A Brief Exposition of Matthew, Biblical commentary · Part · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV.
Our Lord having told that the Temple shall be destroyed, the disciples aske of the time therof, and of the signes of his coming, to vers. 4. For answer, He forewarneth them of trial and persecution, wherein all his disciples had need to beware, least they should be deceived: and sheweth the signes of the utter destruction of Jerusalem, to vers. 23. and again teacheth them, that the chief care of his disciples should be, that they be not deceived with false Religion, and false Christs, wherin the danger was to be great, even untill his second coming, when he should gather all his Elect unto him, vers 32. As for the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, he telleth, that the forerunners and coming of it should be in their own dayes, vers. 36. But the time of the day of universall Judgement, and of his second coming was a secret, and should come as the Floud unexpected, vers. 42. and therefore that it was the Disciples part to watch, that they might be found in peace, following their calling, least wrath should fall on them.
Ver. 1. ANd Iesus went out, and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the Temple.
THe Disciples moved at Christs words, do regrate in a manner the destruction of such buildings. Doct. 1. It is a hard thing to yeild our minds unto the Lord, when he doth threaten to overthrow such things as we do esteem much of in the world, as to destroy potent people, to plague a visible Church, and such like; as here, The disciples shew to him the building of the Temple, as it were pitying that it should be destroyed.
Ve. 2. And Iesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Because our Lord was purposed by casting down the temple of Jerusalem, to punish the peoples carnal confidence in it, and their contempt of the Gospel, and withal to remove the Theater of the Jewish ceremonies, and the Shadowes of the Leviticall Law, therfore he reneweth the threatning. Doct. 1. The outward glory of buildings shall not save them from destruction, when they are abused, as here is threatned, There shal not be left one stone upon another. 2. The outward glory of worldly things, which bear much bulk in mens eyes, is little esteemed of by Christ; for the disciples shew the glory of the temple unto him, ver. 1. and here he sheweth it to them again, saying, See ye not all these things? and he telleth them, That not a stone shal be left upon another.
Vers. 3. And as he sate upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, When shall these things be? and what shal be the signes of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The disciples understanding that the Temple should be destroyed, ask some questions. Doct. Men are more curious to know things hid in Gods secret counsell, then to make use of what is revealed; as the disciples here, who asked, When shall these things be? when a more usefull question had been more expedient.
Ver. 4. And Iesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Our Lord answereth so, as his disciples might be best edi… ed. Doct. 1. The Lords words serve not to satifie his peoples curiosity, but for their instruction and utility, as here we see. 2. It is better for us to guard against the hazard wherein we may be, before the worlds end, than to be curious about the time when it shall end: therefore saith Christ, Take heed that no man deceive you. 3. The speciall danger of the church is from errours, and false doctrine, whereby their faith may be hurt; against this should we mainely watch, as Christ here wa…neth, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Ver. 5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ: and shall deceive many
To the end his disciples not only then living, but in all ages following, should guard themselves against al sorts of temptations unto the end of the world, he warneth them of five or six sorts of temptations, or exercises abiding them. Doct. 1. The first sort of exercise of the church, is, by sects and heresies, the Lord will suffe… blasphemies and Heresies to arise in the visible church, for the punishing of some, and triall of othe…s; for, Many shal come in my name, s…ith he, that is, Taking on the name proper to me, and pretending themselves to be Christ. 2. When the onelyonly one true Christ is not received, It is justice that many false pretended Christs should come, and deceive them who will not receive the truth in love; Therefore he forewarneth, That they shall deceive many. 3. The impudency of the divel, and the delusion of Hereticks is admirable, that he dare suggest, and they dare avow themselves to be Christ; yet such shall be, and shall dare to say, I am Christ. 4. The prevailing of deceivers with the multitude (which is more ready to believe lies than truth) should make the Lords People the more circumspect; therefore saith he, Ta…e heed, for many shall come &c.
Ver. 6. And ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to passe, but the end is not yet.
