Answ 1. When they are to deal against gross and hainous Crimes or Sins very offensive to God or scandalous to Men Then is it fit to reprove sharply that by this means the Offenders may be the more deeply touched in conscience and humbled for such sinâ— 2. When they are to deal with perverse obstinate and stubborn Offenders who obstinately persist in their sins without any reâ—orse of conscience or humiliation at all These are to be terrified with sharp and severe reproofs that this may either humble them or else convince and leave them without excuse Jude ver 22. Have compassion of some making a difference And others save with fear c. Thus our Saviour now dealing against the obstinate and malicious Scribes and Pharisees useth this sharp reproof crying out against them That they were a faithless and perverse or crooked Generation c. Of the third The persons here reproved by our Saviour 1. The Scribes and Pharisees with other unbelieving Jews who were so far from believing in Christ that they were enemies to Him and his Doctrine maliciously opposing the same who therefore he calleth a faithless Generation 2. The father of the possessed son as also Christ's own Disciples who though they were not destiâ—ute of true Faith yet were at this time weak in Faith and for this cause are in some sort touched by this Reproof First of the first sort oâ— Persons Observ 1 Observ 1. In that our Saviour spareth not the Scribes and Pharisees though men of great Place and Account amongst the Jews being publike Officers and Teachers in the Church c. but reproveth them sharply for their gross unbelief Hence gather That Ministers of the Word may and ought to reprove sin as occasion is offered even in the greatest persons that are of their charge not sparing or favouring them not winking at them in their sins more than at the meanest sort of persons committed to their Charge How often doth our Saviour reprove sin not only in the common People but also in the Scribes and Pharisees as Matth. 23. and else-where often See before chap. 6. ver 17 18 c. Observ 1 Observ 2. From the manner of our Saviour's speaking here unto the Scribes and Pharisees and other unbelieving Jews in that he doth not call them a faithless People or faithless Persons but a Generation of faithless People thereby alluding to their wicked Parents or Ancestors whom they resembled in unbelief Hence we learn That the Children and Posterity of wicked Parents and Ancestors are apt to resemble their Parents and Ancestors and to become like unto them c. See chap. 8. ver 12. Observ 3 Observ 3. In that our Saviour in this reproof of the Nation of the Jews and especially of the of Scribes and Pharisees for unbelief doth also indirectly and closely tax and blame the father of the possessed child yea and his own Disciples too for their weakness of Faith Hence learn That it is profitable and necessary for the true Saints and Servants of God to be admonished of their Corruptions and sinful Infirmities with which they are tainted yea to be reproved for the same by such as have a Calling to do it Our Saviour Christ often used to reprove not only gross sins in the Scribes and Pharisees and such like profane and wicked persons but also the Corruptions and sinful Infirmities of his own Disciples As their spiritual blindness and dulness to conceive of heavenly matters unbelief hardness of heart c. as we have often heard before So Paul writing to the Saints and Faithfull in the Church of Corinth yet forbeareth not to blame and reprove them for their great Corruptions and Infirmities with which they were tainted as for their envying strife and divisions which were amongst them 1 Cor. 3. 3. which shews That it is necessary and fit for the true Saints of God to be admonished and reproved for their Corruptions and Infirmities as occasion is offered and by such as have a Calling to do it Reas 1 Reas 1. This is one speciall means to humble them in the sight and feeling of their own Corruptions causing them often to renew their Repentance and move them to strive more and more to mortify and subdue the same in themselves Reas 2 Reas 2. Sins of God's Children are very dishonourable to God bringing scandal and disgrace upon Religion Therefore great need for them to be admonished Vse 1 Use 1. See then that both Ministers of the Word and all such as have charge of others as Parents Masters c. ought to be careful on all occasions not onely to reprove sin in such as are profane and wicked but also in such as they are perswaded to be good Christians and the true Saints and Children of God not to bear with such or let them alone in their Corruptions but to admonish them of the same yea plainly and sharply to reprove them if need be especially if they be such Corruptions as they do perceive them too much to favour and bear with in themselves Vse 2 Use 2. To move the Saints and Children of God even the best of them to be willing and desirous to be admonished and told of their Corruptions and sinfull Infirmities upon all occasions by such as have a Calling to do it yea to be glad and thankful for this as for a great kindness and work of charity performed towards them So David Psal 141. 5. Let the Righteous smite me it shall be a kindnesse and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent Oyl c. One mark of a sincere heart before God is to be willing and glad to be admonished of a fault or corruption and to submit to the same and make use of it as the contrary is the mark of an Hypocrite Prov. 9. 8. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee but rebuke a wise man and he will love thee Now followeth the Sin for which our Saviour reproveth both the Scribes and Pharisees and also his own Disciples in some sort together with the father of the possessed child viz. The sin of Unbelief Mark 9. 19. He answereth him and saith O faithless Generation c. April 1. 1627. IN this Answer of Christ to the father of the possessed child two things are contained 1. A sharp Reproof both of him and his Disciples but especially of the Scribes and Pharisees with other unbelieving Jews for their incredulity O faithless Generation how long c. 2. A precept or command touching the bringing of the possessed child unto him In the Reproof five things to be considered 1. The person reproving our Saviour Christ 2. The manner of reproving which is sharp and vehement c. 3. The persons reproved both the father of the child and the Disciples themselves and especially the obstinate Scribes and Pharisees c. 4. The speciall sin for which they are reproved Unbelief 5. The amplification of this sin 1. By the means which had been
worshipt 275. 280 Repentance 1434. 1436. 1439 Why Baptism is called Baptism of Repentance 15 Sinners have need of it 117 Cannot repent of themselves ibid. Hearing is a means of it 197 Terrour of Conscience is not a certain mark of it 328 The Doctrine of it is necessary 47. 321 Its Doctrine is part of the Gospel not of the Law 322 Without it no pardon 16. 198. 1444 It must be joyned with confession of Sin 20. 1437. 1438 Whether it be before Faith 48 What it is ibid. It is two-fold ibid. The necessity of it 49 Signs of it ibid. Motives to it ibid. Hinderances of it 50. 1429. 1434 Reprobates The misery of them 1260 Reproof 291. 333. 396. 939. 721. 646. 1218. 1252. 946. 647. 964. 1335. The benefit of it 618 We are naturally unwilling to receive it 645 It causes hatred 334 The Wicked are impatient at it 847 The Wicked grow worse and worse by it ibid. It is a Duty 476. 488. 491. 527. 1335. 1353. 1354. 247. 105 When are we called to it 476 Rules concerning it 248. 477. 489. 529 It should be grounded on God 's Word 396 It should be plain and particular 403 It should not be with-held from the best Christians 421 Private reproof 1336 Publick reproof ibid. Rest It is allowed to Christians by God 353 Resurrection 969. 593. 955. 1156. 1607. 1608 Resurrection of Christ. 523 The grounds of it 965 Hinderances of believing it 966 The Resurrection of the Saints 967 The state of the Saints after the Resurrection 696 The certainty of it 972. 995. 979. 573 The comfort of it 974 The Doctrine of it much opposed 956 Revenge We are apt to desire it 1375 Remedies against it 1376 Reverence It fits us to hear God 976 It is due to Parents 407 Reviling 411 Remedies against it 437 Reward It is lawful to look at it in doing good Works 670 Riches They are deceitful 217 How far we may enjoy them 743 The best use of them ibid. They are a great occasion of Covetousnesse 752 It is hard for rich men to be saved 754 It is not impossible for rich men to be saved 755. 761 Rich men are apt to trust in them 756 Remedies against confidence in them 757 The Doctrine of their danger seems incredible 758 We must part with them when Christ calls us to it 765. 767. 768. 816 S. Sabbath 126. 1561 VVEE should prepare for it 1243 It is lawful to go a Sabbath Days Journey 124 It is instituted for man's benefit 130 It should not be profaned 840 Why it is changed 1577 Sacraments The Society of the Wicked partaking with us in them doth make them void 1250 Why the Lord 's Supper is so called 1265 Necessity of them ibid. Usefulness of them 656 Whether they are means of Grace 230 Saints 1231 The excellency of their Condition in Heaven 570. 572. 970 They can never lose Heaven 573 They shall in Heaven enjoy the conference of the Saints 574 They shall be like the Angels 971 They are in God 's special Covenant 977 Their Death is but partial 980 Salvation The excellency of it 547. 570. 572 We should be careful of the Salvation of others 759 It is peculiar 1643 It is the fruit of Faith 1638. 1639 Salutations 1039 Scandal It is a great sin 672. 674 God will punish it 676 Scoffing Scoffs of ignorance are not to be heeded 293 It is in some sort lawful to scoff at the sins of others 404 It proceeds from ignorance 292 Scribes The difference between them and the Pharisees 390 Scriptures 980. 957. 128. 701 The authority of them 1258 Harmony between the Old and New Testament 5 The sufficiency of them 965 Literal knowledg of them is vain ibid. Necessity of fulfilling them 1380 Negligence of them a cause of errour 931 Ignorance of them a cause of errour 964. 505 Motives to read them 1107 It is the Duty of all Christians to read them 1107. 822 How to read them with understanding 1108 They are the Word of God 606 They are the best judge of Controversies 700 How they are plain 193 Malice of the Devil against them 1020 Secrets All secrets shall be laid open at the last Day 226 We should not pry into God 's secrets 582 Security 1289. 1426. 1198 Remedies against it 1199 Nature of it ibid. Sedition What it is to move Sedition 1456 Three things usually concurr in it 1457 Remedies against it ibid. The causes of it 1458 Seduction Danger of it 1062 Christians should beware of it 1063 Preservatives against it ibid. Self-conceit 742 It is natural to men 740. 1296 Self-denial 761 It is a means to bear the Cross 537. 1331 Sexes Both are good and necessary 705 Both ought to serve God 706 It is a great sin to confound them ibid. Whether the distinction of them shall continue after the Resurrection 969 Shame 783 It is an effect of sin 646 Sickness We must be careful of the Sick 75. 58. 96. 270 Means of recovery must not be neglected 273 It comes by God 's Providence 387 Believers are not exempted from it 74 It is an effect of Sin 78 In the cure of it the best way is to seek pardon for sin 97 Silence There is a time for it 1402 It is the best answer to false Accusations 1403 Silence when falsly accused 1450 Sin 1296. 1434 Baptism seals remission of it 16 Sickness is an effect of it 78. 148 It should be detested 313. 136 Christ cures it 463. 281 It is lawful in some sort to scoff at sin 404 We are naturally unwilling to confess it 647 The occasions of it should be avoided 679. 1393. 1394 Anger against it 720. 721. 719. 1413 The Law discovers it 735 Hell the fruit of it 1043. 1044 The evil of it 475. 661. 1058. 1074. 1095. 1311. 1243. 1271. 1279 It is the cause of Gods Judgments 1119 The best sometimes resolve to commit it 1363 Why God suffers the best sometimes to commit grosse sins 1421 Sorrow for the sins of others 474. 1413 The Wicked are diligent in it 1357 The best are not free from it 765. 766 The guilt of it 781. 1493 Shame is due to it 782 We are naturally Slaves to it 799. 1429. 1468 Christ 's patience is an aggration of it 620. 1233 The pollution of it 633 Shame an effect of it 646. 157 Occasions of it 679 The benefit of being kept from it 681 Custom in it dangerous 697 God 's severity against it 1119 The cursed fruit of it 1168. 457. 346 We should be watchful against it 1178 God only can pardon it 870 Degrees of it 918. 335 When we are guilty of it if we are accessary to it 924. 415 God will punish it 928 Destruction is the fruit of it 929 Obstinacy in it 475 Continuance in it aggravates it 490 It should not be favoured 554 Sorrow for it 1314 Humiliation for it 1318 Burthen of it ibid. It should not be excused 1352. 1299 The misery of being hardned in it
they asked him the meaning of this Parable of the sower and of the other Parables uttered by him at the same time Therefore that which is here said of the Apostles asking him of the Parable seems to be spoken by an anticipation of the time whereby that is mentioned before or first which came not to passe till afterward which is a thing usual in the Scriptures Now the reason why the Apostles and others that were about him came and asked him when he was alone was this Because that was a fit time for them to receive private instruction from him when he was in a private place and free from the labour of publike teaching therefore they watched this opportunity to enquire of him the meaning of this and the other Parables Observ We ought to watch the fittest opportunities of time and place to receive Spiritual instruction of others that have better knowledg then our selves and especially of such as have a special Calling to Teach us as Ministers Parents and the like that are set over us and have charge of our Souls we are to take the fittest times to learn of them when they are fittest and readiest to Teach we must be readiest to hear and be instructed by them The people are to watch all opportunities to receive instruction from their Pastors both in publick and in private not desiring publick instruction in private places nor private instruction in publick places or at the time of publick Assemblies of the Church but desiring and seeking both these in their due times and places and upon the fittest occasions As Ministers are to watch the fittest occasions to teach their people both in publick and private so should they to hear and to be taught Act. 10. 33. When Peter was ready to Preach to Cornelius then Cornelius and his friends whom he had called together were ready to hear and learn of him So also Children and Servants should watch the fittest times and occasions to receive Spirituall instruction from their Parents and Masters in private So should Wives to learn of their Husbands therefore St. Paul will have them to ask their Husbands at home 1 Cor. 14. 35. that being the fittest place and time for them to receive private instruction of them when they are private together in their own Houses Use Use This reproveth 1. Those that let slip good opportunities of receiving Instruction from others How know they whether God will offer them the like again It is therefore dangerous to omit or neglect such occasions of furthering themselves in knowledg 2. Those also who take unfit times to seek instruction from others c. So much of the time when they asked our Saviour of the Parable Now to speak of the persons that asked him who were the Twelve that is the Twelve Apostles of which we heard before chap. 3. ver 14. They that were about him That is other Disciples which believed in him and followed him Matth. 13. 10. The Disciples came and said to him c. So Luke 8. 9. Some think they were the seventy Disciples mentioned Luke 10. 1. Observ Observ In that the Disciples of Christ and the Apostles themselves were ignorant of the meaning of the Parables which our Saviour uttered and therefore were fain to come to him to learn the meaning we may gather that there is much ignorance remaining even in good Christians after the time of their effectual Calling The Apostles themselves were for a time ignorant of many things after their Calling yea they were to seek in some main points of Faith as in the Doctrine of Christ's Passion and Resurrection notwithstanding that those things were plainly foretold by the Prophets and by our Saviour's own mouth yet it was long before they came throughly to understand them This we see in Peter Matth. 16. 22. where he would perswade our Saviour that he should not suffer See Luke 18. 34. And touching his Resurrection it is said plainly that they were ignorant of the Scripture that he must rise again from the dead Joh. 20. 9. And they shewed their ignorance herein in that they went to his Grave to seek him there after the due time appointed for his Resurrection was expired We see also in the same Chapter how ignorant Thomas shewed himself in this point So also Mary Magdalen and the other Women which came to the Sepulchre of Christ to seek him after he was Risen which shews that they were ignorant of his Resurrection and of the time of it The Apostles also were ignorant of some other speciall points of Faith as appears Act. 1. 6. They ignorantly supposed that he came to restore and set up a Temporall Kingdome among the Jews And Act. 10. 14. Peter was ignorant that the distinction of clean and unclean was taken away by Christ's death and that the Gentiles did belong to Gods Covenant and were to be Called by the Gospel Reas Reas The Knowledg of the Saints in this life is imperfect even as all other Sanctifying Graces in them 1 Cor. 13. 9. We know in part Therefore Paul writing to the Churches prayeth for them that their Knowledg might be increased as Phil. 1. 9. and Col. 1. 10. which shews that their Knowledg was imperfect and that they were still ignorant of many things even after their effectual Calling Vse 1 Use 1. This must move even the best Christians to labour to see their ignorance in many things which they should know out of the Word and which they might know if their minds were not darkned through the ignorance that is in them naturally and which remains in them in part after their Calling And the consideration of this their ignorance must humble them They that have the greatest measure of Knowledg yet have no cause to be puffed up with it if they consider how many things they are yet ignorant of which might be learned and known out of the Word of God if the remainders of natural blindness did not hinder them from seeing into them This being so there is more cause for the best Christian to be humbled for his ignorance and to bewail it then to swell with any conceipt of his Knowledg Labour then to see thy ignorance this is the way to grow in Knowledg thou must see thy emptiness c. Use 2 Use 2. See the reason why some good Christians after their Calling are yet very hard to conceive and understand Spiritual matters taught in the Word of God it is by reason of the natural blindness and ignorance that remains in them even after their Calling and Regeneration Hebr. 5. 11. They were dull of hearing therefore the Ministers of God must not marvail at it nor be offended though sometimes they perceive great dulness and unfitness even in their best hearers to conceive that which is taught them Use 3 Use 3. Further this teacheth us that the best most skillfull and expert Christians for Knowledg in the Word yet have still need to use all good means
119. 51. Use Vse Let us Arm our selves before-hand to bear reproaches and scoffs at the hands of the ignorant and profane for well-doing that so we may not be daunted with them when we meet with them The rather because we must look for such reproaches and scoffs more or less in the world for speaking and doing well Heb. 11. 36. There will still be some Ismaels to scoff at Isaac If the Drunkards made songs of David and if the Prophets and Apostles and Christ himself were mocked at by the profane Then look not thou wholly to escape this kind of persecution as Paul calleth it Gal. 4. 29. But so long as thou art scoffed or scorned of the profane and ignorant for well-doing be not discouraged at all therewith but learn by the example of Christ and of the Prophets and Apostles and other Saints to despise and not regard such taunts and reproaches 1 Pet. 4. 14. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye c. Such reproaches and scoffs are but an easie and gentle Tryall and persecution in comparison of fire and faggot and sword which the holy Martyrs suffered If thou canst not bear the former how wouldst thou bear the latter if thou shouldst be put to it So much of the Antecedents of the Miracle Now followeth the Miracle it self Verse 41 42. Where consider 1. The manner of working it or the outward gesture and words used by our Saviour He took the Damosel by the hand and said unto her Talitha Cumi c. 2. The Effect which followed upon those words Straightway the Damsell arose and walked c. The Effect was the restoring of her to life which appeared by the outward signs of life 1. Arising 2. Walking And the reason of this walking is alledged because she was of the age of 12 years and therefore fit and able to walk He took the damsell by the hand He could have raised her to life only by his Divine power without using any such outward gesture and without speaking to her but he rather took her by the hand and spake to her thereby to testifie his Power and Will to restore her to life and that the Miracle might be the more apparently wrought and the more special notice taken of it Talitha Cumi The Evangelist doth mention the very words which our Saviour used thereby to confirm the truth and certainty of the Miracle And herein St. Mark is very accurate in setting down the very words used by our Saviour to those on whom he wrought Miracles as Mark 7. 34. he mentioneth the word Ephphatha which he used at the curing of him that was deaf and stammered in his speech The word Talitha is a Syriack word which was the Language in which our Saviour spake and the ordinary Language then in use among the Jews for they did not speak pure Hebrew but mixed with the Syrian or Chaldean Tongue And this word Talitha signifieth a young Maid or Damosel The other word Cumi is an Hebrew word or both Hebrew and Syrian as some think signifying Arise And the Evangelist mentioneth these Hebrew and Syriac words used by our Saviour not as if there had been any vertue in the words of themselves to raise the dead but to shew the wonderful Divine power of our Saviour being able to raise the dead only by speaking these words The words themselves did not work this by the bare sound of them but our Saviour accompanying them with his Divine power did make them effectual to raise the dead So much of the words which is by Interpretation This shews that the Evangelist wrote in Greek Observ 1 Observ 1. See here how powerful the Word of Christ is to work great and mighty Effects whensoever he pleaseth to shew and manifest his Divine power by it able to raise the dead yea those that are dead in sin See Joh. 5. 25. See this handled before Chap. 4. 39. Observ 2 Observ 2. In that our Saviour by his Divine power did raise up from death this young Damosel we learn That he is absolute Lord over life and death Act. 3. 15. He is called the Author or Prince of life to shew that he hath power to give life and restore life to the dead when it hath been taken away by death Therefore also he is said to be a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. He is also Lord over death being able to vanquish and to abolish it both for himself as he did when he raised up himself from death as also for all the faithful for whom he hath vanquished death and swallowed it up in victory as the Apostle sheweth 1 Cor. 15. 57. Object Object Yet bodily death seizeth upon the faithful as well as others Answ Answ 1. Not upon their whole man but only upon their bodies as for their souls they live in and after death with God 2. Though their bodies be subject to death yet it is but for a time only till the day of Judgment for then Christ shall raise them up to life and abolish death altogether so as it shall never have any more power over them Revel 21. 4. Then there shall be no more death c. Use Use This is matter of great comfort to the faithful Christ their Head being absolute Lord of life he can and will so order and dispose of life and death that both shall work together for good to them and help to further their happiness 1 Cor. 3. 22. Life and death are yours and ye are Christs c. So Paul Phil. 1. 21. To me Christ is life and death is gain Again this may comfort the faithful in midst of the greatest danger unto which their bodily life is subject for Christ having power over life and death is well able to keep them and to preserve their lives in greatest danger of death though they should be brought even to the graves mouth or into the valley of the shadow of death yet need they not fear for Christ Jesus their Lord is Lord of life and death able to deliver and save them from the greatest danger of death and he will do it if it be good for them Lastly this may comfort them even in death it self to consider That though death seize upon them as well as upon the wicked and unbelievers yet they shall not alwayes be holden under the power of death but shall at the last day be delivered from it and raised to life again Christ is able to do it as being absolute Lord of life and death and he will do it in due time Object Object The bodies of the wicked also shall be then raised to life Answ Answ Not to be partakers of eternal life as the godly shall but to the end that both their souls and bodies may be for ever separated from God and punished in Hell-Torments which is the second death Observ 3 Observ 3. Further in that it is said That the Damosel being raised to life did
