A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 1 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
THE Fifth Place of Chriſt's Pilgrimage was Galilee, where he had his Peregrination, and Perambulation three ſeveral Times. The Firſt was before the firſt Paſſover after his Baptiſm and Temptations, John 1.43. with John 2.12, 13. Some four Months Chriſt ſpent in walking up and down Galilee, whereof there were two ſorts, 1. That of the Jews, and 2. That of the Gentiles, Mat. 4.15. the former, was in the Tribe of Zebulon, and the latter in the Tribe of Napthali; and this Diviſion was occaſion'd by the twenty Cities of Galilee which Solomon gave to Hiram the King of Tyre, 1 Kin. 9.11. Therefore was it call'd Galilee of the Gentiles, and a People that ſat in Darkneſs, yet ſaw a great Light, Mat. 4.16. for the Day-ſpring from on High viſited them, Luke 1.78. and the Bright Son of Righteouſneſs, Mal. 4.2. (which had all P… leſtina for his Zodiack, the twelve Tribes for his twelve Sings, &c.) ſtayed longeſt among them. Theſe two Tribes (as Jerom obſerveth) were firſt carried into Captivity by the Aſſyrians, 2 Kin. 15.29. ſeemed fartheſt from Heaven, as bordering on the Gentiles, and in many things ſymbolizing with them, learning their Manners. So Redemption was firſt Preached in thoſe Countries of Zebulon and Napthali, Iſa. 9.1, …. Our Lord was a long time in perfecting this perambulation, he walk'd or went about Doing Good, this whole Circuit, Acts 10.38. which contained many great Towns and Famous Cities, in Zebulon, were Nazareth, Bethſaida, Cana, Naim, &c. and in Nathali were Capernaum, Riblah, Caeſaria, Philippi, &c. All which Populous Places promiſed a plentiful Increaſe and Income of the Evangelical Harveſt. 'Twas the Prudence of Chriſt, and of his Apoſtles to ſeat themſelves as near as might be, where moſt need is, and where there was the greateſt likelihood of doing moſt good. So ought all Chriſt's Miniſters to do, ſpreading the Net of the Goſpel, where moſt Fiſh… are found for catching them. In this Holy proceſſion of our Meſſiah we find many Remarks Recorded in Scripture, as,
Firſt, His leaving of Nazareth, Mat. 4.13. This was the Place of Chriſt's Conception and Education, Therefore did He marvelouſly Affect this City, and ſought the Safety and Salvation of the Citizens, but they would not. Though it being his own Country, did draw his Heart to it (as our Native places do ours) by a kind of M… netick Power and Property, yet when He would have healed them, their Iniquity was Diſcovered, as Hoſ. 7.1. It broke out as the Leproſie in their Foreheads, they refuſed to be Reformed, and hated to be Healed. Though Chriſt (in his ſecond Perambulation) was admitted to be publick Reader in their Synagogue for that Sabbath, and Preached a moſt Powerful Sermon from his Text in Iſaiah, 50. to the admiration of all his Auditors, yet becauſe He pinched their wickedneſs by his Compariſons, He was in Danger of his Life, had he not Delivered himſelf in a miraculous manner, Luke 4.16, to 30. He could there do no mighty work ſaith Mark 6.5, 6. Therefore left them, ſay both Mat. 4.13. and Luke 4.31. than which they could ſcarce have incurr'd a greater Diſpleaſure, for Wo be to You (ſaith He) when I depart from you, Hoſ. 9.12. and what Woes came into the City Jeruſalem, when the Lord was quite gone out of it, Ezek, 11.23. God there makes many Removes, and ſtill as he goes out, ſome Judgment came in, till at laſt that fatal Calamity (in the final Ruine of it) ruſh'd in upon that City. N.B. Note well. Oh Pray, Pray, Pray, That ſuch a diſmal Day of Removing our Candleſtick may not come, That our Sun of the Goſpel may not go down at Noon, nor the Glory of God depart from our Engliſh Iſrael, that our Dear Redeemer may not be provoked to turn his back upon this our Nazareth.
