Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 9

Commentary on the Gospels and Acts · Commentary 1 · Chapter 9

p. 314CHAP. IX.

Verse 1. And he entred into a ship]

HE called not for fire from heaven upon those brutish Gadarens that were so glad to be rid of him. Some wicked ones Christ punisheth here, lest his providence, but not all, lest his patienceAug. in Psal. 30.Ps 30 and promise of coming again to judgement should be called into question, saith Augustin.

Came into his own city]

Capernaum a colony of the Romanes, where our Saviour hired an house, and wore a stole or long garment, as a citizen. Happy town in such an inhabitant, and in this respect lifted up to heaven, Matth. 11. 23. Indeed heaven came down to Capernaum; for the Lord so delighteth in his servants (how much more then in his Sonne) that their walles are ever in his sight, and he loveth to looke upon the houses, where they dwell Isa. 49. 16.

Verse 2. They brought unto him a man …, &c.]

Shew we like mercy to our sin-sick friends, bring them to the ordinances, present them to that Sonne of righteousnes that hath healing … his wings. To an Almighty Physitian no disease can be incurable.1 …. He is as able and as ready still to heal those that are brought unto him, he hath lost nothing by heaven, be sure. But as Aaron, though he might not lament over his dead sonnes, because as high-Priest he entred into the Holy-place, yet he still retained the affections and bowels of a father: So the Lord Christ, though in heaven, is no … loving and large-hearted to his, then when he was in the flesh. Bring therefore all your brethren for an offering to the…. 66. …. Lord: and if they cannot or will not come otherwise, bring them as the Prophet bids, upon horses, and in chariots and in litters: q. d. though sick, weakly; and unfit for travel, yet rather in litters, then not at all.

Sonne be of good cheer.]

And well he might, when his sinnes were forgiven. This mercy is enough to make a man everlastingly merry. Viscount Lisle, in Henry the eights time, died for joy of an unexpected pardon from his Prince: how great then is the…. comfort of pardon from God? Such are bid to be glad, rejoyce and … for joy, Psal. 32. 1, 11. And all others … forbid to take any comfort, Hos. 91.

Thy sins are for given …]

And yet his … remained upon p. 315him for some while after. Behold, He whom thou lovest is sick, said they of Lazarus, Joh. 11. We must make a new Bible, … we can necessarily conclude, that God is heavily offended, because we are heavily afflicted. He that escapes affliction, may suspect his adoption, Prov. 3. 12.

Verse 3. This man blasphemeth.]

True, had he been but a man, and had taken upon him to forgive sins by his own authority, asM. Ley his patern of …. 145. Popish Priests do, to the subverting of some mens souls. I have known one (saith a reverend Divine) who neither by education nor affection was disposed to Popery; who having the ill hap (when his conscience was perplexed) to fall into the hands of a Popish Priest, became a Papist upon this reason, because (as the Priest suggested) that religion afforded more comfort for the conscience then ours; and therefore more comfort, because it had, and exercised a power to pardon sin, which our Ministers neither did, nor durst assume unto themselves.

Verse 4. Wherefore thinke ye evil, &c.]

Christ confutes their calumny, and proves himself to be God, and to have power to pardon sin, by discerning and condemning their evil thoughts. I the Lord search the heart, Jer. 17. Satan may give a shrewd guesse:Bart. l. 1 de ver. oblig. and so may men too: as Bartolus writes of Doctour Gabriel Nele, that by the only motion of the lips, without any utterance, he understood all men, perceived and read in every mans countenance, what he meant, &c. But none can certainly know the thoughts of man, but God alone. It is his royalty to know what is in man, Joh. 2. 25.

Verse 5. For whether is it easier, &c.]

q. d. It is a work of one and the same Almighty power to pardon sin, and, with a bare word only, to heal the sick, such as are counted past cure especially. Think the same of the souls sicknesses, and say with that Ancient, Ego admisi, Domine, unde tu damnare potes me, sed tu non …, unde tu salvare potes me,

Verse 6. That the sonne of man hath power, &c.]

And therefore is more then a man. The Rhemists tell us of one man that could remove mountains. But none but the man Christ … could ever remit sinnes. He only it is that blots out the cloud, and the thick cloud too, enormities as well as infirmities: for this is aIsa. 44 22.Isa 44:22 true Axiome, Peccata non … justificationem, though sins be different, Justification is not. Take heed ye enterline not Gods Covenant.

p. 316Verse 7. And he arose and departed.]

