Expositions Upon Matthew 1-10, Treatise · Chapter 5 · Section 12 – Section 15
Means to purity of heart.
1 Get the blood and ſpirit to purifie thy heart. As the blood of Chriſt purges the ſoul from guilt, Heb. 9.14. ſo doth the ſpirit from filth, 1 Peter 1.22. Seeing you have purified your hearts through the ſpirit, Pſalm 51.7, 9, 10.
2 Purifie your hearts from double mindedneſs, James 4.8. Cleanſe your hands ye ſinners, and purifie your hearts ye double minded. Now that is double mindedneſs, when a man thinks to graſp grace and ſin, and holds them in an equal poiſe, as the young man, Matth. 19. he would fain have held Chriſt and the inordinate love of the world together. Contrarily Nathaniel, John 1.47.
3 Content not your ſelves with outward purity. The Phariſees by an outward ſhew of purity, by making clean the out-ſide of the cup and platter, got great authority among men, Matth. 23.25. though their hearts were full of rottenneſs; and they that followed after inward purity of heart were contemned; but in oppoſition, Chriſt commends to his Diſciples inward purity. Many are pure in apparel, but few in this.
4 Nouriſh Gods fear in you, cleanſe your ſelves from all filthineſs, 2 Cor. 7.1. how ſhall we do it? Perfecting holineſs in the fear of God. Gods fear makes a man afraid to let any ſin have a quiet abode in him, Pſal. 19.9. The fear of the Lord is clean.
5 Believe the promiſes. By the belief of the promiſes we partake of the divine nature, and to eſcape the corruption of the world, 2 Pet. 1.3, 4. 2 Cor. 7.1.
6 Purity of heart is a preparative for communion with God, Pſalm 24.3. Who ſhall aſcend into the hill of the Lord? Who ſhall ſtand in his holy place? He that hath a pure heart, verſe 4.
For they ſhall ſee God] Here's the reaſon of their bleſſedneſs, for they ſhall ſee God; 1 In this life, as a pure glaſs receives the image propoſed to it, 2 Cor. 3.18. we beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord are changed into the ſame glory.
2 In the life to come. Men of pure heart are not ſeen in the world, or taken notice of, but in another world they ſhall ſee God. Now in the ſight of God is fulneſs of joy, Pſal. 16. ult. Matth. 18.10. ſetting forth the glory of Angels (he ſaith) They always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
For as the ſun is not beheld but by ſound eyes, ſo God that is a moſt pure light cannot be ſeen but by a pure heart.
For the former of theſe, the beholding God in this life is;
1 The beholding of God in the creatures, Pſal. 19.1. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament ſhowes his handy work, Rom. 1.20. The eternal power and God-head of God, are cleerly ſeen by the things that are made. God left not himſelf without witneſs whiles he gave fruitfull ſeaſons, Acts 14.17. Carnal men might oppoſe many things againſt Atheiſme, but they conſider not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, Pſal. 28.5.
2 The beholding of God in his word. By this was Chriſt ſet forth evidently crucified, Gal. 3.1. The word enlightens the eys, Pſal. 19.8. In the glaſs of the word we behold God with open face, 2 Cor. 3.18. which ſets him forth, 1 By removing all imperfections from him. 2 By aſcribing all perfections to him.
3 The beholding of God in the light of his countenance Pſal. 17.15. I ſhall behold thy face in righteouſneſs, Job 13.16. An hypocrite ſhall not come before him, that is to behold the light of his face, Pſal. 140. ult. the upright ſhall dwell in his preſence. The beholding of this is the earneſt deſire of every holy man, Pſal. 4.6, 7. If there be ſo much comfort in this when we behold it here, what will there be in future bleſſedneſs?
2 In the life to come we behold God. This beholding is an eternal fulneſs of joy, 1 Its a fulneſs of joy, Pſal. 16. ult. In his preſence is fulneſs of joy. If Solomons ſervants were bleſſed that ſtood in the preſence of Solomon, 1 Kings 10.8. and beheld his wiſdom, much more they who behold the glorious preſence of God in heaven.
