A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 1 · Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX. Of Chriſt's Sixth Appearance
THE Sixth Appearance of Chriſt This is … by … only (John …) at large. Wherein we have the …. The … to … was made, not only the Ten as the former was wh… Thomas was obſen…y … ▪ But …o all the Bl…ven (as the Chorus or Colledge of Apoſt… was called … Maithi… was Choſen in Judas Room, Acts 1.26. when … was preſen… now with … Ten. some do ſuppoſe the chuſe of Thomas's Abſe… upon … very Day of … Reſurrection was either, 1, Becauſe he probably … buſineſs that … neceſſitate his Abſence at that time upon ſome worth…y Ca…. O… … As ſome ſay, Becauſe perhaps he ſay ſtill lurking and keep cloſe in his …iding hol… into which he had re…ed for ſe… of the Jew… ▪ …hen all the Diſciples (like …lock of Sheep ſcattered with a Dog) forſook Chriſt and …ed into p… pla…ed for…conding, Mark 14.50. And when all the other T… crept out at the News of their Lord's Reſurrection (by the Holy Women's report) and Adventured to meet together, yet Thomas (who had the deepe…t … of Incredulity) lay longeſt obſcure, and came ſloweſt to the Convention. O… 3. Becauſe …ough he might come to the convention and be preſent at the beginning of thei… … conference … 'tis ſaid Luke 14.33. that the two Diſciples … from D…ans found all the Eleven together) and might …ear the good Women's Relation of the Lord's being riſen, &c. Yet did he then withdraw himſelf from his fellows, as being more obſtinate than the Reſt and more wilful in his Unbelief; for though his fellows at the firſt did look upon thoſe Tidings to be only Women's talk and Idle tales, Luke 24.11. yet were they all ſooner convinced than he would be, of the Truth, N.B. God per, mitting this, that we through his doubting might …e better confirmed, &c. Or 4. Becauſe he was now (upon the Death of his Maſter) pro…leing perad venture ſome way of future livelihood for himſelf, or ſetting his own private affairs at home upon the loſs of his Lord who had hitherto well ſupplyed his wants. But whatever was the cauſe, ſure I am the effect was grievous, He was wofully hardned. The 2d Remark is the place whe…ou… Lord made his Appearance 'Twas ſtill in Jeruſalem, even this Sixth Appearance in that City, and not once one yet in Ga…lle…, though that was the only place which Chriſt had promiſed to go before them unto (as a Shepherd before his ſcattered Sheep to gather them together again) this he promiſed before his Death that he would do ſo when he was riſen again, Matthew 26.32. And this was all the Angel promiſed, that the Diſciples ſhould ſee him in Gallee, Mare thew 28.7. Mark 16.7. Yet much more is here performed … was promiſed, for our Lord was ſeen Six ſeveral times in Judea before he was ſeen in Galilee, …eſt they ſhould flee away thither (for fear) from Jeruſ…lem before the time, therefore did he Six times appear in and about the City and N.B. So he was better than his word to them who had been worſe than their words to him, for they all had Unanimou… ly promiſed to cleave cloſe to their Lord even …to Death, Matth. 26.35. This they promiſed out of Pride and Preſumption, which always miſcarryetis, N.B. Whereas an humble holy Jealouſy of the treachery of our own hearts, and ſelf-ſuſpicion will hold better out, and ſooner find Divine ſay our in Confirming and Corroborating Grace; Therefore our Lord ſtrive… not with them there for the laſt word, but lets them Joy in, and injoy their own over weaning conceptions of their own worth, till time ſhould confute their Carnal confidence; as indeed it did, ver. 5…. Then all the Diſciples forſook him and …ed, even then when there was no ſuch da…ger to inforce them to fly, for when himſelf was apprehended, by his own conſent, (at before) he had capitulated with the Enemy for their ſecurity notwithſtanding all this cauſeleſs ſlip they gave him, he will be better than his word of promiſe, and appears twice to them in the City, whereas he only promiſed to be ſeen of them in Gal…lee. to ſhew N.B. that infirmities bewailed do (not break the) Squ… of the Cove…ant of Grace: pe…cata nobis no… nocent, Si …n place…t, ſaith Ambroſe, our Sins thurt us not if they pleaſe … not: The Church ſtands as right with Chriſt when penitent, as while Innocent, Cant. 7.1, 2, &c. With Chapter. 4.1, 2, &c. Her Hair, Teeth, Temples, all as Fair, and well Featured as ever after her recovery from her former ſalls, Cant. 3.1, 2, 3. &c. & 5.2, &c.
