good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them Observe here 1. A Caution given Beware of False Prophets There were two sorts of Deceivers which our Saviour gave his Disciples a special Warning of namely False Christs and False Prophets False Christs were such as pretended to be the True Messias False Prophets were such who pretended to own Christianity but drew People away from the Simplicity of the Gospel Obs 2. The Ground of this Caution They come in Sheeps-cloathing but inwardly are ravening Wolves That is they make fair Pretences to Strictness in Religion and to greater Measures and Degrees of Mortification and Self-Denial than others Whence we Learn That such as go about to Seduce others usually pretend to Extraordinary Measures of Sanctity themselves to raise an Admiration amongst those who judge of Saints more by their Looks than by their Lives more by their Expressions than by their Actions What Heavenly Looks and Devout Gestures what Long Prayers and Frequent Fastings had the Hypocritical Pharisees beyond what Christ or his Disciples ever practised Obs 3. The Rule laid down by Christ whereby we are to Judge of False Teachers By their Fruits we shall know them Learn That the best Course we can take to Judge of Teachers pretending to be sent of God is to Examin the Design and Tendency of their Doctrines and the Course and Tenour of their Conversations Good Teachers like good Trees will bring forth the good Fruits of Truth and Holiness but Evil Men and Seducers like corrupt Trees will bring forth Error and Wickedness in their Life and Doctrine 21 Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven 22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out devils and in thy Name done many wonderful works 23 And then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Not every one that is Not any one that saith Lord Lord that is that owneth me by way of Profession by way of Prayer and by way of Appeal shall be Saved But he that doth the Will of my Father sincerely and universally Learn hence 1. That Multitudes at the Great Day shall be really disowned by Christ as none of his Servants that did Nominally own him for their Lord and Master Many that have now Prophesied in his Name shall then Perish in his Wrath Many that have cast out Devils now shall be cast out to Devils then Such as have now Done many Wonderful Works shall then Perish for Evil Workers Note 2. That a bare Name and Profession of Christianity without the Practice of it is a very Insufficient Ground to Build our Hopes of Heaven and Salvation upon 3. That Gifts Eminent Gifts yea Extraordinary and Miraculous Gifts are not to be rested in or depended upon as Sufficient Evidences for Heaven and Salvation Gifts are as the Gold which Adorns the Temple but Grace is like the Temple that Sanctifies the Gold 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock 25 And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand 27 And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell and great was the fall of it Our Saviour here concludes his Excellent Sermon with an Elegant Similitude The Wise Builder is not the frequent Hearer but the faithful Doer of the Word or the Obedient Christian the House is Heaven and the Hope of Eternal Life the Rock is Christ the Building upon the Sand is resting in the bare Performâ—nce of Outward Duties the Rains the Winds and the Floods are all kind of afflicting Evils Sufferings and Persecutions that may befall us Note 1. That the Obedient Believer is the only Wise Man that Builds his Hopes of Heaven upon a sure and abiding Foundation Note 2. That such Professors as rest in the Outward Performance of Holy Duties are Foolish Builders their Foundation is weak and sandy and all their Hopes of Salvation vain and uncertain 28 And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at his doctrine 29 For he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes Here we have Two Things Observable 1. The Manner of our Lord 's Teaching it was with Authority that is it was Grave and Serious Pious and Ardent Plain and Profitable With what Brevity without Darkness With what Gravity without Affectation With what Eloquence without Meretricious Ornament were our Lord's Discourses The Majesty he shewed in his Sermons made it evidently appear that he was a Teacher sent of GOD and cloathed with his Authority Observe 2. The Success of his Teaching The People were Astonished at his Doctrine Affected with Admiration believing him to be an Extraordinary Prophet Learn That such is the Power of Christ's Doctrine especially when accompanied with the Energy of his Holy Spirit that it makes all his Auditors Admirers it causes Astonishment in their Minds and Reformation in their Manners CHAP. VIII This Chapter is called by St. Ambrose Scriptura Miraculosa the Miraculous Scripture there being several great Miracles recorded in this Chapter As the Cleansing of the Leper the Curing of the Centurion's Servant the Appeasing of the Winds c. Our Saviour having delivered his Doctrine in the former Chapters in this he backs his Doctrine with Miracles for the Establishment and Confirmation of it 1 WHEN he was come down from the mountain great multitudes followed him 2 And behold there came a leper and worshipped him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean 3 And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him saying I will be thou clean And immediately his leprosie was cleansed 4 And Jesus saith unto him See thou tell no man but go thy way shew thy self to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them Several Particulars are here Observable as 1. The Petitioner and that is a Leper he came and Worshipped Christ and petitions him to Heal him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean Where he discovers a firm Belief of Christ's Power but a Diffidence and Distrust of Christ's Will to Heal him Learn Christ's Divine Power must be fully assented to and firmly believed by all those that expect Benefit by him and Healing from him Obs 2. How readily our Saviour grants his Petition Jesus touched him saying I will be thou clean Our Saviour
EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON The Four Holy Evangelists VIZ. S T. Matthew S T. Mark S T. Luke S T. John WHEREIN The Sacred TEXT is at large Recited the Sence Explained Doubts Resolved Controversies Declined References Avoided Seeming Contradictions Reconciled And the Instructive Example of the Holy JESUS to our Imitation Recommended Designed for the Instruction of Private Families and particularly put into the Hands of Family-Governours in Dedham for the Improvement of Themselves and their Houshold in Knowledge Faith and Holiness BY WILLIAM BURKITT M. A. Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham in Essex LONDON Printed by R.J. for T. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside J. Robinson at the Golden Lion and J. Wyat at the Rose in S. Paul's Church-yard M.DCC. To the Right Honourable CHARLES Lord Fitzwalter My Lord THE Sacred Pages inform us of a Son that was Nourished up in the Words of Faith by his Grandmother Lois and his Mother Eunice The like Pious Care has been taken for Your Lordship 's Religious Education by one of the Wisest of Women and the Best of Mothers that the Age has afforded And that Your Lordship's Improvement in Knowledge and Sincere Piety may Answer the Prayers the Tears the Endeavours of such an Endearing Parent who preferrs Your Lordship's Happiness abundantly before her Own I take Leave to put a Part of the Inspired Writings into Your Lordship's Hand with an Endeavour of Mine to Render the Reading of them both Profitable and Delightful to Your Lordship Whilst Others consume their Precious Hours in Plays and Romances and such-like Corrupting and Effeminating Trash which the Superfoetation of the Stage furnishes the Nation with to the Scandal of Our Holy Religion and the Grief of all Good Men Debasing the Minds and Debauching the Manners of so many amongst us That Your Lordship and Others of Your Noble Order with you may Taste such Incomparable Delight and Sweetness in and Experience such Invaluable Benefit and Advantage by Reading the History of Your Blessed Redeemer's Life and Actions and may thereby be Transformed into His Holy Likeness here on Earth and spend an Eternity in the Rapturous Contemplation and Ravishing Fruition of Him in Heaven is the Fervent Prayer of My Lord Your Honour 's Faithfully Devoted Servant and Chaplain W. Burkitt To Family-Governours particularly those of my Charge AS Religion did always consist in an Imitation of God and in a Resemblance of those Excellencies which shine forth in the Best and most Perfect Being so we may Imitate Him now with much more Ease and greater Advantage since His Son was manifest in our Flesh and dwelt among us For He was pleased to become Man on purpose to shew us how we might become like to God by a Daily Imitation of His Holiness And it is most certain that God Our Father will never own any of us for His Children unless He sees upon us the Air and Features the Impresses and Resemblance of Christ Our Elder Brother This Consideration has induced me to set the Example of the Holy Jesus before my self and you in these Plain Practical Notes upon the Holy Evangelists which contain Remarks upon the History of our Saviour's Life Doctrine and Miracles and of His Death Resurrection and Ascension To the Intent that the Temper of our Minds and the Actions of our Lives may be a lively Transcript of the Mind and Life of our Blessed Redeemer That we may Admire and Imitate His unspotted Purity His Condescending Humility His Fervent Charity His Patience under Sufferings and Reproaches His Readiness to Forgive Injuries and His entire Resignation to the Divine Will in all Conditions of Life whatsoever That so following our Lord and Master in all the Steps of an Imitable Vertue and setting His Example continually before us we may be Daily Correcting and Reforming of our Lives by that Glorious Pattern for without present Likeness to Him we have no Grounds to hope that we shall hereafter Live with Him A true Compassion to your Souls and a fervent Desire to farther their Salvation from the Press as well as from the Pulpit has put me upon Redeeming Time for this Work I must acknowledge my constant Preaching thrice a Week unto you besides Occasionals and Visiting as often a populous and scattering Parish from House to House amongst you which I have always accounted a most Important Part of my Duty would allow me but little too little Time for such a Work as This which I heartily wish had fallen upon the Shoulder of one that had more Leisure and Greater Abilities for it But thus much I can truly say that earnestly Imploring Divine Assistance I have done what I could my Work has been my Recreation and the Lord accept it and succeed it And I have this Observation to Ground my Hope of Acceptance and Success upon that Almighty God has in all Ages rendered those Labours of his Servants how mean soever in themselves most Acceptable and Useful which have been employed in the profitable Explication of any part of the Holy Scriptures As if He who Imprinted such a Majesty upon the Text delighted also to Reflect an Honour upon the Interpreters thereof My Design in preparing and giving these Notes into your Hands is to Oblige you to Read a part of the Holy Scriptures in your Families every Day and to invite you thereunto the Sacred Text is here at large Recited Controversies Declined and References Avoided I have chosen to Transcribe and Write over again upon another Evangelist what was observed in a Former rather than give you the Trouble of looking back upon what is written elsewhere And I do most Affectionately Request you not to suffer the Holy Word of God which is in all your Hands to lye by you as a Neglected Book but daily to Read it in and to your Families with a Simplicity of Mind to be Directed and Instructed by it All the Return I desire from you for this my Labour of Love is your living in a daily Imitation of that Grand Pattern of Holiness and Obedience which is here set before you and in every Page Recommended to you and that we may continue to strive together in our Prayers one with and one for another for that Grace which may enable us to the Faithful Discharge of our Respective Duties towards God towards each other and all Mankind And that the Happy Unity and Unanimity which has hitherto been amongst us may continue and encrease still with us to the Glory of God the Honour of our Holy Religion the present Benefit and Comfort and the Eternal Joy and Rejoycing both of Minister and People in the Day of the Lord Jesus Which as it is the fervent Prayer so it shall be the constant Endeavour of your Unworthy Minister whose Highest Ambition it is to serve you in the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel whilst I am Dedham 1700. W. Burkitt EXPOSITORY NOTES WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS UPON The Holy Gospel
poor Woman came to Christ trembling but went away triumphing Christ bids her Be of good Comfort her Faith had made her whole 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise 24 He said unto them Give place for the maid is not dead but sleepeth And they laughed him to scorn 25 But when the people were put forth he went in and took her by the hand and the maid arose 26 And the same hereof went abroad into all that land Our Saviour being come to the Ruler's House finds the People very busily preparing for the Interrment of the dead Corps with Musick and other Solemnities This Custom of having Musick at Funerals came from the Heathens no mention is made thereof in the Old Testament we read of tearing the Flesh shaving the Head eating the Bread of Mourners also of Funeral-Songs but these were only sung with the Voice but Instruments of Musick at Funerals came from the Pagans Weeping and Lamentation are the most proper Funeral-Musick then nothing sounds so well as a Sigh nor is any thing so much in season as a Tear Yet are all Demonstrations of immoderate and excessive Mourning both hurtful to the Living and dishonourable to the Dead nor is it an Argument of more Love but an Evidence of less Grace Observe next In what sence our Saviour affirms that the Damsel was not dead Mortua est vobis mihi Dormit says St. Jerom She is Dead to you but Asleep to me I can as easily raise her from Death as you can awake her out of Sleep Her Soul was separated from her Body but not yet fixt in its Eternal Mansion Souls departed are under the Conduct of Angels good or bad to their several Places of Bliss or Misery Probably the Soul of this Damsel was under the Guard of Angels near her dead Body waiting the Pleasure of Christ in reference to it either to restore it again to the Body or to translate it to its Eternal Mansion 27 And when Jesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou Son of David have mercy on us 28 And when he was come into the house the blind men came to him and Jesus saith unto them Believe ye that I am able to do this they said unto him Yea Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes saying According to your faith be it unto you 30 And their eyes were opened and Jesus straitly charged them saying See that no man know it 31 But they when they were departed spread abroad his fame in all that country The Ruler and others who came to Christ for Cure and Healing believed him to be a Man unto whom Almighty God had Communicated Divine Power But it is observable that these poor Blind Men did believe him to be the Messias by their calling him the Son of David and according to their Faith so was their Success their Faith capacitated them for a Cure But why did our Lord enjoyn the Blind Men Silence and straitly charge them to tell no Man of the Cure Herein the great Modesty and Humility of Christ appeared in avoiding all Ostentation and Commendation as also a due Care of his own Safety lest the publishing of his Miracles should create him untimely Danger from the Pharisees 32 As they went out behold they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil 33 And when the devil was cast out the dumb spake and the multitudes marvelled saying It was never so seen in Israel Still our Lord goes about doing Good before he Healed the Diseased here he Helps the Possessed Learn 1. That amongst the many Calamities which Sin has rendred Human Nature liable and obnoxious to this is one to be Bodily Possest by Satan This Man's Dumbness was caused by the Devil's Possession Learn 2. That one Demonstration of Christ's Divine Power and a convictive Evidence of his being truly and really God was his Casting our Devils by the Word of his Power 34 But the Pharisees said He casteth out the devils through the prince of the devils See here the dreadful and sad Effects of Blindness Obstinacy and Malice the Pharisees charge Christ with making a Contract with the Devil affirming that he derived his Power from him But how unlikely was this that Satan should lend our Saviour a Power against himself and for the Destruction of his own Kingdom Oh how dangerous is a wilful and obstinate Opposition of the Truth It provokes God to deliver a Person up to final Obduracy 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every sickness and every disease among the people 36 But when he saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd Observe here 1. Our Saviour's great Work and Business in this World it was doing Good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men the most pleasant and delightful the most happy and glorious Work that a Person can be imployed about 2. His unwearied Diligence and Industry in this great and good Work He went about all the Cities and Villages Preaching the Gospel and Healing Diseases he travelled from Place to Place to seek Occasions and to lay hold upon all Opportunities of being Useful and Beneficial to Mankind Obs 3. The particular Instance of our Lord's Goodness and Compassion towards the People in those Cities and Villages where he Travelled they wanted the Preaching of the Gospel that is Faithful Dispensers of it For tho' they had the Scribes and Pharisees to Teach them they Instructing them rather in their own Traditions than in the Simplicity of the Gospel Christ pities the People as Sheep without a Shepherd Thence Learn That idle and lazy unskilful and unfaithful Labourers in Christ's Harvest are no Labourers in his Account They were as Sheep having no Shepherd 37 Then saith he unto his disciples The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest Note here 1. That God's Church is an Harvest-Field 2. That the Ministers of God are Labourers in his Harvest under GOD the Lord of the Harvest 3. That to God alone doth it belong to send forth Labourers into his Harvest and none must thrust themselves in till God sends them forth 4. That the Number of Faithful Labourers in God's Harvest is always comparatively small and few 5. That it is the Church's Duty to pray and that earnestly and incessantly to the Lord of the Harvest to increase the Number of Faithful Labourers and to send forth more Labourers into his Harvest CHAP. X. This Chapter acquaints us with the First Commission which our Saviour gave his Disciples to Preach the Gospel He directs them First Whither to go and to whom to Preach namely to the Jews whom he calls The lost
when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities Our Blessed Saviour having sent forth his Twelve Apostles in the foregoing Chapter to Plant and Propagate the Gospel we find him in this Chapter following them himself in that great and necessary Work He departed to Teach and to Preach in their Cities CHRIST the Great Bishop and Shepherd of Souls sent not forth the Apostles as his Curates to labour and sweat in the Vineyard whilst he took his Ease at Home but he followed them himself His Word of Command to them was Praeite Sequar Go ye before I will follow after Note 1. That Preaching of the Gospel is a great and necessary Work incumbent upon all the Ministers of Christ let their Dignity and Preheminency in the Church be what it will None of the Servants are above their Lord. 2. That if there be a Distinction betwixt Teaching and Preaching as some apprehend they are both the Work of Christ's Ministers who are obliged from their Master's Example to perform both Teaching is in order to the Conversion of Sinners and Preaching in order to the Edification of Saints 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ he sent two of his disciples 3 And said unto him Art thou he that should come or do we look for another It was not for John's Information that he sent his Disciples to Christ but for their Satisfaction that he was the true and promised Messias John was assured of it himself by a Sign from Heaven at our Saviour's Baptism Matth. 3.17 But John's Disciples out of a great Zeal to him their Master envied Christ himself and were unwilling to believe any Person greater than their Master Therefore John out of a Pious Design to confirm his Disciples in the Belief of Christ's being the true Messias sends them to our Saviour to hear the Doctrine which he taught and to see the Miracles which he wrought Learn hence What a Pious Desire there is in such as know Christ experimentally themselves to bring all that belong to them to a Saving Acquaintance with him 4 Jesus answered and said unto them Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see 5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them Observe here 1. The Way and Means which our Saviour takes for the Conviction and Satisfaction of John's Disciples that he was the true Messias he appeals to the Miracles wrought by himself and submits the Miracles wrought by him to the Judgment of their Senses Go and shew John the Miracles which you hear and see Obs 2. The Miracles themselves The Blind receive their sight the Lame walk the Deaf hear c. Christ was all this in a Literal Sence and in a Mystical Sence also he was an Eye of Understanding to the Ignorant a Foot of Power to the Weak He opened an Ear in deaf Hearts to receive the Word of Life And the Poor are Evangelized that is turned into the Spirit and Temper of the Gospel the Rich hear the Gospel but the Poor receive it that is they feel the powerful Impressions of it As we say such a one is Italianized when his Carriage is such as if he were a Natural Italian The Passive Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes Non Actum Praedicationis sed Effectum Evangelii Praedicati the Good Effect which the Gospel had upon the Hearts and Lives of the Poor transforming them into the likeness of it self Learn It is a Blessed Thing when the Preaching of the Gospel has such a powerful Influence upon the Minds of Men that the Temper of their Minds and the Actions of their Lives are a lively Transcript of the Spirit and Temper of the Holy JESUS 6 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me Our Saviour here by pronouncing them Blessed that are not offended in him doth intimate the Misery of those who stumble at him and to whom he is a Rock of Offence Some are offended at the Poverty of his Person others are offended at the Sublimity and Sanctity of his Doctrine Some are offended at his Cross others are offended at his Free Grace But such as instead of being Offended at CHRIST Believe in him and bottom their Expectations of Heaven and Salvation upon him are in a Happy and Blessed Condition Blessed is he that shall not be offended in me 7 And as they departed Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John What went ye out into the wilderness to see A reed shaken with with the wind 8 But what went ye out for to see A man cloathed in soft raiment behold they that wear soft cloathing are in king's houses 9 But what went ye out for to see A prophet yea I say unto you and more than a prophet 10 For this is he of whom it is written Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee Our Saviour having given Satisfaction to John's Disciples next enters upon a large Commendation of John himself Where Observe 1. The Persons whom he commended him before not John's own Disciples for they had too high an Opinion of their Master already and were so much addicted to John that they envied Christ for his sake See Joh. 3.26 Behold Christ Baptizeth and all Men come unto him It was a great Eye-sore that Christ had more Hearers and Followers than John therefore not before John's Disciples but before the Multitude Christ commends John For as John's Disciples had too high so the Multitude had too low an Opinion of him possibly because of his Imprisonment and Sufferings There was a time when the People had high Thoughts of John but now they undervalued him Learn thence The great uncertainty of Popular Applause the People contemn to day whom they admired yesterday he who to day is cried up to morrow is troden down The Word and the Ministers are the same but this proceeds from the Fickleness and Inconstancy of the People nothing is so mutable as the Mind of Man nothing so variable as the Opinion of the Multitude Observe 2. The Time when our Saviour thus commended John not in the time of his Prosperity and Greatness when the People flockt after him and Herod got him to Court and reverenced him but when the giddy Multitude had forsaken him and he was faln into Disgrace at Court and had Preacht himself into a Prison Now Christ vindicates his Innocency maintains his Honour proclaims his Worth and tells the People that the World was not worthy of such a Preacher as John was Learn thence That Christ will stand by and stick fast to his Faithful Ministers when all the World forsakes them Let the World slight and despise them at their pleasue yet Christ will maintain their Honour
professing his Faith and bearing Witness to the Truth 12 And his disciples came and took up the body and buried it and went and told Jesus 13 When Jesus heard of it he departed thence by ship into a desart place apart and when the people had heard thereof they followed him on foot out of the cities The Disciples of John hearing that their Holy Master was thus basely and barbarously Murthered took up his dead Body and buried it Whence we Learn That the Faithful Servants of God are not ashamed of the Sufferings of the Saints but will testifie their respect unto them both living and dead Observe farther How our Blessed Saviour upon the notice of John's Death flies into the Desart for the Preservation of his own Life Jesus knew that his Hour was not yet come and therefore he keeps out of Herod's way It is no Cowardice to fly from Persecutors when Christ our Captain both practises it himself and directs us to it saying When they persecute you in one City flee c. 14 And Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them and he healed their sick Observe here With what Condolency and tender Sympathy the compassionate Jesus exercised Acts of Mercy and Compassion towards the Miserable and Distressed He was moved with Compassion that is toucht with an inward Sense and Feeling of their Sorrow And healed their Sick Those that came to Christ for Healing found Three Advantages of Cure above the Power and Performance of any Earthly Physician to wit Certainty Bounty and Ease Certainty in that all Comers were infallibly cured Bounty in that they were freely cured without Charge And Ease in that they were cured without Pain 15 And when it was evening his disciples came to him saying This is a desart place and the time is now past send the multitude away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves victuals Note here 1. The Disciples Pity towards the Multitude that had long attended upon Christ's Ministry in the Desart they presuming the People hungry having fasted all the Day request our Saviour to dismiss them that they may procure some Bodily Refreshment Learn thence That it well becomes the Ministers of Christ to respect the Bodily Necessities as well as to regard the Spiritual Wants of their People As the Bodily Father must take Care of the Soul of his Child so must the Spiritual Father have respect to the Bodily Necessities of his Children Obs 2. The Motion which the Disciples make on the 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 that they desire the People's Relief but a weak Faith in that they suppose they could not otherwise be relieved but by sending them away to buy Victuals Forgetting that Christ who had Healed the Multitude miraculously could as easily Feed them miraculously if he pleased All things being equally easie to Omnipotency 16 But Jesus said unto them They need not depart give ye them to eat Obs here 1. Our Saviour's strange Answer to the Disciples Motion They need not depart says Christ Need not Why the People must either feed or famish Victuals they must have and this being a desart Place there was none to be had Surely then there was need enough But 2. Christ's Command was more strange than his Assertion 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 of our selves we are unable to perform it is to shew us our Impotency and Weakness and to provoke us to look up to him That worketh all our Works in us and for us 17 And they say unto him We have here but five loaves and two fishes Note here What a poor and slender Provision the Lord of the whole Earth has for his Houshold and Family Five Loaves and those Barley two Fishes and they small Teaching us That these Bodies of ours must be fed but not pampered Our Belly must not be our Master much less our God We Read but twice that Christ made any Entertainments and both times his Guests were fed with Loaves and Fishes plain Fare and homely Diet. The end of Food is to sustain Nature we stifle it with a Gluttonous variety Meat was ordained for the Belly the Belly for the Body the Body for the Soul and the Soul for God Obs farther As the quality of this Victuals was plain and course so the quantity of it was small and little Five Loaves and two Fishes Well might the Disciples say what are these among so many The Eye of Sense and Reason sees an impossibility of those Effects which Faith can easily apprehend and Divine Power more easily produce 18 He said Bring them hither to me 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass and took the five loaves and the two fishes and looking up to heaven he blessed and brake and gave the loaves to his disciples and the disciples to the multitude Obs 1. How the Master of the Feast Marshals his Guests he commands them all to sit down None of them Reply sit down but to what Here are the Mouths but where is the Meat We can soon be set but whence shall we be served Nothing of this but they obey and expect Oh how easie is it to trust God and rely upon Providence when there is Corn in the Barn and Bread in the Cupboard but when our Stores are all empty and nothing is before us then to depend upon an invisible Bounty is a true and noble Act of Faith Obs 2. 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 Teaching us by his Example in all our Wants to look up to Heaven for a Supply to wait upon God for his Blessing and not to sit down to our Food as a Beast to his Forage 2. He brake the Loaves He could have multiplied them whole why would he rather do it in the breaking Perhaps to teach us that we are to expect his Blessing in the Distribution rather than in the Reservation of what he gives us Scattering is the way to Increasing Not Grain hoarded up in the Granary but scattered in the Furrows of the Field yields increase Liberality is the way to Riches and Penuriousness the Road to Poverty 3. Christ gave the Bread thus broken to his Disciple that they might distribute it to the Multitude But why did not our Lord distribute it with his own Hand but by the Hands of his Disciples Doubtless to win respect to his Disciples from the People The same course doth our Lord take in spiritual distributions He that could feed the World by his immediate Hâ—nd chooses rather by the Hands of his Ministers to the divide the Bread of Life to
