Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, Chapter · Verse 28,29
vers. 28.
And it came to passe when Iesus had ended these words, the people were astonied at his doctrine.
29. For he taught as one hauing authoritie, and not as the Scribes.
These two verses containe the issue and euent of this Sermon of our Sauiour Christ in his hearers. And in them we may obserue two points: first, the good fruit that came of this sermon, v. 28. secondly, the cause & reason thereof, v. 29. The fruit was the astonishing of the people: which S. Matthew sets out by three circumstances: I. of the time, when it appeared, to wit, after the Sermon was ended: II. of the persons in whom it was wrought, the people, that is, the multitude: III. of the matter whereat they were astonished, namely, at the doctrine of Christ.
Touching this Astonishing of the people, in it many things are toThe maiesty of Christs ministerie. be obserued: I. That though the person of our Sauiour. Christ were lowly and base, yet his doctrine in preaching was of that force in the minds of his hearers, for it did amase and astonish them. This caused the officers that were sent to take him to returne without him, alleadging the maiestie of his doctrine for the reason of their fact, Neuer man spake as▪ this man did▪ Ioh. 7. 46. and when the gouernours came with a band of men to apprehend him, so soone as he did but tell them he was the Christ, they went backward, and fell to the ground, Ioh. 18. 6.
This sheweth vntounto vsus, that the voice and sentence of Christ giuen at the last day of iudgement will be most fearefull and terrible. For if his wordes were thus powerfull in his base estate of humilitie, what force will they then hauehave, when he shall come in glorie and maiestie in the cloudes, accompanied with thousands of Angels, when as his sight shall be so terrible, that men shall call to the mountaines to fall vponupon them, and to the rockes to grind them in pieces, if it were possible? well, let the consideration hereof mooue vsus to be obedient to his voice in the ministerie of his word; otherwise, will we nill we, we shall one day be subiect to that fearefull voice of condemnation, Goe ye cursed into euerlasting fire.
II. Doctrine. This astonishment of the people argues some feareAstonishment at the word no sure signe of conuersion. and reuerence in them towards Christ, which is some commendation vntounto them: and yet it prooues not the truth and soundnes of their faith and conuersion (though no doubt many that heard him were hereby conuerted:) for a man may be amased at Christs doctrine, and yet not be conue…ed thereby. Luk. 4. 22. the people of Capernaum did maruelously affect the Doctrine of our Sauiour Christ admiring at it, and yet they beleeued not in him, but tooke exceptions against him, because he was so…to Ioseph the carpenter. Pharaoh, Saul, and Ahab, when they were reprooued by Moses, Samuel, and Eliah, they were ofttimes much amased and confounded in themselues: and yet they did neuer truely turne from their sinnes: And in this place, I take it, this astonishment of the people is recorded, rather for the commendation of Christs ministerie, then to note out the faith and conuersion of the people.
This we are to obserue for speciall cause: for it is the ordinarie maner of the most of our hearers to marke more or lesse what is spokē, to approoue the doctrine, and to speake well of the minister, which be good things in their kind: but yet this is not enough: we must further labour to receiue the word by faith, to repent of our sinnes, and to conforme our hearts and liues vntounto the word: Luk. 11. 27. when a woman, through admiration at Christs doctrine, pronounced her blessed that bare him, and the paps that gaue him sucke: Christ tooke occasion thence to giuegive vntounto her, and to the rest of the hearers this lesson: nay, rather blessed are they that heare the word of God, and doe it. Act. 2. 37. at the first sermon of Peter after the giuing of the holy Ghost, the people were greatly amased at his doctrine, and being pricked in conscience, cried, Men and br…thren, what shall we doe? now Peter suffers them not to stand still in this astonishment, but labours further to bring them to true faith and repentance, and to hauehave the same by baptisme confirmed vntounto them, saying, Amend your liues, and be baptized, v. 38. And soAct. 16. 27. 31 dealt Paul with the Iayler that would hauehave killed himselfe vponupon the sudden sight of the prison doore beeing open; for after he was truly humbled he brought him to beleeue.
