by Christ to his Church he being constituted by God the Father to be the great Prophet and Instructer of it All things that I have heard of the Father I have made known unto you 16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name he may give it you Here our Saviour gives another Instance and Evidence of his Love to his Disciples He tells them that his mercy and free goodness had prevented them in their election to Eternal Salvation and in their vocation unto the Office of Apostleship Ye have not chosen me to be your Master and Lord but I have chosen you to be my Disciples Friends and Servants 2. He acquaints them with the end design and intention of his in chusing of them Namely That they bring forth fruit and persevere therein even in all the Fruits of Holiness and Obedience which are to the Praise and Glory of God by Jesus Christ I have ordained you that you should bring forth fruit and that your fruit should Remain 3. He directs them that in order to their being fruitful they should have access to the Father through him for whatever they wanted and stood in need of Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Learn hence That all those whom God hath chosen and called to the knowledge and Service of Jesus Christ do and will make it their chief care and endeavours to bring forth Fruit and to persevere therein to their Lives end I have chosen you that you should bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain 17 These things I command you that ye love one another 18 If the world hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you 19 If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 20 Remember the word that I said unto you The servant is not greater then the lord If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you if they have kept my saying they will keep yours also 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my names sake because they know not him that sent me Observe here 1. With what frequency and importunity our Lord inculcates and presses the Duty of mutual Love upon his Disciples I command you to love one another It denotes the great importance of the Duty and the great aversness and backwardness of our Hearts to the performance of it And if we consider the Disciples as Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel it intimates to us the necessity of mutual Love amongst the dispensers of the Gospel as conducing exceedingly to the welfare and benefit of the Church of God over which he hath set them Observe 2. The Argument which our Saviour makes use of to press his Disciples in general and his Ministers and Ambassadours in particular to love each other and that is because the World would certainly hate them Learn hence That the World's hatred of the Members and Ministers of Christ is and ought to be esteemed by them a strong Argument to excite and persuade them to Love one another for this is subjoined as an Argument to press mutual Love that we are sure to meet with the World's hatred Observe 3. The several Arguments by way of encouragement which Christ propounds to Comfort his Members and Ministers against the World's hatred 1. Argument is taken from his own Lot and usage when here in the World he met with the very same before them The World hated me before it hated you Learn hence That Hatred and Persecution from the World need not seem hard to the Saints if they consider what a shock Christ before them had upon him he is the prime Object of the World's Hatred and they who hate his Members much do hate him more because of their likeness to him and resemblance of him A second Argument of Comfort under the World's Hatred is this That it will evidence they are not of the World but chosen out of the World v. 19. Because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hates you Hence learn 1. That the Children of God though in the World yet they are not of the World they have not the Spirit of the World in them nor is the Conversation of the World led by them 2. That the difference betwixt them that are of the World and those that are chosen out of the World is of God's making I have chosen you out of the World 3. That such Christians as are separated from the World in Judgment Affection and Practice must for that reason expect to be Hated and Persecuted by the World Because ye are not of the World therefore the World hates you The Third Argument for Consolation and Support under the World's hatred is taken from our Relation to Christ as Servants to a Master v. 20. Remember the Servant is not greater than his Lord. As if Christ had said is it equal That you should expect better Treatment than my self either as to your Persons or Ministry or that you should expect that the World should better Receive your Doctrine than it did mine before you Learn hence That neither the Members nor Ministers of Christ can nor ought to expect better Entertainment in and from the World than he their Master found before them The Servant is not above his Master nor greater than his Lord. A Fourth Argument to support them under the Burthen of the World's Hatred is taken from the goodness of the Cause for which they were to Suffer Namely For Christ's Name sake v. 21. All these things will they do unto you for my name sake Hence learn 1. That it is the Duty of all but especially the Ministers of Christ to own the Name of Christ to stand up in defence of his Name and Truth his Glory and Honour what opposition soever they meet with for the same Learn 2. That the great quarrel of the World against the Disciples of Christ is for the Name of Christ whatever may be pretended this is the ground of the quarrel 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloke for their sin These Words are not to be understood Absolutely but Comparatively as if Christ had said had not I come amongst them in my Incarnation and Preached personally to them the Doctrine of Salvation and confirmed that Doctrine by miraculous operations they might have pleaded Ignorance in some measure and they had not had sin that is they had not had the Sin of Unbelief and Gospel-Contempt to Answer for or had not had so great a measure of any kind of Sin to Answer for as now
