Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 11

Commentary on the Gospels and Acts · Commentary 1 · Chapter 11

p. 347CHAP. XI.

Verse 1. He departed thence to teach, &c.]

NEver out of action: the end of one good work was with our Saviour the beginning of another. So must it be with Ministers: let them … look to rest, till they come to heaven: but (as S. Paul, that Insatiabilis Deicultor, as Chrysostom called him) teach Gods people publikely and from house to house, … Act. 10. 20, ….Acts 10:20warning every one night and day with tears, Dr … Act. and Mon.Martyr, preached not only every Sabbath-day and holy-day,sol. … but whensoever else he could get the people together. So did Bishop Ridley, Bishop Jewell, &c. So did not their successours, once a year was fair with many of them, (like the high-Priest … the Law) as if they had concurred in opinion with that Popish Bishop, that said, It was too much for any man, to preach every Sunday, and that Bishops were not ordained to preach: but toAct. and …. sing … sometimes, leaving all other offices to their ….sol. …. It is as rare a thing at Rome, said Doctour Bassinet, to hear a Bishop preach, as to see an Asse flee. Oh what will these … Job 31. 14.Job 31:14… when … riseth up? and when he visiteth, how p. 348will they answer him? See my true Treasure, pag. 2, 4.

To preach in their Cities]

That is in the Cities of his twelve Disciples, in the causes of Galilee, while they were doing the same in Iury. Maldonat the Jesuite will not have this to be the…, inquit, est …. sense of this text, and only because it is the sense that the …, (as he calls the Protestants) set on it. A goodly thing he holds it to dissent from them, though in a manifest truth. So George Duke of Saxony was heard to say: Though I am not ignorant, that heresies and abuses are crept into the Church: Yet I will never obey the Gospel that Luther preacheth. For hatred…. …. … Lect. in Haggeum. pag. 41. to the man, he would not hearken to the truth he taught. This is to have the faith of Christ in respect of persons, J am. 2. 1.

Verse 2. Now when Iohn had heard in the prison]

Put this fellow in prison, said Ahab of Micaiah; Who is thought to have1 King. 22. 27.1 Kgs 22:27 been he that told him so barely of letting goe Benhadad. So Ierenny that Concionator admirabilis (as Keckerman calleth him) was… Rhet. for forty years pains and patience, cast into a deep and dirty dungeon:Ecclesiast. cap. ult. The Apostles were often imprisoned: so were the ancientforeign. Bishops under the ten first perseeutions. From the detectable orchyard of the Leomine prison: So Algerius the Italian Martyr dates his letter. Within a few daies of Q. Maries raign, almost all the prisons in England, were become right Christian Schools andD o de Pompe o. Churches: Bocardo in Oxford was called a Colledge of …, Act and Mon.Cranmer, Ridly, Latimer, and others, being there kept captive.fol. …. This is merces mundi: look for no better dealing.

Verse 3. Art thou he that should come, &c.]

This question the Baptist moved not for his own sake, (for he was well assured, and had sufficiently testified, Joh. 3.) but for his Disciples better settlement and satisfaction. This, whiles Tertullian observed not, he hath done the Baptist palpable … in three severall places; as if himself had doubted of the person of Christ. Let not us be troubled to be in like manner mistaken and misjudged.

Verse 4. Jesus answered and said, &c.]

Our Saviour rated them not, chased them not away from his presence, though zealously Gal. 4 17.Gal 4:17affecting their master, but not well, (Joh. 3.) and envying for his2 Tim. …. 24. sake. The man of God must not strive, but be gentle, apt to teach, patient: In meeknesse instructing those that oppose themselves, &c. Frier Alphonsus a Spaniard, reasoning with Bradford Act. and Monthe Martyr, was in a wonderfull rage, and spake so high, that the whole house rang again, chasing with om & cho, &c. So that if p. 349Bradford had been any thing hot, one house could not have held them.

Go and shew John what things, &c.]

He gives them a reall testimony, an ocular demonstration. This was the ready way to win upon them, who might have suspected a simple assertion, not seconded with such undeniable arguments. Let our lives as well as … lips witnesse for us: Vivite concionibus, concionamini moribus, saith one. Nos non eloquimur magna, sed vivinous, said the Church of old. This is the way to slaughter envy it self, and to … in the hearts of the righteous.

