casting out and laying his Nets or in drawing them up or in mending them or in sorting the fish c. So a Minister hath many painful emploiments in his Calling c. See for this Point 1 Tim. 3. 1. 1 Tim. 5. 17. Revel 2. 2. Use Vse See how equal a thing it is that the Labourer should have his wages he is worthy of it as our Saviour himself faith Luke 10. 7. This is God's Ordinance that such as take pains in preaching the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 14. Observ 5 Observ 5. I will make you c. Learn that Christ maketh and fitteth his Ministers for the Execution of their ministerial Office c. So much of the third general Point considered in this History of the Vocation of these four Apostles viz. The Calling itself Now followeth the fourth and last thing to be spoken of namely their obedience yielded to this Calling of Christ in that it is said They followed him And this their obedience in following him is amplyfied by the promptness and readiness of it which they testified by two things 1. By forsaking their Goods and their Father Zebedeus 2. By doing this speedily They might have made many excuses as that they were loth to part with their Nets and Ship and other Goods also that their Parents and other Friends were dear to them and that by the Law of God they were to honour and obey them and not to forsake them Again they might object the danger that might ensue to them by following Ohrist seeing John Baptist who had Preached Christ before them had sped so ill being imprisoned by Herod as we heard before Ver. 14. But notwithstanding all these impediments they willingly and chearfully follow Christ and that with the forsaking of their Goods and Friends Quest 1 Quest 1. Did Christ's bare and naked words uttered to them cause them thus readily to follow Him Answ Answ No for he did not only speak outwardly to their ears but withall he spake inwardly and effectually to their hearts by his Spirit inclining them to this prompt obedience And this is an argument of his Divine Nature that he was true God as well as Man in one Person seeing he was able by the Divine Power of his Spirit to work so upon the hearts of these men that he caused them to follow him so readily And thus our Saviour at other times shewed his Divine Power by working on the hearts of men So Mat. 21. He so inclined the heart of him that was owner of the Asse to let her Colt go so soon as it was but demanded See also Mat. 9. 9. Quest 2 Quest 2. In thaâ— it is said They forsook their Nets and Ship and their Father It may be demanded Whe her they did wholly and finally leave them so as never to return to them again afterwards nor to have any use of their Goods or company with their Friends Answ Answ Not so for Mat. 8. 14. it appeareth that Peter still retained the right and possession of his House because it is said That Jesus came to Peter's House and Ver. 29. of thiâ— Chap. it is called the House of Simon and Andrew yea further we read John 21. that after Christ's Resurrection Peter used fishing again which shews that he had not so forsaken his Nets as never to use them again In like sort we read Math. 9. that although Mathew the Publican followed Christ yet he still retained the possession of his House for it is said That Jesus sate at meat in his House Ver. 10. Therefore we must know that these Disciples did not so wholly and utterly forsake their Goods and Friends as never afterward to use them any more upon occasion but they forsook them in regard of the ordinary use of them and so far forth onely as they might hinder them in their ordinary conversing with Christ and following of Him Now to the Instructions to be gathered from the Words Observ 1 Observ 1. By the example of these Disciples forsaking their Goods and Friends at Christ's commandement we learn That when God doth call us to the performance of any Duty or Service we must yield obedience to his Will though it be with the losse or forsaking of all worldly things that are dear to us as Goods Liberty Friends c. Gen. 12. 1. Abraham left his Country and Kindred at the Commandement of God So 1 King 19. 20. Elisha being called to follow Elijah to become a Prophet left the twelve Yoak of Oxen with which he was Plowing c. Psal 45. 10. The Church must forget her Kindred and Fathers House that she may cleave unto Christ being called to it So these Disciples c. Thus the Martyrs in Queen Maries time being called to give Testimony to the Truth and to stand out in defence of the Gospel they did it with the forsaking of Liberty Lands Goods Friends and Life it self The like obedience must we shew unto the calling of God or of Christ in the same or in the like Case Reas 1 Reas 1. The Glory of God and of Christ Jesus ought to be more dear to us than any thing in the World besides Yea than our own Selves Reas 2 Reas 2. There is a most excellent Reward promised to those that forsake the things that are deâ—rest to them for Christ's sake Math. 19. 29. Every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my Name sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall Inherit everlasting Life Use 1 Vse 1. See that it is not so 〈…〉 matter as some think to be a good Christian Some fondly surmise That if they be baptized into the name of Christ and do live in the Visible Church if they be called and accompred Christians If they come to the Church and outwardly conform to the Word and Sacraments that this is enough then they are Christians good enough and shall come to Heaven as well as the Holiest But know this If thou wilt be a true Christian indeed thou must not onely make an outward profession of Christ's Name and Religion but thou must be content for his sake if he shall call thee to it to part with this World and all things in it be they never so dear to thee Now this forsaking of the World and Wordly things for Christ's sake is a Lesson hard to be learned and practised as we may see in that young man that came to Christ Mat. 19. 22. Use 2 Use 2. This teacheth us daily to prepare ourselves to the practise of this Point even to the forsaking of all Earthly things at the Will and Commandement of Christ if we should be called to it To this end we must daily strive to forsake the things of the World in heart and affection that so we may be able to do it actually when God shall call us to it Take heed then that we set not our hearts too