68. when he said to the Twelve Will ye go away Simon Peter answered for c. So at other times also Quest Quest Doth not this make for the Papists teaching Peter to have been Supream Head of the Apostles and of the wole Church and that the Pope of Rome being his Successor hath the like supream Power and Soveraignty over the whole Church throughout the World Answ Answ Nothing less For 1. There is a main difference between this Primacy of Order and Pre-eminence of Authority and Gifts which we grant that Peter had above the other eleven Apostles and between that Supremacy or Soveraignty of commanding Power or Jurisdiction which they challenge unto Peter above the other Apostles 2. Though it could be proved which yet can never be that Peter had such a Supremacy of commanding and ruling Power given over the other Apostles yet this makes nothing for proof of the Pope's Supremacy over the whole Church unless they can prove by Scripture that the Pope is the true and lawful Successor of Peter in all such pre-eminence of Power which they suppose him to have had over the rest of the Apostles but this they can never do neither are the best learned of them able to alledge any one place of Scripture for proof of this Succession Now followeth the Answer it self or Confession of the Apostles Faith uttered by Peter in all their names Thou art the Christ Matth. 16. 16. these words are added The Son of the living God Luke 9. 20. only these words are set down The Christ of God But my purpose is to speak of this Confession onely so far forth as it is here set down by St. Mark Thou art the Christ or that Christ or the Christ of God as Luke hath the words that is to say The anointed of God namely that special and singular Person who art ordained of God to be the onely Mediator and to be the Redeemer and Saviour of Man-kind The word Christ which is a Greek word originally is the same in signification with the Hebrew Messiah and both signify one that is anointed Joh. 1. 41. Now this Name is given to our Saviour to note out his special Calling from God to the Office of a Mediator betwixt God and Us and that by allusion to the ancient custom among the Jews and other Nations of anointing those with Oyl who were solemnly called to any great Office in Church or Common-wealth as to the Office of Priests Prophets and Kings So Aaron and his Sons were anointed and consecrated to the Office of Priest hood Exod. 29. and 30th Chapters So Elisha was anointed to his Prophetical Office and Jehu to his Kingly Office 1 King 19. 16. and so the other Kings of Judah and Israel This solemn anointing with Oyl was used to all these thereby to signify their solemn Calling and appointment to those several Offices as also their qualification with gifts fir for discharge of those Offices and Callings In like sort our Saviour is called The Christ and the Messiah or Anointed of God not in regard of any outward anointing with material Oyl but to note out unto us his spiritual Anointing or Calling to the Office of a Mediator between God and Us whereby he is solemnly called and appointed of God to this Office and to all the parts of it namely to be the onely High-Priest Prophet and King of his Church In the words consider two things 1. The act or duty of Confession 2. The matter confessed by them That Jesus is the Christ Of the first Observ 1 Observ 1. In that the Disciples being demanded of Christ touching their Faith and Perswasion of his Person do readily make Answer by the mouth of Peter giving an accompt of their Faith We learn that it is our duty to be ready and forward to give accompt of our Knowledge Faith and Perswasion in matters of Religion to any that have a Calling to demand or require the same of us 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready alwayes to give an Answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you c. See Act. 8. 31. This especially concerneth such as are under the Power and Authority of others that they ought to be ready to give accompt of their Faith to such as have Authority to require the same of them For example It is the duty of the Flock and People to be ready to give accompt of their Faith to their own Pastors when they do lawfully and in due sort require it of them as in the excercise of catechizing by asking Questions of the younger sort and of such as are most ignorant As it is the Ministers duty at fit times thus to catechize the more ignorant sort by demanding Questions of them touching the Principles of Religion and to require of them an accompt of their Faith and Knowledge so it is the duty of such as are fit and have need to be catechized to be ready to give an Answer and to render an accompt of their Faith to their Pastor So likewise Children and Servants should shew like readiness to give an accompt of their Faith to their Parents and Masters demanding it of them in the private exercise of catechizing in the Family So when any Christian is called before a civil Magistrate and lawfully required to give an accompt of his Faith he is to do it with all readiness yea though it should be before wicked and unjust Magistrates which abuse their Authority to the oppressing and persecuting of the Saints of God Thus the Apostles being called before Rulers and being demanded of their Faith did readily make Answer and give accompt thereof So the Martyrs also Reasons Reasons 1. By this readiness to give accompt of our Faith to such as lawfully demand it of us we do glorify the Name of God in giving Testimony to his truth which we believe 1 Pet. 3. 15. Sanctify the Lord c. 2. By this means also we do edify others encouraging them by our example to shew like readiness in giving accompt of their Faith when they are thereunto required Vse Vse For reproof of such as are backward and unwilling to give a reason or accompt of their Faith to others having power to demand it of them The fault of many of the younger sort in this and other Congregations that they are backward to come to the publick exercise of Catechizing and to answer their Pastor when he requireth of them an accompt of their Faith by demanding of them necessary and profitable Questions of Catechism Some think this is a disgrace to them Contrarily it is an honour to them to be called to do this Service to God for the glorifying of God and edifying of others The like backwardness is in many Children and Servants to be catechized by their Parents and Masters privately in the Family and to give an accompt of their Faith by answering such Questions as are demanded of them It is no mervail if
such remain grosly ignorant in matters of Religion even in the most common and easy Principles of it seeing they refuse the means of being better instructed Besides that hereby they greatly dishonour God and shew contempt of the Authority of those that are set over them in place of Government Again this also reproveth such as being called before such as are in place of publick Authority to give an Accompt of their Faith and Religion do refuse to do it either through shame or fear of Mens displeasure or do for these or the like causes dissemble their Faith and Religion A great dishonour to God and betraying of his Truth Observ 2 Observ 2. In that the Disciples did here make outward Confession of their Faith unto Christ requiring them so to do we learn that true Faith must not lye hid in our hearts but it must be outwardly confessed to others and before others as occasion is offered and so often as we are thereunto called Rom. 10. 10. With the heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation 2 Cor. 4. 13. We having the same Spirit of Faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak Mat. 10. 32. Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father which is in Heaven But whosover shall deny me c. For this cause Hebr. 3. 1. Christ is called the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession to shew that we are not onely to believe in him by Faith but also to make outward Profession of this Faith before men when we are thereunto called 1 Joh. 4. 15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God God dwelleth in him and he in God Thus have the Saints of God used to make outward Confession of their Faith before men when they had a Calling so to do Mark 9. 24. So the Apostles being brought before Authority confessed their Faith as Paul before Agrippa and Festus Act. 26. So the Martyrs as Steven and others that followed him whence they were also by the ancient Fathers called Confessours yea Christ himself before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good Confession 1 Tim. 6. 13. Quest Quest. When are we called to make outward Confession of our Faith before men Answ Answ 1. When such as have Authority over us do demand of us an Accompt of our Faith ut suprà dictum 2. At other times when there is hope and likelihood of glorifying God and edifying others thereby for otherwise it is better to be silent than to make any such outward Profession As if it be before malicious professed enemies and scoffers at Religion here is no fit time or place to make Profession of our Faith but we more glorify God by silence Mat. 7. 6. We are forbidden to cast Pearls before Swine c. Use 1 Use 1. To reprove such as fail in this excellent and necessary duty of making outward Confession of their Faith before others as occasion is offered Some think they may keep their Religion and Faith to themselves and need not make any outward Profession of it to others but here we see the contrary It is not enough to believe with the heart but there must be also Confession with the mouth Others are afraid to confess their Faith in Christ before such as are Enemies of Religion lest it endanger their liberty goods or life This was the Sin of Peter into which he fell through infirmity denying and forswearing Christ to save his own life The like have others done in time of Persecution Others are ashamed to make Confession of their Faith before men lest it be some disgrace or discredit to them See Joh. 12. 42. Let such consider what our Saviour saith in the last Verse of this Chapter Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this sinfull Generation of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the holy Angels Others are ignorant and know not how to make Profession of Christ or of their Faith when it is demanded Vse 2 Use 2. To exhort us to make Conscience of this Christian duty of confessing and professing our Faith before men so often as good occasion is offered and we have a Calling to it yea though it be with hazard of our goods liberty or life it self in case we should be called before such as are the professed enemies of the Goâ—pel and of Christ yet we must not shrink from our Profession for fear of their displeasure or of any Punishment they can impose on us but we must witness a good Confession Rules for the right performance of this Duty of outward confessing our Faith 1. It is to be done with Christian wisdom and discretion observing due circumstances of time place and fit Persons before whom we do it 2. To be done with spiritual boldness and freedom of Speech not being daunted or dismayed herein by the faces of men that are enemies of the Truth though never so great Examples of this courage and boldness we have in sundry of the Martyrs 3. This Confession must come from inward truth and sincerity of heart aiming at God's Glory and the good of others it must not be in Hypocrisy aiming at our own praise credit or advantage 4. It must be done with the Spirit of meeknesse and mildnesse and not in distempered Passion or heat of Contention 5. It must be with fear and reverence of the Maâ—esty of God before whom we stand and with reverent regard of his truth which we make profession of 1 Pet. 3. 15. with meekness and fear Mark 8. 29. And Peter answereth and saith unto him Thou art the Christ. â—une 19. 1625. NOw followeth the matter confessed Thou art the Christ Doct. 1 Doctr. 1. That Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary is the Christ or true Messiah that is to say that special and singular Person ordained of God to be the Mediator between God and Us and to be the Redeemer and Saviour of Mankind This is the main truth believed and professed here by Peter for the rest of the Apostles Thou art the Christ that is to say Thou who hast avouched thy self before to be the Son of man for so our Saviour did Matth. 16. 13. Whom say the People that I the Son of man am art the true Christ oâ— Messiah ordained and sent of god to execute the Office of a Mediator in redeeming and saving Mankind The same truth also they had before this time made Profession of Joh. 6. 69. We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God Yea this some of them did believe and profess at the time when they were first called to be Christ's Disciples as may appear Joh. 1. 41. Andrew so soon as he began to follow Christ finding his Brother Peter tells him thus We have found the Messiah which is
to be understood of his humane Nature for his God-head could neither dye nor rise again Therefore as he dyed according to his humane Nature as we heard before so he rose from Death according to the same Nature Neither is it to be understood of his whole humane Nature but of his Body For his Soul dyed not and therefore did not rise from Death Now for the further opening of the words and of the Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection certain Questions are to be Answered Quest 1 Quest 1. By what power Christ's Body was to be raised from Death Answ Answ By the power of his God-head 1 Pet. 3. 18. Quickened by the Spirit that is by his God-head Joh. 10. 18. I have power to lay down my Life and power to take it up again This was the power of his God-head Object Object God the Father is said to have raised up Christ Ephes 1. 20. Answ Answ It is the same Divine Power which is in the Father and Son by which Christ was raised Joh. 5. 19. Whatsoever the Father doth the same doth the Son also The raising of Christ is the Joynt-work of all three Persons though sometimes attributed to the Father as being the first Person in order of Beeing and Working Quest 2 Quest 2. With what Body was Christ to be raised from Death Answ Answ With the same Body for substance which died and was buried Luke 24. 39. Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self c. I say with the same Body for substance because it was alâ—ered in quality from what it was before For whereas before it was a meer natural Body now it was become a spiritual Body as the Apostle calleth the bodies of the Saints in the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 44. that is a supernaturall or heavenly Body which was now freed from all naturall Infirmities as from pain weariness hâ—â—ger and thirst c. and was withall endued with more heavenly qualities and properties than before yet so as it was still a true Body c. Object Object Acts 10. 41. He did Eat and Drink with his Disciples after his Resurrection Answ Answ Not for the necessity of Nature but to confirm the Faith of his Disciples and Us in the Truth of his Resurrection Quest 3 Quest 3. Why was it needfull for Christ to rise again from the Dead Answ Answ For these Reasons 1. That the Scripture might be fulfilled which foretold this 1 Cor. 15. 4. He rose again according to the Scriptures His Resurrection was foretold Psal 16. 9. My Flesh shall rest in hope For thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell or in the Grave or among the Dead c. That as by his Death and Sufferings he made satisfaction to God for our sins and so freed us from the guilt and punishment of them and from the power of Satan So by his rising again he might openly declare and manifest the vertue of his Death that by it he had fully satisfied for our sins and procured pardon and reconciliation with God for us Rom. 4. ult He was delivered for our sins and rose again for our justification that is to declare that we were justified and reconciled to God by his Death Therefore Contra 1 Cor. 15. 17. If Christ be not raised we are yet in our Sins 3. To declare himself to be the Son of God Rom. 1. 4. He was declared to be the Son of God with Power by the Resurrection from the dead 4. That his Resurrection might make way to those other degrees of his Glorification which followed namely to his ascension and sitting at God's right hand c. Use 1 Use 1. To prove unto us the Truth of Christ's God-head and to confirm our Faith therein Rom. 1. 4. He was declared to be the Son of God with Power by the Resurrection from the dead To this very end our Saviour here foretelleth his Resurrection to confirm the Faith of his Disciples touching his God-head Ut suprà dictum Use 2 Use 2. To be matter of unspeakable comfort to the faithful having part in Christ's Death and Resurrection in that He was not onely to dy and suffer for them but also to rise again by the Power of his Godhead thereby to declare and manifest the vertue and efficacy of his Death and Sufferings that thereby He had made full satisfaction to God for all their sins and so freed them from the Guilt and Punishment of the same As if one be Surety for another's debt and be cast into Prison for it if afterward he be let out of Prison this argues that he hath paid the debt or some way made satisfaction to the Creditor So here Christ being our Surety and being cast into the Prison of Death and the Grave for our debt of Sin and Punishment when afterwards He came out of this Prison by rising again the third day hereby He declared and shewed to all the World that he had fully discharged our whole debt to God by his Death and Sufferings even to the uttermost Farthing and so had fully satisfied for our sins and freed us from the Guilt and Punishment of them all For if any one of the sins of the Elect had not been satisfied for Christ could not have risen again but must still have been holden in the Prison of Death and the Grave But now by coming out of this Prison He declared that all our sins are taken away and we justified from them and reconciled to God so that now we need not fear the Guilt of our sins or the Wrath of God due to them nor the sting of bodily death nor the Power of Satan c. but in Christ's Resurrection we may triumph over all these Enemies of our Salvation as the Apostle doth Rom. 8. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again c. Use 3 Use 3. To confirm our Faith touching the certainty of our own Resurrection unto life eternal at the last day to assure us that though our bodies dy and come to the Grave and to dust and rottenness yet shall they be raised again to life yea to a better life which is everlasting in Heaven and that by vertue of Christ's Resurrection For as he that is our Head was not onely to dy but to rise again from death for us so we that are his Members though we dy yet shall we at the last day be most certainly raised to life again by vertue of Christ's Resurrection He was to be raised as the first-fruits of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 20. therefore He being now actually risen we and all the whole Harvest of God's Elect and faithful People shall follow in our time For Christ did not rise again as a private but as a publick Person as our common Head and Saviour to draw all us up from the Grave after him at the last
great that the gain of all that is in this World cannot countervail it Now in this last Verse of the Chapter he further and more plainly sheweth and confirmeth that which he before had more obscurely implyed viz. That it is a very dangerous thing to deny or not to confess Christ and the Gospel when a Christian is called so to do This our Saviour now confirmeth by adding another threatning unto that former which he delivered ver 35. against such as do not confess Christ and the Gospel but are ashamed so to do when they are thereunto called For he doth here threaten that himself will be ashamed of such at his second coming to Judgment In the words two things to be considered 1. The persons against whom our Saviour denounceth this threatning All such as are ashamed of him in this adulterous and sinfull Generation 2. The commination or threatening it self That the Son of Man shall be ashamed of them when He cometh in Glory c. In the former part which concerneth the persons there are two things 1. A description of them by the sin whereof they are guilty and for which our Saviour denounceth this threatening against them They are such as are ashamed of Him and his Words 2. An amplification of that Sin by the occasion of it The adulterous and sinfull Generation amongst whom they live Whosoever shall be ashamed of me That is whosever shall be ashamed to make outward profession of Me or of my Name before Men when he shall be called thereunto Whosoever shall forbear or refuse to confesse me before Men being thereunto moved by fear of worldly shame reproach or disgrace And of my Words That is of that divine Truth and Doctrine of the Gospel which I have hitherto taught or shall hereafter teach and deliver to the Church for instruction of it either by my self or by my Apostles and other Ministers He doth not say my Word but my words in the plural number thereby to imply the diverse and sundry Doctrines which he had formerly taught them and was hereafter to teach and deliver to his Church Observ 1 Observ 1. That it is the duty of Christians to make outward Profession of Christ before men as occasion is offered and whensoever they are thereunto called It is not enough to believe in Christ with the heart and to embrace him as our Saviour but we must also confess him outwardly before men and profess our Faith in him We must not be ashamed thus to do whensoever good occasion is offered and we are called to do it Our Saviour threatens that he will be ashamed of such at the day of Judgment who are ashamed of him before men in this World that is do for fear of shame or reproach in the World refuse to confess his Name before men which shews it to be a Duty required of all Christians to make outward Profession of Christ before men so often as they are called so to do Matth. 10. 32. Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father c. Hebr. 3. 1. Christ is called the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession because we are not onely to believe in him but also to make outward Profession of him before men Thus have the Saints and faithful Christians done Thus the Apostles ut supra Ver. 29. See 1 Tim. 6. 12. So the blessed Martyrs both of ancient and latter times as Steven and those that followed him whence in the Primitive Church some were called Confessors Reason Reason By this outward Profession of Christ before men we do glorify God and Christ in giving testimony to his Name 1 Pet. 3. 15. 2. By this also we do edify others encouraging them by our example to make the like Profession of Christ's Name Quest Quest When are we called of God to make this outward Profession of Christ before men Answ Answ There are two kinds of outward confessing of Christ 1. Verbal or vocal by word of mouth when we acknowledge Christ to be the true Messiah and our only Saviour and profess that we believe in him and rest on him for Salvation Rom. 10. 10. With the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation 2 Cor. 4. 13. I believed and therefore have I spoken c. Now thus we are called to profess Christ whensoever we see hope or likelihood of glorifying God and of edifying others by our Profession as if it be before or unto such as are likely to reap good thereby For otherwise if it before open malicious enemies and scoffers at Religion silence is better Matth. 7. 6. Cast not pearls before Swine But if there be hope of doing good then we are called of God c. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready alwaies to give an Answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope c. Especially we are to do this when such as have Authority over us do require an accompt of our Faith See Mat. 10. 18. 2. Real Confession of Christ in life and practice And this is either Active or Passive 1. Active in our whole conversation and carriage before men when we so demean our selves that we really declare and testify our Faith in Christ Tit. 3. 8. Such as have believed in God must be carefull to maintain good Works c. And thus we are at all times called to profess Christ before men Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men c. 2. Passive Confession when we declare and testify our Faith in Christ by suffering any Affliction or Death it self for his Name as did the Martyrs Whence also they were called Martyrs and Confessours by way of excellence Act. 22. 20. And thus we are called of God to confess Christ so often as we are called to suffer any thing for his Name Use 1 Use 1. See how needful it is for all Christians to have sufficient Knowledge in the Doctrine of Christ's person Office c. out of the Scriptures For else how shall they be able to confess or make Profession of him aright when they are thereunto called yea they must have more than bare Knowledge viz. Faith which presupposeth Knowledge c. Vse 2 Use 2. For Reproof of such as fail or come short in this Duty of professing Christ before men Some are so ignorant they know not how to make Profession of Christ and of their Faith in him Some have no Faith and therefore cannot profess it Some think they may keep their Faith to themselves and need not professe Christ before men On the contrary Rom. 10. 10. ut supra there is an absolute necessity c. Some dare not confess Christ before men for fear of trouble or danger to themselves Therefore in time of Persecution for the Gospel they deny or dissemble their Faith to save their goods liberty lives c. So did Peter out of Infirmity So have many Hypocrites and Temporizers done in time of Persecution c. How dangerous is this