The 3d, Remark is, the time when his Sixth Appearance was, 'tis expreſly ſaid, to be Eight Days after, John 20 26, that is a full Week after, including the two extreme Days as is done in calling that Ague a Quartan or the fourth Day Ague which hath two well Days betwixt two ill ones. So here, the firſt day of Chriſt's Reſurrection is reckon'd in as one of the Eight, and that Day Week the other to make up the number of Eight. Hence it appears that the Diſciples, knowing their Lord's Pleaſure, and having once had the Priviledge and experience of his Preſence the firſt day of his Reſurrection, did ever after by Divine Inſpiration dedicate …he ſame day for their Solemn and Sacred Aſſemblies, Acts 20.…, 1 Cor. 16.2. from thence this firſt Day of the Week was call'd the Lord's Day, Rev. 1.…0. For Chriſt did not appear daily or continually during the Forty Days to his Diſciples, but only by Intervalls. Here is a Week's Diſtance 'twixt the Fifth and this Sixth Appearance N.B. The reaſons hereof are ſuppoſed to be theſe (1.) To Inflame the Diſciples deſires of ſeeing him again the more, whoſe firſt Appearance had filled their hearts ſo full of Joy, John 20.20. & Luke 24.41. This ſhort Taſte made them long for more ſuch ſweet Injoyments. (2.) That Thomas might within that time meet with ſome of the Ten Diſciples to give him information, &c. (3.) Becauſe the Solemn Aſſembly of them altogether was no ſooner, for Chriſt would not appear to Thomas alone, but before all his Fellows, partly that the man might the more be confirmed by the Teſtimony of all the other (who had ſeen the Lord) and partly that Thomas might be rebuked openly before them all, according to 1 Tim. 5.20. Yet ſuch was Chriſt's condeſcenſion in compaſſionating obſtinate Thomas, that he will for his recovery Act the ſame things over again, that he …d done the Firſt Day, a Week before [coming in when the Doors were ſhut, and ſtanding in the midſt of them again] John 20. verſe 19.26. Chriſt's Kindneſs was ſo ſtrong as he will not loſe Weak Thomas (according to Romans 15.1.3.) notwithſtanding all his Wilfulneſs and Obſtinacy added to his Incredulity: From theſe praemiſes do ariſe practical and profitable corollaries.
N.B. As (1ſt,) Such as are wounded in their Faith, by the Tempting Adverſary, ought to take right means and methods in order to the curing of their wounds, we ſhould do as Jehoram did, when wounded by an Aſſyrian Arrow, he returned to Je…re…l to be healed of his wounds, 2 Kings 9.15. So when the Devil hath wounded us in our Faith or other Graces we muſt return to the Uſe of Holy means, that ſo we may recover again. Thus did thoſe Diſciples, who after the failure of their Faith and flying from their Maſter in his miſery, &c. They leave now their lurking holes, meet together in Jeruſalem, and warm thoſe ſmall ſparks of Grace and little Faith (ſtill left alive) one in another, and there they met with the True All-Heal, the Saviour of their Souls, who appeared to them and ſtrengthened in them what Remained and was ready to die, Rev. 3.2. They aſſembled with ſome hope to ſee him again. Therefore we may not forſake the Aſſembling of our ſelves, Heb. 10.25. leſt we miſs of Chriſt's Appearance as Thomas did, &c.
