Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII.
Verse 1. The first day of the week]
GReek, of the Sabbaths. One day of seven is due to God of necessity. This the Scripture calls by an excellency the Sabbath,foreign. day without a difference: as if it were the eldest brother to all … daies of the week, which is called here and elsewhere Sabbath; in the plurall, Psal. 24. title, A Psalm of David. To this the Greek addeth, Of the first day of the week, which now is theRevel 1. Christian Sabbath, called the Lords day, in honour of Christ, and in a thankfull remembrance of his resurrection. See the Note on, Joh. 20. 1.
To see the sepulcher]
To see what the Pharisees had done with the Lords body the day before (for they knew they had been tampering, and feared the worst, as love is suspitious) and to bring the spices, which by an easie errour, they had prepared, Luke 24. 1. They knew not, belike, that Joseph and Nicodemus had been at that cost and pains before them; neither did any of them consider that what they did herein was superfluous, for that it wasAct. 2. impossible for Gods holy one to see corruption. But he is pleased to passe by our well-meant weaknesses, where the heart is upright.
Verse 2. And …, &c.]
The holy Ghost here calls for as great attention, as if we had been present and seen it. Remember (saith St Paul) that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, was 2 …. 2. 8.raised from the dead, according to my Gospel. All the four Evangelists have therefore punctually recorded it, that we may remember and ruminate it, as a main remarkable.
There was a great earth-quake]
Pythagoras said the reasonNullam …. … quam … rum. …. l. 4. …. … domino, infernorum trepidatio commovetur. Hilar. of earthquakes was, the meeting of the dead: An odde conceit. But the true reason of this earthquake, was our Saviours rising from the dead, in despite of infernall spirits, who therefore quaked as much as the earth did, as Hilary hath it. The earth shook both at Christs passion, and at his resurrection: Then, to shew that it could not bear his suffering: Now, to shew that it could not hinder his rising.
Rolled back the stone]
As an officer sent to let Christ … of prison, without the keepers consent.
And sat upon it]
In contempt of all their weapons, which fell out of their hands for woe, at the sight of the Angell. And as … mighty man when he sits down, shakes the bench under him, so do these the earth.
Verse 3. His countenance was like lightening]
So that though he appeared in humane shape, yet it might easily appear that he was more then a man: his visage shewed his power, his habit his innocency, to the terrour of the keepers, and comfort of the women.
Verse 4. The keepers did shake]
And well they might, as coming to see they had born armes against God, and were therefore obnoxious to his wrath. It is a fearfull thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God here: How then will wicked men bear the horrour of the last day? When they shall have an angry God over them, hell gaping beneath them, an accusing conscience within them, the world all on a light fire about them, the elements melting like scalding lead upon them, the good Angels testifying against them, Job 20. 27. the evil Angels waiting to worry them, and hurry them to hell? Oh the unspeakable akings and quakings of heart! the terrible apprehensions, the convulsions of spirit that shall ceize and surprize them at that dreadfull day!
Verse 5. Fear not ye]
As the wicked are forbidden to rejoyce for joy as other …, Hos. 9. 1. So the godly to fear, so…. 46. 2. long as they have Christ by the hand; no, though the earth be removed and the mountains cast into the midst of the sea. David Psal. 23 3.would not fear the shadow of death, the darkest side of death, death in its most hideous and horrid representations, because God was with him: When Manasseh, that faced the heavens in his prosperity, in trouble basely hides his head among the bushes, and is2 Chron. 33. … therehence fet, and bound with fetters. These desperate souldiers run away as dastards, when the women stand it out, and as true daughters of faithfull Sarah, they are not afraid with any ….1 Pet. 3. 6.
I know that ye seek Jesus]
God and his Angels know our goodnesse, why then should we hunt after mens applause? Caesar hoc ipso veram laudem meruit, quod falsam contempsit, saith Lipsius: It should suffice us, to know, that our faith, how little soever seen or set by, by the world, shall be found to praise, and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 7. The eclipfed Moon shall by degrees wade out of the shadow.
Verse 6. He is not here]
q. d. You are much mistaken, and deserve to be chidden for your not crediting, or at least, your not remembring, that he foretold you of his resurrection. All which notwithstanding, Come see the place, &c. q d. beleeve your own eyes at least. Hilaris est … & plena gaudio invitatio, saith an Interpreter. What marvell … though they departed with … for their faithlesnesse, and joy for the good news the Angels had told, and shewd them?
For he is risen]
Consentaneum est Phaenicem ante … annum Neronis, significasse Resurrectionem Christi, & omnium credentium, ex morte receptâ divinitùs vitâ. The … is a … Die in Neroneemblem of the Resurrection.
Verse 7. And go … ]
Angels are called seraphims for their burning zeal: and are said to be winged creatures for their speedinesse in serving God and his people. Gabriel wearied himself,… 9. 21. as it were, with swift flight, to certifie Daniel of his good acceptance in heaven. And this Angell bids these women go quickly and carry the good news of the resurrection. Neither God not Angels can abide oscitancy and dulnesse in any. Tardis … …. …. to ….virtus non facilè committitur, could the Heathen say.
