One eminently carefull of the purity of Gods ordinances hath with others of our Renowned Nobility faithfull Gentrie and Burrows run the hazard of all things in this life and of life it self to purge the land from superstition and Heresie and to give freedome not only to the preaching of the Truth of the Gospel but also unto Pens and Presses for propagation of it What singular Proofes of Integrity and inflexible Constancy your Honour hath given in this great work of uniting these three kingdomes more nearly unto God and among themselves in the matters of Religion it is so well known that I need say nothing but bless God for the raising up of so many precious Sons of Sion to take their Mother by the Hand in the day of her calamity and give thanks to his Majesty for your Lordships in particular ANd as for Your Honour My Lord Mauchlin I could not but joyn your Lordships Name with Your Noble Father in this Dedication partly because you follow up so hard after his foot-steps that your gracious and prudent Behaviour observed by all Beholders hath drawn from your Condesciples in Philosophy a more ample elogy then either your Lordships Modesty or my measure of Commendation of men will suffer me to repeat partly that your Lordship may be thus yet more ingaged to drink in and maintain that Doctrine of Salvation by Christ which giveth the text of his Testament for a Pawn and Pledg of its verity The love and fruitfull Profession whereof that it may bâ— the constant Glory of the House of Loâ—doun is the hearty prayer of Both your Honours affectionate Servant in the LORD DAVID DICKSON To the honest-hearted Reader BEside what I have said in the Epistle Dedicatory I must acquaint thee worthy Reader yet further with my purpose and way in this Piece The speciall intent of the putting forth of it is not onely that measure of edification which thou maist reap by this small Work but also that in satisfying the desire of sundry worthy men of GOD who have â—btâ—stâ—d me to make proof how some other place of Scripture may be fitted for the Churches edification after the mould of the Short Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews I may engage them all if it be possible and others also with them who are more able then I am to quicken and prosecute as partners the motion made by me heretofore and now renewed to wit That by the consent of a number of able Workmen dividing the task among them some such brief Explanation of the whole Text of Scripture containing the chief Doctrines in a way accommodate unto the capacity of common people may see the light for the setling of saving Truth in their hearts by the force of divine Faith closing immediatly with the Text of Scripture Then which Work I conceive there can be no one mean after powerful Preaching more forcible for rooting out of Errours and manifesting unto all men the true Religion which wee profess in Brittain and by Covenant are obliged to maintain and propagate according to our power In this Explanation of the Gospel according to Matthew I have laboured to fit the mould so that the deduction of the Doctrines from the Text may be more obvious to the Readers up-taking then it is in the Short Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews I have contented my self with some few observations upon each Text which might serve most for the cleering of the place leaving to every Reader as he hath time for Meditation and ability of Gifts to observe what further the Text may afford it being sufficient for my designe that thou find so much clearnesse and sweetnesse in the Lords Word by what I offer to thy taste as may make thee more in love with the daily reading of the Scripture and the Learned and Able may be stirred up to help thee with more Stuffe of this kinde I point ordinarily at some words in the Text for a Ground of the Doctrine proponed from which words if the Doctrines do not immediately arise and formally follow yet from these words such Doctrines may be inferred after some little larger Explication of them as these illate Particles FOR and THEREFORE do at least import The History being all along most part plain I have forborn to trouble thee with large Contents or Analysis or Exposition of words and have insisted onely where some difficulty is and that so long onely as was necessary to give some light hasting in all other places unto the Doctrine and couching in them frequently so much Exposition of the words as I could with clearnesse and brevity of which I have had a speciall care resolving with my self that as larger Commentaries serve onely for them who have Leasure and love to read much so this sort of Writing must be for those onely who for one reason or other must either have something in short or nothing at all If this Mould seem unto thee fit for opening of the sealed Book pray with me that the Lord would fit and stir up a sufficient number of Instruments for hastening forth this wished-for Work unto thy Edification and I will remain Thine to serve thee for CARIST'S cause D. D. Before the Evangel written by MATTHEW a Title is prefixed common to it and all the rest of the Writings of the Apostles and Evangelists which is this THE NEW TESTAMENT Or COVENANT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST THe whole Bible is commonly called by the name of Old and New Testament or Covenant one word signifying both