A Paraphrase on the New Testament

CHAP. XIII.

1. THere were present at that season, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

1. Some Pilate had killed for stirring up the People against the Romans Government.

2. And Jesus answering, said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

2, 3. Note, We must not judge them the greatest sinners that suffer most here: The Judge on the b • nch may do more wrong than the thief whom he hangeth: And famous conquerors, than robbers. The day is coming that must set all right. These Jews after suffered much more.

4. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4. Note. Worse did befall the other Jews.

6. He spake also this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down, why cumbreth it the ground? 8. And he answering, said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9. And if it bear fruit, well : and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

6, 7, 8, 9, Christ had three years preached to the obstinate Jews.

10. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11. And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

10, 11. Satan was the executioner of her disease.

12. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

12, 13. By Divine Power.

14. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath-day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed; and not on the Sabbath-day. 15. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16. And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath-day?

14, 15, 16. Note ; It is the part of Hypocrites to set up Ceremony and Circumstances against Moral Duties, (or necessary good Works) to Body or Soul,

17. And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

17. His Reason and h • s Miracle convinced the common people of the shameful 〈…〉 that 〈◊〉 .

18. Then said he, unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19. It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden, and it grew, and waxed a great tree: and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. 20. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God. 21. It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

18, 19, 20, 21. Note ; Though Christ's Flock was little at first, the Kingdoms of the World were after to become his Kingdom, and Nations to be discipled and baptized.

22. And he went through the cities and villages, teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem. 23. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

22, 23, 24. Instead of enquiring, How many? do thou labor to be one: And know, that the Gate is strait: A life of Faith and Holiness must cost men sufferings in the flesh; therefore do not lazily wish and seek, but strive, and spare no pains or cost: For many that seek erroneously, or slothfully, and, as Hypocrites, give God but the second place, shall never be saved.

25. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, crying Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence you are: 26. Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence you are: depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.

25, 26, 27. All would be saved, and cry for mercy, when it is too late; therefore strive without delay: And then all pretences of familiarity with Christ, or Clergy, or Church-Privileges, will save no unsanctified man.

28. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

28. It will increase your torment to see those that never saw and heard what you have done, to be in Heaven, and you thrust out to Hell for your unbelief and wickedness.

29. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30. And behold, there are last which are first, and there are first which shall be last.

29, 30. The faithful shall be received from all parts of the Earth: And some that shall be born and called long hence, shall be more excellent persons, and have a more glorious Crown, than many that are called now; and when you Jews are rejected, who were a Church before them.

31. The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, & depart hence, for Herod will kill thee. 32. And he said unto them, Go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out Devils, and I do cures today and to morrrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

31, 32. Note ; He liken's Herod to a Fox for subtlety and cruelty. This Example of Christ will not justify any contumelious Language against Kings; though they, that are called to it, may plainly and humbly tell them of their sin and danger, regarding their due honor. And Historians may truly describe them when they are dead.

33. Nevertheless I must walk today and tomorrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

33. Whatever Herod do, I shall do my work, and finish it; and shall not suffer by Herod in Galilee, which is his Jurisdiction, but at Jerusalem, the place of killing Prophets.

34. 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 a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not?

34. O sinful, miserable Jerusalem! How ost would I have gathered thy whole City and Nation (old and young) into my bosom of Love, and my Church, by making you my Disciples, as tenderly as a Hen doth gather and love her Chickens, not casting out your Children, but taking in your Nation, as God did before, if you had not cut off yourselves by unbelief, and obstinate rejecting the Grace offered to your Nation?

35. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: And verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

35. Your Temple, which you glory in, shall shortly be demolished, and your City destroyed: And I tell you, that you shall not rejoice in the Salvation of the Messiah, for whom you wait till you learn to honor me with Hosannah's, and to welcome them that preach my Gospel to you.

CHAP. XIIII.

1. ANd it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath-day, that they watched him. 2. And behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day? 4. And they held their peace. And he took him and healed him, and let him go:

1, 2, 3, 4. Note ; Christ chose so usually to heal on the Sabbath, that it seems he purposely chose that time, to show them what work should be preferred. He would not forbear doing good, to avoid the offense of erroneous Hyp • crites.

5. And answered them saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath-day? 6. And they could not answer him again to these things.

5, 6. They could not confute his plain reason; (But the wranglers of this Age can answer anything.)

7. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honorable man then thou be bidden of him: 9. And he that bad thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place: and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room, that when he that bad thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

7, 8, 9, 10. Note ; Christ disdained not to give Rules of Decency for civil conversation, when the Virtue of Humility, or the Vice of Pride are concerned therein.

11. For whosoever exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

11. God will exalt the humble, and abase the proud; and therefore we must humble ourselves.

12. Then said he also to him that bad him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. 13. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14. And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

12, 13, 14. It is good in its season to make Feasts of Amity, and to rejoice with Friends; but to avoid Prodigality, let thy most usual feasting be Feasts of Charity ; And in them it is the Poor that thou must feast, and from God that thou must expect thy reward.

Note ; Some hence infer, that there is no reward till the Resurrection: But in Scripture the Resurrection is oft taken for the Life after this, even before the Resurrection of the Body.

Note ; Christ oft forbids things in absolute words, when he meaneth but comparatively: So here, feast not rich Friends, that is, not so much as the Poor.

15. And when one of them, that sat at meat with him, heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

15. They will be happy that shall live to see and rejoice in the Kingdom of the Messiah when he cometh.

16. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bad many: 17. And sent his Servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready.

16, 17. Note ; God sent his Son and the Gospel to the Jews, and invited them into the Kingdom of the Messiah; and bade his Ministers tell them, that Christ was come, and all is ready on his part. He is a sufficient Savior, and none shall perish for want of the performance of his part (antecedent.)

18. And they all with one consent began to make excuse: The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

18, 19, 20. All seemed to them sufficient Reasons. And so you Jews, that wish for the Kingdom of God, prefer your worldly Interest, and for that, refuse it when it is come, (And so do all ungodly men • ndeed.)

21. So that servant came, and shown his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

21, 22. God was angry with the Jews, and sent his Ministers to call the Gentiles whom the Jews despised as profane.

23. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the high ways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

23. Go to the most barbarous remote Nations, and call them into the Church, and be importunate with them, and take no denial, that my Church may be Catholic and enlarged.

24. For I say unto you that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my supper.

24. Those refusing Jews, that were first invited, shall not come into the Church of Christ.

25. And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them. 26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

25, 26. If he love them not less than my Kingdom, and cannot for it forsake them, as men do a hated thing.

Note ; This disobligeth none from natural affection and duty; but Christ must be preferred.

27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

27. He that cannot suffer for me, and for Salvation, but sets more by his life, can be no true Disciple of mine.

28. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and countteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29. Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it, begin to mock him, 30. Saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. 31. Or what king going to make war against another king sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

28, 29, 30, 31, 32. All wise men will consider what it will cost them to finish before they begin.

33. So likewise, Whosoever he be of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

33. If he prefer not the Kingdom of Heaven before all worldly Interest, and forsake it not all comparatively in esteem and resolution now, and in act when he is called to it.

34. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35▪ It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

34, 35. Ye are the Salt of this corrupted World: But if you, my Disciples, especially Preachers, should apostatize, you would be the vilest and most hopeless men on Earth; despised, and cast out by God and Man. Therefore count your cost before you undertake the Sacred Ministry, or Christian Profession.

CHAP. XV.

1. THen drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners; and eateth with them. 3. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4. What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Should not I do more for a lost Sinner, than you would do for a lost Sheep?

7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more then over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

7. The heavenly Society rejoice over one converted sinner, more than over many that need no conversion from a state of sin, (though they • eed daily sorrow for daily failings.)

Note; More Joy signifieth not more Love to that person: But Christ speaketh of the Angels after the manner of men, that are most affected with unexpected things, and after sorrow most rejoice.

8. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9. And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10. Likewise I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth.

8, 9, 10. Note 1. Oh what Love do we owe to Angels, Who so much love us? Why do we not desire their company more, than that of this wicked World?

Angels Love is but a Copy of God's Love, And shall we distrust, fear, and fly from Love itself? 2. Angels and good Men rejoice at a sinners conversion: Devils and wicked men are against it. How contrary are these? 3. Do Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner? What joy should the coverted themselves then have in it? 4. Uncoverted sinners gratify Devils, and deny Angels the joy of Love.

11. And he said, a certain man had two sons: 12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

11, 12, 13. Note 1. Foolish sinners had rather have their concerns in their own hands, than in God's. Note 2. When it is left to themselves, it is soon wasted. Note 3. Ryotous flesh-pleasing is the destructive sin. Note 4. When sinners go from God our Father, they go to destruction.

14. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

14, 15, 16. He hired himself a Servant to feed Swine, to prevent famishing; and they would not let him fill his belly with the Cods of the Carabe Tree, which was the Swines meat.

N. 1. Worldly Treasure will soon be spent. N. 2. Foolish sinners will submit to the basest servitude, and be attendants of Swine, rather than return to God. N. 3 All worldly hopes and helps will sail ungodly Prodigals at last.

17. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants▪ of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger.

17. Note 1. Prodigal sinners are beside themselves. 2. Conversion is a man's coming to himself, or his right wits. 3. It is consideration, specially of a man's own safety and interest, which bringeth a man • o himself. 4. Utter distress and necessity is oft needful to drive home sinners unto God, when they see that there is no other way of hope. 5. And the consideration that the poorest Christian is in a far better condition than the Prodigal: They have all, and he hath nothing.

18. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

18, 19. Note 1. Conversion beginneth in a purpose to return to God (though at first constrained by necessity.) 2. It worketh by a penitent confession of sin, and utter unworthiness 3. It would be glad of the lowest place in God's Church, and of the lowest terms of Mercy.

20. And he arose, and came to his father: But when he was a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

20. Note 1. True purposes will appear in practice and performance: They stop not in sluggish wishes, but arise and go to God. 2. God is readier to meet and receive sinners, than they are to return to him. 3. He surpriseth returning sinners with kindness, and embraces them who expected frowns and wrath, and useth them not after their desert. 4. Though necessity and self-love begin conversion, God's Love meeteth such, and perfecteth it. 5. God is reconcilable to the sinner, by his goodness, though not to his sin.

21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

21. Note ; Our own humble and penitent confessions must go before God's forgiveness and entertainment.

22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on •• m, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

22. Note ; God findeth sinners in shameful rags, and misery, but clotheth them, as his Children, with righteousness and holiness.

23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.

23. Let us feast and rejoice for the return of a Prodigal Son.

24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

24. Note ; The state of •• n is a lost condition, and a converted sinner is found and recovered; it is a dead condition, and conversion is a reviving. It giveth the life of Grace in order to the life of Glory.

God speaketh of himself, as rejoicing in a sinners conversion. How little cause then have such to doubt whether God will receive them? Q. How is God called a Father to wicked Prodigals? Ans. As his Nature is Love itself, and as he made man's Nature capable of happiness, and as he hath conditionally pardoned all through Christ.

25. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

25, 26, 27. Thy Father hath received him with joy.

28. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

28 He envied his Brother's Entertainment, and was offended with his Father's Love and Mercy.

Note 1. The elder Brother is the Jew, (who not only in his unbelief despiseth the Gentiles, but) when converted to Christ, is hardly brought to communion with the Gentiles. And also all that have from their childhood served God, and are ready to grudge at the Entertainment of wicked men-converted. Note 2. There is in the best of us, though we need God's mercy ourselves, a disposition to envy his Grace to others. Note 3. God is put to bear with the faults of his Children, and in mercy to stoop to them in their envy and quarrelsomness with others. Note 4. There is a sinful esteem of their own goodness, that inclineth God's own Servants even to withdraw and separate from his House, because he entertaineth returning Prodigals. Thus God is put to bear with all.

29. And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment, and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

29. Note ; We be apt to overvalue our own service o • God, and to undervalue his Mercy.

30. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

30. Note 1. Even good men are apt to grudge at God's Mercy to sinners, and would not have him so gracious to them as he is; and they are not so ready to forgive it, but upbraid others with sin, which God doth not upbraid them with, who hateth it more than we can do. 2. Were we in the hands of our best Brethren, we should speed worse than in God's hands.

31. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

31. N. 1. Obedient Children are always with God, and in his favor. 2. What great happiness doth it signify to say, All that I have is thine? that is, all that thou art fit for, and that is fit for thee. 3. God giveth suddener Joy ofttimes to returning Prodigals, than to his Children that have been true to him from their youth. 4. Yet the constant safety, happiness and peace of those long obedient Children is a greater blessing and good, than those sudden Joys of converted sinners.

32. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found.

32. Note ; God is pleased to reason his forward Children out of their envious, self-esteeming, censorious, separating, quarrelsome distempers, and not to let them go, and take them at the worst. He that will pardon the wicked life of a penitent Prodigal, will not rigorously despise a froward wrangling Child. And Rulers and Pastors, that learn of God, will do so too, and not as Satan's Ministers, abhor the faithful, and aggravate their infirmities, and cast them out of the Church, while they connive at the ungodly, and encourage them.

This Parable is very instructive to bad and good, and very comfortable to the truly penitent and converted: And speaketh God's Mercy to the Gentiles, against the froward self-esteeming Christian Jews.

CHAP. XVI.

1. ANd he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man which had a steward, and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for thou mayest be no longer steward.

1, 2. Note ; We are all God's Stewards; our time and blessings are his goods, of which we must shortly give account, and shall here be no longer Stewards.

3. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig, to beg I am ashamed.

3. Note 1. Nature teacheth all men, in danger and misery, to save themselves, and study which way they may escape, and be provided for. 2. There is somewhat for ourselves to do for our own welfare. 3. We must think first, what is not to be trusted to, and what way we must not take, before we think what way to trust and take to. I cannot dig, &c. We cannot save ourselves, and the World cannot save us, therefore to trust to these, we are sure, will deceive us, and is not the way.

4. I am resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

4. I will make me Friends that will receive me when I am cast off.

Note 1, When we are sure no other way will save us, and have found the only way that will, self-love and reason should soon resolve us what to do, and what to trust to.

2. The way to be resolved on, is that which will help us when all others fail.

5. So he called everyone of his lords debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6. And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said to him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

5, 6, 7. Note ; They were ready for their commodity to join in the fraud.

8. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

8. Note ; His Lord that hated his falsehood, yet commended his wit. 2. O that we had as much wit, and care, and diligence for our Souls everlasting welfare, as false worldly men have for this vain World!

9. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

9. It is counsel of great importance to you, so to use your time and estates, which worldly men abuse to sin, that when you must shortly and certainly die, and leave all your wealth behind you, ye may be received into the everlasting heavenly Mansions.

Note 1. The wealth, that by the wicked is abused to damnation, may, by Believers, be used to salvation. 2. All this World will fail and forsake us. 3. It is not those that we do good to, but yet it is God, for the good we do them, that will receive us into Heaven. 4. This is a Testimony of the Soul's Immortality, and of the Life to come: When we leave this World, we are received into everlasting habitations.

10. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.

10. God will much judge men according to their use of the little things of this World, and will judge them meet for the great things of Glory, that have used these well: But he will judge them▪ unmeet for heavenly felicity, that could not use well the small things of this transitory life.

11. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

11. Do you think God will judge you meet for Heaven, that were false in your use of earthly things?

12. And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

12. And if ye have proved false and untrusty in your Stewardship, and use of God's entrusted Mercies in this life of Trial, where you had no assurance to stay an hour, do you think God will place such as Proprietors in the Everlasting Kingdom.

13. No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other: ye cannot serve God and mammon.

13. A divided heart between God and the World, is false to God and to itself: Ye cannot be true Christians and worldlings too.

14. And the Pharisees also who were covetous, heard all these things; and they derided him.

14. Note ; The love of Riches rises up against holy and mortifying Doctrine, with hatred and scorn.

15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God.

15. You applaud one another, and keep up a worldly Reputation; but God seeth all the evil of your hearts; and he abhorreth the covetous, whom you bless, and all proud and prosperous worldlings, when they are highest in men's esteem.

16. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

16, Till John 's days, the Law and the Prophets, that darkly foretold the Kingdom of God as afar off, were the chief Teachers of the Church; but since John 's preaching that this Kingdom is at hand, multitudes gladly receive that Tydings and crowd or press into it with earnestness.

17. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

17. The Law is God's true Word, and shall never prove false: The natural-moral part shall continue; the Ceremonious part, the Types and Prophecies, pass not away unfulfilled: They all pointed unto Christ, who fulfilleth them, though he abrogate them.

18. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery.

18. See Matth. 5 32.

19. There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.

19. Note ; This is the description of a Sensualist that liveth after the flesh, to be clothed in Purple and Silk, • nd to have every day a costly Table of delightful meat • nd drink. Sensual flesh-pleasing is the common damn • ng sin; and Riches are the fuel of fleshly desires.

20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores: 21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

20, 21. Note 1. It is like he had some relief there, else he would not have lain there. 2. The worst men are not usually most afflicted in this life. 3. Rich fleshly men make too great a difference between themselves and the Poor, and think their superfluities, and sumptuous delicious fare, must be preferred before the necessities of their poor Brethren. 4. Dogs help him, whom the rich Sensualist would not help in any competent degree.

22. And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried.

22. Note ; Though this be a Parable, Christ would not by it insinuate false Doctrine: Therefore it showeth, that the Soul doth not die with the Body, but goeth to Joy or Misery. Abraham is there alive, and Lazarus in his bosom; (before the final Resurrection.) 2. Death quickly levelleth Rich and Poor; the voluptuous and the afflicted. 3. Angels that guard the Just in life, refuse not at death to serve their Souls as their Convoy unto Happiness. 4. To be buried in a Grave, and rot to dust, is the best that the pampered flesh of the wicked can expect.

23. And in hell he lift up his eyes being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

23. Note 1. Such notice as Spirits have is called seeing. 2. The Souls of the wicked pass to Hell torments. 3. Joyful, felicity is called Abraham 's bosom, to a Jew. Some think Nations are joined in happiness or misery hereafter, as rewarded in the relations in which they did good or evil.

24. And he cried, and said, 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 am tormented in this flame.

24. Note 1. The Parable speaketh metaphorically, of Souls, as if they had Tongues; which signified no more than they have a torment suitable to their kind. 2. Voluptuous rich men would shorrly beg even for a very little, and that of those whom they here despised, if they could help them. 3. By flame is meant a means of torment.

25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.

25. Thou hadst that which thou didst choose: Thou didst prefer fleshly pleasure before the hopes of Heaven, and thou hast had them. And Lazarus submitted to sufferings on Earth for the hopes of Heaven, which he preferred, and he hath now his choice.

Note 1. God doth not damn any man for his being rich, but for being sensual, and preferring self-pleasing before his Salvation: Nor doth he save any for having suffered in this World, but for preferring God and Heaven before prosperity, and ease, and for suffering to attain Salvation. 2. The next life will set all straight, and tell us who made the wisest choice, and were indeed the happy men.

26. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

26. Heaven and Hell may have some knowledge of each others case, but no access for converse: Damnation is a remediless state: The damned may wish for ease, and help, and mercy, but shall have none.

27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

27. O send him to my Brethren on Earth, to tell them what I suffer, and why, that they may not come hither, who are yet recoverable, and in a state of hope, though my case be desperate.

Note ; Whether the damned retain any love to, and care of, their Brethren on Earth, or whether this be spoken only to explain their condition here, is uncertain.

29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.

29. The God of Wisdom and Power hath determined of the way and means of converting men, which is by his Word and Ministers, and not by Messengers from the Dead. If they will be saved, it must be by God's appointed Means, and not any other.

30. And he said, Nay, Father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

30. Sure such an Apparition would convince them, and affright them to Repentance.

31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

31. (If it were so, God will not change his way of Salvation to persuade willful, sensual sinners.) But it is not so; for God's Word and Ministers are a more suitable means of converting sinners, than a man would be from the dead: God will bless his own Means: And affrighting men will not renew their Natures, and kindle in them a Love to God and Holiness. And how little should we know whether one from the Dead were a Devil, or a credible Messenger? and whether he said true or false? Should he dwell with us as long as Ministers do, men would again despise and persecute him: Should he come but once, it would not equal the daily solicitations of God's Ministers. Will one from the Dead heal all Diseases with a word, and raise the Dead, and send down the Holy Ghost on all the Faithful, and give such proof of his Truth, as the Prophets, and Christ, and the Apostles have done? Will his words have more Light and Power than God's Word hath? Or would not your fleshly Brethren accuse him of scandalizing and slandering the Soul of their noble deceased Brother, for telling them he is in Hell, and persecute him, if he were within their power.

Note ; Christians, remember with thankfulness, that you have a far better means for your Salvation, than one from the Dead would be; and use it accordingly.

CHAP. XVII.

1. THen said he unto his disciples. It is impossible but that offenses will come, but woe unto him through whom they come. 2. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

1, 2. It is a thing that will certainly come to pass, and must be expected, that divers hindrances and oppositions will meet men to keep them from Faith and Holiness, and that by divers sorts of persons: But the sin of such hinderers is heinous, tending to oppose the Gospel of Salvation, and to damn Souls; and woe to them, that by their malignity do thus serve Satan against Christ. 2. They may blindly flatter themselves by malice, or false reasoning, or worldly interest; but their case is more miserable, than if they were drowned in the depth o • the Sea.

3. Take heed to yourselves; If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him. 4. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

3, 4. Take heed that you hinder not any man in the matters of his Salvation, by persuasion, example, or persecution: But if any man offend you by sin, or injury, reprove him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Note 1. The meaning is not that the mock-repentance of one that will seven times a day commit gross sins, or injury, and say, I repent, when it is notorious that he doth not, should be forgiven for an hypocritical word: But that True Repentance should be accepted, how oft soever men offend.

Qu. Must we not forgive men, unless they confess and repent? Ans. There are several degrees of forgiveness: 1. We must so far forgive the impenitent, as to love them as men, and desire and endeavor their good, without revenge. 2. But we must forgive none but the penitent so far, as to take them into the special Love, which belongeth to Christian Friends. But then it supposeth that the fault be gross sin, and not an injury by tolerable Error, which he is not convinced of, nor can be.

5. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

5. Seeing it is by Faith that we must do Miracles, and must be saved, Give us more Faith.

6. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea, and it should obey you.

6. If your Faith be true, though but small, no difficulty shall prevail against it, nor any Miracle be too hard, when God by his Spirit shall move you to it, who will be the chuser of Miracles.

7. But which of you having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat: 8. And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken: and afterward thou shalt eat and drink. 9. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

7, 8, 9, 10. But see that neither your Faith nor Miracles puff you up, or make you think too highly of yourselves: Nor must you desire it to make you conspicuous in the World, but for your Masters service, which is your duty, and by which you must not think that you are profitable to him, but obedient to him for your own and other men's good. If you have Servants yourselves, you will not let them prefer themselves and their own interest, before you and your commands: So you, when you have preached and cast out Devils, and done your best, think not that you have profited God, and thereby deserve to be dignified for the merit of your work; but say, we did but our duty, and the privilege and benefit is our own and others.

Note 1. It's hard to Analize Luke 's words, because it is uncertain when he sets them together that were spoken together; and when he joineth words spoken on divers occasions.

2. When Christ judgeth the unprofitable Servant to utter darkness, and yet here calleth all unprofitable ; the sense is, that no man can add anything to God, or profit him; nor is he a Receiver, but a Giver; no Angel can merit of him in Commutative Justice. But we must be Profitable to one another, and ourselves, by improving God's Mercies: And Christ so loveth his own, as that he will reward this, as if it profited himself.

11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men which were lepers, who stood afar off: 13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, master have mercy upon us. 14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.

11, 12, 13, 14. Note ; He intimated thereby a purpose to heal them: (And he bid them use the ill-called corrupt Priests:) But whether he sent them to the Priests, as those that were to judge of Leprosies before the cleansing, or to show that they were cleansed, is doubtful; though the first seems to me most probable.

15. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. 16. And fell down on his face at his feet giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.

15, 16. He judged it no breach of Christ's command to return first to him, and glorify God, and give him thanks.

17. And Jesus answering, said, were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

17▪ 18. This one man, accounted a Heretic by the Jews, is the only man of ten that returneth to glorify God for his Cure.

Note ; Many receive Mercies, but few glorify God with true thanksgiving.

19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.

19. Note ; This oft-used word of Christ, is against them, that say, that because it is Christ that healeth, or justifieth, it is not Faith: As if the Office of Christ, and of Faith, might not concur hereunto.

20. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come; he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. 21. Neither shall they say, Lo here, or lo there: for behold the kingdom of God is within you.

20, 21. You know not what the Kingdom of God is: It is not Christ's appearance in visible pomp, as earthly Princes reign: It is a Moral Spiritual Kingdom, opposite (not to Monarchs, but) to the Kingdom of Satan: As Satan reigneth not visibly by himself, but by corrupt Princes and Teachers, to do his works, and by his invisible suggestions and his baits; so the Kingdom of God is to destroy Satan's Kingdom, and to sanctify and save men, not by Christ's visible pompous reign, but by holy Rulers and Teachers, and by his Word and Spirit, and promises and blessings to work on Souls.

22. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

22. Days of suffering are not far off, when you will wish for my presence to deliver you (or, as some, when you shall wish for days, as easy and quiet, as these are now,) or others think, though he spake to his Disciples, it is the Pharisees or the Jewish Nation that he spake to them of.

23. And they shall say to you, See here, or see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24. For as the lightning that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven: so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

23, 24. Believe not them that tell you a Deliverer or Christ is in such or such a place. For my Kingdom shall not be managed by my personal appearance, but by the Light of my Word and Spirit, which shall shine from one part of the World to another, as Lightning from Heaven; [or, my last coming will be like Lightning, sudden, and glorious to all men's sight.]

25. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26. And as it was in the days of Noah; so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark: and the flood came & destroyed them all.

25, 26, 27. See Matth. 24. Whether the day of Christ be the day of his just Destruction of the Jews, or of his Reign by the Gospel, joined with the Fall of them and other Enemies, or his last coming, is doubted of by Expositors.

28. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all: 30. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

28, 29, 30. Christ's coming, (whether to destroy his Enemies, or to judge the World,) will be sudden, unexpected, and terrible.

31. In that day, he which shall be upon the house top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32. Remember Lot's wife.

31, 32. Let all go, and be glad to save your lives: Look nor back with grief for your losses, lest you speed as Lot 's Wife did.

33. Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it.

33. Self-saving, by forsaking the Truth, will prove self-destroying; and venturing and losing life for me, shall prove the surest saving way.

34. I tell you, In that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, the other shall be left. 35. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 36. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, the other shall be left.

34, 35. I will carefully separate my own from the rest, and save them when unbelievers perish, (whether at the end, or sooner.)

37. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

37. Where shall all these things be done? He said, where those designed to destruction are, thither God▪s Justice will send his Executioners. And where his chosen are, there shall be deliverance. See Matth. 24.

CHAP. XVIII.

1. ANd he spake a parable unto them, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint,

1. To hold on in earnest importunity and hope, and not to grow cold, and slack, and heartless.

2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. 3. And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

2, 3. Note ; Woe to the Land that hath such Judges. She said, Do me Justice against my Adversary.

4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man, 5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

4, 5. Note ; Where there is no fear of God, yet avoiding clamor and shame for injustice, may make a Judge do Justice to the oppressed. But they that come 10 Diabolical Malignity, will delight to do mischief, and destroy the Just, and will take their wickedness for their glory.

6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, that cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

6, 7, 8. Will importunity prevail with a wicked Judge? and will not importunate prayer prevail with God to do Justice for his chosen, praying people? I tell you, though the time seem long to you, he will make no delay to do them Justice in due time.

Note ; Importunity moved the man by wearying him; but it procureth mercy from God only, by making us fit Receivers of it. Men will despond by impatience, before deliverance cometh.

9. And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

9. He thought meet to rebuke those who thought too well of their own goodness, and were too censorious and contemptuous of those that seemed worse than they.

10. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, nor even as this Publican. 12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

10, 11, 12. The Pharisees Prayer was a boasting of his goodness, and not a humble bewailing of his sins and wants. All this was praise-worthy in itself, but much more was necessary in him.

13. And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

13. His Prayer was in • he deep sense of his sin, a humble begging mercy of God; ( • ot with a purpose to go on in sin, but with pe •• tense and conversion, resolving of a new life.)

14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather then the other: for everyone that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

14. God took this for a juster or better man, for his penitent confession than the Pharisee, for all that formal righteousness which he boasted of: For God will exalt the humble, and abase the proud. (But this supposeth the Publican's Repentance to be a true Conversion, and not mere conviction and confessing in fear.)

15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein.

15, 16, 17. See on Matth. 10.14. Matth. 19.13, 14, 15.

18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, that is, God. 20. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother. 21. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me. 23. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. See Matth. 19.20. & Mark 10.17.

Note, This renunciation of the World is not required by Christ, only to a high degree of holiness; but to the obtaining of Eternal Life.

Note, Multitu • es of nominal Christians go not so far as this worldly Jew ; in believing a Life Eternal, & in a care to inherit it, and in doing so much for it, from his youth.

24. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25. For it is easier 〈◊〉 a camel to go through a needles eye, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it, said, Who then can be saved?

24, 25, 26. See Matth. 19.

Note, To enter into the Kingdom of God, and to be saved, was understood by the hearers to be all one.

27. And he said, The things which are unpossible with men, are possible with God.

27. Note, Possibility, though with great difficulty, must make us true seekers and then we may attain to certainty.

28. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children for the kingdom of God's sake, 30. Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

28, 29, 30. You shall be no losers by me.

