lie for money vers 16. Christ meeteth with his disciples and authorizeth them to teach and baptize all Nations Ver. 1. IN the end of the Sabbath as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre OUr Lord having satisfied Justice for us to the full in his obedience unto the death could not be holden by death but as the Son of God in Power behoved to rise again according to the prediction of the Scriptures that he might give Righteousnesse and Resurrection unto eternall Life to all his Redeemed Ones who do flie unto him for refuge In these two women who are made the first witnesses of his resurrection learn 1. The Power of Love and Faith in that soul which hath found peace of conscience through Christ will not suffer the Believer to be unmindfull of him as appeareth in Mary Magdalene and that other Mary They must know what is become of him They come to see the Sepulchre the third day after his Buriall 2. As any are before others in love to Christ so are they in account in Gods books for this is the third time that Mary Magdalene is honourably made mention of for her love to our Lord. 3. It is wisdome to moderate the expressions of Love and Zeal so as commanded duties be nor neglected for These holy women do observe the Sabbath and come not forth till it he ended Ver. 2. And behold there was a great earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it In the manner of the Lord's Resurrection learn 1. That as our Lords Death was shamefull in suffering the punishment due to our sins so his Resurrection for our Justification was wonderfully glorious for as Heaven sent forth an Angel for his service now so the Earth trembled when he stirred to arise out of it There was a great earthquake and an Angel descended from Heaven 2. Christ will make use of his creatures so as he seeth most fit for his own Glory for some base rascalâ— shall crucifie him honourable Joseph of Arimathea shall bury him an Angel shall roll the stone from the tombe 3. Albeit all the Angels be at our Lords call yet he will make use onely of one or two in a service when one or two â—â— sufficient for his purpose as here one spoken of is abundant to roll away the stone and to be Porter to him at his going out of the Sepulchre one is sufficient to affray and boast all the Priests guard set about the Sepulchre for this one Angel when he had rolled away the stone sat upon it as a Commander Ver. 3. His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow 4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men In the description of the Angel learn 1. That Angels take upon them bodily shapes when their commission to speak to men and to be seen of men requireth so as here this Angels countenance and his garments are observed 2. Great must be the Majesty of our Lord Jesus when his servants countenance is like lightning and his garment white as snow 3. The plots of Christ's adversaries are turned about as engines of war against themselves for these keepers are sent forth to keep Christ within the tombe and now they are made nill they will they witnesses of his resurrection 4. Such as are most stout against Christ shall be most afraid and astonished when he sheweth his Glory for The keepers now do shake and become as dead men Ver. 5. And the Angel answered and said unto the women Fear not ye for I know that ye seek Iesus which was crucified 6. He is not here for he is risen as he said come see the place where the Lord lay The Angel speaketh comfortably to these two women and sheweth them that Christ is risen and commandeth them to carry the news unto the Apostles Doct. 1. By the same means the Lord can terrifie his adversaries and comfort his people those he suffereth to lie still in their terrour these he comforteth Fear not ye saith the Angel unto the women as much as these keepers may look for wrath but Fear not ye 2. Such as are seeking after Jesus may take comfort whatsoever come for upon this ground the Angel saith Fear not I know ye are seeking Iesus 3. We have no reason to be ashamed of Christs crosse when the Angels avow Christ crucified to be the Lord. 4. If God should use Kings and Emperours to be Preachers of Christs crosse and resurrection it should be no disparagement to their high place for this message is worthy of such an Angel as this â—o be messenger and even the Angels do not so much honour the message as they are honoured by it and who is he who thinketh himselfe too good to be a Preacher of the Gospel 5. Christs body after his resurrection retaineth the naturall properties of a body it is in one place and not in another the Scripture knoweth no ubiquity of his body for He is not here saith the Angel he is risen 6. No rest for our faith save in our Lords word if it be once received then other things serve to confirm faith for first He is risen as he said saith the Angel and then biddeth them Come see where the Lord lay 7. It is a sufficient argument to prove that Christs body is not present in a place if sense perceive it not present for the Angel proveth that Christ is not in the Sepulchre by this reason Come see the place where the Lord lay he is not here Ver. 7 And go quickly and tell his Disciples that he is risen from the dead and behold he goeth before you into Galilee there shall ye see him lo I have told you The Angel sendeth away these women to carry joyfull tidings to the scattered Apostles Doc. 1. Albeit women be debarred from the ordinary office of preaching the Gospel yet it may serve them sufficiently for incouragement to believe in Jesus that beside other extraordinary passages of Christ's respect unto them their Sex is honoured with the carrying of the first tidings of the resurrection Go tell his Disciples that he is risen from the dead saith the Angel to the women 2. What concerneth Gods glory and others comfort in the day of griefe should be diligently gone about without delay Go quickly 3. Christ is that good Shepherd who gathereth his people unto him after that the storm of persecution hath scattered them and driven them from him for here he sendeth his Angel to his feeble Disciples to conveen them unto him in Galilee 4. The Lord pitieth the infirmity of his people and appointeth their Assemblies where they may be most secure and safe as here he trusteth his Disciples not at Jerusalem at the first but in their own Countrey Galilee 5. The Lords
