the exalting works of grace presupposeth the humbling work of repentance as a necessary preparation 4. And the same John had his rayment of Camels hair and a leathern girdle about his loins and his meat was locusts and wild hony 4. He was cloathed with Haircloth bound to him with a leather girdle and fed on what the wilderness afforded which was Locusts which some think were an Herb so called but most a sort of flies like great Grashoppers that devour all green things and wild Hony Note Tho the Fryers and Hermits by superstitious overvaluing such austerity have tempted others to despise them yet God approved of Johns signification of his contempt of the world and fleshly pleasures by such abasing of the flesh And other mens superstition or Hypocrisie will not excuse mens superfluity or accuse mortification 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round Jordan 6. And were baptized of him in Jordan confessing their sins 5. So glad were the People to hear that the Kingdom of the Messiah was at hand that they all flockt to him to be baptized professing repentance that they might be prepared for the Kingdom Note 1. We grant that Baptism then was by washing the whole Body And did not the differences of our cold country as to that hot one teach us to remember I will have mercy and not sacrifice it should be so here 2. Tho many say Johns baptism and Christs were all one its easie to prove that were any now baptized but with John's baptism he ought to be baptized again in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost on the profession of many Articles of the Creed which John required not 7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his Baptism he said to them O generation of vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance 7. Knowing what these Pharisees and Saducees were he said O generation of Vipers Are you aware indeed that wrath is coming upon you And do you think that the Messiah will indulge your sin and come to promote your carnal interest If you profess repentance and would have part in the Kingdom of the Messiah resolve against your sins and live in that righteousness and holiness which is the fruit of true repentance 9. And think not to say in your selves we have Abraham to our Father For I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham 9. Think not that the Messiah will advance you for being the Carnal seed of Abraham If you have not the Faith and Holiness of Abraham If you be wicked unbelievers God will cast you off tho Abraham was your Father and can of the Gentiles or the very stones raise up such as shall be blest as Abraham's believing seed 10. And now also the Ax is laid to the root of the tree therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire 10. The Messiah cometh with salvation to some and judgment to others He layeth the Ax to the root to cut down all of you that bring not forth the fruit of true faith and repentance and will cast such into the fire of temporal and eternal punishment 11. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance But he that cometh after me is mighter then I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire 11. I do but baptize you preparatorily with water to repentance But he that is coming after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize not only with Water but with the pouring out of his Spirit on believers and with that fiery tryal which shall refine the gold the faithful but separate the dross and destroy the rebellious unbelievers 12. Whose fan is in his hand and he will thoroughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire 12. He will winnow and throughly separate the wheat from the Chaff the Faithful from the Rebellious and will gather the faithful into his heavenly Kingdom and into his Church in order hereto but he will burn the unbelievers and unperswadable as Chaff and that with destruction here and unquenchable fire hereafter 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him 14. But John forbad him saying I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me 13 14. Note Christ was not baptized to the same ends as other men He had no sins to repent of nor saviour to receive but as the General will wear the same colours with his soldiers Christ received baptism for the ends he was capable as to profess that the Kingdom of God was at hand 15. And Jesus answering said unto him Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness Then he suffered him 15. I must fulfill the Law of Moses and thy prophetick mission and be thus entered on my proper work 16. And Jesus when he was baptised went up straightway out of the water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him 16. As Jesus went up out of the water John saw the Heavens open to Christ and the Spirit of God in some resemblance of a dove or as a dove doth light on any place descending on him its like in a lucid appearance and resting on him 17. And lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 17. And with the apparition came a voice from heaven saying This is c. This is my beloved Son the Messiah sent from Heaven as the Mediator to reveal my will and to fulfill it and by his perfect righteousness and sacrifice to reconcile the world to me and be the propitiation for their sins CHAP. IV. THen was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil Note 1. That tho Christ was God his humane nature was acted by the Holy Ghost to whom in Scripture is ascribed Divine perfection of operation on creatures 2. Man was overcome by the temptation of Satan and so sin and death and all evil did invade mankind Therefore our Redeemer must deliver us from sin and Satan and Misery by conquering the tempter in his way of Temptation by which he conquered To give us also notice that the warfare preparatory to our future state is managed by overcoming temptations or being overcome by them And therefore the study of temptations and the resistance is a great part of the Christian life 3. Christ cast not himself on temptations but was led to it by the Spirit 4. To be temped is no sin 2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights
to make Laws for the universal Church on Earth but he and to undertake it is to undertake the prerogative of Christ and to be Vice-christ by usurpation be it Pope or Councils 4. Yet the precept of observing his commands forbids not the observing of the commands of any lawful limited local rulers under him not crossing his commands Parents Masters Pastors Princes must be obeyed in their Provinces and Places even about Gods worship If men make subordinate Laws according to Christs General Laws of Love Concord Edification Order they must be obeyed as e. g. what translations of Scripture to use what Psalms Meters Tunes Gestures Time Place and abundance such like The Gospel according to St. MARK Note 1. That this is the same Mark against whom as not fit to be taken with them St. Paul sharply contended with Barnabas even to parting a sunder But it was not as charging him with any crime but as unfit to be taken with them in so long and hard a work which he before deserted 2. It is said by some to be a tradition that Mark wrote this from the Mouth of Peter but that is uncertain 3. It is questioned seeing it is only the eleven Apostles to whom Christ promised the Eminent help of the Spirit to bring all his Doctrine to their remembrance and lead them into all Truth How can we be sure that Mark and Luke who were no Apostles and had not this promise did never mistake in their writing the Gospel Ans Tho Christ promised not Infallibility to all Preachers then he promised and gave the Eminent Miraculous gifts to the Spirit to others as well as to the Apostles as appeared in Stephen Philip and others And this spirit was to sit them for the work to which they were called which his miracles by them attested 2. And the Apostles that then lived approved these writings of Mark and Luke and so did the Churches where the gifts of the Spirit did then most abound who also delivered them down to us Whether this Mark was Bishop of Alexandria or only a transient Evangelist there a while is an Historical controversie of no great Moment When Antioch had at once so many great Apostles Prophets and Teachers and no one of them then a Bishop to rule the rest as their Pastor we may well conjecture that the case of Alexandria did not much differ from that of Antioch and Jerusalem where neither James nor any one was Governour of the Apostles The Reader must not expect that I repeat at large the Paraphrases or Notes which are written on Matthew when the same History and words are by Mark repeated CHAP. I. 1. THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God 2. As it is written in the prophets Behold I send my messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee 3. The voice of one crying in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 1. c. The publick entrance of Christ on his Ministry and Preaching the glad tydings of Salvation was by the preparation of Johns Ministry Preaching Repentance to fit men for the Kingdom of the Messiah at hand which the Prophets had foretold Note Whether by the Prophets be here meant Isay and Malachi or onely Isay is a Controversie of small moment 4. John did Baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins 4. John told the Jews that the Messiah was now come and brought Pardon and Salvation to all that received him and therefore perswaded them all to Repent that they might be Pardoned and fit Members of his Kingdom and Baptized those that Professed this 5. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan confessing their sins 5. The generality of the people longing for the promised Messiah were glad of this News that he was Come and thronged to John Confessing their Sins and Professing Repentance and were Baptized by him 6. And John was clothed with camels hair and with a girdle of a skin about his loyns and he did eat locusts and wild honey 6. N. This kind of Eremetical Life and Abstinence is overvalued by them who place Merit or Perfection in it and is unjustly vilifyed by some who know not of how great use it is some persons to withdraw from worldly Vanities and Temptations 7. And preached saying There cometh one mightier than I after me the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose 7. N. Christ and his Servants are patterns of Humility But Satan and his servants are known by Pride 8. I indeed have baptized you with water but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost 8. My Baptism doth but prepare you but his shall power out the Spirit on the Baptized 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 9. N. Qu. Did Christ Profess Repentance for the Remission of Sins If not how was he capable of Johns Baptisme Answ He was not Baptized to the same uses as other men but as owning Johns Baptisme and the Coming of the Kingdom of God As a General will wear the same Colours with his Soldiers though theirs signifie subjection to him 10. And straitway coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him 10. See on Matt. 3. 11. And there came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 11. N. God from Heaven Preached the Gospel at Christs Baptisme 12. And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness 13. And he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan and was with the wild beasts and the Angels ministred to him 12.13 N. 1. To conquer Temptations is to conquer Satan 2. Angels brought him meat at the end of the Forty days 14. Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God 14. That the Kingdom of God was coming 15. And saying The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the gospel 15. The promised time of the Messiahs appearing is Come Repent and believe this glad-tidings 16. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishers 17. And Jesus said to them Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men 18. And straitway they forsook their nets and followed him 16. c. See on John 1.40 and Matt. 4.18 19. And when he had gone a little further thence he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother who also were in the ship mending their nets 20. And straitway he called them and they left their father Zebedee in
that Prophet And he answered No. 19. John constantly affirmed that he was not Christ nor Elias personally nor the Prophet mentioned Deut. 18.15 Qu. Doth not Christ say that John was Elias Ans Not the person of old Elias but the person prophested under that name 22 Then said they unto him Who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us What sayest thou of thy self 22. Tell us then what thou art that we may give an account why thou undertakesâ— to Prophesie and Baptize 23 He said I am the voyce of one crying in the wilderness Make straight the way of the Lord as said the Prophet Esaias 23. I am he that Isaiah prophesied of in these words Isaiah 40.3 24. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees 25 And they asked him and said unto him Why baptizest thou then if thou be not that Christ nor Elias neither that Prophâ—t 26 John answered them saying I baptize you with water but there standeth one among you whom ye know not 27 He it is who coming after me is preferred before me whose shooes latchet I am not worthy to unloose 24 c. The Pharisees professed to reverence Prophets and therefore were inquisitive to know whether John was a Prophet or what he was who presumed to Baptize But he told them that it was his Office by baptizing with Water to prepare them to receive him that already was among them unknown who will Baptize with the Holy Ghost to whom he was unworthy to do the office of the lowest Servant 28 These things were done in Berhabara beyond Jordan where John was baptizing 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world 28 29. The next day after the Pharisees questions John seeing Christ gave him personally this testimony Behold this man is appointed to be Sacrificed to God as the Lambs were under the Law to make expiation for the sins of the world that all that believe on him may be pardoned 30 This is he of whom I said After me cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me 31 And I knew him not but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with water 30 31. I knew that the Messiah was come but I knew not that this was he till God made it known to me and I saw the Holy Ghost come on him afterward But because he is come I baptize men to prepare them to receive him 32 And John bare record saying I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon him 33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost 34 and I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God 32. N. Johns testimony was both by Revelation and Vision of the descent of the Spirit in some visible appearance And whether John only heard the voice from Heaven mentioned Mat. 3.17 â— uncertain 35 Again the next day after John stood and two of his Disciples 36 And looking on Jesus as he walked he saith Behold the Lamb of God 37 And the two Disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus 37. Not followed him yet as his Disciples but as enquirers after him in order to a closer following him 38 Then Jesus turned and saw them following and saith unto them What seek ye They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master where dwellest thou 39 He saith unto them come and see They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day for it was about the tenth hour 40 One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peters brother 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ 42 And he brought him to Jesus And when Jesus beheld him he said Thou art Simon the son of Jona thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone 38. Note By all this it appeareth that when Peter and Andrew were after called and suddenly left all and followed Christ it was not without some previous notice of him and preparation thereto 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee and findeth Philip and saith unto him Follow me 44. Now Phiâ—ip was of Bethsaida the city of Andrew and Peter 45 Philip findeth Nathaneel and saith unto him We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph 43. The long expected Messias is now come and we have found him he is Jesus of Nazareth c. 46 And Nathaneel said unto him Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth Philip saith unto him Come and see 46. Do the Prophets tell us that the Messiah shall come out of Nazereth Galilee produceth not Prophets Philip saith come and see him and then judge 47. Jesus saw Nathaneel coming to him and saith of him Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile 47. A sincere true hearted man Qu. Were any unbelievers such Answ He was not an unbeliever though yet he knew not Christ For he had that Belief which men were saved by before Christs coming 48. Nathaneel saith unto him Whence knowest thou me Jesus answered and said unto him Before that Philip called thee when thou wast under the fig-tree I saw thee 49 Nathaneel answered and saith unto him Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel 48. Note He judged that none but God or by God could know what men said and did at such a distance 2. It was well for Nathaneel that he came to see Christ experience convinced him And yet no doubt but Gods special Grace did it For the Pharisees saw more and yet believed not 50 Jesus answered and said unto him Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig-tree beleivest thou thou shalt see greater things then these 50. Doth this much convince thee I will do greater things then this to convince the world 51 And he saith unto him Verily verily I say unto you hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man 51. You shall see Heaven open and the Angels owning me and ministring unto me epecially at my Ascension CHAP. II. AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there 2 And both Jesus was called and his disciples to the marriage 1 2. Christ refus'd not that familiar converse which Marriage feasts are used to 3 And when they wanted wine the mother of Jesus saith unto him They have no wine 4 Jesus saith unto her Woman what have I to do with