Asse therefore Mark and Luke do mention only the Colt Vide Bucer in Evang. Joh. 12. 14. Vide etiam Jude 10 et 12. et Jansen Now alrhough it be called a Colt and did accompany the Damm yet we must suppose it was of such age and bignesse that it was sufficient to carry one riding upon it Object Object Matth. 21. 5. it is said Upon an Asse and Colt Answ Answ A Syllepsis as Matth. 27. 44. and Matth. 26. 8. Quest Quest How did he know that they should find an Asse and young Colt tyed in that Village being absent from the place Answ Answ By his Divine Spirit as he was God he knew it For so he knew all things and nothing was hid from him It followeth Whereon never man sate Which was never before ridden upon by any Quest Quest Why did our Saviour make choyce of such a Colt or young Asse to ride upon which had never before been ridden upon Answ Answ 1. The more to manifest his Divine power in causing such a young untamed Colt which had never been sate upon to become subject to him and fit to be rid upon so suddenly 2. This was also suitable to the dignity of a King which our Saviour now took upon him after a sort in this solemn action of riding into the City of Hierusalem as we shall see afterward I say this was agreeable to the Dignity of Christ as a King yea the King of Kings that he should ride upon a Beast on which never any had ridden before him Sic Aret. et Jansen Quest Loose him and bring him Quest Did not this carry a shew of Theft for the Disciples to take away the Colt in this manner without asking leave of the Owner Answ Answ No because He did not appoint them to take him away privily without knowledg of the Owner nor yet by open violence against the will of the Owner but he tells them That the Lord had need of him If any say unto you c. This he speaks by way of prevention because he knew it would so come to pass therefore he instructs them what to answer and assures them that thereupon the Owners would dismiss the Colt with them Say That the Lord hath need of him This is all which he wills them to say in way of answer and satisfaction viz. That their Lord and Master Christ Jesus had need of the Colt Whereby he implyes the Divine Power and Authority which he had over the Minds and Wills of men to make them subject to his Will in that he doth assure his Disciples that only upon the speaking of these words the Owner would willingly send away the Colt But of this afterward Verse 6. Now followeth matter of Instruction from these three first Verses thus explained Observ Observ Two special Properties of the Divine Nature or Godhead of Christ which he manifested here in this sending of his two Disciples 1. His Divine Knowledg or Omniscience 2. His Divine Power or Omnipotency Of the first The Divine Knowledg or Omniscience of Christ This he manifested here two wayes 1. In that he knew and took notice of things done in his absence or in places far distant from him as that there was an Asse and a Colt which stood tyed in the Village over against the Mount Olivet and that the Disciples should there find them at this time So at other times he manifested the same Divine Knowledg As Joh. 1. 48. He saw and knew Nathaneel being absent while he was under the fig-tree whereupon Nathaneel confesseth him to be the Son of God So before Chap. 9. 33. He knew the private disputation and strife of the Disciples about Primacy though he were absent So Joh. 4. 18. he knew that the Woman of Samaria had five Husbands c. Thus he knew things done in his absence yea in all places though never so private c. And this is proper to God only So afterward Mark 14. 13. He knew that his two Disciples should meet one bearing a Pitcher c. Object Obâ—ect 2 King 6. 12. Elisha knew what the King of Syria spake in his Bed-Chamber So Chap. 5. Verse 26. he knew where his Servant Gehazi had been when he went back to take gifts of Naaman the Syrian Answ Answ The Prophet knew these things by revelation from God but our Saviour Christ did of himself know things done his absence yea in all places though never so private or secret The second thing in which our Saviour here manifested his Divine Knowledg and Omniscience is this That he knew things which were to come as well as things past or present which is a Divine Property as Esay 41. 23. Shew the things that are to come that we may know that ye are gods c. Now that our Saviour knew things to come and that certainly as if they were past or present we see here For he knew that the Disciples should find the Asse and Colt tyed so soon as they came into the Village he knew also before-hand that the owner would question them for loosing the Asâ—e and Colt And lastly he knew that upon the Disciples answering and telling him that the Lord had need of them the owner would let them go These things our Saviour knew before-hand and could foretell them certainly to his Disciples which sheweth that he had a Divine fore-knowledg of things to come The same he shewed also at other times by foretelling things to come most truly and certainly as if they were past or present Thus he knew before-hand and foretold that the two Disciples whom he sent to prepare the Passeover for him should meet a man in the City bearing a Pitcher of water Mark 14. 