3. When the gospel cometh it findeth men under the tyranny of Satan for the offer to bring them in into the kingdom of God importeth this Vers. 18. And Iesus walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brethren Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers 19. And he saith unto them Follow me and I will make you fishers of men 20. And they straight way left their nets and followed him 21. And going on from thence he saw other two brethren Iames the son of Zebedee and Iohn his brother in a ship with Zebedee their father mending their nets and he called them 22. And they immediately left the ship and their father and followed him Christ calleth Apostles first two then other two Brethren Doct. 1. In the calling of these Apostles may be seen the care which our Lord hath to provide Ministers for his church 2. None should intrude himself into the Office but should expect Christs calling as these Disciples did 3. Such as Christ doth call he doth furnish them with all furniture for the calling and promiseth unto them good successe for I will make you fishers of men saith he 4. Such as are called to the Ministry must neither refuse pains nor perill to save souls but must go about their work with as great desire to convert men and as great prudence to bring them in as fishers go about their work for I will make you fishers of men 5. When Christ doth call his chosen instruments he calls them with power of perswasion and overpowers all opposition and impediments for Straightway they leave their nets and follow him 6. His calling of them by Couples and those also Bretheren giveth us to understand that the worke of the Ministry requireth the concurrence of more hands and no lesse affection among them then among Brethren 7. His calling of so mean men as fishers sheweth the freedome of his grace in choosing of instruments manifesteth the power of his kingdom who by such weak means can subdue the world and declareth the depth of his wisdom who provides so for his own honour that the instrument shall not carry away the glory of the work Vers. 23. And Iesus went about all Galilee teaching in their Synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people 24. And his fame went thoughout all Syria and tey brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments and those which were possessed with divets and those which were lunatick and those that had a palsie and he healed them 25. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee and from Decapolis and from Ierusalem and from Iudeâ— and from beyond Iordan Here is the diligence of our Lord in his office with the great power of his God-head manifesting it selfe Doct. 1. How painfull should Ministers be in seeking out lost sheep within their bounds when they hear that Christ went about all Galilee 2. The means of conversion of souls is the preaching of the Gospel however men esteem of it for He went about teaching and preaching 3. The speciall opportunity of preaching is when people are conveened in the ordinary place appointed for religious exercises for Christ preached in their Synagogues 4. The Gospel is a matter of highest concernment It is the Gospel of the kingdome of that incomparable kingdom of heaven which by the gospel is revealed to men and offered unto men by which gospel men get right and title unto the kingdome yea heirs of the Kingdome and whereby men are governed and led on unto the full possession of the Kingdome 5. Albeit our LORDS doctrine needed no confirmation because it is the Truth of the everliving GOD yet our weak faith needeth confirmation therfore Christ strengtheneth the weak faith of such as at first did not perceive Christ to be the Son of GOD he was graciously pleased to let forth the evidence of his God-head soveraign power and goodnesse in working miracles and those all profitable miracles such as might lead men to seek the reliefe of the maladies of the soul from him who was healing all manner of sicknesse and all manner of diseases among the people 6. The first report of Christs grace is very taking the savour of his grace as of precious ointment did in the beginning of his preaching of the gospel affect the gentiles and drew them to seek after him for his fame went through all Syria 7. Such as find need of Christs help and do beleeve to be relieved by him will spare no pains but seek him where they may find him for there followed him great multitudes 8. When it pleaseth our Lord to let forth his power he can gather multitudes after him and make up his church out of all sorts of people from all places as he pleaseth for They follow him from Galilee from Decapolis c. CHAP. V. Christ his Sermon on the mount is set down in this and the two chapters following In this our Lord giveth evident marks of the blessednesse of faithfull disciples to vers 12. he instructeth the Apostles in their duty to 17. and exponeth the law otherwise then the Pharisees did Vers. 1. ANd seeing the multitudes he went up into a mountains and when he was set his disciples came unto him 2. And he opened his mouth and saught them saying IN these two verses is set down how Christ fitted himself and the auditors for the Sermon Doct. 1. The Lord hath respect to the multitudes and pâ—â—ieth their misery This is the seeing of the multitude with the eye of compassion here spoken of 2. He judgeth their soules to stand in more need of healing then their bodies Therefore he openeth his mouth and teacheth them 3. There are great ods between the firie promulgation of the law on mount Sinai unto which none might approach and Christs preaching of the Gospel for Christ went up into a mountain in a homely manner and sate down and gathered his disciples about him and when he was set he taught Ver. 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven These speeches following do not declare wherein blessedness doth consist but do shew the marks of the Man who albeit by faith in Jesus he indeed is blessed yet possibly for some mist or cloud of temptation he cannot perceive himselfe to be blessed for the present The marks are made in number eight The first mark of a true Disciple of Christ is Poverty of Spirit wherby a poor beggarly soul in his own estimation sensible both of his own sinfulness and inlack of Knowledge Faith Love and other saving Graces doth in the sense of his wants follow after Christ to be helped Doct. 1. Every man who in the sense of his own wants and poverty is made to begge at the throne of Grace verily is blessed whatsoever be the sense he
hurt and must be discreetly entertained so doth the scope of the similitudes import 2. When christians are grown up so some strength and have their senses exercised they must be put to answerable paines and exercise in Religion for this is To put new wine in new bottles that both might be preserved 3. If discretion be not used in proportioning the burden of outward exercises of religion unto the capacity and strength of the Disciples both the exercise is lost and the Disciples are hurt for this is the meaning of the hole of the garment is made more the new wine and the old bottle both are lost Ver. 18. While the spake these things unto them behold there came a certain ruler and worshipped him saying My daughter is even now dead but come and lay thine hand upon her and she shall live 19. And Iesus arose and followed him and so did his disciples The dispute is broken off by the coming of a ruler praying that his daughter might be raised from death In the coming of this ruler unto Christ We learn 1. That Christ can find out means in his providence to honour himself in the midst of all controversies and disputations for A certain Ruler a man of place cometh and worshippeth him while he is speaking and so breaketh off the dispute 2. Christ can find an errand for the man whom he will draw unto him as here by a daughters death so by some like trouble on a man or on his family he can draw the Parents unto himself 3. All that come to Christ are not alike strong in faith This ruler of the Synagogue requireth both Christs Presence and the touch of his hand that his daughter may be raised from dead Come saith he and lay thy hand on her 4. Our gentle Lord refuseth no man putteth no man away that come unto him He arose and followed him Ver. 20. And behold a woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve yeers came behind him and touched the bâ—mme of his garment 21. For she said within her self If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole While Christ is on his way a sick woman through faith is healed Doct. 1. Poor and rich are alike welcome to Christ for here while he is going with the Ruler he neglecteth not this poor sick man 2. That which doth separate us from the society of the Holy must not separate us from Christ but rather drive us unto him for this woman legally polluted and so separate from the Temple and all clean Persons draweth near Christ to touch him 3. Though all remedies do fail and our evil be of long endurance yet Christ must be run unto for this woman is diseased twelve years yet cometh with hope of help in Christ. 