faith of these two now breaks our though it had long lain hid as the Sun under a cloud as seed under a clod now they manifest their love to Christ so curelly handled as the true mother did hers to her childe when it was to be cut in two Verse 40. With the spices as the manner of the Jews To testifie their hope of a resurrection In an Apish imitation of whom the Gentiles also though they had no such hope kept a great stir and made much ado about the decent buriall of their dead Habent vespaefavos simiae imitantur homines saith Cyprian Verse 41. A new sepulchre Fit for him that was the first-born from the dead the first-fruits of them that sleep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoâ—â—â— Besides else it might have been said that some other had risen and not he saith Theodoret as Mathomet saith that Christ was not crucified but another for him Verse 42. Because of the Jews That they might not doe servile work on the Sabbath though it were to inter Christs body See Luk. 23.56 CHAPT XX. Verse 1. The first day of the week NOw the Christian Sabbath in honour of Christs resurrection and therefore called The Lords day Revel 1.10 as the holy Supper is called The Lords Supper 1 Cor. 10. as the Saints are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kirk Church The title of the 24th Psalm is A Psalm of David To this the Greek addeth Of the first day of the week meaning that this Psalm was wont to be sung in the Temple every first day of the week which now is the Christians Sabbath and of Christ his Church and Kingdome and the entertaining of his Gospel doth this Psalm intreat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Ignaâ— ep 3 ad Magnes Let every one of us keep Sabbath saith Ignatius in a spirituallmanner rejoycing in the meditation of the law not in the rest of the body And in those Primitive times when the Question was asked ervasti Dominicum Hast thou kept the Lords-day the answer was returned Christianus sum intermittere non possum I am a Christian and may not do otherwise See veâ—stegan Alâ—â— numerant Feria prima secunda tertia c. The Jews gave that honour to their Sabbath that they named from it all the other daies of the week as the first second third day c. of the Sabbath which we from the Heathens a worse patern name Munday Tuesday Wednesday c. Ex instituto Mercurij Tresmegisti Verse 2. Then she runneth Amor addidit alas Love is impationt of delaies Cant. 2.17 Christ commeth leaping over the Mountains of Bether all manner leâ—s and impediments And the Church as impatient as he bids him Make haste my beloved and be like to a Roe or to a sawn of the Hearts which when it sleeth looketh behinde it saith the Chaldee Paraphrast there She affects not only an union but an unity with him Verse 3. Peter therefore went forth He despaired not though he had grievously fallen The Saints cannot fall so far but that Gods supporting hand is ever under them They may be dowzed over head and ears in the waters of iniquity yea sink twice to the bottom yet shall rise again and recover for the Lord puts under his hand yea as he that stumbleth and yet falleth not gets ground by his stumbling So it is here Verse 4. So they ran both together But the swifter of foot they were the slower in faith for he that believeth maketh not haste Isa 28.16 They believed not fully the refurrection when they heard the news of it and from the Angels too they stirred not but rejected it as a fable Now that they hear though but by a woman only that the Lords body was removed to another sepulchre though that were but a rash report and nothing so they run amain Oh the dulnes that is found in the best Verse 5. Yet went he not in He durst not so some fearfull are afraid of every step saying as Caesar at Rubicon yet we may goe back Pelago se non ita commissuâ— us esser quin quan do liberet pedem reserre posset and as the King of Navar told Beza That he would launch no further into the sea then he might be sure to return safe to the haven Verse 6. Following him and went in John came first Peter entred first Soft and fair goes far Soft fire makes sweet malt Leap Christians are not much to be liked such as quickly step out of profanenesse into profession Hot at hand seldom holds out The stony ground immediately received the seed with joy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 13. Prov 4 2â— Prov. 4.18 and started up suddenly but the good ground brings forth fruit with patience or tarriance Walk deliberately and ponder the paths of thy feet as Solomon bids A Christians progresse is as the sun which shines more and more to the perfect day and as the Trumper in Mount