The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 23
Easter day.
THe resurrection of our Lord Iesus Christ,The cause of the Churches choise of these 12. Scriptures for this feast of Easter, Generall sūme of all these 12 Scriptures, being one of the maine pillars whereupon the godly hauehave built, and must build their saluation: The Christian Churches hauehave also agreed vponupon twelue seuerall texts of holy Scripture to be read and taught among them.
By which meanes the day and time is not only celebrated as a most solemne feast, but the principall and fundamentall points of religion therein handled in commemoration of that holy action, do confirme the faith of the Church of God, that as their head and Sauiour is risen, the first fruites of them that slept, so they shall rise againe to life eternall.Connexion & harmony of these doctrines with the doctrines of the 9 former Sondaies.
And as he died for their sinnes, so they must die vntounto sin before they can rise vntounto righteousnesse.
The doctrines for the nine precedent Sondaies are for the Churches humiliation and casting downe in sorrow and penitency, to bewaile their sinnes, the causes and originall of their Sauiours sorrow, passion, and bitter death.Christs resurrection affoords matter of reioycing.
The doctrines for the sixe Sondaies following are for the Churches exaltation, lifting vp, exultation, reioycing and comfort.Doctrines of reioycing in the sixe Sondaies foflowing Summe of the eight former Scriptures for this day. Summe of the 4 latter.
Eight of these which are out of the old Testament, chosen for this holy feast of Easter, do in types and shadowes set forth and delineate the Churhes deliuerance from the destruction of the destroyer, and our Lords resurrection.
The foure in the new Testament proue the performance, truth, and substance hereof, applying all to the singular vse and instruction of Gods deare people eueryevery where.
The Princely Prophet Dauid in the second Psalme,Summe of the second Psame. the 57. and the 111. Psalmes appointed for the morning seruice in the 113. 114. and 118. for the euening sacrifice, giues vsus to vnderstand that God hath decreed this victory of Christ his Sonne ouer sinne,Parts & particular doctrines. death, and destruction, in his resurrection, and therefore it must be so. For
1 Vaine fuming of Gentils, and fretting of Iewes.First, in the second Psalme Dauid proueth.
1 That albeit the Gentiles fumed, and the people of the Iewes murmured, yet it was all but in vaine. ve. 1.
2 Gods derision of both.2 There is a reason rendred there, God shall hauehave them all in derision. ver. 5.
3 Christs kingdome.3 God hath set his King vponupon Sion his holy mountaine. ver. 6.4 Christ is Gods naturall & eternall Son.
4 That this King and Christ is his Sonne. ve. 7.
5 Christ must be obeyed.5 Homage and obedience in feare and reuerence must be yeelded vntounto this Kingly Sonne. Kisse the Sonne. &c. ver. 12.
Summe of the 57 Psalme.The second Scripture, Psalme 57. whose title is, To him that excelleth, Destroy not, a Psame of Dauid on Michtam, when he fled from Saul in the caue.Parts.
1 The ground of his prayer.1 Assureth vsus of this truth, that as Dauid prayed vntounto God to be deliuered from those that would swallow him vp, Selah: so was he assured that God would send forth his mercy and trurh. ver. 3.
2 Though his soule was among Lyons, though he lay among the children of men that are set on fire,Gods Church hath a time of breathing, in their afflictions, as they, &c. A description of Dauids enimies,whose teeth are speares and arrowes, and their tongue a sharpe sword. Yet he prayeth in prophecy, and prophecieth in prayer,2 The prayer it selfe. that God would exalt himselfe aboue the heauens, and his glory be vponupon the earth. ve. 5. to the 11, being the last verse of the Psalme.
In the third Scripture, which is the 111. Psalme.Summe of the 111 Psalme.Parts
1 Dauid giues thanks to God for all the good that he hath done to his Church.1 Thāksgiuing to God for all the good that he hath done to his Church. ver. 1.
