A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Mark · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIIII.
1. AFter two days was the feaſt of the paſſover and of unleavened bread: and the Chief Prieſts and the Scribes ſought how they might take him by craft and put him to death. 2. But they ſaid, not on the feaſt day, leſt there be an uprore of the people.
2. They feared the peoples reſcuing him.
3. And being in Bethany, in the houſe of Simon the leper, as he ſat at meat, there came a woman having an Alablaſter box of ointment of ſpikenard, very precious, and ſhe break the box and poured it on his head.
3. Note, This Simon, it is moſt like, having been cured by him of a Leproſie, ſhewed his thankfulneſs in entertaining him. 2. Bethany like the Villages near London, contained a large circuit of ground, it being uſual for Citizens ſo to ſet their Country-houſes, and for ſuch grounds to be ſo populous. 3. It was a Cruiſe of precious Spike Oyl, ſhaken and poured out.
4. And there were ſome that had indignation among themſelves and ſaid, why was this waſt of the oinment made. 5. For it might have bin ſold for more then three hundred pence and have been given to the poor: and they murmured againſt her.
4. Note, Whether it was any beſide Judas is doubtful. Mans wit is apt to be cenſorious againſt good works; on pretence of ſome good which they more value. 2. Three hundred pence of theirs, is, as Budeus and Beza calculate, fifty two French Crowns and a half. A Crown is 6 s. 8 d. our Noble.
6. And Jeſus ſaid let her alone: Why trouble ye her; ſhe hath wrought a good work on me. 7. For ye have the poor with you always, and when ſoever ye will ye may do them good, but me ye have not always.
6. Note, That is not beſt at one time, that is beſt at another; but every thing in its ſeaſon.
8. She hath done what ſhe could: ſhe is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9. Verily I ſay to you, Whereſoever this Goſpel ſhall be preached throughout the whole world, this alſo that ſhe hath done ſhall be ſpoken of for a memorial of her.
9. Note, The greateſt honouring of Chriſt tendeth to our own greateſt honour, (tho deſpiſed at preſent by the prophane.)
10. And Judas Iſcariot one of the twelve, went unto the chief prieſts to betray him to them.
10. Note, The Devil draweth ſinners to be the ſeekers of their own temptation, ſin and miſery.
11. And when they heard of it they were glad, and promiſed to give him money. And he ſought how he might conveniently betray him.
11. Note, 1. The wicked are glad to be aſſiſted in ſin. 2. Money is the bait of wickedneſs and blood. 3. When the heart once conſenteth to ſin, men ſtudy how to accompliſh it.
12. And the firſt day of unleavened bread, when they killed the paſſover his diſciples ſaid unto him, where wilt thou that we go and prepare, that thou mayeſt eat the paſſover. 13. And he ſendeth forth two of his diſciples, and ſaith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there ſhall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And whereſoever he ſhall go in, ſay to the goodman of the houſe, The Maſter ſaith, where is the gueſt chamber; where I ſhall eat the paſſover with my diſciples. 15. And he will ſhow you a large upper room furniſhed and prepared: there make ready for us. 16. And his diſciples went forth and came into the city, and found as he had ſaid unto them, and they made ready the paſſover.
16. Note, Chriſt knew what was future and unſeen, even voluntary acts.
17. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18. And as they ſat and did eat Jeſus ſaid, Verily, I ſay to you, one of you which eateth with me, ſhall betray me. 19. And they began to be ſorrowful, and to ſay unto him, one by one, Is it I? And another ſaid, is it I? 20. And he anſwered and ſaid unto them; It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the diſh.
19. Note, They feared themſelves and his ſuſpicion, and were troubled at the Prognoſtick. 2. Chriſts giving Judas the Sop is here paſt by.
21. The Son of man indeed goeth as it is written of him: but wo to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed: good were it or that man if he had never been born.
21. Note 1. Gods foreknowledge or decrees excuſe n…ans ſin. 2. By [Good] is meant [A leſs evil.]
22. And as they did eat, Jeſus took bread, and bleſſed, and brake it, and gave to them, and ſaid, Take eat: this is my body.
22. Note, Here it is called at once Bread and his Body: Bread Naturally, and His Body Sacramentally, that is, Repreſentatively and Significantly, For [It] is the Relative, and [Bread] is the Antecedent: What did Chriſt Take? Bread: What did he Bleſs? I…: What did he Break? [It.] What is [It] but that before-named? Bread. Yet by ſo doing he made it his Body? How? As the King maketh a piece of Wax to become his Great Seal, by which he conveyeth Land, Liberty and Life. Or a piece of Silver to be Money.