unto this last even as unto thee 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own is thine eye evil because I am good 16 So the last shall be first and the first last for many be called but few chosen Here observe 1. That the time of God's full rewarding of his Labourers is the Evening of their Days that is when their Work is done When the Evening was come the Lord of the Vineyard called his Labourers and gave them their Hire not but that they have part of their Reward in Hand but it is chiefly laid up in Hope Obs 2. That tho' God makes no difference in his Servants Wages for the time of their Work yet he will make a difference for the degrees of their Service Undoubtedly they that have done most Work shall receive most Wages He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully God will reward every Man according to his Works that is not only according to the Nature and Quality but the Measure and Degree of his Works All shall have Equity but all shall not have equal Bounty Obs 3. That all Inequality in the Distribution of Rewards doth not make God an unjust Accepter of Persons he may dispence both Grace and Glory in what Measure and Degree he pleases without the least Shadow of Unrighteousness Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own Obs 4. That when we have done much Service for God by labouring longer than others in his Vineyard it is our Duty to have a low Esteem both of our Services and our selves for the first shall be last and the last first That is they that are first and highest in their own Esteem shall be last and least in God's Account 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way and said unto them 18 Behold we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes and they shall condemn him to death 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucifie him and the third day he shall rise again This is now the third time that Christ had acquainted his Disciples very lately with his approaching Sufferings and bloody Passion He did it twice before Chap. 16 and Chap. 17. yet now he mentions it again that they might not be dismayed and their Faith might not be shaken to see him dye who called himself the true Messias and the Son of God The first time he told his Disciples of his Death in general the second time he declares the means by Treason now he tells them the manner by crucifying that he should be Scourged Mocked Spit upon and Crucified All this he did to prevent his Disciples Dejection at his Sufferings Learn thence That it is highly necessary that the Doctrine of the Cross be often preach'd to us that so being armed with Expectation of Sufferings before they come we may be the less dismayed and disheartned when they come Our Lord 's frequent forewarning his Disciples of his Death and Sufferings was to forearm them with Expectation of his Sufferings and with Preparation for their own 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons worshipping him and desiring a certain thing of him 21 And he said unto her What wilt thou she saith unto him Grant that these my two sons may sit the one on thy right hand and the other on the left in thy kingdom Observe here 1. The Persons making this Request to Christ Zebedee's Children that is James and John by the Mouth of their Mother They spake by her Lips and made use of her Tongue to usher in a Request which they were asham'd to make themselves Obs 2. The Request it self Grant that these Two may sit the one on thy Right the other on thy Left Hand Where Note How these Disciples did still dream of Christ's Temporal Kingdom altho' he had so often told them that his Kingdom was not of this World and ambitiously seek to have the Preference and Preheminence in that Kingdom See here how these poor Fishermen had already learnt craftily to fish for Preferment Who can wonder to see some Sparks of Ambition and Worldly Desires in the holiest Ministers of Christ when the Apostles themselves were not free from aspiring Thoughts even when they lay in the Bosom of their Saviour Ambition has all along infected Churchmen and troubled the Church even from the very first Original and Foundation of it Obs 3. Both the Unseasonableness and Unreasonableness of this Request made by the Disciples Christ speaks of his Sufferings to them and they sue for Dignity and great Places from him in optimis non nihil est pessimi The holiest the wisest and best of Men in this their imperfect State are not wholly free from passionate Infirmities Who would have expected that when our Saviour had been preaching the Doctrine of the Cross to his Disciples telling them that he must be Mocked Scourged Spit upon and Crucified for them that they should be seeking and suing to him for Secular Dignity and Honour Preheminence and Power But we plainly see the best of Men are but Men at the best none are in a State of Perfection on this side Heaven 22 But Jesus answered and said Ye know not what ye ask Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with they say unto him We are able Our Saviour in his Answer tells these Disciples 1. That they were greatly ignorant of the Nature and Quality of his Kingdom which was not Secular but Heavenly but the Carnal Notion of a Glorious Earthly Kingdom upon Earth in which they should be delivered from the Roman Power was so deeply imprinted in their Minds that they frequently declared their Expectation of it notwithstanding all the Assurances which Christ had given them of the contrary Obs 2. The Course which our Saviour takes to cool the Ambition of his Disciples he tells them they must expect here not Crowns on their Heads but a Cross on their Backs they must first taste of his Sufferings before they talk of his Glory and patiently suffer for him before they expect to reign with him plainly intimating that the Cross is the way to the Crown Suffering the way to Reigning and that those that suffer most for Christ shall partake of highest Dignity and Glory from him Obs 3. The presumptuous Confidence which the Disciples had of their own Strength and Ability for Sufferings Are ye able says Christ to drink of my Cup They reply We are able Alas poor Disciples when it came to the Tryal they all cowardly forsook him and fled A bold Presumption makes us vaunt of our own Ability holy Jealousie makes us distrustful of our own Strength Those that are least acquainted with the Cross are usually the most confident Undertakers
Messias a King of the Jews should come riding upon an Ass But this Ass was a Colt the Foal of an Ass on which never Man had rode before says St. Mark Ch. 11. 12. signifying thereby that the most unruly and untamed Creatures become obedient and obsequious to him and upon a borrowed Ass the use of which he demands thereby manifesting his Soveraign Right to all the Creatures and accordingly he bids his Disciples tell the Owner of the Ass that the Lord had need of him not our Lord but the Lord that is he that is the Lord of all whose are the Cattel upon a Thousand Hills he that is Lord of all the Beasts and the Owners too Observe farther That notwithstanding Christ's supream Right to the Ass and the Colt he will have neither of them taken without the Owner's Knowledge or against his Will but the Disciples must acquaint him with it and by a double Argument move him to it 1. Christ's Right of Dominion and Soveraignty over them he is the Lord that sends for them 2. His present Occasion for them the Lord has need of them Obs lastly What a clear and full Demonstration Christ here gave of his Divine Nature by his Omnisciency in foreseeing and foretelling the Event by his Omnipotency in inclining the Heart and over-ruling the Will of the Owner to let the Colt go and by an Act of Soveraignty as he was Lord of the Creatures to command and call for their Service when he needed them 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion Behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass Here the Reason is assigned why Christ rode upon the Ass into Jerusalem it was to fulfil an ancient Prophecy that the Messias or King of the Jews should come riding upon that Beast into Jerusalem There was not any Prophecy of Christ more plainly fulfilled than this The Prophecy alluded to is Zach. 9.9 Rejoice greatly oh Daughter of Zion shout oh Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Foal of an Ass Where Note the Character given of the Messias he is the Supream King and Governour of his Church thy King cometh The Errand that he comes upon Bringing Salvation and the Entertainment which his Church was to give him Namely To receive him with Triumphs of Joy and Universal Acclamations Rejoice oh Daughter of Zion and shout oh Jerusalem for Joy 6 And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them 7 And brought the ass and the colt and put on them their cloaths and they set him thereon 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way others cut down branches from the trees and strawed them in the way 9 And the multitudes that went before and that followed cried saying Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest Observe here 1. The Obedience of the Disciples and the Motions of the Multitude the Disciples never dispute their Lord's Commands nor raise Objections nor are afraid of Dangers but speedily execute their Lord's Pleasure and find every thing according to their Lord's Prediction When our Call is clear our Obedience must be speedy What God commands we are not to dispute but to obey The Disciples did as Jesus commanded them Obs 2. The Actions of the Multitude in acknowledging Christ to be their King They cast their Garments on the Ground for him to ride upon according to the Custom of Princes when they ride in State and they do not only disrobe their Backs but expend their Breath in joyful Acclamations and loud Hosanna's wishing all manner of Prosperity to this meek but mighty King In this princely yet poor and despicable Pomp doth our Saviour enter into the famous City of Jerusalem Oh how far was our Holy Lord from affecting Worldly Greatness and Grandeur He despised that Glory which Worldly Hearts fondly admire yet because he was a King he would be proclaimed such and have his Kingdom confest applauded and blest But that it might appear his Kingdom was not of this World he abandons all Worldly Magnificence Oh glorious yet homely Pomp Oh meek but mighty Prince 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved saying Who is this 11 And the multitude said This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee This is not the first or only time that Jerusalem was moved and troubled at the Appearance of Christ at his Birth Matth. 2. we read all Jerusalem was troubled together with Herod and now he that rides into Jerusalem tho' in so mean a Port yet there is a new Commotion Jerusalem instead of being thankful for his Company is troubled at his Presence Thence Learn That such Persons and Places aâ— have the greatest Helps and Priviledges afforded to them are not always the most answerable in their Returns of Thankfulness 'T is not Christ's Presence with us but his Welcome to us that makes us happy Christ is daily taught in our Synagogues and preached in our Streets yet alas Multitudes are ignorant of him and say with the Men of Jerusalem when Christ was before their Eyes Who is this 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of them that sold doves 13 And said unto them It is written my house shall be called the house of Prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves Our Blessed Saviour having entered Jerusalem Observe his first Walk was not to the Palace but to the Temple and his Work there was to purge and reform All Reformation of Manners must begin first at the House of God Our Lords Business was to reform the Temple not to ruin it Places dedicated to publick Worship if prophaned and polluted ought to be purged from their Abuses not pull'd down and destroy'd because they have been abused But what was the Prophanation of the Temple which so offended our Saviour Answ Within the third or outward Court of the Temple there was a publick Mart or Market held where were sold Oxen Sheep and Doves and such things as were needful for Sacrifice many of the Jews coming an Hundred Miles to the Temple it was burthensome to bring their Sacrifices so far with them Wherefore order was taken by the Priests that Sheep and Oxen Meal and Oil and all other Requisites for Sacrifice should be had for Money close by the Altar to the great ease of the Offerer Nothing could be more plausible than this Plea But the fairest Pretences cannot bear out a Sin with God therefore our Blessed Saviour in Indignation at so foul an Abuse whips out these Chapmen casts down their Tables
us to bear Reproach and direct us to give Reproof he that is silent cannot be innocent Reprove we must or we cannot be faithful but prudently or we cannot be successful 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My lord delayeth his coming 49 And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with the drunken 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not aware of 51 And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocries there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Our Lord in these Verses describes an unfaithful and negligent Steward and denounces the dreadful Sentence of Wrath hanging over him he is described 1. By the Character of Infidelity he believeth not Christ's coming to Judgment tho' he preaches it to others he saith in his Heart My Lord delayeth his coming 2. He is described by his Hatred Envy and Malignity against his Fellow-servants that were more painful and faithful than himself He begins to smite at least with the Virulence of his Tongue if not with the Violence of his Hand 3. By his associating with the wicked and strengthening their Hands by his ill Example He eateth and drinketh with the Drunken That is as their Associate and Fellow-Companion Thus the unfaithful Servant is described next his Judgment and Sentence is declared Obs 2. The tremendous Judgment that shall come upon unfaithful Stewards 1. Christ will surprize them in their Sin and Security by coming in an Hour when they look'd not for him 2. He will execute Temporal Vengeance upon them He will cut them asunder or hew them in pieces as the Jews did their Sacrifices That is separate his Soul from his Body by untimely Death Hence some Observe That God seldom suffers slothful sensual wicked and debauch'd Ministers to live out half their Days 3. Christ will punish them with Eternal Destruction also Appointing them their Portion with Hypocrites That is with the worst of Sinners they shall have a double Damnation As the Hypocrite has a double Heart a double Tongue and is a double Sinner so shall he undergo a double Damnation Learn hence That such Ministers as neglect the Service of God and the Souls of their People as they are ranked amongst the worst sort of Sinners in this Life so shall they be punished with them in the severest manner in the next When Satan destroys the Souls of Men he shall answer for it as a Murtherer only not as an Officer that was intrusted with the Care of Souls But if the Steward doth not provide if the Shepherd doth not feed if the Watchman doth not warn they shall answer not only for the Souls that have miscarried but for an Office neglected for a Talent hidden and for a Stewardship unfaithfully administred Wo unto us if at the great Day we hear distressed Souls roaring out their Complaints and howling forth that doleful Accusation against us Lord Our Stewards have defrauded us our Watchmen have betrayed us our Guides have misled us CHAP. XXV Our blessed Saviour in the Close of the foregoing Chapter had exhorted all Christians to the great Duty of Watchfulness and to be in a Posture of Readiness against his coming Which Duty he is pleased to inculcate again in this Chapter and accordingly he urges the Necessity of it from two eminent Parables the former Of the Ten Virgins v. 1. and the latter Of a Man travelling into a far Country v. 14. 1 THen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom 2 And five of them were wise and five were foolish By the Kingdom of Heaven here is meant the State of the visible Church here on Earth it cannot be understood of the Kingdom of Glory for there are no foolish Virgins in that Kingdom nor yet of the invisible Kingdom of Grace for therein are no foolish Virgins neither But in the visible Church here on Earth there ever has been a Mixture of wise and unwise of Saints and Hypocrites Five of these Virgins were wise and five were foolish Where Observe our Lord 's great Charity in supposing and hoping that amongst the Professors of the Gospel the number of sincere Christians is equal with Hypocritical Professors Five were wise and Five foolish Teaching us that we should not confine the Church of Christ within a narrow Compass nor confine our Charity to a few and think none shall go to Heaven but those of our own Party and Perswasion but to extend our Charity to all Christians that hold the Foundation with us and to hope well of them Lord let me rather err on the charitable Hand than be found on the censorious and damning side this is to imitate my Saviour whose Charity supposed as many wise as foolish Virgins as many Saints as Hypocrites in the Church All these Virgins are said to take their Lamps and go forth to meet the Bridegroom For understanding which we must know that our Saviour alludes to the ancient Custom of Marriages which were celebrated in the Night when usually Ten young Men attended the Bridegroom and as many Virgins attended the Bride with Lamps in their Hands the Bridegroom leading home his Bride by the Light of those Lamps By these Virgins are shadowed forth the Professors of Christianity The foolish Virgins are such as satisfie themselves with a bare Profession without bringing forth Fruits answerable thereunto The wise Virgins are such as walk'd answerable to their Profession persevered and continued stedfast therein and abounded in the Graces and Virtues of a good Life They are called Virgins for the Purity of their Faith for the Purity of their Worship and for the Purity of their Conversations 3 They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps By the Lamps are meant an outward Profession of Faith and Holiness By Oil in their Lamps is to be understood that solemn Profession of Repentance and Faith which all Christians make in Baptism By Oil in the Vessels is meant the Sanctifying and Saving Graces of the Holy Spirit the Growth and Improvement of them with Constancy and Perseverance in them Observe here wherein the wise and foolish Virgins agreed and wherein they differed They agreed thus far that both took their Lamps both lighted them they both had Oil in their Lamps the difference was not that the wise had Oil and the foolish had none but in this that the wise took care for a future Supply of Oil to feed their Lamp When the first Oil was spent some Professors like foolish Virgins content themselves with a blazing Lamp of an outward Profession without concerning themselves to secure an inward Principle of Grace and Love which should maintain that Profession as the Oil maintains the Lamp As the Lamp will
as well as Sins of Commission Consider it 2. In its specifical Nature 't is a Sin of Unmercifulness or Want of Love to Christ and his Members Learn thence That one reigning Sin one prevailing Corruption is enough to damn a Person because it deprives a Man of the Grace of the Gospel and excludes him from all the Benefit of the Promises Note Lastly If such as do not give to Christ in his Members shall be miserable at the great Day what will the Condition of them be that take from them who strip and starve them who persecute and hate them Who imprison or banish them If the Uncharitable shall scarcely be saved yea shall certainly be damned where shall the Unmerciful and Cruel appear 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Observe here 1. That tho' the Righteous are first judged yet the Sentence is first executed on the Wicked These shall go into everlasting Punishment Obs 2. That Men's States and Conditions in another World will be different as their Ways and Doings have been in this World 3. That everlasting Life shall be the Portion of the Godly and everlasting Punishment the Portion of the Wicked God grant that the Horrors of eternal Darkness and the dismal Thoughts of a miserable Eternity may effectually discourage every one of us from a wicked and impenitent Course of Life for who can dwell with the devouring Fire Who can dwell with everlasting Burnings CHAP. XXVI 1 AND it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings he said unto his disciples 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passeover and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified 3 Then assembled together the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people unto the palace of the high priest who was called Caiaphas 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty and kill him 5 But they said Not on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people Several things are here Observeable as 1. The Persons conspiring against our blessed Redeemer's Life namely the chief Priests Scribes and Elders that is the whole Sanhedrim or general Council These lay their malicious Heads together to contrive the Destruction of the innocent Jesus Learn thence That general Councils have erred and may err Here was a general Council consisting of Priests Doctors and Elders with the High Priest their President yet erring in a Point of Doctrine concerning the Messiah not believing Jesus to be the Son of God notwithstanding all the convincing Miracles which he had wrought before them Obs 2. The manner of this Conspiracy against our Saviour's Life it was clandestine secret and subtil they consulted how they might take him by Subtilty and kill him Learn thence That Satan makes use of the Subtilty of crafty Men and abuseth their Parts as well as their Power for his own Purposes Satan never sends a Fool of his Errand Obs 3. The Time when this Conspiracy was managed at the Time of the Passover Indeed at first the chief Priests did not incline to that time fearing a Tumult and Vproar among the People but Judas presenting them with a fair Opportunity to apprehend him they changed their Purpose and accordingly at the Feast of the Passover our Saviour suffered This was not without a Mystery that Christ the true Lamb of God whom the Paschal Lamb typified and represented should be offered up at the Feast of the Passover Signifying thereby that he was the true Paschal Lamb and that the Legal Shadow ought to cease in the Exhibition of him Learn hence That not only the Death of Christ in general but all the Circumstances relating to it were fore-ordained by God himself as the Place where at Jerusalem the Time when at the Feast of the Passover that Time did God devise best for this Lamb to be a Sacrifice 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on his head as he sat at meat This Woman St. John says was Mary the Sister of Lazarus who to shew her Love to Christ and put Honour upon him took a precious Box of Ointment and poured it upon our Saviour's Head according to the Custom of the Eastern Countries who used so to do at their Feasts and Banquets to which David alludes Psal 23.5 Learn hence 1. That where true Love to Christ prevails in the Heart nothing is adjudged too dear for Christ This Box of Ointment murmuring Judas valued at 300 Pence which reckoning the Roman Penny at Seven Pence Halfpenny makes of our Money Nine Pounds Seven Shillings and Six Pence Love we see spares for no Cost but where the Esteem of Christ is high the Affection will be strong Note 2. That where strong Love prevails towards Jesus Christ it suffers not it self to be outshined by any Examples The weakest Woman that strongly loves Jesus Christ will piously strive with the greatest Apostle to express the Fervour of her Love unto him I do not find any of the Apostles at thus much Cost to put Honour upon Christ that this poor Woman was at Love knows no Bounds no Measures 8 But when his disciples saw it they had indignation saying To what purpose is this waste 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor That is when Judas and some other Disciples whom he had influenced saw this Action they murmured particularly Judas blamed this holy Woman for needless Prodigality and did tacitly reflect upon Christ himself for suffering that wasteful Expence Oh how doth a covetous Heart think every thing too good for Christ He that sees a pious Action well done and seeks to undervalue it shews himself possess'd with a Spirit of Envy Judas his invidious Spirit makes him censure an Action which Christ highly approved Learn thence That Men who know not our Hearts may thro' Ignorance or Prejudice censure and condemn those Actions which God doth commend and will graciously reward Happy for this poor Woman that she had a more righteous Judge to pass Sentence upon her Action than wicked Judas 10 When Jesus understood it he said unto them Why trouble ye the woman for she hath wrought a good work upon me 11 For ye have the poor always with you but me ye have not always 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body she did it for my burial Observe here How readily our Lord vindicates this good Woman She says nothing for her self nor need she having such an Advocate 1. Christ rebukes Judas why trouble ye the Woman Plainly intimating that it is no small Trouble to a Gracious Spirit to find their good Works misinterpreted and misrepresented next he defends the Action calling it a good Work because done out of a Principle of Love to Christ she hath
and Man was ratified and confirmed Whence we Learn That every Communicant has an undoubted Right to the Cup as to the Bread in the Lord's Supper Drink ye all of it says Christ therefore to deny the Cup to the Laity is contrary to the Institution of Christ After the Celebration was over our Saviour and his Disciples sang an Hymn as the Jews were wont to do at the Passover the Six Eucharistical Psalms from 113th to the 119th Psalm Learn hence How fit it is that God be glorified in his Church by singing of Psalms and in particular when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is celebrated When they had sung an Hymn they went unto the Mount of Olives 31 Then saith Jesus unto them All ye shall be offended because of me this night for it is written I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad Here our Saviour acquaints his Disciples that by reason of his approaching Sufferings they should all of them be so exceedingly offended with him that they would certainly forsake and leave him which accordingly came to pass Learn thence That Christ's dearest Freinds forsook him and left him alone in the midst of his greatest Distress and Danger Obs 2. What was the Cause of this their Flight it was the Prevalency of their Fear Thence Note How sad it is for the holiest and best of Men to be left under the Power of their own Fears in a Day of Temptation 32 But after I am risen again I will go before you into Galilee Observe here The wonderful Lenity of Christ towards his timerous and fearful Disciples notwithstanding their cowardly Flight from him he tells them he would not forsake them but love them still and as an Evidence of it would meet them in Galilee I will go before you into Galilee there shall you see me And when they did see him he never upbraided them with their Timerousness but was Friends with them notwithstanding their late Cowardice Christ's Love to his Disciples is like himself unchangeable and everlasting Having loved his own he loved them unto the end 33 Peter answered and said unto him Though all men shall be offended because of thee yet will I never be offended 34 Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee That this night before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice 35 Peter said unto him Though I should die with thee yet will I not deny thee Likewise also said all the disciples See here what strong Purposes and settled Resolutions both Peter and all the Apostles had to keep close to Christ but how did their Self-confidence fail them Learn thence That Self-confidence is a Sin too too incident to the holiest and best of Men. Tho' all Men forsake thee yet will not I. Good Man he resolved honestly but too too much in his own Strength Little little did he think what a Feather he should be in the Wind of Temptation if once God left him to the Power and Prevalency of his own Fears Observe farther That the Rest of the Apostles had the like Confident Opinion of their own Strength with St. Peter Likewise also said they all Note thence That the holiest of Men know not their own Strength till it comes to the Trial. Little did these good Men imagine what a cowardly Spirit they had in them till Temptation put it to the Proof 36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane and saith unto the disciples Sit ye here while I go and pray yonder 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy 38 Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me 39 And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 40 And he cometh unto the disciples and findeth them asleep and saith unto Peter What could ye not watch with me one hour 41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak 42 He went away again the second time and prayed saying O my Father if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it thy will be done 43 And he came and found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy 44 And he left them and went away again and prayed the third time saying the same words Our Blessed Saviour being now come with his Disciples into the Garden he falls there into a bitter and bloody Agony in which he prayed with wonderful Fervency and Importunity to his Heavenly Father His Sufferings were now coming on a great pace and he meets them upon his Knees and would be found in a praying Posture Learn thence That Prayer is the best Preparative for as well as the most powerful Support under the heaviest Sufferings that can befal us As to this Prayer of our Saviour's in the Garden many things are very Observable As 1. The Place where he prayed In the Garden but why went Christ thither Was it to hide or shelter himself from his Enemies Nothing less for if so it had been the most improper Place because he was wont to retire thither to pray John 18.2 Judas knew the Place for Jesus oft-times resorted thither so that Christ went thither not to shun but to prepare himself by Prayer to meet his Enemies Obs 2. The time when he enter'd the Garden for Prayer it was in the Evening here he spent some Hours in pouring out his Soul to God for about Midnight Judas and the Soldiers came and apprehended him in a praying Posture Teaching us by his Example that when eminent Dangers are before us especially when Death is apprehended by us to be very much in Prayer to God and very fervent in our Wrestlings with him Obs 3. The Matter of our Lord's Prayer that if possible the Cup might pass from him That is those bitter Sufferings which were then before him particularly the insupportable Burthen of his Father 's Wrath. He prays if possible that his Father would excuse him from this dreadful Wrath his Soul being amaz'd at it But what Did Christ then begin to repent of his Undertaking for Sinners Did he shrink and give back when it came to the Pinch No no as Christ had Two Natures being God and Man so he had Two distinct Wills as Man he feared and shunned Death as God-man he willingly submitted to it the Divine Spirit and the Humane Nature of Christ did now assault each other with disagreeing Interests till at last Victory was got on the Spirit 's side Again This Prayer was not absolute but conditional If it be possible Father it may be if thou art willing if it please thee let it pass if not I will drink it Learn hence 1. That the Cup of Sufferings