13. He knew and foretold that Judas should betray him That Peter should deny him thrice c. That Hierusalem and the Temple should be destroyed by the Romans c. Matth. 24. Thus he shewed himself to be true God by his certain knowledg of things to come Object 1 Object 1. The Prophets did foretell things to come Therefore this proveth not Christ to be God Answ Answ They did it by revelation from God and not of themselves But it is proper to God alone of Himself and by his own power to know and foretell things to come and thus did our Saviour Christ in this place and at other times Object 2 Obâ—ect 2. The Devil himself knoweth some things to come and can foretell them as 1 Sam. 28. 19. he foretelleth Saul that he and his people should be delivered into the hands of the Philistims and that he and his sons should dye the next day Answ Answ The Devil doth not know or foretell things to come of himself but either by some kind of revelation from God or by help of the Scriptures and the Prophecies found there which he taketh notice of or else by the help and means of natural causes in respect whereof some things which are to come may be said to be present
after a sort viz. in their causes See Mr. Perk Treatise of Witchcraft pag. 617. And thus not only the Devil but men ordinarily may and do know and foretell some things which are to come viz. such things as are already present in their causes Thus Astronomers do foretel the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon and thus our Saviour sayes of the Phariseâ—s Matth. 16. that by the face of the Sky they could foretell what Weather would be c. Of the second The Divine power of Christ This he shewed here 1. In making choyce of a young Asse or Colt to ride upon which never had been rid upon before He sends his Disciples for a Colt for him to ride on upon which never any man had sate before and upon the same he did afterwards ride into Hierusalem as appeareth Verse 7. He sate upon him Now by this he shewed his Divine Power which he had over all the Creatures even over the brutish and unreasonable Creatures to rule and over-rule them and to make them serviceable to his Will and that miraculously and contrary to the ordinary course of Nature for so was this that a young untamed Colt which had never been ridden upon before should now suddenly become fit for him to ride upon c. The like Divine power over the Creatures in causing them to be subject and serviceable to him against the course of Nature our Saviour manifested at other times as when he did walk upon the waters causing them to bear up his body contrary to nature c. So when he suddenly and miraculously turned water into Wine at the Marriage-Feast Joh. 2. 2. He shewed his Divine Power in causing the owner of the Asse and Colt to let them go But of this afterward Verse 6. Thus we see these two Divine Properties of the Godhead amongst other which were in Christ being on Earth viz. his Divine Knowledg and Power c. Now as these were in him being on Earth in state of humiliation so much more now he is exalted to the right hand of God in Heaven Now he doth much more clearly manifest the same General Use To strengthen our faith in the Person of Christ assuring us that he was and is true God as well as Man in one Person and consequently that he is a most Powerful and All-sufficient Saviour Heb. 7. 25. He is able to save them to the uttermost which come unto God by him c. But of this often before More Particular Uses from the particular Properties of the Divine Nature in Christ mentioned before Vse 1 Use 1. In that Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour whom we serve and by whom we hope to be saved is such a Person as doth know all things even things done in his absence and in places far remote and distant from him I mean from his humane Nature which is now in Heaven only yea he knoweth what is done in all places though never so private or secret This must teach us to look to our selves and to our carriage in all places wheresoever we live or become that we walk holily uprightly and conscionably in all our wayes watching over our thoughts words and actions at all times and in all places though never so secret knowing and remembring still that we are in the sight and presence of Christ Jesus the Son of God who seeth all our wayes and what our carriage is in all places in publike and in private at home and abroad in our beds at our tables c. Psal 139. 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit c. and Heb. 4. 13. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Vse 2 Vse 2. To comfort us in all afflictions and miseries which we suffer at any time or in any place where we live In that Christ Jesus the Son of God seeth and taketh notice of all we suffer of all our troubles c. Though we suffer in private and so as men take no notice yet Christ the Son of God doth and is ready to help comfort and deliver us c. Use 3 Vse 3. Seeing Christ Jesus our Saviour had this Divine Property being on earth and hath still to foreknow things to come and that of himself and by his own Divine Spirit yea most certainly and infallibly to know and foretell such things as are to come this seemeth to strengthen our faith touching the truth and certainty of those Prophecyes which are revealed in the New Testament in the Writings of the Apostles and Evangelists and are yet unfullfilled to assure us that they shall all be fullfilled in due time For example the Prophecy of the Calling of the Jews of the destruction of Antichrist of the general Resurrection and last Judgment and of the Life to come c. These things are foretold in the Writings of the Apostles who received them by revelation from Christ the Son of God and he being God as well as Man had a Divine and Infallible knowledg of things to come yea of all things to come and therefore of these which are thus foretold in Scripture which must cause us undoubtedly to believe the same as if we saw them already fullfilled Vse 4 Use 4. From the second Property of the Godhead or Divine Nature in Christ which is his divine power in that he hath absolute power over all Creatures even over the sensless and unreasonable creatures to rule and make them subject to his Will and that contrary to the course of Nature This serveth partly for the terrour of wicked men being enemies of Christ and of his Church And partly for comfort to the godly c. 1. For terrour of wicked men c. In that Christ Jesus having such absolute power over the creatures both can and will employ them as Instruments of his wrath against his enemies c. 2. For comfort to the godly assuring them That he having such power over the Creatures will cause them all to work and conspire together for the good and comfort of his Saints yea contrary to their nature Rom. 8. 28. Mark 11. 4 5 6 7. And they went their way and found the Colt tyed c. Sept. 20. 1629. IN the three first Verses of this Chapter we heard of Christ's preparation to his riding into Jerusalem in sending forth two of his Disciples to a Village over against them to fetch from thence a young Colt never ridden upon before c. together with the particular charge and Instructions which he gave them at the time of sending them forth Now followeth the obedience of the two Disciples to Christ's charge and commandment given them Their obedience consisteth in a threefold action performed by them 1. In going to the place whither he appointed them ver 4. They went their way Where also is mentioâ—ed the event or consequent which followed That they found the Colt tyed by the dore without c. 2. In loosing the Colt which
wrought by the bare words of our Saviour as he uttered them Answ Answ Not so but by the Divine power of his God-head accompanying his words and manifesting it self in them and by them Observ 1 Observ 1. Here then first we have an evident Argument to prove unto us the truth of Christ's God-head in that he was able by his bare word spoken to work this Miracle in calming the Winds and the Sea It was impossible for any but God to do this Object Object The Devill hath power to raise storms as we see he did against the house where Job's Children were feasting Job 1. 19. therefore it is likely that he can also allay and cease such storms again when he pleaseth Answ Answ 1. Though the Devil hath power to do this yet not without the permission of God from whom he hath all his power but our Saviour Christ calmed the Tempest by his own proper power as he was God 2. When the Devill either raiseth or layeth a storm he doth it by natural helps and means though secret and hid from us as by joyning himself with the matter of the Wind or with the Clouds of rain and Thunder and so working in them and upon them so as to stir up Tempests sometimes and afterward to make them cease again but our Saviour Christ pacified and calmed this storm onely by his divine power immediately without any natural helps or means used by him and therefore by this Miraculous work he manifested himself to be the Son of God and consequently the true Messiah and Saviour of the World This then serveth to confirm our Faith in this main point of Doctrine touching Christ's Divine nature But we have before spoken of it often in handling other Miracles of our Saviour Observ 2 Observ 2. Further in that our Saviour by his bare word spoken doth lay the storm of Wind and pacify the Sea we may observe the wonderfull power and efficacy of the word of Christ when he lived on Earth in that by means of it he was able to work so great and wonderfull effects How many Miracles wrought he by his bare Word spoken Sometimes he did by it drive diseases out of the bodies of the sick Sometimes he cast Devils out of the possessed by it Sometimes he raised the dead by it Sometimes again by his Word he wrought so upon the Hearts of men that he suddenly converted them as he did Levi the Publican and the other Apostles onely by bidding them follow him as we have heard before chap. 1 2. Sometimes by his Word and Doctrine he did astonish the Hearers Sometimes also by a few words of his mouth he so terrified his enemies that he made them fall backward to the ground as we see Joh. 18. 6. Use Use Seeing the word of Christ uttered with his own Mouth when he was upon earth was so powerfull Hence we may gather that the written Word of Christ is also very powerfull and effectuall especially when it is opened and applyed unto the people of God by the Faithfull Ministers of Christ For the same Divine power of Christ which he manifested by his lively voice uttered on earth the same power he still manifesteth in his written Word and in the Ministry of it being now in Heaven at the Right hand of his Father Therefore be diligent in Hearing this Word of Christ Preached to thee by his Ministers and Pray unto him to give power and vertue to it that it may be as effectuall to work upon thee as the lively words of his own mouth were to work upon the Winds and Sea He that was able by the words of his mouth to work upon the Winds and Sea which are dead and senseless creatures He is no less able now by the Ministry of his written Word to work upon the Heart and Conscience that is dead and senseless and without all life of Grace This point also was before spoken of chap. 2. 