Verse 5. The blinde receive their sight.]

Our Saviour seems to say the same to John, that she did to Judas, Gen. 38. 25. Discern I pray thee, whose (works) are these. The end of his miracles was the proof of his majesty.

The poor have the Gospel, &c.]

Gr. are Gospelized: theyforeign. not onelyonly receive it, but are changed by it, transformed into it.

Verse 6. And blessed is he, &c.]

This he addes, as correcting the preposterous emulation of Iohns Disciples, who stumbled also at his …. Howbeit our Saviour saith not, Cursed be ye for being offended in me: But Blessed is he, &c. Gods tender lambs must be gently handled. Evangelizatum, non maledictum missuses, said Oecolampadius to Farellus, … was a most excellent Preacher, but overcarried perhaps sometimes, by his zeal for God. I commend thine …, (as he there goeth on) so thou mingle it with mildenesse. Wine and oyl are in their severall… zelum, modo non … mansuetudo. &c. seasons to be powred into mens wounds. Shew thy self to be a gentle Evangelist, and not a … law-maker, &c.

Verse 7. And as they departed.]

Due praise is to be given to the…. … parts and practises of others; but rather behinde their backs,Epist. then before their faces, lest we be suspected of flattery, then the which nothing is more odious: Aristobulus the Historian, wrote a slattering book, of the brave acts of Alexander the Great, and presented it to him. He read it, and then cast it into the river Hydaspes, telling the Authour that he had deserved to be so servedTu dignior … precipitareris, qui … me sic … sa is. as his book was.

A reed shaken with the winde.]

A thing of nothing: A …, … person. So the Iews esteemed Iohn Baptist after a while, whom at first they so much admired. But he soon grew stale to them: and then they shamefully slighted him. And didJohn 5. 35.John 5:35 p. 350not the Galathians doe the like by S. Paul? Once they could have pulled out their eies for him: afterwards, they would have pulled…. 4. 15. out his eies, if they could have come at him. Where is then the foreign.blessednesse ye spake of, saith he? q. d. Once you held and professed…. your selves a people much blessed in me: how comes it, that I am now so fallen out of your hearts? But people are over-soon sated…. with the heavenly manna, and their affections to godly Ministers are as Ioabs dagger, assoon in, and assoon out. Principes … Anno. 1559.Luthero, sed jam iterum videtis ingratitudinem mundi erga Ministros, said Melancthon.

Verse 8. A man clothed in softs?]

Which most men gaze at,foreign goe after, fawn upon. Hunc homines decorant, quem vestimenta decorant. Herein they resemble those dogs that kept Vulcans Temple: of which Hospinian tells us, that if any came to the Temple with brave clothes, they would fawn upon them: but if in ragged, they would tear them in pieces. Such a vanity as this was crept into the Church, I am. 2. 2. Fulgent ferè monilibus, sordent moribus. Cato could say, Cultus magnam curam, magnam virtutis esse incuriam. The Baptist was not a man of that make. HisPeach. … Compl. Gentle. …. pag. 91. heart and his habit were equally plain, simple. Buchanan seldom cared for a better outside, then a rug-gown girt close about him.

Verse 9. And more then a Prophet.]

Because he pointed out Christ with the finger, whom they only saluted afarre off. Chrysologus foreign.calleth him, Legis & Gratiae fibulam. Another resemblethHeb. 11.Heb 11 him to the Angel, that had one foot in the sea, and another on the land. The Law he resembleth to the Sea, which is rough and moveable. The Gospel to the Land, which is firm and stable, &c.

Verse 10. Behold I send my messenger.]

Gr. mine Angel. Soforeign. Phineas is called an Angel, Iudg. 2. 1. The Priest an Angel, Eccles. 5. 6. Ministers of the Gospel Angels, 1 Cor. 11. 10. Ministers and Angels have exchanged names and offices: for are they not all Ministering spirits? Did not Angels first preach the Gospel, Luk 2.…. 1. 14. the ministration whereof is now committed to us? so that if there be a …, an interpreter, one among a thousand to shew unto man his righteousnesse, then will God be graciousJob. 33. ….Job 33 upto him, &c.