Note, The blessings even of suffering Christians in this Life, are better than all that they forsake for Christ.

31. Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, & spitefully entreated and spit on: 33. And they shall scourge him, and put him to death, and the third day he shall rise again. 34. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

31, 32, 33, 34. Note, We must not wonder if many of our Hearers then are dull of understanding.

35. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38. And he cried saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39. And they which went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David have mercy on me. 40. And Jesus stood and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near he asked him, 41. Saying, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee. 43. And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people when they saw it gave praise unto God.

35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43. See on Matth. 20.18, 19, 20. N. Faith fitteth us to receive Mercy; and Mercy teacheth us to glorify God.

CHAP. XIX.

1. ANd Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the Publicans, and he was rich. 3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was, and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore-tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. 5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make hast, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.

1 2, 3, 4, 5. Desire, and diligent seeking, prepare for Christ's acceptance and abode with us.

6. And he made hast and came down, and received him joyfully.

6. Note ; He hoped but for a • ight of him, and obtaineth more. Mercy exceedeth the seekers expectation.

7. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

7. Note ; As if Christ were not holy and strict enough, because he went to sinners for their Salvation.

8. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

1. Note 1. This proceeding from Faith in Christ, proved him a true Convert. 2. False accusation was the Publican • notable sin.

9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is the son of Abraham.

9. Note 1. Where true Faith and Conversion cometh, there Salvation cometh. 2. All true Believers are Children of Abraham, that is, of the Promise made to Abraham and his seed.

10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

10. To this end came I into the World, to redeem, convert, and save lost sinners.

11. And as they heard these things, he added, and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

11. To take them off such expectations.

12. He said therefore, A certain noble man went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

12. Christ was to go from Earth to Heaven, to receive his own Kingly glory, and to reign there over Heaven and Earth, and to return to judge men according to their works.

13. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

13. He giveth men, that profess to be his Servants, his Gifts and Mercies, and commands them to use them faithfully in his Service, and to do good in his Church, and profit others, expecting his return.

14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

14. The Jews, to whom he first offered Grace, rejected him and his Government with scorn.

15. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

15. When he came to exercise Judgment over his Subjects and Servants, he called first those that professed Christianity, to take an account how they had used the blessings of the Gospel.

16. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

16. Thy Grace • nd Gifts have been improved to the profit of many 〈◊〉 • o my own increase in Holiness.

17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

17. Thou shall have a reward above others, according to thy service.

Note 1. Christ will praise his faithful Servants, and their Works. 2. He rewardeth them, because they have been faithful, as the s ••• ral Qualification of the Receivers; but not in Commutative Justice, nor in Distributive Governing Justice, according to the Law of Innocency, or of Moses, but in Distributive Paternal Justice, according to the Law of Grace and Faith.

18. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

18, 19. Their reward shall be answerable.

20. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21. For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

20, 21. Here is thy own; I have wasted none of it: But thou art so severe, that I durst not trade with it, lest I should lose it.

22. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant: thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow. 23. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

22, 23. Note ; Wicked men are apt to excuse their sloth, and accuse God's strictness: But out of their own confessions and words shall Hypocrites, that profess Christianity, be condemned.

Qu. What Usury is it which Christ by this Parable seemeth to countenance? Ans. Such as God had not forbidden: To us now all Usury is sinful, that is against either Justice or Charity, or the public good, and no other: For Moses 's Political Law bindeth not us.

24. And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25. And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. 26. For I say unto you, That unto everyone which hath, shall be given, and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

24. Add it to his reward.

25, 26. He that hath gained by his faithful industry shall be trusted and rewarded with more; and he that unfaithfully neglected to use the mercy trusted with him, shall be deprived of that mercy, gifts, time, &c. which he neglected.

27. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

27. Those Jews that hated and rejected me, and all such Rebellious Infidels, shall be destroyed.

28. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29. And it came to pass when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany; at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30. Saying, go ye into the village over against you, in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man s • t: loose him, and bring him hither. 31. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32. And they that were sent, went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34. And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. Note ; Though Luke name only the Colt, that denieth not the Ass named by other Writers.

See Matth. 21.1, 7, 8.

35. And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice, and praised God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38. Saying, blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

37. See on Matth. 21.9, 10, 11.

39. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude, said to him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40. And he answered and said to them, I tell you, that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

39, 40. They do but what God doth cause them to do, and if they did not, God would have it done, though by Miracle.

41. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it; 42. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hidden from thine eyes.

41. O that thou hadst known the things that are necessary to thy own peace and safety, before the day of Grace be past. But by thy willful sin and blindness, they are unknown to thee.

Note ; Christ, as Man, by weeping over self-destroying sinners, showeth his love and pity, though not equal to that which he exerciseth on hi • Elect whom he will save.

43. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

34, 44 All this was done about thirty eight years after, by the dreadfullest Siege, for Famine and Murder, that any History recordeth.

45. And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein and them that bought. 46. Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

45▪ 46. See Matth. 21.12. Note ; Christ shown his Authority by Reforming; and his Zeal even for the Temple, while the Law stood.

47. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and scribes, and the chief of the people sought to destroy him

47. It was the Priests and Rulers that were Christ's Enemies and Persecutors.

48. And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

48. They durst not lay hands on him, because the multitude hearing and admiring him, were as his guard.

CHAP. XX.

1. ANd it came to pass that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the Gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him, with the elders. 2. And spake unto him, saying, Tell us by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

1, 2. Such things are not to be done without Authority.

3. And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing, and answer me. 4. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, from heaven, he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6. But and if we say, of men, all the people will stone us; for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. They ought to have known his Authority by his Miracles. See Matth. 21.

9. Then began he to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far Country for a long time. 10. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty. 11. And again he sent another servant, and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12. And again he sent the third, and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16. He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. The Vineyard is the Land of Israel ; the Husbandmen are the Israelites ; the Owner is God; the Messengers are the Prophets; the Son is Christ, &c. See Matth. 21.

17. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

17, 18. Whoever sins against Christ by unbelief, will perish in his sin: But they that strive against him by malignity and opposition, will fall under his victorious; Judgment, which will make them the most miserable.

19. And the chief priests and the Scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him, and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

19. Note ; That which is said against their sin, enrageth the impenitent, be it never so true and needful to their conviction.

20. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which would fain themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

20. Blood-thirsty Hypocrites would ensnare him, to get some word for which they might accuse him, to the Romans Governor, as Treason against Caesar.

Note ; How like in all Ages are the nature and ways of wicked men! Thus was Naboth used by Jezebel, &c.

21. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly. 22. Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23. But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24. Shew me a penny: whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesars. 25. And he said unto them: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesars, and unto God the things which be God's. 26. And they could not take hold of his words before the people, and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Note ; There is poison in the seeming kindness of cruel Hypocrites; they flatter that they may hurt. Note ; It is lawful to put off bloody ensnarers with doubt •• l Answers.

27. Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, (which deny that there is any resurrection,) and they asked him, 28. Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up feed to his brother. 29. There were therefore seven brethren, and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31. And the third took her, and in like manner the seven also. And they left no children, and died. 32. Last of all the woman died also. 33. Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

27, • 8, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. Carnal men, from their own Error, do foolishly cavil against the Truth which they understand not.

34. And Jesus answering, said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36. Neither can they die anymore; for they are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the Resurrection.

34, 35, 36. Note ; Worthiness of that World, is such a qualification as is required in God's Promise. Note ; The Blessed shall be like the Angels, and with them, and be immortal. Note ; By the Resurrection here is meant the next Life, even to separated Souls, and not only the Resurrection of the Body. O why do we not long for such a change!

37. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shown at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto him.

37, 38. See Matth. 22. He is the Lord and Owner of the Dead and Living: But to be Their God, signifieth more, even to be their Governor and Protector, and their End and Portion, and their All.

39. Then certain of the Scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40. And after that, they durst not ask him any question at all.

39, 40. T •• y were out of hope of entrapping him by their Ques ••• ns.

41. And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's Son? 42. And David himself saith in the book of psalms▪ The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool, 44. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his Son?

41, 42, 43 44. See Matth. 22.

45. Then in the audience of all the people he said to his disciples, 46. Beware of the Scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts, 47. Who devour widows houses, and for a show make long prayers: The same shall receive greater damnation.

45, 46, 47. Note ; The Character of formal Hypocrites, •• to be worldly, cruel, unjust, proud, • nd to be devout in a ceremonious Religion and •• p labor, to quiet their Conscience, and keep their reputation. N. Tho' no doubt but some Hypocrites can use long prayers extempore, it is most likely that the Scribes and Pharisees was a Form or Liturgy.

CHAP. XXI.

1. ANd he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3. And he said, of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more then they all. 4. For all these have of their abundance, cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

1, 2, 3, 4. See on Mark 12.41, 42. God judgeth not of our Service by the bulk.

5. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said. 6. As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

5, 6. See Matth. 24.

7. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass.

7. Note ; Corrupt Nature is more desirous to know things to come, than to prepare f • r them by present duty.

8. And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

8. Take you more care of yourselves, than to know the time; and be not deceived by false Christ's, and false Prophets.

9. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified; for these things must first come to pass, but the end is not by and by. 10. Then said he unto them, nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights, and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my Names sake. 13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

9, 10, 11, 12, 13. See Matth. 24. Note ; Christ did not draw in Disciples with the hopes of prosperity. It shall be your Witness or Martyrdom, to divulge the Gospel, and condemn unbelievers.

14. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gain-say, nor resist.

14, 15. Note ; It is Christ in Heaven that giveth Grace and Gifts to his Servants on Earth by his Spirit.

16. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends, and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake. 18. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

16, 17, 18. Ye shall be no losers by all your sufferings; You shall be preserved till you are ripe for your full reward.

19. In your patience possess ye your souls.

19. While you keep your Innocence and Patience, you keep your Souls from danger and loss.

20. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof his nigh. 21. Then let them which are in Judea, flee to the mountains, and let them which are in the midst of it, depart out, and let not them that are in the countries, enter thereunto. 22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

20, 21, 22. Jerusalem 's Calamity shall be so great, that all that will be safe must the from it.

23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days, for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into into all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

23, 24. Till the Heathens be turned Christians themselve • , (in Constantine 's days.) and then Jerusalem shall be restored, and be the dwelling of Christians.

25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, 26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.

25, 26, 27, 28. See Matth. 24. Judgment, though slow, is sure and terrible.

29. And he spake to them a parable, Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees, 30. When they now shoot▪ forth, ye see and know of your own selves, that summer is now nigh at hand, 31. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

29, 30, 31. The Kingdom of God is the Reign of the Messiah, destroying Satan's Kingdom, beginning indeed at his Resurrection, but notable as Catholic, upon the great conversion of the Gentiles, specially when Emperors owned Christ, the Jews being partly destroyed, and partly converted; and at last perfected in glory.

32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32, 33. Till the Jews be destroyed, and the Gentiles begin to receive the Gospel through the World.

34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

34, 35. Either the ruin of the Jews shall suddenly come on all that Land; or the day of Judgment on all the World: And our duty is to be always ready; and therefore to avoid sensuality and worldliness, which is unreadiness.

36. Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

36. A life of obedient watching against sin, waiting for Judgment, and constant Prayer, is our Gospel-worthiness to escape God's Judgments, and our preparation for a comfortable meeting our Judge.

37. And in the daytime he was teaching in the temple, and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of olives. 38. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

37, 38. Note ; They could not silence him, 1. Because it was the Jews Law, that Prophets and great Teachers should speak freely. 2. And the Romans limited their Power. 3. And they feared the multitude of his hearers.

CHAP. XXII.

1. NOw the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the passover. 2. And the chief priests and Scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

1, 2. The feast of unleavened Bread, was the day of the Passover, and seven days after.

3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

3, 4. Note ; There is more of Satan in sin, than sinners think: He hath access as a Tempter to the Imagination, and when his Temptation prevaileth, he gets greater possession of the heart.

5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

5. Note 1. Wicked purposes or desires, use to meet with encouragement from wicked men. 2. It is a heinous crime, when men dare covenant to sin for gain.

6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

6. To avoid tumult.

7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8. And he sent Peter and John saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water, follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11. And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The master saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12. And he shall show you a large upper room furnished, there make ready. 13. And they went and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Note 1. Christ knew what would befall them out of sight. 2. Being made under the Law, he would keep even that part that typified himself.

14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.

14. Note ; Christ earnestly desired the fulfilling of his undertaken work, and holy Communion with his Servants.

16. For I say unto you, I will not anymore eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

16, 17, 18. Till we meet in Heaven; or till I celebrate that Sacrament which is the Christian Passover with you, in the holy Assemblies, where I will be spiritually present.

Qu. How comes the Cup twice mentioned? Ans. The first was part of the Passover. But Beza noteth, that the 18th and 19th verses are not in the Syrian Translation, which is most ancient: And in his very old Greek Copy now at Cambridge, [ This do in remembrance of me, ] is left out of the 19th verse; and he conjectures some verses are transposed.

19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them▪ saying, This is my body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of me. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

19, 20. See Matth. 26. Note ; Seeing the Evangelists use not all the very same words, it seems not of absolute necessity to use just the same still: Yet all the substance must be retained; and it's safest repeating all set together which they recite; and as Paul most fully reciteth them.

21. But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me, is with me on the table. 22. And truly the Son of man goeth as it was determined, but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed. 23. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

21, 22, 23. Note ; How hard was Judas 's heart, that took not this warning!

24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

24. Note ; This strife was before, Matth. 20. But Luke keepeth not to the order of time.

25. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and they that exercise authority upon them, are called benefactors. 26. But ye shall not be so; but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

25, 26. (I am not for parity among all my Disciples: You know I have chosen you only to be Apostles: But though you be over the Churches, you must not be Rulers of one another: And that sort of Preeminence which you have, must not be like that of the Princes of the World, who Rule by the Sword, or outward Force, and in worldly Pomp or State, constraining Subjects to flatter them with high Titles; but it must be grounded in an excellency of Grace and Gifts, Love, Meekness, Humility, being the most useful, and devoted to the good of all; as Ruling only the voluntary, and therefore by the clearest Reason, and greatest Love, and most exemplary profitable Lives: Strive and spare not, for this Preeminence and Disparity.)

27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

27. Would you rule as greater than I? what hath my Government of you been, but to do you good, by Doctrine, Love, and good Example, without force?

28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me:

28. As a reward for your faithful sticking to me in all my Trials and Sufferings. I appoint, &c.

Note ; This Promise is three ways expounded; 1. The aspiring Clergy say it is, I make you Apostles the Chief Rulers of my Church, though in persecuting t •• es, and y • ur Successors shall be Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Arch-Bishops, &c. and over top Emperors and Kings.