It may be here demanded, why our Sauiour Christ at this SermonQuest. Why Christ conuerted so few. Act. 2. 4…. did no more to the most of his hearers, but caused them to wonder, when as the Apostles conuerted many thousands at some one Sermon; and after brought the whole bodie of the Gentiles to the faith. Ans. No doubt he was able to hauehave conuerted them all, and we may perswade our selues here were many conuerted though it be not recorded, and though indeede the most were onelyonly astonished. But this came so to passe that his promise made to his Disciples might be verified, Ioh. 14. 12. which was, that they should doe greater workes then Christ did; whereof this questionlesse was one, to conuert moe in their ministerie then Christ did. And the causes hereof were two: I. that our Sauiour Christ might shew himselfe willing to vndergoe that base estate of a seruant wherein he was borne and continued till his exaltation; therefore he was content to restraine the power of his Godhead euen from his ministerie, vntill he were exalted into glorie: II. that he might make it manifest in his Apostles times, that beeing ascended he did not onelyonly sit at the right hand of his father, that is, rule as a king ouer all in his princely office; but also that he did indeede gouerne his Church by his word and spirit: and this reason Christ addeth, Ioh. 14. v. 12. to prooue that his Disciples should doe greater workes then he did, because he went vntounto his father, there to rule and gouerne his Church.
It may yet further be asked, why Christ did not conuert them all, seeing he was able beeing true and very God? Ans. No doubt (as hath beene said) many were here conuerted, yet not all, because Christ was now the minister of circumcision, (as the Apostle speaketh) that is,…om. 15. 8. though in regard of his person he were the Prophet of the whole Catholike Church: yet at this time in this action he was preacher onelyonly to the Church of the Iewes: in which regard he performed this dutie as man onelyonly, and so could doe no more but deliuer his fathers will vntounto them, and shew himselfe willing to conuert them. And in this manner he speakes vntounto Ierusalem, Matth. 23. 37. O Ierusalem, Ierusalem,—how often would I hauehave gathered thy children, as a henne gathereth her chickens, I would, but ye would not: that is, as the minister of circumcision in mine owne person, and as God in the ministerie of my Prophets. Thus much of the astonishment it selfe. Now follow the circumstances whereby it is amplified and set out, and they are three.
The first circumstance is the time when they were astonished, namely, when the sermon was ended. No doubt they were amased in theSilence in the holy assemblies of the Church. time of his deliuerie: but yet they were silent all that while and shewed no signes of their affection till the sermon was ended. And this good order ought to be obserued of all Gods people in the publike ministerie of the word. In the bulding of the materiall temple, there was no noise or knocking heard so much as of an hammer: whereby was signified that in the assemblies of the Saints where Gods spirituall temple is bulding, there should be the like heauenly order obserued; men should heare with quitetnes and silence, and shew their affection… afterward.
Secondly, we are here taught to labour not onelyonly to be affected in the Act of hearing while the doctrine is deliuered, but to treasure it vp in our hearts, that we may afterward be affected with it as this multitude was.
The second circumstance here noted, is the persons who were thus astonied: to wit, the people or the multitude▪ for after the sermon was ended they gathered themselues into companies, and make knowne one to another the affections of their hearts toward Christs doctrine. Hence we may gather, that our Sauiour Christ deliuered his dostrineChrist preached plainly. plainely▪ vntounto the conscience of the meanest, and to the capacitie of the simplest; els they could not thereby hauehave beene brought to wonder. And this is a president for all Ministers to follow in the dispensation of the word: so did Paul, 2. Cor. 4. 2. 3. in such plainenesse deliuer the word of God, that if it were hid, he saith, it was hid to them which perish.