Verse 11. There hath not risen a greater]

Because he was Christs immediate …. Now the nearer to Christ, the more excellent: p. 351as the elements the higher, the purer. John was beyond all the ancient Prophets, both in dignity and doctrine: Yet he came behind the Evangelists and Apostles, not in the dignity of his office, but in the clearnes of his doctrine, concerning the Messiah, whom he saw present, but neither saw nor heard of suffering, dying, rising again, as they did. Macarius writeth that the Prophets knew indeed, that Christ should be born into the world, for the work of our Redemption, but whether or no he should die and … again, this they knew not. Verùm longe errat Macarius, ….saith one. The Prophet Isay writes of all these, more like an EvangelistPaedag Christian. then a Prophet, and is therefore called by an Ancient, the Evangelicall Prophet. Now the Baptist knew more then any Prophet: being as the morning-starre that precedes the Sun-rising. But how Aristotle should be said to be Christs foretunnerColonien, … librum de salute … osserunt que illu. … praecursorem … in naturalibus, &c. D. …. ex Baleo, & Agrippo. in Naturall things, as Iohn Baptist was in supernaturall, and that he was certainly saved, (all which the Divines of Collen affirmed in print, and shewed their reasons) I cannot conceive. And yet Sleidan tells us that in the Councell of Trent, the salvation of Heathens, by the power of nature only without Christ, was cried up: and afterwards defended by Soto, Vega, & Victoria, as Valentia witnesseth.

Verse 12. And from the daies of Iohn, &c.]

The Baptist is further commended from the good successe of his ministry: a sweet seal, but no sure signe of a sanctified preacher: sith many causes give that to others, that themselves have not. Thus the … heaven gives life to diverse creatures, the dull whetstone sharpens Iron. A stinking breath may sound a trumpet, with great commendation, &c. Howbeit, the fruitfulnes of the people, is the preachers testimoniall, 2 Cor. 3. 2. and God delights to honour those of most sincerity, with most successe, as 1 Cor. 15. 10.

The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.]

Men are resolved to have it, whatever pains or perill they … thorow. As Gods Israel violently invaded and over-ran the promised land: So doe his elect lay hold on the promised inheritance. This true treasure … hid, Rom 16. 26. is now discovered, and exposed to all that have a minde to it. Now therfore they are carried with all strength of affection after Christ: him they must have, whatever else they goe without: towards him they fly as a cloud: and as a flock of doves they scoure into the columbary, and … into the windows, Isa. 60. 8.

p. 352And the violent, &c.]

The valiant, Isay calleth them, that break thorow all difficulties, as did Davids Worthies; and walk about the world as so many Conquerours: yea more then Conquerours they are, Rom. 8. 37. and what can that be but Triumphers? 2 Cor. 2. 14.

Take it by force]

Make a prey or a prize of it. Diripiunt as Hilary rendreth it, making it a metaphor, from a tower or town sackt and ransackt by the enemy. Cyprus is an Island so fruitfull and pleasant, that it was anciently called Macaria, that is, blessed. And of it Sextus Rufus writeth, that being famous for riches,Cyprus … populi …. …, …. it thereby sollicited the poverty of the people of Rome, to seise upon it. This may be more fitly said of heaven, that habibitation of the happy ones, so eagerly and earnestly sought for by the Saints, that nothing else will satisfy them. Valdè protestatus sum me nolle sic a Deo satiari, said Luther, when great … were sent unto him, and a Cardinalship offered him by the Pope: God, he said, should not put him off with those petty things, he breathed after better. Heaven is had by the violent, earth inherited by those that are meek, Matth. 5. 6. Where, though God would have his servants content with the least mercies, (as being … then the very least) yet not satisfied with … greatest things in the world for their portion, sith they are born to better. If they be, as most are, slothfull in seeking to … themselves of Heaven: He chides them, as Ioshuah did the seven tribes, for their negligence, Iosh. 18. 2.

Verse 13. For all the Prophets and the Law, &c.]

i. e. The Ministery of the Prophets, and the shadows of the Law determined in Iohns preaching. As for the substance of the Law, Christ came not to destroy, but fulfill it, Matth. 5. 17, 18. See the notes thereon.

Verse 14. This is Elias.]

