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
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
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
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
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
by Christ to his Church he being constituted by God the Father to be the great Prophet and Instructer of it All things that I have heard of the Father I have made known unto you 16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name he may give it you Here our Saviour gives another Instance and Evidence of his Love to his Disciples He tells them that his mercy and free goodness had prevented them in their election to Eternal Salvation and in their vocation unto the Office of Apostleship Ye have not chosen me to be your Master and Lord but I have chosen you to be my Disciples Friends and Servants 2. He acquaints them with the end design and intention of his in chusing of them Namely That they bring forth fruit and persevere therein even in all the Fruits of Holiness and Obedience which are to the Praise and Glory of God by Jesus Christ I have ordained you that you should bring forth fruit and that your fruit should Remain 3. He directs them that in order to their being fruitful they should have access to the Father through him for whatever they wanted and stood in need of Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Learn hence That all those whom God hath chosen and called to the knowledge and Service of Jesus Christ do and will make it their chief care and endeavours to bring forth Fruit and to persevere therein to their Lives end I have chosen you that you should bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain 17 These things I command you that ye love one another 18 If the world hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you 19 If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 20 Remember the word that I said unto you The servant is not greater then the lord If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you if they have kept my saying they will keep yours also 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my names sake because they know not him that sent me Observe here 1. With what frequency and importunity our Lord inculcates and presses the Duty of mutual Love upon his Disciples I command you to love one another It denotes the great importance of the Duty and the great aversness and backwardness of our Hearts to the performance of it And if we consider the Disciples as Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel it intimates to us the necessity of mutual Love amongst the dispensers of the Gospel as conducing exceedingly to the welfare and benefit of the Church of God over which he hath set them Observe 2. The Argument which our Saviour makes use of to press his Disciples in general and his Ministers and Ambassadours in particular to love each other and that is because the World would certainly hate them Learn hence That the World's hatred of the Members and Ministers of Christ is and ought to be esteemed by them a strong Argument to excite and persuade them to Love one another for this is subjoined as an Argument to press mutual Love that we are sure to meet with the World's hatred Observe 3. The several Arguments by way of encouragement which Christ propounds to Comfort his Members and Ministers against the World's hatred 1. Argument is taken from his own Lot and usage when here in the World he met with the very same before them The World hated me before it hated you Learn hence That Hatred and Persecution from the World need not seem hard to the Saints if they consider what a shock Christ before them had upon him he is the prime Object of the World's Hatred and they who hate his Members much do hate him more because of their likeness to him and resemblance of him A second Argument of Comfort under the World's Hatred is this That it will evidence they are not of the World but chosen out of the World v. 19. Because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hates you Hence learn 1. That the Children of God though in the World yet they are not of the World they have not the Spirit of the World in them nor is the Conversation of the World led by them 2. That the difference betwixt them that are of the World and those that are chosen out of the World is of God's making I have chosen you out of the World 3. That such Christians as are separated from the World in Judgment Affection and Practice must for that reason expect to be Hated and Persecuted by the World Because ye are not of the World therefore the World hates you The Third Argument for Consolation and Support under the World's hatred is taken from our Relation to Christ as Servants to a Master v. 20. Remember the Servant is not greater than his Lord. As if Christ had said is it equal That you should expect better Treatment than my self either as to your Persons or Ministry or that you should expect that the World should better Receive your Doctrine than it did mine before you Learn hence That neither the Members nor Ministers of Christ can nor ought to expect better Entertainment in and from the World than he their Master found before them The Servant is not above his Master nor greater than his Lord. A Fourth Argument to support them under the Burthen of the World's Hatred is taken from the goodness of the Cause for which they were to Suffer Namely For Christ's Name sake v. 21. All these things will they do unto you for my name sake Hence learn 1. That it is the Duty of all but especially the Ministers of Christ to own the Name of Christ to stand up in defence of his Name and Truth his Glory and Honour what opposition soever they meet with for the same Learn 2. That the great quarrel of the World against the Disciples of Christ is for the Name of Christ whatever may be pretended this is the ground of the quarrel 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloke for their sin These Words are not to be understood Absolutely but Comparatively as if Christ had said had not I come amongst them in my Incarnation and Preached personally to them the Doctrine of Salvation and confirmed that Doctrine by miraculous operations they might have pleaded Ignorance in some measure and they had not had sin that is they had not had the Sin of Unbelief and Gospel-Contempt to Answer for or had not had so great a measure of any kind of Sin to Answer for as now
the Apostles as well as Peter nay not only to the Apostles but to all their Successors yea not to the Apostles only and their Successors but to all Believer also for they are led by the Spirit of God and that into all Truth too not absolutely but into all necessary Truth And so far as a private Christian follows the Conduct and Guidance of the Divine Spirit he is more infallible than either Pope or Council who follow the Dictates and Direction of their own Spirits only 13 For he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come That is he shall not teach you a private Doctrine or that which is contrary to what ye have learned of me but whatsoever he shall hear of me and receive from me that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come This affords an Argument to prove the Holy Spirit to be God He that can shew us things to come he that clearly foreseeth and infallibly foretelleth what shall be before it is is certainly God But this the Holy Spirit doth he will shew you things to come Men and Devils may guess at things to come but none can shew things to come but he that is truly and really God therefore the Spirit is so 14 He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 15 All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you Here Christ shews the Advantage which would redound to himself by the coming of the Comforter he declares that the Spirit should glorifie him by his Testimony Gifts and Miracles and shall in all things accord with him and thereby evidence that he hath his Mission from him He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And all things that the Father hath are mine Hence learn That although the Union in Essence amongst the Persons in the Trinity is the same yet the Order of their Subsistence and Operation is distinct the Son being from the Father and the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son For all things that the Father hath are mine And the Spirit shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 16 A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me because I go to the Father 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves What is this that he saith unto us A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me and Because I go to the Father 18 They said therefore What is this that he saith A little while we cannot tell what he saith 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him and said unto them Do ye enquire among your selves of that I said A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me 20 Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow because her hour is come but assoon as she is delivered of the child she remembreth no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you In these Words our Holy Lord proceeds to comfort his Disciples with a Promise That however he was now to be removed from them yet they should shortly see him again namely after his Resurrection it being impossible that he should be held by Death but must arise and go to his Father His Disciples not understanding what he meant but labouring under the Prejudices of their national Errors concerning the Temporal Kingdom of the Messias knew not what to make of those Words A little while and ye shall not see me Our Saviour therefore explains himself to his Disciples telling them that they shall have a time of sad sorrow and grief of Heart during the time of his suffering and absence from them but their Sadness should soon be turned into Joy when they shall see him alive again after his Resurrection This he illustrates by the Similitude of a travailing Woman who soon forgets her Sorrow after she has brought forth a Child Thus will their Hearts revive upon the sight of him risen from the Grave and no Man shall be able to take their Joy away from them because he shall die no more but go to Heaven and there live for ever to make Intercession for them Learn hence 1. From the Apostles not understanding Christ's Words concerning his Departure tho' so often inculcated upon them A little while and ye shall not see me because I go to the Father Hence Note How unreasonable it is to arrogate to Man's understanding a Power to comprehend Spiritual Mysteries yea to understand the plainest Truths till Christ enlightens the Understanding let the Doctrine be delivered never so plainly and repeated never so frequently yet will Men continue ignorant without Divine Illumination How often had this plain Doctrine of Christ's departure to the Father been preached to the Disciples by Christ's own Mouth yet still they say What is this he saith We cannot tell what he saith Learn 2. From the different Effects which Christ's absence should have upon the World and upon his Disciples The World will rejoyce but ye shall weep and lament Note 1. That it is the wretched Disposition of the World to rejoyce in the absence and want of Christ out of the World When I am gone the World will rejoyce 2. That nothing is the cause of so much Sorrow and Sadness to sincere Disciples as Christ's absence and removal from them Such is their Estimation of the worth of him so great is their Apprehension of the want of him that there is no loss comparable to his absence and removal from them ye shall weep and lament at my departure tho' the World will rejoyce Learn 3. That the Believers Sorrow for Christ's absence tho' it be very great yet it shall not be perpetual Ye have now sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy shall no man take from you The Joy of the Saints may be interrupted it shall never be totally extinguished it is a permanent Joy of which they shall never be totally deprived till they enter into the Ocean of eternal Joy Your Joy no Man taketh from you 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing Verily verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full At the first reading of the
my Victory and of thy Glory the hour the sad hour determined in thy decree and purpose no calamity can touch us till God's hour is come and when the sad hour is come the best remedy is Prayer and the only person to fly unto for Succour is our Heavenly Father Father the hour is come the doleful hour of my Death and Passion Glorifie thy Son Glorifie him at his Death by manifesting him to have been the Son of God Glorifie him in his Death by accepting it as the Death of thy Son for the Sins of the World Glorifie him after his Death by a speedy Resurrection from the Grave and a Triumphant Exaltation at thy Right Hand Here note How the Glory of the Father and the Son are inseparably link'd together it was the Father's design to Glorifie the Son and it was the Son's desire to have Glory from the Father for this end that he might bring Glory to the Father Glorifie thy Son that thy Son may Glorifie thee 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Observe here 1. The Dignity which Christ was invested with Power over all flesh that is Authority to Judge and Sentence all Mankind Observe 2. How Christ came to be invested with this Power it was given him by his Father Thou hast given him power over all flesh Hence the Socinians would infer that he was not God because he received all from God but the Text speaks not of his Divine Power as God but of his Power as Mediatour and the Note is That all Mankind is under the Power and Authority of Jesus Christ as Mediatour he has a Legislative Power or a Power to give Laws to all Mankind and a Judiciary Power or a Power to execute the Laws that he hath given Observe 3. The end for which Christ was invested with this Power That he might give Eternal Life to as many as God had given him Here Note 1. That all Believers that is all sincere and serious Christians are given by God the Father unto Christ they are given to him as his Charge to Redeem Sanctifie and Save and as his Reward Isa 53.10 2. All that are given to Christ have Life from him a Life of Justification and Sanctification on Earth and a Life of Glory in Heaven 3. The Life which Christ gives to them that are given him is Eternal Life 4. That this Eternal Life is a free Gift from Christ unto his People though they do not work for wages yet they shall not work for nothing I give unto them eternal Life John 10. 