appears in that our Saviour threatens that he will be ashamed of such at his second coming Therefore Paul gives special warning to Timothy to take heed of this Sin of being ashamed of the testimony of the Lord that is of the Profession and Preaching of the Gospel before men 2 Tim. 1. 8. Be not thou ashamed c. This was the sin of Nicodemus that he was ashamed to profess Christ openly before men and therefore he came to him in the night lest he should be seen Joh. 3. 2. It was also the Sin of those Rulers mentioned Joh. 12. 42. who believed on Christ but durst not confess him lest they should be shamed by being put out of the Synagogue For they loved the praise of men c. and this is there noted as a great fault and sin in them Reas 1 Reas 1. To make outward profession of Christ and his Word before men is a especial duty required of all Christians as we have before heard Therefore to be ashamed to do it is a great sin Reas 2 Reas 2. It is a great dishonour to Christ and disgrace to his Word and Doctrine for any to be ashamed of professing Him or his Word before Men and consequently a great sin As for a Souldier to be ashamed of his Captains or a Servant of his Master c. Use 1 Vse 1. To reprove such as are guilty of this sin of being ashamed of professing Christ or his Word before Men Some are afraid they shall be mocked or counted Puritans c. No small or leight sin but hainous Our Saviour threatens to be ashamed of such at the Day of Judgment This sin alone therefore is enough to condemn a man at that Day if it be not repented of Such also are reproved here who are ashamed to give accompt of Faith being required by such as have Authority over them as by Pastors Parents c. Such of younger sort who are ashamed to answer questions of Carechism c. Such also as are ashamed to pray read conferr of the Scriptures before others c. Use 2 Vse 2. For admonition to take heed of this great sin of being ashamed of Christ and his Word before Men. Let not fear of worldly shame hinder us in this Duty of professing Christ and the Gospel of Christ before Men when we are called so to do Be content to suffer any shame or disgrace in the World rather then deny Christ or not confess Him and his Truth c. Remedies against this Sin 1. Consider the dignity and excellency of Christ and of his Word how worthy they are to be professed by us The dignity of Christ in that he is the Son of God and true Messiah our onely Saviour and Redeemer c. The dignity of the Word of Christ in that it is the onely Word of Life and Doctrine of Salvation c. Therefore it is no shame but a great honour to be a professour of Christ and of the Gospel If it be an honour for the Servant of some Noble man or Prince to profess his Master's name much more for a Christian c. Paul Gloryed in the Cross of Christ Gal. 6. 14. that is in the profession of Christ Crucified And he often calls himself a Servant of Jesus Christ 2. Look at the examples of the Saints and Faithful who have not been ashamed of professing Christ and his Word before men when they were called to it Paul Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel c. David Psal 119. 46. not ashamed to speak of God's Testimonies before Kings The Martrys were not ashamed to confesse Christ and his Truth before their Adversaries These we must imitate not being ashamed to profess Christ and his Word yea to suffer for this profession if need be 1 Pet. 4. 16. If any suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but Glorifie God in this behalf 3. Consider that Christ our Saviour was not ashamed to dye and suffer the wrath of God and cursed Death of the Crosse for our sins Hebr. 12. 2. He endured the Cross despising the shame c. Therefore we are not to be ashamed to confesse Him and his Truth though with hazzard of Life c. Despise all shame that may be cast on us for the Name of Christ 4. The Wicked are not ashamed to commit sin they are not ashamed to deny and dishonour Christ and his Truth Esay 3. 9. They declare their sins and hide them not c. And shall we be ashamed of professing Christ and his Truth both by Word and Deed c 5. Lastly Consider the danger of being ashamed to confesse Christ or his Truth He will be ashamed of such at his second coming c. But of this afterward Mark 8. 38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me c. Febr. 5. 1625. NOW followeth the occasion of this sin of being ashamed of Christ c. The profane and wicked People or Persons amongst which they lived Described by a twofold property or attribute 1. Adulterous Generation 2. Sinfull The meaning In this Adulterous Generation c. Or amongst this Adulterous Generation He seemeth principally to understand the wicked Nation of the Jews as they were at that Time especially the Scribes and Pharisees with such other who were greatest Enemies of Christ and the Gospel The more probable because he had before called them thus Matth. 12. 39. An evil and adulterous Generation seeketh a Sign c. So the words contain a sharp reproof of the Jews indirectly yet this is further to be extended to all other profane and wicked Nations or People amongst which the Disciples of Christ or any other good Christians should live at any Time Generation Put here for a Naturall Stock Progeny or Posterity Adulterous Generation That is a degenerate spurious or bastardly Brood or Progeny such as were not the true and lawfull Posterity of those whose Posterity they professed and boasted themselves to be that is to say of Abraham Israel and the other Patriarchs and Fathers in the old Testament Joh. 8. 39. They boasted That Abraham was their Father Therefore our Saviour here to convince their Hypocrisie calls them an Adulterous Generation that is a bastardly Brood to shew That although they were by natural Birth descended of Abraham and the other holy Fathers yet they were not the true and lawful Posterity of those Ancestors in regard of spirituall Birth because they did not walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham and the Fathers but were Unbelievers neither did they do the Works of Abraham that is they lived not holily and uprightly as he did but profanely and wickedly therefore he calls them a sinfull Generation So Joh. 8. 39. If ye were Abrahams Children ye would do the Works of Abraham And he does not call them Adulterous Children but an Adulterous and sinfull Generation implying that not onely themselves but their next and immediate Parents and Ancestors were degenerated
2 Observ 2. That there is a distinction of Persons in the God-head Though there is but one God and one Divine Nature and Essence yet this one Nature is distinguished into several Persons There is the Father who is the first Person and there is the Son the second Persion who is partaker of one and the same Glory with the Father as our Saviour himself here sheweth So also there is the Holy Ghost the third Person in the God-head as appeareth by other places of Scriptures although he be not here expresly named 1 Joh. 5. 7. There are three which bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Note that though these three Persons be truly and really distinguished one from the other and have distinct and incommunicable properties by which they differ so as the Father is not the Son or the Son the Father c. yet they are not divided or separated one from the other but are most nearly united together within themselves being all but one and the same Nature and Essence But I will not here insist further upon this Use Use To confirm our Faith in this Mystery and Doctrine of the distinction of Persons in the God-head and to teach us how to conceive of God in our prayers and other Worship which we perform unto him namely as one God in Essence and Nature distinguished into three persons c. Thus labour to think of God yet withall take heed of troubling and distracting of our thoughts in time of prayer or other religious Duties with curious speculations about this distinction of Persons in the Trinity lest it hinder our Affections in prayer c. It followeth With the holy Angels Observ The excellent nature and quality of the good Angels that they are most holy and pure Creatures perfectly holy and free from all spot of Sin and that by vertue of their first Creation Acts 10. 22. Cornelius was warned from God by an holy Angel Therefore they are sometimes called Saints Deut. 33. 2. The Lord at the giving of the Law came from Mount Sinai he came with ten thousands of Saints c. So Jude ver 14. For this cause they used to appear in white Apparrel to shew the purity of their Nature c. Use 1 Vse 1. See the excellent state of the Saints after this Life Eph. 5. 27. like the Angels free from sin c. Matth. 22. 30. Long for that estate to be rid of Sin So Paul Rom. 7. 24. Vse 2 Vse 2. See the excellency and dignity of the Saints of God in this Life in that they have these holy Angels to attend upon them for their good and to protect them from evil Hebr. 1. ult Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation See Psal 34. And Psal 91 Great comfort to the Godly against the contempt of the World c. Psal 16. The excellent of the Earth Use 3 Use 3. Teacheth us to imitate this holiness and purity of the Angels striving to resemble and become like unto them in some measure even in this Life that so we may be perfectly like unto them after this Life in Heaven which otherwise we cannot be we must first be Saints on Earth before we can be Saints in Heaven Labour therefore to know and feel our selves in some measure truly sanctified in this Life and to shew forth the Fruits of Sanctification in our Lives purging our Hearts and Lives more and more from the corruption of Sin 2 Cor. 7. 1. Let us cleanse our selves from all Filthinesse of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holinesse c. The more we do this the nearer we come to the holy Nature and Life of the Angels in Heaven We pray that we may do God's Will on Earth as it is done in Heaven by the holy Angels and Saints and this is one principall part of the Will of God that we should hate sin and be holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Thess 4. 3. This is the Will of God even your Sanctification c. Use 4 Use 4. For admonition to look to our outward carriage and behaviour at all times that it be holy and religious forasmuch as we are before the Angels of God which pitch their Tents round about us and do take notice of our outward behaviour what it is Now they being so perfectly holy and pure cannot but hate all sin and profaness in word and deed therefore take heed of such carriage lest we grieve and offend the holy Angels They are said to rejoice in the conversion of a Sinner therefore they are grieved to see sin committed c. Take heed therefore of all profaness in word and deed be careful to carry our selves in all holy and seemly manner considering that the Angels of God which are perfectly holy and pure do continually behold our outward Conversation If we could with bodily eyes see those glorious Creatures the holy Angels which encamp about us how would their presence curb us from Sin and cause us in all holy and reverent manner to carry our selves wheresoever we become Now it is as certain That they are about us and do take notice of our wayes as if we did see them in bodily shapes Therefore look to our behaviour before them c. Especially in the publick Congregation where they are in special manner present to behold what is done 1 Cor. 11. 10. Women must be decently covered because of the Angels Finis Octavi Capitis CHAP. IX Mark 9. 1. And he said unto them Verily I say unto you that there be some of them that stand here which shall Mar. 19. 1625. not taste of Death till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with Power THE principall parts of this Chapter are these 1. The History of our Saviour Christ's transfiguration before certain of his Disciples in the Mount unto ver 14. 2. His miraculous casting of the Devil out of a Child that was possessed from ver 14. to the 30. 3. His foretelling of his Passion and Resurrection to his Disciples from ver 30. to the 33. 4. His private teaching of the Doctrine of humility to his Disciples from ver 33. to 38. 5. Lastly A further discourse which he made to his Disciples teaching them sundry other points of Christian Doctrine and Practice from ver 38. ad finem Capitis Concerning the first The Evangelist mentioneth 1. Our Saviour's prediction or foretelling of his transfiguration ver 1. 2. The actual accomplishment of it ver 2 c. And he said unto them c. These words have dependance upon the latter end of the former Chapter being the conclusion of that excellent Speech or Doctrine delivered by our Saviour unto his Disciples and the Multitude touching the bearing of the Crosse in this Life for Christ's sake For having taught them the necessity of the Crosse and used forcible Reasons to move them to take
c. Hereby our Saviour implyeth that after they had seen this Transfiguration they should taste of Death in the time appointed of God This he presupposeth whence we may learn that even the faithful Saints and Servants of God are subject to bodily death and shall at length in their due time taste and have experience of it As they cannot by before the time appointed of God so when that time cometh they must and shall certainly taste of Death This is true of all the Saints and faithful even of the best and most excellent Christ's own Disciples yea the most eminent and chief of them for Grace as Peter James and John who are here particularly meant must at length come unto Death Joh. 21. 19. Our Saviour foretells Peter of his Death and the manner of it And 2 Pet. 1. 14. he prophesies of his own Death Shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus hath shewed me Touching the Death of James we read Acts 12. 2. that Herod put him to Death And touching John although some have erroneously imagined that he should not dye at all but remain alive till Christ's second coming grounding this their errour upon those words of our Saviour Joh. 21. 22. yet that the contrary is true may appear not onely by the words of John himself ver 23. of the same Chapter and by our Saviour's words in this place but also by the testimony of sundry antient Writers of the Church who report that he dyed and was buried at Ephesus about a hundred years after the Birth of Christ Now as it is true of these three Disciples of Christ here spoken of that in their due times they tasted of Death So is it also true of the rest of Christ's Disciples and of all the Saints of God mentioned in Scripture that as they lived unto the time appointed of God so when that time was come they dyed or tasted of Death So all the holy Patriarchs Prophets religious Kings of Israel and Judah lived and dyed c. So all the Saints in the new Testament Esay 57. 1. The Righteous perisheth and mercifull men are taken away c. viz. By Death they are taken away from the Earth Reas 1 Reas 1. Bodily Death is the common condition appointed of God for all men to pass thorough Hebr. 9. 27. It is appointed unto men that is unto all men once to dye Therefore it is appointed for the Saints of God as well as others Job 30. 23. I know that thou wilt bring me to Death and to the House appointed for all living Reas 2 Reas 2. The Saints of God are tainted with the corruption of sin as well as others Therefore they as well as others are lyable to Death as the wages of sin Rom. 5. 12. Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Object 1 Object 1. Joh. 8. 51. If a man keep my saying he shall never see Death Answ Answ It is to be understood of eternal Death not of Temporall Object 2 Object 2. Henoch and Eliah dyed not but were taken away from Earth to Heaven extraordinarily Hebr. 11. 5. Henoch was translated that he should not see Death Eliah taken up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot c. 2 King 2. 11. Answ Answ These were extraordinary and speciall Examples to whom the Lord for speciall causes did vouchsafe this Priviledge which therefore makes nothing against the general and ordinary course which God doth take with all other his Saints viz. To bring them unto Death and to cause them to taste of it every one in their time Object 3 Object 3. 1 Cor. 15. 51. We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed Answ Answ That change of the Saints found alive at Christ's second coming shall be in stead of Death unto them Quest Quest why doth not the Lord abolish Temporal Death as well as eternal unto his Saints and wholly free them from the former as well as from the latter seeing he hath Power so to do Answ Answ The Lord will have Temporal Death to remain and that his Saints and Children shall taste of it as well as others for these Reasons 1. That they may be conformable to Christ their Head who first tasted of Death and so was Crowned with Glory Hebr. 2. 9. 2. To humble them the more in the sense of their sins which are the meritorious and procuring cause of Death in them 3. The Lord hath thought it fit that as Sin brought Death into the World so Death should carry Sin out of the World That his Saints should be freed from all remnants of sinful corruption by means of Death Use 1 Use 1. For admonition to the Saints and Faithful as well as others to make accompt of Death and to prepare and fit themselves to undergo and taste of it make a vertue of necessity Seeing they must dye therefore daily prepare to do this great and last work of a Christian Job 14. 14. All the Dayes of my appointed Time will I wait till my change come Object Object The Saints and Faithful cannot but be fit and well prepared for Death Therefore this admonition is needless c. Answ Answ There are Degrees of fitness and preparedness for Death And though all true Believers are in some measure prepared for it yet because this their preparation is mingled with much weaknesse and imperfection therefore they have need daily to fit and prepare themselves for Death in a farther degree and measure Quest Quest How is this to be done Answ Answ 1. By frequent and often meditation of Death and of the necessity of it by God's Ordinance c. Deut. 32. 29. Oh that they were wise that they would consider their latter end This is called numbring of our Dayes Psal 90. 12. So teach us to number our Dayes c. make Death present to us by meditation before it come 2. By often meditation of those Grounds of comfort which the Word of God affordeth to the Saints against Death As 1. The Death of Christ whereby he hath satisfied for their sins and so taken away the sting and curse of their Death so as now it is not hurtful to them nor to be feared at all 1 Cor. 15. 55. O Death where is thy sting c 2. The blessed estate and condition of the Saints immediately after Death resting from their Labours c. Rev. 14. 13. Their Souls carryed by the Angels into Abraham bosom c. 3. The Resurrection of our Bodies which we hope and certainly look for at the last Day c. 3. By daily renewing their Faith and Repentance that so they may be more and more assured of the pardon of their sins and peace with God in Christ and so that they shall dye in the Lord c. Use 2 Use 2. A motive to us to be willing to dye and to encourage us thereunto whensoever the Lord shall call us to it seeing Death is such a condition and
estate as the Saints of God as well as others must come unto and passe through A cup which they all have or must taste of in due time And shall we then refuse to taste of it together with them Shall we desire to be exempted from the common condition of all the Saints and Servants of God which have gone before us or shall follow after us How unfit and unequal a thing were this Let us therefore labour willingly and chearfully to do that which all the Saints of God either have done before us or must do after us that is to dye or taste of Death when our time shall come What though Death be painful in it self and tedious to Nature yet remember that the pains of Death are no other but such as the dear Saints and Children of God have suffered and tasted of before us or must do after us And shall we then fear them or be dismayed at them In the pains of any Sickness or Disease it is a great comfort to us if one tell uâ— he hath suffered the same or the like pain before us especially if he be a good man that hath indured it before us So here c. Besides the Death of the Godly usually is nothing so painful as of the Wicked because the bitterness thereof is sweetned to them by the comfortable feeling of the pardon of their sins and of God's love in Christ c. as also with hope of the Life to come Vse 3 Use 3. To comfort us in the Death of our Christian Friends Children c. They are gone the same way that all the Saints of God are gone before them or must go after them Therefore if we have any good Ground whereupon to perswade our selves that they have dyed well and in the Lord Death cannot make them miserable but happy c. Observ 4 Observ 4. From this manner of Speech used by our Saviour They shall not taste of Death we may gather That although the Saints of God as well as others must dye or come unto Death yet they shall but taste of it They shall not drink of thiâ— bitter Cup to the bottom or dreggs but leightly sip of it as it were that is have some leight feeling and experience of the pain of it Besides though they do dye yet they shall not remain under the Power of Death nor continue in the state of it for ever but shall be raised again to Life yea to an eternal and most blessed and glorious Life at the last Day Though they must taste of the Cup of Death yet they shall not be drunken with it as the wicked shall be that is overcome of it or overwhelmed by it but it shall passe from them as it did from Christ Therefore the Death of the Saints is called a Sleep and they are said To rest in their Graves as in Beds for a Night that is for a short time till the Day of Resurrection Use 1 Use 1. See a difference between the Saints of God and the wicked in their Death The wicked drink deep of the Cup of Death even to the dreggs so as to be overcome and swallowed up of it But the godly do onely taste leigthly of Death and so as they scarce feel the bitterness of it in comparison of the wicked The bitternesse of Death is past to them even before they dye Again the wicked remain in Death being passed from Temporal Death to Eternal not so the godly c. Vse 2 Use 2. Comfort to the Godly and Faithful against Death consider that though Death be in it self bitter and grievous to Flesh and Blood yet they shall not feel the pains of it in extermity or in great measure but rather leightly and moderately they shall but leightly taste of this bitter Cup and that for their good and furtherance of their eternal happiness after this Life The pains of Death shall be mitigated to them by the feeling of God's love and mercy towards them in the midst of Death and with hope and assurance of eternal Life which shall make Death so sweet that it shall seem no Death unto them Besides they shall have but a shoâ—t taste or feeling of Death Though they dye they shall not continue in Death nor under the Power of it but their Bodies shall be raised to Life again at the last Day and in the mean time their Souls immediately after Death do live with God in his heavenly Kingdom Mark 9. 2. And after six Dayes Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John and leadeth them up into a April 16. 1626. high Mountain apart by themselves and he was transfigured before them IN the former Verse as we heard our Saviour darkly foretold the Glory of his Transfiguration which was shortly after to be manifested to some of his Disciples then present with him Now in the next place the Evangelist recordeth the actual fulfilling of that glorious transfiguration of Christ setting down the History of it ver 2 c. Which History is the more excellent because it doth set forth before us alively representation of the divine Glory and Majesty of Christ's God-head together with the excellency of that blessed estate of the Saints in Heaven after this Life in which they shall more fully see Christ's Glory and be partakers in it Amplitudinem majestatem hujus historiae neminem puto mortalium concipere animo nedum linguâ exprimere posse saith Musculus upon this place Which being so we are to attend the more diligently to the matter of Doctrine which shall be taught us out of this excellent History and to be the more affected with it Now in this History we have sundry things to consider as they are set down by the Evangelist 1. The circumstance of Time when this transfiguration of Christ happened After six Dayes 2. The persons chosen by our Saviour to be present with him at the time of his Transfiguration as witnesses of it Peter James and John whom he took with him 3. The place where he was transfigured A high Mountain into which he led up those three Disciples apart 4. The transfiguration it self set down partly in fine ver 2. and partly ver 3. He was tranfigured before them And his Rayment became shining c. 5. Some special accidents or circumstances which happened at the time of his Transfiguration and did accompany the same set down to uâ— ver 4 5 6 7 8. 6. The Consequents which fell out immediately after this Transfiguration of our Saviour which are set down ver 9 c. Of the first After six Dayes These words have relation to the time or day in which our Saviour uttereth those words mentioned in the former Verse That some there standing should not taste c. q. d. Six dayes after that he had spoken those words to his Disciples and others then present Object Luke 9. 28. It is said It was about eight Dayes c. Answ Though there be some