2 In the rest of the Psalme he teacheth and describeth vntounto the Church the magnitude and multitude of these his workes. ve. 2. to the end of the 9. where he makes mention of the Redemption,, he sent to his people, &c.2 A description of the greatnesse and manifoldnesse of Gods fauour,
3 The Prophet shewes the end why God hath done these great things for his people: to wit, that men might feare the Lord, which feare is the beginning of wisedome, that the keepers of his commandements hauehave good vnderstanding, 3 The end why God doth all this good to vsus.that the praise of this feare endures for euer, and men are to do all things to his praise for euer and euer. ver. 10. the last of the Psalme.
In the fourth Scripture, Psal. 113.Summe of the 113 Psalme, Dauid
First, exhorts the children which do feare the Lord, Parts.to praise the Lord, ver. 1.1 Exhortation to praise God.
Secondly, he performes praises himselfe. ve. 2.3.2 Dauid doth it himselfe,
Thirdly, he sheweth fiue reasons hereof in the rest of the Psalme, to the end of the 9. ver. Reade the text.3 Reas…ns fi… to vrge this … horta…ion▪
In the fift Scripture. Psal. 114.Sum… … t… 114 Psalme, King Dauid
First, sets vsus downe an experience of Gods deliuerance of his people Israell out of Aegypt. ve. 1.2.
Secondly,1 Experi… of God … rance … the meanes and manner how God did this
1 By the seas floting and yeelding,
2 By the mountaines moouing & skipping. v. 3.4.5.6.7.2 Mo… and manne… … they were …liuered,
Thirdly, the Prophet tels vsus of Gods preseruation of his people in the desert after their deliuerance out of Aegypt.
1 By turning the rocks into water pooles.
2 By turning the flints into a fountaine of water, 3 Gods p…se… uation of …sr…l,ve. 8. being the last of the chapter.Summe of the 118 Psalm…,
In the sixt Scripture the 118. (where the stone Dauid is a type of the stone Christ,King Dauid typical stone of Christ the substantiall stone. reiected of Saul and the people, as Christ was of the rulers, high Priests and people of the Iewes, yet by the Lords doing, he ariueth out of the seas of his troubles into the great hauen of the kingdome of Israel as our Lord Christ did (maugre the malice of his enemies) by his owne power alone arise out of the graue and hell of his torments, at his appointed time, and after that ascend vntounto glory.
Parts.First, therefore the Prophet in rhis 118. Psalme, exhorts the people to praise God,1 Exhortation to Israelites Leuites and other that feare the Lord to praise him, whether Israelites, Leuites, or any other, ver. 1. to the end of the 4.
Secondly, he perswades and assures himselfe and all the faithfull, by the former experience of Gods deliuerances and fauoures (which he in particular doth relate) that the Lord will proceed in the continuance of his fatherly care & protection ouer him and his Church.2 Assurance of Gods protection to himselfe and others, And though he hath exercised them by afflictions and chastened them sore, yet sith he is powerfull, he can, and sith he is most louing and iust in his promises, he will not suffer them to be daunted by their enemies or giuen ouer vntounto shame or confusion. ver. 5. to the end of the 14.3 Reasons alleaged why the righteous must hauehave songs of ioy in their dwellings,
Thirdly, he doth for this cause teach the righteous, that there is great reason, and causes manifold, why there should be in their Tabernacles the voices and songs of ioy and deliuerance, singing thus and to this effect, The right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly. ver. 15.16.
Fourthly, he promiseth to do this himselfe, & performes it,4 Dauid vowes to do this himselfe, & performes it. ver. 17. to the end of the 21.
Fiftly, he sheweth 3 reasons thereof.5 He rendreth three occasions threeof, ver. 22.23.24.
Sixtly, Dauid himselfe falleth to prayer, the Priests and people performe the same,6 King, Priests and people fall to prayer and thanksgiuing, & so concludeth with Haleluiah, as they did begin, Praise ye the Lord because he is good, for his mercy endureth for euer. ver. 25. to the end of the 29. the end of the Psalme.Mor. prayer. 1 Less. Exod. 12.