2. Others say, that this lower World is but a shadow of the upper; and that the Office of Angels, and the Titles in Daniel of [ M •••• your Prince ] and so of other Angels, showeth thi • • e • e be Kingdoms in the Spiritual World above us, answerable to all the Kingdoms on Earth, and incomparably more; and that therefore Christ saith, In my Father 's house are many Mansions: And that there the twelve Apostles have their Kingdoms, (at least over the twelve Trib •• ) as being equal with the Angels.

3. But most think that it is only an expression of the eminent Glory of the Apostles after the Resurrection.

I see not but part of all three Expositions may be included, that is, you shall be Chief in my Church on Earth, and equal with Angels after Death, but specially after the Day of Judgment.

30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

30. That ye may be feasted by me in Heaven with spiritual everlasting Joys, and may be Superiors to the glorified Israelites, and in the mean time on Earth may be the chiefest in my Church.

31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not? and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

31, 32. Satan hath got leave to try and sift you all, and thee in special: But I have by Prayer prevailed, that though thou sin in denying me, thou mayest not fall from sincere Faith: And when by Repentance thou art recovered from thy fall, strengthen thy Brethren, who will forsake me also.

33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison, and to death. 34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

33. Note ; Christ that knew Satan's Request, and knew the Event, knew Peter 's weakness better than he himself did.

35. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. 36. Then said he unto them, But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that had no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37. For I say unto you, That this that is written, must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

35, 36, 37. When the People followed and applauded me for my Cures and Miracles, I knew that they would receive you, and provide for you for my sake: But now I am to be crucified and scorned as a transgressor, they will also cast you off: Therefore now look for hard usage, and moderately provide for yourselves.

38. And they said, Lord, Behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

38. I do not mean that you should now fight for me, but that you take care of your safety.

39. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives, and his disciples also followed him.

39. It seems he used there to lodge out of doors on the ground, and his Disciples with him.

40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

40. Prayer is the way both to escape Temptation, and in it to overcome.

41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stones cast, and kneeled down, and prayed. 42. Saying; Father, If thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

41, 42. N. For Christ in the first act by a simple Nolition to be unwilling to suffer, was no sin, nor resisting God, but the property of Human Nature: But if he had been averse in the second comparative act, called Election, when he knew it was God's Will, this would have been evil.

43. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

43. N. Had Christ, as Man, need of an Angels strengthening? What need then have we in the approach of death and great sufferings? And may we not also expect Angels help?

44. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

44. N. This was not from the fear of death, but the deep sense of God's wrath against sin, which he, as our Sacrifice, was to bear, in greater pain than mere dying, which his Servants oft bear with peace.

45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

45, 46. N. We are apt to sleep when we have most need to watch and pray, and have need to be awakened.

47. And while he yet spake, behold, a mulitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus, to kiss him. 48. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

47, 48. N God permitted one so near Christ to betray him, to warn us how far to expect evil from our professed friends.

49. When they which were about him, saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50. And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

49, 50. Self-defense is natural, but God's Law must rule it: They were the more put to fly, because they had resisted.

51. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

51. N. This Miracle, wrought for one that came to destroy him, neither melted nor convinced hardened sinners.

52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests & captains of the temple, and the elders which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

52, 53. This is the time which God hath granted Satan to make use of you his Instruments against me, and the Prince of darkness will seem to conquer.

54. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priests house. And Peter followed afar off. 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, & earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

54, 55, 56. N. When Trial must come, Instruments will not be wanting.

57. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

57. N. Had he not been conscious of smiting with the Sword, he had not been in so much danger of fear.

58. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

58. N. It was a Woman, here called Man only as one of Mankind, not to distinguish the Sex.

59. And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him; for he is a Galilean.

59. N. To belong to Christ, and follow him, is crime enough, when Enemies are Judges.

60. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

60, 61, 62. N. Christ's own danger did not make him forget a sinning Disciple.

63. And the men that held Jesus, mocked him, and smote him. 64. And when they had blindfolded him, they stroke him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65. And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

63, 64, 65. N. What is it that the ignorant Rabble will not say and do against the best of men, when men called Sacred and Great encourage them?

66. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests and the Scribes came together, and led them into their council, saying, 67. Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, you will not believe. 68. And if I also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go.

66, 67, 68. It's in vain to discourse with you; for you are resolved what to do with me, and trust to force, and not to Truth.

69. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

69. I shall shortly be advanced in Heaven as Man, to be Lord of all.

70. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? and he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

70, 71. N. Though Christ answered not their other Accusations, he would not, to save his life, by silence seem to fear to own his Nature, Dignity and Office; else he that laid our Salvation upon our open confessing him in the face of greatest danger, should have required more of us, than he would do himself. Paul saith, With the mouth confession is made to Salvation ; and giveth Timothy Christ's Example, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, Rom. 10, 9, 10. 1 Tim. 6.13.

CHAP. XXIII.

1. ANd the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying, That he himself is Christ a King.

1, 2. N. The last clause, which was true, gave a color to the former which was false: They thought that Pilate could not believe that he could claim a Kingdom, and not be against Caesar 's Reign. And to this day the Devil's design is to make Princes jealous that Christ's Kingdom is against theirs, when as they have all their true power from him. No way seemeth so effectual to the Diabolists to get down Christ's Kingdom, as to raise jealousy and enmity in Kings against it.

3. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou • ayest it.

3 I am • o; I will not deny my Office and Dignity, (But my Kingdom is not of this Wor • d.)

4. Then said Pilate to the chief priest and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

4. Though he call himself a King, he raiseth no War or Sedition against Ca • sar ; and so the Law will not reach him.

5. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jury, beginning from Galilee to this place.

5. His Preaching is seditious, disaffecting the people to the Government, and to the public Peace.

6. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. 7. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem at that time. 8. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad, for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

6, 7, 8. N. When the King of Glory, in the form of a Servant, was thus tossed in triumph and scorn, from Ruler to Ruler, it was to show what we deserved, and what we must expect.

9. Then he questioned with him in many words, but he answered him nothing.

9. N. As he was not over solicitous to refel their Accusations; so he would no accuse himself, nor give them matter against him out of his own mouth: He would not have taken an ex Officio Oath, to answer whatever Question they should ask him, though they told him not what.

10. And the chief priests and Scribes stood, and vehemently accused him.

10, N. Consecrated men are Satan's Agents with the King against Christ.

11. And Herod with his men of war set him at naught, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

11. N. The King and his Soldiers thought they were far enough above a despised unarmed Prisoner.

12. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves.

12. N. They can agree in enmity and persecution of the just, who cannot agree about their worldly interest.

13. And Pilate when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, 14. Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people, and behold, I having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15. No nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16. I will therefore chastise him and release him. 17. For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.

13, 14, 15, 16, 17. His accusation of Sedition is not proved to me, nor to Herod : I will therefore scourge him, and so release him.

18. And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas,

18. N. A Murderer, or the most deboist, seems better than Christ himself, to malignant Hypocrites.

19. (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder was cast in prison.) 20. Pilate therefore willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him, I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

19, 20, 21, 22. N. The malignant Jews are worse than the Heathens in persecuting rage.

23. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the chief priests, prevailed. 24. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

23, 24. N. Wicked men dare deny God's importunity & mercy, but cannot deny temptations from men's importunity and worldly interest.

25. And he released unto them, him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

25. N. 1. It is the greatest means of bad men's ruin, to let them have their wills. 2. God in flesh was not innocent enough in the eyes of wicked men, to scape condemnation.

26. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian, coming, out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. 27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28. But Jesus turning unto them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29. For behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps that never gave suck.

26, 27, 28, 29. It is not my case that you have cause to lament, but your own and your Children's, for the dreadful destruction that is coming.

30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us: and to the hills, Cover us. 31. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

30, 31. Dreadful will be the approaching vengeance: For if they thus use me for my good works, what shall they endure, who by their heinous sin are as wood dried for the fire.

32. And there were also two malefactors led with him to be put to death. 33. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

32, 33. Thus, for us, the Son of God was numbered with Malefactors, by the most ignominious death.

34. Then said Jesus, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

34. Qu. Was this an absolute Prayer of Christ? If so, were they not all forgiven, seeing he was always heard? And doth not he himself foretell their dreadful punishment? Ans. It is as if he said [I am dying to purchase pardon of sin to all that repent and believe; I come not to destroy and condemn, but to save: It is therefore my part to desire their Repentance and Salvation: Take them not as unpardonable, for they do this in ignorance and unbelief: Tender them forgiveness, and give them yet time of Repentance, and draw thine Elect to effectual Faith, and condemn none for killing me, that do not after my Resurrection obstinately reject thy offered mercy to the last.] This also was the sense of Stephen 's, Lay not this sin to their charge. But final unbelief and rejecting grace, is the unpardonable sin, which retaineth all the rest.

35. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others, let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God,

35. O unthankful men▪ to turn so many Miracles of Love and Mercy into cruel insulting scorn! Reader, behold in these Instances the Nature of fallen Man, and be humbled, and fear thyself.

36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37. And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

36, 37. N. He came to save us, and not himself, till his Resurrection: How glad would his Enemies shortly be to be saved by him? And how will their tune be changed!

38. And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38. N. As the reason of his death, and scorn both of him, and all the Jewish Nation

39. And one of the malefactors, which were hanged, railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

39. N. The Cross of Christ was the great scandal to all? They thought that he could not be the Christ, that did not save himself; because they knew not the use of his Sacrifice for Man's Redemption. But it shows the power of sin, when even a Malefactor crucified shall go out of the World in such reproach.

40. But the other answering, rebuked him saying, Doest not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41. And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this man hath done nothing amiss.

40, 41. Wilt thou die in sin? Are not we justly suffering for it, when he unjustly suffereth, being innocent?

42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

42. Lord, I believe that thou art the true Messiah, and the promised King: Remember me a sinner with pardoning mercy and acceptance, when thou reignest in thy glory.

43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

43. Trust my Promise: Thou shalt this very day be with me in a celestial Paradise of joy.

N. 1. This Example showeth us what Election freely doth in calling one, while another is past by.

2. Christ would give this present proof of the virtue of his Sacrifice to call and justify sinners.

3. True Conversion is never too late, to the obtaining of Mercy and Salvation.

4. True Faith and Repentance, how late soever, will have its fruits. This man was not saved without good works. 1. He confessed his sin, 2. He confessed the justness of his punishment. 3. He confessed Christ's Kingdom. 4. He justified Christ's Innocency. 5. He reproved the Reviler, and taught him to repent. 6. He prayed even to a crucified dying Christ. 7. He prayed not for present deliverance, but for a place in Christ's Kingdom.

5. The departed Souls of the faithful go presently to Paradise.

6. This Paradise is where Christ will be with us.

Some Heretics, by gross perversion, join [ This day, ] with [ I say ] as if it had been only the day of Christ's speaking this, and not of the man's being in Paradise: But it is by falsification, contrary to the pointing of all Greek Copies; and one Copy, saith Beza, hath [ That this day. ]

44. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth, until the ninth hour.

44. Over all the Land, from twelve a Clock till three, there was an unusual degree of darkness, whether by an Ecclipse, or extraordinary Clouds, is uncertain: But it was not such darkness as is in the night.

45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the mids.

45. Some take the veil to be a hanging, but it's liker it wa • a wall: For the Temple was divided into three parts; 1. The outer Court, where the Gentiles might come. 2 The Sanctuary, where the Jews came. 3. The inner Sanctuary, or Holiest, where only the High Priest came once a year. If it was the wall that enclosed the Holiest, then the rending signified the access we have now to God by Christ: If it was the second wall, it signified the removal of the Mosaical Separation of Jews and Gentiles.

46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

46. N. The certain Glory that Christ expected, was by the way of Trusting his Soul into his Fathers hands: And what otherways have we to die in hope and peace, but to commit our Souls with Trust to our Father and our Redeemer, and conjoin the dying words of Christ & Stephen?

47. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

47. See Matth. 27.54. Though Matthew recite his words thus, [ Verily this was the Son of God, ] Luke 's words are not contrary, but we may conclude that the Centurion spake both.

48. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

48, 49. N. Soldiers and common people were not so hardened as the Priests and Rulers.

50. And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor, and he was a good man and a just:

50. O • e of the Council that governed.

51. (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews (who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.)

51. Who having looked for the coming of the Messiah, believed that Christ was he.

52. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

52. N. 1. He that concealed his Faith before, shown his Love to Christ when he was dead. 2. The Body of the Son of God was at the disposal and power of a Heathen, even his who was Lord of all the World.

53. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

53. Prepared for himself.

54. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on: 55. And the women also which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. 56. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments, and rested the Sabbath day, according to the commandment.

54, 55, 56. According to Moses 's Law, which required Ceremonial Rest, it being not then abrogated.

CHAP. XXIV.

1. NOw upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

1. Obj. Did not Nicodemus and Joseph wrap his body in Spices at his Burial? Ans. They laid it in haste in the dry Aloes and Myrrh, deferring the full Embalming of it, with the added Ointments, till after the Sabbath.

2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3. And they entered in, and they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5. And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

2, 3, 4, 5. See the reconciliation of the seeming differences of the Evangelists herein, on Mat. 28. & Mark 16. & Joh. 20.

6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7. Saying, The Son of man must be dilivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

6, 7. N. Luke saith more of this Sermon of the Angels to the Women, than the other Evangelists did.

8. And they remembered his words, 9. And they returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

8, 9, 10, 11. N. Here is much past by which the other Evangelists have: For no one of them pretended to write all that was done.

12. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher, and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

12. Se • t • is more fully in John 20.

13. And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15. And it came to pass, that while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

13, 14, 15. Christ came to them but as unknown.

16. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.

16. It's like the cause was partly in them, and partly in the change of the countenance of Christ.

17. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

17. N. He was not ignorant of their discourse, but asked them, that he might instruct them.

18. And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering, said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19. And he said unto them, What things? and they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God, and all the people:

18, 19, In Miracles, and Prophecy, and Doctrine.

20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

20, 21. N. They still believed that he was a Prophet: For many Prophets were murdered: But they now seemed to doubt, yea almost to give up their belief that he was the Messiah.

22. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher: 23. And when they found not his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24. And certain of them which were with us, went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said, but him they saw not.

22, 23.24. And yet we know not what to think, but are under mere astonishment, and further expectation; for certain Women, &c.

25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

25. Were you not very ignorant Men, and of dull hearts, you would not be so unacquainted with, and backward to believe, that which all the Prophets did foretell.

26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

26. Have they not all foretold that Christ must thus suffer, and then enter into the heavenly glory, where is his Throne, where he is to reign?

27. And beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures, the things concerning himself.

27. N. Though it hath not pleased God to give us down this Expository Sermon of Christ, yet his Spirit, by his Apostles, hath given us enough for our use.

28. And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went, and he made as though he would have gone further.

28. N. Not by any false words, but by his carriage, concealing his purpose to stay with them.

29. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent: and he went in to tarry with them.

