The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 10
The second Sonday after the Epiphany.
Agreement of these Scriptures with the formerAS God doth not cease to draw on the Iewes to repentance, to forsake their idolatry, and to betake themselues to him that is, hath beene, and will bee their Iehouah, and Elohecha, as in the 44. and 46. of Isay, may be seene, and did appeare: So is our God mindfull of his mercy to the Gentiles, as was shewed then, and shall now appeare in that which the same Prophet speaketh for, and concerning the continuance & increase of his fauour to the beleeuing Iewes then liuing, and to the faithfull Gentiles which were to liue afterward.Comfort to Iewes & Gentils, &c.
In our two Scriptures of the old Testament the Gospel-like Prophet IsaySumme of the two first Lessons.
First, cals the Iewes to the consideration of Gods fauours already receiued, and promiseth the continuance of them to the worthy receiuers.
Secondly, he exhorts them and the Gentils to hauehave them in singular reuerence, that bring and preach the happy tydings of this saluation.
In our Epistle,Summe of the Epistle and Gospell. the Romane Gentiles are exhorted by a chiefe Preacher of these newes, that seeing they had receiued these seuerall fauours of God, in the seuerall gifts and graces of God, that they therefore would vse them accordingly.
In the Gospell we are guided by S. Iohn to the wel-spring and fountaine of these cordiall liquors from whom onelyonly we may draw them, and commend them with great glory to God, and reioycing in our selues, to the gouernor of the feast.
The 51. chap. of the Prophecy of Isay is the first Lesson,Mor. Prayer. 1 Les. Isay 51. for this morning seruice, affording
First, a most worthy preface vntounto an excellent Sermon.Parts. ver. 1.1 A preface vntounto the Sermon
Secondly, most singular comfort: first to the Iewes,2 Singular cōfort to Iewes & Gentiles. consider Abraham your father, surely the Lord shall comfort Syon. ver. 1.2.3. secondly, to the Gentils, is affoorded as great comfort concerning Christs future appearing to them. Hearken vntounto me my people, and giuegive eare vntounto me ô my people, for a law shal proceed forth from me, and I will bring forth my iudgement for the light of the people. My righteousnesse is neere, my saluation goeth forth, and my arme shall iudge the people, the Iles shall wait… for me and trust vntounto mine arme, &c. ver 4.5.6.
Thirdly, all pretext of feare or discouragement3 A preuention of all feare and discouragemēt. is taken away in regard of afflictions or persecutions of the faithfull beleeuers by euill instruments, and wicked men. ve. 7. to the end of the 23. the end of the chapter.
Eue. Prayer. 1 Les. Isay 52.In our first Lesson for euening pra…er, which is the chap.Preachers of this saluation must be well entertained. following, God by his Prophet, Isay 52.
Parts.First, encourageth his people in the best manner, by taking vponupon them the strength beauty and puritie which the Lord giueth them.1 Encouragement of his people, ver. 1. to the end of the 6.
2 A speciall cōmandemen… for the ministers entertaiment.Secondly, he chargeth them to bid such welcome in the best manner, which bring these comfortable tydings with them, and what good shall beside such as hearken vntounto them in departing from vncleanenesse and wickednesse, in beleeuing in Christ, although he shall not make such a glorious shew in the eye of the world, ver 7. to the end of the 14. ver. which is the end of the chapter.
Epistle. Rom. 12.6.How like amost cunning Musician doth the chiefe piper of the Gentiles, Romans 12.6. to the end of the 16, ver. warble the harpe of Isay the Prophet, perswading them to practise according to their profession,The market that S. Paul shootes at in this portion of Scripture and as they had bene partakers of diuers excellent gifts and graces so they would dispense and dispose of them to the glory of the giuer and profite of the receauers, whether minister or people.
His exhortations are as many and as seuerall as the gifts and graces are,The true analise. whereof he makes mention, and that is the true and best analyse of the text in my poore iudgement.
In our fourth Scripture, being the Gospell written, Iohn 2.1.Gospell. Iohn 2.1. to the end of the 22. ve. The Euangelist tels vsus that our Lord Iesus Christ performes in effect that which he promised & much more. This our Sauiour (I say) doth it, by whom came grace and truth,Scope and drift of this Gospell, & from whom the Church now draweth in generall, and all the stewards and officers of the feast in speciall, the cordiall cheering liquors of his comforting spirit, in far more plentifull measure then heretofore, for the old Iewes had Christ (which was to come) promised as it were in waters:Christ performes saluation in the largest manner. But in these daies he is performed in wine. And that by the best transmutator, the best and rrue Chimist the onelyonly true transubstantiator of species, substances and qualities. In this portion of Scripture, S. Iohn giues vsus a view.
First, of an occasion of a miracle.Parts 1 Occasion of the deed.
Secondly, of the miracle it selfe2 Miracle and deed it selfe. wrought by our Sauiour.
Thirdly, of the consequents or subsequents thereof.3 Consequents and sequele.
The occasion is two-fold.Occasion twofold. First, the marriage1 The marriage whereunto Christ himselfe, his mother, and his disciples were inuited, ve. 1 2. The second occasion is, the want and penury of wine.2 The want of wine. ve. 3.4. & 5.
In the miracle we may consider.
First, an introduction1 An introduction. or preface. ve. 6. & 7. Now there was set there 6. waterpots &c. And Iesus said, fill the water pots with water.Parts of the deed.
Secondly, the miracle it selfe,2 The act and deed it selfe. Then he said vntounto them: draw out now and beare vntounto the steward or gouernor of the feast. ver. 8.
The consequence of the miracleConsequent of the miracle. carieth with it, first, testimony1 The testimony: and confirmation thereof, secondly, the gouernors taxing the bridegroomes2 The gouernours reproofe of the Bridegroome. infrugalitie and want of discretion.
The first testimony is drawen from an outward senseTestimony 1 From outward sense. to wit, the gouernours tasting of it, to be wine, though he knew not whence it came.
The second is taken from an inward2 From inward sence viz. the knowledge and vnderstanding of the seruants that drew the wine. ver. 9.
The taxation and reprehension of the Bridegroome, by an argument a diuersis.Bridegroomes reproofe a diuersis.
First, the frugality and discretion of most men.1 Discretion of most men.
Secondly, the infrugalitie and indiscretion of the Bridegroome,2 Indiscretion of the Bridegroome. but thou hast kept the best wine till now.
The third consequent of the miracle is, the vse that the Euangelist maketh hereof, a subseqent effect hereof, the faith and beleefe of his Disciples confirmed by this firstChrists saluation is of the largest volume. miracle,3 Consequent an ordinary blessed effect, a confirmation of his Disciples faith. and glorious exhibiting himselfe in this towne bordering vponupon the Gentiles neere Tyre and Sydon, ver 11.
The fourth consequent is, S. Iohns recording of Christs departure thence,4 Consequent a record of Christs departure thence, and to what place he went, viz. his remoouing with his mothers kindred and Disciples downe into Capernaum, where also he would do good to the Gentile Captaine, as he did this first miracle in Cana in Galilee, which was called Galilee of the Gentiles, as Matthew 4.14.15.16.