Sion Exod. 20. which sounded louder and louder till it was heard all the countrey over Verse 7. And the napkin that was about his head These grave-cloaths were evidences of our Saviours resurrection and are therefore mentioned by the Evangelist But what shift made Paleottus Archbishop of Bonony for matter who wrote a great book of the shadow of Christs dead body in the sindon or linen-cloth wherein it was wrapped This book was also commented upon by the Professour of Divinity there Had not these men little to doe Did they not as one saith Magno conatu magnas nugas agere Tenet insanabile multos scribendi cacoethes Verse 8. And he saw and believed i.e. He believed his own eyes that the Lords body was not in the sepulchre but as Mary Magdalen had told them so they mis-believed that it was taken away to some other place further from Calvary for honours sake that he might not lie buried with the wicked Hence it is that in the next verse it is added that as yet they knew not the Scripture Verse 9. For as yet they knew not the Scripture Which yet was clear enough in this point Ps 16.10 110.1 Isa 53.10 11. The resurrection of our Saviour was not obscurely shadowed out in Adam waking out of sleep Isaac received after a sort from the dead Joseph drawn out of prison to be Lord of Egypt Samson bearing away the gates of Gaza David advanced to the Kingdome when there was but a step betwixt him and death Jonah preferved in the Whales belly c. Verse 10. Went again to their own home Waiting till God should further enlighten both organ and object as Mary also did Luk. 2. Verse 11. Mary stood at the sepulchre weeping Some thinke it was because she conceived that the Jews had gotten away our Saviours dead body to dishonour it as the Popish persecutours digd up Bucers and many other good mens bones to burn them She wept where she had no such cause so doe
a witnesse verbis non solum disertis sed et exertis He witnessed plainly and plentifully with a clear and punctuall pronunciation profession indigitation vers 26 29 32 36. That all men through him might beleeve Our Saviour expected that men should have come as far to hear his fore-runner and him as the Queen of Sheba came to heare Solomon Mat. 12.42 But the one thing necessary lyes alasse neglected Men will run to Hell as fast as they can and if God cannot catch them saith one they care not M. Steph. they will not come to Christ that they might live John 5.40 Verse 8. He was not that light As some sinisterly conceited which therefore occasioned that most necessary digression verse 6. to 10. and drew afterwards from the Baptist himselfe that most vehement profession verse 20. He confessed and denied not but confessed c. He knew well the danger of detracting in the least degree from Gods glory To looke upon it only and lust after it is to commit spirituall fornication with it in our hearts for it is Gods beloved Spouse and he being jealous cannot bear a corrivall Looke upon it therefore but with a single eye Matth. 6.22 and in all addresses to God Illi da claritatem tibi bumilitatem Aug. ad Bonifas epist 205. give the honour to him take humility to thy selfe as Austin well adviseth let that be thy motto that was his propter te Domine propter te Study Gods ends and we may have any thing of him as Moses Exod. 32. Verse 9. Which lighteth every man c. Or that comming into the world lighteth every man All with the light of reason Job 35.11 his own with a supernall and supernaturall light To know heavenly things is to ascend into Heaven Prov. 30.3 4. an affecting transforming light 2 Cor. 3.18 such as maketh a man to be a childe of light Ephes 5.8 partaker of the inberitance of the Saints in light Colos 1.2 Verse 10. He was in the world Here the Evangelist goes on where he left resumes and proceeds in his former argument verse 5. And the world was made by him This is the second time here set forth and re-inforced that we may the better observe and improve it See the like Revel 4.11 For thou hast created all things and by thee they are and were created without help tool or tiresomnesse Esay 40.28 That one word of his fiat made all 's shall we not admire his Architecture And the world knew him not Man is here called the World and Mark. 16.15 he is called every Creature This little World knew not Christ for God had hid him under the Carpenters Son his glory was inward his Kingdome came not by observation And because the world knew not him therefore it knoweth not us 1. John 3.1 Princes the saints are in all Lands Psal 45 16. but they lye obscured as did Melchisedech The Moone say Astronomers hath at all times as much light as in the full but