2 Its eternal. If a man were to leave heaven after a thouſand years it were not happineſs, but we ſhall for ever enjoy this happineſs, 2 Cor. 4.18. 2 Cor. 5.1. 1 Theſ. 4.18. This joy conſiſts, 1 in the abſence of all evils, as 1 freedome from ſin, both original wherewith now aſſail'd, Rom. 7.15. and actual, 1 Cor. 15.55. We ſhall ſet our feet on our corruptions, as Joſhua did his feet on the necks of the Kings.
2 Freedome from temptations, eſpecially thoſe of Satan which often make the life comfortleſs.
3 From labours, Rev. 14.3. The dead in the Lord reſt from their labour. They have the reſt of an eternal ſabbath, Heb. 4.10. All things reſt when they come at their proper place; this is a maxime among men, but true of glorified perſons.
4 From ſociety of wicked men. The Egyptians whom you have ſeen you ſhall ſee them no more for ever, Exod. 15.13. ſhall then be made true, all that do iniquity ſhall be gathered out, Matth. 13.41. and turned into hell, Pſal. 9.17.
5 From all neceſſities of nature. We ſhall need no houſe to dwel in, no fire to warm us, no meat to feed us, no Phyſick to cleanſe us, for our bodies ſhall be ſpiritual, not needing any of theſe, 1 Cor. 15 43.
6 From all ſorrow and mourning, Revel. 21.4.
2 This joy conſiſteth in the enjoyment of all goods, as
1 Light Pſal. 36.9. In thy light ſhall we ſee light, darkneſs is part of the torment in hell.
2 Pleaſures, and that for evermore, Pſal. 16. ult. hence heaven is called paradice, Luke 23.43.
3 Life: of this ſhall mortality be ſwallowed up, as time is ſwallowed up of eternity, 2 Cor. 5.4. mortality ſhall be ſwallowed up of life.
4 Perfect knowledge of God. We ſhall ſee him face to face, that is plentifully and cleerly, as two men that behold one another, 1 Cor. 13.12. we ſhall then know the myſteries of the Scriptures, of Providence, of the Trinity, of the incarnation.
5 Communion. If the communion betwixt the mother and her litle ſmiling infant, betwixt husband and wife, betwixt friend and friend be ſo ſweet, which communion is not ſo appropriate to any, but that all ſaints enjoy it, as all creatures enjoy the ſun which yet is enjoyed of every individual creature.
6 Joy. The joy of the holy Ghoſt is onelyonly the earneſt hereof, Eph. 1.14. The joy of the holy Ghoſt exceeds the joyes of the world, 1 Pet. 1.8. the joy of heaven exceeds the joy of the holy Ghoſt, as the whole bargain doth the earneſt; but the joy and glory of heaven which Saints ſhall have at the laſt judgment or manifeſtation of Gods ſons, ſhall exceed what they have now; hence they grone for the adoption of their bodies, Rom. 8.23. the Saints departed till their fellowes come to them ſhall not be made perfect, Heb. 11.40. when the whole number of the faithful ſhall come together there ſhall be a new treaſure of glory broken up, 2 Theſſ. 1.10. He ſhall come to be glorified of his Saints, and to be admired of all them that believe: now their admiration muſt needs ariſe from ſome new glory they had not ſeen before: in that day heaven it ſelf ſhall be opened, there ſhall not be onelyonly a drop, the whole God-head ſhall manifeſt himſelf, there we ſhall rejoyce at this voice, I am Joſeph.
This joy is demonſtrated; 1 From the object: the beholding of God alone (though there were neither Saint nor Angel) makes us happy, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh ſhall inherit all things, How? I will be his God; he hath all things that hath him that hath all things, 1 Cor. 15.28. God ſhall be all in all, you need not in glory to ſtep to any creature.
