Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 3 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Verse 5. Lord encrease our faith]
A Most necessary request in this case. For the more any man beleeveth that God for Christs sake hath pardoned him, the readier he will be to pardon others.
Verse 8. Gird thy self and serve me]
It implies 1 readinesse: 2 nimblenesse, handinesse, and handsomenesse. A loose … and … mind is unfit to serve God. The Deacons cried of old in the Church-meetings Oremus, …, Let us pray, let us attend to prayer, &c.
Verse 10. We have done that was our duty]
Or, our debt: and… … the Church. …. … …. it is no matter of merit to pay debts. This made … founder of New-Colledge, &c. professe, he trusted in Jesus Christ alone for Salvation. Charles the Fifth did the like, when he came to die. And in times of Popery, the ordinary instruction appointed to be given to men upon their death beds, was, that they should look to come to glory, not by their own merits, but by the vertue and merit of Christs passion: that they should place their whole…. … in a Serm. … Eph. 4. 13. confidence in his death only, and in no other thing: and that they should interpose his death betwixt God and their sins, betwixt them and Gods anger.
Verse 13. And they lifted up their voices]
These sought themselves only in their prayers as do hypocrites: and nought esteemed the love of Christ. So did those that fasted to themselves,Cant. 51. …. 7. more to get off their chains then their sins. Ephrain is an empty vine, he … fruit to himself. The Church keeps her fruit for her beloved.
Verse 14. Go shew your selves unto the Priests]
As if yee were already cleansed. They did so, though they saw no sense for it: and before they came to the Priest, they were cleansed indeed. Make your requests known to God with thanksgiving, Philip. 4. 6. As who should say, make account to speed, and be ready with your thanks, as if you had what you ask of God.
Verse 15. And one of them]
Its ten to one if any return to give thanks. Men make prayer their refuge, but not their recompence. … returned not according to his receipts.
And with a loud …]
He was as earnest in praises, as he had been in prayers. Our thanks should be larger and louder then our requests; because God prevents us with many mercies, and denies nothing: we have it either in mony or monies worth.
Verse 16. Giving him thanks]
A thankfull man is worth his…. …. Barn. de Consid. lib 4. weight in gold. Sed perrarò grati homines reperiuntur, saith the Oratour. Plerique ut accipiant. importuni, donec acceperint, inquieti; ubi acceperint, ingrati, saith the Father. Most pray, but pay not: they make prayer their refuge, but not their recompence.
Verse 17. Were there not ten cleansed?]
Christ keeps count how many favours men receive from him, and will call them to a particular account thereof. He is an austere man this way.
Verse 18. There are not found]
The Syriack, and some others … these words question-wise, and so it is more emphaticall: Are there not found that returned? &c. q. d. That's admirable, that's abhominable.
Verse 20. When the kingdom of God, &c.]
This they asked in …. q. d. You tell us oft of the kingdom of God, and that it is at hand: but when comes it once? All things continue as they did, &c.
Cometh not with observation]
That is, with outward pomp, or superstitious seeking after.
Verse 21. The kingdom of God is within you]
It is spiritual, Rom. 14. 17. Or, it is among you, but that you cannot see wood for trees. You seek me as absent, whom you reject present.
Verse 22. And he said unto his Disciples]
q. d. This doctrine concerns you also, as well as the perverse Pharisees. You shall be ere long at a great losse for me: look to it therefore and bestirre you.
Verse 24. For as the lightning]
q. d. From mine Ascention, and so forwards, you are not to look for me again till I come to judgement: and then I come on a sudden. Many devices there are in the minds of some, to think that Jesus Christ shall come from heaven again, and reign here upon earth a Thousand years. ButMr. Cotton upon the 7 Vials. they are (saith a good Divine) but the mistakes of some high expressions in Scripture, which describe the judgements powred out upon Gods enemies, in making a way to the Jewes conversion, by the pattern of the last judgement.
Verse 27. They did eate, they drank]
An elegant Asyndeton. For the reason whereof, see the Note on Matt. 24. 38.
Verse 28 They did eate, they drank]
It is not said here as vers. 27. they married wives: they affected rather those odious …, ….qui non utrinque resolvunt. The Turkish Bashaes have their …, which, are their serious loves: for their wives are usedBlounts Voyage, pag. 14. but to dresse their meat, to laundresse, and for reputation, saith one that had been amongst them. Sodomy (saith he) in the Levant is not held a vice.
Verse 29. But the same day]
A fair Sun-shine-morning had a foul dismall evening. Neseis quid serus … vehat. ThouHorat. knowest not what a great-bellyed day may bring forth, … crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum. Think every day the last day.
Verse 30. Even thus shall it be]
Security ushereth in destruction. The Judge standeth before the door, as is easie to foresee:Jam. 5. Watch therefore.
Verse 31. He which shall be on the house-top]
An hyperbolicall expression, usuall among the Jewes, to denote matter of haste.
Verse 32. Remember Lots Wife]
Who either out of curiosityVt … ab uncto …. or covetousnesse turnd her but, and she was turned. We are as hardly drawn off the world, as a Dog from a fat morsell. Those that set forth of Italy with Galeacius Marquesse of Vicum (who left all for the liberty of conscience at Geneva) many of them when they came to the borders of Italy, and considering what… of …. by Mr. …. they forsook, first looked back, afterward went back again, and were taken by the Spanish Inquisition, and made publikly to abjure the Christian religion. Remember the horrible history of … of old, and the lamentable case of Spira alate, said the LadyActs & Mon. sol 1291. Jane Gray prisoner, to Harding the Apostate. Lege historiam, (saith one) ne fias historia: lege judicia, ne fias exemplum ….
Verse 37. Where Lord?]
Or, Whither Lord, viz. shall they be taken, of whom thou speakest? To heaven, saith he. See the Note on Matt. 24. 28.
Verse 38. There the Eagles]
Those vulturine Eagles, that are said to fly two or three dayes before, to the place where armies are to meet, and carcases shall be.