He did as … was bidden; for he was healed on both sides, Mallem … quàm miracula facere, said Luther.

Verse 8. They marvelled and glorified God.]

When the proud Pharisees blasphemed and were hardened; and so voided the counsel of God against themselves **Suo ….(Luk. 7. 30.) or to their own singular disadvantage.

Verse 9. A man named Matthew]

The other Evangelists call him Levi; so shrowding his shame under a name lesse known. He plainly and ingenuously sets down his own more common name, and the nature of his … (like as David doth penancePsal. 51. 1.Ps 51:1 in a white sheet, as it were) which is an evident argument, both of the Scriptures Divinity, and of the Evangelists gracious …. If any should upbraid him with his old evil courses, he could readily have answered, as Austin did in like …, Quae tureprehendis ego damnavi: or as Beza, Hic homo invidet mihi gratiam Christi.

Sitting at the receipt of custom.]

These Publicans rented the revenue of the sea and rivers, of the Romans (as now the Jews … of the Turks) at a certain rate. And that they might pay their rent, and pick a living out of it, they were great gripers, and exacted extreamly upon the Jews; who therefore hated them, and held them furthest off from heaven of any men. A faithfull Publican was so rare at Rome it self, that one Sabinus, for his honest managing of that office, in an honourable remembrance thereof,foreign …. … Ve …. had certain images erected with this …, For the honest Publican. Of this sort of sinners was Matthew, whom Christ … into an Evangelist: as he did Paul the persecutour into an Apostle; Justin the Philosopher into a Martyr; Cyprian the Rhetorician, and (as some think) the Magician into a famous … of the Church. I was an obstinate Papist (saith Latimer) as any was in England: Insomuch, that when I should beAct and …. made Bachellour of Divinity, my whole … went against … Melancthon, and his opinions, &c.

And he arose and followed him.]

… the Apostate cavils at this …; as if either this were false, or Matthew a fool to follow a stranger at the first …. But this Ath ist knew not the work…. of faith, nor the power of Christs …, when he cals effectually. If Maris the blinde Bishop of Bithynia had been by, to have heard this dead dog thus barking, he would surely have shaped him such p. 317an answer, as he did once. For when … said unto him, BeholdO … A …, … ago …, ne …, … ad impietatem …. thou art blinde: Doth the Galilean thy God care for thee? He replied, O thou wicked Apostate, I give my God thanks, that hath made me blinde, that I might not see that wretched face of thine.

Verse 10. As Jesus sate at meat in the house.]

Matthew feasted Christ, for joy of his coversion. Yea, he made a feast, a feast likeLuk. 5 29.Luke 5:29 a King, a very sumptuous feast (as S. Lukes word importeth) heforeign …, …, …. kept open house, a table for all comers. As Princes at their … straw the streets with coyn, make the conduits runne wine, release prisoners, &c. So here, Kill the fatted Calf, and let Erasm. ex ….us be merry, said he at his sons return. When a sinner repents there are gaudies in heaven: instruments of … are put intoLuk 15.Luke 15 the Angels hands, and songs into their mouths. How well apaid was Zacheus, when salvation was come home to his house? When God was once reconciled to the people in the wildernesse, after their sinne in setting up the golden Calf, to testifie their great joy and …, they brought stuff more then enough to the building of the Tabernacle. The Centurion, when he once becameLuk 7.Luke 7 a proselyte, built the Jewish Synagogues that had been thrown down by Antiochus. And Tyrus converted findes anotherIsa. 23. 18.Isa 23:18 manner of merchandise then formerly, viz. to feed and clothe Gods Saints with durable clothing.

Verse 11. And when the Pharisees saw it.]

As envy is quicksighted. See Ovids description of it, foreign. The wicked look round about the Saints, seeking to pick a hole in their coats; they pore and pry more narrowly then Laban did into Jacobs stuff. Walk circumspectly.Ephes. 5. 15.Eph 5:15

They said unto his Disciples.]

1. Not to him: where the hedge is lowest, there the devil leaps over soonest: as he began his temptation with Eve, apart from her husband, Calumniare …, aliquid saltem adhaerebit, is a maxime in Machiavel. It is the property of defamations, to leave a kinde of lower estimation many times, where they are not believed. 2. These hypocrites would seem to say this in pure pity to the seduced Disciples, whom they saw to do the same with their Master. An ordinary trick among make-bates. S. Austin had these two verses written on his Table,

Quisquis amat dictis absentum rodere famam,…. in ….

Hanc mensam indictam ….

