rather grew worse 27 When she had heard of Jesus came in the press behind and touched his garment 28 For she said If I may touch but his cloaths I shall be whole 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague 30 And Jesus immediately knowing in himself that vertue had gone out of him turned him about in the press and said Who touched my cloaths 31 And his disciples said unto him Thou seest the multitude thronging thee and sayest thou Who touched me 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing 33 But the woman fearing and trembling knowing what was done in her came and fell down before him and told him all the truth 34 And he said unto her Daughter thy faith hath made thee whole go in peace and be whole of thy plague As our Saviour was on his way to Jairus his House a diseased Woman comes behind him touches his Cloaths and is presently healed the Virtue lay not in her Finger but in her Faith or rather in Christ which her Faith instrumentally drew forth Obs here 1. The diseased Person a Woman with a Bloody-Flux Let Women here take notice of the Miseries which the Sin of the first Woman has brought upon all Women amongst which this is one that it has made their Bodies subject to unnatural Issues and Fluxes of Blood Obs 2. The long Continuance of this Disease Twelve Years It pleases God to lay long and tedious Afflictions upon some of his Children in this Life and particularly to keep some of them a very long time under bodily Weakness to manifest his Power in supporting them and to magnifie his Mercy in delivering them Obs 3. This poor Woman was found in the use of Means she sought to Physicians for Help and is not blamed for it tho' she spent all she had upon them The use of Physick is not to be neglected by us in times of Sickness especially in dangerous Diseases of the Body To trust to Means is to neglect God and to neglect the Means is to tempt God The Health of our Bodies ought to be dear and precious to us and all lawful Means ought to be used both to preserve it to recover it and confirm it Obs 4. The workings and acting of this poor Woman's Faith her Disease was unclean by the Ceremonial Law and therefore to be separate from Society accordingly she is ashamed to appear before Christ but comes behind him to touch his Cloaths being firmly perswaded that Christ had a Power communicated by God unto him miraculously to cure incurable Diseases And see how our Saviour encouraged her Faith tho' she did not believe him to he the Eternal Son of God but one to whom God had communicated a Power of healing bodily Diseases yet says Christ This thy Faith hath made thee whole Learn hence That Faith oft-times meets with a better Welcome from Christ than it did or could expect This poor Woman came to Christ trembling but went away triumphing Obs 5. Christ would have this Miracle discovered he therefore says Who toucheth me and I perceive that Vertue is gone out of me First In Reference to himself to manifest his Divine Power that by the Touch of his Cloaths he could cure such an incurable Disease Secondly In Relation to the Woman that she might have Opportunity to give God the Praise and Glory for the Cure And Thirdly With Respect to Jairus that his Faith might be strengthned in the Belief of Christ's Power to raise his Daughter 35 While he yet spake there came from the ruler of the synagogues house certain which said Thy daughter is dead why troublest thou the Master any further 36 Assoon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue Be not afraid only believe 37 And he suffered no man to follow him save Peter and James and John the brother of James 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and seeth the tumult and them that wept and wailed greatly 39 And when he was come in he saith unto them Why make ye this ado and weep the damsel is not dead but sleepeth 40 And they laughed him to scorn but when he had put them all out he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel and them that were with him and entereth in where the damsel was lying 41 And he took the damsel by the hand and said unto her Talitha cumi which is being interpreted Damsel I say unto thee arise 42 And straightway the damsel arose and walked for she was of the age of twelve years and they were astonished with a great astonishment 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it and commanded that something should be given her to eat Obs here 1. The doleful News brought to Jairus his Ears Thy Daughter is dead The Lord doth sometimes suffer the Faith of his Saints to be hard put to it greatly assaulted with Difficulties and Trials Obs 2. Our Saviour's seasonable Word of Comfort Be not afraid only believe Christ is ready to comfort Believers in the Hour of their strongest Temptations and greatest Trials Obs 3. Christ's Application of himself to the raising unto Life Jairus his dead Daughter In order to which 1. He goes into the House only with three of his Disciples which were sufficient to witness the Truth of the Miracle Our Saviour to avoid all shew of Vain-Glory and to evidence that he sought not ambitiously his own Honour and Praise would not work this great Miracle publickly before all the People 2. He rebukes them for the shew they make of immoderate Grief and Sorrow for the dead Damsel they wept and wailedâ— eatly with Ministress and musical Instruments according to the Custom of the Heathens who by a mournful sort of Musick did stir up the Passion of Grief at their Funerals To mourn immoderately for the dead is an Heathenish Practice and Custom 'T is hurtful to the Living and dishonourable to the Dead nor is it an Argument of more Love but an Evidence of less Grace 3. He adds a Reason for this Rebuke and Reproof given them The Damsel is not dead but sleepeth Vobis Mortua mihi Dormit She is Dead to you but asleep to me Not so dead as to be beyond my Power to raise her to Life Souls departed are under the Conduct of Angels to their several Regions of Bliss or Misery It is very probable that the Soul of this Damsel was under the Guard of Angels near her dead Body waiting the Pleasure of God in order to its Disposal either to restore it again to the Body or to translate it to its Eternal Mansion Observe farther The Nature of Death in general and of the Saints in particular described 'T is a Sleep Sleep is a State of Rest Sleep is a sudden Surprizal in Sleep there is an
could not 19 He answered him and saith O faithless generation how long shall I be with you how long shall I suffer you bring him unto me 20 And they brought him unto him and when he saw him straightway the spirit tare him and he fell on the ground and wallowed foming 21 And he asked his Father How long is it ago since that came unto him And he said of a child 22 And oft-times it hath cast him into the fire and into the waters to destroy him but if thou canst do any thing have compassion on us and help us 23 Jesus saith unto him if thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth 24 And straightway the Father of the child cried out with tears and said Lord I believe help thou my unbelief 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together he rebuked the foul Spirit saying unto him Thou dumb and deaf spirit I charge thee come out of him and enter no more into him 26 And the Spirit cried and rent him sore and came out of him and he was as one dead insomuch that many said He is dead 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up and he arose 28 And when he was come into the house his Disciples asked him privately Why could not we cast him out 29 And he said unto them This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting Observe here 1. The person brought to Christ for help and healing one Bodily possest by Satan who had made him deaf and dumb from his childhood and oft-times cast him into the Fire and Water but rather to torment then to dispatch him Oh how does Satan that malicious Tyrant rejoyce in doing hurt to their Bodies as well as the soul of Mankind Lord abate his power since his malice will not be abated How great is thy goodness in preserving us from the power and malice of evil Spirits and how watchful is thy Providence over us to preserve us when Satan is seeking by all imaginable means and methods to destroy us Observe 2. The Person that represents his sad condition to our Saviour his compassionate Father who kneeled down and cried out need will make a person both humble and eloquent Every one has a Tongue to speak for himself happy he that keeps a Tongue for others Observe 3. The circumstance of time Satan had got possession of this person very young in his youth nay in his childhood and oh how hard was it to cast him out after so long possession the Disciples could not do it with all their power and prayers and when our Saviour himself by the power of his Godhead did dispossess him it was with foming and renting that he left him Thus when Satan gets possession of Persons hearts in their youth oh how hard will it be to cast him out it will put the Soul to great grief great pain great sorrow of heart Satan will endeavour to hold his own and keep the sinner his slave and vassal if all the power of Hell can keep him Lord convince young persons that it is easier to keep Satan out then it is to cast him out of the possession of their hearts Observe 4. The Physicians which this distressed Person is brought unto First to the Disciples and then to Jesus We never apply our selves importunately to the God of Power till we dispair of the Creatures help But why could not the Disciples cast him out Christ tells them because of their unbelief that is because of the weakness of their Faith not the total want of Faith Whence learn that secret unbelief may lie hid and undiscerned in the heart which neither others nor our selves may take notice of until some tryal doth discover it Observe 5. The poor man's humble Request and Christ's gracious reply If thou canst do any thing help me says the Father if thou canst believe all things are possible says our Saviour Note thence that the fault is not in Christ but in our selves if we receive not that mercy from him which we desire and need there is no deficiency in Christ's power the defect lies in our Faith Hereupon the man cries out with Tears Lord I believe help thou my unbelief if these were tears of Joy for the truth of his Faith then we gather that the lowest degree and least measure of Faith is matter of Joy unspeakable to the owner and possessor of it If these were Tears of Sorrow for the weakness of his Faith then we may collect that the Remains of Unbelief in the children of God do cost them many tears they are the burthen and sorrow of gracious Souls The Father of the child cried out with Tears Lord I believe help my unbelief Observe 6. With what facility and ease our Saviour cast out this stubborn Devil that had so long possest this poor child even with a word speaking how long soever Satan has kept possession of a Soul Christ can eject and cast them out both easily and speedily one word of Christ's mouth is sufficient to help us out of all distress both bodily and Spiritual Yet did our Lord suffer the evil Spirit to rage and rend the child before he went out of him not from any delight in the poor childs misery but that the Multitude seeing the Desperateness of the Case might the more admire the power of Christ in his Deliverance Observe 7. The Sovereign Power and absolute Authority which Christ had even here on Earth when in his State of Humiliation over the Devil and his Angels he commands him to go out and enter no more into the child and is obeyed This was a proof and demonstration of the Godhead of our Saviour that he had power and Authority over Devils to command and over-rule them to curb and restrain them at his Pleasure And whereas Christ commands the Devil not only to come out but to enter no more into the Person it implies that Satan being cast out of his hole earnestly desires to enter in again to recover his hold and to regain his possession but if Christ says enter no more Satan shall obey his voyce Observe 8. The Disciples enquiry into the Reasons why they could not cast this stubborn Devil out According to the power which he had given them to work Miracles Christ tells them it was 1. Because of their unbelief by which understand the weakness of their faith not their total want of Faith 2. Because they did not in this extraordinary case apply themselves to the use of extraordinary means Namely prayer and fasting Learn hence 1. That in extraordinary cases where the Necessities either of Soul or Body do require it Recourse must be had to the use of extraordinary means one of which is an importunate Application unto God by solemn Prayer Secondly that fasting and prayer are two special means of Christ's own Appointment for the enabling of his people Victoriously to overcome Satan and cast
words as a Prayer to the Holy Virgin saying Ten Ave Marys for one Pater Noster whereas they are only a Salutation declaring that she above all Women had the honour freely conferred by God upon her to be the mother of the Messiah The Original word signifies not full of Grace but freely Beloved Compare Mary with other Renowned Women and what had she besides this favour more then they Had she the Spirit of Prophecy so had they had she the Spirit of Sanctification so had they And she had no more immunity and freedom from Sin and Death then they Accordingly says the Angel Blessed art thou among Women He doth not say Blessed art Thou above Women Let the Church of Rome be as copious as they will in the Commendation of the Mother so they do not derogate from the Glory of the Son But how senseless are they 1. in turning a Salutation into a Prayer 2. in making use of these words upon every occasion which were spoken by an Angel upon a special occasion 3. In applying these words to her now in Heaven which suited with her only when she was here on Earth saying full of Grace to her who is full of Glory and the Lord is with Thee to her that is with the Lord. Obs 6. The effect which the Sight and Salutation of the Angel had upon the Holy Virgin she was afraid If Zachary before her were amazed at the sight of the Angel much more the Virgin her Sex subjecting her to fear All passions but particularly the passion of fear disquiets the Heart and makes it unfit to receive the Messages of God Therefore the Angel instantly says unto her fear not let Joy enter into thy Heart out of whose Womb shall come Salvation Thus the fears of holy Persons do end in Comfort Joy was the Errand which the Angel came upon and not Terrour what little cause had she to fear the presence of an Angel who was so highly favoured of him at whom the Angels tremble But we see the holiest Person on Earth cannot bear the presence of an Holy Angel much less the presence of an Holy God nor stand before the manifestations of his Favours Lord How unable then will the wicked be at the Great day to stand before the manifestation of thy Fury If the sight of an Holy Angel now makes the best of Saints to quake and tremble What will the sight of an infinitely Holy and Just God then do when the wicked shall be slain by the brightness of his presence Obs Lastly The Character which the Angel gives of the person that should be Born of the Blessed Virgin He shall be Great and called the Son of the Highest Great in respect of his Person Great in respect of his Offices Great in respect of his Kingdom For God would settle upon him a Spiritual Kingdom of which David's Earthly one was a Type which shall never be abolished Tho' the Administration of it by the Word and Sacraments shall cease at the day of Judgment when he shall deliver up the Kingdom in that respect to his Father All other Kingdoms have had or shall have their Periods but the Gospel-Church which is Christ's Kingdom shall continue till his Kingdom of Glory be Revealed 34 Then said Mary to the Angel How shall this be seeing I know not a man 35 And the Angel said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall over-shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth she hath also conceived a Son in her old age and this is the sixth month with her which is called Barren 37 For with God nothing shall be unpossible 38 And Mary said Behold the hand-maid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word and the Angel departed from her Observe here 1. The Virgins question How shall this be This question did not import her denial of the possibility of the thing but her wonder at the strangeness of the thing it proceeded rather from a desire of information than from a doubt of Infidelity Therefore she doth not say this cannot be nor how can this be but how shall this be She doth not distrust but demand how her Virginity should become fruitful and how she being a Virgin could bring forth a Son Obs 2. The Angels Reply to the Virgins question The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee Where Note the Angel declares the Author who but not the manner how The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee but in what way and after what manner is not declared No Mother knows the manner of her Natural Conception What presumption had it then been for the Mother of the Messiah to have inquired how the Son of God could take Flesh and Blood of his Creature It is for none but the Almighty to know those Works which do immediately concern himself Obs 3. The Holy and Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Redeemer The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall over-shadow thee wherefore that Holy thing that shall be born of thee That is the Holy Ghost shall prepare and sanctify so much of thy Flesh Blood or Seed as shall constitute the Body of Christ For tho' it was the work of the whole Trinity yet it is ascribed particularly to the Holy Ghost Sanctification being his peculiar work And the Title and Epithet of That Holy Thing sheweth the purity and immaculateness of Christ's Humane Nature and that none was ever Born thus Holy and Immaculate but Christ only because none had ever such a way and means of Conception but only he Therefore that Holy thing shall be called the Son of God not constituted and made but evidenced and declared Christ was God before he assumed Flesh even from Eternity but but his taking Flesh in this manner evidences him to be the Son of God Obs 4. The Argument used by the Angel to confirm Many in the Belief of what he had told her namely the wonderful Conception of her Cousin Elizabeth in her old Age who was now six Months gone with Child Where Observe 1. What an exact Knowledge God has and what a particular Notice he takes of all the Children of men he knoweth not only our selves but our Relations also Behold thy Cousin Elizabeth the knowledge which God has of every Person and every Action is a clear and distinct Knowledge Note 2. How the Angel strengthens her Faith by a Consideration drawn from the Almighty power of God With God nothing shall be unpossible be it never so strange and difficult there is no such way to overcome difficulties as by strengthning our Faith in the Almighty power of God Faith will enable us to assent to Truths though seemingly incredible and to believe the possibility of things tho' appearingly impossible Obs Lastly how the Virgin expresses her Faith and Obedience her
Submission and intire Resignation to the Divine pleasure to be disposed of by God as he thought fit Behold the Handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word We hear of no more Objections or Interrogations but an humble and submissive Silence Learn hence that a Gracious Heart when once it understands the pleasure of God argues no farther but quietly Rests in a Believing Expectation of what God will do All disputations with God after his Will is made known and understood arise from Infidelity and Unbelief The Virgin having thus Consented instantly Conceived by the Over-shadowing Power of the Holy Ghost 39 And Mary arose in those days and went into the Hill-country with haste into a City of Judah 40 And entred into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth 41 And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the Salutation of Mary the babe leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost 42 And she spake out with aloud voice and said Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb 43 And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me 44 For lo as soon as the voice of thy Salutation sounded in mine ears the babe leaped in my womb for joy 45 And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Observe here 1. The Visit made by the Virgin Mary to her Cousin Elizabeth The Holy Virgin had understood by the Angel that Elizabeth was no less akin to her in Condition than in Relation being both Fruitful in Conception she hastens into the Hill-country to Visit that Holy Matron The Two Wonders of the World were now met under one Roof to Congratulate their mutual Happiness only the meeting of the Saints in Heaven can parallel the meeting of these two Saints on Earth Obs 2. The design and intention of this Visit which was partly to Communicate their Joys each to other and partly to strengthen the Faith of each other Such a Soul as has Christ Spiritually Conceived in it is restless and cannot be quiet till it has imparted its joy Obs 3. The effect of the Virgins Salutation She had no sooner Saluted Elizabeth but the babe in Elizabeths womb leaped for joy doing homage and paying adoration to his Lord who was then in presence If Elizabeth and her holy Babe thus rejoyced when Christ came under their Roof how should our Hearts leap within us when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the Secret of our Souls not to visit us for an hour but to dwell with us yea to dwell in us and that for ever Obs 4. How Elizabeth by an extraordinary Spirit of Prophecy confirms what the Angel before had told the Holy Virgin Blessed says she art thou among Women and Blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb and what an honour is this that the Mother of my Lord should come to me Where Note How Elizabeth acknowledgeth the Incarnation of Christ and the Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in the person of the Mediator She acknowledges Christ her Lord and Mary to be the Mother of the Son of God Obs Lastly How the Virgin is pronounced Blessed not so much for carrying Christ in her Womb by sense as for bearing him in her Heart by Faith Blessed is she that believed Mary was not so Blessed in bringing forth Christ as in Believing in him yet the Believing here mentioned I take to be her firm assent to the Message which was brought her by the Angel as if Elizabeth had said Dumbness was inflicted on my Husband for his Unbelief of what the Angel said but Blessed art thou that didst believe the Angel My Husband a Man an aged Man a learned and eminent Man a Priest of the most High God and the Message to him of more appearing possibility yet he disbelieved But thou a Woman a mean unlearned Woman of a private Condition and the Message brought most incredible both to Nature and Reason and yet is it believed by thee Blessed therefore is she that believed and know that as a Reward for thy Faith all things shall certainly be performed that were foretold thee from the Lord Learn hence 1. It is the Property of God to do Great and Wonderful things Our Faith must be Great and our Expectation great great Expectations from God Honour the greatness of God 3. If our Faith be Great God's performances will be gracious and full Blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said My soul doth magnify the Lord. 47 And my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand-maiden for behold from hence-forth all Generations shall call me Blessed 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his name 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts 52 He hath put down the mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low degree 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy 55 As he spake to our Fore-fathers to Abraham and to his seed for ever This is the first Canticle or Song of praise Recorded in the New Testament composed by the Blessed Virgin with unspeakable Joy for designing her to be the Instrument of the Conception and Birth of the Saviour of the World Where Observe 1. The manner of her Praise her Soul and Spirit bear their part in the work of Thanksgiving My Soul doth magnify my Spirit hath rejoyced As the sweetest Musick is made in the Belly of the Instrument so the most delightful praise arises from the bottom of the Heart Obs 2. The object of her praise she doth not magnify her self but the Lord yea she doth not Rejoice so much in her Son as in her Saviour Where Note 1. That she doth implicitly own and confess her self a Sinner for none need a Saviour but a Sinner And 2. by rejoycing in Christ as her Saviour she declares how she valued her self rather by her spiritual Relation to Christ as his Member than by her natural Relation to him as his Mother according to that of St. Austin Beatior Fuit Maria percipiendo Christi fidem quam concipiendo Carnem She might have been miserable notwithstanding she bore him as her Son had she not Believed in him as her Saviour therefore she sings my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour Obs 3. How she admires and magnifies God's peculiar favour towards her self in casting an eye upon her Poverty and lowly Condition that she a poor obscure Maid unknown to the World should be lookt upon
God heareth not Sinners that is such as love and delight in Sin such as are in a State of Sin and go on in a Course of Sin God will not hear such or answer the Prayers of such Indeed God sometimes hears a Sinners Prayers in Wrath and refuses to hear a Saints Prayers in Mercy But he never denies a Saints Prayers in wrath or hears a Sinners Prayers in mercy The Proposition laid down is an eternal Truth God heareth not Sinners that is so long as they purpose to continue sinners and go on in a Course of Sin and remain bold and presumptuous Sinners Learn hence That none that live in a Course of Sin can reasonably expect that God should hear them and give in an Answer of Prayer to them God heareth not Sinners But if any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth that is If a Man feareth God and worketh Righteousness him the Lord accepteth heareth and answereth Learn thence 1. That such as would be heard of God and accepted with him must be devout Worshippers of him 2. That it is not enough to prove Men Religious and Accepted with God that they are devout Worshippers of him unless they walk in Obedience to him and do his Will If any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth Observe 3. How the blind Man goes on to prove that Christ had a special Authority from God and an extraordinary Presence of God with him in what he did because he had done such a Work as was never done by Moses or by any of the Prophets or by any Person whatsoever since the Creation of the World From whence he wisely and well infers that Christ was a Person authorized by and sent of God Learn hence 1. That Christ having done that which was never done before namely to give Sight to one that was born blind was an Evidence of his Omnipotency 2. That this Act of Omnipotency proved him to be God Whatever Miracles the Prophets wrought they wrought them by Christ's Power but Christ wrought this and all other Miracles by his own Power 34 They answered and said unto him Thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us And they call him out 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out and when he had found him he said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God 36 He answered and said Who is he Lord that I might believe on hâ—m 37 And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee 38 And he said Lord I believe And he worshipped him Observe here 1. A special Instance of Pharisaical Pride they account this poor Man a vile Person whom Heaven had marked by his Native Blindess for some extraordinary Wickedness How prone are we to judge them the greatest Sinners whom we observe to be the greatest Sufferers Obs 2. From reviling they proceed to excommunicating They cast him out that is out of Communion with the Jewish Church Oh happy Man who having lost a Synagogue hast found Heaven Behold this blind Man and admire him for a resolute Confessor stoutly defending the Gracious Author of his Cure against the Cavils of the Pharisees and maintaining the Innocence and Honour of so blessed a Benefactor Obs 3. Our Saviour's Regard to this blind Man whom the Pharisees had set at naught and excommunicated He finds him out reveals himself more fully to him and directs him to believe in him Where observe That the Miracle which Christ had wrought upon the blind Man did not convert him and work Faith in him till Christ revealed himself unto him and enabled him to discern the Truth of what he revealed Learn thence That Miracles confirm Faith but Miracles alone cannot work Faith The blind Man had experienced a Miracle wrought upon him yet remains an Unbeliever till Christ said I am he Obs 4. How readily the Man receives the Lord Jesus Christ by Faith upon the forementioned Revelation of himself unto him He instantly said Lord I believe and in Testimony thereof worships him that is as God incarnate as God manifested in the Flesh Thence learn That true Knowledge of the Son of God will beget Faith in him and true Faith in him will be productive of Homage and Adoration of Obedience and Subjection to him He that knows Christ aright will believe and he that believes will worship and obey He said Lord I believe and he worshipped him 39 ¶ And Jesus said For judgment I am come into this world that they which see not might see and that they which see might be made blind In these words our Saviour declares not the Intentional design but the Accidental event of his coming into the World Namely 1. That those who were Blind might receive Sight 2. That those who presume they see and know more than others for their despising the Gospel and shutting their Eyes against the light of it should be left in darkness and by the just judgment of God be more and more blinded Those who shut their Eyes willfully against the clearest light and say they will not see it is just with God to close their Eyes judicially and say they shall not see 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words and said unto him Are we blind also 41 Jesus said unto them If ye were blind ye should have no sin but now ye say We see therefore your sin remaineth Observe here 1. How the Pharisees who watched all opportunities to insnare our Saviour look upon these last words as reflecting upon them as if Christ did insinuate that they were blind Are we blind also They that shut their Eyes and will not see the light which Christ offers to them are the worst of blind ones Observe 2. Our Saviour's Reply to the Pharisees Question If ye were Blind that is simply ignorant of your Duty and without the means of Knowledge and Instruction you should have no sin that is comparatively to what you now have you should not have had so much sin and guilt upon you as now you have by shutting your Eyes against the Light But now you say we see that is being puft up with the Knowledge which you have as if you were the only Men that saw this proud conceit of yours renders your condition incurable and your sin remaineth unpardonable Learn hence 1. That it is a far greater sin to contemn the known Laws of God than to be Ignorant of them Pride is a greater hinderance of Knowledge than Ignorance because the proud Man thinks he wants no Knowledge 2. That the most exalted Knowledge is insufficient to Salvation without a suitable and correspondent practice The Pharisees had the Key of Knowledge at their Girdle yet our Saviour tells them of a double Damnation Lord How sad is it so to know Christ in this World as that he will be ashamed to know us in another World CHAP.
Work he will furnish them with Endowments answerable to their vast Employment And the best Furniture they can have is the Holy Spirit in his Gifts and Qualifications suitable to their Work He breathed on them and said Receive ye the Holy Ghost Observe 4. How Christ asserts their Authority in the discharge of their Commission and declares that what they act Ministerially according to their Commission here on Earth is ratified in Heaven Whose Sins ye remit they are remitted Where Note That there is a twofold Power of remitting or forgiving Sins the one Magisterial and Authoritative this belongs to Christ alone The other Ministerial and Declarative this belongs to Christ's Ambassadors who have a Power in his Name to bind and loose It is a pious Note of St. Austin upon this Place That Christ first conferr'd the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles and then said Whose Sins ye remit they are remitted Thereby intimating that it is not they but the Holy Ghost by them that puts away Sin For who can forgive Sin but God only The Power of forgiving Sin that Man hath is only to declare That if Men be truly and really Penitent their Sins are forgiven them for the sake of Christ's satisfaction 24 ¶ But Thomas one of the twelve called Didymus was not with them when Jesus came 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe What the cause of Thomas his absence was is not declared it is evident that he was not with the rest of the Disciples when Christ appeared to them and his absence had like to have cost him dear even the loss of his Faith and he might have had cause for ever to have bewailed his absence from that Meeting of the Disciples had not Christ been more merciful Learn thence That the letting slip of one holy Opportunity may prove exceedingly prejudicial to the Souls Advantage It is wise and safe to lay hold upon every Opportunity for injoying Communion with God and Fellowship with his Saints Thomas his absence deprived him not only of the good News which Mary brought of Christ's being risen but also of the sight of him which the other Disciples got by assembling together and for want thereof Thomas is left under many Doubts and Fears Observe farther What a strange Declaration Thomas makes of his obstinate Unbelief Except I see the print of the nails and put my finger into his side I will not believe Where Note How strangely rooted Unbelief is in the Hearts of holy Men insomuch that they desire the Objects of Faith should fall under the view of their Senses Thomas carries his Faith at his Fingers ends he will believe no more than he can see or feel whereas Faith is the Evidence of things not seen 26 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said Peace be unto you 27 Then saith he to Thomas Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing Observe here First Our Saviour's appearing again to his Disciples after his Resurrection it was eight days after he first arose which was the first day of the Week Here Note That Christ's rising the first day of the Week and appearing on the next First-day of the Week after to the Disciples and they observing that Day for their solemn Assemblies and St. Paul administring on that Day the Lord's Supper Acts 20. and commanding on that Day Collections for the Poor 1 Cor. 16. and St. John calling it the Lord's-Day Rev. 1.10 From these Authorities and the Primitive Practice we derive our Christian Sabbath For we do not find in all the Scripture one Instance of any one Congregation of Christians only assembling upon the Jewish Sabbath but on the First Day of the Week on which we ground our Observation of that Day Observe 2. The wonderful Condescension of Christ to the weakness of Thomas his Faith he bids him reach forth his hand and thrust it into his side Not that Christ was pleased with but only pitiful towards Thomas his Infirmities and it ought to be no encouragement to any Person to follow his Example in seeking or expecting the like Signs of their own prescribing for helping of their Faith Observe 3. How mercifully Christ over-ruled Thomas his Unbelief for the Confirmation of our Faith His Doubting proved a means for establishing his own and our Faith Therefore says Gregory well Plus mihi profuit dubitatio Thomae quam credulitas Mariae Had not Thomas doubted we had not been so fully assured that it was the same Christ that was crucified who rose again 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him My Lord and my God These Words may be considered two ways 1. As an abrupt Speech importing a vehement Admiration of Christ's Mercy towards him and of his own Stupidity and Dulness to believe Learn hence That the convincing Condescension of Christ turns Unbelief into a Rapture of holy Admiration and humble Adoration 2. This Expression of Thomas My Lord and my God contains a short but absolute Confession of Faith Thomas rightly collects from his Resurrection that he was Lord God blessed for evermore the true Messias the expected Redeemer and accordingly with an explicite Faith he now professes his Interest in him saying My Lord and my God 29 Jesus saith unto him Thomas because thou hast seen me thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed Here we have Christ's Reprehension of Thomas for not believing without such sensible Evidence as he desired He believed now that Christ was risen from the Dead but it was upon the Testimony of his Senses only Therefore Christ tells him that his Faith would have been more excellent and more eminently rewardable if he had believed without such demonstrative Evidence Faith is the Evidence of things not seen Therefore to give Credit to a thing upon the Evidence of Sense is not properly believing Observe farther How Christ pronounces them Blessed who should hereafter believe on him through the preaching of the Gospel though they did not see him as Thomas did nor handle him as he might This is a sure Rule that by how much our Faith stands in less need of the external Evidence of Sense the stronger our Faith is and the more acceptable it is provided what we believe be revealed in the Word of God Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed 30 ¶ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book 31 But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the
EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON The Four Holy Evangelists VIZ. S T. Matthew S T. Mark S T. Luke S T. John WHEREIN The Sacred TEXT is at large Recited the Sence Explained Doubts Resolved Controversies Declined References Avoided Seeming Contradictions Reconciled And the Instructive Example of the Holy JESUS to our Imitation Recommended Designed for the Instruction of Private Families and particularly put into the Hands of Family-Governours in Dedham for the Improvement of Themselves and their Houshold in Knowledge Faith and Holiness BY WILLIAM BURKITT M. A. Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham in Essex LONDON Printed by R.J. for T. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside J. Robinson at the Golden Lion and J. Wyat at the Rose in S. Paul's Church-yard M.DCC. To the Right Honourable CHARLES Lord Fitzwalter My Lord THE Sacred Pages inform us of a Son that was Nourished up in the Words of Faith by his Grandmother Lois and his Mother Eunice The like Pious Care has been taken for Your Lordship 's Religious Education by one of the Wisest of Women and the Best of Mothers that the Age has afforded And that Your Lordship's Improvement in Knowledge and Sincere Piety may Answer the Prayers the Tears the Endeavours of such an Endearing Parent who preferrs Your Lordship's Happiness abundantly before her Own I take Leave to put a Part of the Inspired Writings into Your Lordship's Hand with an Endeavour of Mine to Render the Reading of them both Profitable and Delightful to Your Lordship Whilst Others consume their Precious Hours in Plays and Romances and such-like Corrupting and Effeminating Trash which the Superfoetation of the Stage furnishes the Nation with to the Scandal of Our Holy Religion and the Grief of all Good Men Debasing the Minds and Debauching the Manners of so many amongst us That Your Lordship and Others of Your Noble Order with you may Taste such Incomparable Delight and Sweetness in and Experience such Invaluable Benefit and Advantage by Reading the History of Your Blessed Redeemer's Life and Actions and may thereby be Transformed into His Holy Likeness here on Earth and spend an Eternity in the Rapturous Contemplation and Ravishing Fruition of Him in Heaven is the Fervent Prayer of My Lord Your Honour 's Faithfully Devoted Servant and Chaplain W. Burkitt To Family-Governours particularly those of my Charge AS Religion did always consist in an Imitation of God and in a Resemblance of those Excellencies which shine forth in the Best and most Perfect Being so we may Imitate Him now with much more Ease and greater Advantage since His Son was manifest in our Flesh and dwelt among us For He was pleased to become Man on purpose to shew us how we might become like to God by a Daily Imitation of His Holiness And it is most certain that God Our Father will never own any of us for His Children unless He sees upon us the Air and Features the Impresses and Resemblance of Christ Our Elder Brother This Consideration has induced me to set the Example of the Holy Jesus before my self and you in these Plain Practical Notes upon the Holy Evangelists which contain Remarks upon the History of our Saviour's Life Doctrine and Miracles and of His Death Resurrection and Ascension To the Intent that the Temper of our Minds and the Actions of our Lives may be a lively Transcript of the Mind and Life of our Blessed Redeemer That we may Admire and Imitate His unspotted Purity His Condescending Humility His Fervent Charity His Patience under Sufferings and Reproaches His Readiness to Forgive Injuries and His entire Resignation to the Divine Will in all Conditions of Life whatsoever That so following our Lord and Master in all the Steps of an Imitable Vertue and setting His Example continually before us we may be Daily Correcting and Reforming of our Lives by that Glorious Pattern for without present Likeness to Him we have no Grounds to hope that we shall hereafter Live with Him A true Compassion to your Souls and a fervent Desire to farther their Salvation from the Press as well as from the Pulpit has put me upon Redeeming Time for this Work I must acknowledge my constant Preaching thrice a Week unto you besides Occasionals and Visiting as often a populous and scattering Parish from House to House amongst you which I have always accounted a most Important Part of my Duty would allow me but little too little Time for such a Work as This which I heartily wish had fallen upon the Shoulder of one that had more Leisure and Greater Abilities for it But thus much I can truly say that earnestly Imploring Divine Assistance I have done what I could my Work has been my Recreation and the Lord accept it and succeed it And I have this Observation to Ground my Hope of Acceptance and Success upon that Almighty God has in all Ages rendered those Labours of his Servants how mean soever in themselves most Acceptable and Useful which have been employed in the profitable Explication of any part of the Holy Scriptures As if He who Imprinted such a Majesty upon the Text delighted also to Reflect an Honour upon the Interpreters thereof My Design in preparing and giving these Notes into your Hands is to Oblige you to Read a part of the Holy Scriptures in your Families every Day and to invite you thereunto the Sacred Text is here at large Recited Controversies Declined and References Avoided I have chosen to Transcribe and Write over again upon another Evangelist what was observed in a Former rather than give you the Trouble of looking back upon what is written elsewhere And I do most Affectionately Request you not to suffer the Holy Word of God which is in all your Hands to lye by you as a Neglected Book but daily to Read it in and to your Families with a Simplicity of Mind to be Directed and Instructed by it All the Return I desire from you for this my Labour of Love is your living in a daily Imitation of that Grand Pattern of Holiness and Obedience which is here set before you and in every Page Recommended to you and that we may continue to strive together in our Prayers one with and one for another for that Grace which may enable us to the Faithful Discharge of our Respective Duties towards God towards each other and all Mankind And that the Happy Unity and Unanimity which has hitherto been amongst us may continue and encrease still with us to the Glory of God the Honour of our Holy Religion the present Benefit and Comfort and the Eternal Joy and Rejoycing both of Minister and People in the Day of the Lord Jesus Which as it is the fervent Prayer so it shall be the constant Endeavour of your Unworthy Minister whose Highest Ambition it is to serve you in the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel whilst I am Dedham 1700. W. Burkitt EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel
poor Woman came to Christ trembling but went away triumphing Christ bids her Be of good Comfort her Faith had made her whole 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise 24 He said unto them Give place for the maid is not dead but sleepeth And they laughed him to scorn 25 But when the people were put forth he went in and took her by the hand and the maid arose 26 And the same hereof went abroad into all that land Our Saviour being come to the Ruler's House finds the People very busily preparing for the Interrment of the dead Corps with Musick and other Solemnities This Custom of having Musick at Funerals came from the Heathens no mention is made thereof in the Old Testament we read of tearing the Flesh shaving the Head eating the Bread of Mourners also of Funeral-Songs but these were only sung with the Voice but Instruments of Musick at Funerals came from the Pagans Weeping and Lamentation are the most proper Funeral-Musick then nothing sounds so well as a Sigh nor is any thing so much in season as a Tear Yet are all Demonstrations of immoderate and excessive Mourning both hurtful to the Living and dishonourable to the Dead nor is it an Argument of more Love but an Evidence of less Grace Observe next In what sence our Saviour affirms that the Damsel was not dead Mortua est vobis mihi Dormit says St. Jerom She is Dead to you but Asleep to me I can as easily raise her from Death as you can awake her out of Sleep Her Soul was separated from her Body but not yet fixt in its Eternal Mansion Souls departed are under the Conduct of Angels good or bad to their several Places of Bliss or Misery Probably the Soul of this Damsel was under the Guard of Angels near her dead Body waiting the Pleasure of Christ in reference to it either to restore it again to the Body or to translate it to its Eternal Mansion 27 And when Jesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou Son of David have mercy on us 28 And when he was come into the house the blind men came to him and Jesus saith unto them Believe ye that I am able to do this they said unto him Yea Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes saying According to your faith be it unto you 30 And their eyes were opened and Jesus straitly charged them saying See that no man know it 31 But they when they were departed spread abroad his fame in all that country The Ruler and others who came to Christ for Cure and Healing believed him to be a Man unto whom Almighty God had Communicated Divine Power But it is observable that these poor Blind Men did believe him to be the Messias by their calling him the Son of David and according to their Faith so was their Success their Faith capacitated them for a Cure But why did our Lord enjoyn the Blind Men Silence and straitly charge them to tell no Man of the Cure Herein the great Modesty and Humility of Christ appeared in avoiding all Ostentation and Commendation as also a due Care of his own Safety lest the publishing of his Miracles should create him untimely Danger from the Pharisees 32 As they went out behold they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil 33 And when the devil was cast out the dumb spake and the multitudes marvelled saying It was never so seen in Israel Still our Lord goes about doing Good before he Healed the Diseased here he Helps the Possessed Learn 1. That amongst the many Calamities which Sin has rendred Human Nature liable and obnoxious to this is one to be Bodily Possest by Satan This Man's Dumbness was caused by the Devil's Possession Learn 2. That one Demonstration of Christ's Divine Power and a convictive Evidence of his being truly and really God was his Casting our Devils by the Word of his Power 34 But the Pharisees said He casteth out the devils through the prince of the devils See here the dreadful and sad Effects of Blindness Obstinacy and Malice the Pharisees charge Christ with making a Contract with the Devil affirming that he derived his Power from him But how unlikely was this that Satan should lend our Saviour a Power against himself and for the Destruction of his own Kingdom Oh how dangerous is a wilful and obstinate Opposition of the Truth It provokes God to deliver a Person up to final Obduracy 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every sickness and every disease among the people 36 But when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd Observe here 1. Our Saviour's great Work and Business in this World it was doing Good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men the most pleasant and delightful the most happy and glorious Work that a Person can be imployed about 2. His unwearied Diligence and Industry in this great and good Work He went about all the Cities and Villages Preaching the Gospel and Healing Diseases he travelled from Place to Place to seek Occasions and to lay hold upon all Opportunities of being Useful and Beneficial to Mankind Obs 3. The particular Instance of our Lord's Goodness and Compassion towards the People in those Cities and Villages where he Travelled they wanted the Preaching of the Gospel that is Faithful Dispensers of it For tho' they had the Scribes and Pharisees to Teach them they Instructing them rather in their own Traditions than in the Simplicity of the Gospel Christ pities the People as Sheep without a Shepherd Thence Learn That idle and lazy unskilful and unfaithful Labourers in Christ's Harvest are no Labourers in his Account They were as Sheep having no Shepherd 37 Then saith he unto his disciples The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest Note here 1. That God's Church is an Harvest-Field 2. That the Ministers of God are Labourers in his Harvest under GOD the Lord of the Harvest 3. That to God alone doth it belong to send forth Labourers into his Harvest and none must thrust themselves in till God sends them forth 4. That the Number of Faithful Labourers in God's Harvest is always comparatively small and few 5. That it is the Church's Duty to pray and that earnestly and incessantly to the Lord of the Harvest to increase the Number of Faithful Labourers and to send forth more Labourers into his Harvest CHAP. X. This Chapter acquaints us with the First Commission which our Saviour gave his Disciples to Preach the Gospel He directs them First Whither to go and to whom to Preach namely to the Jews whom he calls The lost
While the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them 42 Saying What think ye of Christ whose Son is he They say unto him The Son of David 43 He saith unto them How then doth David in spirit call him Lord saying 44 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool 45 If David then call him Lord how is he his Son 46 And no man was able to answer him a word neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any mo questions The Pharisees had often put forth several Questions maliciously unto Christ and now Christ puts forth one Question innocently unto them Namely What they thought of the Messiah whom they expected They reply that he was to be the Son of David a Secular Prince descending from David that should deliver them from the Power of the Romans and restore them to their Civil Rights This was the Notion they had of the Messiah that he should be a Man the Son of David and nothing more Our Saviour replies Whence is it then that David calls the Messiah Lord Psal 110. v. 1. The Lord said unto my Lord How could he be both David's Lord and David's Son No Son is Lord to his Father therefore if Christ were David's Soveraign he must be more than Man more than David's Son As Man so he was David's Son as God-man so he was David's Lord. Note hence 1. That altho' Christ was truly and really Man yet he was more than a bare Man He was Lord unto and was the Salvation of his own Forefathers Note 2. That the only way to reconcile the Scriptures which speak concerning Christ is to believe and acknowledge him to be God and Man in one Person The Messiah as Man was to come forth out of David's Loins but as God-Man he was David's Soveraign and Saviour As Man he was his Father's Son as God he was Lord to his own Father CHAP. XXIII 1 THen spake Jesus to the multitude and to his disciples 2 Saying The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not The Scribes and Pharisees so often mentioned in the Gospels were the great Doctors and Spiritual Guides amongst the Jews Scribe is the Name of an Office Pharisee the Name of a Sect. They were both Learned in the Law and Teachers of the Law of Moses Our Blessed Saviour in the former part of this Gospel held many Conferences with these Men and used the most perswasive Arguments to convince them both of their Errors and Wickedness But their Obstinacy and Malice being such that neither our Saviour's Ministry nor Miracles would convince them hereupon our Lord denounces in this Chapter Eight several Woes against them But first he charitably warns his Disciples and the Multitude against the Pernicious Practices of this sort of Men saying The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses Seat that is they teach and expound the Law of Moses which they were wont to do sitting Whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do That is what they teach you consonant to the Word of God and agreeable to the Writings of Moses and the Prophets If they go not out of Moses Chair into their own unwritten Traditions follow their Doctrine and obey their Precepts But do not after their Works follow not their Example take heed of their Pride and Hypocrisie of their Ambition and Vain-Glory Obey their Doctrine wherein it is sound but follow not their Example wherein it is corrupt Learn 1. That the Personal Miscarriages of Ministers must by no Means beget a Disesteem of their Office and Ministry Charity must teach us to distinguish betwixt the Calling and the Crime 2. That the infallible Truths of God recommended to us by a vicious Teacher ought to be entertained and obeyed by us without either Scruple or Prejudice What the Pharisees themselves says Christ bid you observe that observe and do 3. That no People are obliged to follow their Teacher's Pattern and Example any farther than it is agreeable to Scripture-Rule and conformable to Christ's Example Do not after their Works who say and do not 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be born and lay them on men's shoulders but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers These heavy Burthens which the Pharisees laid upon the Peoples Shoulders were Counsels and Directions Rules and Canons Austerities and Severities which the Pharisees introduced and imposed upon their Hearers but would not undergo the least part of those Severities themselves If we do not follow our own Counsels we must not think to oblige our People to follow them No Man ought to press upon others what he is unwilling to perform himself It is very sinful to give that Counsel to others which we refuse to take our selves 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues 7 And greetings in the markets and to be called of men Rabbi Rabbi In these Words our Blessed Saviour admonishes his Disciples and the Multitude to take heed of imitating the Pharisees in their Ostentation and Hypocrisie in their Ambition and Vain-Glory and he instances in Three Particulars wherein they express'd it 1. All their Works says Christ they do to be seen of Men. To do good Works that Men may see them is a Duty but to do all or any of our Works to be seen of Men is Hypocrisie 2. They make broad their Phylacteries and enlarge the Borders of their Garments These Phylacteries were certain Scrowls and Labels of Parchment in which were written the Ten Commandments and some Sections of the Law these they tied to their Foreheads and pinn'd upon their left Sleeve that the Law of God might be continually before their Eyes and perpetually in their Remembrance This Ceremony they judged God prescribed them Deut. 6.8 Thou shalt bind them for a Sign upon thine Hand and they shall be as frontlets between thine Eyes By enlarging the Borders of their Garments our Saviour points at the Fringes and blue Ribbonds which the Jews did wear upon their Garments in Obedience to the Command Numb 15.37 38. As the Threads in those Fringes and Ribbonds close woven together did represent the Connexion Complication and inseparable Conjunction of God's Commandments among themselves so the wearing of these Fringes was to put them in Mind of the Laws of God that which way soever they turn'd their Eyes they might meet with some pious Admonition to keep the Law of God Now the vain-glorious Pharisees that they might be thought more mindful of the Law of God than other Men did make their Phylacteries broader and their Fringes thicker and longer than other Men. 3. They fondly affected
let us be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the Breadth and Length Depth and Heighth and let us know the Love of Christ which in suffering for us passeth Knowledge So infinite every way were the Dimensions of it 37 And set up over his head his accusation written THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS It was the manner of the Romans when they crucified any Man to publish the Cause of his Death in Capital Letters placed over the Head of the Person Now see how the Wisdom and Providence of God powerfully over-ruled the Heart and Pen of Pilate to draw this Title which was truly honourable and fix it to his Cross Pilate is Christ's Herald and proclaims him King of the Jews Learn hence That the Regal Dignity of Christ was proclaimed by an Enemy and that in a time of his greatest Sufferings and Reproaches Pilate did Christ a special Honour and an eminent piece of Service he did that for Christ which none of his own Disciples durst do but he did it not designedly for his Glory but from the special over-ruling Power of Divine Providence But the highest Services performed to Christ undesignedly shall never be accepted nor rewarded by God 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him one on the right hand and another on the left 39 And they that passed by reviled him wagging their heads 40 And saying Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days save thy self if thou be the Son of God come down from the cross 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him with the scribes and elders said 42 He saved others himself he cannot save if he be the king of Israel let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him 43 He trusted in God let him deliver him now if he will have him for he said I am the Son of God 44 The thieves also which were crucified with him cast the same in his teeth Here we have several Aggravations of our Lord's Sufferings upon the Ctoss 1. From the Company he suffer'd with Two Thieves It had been Disparagement enough to our Blessed Saviour to have been sorted with the Best of Men but to be numbered with the Scum of Mankind is such an Indignity as confounds our Thoughts This was intended by the Jews to dishonour him the more and to perswade the World that he was the greatest of Offenders but God over-ruled this that the Scripture might be fulfilled He was numbered with the Transgressors 2. Another Aggravation of our Lord's Sufferings on the Cross was the Scorn and mocking Derision which he met with in his dying Moments from the common People from the chief Priests and from the Thieves that suffer'd with him The common People both in Words and Actions expressed Scorn and Detestation against him They reviled him wagging their Heads The chief Priests tho' Men of Age and Gravity not only barbarously mock him in his extreamest Misery whom Humanity obliged them to Pity but they scoff Atheistically and Prophanely jeering at his Faith and Affiance in God tauntingly saying He trusted in God that he would deliver him now let him deliver him if he will have him Where Observe That Persecutors are generally Atheists tho' they make a Profession of Religion The chief Priests and Elders here tho' learned and knowing Men yet they blaspheme God and mock at his Power deride his Providence which was as bad as to deny his Being Hence we may gather that those who administer to God in Holy Things by way of Office if they be not the best they are the worst of Men. No such bitter Enemies to the Power of Godliness as the Ministers of Religion who were never acquainted with the Efficacy and Power of it in their own Hearts and Lives A Third Aggravation of our Lord's Sufferings on the Cross was That the Thief 's that suffered with him reviled him with the rest That is one of them as St. Luke has it or perhaps both of them might do it at first Which if so encreases the Wonder of the penitent Thieves Conversion From the Thief 's Impenitency we Learn That neither Shame nor Pain will change the Mind of a resolute Sinner but even then when he is in the very Suburbs of Hell will he blaspheme 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli Eli Lamasabachthani that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 47 Some of them that stood there when they heard that said This man calleth for Elias 48 And straightway one of them run and took a spunge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink 49 The rest said Let be let us see whether Elias will come to save him 50 Jesus when he had cried again with a loud voice yeilded up the ghost Observe here 1. How the Rays of Christ's Divinity and the Glory of his Godhead breaks out and shines forth in the midst of that Infirmity which his Humane Nature laboured under He shews himself to be the God of Nature by altering the Course of Nature The Sun is eclipsed and Darkness overspreads the Earth for Three Hours namely from Twelve a Clock to Three Thus the Sun in the Firmament becomes close Mourner at our Lord's Death and the whole Frame of Nature puts it self into a Funeral Habit. Obs 2. That the Soul of Christ's Sufferings consisted in the Sufferings of his Soul the Distress of his Spirit was more intolerable than the Torments of his Body as appears by his mournful Complaint My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Being the first Words of the 22d Psalm and some conceive that he repeated that whole Psalm it being an admirable Narrative of the Dolours of his Passion Learn hence That the Lord Jesus Christ when suffering for our Sins was really deserted for a Time and left destitute of all sensible Consolation Why hast thou forsaken me Learn farther That under this Desertion Christ despaired not but still retain'd a firm Perswasion of God's Love unto him and experienced necessary Supports from him My God my God These are Words of Faith and Affiance striving under Temptation Christ was thus forsaken for us that we might never be forsaken by God yet by God's forsaking of Christ is not to be understood any Abatement of Divine Love but only a Withdrawing from the Humane Nature the Sense of hiâ— Love and a letting out upon his Soul a deep afflicting Sense of his Displeasure against Sin There is a total and eternal Desertion by which God utterly forsakes a Man both as to Grace and Glory being wholly cast out of God's Presence and adjudged to Eternal Torments this was not compatible to Christ nor agreeable to the Dignity of his Person But these is a Partial and Temporary Desertion when God for a little Moment hides his
