Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 24

Commentary on the Gospels and Acts · Commentary 1 · Chapter 24

p. 542CHAP. XXIV.

Verse 1. Departed from the Temple]

NEver to return more to it. In the ninth, tenth and eleventhforeign Chapters of …, God makes divers removes, and still as he goes out, some judgement comes in: and when he was quite gone, then followed the fatall calamity in the utter ruine of the City and Temple. So it was then, and so it was now, according to that, Hos. 9. 12. Woe also to them when I depart from them. So Ier. 6. 8. Be instructed, ô Ierusalem, lest my soul be dis-joynted … thee, lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. Whatever therefore we do, let us retain Christ with us: lay hold on him, as Magdalen did, Take him by the feet as the Shunamite did the Prophet, as the Shulamite held her Spouse, constrain him to stay with us as the two Disciples going to Emaus, cry

Vesper a jam venit, nobiscum Christe maneto:

Extingui lucem ne … tuam.

To shew him the buildings of the Temple]

As thinking by that p. 543goodly sight, haply, he might be moved to moderate the severity of that former sentence of leaving their house desolate unto them, chap. 23. 38. True it is that Herod (to get the peoples good will, which yet he could never do) had been at a wonderfull charge in building and beautifying the Temple. Josephus Lib. 15. Antiq. cap. 14.the Jew tells us, that for eight whole years together, he kept ten thousand men aworke about it: and that for magnificence and statelinesse, it exceeded Solomons Temple, if his words exceed not the truth of the matter. This the Disciples fondly thought would work upon our Saviour to reverse his former sentence, as above-said: but his … were not as their thoughts. Animo magno nihil magnum, saith Seneca. The bramble reckoned it a great matter to reign over the trees; not so theJudg. 9.Judg 9 Vine and Olive.

Verse 2. There shall not be left here, &c.]

This was afterwards fulfilled, when the Temple was set on fire by Titus his souldiers, that it could not be quencht by the industry of man. Titus (it isIosephus. said) would have preserved the Temple, as one of the worlds wonders, from being burnt, but could not: such was the fury of the souldiers, set awork by God doubtlesse. And when, upon the taking of the city and Temple, the army saluted him Emperour, and many others by way of congratulation sent him crowns and garlands, he, by a memorable example of modesty, refused them, saying that he had done nothing more then lent his hands and help to God, who declared his … wrath against that sinfullNon sese … illa secisse, sed … manus … …. …. …. … people. And when Julian the Apostate to spite the Christians, permitted and encouraged the Jews to reedifie their Temple at his charge, and they attempted it accordingly, they were hindred from heaven by a mighty earthquake, together with balls of fire issuing out of the ground works, and consuming the builders. There are that say that at the same time the Temple at Delphi was utterly overthrown by earthquakes and thunder-bolts, and…. 3. …. 3.could never since be repaired. When Phocas the … sought…. to secure himself by building high walles, he heard a voice from…. heaven telling him, that though he built his bulworks never so… Antiq. high, yet sinne within would soon undermine all. We may sayHebr. the same to the Jesuites telling us so oft in their writings, de magnitudine foreign ….Ecclesiae …, that be they never so high-set, God, for their abominations, will abase them. It is observed of Rome, that since it became the Popes seat, it was never … by any, p. 544but it was sackt and ransackt. See its destiny elegantly and emphatically set forth, Rev. 18. 21.

Verse 3. Came unto him privatly, saying]

Because it was dangerous to speak publiquely of the destruction of the Temple, as the examples of Jeremy and Steven shew. Howbeit Micah the Morashite prophecied in the daies of … saying, Zion …. 26. 18.shall be plowed, &c. and the mountain of this house shall be as the high-places of a forrest. And God stirred up many faithfull … to cry out against Rome in her ruffe, and to foretell her ruine. In the year 1159. lived Joannes Sarisburiensis, who reprovedIac. …. in hist. Pont. Rom. p 145. the Pope to his face, and wrot his Polycraticon, wherein he freely taxeth all the Romish hierarchy. Bernard also told the Bishops of his time, that they were not teachers but seducers, not Pastours but Impostures, not Prelates but Pilates, &c. AndLib. 4. de Consid. a certain Painter blamed by a Cardinall for colouring the visages of Peter and Paul too red, tartly but fitly replyed that he painted them so, as blushing at the lives of their successours.

The signe of thy coming]

viz. To destroy the temple.

And of the end of the world]

Which they thought could not possibly out-last the Temple. As they were wont to say in the Primitive Church, Abs que stationibus non staret mundus: The…. world could not stand if Gods people did not stand before him in prayer. Semen sanctum statumen terrae, as Tremellius reads, Isa. 6. 13.