Not the Thisbite, but yet the same that Malachy foretold should come in the spirit and power of …. And surely, if we observe it, (as here Christ … to the Iews, If ye will receive it) there is a wonderfull agreement between the times of Elias and Iohn Baptist, between Ahab and …, between Jezebel and Herodias, &c. The Iews also have a saying amongst them at this day, when they are puzzled in any point, Elias cum venerit, solvet omnia.

Verse 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear]

Let him … listen, not with that outward ear onelyonly, that gristle that p. 353grows upon his head: but let him draw up his heart to his ears, that one sound may pierce both at once. Thus hear, and your souls Isa. 30. 8, 9.Isa 30:8Isa 30:9shall live, Isa. 55. 3. A heavy ear is a singular judgement, Isa. 6. The good Hebrews are taxed for their dull hearing, Heb. 5. 11. Such cars are likely to be forced open by correction, Iob 33. 16. and be made hear the rod, …. 6. 9. So that if they did but see their danger, they would doe, as the Prophet requires, cut their hair and cast it away, under the sense of the horrour of Gods heavy displeasure, Ier. 7. 24. 29.

Verse 16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation?]

So great was the contumacy and obstinacy of this perverse people, the Pharisees especially, that the wisdom of God seems to be at a want for a fit word to utter to them, for their better conviction. And do not some such sit before us at this day, as sencelesse every whit of what is said to them, as the seats they sit on, the pillars they lean to, the dead bodies they tread upon? We may speak to them, alas, till we spet out our lungs, and all to as little purpose, as Bede did, when he preached to an heap of stones.

Verse 17. We have piped unto you &c.]

It is probable that children, in those daies, were wont to solace themselves with songs in this sort: And thence our Saviour seeks to represse the pride, and set forth the sin of his untoward hearers. Fit similies doe excellently illustrate: And hee's the best Preacher, saith Luther, that delivereth himself vulgarly, plainly, trivially: not speaking in a Roman, English, or other lofty language, that the hearers are nothing the wiser for: nor yet puzzling them with scholasticall craggy disquisitions, that breed winde, and not nourishment. But so attempering their discourses to the hearers capacities, that their desires and endeavours may answer his: as it was between S. Paul and the Elders of Ephesus, Acts 20. 31—37. He tells them of his tears, and they answer him with tears: O happy compliance! But most of our hearers are like these in the text, which whether piped to, or mourned to, are nothing at all affected.

Verse 18. For John came neither eating, &c.]

So froward men are and frample, that no preacher can please them. If he preach plainly, it will seem … slubbering: if elaborately, curious affectation. And for his life; Austere John hath a devil, sociable Christ is a winebibber. And it was the worse, because from Scribes and Pharisees, whose word must carry such credit with it, as alone to condemn Christ; and whose life must be a rule to others. Doe p. 354any of the Pharisees beleeve in him? In this case duty must be done, however it be construed. Evil men, when they learn to think well will learn to report well. Let our lives, and labours in the Lords work confute them: and though they should by their reproaches bury our good names in their throats, those open sepulchres, yet at utmost, when Christ comes to judgement, there shall be a resurrection of names as well as of bodies. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, Iames 5. 7.

And they say he hath a devil]

So Staphylus and Surius said, that Luther learned his Divinity of the devil. The Jesuites affirm, that he was stirred up by the devil, and they were sent out by God to resist him. Himself knew all this, and took it well a worth. Prorsùs satan est Lutherus (saith he in an Epistle to Spalatinus) … Christus vivit & regnat: Amen; he adds his Amen to it.

Verse 19. The Sonne of man came eating and drinking]

Teaching us thereby, in the use of things indifferent, to doe what we can to preserve our good esteem with others, that we may the sooner prevail with them. This was S^t. Pauls, All things to all men. He turned himself into all shapes and fashions both of speech and spirit, to win men to God. S^t Austin spake broken barbarousAs … a … …, dolus for dolor, floret for …. latine ro the Roman Colonies in Afrike, to the end that they might understand him. When I come to Rome, saith Ambrose to Monica, I fast on the Saturday: when I am at Millain I fast not. So you, to what Church soever you come, ejus morem serva, doe as others doe; not giving offence carelesly, nor taking offence …. Calvin was cast out of Geneva, for refusing to administer the Lords Supper with wafer-cakes or unleavened bread. De … … tamen … quid …. ….poste à restitutus nunquam contendendam … (saith …, in his life) of which, being afterwards restored, he thought best to make no more words, but to yeeld: though he let them know, that he had rather it were otherwise. Christ sets us to learn of the unjust steward, by all lawfull (though he did it by unlawfull) means, to maintain our reputation with men. … this defect … noted in the best when he said, The children of this world are wiser in their…. 16. 8. generation, then the children of light.