Ministers of God You shall be hated and killed The next Sign is the Apostacy of Professors upon the Account of those Persecutions Then shall many be offended Shall betray one another and hate one another Learn hence That Times of Persecution for Christianity are constantly Times of Apostacy from the Christian Profession 2. That Apostates are usually the bitterest Persecutors Omnis Apostata est osor sui ordinis They shall betray one another and hate one another A third Sign is the abounding of false Teachers Many false Prophets shall arise and shall deceive many Where Note That the fair Pretences and subtil Practices of Heretical Teachers have drawn off many from the Truth whom open Persecution could not drive from it A fourth Sign is the Decay and Abatement of Zeal for God and Love one to another The Love of many shall wax cold That is both towards God and towards Man When Iniquity abounds Trouble waxes hot and when Trouble waxes hot false Love waxes cold and true Love waxes colder than it was before The cold Blasts of Persecution blow up the Love of a few but blow out the Love of many more These are the Signs laid down by our Saviour foretelling the Destruction of Jerusalem and forasmuch as Jerusalem's Destruction was not only a Forerunner but a Figure of Christ's coming to Judgment these are also the Signs foretelling the Approach of that dreadful Day Verse 13. He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved Our Saviour closes his Discourse with an Exhortation to Constancy and Perseverance Teaching us That there is no such way to overcome Temptation and Persecution as by keeping our Integrity and persevering in our Fidelity to Christ 2. That Constancy and Perseverance in our Integrity and Fidelity towards Christ is sometimes attended with Temporal Salvation and Deliverance in this Life but shall certainly be rewarded with Eternal Salvation in the next He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come Here our Blessed Saviour comforts his Disciples with a threefold Consideration 1. That his Gospel how hated and persecuted soever should be plainly and persuasively preached This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached Therefore called the Gospel of the Kingdom because it discovers the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven Observe 2. The Extent of the Gospel's Publication it shall be preached unto all Nations that is to the Gentile World not only amongst the Jews but amongst the chief and principal Nations of the Gentiles also Observe 3. The Design and End of the Gospel's Publication and that is for a Witness or Testimony namely for a Witness of God's Mercy and Grace offered to Sinners and of their Obstinacy who reject it Learn thence That the preaching of the Gospel where-ever it comes proves a Testimony to them to whom it comes To the Humble and Teachable it is a Testimony for to the Scorners and Despisers it is a Testimony against or in the Words of the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 To some it is the Savour of Death unto Death to others the Savour of Life unto Life 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place whoso readeth let him understand The Sense is when ye shall see the Armies of the Romans who are an Abomination to you and an Occasion of great Desolation where they go when you shall see that abominable desolating Army begirting the Holy City of Jerusalem then call to mind the Prophecy of Daniel which primarily belonged to Antiochus but secondarily to Titus and shall now be fully compleated For the Siege shall not be raised till both City and Temple be razed to the Ground Learn thence That God has Instruments ready at his Call to lay waste the strongest Cities and to ruin the most flourishing Kingdoms which do oppose the Tenders of his Grace and can make those whom Men most abhor to be the Occasions of their Destruction 16 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains 17 Let him which is on the house-top not come down to take any thing out of his house 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his cloaths The meaning is As soon as you shall see the Roman Army appear before the City of Jerusalem let every one that values his own Safety fly as far and as fast as he can even as Lot fled out of Sodom and let such as fly be glad if by flight they can save their Lives tho' they lose their Goods their Cloaths and all things beside From hence Learn 1. That when Almighty God is pouring forth his Fury upon a sinful People it is lawful yea a necessary Duty by flight to endeavour the hiding and sheltring of themselves from the approaching Calamity and Desolation When ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed with Armies then flee to the Mountains 2. That in the Case of flight before a bloody Enemy and Army if we lose all that we have and our Lives be given us for a Prey we fare well and the Lord deals very mercifully with us 19 And wo unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter neither on the sabbath day Here our Saviour declares the doleful Distress of those that could not flee from the Siege of Jerusalem as Women big with Child and such as give Suck who by that Means are like to lose their Lives And he farther adds that it would encrease the Calamity if their Flight should happen to be in the Winter when none can fly either fast or far or if they should be forced to flee on the Sabbath-Day when the Jews scrupled travelling farther than a Sabbath-Day's Journey which was about Two Miles From hence Learn That it is a great Addition to the Trouble and Disquiet of a good Man's Spirit when the Day of his Spiritual Rest is interrupted and instead of enjoying Communion with God in his House he is driven from House and Home and flies before the Face of an enraged Enemy Pray ye says our Saviour that your Flight be not on the Sabbath-Day That being a Day of Holy Rest 21 For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time no nor ever shall be 22 And except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved but for the elects sake those days shall be shortened The doleful Miseries and dreadful Calamities which were coming upon the Jews in general and upon Jerusalem in particular are here foretold by our Saviour partly from the Roman Army without and partly from the Seditions and Factions of the Zealots within who committed such Outrages and Slaughters that there were no less than an Hundred Thousand
to God without which it is in vain to expect forgiveness from God Forgive and ye shall be forgiven 38 Give and it shall be given unto you good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosome for with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again I think there is not any one Text of Scripture that declares the Bounty of God more fully in Rewarding Acts of Charity and Mercy then this before us Oh how liberal a Pay-master is God How sure and bountiful are the returns he makes to us for the relief given to him in his Members he promises us here 1. not bare measure but good measure 2. pressed down shaken together and running over nothing adds more to the Measure then the shaking of the Bushel the crowding and pressing of the Corn and heaping till the measure runneth over now a measure will run over as long as you will pour Learn hence That Charities done in Faith in Obedience to God and with an eye to the Glory of God will produce a certain and plentiful Increase Liberality is the way to Riches Giving is the best and surest way of Thriving a little Charity from us if we have but a little is look'd upon by God as a great deal But it is the greatest imprudence as well as impiety to do but a little when we have ability to do much for he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully good measure pressed down and running over 39 And he spake a parable unto them can the blind lead the blind shall they not both fall into the Ditch Our Saviour doubtless apply'd these words to the Scribes and Pharisees the Jewish Leaders their Doctors and Teachers who being ignorant of the spiritual sense of the Law Interpreting it only to the restraining of the outward Man they were very unfit to instruct and lead others for where one blind man leads another both are in danger of the Ditch