Verse 4. Take heed that no man deceive you]

Try the spirits, and turn from false doctrines, as you would do from a serpent in your way, or from … in your meats. Deceivers are fly and subtile, and that old serpent, more subtile then them all, catcheth the deceived by the deceiver, as the fisher doth one fish by another, that he may make a prey of them both. These, as Harpies, have virgins faces, vultures tallons: they are ravening wolves in sheeps-clothing, &c. Shun them therefore, for they will increase to more ungodlinesse, and their word will eat as doth a gangrene, 2 Tim. 2. 16, 17. Theodosius tore the writings of theTheod. Imp … scripta … pugnantia cum testimonijs …. …. Sozom l. 7. c. 7. Arrians that were presented to him. And when he desired to conferre with Eunomius, his Empresse Placilla disswaded him, very earnestly; lest being perverted by his speeches he might fall into heresie

Verse 5. Shall come in my name]

Or, under my name, saying I am Christ, as … the Egyptian, … the Galilean, Act. p. 5455. 36. 37. Barchocab and others of old, who were miserably slainIoseph Antiq. lib. 17. cap 12. & lib. …8. c. 20. by the Romans. So one Moore, in K. Edward the sixths time, took upon him to be Christ: So did Hacket in Q. Elizabeths time, David George likewise and others in Germany: that IDe …el Iud. lib. 2 cap. …2. say nothing here of Papists, who desperately deny the Lord that bought them, and wickedly set up Antichrist in his stead (as were easie to prove,) who opposeth him not so much in his natureforeign. or person, as in his unction and function, and thence also hath his name.

Verse 6. See that you be not troubled]

Or frighted, as souldiers are by sudden alarme. Quid timet hominem homo in sinu dei positus? David was undaunted, Psal. 3. 6. & 27. 3. He lookedforeign. not downward on the rushing and roaring streams of dangers that ran so swiftly under him, for that would have made him giddy: But stedfastly fastned on the power and promise of God All-sufficient, and was safe. So at the sack of Ziglag. 1 Sam. 30. 6.

Verse 7. For nation shall rise, &c.]

See here the wofull effects of refusing Gods free offers of grace. They that would have none of the Gospel of peace, shall have the miseries of warre. They that loathed the heavenly Manna, shall be hunger-starved. They that despised the only medicine of their soules, shall be visited with the pestilence. They that would not suffer heart-quake, shall suffer earthquake. Or as that Martyr expresseth it. TheyBradford. that trembled not in hearing, shall be crusht to peeces in feeling. As they heap up sinne, so they treasure up wrath: as there hath been a conjuncture of offences, so there shall be of their miseries. The black horse is at the heels of the red, and the pale of the black, Rev. 6. 4. God left not Pharaoh, that sturdy rebell, till he had beaten the breath out of his body: nor will he cease pursuing men with his plagues, one in the neck of another, till they throw the traytours head over the wall.

Verse 8. All these are the beginning, &c.]

q. d. There yet remain far worse matters then warre, famine, pestilence, earthquakes.Adhuc restant …. And yet warre is as a fire that feeds upon the people, Isa. 9. 19, 20. Famine is far worse then that, Lam. 49. Pestilence is Gods evil Angel, Psal. 78. 49, 50. Earthquakes are wondrous terrible, and destructive to whole cities, as to Antioch of old, and to Pleurs in Italy alate, where fifteen hundred men perishedAnno 527. Anno. 1618.together. A conflux of all these abides the contemners of p. 546Christs Gospel. The holy Martyrs, as Saunders, Bradford, Philpot, Act. and Mon.&c. The Confessours also that fled for Religion in Q. Maries daies acknowledged (as Ursinus relates) that that great inundation of misery came justly upon them for their unprofitablenesse under the means of grace, which they had enjoyed in K. Edwards daies. When I first came to be Pastour at Clavenna, saith Zanchy, there fell out a grievous pestilence, that in seven-monethsspace consumed 1200. persons. Their former Pastour Mainardus, Zan…. Miscell. epist ad Lantg.that man of God, had often foretold such a calamity for their Popery and profanesse: But he could never be believed, till the plague had proved him a true Prophet: and then they remembred his words, and wisht they had been warned by him.

Verse 9. And shall kill you]

Besides the butcheries at Jerusalem, that slaughter-house of the Saints, Nero orientem fidem primus Romae cruentavit, Nero was the first Roman persecutour, saith Tertullian, who therefore calleth him the dedicatour of the condemnation of Christians: He is said to have made such aDedicator damnationis Christianorum. Tert. Alsted. Chron. 33…. bloody decree as this, Quisquis Christianum se esse confitetur, is tanquam generis humani convictus hostis, sine ulteriori suidefensione capite plectitor. Whoso confesseth himself a Christian, let him be put to death without any more adoe, as a convicted enemy of mankinde.

Verse 10. And then shall many be offended]

As not willing to suffer. How many revolted for fear in the Primitive times, were abjured here in Q. Maries reigne, fell to Popery in the Palatinate and other places in Germany since the troubles there, as fast as leaves fall in Autumne? Somewhat men will do for Christ, but suffer nothing.

Verse 11. And shall deceive many]

Witnesse the Eastern and Western Antichrists, those deceitfull workers, that have drawn millions of souls into hell, by their grand impostures. The world went wondering after those two beasts, which as the Panther, hid their horrid heads, that they may take men with their fleshpleasing superstitions: And (as the serpent Scytale) when they cannot otherwise overtake the flying passenger, they so bewitch him with their beauty and bravery, that he hath no power to passe away.In his … & ….

Verse 12. And because iniquity shall abound]

In these last and worst times, as Bernard yoketh them, and as the Scripture p. 547oft describeth them. There was never but one Noah, that with two faces saw both before and behinde him. But loe that Ancient of daies, to whom all times are present, hath told us, that the last shall be the loosest, the dregs of time, the sink of sinnes of all former ages.