N. B. (2dly,) We learn hence what a Spirit of Meekneſs ought to poſſeſs the Churches of Chriſt towards their Fellow members that fall through ſtrong Temptation, Gal. 6.1. Thus it was in this Thomas's caſe, who was call'd Didymus becauſe of his doubling and doubting, and was obſtinate therein, yet was not be caſt out of their Company by excommunication for this Crime, but he was gently born with by them, till Chriſt came to cure him.
N.B. (3.). Oh what a loſs it is, to loſe the bleſſing of Chriſt's Appearance, but once, at one time and at one only meeting: as was Thomas's caſe here, to be wilfully abſent but once from Divine Worſhip (In Publick and Solemn Aſſemblies of Saints, where Chriſt maketh his Sanctifying and ſatisfying Appearances) without great danger and damage. Our Lord taught Thomas the worth of that priviledge by the want of it in his woful obduration and wilful obſtinacy thereby: Though he had a private occaſional meeting with ſome of his fellow Apoſtles (who told him they had ſeen the Lord) betwixt thoſe two appointed Firſt Day Aſſemblies, yet met he not with Chriſt; his Fellow-Diſciples were as deep in infidelity at the firſt, as this Didymus was, Luke 24.11, &c. But they, meeting together and meeting Chriſt at their meeting, were cured of it, and 'tis likely if Thomas had been there when Chriſt came, he alſo had been cured with them. Thomas was but abſent once, and was hardned: N.B. Little do we know what drops of the Divine Unction (which diſtillon others preſent) we miſs at a meeting by our being abſent.
Note, (4thly,) This Teacheth us by Thomas's Example alſo. How good a Work it is to ſtand in Chriſt's Way, and to be found with the Flock of Sheep at his Foddering Place. Thomas had been but once abſent when the Shepherd came to Fodder his Sheep, therefore went he with an empty Soul for Seven Days, but now he would miſs no more, but amends that faulty matter with his perſonal attendance at the next Apoſtolical meeting, and then he Recovered his Foul Fall, and found firm eſtabliſhment; how careful then and conſcientious ſhould we all be to pray with the Spouſe in the Song [Lord tell me where thy Feeding and Foddering place, &c. is,] Cant. 1.7. and when he hath told us as he did her, verſe 8. we ſhould duely and daily attend therein. Oh how woful is then the condition of thoſe Spiritual Vagabonds, who (Cain like) do excommunicate themſelves from God's preſence, as to the Uſe of the Means of Grace, &c. We may write [Lord have mercy upon ſuch] as deſperate and utterly deplorable.
Note, (5thly,) Hence we may Learn the Candour and Kindneſs of Chriſt to his ſcattered ſheep, &c. He is the good Shepherd that calleth his Sheep by Name, John 10.3. The whole Flock paſſeth under the hand of him, that telleth them by one and one, Jer. 33.13. So that if but one Lamb be abſent he knows it, cannot want it, but ſeeks it out, ſo dearly doth he love the ſight and ſociety of all his poor Lambs: Thus it was in this caſe. He had now but one of his Eleven Lambs loſt in infidelity. He had healed the other Ten upon the firſt day, now comes he upon this Second, firſt-day, and through care (as it were) could not be at Reſt till he had cured this odd one alſo. Divine care is extended [in Ʋniverſos quaſi Singulos & in Singulos quaſi Solos] not only in the general to all the Catholick Church, but alſo in particular to every Individual perſon of his Children, N.B. This is a ſweet comfort to Chriſtians that Chriſt takes ſuch care of every one, as if he had none elſe to take care of in the whole World. Yea if he have any one Weak and Wandring Lamb (as no doubt but he hath ever many) he will leave the Ninty and Nine in ſome ſafe and ſecure place, and will go and ſeek that loſt Lamb be it Man, Woman or Child, Mat. 18. verſe 12, 13. & Luke 15.4, 5, &c. And never leave ſeeking till he find it, as moſt ſurely he will find, for none can take them out of his hands, John 10.28, 29 nor can he diſcharge his Office of mediator, ſhould he ſuffer any one of his Redeemed to wander and periſh, as they would do undoubtedly, ſhould they be left to themſelves and to their own ſheepiſh ſimplicity, Iſa. 53.6. Pſal. 119.176. But God hath charged Chriſt to ſee to the ſafe keeping of every true Sheep, John 6.39, 40. and he performs his Father's precept. Diſcharges this Truſt to the full, John 17.12. Thus the Lord would not let the Ark remove, but both it and Six hundred thouſand People muſt wait there, until that one only Woman Miriam (who had gone aſtray and was ſhut out of the Camp for ſin) was recovered and returned into the Camp again, Numb. 12.15. Thus alſo Chriſt had now but one Diſciple deep ſunk in infidelity and notwithſtanding all his perverſneſs he takes care to Cure him.