29. N. Importunity is the means to prevail for Christ's presence, even when he purposeth to stay.

30. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

30. N. Not the Sacrament, but as the Master of the Family was wont to do; save the peculiar holiness of his manner of doing it.

31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight.

31. It's like partly by God's change on them, and partly by Christ's more discernible discovery, they knew him.

N. Though Christ rose in the same Body, and was not yet fully glorified, it was greatly changed, so that he could appear and vanish when and where he pleased, and be known or unknown to beholders.

32. And they said one to another▪ Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

32. N. They told each other how they felt their hearts affected while he preached to them.

33. And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon.

33, 34. As soon as they came in among them, the eleven first told these two, that the Lord was risen, &c.

35. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

35. Then the two also told the eleven, and the company what they had seen and heard in the way, &c.

36. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

36. N. We need not feign that he opened the door, when he could appear and disappear, when and where he would: He did not lie hidden in some corner, when they saw him so seldom in forty days, but disappeared. N. 2. Peace is the voice of a risen Savior, who purchased it so dearly, and giveth it as the great Peace-maker.

37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

37. If he had opened the door, and come in as other men, it's like they would not have taken him for a Spirit.

38. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40. And when he had thus spoken, he shown them his hands and his feet.

38, 39▪ 40. Troubling thoughts are ready to surprise ignorant persons; but Christ to suppress them, appealed to their senses: For man is apt to believe what he seeth and feeleth, but is hardly brought to believe anything above sense. N. Spirits have not flesh and blood.

41. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

41. N. There was some belief called Hope, or else they could not have had joy: But it's hard fully to believe great things which we desire, through the power of fear, lest it should not prove true.

42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honey-comb. 43. And he took it, and did eat before them.

4 • , 43. N. 1. They dieted skillfully: Broiling and Honey correct both the pituitous frigidity, and the corruptibility of fish.

2. Eating proved Christ to be no mere Spirit. When Angels did eat, they first took Bodies, or else seemed to do what they did not: Therefore glorified Bodies eat not, because they are spiritual, though not mere Spirits, and have their sustenance without eating.

44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

44. N. This Testimony of Christ confirmeth the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms, to be the true Word of God.

45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

45. N. This was a greater effect of Divine Power, (to open men's understandings,) than to appear without opening the door: The understanding of man is shut up against the understanding of things spiritual, till Christ open it. O pray for this opening.

46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

46. This should not seem new or strange to you, which the Scriptures so fully foretold.

47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48. And ye are witnesses of these things.

47, 48. I have by Redemption purchased an Act of Grace and Oblivion, a free universal pardon of sin to all that repent and will accept it, as my gift: This must be preached to all Nations; and you must do it first by Office, who are my Witnesses of the matter of fact.

49. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

49. And the great Promise of the Holy Ghost, for Miracles, Tongues, and Holiness, as my Agent, Sea • and Earnest, I will quickly pour out upon you. But wait together at Jerusalem, till it be done, and you be endued with the foresaid power from God.

50. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lift up his hands, and blessed them. 51. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

50, 51. Afterward, at the end of forty days, when he had oft appeared to them, and given them their Commission to go and Disciple all Nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things that he had commanded them, promising to be with them to the end of the World, Mat. 28.19.20. Mark 16.15, 16. See Acts 1.9.

N. Christ, that parted from Earth with a Blessing, will bless his Church here and forever.

52. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy;

52. Note ; Though their Lord was gone from them on Earth, they were now assured that they had a King and Savior in Heaven▪ whence his influence would be most extensive and efficacious.

53. And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

53. As they worshipped their glorified Redeemer; so they continued together assembled in the Temple, (not yet alienated from all Jewish Worship,) praising and magnifying the Name of God, who had besto • ed a Savior and his Grace upon them▪ and had given the Church so gracious and glorious a Savior and Head, and done such wonders to confirm their Faith. Amen.

CHAP. I.

IN the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

1, 2. The WORD (which hath been since incarnate) was in the Beginning before the world was made; And this WORD was with God, yea the WORD was God, Thus this same WORD was in the Beginning of Time, and causality with God, being God.

3 All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

3. He was a causal beginning to the whole Creation; for all things were made by him: nothing was made without him by the Father, in creating or forming the World.

4 In him was LIFE and the LIFE was the LIGHT of men.

4. Being GOD and one with the Father, he was especially LIFE, even in and with the Father, the Infinite, Eternal, self-living God; and so he was Radically and Communicatively LIFE to the World; even Intellectual Life, by which he is the LIGHT of man, as Intellectual, and as Taught by Revelation; Note, It is usual with the Scripture and School Divines to ascribe by some eminency of attribution, LIFE and POWER to the FATHER, LIGHT and WISDOME to the Son, and LOVE, JOY and PERFECTIONS to the Holy Ghost: yet so that the same also are attributed to each person in Common: And so the WORD is said here to have LIFE as one with the Father, and yet eminently to be this LIFE by the way of Intellective LIGHT and Illumination.

5 And the LIGHT shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.

5 And this LIGHT shineth communicatively unto this darkened World; which receiving it but according to the mode and disposition of the receivers, through their willful resistance, receiveth the Illumination and Teaching so defectively, as that most (in Judea and elsewhere) remain in darkness still.

6, 7, 8. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John: The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

6, 7, 8. God sent John the Baptist before us, as Elias, to Preach Repentance and Faith in the Messiah as ready to appear, and as a witness from God to prepare and call the Jews to receive him that was the true LIGHT of the World (which himself was not.)

9 That was the true LIGHT which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

9. He is the true LIGHT who giveth all the world that Light which they do enjoy: As the Lord and Spring of Nature, he giveth all men their Intellectual Natural Light, And as the Repriever and Restorer of blinded Intellects, he giveth all men that measure of moral and restored Light and Revelation which they have.

10 He was in the World, and the World was made by him, and the world knew him not.

10. He was in the World (in a more excellent manner than the Soul is in the Body, for) the world was made by him, and therefore maintained by him and he at last appeared to the world incarnate: and yet the world knew him not in either of his appearances.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

11. He came in flesh to his people the Jews, and they not believing him received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power, to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name:

12. But to as many as took him by unfeighed Consent for their Lord and Savior, even to them that believing him to be the Son of God, and true Messiah, did place all their trust in him for reconciliation with God and for Salvation, to all these he gave Right to the State and dignity of Adoption which he purchased, even to be the Sons of God as united to him, and Heirs of the heavenly Glory.

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

13. Who (as Children have a like nature communicated from the Parents, so) have a nature Holy and Divine, by spiritual Life, Light, and Love inclined to do the will of God, and to desire things Holy and Heavenly, which nature is not producit of mere natural generation, nor of fleshly appetite and senses, nor of any mere human Documents or Laws, but is the effect of God's Grace by his sanctifying Spirit.

14 And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

14. And the word that made the World assumed human nature in which he dwelt as a better Tabernacle than that of shadows; and we saw his Glory appearing in this Tabernacle in his Heavenly doctrine, Life, M •• acles and Transfigurations, which shown him to be the only begotten of the Father, Glorious in the fullness of Grace and Truth, which the shaddowy Tabernacle and Ceremonies did but prefigure.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me, is preferred before me, for he was before me.

15. John pointed to him saying, This is he: even the King of Israel : Though I am before him in time in my Ministry, he is before me in Dignity, and was before me in time also.

16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.

16. And as he is full of Wisdom and love, of grace and spiritual life, he as our Head communicateth so much as is meet for us, and we receive greater meas •• e, than were given under the Law; even measures answerable to his new appearance and Covenant.

17 For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

17. For though Moses delivered legal Precepts. Types and Ceremonies, it is by Jesus Christ that we have G • ace both for holiness and pardon▪ and by him are the Real s • bstances which those shado • s typified. The meas •• e of Grace that the • aithful had under the Law was through him, the promised Messiah and the fuller measure under the Gospel, is by his fuller access and communication to us as the Image on the Wax answereth that on the S • gnet.

18 No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

18. How little should we have known of God whom no man ever saw, if his Son that is in the bosom of the Father had not declared him and his will to man.

Note, I know not whether these words were the words of John the Baptist or the Apostles

19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed and denied not: but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that Prophet? And he answered, No.

19. John constantly affirmed that he was not Christ nor Elias personally, nor the Prophet mentioned Deut. 18.15. Qu. Doth not Christ say, that John was Elias. Ans. Not the person of old Elias, but the person prophested under that name.

22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?

22. Tell us then what thou art, that we may give an account why thou undertakes • to Prophesy and Baptize.

23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness; Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the Prophet Isaiah.

23. I am he that Isaiah prophesied of in these words, Isaiah 40.3.

24. And they which were sent, were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that Proph • t 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize you with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not, 27 He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

24, &c. The Pharisees professed to reverence Prophets, and therefore were inquisitive to know whether John was a Prophet or what he was, who presumed to Baptize: But he told them, that it was his Office by baptizing with Water to prepare them to receive him that already was among them unknown, who will Baptize with the Holy Ghost, to whom he was unworthy to do the office of the lowest Servant.

28 These things were done in Berhabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto, him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.

28, 29. The next day after the Pharisees questions, John seeing Christ gave him personally this testimony: Behold this man is appointed to be Sacrificed to God as the Lambs were under the Law to make expiation for the sins of the world, that all that believe on him may be pardoned.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

30, 31. I knew that the Messiah was come, but I knew not that this was he, till God made it known to me, and I saw the Holy Ghost come on him afterward; But because he is come, I baptize men to prepare them to receive him.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him, the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost. 34 and I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

32. N. Johns testimony was both by Revelation and Vision of the descent of the Spirit in some visible appearance. And whether John only heard the voice from Heaven mentioned Mat. 3.17. • uncertain.

35 Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his Disciples. 36 And looking on Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God. 37 And the two Disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

37. Not followed him yet as his Disciples, but as inquirers after him, in order to a closer following him.

38 Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonah, thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone.

38. Note, By all this it appeareth that when Peter and Andrew were after called, and suddenly left all and followed Christ, it was not without some previous notice of him and preparation thereto.

43 The day following, Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44. Now Phi • ip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

43. The long expected Messias is now come and, we have found him, he is Jesus of Nazareth, &c.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

46. Do the Prophets tell us that the Messiah shall come out of Nazereth: Galilee produceth not Prophets. Philip saith, come and see him, and then judge.

47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming, to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.

47. A sincere true hearted man. Qu. Were any unbelievers such? Answ. He was not an unbeliever though yet he knew not Christ: For he had that Belief which men were saved by before Christ's coming.

48. Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered, and saith unto him Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.

48. Note, He judged that none but God, or by God, could know what men said and did at such a distance. 2. It was well for Nathanael that he came to see Christ experience convinced him: And yet no doubt but God's special Grace did it: For the Pharisees saw more, and yet believed not.

50 Jesus answered, and said unto him, Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig-tree, beleivest thou? thou shalt see greater things then these.

50. Doth this much convince thee? I will do greater things then this to convince the world.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending, and descending upon the Son of man.

51. You shall see Heaven open, and the Angels owning me and ministering unto me, epecially at my Ascension.

CHAP. II.

AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples to the marriage.

1, 2. Christ refused not that familiar converse which Marriage feasts are used to.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

3, 4. These words are not a breach of the fifth Commandment; but as much as to say [I am not to do Miracles] by the direction of a Mothers Authority or by man, but in the time and manner as by the Divine Wisdom shall be determined. And by this and other passages, Christ seems to foresee how Papists would overvalue his Mother.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

5. N. She believed his Power, though he represt her Presumption.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins a piece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

6, &c. Note, It is conjectured to be about 1000 eight hundred pounds or pints o • Wine that Christ made: which shown that the Guests were very many, or that he was at such Festivals for freer drinking of Wine than is fit among us; perhaps all their Wine was small, and not all of it then drunk: but this and the like occasioned the Pharisees censure of him.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

9. Mariages among the Jews were celebrated with great Feasting, where moderate jocundity was thought seasonable: The reason Christ giveth for his Disciples not fasting, was because the Bridegroom was yet with them. When they had drunk to temperate hilarity, small Wine was most suitable: (The vulgar Latin is [ when they are drunk ] and perhaps with Drunkards that might be the custom, to bring smaller Wine when they could not well distinguish them.)

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples, believed on him.

11. By this he shown them his Divine Power, and convinced his Disciples that he was the Messiah.

12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, he and his Mother, and his Brethen, and his disciples, and they continued there not many days. 13 And the Jews passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, sitting. 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen, and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise.

12, &c. It seems probable, that Christ did thus cleanse the Temple twice: And that this is not the same History with that, Matt. 21. though indeed its very like it.

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

17. They believed, that his zeal for God's house, might warrant this action in the Messiah, as Ps. 69.9.

18 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, what sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

18. These arbitrary actions require some extraordinary Commission to warrant them; By what sign dost thou prove that thou hast such authority.

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Des • roy this temple, and in three days, I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days. 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

19, N. He told them enigmatically what should be after plainly expounded. Many Prophecies written darkly, are not intended to be presently understood, but when they are fulfilled.

22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them: and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

22. When this was performed by his Resurrection, his Disciples believed the Prophesies of him, and his own words.

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

23. His miracles made many believe that he was the Christ, that yet were no through Disciples.

24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

24, 25. But Christ that knew the hearts of Men, and how many have but an unrooted, mutable, ineffectual belief, would not trust himself into their hands by familiarity

CHAP. III.

THere was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

1, 2. Being a Ruler, he durst not be seen to come to Christ by day light, but came by night, and said, Rabbi. I am come to learn of thee; for I know thou art a Teacher sent by God; for no Man can do such miracles as thou dost, but by God's Power; and God will not lend such Power to any whom he doth not approve and justify.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

3. As I could not do the works of God, by miracles and doctrine, unless God were with me, so neither can any Man become a sound Believer, and do the works of Faith and be saved, as a true Member of the Kingdom of God, unless by God's spirit he be begotten again, and have a new qualitative nature given him.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born?

4. Nicodemus grossly misunderstanding Christ, saith How can, &c.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of of God.

5. I tell thee most certainly, that unless a Man have as it were, a new nature, and be made a new Man, by being washed from his former sin and guilt, and sanctified by the renewing work of God's Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God: N. This is all signified and celebrated by Baptism; but it is the washing, and sanctifying of the Soul only, that hath the promise of Salvation; But the Church on Earth being as the Porch, Womb or Seminary to Heaven, it is not another kind of Faith, but that same which in the sincere is saving, which is required to be professed in Baptism, for admittance into the visible Church.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit

6. Men generate Men, but God maketh Saints by a spiritual generation: Nature begets but nature, but God's Spirit giveth a holy and heavenly Nature or Inclination.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.