certainty of it and must serve to confirm our Faith therein and so much the rather because this History doth contain excellent matter of Instruction and Comfort for the true Church and faithful Servants of Christ as we shall hear afterward God willing Observ 2. Our Saviour chose none to be with him to see the Glory of his Transfiguration but such as were of the number of his true and faithful Discipleâ— as Peter James and John for which cause Judas Iscariot was none of the three Hence we learn what kind of Persons they are who shall see the heavenly Glory of Christ in the life to come viz. none but such as are Christ's true Disciples in this life none but true Believers and sanctified Persons such as do not onely make outward Profession of Christ's Name but do truly believe in him and shew their Faith by holiness of life These onely shall see the Divine Glory and Majesty of Christ in Heaven hereafter and not onely see it but be partakers of it Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me c. Mat. 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Heb. 12. 14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Therefore Heaven is called the Inheritance of the Saints Col. 1. 12. to shew that none shall be Partakers of it nor see the Glory of God or of Christ there but the Saints and faithful As none but Believers and Saints were admitted of Christ to behold his Glory in the earthly Mount which is therefore called the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1. 18. So none but the Saints and faithful shall be admitted to see Christ's Glory in the heavenly Mount Use 1 Use 1. See how many deceive themselves who vainly hope and perswade themselves that they shall come to Heaven hereafter and there see Christ in glory though as yet they be not in the number of Christ's true Disciples though they be as yet no true Believers or sanctified Persons but on the contrary are utterly void of true Faith and profane in life Some live in gross Ignorance of the Word of God and of the very grounds of Christian Religion having no sound Knowledge of Christ and therefore can have no true Faith in him Others live in gross and manifest sins and corruptions unreformed in swearing drunkenness uncleanness covetousness c. and yet hope for Heaven and to see Christ's Glory there hereafter But deceive not thine own Soul For if no profane or unsanctified Person might go with Christ up to the earthly Mount to see him there transfigured how much less shalt thou being a profane Person and living in thy sins be admitted to see Christ's Glory in the heavenly Mount No unclean thing shall ever come into that holy City the new Jerusalem Rev. 21. 27. Use 2 Use 2. See here the Profaness of such as reproach others with the Name of Puritan Let them know that if ever they look to see Christ's Glory in the Heavenly Mount themselves must be Puritans c. See 1 Joh. 3. 3. Use 3 Use 3. If we would know and be assured that we shall hereafter see and be partakers of Christ's Glory in Heaven labour first in this life to be joyned to him by true Faith that we may feel him dwelling in our hearts by Faith and to shew forth this Faith by the fruits of it in Holiness of life If we would be received up into that heavenly Mount whither he is ascended before us there to behold his divine and heavenly Glory and to partake in it with the rest of the Saints let us look to it that we be in the number of his true Disciples that is of his faithful Saints and Servants such as these three were whom Christ took with him into the earthly Mount to see his excellent Glory Labour above all things in the World for some measure of true Faith and Sanctification to make our Calling and Election sure c. 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Now followeth the Place where our Saviour was transfigured An high Mountain into which he led up his three Disciples apart by themselves What Mountain this was is not expressed by the Evangelists but the most received Opinion of Interpreters is that it was the Mount Tabor mentioned Judg. 4. 6. which was in the Country of Galilee and in the border or coast of of the Tribe of Zebulun as Hierom writeth in locis Haebraicis And this is the more probable 1. Because our Saviour conversed much in Galilee and it is probable he was now in that Region or Country 2. Because the Evangelists affirm that it was an high Mountain and so doth Hierom testify of the Mount Tabor that it was mira rotunditate sublimis Vide Maldonat cui incertum videtur Vide potius Casaub contra Baron Exerc. 15. Ann. 33. Num. 29. Quest Quest Why did our Saviour lead them up into this Mountain apart Answ Answ 1. Because he intended to give himself to private Prayer thereby to fit and prepare himself to his Transfiguration for which a private place was fittest Luke 9. 28. He went up into a Mountain to pray viz. that there he might be private with his three Disciples and free from distractions So at other times when he intended to pray privately he used to go apart into some private Mountain or Hill as Mark 6. 46. and Lukâ— 6. 12. 2. That the Disciples might also be free from all distractions that might hinder them either in Prayer or in the fight and beholding of Christ's Glory 3. The Mountain being a remote solitary and private place was fittest for this private manifestation of Christ's Glory before the three Disciples that so no others besides might see it done Observ 1 Observ 1. When we go about the performance of weighty and serious duties we should withdraw out selves from all occasions that may hinder or disturb us therein especially when we go about holy and spiritual actions and duties as our Saviour now being to give himself to Prayer and withall intending to comfort his Disciples by revealing to them this extraordinary and miraculous Vision or Apparition of his heavenly Glory he therefore withdrawes himself from all company except three of his Disciples and goes apart with them alone into a private solitary Mountain where no unfit company or other outward occasions might hinder or disturb him So when we go about religious duties of God's Worship publick or private we are first to separate and free our selves from hinderances we must ascend up above them and leave them below us when we are to pray read hear the Word c. See before on the 37th Verse of Chap. 5. The not doing of this is one main cause that we often find so many hinderances and distractions in performance of such duties Observ 2 Observ 2. We are not onely to separate our selves from
in his humane Nature onely it differeth in these Respects 1. In the measure and degree of it for that Glory which he hath now in Heaven is in a far more excellent degree than that which was shewed on the Earthly Mount 2. In time or continuance the Glory of his Transfiguration was but for a little time but that in Heaven is for ever to endure 3. In the quality or condition of the subject in which this Glory is For whereas the subject of this Glory of his Transfiguration was the body of Christ being then corruptible and mortal the subject of that heavenly Glory which now he hath is the same body of Christ being incorruptible and immortal Vidt Stellam in hunc locum Et Tho. Aquin. pars tertia Quest 45. Art 2. Vse Vse If the Glory and Majesty of Christ now in Heaven be so great and excellent then this further teacheth us that the Glory of the Saints in Heaven after this life shall be very great and most excellent For they shall partake in Christ's Glory and be like unto him and not onely in our Souls but in our bodies Phil. 3. 21. He shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Col. 3. 4. When Christ shall appear we shall appear with him in Glory And 1 Joh. 3. 2. We know that when He shall appear we shall be like him 1 Cor. 15. 42. As his face and whole body now in Heaven shineth as the Sun yea far above the brightness of the Sun so shall the bodies of every one of the Saints after this life Matth. 13. 43. Then shall the righteous shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Dan. 12. 3. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever The meanest of the Saints shall partake with Christ after this life in the same heavenly Glory which he now hath in the same I say for quality and kind though not for degree and measure and yet every one of the Saints shall receive an unspeakable measure of Glory an eternal weight of Glory as Paul calleth it even as great a measure as every one shall be capable of which being so how great comfort is this for the Saints and all true Believers 1. To comfort them against all reproach contempt and disgrace which here they suffer in this World for Christ's Name and the Gospel When we are reproached or contemned for Christ's sake remember the Glory which he shall put upon us after this life when we shall be like him in Glory c. 2. To comfort the faithful against all miseries imperfections and infirmities which their bodies are subject to in this life as bodily Sickness Weakness Infirmities of old Age Blindness Deafness Lameness Deformities Remember the time in which our bodies shall be freed from all these and not onely so but be perfectly glorified as Christ's body now is 3. To comfort the Saints against death and the corruption of the Grave Though our bodies dy and turn to rottenness and dust yet they shall rise again and be made like to the glorious body of Christ they shall be perfectly and gloriously transfigured as his body was they shall shine as the Sun c. Who would not be willing to dy that his corruptible body may thus be changed Who would not have such a body as Christ now had in his Transfiguration shining like the Sun glistering like the light Observ 4 Observ 4. In that our Saviour was thus gloriously transfigured not onely in the presence and company of his three Disciples which were with him but also in their sight and view as the words before them do imply We may further learn the excellent state and condition of the glorified Saints in Heaven how it shall be with them in that life to come viz. That they shall not onely be with Christ enjoying immediate society with him Luke 23. 43. Rev. 14. 4. but also shall see and be Eye-witnesses of his divine Glory and Majesty Joh. 17. 24. As the three Disciples did sensibly behold the Glory of Christ in this earthly Mount for they did see his face shining like the Sun and garments glistring c. So shall the Saintes in Heaven much more sensibly and more fully and clearly see Christ's heavenly Glory and not onely the Glory of his humane Nature but even of his divine Nature so far as is possible We shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall see him face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. and not onely with the eyes of their Mind and Understanding which shall then be perfectly opened but even with their bodily eyes they shall see Christ though not the very essence of his God-head yet the sensible effects and evidences thereof manifested in his Humane Nature Job 19. 26. I shall see God in my Flesh c. and Matth. 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Use 1 Vse 1. See by this the excellency and blessedness of that estate of the Saints after this life wherein they shall not onely be with Christ immediately joyned to him in whose presence is fulness of joy c. Psal 16. but shall also see and behold his unspeakable Glory in the sight whereof consisteth true happiness If it were so excellent and glorious a sight to behold Christ transfigured in the earthly Mount his face shining as the Sun c. that Peter desired to dwell there how much more blessed a sight shall it be for the Saints in Heaven to see the face and heavenly Glory of Christ even with bodily eyes to see him as he is c. This is matter of unspeakable comfort to the Saints of God and true Believers having hope and assurance to be partakers hereafter of that blessed estate in Heaven where they shall not onely be with Christ and follow him wheresoever he goes but shall also see him face to face and behold his unspeakable Glory and Majesty the very first sight whereof shall ravish their hearts with unutterable Joy and Comfort It was a great joy and comfort to Simeon to see Christ come in the Flesh c. This may comfort them against all miseries and troubles of this life which they suffer for the Name of Christ and for well-doing To remember the time wherein they shall not onely be freed from all these miseries but also shall be with Christ and live and reign with him beholding his face enjoying his blessed presence continually c. Think of this in midst of all troubles and afflictions of this life Rom. 8. 17. If we suffer with Christ we shall be glorified with Him If we be with him upon the Crosse we shall also be transfigured with him in the heavenly Mount Vse 2 Vse 2. See that there is no cause at all why the Saints of God should be unwilling or loath to dy and
City whose Street is of Gold and Walls and Gates of Pearls 2. This is proved by those excellent Priviledges and Benefits which the Saints shall enjoy in that Life to come which are of two sorts 1. Freedom from all evils and miseries of this Life which do here grieve or discontent them 2. Fruition of all good which may any way bring joy delight and contentment to them Of the first They shall be freed 1. From all corruption of Sin which now is burdensome and grievous to them Eph. 5. 27. 2. From all Troubles and Afflictions of this Life Rev. 21. 4. All tears shall be wiped from their Eyes 3. From subjection and power of Death 4. From all Satan's Temptations Of the second They shall enjoy all good things which may bring joy and comfort them As 1. The immediate sight and presence of God and of Christ Jesus who shall be all in all to them In whose presence is fulness of joy c. They shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3. 2. And face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. 2. The society of all the blessed Angels and Saints glorified Matth. 8. 11. They shall sit down with Abraham c. ut suprà audivimus 3. Perfection of all heavenly Gifts both in Soul and Body 1 Cor. 13. 10. In Soul they shall be indued with perfect Knowledge Wisdom Love Holiness c. In Body with all glorious qualities as perfect beauty brightness strength agility c. Phil. 3. 21. He shall change our vile Body c. Use 1 Use 1. The estate of the Saints in Heaven after this Life being so full of delight and contentment to those that enjoy it This should draw our love and affection to it causing us earnestly to desire and long after it above all other estates and conditions in this World We naturally desire those things in this World which we think will bring us most joy delight and contentment Let us then above all things desire and long after Heaven and the Life to come which will give us more delight and contentment then all this World can afford us That is the onely delightfull and comfortable condition most amiable and most to be desired in it self in comparison whereof all Earthly things are to be despised as utterly unworthy of our love or desire The best estate in this World either of Wealth Honour c. is mingled with some grievances and discontentments which will make us weary of it in time Onely Heaven and the Life to come is such an estate as hath in it such full contentment and delight that when we shall once enjoy it we shall still desire to enjoy it and say It is good being here we shall never be weary of it c. If David so much desired to dwell in God's House c. Psal 27. 4. Labour we then for Hearts to desire and long after that joyfull and most comfortable estate of the Life to come The rather because none shall be partakers of it but such as desire and thirst after it in this Life Rev. 21. 6. I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely This desire hath been in the Saints of God as in Paul and others 2 Cor. 5. 2. In this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our House which is from Heaven Yea all Creatures in their kind do groan and sigh after that joyfull and comfortable estate of the Saints after this Life Rom. 8. 22. much more ought we c. Vse 2 Use 2. To move us every one to labour and seek above all things to have part in that blessed and joyfull condition of the Saints in Heaven to get good assurance hereof unto our own Souls Else what profit is it to know there is such a joyful and comfortable estate so full of delight and contentment c. Our chief care and labour therefore must be to have our part therein Matth. 6. 33. First seek the Kingdom of God c. Luke 13. 24. Strive to enter in at the straight Gate c. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure c. For so an entrance shall be c. To this end often remember and think of the excellency of that state and condition of the Saints in Heaven how full of joy delight and contentment how much to be desired such as we shall never be weary of such as shall have no matter of grief or discontentment in it c. And let this consideration stirr up our diligence to work out our Salvation who would not take pains for such a blessed estate to be partaker of so much joy delight c. as no Heart can now conceive What though there be many hard Works and Duties to be performed of such as shall come to Heaven as the denyal of our selves the mortifying our Lusts the taking up of our Cross c. Remember still that Heaven is worth our pains Remember what a good place it is what a blessed estate how full of joy delight c. How good it shall be to be there c. Vse 3 Vse 3. For comfort to all that know and have assurance of their part in that blessed and joyfull condition of the Saints in Heaven 1. This may comfort them against all Miseries and Troubles of this Life against all Crosses and Afflictions against all occasions of grief sorrow and discontentment which we here meet with in this World In midst of all remember that joy delight and contentment which we believe and hope for in the Life to come This will sweeten all bitter Crosses and Troubles of this Life this will comfort and chear up amidst all discomforts 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment c. In all Crosses and Troubles of this Life look beyond them and thorough them at the joy and comfort of the Life to come So did Moses Hebr. 11. 26. So Christ himself Hebr. 12. 2. For the joy that was set before him he endured the Cross c. Here we meet with such and so many grievances and troubles that they make us weary of Life and of being in this World Now then comfort our selves with hope of our heavenly Estate and Life in which we shall find such full delight and contentment that we shall never be weary of it but still desire to be in it c. 2. This affords comfort to the Saints of God against the fear of Death and against our Naturall lothness and unwillingness to part with this earthly Life and Condition Consider that blessed estate which follows The Death of the Saints dying in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. An estate which shall afford such fulness of joy delight and contentment that they shall never be weary of it but for ever desire to be in it c. Labour by Faith to be perswaded hereof then wilt thou say with Paul Phil. 1. 23. I desire to depart and to
be with Christ which is far better or best of all And with Simeon Luke 2. 29. Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace c. Labour then by Faith to believe and be perswaded of that joyfull and blessed estate in Heaven which we shall be partakers of after Death look beyond Death at Heaven and the Life to come fix the eyes of our Faith upon that Heaven of joy set before us If we can truly see and behold but even a glimpse of it if we can see it but as it were with one eye of our Faith or as we do sometimes the light of the Sun through a small crevis This sight will so ravish our hearts with joy and comfort that it will swallow up all the terrours and discomforts of Death Observ 2 Observ 2. Peter was so affected and taken up with delight in beholding the heavenly Glory of Christ and of Moses and Elias that out of desire to dwell in that place he doth forget all other earthly delights and contentments which he had formerly found in other places or persons c. as in the company of his fellow Disciples or other Friends and Kindred yea of his own Brother Andrew he makes no mention of any of these but forgetting and neglecting them all his desire and care now is to abide still in the holy Mount with Christ and with Moses and Elias to enjoy still the blessed sight of their heavenly Glory Hence we may gather That it shall much more be thus with the glorified Saints in Heaven that is to say That the joy and delight which they shall feel in the fruition of that blessed estate shall so take them up that they shall wholly forget all earthly delights and contentments which they have enjoyed in this Life as in Wealth Honour outward and carnall society of Friends Kindred c. Husband Wife Children c. Use Use Teacheth us not to set our Hearts too much upon any such earthly delights comforts or contentments in this World nor to make too much accompt of them seeing all these shall be quite forgotten in the Life to come as if they had never been at all they shall be swallowed up in that heavenly delight c. 1 Joh. 2. 15. Love not the World nor the things that are in the World c. Then a reason is given ver 17. The World passeth away and the Lusts thereof that is all things in the World which are usually desired or lusted after all worldly delights and contentments passe away and come to nothing And as they shall perish in themselves so shall they be all forgotten of us in that heavenly life to come Therefore set not our hearts upon them but use them as if we used them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. They that have Wives let them be as though they had none they that rejoyce as if they rejoyced not and they that buy as if they possessed not c. We must now in this life begin to wean our hearts from these earthly delights and contentments Seeing they shall all cease and be forgotten of us in the life to come let us now learn by degrees to forget and neglect them and on the contrary to set our hearts chiefly upon spiritual and heavenly delights and comforts which shall continue with us in Heaven Delight in God and his Worship and Service in the comforts of his Word in the society of the Saints c. These delights shall never cease or be forgotten of us but shall for ever continue with us in that life to come Observ 3 Observ 3. In that Peter knew Moses and Elias and calleth them by their names though he had never seen them before Hence we may gather at least probably that the Saints in Heaven shall mutually know and take notice one of another yea of such as they never knew before For if in this short taste or glimpse of the heavenly life which was now vouchsafed to Peter and the other two Disciples the Lord did reveal unto them the Knowledge of those heavenly Saints which they had never seen or lived with before then no doubt but when the Saints shall fully enjoy that heavenly Life and Glory they shall much more have this mutuall Knowledge of one another revealed and discovered unto them Reason Reason The Knowledge of the Saints shall then be fully perfected 1 Cor. 13. 12. Now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am known This is true not onely of the Knowledge of God but also of that Knowledge which the Saints have one of another and generally of all such Knowledge as they have in this life which doth any way make for their good and comfort All such Knowledge of theirs shall be perfected in Heaven Therefore seeing they know one another here and have comfort hereby much more shall they in Heaven c. Yea it is most probable they shall there know such as they never knew in this life Take this Caution Though they shall know one another yet not in an earthly manner but in a heavenly that is in a far more excellent and comfortable manner than now we know one another Use 1 Use 1. Comfort to the godly in their own death and in the death of their Christian friends dying in the Lord. Though they part with them for a time and lose the sight and company of them yet they shall come to see and know them again in Heaven and that after a more excellent and more comfortable manner c. Luther talked with his friends of this matter and herewith comforted himself the same Night in which he dyed Vse 2 Vse 2. See what to do if we desire to know and be acquainted personally with those excellent Saints of God who have lived and dyed before us as the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Fathers of the Church c. Labour so to live in this World that we may go to Heaven after this life There we shall see and know them c. Mark 9. 5. It is good to be here c. June 11. 1626. NOW follow Instructions to be gathered from those things wherein Peter failed and was faulty in uttering these words to our Saviour Observ 1 Observ 1. In that Peter being delighted with beholding the Glory of Christ was desirous to stay in the earthly Mount and there to dwell with Christ and with Moses and Elias in earthly Tabernacles thinking himself happy and blessed if he might so do Hence we may take notice of a natural corruption and fault which is in us that we are naturally apt to desire and seek true happiness and contentment here upon Earth and in earthly things not heavenly as we should do Peter desired and sought happiness in the earthly Mount c. So we naturally seek true joy and happiness in the fruition of earthly delights and contentments as in Wealth Honour fair Houses pleasant Dwellings the company of earthly Friends c. Phil. 3.