The Second Remark is, That when Chriſt left Nazareth (becauſe that Great Prophet had no Honour in his own Country, nay he was in hazard of his Life among his Countrymen) he came and dwelt in Capernaum, &c. Mat. 4.13. Mark 1.14. Luke 4.31. and John 1.43 and 2.12. where he hired an Houſe for Himſelf, his Mother, &c. for the Son of Man had not an Houſe (of his own) wherein to lay his Head, Mat. 8.19. This City became the ſeat of the Evangelical Kingdom, fitly choſen, for the wholeſomeneſs of the Air, Fertility of the Soil and its propinquity both to the River Jordan, and the Lake of Geneſareth, beſides many fair Towns and Populous Places were its Neighbours. Here the Corn was White unto the Harveſt, John 4.35. and did ſolicite Labourers; then became it a Town of Conſolation (as Capernaum ſignifies) when Nazareth (the Flower, as it ſignifies) withered by the withdrawment of the Sun of Righteouſneſs from it. N. B. Note well. Contempt drives away Chriſt, but kind Hungrings conſtrain him to ſtay, Luke 24.29. and 4.42. We ſhould earneſtly contend for the Faith, which is but once delivered to the Saints, Jude ver. 3. We muſt not expect again ever a ſecond Edition of it. But if we make Chriſt welcome as Capernaum did, He will dwell here (as He did there) he will utter Oracles and Work Miracles, &c. Oh happy Place and People in ſo ſweet and pretious and Inhabitant among them. Hereby Capernaum is ſaid to be lifted up to Heaven, Mat. 11.22. and ſome render the Reaſon why Judah was ſealed firſt of Leah's Children, and Napithali of Rache's ſide, Rev. 7.5.6. becauſe Our Lord ſprang out of Judah, and dwelt in Capernaum of Napthali's Tribe. Here Chriſt paid Tribute, as a Citizen, and retired hither, when tired at any time with Preaching, &c.
The Third Remark is, He went about all Galilee. Sometimes walking from Town to Town, and ſometimes walking upon the Sea Shore, Mat. 4.18, 23. not for Recreation-ſake, or for a paſt time, nor as the Circumcelliones (of old) to make a vain ſhew of their Hypocritical Holineſs, nor as the Jeſuits (into whim the falſe Phariſees have fled and hid themſelves) do now to make Proſelytes and to pervert Paſſengers (that go right in their way) Prov. 9.15. but his end was to finiſh his Fathers Work, and for calling his Apoſtles, &c.
The Fourth Remark is, Chriſt came to Cana in Galilee, where he wrought his firſt Miracle Turning Water into Wine at a Marriage Feaſt, which (ſome ſay) was made at John (his Beloved Diſciples) Marriage, John 2.1, 11. God the Son works his firſt Miracle, for the Confirmation of God the Father's firſt Ordinance, in Marrying Adam and Eve in Paradiſe. Hereby his Apoſtles (whom he had choſen and called) believed on him more than they did before, they proceeded from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. and 1 John 5.13. N.B. Note well. Wine may be wanting, though Chriſt be at the Wedding, yea Bread, though Chriſt be at the Board. Yet 'tis good that Chriſt be an Invited Gueſt, his preſence ſanctifies what is preſent, ſupplies what is abſent, and prevents extravagancies and diſorders, &c. Sin in ſhamefaced when in Chriſt's Eye. Thoſe Diſciples (lighting their Torches one at another, John 1.41, 45.) muſt alſo come with Chriſt to be Witneſses of this firſt Miracle. John Baptiſt points at Chriſt to Andrew. He to Peter, &c. Chriſt calls them out of their Dark Cells to come and ſee this Sun of Righteouſneſs. Chriſt was kinder to thoſe Diſciples than they expected (to he is and will be to all-Commers to him, He will in no wiſe caſt them out, John 6.37.) They ſtaid with him all the Day, and (as ſome ſay) all the night too though he had not an Hole or Houſe of his own. N.B. Note well. 