7, 8. Count not this an incredible thing. Thou hearest the sound of the wind, and knowest certainly by the effects, that such a thing as wind there is, and that it causeth those effects, which thy sense perceiveth; but thou knowest not fully the nature of this wind, nor whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth; and so thou mayest know that God's Spirit doth this sanctifying work on Souls, though thou canst not comprehend the nature of the Spirit, nor the way of its operation, nor why it worketh on one Soul and not on another that seemeth equal to it.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

9. N. The reason of Man not yet illuminated is apt to be so confident in its ignorance, as to take those spiritual things for incredible, which it comprehendeth not: It lifts up itself against Christ's teaching with a How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art though • a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness.

10, 11. It is a shame to thee that art a Master of Israel to be ignorant of these things (without which all thy knowledge is but shells and shadows) I tell thee, we spake that which we certainly know, by intuition and experience on holy Souls, and yet you carnal Jews believe us not, not knowing what your own shadows do import.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and and ye believe not, how shall ye beleve if I tell you of heavenly things?

12. When I tell you but what God doth here on Earth on all that he will save, and illustrate it to you by a similitude which your senses do perceive and it is a thing that your Ceremonies signify, how shall you believe, if I tell you the unseen things of Heaven, if you believe not things so evident as these.

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

13. And if you will not believe me, what satisfying notice can you have of the state of things in Heaven: for no Man hath ascended up into Heaven, and can tell you by sure notice what is there, but I that came down from Heaven, and so came down by assuming flesh, as that yet I am now in Heaven in my Godhead.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.

14, 15. And the way of Salvation which God by me revealeth to you, is this, that as Moses in the Wilderness set up a brazen Serpent, that all that were stung with Serpents might be cured, if they did look up to this: So I must be lift up on the Cross as a Sacrifice for sin, that whoever truly believeth in me and trusteth me as the Redeemer and Savior, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

16. For God who is Love itself, so far loved, lapsed and lost mankind, as that he gave his only begotten Son to be incarnate▪ and to be their Redeemer, by his meritorious life, and death and Resurrection, and to make them this promise, covenant and offer, that whoever truly believeth in him, should have his sin forgiven, and should not perish, but have everlasting blessed life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

17. For if the World be condemned, they shall never have cause to lay the blame on Christ: For it was not to condemn them that God sent him into the World, but to be the Savior of the World; which his Doctrine Life and Sufferings show.

18 He that believeth on him, is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

18. He that believeth on him, is thereupon by him delivered from the Condemnation that he was under, and shall be saved; but he that believeth not is not delivered from his Guilt and Condemnation, but is under the Guilt of a severer punishment the Law of Grace itself Condemning him, because he hath rejected the Son of God, sent from Heaven with his Doctrine, his Grace and offered Mercy; so that both the Law of Nature and of Grace condemn the Neglecters of so great Salvation.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved, darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evil.

19. For the true cause of Men's Condemnation is (not that they have no Savior or Ransom, being left as Devils to remidiless despair, but) that a Savior as Light is come into the World, and Men love darkness rather than light, and so reject him and his truth and grace, because they love and live in that sin which cannot endure the light.

20 For every 〈◊〉 that doeth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, least his deeds should be reproved,

20. For it is the part of • ight to detect and shame Men's evil deeds: and there • ore Malefactors hate and avoid the Light, lest it reprove them and condemn them.

21 But he that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God.

21. But Light is the honor of well doing, which is not afraid to be known; and therefore he that doth that which is truly good, loveth the Light, and cometh to it, that his deeds may appear to be as they are, the work commanded and approved by God: And therefore they will receive me that am the Light of the World.

22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

22. He by his Disciples baptized those that believed and repented.

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized.

24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

23, 24. John ceased not baptizing even when Christ baptized, nor till he was imprisoned.

25 Then there arose a question between some of Johns disciples and the Jews, about purifying.

25. N. What the dispute was is uncertain.

26. And they came unto John and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest Witness: Beheld the same baptizeth, and all Men come unto him.

26. On this occasion they told John how the People flocked to the Baptism of Christ.

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

27. This doth but confirm what I said of him: His Power is from Heaven: I pretend to none such as his.

29 He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

29. It is he that is the King and Savior of the Church: I am but his Friend that rejoice in his Kingdom and Success.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

30. His Kingdom and Glory must increase to perfection, but my preparatory Ministry will soon end.

31 He that cometh, from above, is above all: he that is of the earth, is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven, is above all.

21. He came from Heaven, and therefore is above us all: We that are but Men, inhabitants of Earth, (though so far as God inspires us we speak his word) yet being of earthly mold, speak and do like ourselves, in a human earthly manner: But he that cometh from Heaven doth excel us all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his Seal that God is true.

32. We tell you what God teacheth us in our several measures; but he telleth you that which he hath seen and heard in Heaven: And yet the most reject his Testimony but they that truly receive it by Faith, do in believing him, believe God himself that cannot lie.

34. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

34. He that is thus s • nt from Heaven by God speaketh God's own Words fully and infallibly, as fully known to him, and is not like us and other Prophets, that have but our limited measures of the spirits for some particular revelation and use.

35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

35. The Love of the Father to the Son is transcendent; and he hath delivered lapsed Man, and all this World into his hand or power, as Redeemer, Lord and Administrator of all.

36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

36. He that believeth Christ to be the Son of God and Savior of the World, and with Trust giveth up himself to be taught, ruled and saved by him, hath a right to everlasting Life by the Covenant of Grace, and the beginning of it, by the Holy Ghost in him and shall shortly have the full possession. But he that by Unbelief rejecteth Christ and his offered Grace, shall not see this blessed Life, but the wrath of God for his unpardoned Sin and aggravated Guilt, abideth on him.

CHAP. IV.

WHen therefore the Lord know how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John, 2. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his Disciples:) 3. He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.

1. They knowing that which he knew would exasperate them, to avoid Persecution, he removed to Galilee (till his time came.)

4. And he must needs go through Samaria.

5. Then cometh he to a City of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his Son Joseph. 6. Now Jacob's well was there, Jesus therefore being wearied with his Journey, sat thus on the Well; and it was about the sixth hour.

4, 5.6. N. Christ travelled all on foot, and had a Body wearied with Travel; the sixth hour was noon.

7. There cometh a Woman of Samaria to draw Water: Jesus saith unto her, give me to drink. 8. For his Disciples were gone away unto the City to buy meat. 9. Then saith the Woman of Samaria unto him, how is it that thou beinq a Jew askest drink of me, which am a Woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

7▪ &c. N. Christ was not so much for separation, as the other Jew • .

10. Jesus answered, and said unto her, if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living Water.

10. N. It was usual to call a running spring (living water) Christ meant more; but she understood him not.

11. The Woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the Well is deep: From whence then hast thou that living Water. 12. Art thou greater than our Father Jacob who gave us the Well, and drank thereof himself, and his Children, and his Cattle.

11. N. They made their Honor of Jacob the pretence for not going to Jerusalem; he being before Solomon 's Temple.

13. Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this Water shall thirst again: 14. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; But the Water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life.

13. That which I call water, is the Spirit of Grace, which will give men everlasting satisfaction and joy, and leave them no fleshly or unsatisfyed desires.

15. The Woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this Water that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

15. The ignorant mistaking God's Grace to be what it is not, may ask it so for carnal ends.

16. Jesus saith unto her, go call thy Husband and come hither. 17. The Woman answered and said, I have no Husband, Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no Husband. 18. For thou hast had five Husbands, and he whom thou now hast is not thy Husband: In that saidst thou truly.

16. It was not deluso • y Equivocation that Christ calls [ well saying ] but meant only that Truth, not commonly known, it's like.

19. The Woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a Prophet. 20. Our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where Men ought to worship.

19 20. I perceive by thy knowing secrets, that thou art a Prophet, tell me then, whether you Jews, or we that follow our eldest Fathers be in the right about the Place of Worship. N. This is the use of ignorant, carnal people, to start some Controversy about Circumstantials or Ceremonies in Religion, instead of great and needful things.

21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this Mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem Worship the Father.

21. Alas poor woman, hast thou not greater matter than Ceremony, even the Place of Worship to mind? Believe me that time is hard at hand, when Jerusalem shall be destroyed, and you scattered, and a better way of Worship settled, so that you shall no more keep up your Ceremonious Worship, either at Shiloh or Jerusalem.

22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we Worship: For Salvation is of the Jews.

22. You worship ignorantly and corruptly, you know not what ever since the Captivity of the Ten Tribes; and you strive about the Place and Ceremonies, when you have more need to learn who he is that you must worship. It is of the Tribe of Judah, that the Savior cometh, who must teach you how to worship God; and this the Jews do rightly believe and own none in Worship but the true God.

23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: For the Father seeketh such to worship him.

23. The time is now at hand, yea come, when true Worshippers shall not take up with shadows, nor worship God by Mosaical Ceremonies or Samaritan Traditions, but with that spiritual Worship which Types and Ceremonies did signify, even from the Spirit of God within them as their Principle, and according to the spiritual Law or Word, as their Rule, and not with bodily Exercise that profiteth nothing.

24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in Truth.

24. Acceptable Worship must be suited to the God you worship; and therefore they that worship him must worship him spiritually, and not by Jewish Ceremony, because he is a Spirit. N. Though [ Spirit ] signify a Nature more excellent than [ Body ] yet that and all human Words are too low to speak the Essence of God, any otherwise than Analogically or Metaphorically; for God is above all our formal Conceptions or Expressions; but created Spirits, being the highest created Beings known to us, and our souls of that nature, they are the clearest Glass in which we can know God; and though the word [ Spirit ] first signify created Spirit, it doth transcendently, eminently, signify the Infinite Father of Spirits; and we can say nothing higher of God's Essence than that he is this Infinite, perfect, transcendent Spirit; what our best Conceptions of a Spirit are I have opened in Methodo Theology, &c.

25. The Woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh who is called Christ, when he is come he will tell us all things.

25. N. Even the Samaritans expected the Messiah : But with misconceivings of him.

26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak to thee am he.

26. N. Why did Christ tell that to this woman, which he forbad others to tell abroad? Ans. He knew where and when it was seasonable, and would do more good than harm.

27. And upon this came his Disciples and marvelled that he talked with the Woman: yet no man said, what seekest thou? or why talkest thou with her?

27. Tho they presumed not to ask him why? yet they thought it strange that he should talk so long with one woman.

28. The Woman then left her Water-pot and went away into the City, and saith to the Men, 29. Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ?

28. Telling her her secrets, persuaded her to believe him▪ saying, I am he,

30. Then they went out of the City, and came unto him, 31. In the mean time his Disciples prayed him saying Master eat, 32. But he saith to them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33. Therefore said the Disciples one to another, hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34. Jesus saith to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

30. &c. N. The converting of one Soul was more pleasing to Christ than his natural food; and so must it be to us. He that loveth God and Christ, and the Holy Ghost and the Church; must rejoice when there is one more converted, to please and worship God, to honor Christ and his Spirit, to increase the Church: He that loveth his Country, must rejoice that one more is made a blessing to it, when the wicked are it's enemies: He that loveth Souls will rejoice in that Grace which is better to them than all riches: He that loveth God's Word will rejoice in it's success: He that loveth Heaven will be glad that there is one more to possess it: He that loveth himself aright, will be glad that there is one more made like him, to love him, and pray for him. And he that hateth Sin and Satan, will be glad that there is one less to serve him.

35. Say not ye, There are four months, and then cometh harvest. Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.

35. You rejoice that within four months it will be harvest: And shall not I rejoice to see the harvest of my husbandry even at hand in the conversion of many Souls to God?

36. And he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

36. And as I sow the seed, so you that I shall sen • out as Apostles shall see and reap more plenteous fruit hereafter, and shall for your labor under me be well rewarded: that I that have sowed and you that reap may rejoice together in the success.

37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth and another reapeth. 38. I have sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: Other men labored, and ye are entered on their labors.

38. The Prophets and John and I after all, have sowed the seed and been at the costliest labor, and yet it is you that must see the success in gathering the universal Church, when I that labor'd and suffered am gone.

39. And many of the Samaritans of that City believed on him, for the saying of the woman which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

39. N. That to believe in Christ by the means of men's credible testimony of his Words and Miracles, is not (as many falsely say) to resolve our faith into the credit of man and to make it a mere human Faith. They that believe Apostles who said they saw Christ's Miracles, Resurrection and Ascension, believe by a divine Faith, on the same evidence that the Apostles were convinced by, but not conveyed by the same means: what they received by their eyes and ears immediately, we receive mediately by their report, living at a distance: So that their testimony is not believed instead of Christ's, nor instead of evidence of his truth, but as the conveyance of this evidence instead of our mediate sight and hearing: so is it as to the Tradition of the Bible, Baptism, Creed, &c. That Tradition doth but deliver to us the same word mediately which the first Churches received immediately from the Apostles. He that cannot read may be saved by believing the Gospel translated and read, or reported by the Preachers.

40. So when the Samaritans were come to him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, and he abode there two days. 41. And many more believed, because of his own words, 42. And said to the woman, now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the World.

42. Not so much because of thy saying. N. Yet this was the same sort of Faith, though by the evidence divers ways conveyed.

43. Now after two days he departed thence and went into Galilee. 44. For Jesus himself testified, that a Prophet hath no honor in his own Country.

43. He went into Galilee, not to Nazareth where he had lived, but to Cana : For he had testified that a Prophet is despised in his own Country; where they have seen his common Parentage and Education, but see not God's Spirit in him: and familiarity breeds contempt.

45. Then when he was come into Galilee the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast; for they also went unto the feast.

45. His former and later Miracles caused these Galileans to receive him.

46. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine, and there was a certain Nobleman whose Son was sick at Capernaum. 47. When he heard, That Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his Son; for he was at the point of Death. 48. Then said Jesus to him, except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49. The Nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50. Jesus saith to him, Go thy way, thy Son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and went his way. 51. And as he was now going down, his Servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy Son liveth. 52. Then inquired he of them, the hour, when he began to amend; and they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53. So the Father knew, that it was at the same hour, in which Jesus said to him, Thy Son liveth: And himself believed, and his whole house. 54. This is again the second Miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.

46. &c. N. 1. Outward necessities which nature is sensible of, drived many to seek to Christ. 2. Children speed the better for their Parents Faith: And if in the Poly, why not in the Soul. 3. When the Rulers of Families believe, they must endeavor the conversion of their whole Families. And God oft blesseth such endeavors. 4. Bodily Mercies tend to the good of Souls, and should be so improved.

CHAP. V.

1 AFter this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep-market, a pool, which is called in the Hebrew Tongue Bethesda, having five Porches. 3. In these lay a great number of impotent folks, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4. For an Angel went down into the Pool, at a certain season, and troubled the water; whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

N. 1. Some few think that this was a Pond that the blood of the Sacrifices ran into, and was stirred by a Messenger (not an Angel) at the time of the Passover when the blood was newly run into it, and so healed, not Miraculously, but by the ordinary virtue of the new shed Blood and that it is not all diseases that are meant; and that it was not eight and thirty years that the man had waited in that Hospital, but that he had so long been ill: So Dr. Hammond ; others think it was the Pond made by Hezekiah and healed by unaccountable Miracle.