That so far ought the Ministers of Christ to be from affecting a Domination and Superiority of Power over their Fellow Brethren that in imitation of Christ their Lord and Master they ought to account themselves Fellow-Servants I am among you as one that serveth 2. That such Ministers as do Love and Affect Preheminency and Superiority are most unfit for it and they deserve it best which seek it least 3. That the Dignity and Honour which the Ministers of Christ should chiefly and only affect is in another World and the way to be greatest and highest there is to be low and humble here mean in our own Eyes and little in our own esteem Whosoever is chief says Christ let him be your Servant 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations 29 And I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me 30 That ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Observe here What an Honourable Acknowledgment Christ makes of the Constancy of his Disciples Love and Affection towards him Ye are they that have continued with me in my Temptations that is in my Afflictions Tryals and Sufferings It is an easy matter to abide with Christ in days of Peace in times of Consolation but when we are under Afflictions Temptations and Troubles then to abide and keep close to Christ this is the proof of Love and Friendship And as Christ makes an honourable mention of their constancy towards him so he presently assures them of an honourable Reward I appoint unto you a Kingdom Learn hence That such as are Sharers with Christ in his Sufferings shall certainly Communicate with him in his Glory If we Suffer with him we shall Reign with him And whereas our Saviour promises his Apostles To sit upon Thrones with him judging the twelve Tribes of Israel we may gather That such Ministers as do most Service for Christ and forsake most to follow him and continue in Temptation and Tribulation with him shall in his Kingdom partake of most Honour and Dignity with him and from him You shall eat and drink in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel possibly the Apostles and all the Zealous Faithful and Laborious Ministers of Jesus Christ shall be nearer his Throne in Heaven than either Saints or Angels nearer than the Angels because by Christ's assuming the Humane Nature they are more nearly allyed to him he is their Friend but our Brother and nearer than other Saints as having done more eminent Service for Christ and brought more Honour and Glory to him by a Laborious Diligence in their Place and Station Dan. 12.3 They that turn many to Righteousness shall shine c. 31 And the Lord said Simon Simon Behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat 32 But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not and when thou art Converted strengthen thy Brethren Here I shall give 1. The general sense of the words 2. The particular Matters contained in them 3. The special Observations from them The Sense of the Words is this As for you my Disciples in general and for thee Peter in particular I must tell thee that Satan hath accused you all before God and desired that he may have the sifting of you all by his winnowing Winds of Temptation and Persecution that he may shake your Faith and weaken your Confidence But I have prayed for you all and particularly for thy self who art in greatest danger of falling because so confident of thine own Strength and Standing that thy Faith tho severely shaken may not utterly fail and when by Repentance thou art Recovered from thy Fall be careful to confirm and strengthen others that they fall not in like manner The particular matters contained in these words are three a Christians Danger a Christians Safety and a Christians Duty 1. a Christians Danger Satan hath desired to sift you Where Observe 1. The Person particularly warned of the Danger Simon Simon the Doubling of the Word doubtless carries a special intimation with it it denotes the greatness and nearness of Peter's Danger his own security and insensibleness of that danger and the great affection of Christ his Monitors to give him warning of his Danger Observe 2. The warning it self and that is of a Devilish Conspiracy against himself and all the Apostles Satan hath desired to have you to have you for his own if it might be to have you as Believers rather then other Men to have you as eminent Believers rather than other Christians and to have you as Apostles and Ministers rather than other eminent Believers And as Satan has desired to have you so to sift you too to winnow you as Wheat Here Note That Satan has his Winnowing Winds of Temptation and his Tempestuous Winds of Persecution for the sifting of God's Children Note further That it is the Wheat the good Corn that Satan Winnows not Chaff not Dross Sinners that are all Chaff and nothing but Dross Satan will not be at the pains to sift and winnow them But what is this Sifting Answer in sifting two things are performed 1. The agitation shaking and tossing of the Corn from side to side 2. The Separation of the Corn from the Chaff and Dust Satan intends the former GOD effects the latter Cribratione non perditur sed purgatur frumentum The Corn is improved not impaired by Winnowing The Saints of God shall be no losers in the end by Satans Temptations how many and strong soever they may be in the way Observe 2. The Christians Safety But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Where Note 1. The Care that Christ had of Peter and in him of all Believers I have prayed for thee for thee as a Believing Christian and for thee as a Tempted Christian and it is not said I will pray for thee but I have Prayed for thee Christ prayed for Peter before Peter understood that he had need of Christ's Prayer Christ Prayed for Peter as soon as ever Satan desired to sift Peter Our Intercessor is full as nimble and speedy in his Suit for us as Satan is in his Accusations against us he has desired but I have prayed he is a potent Assailant but thou hast a powerful Assistant Observe 2. The Subject Matter Prayed for That thy Faith fail not not that thy Faith be not assaulted not that thy Faith be not shaken but that thy Faith may not fail by an absolute and total deficiency The third Particular is the Christians Duty When thou art Converted strengthen thy Brethren When Converted that is when Recovered from thy Fall when Restored upon thy Repentance to the Divine Favour This Conversion is not from a State of Sin Peter was so Converted before but it was from an Act of Sin into which he should Lapse and Relapse Strengthen thy Brethren that
where dwellest thou 39 He saith unto them Come and see They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day for it was about the tenth hour 40 One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peters brother 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ 42 And he brought him to Jesus And when Jesus beheld him he said Thou art Simon the son of Jona thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone 43 ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee and findeth Philip and saith unto him Follow me 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida the city of Andrew and Peter This latter part of the Chapter acquaints t is with the calling of five Disciples not to the Apostleship for that was afterwards nor yet simply by Conversion for some of them were John's Disciples already and believed in the Messiah to come but they are here called to own and acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the true and promised Messiah The Disciples here called were Andrew and Peter and Philip mean and obscure Persons poor Fisher-men not any of the learned Rabbies and Doctors among the Jews Hereby Christ shewed at once the Freeness of his Grace in passing by the knowing Men of the Age the Greatness of his Power who by such weak Instruments could effect such mighty Things and the Glory of his Wisdom in chusing such Instruments as should not carry away the Glory of the Work from him but cause the Intire Honour and Glory of all their great Successes to redound to Christ As Christ can do so he chuses to do great things by weak means knowing that the weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent For these Persons called now to be Disciples were afterwards sent forth by Christ as his Apostles to convert the World unto Christianity Observe farther The Order according to which the Disciples were called first Andrew then Peter which may make the Church of Rome ashamed of the Weakness of their Argument for Peter's Supremacy that he was first called whereas Andrew was before him and Peter was brought to Jesus by him Andrew findeth his own Brother Simon brought him to Jesus Such as have gotten any Knowledge of Christ themselves and are let into Acquaintance with him will be very diligent to invite and industrious to bring in others to him Peter being brought to Christ our Saviour names him Cephas which signifies a Stone a Rock to intimate to him his Duty to be firm and steady in the Christian Profession full of Courage and Constancy Thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone 45 Philip findeth Nathanael and saith unto him We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph 46 And Nathanael said unto him Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth Philip saith unto him Come and see 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and saith of him Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile The last Person mentioned in this Chapter who was called to own and embrace Christ for the Messiah is Nathanael Who this Nathanael was doth not certainly appear but it is evident he was a sincere good Man tho' prejudiced for the present against Christ because of the Place of his supposed Birth and Residence Nazareth Can any good thing come out of Nazareth That is can any worthy or excellent Person much less the promised and long expected Messias come out of such an obscure Place as Nazareth is Whereas Almighty God when ever he pleases can raise worthy Persons out of contemptible Places Observe farther How mercifully and meekly Christ passes over the Mistakes and Failings the Prepossessions and Prejudices of Nathanael but takes notice of and publickly proclaims his Sincerity Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile That is no Guile imputed no Guile concealed no prevailing Guile It being only true of Christ in a strict and absolute Sense that there was no Guile found in his Lips But in a qualified Sense it is true of Nathanael and every upright Man they are true Israelites like their Father Jacob plain Men Men of great sincerity and uprightness of Heart both in the sight of God and Man And whereas our Saviour speaks of him with a sort of Admiration Behold an Israelite in whom is no guile We learn That a Person of great Sincerity and Uprightness of Heart towards God and Man a true Nathanael an Israelite indeed is a rare and a worthy sight Behold an Israelite indeed Learn 2. That such as are indeed Nathanael's need not commend themselves Christ will be sure to do it for them Nathanael conceals his own worth Christ publishes and proclaims it and calls upon others to take notice of it Behold c. 48 Nathanael saith unto him Whence knowest thou me Jesus answered and said unto him Before that Philip called thee when thou wast under the fig-tree I saw thee 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel 50 Jesus answered and said unto him Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig-tree believest thou thou shalt see greater things then these Observe here How Nathanael wondereth that Christ should know him having as he thought never seen him Christ gives him to understand that by his All-seeing Eye he had seen him when he was not seen by him When thou wert under the fig-tree I saw thee Christ's All-seeing Eye is an infallible Proof of his Deity and Godhead Christ seeth us where ever we are and whatever we do tho' we see not him He seeth the sincerity of our Hearts and will own it and bear witness to it if we are upright in his sight Observe farther How Christ's Omnipresence and Omniscience convinces Nathanael that he was more than Man even the Messias God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person Rabbi thou art the Son of God Philip called Christ the Son of Joseph Nathanael calls him the Son of God Such as believe Christ's Omnisciency will never call in question his Divinity Observe Lastly How Christ encourages the Faith of this new Disciple Nathanael by promising him that he should enjoy farther helps and means for the Confirmation of his Faith than ever yet he had All that Christ said to him was only this That he saw him under the fig-tree before Philip called him How ready art thou Oh Lord to encourage the beginnings of Faith in the Hearts of thy People and to furnish them with farther means of Knowledge when they wisely improve what they have received Never wilt thou be wanting either in Means or Mercy to us if we be not wanting to thee and our selves 51 And he saith unto him Verily verily I say unto you Hereafter you shall see heaven
Crime but bids her Accusers look at home and examine their own Consciences whether they were not Guilty of the like or as great a Sin He doth not say Let her be stoned this had been against the course of his Mercy he doth not say Let her not be stoned this had been against the Law of Moses but he so Answers that both his Justice and his Mercy are intire she dismissed and they ashamed It is a false Zeal that is Eagle-eyed abroad and blind at home Such as are most wicked themselves are oftimes most ready and skilful to spie out the faults and failings of others We stand too near our selves to discern our own miscarriages The Eye that sees every thing sees not it self Observe 6. Tho' Christ abhorred the Sin yet he does not condemn the Sinner Hath no Man condemned thee Neither do I condemn thee says Christ This Christ said not to excuse the Woman or to connive at her offence but to shew that he declined the Office of a Civil Judge which was to pass Sentence on Criminals He therefore doth not say No Man ought to condemn thee but hath no Man condemned thee Christ doth not execute the Office of a Magistrate in judging her to Death but of a Minister in calling her to Repentance and Reformation How ought every one of us to keep within the bounds of our calling when our Saviour himself will not intrench upon the Office and Functions of others Observe Lastly Our Saviour's cautionary Direction to this Adulteress Go and sin no more Where Note Christ doth not say Go and commit Adultery no more but Go and sin no more It is not a partial Repentance or a turning away from this or that particular Sin that will denominate us true Penitents or intitle us to the pardoning Mercy of God but a leaving off all Sin of what kind soever Therefore says Christ Go and sin no more 12 ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him Thou bearest record of thy self thy record is not true 14 Jesus answered and said unto them Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go but ye cannot tell whence I come and whither I go 15 Ye judge after the flesh I judge no man 16 And yet if I judge my judgment is true for I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true 18 I am one that bear witness of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me 19 Then said they unto him Where is thy Father Jesus answered Ye neither know me nor my Father if ye had known me ye should have known my Father also 20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury as he taught in the temple and no man laid hands on him for his hour was not yet come Our Blessed Saviour having baffled the design which the Pharisees had upon him and shewed a Spirit of Divine Wisdom in delivering himself from that snare which they had laid for him He returns to instruct the People in the Treasury And here Note 1. He instructs them in the nature of his Office which was to inlighten all Men with the Knowledge of Divine Truth so that they should not walk in Darkness either of Sin or Error but be led to Eternal Life Learn hence That the great End and Errand of Christ's coming into the World it was to give Light unto poor Souls that sat in Darkness Observe 2. The Exception which the Pharisees made against our Saviour's Testimony of himself Thou bearest Record of thy self thy Record is not True Indeed such is the Corrupt Nature of Man which is prone to seek it self and hunt after vain Glory that it may render a person's Testimony of himself suspected but Christ being true God that cannot Lye and coming out of the Bosom of his Father as his Ambassador his Testimony of himself is above all Exception and ought to be credited without farther proof Observe 3. How Christ challenges his Enemies the Pharisees for judging carnally of him and according to the meanness of his outward appearance whereas he judged no Man That is First No Man as they judged according to outward shew or 2dly I judge no Man that is at present My proper work is not to Condemn any but to Teach all and my present Office is that of a Prophet not of a Judge My coming now is to Instruct and Save the World my next coming will be to Judge and Condemn it Observe 4. Christ declares that he is not alone in the Testimony given of himself but that the Father did also Testifie and bear Witness of him and that according to their own Law the Testimony of Two was always accounted and esteemed valid Now says Christ If so much weight be to be laid upon the Testimony of Two Men how much more forcibly should the Testimony of the Father and of him whom the Father hath sent satisfie you that what I say of my self is True Learn hence That the Father and the Son tho' one in Essence and Operation yet are distinct persons Secondly That these distinct persons did bear joint witness concerning Christ God the Father testified of him by a Voice from Heaven and Christ as God bare witness of himself as Man and as Mediatour Surely out of the mouth of Two such Witnesses the Truth of Christ's Divine Mission is sufficiently established 21 Then said Jesus again unto them I go my way and ye shall seek me and shall die in your sins whither I go ye cannot come 22 Then said the Jews Will he kill himself because he saith Whither I go ye cannot come 23 And he said unto them Ye are from beneath I am from above ye are of this world I am not of this world 24 I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins Observe here A dreadful Threatning denounced by Christ against the Obstinate and Unbelieving Jews ye shall die in your sins that is in the Guilt of your Sins under the Power and undergoing the punishment of your Sins Lord what a sad word is this ye shall die in your Sins Oh better it is a Thousand times to die in a Ditch for they that die in their Sins shall rise in their Sins and stand before Christ in their Sins such as lie down in Sin in the Grave shall have Sin lie down with them in Hell to all Eternity The Sins of Believers go to the Grave before them Sin dieth while they Live But the Sins of Unbelievers go to the Grave with them While they live they are dead in Sin and by Sin they fall into
and Benefits of it to them that are most unworthy and ill-deserving 2. To encourage the greatest Sinners to go unto Christ by Faith and seek to be ingrafted into him For as Christ by the Power of his Godhead did purifie our Nature from all the Pollution of his Ancestors so he can by the Power of his Grace and Spirit Sanctifie our Persons and Natures how foul and impure soever they either are or have been 3. Hereby our Lord gives us to understand That he came to Save the most Notorious Sinners as well as those whose Lives have been less Scandalous 4. This is recorded for the Support of such as are Illegitimate and Base-born how vile soever their Parent 's Sin has rendered them in the Eyes of Men 't is their own Sin only which exposes them to Contempt in the sight of God T is not Illegitimacy but Unregeneracy that makes us Objects of God's Wrath. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost This Espousal of Mary to Joseph was for the Safety of Christ and for the Credit and Reputation of the Virgin It was for our Saviour's Safety because being to fly into Egypt he has Joseph his reputed Father to take care of him and it was for the Virgin 's Reputation lest she should have been accounted unclean Learn hence What a special Regard Almighty God has to the Fame and Reputation of his Children he would have them free from the least Suspicion of Evil and Dishonesty Mary being espoused to an Husband frees her self from the Suspicion of Naughtiness and her Son from the Imputation of an Illegitimate Birth Observe farther The Miraculous Conception of the Holy Jesus the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Virgin and did miraculously cause her Conception without the help of an Human Father Thus Christ was the Son of God as well in his Human as in his Divine Nature He must needs be a perfectly Holy Person who was conceived purely by the Holy Spirit 's Operation 19 Then Joseph her husband being a just man and not willing to make her a publick example was minded to put her away privily That is being an holy Person he was unwilling to accompany with a defiled Woman and therefore minded to put her away but being kind and gentle he intended to put her away privily lest she should have been exposed and stoned to death Observe here How early our Dear Lord's Sufferings began he and his Mother are designed to be put away even when he was but an Embryo in the Womb. Observe farther From the great Clemency of Joseph toward the suspected Virgin That kind and merciful Men always presume the best and prosecute with gentleness especially where Life is concerned Meek Joseph doth resolve upon the milder course and chooses rather to put her away privily than publickly to expose her 20 But while he thought on these things behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying Joseph thou son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the holy Ghost Two things are here observable namely the Care that Almighty God takes 1. For Joseph's Satisfaction 2. For Vindicating the Virgin 's Reputation For Joseph's Satisfaction an Angel is dispatcht to give him assurance that the Virgin was not defiled by Man but overshadowed by the Holy Ghost Whence Note That Almighty God will certainly find out Ways and Means for his People's Satisfaction when they are willing and desirous above all things to come to the Knowledge and right Understanding of their Duty Observe 2. How the Angel clears the Virgin 's Innocency as well as satisfies Joseph's Doubtings by assuring that what was conceived in her was by the Holy Ghost Learn hence That God will in his own time clear the Innocency of such as suffer in their Name and Reputation for the sake of Christ tho' for the present they may ly under the Burden of Disgrace and Shame 21 And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Observe here 1. A Prediction of our Saviour's Birth the Virgin shall bring forth a Son 2. A Precept for the Imposition of his Name Thou shalt call his Name Jesus that is a Saviour 3. The Reason why that Name was given him because he should save a People not temporally as Joshuah did the Israelites from their Enemies but spiritually and eternally from their Sins not in their Sins but from them that is from the Guilt and Punishment from the Power and Dominion of them Obs 4. The peculiar Subjects of this Priviledge His People He shall save his People from their Sins Learn 1. That Sin is the Evil of Evils or that Sin considered in it self is incomparably the greatest and the worst of Evils 2. That the great End of Christ's coming into the World was to be a Saviour from this Evil. 3. That Christ's own People do want and stand in need of a Saviour as well as others if he does not save them from their Sins they must Die in and for their Sins as well as others 22 Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying 23 Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us Of all the Prophets of the Old Testament the Prophet Esay has the Honour to be first recited in the New Here the Evangelist quotes his Prophecy of Christ's Incarnation Behold a Virgin shall be with Child Learn thence That the great Mystery of our Saviour's wonderful Incarnation was tho' darkly revealed to the Church of God under the Old Testament Observe farther The Name given to our Saviour under the Old Testament Immanuel that is God with us God manifested in our Flesh God appearing in our Nature God reconciling Man to himself Oh Happy and Blessed Union of Two Natures in One Person Christ is God and Man united that God and Men may be reconciled 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him and took unto him his wife Joseph is no sooner assured that Mary is with Child by the Overshadowing Power of the Holy Ghost but he instantly obeys the Lord's Command and takes Mary to him without farther disputing or delaying Learn thence That a Gracious Person when once satisfied in God's Word of Command disputes no farther but instantly complies with the Will of God even in the most hazardous and difficult Duties 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son and he called his Name Jesus It is â—â—â—usly Believed tho' not positively in Scripture Asserted that the Virgin had no other Child but our Saviour it is a
to Worship him Obs 2. Herod calls him the young Child not the young King that Word was too big to come out of Herod's proud Mouth he could neither bear the Thing nor brook the Title Obs 3. How craftily Herod lays his Plot he desires the Wise Men to inquire thoroughly and to inform him privately To be Wise in doing Mischief is the worst Wisdom in the World 'T is not the Wisdom from above but from Hell beneath 9 When they had heard the king they departed and lo the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was 10 When they saw the star they rejoyced with exceeding great joy 11 And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts gold and frankincense and myrrh Observe here 1. How the Star which for some time disappeared now appears again to their farther Direction in finding Christ Teaching us That God will not be wanting to such as are on the Way to seek Christ but will renew Directions and Encouragements to them according as they stand in need none ever sincerely sought Christ but they certainly found him at the last Obs 2. That the Joy which arises in such a Soul as has found Christ is unutterable and unspeakable the Wise Men here Rejoyced with Joy with great Joy with exceeding great Joy Obs 3. The Wise Men having found this young King they bring Presents to him according to the manner of the Eastern Countries namely Gold Frankincense and Myrrh which were the principal Commodities of the East But the best Present we can make to Christ is our Selves he seeks not Ours but Us and rather desires what we are than what we have Yet the Providence of God was wonderfully seen in these Presents for hereby Provision was made for the Sustenance of Joseph and Mary and the Child Jesus in their Exile or Flight into Egypt which they were shortly to undergo 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod they departed into their own countrey another way God having warned the Wise Men in a Dream not to go back to Herod they return home another way But did these Wise Men play the Parts of Honest Men in that they returned not again to Herod Answ It appears not that they promised Herod to return tho' he expected it or if they did it was in consideration that Herod should Come and Worship Christ not Murther and Destroy him But if they promised him never so positively God Almighty gave them a Dispensation from that Promise by commanding them to return home another way Herod kept his Design against Christ close from the Wise Men but he could not conceal his Intentions from the infinitely Wise God he knew the Purposes of his Heart and by his Providence kept Christ out of his Hand There is no Wisdom nor Understanding nor Counsel against the Lord. 13 And when they were departed behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream saying Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and be thou there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him 14 When he arose he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt 15 And was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying Out of Egypt have I called my Son Obs here 1. How our Lord himself in a time of Persecution flies for Safety who was able a thousand ways to have preserv'd himself from Danger Teaching us That in times of Difficulty and Danger 't is neither unwarrantable nor unbecoming to preserve our Lives by flight surely 't is no Shame for us to fly when our Captain doth both practise it and command it also Christ by his own Example has sanctified that State of Life unto us and by his Command has made it lawful for us Obs 2. The Place which Christ flies unto for Safety and that is Egypt an unlikely Place considered in it self Who could expect Liberty in that House of Bondage But any Place is good if God sends us thither and Christ be in our company his Presence can make Egypt it self not only safe but delightful also Obs 3. How readily Joseph complies with the Divine Command instantly He arose and took the young Child and fled Teaching us That when our Direction is clear our Compliance should be speedy We cannot be too forward and expeditious in the Execution of Divine Commands Obs 4. Tho' Joseph at the Command of God flies presently from Herod's Rage yet he flies privately by Night and prudentially begins his Journey when least Notice should be taken of his Motion Teaching us That altho' we have never so many Promises of Safety and Deliverance yet we must not put God upâ—â— Working Miracles for our Preservation when it may be obtained in the Use of Means 16 Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men was exceeding wroth and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men Obs How Herod having play'd the Fox before he acts the Lion now his secret Policy not succeeding he breaks out into open and inhumane Cruelty Learn That when Fraud and Subtilty fail the Enemies of the Church they then fall to open Rage and barbarous Inhumanity Thus here these Holy Innocents fall as a Sacrifice to Herod's Rage and Die for Christ who came to Die for them and so were Martyrs in Deed tho' not in Will Some affirm that Herod did not spare his own Child then at Nurse in the Coasts of Bethlehem which made Augustus say He had rather be Herod's Hog than Herod's Child because the Jews did kill and eat no Swine's Flesh 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet saying 18 In Rama was there a voice heard lamentation and weeping and great mourning Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are not Observe here The loud and bitter Cry which the Mothers of Bethlehem make for the Death of their innocent Children which were barbarously slain by the Sword of Herod Here was Lamentation Weeping and great Mourning made by Rachel that is by the Women inhabiting in and about Bethlehem where Rachel's Sepulcher was for the Land about Bethlehem was called Rachel from her Sepulcher so famous in those Parts Rachel here is not the Name of a Person but of a Place Obs 2. The Cause and Reason of this Cry and bitter Lamentation the Mothers weep not because their Children are but because they are not they did not with some
by touching the Leper shew'd himself to be above the Law as GOD tho' subject to the Law as Man for by the Ceremonial Law the Leper was forbidden to be Toucht Hence Learn That Christ's curing the Leper by the Word of his Mouth and the Touch of his Hand shewed his Divine Power and proved himself to be truly and really GOD. Leprosie being called by the Jews the Finger of God a Disease of his sending and of his removing our Saviour therefore as a Proof of his being the Messias tells the Disciples of John That the Lepers were cleansed Matth. 11.5 and the Dead raised Which being put together intimates That the Cleansing of the Leper is as peculiar an Act of Divine Power as the Raising of the Dead and accordingly 2 King 5.7 said the King Am I a God that this Man sends to me to cure a Man of his Leprosie Obs 3. The Certainty and Suddeness of the Cure Immediately his Leprosie was cleansed Christ not only cured him without Means but without the ordinary Time required for such a Cure Thus Christ shewed both Power and Will to Cure him Miraculously who believed his Power but questioned his Willingness Observe 4. The Charge and Command given by Christ after the Cure 1. To tell it to no Man wherein the Modesty Humility and Piety of Christ is discovered together with the Care of his own Safety His Modesty in not desiring his Good Deeds should be proclaimed his Humility in shunning vain-glorious Applause and Commendation his Piety in desiring all the Praise Honour and Glory should redound intirely to God and his Câ—re of his own Safety lest the Publishing of this Miracle should create him untimely Danger from the Pharisees The Second Part of the Charge which Christ gave the recovered Leper was To shew himself to the Priest and offer the Gift which Moses commanded for a Testimony unto them That is as a Testimony to the Jews that he was the Messias and that he did not oppose the Ceremonial Law given by Moses Where Note That our Saviour would have the Ceremonial Law punctually Observed so long as the Time for its Continuance did endure tho' he came to destroy that Law yet whilst it stood he would have it observed 5 And when Jesus was entred into Capernaum there came unto him a centurion beseeching him 6 And saying Lord my servant lieth at home sick of the palsie grievously tormented 7 And Jesus saith unto him I will come and heal him 8 The centurion answered and said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed 9 For I am a man under authority having soldiers under me and I say to this man Go and he goeth and to another Come and he cometh and to my servant Do this and he doth it 10 When Jesus heard it he marvelled and said to them that followed Verily I say unto you I have not found so great faith no not in Israel The Second Miracle our Saviour works in this Chapter is the Healing of the Centurion's Servant Where Obs 1. The Person that applies to our Saviour for Help and Healing he was a Gentile an Heathen a Roman Soldier an Officer and Commander yet he believes in and relies upon the Power of Christ Note That such is the Freeness of Divine Grace that it extends it self to all Sorts and Ranks to all Orders and Degrees of Men without Exception Even the Bloody Trade of War yields worthy Clients to Christ He doth not so much regard who we are and whence we are as what we are and with what Dispositions and Inclinations we come unto him Observe 2. The Person whom the Centurion comes to Christ for not for Himself nor for his Son but for his Servant his Servant is sick he doth not drive him out of Doors nor stand gazing by his Bed-side but looks out for Help and Relief for him a Worthy Example Some Masters have not so much Regard to their sick Servants as they have for their Oxen or their Swine but he is not worthy of a good Servant that in a time of Sickness is not willing to serve his Servant A conceit of Superiority must beget in no Man a Neglect of Charitable Offices towards Inferiors Obs 3. Unto whom the Centurion seeks and with what Zeal and Application he seeks not to Wizards and Conjurers but to the Physician for his poor Servant yea to Christ the best Physician and this not with a formal Relation in his Mouth but with a vehement Aggravation of the Disease My Servant is grievously tormented Where the Master's Condolency and tender Sympathy with his afflicted Servant is both matter of Commendation and Imitation also Obs 4. The happy Mixture of Humility and Faith which was found in this Centurion he owns his Vnworthiness of having Christ come under his Roof yet acknowledges Christ's Power that by the speaking of a Word his Servant might be Healed by him Humility is both the Fruit of Faith and the Companion of Faith an humble Soul has an high Esteem of Christ and a low Esteem of himself Obs 5. How our Blessed Saviour exceeds both his Desires and his Expectations Christ says not only I will Heal him but I will Come and Heal him Wonderful Condescension In St. John ch 4. ver 47. we read of a certain Noble-man and Ruler that twice intreated our Saviour to come to his House and Heal his Son but our Lord refused and did not stir a Foot Here the Centurion doth but barely tell Christ of his poor Servant's Sickness and Christ both unask'd and undesired says I will come and Heal him Oh how far was Christ from seeming in the least to honour Riches and despise Poverty He that came in the Form of a Servant goes down and visits a sick Servant upon his poor Pallat-Bed that would not visit the rich Couch of the Ruler's Son How should we stoop to the lowest Offices of Love and Kindness to one another when Christ thus condescendingly abased Himself before us Obs 6. The Notice and Observation which our Saviour takes of the Centurion's Faith He wondred at it from him who had wrought it in him Christ wrought this Faith as God and wondred at it as Man What can be more Wonderful than to see CHRIST Wonder We do not find our Saviour wondring at Worldly Pomp and Greatness When the Disciples wondred at the Magnificence of the Temple Christ rather rebuked them than wondred with them But when he sees the gracious Acts of Faith he is ravished with Wonder Let it teach us to place our Admiration where Christ fixes his Let us be more affected with the least Measures of Grace in a Good Man than with all the Gaieties and Glory of a Great Man Let us not Envy the one but Admire the other 11 And I say unto you that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac
a contrary Effect this Miracle which Christ wrought had upon these People Instead of Believing on him for his Miraculous Cure of the Possessed the Loss of their Swine enrages them and makes them desire Christ to depart from them Temporal Losses are so great in Worldly Mens Estimation that Spiritual Advantages are nothing esteemed Carnal Hearts prefer their Swine before their Saviour and had rather lose Christ's Presence than their Worldly Profit Obs 2. How Unanimous and Importunate these Gadarens were to get rid of Christ the whole City came out and are not only willing with his Departure but they beseech him to depart out of their Coasts Learn hence That deplorably sad is the Condition of such from whom Christ departs more deplorably sad their State who say unto Christ depart but most deplorably sad is the Case of them that intreat and beseech Christ to depart from them Thus did these Gadarens and accordingly Christ took Ship and departed from them and we never read of his return more unto them CHAP. IX 1 AND he entred into a ship and passed over and came into his own city In the last Verse of the foregoing Chapter the Gadarens with one Consent desire CHRIST to depart out of their Coasts â—here we find our Saviour according to their desire departing from them into his own City which was Capernaum for Bethlehem brought him forth Nazareth brought him up and Capernaum was his Dwelling-place From their Desire of Christ's Departure and from Christ's departing according to their Desire we Learn That the Blessed Jesus will not long trouble that People with his Presence who are weary of his Company and desirous of his Departure 2 And behold they brought to him a man sick of the palsie lying on a bed and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsie Son be of good cheer thy sins be forgiven thee Observe 1. The Patient One sick of the Palsie which being a Resolution of the Nerves weakens the Joints and confines the Person to his Bed or Couch As a Demonstration of Christ's Divine Power he was pleased to single out some Incurable Diseases as the World accounts them to work a Cure upon as the Leprosie and Palsie 2. The Physician Jesus Christ he alone is that Wise Faithful and Compassionate Physician that can and doth Cure both Soul and Body Obs 3. The Moving or Impulsive Cause of this Cure Jesus seeing their Faith that is their firm Perswasion that he was cloathed with a Divine Power and able to help together with their Confidence in his Goodness that he was as willing as he was able and no sooner did they exercise their Faith in Believing but Christ did exert his Divine Power in Healing Obs 4. The marvelous Efficacy and Power of Faith it obtained not only what was desired but more than was expected they desired only the Healing of the Body but Jesus seeing their Faith Heals Body and Soul too saying Be of good cheer thy Sins are forgiven thee 3 And behold certain of the scribes said within themselves This man blasphemeth See here how the best of Men are sometimes charged with saying and doing the worst of things to Do well and Hear ill was the Portion of Christ himself and may be the Portion of the holiest of those that belong to Christ The Innocent Jesus was accused of Blasphemy of Sorcery and of the blackest Crimes Innocency it self can protect no Man from Slander and False Accusations 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts 5 For whether is easier to say Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins then saith he to the sick of the palsie Arise take up thy bed and go unto thine house Our Saviour here gives the Pharisees a Twofold Demonstration of his Godhead First By letting them understand that he knew their Thoughts for to search the Hearts and to know the Thoughts of the Children of Men is not in the Power either of Angels or Men but the Prerogative of God only Secondly By assuming to himself a Power to Forgive Sins the Son of Man hath Power to Forgive Sins Our Saviour here by Forgiving Sins in his own Name and by his own Authority doth give the World an undeniable Proof and convincing Evidence of his Godhead for Who can Forgive Sins but GOD only 7 And he arose and departed to his house 8 But when the multitude saw it they marvelled and glorified God which had given such power unto men Note here The Multitude marvelled but not believed they admire our Saviour for an Extraordinary Man but did not believe in him as the Son of God They praise God for giving such Power to Heal the Bodies of Men but not for sending his Son into the World to Save the Souls of Men. Learn hence That the sight of Christ's Miracles is not sufficient to work Faith in the Soul but requires the concurring Operation of the Holy Spirit the one may make us marvel the other must make us believe 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receit of custom and he saith unto him Follow me And he arose and followed him Obs here The Number of our Lord's Apostles not being filled up what a strange Election and Choice he makes Matthew a grinding Publican is the Man Learn Such is the Freeness of God's Grace that it chuses and such is the Efficacy of it that it over-powers and brings in the worst of Sinners unto God Matthew a Publican Zaccheus an Extortioner Manasseh a Murderer Paul a Persecutor all these are brought home to God by the Power of Converting Grace Obs 2. Matthew's ready Compliance with God's Call He arose and followed Christ When the Inward Call of the Spirit accompanies the Outward Call of the Word the Soul readily complies and presently yields Obedience to the Voice of God Christ oft-times speaks by his Word to our Ear and we hear not we stir not but when he speaks by his Spirit to our Hearts Satan shall not hold us down the World shall not keep us back but we shall arise and follow our Lord and Master 10 And it came to pass as Jesus sat at meat in the house behold many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples Observe here Christ invited Matthew to a Discipleship Matthew invites Christ to a Feast the Servant invites his Master a Sinner invites his Saviour We do not find where ever Christ was invited to any Table that he refused to go if a Pharisee if a Publican invited he constantly went not for the Pleasure of Eating but for the Opportunity of Conversing and doing Good Christ feasts us when we feast him From Matthew's Example Learn That new Converts are full of Affection towards Christ and very expressive of their Love unto him Such
without desiring to speak with thee 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him Who is my mother and who are my brethren 49 And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples and said Behold my mother and my brethren 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother Observe here 1. The Verity of Christ's Humane Nature he had Affinity and Consanguinity with Men Persons near in Blood to him called his Brethren that is his Cosin-Germans 2. That the Holy Virgin her self was not wholly free from Failings and Infirmities for here she does untimely and unseasonably interrupt our Saviour when Preaching to the People and imployed about his Father's Business 3. That Christ did not neglect his Holy Mother nor disregard his near Relations but shewed that he preferr'd his Father's Service before them 4. Learn How dear Believers are to Jesus Christ he preferrs his Spiritual Kindred before his Natural Alliance in Faith and Spiritual Relation to Christ is much nearer and dearer than Alliance by Blood To bear Christ in the Heart is much better than to bear him in the Womb. Blessed be God this greatest Priviledge is not denied to us even now Tho' see Christ we cannot yet love him we may his Bodily Presence cannot be enjoyed by us but his Spiritual Presence is not denied us Tho' Christ be not ours in House in Arms in Affinity in Consanguinity yet in Heart in Faith in Love and Service he is or may be Ours Verily Spiritual Regeneration brings Men into a more Honourable Relation to Christ than Natural Generation ever did Whosoever shall do the Will of my Father he is my Brother Sister and Mother CHAP. XIII 1 THE same day went Jesus out of the house and sat by the sea-side 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him so that he went into a ship and sat and the whole multitude stood on the shoar 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables saying The foregoing Chapter gave us an Account of an Awakening Sermon preached by our Saviour to the Pharisees In this Chapter we are acquainted with the Continuance of his Preaching to the Multitude Where three things are Observable 1. Our Lord's Assiduity and unwearied Diligence in Preaching of the Gospel for this Sermon was made the same Day with that in the former Chapter Vers 1. The same Day went Jesus out and sat by the Sea-side A good Pattern for the Preachers of the Gospel to follow How ashamed may we be to Preach Once a Week when our Lord Preacht Twice a Day Obs 2. The Place our Lord Preacht in a Ship not that he declined the Temple or the Synagogue when he had the Opportunity but in the want of them Christ thought an House a Mountain a Ship no unmeet Place to Preach in It is not the Place that Sanctifies the Ordinance but the Ordinance that Sanctifies the Place Obs 3. The Manner of our Lord 's Preaching it was by Parables and Similitudes Which was an Ancient Way of Instruction among the Jews and a very Convincing Way working upon Mens Minds Memories and Affections making the Mind attentive the Memory retentive and the Auditors inquisitive after the Interpretation of the Parable Some are of Opinion that our Saviour's Parables were suited to his Hearers Employments some of whom being Husbandmen he resembles his Doctrine to Seed sown in the Field For thus he speaks 3 Behold a sower went forth to sow 4 And when he sowed some seeds fell by the way-side and the fowls came and devoured them up 5 Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth 6 And when the sun was up they were scorched and because they had not root they withered away 7 And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choaked them 8 But other fell into good ground and brought forth fruit some an hundred fold some sixty fold some thirty fold 9 Who hath ears to hear let him hear The Scope of this Parable is to shew that there are Four several Sorts of Hearers of the Word but One Sort only that Hear to a Saving Advantage And to shew us the Cause of the different Success of the Word Preacht Here Observe 1. The Sower Christ and his Apostles he the prime and principal Sower they the secondary and subordinate Seedsmen Christ sows his own Field his Ministers sow his Field he sows his own Seed they sow his Seed Wo unto us if we sow our own Seed and not Christ's Obs 2. The Seed sown the Word of God Fabulous Legends and Unwritten Traditions which the Seeds-Men of the Church of Rome sow these are not Seed but Chaff or their own Seed not Christ's Our Lord's Field must be sown with his own Seed not with mixt Grain Learn 1. That the Word of God preacht is like Seed sown in the Furrows of the Field As Seed has a Fructifying Virtue in it by which it increases and brings forth more of it 's own kind so has the Word of God a Quickning Power to regenerate and make alive dead Souls Learn 2. That the Seed of the Word where it is most plentifully sown is not alike Fruitful As Seed doth not thrive in all Ground alike so neither doth the Word fructifie alike in the Hearts of Men There is a Difference both from the Nature of the Soil and from the Influence of the Spirit Learn 3. That the Cause of the Word's Unfruitfulness is very different and not the same in all In some 't is the Policy of Satan that Bird of Prey which follows God's Plough steals away the Precious Seed in others 't is a hard Heart of Unbelief in others the Cares of the World like Thorns choak the Word overgrow the Good Seed draw away the Moisture of the Earth and the Heart of the Soil and hinders the Influences of the Sun The far greater part of Hearers are fruitless and unprofitable Hearers Learn 4. That the best Ground doth not bring forth Fruit alike some good Ground brings forth more and some less Some thirty some sixty and some an hundred fold In like manner a Person may be a profitable Hearer of the Word altho' he doth not bring forth so great a Proportion of Fruit as others provided he brings forth as much as he can 10 And the disciples came and said unto him Why speakest thou unto them in parables 11 He answered and said unto them Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given Here we have the Disciples Question and our Saviour's Answer Their Question is Why speakest thou to the People in Parables which they do not understand They cannot see the Soul of thy Meaning thro' the Body of thy Parables Christ answers To you my Disciples and such as you are who love
the Truth and desire to obey it the Spirit gives you an Affective Operative and Experimental Knowledge not barely to know these things but to believe them and feel the Power of them in and upon your own Hearts But the Generality of Hearers do satisfie and content themselves with a bare Notional Knowledge of what they hear a Parable therefore is well enough for them Learn 1. That the Doctrines of the Gospel are Mysteries 2. That it is a matchless and unvaluable Priviledge practically and savingly to understand and know Gospel-Mysteries 3. That this Priviledge all are not Sharers in nor Partakers of but only those to whom it is given Vnto you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom but to them it is not given 12 For whosoever hath to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken away even that he hath That is whosoever improves the Measures of Grace received shall obtain farther Measures and Degrees of it But from him that doth not improve what he has already received shall be taken away that which to himself or others he seemeth to have his Common Gifts and Moral Endowments Learn That where there are Beginnings of True Grace and a right and wise Improvement of it God will make rich Additions of more Grace to the present Stock which we have received 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables because they seeing see not and hearing they hear not neither do they understand 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias which saith by hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand and seeing ye shall see and shall not perceive 15 For this peoples heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes they have closed lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them These Words of our Blessed Saviour as I conceive have a peculiar Reference and Relation to the Pharisees who attended upon Christ's Ministry not with an honest simplicity of Mind to be instructed by it but to carp and cavil at it Our Saviour tells them he had formerly spoken things very plainly and clearly to them and also wrought Miracles before them to convince them of the Divinity of his Person and of the Verity of his Doctrine But they would not believe either his Person or his Doctrine to be from God and therefore he would now speak to them in dark Parables that they may be Judicially Blinded they shut their Eyes against the clearest Light and said they would not see and now Christ closes their Eyes and says they shall not see Learn hence To acknowledge the Divine Justice which speaks darkly to them that despise the Light Such who see and yet see not they shall see the Shell but not the Kernel they shall hear the Parable but not understand the Spiritual Sence and Meaning of it When wilful Blindness of Mind is added to Natural Blindness it is a just and righteous thing with God to superadd Judicial Blindness and to give them Obstinacy of Heart His Curse unto them 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear 17 For verily I say unto you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them Here our Saviour pronounces such of his Disciples and Followers Blessed who received the Truths of the Gospel so far as they were already taught them he assures them that they shall receive farther Light and fuller Measures of Spiritual Illumination Blessed are your Eyes for they see Learn That such as have received the least Measures of Spiritual Knowledge and Saving Illumination and do improve it they are in an happy and blessed Condition for as they are capable of farther Measures of Divine Knowledge so shall they be Partakers of them 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart this is he which received seed by the way-side 20 But he that received the seed into stony places the same is he that heareth it and anon with joy receiveth it 21 Yet hath he not root in himself but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is offended 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choak the word and he becometh unfruitful 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word and understandeth it which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth some an hundred fold some sixty some thirty As if our Lord had said You my Disciples who are not satisfied with a Sound of Words I will explain to you the Sence and Signification of this Parable The Scope of which is to shew the different Effects which the Word of God has upon Mens Hearts and the Reason of that Difference The Seed is the Word the Sower is the Preacher the Soil is the Heart and Soul of Man Now our Saviour assures us that the Hearts of some Hearers are like Highway-Ground in which the Seed is not covered with the Harrow of Meditation others are like Stony-Ground in which the Word has no Root no Root in their Understandings Memories Conscience Will or Affections But They are offended either at the Depth and Profoundness of the Word or at the Sanctity and Strictness of it or at the Plainess and Simplicity of it Again some Hearers our Lord compares to Thorny-Ground Thorns are Covetous Desires which choak the good Seed shadow the Blade when sprung up keep off the Influences of the Sun and draw away the Fatness of the Soil from the Seed All these Effects have Thorns in and among the Seed And the like Effects have Worldly Affections and Covetous Desires in the Heart of Man rendring the Word unfruitful and unprofitable But the good Christian hears the Word attentively keeps it retentively believes it stedfastly applies it particularly practises it universally and brings forth Fruit with Patience and Perseverance Fruit that will redound to his Account in the Great Day of Account Learn 1. That no Hearers are in Christ's Account Good Hearers of the Word but such as bring forth the Fruits of an holy humble and peaceable Conversation 2. That a Person may be a good Hearer of the Word if he brings forth the best Fruit he can tho' it be not in so great a Proportion as others do As some Ground brings forth Thirty some Sixty and some an Hundred-fold In like manner do all the sincere Hearers of the Word they all