Covenant and Testament as it were A Testamentary Covenant The reason why the holy Scriptures written before and since Christ came are called by the name of Covenant is because the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and the Son for purchasing of salvation and saving graces to the Elect and the Covenant of Grace made with the Church through Christ for application of all purchased graces leading unto salvation are the sum and substâ—nce of the 〈◊〉 Bible The reason why the Scriptures are called also by the name of Testament is because the Son of Goâ— having undertaken to lay down his life which now he hath peâ—foâ—mâ—â— as the Pâ—ce of Redemption and so having made all things belonging to life to be his own by paction he doth by way of Legacy dispone and bequeath unto the children of promise in the holy Scriptures as in a written and sealed Testament whatsoever by his death hee hath purchased unto them that whosoever in the sense of sin and fear of wrath doe flee unto Christ may lay claim unto righteousnesse and eternall life as Heirs of Christ and may seek with confidence not onely to have the first fruits of his conquest in this life but also to have the full possession thereof in the life to come and that as a Legacy left unto them by Christ. But because these heavenly Mysteries are not so cleerly and fully set down in the Writings
of Moses and the Prophets as they are now revealed in the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles Therfore the Books of Scripture written before Christ came in the flesh are called the Old Covenant or the Old Testament and these which are written since he came are called the New Covenant or the New Testament of our Lord Jesus The speciall Title prefixed to this Evangel is THE GOSPEL By or According to MATTHEW THis Book is called the Gospel or glad Tidings because the doctrine contained in it concerning our redemption from sin and misery by Christ the Son of God is the most joyfull news that ever the world did hear especially after that the Law and Covenant of works have discovered unto us the vilenesse of sin and the unsupportable burden of Gods wrath due to our sin It is called The GOSPEL by or according to Matthew who also was called Levi because God in a speciall providence did make choice of him to write this Evangel to the world as of one who had found in a speciall manner by experience in his own person the power of life and riches of grace is Christ making him not onely of a sinner a Saint but also of 〈◊〉 Publican an Apostle CHAP. I. In this Chapter is contained the Genealogy of JESUS CHRIST as he is Man unto vers 18. And five evidences of his holy and wonderfull incarnation from vers 18. to the end Vers. 1. THe Book of the generation of JESUS CHRIST the son of David the son of Abraham IN this Title of the Genealogie Or Roll of the Pedigree of Christ the Evangelist holdeth forth unto us these things The person of whom we have to take notice here is not a meer man but the Saviour of men for the inscription calleth this Roâ—l The book of the generation of IESUS CHRIST such a man as is true God also and worthy to be called in the most proper ond strict sense IESUS the true SALVATOR and DELIVERER of men from sin and wrath which still properly taken belongeth only to him who is almighty God and IESUS in effect 2. This person IESUS is throughly able and fully furnished for accomplishing the work of mans salvation and one who is anointed unto the offices of Prophet Priest and King to bring about and perfect the salvation of his own for this IESUS is that CHRIST the eminently anointed SAVIOUR 3. He is the Saviour of Jew and Gentile who in his Hebrew name IESUS and his Greek name CHRIST doth lift up a Banner of love unto both That the Hebrews and Grecians the Jews and Gentiles may come to him for salvation the one no lesse then the other 4. As the Lord did promise in Paradise in the assumed seed of the woman to tread down the head of the serpent and did renew his promise in Abrahams seed to blesse all the nations of the earth and in Davids seed to reign and rule over the true Israel of God for ever so hath he performed yea he hath carefully provided not only to make his promise good but also that the degrees of his lineall descent according to his humanâ— nature should be marked partly in the holy Scripture from Abraham unto the Jews captivity in Babylon and partly in the publick registers of the family and posterity of David from the captivity unto his birth Thâ—rfore he is called the Son of Abraham â—he Son of David and mention is made of a Book or Roll drawn forth of the records This Register was from age to age so punctually filled up in every family and made notour to all men Ezra 2.62 that not only Davids posterity was known thereby and according to it was taxed by Caesar in Beth-lehem but also all the rest of the families of the Hebrews then in Judea could reckon their genealogie by the publick records and were taxed in their severall places accordingly Luke 2.3 4 5. Verse 2 Abraham begat Isaac and Isaac begat Iacob and Iacob begat Iudas and his brethren 3 And Iudas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar and Phares begat Esrom and Esrom begat Aram. 4 And Aram begat Aminadab and Aminadab begat Naasson and Naasson begat Salmon 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab and Booz begat Obed