2 The ſubject of this joy, is the general aſſembly of the firſt born whoſe names are writ in heaven. The righteous ſhall ſhine as the Sun, Matth. 13.43. ſo that as a drop of water powred into a veſſel of wine loſes both taſte and colour, and becomes wine: or as Iron put into the fire, doth after a ſort take the nature of fire; or as the air inlightned with the ſun ſeems not ſo much to be inlightned as to be light it ſelf; ſo ſhall we in the future glory be transformed that we ſhall not ſo ſeem to be glorified, as glory it ſelf.
So far as this preſent World ſurmounts that Life we lived in our Mothers Womb, ſo far doth the Life in Glory ſurmount this preſent Life. When we were in our Mothers Womb we could not have imagined that we were to come into ſuch a ſpacious World, ſo full of glorious Objects, why ſhould we then doubt of the glory of that future ſtate?
3 The propriety of this glory and joy: it's not barely the beholding of glory that makes us happy, for ſome think the Goats ſhall behold the happineſs of the Sheep at the laſt, to increaſe their miſery. Therefore all this glory ſhall be yours, John 17.22, The glory which thou gaveſt me I have given them. Epheſ: 1.19, there's a Riches of Glory in the Saints.
Uſe. For Application, let it provoke us to holineſs and purity. Heb: 12.14, Follow holineſs, without which no man ſhall ſee the Lord. Pſalm 17.15, I ſhall behold thy face in righteouſneſs, I ſhall be ſatisfied when I awake with thy likeneſs, q: d: when mine Enemies abound with earthly happineſs and delights, and leave their treaſure to their children, I ſhall be ſatisfied with the beholding of thee, I ſhall appear before thee in righteouſneſs, that is, in the righteouſneſs of my cauſe. Of which v: 1, and when I awake out of theſe preſent troubles, and at the Reſurrection, I ſhall be ſatisfied with thy likeneſs; that is, if there were neither Saint nor Angel thou wouldſt fully ſatisfie me.
Thus Paul like a ſtout Runner preſt towards the Mark of Holineſs for the Prize of Glory, as he that runs in a Race runs towards the Goal for the Prize, Phil: 3.13, 1 Cor: 9.25, 26, Where God means to beſtow Heaven he firſt beſtows heavenly qualities. If Heaven vomited out unholy Angels, or at leaſt they left it of their own accords, Jude 6, then will it not receive profane perſons. Without are Dogs, Revel: 22.15, and thereinto entereth nothing that defileth nor that worketh abomination.
2 Exhortation to holy perſons to long for this ſight of God. We ſhall ſee him not quantus, ſed qualis eſt, not according to his greatneſs but according to his glory, 1. John 3.2, We ſhall ſee him as he is. We ſhall not ſee God infinitely in himſelf, but comprehenſively, ſo far as we ſhall be able to comprehend, as Bottles caſt into the Sea cannot receive the whole Sea, but onelyonly according to their capacity. This was Job's comfort when his Reins were conſuming within him, yet that he ſhould ſee God, Job. 19.25,
If in this World we take ſuch delight in the beholding of beautiful Creatures, as Sun, Moon, Stars, Medows, Fountains, Rivers, Children, Pearls, what delight ſhall we take in the beholding of God? the beholding of whom ſhall dim all other Beauties, as the Light of the Sun doth the Light of a Candle.
But wofull will wicked men be who ſhall be ſevered from the bleſſed preſence and face of God, 2 Theſſ: 1.9, It was the aggravation of Haman's miſery that he had his face covered that he might not ſee the King, Heſter 7.8, much more wofull will the caſe of wicked men be, after they have received their Sentence, they ſhall never ſee the Kings face more.
Object. But God is inviſible, Col. 1.15, Whom no man hath ſeen, nor can ſee. 1 Tim: 6.16, John 1.18, No man hath ſeen God at any time.