4. Albeit Christ seem to take no notice of us but to be about the helping of others only yet must we take notice of him and draw in to him upon all occasions offered As this woman cometh to Christ in his way to the Rulers house while grace is in dealing we must have our share of it 5. None can come to Christ rightly but such as beleeve to be the better of him and such as come may be perswaded of help by him as this woman assured her self of health If she might but touch his garment Verse 22. But Iesus turned him about and when he saw her he said Daughter be of good comfort thy faith hath made thee whole And the woman was made whole from that houre Christ will not have this work to be hid but brought to light for good use Doct. 1. Though modest soules resolve quietly to creep to heaven unknown of others yet God will have his work in them brought to light for his own glory Therefore Iesus turneth about and draweth her forth before the multitude 2. Faith in Christ gets a sweeter welcome then it can expectâ—â— it may come trembling but shall find joy ere it go as this woman is made whole and is declared to be a Daughter begotten by the word of the Gospel and adopted among Christs children and is comforted and commended for her faith in the midst of her fears 3. Our Lord will not suffer any mean of our devising to take the room from the mean appointed by himselfe Therefore Christ doth not say thy Touching my garment but Thy faith hath made thee whole Ver. 23. And when Iesus came unto the rulers house and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise 24. He said unto them Give place for the maid is not dead but sleepeth And they laughed him to scorne Christ goeth on to the Rulers house and doth not forget his errand Doct. 1. Christ may give grace to another before thee but if thou be seeking him the helping of another shall not hinder thee but help thee rather as the womans healing helped the Rulers faith and so Christ goeth on where he is invited to come 2. Christ will have nothing counted desperate which he takes in hand yea he wil have death it self esteemed but as a sleep in comparison of his divine power nothing is too hard for him in which sense he saith here The Maid is not dead but sleepeth 3. To speak of Christs power to a misbeleever is but a jest Therefore these misbeleevers laughed him to scorne Ver. 25. But when the people were put forth he went in and took her by the hand and the maid arose Verse 26. And the fame thereof went abroad into all lands In the raising of the Damosel and consequent of it Learn 1. That Christ is the life and resurrection and that his power can easily raise the deadâ— for here he took the dead Maid by the hand and she arose 2. The offer of Christs mercy to one should make his name famous among all as here his fame for this One work went abroad in all that land Ver. 27. And when Iesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou son of David have mercy on us In the healing of these two blind men Learn 1. That our Lord wearies not to do good the more he is imployed the more good he worketh When Christ departed from the rulers house Two blind men follow him 2. When others get almes and mercy from Christ it should allure more to come to his deal as these blinde men hearing of many helped by Christ do come and cry Have mercy on us 3. Such as seek good of Christ must look on him as he is described in Scripture as he is the promised Messiah the native King of Israel Son of David say they have mercy on us 4. Such as beleeve to get good of Christ will find a way to follow him and come at him albeit they were blinde for these blinde men follow and cry 5. More persons in the sense of one need may joyn in one fute unto Christ for these two blind men do joyn in one cry saying Have mercy on us
asse and a colt the foal of an asse 6. And the disciples went and did as Iesus commanded them The Evangelist maketh this observation on this passage Whence learn 1. Our Lord will see to the performance of all things written of him He is the promise maker and the performer also Therfore it is said This was done that it might be fulfilled c. 2. It is not our deserving but Gods purpose and promise which is the cause of our Lords gracious carriage toward the world for now he is to be killed in Jerusalem yet will he ride in as king to accomplish promises made to the Kirk by the Prophet Zachary It is sufficient to observe the sense of a Scripture quoted for the Scripture stands not in letters or in syllables but in sense of words compare this with Zach. 9.9.4 It is the matter of the Kirks joy and gladnesse to know of Christ and of his coming to his people whatsoever be their griefe this is sufficient to be their comfort Therfore said the Spirit for comfort Tell the daughter of Zion 5. It matters not how the world fare it is the daughter of Zion the company of the Blest and Beleevers in Jesus whose comfort God doth respect Therfore it is said Tel the daughter of Zion 6. Not onely the dull multitude but even the Daughter of Zion is asleep unto the gracious tydings of the Gospel and hath need to be stirred up by a Behold to observe the Messiah come Therefore saith he Behold thy king 7. Our Lord is a King how lowly soever he look yea Lord of Lords and King of Kings for he saith Thy King cometh 8. The church hath a speciall interest in Christ as King and he hath interest in his church as his own peculiar Subjects for whose good he governeth all the matters of the world for it is said Thy King cometh unto thee 9. This is the glory of his crown that he is so gentle and mercifull to us as he will not forsake the work of our Redemption neither for our mis-deservings and provocations nor for the injuries done to him by his adversaries for our cause for He is meek 10. The manner of his Kingdome is spirituall not after the pompe of this world sitting upon no stately hotse but on an asse colt so as the poorest of his subjects should not be deterred or debarred from accesse to him Ver. 7. And brought the asse and the colt and put on them their cloaths and they set him theron The disciples obedience and success is observed Hence learn 1. When we have a clear call ready obedience is our part without troubling our selves what may be the successe for The disciples went and did as he commanded them 2. It is our paâ—t to honour Christ so farre as we can and to lay aside our ornaments to glorifie him for They put their cloathes on the asse and the colt 3. Christ contenteth himself for any state which is to keep in his Kingdom here on earth with what his disciples can furnish him as here for They set him theron and so he rode Ver. 8. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way others cut down branches from the trees and strawed them in the way The people are moved and do honour unto Christ. Doâ—â—â— How base soever our Lords kingdom may seem unto spectators yet he can bring to himself Subjects how many he pleaeth and so purchase himself glory not only before a spiritual eye but also in the sight of the world for here great multitudes spread their garments in the way 2. It is every mans part to honour our Lord and set forward his kingdome as they are inabled some one way some another for here Some spread their garments others cut down branches of trees and strawed them in the way Vers. 9. And the multitudes that went before and that followed cryed saying Hosanna to the son of David blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest They take in their mouths words of the Psal. 118. where it is prophecied of the coming of Christ to shew himself king Doct. 1. The Lord can open the eyes of whomsoever he will to see his glory and to give him honour as the true King of Israel and to perceive the predictions of prophecies to be accomplished in him for here The people cryed Hosanna 2. The meaner sort of people are usually they whom the Lord chooseth to set forth his glory and to be Trumpeters of his praise as here The multitudes go before and follow after 3. When such as should know Christ and honour him do it not God can raise up others to glorifie him The church-men here mis-regard Christ and God stirreth up the multitudes to confesse him 4. When it pleaseth Christ to shew his kingly power he can make the meanest of his subjects to avow him and set forth his glory even in the faces of his raging enemies for here without fear of the corrupt church-mens excommunication the people make joyfull acclamation to his honour they pray for the prospering of his Kingdome and professe that salvation is the fruit therof for Hosanna in the Hebrew signifieth Give now Salvation we pray They do acknowledge Christ to be the promised Messiah The son of David to be sent of God and in his name into the world to be the Blessed and the Fountain of Blessing to his subjects saying Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Ver. 10. And when he was come into Ierusalem al the city was moved saying Who is this Thus he entreth openly in State into Jerusalem Hence learn 1. When it pleaseth Christ to take unto him his kingdome he will avow himselfe king in the midst of his enemies as now he rideth in this glory into Jerusalem 2. Where greatest shew of Religion is it is no new thing to see Christ to be least known for Who is this say they 3. Where he hath a mind to honour himselfe in suffering he will shew himselfe so evidently as he may be taken notice of by his enemies as here All the city is moved saying Who is this Ver. 11. And the multitude said This is Iesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee The multitude describeth Christ rudely as he was commonly talked of Doct. As men do know Christ so do they speak of him and according to the measure of their knowledge should they bear witnesse of him for this was the clearest description of him which the multitude could give This is Iesus the Prophet of Nazareth say they Ver. 12. And Iesus went into the Temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought in the Temple and overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of them that sold doves Christ sheweth himself King in purging of his Temple Doct. 1. It is the work of King Jesus to take notice of Religion and â—o purge it where he mindeth to reign Therefore
tribute money And they brought unto him a peny 20. And he saith unto them Whose is this image and superscription 21. They say unto him Cesars Then saith he unto them Render therfore unto Cesar the things which are Cesars and unto God the things which are Gods By calling for the stamp of the tribute mony and finding by the Im age and superscription of the money that they had by agreement subjected themselves unto Cesar and taken him for their King and stricken coyne for his use he concludeth the question as solved and biddeth them Give unto Cesar that which is Cesars and unto God that which is Gods Hence learn 1. Where a Kingdome hath subjected themselves unto a King and become his Subjects and tributaries it is lawfull to pay tribute unto him Give unto Cesar that which is his 2. Christ is no enemy to Magistrayey nor to civill rulers but teacheth men to give therin their due for Give unto Cesar that which is Cesars saith he and therfore it is reason that magistrates be as carefull that God have what is due to him in Religion and obedience of his commands as he is carefull that their due be given to them 3. Men should so regard Kings and Rulers as they do not mistake God but respect honour and obey him above all Therfore saith he Give unto God that which is Gods Ver. 22. When they had heard these words they marvelled and left him and went their way They find themselves disappointed and with a fruitlesse admiration of Christs wisdom do depart Doct. Christs adversaries in the end will find themselves mistaken in their vain hopes which they have had to ensnare him or his and all that open the mouth against him shal be ashamed as These men marvelled and went away Ver. 23. The same day came unto him the Sadduces which say that there is no resurrection and asked him 24. Saying Master Moses said if a man dye having no children his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother In Christs ran counter with the Sadduces learn 1. Christ will yoke with all his adversaries and will dispute with all Sectaries and confound them new exercises new disputes new contradictions new temptations abide our Lord and his Church for after the Pharisees and Herodians are gone the Sadduces come 2. It is a speciell policy of Satan to multiply his temptations one after another so near in time as he can for The Sadduces came that day 3. Multitudes of sects and schismes is not new nor strange but the just punishment of a corrupt Church not onely Pharisees and Herodians but Sadduces also set on by turn upon our Lord. 4. No errour so monstrous but it will finde Patrons and Followers among them who do not follow Christ for the beastly errour of the mortality of the Soul and denying the Resurrection of the body findeth here Sadduces to professe it Ver. 25. Now there were with us seven brethren and the first when he had married a wife deceased and having no issue left his wife unto his brother 26. Likewise the second also and the third unto the seventh 27. And last of all the woman died also 28. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven for they all had her Because that in the resurrection the Sadduces conceived that every man is to return to his wordly estate and condition as wife children and goods and thus do see many absurdities follow as they apprehend upon their own suspicion therefore they reject this article of faith and propound their conceit as an unanswerable doubt unto Christ. Hence learn 1. The conceiving of spirituall things in a fleshly manner is the ground of mistaking the truth and setting up of errours and heresies as appeareth in these Sadduces they apprehend the doctrine of eternall life to be this That the course of this temporary life shall be renewed and made perpetuall 2. No man seemeth wiser in his own eyes then the blindest hereticks do they conceive that Christ himself cannot answer their objections against the truth and this imboldneth these Sadduces to dispute Ver. 29. Iesus answered and said unto them Ye do erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God 30. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels of God in heaven Christ confuteth them by Scripture Doct. 1. If the Scriptures be not understood and believed it cannot misse but errours will arise for nothing else but this light can prevent or remove errours for They erred not knowing the Scriptures 2. It is necessary for quieting our minds in the truth of Gods Word that we look onely to the promise of God and to his ability to performe all what he hath promised Therefore saith he Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God 3. After the resurrection we shall be set free from the infirmities whereunto now we are subject and shall neither need meat nor drink nor marriage but shall be upholden immediately of God without means as Angels are and shall be imployed onely in the immediate service of God as the Angels of Heaven are Vers. 31. But as touching the Resurrection of the dead have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God saying 32. I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the living Having reproved their errour he confirmeth the true Doctrine by Scripture Hence learn 1. That no sufficient silencing of errour can be till the contrary truth be made clear by Scripture Therefore saith he Have ye not read 2. Whatsoever is said in the Scripture should be taken as spoken unto us and that by God for Have ye not read that which is spoken unto you by God saith he 3. Whatsoever the Scripture doth import by good consequence is to be accounted for Godâ— speech and that which in reading should be so understood as if it were expressed as here Christ reckoneth Concerning the Resurrection have ye not read saith he for the Scripture doth not stand in letters or syllables but in the sense of words and in the truely inferred consequences from thence 4. Whosoever are within the Covenant of Grace whose God the Lord is by Covenant they are sure to live in Heaven with God after this life and to have their bodies raised at last unto immortall life because God is the Saviour and Redeemer not of the soul of his Elect only but also of the body therefore there must be a resurrection of the body for God is not the God of the dead but of the living that is His Covenant to be a mans God will not suffer the man to perish in soul or body but though temporall death overtake the body yet the soul must live and not die but be for ever in a blessed condition with God and the body must not alwayes remaine under
where he â—new the traitour with the enemies should shortly come to apprehend him and acquainteth his Disciples with his puâ—pose of going apart to prepare himself by prayer for suffering Doc. 1. As the truth of the Gospel so the right way of suffering for the truth must be learned from Christ Therfore our Lord takâ—th with him his disciples unto Gethsemane a Garden and place where he is to begin his last sufferings that they might see how voluntarily and holily he addressed himself unto that service 2. As we should not make oftentation of going to private prayer so neither need we scrupulously to conceal our purpose when it may edifie for Christ saith here Sit you here till I go and pray yonder Ver. 37. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy 38. Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful evenn unto death tarry ye here and watch with me Out of the eleven Disciples He chooseth three to be witnesses of the hardest parts of his sufferings even the same who were lately witnesses of his glorious transfiguration Doc. 1. Albeit al the redeemed be alike dear to Christ yet wil he acquaint some with more deep passages of his sufferings then others and readily such as he hath acquainted before with clearer sight of his Glory as here He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee 2. Our Lord suffered for our sins not only in his body but also in his soul dolour and heaviness in a measure unspeakable My soul saith he is exceeding sorrowfull even unto death 3. Our Lord kept back from his own humane nature the consolations of the personal union thereof with the Divine nature so far that he as Man did not despise the smallest mean of ease or relaxtion that could be but calleth for the company of his slippery disciples and hereby doth teach us in our sad perplexities to take the company of some of the Saints to whom we may reveal our mind for Tarry ye here and watch with me saith he to them Ver. 39. And he went a little further and fel on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me nevertheless not as I wil but as thou wilt Albeit their company could be of some use yet but of smal use to him therfore he goeth on and prayeth Doc. 1. There is no ease to a perplexed soul under the sense of wrath till it be alone with God there it may sigh groan utter broken words keep silence or freely expresse it selfe as it pleaseth without misconstruction Therfore He goeth a little from them and fell on his face and prayed 2. The sense of the wrath of God felt by Christ and the weight of the curse due to our sins laid upon him was so horrible that his holy nature looking upon it simply as it tendeth to the destruction of the creatures could not but abhor it and so wish to be rid of it if it had been possible therfore doth holy nature say My Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me 3. The love that our Lord hath to our redemption and his special covenant made with the Father for the paying of our ransome made him to subject his holy nature and Wil to that which otherwise is abhorred therfore looking to the Fathers will thus to expiate the sinnes of the Redeemed he saith Neverthelesse not as I will in an holy naturall choise but as thou wilt let it be I voluntarily do choose it that is according to the condition past between us for redemption of the Elect Let me drink this cup and here the merit of sin thâ— strictnesse of Divine Justice the horrour of the wrath of God with the weight of the curse the mercy of God towards sinners and the unspeakable love both of God and Christ toward the Elect is to be seen lively set forth before us in our Lords passion Ver. 40. And he cometh unto his disciples and findeth them asleep and saith unto Peter What could ye not watch with me one hour 41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak Here is a short breathing time after his wrastling wherein he cometh to his Disciples whom no trouble could make him forget because for them and for the rest of his own people these sufferings were sustained and finding them asleep he gently reproveth them and exhorteth them