the head of the corner this is the Lord 's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder These Words are taken out of the 118th Psalm which the Jews understood to be a Prophecy of the Messiah and accordingly Christ applies them to himself The Church is the Building intended Christ himself the Stone rejected The Rejecters or the Builders Rejecting were the Heads of the Jewish Church that is the chief Priests and Pharisees God the great Master-Builder of his Church takes this precious Foundation Stone out of the Rubbish and sets it in the Head of the Corner Nevertheless there are some who stumble at this Stone Some thro' Ignorance others thro' Malice stumble at his Person at his Doctrine at his Institutions These shall be broken in pieces But on whomsoever this Stone shall fall it will grinde them to Powder That is Christ himself will fall as a burthensome Stone upon all those that knowingly and maliciously oppose him and particularly upon the Jews who not only rejected him but persecuted and destroyed him Thus Christ tells the chief Priests and Pharisees their own particular Doom and also declares what will be the fatal Issue of all that Opposition which is made against himself and his Church It will terminate in their inevitable and irreparable Destruction Whosoever shall fall on this Stone shall be broken and on whomsoever it shall fall it will grinde them to Powder 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables they perceived that he spake of them 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him they feared the multitude because they took him for a prophet When the chief Priests came to understand that these Parables were all applied to them that they were the Murtherers of the King's Son That they were the Builders that rejected the chief Corner-stone they are enraged at the close Application made to themselves and had not Fear restrain'd them would have laid violent Hands upon him Learn thence That nothing doth more provoke and exasperate unsound Hypocrites than the particular Application and close coming home of the Word of God unto their Hearts and Consciences So long as the Truths of God are generally delivered Sinners are easie looking upon themselves as unconcern'd but when the Word of God comes close to them and says Thou art the Man This is thy Wickedness They are angry at the Message and rage at the Messenger CHAP. XXII 1 AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables and said 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his Son 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding and they would not come 4 Again he sent forth other servants saying Tell them which are bidden Behold I have prepared my dinner my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the marriage 5 But they made light of it and went their ways one to his farm another to his merchandise 6 And the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them 7 But when the king heard thereof he was wroth and he sent forth his armies and destroyed those murderers and burnt up their city 8 Then saith he to his servants The wedding is ready but they which were bidden were not worthy 9 Go ye therefore into the high ways and as many as ye shall find bid to the marriage 10 So those servants went out into the high ways and gathered together all as many as they found both bad and good and the wedding was furnished with guests 11 And when the king came in to see the guests he saw there a man which had not a wedding garment 12 And he saith unto him Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment and he was speechless 13 Then said the king to the servants Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into utter darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth The Design and Scope of this Parable of the Marriage-Supper is to set forth that Gracious Offer of Mercy and Salvation which was made by God in and thro' the preaching of the Gospel to the Church of the Jews The Gospel is here compared to a Feast because in a Feast there is Plenty Variety and Dainties Also to a Marriage-Feast being full of Joy Delight and Pleasure And to a Marriage Feast made by a King as being full of State Magnificence and Grandeur To this Marriage-Feast or Gospel-Supper Almighty God invited the Church of the Jews and the Servants sent forth to invite them were the Prophets and Apostles in general and John the Baptist in particular whom they entreated spitefully and slew The making light of the Invitation signifies the Generality of the Jews Refusal and careless Contempt of the Offers of Grace in the Gospel By the Armies which God sent forth to destroy those Murderers are meant the Roman Soldiers who spoiled and laid waste the City of Jerusalem and were the severe Executioners of God's Wrath and Judgment upon the wicked Jews The High Ways signifie the despised Gentiles who upon the Jews Refusal were invited to this Supper and prevailed with to come in The King 's coming in to see his Guests denotes that Inspection which Christ makes into his Church in the times of the Gospel By that Man without the Wedding-Garment understand such as are destitute of true Grace and real Holiness both in Heart and Life in the Examination of him Christ says Friend how camest thou in hither Not Friends why came you along with him Teaching us That if unholy Persons will press in to the Lord's Supper the Sin is theirs but if we come not because they will come the Sin is ours The Presence of an unholy Person at the Lord's Table ought not to discourage us from our Duty or cause us to turn our Back upon that Ordinance The Command to bind the unqualified Person Hand and Foot and to cast him into utter Darkness plainly intimates that the Condition of such Persons as live under the Light and enjoy the Liberty of the Gospel but walk not answerably to their Profession is deplorably sad and doleful They do not only incur Damnation but no Damnation like it Bind him Hand and Foot and cast him into utter Darkness From the whole Note 1. That the Gospel for its Freeness and Fulness for its Varieties and Delicacies is like a Marriage-Supper 2. That Gospel Invitations are mightily disesteem'd 3. That the Preference which the World has in Men's Esteem is the great cause of the Gospel's Contempt They went one to his Farm and the other to his Merchandise 4. That such as are Careless in the Day of Grace shall undoubtedly be Speechless in the Day of Judgment 5. That Christ takes a more particular Notice
their Sepulchers 2. In professing great Respect to the dead Saints and at the same time persecuting the living Palpable Hypocrisie And yet as gross as it is it prevails to this Day The Church of Rome who magnifie Martyrs and canonize Saints departed have yet added to their numbers by shedding of their Blood 3. In taking false measures of their Love to the Saints departed from their building their Tombs and garnishing their Sepulchers whereas the best Evidence of our Love unto them is the imitating their Vertues and cherishing their Followers 'T is gross Hypocrisie to pay Respect to the Relicks of Saints and Veneration to their Images and at the same time to persecute and afflict their Followers Learn hence 1. That the World has all along loved dead Saints better than the living Mortui non mordent the dead Saint's Example how bright soever is not so scorching and troublesome at a distance and he himself no longer stands in other Men's Light whereas the living Saint's Example is a cutting Reproof to Sin and Vice Obs 2. That there is a certain Civility in Humane Nature which leads Men to a just Commendation of the Dead and to a due Estimation of their Worth The Pharisees here tho' they persecuted the Prophets whilst alive yet had they a mighty Veneration for their Piety and Vertue after they were dead and thought no Honour too great to be done unto them Note 3. That it is the grossest Hypocrisie to pretend to love Goodness and yet hate and persecute good Men. These Hypocritical Pharisees pretended high to Piety and Religion and at the same time killed the Prophets and stoned them that were sent unto them 4. That the highest Honour we can pay to the Saints departed is not by raising Monuments and building Tombs to their Memory but by a careful Imitation of their Piety and Virtue following the Holiness of their Lives and their Patience and Constancy at their Deaths 34 Wherefore behold I send unto you prophets and wise men and scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar 36 Verily I say unto you All these things shall come upon this generation Observe here A Prophetical Prediction and a severe Denunciation 1. A Prediction foretelling what cruel Usage the Apostles should meet with from the Jews Killing and Crucifying some Scourging and Stoning others which accordingly was fulfilled in the Crucifying of St. Peter the Scourging of St. Paul in the Stoning of St. Stephen and Killing of St. James The first Planters and Propagators of the Gospel sealed their Doctrine with their Blood and the Blood of the Martyrs has all along been the Seed of the Church Obs 2. A severe Denunciation That upon you may come all the Righteous Blood shed upon the Earth from Abel to Zacharias the Son of Jehoiada 2 Chron. 24.20 who was the last Prophet whose Murder is related by Name in the Old Testament These Words are not to be understood as if the End and Intent of Christ's sending the Prophets were that the Jews might put them to Death and bring their righteous Blood upon themselves This was the Consequent and Event indeed of their sending but by no means the Design and Intent of it Learn 1. That raging Persecutors have no Regard either to the extraordinary Mission or eminent Sanctity of Persons who reprove them for their Sins I send unto you Prophets says our Saviour wise Men and Scribes and some of them ye shall Kill and Crucifie 2. That as the Piety of the Persons so neither can the Sanctity of the Place discourage and deterr bloody Persecutors from their Rage and Fury against the Prophets of God In the Temple it self in the Court of the House of the Lord even betwixt the Porch and the Altar was Zacharias slain 3. That it is a righteous Thing with God to punish the Children for the Impieties of their Parents This is to be understood 1. where the Children tread in their Father's Steps and continue in their Parents Sins which they do if they do not confess them abhor them and be humbled for them 2. This is to be understood of Temporal Evils not of Eternal Punishments No Man shall for his Father's Sins lye down in Everlasting Burnings As our Fathers Faith will not let us into Heaven so neither will their Impiety shut us into Hell At the Day of Judgment every Man shall be separately considered according to his Deeds 37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not 38 Behold your house is left unto you desolate 39 For I say unto you Ye shall not see me henceforth till ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Our Lord concludes this Chapter with a Pathetical Lamentation over Jerusalem His Ingemination or doubling of the Word Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem shews the Vehemency of Christ's Affection towards them and the Sincerity of his Desires for their Salvation Obs 1. The great Kindness and Compassion of Christ to the Jews in general and Jerusalem in particular set forth by a lively Metaphor and Similitude that of an Hen gathering her Chickens under her Wings As the Hen doth tenderly cherish and carefully hide and cover her Young from the Eye of the Destroyer so would Christ have shrouded and sheltered this People from all those Birds of Prey and particularly from the Roman Eagle by which they were at last devoured Again As the Hen continueth her Call to her young ones from Morning to Night and holds out her Wings for shelter to them all the Day long so did Christ wait for this Peoples Repentance and Conversion for more than Forty Years after they had killed his Prophets and murthered himself before they met with a final Overthrow Obs 2. The amazing Obstinacy and Wilfulness of this People in rejecting this Grace and Favour this Kindness and Condescension of the Lord Jesus Christ I would have gathered you but ye would not Obs 3. The Fatal Issue of this Obstinacy Behold your House is left unto you desolate Is left that is certainly and suddenly will be so The Present-Tense put for the Paulo post futurum it denotes both the Certainty and Proximity of this People's Ruin Learn 1. That the Ruin and Destruction of Sinners is wholly chargeable upon themselves that is on their own Wilfulness and Obstinacy I would have gathered you says Christ but ye would not Learn 2. How deplorably and inexcusably they will perish who perish by their own Wilfulness under the Gospel 3. That there
all his Elect to himself with the sound of a Trumpet Probably as there was an audible Sound of a Trumpet at the giving of the Law so there shall be the like Sound of a Trumpet when Christ shall summon the World to Judgment for transgressing of that Law A joyful Sound will this be to the Friends of Christ A doleful dreadful Sound in the Ears of his Enemies 32 Now learn a parable of the fig-tree When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh 33 So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is near even at the doors 34 Verily I say unto you this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the angels of heaven but my Father only Here our Blessed Saviour declares Two Things with reference to his coming 1. The Certainty of the Thing it self 2. The Uncertainty of the Time The Certainty of his coming he sets forth by the Similitude of the Fig-tree whose beginning to bud declares the Summer at Hand Thus when they should see the foremention'd Signs they might conclude the Destruction of their City and Temple to be nigh at Hand and that some then living should see all these Predictions certainly fulfilled Whatever Christ foretells shall certainly be fulfilled his Word being more firm than the Fabrick of Heaven and Earth Obs 2. The Vncertainty as to the precise Time when this Judgment should come No Angel in Heaven nor Creature on Earth could determine the Time only the glorious Persons in the Godhead the Father Son and Holy Ghost Learn 1. That all things are not revealed to the Angels themselves but such things only as it concerns them to know and the Wisdom of God thinks fit to reveal 2. That the precise Time of the Day of Judgment is kept by God as a Secret to himself he will not have us know that Hour to the Intent that we may be upon our watch every Hour 37 But as the days of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark 39 And knew not until the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 40 Then shall two be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill the one shall be taken and the other left In these Verses our Saviour declares that Jerusalem's Destruction and the World 's final Desolation at the great Day would be much like the Destruction of the old World and that in two Respects 1. In regard of Unexpectedness 2. In regard of Security and Sensuality How sensual and secure was the old World before the Flood They were eating and drinking marrying and giving in Marriage That is wholly given up to Sensuality and Debauchery and did not know of the Floods coming that is did not consider it till it swept them away Thus was it in the Destruction of Jerusalem and so will it be in the end of the World Learn hence 1. That as the old World perished by Infidelity Security and Sensuality so will the same Sins be prevailing before the Destruction of this present World As it was in the Days of Noah so shall it be when the Son of Man cometh 2. That the true Reason why Sinners are drowned in Sensuality and given over to Security is this because they do not believe the Certainty or consider the Proximity and Nearness of an approaching Judgment The old World knew not of the Floods coming Strange when Noah had told them of it an Hundred and Twenty Years together The meaning is They did not consider it and prepare for it To such as are unprepared for and unapprehensive of Death and Judgment those Evils are always sudden altho' Men be never so often warn'd of them But to such as are prepared Death is never sudden let them die never so suddenly 42 Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come 43 But know this that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up 44 Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh Here we have the Application made by our Saviour of the foregoing Doctrine concerning the Certainty and Suddenness of a future Judgment Watch therefore always not without Intermission but without giving over that ye may be not only in an habitual but actual Readiness for my Appearance Learn thence That it is the indispensible Duty and ought to be the indefatigable Endeavour of every Christian to stand upon his Watch in a prepared Readiness for Christ's Appearance both for his coming to us and for our going to him Watch always for ye know not the Hour when your Lord cometh 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing 47 Verily I say unto you that he shall make him ruler over all his goods These Words may be applied two ways 1. To all the faithful Servants of Christ in general Thence Learn That for a Person to spend and end his Days in the Service of Christ and doing his Will gives good Assurance of a blessed Condition Blessed is that Servant 2. To the Ministers of the Gospel in special may these Words be applied And here Obs 1. The Character and Duty of a Gospel-Minister He is the Steward of Christ's Houshold to give them their Meat in due Season Obs 2. The Qualifications requisite in such Stewards Faithfulness and Prudence Who then is that faithful and wise Steward Obs 3. The Reward insured to such Stewards as answer these Qualifications Blessed is that Servant Learn hence 1. That the Ministers of the Gospel are in a special Sense the Stewards of Christ's Houshold 2. That Faithfulness and Prudence are the necessary and indispensible Qualifications of Christ's Stewards 3. That where-ever these Qualifications are found Christ will graciously and abundantly reward them Our Faithfulness must respect God our Selves and our Flock and includes Integrity of Heart Purity of Intention Industry of Endeavour Impartiality in our Administrations Prudence appears in the choice of suitable Subjects in the choice of fit Language in exciting our own Affections in order to the moving of our People Ministerial Prudence will teach us by the Strictness and Gravity of our Deportment to maintain our Esteem in the Consciences of our People It will assist
us to bear Reproach and direct us to give Reproof he that is silent cannot be innocent Reprove we must or we cannot be faithful but prudently or we cannot be successful 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My lord delayeth his coming 49 And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with the drunken 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not aware of 51 And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocries there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Our Lord in these Verses describes an unfaithful and negligent Steward and denounces the dreadful Sentence of Wrath hanging over him he is described 1. By the Character of Infidelity he believeth not Christ's coming to Judgment tho' he preaches it to others he saith in his Heart My Lord delayeth his coming 2. He is described by his Hatred Envy and Malignity against his Fellow-servants that were more painful and faithful than himself He begins to smite at least with the Virulence of his Tongue if not with the Violence of his Hand 3. By his associating with the wicked and strengthening their Hands by his ill Example He eateth and drinketh with the Drunken That is as their Associate and Fellow-Companion Thus the unfaithful Servant is described next his Judgment and Sentence is declared Obs 2. The tremendous Judgment that shall come upon unfaithful Stewards 1. Christ will surprize them in their Sin and Security by coming in an Hour when they look'd not for him 2. He will execute Temporal Vengeance upon them He will cut them asunder or hew them in pieces as the Jews did their Sacrifices That is separate his Soul from his Body by untimely Death Hence some Observe That God seldom suffers slothful sensual wicked and debauch'd Ministers to live out half their Days 3. Christ will punish them with Eternal Destruction also Appointing them their Portion with Hypocrites That is with the worst of Sinners they shall have a double Damnation As the Hypocrite has a double Heart a double Tongue and is a double Sinner so shall he undergo a double Damnation Learn hence That such Ministers as neglect the Service of God and the Souls of their People as they are ranked amongst the worst sort of Sinners in this Life so shall they be punished with them in the severest manner in the next When Satan destroys the Souls of Men he shall answer for it as a Murtherer only not as an Officer that was intrusted with the Care of Souls But if the Steward doth not provide if the Shepherd doth not feed if the Watchman doth not warn they shall answer not only for the Souls that have miscarried but for an Office neglected for a Talent hidden and for a Stewardship unfaithfully administred Wo unto us if at the great Day we hear distressed Souls roaring out their Complaints and howling forth that doleful Accusation against us Lord Our Stewards have defrauded us our Watchmen have betrayed us our Guides have misled us CHAP. XXV Our blessed Saviour in the Close of the foregoing Chapter had exhorted all Christians to the great Duty of Watchfulness and to be in a Posture of Readiness against his coming Which Duty he is pleased to inculcate again in this Chapter and accordingly he urges the Necessity of it from two eminent Parables the former Of the Ten Virgins v. 1. and the latter Of a Man travelling into a far Country v. 14. 1 THen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom 2 And five of them were wise and five were foolish By the Kingdom of Heaven here is meant the State of the visible Church here on Earth it cannot be understood of the Kingdom of Glory for there are no foolish Virgins in that Kingdom nor yet of the invisible Kingdom of Grace for therein are no foolish Virgins neither But in the visible Church here on Earth there ever has been a Mixture of wise and unwise of Saints and Hypocrites Five of these Virgins were wise and five were foolish Where Observe our Lord 's great Charity in supposing and hoping that amongst the Professors of the Gospel the number of sincere Christians is equal with Hypocritical Professors Five were wise and Five foolish Teaching us that we should not confine the Church of Christ within a narrow Compass nor confine our Charity to a few and think none shall go to Heaven but those of our own Party and Perswasion but to extend our Charity to all Christians that hold the Foundation with us and to hope well of them Lord let me rather err on the charitable Hand than be found on the censorious and damning side this is to imitate my Saviour whose Charity supposed as many wise as foolish Virgins as many Saints as Hypocrites in the Church All these Virgins are said to take their Lamps and go forth to meet the Bridegroom For understanding which we must know that our Saviour alludes to the ancient Custom of Marriages which were celebrated in the Night when usually Ten young Men attended the Bridegroom and as many Virgins attended the Bride with Lamps in their Hands the Bridegroom leading home his Bride by the Light of those Lamps By these Virgins are shadowed forth the Professors of Christianity The foolish Virgins are such as satisfie themselves with a bare Profession without bringing forth Fruits answerable thereunto The wise Virgins are such as walk'd answerable to their Profession persevered and continued stedfast therein and abounded in the Graces and Virtues of a good Life They are called Virgins for the Purity of their Faith for the Purity of their Worship and for the Purity of their Conversations 3 They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps By the Lamps are meant an outward Profession of Faith and Holiness By Oil in their Lamps is to be understood that solemn Profession of Repentance and Faith which all Christians make in Baptism By Oil in the Vessels is meant the Sanctifying and Saving Graces of the Holy Spirit the Growth and Improvement of them with Constancy and Perseverance in them Observe here wherein the wise and foolish Virgins agreed and wherein they differed They agreed thus far that both took their Lamps both lighted them they both had Oil in their Lamps the difference was not that the wise had Oil and the foolish had none but in this that the wise took care for a future Supply of Oil to feed their Lamp When the first Oil was spent some Professors like foolish Virgins content themselves with a blazing Lamp of an outward Profession without concerning themselves to secure an inward Principle of Grace and Love which should maintain that Profession as the Oil maintains the Lamp As the Lamp will
not long hold burning without a Stock of Oil to feed it so a Profession of Religion tho' never so glorious will not be lasting nor persevering without a Principle of Faith and Love in the Heart to support and maintain it Learn hence That the true Wisdom of a Christian consists in this to take care that not only the Lamp of his Life may shine by outward Profession but that the Vessel of his Heart may be furnished with the Graces of the Holy Spirit as a prevailing and abiding Principle 5 While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept That is while Christ delays his coming to Persons by Death and Judgment they are not so diligent as they ought to prepare themselves for Death and Judgment Instead of being upon their Watch and Guard they slumbered and slept Note That not only visible Professors but the holiest and best of Christians are very prone to Spiritual Slumber Whilst the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept Spiritual Slumber consists in this When Graces are not lively and kept in exercise particularly Faith Hope and Love when there is an Abatement of our Love and Zeal an Intermission of our Care and Watchfulness this is a degree of Spiritual Slumber yet the Saints Slumber is not a prevailing Slumber 't is nor an Universal Slumber 't is not in all the Faculties of the Soul if there be Deadness in the Affections yet is there not Searedness in the Conscience I sleep says the Church but my Heart awaketh Cant. 5.2 Still there is a Principle in the Soul which takes God's part and the Christian groans under the Burthen of his dull and drowsie State But the greatest Wisdom is to maintain a constant Watch that we may at no time be surprized by the Bridegroom 's coming or be in a Confusion when Death and Judgment shall overtake us Blessed are those Virgins whose Lamps always burn bright 6 And at midnight there was a cry made Behold the bridegroom cometh go ye out to meet him At Midnight that is at the most dismal and unseasonable time when all the Virgins were fast asleep and when awaked in great Affrightment could not on a sudden consider what to do Such is the Case of those who put off their Repentance and Preparation for another World till they are surprized by Death and Judgment Lord how will the Midnight Cry of the Bridegroom 's coming terrifie and amaze the unprepared Soul What a surprizing Word will this be Behold the Bridegroom cometh Learn hence That the Bridegroom will certainly come tho' at his own time and then all shall be called upon both prepared and unprepared to go forth to meet him Reason says he may come because there is a just God that will render to every one according to his Deeds and reward both Body and Soul for all the Services they have done for God The Body shall not always remain like a solitary Widow in the Dust but shall meet its old Companion the Soul again And as Reason says he may come Faith says he will come and argues from the Promise of Christ John 14.3 and from the Purchase of Christ from Christ's Affection to us and from our Affection to him Faith has seen him upon the Cross and determines she shall see him in the Clouds The Bridegroom will certainly come at his own time happy they that are ready to go forth to meet him 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps 8 And the foolish said unto the wise Give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out The Virgins arising and trimming their Lamps doth denote their actual Preparation for Christ's Coming and Appearance and their putting themselves into a Posture of Readiness to receive him Thence Learn That a believing Apprehension of the Certainty and Suddenness of our Lord 's Coming and Approach will rouze us out of our Spiritual Slumber and prepare us to meet him with Joy and Assurance Then they arose and trimmed their Lamps And the foolish said to the wise give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out Observe here 1. A Request made Give us of your Oil. There is a time when the Neglecters of Grace will be made sensible of the Worth of Grace by the want of it Such as now undervalue yea villifie the Grace of God will be heard to say Oh give us of your Oil. Obs 2. The Reason of the Request For our Lamps are gone out Thence Learn That the Lamp of Profession will certainly go out which has not a Stock of Grace to feed and maintain it 9 But the wise answered saying Not so lest there be not enough for us and you but go ye rather to them that sell and buy for your selves Observe here 1. The wise Virgins Denial Not so They will part with no Oil. Learn thence That it must be the Care of every one to get Grace of his own otherwise the Grace of others will do him no Good 'T is not what others have done nay not what Christ himself has done that will save us without our own Endeavours Obs 2. The Reason of their Denial Lest there be not enough for us and you Thence Note That such Christians as have most Grace or the largest Stock of Grace have none to spare none to spare in regard of their Occasions for Grace on Earth and in regard of their Expectations of Glory in Heaven Obs 3. The Advice and Counsel given Go to them that sell and buy for your selves Some take this for an Exhortation others for a mocking Derision Go to them that sell That is say some to the Shops of the Ordinances where it may be had Thence Note That such as would have Grace must have timely Recourse to the Ordinances and Means of Grace Go to them that sell Others understand the Words ironically and as spoken by way of Derision Go to them that sell If you know where to find them and either buy or borrow for your selves Learn thence That it is the greatest Folly in the World to have Oil to buy when we should have Oil to burn To have our Grace to seek when we should have it to exert and exercise It is no time to get Grace when the Bridegroom is come and the Day of Grace is past and over 10 And while they went to buy the bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut Observe here 1. Christ will come at the great Day to his People as a Bridegroom and to the wicked as a Judge The Relation now begun betwixt Christ and his Church shall then be publickly solemniz'd Obs 2. The Qualification of the Persons who shall enter with the Bridegroom into Heaven Such as are ready went in with him This Readiness is twofold Habitual and Actual Habitual Readiness consists in the State of the Person justified and pardoned in the Frame of the Heart sanctified and renewed and in the Course
holy Persons are not polluted by the Sins of such For to the Pure all things are Pure 21 And as they did eat he said Verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me What an astonishing Word was this One of you my Disciples shall betray me Can any Church on Earth expect Purity in all its Members when Christ's own Family of Twelve had a Traitor and a Devil in it Yet tho' it was very sad to hear that one should betray him it was Matter of Joy that it was but One One Hypocrite in a Congregation is too much but there is cause of rejoicing if there be no more But why did not Christ name Judas and say Thou art he that shalt betray me Doubtless to draw him to Repentance and to prevent giving Judas any Provocation Lord how sad is it for such as pretend Friendship to Christ and call themselves of his Family and Acquaintance who eat of his Bread and yet lift up the Heel against him 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful and began every one of them to say unto him Lord is it I Observe here 1. The Disciples Sorrow and next the Effect of that Sorrow Their Sorrow was as well it might exceeding great Well might innocent Disciples be overwhelm'd with Sorrow to hear that their Master should dye that he should dye by Treason that the Traitor should be one of themselves But tho' their Sorrow was great yet was the Effect of their Sorrow very good it wrought in them an holy Suspicion of themselves and caused every one to search himself and say Master is it I Thence Learn That it is possible for such secret Wickedness to lurk in our Hearts as we never suspected which Time and Temptation may draw forth in such a manner as we could not believe and therefore it is both wise and holy to suspect our selves and be often saying Lord is it I There is no better Preservative from Sin than to be jealous over our selves with a godly Jealousie Observe farther That tho' the Disciples Fear and Sorrow made them jealous and suspicious yet was it of themselves not of one another nay not of Judas himself Every one said Master is it I Not Master is it Judas Learn hence That true Sincerity and Christian Charity will make us more suspicious of our selves than of any other Person whatsoever It always hopes the best of others and fears the worst concerning our selves 23 And he answered and said He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish the same shall betray me 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him but wo unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed it had been good for that man if he had not been born 25 Then Judas which betrayed him answered and said Master is it I He said unto him Thou hast said Here our Saviour acquaints his Disciples who it was that had designed his Death even he that dipped with him in the Dish or he to whom he gave the Sop. Observe The Traitor whom Christ less loved he has the Sop given to him the other Disciples whom Christ lov'd better had no such particular Boon Outward good Things are not always given to the Children of Men in Love but are sometimes bestowed in Displeasure there is no measuring Christ's Affection by Temporal Blessings no concluding either Love or Hatred by these things Observe farther how Judas could sit still and hear the Threats of Judgment denounced against himself without Concern he hears Christ say Wo to the Man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed and is no more blank'd than Innocence it self Resolved Sinners run on desperately in their wicked Courses and with open Eyes see and meet their own Destruction and are neither dismayed at it nor concerned about it Observe farther That this shameless Man had the Impudence to say to Christ Master is it I Our Saviour gives him a direct Affirmation Thou hast said Did not Judas think we blush and cast down his guilty Eyes and let fall his droâ—ping dead at so gauling an Intimation Nothing less Lord how does Obâ—urâ—cy in Sin steel the Brow and make it uncapable of all relenting Impressions Observe Lastly How Christ preferrs Non-Entity before Damnation It had been better for that Man he had never been born A Temporal miserable Being is not worse than no Being but an Eternal miserable Being is worse than no Being at all Eternal Misery is much worse than Non-Entity It had been better for Judas he had not been born than to commit such a Sin and lye under such Wrath and that everlasting Oh better to have no Being than not to have a Being in Christ 26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the disciples and said Take eat this is my body 27 And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it 28 For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins 29 But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom 30 And when they had sung an hymn they went out into the mount of Olives Immediately after the Celebration of the Passover follows the Institution of the Lord's Supper In which Observe 1. The Author of this new Sacrament Jesus took Bread Note thence That to institute a Sacrament is Christ's sole Prerogative it is the Churches Duty to celebrate the Sacraments but she has Power to make none This belongs only to Christ Observe 2. The Time of the Institution the Night before his Passion The Night before he was betrayed Jesus took Bread Learn thence That it is very necessary when Sufferings are approaching to have Recourse to the Table of the Lord which affords both an Antidote against Fear and is Restorative to Faith Observe here 3. The Sacramental Elements Bread and Wine Bread representing his Body and Wine his Blood Observe 4. The Ministerial Actions the Breaking of the Bread and the Blessing of the Cup. As to the Bread Jesus took it that is set it apart from common Use and separated it for Holy Ends and Purposes He blessed it that is prayed for a Blessing upon it and brake it thereby shadowing forth his Body broken upon the Cross And he gave it to his Disciples saving This broken Bread signifies my Body suddenly to be broken upon the Cross for your Redemption and Salvation Do this in Remembrance of me and of my Death As to the Cup Christ having set it apart by Prayer and Thanksgiving he commands his Disciples to drink all of it and subjoins a Reason for it For This is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for Remission of Sins That is The Wine in this Cup represents the shedding of my Blood by which the new Covenant betwixt God
is in it self considered a very bitter and distasteful Cup which Humane Nature abhorrs and cannot but desire and pray may pass from it 2. That yet oft-times the Wisdom of God is pleased to put this bitter Cup of Affliction into the Hands of those whom he doth most sincerely love 3. That when God doth so it is their Duty to drink it with humble Submission and chearful Resignation Not my Will but thine be done Obs 4. The manner how our Lord prayed and here we shall find it 1. A solitary Prayer he went by himself alone out of the hearing of his Disciples he said to them Tarry ye here while I go and pray yonder Mark Christ did neither desire his Disciples to pray with him or to pray for him No he must tread the Wine-press alone not but that Christ loved and delighted in his Disciples Company but there were Occasions when he thought fit to leave them and to go alone to God in Prayer Thence Learn That the Company of our best Friends is not always seasonable Peter James and John were Three good Men but Christ bids them tarry while he went aside for private Prayer There are Times and Cases when a Christian would not be willing that the dearest Friend he has in the World should be with him or understand and hear what passes betwixt him and his God 2. This Prayer of Christ was an humble Prayer that 's evident by the Postures into which he cast himself sometimes Kneeling sometimes Lying prostrate upon his Face He lyes in the very Dust lower he cannot fall and his Heart was as low as his Body And such was the Fervour of his Spirit that he prayed himself into an Agony Oh let us blush to think how unlike we are to Christ in Prayer as to our praying Frame of Spirit Lord what Drowsiness and Deadness What Laziness and Dulness What Stupidity and Formality is found in our Prayers How often do our Lips move and our Hearts stand still 3. It was a repeated and reiterated Prayer He prayed the first second and third time He returns upon God over and over plies him again and again resolving to take no Denial Learn thence That Christians ought not to be discouraged tho' they have sought God again and again for a particular Mercy and no Answer of Prayer has come unto them Observe also How our Lord used the same Prayer three times over saying the same Words A Person then may pray with and by a Form of Prayer and yet not pray formally but in a very acceptable manner unto God Christ both gave a Form of Prayer to his Disciples and also used one himself Observe next The Posture in which our holy Lord found his own Disciples when he was in his Agony they were sleeping when he was praying Oh wonderful that they could sleep at such a time Hence we gather That the best of Christ's Disciples may be sometimes overtaken with Infirmities with great Infirmities when the most important Duties are performing He cometh to his Disciples and finds them sleeping Observe next The gentle Reproof he gave the Disciples for sleeping What could you not watch with me one Hour Could you not watch when your Master is in such Danger Could you not watch with me when I am going to deliver up my Life for you What not one Hour and that the parting Hour too After his Reprehension he subjoins an Exhortation Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation and superadds a forcible Reason For tho' the Spirit be willing yet the Flesh is weak Thence Learn That the holiest and best resolved Christians who have willing Spirits for Christ and his Service yet in regard of the Weakness of the Flesh or the Frailty of Humane Nature it is their Duty to watch and pray and thereby guard themselves against Temptations Watch and pray for tho' the Spirit is willing yet 45 Then cometh he to his disciples and saith unto them Sleep on now and take your rest behold the hour is at hand and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners 46 Rise let us be going behold he is at hand that doth betray me 47 And while he yet spake lo Judas one of the twelve came and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign saying Whomsoever I shall kiss that same is he hold him fast 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus and said Hail Master and kissed him 50 And Jesus said unto him Friend wherefore art thou come Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him Our Saviour having pour'd out his Soul in Prayer to God in the Garden he is now ready and waits for the coming of his Enemies being first in the Field Accordingly While he yet spake came Judas one of the Twelve and under his Conduct a Band of Soldiers to apprehend him It was the Lot and Portion of our Blessed Redeemer to be betrayed into the Hands of his mortal Enemies by the Treachery of a false and dissembling Friend Observe here The Traytor the Treason the Manner how and the Time when this treasonable Design was executed Obs 1. The Betrayer Judas all the Evangelists carefully describe him by his Name Judas by his Sirname Iscariot lest he should be mistaken for Jude the Brother of James God is tender of the Names and Reputations of his upright-hearted Servants He is also described by his Office One of the Twelve The Eminence of his Place and Station was an high Aggravation of his Transgression Nay in some respect he was preferred above the rest having a peculiar Trust reposed in him he bare the Bag That is he was Almoner and Steward of Christ's Family to take Care for the necessary Accommodations of Christ and his Apostles and yet this Man thus called thus honoured thus respectfully treated by Christ for the Lucre of a little Money perfidiously betrays him Oh whither will not a bad Heart and a busie Devil carry a Man Learn hence 1. That the greatest Professors had need be jealous of their own Hearts and look well to the Grounds and Principles of their Profession A Profession begun in Hypocrisie will certainly end in Apostacy Learn 2. That Persons are never in such eminent Danger as when they meet with Temptations exactly suited to their Master-Lusts Covetousness was Judas's Master-Sin the Love of the World made him a Slave to Satan and the Devil lays a Temptation before him which suits his Temper hits his Humour and it prevails immediately Oh pray pray that ye may be kept from a strong and suitable Temptation a Temptation suited to your predominant Lust and Inclination Obs 2. As the Betrayer Judas so the Treason it self with its aggravating Circumstances he led an armed Multitude to the Place where Christ was gave them a Signal to discover him and encouraged them to lay Hands upon him and hold him
some Satisfaction and Restitution for the Wrong and Injury done by it They that mourn for Sin as Sin They that mourn more for the intrinsical Evil that is in Sin than for the Penal and Consequential Evils that follow Sin They that confess Sin voluntarily and freely particularly penitently believingly with an Eye of Sorrow upon their Sin and an Eye of Faith fixt upon their Saviour They that make Restitution as an Act of Obedience to the Command of God and as an Act of Justice and Righteousness to their Neighbour such Persons Repentance shall find Acceptance with God Obs 3. The Answer and Reply which the wicked high Priests and Elders make to despairing Judas 1. They excuse themselves What is that to us 'T is natural to all Sinners to shift Sin from themselves and to lay it at any Door rather than their own Those that have had a Share in the Pleasure and Profit of Sin are yet very desirous to throw the Odium and Guilt of it upon others What is that to us say these Monsters in Sin 2. As they excuse and acquit themselves so they load and burthen him Look thou to that Lord what miserable Comforters are Companions in Sin to one another when Distress and Sorrow comes upon them When Sin comes to be question'd in order to its being punish'd every Sinner is for shifting for himself and leaves his Fellow in the Suds Let us then remember the Words of the Holy Ghost He that walketh with wise Men shall be wiser but a Companion of Fools shall be destroyed Obs 4. The sad and fatal End of Judas he went forth and hang'd himself Horror and Despair took hold upon him and seized his Conscâ—ence which was so intolerable that he ran to the Halter for a Remedy Learn hence 1. That Conscience is a powerful tho' invisible Executioner the Wrath of Man may be endured but the Wrath of God is insupportable and the Eruptions of Conscience are irresistible Oh how intolerable are those Scourges that lash us in this tender and vital Part Judas awakened with the Horror of his Fact Conscience begins to rouze and the Man is unable to bear up under the furious Revenges of his own Mind Learn 2. That there is an active Principle in Mens Breasts and Bosoms which seldom suffers daring Sinners to pass in quiet to their Graves Guilt is naturally troublesome and uneasie it disturbs the Peace and Serenity of the Mind and fills the Soul with Storms and Thunder both in Life and Death How vainly did Judas hope to take Sanctuary in a Grave and to meet with that Ease in another World which he could not find in this Thus ended this miserable Man Judas Lord how earnest ought we to be for thy persevering Grace when neither the Presence the Miracles the Sermons the Sacraments of Christ could preserve and secure a Professor a Disciple an Apostle from the fatal Mischief of a ruinous Apostacy 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces and said It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury because it is the price of blood 7 And they took counsel and bought with them the potters field to bury strangers in 8 Wherefore that field was called The field of blood unto this day 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet saying And they took the thirty pieces of silver the price of him that was valued whom they of the children of Israel did value 10 And gave them for the potter's field as the Lord appointed me Observe here 1. The Niceness and Scrupulosity of these Hypocrites they made no Scruple to give Money to shed Blood but they scruple the putting that Money into the Treasury which was the Price of Blood They are afraid to defile their â—reasury but are not afraid to polute their Souls Thus Hypocrites strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel scruple a Ceremony but make no Conscience of Murther and Perjury Observe 2. The use which they put this Money to which Judas brought them they bought with it a Field to bury Strangers in Thus Christ who was himself a Stranger in a borrow'd Grave by the Price of his Blood being Thirty Pieces of Silver conferred Graves on many Strangers Observe Lastly How the Wisdom of God order'd it that hereby a Scripture-Prophecy was fulfilled Zach. 11.13 They weighed for my Price Thirty Pieces of Silver and I took and cast them unto the Potter Whence Learn That all the Indignities and debasing Sufferings which the Lord Jesus underwent were not only fore-ordain'd by God but also foretold by the holy Prophets His being Scourged Buffetted Spit upon and here his being sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver 11 And Jesus stood before the governour and the governour asked him saying Art thou the king of the Jews And Jesus said unto him Thou sayest 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders he answered nothing 13 Then saith Pilate unto him Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee 14 And he answered him to never a word insomuch that the governour marvelled greatly Observe here 1. That our Saviour readily answers Pilate but refuses to answer the chief Priests before Pilate Pilate asks him Art thou the King of the Jews Jesus readily answers Thou sayest or it is as thou sayest But to all the Accusations of the chief Priests and to all that they laid to his Charge before Pilate our Saviour answers never a Word probably for these Reasons Because his Innocency was such as needed no Apology because their Calumnies and Accusations were so notoriously false that they needed no Confutation To shew his Contempt of Death and to teach us by his own Example Patience and Silence when for his sake we are slandered and traduced Learn hence That altho' we are not obliged to answer every captious and ensnaring Question nor to refute every Slander and false Accusation yet are we bound faithfully to own and confess the Truth when we are solemnly called thereunto Our Saviour as a deaf Man hears not answers not the Calumnies of the chief Priests but when Pilate asks him Art thou the King of the Jews Or as St. Mark has it Art thou the Son of the Blessed Jesus said I am tho' he knew that Answer would cost him his Life Hence the Apostle 1 Tim. 6.13 says That Christ before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good Confession Teaching us Sometimes to hold our Peace when our own Reputation is concerned but never to be silent when the Honour of God the Glory of his Truth the Edification and Confirmation of others may effectually be promoted by our open Confession Then must we with Christ give a direct plain and sincere Answer For whoever denies him or any Truth of his knowingly and wilfully him will Christ deny in the Presence of his Father and before all his Holy Angels 15 Now at that feast the governour was wont to release unto the people a prisoner whom they would 16
Christ or the self-quickning Principle by which Christ raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself active after his Passion Learn That it was the Divine Nature or Godhead of Christ which raised his Humane Nature from Death to Life Others were raised from the Grave by Christ's Power he raised himself by his own Power Observe 3. The Testimony or Witness given to our Lord's Resurrection that of an Angel The Angel said he is not here but risen But why is an Angel the first Publisher of our Lord's Resurrection Surely the Dignity of our Lord's Person and the Excellency of his Resurrection required that it should be first published by an Angel and accordingly it is worthy our Observation how very serviceable and officious the holy Angels were in attending upon our Saviour in the Days of his Flesh an Angel foretells his Conception to the Blessed Virgin an Angel proclaims his Birth to the Shepherds an Angel succours him in his Temptations in the Wilderness an Angel comforts him in his Agony in the Garden and at his Resurrection the Angel rolls away the Stone from the Sepulchre and brings the first Tydings of it to the Women In his Ascension the Angels bore him Company to Heaven and when he comes again to Judgment he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels Observe 4. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first made known to Women to the Two Maries But why to the Women God will make Choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the Weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent In the whole Dispensation of the Gospel Almighty God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the Conception of Christ was by the Power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenter's Spouse So the Crucifixion of Christ was in much Meanness and outward Baseness being crucified between Two Thieves But the Powers of Heaven and Earth trembling the Rocks rending and the Graves opening shew'd a mixture of Divine Power God will honour what Instruments he pleases for the Accomplishment of his own Purposes But why to these Women the Two Maries is this Discovery of Christ's Resurrection first made Possibly it was a Reward for their Magnanimity and Masculine Courage These Women clave to Christ when the Apostles fled from him and forsook him they assisted at his Cross they attended at his Funeral they watched his Sepulchre These Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes the Women Apostles to the Apostles he sends them to tell the Apostles of the Resurrection and they must have the News at the second Hand Oh what a tacit Rebuke was hereby given to the Apostles A secret Check that they should be thus outdone by poor Women These holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Observe 5. The Evidence which the Angel offers to the Women to evince and prove the Verity and Certainty of our Saviour's Resurrection namely by an Appeal to their Senses Come see the Place where the Lord lay The Senses when rightly disposed are the proper Judges of all sensible Objects therefore Christ himself did appeal to his Disciples Senses concerning the Truth of his own Resurrection Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self and indeed if we must not believe our Senses we shall want the best External Evidence for the Proof of the Truth of the Christian Religion namely the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles For what Assurance can we have of the Reality of those Miracles but from our Senses Therefore says our Saviour If ye believe not me yet believe the Works that I do That is the Miracles which I have wrought before your Eyes Now as my Senses tell me that Christ's Miracles were true so they assure me that the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is false From the whole Note That the Lord Jesus Christ by the Omnipotent Power of his Godhead revived and rose again from the Dead to the Terror and Consternation of his Enemies and the unspeakable Joy and Consolation of Believers 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy and did run to bring his disciples word 9 And as they went to tell his disciples behold Jesus met them saying All hail And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him 10 Then said Jesus unto them Be not afraid go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me Observe here 1. What Haste and Speed these holy Women make to carry the News of Christ's Resurrection to the Apostles such as find and feel their Hearts grieved for the Absence and Want of Christ will be very ready to comfort such as are in the same Condition Oh how glad are these holy Women to carry the good News of their Lord's Resurrection to the Heart-broken Disciples Observe 2. How these holy Women hasting in Obedience to the Angel's Command to tell the Disciples do meet with Christ in the way Such as obey the Directions of God's Ministers seeking Christ in his own Way and Means shall find him to their Comfort sooner than they expected These holy Women find Christ before they look'd for him as they went to tell his Disciples Jesus met them Observe 3. The affectionate and loving Title which Christ puts upon his Disciples Tell my Brethren He might have said Go tell those Apostate Apostles that cowardly left me in my Danger that durst not own me in the High Priest's Hall that durst not come within the Shadow of my Cross nor within the Sight of my Sepulchre Not a word of this by way of upbraiding them for their late shameful Cowardice but all Words of Kindness Go tell my Brethren Where Note That Christ calls his Disciples Brethren after his Resurrection and Exaltation as he had done before in his State of Humiliation to shew the Continuance of his former Affection to them and that the Change of his Condition had wrought no Change in his Affection towards his despised Members But those that were his Brethren before in the time of his Abasement are so still after his Exaltation and Advancement Observe Lastly The Place where Christ chuses to meet with and speak to his Disciples not in Jerusalem but in Galilee I go before them into Galilee there shall they see me Jerusalem was now a forsaken Place a People abandoned to Destruction Christ would not shew himself openly to them but Galilee was a Place where Christ's Ministry was more acceptable Such Places wherein Christ is most welcome to preach shall be most honoured with his Presence In Galilee shall they see me 11 Now when they were going behold some of the watch came into the city and shewed unto the chief Priests all the things that were done 12 And when they were assembled
promulge and publish the Doctrine of Salvation 2. The Quality or Kind of this Voice a crying Voice the Voice of one crying This implies 1. His Earnestness and Vehemency his Zeal and Fervency in Preaching When we lift up our Voice and cry aloud we speak with Earnestness and Fervour When our own Hearts are warmly affected with what we preach we may hope to affect the Hearts of our Hearers Why has God commissioned Men rather than Angels to be the Preachers and Dispensers of his Word But because we can speak to and treat with Sinners more feelingly and more affectionately than the Angels can 2. This crying of the Holy Baptist in his Preaching implies his Liberty and Boldness as well as his Vehemency and Earnestness in delivering of his Message The lifting up of the Voice in speaking argues Boldness and Courage in the Speaker as on the contrary the depressing of the Voice sheweth Timerousness Learn hence That the Ministers of the Word are to use both Zeal and Earnestness and also Courage and Boldness of Spirit in delivering the Word and Message of God Not forbearing to reprove Sin nor concealing any part of God's Truth for fear of Mâ—n's Displeasure Observe 3. The Sum and Substance of what he cried Prepare ye the Way of the Lord make his Paths straight That is Make ready your selves prepare your own Hearts to entertain the Doctrine and glad Tydings of the Gospel It is a Metaphorical Speech taken from the Custom of Loyal and Dutiful Subjects who when â—heir Princâ— is coming to lodge in their â—ity they prepâ—re â—nd make ready the way for his coming by removing every thing that may obstruct or hinder his Progress Learn hence That Man's Heart by Nature is very unfit to embrace and entertain the Lord Jesus Christ We have naturally no Fitness no Disposition no Inclination to believe in him or to submit unto him 2. If ever we desire to entertain Christ in our Hearts we must first prepare and make fit our Hearts for the receiving and embracing of him For tho' the Preparation of the Heart be from the Lord yet he requires the Exercise of our Faculties and the Use of our Endeavours He prepares our Hearts by enabling us to the Preparation of our own Hearts This is done by getting a sight of the Evil of Sin a sense of our Misery without Christ an hungring and thirsting Desire after him a true Faith in him Christ will lodge in no Heart that is not thus made ready to receive him 4 John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins A twofold Account is here given of St. John's Execution of his Ministry and Office first his Baptizing secondly his Preaching John did Baptize That is admit Persons into the Church by washing them with Water John baptized into the Name of Christ who was to come the Apostles baptized into the Name of Christ already come The second Part of his Office was Preaching where Note That Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments are to go together and belong only to the Ministers of the Word lawfully called John did Baptize and Preach but where and what did he preach The place where was the Wilderness a place not much frequented tho' not altogether uninhabited a solitary mean and obscure place Thither God had called him and there he contents himself Learn hence That the Ministers of God must be content to execute their Ministry where God calls them be the Place never so mean and obscure and the People never so rude and barbarous John was a Preacher of great Note and Fame Jerusalem the chief City might seem more fit for him but God had called him to Preach in the Wilderness and he would not leave it We must not leave our Place because it is mean and obscure nor desert our People thinking them too base to instruct but where God has called us we must there abide till he that call'd us thither remove us thence Observe farther as the Place where the Baptist preach'd in the Wilderness so the Doctrine which he preach'd namely the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of Sin That is the Doctrine of Baptism which sealeth Remission of Sins to the Party baptized Learn hence That the Preaching of the Doctrine of Repentance is absolutely necessary and the Indispensible Duty of every Gospel-Minister John Baptist preach'd it our Saviour preach'd it his Apostles preach'd it They went out Preaching every where that Men should repent 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan confessing their sins Here we have an Account of the Success of John's Ministry 1. In the general Concourse and Resort of the People to it All Judea and Jerusalem that is a great many of all Degrees and Ranks of Ages and Sexes John was famed for a Prophet and a Prophet was now a great Rarity Malachy was the last Prophet before John and he lived about Five Hundred Years before John Now the Excellency of his Person the Earnestness of his Preaching the Acceptableness of his Doctrine that the Messias was come and the Austerity of his Life and Conversation all these caused the People to flock unto him Learn hence That it is a great Encouragement to the Ministers of Christ when People shew themselves ready and forward to repair unto the Places where the Word and Sacraments are dispensed to them All Judea and Jerusalem attended upon John's Ministry The second Fruit of John's Ministry was that the People were ready to receive at his Hand the Sacrament of Baptism They were all baptized of him in Jordan Learn hence That the Ministers of Christ ought not only to preach the Word but also to dispense the Sacraments to their People even to all that do desire them and are fit to be Partakers of them A third Fruit of John's Ministry was his Hearers Profession of their true Repentance by the Confession of their Sins As the Profession of Repentance is requisite in all that are Baptized so a free and voluntary ingenious and impartial Confession of Sin is a good Evidence and Testimony of the Truth and Sincerity of our Repentance 6 And John was cloathed with camels hair and with a girdle of a skin about his loins and he did eat locusts and wild honey This Verse acquaints us with the Strictness and Austerity of St. John's Life in the Wilderness which is laid down in two Things in his mean and frugal Apparel and in his sober and temperate Diet. His Apparel was rough and hairy and his Girdle of Leather as Elijah his Forerunner was clad before him 2 Kings 1.8 His Diet was course and ordinary Locusts and wild Honey that is such plain and ordinary Food as the Wilderness afforded His Example teaches us That the Ministers of the Gospel are not to affect either Bravery in Apparel or Delicacy in
