The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 8
The Epiphany of our Lord Iesus (that is,Calling of the Gentiles. his appearing to the Wisemen) otherwise called, the Twelfth day.
Agreement of the doctrines of this feast with those of the circumcision.AS Iesus the child, was the glory of his people Israel: so is he a light to lighten the Gentiles. For otherwise that promise which was made vntounto Abrahā (that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed) had not bene indeed accomplished. His name was therefore called Iesus; that he might saue his people: that is to say Gentiles, as wel as Iewes, from their sinnes.
The cause and occasion of the choise.The Church of Christ hath therefore thought it fit, next vntounto his Circumcision to plaee our Lords Epiphany, his appearing to the Wisemen the Gentiles, who came out of their country by the blessed direction of a Starre, which brought them to Christ the bright morning Star, which rising from the East visited them. Whereupon they could not but doe as the sheepeheards did, in visiting and doing homage to him.
Generall sūme of all the Scriptures in one period.In the two first Scriptures of the old Testament, chosen for the first Lessons, the Prophet Isay foretold that it should be so. And in the foure out of the new Testament S. Luke, S. Iohn, S. Mathew, and S. Paul do record the effecting and accomplishment hereof that it was so.
In the first lesson for morning prayer the Prophet Isay in his 40. chapter,Mor. Prayer. 1 Les. Isay 40. more like an Euangelist then a Prophet,
First preacheth the comfortable tydings of remission of sins by Christ.Parts 1 Remission of sins preached. Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, will your God say, speake comfortably vntounto Ierusalem, and cry vntounto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath receiued of the Lords hand double for all her sinnes ver. 2.2.
2 A prophecy of Iohn Baptists coming.Secondly, the Prophet foretelleth the coming of Iohn Baptist, the great crier, herault and clerke of this great Messiah: preaching this doctrine of saluation both to Iewes and Gentiles,Great Britaine called among other lands. which were penitent and beleeuers. verse 3, to the end of the 5.
Thirdly,3 Doctrine of mans frailty, & the words stabilitie and eternity. the Prophet preacheth as concerning the frailty of mortall man, of the power of Gods word, and perpetuitie thereof: at which both Iewes and Gentiles are exhorted to reioyce, because the word that is made flesh is comming. Whose louelove and tendernesse (like a shepheard ouer his flocke) whose infinite power also and supereminencie is shadowed out by the Prophet. Both which are applied to the great comfort of Gods Church and people gathered of Iewes and Gentiles. verse 6, to the end of the 31, the end of the chapter.
In the first Lesson for Euening prayer, which is the 49 of Isay, Euen. Prayer. 1 Less. Isay 49.the Prophet,
First, begins one of his Sermons,1 Isay preacheth to all Iles, ergo, to great Britain, as though he did preach to great Britaine, England, Scotland, and Ireland (for these are Ilands as well as others are,) Heare ye me O Iles, and hearken ye people from farre, &c. Ʋerse 1, to the ende of the 5 verse: where you may heare admirable and most comfortable exhortation.
Secondly,2 Isay preacheth Christs saluation to the nations, he speaketh of Christs coming and sauing the nations, that dwell in continents, in lands, not inuironed with the sea, as well as the Ilands: to whom this Sauiour and royall Redeemer exhibiteth himselfe: For his people shall come from farre, From the North, from the West, and from the land of Sinim. Verse 11. Also, Behold (saith the Lord) I will lift vp mine hand to the Gentiles, and set vp my standart to the people, and they shall bring thy sonnes in their armes, and thy daughters shall be caried vponupon their shoulders, &c. verse 6, to the end of the 22.
Thirdly,3 He foretels the meanes that he will afford to this purpose. God by his Prophet foretelleth the meanes and helpes that he will affoord to his Church of the Gentiles, speaking euen to the comfort of the Church gathered in great Britaine (which we hauehave found by experience, And Kings shall be thy foster-fathers, and Queenes shall be thy nurses; they shall worship thee with their faces toward the earth, 1. Baptist preached of the calling of the Nations.and licke vp the dust off thy feete, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed that waite for me, &c. v. 13, to the end of the 26, the end of the chapter.
In our second Lesson for Morning prayer, Luke 3.1,Mor. Prayer. 1 Less. Luk. 3.1. to the end of the 22 verse, the Euangelist tels vsus that Iohn Baptist performed in preaching that which Isay foretold of him,
Parts.First, for the matter1 Matter, of his teaching, preaching the baptisme of repentance.
Secondly, for the manner,2 Manner, crying.
Thirdly, for the place,3 Place, in the wildernesse, and all the coasts about Iordane.
Fourthly, for the people his auditory,4 Auditory. All flesh (that is) Gentiles and Iewes shall see the saluation of God.
