The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 31
Whitsonday, called Pentecost.
HE that is truth it selfe must needes bee true of his word,Coherence of these doctrines & holy Scriptures with the former. as good as his word, and iust in the performance of all his promises. Our Lord Iesus Christ promised the primitiue Church, that hee would send them a Comforter about this time,Summe and scope of all these Scriptures chosen out for this day, and as vponupon this day hee performed.Christ keeps his promise as touching the comforter And because so great a benefite came vntounto the Church by Christs sending of this author of comfort, of wit and wisedome spirituall in such a plentifull measure: Therefore vponupon this day, (which we call in our idiome, Whitsonday, or Witsunday) the Fathers of the Christian Church hauehave chosen sixe Scriptures out of the old Testament, and one out of the booke of Wisedome, being Apocripha, and foure out of the new to bee read and expounded, that all Gods people, whether Iewes or Gentiles, may know, beleeue, and with thankfulnesse acknowledge: That God the Father hath for his sonne Christs sake, sent the holy Ghost, that spirituall Comforter, in most plentifull and aboundant manner to bee Christs Ʋicar and substitut… in the Church, to be president, and with them continually present vntounto the end of this visible world.
Mor. prayer. 45. Psalme. Drift & end of the Psalme.The first of the Scriptures chosen for this day, being the 45. Psalme, is also selected for the feast of Christs Natiuity, intreates of the externall and internall gifts, blessings, and graces, ornaments of truth, righteousnesse and mercy, which God for Christs sake hath bestowed vponupon his Church militant and triumphant. Of this Psalme because there was no particular analyse before, but of purpose omitted, and left for this place:Parts special. therefore now regard therein,
First, an introduction,1 Introduction. or entrance into the matter thereof, shewing the contents of the Psalme, ve. 1.
Secondly, a commendation2 Commendation. which is two-fold.
1. Of Christ the bride-groome from the 2. verse to the end of the 8.
2. Of Christs Church the bride, ve. 9. ad 16.
The third part of the Psalme is a glorious conclusion3 Conclusion. of this commendation, with a golden Epiphonema and song of reioicing to bee sung of all kinde of people for euermore. verse 17.47. Psalme. Scope of the Psalme.
The second Scripture, which is the 47. Psalme, speakes not allegorically,Parts. as did the former, nor so mystically: for the Prophet Dauid, Gods Church do, and must reioyce for this fauour.both King, and an head of the Iewish people, a chiefe member of that church,
First exhorts the Gentiles to reioyce and giuegive thankes to God. ve. 1.1 Exhortation to thankfulnes.
Seeondly, he yeelds foure reasons of this thankes,2 Reasons and grounds hereof in the next foure verses.
Thirdly, he repeates his exhortation3 Repetition of his exhortation againe, the more effectually to vrge the people to thanksgiuing, because Christ our King is ascended with triumph to his father, to prepare a place for the elect, and to send downe the blessed Paraclete for their euerlasting comfort. ve. 6.
In the fourth part of the Psalme hee returneth to a fortifying of his exhortation with 3.4 A further fortification of the exhortation. other reasons conteined in the 3. last verses of the Psalme, 7 8.9.
In the 104. Psalme, Eue. Prayer. 104. Psalme.which is the third scripture chosen out for this purpose, Dauid
First rowseth vp his soule and spirit to praise the Lord,Parts. whom he calles Iehouah, Deus mi, that is, his God in Christ,1 A rowsing vp of himselfe, or Christ his God, ve. 1.
Secondly, by the workes of his creation,2 An incitation & prouocation of others, and continuall preseruation, in the rest of the Psalme (being 34. verses more he argueth Gods magnificence, glory, & maiesty. All which may be applyed vntounto Christ: (for such as the father is, such is the sonne) ascending vp into the heauens with glory, and his glorious sending down of the holy Ghost at this Feast.
In the 145. Psalme, 145, Psalme, Summe and scope of the Psalme,being the fourth of the proper Psalms for this day (hauing as many verses but one, as there be Hebrew letters) there bee also as many motiues and reasons to moue and stirre men vp to praise the Lord: because of his incomprehensible greatnes, glorious maiesty, & wonderfull works. If for the works of his creation, redemption, & preseruation (as it is at large proued in the Psalme) much more then for mans regeneration & sanctification by the spirit of grace, the assurance of his saluation and gl…ification.
For as the eyes of all creatures w…e vponupon the Lord (…xpecting their meate from him) who giueth them their meate in due season:All creatures wait vponupon God for his comfortable prouision & preseruation; Gods Church waite for the promise of the Spirit, & hauehave it performed to them. so the Apostles and Church of Christ,This feast with other, was commanded to be kept in the time of the Law waited (as Christ commanded them) at Hierusalem, for the promise of the holy Ghost, which was performed vntounto them accordingly, when the day of Pentecost was come.
In the fifth selected Scripture of the old testament, Deut. 16. Moses among orher lawes and ordinances to be obserued of Gods people,Mor. prayer. 1 Les. Deut. 16, which here hee doth repeate, makes mention of the keeping of this feast of Pentecost.