Anſw. In this preſent life no man can ſee Gods face and live, Exod: 33.20, We cannot ſee God with bodily eys in this life, becauſe the act of ſeeing preſuppoſes a viſible object, but in God there is neither bodily light, colour, nor figure. Beſides, the Father never took any viſible ſhape upon him in the Old Teſtament, the Son was wont to appear by aſſuming ſome Creature upon him, and the Holy Ghoſt appeared in the ſhape of a Dove, and of fiery Tongues, but the Father ſeldom or never took any ſhape upon him. Fooliſh is that Idolatry that muſt have a viſible God. Theſe are thy gods O Iſrael, Exod: 32.4,
Object. Exod: 23.9, 10, 11, Aaron and Moſes, Nadab and Abihu, and ſeventy of the Elders went up into the Mount and ſaw the God of Iſrael, and there was under his feet a paved work of a Saphire-ſtone, and the body of Heaven, as it were, in his brightneſs. Alſo v. 11, the Nobles of Iſrael ſaw God, and did eat and drink.
Anſw. They ſaw not God in his eſſence but in a ſhadow, that is, in ſome ſenſible ſhape which God was pleaſed to chuſe, and mans frailty could bear. For that Saphire-pavement that was under his feet was meant the glorious majeſty of God which excells all the ſhining of Heaven, and the brightneſs of precious ſtones. This ſhadow or reſemblance the Nobles and Elders of Iſrael ſaw, yet upon them laid he not his hand, nor ſlew them, for they ate and drank delighting in the glorious reſemblance they ſaw: the common people did not ſee God in this ſhape for fear they ſhould make an Idol, or Image of him; but the Nobles and Elders, becauſe they were wiſe men and men fearing God they ſaw this ſhadow or ſight: this is mentioned in oppoſition to that common fear, Judges 13.22, Manoah ſaith to his Wife, We ſhall ſurely die becauſe we have ſeen God.
Object. Moſes ſaw Gods back parts, Exod: 33.18, 20, compared with 22, 23, having deſired to ſee Gods glory, v. 18,
Anſw. Moſes deſired to ſee the divine eſſence, not in it ſelf but in ſome ſhape, or figure, that ſo he ſeeing the glorious majeſty of God might declare it to the people. He heard the voice of God and he would fain ſee the form of him that ſpoke to him, (as appears by Gods anſwer, Thou canſt not ſee my face, for no man can ſee my face and live, v. 20,) but God anſwers, Thou canſt not ſee it; for this ſhining of my face though it be bodily and aſſumed, yet becauſe in ſome reſpect it ſhadows out the brightneſs of my eſſence and majeſty, hence it is ſo great that no mortal eye can behold it, but he would be dazzled and blinded with the ſhining thereof, but there's an hollow Rock in Sinah, get thee in there, and I will cover thee with a Cloud till my glorious Face paſs by, and then I will take away the Cloud that thou maiſt ſee my back parts, like the hinder part of the Train of a Prince, when he is paſt by, ſo that the light there was ſo tempered that Moſes could behold it, and was greatly refreſhed with it.
2 There's the ſight of God in the Life to come; and ſo Saints with glorified eys ſhall behold God, Job 19.26, 27, Though Worms deſtroy this Body, yet in my Fleſh ſhall I ſee God, whom mine eys ſhall behold and not a ſtranger, (or a ſtrange pair of eys) though my Reins be conſumed. Matth: 18.10, In Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven. 1 Cor: 13.12, We ſee him now through a Glaſs darkly, then face to face, apprehenſively according to our capacity, not comprehenſively according to his immenſity and greatneſs.
V. 9 Bleſſed are the peace-makers, for they ſhall be called the Children of God.
Queſt. What is meant by peace-makers?
Anſw. Not onelyonly thoſe who interpoſe or come betwixt perſons at ods, but alſo ſhew themſelves deſirous of peace; and in order thereto, have their affections compoſed to peace, themſelves having firſt obtained peace from God, Rom: 5.1, Two things, firſt the perſons pronounced bleſſed, viz. peace-makers and ſuch as earneſtly follow peace.
