I. The Conception of S. John the Baptist.

Book I. Luke 1.5-22.THere was among the Jews a certain Priest, named Zacharias, who, with his Wife Elizabeth, kept all the Com­mandments of the Lord blameless: They were both of them very old, and God, that he might at length reward their Patience and contentedness in a signal manner, having given them no Child, but laid upon them the Disgrace of Barrenness, which at that Time was accounted a great Curse inflicted by God. It came to pass, as Zachary ministred in the Temple, according to his Course, and offered the Incense commanded by the Law to God, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him from God, That he should have a Son, whom he should call John; That this his Son should be great in the Sight of God, and be filled with the Holy Spirit from his Mother's Womb; That he should convert many Israelites from their Sins, and should go before the Lord in the Spirit and Power of Elias, preparing his Ways for him, and disposing [Page] [Page]

[Page 5] Men to receive him. Zachary doubting of the Truth of these Promises, answered the Angel, How shall I be assured of the Truth of thy Words, for I am Old, and my Wife is well stricken in Years? The Angel reproving his Unbelief, told him, That from that Moment he should be dumb and not be able to speak, till the Things, which he had spoken of, should come to pass. And in that very instant he lost his Speech, and the Peo­ple, who could not understand him, but by Signs, perceived by his Silence that he had seen a Vision.

The Days of his Ministration being accom­plish'd, he returned to his own House, at Hebron, Luke 1.23-25 a City in the Tribe of Judah, and God per­formed that which he had foretold by the An­gel; for Elizabeth conceived, and hid her self Five Months, that she might between God and herself raise in her Heart a more perfect Sense of his Favour, in taking away from her the Reproach of Barrenness, and giving her a Son, of whom she might hope for so great things.

II. The Conception of Jesus Christ.

Six Months after the Conception of Eliza­beth, the same Angel,Luke 1.26-38. which had foretold the Birth of S. John to Zachary, was sent by God into a City of Galilee, called Nazareth, to foretel the Nativity of Jesus Christ to her, who was cho­sen from all Eternity to be his Mother. It was an Holy Virgin of the House of David, named Mary, who was espoused to a Man of the same Family, called Joseph, and living in perfect Chastity, had her Spouse for a faithful Witness and Guardian of her Purity. The Angel being come to her, said, Hail, O thou, that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou [Page 6] among Women. Her Modesty raised in her a great Disturbance, at the unusual Appearance of the Angel, and she was surprized at this kind of Salutation. But the Angel bid her not be trou­bled, telling her, That she should have a Son, who should be great, and be called the Son of the Most High, to whom God would give the Throne of his Father David, i. e. an Eternal Kingdom, and that she should call his Name Jesus, which signifies a Saviour. She reflecting upon her way of living with Holy Joseph, and not understanding how she could preserve her Vir­ginity, and yet become a Mother, said unto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a Man? The Angel answered her, That this Holy Child, which shall be called the Son of God, shall be born by the invisible Operation of the Holy Ghost; and to shew her, that God, to whom no­thing is impossible, would work this great Mi­racle in her by his Almighty Power, he tells her, what had befallen her Cousin Elizabeth, who having been barren for many Years, was Six Months since with Child. Being satisfied by this Instance, that she might bear a Child, and yet continue a Virgin, she humbly submitted her self to the appointment of God, and said to the Angel, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word. Then the An­gel departed from her, but the Holy Spirit wrought this great Mystery in her, for which she had been fitted and disposed a great while before, by the plentiful effusion of his Graces. She conceived the Son of God, the Second Per­son of the Holy Trinity, who was incarnate, i. e. became Man, by taking on him a Body and Soul, like us, in the Womb of this chast and humble Virgin.

III. The Visitation of the Holy Virgin.

As soon as Mary had heard that her Cousin was with Child, she went with haste to see her,Luke 1. 39-55. and, entring into her House, saluted her, which when Elizabeth heard, she felt the Infant leaping in her Womb for Joy; and being filled with the Holy Ghost, she spake out with a loud Voice and said; Blessed art thou among Women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb! How great a Felicity is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me? And having inform'd the Virgin, That her Child leaped in her Womb, she added; Blessed art thou because thou hast believed; for the Things, which have been told thee from the Lord, shall be accomplished. These Commenda­tions did not at all puff up the Virgin's Heart with Pride; she could not be unsensible of the Favours which God had bestowed on her; but being desirous to give him all the Glory, and not daring to attribute any thing that the Lord had wrought in her, to her Faith, she referr'd all to the Mercy of her Creator, saying, My Soul doth magnify the Lord, and my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour; for he hath regarded the lowliness of his Handmaid. She adds, That God is pleased, when he sees fit, to do great Things for his mean Creatures; That he loves to exalt the Humble and debase the Proud; and that, last­ly, He is faithful to his Promises, because he made her the Mother of his Son, That he might perform the Promises which he had made to Abraham, and the other Patriarchs.

IV. The Nativity of S. John.

Luke 1. 56-80. Mary continued Three Months with her Cou­sin, and then returned to her own House. In the mean while, Elizabeth's Time of Delivery came, and her Relations and Cousins met toge­ther, to rejoyce with her concerning the Birth of her Son. On the Eighth Day, when he was to be circumcised and named, they all gave him the Name of Zachary, as his Father was called; but Elizabeth opposed them, desiring he should be named John, as God had commanded by the Angel. They answered her, That there was none of her Family called by that Name, and made Signs to his Father, that he should shew them his Will about it: And he required Writing-Tables, and wrote thereon, His Name must be called John; and immediately his Tongue was loos­ed, and his Speech being restored to him, he made use of it to praise God: But all that had been Witnesses of these Miracles, and all that heard him speak were astonished, and said one to another, What manner of Child shall this be? How great, how holy a Man?

But that, which they were ignorant of, was revealed to Zacharias, who being filled with the Holy Spirit, understood the Mystery of the In­carnation, and the part his Son was to have in that Mystery; whereupon he prophesied, and said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his People. He adds as the Virgin had done in her Song, That God hath raised out of the House of David a Saviour of the World, to perform the Promises which he had made to Abraham, and renewed often by the Mouth of his Prophets: And then he sums up all the Benefits of the Incarnation in a few Words; [Page 9] he hath promised us, That we, being delivered from the Power of our Enemies, might serve him, by walking before him in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of our Life. Then he speaks these Words to his Son. And thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the most high; for thou shalt go be­fore the Face of the Lord, to prepare his Ways, and to give Knowledge of Salvation, to his People, for the Remission of their Sins. And indeed God did ful­fil what Zachary had foretold of his Son; and that he might fit this Infant for the great Office he designed him, he made him eminent in all Spi­ritual Gifts, and kept him in the Deserts, till the Time of his appearing to his People Israel.

V. God reveals the Conception of Jesus Christ to Joseph.

While the Fame of those Miracles, which hap­pened at the Birth of John, Matth. 1.18-25. spread it self over all the Hill-Country of Judea, the Holy Virgin being returned to Nazareth, meditated in deep Silence upon the Mystery which God had wrought in her: She had not told Joseph what had befaln her, but her Bigness discovered it, and he perceiv­ed she was with Child: But being an Holy and Pious Man, he was not willing to disgrace her publickly, whereupon he resolved to put her away privately: And in this Purpose he conti­nued, till an Angel appearing to him in a Dream, said unto him, Joseph, thou Son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife; for the Child that is conceived in her, is the Work of the Holy Ghost. She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his Name Jesus, because he is the Per­son which shall save his People from their Sins. Joseph submitted to this Command, and remain­ed with his Wife, both of them living in perfect [Page 10] Chastity: And so that which God had long be­fore foretold by the Prophet Isaiah, was fulfilled, A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son, Isai. 7.14. which shall be called Immanuel, which, being interpret­ed, is God with us.

VI. The Divine Generation of Jesus Christ.

The Time being come when the Virgin should be delivered, she brought forth Jesus Christ, in the manner which we shall hereafter speak of: But before we relate the History of this Birth, it is necessary to give an account of the Person, who was born. Men describe the Genealogies of the Grandees of the World, that they may make them honourable by the Nobi­lity of their Parentage and great Actions of their Ancestors, who have no Worth of their own to render them remarkable.Matth. 1.1-17. Luke 3. 23-38. Mary brought forth a Son, of whom the Gospel recites Two Pedigrees and Two Births, because he had Two Natures: Jesus Christ is both God and Man, and hath unit­ed in one Person the Divine and Human Nature. As he is Man, he is descended of a numerous Suc­cession of Ancestors: As he is God, he hath on­ly God for his Father; as Man, he was born in Time, but as God he was born and is from all Eternity. What S. John, in the beginning of his Gospel teaches us concerning his Divine and Eter­nal Generation, and for what Reasons he became Incarnate, is this.

He says, That Jesus Christ, as God, is the Word, John 1.1-14. i. e. the Thought or Speech of God: When a Man thinks, he forms an Idea or Spi­ritual Image of the Thing he thinks of, and this Image is called the Word, i. e. the Speech of the Mind; for it is by the Thoughts that the Mind reasons with, and speaks to it self. God is a pure [Page 11] Spirit, who knows himself most perfectly, and that from all Eternity. He thinks then, in know­ing himself, and forms an exact Image of him­self; and this Image is his Word. But this Word infinitely excels all the Thoughts of Men in this, That he is a Thought subsisting by himself, and a distinct Person from him, that formed it, but yet the same God with him. The Two Persons love each other infinitely, from all Eternity; and this Eternal Love is a Third Person, called the Ho­ly Spirit, who is also the same God, and of the same Nature with the Two other Persons, from whom he proceeds. This is what the Holy Scripture teaches us of the Holy Trinity, which is nothing else but the God which we worship, One in Three Persons, of which the Second is cal­led not only the Son, because he is begotten of the Father, to whom the Name of Father is gi­ven for that Reason, but also the Word, because he is the Thought, or interior Speech of the First Person, which begat him by knowing himself, and that from all Eternity, because he knoweth himself from all Eternity. And upon this Ground it is that S. John says, That in the Beginning, i. e. when the World began, the Word was, and the Word was, in, or with God, for the Thought is in the Mind that forms it; and that he was God, it being the Property of this Word, as we have said, to be the same thing with the Being, that begets it.

He is then, as he is God, the Creator of all Things, which makes the Evangelist say, That all things were made by him, and nothing was made without him: Whence it is that in Scri­pture he is called sometimes, the Wisdom of God, because he was begotten of the Knowledge of his Father. Sometimes the Arm and Power of God, because God made all Things by him. [Page 12] S. John goes on, and says, That Life was in him, and that as in its Sourse and Original, because all things that have Life live by him. He says fur­ther, That this Life was the Light of Men; for Men being Rational Creatures, have Souls en­lightned by his Wisdom and Truth, which are his real and true-Life; and when Wisdom and the Light of Truth are quite extinct in the Soul, it is dead, as much as is possible for a Soul to die. Now the Word is that very eternal Truth and Wisdom which enlighteneth, as S. John says, every Man, and by the Participation of which all Souls are wise and true, their Truth and Wisdom being nothing else but an efflux of that Essential and In­finite Wisdom, which is the Word of God. The Evangelist adds, That this Light shined in Dark­ness, i. e. among Men buried in the Night of Sin, so that the Darkness could not perceive it: And for this end it was that God sent a Man, whose Name was John, of whose miraculous Birth we have already spoken, that he might make it known to Men, whose Blindness hindred them from a clear Sight of it; which Office, how well he discharged, we shall hereafter see. That the Word was in the World, and the World knew him not, i. e. the Lovers of the World, who were so enamoured with the Creatures that all their Affections and Reverence was entirely avert­ed from God. That his own, that is to say, Men, who are his Creatures, but chiefly the Jews, who were his People, did not receive him, and by re­jecting him, who was God, they had lost the great Advantages which they might have hoped for by him; for to as many as received him, by believing in his Name, he gave Power to be made the Children of God; not by a Corporeal Birth, such as Men have one from another, but by a Spiritual Birth, which they take from God him­self. [Page] [Page]

[Page 13] And to procure such an excellent Birth for Men, the Word, saith the Evangelist, was made Flesh, and dwelt among us, i. e. was made Man; and he, that as God, was born of his Father from Eternity, was as Man born in Time of the Vir­gin; of which Birth we shall now speak.

VII. The Human Birth of Jesus Christ.

Augustus, the Roman Emperor,Luke 2. 1-20. being desirous to know the Number of all his Subjects, published an Edict, commanding every Person to go and be registred in his Native City. In Obedience to which Order, Joseph went up from Galilee, with the Holy Virgin, to Bethlehem, a City of Judah, to have his Name enrolled there, because he was of the House and Linage of David: For this Prince was born at Bethlehem, which is therefore called in the Gospel, The City of David. While they were there, her Time came, that the Holy Virgin should be delivered, And she brought forth Jesus Christ, wrapped him in Swaddling Cloaths, and because there was no Room in the Inn, laid him in a Manger. Not far from thence there were certain Shepherds, who kept their Flocks by Night; these Men, all of a sudden, were encompassed with a great Light, and saw an Angel, which said unto them; Fear not, for I bring you good News, which shall fill all People with great Joy, which is, that this Day there is born in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord; and by this Sign ye shall know him, ye shall find the Infant wrapped in Swaddling Cloaths and lying in a Manger. As soon as they had received this Mes­sage from God, they heard a great number of those blessed Spirits, praising God, and saying; Glory be to God in the height of Heaven, and on Earth Peace to the Men of his good-liking, i. e. to [Page 14] all truly penitent Sinners and sincere new Crea­tures. As soon as the Angels were departed, the Shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph with the Babe, who was laid in a Manger; and they acknowledged the Truth of what the Angel had said unto them. Then they returned glorifying God, published the Miracles which they had seen, and raised an Ad­miration in all those that heard them: But Mary seriously meditated upon all these Things in her Mind, and was careful to keep a faithful Remem­brance of them.

VIII. The Circumcision of Jesus Christ.

Luk. 2.21. Lev. 12.3. Gen. 17.12.By the Law of Moses, every Male Child ought to be circumcised within eight Days, after the Birth, according to the Command which God had given to Abraham; for God being about to give this Patriarch a Son, of whose Posteri­ty our Redeemer should be born, and entring in­to a Covenant with him to be kept by all his Posterity, he instituted Circumcision, as a Seal and Sign of that Covenant, threatning to cut off that Male Child from his People, which shall not be Circumcised. Abraham himself, and all the Jews, his Posterity, did exactly observe this Law, and Jesus Christ was willing to submit to it him­self; wherefore the Gospel observes, That he was Circumcised the Eighth Day, and that he was nam­ed JESƲS, which was the Name that the An­gel had ordered to be given him before his Conce­ption.

IX. The Adoration of the Magi.

Matth. 2.1-12.The Holy Virgin and Joseph continuing still at Bethlehem, the Magi, which were certain great [Page 15] Philosophers and Astronomers, came from the East to Jerusalem, and asked, Where the Person was, who was, lately, born King of the Jews? saying,Numb. 24.17. That they had seen a Star in the East, signifying his Birth, and conducting them thither, and were come to worship him. This Question much sur­prized the People of Jerusalem, and above all troubled Herod, who was then King of the Jews. Whereupon he assembled the Chief Priests, and the most learned in the Law among the Jews, to be informed of them, Where the Messiah, which they expected, should be born, for he believed that it was he, that the Magi enquired after, un­der the Name of the King of the Jews? They answered him, At Bethlehem, according to the Prophecy of Micah; And thou Bethlehem,Mic. 5.2. in the Land of Judah, art not the least among the principal Cities of that Tribe; for out of thee shall come a Governour, that shall rule my Peo­ple Israel.

Herod, as soon as he had received this Infor­mation, sent for the Magi privately to him, and enquired of them, At what Time the Star, they spoke of, was seen by them? and sending them to Bethlehem, said unto them; Go, and search diligently for the young Child, which ye desire to see; and when ye have found him, let me know it, that I may also pay him the like Adoration. Be­ing just got into the Way to Bethlehem, they saw the Star again which had appeared to them in the East; and the Gospel says, they were filled with exceeding great Joy, for it went before them to conduct them to him, and stood over the Place where Jesus Christ was. They immediately entred into the House, and falling down before him they worshipped him, and offered to him, for Gifts, Gold, and Frankincense, and Myrrhe. And thus having paid their Homage, they returned into their [Page 16] own Country, but did not go by Jerusalem, be­cause they had been admonished, in a Dream, not to return again to Herod.

X. The Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple.

The Holy Virgin and Joseph, having so punctu­ally observed the Law of Circumcision, were not less exact in the performance of Two other Com­mandments of the Law, the One of which con­cerned Mothers, the other their First-born Chil­dren.Lev. 12.2-8. The First of these obliges every Woman, after her Delivery, not to touch any hallowed Thing for a certain Time, nor to go into the Temple for Forty Days after the Birth of a Son and Fourscore Days after the Birth of a Daugh­ter; and, at the End of that Term, the Mo­ther shall go to the Temple to be purified; for which end she must offer a Lamb for a Burnt-Offering, and a Pigeon, or a Turtle-Dove, fo [...] the Attonement of her Sins: But if she be no [...] able to offer a Lamb, she is allowed to offer [...] Pigeon or a Turtle for it; which being sacrificed by the Priest, she is clean.

The Second Commandment of the Law, which concerns the First-born Children, enjoyns the Parents to present them to the Lord, and to redeem them with Mony.Exod. 13.2, 15. Every First-born in Israel both of Man and Beast, was consecrated to God, b [...] a Command; which God gave them, when he slew the First-born of the Aegyptians, and so forced Pharaoh to let his People go out of his Land By this obliging the Jews to keep this Benefit, i [...] Remembrance for ever. But because every thing consecrated to God was to be offered in Sacrifice to him, he contented himself with the Sacrifices of Beasts, and would have Children to be redeemed Not but that Children might have been devoted [Page 17] to God after another manner, viz. to have ministred at his Altar: But God having chose for this Service one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, viz. Numb. 8.16-18. the Tribe of Levi, instead of all the First-born of all the other Tribes, so that the First-born of all that were not of the Tribe of Levi were to be re­deemed, as not being qualified either for Sacri­fices or Priests.

In obedience to these two Laws, when Forty Days were expired, after her Delivery,Luke 2.22-32. did the Holy Virgin and Joseph go up to Jerusalem, to offer the Sacrifice prescribed by the Law for her Purification; and the Gospel observes, That she offered the Sacrifice commanded such as were poor, viz. Two Turtle-Doves, or Two Young Pigeons. At the same Time they carried Jesus Christ along with them, to present him to the Lord, and they redeemed him, being not of the Tribe of Levi, but of the Tribe of Judah. While they were in the Temple, came in an Holy Old Man, named Simeon, by the Direction of the Holy Spirit. He was an Holy Man, and one that feared God, who was filled with the Spirit and longed earnestly for the coming of the Redeem­er, by whom God had promised to comfort his People. The same Spirit which inspired him with a Desire and Expectation of a Saviour, had promised him, That he should not dye, till he had seen him; wherefore, when the Holy Virgin and Joseph brought Jesus into the Temple, this Holy Old Man, being excited by Divine In­spiration, came in, took the Child up in his Arms; blessed God for the Accomplishment of his Pro­mise made to him, and begged that he might dye, because his Eyes had seen the Saviour which God would shew to all the World, to be a Light to the Gentiles, and an Honour to his People Is­rael.

When Joseph and Mary had seen and heard these things, they were taken with great Admi­ration, till Simeon turning himself to them, bles­sed them, and said to the Holy Virgin, That this Child, which she had presented to God, should be the occasion of the Misery or Happiness of many Israelites, and a Mark for obdurate Sinners to level their malicious Obloquies, and Contradicti­ons at; which though they should discover the evil Thoughts and Dispositions of several Persons, yet, like a cutting Sword, they shall wound her own Soul with Grief and Sorrow. In the same instant came in also an Holy Widow, called Anna, a Woman of about Fourscore Years old, who had the Gift of Prophecy, and abode continually in the Temple, serving God with Fasting and Pray­ers Night and Day: She also saw Jesus Christ, and knew him by the same Inspiration that had discovered him to Simeon, wherefore she gave Thanks to God for the Mercy he had bestowed upon the World, in giving them a Saviour, and made him known to be the Messias, to all those that waited for his coming.

XI. Jesus's Flight into Aegypt.

Matth. 2. 12-23.The Holy Virgin and Joseph, having perform­ed all that was commanded by the Law, re­turned from Jerusalem, and went down to Naza­reth: But Herod, who waited for the coming back of the Magi, that he might know of them where the New King was, and so get him into his own Power, seeing himself disappointed of his Expe­ctations, because, as it is said before, they were gone home another way, fell into an extreme Pas­sion, and resolved to slay all the Children in Beth­lehem, and in the adjoyning Villages, that were not above Two Years old; and accordingly put [Page 19] it in Execution, thinking in this barbarous Massa­cre to include him, whose Destruction he chiefly aimed at: But God prevented the Cruelty of this Prince, and so ordered it, that of all the Children, whose Blood was shed, as Jesus was the only one, that he sought to kill, so he was the only one that escaped; for God, by his Angel, warned Jo­seph, in a Dream, of the Designs, that Herod had to take away his Life, and commanded him, To take the Child and his Mother, and fly into Aegypt, and remain there, till further orders. Joseph im­mediately obeyed this Command, and fled into Aegpt; where, after the Death of Herod, the same Angel appeared to him, and bid him return, be­cause he, that sought to destroy the Saviour of the World, was himself dead. Then did Joseph im­mediately go into the Land of Israel, with Jesus Christ and the Holy Virgin: But hearing that Archilaus reigned in Judea, in his Father Herod's stead, he was afraid to go thither, but, being admonished of God in a Dream, to go into Galilee, he fixed his Dwelling in the City of Nazareth, God thus accomplishing the Prophe­cies, which did foretel, That he should be called a Nazarene.

XII. Jesus's Disputation with the Doctors.

In this Abode with his Parents at Nazareth, Luke 2.40-52. the Child Jesus grew and waxed strong, being full of Wisdom and Grace. When he was Twelve Years old, he went to Jerusalem, with Joseph and the Holy Virgin, who every Year went thither at the Passover; and after the Feast he continued there without their Knowledge, so that they returned without him, supposing that he went along with some of their Company, either behind them or be­fore them: But after they had gone a Day's Jour­ney, [Page 20] and found him not, neither among the Com­pany, nor yet with their Kindred and Acquain­tance, they turned back again to Jerusalem, to seek him; where, after Three Days, they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, both hearing them and asking them Questions, and raising Admiration, in all that heard him, at his Understanding and Answers. The Holy Virgin and Joseph were much surprized to see him in that Place, and his Mother telling him, how much they were troubled at the loss of him, and the Pains they had taken to find him, said to him, Why hast thou dealt thus with us? He answered them, Why did ye seek me? Did ye not know that I must necessarily be employed in promot­ing the Service of my Father? They did not un­derstand this Answer, but the Virgin kept all these Words in her Heart. Then Jesus went down to Nazareth with them; and the Gospel says, That he was subject to them, and increased not only in Age, but in Wisdom and in Favour both with God and with Man.

XIII. The Preaching of John the Baptist.

While John was in the Desert God enriched him with the Gifts of his Spirit,Matt. 3.1. and in that Retire­ment fitted him for the great Employment he de­signed him, as Jesus himself was secretly fitted for the Offices of his Ministry in Joseph's House: They both waited with Patience for the Time which God hath appointed for the Exercise and Execution of them. And because Jesus Christ was not to appear till John had preached him, therefore God brought him first out of his Retreat. This Holy Fore-runner of Christ therefore in the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius Caesar, by the Divine Order, did go into the Wilderness of Judea, and [Page 21] into all the Country round about Jordan, preach­ing the Baptism of Repentance, not that which procures Remission of Sins,Mar. 1.4. but which disposes Men to receive Pardon, and was a Figure of the Baptism which Jesus Christ afterward appointed. This Office and Ministry of S. John was foretold by Two Prophets, which are cited by the Evan­lists;Mal. 3.1. the one calls him the Messenger or Angel of God, which should go before Jesus Christ, to pre­pare his Ways before him: The other saying,Isai. 40.3. That they shall hear the Voice of him that cryeth in the Wilderness, Prepare ye the Way of the Lord; and then, every Valley shall be filled, and every Mountain and Hill shall be made low; the crooked Paths shall be made streight, and the rough Places plain: Which figurative Expressions import no­thing, but that a thorough Reformation of Mens Manners shall then begin, and be compleated by the Preaching of Christ.

He began his Preaching with these Words,Matth. 3.1-6. Re­pent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand; and to gain the greater Authority, to his Sermons, he preached Repentance, as well by his Example as Words, for he was cloathed with Camel's Hair, and wore a Leathern Girdle about his Loyns, and lived upon Locusts and wild Honey; a course Garb and Food suitable for a Penitent: And certainly such a Preacher, as first practises what himself teaches, must needs be extraordinarily followed. And so indeed he was, for all Jerusalem, and all the Country round about Jordan, and all Judea flocked to him, and confessing their Sins, were baptized of him in Jordan.

Among the great Multitude that followed him, there came also certain of the Pharisees,Matth. 3.7-10. and of the Sadduces, to be baptized of him. The Pha­risees were a Sect among the Jews, who professed a more perfect Knowledge and exact Observation [Page 22] of the Law, and by that means had gotten them­selves a great Veneration and Authority among the People; but, as we shall see in the sequel o [...] this History, they were great Hypocrites, wh [...] under the outward Varnish of Vertue and Reli­gion, concealed intolerable Pride and Arrogancy. The Sadduces were another Sect, which did not believe the Immortality of the Soul, or the Resur­rection; they were not so numerous a Party as the former, but the Persons of the First Rank were generally of it: To those Persons of these Two Sects, who came to be baptized by him, S. John speaks thus, O Generation of Vipers, full of the Poison and Venom of Hypocrisy and Sin, wh [...] hath fore-warned you of the Wrath and Vengeance which shall shortly fall upon your Heads, and taught you that Wisdom to avoid it, by coming to me by Repentance? Bring forth therefore Fruit [...] worthy of Repentance: And think not to say within your selves, that you are secure, because you have Abraham to your Father, for God can out of these Stones raise up Children unto Abraham: And in­deed, the Ax is now laid to the Root of the Tree therefore every Tree which bringeth not good Fruit shall be cut down and cast into the Fire.

Luke 3.10-14.The People, the Publicans, i. e. the Farmer [...] and Receivers of the Tribute, and the Soldiers▪ asked him, What they should do? He answere [...] the People, He that hath Two Coats and Food, let him impart to him that hath none. He admonishes the Publicans to exact no more than what is appoint­ed them; and the Soldiers, To be content with their Pay, and not to do Violence, nor Cheat or Plun­der any Man.

Luke 2.15-17. Matth. 3.11, 12.These wise Answers, being accompanied with so innocent and austere a Life, begat so great an Opinion of John in the Minds of the People, that they generally believed that he was the Christ, i. e. [Page 23] the Messias, so long expected: To remove this Prejudice concerning himself, he told them, That he baptized them with Water only, but there cometh another, adds he, who is mightier than I, whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear, or unty, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire: He hath a Fan in his Hand, and he shall throughly cleanse his Floor; He will gather the Wheat into his Garner, and shall burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire.

XIV. Jesus Christ is baptized by John.

At the same Time that all Judea went to be baptized by S. John in Jordan, Jesus Christ,Matth. 3.13 17. Mark 1.9-12. Luke 3.21, 22. being about Thirty Years of Age, departed from Naza­reth, where he had patiently waited for the Time of exercising his Ministry, which he came into the World to perform, and therefore went to Jordan, to be baptized by his Fore-runner, among others: But S. John; not being able to endure this great Humility, opposed his Desire with all earnestness, saying to him, I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answered him, Suf­fer it to be, as I will, for this Time, for so it be­cometh us, to fulfil all righteousness. S. John then submitted to this Command, and baptized Jesus; who being baptized, went out of the Water, and betook himself to Prayers. And, as he was pray­ing, the Holy Ghost descended upon him in a bo­dily Shape, like a Dove, and remained on him; and a Voice from Heaven uttered these Words, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleas­ed: Then Jesus, being full of the Spirit, returned from Jordan; and the same Spirit conducted him, and drave him immediately into the Wilder­ness.

XV. Jesus Fasting and Temptation.

Mat. 4.1.-11. Lu. 4.2.13. Mar. 1.12.13.Jesus having passed fourty days without eating, or drinking in the VVilderness, whither the Spirit had conducted him that he might be tempted of the Devil, was contented after so long a Fast to undergo the pressures of hunger, that he might give the Devil an opportunity to tempt him. Then the Devil came unto him, and said unto him. If thou be the Son of God, command that these Stones be made Bread. Deut. 8.3. But Jesus answered him, Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word, that proceed­eth out of the Mouth of God.

Then the Devil carries him up to the top of the Temple of Jerusalem, and enticeth him to cast himself down from thence, that he might prove that he was the Son of God; for it is written, saith he to him,Ps. 91.11. That God will give his Angels charge concerning thee to keep thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee, that thou do not hurt thy self. Je­sus answered this place of Scripture by another, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Deut. 6.16.

After this the Devil setteth him upon a high Mountain, from whence he shewed him in a mo­ment all the Kingdoms of the World, with all the Splendor and Pomp that attends them, and pro­mised him all those things, if he would fall down before him and Worship him, for they are given to me, saith he falsly, and I give them to whom I please:Deut. 6.13. Then Jesus answered him, Get the hence Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God, and serve none but him only. The Devil having thus finished all the temptation with­out success, departed for a time; and the Angels came to Jesus Christ, and readily tendred them­selves to minister unto him.

XVI. St. John's Testimony concerning Jesus Christ

After these things Jesus being come out of the Wilderness went to Bethabara, Jo. 1.15.-18. the place where John was Preaching, and Baptizing. This faith­ful Fore-runner, when he saw him, could not but bare witness of him before all that heard him, and therefore cryed out with a loud voice, This is He, of whom I spake; He that cometh after me is pre­ferred before me, for he was before me; he adds, We have received of his Fulness a sufficiency of all Graces, for the Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ hath brought Grace and Truth to the World, and that the only begotten, who is in the Bosom of the Fa­ther, is come to discover God to us, whom no man hath ever seen.

Notwithstanding John spake thus honourably,Jo. 1.19.-28. and plainly of the Messias, the Jews took him for the Person he spake of, and therefore sent certain Priests, and Levites, who were Pharisees, and consequently much admired by the people, to en­quire of him, Who he was? And he freely confessed and denied not, but owned, that he was not the Christ, for so the Gospel delivers the Confession of St. John and the Testimony which he gave of Je­sus to these Messengers. Then they asked, whether he were Elias or some other Prophet? And when he had answered them that he was not, They said to him, Who art thou then, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thy self? I am, saith he, the Voice of one Crying in the Wilder­ness, Make strait the ways of the Lord. They ur­ged, Why then Baptizest thou, if thou art not the Messias nor a Prophet? He replyed, It is true I Baptize with Water, but there is one among you whom ye know not, He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose Shoo-strings I am not worthy to unloose.

The next day John seeth Jesus Christ coming unto him, Jo. 1.29.-34. and being unwilling to lose so good an opportunity of discovering him, he saith to them that were with him, Behold the Lamb of God, This is He, that bears and takes away the Sins of the World. He adds, That this was He, of whom he had spoken so much already, and he assures them, that he saw the spirit descending and remaining upon him in the shape of a Dove, and that he had been taught by Revelation, that this was He, that should Baptize with the Holy Ghost.

XVII. Jesus Christ calling Disciples.

Jo. 1.35.-42.The next day Jesus passed again through the same place two hours before Sun-set, and St. John, who was there with two of his Disciples, said as soon as he saw him, Behold the Lamb of God. The two Disciples hearing these words, followed Jesus, who turning himself about demanded of them, Whom seek ye? They answered, Master where dwel­lest thou? he saith unto them, Come and see. They went with him and abode with him that day. One of these two Disciples named Andrew, had a Bro­ther called Simon, to whom he said, We have found the Messias, and he brought him to Jesus, who ha­ving considered him, said unto him, Thou art Si­mon the Son of Jonas, thou shalt be called Peter.

The day following the Son of God going into Galilee, Jo. 1.43.-51, found one named Philip, who was of Beth­saida, of which place both Andrew and Peter were, and he saith unto him, follow me. Philip meeteth Nathanael, and tells him that they had found the Messias promised by the Law, and foretold by the Prophets, and that Jesus of Nazareth was he. Nathanael answered, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? And he followed Philip, who brought him to Jesus. As soon as Jesus saw him [Page 27] Behold an Israelite indeed without guile or deceit. Nathanael astonished at his words asked him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. Nathanael saith, Master, Thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel. Jesus an­swered him, Dost thou believe because I said unto thee, that I saw thee under the fig-tree? thou shalt see greater things. Verily, verily I say unto thee, Here­after thou shalt see Heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, to attend his triumphant Ascension into the Glories of his Father.

XVIII. The first Miracle that Jesus did.

The third day after his departure from the River Jordan Jesus was at a Marriage in Cana of Galilee, Jo. 2.1.-11. to which the Holy Virgin was also invited, and his Disciples. At this solemnity there being a great want of Wine, the Holy Virgin pitying the un­seasonable scarcity, said to her Son, They have no Wine. But Jesus being desirous to teach us that in those Actions, wherein the Service and Honour of God is concerned, we ought to have no respect to Man, but even our Parents them­selves are to be look'd upon as Strangers, saith unto his Mother, What is that to you or me? mine hour is not yet come. The Holy Virgin was not at all disturbed, or discouraged at this answer, but bid them that waited, to do whatsoever he command­ed them. Now there were six great Water-potts of Stone, which were used in the Purifications, which were common among the Jews. The Son of God orders them to fill them with Water, and when they were full, he saith unto the Servants, Draw out now and carry it to the Governour of the Feast. Having tasted of it, and perceiving it to [Page 28] be excellent Wine, but not knowing whence it was, tells the Bridegroom, that he had done contrary to the Custom, because he had kept the best Wine till the end of the Banquet. This change of Wa­ter into VVine was the first Miracle that Jesus did, and it was of great use to manifest his Glory, and confirm his Disciples in their Faith in him.

XIX. Jesus drives the Merchants out of the Temple.

Jo. 2.12,-25.From Cana he went with his Mother, Kindred, and Disciples to Caparnaum, a City of the same Province of Galilee, where he stayed but a little while, because the Feast of the Passover being near, he went up to Jerusalem. Being there, he found in the Temple certain Merchants, who sold Ox­en, and Sheep, and Doves, and the Changers of the Mony sitting at their Tables. And he immediate­ly made a VVhip with Cords, and drave them all out of the Temple, cast the Changers Mony on the Ground, and overthrew their Tables, and said un­to those that Sold Doves,Ps. 69.9. Take these things hence, make not my Fathers house an house of Merchandize. This Action of Jesus brought to the Disciples minds these words of Scripture, The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; but it surpriz'd and incensed the Jews, who required of him a Miracle to prove his Authority of acting in that manner: To whom he said, Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will rebuild it. They understood it of the Temple, out of which he had driven the Traders, but he meant it of his Body, which should be de­stroyed by Death, and raised again the third day. He did many Miracles at the Passover in Jerusa­lem, which continues seven days; and many Per­sons believed in his Name, but he would not trust himself with those, who were won only by Mira­cles, because he knew the bottom of their hearts, [Page 29] and exactly discerned, what was unsound, and imperfect in their Faith.

XX. The Discourse between J. Christ and Nicodemus.

VVhile Jesus was at Jerusalem, Jo. 3.1.-12. a Jewish Ruler of the Sect of the Pharisees, came to him by night, and said unto him, Master, We know that thou art a Teacher come from God, for no man can do those Miracles, that thou dost, except God be with him. From hence Jesus takes an Occasion to teach this Pharisee the necessity of Baptism in order to Sal­vation, saying unto him, Except a Man be born of Water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. To which he adds these im­portant Truths, That which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit, is spirit, and that the Spirit inspires whom it pleaseth. Nicodemus being surpriz'd, asked him, how can this be? Jesus reproving his Ignorance, that he was a Doctor, and knew not these things, saith unto him, We testify what we have seen, and ye receive not our Witness.

He then discovers these Mysteries of our Re­ligion to him,Jo. 3.13.-20. That no Man hath ascended up to Heaven, but the Son of Man that came from Heaven: That the Brazen Serpent which Moses put upon a Pole in the VVilderness, that all those, who were bitten by the fiery Serpents, by looking upon it might be healed of their VVounds, was but a Figure of him, who was fixed unto the Cross for the deliverance of all those that believe in him, from Eternal Death; That he was sent into the World not to condemn the World, but to save it; That so great was the love of God towards Men, that he gave them his only begotten Son to dy for them; but this Love will be a just cause of Condem­nation to all those that believe not in this Son▪ and receive not this Light, that is, come to enlighten [Page 30] them, loving rather to continue in darkness, be­cause they will not bring their VVorks to the Light of Truth, lest they should be convinced thereby, that the Actions, which they so much de­light in, are criminal and sinful.

XXI. St. Johns second Testimony concerning Jesus.

Jo. 3.23.-27.Jesus being come from Jerusalem after the Feast, tarryed in Judea with his Disciples, and there Baptized, at the same time that John admi­nistred his Baptism in Jordan. Here the Disciples of John had a dispute with the Jews about Baptism And they came to their Master, and spake to him concerning Jesus, Saying, He, to whom thou bearest Witness, doth now Baptize, and all men flock to him. St. John, who would not have gathered Disciples, but that he might resign them to the Son of God, answered them; A man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven, signi­fying by this answer, that he acted in his Mini­stry only by the power and command of him who had called him to it,

Jo. 3.28.-36.He then puts them in mind of the Protestati­ons, which he had made before them, That he was not the Christ. He tells them, that he is not the Bridegroom of the Church, but the Bridegroom's Friend only. And in that Quality 'twas his only Joy, and delight to hear the Bridegroom's Voice. He goes on, and says, He must increase, but I must decrease. He adds, that Jesus Christ came from above, and therefore is above all; that he speaks what he hath seen and heard, and that he that receiv­eth his Testimony, acknowledgeth that God is true, because God hath sent him, and hath not given his Spirit by measure to him, but because he loveth him, he hath given all things into his hands: That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he that be­lieveth [Page 31] in him, hath eternal Life; and on the con­trary, he that believeth not, shall not see Life, but is an Object of the Wrath of God, which shall not depart from him.

XXII. John's Imprisonment.

St. John did not think he had discharged his Office sufficiently,Mat. 14.3.-5. Mar. 6.17.-20. Lu. 3.19, 20. in discovering Jesus to be the Messiah at the River Jordan, but he went to the Princes Court to Preach true Morality and Piety. Herod Antipas, the Son of Herod the Great, in whose Reign Jesus Christ was Born, and his Suc­cessor in one fourth part of his Kingdom (from whence he is called Herod the Tetrarch) had Mar­ryed contrary to all Laws, Herodias his Brother Philips Wife: John went to reprove him for this Crime, and for all the other evils, which he had done and told him confidently, that it was not Lawful for him to have her for his Wife, who was his Brothers Wife. Herod was not presently angry with this Holy Man, but on the contrary, be­lieving him to be a Just Man, and an Holy, he had a great Respect and Veneration for him, yea, he feared him, was a diligent Hearer of him, and followed his advice in many things.