Diet but both by their Habit and Diet set an Example of Gravity and Sobriety before their People being in these as well as in other things an Example unto their Flocks 7 And preached saying There cometh one mightier then I after me the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose Observe here 1. The high Opinion that the Baptist had of Christ he is mightier than I That is a Person of greater Dignity and Excellency by far than my self whence may be gathered that tho' Christ was Man he was not meer Man but more than Man even very God equal with the Father for John Baptist was the greatest of them that were born of Women Matth. 11.11 yet says he Christ is mightier or greater than I. How so but in regard of the Dignity of his Person being both God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person Observe 2. The humble and low Estimation that the Baptist had of himself His Shoe-latchet I am not worthy to unloose A proverbial Speech implying that he was unworthy to do the basest and meanest Service for Christ Oh how well doth Humility of Mind an humble Apprehension a low Esteem and Opinion of themselves and their own Gifts and Abilities become the Messengers and Ministers of Christ John was a Man of eminent Abilities yet of Exemplary Humility he thought himself unworthy to unloose Christ's Shoe or do the meanest Office for him 8 I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost John shewed the Dignity of Christ's Person above his own in the former Verse in this he declares the Excellency of Christ's Office and the meanness of his own I wash the Body with Water but Christ cleanses the Soul by the Operation of his Holy Spirit Thence Learn That tho' the Ministers of Christ do by Christ's Command dispence the Outward Ordinance of Baptism yet it is Christ himself that by the Inward Work of his Spirit doth make it effectual to such as receive it I Baptize with Water but he with the Holy Ghost 9 And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 10 And straightway coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him 11 And there came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased See the Note on Matth. 3.13 Observe here 1. The great Condescention of Christ in seeking and submitting to the Baptism of John Christ tho' he was John's Lord and Master yea Lord of Heaven and Earth yet cometh to hear John Preach and will be Baptized of his Messenger Thence Learn That the greatest Persons should neither think themselves too great nor too good to come unto the Ministers of God to hear the Word from his Mouth or to receive the Sacrament at his Hand Christ the Son of God was content to be Baptized of John a mean Person in Comparison of himself How dare then the greatest upon Earth despise the Ministry of Man being appointed by God Observe 2. The solemn investing of Christ into the Office of a Mediator by a threefold Miracle namely the opening of the Heavens the Descent of the Holy Ghost and God the Father's Voice or Testimony concerning his Son The Heavens were opened to shew that Heaven which was closed and shut against us for our Sins is now opened to us by Christ's undertaking for us As Christ opened Heaven by his meritorious Passion so he keeps it open by his prevailing Intercession Next The Holy Ghost descends like a Dove upon our Saviour Here we have a Proof and Evidence of the Blessed Trinity The Father speaks from Heaven the Son comes out of the Water and the Holy Ghost descends in the Likeness of a Dove But why did the Holy Ghost now descend upon Christ First For the Designation of his Person to shew that he was the Person set apart for the Work and Office of a Mediator Secondly For the Sanctification of his Person for the Performance of that Office This was Christ's Unction the Day in which he was Anointed above his Fellows to be the King Priest and Prophet of his Church Isa 61. v. 1. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me he hath anointed me c. Observe 3. The Voice of God the Father pronouncing 1. The Nearness of Christ's Relation to himself This is my Son 2. The Endearedness of his Person This is my Beloved Son 3. The Fruit and Benefit of this near and dear Relation unto us In him I am well pleased Hence Learn 1. That there is no Possibility for any Person to please God out of Christ neither our Persons nor our Performances can find Acceptance but thro' him and for his sake 2. That the Lord Jesus Christ is the Ground and Cause of all that Love which God the Father sheweth to the Sons of Men In Christ God is well pleased with us as a reconciled Father out of him a consuming Fire 12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan and was with the wild beasts and the Angels ministred unto him Immediately That is 1. After his Baptism Christ is no sooner out of the Water of Baptism but he is in the Fire of Temptation Such as are Baptized with Christ and entered into the Profession of Christianity they must look to be assaulted with Satan's Temptations Again Immediately that is 2. After the Father had declared his Complacency in him and being well pleased with him Learn thence That great Manifestations of Love from God are usually followed with great Temptations from Satan The Spirit driveth him That is the Holy Spirit of God For the Devil is seldom if ever called the Spirit but usually some Brand of Reproach is annexed as the evil Spirit or the unclean Spirit and the like Christ was led by the Spirit says St. Matthew 4.1 He was driven by the Spirit says St. Mark that is He was carried by a strong Impulse of the Spirit of God to be tempted by Satan and did not go of his own private Motion to enter the Lists with Satan Teaching us our Duty not to run into or rush upon Temptations without a Warrant and Call from God Observe next the Place where Satan assaulted Christ with his Temptations it was a solitary Wilderness No Place can priviledge us from Temptations or be a Sanctuary from Satan's Assaults The solitary Wilderness has a Tempter in it yea Satan oft-times makes use of Men's Solitariness to farther his Temptations and such as separate themselves from Humane Society and give themselves up to Solitude and Retirement they give great Advantage to the Tempter to tempt them Observe next the Time and Continuance of our Holy Lord's Temptations not for an Hour a Day a Week or a Month but for Forty Days
and Forty Nights not all the Time but very often in that Time Teaching us what we are to expect from Satan Temptations not a few he will not solicite us once but often and follow us with fresh Assaults but the only way to overcome him is as often to resist him Observe farther a special Aggravation of our Lord's Temptations in the Wilderness He was with the wild Beasts having no Comfort from Man but only wild Beasts for his Companions which were more likely to annoy and hurt him than any way to help and comfort him Here we have an Evidence of the Divine Power of Christ who as Lord of the Creatures can alter and change the Nature of the Creatures at his Pleasure restraining the most Savage and Hurtful Beasts from hurting either himself or any of his People Observe lastly The Supply sent in to Christ in the Hour of Temptation The Angels came and ministred unto him Food to his hungry Body and Comfort to his tempted Soul Learn thence that those who in the Hour of Temptation do hold out in resisting Satan shall find that the Power and Faithfulness of God will not be wanting to them to send in Succour and Relief at last Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred unto him 14 Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God 15 And saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the gospel In this our Saviour's first beginning to preach the Gospel we have an Account of the Time when the Place where and the Sum of what he preached Observe 1. The Time when our Lord began to preach and that was after John the Baptist was cast into Prison Where Note 1. The undue Reward which the Ministers of God do sometimes meet with from a wicked World They are hated persecuted and imprison'd for their Courage in reproving Sin John for reproving Herod's Incest was put in Prison Note 2. John was no sooner in Prison and stopt and hindered from preaching but Christ began to preach See the Care and Kindness of God towards his Church in that he never leaves it wholly destitute of the Means of Instruction When some of his faithful Ministers are restrained from preaching he stirreth up others in their Rooms not suffering all their Mouths to be stopt at once Observe 2. The Place where our Lord first preached in Galilee The Land of Canaan in our Saviour's time was divided into three principal Provinces On the South Judea on the North Galilee in the midst Samaria Galilee was divided into the upper and lower Galilee the higher was called Galilee of the Gentiles because it was the outmost part of the Land and so next unto the Gentiles In this upper Galilee Capernaum was the Metropolis or Chief and Corazin a lesser City Now much of our Saviour's time was spent in Galilee he was conceived and brought up at Nazareth a City in Galilee he first preached at Capernaum in Galilee he wrought the first Miracle at Cana in Galilee His Transfiguration was upon Mount Tabor in Galilee and our Saviour's ordinary Residence was in Galilee he came into Judea and up to Jerusalem only at the Feasts and after his Resurrection he appoints his Disciples to meet him in Galilee Only his Nativity his Passion and Ascension were proper to Judea His Nativity at Bethlehem his Passion at Jerusalem and his Ascension upon Mount Olivet hard by Jerusalem Now all this demonstrates Christ to be the true and promised Messias for according to Prophecy the Messiah was to have his Presence and principal Abode in the Province of Galilee Isa 9. v. 1 2 3 c. yet because he was of Galilee the Jews would not believe him to be the Messiah saying in Scorn Can any good thing come out of Galilee Whereas our Saviour's Habitation and free Conversation there was a Proof unto them and ought to have perswaded them that according to Prophecy he was the very Christ Observe 3. The Sum of what our Lord preached namely a Doctrine and an Exhortation His Doctrine is That the Time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at Hand That is that the Time foretold by the Prophets when the Kingdom of the Messiah should begin was now come The Exhortation is Therefore Repent and Believe the Gospel From the former Note That the Messiah's coming or our Saviour's appearing in the Flesh was exactly at the time foretold by the Holy Prophets The time is fulfilled the Kingdom of the Messiah is at Hand Note 2. That the great Doctrines of Repentance and Faith are taught only in and by the Gospel and accordingly ought in a special Manner to be preach'd and insisted upon by the Ministers of the Gospel The Doctrine of Christ and his Ambassador is and ought to be the same they both teach the great Doctrines of Faith and Repentance to a lost World Repent and Believe the Gospel 16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers 17 And Jesus said unto them Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men 18 And straightway they forsook their nets and followed him 19 And when he had gone a little further thence he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother who also were in the ship mending their nets 20 And straightway he called them and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him In this History of our Saviour's calling the four Disciples Peter and Andrew James and John Observe these Particulars Obs 1. The Meanness of the Persons whom he calls Illiterate Fishermen Christ took hereby effectual Care that his Gospel should be known to be the Power of God and not the Wisdom and Device of Man and that the Instruments should not carry away the Glory of the Work Obs 2. Christ called his Apostles by Couples Two and Two first Peter and Andrew then James and John thereby signifying to us that the Work of the Ministry requires the Concurrence of all Hands that are called to it All the Ministers of God should join their Hearts and Hands and set their Shoulders as one Man to this great Work and all little enough God knows to carry it on with Advantage and Success Obs 3. The Work which they are called from and called to from being Fishermen to be Fishers of Men from catching Fish with the Labour of their Hands to catch Men with the Labour of their Tongues Obs 4. Our Saviour's Command first to follow him before they be sent out by him Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men. We must be Christ's Disciples before we are his Ministers his Followers before we are his Ambassadors We must learn Christ before we preach him otherwise we may fish for a Livelihood but
diseases and cast out many devils and suffered not the devils to speak because they knew him The Evangelist here declares sundry other Miracles wrought by our Saviour before the Door of Peter's House where he now was He healed all the Diseased that were brought unto him and cast out Devils out of them that were possessed with them But how comes it to pass that we read of so many possessed with Devils in our Saviour's time and so few either before or since Answ 1. Probably Satan perceiving that the Messiah was come in the Flesh to destroy his Kingdom did rage the more and discover greater Malice and Enmity against Mankind 2. Perhaps Almighty God permitted Satan at that time to possess so many that Christ might have Occasion to manifest his Divine Power by casting Satan out And accordingly we find our Saviour dispossessing all that were possess'd by Satan It is added That he suffered not the Devils to speak because they knew him That is Christ would not be made known to be the Son of God by the preaching of the Devil to whom it belonged not to publish the Gospel lest the World should take from thence an Occasion to think that our Saviour held a Correspondency with those wicked Spirits and that the Miracles he wrought were performed by the Devil's Assistance as being one in Combination with him possibly from the Devil 's owning Christ to be the Holy One of God the Pharisees concluded that there was a Compact and Agreement betwixt them and thereupon their Affirmation was grounded he casteth out Devils by Beelzebub c. 35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Observe here 1. The Duty performed by our Saviour namely Prayer solitary and private Prayer He went by himself alone out of the hearing of his Disciples The Company of our best Friends is not always seasonable nor acceptable there are Times and Cases when a Christian would not be willing that his dearest Relations upon Earth should hear that Intercourse which passes betwixt him and his God Obs 2. Christ chuses the Opportunity of the Morning for Prayer He rises a great while before Day to set about this Work Teaching us that the Morning is a fit Season yea the best Season for private Duties Now our Spirits are freshest and our Minds freest before the Distractions of the Day break in upon us it is better to go from Prayer to Business than from Business to Prayer 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him 37 And when they had found him they said unto him All men seek for thee 38 And he said unto them Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also for therefore came I forth 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and cast out devils Observe here Two Things First The great End of Christ in his Incarnation and coming into the World namely as a Prophet sent from God to reveal his Will and to publish the Doctrine of the Gospel Therefore came I forth that is to preach and plant the Gospel Secondly It being Christ's Design not only to plant but propagate the Gospel he would not confine his Ministry to any particular Place no not to the great City of Capernaum but resolves to preach the Word in the smallest Towns and Villages Leaving his Ministers herein an instructive Example to be as willing to preach the Gospel in the smallest Villages as in the largest Cities if God calls them thereunto Let the Place be never so obscure and mean and the Congregation never so small and little if God sends us thither the greatest of us must not think it beneath us to go and instruct an handful of People 40 And there came a leper to him beseeching him and kneeling down to him and saying unto him If thou wilt thou canst make me clean 41 And Jesus moved with compassion put forth his hand and touched him and saith unto him I will be thou clean 42 And as soon as he had spoken immediately the leprosie departed from him and he was cleansed 43 And he straightly charged him and forthwith sent him away 44 And saith unto him See thou say nothing to any man but go thy way shew thy self to the Priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them 45 But he went out and began to publish it much and to blaze abroad the matter insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places and they came to him from every quarter The last Miracle of our Saviour's recorded in this Chapter is his healing of a leper he came beseeching Christ to heal him Saying If thou wilt thou canst make me clean Where Obs 1. He doth not question Christ's Power but distrusts Christ's Willingness to heal him Lord if thou wilt thou canst Christ's Divine Power must be fully assented to and firmly believed by all those that expect Benefit by him and healing from him Obs 2. The great Readiness of Christ to help and heal this distressed Person Jesus touched him saying I will be thou clean By the Ceremonial Law the Leper was forbidden to be touch'd therefore Christ's touching this Leper shewed him to be above the Law and that he was the Lord of it and might dispence with it and his healing the Leper by the Word of his Mouth and Touch of his Hand shew'd him to be truly and really God Leprosie amongst the Jews was an incurable Distemper called the Finger of God a Disease of his sending and of his removing Our Saviour therefore as a Proof of his being the true Messiah tells John's Disciples Matth. 11.5 That the Lepers were cleansed and the Dead raised by him which two being joined together do imply that the cleansing of Lepers is as much an Act of Divine Power as the raising of the Dead And accordingly 2 Kin. 5.8 't is said Am I a God that this Man sends to me to cure a Man of his Leprosie Obs 3. The Certainty and Suddenness of the Cure was a Proof of Christ's Divine Power immediately his Leprosie was cleansed Christ not only cured him without Means but without the ordinary Time required for such a Cure Thus Christ shew'd both Power and Will to cure him miraculously who believed his Power but questioned his Willingness Obs 4. The Cause moving our Saviour to cure this Leper his Bowels were moved with tender Pity and Compassion towards him Christ's exercising Acts of Mercy and Compassion with such Condolency and Sympathizing Pity should by way of Example teach us to be inwardly moved with tender Compassion and Mercy towards such as are in Misery We are not only to draw out our Bread but to draw out our Soul to the Hungry Obs 5. A twofold Charge and Command given by Christ to the Leper after his Cure 1. To
rest in preaching and did with greater Zeal and Power sound forth the Doctrine of the Gospel like Thunder 20 And the multitude cometh together again so that they could not so much as eat bread 21 And when his friends heard of it they went out to lay hold on him for they said He is beside himself 22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said He hath Beelzebub and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils 23 And he called them unto him and said unto them in parables How can Satan cast out Satan 24 And if a kingdom be divided against it self that kingdom cannot stand 25 And if a house be divided against it self that house cannot stand 26 And if Satan rise up against himself and be divided he cannot stand but hath an end 27 No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods except he will first bind the strong man and then he will spoil his house 28 Verily I say unto you All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the holy Ghost hath never forgiveness but is in danger of eternal damnation 30 Because they said He hath an unclean spirit Observe here 1. How truly our Lord's Word was verified John 4.34 My Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me for he and his Apostles going into an House to refresh themselves in their Hunger the People press'd upon him so fast to hear the Word that he regards not the satisfying of his Hunger but applies himself to instruct the People Lord how exemplary was thy Zeal and Diligence in preaching the everlasting Gospel to a lost World As it is instructive to may it be imitated and followed by all thy Ambassadors Obs 2. The rash Censure of our Saviour's Friends that is his Kinsmen concerning this Action in neglecting to eat Bread and suffering the Multitude thus unseasonably to press upon him They conclude he is besides himself Out of his right Mind and accordingly went out to lay hold upon him Learn hence 1. That the forward Zeal and Diligence of Christ and his Ministers in preaching the Gospel is accounted Madness and Frenzy by a Blind World But they may say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.13 If we be besides our selves it is unto God But who were the Persons that thus look'd upon our Saviour as besides himself Verily his own Kindred and Relations according to the Flesh Learn thence That oft-times the Servants of God meet with the strongest Temptations from and are most discouraged and molested by such as are their nearest Relations by Blood or Alliance This is a great Trial to find our Relations setting us back instead of helping us forward in the ways of Religion but we must bear it patiently knowing that not only others of God's Children but Jesus Christ his own and only Son did experience this Trial. Observe 3. The malicious and wicked Slander which the Scribes endeavoured to fix upon our Blessed Saviour namely That he was possest of the Devil and by Familiarity with him and Help from him cast forth Devils out of others Good God! how was thine own and only Son the Holy and Innocent Jesus censured slandered and falsly accused of the worst of Crimes of Gluttony of Blasphemy of Sorcery Can any of thy Children expect Freedom from the Persecution of the Tongue when Innocency it self could not protect thy Holy Son from Slander and false Accusation Obs 4. Our Saviour's Answer and just Apology for himself in which are contained 1. A Confutation of their Calumny and Slander 2. A Reprehension of the Scribes for the same 1. To confute this Slander our Saviour by several Arguments shews how absurd and unlikely it is that the Devil should cast out himself and any ways oppose or seek to destroy his own Kingdom As if our Saviour had said Is it likely that Satan would â—end me his Power to use it against himself Surely Satan will do nothing to weaken his own Interest or shake the Pillars of his own Kingdom Now if I have received my Power from Satan for destroying him and his Kingdom Then is Satan like a Family divided within it self and like a Kingdom divided against it self which can never stand but be brought to Desolation Our Saviour having sufficiently shewn that he did not work his Miracles by the Power of the Devil he next informs them from whence he had that Power even from God himself and accordingly he compares Satan to a strong Man well-armed with Weapons to defend his House and he compares himself clothed with Divine Power to one that is stronger than the strong Man So that the Argument runs thus The Devil is very strong and powerful and there is no Power but God's only that is stronger than his If then says Christ I were not assisted with a Divine Power I could never cast out this strong Man who reigns in the Bodies and Souls of Men as in his House for it must be a stronger than the strong Man that shall bind Satan and who is he but the God of Strength Learn hence That Christ's Divine Power is only Superiour to Satan's Strength He only can vanquish and over-rule him at his Pleasure and drive him out of that Possession which he holds either in the Bodies or in the Souls of Men. Obs 5. The Charge which our Saviour brings against the Scribes and Pharisees for Blaspheming his Divine Power in working Miracles He charges them with sinning the unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost All Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven but he that shall Blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never Forgiveness As if Christ had said All the Reproaches which you cast upon me as Man are pardonable as when you check me with the Poverty and Meaness of my Birth when you censure me for a Wine-bibber a Glutton a Friend and Companion of Sinners and the like unjust Crimes But when you Blaspheme that Divine Power by which all my Miracles are wrought and contrary to the Convictions of your own enlightned Minds maliciously ascribe all my Miracles to the Power of the Devil which were wrought indeed by the Power of the Holy Ghost this makes your Condition not only dangerous but desperate because you resist the last Remedy and oppose the best Means for your Conviction For what can be done more to convince you that I am the true and promised Messiah than to work so many Miracles before your Eyes to that Purpose Now if when you see these you will say it is not the Spirit of God that works these but the Power of the Devil as if Satan would conspire against himself and seek the Ruin of his own Kingdom there is no Way or Means left to convince you but you will continue in your Obstinacy and malicious Opposition to Truth to your unutterable and inevitable Condemnation 31 There came then his
brethren and his mother and standing without sent unto him calling him 32 And the multitude sat about him and they said unto him Behold thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee 33 And he answered them saying Who is my mother or my brethren 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him and said Behold my mother and my brethren 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God the same is my brother and my sister and mother Obs here 1. The Truth and Verity of Christ's Humane Nature he had Affinity and Consanguinity with Men Persons near in Blood to him by the Mother's side called here his Brethren that is his Kinsmen Obs 2. That the Mother of Christ tho' she was a Blessed and Holy Woman yet was she not free from Sin but Failings and Infirmities are found with her It was a Fault to interrupt our Saviour unseasonably at this time when he was preaching to the People The like we see in her at other times Luke 2.48 and John 2.3 No Saint here on Earth ever was in a State of Sinless Perfection Blessed be God we are hastning to such a State Obs 3. That Christ did not neglect his Holy Mother or disregard his poor Kindred and Relations but only shewed that he preferred his Father's Work and Business before their Company and Acquaintance at this time Obs 4. How exceeding dear obedient Christians are to Jesus Christ he preferrs his Spiritual Kindred before his Natural Alliance by Faith is more valued by our Saviour than Alliance by Blood To bear Christ in the Heart is a greater Honour than to bear him in the Womb. Blessed be God this great and gracious Priviledge is not denied us even now Altho' we cannot see Christ yet love him we may His Bodily Presence cannot be enjoyed by us but his Spiritual Presence is not denied us Tho' Christ be not ours in House in Arms in Affinity in Consanguinity yet in Heart in Faith in Love in Service he is or may be ours Verily Spiritual Regeneration bringeth Men into a more honourable Relation to Christ than Natural Generation ever did CHAP. IV. 1 ANd he began again to teach by the sea-side and there was gathered unto him a great multitude so that he entered into a ship and sat in the sea and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land 2 And he taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine The foregoing Chapter acquainted us with the Blasphemous Slander which the Scribes and Pharisees cast upon our Blessed Saviour accusing him for casting out Devils by the Help of the Devil This they did no doubt to discredit his Person and hinder his Ministry yet for all this the People follow him in great Multitudes more than ever to hear him and be instructed by him Thence Learn That all the Power and Malice of Satan and wicked Men shall not be able to suppress the Gospel or hinder the free Course of it yea the more it is opposed the more it shall prevail the more the Scribes and Pharisees disgraced our Saviour and vilified his Doctrine the more the People followed him in Troops to be Partakers of his Ministry Obs 2. The Place where our Lord now preached in a Ship Not that he declined the Temple or the Synagogue when he had Opportunity but in the want of them Christ thought an House a Mountain a Ship no unmeet Place to preach in It is not the Place that sanctifies the Ordinance but the Ordinance that sanctifies the Place Obs 3. Our Saviour's Gesture in preaching he sat it being the Custom of the Jewish Church so to do Mat. 23.2 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses Chair Learn thence That in indifferent Rites and Orders touching the outward Worship of God we are to conform our selves to the Laudable Custom and Practice of the Church in which we live and whereof we are Members Thus did our Saviour and so ought we Obs 4. The manner of our Lord 's Preaching it was by Parables and Similitudes which was an antient way of Instruction among the Jews and a very convincing way working upon Men's Minds Memories and Affections all at once making the Mind attentive the Memory retentive and the Auditors inquisitive after the Interpretation of the Parable Some are of Opinion that our Saviour's Parables were suited to his Hearers Imployments and accordingly many of his Hearers being Husbandmen he resembles his Doctrine to Seed sown in the Field For thus he speaks 3 Hearken Behold there went out a sower to sow 4 And it came to pass as he sowed some fell by the way side and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up 5 And some fell on stony ground where it had not much earth and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched and because it had no root it withered away 7 And some fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choaked it and it yielded no fruit 8 And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased and brought forth some thirty some sixty and some an hundred 9 And he said unto them He that hath ears to hear let him hear Several things are here Observable As 1. How Christ begins and ends the Parable with an Admonition to diligent and serious Attention Hearken says Christ ver 3. and he that hath Ears to hear let him hear v. 9. This shews us at once the People's Backwardness and Negligence in applying their Minds to hear and receive the Word of God and also shews the Minister's Duty to excite and stir up their People's Diligence and Attention in hearing God's Word Obs 2. What is the general Scope and Design of this Parable Namely To shew that there are four several sorts of Hearers of God's Word and but one good one but one sort only hear to a saving Advantage Now as to the Matter of the Parable Note 1. The Sower is Christ and his Apostles He the principal Sower they the Subordinate Seedsmen Christ sows his own Field his Ministers sow his Field He sows his own Seed they his Seed Wo unto us if we sow our own Seed not Christ's Note 2. The Seed sown the Word of God fabulous Legends and unwritten Traditions which the Seedsmen of the Church of Rome sow these are not Seed but Chaff or their own Seed and not Christ's Our Lord's Field must be all sown with his own Seed with no mixt Grain Learn 1. That the Word preach'd is like Seed sown in the Furrows of the Field As Seed has as a fructifying Virtue in it by which it encreases and brings forth more of its own kind so has the Word of God a quickning Power to regenerate and make alive dead Souls 2. Learn from this Parable That the Seed of the Word where it is most plentifully sown is not alike fruitful Seed doth not thrive
they should tell no man of him 31 And he began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders and of the chief priests and scribes and be killed and after three days rise again 32 And he spake that saying openly And Peter took him and began to rebuke him 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples he rebuked Peter saying Get thee behind me Satan for thou savourest not the things that be of God but the things that be of men These Verses relate to us a Conference which our Saviour had with his Disciples touching their own and others Opininion of his Person Where Observe 1. The Place where Christ and his Disciples did confer it was in the way as they walked together Teaching us our Duty to take all Occasions and Opportunities for Holy Conference for good Discourse touching Spiritual Things when in the House when in the Field when travailing in the way Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often to one another Obs 2. The Conference it self Whom do Men say that I am That is What do the common People think and speak of me not as if Christ were ignorant what Men said of him or did vain-gloriously enquire after the Opinion of the Multitude concerning him but with an Intention more firmly to settle and establish his Disciples in the Belief of his being the true and promised Messias The Disciples tell him That some said He was John the Baptist others Elyas others one of the Prophets It is no new thing it seems to find Diversity of Judgments and Opinions concerning Christ and the Affairs of his Kingdom When our Saviour was amongst Men who daily conversed with him yet was there then a great diversity of Opinions concerning him Obs 3. How St. Peter as the Mouth of all the Apostles and in their Name makes a full and open Confession of Christ acknowledging him to be the true and promised Messiah Peter said Thou art the Christ Whence Note That the Vail of Christ's Humane Nature did not keep the Eye of his Disciples Faith from seeing him to be truly and really God 2. That Jesus the Son of the Virgin Mary was the Christ the true Messiah or the Person ordained by God to be the Mediator betwixt God and Man the Redeemer and Saviour of Mankind Thou art the Christ Obs 4. The Charge and special Injunction given by our Saviour to tell no man of him that is not commonly and openly to declare that he was the Son of God and the true Messiah Because he was now in his State of Humiliation and the Glory of his Divinity was to be concealed till his Resurrection Christ had his own fit Times and proper Seasons in which he reveal'd the great Mysteries of his Kingdom to the World Obs 5. The great Wisdom of our Saviour in acquainting his Disciples with the near Approach of his Death and Passion thereby to prevent that Scandal and Offence which otherwise they might have taken at his Sufferings the better to fit and prepare them to bear that great Tryal and to correct the Error which they had entertained touching an Earthly Kingdom of Christ that the Messiah was to be a temporal Prince Obs 6. St. Peter's Carriage towards Christ upon this Occasion He took him aside and began to blame him for affirming that he must die Oh how ready is Flesh and Blood to oppose all that tends to Suffering What need have we to be fortified against the Temptations of our Friends as well as of Enemies Satan sometimes makes use of good Men as his Instruments to do his Work by when they little suspect it Little did Peter think that Satan now set him on work to hinder the Redemption of Mankind by disswading Christ from dying Obs 7. With what Indignation Christ rejects Peter's Admonition Get thee behind me Satan Christ heard Satan speaking in Peter 'T was Peter's Tongue but Satan tuned it therefore Christ calls Peter by Satan's Name They that will do the Devil's Work shall have the Devil's Name too He that would hinder the Redemption of Mankind is Satan an Adversary to Mankind From our Saviour's smart Reproof given to Peter we Learn That no reâ—pect to Mens Persons or regard to their Piety must cause us to flatter them in their Sins or move us to speak favourably of their Sins As well as our Saviour loved Peter he rebukes him severely Oh Lord so intent was thy Heart upon the great work of our Redemption that thou couldst not bear the least Word that should obstruct thee in it or divert thee from it 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also he said unto them Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospels the same shall save it Observe here 1. How our Blessed Saviour recommends his Religion to every one's Election and choice not attempting by Force and Violence to compel any Person to the embracing of it If any Man will come after me that is If any Man chooses and resolves to be a Christian Obs 2. Our Saviour's Terms propounded namely Self-denial Gospel-suffering and Gospel-service 1. Self-denial Let him deny himself By which we are not to understand either the denying of our Senses in Matters of Faith or the renouncing our Reason in the Matters of Religion But a Willingness to part with all our Earthly Comforts and Temporal Enjoyments for the sake of Christ when called thereunto 2. Gospel-suffering He must take up his Cross An Allusion to a Roman Custom that the Malefactor who was to be crucified took his Cross upon his Shoulder and carried it to the Place of Execution Where Note That not the making of the Cross but the patient bearing of it when God has made it and laid it upon our Shoulders is the Duty enjoin'd Let him take up his Cross 3. Gospel-service Let him follow me says Christ That is Obey my Commands and imitate my Example He must set my Life and Doctrine continually before him and be daily correcting and reforming of his Life by that Rule and Pattern Obs 3. The Reasons urged by our Saviour to induce Men to a willingness to lay down their Lives for the sake of Christ and his Holy Religion He that will save his Life shall lose it and he that is willing to lose his Life for the Gospel's sake the same shall find it Intimating to us 1. That the Love of this Temporal Life is a great Temptation to Men to deny Christ and to renounce his Holy Religion And 2. That the surest way to attain Eternal Life is chearfully to lay down our Temporal Life when the Glory of Christ and the Honour of Religion requires it at our hand 36 For what shall it profit a man to gain
or of Humane Invention implying very plainly that the calling of such as call themselves the Ministers of God ought to be from God No Man ought to take that Honour upon hâ—m but he that is called of God as was Aaron Heb. 5.4 The Pharisees reply They could not tell whence John had his Mission and Authority this was a manifest untruth by refusing to tell the truth they fall into a Lye against the Truth one sin ensnares and draws men into the Commission of many more Such as will not speak exact truth according to their Knowledâ—e they fall into the Sin of Lying against their Knowledge and their Conscience Our Saviour answers them neither telâ— I you by what Authority I do these things he doth not say I cannot or I will not tell you but I do not I need not tell you because the Miracles which I work before you are a sufficient Demonstration of my Divine Commission that I am sent of God amongst you for God never set the Seal of his Omnipotence to a Lye nor impowered an Impostor to work real Miracles CHAP. XII 1 AND he began to speak unto them by parables A certain man planted a Vineyard and set an hedge about it and digged a place for the wine-fat and built a tower and let it out to Husbandmen and went into a far Country 2 And at the season he sent to the Husband men a Servant that he might receive from the Husband men of the fruit of the Vineyard 3 And they caught him and bear him and sent him away empty 4 And again he sent unto them another Servant and at him they cast stones and wounded him in the head and sent him away shamefully handled 5 And again he sent another and him they killed and many others beating some and killing some 6 Having yet therefore one Son his well beloved he sent him also last unto them saying They will reverence my Son 7 But those Husband men said amongst themselves this is the Heir come let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours 8 And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the Vineyard In this Paâ—able the Jewish Church is compared to a Vineyard Almighty God to an Hoâ—sholder his planting pruning and fencing his â—ineyâ—rd denotes his care to furnish his Church with all needful helps and means to make it spiritually fruitful His letting it out to Husband men signifies his committing the care of his Church to the Priests and Levites the publick Pastours and Governours of the Church his Servâ—nts are the Prophets and Apostles whom he sent from time to time to Admoâ—ish them to bring forth Fruit answerable to the cost which God had expended on them his Son is Jesus Câ—rist whom the Rulers of the Jewish Church Slâ—â— and Murthered The dâ—sign and scope of the Parable is to discover to the Jews particularly to thâ— Pharisees their obstâ—â—te impenitency under all the means of Grace their bloody crucify towards the Prophet of God their tremendous â—â—uilt in Crucifying the Son of God for all which God would unchurch them finally ruin their Nation and set up a Church among the Gentiles that should bring forth better fruit then the Jewish Church ever did From the whole Note 1 That the Church is Gods Vineyard A Vineyard is a place Enclosed a place well Planted well Fruited and exceeding Dear and Precious to the Planter and the Owner of it 2 As dear as God's Vineyard is unto him in case of Barrenness and unfruitfulness it is in great danger of being destroyed and laid waste by him 3 That the only way and course to engage God's care over his Vineyard and to prevent its being given to other Husband-men it is to give him the Fruits of it it is but a Vineyard that God lets out it is no inheritance No People ever had so many Promises of God's favour as the Jews had not ever enjoyed so many Priviledges whilst they continued in his favour as they did yet though they were the first and the â—â—tural Branches they are broken off and we Gentiles stâ—nd by Faith let us not be high minded but fear Rom 11. â—0 9 What shall therefore the Lord of the Vine-yard do he will come and destroy the Husbandmen and will give the Vineyard unto others 10 And have ye not read the Scriptures the stone which the Builders rejected is â—â—come the head of the Corner â—1 This was the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our Eâ—â—â—â— 12 And they sought to lay hold on him bâ—â—â—â—â—red the People for they knew thâ—t he hâ—d spoken the Parable against them and they lâ—ft him and went their way These words of our Saviour are taken out of the 118th Psalm which the Jews understood to be a Prophecy of the Messiah and accordingly Christ applys them to himself The Church is the Building intended Christ himself the Stone Rejected by the Rejectors or the Builders Rejecting are the Heads of the Jewish Church that is the chief Priests and Pharisees God the great Master Builder of his Church takes this precious foundation Stone out of the Rubbish and sets it in the head of the Corner nevertheless there are many that stumble at this Stone some through Ignorance others through Malice Some are offended at his Person others at his Doctrine These shall be broken in pieces but on whomsoever this Stone shall fall it will grind them to powder that is Christ himself will fall as a Burthensome Stone upon all them that knowingly and maliciously oppose him and particularly upon the Jews who not only rejected but persecuted and destroyed him Thus Christ tells the chief Priests and Pharisees their own particular doom and also declares what will be the fatal Issue of all that opposition which is made against Himself and his Church it will terminate in the inevitable destruction of all its opposers Whosoever shall fall on this Stone shall be broken and on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind them to Powder 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees with the Herodians to catch him in his words 14 And when they were come they say unto him Master we know that thou art true and carest for no man for thou regardest not the person of men but teachest the way of God in truth Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not 15 Shall we give or shall we not give But he knowing their hypocrisie said unto them why tempt ye me bring me a penny that I may see it 16 And they brought it and he saith unto them whose is this image and superscription and they said unto him Cesars 17 And Jesus answering said unto them render to Cesar the things that are Cesars and to God the things that are Gods And they marvelled at him Observe here a grand design to entangle our Blessed Saviour in his Discourse where Note 1. The persons imployed to put the ensnaring question to Christ Namely the Pharisees and
said by the Holy Ghost the 〈◊〉 sâ—id to my Lord sit thou on my right hand till I make thine Enemies thy footstool 37 Dâ—vid therefore himself calleth him Lord and whence is he then his Son and the common people heard him gladly The Pharisees had often put forth several questions malitiously unto Christ and now Christ puts forth one question innocently unto them namely What they thought of the Messiah whom they expected They reply that he was to be the Son of David that is a secular Prince descending from David who should deliver them from the power of the Romans and restore them to their Civil Rights This was the Notion they had of the Messiah that he should be a meer Man the Son of David according to the flesh and nothing more Our Saviour replys Whence is it then that David calls the Messiah Lord Psalm 110. v. 1. The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand how could he be both David's Lord and David's Son No Son being Lord to his own Father therefore if Christ were David s Soveraign he must be more than Man more then David's Son as Man so he was David's Son as God-man so he was David's Lord. Note hence 1. That although Christ was truly and really Man yet he was more then a bare Man he was Lord unto and the Salvation of his own Fore-fathers Note 2. That the only way to reconcile the Scriptures which speak concerning Christ is to believe and acknowledge him to be God and Man in one Preson the Messiah as Man was to come forth out of David's Loyns but as God-man he was David's Soveraign and Saviour As Man he was his Fathers Son as God he was Lord to his own Father 38 And he said unto them in his Doctrine beware of the Scribes which love to go in long cloathing and love Salutations in the market place 39 And the chief seats in the Synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts 40 Which devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers these shall receive greater Damnation Observe here What it is that our Saviour condemns not civil Salutations in the Market place not the chief seats in Synagogues not the uppermost Rooms at Feasts but their fond Affecting of these things and their Ambitious aspiring after them It was not their taking but their loving the uppermost Rooms at Feasts which Christ condemns Observe 2. How our Saviour condemns the Pharisees for their gross Hypocrisy in colouring over their Covetousness with a pretence of Religion making long Prayers in the Temple and Synagogues for Widows and thereupon perswading them to give bountifully to Corban that is the common Treasury for the Temple some part of which was imployed for their maintenance whence we learn that it is no new thing for designing Hypocrites to cover the fowlest Transgression with the cloak of Religion The Pharisees made long Prayers a cloak and cover for their Covetousness 41 And Jesus sat over against the Treasury and beheld how the people cast money into the Treasury and many that were rich cast in much 42 And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two mites which makes a farthing 43 And he called unto him his Disciciples and saith unto them verily I say unto you that this poor Widow hath cast more in then all they which have cast into the Treasury 44. For all they did cast in of their abundance but she of her want did cast in all that she had even all her living As our blessed Saviour sat over against the Treasury that is that part of the Court of the Temple where the Corban or Chests for receiving the Peoples Offerings and Gifts were set he observed and took notice of those that offered their Oblations and some that were rich offered very liberally but a certain poor Widow came and offered two Mites Our Saviour hereupon takes occasion to instruct his Disciples in this comfortable Truth namely that Almighty God accepts the will of those that give chearfully though they cannot give largely This poor Woman cast in more in respect of the inward affection of her heart and in proportion to her estate then all those that were Rich and Wealthy that had cast in before her a mite to her being more then a pound to them From the whole Note 1. That the poorer yea the poorest sort of People are not exempted from good works even they must exercise charity according to their Abilities Learn 2. That in all works of pious charity which we perform God looks at the heart the will and the affection of the Giver more then at the largeness and liberality of the Gift if there be a willing mind says the Apostle 2 Câ—r 8.12 It is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not CHAP. XIII 1 AND as he went out of the Temple one of his Disciples saith unto him Master see what manner of stones and what buildings are here 2 And Jesus answering said unto him seest thou these great buildings there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down Our blessed Saviour being now ready to depart from the Temple never more after this entring into it and his Disciples shewing him with wonder and admiration the magnificient Structures and Buildings thereof apprehending that in regard of its invincible strength it could not be destroyed or that at least in regard of its incredible magnificence it was great pitty it should be destroyed They say to Christ Master behold what Buildings are here not considering how sin will undermine and blow up the most famous Structures Sin brings Cities and Kingdoms as well as particular persons to their end not one stone of this magnificent Structure says Christ shall remain unpulled down which threatning was exactly fulfilled after Christ's Death when Titus the Roman Emperor destroâ—ed the City burnt the Temple and Turnus Rufus the General of his Army ploughed up the very foundation on which the Temple stood Thus was the threatning of God fulfilled Jer. 26.18 Zion shall be ploughed as a Field and Jerusalem shall becâ—me an heap Learn hence 1. That sin has laid the foundation of ruin in the most flourishing Cities and Kingdom 2. That the threatnings of God are to be feared and shall be fulfilled whatever appearing improbabilities there may be to the contrary 'T is neither the Temples strength nor beauty that can oppose or withstand God's Power 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the Temple Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately 4 Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled A double question is here propounded to our Saviour by his Disciples namely When the Destruction of Jerusalem shall be and what should be the signs of that Destruction See here what an itching curiosity there is in the best of Men to know
the holy Ordinances of God which they have no right whilst such to partake of 2. That the presence of such persons doth pollute the Ordinance only to themselves holy persons are not polluted by their Sins therefore ought not to be discouraged from coming by their presence there Observe 2. What a surprizing and astonishing word it was which dropt from our Saviour's Mouth amongst his Disciples One shall betray me yea one of you shall betray me Can any Church upon Earth expect purity in all its Members when Christ's own family of Twelve had a Traitor and a Devil in it Yet tho' it was very sad to hear of one it was matter of joy to understand that there was but one One Hypocrite in a Congregation is too much but there is cause of rejoycing if there be no more Observe 3. Christ did not name Judas and say Thou O perfidious Judas art the Traitor but one of you shall betray me Doubtless it was to draw him to Repentance and to prevent the giving him any provocation Lord how sad is it for any of thy Family who pretend friendship to Thee to conspire with thine Enemies against Thee For any that eat of thy Bread to lift up their heel against Thee Observe 4. The Disciples sorrow upon these words of Christ and the effect of that Sorrow Their Sorrow was as well it might exceeding great Well might innocent Disciples be over-whelm'd with Sorrow to hear that their Master should die that he should die by Treason that the Traitor should be one of themselves But though their Sorrow was great yet was the effect of their Sorrow very good it wrought in them an holy suspicion of themselves and caused every one to search himself and say Master is it I Learn hence That it is possible for such secret wickedness to lodge in the heart as we never suspected till Time and Temptation drew it forth None of the Disciples suspected nay Judas himself never apprehended that depth of iniquity and hypocrisy which was found lodging in him Yet Note that though the Disciples were jealous and suspicious yet was it of themselves not of one another nay not of Judas himself every one said Master is it I not Master is it Judas True Sincerity and Christian Charity will make us more suspicious of our selves then of any other it hopes the best of others and fears the worst of our selves Observe 5. That though Judas sees himself pointed at by our Saviour and hears the dreadful Threatnings denounced against him that it had been better for him that he had ne-never been Born yet he is no more Blank'd then innocence it self Resolute Sinners run on desperately in their Evil Courses and with open Eyes see and meet their own Destruction without being either dismayed at it or Concerned about it This Shameless Man had the Impudence to say to our Blessed Saviour Master is it I Our Saviour gives him a direct Answer Thou sayest it Did not Judas think we Blush extreamly cast down his guilty Eyes and let fall his drooping Head at so galling an intimation Nothing less we read of nothing like it Lord How does obduracy in Sin steel the Brow and make it uncapable of all Relenting impressions Observe Lastly How our Saviour prefers Non-entity before Damnation It had been better for that Man he had never been born A Temporal miserable Being is not worse than no Being but Eternal Misery is much worse than Non-entity Better to have no Being then not to have a Being in Christ It had been better for Judas that he had never been Born than to lye under Everlasting Wrath. 22 And as they did eat Jesus took Bread and blessed and brake it and gave to them and said Take eat this is my Body 23 And he took the Cup and when he had given Thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it 24 And he said unto them This is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many 25 Verily I say unto you I will drink no more of the Fruit of the Vine until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God 26 And when they had sung an Hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives Immediately after the Celebration of the Passover our Lord Institutes his Holy Supper in which Institution we have Observable The Author the Time the Elements and Ministerial Actions Observe here 1. The Author of this new Sacrament Jesus took Bread Note thence That to Institute a Sacrament is the sole Prerogative of Jesus Christ The Church has no Power to make new Sacraments it is only her Duty to Celebrate those which her Saviour has made Observe 2. The Time of the Institution the Night before his Passion The Night in which he was Betrayed Jesus took Bread Learn thence That it is very necessary when Sufferings are approaching to have Recourse to the Table of the Lord which affords both an Antidote against Fear and is a Restaurative to our Faith Observe 3. The Sacramental Elements Bread and Wine Bread representing the Body and Wine the Blood of our dear Redeemer Observe 4. The Ministerial Actions The Breaking of the Bread and the Blessing of the Cup as to the Bread Jesus took it that is set it apart from Common Use and separated it for Holy Ends and Purposes He Blessed it that is Prayed for a Blessing upon it and Brake it thereby shadowing forth his Body broken upon the Cross and he gave it to his Disciples saying This broken Bread signifies my Body suddenly to be broken upon the Cross for the Redemption and Salvation of a lost World Do this in Remembrance of my Death As to the Cup Christ having set it apart by Prayer and Thanksgiving he Commands his Disciples to drink all of it and accordingly they all drink of it says this Evangelist and our Saviour gives his Reason for it v. 24. For this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for Remission of sins that is the Wine in this Cup represents the shedding of my Blood by which the New Covenant betwixt GOD and Man is Ratified and Confirmed Whence we Gather That every Communicant hath as undoubted a Right to the Cup as to the Bread in the Lord's Supper Drink ye all of this says Christ therefore to deny the Cup to the Common People is Sacriledge and directly contrary to our Saviour's Institution After the Celebration was over our Saviour and his Disciples Sang an Hymn as the Jews were wont to do at the Passover the six Eucharistical Psalms from the 113th to the 119th Psalm From Christ's Example we gather how suitable it is to sing a Psalm after the Celebration of the Lord's Supper How fit is it that God be Glorified in his Church by singing of Psalms and in particular when the Lord's Supper is Celebrated When they had Sung an Hymn they went into the Mount of Olives 27 And Jesus saith unto them All ye shall