Christ or the self-quickning Principle by which Christ raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself active after his Passion Learn That it was the Divine Nature or Godhead of Christ which raised his Humane Nature from Death to Life Others were raised from the Grave by Christ's Power he raised himself by his own Power Observe 3. The Testimony or Witness given to our Lord's Resurrection that of an Angel The Angel said he is not here but risen But why is an Angel the first Publisher of our Lord's Resurrection Surely the Dignity of our Lord's Person and the Excellency of his Resurrection required that it should be first published by an Angel and accordingly it is worthy our Observation how very serviceable and officious the holy Angels were in attending upon our Saviour in the Days of his Flesh an Angel foretells his Conception to the Blessed Virgin an Angel proclaims his Birth to the Shepherds an Angel succours him in his Temptations in the Wilderness an Angel comforts him in his Agony in the Garden and at his Resurrection the Angel rolls away the Stone from the Sepulchre and brings the first Tydings of it to the Women In his Ascension the Angels bore him Company to Heaven and when he comes again to Judgment he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels Observe 4. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first made known to Women to the Two Maries But why to the Women God will make Choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the Weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent In the whole Dispensation of the Gospel Almighty God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the Conception of Christ was by the Power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenter's Spouse So the Crucifixion of Christ was in much Meanness and outward Baseness being crucified between Two Thieves But the Powers of Heaven and Earth trembling the Rocks rending and the Graves opening shew'd a mixture of Divine Power God will honour what Instruments he pleases for the Accomplishment of his own Purposes But why to these Women the Two Maries is this Discovery of Christ's Resurrection first made Possibly it was a Reward for their Magnanimity and Masculine Courage These Women clave to Christ when the Apostles fled from him and forsook him they assisted at his Cross they attended at his Funeral they watched his Sepulchre These Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes the Women Apostles to the Apostles he sends them to tell the Apostles of the Resurrection and they must have the News at the second Hand Oh what a tacit Rebuke was hereby given to the Apostles A secret Check that they should be thus outdone by poor Women These holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Observe 5. The Evidence which the Angel offers to the Women to evince and prove the Verity and Certainty of our Saviour's Resurrection namely by an Appeal to their Senses Come see the Place where the Lord lay The Senses when rightly disposed are the proper Judges of all sensible Objects therefore Christ himself did appeal to his Disciples Senses concerning the Truth of his own Resurrection Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self and indeed if we must not believe our Senses we shall want the best External Evidence for the Proof of the Truth of the Christian Religion namely the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles For what Assurance can we have of the Reality of those Miracles but from our Senses Therefore says our Saviour If ye believe not me yet believe the Works that I do That is the Miracles which I have wrought before your Eyes Now as my Senses tell me that Christ's Miracles were true so they assure me that the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is false From the whole Note That the Lord Jesus Christ by the Omnipotent Power of his Godhead revived and rose again from the Dead to the Terror and Consternation of his Enemies and the unspeakable Joy and Consolation of Believers 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy and did run to bring his disciples word 9 And as they went to tell his disciples behold Jesus met them saying All hail And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him 10 Then said Jesus unto them Be not afraid go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me Observe here 1. What Haste and Speed these holy Women make to carry the News of Christ's Resurrection to the Apostles such as find and feel their Hearts grieved for the Absence and Want of Christ will be very ready to comfort such as are in the same Condition Oh how glad are these holy Women to carry the good News of their Lord's Resurrection to the Heart-broken Disciples Observe 2. How these holy Women hasting in Obedience to the Angel's Command to tell the Disciples do meet with Christ in the way Such as obey the Directions of God's Ministers seeking Christ in his own Way and Means shall find him to their Comfort sooner than they expected These holy Women find Christ before they look'd for him as they went to tell his Disciples Jesus met them Observe 3. The affectionate and loving Title which Christ puts upon his Disciples Tell my Brethren He might have said Go tell those Apostate Apostles that cowardly left me in my Danger that durst not own me in the High Priest's Hall that durst not come within the Shadow of my Cross nor within the Sight of my Sepulchre Not a word of this by way of upbraiding them for their late shameful Cowardice but all Words of Kindness Go tell my Brethren Where Note That Christ calls his Disciples Brethren after his Resurrection and Exaltation as he had done before in his State of Humiliation to shew the Continuance of his former Affection to them and that the Change of his Condition had wrought no Change in his Affection towards his despised Members But those that were his Brethren before in the time of his Abasement are so still after his Exaltation and Advancement Observe Lastly The Place where Christ chuses to meet with and speak to his Disciples not in Jerusalem but in Galilee I go before them into Galilee there shall they see me Jerusalem was now a forsaken Place a People abandoned to Destruction Christ would not shew himself openly to them but Galilee was a Place where Christ's Ministry was more acceptable Such Places wherein Christ is most welcome to preach shall be most honoured with his Presence In Galilee shall they see me 11 Now when they were going behold some of the watch came into the city and shewed unto the chief Priests all the things that were done 12 And when they were assembled
From whence Note That all such as content themselves with a fruitless profession of Religion are in great danger of having God's blasting added to their Earrenness 15 And they came to Jerusalem and Jesus went into the Temple and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the Temple and overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of them that sold Doves 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any Vessel thro' the Temple 17 And he taught saying unto them Is it not written My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves 18 And the Scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy him for they feared him because all the people was astonished at his Doctrine 19 And when even was come he went out of the city No sooner had our blessed Saviour entred Jerusalem but his first walk was to the Temple and his first work there was to purge and reform All Reformation of manners must begin at the house of God Yet observe our Lord's Business at the Temple was not to ruin but reform it only Places dedicated to publick worship if prophaned and polluted ought to be purged from their abuses not pull'd down and destroyed because they have been abused But what was the prophanation of the Temple which so offended our Saviour's I answer in the outward Court of the Temple there was a publick mart or market kept where were sold Oxen sheep and Doves for Sacrifice Many of the Jews coming an hundred miles to the Temple it was burthensome to bring their Sacrifices so far with them Wherefore the Priests ordered that sheep and oxen meal and Oyl and such other Requisites for Sacrifice should be had for money close by the Altar to the great ease of the offerer nothing coulâ— be more plausible then this plea. But the fairest pretences cannot bear out a sin with God Therefore our blessed Saviour in a just indignation whips out these Chap-men casts down their tables and vindicates the honour and reputation of his Fathers house Learn hence that there is a Reverence due to God's house for the owners sake and for the service sake Nothing but holiness can become the place where God is worshipped in the beauty of holiness Observe lastly the Reason which our Saviour gives for this Act of his is it not written says he my house shall be called the house of Prayer Where by Prayer is to be understood the whole worship and service of God of which Prayer is an eminent and principal part that which gives Denomination to an house is certainly the chief work to be done in that house Now God's house being called an house of prayer certainly implies that Prayer is the chief and principal work to be performed in his house Yet take we heed that we set not the ordinance of God at variance we must not idolize one ordinance and vilify another but reverence them all 20 And in the morning as they passed by they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots 21 And Peter called to remembrance saith unto him Master behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them have faith in God 23 For verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this mountain Be thou removed and be thou cast into the Sea and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass he shall have whatsoever he saith 24 Therefore I say unto you What things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them The blasting and sudden withering of the fig-tree at the word of Christ plainly shewed his divine Power and by this miraculous operation our Saviour designed to shew his Disciples the mighty power of Faith That is a full perswasion of the power of God that he is able and of the goodness of God that he is willing to grant whatever we ask according to his will that has a tendency to his glory and our Good Learn hence that Faith is a necessary and principal ingredient in prayer praying without Faith is like to a man's shooting without bullet it makes a noise but doth no execution 2dly That whatsoever good thing God has made the matter of his promise shall be given to good men in a way of performance provided they pray in saith whatsoever ye desire believe that ye Receive them and ye shall have them 25 And when ye stand praying forgive if ye have ought against any that your Father also which is in heaven may â—orgive you your trespasses 26 But if you do not forgive nâ—ither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses There are two qualifications requisite in prayer if we expect to find Acceptance with God namely Faith and Love to the first Christ had spâ—ken in the former verse to the latter in this when ye stand praying forgive They who are suâ—ing for and expecting forgiveness from God must exercise forâ—iveness towards others or else their Prayers are a sort of imprecations upon themselves 2. Observe Christ speaks indefinitely when ye pray forgive he doth not say your Brethren but Men Mat. 6.14 If ye fâ—â—â—ive Men their Trespasses that is all Men good and bad Friends and Enemies if we forgive one another freely Our heavenly Father will forgive us fully Our forgiving one another is the indispensable Condition of God's forgiving us and of hearing the Prayers which are put up by us 27 And they come again to Jerusalem and as he was walking in the Temple there come to him the chief Priests and the Scribes and the Elders 28 And say unto him by what Authority dost Thou these things and who gave Thee this Authority to do these things 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them I will also ask of you one Question and answer me and I will tell you by what Authority I do these things 30 The Baptism of John was it from Heaven or of Men Answer me 31 And they reasoned with themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say why then did ye not believe him 32 But if we shall say oâ— Men they feared the People for all men counted John that he was a Prophet indeed 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus we cannot tell and Jesus answering saith unto them neither do I tell you by what Authority I do these things The Pharisees having often questioned our Saviour's Doctrine before they call in question his Mission and Authority now although they might easily have understood his Divine Mission by his daily Miracles for Almighty God never impowered any to work Miracles that were not sent by him Our Blessed Saviour understanding their design answers them one Question by asking them another Says Christ the Baptism of John was it from Heaven or of Men Was it oâ— Divine Institution
incorruptible life that the Angels live Note 4. That all those who are in Covenant with God whose God the Lord is their Souls do immediately pass into Glory and their Bodies at the Resurrectson shall be sharers in the same happiness with their Souls if God be just the Soul must live and the body must rise for good men must be Rewarded and wicked men Punished somewhere either in this life or in another God will most certainly at one time or other plentifully Reward the Righteous and punish the wicked doers But this being not always done in this life the justice of God requires that it be done in the next 28 And one of the Scribes came and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well asked him which is the first Commandment of all 29 And Jesus answered him the first of all the Commandments is this Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first Commandment 31 And the sâ—cond is like namely this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self there is none other Commandment greater then these 32 And the Scribes said unto him well Master thou hast said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but he 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength and to love his Neighbour as himself is more then all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly he said unto him Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God And no man after that durst ask him any question Observe here 1. A Question propounded to our Blessed Saviour and his answer thereunto the Question propounded is this Which is the first and great Commandment Our Saviours tells them it is to love God with all their heart and soul with all their mind and strength that is with all the powers faculties and abilities of the Soul with the highest measures and most intent degrees of Love this is the sum of the Duties of the first Table this is the first and great Commandment and the second is like unto it he doth not say equal with it Although the duties of the second Table are of the same Authority and of the same necessity with the first as no man can be saved without the Love of God so neither without the love of his Neighbour Whence Note 1. That the fervency of all our Affections and particularly the supremacy of our Love is required by God as his right and due Love must pass thorough and possess all the powers and faculties of our Souls the mind must meditate 〈◊〉 God the Will must chose and embrace him and the Affections must delight in him the measure of loving God is to love him without measure God reckons that we love him not all if we love him not above all Note 2. That thus to love God is the first great Commandment Great in regard of its Object which is God the first cause and the chief good Great in regard of the Obligation of it To love God iâ— so indispensable a Duty that God himself cannot free us from the obligation of it for so long as he is God and we his Creatures we shall lye under a natural and necessary oblâ—â—â—ation to love and serve him Great also is this Command and Duty in regard of the Duration and Câ—ntinuance of it when Faith shall be swallowed up in visâ—on and hope in â—â—â—ition Love will then be perfected in a full Enjoyment Note 3. That every man may yea ought to love himsâ—lf not his sinful self but his natural self especially his spiritual sâ—â—â— the new nature in him Thus it ought to be his particular care to strengthen and encrease indeed there is no express command in Scripture for a Man to love himself because the Light of Nature directs and the Law of Nature binds â—very man so to do God has put a principle of self-love and of self-preservation into all his Creatures but espâ—câ—ally into Man Note 4. That aâ— every man ouâ—ht to love himself so is it every Man's duty to love his Neighbour as himself not as he doth love himself but as he ought to love himself yet not in the same deâ—ree that he loves himself but after the same manner and with the same kind of love that he loves himself As we love our selves freely and readily sincerely and unfeignedly tenderly and compassionately constantly and continually so should we love our Neighbour also though we love him not as much as we love our selves yet must we love him as truly as we love our sâ—lves Nâ—te lastly That the Duties of the first and second Table â—re iâ— seperable namely love to God and love to our Neighbour these two must not be separated he that loveth not his Neighbour whom he hath seen never loved God whom he hath not seen A conscientious regard to the Duties of both Tables will be an Argument of our Sincerity and an Ornament to our Profession Observe lastly The favourable censure which our Saviour passes upon this Scribe he 〈…〉 he was not far from the Kingdâ—m of God Nâ—te here 1. Some persons may be said to be far and farther then others thâ—m the Kingdom of Heaven some are farther in reâ—ard of the means they want the Ordinances the Dispensation of the Word and Sacraments others are far from the Kingdom of God in regard of qualifications and dispâ—sitions of the former sort are all Heathens without the pale of the Church they are afar off as the Apostle expresses it Eph. 2.13 of the latter sort are all gross and close Hypocrites within the Church who whilst they continue such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Note 2. As some Persons may be sâ—â—d to be far from the Kingdom of God so are there otherâ— which may be said not to be far such who have escaped the pâ—llutions of the World abstained from open and scandalous Sins are less wicked then multitudes are but are strangers to an inward thorough and prevailing change in the frame of their Hearts and course of their Lives they have often said I would be but they never said I will be the Lords When the work of Regeneration is brought to the Birth after all it proves an abortion Lord what a disappointment will this be to perish within sight of the promisâ—d Land to bâ— near Heaven in our expectation and yet never the nearer in the Issue and Event Wo unto us if this be the Câ—â—â—â—â—â—n of any of us who have all our days sat under the D 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on of thy Gospel 35 And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the Temple how sâ—y the Scribes that Christ is the Son of David 36 For David himself
even at the door 30 Verily I say unto you that this Generation shall not pass till all these things be done 31 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away 32 But of that day and hour knoweth no Man no not the Angels that are in Heaven neither the Son but the Father Here our Blessed Saviour declares two things with Reference to his Coming 1. The Certainty of the thing it self 2. The Uncertainty of the Time The Certainty of his Coming he sets forth by the Similitude of the Fig-Tree whose Beginning to Bud declares the Summer at hand Thus our Saviour tells them that when they should see the fore-mentioned Signs they might Conclude the Destruction of their City and Temple to be nigh at hand and accordingly some then Living did see â—hese Predictions Fulfilled Observe 2. The Uncertainty as to the precise Time when this Judgment should come no Angel in Heaven nor Creature upon Earth could determine the Time only the Glorious Persons in the Godhead the Father Son and Holy Ghost Learn hence That all things are not Revealed to the Angels themselves but such things only as it Concerns them to know and the Wisdom of God thinks fit to Reveal 2. That the precise Time of the Day of Judgment is kept by God as a Secret to himself we are not to know the Hour to the intent we may be upon our Watch every Hour Christ himself did not know it as Man but as GOD only 33 Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the Time is 34 For the Son of Man is as a Man taking a far Journey who left his House and gave Authority to his Servants and to every Man his work and commanded the Porter to watch 35 Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh at Even or at Midnight or at Cock-crowing or in the Morning 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all Watch. Our Blessed Saviour takes occasion from the fore-going Doctrine of the Certainty and Suddenness of his coming to Judgment to inforce the Duty of diligent and industrious Watchfulness upon all his Disciples and Followers that is to be upon their Guard against all Sin and to be in an actual readiness for his appearance and approach Learn hence That it is the indispensable Duty and ought to be the indefatigable endeavours of every Christian to stand upon his Guard in a prepared readiness for Christ's Appearance both for his coming to them and for their going to him There is a two-fold readiness for Christ's coming namely Habitual and Actual an habitual readiness is a readiness or the state and condition actual readiness is the readiness of the Person When we are furnished with all the Graces and Vertues of a good life when our Lamps are burning and our Loyns girded our Souls furnished with the Graces of God's Holy Spirit and our Lives fruitful in good Works Blessed is that Servant who when his Lord cometh shall be found thus Watching CHAP. XIV 1 AFter two days was the feast of the Pass-over and of unleavened Bread and the chief Priests and the Scribes sought how they might take him by craft and put him to death 2 But they said not on the feast-day lest there be an uproar of the People This Chapter gives us a sad and sorrowful account of the High Priests Conspiracy against the Life of our Bl. Saviour in which we have Observable the persons that made this Conspiracy the manner of the Conspiracy and the time when this Conspiracy was made 1. The Persons Conspiring are the chief Priests Scribes and Elders that is the whole Jewish Sanhedrim or General Council They lay their malicious heads together to contrive the Destruction of the innocent Jesus Thence Learn That General Councils have erred and may err fundamentally in matters of Doctrine so did this General Council at Jerusalem consisting of chief Priests Doctors and Elders with the high Priest their President in not believing Jesus to be the Messias after all the Miracles wrought before their Eyes Observe 2. The manner of this Conspiracy against our Saviour's Life it was Clandestine Secret and Subtile they consult how they may take him â—y craft and put him to Death Thence Note That Satan makes use of the subtilty of crafty Men and abuseth their parts as well as their Power for his own purposes and designs the Devil sends no fools of his Errand Observe 3. The circumstance of time when this Conspiracy was mannaged at the Feast of the Passover it being a custom among the Jews to execute Malefactors at their Solemn Feasts as at the Feast of the Passover the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles at which times all the Jews came up to Jerusalem to Sacrifice and then they put Malefactors to Death that all Israel might see and fear and noâ— do so wickedly Accordingly this Feast of the Passover was waited for by the Jews as a fit opportunity to put our Saviour to Death the only Objection was that it might occasion a Tumult amongst the People there being such a mighty concourse at that time in Jerusalem But Judas making them a proffer they readily comply with the motion and resolve to take the first opportunity to put our Saviour to Death 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper as he sat at meat there came a Woman having an alablaster box of Ointment of Spikenard very precious and she brake the box and poured it on his head 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves and said why was this waste of the Oyntment made 5 For it might have been sold for more then three hundred pence and have been given to the poor and they murmured against her 6 And Jesus sâ—id leâ— her alone why trouble you her she hath wrought a good work on me 7 For ye have the poor with you always and whensoever ye will ye may do them good but me ye have not always 8 She hath done what she could she is come aforehâ—nd to anoint my body to the Burying 9 Verily I said unto you wheresoever this Gospel shall be Preached thorough out the World this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her Several particulars are Observable in this piece of History As first the Action which this Holy Womâ—n performed she pours a Box of precious Ointment upon our Saviour's Head as he sat at Meat according to the custom of the Eastern Countries at their Feasts Murmuring Judas valued this Ointment at Three Hundred Pence which makes of our Money Nine Pounds Seven Shillings and Six Pence reckoning the Roman Penny at seven pence half penny I do not find that any of the Apostles were at thus much cost and charge to put honour upon our Saviour as this poor Woman was Learn hence That where strong love prevails in the
be offended because of me this Night for it is written I will smite the Shepheard and the Sheep shall be scattered 28 But after that I am Risen I will go before you into Galilee 29 But Peter said unto him Although all shall be offended yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him Verily I say unto thee That this day even in this Night before the Cock Crow Twice thou shalt deny me Thrice 31 But he spake more vehemently if I should dye with thee I will not deny thee in any wise Likewise also said they all Observe here 1. The Warning that our Saviour gives his Disciples of their Forsaking of him in the time of his Sufferings All ye shall be offended because of me this night Learn that Christ's dearest Friends forsook and left him alone in the midst of his greatest distress and danger Observe 2. What was the Cause of their Flight it was their Fear the weakness of their Faith and the prevalency of their Fear Oh how sad and dangerous is it for the best of Men to be left under the power of their own Fears in the day of Temptation Observe 3. Notwithstanding our Saviour's Prediction St. Peter's Presumption of his own Strength and Standing Though all Men forsake thee yet-will not I. Learn thence That Self-confidence and a Presumptuous Opinion of their own Strength is a sin very incident to the holiest and best of Men. This good Man resolved honestly no doubt but too too much in his own strength Little little did he think what a Feather he should be in the Wind of Temptation if once left to the Power and Prevalency of his own Fears None are so near falling as those who are most confident of their own Standing if ever we stand in the day of Tryal 't is the fear of falling that must enable us to stand 32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane and he saith unto his Disciples sit ye here while I shall pray 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John and began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy 34 And saith unto them My Soul is exceeding sorrowful unto Death Tarry ye here and watch 35 And he went forward a little and fell on the Ground and Prayed That if it were possible the Hour might pass from him 36 And he said Abba Father all things are possible unto thee Take away this Cup from me nevertheless not as I will but what thou wilt 37 And he cometh and findeth them sleeping and saith unto Peter Simon sleepest thou couldst not thou watch one Hour 38 Watch ye and pray lest ye enter into Temptation the Spirit truly is ready but the Flesh is weak 39 And again he went away and prayed and spake the same words 40 And when he returned he found them asleep again for their Eyes were heavy neither wist they what to answer him 41 And he cometh the third time and saith unto them Sleep on now and take your rest it is enough the Hour is come behold the Son of Man is Betrayed into the Hands of Sinners Rise up let us go lo he that Betrayeth me is at hand Our Blessed Saviour being now come with his Disciples into the Garden he falls there into a bitter and bloody Agony in which he prayed with wonderful Fervency and Importunity to his Heavenly Father his Sufferings were now coming on a great pace and he meets them upon his Knees and would be found in a Praying Posture Learn thence That Prayer is the best Preparative for as well as the most powerful Support under the heaviest Sufferings that can befal us As to this Prayer of our Saviour in the Garden many things are very Observable as 1. The place where he Prayed the Garden But why went Christ thither not with our first Parents to hide himself there amongst the Trees of the Garden from the Notice and Observation of his Enemies But as a Garden was the place where our Misery began as the first scene of humane sin and misery was Acted in a Garden so does our Lord choose a Garden as the fittest place for his Agony and Satisfactory pains to begin in Again this Garden was a place of privacy and Retirement where our Lord might best attend the Offices of Devotion preparatory to his Passion John 18.2 tells us That Jesus oft-times resorted to this Garden with his Disciples and that Judas well knew the place It is evident then that Christ went not into the Garden to shun his Sufferings but to prepare himself by Prayer to meet his Enemies 2. Observe the Time when he entered into the Garden for Prayer it was in the Evening before he Suffered here he spent some hours in pouring forth his Soul to God For about Mid-night Judas with his Black Guard came and Apprehended him in a Praying Posture Our Lord Teaching us by his Example that when eminent Dangers are before us especially when Death is Apprehended by us to be very much in Prayer to God and very fervent in our Wrestlings with him Observe 3. The Matter of our Lord's Prayer That if possible the Cup might pass from him and he might be kept from the Hour of Suffering that his Soul might escape that Dreadful Wrath at which he was so sore Amazed But what Did Christ then begin to Repent of his Undertaking for Sinners Did he shrink and give back when it came to the pinch No nothing less but as he had two Natures being GOD and Man so he had two distinct Wills as Man he feared and shunned Death as GOD man he willingly submitted to it The Divine Nature and the Humane Spirit of Christ did now Assault each other with disagreeing Interests Again this Prayer was not Absolute but Conditional If it be possible Father if it may be if thou art willing if it please thee let this Cup pass if not I will drink it The Cup of Sufferings we see is a very bitter and distastful Cup a Cup which Humane Nature abhors and cannot desire but pray against yet doth God put this Bitter Cup of Affliction into the Hands oft-times of those whom he doth sincerely Love and when he doth do so it is their Duty to drink it with Silence and Submission as here their Lord did before them Father let the Cup pass yet not my Will but thine be done Observe 4. The Manner of our Lord's Prayer in the Garden and here we may Remark 1. it was a Solitary Prayer he went by himself alone out of the Hearing of his Disciples The Company of our best and dearest Friends is not always Seasonable there is a time to be Solitary as well as to be Sociable there are Times and Cases when a Christian would not be willing that the most intimate Friend he has in the World should be with him to hear what passes in secret betwixt him and his God 2. It was an humble Prayer that 's Evident by the Postures into which