oft a great part of the bright side is turned to heaven and a lesser part to the earth So it is with the Church Verse 11. He came unto his own His peculiar pickt people as touching the election beloved for the Fathers sake Ownnesse makes love though the more he loved the lesse he was beloved Rom. 11.28 This may be the best mans case 2 Cor 12.15 Learn we to deserve well of the most undeserving God shines upon the unthankfull also Luk. 6.35 Christ came to the stiffe-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears Act. 7.51 His comfort was and may be ours Though Israel be not gathered yet I shal be glorious c. Isa 49.5 And his own received him not Nay they peremptorily and pertinaciously denied the holy One and the Just and desired a murtherer to be given unto them For the which their inexpiable guilt Acts 31 14. they are as it were cast out of the world by a common consent of Nations being a dejected and despised people Howbeit we long and looke daily for their conversion their resurrection Rom. 11.15 as Saint Paul calleth it And Augustine argueth out of the words Abba Father that there shall one day be a consent of Jewes and Gentiles in the worship of one true God There are that say out of Daniel 12 11. That this will fall out Anno Dom. 1650. Mr. Hout Mr. Case Fiat Fiat Verse 12. To them he gave power Or priviledge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Non. preferment prerogative royall heavenly honour as Nonâ—us here rendereth it and fitly For if sons then heirs Rom. 8.17 Hence that Ecce admirantis 1 John 3.1 and that Who am I 2 Sam. 7.18 with 14. Kings can make their first-born onely heires as Jehoshaphat 2 Chron. 21.3 But here all are heires of God and co-heires with Christ. Even to them that beleeve in his name Though with never so weake a faith such as may seeme to be rather unbeliefe then faith Marke 9.24 The least bud drawes sap from the Root as well as the greatest Branch The weakest hand may receive a ring Credo languidâ fide sed tamen fide said Dr. Cruciger on his death bed Selneccer paedag Christ A weak faith is a joynt possessour though no faith can be a joynt purchaser of this precious priviledge here specified Verse 13. But of God Whose sons therefore they are and so higher then the Kings of the earth Psal 89.27 as those that prolong the dayes of Christ upon earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. being begotten by the travell of his soule Isai 53.10 11. Hence faith is said to adopt us verse 12. in like sort as it justifies us viz. by vertue of its object Christ Filiabitur nomine ejus Trem. Hence Psal 72.17 there is said to be a succession of Christs name it is begotten as one generation is begotten of another This is true nobility where God is the top of the Kin Religion the root Verse 14. And the Word was made flesh Put himselfe into a lowsie leprous suite of ours Nazianz. to expiate our pride and robbery in reaching after the Deity and to heale us of our spirituall leprosie for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if he had not assumed our flesh he had not saved us Verse 15. John cryed saying He entred upon his calling in the yeare of Jubilee which was wont to be published by the voice of a Crier Rolloc in loc with the sound of a Trumpet And hitherto allude the Prophets and Evangelists that say he cried and call him the voice of a Crier c. Verse 16. Of his fulnesse Which is both repletive and diffusive not only of plenty but of bounty not a fulnesse of abundance only D. Preston but of redundance too In Christians is plenitudo vasis but in Christ Fontis these differ say the Schoolmen ut ignis et ignita Take a drop from the Ocean and it is so much the lesse but
lye hath been alwayes held hatefull but equivocation is now set forth of a later impression The Jesuites have called back this pest from hell alate for the comfort of afflicted Catholicks as Arch-Priest Blackwell and Provinciall Garnet shamed not to professe Est autem satanae pectus semper faecundissimum mendacijs saith Luther He began his kingdom by a lye and by lyes he upholds it as were easie to instance See my Notes on Genesis chap. 3. ver 5. Verse 48. That thou art a Samaritan And why a Samaritun trow but that they thought the worst word in their bellies good enough for him Malice cares not what it faith so it may kill or gall and these dead dogs as he calleth Shimci will be barking 2 Sam. 16.9 The Primitive Persecutours used to put Christians into bears and doggs skins or other ugly creatures and then bait them so doth the wicked put the Saints into ugly conceits then speak against them Verse 54. It is my father that honoureth