23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them: and and they all drank of it. 24. And he ſaid unto them, this is my blood of the new teſtament, which is ſhed for many.
23. By the Cup is meant the Wine.
Note, It is ſtrange that men who find that Chriſt throughout the Goſpel ſtill taught by Parables or Similitudes, (ſaying, This is ſuch a thing, and That is ſuch a thing; as the Seed is the Word, the Field is the World, the Reapers are the Angels, &c.) ſhould force themſelves to believe that there is no ſimilitude uſed here. The Lord deliver his Church from thoſe who burn men that believe not that Bread is no Bread, but made Chriſt himſelf; while themſelves believe not that Chriſt himſelf is Chriſt indeed, but are Infidels.
25. Verily I ſay unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 16. And when they had ſung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
25. See Matth. 24. It's more than probable that this Hymn was a form.
27. And Jeſus ſaith unto them, All ye ſhall be offended becauſe of me this night: for it is written, for I will ſmite the ſhepherd and the ſheep ſhall be ſcattered.
27. Your Faith ſhall ſtagger, and you ſhall forſake me, and fly in fear.
28. But after that I am riſen: I will go before you into Galilee.
28. See Job. 21.1, 2, 3.
29. But Peter ſaid unto him: Although all ſhall be offended, yet will not I. 30. And Jeſus ſaith unto him, Verily I ſay unto thee, that this day, even in this night before the cock crow twice, thou ſhall deny me thrice.
30. Note, This is not contraay to other Evangeliſts that ſay [Before the Cock crow.] For 1. They mean before Cocks crowing time be paſt, or before the ſecond Cocks crowing.] 2. The Writers ſpake the ſenſe of Chriſts words, and not always the preciſe words themſelves.
31. But he ſpake the more vehemently, if I ſhould die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wiſe. Likewiſe alſo ſaid they all.
31. Note, If the Apoſtles ſo little know themſelves, what wonder if moſt Chriſtians, know not how bad they are.
32. And they came to a place which was named Gethſemani, and he ſaith unto his diſciples, Sit ye here, while I ſhall pray.
33. And he taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and began to be ſore amazed and to be very heavy. 34. And ſaith to them, my ſoul is exceeding ſorrowful unto death: tarry ye here and watch. 35. And he went forward a little and fell on the ground and prayed, that if it were poſſible the hour might paſs from him. 36. And he ſaid, Abba, Father, All things are poſſible to thee, take away this cup from me, not what I will, but what thou wilt.
34. Note, It is an error that Chriſts God-head was inſtead of a human Soul: For his Soul was ſorrowful and ſuffered, but ſo could not his Godhead. 2. His nature in the firſt inſtant had a ſinleſs averſneſs to ſuffering as ſuch, but his Reaſon and Will ſubmit to it in the ſecond inſtant, becauſe it is according to Gods Will, for greater benefit.
37. And he cometh, and findeth them ſleeping, and ſaith to Peter, Simon, ſleepeſt thou? couldeſt thou not watch one hour. 38. Watch ye and pray leſt ye enter into temptation? The Spirit truly is ready, but the fleſh is weak.
37. Haſt thou ſtrength to die with me, who canſt not watch one hour with me. Watching and Praying is the means to avoid temptation, and conſequently ſinning and ſuffering for ſin. The Mind and Will, ſanctified by Gods Spirit is inclined to duty, but it hath not an abſolute Deſpotical power over the fleſhly weakneſs and backwardneſs, but a political only.
39. And again he went away and prayed, and ſaid the ſame words. 40. And when he returned he found them aſleep again, (for their eyes were heavy) neither wiſt they what to anſwer him. 41. And he cometh the third time, and ſaith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your reſt: it is enough, the hour is come, behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of ſinners.
40. They were aſhamed: 41. Now I have no more uſe for your watching with me: Take your own courſe or reſt: My apprehenders are at hand.
42. Riſe up, let us go, lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 43. And immediately while he yet ſpake, cometh Judas one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with ſwords and ſtaves, from the chief prieſts and the Scribes, and the elders. 44. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, ſaying, whomſoever I ſhall kiſs, that ſame is he take him, and lead him away. 45. And as ſoon as he was come, he goeth ſtraitway way unto him and ſaith Maſter, maſter, and kiſſed him.
44. Note, Thus Satans ſervants that wear Chriſts Livery, both Prieſts and Magiſtrates, betray Chriſt, by his own Titles, and by pretence of Love and Honour.
46. And they laid their hands on him and took him. 47. And one of them, that ſtood by drew a ſword, and ſmote a ſervant of the high prieſts and cut off his ear.