But Herodias was not so well affected to John, for she hated him Mortally, and sought all Occa­sions to destroy him. By her instigation Herod became every day more averse to him, and at length to please her, apprehended him, and put him into Prison. He had at that time put him to Death, but that he feared the People, who ac­counted of, and reverenced John as a Prophet. VVhen Jesus knew that John was put into Prison, and that the Pharisees had heard that he made and Baptized more Disciples than John (tho' he Bap­tized no Man himself,Jo. 4.1.-4. but by his Disciples) he [Page 32] left Judea, and returned into Galilee through Sa­maria.

XXIII. The Samaritan Woman.

Jo. 4.5.-11.About noon Jesus came to a City of Samaria, named Sychar; and being wearied with his Jour­ney, he sat down on the brink of a Fountain, cal­led Jacob's VVell, in a parcel of Ground, which that Patriarch gave long since to his Son Joseph. A certain VVoman of this Countrey came to fetch VVater at this VVell, and Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. This VVoman, who thought him to be a Jew, wondred that he would accept such a piece of Service from her, who was a Sa­maritan, for the Jews abhor the Samaritans, and will have no commerce with them, because they being Strangers had possessed themselves of part of their Country, and had changed the Laws of Moses by several Pagan Superstitions, which they mixed with it. This her surprize she discovered to Jesus, who said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that desires drink of thee, thou wouldest have asked of him thy self, and he would have given thee Living Water.

The VVoman understood these words in the li­teral sense,Jo. 4.12.-18. and not knowing but he would draw the Living VVater either out of that or some other VVell, She replyed, Master, thou hast no­thing to draw with, and the Well is deep, how then wilt thou get this Living Water? Art thou greater than our Father Jacob who gave us this Well, and drank of it himself, and all his Family? Jesus an­swered, He that drinks of this Water shall thirst again, but he that shall drink of the Water that I will give him, shall never thirst, but it shall be­come a Well in him springing up unto eternal Life, which he meant, either of that Grace, which [Page 33] quenches all humane desires of Earthly and Car­nal Enjoyments, or else of his Celestial glory, which shall perfectly satisfie all our Appetites. But the Samaritan VVoman understood it of Cor­poreal VVater, which made her to say to Jesus Christ with great earnestness, Lord, give me this Water, that being a-thirst no more, I may not be forced to come hither to draw. Jesus said to her, Go, call thy Husband: She answered that she had no Husband; whereupon Jesus reply'd, Thou hast good cause to say so, for thou hast had five Husbands, and he that thou now hast is not thy Husband: in this thou hast said truly.

By these words she perceived that he knew how she had lived; and she said unto him,Jo. 4.19.-26. either to di­vert his discourse to a more pleasing Subject, or that she might get some Advantage, and Instru­ction from a Person so knowing, Lord I am sensible that thou art a Prophet, I pray resolve me this con­troversie: Our Fathers worshipped upon this Moun­tain, and ye say that Jerusalem is the place where Men ought to Worship, VVhich of us are in the Right? Jesus takes an occasion to tell this VVo­man that God being a Spirit, and the Truth, he will be adored in Spirit and Truth, and be known by those that worship him; that this VVorship depends not upon Places, and the time is coming when he shall be worshipped in that manner only. She replyed, I know that Messias will come, and when he is come, he will Instruct us throughly in these matters. Whereupon Jesus said unto her, I am the very Messias that thou speakest of.

In the mean time his Disciples, who were gone into the City to buy Food,Jo. 4.27.-34. came and wondred to see him Discourse so freely with the VVoman, but the respect, which they had for him, hindred them from demanding the Reason of it. Nevertheless she left her Pitcher there, and went into the City, and said [Page 34] to the Inhabitants, Come and see the Man, who hath told me all that ever I did. Is not this the Christ? Jesus remained still at the Well. And when his Disciples earnestly desired him to eat; he said unto them, I have meat to eat, which ye know not of; and then he explains to them, what sort of meat he meant, in these Words, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his Work [...] This Work was the Salvation of Man, and his Meat was the Faith of those, who were converted by his Preachings.

Soon after these things the Woman, with whom Jesus had talked,Jo. 4.39.-42. returned with the Inhabitants of Sychar, who believing on him already, because of the Womans words, came to desire him to abide with them. He stayed with them two days, and by his Discourses much confirmed them in the Faith, and increased the number of those that believed in his Name: Insomuch that they said unto the Woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him our selves, and we know that this is certainly the Christ, the Saviour of the World.

I. His Preaching in Galilee.

WHEN the two days were expired,Matt. 4.12.-17. Mar. 1.14, 15. Lu. 4.14, 15. Jo. 4.43,-45. Je­sus went on his intended Journey into Galilee, being filled with the power of the Spirit, and was joyfully received by the Ga­lileans, because they had seen the Miracles which he did at Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. Here he began to Preach the Gospel, that is to say, the Joyful news of the Kingdom of God, which he came to publish to the World, saying The time is come, The Kingdom of God is at hand, Repent ye and believe the Gospel. And this he taught in all the Synagogues of this Province with great success; for he was highly esteemed with all Men, and his Fame went abroad into all that Coun­try.

Jesus being again at Cana of Galilee, where he made the Water VVine,Jo. 4.46,-53. there came a certain No­ble Man to him, who desired him to go down with him to Capernaum to heal his Son who was at the Point of Death. Jesus knowing the thoughts of his Heart, and the Imperfections of his [Page 36] Faith,Book II. said unto him, Except ye see Signs and Won­ders, ye shall not believe. But this Lord (whe [...] was one of Herod's Courtiers) being very earnes [...] with him to go down before his Child dyed, he answered him, Go thy way, thy Son liveth. And he believed Jesus's words, and returning home, his Sarvants met him, and brought him the New [...]s of his Sons recovery. He then inquired of them what hour he began to amend, and they told him yesterday about One a Clock in the Afternoon the Fever left him, which was the very same hour, in which Jesus said unto him, Thy Son i [...] well. This Miracle converted the Noble Man and all his Family, and they believed on Jesus Christ.

II. The Calling of Four Apostles.

Matt. 4.18.-22. Matt. 8.24.On the East side of Galilee there was a great Lake which the Gospel calls a Sea, according to th [...] usual manner of speaking among the Jews, and sometimes it is called the Sea of Galilee, because some part of this Province adjoyns to this Lake and sometimes the Lake, or Sea of Gennesareth, of Tiberias, Lu. 5.1. Jo. 21.1. from a City of these two Names which stood upon the Shore of it. Jesus walking by the side of this Lake saw two Fishermen casting their Nets into the Water: The one of them was Simon, and the other Andrew his Brother, who be­ing one of John's Disciples, and hearing his Ma­ster say that Jesus was the Lamb of God, follow­ed him, and brought his Brother to him the next day. But they did not at that time go along with him, but returned again to their Employment of Fishing. Not far from these, there were two other Brothers, named James and John who were vvith their Father Zebadee, in a Ship, mending their Nets These four Fishermen were of Bethsaida, in a City [Page 37] of Galilee, situated on the South-side of the Lake, where Jesus first saw them. He called all these Four to him, and by his Spirit made them to forsake all, and follow him. But 'tis probable that they were moved to it by a Miracle which Jesus then did, which is related by St. Luke after this man­ner.

Jesus standing by the Lake of Gennesareth, Lu. 5.1,-11. and being much crowded by the People, who pressed upon him to hear the Word of God, saw two Ships, out of which the Fishermen were gone to wash their Nets. He entred into one of them, which was Simons, and having caused him to thrust out a little from the Land, he sat down, and taught the People out of it. When he had done speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the Deep, and let down your Nets to get some Fish. Simon answered him, Master we have Toi­led all Night, and have taken nothing, yet at thy Word I will let down the Net. Having cast the Net, they took so great a number of Fish, that their Net breaking, they were forced to call their Companions, who were in another Ship to come and help them: They came and filled both their Ships so full, that they could hardly get ashore without sinking. Simon and his Companions being greatly amazed at this Miracle, cast himself dovvn at Jesus's feet, saying, Lord depart from me, for I am a sinful Man. Jesus said unto him, Be not a­fraid, hereafter thou shalt be a Fisher of Men.

It is plain, that it was after this Miracle, that Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, Follow me. And at the same time it is likely, that John, Mar. 1.16,- [...]0. and James were called, who left their Father Zebedee in the Ship with his hired Servants, and all four of them left their Nets, and forsook all, and became continual followers of Jesus.

III. He healed a Man possessed at Capernaum.

Matt. 4.13,-16. Mar. 1.21,-28. Lu. 4.14, 15.Jesus having thus gotten four Disciples, went and dwelt for some time at Capernaum, a City of Galilee, standing upon the Banks of Jordan, just at the mouth, where that River empties it self into the Lake of Gennesareth. In this City he preach­ed on the Sabbath days, and was much admired for his Doctrin by all his Hearers, for he spake with great Cogency, and Authority. On a cer­tain Sabbath as he was instructing the People in the Synagogue, there came a Man to him, who was possessed with a Spirit of an unclean Devil, and cry­ed out, Let us alone, what have we to do with thee, tho [...] Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one God. But Jesus rebuking the Devil, said unto him, Hold thy tongue and come out of the Man. The Devil seeing himself forced to leave his Prey, racked him with most violent Convulsions, threw him down upon the ground, and made him cry out with a loud Voice; but at last left him safe, and sound. The Spectators of this Miracle were sei­zed with very great amazement, and said one to another, What thing is this? What new Doctrin is this? surely it comes from Heaven, since the Teacher of it hath such Power and Authority over the unclean Spirits, i. e. the Devils, that when he commands them they obey him, going out of those that are possessed, tho' against their Wills.

IV. Jesus Christ heals Peter's Wife's Mother, and several other Sick Persons.

Matt. 8.14, 15.Jesus, departing out of the Synagogue, went with the Two Sons of Zebadee to Andrew and Simon's [Page 39] House, where he found Peter's Mother-in-Law sick of a dangerous Fever.Mar. 1.29-31. Luke 4.38, 39. His Disciples be­sought him for her, and he went to her Bed, and took her by the Hand, and lifting her up, com­manded the Fever to leave her: And the Fever departed from her the same istant, and her Dis­ease was perfectly cured, so that rising from her Bed, she ministred unto them, and provided them some Victuals to eat.

This, with the Miracle which Jesus did in the Synagogue at Capernaum, Matth. 8.16, 17. Mark 1.32-34. Luke 4.40, 41. being immediately known in the adjacent Towns and Villages, as well as in the City it self, after the Sun was set, a great Multitude assembled to the House where he was; for all that had any Persons Sick of any Distemper, carried them to him, and he healed them all, by laying his Hands upon them: He al­so cured many that were possessed with Devils, by his Word; and the Devils leaving them, cryed out with a loud Voice, Thou art the Son of God: But he rebuked them, and would not suffer them to discover that he was the Christ, either because he would not receive any Commendations from the Mouth of unclean Spirits, or thought it not con­venient to have the Truth published by the Father of Lies, or because he would shew the World that he had no Commerce with Devils, foreseeing the Calumny that the Pharisees invented against him, That he did not cast out Devils, Matth. 12.24. but in the Name of the Prince of the Devils.

V. Jesus Christ's Progress through Galilee.

The next Day, very early in the Morning,Mark 1.35-39. Je­sus went out alone, and gat himself into a Soli­tary Place, that he might make his Prayers to God: Simon, and they that were with him, fol­lowed him, and finding him, said unto him, All [Page 40] Men seek for thee, being desirous of thy Company and Preaching. He answered them, Come then, Let us go into the Neighbouring Villages and Towns, and preach among them,Luke 4.42-44. for this is the main Em­ployment my Father sent me about. But the Peo­ple, that sought after him, coming to the Place, where he was, would have forced him to stay there with them; but he said the same to them that he had done to his Disciples before, I must preach the Gospel also to other Cities, as well as unto you, for therefore am I sent.

Matth. 4.23-25.Then went Jesus throughout all Galilee, preach­ing in their Synagogues, and healing all that were Sick: Insomuch that his Fame being dispersed through all Syria, they brought to him from all Quarters those that were possessed with Devils, and such as were afflicted with divers Diseases, so that he was continually followed by a great num­ber of People.

Matth. 9.18-20.Jesus seeing himself thus thronged by the Peo­ple, gave order to his Disciples to go over to the other Side of the Lake of Gennesareth. When a certain Scribe perceived that Jesus was about to leave them, he came to him, and said, Master, I will follow thee, whithersoever thou goest. Our Sa­viour answered him, Foxes have Holes, and the Birds of the Air have Nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head: As if he had said, He must be a Man more regardless of his own Interest, and more couragious than can easily be imagined, that will choose to follow a Man, who is so far from enriching his Disciples, that he hath not the least earthly Conveniences for him­self.

Luke 9.57-62. Matth. 8.21, 22.But though he thus rejected the Scribe, he treated one of his Disciples after another manner, for he commanded him to follow him; but this Disciple desiring Leave to bury his Father first, he [Page 41] answers him, Follow me, and let the Dead bury their Dead; i. e. let those that seek not Life and Immor­tality, as you do, bury the Dead; but as for you, go and preach the Kingdom of God. He teaches him by this Answer, That the Preaching of the Gospel is a thing more important than paying our Respects to Men, which may be performed by all sorts of Persons: Those Persons, whose Soul is dead in Trespasses and Sins, may bury those whose Body is dead, but every Man is not fit to preach the Gospel; Men must be Holy, to exercise that Ministry, and being called by God ought to prefer it before all things. S.Luke 9.61, 62. Luke speaks of a Third Person, who being desirous to follow Christ, beg­ged to go and bid them first adieu, that were at his House, and dispose of his Goods. Jesus saith to him, Whosoever having laid his Hand to the Plough, looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom of God: By which Answer I understand, That he that will earnestly labour for Salvation, ought to mind nothing else but that, nor perplex himself with other things.

VI. Jesus Christ appeaseth a Tempest.

About the Evening Jesus entred into the Ship,Mark. 4.35-41. to pass over to the other Side of the Lake of Gen­nesareth: He had with him his Disciples, who who had sent away the Multitude; but yet there were some of the Multitude, that getting into some small Ships, which were ready at Hand, fol­lowed him. As they sailed,Matth. 8.24-27. there arose a great Storm of Wind, and so great a Tempest, that the Waves beat with Violence into the Ship, where Jesus was, and filled it with Water: As for him­self, he suffered himself to fall a-sleep, on pur­pose, to try the Faith of his Disciples, and there­fore slept in the hinder part of the Ship, upon a [Page 42] Pillow, till his Disciples, seeing themselves in great Danger, went to him and awaked him, Saying, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Lord, save us. Luke 8.22-25 He saith unto them, Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little Faith? Then he arose and rebuked the Winds and the Tempest, and commanded the Water to be still; and immediately the Wind ceased, and the Lake was calm. Jesus, then again, reproves them for having so little Faith, saying to them, Where is your Faith? and Why are you so fearful? But they, as also those who were in the other Ships, were filled with Fear and Astonish­ment, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, who commandeth even the Winds and the Sea, and they obey him?

VII. Jesus Christ frees Two Men, possessed with Devils.

Matth 8.28-34. Mark 5.1-20. Luke 8.26-40.Jesus and his Disciples landed in the Country of the Gergesens (or Gergashites, Deut. 7.1.) which lies on the East-side of the Lake which they had passed; and as soon as Jesus was come out of the Ship, there came to him Two Men, possessed with Devils, crying out, What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of God? Art thou come to tor­ment us before our Time? These Two Men had their Dwelling among the Tombs, and were so exceeding fierce that no Man could pass by that way. S. Mark and S. Luke speak but of one of them, whose Possession they describe more exactly, either because he was most tormented by the De­vils, or because he was the most remarkable of the Two, or because his Cure was most admired and talked of, for he had been possessed a long time, and had neither Cloaths nor Habitation, but abode Day and Night in the Mountains, and in the Tombs, crying and cutting himself with [Page 43] Stones: And though he had often been loaded with Chains, and had his Feet fettered, yet he had always broken the Fetters and Chains: And the Devils then carried him into the Wilderness, in­somuch that no Man could ever tame him. This Man saw Jesus Christ a far off, and he, with his Companion, ran to him, and the Devil that spake by his Mouth, prayed the Son of God, not to tor­ment him, by commanding him, as he had done, to go out of the Man possessed. Nevertheless Je­sus commanded him to go out of the Man; and at the same Time asked him his Name. he an­swered, That he was called Legion, because many Devils had entred into that miserable Man: And, since it is one of their greatest Torments to be re­strained from doing Mischief to Men, they earn­estly implored Jesus Christ not to command them to go into the Deep, but to permit them, if he cast them out of these Two Possessed, to enter into an Herd of Swine, which was feeding, not far from that Place, upon the Mountains; the Son of God granted them what they desired, and by delivering these Hogs into their Power, he teacheth us, 1. That he may dispose of all we have, as he pleaseth, because we have nothing but what we receive from him. 2. That the Devil hath no Power, neither over us nor our Goods, any far­ther than God permitteth him. 3. That such is the Hatred and Rage of the Devil against Men, that he would torment them for ever, either in their Persons or Estates, and would do all he could to satiate his Fury, did not God set Bounds to it, as he pleaseth.

This appears evidently to us from what happen­ed to these Swine; for as soon as Jesus permitted them to enter into them, they made them all run violently upon the Rocks, and from thence cast themselves head-long into the Lake, where about [Page 44] 2000 of them were drowned. The Keepers of the Swine went immediately into the Cities and Towns round about, to carry the News of this Accident, and they brought a great Number of People to the place where Jesus was, to be fully sa­tisfied of the Truth of their Relation. Here they found the Man, out of whom Jesus had cast the Legion of Devils, sitting at Jesus's Feet, cloathed, and in his right Mind, and as quiet and calm as he had been furious and mad before. And those, who had been Eye-witnesses of it, told them all the Circumstances of his Cure, and they were greatly afraid.

Then came all the City of Gadara to Jesus, and could not look upon him, but with much Horror: They had a great Veneration for him, who had so absolute an Authority over the Devils, but were afraid of the Man, who had driven their Swine into the Sea; and therefore, either because they did not think themselves worthy of Jesus's Presence, or because they were afraid of greater Losses than they had already sustained, they besought him to depart out of their Country. The Man, who had been possessed, besought him, who had been his Deliverer, to suffer him to go along with him; but Jesus answered him, Return to thine own House, and declare what great Things God hath done for thee. He obeyed his Order, and went through every City, and through all that Country, thankfully publishing and commemo­rating the great Favours that Jesus had done unto him.

VIII. Jesus heals a Man, sick of the Palsy, at Capernaum.

Mark 2.1, 2.The Son of God departing out of the Country of the Gadarens, as they had desired him, took [Page 45] Ship again; and, being arrived at the other Side of the Lake, found a great Number of People waiting for him; and they received him joyfully. He returned to Capernaum, where, as soon as he was known to be, a great number of People came unto him, insomuch that not only the House, where he was, but even all the Space about the Door, could not receive them.Luk. 5.17. There were also sitting by him certain Pharisees and Doctors of the Law, which were come out of every Town of Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem: To all these Jesus preached the Word of God, and mani­fested that Power which God had given to him,Mark 2.3-12. Luke 5.18-26 by Healing the Sick. Among others that came to be healed, there was brought unto him a Man sick of the Palsy, lying in his Bed, but not knowing how to carry him to him, by reason of the Mul­titude, they who brought him, contrived to go up to the top of the House, and to uncover the Roof, and having made an Hole, to let down the Bed, on which the Sick Man lay, and so place him before the Son of God.Matth. 9.2-8 Jesus seeing their Faith, saith unto the Sick of the Palsy Son, be of good Cheer, thy Sins be forgiven thee. These Words much displeased the Pharisees and Lawyers, which were present, who thought in themselves, That since God only can forgive Sins, Jesus, who assumed this Power to himself, must needs be a Blaspheemer; but he, knowing the Thoughts of their Hearts, saith unto them, Why are your Minds busied about such evil Thoughts? Which is easier to say, to this Man, who was sick of the Palsy, Thy Sins be forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, take up thy Bed and walk? but that ye may know that the Son of Man hath Power on Earth to for­give Sins, he saith unto the Sick of the Palsy, Arise, take up thy Bed, and go unto thine House. And the same Moment the Sick Man arose, before [Page 46] the Multitude, took up the Bed, whereon he lay, and went to his own House, glorifying God. All the Spectators were greatly amazed at this Mi­racle; and although the Power of Healing be much less than that of Forgiving Sins, yet because it is not so easy to make Men to believe a Cure falsly, of which our Senses are Witnesses, as Re­mission of Sin, which is secret and invisible, there­fore all the People, who were convinced by their own Sight, of the Efficacy of these Words of Je­sus Christ, Arise and take up thy Bed, were fully perswaded of the Truth of the former, Thy Sins are forgiven thee: For which Reason they glori­fied God, which had given such Power unto Men, and said, in the Fear into which this Miracle had cast them, We have seen strange things to day, such as we never saw before.

IX. Jesus commands a Publican to follow him.

Matth. 9.9-13. Mark 2.13-17. Luke 5.27-32.Jesus, departing from this House, walked by the Side of the Lake, and seeth a Publican, as he went along, sitting in the Custom-House, and he saith unto him, Follow me. This Man, who was the Son of Alphaeus, and named Levi, or Matthew, arose immediately, left all, and accompanied him that called him. Not long after, he made a great Feast in his House, to which there came many Publicans and others, of very wicked Lives, and sat down at the Table with Jesus and his Disciples. The Pharisees and Doctors of the Law could not endure that our Saviour should converse with Sin­ners or Publicans, which the Jews detested, and therefore they murmured greatly, and demanded of his Disciples, Why their Master and they did eat and drink with such sort of Persons? Jesus, hearing their Complaints, said unto them, They that are whole need not a Physician, but they that [Page 47] are Sick: I came not to call the Righteous, but Sin­ners to Repentence; go ye and learn what these Words signify, I will have Mercy and not Sacrifice, Hosea 6.6. and ye will know that my charitable conversing with Sinners, to convert them, is more acceptable to God than all your Sacrifices and Ceremonies.

This Answer, nevertheless, did not appease the Murmurings of the Pharisees,Matth. 9.14-17. Mark 2.18-22. Luke 5.33-39. but they came to him with the Disciples of John, and put this Que­stion to him; Why do the Disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast often, and make Prayers, but thy Disciples fast not? Jesus answered them, Can the Friends of the Bridegroom fast, or mourn, so long as the Bridegroom is with them? That were unfit; but the Time will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast. To this Reason, taken from the Presence of the Bridegroom, which is the Name which S. John Baptist himself gave to Jesus, the Son of God adds another, taken from the Weakness of his Di­sciples, who were yet in the Entrance upon his Religion, and were very imperfect; for he tells the Pharisees, That to impose any rigorous Auste­rities upon Men, who were as yet weak, is to undo all, and imitate the Imprudence of him, who sews Pieces of new Cloath to an Old Garment, or puts New Wine into old Bottles.

X. Jesus Christ cures a Woman of a Bloody Flux, and raiseth a Maid from the Dead.

While Jesus was thus discoursing with the Pha­risees and John's Disciples, Jairus, Matth. 9.18-22. Mark 5.22-34. Luke 8.41-48. the Chief Ru­ler of the Synagogue, came, and, falling down at his Feet, besought him to go to his House, and lay his Hands upon his only Daughter, who was about Twelve Years old, and was then at the Point of Death. Jesus went immediately along [Page 48] with him, being accompanied with his Disciples, and a great multitude of People. At the same time it happen'd, That a Woman, who had been sick of a Bloody Flux, for Twelve Years, and had spent all her Estate to get a Cure of it, and had endured much by Physicians, and could get no help, having heard the Fame of Jesus, came behind him, among the Multitude, and touched him by the Border of his Garment, for she had so great a Faith, that she was throughly perswaded in her self, If I can but touch his Garment, I shall be whole: And indeed so she was, for as soon as she had done it, she felt, the same instant, that she was cured of her Disease. But Jesus, who knew, as the Gospel says, That Vertue was gone out of him turned himself about in the Throng, and asked, Who it was that had touched him: Pe­ter, and the other Disciples, answered him, Ma­ster, the People throng, and press thee, and dost thou ask, who it is that touched me? But Jesus said unto them, Some Body hath touched me, for I perceive that vertue is gone out of me; and he looked all-round about him, to see her who had touched him with so much Faith, that by it she had received the Cure of her Distemper. The Woman seeing her self discovered, cast her self down at the Feet of Jesus with Fear and trem­bling, and acknowledged, before the Multitude, what had happened unto her. The Son of God comforted her, and said unto her; Daughter, be not afraid, thy Faith hath saved thee, go in Peace, and be perfectly whole of thy Disease.

Matth. 9.23-26. Mark 5.35-45. Luke 8.49-56.While he was thus talking with this Woman, there came a Man to Jairus, and told him, That his Daughter was dead, and therefore 'twas needless for him to trouble Jesus to go any further. Our Saviour having heard the Message that that Man brought, said unto the Ruler of the Synagogue, [Page 49] Fear not, only believe, and thy Daughter shall be healed. When they were come to the House; they found there Pipers and Mourners, who la­mented her with doleful Tunes and hideous Outcries (according to the Custom of the modern Jews.) Jesus entring in, said unto them, Why make ye so much a do, howling and lamenting, the Maid is not dead but sleepeth. At these Words of his, they laughed and mocked, knowing well that she was dead; but being ignorant, that it was as easy for Jesus to raise the Dead, as it is for Men to awake those that are asleep, He then put forth the People out of the Chamber, and suffer­ed only three of his Disciples, viz. Peter, James and John, with the Father and Mother of the Child to go in with him: Then he goeth to the Bed where she lay, taketh her by the Hand, and called to her, saying, Damosel, arise. By these powerful Words he restored her Life, and she rose; And when they had given her something to eat, she walked, to the Wonder of her Father and Mother. At his departure he commanded them very strictly to tell no Man what was done; but the Fame of this Miracle spread it self in all that Country.

XI. Jesus healed Two Blind Men and a Dumb Man.

Going from thence,Matth. 9.27-31. Jesus was followed by Two Blind Men, who cryed after him, Thou Son of Da­vid, have mercy on us. When he was come into the House, they came unto him, and he said unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this, that ye desire? They answered, Yea, Lord, and immedi­ately he touched their Eyes, saying, According to your Faith be it done unto you, and their Eyes were opened that very Moment; but Jesus charged [Page 50] them to tell no Man of the Cure, to teach Men to labour, in sincere Humility, to conceal the good Actions that they do; and yet he permitted them to spread abroad his Fame in all that Country: To instruct us by their Example, That one part of that Acknowledgment which we ought to pay to God for the Mercies which we receive of him, is to publish them, that he may be known, praised and glorified by those to whom we declare them. After the Blind Men were gone, they brought un­to him a Dumb Man,Matth. 9.32-34. possessed with a Devil: As soon as the Devil was cast out, the Dumb Man spake, and the People were ravished with Wonder, and said, We never saw any such thing in Israel: But the Pharisees began again to say, that which they often repeated afterward, That he cast out De­vils through the Prince of the Devils.

XII. Jesus cures a Man that had been diseased Thirty and Eight Years.

After this, Jesus went up to Jerusalem, to so­lemnize the great Feast,John 5.1-47. then kept, which is evi­dently the Passover: Now there was at Jerusalem a Pool, called the Sheep's Pool, that is to say, a Pond for Sheep, because it was near a Gate of the City, called, the Sheep's Gate; but others say, because it was used to wash the Sacrifices in: Into this Pool did an Angel at a certain Season come down, and moved the Waters of it, and put such a Vertue into it, that whosoever, first, after the Waters were troubled by the Angel, entred into it, was healed of whatsoever Disease he had. For this Reason it was that the Five Porches or Cloysters of a certain Building, adjoyning to the Pool, called in the Hebrew Tongue Bethesda [the House of Mercy] were always full of Sick Persons, who waited for the Moving of the Waters; among [Page 51] them was a certain Man, who had an infirmity Thirty and eight Years; which Jesus knowing, said unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? This Man answered, Sir, I have no Man, when the Wa­ter is troubled, to put me into the Pool, and while I am going, my self, another, who hath more Strength or better Help, steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Take up thy Bed and walk; and immediately his Disease was healed, and he took up his Bed and walked. It was on Saturday, which the Jews call the Sabboth-day, that is to say, a Day of Rest, because all Labour is forbidden them on that Day, by the Law; wherefore, when the Jews saw him carrying his Bed, they contend­ed with him for breaking the Law; but he said to them, He that made me whole, said unto me, Take up thy Bed and walk. They then asked him, What Man it was, but the Man knew not who it was, for Jesus did immediately convey himself away from the Multitude of People, that were in that Place. Not long after, Jesus met this Man in the Temple, and saith unto him, Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, hereafter, lest a worse Plague be inflicted on thee. The Man went to the Jews, and told them, That it was Jesus which had healed him. The Jews, for this Reason, sought to persecute Jesus, and so much the rather, because in his Defence of this Action on the Sab­both Day he had said, My Father worketh continu­ally, doing Good, and preserving, as well on your Sabboth as other Days, and I work only as he doth: Wherefore they had a greater hatred against him, not only because he had broken the Sabboth, but had called God his Father, making himself equal with God. Hereupon Jesus makes an ex­cellent Discourse to them, to prove his Divinity, and shews them; That he had received all Pow­er of his Father, to Act, Judge and raise the Dead: [Page 52] That he did not depend upon his own Assertions, to clear this Truth, but he had John's Testimony the Nature of the Works, and Miracles themselves which he did; yea, the concurring Approbation of his Father in Holy Scripture, to render it cre­dible; nay, certain; but yet he knew that they would not be convinced by all these Proofs, be­cause they loved not God, and instead of seek­ing that Glory which is from God, they de­lighted in no other Persons Esteem or Approba­tion but what they receive one from another.

XIII. The Jews accuse Jesus's Disciples of Sabboth Breaking.

Matth 12.1 8. Mark 2.23-28 Luke 6.1-5.The Jews, who had charged Jesus with a Sin in healing a Man upon their Sabboth Day, as hav­ing thereby broken the Law of God, were not afraid to condemn him for the same Fault upon many the like occasions; for as he passed along the Corn-Fields, upon the Sabboth Day, and his Di­ciples, being very hungry, took some Ears of Corn as they went along, and rubbing them in their Hands, eat them; some of the Pharisees com­plained of it to him, saying, Behold, thy Disciple do that which is not lawful to be done on the Sabboth Day: But he demonstrates to them, first of all, by the Example of David, who in an urgent case of Necessity had eaten of the Shew-Bread, which none but the Priests might lawfully eat, that Necessity may create a Dispensation of a Law. Secondly, by the Example of their own Priests, who were not thought guilty of Sabboth-breaking notwithstanding they slay and slay their Sacrifices in the Temple upon the Sabboth Day, according to the Commandment of the same Law; [...] that the Law doth not forbid all sorts of Action upon the Sabboth Day. But if they pretend [Page 53] that the Temple justifies these sorts of Actions, he might as well justifie this Action of his Disciples, since He was greater than the Temple. But if they had known that Mercy is more acceptable to God than Sacrifice, they would not have so rash­ly condemned the Innocent; That they inverted the Order of things, in that they would have Man made for Sabboth, whereas the Sabboth was made for Man. And lastly, That the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabboth-day, and so may lawfully command, or permit what he pleases to be done in it.

XIV. Jesus Cures several sick Persons on the Sabboth.

On another Saturday as he taught in the Syna­gogue,Matth. 12.10-13. Mar. 3.1-5. Lu. 6.6-10. there was a Man who had his Right Hand withered; And the Lawyers and the Pha­risees asked Jesus, Whether it was Lawful to heal on the Sabboth day? And they at the same time observed whether he would heal this Man, that they might have cause of Accusation against him. But Jesus knowing their thoughts, bid the Man stand forth in the middle of the Assembly, and asked them again, Whether it be Lawful to do good, and save Life on the Sabboth day? And to give them an undeniable proof of the Lawfulness of it, he adds, What Man is there among you that shall have a Sheep, which happens to fall into a Pit upon the Sabboth day, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much is a Man better than a sheep? They could not answer any thing to this but they would not acknowledge the Truth, so that Jesus having looked upon them with anger, and being grieved for the hardness & blindness of their Heart, he turned himself to the Man that had the Withe­red Hand, and said unto him, Stretch out thy hand, [Page 54] which he did, and immediately his Hand was made as whole as the other.

Mat. 12.14-21. Mar. 3.6.-12. Lu. 6.11.The Pharisees seeing this Miracle were enraged against him, and took Councel together, how they might destroy Jesus. Whereupon he with­drew himself with his Disciples to the Lake of Gennesareth, being followed by a great number of People, for the Fame of these Miracles being spread abroad throughout all Galilee, Judea, Idu­maea, and all the Country round about Jordan, as far as the Mediterranean Sea, to the Coasts of Tyre, and Sydon, they came in throngs from all these places to hear him, and to be cured of their Diseases. This caused him to order his Disciples to keep a small Ship there ready to go into, that he might not be crowded by the People. He healed all, that were present, of their Dis­eases, commanding them at the same time not to discover him, and silencing with threatnings the Devils, who fell down before him, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God.

XV. Jesus Christ chooseth his Twelve Disciples. and preacheth his Sermon on the Mount.

After these things Jesus retired into a Mountain, where he continued all Night in Prayer to God,Lu. 6.12.-26. Mar. 3.13.-20. Matt. 5. [...]-12. And when it was day he called his Disciples, and out of them he chose twelve, whom he named Apostles, which signifies, Persons sent, because he sent them to preach his Gospel, with a power to heal Dis­eases, and cast out Devils. The Gospel observes, that he chose whom he would, and that these were the Twelve which he preferred to this Dignity, viz. Simon, whom he had already named Peter, and Andrew his Brother, the two Sons of Zebedee, James and John, whom he Surnamed Boanerges, i. e. Sons of Thunder, Philip to whom he first of [Page 55] all said, Follovv me, Bartholomew, Matthew, whom he took from the Custom-house, Thomas, also called Didimus, i. e. a Twin; another James the Son of Alpheus, and his Brother named Ju­das, or Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

Then he came dovvn with them, and remained in the Plain near the same Mountain, vvhither the Multitude abovementioned vvhich came to hear him, and touched him, because such Virtue vvent out of him, as healed all manner of Disea­ses, flocked unto him. Among them vvere many possessed vvith Devils, vvhom he freed. After this in the presence of all this Company he made a Discourse, which contains all the Precepts of the Christian Law, he spake it to his Disciples, and begins it by teaching them wherein true Hap­piness consists, saying to them, Blessed are the poor in spirit, that is to say, those who are loose in their desires of Earthly things, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for their own and others sins, hating the Carnal pleasures of this World, for they shall be comforted, and filled with spiritual Joy. Blessed are the meek, and quiet spirited: for they shall inherit the Earth, i. e. Paradise, which is, as the Fathers explain it, the Land of the Living, and the Heritage of such as suffer Joyfully the spoiling of their Goods, which they cannot preserve without offending God. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righ­teousness: for they shall have their Holy desires sa­tisfied. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are they, whose hearts are clean from all Carnal Lusts: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers, who not only love, and live in peace themselves, but labour to make others to be at peace: for they shall be called the Children of God, being as like the God of Peace, as Chil­dren [Page 56] are to their Parents. Blessed are they that are persecuted for Righteousness sake: for their is the Kingdom of Heaven. He adds further to his Disciples, Blessed are ye when Men shall hate you and persecute you for my sake, and load you with Injuries and Reproaches: Rejoyce then, for great is your reward reserved in Heaven. And after he hath thus shewn that there is no happiness in this Life but in the contempt of Riches, Honour and Pleasures, and in the love of Religion, Peace and Mercy, Purity of heart, and Patience, by which we may render our selves worthy of that Eternal Life, which God hath reserved in Heaven for us He pronounces a Wo against Riches, against those who live in Plenty, Mirth, and Worldly Honours because they that place their Happiness in all these things, shall one day find, that their Pleasures Honours, Comforts, and Plenty, shall end in E­ternal Wailing and Sorrow.

XVI. What are the Truths, which Jesus Christ teacheth in this Sermon upon the Mount.

Matt. 5.13-48. Lu. 16.27-36.He next teacheth his Apostles, that they were the Salt and Light of the World, to reform their corrupt Manners, and to illuminate their darkne [...] Minds, that they ought therefore to be Pure and Holy themselves, and not to omit any occasi­on of dispersing the Light of their Doctrin, be­cause they are set on a Candlestick, i. e. prefer­red to the Ministry of the Gospel for that end. That he came not to destroy the Law of Moses but to fulfil it, and to bring it to its utmost per­fection, by teaching his Disciples a Righteousness far more compleat and excellent, than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, and without which no Man can be saved. Indeed the Old Law forbids seve­ral Sins, and regulated the exterior Actions. But [Page 57] the New Law, which Jesus Christ gives in this Discourse, aims at the Reformation of the Heart, and to suppress Sin in its very Source and Origi­nal. For it was said to the Jews in the Law, Thou shalt not kill. But Jesus Christ commands every Man to curb in his Anger, and not to utter the least affront or abuse of his Brother; and if there be any differences, not to offer any Sacrifice to God, before they are reconciled. The Law for­bids Adultery, Jesus forbids with the same strict­ness all Lascivious Glances, and commands Men to pluck out the right Eye in which they are, i. e. to deprive themselves of that pleasure of the Sight, which excites irregular desires in the Heart. The Law commands us to avoid Perjury; Jesus Christ will not allow us to Swear at all, and Teaches us, that when we are obliged to confirm our Words with an Oath, that very Oath, tho' not sinful in it self, yet proceeds from a bad Cause, viz. as St. Austin says, from the Custom of Lying, and dealing falsly so much used among Men, that they dare not trust to their bare Words. The Law regu­lates Revenge, and requires, that the punishment do not exceed the Offence, on which it is inflicted; But Jesus Christ is so far from allowing us to revenge our selves, that on the contrary he teach­eth us not to resist evil, not to go to Law, but to give to those that ask, and to yield our Cheek to those that smite us, i. e. to bear all things rather than lose Charity. The Jews believed that the Obligation we have to Love our Neighbour, did hinder us from hating our Enemies: But Jesus Christ will have us to love those that Hate us, and to do good to those that Persecute us, that we may excell the Heathens in well-doing, and imitate Himself, who makes his Sun to rise upon the Evil as well as upon the Good, and so deserve the Honourable Title of the Children of God.

From Sins he passes to Good actions, and to make them pure,Mat. 6.1-34. he teacheth us to purify the Mo­tives and causes of them, shewing us that the Intention is such to the outward Actions, as the Eye is to the whole Body, and that they are pure or sinful, according as the Intention is good or Evil, after the same manner, as the Body is either Light, or in Darkness, as the Eye is either Clear or Blind. Wherefore he teaches us, that we must not perform our good Works, as Alms, Prayers, or Fasting, that we may be praised of Men; but of God, who will reward them. He lays down rules for Prayer, that it should be made with a full Trust in the Divine Bounty, with perseve­rance, and with a mind full of Peace and Love to our Brethren, knowing that he that will neither give to, nor pardon others, deserves neither the Mer­cies, nor Pardon he petitions of God. He makes the force and excellency of a Prayer, not to consist in a multitude of Words, as if God had need of our Words to manifest our Wants to him; and that we may know, what we may desire, and request of God, he hath taught us to pray after this man­ner, Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, in Earth as it is in Heaven, Give us this day our daily Bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and Lead us not into Tem­ptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. In the next place he endeavours to make the Souls of his Dis­ciples contemn the good things of this World, by teaching them not to lay up Treasures upon Earth, but in Heaven, where neither Thief, nor any other danger is to be feared; that they cannot love God and Mamon, i. e. Riches, at the same time, and that instead of being sollicitous for the neces­saries of this Life, since God, who nourisheth the Fowls, and adorns the Lillies, will not cease to [Page 59] take care of Man, who is far more precious in his sight, than Flowers or Beasts: We should first seek the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof above all other things, and then we may hope, that God will give us all other things, as an Overplus of favour to us.