Note, (6thly,) This great Truth is alſo taught here, that whereſoever this compaſſionate Shepherd hath a mind to let out his tender mercy to any one of his Poor wandering ſheep (ſo he calls his Diſciples, as himſelf the Shepherd, in Matth. 26.31.) no obſtruction, either from themſelves within, or from any obſtacle without, can obviate or oppoſe the overtures and out goings of his love to them: as here is apparent in Thomas's caſe, (1.) No hindrance within, this unbeliever could not obſtruct Chriſt's love from him. Thomas had been bold and blunt enough in ſaying when Chriſt went in the Peril of his own Life to raiſe Lazarus from Death to Life, [Let us go and Die with him] John 11.16. He then ſaid, to his Fellow-Diſciples that he would die with his Maſter, and ſo would Peter, yet none ſo ſhamefully forſook him, when it came to the proof, as theſe two did, Thomas was not only to ſeek when he ſhould have ſeen his Maſter Riſen from the Dead (having not yet recovered his fright at Chriſt's Apprehenſion) but alſo when he heard from the Ten Diſciples, that they had ſeen the Lord, yet will it not ſink either into his head or heart to believe it; yea, this wilful man overboldly and bluntly ſaith [I will not believe it] John 20.25. although he had been an Hearer of Chriſt a long time, and had heard him aſſure his Diſciples oft times of his Reſurrection the Third Day; yea, he had ſeen his many Miracles, and his Raiſing Lazarus and others from the Dead, yet will not he believe that his Lord (who Raiſed others) could poſſibly Raiſe himſelf. Thus this wilful Thomas added Obſtinacy to his Incredulity; notwithſtanding all this▪ Chriſt will not loſe him (much leſs did he reject him for his perverſeneſs) but moſt graciouſly appeareth to Recover him, breaking thro' all the Bars and Bolts of this Unbeliever's unworthineſs, &c. (2.) Nor could any Hindrance without obſtruct Chriſt's Love from him: For there were Shut-Doors (faſt latched, locked, barr'd and bolted) betwixt Chriſt and Thomas; the good Maſter was without, when the bad Servant was got within doors, yet ſhall they not be parted ſo. Though the Jews (whom the Diſciples feared) could not enter when the doors were ſo ſafely ſhut, yet ſweet Jeſus could come in to ſnatch this Brand out of the fire of Hell: No doors can keep Chriſt out from Redeeming his Redeemed; no not the ſtrongeſt of doors, even Priſon-doors with their thickeſt Chains, and Iron Barrs, Acts 5.19. and 12.7. And twice here, John 20.19. and 26. The Ten Diſciples (who miſtook their Lord for a Devil, as Matth. 14.26. So Luke 24.37.) were not over-worthy of the priviledge of Chriſt's preſence when doors were ſhut in the firſt Inſtance; but leſs worthy by much was this Unbeliever thereof; yet Chriſt breaks through all difficulties (both within and without) with his graciouſneſs. Note; As the notorious Maſs of Unbelief which was found in ſo eminent an Apoſtle's heart (as Thomas was) may mind us how much more may be found in the hearts of the beſt of us, poor worthleſs Worms, when left to our ſelves, and in the hand of our own Counſels. N.B. So the doors giving way, and yielding up a free paſſage for Chriſt's entrance here, ſhould likewiſe admoniſh us how the doors of our hearts ought to yield and give way to Chriſt's entrance into them, when he comes and ſtands knocking