14. So much of the second thing in the words namely the outward means used by our Saviour in working this Miracle namely his rebuking of the Wind and the Sea Now followeth the third thing which is the effect or consequent of this rebuke The Wind ceased and there was a great Calm Observ 1 Observ 1. In that our Saviour by his powerfull Word caused this great storm to cease and turned it to a great Calm and so saved the Disciples from the great danger and trouble in which they were Hence we may gather that Christ Jesus our Lord hath power over all the troubles and Afflictions which at any time do arise against his Church and Faithfull Servants and that he can easily take away the causes of them and cause the troubles to cease whensoever it pleaseth him Psal 93. 3. The Prophet foretelling the troubles which should be raised against the Church of Christ speaketh thus The floods O Lord have lifted up their Voice the floods lift up their Waves The Lordon high that is Christ Jesus is mightier then the noyse of many waters yea then the mighty Waves of the Sea There was never any storm of troubles so great raised against the Church of Christ by Satan or wicked men but Christ was able to make it cease and to send a calm after it It was a great storm of Persecution which Saul raised against the Christian Church when he breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples Act. 9. 1. and yet the Lord Jesus by the sudden and Miraculous conversion of Saul did make that storm to cease and sent a calm after it for it is said ver 31. that the Churches had rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and were edifyed c. So it was a grievous Tempest which was raised against the Primitive Church by the Heathenish Emperours of Rome in the first 300 years after Christ yet the Lord Jesus did at length put an end to that storm by stirring up Constantine that Christian Emperour by whose means the Church had Peace and rest So in Queen Maries Reign in this Land there was a fearfull storm of troubles raised by her against the good Christians yet the Lord Jesus did at length suddenly pacify that Tempest and made it to cease and sent a great calm after it in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth See also for this point 2 Tim. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 3. 11. Vse Vse No cause then for the Faithfull to be dismayed in any troubles though never so great and grievous let them remember that though the storm be never so terrible for the time yet Christ Jesus is able with a word spoken to make it cease and to send a great calm And as he is able to do this so he is ready and willing to do it in due time and when he seeth it best for his Faithfull Servants to be delivered out of their troubles Think of this in our most grievous troubles both inward and outward and it will minister comfort to us and
the very shadow of Peters body Act. 5. 15. and by the handkerchiefs brought from Paul Act. 19. 12. which were effectual through the Name of Christ both to cure diseases and to cast out Devils Use 1 Use 1. Hence gather a certain argument to prove the Godhead of Christ and to confirm our faith herein c. Use 2 Vse 2. Comfort to the faithful which believe in Christ's Name His power being so great he will use it for their good to help and comfort them at all times especially in time of affliction to strengthen them and deliver them if they call on his Name by Prayer c. Mark 9. 38. And we forbade him c. Sept. 9. 1627. NOw followeth the second part of that Narration or report which John maketh here unto Christ which is concerning his own and his fellow disciples forbidding this party to cast out devils in Christ's Name together with the reason of their prohibition because he followed not Christ Quest And we forbade him Quest Why doth John make report of this unto Christ which they had done in forbidding him that cast out devils c. Answ Answ By way of enquiry to know the mind and Judgment of Christ whether he would commend and approve of that they had done herein yea or no. Now by Christ's answer it doth appear that he did not approve of that they had done but disliked and blamed them for it and consequently that they did not well but were faulty in this matter of prohibiting him that cast out devils c. Quest Quest Wherein were they faulty or how did they offend herein Answ Answ Sundry wayes 1. They shewed rashness in forbidding him of their own heads before they consulted with Christ their Master as they should have done 2. They shewed their ignorance in supposing that none could be true Disciples of Christ nor be fit instruments to work Miracles but such as daily and continually followed Christ and lived with him as themselves did 3. They discover the sin of ambition in themselves In that they desire to have the preheminence above others which followed not Christ in this gift of Miracles and in the glory of it 4. They shew their emulation and envy In that they were grieved and discontented at this party for exercising this gift and therefore they forbid him Observ 1 Observ 1. That the best Saints of God in this life are tainted with sinful corruptions and infirmities So here the Disciples of Christ yea John himself the beloved Disciple discover sundry corruptions and infirmities in this one action of prohibiting him that cast out devils in Christ's Name as rashness ignorance ambition c. But of this Point I have often spoken before See before Verse 34. Observ 2 Observ 2. The sin of emulation or envy against the gifts of God in others is very naturall unto men yea to good men and to the Saints of God as we see here in Christ's Disciple and in John himself who repined and were discontented at the gift of Miracles in him that cast out Devills in Christ's name Jam. 4. 5. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth after envy By the spirit that dwelleth in us understand the corruption of nature which is in all men more or less yea in the Saints of God themselves and which maketh them prone to the sin of envy against the gifts of God in others It is one fruit of the flesh Gal. 5. 21. Now the flesh is in all more or less even in the Regenerate Examples of this sin of envy against the gifts of others we have in Scripture both in the Unregenerate and in the Regenerate 1. In the Unregenerate as in Saul envying David for the gift of Valour and Courage which was in him In the Jews envying our Saviour Christ for the excellent gifts in him 2. In the Regenerate as in Aaron and Miriam envying Moses for the gift of Prophecy which was in him Num. 12. 2. In Joshuah envying at the same gift of Prophecy in Eldad and Medad Num. 11. 28 29. In Joseph's Brethren envying him c. In the Disciples of John Baptist envying Christ and his Disciples Joh. 3. 26. By these and the like examples we see how true it is that the Spirit that is in us naturally lusteth after envy Use Use See what need for every one of us even the best to take heed and watch against this sin of envy in our selves against the gifts of God bestowed upon others whether natural or Spirituall gifts The more natural this sin is unto us and the more our corrupt Spirit lusteth after it the more ought we to take heed of it and by all means to labour and strive to mortify this corruption and sinfull lust in our selves Remedies against this sin of envying at the gifts of others 1. Consider the greatness of the sin being a degree of Murder and a cause of actuall Murder oftentimes as in Cain and in Saul who envying David sought his life Rom. 1. 29. Envy and Murther joyned together And Gal. 5. 21. 2. Take away the causes of this sin which are Pride and self-love especially Therefore Jam. 4. 5. The Apostle having first shewed that this sin of envy is naturall to us then ver 6. he dehorteth from Pride as the main cause of envy and exhorteth to the contrary Grace of Humility Strive then to mortify the sin of Pride and Self-love in thy self if thou wouldst be kept from envying of others gifts 3. That this envying at others gifts is a sin against Christian Charity whose property is not to envy at the good of others but on the contrary to rejoyce and be thankfull for the same 1 Cor. 13. 4. 4. Consider that it is a Controlling of God's Wisedome and Providence in dispencing his gifts and Graces when we grieve or are discontented at the gifts of others This is to charge God foolishly Therefore take heed of so doing Contraâ—iwise let us rejoyce and be thankfull to God for the gifts of others as well as for those in our selves as Charity bindeth us 5. Consider how unjust a thing it is for us to envy or grieve at such as never hurt us onely because they are above us or equall to us in some gifts or other As if one should envy another because the Sun shineth upon him and not upon himself Observ 3 Observ 3. In that they first forbad him and then afterwards consult with Christ whether they had done well or no whereas they should first have asked Counsell c. Hence we may take notice of the perverse and preposterous course which we are apt to take in the ordering of our life and practice first doing that which is pleasing to our own corrupt nature and then afterward consulting and advising with the Word of God or with Gods Ministers or others whether we have done well or no or whether that we have done be lawfull and fit to
is also amplified by the event or consequent of it viz. That certain of them which stood there questioned with them why they loosed the Colt whereunto when the Disciples answered as Jesus had appointed them hereupon they let them go ver 5 6. 3. In bringing the Colt to Jesus for him to ride upon which is also amplified by another special fact of theirs ensuing hereupon by which they testified their love and desire of honouring Christ In that they cast their garments on the Colt for him to ride upon And they went their way Though the matter enjoyned them was such as might seem absurd and ridiculous in common reason yea to carry danger with it in that it might bring them into suspition of Theft yet they do not make any question or objection against it but readily obey Christ's command in going c. doing as he appointed them And found the Colt tyed c. This shews the truth of that which our Saviour foretold them when he sent them forth ver 2. and how certainly he knew the same before-hand in that all came to pass as he had said Luke 19. 