2 The Reaſon, For they ſhall be called the Children of God, what ever the World account them, they are moſt like to God. In this World God calls them his Children though the World ſlight them, and in the World to come they ſhall be called, that is, publickly manifeſted to be, the Children of God.
Obſ. Perſons that interpoſe to ſet others at peace, and diligently follow peace themſelves are bleſſed perſons.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe this peaceable diſpoſition whereby we are thus peaceably affected, flows from that peace perſons have inwardly in their own hearts; for as you ſee impure ſpirits are very unpeaceable, as devils and wicked men, Rom: 3.17, ſo holy men are very peaceable, as being the fruit of Chriſt's atonement, Epheſ, 2.13, Glory be to God on high, on earth peace, good will towards men, Luke 2.14, q: d: This was one fruit of Chriſt's Death, to ſtabliſh peace among men.
2 Becauſe peace-makers are little accepted among men, for thoſe who undertake the Task of making peace ſometimes they provoke one ſide, Exod: 2.13, Moſes reproving the Iſraelite that wronged his fellow, preſently that perſon ſhews his ſpleen, Who made thee a Judg over us? Wilt thou kill me as thou didſt the Egyptian? Sometimes peacemakers provoke both ſides, that both ſides have ſuch perſons, hence many will not take upon them that office being ſo thankleſs: Chriſt therefore pronounces ſuch perſons bleſſed, and therefore would have us to go on in this duty.
Cautions.
We are not to make ſinfull agreements or peace-makings, Nehem: 5.6, 7, 8, as Jehu to Jehoram, What peace ſo long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel are many? 1 Kings 9.22, Who will ſtand up with me againſt the evil doers? Who will take my part againſt the workers of iniquity? Pſalm 94.16, 2 The endeavours of Chriſtians will not always take effect to obtain peace, Pſalm 120.5, 6, 7, Matth: 10.34,
Uſe. Exhortion, 1. To peace-making, 2 To peace.
Follow peace-making, and to put an end to Diviſions betwixt man and man; famous was Abraham who ſet all the Herdſmen at one, by proffering to take the left hand or right, Gen: 13.8,
Means to peace-making.
1 By Exhortations breed in perſons an eager deſire after peace, 1 By letting them ſee the miſchief of ſtrife, Prov: 17.14, The beginning of ſtrife is as when one lets out Water, therefore leave off ſtrife before it be meddled with. A ſimilitude from thoſe who digging away the dam or bank of a River, the Waters flow out on every ſide, ſo that there is no way either to call back them that are gone out, or keep in thoſe that yet are not gone out. See it in Abimelech and the men of Sechem, who falling at odds they deſtroyed one another, Judges 9.23, If ye bite and devour one another, as ſo many Dogs, take heed ye be not deſtroyed one of another, Gal: 5.15, See the wofull end of ſtrife, James 3.16, There's confuſion and every evil work. Knoweſt thou not that it will be bitterneſs in the end?
2 It's honorable to be at peace, Prov: 20.3, It's an honor to a man to ceaſe from ſtrife. 1 Sam, 10.27, It was Saul's honor when children of Belial deſpiſed him and brought him no preſents that he held his peace. As one ſaid to Luther, Vince animos irámque tuam qui caetera vincis.
2 For all Societies and Cities to chuſe prudent holy men to make peace betwixt man and man. Then would Courts of Juſtice have little to do: whereto if there were the authority of a Prince to interpoſe to cauſe perſons to ſtand to juſt arbitrations it will be of the more force, and this practiſe well becomes Magiſtrates in Cities, Elders in Churches. 1 Cor: 6.6, 7,
3 Make Propoſitions that may meet in the midſt, that neither party may have their whole deſire in litigious caſes, with this Exception that it be not in matters of Religion: here we can abate nothing, we cannot bend the faith to politick ends. This was Jeroboam's wickedneſs, who altered the time and place of worſhip to accommodate his ſubjects.