of Ruth and Obed begat Iesse 6 And Iesse begat David the king and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias 7 And Solomon begat Roboam anâ— Roboam begat Abiâ— and Abiâ— begat Asa. 8 And Asa begat Iosaphat and Iosaphat begat Ioram and Ioram begat Ozias 9 And Ozias begat Ioatham and Ioatham begat Achaz and Achaz begâ—â— Ezekias 10 A Ezekias begat Manasses and Manasses begat Amon and Amon begat Iosias 11. And Iosias begat Iechonias and his brethren about the time they were carried away to Babylon 12 And after they were brought to Babylon Iechonias begat Salathiel and Salathiel begat Zorobabel 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud and Abiud begat Eliaâ—im and Eliakim begat Azor. 14. And Azor begat Sadoc and Sadoc begat Achim and Achim begat Eliud 15. And Eliud begat Eleazear and Eleazear begat Matthan and Matthan begat Iacob 16 And Iacob begat Ioseph the husband of Mary of whom was born Iesus who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations and from David untill the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations This Catalogue of the posterity of David being so notourly known from the publick Registers and records of the families of David that no doubt nor question was made of Christs descent from David no not by his enemies Therefore the Evangelist doth not scrupulously name here every one of his Ancestors but only draweth the line along so far as it might suffice for the churches edification and by so much as is here set down he doth teach us these things 1. Jesus Christ is the very true Messias promised to the fathers who now in the fulness of time hath assumed humane nature of the seed of Abraham and David whose Son he is called according to the flesh and this he pointeth at when he saith Abraham begat Isaac c. 2. For our confirmation in the faith of Jesus Christ we should acquaint our selves with the prophesies which went before of him and with the history of his Ancestors here recorded from the Scripture of the Old Testament and in speciall from Abraham to the captivity of Babylon 3. Seeing it is a hard matter to beleeve that God should so empty himselfe for us and become a man like unto us we should receive so many impressions of the verity of his humane nature as there are severall names of his Ancestors according to the flesh named in this Catalogue for to this end we are led from one to another by he begat and he begat 4. No man should be astrayed to offer himselfe to be ingrafted as a branch in Christ because Christ hath been pleased
any extraordinary proofs of his care towards us when he hath after an ordinary manner provided means for our safety neither should we limit the Lord in any thing for this is the meaning of Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God 3. What the Scripture speaks indifferently to all it is to be esteemed as spoken to every singular person and the singular persons are to be accounted as written in the writing of the generallâ— for upon this ground Christ saith It is written Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Because Deut. 6.16 it is written Ye shall not tempt your God 4. Christ as our surety did subject himselfe unto the law and therefore he doth apply the prcepts to himself no less then to us for he saith of himself Thou shalt not tempt the Lord. Ver. 8. Again the Divel taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the Kingdomes of the world and the glory of them 9. And saith unto him All these things will I give thee If thou wilt fall down and worship me This is the third temptation whereunto Satan doth make way by shewing the glory of the Kingdomes of the World from a high mountain whence many Towns Castles and fruitfull Fields might be seen as the compend and example of all the kingdomes of the world which have nothing in them but a greater quantity of what may be seen in one place of one Kingdom Doct. 1. Satan will not give over the conflict till he have made triall of all sorts of temptations after the former essayes Satan wil now tempt Christ with the offer of gain and glory All these saith he will I give thee 2. Satan labours to have a man in love with the bait of Riches and Honour ere he utter a temptation and to have the bait speaking ere the temptation speak for before he speaks to Christ He sheweth him all the Kingdomes of the world 3. Satan will make fair offers of what he cannot perform for the saith All these things will I give to thee 4. The children of God may be tempted with the vilest and most blasphemous suggestions that Satan can devise for this uncleane Spirit dare tempt the Son of God to the vilest idolatry and dare say to Christ fall down and worship me 5. When Satan mindes to make a man a slave to sin and to ruine him for ever he will crave but one act of sin as a very small thing and that under hope of great advantage therefore he saith All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me or kneel to me Verse 10. Then saith Iesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve The Lord abhorring the blasphemy of the proud and unclean Spirit rebuketh him and answereth the temptation by Scripture Doct. 1. A bold temptation should have a peremptory answer and that confirmed by Scripture as here Get thee hence c. saith Christ. 