3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent That is This is the way and means to obtain Eternal Life Namely By the true knowledge of God the Father and of Jesus Christ the Mediatour who was commissioned and sent by his Father to accomplish the work of Redemption for a lost World Here Observe Christ calls God the Father the only true God not in opposition to the Son and Holy Ghost who being one in Essence with the Father are truly and really God as well as the Father but in opposition to Idols and false Gods there is a great difference betwixt these two Propositions the Father is the only true God and the Father only is true God Christ saith the former This is Life Eternal to know thee the only true God The Socinian saith the latter This is Life Eternal to know only thee to be the true God and that neither Jesus Christ nor the Spirit are God but the Father only But how comes Eternal Life to depend as well upon the Knowledge of Jesus Christ as of God the Father if Jesus Christ be only Man and not truly and really God For thus our Saviour affirms this is Life Eternal to know thee and Jesus Christ Whence learn 1. That the beginning encrease and perfection of Eternal Life lyeth in Holy Knowledg 2. That no Knowledg is sufficient to Eternal Life but the Knowledg of God and Jesus Christ who is also God for who can think that the Knowledg of a mere Creature should be accounted equally necessary to Salvation with the Knowledg of the Great and Mighty God Surely if our Happiness consists equally in the Knowledg of God and Christ then God and Christ are of the same Nature equal in Power and Glory The comprehensive sense of the words seems to be this That the Knowledge of the only true God and of Jesus Christ the Mediatour is the Life of Grace and the necessary way to the Life of Glory 4 I have glorified thee on the earth Learn hence That the whole Life of Christ when here on Earth it was a glorifying of his Father he glorified his Father by the Doctrine which he preach'd he glorified his Father by the Miracles which he wrought he glorified his Father by the unspotted Purity and Innocency of his Life and by his unparallel'd Sufferings at his Death 4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do That is I am now about to finish it he speaks of what he was resolv'd to do as already done Here Note 1. That 't is work that glorifies God 2. That every Man has his work his proper work assigned him by God 3. This work must be finished here upon Earth 4. That when we have done our proportion of work we may expect our portion of wages 5. That it is a blessed thing at the hour of Death to be able to say in sincerity and uprightness that we have glorified God in the World and have finished the work which he appointed us to do Father I have glorified thee on the Earth and have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 5 And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was From the Connexion of this with the foregoing Verse Learn 1. That who ever expect to be glorified with God in Heaven must glorifie him first here upon Earth 2. That after we have glorified him we may expect to be glorified with him and by him I have glorified thee now O Father glorifie thou me it follows with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was Hence Note 1. That Christ as God had an Essential Glory with God the Father before the World was he had this Glory not in the purpose and decree of God only as the Socinians would have it for he doth not say Glorifie me with the Glory which thou didst purpose and prepare for me before the World was but which I had and enjoyed with thee before the World was by which words our Lord plainly asserts his own Existence and Being from Eternity and prays for a Re-exaltation to that Glory which he enjoyed with his Father before his Incarnation Note 2. That Christ as Mediatour did so far
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
had alledged Scripture before to Satan here Satan retorts Scripture back again to Christ It is written says Christ It is written says Satan Learn thence That it is no wonder to hear Hereticks and Hypocrites quote Scripture when Satan himself durst recite them He that had prophanely toucht the Sacred Body of Christ with his Hand sticks not presumptuously to handle the Holy Scriptures of God with his Tongue Yet Observe How wretchedly the Devil wrests perverts and misapplies the Scriptures When God promises his Angels shall keep us it is in Viis non in Praecipitiis 't is in all God's Ways not in any of our own crooked Paths Note here That altho' the Children of God have the Promise of the Guardianship of Holy Angels yet then only may they expect their Protection when they are walking in the Way of their Duty 7 Jesus said unto him It is written again Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Observe here Tho' the Devil had wrested and abused Scripture yet still Christ alledges Scripture The Abuse of the Holy Scriptures by Hereticks and Seducers is no Argument against the Use of them As Christ here compares Scripture with Scripture so should we in order to the finding out the true Sence and Meaning of it 8 Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them 9 And saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me The next Sin which Satan tempts our Saviour to is the Sin of Idolatry even to Worship the Devil himself Oh thou Impudent and Foul Spirit To desire thy Creator to Adore thee an Apostate-Creature Surely there can be no Sin so black and foul so gross and monstrous but that the Christian may be tempted to it when Christ himself was tempted to Worship the Tempter St. Matthew reads the Words If thou wilt fall down and Worship me St. Luke If thou wilt Worship before me Whence we may gather That if to Worship before the Devil be to Worship the Devil then to Worship before an Image is to Worship the Image Obs 2. The Bait which Satan makes use of to allure our Saviour to the Sin of Idolatry and that was in representing to his Eye and View all the Glories of the World in the most inviting manner and that in a Moment of Time to the intent it might affect him the more and prevail the sooner Learn thence That the Pomp and Greatness the Glory and Grandeur of this World is made use of by Satan as a dangerous Snare to draw Men to a Compliance with him in his Temptations unto Sin 10 Then saith Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Observe here 1. With what Zeal and Indignation of Spirit our Blessed Saviour repells and beats back this Temptation of Satan Get thee hence Note thence That the greater the Sins are which the Devil tempts us to the greater our Zeal and Indignation ought to be in opposing and resisting of the Temptation to them A great Temptation must be withstood with great Resolution Observe 2. The Weapon with which he repells and beats back the Fiery Dart of Satan's Temptation and that is with the Shield of Scripture It is written Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God Learn thence That GOD is the Sole Object of all Religious Worship it is so peculiarly the Creator's Due that to give it to any Creature is gross Idolatry and repugnant to the Scriptures 11 Then the devil leaveth him and behold angels came and ministred unto him Observe here 1. The Issue of this Combat Satan is conquered and quits the Field Then the Devil leaveth him Teaching us That nothing like a vigorous Resistance of Temptation causes the Tempter to flee from us Resist the Devil and be will flee from you Observe 2. Our Lord's Triumph over his Enemy Behold 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 the Power and Faithfulness of God will not be wanting to them to send in Succour and Relief in the End 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison he departed into Galilee 13 And leaving Nazareth he came and dwelt in Capernaum which is upon the sea-coast in the borders of Zebulon and Nephthalim 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying 15 The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim by the way of the sea beyond Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up Observe here 1. Our Saviour hearing of John's Imprisonment provides for his own Safety by departing into Galilee As our Holy Lord avoided Persecution so may we Observe 2. The Place in Galilee he comes to Capernaum Christ had three Cities which he called his own Nazareth where he was Bred Bethlehem where he was Born and Capernaum where he dwelt this was a Sea-coast Town in the Borders of Zebulon and Nephthali Observe 3. The Special Providence of God in this Change of our Saviour's Habitation for by that means the Prophecy Isa 9.1 was fulfilled which declares that in that dark part of the Country the Messiah the True Light should shine forth Learn hence 1. That a People destitute of the Saving Knowledge of the Gospel are in great Darkness how great soever the Light of their Outward Comforts may be This People had Natural Light enough and Civil Light enough they had an Abundance of Wealth and Riches Peace and Plenty but they wanted the Light of Christ and his Gospel and therefore are said to sit in Darkness 2. That where-ever the Gospel is Preached amongst a People it is as a Light springing up and shining forth amongst them quickning and enlivening reviving and chearing the Souls of those that entertain it how great soever their outward Darkness and Distress may be The People that sate in Darkness saw great Light and to them which sate in the Region and Shadow of Death Light is sprung up c. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Here our Saviour begins to enter upon his Prophetick Office and by Preaching to make known the Will of God to Mankind and Observe The Doctrine which he Preached is the same that John the Baptist did Preach namely the Doctrine of Repentance Repent ye and the Argument is the same also For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand that is now is the so much expected Time of the Appearing of the promised Messiah Learn hence That the Doctrine of Christ and his Ambassadors is alike and the same
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
consider what they eat we may justly wonder that they left any thing If what they left that they eat any thing Observe lastly Christ would not have these Fragments lost but gathered up the Great House-keeper of the World will not allow the Loss of his Orts. Oh how dreadful will the Account of those be who have large and plentiful Estates to Answer for as Lost being spent upon their Lusts in Riot and Excess CHAP. XVI 1 THE Pharisees also with the Sadduces came and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven 2 He answered and said unto them When it is evening ye say It will be fair weather for the sky is red 3 And in the morning It will be foul weather to day for the sky is red and lowring O ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the sky but can ye not discern the signs of the times 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sign be given unto it but the sign of the prophet Jonas And he left them and departed Obs here 1. The Persons demanding of our Saviour a Sign the Pharisees and Sadduces Persons of contrary Opinions and Interests yet both agree in Tempting and Opposing Christ Learn thence That Wicked Men how opposite soever they are one to another yet can agree together in Opposing Christ and Undermining his Truth Obs 2. The Sign demanded Shew us a Sign from Heaven As if they had said Put us not off with such Earthly Signs as we have seen in multiplying Loaves but let us see a Miracle from Heaven such as Moses and Elias wrought This they desired not so much for their Satisfaction as out of Curiosity nay Wicked Treachery Learn thence That to demand a Sign not to confirm our Faith but to harden our selves in our Unbelief is a dangerous Tempting of Christ Obs 3. Our Saviour's Rejection of this Demand of the Pharisees to give them a Sign Oh ye Hypocrites says he ye can discern the Face of the Sky but ye cannot discern the Signs of the Times As if he had said Did not Malice and Obstinacy blind your Eyes ye might as easily see and discern that these are the Times of the Messias and that I am he by the Miracles wrought by me as you can make a Judgment of the Weather by looking upon the Sky Learn That to pretend more Ignorance or Uncertainty in discerning the Signs of Gospel-Times than the Signs of the Weather is great Hypocrisie Ye Hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Sky but can ye not discern the Signs of the Times Observe lastly That our Saviour doth not condemn the Study of Nature or making Observation of the State of the Weather from the Face of the Sky All that our Saviour blames was that they were better skill'd in the Signs of the Weather than in the Signs of the Times As God by Natural Signs gives us Warning of a Change in Natural Things so by his Providential Dispensations he gives us Warning of a Change in Civil Things He that is Wise will Observe these Things and by their Observation Will come to Vnderstand the Pleasure of the Lord. 5 And when his disciples were come to the other side they had forgotten to take bread 6 Then said Jesus unto them Take heed and be ware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces 7 And they reasoned among themselves saying It is because we have taken no bread 8 Which when Jesus perceived he said unto them O ye of little faith why reason ye among your selves because ye have brought no bread 9 Do ye not yet understand neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets ye took up 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many baskets ye took up 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces Observe here 1. How dull the Disciples of Christ were under Christ's own Teaching and how apt to put a Carnal Sence upon his Words they apprehended he had spoken to them of the Leaven of Bread what he intended of the Leaven of the Pharisees Doctrine Obs 2. The smart and sharp Reproof which Christ gave his Disciples for not understanding the Sense and Signification of what he spake The Lord Jesus Christ is much displeased with his own People when he discerns Blindness and Ignorance in them after more than ordinary Means of Knowledge enjoyed by them How is it that ye do not yet understand Obs 3. The Metaphor which Christ sets forth the corrupt Doctrine of the Pharisees by he compares it to Leaven partly for its Sowrness and partly for its Diffusiveness Leaven is a piece of sower Dough that diffuses it self into the whole Mass or Lump of Bread with which it is mixed From whence our Saviour intimates that the Pharisees were a sower and proud sort of People and their Doctrines like themselves poisonable and pernicious in their Consequences the Contagion of which our Lord warns his Disciples to avoid and shun Whence Learn That Error is as damnable as Vice Persons Erroneous in their Judgments are to be avoided as well as those that are Lewd and Wicked in their Conversations He that has a due Care of his Soul's Salvation must as well beware of Erroneous Principles as of Debauched Practices Obs 4. Our Saviour does not command his Disciples to separate from Commmunion with the Pharisees and oblige them not hear their Doctrine but only to beware of the Errors that they mix with their Doctrine We may and ought to hold Communion with a Church tho' Erroneous in Doctrine if not Fundamentally Erroneous Separation from a Church is not justifiable upon any other Ground than that which makes a Separation betwixt God and that Church Which is either the Apostacy of that Church into gross Idolatry or in Point of Doctrine into damnable Heresie 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his disciples saying Whom do men say that I the Son of man am 14 And they said Some say that thou art John the Baptist some Elias and others Jeremias or one of the prophets 15 He saith unto them But whom say ye that I am 16 And Simon Peter answered and said Thou art Christ the Son of the living God 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven Observe here Our Saviour's Question and the Disciples Answer Our Saviour's Question is twofold 1. Whom do Men say that I am Not that the Son of God was ignorant what Men said of him but he had an Intention more