which in the sincere is saving which is required to be professed in Baptism for admittance into the visible Church 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit 6. Men generate Men but God maketh Saints by a spiritual generation Nature begets but nature but Gods Spirit giveth a holy and heavenly Nature or Inclination 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee Ye must be born again 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth so is every one that is born of the Spirit 7 8. Count not this an incredible thing Thou hearest the sound of the wind and knowest certainly by the effects that such a thing as wind there is and that it causeth those effects which thy sense perceiveth but thou knowest not fully the nature of this wind nor whence it cometh nor whither it goeth and so thou mayest know that Gods Spirit doth this sanctifying work on Souls though thou canst not comprehend the nature of the Spirit nor the way of its operation nor why it worketh on one Soul and not on another that seemeth equal to it 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him How can these things be 9. N. The reason of Man not yet illuminated is apt to be so confident in its ignorance as to take those spiritual things for incredible which it comprehendeth not It lifts up it self against Christ's teaching with a How can these things be 10 Jesus answered and said unto him Art thoâ— a master of Israel and knowest not these things 11 Verily verily I say unto thee we speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen and ye receive not our witness 10 11. It is a shame to thee that art a Master of Israel to be ignorant of these things without which all thy knowledge is but shells and shadows I tell thee we spake that which we certainly know by intuition and experience on holy Souls and yet you carnal Jews believe us not not knowing what your own shadows do import 12 If I have told you earthly things and and ye believe not how shall ye beleve if I tell you of heavenly things 12. When I tell you but what God doth here on Earth on all that he will save and illustrate it to you by a similitude which your senses do perceive and it is a thing that your Ceremonies signifie how shall you believe if I tell you the unseen things of Heaven if you believe not things so evident as these 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven even the Son of man which is in heaven 13. And if you will not believe me what satisfying notice can you have of the state of things in Heaven for no Man hath ascended up into Heaven and can tell you by sure notice what is there but I that came down from Heaven and so came down by assuming flesh as that yet I am now in Heaven in my Godhead 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the son of man be lifted up 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life 14 15. And the way of Salvation which God by me revealeth to you is this that as Moses in the Wilderness set up a brazen Serpent that all that were stung with Serpents might be cured if they did look up to this So I must be lift up on the Cross as a Sacrifice for sin that whoever truly believeth in me and trusteth me as the Redeemer and Saviour shall not perish but have everlasting life 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 16. For God who is Love it self so far loved lapsed and lost mankind as that he gave his only begotten Son to be incarnate and to be their Redeemer by his meritorious life and death and Resurrection and to make them this promise covenant and offer that whoever truly believeth in him should have his sin forgiven and should not perish but have everlasting blessed life 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved 17. For if the World be condemned they shall never have cause to lay the blame on Christ For it was not to condemn them that God sent him into the World but to be the Saviour of the World which his Doctrine Life and Sufferings shew 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God 18. He that believeth on him is thereupon by him delivered from the Condemnation that he was under and shall be saved but he that believeth not is not delivered from his Guilt and Condemnation but is under the Guilt of a severer punishment the Law of Grace it self Condemning him because he hath rejected the Son of God sent from Heaven with his Doctrine his Grace and offered Mercy so that both the Law of Nature and of Grace condemn the Neglecters of so great Salvation 19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil 19. For the true cause of Mens Condemnation is not that they have no Saviour or Ransom being left as Devils to remidiless despair but that a Saviour as Light is come into the World and Men love darkness rather than light and so reject him and his truth and grace because they love and live in that sin which cannot endure the light 20 For every 〈◊〉 that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light least his deeds should be reproved 20. For it is the part of â—ight to detect and shame Mens evill deeds and thereâ—ore Malefactors hate and avoid the Light lest it reprove them and condemn them 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God 21. But Light is the honour of well doing which is not afraid to be known and therefore he that doth that which is truly good loveth the Light and cometh to it that his deeds may appear to be as they are the work commanded and approved by God And therefore they will receive me that am the Light of the World 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea and there he tarried with them and baptized 22. He by his Disciples baptized those that believed and repented 23 And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much water there and they came and were baptized 24 For John was not yet cast into prison 23 24. John ceased not baptizing even when Christ baptized nor till he
they are lovely so approved and loved his Humanity more as it grew more in act and habit toward perfection CHAP. III. 1. NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene 2. Annas and Cajaphas being the high-priests the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness 1 2. Note A Tetrarch is the Governour of the fourth part of a Province or large Country Whether Annas and Caipahas were both High Priests by corruption at once or exercised it by turns or being yearly chosen one had it one part of the year and the other succeeded him or whether Annas is so called for his power with or over the High Priest by affinity and interest or whether Annas though so called had another sort of Government distinct from the Priesthood Expositors are not agreed But it 's certain that the High Priesthood was greatly corrupted and usually bought of the Romans 3. And he came into all the countrey about Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins 3. Preaching Pardon to all true Penitents and telling them that publick deliverance from their National Calamity was at hand to be offered them if they would prepare for it by Repentance 4. As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 5. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth 6. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God 4 5 6. Prepare your selves for the Kingdom of God in which he will raise the humble and the oppressed and take down the proud and the oppressors and will bring in Justice and Reformation into an unrighteous wicked World and the Saviour of the World shall appear and his Salvation be proclaimed and wrought throughout the Earth 7. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generation of vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance and begin not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our father for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham 7 8. Do you think to scape the wrath that is coming on you by an hypocritical Repentance and the Ceremony of Baptism Shew that you truly repent by your reformed lives and presume not on your being Abraham's Seed For God that can make Man of Stones can of the Gentiles raise a Seed of Believers to Abraham 9. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the tree every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire 9. God is â—ntring into Judgment with you and will â—ut down wicked and fruitless Hypocrites for the fire 10. And the people asked him saying what shall we do then 11. He answereth and saith unto them he that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat let him do likewise 10 11. Love others as your selves and see them not suffer in want while you have supply for them and can spare it from your plenty Prefer their necessity before your fulness or superfluity 12. Then came also Publicans to be baptized and said unto him Master what shall we do 13. And he said unto them Exact no more than that which is appointed you 12 13. Excise or Tax-gatherers 14. And the souldiers likewise demanded of him saying And what shall we do And he said unto them Do violence to no man neither accuse any falsly and be content with your wages 14. Live not as Souldiers use to do by violence to the poor people that cannot resist them and by false accusing and robbing and plundering Note He meaneth not that it is enough to Salvation to amend the crimes of their lives without a renewed holy heart but that this also must be done 15. And as the people were in expectation and all men mused in their hearts of John whether he were the Christ or not 16. John answered saying unto them all I indeed baptize you with water but one mightier then I cometh the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire 15 16. See on Matth. 3. Note The great and peculiar work and notification of Christ was his sending the Holy Ghost on his Disciples 17. Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his garner but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable 18. And many other things in his exhortatation preached he unto the people 17 18. Who will winnow you throughly and will gather and save all true Believers and burn the Unbelievers in fire unquenchable Note Christ that is a Saviour is the severe destroyer of his obstinate Enemies 19. But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Phiâ—ips wife and for all the evils which Herod had done 20. Added yet this above all that he shut up John in prison 19 20. Note John would not sorbear the faithfull discharge of his office in reproving a wicked King to save his liberty or life 2. To imprison and persecute his reprover was wicked in Herod above all his former wickedness 21. Now when all the people were baptized it came to pass that Jesus also being baptized and praying the heaven was opened 22. And the holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape-like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased 21 22. Note Baptism with his own Prayer were the means thus miraculously approved by God in which he will bear witness to his Son from Heaven Note The descent of the Holy-Ghost on Christ with Gods vocal Testimony was a fit investiture of him in the office of the Captain of our Salvation who was to mark out his Soldiers with the same gift of the Holy-Ghost and his adopting word 23. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age being as was supposed the son of Joseph which was the son of Heli 24. Which was the son of Matthat which was the son of Levi which was the son of Melchi which was the son of Ianna which was the son of Joseph 25. Which was the son of Mattathias which was the son of Amos which was the son of Naum which was the son of Eli which was the son of Nagge 26. Which was the son of Maath which was the son of Mattathias which was the son of Semei which was
2. Ministers that are to require Confession and Promises of obedience to Christ from offenders in order to their Restoration must lead the way in the same themselves if they scandalously sin 3. The great evidence of our Love to Christ must be in serving the Church and Souls 18. Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdest thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldest but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not 18 19. Thou wast at thy free dispose c. But here after others shall bind thee and carry thee to Prison against thy will and also unto death By these words he signified that he should be Martyred 19. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God And when he had spoken this he saith unto him Follow me 19. Follow me in labour and fufferings unto Glory 20. Then Peter turning about seeth the Disciple whom Jesus loved following which also leaned on his breast at supper and said Lord which is he that betrayeth thee 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man do 20. What shall become of John 22. Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me 22. What is that to thee how long he shall live if it were till my coming or if he live till he see my Catholik Church setled under my proper Government when the Jews Law and Policy are fully dissolved at the destruction of their Temple and Nation 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that Disciple should not die yet Jesus said not unto him He shall not die but If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee 23. Note A false Tradition may pass amongst Christs own Disciples by misunderstanding in some things 24. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his testimony is true 24. This is John the Disciple who was an Eye and Ear witness of all this and who wrote this History of Christ And whose testimony the Church doth justly receive as true Note Though some take these words to be the Bishops of Asia that published Johns Gospel at whose request they say he wrote it about thirty two years after Christs Resurrection yet it is no less probable that the words are his own and that we know signifieth only its well known to the Churches 25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Amen 25. Though this History be written to Record divers things which others have omitted yet altogether are far from containing all the Miracles that Christ did which were so many that should they all be written the many and great Volumns would as it were overload the World Note 1. That therefore it is not to be matter of offence if any one Evangelist pass by divers particulars 2. That though multitudes of Christs Words and Miracles may be unknown to us as much is Recorded as he would have taken as needful to the notice of the Church through all Generations And none of his Laws or Promises the objects of our Obedience and Faith are omitted yea all that is essential to Christianity is contained in Baptism or a very narrow room 3. It is in vain to pretend Oral Tradition for any needful thing omitted in the Scripture Records though the Essentials and greatest practical Matters of Religion are most certainly delivered us both ways even by the Scriptures and by the Universal publick practice of the Churches THE ACTS of the HOLY APOSTLES Note That this History written by Saint Luke is not to be supposed to contain all the Miracles Preaching and Success of all the Apostles but only the History of Peter and Paul and some few others their Companions and that but for a short space of time not mentioning what the other ten Apostles and their helpers did in other parts of the World nor what Peter and Paul did to the end of their lives supposed to be ten years after the ending of this History yea Peters History is here Recorded but for a far shorter time than Pauls with whom Luke Travelled And though this History of Luke have more infallibility than other History of Church affairs since written yet all other credible notice of matter of Fact and Church Practice from the beginning is of great use to us and not to be dispised CHAP. I. THE former treatise have I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach 2. Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen 1. I wrote the Gospel History as a Record of Christs Birth Miracles and Doctrinâ— reaching to the day of his Ascension after he had by breathing on his Disciples given them the Holy Ghost and their Comissions 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God 3. That their Faith should not waver but have full assurance he shewed himself to them by unquestionable manifestation at several times in the forty days space in which he abode on Earth before his Aseention Instructing them in the matters of his Kingdom 4. And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me 5. For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence 4 5. And when he was among them he bid them wait at Jerusalem for the great Gift of the Father even the Holy Ghost the Promise of which ye have heard of me which shall be your full solemn initiation into your Apostolical and Extraordinary Ministry and a few days hence you shall receive Note The Holy Ghost given by Christs breathing on them was not a meer Title Name or Relation buâ— yet it was not that full effusion which they were to have after his Ascension but a previous earnest of it to shew them from whom the fuller Communication was to come differing from this later as his own Resurrection Victory differed from his Ascension Majesty and Kingdom They were not to set upon the Publick Ministry without this necessary previous qualification nor should any now take up the ordinary Ministry without holy suitable qualifications by Christs Spirit 6. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom-to Israel 6. They were now in hope of Earthly Dominion and said wilt thou now deliver Israel from Captivity