Summe.In the seuenth Scripture Exodus 12. handling the institution of the first and old Passeouer,Passeouer a type of the spiritual, &c, we hauehave a type of the second and new Passeouer Christ Iesus which is offered for vsus. The text affoordeth these chiefe and generall points.Parts.
First, Gods precept to Moses and Aaron to teach the people eueryevery rite and ceremony.1 Moses is commāded to teach eueryevery rite and ceremony,
1 Concerning the killing of the Passeouer. ver. 1. to the end of the 10.
2 Concerning the manner of the eating thereof, from the 11. ver. to the end of the 16.
3 Concerning the feast of vnleauened bread, which also they were to obserue with it. ver. 17. to the end of the 20.
The second generall point whereto the text directeth is Moses his relation of these things (as God appointed him) vntounto the children of Israel. ver. 21. to the 27.2 Moses obeyed this iniunction,
The third is the peoples execution and performance of these iniunctions. ver. 28.3 The people execute all that which they were commanded,
The fourth is a mention of the tenth and last plague (the slaying of the first borne4 Relation of the 10 plague, the slaying of the first borne, of Aegypt) which went neerer vntounto Pharaohs heart then all the rest, as appeareth by the seuerall effects. ver. 29. to the 36.
The fift is a Geographicall itinerarium or description of the Israelites iourney, with a chtonicle and record of the times.5 A Geographicall description of the Israelites iourney and a chronicle,
1 Of their dwelling in Aegypt.
2 Of their departure thence. ver. 37. to the 41.
Sixtly, the vse of all this is propounded:6 Vse of all is propounded, to wit, the celebration and obseruation thereof, that it is a night to be kept holy to the Lord, baecause he brought them out off the land of Aegypt, and all Israel must obserue it. ver. 42.
The seuenth is the law of this Passeouer7 Law of the Passeouer, prescribed vntounto Moses and Aaron. ver. 43. to the 51. the end of the chapter.
The eight Scripture Exodus 14. delareth,Eue. Prayer. 1 Less. Exod. 14. that though Gods poore people were deliuered out of the land of Aegypt, Summeyet were they not quite deliuered from the King of Aegypts persecution and pursuite, by himselfe and his armies.Pharaohs persecution hindred not Gods saluation of his Church. Israel not quite deliuered from Pharaoh, though they were out of his land. God was their deliuerer, though Pharaohs rancor increased.And that albeit Pharaohs rancor and malice continued and increased against them; yet the text tels vsus, that coming the Lord did come, did not long tarry and in the end deliuered them. If we do suruey the chapter more carefully, we shall behold these things,
First, how God commandeth his people to remoue their campe towards the sea, because his purpose is, there to preserue his people and to destroy the Aegyptians. ver. 1. to the end of the 4.1 A commandement to pitch their campe towards the sea.
Secondly, Pharaoh taketh knowledge hereof, who encouraged and prepared himselfe to pursue them vntounto destruction, verse 5. to the end of the 9.2 Pharaohs preparation to persue them,
Thirdly, the effect that this pursuite wrought in the Israelites3 The effects of this pursuite in the Israelites, is recorded, to wit,
1 A feare of their experienced old enemies.
2 An earnest supplication and prayer to God.
3 An expostulation with, or a murmuring against Moses, who encourageth them, saying: Feare not, stand still, and behold the saluation, &c. ver. 10. to the end of the 14.
4 God encourageth them to march on, and why,Fourthly, God himselfe encourageth his people to march forward, telling Moses: first, that his people shall go through the sea on dry land, which fell out so, as ver. 11. to the end of the 25. secondly, that the same sea should destroy the Aegyptians, which also came to passe, ver. twenty sixe, to the end of the thirty sixe.