But wisdom is justified of her children]

Who all having a right estimate of her worth, doe meanly esteem of other courses and…, …. …. discourses, doe stand to her, and stickle for her, though never so much slighted by the world. There are that read it thus: But Wisdom is judged of her children, viz. the perverse Jews, who p. 355preposterously passe sentence upon their mother, whom they should rather vail to, and vote for.

Verse 20. Then began he to upbraid]

Haply, because these Cities, drawn by the authority of the Pharisees, made lesse account of our Saviours doctrine or miracles, by them maliciously depraved and disparaged. The blinde led the blinde, but both fell into the ditch, though their leaders lay undermost.

Because they repented not.]

There is a heart that cannot repent; that hath lost all passive power of coming out of the snareRom. 26 of the devil; that is become such, through long trading in sin, as neither ministry, nor misery, nor miracle, nor mercy can possibly mollifie. Upon such you may write, Lord have mercy upon them. O, said a reverend man, If I must be put to my option, I had rather be in hell with a sensible heart, then live on earth with a reprobate minde.

Verse 21. Wo unto thee Chorazin]

These littorals, or those that dwell by the sea-coast, are noted to be duri, horridi, immanes, Twinus com. de reh. ….… deni que pessimi, rough, harsh, theevish, peevish people, and as bad as those that are worst. But that which aggravated these mens sin, and made it out of measure sinfull, was the contempt of the Gospel: which, as it is post naufragium tabula, so how shall foreign.they escape that neglect so great salvation? See that ye shift not Heb. 12.Heb 12off him that speaketh from heaven, &c. Hierom tells us, that Chorazin was in his time turned into a defert, being two miles distant from Capernaum. As for Beth saida, our Saviour had therehence taken three of his Apostles at least, to be lights of the world, but the inhabitants of this Town, loved darknesse rather then light; the Apostles their countrymen could doe no good upon them. Our Saviour therefore would not suffer so much as the blinde man whom he had cured to be their Preacher, but led him to the Townes-end, and there restoring him to sight, sent him away.

They would have repented long ago]

Blinde heathens, when my misery was upon them, would to their fackcloth an̄d sorrows, thinking thereby to pacifie God, and so they rested. In like sort, there are amongst us, that, when they are afflicted, especially in conscience, set upon some duty, so to lick themselves whole again, …. 58 5. They do as crows, that when they are sick give themselves a vomit, by swallowing down some stone, and then they are well. They rest in their repentance: Hence Austin saith, Repentance … more then sin.

p. 356Verse 22. It shall be more tolerable]

Men are therefore theIdeò deteriores sumus quia … esse …. …. worse, because they ought to be better: and shall be deeper in hell, because heaven was offered unto them, but they would not. Ingentia beneficia, flagitia, supplicia, say the Centurists. Good turns aggravate unkindnesses: and mens offences are increased by their obligations. If Turks and Tartars shall be damned, debauched Christians shall be double-damned: because, though they defie not, yet they deny the Lord that bought them; whilest by their unchristian conversation they tell the world, that either there is no such thing as Christ, or if there be, yet that he is but a weak Christ, and that there is no such power in his death, or efficacy in his resurrection to sanctifie those that belong unto him.

Verse 23. Which art exalted unto heaven]

viz. In the abundance of the means of grace, many times called the Kingdom of heaven: for as the harvest is potentially in the seed, so is eternall life potentially in the ordinances. God sends up and down the world to … salvation. Hence that phrase, My salvation is gone forth: Hence, they that reject the word preached, are said to judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life, Acts 13. 46. Hence, while Israel was without a teaching Priest, they are said to have been without the true God, 2 Chron. 15. 3. Hence the Psalmist makes the … that come out of Sion, to be better then any other that come out of heaven and earth, Psal. 134 3.