The love of many shall wax cold]

Conversation with cold ones will cast a damp, and make one cold, as our Saviour here intimates: there is no small danger of defection, if not of infection by such; they are notable quench-coals. This both David and Esay found, and therefore cried out each for himself, Woe is me, Psal. 120. 5. Isa. 6. 5. There is a compulsive power in company to do as they do, Gal. 2. 14. Why compellest thou, &c. It behovethRev. 2. 5.Rev 2:5 us therefore to beware, upon whom the ends of the world2 Pet. 3. 17.2 Pet 3:17 are come, least we suffer a decay, least leaving our first love, andDe vita Christi lib. 2 cap 87. led away with the errour of the wicked, we fall from our former stedfastnesse. The world, saith Ludolfus, hath been once destroyed with water for the heat of lust, and shall be again with fire for the coldnesse of love. Latimer saw so much lack of love to God and goodnesse in his time, that he thought verily doomes-day was then just at hand.

Verse 13. But he that endureth]

It is but a He, a single man, that holdeth out: when Many loose their love, and therewith their reward, 2 Ioh. 8. Ecebolus, AEneas Sylvius, Baldwin, Pendleton, Shaxton and many others, set forth gallantly; but tired ere they came to their journies end. Of them that verse was verefied, Principium fervet, medium tepet, exitus alget. Like the Galli Insubres, they shewd all their valour in the first encounter. Like Charles the 8. of France, of whom Guicciarden noteth, that in his expedition to Naples, he came into the field like thunder and lightning, but went out like a snuffe. Like Mandrobulus in Lucian, who the first year offered gold to his gods, the second year silver, the third nothing. Or lastly, like the lions of Syria, which as Aristotle reporteth, bring forth first five whelps, next time four, next three, and so on, till at length they become barren. So Apostates come at last to nothing, and therefore must look for nothing better then to be cast off for ever: when they that hold out and hold on their way, passing from strength to strength, from faith to faith, &c. shall be as the Sunne when he goeth forth in his strength; yea they shall shine forth as the Sunne in the kingdom of their father, p. 548Matth. 13. 43. Caleb was not discouraged by the Giants, and therefore had … the place of the …: so those that hold out in the way of heaven, shall be sure to have heaven. Thomas San-Paulins at Paris, a young man of eighteen years, being in the fire, was pluckt up again upon the gibbet, and asked whether he would …? To whom he said, That he wasAct. … Mon. …. 8, 5. in his way toward God, and therefore desired them to let him goe. … Merchant of Paris his case was nothing so comfortable, who for jesting at the …, was by them condemned to be hanged: But he, to save his life, was content to recant, and so he did. The Friers, hearing of his recantation, commended him, saying, If … continued so, he should be saved. And so calling upon the officers, caused them to make haste to the Gallows to hang him up, while … was yet in a good way (said they) lest heIbid …. 831. fall again.

Verse 14. For a witnesse unto all Nations]

Whilest, with Moses, it … the AEgyptian, saveth the …; is a favour … life to some, of death to …; who shall be left without … by the Gospel preached to them, as those that by their obstinacy have wilfully cut the throats of their own poor souls, refusing to be reformed, hating to be …. Sure it is that the last sentence shall be but a more manifest declaration of that judgement, which the Lord in this life, most an end, by his word hath passed upon people.

Verse 15. The abomination of desolution]

That is Antichrist, say some Interpreters; and hitherto may fitly be referred that of …; who in his … of the year 964. reckning up some Popes … wicked, he calleth them, The abomination of desolation standing in Gods Temple. Others understand it of the Roman Eagles… se …. … non aperuit, …, … … in … …. or Ensigns. Others of the Emperour Caius his statue, said by some to … set up in the Sanctuary. As others again of Titus his picture placed there, which haply was that one great sin that so troubled him upon his death-bed. But they do best, that understand the text of those abominable authours of desolation, the Roman Armies; who laid waste that pleasant Land, and destroy'd the Nation; as, besides what Daniel fore-told, is set … by Iosephus at large in his sixth and seventh book, De … Iudaico.

Whoso readeth let him understand]

Let him strive to doe so by … with … attention, diligence and devotion; weeping p. 549as …, did, till the sealed book was opened; digging deep in the mine of the Scriptures for the minde of God, 1 Cor. 2. 15. andIn vita Apollon. …. c. 4. holding it fast when … hath it, lest at any time … should let it slip, Heb. 2. 1. Admirable is that, and appliable to this purpose, which… lapidum non … ac apum examina …. … relateth of the precious stone … of so orient, bright and sweet a colour, that it both dazeleth and refresheth the eyes at once, drawing together heaps of other stones by it's secretNon … visceribus …, sed & …, qua ex captantium manibus …, …. force (though far distant) as hives of bees, &c. But, lest so costly a gift should grow cheap, nature hath not only hid it in the innermost bowels of the earth, but also hath put a faculty into it, of … out of the hands of those that hold it, unlesse they … very carefull to prevent it.

Verse 16. Flee into the mountains]

As … at length did, for Zoar was too hot to hold him: So should Iudea be for these, who were therefore to repair to Pella beyond Jordan, where they were hid till the indignation was over-past, as Eusebius hath it, in the third book and fifth Chapter of his history. Such a receptacle of religious people was Geneva in the … persecution. And such (blessed be God our strength for his unspeakable …) is at this present Warwick-Castle to my self writing these things, and to many others in these troublous times. So …, and many godly people were entertained and safeguarded by that noble Franciscus a … in the German warres.