to Law for trifles taking malicious courses against others Again Christ commands them to seek God's Kingdom and Righteousness in the first place Matth. 6. 33. On the contrary they seek this World and the profits and pleasures of it first He commands them to deny themselves and to take up their Cross willingly c. Contra their care is to satisfy their corrupt lusts and as for the Cross they abhor and shun nothing more shewing nothing but unwillingness and impatiency Use 2 Use 2. To exhort and stir up all that profess to be Christ's Disciples to make Conscience of Obedience to his Commandments His Servants we are to whom we obey as the Apostle saith therefore if thou be a true Servant of Christ shew it by thy Obedience to his Will and Commandments by doing what he commands thee in his Word and by forbearing to do what he forbids thee Else never profess to be Christ's Disciple or Servant It is gross Hypocrisy to call him Lord and not to do what he commandeth Take heed of this therefore and as we call Christ our Lord and Master so be careful to shew our selves to be his true Servants by obeying his Will and Commandments Now further in this our Obedience to the Commandments of Christ some special properties are requisite that it may be such as it ought to be 1. It must be a free and voluntary Obedience not forced or by compulsion for that is not accepted of Christ Now that it may be free and voluntary it must proceed from true Love to Christ himself it must be the Obedience of Love Joh. 21. 15. Peter lovest thou me Then feed my Lambs c. 2. It must be an entire or universal Obedience to all the Commandments of Christ even to such as are most hard and difficult to such as are most contrary to our Nature and to our corrupt Wills and Affections as in denying our selves and mortifying our lusts in taking up our Cross in forgiving and loving Enemies c. The three Disciples here obeyed Christ's Command though in a matter hard and difficult for so it was as we heard before to conceal and keep to themselves the glorious Vision of Christ's Transfiguration and that for so long a time even till after his Resurrection Vse Use See how needful it is for us to be well-instructed in the Word of Christ that we may know what he commandeth us else how can we yield Obedience unto him Therefore search the Scriptures which testify of Christ and come diligently to the publick hearing of his Word Now followeth the amplification of the Disciples Obedience in concealing the matter by a speciall Circumstance accompanying the same viz. Their questtoning one with another c. Questioning one with another or Debating or disputing the matter between themselves by mutual Questions and Conference What the rising from the dead should mean This is not to be understood of the general Resurrection from the dead at the last day for it is not likely that the Apostles were ignorant of that seeing that other ordinary Disciples of Christ did know and believe it as Martha Joh. 11. 24. but it is to be restrained to the Resurrection of Christ whereof he made mention to them immediately before About this they questioned and reasoned together what it should mean whereby is discovered their great ignorance and dulness to conceive this Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection notwithstanding that he had so plainly foretold them of it as we heard Chap. 8. ver 31. Quest Quest What was the cause or reason of this their dullness and harduess to conceive this matter of Christ's Resurrection Answ Answ Because his Resurrection did presuppose his Death for he could not rise from Death unless he first Dyed now they could not yet conceive or comprehend how it was possible or likely that he who was the Son of God and true Messiah that must save others should himself suffer Death at the hands of Men. Besides that the Death and Resurrection of Christ could not stand or agree with that Earthly and Temporall Kingdom of the Messiah which the Disciples as yet erroneously supposed and dreamed of which made the matter so much the harder for them to believe Observ 1 Observ 1. In that the Disciples were so hard to conceive the Truth and Doctrine of Christ's Resurrection we may learn this That even the best Christians are by Nature and of themselves hard to conceive and understand the Mysteries of Faith and Doctrines of Christ taught in the Gospel See before Chap. 8. ver 32. and ver 16. Luke 18. 34. Though he plainly foretold his Disciples of his Passion and Resurrection yet it is said They understood none of these things and this saying was hid from them neither knew they the things that were spoken See Hebr. 5. 11. Reas 1 Reas 1. The Doctrines of Faith touching Christ and our Salvation by him are above humane reason and therefore hard to be conceived of us by Nature Such are the Doctrines of Christ's Incarnation Death Resurrection c. Hence the Gospel is called a Mystery 1 Tim. 3. 16. Reas 2 Reas 2. There is much ignorance left in the Saints of God in this Life after their effectuall calling and enlightning by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 13. 9. We know but in part Use 1 Use 1. To move the best Christians to labour to see and to be humbled for this their Naturall dulness and hardness to conceive the Doctrines of Christ taught in the Gospel c. Vse 2 Use 2. See what need for us to pray unto God for his Spirit to enlighten our minds to conceive the mysteries of Faith revealed in the Gospel c. Vse 3 Use 3. See how needfull for Ministers of the Gospel to strive unto plainness and evidence of the Spirit in teaching the Doctrine of Christ Observ 2 Observ 2. That true Faith and sanctifying Grace in this Life may stand with ignorance in some Points of Christian Faith at least for a time The Apostles of Christ though effectually called and sanctified yet were ignorant for a time of some main and necessary Points of Christians Faith as of Christ's Death and Resurrection as here we see and in this ignorance they continued till the Death and Resurrection of Christ were fulfilled So those Women who came to imbalm Christ's Body c. they were also ignorant of the nature and quality of Christ's Kingdom as He was the Messiah supposing it to be an earthly Kingdom c. as appeareth Acts 1. 6. Ignorant also they were of the Calling of the Gentiles and that the distinction of Clean and Unclean was taken away by Christ's coming as we see in Peter Acts 10. 14. Acts 18. 25. Apollos was a Believer and a sanctified Person and yet was ignorant in some Points of the Doctrine of Christ having need to be more fully instructed therein by Aquila and Priscilla Use Vse To comfort such Christians as are weak and defective in
that which is to come Example in Abigail 1 Sam. 25. 41. So in Joseph Danâ—el David True humiliation and abasement of our selves in this world is the way unto it Now this humiliation is twofold 1. Before God and towards God whereby we must be abased and cast down before God in â—ight of our sins and unworthiness Jam. 4. 10. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up 2. Towards men whereby we must humble and submit our selves towards our brethren and towards all men with whom we live Ephes 5. 21. and that both inwardly in our hearts by esteeming meanly of our selves in comparison of others and also outwardly by all humble and lowly carriage towards them in our words gestures and behaviour Rom. 12. 16. Reas 1 Reason 1. All true honour and preferment is from God even that which is attained to in this world Psal 75. 6. Promotion is neither from East nor West c. But God putteth down one and setteth up another Much more the honour of the world to come Now God hath promised honour and preferment only to such as are first humbled truly ut suprà dictum Reas 2 Reas 2. By abasing our selves we honour God and so he will honour us as he promiseth 1 Sam. 2. 30. Use 2 Use 1. See how contrary the judgment of the world and of carnal men is to the judgment of God and of his Word How different the wayes and thoughts of men are from the wayes of God The Judgment and Opinion of the world is That the onely way to get honour and preferment in this world is for a man to put forth himself and ambitiously to seek after honour and advancement in the world Contra the Judgment of God in his Word is this That the way to true honour both in this world and the world to come is by practice of humility by humbling and abasing our selves not only before God but even before men and towards men by making our selves the last of all others in our opinion and judgment and by practice of humility Vse 2 Use 2. See also how strange and wonderful the wayes of God are toward his true Saints and people in that he doth work by contraries in furthering their good and true happiness and salvation bringing them to honour and dignity by humility and abasement to comfort by discomfort and trouble to life through death to Heaven by Hell-gates c. Use 3 Use 3. See by this what to do if we desire to attain unto true honour and preferment above others either in this world or in that which is to come Labour for true humility and to shew it in our practise both towards God and Men. If thou wouldst have God to exalt thee thou must first be humbled and abased in thy self If thou wouldst be first in God's account thou must be last in thy own account Observ 3 Observ 3. How far we ought in humility to abase our selves towards others even so far as to prefer others before our selves in our estimation and account yea so far as to esteem our selves the last and meanest of all others Phil. 2. 3. In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Paul calls himself the the chief of sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. and less than the least of all Saints Ephes 3. 8. Quest Quest How can we truly judge or esteem our selves the last and meanest of all others when we know the contrary viz. that we do excell others in some gifts and graces Answ Answ We are not alwayes bound simply and absolutely to think worse of our selves than of others but in some respects viz. 1. In respect of some gifts or graces natural or spirituall in which others do excell us or may excell us for ought we know 2. In respect of some speciall sins or infirmities which are in us and from which others are free or may be free for ought we know Therefore in comparing our selves with others we are on the one side to look upon our own sins wants and imperfections and so to be humbled in our selves and to cast our selves down below others and on the other side we are in charity to cover and excuse the wants and sins of others so far as may be and withall to look upon the good things which are in them and so to prefer them before our selves Vse 1 Vse 1. To convince such as are so far from preferring others before themselves and from being the last and meanest of all others in their own account and estimation that on the contrary they prefer themselves before others and are apt to think themselves better and more excellent than all others like the proud Pharisee Luke 18. I am not as other men c. Such there are amongst us who are apt to think theâ—r own gifts better than the gifts of others and their own sins and infirmities to be lesse than others and how short do these come of that humility which is required in Christians Use 2 Use 2. Labour for this property and practise of true humility in abasing our selves so far towards our brethren yea towards all men as to prefer them before our selves in making our selves the last and worst and meanest of all others though not simply in all respects because that cannot alwayes be done truly yet in some respects at least by comparing our sins and corruptions with their graces and good things in them also by aggravating the former and magnifying the latter so far as may be and so casting our selves down below and beneath all othes in our opinion and account of our selves The rather strive unto this because it is so hard a matter to practise being so contrary to flesh and blood which lusteth after pride and preheminence above others Calvin in Phil. 2. 3. Siquid in totá vitá difficile hoc est inprimis c. Observ 4 Observ 4. Lastly That Christians ought so far to abase themselves in humility towards others as to become servants of others in duties of love by submitting themselves to do the meanest office or duty of love for the good of others especially their spiritual good and salvation Gal. 5. 13. By love serve one another So Paul himself 1 Cor. 9. 19. though free from all men yet made himself servant unto all that he might gain the more yea Christ himself came not to be ministred unto but to minister unto us for our good and salvation which he did in giving himself unto death for us Mark 10. 45. And not onely at his death but in his life-time upon earth he ministred as a servant unto his Disciples in washing their feet and wiping them with a towell Joh. 13. thereby giving an example to them and us not to refuse or disdain the meanest office or service to our brethren for their good Reason Reason We are to do service to Christ now he hath put our brother in his stead in this life so
drowned in the Sea this punishment should be much more easie and tolerable for him than that which he shall suffer in Hell for the sin of offending any good Christian c. See Jansen and Luke 17. 2. Now followeth the Instructions 1. From the persons threatned Whosoever shall offend c. Observ Observ It is a very haynous and grievous sin for any to offend or scandalize good Christians or the true Saints and Servants of God by offering any outward wrong or injury unto them in word or deed Our Saviour threatneâ—h a grievous punishment to be inflicted upon all such even eternal punishment of soul and body in Hell being far more grievous than any bodily punishment or temporal death whatsoever which shews the grievousnesse of this sin of giving offence to the true Saints and servants of God or of Christ Jesus by offering any wrong or injury to them in word or deed Therefore Matth. 18. 7. a Woe is denounced by our Saviour against such as are the cause of such offences or scandals against good Christians And Verse 10. of the same Chapter he gives a caveat to take heed of despising his little ones that is of shewing contempt of any humble Christians that are his true disciples by offering any wrong or abuse to them to shew how great a sin it is so to do Therefore also Psal 105. 14. It is said The Lord did reprove even Kings for the hurt and wrong they did unto his Saints and that he charged them not so much as to touch his anointed c. to shew how great a sin and offence to God it is to offer wrong to such Reas 1 Reason 1. To offer wrong or injury to the Saints of God is to offer injury to the Lord himself whose servants they are Zach. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye So 2 King 19. 22. Sennacherib in reproaching Hezekiah is said to have blasphemed against God himself And Act. 9. 4. Christ chargeth Paul before his conversion to have persecuted Him in persecuting his Saints Reas 2 Reas 2. We are commanded in Scripture to shew speciall love to the Saints of God above all others Gal. 6. 10. Let us do good to all but especially to the houshold of faith Therefore on the contrary to do hurt to such or to offer wrong and injury to them must needs be a grievous sin Vse 1 Use 1. See the wickedness of such as make but leight of this sin of offending the Saints of God or good Christians by wrongs or abuses offered to them in word or deed or both Some are so profane as to make it their pastime or sport to speak or do evil to the Saints of God to reproach and slander them to jest and mock at them and to call them by reproachful names Prov. 10. 23. It is a sport to a fool to do mischief c. But it will be no matter of sport when such shall give account to God for this sin of abusing and scandalizing his Saints and servants when God shall enter into Judgment and cast them to Hell for it Use 2 Use 2. For admonition to every one to fear and take heed of this haynous sin of offending the Saints of God and good Christians by any outward wrong or injury offered to them in word or deed yea though it be in the least measure though it be but by an evil word spoken against such much more take heed of hurting or abusing such in deed Take heed of shewing any hatred or enmity against the true Saints and servants of God Take heed of molesting troubling persecuting them by word or deed Take heed of speaking or doing any thing against such unjustly whereby to vex and grieve their minds and so to discourage and hinder them in their holy and Christian course of life Remember what a grievous sin it is thus to offend and scandalize the Saints and servants of God and so to hinder or discourage them in well-doing by any wrong or abuse offered to them in word or deed As it is a great sin to give just offence or scandal to any by offering wrong or injury to them or abusing them any way so especially to give cause of offence to the Saints and Servants of God and to good Christians of all offences and scandals this is the greatest and worst kind and therefore most of all to be feared and shunned 1 Cor. 10. 32. Give none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God A grievous sin it is to offend and discourage any in well-doing by offering wrongs or abuses to them but especially to do this to the Church of God that is to his true Saints and Servants c. especially such as are eminent for Graces or special instruments of Gods glory as Ministers c. This is a most hainous and grievous kind of offence and scandal Therefore fear and take heed of it by all means Consider that the wrongs and injuries done against the Saints of God are done against God and against Christ himself and so he taketh them Consider also how we are bound in Conscience to love and honour such in highest degree above all others and therefore to give offence to such by any wrong or abuse offered them in word or deed must needs be a hainous and grievous sin before God therefore see we be not guilty of it And to this end take heed of contemning or despising the Saints and Servants of God in our hearts lest this contempt grow to dislike or hatred and so break forth outwardly into open scandalls and offences against such in word and deed Resist the beginnings of this sin this is the way to be kept from it Mark 9. 42. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that Believe in me it is better for him that a Milstone Octob. 14. 1627. were hanged about his neck c. NOw follow the persons against whom this sin is said to be committed viz. good Christians described 1. By the name or title given them they are called little ones 2. By special property such as Believe in Christ Of the first One of these little ones Observ 1 Observ 1. It is not said whosoever shall offend these little ones but Whosoever shall offend one of these c. We learn That it is a great sin before God to offer wrong or injury and to give cause of offence to any one of his true Saints and Servants yea though it be the least or meanest of them Matth. 18. 10. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones c. Use Use This doth serve further to aggravate the sin of offending or giving cause of scandall to the Saints of God in that the Lord doth accompt it so great a sin to offend or wrong but one good Christian or true Servant of his How much greater sin is it then to give offence or to offer wrong to
many such Observ 2 Observ 2. See the special care and Providence of the Lord over his true Saints and Servants in that he takes notice of every one of them in particular and of the particular wrongs and abuses offered unto them threatning to punish such severely who offer wrong or give offence but to one of them which shews how dear and pretious they are unto him in that he takes care of every one of them in particular and not onely of them all in generall that they may not be wronged or abused but that every one of them may be loved and honoured He is carefull of the good of every one of his Saints and to preserve and keep them from evill See Joh. 17. 12. Luke 15. 4. compared to one that having a hundred sheep if he lose but one c. As he knoweth them every one severally and that by name and where they dwell and abide at any time as we see Act. 10. 5 6. so he takes particular notice of their estate and condition of all their Afflictions Miseries and necessities being ready to help and comfort them therein and to deliver them in due time Psal 56. 8. Thou tellest my wandrings c. yea the very hairs of their heads are numbred by him Matth. 10. 30. He takes notice of all abuses and wrongs offered to any of them and will right their causes and punish their enemies Use Use Great comfort to the godly at all times and in all estates to consider this special and Fatherly care which the Lord hath of every one of them in particular taking notice of them and of their estate of all their miseries and necessities and ready to help and comfort them Of all wrongs and abuses offered to them being ready to right their cause and to punish such as wrong or offend them any way Think of this at all times if thou fearest God and art his true servant Especially in time of trouble and distress and when thou dost meet with wrongs and abuses in the World and at the hands of the wicked Observ 3 Observ 3. In that our Saviour calleth his true Disciples by the name of little ones in regard of the Grace of true Humility in which they resemble little Children Hence we learn that it is one special property of good Christians and of true Saints of God to resemble and be like unto little Children in the Grace of true Humility and lowliness of mind Therefore our Saviour calls them here by this title of little ones So Matth. 18. 10. to shew that they are such as do resemble little Children in humility Such a little one was David Psal 131. 1. Lord My heart is not haughty c. I have behaved my self as a Child that is weaned from his Mother And thus it is with all true Christians more or less they have this property in them to resemble and be like to little Children in respect of the Grace of true Humility That even as little Children though they be not perfect in Humility nor yet wholly free from all corruption and stain of Pride yet they are much more humble and lowly in mind and in their carriage and more free from Pride than elder persons are for the most part Even so it is with all true Christians they do resemble little Children in the Grace of Humility and in being free from that degree of Pride which so much reigneth in others Reas 1 Reas 1. All true Christians have in them the sanctifying Spirit of Christ which doth mortify in them the power of all sinfull lusts and in particular the sin of Pride that it reign not in them and on the contrary worketh in them the Grace of Humility and so maketh them like little Children Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh c. Reas 2 Reas 2. True Christians do in some measure resemble Christ in those Graces which shined forth in him when he lived on earth Now he was most humble and lowly in mind and in his carriage even as a Child in Humility yea more perfect in humility then any child can be Therefore every good Christian being like unto him must needs be as a child in humility Use 1 Use 1. To convince many not to be good Christians whatsoever they profess or think of themselves because they are not like unto little children in humility not truly humble and lowly in heart as little children neither do they express this humility in their outward carriage looks gestures behaviour they do not by their carriage shew themselves to be in the number of Christ's little ones that is of his true Disciples who resemble little Children in humility but on the contrary are full of Pride haughtiness of Spirit and Self-conceipt of themselves and their own gifts shewing it in their proud and lofty carriage of themselves before God and towards men These are not small ones or little ones but rather great ones in their own conceit and opinion Use 2 Use 2. For examination to try and know whether we be indeed good Christians and in the number of Christ's true Disciples and Servants as we profess to be Look whether we have this property in us to be like unto little Children in true humility whether we be humble in heart and mind and whether we shew it in outward behaviour resembling little children in lowly carriage If it be thus with us this shews us to be good Christians and not otherwise Therefore let us every one try our selves by this property of good Christians whether we do truely resemble little children in humility More particularly consider some special marks or propertâ—es of humility which are in little Children by which we may the better try and know whether we do resemble them herein or not 1. Little Children are sensible of their own weakness and unability to go of themselves or to help themselves when they are very small and young and therefore they seek to their Parents and depend on them for help Examine whether it be so with us whether we be touched in heart with feeling of our own Spiritual weakness and unability of our selves to walk in the wayes of God and to do any good duty and whether we be sensible of our sins and corruptions the cause of our Spiritual weakness c. and whether this feeling of our sins and infirmities do drive us out of our selves unto God for help and assistance in all our wayes 2. Little Children are not puffed up with high conceipts of themselves or of their own gifts or good parts as Beauty Comeliness of body c. they think not the better of themselves for these but are low in their own conceits Examine whether it be so with us Do we think meanly of our selves notwithstanding the gifts of God bestowed on us either gifts of nature or Grace yea the more gifts we have received the more humble are we and low in our eyes This shews humility
3. Little Children do not disdain or contemn others with whom they live but think well of them though their inâ—eriours Let the Child of a Nobleman and of a Poor man be brought up together and the one will not despise the other but so carry himself as if he were his equall in Birth Is it so with us one towards another Do we esteem well of others though our inferiours Do we condescend to them of low degree as we are willed to do Rom. 12. 16. See Phil. 2. 3. If it be so it argues humility and that herein we resemble little Children 4. Little Children are not ambitious after high Places Honours or Dignities but are well content with their present Condition Look whether it be so with us whether in this property of humility we do resemble little Children as David did Psal 131. 1. I do not exercise my self in things too high for me So Paul Phil. 4. 11. 5. Little Children are tractable to admonition and easily reclaimed from a fault when they are told of it there is no such stubbornness in them or unwillingness to be admonished or reproved for a fault as is in elder persons Look into our selves whether it be so with us Are we tractable and willing to be admonished of our faults and corruptions and ready to reform what is amiss If so it is an excellent sign of true humility and that we are like unto Children herein As the contrary is a sign of Pride See David's example Psal 141. Let the Righteous smite me c. 6. Little Children are not contentious but of a peaceable disposition or if any strife arise between them it is soon appeased and ended Look whether we be like to Children in this Do we hate strife and indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Ephes 4. 3. Do we seek Peace and follow after it If we do it is a good sign of humility and that we resemble Children therein For an humble disposition is alwayes peaceable as on the contrary through Pride commeth contention Prov. 13. 10. Use 3 Use 3. For exhortation to stir us up to labour to find in our selves this excellent property of good Christians which is to resemble and be like unto little Children in the Grace of true humility c. See before ver 37. Observ 4 Observ 4. In that our Saviour speaking of the offences and wrongs which should be committed against his true Disciples doth make mention of the humility of his Disciples calling them little ones in regard of humility thereby to imply that the more humble and lowly they were the more apt they should be to be offended or scandalized by wrongs and abuses offered to them in the World Hence we may gather That the more humble and lowly the Saints of God are in their behaviour and carriage the more apt they are to be scandalized by wrongs and abuses offered to them in the World The more apt to be condemned and abused by profane men c. Their humility and lowliness of carriage before God and amongst men is an occasion oftentimes to make them be the more contemned and abused by men of this World The more humble David was the more apt no doubt he was to be despised and wronged by Saul and by Absolon his own Son So the Disciples of Christ the more humble in their carriage and like unto little Children the more subject they were to contempt and injuries in the World to be hated persecuted imprisoned yea put to death for Christ's name So the Martyrs c. Luke 18. The humble Publican was contemned and vilified by the proud Pharisee and that so much the more as is likely because of his humble and lowly carriage So those Believers Hebr. 11. 37. as they did excel in humility for true Faith and true humility alwayes go together so were they greatly contemned and abused in the World Use 1 Use 1. See how contrary the practice of the Word is to the will of God! For whereas the Lord would have his Saints to be loved and honoured the more for their humility on the contrary the World takes occasion from their humble carriage to contemn and abuse them the more Take heed therefore how we conform to the practice of the World in this or other matters Vse 2 Use 2. See how needfull for us if we profess to be in the number of Gods true Saints to love and honour such Christians as are truely humble and do shew it in their carriage For the more apt the World is to contemn and abuse such the more ought we to honour and shew love to them God will have such humble Christians to be greatly loved and honoured and Who shall love and honour them if we do not seeing the world doth rather dishonour them by all kind of contempt wrongs and abuses offered to them Mark 9. 42. And whosoever shall offend c. Octob. 21. 1627. THese words contain a threatening of a grievous Judgment or Punishment denounced by our Saviour against such as shall offer wrong or injury to his true Disciples In which Threatening are three things contained 1. The Persons against whom it is denounced described by the sin which they commit and are guilty of Such as shall offend Christ's Disciples 2. The Persons against whom the former sin should be committed viz. good Christians described two wayes 1. By the Name or Title given them by our Saviour in that he calls them his little â—nes 2. By one special property Such as believe in him 3. The Judgment it self threaâ—ned against any that shall offend such Better for him that a milstone c. Touching the first I have spoken viz. the persons threatned c. In part also of the second which is the persons offended viz. of the first thing by which they are here described which is the Name or Title given them being called little ones Now followeth the second thing by which they are described viz. Their special quality or property in that they are said to be Believers in Christ That believe in me That is who do not only believe me to be the true Messiah but do by faith rest on me onely for salvation as the words were explained before But for more full opening of them it is needful to speak something here briefly touching the nature of true justifying and saving faith such as our Saviour here speaketh of Which may thus be described as ye have often been taught at other times True faith is a grace of the Spirit by which a Christian doth apprehend and apply Christ and his benefits to himself in particular 1. It is a grace of the Spirit That is such as is wrought in us by the sanctifying Spirit of God which is therefore called the Spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. and Phil. 1. 29. To you it is given to believe on Christ c. 2. Whereby a Christian doth apprehend and apply Christ c.