Here's no room for railers.

p. 319Verse 12. But when Jesus heard that, he said]

Hence we learn,foreign Plato. that although it be a servile businesse, as Plato calleth it, and an endlesse piece of work to make answer and apology to all slanders; yet where Gods glory is interessed, and the salvation of other mens souls hazarded, we must endeavour the clearing of our names, and the righting of our injuries and indignities cast upon us. But let this be done with meeknesse of wisdom, with weight of reason, not heat of passion, and rather in Gods words then in our own, as here.

Verse 13. They that be whole.]

There are none such, but in conceit only. The civil … ails nothing, complains of nothing, is as sound as a Roch: but no such sound heart can come to heaven: as (in another sense) none but sound can come there: only sensible sinners are capable of cure and comfort, such as see themselves Christ … creatures.

Need not the Physitian.]

And the Physitian needs them as …: he came not, oares not for them, they have as much help from him as they seek. Presumption is as a chain to their neck, and they believe their interest in Christ, when it is no such thing: They … a bridge of their own shadow, and so fall into the brook; they perish by catching at their own catch, hanging on their own fancy, which they falsly call and count faith.

Verse 14. But goye, and learn what, &c.]

In the history of Ionas, Christ found the mystery of his death, buriall and resurrection. Rest not in the shell of the Scriptures, but break it, and get out the kernel, as the sense is called, Iudg. 7. 15. stick not in…, the breaking of the …. the bark, but pierce into the heart of Gods Word. Lawyers say, that Apices juris non sunt jus, The letter of the Law, is not the Law, but the meaning of it. Iohn never rested, till the sealed book was opened. Pray for the spirit of revelation, plow with Gods heifer, and we shall understand his riddles, provided that we wait in the use of all good means, till God irradiate both organ and object.

I will have mercy.]

Both that which God shews to us, and that which we shew to others, spirituall and corporall. Steep thy thoughts (saith one) in the mercies of God, and they will dy thine, as the dy-fat doth the cloth, Col. 3. 12.

I came not to call the righteous.]

Those that are good in their own eyes, and claim heaven as the portion that belongs unto p. 318them. Scribonius writes of … Cedar, Quòd viventes res putrefacit Physic. lib. 2.& perdit: putridas autem … & conservat: So Christ came to kill the quick, and to quicken the dead.

But sinners to repentance.]

Not to liberty, but duty. Tertullian Tert de poenit.speaketh of himself, that he was born to nothing but repentance. This is not the work of one, but of all our daies, as they said, Ezra 10. 13. Some report of Mary Magdalen, that after our Saviours resurrection, she spent thirty years in Gallia …, Adeò ut etiam lachryme oute … genarum exederint.in weeping for her sins: And of S. Peter, that he alwaies had his eyes full of tears, insomuch as his face was furrowed with continuall weeping. Let not him that resolves upon Christianity dream of a delicacy.

Verse 14. Then came to him the Disciples of John.]

These sided with the Pharisees against our Saviour out of emulation and self-love, the bane and break-neck of all true love: yea, they were first in the quarrel. A dolefull thing, when brethren shall set against brethren, Hebrews vex one another, Exod. 2. and Christians as if they wanted enemies, flie in the faces one of another. S. Basil was held an heretike, even of them that held the same things as he did, and whom he honoured as brethren: all the fault was, that he out-shone them, and they envied him the praise he had for opposing Arrianisme, which was such, as that Philostorgius the Arrian wrote, that all the other Orthodox Divines were but babies to Basil. How hot was the contention betwixt Luther and Carolostudius, meerly out of a self-seeking humour, and desire of preheminency? How extream violent are the Lutherans against the Calvinists. In the year, 1567. they joyned themselves at … with the Papists against the Calvinists. And Luther somewhere professeth, that he will rather yeeld to Transubstantiation, then remit any thing of Consubstantiation.

Why doe we and the Pharisees fast often.]

The Pharisees were perilous fasters, when they devoured widows houses, and swallowed il-gotten goods, as Gnats down their wide …, which therefore Christ cals, foreign, the inwards. Their fasts were meer mock-fasts: so were those of John Arch-bishop of Constantinople, sir-named the Faster, who yet was the first that affected the title of Universall Bishop, so much cried down by Gregory the great. These Pharisees had sided with, and set on Johns Disciples in their masters absence, like as the renegado …, to keep up that bitter contention, that is between the Calvinists p. 320and …, have a practice of running over to the Lutheran Church, pretending to be converts, and to build with them.