2. As well religious service as religious worship is due to God only God will not permit either of them to be given to Saint or Angel or any creature for him only shalt thou serve 3. Whatsoever is the true sense and intent of any passage of Scripture it is to be accounted of as if it were expressly written for because Deut. 6.13 it is said Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him Christ saith it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and serve him only Ver. 11. Then the divel leaveth him and behold angels came and ministred unto him Thus our Lord hath overcome Satan in our name and shown to us the way how to fight against and overcome the Adversary Doct. 1. Satan being resisted doth flee for it is written here Then the divel leaveth him 2. The grief and vexation which cometh by temptation shall be recompensed with consolation after the conflict and victory for Angels do come and minister unto Christ after his combate Ver. 12. Now when Iesus had heard that Iohn was cast into prison he departed into Galilee Upon the hearing of John Baptists imprisonment Christ goeth unto Galilee Doct. 1. Faithfull Ministers must resolve for persecution for Iohn Baptist is cast in prison 2. All Preachers of the Gospel are not imprisoned at once for when John is in prison Christ is free 3. Persecution of the Ministers of the Gospel is a forerunner of Christs departing from a land for when word came of Johns imprisonment Christ departed from Judea and went into Galilee Ver. 13. And leaving Nazareth he came and dwelt in Capernaum which is upon the seacoast in the borders of Zabulon and Naphthali 14. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet saying 15. The land of Zabulon and the land of Naphthali by the way of the sea beyond Iordan Galâ—lee of the Gentiles 16. The people which sate in darkness saw great light and to them which sate in the region and shadow if death light is sprung up Christ being now come into Galilee fleeth from Nazareth to Capernaum Doct. 1. Christ will not be tyed unto any place though he be brought up at Nazareth he will leave it for his own reasons and come and dwell at Capernaum 2. Our Lord in all things had respect to Scripture to fulfill what was foretold in it Even this change of place was made that the Prophesie of Esaiah might be fulfilled by this means In which prophesie to comfort the church against the desolation to be made in the land by the enemy Isaiah doth foretell that in that part of the countrey where the desolation began that is in the land of Zabulon and Nephthali there Christ should begin the consolation of the church in preaching of the gospel and now our Lord performeth this 3. The people that lie in their sins without the saving knowledg of the gospel are indeed in great darkness and under the power of death 4. Whatsoever sin or misery people be under the preaching of the gospel is able to relieve them therefore it is called A great light A light sprung up to them when Christ preacheth the gospel among them Vers. 17. From that time Iesus began to preach and to say Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Christ had preached before in the time of Johns freedome and made moâ— disciples then he Iohn 3.26 but now he begins in this country side and shews himself more powerfull then before Doctr. 1. When his gospel is opposed and his servants persecuted he can let forth his light and power so much the more and can supply the inlack of instruments therefore it is said From that time he began to preach 2. Christs doctrine and the doctrine of his faithfull servants is all one in substance the sum of John Baptists preaching and Christs is all one for both preached in substance Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE Evangel of JESUS CHRIST According to MATTHEW By DAVID DICKSON Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Professor of Divinity in the University of GLASGOW PHIL. 2. VER 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Iesus Who being in the form of God though it not robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the crosse Wherfore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name That at the name of Iesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father The Third Edition LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill neer the Royall Exchange 1651. TO THE Right Honorable and truly Noble MY LORD EARL OF LOUDOUN LORD OF MAUCHLIN and TARINZAN c. High Chancellor of SCOTLAND c. And to His Honorable and Hopeful Eldest Son my Lord MAUCHLIN Grace and Peace Right Honourable IT is a sweet and remarkable Providence that within these not many yeers such a multitude of Impressions of the holy Scriptures are vented among these three united Kingdoms and so many thousands are of Scots and English who delight not only to have the holy Bible in their possession and houses but also to carry it in their pockets for reading of it upon all occasions This as it speaketh much of the desire after divine Knowledge raised up by God in peoples hearts and as it promiseth much of the spreading of the light of the Gospel in these Dominions especially the Lord having now seconded his own Work by drawing from the fountain of his own free grace the body of these Kingdoms into a solemn Covenant for purging of all his holy Ordinances and promoving of sound Religion so doth it call aloud to all the Pastors of his Flock and to all the godly learned by all means to lead the