He forbids rash Censures and Judgments,Matt. 7.1-29. Lu. 6.37-42. and condemns those Hypocrites, who cannot see the Beam, which groweth in their own Eyes, but would cast out the Mote out of their Brothers Eye. He teaches them to distribute Holy things prudent­ly, saying, We must not cast Pearl before Swine. He summs up our whole Duty to our Neighbours in this short Precept, Whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you, do ye even so to them. He as­sures us, That the way which leads to Life is streight, but that which leads to Hell is bread, and many there be that go in it. He teacheth us to beware of false Prophets, who come in sheeps-cloathing, yet are ravening Wolves. That we must not Judge of them by their Words, but by their Works. And altho' they may do some Miracles, yet God will reject them one day, as a People he never knew. In the same manner will he also treat all those, who content themselves to say, Lord, Lord, but do not what he commands, and those only who do his Will shall enter into his Kingdom. Lastly, he concludes this long Discourse with a Comparison of his Auditors to Builders, saying, He that hears, and does what I teach, is like to a wise Man, that built his House upon a firm Rock, which no Tem­pest could beat down; and on the contrary, he that doth not practice vvhat he hears, is like unto a Fool, that Built his House upon the Sand, vvhich when the Wind and Rain beat upon, it was over­thrown.

XVII. Jesus Cures a Leper.

Matt. 8.1-4. Mar. 1.40-45. Lu. 5.12.-15.Jesus having finished this Sermon, came down from the Mountain, and a great multitude fol­lowed him, having heard his Doctrin with Atten­tion, and Admiration. Then came to him a Man over-spread with a Leprosy, and falling down at Jesus Feet, Worshiped him, beseeching him, and saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. This Prayer so full of Humility and Faith pleased Jesus, who stretching forth his hand, touched him, and said, I will, be thou clean; and immediately his Leprosy was cleansed. But Jesus straitly charged, that he should tell no Man of this Miracle, and command­ed him to go, and shew himself unto the Priest, that he might declare him clean, and offer the Sacrifice prescribed by the Law. This Man not­withstanding could not forbear publishing for all that, what had happened unto him, and the Fame of the Son of God was so much increased, that he could not appear any more in the City, but went into the Deserts, where he spent his time in Prayer; but the People did not cease going to him in great multitudes from every quarter to hear him, and to be cured of their Diseases.

XVIII. Jesus heals a Man sick of the Palsey.

Mat. 8.5-13. Lu. 7.1,-10.Jesus being entred into Capernaum, he was en­treated by the Elders of the Jews to go down to the House of a certain Centurion, or Captain of an Hundred Soldiers, to heal a Servant of his, whom he greatly loved, and who was so sick of a Palsie, that he was almost brought to the point of Death by it. This Officer having heard of the Fame of Jesus, had desired some of his Friends to go to him, and beg this Favour of him. These Men [Page 61] earnestly besought him, representing not only the danger the Servant was in, but also the Worthi­ness of his Master, and the obligations, which all the Nation of the Jews had to him; for, say they, he loveth our Nation, and hath Built us a Syna­gogue. Jesus then went along with them, and when they came near the House, the Centurion sent others to him, to desire him that he would not give himself the trouble to come unto him, and to say, Lord, I am not worthy, that thou shouldst come under my Roof, but speak only in a Word, and my Servant shall be healed. He adds, that he did not think himself worthy to go to meet him, nor to receive him, and he doubted not of the efficacy of his Word, if he would but command the Distem­per to depart from his Servant, since he himself, who was but an under Officer, and subject to the command of others, could be exactly obeyed by those Soldiers which were under him. Jesus ad­mired this Mans Faith, who was an Heathen, and turning himself to them that followed him, He said, Verily, I have not found so much Faith, even among the Israelites themselves. To which he adds, That many shall come from the East, and from the West, and shall have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but the Jews, who boast of their Descent from these Pa­triarchs, and under that Title are Children, and Heirs of the Kingdom, shall be excluded and cast into utter darkness, where there is nothing, but weep­ing, and gnashing of Teeth. Which indeed hap­pened to the Jews, in whose stead, the Gentiles, which knew not God, are called to the Inheri­tance of Heaven. To this Faith, which he so highly esteemed, did Jesus grant the Cure of the Diseased Man, who was made whole from that very hour. And when they whom the Centurion had sent, were returned to his House, they found the Servant in perfect Health.

XIX. Jesus raiseth a Man from the Dead.

Lu. 7.11,-16.The next day Jesus went to Naim, a City of Galilee, lying near the Mediterranean Sea, being accompanyed with his Disciples and the Multi­tude, as he always was. Being near the Gate of the City, there was a Dead Man carryed out to be Buryed, who was the only Son of his Mother, who was a Widow, and followed the Bier, and much People of the City were with her. Jesus seeing her, was moved with compassiom towards this afflicted Widow, and said unto her, Weep not. Then he cometh to the Bier, and making the Bea­rers to stand still, he touched him, and spake un­to the Dead man these words, Young Man I com­mand thee to arise: And immediately the Dead Man sat up, and began to speak, and Jesus deli­vered him to his Mother. And all that were pre­sent were seized with fear, and glorified God, saying, A great Prophet is risen up among us; and, God hath visited his People.

XX. John sends two of his Disciples to Jesus. The answer they received from him.

Matt. 11.2,-6. Lu. 7.18,-23.The Fame of the former Miracle spread it self into all Judea, and all the Country round about, so that John, who vvas in Prison heard of it. This Holy Fore-runner of Christ, had a full Re­lation of the Miracles which Jesus did, from his ovvn Disciples, and vvould not lose so good an occasion of making them acknowledg him for the Messiah. He would have them to be convinced of this Truth themselves, and for that reason chose two of them, and sent them to him with this Question, Art thou He that should come, or look we for [Page 63] another? Jesus instead of giving a direct Answer to this Question, wrought many Miraculous Cures in their Presence, after which, he saith unto them, Go, and tell John what things ye have heard and seen; That the Blind see, the Lame walk, the Lepers are clean­sed, the Deaf hear, the Dead are raised, and to the Poor the Gospel is Preached. These were the visible Proofs that he gave them, to shew them who he was: And he adds, Blessed are they that shall not be offended in me, as if he had said, according to the Explication of the Fathers, That it is easie for Men to accept me for the Messiah, when they see me Work so many Miracles; but few will be­lieve me to be so, when they see me suffer the Ignominious Death of the Cross.

These two Messengers being returned to their Master, Jesus turned his speech to the People,Matt. 11.7,-14. Lu. 7.24,-28. and discoursed to them concerning John after this man­ner: What went ye out into the Wilderness to see? A Reed shaken with the Wind? Or a Man cloathed in soft and delicate Attire? And having thus put them in mind of the invincible Courage, and austere penitent Life of his Fore-runner, He tells them, that he was a Prophet, and much more than a Prophet, because he was foretold by the Prophets, and did himself Preach the coming of the Messiah, not as the other Prophets did at a great distance, but was sent to go before him, and prepare a way for him: He adds, as a compleat Encomium of John, That among those that are born of Women, there is none greater then John the Baptist, that the Law, and the Prophets end, and the Gospel begins with him; that it was he, that first Preached the Kingdom of God, and ever since this Kingdom is taken by Violence, and the Violent get into it by force. Lastly, That he was the true Elias, since as it is above­said, He had the Spirit and Power, as well as the Ministry and Office of that Prophet.

XXI. The Reproofs which Jesus Christ gave the Jews.

All these great Titles of John might have made him respected by all the Jews, Matt. 11.16,-19. Lu. 7.29,-34. yet there were none but the common People, Publicans, and some loose wicked Men, who heard his Sermons with Ad­vantage, for the Pharisees, and Doctors of the Law slighted them, and by that contempt, as the Gospel saith, rejected the Council of God concerning themselves. They used the Son of God himself after the same manner, who being troubled for the hardness, and blindness of their hearts, spake of it with Holy grief before all the People, who had gladly heard the Commendation of John the Bap­tist, saying, Whereunto shall I liken the Men of this Generation? May not the words of those Children, who sit in the Market-place, and cry to their Companions, We have piped, and ye have not dan­ced, we have sung mournful Songs, but ye have not wept, be fitly applyed unto them? for John came neither eating nor drinking, i. e. living a very severe and Monkish Life, and they say he is possessed with a Devil: The Son of Man came eating and drink­ing, i. e. leading a less Austere Life, and they ac­cuse him of being a Lover of meat and drink, and a friend of Publicans and Sinners.

After these reflections he considers upon the small advantage, which the City of Galilee, where he had Preached, and done so many Miracles, had made use of all these helps, which the mercy of God had vouchsafed them for their Salvation. He reproves with threats their Impenitence and Ob­stinacy, and pronounces against them these terrible Curses Wo unto thee Chorazin, Wo unto thee Bethsaida, for if the mighty Works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, (which were two Hea­then [Page 65] Cities) they would have repented in Sack-cloath and Ashes. And then speaking to the City of Ca­pernaum, where he had lived longer, than in all the other Cities, he reproves their pride and hardness in these Words. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven, shalt be brought down to Hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, (the City, which God consumed with Fire from Heaven for their Sins) it would have remained to this day. Lastly, he adds, That in the day of Judgment the Inhabi­tants of Sodom, (whom God punished so severely for their horrible Lewdness) as also of Tyre and Si­don, who never knew God, shall be punished with less severity, than the Inhabitants of these Impeni­tent Cities of Galilee.

XXII. The Conversion of a Woman that was a Sinner.

There was in a certain City a Woman,Luke 7.36,-50. of a wicked Life, much wiser than those before men­tion'd, for as soon as she heard, that Jesus was eating in a Pharisees House called Simon, she went to him, and going behind him, washed his Feet with her Tears, wiped them with the Hair of her Head, kissed them, and poured out Ointment up­on them, which she brought in an Alabaster-box. The Pharisee, who had invited Jesus, saw what this Woman had done, whom he knew to be wicked, and he said within himself, If this Man were a Prophet, he would know who this is that tou­cheth him: For he could not imagine, that Jesus would suffer himself to be touched by so vile a Sinner. But Jesus, who knew his thoughts, pro­pounded to him the example of two Men, who owed to one Creditor, the one a great Sum of Mony, and the other a far lesser Sum, but nei­ther [Page 66] of them being able to pay, he frankly forgave them their Debts. He then asked him, Which of these Two Debtors would love this Creditor most? Simon answers him, He to whom he had forgiven most. The Son of God approving this Answer, made the Application of it in these Words, Seest thou this Woman? I entred into thy House, thou hast poured no Water upon my Feet, but she hath washed them with Tears, and wiped them with the Hair of her Head. Thou gavest me no Kiss, but this Woman, since the Time she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my Feet. Thou hast poured no Oyl upon my Head, but she hath anointed my Feet with Perfumes: For this Reason, I say unto thee, her many and great Sins are forgiven her, because she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven the same will love little: As if he had said unto him, Thou lovest little, because believing thy self to be just, thou thinkest thy self to owe God but little. This Woman, who is Conscious of her own great Crimes, hath loved him greatly, from whom she hopes for Pardon of so many Sins, and for that love's Sake is forgiven: Wherefore he saith to the Woman, Thy Sins are forgiven thee. The Guests, that sat at Table with him, were offended at these Words, saying in themselves, Who is this that pretends to forgive Sins? But Jesus contemning their Discontents, sent the Woman away, whom he had pardoned, saying to her, Thy Faith hath saved thee, Go in Peace.

XXIII. Jesus heals a Man, possessed with a Devil, who was both Blind and Dumb.

Mark 3.20, 21.Jesus being returned from the Pharisees House, there came so great a Multitude of People unto him, that neither he nor his Disciples could get Time to eat their Food; which, when his Kindred [Page 67] heard, they went to get him Home out of the Throng, either that they might put him under Confinement, as a Man beside himself,Matth. 12.22-37. Luke 11.14-26. or fearing that he should faint for Hunger, and so be trod down in the Multitude. Then they brought unto him a Man possessed with a Devil, who was Blind and Dumb by that means; and he cast out the Devil, and the Man both Spake and Saw, to the Admiration of all the People, who speaking of Jesus Christ, said, Is not this the Son of David, i. e. the Messias, which, the Scripture assure us, should come of the Family of David? But the Pharisees and Doctors of the Law, which were come from Jerusalem, said, That he casteth out Devils by the Prince of Devils: But Jesus confuted the malici­ousness of their Thoughts, by telling them, before the Multitude, That if the Devils, who are Man's irreconcilable Enemies, should thus cast out one another, their Kingdom would not stand long; that there were some Persons among the Jews, who cast out Devils, whom yet the Pharisees did not accuse of casting them out by the Prince of the Devils; That an armed Man will not be put out of his own House but by a stronger than himself; so that he did not cast out Satan but by the Power of a Spirit stronger than Satan, i. e. by the Spirit of God; which ought to be a convincing Proof that the Kingdom of God is come unto them; that in opposing such manifest Works of the Holy Spirit, as they had done, they had made them­selves guilty of an unpardonable Blasphemy; that since we judge of a Tree by its Fruits, they ought to judge of him by his Works, and not con­demn him as a wicked Man, whenas he doth no­thing but good Actions; that the Calumnies which they so rashly spoke against him, proceeded from the evil Treasure of their Hearts, and should not escape unpunished, since at the Day of [Page 68] Judgment we must give an account of every evil Word, and be condemned for them, as we are ju­stified by good.

XXIV. The Pharisees desire a Sign of him.

Matth. 12.38-46. Luke 11.29-32.Then certain of the Scribes and Pharisees said unto him, Master, we desire that thou wouldst shew us some Sign of thy Mission. They had been Witnesses of a great Number of Miracles, which they cryed down for Cheats and Impostures, and as if all that he had done already were not enough to convince them, that he wrought them by the Spirit of God, they desired to see some new thing: But Jesus gave them no other Answer but this; An evil and an adulterous Generation seek­eth after a Sign, and no other Sign shall be given them but that of the Prophet Jonas.

Jonas was a Prophet, who being sent by God to foretel and Threaten to the Inhabitants of Ninive the Destruction of their City, within Forty Days, instead of obeying this Command, took Ship, to go to another Place; but a Tempest arising in his Voyage, he confessed that it was a Punishment of his Disobedience, and to appease it, bid them cast him into the Sea: He was immediately devoured by a great Fish, which at the end of Three Days cast him upon the Shore, from whence he went to Ninive, and preached as God had commanded him: The Ninivites believed his Words, pro­claimed a solemn Fast, and so, by their Repen­tance, escaped the Punishment which God had threatned them.

Jesus propounds this Sign of Jonas to the Pha­risees, and makes a double Application of it, the one to himself, the other to them; for he says, That as this Prophet was Three Days in the Belly of the Fish, which devoured him, so should the [Page 69] Son of Man be Three Days in the Heart of the Earth. By which he signifies, That he should be buried in a Tomb, and should rise from the Dead the third Day. He adds, for a second Reflection, That as Jonas was a Sign to the Ninivites, so should he be to the Pharisees; which he explains in this manner, The Men of Ninive shall rise up in the Judgment against this Generation, and shall con­demn them, because they repented at the Preaching of Jonas; but a Person greater than Jonas is here. He says further to them, That the Queen of Sheba shall also condemn them in the Day of Judgment, because she came from a far Country to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; which Princess they are so far from imitating, that they despise his Words and Miracles, who manifested more Divine Wisdom than Solomon ever did.

Lastly, He threatens them with such Fury as the Devil exercises over those Persons from whom they have been once forced to go out, but have found out a way to enter again; which are there­fore the more enraged. Teaching us, at the same Time, That we ought to be always upon our Guard, when we are delivered from an unclean Spirit, because the Devil doth not wholly aban­don us, but, if we are not watchful against him, will return with Seven Spirits more wicked than himself, and by this second Possession make the Condition of that Soul more miserable a great deal than it was by the first.

As Jesus was thus confuting the Pharisees Ma­lice, a certain Woman of the Company, lift up her Voice and said, Blessed is the Womb that bare thee, and the Paps that thou hast sucked: But he answered her, Yea, rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God and practise it.

At the same Time it was told him, That his Mother and his Brethren,Matth. 12.47-50. Mark 3.31 35. Luke 8.19-21 i. e. his Kindred, stood without, because they could not get at him for the Press, and desired to speak with him: But he an­swered: Who is my Mother, and who are my Bre­thren? Then looking upon those that were set about him, and stretching forth his Hands towards his Disciples, he said, Behold my Mother and my Brethren, for my Mother and my Brethren are they that hear the Word of God and do it, and they that do the Will of my Father which is in Hea­ven.

XXV. Jesus Christ delivers many Parables.

Matth. 13.1-23. Luke 8.4 15. Mark 4.1-20.The same Day Jesus went out of the House, and came to the end of the Lake of Gennesareth; but when he saw a great Multitude of People coming unto him, from the neighbouring Towns, he went into a Ship, and instructed the People out of it, who gave great Attention to him from the Shore. He delivered many excellent and saving Truths to them in Parables, which was his ordi­nary way of Teaching. Parables in the Gospel, are feigned Stories or Comparisons, taken from Nature Things, the Application of which being something hard to find out, exercises the Attention of the Mind, but, being discovered, opens some Mystery of Religion to us, or makes known some important Maxim or Precept for the Government and Direction of our Manners. As for Example, this is a kind of Parable, which Jesus speaks of the strong Man, armed, who keeps his House, but is expelled by a stronger than he. The Applica­tion of which is this, as we have seen; The strong Man is the Devil, whom Jesus Christ drives out of Men's Souls by the Spirit of God, which is stronger than the Devil.

The First Parable which the Son of God pro­pounded to the People, from the Ship where he sat, was this. A Man went out to sow, and some of his Seed fell in the High-Way, and it was trodden upon and devoured with Birds: Another Part fell upon a Rock, and was scorched by the Sun, because it had no Root, for want of Moisture: Other fell among Thorns, which chok'd it: And other fell on good Ground, and brought forth Fruit in abundance.

Now, because the Application of this Parable, which our Saviour intended by it, was not easy to find out, he added, He that hath Ears to hear, let him hear, i. e. let him understand the Sense and Meaning of what I say. The Apostles themselves did understand it no more than others, and therefore when they were alone with him, they prayed him to tell them, why he spoke to the People in Parables, and to explain what he had already propounded to them. In answer to the First Question, he tells them, How great an Hap­piness they enjoyed, in being with him, because they saw and heard those Things which many Righteous Men and Prophets desired to see and hear, but could not obtain it. And because he made them understand clearly those great Myste­ries, which he propounded to others in dark Simi­litudes and Parables only, to punish the Blindness and Obstinacy of their Hearts; which makes them unworthy and incapable of knowing the Truth.

Then he teaches them, That by the Seed, he spoke of, he understood the Word of God: They, that after they have heard, regard it not but im­mediately let themselves loose to their Sins, are like the High-Way. The Devil is figured by the Birds, who are ready to take the Word out of their Hearts, lest they believe and be saved. Those that receive the Word with Joy, but the first Tem­ptation [Page 72] spoils all the Fruit, because the Word has had no deep Root in the Soul, are the Rock. Others, that choke the Word with Avarice, love of Pleasures and other Passions, are the Thorns, which must be pulled up, if we will have the heavenly Seed to thrive in our Hearts. Lastly, the good Ground signifies those well-disposed Souls, which receive and retain faithfully the Word of God, and, through Patience and Con­stancy bring forth as much Fruit as they are able.

XXVI. Other Parables.

Matth. 13.24.-35. Mark 4.26-34. Luke 13.18-30.He propounded also several other Parables. He compares the World to a Field, in which the Owner sowed good Seed, but afterward discerned it to be mixed with Darnel, which his Enemy had sown in the Night; his Servants, as soon as they saw it, would have weeded it up, but he hindred them, lest they should root up the Corn with it, and bad them let it grow with the Corn till the Harvest, when he would have it separated from the Corn and burnt, but gather the Corn into his Barn. He compares the Kingdom of God to Seed, which, being cast into the Ground, springs up, and grows, the Sower knows not how, without any further Care: Then to Mustard-Seed, which being a very small Seed, less than any other, be­comes the biggest among Herbs. Lastly, to Lea­ven, which is put into the Dough till the whole is Leaven'd.

When he had spoken these things, he sent the People away, and returned to the House with his Disciples, who prayed him to declare to them the Meaning of the Parable of the Darnel. He tells them, That it signifies, That the Good ought to tolerate the Wicked, with whom they are mixed, [Page 73] till God shall separate them, the one from the other, at the End of the World; for then the Sin­ners shall be cast into Hell-Fire, and the Good shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of God.

He teaches them also the same Truth, under the Parable of the Fishermen, who catch all sorts of Fish in their Nets, promiscuously, but sitting upon the Bank, separate the Good, which they car­ry away, and cast away the Bad. Lastly, he makes them sensible that we ought to part with any thing to purchase Heaven, by the Comparison of a Man, who sold all he had to buy a Pearl of great Price, or the Field, in which he knew there was a great Treasure.

The Gospel gives us the Explication of none of the other Parables, that by an Attentive Conside­ration of those which are explained, we may find out the Sense of those that are not, our selves, having first begged of God that Spirit of Under­standing, which Jesus Christ requires of his Audi­tors, when he says, He that hath Ears to hear let him hear. The Ignorant and Simple, who have not Abilities to find out the Signification of those Parables which the Son of God hath not unfolded, and who may justly fear mistaking by following their own Sense, ought to consult their Pastors about such difficult Places, and while we wait for the Resolution of what we demand, practising the Truths they know, which it is easy for an humble and teachable Soul to understand. And for the help of these sort of Persons it is that I composed this Work chiefly, and therefore shall give you the Sense of the Three following Para­bles to that of the Darnel, out of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.

All Three of them may signify the Preaching of the Gospel; The Preacher disperses the Seed of the Word, and this Seed groweth by little and [Page 74] little, by the secret Operation of God's Grace in the Heart of him,1 Cor. 3.6. that receives it; for the Preacher Soweth, Planteth and Watereth. There was no­thing more contemned, at first, than the Doctrin of the Gospel; but, like a Grain of Mustard-Seed, it hath grown and filled the whole Earth. Lastly, we must carefully keep and preserve the Word of the Gospel in our Hearts, that the Sacred Leaven may leaven the whole Lump, and by its secret Vertue reform all the Thoughts, Desires and Acti­ons of Man.

XXVII. Jesus Christ goes to Preach at Nazareth.

Matth. 13.54-58. Mark. 6.1-6. Luke 4.16-30.The Son of God, after he had finished these Parables, went to Preach in the City of Naza­reth, where he had been conceived and brought up: His Disciples were also with him. Accord­ing to his usual Custom, he went into the Syna­gogue on the Sabboth Day, where standing up to read, they gave him the Book of the Prophet Isaias; He opened it, and found the Place, where the Prophet, speaking of the Messias,Isai. 61.1. says, That he was consecrated, and sent by the Spirit of God, to preach the Gospel to the Poor, to heal the Sick, to publish the Day of Grace from the Lord, and declare the Day of Judgment. When he had read this Text, he shut the Book, and gave it to the Minister. Then sit­ting down he explained this Prophecy, and shews, that it was accomplished in himself. All that were in the Synagogue fixed their Eyes on him, while he spake, and wondred so much at the gracious Words that proceeded out of his Mouth, that they demanded one of another, Whence hath this Man this great Wisdom (which he shews?) Is not this the Son of the Carpenter, called Joseph, the Son of Mary? and are not his Brethren, i. e. Cousins, James and [Page 75] Joses, and Simon and Judas? and are not his Kin­dred with us? Whence then hath this Man all these thing? The Gospel observes, That he was not only a Subject of Astonishment, but also of Scan­dal: Whereupon Jesus, knowing their Thoughts, saith unto them, Ye will surely apply this Proverb to me, Physitian, Heal thy self, as a Reproach to him, that he would not do as great Miracles in his own Country, as he had done at Capernaum: But he assures them, That a Prophet that is well received and honoured everywhere else, is neither received nor honoured in his own Country: This he proves by Two Examples, the first of Elias, who, in a Famine, was not sent by God to the Widows of his own Country, but to a Widow of another Country, to receive Relief in his need. And the other of Elisha, who cured a strange Lord of a Leprosy, when there were many Le­pers in Israel, who would not desire a Cure from him.

These Truths much incensed all those that were in the Synagogue; and they arose in their Fury, and led him out of the City to the Top of a Mountain, to cast him down from it: But because he could only dye at the Time and in the manner he himself pleased, he withdrew himself from the Fury of these wretched Men, and passing through the midst of them, he retreated from Nazareth. The Gospel observes. That he did but very few Miracles, and healed a very small Number of Sick People then, only by laying Hands on them; the Infidelity of his hardned City, rendring it unworthy of his Presence and good Deeds.

XXVIII. Jesus goeth about Galilee again, and sends his Apostles to preach.

Matth. 9.35-38. Luke 8.1-3.Jesus, being departed from Nazareth, went again throughout all Galilee, going into every City and every Village, teaching in their Synagogues, preaching the Gospel, and healing every Sick­ness and every Disease. And the Twelve Apostles were with him, to whom also were joyned cer­tain Women, who had been freed from Evil Spirits, and cured of their Distempers: Among whom were Mary Magdalen, out of whom went Seven Devils, and Joanna, the Wife of Chuza, Herod's Steward, and Susanna, and several others, who ministred to him of their Substance. In this Journey he looked upon this great Multi­tude, to whom he was about to preach the Go­spel, as so many fainting and scattered Sheep, which have no Shepherd to look after them; and being moved with Compassion, he said to his Di­sciples; The Harvest indeed is great, but the Labourers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest, that he would send Labourers in­to it.

Since he himself was Lord of this Harvest, and his Apostles were the Labourers,Matth 10.1-42. Mark 6.7-13. Luke 9.1-9. whom he had designed for that Work long before; He called them, gave them Power to cure Diseases and cast out Devils, and sent them, Two and Two, to preach the Kingdom of God, hav­ing first given them such Rules as he would have them observe in the Exercise of their Ministry. He ordered them to preach to the Jews only, and make this the Subject of all their Sermons, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: To use that Power [Page 77] freely that has been given freely; not to incumber themselves with Mony, or variety of Cloaths, that they may be the more free to discharge their Office, because they must receive a ne­cessary Maintenance from those to whom they Preach: To chuse their Abode, in all Places, with Honest, Good Men: To say, when they go into their Houses, Peace be to this House; to stay there, so long as they conti­nue in the Place: And to shake off the Dust off their Feet, against those who will neither receive nor hear them.

He then tells them, That he sends them as Sheep among Wolves, and that they ought to live among those Sinners, whom they labour to con­vert, with Simplicity and Caution: That, not­withstanding all their Wariness, they shall be per­secuted; that the only way to escape is to fly, and, if they are taken and carried before Tribu­nals, they should not trouble themselves, how to answer their Judges, because the Holy Spi­rit shall supply them with an Answer: That they should only take Care not to be discou­raged with Fear; and that they should not fear Men, who have Power over the Body only, but fear God, who can destroy both the Body and Soul eternally: That if they disown him be­fore Men, he will disown them before God, at they Day of Judgment; but, on the contrary, he will acknowledge them for his, who are not ashamed to confess his Name. Lastly, to encou­rage them in suffering the greatest Torments, ra­ther than be wanting of their Duty, he assures them, That nothing should befal them but by the Order of God, who counteth all the Hairs of their Heads, and by losing their Lives for him in this World, they should save it to all Eter­nity: [Page 78] That they could not be his Disciples, un­less they took up their Cross and follow him; and that they ought not to expect better Usage than their Master, whom they had seen themselves to be called a Samaritan, that had a Devil, even by those Men whom he came to save.

He concludes this Discourse with Rewards that they shall have, who hear their Word, and fur­nish them with Things necessary; saying, Who­soever shall give you but a Cup of cold Water, to drink, in my Name, verily, I say unto you, he shall have his Reward. The Apostles having re­ceived these Instructions, went throughout all the Country, preaching to the People, That they should repent; and God confirmed their Discourses with Miracles, for they cast out many Devils, and by Anointing many, that were Sick, with Oil, cured them.

XXIX. Herod beheads John the Baptist.

Matth. 14.1-12 Mar. 6.14-30.The Fame of Jesus's Miracles spreading more and more in Galilee, came at last to Herod's Court: Every Man, almost, was guessing who this Man was, that did such great Miracles; some said he was Elias, others one of the Old Pro­phets, who appeared a-new; others, among whom was Herod himself, suspected, That it was John the Baptist risen from the Dead; for not long be­fore Herodias, who had caused this Holy Fore­runner of Christ to be imprisoned, had found out a way to satiate her Malice, which she had conceived against him, by procuring his Death.

The Occasion was this, Herod making a mag­nificent Feast, upon his Birth Day, for all his Court; the Daughter of Herodias came in, and [Page 79] danced before them, and so pleased all the Com­pany, that the King bid her ask what Favour she would have, and promised, with an Oath, That he would grant it her, to the half of his Kingdom: She immediately went and consulted with her Mother what she should ask: And her Mother bid her ask the Head of John the Bap­tist. She returned in haste to the King, and prayed him to give her, by and by, the Head of John the Baptist in a Charger. Herod was much disturbed at this Request; but a false Respect to Men hindred him from denying her; and not being willing to be accused of being worse than his Word, by those who had been Witnesses of his Oath, he sent and cut off John Baptist's Head in the Prison, gave it to the Damosel, who carried it to her Mother. The Disciples of John, hearing of the Death of their Master, buried his Body, and laid it in a Tomb, and went to Jesus, to tell him the News of it.

I. Jesus Christ feedeth Four thousand in the Wil­derness, with Five Loaves and Two Fishes.

Matth. 14.13-21. Mark 6.30-44 Luke 9.10-17. John 6.1-14.JESUS having heard what was said of him in Herod's Court, and his Apostles coming at the same Time to him, to give him an ac­count of what they had done and taught in the Places whither he had sent them: He said unto them, Go into some Desert Place apart, that ye may rest a while. Wherefore they took Ship, to avoid the Multitude, who would not allow them so much as Time to eat, and having sailed over the Lake, they remained in a desert Place over against, and not far distant from the City Bethsaida.

Coming out of the Ship, they met a great Mul­titude of People, which ran after him to that Place; for those that saw them depart, and others, who had Intelligence of it, went on Foot by the Lake-side, and were come before them to the Place where they landed: Jesus, seeing their eagerness and zeal, received them gladly, and went up into a Mountain, and, being set down, taught them many things concerning the Kingdom of God, and healed the Sick they brought to him.

When it was near Night, the Apostles desired him to send the People away, because they were in a desert Place, where they could not get Food. Jesus said unto them, Give ye them to eat: But they asked him, Whether they should go and buy Two hundred Penniworth, i. e. eight Pounds worth of Bread, to feed so great a Multitude. He then lifting up his Eyes upon the People, and see­ing so great a Company, he said unto Philip, Whence shall we buy Bread that these may eat? (This he said, as the Gospel observes, to try him, for he himself knew what he would do) Philip answered him, Two hundred Pennyworth is not suffi­cient for them, that every one of them may take a little. He then asked them, How many Loaves they had? Andrew, Peter's Brother, saith unto him, There is a young Man here, that hath Five Barley Loaves and Two Fishes; but what are they saith he, among so many? Jesus bids them bring them, and commanded them to make the Multitude sit down.

Then they made them all sit down by Compa­nies, in several Ranks, each consisting of Fifty or an Hundred Men, and they were about Five hun­dred Men, besides Women and Children; when they were all set down in order, Jesus took the Five Loaves and the Two Fishes, and lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, and giving Thanks, he blessed them, and then brake them, and gave them to the People, by his Disciples: And after the same manner he parted the Fish among them. When they had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus command­ed them to gather up the Fragments that remained, which they did, and filled Twelve Baskets with them, each Apostle one.

II. Jesus Christ walketh upon the Water, and per­mits S. Peter to come to him.

Matt. 14.22,-36. Mar. 6.45,-56. Jo. 6.15,-21.The People having seen such a Miraculous mul­tiplication, as was made by Jesus, looked upon him as the Messiah, and said one to another, This is really that Prophet, which should come into the World. Whereupon they resolved to make him their King, and become his Subjects; but Jesus know­ing their design, and that they were coming to take him by force and make him their King, he constrained his Disciples to enter immediately into a Ship, and go before to the other side to Bethsaida. But he himself got away from them, and went up into a Mountain, and continued there alone in Pray­er, till it was Night, and very dark.

In the mean while, the Ship into which the A­postles were entred, was tossed with a great Tem­pest in the middle of the Lake; the Waves ran so high, and Wind was so contrary, that they could not get forward, so that when it was almost Morning, they had not Sailed from the Shore, where they took Ship, above 25 or 30 Furlongs, which is but little more than a League. Then saw they Jesus walking up­on the Water, and coming near them, they cryed out for fear, supposing him to have been a Spirit. But he said unto them, Be of good Courage, it is I, be not afraid. Peter answered him, Lord, if it be thou, Bid me come unto thee on the Water: Jesus saith unto him, Come: And Peter went immediately out of the Ship, and walked upon the Water to meet Je­sus. But the Wind being boisterous, and high, he was afraid, and immediately beginning to sink, he cryed out, Lord save me. Jesus took him then by the Hand, saying to him, Oh Man of little Faith, why didst thou doubt? As soon as they were come into the Ship, the Wind ceased, and imme­diately [Page 83] they were at the Land, whether they were going. All these Miracles opened the Eyes of the Disciples, who had not sufficiently considered up­on the Miracles of the Five Loaves. They were astonished at so great Miracles, and acknowledged the Author of them, to be the Son of God, and they came to him, and Worshipped him under that Ti­tle. As soon as they were come out of the Ship, the People of the place, where they landed, which was the Country of Gennesareth, knew him, and went to tell it through all the Land. So that wherever he went they brought the sick People in Beds from all adjacent Places, and layed them in the Streets, praying him to permit them to touch, if it were but the Border of his Garment; and all that touched him, were Cured.

III. Jesus in an Excellent Discourse, proves that he himself is the Living Bread and Food of Souls.

Jesus having thus withdrawn himself,Jo. 6.22,-71. all the People, whom he had so Miraculously Fed with Five Loaves, were much troubled to know what was become of him: They had seen the Apostles go into the Ship to pass over the Water, but Jesus did not embark with them, and there was no other Ship there. The next day, as soon as they knew that he was not on that side, they took Ship, and went to Capernaum to seek him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, Master, when camest thou hither? for they could not ima­gine, how he got over the VVater. He answered them, Ye seek me, because ye were fed with the Loaves. Labour for another sort of nourishment, that perisheth not, but continueth to eternal Life, which the Son of Man shall give you.

They immediately asked him, what VVorks ac­ceptable to God, they must do, that they may ob­tain [Page 84] this Food. He answered them, This is the Work of God, to believe on him, whom he hath sent. But say they, what Miracle dost thou Work, that we may believe on thee? Our Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness, which the Scripture calls the Bread of Heaven: As if they had said, Thou hast indeed Fed 500 Men; but thou didst it but once: Moses fed Six Hundred Thousand Men, for Forty Years together with Manna, that fell from Heaven. Canst thou do any thing greater than Moses did? Jesus answered them, verily I say unto you, Moses did not give you the true Bread from Hea­ven, but 'tis my Father that giveth it; and this Bread is he, that came down from Heaven, and giveth Life unto the World. They, said unto him, Lord, give us this Bread for ever. He answered them: I am the Bread of Life, he that cometh to me, shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst. By which words we are to understand, That Jesus is the spiritual Food of those Souls that eat him, believing on him by a lively Faith, which works by Love, and by thus eating him, they obtain that happy Life, with which they shall be fully and eternally satisfied.

Then he adds, that altho' they had seen, and been witnesses of so many Miracles, which he had done, yet they did not believe on him, and by reason of their Infidelity they should lose the great advantage, which all those, which his Fa­ther should bring unto him should enjoy, viz. to be raised up at the Last Day, and inherit eternal Life. Nevertheless the Jews murmured against him, saying, Is not this the Son of Joseph? Do not we know his Father and Mother? Why then doth he tell us, that he came down from Heaven? Jesus was so far from mollifying or recanting these Truths, tho' they were offended at them, that on the con­trary, he confirms them more strongly, and having [Page 85] proved from Scripture, that they should be taught of God; that all, whom his Father teacheth, shall come unto him, and that they themselves did not come unto him, because they did not understand the Voice of him that sent him, He tells them a­gain, that he is the Bread of Life; that the Man­na did not keep them from dying, who eat of it; but his flesh was the true Bread, that came down from Heaven, which giveth Life to all that eat of it.

These last words made them the more averse to him, and they disputed among themselves, how he could give them his Flesh to eat? Nevertheless, he pursued his Discourse and tells them, that his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, that they have no Life in them, if they eat not his Flesh, and drink his Blood; and that he that feeds on them, shall be raised up at the Last Day, and obtain eternal Life. Lastly, he teaches them what great effects his Body should work in the Souls of all those that receive it worthily, saying to them, He that eateth my flesh, and drink­eth my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him, and he shall live by me, as I live by my Father, which hath sent me.

These sublime Truths, which he taught in the Synagogue at Capernaum▪ offended many of the Jews; yea, several of his Disciples, having hard them, said, These words are very heard, and unintelli­gible, who can patiently hear such Doctrin as this, much less believe it? But they understood them in a literal, which were meant in a Spiritual sense only. They thought, saith St. Austin, that if they eat his flesh, they must cut it in pieces, as the flesh which is sold in the Market is. They were not sensible, that besides the manner of eating Je­sus Christ by Faith, they might also really eat him in the Eucharist under the Figure of Bread, a way wherein there is nothing affrighting. But instead [Page 86] of believing all, that he, who was the Truth it self, said unto them, by attending to his Explica­tion of what they did not understand, they were offended at his Speech, and withdrawing them­selves from following him, would be his Disciples no longer.

The Apostles were wiser than these deserters; for Jesus having said unto them, Will ye also leave me? Peter answered for them all, Lord, to whom should we go? thou hast the words of Eternal Life, and we believe and know, that thou art the Christ the Son of God. Nevertheless among these Twelve, which adhered so firmly to him, there was one which should afterwards betray him, which was Judas Iscariot: Jesus knowing it, foretold the Infideli­ty and Treachery of that Apostle, saying, Have not I chosen you Twelve? And yet one of you is a Devil, and a Wicked Traytor.

IV. The Pharisees complain, that his Apostles did eat with un-washed Hands.

Jo. 6.4.The Passover was nigh at hand, when Jesus multiplyed the Bread, and made the former Dis­course. It appears by this Relation of St. John, that he went not up to Jerusalem to Solemnize that Feast according to the Custom, for that Evan­gelist says, that after this he remained in Galilee, not daring to go into Judea, because the Jews sought to put him to Death. Then the Scribes, and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, came un­to him;Matt. 1 [...].1,-20. Mar. 7.1,-23. and having observed, that his Disciples did not scruple to eat their Meat with unwashen Hands, they complained of them to him. Not that there was any commandment of the Law, en­joyning them to wash their Hands before they eat; but the Pharisees had annexed several Humane Traditions to the Law, which they were more [Page 87] exact in the observance of, than the Law it self. For this reason it was that they said unto Jesus, Why do thy Disciples break the Tradition of the El­ders in not washing their Hands, when they eat their Food? Jesus asked them again, Why do you your selves transgress the Law of the Lord by following your Traditions? As for example, Why do you perswade Children to think that they do a Work acceptable to God in giving him Offerings, altho' they suffer their Father and Mother to be in want? thus making them to prefer an Humane Tradition before the Commandment of God, which injoyns Children so expresly to Honour, and Sup­port those, from whom they have received Life.