Tell his Desciples]
And Peter with the first, Mark 16. 7. because he is most dejected (and it is God that comforteth those that are cast down, 2 Cor. 7. 6. the lion of the tribe of … Sat is est prostrasse ….spareth the prostrate prey) the rest are in their dumps, as well they may, for deserting Christ; but Peter especially for denying him. Now therefore, that he is in a wildernesse of ploddings and perplexities, Christ speaks to his heart, Hos. 2. 14 He loves to comfort those that are forsaken of their hopes.
Loe, I have told you]
q. d. Be gon now about your businesse: you have your full errand, and this is all I have at present to say to you. These good women, at first afraid of the Angell, are now hardly perswaded to depart from him: They could have been content to have heard him further. How unspeakably delicious unto us shall be that innumerable company of Angels, Heb. 12. 22. that world of Angels, as the Hebrew Doctours call it, thatGnolam …. Panegyris or Cogregation-house of the first-born enrolled in heaven as free denisons? O praeclarum illum diem cum ad illud Cic. de ….animorum concilium caetum que proficiscar, &c. said the Heathen Oratour.
Verse 8. And they … quickly]
According as they were bidden. A ready heart makes rid dance of Gods work, and does it up quickly, as afraid to be taken with its task undone. Baruch repaired earnestly, and had done quickly, … 3. 20. Alexander foreign. ….being asked how he had so soon over-run so many countreies? answered roundly, by making quick work, by dispatching, and not lingering long in a place.
With fear and great joy]
A strange composition, of two contrary passions: but frequently found in the best hearts. Psal. 2. 11. God loves at once … and fear.
Verse 9. Jesus met them]
En obedientiae praemium, timoris remedium, saith Pareus. God still meets his people in the use of his ordinances, shewing them great and mighty things that they knew not before, Ier. 33. 3.
Held him by the feet]
As those that would loose him no more, The Saints do still the same by faith; clasping about Christ and … unto him, as it were by corporall contact.
Verse 10. Go tell my brethren]
Brethren still, though foully fallen, Ier. 3. 1. Infirmities discard us not, if bewailed, disclaimed, set against.
Verse 11. Some of the watch came into the city]
God would have the point of the Resurrection well proved, for our better …, in so weighty a matter. The Priests were unworthy to hear of it by an Angel: they shall hear of it therefore by the profane souldiers, who come in to them much affrighted, and thunder-struck, as it were, and told them all. Now the confession of an adversary is held in law to be the most certain demonstration of the truth, that can be.
Verse 12. They gave large mony]
q. d. We know that you … are good fellowes, and both love and lack mony. Now if you will but say thus and thus, you shall have a round summe paid you down in ready cash, &c. And what will not such men say or do for mony? Pecunia … fecit, forma …, jamilla promissio temerarios, saith Aretius.
Verse 13. Stole him away while we slept]
If it were so, 1. Ye kept a good watch the while; and wanted some … to slay you for sleeping. 2. If all asleep, who told you his … stole him? did you sleep waking as lions do? or did they make … little noise that you never heard them about it? as … Francis Drake, at Taur apasa in the West-Indies, found a Spaniard Cand …. fol. ….sleeping securely upon the shore; and by him thirteen wedges of silver, which he commanded to be carried away, not so much as once waking the man. Surely here it was neither so … but the devil, who began at first his kingdom by lying, and by lying still upholds it, set these fellows awork to say, as they were taught, any thing for mony though never so absurd and false. But mony got on this manner will prove aurum Tolosanum, burn in thy purse, and bring Gods curse upon all thy substance.
Verse 14. We will perswade him, and secure you]
Hypocrites have enough, if they can collogue with men and escape the lash of the law. God is not in all their thoughts, or they think…. 14. 3. they can perswade him, and secure themselves. Hence that overflow of sinne, through hope of impunity, and abundance of Atheisme.
Verse 15. So they took the mony]
So sequacious are such men to sinne, where any thing is to be got by it. Balaam will venture hard for the wages of wickednesse. Set but a wedge of gold in sight, and …, that could stop the Sun in his course, cannot stay Achan from fingering it.
And this saying is commonly reported]
They were given up to beleeve this lye, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, 2 Thess. 2. 10. There are that sense it otherwise. This saying is commonly reported; that is, this … imposture of the Priests and souldiers, wretchedly conspiring to cosen the world with such a base lye, is sufficiently known for a peece of knavery, and is so resented to this day. Think the same of the Trent-conventicle, carried by the Pope, and his agents, with so much finenesse, &c. but so as now, all's come out to their eternall infamy.