Shalt be brought down to hell]

With a violence, with a vengeance. As Ahashuerosh said of Haman, that so much abused his favour, Hang him on the gallows that is 50 cubits high: so shall God say of such: Plunge them into hell much deeper then others, that whiles they were on earth, set so light by my grace, though it even kneeled unto them, wooing acceptance. 2 Cor. 5. 20.

It would have remained untill this day.]

But God rained down hell from heaven upon them, and turned them into ashes saith Peter, …. 2. 6.yea their fire burnt to hell saith Iude. Some footsteps of it areJude 7.Jude 1:7 yet to be found in the place, as Iosephus relateth: and something also may be read of it in Tacitus and …. Both S. Peter andDe …. …. …. S. Iude say, they were set forth for an example. … perditio tua fit cautio. Let their destruction be our instruction; … heathenforeign. Herodotus … up in judgement against us, who said, … the coals and ashes of Troy burnt by the Greeks, were … set before the eyes of men, for an example of this rule, that Nationall and notorious sins, bring down nationall and notorious p. 357plagues from a sin-revenging God.

Verse 24. It shall be more tolerable]

Infidelity then is, in some respect, a worse sin then Sodomy, and a heavier doom abides it. They that suffer least in hell, suffer more then … can either abide or avoid. All they suffer here, is but typicall of the wrath to come. Here the leaves only fall upon them, as it were, but there the whole trees too. Here they sip of the top of Gods cup, there they must drink the dregs, though it be eternity to the bottom. Howbeit … shall suffer lesse then …, mitiùs punietur Cicero quam Catilina, saith an Ancient, non quòd bonus, sed quod minùs malus. The beast and the false Prophet were cast alive into the… genus. Pareus. burning lake (which imports a most direfull and dreadfull degree of torment) when the rest of the Antichristian rabble shall be first slain with the sword (not cast in alive) and then thrown to the infernall vultures, to be torn in pieces as a prey. Rev. 19. 20. 21.

Verse 25. At that time Jesus answered]

Here to answer, is to continue to speak. Albeit if we compare herewith, Luk. 10. 21. it may seem to be spoken in answer to the seventy Disciples now …, and relating what they had said and done in their voyage.

Laetius est quoties magno sibi constat honestum.

Lucan.Verse 26. Even so father, for so, &c.]

Christ being tired out as it were by the untractablenesse of his hearers, turnes him to his Father and comforts himself with the consideration of his most wise decree and counsell. So must we in like case: accounting that we are a sweet savour unto God howsoever, even in them that2 Cor. 2. ….2 Cor 2 perish, and that God shall have his end upon them, though we have not ours.

Verse 27. All things are delivered unto me]

This the worlds wizzards acknowledge not; hence they stand off. But Christ is the Fathers Plenipotentiary and Privy-Counsellour, unto all that are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the1 Cor. 1. 24.1 Cor 1:24 … of God, as light as the world makes of him. But the more men see into his worth, the more they will repair to him.

And be to whomsoever the Son will reveal him]

Qui … habet Christum in horoscopo, non habet … in medio caeli.

Verse 28. Come unto me]

Why do ye go about, as Jeremy hath it, and fetch a compasse? Why labour ye for that which satisfiethIer. 31. ….Jer 31 …, Isa. 53. 3? Can the sonne of Iesse give you vineyards and oliveyards, &c. as Saul said? so say I, Can the world or the devil do for you as I can? Why come ye not unto me that ye may be saved? p. 358Can you mend your selves any where? &c. But the poor soul is ready to hang her comforts on every hedge, shift and shark in every by-corner for comfort, and never come at Christ with the hemorrhoisse, till all be spent, till she be forsaken of her hopes.Hag. … 7. Men will not desire Christ. till shaken.

All ye]

All, is a little word, but of large extent. The promises are indefinite, and exclude none. It is not for us to be interlining Gods-Covenant, and excepting our selves, how bad soever, if broken-hearted.

That labour]

Even to …, but to no purpose, labour inforeign the fire where you can make nothing of your labour.