32. They found even as he had said unto them Tyed by the door without That is by the door or gate of the house or stable of the owner as is most probable In a place where two wayes met Hence some do gather that the Asse and Colt stood tyed there on purpose to be hired out to Passengers travelling that way Winkelman in locum which seems not improbable Now all this seems to be added by the Evangelist 1. To shew how easy it was for the Disciples to find the Asse and Colt by Christ's direction in that they need not seek far but found them ready tyed even at the door of the house or stable and that close by the high-way yea a common road way 2. To shew also the readiness and boldness of the Disciples in executing Christ's command in that they adventured to go to the very door of the house or stable of the owner and that openly by a publick High-way side to take away the Ass and Colt c. yea in the very presence of the owner and others standing by as the words following shew And certain of them that stood there Who these were may be gathered from Luke 19. 33. where it is said they were the owners which must so be understood either that the Asse and Colt did belong to more then one man by some common right or rather as seems most likely that the Evangelist by the figure Syllepsis mentioneth owners though there was but one because others were present and joyned with the owner in questioning the fact of the Disciples And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded viz. That the Lord had need of the Colt or present use for him to ride upon him into the City And they let them go They readily dismissed the Disciples permitting them to take away the Ass and Colt with them and to carry the same to Christ Quest Quest What moved the owner and the rest so readily to dismiss the Colt c. Answ Answ The Divine power of Christ's Spirit extraordinarily inclining their wills and perswading them so to do And they brought the Colt c. and cast their Garments on him That is upon the Colt as Luke 19. 35. understand it of their upper Garments Object Object Matth. 21. It is said They put their Cloathes upon them that is upon the Asse and Colt Answ Answ It is not so to be understood as if they had indeed put their Cloaths upon them both but as before we heard that when Matth. 21. he is said to ride upon the Ass and Foal of the Ass because the Foal or Colt was accompanied with the Ass being the Dame of it so also by the same figure Syllepsis it is said the Disciples put their Cloaths upon the Ass and Colt because they put them upon the Colt which was accompanied with the Ass See Maldonat in Matth. 21. Now this the Disciples did no doubt out of their love and reverent respect unto Christ their Master that he might ride in the more decent and honourable manner And it is most likely that they were hereunto moved by some special instinct of the Spirit of Christ thus to honour him at this time and the rather that by their example they might stir up others which were present in like manner to honour him But of this afterward Now follow the Instructions from the words thus cleared 1. From the obedience of the two Disciples to Christs command Observ 1 Observ 1. In that they obey him in doing that which in it self seemed absurd and against reason Hence learn That we are to yield obedience to the will and command of Christ Jesus the Son of God even in things that are against humane reason Thus did the Disciples not onely at this but at other times also As before chap. 1. 18. when he first called them to be his Disciples enjoyning them to forsake their present Calling and profession of life yea and their goods and friends this seemed absurd in humane reason yet they obeyed So afterward chap. 6. 7. when he sent them forth to Preach and to work Miracles in his name without any Provision of money or change of cloaths c. This seemed contrary to reason and yet they obeyed So Luke 5. 5. when Peter and his fellows having laboured all night in fishing and caught nothing the night being the best time for fishing in that hot countrey and our Saviour willed them to let down their nets once again This seemed absurd in reason yet at the word of Christ they did it Now in these practises we are to follow them if we will shew our selves true Disciples of Christ viz. In obeying the word and command of Christ even in such things as seem contrary to humane reason Not onely in things agreeable to reason but in things contrary to it Reas 1 Reas 1. We are required to hear and obey him in all things which he commandeth us Act. 3. 22. and that under pain of being destroyed from among his people if we do not so If in all things then in things opposite to humane reason c. Reas 2 Reas 2. True obedience to the word and command of Christ is that which comes from Faith therefore called the obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 26. Now it is the property of Faith to believe things above and contrary to humane reason Heb. 11. 1. The evidence of things not seen It may be understood of things not seen by humane reason Therefore it is also the property of true obedience to the Word of Christ that it must not onely be in things agreeable to reason but even in things above or contrary to reason Vse 1 Use 1. See how hard it is to be a good Christian or true Disciple of Christ seeing such a one must not onely obey the will and Word of Christ in