me 1 Sam. 2.30 According to that Them that honour me I will honour this is a bargain of Gods own making Fame follows vertue as the shadow the body or if not yet she is proprio contenta theatro content with her own applause Verse 55. Yet ye have not known him There is a two fold knowledge of God 1. Apprehensive 2. Affective or cognoscitiva standing in speculation and directiva vitae Verse 59. Then took they up stones This is merces mundi the worlds wages Let 's look up with Stephen and see Heaven as he did thorow a showre of stones c. CHAP. IX Verse 1. He saw a man which was blinde THis was enough to move Christ to mercy the sight of a fit object When God sets us up an Altar be we ready with our sacrifice Verse 2. Who did sinne this man Imbuti era â—r Iuâ—ai dogmate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza How could he sinne before he was borne But the Disciples dream't of a Pythagoricall transanimation hence this foolish question Verse 3. But that the works of God c. Hinc Alexander Ales Paena inquit duplicem habet ordinationem Vnam ad culpam quae praecedit alteram ad gloriam quam praecedit God sometimes afflicts for his own glory but sinne is never at the bottome And though God doth not alwayes afflict his for sinne as Job Job 11.6 yet Job shall do well to consider that God exacteth of him lesse then his iniquity deserveth as Zophar telleth him Verse 4. Whiles it is day As other men do Psal 104.22 None can say he shall have twelve houres to his day And night death is a time of receiving wages not of doing worke On this moment depends eternity on the weakest wier hangs the greatest waight Verse 6. Made clay As he did at first in making Man the Poets tell us some such thing of their Prometheus to shew that this cure was done by that Almighty power that he put forth in the Creation Verse 7. He went his way and washed He obeyed Christ blindling He looked not upon Siloam with Syrian eyes as Naaman did upon Jordan but passing by the unlikelihood of a cure by such a means he beleeveth and doeth as he was bidden without sciscitation Verse 16. This man is not of God True if he had indeed made no conscience of keeping the sabbath Sanctifying the Lords day in the primitive times was a badge of Christianity When the question was propounded Christianuâ— suâ—â—intermittere non possum Servasti Dominicum Hast thou kept the Sabbath the answer was returned I am a Christian and may not do otherwise The enemies and hinderers of sanctifying the Sabbath are called unbeleevers vagabonds and wicked fellows Acts 17.2 5. B. White Act and Mon. Sometipsum detestatus est quòd Regi poitùs quam Deo studuisset placere Sâ—uitet Sueton Dio in Veâ—pas That late great Antisabbatarian Prelate so much cast off by the rest after he had served their turns might well have cryed out with Cardinal Wolsey Surely if I had been as carefull to serve God as I was to please men I had not been at this passe How can a man that is a sinner Yes that he may by divine permission or at least he may do something like a miracle as the false prophets and Antichrist Suetonius tells us that Vespasian cured a blinde man by spetting upon his eyes And Dio testifieth that he healed another that had a weak and withered hand by treading upon it And yet Vospasian lived and died a Pagan This therefore was no convincing argument that the Jews here used Verse 17. He is a Prophet The more the Pharisees opposed the truth the more it appeared Veritas abscondi erubescit saith Tertullian The Reformation was much furthered in Germany by the Papists opposition Among many others two Kings wrote against Luther viz. Henry 8th of England and Ludovicus of Hungary This Kingly title being entred into the controversie made men more curious And as it happeneth in combats that the lookers on are ready to favour the weaker and to extoll his actions though they be but mean so here it stirred up a generall inclination toward Luther saith the Authour of the hist of the Councell of Trent Luther also in an epistle to the Electour of Saxony Hist of Count. of Trent fol. 16. triumpheth and derideth the foolish wisedome of the Papists in causing him and the other Protestant Princes Scultet Annal. 