Verse 17. Not come down to take any thing]

See here the miseries of war, which now, alas, we feel and can … to; being glad to flee for our lives with the losse of all, lest with …, seeking to save our goods, we lose … and all; glad if we may … with the skin of our teeth: And how like … our present … to end in a deadly consumption! Warre is called evil by a specialty, …. 45. 7. Sin, Satan, and war have all one …, Evil is the best of them. The best of sin is deformity, of Satan …, of war misery. God yet offereth us mercy, as … did those he warred against, whiles the lamp burned. O let us break off our sins by repentance, and be … in it, lest we should seem to come …, Heb. 4. 1.

Verse 18. Return back to take his clothes]

The body is … Heu … nate Dea.then raiment: And although there is great use of clothes, in flight especially, to save us from the injury of winde and weather (forHost … muros, &c. we carry the lamps of our lives in …, … it were) p. 550yet life for a prey (though we have nothing else) in a common calamity is a singular mercy. A living dog is better then a dead lion, saith Solomon. The Gibeonites, to save their lives, submitted to the meanest offices of being hewers of wood, &c. Skin for skin, &c. Iob 2. 4. We should be content to sacrifice all to the service of our lives.

Verse 19. Woe to them that are with childe, &c.]

By the laws of Nations, women with childe, babes and sucklings, maids and old folk should be spared. But the bloudy sword oft knows no …, as Hos. 10. 14. the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children, Hos. 13. 16. their infants were dashed in pieces, and their women with childe ript up. So at the sack of Magdeburg by Charles the fifth, and of Merindol in France by Minerius, where the paps of many women were cut off, and their children, lookingAct. and Mon. sol. 868. for suck at their mothers brest, being dead before, died also for hunger. Many such barbarous but cheries have been acted lately in Ireland, and begin to be also now in England (poor England, now an Ireland!) as at Bolton in Lancashire lately. Help, Lord, or thy servant perisheth.

Verse 20. But pray ye]

Christ saith not, Fight ye, but pray ye. To fight it boots not: for God hath resolved the lands ruine: But praiers are Bombardae & instrumenta … Christianorum, as Luther hath it, the great guns and artillery of Christians, whereby they may batter heaven, and make a breach upon God himself. Flectitur … voce rogante Deus. Something God will yeeld to the praiers of his people, even when he seems most bitterly bent, and unchangeably resolved against them. Christ here bids them pray, that their flight fell not out in the winter, when the daiesforeign Hyems. are short, … foul, and all lesse fit for such a purpose. Nor on foreign.the Sabbath; when though it were lawfull enough, yet it would…, foreign, i. e foreign. …. be so much the more uncomfortable. This they were bid to pray above thirty years before the City was besieged. And they had what they praid for. Their flight was not in winter, for the siege began about Easter, and the City was taken in September. Neither was it on the Sabbath-day, as we have cause to believe: for when Christ bids us pray for any thing, it's sure he means to bestow …. As when we bid our children ask us this or that, it is because we mean to give it them.

Verse 21. Tribulation such as was not, &c.]

Those very daiesforeign shall be affliction: so Mark hath it, chap. 13. 19. As if the very p. 551time were nothing else but affliction it self. He that can read the history of it without tears, hath hardly the heart of a man in him. Besides those many that perished within the wals, Iosephus tels us of a thousand thousand of them slain by the Romans, and 97000 carried captive. Oh see the severity of God, and tremble, Rom. Isidor.11. 22. Alterius perditio tua sit cautio. Scipio wept when he saw … on fire. And when Saguntum was taken, the Romans were as much affected, as if Hannibal fuisset ad portas, the enemy had been beating upon the walls of the Capitoll.

Verse 22. There should no flesh be saved]

That is, No Iew left alive; the Roman souldiers had been so often beaten by them, thatDeus … gladium … miserationis semper …. they … nothing more then to rid the world of them. But God, for his Covenant sake, preserved a remnant of them, as he ever softeneth the sword of his justice in the oil of his mercy, as Nicephorus hath it. … attributeth it to Titus his clemency: but our Saviour here better, to Gods infinite mercy to his elect. These are the salt of the earth, that sprinkled here and there, preserve it from putrifying and perishing. God gave all the souls that were in the ship to Paul, and all that were in Zoar to Lot. If it were not for his elect in the world, he would make a short work in the earth, Rom. 9. 28.

Verse 23. Then if any … shall say]

Here again our Saviour returns to the description of the last times, containing the rise, raign and ruine of Antichrist, whose chief engine shall be to perswade Christs corporall presence here and there in certain places, and to tie his worship and service to such or such a City, Countrey, Temple, &c. where he may be seen, touched, eaten, &c. as they feign in the Eucharist.

Verse 24. If it were possible, &c.]

Fundamentally and finally the elect cannot possibly be deceived: because both the deceived, and the deceiver are with the Lord, Job 12. 13, 16. In the Primitive Church, those capitall heresies concerning the Trinity and the incarnation of our Saviour did so prevail, Ut ingeniosares fuerit esse Christianum, saith Erasmus, that it was a witty thing to be a true Christian. Arrianisme had so overspread the world, that Athanasius seemed to be alone, as did Elias before him, and Luther after him. But God in the worst times, reserved a remnant, and at all times, will not see nor suffer any of his to miscarry: but will reduce them from their out-straies, as he did Latimer, whoAct. …: …. 919. was (as himself confesseth) as obstinate a Papist as any was in p. 552England, till converted by …; and as he did Denckins a learnedScultet. Annal. Dutchman, but a pestilent heretike, till converted by Oecolampadius; and as he did Francis …, a desperate Atbeist, till converted by conference with a countrey-man of his not far from…. Adam. Florence.