and Watchfulness dropping Heavenly Advice and Counsel upon them while he yet spake Lo Judas came Our Saviour was found in the most Heavenly and Excellent Employment when his Enemies came to Apprehend him Lord How happy is it when our Sufferings finds us in God's way engaged in his Work and engaging his Assistance by fervent Supplication Thus did our Lord's Sufferings meet him may ours in like manner meet us Observe 5. The Endeavours used by the Disciples for their Master's Rescue One of them St. Matthew says it was Peter draws his Sword and cuts off the Ear of Malchus who probably was one of the forwardest to lay hands on Christ But why did not St. Peter draw upon Judas rather than Malchus because though Judas was more Faulty yet Malchus was more forward to arrest and carry off our Saviour How doth a pious Breast swell with Indignation at the sight of any open Affront offered to its Saviour Yet though St. Peter's Heart was sincere his hand was Rash good Intentions are no Warrant for irregular Actions and accordingly Christ who accepted the Affection reproves the Action Put up thy Sword for they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword Christ will thank no Man to fight for him without a Warrant and Commission from him To resist a Lawful Magistrate in Christ's own Defence is rash Zeal and discountenanced by the Gospel Observe Lastly The effect which our Saviour's Apprehension had upon the Disciples They all forsook him and fled They that said to Christ a little before Though we should dye with thee yet will not we deny thee do all here desert and Cowardly forsake him when it came to the Tryal Learn hence That the best and holiest of men know not their own Hearts when great Temptations and Tryals are before them until such time as they come to grapple with them No Man knows his own strength till Temptation puts it to the proof 51 And there followed him a certain young Man having a Linnen Cloath cast about his naked Body and the young Man laid hold on him 52 And he left the Linnen Cloath and fled from them naked 53 And they led Jesus away to the High Priest and with him were assembled all the Chief Priests and the Elders and the Scribes 54 And Peter followed him afar off even into the Palace of the High Priests and he sat with the Servants and warmed himself at the Fire 55 And the Chief Priests and all the Council sought for Witness against Jesus to put him to death and found none 56 For many bare false Witness against him but their Witness agreed not together 57 And there arose certain and bare false Witness against him saying 58 We heard him say I will destroy this Temple that is made with hands and within three days I will build another made without hands 59 But neither so did their Witness agree together 60 And the High Priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus saying Answerest thou nothing What is it which these Witness against thee 61 But he held his peace and answered nothing Again the High Priest asked him and said unto him Art thou the Christ the Son of the Blessed 62 And Jesus said I am And ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the Right hand of Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven 63 Then the High Priest rent his Cloaths and said What need we any farther Witnesses 64 Ye have heard the Blasphemy What think ye and they all condemned him to be Guilty of Death 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his Face and to buffer him and to say unto him Prophecy and the Servants did strike him with the Palms of their hands Here we have the History of our Saviour's Examination before the High-priest and Council who sat up all Night to Arraign and Try the Holy and Innocent Jesus for lest his Death should look like a down-right Murther they allow him a Mock-Tryal and abuse the Law by perverting it to Injustice and Blood-shed Accordingly false Witnesses are suborned who Depose that they heard him say he would destroy their Temple and build it again in three days It is not in the power of the greatest Innocency to protect the most Innocent and Holy Person from Slander and false Accusation yea no Person is so innocent and good whom false Witness may not Condemn Observe 2. Our Lord's Meekness and Patience his Silence under all these wicked Suggestions and false Accusations Jesus held his peace and answered nothing v. 61. Guilt is naturally Clamorous and Impatient but Innocency is silent and careless of Mis-Reports Learn hence That to bear the Revilings Contradictions and false Accusations of Men with a silent and submissive Spirit is an Excellent and Christ-like Temper Our Lord stood before his unjust Judge and false Accusers even as a Sheep before the Shearer dumb and not opening his Mouth even then when a Tryal for his Life was managed and most maliciously and illegally against him When he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not May the same humble Mind and forgiving Spirit be in us which was also in Christ Jesus Observe 3. That although our Saviour was silent and made no Reply to the false Witnesses yet now when the question was solemnly put by the High-Priest Art thou the Christ the Son of the Blessed he answered I am Thence Learn That although we are not obliged to every insnaring Question to make Answer yet are we bound faithfully to own and freely to confess the Truth when solemnly called thereunto when our Silence will be interpreted a Denyal of the Truth a Dishonour to God a Reproach and Scandal to our Brethren it will be a great Sin to hold our Peace and we must not be silent though our Confession of the Truth hazards our Liberty yea our Life Christ knew that his Answer would cost him his Life and yet he durst not but give it Art thou the Son of the Blessed Jesus said I am Observe 4. The Crime which the High-Priest pronounces our Saviour to be Guilty of that of Blasphemy He hath spoken Blasphemy Hereupon the High-Priest rends his Cloaths it being usual with the Jews so to do both to shew their Sorrow for it and great detestation of it and indignation against it Observe 5. The vile Affronts and horrid Abuses which the Enemies of our Saviour put upon him they spit in his Face they blind fold him they smite him with their hands and in Contempt and Mockery 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 or stick at for Christ's sake who hid not his Face from shame and spitting upon our Account 66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace there cometh one of the maids of the high Priest 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself she looked upon him and
could not Christ have Risen without the Angels Help yes doubtless he that Raised himself could surely have Rolled away the Stone but God thinks fit to send an Officer from Heaven to open the Prison-door of the Grave and by setting our Surety at Liberty proclaims our Debt to the Divine Justice fully satisfied Besides it was fit that the Angels who had been Witnesses of our Saviour's Passion should also be Witnesses of his Resurrection Observe 2. Our Lord's Resurrection declared He is Risen he is not here Almighty God never intended that the darling of his Soul should be left in an obscure Sepulchre He is not here said the Angel where you laid him where you left him Death has lost its Prey and the Grave has lost its Prisoner Observe 3. It is not said He is not here for he is Raised but he is Risen the word imports the Active Power of Christ or the self-quickning Principle by which Christ Raised himself from the Dead Acts 1.3 He shewed himself alive after his Passion Hence Learn That it was the Divine Nature or Godhead of Christ which Raised the Humane Nature from Death to Life others were Raised from the Grave by Christ's Power but he Raised himself by his own Power Observe 4. The Testimony or Witness given of our Lord's Resurrection that of an Angel in Humane Shape A young man cloathed in a long white Garment But why is an Angel the first Publisher of our Saviour's Resurrection Surely the Dignity of our Lord's Person and the Excellency of his Resurrection required that it should be thus Published How very serviceable and officious the Holy Angels were in Attending upon our Saviour in the days of his Flesh see in the Note on Mat. 28.6 7. Observe 5. The Persons to whom our Lord's Resurrection was first declared and made known to Women to the two Mary's But why to Women and why to these Women why to Women because God will make choice of weak Means for producing great Effects knowing that the weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater honour of the Agent In the whole dispensation of the Gospel God intermixes Divine Power with Humane Weakness Thus the conception of Christ was by the power of the Holy Ghost but his Mother a poor Woman a Carpenters Spouse so the crucifixion of Christ was in much meanness and outward baseness being crucified between two Thieves But the powers of Heaven and Earth trembling the Rocks rending the Graves opening shewed a mixture of Divine Power Thus here God will honour what instruments he pleases for the accomplishment of his own purposes but why to these Women the two Marys is the first discovery made of our Saviours Resurrection possibly it was a reward for their magnanimity and masculine Courage these Women clave to Christ when the Apostles forsook him they assisted at his Cross they attended at his Funeral they waited at his Sepulchre these Women had more Courage than the Apostles therefore God makes them Apostles to the Apostles This was a tacite Rebuke a secret check given to the Apostles that they should be thus out done by Women these holy Women went before the Apostles in the last Services that were done for Christ and therefore the Apostles here come after them in their Rewards and Comforts Obs 6. The Evidence which the Angels offers to the Women to evince and prove the verity and certainty of our Saviour's Resurrection namely by an appeal to their senses behold the place where they laid him the senses when rightly disposed are the proper judges of all sensible Objects and accordingly Christ himself did appeal to his Disciples senses concerning the Truth of his own Resurrection Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self and indeed if we must not believe our Senses we shall want the best external Evidence for the proof of the certainty and truth of the Christian Religion namely the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles For what Assurance can we have of the reallity of those Miracles but from our Senses therefore says our Saviour if ye believe not me yet believe the works that I do that is the Miracles which I have wrought before your Eyes Now as my Senses tell me that Christ's Miracles were true so they assure me that the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is false From the whole Note That the the Lord Jesus Christ by the Omnipotent Power of his Godhead revived and rose again from the dead the third day to the Terror and Consternation of his Enemies and the unspeakable joy and consolation of Believers Observe lastly the quick dispatch made of the joyful news of our Lord's Resurrection to the sorrowful Disciples go tell the Disciples says the Angel go tell my Brethren says Christ Matth. 28.10 Christ might have said go tell those Apostate Apostles that cowardly left me in my danger that durst not own me in the High-priests Hall that durst not come within the shadow of my Cross nor within sight of my Sepulchre not a word of this by way of upbraiding them for their late shameful Cowardize but all words of Kindness Go tell my Brethren where Note That Christ calls them Brethren after his Resurrection and Exaltation thereby shewing that the change of his condition had wrought no change in his Affection towards his poor Disciples but those that were his Brethren before in the time of his Abasement are so still after his Exaltation and Advancement Go tell my Brethren says Christ Go tell my Disciples and Peter says the Angel Where Note That St. Peter is here particularly named not because of his primacy and superiority over the rest of the Apostles as the Church of Rome would have it but because he had denied Christ and for that denial was swallowed up with sorrow and stood most in need of comfort therefore says Christ by the Angel speak particularly to Peter be sure that his sad heart be comforted with this joyful news that he may know that I am friends with him notwithstanding his late Cowardize Tell the Disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee but why into Galilee because Jerusalem was now a forsaken place a people abandoned to destruction but Galilee was a place where Christ's Ministry was more acceptable Such places shall be most Honoured with Christ's presence where his Gospel is most accepted 9 Now when Jesus was risen from the dead early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seven Devils 10 And she went and told them that had been with him as they mourned and wept 11 And they when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her believed not 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them as they walked and went into the Country 13 And they went and told it unto the residue neither believed they them 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and
Submission and intire Resignation to the Divine pleasure to be disposed of by God as he thought fit Behold the Handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word We hear of no more Objections or Interrogations but an humble and submissive Silence Learn hence that a Gracious Heart when once it understands the pleasure of God argues no farther but quietly Rests in a Believing Expectation of what God will do All disputations with God after his Will is made known and understood arise from Infidelity and Unbelief The Virgin having thus Consented instantly Conceived by the Over-shadowing Power of the Holy Ghost 39 And Mary arose in those days and went into the Hill-country with haste into a City of Judah 40 And entred into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth 41 And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the Salutation of Mary the babe leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost 42 And she spake out with aloud voice and said Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb 43 And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me 44 For lo as soon as the voice of thy Salutation sounded in mine ears the babe leaped in my womb for joy 45 And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Observe here 1. The Visit made by the Virgin Mary to her Cousin Elizabeth The Holy Virgin had understood by the Angel that Elizabeth was no less akin to her in Condition than in Relation being both Fruitful in Conception she hastens into the Hill-country to Visit that Holy Matron The Two Wonders of the World were now met under one Roof to Congratulate their mutual Happiness only the meeting of the Saints in Heaven can parallel the meeting of these two Saints on Earth Obs 2. The design and intention of this Visit which was partly to Communicate their Joys each to other and partly to strengthen the Faith of each other Such a Soul as has Christ Spiritually Conceived in it is restless and cannot be quiet till it has imparted its joy Obs 3. The effect of the Virgins Salutation She had no sooner Saluted Elizabeth but the babe in Elizabeths womb leaped for joy doing homage and paying adoration to his Lord who was then in presence If Elizabeth and her holy Babe thus rejoyced when Christ came under their Roof how should our Hearts leap within us when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the Secret of our Souls not to visit us for an hour but to dwell with us yea to dwell in us and that for ever Obs 4. How Elizabeth by an extraordinary Spirit of Prophecy confirms what the Angel before had told the Holy Virgin Blessed says she art thou among Women and Blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb and what an honour is this that the Mother of my Lord should come to me Where Note How Elizabeth acknowledgeth the Incarnation of Christ and the Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in the person of the Mediator She acknowledges Christ her Lord and Mary to be the Mother of the Son of God Obs Lastly How the Virgin is pronounced Blessed not so much for carrying Christ in her Womb by sense as for bearing him in her Heart by Faith Blessed is she that believed Mary was not so Blessed in bringing forth Christ as in Believing in him yet the Believing here mentioned I take to be her firm assent to the Message which was brought her by the Angel as if Elizabeth had said Dumbness was inflicted on my Husband for his Unbelief of what the Angel said but Blessed art thou that didst believe the Angel My Husband a Man an aged Man a learned and eminent Man a Priest of the most High God and the Message to him of more appearing possibility yet he disbelieved But thou a Woman a mean unlearned Woman of a private Condition and the Message brought most incredible both to Nature and Reason and yet is it believed by thee Blessed therefore is she that believed and know that as a Reward for thy Faith all things shall certainly be performed that were foretold thee from the Lord Learn hence 1. It is the Property of God to do Great and Wonderful things Our Faith must be Great and our Expectation great great Expectations from God Honour the greatness of God 3. If our Faith be Great God's performances will be gracious and full Blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said My soul doth magnify the Lord. 47 And my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand-maiden for behold from hence-forth all Generations shall call me Blessed 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is his name 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts 52 He hath put down the mighty from their Seats and exalted them of low degree 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy 55 As he spake to our Fore-fathers to Abraham and to his seed for ever This is the first Canticle or Song of praise Recorded in the New Testament composed by the Blessed Virgin with unspeakable Joy for designing her to be the Instrument of the Conception and Birth of the Saviour of the World Where Observe 1. The manner of her Praise her Soul and Spirit bear their part in the work of Thanksgiving My Soul doth magnify my Spirit hath rejoyced As the sweetest Musick is made in the Belly of the Instrument so the most delightful praise arises from the bottom of the Heart Obs 2. The object of her praise she doth not magnify her self but the Lord yea she doth not Rejoice so much in her Son as in her Saviour Where Note 1. That she doth implicitly own and confess her self a Sinner for none need a Saviour but a Sinner And 2. by rejoycing in Christ as her Saviour she declares how she valued her self rather by her spiritual Relation to Christ as his Member than by her natural Relation to him as his Mother according to that of St. Austin Beatior Fuit Maria percipiendo Christi fidem quam concipiendo Carnem She might have been miserable notwithstanding she bore him as her Son had she not Believed in him as her Saviour therefore she sings my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour Obs 3. How she admires and magnifies God's peculiar favour towards her self in casting an eye upon her Poverty and lowly Condition that she a poor obscure Maid unknown to the World should be lookt upon
2. The Name is given or at least declared at the time of the Child's Circumcising and that by its Parents His Mother said he shall be called John But how did his Mother know That when her Husband was dumb Answ 'T is like her Husband Zachary had by Writing informed his Wife concerning the whole Vision and what Name was imposed upon him by the Angel therefore she says he shall be called John and Zachary ratifies it his name is John The Nomination was originally from the Angel the Imposition of the Name is now at Circumcision from the Parents Obs 3. How Ancient a Custom it has been to give Names to Children according to the Names of their Fathers or Kindred There is none of thy Kindred of this name say they The Jews made it a part of Religion to give suitable Names to their Children and significant Names Accordingly they either gave them Names to put them in remembrance of God's Mercy to them or of their Duty to him Thus Zachary signifies the Remembrance of God which name points at God's Mercy in remembring him and his Duty in remembring God Well then is it usual and useful for Parents to give significant Names to their Children then let Children have a Holy Ambition to make good the Signification of their Names Thus John signifies the Grace of God but how will that Gracious Name rise up in Judgment against that Child that is Graceless Obs 4. How Zachary's Speech is immediately restored to him upon the naming of his Child The Angel v. 20. told him he should be dumb till the things he told him should be performed and now that they were performed his Tongue is loosed and he praises God in a most Thankful manner Obs 5. The effect which all this had upon the Neighbourhood fear came upon all that dwelt round about them that is an awful and Religious fear of God occasioned by these miraculous operations and they laid up these sayings in their hearts that is considered of them and pondered upon them It argues a very vain Spirit and temper of Mind when we pass over the Observation of God's wonderful Acts with a slight Regard The true Reason why we do so little admire the wonderful Works of God is because we consider so little of them Obs 6. The special favour vouchsafed by God to this Child John The hand of the Lord was with him that is God was in a special manner present with him to direct and assist him to protect and prosper him The hand of God in Scripture signifies the help of God the strength and assistance of God The hand of Man is a weak and impotent hand a short and ineffectual hand but the hand of God is a strong hand an Almighty hand able to assist and help able to protect and preserve The hand of the Lord was with him that is the heart of God and the help of God the Love and Favour of God to support him and the Power and Providence of God to protect and preserve him Lord let our Hearts be with thee and then thy Heart and thy helping hand will be with us 67 And his Father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophecied saying 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people 69 And hath raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began 71 That we should be saved from our Enemies and from the hand of all that hate us 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fore-fathers and to remember his holy Covenant 73 The Oath which he sware to our father Abraham 74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life 76 And thou child shalt be called the prophet of the Highest for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way 77 To give knowledge of Salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins 78 Through the tender mercies of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace Here observe 1. That no sooner was Zachary recovered and restored to his Speech but he sings the Praises of his Redeemer and offers up a Thanksgiving to God The best Return we can make to God for the use of our Tongue for the giving or restoring of our Speech is to publish our Creator's Praise to plead his Cause and vindicate his Honour Obs 2. What it is that Zachary makes the subject matter of his Song What is the particular and special Mercy which he praises and blesses God for It is not for his own particular and private Mercy namely the Recovery of his Speech tho' undoubtedly he was very thankful to God for that Mercy but he Blesses and praises God for Catholick and Universal Mercies bestowed upon his Church and People He doth not say Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath visited me in Mercy that hath once more loosed my Tongue and restored my Speech but Blessed be God that has visited and redeemed his people Whence Learn that it is both the Duty and Disposition of a gracious Soul to abound in Praise and Thankfulness to God more for Catholick and Universal Mercies towards the Church of God then for any particular and private Mercies how great soever towards himself Blessed be God for visiting and redeeming his people Obs 3. In this Evangelical Hymn there is a Prophetical Prediction both concerning Christ and concerning John Concerning Christ he declares that God the Father had sent him of his free mercy and rich Grace yet in performance of his Truth and Faithfulness and according to his promise and Oath which he had made to Abraham and the Fathers of the Old Testament Where Note 1. he blesses God for the Comprehensive blessing of the Messiah Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited his people namely in his Son's Incarnation The Lord Jesus Christ in the Fulness of Time made such a visit to this sinful World as Men and Angels admired at and will admire to all Eternity Note 2. The special fruit and benefit of this gracious and merciful Visitation and that was the Redemption of a lost World he hath visited and redeemed his People This implies that miserable Thraldom and Bondage which we were under to Sin and Satan and expresses the stupendious Love of Christ in buying our Lives with his dearest Blood and both by price and power rescuing us out of the hands of our Spiritual Enemies Note 3. The Character given of This Saviour and Redeemer he is an Horn of Salvation that is a Royal and Glorious a Strong
and powerful Saviour to his Church and people The Horn in Scripture signifies Glory and Dignity Strength and Power as the Beauty so the Strength of the Beast lies in its Horn. Now Christ being stiled an Horn of Salvation intimates that he himself is a Royal and Princely Saviour and that the Salvation which he brings is great and plentiful glorious and powerful God has raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his Servant David Note 4. The Nature and Quality of that Salvation and Deliverance which the Son of God came to accomplish for us Not a Temporal Deliverance as the Jews expected from the power of the Romans but Spiritual from the hands of Sin and Satan Death and Hell his Design was to purchase a Spiritual Freedom and Liberty for us that we might be enabled to serve him without fear that is without the servile and offending fear of a Slave but with the Dutiful and ingenuous fear of a Child and this in holiness and Righteousness that is in the Duties of the First and Second Table all the days of our Life Learn hence That Believers who were Slaves of Satan are by Christ made God's free Men. 2dly That as such they owe God a Service a willing chearful and delightful Service without fear and a constant persevering Service all the days of their Life that we being delivered out of the hands of c. Note 5. The Source and Fountain from whence this Glorious Saviour and Gracious Salvation did arise and spring namely from the mercy and faithfulness of God To perform the mercy promised to our Forefathers and to remember his holy Covenant the Oath which he swear to our Father Abraham Learn hence That the Lord Jesus Christ the Mercy of Mercies was graciously promised and faithfully performed by God to his Church and People Christ was a free and full Mercy a suitable a seasonable and a satisfying Mercy an incomparable unsearchable and everlasting Mercy which God graciously promised in the beginning of Time and faithfully performed in the fulness of Time Thus far this Hymn of Zachary respects the Messiah Obs 4. How he next turns himself to his Child and Prophecies concerning him And thou Child shall be called the Prophet of the Highest c. Where Note 1. The Nature of his Office thou shalt be a Prophet not a common and ordinary one but a Prophet of the highest Rank the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts A Prophet thou shalt be and more then a Prophet Note 2. As the nature of his Office so the quality of his Work Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way Thou shalt be an Herald and Harbinger to the most High thou shalt go before the Face of the Messias and by thy severe Reproofs and powerful Exhortations shalt prepare his way before him and make men fit and ready to receive this mighty Saviour Thou Child shall be as the Morning Star to foretel the Glorious arising of this Sun of Righteousness Learn hence 1. That it is the highest Honour and Dignity to serve Christ in the quality and relation of a Prophet 2. That it is the Office and Duty of the Prophets of Christ to prepare and make fit the Hearts of men to receive and embrace him Obs 5. That Zachary having spoken a few Words concerning his Son he returns instantly to Celebrate the Praises of our Saviour comparing him to the Rising Sun which shined forth in the Brightness of his Gospel to enlighten the dark corners of the World thro' the tender mercies of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness Learn here 1. That Jesus Christ is that true Son of Righteousness which in the fulness of Time did spring from on high to visit a lost and undone World 2. That the great Errand of Christ's coming into the World and the particular End of his Appearing in our Flesh it was to give light to them that sit in darkness 3. That it was nothing less than infinite Mercy and bowels of Compassion in God and Christ which inclined him to come from on high to visit them that sit in Darkness Through the tender Bowels of Mercy in our God whereby his own and only Son sprung from on high to visit us here below who sat in darkness and the shadow of Death and to guide our Feet into the way that leads to everlasting peace 80 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel Here we have a short Account of John's private Life before he entred upon his publick Ministry which was at Thirty Years of Age He grew that is in Bodily stature and waxed strong in Spirit that is in the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit which encreased with his Age and shewed themselves in him every day more and more and he was in the Deserts that is in the mountainous Country of Judea where he was Born till the time of his preaching to and amongst the Jews not that he lived like an Hermite Recluse from all Society with men but contented himself to continue in an obscure privacy 'till called forth to promulge and preach the Gospel and when that time was come John leaves the Hill-country and enters with Resolution and unwearied diligence upon his publick Ministry Teaching us by his Example That when we are fit and ripe for publick Service we should no less willingly leave our Obscurity then we took the benefit of it for our Preparation John abode in the Deserts till his shewing unto Israel that is till the time of his setting forth to execute his Office among the Jews CHAP. II. 1 AND it came to pass in those days that there went out a Decree from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed 2. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was Governour of Syria 3 And all went to be taxed every one into his own city 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazarerh into Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused Wife being great with child 6 And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered 7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling Cloaths and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. The Conclusion of the former Chapter acquainted us with the Birth of John the Baptist the beginning of this Chapter relates the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and the remarkable Circumstances which did attend it And here we have Observable 1. The place where he was Born not at Nazareth but at Bethlehem according to the prediction of the Prophet Micah Ch. 5.2 And thou Bethlehem in the Land of