274. to rehearse the confession of their faith in a publike Assembly of the states of Germany and in sending copies thereof to all the Courts of Christendome for advice whereby the Gospel was more propagated and the cause of Christ more advanced then if many preachers had been sent out and licensed Verse 21. He is of age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Felix ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say the Etymologists ut felix sit homo floridae vegetae aetatis Becman corpore animo valens Verse 22. Put out of the Synagogue This was that kinde of excommunication they called Niddui or separation and such were by the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There were two other more heavy kinde of excommunications in use among the Jews Cherem and Samatha or Maranatha which they derive as low as from Henoch Jude 14. The Heathens also had their publike execrations not rashly to be used against any Est enim execratio res tristis mali ominis saith Plutarch who therefore highly commends that Athenian Priest that being commanded by the people to curse Alcibiades refused to do it That Archflamen of Rome the Pope is like a wasp Cum pontisex Rom. diras in â—u livic 12. Gall. Regem evomeret Atqui aâ—t rex Precandi ille non imprecandi causa pontisex constitutus est Firron lib. 2. de gest is Gallor no sooner angry but out comes a sting an excommunication which being once out
's And they are written in the book of life Qui quod possunt saciunt ersi quod debenâ— non possuns saith Bernard that doe what they can though they cannot do what they should Verse 15. I call you not servants And yet it was the top of Davis titles to be the servant of the Lord and the height of his ambition to be a door-keeper in his house All his servants are sons and all his sons heirs But I have called you friends It was an high honour of old to be the Kings friend Such honour have all his Saints Christ doth freely unbosome himself unto them Verse 16. And ordained you that you should goe c. Not that ye should Lord it over your brethren as the Pope ordains his Caterpillars and get up the best of the land for your private use and pleasure The Pope when he maketh his Cardinals useth these words Estote confratres nostri principes mundi The Archbishoprick of Toledo is said to be worth an hundred thousand pounds a yeare a greater revenue then some Kings have That whatsoever ye shall aske c. Bernard in his Meditations giveth divers rules of strictnesse of purging the heart of being faithfull and fruitfull Et cum talis fueris saith he memento mei Intimating that then they might have what they would of God for themselves or others Meditat. deâ—et cap. 5. that were so qualified Verse 17. That ye love one another That ye hold together because the world will hate you A spirit of perversities made way for the ruine of Aegypt Isai 19.14 16 17. Si collidimur frangimur If we clash we break Of the ancient Britains Tacitus tels us that nothing was so destructory to them as their dissentions Dum singuli pugnant universi vincuncur And of the Thracians Herodotus saith that if they had been all of one minde they had been invincible Keep therefore the staff of binders unbroken Zech. 11.7 14. Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Ephes 4.3 In the cause of Religion every subdivision is a strong weapon in the hand of the enemy as in the disagreement of Luther and Zuinglius The Jesuites have a practice of ruinning over to the Lutherans pretending to be convers but it is only to keep up that bitter contention that is between the Calvinists and Lutherans the virulency whereof is much fomented by these renegado Jesuites Verse 18. If the world hate you c. As it will because it is condemned by your contrary practice and is carried on by a contrary principle Moab was irked because of Israel or did fret and vex at them Numb 22.3 4. Bats slie against the light Some barbarous Nations curse the Sun when he shines hot upon them and shoot up their arrows against it Ye know that it hated me first Shall we thinke to speed better then our betters Elias is not better then his fathers Luther was angry with those that set forth his sufferings sith they were nothing to the sufferings of Christ All our troubles are but as the slivers and chips of his crosse Verse 19. If ye were of the world c. They jangle among themselves and intertear one another as dogs fighting For though there be not a disagreement in hell being but the place of retribution not of action yet on earth there is no sound peace among the wicked Howbeit let Ephraim be against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim they 'll soon be both against Judah as if a Hare run by dogs that are fighting they 'll agree to pursue the Hare Therefore the world hates you As inhospitall salvages doe those that land on their coasts as the Cyprians for an old grudge slay all Jews they meet with though but cast upon their coasts by contrary windes Tac. l. 