7. For nation shal rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.
8. All these are the beginning of sorrowes.
Another sort of the temptations of the church is the terrour of wars. Doct. 1. If wars fall out about Religion and the gospel, it is no small triall; therefore he telleth us, Ye shall hear of wars. 2. We must in such times keep fast the faith, and thereby by study to keep our hearts in peace, See, saith he, That ye be not troubled. 3. One of the reasons quieting our minds, when wars and rumours of wars (wherein we are involved) are heard of; is, the Lord's decree so to plague the World, and exercise us; therefore saith he, These things must be. 4. When we have digested one trouble, we must not think to passe so, but must expect greater troubles, and pray for constant patience; for, The end is not yet, saith he. 5. It is decreed in heaven to punish the wickednesse of the World, and specially the contempt of the Gospel, by provoking Kingdoms and Nations one against another, and to plague all by famine, and pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places; for it is foretold, That Nation shall rise against Nation, &c. 6. When such evils befall Nations in God's displeasure for their sins, and specially for abusing the Gospell, it is but an earnest, and a beginning of the sorrowes which God will bring at length upon this wicked World; for, All these are the beginning of sorrowes.
Ver. 9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all Nations for my Names sake.
The third sort of the exercise of Christs Disciples, is, Persecution, imprisonment, and slaughter. Doct. 1. Christians must resolve for the Gospel to lose their life; for, saith he, They shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you. 2. Christs disciples need not to look for love of this World, but rather must expect to be hated where-ever they shall come, albeit there were no other cause but the profession of Christ's Name, and his Truth; for, Ye shall be bated of al Nations for my Names sake, saith he.
Ver. 10. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray ou… … nother, and shall hate one another.
The fourth temptation, or fourth sort of exercise of Christ's Disciples, is the apostasie of professours, when persecution ariseth for the Gospel. Doct. 1. This is a narrow trial, when many who ran fast in profession with prosp… rity, do turn their back on Christ when trouble cometh; yet it must come to passe; for, Then, saith he, shall ma…y be offended; that is, Stumble at Christ's Crosse, and forsake the true Religion. 2. Such professours as make apostasie from true Religion, shall be the chiefe adversaries of the true members of the Church, Traitours and Enemies; for of Professours it is said, They shall betray and hate one another.
Ver. 11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
The fifth temptation, or fifth sort of exercise, is, The arising of many false Teachers within the Church, who shall brangle the faith of the Godly, and deceive many. Doct. 1. Christians may be tempted to defection by their own Teachers, who ere people be aware, may make defection themselves, and then fall to reduce the people; for it is said, Many false prophets shall arise. 2. This sort of temptation is ready to prevail with people, and to draw such away whom open persecution could not drive from the truth; for it is said, They shall deceive many; Because disputation and opposition against the Truth, (for which we are called to suffer) by our own Teachers, when they begin to swerve from the Truth, is a harder onset against a man's faith, than when fire and sword is threatned, in the case of a cause clear, and not questioned by our Teachers.
Ver. 12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
The sixth temptation, or sort of exercise, is, That the godly shall be cold-rise in love one toward another, and not finde respect and credit readily one of another, and that because they shall see iniquity and hypocrisie so abound in the visible Church, as one shall suspect another, and not dare to trust one another; and so shall not let forth their love one toward another, save very coldly, as it cometh to passe in the case of mutuall suspicion one of another. Doct. 1. Honest men do suffer much in their estimation, when the hypocrisie of hypocrites is discovered; for iniquity abounding, breedeth mutuall suspicion of one anothers sincerity, a man not knowing whom to trust, when by out-breaking of much iniquity he findeth many to be false. 2. When abounding iniquity breedeth mutuall jealousie, as estimation and confidence mutuall is weakened, so is mutuall love diminished; Therefore saith he, Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 3. This is a sore trial, when beside the common adversary, the Godly do grow suspicious one of another, and dare not trust one another, and so do grow cold in their love to one another; it is a sore trial, I say, When iniquity aboundeth, and love decreaseth.
Ver. 13. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall he saved.
After these temptations thus in order set before us, our Lord requireth constancy in the Faith, notwithstanding of them all. Doct. 1. All these temptations must be striven against, and overcome by them who purpose to go to Heaven; for, He that endureth to the end, shall be saved. 2. Whosoever for any of these temptations, or any other like, shall fall off from the Faith, and following of Jesus, he cannot be saved; for, OnelyOnly he that endureth to the end, shall be saved; no other hath the promise.
Ver. 14. And this Gospel of the Kingdome shall be preached in all the world, for a witnesse unto all Nations, and then shall the end come.