Then he shews them, that notwithstanding all their Ceremonial observances, they wore the Hy­pocrites, of whom God speaks by the Prophet Isaias; This People honoureth me with their Lips, Isai. 29.13. but their Heart is far from me. Lastly, he calls to the People, and saith unto them with a loud Voice. Hear ye this, and understand my sayings. Nothing from without a Man, entring into his Body can defile him; but that which cometh out of the Man, defileth the Man. Upon this his Disciples came unto him, and told him, that the Pharisees were offended at his Words. But he answered them, Every Plant, that my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up: Let them alone, they are blind leaders of such as are as blind as them­selves, with whom they shall fall into the Ditch, and so perish eternally together.

Then he went into an House, and his Disciples desired him to explain to them his meaning in those Words, Nothing that entreth into a Man, defileth the Man, but that which cometh out of the Man, defileth the Man. He unfolded the Parable to them, and taught them, that every thing that [Page 88] entreth into the Body of a Man is Food, which cannot defile the Man; but that which comes out of his Heart, are evil thoughts, adulteries, false-wit­ness, and generally all Sins. And these are the things which defile a Man, and not to eat with unwashen Hands, which is a mere outward and Ceremonial Rite.

V. Jesus frees a Damsel possessed with a Devil.

Matt. 15.21,-28. Mark 7.24,-30.Jesus departing thence, went into the Coasts of Tyre and Sidon; and entring into an House endea­voured to conceal himself, but an Heathen Wo­man, which the Gospel calls a Canaanite, because she came out of Phenicia, the Ancient Habitation of the Canaanites, discovering where he was, came to him, crying out and saying, O Lord, thou Son of David, have mercy on me, my Daughter is grie­vously vexed with a Devil. He answered not a Word; but when his Disciples prayed him to free them from her troublesome Importunities and Cryes by granting her desires, he answered them; I am not sent but to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel, i. e. the Jews. But she was not at all dis­couraged at this denial, but on the contrary, as if she had been emboldened by it, she goes to him, throws her self down at his Feet, and adoreth him, saying, Lord, help me. He saith to her, Let the Children be first filled: for it is not fit to take the Childrens Bread, and cast it unto Dogs. She reply­ed, True Lord, but yet the Dogs eat the Crumbs that fall from the Childrens Bread. Then said he unto her, O Woman, great is thy Faith, be it unto thee, even as thou desirest: Go thy way, for this saying the Devil is gone out of thy Daughter. Then the Woman went home, and found her Daughter layd upon the Bed, and perfectly freed from the Devil.

VI. Jesus Cures a Man Blind and Dumb.

Jesus being returned,Mark 7.31-37. Matt. 15,-29. came to a place near to the Lake, where they brought to him a Man Blind and Dumb, beseeching him to lay hand upon him. And he took him aside from the Multitude, and put his fingers in his ears, and some of his spittle upon his Tongue. Then lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, he sighed, and said unto him, Ephatha, which in the Syriack Language signifieth, Be open, and Loosed. And immediately the Mans Ears were opened, and his Tongue was unloosed, so that he heard, and spake plain. Jesus forbad those, who had been witnesses of this Miraculous Cure, to speak of it to any Person; but the more he Charged them, the more they published it, and in their astonishment said, He hath done all things well, he hath made the Deaf to hear, and the Dumb to speak.

VII. Jesus Feeds Four Thousand with Seven Loaves.

Then Jesus went up into a Mountain,Matt. 16.32,-37. Mar. 8.1,-9. and great Multitudes of People came unto him, bringing with them Persons sick of all manner of Distem­pers, whom they laid at his Feet, and he healed them all, insomuch that they glorified God for the Wonders which they had seen, and could not but follow him, who confirmed the saving Doctrin, which he had Taught, with so many Miracles. It seems that they had forgotten to bring Food with them, which Jesus knowing, said One day to his Disciples, I have compassion on this People, because they have been with me this three days already and have nothing to eat. I will not send them away fasting, for fear they faint by the way: for some of them have come a great way. His Dis­ciples said unto him, how can we provide Bread [Page 90] enough to satisfie so great a Multitude in this De­sert place? He asked them, How many Loaves have ye? They said unto him, Seven, and a few small Fishes. He commanded all the People to sit down; he Blessed, and distributed to them the Seven Loaves, and the Fishes, and Fed Four Thousand Persons so fully, that they filled Seven Baskets with the Fragments that remained.

VIII. The Pharisees desire a Sign, Jesus refuses to give them any.

Matt. 16.1,-12. Mark 8.10,-21. Luke 12.54,-57.As soon as Jesus had sent the Multitude away, he entred into a Ship with his Disciples, and went into the Countrey of Dalmanutha, which lyes on the East-side of the Lake of Gennesareth, between Gerasa and Chorazin, upon the Coasts of Magdlaa. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to tempt him, and Disputing with him, asked of him again to shew them some Prodigy in the Air. But instead of doing what they required of him, who were so incredulous, and self-conceited, that they would not be convinced by so many Miracles, as they had seen him do, he reproved them because they could foretell, whether it would be Cold, or Hot, by the different alterations of the Air, as also whether it will Rain, or be fair Weather, but could not discern that which is Right, nor acknowledge by so many visible Signs, that the happy time of the Messiah's coming is now arri­ved. Then sighing deeply in his Spirit, he retur­ned them the same answer, which he had given to the like question. This wicked and adulterous Ge­neration seeketh after a Sign, and Prodigy, but there shall no Sign be given to it, but the Sign of the Prophet Jonas.

Then he left them, and sailed back again with his Disciples, to whom in their passage, he said, [Page 91] Take heed, and beware of the Leaven of the Phari­sees, and Sadducees, and of the Leaven of Herod. The Apostles, thought that he had spoken of Lea­ven, because they had forgotten to take Bread along with them, and had but one Loaf in the Ship; whereupon he reproves them for their little Faith, for their inconsiderateness upon all that he had done among them, for the blindness of their heart, which hindred them from understanding, and profiting by all that he had done in their presence; and Lastly, for their forgetfulness of all that they had hard, and seen. He asked them, How many Baskets full of the five Loaves, with which he fed Five Thousand, they took up? and of the Seven Loaves, wherewith he fed Four Thousand? and Teaches them, that instead of busying their minds, as they did, with the Bread, that nourisheth the Body only, and of providing for their Temporal Wants, which he could pro­vide for, when, and how he pleased, they should particularly attend to the Heavenly Doctrins, which he Taught under the Name and Vail of things Natural, and so to conceive, that the Lea­ven he speaks of, is the corrupt Doctrin of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

IX. Jesus heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida.

When they were come to Bethsaida, they brought a blind Man to him and prayed him to touch him.Mark 8.22,-26. And he took the blind Man by the Hand, and leading him out of Town, he anointed his Eyes with spittle, and layd his Hands upon him, and asked him, if he saw any thing. The blind Man answered him, I see Men walking, but they seem to me like Trees. Jesus then put his Hands again upon his Eyes, and the blind Man began to distinguish Objects better and better, till he came to a perfect sight. Then the Son of God [Page 92] sent him to his own House, forbidding him to tell any Man what had happened unto him.

X. S. Peter confesseth, That Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Matth. 16.13-20 Mark 8.27-30 Luke 9.18-20.Jesus went from thence with his Disciples, and ascending up towards the Head of Jordan, he went into the Towns adjoyning to Caesarea Philippi, a City situate upon the same River, on the South-Side of Galilee. By the Way he asked them, What Men said of him? They answered him, That some took him for John the Baptist, others for Elias, others for Jeremiah, and lastly, others for one of the old Prophets, risen from the Dead. But, saith he to them, whom, say ye, that I am? Peter answered, and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Whereupon Jesus saith unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Son of Jonas, for Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this, that thou hast said, unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven: And I also say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it: And I will give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.

XI. Jesus foretels his Death to his Disciples.

Matth. 16.20-28. Mark 8.30-38. Luke 9.21 22.Jesus, after this Discourse, forbids his Disciples to publish it, that he was the Son of God: and then begins to tell them, what he must suffer, as he was the Son of Man: He declares unto them, That he must go to Jerusalem, and be there dis­owned by the Jewish Governours, Chief Priests and Scribes, suffer many Cruelties and Indigni­ties [Page 93] from them, be put to Death, and raised again the Third Day: Peter, who by reason of the great Love he had for his Lord and Master, could not en­dure to hear this Discourse, took him aside and reproved him; saying, God forbid that such Things should befal thee, Lord. But Jesus re­buking him, for giving him such Council, which though it testified much carnal Love and Affecti­on to him, did so plainly oppose the Sacred Pur­pose of God, in redeeming Man, said unto him, before all his Disciples, Depart from me, Satan, for thou art an Offence to me, for thou savourest not the things of God.

All this was transacted privately between Jesus Christ and his Disciples, but he called the People,Luke 9.23-27. and began to preach before them all, those Truths which Peter did not understand, when he discouraged him from suffering Death; for he as­serted it publickly, That if any Man will follow him, he must bear his Cross all his Days: That to lay down his Life for him and the Gospel, is the only way to be saved, and to seek salvation any other way, is to destroy himself, and that he gets no­thing by the World that loses his own Soul: That he shall hereafter come in his Glory, and render to eve­ry Man according to his Works, and then he will disown them before his Father, who have been ashamed of him and his Word before Men: And he adds, That there are some among his present Hearers, who shall not dye till they see him in his Kingdom, and in the Greatness of his Glory.

XII. Jesus Christ is transfigured on the Mountain.

The Promise,Matt. 17.1-13. Mark 9.1-13. which Jesus made in the last Words, he partly performed within Eight Days after, for he took Peter, and James, and John privately, and led them into a very high Moun­tain, [Page 94] where he went to Prayers; and while he was at Prayers his Face became as radiant and shining as the Sun,Luke 9.28-36. and his Garments as bright as the Light, appeared as white as Snow. The Three Apostles in the mean while were asleep, but when they awoke they saw their Master Transfigured, i. e. clear another Man from what they had seen him before, for they saw him in that Glory, in which he had promised to discover himself to some of them; and they beheld also, with him, Two Men full of Majesty, who talked with him concerning that Death which he should suffer at Jerusalem: They knew that these Two Men were Moses and Elias; and when they were about going from Jesus, Peter, that he might de­tain them with them, said unto his Master, Lord, it is good for us to be here, and if thou pleasest, let us make Three Tabernacles, One for thee, and One for Moses, and One for Elias: But as he was thus speaking, scarce knowing what he said in his Transport, as the Gospel observes, a bright Cloud over-shadowed them, and there came a Voice out of the Cloud, which spake these Words, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear him. This Cloud and Voice filled the Three Disciples with so great Fear, that they fell on their Faces, to the Earth: But Jesus came to them, and comforted them, and raised them up: Then they lifted up their Eyes, and looking round about, they saw no Man, save Jesus only.

As they were coming down from the Mountain, he commanded them to tell no Man what they had seen, till the Son of Man be risen from the Dead. They obeyed this Command, but did not under­stand the Last Words; and they disputed among themselves about the Meaning of this Expression, Ʋntil the Son of Man be risen from the Dead.

The Disciples having seen Elias with him in the Mount, took an occasion to ask him, Why the Scribes and the Pharisees did assert, That that Pro­phet was to come before the Messias? Jesus an­swered them, That Elias shall indeed come and shall be rejected and evil-intreated, as well as the Son of Man; yea, he adds, That he is already come, and that the Jews have done what they list to him, and so will they make the Son of Man suffer, as they have done his Fore-runner. This Answer plainly discovered to the Apostles, That the last Elias, of whom he had spoken, was John the Baptist, who had gone before the first coming of Jesus Christ in the Spirit and Power of Elias, as Elias himself, in Person, should go before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

XIII. Jesus heals a young Man, Lunatick and Dumb.

The next Day, Jesus being come to the Place,Matth. 17.14-21. Mark 9.14-29 Luke 9.37,-42. where the rest of the Apostles were, he met a great multitude of Men, and the Scribes questi­oning with them: As for the People, as soon as they saw the Son of God, they ran to him, and saluted him, being full of Admiration and Joy. Jesus then asked the Scribes, What was the occa­sion and Subject of your Dispute? but at the same Time came a certain Man to him, having broke through the Press, and kneeling down at his Feet, prayed him to have Pity on his only Son, whom he had brought unto him, because his Disciples could not cure him. This Child was a Lunatick, and possessed with a Devil, which made him Dumb and grievously tormented him; for when it seized upon him, it threw him down upon the Ground, cast him often into the Fire or Water, and racked him with such violent Convulsions, that he cryeth [Page 96] out, fomes, gnashes with his Teeth, and pineth away, and much bruising him, hardly departeth from him.

The Unbelief of the Jews, who did not as yet firmly believe in Jesus Christ, though they had seen so many Miracles, was a greater and more dan­gerous Disease than this of the Lunatick, and was often an Impediment to the Miracles which Jesus would have done. For this Reason it is that he would cure that, before he drive out the Devil, and therefore smartly touched that Wound, that the Men afflicted with it might feel it, say­ing; O faithless and perverse Generation, how long shall I be with you, to convince you? how long shall I suffer your Infidelity? will you never believe? Bring him hither to me. The Child no sooner saw him, but the Devil began to tear him with fierce Convulsions, and threw him down, where he rowled foaming. Jesus asked his Father, How long it was since his Son began to be vexed after this manner? His Father answered him, From his Childhood; and added, If thou canst do any thing, have Pity on us and help us. Jesus saith unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Immediately the Father of the Child cryed out with Tears, Lord, I believe, help thou my Ʋnbelief, i. e. supply all the Defects of my Faith, to make it worthy to obtain a Cure for my Child. Then Jesus rebuked the Devil, saying to him, Thou Dumb and Deaf Spirit, I command thee to depart out of this Child, and to enter no more into him. Then the Spirit cryed out, and much tore and rent the Child, and left him almost dead; but Jesus, taking him by the Hand, lifted him up, and delivered him to his Father, perfectly cured: And all that were present beheld it with Admiration, and were amazed at the mighty Power of God.

When Jesus was come into the House, his Di­ciples asked, Why they could not cast out this Devil? He answered them, Because of your Ʋnbe­lief; adding,Luke 17 6 That if they had but one Grain of Syncere and Sound Faith, they might by their mere Word remove both Trees and Mountains: And then he says further, That this kind of Devil goeth not out but by Prayer and Fasting. The Apo­stles did, without doubt, profit by these Instru­ctions, for S. Luke teacheth us elswhere, That they addressed themselves to their Master,Luke 17.5 and said, Lord increase our Faith.

XIV. Jesus foretels his Death, and pays Tribute.

While the Multitude was in Admiration of the great things,Matth. 17.22 27. Mark 9.30-32 Luke 9 43-45. that Jesus did in all Places where he went, his Thoughts were mainly employed in fitting his Disciples for the Disgraces and Contempt of his Death: He tells them a second Time of it, and desires them to hearken with Attention to him, and think seriously of these Words in their Hearts; The Son of Man shall be delivered into the Hands of Men, who shall put him to Death, and he shall rise again the Third Day: But they un­derstood not that Saying, and yet this Prediction, which they could not fully comprehend, made them very sorry, and cast them into such a Con­sternation, that they durst not ask him to explain it to them.

They went through Galilee, and returned to Capernaum. Here the Receivers of a certain Tri­bute of Two Drachma's, i. e. Fifteen Pence an Head, asked Peter whether his Master did not pay Tribute? To whom the Apostle answered, That he did. As soon as he came into the House, Jesus prevented him, by asking him, Whether the Kings of the Earth exact Tribute of their own [Page 98] Children, or of Strangers. Peter answers, Of Stran­gers: Then Jesus concludes, That the Children are exempted; leaving it to him to infer from thence, That he being the Son of God, was not obliged to pay Tribute to Men: Nevertheless, saith he, that we may not offend them, Go thou, and cast an Hook into the Sea, and take the Fish that shall be first catch­ed, and open his Mouth, and thou shalt find a Piece of Mony of Four Drachma's, or half a Crown's Va­lue, which give to them for thy self and me.

XV. Jesus checks the Ambition of his Disciples.

Matth. 18.1-14. Mar. 9.23-50 Luke 9.46-50.About the same Time, it came into the mind of the Disciples of Jesus, Who of them should be greatest, and they disputed about it in the Way to Capernaum. Jesus, knowing the Thoughts of their Hearts, asked them, when they came into the House, What they disputed about in the Way? but they durst not answer him: But when he had called his Twelve Disciples to him, they asked him in general, Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? He answered them, If any Man desire to be first he shall be the last of all, and Servant of all. And having called a little Child to him, he took him, and set him by him; and taking him up in his Arms, he said unto them, Except ye become as little Children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God; and that whosoever shall so humble him­self, that he makes himself small, as the little Child before them, he shall be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven: And then adds, That who so shall receive one such little Child in his Name, receiveth him, and he that receiveth him, received him that sent him.

Hereupon John, the Son of Zebedee, saith unto him, Master, we saw a Man casting out Devils in thy Name, and we forbad him, because he would [Page 99] not joyn himself and associate with us. But Je­sus reproved this Action, and told him, That this Man would not readily speak ill of him in whose Name he did Miracles; and that they ought not to look upon him as their Enemy, since he did not engage in any thing against them.

Jesus then turns his Discourse to these little ones, i. e. to the humble, to whom he would have them make themselves like, and pronounces a Wo against those who should be an occasion of Falling or Scandal to them, declaring, That whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in him, and whose Angels continually behold the Face of God in Heaven, it were better for him to be cast into the Depth of the Sea, with a Milstone about his Neck.

He adds, That the World is full of Offences, which will necessarily happen, but Wo unto him by whom they come: That, to avoid them, we must lay before Men the Torments of Hell, where the Worm, that gnaws the damned, never dies, and the Fire, that burns them, is never quenched; yea, is so far from consuming them, that, on the contrary, 'tis like Salt to them, which preserves them from consuming, that they may be tormented eternally: That to secure themselves from these terrible Punishments, we must take away every thing that is an occasion of Falling; and if need require, cut off Feet or Hands, and pull out the Eyes, i. e. deprive our selves of those things which may be most profitable and are most dear to us, when they become Means and Instruments of making us fall into any Sin.

XVI. Jesus gives Rules for Correcting and Pardoning.

The Son of God, although he uses his utmost Endeavours to keep out Scandals and Offences out of his Church,Matt. 18.15-35. Luke 17.3, 4. yet he will have us keep a due Charity and Compassion in our Hearts for those that at any Time are the Causes of them: And for this Reason it is, that in the same Di­scourse, made to his Disciples, he gives us most excellent Rules to deal with such Offenders by, both as to their Punishment and Pardon; for, in the first Place, he orders, That he, by whom any Offence cometh, shall be admonished in private, by the Person offended, that, if it be possible, he may be gained by this means; but if a private Admonition have no effect upon him, it must be repeated before Two or Three Witnesses; and if this prove also unsuccessful, and to no purpose, we must accuse him to the whole Church, and have no more Society or Commerce with him than with an Heathen and Infidel, if he contemn the Church's, as he hath all private Admonition. And, that the Church may separate all those from her Communion which may obstruct and hinder the Salvation of her other Children, he hath pro­mised her the Authority of Binding and Loosing, assuring her, That he will ratify and confirm in Heaven whatsoever she shall pronounce and declare upon Earth.

In the second place, he commands, when Admo­nition is successful, to pardon the Offence receiv­ed, and that Seven times a Day, if the offender repents of what he hath done so often; i. e. that we must always forgive him who is penitent and sorry for his Fault; for Peter having asked Jesus, How often he ought to pardon his Brother? whe­ther [Page 101] he ought to do it Seven Times? Jesus an­swered him, I say unto thee, not until Seven Times, but until Seventy Times Seven.

And, to shew him the Necessity and Advantage of such a merciful Temper, which is always rea­dy to pardon; he propounds a Parable of a King, who calling his Servants to an account, found One that owed him so great a Sum that he was not able to pay it, viz. Ten thousand Talents, or a Mil­lion eight hundred and seventy five thousand Pounds; whereupon he commanded him to be sold, and his Wife and Children, and all that he had: But this Servant falling down at his Feet, begged his Mercy and Patience, and he forgave him the Debt. This Wretch was no sooner gone out, but he met one of his Fellow-Servants, who owed him a small Debt, viz. an Hundred Pence, which is about Three Pounds, Two and Six Pence of our Mony, he takes him by the Throat, and would give him no Time for Payment, though he earnestly desired Patience, but cast him into Pri­son. The King hearing this, called this ungrate­ful Servant, reproved his Cruelty, and delivered him to the Tormentors, till he should pay all he owed. Jesus himself made the Application of his Parable, saying, So shall my heavenly Father use every one of you, if ye do not from your Hearts forgive his Brother the Offences which he hath suf­fered from him.

XVII. Jesus goes to Jerusalem, to the Feast of Tabernacles.

While Jesus thus instructed his Disciples in Ga­lilee, some of his Kindred,John 7.1-19. that did not believe on him, being uneasy, that he confined himself so much to one Province, urged him to shew his Mi­racles more publickly at Jerusalem, the Capital [Page 102] City of Judea, for which he could not have, as they thought, a fitter Opportunity than the pre­sent Feast of Tabernacles; for the Jews had Three solemn Feasts every Year, which they were all obliged to go to Jerusalem to celebrate; upon which account, an innumerable Multitude of People met together, in that City, upon those Days: These Three Feasts were, the Passover, Pentecost,Lev. 23.34. and the Feast of Tabernacles; This last was kept on the Fifteenth Day of September, and continued Eight Days, in which the Jews dwelt in Tents made of the Boughs of Trees, in remembrance of those Tents or Tabernacles, in which they dwelt so long Time in the Desert, when they came out of Aegypt.

This Feast drawing near, Jesus's Kindred, who were much disturbed that Jesus had never yet been at Jerusalem, neither at the Passover nor at Pente­cost, endeavoured to perswade him to go thither, at least at the Feast of Tabernacles, to make him­self known unto the World, and not to deprive those Disciples of his, that dwelt in that City, of the happy Sight of his Miracles. He answered them, That they might go to Jerusalem when they pleased, but, as for himself, he must be wary and cautious what he did, because he had many Ene­mies; that the World, which had nothing to ob­ject against them, hated him, because he reproved their sinful Actions: Go ye therefore, saith he, up to this Feast, I will not go up yet, with you; i. e. so publickly, for my Time, to appear in that manner, is not yet fully come: He let them go therefore without him, but he went himself soon after, but, as it were, in secret, taking his Way through the midst of Samaria.

XVIII. Jesus heals Ten Lepers.

Jesus passing by a Town of Samaria, Luke 17.11-19 saw Ten Lepers, that stood afar off, and lifting up their Voice, said, Jesus, our Master, have mercy on us; And Jesus commanded them to go, and shew them­selves to the Priests: Which they obeying, were cured in the Way. One of them, who was a Samaritan, and consequently a Stranger, in re­spect of the Jews, as we have already observed, immediately returned back and glorified God, casting himself upon his Face at Jesus's Feet, to give him Thanks for the Restitution of his Health. Jesus, to make known the Gratitude of this Man the more, said, in a kind of Astonishment, Were there not Ten cleansed? Where then are the other Nine? It is strange that none of them should re­turn to give God Glory for so great a Mercy, but this Stranger: And he said unto him, Arise, and go thy Way, thy Faith hath made the whole.

XIX. Jesus teaches in the Temple.

In the mean time,John 7.11-53 the Jews enquired after Je­sus, at Jerusalem, at the beginning of the Feast, and had much Discourse about him, some saying, That he was a good Man, others, that he was a Deceiver. About the middle of the Feast he came to Jerusalem, and taught in the Temple, to the great Wonder of the Jews, who could not ima­gine how he came to have so perfect a Knowledge of the Scripture, because they had never seen him study it: Whereupon he tells them, That he speaketh not of himself, and if they were desirous of doing the Will of God, they would easily ac­knowledge, that his Doctrin proceeded from God that sent him, and whose Glory he sought after; [Page 104] but because they observed not the Law, instead of receiving the Truth he spake they sought to put him to Death. The People then cryed out, Thou hast a Devil, who goeth about to kill thee? Jesus puts them in Mind of that Man, who had a Dis­ease Thirty six Years, whom he cured on the Sab­both Day;John 5.1-16. for which, though they themselves Cir­cumcise Men on the Sabboth Day, and do not think that they have broken the Law of Moses, yet they were so implacably incensed against him, that they had taken up a Resolve to slay him.

Some People of Jerusalem, who knew how their Magistrates and Grandees hated him, won­dred to see him speak so freely, no Man question­ing or opposing him, and said, Are they convinced that this is really the Christ? Nevertheless, add they, No Man knows whence Christ comes, but we know whence this Man is. Then cryed Jesus with a loud Voice in the Temple, Ye know me, and ye know whence I am, yet I am not come of my self, and ye know not him that sent me: Thus re­proving them, for looking upon his Earthly Ori­ginal, as Man, but did not know his Divine Ori­ginal, which he had from God, whose Son he was from all Eternity.

Then several of the People believed on him, be­ing convinced, by the greatness of his Miracles, that he was the Christ: But the Priests and Pha­risees sent Officers to take him. Jesus, who could not suffer but at the Time prefixed by his Father, said unto the Officers, Yet a little while I am with you, and then I return to him that sent me; ye shall seek me and shall not find me, and whither I go ye cannot come. The Jews did not under­stand these Words, but thought that he threatned them to leave Judea, and go to teach the Gen­tiles.

The Officers did not take him, because his Time was not come; and, in the last Day of the Feast, he cried out with a loud Voice, If any Man thirst, let him come unto me and drink; Whosoever be­lieveth in me, out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water, which he meant of the abundant Graces of God's Holy Spirit, which should be poured out upon the Souls of those that believe in him, after he should be entred into his Glory.

Nevertheless, the People were much divided in their Opinions about this Saying, for some took him for a Prophet, others acknowledged him for the Messias, and others, who knew not that he was born at Bethlehem, could not believe him to be the Christ, because they knew that Christ should not come out of Galilee, but out of the Town of Beth­lehem, and from the Family of David. Then the Priests and Pharisees asked the Officers, whom they had sent to take him, Why they had not brought him? They gave them no other Answer but this; Never Man spake like this Man. The Pharisees asked them, If they were so simple as to be lead away with such a Seducement, and fol­low the Error of the cursed Populacy, leaving the Pharisees and Grandees, who being Learned and Judicious, have none of them believed on him?

Upon this, Nicodemus, that Pharisee that came to Jesus Christ by Night, told them, That the Law doth not permit them to condemn any Man before an Hearing. But they answered him, Art thou also a Galilean, i. e. a Disciple of this Man of Galilee? From whence they affirmed, That there never was a Prophet that rose out of Galilee. Thus the Assembly parted, without doing any thing to him; and every Man returned to his own House.

XX. Jesus saveth a Woman taken in Adultery.

John 8.11-11.Jesus departing from Jerusalem from this Feast, went up into a Mountain, called the Mount of Olives, (which is distant from Jerusalem, about the space of a Sabboth-days Journey, which is some­thing less than two Miles) and as soon as it was day, he returned again from thence to the Tem­ple, where being sat down, he began to instruct the People that were gathered about him. Then the Scribes and Pharisees brought a Woman to him, who had been taken in Adultery, and setting her before him in the midst of the People, said un­to him, Master, This Woman was taken in Adulte­ry. Lev. 20.10. Now Moses in his Law commanded us to Stone Persons found Guilty of that Crime: But what sayest thou? This Question they put to him, that they might have an occasion to accuse him, either of using too much Cruelty towards Sinners, if he had commanded the Law to be executed up­on her, or of nulling the Law, if he should pardon her. But Jesus instead of Answering them, stooped down, and Wrote with his Finger upon the Ground. But they continuing to ask him, he raised up him­self, and saith to them, He that is without Sin a­mong you, let him cast the first Stone. Then stoop­ing down he Wrote upon the Ground, as before. But they being amazed at this unexpected Answer, and convicted by their own Consciences, went away One by One. Jesus being left alone with the Wo­man, asked her, Where are thine accusers? Hath no Man condemned thee? she answered him, No man, Lord. He saith unto her, Neither do I con­demn thee: Go, and Sin no more.

XXI. Jesus remains in the Temple Teaching. The Jews go about to Stone him.

The Jews hated Jesus every day more and more,Jo. 8.12-59. but that did not deterr him from Preaching the Truth undauntedly to all. He tells them, That he is the Light of the World, and if they fol­low him, they shall not walk in Darkness. Hereup­on the Pharisees replyed, that the Testimony, which he gave of himself, was not worthy of Cre­dit. But he demonstrates, that they judged amiss, and the Testimony which he gave of himself, was not therefore less to be believed, because it was confirmed by the Testimony of his Father, who wrought so great Miracles by him. They then asked him, Where his Father was? He answered them, That they knew not his Father, be­cause they would not acknowledge his Son. He added moreover and said, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall dy in your Sins, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And because they thought he would kill himself, that they might not follow him, hereupon he tells them, That he was not from below, as they are, but from above, and that if they did not believe in him, they should dye in their Sins. They then asked him, Who he was? He answers, That he was the Son of God? but in such words, as they did not understand. He adds, That when they have lifted him up on high (by which he means the Cross, to which he was to be fastned) they should believe him, and know, that he had done nothing of himself, nor said any thing but what he hath heard of his Father.

These Truths, which blinded the Proud, en­lightned several other Persons, who believed on him, to whom he said, That if they would continue firm in the Observation of his Word, then they [Page 108] should be his Disciples indeed. That they should know the Truth, and the Truth should make them free. The Jews reply'd that they never were Ser­vants, but free, as being the Children of Abra­ham. He answers them, That every one that com­mits Sin, is the Servant of Sin, and that they could not be truly free, unless he made them free. That they were indeed Abrahams Children according to the flesh, but that in rejecting the Truth and seek­ing to Kill him, who had told them the Truth, they did not do like Abraham, but made themselves the Children of another Father, by following his Ex­ample and imitating him. They maintain'd, that in that sense they had no other Father but God; but Jesus tells them again, That if they were the Children of God, they would hear God's Word, and Love his only begotten Son, whom he hath sent. That Murther and Lying being the Works of the Devil, those People, who sought to destroy a Man, whom they could not prove Guilty of any Crime, and who had told them the Truth, had the Devil for their Father. They made no reply to this, but by railing at him. Calling him a Samaritan, that hath a Devil. Jesus answered them plainly, I have not a Devil, but honour my Father; adding, that there is another that will do him Justice, be­cause he seeketh not his own Glory. Afterwards he saith, That he that keeps his Word shall never dye, which he means of Eternal Death. But the Jews, who understood it of the Death of the Bo­dy, took occasion to insult over him, asking him, Whether he was greater than Abraham, and the Pro­phets, that he could preserve them from Death, that keep his Commandments, which these great Men could not avoid, and therefore desire him to tell them, what manner of Man he would have them to take him for. He answers them again, That he honoured not himself, but derived all his [Page 109] Honour from his Father, whom they worshipped as their God, but know him not. That as for Abraham, whom they were always bragging of, he had earnestly desired to see the Coming of him, whom they contemned, which he saw, and was filled with great Joy. They replyed, Thou art not yet Fifty Years Old, and hast thou seen Abra­ham? He answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am. Upon this they took up Stones to cast at him, but he hid himself, and went out of the Temple escaping the Fury of his Enemies for that time, that he might expose himself to all their Malice and Rage, when his time appointed by his Father for him to suffer, was come.

XXII. Jesus gives sight to a Man born Blind.

Jesus, as he passed the Streets of Jerusalem, John 9.1-41. saw a Man sitting in the Streets, who was Blind from his Birth, and his Disciples asked him, whether it was his own, or his Parents Sin, that was the cause of his Blindness? He answered them, that he was not made Blind for any Sin, that either himself, or his Parents had committed, but that God might manifest the more the wonderful Works of his Power. He adds, that it is his Office to do these Works, in the time allowed him for it, and that so long, as he is in the World, he is the Light of the World. After this answer, He spat on the Ground, and having made Clay with the spittle, he rubbed the eyes of the Blind Man with it, and sent him to wash them, to the Pool, called the Pool of Silom, where as soon as he had washed, he saw clearly. His Neighbours, and all those that knew him when he was Blind, and sat in the Streets beg­ging, could not believe what they saw, but doubt­ed whether he was the same Man, or one like him. But he told them all, that it was he him­self: [Page 110] And further related to them, That a Man called Jesus had restored his sight. They asked him, where he was? but he saying, that he could not tell, they carryed him to the Pharisees, who also themselves examined him, and he related to them, how the thing happened.

It was the Sabboth-day, on which Jesus healed this Blind Man, which was the cause, that some of the Pharisees said, This Man is not of God, be­cause he keepeth not the Sabboth. But others could not believe that a Wicked Man could do so great Miracles, so that there was a great Division among them. Then they asked the Blind Man, what he thought himself? He answered, that he looked upon Jesus as a Prophet.

All these things much astonished the Jews, and they would not believe it, till they had called the Father and Mother of the Blind Man of whom they enquired, Is this your Son, whom ye say was born Blind? how then doth he see clearly? But they fea­ring the Jews, and knowing the Resolution, that they had made, to put every Man out of the Sy­nagogue, who should acknowledge, that Jesus was Christ, answered freely, We know that this is our Son, and that he was born Blind, but we are igno­rant by what means he seeth, or who hath opened his Eyes: He is of Age, ask him, he shall answer for himself. Wherefore they called the Blind Man the second time, and said unto him, Give God the Glo­ry; we know that this Man is a Sinner, and a Wicked Man. He answered them, I cannot tell whether he be a sinner; but this I know, that whereas I was Blind, I now see clearly. They asked him again, how he had received his sight? And he answered them, I have already told, and ye did not mind it, why would you hear it again? Are you desirous to be his Disciples? Then were they enraged against him, and reproaching him, said unto him, Thou art one [Page 111] of his Disciples, but we are Moses's Disciples. For we know that God spake to Moses, but as for this Man, we knew not whence he is. The Blind Man re­ply'd, That it was very strange, that they should not know, that a Man, who hath so Miraculously opened the Eyes of one Born Blind, a thing the like to which was never heard of since the World began, must needs be from God. At this they cast him out of their Assembly with disgrace, say­ing, Thou wast altogether born in Sin, and dost thou undertake to teach us?

Jesus heard that they had thus expelled him, and meeting him he said unto him, Dost thou be­lieve on the Son of God? He answered him, Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast seen him, and it is he that speaketh to thee: He answered him, Lord I believe, and imme­diately fell down at his Feet, and Worshipped him, as the Messias.

Jesus adds, that he came into the World to ex­ercise an amazing Judgment, that the Blind may see, and they that see, may become Blind, i. e. that they whose Pride hinders them from ac­knowledging their Spiritual Blindness may be blinded so as not to see the Truth: for some of the Pharisees having demanded of him, whether they also were blind? He answered them, If ye were blind, ye should have no Sin, but because ye assert that ye see, therefore your Sin remaineth. As if he had said according to the explication of St. Austin, If ye were sensible of your Blindness, ye would desire Cure, and he would pardon your Sins; but your Sins remain, because you are Wise and Holy in your own conceit, and so think you have no need of any Person to Illuminate and Sanctify you.

XXIII. Jesus proves himself the Good Shepherd.

John 10.1-21.Jesus having thus subdued the Vanity of those Proud Men, who undertake to lead and guide others, being Blind and Ignorant themselves, he Propounds to them under the Parable of a Shepherd and his Sheep, three different Characters of three different Persons, who are engaged in the Go­vernment of Souls; for he Teacheth them, that there are some, that instead of entring by the Door into the Sheep-fold, enter in some other way like Thieves, to Steal, and Kill, and Destroy. And he explains this similitude, which they did not understand, by telling them, that he was the Door, by which we must enter upon the Govern­ment of the Flock. There are others, which be­ing entred by the Door, guide and rule the Flock as Mercenaries and Hirelings, who forsake the Flock, as soon as they see the Wolf coming, because they love themselves only, and not the Flock. There are also the Good Shepherds, who enter not of themselves into the Sheep-fold, But the Porter opens to them, who know the Sheep, and are known of them, and who love them so, as to lay down their Lives for them, upon Occasions. Jesus then applies all the qualities of this last, and proves himself to be the Good Shepherd, by way of Ex­cellence, since he came to lay down his Life for the Sheep, and that willingly and freely, in Obe­dience to his Fathers Commandment: For no Man can take it away from him, and when he hath layd it down, he can take it up again, and none can hinder him. Then he declares, that the Jews were not the only Sheep, for whom he would dye; that he had other Sheep, viz. the Gentiles, whom he would bring into his Fold, and out of both would make up one Flock, consisting of such as hear his [Page 113] Voice, of which he himself would be the Shepherd alone. This Discourse raised a new difference among his Auditors, some said, that he was pos­sessed with a Devil, and mad; others answered, Men possessed can't speak such excellent things as he doth, much less open the Eyes of the Blind.

XXIV. Jesus chuseth seventy two Disciples.

Some time after Jesus chose him also Seventy two Disciples,Luke 10.1,-24. and sent them two by two into all places, whither he intended to go. He gave them the same instructions, which his Apostles had had before, and the same power over Devils. They met with good success in their Ministry, and re­turned very Joyful, saying, Lord, The Devils them­selves are subject to us in thy Name: But he tea­ches them not so much to rejoyce that the Devils are subject to them, as that their Names are writ­ten in Heaven, in the Book of Life, as Heirs of Salvation.

In the same moment Jesus was transported with a sudden and extraordinary motion of the Spirit,Matt. 11.25,-30. and addressing himself to God, gave him thanks, that he had revealed the great Mysteries of Hea­ven to Babes, i. e. to the simple and mean, but concealed them from the Wise Men of the World. He adds, That his Father had delivered all things unto him, and no Man can know God, but the on­ly Son of God, and he, to whom the Son will re­veal him. Then turning to his Disciples, he tells them, That they were happy in seeing and be­holding those things, which so many Kings, and Prophets, have neither heard nor seen, altho' they desired it greatly. Lastly, finding himself full of Love towards Men, he cryed out, Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy Laden, and I will comfort you. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and humble in Heart, and ye [Page 114] shall find rest to your Souls; for my Yoke is easie, and pleasant, and my Burden is Light.

XXV. Jesus teaches a Lawyer to love his Neigh­bour.

Luke 10.25,-37.Then a Doctor of the Law stood up, and said unto him, tempting him, Master, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life? Jesus having also put this Question to him, What is commanded in the Law? how readest thou? He answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy Heart, with all thy Soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy Mind; and thy Neighbour as thy self. Then Jesus reply'd, Thou hast well answered: This do, and thou shalt Live.