of the Life universally and perceivingly Holy and Righteous consists our Actual Preparation Obs 3. The doleful Condition of such as were unready The Door is shut against them the Door of Repentance the Door of Hope the Door of Salvation all shut eternally shut and by him that shutteth and none can open Learn hence The utter Impossibility of ever getting our Condition altered by us when the Day of Grace and Salvation is once over with us Wo to such Souls who by the Folly of their own Delays have caused the Door of Conversion and Remission to be everlastingly shut against their own Souls 11 Afterward came also the other virgins saying Lord Lord open to us 12 But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Observe here The Virgin 's Petition and the Bridegroom's Reply The Petition Lord Lord open to us Learn thence That how negligent soever Men are of Heaven and Salvation here there are none but will desire it earnestly and importunately hereafter Afterwards that is when too late Observe farther the Bridegroom's Reply I know you not that is I own and approve you not There is a twofold Knowledge that Christ has a Knowledge of simple Intuition and a Knowledge of special Approbation the former Knowledge Christ has of all Men the latter only of good Men. Learn hence That it will be a dreadful Misery for any Persons but especially for such as have been eminent Professors to be disowned by Christ at his coming to hear that dreadful Word from the Mouth of Christ Verily I know you not 13 Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh Here we have our Lord's Application of the foregoing Parable to be always upon our Watch continually upon our Guard to meet the Bridegroom in Death and Judgment because we know not the time of his Coming and Approach Learn hence That Watchfulness and a prepared Readiness is a great Duty that lyes upon all those who believe and look for Christ's Coming and Appearance Happy Souls who are found in a Posture of Readiness at the Bridegroom's Approach standing with Lamps trimmed Loins girded Lights burning that is improving and exercising their Graces abounding in all the Fruits of the Spirit and in all the substantial Virtues of a good Life Such and only such shall have an Entrance abundantly administered unto them into the everlasting Kingdom 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods 15 And unto one he gave five talents to another two and to another one to every man according to his several ability and straightway took his journey Observe here The Person intrusting Christ the Persons intrusted all Christians The Talents they are intrusted with Goods that is Goods of Providence Riches and Honours Gifts of Mind Wisdom Parts and Learning Gifts of Grace all these Goods Christ dispenses variously more to some fewer to others but with Expectation of Improvement from all Learn 1. That Christ is the great Lord of the Universe and Owner of all his Servant's Goods and Talents 2. That every Talent is given us by our Lord to improve and imploy for our Master's Use and Service 3. That it pleases the Lord to dispence his Gifts variously amongst his Servants to some he commits more to others fewer Talents 4. That to this Lord of ours every one of us must be accountable and responsible for every Talent committed to us and intrusted with us 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents 17 And likewise he that had received two he also gained other two 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth and hid his lord's money The former Verses gave an Account of the Lord 's Distribution these acquaint us with the Servants Negotiation Some traded with and made Improvement of their Talents others traded not at all yet is it not said that they did imbezzle the Talent but not improve it Learn It is not sufficient to justifie us that we do not abuse our Talents 't is Fault enough to hide them and not improve them the slothful Servant shall no more escape Punishment than the wasteful Servant 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents saying Lord thou delivered'st unto me five talents behold I have gained besides them five talents mo 21 His Lord said unto him Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord 22 He also that had received two talents came and said Lord thou delivered'st unto me two talents behold I have gained two other talents besides them 23 His lord said unto him Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord Note here 1. That the Wisdom of God dispences his Gifts and Graces variously as so many Talents to his Servants to be imployed and improved for his own Glory and his Churches Good 2. That all such Servants as have received any Talents must look to reckon and account for them and this Account must be particular personal exact and impartial 3. That all such Servants as have been faithful in improving their Talents at Christ's coming shall be both commended and rewarded also Well done good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of thy Lord. Where Obs 1. That the State of the Blessed is a State of Joy 2. That the Joy which the Blessed partake of is the Joy of their Lord that is the Joy which he provides and which he possesses 3. That the way after which the Saints partake of this Joy is by entring into it which denotes the highest and the fullest Participation of it The Joy is too great to enter into them they must enter into that Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said Lord I knew thee that thou art an hard man reaping where thou hast not sowen and gathering where thou hast not strawed 25 And I was afraid and went and hid thy talent in the earth lo there thou hast that is thine 26 His lord answered and said unto him Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not strawed 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury Observe here 1. That he that received but One Talent is called to an Account as well as he that received Five Heathens that have but One Talent namely the
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
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
of those that live under the Gospel are streighter and narrower than those that lived under the Law Observe farther In whose Name Persons are to be baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Where we have a Profession of our Belief in the holy Trinity a Dedication of the Person to the Worship and Service of the holy Trinity and a Stipulation or Covenant Promise that we will continue faithful in the Service of Father Son and holy Spirit to our Lives end The third Branch of the Power which Christ delegated to his Apostles was by their Ministry to press upon all their Converts an Universal Observance of and Obedience to all his Commands Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you Where Note 1. That preaching is the ordinary and instituted Means to convert Nations unto God 2. That preaching must not only go before Baptism but follow after it Obedience must be prest upon and practised by all those that enter into Covenant with God otherwise they lye under a greater Condemnation 3. That preaching the Gospel is a chief part of the Ministers Work and no Apostle thought himself above that Duty 4. As the Apostles did not so the Ministers of Christ ought not to teach any thing but what Christ commands them 5. As they are to teach what Christ commands them so are they to teach all things whatsoever Christ commands them Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you Lastly Observe The Promise subjoined Lo I am with you always to the end of the World That is I am and will be with you and your Successors lawfully called by my Power and Authority by the Blessing and Assistance of my holy Spirit I will be with you to uphold my own Ordinance to protect encourage and reward you and all your Successors in the faithful Discharge of your Trust and this not for a Day a Year or an Age but to the End and Consummation of all Ages Learn hence That the Ministry of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments are a standing and perpetual Ordinance to continue in the Christian Church throughout all Ages Learn 2. That all the faithful Ministers of Christ in what part of the World soever God shall cast their Lot and in what time soever they shall happen to live may comfortably expect Christ's Gracious Presence with their Persons and his Blessing upon their Endeavours Lo I am with you I am always with you and to the end of the World I will be with you Thanks be to Christ for the Gracious Promise of his Spiritual and Perpetual Presence with his Ministers to the end of the World May this Promise cause us to gird up the Loins of our Minds encrease our Diligence Zeal and Fervour accounting no Labour too great no Service too much no Sufferings too severe so that we may but finish our Course with Joy and fulfil the Ministry we are engaged in Amen Amen The End of St. MATTHEW EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO ST. MARK DEUT. vi Ver. 6 and 7. These Words which I command thee this Day shall be in thy Heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children And shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the Way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel ACCORDING TO S T. MARK St. Mark the Writer of this Compendious History of our Blessed Saviour's Life and Death was the Disciple and Companion of St. Peter and some affirm that he wrote his Gospel from St. Peter's Mouth it being Dictated by St. Peter and Indited by the Holy Ghost But since we are assured that the Spirit of God Indited the Book we need not trouble our selves to find out whose Hand it was that held the Pen. CHAP. I. 1 THE beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the son of God The Word Gospel signifies a Message of glad Tydings and intimates to us that the Doctrine of the Gospel contains the most gladsome Tydings the most joyful Message that ever was sent from God to Mankind Happy Tydings concerning our Reconciliation with God and Salvation by Jesus Christ Oh how highly should we prize how stedfastly believe how cordially embrace these good Tydings of great Joy Observe 2. This Gospel is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ because Christ as God is the Author of this Gospel and also the principal Subject and Matter of it Indeed St. John the Baptist was the first Publisher and Preacher of the Gospel Doctrine but Christ himself was the first and principal Author and likewise the chief Subject-matter of it for whatever is taught in the Gospel relates either to the Person and Offices of Christ or to the Benefits received by him or the Means of enjoying those Benefits from him Observe 3. How St. Mark stiles Christ the Son of God as St. Matthew had stiled him before the Son of David the one sets forth the Verity of his Humane Nature the other the Reality of his Divine Nature Signifying to us that the true and promised Messias was both God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person for ever He is true and real God as well as the Father and the Holy Ghost not a meer Man but God as well as Man 2 As it is written in the Prophets Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee St. Mark begins his Gospel with an Account of St. John the Baptist's Preaching and Ministry and declares 1. That the Prophets of old particularly Isaiah and Malachy did long before foretel the Baptist's Message and Ministry that he should go before Christ as his Harbinger to prepare the Way for him Behold I send my Messenger to prepare thy Way Where Note 1. The Dignity and Authority of the Ministers of Christ they are his Messengers sent by him to deliver his Mind and Will unto his People This Ministerial Mission is twofold Extraordinary and Ordinary the former when God immediately by himself calls Men to the Holy Function the latter when he uses the Ministry of Man in order thereunto Observe 2. The Work and Office of the Ministers of Christ declared and that is to prepare People to receive Jesus Christ offered and tendered to them in the Gospel Behold I send my Messenger to prepare thy Way before thee Learn thence That the great Design and End of the Ministry of the Word is to prepare and fit Men for entertaining the Holy Religion of Christ in their Hearts and to oblige them to walk according to the Rules and Directions of it in their Lives 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight Here Note 1. The Title given to John the Baptist He is called a Voice in respect of his Ministerial Office which was to speak forth to
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
conceal and Tell it to no Man Where the great 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 published and proclaimed His Humility in shunning vain-glorious Applause and Commendation His Piety in desiring all Honour and Glory should redound entirely to God And the Care of his own Safety appeared lest the publishing of his Miracles should create him untimely Danger from the Pharisees The second part of the Charge given to the recovered Leper was To shew himself to the Priest and offer the Gift which Moses commanded for a Testimony unto them That is to testifie to the Jews that he did not oppose the Ceremonial Law which required a Thank-Offering at his Hand and that he was the true and promised Messiah Learn thence That our Saviour would have the Ceremonial Law punctually observ'd 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 punctually observ'd Observe 6. Notwithstanding our Saviour's strict Prohibition the Leper publishes the Fame of this Miracle 'T is like his Intention might be good in extolling his great Benefactor but his acting contrary to Christ's Command was a Fault and shews the Corruption of Humane Nature in being most forward to that which is most forbidden 'T is a Sin to do any thing against the Command of Christ tho' with never so good a Meaning Purpose and Intention to Exalt and Honour Christ Obs Lastly The Inconveniences which attended our Saviour upon this indiscreet Publication of the Miracle and they were Two 1. Our Saviour could no more enter into Capernaum and other Cities to preach in an open Manner as he had done by reason of the great Concourse of People after him 2. The Fame of this Miracle brought the People about him from all Quarters not so much to hear as to see not so much to hear his Holy and Heavenly Doctrine which he taught as to gratifie their Curiosity with the Sight of the Miracles which he wrought Oh how many throng'd after Christ more to have their Bodily Diseases cured than their Souls healed Christ desired not their flocking after him upon this Account therefore he retires from the Breath of popular Applause he would not openly enter into the City but was without in desert Places Oh great Humility How little did our Blessed Redeemer regard the Applause and Commendation of Men Constantly we find him as soon as his publick Preaching and working Miracles was over he withdraws himself from the Multitude into some private Place apart he doth not stay in the Crowd with his Ear open to listen how Men admire the Preacher and applaud the Sermon plainly shewing that he sought his Father's Glory not his own Praise or the People's Commendation leaving his Example as an instructive Pattern to all his Ministers and Ambassadors to take heed of Vain-Glory Not to affect Popularity or seek the Applause and Commendation of Men in what they do resolving that Man's Opinion shall be nothing with them but that the pleasing of God and doing their Duty to the Souls of their People shall always be their whole Scope CHAP. II. 1 ANd again he entered into Capernaum after some days and it was noised that he was in the house 2 And straightway many were gathered together insomuch that there was no room to receive them no not so much as about the door and he preached the word unto them In the last Verse of the foregoing Chapter we find how industriously our Blessed Saviour withdrew himself from the Concourse and Throng of People which flock'd after him from every Quarter and to shew how little he affected the Applause and Commendation of the Multitude he left the Cities and was without in desart Places Hereby giving his Ministers an instructive Example to decline Vain-Glory and to shun popular Applause But now the Words before us shew that our Saviour having entered privately it is probable into the City of Capernaum it is presently noised and reported that he was in the House and a mighty Concourse and Throng of People are after him insomuch that neither the House nor hardly the Streets could contain them Thence Learn That such as least seek after Honour and Applause from Men are oft-times most Famous and Renowned Our Saviour was so far from seeking the Peoples Praise and Commendation that he came into Capernaum without Observation and betook himself to his dwelling House there but the more he sought to lye hid the more he was taken notice of Honour flies from them that pursue it and pursues those that fly from it The way to be Honourable is to be Humble God seldom honours a proud Man by making him either eminently serviceable or successful Observe farther the People being come together our Saviour takes the Opportunity to preach And he preached the Word unto them Teaching his Ministers by his Example to embrace all Opportunities in Season and out of Season on the Lord's Day and on the Week Day to edify our People by our Ministry by our publick Exhortations by our private Instructions and prudent Admonitions and holy Example 3 And they came unto him bringing one sick of the palsie which was born of four 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press they uncovered the roof where he was and when they had broken it up they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsie lay 5 When Jesus saw their faith he said unto the sick of the palsie Son thy sins be forgiven thee 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies who can forgive sins but God only 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves he said unto them Why reason ye these things in your hearts 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsie Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Arise and take up thy bed and walk 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins he saith to the sick of the palsie 11 I say unto thee Arise and take up thy bed and go thy way into thine house 12 And immediately he arose took up the bed and went forth before them all insomuch that they were all amazed and glorified God saying We never saw it on this fashion Here we have the Relation of our Saviour's miraculous healing of one sick of the Palsie at Capernaum Where Obs 1. The diseased and distressed Person one sick of the Palsie Which Disease being a Resolution and Weakness of the Nerves enfeebles the Joints and confines the Person to his Bed or Couch As a Demonstration of Christ's Divine Power he was pleased to single our the Palsie and Leprosie incurable Diseases to work a Cure upon such as were afflicted