The third circumstance, is the obiect of their astonishment; that is, his doctrine: They were astonied at his Doctrine. This teacheth vsus, that the word of God must be so deliuered, that the Doctrine it selfeCarnall preaching. may affect the hearers. It is a carnall thing for a man so to preach, as the consideration of his wit, of his memorie, of his eloquence, of his great reading may affect the hearers▪ many worthy parts (no doubt) were in our Sauiour Christ, for which he might well be admired; and yet in the dispensation of his word, he labours by his doctrine onelyonly to affect his hearers: and so must all they doe that will be followers of Christ.
II. Point. Thus much for the fruite of Christs sermon: Now followsThe authoritie of Christs ministrie. the cause thereof, which is Christs authoritie in teaching, v. 29. for hee taught a… on… hauing authoritie, not as the Scribes. This authoritie in Christ… ministerie was caused from three things; I. From the matterCauses of it. of his sermon. II. From the manner of his deliuerie. III. From the things that accompanied his teaching.
I. The matter of his sermon was the incomparable excellencie of…. The matter. heauenly doctrine; thus much his enemies the Scribes that came to tempt him did confesse, Mar. 12. 14. Master, thou art true, and teachest the way of God truly. And this was long before confirmed by Moses, who deliuered the▪ promise of Christ vntounto the people, into whose mouth God would put his word, Deut. 18. 18. and Ioh. 7. 16. Christ confesseth, that his doctrine was not his owne, but his fathers that sent him.
II. The manner of his teaching was heauenly: and this shewed it2. The manner of his teaching. selfe in sundrie things▪ for, I. Christ taught in his owne name as a Lord of his doctrine, and not as a messenger or interpreter thereof, as the Prophets were: II. His speach and deliuerie was with speciall grace: Luk. 4. v. 22. The people wondred at the gratious words that proceeded out of his mouth, wherein he expressed his humilitie, his meekenes, louelove, merciemercy, and compassion, plainly shewing by his speech that he was indued with all gifts of the spi… ▪ aboue measure: in this regard it is said, Isa. 50. 4. God gaue him (that is, Christ) the tongue of the learned, to be able to speake a word in due season, for the comfort and appea…ing of a distressed conscience; which no man but Christ is able to doe. III. As he deliuered the word vocally vntounto the outward …are, so hee was able by the power of his Godhead, to make his hearers giuegive attendance, and to receiue and beleeue that which he taught. And lastly, his zeale for his fathers glorie, and his earnest desire to bring the soules of men vntounto saluation, which were principall ends of his ministery, did also adde grace and authoritie thereto.
III. The things that went with his doctrine did also cause authoritie3. things accompanying his ministery in his ministerie; and these were two: I. Miracles; as curing the sicke, and casting out deuils; which did greatly confirme his doctrine vntounto his hearers: Mark. 7. 37. when hee had cured one that was both deafe and dumbe, the people were beyond measure astonished. II. An vnblameable life; for hee was Iesus Christ the righeous, who performed all things that the law required, fulfilling the will of God in suffering, and suffering in his obedience.
Further, note the phrase, in the originall it is said here, Hee was teaching; that is, it was his vsuall manner and custome, thus to preach with authoritie. Herin Christ is a notable presidēt vntounto vsus for sundrie duties.
First, hereby euerie minister of Gods word is taught to maintaineMini…er… must maintaine the credit of their ministry the credit of his ministrie, and to preserue the same from contempt; especially in his owne place, and in his owne person: though Christ were here in a meane and base estate, yet he would not suffer his calling to be contemned, but gets grace therevnto. And Paul chargeth Timothie, to see that no man de…pise his youth, 1. Tim, 4. 12. and to Titus he giues the like commandement, Tit. 2. 15. These things speake, and exhort and rebuke with all authoritie. See that no m… dispi…e thee. Now in the example of Christ, we shall see how this is done; not by outward pompe and estate, or by earthly meanes: but by truth and soundnesse of doctrine, by zeale for Gods glorie, and for the good of mens soules, and by an vnblameable life.