And are heavy laden]

Poised to an inch, ready to be weighed down to hell, with the turn of a scale, with the dust of a … foreignsuperadded. Others might have Christ, if they would come to him. But till then, none will come. Steep thy thoughts in this sweet sentence, thou burdened soul, and come away to the Master, (as they said to blinde Bartimeus) for behold he calleth thee,

And I will give you rest]

No rest to the weary soul but in Christ, (as the dove found no rest till shee returned to the Arke) … flees from this thing to that, as the bee doth from flower to flower to get hony, as Saul sought his asses from place to place. But as he found them at home after all, so must we finde rest and refreshing in Christ, or not at all. Let him that walketh in darknesse, and hath no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. As for those that will kindle a strange fire, and compasse them selves about with the sparks of their own tinderboxes, let them walk while they will in the light of their fire and in the sparks that they have kindled, But this shall they have of Christs hand, they shall lye down in sorrow, Isa. 50 10. 11.

Verse 29. Take my yoak upon you]

q. d. Though freed by me from the damning and domineering power of sinne, you must not… think to live as you list. To argue from mercy to liberty is the devils logick: from mercy to duty is the right reasoning as, Rom. 12. 1. Christians must not be yoaklesse, lawlesse, masterlesse, …, that wander at will as wild asses, or canes foreign but they must yeeld the obedience of faith, and be adding to their faith …, and to vertue knowledge, &c. linking the graces hand inforeign hand as in a dance (so the word signifies) so shall they have an2 …. 1. 5 11 … ministred unto them further and further into Christs glorious kingdome.

p. 359And learn of me]

The archprophet, the Counsellour, that excellentDan 8. 13.Dan 8:13 speaker, as he is called in Daniel, that … out of the fathers bosome, and hath his fathers will at his fingers ends. Besides what he taught us by himself and his servants, he hath written for us those excellent things of his law, those lively oracles. He … also left us, as here, his own practice for a pattern of theforeign. rule, and for a compleat copy (as S^t Peter calleth it) to write1 …. 2. 21. after. Pindarus saith of Hiero Siracusanus that he had cropt offforeign the tops of all vertues. …, of Friderick the Electour of Saxony, that he had pickt out the flower of all noble abilities andFrider. selegit florem ex omnib …. …. …. pag 372. endowments. The same author proposeth George Prince of Anhalt for an example … piety worthy of all mens imitation. Machiavel sets forth Cesar Borgia (a far worse man) as the only pattern for a prince to expresse. S^t Hierom having…. de Principe. read the religious life and death of Hilarion, folding up the book …, Well; Hilarion … be the champion whom I will …. How much rather should we say … of Christ: every of whose actions whether morall or mediatory, were for our imitation. In his morall actions we should learn of him by doing as he did, 1 Pet. 2. 23, In his mediatory, by translating that he did, to our spirituall life, … to die to sin, live to righteousnesse, &c.

For I am weak and lowly in heart]

Loe here is a peece of Christs yoak, which … therefore so calleth, because as the yoakforeign … foreign …. maketh the heifer hang down his head, and frame to hard labour, so doth humility (the mother of meeknesse) work in our hearts,Humilitas ab: bumo. …. 10. 11. … was a heifer used to dance and delight in soft straw, and could not abide to plow: but the Lord will make him (and all his) both bear and draw, and that from their … up, Lam, 3. And whereas meeknes and lowli-mindednesse go coupled here together, we must know that they are virtutes … as Bernard …, a pair of twin-…, never ….Act. and Mon. Remember, … M^r Tindall to M^r Frith, that as … of minde shall make you high with God, even so … of words shall make you sink into the hearts of men.

And ye … finde rest unto your soules]

These Christian vertuesSocrates cum in … at … have virtutem pacativam, they lodge a sweet calm in the …, … it from perturbations and distempers. An … man …, who am I but I may be despised, abused, injured? And that which will break a passionate mans heart. Will … break a … sleep.

p. 360Verse 30. For my yoak is easie]

After a man is once used toforeign usefull … to foreign; …, …. it a little: he cannot fadge so well with it perhaps at first, because an untamed heifer: but after a while, his commandments will be nothing grievous, I delight to do thy will O God, saith David.

And my burden light]

Such as you may as … bear away as Sampson did the gates of Gaza; such as you may well run under, as a horse doth without a load, or a hinde upon the mountains. It is no more burden then the wings are to the bird, … it flies aloft where it listeth.