5. And a certain man was there, which had an Infirmity thirty and eight years.

5. How great a Mercy is it to live eight and thirty years under God's wholesome discipline? How inexcusable was this man if he had been proud, or worldly, or careless of his everlasting State? O my God I thank thee for the like discipline of eight and fifty years, how safe a life is this in Comparison of full prosperity and pleasure.

6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith to him, wilt thou be made whole. 7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled to put me into the Pool, but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy Bed, and walk.

6. N. 1, When human help faileth Christ showeth his love and power and commandeth health at a word.

9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his Bed and walked: And on the same day was the Sabbath.

9. The man shown them all that he was cured: And Christ chose the Sabbath for this good work.

10. The Jews therefore said to him, that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: It is not lawful for thee to carry thy Bed.

10. The Jews were stricter than Christ for Ceremony and Rites: but looser for Charity, and pleaded that it was a breach of Moses's Law to carry his Couch.

11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy Bed, and walk.

11. I know not whom I should obey if not a man that can work so great a Miracle.

12. Then asked they him, what man is he, that said unto thee, Take up thy Bed, and walk?

12. Who is he that durst thus break the Law?

13. And he that was healed, knew not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

13. Christ did it not for human applause, and therefore was not known to be the man.

14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the Temple, and said to him, Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more least a worse thing come unto thee.

14. It was for thy sin that thou wast corrected: Beware of sin lest the next be worse.

15. The Man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, that had made him whole.

15. He told them in the praise of Jesu • that it was he that healed him.

16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to • ay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.

16. O the blindness and madness of malignants, that will seek to kill men for doing good and healing men.

17. But Jesus answered them, my Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

17. To save the a • licted is a work beseeming my Father and Me, whom you oppose.

18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken the Sabbath, but said also, that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

18. N. Malignants zeal fathereth even error and persecution on God.

19. Then answered Jesus, and said to them verily, verily, I say unto you: The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: For what things soever he doth, these also doth the Son likewise.

19. I t • ll you by condemning my Works you condemn my Fathers also: For I do nothing but what I know he doth and approveth and he doth them in and by me, and I do nothing without him.

20. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that he doth: and he will show him greater things than these that ye may marvel.

20. For the Fathers infinite Love communicateth to the Son that Wisdom and Power by which he doth all that the Father doth: and by which you shall see greater things than these, and wonder.

21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

21. As the Father is the Lord of Life, and giveth and restoreth life at his pleasure; so also doth the Son.

22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath comm • tted all Judgment to the Son.

22. For the Father as mere Creator according to the Law of Innocency judgeth no man: but hath given up the Government of this World to the Son as Redeemer, to judge them as ransomed, according to that Law and Measure of Grace which they are under.

23. That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father, who hath sent him.

23. And so it is by honoring the Son, that the Father will be honored, and by dishonoring him the Father is dishonored.

24. Verily, verily, I say to you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting Life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life.

24. I tell you if you hear my word obediently and shall believe on God the Father, as sending me on the Office of a Savior you shall have everlasting life by my Merits and Gift, and shall not be condemned.

25. Verily, verily I say to you, The hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.

25. I tell you that the hour is coming, yea now is already come, in which it shall appear that the Son of God hath the power of Life and Death, Natural, Spiritual, and Eternal; and that they that are dead in Sin and Unbelief, shall hear his Gospel and be regenerate and made alive to God: and that natural Life shall be restored by him▪ to some Bodies at his own Resurrection▪ and to all at last, when he shall effectually call up all the dead to Judgment.

26. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.

26. As the Father is essential underived self- • se communicating life to Creatures: So is the Son as God, and as Redeemer, hath the power of giving Life from himself to the redeemed.

27. And he hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also, because he is the Son of God.

27. And as Redeemer, being the Son of God in his Divine Nature, and his human Nature advanced into personal Union with the Divine, he hath Authority given him to Govern the World, and according to the Law of Grace to do justice for the faithful, and against the impenitent unbelievers.

28. Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in which all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice, 29. And shall come forth: They that have done good to the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Damnation.

28, 29. Let not this seem incredible to you: For the hour is coming in which the Bodies now turned to dust shall by the Souls return be revived, and hear his voice that calls them up: And there shall be a Resurrection of the just and unjust: They that have done good according to the tenor of that Law of Grace which they were under, shall come forth to a life of happiness, and they that have done evil violating the conditions of life in that Law, to the Resurrection of damnation.

30. I can of my own self do nothing: As I hear, so I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who hath sent me.

30. I am not to judge according to the weakness of humanity, as Princes govern: I do nothing, but according to Divine infallible decree and appointment, which I assuredly know: And my judgment is just, because I seek not my own human will, as my rule or end, but the will of my Father who sent me; that is my Rule and End.

31. If I bear witness of myself my witness is not true. 32. There is another that beareth witness of me, and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

31, 32. If I had no testimony but my own word, you were not to take it for credible truth: But there is another, who giveth you convincing evidences of his truth; even my Father by his Voice from Heaven and by his Spirit and Works.

33. He sent to John and he bare witness to the truth: 34. But I receive not Testimony from Man: But these things I say, that ye might be saved.

33.34. You sent to John, and he told you▪ of me as the Messiah. I need not his or any man's testimony: But it nearly concerneth your own safety to believe him.

35. He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

35. God set him up to be as a burning and shining light, to lead you out of darkness to the Kingdom of the Messiah which you expected: And a while you gladly heard that news and were baptized by him: Till you were told that I am he, and then you turned back.

36. But I have greater witness than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me, and that the Father hath sent me.

36. N. For these works could not be done but by God's power and will, who will not be the worlds deceiver.

37. And the Father himself who sent me, hath born witness of me; Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: For whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

37, 38. By a voice from Heaven God testified me to be his beloved Son: But indeed you were not the persons that heard it: For you never heard his voice, nor saw his appearance, nor understand or belive his Word: Else you would believe on me that am sent by him.

39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they that testify of me.

39. You own the authority of Moses and the Prophets, and look to have eternal Life by keeping their word: search their Writings, and you will find that they testify of me.

40. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

40. And though they tell you that it is in, and by, me, that this Life must be attained, ye will not believe in me and come to me that you may attain it.

41, 42. I receive not honor from Men: But I know you that ye have not the love of God in you.

41, 42. It is not the applause of men that I seek for; but your own Salvation: But I know for all your boasting of being the peculiar people of God, you are indeed no true lovers and obeyers of God.

43. I am come in my Fathers Name and ye receive me not: If another shall come in his own name, him will ye receive.

43. I come with testimony from Heaven of the mission and approbation of my Father, and this prevaileth not against your prejudice to believe me. But when a deceiver shall come with ostentation without any evidence from God, and shall promise you a temporal Kingdom, you will take him for the Messiah.

44. How can ye believe who receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor which cometh from God only?

44. How can you receive the Messiah sent from God, who do not seek and trust to God's approbation, and his way of saving you; but must have a worldly Kingdom and be saved and advanced after the manner of worldly men, and look, for a Savior suited to such ends.

45. Do not think that I accuse you to my Father: There is one that accuseth you; even Moses in whom ye trust. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me. 47. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words.

45, 46, 47. I say not all this as if I come to be your accuser to my Father: Even Moses in whom you trust will accuse you; had you understood and believed the Prophesies and Types of Moses, ye would have believed me: For it is me that they all speak of and point you to: But if you will not be convinced by his Writings whom you glory in, no wonder if you reject my words.

CHAP. VI.

1. AFter these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee which is the Sea of Tiberias, 2. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

1, 2. N. The first motives that draw men toward Christ are usually such as nature itself is somewhat capable to esteem and judge of, such as Miracles are.

3. And Jesus went up into a Mountain, and there he sat with his Disciples. 4. And the Passover, a Feast of the Jews was nigh. 5. When Jesus then lift up his eyes and saw a great company come unto him, he saith to Philip, whence shall we buy bread that these may eat. 6. And this he said to prove him, for he himself knew what he would do.

3. &c. N. Christ's relief of Bodies was in love to Bo • ies and Souls. 2. Christ's questions were to instruct the hearers and not himself.

7. Philip answered him, two hundred penny worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone may take a little.

7. N. Philip's sense of the difficulty was a preparation to the value of the Miracle.

8. One of the Disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters Brother, saith to him. 9. There is a Lad here which hath five Barley Loaves and two small Fishes: but what are they among so many?

8, 9. N. It was not delicious fare, but Barley Bread and two Fishes that Christ used a Miracle about.

10. And Jesus said make the Men sit down: Now there was much Grass in the place, so the Men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11. And Jesus took the Loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the Disciples, and the Disciples to them that were set down, and likewise of the Fishes as much as they would.

10, 11. N. If Christ would not distribute Barley Bread and that Miraculously till he had given thanks (not deterred by the suspicio • s of a Riot or Conventicle) sure we should imitate him in our ordinary repast, and eat and drink to the glory of God, in a holy thankfulness for his liberallity.

When they were filled he said to his Disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve Baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.

12, 13. N. To loose any of our useful food, is a sin against God: Where there is the greatest plenty no fragments should be lost, while the poor do need it. How much less should we lose God's word or helps, or our time or any such greater mercies.

14. Then those men, when they had seen the Miracle, which Jesus did, said, This is of a Truth that Prophet which should come into the World.

14 N. A Miracle done upon five thousand at once, made a common Conviction of them that Christ was the Messiah, or a great Prophet.

15. When Jesus therefore perceived, that they would come and take him by force, and make him a King, he departed again into a Mountain himself alone.

15. N. When they would have made a Captain and visible Monarch of him, he shunned it and avoided them.

16. And when Even was now come, his Disciples went down unto the Sea. 17. And entered into a Ship, and went over the Sea, towards Capernaum. And it was now dark▪ and Jesus was not come to them. 18. And the Sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew: 19. So when they had rowed about twenty five or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the Sea, and drawing nigh to the Ship, and they were afraid. 20. And he saith to them, It is I, be not afraid.

16, &c. N. This Miracle shown Christ to be above nature.

21. Then they willingly received him into the Ship, and immediately the Ship was at the land whither they went.

21. N. They might well be glad to receive him that could rule Sea and Land.

22. The day following when the People, which stood on the other side of the Sea, saw that there was none other boat there save that one, whereinto his Disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his Disciples into the boat, but that his Disciples were gone away alone. 23. (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the Place, where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks,) 24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his Disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

22, 23, 24. How earnest did these persons seem in following Christ?

25. And when they had found him on the other side of the Seas, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 26. Jesus answered, and said to them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.

25. N. It seems these were a very poor sort of people, that would follow Christ for Barley Bread.

27. Labor not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give you; for him hath God the Father sealed.

27. Labor first and chiefly for the food which endureth to everlasting Life; even the Spirit of Holiness renewing you by the Gospel, and an union with me who am the Bread of Life; which I will give unto all true Believers; to which use God hath sent and sealed me by fullness of the Spirit and Power: But trust God for bodily food while you labor for it, but in the second place. N. The words have a comparative signification: Labor not, is Labor les • , or but subordinately.

28. Then said they to him, what shall we do, that we may work the works of God?

28. What is that Labor for the everlasting Life which God requireth of us? What must we do for it?

29. Jesus answered, and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him, which he hath sent.

29. This is your first and great work which God requireth that you believe on me whom God hath sent, and take me for your Teacher and Savior, that I may guide and sanctify you, and teach you your further duty, in order to fit you for everlasting Life.

30. They said therefore to him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see and believe in thee? what dost thou work? 31. Our Fathers did eat Manna in the desert, as it is written, He gave them Bread from heaven to eat.

30. If thou wouldst have us believe in thee, convince us yet by further Miracles? Canst thou procure us Bread from Heaven as Moses did? N. 1. Strange! that they should call for more Miracles when they newly came from seeing one? 2. It was a feeding Miracle that these expected; which might gratify their flesh as well as their faith.

32. Then Jesus said to them, verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the World.

32. It was not Moses that gave you the true Bread from Heaven: Manna and other Types did but foresignifie me who am the true Bread which my father giveth you from Heaven whence I come; called Bread, because I give life to the World.

34. Then said they to him, Lord evermore give us this bread.

34. N. Their carnal minds, had carnal desires, and understood Christ accordingly.

35. And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of Life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

35. As your bodies live by food, so he that cometh to me by true Faith and is united to me shall have by me true spiritual everlasting Life, and shall have all his necessities of hunger and thirst satisfied.

36. But I say to you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not.

36. But I know your hearts, that many of you that have seen my Miracles, and thus crowd after me▪ for the strangeness • and novelty, yet are no true believers.

37. All that the Father g • veth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

37. All that the Father hath given to me as fully resolved to save them shall believe and take me for their Savior: I come not into the World upon an uncertainty of success: I have undertaken the effectual saving of those that are given me by the Father to be certainly saved: All those will come to me, and I will refuse none that by obedient trust doth come to me.

38. For I come down from heaven, not to do my own Will, but the Will of him that sent me.

38. For I come not at random, or on any selfish temporal design, but to fulfill my Fathers will, who will give the Kingdom to his selected Flocks

N. It is a troubling controversy, how Christ is said to come down from Heaven: His human Nature was never there, and his Divine, removeth not thence, and is everywhere. To pass by their opinion, who say it is a middle super-angelical first created Nature, between the Divine and Human that came down: I answer, that the Divine is said to come down, not by a substantial removal or change of place, but by a transcendent influx and operation, on the Human Nature of Christ: Men may talk in the dark how they please, but it's certain that that Divine Essence is everywhere, without inequality or existence: and is no more in Christ's Human Nature as to essential presence than he is everywhere: But as he is said to be in Heaven, because there he operateth by glorious refulgency and love to the glorified, so he is more eminently and peculiarly united to the Manhood of Christ, for and by a more eminent and peculiar operation on the Human Nature: As the Sun is more in the Eye than in the Hand or Foot, more in the Plants that it quickeneth than in the Stones, so is the Godhead in the Human Nature of Christ. And so the Godhead came down from Heaven, as the Sun doth when it shineth in at our Windows, or on a burning glass, or rather as it animateth Plants.

39. And this is the Fathers will, who hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

39. And it is the special Commission which I have from my Father, that I should effectually save all these his chosen, and raise them up to life everlasting.

40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

40. And it is my Fathers will, that everyone by notice of the evidence of my truth, truly believeth on me, shall have everlasting Life, to which (first here begun) I will raise him at the last.

41. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven, 42. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the Son of Joseph, whose Father and Mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I come down from heaven.

41. N. This difficulty stalled their Faith, not knowing the mystery of Christ's Person and Incarnation.

43. Jesus therefore answered and said to them, murmur not among yourselves, 44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

43. The objections which you murmur on, do indeed require Divine Grace to overcome them; and therefore none can sincerely believe and come to me as a Christian, except the Father who sent me to save men, convince and draw them to me to be saved, and all those I will raise to life everlasting.