could not Christ have Risen without the Angels Help yes doubtless he that Raised himself could surely have Rolled away the Stone but God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison-door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice fully satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Observe 2. Our Lord's Resurrection declared He is Risen he is not here Almighty God never intended that the darling of his Soul should be left in an obscure Sepulchre He is not here said the Angel where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost its Prisoner Observe 3. It is not said He is not here for he is Raised but he is Risen the word imports the Active Power of Christ or the self-quickning Principle by which Christ Raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself alive after his Passion Hence Learn That it was the Divine Nature or Godhead of Christ which Raised the Humane Nature from Death to Life others were Raised from the Grave by Christ's Power but he Raised himself by his own Power Observe 4. The Testimony or Witness given of our Lord's Resurrection that of an Angel in Humane Shape A young man cloathed in a long white Garment But why is an Angel the first Publisher of our Saviour's Resurrection Surely the Dignity of our Lord's Person and the Excellency of his Resurrection required that it should be thus Published How very serviceable and officious the Holy Angels were in Attending upon our Saviour in the days of his Flesh see in the Note on Mat. 28.6 7. Observe 5. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first declared and made known to Women to the two Mary's But why to Women and why to these Women why to Women because God will make choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater honour of the Agent In the whole dispensation of the Gospel God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the conception of Christ was by the power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenters Spouse so the crucifixion of Christ was in much meanness and outward baseness being crucified between two Thieves But the powers of Heaven and Earth trembling the Rocks rending the Graves opening shewed a mixture of Divine Power Thus here God will honour what instruments he pleases for the accomplishment of his own purposes but why to these Women the two Marys is the first discovery made of our Saviours Resurrection possibly it was a reward for their magnanimity and masculine Courage these Women clave to Christ when the Apostles forsook him they assisted at his Cross they attended at his Funeral they waited at his Sepulchre these Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes them Apostles to the Apostles This was a tacite Rebuke a secret check given to the Apostles that they should be thus out done by Women these holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Obs 6. The Evidence which the Angels offers to the Women to evince and prove the verity and certainty of our Saviour's Resurrection namely by an appeal to their senses behold the place where they laid him the senses when rightly disposed are the proper judges of all sensible Objects and accordingly Christ himself did appeal to his Disciples senses concerning the Truth of his own Resurrection Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self and indeed if we must not believe our Senses we shall want the best external Evidence for the proof of the certainty and truth of the Christian Religion namely the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles For what Assurance can we have of the reallity of those Miracles but from our Senses therefore says our Saviour if ye believe not me yet believe the works that I do that is the Miracles which I have wrought before your Eyes Now as my Senses tell me that Christ's Miracles were true so they assure me that the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is false From the whole Note That the the Lord Jesus Christ by the Omnipotent Power of his Godhead revived and rose again from the dead the third day to the Terror and Consternation of his Enemies and the unspeakable joy and consolation of Believers Observe lastly the quick dispatch made of the joyful news of our Lord's Resurrection to the sorrowful Disciples go tell the Disciples says the Angel go tell my Brethren says Christ Matth. 28.10 Christ might have said go tell those Apostate Apostles that cowardly left me in my danger that durst not own me in the High-priests Hall that durst not come within the shadow of my Cross nor within sight of my Sepulchre not a word of this by way of upbraiding them for their late shameful Cowardize but all words of Kindness Go tell my Brethren where Note That Christ calls them Brethren after his Resurrection and Exaltation thereby shewing that the change of his condition had wrought no change in his Affection towards his poor Disciples but those that were his Brethren before in the time of his Abasement are so still after his Exaltation and Advancement Go tell my Brethren says Christ Go tell my Disciples and Peter says the Angel Where Note That St. Peter is here particularly named not because of his primacy and superiority over the rest of the Apostles as the Church of Rome would have it but because he had denied Christ and for that denial was swallowed up with sorrow and stood most in need of comfort therefore says Christ by the Angel speak particularly to Peter be sure that his sad heart be comforted with this joyful news that he may know that I am friends with him notwithstanding his late Cowardize Tell the Disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee but why into Galilee because Jerusalem was now a forsaken place a people abandoned to destruction but Galilee was a place where Christ's Ministry was more acceptable Such places shall be most Honoured with Christ's presence where his Gospel is most accepted 9 Now when Jesus was risen from the dead early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seven Devils 10 And she went and told them that had been with him as they mourned and wept 11 And they when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her believed not 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them as they walked and went into the Country 13 And they went and told it unto the residue neither believed they them 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and
sit down by him as his Members The only way to this namely to ascend unto and sit down with Christ in Heaven is to live like him and to live unto him here on Earth If any Man love me he will follow me and where I am there shall alsâ— my servant be St. Joh. 12.26 20 And they went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with Signs following Observe here first the general publication of the Gospel by the Apostles They went forth and preached every where Secondly the reason of the Efficacy and Success of it namely that Divine and miraculous power which accompanied the Preaching of it the Lord wrought with them and câ—nfirmed the word with Signs following 1. Obs The general publication of the Gospel by the Apostles they went forth and Preached every where The industry of the Holy Apostles was incredibly great yet was their success greater then their industry even beyond all humane Expectation which will evidently appear if we consider 1. The vast spreading of the Gospel so far in so short a space of time for in thirty Years time after Christ's death it was spread through the greatest part of the Roman Empire and reached as far as Parthia and India 2. The wonderful power and efficacy which the Gospel had upon the lives and manners of men the generality of those that entertained the Gospel were obedient to it both in word and deed because Christianity being an hated and persecuted profession no man could have any inducement to embrace it that did not resolve to practise it and live up unto it 3. The weakness and meanness of the Instruments that were imployed in propagating the Gospel shews the success of it to be very great and strange a company of plain and illiterate Men most of them destitute of the advantages of Education and unassisted by the countenance of any Authority whatsoever yet did they in a short space draw the World after them 4. The powerful opposition which was raised against the Gospel namely the prejudices of Education the power of indwelling Lusts and also the powers of the World then in being did strongly combine against it yet did Christianity bear up against all this opposition and made its way thorough all the resistance that the Lusts and prejudices of Men armed with the power and authority of the whole world could make against it 5. The great discouragements that Men were then under to embrace the Gospel and the Christian profession all the evils of this World threatned them Mockings and Scourgings Banishment and Imprisonment Reproach and Ruin death in all its fearful shapes was presented to them to deter them from embracing this Religion Observe therefore 2. The reason of this wonderful Success the Lord wrought with them and confirmed the word with Signs following the Lord wrought with them this points at the inward operation of the Holy Spirit upon the minds of Men and confirmed the word with Signs that is confirmed their Doctrine with Miracles such as healing Diseases raising the Dead casting out Devils inflicting corporal Diseases on scandalous persons and sometimes Death it self from the whole we gather the Truth and Divinity of the Christian Religion that it was and is certainly of God and therefore never could never can be overthrown The End of St. Mark EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO S T. LUKE St. LUKE xxiii 45 46 47. Then opened he their Vnderstandings that they might understand the Scriptures And he said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the Third day and that Repentance and Remission of sins should be Preach'd in his name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO S T. LUKE CHAP. I. 1 FOrasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed amongst us 2 Even as they delivered them unto us which from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word 3 It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus 4. That thou mayest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed This Gospel together with the Acts of the Apostles were written by St. Luke the beloved Physician and Companion of St. Paul who wrote as did the rest of the Evangelists by the special Direction and Inspiration of the Holy Ghost where we may profitably Remark the wonderful wisdom of God who in Order to the Confirming of our Faith in the Truth of the Gospel raised up a sufficient number of Witnesses to testify the verity and infallible certainty of all that the Gospel delivers to us Now this Evangelist St. Luke Dedicates this Gospel together with the Acts of the Apostles to Theophilus who was as some think an Honourable Senator or a Renowned and eminent Person in the Church as Others suppose But many take the word Theophilus not for a proper Name but common Name signifying every one that Loveth God to whom St. Luke addresses his Discourse The first four Verses of this Chapter are a Preface to the following History and acquaint us with the Reasons which induced St. Luke to write namely because divers Persons in that Age had imprudently and inconsiderately set upon writing Gospels without direction from the Spirit of God whose Errors and Mistakes were to be corrected by a true Narrative This St. Luke declare he was able to make having had perfect Understanding and Knowledge of the Truth of those things he was about to Relate partly by his familiarity with St. Paul and partly by his Conversation with the other Apostles who constantly attending our Saviour were Eye and Ear-witnesses of those things that are the Subject matter of the â—â—â—hing-History Hence learn 1. That there were some Apocryphal Writings or Writings which were not of Divine Authority Reâ—â—ting to the New Testament as well as to the Old as the Books of Asher Gad and Iddâ— are recited in the Old Testament but were never received into the Canon of the Scripture So were there some Gospels or Historical Relations of our Saviour's Life and Actions wrote by Persons which the Church never received as not having the impress of God's Ordination Note Secondly that the Gospels which St. Luke and the other Evangelists wrote have nothing of fallibility or uncertainty in them they wrote nothing but what they either heard or saw themselves or else received from those that were Eye and Ear-witnesses of matter of Fact It seemed good to me to write having had perfect knowledge of all things from the very first 5 There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of
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
the power of the Romans who set four Governours over them called Tetrarchs so named from their ruling over a fourth part of the Kingdom From hence the Jews might have observed had not prejudice blinded their Eyes that the Scepter being thus departed from Judah according to Jacob's Prophecy Gen. 49. Shilo or the Messias was now come Again the time when St. John began his Ministry was when Annas and Caiphas were High-priests under the Law there were three sorts of Ministers that attended the Service of the Temple namely Priests Levites and Nethenims over these the High-priest was chief who by God's command was to be the first born of Aaron's Family But how came two High-priests here seeing God never appointed but one at a time In answer to this say some the power and covetousness of the Romans put in High-priests at pleasure to officiate for gain say others the High-priest was allowed his Assistant or Deputy who in case of his pollution or sickness did officiate in his place But that which we may profitably observe from hence is this The exactness and faithfulness of this Historian St. Luke in relating the Circumstances of our Saviour's Nativity and the Baptists Ministry that the Truth might evidently appear he is exact in Recording the Time 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet saying the voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 5 Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be laid low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough way shall be made smooth 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God Observe here 1. The place where the Baptist exercised his Ministry in the Wilderness of Judea where were some Cities and Villages tho' thinly inhabited Note here the great Humility of the Baptist in preaching in an obscure place and to a small handful of people Jerusalem some might think a fitter place for so celebrated a Preacher but God had called him to preach in the Wilderness and there he opens his Commission Learn hence that the most eminent of God's Ministers must be content to execute their office and exercise their Ministry where God calls them be the place never so mean and obscure and the people never so rude and barbarous In the place where God by his Providence fixes us we must abide till he that called us thither removes us thence And this was the Baptist's case here He leaves the Wilderness at God's command and comes to more Inhabited places he came into the Country about Jordan preaching It is not only lawful but a necessary Duty for the Ministers of God to remove from one Place and People to another provided their Call be clear their way plain the good of Souls their Motive and the Glory of God their end Obs 2. The Doctrine which the Baptist preached namely the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of Sins that is the Doctrine of Baptism which sealeth Remission of Sins to the party Baptized Learn hence that the preaching of the Doctrine of Repentance is the indispensable Duty of every Gospel-Minister John the Baptist preacht it our Saviour preacht it his Apostles preacht it they went out every where preaching that men should Repent Till we are in a State of Sinless Perfection the Doctrine of Repentance must be preacht unto us and practised by us Obs 3. The Motive and Inducement which prompted the Baptist to his Duty which was to fulfil the Prophecies that went before of him as it is written in the Book of the Prophets The voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths streight every valley shall be filled c. Where Note 1. The title given to John the Baptist a Voice a crying voice This implies both his vehemency and earnestness and also his freedom and boldness in delivering of his Message when a minister's own Heart is warmly affected with what he preach he may hope to affect the Hearts of others Note 2 The Sum and Substance of what he cryed Prepare ye the way of the Lord c. that is make your selves ready to receive the Messiah to embrace and entertain his Doctrine As loyal Subjects when their Prince is coming near their City they remove every thing out of the way that may hinder his Progress all Annoyances and all Impediments In like manner the preparatory Work of the Gospel upon the Hearts of Sinners lies in pulling down Mountains and filling up Valleys that is in humbling the proud Hearts of Sinners puft up as the Pharisees were with a conceit of their own Righteousness who would be their own Saviours and not beholding to Christ and his free Grace for Salvation Learn hence 1. That man's heart is naturally very unfit to receive and entertain the Lord Jesus Christ and his Holy Doctrine we have naturally no sitness no inclination nor disposition to believe in him or submit unto him 2. That if ever we desire to entertain Christ in our Hearts we must first prepare and make ready our Hearts for the receiving and embracing of him For tho' the preparation of the heart be from the Lord yet he requires the exercise of our Faculties and the use of our Endeavours he prepares our hearts by enabling us to prepare our own Hearts by getting a sight of the Evil of Sin and a sense of our Misery without Christ an hungring desire after him and a lively Faith in him God does not work upon Man as Masons work upon Stone what he doth in us and for us he doth it by us he works by setting us to work therefore says the Holy Baptist Prepare ye the way of the Lord make c. The Act of Endeavour is ours the Aid and Assistance is God's Obs Lastly The encouragement which the Baptist gives to Persons to prepare the way of the Lord for says he all flesh shall see the Salvation of God that is now is the time that all Persons Jew and Gentiles may see the Author of Salvation whom God has promised to the World and may by Faith be made partakers of that Salvation which the Messiah shall purchase for them and in his Gospel tender to them The great End of Christ's coming into the World was to purchase Salvation for all Flesh willing to be Saved by him 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generation of Vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of Repentance and begin not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our father for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham St. Matthew Ch. 3.7 8. says that the Baptist spake these words to the
is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears Our Blessed Saviour being thus fitted and prepared by his Baptism and Temptations for the Execution of his Ministerial Office he now enters upon the great work of Preaching the Gospel and St. Luke here declares the first place he preacht at namely Nazareth and the first Text he preacht upon Isa 61.1 Observe 1. The place which our Saviour preacht at he bestowed his first Sermon upon Nazareth the place of his Conception and Education For tho' Christ was Born at Bethlehem yet he was bred and brought up at Nazareth there he had his poor but painful Education working on his Father's Trade that of a Carpenter This prejudiced the Jews against him who lookt for a Scepter not an Ax in the hand of him that was born King of the Jews Our Saviour's short and secret abode at Bethlehem and his long and publick living at Nazareth occasioned him to be called Jesus of Nazareth Yet some conceive it was a Nick-name fastned by the Devil upon our Saviour that he might disguise the place of Christ's Nativity and leave the Jews at the greater loss concerning their Messiah Sure it is that this Name Jesus of Nazareth stuck upon our Saviour all his Life and at his Death was fixed by Pilate on his Cross Yea after his Ascention such as believed on him were called The Sect of the Nazareens or the followers of Jesus of Nazareth Observe 2. The Text which our Saviour preacht upon at Nazareth he takes it out of the Prophet Esaias Ch. 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and he hath Anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor that is God the Father hath poured forth his Holy Spirit without measure upon me in all the Gifts and Graces of it to sit and furnish me for the work of a Mediator and particularly to preach the Gospel to the poor in Spirit and to such as are poor in outward Condition also if meekned and humbled with the sight and sense of their sins To bind up the broken hearted that is to comfort them with the glad tidings of the Gospel To preach Deliverance to the Captives to let such Sinners know who were slaves to sin and Satan that a Deliverer is come if they be willing to be Delivered by him To preach the acceptable year of the Lord or to proclaim a Spiritual Jubilee in which God proffers pardon of Sin and Reconciliation with himself upon the Terms of the Gospel Learn hence 1. That God stirreth up none to take upon them the Office of the Ministry whom he hath not fitted and furnished with Gifts for the Regular discharge of it 2. That Christ himself did not undertake the Office of a Mediator but by the Ordination of God the Holy Spirit The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and he hath sent me to preach the Gospel 3. That no Creature Angel or Man could perform the Office of a Mediator but only Christ who was Consecrated to that Office by an Anointing from the Holy Spirit without measure The Spirit of the Lord hath anointed me 4. That the preaching of the Gospel is the great Ordinance which Christ himself made use of and recommended to his Apostles and Ministers for inlightning blind Sinners for comforting broken hearts and for Delivering Captive Souls from the slavery and dominion of sin and Satan He hath sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor to heal the broken-hearted to publish Deliverance to the Captives and Recovering of Sight to the blind What Enemies then are they to the Souls of Men who have low and mean thoughts of this high and honourable Ordinance of God the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel which is the power of God unto Salvation Observe 3. The Behaviour of our Saviour's Auditors the Men of Nazareth under his Preaching their Eyes were fixt and their minds intent upon him and upon what was spoken by him The Eyes of all that were in the Synagâ—gue were fastned upon him not closed with sleep nor gazing about upon others but fixed upon Christ the Preacher fixing of the Eye is a great help to the attention of the ear and the intention of the mind a fastned eye is a means to help us to a fixed heart as a wandring eye is both a sign and a cause of a wandring Heart O that our Hearers would imitate our Saviour's Hearers under the Word They fastned their Eyes upon him as if they meant to hear with their eyes as well as with their Ears And yet we have cause to suspect that Curiosity rather than Piety caused this their Attention seeing as you will find v. 29. That these very Persons who out of Novelty were ready to eat his words soon after out of Cruelty were ready to devour the speaker for they thrust him out of the city led him to the Brow of the Hill and would have cast him down headlong Oh blessed Saviour What wonder is it that the Persons of thy Ministers are despised and their Doctrine neglected when thou thy self the first Preacher of the Gospel and for thy first Sermon at Nazareth wert thus ignominiously treated 22 And all bare him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth and they said is not this Joseph's son 23 And he said unto them ye will surely say unto me this Proverb Physician heal thy self Whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum do also here in thy country 24 And he said verily I say unto you no Prophet is accepted in his own country Observe here 1. The effect of our Saviour's Ministry at Nazareth it created wonder but did not produce Faith they marvelled but not believed they admire the Wisdom of his Discourses but will not own him to be the promised Messias because of the Poverty and Meanness of his Condition Is not this Joseph's Son They expect the son of a Prince not the son of a Carpenter to be their Messiah Thence Note That the Poverty and Meaness of Christ's Condition was that which Multitudes stumbled at and which kept many yea most from Believing on him None but a Spiritual Eye can discern Beauty in an humbled and abased Saviour Obs 2. Our Saviour wonders not that so few of his Country men amongst whom he had been bred and brought up and with whom he had lived most part of his time did despise his Person and reject his Doctrine He tells them No Prophet has honour in his own Country that is very seldom has Teaching us that usually the Ministers of God are most despised where they are most familiarly known sometimes the remembrance of their mean Original and Extraction sometimes the poverty of their Parents sometimes the Indecencies of their Childhood sometimes the follies of their youth sometimes the faults of their Family and Relations are ript up and made occasions of Contempt and therefore that Prophet that comes from afar and has not been much known gains the greatest Reputation amongst a
but they have broken the yoke and burst the bonds Obs 3. The miraculous Success which St. Peter had when at Christ's Command he let down the Net They inclosed such a multitude of Fishes that their Net brake Two things our Saviour aimed at in this Miracle 1. To manifest to his Disciples the power of his Godhead that they might not be offended at the poverty and meanness of his Manhood 2. To assure them of the great Success which his Apostles and their Successors might expect in planting and propagating of the Gospel If the Ministers of Christ whom he calls Fishers of Men be Faithful in the cast his Power shall be magnified in the Draught Some of our Fish will cleave Eternally to the Rocks others play upon the Sands more will wallow in the Mud and continue all their days in the filth of sin if our Master at whose Command we let down the Net doth not inclose them in it as well as assist us in the casting of it Observe 4. What influence the sight of this Miracle had upon St. Peter it occasioned fear and amazement and caused him to adore Christ and declare himself unworthy of his presence Depart from me for I am a sinful Man O Lord not that the good man was weary of Christ's Presence but acknowledged himself unworthy of it 'T is a great Discovery of our Holiness to revere God and fear before him when he doth wonderful things before us tho' they be wonders of Love and Mercy here was a wonderful appearance of Christ's Power and Mercy to St. Peter But it affects him with reverential fear and awful Astonishment Observe 5. How St. Peter and the rest of the Apostles at Christ's Call forsook all and followed him they left Father and Friends Ship and Nets and followed Jesus whom Christ Calls he calls effectually he draws whom he calls and works their Hearts to a ready Compliance with their Duty And altho' when they were first called to be Disciples they followed their Trades of Fishing for a time yet upon their second call to the Apostleship they left off their Trade and forsook all to follow the Ministry Teaching the Ministers of the Gospel that it is their Duty to give themselves wholly up to their great Work and not to incumber themselves with secular Affairs and worldly Business nothing but an indispensible Necessity in providing for a Family can excuse a Ministers incumbring himself with Worldly Concerns and Business They forsook all and followed Jesus 12 And it came to pass when he was in a certain place behold a man full of Leprosy who seeing Jesus fell on his face and besought him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean 13 And he put forth his hand and touched him saying I will be thou clean and immediately the Leprosy departed from him 14 And he charged him to tell no man but go and shew thy self to the Priest and offer for thy cleansing according as Moses commanded for a Testimony unto them 15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their Infirmities Observe here 1. the Petitioner that in a very humble and submissive manner sues unto Christ for Cure and Healing A Leper fell on his Face and besought him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean he doth not question Christ's Power but distrusts his willingness to help and heal him Christ's Divine Power must be fully assented to and firmly Believed by all those that expect benefit by him and healing from him Obs 2. The great readiness of Christ to help and heal this distressed Person Jesus touching him saying I will be thou clean By the Ceremonial Law the Leper was forbidden to be touched therefore Christ's touching this Leper shews himself to be above the Law that he was the Lord of it and might dispense with it and his healing this Leper by the word of his Mouth and the touch of his Hand shewed him to be truly and really God for Leprosy among the Jews was accounted an incurable Distemper called the Finger of God a Disease of his sending and of his removing Our Saviour therefore as a proof of his being the Messias tells John's Disciples Matth. 11.5 That the Lepers were cleansed and the Dead raised by him which two being joined together do imply that the cleansing of the Lepers is as much an act of Divine Power as the raising of the Dead and accordingly 2 Kings 5.8 it is said Am I God that this man sends unto me to cure a person of his Leprosy Obs 3. The certainty and suddenness of the Cure was a farther proof of Christ's Divine Power Immediately the Leprosy departed Christ not only Cured him immediately but instantaneously not only without Means but without the ordinary time required for such a Cure Thus Christ shewed both Power and will to Cure him Miraculously who Believed his Power but questioned his willingness Obs 4. A Twofold Charge and Command given by Christ to the Leper 1. To tell it to no Man where the great Modesty Piety and Humility of Our Saviour is discovered together with the prudent care he took of his own Safety his modesty in concealing his own Praises his Humility in shunning all vain-glorious Applause and Commendation his Piety in referring all the Honour and Glory to God his Father and the Care of his own Safety appeared lest the publishing of his Miracles should create untimely Danger from the Pharisees 2. The next part of the Charge given to the Recovered Leper is to go and shew himself to the Priest and to offer the Gift which Moses Commanded for a Testimony unto them that is to testify to the Jews that he did not oppose the Ceremonial Law which required a Thank-offering at his Hand and also that the Miracle might testify that he was the true and promised Messiah Learn hence that our Blessed Saviour would have the Ceremonial Law punctually observed so long as the time for its continuance did endure tho' he came to destroy that Law yet whilst it stood he would have it exactly observed 16 And he withdrew himself into the Wilderness and prayed The Duty of private and solitary Prayer is not more strictly injoined by our Saviour's Command then it is recommended to us by his Example Observe 1. The Duty which our Holy Lord performed Prayer we have much more business with God in Prayer than Christ had he had no sins to be humbled for nor beg pardon of no need to pray for any sanctifying habits of Grace the Holy Spirit being given to him without measure yet did our Holy Lord spend much of his time in Prayer he took delight in paying this Homage to his Heavenly Father Obs 2. What kind of Prayer our Lord did eminently delight in it was solitary and private Prayer He often went alone even out of the Hearing of his own Disciples The Company of
laid the foundation on a rock and when the flood arose the stream beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it for it was founded upon a rock 49 But he that heareth and doth not is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth against which the stream did beat vehemently and immediately it fell and the ruine of that house was great Our Saviour here concludes his Sermon with an Elegant Similitude He compares the Faithful doer of the Word to a wise Builder which founded his House upon a Rock Others he resembles to a foolish Builder that built his house upon the Sand the house is the hope of Heaven and Eternal Life the Rock is Christ the building upon the Sand is resting upon the bare performance of outward Duties the Rain the Winds and the Floods are all kinds of afflicting Evils Sufferings and Persecutions that may befal us The Sum is men's hopes of Salvation built upon any other besides Christ or built upon Christ without a sincere and uniform Obedience to him are vain hopes deceitful hopes for when the Storm arises when affliction or Persecution comes their Confidence will fail them their Foundation will be shaken Learn 1. That the Obedient Believer is the only wise Man that builds his hopes of Heaven upon a sure and abiding Foundation Christ is the Rock that he builds upon and one Christ is before a thousand Creatures one Rock better than millions of Sands to build upon 2. That such Professors as rest in the bare performance of outward Duties are foolish Builders their Foundation is weak and sandy and all their hopes of Salvation vain and deceitful Lord how does the Carnal World build all their hopes upon the Sand on the wisdom of the Flesh on their Policies Counsels Friends and Riches They bottom their very Souls upon Fancies Presumptions Delusions and vain hopes they expect to be Happy without being Holy which is to expect to be easy without being Healthy Wo to that Man whose Portion lies in the Creatures hands who builds all his hopes upon this Earth for when the Earth is shaken his hopes are shaken his heart is shaken and he is even at his Wits ends Whereas the Christian that builds upon the Rock he stands firm and sure for if ever the Christian falls Christ must fall with him he shall never be disappointed of his hopes unless Faithfulness can disappoint he shall never be deceived unless Truth it self can deceive If it be impossible for God to Lye then it is impossible for the Obedient Holy and circumspect Christian finally to miscarry CHAP. VII The former part of this Chapter relates to us a double Miracle wrought by our Blessed Saviour the one in raising the Centurion's Servant from his bed the other in raising the Widows Son from his Biere both of them eminent acts and instances of his divine and Almighty Power The History of the former stands thus 1 NOW when Jesus had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people he entered into Capernaum 2 And a certain Centurions Servant who was dear unto him was sick and ready to dye 3 And when he heard of Jesus he sent unto him the Elders of the Jews beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant 4 And when they came to Jesus they besought him instantly saying that he was worthy for whom he should do this 5 For he loveth our Nation and he hath built us a Synagogue 6 Then Jesus went with them and when he was now not far from the house the Centurion sent friends unto him saying unto him Lord trouble not thy self for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my Roof 7 Wherefore neither thought I my self worthy to come unto thee but say in a word and my Servant shall be healed 8 For I also am a man set under authority having under me Soldiers and I say unto one go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it 9 When Jesus heard these things he marvelled at him and turned him about and said unto the people that followed him I say unto you I have not found so great faith no not in Israel 10 And they that were sent returning to the house found the servant whole that had been sick In our Saviour's miraculous Cure of the Centurions Servant we have several particulars very Observable as 1. the person applying himself to our Blessed Saviour for help and healing he was a Gentile an Heathen a Roman Soldier an Officer and Commander yet he believes in and relies upon the Power of Christ Note That such is the freeness of Divine Grace that it extends it self to all Sorts and Ranks to all Orders and Degrees of Men without Exception Even the bloody Trade of War yields worthy Clyents to Christ he doth not so much Regard what we are and whence we are as what we be and with what Dispositions and Desires with what Purposes and Inclinations we come unto him Observe 2. The Person whom the Centurion came to Christ for not for himself not for his son but for his servant his servant was sick He doth not drive him out of Doors nor stand gazing by his Bed-side but looks out for help and relief for him a worthy Example of Humanity Some Masters have not so much regard to their sick Servants as they have to their Oxen and their Swine Bu the is not worthy of a good Servant that in a time of sickness is not willing to serve his Servant Observe 3. Unto whom the Centurion seeks and with what zeal and application he seeks not to Wizards and Conjurers but to the Physician for his sick Servant yea to Christ the chief Physician and this not with a formal Relation in his Mouth but with a vehement aggravation of his Disease My Servant lyes sick of the Palsy grievously tormented St. Matth. 8.6 where the Master's condolency and tender sympathy with his afflicted Servant is both matter of Commendation and Imitation Observe 4. The happy mixture of Humility and Faith which was found in this Centurion See his wonderful Humility in not thinking himself worthy to come into Christ's presence or that Christ should come under his Roof The best Men have always the lowest Thoughts of themselves when we esteem our selves unworthy of any favours Christ accounts us worthy of all See also his Faith in Christ's Divine Power he believed that Christ was able at a Distance and by a single word to command off the Distemper of his Servant he tells him that Diseases were as much at Christ's command as his Servants were at his command Humility we see is both the fruit of Faith and the companion of Faith An humble Soul has evermore an high Esteem of Christ's Power and a low esteem of it self Observe 5. How our Blessed Saviour exceeds not only the Centurion's Desires but his Expectations also St. Matth. 8.7 Jesus saith
of his pardoning Love to her and not the Cause of it She did not first Love much and then Christ forgave her but Christ first forgave her and then she loved much Her Love was a Love of Gratitude because she was pardoned and not a Love of Merit to Purchase and procure her Pardon The Papists interpret this Word For as if it were the Antecedent Cause of her Forgiveness whereas it is a consequential Sign and Evidence that the free Grace and Mercy of Christ had forgiven her her many and great Sins were forgiven her and therefore she Loved much The Debt is not Forgiven because the Debtor Loves his Creditor but the Debtor therefore Loves because the Debt is Forgiven Forgiveness goes before and Love follows after Hence Learn That much Love will follow great Forgiveness Love will work in the heart towards God in some proportion to that Love which we have Experienced from God Observe Lastly The very Gracious Dismission which this Woman meets with from our Blessed Saviour What could she desire that is not here granted to her Here is Remission Safety Faith and Peace all these here meet to make a Contrite Soul Happy Remission is the Ground of her Safety Faith the Ground of her Peace Peace the fruit of her Faith and Salvation the Issue of her Remission Oh Woman Great was thy Sin Great was Christ's pardoning Grace and Great was thy Joy and Comfort Thy Sins are forgiven thee thy Faith hath saved thee go in peace CHAP. VIII 1 AND it came to pass afterwards that he went throughout every city and village preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and the Twelve were with him Observe here the great work and business which not only the Apostles but Christ himself was engaged in and imploy'd about namely preaching the Gospel those glad Tidings of Salvation to a lost World Where Note That Christ himself labour'd in this Work of publick Preaching he did not send forth his Apostles as his Curates to work and sweat in the Vineyard whilst he himself took his ease at home but he accompanieth them himself yea he goes before them himself in this great and excellent Work Jesus went preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel and the twelve were with him Learn thence That Preaching of the Gospel is a great and necessary Work incumbent upon all the Ministers of Christ let their Dignity and Preheminence in the Church be what it will Surely none of the Servants are above their Lord and Master did he Labour in the Word and Doctrine well may they Observe 2. The places where Christ and his Apostles preached not only in the populous Cities but in the poor Country Villages They went through every city and village preaching the Gospel Some will preach the Gospel provided they may preach at Court or in the capital Cities of the Nation but the poor Country Villages are over-look'd by them Our Saviour and his Apostles were not of this mind it 's true they were Itinerary Preachers we are settled but be the place never so mean and obscure and the People never so rude and barbarous we must not think it beneath the greatest of us to exercise our Ministry there if God calls us thither Christ went through the villages as well as cities Preaching 2 And certain women which had been healed of evil Spirits and infirmities Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seven Devils 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and Susanna and many others which ministered unto him of their Substance Amongst the number of those that did Accompany our Saviour and his Apostles mention is here made of certain Women who had been healed by Christ of Evil Spirits and Infirmities that is of Spiritual and Corporeal Diseases for the Jews were wont to call Vices and evil Habits by the Name of Devils as the Devil of Pride the Devil of Malice c. Now as concerning these Womens following of Christ and administring to him several Circumstances are Observable as 1. That Women did make up a considerable number of Christ's Followers ay and of his Apostles Followers too the Devout Women not a few Acts 17.4 And verily it is no Disgrace or Shame but matter of Glory and cause of Thankfulness if our Ministry be attended by and Blest unto the weaker Sex I believe in many of our Congregations and at most of our Communions are found two Women for one Man God grant them Knowledge answerable to their Zeal and Obedience proportionable to their Devotion Observe 2. One of these Women that followed Christ was Joanna the Wife of Herod's Steward What one of Herod's Family transplanted into Christ's Houshold oh the freeness of the Grace of God Even in the worst Societies and Places God has a number to stand up for his Name and bear witness to his Truth we read of a Joseph in Pharaoh's Court of an Obadiah in Ahab's Court of a Daniel in Nebuchadnezar's Court of a Church in Nero's House and of a Joanna here in bloody Herod's Family who had put John the Baptist to Death Observe 3. The Holy courage and resolution of our Saviour's Female Followers no doubt they met with Taunts and Jears with Scofs and Scorns enough and perhaps from their Husbands too for following the Carpenters Son and a few Fishermen but this does not damp but inflame their Zeal The Holy Gospel acquaints us with several instances of Masculine Courage and manly Resolutions in the Women that followed Christ as his Female Disciples at our Saviour's Tryal the Women cleave to him when his Disciples fled from him they accompanied him to his Cross they assisted at his Funeral they attended his Hearse to the Grave they watched his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the rudeness of the Soldiers These feeble Women had more courage then all the Apostles Learn that Courage is the special and peculiar Gift of God and where he gives Courage it is not in Man to make afraid Observe 4. The pious and charitable care of these Holy Women to supply the Wants and outward Necessities of our Saviour they administred to him of their Substance Where Note 1. The great Poverty of Christ he lived upon the Basket he would not honour the World so far as to have any part of it in his own hand but was beholding to others for what he eat and drank yet must we not suppose that either Christ or his Apostles were common Beggars but it is probable there was a Bag or common Purse amongst them which upon occasion supplied their Necessities and there were certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sisters or Christian Women as the Learned Dr. Hammond observes who accompanied Christ and his Apostles in their Travels and provided Necessaries for them when they went up and down Preaching the Gospel Note also 2. The condescending Grace and Humility of Christ he was not ashâ—med either of these Womens following of him or administring to
him because of their former vicious Course of Life it is not what we formerly were but what now we are that Christ considers it is a Glory to him to have great and notorious Sinners brought to a closure and compliance with him The Reproach is not that they have been Sinners for Christ did not give himself for a people that were pure and holy without spot or wrinkle but to make them so by his Word and Spirit Eph. 5.26 Christ is only ashamed of those that eat of his Bread and lift up the Heel against him 4 And when much people were gathered together and were come to him out of every quarter he spake by a Parable 5 A sower went out to sow his Seed and as he sowed some fell by the ways side and it was trodden down and the Fowls of the air devoured it 6 And some fell upon a Rock and as soon as it was sprung up it withered away because it lacked moysture 7 And some fell among Thorns and the Thorns sprang up and choaked it 8 And others fell upon good ground and sprang up and bear fruit aâ— hundred fâ—â—d and when he had said these thiâ—â—â— be cryed he that hath ears to hear let him hear 9 And his Disciples asked him saying What might this Parable be 10 And he said unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God but to others in Parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand The Design and Scope of this Parable is to shew what are the Causes of Mens improving or not improving under the Hearing of the Word and to let us know that there are three sorts of bad Hearers and but one good one The câ—reless and inconsiderate Hearer is like the High-way Ground where the Seed is trodden down and trampled upon Hard-hearted Sinners whom the mollifying word doth not soften These are like Stony-ground where the Seed takes no Root the word makes no impression Those whose heads and Hearts are stuft with the Cares of this World are like the Thorny-ground in which the Seed is choaked which should fructify to an holy immortality This is the Scope of the Parable Now from the Subject-matter of it Learn 1. That by the Sower you are to understand Christ and his Apostles and their Successors the Ministers of the Gospel Christ the principal Sower they the Subordinate Seeds-men Christ Sows his own Field they Sow his Field he sows his own Seed they his Seed Wo unto us if we sow our own Seed and not Christs Learn 2. The Seed sown is the Word of God Fabulous Legends and unwritten Traditions which the Seeds-men of the Church of Rome Sow these are not Seed but Chaff or if Seed for they fructify too fast in the minds of their People their own not Christ's Our Lord's Field must be all Sown with his own Seed with no mixt Grain Learn then That the Word Preach'd is like the Seed Sown in the Furrows of the Field Seed has a fructifying growing and encreasing Nature it has in it an active Principle and will spring up if not kill'd by Accidental Injuries such a quickning Power has the Word of God to regenerate and make alive dead Souls if we suffer it to take Rooting in our Hearts yet is not this Seed alike fruitful in every Soil all Ground is not alike neither doth the Word fructify alike in the Souls of Men there is a difference both from the Nature of the Soyl and the influence of the Spirit for tho' no Ground is naturally good yet some is worse then other nay even the best Ground doth not bring forth Encrease alike Some good Ground brings forth an hundred fold others but sixty and some but Thirty in like manner a Christian may be a profitable Hearer of the Word altho' he doth not bring forth so great a Proportion of Fruit as others provided he bring forth as much as he can 9 And his Disciples asked him saying What might this Parable be 10 And he said To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God but to others in Parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand Here we have the Disciples Question and our Saviour's Reply their enquiry is concerning the sense and signification of the Parable they own their Ignorance and desire better information It is no shame for the Best of Ministers yea for the best of Men to acknowledge their own ignorance in the Mysteries of Religion and to attend upon the means of instruction in order to their farther Information In our Saviour's Answer To you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God c. Observe 1. That the Doctrine of the Gospel are great Mysteries 2. That it is an invaluable Priviledge rightly to understand and know Gospel-Mysteries 3. That this Priviledge all are not sharers in and Partakers of but only those to whom it is given 4. That it is a Righteous thing with God to give such Persons over to farther Blindness and ignorance in Spiritual Things who wilfully reject the Truth and shut their eyes against the evidence of it The Pharisees had all along shut their Eyes and said they would not see and now Christ closes their Eyes Judicially and says they shall not see 11 Now the Parable is this the seed is the word of God 12 Those by the way-side are they that hear then cometh the Devil and taketh the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved 13 They on the Rock are they which hear and receive the word with joy and these have no root which for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away 14 And that which fell among Thorns are they which when they hear the word go forth and are choaked with cares and riches and pleasures of this Life and bring no fruit to perfection 15 But that on the good ground are they which in an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Here our Saviour applies himself to interpret and explain the foregoing Parable to his Disciples he tells them The Seed is the Word the Sower is the Preacher the Soyl or ground is the Heart and Soul of Man some Hearers he compares to the high-way Ground in which the Seed lies uncovered for want of the Harrow of Meditation others to stâ—ny Ground in which the Word has no Root no Root in their Understandings no Root in their Memories in their Wills or in their Affections but they are instantly offended either at the depth and profoundness of the Word or at the sanctity and strictness of the Word or else at the plainness and simplicity of it Again some Hearers our Lord compares to Thorny-ground Worldly desires and inordinate cares for the things of this Life choak the Word as Thorns over-shadow the Corn draw away the Heart of the Earth from it
hinder the influences of the Sun from cherishing it the like ill effects have Worldly Affections and desires in the Soul of Man rendring the Seed of the Word unfruitful But the good Christian hears the Word attentively keeps it retentively believes it steadfastly applies it particularly practises it universally and brings forth Fruit perseveringly Learn hence 1. That no Hearers are in Christ's Account good Hearers of the Word but such as bring forth Fruit answerably to their Hearing 2. That a Person may be a good hearer of the Word in Christ's Account if he bring forth the best Fruit he can tho' not in so great a Proportion as others do as some Ground brings forth Thirty some sixty some an hundred fold in like manner do all the sincere Hearers of the Word they all bring forth fruit tho' not all alike all in sincerity tho' not all Equally and none to Perfection 16 No man when he hath lighted a Candle covereth it with a Vessel or putteth it under a bed but setteth it on a Candlestick that they which enter in may see the light 17 For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest neither any thing hid that shall not be made known and come abroad 18 Take heed therefore how you hear for whosoever hath to him shall be given and whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have In these words Christ declares his End and Design in Revealing unto his Disciples the foregoing Parable and why he communicated to them the Light of Scripture Knowledge and Gospel Mysteries namely that they may communicate it to others and not keep it close unto themselves even as the Candle in an house diffuses and disperses its light to all that come within the reach of it Such as are enlightned by God in any measure with the Knowledge and Understanding of his Word ought not to conceal and hide this Knowledge within themselves but Communicate it to others and improve it for the good and benefit of others Observe also the Argument which our Saviour makes use of to quicken his Disciples to communicate their Knowledge and improve the Grace they had received for the good and advantage of others To him that hath shall be given that is such as improve their spiritual Gifts shall have them encreased such as improve them not shall have them blasted Learn hence that there is no such way to thrive in Grace and encrease in Gifts as to exercise and improve them he that hides his Talent forfeits it is in danger of loosing it and also of being punished for not improving of it Observe Lastly How our Lord shuts up this Parable of the Sower and the Seed with a cautionary direction to all his Auditors to take heed how they hear the Word Take heed therefore how you hear Such as would profit by hearing the Word must diligently attend to the matter of the Doctrine which they hear and also to the manner how they hear such is the majesty and authority of the person that speaks to us in the Word such is the sublimity and spirituality of the matter and so great is our danger if we miscarry under the Word that it nearly concerns us to take heed both what we hear whom we hear and how we hear 19 Then came to him his mother and his Brethren and could not come at him for the press 20 And it was told him by certain which said thy mother and thy brethren stand without desiring to see thee 21 And he answered and said unto them My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it Two things are here Observable 1. The Truth and Verity of Christ's Humane Nature He had affinity and consanguinity with men persons near in Blood to him by the Mothers side called here his Kinsmen Observe 2. That Christ's Spiritual Kindred were much dearer to him then his natural Allyance by Faith is more valued by Christ then allyance by Blood to bear Christ in the heart is a greater honour then to carry him in the Womb. Blessed be God this great and gracious Priviledge is not denyed us even now Altho ' we cannot see Christ yet love him we may his bodily Presence cannot be enjoy'd by us but his spiritual Presence is not denied to us Tho' Christ be not ours in House in Arms in Affinity and Consanguinity yet in Heart in Faith in Love and Service he is or may be ours Verily spiritual Regeneration bringeth men into a more honourable Relation to Christ then natural Generation ever did Oh how dear are Obedient Christians to Christ he prefers them in esteem before those of his own Flesh and Blood My brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day that he went into a ship with his Disciples and he said unto them let us go over unto the other side of the Lake and they lanched forth 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep and there came down a storm of wind on the Lake and they were filled with water and were in jeopardy 24 And they came to him and awoke him saying Master Master we perish Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water and they ceased and there was a calm 25 And he said unto them where is your Faith and they being afraid wondered saying one to another what manner of man is this for he commandeth even the winds and waters and they obey him Here Observe 1. Our Saviour and his Disciples no sooner put forth to Sea but difficulty attends them and danger over-takes them a Tempest arose and that Ship was covered with Waves which Christ himself was in with his Disciples Learn thence That the presence of Christ it self doth not exempt his Disciples and Followers from trouble and danger Here is a great Tempest about the Disciples Ears tho' Christ himself was in their Company Observe 2. The Posture our Saviour was in when this Tempest arose being wearied with the Labours of the day he was laid down to sleep thereby shewing himself to be truly and really Man and that he not only took upon him the humane Nature but the infirmities of that Nature also he was subject to pain and weariness to hunger and Thirst Obs 3. The Disciples application made to Christ they awake him with a sad out-cry Master Master we perish here was Faith mixed with Humane frailty They believed that he could save them but being asleep they concluded he must be awaked before he could save them Whereas tho' his Humane nature was asleep yet his Divine Nature neither slumbered nor slept Learn hence That the prevalency of Fear in a time of great and imminent Danger tho' it may evidence weakness of Faith yet is it no Evidence of a total want of Faith in the midst of the Disciples fears they believed Christ's Power and Ability to save them Master
Necessity calls for it we be found willing to part with any thing we have for the Relief of Christ in his Members Observe also the Argument used to excite to this Duty of Alms-giving hereby we lay up our Treasure in a safe hand even in God's who will reward us openly The Bellies of the Poor are bags that wax not old what is lodged there is laid up securely out of the reach of danger we imitate the wise Merchant in Transmitting our Estates into another World by Bills of Exchange where we are sure to receive our own with Usury 35 Let your Loyns be girded about and your Lights burning 36 And ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately The next Duty Christ exhorts his Disciples to is that of Watchfulness with Reference to his Second Coming Let your Loyns be girded and your Lights burning the words may be understood two ways spoken either in a martial phrase as to Soldiers or in a Domestick as to Servants if as to Soldiers then let your Loyns be girded and your Lights burning is as much as that we should be always ready for a March having our Armour on and our Match Light ready to give fire at the first Alarm of Temptation If the words are spoken as to Servants then our Master bids us carefully expect his Second Coming like a Lord 's returning from a wedding Supper which used to be Celebrated in the Night that they should not put off their Cloaths nor put out their Lights but stand ready to open tho' he comes at Midnight when Christ comes that Soul only shall have his Blessing whom he finds watching 37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them 38 And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third Watch and find them so Blessed are those Servants 39 And this know that if the good man of the house had known what hour the Thief would come he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be broken up 40 Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not Here our Saviour makes use of several Arguments to enforce the Duty of Watchfulness upon his Disciples the first is drawn from the transcendent Reward which Christ will bestow upon his watchful Servants He will gird himself make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them a very high metaphorical Expression as if a Master should be so transported with the diligence and faithfulness of his Servant as to vouchsafe not only to let him sit down to meat in his presence but to take the Napkin upon his Arm and wait upon him himself at his Table Lord how poor and inconsiderable is that Service which the best of us do for thee and yet thou speakest of it as if thou wert beholding to us for it Thou dost not only administer to us a Supper but thou Ministerest and waitest upon us at Supper he will gird himself and serve them The Second Argument to excite to watchfulness is drawn from the Benefit which we shall receive by watching in this Life that let the Lord come when he will whether in the Second or Third Watch they shall be found ready and in a blessed Condition who are found diligent in his Service and waiting for his Appearance Note here 1. The Son of Man will certainly come at one hour or other 2. at what Hour the Son of Man will come cannot certainly be known 3. That there is no hour wherein we can promise our selves that the Son of Man will not come 4. Very joyful will the Coming of the Son of Man be if we be found upon our watch and ready for his coming Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not 41 Then Peter said unto him Lord speakest thou this Parable unto us or even unto all 42 And the Lord said Who then is that faithful and wise Steward whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season 43 Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing 44 Of a truth I say unto you that he will make him Ruler over all that he hath These words may be applied these two ways first to all the Faithful Servants of God in General and then the Note is this that for a Christian to spend and end his days in the Service of Christ and doing his Will gives good assurance of a happy and blessed Condition Blessed is that Servant Secondly These words may be applied to the Ministers of the Gospel in special and then Observe 1. The Character and Duty of a Gospel-Minister he is the Steward of Christ's Houshold to give them their Meat in due Season 2. A double qualification requisite in such Stewards namely prudence and faithfulness who then is that faithful and wise Steward Observe 3. The Reward insured to such Stewards with whom are found these Qualifications Blessed is that Servant Learn hence 1. That the Ministers of the Gospel are in a spiritual sense Stewards of Christ's Houshold 2. That Faithfulness and prudence are the indispensable Qualifications of Christ's Stewards 3. That where these Qualifications are found Christ will graciously and abundantly Reward them Our Faithfulness must respect God our Selves and our Flock and includes integrity of Heart purity of intention industry of Endeavour and impartiality in all our Administrations Our prudence must appear in the choice of suitable Subjects in the choice of fit Language in exciting our own affections in order to the moving of our Peoples Ministerial Prudence also must teach us by the strictness and gravity of our Deportment to maintain our Authority and keep up our esteem in the Consciences of our People it will also assist us to bear Reproach and direct us to give Reproof he that is silent cannot be innocent reprove we must or we cannot be Faithful but prudently or we cannot be successful 45 But and if that servant say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken 46 The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looked not for him and at an hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his portion with unbelievers 47 And that servant which knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes 48 But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes for unto whomsoever much is given