and see good dayes let him refrain his tongue from evill c. Reas 1 Reason 1. True Repentance is the way and means to obtain eternal life God having promised it to such as turn from sins in which respect it is called repentance unto life Act. 11. 18. and repentance to salvation 2 Cor. 7. 10. Now to refrain sin and the occasions of it is one part of the practice of repentance called mortification or dying to sin therefore we are not only to be humbled for sin past but to refain sin to come Reas 2 Reas 2. Sin is the main hinderance that keepeth men back and hindreth them from being partakers of eternal life Heb. 3. 19. They could not enter in because of unbelief either into the earthly or heavenly Canaan Rev. 21. 27. Therefore to refrain sin and the occasions of it must needs be a help and furtherance to the Kingdom of Heaven Use Use This ought greatly to encourage us to the practice of this duty of mortification in resisting and refraining sin and the occasions of it seeing so great good will come of it seeing it is the way and means to further us to eternal life Therefore though the practice of mortification in refraining sin and the occasions of it be most painful and tedious to flesh and blood yet be content to undergo and suffer it in hope of that blessed reward of eternal life which is attained unto by this means Therefore when thou feelest pain and grief in refraining sin and mortifying thy sinful lusts remember the reward promised of God to such as do this conscionably even life eternal Though it be painful to refrain sin yet Heaven is worth all thy pains and will fully recompence thee for the same Thou must not think to dye without pain Now to refrain a sin and to resist and to subdue thy corrupt lusts is to dye unto sin Be content then to suffer the pains of this spiritual death that by it thou mayst attain to everlasting life c. This death is the high-way to life yea to eternal life and this pain and grief suffered in mortifying thy lusts is the way to everlasting ease and comfort in God's Heavenly Kingdom Observ 3 Observ 3. See how great and excellent a blessing it is to be partaker of eternal life or of the Kingdom of heaven after this in that it is preferred here by our Saviour before the enjoying of those things which are most near and dear to us in this life Better it is saith our Saviour to enter into life and to be partaker of the Kingdom of God being maymed halt c. that is with the losse or want of those things which are as dear to us as our hands feet c. than to enjoy all these and to be deprived of eternal life or come short of it and to go to Hell Now the greatness and excellency of this benefit of eternal life may appear three wayes especially First By the excellent Names and Titles given to it in Scripture in that it is called by the name of life yea eternal life a Crown of life and glory a Kingdome 2 Cor. 4. 17. eternal weight of glory Compared to Paradise c. Secondly By the excellent Priviledges there to be enjoyed by the Saints of God Which may be referred to two Heads 1. A freedom from all evils and miseries 2. Fruition and enjoying of all good Of the first There shall be a freedom from these evils especially 1. From evil of sin Ephes 5. 27. The Church shall then be without spot or wrinckle c. 2. From all miseries and afflictions of this life which are fruits of sin from all pain grief sickness poverty c. Revel 21. 4. God shall wipe away all tears and no more sorrow crying c. 3. From bodily death 4. From the Temptations of Satan Rom. 16 20. The second main Priviledg there to be enjoyed is a fruition of all good things which may make happy As 1. The immediate and blessed sight of God and fellowship with him who shall be all in all to the Saints 1 Cor. 13. 12. We shall see face to face 1 Joh. 3. 2. As he is This alone shall make happy Matth. 5. Bâ—essed are the pure in heart for they shall see God 2. Immediate fellowship with all the blessed Angels and Saints glorified Matth. 8. 11. We shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven See Heb. 12. 22. 3. Perfection of all Gifts both of Soul and Body Of Soul as perfect Wisdome Knowledg Holiness Love of God and of the Saints c. 1 Cor. 13. 10. When that which is perfect is come c. Their bodies shall be changed and made like unto the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3. 21. 4. Fulnesse of all true Joy and Contentment Psal 16. 11. In thy presence is fulnesse of joy c. Thirdly The excellency of this benefit of eternal life appeareth by the continuance of it and of those Priviledges there to be enjoyed in that it shall be for ever 1 Pet. 1. 4. Vse 1 Use 1. The excellency of this great blessing of eternal life should stir us up most earnestly to desire and seek after it to have part in it and in this life to get assurance hereof Matth. 6. 33. First seek the Kingdom of God c. Joh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that which endureth to everlasting life c. Luke 13. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate c. Eternal life is no common benefit c. but peculiar to some onely to Gods chosen c. Never rest till thou know and be assured of thy title to everlasting life that thou shalt be partaker of it after this life If in this life onely thou have hope thou art most wretched What benefit to know there is such an excellent and blessed life to come unless thou be sure of thy part in it Labour therefore for this assurance now in this life To this end repent truely of all thy sins that they may be pardoned and done away by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ and labour for true Faith in Christ to be assured of Gods love and favour and that thou art his child by Adoption for then art thou sure to be an heir of his heavenly Kingdome Rom. 8. If Children then Heirs c. Then thou art already entred into the Kingdome of heaven in regard of certain hope 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure c. For so an entrance shall be Ministred unto you c. Use 2 Use 2. The consideration of the greatness and excellency of this benefit and blessing of eternal life ought to encourage us in well-doing that is in the conscionable practice of all good duties which God requireth of us in this life yea this should cause us not onely to do good duties but to do them willingly and chearfully yea
to take pains in doing them This should cause us to work out our Salvation with fear c. Phil. 2. 12. knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord seeing there is such a blessed reward laid up for us and promised us in the life to come Think of this when we feel pain or difficulty in good duties as in the practice of Repentance in denying our selves in taking up our Cross c. Look at the reward promised which is eternal life which is well worth all our pains as hath bin said before Though we cannot by good works merit heaven neither ought we to do them onely or chiefly for the hope of reward yet the consideration of that blessed reward should incourage us to diligence pains and chearfulness in God's service and in all good duties for to this end is the excellency of the life to come so commended and set forth to us in Scripture The servant that hath a good and bountifull Master that hath promised him a good reward for some special work which he hath enjoyned him how chearfully will he work what pains will he take So ought we in hope of eternal life Use 3 Use 3. To comfort the Godly 1. Against all miseries and afflictions of this life though never so many and great as pain grief sickness poverty disgrace c. Let them by eyes of Faith look at the blessed estate of the life to come which they hope for in which they shall be free from all these miseries and shall have all tears wiped away c. This will sweeten all Crosses and give comfort in the midst of them yea cause thee to rejoyce in Tribulation under the hope of that heavenly glory as it is Rom. 5. 2 3. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. Our light afflictions but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternall weight of Glory while we look not at things that are seen c. Therefore if thou wouldst find comfort and be able to rejoyce and be chearfull under the Cross look beyond the Cross at heaven c. So did Moses Hebr. 11. 26. yea Christ himself Hebr. 12. 2. 2. This serves to comfort the godly against the fear of death by considering that it is no death to them properly because it hath no sting or curse in it their sins being forgiven in Christ but a passage to that blessed and glorious life in Heaven which shall never have end 2 Cor. 5. 1. We know that if this earthly c. Use 4 Use 4. Seeing eternal life is so great and excellent a blessing more excellent then the fruition of any thing in this World that is dear to us this should make us willing and well content to part with those things which are most dear to us in this life for the attaining of everlasting life and rather than be hindered and kept from being partakers of it Matth. 13. 44. The kingdome of Heaven is like to a Treasure hid in the field the which when a man hath found he hideth c. and selleth all he hath and buyeth that field And ver 46. Like to a Pearl of great price c. Who would not be content to part with that which is worse for the obtaining of that which is better what wise man would not willingly part with Lead or Brass for Gold or to give dust or pibble-stones for Pearls Eternal life doth as much excell things all in this life though never so dear to us as Gold doth Lead or Pearls Pibble-stones Therefore for the obtaining of eternall life and rather than be deprived or come short of it let us most willingly part with all things in this World though most dear to us as Riches Profits Pleasures Friends Liberty yea life it self if the Lord call us to it at any time Thus did the blessed Martyrs whom we must herein follow if the Lord shall put us to it as he did them In the mean time prepare daily to do that in heart and affection which we must do actually in time to come if the Lord call us to it And to encourage us to it remember that promise Mark 10. 29. There is no man that hath left house or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake and he Gospells But he shall receive an hundreth fold now in this time c. and in the World to come Life everlasting Observ 1 Observ 1. That there is an estate of eternal life and glory to be expected and enjoyed by the Saints of God after this life in heaven I say by the Saints of God because it is not to be enjoyed by all but onely by the Saints and Faithfull people of God chosen to Salvation who shew and testify their Faith by holiness of life Col. 1. 12. Called the Inheritance of the Saints Now that there is such an estate of eternal life to be expected and enjoyed by the Saints after this life is presupposed here in this place by our Saviour And it is an Article of our Faith and therefore I need not stand long in proving it one or two places may suffice Joh. 10. 28. My sheep hear my voice c. And I give unto them eternal life Rom. 6. 21. Being made free from sin and become Servants of God ye have your fruit in Holinesse and the end Everlasting Life This Paul knew and therewith comforted himself when he was near unto death 2 Tim. 4. 8. See Matth. 25. 46. Vse 1 Use 1. To convince all prophane Atheists who deny or doubt of this truth and Article of Faith touching that eternal life and glory of the Saints which is to be enjoyed after this life Many there be who though they confess it in words yet deny it in heart and shew it in life and practise by setting their hearts wholly and onely upon this present life and upon those things which they here enjoy on earth as worldly Profits â—arnal delights c. Vse 2 Use 2. To strengthen our Faith in belief of this Article or point of Doctrine touching that eternal life which is to come and which is to be expected and enjoyed after this life in heaven by all and every one of the Saints of God neither must we onely labour to believe and rest perswaded hereof but also in life and practice shew that we believe it by setting our hearts chiefly on it Col. 3. 1. as also by indeavouring to shew and approve our Faith by Repentance and holiness of life as becommeth those which shall be partakers of that heavenly Inheritance and to walk worthy of that Kingdome Rev. 21. 27. 2 Tim. 2. 21. If any man purge himself he shall be a Vessell unto honour c. Mark 9. 43 c. And if thy hand offend thee cut it off c. Nov. 25. 1627. THese Verses contain a serious and weighty admonition given by our Saviour to his Disciples and to all Christians touching the avoiding and
seems to be implyed because the promise was to them and to their children See Perk on Gal. 3. 27. pag. 305. This Truth we are to hold and maintain against the Anabaptists who deny Baptism to Infants because they want knowledg and so cannot have actual faith which is in Scripture required of those that were to be baptized as Act. 8. 37. and elsewhere But to this we answer That where actual faith is required of such as were baptized it is to be understood of those who were of years of discretion at the time of their baptism and so were capable of actuall faith But as for Infants born in the Church it is sufficient to make them capable of Baptism that they are within Gods Covenant as hath been shewed c. And that Infants born in the visible Church have right to Baptism it may further appear two wayes 1. By the practice of the Apostles baptizing sometimes whole Families in which it is most probable that there were some Infants or little children See Act. 16. 2. By the Sacrament of Circumcision in the Old Testament which was by Gods Commandement to be received by Infants the eighth day after their birth Gen. 17. 10. Now Baptism succeedeth in the room of Circumcision in these times of the New Testament Col. 2. 11 12. Therefore c. Here note That though Infants born in the Church have right to Baptism and ought to be Baptized yet their salvation is not absolutely tyed to the outwatd Baptism but they may be saved without it in case they be prevented by death c. Necessitas duplex 1. Praecepti 2. Medii c. By the first Baptism is necessary Not absolutely by the second c. Use 2 Use 2. See that we are not to despise little Infants or Children born in the Church but to esteem well of them and to shew it by our loving and respectful usage of them seeing they belong to Gods Covenant yea to his heavenly Kingdom for ought we know c. Use 3 Use 3. To move Christian Parents to be careful of the Religious Education of their Children that so they may be fit to be partakers of Gods Kingdom seeing they have right to it in regard of Gods Covenant c. Use 4 Use 4. Comfort to Christian Parents when God takes away their Children in Infancy or young age by death they have cause to hope well of them especially if themselves be believers Observ 2 Observ 2. In that our Saviour doth not say Of these is the Kingdom of God but Of such c. meaning not only Infants or little Children but such also as do resemble young children in disposition and qualities hence gather that the Kingdom of heaven doth belong not only to young Children born in the Church but also to such as resemble little children and are like unto them in disposition and qualities c. But of this afterward in the Verse following Observ 3 Observ 3. In that the estate of eternal life and glory in heaven is here called the Kingdom of God we are to take notice of the excellency of that estate of glory prepared for the Saints in heaven being compared to a Kingdom and called The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven in this and many other places of Scripture But of this see before Chap. 9. 43 c. Mark 10. 15 16. Verily I say unto you Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child May 25. 1628. he shall not enter therein c. OUr Saviour having alledged a Reason why his Disciples should not hinder little children from being brought to him viz. because the Kingdom of heaven belongeth to such that is not only to children but to such as are like unto them c. Now Verse 15. he further confirmeth the truth of that reason viz. That Gods Kingdom belongeth to such as do resemble little children in qualities and properties This he confirmeth by shewing how great necessity there is for every one that would be partaker of Gods Kingdom to become like unto a little child in that none but such shall enter into that Kingdom and this our Saviour avoucheth with his usual kind of Asseveration Verily adding also the weight of his own authority unto it I say unto you the more to confirm the truth and certainty of the matter In the words there are two things to be considered 1. The manner of our Saviour's avouching or affirming that which he speaketh here Verily I say unto you 2. The matter avouched That whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child c. Of the first see before Chap. 3. 28. Of the second By Kingdom of God understand that estate of glory in the life to come which God hath prepared for his Elect. As in the former Verse To receive the Kingdom of God is To be partaker of it after this life Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child That is whosoever shall not in this life resemble and become like unto a little Child or Infant in qualities and disposition that so he may be fit to be partaker of Gods Kingdom after this life in Heaven He shall not enter therein He shall never be made partaker of that estate of eternal life and glory in Gods heavenly Kingdom Doctr. 1. Noâ—e shall be partakers of Gods heavenly Kingdom in the life to come but such as are first qualified and become fit for it in this life Our Saviour sayes here That whosoever doth not receive the Kingdome of God as a little Child that is whosoever doth not in this life become like unto a little child that so he may be fit to receive the Kingdome of God he shall not enter into it Col. 1. 12. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Thus it must be with all Christians that desire to be partakers of that heavenly Inheritance they must first be made meet for it in this life Quest Quest How must Christians be qualified and fitted in this life for Gods heavenly Kingdome c Answ Answ By such Spiritual Graces as are requisite to make them fit We must first be partakers of the Kingdome of Grace As 1. By the Grace of Repentance and true Conversion from their sins unto God Matth. 18. 3. Except ye be Converted and become as little Children c. Called Repentance unto Salvation 2 Cor. 7. 10. And Repentance unto life Act. 11. 18. 2. By the Grace of effectual Calling whereby they must be actually separated in heart and in their course and manner of life from this World that is from the profane and wicked and must be joyned to the true Church of Christ and become subjects of his Kingdome of Grace 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure c. For so an entrance shall be ministred to you c. Rom. 8. 30.