some things as in such as are agreeable to reason but in all things even in such as are opposite and contrary to reason Now this is no easy matter to do but very hard forasmuch as we are all apt to follow our own natural reason and to be guided by it in our practice yea we are much addicted and wedded to it Rom. 8. 5. They that are after the flesh do mind or savour the things of the flesh Thus we do all by nature Now the Wisdome of the flesh is enmity against God as ver 7. of the same Chapter Therefore in obeying Christ we must deny our reason and go against it which is hard to do Vse 2 Use 2. Labour for this true obedience of Faith that is to yield obedience to the word and command of Christ not onely in things agreeable to reason but in things contrary to it as many things are which Christ doth command us in his Word For example he commands us to love not onely our friends but enemies to do good against evill to forgive wrongs and not to seek revenge but to suffer two injuries rather than seek to requite one He commands us to deny our selves and to take up our Cross and follow him He commands us to forsake our goods friends and life it self for his sake and the Gospells c. Now all these are things against nature and natural reason and to a natural man seem most absurd and ridiculous yet must we in all these if need be yield obedience to the word and command of Christ if we will indeed approve our selves to be his true Disciples We must not in these cases hearken to reason nor consult with flesh and bloud but renounce our carnal reason yea trample it underfoot that we may obey the word of Christ and be subject to it We must bring our natural imaginations into captivity to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 5. we must here become fools that we may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. we must deny our own carnall Wisdome and reason that we may be obedient to the will of Christ which is our true Wisdome even in things contrary to reason c. Observ 2 Observ 2. In that the two Disciples being plainly and expresly commanded by Christ to go c. do not move any question or doubt nor object any thing as they might have done against that which he enjoyned them though it was a matter against reason neither do they demand any reason c. but do simply and absolutely yield obedience therein Hence learn that we are simply and absolutely to obey Christ in such things as he doth plainly and expresly require of us in his Word without moving any doubts or objectionâ— of carnal reason against the same and without demanding any reason of such things as are enjoyned us we are to rest in the will of Christ which is and ought to be reason enough to us for the doing of any thing which he requireth though otherwise it seem never so contrary to our own natural and carnall reason As Luther sayes of Faith that we must clausis oculis ingredi tenebras Fidei so may it be said of obedience to the Word of Christ c. Which serves for reproof of such who when they are taught and urged to the practice of any duty which Christ doth expresly command and require of them in his Word especially if it be hard and difficult and such as doth cross the corruption of their nature they are full of questions and doubts arising from natural reason and many carnal objections they have against that which is taught and required of them to hinder them in obedience to the Word of Christ But this is an evill and dangerous sign of Hypocrisy to be so forward to move doubts and objections of carnal reason against that which is plainly taught and enjoyned us in the Word of Christ Let every one take heed of it and know that this is nothing else but to lay snares and stumbling blocks in thy own way to hinder thee in obedience to the Word of Christ to which thou art bound to yield absolute obedience c. So much of the obedience of the two Disciples to Christ's command in going to fetch the Asses Colt c. Now further from the readinesse and willingnesse of the owner to let the Colt go upon the words of the Disciples c. ver 6. Observ 1 Observ 1. Another evidence and proof of the Divine power of Christ whereof we heard before in part upon the three first verses viz. this that he had absolute power over the minds and wills of men while he was on earth to move and incline them which way it pleased him Thus he did here by the power of his Divine Spirit so work upon the mind and will of the owner of the Colt that he caused him willingly to dismiss the same unto him so soon as the Disciples did but tell him that the Lord had need of him For as iâ— was the immediate power of God which moved the Egyptians so willingly to lend their Jewells c. to the Israelites departing out of Egypt Exod. 12. So was it here the immediate work of Christ's Divine Spirit to move the owner of the Colt to lend him so willingly to Christ upon the bare word of the two Discipleâ— c. The same Divine power over the minds and wills of men our Saviour shewed at other times as Mark 14. 15. In causing the good man of the house so readily to offer them a convenient chamber in his house for our Saviour and his Disciples to eat the Passover So in causing the Disciples when they were first called to leave their Callings and their goods and friends to follow Christ as we heard before Mark 1. and Matth. 9. 9. He caused Levi to give over his office of a Publican and immediately to follow him See this also in his â—udden converting of the Thief upon the Cross c. So in causing the Officers of the High Priests upon his bare word spoken to let the Disciples go away without danger when their Master was apprehended Joh. 18. 8. Now as our Saviour had this power over the minds and wills of men while he lived on Earth in the state of humiliation so now much more since his Ascension into Heaven there to sit at the right hand of God he hath the same power This power he shewed in the Conversion of Saul Act. 19. and of Lydia Act. 16. Use 1 Use 1. To confirm our faith in the truth of Christ's Godhead c. But of this before upon the former Verses Use 2 Use 2. Seeing Christ Jesus the Son of God hath absolute power over the Minds and Wills of men to incline and move them and to turn and change them as he pleaseth this may teach us not to despair of the conversion and repentance of such as do yet live in ignorance and unbelief yea in grosse sins for