of his pardoning Love to her and not the Cause of it She did not first Love much and then Christ forgave her but Christ first forgave her and then she loved much Her Love was a Love of Gratitude because she was pardoned and not a Love of Merit to Purchase and procure her Pardon The Papists interpret this Word For as if it were the Antecedent Cause of her Forgiveness whereas it is a consequential Sign and Evidence that the free Grace and Mercy of Christ had forgiven her her many and great Sins were forgiven her and therefore she Loved much The Debt is not Forgiven because the Debtor Loves his Creditor but the Debtor therefore Loves because the Debt is Forgiven Forgiveness goes before and Love follows after Hence Learn That much Love will follow great Forgiveness Love will work in the heart towards God in some proportion to that Love which we have Experienced from God Observe Lastly The very Gracious Dismission which this Woman meets with from our Blessed Saviour What could she desire that is not here granted to her Here is Remission Safety Faith and Peace all these here meet to make a Contrite Soul Happy Remission is the Ground of her Safety Faith the Ground of her Peace Peace the fruit of her Faith and Salvation the Issue of her Remission Oh Woman Great was thy Sin Great was Christ's pardoning Grace and Great was thy Joy and Comfort Thy Sins are forgiven thee thy Faith hath saved thee go in peace CHAP. VIII 1 AND it came to pass afterwards that he went throughout every city and village preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and the Twelve were with him Observe here the great work and business which not only the Apostles but Christ himself was engaged in and imploy'd about namely preaching the Gospel those glad Tidings of Salvation to a lost World Where Note That Christ himself labour'd in this Work of publick Preaching he did not send forth his Apostles as his Curates to work and sweat in the Vineyard whilst he himself took his ease at home but he accompanieth them himself yea he goes before them himself in this great and excellent Work Jesus went preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel and the twelve were with him Learn thence That Preaching of the Gospel is a great and necessary Work incumbent upon all the Ministers of Christ let their Dignity and Preheminence in the Church be what it will Surely none of the Servants are above their Lord and Master did he Labour in the Word and Doctrine well may they Observe 2. The places where Christ and his Apostles preached not only in the populous Cities but in the poor Country Villages They went through every city and village preaching the Gospel Some will preach the Gospel provided they may preach at Court or in the capital Cities of the Nation but the poor Country Villages are over-look'd by them Our Saviour and his Apostles were not of this mind it 's true they were Itinerary Preachers we are settled but be the place never so mean and obscure and the People never so rude and barbarous we must not think it beneath the greatest of us to exercise our Ministry there if God calls us thither Christ went through the villages as well as cities Preaching 2 And certain women which had been healed of evil Spirits and infirmities Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seven Devils 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and Susanna and many others which ministered unto him of their Substance Amongst the number of those that did Accompany our Saviour and his Apostles mention is here made of certain Women who had been healed by Christ of Evil Spirits and Infirmities that is of Spiritual and Corporeal Diseases for the Jews were wont to call Vices and evil Habits by the Name of Devils as the Devil of Pride the Devil of Malice c. Now as concerning these Womens following of Christ and administring to him several Circumstances are Observable as 1. That Women did make up a considerable number of Christ's Followers ay and of his Apostles Followers too the Devout Women not a few Acts 17.4 And verily it is no Disgrace or Shame but matter of Glory and cause of Thankfulness if our Ministry be attended by and Blest unto the weaker Sex I believe in many of our Congregations and at most of our Communions are found two Women for one Man God grant them Knowledge answerable to their Zeal and Obedience proportionable to their Devotion Observe 2. One of these Women that followed Christ was Joanna the Wife of Herod's Steward What one of Herod's Family transplanted into Christ's Houshold oh the freeness of the Grace of God Even in the worst Societies and Places God has a number to stand up for his Name and bear witness to his Truth we read of a Joseph in Pharaoh's Court of an Obadiah in Ahab's Court of a Daniel in Nebuchadnezar's Court of a Church in Nero's House and of a Joanna here in bloody Herod's Family who had put John the Baptist to Death Observe 3. The Holy courage and resolution of our Saviour's Female Followers no doubt they met with Taunts and Jears with Scofs and Scorns enough and perhaps from their Husbands too for following the Carpenters Son and a few Fishermen but this does not damp but inflame their Zeal The Holy Gospel acquaints us with several instances of Masculine Courage and manly Resolutions in the Women that followed Christ as his Female Disciples at our Saviour's Tryal the Women cleave to him when his Disciples fled from him they accompanied him to his Cross they assisted at his Funeral they attended his Hearse to the Grave they watched his Sepulchre fearing neither the Darkness of the Night nor the rudeness of the Soldiers These feeble Women had more courage then all the Apostles Learn that Courage is the special and peculiar Gift of God and where he gives Courage it is not in Man to make afraid Observe 4. The pious and charitable care of these Holy Women to supply the Wants and outward Necessities of our Saviour they administred to him of their Substance Where Note 1. The great Poverty of Christ he lived upon the Basket he would not honour the World so far as to have any part of it in his own hand but was beholding to others for what he eat and drank yet must we not suppose that either Christ or his Apostles were common Beggars but it is probable there was a Bag or common Purse amongst them which upon occasion supplied their Necessities and there were certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sisters or Christian Women as the Learned Dr. Hammond observes who accompanied Christ and his Apostles in their Travels and provided Necessaries for them when they went up and down Preaching the Gospel Note also 2. The condescending Grace and Humility of Christ he was not ashâ—med either of these Womens following of him or administring to
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
our Saviour against the Scribes and Pharisees is for perverting the Holy Scriptures and keeping the true sense and knowledge of them from the People This St. Luke here calls The taking away the Key of Knowledge from Men alluding to a custom among the Jews in Admission of their Doctors Those that had Authority given them to interpret the Law and the Prophets were solemnly admitted into that Office by delivering to them a Key and a Table-Book so that by the Key of Knowledge is meant the Interpretation and Understanding of the Scriptures and by taking away that Key is signified 1. That they arrogated to themselves the sole Power of Understanding and Interpreting the Holy Scriptures 2. That they kept the true knowledge of the Scriptures from the People especially the Prophecies which concerned the Kingdom and Coming of the Messias and so they hindered Men from embracing our Saviour's Doctrine who were otherwise well enough disposed for it Learn First That the written Word is the Key whereby an entrance into Heaven is opened unto Men. 2. That the use of this Key or the Knowledge of the Word of God is absolutely and indispensably necessary in order to Salvation 3. That great is the Guilt and inexcusable the Fault of those who deny the People the use of this Key and deprive them of the Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures which alone can make them wise unto Salvation 4. That such as do so shut the Kingdom of Heaven against Men endeavouring what in them lies to hinder their Salvation Men may miscarry with their Knowledge but they are sure to perish for lack of Knowledge 53 And as he said these things unto them the Scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently and to provoke him to speak of many things 54 Laying wait for him and seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might accuse him Observe here 1. How our Blessed Saviour's Plain and Faithful dealing with these Men does Enrage instead of Reform them they are filled with Anger and Indignation 2. Their Wrath sets their Wits on Work to ensnare him Lord When any of thy Faithful Ministers and Ambassadors meet with the like Usage and Treatment from a wicked World when any lye in wait to catch something out of our Mouth that therewith they may ensnare us give us thy Prudence and thy Patience that we may cut off occasion from those that seek occasion against us and disappoint them of their purpose or else furnish us with such measures of Meekness and Patience as becomes Persons of our Holy Character and Profession that we may Glory in Reproaches in Persecutions and Distresses for Christ's sake and that the Spirit of Glory and of God may rest upon us CHAP. XII 1 IN the mean time when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people insomuch that they trode one upon another he began to say unto his Disciples first of all Beware ye of the Leaven of the Pharisees which is Hypocrisy 2 For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed neither hid that shall not be known 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the house tops In this Chapter our Blessed Saviour furnishes his Disciples with many Instructions for the worthy discharge of their Function in Preaching the Gospel particularly he recommends unto them two gracious Qualifications namely uprightness and sincerity v. 1 2 3. Secondly Courage and Magnanimity v. 4 5. 1. He recommends unto them the Grace and Vertue of Sincerity Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy Learn thence That hypocrisy is a dangerous Leaven which Ministers and People are chiefly and especially to beware of and to preserve themselves from Hypocrisy is a Vice in a Vizor the Face is Vice the Vizor is Vertue God is pretended self intended Hypocrisy is resembled to Leaven partly for its sowerness partly for its diffusiveness Leaven is a piece of sower dow that diffuses it self into the whole Mass or Lump of Bread with which it is mixed Thus Hypocrisy spreads over all the Man all his Duties Parts and Performances are Leavened with it Again Leaven is of a swelling as well as of a spreading Nature it puffs up the Dough and so doth Hypocrisy the Heart The Pharisees were a sour and proud sort of People they were all for preheminence chief places chief Seats chief Titles to be called Rabbi Rabbi in a word as Leaven is hardly discerned from good Dough at first sight so is Hypocrisy hardly discerned and distinguished from Sincerity The Pharisees outwardly appeared righteous unto Men but within were full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity Observe next the Argument which Christ uses to disswade Men from Hypocrisy There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed as if he had said the day is coming when a rotten and corrupt Heart shall no longer pass under the Vizor and disguise of a demure Look In the day of Judgment Hypocritical sinners shall walk naked GOD Angels and Men shall see their Shame Learn hence That God will certainly e're long wash off all the Varnish and Paint which the Hypocrite has put upon the Face of his Profession and lay him open to the Terrour of himself and the Astonishment of the World 4 And I say unto you my friends Be not afraid of them that kill the Body and after that have no power that they can do 5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him The Second Duty which our Saviour presses upon his Disciples is that of Holy Courage and Resolution As if Christ had said The Preaching of the Gospel will stir up many Enemies against you which will malign and oppose you vex and persecute you but I say unto you fear them not who can only kill the Body but fear him who if you fail in your Duty can cast both Body and Soul into Hell Here Note 1. an unwarrantable fear condemned and that is the sinful servile slavish fear of Man Fear not them that can kill the Body 2. An holy awful and prudential fear of the Omnipotent God commended Fear him that is able to kill both Body and Soul 3. The Persons whom this Duty of fear is recommended to and bound upon Disciples Ministers and Ambassadors all the Friends of Christ They not only may but ought to fear him not only for his greatness and goodness but upon the account of his punitive Justice as being able to cast both Soul and Body into Hell Such a fear is not only Lawful but Lawdable not only Commendable but Commanded and not misbecoming the Friends of Christ The Ministers of God may use Arguments from fear of Judgments both to disswade from Sin and to perswade to Duty It is not unsuitable to the best of Saints
of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more Our Lord in these Verses describes a negligent and unfaithful Steward of his Houshold and then declares that dreadful Sentence of Wrath which hangs over him The unfaithful Steward or negligent Minister of the Gospel is described 1. by his infidelity he believeth not Christ's Coming to Judgment tho' he preaches it to others he saith in his heart my Lord delayeth his coming 2. He is described by his hatred envy and malignity against his Fellow Servants that were more faithful than himself He begins to smite them at least with the virulence of his Tongue if not with the violence of his hand 3. He is farther described by his Associating with the wicked and strengthning their hands by his ill example He eateth and drinketh with the drunken that is as their Associate and Fellow Companion Thus the negligent Steward and unfaithful Minister is described Next his Sentence is declared 1. Christ will surprize him in his sin and security by coming in an hour when he lookt not for him 2. He will execute temporal Vengeance upon him He will cut him in pieces as the Jews did their Sacrifices dividing them into two parts Hence some Observe That God seldom suffers slothful sensual Ministers to Live out half their days 3. Christ will punish them with Eternal Destruction also appoint them their portion with unbelievers Teaching us That such Ministers as neglect the Service of God and the Souls of their People as they are ranked amongst the worst sort of Sinners in this Life so shall they be punished with them in the severest manner in the next When Satan destroys the Souls of Men he shall answer for it as a Murtherer only not as an Officer that was intrusted with the Care of Souls But if the Steward doth not provide if the Shepherd doth not feed if the Watchman doth not warn they shall answer not only for the Souls that have miscarried but for an Officâ— neglected for a Tallent hidden and for a Stewardship unfaithfully managed Wo unto us if at the Great day we hear distressed Souls roaring out their Complaints and howling forth that doleful accusation against us saying Lord Our Stewards have defrauded us our Watchmen have betrayed us our Guides have misled us 48 For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more Here we Learn 1. That whatever we receive from God is both a Gift and a Talent 2. That every one has some Gift or Talent from God to be improved for God 3. That God's Gifts or Talents are not given to all in the same measure 4. That whether we receive little or much all is in order to an Account 5. That answerable to our present Talents will be our future Accounts If thy Gifts be mean the less thou hast to Account for if greater then others God expects thou shouldest do more good than others For where much is given much will be required 49 I am come to send fire on the earth and what will I if it be already kindled 50 But I have a Baptism to be Baptized with and how am I streightned till it be accomplished 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on the earth I tell you nay but rather division 52 For from henceforth there shall be two in one house divided against three and three against two 53 The father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother the mother-in-law against the daughter-in-law and the danghter-in-law against the mother-in-law Our Saviour in these Verses declares what will be the accidental Event and effect but not the natural tendency of his Religion so that we must distinguish between the intentional Aim of Christ's Coming and the Accidental Event of it Christ's intentional aim was to plant propagate and promote Peace in the World but thro' the Lusts and Corruptions of Mens Natures the issue and event of his Coming is War and Division not that these are the genuine and natural Fruits of the Gospel but occasional and accidental only Hence Learn That the preaching of the Gospel and setting up the Kingdom of Christ tho' it be not the Genuine and Natural Cause yet is it the accidental occasion of all that War and Tumult of all that Dissention and Division of all that Distraction and Confusion which the World abounds with I am come to send fire on the earth He is said to send the fire of Dissention because he foresaw this would be the certain Consequence tho' not the proper and natural Effect of the Preaching of the Gospel There was another Fire of Christ's sending the Holy Spirit this was a fire to warm not to burn or if so not mens Persons but Corruptions but that seems not to be intended in this place 54 And he said also to the people when ye see a cloud rise out of the West streightway ye say there cometh a shower and so it is 55 And when ye see the South wind blow ye say there will be heat and it cometh to pass 56 Ye hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Sky and of the Earth but how is it that ye do not discern this time 57 Yea and why even of your selves judge ye not what is right Our Saviour in these words does at once upbraid the stupid ignorance of the Jews in General and the obstinate infidelity of the Pharisees in particular in that they could make a judgment of the Weather by the sight of the Sky by the appearance of the Heavens and the motions of the Winds but could not discern this Time of the Messias tho' they had so many miraculous Signs and Evidences of it and for this he upbraids them with Hypocrisy Ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the sky but ye do not discern this time Learn thence That to pretend either more Ignorance or greater uncertainty in discerning the Signs of Gospel Times the time of our gracious Visitation than the Signs of the weather is great Hypocrisy Ye hypocrites can ye not discern this time Observe farther That Christ doth not here condemn the study of Nature or making Observation of the State of the Weather from the Face of the Sky For Almighty God by natural Signs gives us warning of a Change in Natural things and in like manner by his Providential Dispensations he gives us warning of a Change in Civil things He that is wise will observe both and by their Observation will come to understand the pleasure of the Lord. 58 When thou goest with thine Adversary to the Magistrate as thou art in the way give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him lest he hale thee to the Judge and the Judge deliver thee to the Officer and the Officer cast thee
has bestowed upon a People by his Ministers and Ordinances they continue unfruitful there is nothing to be expected but excision and final Destruction cut it down why cumbereth it the Ground 8 And he answering said unto him Lord Let it alone this year also till I shall dig about it and dung it 9 And if it bear fruit well and if not Then after that thou shalt cut it down Obâ—erve here 1. The Vine-dressers Petition and Request Lord let it alone this year also This points out unto us the Oâ—fice and Duty of the Ministers of God who are Labourers in his Vineyard to be Intercessors with God for sparing a Barren and unfruitful People Lord spare them a little longer Let it alone this year also if they cannot absolutely prevent Judgment coming upon an unfruitful People yet they endeavour to respite it and delay its Coming all they can Observe 2. The Condition upon which the Vine-dressers Petition is Grounded Till I shall dig about it and dung it Phrases which intimate to us the nature and quality of the Ministerial Work and Service signifying it to be a very difficult and laborious Service Digging is a painful Work and a spending Work and such is our Ministerial Work if followed as it ought to be We deal in Mysteries in the deep things of God which are not received without much digging Observe 3. A double supposition here made by the Vine-dresser first of future Fruitfulness If it bear fruit well Secondly of further incorrigibleness if not after that thou shalt cut it down 1. Here is a Supposition of future Fruitfulness If it bear fruit well that is it will be well for the Master of the Vineyard herein is he glorified when his Fig-trees bear much Fruit well for the Dresser of the Vineyard it rejoyces the Ministers of God to see their People bring forth Fruit unto God well for the Vineyard and the rest of the Trees that are in it But more especially well for tâ—e Tree it self thereby avoiding the punishment of Barrenness and procuring the Reward of Fruitfulness Thus If it bear fruit well 2. Here is a supposition of future incorrigibleness After that thou shalt cut it down that is after thou hast spared it and I have pruned it after thy patience and my pains after thou hast forborn it and I have manur'd it digged and dung'd it if after all this it bears no fruit then I have not a word more to say Thou shalt cut it down Thou mayest cut it down no Body will go about to hinder thee and thou wilt cut it down there is no Body can hinder thee From hence Learn That a Peoples continued unfruitfulness under the means of Grace doth in time take off the Prayers and Intercessions of the Ministers of God for them and provokes God to bring his Judgments unavoidably and irrevocably upon them After that thou shalt cut it down 10 And he was teaching in one of the Synagogues on the Sabbath-day 11 And behold there was a woman which had a Spirit of Infirmity eighteen years and was bound together and could in no wise lift up her self 12 And when Jesus saw her he called her unto him and said unto her woman thou art loosed from thy infirmity 13 And he laid his hands upon her and immediately she was made streight and glorified God 14 And the Ruler of the Synagogue Answered with indignation because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath-day and said unto the people there are six days in which men ought to work in them therefore come and be healed but not on the Sabbath-day 15 The Lord then answered him and said Thou hypocrite doth not each one of you on the Sabbath-day loose his Ox or his Ass from the Stall and lead him away to watering 16 And ought not this Woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound lo these eighteen years be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath-day 17 And when he had said these things all his Adversaries were ashamed and all the people rejoyced for all the glorious things that were done by him Observe here 1. The afflicted Person a Woman which had a sore Disease inflicted upon her by the Devil for Eighteen Years which almost bowed her together There is nothing that the Devil more delights in than in the Miseries and Calamities of Mankind Satan is not satisfied barely to infect the Mind and poyson the Souls of Men but he delights to afflict and hurt the Body where and when he can obtain leave Observe 2. Christ's Compassion towards her and his Miraculous healing of her Jesus called her to him and with a word speaking healed her Where Note That the inveterateness of the Disease and the instantaneousness of the Cure made the Miracle evident She that had been bowed down eighteen years and in an instant is made streight and only by a word of Christ's Mouth Such a miraculous Operation was an evident Testimony of his Divine Mission that he was the Son of God Observe 3. How the Heart of the poor Woman is affected with Christ's hand she Glorified God that is she gave thanks to God and attributed the Miracle to him As the chief End of all God's extraordinary Works either of Power or Mercy is the exaltation of his own Glory so the only way that we can set forth his Glory is by celebrating his Praises and expressing our own Thankfulness He that offereth me praise and thanks glorifies me Ps 50. ult Observe 4. The unreasonable anger and unjust indignation which was found with the Ruler of the Synagogue against our Holy Lord for working this miraculous Cure on the Sabbath day There is no Person so Holy no action so Innocent but may fall under unjust Censure especially where malice and ignorance are combined what a severe reflection doth this man make upon our Blessed Lord for performing a work of Mercy on the Sabbath-day Observe 5. Our Lord's Vindication of himself from Calumny and false Accusation 1. He charges his Accuser with Hypocrisy Thou hypocrite doth not each of you loose his Ox or his Ass from the stall on the Sabbath-day and water him It is one Note of an Hypocrite to condemn that in another which he doth himself the Jews held it lawful to loose and lead a Beast to watering on the Sabbath-day which was a work of Servile Labour and yet would condemn Christ for healing a poor Woman only with a word speaking 2. Christ vindicates his own Action by comparing it with theirs which they judged lawful on the Sabbath-day was their loosing and watering the Beast a Work of Necessity much more was his Was theirs a work of Mercy his much more their compassion was to a Bruit Beast his to a rational Creature to a Woman and that not to a stranger an Heathen Woman but one of their own a Jewish Woman a Daughter of Abraham Nay farther Christ's Act was an Act of far greater Necessity and more special Mercy then
theirs The Beast might live a day without Water the Beast might not be sick but this Woman was in sore distress and had been so for eighteen years nay she was in the hands of the Enemy of Mankind bound by Satan Was it not then a greater Act of Mercy and Compassion to loose her than to lead a Beast Observe 6. What Effect Our Lord's Vindication of himself had upon the Hearers of it His adversaries were ashamed the people rejoyced v. 17. his Accusers were ashamed and probably convinced perhaps silenced but we read not that they confest their Errour or acknowledged their unjust Censure or craved Christ's pardon When Persons judgments are under Conviction of an errour and mistake it is very hard to bring themselves to confess and own their mistake because all men stand very much upon the Credit and Reputation of their Understandings and look upon it as a Reproach to own themselves mistaken tho' it is really otherwise But tho' our Saviour's Adversaries were only ashamed others Rejoyced for all the glorious things that were done by him 18 Then said he Unto what is the kingdom of God like and whereunto shall I resemble it 19 It is like a grain of Mustard-seed which a man took and cast into his Garden and it grew and waxed a great Tree and the fowls of the Air lodged in the branches of it 20 And again he said Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God 21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened Our Saviour's Design in both these Parables is to keep his Disciples and Followers from being offended at the small Beginnings of his Kingdom and to fore-tell the future great Success of the Gospel notwithstanding the present small appearance of the efficacy of it to this purpose he compares the Kingdom of God that is the Gospel-Church to a grain of Mustard-seed which being one of the least Seeds yet in that Country grew into so large a Tree that the Birds did Roost and Lodge in the Boughs of it He also likens it to Leaven which quickly diffuses it self through the whole Mass and Lump instantly turning a great heap of Meal into its own nature Christ shews hereby of what a spreading Nature the Doctrine of the Gospel would be notwithstanding all the Malice and Opposition of the wicked Men. Learn thence That how small Beginnings soever the Gospel had in its first plantation yet by the fructifying Blessing of God and the influence of the Holy Spirit it has had and shall have a wonderful encrease 22 And he went through the cities and villages teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem 23 Then said one unto him Lord are there few that be saved And he said unto them 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Observe here 1. The unwearied pains and diligence of our Holy Lord in preaching and publishing the glad tidings of the Gospel to lost Sinners He went through cities and villages teaching not in great and populous Cities only but in poor and obscure Villages also not preaching by his exemplary Life only but by his Holy Doctrine likewise Let such preachers who look upon the work of Preaching as the least part of their Business consider the indefatigable pains which our Lord took in that work and how will his diligence shame our negligence Observe 2. A curious question put to our Saviour concerning the number of those that should be saved whether they should be few or many Lord are there few that be saved Where Note How curiously inquisitive we naturally are after the Knowledge of things that do not concern us how forward to pry into unrevealed Secrets and to search into God's hidden Counsel it concerns us rather to understand what sort of Persons shall be saved than how man shall be saved and to make sure that we be of that number Observe 3. Our Saviour gives no direct Answer to the Curiosity of this Inquirer but turns his Speech from him to the People Jesus said unto them strive to enter in at the strait gate for c. Where Note 1. The Metaphor which Christ is pleased to set forth Heaven and the Happiness of a future State by he compares it to a streight gate to a Gate to denote the possibility of entring to a streight gate to denote the difficulty of Entrance a Gate supposes the entrance possible but a streight gate bespeaks the Entrance difficult 2. Here is a Duty urged and enforced upon all those that expect the Happiness of another Life and desire to enter in at this streight gate and that is a diligent and industrious striving Strive to enter in at the streight gate 3. We have a forcible argument and motive to excite and quicken to the practice of this Duty drawn from the paucity or small number of those that shall obtain Salvation in a dying hour Many will seek to enter in but shall not be able Learn hence 1. That Heaven or the Happiness of a future State is attainable 2. That it is not attainable without Labour and difficulty 3. That all those difficulties may be happily overcome by a diligent and industrious striving 25 When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are 26 Then shall ye begin to say we have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets 27 But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity 28 There shall he weeping and gnashing of Teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out 29 And they shall come from the east and from the west and from the the north and from the south and shall sit down in the kingdom of God 30 And behold there are last that shall be first and there are first that shall be last Our Saviour having exhorted all his Followers in the foregoing Verses to make sure of Heaven and Salvation to themselves whilst the door of Hope and Salvation is open to them by this Parable of a Master of a Family inviting Guests to his Table and waiting for their Coming and at last shutting the door against them because they either deny'd or delay'd Coming Christ hereby represented to the Jews the great danger they were in if they neglected the present Season of Grace and Salvation which now they did enjoy telling them farther how little it would profit them at the day of Judgment to alledge that they had eaten and drunk in his presence that they had heard him preach in their streets if they did not