of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more Our Lord in these Verses describes a negligent and unfaithful Steward of his Houshold and then declares that dreadful Sentence of Wrath which hangs over him The unfaithful Steward or negligent Minister of the Gospel is described 1. by his infidelity he believeth not Christ's Coming to Judgment tho' he preaches it to others he saith in his heart my Lord delayeth his coming 2. He is described by his hatred envy and malignity against his Fellow Servants that were more faithful than himself He begins to smite them at least with the virulence of his Tongue if not with the violence of his hand 3. He is farther described by his Associating with the wicked and strengthning their hands by his ill example He eateth and drinketh with the drunken that is as their Associate and Fellow Companion Thus the negligent Steward and unfaithful Minister is described Next his Sentence is declared 1. Christ will surprize him in his sin and security by coming in an hour when he lookt not for him 2. He will execute temporal Vengeance upon him He will cut him in pieces as the Jews did their Sacrifices dividing them into two parts Hence some Observe That God seldom suffers slothful sensual Ministers to Live out half their days 3. Christ will punish them with Eternal Destruction also appoint them their portion with unbelievers Teaching us That such Ministers as neglect the Service of God and the Souls of their People as they are ranked amongst the worst sort of Sinners in this Life so shall they be punished with them in the severest manner in the next When Satan destroys the Souls of Men he shall answer for it as a Murtherer only not as an Officer that was intrusted with the Care of Souls But if the Steward doth not provide if the Shepherd doth not feed if the Watchman doth not warn they shall answer not only for the Souls that have miscarried but for an Officâ— neglected for a Tallent hidden and for a Stewardship unfaithfully managed Wo unto us if at the Great day we hear distressed Souls roaring out their Complaints and howling forth that doleful accusation against us saying Lord Our Stewards have defrauded us our Watchmen have betrayed us our Guides have misled us 48 For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more Here we Learn 1. That whatever we receive from God is both a Gift and a Talent 2. That every one has some Gift or Talent from God to be improved for God 3. That God's Gifts or Talents are not given to all in the same measure 4. That whether we receive little or much all is in order to an Account 5. That answerable to our present Talents will be our future Accounts If thy Gifts be mean the less thou hast to Account for if greater then others God expects thou shouldest do more good than others For where much is given much will be required 49 I am come to send fire on the earth and what will I if it be already kindled 50 But I have a Baptism to be Baptized with and how am I streightned till it be accomplished 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on the earth I tell you nay but rather division 52 For from henceforth there shall be two in one house divided against three and three against two 53 The father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother the mother-in-law against the daughter-in-law and the danghter-in-law against the mother-in-law Our Saviour in these Verses declares what will be the accidental Event and effect but not the natural tendency of his Religion so that we must distinguish between the intentional Aim of Christ's Coming and the Accidental Event of it Christ's intentional aim was to plant propagate and promote Peace in the World but thro' the Lusts and Corruptions of Mens Natures the issue and event of his Coming is War and Division not that these are the genuine and natural Fruits of the Gospel but occasional and accidental only Hence Learn That the preaching of the Gospel and setting up the Kingdom of Christ tho' it be not the Genuine and Natural Cause yet is it the accidental occasion of all that War and Tumult of all that Dissention and Division of all that Distraction and Confusion which the World abounds with I am come to send fire on the earth He is said to send the fire of Dissention because he foresaw this would be the certain Consequence tho' not the proper and natural Effect of the Preaching of the Gospel There was another Fire of Christ's sending the Holy Spirit this was a fire to warm not to burn or if so not mens Persons but Corruptions but that seems not to be intended in this place 54 And he said also to the people when ye see a cloud rise out of the West streightway ye say there cometh a shower and so it is 55 And when ye see the South wind blow ye say there will be heat and it cometh to pass 56 Ye hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Sky and of the Earth but how is it that ye do not discern this time 57 Yea and why even of your selves judge ye not what is right Our Saviour in these words does at once upbraid the stupid ignorance of the Jews in General and the obstinate infidelity of the Pharisees in particular in that they could make a judgment of the Weather by the sight of the Sky by the appearance of the Heavens and the motions of the Winds but could not discern this Time of the Messias tho' they had so many miraculous Signs and Evidences of it and for this he upbraids them with Hypocrisy Ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the sky but ye do not discern this time Learn thence That to pretend either more Ignorance or greater uncertainty in discerning the Signs of Gospel Times the time of our gracious Visitation than the Signs of the weather is great Hypocrisy Ye hypocrites can ye not discern this time Observe farther That Christ doth not here condemn the study of Nature or making Observation of the State of the Weather from the Face of the Sky For Almighty God by natural Signs gives us warning of a Change in Natural things and in like manner by his Providential Dispensations he gives us warning of a Change in Civil things He that is wise will observe both and by their Observation will come to understand the pleasure of the Lord. 58 When thou goest with thine Adversary to the Magistrate as thou art in the way give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him lest he hale thee to the Judge and the Judge deliver thee to the Officer and the Officer cast thee
forsake their sins and obey his Gospel Adding farther that it would be an Heart-piercing sorrow a Soul-rending grief to them at the Great Day to see not only the Patriarchs and Prophets and other Jews but even the despised Gentiles from all Quarters and Nations whom they thought accursed admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven and themselves eternally shut out For the last shall be first and the first last that is the Gentiles who were afar off shall receive the Gospel when you for rejecting it shall be cast off From the whole Note 1. That there is a determinate time when Souls must if ever accept of the offers of Grace and Salvation which are made unto them now is the door open and Persons invited in 2. That e're long Jesus Christ who now stands at every one of our doors waiting for our complyance with his Gospel-Terms will wait no longer upon us nor strive any farther by the motions of his Spirit with us when once the master of the house is risen up and shut to the door 3. That doleful is the condition of such miserable Souls against whom the door is shut the door of Repentance the door of hope the door of Salvation all shut eternally shut and that by him who shutteth and none can open 4. That all would be saved at last all will cry for mercy when it is too late even such as now sinfully undervalue and scornfully despise it Ye shall stand without and knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us Note 5. That it is no good plea for admittance into Heaven because we have been Church-members here on Earth no outward priviledges tho' Christ has taught in our Streets no external Acts of Communion tho' we have eaten and drunk in his presence and at his holy Table will justify our hopes of entring into Heaven when we dye if we be workers of iniquity whilst we live Lord we have eaten and drunk in thy presence but he shall say I know you not ye workers of iniquity Note 6. That as Hell will be a second Heaven to the Glorified so Heaven will be a second Hell to the Damn'd Hell will be a second Heaven to the Glorified that is it will add exceedingly to the Happiness of the Saints in Heaven to see and be sensible of that misery which they escaped and the damn'd indure and on the other hand Heaven will be a second Hell to the Damn'd that is it will encrease their Torments and add to the vexation of their Spirits to see some in Heaven whom they little expected to see there some that never saw nor heard nor enjoyed what they have done Strangers yea Heathens taken in when the Children of the Kingdom that is the Members of the visible Church are shut out They shall come from the East from the West from the North and from the South and sit down in the Kingdom of God but the children of the Kingdom shall be cast into outer darkness 31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees saying unto him Get thee out and depart hence for Herod will kill thee 32 And he said unto them Go ye and tell that Fox Behold I cast out Devils and do cures to day and to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected 33 Nevertheless I must walk to day and to morrow and the day following for it cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Jerusalem It may seem strange that the Pharisees who had no kindness for our Saviour should come here and acquaint him with a danger that he was in from Herod Get thee hence for Herod will kill thee It is probable they had a design to drive him out of the Country because his Reputation was so great among the People who were admirers of his Person hearers of his Doctrine and Witnesses of his Miracles But what intention soever they had in acquainting Christ with this Danger it is very evident that our Saviour slighted it by the Message which he sent to Herod Go and tell that Fox Where we must not suppose that our Lord did fix this Name of Fox upon Herod as an opprobrious Title thereby reflecting the least dishonour upon him as a King but it was to let him know that being about his Fathers Work he feared neither his Power nor his Policy neither his Cruelty nor his Craft and that nothing should take him off from finishing the Work of Man's Redemption Learn hence That when God calls forth any of his Servants to any special service for him all the combined Power and Policy of the Prince of Darkness and his Instruments shall never be able to hinder them till they have finished their Course and done the Service which God designed I must work to day and to morrow and the day following as if Christ had said Let Herod know that my time is not in his Hand and as to this matter I am not under his Command or Power e're long my work will be finished and then I shall be perfected 34 O Jerusalem Jerusalem that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee How often would I have gathered thy children together as an Hen doth gather her Brood under her wings and ye would not 35 Behold your house is left unto you desolate and verily I say unto you Ye shall not see me until the time come when ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Our Lord concludes this Chapter with a Compassionate Lamentation over Jerusalem the place where he was to suffer his Ingemination or doubling of the Word Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem shews the vehemency of his affection towards them and the sincerity of his desires for their Salvation Observe 1. The Kindness and Compassion of Christ to the Jews in general and Jerusalem in particular set forth by a lively Metaphor and Similitude namely that of a Hen gathering her Chickens under her Wings As the Hen doth tenderly cherish and carefully hide and cover her young from the Eye of the Destroyer so would Christ have shrouded and sheltered this People from all those Birds of Prey and particularly from the Roman Eagle by whose Tallons they were at last destroyed Again as the Hen continueth her Call to her young ones from Morning to Night and holds out her Wings for shelter to them all the day long so did Christ wait for this Peoples Repentance and Conversion for it was more than Forty years after they had killed his Prophets and murthered himself before they met with a final Overthrow Observe 2. The amazing obstinacy and wilfulness of this People in rejecting the Grace and Favour the kindness and condescension of the Lord Jesus Christ I would have gathered you but ye would not Observe 3. The fatal issue of this obstinacy Behold your house is left unto you desolate is left that is certainly and suddenly will be left desolate the present Tense being put for the paulo post futurum
Cesar's so Princes should oblige all their Subjects To render unto God the things that are Gods 27 Then came unto him certain of the Sadduces which say there is no Resurrection and they asked him 28 Saying Master Moses wrote unto us if any mans Brother dye having a wife and he dye without children that his Brother should take his Wife and raise up Seed unto his Brother 29 There were therefore seven Brethren and the first took a wife and dyed without Children 30 And the second took her to wife and he dyed childless 31 And the third took her and in like manner the seventh also and they left no Children and dyed 32 Last of all the Woman dyed also 33 Therefore in the Resurrection whose wife of them is she for seven had her to wife 34 And Jesus answering said unto them The children of this World marry and are given in marriage 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the Resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage 36 Neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the Children of God being the Children of the Resurrection 37 Now that the dead are raised even Moses shewed at the Bush when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the Dead but of the Living for all live unto him Our Blessed Saviour having put the Pharisees and Herodians to silence in the foregoing Verses here the Sadduces encounter him This Sect denied the Immortality of the Soul and the Resurrection of the Body and as an Objection against both they propound a Case to our Saviour of a Woman that had Seven Husbands they demand whose Wife of the Seven this Woman shall be at the Resurrection as if they had said if there be a Resurrection of Bodies at the great Day surely there will be a Resurrection of Relations too and the other World will be like this in which Men will marry as they do here and if so whose wife of the seven shall this Woman be they all having an equal claim to her Now our Saviour for resolving of this question first shews the different State of Men in this and in the other World The Children of this World says Christ marry and are given in Marriage but in the Resurrection they do neither as if our Lord had said after Men have lived a while in this World they dye and therefore Marriage is necessary to maintain a Succession of Mankind but in the other World Men shall become Immortal and live for ever and then the Reason of Marriage will wholly cease for when Men can dye no more there will be no need of any new Supplies of Mankind Secondly Our Saviour having got clear of the Sadduces Objection by taking away the Ground and Foundation of it he produces an Argument for the proof of the Soul's Immortality and the Bodies Resurrection thus Those to whom Almighty God pronounces himself a God are alive but God pronounces himself a God to Abraham Isaac and Jacob many hundred years after their Bodies were dead therefore their Souls are yet alive otherwise God could not be their God For he is not the God of the Dead but of the Living From the whole Note 1. That there is no Opinion so absurd no error so monstrous that having had a Mother will dye for lack of a Nurse the Beastly Opinion of the Mortality of the Soul and of the Annihilation of the Body finds Sadduces to profess and propagate it Learn 2. The certainty of another Life after this in which Men shall be Eternally Happy or Intolerably Miserable according as they behave themselves here Tho' some Men live like Beasts they shall not dye like them neither shall their last End be like theirs Note 3. The Glorified Saints in the Morning of the Resurrection shall be like unto the Glorious Angels not like them in Essence and Nature but like them in their Properties and Qualities namely in Holiness and Purity in Immortality and Incorruptibility and also like them in their way and manner of Living They shall no more stand in need of Meat or Drink than the Angels do but shall live the same Heavenly and Immortal Lives that the Angels live Note 4. That all those that are in Covenant with God whose God the Lord is their Souls do immediately pass into Glory and their Bodies at the Resurrection shall be sharers in the same Happiness with their Souls if God be just the Soul must Live and the Body must Rise for Good Men must be Rewarded and Wicked Men Punished God will most certainly one time or other plentifully Reward the Righteous and Punish the Evil doers but this being not always done in this Life the justice of God requires it be done in the next 39 Then certain of the Scribes answering said Master thou hast well said 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all 41 And he said unto them How say they that Christ is David's Son 42 And David himself saith in the Book of Psalms the Lord saith unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand 43 Till I make thine enemies thy Footstool 44 David therefore calleth him Lord How is he then his Son The Design of our Blessed Saviour in propounding this Question to the Pharisees how Christ could be David's Son when David by Inspiration called him Lord it was two-fold 1. To confute the People's Erroneous Opinion touching the Person of the Messias who they thought should be a meer Man of the Stock and Lineage of David only and not the Son of God 2. To strengthen the Faith of his Disciples touching his Godhead against the time that they should see him Suffer and Rise again The place Christ alludes to is Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand The Lord That is God the Father said to my Lord that is to God the Son who was to be Incarnate whom David calleth his Lord both as God and as Mediatour his Lord by a Right of Creation and Redemption also now the question our Saviour puts to the Pharisees is this how Christ could be both David's Lord and David's Son No Son being Lord to his own Father therefore if Christ were David's Sovereign he must be more than Man more than David's Son As Man so he was David's Son as God Man so he was David's Lord. Note hence 1. That altho' Christ was truly and really Man yet was he more than a meer Man he was Lord unto and the Salvation of his own Fore-fathers Note 2. That the only way to reconcile the Scriptures which speak concerning Christ is to believe and acknowledge him to be both God and Man in one Person The Messiah as Man was to come forth out of David's Loyns but as God man he was David's Lord his Sovereign and Saviour
intimate Friend he has in the World should be with him to hear what passes in Secret betwixt him and his God Again 2. it was an humble Prayer that appears by the Postures in which he cast himself sometimes kneeling sometimes lying Prostrate upon his Face he lyes in the very Dust and lower he could not lye and his Heart was as low as his Body 3. It was a vehement fervent and importunate Prayer Such was the Fervour of his Spirit that he Prayed himself into an Agony Oh let us blush to think how unlike our Praying-frame of Spirit is to Christ's Lord What Coldness Deadness Drowsiness Formality and Laziness is found in our Prayers how often do our Lips move when our Hearts stand still Observe 4. The Posture which the Disciples were found in when our Lord was Praying in his Agony they were fast asleep Good God! Could they possibly sleep at such a time as this When Christ's Soul was exceeding sorrowful could their Eyes be thus heavy Learn thence That the very best of Christ's Disciples may be and oft-times are overtaken with great Infirmities when the most important Duties are performing Then cometh he to his Disciples and findâ— them Sleeping Observe 5. The Mild Meek and Gentle Rebuke which he gives his Disciples for their Sleeping he said unto them Why sleep ye could you not Watch with me one hour What not Watch when your Master was in such Danger Could you not Watch with me when I am going to lay down my Life for you What not one hour and that the parting Hour too Learn hence That the holiest and best Resolved Christians who have willing Spirits for Christ and his Service yet in regard of the Weakness of the Flesh and frailty of Humane Nature it is their Duty to Watch and Pray and thereby Guard themselves against Temptations Rise and pray lest ye enter into c. 47 While he yet spake Behold a Multitude and he that was called Judas one of the Twelve went before them and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him 48 But Jesus said unto him Judas Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a Kiss 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow they said unto him Lord Shall we smite with the Sword 50 And one of them smote the Servant of the High-priest and cut off his right Ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said Suffer ye thus far and he touched his ear and healed him 52 Then Jesus said unto the Chief Priests and Captains of the Temple and the Elders which were come to him Be ye come out as against a Thief with Swords and Staves 53 When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no hands against me But this is your Hour and the Power of Darkness It was the Lot and Portion of our Blessed Redeemer here we find to be Betrayed into the hands of his Mortal Enemies by the Treachery of a false and dissembling Friend And in this sad Relation before us we have Observable The Traitor the Treason the Manner how and the Time when this Treasonable Design was Executed Observe 1. The Traitor Judas all the Evangelists carefully Describe him by his Name Judas Judas Iscariot lest he should be mistaken for Jude the Brother of James and by his Office one of the Twelve Lord How ought the greatest Professors to look well to themselves and to the Grounds and Principles of their Profession For a Profession begun in Hypocrisy will certainly end in Apostacy Observe 2. The occasion of the Treason Covetousness or the inordinate Love of Worldly Wealth and accordingly the Devil lays a Temptation before him exactly suited to his Temper and Inclination and it instantly over-came him Learn hence That Persons are never in such imminent danger of falling into Sin as when they meet with Temptations exactly suited to their Master Lusts Oh pray we That God would keep us from a Temptation suited to our predominant Lust and Corruption Observe 3. The Treason of Judas He led on an armed Multitude to the place where Christ was gave them a signal to discover him by and bids them lay hands upon him and hold him fast Which Treason of Judas was attended with these black and hellish Aggravations He had been a Witness of our Saviour's Miracles an Hearer of our Holy Lord's Doctrine What he did was not by Sollicitation the Chief Priests did not send to him but he went to them Lord How dangerous is it to allow our selves in any Secret Sin none can say how far that one Sin may in time lead us Should any one have told Judas that his Covetousness would at last make him deny his Master and Sell his Saviour he would have said with Hazael Is thy Servant a Dog that I should do this thing Observe 4. The Endeavours used by the Disciples for their Master's Rescue One of them St. Matthew says it was Peter drew a Sword and cut off the Ear of Malchus But why not the Ear of Judas rather Because though Judas was most Faulty yet Malchus might be most forward to Arrest and carry off our Saviour Oh how does a pious Breast boyl with Indignation at the sight of any open Affront offered to its Saviour Yet tho' St. Peter's Heart was sincere his hand was too rash good Intentions are no warrant for irregular Actions and accordingly Christ who accepted the Affection reproved the Action To resist Authority even in Christ's own Defence is rash Zeal and discountenanced by the Gospel Peter did well to ask his Master If he should smite with the Sword but he ought to have stayed his hand till Christ had given him his Answer 54 Then took they him and led him and brought him into the High-priests House and Peter followed afar off 55 And when they had kindled a Fire in the midst of the Hall and were set down together Peter sate down amongst them 56 But a certain Maid beheld him as he sate by the fire and earnestly looked upon him and said This Man was also with him 57 And he denied him saying Woman I know him not 58 And after a little while another saw him and said Thou art also of them And Peter said Man I am not 59 And about the space of an hour after Another confidently affirmed saying Of a truth that fellow also was with him 60 And Peter said Man I know not what thou sayest and immediately the Cock Crew while he yet spake 61 And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter And Peter remembred the word of the Lord how he said unto him before the Cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice 62 And Peter went out and wept bitterly This Paragraph of the Chapter gives us an account of the Fall and Rising of Peter of his Sin in denying his Master and of his Recovery by Repentance both must be considered distinctly First touching his Sin and Fall there are Four Particulars Observable relating thereunto namely the Sin it self the Occasion
of that Sin the Re-iteration and Repetition of it and the aggravating Circumstances attending it Observe 1. The Sin it self the denyal of Christ Jesus his Lord and Master I know not the Man and this back'd with an Oath he Sware that he knew him not Lord How may the slavish fear of Suffering drive the Holiest and best of Men to commit the foulest and the worst of Sins Observe 2. The Occasions leading to this Sin and they were these First his Following of Christ afar off To follow Christ was the Effect of Peter's Faith but to follow him afar off at this time was the fruit of Fear and the Effect of Frailty Wo unto us when Temptation comes if we be far from Christ's gracious Presence and Assistance 2. His being in bad Company amongst Christ's Enemies Would we escape Temptations to Sin we must then decline such Company as would allure and draw us into Sin Peter had better have been a cold by himself alone then warming himself at a Fire which was Compassed in with the Blasphemies of the Multitude where his Conscience though not seared was yet made hard 3. Another grand occasion of Peter's Falling was a presumptuous Confidence of his own Strength and Standing Though all Men forsake thee yet will not I. Oh Lord to presume upon our selves is the ready way to provoke thee to leave us to our selves if ever we stand in the day of Tryal 't is the fear of Falling must enable us to stand we soon Fall if we believe it impossible to Fall Observe 3. The Re-iteration and Repetition of this Sin he denied Christ again and again he denies him first with a Lye then with an Oath and next with a Curse Lord How dangerous is it not to resist the first Beginnings of Sin If we yield to one Temptation Satan will assault us with more and stronger Peter proceeded from a Denyal to a Lye from a Lye to an Oath from an Oath to an Imprecation and Curse It is our Wisdom vigorously to Resist Sin at the Beginning for theâ— have we most Power and Sin has least Observe 4. The heinous and aggravating Circumstances of St. Peter's Sin and they are these 1. The Character of his Person a Disciple an Apostle a chief Apostle a special Favourite who with James and John had the special Honour to be with Christ at his Transfiguration yet he denies Christ 2. The Person whom he denies his Master his Saviour and Redeemer he that in great Humility had washed Peter's Feet had eat the Passover with Peter had given but just before the Holy Sacrament to Peter yet is this kind and condescending Saviour denied by Peter 3. Consider the Persons before whom he denied Christ the Chief Priests Servants Oh how surprizing and yet very pleasing was it to them to see one Disciple Betray and Sell his Master and another disown and deny him 4. Consider the Time when he denied him it was but a few Hours after he had received the Holy Sacrament from Christ's own hands how unreasonable then is their Objection against coming to the Lord's Table That some who go to it dishonour Christ as soon as they come from it Such Examples ought not to discourage us from Coming to the Ordinance but should excite and encrease our Watchfulness after we have been there that our After-deportment may be suitable to the Solemnity of a Sacramental Table Observe 5. What a small Temptation he lay under thus shamefully to deny his Lord and Master a Damsel only at first spake to him had a Band of Armed Soldiers appeared to him and apprehended him Had he been bound and led away to the Judgment-Hall and there Threatned with the Sentence of an ignominious Death some Excuse might have been made better for him But to disown his Relation to Christ upon a word spoken by a sorry Maid that kept the door the smallness of the Temptation was an high aggravation of the Crime Ah Peter How little didst thou answer thy Name at this time Thou art not now a Rock but a Reed a Pillar blown down by a Womans Breath Oh frail Humanity whose Strength is Weakness and Infirmity Note here That in most of the Saints Falls Recorded in Scriptures the first enticers to Sin or the accidental occasions of it were Women Witness besides the first Fall that of Adam's where the Woman was first in the Transgression the Fall of Lot Samson David Solomon and Peter these are sad instances of the Truth of what I speak A weak Creature may be a strong Tempter nothing is too impotent or useless for the Devil's Service it was a great Aggravation of Peter's Sin that the voice of a poor Maid that kept the door should be of more Force to over-come him then his Faith in Jesus to sustain him But what shall we say small things are sufficient to cast us down if God doth not hold us up we sink under any Burthen if God sustains us not and yield to the least Temptation if he leaves us to our selves a Damsel shall then make a Disciple shrink and a Door-keeper shall be able to drive an Apostle before her This is the Account in short of St. Peter's Fall considered in it self and with the Circumstances relating to it Now follows his Recovery and Rising again by Repentance and here we have Observable the Suddenness of his Repentance the Means of his Repentance and the Manner of his Repentance Observe 1. The Suddenness of St. Peter's Repentance as his Sin was sad so was his Repentance speedy Sins committed by Surprize and through the prevalency of a Temptation that suddenly Assaults us are much sooner Repented of then where the sin is presumptuous and deliberate David's Murther and Adultery were Deliberate Acts of Sin in which he lay almost Twelve Months without any Solemn Repentance for them St. Peter's Denyal was hasty and sudden under a violent pang and passion of Fear and he takes the warning of the Cock's Crowing to go forth speedily and weep for his Transgression Observe 2. The Means of his Repentance which was Two-fold the less Principal-means was the Crowing of the Cock the more principal Means were Christ's looking upon Peter and Peter's Remembring the word of Christ 1. The less principal Means of St. Peter's Rising and Recovery by Repentance was the Crowing of the Cock as the voice of the Maid occasioned him to Sin so the voice of the Cock occasioned him to Reflect That God who always can work without Means can ever when he please work by weak and contemptible Means and open the Mouth of a Bird or a Beast for the Conversion of a Man But why doth our Lord make use of the Crowing of the Cock as a Means of bringing St. Peter to Repentance There is ever some Mystery in Christ's Institutions and Instruments The Cock was a Preacher to call St. Peter to his Duty there being something of Emblem between a Cock and a Preacher The Preacher ought to have
the Wings of the Cock to rouze up himself from Drowsiness and Security and to awaken others to a sense of their Duty He must have the Watchfulness of the Cock to be ever ready to discover and fore-warn Danger He must have the voice of the Cock to cry aloud to tell Israel of their Sin to terrify the Roaring Lyon of Hell and make him Tremble as they say the natural Lyon does in a word he must observe the Hours of the Cock to Crow at all Seasons to Preach the Word in Season and out of Season Again 2. The more principal Means of St. Peter's Recovery were Christ's looking upon Peter and Peter's remembring the word of Christ 1. Christ's looking upon Peter our Saviour look'd upon Peter before either Peter look'd upon our Saviour or upon himself Oh wonderful Act of Love and Grace towards this fallen Disciple Christ was now upon his Tryal for his Life a time when our Thoughts would have been wholly taken up about our selves but even then did Christ find Leisure to think upon Peter to Remember his Disconsolate Disciple to turn himself about and give him a pittiful but piercing Look even a Look that melted and dissolved him into Tears We never begin to lament our Sins but we are first Lamented by our Saviour Jesus looked upon Peter that was the first more principal Means of his Repentance But 2. the other Means was Peter remembring of the word of the Lord Before the Câ—ck Crow thou shalt deny me Now this Remembrance was an Applicative and Feeling Remembrance he Remembred the Prediction of Christ and apply'd it sensibly to himself Teaching us That the efficacy of Christ's Word in order to a sound Repentance depends not upon the Historical Remembrance of it but upon the close Application thereof to every Man's Conscience Observe 3. The Manner of St. Peter's Repentance it was Secret it was Sincere it was Lasting and Abibiding 1. It was secret He went out and wept Verè dolet qui sine Teste dolet He sought a place of Retirement where he might mourn in Secret Solitariness is most agreeable to an afflicted Spirit Yet must I add that as St. Peter's Sorrow so probably his Shame might cause him to go forth and weep Christ looked upon him and how ashamed must he be to look upon Christ seeing he had so lately denied that he had ever seen him 2. St. Peter's Repentance was Sincere He wept bitterly His Grief was extraordinary and his Tears abundant There is always a weeping that must follow Sin Sin must cost the Soul Sorrow either here or in Hell We must now either Mourn a while or Lament for ever Doubtless with Peter's Tears there was joined hearty Confession of Sin to God and smart Reflections upon himself after this manner Lord What have I done I a Disciple I an Apostle I that did so lately acknowledge my Master to be Christ the Lord I that spoke with so much Assurance Though all Men deny thee yet will not I I that promised to lay down my Life for his sake yet have I denied him yet have I with Oaths and Imprecations Disowned him and this at the Voice of a Damsel not at the sight of a Drawn Sword presented at my Breast Lord What weakness what wickedness what unfaithfulness have I been guilty of Oh that my Head were Waters and mine Eyes a Fountain of Tears that I might weep all my days for the Fault of this one Night Thus may we suppose our Lapsed Apostle to have bemoaned himself And happy was it for him that he did so for Blessed are the Tears of a Converted Revolter and happy is the Misery of a Mourning Offender Observe 3. St. Peter's Repentance was not only Secret and Sincere but Lasting and Abiding He retained a very quick Sense and lively Remembrance of this Sin upon his Mind all his Life after Ecclesiastical History Reports that ever after when St. Peter heard the Crowing of the Cock he fell upon his Knees and wept Others say That he was wont to rise at Mid-night and spend the Time in Prayer and Humiliation between Cock-Crowing and Day-light And the Papists who delight to turn every thing into Folly and Superstition first began that Practice of setting up what we call Weather-Cocks upon Towers and Steeples to put People in mind of St. Peter's Fall and Repentance by that Signal Lastly St. Peter's Repentance was attended with an extraordinary Zeal and Forwardness for the Service of Christ to the end of his Days He had a burning Love towards the Holy Jesus ever after which is now improved into a Seraphick Flame Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee says himself John 21.17 And as an Evidence of it he fed Christ's Sheep For in the Acts of the Apostles we read of his Extraordinary Diligence to spread the Gospel and his Travels in order thereunto are Computed by some to be Nine hundred and Fifty Miles To end all have any of us fallen with Peter though not with a formal Abjuration yet by a Practical denying of him let us go forth and weep with him let us be more vigilant and watchful over our selves for the time to come let us express more fervent Love and Zeal for Christ more diligence in his Service more Concernedness for his Honour and Glory This would be an Happy Improvement of this Example God grant it may have that Blessed Effect 63 And the Men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him 64 And when they had Blind-folded him they stroke him on the Face and asked him saying Prophecy who he is that smote thee 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him Observe here The vile Affronts the horrid Abuses the Injuries and Indignities which were put upon the Holy and Innocent Jesus in the day of his Sufferings the rude Officers and Servants spit in his Face Blind-fold his Eyes smite him with their Hands and in Contempt and Scorn bid him Prophecy who it was that smote him Verily There is no degree of Contempt no mark of Shame no kind of Suffering which we ought to Decline for Christ's sake who hid not his Face from Shame and Spitting upon our Account 66 And as soon as it was day the Elders of the people and the Chief Priests and Scribes came together and led him into their Council 67 Saying Art thou the Christ Tell us And he said If I tell you you will not believe 68 And if I also ask you you will not answer me nor let me go 69 Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit on the Right Hand of the power of God 70 Then said they all Art thou then the Son of God And he said unto them Ye say that I am 71 And they said What need we any farther Witness for we our selves have heard of his own Mouth Our Lord is now Arraigned by the Chief Priests and Observe the Indictment of Blasphemy is brought in against him What need we any
as they were afraid and bowed down their Faces to the Earth they said unto them Why seek ye the Living among the Dead 6 He is not here but is Risen Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee 7 Saying The Son of Man must be delivered into the Hands of Sinful Men and be Crucified and the Third day Rise Again 8 And they Remembred his Words 9 And Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things unto the Apostles and to all the Rest 10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the Mother of James and other Women that were with them which told these things unto the Apostles 11 And their words seemed to them as Idle Tales and they believed them not 12 Then arose Peter and ran unto the Sepulchre and stooping down he beheld the Linnen Cloaths laid by themselves and departed wondering in himself at that which was come to pass The Lord of Life who was put to Death upon the Fryday was Buryed in the Evening of the same Day and his Holy Body Rested in the silent Grave all the next Day being the Jewish Sabbath and some part of the Morning Following Thus Rose he again the Third Day according to the Scriptures neither sooner nor later Not sooner lest the Truth of his Death should have been questioned that he did not Dye at all not later lest the Faith of his Disciples should have failed Accordingly when the Sabbath was past Mary Magdalene getting the other Women together she and they set out very early in the Morning to Visit the Holy Sepulchre and about Sun-rising they get to it intending with their Spices and Odours farther to Embalm their Lord's Body Observe here 1. That although the Hearts of these Holy Women did burn with an Ardent Zeal and Affection to their Crucified Lord Yet the Commanded Duties of the Sabbath are not omitted by them they keep close and silently spend that Holy Day in a Mixture of Grief and Hope A good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Observe 2. These Holy Women go but not empty-handed She that had bestowed a costly Alablaster upon Christ whilst alive prepares no less Precious Odours for him now Dead thereby paying their last Homage to our Saviour's Corpse But what need of Odours to perfume a precious Body which could not see Corruption True his Holy Body did not want them but the Love and Affection of his Friends could not withhold them Observe 3. How great a Tribute of Respect and Honour is due and payable to the Memory of these Holy Women for their great Magnanimity and Courage They followed Christ when his Cowardly Disciples left him they accompanied him to his Cross they attended his Herse to the Grave when his Disciples did not durst not appear And now very early in the Morning they Visit his Sepulchre Fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the Presence of the Watchmen though a Band of rude Soldiers Learn hence That Courage and Resolution is the special Gift of God if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it shall not be in the power of Armed Men to make them afraid But to come to a close Consideration of the several Circumstances relating to the Resurrection of our Holy Lord. Note 1. With what Pomp and Triumph our Holy Lord Arises Two Men that is Two Angels in the Shape of Men V. 4. are sent from Heaven to roll away the Stone But could not Christ have Risen then without the Angels help Yes doubtless he that Raised himself could easily have Rolled away the Stone himself But God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison-door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice â—â—â—y Satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Note 2. our Lord's Resurrection declared He is Risen he is not here Almighty God never intended that the Darling of his Soul should be left in an obscure Sepulchre He is not here said the Angels where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost its Prisoner Note 3. It is is not said He is not here for he is Raised but he is Risen V. 6. The Original Word imports the Active Power of Christ or the Self-quickning Principle by which Christ Raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself alive after his Passion Hence Learn That it was the Divine Nature or God-head of Christ which Raised the Human Nature from Death to Life others were Raised from the Grave by Christ's Power but he Raised himself by his own Power Note 4. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first declared and made known to Women to the two Mary's But why to Women and why to these Women To Women first because God sometimes makes choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the weakness of the Instrument Redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent In the whole Dispensation of the Gospel God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the Conception of Christ was by the Power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenter's Spouse So the Crucifixion of Christ was in much Meanness and outward Baseness being Crucified between two Thieves But the Powers of Heaven and Earth Trembling the Rocks Rending the Graves opening shewed a mixture of Divine Power Thus here God Selects Women to declare that he will Honour what Instruments he pleases for the Accomplishment of his own Purposes But why to these Women the two Mary's is the first Discovery made of our Lord's Resurrection Possibly it was a Reward for their Magnanimity and Masculine Courage These Women cleave to Christ when the Apostles forsook him They Assisted at his Cross they Attended at his Funeral they Waited at his Sepulchre These Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes them Apostles to the Apostles This was a Tacit Rebuke a Secret Check given to the Apostles that they should be thus out-done by Women These Holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Note 5. The quick Message which these Holy Women carry to the Disconsolate Disciples of the Joyful news of our Saviour's Resurrection They Returned from the Sepulchre and told all these things to the Eleven Verse 9. And the other Evangelists say That they were sent and bidden to go to the Apostles with the Notices of the Resurrection Go tell the Disciples says the Angel Matthew 28.7 Go tell my Brethren says Christ Verse 10. A most endearing Expression Christ might have said Go tell my Apostate Apostles my Cowardly Disciples that left me in my Danger that durst not own me in the High Priest's Hall
Humility of the holy Baptist the mean and lowly Opinion he had of himself Although John was the greatest among them that were born of a Woman and so much esteemed by the Jews and had the honour to go before Christ in the Exercise of his Office and Ministry yet he judges himself unworthy to carry Christ's Shoes after him He that cometh after me is preferred before me whose Shoes I am not worthy to unloose Learn hence That the more eminent Gifts the Ministers of the Gospel have and the more ready Men are to honour and esteem them the more will they abase themselves if they be truly Gracious and account themselves highly honoured in doing the meanest Offices of Love and Service for Jesus Christ Thus doth the holy Baptist here His Shoes Latchet I am not worthy to unloose 29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world 30 This is he of whom I said After me cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me This is John the Baptist's third Testimony concerning Christ in which he points out Christ as the True Sacrifice for Expiation of Sin Behold the Lamb of God the Lamb of God's appointing to be an Expiatory Sacrifice the Lamb of God's Election the Lamb of God's Affection the Lamb of God's Acceptation the Lamb of God's Exaltation who by the Sacrifice of his death has taken away the sin of the World The sin not the sins in the plural Number to denote Original Sin as some think or as others to shew that Christ has universally taken upon himself the whole Burthen of our Sin and Guilt And there seems to be a secret Antithesis in the Word World In the Levitical Sacrifices only the sins of the Jews were laid upon the sacrificed Beast but this Lamb takes away the sin both of Jew and Gentile The Lord hath caused to meet on him the Iniquity of us all And the Word Taketh Away being of the Present Tense denotes a continued Act and it intimates to us thus much viz. That it is the daily Office of Christ to take away our sin by presenting to the Father the Memorials of his Death Christ takes away from all Believers the Guilt and Punishment of their sins the Filth and Pollution of them the Power and Dominion that is in them and as St. John called upon the Jews to behold this Lamb of God with an Eye of Observation so is it our Duty to behold him now with an Eye of Admiration with an Eye of Gratulation but especially with an Eye of Faith and Dependence improving the Fruit of his Death to our own Consolation and Salvation Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be saved c. 31 And I knew him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with water 32 And John bare record saying I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon him 33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost 34 And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God Observe here 1. That John the Baptist tho' a near Kinsman of Christ's according to the Flesh yet the Providence of God so ordered it that for thirty Years together they did not know one another nor converse with each other nor probably ever saw the faces of each other to be sure he did not know him to be the Messiah This no doubt was over-ruled by the wisdom of God to prevent all suspicion as if John and Christ had compacted together to give one another Credit that the World might suspect nothing of the Truth of John's Testimony concerning Christ or have the least jealousie that what he said of Christ was from any Bias of Mind to his Person therefore he repeats it a second time v. 31. v. 33. I knew him not Hence we may learn That a Corporal sight of Christ and an outward Personal Acquaintance with him is not simply needful and absolutely necessary for enabling a Minister to set him forth and represent him savingly to the World Observe 2. The Means declared by which John came to know Christ to be the true Messiah it was by a Sign from Heaven namely the Holy Ghost descending like a Dove upon our Saviour He that sent me to Baptize with Water the same said unto me Vpon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining the same is he Learn hence 1. That Christ taking upon him our Nature did so cover his Glory with the Veil of our Flesh and common Infirmities that he could not be known by bodily sight from another Man Till John had a divine Revelation and an evident Sign from Heaven that Christ was the Son of God he knew him not Learn 2. That Christ in his solemn entry upon his Office as Mediator was sealed unto the Work by the descending of the Holy Ghost upon him he was sealed by the Holy Ghost's descending and the Teacher's testifying that this was his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased Now it was that God gave not the Spirit to Christ by Measure for the effectual Administration of his Mediatorial Office now it pleased the Father that in Christ should all fulness dwell He was filled Extensively with all Kinds of Grace and filled Intensively with all Degrees of Grace in the Day of his Inauguration when the Holy Spirit descended upon him ¶ 35 Again the next day after John stood and two of his disciples 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked he said Behold the Lamb of God It is evident that John's Disciples were never very willing to acknowledge Jesus for the Messias because they thought he did shadow and cloud their Master See therefore the Sincerity of the Holy Baptist he takes every Opportunity to draw off the Eyes of his own Disciples from himself and to fix them upon Christ he saith to two of his Disciples Behold the Lamb of God As if he had said Turn your Eyes from me to Christ take less Notice of me his Minister but behold your and my Lord and Master Behold the Lamb of God Learn hence That the great Design of Christ's faithful Ministers is to set People upon admiring of Christ and not magnifying themselves Oh! 't is their great Ambition and Desire that such as love and respect them and honour their Ministry may be led by them to Christ to behold and admire him to accept of him and to submit unto him John said to his Disciples Behold the Lamb of God 37 And the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus 38 Then Jesus returned and saw them following and saith unto them What seek ye They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master
signifies both No Faith is acceptable to Christ nor available to our Salvation but that which is the Parent and Principle of Obedience Learn 2. That final Unbelief renders a Man infallibly an Object of the Eternal Wrath of God He that believeth not the Son the wrath of God abideth on him The Unbeliever now lies under the Sentence of God's Wrath hereafter he shall lie under the full and final execution of it Lord how sad is it to be here in a state of Condemnation But how intollerable will it be in Hell to continue eternally under the Power of Condemnation To lie for ever in that mysterious Fire of Hell whose strange property it is always to torture but never to kill or always to kill but never to consume For after Millions of Years are expired still 't is a Wrath to come and tho' the Unbeliever has felt and endured never so much yet still the Wrath of God abideth on him CHAP. IV. 1 WHen therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized mo disciples then John 2 Though Jesus himself baptized not but his disciples 3 He left Judea and departed again into Galilee The former part of this Chapter acquaints us with our Saviour's removal from Judea into Galilee The occasion of it was this Christ hearing that John was cast into Prison and understanding how the Pharisees were inraged at the increasing of the Number of his Disciples to decline their Fury and to prevent Danger to himself he leaves Judea and departs into Galilee for his own Preservation Hence learn That when the faithful Ministers of Christ do meet with eminent Success in their Master's Service they must expect to meet with a mighty shock of Malice and Envy from Satan and his wicked Instruments Christ himself experienced it let his Ministers expect it and prepare for it 2. That it is neither unlawful nor unbecoming for the Ministers of Christ to flee when Persecution threatens them Their Lord and Master having fled before them And commanded also when they persecute in one City to flee into another 4 And he must needs go through Samaria 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph 6 Now Jacobs well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey sat thus on the well and it was about the sixth hour Here Observe 1. How wonderfully the Wisdom of God over-rules the Malice of Men for his own Glory and the Good of others The Malice of the Pharisees in Judea drives Christ into Galilee and in his Passage through Samaria the first Fruits of the Gentiles are called and particularly the Woman of Samaria Observe 2. How in every step of Christ's way he was doing good to the Souls of Men. In his Passage through Samaria into Galilee a poor Woman is brought to know him to be the true Messias Observe 3. Our Holy Lord in his Journeying from Place to Place did travel usually on foot and the wearkness of his Body upon travelling shews him to be truly and really Man and in all things like unto us Sin only excepted Our blessed Lord did not only take upon him our Nature but the Infirmities of our Nature also 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water Jesus saith unto her Give me to drink 8 For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him How is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans Observe here 1. How all our own Motions and Actions are under the Direction and Government of God and how Divine Providence doth sometimes dispose of small Matters to become Occasions of great Good This poor Woman's coming to the Well to draw Water became the means of her Conversion Observe 2. Christ speaks to and seeks after this poor Woman before she takes any Notice of him God is found of those that seek him not and makes himself manifest to them that inquire not after him Jesus said unto her Give me Drink Observe 3. The great Poverty of our Lord 's outward Condition he wanted a draught of Water for his Refreshment and a meals Meat now at Dinner-time to refresh his wearied Nature Oh! what Contempt did Christ cast upon the World when he was here in it He would not honour it so far as to keep any Part of it in his own hand Yet Observe 4. That tho' Christ had neither House nor Land nor Money of his own yet he lived not by Begging or upon meer Alms. The Disciples were now gone into the City to buy not to beg Meat For there was a Bag which required a Bearer John 12.6 and our Saviour's Friends and Followers supplied him with Money for his necessary Occasions His Disciples were gone to buy Bread Observe Lastly How bitter is the Enmity which differences in Religion and diversity of Opinions do occasion They do not only alienate Affections but even violate the Bonds of civil Society and common Conversation The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans would neither eat nor drink with them 10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee Give me to drink thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee living water The Samaritan Woman had refused Christ a draught of Water in the former Verse he offers her the Water of Life in this Verse Oh how kindly doth Christ deal with those that dealt unkindly with him If thou knewest the gift of God c. Here Observe 1. The Mercy which Christ had for and was so desirous to bestow upon this poor Woman it was the Gift of God that is himself his Holy Spirit in the sanctifying Gifts and saving Graces of it All which are compared to Water in regard of their Effects and Operations which are to purifie the Unclean and to satisfie the Thirsty Observe 2. The way and course which this Woman and every lost Sinner ought to take in order to the obtaining of this inestimable Gift and that is by asking of it Thou wouldst have asked and he would have given thee living Water Learn hence That Christ himself his Holy Spirit with all the sanctifying Graces of it must be earnestly sought of God and such as do unfeignedly seek them shall certainly obtain them Observe 3. The true Cause and Reason assigned why Sinners ask not for and seek not after Jesus Christ and the Graces of the Holy Spirit and that is Ignorance of the worth and want of them If thou knowest the gift of God thou wouldst have asked Learn thence That it is Ignorance of the worth of Christ and insensibleness of the want of him that makes Persons so indifferent in their Desires after him and so remiss in their Endeavours for the obtaining of
in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father 22 Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews 23 But the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him Here we have our Saviour's Answer to the foregoing Question which consists of two Parts 1. Concerning the Place of Worship 2. Concerning the Worship it self As to the Place of Worship our Saviour tells her that though the Jews had heretofore by warrant of God's Word regularly worshipped at Jerusalem and the Samaritans superstitiously worshipped at Mount Gerizim yet the Hour was coming namely at his Death when all difference of Places for God's Worship should be taken away and therefore she need not trouble her self about the Place of God's Worship to know whether of the two Places were holier and the better to serve God in for ere long the Service of God should not be confined more to one Place than another Hence learn That since the death of Christ the Religious Difference of Places is taken away and the Worship of God not confined to any one particular Place or Nation 2. Our blessed Saviour resolves her concerning the Worship it self namely that the Ceremonial Worship which the Jews and Samaritans used should shortly be abolished and instead thereof a more spiritual Form of Worship should be established more suitable to the Spiritual Nature of the great and holy God and containing in it the Truth and Substance of all that which the Jewish Ceremonies prefigured and shadowed forth Learn hence That the True Worship of God under the Gospel doth not consist in the external Pomp of any outward Ceremonies but is Spiritual and Substantial No Worship is acceptable to him that is the Father of Spirits but that which is truly Spiritual 24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth God is a Spirit that is he has no Body nor bodily Parts He is not a bare spiritual Substance but a pure and perfect Spirit and therefore his Worshippers must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Where Spirit is opposed to the Legal Ceremonies and Truth to the Jewish Rites not to Hypocritical Services for the old Patriarchs did worship God in Spirit and in Truth As Truth is taken for Sincerity they served him with a sincere Conscience and with a single Heart But our Saviour's Business is to shew That a Worship without Legal Rites and Jewish Ceremonies is proper to the times of the Gospel In the Words Observe 1. The Nature of God declared God is a Spirit 2. The Duty of Man inferred therefore they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth From the whole Note 1. That God is a pure Spiritual Being When bodily Parts Hands and Eyes c. are ascribed to him it is only in Condescension to our weakness and to signifie those Acts in God which such Members do perform in us Note 2. That the Worship due from the Creature to God is spiritual Worship and ought to be spiritually performed The Jewish Ceremonial Worship was abolished to promote the Spirituality of Divine Worship yet must not this be so understood as if God rejected bodily Worship because he requires spiritual under the Gopsel for Jesus Christ the most spiritual Worshipper worshipped God with his Body Besides God has appointed some Parts of Worship which cannot be performed without the Body as Sacraments In a Word God has created the Body as well as the Soul Christ has redeemed the Body as well as the Soul and he will glorify the Body as well as the Soul therefore it is our Duty to worship and glorify God with our Bodies and with our Spirits which are his 25 The woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh which is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things 26 Jesus saith unto her I that speak unto thee am he Observe here 1. What a General Expectation there was in the Minds of all Persons at the time of our Saviour's appearing of one whom the Jews called the Messiah I know that Messiah cometh This Woman though a Samaritan yet knew that the Messiah should come and that he was now expected Observe 2. What the Work and Office of the Messias was apprehended and believed to be namely to reveal the whole Mind and Will of God to a lost World When the Messias is come he will tell us all things Learn thence That the Lord Jesus Christ the promised and true Messias being called and appointed by God to be the great Prophet of his Church hath fully and perfectly revealed all things needful to be known for our Salvation John 15.15 All things that I have heard of the Father I have made known unto you Observe Lastly How freely and fully Christ reveals himself to this poor Woman he tells her plainly that he was the Messias When the Jews asked him John 10.24 If thou be the Christ tell us plainly Christ did not in plain Terms tell them who he was Nay when John Baptist sent two of his Disciples to ask him whether he were He that should come he gave them no direct Answer Yet behold he makes himself plainly known to this poor Woman he discerning her Humility and great Simplicity that she was willing to be instructed by him and did not come to him as the Jews and Pharisees did captiously with a design to entangle and enspare him Hence learn That the Lord Jesus Christ delights to reveal himself and make known his Mind and Will to such as with an humble Mind and an honest Simplicity of heart do desire to know him and understand their Duty to him 27 ¶ And upon this came his disciples and marvelled that he talked with the woman yet no man said What seekest thou or Why talkest thou with her 28 The woman then left her water-pot and went her way into the city and saith to the men 29 Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ 30 Then they went out of the city and came unto him Observe here 1. How the Providence of God so ordered and disposed of things that the Disciples did not return to Christ till he had finisht his Discourse with this poor Woman An humbled sinner may meet with such Satisfaction and sweet Refreshment in Christ's Company that the presence even of Disciples themselves the best and holiest of Saints may be lookt upon as injurious to it and an interruption of it This poor Woman had so sweet a time with Christ that an end being put to the Conference by the coming of the Disciples might be Matter of Grief and Resentment to her Yet the Providence of God so ordered that the Disciples did not come to break off the Conference till Christ had made himself known as the Messias to this