45. It is written in the Prophets: and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore, that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me.

45. As the Prophets speak of a Divine teaching, so it is those that are thus taught of God that come to me.

46. Not that any Man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God: he hath seen the Father.

46. Not by a Teaching by seeing him: For it is I only that come from him that have seen him.

47. Verily, verily, I say to you, he that believeth in me hath everlasting life. 48. I am the bread of life. 49. Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are dead: 50. This is the bread that came down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. 51. I am the living bread which cometh down from Heaven: If any man eat of this bread he shall live forever, and the bread that I shall give him is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the World.

47. I tell you, he that believeth on me hath that everlasting Life, which Manna gave not, for they are dead that did eat it: I am the Bread that come indeed from Heaven and give Life, not temporary but everlasting, not to a few, but to the World, or universal Church: My sacrificed flesh shall purchase this.

52. The Jews therefore drove among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat. 53. Then Jesus said to them, verily, verily, I say to you, except ye eat the flesh of the S • n of Man, and drink his blood ye have no life in you. 54. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

52. This seemed to them a saying not to be digested, and Christ at that time would no further explain it to them, than by saying, I tell you unless that you live by virtue of my Flesh and Blood received by Faith as food is by your mouth, ye have no spiritual saving life: It is all they that thus by Faith partake of my Sacrificed Flesh and Blood that have the Title and beginning of Eternal Life, and I will at last raise them up to the full fruition of it: For my sacrificed Flesh and Blood are truly enlivening and saving.

56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in him.

56. He that by true Faith trusteth in my sacrificed Flesh and Blood, professeth thereby to be united to me as digested food is to the body whereby I also dwell in him, and I will give him the Spirit of Life, and he shall live by influence from me.

57. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, he shall live by me.

57. As the Father is Essential Self-life, and I live by Communication from him; so he that is intimately united to me, and I to him as food is to the body by digestion, by a covenanting lively Faith, shall live by me a life of Grace and Glory.

58. This is the bread which came down from Heaven: Not as your Fathers did eat Manna and are dead; He that eateth of this bread shall live forever.

58. I am the true Bread from Heaven, who give everlasting Life, when your Fathers who did eat Manna died, and were not by that made immortal.

59. These things said he in the Synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

59. N. Remember it was not those only that had followed him that he spake this to, and the following sharp passages; but to his auditors at Capernaum.

60. Many therefore of his Disciples, when they had heard this, said, this is an hard saying, who can hear it.

60. N. Christ would not forbear this mysterious doctrine, though the hearers could not digest it, but would make an ill use of it, to depart from him.

61. When Jesus knew in himself that his Disciples murmured at it, he saith to them, doth this offend you: 62. What if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before.

61. I will e're long ascend up visibly to Heaven: And will not that prove that I came from Heaven?

63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth: The Flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak to you, they are Spirit and they are Life.

63. And as to your offense at my words of the eating of my Flesh, you know that Flesh of itself would be a dead and senseless thing, were it not for the Soul that is it's life: And so it is not my mere dead flesh that I say shall give you life; but my Flesh as it is in dignity the Body of the Son of God, purchasing life for the World, and as it is accompanied with the operation of the Holy Ghost, which animaterh them spiritually who by Faith are united to me: And thus not only my flesh, but the words that I speak to you, are by my Spirit made the means of communicating to you Spirit and Life.

64. But there are some of you that believe not: For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

64. But there are some of you that follow me, that are not true believers, and therefore have not this quickening Spirit. For he knew their hearts, and knew who would after betray him.

N. Though Christ knew Judas and other Hypocrites, he did not expel them, but sent out Judas to Preach with the rest, to tell us how the visible Church will be constituted and must be ordered.

65. And he said, therefore I say to you, that no man can come to me, except it were given to him of my Father.

65. N. That the word [ Can ] speaketh not of Physical power, but partly moral indisposition▪ and partly an hypothetical impossibility of event. 2. That though God's grace be the cause of faith, no man is deprived of that Grace but by his own willful sin, which maketh him inexcusable.

66. From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him.

66. By forsaking him they shown that they were never sound believers.

67. Then said Jesus to the twelve, will ye also go away? 68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. 69. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.

67. N. 1. Christ puts none away, till they put away themselves. 2. He forceth none to stay. 3. It greatly fixeth a Christians resolution to stick to Christ, to know there is none else to go to: As it resolveth us to look for happiness to God and Heaven, because we are sure there is no other. 4. sound Faith may attain assurance that Christ is the Son of the living God: It hath always objective certainty, and a prevalent certainty, and a prevalent confidence, and may reach to a mental confirmed certainty.

name as willing followers to their own Salvation, and not drive men into the Church or Heaven against their wills.

4. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

4. And as the sheep using to find that their Shepherd hurteth them not, but feedeth them and bringeth them to pasture, therefore follow him willingly as one that loveth them and is for their good; so do Christ's sheep believe that he loveth them and is their Savior, and therefore follow him and know his voice.

5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

5. And as Sheep (like our Dogs) have no such confidence in a stranger, but fly from him in fear, so will true Christians do from false Christ's and from false Pastors for their voice is strange to them, and contrary to the new nature that is in them, and to their good.

6. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8. All that ever came before me, are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9. I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

7. As my Fathers Mission and Witness is the door by which I enter, so I being hereby made the Shepherd of the Flock am the door by which all others, Pastors and Flocks must enter. All that before me pretended to be Christ's, were but Thieves and Robbers, and the chosen flock of God did not believe in them nor follow them. I am the true Christ and Head of the Church: They that believe in me and follow me, shall as my sheep be safe and plentifully fed.

10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

10. False Christ's and false Prophets have but sought themselves, and seduced the people to destruction of Soul and Body: I am come to give men spiritual and eternal Life, and to raise them higher in Light, Life and Love, than was vouchsafed to the Church before my Incarnation.

11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

11. As he that keeps the sheep not as an hireling, but as his own will venture himself to defend them from Thieves and Wolves; so will I lay down my life for my sheep.

12. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

12, 13. He that seeketh his own worldly interest by deceit, will shift for himself, and for that interest expose the people to destruction, as not seeking their salvation but his vain-glory.

14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

14. I known mine own, their persons, their hearts and all their concerns; with the love and care of a good Shepherd: And my grace hath taught them to know me and my Word.

15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

15. As my Father knoweth me with Love and I know the Father, so with a special Love I lay down my Life for their Redemption and Salvation.

16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

16. And besides the Jews I have a chosen people among the Gentiles: Them I must call and gather to me: and Jews and Gentiles shall be one Catholic Church under me their only universal Head and Shepherd.

17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

17. N. 1. It is not unfit to assign causes in man of God's Love. 2. Yet nothing real in God is caused by any Creature. 3. But as God's Love is taken for it's Effects, our qualifications are a receptive cause or dispotion. 4. And so a cause extrinsical of the Relative denomination of God himself. So Christ's consent to do the full work of a Mediator, was the condition of his peculiar reward, which is called the Fathers loving him for it.

18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

18. N. 1. Christ foreknew his Death and Resurrection: 2. It was the Law of Mediation proper to him, that he should consent so to die, and then Rise and Reign as his reward.

19. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad, why hear ye him? 21. Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil: Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

20. When they understood not Christ, they said, the man is a distracted demoniac: Why stand you to hear him: But others were better convinced both by his Words and his Miracles.

22. And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

22. N. Christ refused not to be present at this solemn Feast, though appointed but by Maccabeus for a thankful commemoration of the repairing of the Temple.

23. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

24. Put us out of doubt.

25. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Fathers name, they bear witness of me.

25. Why ask you me to tell you, who believe me not: My Miracles done in the Name and by the Power of God, are a more satisfying testimony than my words.

26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

26, 27, But no wonder that you believe not me; for you are not my chosen flock, nor qualified to believe: Were you my sheep you would understand, believe, and obey my Word.

28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.

28. To my true flock, I will give eternal Life, and they shall never be condemned, lost or forsaken: Nor shall any power prevail against me who will save them.

29. My Father which gave them me, is greater then all: and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. 30. I and my Father are one.

29, 30. God my Father who gave them me to be saved is Almighty, and none can overcome him, and take them from his saving love. And He and I being one they are safe with me.

31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

31. N. No good work could secure the Lord himself from the rage of ignorant men nor from their accusation.

34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, Ye are gods? 35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken. 36. Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest: because I said, I am the Son of God?

34, 35, 36. If they may be called God's that are but Magistrates, and men in dignity and power, how can you say, It is blasphemy for me to say, I am the Son of God, who am by the Father sanctified to the office of Mediator and sent into the World thereunto.

N. That Christ here by his pleading for his right to his Title only from his office, doth not deny his Title as from eternal generation, but only tell them what they were then fit to hear.

37. If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him.

37. If I do not such works as certainly signify God's attestation, believe me not: But if I do, believe what those works do surely evidence, and then you will confess that God is in me and worketh them by me, and that I am in him and approved and acted by him.

39. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hands. 40. And went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized: and there he abode. 41. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man, were true. 42. And many believed on him there.

39. He avoided their persecution by flight: And in the Wilderness where John first baptized many believed on him, seeing all fulfilled by him, which John had foretold of him.

CHAP. XI.

NOW a certain man was sick, named Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick). 3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

N. 1. It's a doubt whether Bethany be the name of a Town, or only of a tract of ground where the Town was. 2. It is like that this Mary is not the same with Mary Magdalene. 3. It is a word of comfort in all troubles, if we can say, it is on one that Christ loveth.

4. When Jesus heard that, he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God: that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

4. God's end in this sickness of Lazarus, is not to remove him by death from this world, but to prepare an advantage for the glorifying of himself in me.

5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again.

5. His love to them inclined him to help them: yet he moved not that his advantage might be the greater, to show his Love and Power by raising the dead (N. We must not misinterpret God's delays).

8. His disciples say unto him, Master the Jews of late have sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again? 9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

9. As a man that walketh in the twelve hours of day light is kept from stumbling by that light: So while my day of work continueth I am safe.

11. These things said he, and after that he saith unto them; Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of his sleep. 12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15. And I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there (to the intent ye may believe) nevertheless, let us go unto him.

15. To raise him will more convince you, than it would have done, merely to cure him.

16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

16. Whether Thomas spake this in mere passion, [Let us die with grief] or as expecting Christ's death and theirs by the persecuting Jews, is to us uncertain.

17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18. (Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off). 19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

18. N. A furlong is six hundred foot.

20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22. But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

21, 22. N. She believed that Christ could have prevented his death, and could yet raise him. 2. And that it must be by prayer to God.

23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

23. N. The Resurrection of the Body was then believed as an undoubted truth.

25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26. And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?

25. I am the principle and cause of Life and Resurrection. The dead that believe in me shall be raised: And the living that believe in me shall live forever, their Souls first and their Bodies after raised to blessedness.

27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ the Son of God which should come into the world.

27. Yea for I believe that thou art the Christ, and herefore hast power of life and death.

28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come and calleth for thee. 29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave, to weep there.

29. N. Faith, Love, and Necessity will make all hast.

32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34. And said, Where have ye laid him? they say unto him, Lord, come and see. 35. Jesus wept.

32, 35. N. Christ wept in compassion with his servants sorrows: And he loveth us no less now, than when he wept with mourners.

36. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him.

36. Love can express itself by grief for the hurt of those whom we love.

37. And some of them said, Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39. Jesus said, take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

39. N. How vile a thing will less than four days, show the body of man to be? Is pride and vain pampering fit for such a body?

40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God.

40. N. The effect of God's power is the Glory; and unbelief hinders the effect in us.

41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42. And I knew that thou heardest me always: but because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

41, 42. He looked up towards Heaven as the place of God's glory, the spring and end of earthly blessings: N. Christ knew before that God would do this Miracle by him: but beg'd it by prayer to convince the hearers that it was of God. 2. It's our comfort that Christ's intercession is always heard:

43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth. 44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave cloths: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

43. N, It was not the loud voice, but the invisible power that revived him: yet Christ would suit his voice thereto. 2. It's vain to ask, how could he go when his feet was bound? As if all sort of binding disabled from rising, or Christ could not enable him who revived him.

45. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

45. This Miracle convinced many (and it's strange that it convinced not all.)

46. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

46. Some hardened Spectators turned all this but to information against him to the Pharisees.

47. Then gathered the chief Priests and the Pharisees a council and said, what do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our Place and Nation. 49. And one of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

47. N. 1. The greater Christ's Miracles were the more they thought they ought to destroy him, because the people would the more follow him: And still the wiser and better any Minister of Christ is the mo •• worldly wicked men endeavor to destroy them, because the people follow them. 2. The fear of great Men's power more than God's causeth wicked Politicians to destroy the best. 3. But thereby they bring on themselves that very destruction which they thought to avoid.

51. And this spake he not of himself: but being high Priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation: 52. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one, the children of God that were scattered abroad.

51. And though he meant this of saving them from the Romans though by injustice, yet he being Priest that year (though by unlawful entrance by the Roman Power) God honored the office so far as to make him utter those words, which should be a just Prophesy as meant by God, though not by him: And should signify that Christ's death should tend to the conversion also the chosen people of God in all the Gentile world, who should thereby be made his Children, and one Church.

53. Then from that day forth, they took counsel together for to put him to death.

53. The greatest Miracle and good Work of Christ fixed their resolution to murder him.

54. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

54. N. Christ yet fled from persecution, and spent most of the three years and a half of his public Ministry among remote poor people in Galilee or near the Wilderness.

N. Qu. It's strange that Matthew, Mark and Luke say nothing of this great Miracle.

Ans. 1. No one was to say all: but altogether to say sufficient. 2. And John tells us that even altogether, have said but little of all that Christ said and did: but only so much as should be enough to convince unbelievers.

Qu. Where was Lazarus 's soul while he was dead? If in heaven, was it not a wrong to him to come thence? And did he remember what he saw there? and tell it to any? If not, doth it not make for the sleepy inactivity of Souls departed? Ans. Souls go not to Heaven, by necessitation, as a stone descendeth; but are disposed of by God as the Supreme Governor; those that are for Heaven to Heaven, and those that serve Devils to the Devils: and those that are not yet judged to either, but are to live presently again on earth (as Lazarus and others raised) are reserved by God accordingly, whether yet in the body (as in a swoun) or near it, or where God pleased, and vouchsased no other knowledge and memory than is meet for such as are to revive and live yet on Earth.

55. And the Jews passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

55. The legally unclean were not to celebrate the Passover.

56. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the Temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

56. For all were bound to come to it, that were not unavoidably hindered.

57. Now both the chief Priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.

57. N. 1. Christ's Ministers use God's Ordinances to save men, and the Devils Clergy use them for snares, mischief and murder. 2. They will not let the people be neuters between God and the Devil, but force them to be informing Persecutors.