Verse 15. And Jesus said unto them]

He makes apology for his accused Disciples: so doth he still at the right hand of his heavenly Father, nonsuting all accusations brought against us, as our Advocate, 1 Joh. 2. 1. appearing for us, as the Lawyer doth forforeign, … to foreign. the … of the brethren … 12. 10. his Client (Heb. 9 24.) opening his case, and pleading his cause. He helpeth us also to make apology for our selves to God, 2 Cor. 7. 11. and expecteth, that as occasion requires, we should make apology one for another, when maligned and misreported of by the world.

Can the children of the …, &c?]

Our Saviour seeing them to sin of infirmity, and by the instigation of the Pharisees, who with their leaven had somewhat sowred and seduced them in their masters absence, deals gently with them; to teach us what to … in like case. A Venice-glasse must be otherwise handled then an earthen pitcher or goddard, some must be rebuked sharply, severely, cuttingly, Titus 1. 13. but of others we must bave compassion, making a difference, Jude 22.foreign … …: … …, rigide. Erasm, …. & ad ….

Mourn as long as the Bridegroom, &c.]

Mourn, as at sunerals (so the word signifieth.) This were incongruous, unseasonable and unseemly at a feast. It was a peevishnesse in Sampsons wife, that she wept at the wedding; sith that's the day of the rejoycing of a mans heart, as Solomon hath it. Now Christ is theforeign. Churches Spouse. He hath the bride, and is the bridegroom, as…. 3 11. their master the Baptist had taught them, Joh. 3. 29. and … over every good soul, as the bridegroom rejoyceth over the bride, Isai. 62. 5. Should not the Saints therefore reciprocate?

But the daies will come.]

Our Saviour … much, even many a little death all his life long: and yet, till his passion, he accounts himself to be, as it were, in the bride-chamber. Then it was especially that he alone … the wine-presse, and was rosted alive in the fire of his Fathers wrath, &c.

When the Bridegroom … be … from them.]

As now your master the Baptist is from you; a just argument and occasion of your grief and fasting, if possibly you may beg him of God out of the hands of Herod. When the Duke of Burbons Captains had shut up Pope Clement 8. in the Castle S. Angeto, Cardinall p. 321Wolsey being shortly after sent Embassadour beyond seas, to make… and … of Card. … pag. 38. means for his release, as he came thorow Canterbury to ward …, he commanded the Monks, and the Quire to sing the Letany after this sort, Sancta Maria, ora pro Papa nostro Clemente. Himself also being present was seen to weep tenderly, for the Popes calamity. Shall superstition do that, that Religion cannot bring us to? Shall we not turn again unto the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning, if for nothing else, yet that our poor … may finde compassion? Which is Hezekiah's motive to the2 Chron. 30. 9.2 Chr 30:9 people.

And then shall they fast.]

Note here, 1. That fasting is not … with the Ceremoniall Law, but still to be used as a duty of the Gospel. 2. That times of heavines are times of humiliation. 3. That our … here are but as marriage-feasts, for continuance; they last not long: never look for it.

Verse 16. No man putteth a piece, &c.]

Austerities of religion are not to be … upon new-beginners. God would not carry the people to Canaan thorow the Philistims countrey (though it were the nearest way) for discouraging them at first … out. Our Saviour spake as the Disciples could Mark 4. 33.Mark 4:33hear. Discretion is to be used, and Christs lambs handled with all tendernesse.

Verse 17. Neither do men put new Wine.]

In the year of grace, 340. arose … hereticks called Ascitae or …, …,…. …. p. …. because they bare a bottle on their backs, … that they were no true Christians that did not so: and alledging this text for themselves, as if they were the only new bottles filled with new wine. So those districtissimi Monachi, … (as one engli heth it) who made themselves wooden crosses, and carried them on … backs, continually pleaded, Mat. 16. 24. to make for them. This was, as M. Tindall saith in another …, to think to quench their thirst by sucking the Ale-powl.

Verse 18. Behold, there came a certain Ruler.]

Jairus the … of the …. … such came to Christ: but this man was … of doors by the crosse, as the wolf is out of the wood by hard hunger. It was his only daughter of a …-year …, that was now at point of death. This makes him … out to…. 8. 41. Christ the best Physitian. Men must be … (…) ere they finde mercy (Hos. 14. 3.) and a … people ere they will be brought to trust in the name of the Lord, Zeph. 3. 12. p. 322The Haemorroisse came not to Christ, … she had a half-peny to … her self.

But come and lay thine hands upon her.]