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
in all Ground alike neither doth the Word fructifie alike in the Souls of Men. There is a Difference both from the Nature of the Soyl and from the Influence of the Spirit For tho' no Ground be naturally good yet some is worse than other Learn 3. That the Cause of the Words Unfruitfulness is very different not the same in all In some 't is an hard Heart of Unbelief in others the distracting Cares of the World choak the Word Like Thorns which hinder the Corns growth by overshadowing it by drawing away the Moisture and Heart of the Earth from it and by hindering the Influences of the Sun from cherishing it Unto which may be added the Policy of Satan that Bird of Prey which follows God's Plough and steals away the precious Seed of the Word out of the Furrows of their Souls Learn 4. That the best Ground doth not bring forth Encrease alike Some good Ground brings forth more others less some Thirty some Sixty 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 when he was alone they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable 11 And he said unto them Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God but unto them that are without all these things are done in parables 12 That seeing they may see and not perceive and hearing they may hear and not understand lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven them 13 And he said unto them Know ye not this parable And how then will you know all parables Observe here The Disciples Question and our Saviour's Reply Their Question is about the Sence and Meaning of the Parable They own their Ignorance and desire better Information It is no Shame for the best of Ministers yea 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 further Information In our Saviour's Answer To you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God c. Obs 1. That the Doctrines of the Gospel are great Mysteries 2. That it is a matchless and invaluable Priviledge practically to understand 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 further Blindness and Ignorance in Spiritual Things who wilfully reject the Truth and shut their Eyes against the Light and Evidence of it The Pharisees had all along shut their Eyes and said they would nor see and now Christ closes their Eyes judicially and says they shall not see Seeing ye shall see and not perceive and hearing ye shall hear and not understand 14 The sower soweth the word 15 And these are they by the way side where the word is sown but when they have heard Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the word that was sowen in their hearts 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with gladness 17 And have no root in themselves and so endure but for a time afterward when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake immediately they are offended 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns such as hear the word 19 And the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things entring in choke the word and it becometh unfruitful 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground such as hear the word and receive it and bring forth fruit some thirty fold some sixty and some an hundred Here our Saviour applies himself to interpret and explain the foregoing Parable The Seed is the Word the Sower is the Preacher the Soyl is the Heart and Soul of Man Some Hearers Christ compares to the Highway Ground in which the Seed lyes uncovered for want of the Harrow of Meditation Others to Stony Ground in which the Word has no Root No Root in their Understandings in their Memories Wills and 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 and Covetous Desires are as Thorns choaking the good Seed they shadow the Blade when sprung up keep off the Influences of the Sun and draw away the Fatness of the Soyl from the Seed All these mischievous Effects have Thorns among the Seed And the like ill Effects have worldly Affections and covetous Desires in the Soul of Man rendring the Seed of the Word unfruitful and unprofitable But the good Christian hears the Word attentively keeps it retentively believes it stedfestly applies it particularly practices it universally and brings forth Fruit perseveringly Learn 1. That no Hearers are in Christ's Account good Hearers of the Word but such as bring forth Fruit answerable 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' it be not in so great a Proportion as others do As some Ground brings forth Thirty some Sixty and some an Hundredfold in like manner do all 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 21 And he said unto them Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick 22 For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested neither was any thing kept secret but that it should come abroad 23 If any man have ears to hear let him hear 24 And he said unto them Take heed what you hear with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you and unto you that hear shall more be given 25 For he that hath to him shall be given and he that hath not from him shall be taken even that which he hath Observe here 1. The End and Design of Christ in revealing his Word and Will to his Disciples and in communicating to them the Light of Spiritual Knowledge 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 In like manner ought all Christians and particularly Christ's Ministers by the Light of Life and Doctrine to direct Persons in their Way towards Heaven 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 imploy it for the Good and Benefit of others Obs 2. The Cautionary Direction given by Christ to his Disciples To take heed how they hear the Word Such as would profit by hearing of 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 and how we hear Obs 3. The Argument which our Saviour makes use of to quicken his Disciples to communicate the Knowledge and improve the Grace they had received for the Good and Benefit 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 the best Course we can take to encrease and thrive in Grace is to exercise and improve it He that hides his Talent doth not only forfeit it but is in danger of being punished severely for the Non-improvement of it 26 And he said So is the kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground 27 And should sleep and rise night and day and the seed should spring and grow up he knoweth not how 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of her self first the blade then the ear after that the full corn in the ear 29 But when the fruit is brought forth immediately he puteth in the sickle because the harvest is come This Parable of our Saviour's is an instructive Lesson to the Ministers of the Gospel faithfully to do their Parts in sowing the Seed of the Word amongst their People and then not to be over-solicitous about the Event but to leave the Issue to God nor to be discouraged tho' the Fruit of their Labour doth not presently appear Accordingly Christ propounds the laborious Husbandman to his Minister's Imitation As the Husbandman when he has prudently and painfully cast his Seed into the Ground is not Anxiously disquieted but goes to Bed and rests in hope and at length the Corn springs up first the Blade next the Ear then the Grain In like manner let the Ministers of God do their Duty without Discouragement In the Morning sow their Seed and in the Evening not withhold their Hand And altho' the Seed sowen doth not appear presently it may be not in our Days but seems rotten among the Clods yet may it appear afterwards with a plentiful Encrease when our own Heads are laid among the Clods verifying that Saying of our Saviour One soweth and another reapeth Learn hence 1. That the Ministry of the Word is the ordinary the necessary and the principal Means which God has appointed for sowing the Seeds of Grace in the Hearts of his People So is the Kingdom of God as if a Man should cast Seed into the Ground 2. That the Virtue and Efficacy of the Word preached doth not depend upon the Parts of a Man but upon the Power of God The Seed springeth up he knoweth not how Learn 3. That the Word of God sincerely preached may be successful tho' it be not presently successful the Seed sown in one Minister's Days may spring up in another's Happy we if as God's Husbandmen we be imployed in Plowing Sowing or Reaping our Lord will reward us Secundum laborem non fructum Not according to our Success but according to our Endeavours The Care and Endeavour is ours but the Blessing and Success is God's 30 And he said Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God or with what comparison shall we compare it 31 It is like a grain of mustard-seed which when it is sown in the earth is less than all the seeds that be in the earth 32 But when it is sown it groweth up and becometh greater than all herbs and shooteth out great branches so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them as they were able to hear it 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them and when they were alone he expounded all things to his disciples The Design of our Saviour in this Parable is to shew how the Gospel Church from small and little from unlikely and contemptible Beginnings should spread and encrease fructifie and grow up like as Mustard-Seed one of the smallest of Grains grows up to a considerable Tallness Even so Christ foretels that the Gospel should spread and encrease Nations and Countries becoming Christian Hence Learn That how small Beginnings soever the Gospel had in its first Plantation yet by the fructifying Blessing of God it has had and shall have a wonderful Encrease 35 And the same day when the even was come he saith unto them Let us pass over unto the other side 36 And when they had sent away the multitude they took him even as he was in the ship and there were also with him other little ships 37 And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow and they awake him and say unto him Master carest thou not that we perish 39 And he arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea Peace be still and the wind ceased and there was a great calm 40 And he said unto them Why are ye so fearful how is it that you have no faith 41 And they feared exceedingly and said one to another What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey him Observe here 1. Our Saviour and his Disciples no sooner put forth to Sea but Dangers attend and Difficulties do accompany 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 Obs 2. The Posture our Saviour was in when this Tempest arose he being wearied with the Labours of the Day was laid down upon a Pillow to sleep at Night thereby shewing himself to be truly and really Man and that as he took upon him our Humane Nature so he assumed the Infirmities of our Nature also as Weariness and Pain Hunger and Thirst Obs 3. The Disciples Application made to Christ they awake him with a sad outcry Master carest thou not that we perish Here was Faith mixt with Humane Frailty They believed that he could save them but being asleep they conclude he must be awaked before they can be saved by him whereas tho' his Humane
his Ministry and is the Occasion of his own Contempt Obs 5. How this People's Contempt of Christ's Person and Unbelief of this Doctrine did hinder Christ from working Miracles amongst them He could do no mighty Works there Not because he was unable but they were unwilling This Inability proceeded from no Deficiency in Christ's Power but from a Defect in their Faith He could not because he would not and he would not because it was not fit for him so to do Altho' Christ be Omnipotent and has all Power in his Hand yet Unbelief binds his Hands and hinders him in the Execution of that Power Unbelief is such a Sin as keeps Men from being Partakers of the Benefits of Christ Obs 6. How the Incredulity and Unbelief of this People was so great that Christ wondred at it He marvelled because of their Vnbelief Not because he was ignorant of the Cause of it but because he had used such marvellous Means for the curing them of their Unbelief Learn hence That Unbelief is a great Sin at all times but when Marvels are wrought for the cure and healing of it and it remains uncured it is a marvellous Sin and justly causes Admiration and Wonder in Christ himself He marvelled because of their Vnbelief 7 And he calleth unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two and gave them power over unclean spirits 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey save a staff only no scrip no bread no money in their purse 9 But be shod with sandals and not put on two coats 10 And he said unto them In what place soever ye enter into an house there abide till ye depart from that place 11 And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear you when ye depart thence shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them Verily I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment then for that city 12 And they went out and preached that men should repent 13 And they cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them We heard before Chap. 3. of our Saviour's solemn calling his Apostles to their Work and Office now he sends them forth to execute their Office Where Observe 1. The Person that sends them forth Christ. Learn thence That none ought to take upon them the Office of Preaching or any other Ministerial Function in the Church till thereunto lawfully called by Christ himself The Apostles were immediately called and sent forth by Christ himself and received the Doctrine which they taught immediately from