there by the Hammer of his Word, and by the Hand of his Spirit. How can we be ſo hard hearted, as to ſuffer a ſweet Saviour (whoſe only Errand, for our entertaining him, is, to ſave our Souls) to ſtand out of doors, as it were, with his Hat in his hand, intreating an open Entrance, till his Head be filled with Dew, and his Locks with the drops of the Night, as the unkind Spouſe did, Cant. 5.2. Her ſleepy heart coſt her dear, verſe 6. They that will not when they may, when they would, they ſhall have Nay. Shall dead Wood yield, and not living Hearts? See Pſal. 24.7.
The (4th.) Remark follows here, to wit, The Manner How our Lord managed this manifeſtation of himſelf this ſixth time, which was principally for curing and confirming unbelieving Thomas. Chriſt appeared here after the ſame ſort, as he had done before, John 20.19, 26. Both times he came in when the Doors were ſhut, and ſtood in the midſt (to be ſeen and viewed from top to toe by all the Eleven, &c.) As this could not but be a farther confirmation of the Ten Diſciple's Faith, becauſe they had ſeen him appear to them after the ſame ſort on the firſt Day before this. Thus Chriſt moſt graciouſly condeſcended to Gideon for confirming his Faith (mentioned Heb. 11.32.) by granting him a double ſign, Judg. 6.37, 38, 39, 40. Both he and theſe Apoſtles came not up to a firm Faith at firſt, but by degrees. Note, So it muſt ſerve alſo for a fuller conviction of Thomas's Unbelief concerning the Relation that his Fellow-Diſciples had given him of Chriſt's laſt Appearance, when he ſaw his Lord appear again in the ſame ſort as …hey had related. Now the particular manner of Chriſt's manifeſting himſelf, to all the Eleven at this time, was both by words and by deeds again, as he had done before; yet in ſome circumſtances differing as there was now a different occaſion.
For (1ſt.) Chriſt ſaluted them (Thomas and all) with the ſame ſweet Salutation [Peace be unto you] as before, and as he had taught them to ſalute thoſe Houſes that willingly received the Goſpel of Peace, Matth. 10.12, 13, &c. Let us here turn aſide a little with Moſes, Exod. 3.3. and behold this work of wonder: That our Lord ſhould proclaim peace to ſuch an obſtinate Rebel againſt that glorious Truth of Chriſt's Reſurrection as Thomas was: Though the Renegado-ten Apoſtles might upon their Rocovery by Repentance be reckoned as worthy of this Salute; yet ſure I am, this ſtubborn Unbeliever Thomas muſt needs be look'd upon as moſt unworthy of any ſuch gracious Congratulation; for he had been preſcribing a Law of believing to himſelf, and putting on a limiting Condition upon his Soveraign Lord (contrary to that command, Thou ſhalt not limit the Holy One of Iſrael, Pſal. 78.41.) too ſawcily ſaying [Except I ſee in his hands, &c. and thruſt my hand into his ſide, I will not believe, John 20.25.] Notwithſtanding all this wicked wilfulneſs, and peeviſh perverſeneſs in Thomas, yet ſhall he have his particular ſhare in this general peace. Who but the Son of Peace, the Saviour of Sinners, would have ſo ſaid to, and ſo ſaluted ſuch an unworthy Sinner? This clear Character of Chriſt's candour and kindneſs in the caſe of Thomas, may ſerve to encourage us to put in for our part in Chriſt's Peace, though in rigour of Juſtice, we be altogether unworthy to partake thereof.