confirmed therein with an utter impossibility of losing that Happiness The Wicked who would not submit to Christ's Authority shall not be able to resist his Power They that would not suffer Christ to Reign over them they shall at the last Day be brought forth and slain before him These mine Enemies that would not that I c. 28 And when he had thus spoken he went Before ascending up to Jerusalem 29 And it came to pass when he was come nigh to Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount called the Mount of Olives he sent two of his Disciples 30 Saying Go ye into the Village over-against you in the which at your entering ye shall find a Colt tyed whereon yet never man sate loose him and bring him hither 31 And if any man ask you why do you loose him thus shall ye say unto him Because the Lord hath need of him 32 And they that were sent went their way and found even as he had said unto them 33 And as they were loosing the Colt the Owners thereof said unto them Why loose ye the Colt 34 And they said The Lord hath need of him 35 And they brought him to Jesus and they cast their Garments upon the Colt and they set Jesus thereon 36 And as he went they spread their Cloaths in the way 37 And when he was come nigh even now at the descent of the mount of Olives the whole multitude of the Disciples began to rejoyce and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen 38 Saying Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord peace in Heaven and glory in the Highest 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the Multitude said unto him Master rebuke thy Disciples 40 And he answered and said unto them I tell you That if these should hold their peace the stones would immediately cry out Our Lord as is Noted before was now upon his last Journey to Jerusalem where he was to shed his Blood and lay down his Life for the Redemption and Salvation of a lost World and it is Observable what a double Demonstration he gives of his great Willingness and Forwardness to go up to Jerusalem there to dye 1. Both St. Luke here and St. Mark Ch. 10.32 tells us That he went before the Company leading the way when he went to Suffer Lord With what Alacrity and holy Chearfulness didst thou manage the great Work of Man's Redemption None ever went so willingly to a Crown as thou to thy Cross 2. Our Saviour who all his Life Travelled like a poor Man on Foot now he goes up to Jerusalem to dye for us he will Ride to shew his great Forwardness to lay down his Life for us but what was the Beast he rode upon an Asses Colt to Fulfil that Prophecy Zach. 9.9 Tell ye the Daughter of Sion behold your King cometh riding upon an Ass yea it was a Colt upon which never man rode before to let us see how the most unruly and untamed Creatures become obedient and obsequious to Christ and render themselves serviceable to him at his pleasure It was also a borrowed Ass taken without the Owners Leave whereby our Saviour's Right to all the Creatures was manifested and accordingly he bids his Disciples tell the Owner That the Lord had need of him not your Lord or our Lord but the Lord that is he that is Lord of the whole Earth whose are the Cattel upon a thousand Hills Here Note What a clear and full Demonstration Christ gave of his Divine Nature of his Omnisciency in fore-seeing and fore-telling the Event of his Omnipotency in inclining the Heart and over-ruling the will of the Owner to let the Colt go and of his Sovereignty that as he was Lord of the Creatures he could command and call for their Service whenever he needed them The Colt being brought and our Saviour set thereon Observe next the Actions of the Multitude in Acknowledging Christ to be their King they spread their Cloaths in the way casting their Garments on the Ground for him to ride upon according to the Custom of Princes when they ride in State yea the Multitude do not only Disrobe their Backs but expend their Breath in ioyful Acclamations and loud Hosannah's wishing all manner of Prosperity to their Meek but Mighty Prince In this Princely yet poor and despicable Pomp doth our Saviour enter the famous City of Jerusalem Oh how far was our Holy Lord from affecting Worldly greatness and grandeur he despised that Glory which Worldly Hearts fondly admire yet because he was a King he would be proclaimed such and have his Kingdom Confest Applauded and Blest but that it might appear that his Kingdom was not of this World he abandons all Worldly Magnificence Oh Glorious yet Homely Pomp oh Meek but Mighty Prince Observe Lastly The peevish Envy of the wicked Pharisees who were then in Company they grudge our Saviour this poor Honour they Envy him this small Triumph of coming into the City upon an Asses Colt attended by a Company of poor People strewing the way with Boughs of Trees with Hosannah's and joyful Acclamations in their Mouths These poor Peoples Mouths they would have stopped Master rebuke thy Disciples they did not like the Musick Christ tells them that they Labour in vain to suppress the Testimony given him by his Disciples for if they should be silent the stones would cry out yea cry shame of them for neglecting their Duty as if Christ had said the Speechless Stones will speak and give witness to me if Men will not Learn hence They that are owned of God shall not want ownings and witnessings from Man at one time or other in one way or other tho' the Envy and Malice of Men do never so much gainsay and oppose it 41 And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it No sooner did our Saviour come within the sight and view of the City of Jerusalem but he burst out into Tears at the consideration of their Obstinacy and wilful rejecting of the Offers of Grace and Salvation made unto them and also he wept to consider the dreadful Judgments that hung over their Heads for those Sins even the utter Ruine and Destruction of their City and Temple Learn hence 1. That good Men ever have been and are Men of tender and compassionate Dispositions sorrowing not only for their own Sufferings but others Calamities 2. That Christ shed Tears as well as Blood for a lost World Christ wept over Jerusalem as well as bled for her 3. That Christ was infinitely more concerned for the Salvation of poor Sinners than for his own Death and Sufferings not the sight of his own Cross but Jerusalem's Calamities made him weep 42 If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things belonging to thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes By the things belonging to their peace we are to
as Man he was David s Son as God man he was Lord to his own Father 45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his Disciples 46 Beware of the Scribes which desire to walk in long Robes and love greetings in the markets and the highest Seats in the Synagogues and the chief Rooms at Feasts 47 Which devour widows houses and for a shew make long prayers the same shall receive greater Damnation Observe here What it is that our Saviour condemns not Civil Salutations in the Market-place not the chief Seats in the Synagogue not the uppermost Rooms at Feasts but their fond affecting of these things and their ambitious aspiring after them it was not their Taking but their loving the uppermost Rooms at Feasts which our Saviour condemns God is the God of Order there may and ought to be a Precedency among Persons God commands us to give Honour to whom Honour is due but Pride and Ambition are detestable and hateful Vices especially in such as are Preachers and ought to be Patterns of Humility Observe 2. How our Saviour condemns the Pharisees for their gross Hypocrisy in colouring over their abominable Covetousness with a specious pretence of Religion making long Prayers in the Temple and Synagogues for Widows and thereupon perswading them to give Bountifully to Corban that is the Common Treasury for the Temple some part of which was employed for their Maintenance Whence we Learn That it is no new thing for Designing Hypocrites to cover the fowlest Transgressions with the Cloak of Religion thus the Pharisees made their Prayers a cloak and cover for their Covetousness CHAP. XXI 1 AND Jesus looked up and saw the rich men casting their Gifts into the Treasury 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites 3 And he said Of a truth I say unto you That this poor Widow hath cast in more then they all 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God but she of her penury hath cast in all that she had At the door of the Temple thro' which all the People passed in and out who came up three times a Year at the Solemn Feasts to Worship Almighty God in his own House there was a Chest set like the poor Mans Box in some of our Churches into which all Persons cast in their Free Will Offerings and Oblations which were employed either for the use of the Poor or for the Service of the Temple and what was thus given our Saviour calls an Offering to God v. 4. These of their abundance have cast in unto the Offering of God Thence Learn That what we rightly give to the Relief of the Poor or for the Service and towards the Support of God's publick Worship is Consecrated to God and as such is accepted of him and ought to be esteemed by us Observe 2. With what pleasure and Satisfaction our Saviour sets Himself to view those Offerings he beheld the rich men casting their Gifts into the Treasury Thence Note That our Saviour sees with pleasure and beholds with Delight whatever we have Hearts to give unto him whether for the Relief of his Members or for the Support of his Service Oh Blessed Saviour while now thou sittest at thy Father's Right Hand in Glory thou seest every hand that is stretched forth to the relief of thy poor Members here on Earth But a certain poor widow cast in two mites Several Circumstances relating both to the Person and the Action are here Observable as 1. The Person that offered was a Widow the Married Woman is under the careful Provision of her Husband if she spends he earns but the Widow has no hands but her own to work for her 2. She was a poor Widow poverty added to the Sorrow of her Widowhood she had no rich Joynture to live upon it is some alleviation of the Sorrow that attends Widow-hood when the Hand is left full tho' the Bed be left empty this Widow was needy and desolate but yet gives some in her Circumstances would have look'd upon themselves as having Right to receive what was given by others rather than to give any thing themselves 3 Observe her Bounty and Munificence in giving her two Mites are proclaimed by Christ to be more then all the rich Mens Talents more in respect of the mind and affection of the Giver more with respect to the proportion of the Gift a Mite to her being more than Pounds to others Pounds were little to them two Mites were all to her she leaves her self nothing so that the poor Woman gave not only more than any of them all but more then they all Christ's Eye look'd at once into the bottom of her Purse and into the bottom of her Heart and judge of the Offering rather by the Mind of the Giver than by the value of the Gift From this instance we Learn 1. That the Poorer yea the poorest sort of People are not exempted from good Works but even they must and ought to exercise Charity according to their Ability This poor Widow that had not a Pound nay not a Penny presents God with a Farthing 2. That in all Works of pious Charity which we perform God looks at the Heart the Will and the Affection of the Giver more then at the largeness and liberality of the Gift it is not said the Lord loveth a Liberal Giver but a chearful Giver He accepteth the Gift according to what a Man hath and not according to what he hath not Oh our God the poorest of us thy Servants have our two Mites also a Soul and a Body perswade and enable us to offer them both unto thee tho' they are thine own already yet wilt thou graciously accept them and oh how happy shall we be in thy acceptation 5 And as some spake of the Temple how it was adorned with goodly Stones and Gifts he said 6 As for these things which ye behold the days will come in which there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down Our Blessed Saviour being now ready to depart from the Temple never more after this Entering into it and his Disciples shewing him with Wonder and Admiration the magnificent Structures and Buildings thereof apprehending that in regard of its Invincible Strength it could not be destroyed not considering that Sin will undermine and blow up the most magnificent and famouâ— Structures For Sin brings Cities and Kingdoms as well as particular Persons to their End Not one stone says Christ shall be left upon another which threatning was exactly fulfilled after Christ's Death when Titus the Roman Emperour destroyed the City burnt the Temple and Turnus Rufus the General of his Army ploughed up the very Foundation on which the Temple stood Thus was the Threatning of God fulfilled Jerem 26.18 Zion shall be ploughed as a Field and Jerusalem shall become an heap Learn hence 1. That Sin has laid the
is establish others in the Faith from which thou art shamefully fallen thy self Now the Lessons of Instructions from the whole are these 1. That Temptations are like siftings God sifts to purge away our dust and dross Satan sifts not to get out the Chaff but to boult out the Flower his Temptations are Levelled against our Faith 2. That Satan has a continual Desire to be Sifting and Winnowing God's Flower Satan's own Children are all Bran all Chaff these he sifts not God's Children have Flower mix'd with Bran good Wheat mix'd with Chaff these he desires to sift winnow and fâ—n not to separate the Bran and Dross but to destroy the Flower Learn 3. That the intercession of Christ gives Security Satisfaction and Encouragement to all Believers that tho' their Faith may by Temptations be shaken and assaulted yet that it shall never be finally vanquish'd and overcome I have prayed that thy Faith fail not 4. That lapsed Christians when Recovered and Restored ought to endeavour to Restore and Recover to strengthen and establish others When thou art Converted strengthen thy Brethren 33 And he said unto him Lord I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death 34 And he said I tell thee Peter the Cock shall not Crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me St Peter's Resolution to accompany Christ both to Prison and to Death was Holy and Good but his too confident Opinion of his own Strength and Ability so to do without a Divine Aid and Assistance was his failing and infirmity Self-confidence is a sin too too incident to the holiest and best of Men. Little did Peter think What a Feather he should be in the Wind of Temptation if once God left him to himself and to Satan's Assaults Learn farther How hard a matter it is for a Christian to excel in Gifts and not to be over-confident and conceited To see a Man eminent in Gifts and yet exemplary in Humility is a rare sight if we stand in the Evil Day 't is an humble fear of Falling that must enable us to stand 35 And he said unto them When I sent you without Purse and Scrip and Shoes Lacked ye any thing and they said nothing 36 Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his Scrip and he that hath no Sword let him sell his Garment and buy one 37 For I say unto you That this that is written must yet be accomplished in me And he was reckoned among the Transgressors For the things concerning me have an end 38 And they said Lord behold here are two Swords and he said unto them It is enough As if our Lord had said Hitherto I have been with you and you have had my special Protection and careful Provision tho' you went without Purse Scrip or Sword But the Time is now at hand when I must leave you when your Friends will be few and your Enemies many therefore make such Preparation for your selves as Prudence shall direct Indeed my Sufferings will be first I must be numbred with the Transgressors and all things that are written of me must be accomplished and will suddenly be fulfilled and after me you will next come upon the Stage therefore prepare and provide for it Learn That Christ having fore-warned his Members but especially his Ministers of the Dangers Distresses and Difficulties that they are to conflict and encounter with it is their Duty by Faith and Patience with Courage and Christian Resolution to be well armed and prepared against them 39 And he came out and went as he was wont to the Mount of Olives and his Disciples also followed him 40 And when he was at the place he said unto them Pray that ye enter not into Temptation 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stones cast and kneeled down and prayed saying 42 Father if thou be willing remove this Cup from me nevertheless not my Will but thine be done 43 And there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthning him 44 And being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly and his Sweat was as it were great drops of Blood falling down to the Ground 45 And when he rose up from Prayer and was come to his Disciples he found them sleeping for Sorrow 46 And he said unto them Why sleep ye rise and pray lest ye enter into Temptation Our Blessed Saviour being now come to the Mount of Olives and having entered with his Disciples into the Garden near it whither he used to retire and pray In this place he falls into a bitter and bloody Agony in which he prayed with wonderful Fervour and Importunity his Sufferings were now coming on a great pace and he meets them upon his Knees and would be found in a Praying posture Learn thence That Prayer is the best Preparative for as well as the most powerful Support under the heaviest Sufferings that can befal us As to this Prayer of our Saviour in his Agony many particulars are very Observable As 1. The Time when he Prayed thus extraordinarily it was the Evening before he Suffered just before Judas with his Black Guard came to Apprehend him and when he did come he found him in a praying Posture our Lord Teaching us by his Example That when Eminent Dangers are before us especially when Death is apprehended by us it is our Duty to be very much in Prayer to God and very fervent in our Wrestlings with him Observe 2. The Subject Matter of our Lord's Prayer That if possible the Cup might pass from him That is he might escape that Dreadful Wrath at which he was so sore amazed But what Did Christ now begin to repent of his Undertaking for Sinners Did he shrink and give back when it came to the pinch No nothing like this but as he had Two Natures being GOD and Man so he had two distinct Wills as Man he feared and shunned Death as God-man he willingly submitted to it The Divine Nature and the Humane Spirit of Christ did now assault each other with disagreeing Interests Again This Prayer was not absolute but Conditional Father if it may be if thou wilt if it please thee let the Cup pass if not I will drink it The Cup of Sufferings we see is a very bitter and distastful Cup a Cup which Humane Nature abhors yet doth God oft-times put this Bitter Cup of Affliction into the hands of those whom yet he does sincerely Love and when he doth do so it is their Duty to drink it with Silence and Submission as here their Lord did before them Observe 3. The manner of our Lord's Prayer in this his Agony and here we may Remark 1. It was a Solitary Prayer he went by himself alone out of the Hearing of his Disciples The Company of our best and dearest Friends is not always Seasonable there are Times and Seasons when a Christian would not be willing that the most
in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father 22 Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews 23 But the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him Here we have our Saviour's Answer to the foregoing Question which consists of two Parts 1. Concerning the Place of Worship 2. Concerning the Worship it self As to the Place of Worship our Saviour tells her that though the Jews had heretofore by warrant of God's Word regularly worshipped at Jerusalem and the Samaritans superstitiously worshipped at Mount Gerizim yet the Hour was coming namely at his Death when all difference of Places for God's Worship should be taken away and therefore she need not trouble her self about the Place of God's Worship to know whether of the two Places were holier and the better to serve God in for ere long the Service of God should not be confined more to one Place than another Hence learn That since the death of Christ the Religious Difference of Places is taken away and the Worship of God not confined to any one particular Place or Nation 2. Our blessed Saviour resolves her concerning the Worship it self namely that the Ceremonial Worship which the Jews and Samaritans used should shortly be abolished and instead thereof a more spiritual Form of Worship should be established more suitable to the Spiritual Nature of the great and holy God and containing in it the Truth and Substance of all that which the Jewish Ceremonies prefigured and shadowed forth Learn hence That the True Worship of God under the Gospel doth not consist in the external Pomp of any outward Ceremonies but is Spiritual and Substantial No Worship is acceptable to him that is the Father of Spirits but that which is truly Spiritual 24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth God is a Spirit that is he has no Body nor bodily Parts He is not a bare spiritual Substance but a pure and perfect Spirit and therefore his Worshippers must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Where Spirit is opposed to the Legal Ceremonies and Truth to the Jewish Rites not to Hypocritical Services for the old Patriarchs did worship God in Spirit and in Truth As Truth is taken for Sincerity they served him with a sincere Conscience and with a single Heart But our Saviour's Business is to shew That a Worship without Legal Rites and Jewish Ceremonies is proper to the times of the Gospel In the Words Observe 1. The Nature of God declared God is a Spirit 2. The Duty of Man inferred therefore they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth From the whole Note 1. That God is a pure Spiritual Being When bodily Parts Hands and Eyes c. are ascribed to him it is only in Condescension to our weakness and to signifie those Acts in God which such Members do perform in us Note 2. That the Worship due from the Creature to God is spiritual Worship and ought to be spiritually performed The Jewish Ceremonial Worship was abolished to promote the Spirituality of Divine Worship yet must not this be so understood as if God rejected bodily Worship because he requires spiritual under the Gopsel for Jesus Christ the most spiritual Worshipper worshipped God with his Body Besides God has appointed some Parts of Worship which cannot be performed without the Body as Sacraments In a Word God has created the Body as well as the Soul Christ has redeemed the Body as well as the Soul and he will glorify the Body as well as the Soul therefore it is our Duty to worship and glorify God with our Bodies and with our Spirits which are his 25 The woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh which is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things 26 Jesus saith unto her I that speak unto thee am he Observe here 1. What a General Expectation there was in the Minds of all Persons at the time of our Saviour's appearing of one whom the Jews called the Messiah I know that Messiah cometh This Woman though a Samaritan yet knew that the Messiah should come and that he was now expected Observe 2. What the Work and Office of the Messias was apprehended and believed to be namely to reveal the whole Mind and Will of God to a lost World When the Messias is come he will tell us all things Learn thence That the Lord Jesus Christ the promised and true Messias being called and appointed by God to be the great Prophet of his Church hath fully and perfectly revealed all things needful to be known for our Salvation John 15.15 All things that I have heard of the Father I have made known unto you Observe Lastly How freely and fully Christ reveals himself to this poor Woman he tells her plainly that he was the Messias When the Jews asked him John 10.24 If thou be the Christ tell us plainly Christ did not in plain Terms tell them who he was Nay when John Baptist sent two of his Disciples to ask him whether he were He that should come he gave them no direct Answer Yet behold he makes himself plainly known to this poor Woman he discerning her Humility and great Simplicity that she was willing to be instructed by him and did not come to him as the Jews and Pharisees did captiously with a design to entangle and enspare him Hence learn That the Lord Jesus Christ delights to reveal himself and make known his Mind and Will to such as with an humble Mind and an honest Simplicity of heart do desire to know him and understand their Duty to him 27 ¶ And upon this came his disciples and marvelled that he talked with the woman yet no man said What seekest thou or Why talkest thou with her 28 The woman then left her water-pot and went her way into the city and saith to the men 29 Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ 30 Then they went out of the city and came unto him Observe here 1. How the Providence of God so ordered and disposed of things that the Disciples did not return to Christ till he had finisht his Discourse with this poor Woman An humbled sinner may meet with such Satisfaction and sweet Refreshment in Christ's Company that the presence even of Disciples themselves the best and holiest of Saints may be lookt upon as injurious to it and an interruption of it This poor Woman had so sweet a time with Christ that an end being put to the Conference by the coming of the Disciples might be Matter of Grief and Resentment to her Yet the Providence of God so ordered that the Disciples did not come to break off the Conference till Christ had made himself known as the Messias to this
poor VVoman Obs 2. The Carriage and Behaviour of the Disciples upon their return to Christ Finding him preaching a Sermon to a single VVoman they marvelled but yet were silent Learn 1. That the Humility and Condescension of the Lord Jesus Christ in treating poor penitent and humbled sinners is matter of wonder and admiration even to Disciples themselves Oh blessed Saviour there was more Kindness and Condescension more Love and Compassion more Meekness and Humility in thy self alone than in all thy Disciples and Followers put together Yet Observe 2. Tho' they marvelled they were silent No Man said Why talkest thou with her Thence Note That such Reverence is due to Christ in all his Dispensations and Actions that when we can see no reason for what he doth it is not for us to inquire much less to quarrel But we must awfully admire what we cannot comprehend Observe 3. the Behaviour of this VVoman after the Conference was over she leaves her VVater-Pot and makes haste to invite and call her Neighbours to Christ whose Grace and Kindness she had experienced Learn thence That such as truly know Christ have tasted Sweetness in him and derived Comfort and Satisfaction from him will be forward to invite and industrious to draw others to a saving Acquaintance with him Come with me and see a Man that told me all that ever I did is not this the Christ Learn farther from the Woman's leaving her Water-Pot behind her and hastening to the City That when once a Soul has tasted the Sweetness and Excellency that is in Jesus Christ those things which were highly esteemed before will be little regarded then The poor Woman came to draw Water and thought much and spake much of the Water of that Well which was before her but meeting with Jesus Christ and tasting of his Grace she forgets both Water and Water-Pot and away she goes to fetch in all her Acquaintance to Christ 31 ¶ In the mean while his disciples prayed him saying Master eat 32 But he said unto them I have meat to eat that ye know not of 33 Therefore said the Disciples one to another Hath any man brought him ought to eat 34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work Observe here The fit and seasonable Motion which our Saviour's Disciples make to him Master eat Learn from thence That though a Person 's chief Care should be for his own Soul and for improving all Opportunities for doing good to the Souls of others yet the Bodies of Men must not be neglected but supported by Meat and Drink especially theirs whose Health and Strength may be of greater Use and Service to God and his Church The Body is the Servant of the Soul the Instrument whereby it worketh and therefore to neglect the Body is to disable and unfit the Soul for Service to hinder the Functions and Operations of it The sixth Commandment which forbids us to kill requires us to use all Means for the Preservation of Life both in our selves and others Observe next our Saviour's Answer to the Disciples Motion Master eat say they I have Meat to eat that ye know not of says he for my Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me Not that our Saviour did not want Meat at this time for he was both hungry and thirsty as appears by his asking Water of the Woman to drink and by his sending his Disciples into the City to buy Meat But our Lord was more intent upon doing his Father's Work than upon satisfying his own hunger Christ hungred more after an Opportunity of doing good to the Souls of Men than he did after Meat and Drink to satisfie his hunger Lord Let us thy Ministers learn of thee to prefer the Spiritual Welfare of our People before any temporal Advantages whatsoever 35 Say not ye There are yet four months and then cometh harvest Behold I say unto you Lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoyce together 37 And herein is that saying true One soweth and another reapeth 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour other men laboured and ye are entred into their labours Our Blessed Saviour having in the former Verses given a most plain and evident Demonstration of his fervent desire to bring Souls home unto God doth in these Verses labor to stir up and kindle the like Affections in his Disciples and this he doth by three very effectual Arguments The first Argument is drawn from the Ripeness of the People and their Willingness to hear and their Readiness to be reaped and gathered by the Gospel whereof there was a present instance in the Samaritans who were now coming forth in multitudes to Christ which opportunity was therefore to be improved Lift up your Eyes and look on the Fields for they are white already for Harvest Learn hence That as a People is sometimes ripe for the Ministry of the Word as Corn is ripe and ready for the Reapers Hand so it is the Duty of the Ministers of Christ to lay hold upon such Opportunities with as much desire and delight as the Harvest-Man doth upon a reaping Season The second Argument to stir up the Disciples Diligence in preaching the Gospel is drawn from the great Reward they should receive for this their Work He that reapeth receiveth Wages The Harvest Man's Wages is double to what other Labourers receive The Ministers of God shall receive good Wages at his Hand how ill soever they are requited and rewarded by an unkind World And as a farther Encouragement it follows He that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together that is the Prophets who took much pains in sowing the Seed of the Gospel and particularly John the Baptist and you my Apostles which succeed them and reap the Fruit of what they did sow shall have the same Reward in Glory and rejoyce together Learn hence That not only the Successful but the Faithful Labourer in God's Harvest shall be rewarded not only those which see the Fruit of their Ministry in the Conversion of Sinners but such as are faithful Seeds-Men Though the Seed doth not come up till we are in our Graves nay though it rots under the Clods and does not come up at all yet shall the faithful Seeds-Man be rewarded according to his Labour not according to his Success The third Argument to quicken the Disciples Diligence is drawn from the Easiness and Facility of that Labour which God required of them Others have laboured and you are entred into their Labours that is the Prophets and John the Baptist have prepared the Ground and sown the Seed and made ready a People for the Lord and now you enter into their Labours by forming and gathering them into a Gospel-Church