Our Lord comforteth his Disciples, and sheweth, that notwithstanding of all these impediments, the Gospel should be preached. Doct. 1. Whatsoever persecution, heresies, or offences shall come, the Lord will have his Gospel going on to be proclaimed in the midst of wars, famine, pestilence, heresies, &c. for this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached and spread abroad in all the world in the midst of impediments, till it go along all places of the world, whither Christ hath appointed to send it. 2. The preaching of the Gospel, where ever it cometh, proveth a Testimony to them to whom it cometh, one way or other; that is, A testimony either of their decreed blessednesse, if they receive it; or of their decreed perdition, if they do reject it, or do not believe it; for, It shall be preached for a testimony unto all nations. 3. Till the Gospel be preached unto all Nations, so far as God hath appointed, and till he have ended his work, by preaching thereof, the end of the World shall not be; but so soon as the Lords Work by the Gospel is ended in the World, Then shall the end come.
Ver. 15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand.)
Christ gives his Disciples some satisfaction to their question about the signes of the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the Temple; and to this end he leads into the Prophesie of Daniel, Chap. 9. ver. 29. to let them know that after the Messiah should be slain, the City and Temple should be destroyed: when therefore they should see the Armies of the Gentiles, (which were abomination to the Jews) to compasse about Jerusalem, as is expounded, Luke 21.20. he forbids them to thinke that the Siege should be raised, or the City should escape, as it had done in former times; for God had destinate the City and the Temple at that time to be ruined, as the diligent Reader of Daniel might perceive. Doct. 1. God hath instruments at his pleasure to destroy strongest Cities, and can make these whom men abhor most, to be the instrument of their destruction; for, The abomination of desolation, the Armies of the Gentiles are at his call. 2. Lest the faithfull should still dote upon the ceremonies of the Law, and figurative shadowes, after the Messiah's coming, it was very needfull, that the City and Temple both, whereunto the sacrifices and chiefe ceremonies were astricted, should be destroyed and abolished, as the Prophet Daniel hath foretold. 3. For understanding of the Word of God, when it is read, careful attention, and all means of knowledge must be used; Therfore saith he, Let him that readeth understand.
Ver. 16. Then let them which be in Iudea, flee unto the mountains.
17. Let him which is on the house top, not come down to take …y thing out of his house.
18. Neither let him which is in the field, return back to take his clothes.
19. And wo unto them that are with child, and to them which give suck in those dayes.
20. But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath-day:
21. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22. And except those dayes shall be shortned, there should no flesh be saved: but for the Elects sake those dayes shal be shortned.
That they might know how certain and suddain the overthrow of Jerusalem should be, our Lord giveth advertisement, that all the speed any man could make, should be little enough; for escaping whereof he giveth seven signes. The first is, No place in the Countrey should be safe, where the souldier might march, and that to flie to the mountains was the fittest, ver. 16. Signe 2. He who was in the town, should make him for death, and not think to escape by flying, ver. 17, Signe 3. It should not be fit for any man in the field, and out of the town, to return to the city, to take with him any provision for the flight, but should do well to flie, as he might flee for his life, ver. 18. Signe 4. Such as were with child in the countrey, and giving suck in that dolefull time, should be very miserable, and full of woe, being unable to flie so hastily as the need required, vers. 19. Sign …. It should be great mercy, if such as got occasion to flie, might so flie, as they might rest in a foul day, (when the unseasonablenesse of the weather might make the flight more grievous) and might rest on the Sabbath, when to be forced to go a long journey for fear of their life, might augment the…e griest, ver. 20. Sign 6. Never was, nor ever should be in any war such horrible tribulation, as God should send at the destruction of Jerusalem, ver. 21. Sign 7. The extremity of trouble should be such, that if God should not shorten the tribulation of those dayes, and restrain the fury of the Romans, against the rebellious Jews, the elect Seed of that Nation should be rooted out, so that no memory of a Jew might remaine thereafter; but because God was to reserve an elect Seed after the rejection of the multitude, therefore the Lord should shorten the dayes of wrath against the Jewish Nation, ver. 22. Doct. 1. When the Lord is to pour out his wrath on a place, if all circumstances being considered, a man shall find it both lawfull and possible to withdraw himselfe from that place, it is wisdome to be gone; for, Let them who be in Iudea, flee unto the mountains, is as much as, it shall be safer for them in this time, to see for their own life by flight, then to dream of resisting or escaping Gods judgment in that place. 