He thought Christ could not otherwise cure her: this was … of faith, far short of that of the Centurion, who yet was a Roman souldier; whereas Jairus was a learned Jew. Knowledge therefore is one thing, faith …: and the greatest scholars, are not alwaies the holiest men. Neither have all Gods people a like measure of true faith. This should humble and … the weak, but not discourage them in their …: since the tallest Oak was once an …, and the deepest Doctour was once in his hornbook.

Verse 19. And Jesus arose and followed him.]

As tendering the Rulers infirmity, and not taking advantages, or turning him off, for … to prescribe. Be we also ready to every good office, not … quarrels, or pleading excuses.

Verse 20. And behold a woman, &c.]

This history and occurrence comes in here by a Parenthesis, and by a sweet providence, for the exercise and encrease of Jairusses faith and patience. Iairus could have wisht her far enough at that time, because she hindered our Saviour from making haste to his dying daughter. But she shall be dead out-…, the woman cured, and he thereby confirmed, ere his desire shall be accomplished; that God in all may be glorified.

Which was diseased, &c.]

And had lavished money out of the bag Isa …. 6.for help, but had none. Nay, she had suffered many things of the Physitians, … occidunt. Pet. …. de …. Dei.who had well nigh officiously killed her, and had … exhausted her. This made Chaucer take for his Motto, Farewell physick; and the Emperour Adrian cry out upon his death-bed, Many foreign.Physitians have killed the King.

Came behinde him.]

Either as abasht of her blushfull …: or, because … could not come before him for the croud, &c.

Verse 21. If I may but touch his garment.]

This was a … saith of hers, and not much inferiour to … of the Centurion. … us in like sort, when we feel the bloudy flux of naturall …, … at our eyes, mouths, hands, and other parts, repair to …, and touch him by faith: so shall we feel that there goes a … out from him, to heal the seul. As fishes when they are hurt, heal themselves again by touching the Tench, finding the p. 323slime of his body to be a soveraign salve: so must we, when wounded with sin, have recourse to Christ, and our faith will make us whole every whit.

Verse …. But Iesus turned him about.]

To take notice of it himself, and to notifie it to others, for these reasons, saith Chrysostome; 1. To free the woman from fear, lest her conscience should call her Recreant, as one that had stole a cure. 2. To make up in her what was wanting to her faith, if she should have any such thought to do so. 3. To manifest her faith, for other mens imitation. 4. To make known his omnisciency, and so his Divinity. 5. To confirm the Rulers faith, and so fit him for further mercy. 6. To teach her and us, that, not his garment, but himself did the cure. This makes against that Popish foppery in worshipping reliques, as the Syndon wherein Christs body was enwrapped, of the vertue whereof Paleottus Archbishop of Bonony, set … a great book, An. Dom. 1617.

And the woman was made whole, &c.]

That fable recorded byEccles. bist. l 7. cap …. Eusebius is scarce worth relating; that this woman should set up at her door in Cesarea Philippi, a statue of brasse in honour of our Saviour; near whereto grew a certain herb good for all diseases. Irenaeus (far ancienter then Eusebius) reproveth the hereticks,Act. and Mon. fol …. called Gnostici, for that they carried about them the Image of Christ made in Pilates time, after his own proportion: using also for … of their affection towards it, to set Garlands upon the head of it. And in Epiphanius his time (who lived soon after… epist. ad …. Sands his survey. Eusebius) images and statues of Christ or the Saints were abhorred by …. The Turks will not endure any image, no not upon their coyn, … of the second Commandment: and the Papists for their imagery, they call Idolaters.

Verse 23. He saw the minstrels, &c.]

An Heathenish custom… is …. …. l. 4. Fast. crept in among the …, as many the like are now amongst the Papists, who are therefore called Heathens, Revel. 11. 2.

The maid is not dead, but sleepeth.]

Death is but a sleep to the Saints: and as the … of the labouring man is sweet unto him, soPlato … foreign in Apol. …. is death most welcome to such, as have most suffered. See my Notes on Ioh. 11. 11.

Verse 24. And they have laught him to scorn.]

This is daily done by the mad world, quite besides it self in point… Gorg. … …. c 35. of salvation. They hear and …. God will laugh at their destruction.

p. 324Verse 25. He took her by the hand]

As it were to awaken her … deep sleep. He … have raised her without either … down, or … his … upon …. But as Jairus … him, so he did for him. Who now shall … to … the day … 4 10.… of … things?