that is to run into Ruine and Destruction Learn 1. That ignorant erroneous or unfaithful Ministers are the greatest plague and soarest punishment that can befal a people 2. That Christ having fore-warned us of such Guides to follow them will be an inexcusable sin and folly and never free us from the danger of Destruction but rather be an aggravation of our Condemnation If the blind follow the blind both will inevitably yet inexcusably fall into the Ditch 40 The Disciple is not above his Master but every one that is perfect shall be as his master The Application of these words no doubt our Saviour intended to his own Disciples partly to comfort them under Sufferings and partly to encourage them to Obedience Did they suffer hard things from an unkind World the remembrance of what their Master suffered before them may support them did they meet with hard and difficult Duties such as loving Enemies doing good to them that hate and persecute them Their Lord's Example may encourage and instruct them who loved them when they were Enemies who prayed for his Murtherers and offered up his Blood to God on the behalf of them that shed it Learn hence That the Perfection of a Christian in this World consisteth in his imitation of Christ Jesus in being as our Master in coming as near to his Example as it is possible for persons cloathed with Flesh and Blood to arrive at Every one that is perfect must be as his master 41 And why beholdest thou the mote which is in thy Brothers eye but perceivest not the Beam which is in thine own eye 42 Either how canst thou say to thy Brother Brother let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye when thou thy self beholdest not the Beam that is in thine own eye Thou hypocrite cast out first the Beam out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy Brothers eye By the Mote in our Brother's eye is meant some small and little sins discerned or some sin suspected By the Beam in our own Eye some greater sin undiscerned Now says our Saviour there is no greater sign of Hypocrisy then to be curious in spying out the smaller faults of others and at the same time indulge greater in our selves Learn hence That there is no such way to teach us Charity in judging of Others as to exercise severity in judging of our selves 2. That those who desire others should look upon their failings with a Compassionate Eye must not look upon the Failings of others with a censorious Eye for with what measure we meet it shall be measured to us again 43 For a good Tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit neither doth a corrupt Tree bring forth good fruit 44 For every Tree is known by his own Fruit for of thorns men do not gather Figs nor of a Bramble-bush do they gather Grapes 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Our Saviour here and elsewhere frequently compares Persons to Trees the Heart of Man is as the Root the Actions as the Fruit as the root is the principle from which the Fruit springs so the heart of man is the Principle from which all humane Actions flow an holy Heart will be accompanied with an Holy Life where there is a vital principle of Grace within there will be the actings of Grace without a good Conscience will be accompanied with a good Conversation Observe farther a double Treasure discovered in the heart of Man 1. an Evil Treasure of sin and corruption from whence flow evil Things but why should sin be called a Treasure not for the preciousness of it but for the abundance of it a little doth not make a Treasure and also for the continuance of it for tho' sin be perpetually over-flowing in the Life yet doth the Heart continue full The Treasure of Original Corruption in man's Heart and Nature tho' by sanctifying Grace it be drawn low yet it is never in this Life drawn dry 2. Here is a good Treasure of Grace discovered in a sanctified and renewed Man which is the source and spring from whence all gracious Actions do proceed and flow namely a sanctified and renewed Heart and Nature When once the Will of Man is made conformable to the Will of God it doth will and desire choose and embrace take pleasure and delight in what God approves commands and Loves and it will lay an injunction upon all the Members of the Body to act Conformably thereunto 46 And why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say 47 Whosoever cometh to me and heareth my sayings and doth them I will shew you to whom he is like 48 He is like a man which built an house and digged deep and
wrought a good Work upon me And Lastly He gives the Reason of her Action she did it for my Burial As Kings and great Persons were wont in those Eastern Countries at their Funerals to be embalm'd with Odours and sweet Perfumes So says our Saviour this Woman to declare her Faith in me as her King and Lord doth with this Box of Ointment as it were beforehand embalm my Body for its Burial True Faith puts Honour upon a crucified as well as a glorified Saviour This holy Woman accounts Christ worthy of all honour in his Death believing it would be a sweet smelling Sacrifice unto God and the savour of Life unto his People 13 Verily I say unto you Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world there shall also this that this woman hath done be told for a memorial of her Our Saviour having defended this holy Woman from the Calumny of Judas in the foregoing Verses in this he declares that she should be rewarded with an honourable Memorial in all Ages of the Church Where ever the Gospel is preached this shall be spoken of her Oh what Care doth Christ take to have the good Deeds of his Children not buried in the Dust with them but be had in everlasting Remembrance Tho' Sin causes Men to rot above Ground to stink alive and when they are dead leaves an inglorious Memory upon their Graves yet will the Actions of the Just smell sweet and blossom in the Dust 14 Then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot went unto the chief priests 15 And said unto them What will ye give me and I will deliver him unto you and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him Observe here 1. The Person betraying our Blessed Redeemer Judas Judas a Professor Judas a Preacher Judas an Apostle and one of the Twelve whom Christ had chosen out of all the World to be his dearest Friends and his own Family and Houshold Shall we wonder to find Friends unfriendly or unfaithful towards us when our Saviour had a Traitor in his own House Obs 2. The Heinousness of his Sin in betraying Christ He betrayed Christ Jesus a Man Christ Jesus his Master Christ Jesus his Maker the first was Murther the second Treason Learn thence That it is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of Sins and most horrid Impieties to be acted by such Persons as make the most eminent Proâ—ession of Holiness and Religion Obs 3. What was the Sin occasioning and leading Judas to the committing of this horrid Sin It was Covetousness I do not find that Judas had any particular Malice against Christ's Person but a base and unworthy Spirit of Covetousness possess'd him this made him sell his Master Covetousness is the Root-Sin an inordinate Desire and Love of Riches an eager and unsatiable Thirst after the World is the Parent