This Scribe being desirous to appear Holy, and an exact observer of the Law, demanded further of him, Whom he ought to account his Neighbour? Jesus answered him by a Parable, of a certain Jew, who was robbed, and so much wounded by Thieves in his Journey, that he was left almost Dead. A Priest and Levite passed one after ano­ther this way, just by him, but would give him no help, but Samaritan, i. e. a Stranger in re­spect of the Jews, saw him, as he passed by him, and had compassion on him: And came unto him, and poured Oyl and Wine into his Wounds, and binding them up, set the Wounded Man upon his Horse, and carryed him to an Inn, where he com­mitted him to the care of the Host, and left him Money to provide necessaries for him: Jesus desi­rous that the Lawyer should make Application himself, asked him, Which of these three Passengers was Neighbour to him, that fell among the Thieves? He answered, He that shewed mercy on him. Jesus approving his answer, said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

XXVI. Jesus Lodges at Martha's House, and Tea­ches his Disciples to Pray.

Jesus then goes on his Journey with his Disciples,Luke 10.38,-42. and entred into a certain Village, where a Wo­man named Martha entertained him joyfully in her House. She had a Sister Named Mary, and a Brother called Lazarus, of whom we shall have occasion to speak in the following part of this Hi­story. While she was busy in preparing all she could for her Divine Guest, her Sister sat at Je­sus's Feet, and heard his Word. Martha com­plained to him, that her Sister Mary suffered her to take all the trouble upon her, and prayed him to command her to help her: Jesus answered her, Mar­tha, Martha, You cumber your self, and trouble your self with many Worldly cares, whereas there is but one thing necessary, viz. to hear and receive my Word, which since Mary had chosen to do, she shall enjoy the Eternal advantage and happiness of it.

By which words, Jesus doth not condemn the Hospitality of Martha, but only teaches her to do it with less care and trouble, and not to prefer an Action, which tho' very pious in it self, is of no use, but in this Life, where we have wants and miseries, to relieve and succour, before an Action, whose benefit is eternal, which Mary was about, who by hearing the Word of Jesus Christ, begins to feed upon the contemplation of that God, who is the nourishment of the Blessed Saints and An­gels in Heaven.

But Jesus doth not content himself to teach us to hearken to the Word of God,Luke 11.1,-13. by the example of Mary, but also he directs us how to speak to God in Prayer; for upon a certain day, one of his Dis­ciples seeing him at prayer, after he had finished, [Page 116] said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his Disciples. Whereupon he taught them that excellent Prayer, which we have set down in the Abridgment of his Sermon on the Mount, and gave them those good rules for Prayer there mentioned.

XXVII. He reproves the Pharisees and Scribes for their Sins.

Luke 11.27,-54. Matth. 23.4,-39. Mark 12.38,-40.Jesus on a certain day was invited by a Pharisee to Dinner, and as soon as he was entred into his House, set him down to Meat, without washing his Hands first, according to the Custom of the Pharisees. His Host was much offended at his Carriage, and murmured in himself at it, till Je­sus said unto him, You Pharisees are very careful, to keep the out-side of your Cups and Platters clean, but your inward parts, i. e. your heart is full of Ra­pine, Wickedness and Ʋncleanness; and at the same time he teaches them an excellent remedy to pu­rify themselves from all their filth; Give Alms, and all things shall be clean unto you.

He objects many other Crimes to these proud Men, who affected to be Honoured and Esteem­ed of all Men, as the greatest Saints. He disco­vers their Hypocrisy, and severely censures their irregular conversation; for he pronounces a Wo against them, because they were very fearful of omitting small duties, but were not afraid to commit great Sins, like those Men, who strain at a Gnat, and swallow a Camel; Because they were very exact in giving the Tenth of their Garden-herbs, but neglected the more important Duties of the Law, Justice, Mercy, Faith, and the Love of God; Because they love to have the uppermost places in all Assemblies, and be saluted in the Markets; Because under the pretence of their [Page 117] long Prayers, they devoured, and ruined Widows, into whose Houses they insinuated themselves by that means; Because they would Travel into all places to convert Infidels to the Jews Religion and afterward make them more worthy of Hell, than themselves, either by their wicked example, tea­ching them to prophane the True Religion, which they had brought them over to, or else so scanda­lizing them by their sinful Lives, that they chose to return to that Pagan Worship they had forsa­ken; Because they undertake to Guide, and In­struct others, but are themselves so Ignorant and Blind, as to teach Men, that they are obliged to keep their words, when they swear by the Gift bestowed upon the Temple, or offered on the Al­tar, but are not obliged, when they swear by the Temple, or Altar themselves. He compares them therefore to those Sepulchres, which have fine white out-sides, but are within full of Dead-mens Bones, and Rottenness.

The Lawyers thought that all these Reproofs equally concerned them; wherefore one of them taking upon him to speak to Jesus, said to him, Master, in thus speaking, thou disgracest Ʋs also. But he spared them no more than the former, but pronounced also a Wo against them, because they impose a Yoke upon others, which they will not touch with the Tip of their Fingers, and that they will neither enter into Heaven themselves, not suffer those that would. He tells them also by way of reproach, that those very Magnificent Or­naments, with which they adorned the Sepulchres of the Prophets, as a Demonstration of their Ab­horrence of the Fact of those Men, who were their Murderers, were contrary to their design evident Marks of their Approbation of their Crime, since by Persecuting those, who Preached the Truth to them, they imitated their Malice so exactly, [Page 118] that they shewed themselves the Children of those, who slew the Prophets.

He concludes after this manner, saying to them, Fill ye up then the Measure of your Fathers Sin, that you may have a share in their punishment. And af­ter adds this terrible Threatning, Behold, I will send you Prophets, Wise-men, and Scribes, and some of them shall ye Kill, and Crucify, and others of them shall ye Scourge in your Synagogues, and Perse­cute them in your Cities, that all the Innocent Blood, which hath been shed by your Fathers may fall upon you: for I say unto you, that God shall call this Na­tion to an account, and will pour cut all this Wrath upon the Men of this Generation. As he was thus speaking to them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to ensnare him by the various Objections, and Questions they put to him, but they could get nothing from him, for which they could, as they designed, fix an Accu­sation upon him.

XXVIII. Jesus gives several Instructions to his Disciples.

Luke 12.1,-53.In the mean time, an Innumerable Multitude of People being gathered about him, so that they trod one upon another, Jesus admonished his Disciples, to beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees, which is Hypocrisy, and not to fear the Persecutions of Men, but to fear God alone, and to repose a stedfast confidence in him. Then did a certain Man of the Company say unto him, Master, speak to my Brother, to divide the Inheritance fallen to Ʋs peace­ably with me. But Jesus desirous to teach Us that 'tis every Mans Duty to keep within his own Cal­ling, answered him, my Friend, who made me a Judge, or a Divider among you? Then he subjoyns, Take heed and beware of Covetousness, and to insi­nuate [Page 119] this the more into the Hearts of his Hea­rers, he propounded to them this Parable; A cer­tain rich Man, being troubled for a place, where to lay up the extraordinary plenty, which his Land had produced, resolved to pull down his Barns, and Build bigger, and when he had thus secured, and layd up his Goods, he said within himself, that having a sufficient Provision for many Years, he had nothing to do, but take his ease, and be merry. But God said to this Man, O thou Fool, This Night shall thy Soul be required of thee, and for whom then hast thou hoarded up these things? Such is the conditi­on, saith he, of him, that layeth up Treasure for himself, and is not Rich towards God.

For this reason it is, that he teaches his Disci­ples not to be sollicitous, or careful for the things of this Life; but to seek the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof, and God will give all other things to them; That they should be so far from heaping up Riches, that they ought to sell all that they have, and give it to the Poor, that they may have a Treasure in Heaven; That they are indeed but a small number, but notwith­standing that, they should not be afraid, since it is their Fathers good will to give them the Kingdom. He tells them further, that they should always be in a readiness to appear before God, who will come at an Hour, when they least expect him, as Servants, who watch all Night, waiting for the return of their Master from the Wedding. That being made Stewards of Gods House, to distribute to his People the Food of his Word, they should discharge their Duty faithfully, not doing as the Foolish Steward, who seeing his Lord to delay his coming, consumed the Goods he had been Trusted withal, in Debaucheries, made use of his Authority to abuse his fellow Ser­vants, and deserved for his irregular Management [Page 120] to be cast with Hypocrites and Unbelievers, into that place of Torment, where there is nothing but wailing and gnashing of Teeth. That since the Son of Man will come in a Day and Hour, which they know not of, to require an Account of their Management, they should always watch, as a Master of an House would do, if he knew what Night the Thief would come to Rob, and Plunder his House. That knowing the Will of their Master, they are so much the more to blame, if they do not obey it; and the more they are tru­sted withall, the greater their account will be. And we see that elsewhere he gives them this important Instruction;Luke 17.10. That after that they had done all, that they are commanded, they should be so far from being proud of it, that they ought to look upon themselves, as unprofitable Servants, and acknow­ledge, that they have done no more, than what they are obliged to do.

He advises them to be very careful in dischar­ging their Ministry faithfully, because in so doing, they shall be dealt well withall by all the World; whereas on the contrary, he came to bring divisi­on upon Earth, so that the Persons of the same Family shall be at enmity with one another, some desiring to follow Jesus Christ, others Persecuting those that adhere to him. Lastly, he tells them that he came to kindle a Fire upon Earth, and that he had a Baptism to be Baptized with. This Bap­tism is no other according to the Fathers, than his Death, and many understand by the Fire he came to kindle in the World, that Love, which the Holy Spirit would infuse into Mens Souls, to in­flame them devoutly with the Love of God.

XXIX. Jesus shews the necessity of Repentance.

At the same time came certain Persons to tell Jesus,Luke 13.1-10. that Pilate the Governour of Judea had slain certain Galileans, as they were sacrificing, so that their Blood was mingled with their Sacrifices. Whereupon Jesus asks them, whether they thought that these Galileans were sinners above all the Ga­lileans, because God had left them to suffer such cruel usage from Men? He tells, that it was not reasonable to think so, but that the conclusion, that they ought to make from that accident, is this, That unless they repented they should all come to as sad and untimely ends as those misera­ble Men.

The same application he tells them, they ought to make of the Death of those Eighteen, upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell, and crushed them to Death. And that he might engage them to make a good use of the time that God gives them, to compleat their Repentance in, for their Crimes; He compares them to a barren Fig-tree, which the owner of the Vineyard would have had cut down, but deferred it, because the Gardiner desired to try by dunging, and digging of it to make it Fruitful, and if it still remained barren, then to cut it down.

XXX. Jesus cureth a Woman bowed together.

Jesus using always to Teach in the Synagogues on the Sabboth days,Luke 13.11-17. there came thither a Wo­man possessed with a Devil, who had been afflicted so Eighteen Years, and so much bowed together, that she could not look up. He called her, and laying his Hand upon her, said unto her, Woman, thou art freed from thy infirmity, and at the same in­stant [Page 122] she was restored, and glorified God for her Cure. The Ruler of the Synagogue being angry that Jesus had done this Miracle on the Sabboth Day, said unto the People, That there are Six Days in every Week, allowed by God for labour, in them let them come and be healed, and not on the Sabboth Day, which is a Day of Rest. But Jesus answering him, demanded of these Hypo­crites, Whether it were not as lawful to deliver from the Bonds of the Devil, on the Sabboth Day, a Daughter of Abraham, whom he had kept a Captive Eighteen Years, as it was for them to unloose his Ox or his Ass upon the same Day, and lead them from their Stable to Watering? This silenced his Adversaries, while the People were astonished at his Actions, which were so wonderful, and made him so glorious.

XXXI. The Jews go about again to Stone him.

John 10.22.42.A little after this happened the Feast of the De­dication of the Temple, which was kept in Win­ter, Two Months after the Feast of Tabernacles, and by consequent towards the Beginning of De­cember: Jesus came to Jerusalem at this Feast, and walked in a Porch of the Temple, called Solomon's Porch, till the Jews came about him, and said un­to him, How long wilt thou hold our Soul in Su­spence by thy obscure Expressions concerning thy self? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly. He answered them, I have already told you, and ye believe not; the Works which I do in my Father's Name, they bear Witness of me; but ye believe not, because ye are not of my Sheep: And to shew them how great losers they are, by not being of his Sheep, he adds, That his Sheep hear his Voice and follow him; that he will give them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish, because no Man can pull [Page 123] them out of his Father's Hands nor his, because he and his Father are one.

Upon this, the Jews went about again to stone him; but Jesus aked them, For which of those many good Works, which they had seen him do, would they use him so cruelly? They answered him, That they did it not for a good Work, but because he being a Man, made himself a God. He then proves to them, by their own Scriptures, That Men are sometimes called Gods; so that he was not guilty of Blasphemy in giving himself that Name, who was the only Son of God, sent by his Father, which he proved by so great a Num­ber of Miracles, as God had enabled him to do among them.

All this did not appease their Fury and Rage against him; but they sought how they might take him, but he escaped out of their Hands, because his Hour was not yet come; and having passed over Jordan, he went along the Bank of the River, to Bethabara, the Place where John at first bap­tized, and there he abode: Hither he was fol­lowed by a great number of People, whom he taught, according to his Custom, healing, at the same time, all the Sick that were brought unto him. Many believed on him, and said, John did no Miracles, but all things that John spake of this Man, we have found to be true.

XXXII. Jesus advises Men to enter in at the strait Gate, and foretels the Destructon of Jerusalem.

Jesus, having remained some Time in that Place,Luke 13.22-35. went on his Way to Jerusalem, and all-a-long his Journey gave Instructions to the People where he passed. Among others that came to him, there was one that offered this Question, Lord, are there few that shall be saved? Jesus, from hence, takes [Page 124] occasion to advise his Hearers, To strive to enter in at the strait Gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek the way to enter in, and shall not be able. And to shew that it will be in vain for them to desire to enter into Heaven through the strait Gate, who have walked all their Lives in the Broad Way, He adds, That when the Door shall be shut, it will be in vain to say, Lord, open to us, for the Master of the Family will say, I know you not; but if they shall answer, We have eat and drank with thee, and thou hast taught in our Streets, he will answer them, I know not who you are, depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity: Then shall the Jews weep and lament, to see so many Heathens come from all Parts of the World, to be possessed of the Glories of Heaven, and themselves, who are the Heirs of the Kingdom, to be cast out, and so to be the last, who were once the first.

The same Day came some of the Pharisees un­to him, and said, Depart from this Place, for He­rod hath a Grudge against thee, and threatens to kill thee, if thou stayest long in his Jurisdiction: Jesus, knowing the Time of his Death, and that he should not dye till he pleased, sends them to that Fox (for so he calls Herod, to shew, that tho' he was a very cunning Prince, yet all his Arts and Devices could not do him any harm) and bids them tell him, That he had some Time yet remaining, to cast out Devils and heal Diseases, and then he should consummate his Sacrifice, by suffering Death at Jerusalem, which was the place appoint­ed, as it were, for the Slaughter of the Pro­phets.

Matth. 23.37-39.Whereupon he upbraids that unhappy City, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy Children together, as an [Page 125] Hen gathers her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not? wherefore he threatens her with De­struction, and assures her, That they shall not see him more till her Inhabitants shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

XXXIII. Jesus heals a Man sick of a Dropsy, and beats down the Pride of the Pharisees.

Jesus then entred, on the Sabboth Day,Luke 14.1-14. into the House of one of the chief Pharisees, to dine with him: While he was here, there came a Man sick of the Dropsy, and stood before him; and he asked the Scribes and Pharisees, Whether it were lawful to heal a Man on the Sabboth Day? But they not giving him an Answer, he took the Man by the Hand and healed him; and having sent him away, made the same Apology for himself as he had done upon the like occasion; Who is there of you, who, if his Ox or his Ass fall into a Pit, will not immediately pull them out on the Sabboth Day? and they could answer him no more to this Question than the former. After this, Jesus taking notice how they, who were in­vited to this Feast, chose the chief Places, he en­deavouring to beat down their proud Humor, said unto them; When any Man is invited to a Wedding, he ought not to sit down in the upper­most Place, lest he be forced, with Disgrace, to come lower, to make room for some more honour­able Person: But, on the contrary, if he sits down in the lowest Place, he that invited him will make him go higher, which will gain him more honour among all the Guests; for whosoever exalts him­self shall be abased, but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

To this Advice, which he gave the Guests, he adds another to the Persons inviting them, and teaches them, Not to invite to their Tables the Rich, who will return their Treats again, but the Poor and the Lame, for God shall recompence them himself at the Resurrection of the Just, be­cause they have done it without any Design of In­terest, but merely being mov'd with Charity.

XXXIV. He teaches the Guests, That he came to invite them into his Kingdom.

Luke 14.15-24.One of the Guests, who sat at Table with him, hearing his last Words, said unto him, Blessed is he that eateth Bread in the Kingdom of God. Then Jesus shews them, by a Parable, That he came to invite Men to this great Feast of Heaven; and, that notwithstanding the great Happiness there was in being at that Feast, they that were invited would not come, because they loved the temporal and perishing Riches of this World before the hea­venly Riches, which remain for ever. This Pa­rable is of a Man, who having invited many to a great Supper, sent his Servants to call them to it, when all was ready: But they all made Excuses, One, because he was to go see a Farm, which he had lately purchased; Another, because he was to prove some Oxen, which he had bought; a Third, because he was newly married, and others for other Pretences: So that the Servant having related these Things, to his Lord, he swore, That none of those which were bidden, shall taste of his Supper; wherefore he invited, in their stead, the Poor and the Infirm, which they met in the Streets and Lanes of the City: When all these were come in, there was still Room for more; wherefore the King sent his Servant into the High­ways and Hedges, ordering him to compel all [Page 127] that he met with to come in and fill his House: So the Gentiles came to be called and invited to Heaven instead of the Jews; some of which Gen­tiles God did, as it were, force to come in, such are those Persons who would never think of their Salvation, if God did not oblige them to it; not by sanctifying them against their Will, but by taking from them all their worldly Enjoyments which they loved most, putting them under an happy Necessity of flying to him, and thinking of nothing but Heaven.

XXXV. Jesus teaches what we must do to be saved.

Jesus went on still in visiting the Places on this Side Jordan, in respect of Judea, Luke 14.25-33. where he had formerly preached, and was always accompanied with a great multitude of People: One Day, as he went along, he turned himself to those that fol­lowed him, and said unto them, Whosoever cometh after me, and hateth not his Father and his Mother, his Wife and Children, and Brethren, yea, and his own Life also, cannot be my Disciple; nor who­soever doth not take up his Cross and follow me. He likewise builds the Salvation of Man upon a general Abjuration of all Things; for having demonstrated, that he is deservedly accounted a Fool, who begins to build before he hath comput­ed whether he hath enough to finish it; And that no wise or politick Prince will hazard a Battle with another Prince that comes against him with a strong Army, unless he be assured that he hath suf­ficient Force to oppose and conquer him: He then adds, So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all he hath, cannot be my Disciple: As if he had said, It is in vain for Men to engage themselves in God's and my Service, if they have not so far disengaged their Love from all earthly [Page 128] things, as that they are ready and willing to part with every thing that may stand in their Way, and hinder their main and greatest Interest, their Salvation.

XXXVI. Jesus receives Sinners to Repentance.

Luke 15.1-3 [...].Among the great number of People, which did ordinarily follow Jesus, there were many Publi­cans, and others of a Wicked Life, who loved to hear his Sermons: The Scribes and Pharisees were much offended at his condescending Goodness, in ad­mitting these sort of Men to come unto him, and they murmured against him for keeping Company so freely with them, and eating commonly with them: Now, that he might convince them that their Complaints were unreasonable and causeless, he asked them, Whether if a Man who hath an Hundred Sheep, and one of them go astray, he will not leave the Ninety and Nine, and follow this Hundreth; and if he finds it, he brings it Home upon his Shoulders, rejoycing, and invites his Friends to rejoyce with him. In like manner, if a Woman, who hath Ten Pieces of Silver, lose one of them, doth she not sweep all the House to find it, and having found it, rcjoyces with her Neighbours? He then tells them, That as the Sheep and Piece of Silver, being found again, cause greater Joy than all the rest, that were not lost, so there is great Joy in Heaven at the Con­version of a Sinner.

This Truth he further explains by another Pa­rable, saying, There was a Man who had Two Sons, and the Younger of them having received that Portion of his Goods which came to his share, went into a far Country, to spend it in Lewdness and Debauchery: After he had consumed and devoured all, he was forced to keep Swine to [Page 129] get a Livelihood; and, in this condition, reflect­ing upon his Misery, he resolved to return again to his Father, and humbly acknowledging his Fault, beg his Favour to entertain him again, as a Domestick Servant. As soon as his Father saw him, he was affected with Joy and Compassion to­gether, and running to him, fell on his Neck and kissed him, while the Son, not at all elevated with his Kindness, under the Sense of so much Unwor­thiness, said unto him; Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am not worthy to be called thy Son: This humble Confession wrought an entire Reconciliation to his Father, who, having stripped him of his Rags, and put on him a good Habit, made a magnificent Feast in his House, to rejoyce for his Return. This Action much displeased the Elder Brother, who return­ing out of the Field, would not go into the House, because his Father had done more for his Lewd Brother than he had ever done for him, though he had always been very faithful in his Duty towards him. This being objected to his Father, he said, My Son, Thou art always with me, and all that I have is thine, but it was necessary for me to Feast and Re­joyce, because this thy Brother was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found. The Application of this Parable is very easy; by the Discontent of the Elder Son we are to understand the unjust Murmurs of the Pharisees, who were very angry with Jesus for entertaining Sinners, though the main End of his coming into the World was to save Sinners.

XXXVII. Jesus commends Alms-giving, and sharp­ly reproves the Covetousness of the Pharisees.

Jesus Christ propounds another Parable to his Disciples, and makes a Discourse,Luke 16.1-31. wherein he takes [Page 130] occasion to reprove the Covetousness of the Pha­risees, as he had done their Envy and Pride be­fore, saying to his Disciples; There was a certain Rich Man, who had resolved to call his Steward to an account, and to put him out of his Place, because he had received an Accusation against him, that he had embezled his Goods: The Steward seeing himself in danger of being reduced to Beg­gery, or such Labour as he could not undergo, contrived this Way to make up his Loss; he cal­led all his Lord's Debtors, one after another, to him, and discharged them of a Part of their Debts, permitting him that owed an Hundred Barrels of Oyl to set down but Fifty in his Bill, and him that owed an Hundred Measures to make it but Fourscore, and proportionably the rest. Jesus Christ teaches his Disciples, not to imitate the In­justice, but Craft of this Steward, employing their earthly Riches to make them Friends in the Person of the Poor, and by that means to be received in­to everlasting Habitations in Heaven; and so the Children of Light may not be less prudent in things that respect their Salvation than the Chil­dren of this World are in the management of their Temporal Affairs.

Then he teaches them to be faithful in small things, that they may be entrusted with great, and not to be slaves to Mony and Riches, which he calls the Mammon of Ʋnrighteousness, and ano­ther Man's Goods, either because there is nothing but Wickedness, which can make them to be looked upon as substantial good Things, able to make the Possessors of them happy, or because no­thing but Injustice makes Men to look upon them, as their own; for in the Sense of Scripture we are but Stewards under God, and not Masters of them.

The covetous Pharisees heard these Truths with contempt, and derided the Speaker of them; but Jesus knew how to check their Scoffs, by disco­vering the Hypocrisy of their outward Vertues, for he told them, That notwithstanding all their Caution to appear Righteous, God knew their Hearts, to whom such Things, as are admired and commended by Men, are hateful and abomi­nable.

He then teaches them, what shall be the End and Punishment of that Covetousness, which makes them Deaf to his Reproof, and so obdurate against the Poor, by an Example of a certain Rich Man, who was cloathed in Purple and fine Linen, and fared sumptuously every Day, without being touch­ed with the least Compassion for those who were wholly destitute of Food; for there was a Beg­gar, named Lazarus, a Man so infirm and diseased that he was covered all over with Sores; this Man was laid at the Rich Man's Gate, and desi­red only to be fed with the Scraps that came from his Table, but could not obtain that Piece of Cha­rity from this hard-hearted Miser, whose Dogs were more merciful than he, for they came and licked his Sores, and so by their healing Tongues did what they could to cure his Disease: At length they both dyed, but their End was as different as their Lives had been, for the Poor Man was car­ried, by the Angels, into Abraham's Bosom, i. e. into a Place of Happiness, appointed for the Souls of the Saints; the Rich Man also dyed, and was buried in his Body, but his Soul was carried into Hell. From hence he beholding the Happiness of the Beggar, whom he had contemned, cryed out, Father Abraham, have Mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the Tip of his Finger in Water, and cool my Tongue, for I suffer inexpres­sible Torments in this Flame. But the Holy Pa­triarch [Page 132] told him, that it was impossible, by reason of the vast distance between them to grant his Request, so it was just that he, who had endured so much Grief and Sorrow in his Life-time, should receive Comfort and Happiness after his Death; but as for himself, who had surfeited with the Delights and Pleasures of this Life, that he should suffer Thirst and Torments in another World. The Rich Man perceiving that there was no Mercy to be hoped for, for himself, thought of his Five Brethren, which yet lived in the same Luxury and Riot, and prayed Abraham to send them Word by Lazarus of the miserable Condition he was in, that by his Example they might grow wiser and repent. But he answered them, That they have Moses and the Prophets, and if they neglected to hear them, they would not give Cre­dit to a Dead Man, though raised on purpose to warn them of their Duty.

XXXVIII. Jesus Christ shews the inseparable Conjunction of Married Persons, and highly com­mends Virginity.

Matth. 19.3-12 Mar. 10.2-12. Luke 16.18.These Truths silenced, but could not convert the Pharisees, they still hated him, and sought all occasions to ensnare him in his Talk; and for this Reason they put this Question to him, Is it lawful for a Man to put away his Wife for every Cause, as he pleaseth? Jesus answered them by propound­ing first another Question, What did Moses in the Law command? They replyed, That Moses, in the Law, allowed them to put away their Wives, giving them a Writing to testify their Divorcement. But Jesus refers them to the first Institution of Marriage, by God himself, saying, That Man and Woman are so straitly united, that they ought to be looked upon as one Flesh only: And then [Page 133] goes on and says, What God hath thus joyned toge­ther let no Man put asunder. They still insist up­on the Permission which Moses had given them; but he answered them, That Moses allowed it only for the hardness of their Hearts, for from the Beginning it was not so; and that whosoever puts away his Wife, unless in the Case of Adultery, and marries another, hath committed Adultery, and whosoever marrieth the Woman, so divorced, is also guilty of Adultery. His Disciples, when they came into the House, consulted him about the same Thing, and he gave them the same An­swer, from whence they made this Conclusion; That it is not good to marry. Whereupon he says to them, True it is that Virginity is the best Estate for Men, but it is above the Reach of Man, unless it be of some few, whom either Nature hath befriended, or human Force hath rendred in­capable of Marriage, or their ardent Desire of Heaven hath obliged to live in voluntary and en­tire Chastity: And since all Men are not capable of so great a Vertue, he concludes with these Words, He that is able to receive it, let him re­ceive it, i. e. He that hath this Gift of Chastity, bestowed on him, let him live in it.

XXXIX. Jesus speaks of his Kingdom, and of his Coming, and teaches them, That they must pray always.

Another Time the Pharisees,Luke 17.20-37. who waited for the coming of the Messiah, and who had drawn up a Romantick Scheme to themselves, That the Mes­siah should reign in their Country, with great Pomp and Majesty, and should raise himself above all the Kings of the World, demanded of him, When the Kingdom of God should come? He an­swered them, That it should not appear with out­ward [Page 134] Splendor and Pomp, nor be confined to any particular Place, but that it was already come, and was within them, i. e. that his Kingdom was Spiritual, and was to be set up in their Hearts by Justice and Charity.

From hence he takes occasion to tell his Disci­ples, That the Time will come when they shall desire to enjoy his Presence but one Day, but shall not see him more: That he shall come hereafter as a Flash of Lightning, i. e. suddenly and glori­ously, but he must first suffer many things, and be rejected of the Jews: And that as it was in the Days of Noah, Men eat, and drank, and married, not thinking upon the Flood, which came suddenly upon them, and destroyed them; and as the Fire from Heaven fell unexpectedly upon the Inhabi­tants of Sodom, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man: All our Thoughts must then be em­ployed in contriving to save our selves, without looking behind us, either to pity or save others, remembring Lot's Wife, who looking back, con­trary to the Command of the Angel, was changed into a Pillar of Salt,

Luke 18.1-8.He teaches them also, at the same Time, That we must not be weary of Prayer; and to shew of how great Advantage it is to pray always, and with Perseverance, he delivers this Parable of a certain Widow, who having a wicked Man for her Judge, who would not do her Justice, constrained him by her Importunities to vindicate her Wrongs. By which Example he demonstrates to us, That God, who is Just, will certainly revenge his Elect, which cry unto him Day and Night, and will deliver them soon out of the Op­pression they suffer. But since such a Faith as is necessary to support us continually in so ex­cellent a Duty, is very rare and unusual, he adds, in a kind of an Astonishment; Neverthe­less, [Page 135] when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find Faith upon Earth? There will will be few that will hold out to the End.

XL. He teaches Men to be humble.

Jesus,Luke 18.9-14. that he might shew Humility in Prayer to be as necessary as Perseverance, and so instruct his more attentive Disciples, as well as beat down the Pride of the Pharisees, who thought them­selves Righteous, and being full of vain Confi­dence, in their own false Sanctity, contemned all others, propounds to them this Parable, Two Men went up to the Temple to pray, the One a Pharisee, and the Other a Publican, the former stood, and prayed after this manner; God, I thank thee, that I am not as other Men are, Thieves, Ʋnjust, Adulterers, or even as this Pub­lican; I fast twice in the Week, and give Tythes of all that I possess. But the Publican, on the other side, standing afar off, durst not so much as lift up his Eyes to Heaven, but smote upon his Breast, saying, My God, be merciful to me, who am a Sinner: Whereupon Jesus adds, I de­clare unto you, That this Man returned Home justified rather than the other; for he that exalt­eth himself shall be abased, but who so humbleth himself shall be exalted.

XLI. Jesus blesseth certain Infants.

Then some of the Jews brought their Children to Jesus, that he might lay his Hands upon them,Matth. 19.13-15 Mark 19.13-16 Luke 18.15-17. and pray for them. His Disciples rebuking those that brought them unto him, spake roughly to them, but Jesus being displeased at this Action, reproved them, and bid them to suffer little Chil­dren to come unto him, because the Kingdom of [Page 136] Heaven is made up of such, and if we will gain an entrance into it, we must become little Children, i. e. humble, so commending a spiritual Infancy, which consists in an Holy Simplicity, and sincere Hu­mility. After this he takes these little Children up in his Arms, and having Blessed them, by laying his Hands upon them, He departed from thence to go some whither else.

XLII. He tells them how hard it is for a Rich Man to be saved.

Matth. 19.16 [...] 30. Mark 10.17-30. Luke 18.18-30.As Jesus was in his Journey, a Young Noble-Man, who was very Rich, ran unto him, and kneeling down to him, said, Good Master, What good thing must I do, that I may inherit Eternal Life? Jesus an­swered him, Why callest thou me good? There is none but God, who is good, i. e. who is good of himself, being perfect, and essential Goodness, the Original of all Goodness; for all the Goodness in the Creatures in only an Efflux, and participa­tion of the infinite Goodness of God. This Young Man commended an Humane and Finite Good­ness in Jesus only, and it seems, that the Son of God refusing the Title of Good Master, and an­swering, that there was none Good but God only, would Teach him to acknowledge a Divine and Soveraign Goodness in Himself. Afterward he says in Answer to his Question, That if he will ob­tain Eternal Life, he must keep the Commandments. And because this Young Man asked him, which of these Commandments he ought to keep, he said unto him, Thou knowest the Commandments of the Law, Do not kill, Do not commit Adultery, Do not Steal, Do not bear false Witness, Defraud not, Ho­nour thy Father and thy Mother, And Love thy Neighbour as thy Self. The Young Man answered, All these things have I observed from my Youth, [Page 137] What yet have I to do? Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, but this Love which he had for the Young Man, did not hinder him from Teach­ing him a Truth, which he could not entertain, for he said unto him, One thing lackest thou yet, If thou wilt be perfect, Go and sell all that thou hast, and give it to the Poor, and thou shalt have Trea­sure in Heaven, and then come, and follow me. But this Lord, who had a great Estate, not being able to accept of his Advice, and forsake all, went away sad. Then Jesus, who saw him troubled, looking round about him, said unto his Disciples, Verily, I say unto you, It is very hard for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And because they were much amazed at these Words, he repeat­ed the same Truth again to them in these Words, Little Children, How hard is it for them that trust in their Riches, to enter into the Kingdom of God? It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle. This last assertion encreased the astonish­ment of the Apostles, who said one to another, Who then can be saved? But Jesus removed their admiration by telling them, that that which is im­possible with Men, is possible with God, who can change the Heart, and make Rich Men to leave all to follow Christ, and gain Heaven.

Then said Peter unto him, As for us thou seest, That we have left all, and followed thee, What re­ward shall we receive? Jesus answered him, That at the Resurrection, when the Son of Man shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory, they shall sit by him on Thrones judging all the People of Israel. And he further tells them, that not only they, But whosoe­ver shall forsake his House, or Kindred, or Lands, for His, and the Gospels sake, shall receive in this World an hundredfold, Houses, and Kindsfolk, and Lands with Persecution [...], and in the World to come Life Eternal. By which he means, that God, [Page 138] who will reward his Elect in another World, will give them in this such comforts, as are necessary to support them in their afflictions, and will find them such Friends, as shall by their Christian Charity, be as serviceable to them, as their nea­rest Kindred, and shall supply the want of all they have forsaken, or lost for his sake to them.

XLIII. Jesus explains, how they that are first, shall be last in the Kingdom of God.

Mrtth. 19.30. Matth. 20.1-16.The Apostles might well be surprized at the Promise, which Jesus had made them, That he would set them on Thrones to Judge their whole Nation, especially, since they had been always so little esteemed among the Jews. From this passi­on the Son of God seems very desirous to free them, by repeating to them again the words, which he had before used upon another occasion, That many of those that should have been first, shall be last, and many that should have been last, shall be first. Which Truth that he might throughly explain it to them, he propounds a Parable, and saith, That the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man, who ha­ving sent some Labourers, with whom he had agreed for Wages, early in the Morning into his Vineyard, did also send others at the Ninth, Third and Eleventh Hours, promising to give them as much as was reaso­nable for their Labour. In the Evening he called all these Men to him, and beginning with those who came came last, he gave them the same Wages, which he had promised to those whom he had hired in the Morning; but these last expecting to receive somewhat more, than the other, murmured against him, for giving them as much as he agreed with them for: But the Master of the Vineyard, proves that he had done them no wrong, because he had payd them, [Page 139] what was due to them, and as for the rest it was Lawful to give them what he pleased. From hence the Son of God concludes, So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last: for many are called, but few are chosen. This is all the explica­tion, which our Lord gives us of this Parable; but the Fathers understand by the Kingdom of God, and the Vineyard, into which he calls Men to Labour for the reward which he hath promised by an Holy Life, the Church; And this reward is nothing but himself. Some entred at the begin­ning of the World into this Vineyard, others in the middle-age of it, and others shall enter at the end of the World. There are some that begin to live well in their Infancy, others in their Youth, others in their Riper-age, and some are not conver­ted, till just before their Death. But so great is the Mercy and Goodness of God, that they shall all go to Heaven, and shall be rewarded for their Good Works, which they have done since their Conver­sion with the Beatifick Vision of God himself. But we ought well to consider upon these Words, Many are called, but few are chosen, that we may not content our selves, to be in the Church, into which God hath called us, but may be diligent,1 Pet. 2-10. as St. Peter teaches us, To make our calling and ele­ction sure by Good Works, and to fit our selves for the Kingdom promised to the Elect.

XLIV. Jesus raiseth Lazarus from the Dead.

As Jesus was thus instructing his Disciples on this side Jordan, the two Sisters abovementioned,John 11.1-45. Martha and Mary, sent him word of the sickness of their Brother Lazarus, by certain Messengers, who spake to him in these words, Lord, He whom thou Lovest is sick: for indeed he loved these Per­sons, [Page 140] and therefore having heard this News, he said, This sickness is not unto Death, but is only in­flicted on him to gain Glory to God, and that the Son of God may be Glorified thereby. Nevertheless he tarryed two days still in the same place, and then said to his Apostles, Let us go into Judea for Be­thany, where the House of Lazarus, and his two Sisters was, was in Judea, about two Miles di­stant from Jerusalem, to which he must go, by crossing the River Jordan.

The Apostles said unto him, Master, The Jews there were lately about to Stone thee, and dost thou think of venturing among them again? He answers them, That he must discharge his Ministry, while God gives him Time and Opportunity, let what dangers will stand in the way. And then he adds, Our Friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I will go to a­wake him. His Disciples understanding his words literally, said unto him, Lord, if he sleep, he will grow well. Then he told them plainly, That Laza­rus was Dead, and that for the kindness he had for them, he was glad that he was not present with him to prevent his Death, because that which he intended to do for him, would be of great use to increase and confirm their Faith. Thomas, one of the Twelve, seeing his Master resolv'd to go into Judea, said to his fellow Disciples, Let us also go with him: It is indeed dangerous, but we ought rather to dy with him, than forsake him, or leave him, so they accompanyed him.

They got not to Bethany, till Lazarus had been Buryed Four Days; and when they came to the House of Martha and Mary, they found many Jews there, which were come to comfort the two Sisters for the Death of their Brother. Martha hearing that Jesus was coming, went a little way out of the Town to meet him, and said unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here my Brother had not [Page 141] dyed. But I know, that even now, God will grant thee whatsoever thou askest of him. Jesus answe­red her, Thy Brother shall rise again. She replyed, I know, that he shall rise again at the last Day. Jesus says again, I am the Resurrection, and the Life, i. e. I am able to raise the Dead to Life at any time, as well now as hereafter, he that believeth in me, as thy Brother did, altho' he be dead, shall, if I please, live again; and whosoever liveth, and be­lieveth in me, shall never dye, if I please to preserve him. Believest thou this? She answered him, Yea, Lord, I believe, that thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God, which should come into the World.

After this Discourse, she went and called her Si­ster, to tell her privately that the Master was come, and asked after her. Mary arose immediately and went to Jesus out of the Town, to the place where Martha met him. The Jews, who were with her, when she arose to go to the Son of God, seeing her go out so hastily, followed her, thinking that she went to the Grave of her Brother, to Weep there.

As soon as she came to Jesus, she fell down at his Feet, and said unto him Weeping, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my Brother had not Dyed. Her Tears and Sorrow, accompanyed with the La­mentations of the Jews that came with her, affe­cted the Son of God, so that he groaned in him­self, and was troubled, i. e. he stirred up in his own heart a Voluntary Motion of Compassion and Tenderness, which appeared outwardly by the same signs, which discover the involuntary passi­ons and affections of Men. Hereupon he demand­ed, where they had Buryed him? they said unto him, Lord, come and see. He went along with them, Weeping, which made some of the Jews to say, See how he loved him; while others said, Could [Page 142] not this Man, who openeth the Eyes of the Blind, have prevented Lazarus's Death? Jesus still shew­ing the same disturbance of mind, came to the Grave, which was a Pit, with a Stone lay'd at the Mouth of it. He commanded them to take away the Stone, but Martha told him that the Dead Man by this time stank, because he had been Buryed Four Days. But he answered, Did not I tell you, that if ye would believe, ye should see the Glory of God magnified in raising him from the Dead? They then removed the Stone, and Jesus lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, said these words, Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me always. As for me, I know that thou always hearest me, and thy Power is present with me, but this I say, be­cause of the People, which is about me, that they may believe, when they see thy Power granted to me by my Prayer, that thou hast sent me. Ha­ving spoken these words he cryed with a loud Voice, Lazarus come forth. And immediately the Dead Man came forth, having his Hands and his Feet bound with grave Cloaths, and his Head wrapped about with a Napkin: Jesus then bid them loose him, and several of the Jews, who came to see the two Sisters, believed on him having been Eye-witnesses of this Miracle.