2 Exhortation to peace. As we ſhould make peace among perſons at difference, ſo ſhould we, as much as in us lies, be at peace with all men, Rom. 12.18. The Apoſtle is full of exhortations herein, 1 Cor. 1.10. 2 Cor. 13.11. Col. 3.17. We are called to peace; God calls to it, who then calls to contention ſave Satan?
Means to peace.
1 Mortifie your luſts, James 4.1. Whence come wars, come they not of your luſts? The ſea would be calm were it not for ſtrong windes, ſo would your hearts were it not for your luſts; now the ſins to be mortified are, 1 pride, Prov. 13.10. 2 tale-bearing, Prov. 26.20, 21. 3 unrighteouſneſs, Prov. 15.27. 4 provoking ſpeeches, Gal. 5.26. 5 immoderate meditation of wrongs we have ſuffered. 6 hatred, Prov. 10.12. 7 forcing of wrath, Prov. 30.33. 8 Let every one do his duty in that kinde of life to which God hath called him, let him not lift up himſelf above others, nor reprehend the works of others and praiſe his own as better, but let one ſerve another by love. Luth. Tom. 4.167. 9 Practice Chriſtian moderation in remitting of your right for peace ſake, Phil. 4.4. the word is epieikeia, which ſignifies a yielding of our right.
2 Study peace, 1 Theſ. 4.11. The Apoſtle bids the Theſſalonians to ſtudy to be quiet. We ſtudy books, arts, ſciences, but this is an excellent ſtudy. Sit down and think this man and I are at ods, how ſhould I make up the matter? This is the purſuing of peace, Pſal. 34.14. Seek peace and purſue it.
3 Practice Chriſtian kindneſs, as giving, lending, &c. One end why God gives us the things of this life, is that we may maintain peace with them. Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts, Prov. 19.6. Jacob took off a malice of twenty years ſtanding by a gift. Gifts are compared to precious ſtones, Prov. 17.8. ſo that as perſons that wear precious ſtones do oft delight to look upon them, ſo do ſuch perſons look upon gifts. Alſo mutual entertainments, mutual viſitings, mutual counſellings and comfortings.
4 Where you are damnified put up ſmall wrongs, Mat. 17.26, 27. though Chriſt were free from paying tribute, yet that he might not offend, he bids Peter pay a piece of money for tribute.
Where you have damnified others, give ſatisfaction for the leaſt wrong, Jacob, Gen. 31.39. for peace ſake gave ſatisfaction to Laban for that which was torn of beaſts, or ſtoln by day and night.
5 In caſe of offence with any man, proffer reconciliation both in your ſpeeches and cariages. Imitate the Lord, who, though the perſon offended, yet ſought to us, 2 Cor. 5.19. As when an houſe is on fire every man brings water to quench it, ſo let us meet one another in the midſt to quench the fire of contention, Luke 12.58. Agree with thine adverſary whiles thou art in the way with him.
6 Beware of ſtigmatizing one another with nick names; take heed leſt ye put off the name of Chriſt from thoſe that have put on Chriſt, Gal 3.28. by calling them Puritans, Sectaries, Anabaptiſts. If every natural body no leſs deſire its own unity then its being, why ſhould not the myſtical body in like manner?
7 Get the peace of Chriſt to rule in your hearts, Col. 3.17. Creatures of a meek and peaceable nature, though you uſe them never ſo harſhly, yet are they peaceable, becauſe they have principles of meekneſs and patience in them, whereas creatures of fierce natures, as Lions and Wolves, though you uſe them never ſo gently yet will they be fierce, becauſe they have ſuch principles: ſo wicked men have not known the way of peace, Rom. 3.17. but godly men uſually are of peaceable ſpirits, becauſe the peace of God rules in their hearts.