(2dly.) After our Saviour had Saluted them all in general, comprehending Thomas (for whoſe ſake peculiarly was the benefit of this 6 Appearance deſigned) he ſhewed again his wounds for the ſake of this one doubting Soul. Note; Oh marvelous Clemency. Theſe were the moſt indubitable ſigns of the Reality of his Reſurrection, whereas, had he made his raiſed Body to pierce the ſolid Wood, and to paſs through the ſhut Doors, this Act would have added ſtrength to their Doubtings, that it was not Chriſt himſelf, but ſome Spectrum or Spirit▪ for it is the property of Spirits, and not of true Bodies to penetrate other Bodies: Beſide, 'tis againſt the very ſcope of this Appearance, which plainly was to be touched by Thomas, that by touching he might come to know and believe; now ſuch a penetration of Diameters, or ſolid Dimenſions would have unavoidably rather weakened than ſtrengthened that Faith which he came to confirm as well as recover; ſeeing as no meer Spirit can be touched, ſo no ſolid Body can enter while doors be ſhut. However was his paſſage in upon them, it was not that of a Spectrum or Phantaſm, but of the Omnipotent God; yet did this God Man ſhew here the wounds of his Manhood: More eſpecially to Thomas, for whoſe ſake he came, and to whom be ſaid [Reach hither thy hands, &c.] John 20.27. Note; John mentions both Chriſt's wounded hands, and his wounded ſide, but makes no men…ion of his wounded feet▪ yet this is ſupplied by Luke, who relates how Chriſt ſaid to them [Behold my h…ds, and my feet, &c.] Luke 24.39. Oh wonderful Divine condeſcenſion not only in his vouchſafing to appear again, and ſhewing his wounds for the fuller removal of that ſcruple that terrified all the Ten Apoſtles (thinking him to be but a Phantaſm, verſe 37.) whereas by this ſecond ſhow of himſelf, and of his wounds, the Ten were further confirmed, that it was the ſame Body which was crucified, and now raiſed up alive again▪ But more eſpecially was this gracious vouchſafement made to this unbelieving Thomas, &c.
(3dly.) Chriſt gave Thomas not only an …oular (as to the others) but alſo a palpable demonſtration, ſaying to him, [Feel with thy finger thoſe four leſſer wounds, which the four Nails made in my hands and feet, and thruſt thy whole hand into that greater wound made by the Souldier's Spear in my ſide, &c.] And annexing with it a friendly Reproof [Be not faithleſs but believing] Note; Thus Chriſt can be content to condeſcend thus graciouſly unto the weakneſs of this Unbeliever (who undoubtedly was much to be blamed for his ſo preſumptuouſly preſcribing and laying ſuch unreaſonable Laws upon his Lord) becauſe Chriſt ſaw that the Root of the matter was in him, as Job 19.28. the ſeed of God ſtill remaining, 1 John 3▪ … ▪ The Radical Grace of Faith was yet budding forth ſome f…int deſires in him to believe better and to repent …ore of his … therefore did Chriſt, out of his matchleſs candour and compaſſion condeſcend to him, and to his weakneſs. Thus our Lord did to Jairus, Mark 5.23, &c. who (with Thomas here) preſcrib'd a kind of Law upon the Lord, ſaying, [Co…e and lay thy bands upon my only Dying Daughter, &c.] in thinking Chriſt could not otherwiſe core her, unleſs he came to his houſe, laid his hands on the Child, &c. This Ruler of the Synagogue could expect no help or healing, much l…ſs if his Daughter were dead could he hope for her life again. Thus weak in Faith was this Learned Rabbi, and far ſhort of that Roman Souldier's the Centurion, who believ'd Chriſt could cure his ſick Servant without ſtirring a foot towards his houſe, but barely by ſpeaking the word of command, Matth. 