2. If the judgment overtake a man so suddainly, as there is no time nor means given to escape, then let men lay by all thought of worldly goods, and bestow their minds and time on that which is most needfull, that is, for preparation unto death; Therefore saith he, He that is … the House …p, let him not come down. 3. In such case if a man with the losse of all he hath, can have his life for a prey, he fareth well; for, Christ saith in this case, He that is in the field, let him not return. 4. In the time of generall calamities, Gods ordinary benefits make a man more miserable then if he wanted them; as children, riches, honour, when they must now be gone, and can give no more comfort unto us, then are they the matter of our wo; for at such a …me saith he, Wo unto them that are with child, &c. that is, They shall be so much the more miserable; for this W… is pronounced by way of Prophesie, and not denounced by way of indignation against women with child, more then others. …. Troubles may be mitigated by prayer unto God, who can dispose of means of delivery, and can mix the cup of our grief, so as our misery may be the more comportable; Therefore saith he, Pray that your flight be not in Winter. 6. Gods judgements upon the despisers of the Gospel, and rejecter… of mercy offered in Christ, are most severe; Therefore the destruction of Jerusalem was of all calamities that ever came upon a people most lamentable, for as the common history reporteth, a million of people perished in the Siege, in a most fearfull manner of destruction, the Body of the Land being gathered together in it at the solemnity of the Passeover; and about fourscore and seventen thousand were made slaves, Such tribulation as was not since the beginning of the world. 7. In most confused and calamitous times the Lord hath a care of his own Elect, and remembreth mercy towards them in the midst of wrath; For the Elects cause, saith he, these days shall be short…ed.
Ver. 23. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there▪ believe it no….
Our Lord returneth to direct his Disciples and the Church to beware of whatsoever might destroy their souls, as the main thing which concerned them to take heed unto. Doct. 1. As the main danger of the Church is from Seducers, who shall strive to divert men from the true Christ, so their main care should be to see that their faith misearry not; Therefore sai…h Christ, Believe it not, if another Christ be offered unto you. 2. As at all times, so chiefly in times of trouble, Satan studies to delude men with pretences of Saviours and salvation, which are not reall, because in time of trouble men are most ready to receive anything, which doth promise reliefe or release, and so to imbrace delusions in stead of divine helpe: Therefore it is said, Then (that is, when the trouble is great) will it be said, Lo, here is Christ. 3. After our Lords assention, neither is another Christ to be expected, nor the true Christ to be found bodily and locally present in any place on the earth; for, If any man shall say, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not ▪ so saith Christ himselfe.
Ver. 24. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signes and wonders, insomuch that (if it were possible) they shall deceive the very Elec….
Why we should be wary, he giveth a reason from the certain danger which the multitude of deceivers should bring, Doct. 1. It is possible that false deceivers pretending themselves to be Christ, and false prophets, drawing men away from the true Christ, may make shew of great signs and wonders, for so doth Christ foretell. 2. Whosoever do teach false doctrine, and not consonant unto the truth of scriptures, their wonders are lying wonders, and not to believed; Therfore saith he, Beleeve them not. 3. The power of delusion is great and may prevail with any who is secure, and watcheth not; for, They shall deceive, if it were possible, the very Elect. 4. The elect cannot altogether be seduced, and drawn away from the true Christ: because of the power of him who hath called them, but for any power in themselves they might be seduced; for, False prophets shall deceive [if it were possible] the very elect, but divine power doth guard them against delusions of Satan, and false prophets, that they shall not always be deceived.
Ver. 25. Behold, I have told you before.
The Lord commandeth to make use of the warning. Doct. 1. The Lords forewarning of the danger from false prophets, should stirre up all to be the more watchfull, and it shall make men inexcusable, if they shall be seduced; for, Behold, I have told you before, saith he. 2. The doctrine of election doth not give warrant unto security, but should be made use of for diligence and watchfulness; therfore saith he, Behold, I have told you; for God hath decreed, as to save the Elect, so to save them by his own means. 3. This forewarning sheweth, that albeit the elect shal not bealtogether, and without recovery deceived, yet they may be so farr mistaken, as it had been good they had watched; much sin and misery may befal a man by not watching, albeit at length he may be brought forth of it; for, Behold, I have told you before, maketh the Lord free of what ill unwatchfulnesse may let in.
Ver. 26. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth: behold he is in the secret chambers, believe it not.