47. Note, Had bu… one Peter done this raſh unwarrantable act againſt Papiſts, when they are killing true Chriſtians as Butchers do Sheep, they would publiſh to the World, that the whole party are ſeditious Rebles: yea, if any do but ſpeak againſt their Murders. I mean they have done thus.
48. And Jeſus anſwered and ſaid to them, Are ye come out as againſt a thief with ſwords and with ſtaves, to take me. 49. I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the ſcripture muſt be fulfilled.
49. The Scripture foretold all this uſage.
50. And they all forſook him and fled. 51. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth caſt about his naked body, and the young men laid hold on him. 52. And he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
50. All the Diſciples locally forſook him to ſave themſelves, though not ſo as totally to deſert him with their heart. 51. Being in the night, ſome young man, either undreſt, or rais'd out of bed, was come thither.
53. And they led Jeſus away to the high prieſt, and with him were aſſembled all the chief prieſts, and the elders, and the Scribes.
53. They led Chriſt as Priſoner to thoſe that ſent them to take him; which was the Jews Church-repreſentative, or Council.
54. And Peter followed him a far off, even into the place of the high prieſt: and he ſat with the ſervants, and warmed himſelf by the fire. 55. And the chief prieſts and all the council ſought for witneſs againſt Jeſus, to put him to dea…h. 56. Fo… many bare falſe w…tneſs againſt him, but their witneſs agreed not together.
55. They firſt reſolve of his Death, and after ſearch for ſome pretended cauſe: But their ſuborned witneſs ſpake not crime enough for Death.
57. And there aroſe certain, and bare falſe witneſs againſt him, ſaying, 58. We heard him ſay, I will deſtrory this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59. But neither ſo did their witneſs agree together.
58. Note, We have men ſeemingly wiſe now, that would ſay, Why did Chriſt ſpeak ſo unadviſedly as to give occaſion to ſuch accuſers? But what can be ſpoken ſo well, from whence ſuch men will not take occaſion of Calumny.
60. And the high prieſt ſtood up in the midſt, and asked Jeſus, ſaying, Anſwereſt thou nothing? What is it which theſe witneſs againſt thee?
60. Note, The Arch-prieſt (who was relatively and by profeſſion the holieſt man of that Nation, and of the whole World) was the Arch-enemy and perſecuter of Chriſt, and the greateſt plague of his whole Country.
61. But he held his peace, and anſwered nothing. Again the high prieſt asked him, and ſaid unto him, Art thou the ſon of the bleſſed. 62. And Jeſus ſaid I am: And ye ſhall ſee the Son of man ſitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
61. When the ſubtil Prieſt could prove nothing againſt him, he craftily puts a queſtion to him (equal to an ex officio oath) which he knew he would anſwer, that he might out of his own words accuſe him.
63. Then the high prieſt rent his cloths and ſayeth, what need we any further witneſs. 64. Ye have heard his blaſphemy, what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
63. Note, He had been better have rent his heart for his wickedneſs: Here is Diaboliſm it ſelf cloathed with the higheſt pretence of holy zeal, by the holy Prelate, and his confederates? No wonder if the whole Convocation condemn Chriſt, when ſuch an High Prieſt leads them.
65. And ſome began to ſpit on him, and to cover his face, and to bu…fe… him, and to ſay unto him, Propheſie: And the ſervants did ſtrike him with the palms of their hands.
65. Note, This the Son of God endured for our ſins: And doth it beſeem us to be tender of ſuffering abuſe.
66. And as Peter was beneath in the palace: there cometh one of the maids of the high-prieſt. 67. And when ſhe ſaw Peter warming himſelf, ſhe looked upon him, and ſaid, And thou alſo waſt with Jeſus of Nazareth. 68. But he denied, ſaying, I know not, neither underſtand I what thou ſayeſt. And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew.
66. Note, It is dangerous among perſecuters to be a friend to Chriſt. 2. Wonderful that the firſt Cock did not waken Peters conſcience, having bin ſo warned. But what will we not do if God leave us to our ſelves.
69. And a maid ſaw him again, and began to ſay to them that ſtood by, This is one of them. 70. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that ſtood by ſaid again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy ſpeech agreeth thereto. 71. But he began to curſe and to ſwear, ſaying, I know not this man of whom ye ſpeak. 72. And the ſecond time the cock crew:
70. Note, No man is long ſafe in the mouth of great temptation, if extraordinary mercy ſave him not.
72. And Peter called to mind the word that Jeſus ſaid unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou ſhalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
72. Note, Before the love of life, and fear of death, prevailed (in act) But now the Love of Chriſt beginneth to prevail again, and greive, and ſhame him for his ſin.