5 Vse that Gods people made of all this.Fiftly, the holy Ghost tels vsus how Gods people made vse of all this which was done,
1 In obseruing the power of God.
2 In fearing the Lord.
3 In beleeuing the Lord and his seruant Moses, verse 31: which is the last of the chapter.
The ninth Scripture which is the first of the 4. taken out of the new Testament,Mor. Prayer. 2 Less. Rom. 6. written Rom. 6. directeth the Church of God vntounto the right & worthy receiuing of the fauours & graces of God,Summe. not in continuing in sin that grace may aboūd, & being dead vntounto sin,Gods fauours in deliuering, &c. to liue no more in it: but rather to rise vntounto newnesse of life,Parts and that by the example of the Lord of life, our Lord Iesus Christ, his resurrection,
S. Paul fiirst, propounds this doctrine in a patheticall question,1 The Proposition in a patheticall question. verse 1.
Secondly, he proues it by three reasons, ve. 2.3.4. making a Correlary hereupon,2 Proofe by 3. reasons with a correlary vponupon them, verse 5.6.7.
Wherefore he makes an Hypothesis vponupon a former Thesis: If wee bee dead with Christ, wee beleeue that wee shall also liue with him, The assumption and the conclusion are vnderstood, verse 8. This argument he proueth by the truth and certainty of Christs resurrection, verse 9.10. concluding the Thesis, and the Hypothesis in these words: Likewise thinke yee also that yee are dead to sinne, but aliue to God in Iesus Christ, vers. 11.
In the third part of the chapter he exhorts the Church vponupon the former doctrines,3. Exhortation vponupon the former doctrine, 1. Let not sinne therefore reigne in your mortall bodies, &c. 2. Neither giuegive ye your members as weapons, &c. verse 13. Hereunto hee annexeth a concluding reason, ab effecto contrario: For sinne shall not hauehave dominion ouer you, for yee are not vnderunder the law, but vnderunder grace, vers. 14.
In the fourth part he propounds another doctrine in a patheticall manner,4 The second proposition of another do— ctrine in a pathetical maner, as he did at the first: What then? shall we sin, because we are not vnderunder the law, but vnderunder grace? ve. 15. Which proposition he diuersly proueth and applieth, as ver. 16. to the end of the 23. the end of the chapter.
The tenth Scripture,Eue. Prayer. 2 Less. Act. 2. Acts 2. chap. conteines Saint Peters Sermon, concerning Christs resurrection, with the seuerall and contrary effects (in contrary minded people) of Peters Apologie, and his Sermon.Summe Parts.In the text obserue
First, the occasion of the defence and Apologie,1 The occasion of the Apology to wit, the coming down of the holy Ghost vponupon the Apostles, as they were in vnity and vniformity all together at Ierusalem, causing them to speake with other tongues, as the spirit gaue them vtterance. At which 1. the multitude marueiled.
2. Some doubted. 3. Others mocked and slandered, saying:Peter preaches of Christs resurrection. They are full of new wine, vers. 1. to the end of the 13.
2 S. Peters answer to the accusation.Secondly, we may marke Saint Peters answer and Apologie.
1 Answering to the reprochfull slaunder by denying the same, and by purging all the Apostles from the crime of drunkennesse, vers. 14.15.
2 Shewing that the effects of Gods spirit in this plentiful manner were prophesied and foretold long ago, vers. 16. to the end of the 21.
3 S. Peters Sermon concerning the Iewes killing of Christ and of his resurrection.In the third part of the chapter, wee may heare the sermon of Peter concerning the Israelites, taking, killing, & crucifying the Lord of life, who notwithstanding is risen from the dead, and ascended vp into glorie, vers. 22. to the end of the 36.
In the fourth part, S. Luke makes relation of the effects that S. Peters sermon tooke in the hearers, who
4 Effects of this Sermon were manifold.First (being pricked & wounded in heart for their wounding & stabbing of Christ) desired to know what they were to do for the preuenting of Gods iudgement? Whom Peter resolued, vers. 37. to the end of the 40.
