the Church 3. But how the telling of one Lay-chancellor or Civilian and hearing or not hearing him and being Excommunicate by him concerns this Law I know not no nor telling or not hearing one single person that judgeth alone over many hundred Churches at a distance and without their notice 4. This discipline is of great moment for the honour of Christ and his Church that it be not as impure as the Infidel world nor a Swine-fly instead of a Society of Saints And that it may be known that Christ came not as deceivers do to get himself a number of followers as bad as other men but to sanctifie a peculiar people to God zealous of good works and forsaking the world the flesh and the devil and to keep Christians from the snare and the shame of infectious and wicked Associates and to keep sin under open disgrace 5. Yet if Pastors neglect this holy discipline the sin is theirs It doth not necessitate the innocent to forsake the Church unless their Doctrine or Practice amount to a profest rejection of some essentials of Christianity or else they force men to sin or own their sin But they that can chuse better without more hurt than benefit should prefer it before undisciplined Chuches 18. Verily I say to you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven 18. I tell you that my Church on earth is the Seminary or Suburbs of my Church in heaven and those that you as my Ministers absolve according to my word they being not deceitful but true professors of faith and repentance they shall be absolved in heaven And those that you bind over as impenitent to my judgment being such indeed shall be condemned and shut out of heaven and I will own and confirm your judgment of men by the power I give you if you do it according to my word N. God giveth Pastors power to condemn and cast out none from heaven nor to save any but only such as condemn and cast out themselves or such as save themselves by faith more than the Church can do 19. Again I say to you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven 19. And I tell you that I may encourage you to concord that if two of you much more if all or many shall agree in your Prayers Discipline or Appeal to God he will accept your endeavours and they shall not be in vain but blessed 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them 20. For as I am with every single Christian so I will more eminently bless with the fruits of my presence the Assemblies of the faithful be they never so small N. It is in hatred to Christs presence and name that Satan persecuteth such meetings 21. Then came Peter and said to him Lord how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times 21. Peter said to him What if my brother do often sin to my injury or scandal and be often thus admonished how oft must I forgive him seven times seemes much 22. Jesus saith to him I say not to thee till seven times but till seventy times seven 22. It is not the number of times but his true repentance that is to be here regarded Note There are some sins that oft committing will prove that the Repentance is not true He that should daily or weekly beat you steal murther fornicate and as oft say I Repent is not to be believed but forfeiteth his credit But he that is but oft angry or defective in the degrees of sincere duty may be believed if he oft profess repentance 23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven like to a certain king which would take account of his servants 24. And when he had begun to reckon one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents 25. But forasmuch as he had not to pay his Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife and children and all that he had and payment to be made 23 c. And that you may know on what terms you must look for mercy and forgiveness your selves I will liken Gods government to a Kings that would call his servants to account and demand his due and make his Debtors know what he might expect of them in justice 26. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him saying Lord have patience with me and I will pay thee all 26. The servant unable to pay appealed from justice and begged mercy promising to pay when he should be able 27. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt 27. As he appealed to mercy he found mercy and his Lord forgave him and set him free 28. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him an hundred pence and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying Pay me that thou owest 29. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him saying Have patience with me and I will pay thee all 30. And he would not but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt 28 c. He that had received so much mercy used his fellow servant with unmerciful rigour exacting all his due 31. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done they were very sorry and came and told to their Lord all that was done 32. Then his Lord after he had called him said to him O thou wicked servant I forgave thee all that debt because thou desiredst me 33. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant even as I had pity on thee 31 c. I forgave thee a great debt and shouldest not thou forgive a little one If mercy was so necessary to thee why didst not thou shew mercy to thy fellow servant as I did to thee 34. And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay all that was due to him 35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses 34 35. Note Here it s doubted 1. How God â—s said to forgive unmerciful men 2. And to demand 〈…〉 which he had forgiven and to unpardon it again Answ God hath divers degrees of forgiveness 1. To give the world a pardon of all sin on condition of thankful acceptance is a great degree of forgiveness tho it be no actual discharge till accepted 2. To suspend the execution of punishment with such an offer and to give him time ease and mercy who deserved to be all that time in hell is a degree of actual forgiveness for to forgive the sin is to forgive the punishment and bad men
them to eat 34. Their Penny was Seven pence half penny Beza reckoneth the 200 pence to 35 pound Frank of Tours Note The Luxurious Bellys of this Land would have taken bread but for a dry Feast though they had the Fishes also 38. He saith to them How many loaves have ye go and see And when they knew they say Five and two fishes 39. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass 40. And they sate down in ranks by hundreds and by fifties 41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes he looked up to heaven and blessed and brake the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before them and the two fishes divided he among them all 42. And they did all eat and were filled 43. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments and of the fishes 44. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men 38. c. N. 1. This Miracle had Witnesses enough 2. Though God do not now feed his Servants by Miracle he doth perform his Promise and provide for them nevertheless and is no less to be trusted 3. Even Miraculous Food is to be Sanctified by Heavenly benediction 45. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida while he sent away the people 46. And when he had sent them away he departed into a mountain to pray 47. And when the even was come the ship was in the midst of the sea and he alone on the land 48. And he saw them toyling in rowing for the wind was contrary to them and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them walking upon the sea and would have passed by them 49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea they supposed it had been a spirit and cryed out 50. For they all saw him and were troubled and immediately he talked with them and said to them Be of good cheer it is I be not afraid 51. And he went up unto them into the ship and the wind ceased and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered 45. c. N. 1. If Christ must pray so much what need we 2. If Christ say it is I be not afraid it should quiet tumerous souls 3. Even the appearance of Christ himself in a strange way may amaze the faithful 52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves for their heart was hardened 52. Had they duely considered the miracle of feeding no further miracle would have seemed so strange to them N. They that have not hearts hardened as the wicked may be hardened as to some particular thing 53. And when they had passed over they came into the land of Genesareth and drew to the shore 54. And when they were come out of the ship straightway they knew him 55. And ran through the whole region round about and began to carry about in beds those that were sick where they heard he was 56. And whithersoever he entered into villages or cities or country they laid the sick in the street and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment and as many as touched him were made whole 53. N. O that we were as earnest followers of Christ for Salvation as they were for their Bodies And that we could as boldly believe and trust him for our soulâ— as common experience of success caused them to do for their health CHAP. VII 1. THen came together unto him the Pharisees and certain of the scribes who came from Jerusalem 2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled that is to say with unwashen hands they found fault 3. For the Pharisees and all the Jews except they wash their hands oft eat not holding the tradition of the elders 4. And when they come from the market except they wash they eat not many other things there be which they have received to hold as the washing of cups and pots and brazen vessels and tables If these hypocrites had not Ceremony and Tradition and Obedience to their Councils to make Religion of how could they quiet their Consciences in their wordly wicked lives And what pretence could they have had to persecute Christ and his Apostles had not disobedience to their masterships and councils and Traditions in Ceremony served their malignity for a pretense The Devil will be religious to destroy Religion 5. Then the Pharisees and â—cribes asked him Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders but eat bread with unwashed hands 5. Why observe you not the Cannons 6. He answered and said to them Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites as it is written This people honoureth me with their lips but their heart is far from me 7. How be it in vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the traditions of men 6. c. Well doth I say describe you Hypocrites This people c. give me an outside ceremonious Worship but their hearts are void of true holiness Religion and spiritual worship But all their Hypocrital worship of â—â—e is in vain while they make doctrines and Laws of Religion of the injunctions of men and the traditions or cannons of their Councils or elders 8. For â—aying aside the commandment of God ye hold the tradition of men as the washing of pots and cups and many other such things ye do 8. God commands one to preach and obey his word and to live in love and shew mercy c. These you lay aside and hinder the preaching of his word and persecute his Servants and then you are zealous for your ceremoniea N. It is not washing fâ—r cleanliness but for Ceremony that Christ speaketh against 9. And he said to them Full well ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own tradition 9. You think it very well done to set against Godliness and Gods own Laws or make nothing of them that you may keep your own presumptious Cannons or traditions N. By Full well is meant Full ill Christ sheweth us that all use of Ironies or derisions is not unlawful 10. For Moses said Honour thy father and thy mother and who so ourseth father or mother let him dye the death 10. Who so revileth 11. But ye say If a man shall say to his father or mother It is Corban that is to say a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me he shall be free 11. If he say it is devoted to God N. God accepteth not any thing vowed to him for worship which he before bound us by his command to employ any other way 12. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or mother 13. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition which ye have delivered and many such things ye do 13. N. They thought that their
had not come with sufficient evidence it had not been their sin not to believe me to be the Christ But now their unbelief and Persecution hath no pretence 23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also 23. The hatred that is against me is consequently against God my Father it being his Word Works and Witness which they reject 24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father 24. They had not been bound to believe me to be the Christ if I had not shewed Gods Attestation such works as no man else can do or if any one had done the like Note Yet it is a false inference of the Infidels that therefore none are bound to take him for the Christ where he never came and did such works For History may as infallibly transmit the notice of his Works as Sight and Hearing could receive them 25. But this cometh to pass that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law They hated me without a cause 25. But the Word written in Psal 3.19 which in a large sense is part of their Law is thus fulfilled 26. But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which procedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me 26. But when the Holy Ghost my Advocate and your Comforter is sent down upon you whom after my Resurrection I will send to you for his Eminent signal Gifts from the Father even that Holy Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall be my great Prevailing Witness both to you and by you to the World and shall cause belief 27. And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning 27. And you on whom this Spirit shall come down shall by his operation be made my effectual Witnesses of what I have said and done and suffered because you have been with me as Eye and Ear Witnesses from the beginning of my publick Ministration CHAP. XVI THese things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended 2. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service 1 2. I foretell you what you must expect that when it cometh you may not be scandalized and turned back They shall cast you out by Excommunication of their Sacred and Civil Assemblys as a reproach yea they that kill you shall do it as an acceptable offering or service to God Note How little do the Religious pretenses of Persecutors deserve regard 3. And these things wilâ— they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me 3. Did they know the Father and me they would do otherwise wilful Ignorance is the cause 4. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I told you of them And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you 4. Remember I foretold you all this which I said not from the beginning because I was with you to incourage you and your time of trial was not come and at first you could not so well bear it 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou 6. But because I have said these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart 5 6. But now I am going to him that sent me and though it be on your business and for your interest you ask me not whither and for what I go But sorrow oppresseth you to hear of my departure 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you 7. Believe it my departure is for your benefit For the Holy Ghost whom I will then send will be better to you than my bodily presence on Earth 8. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 9. Of sin because they believe not on me 10. Of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more 11. Of judgement because the prince of this world is judged 8 9 10 11. And it will be his work effectually to plead my cause And first to convince the World of their sin in accusing rejecting and murdering me in whom they should have believed which he will do by his Gifts Miracles and inward Operations And Secondly to convince them of the Truth and Righteousness of my Person and Doctrine and my Right to be the Head of the Church and the Righteousness of my Government of it Because I go into Heaven to take fuller Possession of my Plenipotency and Administration and by my Spirit in you and on the Hearers shall more effectually convince Men and gather my Church than I did while I was with you And Thirdly He shall convince them that God hath Exalted me to the Power of Conquering Satan and his Kingdom and punishing Rebellious Adversaries when they shall see that by my Spirit the Kingdom of Satan falleth and the Powers that served him are partly Converted and partly confounded and destroyed 12. I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now 12. I have many things more to make known to you which you are not yet prepared to receive 13. Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speake of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speake and he will shew you things to come 13. But when the Holy Spirit of Truth is come upon you he will make you capable and will guide you into all Truth which you must Preach and Record for the Propagating and ordering my Church Preaching to the Gentiles laying by the Mosaick Law c. For he shall speak but that which is of God and things to come and which you are not yet fit to receive 14. He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 14. It is this Extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost which shall be my great convincing Witness in the World that shall prove me to be the Saviour For it is from me that he is sent and my Word that he shall Teach you whether it be Remembring or Expounding what I have already spoken or Teaching you more by Inspiration What he saith and doth in and by you my chosen Apostles that I do by him and you 15. All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 15. I say he shall take of mine For the wisdom Grace and Gifts that come from the Father come from me that which
the work of Apostleship 19. And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth 19. For their sakes I become a Sacrifice offered to thee that they may by my Doctrine Example and Spirit be also totally devouâ—ed to serve thee 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word 20. But it is not for them only that I pray but for all that by their Ministry shall become true Christians 21. That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou has sent me 21. And the sum of my Prayer for them is that as I am so united to thee that what thou speakest I speak and what thou Lovest I Love and thy Works are my Works wrought by thee so they may be one in us and not in any uncapable Center of humane Invention and Usurpation and may all speak the same thing which they have heard from thee by me and may Love what we Love and do our work and not their own That by their concord in Faith Love and Practice the world may be won to Christianity and not scandalized by their Discord and Fractions or by forsaking the true Unity and combining for wordly Interest on worldly terms 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one 22. And as thou has glorified me in the World by the Power of working Miracles and gathering Sinners home to thee I have glorified them by giving them the same Power to work Miracles and to call and convert the World that they may be one Body of one Mind and do one work as I have done thy work alone 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me 23. That while I work in them by my Word and Spirit as thou workest in me they may be perfected into one concordant harmonious Body united in Faith and Love that this Lustre of their Excellency and Concord may convince the World that thou hast sent me to restore them that are so much restored and that thou lovest them as thy Redeemed Sanctified ones as thou lovest me their Redeemer 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world 24 Father as it was thy Covenant with me as my Reward for Redemption it is now my Will and Desire that all that thou givest me by Conversion as true Christians to be saved may be after death with me where I am that they may see the Glory which thou givest me the sight of which is part of their glorification For thou lovest me before the Foundation of the World and wilt communicate Glory to them by me 25. O righteous Father the world hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me 25. O Righteous Father that world of Men whom thou hast Created have not known thee but I that have known thee have declared thee to them and these my Disciples having known that thou hast sent me have believed my word concerning thee 26. And I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them 26. And I have by my Word and Works made thee and thy will known to them and will do so yet more that the Holy Spirit of Love with which thou hast filled me may be in them and by that Spirit I may be in them CHAP. XVIII VVHen Jesus had spoken these words he went forth with his deciples over brook Cedron where was a garden into the the which he entred and his Disciples 2. And Judas also which betrayed him knew the place for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples 1. This Sermon and Prayer being spoken after the Sacrament Jesus went to the Garden where he knew he should be apprehended Judas knew the place because Christ oft went thither c. 3. Judas then having received a band of men and officers from the cheif priests and Pharises cometh thither with lanterns and torchees and weapons 3. Note Judas was the Informer that led the Officers such as Constables and the Chief Priests and the Pharisees of their party were they that like Justices furnished them with Commissions and Armed men 4. Jesus therefore knowing all things that should come upon him went forth and said unto them Whom seek ye 5. They answered him Jesus of Nazareth Jesus saith unto them I am he And Judas also which betrayed him stood with them 5 6. Note Christ fled not when his hour was come 2. What a stony heart had Judas all this while 6. As soon then as he had said unto them I am he they went backward and fell to the ground 6. Some of them went backward and fell Note This stopt not them or their Companions 7. Then asked he them again whom seek ye And they said Jesus of Nazareth 8. Jesus answered I have told you that I am he If therefore ye seek me let these go their way 9. That the saying might be fulfilled which he spake Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none 7 8 9. Note Christ was careful for the Bodily safety of his Disciples till their hour came 2. His words of Loosing none are here Expounded as reaching to the body as well as to the Soul 10. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it and smote the high priests servant and cut off his right ear The servants name was Malchus 11. Then said Jesus unto Peter Put up thy sword unto the sheath the cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it 10 11. Note Peter that before trusted too much to his own constancy now trusteth too much to his Sword without Commission â— Christ would not be rescued from his undertaken sufferings by humane strength 12. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him 12. The Colonel with his Soldiers and the Officers bind Jesus as as a Malefactor being slavish Executioners 13. And led him away to Annas first for he was father in law to Caiaphas which was the high priest that same year 14. Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people 13. The Power was in Caiaphas but his Father in Law was made the way to him no doubt being a forward Actor 15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another Disciple That Disciple was known unto the high priest and went in with Jesus into the palace