That there is a God whom we offended to whom he reconcileth us and who gave him to us in love and that his word is true and that by the Word and by the Holy Ghost he sanctifieth and prepareth us for Heaven 38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him 39. And when they were come up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoycing 38 39. The Angel or Power of God caught away Phillip Note A Converted man hath great cause of rejoycing The Gospel proclaimed much more heartily received is matter of great joy 2. The Tradition of Abassia where is a great Empire of Christians is that they received the Christian Faith by this man who was the Queens Lord Treasurer And some Learned men conjecture that it was rather by Frumentius and Edesius and that it was Abassia that was by Historians miscalled India But if these first brought in Church Government by a Bishop the Eunuch might bring Lay Christianity before 40. But Philip was found at Azotus and passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Cesarea CHAP. IX ANd Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord went unto the high Priest 2. And desired of him Letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem 1. Ignorant zeal made Saul set himself to destroy the Chrstians and sought to the High Priest for Power and travelled toward Damascus to do it that he might find them out and bring them in Bonds 3. And as he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven 3. God the father of Light useth to shew himself to man by Light external and internal and so doe his Angels when the Devil is the Prince of Darkness 4. And he fell to the Earth and heard a voice saying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 4. The Power of God went forth with that Light and cast him to the ground c. Note 1. Love and Mercy in Christ expostulate with a blinded furious Sinner in order to his Conversion 2. But till Power had cast him down the Expostulation came not God can soon lay proud Prosecutors on the Earth and tame them and make them fear and hear 3. Whatever is done against Christians for any thing that Christ commandeth them he taketh as done against himself If we are bound by the Law of Christ to Preach to Pray to edifie each other to live a Holy life and we be reviled scorned called all manner of evil names imprisoned fined banished or murdered for this Christ will judge the doers of it as doing it against him 5. And he said Who art thou Lord And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks 5. Note Did wicked Prosecutors know Christ it would restrain them from persecution But the subtile Devil hath taught Hypocrite Christians to prosecute him as by his own Authority and Commission and in his own name and for his Church that is themselves 2. Christs Servants should no more doubt of their seasonable vindication when persecuted for their duty than if Christ was pesonally persecuted in their stead 3. O how terrible will it at last prove to Persecutors that they have kickt with their bare feet against the Pricks or Thorns of Gods displeasure Who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered Or who hath Conquered the Almighty 6. And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do 6. Note God can make the firercest Persecutor tremble And then O how they are changed ready to do any thing that God will bid them which before they Persecuted And if the change be true this will hold and come to practice 2. O then what need have proud Persecutors to be cast down and how great a mercy to them it may prove 7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless hearing a voice but seeing no man 7. Note In Act. 22.9 it is said they that were with him saw the Light and were afraid but heard not the voice of him that spake The sence of both is they saw the Light and heard the sound which its like was a Thunder or like it but heard not the voice or words of Christ which in that sound were uttered to him nor saw any similitude of Christ Though we have only Pauls witness of this his after life of labour suffering and Miracles proveth it to be true 8. And Saul arose from the Earth and when his eyes were opened he saw no man but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus 8. This stroak of blindness was to convince him of the blindness of his Persecuting fury 9. And he was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink 9. Note This was some conformity to Christs being three Days and Nights in the darksom Grave 10. And there was a certain Disciple at Damascus named Ananias and to him said the Lord in a vision Ananias And he said Behold I am here Lord. 11. And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and inquire in the House of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight 10. Ananias was a Christian appointed by God to this work on Saul 2. Praying was next to resolved obedience and submission the first fruits of Sauls Conversion 13. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem 14. And here he hath authority from the chief Priests to bind all that call on thy name 13. Note Ananias objecteth what he had heard of Sauls as rendring his conversion improbable 15. But the Lord said unto him Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel 16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake 15. Obey me who know man and my own decrees and object not former things against me I have chosen him c. 17. And Ananias went his way and entred into the House and putting his hands on him said Brother Saul the Lord even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy Ghost 17. God hath made known to me what
he so sincerely believe in God and his Mercy as to fear and serve him or to work righteousness or truly obey his Laws he shall be mercifully accepted by him who is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him 36. The word which God sent unto the Children of Israel Preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all 37. That word I say you know which was published throughout all Judea and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him 36 c. The word which God sent to the Children of Israel was not like Moses Law confined to them but it was the Proclaiming of Reconciliation to all Jews and Gentiles that will believe in him who is by Redemption Lord of all and not only of the Jews This word you cannot but have heard hath been published throughout all Judaea c. How God indued Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with Power who went about donig good and healing c. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem whom they slew and hanged on a tree 40. Him God raised up the third day and shewed him openly 41. Not to all the People but unto witnesses chosen before of God even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead 39. We are Witnesses of his Doctrine and Miracles and of his Resurrection and did eat and drink with him being chosen to this Office 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the People and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead 42. Judge of all that are alive at his coming and that were dead before and are then raised 43. To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins 43. All the Prophets foretold that through the Merits of this the Messiah God by his Covenant of Grace would give Remission of sins to all that truly believe in him 44. While Peter yet spake these words the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word 44. Even while Peter was thus speaking the great miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost came down on all that heard which broak out in the effects before them all 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many as came with Peter because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost 46. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnified God Then answered Peter 45. This was astonishing News to the Jewish Christians to hear Gentiles speak Tongues not learned and to be rapt up in the praise of God 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the holy Ghost as well as we 47. Can any reason be given why these though Gentiles should not be Baptized when God hath thus signally owned them by his miraculous gift of the Spirit as he hath done us 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days 48. He caused them to be entred by Baptism into the Christian Covenant and Church and they prayed him to stay a while with them to confirm and comfort them CHAP. XI ANd the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem they that were of the Circumcision contended with him 3. Saying thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them 1 2. Note 1. Even in the pure Apostolical first Church there were wrangling contending Christians 2. Even that which should have been their rejoycing was their matter of censorious contention 3. These weak ones charged sin on the Apostle as if they had been wiser and holier than he 4. It was the separating and self honouring vice which caused this censorous contention 4. But Beter rehearsed the matter from the begining and expounded it by order unto them saying 5. I was in the City of Joppa praying and in a trance I saw a Vision A certain Vessel descend as it had been a great sheet let down from Heaven by four corners and it came even to me 6. Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes I considered and saw four-footed beasts of the Earth and wild beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air 7. And I heard a voice saying unto me Arise Peter slay and eat 8. But I said Not so Lord for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entred into my mouth 9. But the voice answered me again from Heaven What God hath cleansed that call not thou common 10. And this was done three times and all were drawn up again into Heaven 11. And behold immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was sent from Cesarea unto me 12. And the Spirit bade me go with them nothing doubting Moreover these six brethren accompanied me and and we entred into the mans house 13. And he shewed us how he had seen an Angel in his house which stood and said unto him Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose surname is Peter 14. Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved 4. Of all this we have spoken on the former Chapter Note 1. God who hath ordained the Ministry of men will use it for mens Salvation 2. How greatly should the Gospel and mens Preachtng it be valued when it is Gods means of saving men 3. God used then to Covenant and save whole houshoulds together And it seems Cornelius's house was prepared for it 15. And as I began to speak the holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning 16. Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost 15 16. I remembred Christs promise of the Spirit and saw that he owned them by fullfilling it 17. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ what was I that I could withstand God 17. Seeing God so evidently owned them as he had done us I was neither able nor willing to oppose God in his way of mercy to the Gentiles which should rather be our joy 18. When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentace unto life 18. Note 1. Goâ—s miraculous gift of the Spirit was an undenyable evidence of his approbation 2. Censorious separating Contention came from hafty rash judging of things unknown and before they heard what could be said 3. When contentious censorious
for the tumult he commanded him to be carried into the Castle 33 34. A Heathen would hear the cause before he judges it when superstitious Zealots execute before they try or hear 35. And when he came upon the stairs so it was that he was born of the Souldiers for the violence of the people 36. For the multitude of the people followed after crying Away with him 35. The Heathen Soldiers were fain by force to carry and guard him from these Hypocrites 37. And as Paul was to be led into the castle he said unto the cheif Captain May I speak unto thee Who said Canst thou speak Greek 38. Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days madest an uprore and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers 37 38. The tumult about him made him suspect him to be an Incendiary that had lately raised sedition 39. But Paul said I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus a citizen of no mean city and I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people 40. And when he had given him licence Paul stood on the stairs and beckened with the hand unto the people and when there was made a great silence he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue saying 39 40. When he had given him leave to speak and procured silence and audience by his Authority which else the Multitude of Legal Zealots would not have granted him he spake to them in the Chaldec Tongue than called the Hebrew because it was understood by a greater number than the Greek This sheweth that Greek was not then most common CHAP. XXII MEn brethren and fathers hear ye my defence which I make now unto you 2. And when they heard that he speak in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence and he saith 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew born in Tarsus a city in Cilicia yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers and was Zelous towards God as ye all are this day 1. I am a Jew brought up a Disciple of Gamaliel under the same Laws and customs and as zealous for God in your way as you now are 4. And I persecuted this way unto the death binding and dilivering into prisons both men and women 4 And as you are affected with zealous cruelty now against Christians so was I then and persecuted them even to death binding and delivering them into Prison both Men and Women 5. As also the high priest doth bear me witness and all the estate of the elders from whom also I received letters unto the bretheren and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished 5. The High Priest and all the Council of Elders called rhe Sanedrim know this from whom I had Letters authorizing me to bring them Prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished 6. And it came to pass that as I made my journey and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me 7. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 6 7. I saw a Light and hâ—ard a Voice c. Note When Christ will speak in Power and Terror he will cast down the proudest Persecutor 2. Christ taketh the persecuting of his Servants and striving against his Gospel as persecuting himself it being against his Friends and for his Cause 8. And I answered Who art thou Lord And he said unto me I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou Persecutest 8. Note Did Persecutors know Christ aright and know that it is him in his servants whom they persecute they durst not they would not do it 9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid but they heard not the voice of him that speak to me 9. They saw the Light and heard the sound like Thunder but saw no man nor heard the voice and words that were spoken to me and which I heard 10 And I said What shall I do Lord And the Lord said unto me Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do 10. I will not this way by voice from heaven tell thee thy duty I have stablished the way of notifying it by my Ministers and Spirit Go to Damascus and I will send thee a Teacher Note Souls duely humbled are ready to do any thing that God would have them do 11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus 11. Note God made the Light it self to blind him as an Emblem of his persecuting blindness 12. And one Ananias a devout man according to the law having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there 13. Came unto me and stood and said unto me Brother Saul receive thy sight And the same hour I looked up upon him 12. Ananias a zealous Jew tho a Christian well spoken of by the Jews themselves was sent to restore my sight c. 14. And he said The God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know his will and see that Just one and shouldest here the voice of his mouth 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard 14 15. It is the free grace and will of God that hath chosen thee to see Christ whom thou persecutest and to hear his voice from Heaven and to be his witness of what thou hast seen and heard Note Paul is a full instance of Gods special electing grace 16. And now why tarriest thou arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. 16. Delay not but presently repent and believe in Christ and give up thy self to him in his baptismal Covenant and as the Water washeth this body his pardoning grace through the merits of his blood and righteousness shall wash away the guilt of thy sins and call on the Lord for Mercy and for his Spirit 17. And it came to pass that when I was come again to Jerusalem even while I prayed in the temple I was in a trance 18. And saw him saying unto me Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me 17. Note God that foreknew that the Jews would obstinately reject Paul directed his Ministry from them elsewhere 19. And I said Lord they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee 20. And when the bloud of thy martyr Stephen was shed I also was standing by and consenting unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him 19 20. Lord Sure they will hear me without prejudice who have so hotly persecuted they Servants as they do 21.