Whom he Called them he Justified and Glorified 3. By the Grace of Justification applyed unto them by Faith having their sins forgiven and being accepted of God as Righteous by the perfect Righteousnesse of Christ applyed by faith Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them he glorified Act. 26. 18. That they may receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me 4. By the Grace of true Sanctification wrought in them by the Spirit of God whereby the corruption of sin must be mortified and the Image of God standing in Holinesse and Righteousnesse must be restored in them in part Hebr. 12. 14. Without Holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Rev. 21. 27. More particularly there are some special sanctifying Graces required to make us meet partakers of God's Kingdome viz. such as make us like to little Children but more of these in the next point of Doctrine Use Vse This teacheth us what to do if we desire to know and be assured that we shall be partakers of God's heavenly Kingdome after this life we must examine our selves whether we be first qualified and made fit for it and capable of it in this life in such sort as we have heard Do we feel the work of Repentance and true Conversion from our sins unto God wrought in us have we truely left and forsaken our old sins c. Are we called and separated from the profane world in heart and life not living after the course of this World c Ephes 2. Do we by Faith feel our sins to be forgiven and that we are in Christ accepted of God as Righteous c. Do we feel our selves in some measure sanctified by the Spirit of God the corruption of sin killed in us and Gods Image of Holiness renewed in us c. If it be thus with thee thou art a fit and meet person to receive the Kingdome of heaven thou art capable of it yea thou shalt most certainly be partaker thereof actually On the contrary if thou be not thus fitted prepared and qualified for that Kingdome in this life never look to be partaker of it after this life Thou must here make entrance c. 2 Pet. 1. See Mr. Hieron's Sermon upon Mark 10. 5. called The Minority of the Saints Doctr. 2 Doctr. 2. See what is one part of that qualification and fitnesse required in all such as shall be partakers of Gods heavenly Kingdome they must be qualified like unto little Children they must resemble little Children in disposition and qualities Our Saviour affirmeth here That Whosoever receiveth not the Kingdome of God as a little Child shall not enter therein So in the former verse Of such is the Kingdome of God Matth. 18. 3. Except ye be Converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Quest Quest In what qualities or properties especially must such resemble little Children Answ Answ Not in all properties 1. Not in ignorance 1 Cor. 14. 20. 2. Not in inconstancy or variablenesse Ephes 4. 14. But in such Christian Graces and vertues whereof they have a lively Image and example in little Children especially in these properties 1. In Holinesse and Innocency of life 1 Cor. 14. 20. In Maliciousnesse be Children 2. In true humility and lowlinesse of mind thinking meanly of themselves and well of others yea of their infetiours Thus little children do So David Psal 131. 1 2. Lord My heart is not haughty mine eyes are not lofty c. Surely I have behaved my self as a Child that is weaned from his Mother c. Little Children do not mind high things but have low conceipts of themselves not swelling with Pride against others If two little Children be together one the child of a Rich man the other of a Poor man c. 3. In being void of malice and envy against others and on the contrary being of a loving and kind disposition Thus it is with little children they do not malice c. they soon forgive wrongs c. And so must it be with Christians 1 Pet. 2. 1. Laying aside all malice guile hypocrisies envy c. As new born Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word c. 4. In being teachable and tractable towards God their heavenly Father as little children are towards their earthly Parents A little child is apt to be taught and easily reclaimed from a fault by admonition or correction So must it be with Christians c. Hebr. 12. 9. We have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live 5. In being contented with their outward estate in the World and not ambitiously or covetously seeking after higher or greater estates The poor mans little child is as well contented with his estate as the rich mans So should it be with a Christian as Paul Phil. 4. 11. I have learned in whatsoever state I am c. therewith to be content I know how to be abased and how to abound c. 6. In faithfull dependance upon God's providence without distrustfull or distracting cares for things of this life Little children depend upon their Parents for Provision of things necessary for them as meat drink c. The Infant hangs upon the Mothers breast without taking further thought c. So must it be with Christians that look to be partakers of Gods Kingdome they must herein resemble little children Matth. 6. 31. Take no thought saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink c. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things Vse Use 1. See how to try and know whether we be fit for the Kingdome of Heaven and capable of it and whether we shall indeed be partakers of it after this life examine whether we be as yet become like unto little Infants or young Children in those properties before set down Thou that professest thy self to be a Christian and hopest for eternal life and a part in God's heavenly Kingdome examine thy heart and life look whether thou be fit for that Kingdome and capable of it canst thou receive it as a little child dost thou feel thy self so converted turned and changed that thou art indeed like unto a little child in disposition and qualities in Innocency of life humility love tractableness contente dness with thy estate c. If it be thus with thee it shews thee to be fit for the Kingdome of heaven and shalt be indeed partaker of it On the contrary if thou be not yet like unto a young child in these properties and Christian Graces thou art not capable of Gods Kingdome c. Try thy self therefore and that diligently and thorowly compare thy self with such little children to see how like or unlike thou art unto them Vse 2 Vse 2. See what we must do if we desire to be fit for the Kingdome of
of the greatness of that reward of eternall life promised to us in Christ after all our pains taken here in the service of God and let this encourage us to take pains and diligence in all good and holy duties and that chearfully and constantly remembring that heaven is well worth our pains 1 Cor. 15. ult My beloved brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as yâ—u know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. This should move us to work out our Salvation c. as it is Phil. 2. 12. and to give all diligence c. 2 Pet. 1. 10. What though some Christian duties be hard to practise as Repentance Mortiâ—ication of our beloved lusts denyall of our selves and taking up of our Cross c. The reward promised in heaven will pay for all c. Observ 3 Observ 3. The practice of liberality and bounty towards the poor is one good work amongst other which shall be plentifully rewarded of God after this life in all those that do conscionably perform the same I say in those that do conscionably perform the same because it is not every kind of liberality to the poor that shall be so rewarded of God but that which is sincerely and conscionably practised as a fruit of Faith and in way of obedience to Gods Commandement aiming also at his glory therein Such liberality to the poor shall be rewarded of God in the life to come So our Saviour here promiseth to this young man that if he will sell that he had and give thereof to the Poor he shall have treasure in heaven Proved also by other places Prov. 19. 17. He that hath pitty on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again This recompence the Lord will make him partly in this life but especially in the life to come Luke 14. 13 14. When thou makest a feast call the poor c. And thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee for thou shalt be recompensed at the Resurrection of the just Especially this is true of bounty and liberality practised toward the godly and Religious poor and to the Saints of God See Matth. 25. how Christ shall at the last day give the reward of eternal life to such as have bin liberall to his poor Saints and servants 2 Cor. 9. 6. He that soweth bountifully c. Use Vse To stir up and encourage us to the practice of this liberality to the poor upon all occasions being ready to relieve them in their necessities by giving to them and by lending to them freely according to our abilities and to do it of Conscience to God c. To this end we are to consider and think often of the rich reward promised of God to such as do in sincerity of heart and out of Conscience toward God shew their bounty toward the poor especially to the poor Saints of God c. He hath promised to reward them even in this life with his favour and blessing but much more in the life to come Consider then that that which we give or lend to the poor in their necessity is not lost or cast away but well-bestowed and to our own best advantage It is lent unto the Lord who will repay it to the full Let us then make the Lord our debtor c. It is but as seed sowen the harvest whereof we shall plentifully reap hereafter The husbandman casteth his seed willingly into the ground because he knows though it seem to be cast away yet it is not so but will spring up and bring him much fruit at the time of harvest c. So here c. Eccles 11. 1. We are bid to cast our bread upon the waters c. that is to give liberal Alms to the poor as it iâ— expounded ver 2. in hope of finding it again though long after Let us then be moved and stirred up here to this bounty to the poor especially to the Religious poor in assured hope of that rich heavenly reward which the Lord hath promised to us for the same This is the way to have treasure in heaven even durable and everlasting treasure Therefore let it be our care according to the counsell of our blessed Saviour Matth. 6. 19. Not to lay up treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt c. but to lay up treasures in heaven c. This is done by liberality to the poor and especially to the Saints of God Luke 12. 33. Sell that ye have and give Alms Provide your selves bags which wax not old a treasure in the Heavens that faileth not c. Now as this concerneth all sorts of Christians who are any way able to relieve and help the poor so especially the richer sort to whom God hath given the greatest plenty of worldly wealth they of all other are to be stirred up and encouraged to this bounty towards the poor in hope of that heavenly reward promised of God 1 Tim. 6. 17. c. Charge them that are rich in this World c. that they do good being rich in good works ready to distribute c. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life Observ 4 Observ 4. Lastly In that eternal life is here called a treasure learn the excellency of that estate of glory and happiness prepared for the Saints after this life compared in Scripture to most excellent things to a Crown and Kingdome to life to a treasure and great riches Ephes 1. 18. Riches of glory of his inheritance in the Saints But of this see before chap. 9. ver 43 c. Mark 10. 21. Come and follow me c. Aug. 21. 1628. NOw followeth the second duty enjoyned by our Saviour to this young Ruler viz. to come and follow him The meaning was in part shewed before but for the more full clearing of it we must know that this phrase or manner of speech To follow Christ is diversly used in the New Testament 1. Sometime in proper sense it signifieth to go after Christ with the feeâ— of the body as Matth. 14. 13. the People followed him on foot c. 2. Sometime it signifieth to imitate the example of Christ in life and practice conforming our selves thereunto 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be followers of me as I am of Christ So before chap. 8. 34. Whosoever will come after me let him deny himself take up his Cross and follow me 3. It signifies to become Christ's Disciple and servant in outward profession taking him for his Lord and Master and to shew this by his manner of life and carriage for time to come So here Come and follow me That is resign or betake thy self to be my true Disciple and servant in outward profession of my name and Doctrine and shew it by thy manner of life for time to come following me as my
such as are lawfull and our liberty yea our life c. All or any of these must be forsaken if God call us to it Reas 1 Reas 1. We are to love God above all things even with our whole Soul and strength Deut. 6. 5. and Matth. 10. 37. He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me c. Therefore we are to part with things most dear to us when God calleth us so to do Reas 2 Reas 2. The Saints of God have done this before us upon the calling of God as Abraham left his Countrey and his kindred when God required him so to do Gen. 12. and went out he knew not whither Hebr. 11. 8. Job was content to part with all he had though never so dear to him in this World not onely with his goods and substance but with his children when God took them away Onely his Wife and some other friends were left unto him who yet were rather crosses than comforts to him in his misery The Apostles being called of Christ to follow him forsook their former friends and goods c. as we heard in the former verse Matth. 4. 22. The sons of Zebedee left not onely their Ship and Nets but their Father in the Ship The blessed Martyrs of ancient and latter times being called of God to suffer for Christs cause and the Gospells were content to part with the things most dear to them in this World as their Goods Friends Parents Children Liberty Lives The same must every Christian do in like case Reas 3 Reas 3. With this condition we possess and enjoy those things which are dear to us in this World viz. to part with them when God doth call us hereunto We are not absolute owners of our Goods Friends c. but Tenants at will c. Therefore we must be content to part with them when God calls us to it Quest Quest. When doth God call us to forsake the things that are most dear to us in this World Answ Answ There are two times in which he calls us to it 1. In our life time 2. At the hour of death Of the first In our life time God calls us to do this in these cases 1. When he takes from us such things as are dear to us as our Goods Friends c. either immediately by his own hand or else by means For example when he takes from us our worldly goods and substance or any part of it either by his own immediate hand or otherwise by means as by Thieves and Robbers or by fire or water c. or other casualties happening to us in our outward estate as he did to Job Then it is our duty willingly to forsake and part with those things which the Lord doth thus take from us as Job did Heb. 11. 34. So when God takes from us our friends by death as Parents Children Wife c. or otherwise doth separate them from us we ought willingly to part with them It is reported of Luther that when a daughter of his was sick c. he should say thus Lord thou knowest that I love this Child yet if thou wilt take her I am ready to give her thee with both arms 2. Whensoever the glory of God or good of our brethren and of the Church of God requireth us to forsake or part with any of those things which are dear to us in this world Then God calls us to part with them and that willingly For example when there is occasion for us to give of our goods to holy uses as to the poor or to the Church and maintainance of Gods worship In this case God calls us to part with so much of our wealth as is necessary for the present occasion and according to our ability and means c. And this is to honour God with our substance as we are commanded Prov. 3. 9. 3. When we cannot with a good Conscience retain and keep the things that are dear to us in the World as our Goods Friends Children c. but we must either part with them or else make ship-wrack of Conscience as it was with the Martyrs being urged to deny the truth or to yield to Idolatry and Superstition c. In this case God calls us to forsake that is most dear to us Of the second The second time in which God calls us to forsake the things that are dear to us in this World is at the time of our death when we are to leave and go out of this World and consequently to forsake all things in it for as we brought nothing into the World so we can carry nothing with us out of it as the Apostle sayes 1 Tim. 6. 7. The Uses of this Doctrine being the same in effect with those of the second Doctrine or Observations gathered from the former verse See them there set down Mark 10. 29. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. Dec. 14. 1628. NOw follow the grounds or motives which moved them to forsake their goods friends c. being for Christ's sake and the Gospells Observ 1 Observ 1. That it is not every forsaking of things dear to us in this World which hath the promise of reward from Christ but onely that which is practised upon the right grounds or motives moving us thereunto Now the principal grounds and motives are such as are here either expressed or implyed by our Saviour As 1. The will and command of God and of Christ calling us to forsake our goods friends c. and requiring us so to do This moved the Apostles to forsake their Nets and Ship and their Father c. Matth. 4. 2. The love we bear to Christ and desire of advancing his glory by this means Matth. 10. 39. He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it As the Apostle sayes in another case 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Christ constraineth us c. So here 3. The love we bear to the Gospel of Christ and desire of maintaining the truth and credit thereof Mark 8. 35. Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospells the same shall save it Use 1 Use 1. See what to judg of such as forsake things dear to them in the World as Goods Friends Liberty Life upon other false grounds and motives These are to look for no reward from Christ As 1. Popish Monks who renounce all propriety in worldly goods and vow voluntary Poverty upon Opinion of meriting thereby and of attaining to a state of perfection in this life These have their reward as our Saviour saith of the Pharisees in another case 2. Such as riotously mispend their goods and substance to satisfy their lusts and so bring poverty upon themselves and upon such as depend on them Worse than unbelievers 1 Tim. 5. 8. 3. Such as are content to part with goods friends liberty or life in defence of errors and heretical opinions as Donatists Papists
in the last words of the verse But having spoken before of these things at large upon the 8th and 9th Chapters ver 32. I will not here insist on them but omit speaking of them any further at this time Mark 10. 35 36 37. And James and John the sons of Zebedee come unto him c. April 19. 1629. THe sixth generall or principal part of this chapter now followeth set down from this place to ver 46. It contains the History of our Saviours rejecting of the ambitious sute of James and John the sons of Zebedee which they put up unto him desiring that they might sit one at his right hand the other at his left in his glory Where consider 1. The general propounding of their sute unto him ver 35. 2. Our Saviours demanding of them the particular matter of their request ver 36. 3. Their opening of the matter to him ver 37. 4. Christ's answer to their petition together with his further conference with them upon this occasion set down ver 38 39 40. 5. The event or consequent which followed upon the preferring of this ambitious sute by these two Disciples from ver 41. to ver 46. Of the first Consider 1. The persons which preferred or put up this sute to Christ described 1. by their names James and John 2. By their Parentage the sons of Zebedee And though their Mother be not here named yet by comparing Matth. 27. 56. with Mark 15. 40. it may appear that her name was Salome and that she was a good Woman being one of those which followed Christ and Ministred to him 2. Consider the manner of their speaking to Christ giving him a title of reverence Master 3. The matter it self or general propounding of their sute We would that thou shouldst do for us c. Of the first the persons James and John These two being brethren were two of the chief of Christ's Apostles and of special note amongst them both in regard of their antiquity being of those that were first called to be his Disciples as we heard chap. 1. ver 19. as also in regard of their special and eminent gifts and powerfull Ministry for which as it is probable our Saviour gave unto them that sirname of Boanerges or Sons of Thunder as we heard chap. 3. 17. They were also in the number of those three that were most familiar with him and near about him at special and extraordinary times as when he healed Jairus his daughter chap. 5. and when he was transfigured in the Mount chap. 9. 2. and in the time of his Agony in the Garden a little before his death Matth. 26. 37. Object Object Matth. 20. 20. It is said their Mother came with them c. Answ Answ No difference in substance for either she preferred the Petition in their names or else she first moved the matter and then they seconded her in it so that it was indeed their sute properly And therefore our Saviour directs his answer to them especially Observ Observ There are corruptions and sinfull infirmities in the best Saints of God in this life So here James and John two of the best and chief Apostles of Christ were tainted with Pride Ambition and Self-love which they discovered by making this sute to Christ that they might sit at his right and left hand in his Kingdome c. Of this see before chap. 3. 31. and chap. 8. 32. Now followeth the manner of their speaking to Christ giving him the usual title of reverence calling him Master So also their Mother shewed reverence adoring him Matth. 20. 20. Observ Observ This may teach us to be affected with reverence toward the person of Christ when we are to speak to him in Prayer and to shew it by all signs of reverence in our gestures and behaviour If the Disciples did so reverence him living on earth in a poor and mean estate how much more ought we now he is at the right hand of God in heaven c. Now followeth the matter it self or general propounding of their sute We would that thou shouldst do for us c. That is we desire that thou shouldst grant unto us the Petition or request which we shall put up unto thee Thus by this general motion or request they make way for the particular matter which they intended to move unto him wherein they deal politickly and wisely lest otherwise if they should at first have moved the matter plainly and directly they should be denyed Therefore they first desire a general grant of our Saviour c. The like Policy also they discovered in employing their Mother to joyn with them in this sute and to prefer the same for them and in their names for she being a good Woman and in favour with Christ they hoped that she might the sooner prevail c. Observ Observ There is corrupt and carnal Wisdome even in the Saints of God by nature whereby they are wise and politick for their own corrupt and carnal ends that is for the satisfying of their own lusts and for the compassing of such things as are pleasing to their corrupt nature So here in these two Disciples this carnal Wisdome did shew it self in compassing their own ambitious desire of honour and preferment above their fellow-Disciples So David shewed this carnal wisdome and Policy in compassing his sin of Adultery with Bethshaba as we see 2 Sam. 11. This is called Wisdome of the flesh Rom. 8. 7. And Jam. 3. 15. Earthly sensual and devillish Wisdome which is not onely in the unregenerate and wicked who are wholly carnal but in some degree also in the Saints of God who are in part spiritual c. Use 1 Use 1. See the great corruption of our Nature which makes us not only love and desire that which is evil and sinful but also teacheth us to be so wise and politick in compassing our evil ends and purposes c. See and bewail this corruption of our nature c. Use 2 Vse 2. This must move every one of us even the best to take heed of this carnal wisdom and policy in seeking after our own evil and sinful ends The more prone we are to it by nature the more natural this fleshly wisdom is unto us the more must we take heed of it labouring to mortifie it in our selves This is to deny our selves when we renounce our carnal wisdom and become fools that we may be wise c. 1 Cor. 3. 18. A dangerous thing to be wise and politick in committing sin and satisfying our lusts c. On the contrary labour to be wise to do well and simple to that which is evil Rom. 16. 19. Vers 36 It followeth Verse 36. Our Saviour's demanding of them the particular Matter of their request He said unto them What would ye c. He knew well enough as God what was the matter but he asketh them of it thereby to give them occasion to open their sute plainly that so he
Crucianus as Luther sayes Observ 3 Observ 3. That in suffering the Cross we are partners with Christ in that we suffer the same or the like which he suffered before us Our Saviour tells these two Disciples that they should drink of the same cup and be Baptized with the same Baptism with him Revel 1. 9. I John your companion in the Kingdome and in the patience of Christ It is called the Patience of Christ because he suffered the like afflictions and so was a partner with them Therefore Paul mentions the fellowship of Christs sufferings desiring to know and have experience thereof Phil. 3. 10. And hence it is that the afflictions of the Saints and faithfull are said to be Christs afflictions c. Use 1 Use 1. See what an honour and dignity it is to suffer the Cross and Afflictions of this life for Christ and the Gospell in that herein we partake with Christ we suffer with him and he with us we drink of the same cup c. Therefore as it is a great honour to drink of the same cup in which the King or some other great man hath drank so much more c. Vse 2 Vse 2. To comfort and encourage us to the patient bearing of all afflictions for Christ and for the keeping of a good Conscience considering that herein we are companions and partners with Christ himself the Son of God drinking of the same cup c. Therefore though it be a bitter cup be content to drink of it seeing Christ Jesus the Son of God himself hath begun to us c. 1 Pet. 4. 12. Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery tryall c. But rejoyce inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings c. So did Paul Col. 1. 24. By suffering the Cross we are made conformable to Christ our head which we must be and should earnestly desire to be as Paul did Phil. 3. 10. The more troubles the better because the more like to Christ And Rom. 8. 17. If we suffer with him we shall be glorified with him Mark 10. 40. But to sit on my right hand c. June 14. 1629. THe second part of our Saviours reply to his two Disciples answer unto that question which he demanded of them ver 38. Whether they could drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism of the Cross with him To this they answered affirmatively We can whereupon he replyeth to them again in this verse and the former And his reply consisteth of two parts 1. A concession or granting that they should indeed hereafter drink of that cup and be baptized with that Baptism c. 2. A plain rejecting or denying of their ambitious sute before made to him for the highest places next to him in his Kingdome by way of rendring a reason why he could not grant that their Petition The reason is twofold alledged by him 1. From his own power Authority or Office In that to â—it at his right and left hand was not his to give 2. From the persons to whom that preferment did belong being such onely for whom it was prepared To â—it at my right hand c. That is to be advanced to the highest places or degrees of glory in my Kingdome as before ver 37. Is not mine to give This is not to be understood simply and absolutely as if our Saviour denyed that he had any power or authority at all to give or bestow that preferment to the chief places in his Kingdome but it is to be understood in some respects and with some limitations 1. That it was not his to give in that sense and meaning as the two Disciples desired it who imagined and fancied to themselves a temporal earthly and worldly kind of honour and preferment above their fellow Disciples in Christs Kingdome Such a kind of preferment or honour was not his to give because his Kingdome was not earthly or temporal but Spiritual and heavenly neither was he called or sent of God to give unto men such worldly honour or dignity above others 2. It was not in his power absolutely and of himself as he was man and as he was Mediator to bestow those high degrees of glory in his heavenly Kingdome but he was to do it by appointment from God his Father and by authority received from him So Luke 22. 29. I appoint you a Kingdome as my Father hath appointed unto me 3. It was not in his power as to give it to whomsoever he would but to those persons onely for whom it was ordained of God the Father as the words following shew But it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared That is to those special and eminent persons amongst the elect of God for whom it is ordained in the eternal decree and purpose of God Observ 1 Observ 1. It is no part of Christ's Office as he is Mediator to confer or bestow worldly honour dignities or preferments upon men He was not called or sent of God his Father to this end neither came he to this end into the World As his Kingdome is not of this World Joh. 18. 36. so neither is it his Office or Calling as Mediator to bestow worldly honours or dignities upon his subjects or followers This he implyeth here when the two Disciples suing to him for such kind of preferment in his Kingdome as the Kings of this World use to advance their subjects and favourites unto he tells them it is not his to give On the contrary the office of Christ is to bestow Spiritual and heavenly dignities and preferments upon his subjects and servants as the Grace of Regeneration and Adoption in this life and after this life eternal glory in his heavenly Kingdome Joh. 1. 12. As many as received him to them gave he power or priviledg to be the sons of God c. And Joh. 10. 28. I give unto them eternall life Use 1 Use 1. See one cause why good Christians are for the most part so little honoured and preferred in this World It is because they are not of this World but are subjects of Christs Kingdome which is Spiritual and heavenly not temporal or earthly neither is it the Office of this heavenly King and Mediator of the Church to give worldly honours to his subjects but spiritual dignities Vse 2 Use 2. Teacheth us not to imbrace Christ or the profession of the Gospel in hope of worldly honour or preferment thereby but rather with this condition to suffer contempt and disgrace in this World and to be in little or no accompt in it remembring that Christs Kingdome is not of this World neither is it his Calling or Office as he is Mediator to advance his subjects to worldly honours but to Spiritual and heavenly preferments therefore seek these by the profession of Christ and let the other go c. As he is God he can give worldly honour to his Saints and so doth sometimes but as Mediator it is not