XLV. The Jews hold a Council against Jesus.

John 11.46-54.As soon as Jesus had wrought this Miracle, some, who saw it, went to tell the Pharisees of it, who were his Mortal Enemies. Whereupon they immediately called a Council, with the High-Priests, and said, Why do we lose time and do nothing? This Man doth many Miracles, and if we let him thus alone, all Men will believe him to be the Messias, and the Romans fearing, lest he should set up for a King, and withdraw the People from Obedience to [Page 143] them, will come and destroy our City and Nation. Caiphas, who was High Priest that Year, said un­to them, Ye understand nothing, nor consider, that it is better to put one Man to Death, to secure all the People, than that all the Nation should perish. Thus did this wretched Man express the cruel Mo­tions of Hatred, which he had against Jesus, but God delivered by him, who thought nothing less the Designs of his Wisdom for the Salvation of Men, and honoured his Priesthood in the Person of his High-Priest, Prophesying by his Mouth of the Death which the Saviour of the World should suffer to save not only the Jews, but also to gather toge­ther into one Church the Children of God, which are dispersed in all other Nations. This advice so took with them, that from that time the Priests and Pharisees sought all the ways they could think of, to put him to Death, and to this end, gave order, that if any Man knew where he was, he should discover him, that they might apprehend him. But because his hour was not yet come, al­tho' it drew very near, he escaped their Fury for a little time, by not appearing in publick, but going into a desert place, near a City called E­phraim, where he abode some time with his Dis­ciples.

XLVI. Jesus is rejected by the Samaritans.

The Feast of the Passover being the time where­in Jesus Christ was to consummate the great Work of our Redemption by the Sacrifice of his Blood, when that Passover drew near,Luke 9.51-56. wherein he was to suffer, he prepared himself for Death, and set forward in his Journey to Jerusalem, with a stedfast Countenance, signifying the firm Resoluti­on he had taken up, to lay down his Life for Men. It seemed good to him to go thro' Samaria, [Page 144] but when he came into a City of the Province, they would not entertain him, because they knew he was going to Jerusalem, for there was a great Contest between the Samaritans, and Jews, a­bout the place where God ought to be Worship­ped, the first alledging, that it was Mount Geri­zim, and the other the Temple of Jerusalem. The reason then why the Inhabitants of this place, thro' which Jesus passed, rejected him, was be­cause he went to Solemnize the Feast, and by consequent to Worship in a different place from them. The two Sons of Zebedee, James, and John, being incensed at the Injury, which they had done to their Master, said unto him, Lord, wilt thou that we command Fire to fall down from Heaven upon them, and devour them? But the Son of God willing to Teach them, that the Spirit of his true Disciples is a Spirit of Love and Charity, and not Revenge, turned himself to the two Brethren, and gave them this sharp reproof, Ye know not by what Spirit ye are acted: for the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens Lives, but to save them. And they went to lodge in another Village.

XLVII. Jesus foretells his Death a Third time.

Matth. 20.17-19. Mark 10.32-34. Luke 18.31-34.This assurance, and resolution of the Son of God, which appeared even in his Face, was not in the Heart of the Apostles, who accompanyed him, but on the contrary they were seized with terror and amazement, and followed him with fear. He takes them therefore apart, and saith unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, where all things that are Written concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished: For he shall be delivered to to the Chief Priests and Scribes, who shall condemn him to Death, and deliver him to the Gentiles, who shall mock, and spitefully entreat him, Scourge and [Page 145] crucify him, and he shall rise again the Third Day; but they understood not this Third Prediction of his Death, no more than the Two former; and the Gospel assures us, That this Discourse was con­cealed from them, so that they knew not the Things that were spoken.

XLVIII. Jesus reproves the Ambition of his Apostles.

At the same Time Salome, the Wife of Zebedee, Matth. 20.20-28 Mark 10.35-45 and the Mother of John and James, came to him with her Two Sons, and worshipped him, as if she were about to pray unto him: Jesus asked her what she would have? and she answered him, Command that these my Two Sons may sit, the one on thy Right-Hand and the other on thy Left, in thy Kingdom. He returned her no answer, but turning himself to her Children, for whom she petitioned, he said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: Are ye able to drink of the Cup that I must drink of, and to be baptized with the Baptism that I must be baptized with? By this Cup and Baptism he understood his Death; and he asked these Two Brethren, Whether they were able to follow him, and imitate his Sufferings? They an­swered, That they were able. Then he tells them, That they should indeed drink a part of his Cup, but as for the chief Places in his Kingdom, they are wholly at the Disposal of his Father, to give them to whom he pleaseth: As if he had said, according to the Explication of the Fathers, Do not think that my Kingdom shall be given for Human Motives and Respects, it belongs to those for whom my Father hath appointed it; and they are such as are qualified for it by their Lives and Sufferings: Put your selves there­fore into a Posture of Fighting and Conquer­ing, [Page 146] and you shall have the Reward which is pro­mised to Conquerors bestowed on you.

The Ambition of these Two Disciples displea­sed the other Ten, who were very angry with the Two Brethren: Jesus, who knew their Thoughts, being desirous to cure that Pride, which made the one ambitious and the other jealous, calls them unto him, and teaches them, That they must not be like the Princes and Grandees of the World, who rule with Tyranny over their Subjects; but, on the contrary, he that will be great among them must be Servant of all, according to the Example of the Son of Man himself, who came not to be waited upon and served, but to serve others for their Spiritual Good, and redeem Souls by his Death.

XLIX. Jesus lodges at Zaccheus's House.

Luke 19.1-10.They went on their Journey, and came to Jeri­cho: In this City there was a certain Man, named Zaccheus, one of the chief Publicans, and very rich, who had a very great Desire to see Jesus: But because the Multitude hindred him from it, being a Man of a small Stature, he went before, and climbed up into a Sycamore Tree, in a Place where he knew he was to pass: Jesus, accord­ingly, came that way indeed, and lifting up his Eyes he saw Zaccheus, and said unto him, Zacche­us, make haste and come down, for I must lodge at thy House to Day. At this Zaccheus came down immediately, and entertained him joyfully, while others murmuring, against him, said, He is gone to be a Guest with a Man of a wicked Life. But Jesus made it appear by the miraculous Change which he wrought in the Heart of this Publican, that he went as a Physician into a diseased Family, to cure it; for Zaccheus presenting himself before [Page 147] him, said to him, Lord, the half of my Estate I will give unto the Poor, and if I have done any Wrong to any Man, I will restore him Four-fold. And Jesus answered, This Day is Salvation come to this House; And assures us, That Zaccheus, who was looked upon hitherto, by the Jews, as a Stran­ger and a Heathen, was by Faith become a Child of Abraham, as well as they, and so was entituled to the Promises made to him.

L. Jesus condemns the Opinion of those, who be­lieved that the Kingdom of God would then ap­pear.

All those who were present,Luke 19.11-27. harkned unto Je­sus with Attention; and as they drew near to Je­rusalem, they thought that the glorious Reign of the Messias, which they had fancied to themselves, would immediately commence, supposing that Je­sus had undertaken this Journey, to the Passover at Jerusalem, for this End only, to seat himself upon his Throne, and to establish the Kingdom he had so often spoke of. Jesus, knowing their Thoughts, condemned them by this Parable: A certain great and Noble Man, being about to take a Voyage into a far Country, where he was to take Possession of a Kingdom, fallen to him, cal­led all his Servants, and gave them every one a Sum of Mony to trade withal and improve, till he should return: Some of his Countrymen, who hated him, sent after him, and declared that they would not have him for their King: But he, notwithstanding this Opposition, having obtained the Kingdom, returned again, and first calls the Servants to an Account, to whom he had entrusted his Mony: One of them had improved it Ten, the Other Five Times, by Trading, whom he re­warded proportionably to their Diligence, giving [Page 148] to the last the Government of Five Gities, and the other of Ten: But one there was among them, who instead of trading with it, had lock'd it up, fearing, as he said, the great Severity of his Ma­ster, and so, not daring to hazard what he had entrusted to him. But his Master condemned this Action, and taking his Mony from him, gave it to those whom he had already so bountifully re­warded. This done, he summoned those who had refused to accept him for their King, and put them to Death in his Presence. The Gospel doth not deliver the Explication of this Parable; but since we know the Occasion that Jesus had to pro­pose it, it is very natural to explain it thus. Je­sus himself is the King here spoken of; he is gone into Heaven, and shall return, in Majesty, to judge both the Quick and the Dead. He distri­butes his Graces here below, and expects that we should improve them by a good Use of them. At his coming again, he will find Three several sorts of Persons; some will make a good Use of the Grace that they have received, to whom God will give greater portions of it: Others will not im­prove it, and therefore he will take it from them. Lastly, others will revolt from him, and will not obey his Laws, such as Infidels and Wicked Men; but chiefly the Jews are meant in this Place, who being God's People, have, nevertheless, made the most vigorous Opposition to the Establishment of his Church, and therefore he shall destroy them.

LI. Jesus Christ heals Two Blind Men.

Matth 20.29-31 Mark 10.46-52As soon as Jesus was departed from Jericho, be­ing followed by a great Company of People, a certain Blind Man, named Bartimeus, he Son of Timeus, who sat by the Way-Side begging, being [Page 149] informed what the Multitude, which he heard go­ing by, meant, and hearing that Jesus passed by,Luke 18.35-43. he cryed out, with another Blind Man, who sate in the same Road, Jesus, thou Son of David, have Mercy on me. The People which accompanied Jesus, but chiefly those that went before him, spake roughly to him, to make him hold his Peace; but he cryed out so much the louder, as did also his Companion, Thou Son of David have Mercy on me: Then Jesus stopped, and command­ed him to be called; which some did, saying, be of good Comfort, arise, he calleth you: Then he immediately cast away his Coat, arose, and went, with his Companion, to Jesus; who asked them both, What would you have me to do for you? They answered, Lord, that thou wouldest open our Eyes. Then Jesus, being moved with Compassi­on, touched their Eyes, and immediately they re­ceived Sight, and followed him, glorifying God; as also did all the People, who had been Witnes­ses of this Miracle.

LII. Jesus Christ suppeth at Bethany.

Jesus drew every Day nearer and nearer to Je­rusalem, Matt. 26.6-13. Mark 14.3 [...] 9. John 12.1- and Six Days before the Passover he came to Bethany, where he had lately raised Lazarus, the Brother of Mary and Martha, from the Dead: Here he was entertained at a Supper, in the House of Simon the Leper: Martha waited, but Lazarus was one of those that supped with him. While he sat at the Table, Mary came to him, having an Alabaster-Box, containing a Pound of the Oyntment of Spikenard, of great Value, with which she anointed his Feet, wiping them with her Hairs, and afterward breaking the Box, she poured the Residue of the Perfume upon his Head, so that the whole House was filled with the Smell [Page 150] of it. The Apostles, but chiefly Judas Iscariot, murmured at this waste, and Judas said, That this Oyntment might have been sold for Three hun­dred Pence (which is about 9l. 7s. 6d. of our Mo­ny) and so relieved many Poor People; not that he had so much Care or Compassion for the Poor (as the Gospel observes) but because he was a Thief and kept the Mony, which Jesus Christ had col­lected for his ordinary Expence, and for the maintenance of the Poor, upon which account it was that he was so very desirous to have gotten the Price of this Oyntment into his Hands, that he might gratify his own Covetousness. But Je­sus himself undertook the Defence of Mary, and told those that condemned her, That she had done a good Work, and had embalmed his Body before-hand, for the Day of its Burial; and that as for the Poor, for whose Relief it was said, that the Price of this Oyntment might have been bet­ter employed; they were always with them, and might receive Relief of them at any Time, but they cculd not have him always with them, to pay their Duty to him, and give him the Marks of their Esteem and Affection: And lastly, That this Action of Mary's should in every Place, where the Gospel is preach'd, be spoken of in her Commendation. In the mean while, it being known at Jerusalem, that Jesus was come to Be­thany, many of the Jews came to see him, and not him only, but more especially Lazarus, whom he had raised from the Dead. As for the Chief Priests, they had determined to kill Lazarus, because ma­ny Jews were converted to the Belief of Christ's Divinity, by the Miracle of his Resurrection.

I. Jesus Christ goes in Triumph to Jerusalem.

THE next Day Jesus departed from Be­thany, Matth. 21.1-9. Mark 11.1-10. Luke 19.29-38. John 12.12-18 and as soon as he came to a little Village, called Bethphage, which was si­tuated at the Bottom of the Mount of Olives, which is distant from Jerusalem but little more than half a Mile, he said to Two of his Disciples, Go unto the Village over-against you, and ye shall there find a Shee-Ass, and with her a Colt, on which no Man ever sat, loose it and bring it to me, and if the Owners ask you why ye do so, ye shall an­swer them, That the Lord hath need of him; and they will let you bring him. The Disciples exactly obeyed this Order, and finding every thing as Jesus had foretold, they brought the Ass and Colt to him, upon which, when they had set him, he rode to Jerusalem. In the mean Time, the People, which were come to Jerusalem, to the Feast, having received Information of the Resur­rection of Lazarus, from those that were Eye-Witnesses [Page 152] of the Miracle, and hearing that Jesus was coming to that great City, took Branches of Palm-trees, and went in great Throngs to meet him, crying out, Hosanna, i. e. Salvation and Glory, Blessed be the King of Israel, who cometh in the Name of the Lord. Jesus riding upon the Colt which his Disciples had covered with their Gar­ments, came in Triumph, thus accomplishing that Prophesy of Zachary, Zach. 9.9. Fear not, Daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh, full of Meekness, and sit­ing upon an Ass's Colt. A great multitude of Peo­ple did also spread their Garments in the way, and others cut down Branches from the Trees, and strewed them where he was to pass.

When they were come to the Descent of the Mount of Olives, his Disciples being transported with Joy, to see their Master so highly honoured, gave Praise to God, with a loud Voice for all the mighty Works which they had seen; saying, Bles­sed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest: And all the People, as well those that went be­fore as those that followed after, joyned with the Disciples in their Acclamations, so that he was surrounded with Shouts, saying, Hosanna, i. e. Honour, to the Son of David, blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord; blessed be the King­dom of our Father David, which we have seen to come: Hosanna, Peace and Honour in the Highest Heavens.

II. Jesus Christ bewails the Destruction of Je­rusalem.

Matth. 21.10, 11. Luke 19.39-44.The Pharisees could not see so great Honour bestowed upon a Man, whom they had resolved to put to Death, without great Indignation, and therefore argued among themselves; Do ye not [Page 153] perceive that we prevail nothing? Behold all the World is gone after him: But some of them could not conceal their Anger, but said, among the Mul­titude, to Jesus, Master, command thy Disciples to hold their Peace: But he silenced them themselves, by saying to them, That the Stones would imme­diately cry out, if his Disciples should hold their Peace. Then they came near to Jerusalem, and Jesus casting his Eyes upon that miserable City, whose Miseries and Sins he foresaw, shed forth Tears, as a Sign of the Compassion, with which he was af­fected for her, and seeing her, cryed out; O that thou hadst known, at least in this thy Day, the things that conduce to thy Peace and Safety; but now they are all hid from thine Eyes! For the Time shall come when thy Enemies shall cast Trenches about thee and invest thee, and keep thee in on every Side; and demolish thee, and cast thy Children out, and shall not leave one Stone upon another, because thou hast not known the Time wherein God hath visited thee: So that he shews himself much more affected for the Ruin of Jerusalem than at the Acclamations with which they received him. Being entred into the City, with so great a Number of People, all the Citizens were moved, and every one enquired, Who is this Man? To whom the Multitude an­swered, It is Jesus, the Prophet of Nazareth, in Galilee.

III. Jesus Christ again foretels his Death.

Besides the Jews, who were come to Jerusalem, John 12.20-36. to keep the Passover, there were also Heathens, who being Proselytes of the Gates, were come to worship God at that Feast: Some of these having a great Desire to see Jesus, did for that Reason come to Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles; Phi­lip tells Andrew of it, and both of them told their [Page 154] Master. Jesus, who by his Death was about to obtain Salvation, as well for the Gentiles as Jews, answered these Two Apostles, That his Hour was come that he should be glorified: And as a Grain of Wheat brings forth no Fruit till it is dead in the Earth, where it is sown, so should his Death be the Seed, which should produce a great Harvest; that the Faithful, which should be pro­duced thereby, should learn by his Example to hate their Lives in this World, that they may pre­serve it to Life Eternal, and that the Service, which they should pay him, in following him whi­thersoever he goeth, should be rewarded with Eternal Glory. He also, for their Comfort, brought upon himself the Horrors of his Death, and therefore stirred up voluntarily a Passion in his Soul, which discovered it self outwardly by these Words, My Soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father save me from this Hour: But considering with himself how great Glory God would gain by his Death, he added; But for this Cause came I to this Hour: Father, glorify thy Name.

At the same Time there came a Voice from Heaven, which said, I have glorified it already, and will glorify it again. They, that were pre­sent, said, That it was a Clap of Thunder, and others said, That an Angel spake unto him, but he answered, This Voice came not for me, but for your sakes. And to let them know what Influence his Death, which he should suffer upon the Cross, ought to have upon all Men, he saith, Now is this World judged, and the Prince of this World, i. e. the Devil, is cast out; and when I am lifted up from the Earth, I will draw all Men unto me. Up­on this the Jews asked him, How the Death of the Son of Man could be consonant with the Holy Scri­pture, which saith, That Christ must endure for ever, and never dye? And they added, Who is this Son of [Page 155] Man? He answers them, That they should enjoy the Light a little Time; and advises them, That since it is no fit Time to walk or act, when they are deprived of it, they should believe in the Light, that is, in him, so long as he is with them.

Jesus having spoke these Words,John 12.36-50 hid himself from them, since they made no deeper Impression upon their Hearts than his Miracles did, which he had done before them in so great Numbers; for they were stricken with that Blindness of Heart, which according to Isaiah's Prophecy,Isa. 6.9. hin­dred them from seeing that which they saw, their Hearts being so much hardened that they could not endure the Remedies which were applyed for their Cure. Nevertheless, even among the Chief Men of the Jewish Nation, there were several that belived on Jesus Christ, but they dare not own him openly, because the Pharisees had re­solved to put all Jesus's Disciples out of the Syna­gogue; and this their cowardly Timorousness proceeded from hence, That they loved the Praise of Men more than the Praise of God: So that it was in vain for Jesus to cry out to these sort of Persons, as he doth in the next Words; He that believeth on me, believeth on him that sent me: I am come a Light into the World, that whosoever believeth in me may not abide in Darkness: I am come to save and not to judge; he that disregards my Words shall be judged by the same Word at the Last Day; for I have not spoken of my self, nor taught any thing but what my Father commanded me to teach: So great an effect had their Fear and Hardness upon them.

IV. Jesus Christ curseth the Fig-Tree.

Matt. 21.17-22 Mark 11.12-14.Perhaps these last Words were spoken in the Temple, for S. Mark saith, That he went thither, and in the Evening returned to Bethany, with his Twelve Disciples: The next Morning he came again to Jerusalem, and perceiving himself an hungry, he went to a Figtree, which he saw in the Way, hoping to find something on it to eat: But because the Time for Figs was not come, he found nothing; for which Reason he cursed the Tree, saying, Let no Fruit grow on thee hence­forth, for ever; and immediately the Fig-Tree wi­thered away: Not that the Fig-Tree, say the Fa­thers, was really to be condemned, for not bear­ing Fruit, since it was not the proper Season for it; but that Jesus Christ would teach Men by what he did to the Fig-Tree, that he expects good Works of them, that he doth not allow them to be without Good Fruits, and that the Punishment due to their Barrenness is to be given over to it, that since they have not done the good they are able, they should not be able to do the Good they would.

V. Jesus Christ drives the Merchants out of the Temple.

Matth. 21.12-22 Mark 11.15-26 Luke 19.45-48Jesus being come to Jerusalem, went into the Temple, where seeing that Holy Place profaned and dishonoured by Trading and Merchandize, he was moved with Indignation, and drave out the Buyers and Sellers, overthrew the Tables of the Mony-Changers, and the Seats of them that sold Doves, and would not permit any Man to carry any Vessel through the Temple: And to satisfy them of the reasonableness of this Action, he said [Page 157] to them, Is it not written, My House shall be cal­led an House of Prayer, by all Nations? but ye have made it a Den of Thieves. At the same Time came the Blind and the Lame to him, and he healed them all.

The People were filled with Admiration at all these Things; but the Priests, Scribes, and Chief Men among the Jews, persisted still in their Reso­lution of putting him to Death, and sought all occasions to bring it about, but yet so that they might have no cause to fear the People. The Mi­racles which he did, and the Acclamations of the Children, who cryed in the Temple, Hosanna, i. e. Health and Honour, to the Son of David, much enraged them, and they could not but discover that Anger, by asking him, If he regarded what these children said? But he silenced them, by shewing them, That that which displeased them, so highly, fulfilled the Scripture; for, have you never read, saith he, these Words of the Psalmist, Out of the Mouth of Bakes and Sucklings thou hast perfected Praise? Psal. 8.2.

When it was Night Jesus went from Jerusalem, and returned again the next Morning; in the Way the Apostles beholding the Fig-Tree, which Christ had cursed, but the Day before, to be quite withered away and dead, to the very Roots, Pe­ter shewed it to him, saying, Master, behold the Fig-Tree, which thou cursedst, is withered away! Whereupon Jesus takes an occasion to shew them, how great is the Force of Faith and Prayer; for he said unto them, That if they have a stedfast Faith in God, they should not only be able to dry up a Fig-Tree, but to remove Mountains; and what­soever they shall ask in Prayer, it shall be granted them, provided that they be careful before Prayer to pardon those that have offended them, because un­less that be done, God will not pardon them their Offences.

VI. The Discourse of Jesus Christ with the Priests and Doctors.

Matth. 21.23-27. Mark 11.27-33 Luke 20.1-8.Jesus enters again into the Temple, where while he was instructing the People, and preaching the Gospel, the Priests, Scribes and Rulers came upon him, and asked him, By what Authority he did these things? He answered them, I also will ask you one Thing, which if you will answer me, I will tell you by what Authority I do this. He then asked them, Whether the Baptism of John was from Heaven or of Men, i. e. Whether it was of Divine or Human Appointment? This Question much perplexed them, for they durst not affirm that it was from Heaven, for fear Jesus should re­tort it upon them, Why did ye not then believe it? But if they should affirm it to be a mere Hu­man Institution, they feared that the People, who did generally believe that John was a Prophet, would stone them; wherefore they chose to an­swer, That they knew not. Then Jesus reply­ed, Neither tell I you by what Authority I do these things, which ye behold to be done by me.

After this he proposeth several Parables to these Hypocrites, wherein he shews, how great punishment they deserved for that unjust aversion and ha­tred, which they had taken up against him, and for their obstinacy, by which they rejected those Truths, which he had preached to them. The first is of a certain Man, who having two Sons commanded them, one after another, to go and Labour in his Vineyard. The first told him plainly, that he would not go, but afterwards he repented, and went; the other having promised him to go, went not. Jesus asked the Priests and Scribes, which of these two Sons did the Will of his Father? [Page 159] They answered, the first. Then he shews them, that the First figured the Publicans and Sinners, who repented at the Preaching of John the Bap­tist, and that they themselves not believing this his Holy Fore-runner, who came to them in the way of Righteousness, should not get into Heaven so easily as the Harlots themselves, whose Repen­tance they would not imitate, nor follow their Faith.

VII. The Parable of the Husband-men, that hired the Vineyard.

The second Parable is concerning a Man,Matth. 21.23-46. Mark 12.1-12. Luke 20.9-19. who be­ing about to take a long Journey, Let out his Vineyard to Husbandmen, and about the time of the Vin­tage sent one of his Servants to them to receive the Fruits of it. But the Husband-men beat the Ser­vant, and sent him back empty. Then he sent another to them, whom they Wounded, and a Third whom they Killed; others also he sent to them, and they used them after the same manner, so that he resolved to send his only Son, whom he loved most tenderly, being perswaded, that they would reverence him. But on the contrary, when they saw him, they said one to another, Lo! this is the Heir, let us Kill him, and so get his Inheritance. So they seized upon him, cast him out of the Vineyard and slew him. Then Jesus said, When the Lord of the Vineyard cometh, what will he do unto these Husband-men? Some of them an­swered, He will destroy those wicked Men according to their deserts, and let out his Vineyard to other Husband-men, who shall render him the Fruits in due season. He approved of their answer, and assured them, that they should be used in that man­ner. But others who perceived perhaps, that this [Page 160] Parable touched them, said unto him, God forbid. But Jesus looking upon them, said, What is then the meaning of this Parable of Scripture, The Stone, which the Builders rejected, is by the Mira­culous Power of God, become the head Stone of the Corner? And to make a full Application of this Parable to them, he added, For this reason it is, that I have told you, That the Kingdom of Hea­ven shall be taken from you, and be given to a Peo­ple, that shall bring forth the Fruits of it. And this indeed happened, for the Jews to whom Je­sus Christ had trusted his Vineyard, that is to say, his Law, and Church, and who instead of making use of these advantages, had cruelly handled the Prophets, who admonished them of their Duty, and have Crucified the only Son of God, are no longer the Lords People, but his Church is now made up of Gentiles, who heretofore knew not God. Wherefore it is our Wisdom to profit by the misfortunes of them, into whose Place we are entred, bringing forth Fruits, i. e. faithfully per­forming, what God expects of us. The Priests and Scribes easily perceiv'd, that Jesus spake of them, and would then have laid their Hands on him, but the fear which they had of the People, kept them from attempting it, tho' they were much troubled, and ashamed to see themselves thus Painted out in this other Parable.

VIII. The Parable of the Marriage Feast.

Matth. 22.1-14.To the same purpose Jesus spake another Para­ble, saying, A certain King having made a great invitation to the Marriage of his Son, sent his Ser­vants, when all things were ready, to call them to it; but because they refused to come, he sent other Ser­vants to perswade them, and give them notice, what great preparations were made for them. But this [Page 161] did not make any impression upon them, they went one to his Farm, another to his Merchan­dize, and some layd hold upon his Servants and slew them, after they had committed many outra­ges against them. The King having heard of these ungrateful rudenesses, sent forth his Armies to slay those Murtherers, and burn up their Cities, and in their stead brought all, that he found in the Streets to the Marriage. This being done the King came in to see the Guests, and there percei­ving a Man, who had not a Wedding Garment, he asked him, how he dare come thither with such a Vestment? Wherefore binding him Hand and Foot, he cast him into outer Darkness, where there is no­thing but Weeping and gnashing of Teeth. Jesus made the Application of this Parable, saying, Ma­ny are called, but few are chosen. It is easy to see, that the Jews were the first Invited to the Marri­age of the Kings Son, i. e. to the Kingdom of Heaven Preached to them by Jesus Christ; that they despised his Word, and put him to Death; that God hath rejected them, as a punishment for their Sin, and instead of them hath called the Gentiles into his Church, who before had never heard of him. It remains only for us to see, whe­ther we have a Marriage-Garment, i. e. Charity, which is the White Robe, which is given us in Baptism, that so if we have it not, we may endea­vour to get it on, before the King comes to exa­mine with the great rigour of his Justice the State of all those, that are in his Church, to condemn them to Infernal Darkness, who imagine that it is enough to be called, and will not be at the pains by an Holy Life, to obtain the Reward promi­sed to the Elect.

IX. Jesus Christ Silenceth the Pharisees.

Matth. 22.15-22. Mark 12.13-17. Luke 20.20-26.The Pharisees who had as great a share-in the Ap­plication of these Parables as any other, went a­way with a firm resolution to search out all Op­portunities of destroying him, who thus confound­ed them. They believed they had found out an infal­lible way to do it, by entangling him in his talk, and therefore made no delays to make use of it. Whereupon they sent some of their Disciples to him, who were as much Hypocrites as themselves, and counterfeiting themselves to be Righteous, with the Herodians, i. e. probably some of He­rods Officers, to ensnare him, and tempt him to speak something, which might bring him under the stroke of Justice. These Men therefore went to him, and spake thus to him, Master, We know that thou art upright and true, and teachest the way of God in Truth, without regard to any Man, or thing. Give us thy Opinion in this matter, Is it Lawful to pay Tribute to Caesar, or no? It is cer­tain their design was in this Question to make him odious to the People, who never could be brought to submit themselves to the Romans, but by force, if he should assert that they ought to do it; but if he answered, that 'twas unlawful to pay, they would have him punished as a Rebel against the Emperour. But he knowing their malicious in­tentions, asked them to shew him a piece of the Money they pay'd Tribute withal, and when he had it in his Hands, he said, Whose Image and Su­perscription hath it? They answered him, Caesars. Then he reply'd, Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods. In which answer since they could find no fault, they went away full of disappointment, and admiration.

X. Jesus Christ silenceth the Sadducees.

As soon, as these Men were gone,Matth. 22.23-33. Mark 12.18-28. Deut. 25.5. Luke 20.27-38. there came to Jesus the Sadducees, i. e. a Sect of the Jews, that do not believe the Resurrection of the Dead, and put a Question to him about the Command of the Law of Moses, which obliged a Man to Marry the Widow of his Elder Brother, dying without Chil­dren. They then put this Case to him, That there was a Woman, who was Marryed according to this Law to Seven Brethren, one after another, and they all Dyed without Children, wherefore they asked him, Whose Wife of the Seven she should be after the Resurrection? He answered them, That they neither understood the sense of Scripture, nor the Power of God; that Marriage, which is necessary in this World, to raise up Children, and posterity to Mortal Men, is not at all so in another World, where no Man shall dye, but all shall be like the Angels, being immortal. Then he shews them by Scripture, that the Dead are alive in respect of God, who will one day raise them, and conse­quently they were in a great error in denying a fu­ture Resurrection. A Doctor of the Law who heard this answer, could not but acknowledge, that he had replyed well, and all the People con­tinued their admiration of his Doctrin.

XI. He teaches, which is the greatest Command­ment of the Law.

A certain Scribe who was a Pharisee,Matth. 22.34-40. Mark 12.28-34. and who had seen, how Jesus had put the Sadducees to si­lence came to him, and asked him, tempting him, Which is the first, and great Commandment of the Law? He answered him, This, Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy [Page 164] Soul, with all thy Mind, and with all thy Strength; and that the Second, which is like unto it, is this, Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self: In these two are contained all the Law and the Pro­phets. The Pharisee highly approved this answer of Jesus, and confessed, that he deservedly pre­ferred Love above all other things, for that is more acceptable to God, than all Whole Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices. The Son of God for his part commended the Wisdom of this Doctor, and assured him, that he was not far from the King­dom of God.

After this no Man durst ask him any more Questions; but Jesus put one himself to the Pha­risees, for seeing them assembled about him in the Temple, He said unto them, What think ye of Christ, whose Son is he? They answered him, The Son of David. Whereupon Jesus objected these words of Ps. 110.1. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my Right Hand, &c. And asked them how he could be Davids Son, since he being inspired by the Holy Spirit called him His Lord? This Que­stion they could not resolve him, because they would not acknowledge the Divine Nature of Je­sus Christ, whence it was, that they were Igno­rant, that as God, he was Lord of David, tho' as Man he was his Son.

XII. Jesus discovers the Vices of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus then turning his Discourse to the People, but chiefly to the Disciples,Matth. 23.1-12. Mark 12, 38-40. Luke 20.45-57. admonisheth them to observe, and do those Truths, which the Scribes and Pharisees taught them, since they sat in Moses Chair and had right to instruct them. But that they should take heed, how they imitated their Actions: for he tells them, that they were guilty of Hypo­crisy, [Page 165] and commanded others to do, what them­selves would not do; that they affected the highest places and sought after the greatest Honour; that they used long Prayers indeed, but 'twas to devour Widows Houses. He taught his Disciples not to desire to be called Masters, but to acknowledge themselves to be all Brethren; That they had but one Father, who is God, and one Master, Jesus Christ. And then he repeats the words, which he had often spoken, He that is greatest among you, let him be Servant of all; for whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased, but he that humbles him­self shall be exalted.

XIII. Jesus Christ commends the Alms of a poor Widow.

Jesus sitting over against the Treasury took no­tice of those that cast their Gifts into it; Mark 12.41-44. Luke 21.1-4. and seeing a certain poor Widow casting in two Mites, (which make a Farthing of our Mony) he called unto his Disciples, and said unto them, That this poor Widow hath given more, then all the Rest; be­cause these Rich Men, who have put much into the Trea­sury, have given out of their abundance; but this Woman on the contrary hath out of her want given all she had, even all her Living.

XIV. Jesus Christ foretells the Destruction of Jeru­salem.

When Jesus was come out of the Temple to return to Bethany, Matth. 24.1-20. Mark 13.1-23. Luke 21.5-24. his Disciples began a Discourse among themselves in the way, about the Magnificence and Beauty of that Building, and the large Gifts, with which it was enriched and endowed. And then came to their Master to shew him that, which they so much admired; and one of them said to [Page 166] him, Master, seest thou what Stones and Buildings here are? But he answered them, That the time shall come, in which all this great Building, which they see, shall be so utterly destroyed, that there shall not be left one Stone upon another that shall not be cast down. When they came to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sat over against the Temple, and Four of his Apostles, viz. Peter, James, John and Andrew, prayed him to tell them, When this Destruction of the Temple, which he had foretold, should happen; when the World should end, and he should come again in Glory, and what shall be the Signs of these great events? Jesus explained all these things to them; and first advises them to beware of the Multi­tude of Impostors, who should pretend them­selves to be the Messias; as also not to be troubled at the Wars, Seditions, Famines, and other dread­ful Signs, which are nothing but many presages of the horrible Calamities, which shall come upon the Earth. He tells them that before these things come to pass, they shall be Persecuted, brought before Judges, Scourged in Synagogues, be de­livered over to Punishments by their Parents, ha­ted of all Men for the Love they bear to Christ, and many of them shall be put to Death. But he comforts them at the same time, by assuring them, that he will give them such Wisdom to speak be­fore their Judges, as all their Adversaries shall not be able to gain-say or resist; that they shall secure, and save their Souls by Patience; that in spite of all the Rage of their Persecutors, there should not one Hair of their Heads perish, and that his Go­spel shall be Preached in all the World. Lastly, he tells them, that he would raise up false Pro­phets; which should deceive many; that Persecu­tions should make many to fall away; that they shall see Iniquity abound, and Charity grow cold; but they that hold out to the end, shall be saved, [Page 167] and so receive a sufficient reward for their Pati­ence.

After he hath thus instructed them concerning what should befal themselves, he then tells them, what shall come upon the City Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Jews themselves. He saith then, That when they shall see Jerusalem invested, and Gods Temple defiled with execrable abominations they may then assure themselves, that the Desolation of them is nigh. That they should only contrive to save themselves with all the care they can, that they may not be involved in the Calamities of their Nation. That this is the time, that God will pour out his Vengeance upon the Jews, Who shall see their City trodden down by the Gentiles, who shall slay them, or carry them Captives into all Nati­ons, where they shall suffer all the Evils and Plagues, which God hath threatned to bring upon them in Holy Scripture, and to be brought into so great troubles, and afflictions, as never were, nor ever shall be the like. And indeed all these things happened to the Jews a little after, in the same manner, as the Son of God foretold his Disciples; for about Forty Years after, Jerusalem having filled up the Mea­sure of her Sins by the Death of Christ, and his Disciples, was taken by the Romans after a long Siege, and War, wherein above Thirteen Hundred Thousand Jews perished in several parts of the World, Eleven Thousand of which Dyed of Fa­mine and Sword in the Siege of their City only.

XV. Jesus Christ foretells his second Coming.

Jesus having thus answered the first Question put to him by the Apostles,Matth. 24.21-35. Mark 13.24-31. Luke 21.25-33. he passes to the two others, which concern his Glorious coming, and the end of the World. He tells them, that his Se­cond coming shall be like Lightning, which ap­pears [Page 168] suddenly, and in a moment flies from East to West, i. e. he shall be manifested, and known in all the Earth, and not privately, and be seen in one place only, as several Seducers would per­swade us, of whom some will say, that Christ is here, and others, that he is there: That he will raise up also false Christs, who shall do such astonish­ing Miracles, that they shall deceive, if it be pos­sible, even the Elect themselves. But those Holy Souls shall acknowledge the true Messiah, and ga­ther themselves to him, as the Eagles flock about a Dead Carkass for their Prey. That to make his Coming the more Glorious, several extraordinary and dreadful Signs shall go before it, As the Sun, and Moon shall be Darkned, the Stars shall fall, the Heavens shall be shaken, the Waves of the Sea shall make a terrible Noise and Roaring, and all Men shall be in a general Consternation and amaze­ment. That after this Universal change of Nature, They shall see the Sign of the Son of Man first, and then Himself coming in the Clouds with Power and Ma­jesty; and he shall send his Angels, who shall utter a Voice like the Sound of a Trumpet, and shall gather together his Elect from all parts of the World. He adds, That then his Faithful Servants may lift up their Heads with confidence, because as we know that Summer is nigh, when we see the Fig-trees, and others Trees begin to Bud, so shall they know by all these things, that they shall then see his Glory, and that the Kingdom of God, is, as it were, at their Doors, and nigh at Hand.

XVI. Jesus Christ teacheth his Disciples to Watch.

Mark 13.32-37. Luke 21.34-38.Jesus having said these things, had only two things more to Teach his Apostles, viz. the time, when these things should happen, and what the Son of Man should do upon the Earth, when he [Page 169] should come, as he had said of himself, full of Ma­jesty and Glory. As to the first he tells them, that no Creature knows the time, but God only, and that it is very convenient for them to be Ignorant of it, that they may be watchful over themselves, and not suffer their Hearts to be over-charged with Surfeiting, and Drunkenness, and cares of this Life: That they should Watch and Pray always, that they may make themselves worthy to appear with confidence before the Son of Man. He fore­tells them, what Signs should happen before his Second Coming, that he may not surprize those, who will not Watch for themselves, and that the day of his Judgment shall be as a Snare, which shall inclose in it all the Inhabitants of the World. And after he hath propounded to them the exam­ple of certain good Servants, who in the absence of their Master discharge their Trust, which he hath committed to them faithfully, and watch always for his coming, because they knew not the time, when he will return, he concludes, Watch ye therefore, lest the Lord come on a sudden, and find you sleeping. And then adds, what I say unto you, I say unto all; Watch.

XVII. The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

Jesus, that he might impress this Truth more strongly upon their Spirits,Matth. 25.1-13. upon which their Sal­vation depended, propounds two Parables. The First is of the Ten Virgins, who took their Lamps, and having lighted them went out to meet the Bridegroom and Bride and accompany them at their Marriage. Five of them, which the Son of God calls Fools, were contented to have their Lamps light; but the other Five wisely Foreseeing, that the Bridegroom might tarry, carryed Oyl along with them in their Vessels, that they might put it into their Lamps, if they were in danger of [Page 170] going out. And thus it came to pass, for the Bride groom delayed his Coming, and they all slumbred and slept. About midnight there was a great Cry heard, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him: They arose immediately, and trimmed their Lamps. But the five foolish Virgins seeing their Lamps ready to go out, desired some Oyl of the wise Virgins, who sent them to the sellers; and while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and the wise Virgins went in with him to the Marriage. The other Virgins came afterward, but the Door was shut, and they were forced to knock, saying, Lord, Open to us; but he answered them, I know you not. The Application of this Parable is very easy, and the conclusion which the Son of God hath drawn from it, is plain, Watch therefore, for ye know nei­ther the Day, nor the Hour, wherein the Son of Man cometh.