Verse 26. And the fame hereof went abroad]

Though Christ … charged the contrary, Mark. 5. 43. lest, being known too …, he should stand in the way of his own designe. Howbeit, when he drew nigh to his end, he raised the young man of Naim, and his friend Lazarus, in the open view of the ….

Verse 27. … blinde men followed him.]

Misery makes unity. … two could the better agree to goe together, because their … were alike. Hooper and Ridly left …, when they both were in ….

Thou … of ….]

Thou that … a … Man, as we are; and … to say unto …, as David did to the men of Iudah, ….… are my …, my bone and my flesh, &c. Have mercy on us. So the Church … …, when … and … by the Assyrian, … out; The stretching out of his wings … fill thy land O …: q. à. O … that art also a man, and hast the heart of a man in thee, see to … safety. Necessity makes men beg many times of meer strangers, vea of deadly enemies; as the Israelites did of the Egyptians, as … did of Ahab, and as the poor … of the Assyrians, Lam. 5. 6. How much more boldly should we beg of Christ our neer …, &c?

Verse 28. And when he was come into the house.]

For till then, he … to … them, that they might the more earnestly … him. He knows how to commend his benefit to us. … data, citò …. Things lightly come by, are lightly … by.

Verse 29. According to your faith.]

… (saith a famous…. Divine) Justifying faith is not … Miraculous, in the sphear of its own activity, and where it hath warrant of Gods Word.

Verse 30. … charged them saying, see that no man, &c.]foreign ….

He … them …, (as the word … used importeth) … they but … their mouths to make it known to any man. Some … all for a name: Christ (besides the vail of his humanity) saies, nay thunders: See you tell no man. How far are those spirite p. 325from this, which care onelyonly to be seen, and wish onelyonly to dazle others eies with admiration, not caring for unknown …?

Verse 31. Spread abroad his fame.]

Wherein they sinned, no doubt, though of never so good an intention. Gods CommandementsProv. … must be kept as the apple of our eie: for else, we charge him with folly.

Verse 32. A dumb man possest with a devil.]

Satan still gagges many to this day, that they cannot pray to God, … his name, utter themselves to the good of others. The spirit of faith is no in dweller, but sits in the door of the lips. I believed, 2 Cor. 4. 13.2 Cor 4:13therefore have I spoken. The Carthusian Monks speak together but once a week. It is a shame to Christians that they speak not1 Cor. 11.1 Cor 11 … one to another, Mal. 3. 16. that they come together, not Epist … ….for the better, but for the worse. Inveniar sanè superbus, &c. modò … non arguar, dum Dominus …, saith …. Better I … counted …, then be sinfully silent.

Verse 33. The … marvelled, &c.]

… censured, a third sort tempted, a fourth applauded. What can we doe, to undergoe but one opinion? To avoid variety of constructions?

Verse 34. Through … Prince of devils.]

There is a principall Devil then, Prince of this world. And there are Princes and principall spirits in Countreys and Nations under him, Dan. 10. 13. We read of the Prince of Persia, hindering the matters of the Church. See more of …, chap. 12. ver. 24.

Verse 35. And Iesus went about, &c.]

He was not by any affronts or hard usages of the enemy, dishartened from well-doing: but as the Moon continues her course, though dogs bark and leap at her, En peragit cursus surda Diana suos: so did he, and so must we, For … him that endured such contradiction of sinners against …, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes, Heb. 12. 3.Tacilus. Convitia spreta exolescunt.

Verse 36. He was moved with compassion.]

His … so affectedforeign his heart, … it … towards those silly souls, Ingemuit miserans graviter, ….Virgil.

As sheep without a shepheard.]

Their Pastours were Impostours, as Bernard complained of those in his time, their Episcopi, Aposcopi, (as Espencaeus hath it) their overseers by-seers. That judgement was now befallen them, that Moses of old deprecated, p. 326Numb. 27. 17. And this troubled our Saviour more then their bodily bondage to the Romans, which yet was very ….

Verse 37. But the labourers few.]

Such as will labour to lassitude,foreign in preaching Christ crucified: few such.

Verse 38. Labourers into his harvest.]

Harvest-men, of all other, have the hardest labour, a sore sweating labour: So have … Ministers. The housholder hath somewhat to doe, said…. …, the Magistrate more, but the Minister most of all. He labours more in a day many times, then the husbandman doth in a monethmonth: the sweat of the brow is nothing to that of the brain: the former furthers health, the later impairs it, wearying and waring out the body, wasting the vitals, and hastening old age, and untimely death.