to watch and pray by three reasons The first is joyned with a reproof It is but an hour you have to watch til you be yoked with a temptation by occasion of my sufferings approaching Therfore why do you not watch this one hour with me The second reason Except you watch and pray you may readily come under the power of temptation Therfore watch and pray lest you enter into or begin to come under the power of temptation The third reason is Albeit the spirit or your renewed part be ready and willing to resist and oppose temptations yet the flesh your natural and unrenewed part is weak and ready to be overcome Therefore watch and pray Doc. 1. When we are in greatest danger and matters most concerning us are in hand when God calleth most for our service and we have most need to watch then are we readily most secure as it fares with these disciples whom Christ called to watch with him and now findeth them asleep 2. Seeing we have no strength of our own to overcome temptations the only way to prevail is to watch and pray to God for assistance therefore Christ saith Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation 3. Seeing the godly are in great part flesh and unrenewed and so are easily insnared by temptations the spirit and renewed part hath so much more need of the help of spiritual exercises for therfore Christ bids them watch and pray upon this reason that howsoever the spirit be willing yet the flesh is weak Ver 42. He went away again the second time and prayed saying O my Father if this cup may not passe away from me except I drink it thy wil be done 43. And he came and found them asleep again for their eys were heavy 44. And he left them and went away again and prayed the third time saying the same words Our Lord's Agony under the sense of wrath and weight of the curse due to our sins is renewed again and again while he is coming and going between his Father and his slippery Disciples praâ—ing to the Father the second and third time in the same worâ— for understanding whereof let us consider that it standeth with the holinesse of humane Nature so well to be naturally and necessarily sensible of pain and griefe as to be voluntarily patient under it so well to tremble and be feared for the wrath of the Creatour as to love to have his consolation and to have
their robbery were not free of mocking the innocent Son of God for one of them did cast the same scoffe in his teeth also Doct. 1. It is no wonder to see the innocency of Christ mocked by rascals for our Lord did suffer cruell mocking by a condemned robber 2. Straits and torments will not tame a reprobate even in the threshold of hell he will blaspheme God without a cause offered as here is to be seen Ver. 45. Now from the sixth hour there was darknesse over all the land unto the ninth hour In the midst of this infirmity of the humane Nature Christ lets forth the Glory of his God-head in shewing himselfe Lord of Heaven and Earth as by other evidences remarked by the rest of the Evangelists so by darkning the whole land at the Noon-tide of the Day for the space of three Houres and drawing as it were the curtain of darknesse over his naked Body while he hung upon the crosse and thus not suffering the creatures to shew their glory where their Maker is suffering the extremity of Shame Doct. Our Lord did not empty himselfe in the dayes of his humiliation but so as he did ever let some spark of his Glory appear to such as believed in him whereby they might discern the Divine Majesty of his Person even in his lowest condition Ver. 46. And about the ninth hour Iesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli Eli lama-sabachthani that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Our Lord a little before his Death being now under the full weight and burden of the curse due to our sins and finding all sensible consolation from Heaven and Earth withdrawn from his humane Spirit breaketh forth into this heavy representation of his case in the words of Psalm 22. wherein this agony was foretold By which speech we understand that howsoever the humane Nature of the Mediatour kept constantly the same room in Gods estimation and love and could no more be loosed from the incomprehensible-fervent love of God then the Personall Union of the Divine and humane Nature could be dissolved yet was it necessary that it should suffer the punishment of our sins and feel the effects of the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin in as high a degree and measure as should be equivalent to our perpetuall destruction and be found satisfactory to Divine Justice for us and therefore albeit it was impossible that the humane nature could be deserted in regard of Gods love or of sustaining strength or in regard of inherent Holinesse or any other thing else necessarily joyned with the stability of the Hypostaticall Union yet in regard of sensible consolation it was not onely possible but also necessary that for a time it should be deserted and should taste of horrible bitternesse and accompanying such a desertion and this sort of torment and anguish of Spirit could as well consist with the personall Union as the Pain and Torment of Body could consist with it yea as the Personall Union gave way to his death and remained fast till the time of the seperation of His Soul and body so did it also give way to the temporall affliction of his humane Spirit and to this desertion in regard of Felt comfort and yet remained constantly fixed and unmoveable notwithstanding and if any should doubt how Christ his perswasion of the union of the two Natures and of the necessity and profitablenesse of his sufferings could stand with this expression let us consider that no perswasion of whatsoever truth can make holy Nature senslesse of what is destructive of it nor hinder it to expresse how it is naturally affected and what it naturally feeleth and as perswasion of the necessity and profitableness of the searing of a bleeding wound with a hot iron cannot hinder nature to be sensible of the pain or to crie out in the sense thereof so no knowledge or perswasion of the Personall Union of the two Natures in Christ or certainty of the necessity and profitablenesse of his sufferings could reasonably hinder such an expression as this wherein perswasion of love and union with God crieth My God my God and holy nature filled with the sense of wrath due to our sins and destitute of all comfortable feeling of Gods presence for the time crieth forth Why hast thou forsaken me not by way of quarelling but by way of admiring the terriblenesse and abhorring the bitternesse of Divine Wrath now felt to be far surpassing all humane apprehension which could precede the feeling of it Doct. 1. Christ our surety beside all the sufferings which he suffered in his body did suffer also sorrow grief anguish torment and desertion in regard of comfort in his soul for this and other expressions prove so much 2. Our sins deserved that we should have been utterly forsaken of God and it behoved our Redeemer to taste a little of the hell of being forsaken ere we could be redeemed 3. Heavinesse of spirit sense of wrath appearance of being forsaken and want of fel consolation may consist with the Love of God toward a mants person yea and with a mans