of the most monstrous and unnatural Sins Therefore remember we our Saviour's Caution Luke 12.15 Take heed and beware of Covetousness he doubles the Caution to shew us both the great Danger of the Sin and the great Care we ought to take to preserve our selves from it Obs 4. How small a Sum tempted the covetous Mind of Judas to betray his Master Thirty Pieces of Silver which amounted but to Three Pounds and Fifteen Shillings of our Money This was the Price of a Slave or common Servant Exod. 21. as Christ took upon him the Form of a Servant so his Life was valued at the rate of an ordinary Servant's Life It may seem a wonder that the High Priests should offer no more for the Life of our Saviour and that Judas should accept so little But the Wisdom of God over-ruled this Matter for fulfilling that Prophecy Zach. 11.12 They weighed for my Price Thirty Pieces of Silver Let not any Christian be concerned that he is despised and undervalued he can never meet with so great a Reproach so low an Abasement for Christ as Christ underwent for him Observe Lastly Judas his Folly as well as his Treachery he that might have demanded what he pleased for this Purchase he says unto the chief Priests What will ye give me As if he had said I am resolved to sell him at any rate give me what you will for him Nay farther Judas covenanted and they promised but whether it was now paid appeareth not Learn That such a Person as has a vile and base Esteem of Jesus Christ will part with him upon any Terms The bare Expectation of a few Sheckles of Silver will make such a one willing to part with the Pearl of great Price 17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus saying unto him Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover 18 And he said Go into the city to such a man and say unto him The master saith My time is at hand I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them and they made ready the passover The Time for the Celebration of the Passover being now at Hand Christ sends Two of his Disciples to Jerusalem to prepare things necessary in order thereunto Accordingly they enter the City and find the Master of an House whose Heart Christ by his Divine Power had so inclined that he willingly accommodated them upon this Occasion Our Blessed Saviour had not a Lamb of his own and possibly no Money in his Purse to buy one but he finds as excellent Accommodations in this poor Man's House as if he had dwelt in Ahab's Ivory Palace and had had the Provisions of Solomon's Table Learn hence That Christ has such an Influence upon and Command over the Spirits of Men that he can incline them to do what Service soever he pleaseth for him When Christ has a Passover to celebrate he will prepare an House and dispose the Heart to a free Reception of himself Learn 2. That Christ being under the Law observes and keeps the Law of the Passover Thus he fulfilled all Righteousness and altho' the Ceremonial Law was to receive its Abolishment in the Death of Christ yet all the time of his Life he punctually observed it 20 Now when the even was come he sat down with the twelve Observe here The Impudent Forehead of this bold Traytor Judas who presumed as soon as he had sold his Master to sit down at the Table with him and partake with the other Disciples of the solemn Ordinance of the Passover had the Presence of Judas polluted the Ordinance to any besides himself doubtless our Saviour would never have permitted his bold Intrusion Learn hence 1. That nothing is more ordinary than for unholy Persons presumptuously to rush in upon the solemn Ordinances of God which they have no Right whilst such to partake of 2. That the Presence of such Persons pollutes the Ordinances only to themselves
heart towards Christ nothing is adjudged too dear for him neither will it suffer it self to be out sâ—ined by any Examples the weakest Woman that strongly Lâ—ves her Saviour will piously strive with the greatest Apostle to express the fervour of her affection towards him Observe 2 How this Action was resented and reflected upon by Judas and some other Disciples whom he had influenced they had indignation within themselves and said to what purpose is this waste Oh! how doth a covetous heart think every thing too good for Christ Happy was it for this poor Woman that she had a more righteous judge to pass sentence upon her Action then murmuring Judas Observe 3. How readily our Holy Lord vindicates this good Woman she says nothing for her selâ— nor need she having so good an Advocate First he rebukes Judas let her alone why trouble ye the Woman Next he justifies the Action she hath wrought a good Work because it flow'd from a principle oâ— Love to Christ and lastly he gives the Reason oâ— her Action she did it for my Buryal As Kings and great Persons were wont in those Eastern Countries at their Funerals to be Embalm'd with Odours and sweet Perfumes so says our Saviour This Woman to declare her Faith in me as her King and Lord doth with this Box of Ointment as it were before hand Embalm my Body for its Burial True Faith puts honour upon a Crucified as well as Glorified Saviour This holy Woman accounts Christ worthy of all honour in his Death believing it would be a sweet smelling Sacrifice unto God and the Saviour of Life unto his People Observe 4. Our Saviour doth not only justify and defend the Action of this holy Woman but magnifies and extolls it declaring that she should be rewarded for it with an honourable Memorial in all ages of the Church wherever this Gospel is preached this shall be spoken of for a Memorial of her Note hence the care which Christ takes to have the good Deeds of his Children not buried in the dust with them but had in everlasting remembrance Though sin causes men to rot above Ground to stink alive and when they are dead leaves an Ignominy upon their Graves yet will the Actions of the just smell sweet and Blossom in the Dust 10 And Judas Iscariot one of the twelve went unto the chief Priests to betray him unto them 11 And when they heard it they were glad and promised to give him money And he sought how he might conveniently betray him Observe here 1. The Person betraying our blessed Redeemer Judas Judas a Professor Judas a Preacher Judas an Apostle and one of the Twelve whom Christ had chosen out of all the world to be his dearest Friends his Family and Houshold shall we wonder to find Friends unfriendly or unfaithful to us when our Saviour had a Traitor in his own Family Obseâ—ve 2. The heinous nature of Judas his sin he betrayed Jesus Jesus his Maker Jesus his Master it is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of sins and most horrid impiâ—ties to be acted by such persons as make the most eminent profession of Holiness and Religion Observe 3. What was the occasion that led Judas to the commission of this sin It was his inordinate Love of Money I do not find that Judas had any particular Malice Spight or ill Will against our Saviour but a base and unworthy Spirit of Covetousness possest him and this made him sell his Master Covetousness is the root-sin an eager and insatiable Thirst after the world is the parent of the most monstrous and unnatural sins for which reason our Saviour doubles his caution Luke 12.15 