Verse 16. Went away into Galilee]
They had seen him twice or thrice before at Ierusalem: yet took a long journey here into Galilee to see him again. Whom having not seen ye love, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Austins wish was to see Christum in carne. But if we had known Christ after the flesh, yet saith St Paul, henceforth should we know him so no more, 2 Cor. 5. 16. sith the comfortable presence of his spirit, is better then his corporall presence, and more to our benefit, Ioh. 16. 7. By this it is, that though now we see him not, yet beleeving, we rejoyce with unspeakable and glorious joy, 1 Pet. 1. 8. and must not think much of a journey, … though it be not to a mountain in Galilee, but to the heavenly hills from whence comes our help, to see the King in his…. 33. 17. beauty, Christum regem videre in decore suo, which was Bedes wish.
Verse 17. They worshipped him, but some doubted]
Even whiles they worshipped, they doubted: yet was not their worship rejected. The Lord knoweth his still, 2 Tim. 2. 19. But they know not him still, as here in this text: howbeit they are known of him, Gal. 4. 9. and their whole way both known and approved, Psal. 1. 6.
Verse 18. All power is given to me]
Christ premiseth his power, and promiseth his presence, the better to perswade them to set upon his work, his great work, of subduing the world to the obedience of the faith. Better may this King of Kings say, then that King of Spain, Sol mihi semper lucet; for he is Catholike…. Monarch: The kingdomes of this world (and of the other too) are become the kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Christ, and … shall reign for ever and ever, Revel. 11. 15. As for the Saints, how can they be but in an all-sufficiency, sith all is theirs, they being Christs, and Christ being Gods? what boldnesse may they take to go to Christ, as Jacob did to Joseph, when he understood that the sway of the whole land was in his hand, &c? See the Note on, Matth. 11. 27.
Verse 19. Go yee therefore]
In this my strength, as Gideon did against the Midianites; and, though but a barly cake, courseJudg. 7. 13. and contemptible, yet shall ye overthrow the worlds tents, yea the strong holds of Satan: though you have but lamps and … in your hands, yet shall ye acheive great matters The Apostles were those white horses whereupon the Lord Christ …, went forth conquering and to conquer. Britannorum … …. advers. Iudeos. cap. 7. …. …. pag. 425.Romanis loca, Christo patuerunt, saith …. The Burgundians, much afflicted by the Hunnes, sled to … the God of the Christians: whom after a long dispute, they … World encomp. pag. 59.to be a great God, and a great King above all Gods. St Francis Drake tells us of twelve Martyrs burnt for Religion at Lima in Mexico, not two moneths before his coming thither. And he that set forth New-Englands first-fruits, assures us of some of those Natives, that being converted to the faith, lived …, and died comfortably.
… all nations]
…. Disciple them, make themforeign. Christians first, and then teach them to observe, &c. vers. 20.Disciputate. as in Baptisme they have promised: for otherwise it was pity that font-water was ever spilt upon their faces. In the kingdom of Congo in Afrike, diverse of those Heathens, by the … of the Portugals, arriving there, were content to become Christians, and to be baptized: allowing of the principles of Religion, and professing Christ, till the Priests pressed them to lead their lives according to their profession: which the mostAbois his Geog. pag. 79. part of them in no case induring, they returned back again to their Gentilisme. As for the … Converts in Mexico, they so litle remember their covenant made with Christ in Baptisme, that…. Enq. many times they forget … very names, soon after they have been baptized.
Baptizing them into the name of, &c.]
That is, consecrating them unto the sincere service of the sacred …, and confirming them by this holy Sacrament, in the faith of the forgivenesse of their sins, and in the hope of life eternall. This is the end, use and efficacy of Baptisme: which, Piscator saith, few of the Fathers rightly understood: Those Popish Asles certainly did not, who moved this foolish question, An asinus bibens ex baptismo …. …. …. …. pag. ….bibat aquam baptismi, & sic asinus dicendus sic baptisatus? Pity but these questionites had been present, when the young scollar reading publikely the fifth of the first of Corinthians for probation-sake, at the Colledge of Bamberg, when he came to that passage, Expurgate vetus fermentum, &c. Sicut estis azymi. He, not understanding the word Azymi, read… …. Sicut estis asini. The wiser sort of Prebendaries there present said among themselves, Cum a sapientioribus nolumus hujusmodi audire, a pueris audire cogimur. Children and fools usually tell the truth.
Verse 20. To observe all things]
Our obedience must be entire; as for subject, the whole man, so for object, the whole law, That perfect law of liberty. The Gospel requireth, that in our judgements we approve, and in our practises prove, what that good and holy, and acceptable will of God is. Those be good Catholikes, saith Austin, qui & fidem integram …, & bonos mores. But let carnall gospellers either adde practise, or leave their profession: renounce the devil and all his works, or else renounce their baptisme. As Alexander the great bad one Alexander a coward in his army, change his name or be a ….
I am with you alway]
viz. To preserve you from your enemies, prosper you in your enterprizes, and to do for you whatsoever heart can wish, or need require. When Christ saith I will be with you, you may adde what you will: to protect you, to direct you, to comfort you, to carry on the work of grace in you, and in the end to crown you with immortality and glory. All this and more, is included in this precious promise.
Laus Deo.