That the whole Scope of Moses Ceremonial Law was to point out and prefigure Jesus Christ Christ was the Sum of the Law as well as the Substance of the Gospel he was Abraham's promised Seed Moses his great Prophet Jacob's Shiloh Esay's Emanuel Daniel's Holy One Zechary's Branch and Malachi's Angel 2. That such as believed the ancient Prophecies before Christ came did see their Accomplishment in him when he was come CHAP. VI. AFter these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee which is the sea of Tiberias Observe here How busie and industrious our holy Lord was about his Father's Work both on the Sea and on the Land both by Night and by Day His Meat was to do the Will of him that sent him and to finish his Work Some have inquired into the Reasons why Christ travelled by Sea as well as by Land and they seem to be these 1. To shew what his intent was in making the Sea namely to be sailed upon as the Land was made to be walked upon 2. That Christ might take occasion to manifest his Deity in working Miracles upon the Sea as well as upon the Land 3. Might it not be to comfort and encourage sea-faring Men that dwell much upon the Waters in the midst of their Distresses to trust in and pray unto such a Saviour as had himself an experimental Knowledge of the dangers of the Seas Some have farther observed That after our Saviour's Resurrection we never find him sailing upon the Seas more for such a turbulent Condition which necessarily attends Sea Voyages was utterly inconsistent with the stability and perpetuity of Christ's State when he was risen from the dead the firm Land better agreeing with his fix'd Estate than the fluctuating Water 2 And a great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased Observe here What an exact Knowledge Christ had not only of all his Followers but of the Motives and Principles which did induce them to follow him it was not the Excellency of his Person nor the heavenliness of his Doctrine that drew the multitude at this time after him but the Novelty of his Miracles They saw the Miracles which he did It is better to feel one Miracle wrought upon the Heart in changing and renewing That than to see a thousand outward Miracles wrought before our Eyes 3 And Jesus went up into a mountain and there he sat with his disciples 4 And the Passover a feast of the Jews was nigh 5 ¶ When Jesus then lift up his eyes and saw a great company come unto him he saith unto Philip Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat 6 And this he said to prove him for he himself knew what he would do 7 Philip answered him Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them that every one of them may take a little 8 One of his disciples Andrew Simon Peters brother saith unto him 9 There is a lad here which hath five barley-loaves and two small fishes but what are they among so many 10 And Jesus said Make the men sit down Now there was much grass in the place So the men sat down in number about five thousand 11 And Jesus took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down and likewise of the fishes as much as they would 12 When they were filled he said unto his disciples Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost 13 Therefore they gathered them together and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over and above unto them that had eaten 14 Then those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did said This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world This Miracle of our Saviour's feeding five thousand Persons with five Barly Loaves and two small Fishes is recorded by all the four Evangelists and several Particulars therein are very remarkable Obs 1. What a poor and slender Provision the Lord of the whole Earth has for his Family for himself for his Disciples and the Multitude nothing more than five Barley Loaves and two Fishes Teaching us that these Bodies of ours must be fed not pampered Our Belly must not be our Master much less our God and as the Quality of the Victuals was plain so was the Quantity small only five Loaves and two Fishes Well might the Disciples say What are they among so many The Eye of Sense and Reason sees an utter Impossibility of those Effects which Faith can easily apprehend and a Divine Power more easily produce When Men judge by Sense and Reason and do not look to Christ's Power if Extremities come they are soon at their wits end and know not what to do Obs 2. How the great Master of this miraculous Feast doth marshal his Guests he commands them to sit down None of the People reply Sit down But to what Here 's the Mouths but where 's the Meat we may soon be set but when shall we be served not a word like this but they obey and expect Lord how easie is it to trust thy Providence and rely upon thy Power when there is Corn in the Barn Bread in the Cupboard Money in the Purse but when our Stores are empty when our Stock runs low when we have nothing in Hand then to depend upon an invisible Bounty is a noble Act of Faith indeed Obs 3. The Actions performed by our Blessed Saviour 1. He blest the Loaves Teaching us by his Example never to use or receive the good Creatures of God without Prayer and Praise not to sit down to our Food as a Beast to his Fodder 2. Christ broke the Loaves he could have multiplied them whole why then doth he rather choose to do it in the breaking perhaps to teach us that we may rather expect his Blessing in the Distribution of his Bounty than in the Reservation of it Scattering is the way to encreasing and Liberality the way to Riches Again 3. He gave to his Disciples that they might distribute to the Multitude he did not do it with his own Hands but by theirs doubtless it was to gain Reputation to his Disciples from the People the same Course doth Christ take in Spiritual Distributions He that could feed the Souls of his People immediately by the Hand of his Spirit chooses rather by the Hand of his Ministers to divide the Bread of Life among them Obs 4. The Reality and Greatness of the Miracle They did all eat and were filled they did eat not a Crumb or a Bit but to satiety and fulness All that were hungry did eat and all that did eat were satisfied and yet twelve Baskets of Fragments remain More is left than was at first set on 'T is hard to say which was the greatest Miracle the miraculous eating or miraculous Leaving If we consider what they eat we
are all perishing but for Bread for your Souls to live eternally by even for the Food of my heavenly Doctrine which will make them that feed upon it Immortal and this the Son of Man stands ready to give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed that is by a Special Commission and Authority hath impowered him to dispense all Spiritual Blessings to them that want and crave them Learn hence 1. That all the Things of this Life are perishing and fading The best of outward Comforts and Enjoyments are Meat that perisheth 2. That it is the greatest of Follies to labour intensely and inordinately for and to set our selves with all our might and strength to persue and follow after perishing things 3. That Jesus Christ his Holy Doctrine his heavenly Grace is Food which neither perisheth nor diminisheth how many soever partake of it but makes all that partake thereof to be Partakers of Eternal Life therewith 4. That Jesus Christ is authorized sealed and commissioned by his Father to give eternal Life to such as industriously labour after him and will not be satisfied without him Him hath God the Father sealed That is Jesus Christ was sealed to the Office of a Mediator by God the Father Christ was sealed at his Baptism sealed by his Doctrine sealed by his Miracles sealed by his Resurrection sealed by his Unction or Supereminent and Unparalleled Sanctification Lord where will the Rejecters of Christ then appear at the great Day who have despised the Authority of him whom the Father commissioned to give eternal Life to whom soever he pleaseth 28 Then said they unto him What shall we do that we might work the works of God 29 Jesus answered and said unto them This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent Here the Jews who were strict Observers of the Ceremonial Law of Moses and rested thereupon for Salvation inquire of our Saviour what they should do that they might please God Christ directs them to the great Duty of believing on himself to own and acknowledge him to be the True Messias and as such to rely upon him alone for Salvation This is the work of God that ye believe c. Learn hence That for a penitent humbled Sinner to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ it is a work highly pleasing and acceptable unto God Christ calls Faith the work of God upon a threefold Account it is the Work of his Efficiency and Operation 't is the work of his commanding and 't is the work of his Approbation and Acceptation a work that God is highly pleased with and greatly delighted in This is the work of God 30 They said therefore unto him What sign shewest thou then that we may see and believe thee what dost thou work 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert as it is written He gave them bread from heaven to eat Here the Jews tell our Saviour that before they will believe in him they must see some Sign from him to confirm his Doctrine and prove him to be the Messias They acknowledge Christ had wrought a great Miracle in feeding five thousand Persons with five Barley Loaves but Moses fed their Fathers in the Wilderness who were no less than six hundred thousand Persons with excellent Manna from Heaven and this for forty Years together from whence they would seem to conclude that they had more reason to believe Moses than Christ not considering that Moses was but an Instrument to obtain by Prayer the Manna at the Hands of God but Christ was an Agent and that by a creating Power inherent in himself he multiplied the five Loaves to the feeding of five thousand Note here 1. From the Jews requiring a Sign before they would believe That he who publishes a new Doctrine to the World ought to confirm his Mission by some Miraculous Operation 2. That God honoured Moses his Messenger very much and Christ his Minister much more in that both of them wrought great and special Miracles for the Confirmation of their Mission 3. That the Jews not believing Christ to be the true Messias upon so many Attestations and after his Divine Mission was confirmed by such Miraculous Operations rendered their Infidelity inexcusable and their Obstinacy invincible 32 Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my father giveth you the true bread from heaven 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world Upon the Jews mentioning Manna to our Blessed Saviour he takes occasion to make a Comparison betwixt himself the Bread of Life and Manna the Bread of Moses and that in three Particulars 1. It was not Moses that gave the Israelites that Manna it was God at the Prayer of Moses but it was God that now offered them the Bread of Life were they willing to accept it 2. The Manna was not given from Heaven that is from the Coelestial Heaven but only from the Air and Clouds which frequently in Scripture is called Heaven But Christ the Bread of Life was given and sent by the Father from the highest Heaven even the Heaven of Glory 3. Manna was not true Spiritual Food effectively and of it self but bodily Food only but Christ is Real and Spiritual Bread which gives Life to lost and dead Men which Manna did not could not do And whereas Manna was peculiar to Israel only Christ gives Life to all sorts of Persons Gentiles as well as Jews The Bread of God giveth Life unto the World Learn hence That as Christ is the Truth and Substance of all the Types in the Old Testament so particularly the Manna was an illustrious Type of Christ In many things they agree and in some they differ They agree in their Original Manna came down from Heaven so did Christ Manna was freely given so is Jesus Christ the free Gift of God Manna was not fit to be eaten as it lay in the Field but must be ground in a Mill or beaten in a Mortar and baked in an Oven before it was fit for Food Christ was ground by his Sufferings bruised on the Cross scorched in the fiery Oven of his Father's Wrath that he might become a fit Saviour for us Again as the Manna was gathered by the Israelites daily and equally it was rained down about their Tents and every Man had his Omer Thus is Christ in the Ministry of the Word daily offered to a lost World and all that believe in him shall share alike in the Benefits of Justification Sanctification and Glorification from him But now the Manna and Christ differ in this and the Truth excells the Type thus There is a quickening inlivening Vertue a Life-giving and a Life-upholding Power in Christ the Bread of Life which was never found in Manna the Bread of Israel And wheras Manna only fed the Body the Body of an Israelite and this only for a
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
and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him 57 As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever 59 These things said he in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum Observe here How the Jews understanding Christ after a Carnal manner were offended at what he said for they thought it was Inhumane to eat Man's Flesh and could not understand how the Body of Christ could in such a Sense be Food to all the World Hence Note That Carnal Persons put a Carnal Sense upon Christ's Spiritual Words and so occasion their own stumbling But yet notwithstanding the Jews stumbled at our Saviour's Expression he doth not alter his words but presseth more and more the Necessity of feeding upon him by Faith in order to Eternal Life Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you Learn from hence 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is the True Spiritual Food of all Believers 2. That those and only those who do by Faith feed upon him shall obtain a Life of Grace and Glory from him if we do not by Faith feed upon him we can have no Evidence for a Life of Grace nor Title to a Life of Glory This place some Papists produce to Countenance their Doctrine of Transubstantiation and a Bodily eating and drinking of Christ's Flesh and Blood in the Sacrament But it is evident that Christ Treats not of the Sacrament in this Chapter for the Sacrament was not now Instituted and therefore it is not a Sacramental but a Spiritual feeding upon Christ by Faith that is here meant For this eating gives Life to the Eater all that eat are saved and all that do not eat are damned but this is not true of a Sacramental eating besides this eating that Christ speaks of he makes absolutely necessary to Salvation but some are saved that never fed upon Christ in the Sacrament as John the Baptist and the Thief on the Cross Lastly if it be understood of a Sacramental Eating and Drinking wo be to the Church of Rome for denying the Cup to the Laity because Drinking of Christ's Blood is made here as necessary as eating of his Flesh in order to Eternal Life Except ye Eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and Drink his Blood ye have no Life in you Observe farther The close and intimate Union which is betwixt Christ himself and those that feed upon him He that eateth me Dwelleth in me and I in him As Meat is turned into the Eater's Substance so Believers and Christ become one and by feeding on him that is by believing in him there followeth a mutual Inhabitation Christ dwelling in them and they in him this is true of a Spiritual feeding upon Christ but not of a Sacramental Eating Nay Christ carries it higher still and tells us That as there is a Real Union between the Father and him and as the Father Lives who sent him â—aving an Eternal Fountain of Life in himself and the Son Lives by the Father having the same Life communicated to him with his Essence from the Father in like manner says Christ he that eateth me the same shall Live by me All which is certainly true of our Spiritual Feeding upon Christ by Faith but cannot be applied to a Corporal feeding upon him in the Sacrament as the Papists would have it 60 Many therefore of his disciples when they had heard this said This is an hard saying who can hear it 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it he said unto them Doth this offend you 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before The foregoing Doctrine of our Saviour concerning eating his Flesh and drinking his Blood sounded so very harshly that not only the common multitude but some of them that had been his Disciples that is who had given up their names to follow him could not tell how to bear them Our Saviour Reproves their unjust stumbling at what he had said That he was the Bread which came down from Heaven and tells them that his Ascension into Heaven should prove the Truth of his descent from Heaven Hence we learn That Christ's arising from the Grave and Ascending into Heaven by his own Power is an Evident proof of his Godhead and that he really came down from Heaven in respect of his Divine Nature which condescended to be cloathed with our Flesh What and if ye shall see the Son of Man Ascend up where he was before 63 It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life To convince the Jews that our Saviour did not mean a carnal fleshly eating of his Body he tells them that such an eating would profit them nothing but it is a Spiritual eating of him by Faith that bringeth that Quickning Life of which he had spoken It is the Spirit or Divine Nature that Quickneth the flesh or human Nature alone separated from his Godhead profiteth nothing and can give no Life Learn hence That it is the Godhead of Christ united to the Humane Nature which adds all Vertue Efficacy and Merit to the Obedience and sufferings of the Humane Nature It is the Spirit or Divine Nature of Christ that Quickneth the flesh or Humane Nature alone profiteth nothing and therefore the carnal eating of my flesh would do no good 64 But there are some of you that believe not For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him 65 And he said Therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father 66 ¶ From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him Our Blessed Saviour having thus cleared his Doctrine that he was the Bread of Life which came down from Heaven and that he is not to be Carnally but Spiritually fed upon He plainly tells the Jews That the true cause of their stumbling at his Doctrine was their Ignorance and Unbelief there are some of you that believe not Upon which plain dealing of our Blessed Saviour's many unsound Professors did wholly forsake him and accompanied no longer with him Learn hence That multitudes who have long professed Christ and his Holy Religion may draw back and fall from their Profession and finally revolt from him 2. That it is an Evil heart of unbelief which causes Men to depart from Christ and to make Shipwrack of their Profession 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve Will ye also go away 68 Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life 69 And we
believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God 70 Jesus answered them have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon for he it was that should betray him being one of the twelve Our Saviour finding many of his nominal Disciples forsaking him and departing from him Asks his Apostles the Twelve whether they would also go away intimating that their Departure would go nearer to him than the departure of all the rest The nearer they are from whom we receive unkindnesses the nearer do those unkindnesses go to our Hearts Will you of the Twelve also go away Peter as the mouth and in the name of the Rest Answers That they knew none besides to whom they could go and expect that happiness which they did from him They that go from Christ can never hope to mend themselves let them go whither they will therefore 't is as irrational as it is sinful to depart from Christ who hath the words that is the promise of Eternal Life Observe Lastly St. Peter having made this profession for himself and the rest of the Twelve that they would not depart from Jesus whom they believed to be the True Messias the Son of God Christ intimates to Peter that his Charity was something too large in promising so much for them all for there was one Traytor among them whose heart was as open to Christ as his face was to them he meant it of Judas Iscariot of whose perfidiousness he gave them warning at this Time Learn hence That the better any Man is in himself the more charitable is the opinion which he has of others Charity inclines to believe others good till they discover themselves to be bad Learn 2. That Christ doth approve of our charitable judgment of others sincerity according to what we hope and believe tho' we happen to be mistaken and our judgment is not according to Truth Christ knew Judas to be an Hypocrite at this time but doth not Reprove Peter for having a better opinion of him than he deserved 'T is far better to Err on the Charitable than on the Censorious hand 't is less offensive to Christ and less Injurious to our selves CHAP. VII 1 AFter these things Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in Jewry because the Jews sought to kill him Our Blessed Saviour knowing that the Rage of the Chief Priests and Pharisees in Judea and at Jerusalem was grown to that height that they were resolved to kill him to avoid their fury he resolves to continue in Galilee and would not come into Judea at present nor go up to Jerusalem into the mouth of his Enemies his hour not being yet come Learn hence That so long as it was necessary for Christ to save and preserve himself from danger he was pleased to use the ordinary means for his own preservation Namely Retirement and withdrawing himself Christ as God could have rid himself out of the hands of his Enemies by a miraculous preservation but he uses the ordinary means when they would serve the turn and as he would not decline danger when his hour was come so would he not run into danger before it was come but used all prudential means and methods for his own safety and preservation He would not come into Judea because the Jews sought to kill him 2 Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand There were Three great Feasts which the Jews celebrated every Year Namely The Feast of the Passover the feast of Pentecost and the feast of Tabernacles This last was observed in the Month of September after they had gathered in the Fruits of the Earth whence it was also called the Feast of Ingathering At this Feast they went out of their Houses and dwelt in Booths Seven Days in Remembrance of their living in Tents of Booths in the Wilderness for Forty Years together before they came to Canaan Now the Institution of this Feast being to call to the Israelites Remembrance their former condition in the Wilderness Teaches us how prone and ready we are to forget our Troubles and the Mercies wherewith our Troubles have been sweetned when once they are past and over The Jews when settled in Canaan going out of their Houses Yearly and dwelling in Booths did thereby testifie that present Mercies had not made them forget former Tryals and Troubles 3 His brethren therefore said unto him Depart hence and go into Judea that thy disciples also may see the works that thou dost 4 For there is no man that doth any thing in secret and he himself seeketh to be known openly If thou do these things shew thy self to the world 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him Observe here 1. The Advice which Christ's Brethren that is his Kindred gave him to render himself more famous and publickly known to the World they Advise him not to tarry any longer in Galilee an obscure place but go into the more Noble and Populous Country of Judea and work Miracles there But what high presumption was this in Creatures to prescribe to Christ and direct him whither to go and what to do Observe 2. The Reason they offer for their Advice for no Man that seeketh to be known openly will do any thing in secret that is if thou wilt be thought to be the Messias by thy working Miracles do them not in a Corner but go up to Jerusalem with us at this next Feast that the Great Men may take notice of them Such as hunt after Reputation themselves and are Ambitious of vain Glory and Commendation from Men they measure others even the most Holy and Religious by their own Inclinations and dispositions and wonder that others do not follow their measures for gaining Reputation and Respect Thus did our Lord's Brethren here but the Wonder ceases if we consult the following words Neither did his Brethren Believe in him It is no new Thing for the Holiest Servants of God to meet with great Trials from their graceless Friends Christ met with this before us his Kindred according to the Flesh not believing in him were a sore Trial and Temptation to him Some Martyrs have confest that the hardest works they have met withal have been to withstand the Temptations the Tears and Entreaties of their dearest and nearest Relations 6 Then Jesus said unto them My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready 7 The world cannot hate you but me it hateth because I testifie of it that the works thereof are evil 8 Go ye up unto this feast I go not up yet unto this feast for my time is not yet full come 9 When he had said these words unto them he aboad still in Galilee Here we have Christ's Answer and Refusal returned to his Brethrens desire he tells them they might go up to the Feast at Jerusalem when they pleased and as publickly but it was not
as it is the Best of Graces so the works of it are fittest for the best of Days 17 They say unto the blind man again VVhat sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes He said He is a prophet 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him that he had been blind and received his sight until they called the parents of him that had received his sight 19 And they asked them saying Is this your son who ye say was born blind how then doth he now see 20 His parents answered them and said We know that this is our son and that he was born blind 21 But by what means he now seeth we know not or who hath opened his eyes we know not he is of age ask him he shall speak for himself 22 These words spake his parents because they feared the Jews for the Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the synagogue 23 Therefore said his parents He is of age ask him Observe here 1. How desirous the Pharisees were to obscure the Glory of this famous Miracle which Christ had wrought In order to which 1. They Re-examine the Man to know what his Thoughts were of the Person who had done this for him They judged him to be an Impostor and a great Sinner the Man declares freely That he believed him to be a Prophet Hence we learn That there may be and sometimes is more True Knowledge of Jesus Christ in one poor Man than in a General Council of Learned Rabbies This blind Man saw Christ to be a Prophet when the Jewish Sanhedrim saw nothing in him but Imposture This Man is not of God says the Council Verily he is a Prophet says the blind Man 2. They next examine his Parents being unwilling to believe the Man himself whether he was their Son or not if so whether he were born blind and if born blind by what means he now sees Lord what obstinate and wilful blindess was found in these Pharisees How do they close their Eyes and say We will not see What Endeavours are here used to smother a Miracle which undeniably proved Christ to be the expected Messias They examine first the Man then his Parents then the Man again hoping that being over awed with fear they would either deny or at least conceal the Truth but the more they strove to darken and obscure the Truth the more conspicuous and evident they made it Great is Truth and will prevail how many soever oppose it and set themselves against it Observe next The Wisdom and Cautiousness of his Parents Answer they expresly own that the blind Man was their Son That he was born blind but for the way of his cure they wave that possibly because they did not see the Cure wrought and fearing the Sentence of Excommunication a Decree being past among the Rulers that whoso confesseth Christ should be put out of the Synagogue Hence Learn 1. That Excommunication or Separation from the Society of the People of God is an Ancient and Honourable Ordinance in the Church of God and as such to be revered and esteemed 2. That this Ordinance of God has been and may be abused by wicked Men and the Edge of it turned against Christ himself and his sincerest Members 3. That the fear of unjust Excommunication must not discourage Persons from confessing the Truth when called to it The Parents of the Blind Man durst not confess Christ for fear that they should be put out of the Synagogue 24 Then again called they the man that was blind and said unto him Give God the praise we know that this man is a sinner 25 He answered and said Whether he be a sinner or no I know not but one thing I know that whereas I was blind now I see 26 Then said they to him again What did he to thee how opened he thine Eyes 27 He answered them I have told you already and ye did not hear wherefore would ye hear it again will ye also be his disciples 28 Then they reviled him and said Thou art his disciple but we are Moses disciples 29 We know that God spake unto Moses as for this fellow we know not from whence he is Here we have an Account of the Pharisees farther practising upon this blind Man to rob Christ of the Glory of this Miracle first they insinuate with him and then they frown upon him First they insinuate with him saying Give God the praise As if they had said Ascribe the Cure to God not to this Man whom they conclude to be a Sinner because he broke as they thought the Sabbath 'T is no new thing to see Men pretend to aim at the Glory of God when at the same time they are maliciously opposing Christ and persecuting his Members Next they attempt to frown this poor Man into a Denial of the Miracle wrought upon him or to perswade the People that it was a Cheat but it is wonderful to observe how the Boldness and Confidence of the poor Man increased God giving him that Wisdom and Courage which all his Adversaries were not able to resist or gainsay Therefore the Pharisees being angry at this Boldness of the Man they revile him for being so silly as to become a Disciple to Christ whose Office and Authority they knew not whereas they were Disciples of Moses whom they knew God spake unto Learn hence That such as are led by Malice and prepossest with Prejudice against Christ will not only think basely of his Person but refuse to see the clearest Evidences of his Authority and Commission As for this Fellow say the Malicious Pharisees we know not whence he is or who gave him his Commission 30 The man answered and said unto them Why herein is a marvellous thing that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine eyes 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind 33 If this man were not of God he could do nothing In these Verses the blind Man proceeds to vindicate our blessed Saviour who had cured him of his Blindness from the Exceptions of the Pharisees and endeavours by solid Arguments to convince them that his Cure being born blind was truly miraculous and consequently proved Christ to be of God 1. The Man admires that Christ having wrought such a Miracle upon him they should be ignorant of his Authority This is marvellous that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine Eyes 2. He lays down a general Proposition that no Deceiver or false Teacher is heard of God or inabled by him to work such Miracles at these but only such faithful Servants as do his Will are thus extraordinarily Assisted by him We know that
Lazarus ver 41 42. Yet as God he had a Power of himself to raise Lazarus an Almighty Power communicated with his Essence from the Father by an Eternal and ineffable Generation 23 Jesus saith unto her Thy brother shall rise again 24 Martha saith unto him I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day 25 Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die Believest thou this Here Observe 1. Christ's meek Answer to Martha's passionate Discourse he takes no notice of the forementioned failings but comforts her with a promise of her Brother's Resurrection Thy Brother shall rise again Thence learn That the Knowledge and Belief of the General Resurrection is and ought to be a sufficient support under the Loss of our endeared Friends ' who die in the Lord. Observe 2. That the Doctrine of the General Resurrection was no new Doctrine Job believed it ch 19.26 Daniel publish'd it ch 12.1 The Pharisees had a Notion of it but Martha here makes it an Article of her Faith I know he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last Day Observe 3. How Christ particularly Instructs Martha in the cause of the Resurrection acquainting her that he himself is the Author and efficient cause of it I am the Resurrection and the Life That is I am the Author and principal efficient cause of the Resurrection And this with respect to both Natures 1. His Divine Nature is the efficient cause of the Resurrection he shall Raise our Bodies out of the Dust by the Power of his Godhead 2. His Humane Nature is the exemplary cause or pattern of the Resurrection For which Reason Christ is called the first Born from the Dead For tho' some were raised before him Yet was his Resurrection the cause of their Resurrection Hence St. Paul argues from Christ's Resurrection the certainty of the Resurrection of his Members Christ and Believers are one Mystical Body therefore is not Christ perfectly Risen till all his Members are Risen with him Indeed Christ's personal Resurrection was perfect when he arose and all Believers arose Representatively in him Yet till all Believers arise personally the Resurrection of Christ has not received its utmost perfection but there is somewhat behind of the Resurrection of Christ Most fitly then might our Saviour assert I am the Resurrection and the Life Observe 4. That Christ not only asserts himself to be the Resurrection but also the Life I am the Resurrection and the Life that is I am the cause of Life Natural Spiritual and Eternal and Whosoever Liveth and Believeth in Me shall never Die. That is eternally tho' his Body shall die because of Sin yet his Spirit shall live because of Righteousness 27 She saith unto him Yea Lord I believe that thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the world 28 And when she had so said she went her way and called Mary her sister secretly saying The Master is come and calleth for thee 29 Assoon as she heard that she arose quickly and came unto him 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town but was in that place where Martha met him 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house and comforted her when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily and went out followed her saying She goeth unto the grave to weep there 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was and saw him she fell down at his feet saying unto him Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not died Observe here 1. The full confession which Martha makes of her Faith in Christ as God Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World A confession which comes nearest to that of St. Peter Math. 16.16 of any that we meet with in Scripture Nay it seems more full than Peter's Confession for those additional words which should come into the World are not in his Confession the Summ is She believed Christ to be the very Messias who was Typified and prefigured Prophesied of and promised to the Old Testament Saints as the person that in the fulness of time should come into the World for the Redemption and Salvation of it Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World Thence Learn That Christ is never rightly believed in nor regularly depended upon for Salvation except he be owned and acknowledged to be the Eternal Son of God Martha was now fully perswaded of Christ's Divine Nature of which the best of the Disciples till after our Saviour's Resurrection had but a faint and uncertain perswasion Observe 2. How earnest and intent our Saviour was to dispatch the errand he came upon Namely to raise Lazarus from the Grave and to comfort the Two mournful Sisters he would not so much as enter the House till he had effected his work and therefore he goes strait to the Grave which probably was the place where Mary met him Lord it was thy Meat and Drink to do the Will of thy Father it was thy Meat and Drink by Day thy Rest and Repose by Night How unlike are we to thy self if we suffer either our Pleasures or our Profits to divert us from our Duty Observe 3. What haste and speed Mary makes to attend upon her Saviour she arose quickly and came unto him Mary's Love added Wings to her motion The Jews observing her hasty motion have a loving suspicion that she is gone to the Grave to weep there but their Thoughts were too low for whilst they supposed that she went to a dead Brother she was waiting upon a living Saviour And she that used to sit at Jesus feet now falls at his feet in an awful veneration the very gesture was supplicatory And her humble prostration was seconded with a doleful Lamentation Lord If thou hadst been here my Brother had not died Where Observe A mixture of Faith with humane infirmity Here was strength of Faith in ascribing so much Power to Christ that his presence could preserve from Death but here was Infirmity in supposing the necessity of Christ's presence for this purpose Certainly he that did raise him from Death being present could have preserved him from dying being absent had he pleased This was Mary's moan Lord hadst thou been here our Brother had not died full of Affection but not from frailty and infirmity However Christ takes no notice of her errors and infirmity but all the reply we hear of is a Compassionate Groan which the following Verses acquaint us with 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping and the Jews also weeping which came with her he groned in the spirit and was troubled 34 And said Where have ye laid him They say unto him Lord come and see 35 Jesus wept 36 Then said the Jews Behold how he loved him 37
And some of them said Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind have caused that even this man should not have died Observe here 1. The Condolency and tender Sympathy expressed by our Saviour upon this occasion He groaned in his Spirit and was troubled Or as the Original has it he troubled himself intimating that our Saviour's Passions were pure and holy not like ours muddy and mixt with sinful imperfection The Commotions of his Affections were like the shaking of pure Water in a Chrystal-glass which still remain clear and they arose and were calmed at his pleasure he was not over-powered by them but had them at his Command Learn hence That as Christ took upon him the Humane Nature so he did assume also Humane Affections thereby evidencing himself to be our Brother and near Kinsman according to the Flesh Learn 2. That the Passions and Affections which our Saviour had and exprest were always Holy and Innocent he was not without them but he was above them they did never violently and immoderately trouble him but when he pleased he troubled himself Jesus groaned in Spirit and Troubled himself Observe 2. How our Saviour manifests this Condolency and tender Sympathy with Martha and Mary by his weeping Jesus wept Partly from Compassion and partly for Example in Compassion first to humanity to see how miserably Sin had debased the Humane Nature and rendred Man like unto the Bruit Beasts that perish 2dly In Compassion to Lazarus whom he was now about to bring back into a sinful and troublesome World Thus St. Jerom Non flevit Christus Lachrymas nostras c. Christ says he did not weep our Tears he mourned over Lazarus not because dead but because now to be brought again to Life Again Christ wept for our Example to fetch Sighs and Tears from us at the sight of others miseries and especially at the Funerals of our godly Friends Learn hence That mourning and sorrow and this exprest by Tears and weeping is an Affection proper for those that go to Funerals provided it be decently kept within due bounds and is not excessive For immoderate sorrow is hurtful to the living and dishonourable to the dead neither is it an Argument of more Love but an Evidence of less Grace Note 3. How the Jews observing Christ's sorrow for admire his Love to Dead Lazarus Behold how he loved him Christ's Love to his People is admirable and Soul amazing such as see it may admire it but can never fully comprehend it Note 4. How some of the malicious Jews attempt to lessen the Reputation of our Saviour not willing to own him to be God because he did not keep Lazarus from dying as if Christ could not be the Son of God because he did not at all times and in all cases exert and put forth his Divine Power Whereas Christ acted freely and not necessarily governing his Actions by his own Wisdom as he saw most conducing to the ends and purposes of his own Glory 38 Jesus therefore again groning in himself cometh to the grave It was a cave and a stone lay upon it 39 Jesus said Take ye away the stone Martha the sister of him that was dead saith unto him Lord by this time he stinketh for he hath been dead four days 40 Jesus saith unto her Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid And Jesus lift up his eyes and said Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always but because of the people which stand by I said it that they may believe that thou hast sent me 43 And when he thus had spoken he cried with a loud voice Lazarus come forth 44 And he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with grave-clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin Jesus saith unto them Loose him and let him go In these Verses we find our Lord addressing himself to the Miracle of raising Lazarus from the Grave First he commands them to take away the Stone But could not that Voice which raised the Dead remove the Stone Yes no doubt but it is always the Will of Christ that we put forth our utmost Endeavours and do what we can in order to our own Deliverance To remove the Stone and unty the Napkins was in their Power This therefore they must do but to raise the Dead was out of their Power this therefore Christ will do alone Our Hands must do their utmost before Christ will put forth his Help The Stone being thus removed his Eyes begin they are lift up to Heaven His Father's Throne from whence he expects to derive his Power His Tongue Seconds his Eye and he prays unto his Father Christ as God wrought this Miracle by his own Power Consider him as Mediatour and so he looks up to his Father by Prayer yet we hear of no Prayer but a Thanksgiving only Christ's Will was his Prayer whatever Christ willed God granted Christ and his Father having one Essence one Nature and one Will. Neither was it fit for Christ to pray vocally and audibly lest the unbelieving Jews should say he did all by entreaty nothing by Power Observe farther That as Christ when he spake to his Father lifted up his Eyes so when he spake to dead Lazarus he lifted up his Voice and cryed aloud This Christ did that the Strength of the Voice might answer the Strength of the Affection Since we vehemently utter what we earnestly desire also that the greatness of the Voice might answer to the greatness of the Work but especially that the Hearers might be Witnesses that this mighty Work was performed not by any magical Inchantments which are commonly mumbled forth with a low Voice but by an authoritative and divine Command In a word might not Christ utter a loud Voice at the raising of Lazarus that it might be a Representation of the shrill and loud Voice of the last Trumpet at the General Resurrection which shall sound into all Graves and raise all Flesh from their Bed of Dust Obs next As the manner of our Lord 's speaking with a loud Voice so the Words spoken by him Lazarus Come forth Mark Christ says not Lazarus revive but as if he suppoposed him already alive he says Lazarus Come forth to let us know that they are alive to him who are dead to us Mark also what a commanding Word this was Come forth not that it was in the power of these loud commanding Words to raise Lazarus but in the quickning power of Christ which attended these words Oh Blessed Saviour It is thy Voice which we shall ere long hear sounding into the Bottom of the Grave and raising us up from our Bed of Dust It is thy Voice that shall pierce the Rocks divide the Mountains and eccho forth throughout the Universe saying Arise
glorifie his Name Observe 3. Our Saviour declares a double effect and fruit of his Death and Passion 1. The judgment of this World Now is the judgment of this World now shall the Prince of this World be cast out That is my Death will be the Devil's overthrow will bring down Sin and deliver the World from the Tyranny and Dominion of Sin and Satan Learn hence 1. That Satan is the Prince and Ruler of all those who live in Sin not a Prince by Legal Right but by Tyrannical Usurpation 2. That this Usurper Satan will not quit his Possession unless he be cast out 3. That Christ by his Death has cast out Satan dethroned him and deprived him of his Tyrannical Usurpation Now is the Prince of this World cast out That is I will shortly by my Death deliver the World from the slavery of Sin and Dominion of Satan and particularly from that Idolatry which the greatest part of the World were then in slavery under The second effect and fruit of Christ's Death which is here declared is his drawing all Men unto him When I am lifted up from the Earth I will draw all Men unto me There is a twofold lifting up of Christ the first Ignominious when he was hung upon the Cross the second Glorious in the Preaching of the Gospel by this he draws all Men unto him that is by the Preaching of the Gospel he calls and invites all persons to himself he offers the Benefits of his Death to all and gathered a Church to himself out of the Gentile as well as the Jewish World Learn 1. That all persons are naturally unwilling to come to Christ they must be drawn 2. That Christ meritoriously by his Death and instrumentally by the Preaching of the Gospel draws Sinners unto himself 3. That it is not a few or small number but a very great number consisting both of Jews and Gentiles Bond and Free persons of all Nations Sexes Ages and Conditions whom Christ draweth Not that all are effectually drawn to Christ so as savingly to Believe in him but by the Preaching of the Gospel they are called and invited to him and the Benefits of his Death are offered to them Thus Christ being lifted up upon his Cross and on the Pole of his Gospel draws all Men unto him 34 The people answered him We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever and how sayest thou The Son of Man must be lift up who is this Son of Man 35 Then Jesus said unto them Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth 36 While ye have light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light These things spake Jesus and departed and did hide himself from them Observe here 1. Tâ—â— Objection which the Jews make against our Saviour's being the True Messias Their Argument runs thus It was foretold under the Law that Christ or the Messias abideth for ever but thou sayest the Son of Man must be lift up and die How then canst thou be the promised Messias The Answer is in his state of Humiliation unto Death he was lifted up but in his state of Exaltation he abideth for ever Learn hence That Christ's lifting up by Death and his abiding for ever do very well consist together for both are true of him The one in his state of Humiliation the other in his state of Exaltation Observe 2. Our Saviour returns no Answer to their cavilling Objection nor doth he undertake to demonstrate how his Sufferings and his abiding for ever are consistent but gives them intimations that he was the Light of the World and advises them whilst they had the Light with them to prize it highly and improve it faithfully Yet a little while is the Light with you walk whilst ye have the Light lest Darkness come upon you Note here 1. A choice and singular Priviledge injoyed the Light is with you a personal Light Christ a Doctrinal Light the Gospel Both these brought with them a Light of Knowledge answering our Darkness of Ignorance a Light of Grace and Holiness answering our Darkness of Sin which we had brought upon our selves and a Light of Joy and Comfort answering the Darkness of Misery and Horror which we lay under by reason of our guilt Note 2. The time of injoying this priviledge limited yet a little while is the Light with you The time of a Peoples injoying the Light and Liberty of the Gospel it is a limited time it is a short time Note 3. A Duty injoined by Christ answerable to the priviledge injoyed by us Walk whilst ye have the Light An uniform and constant course of Holy walking according to the Rule of the Gospel is the indispensable Duty and Obligation of all those that injoy the Light and Liberty of the Gospel Namely To walk according to the precepts and commands of the Gospel answerable to the Priviledges and Prerogatives of the Gospel answerable to the helps and supplies of Grace which the Gospel affords and answerable to the glorious hope and expectation which the Gospel raises us unto Note 4. A danger threatned to the neglecters of this Duty lest Darkness come upon you Namely A Darkness of Ignorance and judicial Blindness a Darkness of Error and Seduction a Darkness of Horror and Despair and the fatal and final Darkness of Death and Hell for all contemners of Gospel Light there is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever where Sin and Torment run parallel their Torment makes them Sin and their Sin feeds their Torment 37 ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled which he spake Lord who hath believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed 39 Therefore they could not believe because that Esaias said again 40 He hath blinded their eyes and hardned their heart that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and I should heal them 41 These things said Esaias when he saw his glory and spake of him Observe here 1. The astonishing Infidelity and unbelief of the Jews who heard our Saviour's Doctrine and were Eye-witnesses of his Miracles Tho' he had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him Let not the faithful Ministers of Christ be discouraged and over much dejected at their want of success in dispensing of the Gospel when they observe and consider the small success of our Saviour's own Ministry in the Hearts and Lives of his hearers Yea tho' his Ministry was accompanied with Miracles and tho' his Miracles were many in number mighty in nature clear and obvious to Sense being wrought before their Eyes yet his Ministry succeeded not and his Miracles prevailed not Lord what little success
Learn hence 1. That the Servants of God themselves are oftimes much to seek and cannot apprehend and understand at present the actings and dealings of God with them they understand not either the intent or the event of God's dispensations 2. That altho' God's dealings with his Children and People are for a while in the dark and are not presently made known yet there will come a time for the clearing and evidencing of them when they shall understand that all his dispensations were in mercy to them The second part of our Saviour's Reply to St. Peter follows If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me as if Christ had said Peter This external act of mine in washing thy Feet doth signifie something farther and imports my washing of thy Soul from the guilt and defilement of Sin without which thou canst neither have interest in me nor Communion with me Learn hence 1. That so universal is the pollution of Sin that every Soul stands in need of washing 2. That Christ washeth all that have a part and interest in him both from the guilt and pollution of all their Sin Observe 3. That St. Peter now understanding better what was meant by this outward washing Namely That it did signifie and represent the cleansing of the Soul from the defilement of Sin he is so far from refusing that Christ should wash his Feet that he offers Hands and Head and all to be washed by him Lord not my Feet only c. Learn hence That so thoroughly sensible are the Saints of the filthiness and pollution of Sin that they desire nothing more than an inward thorough and prevailing purification of their whole Man by the Blood and Spirit of the Lord Jesus Observe 4. Our Saviour's Reply to St. Peters's last Request he that is washed needeth not save to wash his Feet plainly alluding to the custom of those Countries where going abroad barefoot or with thin Sandals covering only a small part of their Feet they had frequent occasion to wash their Feet but no need to wash their whole Bodies In like manner the Saints and Servants of God who are already washed and cleansed by the Blood of Christ from the guilt of their Sins and have a real work of Renovation and Sanctification begun in them by the Spirit of Christ they ought to be daily purging and purifying their Affections and Actions and labouring daily after further measures and degrees of Sanctification Learn hence 1. That the holiest the wisest and the best of Saints whilest here in a World of Sin and Temptation do stand in need of a daily washing by Repentance and according to their renewed and repeated acts of Sin 2. That all justified persons are in God's account clean persons ye are clean but not all that is you are justified and pardoned sanctified and cleansed all of you excepting Judas whose heart was known to Christ tho' his Hypocrisie was hid from the Disciples 12 So after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and was set down again he said unto them Know ye what I have done to you 13 Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well for so I am 14 If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet 15 For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 16 Verily verily I say unto you The servant is not greater then his lord neither he that is sent greater then he that sent him In these words our Saviour declares to his Disciples his intention and design in washing of their Feet Namely To teach them by his Example the duty of humility that as he had performed that act of abasement towards them so should they be ready to perform all offices of Love and humble Condescension one towards another Behold I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done unto you Learn thence That humility and mutual condescension amongst the Members and Ministers of Jesus Christ is a most necessary Grace and Duty which the Son of God not only taught by his Doctrine but recommended and inforced by his Example Observe farther The Argument which Christ makes use of to press the imitation of his Example upon them and that is drawn from the titles given to him by his Disciples Ye call me Master and Lord and so I am Now Servants ought to imitate their Master and Subjects to obey their Lord and King Christ is a Master to teach and direct a Lord to govern and protect as he is a Master we are to learn in his School as he is a Lord we are to serve in his House he must be submitted to as a Prince as well as relied upon as a Saviour It is in vain to expect Salvation from him if we do not yield subjection to him Another Argument which our Lord makes use of to press his Disciples to imitate his Example is drawn from his Dignity and Superiority over them The Servant is not greater than his Lord as if Christ had said Tho' you my Disciples are to have a very high and honourable station in the Gospel Church yet let not this swell you with pride but be you mutually condescending to each other Remembring you are yet but Servants to my self and ought to be so to one another and the Servant is not greater than his Lord. Learn hence That whatever dignity Christ confers upon his Servants and Officers yet he is over them all superior to them and above them 2. That the consideration of Christ's Dignity and his Ministers meanness ought to keep their minds humble and lowly and far from affecting Superiority over their Brethren The Servant is not greater than his Lord nor he that is sent greater than he that sent him 17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Our Lord here intimates unto to us these two things 1. The necessity of Knowledge in order unto Practice 2. The necessity of Practice in order unto Happiness A Man may know the Will of God indeed and not do it but he can never do the Will of God acceptably and not know it Learn hence 1. That Christ doth not approve of a blind Obedience in his People but requires that their Practice and Obedience be founded upon Understanding and Knowledge 2. That the first care of those that will be Christ's Disciples and followers must be this With all seriousness to apply themselves to the Knowledge of their Master 's Will. 3. That next to the Knowledge of our Duty our first and chief care must be to practise every thing that we understand and know to be our Duty 4. That a right-knowledge and practice of our Duty will certainly make us happy If ye know these things happy are ye if do them 18 ¶ I speak not of you all I know whom I have chosen but that the scripture may be fulfilled He that eateth