In the second Lesson for Euening prayer, S. Iohn chapter 2, verse 1,Eue. Prayer. 2 Les. Ioh. 1.2. to the end of the 11. verse, shewes an example hereof in the first miracle that Christ wrought at the mariage, his turning of wateo into wine. Iohn 2.9. in Cana a towne of Galile. He being the Sonne of God,Scope of this scripture. and therefore God himselfe perswaded. Iaphet to dwell in the tents of Sem, that they might (being married vntounto Christ in truth and righteousnesse) tast of Christs cordiall liquor,Paul preached to the Gentils. euen water metamorphosed and turned into wine.
For this cause, and to this end, in our Epistle, Ephes. 3.1,Epistle. Ephes. 3.1. to the end of the 12 verse. S. Paul,
Parts.First, vseth these speeches, and deliuers this doctrine to the Ephesians, 1 God made Paul a preacher for the Gentils sakes,which were Gentiles, viz. I Paule am a prisoner of Iesus Christ for you Gentiles, if you hauehave heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is giuen me to you-ward. ve. 1.2.
Secondly, he sheweth of what kind and nature this preaching is,2 What kind of preaching it is, by tearming it a mysterie, shewing in what respects it is so intituled.
Thirdly, he telleth vsus what this mysterie is,3 What the mysterie is, to wit, that the Gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospell. Verse 6.
Fourthly,4 That God hath committed it to him. that the dispensation and Ministery is committed vntounto him by the grace and fauour of God, for the good of his Church gathered of Iewes and Gentiles. verse 7, to the end of the 12.
What is that inheritance? what is that promise? what is that Gospell and glad tidings, but that which causeth great ioy to all the people, that vntounto all nations is borne a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.
In the sixt portion of Scripture, chosen out for this daies Seruice written Mathew 2.1.Gospell. Math. 2.1. to the end of the 12 verse, we hauehave a most comfortable and an infallible testimony of Gods vocation of the Gentiles, and their apprehending Christ, S. Mathew shewes it to be true,
First, in the wise religious Gentiles,Parts: which came to see Christ, that true light, verse 1.2.1 Wise men come to see him,
Secondly, in king Herod, that crafty and suttle foxe, who vnderunder the colour of worshipping this king of kings,2 Herod sought to kill him, intended the destruction of the Lord of life, as verse 3, to the end of the 8,
Thirdly,3 Wise men performed what they intended, in the wise mens performing that which they came for. verse 9.10.11,
Fourthly, in not persecuting the Babe,4 Wise men did not persecute Christ. by returning any message to Herod (which diuine Oracle in a dreame inhibited) but returning to their owne country another way, as verse 12.
That this coming of the Gentiles to Christ,Circumstances to proue the truth of the wise mens coming, is a true history, the first verse of the chapter shewes it, first in the circumstances
Of time1 Time, when it was done,
Of place2 Place, where twas done,
Of persons3 Persons, which were the actors of it,
Of words and speeches4 Words and speeches. that the Gentile wise men vsed, viz. Where is he that is borne, &c.
Of the reasons which moued them to speake these words,5 Reasons as motiues first, For we hauehave seene his starre in the East, secondly, and are come to worship him. v. 2.
2 Herods persecuting, the truth proue… the t…uth.Secondly,The wise holy, &c. the truth of these things is argued by the effects in Herode and others, for heating of it, first, he was troubled himselfe, secondly, all Hierusalem with him, verse 3. This perturbation appeareth by the effects thereof,
First, his publicke search and inquisition of his owne people,H…rods publicke and priuate inquisition. He enquired of the chiefe Priests and Scribes, the vndoubted truth thereof, verse 4, who answer him out of the Scriptures, verse 5. and 6.
Secondly, his secret inquisition of the wise men, what time the starre appeared. verse 7.
Herods appointing the wise men as secret intelligencers.The third effect of Herods trouble, is his mission and sending of the wise men by speciall commission (as secret intelligencers) to bring true word of the businesse, verse 8.
3 The wise mens obediēce argue the truth aforesayd.Thirdly, the truth of these things are argued by the wise mens obedience and performance, as well in deed as in word and questioning. For S. Mathew relates that,
Nine fruits of their obedience,First, they went.
Secondly, he tels by what meanes they went, how they were directed in their iourney, And loe the starre, &c. verse 9.
Thirdly, their ioy for this heauenly concomitance and company of the comete. verse 10.
Fourthly, they went into the house.
Fiftly, they found the Child and the mother.
Sixtly, they fell downe and worshipped him, that is, inwardly and outwardly.
Seuenthly, they opened their treasures.
Eighthly, they offered vntounto him gifts, first of gold, secondly of frankincense, thirdly of Myrrhe. verse 11.
Ninthly, they returned into their country another way (not intending to go home by persecuting Herod) because God by a dreame did so aduise them. verse 12.