Take heed and beware of Covetousness it shews us both the danger of the sin and the great care we ought to take to preserve our selves from it 12 And the first day of unleavened bread when they killed the passover his Disciples said unto him where wilt thou that we go and prepare that we may eat the passover 13 And he sendeth forth two of his Disciples and said unto them go ye into the City and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of Water follow him 14 And wheresoever he shall go in say ye to the good man of the house the Master saith where is the Guess-chamber where I shall eat the passover with my Disciples 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared there make ready for us 16 And his Disciples went forth and came into the City and found as he had said unto them and they made ready the passover The time for the Celebration of the Passover being now at hand Christ sends two of his Disciples to Jerusalem to prepare things necessary in order thereunto And here we have Observable 1. An eminent proof of Christ's Divine Nature in telling them all the particulars which they should meet with in the City as a Man bearing a pitcher of Water c. 2. How readily the heart of this House-holder was disposed to receive our Saviour and his Disciples and to accommodate them with all things needful upon this occasion Our Blessed Saviour had not a Lamb of his own and peradventure no Money wherewith to buy one yet he finds as excellent Accommodation in this poor Man's House as if he had dwelt in Ahab's Ivory Palace and had the Provisions of Solomon's Table When Christ has a Passover to Celebrate he will dispose the Heart to a free Reception of himself The Room which Christ will enter into must be a large Room an upper Room a Room furnished and prepared a large Room is an enlarged Heart enlarged with Love and Thankfulness an upper Room is an Heart Exalted not puft up with Pride but lift up by Heavenly Mindedness a Room furnished is a Soul adorned with the Graces of the Holy Spirit into such an Heart and such only will Christ enter 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve 18 And as they sat and did eat Jesus said verily I say unto you one of you which eateth with me shall betray me 19 And they began to be sorrowful and say unto him one by one is it I and another said is it I 20 And he answered and said unto them it is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish 21 The Son of man indeed goeth as it is written of him but wo to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed good were it for that man if he had never been born Observe here 1. The unexampled Boldness of this impudent Traitor Judas he presumed as soon as he had sold his Master to sit down at the Table with him and eat the Pass-over with the Disciples had the presence of Judas polluted this Ordinance to any but himself doubtless our Saviour would never have suffered him to approach unto it But hence we Learn 1. That nothing is more ordinary then for unholy persons to press in unto
Olives Praying Lord What an Example of indefatigable Zeal and Diligence hast thou set before thy Ministers and Members Oh that when our Master comes we may be found Working our People Watching and both they and we waiting for the joyful Coming of our Lord and Saviour Amen CHAP. XXII 1 NOW the Feast of unleavened Bread drew nigh which is called the Passover 2 And the chief Priests and Scribes sought how they might kill him for they feared the people This Chapter gives a sad and sorrowful Relation of the Chief Priest's Conspiracy against the Life of our Blessed Saviour in which we have Three Particulars Observable 1. The Persons making this Conspiracy The Chief Priests Scribes and Elders that is the whole Jewish Sanhedrin or General Council they all lay their malicious Heads together to contrive the Destruction of the Holy and Innocent Jesus Thence Learn That General Councils have erred and may Err Fundamentally both in matters of Doctrine and Practice so did this General Council at Jerusalem consisting of Chief Priests Doctors and Elders with the High Priest their President They did not believe Jesus to be the Messias after all the Miracles wrought before their Eyes but ignominiously put him to Death Observe 2. The manner of this Conspiracy against the Life of our blessed Saviour it was Clandestine Secret and Subtle They consulted how they might take him by craft and put him to Death Learn thence That Satan makes use of the subtilty of crafty men and abuseth their Parts as well as their Power for his own Purposes and Designs the Devil never sends a Fool of his Errand Observe 3. The Circumstance of Time when this Conspiracy was managed at the Feast of the Passover It was a Custom among the Jews to Execute Malefactors at their Solemn Feasts at which time all the Jews came up to Jerusalem to Sacrifice and then they put Malefactors to Death that all Israel might see and fear and not do so wickedly Accordingly the Feast of the Passover was waited for by the Jews as a fit opportunity to put our Saviour to Death The only Objection was that it might occasion a Tumult and Uproar amongst the People there being such a mighty Concourse at that Time in Jerusalem But Judas making them a proffer they readily comply with the Motion and resolve to take the first Opportunity to put our Saviour to Death 3 Then entered Satan into Judas sirnamed Iscariot being of the number of the Twelve 4 And he went his way and communed with the chief Priests and Captains how he might betray him unto them 5 And they were glad and covenanted to give him Money 6 And he promised and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the Multitude Observe here 1. The Person Betraying our Blessed Saviour Judas Judas a Professor Judas a Preacher Judas an Apostle and one of the Twelve whom Christ had chosen out of the World to be his dearest Friend one of his Family and Houshold shall we wonder to find Friends unfriendly or unfaithful to us when our Saviour had a Traitor in his own Family 2. Observe The heinous Nature of Judas his Sin he Betrayed Jesus Jesus his Maker Jesus his Master It is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of sins and most horrid impieties to be acted by such Persons as make the most Eminent Profession of Holiness and Religion Observe 3. What was the occasion that led Judas to the Commission of this Sin it was his inordinate Love of Money I do not find that Judas had any particular Malice Spite or Ill will against our Saviour but a base and unworthy Spirit of Covetousness possest him and this made him sell his Master Covetousness is the Root-sin an eager and insatiable Thirst after the World is the Parent of the most monstrous and unnatural Sins for which Reason our Saviour doubles his Caution Luke 12.15 Take heed and beware of Covetousness it shews us both the great danger of the Sin and the great care that we ought to take to preserve our selves from it 7 Then came the day of unleavened Bread when the Passover was to be killed 8 And he sent Peter and John saying Go and prepare us the Passover that we may eat 9 And they said unto him Where wilt thou that we prepare 10 And he said unto them Behold when ye are entered into the city