8.8. Our ſweet Jeſus takes no advantages againſt this Jairus to turn him off, but tendring his Infirmity, aroſe and followed him, Matth. 9.18, 19, &c. Note▪ Thus may we hope that Chriſt will condeſcend to our weakneſs, where he finds truth in the inward parts, any real deſires and breathings that are right after Repentance, &c. Note; But the doubt ſtill lies; how there could be any wounds in his glorified Body. Anſw. Beſide what is ſaid before, we muſt know▪ that ordinarily there can be neither any wounds, or any ſcars in a Body that is glorified For as that is not Death, which is only the Death of one part of the Body, but when it comes to be the Death of all parts, and poſſeſſes the whole: So that is not properly Glory which is only the Glory of one part, and not of all: A glorified Body is that which hath a Glory in all the parts &c. This is confirmed by the Word of God. 1 Cor. 15.49. Though the body be ſown in weakneſs, yet it is raiſed in power and honour. But now the ſcars in Chriſt's Body were extraordinary, and by ſpecial diſpenſation upon theſe ſuppoſed grounds. (1.) To confirm the doubting Diſciples, &c. (2.) To confound Enemies, who ſhall be Thunder ſtruck when they behold him whom they have pierced, &c. Zech. 12.10. Rev. 1.7. (3.) To comfort Friends in all Ages; ſhewing, our comfort lies nor in Chriſt's Miracles, but in his Sufferings: Therefore he bids us behold his wounds as oft as we eat the Lord's Supper. (4.) To inſtruct his Followers, that as he abated of his Glory, ſo muſt they of theirs, for God's Glory, and for the good of others. Some go farther and add a (5th.) Reaſon of Chriſt's retaining his five wounds ſtill even at the Right hand of God in Heaven, for appeaſing his Father's Wrath againſt his Redeemed for their dally ſins, he (as it were) reminds his Father, by ſhewing his five wounds to him, how he hath fully ſatisfied Divine Juſtice for all their Infirmities.
Note; The Inferences from hence are, (1.) That the Lord of the Sabbath, Matth 12.8. did here farther eſtabliſh and ſanctifie this New Chriſtian Sabbath upon the firſt Day of the Week by making this his ſolemn ſixth Appearance upon that ſame day, and neither on the Seventh (the Old Jewiſh Sabbath day) nor on any other day of the we… … the foregoing firſt Day, whereupon he made no fewer than five Appearances.
Note, (2ly.) Though we cannot come up to the firſt Rate and Rank of Believers, and become of the Number of the chief of David's Worthies, &c. 2 Sam. 23.23. &c. yet may we but become of the Second Rate and Rank of Believers, and be of the number of the Thirty of David's Worthies, we need not doubt of acceptance with Chriſt, whoſe Father and Figure was holy David. Thus it was with Thomas here, he faultered and foundered ſo, as he was diſenabled to come up with the firſt for ſanctifying the firſt Chriſtian Sabbath, yet keeps he the ſecond, and was accepted. Thus thoſe perſons that could not eat the Paſſover (becauſe they were defiled) at the proper ſeaſon in the firſt Month, were allowed by Moſes from the Lord to eat it in the ſecond Month, Numb. 9.6. &c. Nor did the Labourers come all into God's Vineyard to labour at one hour, but at ſeveral hours, ſome ſooner, and ſome later; yet the laſt found equal acceptance with the firſt, Matth. 20.6, 7, 8. We may come at the 11th. hour and yet be welcome.