Parts of the chapter.In the first part of the chapter hee propoundeth vntounto the Iews, the obseruation & celebration of the Passouer,1 Obseruation of the Passeouer. v. 1. ad 9
In the second he speaketh of celebrating this feast of Whitsontide, which he calleth the feast of Weekes, ver. 10. ad 12.
2 Obseruation of Pentecost.In the third part he propoundeth vntounto them the obseruation of the feast of Tabernacles, 3 Obseruation of the feast of Tabernacles,vers. 13. ad 17.
In the fourth part Moses takes order with the Israelites about the choosing of Iudges and Officers in all their cities, setting downe the duties and offices of these Magistrates in their places,4 Election of Iudges. ve. 18. to the end of the 20.
In the fifth hee rubs their memory with that old ordinary law against idolatry,5 A law repeated made against the plāting of idolatry. that there should bee no groue of any trees planted, or any pillars set for the vse of idolatry, ve. 21. to the end of the 22. the end of the chapter.
Eue. Prayer. 1 Less. Wisd. 1. Scope of the text.Salomon, or Philo the Iew, in the first chapter of the booke of Wisdome, being the first lesson for Euening praier (though it be Apocripha Scripture) yet in the phrase of the canonicall Scripture, and in Salomons stile, takes occasion to speake of this holy spirit, which is called the spirit of wisedome.
Parts.The chapter containeth,
1 Exhortation vntounto Rulers.First, an exhortation to the Iudges & Rulers of the earth, to aff…ct this wisdome, to louelove righteousnesse, and the Lord who is the author thereof. VntoUnto which exhortation, many reasons are annexed,2 A caue… to take heede of vices. ve. 1. t… the end of the 10.
Secondly, a caueat to beware of diuers vices which doe hinder and interrupt men in the course and way of righteousnesse,Christ keepes his promise to the Christian Primitiue Church. to wit, vnprofitable murmurings in heart, slandering with the tongue, &c. Ʋerse 11. to the end of the 16. the end of the chapter.
The first of the foure holy Scriptures out of the new Testament, being the second Lesson for morning prayer,Mor. prayer. 1 Les. Act. 10, 34, to the end of the 48. Summe & scope thereof, and written Acts 10.34. to the end of the 48. which is the end of the chapter, doth euidently shew the accomplishment of Christs promise, as touching the sending of the holy Ghost vntounto the Christian Church gathered together of Gentiles, as well as Iewes.
In the text we may obserue,Parts of the text.
First, Saint Peters Sermon, wherein he proueth this point by the Scriptures, and other sure testimonies,1 The Sermon vers. 34. to the end of the 43.
Secondly, the effect of this sermon,2 The effect of the Sermon, to wit,
1. How the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.1 Effect▪
2. How Peter commaunded that the seale should bee set to the word, that is,2 Effect, that they should bee baptised in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ, vers. 44. to the end of the 48. the end of the chapter.
The next of the Scriptures out of the new Testament,Eue. Prayer. 2 Less, Act, 19, 1 ad 20, Scope of this Scripture, Acts. 19. ve. 1. to the end of the 20. being the second Lesson for euening prayer affoordeth another proofe and experience of the accomplishment of Gods promise by the hands & ministery of S. Paul, (a teacher of the Gentiles) a new raised vp notable instrument to set forth Gods glory.
In the text these things are principally to be considered.Parts of the text,
First, the dialogue betwixt Paul and the Disciples at Ephesus, vers. 1. to the end of the 4.1 Conference,
Secondly, the effect of this conference2 Effects of the conference, and dialogue.
1. In their partaking of the sacrament of Baptisme.
2 In their receiuing the inuisible grace of the holy Ghost, which appeared by their speaking of tongues,Blessed effects of the coming downe of the Comforter, and prophecying, vers. 5.6.7.
3 S, Pauls pains in preaching,The third consideration is the paines and exercise which S. Paul tooke and vsed by the space of three moneths preaehing in the synagogue, and disputing by the space of two yeares in the schoole of Tirannus, vers. 8.9.10.
4 The fruites & effectual subsequents of this his paines,The fourth obseruation and consideration is concerning the effect of S. Pauls paines, vers, 11.12. to wit,
1. In his working of miracles to conforme his doctrine.
2. In causing the man in whom the euill spirit was, to ouercome and preuaile against the Exorcists, verse 13.14.15.16.
3. In the general feare that came vponupon all, in their beliefe, confessing and shewing their workes.
4. In the burning of the Bookes of curious Artes, which were rated at such a great price, when the word of God grew so mightily, and preuailed, & that sacred volume of Gods booke was esteemed of a farre greater value: ver. 17.18.19.20.Epistle Acts 2.1, ad 12, Summe of this Scripture, Parts of the text,
The third of the Scriptures of the new Testament chosen out for the Epistle, written Acts 2.1. to the end of the 12. verse, sheweth vntounto vsus the acting & effecting of all that was by Christ our Lord promised,1 Circumstances related to proue this truth of the holy Ghosts descension by Moses figured, or by the Prophets prophesied. For in the text, by the circumstances of time, place, persons, maner of doing, & effect of the deed that was done, it is so truly demonstrated, that none need to doubt of the comming downe of the holy Ghost.