Christ's own Mouth His Ministers now are called mediately they receive their Authority from Christ by the Hands of the Governours of his Church Obs 2. The manner of their sending by Two and Two in a Company partly to make their Message of more Authority partly to testifie their mutual Consent in the Doctrine which they taught and partly to comfort and encourage to help and strengthen to assist and support each other in Imitation of this Example the Jesuits send forth their Emissaries by Pairs Learn hence That the Ministers of the Word do stand in great need of the mutual Help and Comfort of the united Assistance and Encouragement of each other in the weighty Duties of their Calling and Function like Labourers in the Harvest-Field they should help one another the strong endeavouring to strengthen the Hands of the Weak But Lord what Tears are sufficient to bewail the Want of Love and Unity yea the Prevalency of that Envy and Malignity which is found too often amongst the Ministers of the Gospel so that instead of going forth Two by Two happy is he that is alone in a Place Well might Melancthon bless God when he lay a dying that he was going to a Place where he should be free from the implacable Hatred of Divines This is and ought to be for a Lamentation Obs 3. The Power given by Christ to work Miracles for confirming the Doctrine of the Gospel which his Apostles preached he gave them Power over unclean Spirits and they cast out Devils and anointed with Oil them that were sick and healed them This Power to work Miracles was necessary for the Apostles partly to procure Reverence to their Persons being poor and unlearned Men but principally to gain Credit and Authority to their Doctrine for the Doctrine of Faith in the Messiah as now come and exhibited in the Flesh being a strange and new Doctrine to the Jews the Truth and Certainty of it was to be extraordinarily ratified by Christ and his Apostles Miracles Some of which were casting out of Devils and by anointing with Oil to heal and recover sick Persons This Gift of healing remained some time in the Church as appears from St. James 5.14 Is any sick anoint him with Oil in the Name of the Lord Where observe that the Apostles did not use Oil as the Instrument and Means of healing for then the Cure had not been miraculous but only as a Symbol of the Cure or as an outward Sign and Testimony of miraculous healing which outward Sign was for the strengthning of the Faith of such as were healed assuring them that as certainly as their Bodies were anointed so certainly should their Health and Strength be restored The Papists upon this ground their Sacrament of Extream Vnction but very vainly for the Apostles anointed those that were sick as a Sign of their Recovery but the Papists anoint those that have the Pangs of Death upon them that their Sins may be blotted out and the Snares of the Devil avoided Obs 4. The Charge given by Christ to his Apostles at the time of their sending out This is threefold First Touching their Preparation for their Journey he bids them not take much Care nor spend much Time in furnishing themselves with Victuals Money Apparel Weapons of Defence and the like only take a Walking-Staff in their Hands because they were to finish their Journey speedily and to return again to Christ This Command of our Saviour to his Apostles not to incumber themselves when going forth to preach the Gospel Teaches his Ministers their Duty to free themselves as much as possibly they can from Worldly Incumbrances which may hinder them in the Performance of their Office and Function 2 Tim. 2.4 No Man that warreth intangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life Secondly Touching their Lodging in their Journey Our Saviour advises them not to change it during their stay in one Place but into whatsoever House they first entred they should there continue till they departed out of that place That so they might avoid all shew of Lightness and Inconstancy and testifie all Gravity and Stayedness in their Behaviour This being a special Means to win Authority to their Persons and Ministry Thirdly Christ gives a Charge to his Apostles touching their Carriage towards such as should refuse to
and buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat 37 He answered and said unto them Give ye them to eat And they say unto him Shall we go and buy two hundred penyworth of bread and give them to eat 38 He saith unto them How many loaves have ye go and see And when they knew they say Five and two fishes 39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass 40 And they sat down in ranks by hundreds and by fifties 41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes he looked up to heaven and blessed and brake the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before them and the two fishes divided he among them all 42 And they did all eat and were filled 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments and of the fishes 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men This Miracle of our Saviour's feeding Five Thousand Men besides Women and Children with Five Loaves and Two Fishes is recorded by all Four Evangelists and in the History of it these following Particulars are observable Note 1. The Disciples Pity towards the Multitude who had long fasted and wanted now the ordinary Comforts and Supports of Life It well becomes the Ministers of Christ to respect the Bodily Necessities as well as regard the Spiritual Wants of Persons Obs 2. The Motion which the Disciples make to Christ on Behalf of the Multitude Send them away that they may buy Victuals Here was a strong Charity but a weak Faith A strong Charity in desiring the People's Relief but a weak Faith in supposing that they could not otherwise be relieved but by sending them away forgetting that Christ who had healed the Multitude miraculously could also feed them miraculously if he pleased All things being equally easie to an Almighty Power Obs 3. Our Saviour's strange Reply to the Disciple's Request They need not depart give ye them to eat Need not depart Why the People must either feed or famish Victuals they must have and a dry Desart will afford none yet says Christ to his Disciples Give ye them to eat Alas poor Disciples they had nothing for themselves to eat how then should they give the Multitude to eat When Christ requires of us what we are unable to perform it is to shew us our Impotency and Weakness and to provoke us to look up to him and depend by Faith on his Almighty Power Obs 4. What a poor and slender Provision the Lord of the whole Earth has for his Houshold and Family Five Barley Loaves and Two small Fishes Teaching us That these Bodies of ours must be fed but not pumper'd our Belly must not be our Master much less our God The end of Food is to sustain Nature we must not stifle it with a Gluttonous Variety And as the Quality of the Victuals was plain so the Quantity of it was small Five Loaves and Two Fishes Well might the Disciples say What are these among so many The Eye of Sense and Reason sees an utter Impossibility of those Effects which Faith can easâ—ly apprehend and Divine Power more easily produce Obs 5. How Christ the great Master of the Feast doth marshal his Guests He commands them all to sit down in Ranks by Hundreds and by Fifties None of them reply Sit down but to what Here are the Mouths but where 's the Meat We may soon be set but when or whence shall we be serv'd 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 or Money in the Purse but when our Stores are all empty and we have nothing in Hand then to depend upon an invisible Bounty is a true and noble Act of Faith Obs 6. The Actions performed by our Blessed Saviour He blessed and brake and gave the Loaves to his Disciples and they to the Multitude 1. He blessed them Teaching us by his Example never to use or receive the good Creatures of God for our Nourishment without Prayers and Praise Never to sit down to our Food as a Beast to his Forage 2. He brake the Loaves He could have multiplied them whole why then would he rather 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 Liberality is the way to Riches 3. Christ gave the Bread thus broken to his Disciples that they might distribute it to the Multitude But why did our Lord distribute the Loaves by his Disciple's Hands Doubtless to gain Respect to his Disciples from the People And the same Course doth our Lord take in Spiritual Distributions He that could feed the World by his own immediate Hand chuses rather by the Hand of his Ministers to divide the Bread of Life amongst his People Obs 7. The Certainty and the Greatness of the Miracle They did all eat and were filled They did all 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 the miraculous Leaving If we consider what they eat we may wonsider that they left any thing if what they left that they eat any thing Obs 8. These Fragments tho' of Barley Loaves and Fish Bones must not be lâ—st but at our Saviour's Command gathered up The Liberal Housekeeper of the World will not allow the Loss of his Orts. Oh how tremendous will their Account be who having large and plentiful Estates spend them upon their Lusts being worse than lost in God's Account 45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida while he sent away the people 46 And when he had sent them away he departed into a mountain to pray 47 And when even was come the ship was in the midst of the sea and he alone on the land 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing for the wind was contrary unto them and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them walking upon the sea and would have passed by them 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea they supposed it had been a spirit and cried out 50 For they all saw him and were troubled and immediately he talked with them and saith unto them Be of good cheer it is I be not afraid 51 And he went up unto them into the ship and the wind ceased and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves for their heart was hardened This Paragraph
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
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
Spouse the Church 2. That this Bridegroom was to be taken away 3. That because of the Bridegroom's Removal the Church did shall and must fast The days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away and then shall they fast Again our Saviour declares that this Discipline of fasting was not at present tolerable for his Disciples for they were at present but raw green and tender unable to bear the Severities and rigours of Religion any more then an old garment can bear a piece of new cloath to be set into it or any more than old Bottles can bear new Wine to be put into them The sense of our Saviour's words seems to be this My Disciples at present are tender and weak newly called and converted they cannot therefore at present undergo the austerities of Religion fastings weepings and watchings but e're long I shall leave them and go to Heaven from whence I will send down my Holy Spirit upon them which shall enable them to all the Duties that the Gospel enjoins The Lesson of Instruction which we may profitably gather from hence is this That it is hurtful and dangerous for young converts for weak Christians to be put upon the severer Exercises of Religion or to be urged to the performance of such Duties as are above their strength but they ought to be treated with that tenderness which becomes the mild and gentle dispensation of the Gospel Our Saviour says one doth here commend prudence to his Ministers in treating their people according to their strength and putting them upon Duties according to their Time and Standing we must consult what Progress our People have made in Christianity and manage accordingly CHAP. VI. 1 AND it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the First that he went thro' the Corn-fields and his Disciples plucked the ears of Corn and did eat rubbing them in their hands 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath-day 3 And Jesus answering said unto them Have ye not read so much as this what David did when himself was an hungred and they which were with him 4 How he went into the House of God and did take and eat the Shewbread and gave also to them that were with him which is not lawful to eat but for the Priests alone 5 And he said unto them that the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath In the former part of this chapter we find our blessed Saviour defending his Disciples from the clamorous accusations of the Pharisees for breaking the Sabbath-day because they plucked the ears of Corn and rubbed them in their hands in order to the satisfying of their Hunger Where Note 1. The great Poverty the low estate and condition of Christ's own Disciples in the World They wanted Bread and are forced to pluck the ears of Corn to satisfy their hunger God may and sometimes does suffer his dearest children to fall into streights and to taste of want for the Tryal of their Faith and Dependance upon his power and Goodness Note 2. How the hypocritical Pharisees blame this Action of the Disciples namely their plucking of the Ears of Corn yet did they not charge them with Theft for so doing because to take in our great Necessity so much of our Neighbour's Goods as we may reasonably suppose that if he were present and knew our Circumstances he would not deny us is not Theft But it was the servile Labours on the Sabbath in gathering the Ears of Corn which the Pharisees Scruple and Object against Where Note How Hypocrites expend their Zeal in and upon the lesser things of the Law whilst they neglect the greater placing all Holiness in the observation of outward Ceremonies whilst they neglect moral Duties Note 3. The Argument with which our Saviour defends this action of his Disciples it is taken from the example of David Necessity freed him from fault and blame in eating the Consecrated Bread which none but the Priests might lawfully eat For in cases of Necessity a Ceremonial Precept must give place to a moral Duty Works of mercy for the preserving our Lives and the better fitting us for Sabbath-services are certainly lawful on the Sabbath-day Note Lastly The Argument which our Saviour uses to prove the Sabbath's Observation may be dispens'd with in a case of absolute Necessity and that is drawn from that Authority which Christ the Institutor and Lord of the Sabbath had over it The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath that is he has Authority and Power as God and as Mediator to institute and appoint a Sabbath to alter and change it to dispense with the breach of it upon a just and great occasion and consequently acts of Mercy which tend to fit us for works of Piety not only may but ought to be done upon the Sabbath-day This Action of the Disciples being of that Nature is without just cause censured and condemned by the Pharisees a sort of Men who were resolved to cavil at and quarrel with whatever our Saviour or his Disciples either did or said 6 And it came to pass on another Sabbath that he entered into the Synagogue and taught and there was a man whose right hand was withered 7 And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him whether he would heal on the Sabbath-day that they might find an accusation against him 8 But he knew their thoughts and said to the man which had the withered hand rise up and stand forth in the midst and he arose and stood forth 9 Then said Jesus unto them I will ask you one thing Is it lawful on the Sabbath-day to do good or to do evil to save life or to destroy it 10 And looking round about them all he said unto the man stretch forth thy hand and he did so and his hand was restored whole as the other 11 And they were filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus Observe here 1. The miraculous cure which our Saviour wrought upon the man which had the withered hand and 2. The effect which this Miracle had upon the wicked Pharisees in the former Note the place where our Saviour wrought this Miracle in the Synagogue the Time when on the Sabbath-day the manner how by speaking of a word the persons before whom namely the envious and malicious Pharisees These men were always slandering Christ's Doctrine and cavilling at his Miracles yet does our Holy Lord go on with his Work before their Faces without Discouragement Learn thence That the unjust censures and malicious cavils of wicked men against us for well-doing must not discourage us from doing our Duty either towards God or towards our Neighbour Altho' the Pharisees watcht our Saviour wherever he went and when they could find no occasion of quarrel would invent and make one yet such was our Lord's courage and resolution that he bids the man which had the withered