Verse 25. Behold, I have told you before]

See therefore that ye stand alway upon your watch: for, for this end have I warned you: prevision is the best means of prevention. Leo cassibus irretitus ait si …. To sin after warning, is to fall with open eyes, which deserves no pity. Not to be warned, is both a just presage and desert of a downfall.

Verse 26. Behold, He is in the desert]

In such an ermitage, or blinde chappel, built in a by-place to the honour of such a Saint, as our Lady of Loretto, Hall, or Sichem (Lipsius his last dotages)foreign Behold … is in the secret chambers or conclaves (scil. of Cardinals, &c.) or cupboards, as the breaden-god born up and down in a box, or on an altar, and worshipped by the common people. The rebels of Norfolk in Edw. 6. time, brought with them into the battle the Pyx under his Canopy, as the Israelites brought the Ark, 1 Sam. 4. 3. and said it should save them. But as then the Ark, so now the consecrated God, with all the trumpery about him, was taken in a Cart, which was then in stead of an altar, andAct. and Mon. fol. 1190 there lay all in the dust. Believe them not therefore in any of these their fopperies and forgeries. The simple believethFatuus foreign …. Lips. every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his goings. He is a slave to good reason, but not easily swaied by every newProv. 14. 15.Prov 14:15 opinion.

Verse 27. So shall also the coming of the sonne of man be]

Clear and conspicuons, as the lightning cannot be hid or hindered from being seen all the whole heaven over. Then shall all secret sinnes be made …, as things written with the juice of Limmons are legible, when held to the fire: as visible shall they be, and legible too, as if written with the brightest lightning upon a wall of crystall.

Verse 28. For wheresoever the carcase is, &c.]

That is, saith M. Lambert, Martyr, wheresoever is declared by the course ofAct. and Mon. …. 1021. the Scriptures, the benefits granted to us by Christs death, thither will men seek and flie, to know how they may enjoy the same. The sacrificed body of Christ (saith another) hath a mostPemble of the Sacrament. fragrant smell, inviting the Saints (like birds of prey) to flie p. 553from far with marvellous swiftnes to this dead, but all quickning carcasse.

There will the Eagles be gathered]

The Vulturine Eagles especially, whereof read Job 39. 29, 30. they follow armies, and feed on carcasses. Eagles the Saints are called, 1. For their delight in high flying. 2. For their sharp sightednesse, and stedfast looking into the Sun of righteousnesse. 3. For their singular sagacity, in smelling out Christ, and resenting things above, for the which they are said to have, A nose like the tower of Lebanon. Cant 7. 4.Song 7:44. For their feeding upon the bloudy sacrifice of Christ, the true carcasse. Briefly this proverbiall speech may be well understood, either of the conflux of the godly to the light and liberty of the Gospel, or else of their indissoluble union with Christ, to be perfectly enjoyed at the resurrection. For the sense of it is, that let the devil use what means so ever he can by his emissaries the falseprophets, to divide betwixt Christ and his people, by telling them, There be is, or here he is, it will not be: for they will flee to him as a cloud, or as the Doves to their windows, Isa. 60. 8. Nay, as the Eagles to their carcasse, with incredible swiftnesse; so forcible is the tie that is betwixt them, that they will not be kept asunder. The Israelites removed their tents from Mithcah, which signifies sweetnesse, to Cashmonah, which signifies swiftnesse, Numb. 33. 29. To teach us (saith a Divine) that no sooner have the Saints tasted Christs sweetnes, but presently they are carried after him with swiftnes: they cannot rest till they are joyned unto him, whom their soul loveth.

Verse 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those daies]

After that the mystery of iniquity hath wrought effectually, and is come to an upshot: after that Antichrist hath had his full forth, as they say, and hath compleated his sin, Christ shall suddenly come, as it were out of an Engine.

Shall the Sun be darkned, &c.]

Stupendious eclipses shall precede the Lords coming, and other strange events both in heaven, earth and sea, as Luke hath it. The frame of this whole universe shall shake, as houses give great cracks, when ready to fall. See 2 Pet. 3. 10. and seek no further.

Verse 30. The sign of the sonne of man]

That is, either Christ himself (by an Hebraisme) or the dreadfull dissolution of the worlds fabrick, or that cloud of heaven that was of old the sign of the son of man in the wildernesse, Exod. 13. 21. or the scars of p. 554his wounds, or his crosse, or something else that we cannot describe, and need not search into. Look how a King, when he would gather his forces into one, sets up his standard, or appoints his rendezvous: so, such shall be the brightnesse of Christs coming, that all his shall be gathered unto him by that token, not to fight; but to triumph with him and divide the spoil, as it were, being more then conquerours; and what is that but triumphers? The expectation of this day … (as that did with Davids souldiers at Ziklag) digest all our sorrows.

And then shall all the Tribes of the earth mourn]

This to prevent, we must judge our selves, 1 Cor. 11. 31. and take unto us words against our sins, if we would not have Christ take unto him words against our souls, Hos. 14. 3. Good men have been exceedingly affected at the hearing of Gods judgements against …, as Hab. 3. 16.

Verse 31. And he shall send his Angels]

As his apparitours and executioners. David went otherwise attended when he went against Nabal, then when against Goliah: So Christ shall come, when he shall come again with his troops and trumpets, &c.