As before, ver. 23. So here again Christ bids them beware to believe his bodily locall presence in the earth, after his Ascension, untill the day of judgment. Doct. 1. Such a Christ as is not the Son of Abraham, the Son of David; such a one as is not described to us in the scriptures, is not to be looked upon, nor believed, nor esteemed of; such a Christ as is said to be locally present in the earth after Christs Ascension, a man should not go unto, nor believe any speech of such a Christ, as shal be said to be in his body in the desert, or in a chamber, or in a box, or in a wafer-cake, Lo here, lo there, or such like, as the Papists have their Christ, Beleeve it not, saith Christ himself.
Ver. 27. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
He giveth a reason why such imaginations of his being on the earth in his body, is not to be believed. Doct. after Christ's Ascension no other bodily presence of Christ, or coming into the World is to be beleeved, save his second coming in glory, which shall be on a sudden, (when men are not looking for it…) and in such evidence of glory, that all the World from the East to the West, shall be made witnesses of it; for, As the lightning, so shall the coming of the Son of man be, saith Christ.
Ver. 28. For wheresoever the carcasse is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
He meeteth with an objection, if he come in the East, or in the West, how shal those Elect persons come unto him who shal be so farr removed from that place, as is the VVest from the East? he answereth, and teacheth, that as the eagles from all quarters are shortly gathered unto the place where the carcass is▪ so shall all the Elect be swiftly gathered together to the place where Christ shall shew his bodily presence, at his second coming to judgment. Doct. We need not trouble our selves, about the swift dispatch of the last judgement, how or in what place of the World the convocation of the Elect shall be; this is sufficient, We shall meet with Christ where he shall be; for, Where the carcass is, there will the Eagles be gathered together.
Ver. 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those dayes, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the starrs shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
For further satisfaction of his Disciples, Our Lord giveth six signes of his second coming. Doct. 1. All the time before the second coming of our Lord, (whatsoever comforts may be mixed) shal be dayes of tribulation, and not so free of the miseries of this life, as some do dream: for here he telleth us the second coming of our Lord shal be immediatly after the tribulation of these days are ended, and brought toward a period. 2. When all the Churches Exercises, all her Tribulations and warfare are accomplished, then shall the comforter Jesus Christ come, to give full refreshment immediately. 3. Yet shall his coming be in a terrible manner to the world, with such an alteration made upon the creatures, being (now all of them to be changed from the estate of vanity whereunto they are subject) that Sun, Moon, and Stars, obscured by the glory of Christ, shall no more be able to give comfort unto men, not to shew forth their glory, as before, but shall cease from their service, and lose their power, expressed here by, Darkning, not giving light, falling from heaven, and shaking of heaven, as a tree that casteth her fruit; for so must it be ere they be made new; this is the first signe of his coming.
Ver. 30. And then shall appear the signe of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
The second signe or evidence of Christ's coming, i… the glorious shining of Christ's Person approaching, called the signe of the Son of Man, because as the light of the Sun approaching, is a signe of the present appearing, or rising of the Sun, so shall the shining glory of Christ's approaching, which is more bright than the Sun, Acts 26.13, 14. be a signe of his present appearing; what other signe of the Son of Man beside this may be, we leave it till the time come of his revealing of it. Doct. 1. Christ shall be seen visible Judge of quick and dead at the last day, in his humane nature; … The signe of the Son of Man, bodily descending, shall appear in heaven. The third signe of Christ's coming, is, the mourning of all people, it being now manifest that the day of judgement is come, the penitent shal fall on mourning and lamenting the… sins with a godly sorrow, that they may be fitted for the promised consolation of wiping all tears from the… eyes, and the wicked shall fall on weeping for the misery co…ing on them presently, by the sentence of their Judge. Doct. 1. Such as have mocked at the day of judgement, and s…offed at piety, and rejected or abused the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall then mourn a great mourning, All the tribes of the earth shall mourn. The fourth signe of his coming, is, the manifestation of his bodily down-coming in the clouds, with power and great glory. Doct. Howsoever Christ's first coming was in much infirmity, because he was to suffer for us; yet his second coming being to judgment and to reward all according to their works, as here i… said, Shall be with power and glory.
Ver. 31. And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four windes, from one end of heaven to the other.