'Tis good to come near Chriſt, and not be ſhie, or keep at a ſullen diſtance from Him, ſuch as ſtay with him ſhall partake of his Grace and Goodneſs. N.B. Note well. Chriſt Honours Marriage with a Miracle, though Antichriſt diſhonour it with Miſtakes and Prohibitions. Thoſe Miracles that are father'd upon Chriſt in his Minority are but Fables, for then this could not have been his firſt, now his Mother Mary both expected and deſired to ſee ſome Miracle; for, ſuppoſing ſhe had yet ſeen no domeſtick Miracles, yet had ſhe ſeen enough to raiſe up her Deſire and Expectation; the Star at his Birth did preſage a famous life, and beſide his Diſputing with the Doctors, &c. She ſaw he had caſt off his private Trade (the Carpenters calling) and betaken himſelf to the Publick Miniſtry. Now ſhe longs to ſee ſomething more than ordinary from her Son, eſpecially upon this opportunity; the Bridegroom (John the Evangeliſt, or who elſe) and the Bride were but a poor Pair, who had more Company than Wine. Mary (a well-wiſher to the new Couple) intimates this defect to Chriſt not without Hopes of a ſupply, Chriſt as Creator was above the Command of his Mother, and would not work this Wonder as his Mothers Inſtigation, but at God his Fathers Deſignation, &c.
From hence Note, N.B. Not well. 1. Seeing Chriſt honoured Marriage State thus with his Preſence and Miracle, Married Perſons muſt not Diſhonour it by turning aſide to ſtrange fleſh, what do ſuch therein but diſſolve their Relation to Chriſt, who declares himſelf an Husband to his Church; all acts of uncleanneſs ought to be avoided.
N.B. Note well. Chriſt and Satan walk in two contrary methods. For Satan always gives the beſt firſt, and reſerves the worſt laſt, therefore Sin is never to be judged of by its coming to us but by its parting from us, for though it bring Honey in its Month, yet ever hath it a ſting in the Tail. The Tempter is like the Panther, which enticeth men to him with his fragrant ſmell, and then devours them: On the contrary, Chriſt's work is worſt at firſt, the beſt is behind. Firſt the bitter Waters of Repentance, and then the Communication of Comforts. The ſweeteſt of Honey lays in the bottom of the Pot, the beſt Wine Chriſt gave laſt at this Feaſt, John 2.10.
N. B. Note well. Order of time is not in this Diſcourſe ſtrictly obſerved, (ſave concerning the four Paſſovers which were the meaſure of Chriſt's Publick Life) as order to place is, according to the Method of the Holy Pen-men, who upon mentioning a Place, take that occaſion to relate ſtories out of their proper Time, becauſe they would take up the whole ſtory of that place all at once together. Therefore though Chriſt made three Perambulations of Galilee, yet what works Chriſt wrought at the ſame Place, but not at the ſame Time, is here related.