With a great sound of a Trumpet]

Christ shall put forth his own mighty voice, Joh. 5. 28. & 1 Thess. 4. 16. ministred … his Angels, as in the text, and set forth by the sound of a trumpet, in allusion, belike to Numb 10. where the people … congregated and called together by the sound of a … to the door of the Tabernacle. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah shall roar from above, and thrust out his voice from his holy habitation, when he entreth into judgement with all flesh, Jeremy 25. 30, 31. As the Lion roareth over his whelps, brought forth dead at first, and raiseth them from death … life, as Pliny reporteth.

And they shall gather together his elect]

How shall they know…. …. them from reprobates? By Gods saving mark set fairly in their fore-heads, Ezek. 9. And by their blith and merry countenances, cleared and cheared in the apprehension and approach of their full redemption, now drawing nigh. Besides, as servants know their masters harvest from ano hers, and can easily discern the corn from the cockle, so can the good angels soon single out the elect, about whom they have been familiarly conversant here on earth, as ministring … sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation, ready prest to any good office about them.…. l. 14.

p. 555Verse 32. Ye know that Summer is nigh]

Which is so much the sweeter, because brought in, and led out by winter: so will eternall life be to the Saints, here tossed and turmoiled with variety of sufferings. Many sharp showers they must here passe thorow, Light is sown for the righteous, &c. sown only; and seed-time we know is usually wet and showry. Howbeit it is fair weather oft-times with Gods children, when it is foulest with the wicked; as the Sun rose upon Zoar, when the fire fell upon Sodom. But, if they should have never a good day in this world, yet heaven will make amends for all. And what is it for one to have a rainy day, who is going to take possession of a Kingdom?

Verse 33. Know that it is near, &c.]

Some space then there shall be, it seems, between the fore-going signs, and the coming of Christ. But though space be granted, yet grace is uncertain. Make sure work therefore betimes, lest ye come late, and be left without doors for your lingering.

Verse 34. This generation shall not passe]

viz. That generation that immediately precedes the end of the world. That this is the sense, appears by the Antithesis, vers. 36. But of that day and … knoweth no man, q. d. The generation and age wherein Christ shall come, ye may know by the signs that foreshew it, but the day and hour ye must not look to know, be you never so intelligent.

Verse 35. Heaven and earth shall passe, &c.]

What God hath written, he hath written. His word is stablished in heaven,Psal. 119.Ps 119 saith David; It endures for ever, saith Peter; It remaineth firm1 Pet. 1.1 Pet 1 as Mount Sion, and shall stand inviolable, when heaven shall passe away with a great noise, and the earth with its works shall be burnt up, 2 Pet. 3. 10. to the terrour and confusion of those profane scoffers, who deridingly demand, Where is the promise of Isa. 5. 19.Isa 5:19his coming, &c? vers. 4. that say, Let him make speed and hasten Amos 5. ….Amos 5his work, that we may see it, &c. Woe to you that thus desire the day of the Lord: To what end is it for you? The day of the Lord is darknesse, and not light. The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly. It is a day of wrath, a dayZeph. 1. 15.Zeph 1:15 of trouble and distresse, a day of wastnesse and desolation, a day of darknesse and gloominesse, a day of clouds and thick darknes, to them that are setled on their …, and that say in their heart, … Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

p. 556Verse 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man]

That the Lord will come, it is certo certius, not more sure, then what time he will come, is to us most uncertain. Sundry … have been given at it by both ancient and modern Writers: most of which, time hath already refuted. In the year of grace 1533. there was one that foolishly fore-told, That the day of judgement should fall out in October next ensuing. And this he gathered out of these words, Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum. Likewise out of these, Videbunt in quem transfixerunt: the numerals of the … ….point to the year 1532. of the later to 1533. Others there are that place the end of the world upon the year 1657. And for…. …. pag. 494. proof they make use of this Chronogram MVnDI Conf …; and further alledge, thot the generall deluge fell out in the year of the worlds creation 1657. The end of the world, saith another,… ex …. will be in the year of Christ 1688, three jubilees and anChrist. par. 2. pa. 374, 375. half (or thereabouts) after the Reformation of Religion by Luther, &c. Joachimus Abbas had long since set the year 1258. Arnoldus de villa nova the year 1345. Michael Stiphelius Saint Lukes day in the year 1533. … Leonitius the year 1583. Ioannes Regiomontanus the year 1588. Adelbertus … the year 1599. April 3. Nicolaus Cusanus the year 1700. Cardanus 1800. Picus Mirandula 1905. &c. So great hath been the folly and sinne of many learned men, who have thus childishly set their wits to play in so serious a businesse, as one well censureth it.

But my Father only]

Ordine … seiendi à se, non ab …. The son knoweth it not, but from his Father: like as he neither subsisteth nor worketh, but from the Father. The set time of the generall judgement God hath hid from us. 1. For his own glory, Prov. 25. 2. Rom. 11. 36. 2. For our good that we may watchIdeò latet unus dies, ut observentur omnes, Prov. 7.Prov 7 alwaies, and not wax secure as we would do, with the evil servant, vers 48. till the very day and hour, if we knew it. The harlot in the Proverbs grew bold upon this, that her husband was gone forth for such a time.