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
filled and there was taken up of Fragments that remained to them Twelve Baskets full This Miracle of our Saviour's feeding five Thousand with five Loaves and two Fishes is Recorded by all the Evangelists and in the History of it we have these Observable particulars 1. The seasonable expression of the Disciples pity towards the Multitude who had long fasted and wanted now the ordinary comforts and supports of Life it well becomes the Ministers of Christ to have respect to the bodily wants as well as to the Spiritual Necessities of their people Observe 2. The motion which the Disciples make to Christ on the Behalf of the multitude Send them away that they may go into the Towns and Country and get Victuals Here was a strong Charity but a weak Faith a strong Charity in desiring the Peoples Relief but a weak Faith in supposing that they could no other way be relieved but by sending them away forgetting that Christ who had healed the multitude Miraculously could also feed them miraculously whenever he pleased all things being equally easy to an Almighty Power Observe 3. Our Saviour's strange Reply to the Disciples Request They need not depart give ye them to eat need not depart why the People must either feed or famish Victuals they must have and a dry Desert will afford none yet says Christ to his Disciples Give ye them to eat Alas poor Disciples they had nothing for themselves to eat how then should they give the Multitude to eat when Christ requires of us what we of our selves are unable to perform it is to discover to us our own impotency and weakness to provoke us to look up to him and to depend by Faith on his Almighty Power Obs 4. What a poor and slender Provision the Lord of the whole Earth has for himself and his Family Five Barley-loaves and two Fishes teaching us that these Bodies of ours must be fed but not pamper'd Our Belly must not be our Master much less our God The end of Food is to sustain Nature we must not stifle her with a Gluttonous variety And as the quality of the Victuals was plain so the quantity of it was small Five Loaves and two Fishes well might the Disciples say What are these 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 Observe 5. How Christ the great Master of the Feast doth marshal his Guests He commands them all to sit down by fifties in a Company None of them reply sit down but to what Here are the mouths but where 's the meat we may soon be set but whence shall we be served not a word like this but they obey and expect Lord how easy is it to trust thy Providence and rely upon thy Power when there is Corn in the Barn Bread in the Cup-board Money in the Purse But when our stores are empty when we have nothing in hand then to depend upon an Invisible Bounty is a Noble Act of Faith indeed Observe 6. The Actions performed by our Blessed Saviour he Blessed and Brake and gave the Loaves to his Disciples and they to the multitude 1. He Blessed them teaching us by his Example never to use or receive the good Creatures of God without Prayer and Praise never to sit down to our Food as a Beast to his Fodder 2. Christ Brake the Loaves he could have multiplied them whole why then would he rather do it in the breaking perhaps to teach us that we may rather expect his Blessing in the Distribution of his Bounty then in the Reservation of it Scattering is the way to encreasing Liberality is the way to Riches 3. Christ gave the Loaves thus broken to the Disciples that they might distribute to the Multitude but why did Christ distribute by the Disciples hands doubtless to gain respect to his Disciples from the People and the same course doth our Lord take in spiritual Distributions He that could feed the World by his own immediate hand chooses rather by the hand of his Ministers to divide the Bread of Life amongst his People Observe 7. The certainty and greatness of the Miracle They did all eat and were filled They did all eat not a crum 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 then 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 left we may wonder that they eat any thing if what they eat that they left any thing Observe Lastly These Fragments tho' of Barley-Loaves and Fish-bones must not be lost but at our Saviour's Command gathered up the Great House-keeper of the World will not allow the loss of his Orts. Lord how tremendous will their Accounts be who having large and plentiful Estates do consume them upon their Lusts How will they wish they had been born to poverty and Want when they appear to make up their accounts before God 18 And it came to pass as he was alone praying his Disciples were with him and he asked them saying whom say the people that I am 19 They answering said John the Baptist but some say Elias and others say that one of the old Prophets is risen again 20 He said unto them But whom say ye that I am Peter answering said The Christ of God 21 And he straitly charged them and commanded them to tell no man that saying 22 For the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the Elders and chief Priests and Scribes and be slain and be raised the third day These Verses relate to us a private Conference which our Saviour had with his Disciples touching their own and others Opinion concerning himself Where Observe 1. Our Saviour's inquiry What the generality of the People thought and said of him Whom do men say that I am not as if Christ were ignorant or did vain-gloriously inquire after the Opinion of the Multitude But his intention and design was to settle and more firmly establish his Disciples in the Belief of his being the True and Promised Messias The Disciples tell him some took him to be John the Baptist some Elias some one of the Prophets 'T is no new thing it seems to find Diversity of Judgments and Opinions concerning Christ and the affairs of his Kingdom Observe 2. Peter as the Mouth of all the Apostles and in their Names makes a full and open Confession of Christ acknowledging him to be the True and Promised Messias Thou art the Christ of God Learn thence That the vail of Christ's Humane Nature did not keep the Eye of his Disciples Faith from discerning him to be Truly and Really God Thou art the Christ of God Observe 3. The Charge and special Injunction given by Christ To tell no man
sate at Jesus feet and heard his words Observe 1. Both these Sisters were Holy and Devout Women both had an Honour and Reverence for Christ and both are forward to entertain him these were Sisters by Grace as well as by Nature yea they both for a time attended upon Christ's Preaching Mary also sat at Jesus Feet implying that Martha sat there too till Houshold occasions called her away Oh how happy is that Family where all Parties are agreed to receive and entertain the Lord Jesus Christ Observe 2. No sooner is Christ entered into Martha's House but he falls a Preaching whilst they provide Bodily Food for him he prepares spiritual Bread for them oh that in our place and measure we might all imitate Christ in this Can we come into any House or Company and find nothing to say or do for God Observe 3. The Holy and Humble Deportment of Mary upon this occasion she sate at Jesus Feet and heard his words When Christ was speaking Mary was hearing and little things could not take her off Lord how carefully should we take the present opportunity for our Souls to hear and learn of thee as Mary did She was not sure of another opportunity therefore hears humbly attentively affectionately as if it were her last hearing Season 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him and said Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone Bid her therefore that she help me Observe here 1. Martha's Behaviour She was cumbered about much serving that is much taken up with providing for the Entertainment of Christ and his Friends all which considered in it self was no miscarriage but a token of Martha's endeared respect to her best Friend A Person that sincerely loves Christ as Martha did thinks it can never shew enough of respect unto him Martha having such a Guest to Honour her House puts forth her self all she can yea more then she was able to give him Entertainment She was cumbered about much serving Observe 2. Martha's complaint to Christ concerning her Sisters not joyning with her in the Work that lay so hard upon her Lord dost thou nâ—t care that my Sister hath left me to serve alone bid her therefore that she help me as if Martha had said is it a fit thing that both thy self and all this Company should be unprovided for or is it reasonable that the whole Burthen should lye upon me whilst Mâ—ry fits still and doth not touch the least houshold Business with one of her Fingers Lord What infirmity and weakness intermixes and mingles with the Vertues and Graces of the best of thy Servants especially when they give way to their distempered Passions This good Woman at this time did not attend upon Christ's Preaching her self but interrupts him witâ— a â—rivolous Complaint about her Sister Bid her that she help me But why did not Martha speak to her Sister her self and whisper in her Ear and acquaint her how she wanted her help but makes her moâ—n to Christ Answer 'T is like she thought her Sister was so tyed by the Ear with those Aâ—â—mantine Chains of Christ's heavenly Doctrine that until Christ was silent she had no Power to stir doubtless she believed that Mary would not move unless Christ spake to her so to do Obs 3. That all this while Mary speaks not one word for her self no doubt it troubled her good Woman to hear her Sister complain of her to Christ and to find her self blam'd for her Piety and implicitly condemn'd for lâ—â—inâ— hold upon such a sweet opportunity of hearing the Beloved of her Soul whose Lips dropt as the Honey-comb However she speaks not a word in her own Vindication but leaves her Answer to her Saviour Learn thence That when we are complain'd of for well-doing it is our Duty and may be our Prudence to Seal up our Lips in Silence and to expect our Vindication from above Mary says nothing but Christ speaks for her in the next Verses 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her Martha Martha Thou art careful and troubled about many things 42 But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her As if Christ had said Martha Martha I well know thou dost all this in Love to me and it is no more then what is thy Duty in its proper Season but thou hadst now an opportunity to hear my Word which thou canst not have every daâ— and it would have pleased me better to whom it is Meat and Drink to feed Souls if I had seen thee fitting with thy dear Sister at my Feet and yielding an aâ—tentive Regard to my Holy Doctrine then to find thee performing a necessary Civility to my Person Thou hast not made a bad Choice but Mary has made a Better she has laid all aside to attend upon my Ministry and the fruit of it will continue with her to all Eternity It is that good part which shall never be taken away from her Note here 1. The unexpectedness of our Saviour's Answer to Martha how contrary it was to her Expectation she thought that her Sister should have been sent away with a check and her self with thanks but she is quite mistaken for all her good cheer that she had provided for Christ he spares not to tell her of her fault Martha Martha thou art troubled about many things Learn thence That no Obligations to any particular Person should so enthral us but that our Tongues should be at Liberty to reprove the Faults of our best Friends wherever we find them Martha tho' a pious and good Woman tho' a friendly and kind Woman tho' a Woman greatly Beloved of Christ yet is she reproved by Christ Note 2. The Reproof given to Martha Thou art troubled about many things where Christ condemns not her Hospitality but her sollicitude and superfluity her distraction and perplexity oh how prone are we to exceed in things Lawful and necessary and to go beyond our Bounds in them when we are satisfied in the matter we are prone to exceed in the measure Martha's Entertainment of Christ was a noble Service but she was too anxious and sollicitous about it she was cumbered she was careful she was troubled Note 3. Our Saviour's Admonition But one thing is needful that is there is one thing which ought first and principally to be regarded by us and is of the greatest Concernment to us namely the Business of Religion and the Care of our Souls Salvation Learn thence That the care of Religion and our Souls Salvation is the One Thing Necessary and that which every Man is concerned in the first place and above all other things to regard and mind Note 4. Our Saviour's justification of Marys choice Mary hath chosen that good part Non Tu malam sed illa meliorem Christ did not tell Martha she had chosen a Bad part but her Sister had chosen the Better Martha's
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
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
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