Lords people in upon the right understanding of the Scriptures left the plain and marvellously consonant word of God be mistaken and wrested by the instability and unskilfulnesse of such as have not their senses exercised to discern the single meaning of the Lords Voyce and the admirable harmony of his heavenly Speeches Many worthy men of God it is true have profitably taken pains to this purpose and some have written large Commentaries upon sundry Books and parcels of Scripture others have translated out of Latine the Commentaries of others But of those worthy mens Labours only such as have much leasure and patience to read can make use Others have written short Paraphrases of harder places others Expositions of hard words others have minded herewith some sweet notes and observations all of them contributing one with another to the common good so much as each sort of Writing could carry Yet besides all these laudable wayes of explication of Scripture it seemeth that these dangerous Times wherein so many diverse errours are privily crept in and begun openly also to avow themselves do call for such an Explanation of the whole Bible as might not only shew the scope of each Book and Chapter with the cohesion of the Verses and the meaning of the Words but also propone the speciall heads of Doctrine in each place whereby people might see the whole grounds of Religion in the Text and be guarded against all damnable errours in which those persons are easily ensnared who know not the Scriptures nor the power of God and all this to be in such brevity and cleerness That men in their daily set-reading of the Lords word might in the space of half an hour peruse a competent portion of Scripture thus explained I say Set-time for their private reading because albeit every man is not set apart for the Word and Doctrine but most part have by Gods appointment civil callings and necessary imployments about the matters of this life each calling and imployment having its own work and each work requiring his own time so that there remaineth little time beside unto many yet that man is too much busied in temporall affairs and more involved in the World then he can answer for who doth not daily redeem so much time as the necessary exercise of Religion in the Word and Prayer doth require beside secret ejaculations of Prayer unto God mixed with his affairs and the Mason-like-looks of his Conscience levelling its eye to each action to see if it be conform to the Rule for presuppose a man were imployed as much as a King and had so many Realms to govern as were under David K. of Israel yet could he not be excused for this to neglect Gods word prayer for Dav. oftner then once a day yea in the night also found time to call on God praise his name verse himself in his Word Ps. 119.55 62 164. Let the men of this world who have their portion in this life have set up in their hearts the filthy idols of worldly profit pleasure preferment for gaining keeping wherof they make use not only of all men but also of God and Religion so far only as they may be suitable serviceable to their base ends Let such men I say neglect reading the Scriptures and all serious following of religious exercises But let not the children of God do so who hold their standing here and the hopes of eternal life hereafter by faith in Christ for promoving of whose cause and Kingdom they are resolved to bear his Crosse were it even to the doors of Heaven if so GOD please and to lay it down on the threshold with thanks and praise that ever they were counted worthy to suffer for his Name let not these blessed Soules walk in the way of the ungodly but rather delight themselves in the Law of GOD and meditate therein night and day Psal. 1.2 3. For the service of such saints and facilitating of their reading of holy Scripture I come forth as before in the brief Explanation of the Epistle to the Hebrews so now in the brief explanation of the Evangel according to Matthew to call yet again unto the Godly Learned to stir up themselves for contributing one with another unto some such brief explanation of the whole Bible as their Godly wisdome shall agrâ—e upon a mould this or any other because apparently it is but little and not considerable which any one man alone can overtake in this Work As for this Piece such a one as it is There is great reason why it should bear your Honourable Name in the title of it it being a part of the fruit of your Lordships labour who as
hurt and must be discreetly entertained so doth the scope of the similitudes import 2. When christians are grown up so some strength and have their senses exercised they must be put to answerable paines and exercise in Religion for this is To put new wine in new bottles that both might be preserved 3. If discretion be not used in proportioning the burden of outward exercises of religion unto the capacity and strength of the Disciples both the exercise is lost and the Disciples are hurt for this is the meaning of the hole of the garment is made more the new wine and the old bottle both are lost Ver. 18. While the spake these things unto them behold there came a certain ruler and worshipped him saying My daughter is even now dead but come and lay thine hand upon her and she shall live 19. And Iesus arose and followed him and so did his disciples The dispute is broken off by the coming of a ruler