XVIII. The Parable of the Servants.

Matth. 25.14-30.The second Parable is of a Man, who being about to take a long Journey, put his Estate into the Hands of his Servants, and distributed to them several Sums of Money, according to their several abilities, to Trade with. At his return he found them to have doubled what they had received, and therefore said unto them one by one; O good, and faithful Servant, because thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will put many things into thy dispose, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. But finding among them one, who hid his Lords Mony in a Pit, he cast him out, and put him into a dark Dungeon, as a sloathful, and unprofitable Servant. We have already seen something like this in a Parable before, Of the Servants, who having also received a Sum of Mony, had made different improvements of it. Here the Sums are diverse, but the Gain is equal; [Page 171] and we are taught by both these Parables, that to be saved we must make good Use of the Graces which God hath bestowed upon every one, in such Measure as he pleaseth; that we shall have the greater Rewards, the greater Improvement we make of the Gifts of his Mercy; and that we need fear but one thing, which is, to hide, or not improve the Talent that God hath entrusted us withal.

XIX. A Description of the Last Judgment.

After these Parables, in which Jesus teacheth his Disciples the importance of watching always,Matth. 25.31-46. that they may not be surprized by his Second Com­ing, which must needs be very terrible, as the Fathers say to those who have not laboured after Salvation in this Life, and who suffer Death to overtake them without a due Preparation for eter­nal Life: He then informs them, What he will do upon the Earth, when he shall come again in his Majesty, accompanied with his Angels. He tells them, That he shall sit on the Throne of his Glory, and all Nations of the World, be­ing assembled before him he will separate the Righteous from the Wicked, as a Shep­herd separateth the Sheep from the Goats: That he will say to the Righteous on his Right Hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the beginning of the World; for I was an hungry and ye gave me Meat, thirsty and ye gave me drink, naked and ye cloathed me, sick and ye visited me, imprisoned, and ye came unto me, to see me. These good Men being amazed, will then ask him, When he suffered these Wants, and they thus assisted him: And then he will answer them, I say unto you, that forasmuch as ye did it to any of these least of my Brethren, ye did it unto my self. Afterward he [Page 172] will say to the Sinners on his Left-hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into Eternal Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels: And he will add, That the Cause of their Condemnation is this, that they did not afford him Relief in his need, not giving to his Brethren. Not that Sinners, say the Fathers, shall not be punished for their other Crimes, of which they are found guilty; and the Good shall not be rewarded for the other good Works which they have done; but by assuring us, That he will judge Men according to the Works of Mercy, which they have done or omitted. He endeavours to teach us, That without this vertue all the Good▪ we do will be unprofitable for our Salvation, and that there is no Sin, which Alms-giving done by the Spirit of God, cannot blot out. Sinners shall be damned, because they have not given Alms; as a Sick Man may be said to dye of his Disease, because he would not use the Medi­cine which might cure him. These Two Senten­ces shall be followed with different Executions, the Sinners shall go into Eternal Torments, pre­pared for them; but the Just shall go up into Heaven, to be enstated in Life and Eternal Glory.

XX. The Jews hold a Council against Jesus.

Matth. 26.1-5.14-16 Mar. 14.1, 2, 10, 11 Luke 22.1-6.While Jesus was thus instructing his Apostles, the Priests and Doctors of the Law were devising all ways to apprehend Jesus by Subtilty, and put him to Death. He did not hide himself from them, because his Hour was come: He appeared in the Temple in the Day-Time, and the People came together, early in the Morning, to hear him, and at Night he went into the Mount of Olives. On Wednesday his Enemies met in the Hall of Caiphas the High Priest, and held a Council against him: [Page 173] But because they feared the People, they sought to seize upon him by Craft, and that not on he Feast-Day, lest they should cause an Uproar among the People. In the mean Time Satan entred the Heart of Judas Iscariot, that covetous Apostle, who, being a Thief, kept the Mony of Jesus Christ, and inspired him with a detestable Reso­lution to betray and sell his Master. This Trai­tor therefore goes to the Priests and Rulers, and saith unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him into your Hands? This Proposition did please them wonderfully, and they promised to give him Thirty Pieces of Silver, which comes to about Three Pounds and Fifteen Shillings of our Mony; Which Sum he accepted: From that Time he sought Opportunity to betray him. This Jesus warned his Disciples of, Ye know that with­in Two Days is the Feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man shall be delivered up to the Jews, to be Crucified.

XXI. What was the Jewish Passover.

The Passover was the greatest and most solemn of all the Jewish Festivals,Exod. 12. and God himself ap­pointed it, as a notable Remembrance of the Fa­vours he had done for his People; and as a sen­sible Sign of those that he further intended to do for all Mankind, by the Death of his Son. The Word Pascha signifies a Passage; and if we would understand why this Name was given to that So­lemnity, we must call to Mind the manner how the Israelites were delivered out of Aegypt, and from the Slavery of Pharaoh. God, that he might ob­lige that Prince to free his People, sent several Plagues upon him and his Kingdom, and particu­larly slew all the First-Born in Aegypt, both of Man and Beast: But that the Jews might not be [Page 174] involved in this Massacre, which was intended on­ly to work their Deliverance, they were ordered by Moses from God to do these Things. On the Tenth Day of the Moon in March, they took eve­ry one an He-Lamb, according to their Families, without Blemish or Spot, which they Sacrific'd on the Full-Moon of the same Month, at Even, and struct the Blood of it upon the Lintel and Two Side-posts of their Houses. The same Night they eat the Flesh roasted with Fire, in haste, with un­leavened Bread and bitter Sauces, having their Garments guirded and trussed up, their Shoes on their Feet, and a Staff in their Hands, as being ready to depart. In this Night, which was from the Fourteenth to the Fifteenth Day of the Moon in March, God laid this heavy Judgment upon all Aegypt, in slaying all the First-born; and because he passed over all the Houses of the Israelites, which he saw dyed with the Blood of the Lamb, which had been sacrificed the Night before, he would have this Lamb called by the Name of Pascha, or Passover. The Aegyptians seeng this Slaughter, urged the Jews to be gone themselves, who being ready to depart, as we have already seen, went out of that Country, carrying the Dough along with them, which they had not Time to leaven. In remembrance of this miraculous De­liverance, God commanded them to celebrate a great Feast every Year, called the Passover, that they might have it, as a Monument of this Passage of the Lord; and he enjoyned them, during this Solemnity, which was to continue Seven Days, That they should eat unleavened Bread, and should begin on the Fourteenth Day of the Moon of March, in the Evening, to Sacrifice and Eat the Lamb, in remembrance of their Deliverance out of Aegypt. This Evening, which began the Feast of Passover, was called the First Day of Unleaven­ed [Page 175] Bread, and the Name of Passover was given equally to the Lamb that was eaten, and to the Solemnity which began with the Sacrifice of that Lamb: Whence it comes to pass, that we often meet with such Expressions as these in the Gospel, to Eat, Sacrifice and Keep the Passover. As the Bondage of Aegypt, from which God delivered the Jews, was a Figure of Man's Slavery to Sin, from which he was about to free Men, so the Lamb, whose Blood saved the Israelites, is a Figure of Jesus Christ, who is called, The True Passover, be­cause 'tis by his Blood that we are truly redeem­ed: And for this Reason it is, that he would dye at the Passover, to fulfil by his Sacrifice the great Mysteries which were represented by all the Jew­ish Ceremonies.

XXII. Jesus sups with his Disciples.

This great Feast of the Passover being near,Matth. 26.17-20 the Disciples asked their Master, Where he would eat the Passover? Jesus immediately sent Peter and John to Jerusalem, and tells them, That as soon as they are entred into the City, they should find a Man bearing a Pitcher of Water; let them fol­low him, and where-ever he enters, let them tell the Master of the House, That he intends to keep the Passover at his House with his Disciples; and he will shew you, saith he, a large upper Room, furnished and prepared, there prepare all Things necessary for us. Peter and John did as they were commanded, and in the Evening he came thither with his Twelves Apostles; where, at the Hour appointed, they sat down to eat the Paschal Lamb. He saith then to his Disciples, With much earnestness have I desired to eat this Passover with you, before I suffer; for I say unto you, That I will not eat any more thereof, till it be fulfilled in [Page 176] the Kingdom of God, i. e. in Heaven, where not only the Passover, but also all the other Mysteries shall have a full accomplishment. Then he taketh a Cup, and giving Thanks, said to them, Take this and divide it among you, for I say unto you, That I will not drink any more of the Fruit of the Vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come.

XXIII. Jesus washes his Disciples Feet.

John 13.1-15.From this Time Jesus had his Death continually in his Thoughts, which seems to have been appoint­ed at this Feast of the Passover, which signifies a Passage, to put him in Mind that his Hour was come, wherein he was to pass out of this World to his Father. He knew that the Devil had put into the Heart of Judas Iscariot a Design to betray him; but before he was delivered into the Hands of his Enemies, he was desirous to give his Disci­ples, whom he had always loved, and would love unto the end, a signal Testimony of his Love; wherefore he riseth from the Table, layeth aside his Garments, takes a Towel, pours Water into a Ba­son, and knowing that his Father had given all Things into his Hands, and that he was come from God and went to God, he goes about to wash his Apostles Feet, and to wipe them with the Towel he had about him: Peter could not endure this great Debasement of his Master, and says unto him in a Surprize, Why wilt thou wash my Feet, Lord? And although Jesus answered him, Thou knowest not now what I do, but thou shalt know afterward; yet he still asserted, Thou shalt never wash my Feet. But because his Master told him, That if he washed him not, he should have no part in him, he chose rather to see him do so mean an Office than be separated from him, and therefore replyed, Lord, not only my Feet, but my Hands and [Page 177] my Feet. Jesus said unto him, He that hath been washed already, hath no need to wash any part of him but his Feet; and ye are clean, but not all: Under which Exception he marked out Judas, who being his Disciple should betray him. This Answer makes it credible, that Jesus did wash his Apostles Feet, not only to give them a signal Example of his Hu­mility, but to shew us, that although we are puri­fied by Baptism, yet in this Life we have conti­nual need to cleanse our Affections, which are dai­ly engaged in Human Affairs; in the same manner as our Feet, how clean soever the rest of our Body is, do continually gather Soil and Filth, and there­fore only need washing. After he had washed his Apostles Feet, he took his Garments, and sitting down at the Table, he saith unto them, Know ye what I have done unto you? ye call me Lord and Master, and 'tis reasonable you should, for so I am; if I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your Feet, ye also ought to wash one anothers Feet: For I have given you an Example, that ye may consider upon it, and do as I have done unto you.

XXIV. Jesus appoints the Eucharist, and foretells Judas's Treachery.

After this they again returned to their Supper,Matth. 26.26-29 Mark 14.22-25 Luke 22.19-29 1 Cor. 11.23-25 which being almost ended, Jesus, who having washed their Feet, had, as it were, prepared them for the Sacrament, which he intended to institute at the same Time; wherefore he took Bread, blessed it, by giving of Thanks, brake it, and gave it to them, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise he took the Cup, gave Thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this, for this is my Blood, the Blood of the New Testa­ment, which is shed for many, for the Remission of [Page 178] Sins: Joyn this also with the Bread, in remem­brance of me.

Matth. 26.20-25 Mar. 14.18-21 Luke 22.21-23 John 13.21-32.Jesus then suffered himself to fall into a Trou­ble and Discomposure of Mind, either at the Pro­spect of the Death which he was shortly to under­go, or at the Thoughts of the monstrous perfide­ousness of Judas, and said unto the Apostles, Ve­rily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you, who sitteth at Table and eateth with me, shall betray me: These Words not only astonished them, but griev­ed them all, and every one began to say, Is it I, Lord? He answered them, One of you Twelve, that dippeth with me in the Dish, shall betray me. Instead, the Son of Man goeth to suffer Death, according as it is appointed concerning him in Holy Scripture, but wo unto that Man by whom he is be­trayed, it were better for that Man that he had ne­ver been born. They knew not who it was of whom he spake, and therefore questioned among themselves who it was. Peter seeing John, who was the beloved Disciple, leaning upon Jesus's Breast, beckened to him, to ask Jesus who it was of whom he spake: Jesus then answered him, He it is to whom I shall give a Sop, when I have dipped it. Judas then boldly asked his Master, Is it I? Jesus said, Yes: And having dipped the Sop, gave it to him. When Judas had received the Sop, the Devil entred into him, to embolden him in the execution of that wicked Design, which he had in his Heart some Time before. Jesus then said un­to him, That thou dost, do quickly; whereupon Judas went out: But the rest of the Apostles knew not whither he went, supposing that Jesus had sent him to buy something, or bestow some Mony on the Poor, because it was he that carried the Purse. As soon as he was gone out, Jesus considering the Glory which his Father would gain by his Death, and which he himself should receive as the Reward [Page 179] of his humble Obedience, faith unto his Disciples; Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glori­fied in him; and if God be glorified in him▪ God will also glorify him in himself, and will streight­way glorify him. Then they sung an Hymn, and rose from the Table, to go to the Mount of Olives, where we have seen that Jesus went usually, at Night.

XXV. Jesus foretells S. Peter's Denial, and the Apostles Flight.

Jesus having thus discoursed of his Glory,Matth. 26.30-35. Mark 14.27-31. Luke 22.31 38. John 13.33-38 rai­sed a fresh Contention among his Disciples, Who of them shall be accounted greatest, and have the greatest Share in it. Jesus checks their Ambition, by repeating what he had said to them long before, That it shall not be so with you as it is with Kings, who rule over their Subjects with Authority, but that the greatest among them should be as the least, just as he, who was their Master had been among them; little, not as he that sits at Table, but as he that serveth. He then tells them, That since they had held firm to him in all his Persecutions, he would prepare for them a Kingdom, as his Father had prepared one for himself: But he adds, That Satan had desired to sift them as Wheat is sifted, i. e. to tempt them, that he may make them fall: And he said to Peter, I have prayed for you that your Faith fail not; and when thou art converted, i. e. recovered from thy Fall, strengthen thy Brethren. Then turning to them all, he tells unto them, That he had but a little Time to be with them; That he went whither they could not come; but he commanded them to love one another, as he had loved them, because by this Love they should be known to be his Disciples. [Page 180] Hereupon, S. Peter asked him, Whither he would go? Jesus answered, Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards. He replyed, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? Jesus explains himself further, saying to his Apo­stles, All of you shall be offended because of me, this Night; for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the Flock shall be scatter'd; but after that I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered him, Although all Men should be offended, yet will not I be offended, for I am rea­dy to go with thee into Prison and unto Death; yea, I will lay down my Life for thy Sake. Jesus answer­ed, Wilt thou lay down thy Life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, That, this Night, before the Cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. Pe­ter asserted it more passionately, That he would not deny him, though he dyed for him: And all the Disciples said the same, consulting the present Sentiments of their Hearts, more than their own Weakness, which was throughly known to Christ. Jesus then ask'd them, Whether they wanted any thing, when he sent them without Purse, or Scrip, or Shoes? And when they answered him No, he said to them, But now, he that hath a Purse or a Scrip, let him take it, and he that hath no Sword, let him sell his Garment and buy one. In which figurative Language he describes the Greatness of the Perse­cution, which they must shortly undergo, that it should be so violent, that if they fly to such ordina­ry means, as are usually made use of, they must sell their very Garments to provide Arms for their Defence; For I say unto you, adds he, that this must be accomplished, Isai. 53. [...]2. which is written of me, He was reckoned among the Transgressors. They who took his Words in the literal Sense, That they must sell their Garments and buy one, said unto him; We have here Two Swords; but because [Page 181] he understood them in another Sense, he an­swered, 'Tis enough.

XXVI. Jesus comforts his Apostles.

It was almost impossible but that all these Pre­dictions of his approaching Death would much trouble his Apostles; which when he saw,John 14.1-31. he com­forted them, saying; That they should not be troubled, but believe in him; That they knew, that if he went before them, to prepare a Place for every one of them, in his Fathers House, he would come again and take them to himself. Then he says, Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how should we know the Way? Jesus replyed, That he himself is the Way, the Truth and the Life; that they must go to God by him; and that if they knew him, they would know his Father also. Upon this Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. But Jesus answered him, Have I been so long with thee, and hast thou not known me? And then adds, That in seeing him, we see the Father, because he is in the Father, and the Father in him, which they might have discerned by the Miracles which they had seen him do; assuring them, at the same time, That they that believe in him shall do the same Wonders, and greater than they, because whatso­ever they ask of God, his Father, in his Name, it shall be done to them.

Then he promises them, that he will by his Pray­ers obtain another Comforter for them, which should be the Spirit of Truth, which the World can­not receive because it knoweth him not; That he will not leave them Comfortless, but will come un­to them; That they shall see him when the World seeth him not (which happened after his Resur­rection, [Page 182] for he appeared to none but own Disci­ples) That he will one Day shew them, that he is in his Father, because he will discover himself to those that love him, and shew evident Signs of his Love, by receiving and keeping his Commandments. Judas ask'd him, Why he would discover himself to them, and not unto the World? He answered him, If any Man love me, he will keep my Com­mandments; and my Father will love him; and we will come unto him, and make our Abode with him: He that loveth me not, keepeth not my Command­ments. He enlarges no farther upon Judas's Que­stion. but leaves us to infer from his Answer, That the Reason why he doth not discover himself to the World. i. e. the Lovers of the World, is, because the World neither loves nor keeps his Com­mandments. He adds, That the Doctrin, which he had taught them, was his Fathers; and that the Holy Spirit would make them understand and re­member all the Truths which he had taught them. Lastly, to confirm them afresh, he tells them, That he gives his Peace to them, that they may not be troubled; That if they loved him they would re­joce that he returned to his Father, who is grea­ter than himself, as he was Man. That he fore­told them what should come to pass, that when it comes to pass, they may believe on him that hath foretold it; That he will speak but little here­after to them, because the Prince of this World, i. e. the Devil, is coming, i. e. is about to compass his Death by the Hands of the Jews, tho' he had Pow­er over him, because he was guilty of no Sin; but, as he goes on, That the World may know that I love my Father, and do that which he hath commanded. Arise and let us go hence.

XXVII. Jesus gives his Apostles several Precepts.

Jesus knowing that his Death,Jo. 15.1-27 which he was to suffer in Obedience to his Fathers Will, was nigh, was unwilling to lose that little time which he had with his Apostles, and therefore made use of it in Instructing them, and sowing that Seed in their Hearts, which the Holy Spirit would make to increase in his due time. He tells them there­fore, that they were Holy and Pure, because they had receiv'd the Doctrin of the Gospel; but that they may bring forth the Fruit, which the Gospel requires of them that receive it, they must abide in him, as the Branches of the Vine abide in the Body of it, without which they cannot bare Grapes; That his Father is Glorified, when his Disciples bring forth much Fruit; and that he will one day cut and cast into the Fire those, who bear no Fruit, as the Vine-dresser cuts off, and burns the dry and dead Branches of the Vine; That the Fruit, which he expected of them, is the Love, which they ought to have one for ano­ther, imitating their Master, who gave his Life for his Enemies themselves; That they have not chosen him, but he had chosen them to bring forth continuing Fruit, and that he had not used them, as Slaves, but Friends, in teaching them, what he himself had learned from his Father: That in choo­sing them to follow him, he had taken them from the World, and so not being of the World, they must expect to be Hated and Persecuted, as he himself was.

That they shall be cast out of the Synagogues;John 16.1-33▪ yea, men shall think they honour God, and do a Work acceptable to him, when they put them to Death; and that they shall be thus treated by those, that neither know the Father, nor the Son that he hath [Page 184] sent: That he hath told them these things before they come to pass, that when they come to pass, they may remember that he hath foretold them, and by remembring them, he might encourage and fortify them, that they may not faint under the most Violent Persecution.

These Truths the Apostles heard with silence, as if they were much afflicted, and astonished at the loss of their Master Jesus Christ: He told them, that he was going to him that sent him, and none of them asked, whither he went, but were only troubled at it. He mildly reproves this their si­lence, and to comfort them, he tells them, it was for their Interest that he should go away, because he could not send the Spirit, who is the Comfor­ter till after his departure from them: That when this Comforter is come, he will convince the World, and Principally the Jews of Sin, in not believing in him, whom God hath sent to save them; of Righteousness and Justice, either of Jesus Christ, which was manifest by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension, or of the Faithful, who have believed in him, and have not seen him, whom the Jews having seen, have not believed on him: That he will convince the World of the Judgment, and Condemnation of the Prince of this World, i. e. the Devil, whose Kingdom hath been destroyed by Jesus Christ, and of whose punishment all those shall fall into, who will not free themselves from his Slavery and Bon­dage, that they may submit to the Command and Power of Christ: That this same Spirit of Truth, shall make the Apostles understand all the Truths, that they have heard, and shall teach them those Doctrins, which he could not instruct them in, because they were not able to bear them.

Then he adds, Yet a little while and ye shall see me no more; and again, a little while and ye shall see me, because I go to my Father. His Disciples [Page 185] did not understand the meaning of these Words, but asked one another what he intended by them, and were desirous to ask him himself. Jesus perceiving this, tells them, that they shall weep, but the World shall rejoyce. But yet as a Woman, who in the Time of her Travel hath great sorrow, but forgetteth all her Trouble and Pains as soon as she is Delivered, for Joy that a Man-Child is born into the World: In like manner they shall be in Sorrow for a Time, but he will soon return to them again, and then their Sorrow shall be changed into Joy, which no Man can take away from them. The Apostles saw this prediction accomplished in a short time after, for they bewailed his Death, while his E­nemies rejoyced at it; but at the end of Three Days they were filled with Joy to see him risen from the Dead, and the Jews were much ashamed, and enraged to see him Worshipped as a God, whom they had Crucified as a Vile Malefactor, and whose Memory they had endeavoured to ex­tinguish from the Sons of Men.

After this he promises them two things. The First was, that after his Resurrection he would nor speak to them in Proverbs and Parables, as he had done hitherto, but would speak to them plainly of the Fa­ther, that they should need no explication, of what he should say to them. The Second was, That they should pray to the Father in his Name, which they had not yet done, and should obtain whatso­ever they petition'd of him. At that time, saith he, ye shall ask in my Name, and I need not promise you, that I will pray my Father for you, for my Father himself Loveth you, because ye have Lo­ved me, and have believed, that I am come from God: I am come, i. e. born eternally of God, and am come into the World; again I leave the World, and go unto my Father.

The Apostles thought that they understood these [Page 186] last words perfectly, and therefore said unto him, Now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no Proverbs. And for that reason believed, that he was come from God. He answered them, Ye now believe, but the Hour is coming, yea is already come, that ye shall be scattered, and shall leave me alone; but I am not alone, for my Father is with me: These things have I said unto you, that ye might have Peace in me; Ye shall have afflictions in the World, but be of good chear, I have overcome the World.

XXVIII. Jesus's Prayer to his Father.

Jesus having given his Disciples all these Instru­ctions,John 17 1-26. lift up his Eyes to Heaven, and praying to his Father, said, My Father the hour is come, glo­rify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee. And as thou hast given him power over all flesh, so he hath given to as many as thou hast given him, Eternal Life, which consists in the knowledge of thee, the true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on Earth, I have finished the Work, which thou hast given me to do. And now, O Fa­ther, glorifie me with thy self, with that Glory which I had with thee, before the World was.

He then prays for the Apostles, which his Fa­ther had given him, and who having received his Word, had believed that he came from God, and that he had sent him; and since he left them in the World, he commends them to his Father, not to take them out of the World by Death, but to pre­serve them from Sin. He had kept them all in his Fathers Name, and had lost but One, viz. Judas. He had separated them from the World, and be­cause they had not the Spirit of the VVorld, the VVorld hated them, wherefore he prays his Father to keep them, and Sanctify them by his VVord, which is Truth it self, offering himself a Sacrifice [Page 187] for them, that he might obtain that favour for them. He also recommedns all those to God, who should believe in his Name thro' the Preaching of his Apostles, and prays for such an Admirable Union among them, as makes all Christians One, being united together in God by his Charity, as the Fa­ther, who is in the Son, and Son, who is in the Father, are by one Nature. O Father, adds he, I pray that where I am, those whom thou hast given me, may also be, that they may behold my Glory. And he concludes this Admirable Prayer with these words, Holy Father the World hath not known thee, but I have known thee; these have known that I have sent thee; I have declared unto them thy Name, and will declare it, that they may have that love among them, with which thou hast loved me, and that I may be also my self among them.

XXIX. The Agony of Christ in the Garden upon the Mount of Olives.

Jesus having finished the former Prayer,Matth. 26.36-46. Mark 14.26-42. Luke 22:39-46. Jo. 18.1. went on his Journey towards the Mount of Olives, and passing over the Brook Cedron, which runs between Jerusalem, and this Mountain, went with his Dis­ciples into a Garden, called Gethsemani. Here he commanded them to stay, till he went and Prayed a little distance from it, and in the mean time to pray themselves, that they be not delive­red over to temptation. Jesus then taking with him, Peter, and James, and John, began to be sei­zed with fear, trouble, and grief, and said unto them, My Soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto Death, tarry ye here and watch with me. Then de­parting from them about a Stones cast, he threw himself upon the Earth; and as he was willing for the Consolation of his Disciples to endure all the Passions, which Nature ordinarily stirs up, at the [Page 188] approaches of Death, so he was desirous by his Example to teach them what to do in that Estate. Thro' the voluntary perception of the infirmities of the flesh, he Prayed his Father to save him from that Hour, wherein he had declared him to suffer Death; but thro' the Motion of a Spirit, full of Submission and Charity, he corrected those first Motions, and yielded entirely to the Will of his Father, saying, My Father, My Father, all things are possible with thee, remove this Cup from me; nevertheless not mine, but thy Will be done. Ha­ving thus prayed, he arose, and went to his Dis­ciples, whom he found asleep, their Hearts being filled with sorrow; wherefore speaking to Peter, he reproved him, Simon sleepest thou? and then he said to all of them, What, could ye not Watch one hour with me? Watch and Pray, that ye enter not into Temptation: The Spirit is ready▪ but the flesh is weak. As if he had said, The Spirit would not be afraid of Death, and ye believe, that ye have strength enough to contemn it; but the weakness of the flesh makes such a strong resistance against the Spirit, that it will easily conquer it, unless you beg the Divine grace to support you against the fears of Death. Having said thus, he returned a­gain to his Prayers, and said to God, My Father, If this Cup may not pass from me, unless I drink it, Thy Will be done. Then he returned again to his Disciples, and finding them so sleepy, that they knew not what to answer him, he went again to his Prayers a Third time. St. Luke tells us, that there came an Angel from Heaven to him, to streng­then him, and that the Agony, in which he was, i. e. the conflict that he had in himself between the Flesh, which dissuaded him from suffering, and the Spirit, which was willing to submit to the Will of God, caused such a violent disturbance in [Page 189] his Body, that there issued from it a Swet, which fell down to the Earth like drops of Blood.

Then he went a Third time to find his Apostles, and saying unto them by way of Reproof, and Irony, That they might now sleep on and take their rest, because his time was come; He tells them in good earnest, That the time was come that the Son of Man shall be delivered into the Hands of Sinners. Arise therefore, saith he, Let us go hence; behold he that betrayeth me is at hand.

XXX. The Apprehension of Jesus.

Jesus had scarcely said these words,Matth. 26.47-56. Mark 14.43-52. Luke 22.47-53. John 18.2-11. but Judas Iscariot came with a Band of Soldiers and Offi­cers, which the Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, and Ru­lers had sent to take him. They were Armed with Swords and Staves, and had Lanthorns and Tor­ches with them, because it was Night; and be­cause they knew not him, whom they had Orders to Seize. Judas told them, That it is he, whom he shall Kiss: Take him and carry him away safely. He then came to Jesus, and saying to him, Hail Master, he gave him a Kiss, which was the Sign he had given them to make him to be taken by them. Jesus said no more to him, but these words, Friend, why are you come hither? What, Judas! Dost thou betray the Son of Man with a Kiss?

Jesus then immediately goes to the Soldiers, whom Judas had brought, and asked them, Whom they sought? They answered, Jesus of Nazareth: He saith to them, I am He; And immediately they went back and fell to the Earth. Then again he asked them, Whom seek ye? They answered again, Jesus of Nazareth; he said, I have told you already, That I am He, and if ye seek me, Let these Men go, which he spoke of his Disciples, that he might fulfil his Words spoken in his Prayer to his Father, [Page 190] of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then he resigned himself to the power of his Ene­mies, who layd Hands on him and took him. His Disciples seeing this, asked him, Whether they should make use of the Sword to defend him? and Peter drawing his, Smote Malchus, one of the High-Priests Servants, and cut off his right Ear. But Jesus commanded his Disciples to be quiet, and Touching Malchus's Ear, healed it, saying to Pe­ter, Put up thy Sword into the Sheath, for all that use the Sword shall perish by the Sword. Shall not I drink the Cup which my Father hath given me to drink of? Think ye not, that I am able to pray to my Father, and he shall send me immediately more than Twelve Legions of Angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be?

Then he speaks to them, who came to take him, and saith, Ye are come Armed with Swords and Staves to take me, as if I were a Thief; I conversed every day among you, and taught in the Temple, Why did you not apprehend me then? But this is your Hour, and the Power of Darkness, and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Then all his Disciples forsook him, and fled, only one Young Man followed him, ha­ving nothing but a Linnen Garment upon him; but the Soldiers laying hold upon him, he left his Lin­nen Garment, and fled from them Naked.

XXXI. Jesus is Carryed to Caiphas's Palace.

Matth. 26.57-68. Mark 14.53-65. Luke 22.54-65. John 18.12-14.They that had taken Jesus, bound him, and led him first to Annas, who was Father-in-Law to Cai­aphas, and Annas sent him back again to Caiaphas, who was High-Priest that Year, and who had told the Jews, that it was expedient that one Man should dye for all the People. At his House all the Priests, Scribes, and Elders were met, who asked him concerning his Disciples, and his Doctrin, Je­sus [Page 191] answered them, I speak publickly to all the People; I always Taught in the Synagogue, and in the Temple where all the Jews assemble for Worship, and in secret have I said nothing. Why do ye ask me? Ask them that heard me, they know what I have Taught. At these words one of the Officers, which were there, smote him on the Cheek, saying, Answerest thou the High-Priest so? Jesus replyed, If I have spoken amiss, shew me the Evil I have spoken; but if I have spoken well, why smitest thou me?

In the mean time the whole Council sought false Witness against Jesus to put him to Death, but could find none strong enough, altho' several Wit­nesses came, and Testified several Things. At last came Two, who accused him, for saying, That he would destroy the Temple and re-build another in three Days, which should not be like the First made by Mans Hands; But this Testimony was not sufficient. Nevertheless Caiphas rising up in the middle of the Assembly, said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing to that, which these Men Testify against thee? But because he made no Answer to this Question, he put another to him, in which they all joyned; If thou art the Christ tell us plainly? He answered them, If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you a Question, ye will not Answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of Man shall sit on the Right Hand of the Power of God, Whereupon they replyed, Art thou the Son of God? And he said un­to them, Ye have said that I am.

The High-Priest himself, asked him also the same Question, and adjured him by the living God, to tell them, Whether he were the Christ, the Son of God? Jesus repeated the Answer, Thou hast said it, I am He, and added, That they shall one day see him coming upon the Clouds of Heaven, and sitting at the Right Hand of God. The High-Priest, hea­ring [Page 192] this, rent his Cloaths, saying, He hath Blas­phemed, what need we any further Witness? Ye have heard the Blasphemy your selves, what do you judge of it? They answered, That he is wor­thy of Death, and they condemn'd him immediately: Then they did spit in his Face, Smote him in derisi­on, blinded his Eyes, and some gave him blows with their Fists, saying, in Mockery O Christ, Pro­phecy, who it is, that smote thee! To these insul­ting Speeches, they added many other abuses and Blasphemies.

XXXII. Peter denyeth Jesus Christ.

Matth. 26.69-75. Mark 14.66-72. Luke 22.54-62. John 18.25-27.VVhile Jesus passed the Night with the High-Priest, being Treated in so outrageous a manner, the People of the House, and those that took him, were below in the Hall; when they had made a Fire, and warmed themselves, Peter also warmed him­self with them; for following his Master afar off, to see what would befal him, he met with a Dis­ciple, who was known to Caiphas's Family, and had desired the Maid-Servant that kept the Door, to let him into the Hall. A short time after coming to the place, where the Servants were warming themselves, the same Servant saw Peter, sitting at the Fire with the other Servants, and looking se­riously upon him, knew him, and said aloud, This Man was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And after said to himself, Art not thou one of his Disciples? But he denyed before them all, and answered her, Woman, I know him not, I am none of his Disciples, nor do I know what thou sayest. After this he went out of the Palace into the Porch, and the Cock Crew. As he was going out another Servant, seeing him said to those that stood by, This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter returned and sea­ted himself near the Fire, where some asked him, [Page 193] If he were one of Jesus's Disciples? But he denyed it a Second time, and swore that he knew him not. About an Hour after, another Officer of the High-Priests, and Malchus's Kinsman, whose Ear Peter had cut off, bodly asserted, pointing to Peter, that he was a Galilean, and one of Jesus's followers, and speaking to him, said, Wast not thou with this Man in the Garden? Others also coming in at the same instant, said to him, Thou art certainly one of his company, for thy very speech discovers it suffici­ently, that thou art a Galilean. Then Peter deny'd it a Third Time with cursing and swearing, and said with solemn protestations, I know not what thou speakest of to me, nor what ye say: And imme­diately the Cock Crow'd again a Second Time. Jesus then looking upon Peter, brought to his mind, what he had foretold of him; and presently he went out and Wept bitterly for his Sin. St. Au­stin observes, that Jesus being above Stairs, bound, and in the Hands of his Enemies, could not with his Bodily Eyes, see his Disciple, who was be­low in the Hall: so that this Aspect, which the E­vangelist speaks of, was an Aspect of Mercy, and a secret Motion of Grace, which open'd St. Peters Eyes to discover his own fault, and which molli­fied his Heart to make him atone for his Sins by his Tears.

XXXIII. The Despair of Judas.

In the Morning, they that had condemned Jesus to Death, having thought upon all ways,Matth. 27.1-10. how they might put their Sentence in Execution, resolv'd to deliver him to Pontius Pilate, the Governour of Judaea, so Constituted by the Romans. When Ju­das, who had betray'd him, saw that he was Condemned, he repenting of what he had done, brought the Thirty Pieces of Silver, which he had [Page 194] received▪ to the Priests and Rulers again, and said unto them, I have sinned in betraying the Inno­cent Blood. They answered, What is that to us? See thou to That. But he casting the Money down in the Temple, went away and Hang'd himself. The Priests thought it not Lawful to put the Mo­ney into the Treasury, because it was the Price of Blood, and of a Mans Life. Wherefore they Bought the Potters Field to Bury Strangers in with it, which is therefore called The Field of Blood. (and in the Syriack Tongue Aceldama, Acts 1.19.) Thus was the Prophecy of Zechariah [...]exactly ful­filled,Zech. 11.13. That Jesus should be Sold for the Price of Thirty Pieces of Silver, and with it the Potters Field should be Bought.

XXXIV. Jesus is accused before Pilate.

John 18.28-38.The Priests and Rulers of the Jews carryed Je­sus Bound from the Palace of Caiphas to the Prae­torium, i. e. the Palace of the Roman Governour. But because they were afraid to go into an Hea­thens House, lest they should be defiled, and so be made unfit to eat the Passover, they would not go in; Insomuch that Pilate was forced to go out to them, and ask them, What they accused him of, that they had brought him to him? They answered him in general. If he were not a Malefactor, they would not have delivered him up unto him. The Governour said unto them, Take ye him and judge him according to the Rules of your Law: But they reply'd, That it was not Lawful for them to put any Man to Death. They pretended that the Romans had lately de­priv'd them of the Power of Condemning Men to Death; by which the Word of Jesus was accom­plish'd, which he spake to his Apostles, that he should be delivered to the Gentiles to be Cruci­fied.Matth. 20.19.

The Governour not being contented with these rambling Accusations,Matth. 27.11-14. Mark 15.2-5. Luke 23.1-5 John 18.33-38. which laid nothing special against him, whom they required to be put to Death, the Jews said unto him, That Jesus not only perverted the whole Nation, but forbid Pay­ing Tribute to Caesar, and assumed the Title of a King, and of the Messias. Pilate then returning into his Palace, and calling for Jesus, he ask'd him if he were the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thy self, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate replyed, Am I a Jew? The People of thy own Nation, and the Chief Priests have delivered thee to me: What hast thou done? Jesus answered him, My Kingdom is not of this World, if it were, my Disciples would fight to keep me out of the Hands of the Jews; but my Kingdom is not from hence. Art thou then a King? said the Gover­nour. Thou sayest it, replyed Jesus, that I am: For this End was I born, and for this End came I into the World, to give Testimony to the Truth: Every one that loves the Truth heareth my Voice. Pilate ask'd him, What is Truth? And having said these Words, he went to the Jews that attended about his Palace, to tell them, That he found no Fault with Jesus. Then the Priests and the Elders accu­sed him of several Crimes; but he answered no­thing, although Pilate said, Hearest thou not how many accusations they bring against thee? yet still he held his Peace, which greatly astonished this Governour.

XXXV. Jesus is contemned and scorned by Herod.

The Enemies of Jesus pressing him more fierce­ly [...] accused him of having stirred up the People by his Doctrin,Luke 23.5-12. which he hath taught throughout all Judea, beginning at Galilee. Pilate hearing them speak of Galilee, asked whether he belonged to [Page 196] that Province? and being informed that he was of it, and consequently of Herod's Jurisdiction, he sent him to that Prince, who was then at Jerusa­lem. Herod was very glad to see him, for he had a long Time desired it, having heard such great things spoken of him, and he hoped to see some Miracle done by him; wherefore he put many Questions to him, but Jesus answered nothing, nei­ther to them, nor the Accusations which the Priests and Scribes brought against him, and urged with great Vehemency. Herod being thus deceived in his Expectations, contemned Jesus, and derided him, and cloathing him in a white Raiment, sent him again to Pilate. This was the Cause that Herod and Pilate from that Time became Friends, who had been Enemies before.

XXXVI. A Thief is preferred before Jesus.

Matth. 27.15-23. Luke 23.13-23 John 18.39, 40. Pilate could not be brought to put a Man to Death, in whom he found nothing worthy of Death; wherefore he called the Priests, Rulers and People, and told them, That having examined Jesus before them, he did not find him guilty of any of those Crimes of which they accused him; and that Herod, to whom he had sent them, had passed the same Judgment: But to give place a little, to their Fury, because he knew, that for Envy and Hatred, only, they had delivered him to him, he propounded it to them, to Scourge him, and then let him go again.

This not being liked, he contrived another way to save him: He was obliged by Custom, upon the account of the Feast, to free a Criminal, whom the Jews would chuse, and all the People, who desired Jesus Death, were also very earnest with him, to shew them the same Favour he had always used to grant them. There was then in Prison a [Page 197] notable Thief, named Barabbas, who had been seiz­ed with other Seditious Persons, because he had committed Murther in the Sedition. Pilate there­fore thinking that if he propounded only Two, viz. Jesus and Barabbas, to chuse one of the Two, for whom he should do this Favour, they would prefer an Innocent Person before a Thief and a Murderer, saith unto them, I find no Fault in him, whom ye accuse: But since it is a Custom to release a Criminal at the Passover, whom will ye that I release unto you, Barabbas, or Jesus, which is called Christ?