adoption unto the state of a child of God for here is consisteth with the personall union of the Man-hood of Christ with the Divine Nature 4. Whensoever naturall sense doth misse the consolations of God faith must gripe more straitly unto God as Christ his faith doth here crying My God my God when sense seeth nothing but forsaking Ver. 47. Some of them that stood there when they heard that said This man calleth for Elias This his speech unto God some of the beholders did mock and say of him as much as if he had left God and prayed to Elias Doct. 1. No wonder the griefs and troubles of the souls of Gods children be ridiculous to the World for even the deep anguish of Christ and his prayer to the Father were mocked by some as here we see 2. In common reason it is a just reproach for any man to call upon any other except God only for even profane sinners here do make it a matter of mocking to pray to Elias supposing that Christ had done so This man calleth for Elias say they Ver. 48. And straightway one of them ran and took a spunge and filled it with vineger and put it on a reed and gave him to drink Here in his thirst as was before signified Psal. 69. vineger is given him to drink Doct. No consolation no not so much as a drink of water was yeilded unto our Lord till he paied all our debt but only what could be devised to augment his grief as here They gave him vineger to drink Ver. 49. The rest said Let be let us see whether Elias will come to save him They had wrested his Prayer before as if he had prayed not to God but to Elias now they mock also the falsly supposed Prayer to Elias in this speech importing that there was no help
did cease to be a tribe before this tribe was dissipate and so destitute of all sort of government which came not to passe till after our Lords death For now Herod is king in Judea who had slain the Elders of the house of David to confirm the kingdome in his own hand yet the tribe remained and had the own order within it self for the regulating of the common things pertaining unto the severall families thereof as appeareth in the taxing of the family of David in Beth-lehem But after Christs coming and ending of the worke of redemption for which he came the tribe of Juda was so cut off and confounded that it never had a face of a tribe again unto this day therefore the Messia is now come 3. When such as should glorifie God do it not but do misken Christ He can raise up others in their room by whom he will honour himselfe for though the wise men of the Jewish Church do not observe the time of Christs coming yet God prepareth witnesses for himselfe from among the Gentiles Behold a number of wise men come from the east to honour him whether from Chaldea or Persia or how many they were or what were their names it is not materiall to us It is sufficient that Christ is honoured by them and that they are the first fruits of the Gentiles their conversion unto Christ. 4. The Lord faileth not to make the best of all means for his own glory to make these mens testimony famous and most fit to check the security of the Jews they are led in a providence to Jerusalem to ask for Christ. Ver. 2. Saying Where is he that is born King of the Iews for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him When these men are come to Jerusalem they ask where Christ is and posesse their faith in him and their purpose to worship him Doct. 1. Though Christs kingdome be not of this world yet is he King of Saints the true King of Israel to whom the throne of David was promised that he should fit theron and raign over souls for ever for he is that born King of the Jews 2. Saving faith looketh through all clouds of humane infirmities in Christ and pitcheth upon some point of excellency in him For these men by faith in a babe new born behold the promised Messiah and the King of Israel They ask for the King of the Iews giving to him the ordinary stile of the Messiah 3. The least spunk of saving knowledg doth set a man on work to seek after Christ for where is he say they 4. Faith ere it want Christ will hazard all to come by him for these men confess him with the danger of their life to be the born King of the Iews and do ask for him in Jerusalem even when and where Herod a stranger is reigning as King 5. Though Christ came in the shape of a servant and humbled himself to be born of a mean Damsel yet is his honour to be seen in heaven and earth for a star is created to give warning to the world that the bright morning Star is arisen and from the east wise men do come to confesse him 6. Though God give signes and evidences of Christs coming yet every man doth not see or observe them but such only as God doth reveal them unto for only these wise men are they who get a right sight of this star we say they have seen his star in the cast 7. Faith in Christ and love to him will spare no pains nor travell to come at him for these men are come from a far from the east to sâ—e him 8. Faith seeth Christ to be God and that maketh men to overcome a world of difficulties in seeking to have communion with him for we are come to worship him say they to wit with religious worship due to the promised Mâ—ssiah the Redeemer of souls Ver. 3. When Herod the King had heard these things he was troubled and all Ierusalem with him At the hearing of these news Herod is troubled and all Jerusalem with him he for fear to lose his kingdome and they for fear of wars betwixt two Kings Doct. 1. It is no new thing that Kings are jealous of Christ when they hear he is a King They can hardly conceive how his Kingdome shall not pre-judg their reign albeit indeed their Kingdome hath no such friend as he is therefore Herod when he heard was troubled 2. Worldly men setled in their honours ease and wealth are feared to be troubled about Christ and could be contented to sit quiet without him for all Ierusalem here is troubled also more fearing temporall inconveniences by occasion of Christs nativity then rejoycing in the hope of salvation through him Vers. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and Sribes of the people together he demanded of them where Christ should be born Herod dissembleth his fear and pretendeth zeal to bring the knowledge of Christ to light and to this â—nd he calleth an assembly of the church to enquire what the Scripture spake of the place of his nativity Then which there could not be any act more plausible to the people more acceptable unto these strangers or a more specious show of religious respect unto Christ. In Herod we have the portrait of Christs enemies he dissembleth like a crafty fox waiting for the prey so do they He befriendeth the wise men who are seeking Christ so far as it may serve for his own ends so do they He abuseth the church-men and their assembly calleth for a meeting of the chief priests and Scribes proponeth questions to be solved as if he minded to make good use thereof In speciall asking of them where Chrâ—st should be born as if none were readier to serve him then he mean time he was seeking to find him out to kill him so do they Ver. 5. And they said unto him In Beth-lehem of Iudea for thus it is written by the Prophet 6. And thou Beth-lehem in the land of Iuda art not the least among the princes of Iuda for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule my people Israel The Priests and Scribes of the people assembled answer the question from Scripture â—oct 1. As it is the duty of the church-men to assemble readily when matters of Religion and questions concerning Christ are moved in the church so they ought to determine questions according to the Scripture without seed or favour for being conveened they answer It is written in the text cited by the assembly Matthew and Micah do agree in substance That albeit Beth-lehem was a small city of no great wealth nor estimation among the cities of Israel yet it was not little in effect but a city of renown Because in it was born the Governor of Israel the King and Captain of the Lords people Christ Jesus Doct. 1. Scripture consisteth not in letters or syllables but in sense