has his Numbers among all Orders Ranks and Degrees of Men. And tho' not many Noble are called yet some are Note 2. The Calamity which befel this noble Person his Son was sick yea dying Earthly Greatness is no Defence against Afflictions great Men are in Trouble as other Men neither the Wealth and Riches of this noble Man nor his Power and Authority nor his Honour in his Country nor his Favour with his Prince could keep off God's Hand either from himself or from his Son But the Father feels as much by Simpathy as the Child by Sense Note 3. The Cause and special Occasion which brought this noble Man to Christ It was in general an Affliction and in particular the sickness of his Child Learn thence That great is the Fruit and Profit of Afflictions to the Children of Men. Many with this noble Man never come to Christ till they be driven by the Cross and particularly God sanctifies the Sickness and Death of near and dear Relations Children in special to bring Persons nearer to himself Note 4. This noble Man was neither faithless nor faithful had he been quite faithless he had not taken such Pains to come to Christ had he been faithful he had not limited the Son of God by saying Come down and heal my Son ere he die Come down as if Christ could not have cured him absent ere my Son die as if the same Power required to heal him being sick could not raise him being dead Lord heal my Son had been a proper Suit to him who was the great Physician But Come down and heal him was to teach Christ how to work He who doth whatsoever he will must do it how he will and when he will It is for us to crave and receive not to prescribe and appoint Note 5. The Meekness and great condescending Goodness of Jesus Christ notwithstanding the Infirmity of this poor Man our Lord says Go thy way thy Son liveth Worthiness in the Creature is not the Motive that rules Christ Should we measure our Hopes by our Worthiness there were no Blessing to be hoped for but if we measure them by Christ's Bounty and Compassion there is no Blessing to be despaired of Note 6. How Christ not only answers the Desires but exceeds the Expectations of this distressed Person His Request was only Come and heal my Son Christ's Answer was Go thy way thy Son liveth Our heavenly Father when he doth not give us what we ask gives us better than we asked We ask what we think best but God gives what he knows best Christ here gave a greater Demonstration of his Omnipotency than was craved Note Lastly With one Word doth Christ heal two Patients the Son of his Fever the Father of his Unbelief It was a low degree of Faith that brought the Father to Christ it was an higher degree that sent him back to his Son but highest of all when finding his Son healed he himself believed and his whole House Learn hence That a weak Faith may be true but a true Faith is always growing and increasing It is like the Path of the Just that shineth more and more until the perfect Day CHAP. V. AFter this there was a feast of the Jews and Jesus went up to Jerusalem 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda having five porches 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk of blind halt withered waiting for the the moving of the water 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had This Chapter begins with a Description of the famous Pool of Bethesda whose Waters were Medicinal to cure the first comer thereinto whatsoever Disease he had Some think this was effected in a natural way and that the Entrails of the sacrificed Beasts being wasted in this Pool an healing Vertue was communicated for curing the Palsie and such cold Diseases As Persons that have lame and withered Hands are at this day directed to put them into the Belly of a Beast newly opened But others look upon the healing Vertue of this Pool to be supernatural and miraculous because it cured all Diseases how old great and desperate soever and this in a moment or very quickly and but one at a time and that one the first that stepp'd in only after an Angel had descended and troubled the Waters All which shew that the healing Vertue came not from the goodness of the Waters but that it was a supernatural Work Some think that the Miracle of this Pool was granted to the Jews partly to strengthen them in the true worship of God and to confirm them in their religious Course of Sacrificing against the Scoffs of the Romans who were now their Lords such a Vertue being given to that Water wherein their Sacrifices were wont to be washed Learn hence That means of God's appointment how improbable and unlikely soever must not be despised but awfully admired and thankfully used although the way and manner of their working be not understood or comprehended by us 5 And a certain man was there which had an infirmity thirty and eight years 6 When Jesus saw him lie and knew that he had been now a long time in that case he saith unto him Wilt thou be made whole 7 The impotent man answered him Sir I have no man when the water is troubled to put me into the pool but while I am coming another steppeth down before me 8 Jesus saith unto him Rise take up thy bed and walk 9 And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked and on the same day was the sabbath 10 ¶ The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured It is the sabbath-day it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed 11 He answered them He that made me whole the same said unto me Take up thy bed and walk 12 Then asked they him What man is that which said unto thee Take up thy bed and walk 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was for Jesus had conveyed himself away a multitude being in that place It was very commendable that the rich Men did not engross this Pool and the Benefit of it to themselves but suffered poor People to come to it In this College of Cripples a poor Man that had been lame thirty eight Years was found who wanting Strength to help himself wanting Money to hire others and others wanting Mercy to help him Christ takes pity on him and because he could not go to Health Health is graciously brought to him and that by the Hand of the great Physician Christ Jesus Observe here 1. That not only are Mens Bodies subject to innumerable Infirmities and Diseases but it pleases God for wise Ends to continue some of his Servants labouring under
thirty eight Years so Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus and sought to slay him Yet observe the Cloak and Pretence they have for their malicious Persecution of our Saviour namely the supposed Violation of the Sabbath-day They sought to slay him because he had done these things on the Sabbath-day Learn hence That great Cruelty against Christ and his Members has always been and still is masked and disguised with a fair Pretence of Zeal for God and his Commands The Pharisees mortally hated our Saviour therefore to cover their Malice they traduce him as a Prophaner of the Sabbath and seek to take away his Life 17 ¶ But Jesus answered them My Father worketh hitherto and I work From this Verse to the End of the Chapter we have our Saviour's Apology for his working the foregoing Cure on the impotent Man on the Sabbath-Day And the chief Argument he insists upon is drawn from his Unity and Equality in Nature and Operation with his Father As the Father worketh says he so I work Here he speaks of himself not as a Servant or Instrument in his Father's Hand but as a Fellow-Worker with the Father both in the Works of Creation and in the Works of Providence and Preservation also Learn hence 1. That although Almighty God has long since ceased from the Works of Creation yet not from the Work of Preservation My Father worketh hitherto not by creating new Kinds of Creatures but by upholding and preserving what he has already created Learn 2. That Christ the Son of God is joyned with and undivided from the Father in Working As the Father created all things by him not as a Man and as an Instrument in the Father's Hand for then he was not such but as his Fellow-Worker being equal in Nature and Power with the Father in like manner as the Father preserveth sustaineth governeth and upholdeth all things so doth Christ the Father's Actions and his being the same My Father worketh hitherto and I work 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the sabbath but said also that God was his Father making himself equal with God 19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them Verily verily I say unto you The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do for what things soever he doeth these also doeth the Son likewise Observe here the Jews instead of being satisfied were the more enraged not only because he had violated the Sabbath as they pretended by healing the Cripple on the Sabbath-Day but because Christ had asserted that God was his Father in a peculiar manner and made himself equal with God Our Saviour therefore goes on to assert his Equality and Conjunction with the Father in his Operations and Workings which doth at once justify his Work on the Sabbath-day and prove him to be truly and really God Now our holy Lord to prove himself equal with God the Father produces first many Arguments to v. 31. and then alledges the Testimony of many Witnesses to the end of the Chapter Our Saviour's first Argument to prove himself equal with the Father in Essence and Nature is this That the Father and he are equal in Operation in Will and Consent for Working that the Son doth all that the Father doth and the Father doth nothing without the Son v. 19. The Son can do nothing of himself that is as Man as the Messias and as Mediator he could do nothing of himself His perfect Obedience to and Complyance with the Will of his Father that sent him would not suffer him to do any thing without him But as God he could do all things of himself Learn hence That it is an undeniable Proof that the Father and Son are one in Nature Essence and Being in that they are inseparable and undivided in Operation and Working What things soever the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise and the Son doth nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do Therefore Father and Son being equal in Operation and Working are equal in Nature and Being and consequently both essentially truly and really God Therefore the Arians of old and the Socinians at this Day are wide when they produce this Text The Son can do nothing of himself to prove that Christ is not equal with God the Father They forget or neglect to distinguish betwixt his Divine Nature which could do all things and his Mediatorial Office which could not do but what the Father that sent him had appointed him to do 20 For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself doeth and he will shew him greater works then these that ye may marvel The second Argument which our Saviour produces to prove his Unity in Nature and Equality in Operation with the Father is drawn from that special Love which the Father beareth to the Son which inclines him to communicate all things to him by a Divine and Ineffable Communication Learn hence 1. That God the Father loveth Jesus Christ his Son with an Essential Natural and Necessary Love as being the Substantial Image of himself and the Splendor and Brightness of his Glory The Father loveth the Son that is with an Essential Eternal and Ineffable Love 2. That the Father's Love to Christ was Communicative the Father communicated his Essence and Nature his Wisdom and Power for Operation to the Son The Father sheweth the Son all things that himself doth namely by a Divine Inconceivable and Unspeakable Communication 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will A third Argument proving Christ to be God and equal with the Father is here produced namely his raising of the dead He is jointly with the Father in that Work and equal with him As the Father quickneth whom he please so doth the Son quicken whom he will that is not as the Father's Instrument but as a principal Agent by the same Authority and with the like absolute Freedom of Will which the Father uses being a Sovereign and Independent Being as the Father is As the Father raiseth the dead and quickneth them so the Son quickneth whom he will Learn hence 1. That quickning and raising of the dead is an Act of Omnipotency and proper to God only The Father raiseth the dead and quickneth them 2. That Christ's Power to raise the dead as well as his Father is a Proof of his Equality with his Father and an Evidence of his being truly and really God the Son quickneth whom he will 22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son 23 That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him A fourth Instance of Christ's God-head and proof of his Equality with the Father is That it is his Work to judge the World The Father says Christ judges
are all perishing but for Bread for your Souls to live eternally by even for the Food of my heavenly Doctrine which will make them that feed upon it Immortal and this the Son of Man stands ready to give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed that is by a Special Commission and Authority hath impowered him to dispense all Spiritual Blessings to them that want and crave them Learn hence 1. That all the Things of this Life are perishing and fading The best of outward Comforts and Enjoyments are Meat that perisheth 2. That it is the greatest of Follies to labour intensely and inordinately for and to set our selves with all our might and strength to persue and follow after perishing things 3. That Jesus Christ his Holy Doctrine his heavenly Grace is Food which neither perisheth nor diminisheth how many soever partake of it but makes all that partake thereof to be Partakers of Eternal Life therewith 4. That Jesus Christ is authorized sealed and commissioned by his Father to give eternal Life to such as industriously labour after him and will not be satisfied without him Him hath God the Father sealed That is Jesus Christ was sealed to the Office of a Mediator by God the Father Christ was sealed at his Baptism sealed by his Doctrine sealed by his Miracles sealed by his Resurrection sealed by his Unction or Supereminent and Unparalleled Sanctification Lord where will the Rejecters of Christ then appear at the great Day who have despised the Authority of him whom the Father commissioned to give eternal Life to whom soever he pleaseth 28 Then said they unto him What shall we do that we might work the works of God 29 Jesus answered and said unto them This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent Here the Jews who were strict Observers of the Ceremonial Law of Moses and rested thereupon for Salvation inquire of our Saviour what they should do that they might please God Christ directs them to the great Duty of believing on himself to own and acknowledge him to be the True Messias and as such to rely upon him alone for Salvation This is the work of God that ye believe c. Learn hence That for a penitent humbled Sinner to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ it is a work highly pleasing and acceptable unto God Christ calls Faith the work of God upon a threefold Account it is the Work of his Efficiency and Operation 't is the work of his commanding and 't is the work of his Approbation and Acceptation a work that God is highly pleased with and greatly delighted in This is the work of God 30 They said therefore unto him What sign shewest thou then that we may see and believe thee what dost thou work 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert as it is written He gave them bread from heaven to eat Here the Jews tell our Saviour that before they will believe in him they must see some Sign from him to confirm his Doctrine and prove him to be the Messias They acknowledge Christ had wrought a great Miracle in feeding five thousand Persons with five Barley Loaves but Moses fed their Fathers in the Wilderness who were no less than six hundred thousand Persons with excellent Manna from Heaven and this for forty Years together from whence they would seem to conclude that they had more reason to believe Moses than Christ not considering that Moses was but an Instrument to obtain by Prayer the Manna at the Hands of God but Christ was an Agent and that by a creating Power inherent in himself he multiplied the five Loaves to the feeding of five thousand Note here 1. From the Jews requiring a Sign before they would believe That he who publishes a new Doctrine to the World ought to confirm his Mission by some Miraculous Operation 2. That God honoured Moses his Messenger very much and Christ his Minister much more in that both of them wrought great and special Miracles for the Confirmation of their Mission 3. That the Jews not believing Christ to be the true Messias upon so many Attestations and after his Divine Mission was confirmed by such Miraculous Operations rendered their Infidelity inexcusable and their Obstinacy invincible 32 Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my father giveth you the true bread from heaven 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world Upon the Jews mentioning Manna to our Blessed Saviour he takes occasion to make a Comparison betwixt himself the Bread of Life and Manna the Bread of Moses and that in three Particulars 1. It was not Moses that gave the Israelites that Manna it was God at the Prayer of Moses but it was God that now offered them the Bread of Life were they willing to accept it 2. The Manna was not given from Heaven that is from the Coelestial Heaven but only from the Air and Clouds which frequently in Scripture is called Heaven But Christ the Bread of Life was given and sent by the Father from the highest Heaven even the Heaven of Glory 3. Manna was not true Spiritual Food effectively and of it self but bodily Food only but Christ is Real and Spiritual Bread which gives Life to lost and dead Men which Manna did not could not do And whereas Manna was peculiar to Israel only Christ gives Life to all sorts of Persons Gentiles as well as Jews The Bread of God giveth Life unto the World Learn hence That as Christ is the Truth and Substance of all the Types in the Old Testament so particularly the Manna was an illustrious Type of Christ In many things they agree and in some they differ They agree in their Original Manna came down from Heaven so did Christ Manna was freely given so is Jesus Christ the free Gift of God Manna was not fit to be eaten as it lay in the Field but must be ground in a Mill or beaten in a Mortar and baked in an Oven before it was fit for Food Christ was ground by his Sufferings bruised on the Cross scorched in the fiery Oven of his Father's Wrath that he might become a fit Saviour for us Again as the Manna was gathered by the Israelites daily and equally it was rained down about their Tents and every Man had his Omer Thus is Christ in the Ministry of the Word daily offered to a lost World and all that believe in him shall share alike in the Benefits of Justification Sanctification and Glorification from him But now the Manna and Christ differ in this and the Truth excells the Type thus There is a quickening inlivening Vertue a Life-giving and a Life-upholding Power in Christ the Bread of Life which was never found in Manna the Bread of Israel And wheras Manna only fed the Body the Body of an Israelite and this only for a
with these poor Officers Observe 2. That the Pharisees being more enraged at the Reason which the Officers gave for neglecting their Office than for the neglect it self upbraid them that they should suffer themselves to be so deceived whereas none of the Grandees or Learned Rabbies had owned him only an accursed crew of Ignorant People followed him and doated on him Here Note That when Christ came into the World the great ones of the World not only refused to Believe on him but boasted of their unbelief as an Argument of their Wisdom Have any of the Rulers believed on him Oh no They were too Wise to Believe Faith is left to Fools and accounted Folly by those Wise Men. Nay farther They count the Common People cursed who did Believe on Christ O prodigious stupidity to account them accursed who receive Jesus Christ the cheifest Blessing Great Men have not always the Wisdom of a Man but more seldom have they the Wisdom of a real Christian Great in Honour and Wise in Understanding are a sweet couple but seldom seen together 50 Nicodemus saith unto them he that came to Jesus by night being one of them 51 Doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doth 52 They answered and said unto him Art thou also of Galilee Search and look for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet 53 And every man went unto his own house Here Observe 1. How God stirs up Nicodemus tho' he durst not openly own Christ yet to plead for him that he might not be condemned before heard this was a common Rule of Justice and nothing but what might have been said on behalf of the greatest Malefactor he could not well have said less but God so ordered it that it was enough to divert the Storm from falling upon Christ at this time One word shall be sufficient to blow over a Persecution when God will have it so Obs 2. They answer Nicodemus with a Taunt a Mock and a Scorn that no Prophet ever did rise out of Galilee nor ever should Therefore Christ arising out of Galilee as they thought could be no Prophet Observe Lastly That though they were more and more enraged yet they scatter without concluding any thing against Christ for that time every one went to his own home There is no Wisdom nor Understanding nor Counsel against the Lord. CHAP. VIII 1 JEsus went unto the mount of Olives 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple and all the people came unto him and he sat down and taught them The foregoing Chapter gave us an Account of a most excellent Sermon which our Saviour Preach'd in the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles Now the Feast being ended Jesus did not tarry in the City all Night but went out of it two Miles as he frequently used to do to the Mount of Olives And altho' it was so dangerous for him to be seen any more in Jerusalem yet early the next Morning he returns again to the City enters the Temple and falls upon his work of preaching without fear and with indefatigable diligence Oh what a busie useful Life was this of our Saviour's he spent the Day in preaching in the Temple the Night in privacy and Prayer on the Mount of Olives and the next Morning returns to his work of preaching again Thus was he always holily and painfully imployed to glorifie his Father and to be useful and beneficial to Mankind was his food by Day and his rest by Night Lord How little do we resemble thee if when thy Life was all Pains and Labour ours all be Pastime Pleasure and Recreation 3 And the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery and when they had set her in the midst 4 They say unto him Master this woman was taken in adultery in the very act 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned but what sayest thou 6 This they said tempting him that they might have to accuse him But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not 7 So when they continued asking him he lift up himself and said unto them He that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her 8 And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground 9 And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience went out one by one beginning at the eldest even unto the last and Jesus was left alone and the woman standing in the midst 10 When Jesus had lift up himself and saw none but the woman he said unto her Woman where are those thine accusers hath no man condemned thee 11 She said No man Lord. And Jesus said unto her Neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more Our Saviour early in the Morning entring upon the work of Preaching Observe 1. What a mixt Auditory he had of Scribes and Pharisees and Common People All sorts of persons came to hear him but not all with the same intentions the Common People came to Learn but the Scribes and Pharisees came to Cavil and Carp the latter came to Tempt and insnare him the former to be Taught and Instructed by him it is not our bare attendance upon Ordinances but the purity of our Aim and the sincerity of our Intentions in waiting upon God in them that is an Evidence of our Sincerity Observe 2. How the Hypocrisie of these Pharisees was gilded over with an appearance of Sanctity as if they were great lovers of Chastity and haters of Uncleanness they bring to Christ a Woman taken in a Adultery to be censured by him one that had not known these Pharisees would have concluded them very Holy and Honest very Conscionable and Conscientious Persons but Christ that saw into their Bosoms soon found that all this was done only to Tempt him Thus a smooth Tongue and a false Heart often accompany one another when we see too glittering appearances we have reason to suspect the inside Observe 3. The punishment which the Pharisees seek to have inflicted on this Adulteress it is Death let her be stoned Sometimes the punishment of Adultery was burning sometimes stoning always Death Lord How ought Christians to Blush who have slight thoughts of the Sin of Adultery which both Jews and Pagans held ever deadly Observe 4. Their ensnaring Question Moses commanded such to be stoned but what sayest thou The Pharisees desire no better Advantage against Christ than a Contradiction to Moses their Received Lawgiver It has been an old Stratagem to set Moses and Christ at variance but they are fast Friends they are Subordinate one to another not opposite one against another Moses brings us to Christ and Christ to Glory Fain would these colloguing Adversaries draw Christ to contradict Moses that they might take Advantage of that Contradiction to condemn Christ Observe 5. The Wisdom and Caution of our Lord's Answer he doth not excuse her
himself glorified when the Glory of his Son is advanced This Sickness is for the Glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified thereby 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick he abode two days still in the same place where he was 7. Then after that saith he to his disciples Let us go into Judea again 8 His disciples say unto him Master the Jews of late sought to stone thee and goest thou thither again 9 Jesus answered Are there not twelve hours in the day If any Man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world 10 But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him Observe 1. What an happy because an holy and religious Family was here and much honoured by Christ Jesus loved Martha Mary and Lazarus wherever true Piety dwells it draws the Eye and Heart of Christ towards it Christ had frequently and familiarly lodged under their Roof and he rewards them for their Entertainment with his Love Jesus loved Martha and her Sister Where Note That Martha is here named first though elsewhere Mary had the Precedency to shew no doubt that they were both equally dear to Christ Obs 2. That altho' Christ loved Lazarus yet he seems to neglect him he delays going to him for some days But could Christ absent himself from one so long whom he loved so well we find he did Let us take heed then that we do not mis-interpret Christ's Delays He seldom comes at our time but never stays beyond his own Our Saviour had a double End in staying thus long Namely for greatning of the Miracle and confirming of their Faith Had Christ gone before Lazarus was dead they might have attributed his Recovery rather to the strength of Nature than to Christ's miraculous Power or had Christ raised Lazarus as soon as he was Dead they might peradventure have thought it rather some Trance or Extasie than a Death and Dissolution therefore Christ stays so many days that God might be the more glorified and his own omnipotent Power the more magnified We Learn then That when Christ delays to help them whom he dearly loves it is always for wise ends and holy purposes Observe 3. How the Disciples tho' they were dearly affected to Lazarus for they had Learned to love where their Master loved yet they discourage Christ from going to him into Judea for fear of violence offered to him Master the Jews of late sought to stone Thee and goest thou thither again Here the Disciples pleaded for their Master's safety at the same time aiming at their own they were to go with him into Judea and they well knew that their danger was inwrapped in his Therefore they seek to divert him from his intention Oh how has the fear of Suffering made many of the Friends of Christ decline an opportunity of glorifying God and doing good to others But cannot God give safety in the midst of danger if he pleaseth let us not then chuse our way according to our own Apprehensions either of danger or safety but as we see God going before us if our call be clear let us go on with Courage whatever difficulties lye in our way Observe 4. How our Saviour corrects these fears of his Disciples by acquainting them with his call from God to undertake this Journey into Judea Are there not Twelve hours in the day if a Man walk therein he stumbleth not but in the night he stumbleth As if Christ had said As he that walks in the Day is in no danger of stumbling but in the Night he is in danger So as long as I have a call from God and my working time lasts there is a Divine Providence that will watch over me and secure me from all danger now my day is not fully spent and therefore it is not in the Power of my Enemies to precipitate my Passion or to bring the Night of Sufferings upon me before the appointed time but ere long the Night will come on the working time will be over and then shall both I and you stumble upon Death but while the day lasteth we are safe Learn hence 1. Every Man has his Twelve hours that is his working time assigned him by God in this World 2. While these hours are spent and whilest his working time is unexpired he shall not stumble he shall not die he shall not be disabled for working while God has any work for him to do neither the Malice of Men nor the rage of Devils shall take them off till their work be finished 3. Every Man has his Night as well as his Day in which he must expect and prepare to stumble that is to fall by Death for when God has done his work by us and with us he will withdraw his protection from us but not his care over us we stumble upon Death and fall into the Grave but God receives us to himself and at the end of our working Season rewards us for our work 11 These things said he and after that he saith unto them Our friend Lazarus sleepeth but I go that I may awake him out of sleep Observe here 1. Our Saviour coming near to Bethany Tells his Disciples that Lazarus sleepeth that is plainly he was Dead This shewed his omnisciency and that he was truly God for he had received no Advice of his Death from any person but as God he knew that he was deceased Observe 2. The sweet Title given both to Death and Lazarus Death is called a sleep Lazarus is stiled a friend yet Christ says not my friend but our friend Lazarus sleepeth intimating that gracious Familiarity and Mutual Friendship which was betwixt himself and all his Members Learn hence 1. That all True Believers are Christ's Friends 2. That the Friends of Christ must die as well as others 3. That their Death is but a Sleep Our friend Lazarus Sleepeth It followeth But I go that I may awake him out of sleep Observe Christ says not we will go and awake him but I will go and I will awake him The Disciples who were Companions in the way must not be Partners in the work Witnesses they may be Actors they cannot be none can awake Lazarus but the maker of Lazarus Who can command the Soul to come down and meet the Body and who can command the Body to Rise up and meet the Soul but that God that created both Soul and Body Lord It is our Comfort against the Dread and Terror of Death that our Resurrection depends upon thy Almighty Power I will go that I may awake him out of sleep 12 Then said his disciples Lord if he sleep he shall do well 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly Lazarus is dead 15 And I am glad for your sakes