praying that his daughter might be raised from death In the coming of this ruler unto Christ We learn 1. That Christ can find out means in his providence to honour himself in the midst of all controversies and disputations for A certain Ruler a man of place cometh and worshippeth him while he is speaking and so breaketh off the dispute 2. Christ can find an errand for the man whom he will draw unto him as here by a daughters death so by some like trouble on a man or on his family he can draw the Parents unto himself 3. All that come to Christ are not alike strong in faith This ruler of the Synagogue requireth both Christs Presence and the touch of his hand that his daughter may be raised from dead Come saith he and lay thy hand on her 4. Our gentle Lord refuseth no man putteth no man away that come unto him He arose and followed him Ver. 20. And behold a woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve yeers came behind him and touched the bâ—mme of his garment 21. For she said within her self If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole While Christ is on his way a sick woman through faith is healed Doct. 1. Poor and rich are alike welcome to Christ for here while he is going with the Ruler he neglecteth not this poor sick man 2. That which doth separate us from the society of the Holy must not separate us from Christ but rather drive us unto him for this woman legally polluted and so separate from the Temple and all clean Persons draweth near Christ to touch him 3. Though all remedies do fail and our evil be of long endurance yet Christ must be run unto for this woman is diseased twelve years yet cometh with hope of help in Christ. 4. Albeit Christ seem to take no notice of us but to be about the helping of others only yet must we take notice of him and draw in to him upon all occasions offered As this woman cometh to Christ in his way to the Rulers house while grace is in dealing we must have our share of it 5. None can come to Christ rightly but such as beleeve to be the better of him and such as come may be perswaded of help by him as this woman assured her self of health If she might but touch his garment Verse 22. But Iesus turned him about and when he saw her he said Daughter be of good comfort thy faith hath made thee whole And the woman was made whole from that houre Christ will not have this work to be hid but brought to light for good use Doct. 1. Though modest soules resolve quietly to creep to heaven unknown of others yet God will have his work in them brought to light for his own glory Therefore Iesus turneth about and draweth her forth before the multitude 2. Faith in Christ gets a sweeter welcome then it can expectâ—â— it may come trembling but shall find joy ere it go as this woman is made whole and is declared to be a Daughter begotten by the word of the Gospel and adopted among Christs children and is comforted and commended for her faith in the midst of her fears 3. Our Lord will not suffer any mean of our devising to take the room from the mean appointed by himselfe Therefore Christ doth not say thy Touching my garment but Thy faith hath made thee whole Ver. 23. And when Iesus came unto the rulers 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 scorne Christ goeth on to the Rulers house and doth not forget his errand Doct. 1. Christ may give grace to another before thee but if thou be seeking him the helping of another shall not hinder thee but help thee rather as the womans healing helped the Rulers faith and so Christ goeth on where he is invited to come 2. Christ will have nothing counted desperate which he takes in hand yea he wil have death it self esteemed but as a sleep in comparison of his divine power nothing is too hard for him in which sense he saith here The Maid is not dead but sleepeth 3. To speak of Christs power to a misbeleever is but a jest Therefore these misbeleevers laughed him to scorne Ver. 25. But when the people were put forth he went in and took her by the hand and the maid arose Verse 26. And the fame thereof went abroad into all lands In the raising of the Damosel and consequent of it Learn 1. That Christ is the life and resurrection and that his power can easily raise the deadâ— for here he took the dead Maid by the hand and she arose 2. The offer of Christs mercy to one should make his name famous among all as here his fame for this One work went abroad in all that land Ver. 27. And when Iesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou son of David have mercy on us In the healing of these two blind men Learn 1. That our Lord wearies not to do good the more he is imployed the more good he worketh When Christ departed from the rulers house Two blind men follow him 2. When others get almes and mercy from Christ it should allure more to come to his deal as these blinde men hearing of many helped by Christ do come and cry Have mercy on us 3. Such as seek good of Christ must look on him as he is described in Scripture as he is the promised Messiah the native King of Israel Son of David say they have mercy on us 4. Such as beleeve to get good of Christ will find a way to follow him and come at him albeit they were blinde for these blinde men follow and cry 5. More persons in the sense of one need may joyn in one fute unto Christ for these two blind men do joyn in one cry saying Have mercy on us