Verse 37. So shall the coming of the Son of man be]

Sudden and unexpected. Luther observeth, that it was in the Spring that the floud came, when every thing was in it's prime and pride, and nothing lesse looked for then a floud: men sinned securely, as if they had lived out of the reach of Gods rod, but he found them out. Security … the certain usher of destruction: as at …, Ziklag: Before an earthquake the air will be most quiet, and p. 557when the winde lies, the great rain fals. Frequentissimum initium calamitatis securitas, saith the Historian.Paterculus.

Verse 38. They were eating, and drinking]

Wine, likely; because our Saviour hereupon bids his Apostles take heed to themselves lest their hearts at any time should be overcharged with surfetting and drunkennesse, &c, Luk. 21. 34. Like as some do not improbably conjecture, that Nadab and … were in their drink, when they offered strange fire, because after, they were devoured by fire from the Lord. Aaron and the Priests are charged to drink no wine nor strong drink, when they go into the … of the Congregation, lest they dye, Levit. 10. 12, 8, 9. S^t Luke delivers the matter more roundly by an elegant, Asyndeton, They ate, they drank, they married, &c. q. d. they passed without intermission, from eating, to drinking, from drinking, to marrying, &c. they followed it close, as if it had been their work, and they born for no other end. Of Ninias, second King of Assyrians, Nephew haply to these Antedihunian belly-Gods, it is said, that he was old excellent at eating and drinking. And offoreign. Sardanapulus, one of the same line, Tully tells us, that his gut was his god. Summum bonum in ventre, aut sub ventre posuit: Athenae. …. lib 2.and …, that he hired men to devise new pleasures for him.…. quaest. …. See my Common-place of Abstinence.Plut. in Sympos.

Untill the day]

They were set upon't, and would loose no time. Their destruction was foretold them to a day; they were nothing bettered by it: no more would wicked men, should they foreknow the very instant of Christs coming to judgement. Joseph had foretold the famine of Egypt and the time when it … come; but fullnesse bred forgetfullnesse; saturity, security: None observed, or provided for it.

Verse 39. And knew not]

i.e. They took no kuowledge ofQuod vel inviti norant, non agnoverant. … predictions, or their own peril. Their wits they had buried in their guts, their brains in their bellies (As of the Assefish it is said, that contrary to all other living creatures he hathArist de …. his heart in his belly) whoredom, wine, and new wine take away the heart, Hos. 4, 11. Carnall sins disable nature, and so set men in a greater distance from grace, which is seated in the powers of nature. I read of some desperate wretches, that drinking together,In quodam episcopatu potaverunt aliqui, &c. Joh. …. loc. com. p 244. when one of them had drunk himself stark dead, the other no whit warned by that fearfull example of Gods wrath, powred his part of drink into the dead mans belly.

p. 558And took them … away]

Men are never lesse …, then when they are most secure. Babylon bore it self bold upon the twenty years provision laid up aforehand, to stand out a siege. When itHerodot. lib. 1. was neverthelesse taken by Cyrus, some part of the city wouldArist, Polit. …. 3. not know or beleeve of three daies after, that there was any such matter.

Verse 40. The one …, the other left]

The … took all away in a manner: but at Christs coming there shall be found a considerable company of such as shall be saved. He shall separate his Saints with a wonderfull separation, and make himself to be admired in all them that believe, 2 Thess. 1. 10. How … then should we work out our salvation, and ensure to our selves our election by good works?

Verse 41. Two women shall be grinding at the … ]

A poor trade, a hard task. … would have every man in his honest occupation to humble himself by just labour, and so to accept of the punishment of their iniquity, Levit. 26. 41. But one of these two poor grinders at the mill, is left by Christ for her pride and profanesse. Many are humbled, but not humble, low, but notAug. de …. dei. lib 1. …. 33. lowly. To these Christ will say, Perdidist is …, miserrimi facti estis, & pessimi …. Misery hath no whit mended you: woe be to you.

Verse 42. Watch therefore, &c.]

… simus, non securi, &c.Bernard. Whilst … … upon his bed at noon, … and … … 3.took away his head. Hold fast that thou hast, that no man take … crown from thee. Whilst the Crocodile sleepeth with open mouth, the Indian rat gets into him, and … his entrails. Satan works strongest on the fancy when the soul is drousie. The … therefore promiseth to get up early, …. 7. …. to shake … security, and not to … found henceforth supine and …, but to stand upon her watch: as of Scanderbed it is said, that from his first coming to …, he never slept above two hours in a night,…. …. …. but with restlesse labour prosecured his affairs. Aristotle and some others would not sleep, but with brasen balls in their hands; which falling on … purposely set on their beds sides, the noise did difswade immoderate sleep. Our Saviour pronounceth…. …. them three times happy that watch, Luke 12. 37, 38. 43. The blessed… & …. Hor. Angels are called Watchers, foreign, Dan. 4. 10.

For ye know not what hour your Lord, &c.]

He may haply, come upon you, as Epaminondus did upon … sentinell, whom p. 559finding asleep, he thrust through with his sword: and beingTalem … reliqui, qualem inveni. chid for so severe a fact, he replyed, I left him but as I found him.

Verse 43. He would not have suffered his house, &c.]