2. Ministers that are to require Confession and Promises of obedience to Christ from offenders in order to their Restoration must lead the way in the same themselves if they scandalously sin 3. The great evidence of our Love to Christ must be in serving the Church and Souls 18. Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdest thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldest but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not 18 19. Thou wast at thy free dispose c. But here after others shall bind thee and carry thee to Prison against thy will and also unto death By these words he signified that he should be Martyred 19. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God And when he had spoken this he saith unto him Follow me 19. Follow me in labour and fufferings unto Glory 20. Then Peter turning about seeth the Disciple whom Jesus loved following which also leaned on his breast at supper and said Lord which is he that betrayeth thee 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man do 20. What shall become of John 22. Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me 22. What is that to thee how long he shall live if it were till my coming or if he live till he see my Catholik Church setled under my proper Government when the Jews Law and Policy are fully dissolved at the destruction of their Temple and Nation 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that Disciple should not die yet Jesus said not unto him He shall not die but If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee 23. Note A false Tradition may pass amongst Christs own Disciples by misunderstanding in some things 24. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his testimony is true 24. This is John the Disciple who was an Eye and Ear witness of all this and who wrote this History of Christ And whose testimony the Church doth justly receive as true Note Though some take these words to be the Bishops of Asia that published Johns Gospel at whose request they say he wrote it about thirty two years after Christs Resurrection yet it is no less probable that the words are his own and that we know signifieth only its well known to the Churches 25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Amen 25. Though this History be written to Record divers things which others have omitted yet altogether are far from containing all the Miracles that Christ did which were so many that should they all be written the many and great Volumns would as it were overload the World Note 1. That therefore it is not to be matter of offence if any one Evangelist pass by divers particulars 2. That though multitudes of Christs Words and Miracles may be unknown to us as much is Recorded as he would have taken as needful to the notice of the Church through all Generations And none of his Laws or Promises the objects of our Obedience and Faith are omitted yea all that is essential to Christianity is contained in Baptism or a very narrow room 3. It is in vain to pretend Oral Tradition for any needful thing omitted in the Scripture Records though the Essentials and greatest practical Matters of Religion are most certainly delivered us both ways even by the Scriptures and by the Universal publick practice of the Churches THE ACTS of the HOLY APOSTLES Note That this History written by Saint Luke is not to be supposed to contain all the Miracles Preaching and Success of all the Apostles but only the History of Peter and Paul and some few others their Companions and that but for a short space of time not mentioning what the other ten Apostles and their helpers did in other parts of the World nor what Peter and Paul did to the end of their lives supposed to be ten years after the ending of this History yea Peters History is here Recorded but for a far shorter time than Pauls with whom Luke Travelled And though this History of Luke have more infallibility than other History of Church affairs since written yet all other credible notice of matter of Fact and Church Practice from the beginning is of great use to us and not to be dispised CHAP. I. THE former treatise have I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach 2. Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen 1. I wrote the Gospel History as a Record of Christs Birth Miracles and Doctrinâ— reaching to the day of his Ascension after he had by breathing on his Disciples given them the Holy Ghost and their Comissions 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God 3. That their Faith should not waver but have full assurance he shewed himself to them by unquestionable manifestation at several times in the forty days space in which he abode on Earth before his Aseention Instructing them in the matters of his Kingdom 4. And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me 5. For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence 4 5. And when he was among them he bid them wait at Jerusalem for the great Gift of the Father even the Holy Ghost the Promise of which ye have heard of me which shall be your full solemn initiation into your Apostolical and Extraordinary Ministry and a few days hence you shall receive Note The Holy Ghost given by Christs breathing on them was not a meer Title Name or Relation buâ— yet it was not that full effusion which they were to have after his Ascension but a previous earnest of it to shew them from whom the fuller Communication was to come differing from this later as his own Resurrection Victory differed from his Ascension Majesty and Kingdom They were not to set upon the Publick Ministry without this necessary previous qualification nor should any now take up the ordinary Ministry without holy suitable qualifications by Christs Spirit 6. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom-to Israel 6. They were now in hope of Earthly Dominion and said wilt thou now deliver Israel from Captivity