chearful Obedience a pleasing and an acceptable Obedience A constant and Abiding Obedience All other motives without Love are servile and base and beget in us the drudgery of a Slave but not the Duty of a Son he that fears God only is afraid of smarting but he that Loves God is afraid of offending Learn hence That the best and surest evidence we can have of our Love to the Lord Jesus Christ is an humble chearful universal and persevering Obedience to his commands keep my Commandments that is endeavour it without reserve for tho' we cannot keep the Commandments to a just satisfaction yet we may perform them to a gracious acceptation And the Word My My Commandments is a sweetning and alleviating Word Moses's Law an unsupportable Load but Christ's Law an easie Burthen The Law from Sinai dreadful the Law from Sion Gracious it pardons weakness and accepts sincerity 16 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever 17 Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Christ comforteth his Disciples here with a promise of the Mission of the Holy Spirit to supply the want of his Bodily presence Where Observe The procurer of this Blessing 1. And that is Christ by his prevailing Prayer and powerful Intercession I will pray it runs in the future Tense and so 't is a promise of Christ's continual Intercession As long as Christ is in Heaven a Christian shall not want a supply of Comfort and Consolation here on Earth Observe 2. The Author and Donour of the blessing and that is God himself I will pray the Father and he shall give The Father that is my Father your Father and he that is the Father of Comfort and all Consolation I will pray and he will give 'T is an expression of great assurance Observe 3. The blessing it self the Holy Ghost called here Another Comforter Where note 1. The Divinity of the Holy Ghost he that will supply the Comforts of Christ's presence must be as Christ is the God of all Comfort Note 2. The person of the Holy Ghost he is a Divine person not a Divine quality or operation then we might call him a Comfort but not a Comforter Note 3. The Office and Imployment of the Holy Ghost He is a Comforter that is an Advocate and Intercessour to sue for us an Encourager and one that Administers Consolation to us and as he is an Holy Spirit so are his Comforts Holy Comforts Observe 4. The stability of this Blessing That he may abide with you for ever The best of our outward Comforts are sudden flashes not lasting flames but the Consolations of the Holy Spirit are strong Consolations they are abounding Consolations and everlasting Consolations especially the Holy Spirit will be the Comforter of good Men in the day of Affliction in the day of Temptation and at the hour of Death when all other comforts flag and fail Observe lastly The additional Title given to the Holy Ghost he is called the Spirit of Truth partly in opposition to Satan who is called a Lying Spirit partly because he teacheth and revealeth the Truth leadeth his People into all Truth and sealeth and confirmeth Truth to the Souls of Believers he is the Spirit of Truth both in his Essence and in his Operations Learn hence That as the Holy Spirit is True in his Essence and Nature so is he True in his Office as a Comforter to good Men. All his Consolations being real and solid and free from imposture and delusion 18 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Here Observe 1. The Condition which the Disciples were in upon the account of Christ's removal from them and that was sad and Comfortless Fatherless or Orphans as the word signifies Hence learn That Christ's Departure or the loss of his gracious Presence is very sad and Comfortless to a Pious Soul well might the Disciples here lament and mourn upon the occasion of Christ's leaving of them seeing thereby they should be deprived of his Doctrine and Instructions of his Advice and Counsel and of the Benefit of his Holy and Instructive Example Observe 2. The care of Christ for his Disciples in reference to this their sad and disconsolate Condition He would not leave them Comfortless Where Note He doth not say I will not suffer you to be comfortless but I will not leave you so that is he will not desert or disown them in their comfortless Condition he will not leave them either in point of Affection or in point of Activity he will not cease to Love them nor cease to bestir himself for them Learn hence That Christ will not leave his Friends in a sad and Comfortless state and Condition tho' for a time they may be brought into it I will not leave you Comfortless I will come unto you Christ's coming here unto them is to be understood of his coming to them by his Holy Spirit in the Gifts of it in the Graces of it and in the Comforts of it thus he did not long leave them Comfortless but at the Feast of Pentecost came again to them 19 Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye shall live also 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Here our Saviour foretels his approaching Death that within a little time the Men of the World should see him no more for tho' he arose again the World saw him no more after his Death for we Read of no Appearances of him after his Resurrection to any but to his Disciples only indeed the hour is coming when the World shall see him again Namely At the Day of Judgment when every Eye shall behold him with Terror and Amazement Observe farther The Consolation given to his Disciples Ye shall see me and because I live ye shall live also Because I am raised from the Grave I will quicken your Dead Bodies in the Grave and ye shall live also and as I live by my Ascension into Heaven so shall you my Disciples live a Life of Grace here and a Life of Glory with my self hereafter Learn hence That a Believer's Spiritual Life is derived from Christ who by his Spirit Communicates a quickening vertue to all his Members because he lives they shall live also Observe lastly A farther priviledge ensured to Believers after Christ's Ascension and the Spirits Mission they should more perfectly understand the Essential union betwixt Christ and the Father and the Mystical Union betwixt Christ and his Members At that Day ye shall know that I am in my Father c. The knowledge which the Saints now have of the Mysterious and Mystical Union is but dark and imperfect but in Heaven they shall
understand these things clearly 21 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him Our Blessed Saviour in these words repeats what he had before injoined at Verse 15. Namely to evidence the sincerity of our Love to him by the Universality of our Obedience to his Commands He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me Where Note 1. The Necessity of Knowledge in order unto Practice 2. The Necessity of Practice in order unto Happiness we must first have Christ's Commandments before we can keep them we must have them in our Understandings and Judgments in our Wills and Affections not have them only in our Eyes to read in our Ears to hear or in our Mouths to talk of them but to hide them in our Hearts that we may not Sin against Christ in the wilful violation of them Farther we must keep as well as have these Commandments This denotes an universal diligent and persevering Obedience to them Hence Learn That altho' many loose Professors pretend love to Christ because they hear read know and can talk of his Commandments yet in Christ's Account none do truly love him but those who make Conscience of their Obedience to him He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me Observe next The gracious Promise of Christ to such as thus express their Love unto him 1. He shall be loved of my Father and of my self And shall he not be loved of the Holy Ghost too Yes no doubt But why is not he named then Because the Son dwelleth in us by the Spirit and sheds his Love abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost 2. I will manifest my self unto him that is such Obedient Christians shall not only injoy the Fruit and Benefit of my Love but they shall injoy the Sense of my Love and experience the sensible manifestations and inward diffusions of my Love in their own Souls Learn hence That the only way to have Christ Love us and to let out his Love upon us and to know that he Loves us is to look diligently to our Obediential walking with him and before him We may as rationally think to nourish our Bodies with Poison as to injoy the manifestations of Christ's Love in a way of Sin 22 Judas saith unto him not Iscariot Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the world Some understand these words of a Temporal manifestation and think that Judas the Brother of James who spake them still expected that Christ should be a Temporal Prince and have such a Kingdom as should be Conspicuous to all the World and therefore puts the question how he could possibly shew himself to his Disciples and the World not see him Others understand it of a Spiritual manifestation as if he had said Lord who or what are we thy Disciples that we should enjoy more special manifestations of thy Love to us than to the rest of the World why should we be dignified with such distinguishing favours above others Learn thence 1. That there is a real difference put by Christ betwixt his own Children and the World in the matter of special Manifestations 2. That there being no cause from the Creature why Christ should make this difference his discriminating Grace is matter of just and great Admiration well might the Apostle out of a deep Admiration say Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not unto the World 23 Jesus answered and said unto him If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings and the word which you hear is not mine but the Fathers which sent me Observe here How our Saviour still goes on to direct and encourage his Disciples to evidence the sincerity of their Love to his Person by the universality of their Obedience to his Commands and tells them how great their Advantage would be by so doing For First the Father will love them that is manifest his favour to them in farther dispensations of Grace and Comfort Learn thence That all the Manifestations of Divine Love to the Souls of Believers depend upon their close walking with God in the paths of Holiness and strict Obedience Secondly We will make our abode with him He shall have Father and Son's Company an Allusion to a Parent that has many Children he will be sure to live with them that are most Dutiful to him and most observant of him The expression of making their abode with us denotes that sweet and intimate fellowship which shall be betwixt God and us and the perpetuity and constancy of it at all times till we are taken up by him into Heaven he will make his abode with us by the indwelling presence of his Holy Spirit the Graces and Comforts whereof shall abide with us for ever 25 These things have I spoken unto you being yet present with you 26 But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Here we have a repeated Promise of the Mission of the Holy Ghost called the Comforter and his special Office declared Namely To teach and to bring to remembrance what Christ had taught He shall teach you all things As the Spirit of God is the great Comforter so he is the special Teacher of his Children he Teacheth condescendingly stooping to the meanest capacities he Teacheth efficaciously inclining the Heart to receive Instruction as well as opening the Ear to hear it he Teacheth plainly and â—learly unerringly and infallibly he is Truth it self and therefore his teachings are most True And as the Holy Spirit is the Saints Teacher so is he also their Remembrancer He shall bring all things to your Remembrance that is all Truths needful to be known and necessary to Salvation Here Note That the Holy Spirit Teaches nothing but what Christ himself Taught the Spirit Teaches in the word and by the word but never Teaches any thing contrary to the word He shall Teach and bring to Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you 27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid As if our Lord had said Whatever outward Trouble the World gives you be not afraid of it before it comes nor troubled at it when it is come for I will give you inward Peace in the midst of all your outward Troubles Not as the world giveth give I unto you Where Note That Christ's Peace is vastly different from that Peace which is given or enjoyed
the indubitable certainty thereof I have loved you Follow me from Heaven to Earth and from Earth to Heaven again and you will find that every step I have taken hath been in love Learn 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ has given full and ample Demonstration of his great and wonderful love unto his Church and People 2. That it is the Duty and ought to be the singular care of every Christian to preserve the sweet sense and inward diffusions of Christ's love in their own Souls Continue ye in my love 10 If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love Christ had told his Disciples in the foregoing Verse That he had loved them even as the Father had loved him That is with an eternal love with a real and operative love with an immutable and constant love In this Verse he directs them how they may continue in the sense of his Love Namely By their constant Obedience to his Commands as his Obedience to his Father's Commands had secured him a continuance in his Father's Love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love That is in the sense of my Love and under the sweet apprehensions of it Learn hence That as our Obedience to Christ is the best Evidence of our Love to him so is it the best means to preserve and keep us in the sense and assurance of his Love to us 11 These thing have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full In these words our Saviour declares the Ground and Reason why he did so vehemently press and urge the Duty of being universally fruitful upon his Disciples and that was twofold 1. That his joy might remain in them That is That the joy which he had in their Holiness and Obedience might remain with him nothing is more desired by Christ than that he may have cause continually to rejoyce in the Faith and fruitfulness of his People 2. That their joy in him might be full This latter arises from the former our joy in Christ results from Christ's joy in us his delight in us causes us abundantly to delight in him Learn hence That nothing is more desired by Christ than that the joy of his People should be a full solid constant and uninterrupted joy 2. That the only way and means in order thereunto is by an Holy fruitfulness in good works All these things have I spoken unto you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy might be full 12 This is my commandment That ye love one another as I have loved you Our Lord had often in this farewel Sermon of his to his dear Disciples pressed upon them the Duty of loving one another ch 13 and 14. And yet here he enforces it again from his own Example As I have loved you so love you one another that is as truly and as sincerely for the manner tho' not to the same proportion and degree Learn hence That for the Disciples of Christ to love one another upon such grounds and in such a way as he loved them is that which his heart greatly desires and is very much set upon 2. That Christ's love unto Believers is both an obligation unto mutual love and also a pattern and example for it This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you 13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends Here our Saviour gives his Disciples an Evidence of the greatness of his love unto them Namely In his readiness to lay down his Life for them which is the highest expression of Love to our dearest Friends because Life is the greatest earthly blessing Learn hence That Christ's Love in laying down his Life for his People was a matchless Love for whilst they were Enemies to him he had a friendly respect for them and never ceased till he had brought them into a covenant of friendship with himself 14 Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Here Christ invites his People to Obedience by the honourable title of Friends Ye are my Friends 1. Actively you will declare and manifest your selves to be my Friends 2. Passively I will declare my self to be your Friend Learn hence 1. How condescending is the Love of Christ in calling his Servants by the name of Friends 2. How glorious is the Believer's Relation to Christ in being one of his Friends 3. How grateful is Obedience to Christ seeing it dignifies the Practisers of it with the Title of his Friends 4. Our Conformity to Christ consists not so much in imitation of what he did as in Obedience to what he prescrib'd Some Actions of Christ are unimitable but all his Commands are obeyable 5. That nothing short of an humble uniform chearful and constant Obedience to the Commands of Christ will Evidence the Truth of our Relation to him and the sincerity of our friendship with him Then only are ye my friends when you do whatever I command you 15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you By these words Christ declares the Reason why he was pleased to change his stile and call his Disciples Friends instead of Servants Namely Because of his Communication of Secrets to them which Servants are not admitted to the knowledge of Henceforth I call you not Servants that is not meer Servants not that they were to be exempted from Obedience for that is called for in the foregoing Verse but Christ treated them now with the kindness and familiarity of Friends being about to leave them he unbosoms himself unto them saying All things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you Not as if Christ had communicated the infinite Treasures of knowledge to them which the Father had imparted to him but he speaks here as the Prophet of his Church that as such he had revealed all things needful for them to know in order to Salvation all things belonging to their Case and State as a Counsellour doth not impart all his knowledg to his Clients but all that is necessary for his Client to understand and know that he makes known unto him relating to his own Case Learn hence 1. That all Christ's Disciples are his Servants and all his Servants are his Friends in regard of intimate Communion and tender usage Henceforth I call you not servants but friends And after his Resurrection he called them Brethren John 20.17 The Dignity of Believers is a growing Dignity the longer they follow Christ the higher priviledges are indulged to them Learn 2. That all the Fathers counsel concerning our Salvation and so far as it is needful and necessary for us to know is faithfully revealed
our Lord again forewarns his Disciples of their approaching Sufferings to the intent that they might remember that he had foretold them of them and would not fail to support them under them He had often told them in general of Persecutions and Troubles which they must expect to meet with but did not till now intimate the kinds and degrees of those Sufferings with respect to their Weakness and because whilst he was with them he himself bear the brunt of all the Worlds Rage falling upon him letting them along But after his Ascension when the Malice of Satan and wicked Men could not reach him then did the Storm fall upon them Hence learn 1. That Christ is so tender of his Disciples Weakness that he will not put them upon the hardship of Sufferings till they be trained up and prepared for them 2. That it may encourage the Saints in and under their Sufferings that Christ himself is the great Object of the Persecutors Malice and they only so for his sake for could they reach him they would not concern themselves with them Learn 3. That the Saints of God after long Exemption and Freedom from Sufferings must expect that Storms will arise Clouds gather thick and Trials come on a pace and their being under one Trial will not hide or shelter them from another 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me Whither goest thou 6 But because I have said these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart Observe here How our Saviour again intimates to his Disciples his speedy departure from them and reproves them for being so sadded as it and concerned for it without considering the End and Design of it and the Benefit and Advantage they were to receive by it Here we see how the Disciples Thoughts were wholly taken up about themselves what they should do for want of Christ's bodily Presence without being instant with him to know whither he was going and what Benefit he should reap and they might expect from his departure Learn hence That Christ's Disciples ought not so much to have lamented the loss of his bodily Presence as to have rejoyced in his Glorious Exaltation and in their own Advantages by his Death Resurrection and Ascention None of you ask me Whither goest thou But sorrow hath filled your heart 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you In these words our Saviour urges his Disciples to submit to his Departure as that which would make way for his sending the Comforter to them which he assures them would be of more Advantage to them than his own stay and continuance amongst them Thence learn That the Presence of the Holy Spirit with us is a greater Comfort and Advantage to us than the Presence of Christ in the Flesh amongst us Christ's bodily Presence was comfortable but the Spirit is more intimately a Comforter than Christ in his fleshly Presence Because the Spirit can comfort all Believers at once in all Places but Christ's bodily Presence can comfort but few and that in one Place only at once Christ did converse with his Disciples outwardly but the Spirit possess'd himself of their Hearts inwardly Now for the Spirit to dwell in us is more advantagious than to have Christ dwell in the Flesh amongst us The Benefit of Christ's Conversation was great but the Advantage of the Spirit 's Renovation and holy Inspirations is much greater The one encourages and excites us to be Holy but the other quickens and enables us to be Holy Therefore well might Christ say It is expedient or highly necessary and advantagious for you that I go away He subjoyns a Reason If I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him to you Whence we learn That Christ's Ascension was indispensably necessary in order to the Spirit 's Mission the Spirit could not have descended if Christ had not first ascended the Spirit could not come but by the Gift and Mission of the Mediator Now the sending of the Spirit being a part of Christ's Royalty as Mediator it was not convenient that the Spirit should be sent till Christ was Crowned and sate down on his Throne in his Kingdom then the Spirit was to make Application to us of the Redemption purchased for us 8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 9 Of sin because they believe not on me 10 Of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more 11 Of judgment because the prince of this world is judged In these and the following Verses our Saviour acquaints his Disciples with the Advantages that will redound by the coming of the Comforter First The Advantage to the World Secondly To the Apostles And Thirdly To himself To the World 1. He shall convince them of Sin Righteousness and Judgment Of Sin that is of their sinful State and Nature of the large extent of Sin and particularly of the sin of Unbelief Learn hence 1. That the Spirit of God is the Author of Conviction of Sin and that all Convictions of Sin do either mediately or immediately flow from him 2. That Unbelief is a Sin of the greatest malignity against Christ and of greatest danger to a Christian's Soul He shall convince the World of Sin because they believe not on me Secondly Of Righteousness that is of the insufficiency of all humane Righteousness and of the necessity of the Righteousness of a Mediator by which alone we are to expect acceptance with God Thirdly Of Judgment that is the Spirit shall convince the World that Jesus is both Lord and Christ that he had a Power to judge Satan the Prince of the World and that he did by his Death put down the Kingdom of Darkness Learn hence 1. That Satan is a Prince who by unjust Usurpation and the Sinners voluntary Consent has exercised a Tyrannical Power over the World 2. That Christ by his Death did judge condemn and overcome this mighty Prince and hath made his Conquest evident to the Consciences of Men by the Convictions of his Holy Spirit The Spirit shall convince of Judgment that is that Satan the Prince of this World is judged 12 I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now 13 Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth The second Benefit which our Saviour declares was to be expected by the coming of the Holy Spirit relates to the Apostles themselves He shall guide you into all Truth that is into all Truth necessary for you to know in order to Salvation This is a principal Text which the Papists bring for their Doctrine of Infallibility but groundlesly For this Promise was made to all
humble himself that he needed to pray to his Father to bestow upon him the Glory which he wanted Namely The Glory of his Ascension and Exaltation Now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word By the name of God we are here to understand his Nature his Properties and Attributes his Designs and Counsels for the Salvation of Mankind Christ as the Prophet of his Church made all these known unto his People Learn thence That Jesus Christ has made a full and compleat Discovery of his Father's Mind and Will unto his People I have manifested thy name unto them which thou gavest me thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word Learn 1. That all Believers are given unto Christ as his Purchase and as his Charge They are given him as his Subjects as his Children as the Wife of his Bosom as the Members of his Body Learn 2. That none are given to Christ but those that were first the Fathers Thine they were and thou gavest them me Learn 3. That all those that are given unto Christ do keep his word they keep it in their understandings they hide it in their Hearts they feel the force of it in their Souls they express the power of it in their Lives They have kept thy word 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee Observe here 1. The faithfulness of Christ in revealing the whole Will of his Father to his Disciples 2. The proficiency of the Disciples in the School of Christ they knew all the things which Christ had told them Namely That whatsoever he had it was given him of the Father and that he had these things from him to be a Mediatour Learn hence That Christ hath approved himself a faithful Prophet to his Church a faithful Messenger from his Father to his People in that he hath added nothing to his Message nor taken nothing from it 2. That it is our duty to know and believe on Christ as the only Messenger and Mediatour sent of God Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me As if Christ had said The Message by thee my Father committed to me I have communicated to them my Disciples and they have received it and will communicate it from thee to the World being sufficiently assured that my coming and preaching was all by Commission from thee Hence learn 1. That the Doctrine of the Gospel which was revealed by Christ was received from the Father 2. That Faith is a receiving of the word of Christ and of Christ in and by the word Receiving is a relative term and presupposes an offer God offers on his part we receive on our part the whole word with the whole heart 3. That the Ministers of the Gospel are to preach that and only that which they have out of the word of God I have given them the word which thou gavest me 9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine That is I now offer up a Prayer particularly 1. For my Apostles designed to so great a work as the Preaching of the Everlasting Gospel to the obstinate Jews and obdurate Gentiles 2. I interceed also for all Believers at this time for their perseverance in the Faith and constancy in Persecution but I do not now interceed for the wicked and impenitent World they not being capable whilst such of these Mercies and Blessings though at other times we find him praying for the World yea for his very Crucifiers Father forgive them c. Nay in this very Prayer at the 20th Verse he Prays for the World that is for the Gentile World all those that by the preaching of the Apostles and their Successors should be brought to Believe on him to the End of the World Learn hence 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is the Great and Gracious Intercessour 2. That all Believers all the Children of God in general are under the fruit and benefit of Christ's Intercession 3. That as all the Members of Christ in general so the Ministers and Ambassadours of Christ in special have a peculiar interest in Christ's Intercession and great are the Advantages of His Intercession for them 1. From the person interceeding Christ consider the Dignity of his Person God Man the dearness of his Person God's Son 2. From the manner of his Intercession not by way of entreaty but meritorious claim 3. From the sublimity of the Office our Intercessor is near to God even at his Right Hand 4. From the Fruits of his Intercession it procures the Acceptance and Justification of our Persons the hearing and answering of our Prayers the pardon and forgiveness of our Sins our preservation in Grace and our hopes of Eternal Glory 10 And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them We may understand this two ways 1. Of all Persons all my Friends all my Disciples are thine as well as mine Thence learn That the Father and the Son have a like Share and Propriety in all Believers 2. The words in the Original being of the Neuter Gender signifie all thy things are mine and all my things are thine Christ and his Father are one and they agree in one they have the same Essence and Nature the same Attributes and Will Christ hath all things that the Father hath willeth all things that the Father willeth and doth all things that the Father doth he is therefore really and essentially God It followeth and I am glorified in them that is I am made glorious by their owning and receiving me by their believing in me and accepting of me for their Lord and Saviour Thence Note That the Lord Jesus Christ is eminently glorified in and by all those that believe in him and belong unto him 11 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Here Observe 1. Our Saviour's present Condition I am no more in the World that is I shall continue on Earth but a small time longer and then ascend to my Father in Heaven Learn thence That Jesus Christ as he is Man is gone out of this lower World into the immediate Presence of his Father He had been abased before he must be exalted now He had no more Work to do on Earth but much to do in Heaven therefore he left this Earth to go to Heaven Observe 2.
death Woman behold thy Son Where Note He calls her Woman and not Mother he doth not say Mother behold thy Son but Woman behold him Not that Christ was ashamed of or unwilling to own her for his Mother But either 1. Fearing that calling her by that name should augment and increase her Grief and Trouble Or else 2. To intimate his change of State and Condition that being ready to die and return to his Father in Heaven he was above all earthly Relations and knew no one after the Flesh no not his very Mother Yet see at the same time when he was above her and about to leave her how his Care manifested it self for her when his Soul and Body were full of Anguish to the very brim Yet all this makes him not in the least unmindful of so dear a Relation Thence learn That Christ's tender Care of his Mother even in the time of his greatest Distress is an excellent Pattern for all Children to imitate and follow to the end of the World St. John here obeyed Christ's Command and imitated his Example he took her to his own Home that is he treated her with all that dutiful Regard which a tender and indulgent Mother challenges from a pious and obedient Son No personal Trial or Trouble upon our selves doth exempt us from the performance of our Duty towards others especially towards our near and dear Relations Christ in the extremity of his Sufferings accounted it his Duty to take care of and provide for his dear Mother Teaching us by his Example That Children ought to evidence that they honour their Parents by taking care of them in their decayed and desolate Condition Again Inasmuch as St. John took care of the holy Mother after her dear Son's death That Disciple took her to his own home We Learn That the Lord never removes one Comfort and taketh away the means of subsistance from his People but he raises up another in the room of it It is very probable that Joseph her Husband was before this time dead and Jesus her Son was now dying but still God provides he raises up St. John to take care of her he takes her to his own Home and looks upon her as one of his Family But how comes St. John above the rest to have this honourable Service put upon him and this high Trust reposed in him Answer The Text tells us he was the Disciple whom Jesus loved that is in a more especial manner treating him with greater Freedom and Familiarity than the rest he also evidenced more Love unto and more Courage and Resolution for Christ than the rest of his Disciples he standing by the Cross when they got afar off Mark 15.49 Thence we learn That such as are beloved of Christ as do keep close unto him and express most Zeal and Resolution for him they shall be peculiarly honoured by him and be employed in the highest Services for him 28 ¶ After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled saith I thirst 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vineger and they filled a spunge with vineger and put it upon hyssop and put it to his mouth Observe here 1. The Affliction or Suffering which our Saviour complained of and that is Thirst there are two sorts of Thirst one Natural and Proper the other Spiritual and Figurative Christ felt both at this time His Body Thirsted by Reason of those Agonies which it laboured under His Soul Thirsted in vehement Desires and fervent longings to accomplish that great and difficult Work he was now about 2. The design and end of our Lord's Complaint That the Scripture might be fulfilled he saith I Thirst Our Saviour finding that all was accomplished which he was to do before his Death but only the fulfilling that one Scripture Ps 69.21 They gave me Vineger to Drink He for the accomplishment thereof Said I Thirst Whence Note That such were the Agonies and Extream Sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross that they drank up his very Spirits and made him cry I Thirst 2. That when Christ cried out I Thirst it was to shew that what ever was foretold by the Prophets concerning him was exactly accomplished and even to a Circumstance fulfilled in him That the Scripture might be fulfilled Jesus saith I Thirst 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vineger he said It is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the Ghost Observe here 1. Our Lord's last word It is finished 2. His last Act He bowed his Head and gave up the Ghost As to the former his last Word It is finished This might be the probable intendment of it 1. It is finished That is Now is my Father's Eternal Council concerning me accomplished and now is the Promise that he made of my becoming a Sacrifice for Sin fulfilled both my Father's Purpose and my Father's Promise are now receiving their final Accomplishment 2. It is finished that is the Scriptures are now fulfilled all the Types that did prefigure me all the Prophetical Predictions that were made of me all the Jewish Sacrifices that pointed at me have now received their final accomplishment in me and are abolished in my Death 3. It is finished that is my Sufferings are now ended my Race is Run my work is done I am now putting my last Hand to it my Death is before me I have finished the Work the whole Work which I came into the World for doing as well as dying all is upon the matter compleated it is just finishing it will be instantly finished Again 4. It is finished that is the Fury and Malice the Rage and Revenge of my Enemies is now ended they have done their worst the Chief Priests and Soldiers the Judges and Witnesses the Executioners and Tormenters have all tired out themselves with the Exercise of their own Malice but now their Spite and Spleen their Envy and Enmity is ended and the Son of God's at Rest 5. It is finished that is the Glorious work of Man's Redemption and Salvation is perfected and performed consummated and compleated the Price is paid Satisfaction is given Redemption is purchased and Salvation insured to a miserable World Woe unto us if Christ had left but one farthing of our Debt to the Justice of God unpaid we must have lain in Hell to all Eternity as being insolvend But Christ has by one offering for ever perfected them that are sanctified Learn hence That Jesus Christ hath perfected and compleatly finished the great work of Redemption committed to him by God the Father Observe 2. Our Saviour's last Act. He bowed his Head and gave up the Ghost Whence learn The spontaneity and voluntariness of Christ's Sufferings how freely he surrendred to Death his Soul was not rent from him but yeilded up to God by him Christ was a volunteer in dying tho' his Death was a violent Death yet it was a voluntary Sacrifice He bowed his
manner of our Lord's Funeral it was hasty publick and decent it was hasty by reason of the streights of Time the Sabbath was approaching and all Business is laid aside to prepare for that Teaching us how much it is our Duty to dispatch our Worldly business early in the Evening of the Lord's Day that we may be the better prepared to Sanctifie that Day Again our Lord's Funeral was publick and open all Persons that would might be Spectators to cut off occasion from any to object that there was deceit and fraud used in or about our Lord's Burial yet was he also Interr'd decently his Holy Body being wrapt in fine Linen and perfum'd with Spices according to the Jewish Custom Observe 5. The Reasons why our Lord was thus buried seeing he was to Rise again in as short a time as other Men lie by the Walls doubtless it was to declare the certainty of his Death and the reality of his Resurrection to fulfill the Types and Prophesies which went before of him As Jonas being three Days and three Nights in the Whale's Belly he was also buried to compleat his Humiliation this being the lowest step to which he could descend in his abased State Finally he went into the Grave that he might conquer Death in its own Territories Observe Lastly Of what use our Lord's Burial is to us his followers It shews us the amazing depths of his Humiliation from what and to what his Love brought him even from the Bosom of his Father to the Bosom of the Grave It may also comfort us against the fears of Death the Grave could not long keep Christ it shall not always keep us it was a loathsome Prison before it is a perfum'd Bed now he whose Head is in Heaven need not fear to put his Feet into the Grave Awake and Sing thou that dwellest in the Dust for the Enmity of the Grave is slain by Christ CHAP. XX. This and the following Chapter gives us an Account of our Saviour's Exaltation and Victorious Triumph over all his Enemies by his powerful Resurrection All the four Evangelists do confirm the Truth of it by recording the several steps and degrees of the manifestation of it In this Chapter Christ's Resurrection is confirmed first to Mary Magdalene next to Peter and John then to all the Disciples except Thomas 1 THe first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre In this Verse is Recorded how Mary Magdalene came early to the Sepulchre on the first Day of the Week to Anoint the Dead Body of our Lord Jesus Where Note That tho' her Heart did burn with an ardent Zeal and Affection to her Crucified Lord yet the commanded Duties of the Sabbath were not omitted by her she kept close and silently spent that Holy Day in a mixture of Grief and Hope her Example is a good Pattern of Sabbath-Sanctification and worthy of our Christian Imitation Note 2. What magnanimity and courage is found in this weak Woman she followed Christ Couragiously when his Disciples left him Cowardly she accompanied him to his Cross she followed his Hearse to the Grave when his Disciples durst not appear and now very early in the Morning she goes to visit his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the presence of the Watch-men Learn thence That Courage is the special gift of God and if he gives it to the feebler Sex even to timerous and fearful Women it is not in the Power of Man to make them afraid 2 Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith unto them They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him It was a great Honour that God put upon this poor Woman Mary Magdalene that she has the first Notice of our Saviour's Resurrection and is the first that discovers it to the Apostles But why had not the Virgin Mary his Disconsolate Mother this Priviledge conferr'd on her rather than Mary Magdalene who had been a grievous Sinner Doubtless this was for the Comfort of all True Pentitents and Administers great Consolation to them As the Angels in Heaven Rejoyce much more doth Christ Joy in the Recovery of one repenting Sinner than in multitudes of Holy and Just Persons such was the blessed Virgin who need no Repentance 3 Peter therefore went forth and that other disciple and came to the sepulchre 4 So they ran both together and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre 5 And he stouping down and looking in saw the linen clothes lying yet went he not in 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him and went into the sepulchre and seeth the linen clothes lie 7 And the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen clothes but wrapped together in a place by it self 8 Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre and he saw and believed 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead Here observe 1. How Peter and John moved with Mary Magdalens words They have taken away the Lord c. do run to the Sepulchre to satisfie themselves in the Truth of it Such as sincerely Love Christ upon the least intimation that he is missing bestir themselves with great Activity and Diligence that they may see him or hear of him Peter and John run to the Sepulchre to see what was become of their Holy Master Observe 2. That there were such clear Evidences about Christ's Grave as made it apparent that he was indeed Risen from the Dead and not conveighed away either by Friends or Foes It cannot be supposed that any of his Friends could they have come at it would have so handled his Holy Body as to carry it away naked and for his Foes had they Stole away the Body they would never have left the Fine Linnen behind them Observe 3. That when Christ arose from the Grave he left his Grave Cloaths behind him whereas when Lazarus arose he came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him it Teaches us that Christ Rose never to Die more but to Live and Reign for ever therefore he left his Grave Cloaths in the Grave as never to make use of them more But Lazarus was to Die again Death was once more to have Dominion over him he therefore came forth with his Grave Cloaths about him Observe Lastly How ignorant the Apostles were of the Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection and of the Holy Scriptures which declared he was to Rise again from the Dead They knew not the Scriptures That is They did not heed and regard them ponder them in their Hearts and feed upon them by Faith 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home 11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping and as
Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes an hundred and fifty and three and for all there were so many yet was not the net broken Observe here 1. What was Christ's End in commanding his Disciples to bring forth the Fish which they had now taken namely That the sight of their number and bigness together with the sight of the Net remaining unbroken might confirm them in the belief of its being a real Miracle Christ had fed their Bellies before his business now is to feed their Minds with the Contemplation of the Greatness and Reality of the Miracle All Christ's Miracles were obvious to Sense and would bear the examination of the Senses not like the lying Wonders of the Church of Rome which are commonly wrought in the dark to couzen the Vulgar and are meer Cheats and Impostours Observe 2. That this full Draught of Fishes which Peter and the rest of the Disciples now had might probably presage that great and wonderful Success which he and they afterwards were to have in fishing for Men. Here we have an Hundred fifty and three great Fishes caught at one Draught but Acts 2. we find Three thousand Souls converted by St. Peter at one Sermon Oh the marvellous success of the Gospel at the first preaching and planting of it Three thousand then proselyted by one Sermon Now we have cause to fear that there are Three thousand Sermons preached and scarce one Soul savingly converted Lord Who hath believed our Report 12 Jesus saith unto them Come and dine And none of the disciples durst ask him Who art thou knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh and taketh bread and giveth them and fish likewise 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples after that he was risen from the dead A twofold Reason may be assigned why Christ did at this time invite and call his Disciples to dine with him The first and more principal Reason was to evidence to them the reality of his Resurrection and to assure them of the Truth of his Manhood that they might not think it was an Apparition only By the Miracle in catching the Fishes he proved himself to be God by his present eating of the fish he evidenced himself to be Man And consequently teacheth us That our exalted High-Priest continues our Kinsman in Heaven He is still Bone of our Bone and Flesh of our Flesh He has taken possession of Heaven in our Nature sitting there in our glorified humanity united to the glorious Deity clothed with that Body which hung in its Blood and Gore upon the Cross but now shining brighter than ten thousand Suns The second and less principal Reason why Christ called his Disciples to dine with him was this To shew his tender Care over the Bodies of his dear Disciples as being the Tabernacles of his own Spirit the Temples of the Holy Ghost Therefore Christ incourages though not to the pampering yet to the refreshing of them Jesus said unto them Come and dine And he would not confer with them till they had dined as the next Verse shews 15 ¶ So when they had dined Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me more then these He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my lambs 16 He saith to him again the second time Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my sheep 17 He saith unto him the third time Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time Lovest thou me And he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Jesus saith unto him Feed my sheep Observe here 1. Christ puts Peter upon a threefold profession of his Love unto him answerable to his threefold Denial of him His threefold Denial required a threefold Confession True Repentance ought and will be as eminent in the Fruits and Effects of it as the Saints Fall hath been A threefold Denial of Christ shall be attended with a threefold profession of Love unto him Observe 2. The solemn Question put by our Saviour unto Peter Lovest thou me Lovest thou me more than these That is more than the rest of my Disciples Dost thou love me more than thou lovest them Or more than they love me If so evidence the sincerity of thy Love to me by thy Care of mine Thence Note That Ministers who are called to take Care of Christ's Flock had need of much Love to Jesus Christ and great Compassion for Souls by which they will be animated and fortified to go through with the Labours and Difficulties as well as to encounter the Dangers and Sufferings which do accompany their Calling Simon lovest thou me Feed my Flock Note farther That the surest Argument and best Evidence of a Minister's Love to Jesus Christ is his conscientious Care to Feed that is to Teach Instruct and Govern the whole Flock of Christ Lambs and Sheep weak and strong the feeblest in the Fold were purchased by the great Shepherd And if he judg'd them worth his Blood well may we judge them worth our Sweat Note Again That such as would be faithful in their Ministerial Charge ought to look upon their People as committed to them by Christ himself as loved of him and committed to their care by him and for which they must be accountable to him Christ calls them three times over His Lambs and His Sheep and as often charges Peter to feed them Observe next Peter's threefold Answer to Christ's Question Simon lovest thou me more than these Lord thou knowest that I love Where Note 1. The great Modesty of Peter in his Reply Lovest thou me more than these says Christ Peter replies Lord Thou knowest that I Love thee he doth not say Lord I Love thee above them 〈◊〉 and before them all here is no boasting now once it was said and Peter vaunted tho' all Men forsake thee yet will not I but now his Fall had taught him Humility he boasts not of his Love above others and makes no comparison with others but only ranks himself among the true lovers of Christ Lord I love thee Note 2. The Evidence that Peter gives of his sincere Love to Christ he dare appeal to Christ himself Lord thou knowest that I love thee yea thou that art Omniscient the all-knowing and Heart-searching God Thou that knowest all things knowest that I Love thee Oh! 't is a blessed thing when we can and dare Appeal to God's Knowledge and 't is matter of high consolation to know that God knoweth our sincerity and Love unto him and that he knoweth and approveth us as such Lord Thou knowest all things thou knowest that I Love thee 18 Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdedst thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldest
a Pattern of Thankfulness then was Jesus to his followers There is hardly any one External Duty which we do not find the Hypocrite performing in Scripture except this of Thanksgiving and Praise we find Judas Repenting Ahab Humbling himself Saul Sacrificing but we do not find any wicked Man in an humble Spiritual manner blessing and praising God Need will make us Beggars but Grace only Thanks-givers X. In his Compassion towards those that were in Distress and Misery Matth. 20.34 Great was his Compassion to the Bodies of Men he healed all that came unto him he healed many undesired with great Condolency and tender Sympathy he exercised acts of Mercy and Compassion when the object of Compassion was before him and did perfectly abhor and severely condemn all Acts of Cruelty How great was his Compassion to the Souls of Men what Pains did he take and what Hazards did he run in preaching the Gospel to lost Sinners in his fervent Prayers for them but especially in Dying for them Let us imitate Christ herein as his Compassion was universal to all Mankind to the whole Man Soul and Body as it was Active and Operative as it was exercised with marvellous Complacency and delight as it was a preventing Compassion and an unwearied Compassion so let ours be also XI In his Holy and fruitful Discourse his Lips dropt as the Honey Comb and his Tongue was as choice Silver when walking with his Disciples to Emaus with what Heavenly Discourse did he entertain them in the way See Luke 24.13 c. A good Pattern for our Imitation when providentially cast into such Company as will bear it Lord what a Shame and Reproach is it to us that in common Conversation we spend so many hours together in talking over all the News of City and Country and part without speaking one word of Jesus Christ our best Friend XII In his free Conversation The Son of Man came eating and drinking Matth. 11. v. 19. that is was of a free and familiar Converse Affable and Sociable not Sower or Morose never shuning the Society of the worst of Men even of the Pharisees themselves but complying with their innocent Customs and accompanying them at their Feasts See on Luke 5.29 We do not find that when Christ was invited to any publick Entertainment that ever he refused to go not so much for the pleasure of Eating as for the opportunity of Conversing and doing good Christ converst with bad Men but as their Physician not as their Companion Let us go and do likewise XIII In his Patience under Sufferings and Reproaches when he was reviled he reviled not again but under-went the Burden of his Sufferings with admirable Patience and Meekness of Spirit when his Name and Honour suffered the vilest Indignities Blasphemies and Reproaches that the Malice of Satan and the Malignity of wicked Men could belch out against it when he was called a Blasphemer a Sorcerer a Devil a Wine-bibber a Glutton a Friend of Publicans and Sinners For an innocent Person and a dignified Person to bear all this when he could have look'd all his Enemies into Hell and have frown'd them into nothing Verily to bear all this without the least discomposure of Spirit is the highest Triumph of Patience that ever the World was acquainted with And why all this but to leave us an Example that we should follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2.21 22. XIV In his readiness to forgive Injuries One of his last Words upon the Cross was a Prayer for his Murtherers Father forgive them Luke 23.34 He offered up his Blood to God on the behalf of them that shed it Thus to forgive our Enemies and to beg Forgiveness for them will be an Evidence of a Christ-like Frame and Temper when the Grace of God calms those tumultuous and outragious Passions which at any time we find raging in our Breasts moulding our Spirits into Sweetness and Gentleness freeing us from all malicious desires of Revenge which are so far beneath a Christian that it is the baseness of a Man yea as Jealousie is the Rage of a Man so Malice is the Rage of the Devil 't is the very Soul and Spirit of the Apostate Nature XV. In his laying to Heart the Sins as well as the Sufferings of others Mark 3.5 He was grieved for the hardness of their Hearts Such was his Zeal for his Father's Glory such his Compassion to the Souls of Men such his Antipathy against and hatred of Sin that he was grieved for Sin where-ever he found it and mourned over those who had no Hearts to mourn for themselves Lord how far are they from a Christ-like Spirit and Temper who instead of mourning for other Mens Sins rejoyce in Iniquity and take Pleasure to see their Brother stab at once the Christian Name and his own Soul XVI In his Zeal for the Publick Worship of God John 2.17 The Zeal of thine House hath eaten me up Now as Christ was so Christians ought to be intensly Zealous for the Glory of God the Honour of his House and the Purity of his Publick Worship The Zeal of thine House that is for the Honour of thine House hath eaten me up Our Zeal for the Publick Worship of God glorifies him most and he accepts it best Now we own that God whom we serve in the face of the World And this creates a veneration and esteem of God in the Minds of Men. XVII In his glorifying of his Father in all he did John 17.4 I have glorified thee on the Earth The whole Life of Jesus when here on Earth it was a glorifying of his Father he glorified his Father by the Doctrine which he taught by the Miracles which he wrought by the unspotted Purity of his Life and by his unparallel'd Sufferings at his Death In like manner should we glorifie God in all we do in all we design in all we desire in our natural Actions of eating and drinking in our Civil imployments buying and selling in our lawful Recreations taking care that too much of our time be not consumed therein Recreation is not to be our business but to fit us for business but especially let us seek to glorifie God in our Religious Duties Publick and Private and Secret XVIII In his Impartiality in reproving Sin He feared the Faces and spared the Faults of no Offenders The Pharisees were a Proud and Haughty sort of People who dishonoured God above most when they pretended to glorifie him above any Therefore we find Christ denouncing a Bed-Roll of Woes against them in one Chapter St. Matth. 23. Wo to you Scribes Pharisees Hypocrites Eight several Woes are denounced against them for so many several Sins committed by them Those to whom God has given Authority to Reprove the Sins of others ought to imitate their Pattern in his Impartiality in reproving Sin His very Enemies gave him that Character St. Matth. 22.17 Thou carest not for any Man thou regardest not the Person of Men
his Church he furnishes with Endowments suitable to their Employments and when he calls to extraordinary Service comes in with more then Ordinary Assistance Here was the Holy Baptist extraordinarily called and as extraordinarily furnished for his Office and Ministry 18 And Zacharias said unto the Angel whereby shall I know this for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years 19 And the Angel answering said unto him I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee and to shew thee these glad tidings 20 And behold thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season 21 And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he tarried so long in the Temple 22 And when he came out he could not speak unto them and they perceived that he had seen a Vision in the Temple for he beckned unto them and remained speechless Observe here Zachary being slow to believe so strange a Message aske the Angel by what Sign he should know that this thing so far above the ordinary Course of Nature should come to pass The Angel answers that he was dispatcht by God as a Messenger extraordinary to declare this good News to him And seeing he was so hard to believe it and required a Sign he should have it but such an one as should be a punishment of his unbelief as well as a Sign to confirm his faith namely he should from thence forward to the Birth of the Child be dumb and deaf as the Original word signifies because he had not hearkned to the Angels Speech he was struck deaf and because he had gainsaid it he was made dumb Learn hence That the word of God in the mouth of his Messengers is God's own word and as such to be received and believed 2. That not believing their word is a sin which God will severely punish it is all one not to believe God and not to believe the Messengers of God speaking from him Some Expositors will have this Dumbness of Zachary to be prefigurative The Priest at the dismission of the People when the Service of the Temple was finished was to pronounce the Blessing Recorded Numb 6.24 25. which when Zachary was about to do he is struck dumb and cannot perform it Signifying thereby that the silencing of the Levitical Priesthood was now at hand that they must expect another kind of Worship and that he who was to bless indeed namely the Messias was near at hand Observe lastly That though Zachary ceased to speak yet he did not cease to minister he takes not his dumbness for a dismission but stays out the eight days of his Course knowing that the service of his heart and hand would be accepted of that God which had bereaved him of his Tongue Those powers which we have we must make use of in the publick Service of God who will accept us according to what we have pardoning our Infirmity and rewarding our Sincerity 23 And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished he departed to his own house 24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived and hid her self five months saying 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men The Priests during the time of their Administration had their Lodgings in Buildings appertaining to the Temple Zachary having ended his Administration leaves his Lodgings and returns to his House where his Wife Elizabeth conceiving she hides her self that is Retires from Company partly to prevent the Discourse of people until it was out of all doubt that she had conceived And partly to give her self opportunity of returning her Thankful Acknowledgments unto God who had given her this Miraculous Mercy and had thereby taken away her Reproach of Barrenness which was so heavy and insupportable among the Jews Note here two things 1. How piously Elizabeth ascribes this mercy to the power of God Thus hath the Lord dealt with me 'T is God that keeps the Key of the Womb in his own hand and maketh the Fruit of it his Reward and therefore Children are to be owned as his special Gift Note 2. how great a Reproach Bodily Barrenness is in the sight of Man but not so great as Spiritual Barrenness in the sight of God For this is at once a Reproach to God a Reproach to Religion a Reproach to Professors and to our selves 26 And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth 27 To a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the Virgins name was Mary 28 And the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women 29 And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of Salutation this should be 30 And the Angel said unto her fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God 31 And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus 32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest And the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end In this History of our Saviours miraculous and immaculate Conception we have several things Observeable as 1. The Messenger sent from Heaven to publish the News of the Conception of the Son of God an Angel an evil Angel was the first Author of our Ruine a good Angel could not be the Author of our Restauration but is the joyful Reporter of it Obs 2. The Angels Name Gabriel which signifies the power of God The same Angel who had many hundred years before declared to the Prophet Daniel the Coming of the Messiah Obs 3. The place which the Angel is sent unto Nazareth an obscure place little taken notice of yea a City in Galilee out of which arises no Prophet even there doth the God of Prophets condescend to be Conceived No blind corner of Nazareth can hide the Blessed Virgin from the Angel The favours of God will find out his Children wherever they are withdrawn Obs 4. The Person whom the Angel is sent unto To a Virgin espoused whose name was Mary For the Honour of Virginity Christ chose a Virgin for his Mother for the Honour of Marriage a Virgin espoused to an Husband Obs 5. The Message it self Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among Women Where Note that the Angel Salutes the Virgin as a Saint he doth not pray to her as a Goddess The Church of Rome Idolatrously use these