there shall a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water follow him into the House where he entereth in 11 And ye shall say unto the good man of the House the Master saith unto thee Where is the Guest-chamber where I shall eat the Passover with my Disciples 12 And he shall shew you a large upper Room furnished there make ready 13 And they went and found as he had said unto them and they made ready the Passover The time for the Celebration of the Passover being now at hand Christ sends two of his Disciples Peter and John to Jerusalem to prepare what was needful in order thereunto and here we have Observable 1. An eminent Proof and Evidence of Christ's Divinity in Fore-telling his Disciples all the particular Occurrences and Circumstances which they should meet with in the City as a man bearing a pitcher of Water c. Observe 2. How readily the Heart of the Householder was disposed to receive our Saviour and his Disciples and to accommodate them with all things needful upon this occasion Our Blessed Saviour had not a Lamb of his own and peradventure not Money wherewith to purchase one yet he finds a more agreeable Accommodation in this poor Man's House then if he had dwelt in Ahab's Ivory Palace and had the Provisions of Solomon's Table When Christ has a Passover to Celebrate he will dispose the Hearts of his Children and Servants to a free Reception of himself The Room that Christ will enter into it must be a large Room an upper Room a Room furnished and prepared a large Room is the Emblem of an enlarged Heart enlarged with Love with Joy and Thankfulness an upper Room is an Heart exalted not puft up with Pride but lifted up by Heavenly Meditations and a Room furnished is a Soul adorned with all the Graces of the Holy Spirit into such an Heart doth Christ enter and there delight to dwell Here is my rest for ever says Christ here will I dwell for I have a delight therein 14 And when the hour was come he sate down and the Twelve Apostles with him 15 And he said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer 16 For I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God 17 And he took the Cup and gave Thanks and said Take this and divide it among your selves 18 For I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the Vine until the kingdom of God shall come 19 And he took Bread and
where dwellest thou 39 He saith unto them Come and see They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day for it was about the tenth hour 40 One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peters brother 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ 42 And he brought him to Jesus And when Jesus beheld him he said Thou art Simon the son of Jona thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone 43 ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee and findeth Philip and saith unto him Follow me 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida the city of Andrew and Peter This latter part of the Chapter acquaints t is with the calling of five Disciples not to the Apostleship for that was afterwards nor yet simply by Conversion for some of them were John's Disciples already and believed in the Messiah to come but they are here called to own and acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the true and promised Messiah The Disciples here called were Andrew and Peter and Philip mean and obscure Persons poor Fisher-men not any of the learned Rabbies and Doctors among the Jews Hereby Christ shewed at once the Freeness of his Grace in passing by the knowing Men of the Age the Greatness of his Power who by such weak Instruments could effect such mighty Things and the Glory of his Wisdom in chusing such Instruments as should not carry away the Glory of the Work from him but cause the Intire Honour and Glory of all their great Successes to redound to Christ As Christ can do so he chuses to do great things by weak means knowing that the weakness of the Instrument redounds to the greater Honour of the Agent For these Persons called now to be Disciples were afterwards sent forth by Christ as his Apostles to convert the World unto Christianity Observe farther The Order according to which the Disciples were called first Andrew then Peter which may make the Church of Rome ashamed of the Weakness of their Argument for Peter's Supremacy that he was first called whereas Andrew was before him and Peter was brought to Jesus by him Andrew findeth his own Brother Simon brought him to Jesus Such as have gotten any Knowledge of Christ themselves and are let into Acquaintance with him will be very diligent to invite and industrious to bring in others to him Peter being brought to Christ our Saviour names him Cephas which signifies a Stone a Rock to intimate to him his Duty to be firm and steady in the Christian Profession full of Courage and Constancy Thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone 45 Philip findeth Nathanael and saith unto him We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph 46 And Nathanael said unto him Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth Philip saith unto him Come and see 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and saith of him Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile The last Person mentioned in this Chapter who was called to own and embrace Christ for the Messiah is Nathanael Who this Nathanael was doth not certainly appear but it is evident he was a sincere good Man tho' prejudiced for the present against Christ because of the Place of his supposed Birth and Residence Nazareth Can any good thing come out of Nazareth That is can any worthy or excellent Person much less the promised and long expected Messias come out of such an obscure Place as Nazareth is Whereas Almighty God when ever he pleases can raise worthy Persons out of contemptible Places Observe farther How mercifully and meekly Christ passes over the Mistakes and Failings the Prepossessions and Prejudices of Nathanael but takes notice of and publickly proclaims his Sincerity Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile That is no Guile imputed no Guile concealed no prevailing Guile It being only true of Christ in a strict and absolute Sense that there was no Guile found in his Lips But in a qualified Sense it is true of Nathanael and every upright Man they are true Israelites like their Father Jacob plain Men Men of great sincerity and uprightness of Heart both in the sight of God and Man And whereas our Saviour speaks of him with a sort of Admiration Behold an Israelite in whom is no guile We learn That a Person of great Sincerity and Uprightness of Heart towards God and Man a true Nathanael an Israelite indeed is a rare and a worthy sight Behold an Israelite indeed Learn 2. That such as are indeed Nathanael's need not commend themselves Christ will be sure to do it for them Nathanael conceals his own worth Christ publishes and proclaims it and calls upon others to take notice of it Behold c. 48 Nathanael saith unto him Whence knowest thou me Jesus answered and said unto him Before that Philip called thee when thou wast under the fig-tree I saw thee 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel 50 Jesus