God and Brother Sosthenes To the Church of God at Corinth being sanctified to God in Christ and so are called Saints with all such as faithfully call on the Name of Christ our common Lord. 3. Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 3. I wish the great Blessings of Grace and Peace inward and outward Welfare from God the Fountain of all Good and Jesus Christ the Mediator and Donor of all to us 4. I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ 5. That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge 6. Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you 7. So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 4 5 6 7. I am thankful for what you have received that you abound in the Gifts of Utterance and Knowledge as among you the Gospel of Christ was confirmed to you by the Miraculous Gifts of the Spirit which you saw and received so that you have attained to such an Eminency as fitteth you for the Perfection of all at the coming of Christ which you hope and wait for 8. Who shall also confirm you unto the end that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 8. Who will not deny you his Confirming Grace that you may be found holy and justifiable at that day 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. 9. For God is faithful who freely called you to the State of Communion with and in Christ when you were Aliens to it and therefore will not fail you when you are called and reconciled 10. Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgment 11. For it hath been declared unto me of you my brethren by them which are of the house of Cloe that there are contentions among you 10 11. But notwithstanding all your Gifts I find cause to beseech you even by the Authority and precious Name of Christ that you will take heed of Divisions Sidings and Contentions and be as one in Mind and Judgment For I have been credibly told of your Contentions c. Note 1. That Churches and Persons of eminent Gifts may be liable to sinful Divisions and Strife 2. That Unity and Concord must improve all our Gifts if we would have them profit our selves and others 3. Therefore it must be in the Necessary things that we must unite and be of the same Mind and Judgment and not in things Doubtful and Unnecessary else it would be as vain as to beseech them to be all Men of Learning or highest Understanding 12. Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollos and I of Cephas and I of Christ 12. I hear that you name your selves as the Followers or Party of this or that Man as if you set your Teachers and their Doctrine against one another and even Christ against his Ministers 13. Is Christ divided was Paul crucified for you or were ye baptized in the name of Paul 13. Will ye make Christ who is our common Head and Saviour to be the Head of a Faction Or will you set Paul against Christ As if Paul had been crucified for you or you baptised into his Name Know ye not that we have no Head of the Church but Christ 14. I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius 15. Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name 16. And I baptized also the houshold of Stephanus besides I know not whether I baptized any other 14 15 16. Though Baptizing be Christ's Ordinance I thank God that he so over-ruled my Actions that I baptised none of you but Crispus and Gaius and the Houshold of Stephanus but that it was done by others because thereby I have escaped this Scandal which might have done more harm than my Baptising would have done good Note That as Abraham and others were to bring all their Housholds with them into the Covenant who were their own and not free Servants so were those that had Housholds bound to bring all their own into Gods Covenant as far as they were able 17. For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect 17. For though Baptizing be within my Commission it was not that but Preaching the Gospel to convert Souls to Christ that I was most expresly and principally commissioned to And that not by such Humane Arts of Philosophy and Oratory as now pass for Wisdom lest these should carry the Praise from the Doctrine Cross and Miracles which Christ doth work by to convert the World Note how grosly they err that say That God converteth and giveth Grace by Sacraments only or rather than by Preaching 18. For the Preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the power of God 18. For to them that thus pass for Wise Men in the World but are unsaved and perish in their Wisdom it seemeth great Folly to trust in a Crucified Christ for Salvation and suffer for him But the Power and Wisdom of God are this way eminently manifested to us who have felt its saving Efficacy on our selves and shall be saved by it 19. For it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent 19. For God who is against the Pride of Man did prophesie That he would frustrate the Carnal Wisdom of ungodly Men saying I will destroy c. 20. Where is the wise where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world 20. Doth not the Gospel of a Crucified Christ now vanquish and shame the Learned Philosophy and Oratory Heathen and Jewish artificial Learning counted the chief Wisdom And doth it not silence and shame the wrangling Logicians and shew the Folly and utter Impotency and Vanity of their Learning 21. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 21. For when as the World by Gods wise Permission lived in such Ignorance that they had not the Practical Knowledge of the True God but disobeyed him and worshipped Idols it pleased God by that Preaching of Christ which they count Foolishness to convert and save Believers and do that which all their Learning could not do 22. The Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom 23. But we preach Christ
Fruit and as the House must be built up when the Foundation is laid so must you now be more and more rooted and built up and stablished in the same Faith which you were taught at first and must abound with joyful Thanks to God in the increased Knowledge Love and Practise of that in stead of hearkning to Novelties or Errours 8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosphy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ 8. The danger which I advise you to beware is lest any by pretending that the Heathen Philosophy is a higher sort of Wisdom and Learning more methodical accurate extensive than the Gospel of Christ should deceive you and draw you from the true Wisdom of Christianity or Hereticks draw you by Philosophical Pretences to their Heresies and they should set up the Tradition Books or Opinions of any Sect of Philosophers against the Heavenly Doctrine of Christ Note That as Moses's Law was very useful in subordination to the Covenant of Grace and to Christ but pernicious to them that set it in opposition to Christ or in separation from him so is true Philosophy which is the Knowledge of the knowable part of Gods Works useful in subordination to Christ But the Heathen Sect of Philosophers were the most dangerous Adversaries to Christianity by deriding its Simplicity and pretending to far greater Learning and despising Christians as ignorant and credulous and using against them their Logical Art and Sophistry and the Reputation of all their Sciences 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily 9. For as the Divine Nature it self hath united it self to and so dwelleth in his Humane Nature so in the Person Doctrine and Works of Christ Incarnate God hath treasured up and by that In-dwelling placed the fullest Manifestation of himself to Mankind that ever he will give them in this Life on Earth 10. And ye are compleat in him who is the head of all principality and power 10. You need not seek after Wisdom in the Oracles or Knowledge of Demons or Angels for in Christ you have compleat Wisdom if you truly receive him and learn of him who is not onely above all Philosophers and Rabbies but above the highest Angels or Celestial Powers and is the chief Revealer of God to Man 11. In whom also ye are circumcised by the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ 11. Nor need you go to Judaism for Circumcision For you have the true saving Circumcision in Christ even that of the Heart made without Plands by the Spirit of Christ cutting off and casting away the Body of Sin or Fleshly Lusts 12. Buried with him in baptism wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead 12. And it 's more than a Circumcision of your Lusts that you have in Christ they are dead and buried with him For so your Baptism signifieth in which you are put under the Water to signifie and profess that your Old Man or Fleshly Lust is dead and buried with him and you rise thence to signifie and profess that you risâ— to Newness of Life and Heavenly Hopes through the Belief of Gods Works that raised Christ from the dead 13. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickened together with him having forgiven you all trespasses 13. And you that were as dead in the Guilt and Power of your Sins your Hearts and Lusts as your Flesh being uncircumcised hath God made spiritually alive as Christ was quickned and raised and hath absolved you by pardon of all Sin from the Obligation to Everlasting Death which you had contracted 14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross 14. Cancelling the Legal Imposition of Mosaical Rites and Ceremonies even to us Jews which might have been produced against us Breakers of the Law to our condemnation and as it were nailed it to his Cross while by dying he disabled it So that you need not think that Judaizing is necessary to your Salvation 15. And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it 15. And when his Crucifiers triumphed over him on the Cross as if they had utterly overcome him it was but his Conquest and Spoils of all Principalities and Powers of Devils or Men that were Adversaries to his Grace and Kingdom and his open Ostentation of his Victory and Triumph over them in that his Crucifixion 16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new-moon or of the sabbath days 6. Seeing then that Christ hath abrogated the Mosaical Law none ought to censure you as Sinners for not keeping the Ceremonies of the Law about Meat or Drink or in the Point of Festivals called Holydays or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath-days 17. Which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ 17. For these were but Shadows of the things to come even Christ and Christianity which are the Substance shadowed Note That Sabbaths are abolished with the rest of Moses's Law As to the Lords-days consider these things distinctly 1. That all Moses's Law as such bound onely the Jews to whom it was promulgate and is now abolished even saith Paul that written in Stone 2. That all the Law of Christ in Nature and Revelation still bindeth us 3. That the Word Sabbath in Scripture properly signifieth a Day of Ceremonial Rest in which the Bodily Rest was a Duty directly in it self as Sacrificing and other Ceremonies were 4. That the Lords-day is never called a Sabbath in Scripture however some mistake a Text or two 5. That the Lords-day is separated by Divine Appointment to the holy Commemoration of Christs Resurrection and our Redemption especially in Sacred Assemblies for Church-worship 6. That it is of greater dignity than the Sabbaths were as being for more substantial spiritual excellent Work 7. That on it Rest is not a Ceremonial Due as it was on Sabbaths for it self but onely a subordinate Duty that Soul and Body even of Servants may be vacant and free for Spiritual Worship and no Breach of Rest is now a Sin but 1. That which hindreth this Spiritual Work 2. Or is scandalous encouraging others to Sin 8. That therefore the Seventh-day Sabbath is abolished 1. Because Moses's Law is abolished 2. And all proper Sabbaths are abolished 9. That yet with the ancient Churches we may well call the Lords day the Sâ—bbath when it tendeth not to Errour But onely by allusion or metaphorically as they then called the Table an Altar the Minsters Priests and the Sacrament and Alms and Thankâ—giving Sacrifices This
prayers night and day 5. By a Widdow indeed I mean one that is desolate having neither Maintenance nor Ability to get it nor Kindred to relieve her but liveth Faith and truth in God who as she is to live upon the Church so she is bound to serve the Church by constant Prayers both alone and with these Women whom she visiteth and instructeth 6. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 6. But she that liveth delicately and sportingly and wantonly with gaudy Ornaments is a living Carkass 7. And these things give in charge that they may be blameless 7. Acquaint them with these Canons that the Church and they may be kept from misdoing 8. But if any provide not for his own and specally those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidel 8. But if any of the Church that is able maintain not his own neer Kindred especially those that have right to be kept in his own Family as Parents have he liveth so contrary to the Christian Faith that he forfeits the Reputation of True Christians and doth that which the Infidels themselves will condemn and in that is worse than they 9. Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old having been the wife of one man 9. Because such Widows 1. Must be maintaned as those that cannot labour 2. And do resove against Marrying again being past the need of it 3. And must be stay'd Monitors to the Younger Women therefore take in none into the Churches charge that is under threescore years old and none that hath separated from her Husband and Married another 10. Well reported of for good works if she have brought up children if she have lodged strangers if she have washed the Saints feet if she have relieved the afflicted if she have diligently followed every good work 10. It is her Christian Behaviour before her Poverty that must be rewarded with the Churches Maintenance Therefore she must be one 1. That is known to have done good to others while she was able 2. Who hath piously educated her own Children 3. Lodged Strangers c Note That in that hot and poor Countrey those here called Saints usually travailed on Foot and were Bare leg'd wearing only Sandals or Shoes and had not-Inns for Entertainment with that convenience as we have here nor Money for such charges therefore it was one of the great works of Godly Charity for Christians to take Travellers and Strangers into their Houses and Wash their Feet from the Dust contracted daily in their Travail And to relieve all in want and affliction to their Power 11. But the younger widdows resuse for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ they will marry 12. Having damnation because they have cast off their first faith 11 12. But receive not a Young Widow into the number of those that serve the Church and are maintained by it For as they are not by Age past labouring for themselves or fit to resolve on a single life for the Churches Service so when they grow Lustful and Wanton and weary of the Yoak of Chastity and Church Service they will Marry And so prove Criminal Sinners against Christ by violating that sort of Devotedness to his Service 13. And withal they learn to be idle wandring about from house to house and not onely idle but tatlers also and busie-bodies speaking things which they ought not 13. And being idle they learn to go about to Houses and there not onely idly pass their time but to spend it in tatling or in idle and unfit Chat aad busying themselves with other Mens Matters and talking of that which they ought not to talk of Note Qu. But are not Women prone to this tho they be not Devoted to Chastity and Church-Service Ans Yes 1. And therefore Paul speaketh this as the Vice that most Women are strongly by nature addicted to And that all may see the danger of it and fear it And indeed how rare are those Women even that profess to be most Religious that use not to venture on this Chat and Backbiting and Busie judging those that