2 They that gladly receiued the word, were baptized,
3 The church increased by the nūber of 3000. soules. v. 41.
4 They continued in the Apostles doctrine and holy exercises vers. 42.
5 Feare came vponupon eueryevery soule,
6 The word was confirmed by wonders, vers. 43:
7 The faithfull were all together,
8 They had a commmunitie, vers. 44.
9 They sold their possessions for distribution to the needy members of the Church, vers. 45.
10 They vsed publicke exercises in the temple, &c.
11 Society at home ioyfully, & with singlenesse of heart, v. 46.
12 They praised God,
13 They had the peoples good fauour.
14 There was a daily increase of the members of the primitiue Church,Blessed effects of S. Peters, &c besides those soules that were conuerted before, v. 41. to the end of the 47. the end of the chapter.
In the third Scripture of the new Testament, being the 11. in number. Colos. 3.1. to the end of the 7.Epistle Coloss. 3. ad 7. verse, S. Paul makes a most holy vse of this doctrine:Summe for
First he teacheth (and to that end exhorteth) that it must of necessity follow,Parts:1 Generall exhorratiue doctrine to seeke things aboue.
1 That those which be risen with Christ must seeke those things which are aboue, &c. vers. 1.
2 They must set their affections on things which are aboue, &c. verse 2.
Reasons to proue these doctrines.
1 For ye are dead, & your life is hid with Christ in God, ver. 3.
2 Reason à sine vltimo omnium fidelium: When Christ which is our life shall appeare, then shall yee also appeare with him in glory. verse. 4.
In the second part of the Scriptures hé doth more particularly exhort them,2 A more particular doctrine exhortatiue. and
1 Concludes vponupon the premisses after this manner: Mortifie therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, vncleannesse, inordinate affection, euill concupiscence, and couetousnesse, which is idolatry, vers. 5.
2 Declares how Gods iudgement cometh vppon such sinners, verse 6.
3 He rubs the Colossians memories with their old former estate: for he shewes, that they walked (that is) delighted in them once, when they liued in them, ver. 7. but now they must be forsaken and forgotten, as vers. 8.9.10. of the chapter.
In the fourth Scripture which is the twelfth and last of those that are chosen for this solemne feast, Saint Iohn the louing and beloued Disciple, chap. 20.1. to the end of the 10.Gospell. Ioh. 20.1. ad 10. Summe.verse, Parts.demonstrateth and confirmeth the truth of Christs resurrection.
First, hee denoteth the time when our Lord rose:1 The time whē Christ rose. that is, vponupon the first day of the weeke, early when it was yet darke, Testimonies infallible, &c.when Mary Magdalen came to the sepulchre, and saw the stone taken away from the tombe, vers. 1.
2 Mary Magdalens paines and eare to certifie this to others.Secondly, Saint Iohn records (for another confirmation hereof) the care and paines that Mary Magdalen tooke to signifie the truth of this incident vntounto Peter and Iohn, vers. 2.
3 Extraordinary haste of Iohn and Peter,Thirdly, the truth is confirmed againe by the extraordinary haste of these two witnesses vntounto the place and sepulchre, where they found the linnen cloathes wrapped vp, but not the body, from the 3. verse to the end of the 8.
4 Iohn is a seeing and a beleeuing witnes of the resurrection,Fourthly, the holy Ghost proues it to bee so, that Christ was risen, because Iohn did see it and beleeue, though (before that) they knew not the scriptures concerning Christs resurrection, vers. 9.
5 The two Apostles returning to their fellowes to certifie the same; beside the sequent testimony of the Angell, & Christs own appearing to them two seuerall times,Fifthly, by their returning to their owne home, where the rest of the Apostles were to certifie the same vntounto them, and there to expect further confirmation both by others & their owne sight and testimony, vers. 10. as in the rest of the chapter. 1. By the Angels testimony hereof. 2. By Iesus his own appearing vntounto them the same day at night. 3. By his appearing to them when Thomas was absent. 4. And eight dayes after, praesente Thoma incredulo.