2 How the Apostles were prepared to the fit and worthy receiuing of this diuine apparition two waies,First, S. Luke truly recordeth the time when, the place where, and the persons that were partakers of this fauour, & receiued this grace of God, vers. 1.
In the second place hee notes how God prepared the Apostles to the worthy receiuing, and fit entertaining of this diuine, and miraculous apparition.
1. By the sound from heauen, as of a rushing and mightie winde.
Comfortable comfirmations of the comforters coming downe,2. By the effect of this sound: And it filled all the house where they sate, vers. 2.
In the third place Saint Luke sets downe the apparition it selfe.3 The apparition described by two arguments, 1 ab efficiente, 2 ab effectis,
1. There appeared vntounto them clouen tongues like fire, and it sate vponupon each of them.
2. He sets downe the end why there was such an apparition, and the effect thereof. 1. Generally they were all filled with the holy Ghost, 2. Specially, and they began to speake with other tongues, as the spirit gaue them vtterance, vers. 3.4.
In the fourth place S. Luke relates the consequence of this strange apparition, and the blessed effects thereof,4 Consequents and blessed effects of this apparition,
1. In the astonishment, wondring and marueiling of the multitude of all the people of all nations vnderunder heauen, fearing God, which dwelt at Hierusalem,1 Multitudes wondring,
2. The speech that all the people vsed at the sight and hearing of this miracle ve. 5. to the end of the 12.2 The peoples talking,
3. In some which mistooke and mis-vnderstood the miracle, and therefore mis-spake of it, and slandered it.3 Some mens mis-prision and mis-taking, Others mocked, and said: They are full of new wine, vers. 13.
Because the Disciples for-going of their Maister, and his departure from them,Gospell Iohn, 14, 25, to the end of the chapter, Scope of this Gospell, could not but bee a trouble to their mindes, and a corrosiue to their hearts: From this perturbation and feare of minde, Christ disswades them all.
Affoording eleuen arguments vntounto his eleuen Apostles, furnishing them all iointly, and each of them particularly,Parts. with sufficient groundes of comfort for their confirmation,Eleuen arguments of comfort to preuent perturbation & feare of minde, and establishing. And now therefore in this last of the foure Scriptures out of the new Testament, appointed for the Gospell, written Iohn. 14. ver. 25. to the end of the chapter, our Lord teacheth them to beleeue that which hee had before affirmed concerning this saying of his: Yee hauehave heard that I said vntounto you, I go away, and will come vntounto you, vers. 28.
1 Reason. Ab effecto in electis,The first kinde of reason is drawne from the effect,Variety of reasons to comfort mens troubled soules. and is set downe in the affirmatiue part, the effect I say,
1. In the Apostles, and all the elect: If any man louelove me, he will keepe my word.
2 Ab efficiente patre.2. From the efficient the Father: And my Father will louelove him.
3 Ab efficiente & effecto in patre & filio,3. From the efficient and effect in the Father and the Sonne:
1. Wee will come vntounto him,
2. Wee will dwell with him, vers. 23.
4 … cōtrario effectu,The fourth argument is drawne from the contrary effect in the negatiue part: Hee that loueth not mee, keepeth not my word. As if hee should say: Will not beleeue that I will come againe, or send them a comforter in the meane while till I come.
5 Ab authoritate verbi diuini,The fifth argument is taken from the authority of that word which was affirmed and spoken: The word which yee heare is not mine, but the Fathers which sent me, ve. 24.
6 A Christi ipsius testimonio.The sixth argument is also drawne à testimonio, from Christs constant & continuall testifying hereof: These things hauehave I spoken being present with you, ve. 25.
7 A Spiritus sancti testimonio.The seuenth from the testimony of the holy Ghost: But the comforter which is the holy Ghost, &c. ve. 26.
8 Ab effectu pacis Christi in electis,The eighth is drawne from an effect which Christ worketh and performeth, which may be a sufficient, and most effectuall meanes against all troubles, to wit, his leauing of peace with them, ver. 27.
9 Ab effectu amoris Christi in cordibus electorum,The ninth from a proper effect which the true louelove of Christ should hauehave wrought in their hearts, to wit, peace & ioy: If ye loued me, ye would verily reioyce, because I said, I go to the Father, vers. 28.
10 à fine dictorū horum à Christo hoc tempore prolatorum,The tenth is taken à fine, the end why he spake that which he had said vntounto them: And now hauehave I spoken to you, before it come to passe, &c. vers. 29.
11 à fine quorundam dictorū qua tempore futuro a Christo non sunt proferenda.The eleuenth and the last argument is also drawne à fine, from the end, cause, and reason why hee concealed many things.The holy mystery of the Trinity, Hereafter I will not speake many things: for the Prince of this world cometh, and hath nought in mee. ver. 30.
But it is that the world may know
1 That I louelove my Father,
2 That I performe this louelove in effect: to wit, in doing as the Father hath commanded me, ver. 31.