Lazarus ver 41 42. Yet as God he had a Power of himself to raise Lazarus an Almighty Power communicated with his Essence from the Father by an Eternal and ineffable Generation 23 Jesus saith unto her Thy brother shall rise again 24 Martha saith unto him I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day 25 Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die Believest thou this Here Observe 1. Christ's meek Answer to Martha's passionate Discourse he takes no notice of the forementioned failings but comforts her with a promise of her Brother's Resurrection Thy Brother shall rise again Thence learn That the Knowledge and Belief of the General Resurrection is and ought to be a sufficient support under the Loss of our endeared Friends ' who die in the Lord. Observe 2. That the Doctrine of the General Resurrection was no new Doctrine Job believed it ch 19.26 Daniel publish'd it ch 12.1 The Pharisees had a Notion of it but Martha here makes it an Article of her Faith I know he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last Day Observe 3. How Christ particularly Instructs Martha in the cause of the Resurrection acquainting her that he himself is the Author and efficient cause of it I am the Resurrection and the Life That is I am the Author and principal efficient cause of the Resurrection And this with respect to both Natures 1. His Divine Nature is the efficient cause of the Resurrection he shall Raise our Bodies out of the Dust by the Power of his Godhead 2. His Humane Nature is the exemplary cause or pattern of the Resurrection For which Reason Christ is called the first Born from the Dead For tho' some were raised before him Yet was his Resurrection the cause of their Resurrection Hence St. Paul argues from Christ's Resurrection the certainty of the Resurrection of his Members Christ and Believers are one Mystical Body therefore is not Christ perfectly Risen till all his Members are Risen with him Indeed Christ's personal Resurrection was perfect when he arose and all Believers arose Representatively in him Yet till all Believers arise personally the Resurrection of Christ has not received its utmost perfection but there is somewhat behind of the Resurrection of Christ Most fitly then might our Saviour assert I am the Resurrection and the Life Observe 4. That Christ not only asserts himself to be the Resurrection but also the Life I am the Resurrection and the Life that is I am the cause of Life Natural Spiritual and Eternal and Whosoever Liveth and Believeth in Me shall never Die. That is eternally tho' his Body shall die because of Sin yet his Spirit shall live because of Righteousness 27 She saith unto him Yea Lord I believe that thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the world 28 And when she had so said she went her way and called Mary her sister secretly saying The Master is come and calleth for thee 29 Assoon as she heard that she arose quickly and came unto him 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town but was in that place where Martha met him 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house and comforted her when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily and went out followed her saying She goeth unto the grave to weep there 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was and saw him she fell down at his feet saying unto him Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not died Observe here 1. The full confession which Martha makes of her Faith in Christ as God Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World A confession which comes nearest to that of St. Peter Math. 16.16 of any that we meet with in Scripture Nay it seems more full than Peter's Confession for those additional words which should come into the World are not in his Confession the Summ is She believed Christ to be the very Messias who was Typified and prefigured Prophesied of and promised to the Old Testament Saints as the person that in the fulness of time should come into the World for the Redemption and Salvation of it Thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the World Thence Learn That Christ is never rightly believed in nor regularly depended upon for Salvation except he be owned and acknowledged to be the Eternal Son of God Martha was now fully perswaded of Christ's Divine Nature of which the best of the Disciples till after our Saviour's Resurrection had but a faint and uncertain perswasion Observe 2. How earnest and intent our Saviour was to dispatch the errand he came upon Namely to raise Lazarus from the Grave and to comfort the Two mournful Sisters he would not so much as enter the House till he had effected his work and therefore he goes strait to the Grave which probably was the place where Mary met him Lord it was thy Meat and Drink to do the Will of thy Father it was thy Meat and Drink by Day thy Rest and Repose by Night How unlike are we to thy self if we suffer either our Pleasures or our Profits to divert us from our Duty Observe 3. What haste and speed Mary makes to attend upon her Saviour she arose quickly and came unto him Mary's Love added Wings to her motion The Jews observing her hasty motion have a loving suspicion that she is gone to the Grave to weep there but their Thoughts were too low for whilst they supposed that she went to a dead Brother she was waiting upon a living Saviour And she that used to sit at Jesus feet now falls at his feet in an awful veneration the very gesture was supplicatory And her humble prostration was seconded with a doleful Lamentation Lord If thou hadst been here my Brother had not died Where Observe A mixture of Faith with humane infirmity Here was strength of Faith in ascribing so much Power to Christ that his presence could preserve from Death but here was Infirmity in supposing the necessity of Christ's presence for this purpose Certainly he that did raise him from Death being present could have preserved him from dying being absent had he pleased This was Mary's moan Lord hadst thou been here our Brother had not died full of Affection but not from frailty and infirmity However Christ takes no notice of her errors and infirmity but all the reply we hear of is a Compassionate Groan which the following Verses acquaint us with 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping and the Jews also weeping which came with her he groned in the spirit and was troubled 34 And said Where have ye laid him They say unto him Lord come and see 35 Jesus wept 36 Then said the Jews Behold how he loved him 37
that time when he had with an unbelieving Heart and an unthankful Spirit been eating the Passover which was a Type of Christ Now Satan enters into him that is takes fuller possession of him and he gives up himself more freely and fully to the Devil's conduct and suggestions Satan gets possession of wicked Men gradually and by degrees not all at once the only way to be safe is to resist the beginnings of Sin for when Satan once gets footing it is hard to prevent a more full possession Observe 4. The place where Judas now was Namely at Bethany some Miles from Jerusalem and it was now Night yet so intent he was upon the Devil's work that away he trudges to Jerusalem and at that time of the Night repairs to the high Priests and sells his Saviour into their hands Oh what a warmth and zeal was here in the Devil's cause Men given over by God possest by Satan are so restless and unwearied in Sin that neither by day nor by Night can they cease from the contrivance and execution of it 31 ¶ Therefore when he was gone out Jesus said Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him 32 If God be glorified in him God shall also glorifie him in himself and shall straightway glorifie him Observe here 1. Our blessed Lord calls his Death his glory Now is the Son of Man glorified That is now is the time at hand when I am to die and shall by my Death finish the work of Man's Redemption and thereby eminently glorifie God God the Father was eminently glorified in the Obedience and Sufferings of his dear and only Son It is true that the Sufferings of Christ were Ignominious in themselves yet were they the way to his own Glory and his Father 's also for by them he redeemed a lost World trampled upon Satan triumphed over Sin And the Father was exceedingly glorified by the Son 's giving Obedience to his Will and so chearfully Suffering Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him 33 Little children yet a little while I am with you Ye shall seek me and as I said unto the Jews Whither I go ye cannot come so now I say unto you Observe here An indearing compellation a sweet Title given by Christ to his Disciples Little Children intimating that tender Affection which he bare unto them tho' now upon the point of departing from them Learn thence That whatever Christ's dealings are or may be with his People in respect of his removing and withdrawing from them yet he still retains the relation of a Father to them and will in his absence from them exercise such a care over them as Parents have of their young and tender Children so much doth the Title of Little Children imply and import Observe farther The plain intimation which our Saviour gives to his Disciples of his death being very nigh for it was the very next day he tells them he was going to Heaven and whither he went they could not come that is not presently they should follow him their forerunner afterwards but at present he had a great deal of work for them to do tho' his own work was done and till they had finished their work Whither He went they could not come Learn hence That tho' it be Rest which the Saints may lawfully desire an everlasting rest with Christ in glory yet must they not refuse to labour whilest their Lord will have it so Till their work be done whither Christ is gone they cannot come Ye shall seek me but whither I go at present ye cannot come 34 A new commandment I give unto you That ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another Our Saviour having mentioned his departure from his Disciples in the former Verse I go away and whither I go ye cannot come In this and the following Verses he gives them a strict charge that in his absence they should love one another This he calls a new Commandment not that it was new in regard of Institution but of Restitution not new in regard of the Substance of it for it was a Branch of the Law of Nature and a known precept of the Jewish Religion But he calls it a new Commandment 1. Because purged from the old corrupt glosses of the Pharisees who had limited this duty of Love and confined it to their own Country-men whereas Christ enlarges the object and obliges his Disciples to love all mankind even their very Enemies 2. Because this Duty of Love was so greatly advanced and heightned by our Saviour as to the measures and degrees of it even to the laying down of our Lives one for another 3. It is called a new Commandment because urged from a new Motive and enforced by a new Example As I have loved you that ye also love one another never was this Duty so effectually taught so mightily encouraged so much urged and insisted upon by any Teacher as our Saviour and never was there such an Example given of it as his own 4. 'T is a new Commandment because with the rest it was never to wax old but to be always fresh in the memory and practice of Christ's Disciples to the end of the World 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another To recommend the foregoing Duty of loving one another with the greater advantage our Saviour tells us here that it will be the best Evidence of our Relation to him as sincere Disciples By this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples Where Observe 1. Our Saviour doth not say by this Men shall conjecture and guess that you belong to me as being my Disciples but they shall certainly know it 2. He doth not say by this shall you know your selves to be my Disciples and one another to be so but by this shall all others know it as well as your selves 3. He doth not say by this shall all Men know that you look like my Disciples but that you are indeed what you pretend to be Namely By your loving one another 4. Christ doth not say by this shall the World know that you are my Disciples Namely By your assembling often together in my House of Prayer by your frequent fastings by your reading the Scriptures Daily by your hearing Sermons Weekly by your Receiving Sacraments Monthly all these put together will be no sufficient evidence of your Disciple-ship if you keep up a secret grudg in your Hearts one against another But by this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples if ye love one another Learn hence That one of the best Proofs and Evidences we can have of our relation to Christ as his sincere Disciples is an hearty love and good will one towards another 36 ¶ Simon Peter said unto him Lord whither goest thou Jesus answered him Whither I go thou canst not follow me now but thou shalt
and holiest of Christians there remains much Corruption to be purged out in order to future and farther fruitfulness Learn 6. That the Husbandman's hand God the Father's manages the pruning Knife of Affliction in order to his Peoples improvement in Grace and Holiness he had rather see his Vine Bleed than see it Barren Lastly That such Branches as after all the Husbandman's Care and Cost remain unfruitful shall be finally cut off and cast away as was Judas here who in this Discourse of our Saviour seems particularly and especially to be aimed at He was a Branch in him that bare no Fruit who was shortly after taken away and went to his own place 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you 4 Abide in me and I in you As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me 5 I am the vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing Our Saviour having in the former Verses distinguished his Disciples into two sorts some that were Members of his Body the Church and Branches of him the true Vine by outward shew and visible profession only others that are spiritually ingrafted into him and do bring forth much fruit now in this third Verse Christ tells his Disciples which number they were of Now saith he ye are clean thro' the word which I have spoken unto you that is Now that Judas the Traitour that Dead Rotten fruitless Branch is cut off and cast out ye are all clean thro' the cleansing Power and Vertue of my Word and Doctrine Learn hence 1. That such as are justified by the Blood and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ are in Christ's Account clean notwithstanding their many spots and manifold imperfections Now are ye clean 2. That as the Blood of Christ is the meritorious and the Spirit of Christ the efficacious so the word of Christ is the Instrumental cause of a Believer's Purification and Cleansing Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Abide in me and I in you That is Abide in me and I will abide in you Abide in me not only by an outward and visible Profession but by a real and fiducial Adherence and I will abide in you by the influences and operations of my Holy Spirit The Union and Conjunction between Christ and his Members is mutual they abide in him by Faith and dependance and he abides in them by the indwelling presence of his Grace and Spirit Abide in me and I will abide in you Observe Farther the Reason which Christ gives why they should thus abide in him because without Union with him without interest in him without influences of Grace derived from him they could bring forth no fruit for him nor do any thing that is truly acceptable and well-pleasing to him As the Branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me for without me ye can do nothing That is As brances sever'd from the Vine cannot live nor bear Fruit so neither can Christians separated from Christ and without deriving vertue from him do any thing spiritually good and well-pleasing in the sight of God Learn hence That not only unregenerate Men do labour under an impotency to that which is spiritually good but even Disciples themselves without daily dependance upon Christ and without constant communications of Grace from him can do nothing in a lively and acceptable way and manner unto him without me Ye can do nothing you that are Branches of me the true Vine 6 If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned Here our Holy Lord discovers the sad and deplorable Condition of such professors who pretending Relation to Christ do yet bring forth no fruit unto him he calls them wither'd Branches fit only for the Fire Learn hence That such as have had a long standing in God's Vineyard and contented themselves with a withered profession they are in great danger of having God's blasting added to their Barrenness All their parts and gifts and common Graces will wither and their fair Blossoms of Profession will drop off and at the great Day the Angels will gather these fruitless Branches together and cast them into Hell fire 7 If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you Observe here 1. A glorious priviledge declared Ask what ye will it shall be done unto you Not that we are hereby warranted to ask what we please at God's hand but our Will must be limited by the Word and Will of God we must pray in Faith and in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ and with a single Eye at the Glory of God Observe 2. The Condition upon which this priviledge is attainable If ye abide in me and my word abide in you that is practically and experimentally If my Doctrine and Commands abide in your Hearts and dispose you to an Holy fruitfulness in your Lives then shall all your just requests be granted Learn That such as by Faith embrace the Promises and by Obedience live up to the Precepts of the Gospel may in Prayer humbly ask of God what they will with a due Submission to the Wisdom and Will of God 8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my disciples Our Lord here exhorts his Followers to an Holy fruitfulness in good works by a double Argument One drawn from the Glory of God Herein is my Father glorified The other from their own Advantage so shall ye be my Disciples That is hereby ye shall evidence and prove your selves to be my Disciples Learn hence That a Christian's abounding fruitfulness in good works will abundantly conduce to the Honour and Glory of God and also to his own Peace and Comfort by being the best evidence of his Discipleship 9 As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love Lord What a comparison is here As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you he doth not say as the Father hath loved me so have I loved him but so have I loved you nor doth he say as God hath loved me so have I loved you but As the Father it is verbum dilectionis a word importing dearness of Affection nor doth he say the Father hath loved me and I love you but as the Father hath loved me so have I loved you nor doth he say as the Father hath loved me so will I love you but so have I loved you This shews the priority of Christ's love that he loved us first and also denotes the invincible constancy of his love and
the indubitable certainty thereof I have loved you Follow me from Heaven to Earth and from Earth to Heaven again and you will find that every step I have taken hath been in love Learn 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ has given full and ample Demonstration of his great and wonderful love unto his Church and People 2. That it is the Duty and ought to be the singular care of every Christian to preserve the sweet sense and inward diffusions of Christ's love in their own Souls Continue ye in my love 10 If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love Christ had told his Disciples in the foregoing Verse That he had loved them even as the Father had loved him That is with an eternal love with a real and operative love with an immutable and constant love In this Verse he directs them how they may continue in the sense of his Love Namely By their constant Obedience to his Commands as his Obedience to his Father's Commands had secured him a continuance in his Father's Love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love That is in the sense of my Love and under the sweet apprehensions of it Learn hence That as our Obedience to Christ is the best Evidence of our Love to him so is it the best means to preserve and keep us in the sense and assurance of his Love to us 11 These thing have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full In these words our Saviour declares the Ground and Reason why he did so vehemently press and urge the Duty of being universally fruitful upon his Disciples and that was twofold 1. That his joy might remain in them That is That the joy which he had in their Holiness and Obedience might remain with him nothing is more desired by Christ than that he may have cause continually to rejoyce in the Faith and fruitfulness of his People 2. That their joy in him might be full This latter arises from the former our joy in Christ results from Christ's joy in us his delight in us causes us abundantly to delight in him Learn hence That nothing is more desired by Christ than that the joy of his People should be a full solid constant and uninterrupted joy 2. That the only way and means in order thereunto is by an Holy fruitfulness in good works All these things have I spoken unto you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy might be full 12 This is my commandment That ye love one another as I have loved you Our Lord had often in this farewel Sermon of his to his dear Disciples pressed upon them the Duty of loving one another ch 13 and 14. And yet here he enforces it again from his own Example As I have loved you so love you one another that is as truly and as sincerely for the manner tho' not to the same proportion and degree Learn hence That for the Disciples of Christ to love one another upon such grounds and in such a way as he loved them is that which his heart greatly desires and is very much set upon 2. That Christ's love unto Believers is both an obligation unto mutual love and also a pattern and example for it This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you 13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends Here our Saviour gives his Disciples an Evidence of the greatness of his love unto them Namely In his readiness to lay down his Life for them which is the highest expression of Love to our dearest Friends because Life is the greatest earthly blessing Learn hence That Christ's Love in laying down his Life for his People was a matchless Love for whilst they were Enemies to him he had a friendly respect for them and never ceased till he had brought them into a covenant of friendship with himself 14 Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Here Christ invites his People to Obedience by the honourable title of Friends Ye are my Friends 1. Actively you will declare and manifest your selves to be my Friends 2. Passively I will declare my self to be your Friend Learn hence 1. How condescending is the Love of Christ in calling his Servants by the name of Friends 2. How glorious is the Believer's Relation to Christ in being one of his Friends 3. How grateful is Obedience to Christ seeing it dignifies the Practisers of it with the Title of his Friends 4. Our Conformity to Christ consists not so much in imitation of what he did as in Obedience to what he prescrib'd Some Actions of Christ are unimitable but all his Commands are obeyable 5. That nothing short of an humble uniform chearful and constant Obedience to the Commands of Christ will Evidence the Truth of our Relation to him and the sincerity of our friendship with him Then only are ye my friends when you do whatever I command you 15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you By these words Christ declares the Reason why he was pleased to change his stile and call his Disciples Friends instead of Servants Namely Because of his Communication of Secrets to them which Servants are not admitted to the knowledge of Henceforth I call you not Servants that is not meer Servants not that they were to be exempted from Obedience for that is called for in the foregoing Verse but Christ treated them now with the kindness and familiarity of Friends being about to leave them he unbosoms himself unto them saying All things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you Not as if Christ had communicated the infinite Treasures of knowledge to them which the Father had imparted to him but he speaks here as the Prophet of his Church that as such he had revealed all things needful for them to know in order to Salvation all things belonging to their Case and State as a Counsellour doth not impart all his knowledg to his Clients but all that is necessary for his Client to understand and know that he makes known unto him relating to his own Case Learn hence 1. That all Christ's Disciples are his Servants and all his Servants are his Friends in regard of intimate Communion and tender usage Henceforth I call you not servants but friends And after his Resurrection he called them Brethren John 20.17 The Dignity of Believers is a growing Dignity the longer they follow Christ the higher priviledges are indulged to them Learn 2. That all the Fathers counsel concerning our Salvation and so far as it is needful and necessary for us to know is faithfully revealed
death Woman behold thy Son Where Note He calls her Woman and not Mother he doth not say Mother behold thy Son but Woman behold him Not that Christ was ashamed of or unwilling to own her for his Mother But either 1. Fearing that calling her by that name should augment and increase her Grief and Trouble Or else 2. To intimate his change of State and Condition that being ready to die and return to his Father in Heaven he was above all earthly Relations and knew no one after the Flesh no not his very Mother Yet see at the same time when he was above her and about to leave her how his Care manifested it self for her when his Soul and Body were full of Anguish to the very brim Yet all this makes him not in the least unmindful of so dear a Relation Thence learn That Christ's tender Care of his Mother even in the time of his greatest Distress is an excellent Pattern for all Children to imitate and follow to the end of the World St. John here obeyed Christ's Command and imitated his Example he took her to his own Home that is he treated her with all that dutiful Regard which a tender and indulgent Mother challenges from a pious and obedient Son No personal Trial or Trouble upon our selves doth exempt us from the performance of our Duty towards others especially towards our near and dear Relations Christ in the extremity of his Sufferings accounted it his Duty to take care of and provide for his dear Mother Teaching us by his Example That Children ought to evidence that they honour their Parents by taking care of them in their decayed and desolate Condition Again Inasmuch as St. John took care of the holy Mother after her dear Son's death That Disciple took her to his own home We Learn That the Lord never removes one Comfort and taketh away the means of subsistance from his People but he raises up another in the room of it It is very probable that Joseph her Husband was before this time dead and Jesus her Son was now dying but still God provides he raises up St. John to take care of her he takes her to his own Home and looks upon her as one of his Family But how comes St. John above the rest to have this honourable Service put upon him and this high Trust reposed in him Answer The Text tells us he was the Disciple whom Jesus loved that is in a more especial manner treating him with greater Freedom and Familiarity than the rest he also evidenced more Love unto and more Courage and Resolution for Christ than the rest of his Disciples he standing by the Cross when they got afar off Mark 15.49 Thence we learn That such as are beloved of Christ as do keep close unto him and express most Zeal and Resolution for him they shall be peculiarly honoured by him and be employed in the highest Services for him 28 ¶ After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled saith I thirst 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vineger and they filled a spunge with vineger and put it upon hyssop and put it to his mouth Observe here 1. The Affliction or Suffering which our Saviour complained of and that is Thirst there are two sorts of Thirst one Natural and Proper the other Spiritual and Figurative Christ felt both at this time His Body Thirsted by Reason of those Agonies which it laboured under His Soul Thirsted in vehement Desires and fervent longings to accomplish that great and difficult Work he was now about 2. The design and end of our Lord's Complaint That the Scripture might be fulfilled he saith I Thirst Our Saviour finding that all was accomplished which he was to do before his Death but only the fulfilling that one Scripture Ps 69.21 They gave me Vineger to Drink He for the accomplishment thereof Said I Thirst Whence Note That such were the Agonies and Extream Sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross that they drank up his very Spirits and made him cry I Thirst 2. That when Christ cried out I Thirst it was to shew that what ever was foretold by the Prophets concerning him was exactly accomplished and even to a Circumstance fulfilled in him That the Scripture might be fulfilled Jesus saith I Thirst 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vineger he said It is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the Ghost Observe here 1. Our Lord's last word It is finished 2. His last Act He bowed his Head and gave up the Ghost As to the former his last Word It is finished This might be the probable intendment of it 1. It is finished That is Now is my Father's Eternal Council concerning me accomplished and now is the Promise that he made of my becoming a Sacrifice for Sin fulfilled both my Father's Purpose and my Father's Promise are now receiving their final Accomplishment 2. It is finished that is the Scriptures are now fulfilled all the Types that did prefigure me all the Prophetical Predictions that were made of me all the Jewish Sacrifices that pointed at me have now received their final accomplishment in me and are abolished in my Death 3. It is finished that is my Sufferings are now ended my Race is Run my work is done I am now putting my last Hand to it my Death is before me I have finished the Work the whole Work which I came into the World for doing as well as dying all is upon the matter compleated it is just finishing it will be instantly finished Again 4. It is finished that is the Fury and Malice the Rage and Revenge of my Enemies is now ended they have done their worst the Chief Priests and Soldiers the Judges and Witnesses the Executioners and Tormenters have all tired out themselves with the Exercise of their own Malice but now their Spite and Spleen their Envy and Enmity is ended and the Son of God's at Rest 5. It is finished that is the Glorious work of Man's Redemption and Salvation is perfected and performed consummated and compleated the Price is paid Satisfaction is given Redemption is purchased and Salvation insured to a miserable World Woe unto us if Christ had left but one farthing of our Debt to the Justice of God unpaid we must have lain in Hell to all Eternity as being insolvend But Christ has by one offering for ever perfected them that are sanctified Learn hence That Jesus Christ hath perfected and compleatly finished the great work of Redemption committed to him by God the Father Observe 2. Our Saviour's last Act. He bowed his Head and gave up the Ghost Whence learn The spontaneity and voluntariness of Christ's Sufferings how freely he surrendred to Death his Soul was not rent from him but yeilded up to God by him Christ was a volunteer in dying tho' his Death was a violent Death yet it was a voluntary Sacrifice He bowed his