Secondly, hence also Gods ministers (if they wil be followers ofRight manner of preaching. Christ) must learne not onelyonly to …each sound and heauenly doctrine, but to obserue therein a diuine and spirituall manner of teaching: 1. Cor. 2. vers. 4. and 13. Paul saith, his preaching was not in humane wisdome, but in the plaine euidence of the spirit; comparing spirituall things with spirituall things: which is then done, wh… the people may acknowledge the grace of God in the teacher. As it is said of the ignorant man who is rebuked of the Prophets, 1. Cor. 14. 25. Hee falls downe on his face and saith plainely. God is in you indeedr. There is great difference to be made betweene discoursing in Philosophie, which may be done by humane wit, and preaching in diuinitie. Hee that can discourse well in Philosophie, cannot therupon presently preach & dispense the word of God aright; for preaching is a spirituall dutie, which cannot be performed by naturall gifts only. The Prophet Isay must hauehave his tongue touched Isay, 6. 6, 7.with a cole from Gods altar, before hee could speake and vtter Gods word vntounto the people: and Paul the most famous of the Apostles, desireth in all his Epistles, to be praied for, that his mouth might bee opened: whereby he doth signifie, that to deliuer wholesome doctrine in spirituall manner, for the glorie of God, & the good of his people, is a great matter, and cannot by naturall gifts be attained vntounto. And indeed this is that teaching which saues the soule, & affects the heart of him that belongs to God; which is the thing that eueryevery minister of Gods word ought to labour for.
Thirdly, seeing Christ in his preaching doth maintaine the authoritieWe must maintaine the dignitie of our profession. of his ministerie, eueryevery man in his place is taught to maintaine and preserue the dignitie of his profession. We are all of vsus by our profession Christians, and by baptisme the sonnes and daughters of God; now our dutie is to walke worthie this our calling, & to take heed wee bring it not into contempt. It is a most hainous wickednes for any man to bring a slaunder vponupon the name and religion of God; and yet nothing is more frequent in this our age: for men will needs …e christians in profession, and therefore will receiue the sacraments, which be the highest top sailes of all profession: and yet in their liues they are profane, and liue as they list; yea, and if others will not ioyne with them in their wickednes, they will not sp…r… to scorne and reuile them. But herein they sinne fearefully, in dishono…ing their profession; and though they charge others with hypocrisie, that endeauour in some truth to bee answerable to their profession, yet they themselues practise most grosse hypocrisie, when as they will beare the name of Christians, in profession, and communicate with the Lord his holy ordinances, and yet make no conscience of sinne, but scorne those that doe. Ephes. 4. 1. Paul praied for the Ephesians, that they might walke worthy the vocation whereto they were called: and Titus 2. 7. hee exhorts Titus hereunto, that in all things he should shew himselfe an e…sample of good works, with vncorrupt doctrine, with gra…itie and integritie, &c. Yea verse 10. hee requires seruants to shew such faithfulnesse in their seruice, that they may adorne the doctrine of God.
And not as the Scribes For first, they failed in the matter; they deliuered not the doctrine of God, but the traditions of men, about washings and …ythings. Secondly, they failed in the maner; they taught coldly, & without zeale. Thirdly, they failed in the end; they taught in pride and ambition, seeking themselues, and not Gods glorie. But Christ, as we hauehave seene, taught farre otherwise: and although he misliked their preaching, both for matter, manner, and end, yet he vouchsafed to heare them, or else how could he hauehave reprooued these things in thē? Which shewes that Christ would not separate himselfe from their assemblies, whose doctrine he disliked, with the deliuerie thereof. And thereforeSeparation f…m our Church is vnlawfull. no man ought to seuer himselfe from the Church of England, for some wants that be therein: we hauehave the true doctrine of Christ preached among vsus by Gods blessing, and though there be corruptions in manners among vsus, yea, and though they could iustly finde fault with our doctrine; yet so long as we hold Christ, no man ought to seuer himselfe from our Church. And thus much for this Sermon.
foreign