Note, (3dly) Chriſt over hears every word we ſpeak though in never ſo private a place; yea though it be but a ſecret whiſper in the Ear of another. Thus Chriſt over heard the very words that Thomas had ſpoke to his Fellow Diſciples, at a private Meeting on the week-day, and now meeting with Thomas on the firſt Day, he chargeth him with his own words verbatim, John 20.27. Oh how ſhould this conſideration [that Chriſt hears all our idle and wicked words we ſpeak, and it may be one againſt another, and will relate them word for word at the laſt day] bridle us. He remembers our wicked words and works, they are all before his face; this we ſhould conſider in our hearts, Hoſ. 7.2. that we may ſtand in a…e and not ſin, Pſal. 4.4. For God records all in his Book, Mal. 3.16.
The laſt Remark, concerning this Sixth Appearance, is the marvelous conſequences and effects thereof in converting and confirming wilful Thomas, who hereupon cryed out, [My Lord, and my God] Verſe 28. Now was this Unbeliever, this obſtinate oppoſer of that great fundamental Truth, conquer'd, and made to confeſs, hot only that it was the very Jeſus whom they uſed to call [the Lord] John 13.13, &c. but alſo gives him the individuating and appropriating Compellation of [My Lord] whom I reſolve now to obey, and give up myſelf wholly to be Ruled by him in all things, as the phraſe imports: And not only ſo, but he adds [My God] acknowledging both that he had declared himſelf to be God by his Riſing from the Dead, Rom. 1.4. Note▪ Here Chriſt is firſt call'd God in the Goſpels, which, had it not been a Truth, Chriſt would not have own'd the Title, but have reproved him for aſcribing to him that N…e which Chriſt did not; and in this abrupt Sentence [My Lord, and my God] There is a ſhort confeſſion of his Faith, and a plain profeſſion of his own Intereſt in Chriſt, which Chriſt approveth of verſe 29. Note▪ 'Tis true Faith that appropriates the Redeemer, as if no body's elſe but mine, Gal. 2.20. He died for me, ſaith Paul, and he is mine, ſaith Thomas here: Were it not for this poſſeſſive [Mine] the Devil might ſay the Creed to as good purpoſe as we: For he believes there is a God, and a Chriſts but that which torments him. is, he cannot ſay [My] to any one Article of the Faith Note▪ This conciſe ſpeech imports a vehement Admiration both of Chriſt's Clemency, and of his own ſtupidity; as if he had ſaid; how f…d was my ſtate, I might have periſh'd in my Infidelity, hadſt thou not condeſcended to my Infirmity, and ſhew'd me mercy, helping me to find the power of thy Deity in the wounds of thy Humanity: Therefore ſhalt thou be my Lord and my God for ever. Thus may we all ſay; Lord, I thank thee that thou haſt not ſuff…d me to go on i… the broad way to H…ll, to periſh in my Ignorance, as I might have done, but ſe…ing them haſt g…n…d me … for my … Faith in thy Promiſes and poweb… all before the… in New… of Life therefore ſhall thou be my Lord my God … (1.) Thus▪ God ſuffereth ſome ſlips in his Saints (as in Thomas here) tha… in their Recovery themſelves … might be▪ more confirmed. Thomas his do…bting more advanceth and advanta…eth our Faith, than either Mary Magda… or the other Diſcipl… ſooner believing did▪ for, while Thomas handled the wounds of Chriſt's flaſh he healed the wounds of Unbelief in us▪ for his doubting put this great Truth o… of doubt to us. God would not permit evil to be, unleſs he could extract good out of it. Note, (2.) How ſoon …an Chriſt change the moſt pertinacious Unbelief, into the moſt precious and ſaving Faith, as here▪ Thomas only felt the Manhood, yet believes the Godhead of Chriſt's now his Faith was the evidence of things not ſean, Heb. 11.…. Now his Faith exe…'d his Senſe on which before he had ſo much depended. Note, (3.) Chriſt owns his Senſe for: Faith, verſe …0. his ſeeing (for ſome ſay, he durſt not touch his Lord) was his believing. Now 'tis enough for Faith to ſee Chriſt in the fleſh by the Apoſtle's Eyes, as Iſrael did Can…an by the Eyes of the Spi…, verſe 29, 30, 31▪