And shall the children of this world be wiser for their houses, then we for our souls? what are these earthly tabernacles, these chair cottages, to our houses from heaven? All things here are terrene and …, nec vera, nec vestra, subject to vanity and violence. Heaven only hath a foundation, Heb. 11. earth hath none, Job 26. 7. And things are said to be in heaven, but on earth, as ready withColos. 1. 10.Col 1:10 the least shake, to fall off. There is nothing of any stability or … consistency in the creature. It is but a surface, an outside, all the felicity of it is but skin-deep. Seek therefore first Gods kingdom, &c.

Verse 44. Therefore be ye also ready]

… tells us, that it was a peece of Julius Caesars policy, never to foreacquaintScilicèt … & intentum … omnibus, quo …. his souldiers of any set time of removeall or onset, that he might ever have them in readinesse to draw forth whithersoever he would. Christ in like manner, who is called the Captain of our salvation. Our enemy is alwaies ready to anoy us, should we not therefore look to our stand, and be vigilant? Solomons wisedome,…. 2. 10. Lots integrity, and Noahs sobriety felt the smart of the serpents sting. The first was seduced, the second stumbled, and the third fell, while the eye of watchfullnesse was fallen asleep.

For in such an hour, &c.]

Christ will soonest ceize upon the secure, 1 Thess. 5. 3. such shall sleep as Sisera, who … he awaked had his head fastened to the ground, as if it had been now listening what was become of the soul. See the Notes on, vers. 42.

Verse 45. Who then is a faithfull and wise servant]

So every man ought to be, but Ministers especially: who should so far surpasse others in these good qualities, as Saul did the people, then whom he was higher by head and shoulders. They should be faithfull in all Gods house as servants, as stewards and … of the mysteries of God, to give to every man his demense, his due measure of meat, and that which is fit for him, not (asforeign. he in the Emblem did) straw to the dog, and a bone to the asse,Luk. 12. 42.Luke 12:42 &c. but to every one his portion, 1 Cor. 4. 1.

Verse 46. Blessed is that servant]

It was Augustines wish, p. 560that Christ when he came might finde him, aut precantem, aut praedicantem, either praying or preaching. It was Latimers Act. and Mon. sol …wish (and he had it) that he might shed his heart-blood for Christ. It was Jewels wish that he might die preaching, and heB. … life … D …. did so. For presently after his last Sermon at Lacock in Wiltshire, he was, by reasen of sicknesse, forced to his bed, from whence he never came of, till his translation to glory. I have heard the like of M^r Lancaster, a precious man of God, sometimes Pastour of Bloxham in Oxfordshire, a man very famous for his living by faith. Cushamerus a Dutch Divine, and one of the first Preachers of the Gospel at Erfurt in Germany: had his pulpitIn … veneno … extinctus est. poisoned by the malicious Papists there, and so took his death in Gods worke. What, would you that the Lord when he comes, should finde me idle? said Calvin to his friends, who wished himScult. Ann. 80. to forbear studying a while, for his health sake. And such a like answer made Doctour Reynolds to his Physitian upon the likeBeza in vita. occasion. Eliah was going on and talking with Elisha (aboutAn … vitam vivendi perdere …. heavenly things, no doubt) when the charet of heaven came to fetch him. There can be no better posture or state for the messenger of our dissolution to finde us in, then in a diligent presecution of our generall, or particular calling.

Verse 47. Verily I say unto you, &c.]

A deep asseveration, for our better assurance and incouragement. Christ is a liberall paymaster, and his retributions are more then bountifull. … thought much that the steward of his house should be heir of his goods, Genesis 15. 2. 3, Not so the Lord Christ.

Verse 48. But and if that evil servant]

All places are full of such evil servants (and so is hell too,) as future their repentance, and so fool away their salvation. Of such dust-heaps we may finde in … corner: This is a depth of the devil, brim-full with the blood of many souls, to perswade them that they have yet long to live, and many fair summers to see: that there is no such haste, but that hereafter may be time enough: In … comes grace: and a few good words at last will waft them to heaven, &c.

Verse 49. To eat and drink with the drunken]

Though he neither be drunk himself, nor make others drunk, yet to be among wine-bibbers and …-mongers, as Solomon hath it, Prov. 23. 20. to company with such as a frequent an immoderate …, as Peters p. 561foreign,word importeth, 1 Pet. 4. 3. to drink …, as Bullinger … it, though there follow not an utter alienation of minde, this is here threatned. Excessive drinking is drunkennesse, Ephesians …. 18. though men be strong to bear it, Isa. 5. 22.

Verse 50. In a day when he looketh not, &c.]

As he did to that rich fool (Stultitiam patiuntur opes,) who made accountMartial, he had much good laid up in store for many years; but heard ere morning, Stulte, hac nocte, Thou fool, this night, &c. Then whenLuk. 12. 19, 20.Luke 12:19Luke 12:20 like a Jay he was pruning himself in the boughes, and thought least of death, he came tumbling down with the arrow in his side: his glasse was run when he hoped it had been but new turned.

Verse 51. And shall cut him afunder]

Gr. Shall cut himforeign. in twain, that is, tear his soul from his body by main force, Job 27. 8. throw him out of the world, as it were, by a firmae ejectione, and hurl him into hell, there to undergo most exquisite torments, such as they did here, that were sawn asunder, Heb. 11. hewen in … as Agag, torn limmeal, as Dan. 3. 29.1 Sam. 15.1 Sam 15 2 Sam. 12. 31.

And appoint him his portion with hypocrites]

Hypocritesforeign id quod in divisione obtigit. Lorin. then are the free-holders of hell, other sinners are but as tenants and inmates to them.