them Barbarously to Mock him in his Misery and which was worse Atheistically to Jear and Scoff at his Faith and Affiance in God Saying He trusted in God that he would deliver him let him deliver him if he will have him This was such an Indignity as Confounds our Thoughts But from hence we Learn 1. That Persecutors are generally Atheistical Scoffers the Chief Priests and Elders who Persecuted Christ do Blaspheme God they mock at his Power and deride his Providence which was as wicked as to deny his Being 2. We Learn from this Example That such as Minister to God in Holy things by way of Office if they be not the Best they are generally the worst of Men no such bitter Enemies to the Power of Godliness as such Preachers who were never Experimentally Acquainted with the Efficacy and Power of it upon their own Hearts and Lives Observe 2. The Inscription wrote by Pilate over our suffering Saviour This is Jesus the King of the Jews It was the Custom of the Romans when they Crucified a Malefactor to publish the Cause of his Death in Capital Letters placed over the Head of the Person Now it is Observable how wonderfully the Wisdom of God 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 Kingship and Regal Dignity of Christ was proclaimed by an Enemy and that in a time of his greatest Sufferings and Reproaches Pilate without his Knowledge did our Saviour an eminent piece of Service Verily he did that for Christ which none of his own Disciples durst do not that he did it designedly and with any intent to put Honour upon Christ but from the special over-ruling Providence of God No thanks to Pilate for all this Because the Highest Services performed to Christ undesignedly shall never be Accepted nor Rewarded by him 39 And one of the Malefactors which were hanged Railed on him saying If Thou be Christ Save thy self and us 40 But the other Answering Rebuked him saying Dost thou not fear God seeing thou art in the same Condemnation 41 And we indeed justly For we receive the due Reward of our Deeds But this Man hath done nothing amiss 42 And he said unto Jesus Lord Remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom Here we have a farther Aggravation of our Lord's Sufferings upon the Cross from the Company he Suffered with the Two Thieves who Reviled him with the rest Saint Matthew and Saint Mark say They both Reviled him Saint Luke says One of them Reviled possibly both of them might do it at first and one of them Repent which if so encreases the wonder of the Penitent Thiefs Conversion From the Impenitent Thiefs Reviling of Christ when he was at the very point of Death and even in the Suburbs of Hell we Learn That neither Shame nor Pain will change the Mind of a Resolute Sinner but even then when he is in the Suburbs of Hell will he Blaspheme From the Penitent Thief 's Confessing of Christ and Praying to him Lord Remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom We Learn Both the Efficacy and Freeness of Divine Grace 1. The efficacious Power of it Oh how Powerful must thaâ— Grace be which wrought such a Change in an instant which supplied that Heart in a Moment which had been hardning in Sin for so many Years 2. The Freeness of it which takes hold of his Heart when he was at the height of Sin and was not only void of Grace but seemed past Grace Oh the powerful Efficacy and adorable Freeness of the Heart-changing Grace of God in this vile Person it disposed him to own his Sin to confess the justness of his Punishment to justify Christ's Innocency to Reprove his Fellow-Companion to pray to a Crucified Christ and to intercede with him not for present Deliverance from Death but for a place in Christ's Kingdom Where we Learn 1. That true Conversion is never too late for obtaining Mercy and Salvation 2. That True Conversion how late soever will have its Fruits The Fore-mentioned Fruits of Faith and Repentance were found with this penitent Thief yet must not this extraordinary Case be drawn into Example This Extraordinary and Miraculous Grace of God is not to be expected ordinarily We have no warrant to expect an over-powering degree of God's Grace to turn our Hearts in an instant at the Hour of Death when we have Lived in Forgetfulness of God and in a Supine neglect of our Soul 's Concerns all the days of our Life For it is evident as to this Case of the Penitent Thief 's Conversion at the last Hour 1. It is an Example without a Promise 2. It is but a single Example 3. It is an Example Recorded but by one Evangelist the Spirit of God fore-seeing what an ill use some would make of this Instance leaves one Example upon Record that none might despair and but one that none might Presume 4. This Thief probably never had any Knowledge of Christ before 5. This was a Miracle with the Glory whereof Christ would Honour the Ignominy of his Cross So that we have no more ground to expect such another Conversion then we have to expect a Second Crucifixion This Converted Person was the first Fruits of the Blood of the Cross From whence we Learn That God can and sometimes doth though very seldom prepare Men for Glory immediately before their Dissolution by Death 43 And Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee To Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise These Words are our Saviour's Gracious Answer to the Penitent Thief 's Humble Prayer Lord Remember me in thy Kingdom says the Thief To day shalt thou be with me in my Kingdom says our Saviour Where Note 1. The Immortality of the Souls of Men is without all doubt Our desires after and hopes for Immortality do prove our Souls Immortal and capable of that State 2. That there is a Future and Eternal State into which Souls pass at Death Death is our passage out of the swift River of Time into the Boundless and Bottomless Ocean of Eternity 3. That the Souls of all the Righteous at Death are immediately Received into a State of Happiness and Glory This day shalt thou be with me not after thy Resurrection but immediately after thy Dissolution That Man's Soul is asleep or worse that Dreams of the Soul 's sleeping till the Resurrection For why should the Believers Happiness be deferred when they are immediately capable of Enjoying it Why should their Salvation slumber when the Wicked's Damnation slumbereth not How do such delays consist with Christ's ardent Desires and his Peoples vehement Longings to be together 44 And it was about the sixth Hour and there was a Darkness over all the Earth until the Ninth Hour 45 And the Sun was Darkned and the Veil of the Temple was Rent in the midst
46 And when Jesus had cryed with a loud Voice he said Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit And having said thus he gave up the Ghost 47 Now when the Centurion saw what was done he Glorified God saying Certainly this was a Righteous Man 48 And all the People that came together to that sight beholding the things which were done smote their Breasts and Returned 49 And all his Acquaintance and the Women that followed him from Galilee stood afar off beholding these things Observe here 1. What Prodigies in Nature happened and fell out at the Crucifixion of our Saviour The Sun was Darkened at the Setting of the Son of Righteousness And the Veil of the Temple was Rent signifying That God was now about to Forsake his Temple that the Ceremonial Law was now Abolishing and the Partition-Wall betwixt Jew and Gentile being now pulled down all may have Access to God through the Blood of a Mediator Observe 2. The last Prayer of our Saviour before his Death Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit They are words full of Faith and Comfort fit to be the last Breathings of every Gracious Soul in this World Learn hence That Dying Believers are both Warranted and Encouraged by Christ's Example Believingly to Commend their precious Souls into the Hands of God as a Gracious Father Father into thy Hands Observe 3. What influence our Saviour's Death had upon the Centurion He Glorified God saying Verily this was a Righteous Man Here Note That Christ had a Testimony of his Innocency and Righteousness given unto him from all sorts of Persons whatsoever Pilate and Herod pronounced him Innocent Pilate's Wife proclaimed him a Righteous Person Judas the Traitor declared it was innocent Blood the Thief on the Cross affirmed he had done nothing amiss and the Centurion owned him to be a Righteous Man yea the Son of God Mark 15.39 only the Pharisees and Chief Priests which were Teachers of others not Ignorance but Obstinacy and Malice Blinded and Hardned them to their Ruine and Destruction instead of Owning and Receiving him for their Saviour they Ignominiously put him to Death as the vilest Impostor 50 And behold there was a Man Named Joseph a Counsellor and he was a good Man and a just 51 The same had not consented to the Counsel and Deed of them he was of Arimathea a City of the Jews who also himself waited for rhe Kingdom of God 52 This Man went unto Pilate and begged the Body of Jesus 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in Linnen and laid it in a Sepulchre that was hewn in Stone wherein never Man before was laid 54 And that Day was the Preparation and the Sabbath drew on 55 And the Women also which came with him from Galilee followed after and beheld the Sepulchre and how his Body was laid 56 And they Returned and prepared Spices and Oyntments and rested the Sabbath-day according to the Commandment The Circumstances of our Lord's Funeral and Honourable Interrment are here Recorded by our Evangelist such a Funeral as never was since Graves were first Digg'd Where Observe 1. Our Lord's Body must be Begg'd before it could be Bury'd The Dead Bodies of Malefactors being in the Power and at the Disposal of the Judge that Condemns them Observe 2. The Person that Begg'd this Body and bestowed a Decent and Honourable Buryal upon it Joseph of Arimathea a worthy though a close Disciple Grace doth not always make a publick and open Shew where it is But as there is much secret Riches in the Bowels of the Earth though unseen so is there much Grace in the Hearts of some Saints which the World takes little Notice of Observe 3. The Mourners that followed our Saviour's Hearse to the Grave The Women which came out of Galilee a poor Train of Mourners The Apostles who should have been most officious to bear his Holy Body to the Ground were sometime since all Scattered afraid to own their Master either Dying or Dead Funeral Pomo had been no way suitable either to the End or Manner of our Lord's Death and accordingly here is is nothing like Observe 4. The Grave or Sepulchre in which our Holy Lord lay it was in a Sepulchre Hewn out of a Rock That so his Enemies might have no occasion to say that his Disciples stole him away by secret Holes and unseen Passages under Ground It was in a New Sepulchre Wherein never Man was laid before lest his Adversaries should say it was another that was Risen who was Bury'd there before him And has Buryed in a Garden As by the Sin of the first Adam we were driven out of the Garden of Pleasure the Earthly Paradise so by the Sufferings of the Second Adam who lay Buryed in a Garden we may hope for Entrance into the Heavenly Paradise Observe 5. The manner of our Lord's Funeral it was Hasty Open and Decent Hasty because of the Preparation for the Sabbath Open that all Persons might be Spectators and none might say He was Buryed before he was Dead Decent being wrapt in fine Linnen and Perfumed with Spices Observe 6. The Reasons why our Lord was thus Buryed Seeing he was to Rise again in as short a Time as other Men lye by the Walls doubtless it was to declare the Certainty of his Death to Fulfil the Types and Prophecies which went before of him As Jonas being Three days and three nights in the Whales Belly He was also Bury'd to Compleat his Humiliation This was the lowest step to which he could Descend in his Abased State In a word Christ went into the Grave that he might Conquer Death in its own Territories and Dominions Observe 7. Of what Use our Lord's Buryal 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 Comfort us against the fears of Death and the Terrors of the Grave The Grave could not long keep Christ it shall not always keep Christians It was a Loathsome Prison before it is a Persumed 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. XXIV This Last Chapter of St. Luke's Gospel contains the History of our Saviour's Resurrection and gives us an Account of what he did upon Earth between the Time of his glorious Resurrection and Triumphant Ascension 1 NOW upon the first day of the Week very early in the Morning they came unto the Sepulchre bringing the Spices which they had prepared and certain others with them 2 And they found the Stone Rolled away from Sepulchre 3 And they entered in and found not the Body of our Lord Jesus 4 And it came to pass as they were much perplexed thereabout Behold Two Men stood by them in shining Garments 5 And
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
Person that Suffered three Days ago when his Death doth so well agree with the Predictions of the Prophets who fore-told that the Messias should be cut off but not for himself and be smitten for the iniquities of his People Here we may Observe The great Wisdom and Grace of God who makes sometimes the Diffidence of his People an occasion of farther clearing up the choicest Truths unto them Never did these Disciples hear so Excellent an Exposition of Moses and the Prophets concerning the Messiah as now when their sinful distrust had so far prevailed over them 2. Observe The Doctrines which Christ instructs his Disciples in namely in the Necessity of his Death and Passion and of his Glory and Exaltation Ought not Christ to Suffer and to enter into his Glory Learn 1. That with Respect to God's Decree and with Relation to Mans Guilt the Death of Christ was Necessary and Indispensable 2. That his Resurrection and Exaltation was as Necessary as his Passion 3. That there was a Meritorious Connexion between Christ's Sufferings and his Glory his Exaltation was Merited by his Passion He was to drink of the Brook in the way and then he should lift up his head Observe 4. Christ did not only put Light into these his Apostles Heads but Heat also into their Hearts which burned all the while he Communed with them Did not our Hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures Oh what an efficacious Power is there in the word of Christ when set home upon the Hearts of Men by the Spirit of Christ 33 And they rose up the same Hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the Eleven gathered together and them that were with them 34 Saying The Lord is Risen indeed and hath Appeared to Simon 35 And they told what things were done in the way and how he was known to them in Breaking of Bread 36 And as they thus spake Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and saith unto them Peace be unto you 37 But they were Terrified and Affrighted and supposed that they had seen a Vision 38 And he said unto them Why are ye troubled and why do Thoughts arise in your Hearts 39 Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self handle me and see For a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have 40 And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his Hands and his Feet 41 And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered he said unto them Have ye here any Meat 42 And they gave him a piece of a Broyled Fish and of an Honey-comb 43 And he took it and did eat before them 44 And he said unto them These are the words which I speak unto you whilst I was yet with you That all things must be Fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and of the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me Observe 1. That these Two Disciples at Emmaus being fully satisfied in the Truth of Christ's Resurrection by his Appearing to them in Breaking of Bread they arose presently and went from Emmaus to Jerusâ—lem It must needs be late at Night being after Supper and Seven Miles Distance Yet considering the Sorrow that the Disciples were under these Two leave all their Private Affairs and hasten to Comfort them with the glad Tidings of our Lord's Resurrection Teaching us That all Secular Affairs all private and particular Business must give place to the Glory of God and the Comfort and Salvation of Souls Observe 2. The great Endeavours which our Saviour used to confirm his Disciples Faith in the Doctrine of the Resurrection He comes and stands in the midst of them and says Peace be unto you Next he shews them h s pierced Hands Side and Feet with the Scars and Marks which he yet retained that they might see it was their Crucified Master After all this He eats before them a piece of broiled Fish and Honey-comb Not that he needed it his Body being now become Immortal but to assure them that it was his own Person and that he had still the same Body Yet so slack and backward were they to Believe that Christ was Risen that all the Predictions of the Scripture all the Assurances they had from our Saviour's Mouth and the several Appearings of Christ unto them were little enough to establish and confirm their Faith in the Resurrection of our Saviour Observe 3. The highest and fullest Evidence which our Saviour offers to Evince and Prove the Certainty of his Resurrection Namely by Appealing to their Senses Handle me and see Christ admits the Testimony of our Senses to assure it be his Real Body And if the Church of Rome will not allow us to believe our Senses we shall loose the best External Evidence we can have to prove the Truth of the Christian Religion Namely the Miracles of Christ For how can I know that those Miracles were True but by the Judgment of my Senses Now as our Senses tell us that Christ's Miracles were True so they assure us that the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is False 45 Then opened he their Understandings that they might understand the Scriptures 46 And he said unto them Thus it is Written and thus it behoveth Christ to Suffer and to Rise from the Dead the Third Day 47 And that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached in his Name among all Natitions beginning at Jerusalem 48 And ye are Witnesses of these things Note here That the opening of the Mind and Heart effectually to Receive the Truths of God is the peculiar Prerogative and Office of Jesus Christ Then opened he their Vnderstandings Namely by the Illuminations of his Holy Spirit One of the greatest Miseries under which Lapsed Nature Labours is Spiritual Blindness Christ has the only Eye-salve which can Heal and Cure it Revel 3.18 And there is no worse Cloud to Obscure the Light of the Spirit than a proud Conceit of our own Knowledge Observe 2. The Special Charge given by our Saviour to his Apostles to Preach Repentance and Remission of Sin to Preach it in Christ's Name to Preach it to all Nations beginning first at Jerusalem Where Note The Astonishing Mercy of Jesus Christ Although Jerusalem was the Place where he lost his Life the City that Barbarously Butcher'd and Inhumanely Murthered him yet there he will have the Doctrine of Repentance Preach'd nay first Preached there the Gospel-Combination must first begin That Repentanâ—e and Remission of Sin be Preached beginning at Jerusalem Lord How unwilling art thou that any should Perish when thou not only prayedst for thy Murtherers and offeredst up thy Blood to God in the Behalf of them that shed it but Requiredst thy Ambassadors to make Jerusalem the first Tender of Remission upon Condition of Repentance That Repentance and Remission of Sin should be Preached among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem 49 And behold I send the Promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye
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
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
with an unchangeable Love with an Everlasting Love so doth he Love Believers also Observe 5. That Christ would have the World know that God the Father loveth the Children of Men as well as himself Christ is not ambitious to ingross all our Love unto himself but would have the World take notice of the good Will of his Father as well as of himself to lost Mankind of the Father's Love in sending him as well as of his own Love in coming That the World may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me 24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world Our Saviour had prayed for his Disciples Sanctification before here he Prays for their Glorification 1. That they may be where he is now Christ is with them in his Ordinances in his Word and at his Table ere long they shall be with him as his Friends as his Spouse as his Companions in his Kingdom 2. That they may be with him where he is this is more than the former a Blind Man may be where the Sun is but not with the Sun because he doth not injoy the light and benefit of it To be with Christ where he is imports Union and Communion with him 3. That being with him where he is they may behold his glory that is so see it as everlastingly to possess and injoy it Learn 1. That all those that are given to Christ as his Charge and as his Reward shall certainly come to Heaven to him Father I will that they be with me because I have merited that they should be with me I will that they behold my Glory because I have purchased it at so dear a rate Learn 2. That the work and imployment of the Saints in Heaven chiefly consists in seeing and injoying Christ's Glory for it will be a possessive sight the language of every look will be This Happiness is mine this Glory is mine 3. That the top and height of the Saints happiness in Heaven consists in this That they shall there be with Christ Father I will that they may be with me to behold my Glory 25 O righteous Father the world hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me Observe here 1. The Appellation given to God O Righteous Father This is the Sixth time that Christ in this Prayer has called God Father it being so sweet a Relation and producing all Love Delight Joy and Confidence in God by him that practically improves it But Observe That at Verse 11 When Christ prayed for his Peoples Sanctification he said Holy Father making use of that Attribute which is the cause of all Holiness in the Creature but now praying for their Glorification he says O Righteous Father Righteous in making good thy promises both to me and them Observe 2. What it is that our Saviour affirms concerning the wicked and unbelieving World that they have not known God the World hath not known thee not as if the World had not known him at all but not known him aright the unbelieving and unsanctified part of the World have no saving knowledge of God not living answerably to what they know to be their Duty Observe 3. What Christ affirms concerning himself But I have known thee and these have known thee Intimating thus much unto us That Jesus Christ alone knows God immediately and all others know him by the means of Christ Christ is the Original and fontal cause of all the saving knowledg that Believers have of God There is not the least Ray of saving Illumination that doth not descend from Christ and the Spirit of Christ I have known thee and these have known that thou didst send me 26 And I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it That is I have made known unto them thy Nature Attributes Counsels Will and Commands and I will continue the manifestation of the same to the End Learn thence That the saving knowledg of God was not attainable by natural Abilities but cometh to us by the special Revelation of Jesus Christ I have declared unto them thy name Learn 2. That they that have the Name of God his Nature and Will savingly declared to them do stand in need of farther declarations and discoveries of God's Nature and Will to be made unto them I have declared to them thy name and I will declare it 26 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them That is That the Love which is Originally in thy self as the fountain of all Grace may be communicated and dispensed from thee to them and become inherent in them Learn hence That it is not enough for the People of God that they are beloved of him and that his Love is towards them but they must endeavour to have it in them that is experience it in the effects of it and in the sense and feeling of it in their own Souls The safety of a Christian lies in this that God loves him but the Joy the Comfort and Happiness of a Christian consists in the Knowledg in the sensible Apprehension and feeling of this Love therefore Christ closeth his Prayer for his Members with this Affectionate and Comprehensive Petition Let the Love wherewith thou hast loved me be in them and I in them CHAP. XVIII 1 VVHen Jesus had spoken these words he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron where was a garden into the which he entred and his disciples 2 And Judas also which betrayed him knew the place for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples No sooner had our dear Lord ended his Divine Prayer Recorded in the foregoing Chapter but he goes forth to meet his Sufferings with a willing chearfulness He retires with his Disciples into a Garden not to hide and shelter himself from his Enemies for if so it had been the most improper place he could have chosen it being the accustomed place where he was wont to Pray and a place well known to Judas who was now coming to seek him Judas which betrayed him knew the place for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his Disciples So that Christ repaired to this Garden not to shun but to meet the Enemy to offer himself as a prey to the Wolves which in the Garden hunted him and laid hold upon him he also resorted to this Garden now for privacy that he might freely pour out his Soul to God Learn hence That the Lord Jesus Christ was praying to his Father in the Garden when Judas with his Bla k-Guard came to apprehend him 3 Judas then having received a band of men and Officers from the chief priests and Pharisees cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons Observe 1. What a multitude were here imployed by the
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
That is Thou sparest none but tellest all Men of their Faults XIX In his Vniversal Obedience to his Father's Will and chearful Submission to his Father's Pleasure He obeyed the Will of his Father Universally Voluntarily Sincerely and with a single Eye at his Glory perseveringly and to the End and as he was so must we be faithful to the Death if ever we expect the Crown of Life And in like manner did he submit to the Will of his Providence Father not as I will but as thou wilt not my will but thine be done O let us keep this Example continually before us and every day obey the will of God's Precept universally And submit to the Will of his Providence very chearfully this is Heaven on Earth XX. In his Love and Practice of Universal Holiness both in Heart and Life He was Holy in his Nature Holy in his Principle and Motives Holy in his Aim and Ends he was perfectly Holy precisely Holy uniformly Holy exemplarily Holy he delighted only in holy Persons and holy Things it concerns us to imitate him herein if ever we expect to be where he is Heaven is the habitation of Holiness the company is Holy the imployment Holy the enjoyments Holy no unclean Thing can enter into Heaven or could be Happy in Heaven Heaven is rather a Nature than a place 'T is not the place of Heaven can make us Happy but the Disposition and Temper of our Minds in Heaven without Conformity to the Nature of God there can be no Communion with him nor Delight in him what a discourteous Courtesie would it be to turn a filthy Swine into a Garden of curious Flowers to lodge it in a Bed of sweet Perfumes to bath it in a clear and Crystal Fountain Alas its unclean Temper and sordid Inclinations would rather choose to lie down in a Kennel and to wallow in the Mire its proper Element Thus unsuitable would Heaven be that place of greatest Happiness be the greatest Vneasiness to an unholy Heart Let us then Pray and Endeavour that the Temper of our Minds and the Actions of our Lives may be a lively Transcript of the Mind and Life of the Holy Jesus that we may be like him in Purity and Holiness in Justice and Righteousness in Patience and Meekness in Charity and Universal Goodness That as he was we may be in the World Holy Humble Harmless Heavenly Minded glorifying God on Earth that we may be glorified with him and by him in his Eternal Kingdom Yet before I close this Exhortation to an Imitation of Jesus I must subjoin this cautionary Direction Take heed that you do not so imitate Christ for your Pattern as to disown him for your Priest This is the dangerous Error of those who affirm that the great End of Christ's Death was to give the World an Example of Patience Humility Meekness and the fore-mentioned Christian Graces and that his Sufferings were Exemplary but not properly Satisfactory We acknowledge that Christ's giving us an Example was one End of his coming into the World and Dying for us but not the great End A Subordinate End but not the Vltimate God preserve us from the Contagion of this growing Error other Errors only scratch the Face but this stabs the Heart of the Christian Religion in that it deprives us of the choicest Benefit of Christ's Death namely The Expiation of Sin by a proper Satisfaction to the Justice of God But blessed be God we have not so learned Christ as we are Taught so we Believe that the Holy Jesus by the Sacrifice of his Death has Redeemed us from Death and Hell and Saved us from Wrath to come by a full and adequate payment to Divine Justice and by the Redundancy of his Merit has purchased an Eternal Inheritance for us and as we are Taught and Believe so we Pray Almighty God who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a Sacrifice for Sin and also an Example of Godly Life Give us Grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable Benefit and also daily endeavour our selves to follow the blessed Steps of his most Holy Life through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty and everlasting God who of thy tender Love towards Mankind hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our Flesh and to suffer Death upon the Cross that all Mankind should follow the Example of his great Humility Mercifully grant that we may both follow the Example of his Patience and also be made Partakers of his Resurrection through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen FINIS Advertisements BOOKS published by Mr. WILLIAM BURKITT and printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside THE Poor Man's Help and Young Man's Guide Containing I. Doctrinal Instructions for the right Informing of his Judgment II. Practical Directions for the General Course of his Life III. Particular Advices for the Well-managing of every Day With reference to his 1. Natural Actions 2. Civil Imployments 3. Necessary Recreations 4. Religious Duties Particularly I. Prayer Publick in the Congregation Private in the Family Secret in the Closet II. Reading the Holy Scriptures III. Hearing of the Word Preached IV. Receiving of the Lord's Supper Unto which is added An Earnest Exhortation unto all Christians to the Love and Practice of Universal Holiness The Fourth Edition An Argumentative and Practical Discourse of Infant-Baptism In which I. The Lawfulness of Infant-Baptism is Demonstrated II. The Objections against Infant-Baptism are Answered III. The Usefulness of the Ordinance is Asserted IV. The Sinfulness of Re-baptizing Manifested V. The Non-necessity of Dipping Evidenced VI. The Practical Use of Infant-Baptism Urged and Inforced The Second Edition A Sermon at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. William Gurnall THE Works of the late Reverend and Learned William Bates D. D. In one large Volume in Folio Viz. 1. Of the Existence of God the Immortality of the Soul and the Divinity of the Christian Religion 2. The Harmony of the Divine Attributes 3. The Great Duty of Resignation 4. The Danger of Prosperity 5. Sermons of the Forgiveness of Sins 6. The Sure Trial of Uprightness 7. The Four Last Things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell In which his Book called The Final Happiness of Man is included 8. Of Spiritual Perfection 9. Eleven Sermons on several Occasions 10. A Sermon upon the Death of Queen Mary 11. A Funeral Sermon on Dr. Manton 12. A Funeral Sermon on Dr. Jacomb 13. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Baxter With his Life 14. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Clarkson 15. A Funeral Sermon on Mr. Benjamin Ashurst To which are added Two Discourses never before publish'd being exactly taken in Short-hand and Approv'd by the Author in his Life-time viz. 16. A Discourse on Divine Meditation 17. A Discourse on the Fear of God c. With an Alphabetical Table to the Whole As likewise The Author's Effigies curiously Engrav'd by Mr. Robert White from an Original of Sir Godfrey Kneller And some Account of his Life and Character in a Funeral Sermon preach'd by the Reverend Mr. Howe Printed for Johnathan Robinson at the Golden-Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard There will be speedily publish'd A Catechetical Course of Sermons for the whole Year Being an Explanation of the Church-Catechism in Fifty Two Distinct Discourses on so many several Texts of Scripture Wherein are Briefly contained the most Necessary Points of Christian Doctrine in Two Volumes in Octavo With an Alphabetical Index to each Volume Recommended Especially for the Use of Families By Peter Newcome M. A. and Vicar of Aldenham in Hertford-shire Printed for John Wyat at the Rose in St. Paul's Church-Yard