his Office c. neither are we to believe in him or profess his name with this condition Observ 2 Observ 2. Though Christ as he is God be equall with God the Father in power and Authority yet as he is man and as he is Mediator in respect of his Office he is inferiour to the Father So much he implyeth here when he saith That it was not in his power of himself to give those high places of preferment in his Kingdome to any but that they should be given to such onely for whom they were prepared c. Observ 3 Observ 3. There shall be different degrees of glory of the Saints in Christs heavenly Kingdome Some shall be preferred to higher places then otherâ— to more excellent Mansions This our Saviour doth not here deny but granteth and presupposeth that some shall have the highest degrees of glory next him in his Kingdome and consequently that others shall have inferiour degrees of glory next him in his Kingdome and consequently that others shall have inferiour degrees of glory Though all shall have a full and perfect measure of glory and happiness yet not all the same measure but some more some less according as every one shall be capable of more or less Proved by that one place sufficiently 2 Cor. 9. 6. He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly but he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully Reas 1 Reas 1. There are diffeâ—ent degrees of punishment in Hell Matth. 11. Easier for Tyre and Sidon then for Chorazâ—n c. Therefore proportionably there shall be different degrees of glory in heaven Reas 2 Reas 2. There are degrees of Grace in the Saints of God in this life Reas 3 Reas 3. Otherwise how shall the reward of eternal life be given to every one according to his works as it is promised Vse Vse To excite and encourage us to the greater pains and diligence in Gods service and in all holy duties of obedience which he requireth of us in this life working out our Salvation with fear as the Apostle exhorteth forasmuch as we know Our labour is not in vain in the Lord but the more pains we take in well-doing and the more we glorify God in this life the greater reward of glory shall be freely given us of God in the life to come Observ 4 Observ 4. The glory of Christ's Kingdom shall not be given to all men or to all sorts of persons but only to the Elect of God for whom it is ordained in God's eternal Counsel and Purpose To those onely for whom it is prepared For that which is here said of the highest degrees of that glory is true of the glory it self in general and absolutely That it shall not be given to all but only to the Elect and Saints of God for whom it is appointed Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate call and â—ustifie them he glorified Hence it is that eternal life is called the inheritance of the Saints Col. 1. 12. to shew that such only shall be partakers of it And hence also it is that the Elect are called Vessels of mercy Rom. 9. and vessels of honour 2 Tim. 2. to shew that they only shall be partakers of the saving mercy of God and of the Heavenly glory of the life to come Use Vse See what need for us to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure as we are exhorted 2 Pet. 1. 10. that so we may be partakers of that heavenly glory of Christ's Kingdom which shall not be given to all but only to the Elect people of God for whom it is ordained Therefore never rest till we know our selves to be in the number of Gods elect people chosen to eternal life and to the glory of Christ's Kingdom Now the way to know and be assured hereof is by labouring to find and feel our selves effectually called and sanctified in heart and life so as we are separated from the World in heart and affection and do truly hate shun and strive against sin making conscience to glorifie God by a holy and conscionable life 2 Tim. 2. 21. If any man purge himself from these that is from the society of profane men and from the practice of sin he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use c. Observ 5 Observ 5. The certainty of the glory of the Elect and Saints of God in Heaven in that it is said to be prepared for them that is to be ordained for them in God's Decree and Purpose Yea not only the glory it self but the different degrees of that glory which the several Saints of God shall there enjoy are likewise prepared of God as our Saviour here sheweth and Joh. 14. 2. So Matth. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you c. 1 Pet. 1. 4. And it is said to be an inâ—eritance reserved in heaven for them Col. 3. 3. Your life is hid with Christ in God Vse Use For comfort to the Saints and faithful who know and feel themselves to be in this number of God's elect and chosen people by assuring them that although they are not yet in possession of that glory of the life to come yet they shall most certainly be partakers of it in the due time appointed of God God having prepared and appointed it for them in his eternal Counsel and Purpose this Counsel and Decree of his shall stand and so they cannot fail or come short of that Heavenly glory which he hath appointed for them but it is sure and certain to them Great comfort to us and other Saints of God Though all earthly things are uncertain to us yet our Heavenly Inheritance is sure and certain being prepared for us and reserved for us in God's own keeping Wicked men may take from us our goods liberty life but neither they nor their father the Devil can take Heaven from us they cannot touch our Inheritance which is ordained and reserved for us by God Himself Observ 6 Observ 6. By what right and title the Elect do obtain eternal life and glory in heaven viz. by the free gift of God who hath chosen them unto it It shall be given them Luke 12. 32. It is your Fathers pleasure to give you the Kingdom Rom. 6. 23. The gift of God is eternal life Use 1 Use 1. To confute Popish Merit c. Use 2 Use 2. To comfort us in respect of our unworthiness of that life and glory to come Know that we are not to believe or hope for it for our own worthiness but upon the free gift of God and Merits of Christ c. Vse 3 Use 3. To stir us up to thankfulness to God who hath promised so freely to give us eternal life Mark 10. 41 42 43 44. And when the Ten heard it they began to be much displeased June 28. 1629. with James and John c. HItherto we have heard the Ambitious Sute preferred to
or ad salutem Hence it is that we are so often in Scripture exhorted to diligence and constancy in this exercise as Ephes 6. 18. Pray alwayes with all Prayer and supplication in the Spirit c. Use 2 Use 2. This should also move us to desire and crave the faithfull Prayers of Gods servants for us seeing the Prayer of Faith is so effectual to prevail with God Paul doth often desire the Churches to pray for him yea to strive with God by Prayer for him Rom. 15. 30. Now if he had need of the Prayers of others much more We c. Now followeth the second effect or consequent And they call the blind man c. Some think this to be understood of the twelve Disciples or Apostles of Christ which were present that they onely did call the blind man and encourage him to go to Christ in hope of obtaining his sute but nothing hinders but that we may understand it also of the multitude or common-people which were now with Christ at least of some of them that although at first they went about to discourage the blind man in his sute yet now perceiving that our Saviour stood still and began to hearken to him and gave command that he should be called to him they change their minds and do presently call and encourage him to go to Christ c. Observ 1 Observ 1. Though the Lord do for a time suffer the Faith of his Saints and Servants to be tryed and exercised with great difficulties and discouragements which discourage them in the practice of Faith and in Prayer to God c. yet he will not alwayes suffer this but will in due time remove and take away those discouragements and in stead thereof send means of great comfort and incouragement to confirm and strengthen their Faith 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is Faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape c. yea the Lord can and will if he see it good turn and change those things which before were means of discouragement to them to become means of comfort and encouragement to them As here he so provided that those who at first did hinder and discourage this blind man by forbidding him to cry unto Christ for mercy should soon after comfort and encourage him to go to Christ c. Like Job's friends who at first discouraged him were afterward a comfort to him Job 42. 11. Use Use This must teach us not to be dismayed or to cast away our Faith and confidence in Gods mercy in time of tryal nor to faint in Prayer though we meet with never so great difficulties and discouragements but to persist and persevere still in the practice of Faith and Prayer to God knowing that he will at length and in due time remove all difficulties and discouragements which hinder our Faith and will send means of comfort to us to strengthen our faith so much the more by how much the more it hath bin for a time opposed Observ 2 Observ 2. Such as have bin a means to discourage and hinder others in good duties when they come to see their fault and offence in so doing ought to be so much the more carefull for time to come to encourage and further those in well-doing whom before they have hindered So here those who at first did forbid the blind man to cry unto our Saviour now they comfort and encourage him c. Paul having before his Conversion Persecuted the Church and so hindred men from believing and professing Christ afterward was the more zealous in Preaching Christ c. Now followeth the third consequent The ready obedience performed by the blind man to the command of Christ calling him unto him Casting away his Garment he rose c. He cast off his garment that it might not hinder him in making speed to Christ which shews his readiness and forwardness and what haste he made to Christ out of the earnest desire he had to obtain his sute that is to have his â—ight restored to him Observ 1 Observ 1. How ready and forward we should be in going to Christo for help and relief in our necessities and miseries whensoever he calls us to come unto him We ought most readily and willingly to go unto him by Faith and by Prayer for help and relief in all our necessities and that without delay even then when he calleth and requireth us to come unto him Thus did this blind man and thus ought we to do after his example Now Christ doth call us to come unto him at all times whensoever we are in distress or misery outward or inward of mind or body whensoever we stand in need of help and comfort from him but especially then when we are in greatest necessity or misery when our necessities and miseries do most of all press us then especially doth Christ Jesus the Son of God call us to come unto him for help comfort and deliverance So when we are inwardly distressed in Conscience feeling the burthen of our sins and Gods wrath Matth. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that labour c. And I will give you rest c. So in outward troubles and necessities he calls us to come to him by Faith and Prayer for help and relief promising to give it us Matth. 7. 7. Ask and it shall be given you c. Therefore at all such times we are most readily to go unto him by Faith and Prayer for help and relief yea to make haste unto him as this blind man did with the feet of his body so we with the feet of our hearts and affections c. Use Use For reproof of such as are slack and negligent in going to Christ by Faith and Prayer for help and relief in their necessity Being in misery they use other means for help and comfort they seek to men they send for their friends or to the Physitian in sickness c. relying upon these means but have not hearts to go and seek to Christ at least they are not so ready and forward to do this as they should be they do not make such haste to God and unto Christ by Prayer as they should doing this in the first place but they delay and put off this most necessary duty of Prayer by which they should go to Christ for help relief and comfort in all necessities and miseries of Soul and body Though he graciously call and invite them to come unto him at all times and in all their wants c. yet they are slack and negligent in going and seeking to him delaying time and neglecting opportunities of seeking and finding help and comfort in their miseries c. Oh how great enemies are these unto themselves who being called by Christ the Son of God to come unto him for help in all necessities and troubles refuse to go unto him c. As he saith in another
c. calling the Sabbath our delight Esay 58. 2. By love to his Saints and Servants to his Faithfull members which believe in him and shew their Faith by holiness of life doing good to these above all other Matth. 18. 5. Whosoever shall receive one such little one in my name receiveth me c. 3. By love to his Faithfull Ministers sent to us to Preach his Word to us c. Luke 10. He that receiveth you receiveth me c. The Galathians would have plucked out their eyes for Paul c. 4. By yielding obedience to his will in all things which he requireth of us being carefull to glorify him in our Callings Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me keep my Commandments and Joh. 21. 15. Peter lovest thou me c. Feed my sheep c. Use Use To condemn the Hypocrisy of such as profess love to Christ but shew it not in life and practice by true fruits thereof They shew no love to his Word and Ordinances no delight but are rather weary of the Sabbath and wish it past that they may return to their worldly business Amos 8. 5. They shew no love to the Saints and Servants of Christ but rather despise reproach yea hate them for their profession sake c. So also the Faithfull Ministers of Christ As for obedience to the will of Christ they are far from it On the contrary they live in gross sins against the Word of Christ This is no better love to Christ then that of Judas who at once kissed and betrayed him As if one should say he loves the King and yet practise Treason Qui diligit regem diligit legem Now followeth the person for whom they pray Their Messiah and King Described 1. By his present comming or manifestation of himself unto them at this time as their King and Messiah He that commeth 2. By the Divine Authority with which he is said to come In the name of the Lord. Observ 1 Of the first Observ 1. That the true Messiah promised of God and foretold by the Prophets is already come and manifested in the World and to the Church and that Jesus of Nazareth is that true Messiah This the common people here do truely and rightly acknowledg when they say Blessed is he that commeth c. that is he which now doth reveal and manifest himself to us as the true and onely Messiah and King of the Church by his manner of riding to Jerusalem c. The same is acknowledged Joh. 1. by three of the Disciples severally at their first Calling By Andrew ver 41. We have found the Messiah c. By Philip ver 45. We have found him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth c. By Nathaniel ver 49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel This also is acknowledged by the Woman of Samaria Joh. 4. 29. Come see a man which told me all that ever I did Is not this the Christ yea this our Saviour himself did plainly avouch and testify of himself unto her ver 26. of the same chapter And that this Jesus alone is the true Messiah which was to come may appear by this that all things foretold by the Prophets concerning the person and comming of the Messiah are fulfilled in this Jesus of Nazareth as the Evangelists do plainly shew Act. 10. 43. To him give all the Prophets witness c. Here then we are resolved of that great question which John Baptist sent his Disciples unto Christ to be resolved of Luke 7. 19. Art thou he that should come or look we for another Here we are resolved that it is he indeed which was to come and which is already come and manifested to be the true Messiah And to confirm our Faith in this point the whole History of the Gospel was written by the Evangelists Joh. 20. 31. These are written that ye might believe c. Mark 11. 9. Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. Octâ—b 25. 1629. Observ OF the second Observ By what authority Christ Jesus took upon him the Office of Messiah and the administration of it professing and shewing himself to be the Messiah when he was on earth It was not by his own authority but by authority from God who called and appointed him to this Office This also the common people do here truly acknowledg in saying Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord that is with power and authority received from God And this our Saviour himself doth testify of himself Joh. 5. 43. I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not c. and Joh. 10. 36. he sayes that God the Father Sanctified him and sent him into the World and Hebr. 5. 5. the Apostle sayes he did not glorify himself to be an High-Priest c. but he that said unto him Thou art my Son c. The very name Messiah doth also imply thus much Quest 1 Quest 1. How can Christ be said to receive power and Authority from God seeing himself is true God Answ Answ Consider Christ two wayes 1. As he is God or in respect of his divine nature simply and so he is equall with God the Father and doth call and appoint himself to the Office of Mediator 2. As he is Mediator God and man and so he is inferiour to God the Father and doth receive authority from him to be the Messiah Quest 2 Quest 2. When did Christ receive this authority and Calling from God to be the Messiah Answ Answ From everlasting in the eternal counsell of God appointing him unto it Joh. 6. 27. Him hath God the Father sealed and 1 Pet. 1. 20. Forâ—ordained before the Foundation of the World Use 1 Use 1. Hence gather that God cannot but accept well of all that Christ Jesus did and suffered for us being on earth by vertue of his Office and in execution of the same and consequently that it is available for us to work our Redemption and Salvation seeing he did nothing for us as our Messiah and annointed King and Mediâ—tor but by vertue of a Calling from God and so doing all in way of obedience to the will of God it is accepted of him and available for us True of his whole obedience performed for us both active and passive as his death sufferings and fulfilling the Law for us seeing he came not in his own name to perform these things for us but in the name of God being called and sent of him therefore God accepted and doth accept of all that he did or suffered for us being on earth so as it is available to work our Redemption to justify us to reconcile us to God c. which is matter of great comfort to us so many as are true bâ—lievers in Christ that he is not onely come into the World and hath taken upon him to be our Messiah that is ouâ— anointed King Priest and Prophet to dye
cold and from the annoyance and injuries of Wind and Weather Such Tabernacles or Tents Peter would have to be suddenly built or set up for Christ and for Moses c. Therefore he does not mention the building of great or strong Houses which was a matter could not be so soon done as he desiâ—ed Now whereas he doth not desire that one Tabernacle onely should be built for them all but three severall ones The reason hereof may be this because he thought it not meet or convenient for three such excellent and worthy Persons to have but one Tent or Pavilion to dwell or abide under Therefore he would have three Tents built and the rather as it is likely to the end that himself and the other two Disciples then present might the more conveniently dwell and remain with Christ in his peculiar Tent or Tabernacle Further we must here note That although it was a good and commendable thing in Peter to be affected with joy and delight in the presence and company of Christ and of Moses and Elias in the Mount and with the sight and beholding their Glory and to desire the society of Christ and the Saints yet in uttering these words he failed and was faulty many wayes yea he committed grosse Errours and Absurdities 1. He was faulty in desiring that our Saviour should continue and dwell there in the Mount in Glory and not depart thence any more But how unfit and inconvenient had this been 1. By this means our Saviour should have been hindred in the course of his Ministery that is in the execution of his publick Office of preaching and working Miracles in other places as he was appointed of his heavenly Father 2. By this means the work of our Redemption had been hindred for if he had continued still in that heavenly Glory in the Mount then could he not have gone up to Hierusalem to Dye and Suffer there neither would any man living have ever dared to lay hands on him or to put him to Death if he should still have continued in this heavenly Glory and Majesty in which he now appeared 3. This was also flat contrary to that which both our Saviour himself and also Moses and Elias had a little before foretold concerning him viz. That he must Dye and Suffer at Hierusalem 2. He erred grosly in desiring that Moses and Elias being glorified Saints of Heaven should not onely appear on Earth with Christ for a little time as now they had done but should also take up their dwelling upon Earth again and so utterly forsake their heavenly Mansions in which they had hitherto lived so many hundreds of years This was impossible for so they should have lost and been deprived of the blessed sight and immediate presence of God in the third Heavens which hitherto they had so long enjoyed He should rather have desired to go up to Heaven with them than that they should stay on Earth with him 3. He erred in supposing that either Christ or Moses or Elias remaining in such heavenly Glory as now they appeared in upon the Mount could stand in need of earthly Houses or Tents to dwell in and to cover and defend them from the injuries of the Sun or Ayr. 4. He seemeth faulty also in comparing and equalling Moses and Elias which were but Servants with Christ himself their Lord and Master for he motions the building of severall Tabernacles for them all three alike and without difference Thus we see how many Errours and Absurdities Peter committed and how great corruption and weaknesse he discovered in this one Speech here uttered to our Saviour One Question yet remans for the cleaing of the words Quest Quest How Peter knew Moses and Elias now appearing in Glory and could call them by their Names seeing he never saw them before Answ Answ It is probable That he knew them either by the conference which passed between Christ and them or else by speciall and extraordinary Revelation from God some other way Vide Calvin in locum Now follow the Instructions from the words And 1. From that which was good and commendable in Peter 2. From those things wherein he failed and was faulty Of the first Observ 1 Observ 1. In that Peter was affected with such joy and delight in the presence and company of Christ and of Moses and Elias appearing with him and at the sight of that heavenly Glory in which they appeared that all his desire was to stay and continue there in the Mount and to build Tabernacles c. Hence we may gather That the state and condition of the Saints in Heaven after this Life shall be a most joyfull delightfull and comfortable condition to be in so full of joy and contentment that they which are once partakers of it shall desire above all things to continue in it and never to come out of it or to part with it If it were thus with Peter and the other two Disciples on the earthly Mount when they had but a little taste and saw but a little glimpse of that Life to come How much more with the Saints in Heaven when they shall fully enjoy that blessed condition If they conceived so great delight and contentment in the bare sight of Christ's heavenly Glory and of the Glory of Moses and Elias that they desired to dwell there with them how much greater contentment shall the Saints in Heaven find and feel when they shall in their own persons be made partakers of that heavenly Glory If they felt such joy and delight in the sight and beholding of the Glory of Christ and of Moses and Elias notwithstanding that they were at the same time astonished with some fear at the sight hereof how much joy and delight shall the Saints in Heaven feel being then freed from all fear and astonishment Now that the state of the Saints in Heaven shall be full of joy delight and contentment to those that enjoy it and such an estate as they shall still be in love with and desire to enjoy may thus be-further proved 1. By the excellent and comfortable Names and Titles given unto it in Scripture It is sometimes called by the name of Joy Matth. 25. 21. Enter into thy Master's Joy where also note the greatness of it in that it is not said That joy should enter into him but he into it It is called also fulness of Joy Psal 16. 11. It is called sometimes a Crown and a Kingdom and an eternall weight of Glory an incorruptible Inheritance c. All which are joyfull and comfortable Names and Titles which argue great and unspeakable joy comfort and contentment to be in that estate It is called also eternall Life for the same cause Life being a joyful sweet and comfortable thing which every one desireth naturally and which we are never weary of but desire still to enjoy it So that heavenly Life c. Heaven is called a Paradise c. Rev. 21. compared to a rich