The Fifth Remark is, Chriſt's coming again to Capernaum (his own City, of Abode and Retreat when wearied with Travelling and Preaching abroad) this place Chriſt dignified with many Miracles of Mercy in his being oft there. As, 1. On the Sabbath Day he caſt out of Devil in the Synagogue, Luke 4.31, 33, &c. and Mark 1.21, to 29. which Miracle hath theſe notable Marks. 1. The Devil can foiſt himſelf into places not only where Chriſt is taught, but where himſelf teacheth. Drexelius's Viſion was His ſeeing ten Devils at a Sermon, and but one at a Market, for which this Reaſon was rendred, that at a Sermon People are moſtly ſerious, therefore Beelzebub (to divert them from profiting by the word) though ten Devils few enough for that tempting work; but at a Market, People are prone▪ enough to Tempt one another into Sin, ſo one Devil would ſerve there. 2. Preaching with Authority (not frigidly and Jejunely as the Scribes) hath a power in it to ſtartle Devils. Such Grace was poured into Chriſt's Lips, Pſal 45.2. that all his Auditory was aſtoniſh'd at his Doctrine; as one ſaw him without Reverence, ſo none head him without Amazement, even this Demoniack was firſt diſturbed, and then diſpoſſeſſed. The Evil-Spirit was made to cry out as one pained by the Word that went out with Power. 3. The Unclean Spirit cried [What have we to do with thee, &c.] Oh horrible Impudence! As if Chriſt were not concerned, where his Members are perplexed; the Devil groſly miſtook here, in ſevering from the Head the ſenſe of an injury done to Members; David felt his own Coat cut, and his own Cheeks ſhaven in the Coats and Cheeks of his Servants, 2 Sam. 10.5, 6. The Soveraign ſuffers in his Subject, nor is it other than Juſt, that the Arraignment of the meaneſt Malefactor runs in the ſtile of wrong to the King's Crown and Dignity N.B. Notewell. Chriſt is as ſenſible of the abuſes done to his Saints, Acts 9.4. Their ſufferings are held his, Col. 1.24. and their Reproach his, Heb. 13.13. & 11.26.4. But if the Devil hath nothing to do with Chriſt, Chriſt hath ſomething to do with him (for vexing a Servant of Chriſt) notwithſtanding his fair words he gives Chriſt to be rid of him (as ſome do the Miniſters of Chriſt that Torment their Evil Conſciences) calling Chriſt the Holy One of God, Luke 434. N.B. Notewell. While the Pope with needs be called [the Moſt Holy] he lifts up himſelf above Chriſt, and Antichriſt herein becomes worſe than the Devil. Though the Devil thus confeſſed Chriſt, yet Chriſt muzzled him, and diſpoſſeſs'd him, through his Soveraignty over him, he is but under a Reprieve, &c.
The Second Remarkable Miracle Chriſt wrought there at his own City (as Capernaum is call'd, Mat. 9 1. where he not only Hired and Houſe, but alſo wore the ſtole or long Gown of a Citizen) was the Healing of Peter's Wives Mother of a Fever, Mat. 8.…4, 15. Mark 1.29, 30, 31. and Luke 4.38, 39. Chriſt came from the Synagogue-Service to Dine at Peter's Houſe, &c. which affords theſe following Marks. 1. Chriſt's Practice approves of a Sabbath-Day Dinner. N.B. Notwell. This diſtinguiſhes a day of Thankſgiving (as every Lords Day ought to be for our Redemption) from a day of Humiliation. 2. That Peter had a Wife, and all the Apoſtles (ſaith Ambroſe had Wives ſave only John and Paul, but if John were the Bridegroom in the Marriage Feaſt at Cana (as is aboveſaid) then had he his Bride alſo and Paul likewiſe had a Power to lead about a Siſter Wife as well as the other Apoſtles, 1 Cor. 9.5. Yet thoſe Pope-Holy Hypocrites (the pretended Succeſſors of Peter) deny the lawfulneſs of Miniſters Marriages, as a Defilement, though it be one (with them) to have many Harlots. Theſe Popelings are condemned and curſed by their own Cannon-Law. Diſtinct, 29, & 31. Acts and Monuments, Fol. 1008. by Paphnutius (that famous Primitive Confeſſor) in the Nicene Council. By Ignatius (Scholar to the Evangeliſt John) who pronounceth all ſuch as call Marriage a Defilement, to be poſſeſs'd with that old Dragon the Devil, Epiſt. ad Philadelph. But above all by the Apoſtle, who ſaith Marriage is Honourable to all, and the undefiled Bed is True Chaſtity, Heb. 13.4. 3. This good Women (Peter's Wife's Mother) was ſick of a Fever, call'd by the Greeks [foreign] or Burning, from the heat that is in it. And the Germans call in the Shaking (as we do) from the Cold in that Diſtemper. N.B. Note well. They whom Chriſt Loves may be ſick, John 11.3. his Love and our Sickneſs are not Inconſiſtent. 4. Chriſt heal'd her with a touch of his Hand. Hippocrates and Galen (with all their Citò Tutò & Jacunde, &c.) could never find ſuch an eaſie and ſpeedy cure; here a word and a touch only do the Deed in an inſtant, without long Diet-Drinks and many tedious Evacuation. 5. Chriſt can turn us to deſtruction, and then ſay return, Pſal. 90.3. and when we are Dead to our ſelves and others, He can ſpeak Life to us, and keep us from going down into the Pit, Pſal. 30.3. 6. This Handmaid of the Lord (thus ſignally healed) aroſe and miniſtred to Chriſt, whereby not only the Truth of the Miracle was evinced, but alſo the Truth of her Thankfulneſs was evidenced, which likewiſe is a demonſtration of an honeſt and good heart thus to pay the Redemption of her Life of God, Exod 21.30. &c.