the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews to them that are under the law as under the law that I might gain them that are under the law 21. To them that are without law as without law being not without law to God but under the law to Christ that I might gain them that are without law 22. To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some 20 21 22. To the Jews and those whose Education and Consciences keep them under Moses's Law I behaved my self by all Lawful Compliance and Conformity to that Law that I might win them preserving the Truth of the Gospel and my own and the Gentiles Liberty When I converse with the Gentiles that are not under the Law of Moses and have no written Law of God as the Jews have but only the Law of Nature and Mens Laws I fit my self and Doctrine to their State and Capacity to win them not pleading the written Law with them as I do with the Jews Though I am far from thinking or living as lawless for I am under Christs own Government and Law To the scrupulous ignorant sort of Christians and those that are yet unsetled and liable to temptation I behaved my self with all winning Compliance and Pleasingness knowing that stiff Singularity and affected or unnecessary Crossness to others is not the way to gain but to alienate them And though I know that all will not be won by such Compliance yet I am made all things lawful towards all Men that by this my duty I may save some 23 And this I do for the gospels sake that I might be partaker thereof with you 23. All this I do not as a man pleasing Flatterer for Lucre or Repute but to promote the Ends of the Gospel with you that you and I may rejoice therein together 24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one receiveth the prize So run that ye may obtain 24. As it is not every one that runneth that wins the Prize so it is not every one that preacheth or professeth Christianity that is accepted to Salvation Therefore so preach and so live as answereth your Covenant and Profession and as God hath promised to accept and reward 25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible 25. Even in Ludicrous Plays Races Combates c. Men prepare their Bodies by Abstinence and strict Diet and this but for a withering Garland Applause or Prize And shall not we do much more for the Heavenly Glory 26. I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air 26. I therefore do not run in vain as not knowing for what or as by Sloth to lose the Prize nor fight I as Fencers for meer Shew and Ostentation 27. But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 27. But my first work is about my self to mortifie and subdue all my Fleshly Desires which stand against my Duty and to keep my Body in constant subjection lest when by Preaching I have won others I should as a carnal Man be lost and cast away my self And if you are true to the Gospel and to your own Souls and would not prove self-deceiving Hypocrites take you the same course and devote all your Interests to the Ends of your Profession and the saving of Souls in stead of pleading for and abusing your real or pretended Liberties to the tempting of others and hindring their Salvation and boasting of this pernicious Folly as the Knowledge wherein you excel others ANNOTATIONS I. THe Darkness of this Chapter comes from the Uncertainty in Matter of Fact what was the Accusation that was made by the envious proud Teachers against Paul 1. Whether it were that he laboured like a Secular Man and lived not on the Church 2. Or That he was a poor Mechanick Fellow that at last must be cast on their Charge or Charity 3. Or That he sollicited them for Contributions to the Poor at Jerusalem or for others and they suggested that he partly meant himself It were easier to expound many Verses did we certainly know the Case objected II. They that from ver 16 17 18. gather a sort of Counsels which make no Duty or Sin and a State of Perfection which is no Duty utterly abuse the Text which intimateth no such thing and are sufficiently before confuted on Chap. 7. about the Case of Marriage III. Though Paul's becoming all things to all men condemn their Humour that in Converse Congregations Opinions Practises do proudly affect unnecessary Oddness that they may seem wiser and better than the rest and justifie Austin's Resolution to do as the Church doth whereever he cometh in all lawful things to win Men by Approach and not to alienate them by Crosness yet it no way countenanceth them who as Temporizers Man-pleasers or for Worldly Ends or an Indifferency in Religion for want of Judgment or tender Consciences and true Obedience to God will conform themselves to any Sin which Mens Laws or Customs shall make needful to their carnal Interest And yet in things antecedently Indifferent Law and Custom may weigh down lighter Motives that are on the other side but not weightier Motives True Prudence here must hold the Scales and determine what is Duty and what is Sin CHAP. X. 1. MOreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea 3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 2 3 4. And because your boast of Knowledge and your scandalous uncharitable abuse of your Liberty and insulting therein give me cause to be jealous of many among you let me further remember you That it is not your being Baptized and being Partakers of outward Privileges and being eminent in the Church that will save you if you live in Sin For all the Israelites passed through the Sea and were under the Cloud and so were typically baptized by Covenant to Moses's Law and they did all eat the Passover which was Sacramentally Spiritual Meat and typically as our Eucharist and they all drank of the miraculous rock-Rock-water oft in the Wilderness which Rock and Water were typically or spiritually Christ and his Sacramental Blood 5. But with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness 5. And yet with many yea most of them God was so offended by their Sin that he overthrew them in the
he hath raised Christ which would be a most heinous crime 16. For if the dead rise not then is not Christ raised 17 And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins 16 17. If the dead rise not and Christ rose not what hope have you of Salvation from sin and death 18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 18. Then dead Christians are perished that is If their Souls live not when the Body is dissolved their Souls perish and if the body rise not that perisheth for ever and the Martyrs would be great losers and martyrdom folly 19. If in this life onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 19. And if there be no resurrection or life after this but our hope of benefit by Christ were only in the things and time of this present life none were so miserable as Christians who must forsake all even life it sâ—lf for Christ Note That the thing denied by the Hereticks was not only the resurrection of the body but also all life after this for Soul or Body And so the Apostle joyneth the confutation of both under the name of Resurrection 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them that slept 20. But we have full proof even from sense that Christ is risen and therefore as the first-fruits consecrate the whole so Christs Resurrection being to purchase ours doth prove to our comfort that the dead shall rise 21. For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 22. For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive 21 22. For as by Man came death Corporal as well as Spiritual and Eternal by Man also came our deliverance by a Resurrection For as by Adam's sin the sentence of death came on all his posterity as â—â—ch so all that are in Christ shall by him be delivered to everlasting happy life Note That the Resurrection of all Men good and bad is an effect of Christs death and resurrection antecedently to differencing Grace as appeareth John 5.24 25 c. But that it proveth a Resurrection to condemnation is consequently caused by Mens sin and the Apostle here speaketh of the Elects Resurrection to felicity 23. But every man in his own order Christ the first-fruits afterward they that are Christs at his coming 23. But Christ the cause of our Resurrection must rise before us and all Christians at his coming 24. Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power 24. Then cometh the end of his acquired Mediatorial Kingdom when he shall have reduced us perfectly to God his Father and we shall need his reducing healing Government no more and so God shall govern us in the state of perfect innocency and Christ shall have put down all Rebelling Powers Authority and Rule Note This is a sad intimation that so much of Rule Authority and Power as is here called All will be against Christ 25. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet 25. For these Powers now mentioned being Enemies to Christ he must reign till they are all subdued 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death 26. By Enemies I mean all that resist his saving works And of these death is the last 27. For he hath put all things under his feet But when he saith all things are put under him it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him 27. Only God is evidentâ—y excepted who is he that thus puts all things under him 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all 28. When Christ hath subdued all that opposeth his saving mediatorial work Christ as a Creature shall be for ever himself subject to the Deity and shall give up his recovering work tho still it will be our Glory to see his Glory So that the pure blessed Deity will be the felicity of Saints and be all in all 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all why are they then baptized for the dead 29. And if the dead rise not to what purpose do we in Baptism profess our belief of the Resurrection and resign our Bodies a living Sacrifice to die when Christ requireth it and this in hope of a resurrection signified by our rising from under the Water 30 31. And why stand we in jeopardy every hour I protest by your rejoycing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord I die daily 30 31. What folly were it in us Christians to choose a Religion and course of life for which we are in continual danger from the malignant World I protest by the joy which I have in your Christianity that I live continually a dying life that is in daily sufferings and danger of death and preparation for it 32. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus what advantageth it me if the dead rise not let us eat and drink for to morrow we die 32. If as Men Combat one with another I was put at Ephesus to strive with Beasts or Beasts in the shape of Men what get I by such hazzards and sufferings if there be no life to come Then it will follow that those sensual fools are the Wise Men who say Let us eat and drink and take pleasure to the Flesh while we may for we shall shortly die 33. Be not deceived Evil communications corrupt good manners 33. Let not such evil Principles and Proverbs and talk deceive you Ill words deceive many and draw to ill Deeds and Conversations 34. Awake to righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame 34. Such lewd opinions shew that mens Reasons and Consciences are in a sleep and stupidity awake them and they will lead you from sin to righteousness By this it appeareth that some among you that call themselves Christians have not yet the true knowledge of God and his Will which I say to humble you by shame 35. But some man will say How are the dead raised up and with what body do they come 35. But some of you may the hardlier believe the Resurrection because they cannot tell how the dead are raised and with what body they shall rise 36. Thou fool that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die 36. This is the Objection of a Fool For in sowing though a Seed truly dead be unfruitful yet the Seed is buried and by a sort of Rotting or Corruption seemeth as dead before it spring up unto Fruit. 37. And that which thou sowest thou sowest not that body
will give them a better And how else should we overcame the World but by believing in him that overcome it and is preparing a place for us in Heaven and hath made us the Heirs of Glory 6. This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth 6. This is he that as he was baptized so he instituted Baptism for the cleansing of Souls And as he was crucified to be a Sacrifice for sin so doth he by his Sacrament and Grace communicate this Sacrifice in its Benefits to us which his Crucifixion signified when both Water and Blood run out of his pierced Side He cleanseth us nor by Water and Baptism alone but as a Sacrifice by Water and Blood and at a dearer rate And the Witness by which God attesteth all this to be his Truth is the Gift of his Spirit 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth the Spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 7 8. For there are three in Heaven who have given us their Witness to the Gospel on Earth even the Father who hath from Heaven declared Christ to be his Son and the Word or Godhead of Christ which he shewed in his Miracles Resurrection c. And the Holy Ghost sent down for Infallibility Miracles and Renovation of the Faithful And these are so Three as yet to be One. And on Earth we have seen these three Witnesses attesting one thing by Agreement even the Spirit in the Souls of Believers in their Miracles and Holiness sealing the Truth the Water of Baptism and the washing of their Souls from Sin and Christ's Bâ—ood and Sacrifice which is our Expiation signified in the Lord's Supper even as Christ on the Cross first recommended his Spirit into his Father's Hands and then out of his pierced Side came Water and Blood Note Though much of these words Vers 7 8. be not in many ancient Copies of the Bible we have more reason to think that the Arrians left them out than that the Orthodox put them in other Texts that assert Christ's Godhead being so used But however it need not offend the Faithful there being so many other Texts which assert the Trinity 9. If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is greater for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son 9. If the Witness of credible Men and Controversies among us much more must the Witness of God be believed And this mentioned is God's own Testimony of Christ 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself he that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son 10. He that is a true Believer in Christ hath the Spirit of Christ which hath regenerated him for if any man have not his Spirit he is none of his And this Spirit of Power Wisdom and Holiness is most certainly from God and an infallible Evidence that God owneth the Gospel therefore all these have the witnessing Evidence of Christ in themselves And he that believeth not so sure a Testimony of God doth make him a Lyer as if he gave the Holy Spirit as a false Witness of Christ to deceive the World 11. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life 11 12. And the sum of the Gospel attested by God and his Spirit is this that God hath made a free Deed of Gift of Pardon and Salvation to the World even the Life of Grace and Glory but so as that this Life is given us in and with Christ who with all these Benefits is offered to Men on condition of believing Acceptance As a Woman in Marriage hath the Man with his Estate and as we chuse our Physician for Physick our Teacher for Learning our Ruler for Government c. He that hath Christ upon believing Acceptance as his Saviour hath Life initially and Title to Salvation And he that hath not Christ through his Unbelief and Refusal hath not Life 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God 13. These things I have written to you that are true Christians that you may know what a Treasure you have in and with Christ even Right to Eternal Life and its Beginning here and that you may go on confirmed and constant in the Faith 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his wiil he heareth us 14. And through our Interest in Christ his Merits and Intercession we have sufficient ground of Confidence that by and through him our Prayers are heard and that he will give us whatever we ask which he hath promised to give and we are fit to receive 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him 15. And if he thus hear your Prayers we may reckon that in his time and way he will give us whatever Particular we ask if we and our Prayers be qualified for his Promise 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 17. All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not unto death 16 17. And this comfort you have in your Prayers for others as well as for your selves God will hear you for those who are qualified for the Mercy which you beg for them according to his Promise Death temporal and eternal is the Wages of sin but with great difference There are many sins of Infirmity which we hate and strive against as vain Thoughts Words Passions Coldness in Duty Imperfection in all Good and all sins that stand with true Repentance and the predominant Love of God and Holiness These the Law of Grace doth pardon through Christ and not damn any for But Pardon must be asked and shall be obtained for the faithful penitent qualified person But God hath told us that he doth not pardon the Impenitent and Unsanctified that had rather keep their sin than leave it and are unqualified for Pardon Your Prayer to God to pardon such shall not prevail while they are impenitent much less for them that are Infidels and blaspheme the Holy Ghost And God's own Children may fall