The fifth signe, There shall be a great sound of a trumpet, as it were summoning all to compear before the Tribunall of Christ, unto judgement, which teacheth us, That the Day of Judgement shall be no lesse terrible th…n the Day of Promulgation of the Law upon Mount Sinai; as for other reasons, so for this, that as there was an audible Trumpet, which sounded at the giving out of the Law, so … there be an audible Sound of a Trumpet at the Day of judging Men for transgressing the Law. The sixth signe or evidence of Christ's coming is, That the Elect being raised from death, or in stead of death changed from this mortall life unto the estate of Immortality, the Angels shall be set on work to gather them from all the quarters of the earth, whence the winds do blow, or from the utmost pa…e… of the earth, where the sight of the Heavens have an end. Doct. Albet the Elect be now fat scattered one from another in sundry respects, yet then shall they all meet together, not one shal be in lacking; for the Angels shall gather Christ's Elect in unto him from one end of heaven unto another.
Ver. 32. Now learn a parable of the fig-tree… When … branch is …et tender, and putteth forth leaves; ye know that Summer is high.
33. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all t…e things, know was it is near even at the doors.
34. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not passe, will all these things be fulfilled.
35. Heaven and earth shall passe away, but my words shall not passe away.
After he hath given the signes of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of his own second coming, he confirmed them in the certainty of the coming of both, and draweth all this doctrine to good use: and first, he certifie…h them of the destruction of the Temple under the parable of a fig-tree; that when the fig-tree beginneth to bud, Summer is near. So when they should see the Jews d…ting on false Christs, heark…ing to false prophets, persecuting the preachers of the Gospel, growing tumultuous, and seditious, under hopes of a bodily liberation from the yoke of the Romans, rumours of wars arising, Armies coming in upon Judea, then let them perswade themselves, saith he, When these signs should appear, judgment was at the door upon that Nation, and that both these signes, and the destruction of Jerusalem with the Temple, should all come to passe in the dayes of them that were then living, vers. 33, 34, and he forbiddeth them to doubt hereof, because his words were more firm then heaven or earth, vers. 35. And so much for the destruction of the Temple and the signes and time therof. Doct. 1. When we see some part of the truth of God come to passe in our sight, it should help us to beleeve, and expect the fulfilling of the rest: as, When we see the trees bud, we know that Summer is near. 2. It is hard to our misbeleeving hearts to give that credit to Christs words whereof they are worthy: but by so much more is our Lords love to us, and care of us to be praised and admired, that he by so many meanes goeth about to confirm and perswade us; therfore saith he, Verily I say unto you, &c. 3. Whatsoever Christ doth say, shal be, or shal not be; his word is more firm then the Fabrick of heaven and earth ; for these shal be altered, but the Lords word is solid and endureth for ever: Heaven and earth shal pass rather saith, he, &c.
Ver. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the Angels in heaven, but my Father only.
Concerning the precise time of his second coming, he saith, that neither man nor Angel knoweth, but only the Father, wherby he doth not exclude the rest of the persons of the God-head, but only the creatures. Doct. 1. The peremptory time of the day of judgement …nd keepeth it to himself secret, and will not have it particularly known, and therefore it should not be narrowly pryed into; for, Of this day and hour knoweth no man, &c. 2. All things are not revealed, neither to the Angels nor to men, but so much at may edifie the Church, and as concerneth us to know; for, My Father only knoweth, saith he.
Ver. 37. But as the dayes of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38. For as in the dayes that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, untill the day that Noah entred into the Ark.
39. And knew not untill the flood came, and tooke them all away: so also shall, the coming of the Son of man be.
Our Lord draweth this doctrine unto use, to stir us up unto watchfulness, and to this end he setteth before us seven motives: the first motive is, There is no small hazard in case men be sound secure and not watching when Christ cometh, therefore watchfulnesse is necessary. Doct. 1. It is safer to make ready for the day of judgment, and to watch lest we be surprised, then to be curious to know the particular time of it; for As, the dayes of Noah were, &c. 2. As the old world did not beleeve judgement coming, albeit forewarned by Noah, that it was coming, so fares … with the world, and will be so with the multitude of the world, till the day of judgment; for, As in the dayes of Noah. 3. When men beleeve not things concerning the day of judgement and another life, no wonder they be given over unto, and drowned in the matters of this life; for, They were eating, &c. that is, This and the like was al their care. 4. Whatsoever truth men do not beleeve when it is told them, that they do not rightly know, though they conceive the meaning of the word told them; for it is said, They knew not. 5. Who so beleeve not judgment when it is threatned, shall feele judgement and be taken away with it, when it cometh; for, The flood came and tooke them all away.
Ver. 40. Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left.
41. Two women shal be grinding at the mil, the one shal be taken and the other left.
This second motive of watchfulnesse, teaching that at the day of judgement, they who have lived in near fellowship, shal be shed one from another; as for example, they who had been joyned in one work, Some in the field, some in the mi…. 2. The meanest degree of people shall be taken notice of, Even women, labourers in the field, grinding at the mill. 3. Judgement shall passe exceeding exactly, to take one and leave another, to pull up one to meet Christ in the clouds, and leave another to be punished with the damned; Therefore watchfulnesse is necessary.
Ver. 42. Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The third motive teaching us, That the Lord hath of set purpose kept from our knowledge the time when Christ shall come; Therfore all should watch and be ready, come when he will.
Vers. 43. But know this, that if the good man of the house had knowne in what watch the theif would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
The fourth motive, Set down in an example, teaching us in sense thus much, if men will watch for avoiding of temporall inconveniencies, much more should Christs Disciples watch to eschew eternall destruction: and if they do… not watch, then the worlds diligence in worldly things, will condemne their negligence in spirituall things.
Ver. 44. Therfore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh.
A fifth motive, Watchfulnesse maketh a man ready, albeit the Lord shall come in an hour when men thinke not; Therfore watch ye, that you may be ready. Doct. The solid apprehending of the certainty of the Lords coming, and of the uncertainty of the time, is a nomble means to set us on our watch, and to make our selves ready; for, In such an hour as ye think not he shall come.
Vers. 45. Who then is a faithfull and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold, to give them mea… in due season?
46. Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh, shal find so doing.
A sixth motive, especially sorting to stir up Ministers to be watchfull in their calling, as every man in his calling, so namely a Minister, (who is sa…-over the Lords people as a Steward to give the children the bread of life in due season) shal be blessed, if he be faithful, and found at his work, when Christ cometh: Therefore should every one watch, and the Minister in speciall, that he may be found diligence in his calling, when his Master cometh. Doct. 1. The greatest honour which a man can do to his servant in this world, is but a shadow, to shew forth what the Lord will bestow on his faithfull servants in the world to come; this is it which he saith, He shall make him ruler over all his goods; that is, He shall put honour upon him. 2. The so… of; service and trust which is put upon a Minister of the Gospel is very high, and the happinesse of a faithfull and …i…e Minister is very great; for, Who then is a faithfull and wise servant, &c. saith he.
Ver. 47. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48. But if that evill servant shall say in his bear … Lord delayeth his coming.
49. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.
The seventh and last motive, looking specially unto Ministers. If any man, and especially a Minister, do not watch adoe the worke intrusted unto him, he shall be destroyed …rfully at the Lords coming: Therefore it is necessary a watch for the Lords coming. And here we have the portrait of an evill servant, and namely of an unfaithfull Minister: first, he hath an evill heart of mis-beliefe, he beleeveth not Christs coming unto Judgement, nor the Truth which he preacher unto others, He saith in his heart, …y Master delayeth his coming, that is, He looketh not for his coming. 2. He will not fail to maligne, envy, traduce and injure to his power, the more painfull and faithfull his fellow-servants be; for, He smileth his fellow servants. 3. One way or other he strengtheneth i…odity, and the hands of the wicked, that they should not repent, nor turne from their iniquity; for, … and drinketh … the drunken.
Vers. 50. The Lord of that servant shall come in … day; when he looketh not for him; and in an hour that he is not …ware ….
51. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his perse… with the hypocrites … there shall be weeping and grashing of …b.
This is the judgement that shall come upon all wicked servants. Doct. 1. Such as do not make them ready for our Lords coming, but do follow their owne will and lusts, shall find themselves miserably mis…en; for the good which they injoyed or loved to have, shall be taken from them; and the evill which they feared not, shall come upon them to the full, when they least expect it; for, It shall be in … hour that be is not … of. 2. Unfaithfull Ministers who pretend to take charge of soules, and are not faithfull in that service, a…e ranked among the worst sort of men, that is hypocrites, and shall be of all men most severely punished; for, He shall cut them a…nder, saith he, and give them their portion with hypocrites.