Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 3 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Verse 2. Which had been healed]
EXodus 31. After sicknesse, they were to offer to God the ransome of their lives. Hezekiah testified his thankfulnesse for recovery, by a song: these good women, by following Christ; when they might have staied at home with more ease to themselves; and more thank of their friends. Nay, very Heathens after a fit of sicknesse, would consecrate something to their gods.
Verse 3. Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herods steward]
Or Treasurer, as the Arabick calleth him: his Vicar-Generall, or Protetrach. This Court-Lady followeth Christ: so did Serena the Empresse, who was therefore Martyred by her husband Diocletian. So Elizabeth Luth, in Epist. ad Jo. Agricol.Queen of Denmark; of whom Luther testifieth, that she died a faithfull professour of the Reformed Religion: and addeth, Scilicet Christus etiam aliquando voluit Reginam in coelum vehere. Christ would once save a Queen; which he doth not often.
Verse 4. And when much people, &c.]
See the Notes on …. 13. 2, 3, &c.
Verse 12. Taketh away the word]
Least, if it should lie longJam. 1. 21. upon their hard hearts, it should break through them with its weight, as being able to save their souls.
Verse 14. Go forth, &c.]
Viz. About their worldly businesses; which as the lean kine in Pharaohs dreame, devour the fat, and it is nothing seen by them. After a while, they remember no more then the man in the Moon doth, what they had heard delivered.
Verse 15. In an honest]
Referred to the end, and intent in the action.
And good heart]
In respect of inward renewed qualities.
Having heard the word, keep it]
As food or physick, which if not kept, profiteth not. They incorporate it into their souls, so as it becomes an ingrafted word; they are transformed into the same image, conformed to the heavenly patterne.
With patience]
Or, with tarriance for the fit season: Not asforeign. that rath-ripe fruit, vers. 13. and Psal. 129.
Verse 16. No man when he hath lighted, &c.]
q. d. Though to you it is given to know Mysteries, &c. as verse 10. yet not for your owne use onelyonly, but that your light may shine before men.
Verse 18. Take heed therefore how ye hear]
For else ye shall neither bear good fruits, nor be born with for your barrennesse. All shall out, and you shall smart for it.
Verse 25. Where is your faith?]
It is not the having faith, but the living by it, the actuating of it, that helps us in an exigence.
Verse 27. A certain man which had devils]
All Pharaohs cruelty exercised over the Israelites, was nothing to this. Oh thenChrysost. the unexpressible torments of the damned! Utinam ubique de Gehenna dissereretur! saith a Father. I could wish men would discourse much and oft of hell.
Verse 29. And was driven of the devill]
As a horse is by hisforeign. rider (so the word signifieth) or a ship with oares. All wicked men are acted and agitated by the devill, Eph. 2. 2. Persecutors especially.Bern. Quod si videris aliquando persecutorem tuum nimis saevientem, scito quia ab ascensore suo Diabolo perurgetur. If Persecutors sometimes be more moderate, it is because the devill spurs not so hard.
Verse 30. And he said, Legion]
We must be ready and well appointed to resist: for the devil sets upon us not without military discipline, and singular skill, Cataphractus incedit Satan, saith Luther. The devill marcheth well armed and in good array.
Verse 33. And the herd ran violently]
So would the possessed man soon have done, but that God preserved him.
Verse 35. Sitting at the feet of Jesus]
As fearing, least if he departed, he should be repossessed. So we see its an old error and weaknesse for men to be too strongly conceited of Christs corporeall presence.