and meaning for in citations of Scripture here and else-where the Evangelists stand not for words but rest upon the sense 2. The meanness and baseness of any thing whereof Christ maketh use should offend no man for He can make a little Beth-lehem the place of his nativity 3. His presence dignifieth the place wheresoever he is for Beth-lehem how small soever is not the least city because Christ is born in it 4. Christs speciall subjects are the Israel of God and Christs office is to be a Governour a Chieftain and a Guide to the Elect governing and feeding them for he shall rule my people Israel for he shall rule them as a pastor or shepherd doth the word import 5. God can make use of his foes for the furtherance of his own purpose whatsoever be their intentions for by the means of Herod and the Scribes who were small friends to Christ Gods purpose for clearing of the fulfilling of the prophesie about the place of Christs nativity is brought about 6. The Lord can so dispose of means for the benefit of such as are seeking Christ that if one mean be withholden another more profitable shall be furnished For the wise men though they want the sight of a star for a while which they saw in the East verse 2. yet first they are led to Ierusalem verse 1. and then to the light of the Scripture in the answer of the Priests verse 5 6. that their faith might be builded on Christ in the ordinary and surest way In particular God doth offer unto them a notable point of light in the answer of the Priests and Scribes concerning Christs God-head and Eternity For in the text cited here by the assembly Micah 5.2 it is written that Christ his going forth is from of old from everlasting which served to teach them that the Eternalll generation of the Son must alwayes be remembred when his being born as a child is spoken of which could not but be usefull and comfortable unto them at that time Verse 7. Then Herod when he had privily called the wise men enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared 8 And he sent them to Beth-lehem and said Go and search diligently for the young child and when ye have found him bring me word againe that I may come and worship him also Herod goeth on to follow his bloudy plot against Christ and under pretence of a purpose to honour and worship him he intendeth to murther him Doct. In Herod we see yet more of the wayes of the Enemies of Christ. 1. He carryeth on his design closely lest any man should smell his intention so do they He calleth the wise men privily so do they 2. Though he hath learned more of Christ then before yet because his knowledg is not sanctified his malice is not abated therefore the love of earthly things setteth him on to follow his design against Christ so much the more eagerly and so is it with the crafty politicians of this world 3. When he hath gained one point about the place of Christs birth he goeth about to gain another concerning the time of his birth also that he may draw so much nearer for the surprizing of Christ so do they haling in the cords of their net by parts 4. He covereth his purpose of murther under pretence of a purpose to worship Christ he professeth to have faith in Christ and to be of the same mind that the wise men are of and that his resolution is out of the same affection with them to worship him so do they drawing near in profession of Religion that they may more easily betray 5. To make all fast he abuseth the simplicity of Christs friends and thinketh to make them ignorantly to betray Christ into his hands So do they Go search for the child saith he and bring me word 6. Mean time as God blind-folded him in his deepest policy and suffered not his wicked wit to direct some of his servants under pretence of convoying the wise men to go along with them to murther Christ so doth God disappoint Christs enemies in their deep plots for it is easie to God to make fools of his foes when he pleaseth Herod sent the wise men to search out Christ but we read of none sent along with them Vers. 9. When they had heard the king they departed and â—o the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was Ver. 10. When they saw the star they rejoyced with exceeding great joy The wise men do follow the direction of the Scripture and go toward Beth-lehem having so far as we read neither convoy or incouragement of any company Doct. 1. If we love to find Christ we must resolve to go after him alone or in company either with or without incouragements from men as God shall dispose 2. God is not inlacking to such as are on the way to seek Christ but will renew directions and incouragements unto them as they stand in need for the star which for a time disappeared now appeareth again to them for their comfort 3. What one mean doth not reach God supplieth by another mean for the Scripture had told them of Beth-lehem but had not descended so low as the particular house but God supplieth the rest by the direction of the star which now goes before them in the way and stands above the house where our Lord lay That this star was none of the ordinary but made of purpose for this particular service appeareth by the motion of it 4. These means which do lead a man most certainly unto Christ should be the matter of his speciall joy The joy which ariseth from finding of Christ cannot be expressed for it is said They rejoyced with exceeding great joy Verse 11. And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his Mother and fell downe and worshipped him and when they had opened their tressures they presented unto him gifts gold and frankincense and mirrhe The wise men at length do find Christ and do not stumble at his outward infirmities base lodging or any other thing but do worship him as their God and Saviour consecrating themselves and all they have to his service Doct. 1. Such as seek Christ in truth shall find him at length 2. Such as beleeve what the Scripture speaks of Christ will see Christ his God-head in his deepest humiliation and by faith will pierce through all impediments therefore was it that they fell down and worshipped the child 3. Riches and wisdom and honour and all that we have ought to be laid down at Christs feet and offered to the service of Christ as the fountain and owner thereof for They opened their treasures and presented unto him gifts gold and frankincense and mirrhe Vers. 12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod they departed into their own country another way