〈◊〉 Tami 〈◊〉 est â—oâ—um quanti est odium Christ innorum Ter. Bodin de rep l. â— cap. 6. Odio humani generis per flagitia invisi saith Tacitus of Christians Davis adversaries sought not only his life but his soul his damnation too as that monster of Millain mentioned by Bodinus Now we commit thy soul to the devil said the persecutours to John Husse And Hierom of Prague could hardly obtain a Confessour being it seems conscientious that way Verse 20. Remember the Word c. Else all is lost 1 Cor. 15.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hâ—â— â— 1. Naturally the word runs thorow us as water thorow a riven vessel Pleni rimarum sumus huc atque illuc diffluimus Our memories are as seives that retain the chaff let goe the good corn or as ners that keep the pelf let goe the clean water or as hour-glasses that are no sooner full but running out again Beseech we God to put his finger upon the hole and to make his Word an engraffed word unto us to settle it upon our souls c. If they have kept my saying c. But they will doe neither Holy Melancthon being himself newly converted thought it impossible for his hearers to withstand the evidence of the Gospel But after he had been a preacher a while 't is said he complained that old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon Verse 21. Because they know not him c. For had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory St Paul thanks his ignorance for all his cruelties to Christians Arist Echie l. 3. Ignorance is a breeder and great-bellied Aristotle makes it the mother of all misrule and mischief Verse 22. If I had not come c. Here our Saviour shews that their ignorance was affected as theirs is with us Bern. Qui ut liberius peccent libenter ignorant they shut the windows lest the light should come in Sic fit Seneca Epist ubi homines majorem vitae partem in tenebris agunt ut novissimè solem quasi supervacuum fastidiant This is the ignorance to which mercy is denied Isa 27.11 Verse 23. He that hateth me 'T is wonder how any should Omne peccatum est Dercidium Psal 18.46 yet we read of God-haters Rom. 1.30 and all sin is a kinde of God-slaughter the wicked wish there were no God when David cries out vivat Deus c. Verse 24. Works which none other man did More stupendious because by mine own power and all to the peoples profit These were of use in the Churches infancy and Papists boast of them still but those are the devils lying wonders 2 Thess 2.9 As for our Religion Pudet diabolum Lutheri doctrinam miraculis conformare saith Gretser the Jeurite But we answer with Augustine Qui adbuc prodigia quaerit magnum est ipse prodigium He that now looks for a miracle is himself a great miracle Christ was the onely Thaumaturgus or Wonder-worker This is attested by Josephus the Jew and confessed by Mahomet Verse 25. They hated me without a cause So they dealt by David so by Christ and so still
Latimer when at the comming in of the six Articles he to keep a good conscience resigned up his Bishoprick putting off his rochet he suddenly gave a skip in the floor for joy feeling his shoulders so light Act. and Mon. fo 1578. Rom. 8.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est manus proprium ut att Galenus and being discharged as he said of such an heavy burden Now the Spirit where he is bestowed by Christ heaves at one end as S. Pauls word imports and takes off the brunt of the businesse from us He oyls our wheels and makes us drive merrily He helps our infirmities edgeth our spirits steeleth our faces filleth us with matter furnisheth us with words does all our work for us When I first came into this City said Calvin upon his death-bed in his speech to his fellow-Ministers I found all out of frame and met with many malicious opposites But our Lord Christ so settled and strengthned me Melch. Adam in vita Calv. who by nature to speak truth am easily daunted Vt nullis illorum conatibus cesserim that I stoutly withstood them Verse 23. Whosoevers sins ye remit c. Remission of sin is the chief benefit of the Gospel And for the Creed which is the sum of the Gospel All the former Articles are perfected in that of Remission of sins and all the following Articles are effects of it Rhem. Test Now none can remit sins but God to speak properly Papists tell us of one that could remove mountains but to remit sins is peculiar to God alone Man may remit the trespasse but God only the transgression Howbeit Ministers may and in some cases must declare unto man his righteousnesse Job 33.23 pronounce in Christs name the truly penitent righteous in Gods sight by Christs righteousnesse freely imputed and given unto them They must also retain by the same authority and binde upon impenitent sinners so continuing their sins to destruction 2 Cor 10.6 