answered and said unto him Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig-tree believest thou thou shalt see greater things then these Observe here How Nathanael wondereth that Christ should know him having as he thought never seen him Christ gives him to understand that by his All-seeing Eye he had seen him when he was not seen by him When thou wert under the fig-tree I saw thee Christ's All-seeing Eye is an infallible Proof of his Deity and Godhead Christ seeth us where ever we are and whatever we do tho' we see not him He seeth the sincerity of our Hearts and will own it and bear witness to it if we are upright in his sight Observe farther How Christ's Omnipresence and Omniscience convinces Nathanael that he was more than Man even the Messias God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person Rabbi thou art the Son of God Philip called Christ the Son of Joseph Nathanael calls him the Son of God Such as believe Christ's Omnisciency will never call in question his Divinity Observe Lastly How Christ encourages the Faith of this new Disciple Nathanael by promising him that he should enjoy farther helps and means for the Confirmation of his Faith than ever yet he had All that Christ said to him was only this That he saw him under the fig-tree before Philip called him How ready art thou Oh Lord to encourage the beginnings of Faith in the Hearts of thy People and to furnish them with farther means of Knowledge when they wisely improve what they have received Never wilt thou be wanting either in Means or Mercy to us if we be not wanting to thee and our selves 51 And he saith unto him Verily verily I say unto you Hereafter you shall see heaven
ye dead and come to Judgment Observe lastly How readily obedient Lazarus was to the Call and Command of Christ He that was dead came forth and if Lazarus did thus instantly start up at the Voice of Christ in the Day of his Humiliation how shall the dead be rouzed up out of their Graves by that Voice which will shake the powers of Heaven and move the Foundations of the Earth in the Day of his Glorification Question But where was Lazarus his Soul all this while that he was dead if in Heaven was it not a wrong to him to come from thence If not doth it not prove that the Soul sleeps as well as the Body Ans Souls go not to Heaven by Necessitation as the Fire naturally and necessarily ascends upward But are disposed of by God as the supream Governour those that have served him go to Heaven and those that have served the Devil to Hell and those that are not yet judged to either place but are to live presently again upon Earth as Lazarus was are reserved by God accordingly whether shut up in the Body as in a Swound or whether kept in the Custody and Hands of an Angel not far from the Body waiting his pleasure either to restore it to the Body or to return it to its proper place of Bliss or Misery The Scripture has not told us whether and it would be too great Curiosity to inquire and greater presumption to determine 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen the things which Jesus did believed on him 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees and told them what things Jesus had done 47 ¶ Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council and said What do we for this man doeth many miracles 48 If we let him thus alone all men will believe on him and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation Observe here 1. The different Effects which this Miracle had upon those Jews who were present at the raising of Lazarus Some of them believed on Christ but others persisting in their Unbelief went to the Pharisees and informed against him Notwithstanding all the Evidence which our Saviour gave of his being the Messias by the Miracles which he wrought yet many rejected him and refused to believe in him to their unutterable and inevitable Condemnation Obs 2. How greatly disturbed the Pharisees were upon the Account of our Saviour's Miracles Knowing how proper an Argument they were to convince Men they concluded that if Christ were suffered to go on and work Miracles he would draw all Men after him Learn thence That Jesus proved himself to be the true Messias by the Miracles which he wrought his Enemies themselves being Judges For we find here the worst of our Saviour's Enemies were afraid of his Miracles that by them he would draw all Men after him If we let him alone all Men will believe on him Obs 3. What was the Ground of the Pharisees fear if they let Christ go on to work Miracles that he would have so many Followers as would Alarm the Romans and awaken their Jealousie and cause them to come upon them with an Army to deprive them of the little Liberty they indulged them and take away their Place and Nation Their Place that is their Place of Worship the Temple And their Nation that is bring the whole Body of the Jewish Nation to utter Destruction Learn hence How all the Enemies and Opposers of Christ and his Kingdom do endeavour to colour their Quarrel with some specious Pretences that they may hide the odiousness of their Practices from the Eye of the World and may not be openly seen to fight against God Thus the Pharisees here persecute our Saviour not as the Messias though the Miracles he wrought were a sufficient Evidence that he was such but as one who would bring Ruine upon their Nation If we let him alone the Romans will come and take away both our Place and Nation 49 And one of them named Caiaphas being the high-priest that same year said unto them Ye know nothing at all 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not 51 And this spake he not of himself but being high-priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation 52 And not for that nation only but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad The foregoing Verses acquainted us with the Apprehension which the chief Priests had of the Necessity of taking away the Life of our blessed Saviour Lest the Romans should take away both their Place and Nation Now here in these Verses Caiaphas the High-Priest delivers his Opinion for the preventing of this danger he tells the rest that they ought not to boggle at the Matter but come to a positive and peremptory Resolution to provide for the Publick Safety Right or Wrong and that it is great Folly to prefer one Man's Life though never so innocent before a Nations Welfare a most wicked and devilish Speech as a Judge he regarded not what was lawful but as a wicked Politician he consulted what was expedient he declares that one Man though never so good and holy though never so just and innocent had better dye than a whole Nation suffer Whereas it is in any case unlawful to do Evil that Good may come Learn hence That although it be the Duty of all Persons to pray for and endeavour after the publick Welfare of a Church and Nation whereof they are Members yet it is altogether unlawful to promote the greatest National Good by wicked and unlawful Means Observe further How God over-ruled the Tongue of Caiaphas beyond his own intention prophetically to foretel that great good which by our Saviour's death should redound to the World And that the Fruit and Benefit of his death should not only extend to the Jews but to the Gentiles also and that he should gather into one Body or Church all that truly believe in him though far and wide dispersed upon the Face of the Earth Hence learn 1. That the Spirit of Prophecy did sometimes fall upon very bad Men and God has been pleased to reveal some part of his Mind to the worst of Men. Thus Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezar had in their Dreams a Revelation from God what things he intended to do Learn 2. That it is consistent with the Holiness of God sometimes to make use of the Tongues of the worst of Men to publish and declare his Will Caiaphas here though a vile and wicked Man was influenced by God to prophesie and speak an Oracle Almighty God may when he please employ wicked Men this way without any prejudice to his Holiness This Caiaphas spake not of himself but being High-Priest he prophesied that Jesus should dye for that Nation 53 Then from that day forth