The Third Remark is, There alſo He healed all manner of Diſeaſes, and Diſpoſſeſſed Devils with his word, Mat▪ 8.16. Not ſuffering thoſe Evil Spirit to ſpeak, becauſe they knew him, Mark 1.34. & Luke 4.41. This was done at evening. Hence Note, (1.) Chriſt's diligence in doing his Father's work, In the morning he Sowed his Seed, and in the evening he with held not his Hand, Eccleſ. 11.6. He was a Preſident for Preaching twice a Day in the Forenoon and Afternoon, Mat. 13.1. The ſame Day (after convincing the Phariſees) He Preached again to his Diſciples. (2.) Chriſt ſuffer'd not Devils to ſpeak of him, He had better Witneſſes than they, and what Call or Warrant had they to Preach The Goſpel. (3.) To an Almighty Phyſician no Diſeaſe can be Incurable. Chriſt heal'd all manner, and none went away without healing, Exod. 15.26. Pſal. 103.3. (4.) Capernaum was a place lifted up to Heaven (with means to Grace, and with Miracles of Mercy.) 'Twas a City highly bleſt with Chriſt's frequent preſence, Dwelling there, Mat. 4.13. Taught there, John 6.59. and oft returned Thither from his uttering Oracles, and working Miracles in other Cities, Mat. 8.5. & 17.24. Mark 1.21. & 2.1. Luke 7.1. & 9.33. John 2.12. & 6.24. yet is it doomed by the Judge of the World to be caſt down to Hell, Mat. 11.23. & Luke 10.15. He ſaith, that Sodom ſhall ſuffer leſs than Capernaum, for its Infidelity (in ſetting ſo light by his Grace, though it even kneeled down to them, wooing acceptance, as 2 Cor. 5.20) was in ſome reſpect a worſe Sin than Sodomy, and hath a heavier doom abiding it though they that ſuffer leaſt in Hell, ſuffer more than they can either Abide or Avoid. The Deſtruction of thoſe Cities ſhould be for Inſtruction to our Cities, which have been likewiſe lifted up to Heaven by Means and Mercies, know we not that a miſimprovement of them, &c. will provoke God to thruſt us down to Hell with Violence and with a vengeance. Alterius Perditio tua fit cantio. Take Example or God will make thee an Example. Herodotus (the Heathen) could ſay of the Deſtruction of Troy, That National and Notorious Sins, bring down National and Notorious Plagues from a Sin-Revenging God. As to Chriſt's Pilgrimage it was prodigious, for ſome reckon the Travels of Chriſt from his Infancy to his Aſcenſion, and compute them to be 3093 Miles, beſide general Viſits and Journey hither and thither, which If all were Recorded the World would not contain them, John 21.25. and 20.30. &c.