are absent and meddling with things which they should not meddle with 2. But yet those that are taken up with Family Business of their own are not so vacant and liable to these Crimes as the idle are And therefore what Paul saith of these Young Church-Widows all Rich Women should read with Application For Riches tempt them to be idle and idleness tempts them to the same sins to spend their time in going from House to House on pretense of Civil Visits and there to talk venterousâ—y without a call of all things and Persons that come into their Minds 14. I will therefore that the younger women marry bear children guide the house give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully 15. For some are already turned aside after Satan 14 15. My Advise therefore is That Young Women marry that have not some special reason against it and by bearing Children and educating them Religiously and guiding their Houses piously and diligently they may so do the Church the greatest service and give no occasion to malicious Adversaries to speak evil of the Church as if it were a Society of idle twatlerâ— and lustful wantons For some have already forsaken Christianity its like tempted partly by some such Scandals or at least are ready to believe and report them 16. If any man or woman that believeth have widdows let them relieve them and let not the church be charged that it may relieve them that are widdows indeed 16. Let all Christians keep the Widdows that Nature bindeth them to keep if able and not cast them on the Church and rob Widdows indeed by disabling the Church to maintain them 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine 17. It being the Office of Church-elders to be the Churches Guides or Rulers by the Canon of Gods Laws Let those that do this well be counted worthy of double honour above the common rank of the Faithful and to be accordingly maintained and obeyed but especially those of them who are Laborious Preachers Expounding and applying the Word and Doctrine of Christ Note 1. That Elders or Bishops were the fixed Guides of single Churches no bigger than our Parishes for number of Souls 2. That they had very much work to do besides Publick Preaching As to judge who was to be taken in by Baptism or to be openly rebuked or cast out or reconciled to teach from House to House on just occasion to visit the Sick take care of the Poor resolve Doubts oversee Manners c. 3. That usually one Church had many of these and all found work enough some maintained themselves and some the Church Offerings maintained 4. As all these could not publickly Preach at once so all were not fitted for
be trusted with the Ministry but Men Faithful and able to teach others 3. It is the same Doctrine which was delivered by the Apostles which must be committed to Ministers to teach the People 4. While the Scriptures were yet unwritten or unfinished the words which Men heard from the Apostles were to be their Rule of Doctrine 3. Thou therefore endure hardness as a good souldier of Jesus Christ 3. Note The Life of a Minister or Bishop is not a Life of Ease and Idleness and Safeness and Dominion and fulness but like a Souldiers a Life of Hardship hard Labour hard usage by the World Hard Sufferings requiring Resolution Fortitude and Patience 4. No man that warreth intangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier 4. A Bishop or Minister must be like a Souldier who maketh it his whole Business and doth not joyn any other Trade of Life that would take up any of his time 5. And if a man also strive for masteries yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully 5. And in the Games in which Men strive for Masteries for a Prize as Running Wrestling Fencing Fighting it is not every one that striveth that hath the Crown or Prize but onely he that winneth it by getting the better And so must a Minister of Christ strive for the Crown of Life by putting forth all his care and strength 6. The husbandmen that laboureth must be first partaker of his fruits 6. The Husbandman must labour Plow Sow c. before he reap and gather the Fruit. Note God will reward no Pastors but the Laborours tho' Men may advance the Proud and Idle 7. Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things 7. Note They that will have Gods Word and good Council blest by God to their Understanding must consider of it even of its meaning truth and use 8. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead 8. If thou deeply consider and remember that Christ was raised from the Dead as it will infer the truth of all the rest of the Gospel to thee so it will be to thee a powerful example of Patience and Hope in all thy Sufferings for Christ 8 9. According to my Gospel Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer even unto bonds but the word of God is not bound 8 9. This Resurrection of Christ is it which I Preach for which I suffer as reputed a Malefactor and that even to Imprisonment and Bonds but Godâ— Word still prospereth and is not bound Note So blind and Devilish is Malignant Enmity to Truth and Godliness that Christs best Servants are reputed and used as Malefactors and Rogues even for the best of their Duty to God and that which is most profitable to the World 10. Therefore I endure all things for the elects sakes that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 10. And I think not any Suffering too dear for the sake of Gods Elect though the rest of the World reject the Gospel that it may but further the Salvation of them by the Grace of Christ to bring them to Eternal Glory 11. It is a faithful saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him 12. If we suffer we shall also reign with him 11 12. Believe this as a Gospel Maxim if we be dead to the World for him as he died for us we shall live in glory with him And it we suffer for and with him we shall follow him also in Exaltation unto Glory 12 13. If we deny him he also wil deny us If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 12 13. If for fear of suffering we deny him he will disown us and deny us his Salvation And if we be unfaithful and forsake him and our own Salvation yet he will be true of his Word and will not deny and forsake his own Cause but make good his threatnings against them that forsake his Mercies 14. Of these things put them in remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers 14. Note Bishops and Ministers have great need to call Men to the serious study of fundamental practical truths from vain diverting kinds of study 2. Such are the Disputes and Contentions about Words or Grammatical Criticisms and Barren Speculations in Arts and Sciences which profit not by their due subserviency to Saving Truths but subvert Men by diverting their Thoughts Love and Labour 15. Study to shew thy self approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 15. Study not for applause and to humour sick-brains but to please God and do all as approved to him with such skill and care and diligence as beseemeth a good Workman that need not be ashamed of his Work and disgrace not the Work by an ignorant bungling confused handling but take great care rightly to order methodize and distribute the word of Truth Note That tho curious unprofitable trifling with Words be sinful yet the more accurate ordering methodizing or distributing Truth setting each in its proper place and giving every hearer his due part is the part of a skilful Teacher 16. But shun profane and vain bablings for they will increase unto more ungodliness 17. And their word will eat as doth a canker 16. But avoid profane and vain Clamors and Bablings of Heathen Philosophers or Hereticks