sufficient both for their Conviction and Condemnation The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day Observe 4. The Argument and Reason which our Saviour produces to prove that the Word of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel slighted and rejected should condemn Sinners at the great Day Namely From the Divine Authority of his Doctrine for albeit his Doctrine was his own as he was true God yet as Man and as Mediatour it was not his own but the Father's which sent him so that his Word and Doctrine being Divine and the Father 's as well as his for he did not speak of himself that is of himself alone and without the Father it is sufficient to Judge and Condemn all the rejecters and despisers of it Learn hence 1. That tho' the Doctrine of the Gospel be Christ's own as he is truly and really God yet it was not his own as meer Man exclusive of the Father who is one God with him and who gave him a Commission and Instructions as Mediatour to Preach and Publish the glad tidings of the Gospel for says he I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me gave me a Commandment 2. That the Doctrine which Christ delivered by command from the Father doth point out the way to Eternal Life and will bring lost Sinners thereunto if they sincerely believe it and obey it I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting 3. That therefore Sinners who reject the Doctrine of Christ contained in the Gospel do highly Dishonour Offend and Affront both the Father and Son and bring upon themselves a just and righteous judgment and expose themselves to unutterable and inevitable condemnation The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last Day CHAP. XIII 1 NOW before the feast of the passover when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end 2 And supper being ended the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot Simons son to betray him 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God In this Chapter is Recorded the History of our Saviour's washing his Disciples Feet an Action full of Humility and Condescension and propounded to his followers Imitation The Circumstance of Time is here noted when this Act was done Namely At the Feast of the Passover when the time of our Saviour's departure was at hand and having constantly and immutably loved his own he expresses the permanency of his Love towards them to the end by this Action of his in washing their Feet Here Note How Christ chose the Time of the Jewish Passover to suffer in that he might prove himself to be the substance of that Type that he was the true Pascal Lamb who by the Sacrifice of his Death did attone Divine displeasure and taketh away the Sins of the World Observe 2. The means which the Wisdom of God permitted to bring the Lord of Life to his Ignominious Death And that was the Treason and perfidiousness of one of his own Disciples Judas Iscariot Where Observe 1. The person betraying Judas Judas a Professor Judas a Preacher Judas an Apostle being one of the Twelve whom Christ had chosen out of all the World to be his dearest Friend Can we wonder to find Friends unfriendly or unfaithful towards us when our Saviour had a Traytor in his own House Observe 2. The heinousness of Judas Sin in betraying Christ he betrayed Christ Jesus a Man Christ Jesus his Master Christ Jesus his Maker the first was Murther the second Treason Lord It is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of Sins and most horrid impieties to be acted by persons making the most eminent profession of thy holy Religion Observe 3. What hand the Devil had in the Sufferings of our Saviour He put it into Judas's heart to betray Christ that is he did suggest and inject such thoughts into his mind which Judas instantly closed with The Devil being a Spirit has a quick access to our Spirits and can instill his suggestions into them as Christ did breath upon his Disciples and they received the Holy Ghost and were filled with the Spirit so Satan breaths filthy suggestions into the Spirits of Men and fills them with all manner of wickedness even with the Spirit of Hell it self The Devil put it into Judas heart to betray him 4 He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself 5 After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded Observe here The admirable humility and great self-denial of our Lord and Master he arises from Supper whilst his Disciples sate still and he that came in the form of a Servant performs all the offices of the meanest Servant to his Disciples he lays aside his upper Garments he girds himself with a Towel pours Water into a Bason and begins to wash and wipe their Feet which lay out behind them as they leaned at the Table all which was a most servile imployment Learn hence That the wonderful humility of Jesus Christ inclined him to do the meanest offices of Service unto his People even to become a Servant to them in the Day of his Humiliation and tho' now glorified in Heaven he retains the same Compassionate Heart towards them as when here on Earth 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter and Peter saith unto him Lord dost thou wash my feet 7 Jesus answered and said unto him What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter 8 Peter saith unto him Thou shalt never wash my feet Jesus answered him If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me 9 Simon Peter saith unto him Lord not my feet onely but also my hands and my head 10 Jesus saith to him He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit and ye are clean but not all 11 For he knew who should betray him therefore said he ye are not all clean Observe here 1. How Simon Peter refuses to admit of such a condescending act from Christ his Lord and Master as the washing of his Feet Lord Thou shalt never wash my Feet it is a sinful humility to refuse the offered favours of Christ because we are unworthy to receive them Tho' we are not worthy of Christ and of his Love yet Christ is worthy of us and of our Faith Observe 2. Our Saviour's Reply to Peter's refusal 1. He tells him that there was more in it than the bare act of washing did at first sight import and that he should know hereafter what he did not understand now What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter