Sinners That federal Transaction which was betwixt the Father and the Son from everlasting about the Salvation of lost Sinners evidently declares this Learn 2. That the merciful and compassionate Jesus will in no wise cast out or reject but kindly entertain and receive every penitent Sinner that doth believingly apply unto him for Pardon of Sin and Eternal Life I will in no wise cast out that is I will not cast them out of my Pity and Compassion out of my Love and Affection out of my Prayer and Intercession out of my Care and Protection I will not cast them out of my Covenant I will never cast them out of my Kingdom for my Nature inclines me my Promise binds me and my Office as Mediator engages me to the contrary 38 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me 39 And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day 40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day In these Words our Saviour gives us the Confirmation of the foregoing Promise That he will in no wise cast out those that come unto him by assuring us that it was the great End for which he came into the World His Father sent him to do his Will and not his own that is not to do his own Will without his Father's but to do his own Will and his Father's For Christ as God had a co-ordinate Will with his Father's and as Man a Will subordinate to the Will of his Father Now it was the Will both of Father and Son that such as Believe in him should be preserved from perishing and be raised up by Christ at the last Day Hence Learn 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ stands not only inclined by his own Mercy and Goodness to Save Repenting and Believing Sinners but doth also stand obliged thereunto by vertue of a Trust committed to him from the Father Therefore Christ mentions the Will of him that sent him as a Reason of his Fidelity in this matter Learn 2. That the Father's Will and good pleasure is the original Source the Fountain and first Spring from whence the Salvation of Believers doth proceed and flow It is the Fathers Will that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and Believeth on him may have Everlasting Life Learn 3. That such as are given to Christ by the Father and put as his Trust into his Keeping he looks upon them as his Charge and stands engaged for the Preservation of them This is my Father's Will that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing Yet has the Father so committed the Care of Believers to his Son as that he keeps them still in his own hand John 10.28 29. My Father which gave them to me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers Hand Learn 4. From those words I will Raise him up at the last Day That the Lord Jesus Christ is Truly Essentially and Really God That person who can by his own Almighty Power raise the Dead must certainly be God but this Christ had He raised others from the Dead and his own Dead Body from the Grave also by his own Power And therefore Christ says I am the Resurrection and the Life and I will raise him up at the last day Doubtless he that spake these words and made those promises knew his own Power to perform them and
condition that separated Souls are in after Death Thus the Miracles of Christ drew many followers after his Person who were never converted by his Doctrine It was the Sin of many when Christ was here upon Earth that they flock'd after him rather out of Curiosity than out of Conscience and chose rather to gaze upon his Works than to fall in Love with the Worker The Multitude here came to Bethany Not for Jesus's sake onely but that they might see Lazarus also 10 ¶ But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus Observe here 1. The unreasonableness of that Rage and Madness which was found in the chief Priests against Lazarus They consulted together how they might put Lazarus to Death But supposing that Christ had spoken Blasphemy in making himself equal with God or supposing that he had broken the Sabbath by curing the Man that was Born Blind on that Day yet what had Lazarus done that he must be put to Death But from hence we learn That such as have received special Mercy and Favours from Christ or are made the Instruments of his Glory must expect to be made the Mark and Butt of malicious Enemies Christ had highly honoured Lazarus by raising him from the Grave and here there is a Resolution against his Life whom Christ had thus highly Honoured The chief Priests consulted that they might put Lazarus to Death also Observe 2. The cause why the Chief Priests consulted that they might put Lazarus to Death Namely Because that by Reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus That is many of the Jews seeing the Miracle of Christ's raising Lazarus from the Grave were drawn thereby to Believe in Jesus Christ and this so inraged the Chief Priests against Lazarus that they sought to put him to Death Learn hence That nothing so much enrages the Enemies of Christ as the enlargement of his Kingdom and the sight of the number of Believers daily encreasing This provokes the Devil's wrath and his Servants rage 12 ¶ On the next day much people that were come to the Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem 13 Took branches of palm-trees and went forth to meet him and cried Hosanna blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus when he had found a young ass sat thereon as it is written 15 Fear not daughter of Sion behold thy King cometh fitting on an asses colt 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first but when Jesus was glorified then remembred they that these things were written of him and that they had done these things unto him Here we have Recorded the carriage of the Multitude towards our Saviour when he came near the City of Jerusalem They take Palms in their Hands and go forth to meet him and cast their Garments on the Ground before him to Ride upon yea they do not only Disrobe their Backs but expend their Breath in joyful Acclamations and loud Hosannahs wishing all manner of Prosperity to their meek but mighty King In this Prince-like yet Poor and Despicable Pomp doth our Saviour enter the Famous City of Jerusalem Lord How far wert thou from affecting Worldly Greatness and Grandeur Thou despisest that Glory which our Hearts fondly Admire Yet because Christ was a King he would be proclaimed such and have his Kingdom confest and applauded and blest Yet that it might appear that his Kingdom was not of this World he abandons all Worldly magnificence Oh Glorious yet homely Pomp Oh meek but mighty Prince 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead bare record 18 For this cause the people also met him for that they heard that he had done this miracle 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing behold the world is gone after him 20 ¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast 21 The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee and desired him saying Sir we would see Jesus 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus Observe here 1. How the Multitude at Jerusalem came forth to meet Christ when he was making his publick entry into the City hearing the fame of his Miracles For this cause the People also met him for that they had heard that he had done this Miracle Observe 2. How amongst others who came forth to meet our Saviour certain Greeks or Gentile Proselytes who came up to worship in the outward Court of the Temple apply themselves to Philip that he would help them to a sight of Jesus Sir we would see Jesus It is probable that this desire to see Christ in these persons proceeded from Curiosity only But if it did produce true Faith in them we may thence infer That a spiritual sight of Christ by the discerning Eye of a Believer's Faith it is the most glorious and consequently the most desirable sight in all the World and so must needs be for it is a Soul-Ravishing a Soul-Satisfying a Soul-Transforming and a Soul-Saving sight This sight of Christ by Faith will constrain a Soul highly to admire and greatly to commend him It will incline a Soul to chuse him and cleave unto him and will set the Soul a longing for the full fruition and final injoyment of him Luke 2.29 Mine eyes have seen thy Salvation now let thy Servant depart Observe lastly How the Envious Pharisees were galled and cut to the Heart to see such a Multitude both of Jews and Greeks crouding out of the City to meet Jesus in his Triumphant entrance into the City The Pharisees said Behold the World is gone after him Learn hence That in the day of Christ's greatest Solemnity and Triumph there will not be wanting some persons of such a canker'd disposition that they will neither rejoyce themselves nor can they endure that others should This was the case of the wicked Pharisees here 23 ¶ And Jesus answered them saying The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified 24 Verily verily I say unto you Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal Observe here 1. How our blessed Saviour entertains his followers with a Discourse concerning his approaching Death and Sufferings The hour is coming that the Son of Man shall be glorified Observe 2. How he Arms his Disciples against the scandal of the Cross by shewing them the great Benefit that would redound by his Death unto all Mankind and this by a Similitude taken from Grain Except