Having in a readinesse to revenge all disobedience This we may doe as Ministers and more we claim not Verse 24. But Thomas one of the twelve A man cannot be wilfully absent from the publike Assemblies but once without great danger and damage Thomas was absent perhaps about some weighty cause It may be he lurkt and lay close for fear of the Jews or it may be he was providing and setling his own private affairs now his Master was slain but what ever the cause was the effect was grievous he was wofully hardened Verse 25. I will not believe Ah wilfull Thomas quoth Mr Bradford Martyr I will not saith he so adding to his incredulity Serm of Repent 56. obstinacy But yet Christ appeared unto him and would not leese him c. Verse 26. The doors being shut Although it be said that when Christ came to his Disciples the doors were shut Act. and Mon. fol. 1536. yet have I as much to prove that the doors opened at his comming as ye to prove that he came thorow the door said Robert Smith Martyr to the Doctour that disputed with him Verse 27. Then saith he to Thomas Who was not excommunicated by the rest but gently born with till Christ should cure him Neither did he forsake their meetings though he believed not their relation It is good to stand in Christs way to be found at the foddering-place Cant. 1.8 But some like spirituall vagabonds as Cain excommunicate themselves from Gods presence in the use of the means we may write Lord have mercy upon such as utterly deplored Verse 28. My Lord and my God This is true faith indeed that individuates God and appropriates him to it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Were it not for this possessive Mine the devil might say the Creed to as good purpose as we He believes there is a God and a Christ but that which torments him is he can say My to never an Article of the faith Verse 29. Blessed are they that have not seen We see Christ in the flesh by the eyes of the Apostles like as the Israelites saw Canaan by the eyes of the spies and this is sufficient unto faith as the Evangelist sheweth in the next verses Verse 30. And many other signs c. If Cicero could say of Socrates whose words Plato had recorded and could request the like of his Readers concerning Lucius Crassus that they would imagine much more good of them then they found written De orat l. 3. how much more might S. John do the same concerning Christ Verse 31. These things are written He speaks this of the writ of the other three Evangelists also Matthew wrote his Gospel eight years after Christ Mark ten Luke fifteen and John fourty two in the daies of Trajan He died in the 101. year of his own age CHAP. XXI Verse 1. After these things Jesus shewed himself SOme have been of opinion that this Chapter was not written by John because he concluded his History in the end of the last Chapter but added by some other as the last Chapter of Deuteronomy was to Moses his writings These should have observed that in the former Chapter those arguments only are set down by the Evangelist that fell out at Jerusalem for the manifestation of Christs resurrection as in this Chapter those whereby he approved the truth of his resurrection in Galilee also according to his promise 2 Tim. 2 8. Mat. 26.32 that they might believe and remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was verily raised from the dead according to the Gospel this being a doctrine of greatest consequence and comfort 1 Cor. 15.5 c. Peter thought himself sufficiently assured of it and therefore said I go a fishing but he was deceived and needed further confirmation Verse 2. Cum boni cum probi cocunt cuÌ„ pij oum casti congregantur non est fact to duenda sed uria e contrario illis nomen factionis accommodandum c. â—ert Apos a lver gent. c. 39. There were met together Simon c. When good and godly men meet when chast and honest people assemble together it is not to be called a faction but a Court rather saith Tertullian Those are a faction that conspire against good men The society of such is like the flime and filth that is congealed where many toads and other vermine joyn together God dwels in the Assembly of Saints shall we like Stoicks stie up our selves and not daily runne into their company He that comes when oâ—ntmeats and sweet spices are stirring doth carry away some of the sweet savour though he think not of it so here See Prov. 13.20 Verse 3. I goe a fishing c. Being not yet employ'd in the publike ministery Reâ—ageâ—â—utus gets Ovid. he would not be idle and that he might not be chargable to the Church This life is in Isaiah called The life of our hands because it is to be maintained by the labour