There happened also another Thing about the same Time, which is no small Proof that the Go­vernour had a Design to save Jesus's Life; for as he was sirting upon the Judgment-Seat, his Wife sent one to bid him, Not to concern himself with this Just Man, because she had suffered Many Troubles in a Dream, because of him.

Then did Pilate do all that he was able to de­liver him from the Hands of his Enemies; and this was the Reason that he propounded him with Barabbas to the People: But the Priests and El­ders moved the People, and perswaded them to require his Favour for Barabbas, and that Jesus might be put to Death; so that when Pilate ask'd them a second Time, Which of the Two they would have him release to them? they all cryed out, Put this Man to death, and give us Barabbas. What would you have me do then, saith Pilate, with Jesus? The answered, Crucify him, Crucify him. He said to them the Third Time, What evil hath he done? I find nothing that deserves Death in him; I will Chastise him and let him go. But they were the more urgent, doubling their Cries, and requi­ring with a loud Voice, That he should be Cru­cified.

XXXVII. Jesus is Scourged, and Crowned with Thorns.

Matth. 27.26-30. Mark 15.15-19. Luke 23.25. John 19.1-7. Pilate then commanded, That Jesus should be scourged; and the Soldiers added several Insolen­cies, which they were not ordered; for they carried Jesus into the Common Hall, and gathering the whole Band of Soldiers about him, they pulled off his Garments, put him on a Scarlet Robe, and then made him a Crown of Thorns, woven to­gether, which they put upon his Head, with a Reed in his Hand: Afterward, in Derision, they saluted him, and, bowing the Knee, worshipp'd him, saying, Hail King of the Jews; and at the same Time they smote him with their Hands on his Cheek, and with a Reed on his Head, and spit in his Face. Pilate thought that the Jews could not behold him in this Condition without Pity, and he resolved to shew him to them; he therefore went once more out of his Palace, and told them, That he had brought him again to them, that they might know, that he had found no fault in him. Jesus then presently appeared, having the Crown of Thorns upon his Head, and cloath­ed with the Scarlet Robe; and Pilate said to the Jews, Behold the Man: But as soon as they saw him, they cryed out afresh, Crucify him, Crucify him. Pilate said to them, Take ye him and crucify him, for I find no fault in him: They an­swered him, We have a Law, according to which he ought to dye, because he made himself the Son of God.

XXXVIII. Pilate condemns Jesus.

This Cruelty and obstinate Malice of the Jews much amazed and affrighted the Governour;John 19▪ 8-15. where­fore he returned again into the Pretorium, and asked Jesus whence he was? And because he an­swered nothing, he said unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have Power to crucify thee, or release thee? Then Jesus answer­ed, Thou couldest have no Power at all against me, if it were not given thee from above by God; therefore they that delivered me unto thee, are guilty of a greater Sin than thy self. This Silence, and these Answers of Jesus, did not slacken the Go­vernours Endeavours to deliver him; but the Jews at last, through the timorousness of the Judge, gained their Desires, crying out, That if he did not punish a Man, who set up himself for a King, he was the Emperor's Enemy. As soon as Pilate heard these Words, he brought forth Jesus out of the Pretorium, and sat down on the Judgment-Seat, in a Place called Gabbatha, but in Greek Li­thostraton, i. e. a Place pav'd with Stone: Being there, he said, Behold your King; but they cryed out, Away with him, away with him, Crucify him. He answered them, Shall I Crucify your King? The Chief Priests answered, We have no other King but Caesar.

Pilate then seeing that he could prevail nothing,Matth. 27.24-26. Mar. 15.15 Luke 23.24, 25. Joh. 19.16 and that all his Attempts, he used to save Jesus, did but increase the Tumult, he called for Water, and washing his Hands before the People, he said to them, I am Innocent from the Blood of this Just Person, you must answer for it. Then all the People answered him, His Blood be upon us, and upon our Children. The Destruction of Jerusalem, which happened about Forty Years after this, and [Page 200] the dreadful Calamities which attended it, was the sad Accomplishment of this Curse, which these miserable Wretches pronounced against them­selves, in wishing that the Blood of Christ might fall upon their Heads: Nevertheless, they ob­tained their Desires, and Pilate not being able to oppose their Cries, released Barabbas, condemned Jesus, and delivered him to them, that they might Crucify him.

XXXIX. The Crucifixion of Jesus.

Matth. 27.31-38 Mark 15.20-28. Luke 23.26-33. John 19.16-22.Then they took Jesus, and pulling off the Scar­let Robe, put on his own Garments, and led him to the Place of Punishment, called Calvary, and in the Hebrew Tongue Golgotha, i. e. a Place of a Skull. The Cross, on which they intended to Crucify him, they laid upon him; but as soon as they came out of Jerusalem, meeting a Man of Cyrene, called Simon, in the Way, they laid it upon his Shoulders, and compelled him to carry it after Jesus. Among that Throng of Enemies, who re­joyced to see him, whom they hated so wrongfully, carried to Execution, there were a great Multitude of Men and Women, which followed the Son of God weeping, and smiting their Breasts; But Je­sus turning to them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for your selves and for your Children; for the Time is coming when ye shall ac­count the barren Womb, which never bore Children, and the Breast that never gave suck, happy: Then shall they begin to say to the Mountains, Fall on us, and to the Hills to cover us, for if the green Wood be thus us'd, what shall the dry be? i. e. If an Innocent Person be thus cruelly punished and cha­stised, what must such Criminals as you expect? It is plain that Jesus foretold to these Women what should happen in the Siege of Jerusalem; where

[Page] [Page 201] the Jews would gladly have been covered with the Mountains, to secure them from the Fury of their Enemies; and when those who had no Children, were to be accounted far more happy than those who had the Trouble to see their Children either devoured, or perish with Hunger before their Eyes.

As soon as they came to Calvary, they gave Jesus Wine, mingled with Myrrhe and Gall; but when he had tasted of it, he would not drink. It is said, That it was a Custom among the Jews, to give such Malefactors as were to suffer Death, a certain compound Wine, to support their Spirits in their Tortures; but they gave Jesus a Bitter Wine to increase his Sufferings. After this they nailed him upon the Cross, between Two Malefa­ctors, who were carried along with him, and Cru­cified on each Side of him, according to Isaiah's Prophecy; He was numbred among the Transgressours.

Pilate also wrote a Superscription,Isai. 53.12 containing the Cause of the Condemnation of Jesus; and it was fixed on the Top of the Cross, above his Head: And it was in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, in these Words, JESƲS OF NAZA­RETH, KING OF THE JEWS. The Chief Priests were offended at it, and prayed Pilate, Not to write, The King of the Jews, but, That he pretended himself to be King of the Jews: But Pilate answered them, What I have written I have written.

XL. Jesus's Words upon the Cross.

When Jesus was fixed upon the Cross,Matth. 27.39-47 Mark 15.27-35. he pray­ed for his Persecutors, to God, saying; My Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. The Soldiers also, which crucified him, took his Garments, and dividing them into Four Parts, to each Soldier a Part, cast Lots to know which each of them should take. They also took his [Page 202] Coat, but because it was without Seam, being all woven from Top to the Bottom,Luke 23.39-45 John 19.23-27. instead of Cut­ting of it, they agreed to cast Lots, whose it should be; and so they fulfilled the Prophecy of the Psalmist, They parted my Garments among them, and upon my Vesture did they cast Lots.

In the mean time the People, which stood about the Cross,Psal. 22.18. looking upon Jesus, mocked him: Those also that passed by blasphemed and affronted him, nodding their Heads and saying, Thou that destroyest the Temple of God, and hast Power to build it again in Three Days, save thy self, if thou art the Son of God, and come down from the Cross. The Chief Priests, Scribes and Rulers likewise deri­ded him among themselves, saying; He saved others, himself he cannot save; if he be indeed the King of Israel, the Christ, the Chosen of God, let him come now from the Cross, and we will believe on him; he put his Confidence in God, if God hath such a Love for him, as he seemed to pretend to, by calling himself the Son of God, let God deliver him. The Soldiers also, who stood by the Cross to guard him, did insult over him, as well as others, say­ing, Save thy self, if thou art the King of the Jews. One of the Thieves also, who was Crucified with him, used the same Language, If thou art the Christ, save thy self and us; but the other re­proved him in these Terms: Dost not thou fear God, since thou art Condemned to the same Punishment, and that justly? for we suffer no more than our Crimes deserve: But this Man hath done nothing amiss: Then he addresses himself to Jesus, and saith unto him, Lord, remember me when thou com­est into thy Kingdom. Jesus answered him, Verily, I say unto thee, this Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, i. e. in a Place of Rest, where the Souls of the Saints are, which that Day was, indeed, a delicious Paradise, by reason of Christ's Presence in it.

Among the great Number of People, which stood about the Cross, there were several Women who were come out of Galilee with Jesus, and had ministred to him of their Substance. All his Ac­quaintance also were there, who beheld afar off what passed; but the Holy Virgin, Mary Magda­len, and the other Mary, stood by the Cross, and John the Son of Zebedee stood by the Holy Virgin. When Jesus therefore saw his Mother, and the Disciple whom he loved, standing by her, he saith unto her, Woman behold thy Son, and look upon him with the Kindness of a Mother; and then he said to his Disciple, Behold thy Mother, and reverence her, and take Care of her as such. From that Time this Virgin Mother, say the Fathers, dwelt with the Virgin Disciple, to whose Care her Son had recommended her: And we need not wonder, saith S. Ambrose, that this Apostle hath delivered such great Mysteries of Religion so divinely, since he had with him the Sacred Temple, wherein the Author of all these Mysteries was conceived.

It was about Noon, when Jesus was fastned to the Cross, and soon after the Sun was darkned, and the Air was filled with Darkness for Three Hours. About the Third Hour Jesus cryed with a loud Voice, Eli, Eli, Lamma Sabacthani, i. e. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that were present, hearing him say, Eli, Eli, and being ignorant of the Hebrew Tongue, in which these Words signify, My God, my God, thought he had called the Prophet Elias to help him.

XLI. The Death of Jesus.

Jesus had done and suffered all that was foretold of him in Scripture, and there was nothing to be ful­filled, but the Words of the Psalmist, They gave me Gall to Eat, and when I was Thirsty, They gave [Page 204] me Vinegar to drink. That therefore nothing might be unperformed which his Father had Command­ed,Psalm 69.21. Matth. 27.50-54. Mark 15.37-39. Luke 23.46-49. John 19.28-37. he said, I Thirst. And immediately one of the Soldiers ran and took a Spunge, and dipping it in a Vessel of Vinegar, which stood by, put it upon a Reed, gave him it to drink, saying, stay, let us see whether Elias will come and take him down from the Cross. Jesus having received the Vinegar, said, All is ac­complished. And then crying out again a Second Time, he said, Father, I commend my Soul into thy Hands; and when he had said these words, He bowed down his Head, and gave up the Ghost.

At the same time the Vail of the Temple was rent in twain, from the Top to the Bottom, the Earth trembled, the Rocks rent, and the Graves were opened, and as soon as Jesus rose from the Dead, many Dead Bodies of Saints arose, and appeared to ma­ny Persons in Jerusalem.

So many Prodigies affrighted the Captain and Soldiers, which Guarded Jesus, and in the Fright they cryed out, Certainly this Man was the Son of God. All the People which were present, and beheld this Sight, were not less affected than they; so that all returned smiting their Breasts.

Nevertheless the Jews not being willing, that the Body of Jesus, and the Two Thieves, which were Crucified with him, should remain on the Cross on the Sabbath-day, desired Pilate that their Leggs might be broke, and that they might be ta­ken down. Then the Soldiers came, and brake the Leggs of the Two Thieves, but coming to Je­sus they found him already Dead, and therefore instead of breaking his Leggs, one of them pier­ced his Side with a Spear, and immediately there issued out Blood and Water, so that two Prophesies were thereby fulfilled together,Zech. 12.10. They shall look upon him, whom they have Pierced; and another speaking [Page 205] of the Paschal Lamb, which was a Type of Jesus Christ. A Bone of him shall not be broken. Exod. 12.46.

XLII. The Burial of Jesus.

Among the Disciples of Jesus there was a Man of great Wealth and Honour, born in Arimathaea, Matth. 27.57-66. Mark 15.42-47. Luke 23.50-56. John 19.38-42. a City of Judaea, named Joseph. It is true he was a Disciple only in secret, because he feared the Jews, but he was no way concerned in their Crime. And tho' he was one of the Rulers of Jerusalem, he had not consented at all to any thing that they had done against the Son of God. The Death of his Master filling him with more Courage, he went to Pilate and begged leave of him to take down the Body of Jesus, and Bury it. Pilate could hard­ly believe, that he was Dead so soon; but being assured of it by the Centurion, he gave his Body to Joseph, and Commanded it to be delivered un­to him.

Joseph then went and bought Linnen-Cloaths to Bury Jesus in; and taking his Body down from the Cross, wrapped it in them. Nicodemus the Ru­ler, who came to Jesus by Night, being desirous to share with Joseph in paying these last Offices to their Master, brought a Mixture of Aloes and Myrrhe of about an Hundred Weight, and they two together wrapped up the Body of Jesus in the Linnen with the Perfumes, and Buryed it accor­ding to the ordinary Manner of the Jews. There was in the place where Jesus was Crucified, a Gar­den, and in it a Sepulchre, which Joseph had Hewn out of the Rock, wherein no Man was ever lay'd. Here they lay'd the Body of Jesus, and went away, having rould a great Sone to the Mouth of the Sepulchre. Mary Magdalene, and the other Women, who were present at the Death of Jesus, did also assist at his Burial, and took [Page 206] notice where they laid him; and having conside­red on it they went and prepared Spices to Em­balm him, as soon as the Sabboth-day, which was the next day, was over.

Jesus being Dead, and Buryed on Fryday, the next day the Chief Priests and Pharisees went to Pilate, and said unto him, Sir we remember that that Deceiver, (for so they Term'd Jesus) in his Life-time, said that he would Rise again in Three days after his Death: Command therefore, that his Sepulchre be kept under a Guard, till the Third Day, for fear his Disciples should come by Night and stealing away his Body, should per­swade the People, that he is risen from the Dead, and so they will fall into a new Error, worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a Guard, go, and do as ye will; so they went to the Sepulchre, Sealed it up, and set a Guard upon it.

XLIII. The Resurrection of Jesus.

Matth. 28.1-4. Mark. 16.1-4. Luke 24.1-2. John 20.1-10.On the day after the Sabboth, the first day of the Week, which we call the Lords day, Mary Magdalene, and the other Women, who had pre­pared Spices on Friday in the Evening, went early in the Morning to Embalm the Body of Jesus, and came to the Sepulchre about Sun-rising: But be­cause they had seen the Mouth of the Sepulchre shut with a great Stone, they were troubled, and disputed in the way, how they should remove the Stone? But it was taken away before they came; for an Angel whose Countenance shined like Lighte­ning, and his Raiment was as White as Snow, came down from Heaven, and rowling away the Stone, sat upon it. At the same time there was a great Earthquake, which together with the presence of the Angel so affrighted the Soldiers, who Guarded the Sepulchre, that they became as Dead Men; so

[Page] [Page 207] when the VVomen came to the Sepulchre, they saw neither the Guards, nor Stone, which might hinder the Entrance; but they were astonished mightily, when being entred in, they found not the Body of Jesus.

Then ran Mary Magdalene to find the Apostles, and having found Peter, and John, she said unto them. They have taken away the Lord out of the Sepulchre, and we know not where they have lay'd him. These two Disciples went immediately to the Sepulchre: John came thither first, and stooping down to look into the Sepulchre, but not going in, saw the Linnen-Cloaths lying on the Ground. Peter came after him, and entring in, saw besides the Shroud, the Napkin, that was bound about his Head, which was wrapped up in a place by it self. Then John also going into the Sepulchre, saw the same thing, and they both thought, that the Body of their Ma­ster had been taken away, as Mary Magdelene told them; for as yet, they neither knew what the Scri­pture Taught, nor remembred, what Jesus had so often told them, that he must rise from the Dead. Then they returned to their own home, and Peter, as he went, admired with himself at the things, that had happened.

XLIV. Jesus appeareth to Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene, Mark 16.5-11. John 20.11-18. tho' she came with Peter and John to the Sepulchre, yet went not away with them, but stayed weeping; and her love making her very uneasie, she stooped down to look into the Sepulchre, where she saw two Angels cloathed in White, sitting in the place, where the Body of Jesus lay, the one at the Head, and the other at the Feet. The Angels said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? she answered, Because they have ta­ken away my Lord, and I know not where they have [Page 208] lay'd him. After she had said these words she turned her self, and saw a Man, who asked again, Woman why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She taking him for the Person, who looked to the Garden, where the Sepulchre was, said unto him, Sir, If thou hast taken him away, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will carry him away. As she was about to leave him, he said unto her, Mary: Upon this, she turning her self, immediately knew him to be Jesus; and being transported with Joy, she cryed out, Rabboni, i. e. My Master: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father: But go to my Brethren (so he calls his Apostles) and tell them from me, That I go to my Father, and your Father, my God and your God. Going immediately to seek the Apostles, whom she found in Affliction and Tears, she told them, that she had seen the Lord, and related to them, what he had commanded her to tell them, but they believed her not.

XLV. Jesus appeareth to certain Women.

The other Women, who remained about the Sepulchre,Matth. 28.5-10. Luke 24.3-11. could not be pacified, but were migh­tily troubled, because they could not find the Bo­dy of Jesus, which was increased by their seeing of two Men, who appear'd to them in shining Garments. They were the two Angels, which Mary Magdalene had seen in the Sepulchre. As they were therefore much affrighted and looked down to the Earth, the two Angels said unto them, Why seek ye him that is alive, among the Dead? Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was Crucified: Fear not, he is risen, as he said unto you. Remember, what he said unto you when ye were yet in Galilee, That the Son of Man must be delive­red into the Hands of Sinners, Mrtth. 26.32. and be Crucified, and be raised again the Third Day. Come see the place, [Page 209] where he lay; and go quickly and tell his Disciples, and Peter, that he is risen from the Dead. They added, That he will go before them into Galilee,Matth. 26.32. and there they shall see him, according to his Promise.

These words brought the Promise of Jesus to their Remembrance, and the news of his Resurre­ction much moderated the fear with which they were seized at the sight of these Angels. Then they went immediately from the Sepulchre, to go to his Apostles, and tell them, what they had seen; but as they went they met Jesus in the Way, who saluted them, and they being transported with Admiration and Joy, came near unto him, held him by the Feet, and Worshipped him. Then he said unto them, Be not afraid, Go tell my Brethren, that they go into Galilee, there shall they see me. They went and told all that had happened to the Apostles, and all the other Disciples; but all they said appeared to them as an idle Tale, and they believed them not.

XLVI. Jesus shews himself to Peter and two other Disciples.

While these Women were executing the Orders given them by the Son of God,Matth. 28.11-15. to tell the Disci­ples of his Resurrection, some of the Soldiers, which Guarded the Sepulchre, and had faln down, as Dead at the Sight of the Angel, who rouled away the Stone, went to Jerusalem, and related all that had passed, to the Chief-Priests. Upon this the Priests and Rulers assembled, and having consulted together, they gave a Large Sum of Money to the Soldiers, That they should say that his Disciples came by Night and took away his Body. The Soldiers took the Money, and did as they were Ordered, so that this Report flew abroad, [Page 210] and was commonly told among the Jews for a long time after.

Mark 16.12-13. Luke 24.13-35.The same day two of his Disciples went to a Village named Emmaus, which is distant from Je­rusalem about seven Miles and an half (or Sixty Furlongs) and in the way they discoursed about that, which had passed Three days ago at Jerusa­lem. Jesus himself overtook them, and went a­long with them, but they knew him not. He ask­ed them, What they were talking of, and why they were sad? One of them Named Cleophas, said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, that thou knowest not what hath happened there in these days? What things, replyed he? They answered, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet, mighty in Deeds, and in Words; how the Chief-Priests and Rulers delivered him to be Condemned to Death, and have Crucified him. But, added they, We trusted that it should be he that would have re­deemed Israel: And besides all this, This is the third day since these things happened, Yea, and some VVomen of our Company, made us astonish­ed, VVho having been very early at the Sepulchre, and not finding his Body, returned, and told us, that the Angels themselves appeared unto them, and assu­red them, that he was alive. This Relation was confirmed by some of us, who went also to the Sepulchre, and found all things as the VVomen had reported to them; but him they saw not. From hence Jesus took an occasion to reprove their un­belief very severely, saying to them, O Fools, whose Heart is dull, and slow to believe that which the Prophets have foretold, That Christ must suffer all these things, and enter into his Glory. And he ex­plained to them all that was spoken in the Scrip­ture concerning him, beginning at Moses, and go­ing through all the Prophets. VVhen they came near the Village, he went on, as if he were going [Page 211] further; but the two Disciples importun'd him to stay, saying, Abide with Ʋs, for it is already late, and the day is almost spent. Wherefore he went in with them, and being sat at Meat, he took Bread, Blessed it, and having broken it, he gave it them. And immediately their Eyes were ope­ned to discern, what they saw not before, i. e. to acknowledge Jesus, who immediately vanished out of their sight. Then said they one to another, Did not our Hearts burn within us, while he talked with us in the Way, and while he expounded the Scriptures? The same instant they arose, and re­turned to Jerusalem, where they found the Apo­stles and the Disciples met together, saying, That Jesus is indeed risen from the Dead, and hath ap­peared unto Peter. They also told them, what had happened in the Way, and how the Lord was known to them by breaking of Bread. Notwith­standing all which there were several Disciples, that believed nothing of the Truth of it.

XLVII. Jesus appeared to the Apostles.

The Apostles being assembled in a private place,Mark 16.14. Luke 24.36-43. John 20.19-23. for fear of the Jews, were discoursing about all these several Appearances of their Master, and in the Evening being sat down to Meat, and the Doors being shut, Jesus came in, and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, Peace be unto you; It is I, be not afraid. Having saluted them after this manner, he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of Heart, that they would not believe his Resurrection, nor give credit to the Testimony of those that had seen him, after he was risen. The Apostles were terrified, and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a Spi­rit or a Fantom. But Jesus to confirm, and paci­fie them, said unto them, Why are ye troubled? [Page 212] Look upon my Hands, and my Feet; It is I my self: Handle me, and consider that a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones, as ye see me have. Then he shewed them the Wounds in his Hands, Feet, and Side.

The Apostles could not yet believe what they saw, being transported with so great Joy and Ad­miration, till Jesus asked them, Whether they had any thing to Eat. Then they gave him a piece of Broyled Fish, and of an Hony-comb, and he eat before them: Not to nourish his Body for that being Spiritualiz'd by his Resurrection, had no need of such Nourishment, as is necessary for it in this Mor­tat Life; but to take away all the Doubts of his Dis­ciples, and to convince them by sensible Proofs, That 'twas he, and that he was really risen from the Dead. After he had done eating, he gave them the Fragments, and said to them a Second Time, Peace be unto you; And then added, As my Father hath sent me, so send I you; and then breathing up­on them, said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whosoe­ver sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Thomas was not with the other Disciples, when Jesus appeared to them in the manner aforesaid,John 20.24-29. Therefore when he returned to them, they told him, That they had seen the Lord. But he said, Ʋn­less I see in his Hands, the print of the Nails, and put my Finger into them, and my Hand into his Side, I will not believe. The Son of God, who made use of all this Infidelity, to establish the belief of the Resurrection, would not forsake this Apostle in his unbelief, and therefore Eight days after, when his Disciples were met in the same place, and Thomas with them, he came to them, the Doors being shut, and standing in the midst of them, sa­luted them, saying, Peace be unto you. Then speak­ing to Thomas, he saith, Reach hither thy finger, [Page 213] and behold my Hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my Side, and be not faithless, but believe. Then Thomas being convinced, cryed out, My Lord, and My God! Jesus said unto him, Thou hast believed, because thou hast seen. Blessed are they, who having not seen, yet do believe.

XLVIII. The Miraculous Fishing.

Jesus shewed himself yet another time to some of his Disciples, on the Banks of the Sea of Tiberias, John 21.1-13. Peter, Thomas, the two Sons of Zebedee, Nathani­el, and two others of his Disciples, being met toge­ther, Peter said, that he would go a Fishing, and the rest would go with him. They all there­fore took Ship, and cast their Nets into the Wa­ters; but that Night they catched nothing. In the Morning Jesus presented himself to them on the Shore, but his Disciples knew not that it was he. And he asked them, Children, have ye any thing to eat? They answered, No: And he said unto them, Cast the Net on the Right side of the Ship, and ye shall find. They cast immediately and catched so great a Number of Fishes, that they could not pull it up. Then John, the Beloved Dis­ciple of Jesus, said unto Peter, It is the Lord. Then Peter presently taking his Garment, which he had put off to Fish, cast himself into the Water to go quickly to his Master on the Shore. The other Disciples, who were not far from Land, but as it were Two Hundred Cubits, (or an Hundred Yards) came to him with the Ship, dragging with them the Net full of Fishes. Being come ashore, they found Coals burning, and Fish upon them, and Bread: Jesus said unto them, Bring hither some of the Fish that ye have catch'd; And Peter going presently into the Ship, drew the Net to Land, with a Hundred Fifty Three great Fish in [Page 214] it: And the Gospel observes, that tho' it was full of so many heavy Fish, it was not broken. Jesus said unto them, Come and Dine: Then they went to him, not daring to ask him, Who he was, be­cause they knew it was their Master. And Jesus having taken the Bread, gave it them, and like­wise the Fish.

XLIX. Jesus commits the care of his Sheep to St. Peter.

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Peter, Si­mon, John 21.15-23. Son of Jonas, Lovest thou me more than these do? He answered him, Yea Lord, thou know­est I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my Lambs. He asked him again a Second time, Simon, Son of Jonas, Lovest thou me? Yea Lord, answered Peter, thou know­est that I Love thee, Jesus says again, Feed my Lambs. Jesus again the Third time put the same Question to him: Peter was troubled, that his Master seem'd to doubt of his Love, and answered him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I Love thee. Our Saviour having made him thus make some amends for his Sin, in denying him Thrice, by giving a Triple Testimony of his Love, com­mitted the Care of his Sheep to him, i. e. the Souls of his People, saying to him again, Feed my Sheep.

He adds, Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast Young, thou girdedst thy self, and went, whither thou pleasest; but when thou shalt be Old, thou shalt stretch forth thy Hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. The Gospel saith, that Jesus signified by these Words, by what Death Peter should glorify God, and they did indeed concur in the Martyrdom of this Apostle, whom Tradition teacheth us to have been Crucified, as his Master was Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 2. c. 25.

After this Jesus commanded Peter to follow him; and Peter turning him, seeth John the Belo­ved Disciple of Jesus following him; and seeing him, he saith unto Jesus, Lord, what shall become of this Man? But Jesus checks his Curiosity, by tclling him, that he ought not to trouble himself with what shall befall others, and orders him to mind nothing, but to follow him. And speaking of John, he sayeth to him, I will that he tarry till I come; Or according to other Editions, If I will, that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? These words seemed to intimate to the Apostles, that John should not dye: But this Evangelist, who wrote these things himself, observes that Jesus did not say that he should not dye, and History in­deed tells us, That he is Dead. But the sense of these Words of the Son of God, perhaps signifies that that Disciple should continue as he was to his Death, i. e. he should not dye a Violent Death, as Peter should; or that he should Live till the De­struction of Jerusalem; for these words, Ʋntil I come, may signify according to the usual Language of Scripture, Ʋntil I come to take him out of the World by Death; Or till I come to punish and Cha­stize this People. St. John did really live till af­ter the Destruction of Jerusalem, and dyed at last of his Natural Death.

L. Jesus Instructed the Apostles

The Son of God shewed himself several times more to his Apostles during the Forty days,Matth. 28.16-20. Mark 16.15-18. Luke 24.44-49. Acts 1.3. that he abode upon Earth, after his Resurrecti­on; and he appeared so often, saith St. Luke, to give them ample Proofs that he was alive, and to talk with them of the Kingdom of God. And since he had determined to call Men, by Preaching [Page 216] to the possession of that Kingdom, he gave them necessary instructions to discharge their Functions well. He explained to them all that was spoken of himself in the Law of Moses, and in the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms, and opened their Understandings to understand the sense of Scripture. He shews them that according as it is Written, Christ must suffer Death, and be rai­sed the Third day, and that Repentance, and re­mission of Sins, should be preached in all Nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

He Communicates to them the Authority, which he had received of his Father, and saith to them, All power is given to me in Heaven, and Earth. Go ye therefore into all the World and Preach the Gospel, and Instruct all People, Bapti­zing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and Teach them to ob­serve all that I have commanded you. He adds, That they that believe not, shall be Damned; and on the contrary, They that believe their Word by a lively Faith, and are Baptized, shall be saved; and like­wise shall do Miracles, Casting out Devils, Speaking with Tongues, Drinking Poison, without getting harm, and Healing the Sick, by laying their Hands on them. Lastly, since the Apostles had need of Power and Strength to exercise the Ministry, which was entrusted to them, he assured them of his protection, telling them, that he would be with them always to the End of the World; and he promised them to endue them with power from above by the Holy Spirit, which he would send from Heaven.

LI. The last Appearance of Jesus Christ.

Matth. 28.16-18.It is probable that Jesus gave them the greatest part of these Instructions at the Famous Apear­ance, [Page]

[Page 217] which he made to them upon the Moun­tain of Galilee, where he appointed to meet them. Here he promised them before he dyed to shew himself to them: And on the day of his Resurre­ction, the Angels, and He himself commanded the Holy Women, to tell his Disciples, that he would meet in Galilee. They went thither, they saw him as he had promised, and they Worship­ped him.1 Cor. 15.6. It is credible that all his Disciples met him there, as the Apostles, and that it is of the Appearance that St. Paul speaks, who saith, That Jesus appeared to more than Five Hundred Brethren at once. The same Apostle tells us, that he also appeared to James, but doth not relate in what manner.Luke 24.49. Acts [...]1.4-8.

Lastly, He shewed himself the Last time to his Apostles at Jerusalem, where he commanded them to abide, till they should receive the Holy Spirit, which he promised them in these words, John Baptized with Water, but ye shall be Bapti­zed, i. e. Washed and Sanctified by the Holy Ghost not many days hence. They asked him, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the King­dom of Israel? He answered them, That it is not for them to know the Times and Seasons, which God hath put in his own absolute Power; But ye shall receive, saith he to them, the power of the Holy Spirit, which shall come down upon you, and ye shall be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Ju­daea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.

LII. The Ascension of Jesus Christ.

These were the last Words, according to S. Luke, Mark 16.19, 20. Luke 24.50-53. Acts 1.9-12. which Jesus spake upon the Earth; if they were spoken immediately before he left his Apostles, [Page 218] it was at Bethany, whither he led them upon the Day of his Ascension, or upon the Mount of O­lives: From which, it appears, he ascended, as S. Luke relates; He lifted up his Hands to bless his Disciples, and as he blessed them he was parted from them, who saw him ascend up towards Heaven, till a Cloud, into which he entred, took him out of their Sight. They still looked after him with earnestness, and as soon as they had lost the Sight of him, Two Men, cloathed in White, presented themselves to them, on a suddain, and said unto them, Ye Men of Galilee, why stand ye looking up towards Heaven? This Jesus, who hath left you, and is gone up into Heaven, shall come again in the same manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven. Then the Apostles ador'd him, who had left the Earth to be seated in Heaven, at the Right Hand of God, i. e. to receive in his Sacred Humanity the Rest and Glory, which was the Reward of his Labour and Sufferings. They departed full of Joy from the Mount of Olives, and returned to Jerusalem; where, Ten Days after, they received the Holy Ghost. Then they went and preached every where, according as their Master had com­manded them; and the Lord confirmed the Word, which he had put in their Mouth, by Miracles.

LIII. The Glorious Life of Jesus Christ in Heaven.

John 20.30, 31.This is a full account of all the Gospel teacheth us of the Life which Jesus Christ lived upon the Earth: He did indeed many other Things, and wrought a great number of Miracles, which are not written, these that are written being sufficient for our Salvation, if by reading them we believe, That Jesus is the Son of God, that by Faith we may have Life in his Name: This is the Life which he hath promised us, and into which he [Page 219] is entred by his Ascension; for he told his Apo­stles, That he went to prepare a Place for them:John 14.3. And S. Paul assures us, That he is entred into Heaven for us, as our Fore-runner,Heb. 6.19, 20. that we may follow him now in Hope; which serveth us as an Anchor, sure and stedfast, in the various Di­sturbances and Troubles of this Mortal Life.

As to the Life which Jesus Christ now liveth in Heaven, the Gospel tells us; That he sits there,Mark 16.19. at the Right Hand of God. He siteth, i. e. is at perfect Ease and Rest, having no more Trouble or Sufferings in his Sacred Humanity, to which he is united for our Salvation. He sitteth at the Right Hand of God, i. e. is made equal with the Father, being God, of like Nature with him, and is raised up above all Creatures.

This Rest,Acts 7.56. which Jesus Christ enjoys for him­self, hinders him not from acting for us; and al­tho he sits at the Right Hand of God, S. Stephen saw him there standing indeed; since he came to the Earth, not only to purchase the Glorification of that Body and Soul which he assumed in the Womb of the Virgin, but also to obtain Salvation for all that believe on him: If he hath nothing else to do with his Sacred Humanity, yet it is his business to intercede for the Salvation of his Saints, till they shall come to be Partakers of his Glory. He there finishes the great Work of Man's Redem­ption, which he began upon Earth, in Heaven.Eph. 1.22.4.15. 'Tis there, as Head of the Church, as the Apostle calls him, he governs it by his Pastors, which he hath appointed, enlightens it by her Doctors, sanctifies it by his Sacraments, protects it by the Help of his Grace, and quickens it by his Spirit.

'Tis there that he prays without ceasing for us, and we use him as our Advocate to defend our Cause before his Father; as our Mediator, to offer our Prayers to him, and obtain the Mercies [Page 220] and Graces we petition; as High Priest and Sacrifice, by offering always the same Blood which he poured out upon the Cross once for all, for the Salvation of the whole World. Hence it was that S. John saw him in Heaven, in the Figure of a Lamb slain, and laid upon the Altar, which is before the Throne of God;Rev. 5.6, 7. Heb. 4.16. 'tis there that he sits upon a Throne of Grace and Mercy, where we may go, in a Time of Need, to obtain Pardon of our Sins, before he appears upon his Throne of Justice, to judge the World.

1 Joh. 2.1.Lastly, 'tis there that he calls us, and invites us, to consider upon him in his Glory, which he hath merited both for himself and us, by the Effusion of his Blood, that by the Prospect of that Eternal Happiness, which he hath prepared for us, he may make us contemn all earthly Things, and stir us up to follow him in the Way he is gone before us, i. e. to imitate the Examples he hath given us, in this Mortal Life; of which we have related the History in this Book.

For this Reason it is that S. Paul exhorts us, by these Words, which include all the Benefit we ought to make of all that is said of the Life of Jesus Christ.Heb. 10.19-31. We have freedom to enter with Bold­ness into the Heavenly Sanctuary, by the Blood of Je­sus Christ; going after him in that new Way which he hath trodden out for us in his own Flesh: And, since he is in Heaven an High Priest, set over the House of God, let us draw near to him with a truly sincere Heart, and full of Faith, with a Soul puri­fied from the Filth of an Evil Conscience, and a Body, preserving the Purity which it hath received from the pure Water of Baptism; let us remain firm and stedfast in our Faith, and in the Hope of that Glory which he hath promised to us (for he is faith­ful who hath promised:) And to obtain it, let us provoke one another to Love, and to good Works, and [Page 221] let us encourage our selves so much the more, as we see the last Day draweth nigh; for if we sin wil­fully, after we have received the Knowledge of Truth, we must expect nothing but the terrible Judgments, and the Flame of that Revenging and Rageing Fire, which shall consume the Enemies of God. He that despised Moses's Law was condemned to Death, with­out Mercy, how much greater Punishment doth he deserve, think ye, who hath trodden under Foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant, by which we are sanctified, an Ʋnholy and Prophane Thing, i. e. who hath profaned, by Sin, the Blood of Jesus Christ, by which he hath been pu­rified in Baptism, and who hath abused and affront­ed the Spirit of Grace; for we know him that hath said, Vengeance is reserved for me, and I know how to repay it. It is a terrible Thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God.

LIV. The Conclusion.

This Living God, which S. Paul speaks of, is the very same Person which we have seen in this History, dying for the Salvation of Men, upon the Cross: He was judged, but he shall judge us, and that by the Rules which he hath given us, and the Examples which he left us, in the Time of his Mortal Life: He lived subject to our Calami­ties, and suffered Death, which is the Punishment of Sin; but he was raised in a State of Glory, and entred into the Possession of Eternal Felicity: He was first of the same Nature with us, that we might one Day be as he is. If we imitate him in his Life and Death, we shall be like him in his Resurrection and Glory; but we must not pre­tend to that Happiness he now enjoys, if we do not go in the same Path he did, to attain it.

By disobeying his Laws, and not imitating his Actions, we not only renounce the Glory, to which he invites us, but bring upon our selves inexpres­sible, as well as everlasting Torments; for there are but Two Ways, the one leads to Life, and the other to Death, and he that walks not in the first, must necessarily go into the second. Jesus Christ is himself the Way that leads to Heaven, and we go by him when we practise those Truths which he hath taught, and regulate our Lives by the Pattern of his. To live otherwise than he lived, is not to follow him, but to wander, and destroy our selves; which we do not seriously enough consider of. We do not examine our selves in which Way we are; we go on every Day in Ignorance, and when we come to the End of our Race, we find our selves on a Precipice, because we have follow­ed the Multitude, which securely went before us, and guided us.

Christians therefore cannot do any thing more important, and conducing to their Salvation, than to meditate continually upon the Life of Jesus Christ, and to look upon it as a Mirror, to discover the Blemishes and Faults of their own; they ought to account Jesus Christ conversing on Earth, as our Guide and Light, and compa­ring what they do with what he hath done and taught, to acknowledge themselves in a lost Estate, and in Darkness, so long as our Conversation is not conformable to his Examples and Precepts. In Heaven they ought to esteem Jesus Christ as the End to which they continually aspire, and which they labour daily to attain, that they may support themselves in all the Troubles and Difficulties which they met with in their Way thither, by the Contemplation of the Glory which he hath promised them. They should, in the last Place, think always upon his First and [Page 223] Second Coming: They are instructed by his First, what they must do to fit themselves for his Second; and they shall be judged at his Second Coming, by the Precepts which they have received at his Se­cond. They will have no Excuses to make for following the corrupt Customs, and Examples, and false Errors of the Ages they have lived in, when they come before that Judge, who hath told them, that he will judge them by the Doctrin he hath taught them himself, and by the Life he lived here, upon Earth, to be a Model of theirs.

That then we may appear before him with Bold­ness in that Great Day, when he will judge all Men, let us take the Advice which S. John, the be­loved Disciple, gives us; My little Children, 1 John 2.28. abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have Confidence before him, and may not be ashamed at his Coming. And that we may know what it is to abide in Jesus Christ, let us meditate upon these Words of the same Apostle;1 Joh. 2.6. He that saith that he abideth in him, ought himself to walk as Jesus Christ hath walked.