who set up a course of Ostentation of their Wit by unprofitable Disputes for the Fruit will be but the Increase of ungodliness And Vain Proud Wits are so liable to the Infection that their words will eat like a Gangren 17 18. Of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying That the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 17 18. Note It is not certain on what account they said the Resurrectâ—on was past 1. Whether as the Familists and Quakers by pretending that it is but an inward Resurrection from sin that is meant Or 2. As Pythagoreans saying That it 's but the Transition of Souls into other Bodies which is done here and no more to be expected I incline most to this last It is that which Paul Disputeth against 1 Cor. 15. that is here meant And the Doctrine of Transmigration was then so common and the Hereticks had so much from the Pythagorean Philosophers that it 's most likely to be this 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his And Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 19. But whoever falls away God's Foundation on which we build our Hope is sure and hath a Seal as it were with this double Inscription on one side The Lord knoweth them that are his for he
cannons could loose men from Gods commands As if a cannon should forbid men to give to the poor or to preach the Gospel or worship God who is bound to it by Gods Law 14. And when he had called all the people unto him He said to them Hearken to me every one of you and understand 15. There is nothing from without a man that entring into him can defile him but things which come out of him those are they which defile a man 16. If any man hath ears to hear let him hear 14 c. N. He speaketh of defiling by Guilt 17. And when he was entred into the house from the people his disciples asked him concerning the parable 18. And he saith to them Are ye so without understanding also do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man it cannot defile him 19. Because it entereth not into his heart but into the belly and goeth out into the draught purging all meats 17. c. Meat maketh not a sinful heart or will as such 20. And he said That which cometh out of the man that defileth a man 21. For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts adulteries fornications murders 22. Thefts covetousness wickedness deceit lasciviousness an evil eye blasphemy pride foolishness 23. All these evil things come from within and defile the man 23. These make him a sinner and guilty And so do gluttony and drunkenness but not as Meat and Drink but as sinful excess 24. And from thence he arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon and entred into a house and would have no man know it but could not be hid 25. For a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean Spirit heard of him and came and fell at his feet 26. The woman was a Greek a Syrophenician by nation and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter 27. But Jesus said to her Let the children first be filled for it is not meet to take the childrens bread and to cast it unto the dogs 26. N. Phaenice and Canaan were one place 27. I am sent first to the Israelites Gods peculiar people to whom you Canaanitos go for dogs and must not have their part 28. And she answered and said to him Yes Lord yet the dogs under the table eat of the childrens crumbs 29. And he said to her For this saying go thy way the devil is gone out of thy daughter 30. And when she was come to her house she found the devil gone out and her daughter laid upon the bed 28. c. N. Not for the wittiness of her saying but for the Faith and Importunity They that will take no denyal of Christ shall have no denyal 31. And again departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon he came unto the sea of Galilee through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis 32. And they bring unto him one that Was deaf and had an impediment in his speech and they beseech him to put his hand upon him 33. And he took him aside from the multitude and put his fingers into his ears and he spit and touched his tongue 34. And looking up to heaven he sighed and saith to him Ephphata that is Be opened 35. And straightway his ears were opened and the string of his tongue loosed and he spake plain 36. And he charged them that they should tell no man but the more he charged them so much the more a great deal they published iâ— 37. And were beyond measure astonished saying He hath done all things well he maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak 33. Christs looking up to heaven and sighing implyeth some more than ordinary difficulty in the cure Bodily mercies are magnified by all CHAP. VIII 1. IN those days the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat Jesus called his disciples to him and saith to them 2. I have compassion on the multitude because they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat 3. And if I send them away fasting to their own houses they will faint by the way for divers of them came from far 2. Christs compassion is our great consolation and ground of trust 4. And his disciples answered him From whence can a man satisfie these men with bread herein the wilderness 5. And he asked them How many loaves have ye and they said seven 6. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground and he took the seven loaves and gave thanks and brake and gave to his disciples to set before them and they did set them before the people 7. And they had a few small fishes and he blessed and commanded to set them also before them 8. So they did eat and were filled and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets 9. And they that had eaten were about four thousand and he sent them away N. It s like their loaves then were but like our cakes by the custom of breaking them 10. And straightway he entred into a ship with his disciples and came into the parts of Dalmanutha 11. And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him seeking of him a sign from heaven tempting him 10 11. They would trie whether he were the Son of God by a sign from heaven of their own choosing 12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and saith Why doth this generation seek after a sign verily I say to you there shall no sign be given this generation 12. He deeply groaned in grief for their obdurateness and said Have not this kind of men had signs enough to convince them Must they further chuse what Miracles they shall have Verily no such desire of these perverse men shall be satisfied the miracle of my resurrection they shall have 13. And he left them and entring into the ship again departed unto the other side 14. Now the Disciples had forgotten to take bread neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf 15. And he charged them saying Take heed beware of the leven of the Pharisees and of the leven of Herod 15. The dangerous enemies of the Gospel are the Ceremonious Pharisees and the King Herod a jealous Roman Governour Take special heed that the Pharisees seduce you not by their deceits nor the King and his Officers affright you not from the Faith by his cruelty 16. And they reasoned among themselves saying It is because we have no bread 17. And when Jesus knew it he saith to them Why reason ye because ye have no bread perceive ye not yet neither understand have ye your heart yet hardened 18. Having eyes see ye not and having ears hear ye not and do ye not remember 19. When I brake the five loaves among five thousand how many baskets full of fragments took ye up and they said Twelve 20. And when the seven among four thousand how many