Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture, Scripture 38

Paraphrase of the Hard Texts of Scripture · Scripture 38

p. 69THE GOSPELL OF S^t LVKE.

CAP. I.

I Was moved by the instinct and direction of the holy spirit,3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of things, from the very first to write unto thee in order. having had full and infallible notice of all things, which were done from the very first intimation of the conception of Christ, till now, to digest and set them downe in due order, &c.

Whereas King David had long since (for the avoyding of confusion in the holy services of the Temple) sorted all the Priestly tribe into foure and twentie rankes;5 A certain Priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. and had by lot designed to them the severall courses of their ministration; Zachariah the Priest, was one of the successors of Abia in his division, up on whom the eighth course fell; and as his time came, ministred accordingly; and his wife was also of the same holy tribe.6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse.

And they were both holy and conscionable persons, sincere and upright in their carriage before God and men; walking inoffensively in the wayes of Gods law.

As there were diverse severall imployments in the offices of the Priests, in their courses;9 According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense when hee went into the Temple of the Lord. the lot of Zachariah was now to burne incense in the Temple, upon the Altar, which was set for that purpose in the outer roome or Tabernacle thereof.

p. 7010 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.And the multitude, as not being allowed to come under the roofe of the Temple, stood in the outer court (whence they might see the holy actions performed within by the Priests) praying all the time that the incense was offered, that so the incense of their devotions might answer to the sweet savour of that materiall incense, which ascended up (in their sight) towards heaven.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drinke neither wine nor strong drinke, and he shall be filled with …he holy Ghost, even from his mothers wombe.For hee shall not onelyonly be great in the reputation of his holinesse with men, but in the acceptation and favour of God; and hee shall in a Nazaritish austerity, be consecrated to God; not drinking wine, nor strong drinke; but be sadly devoted to the holy service of God; and shall be filled with the holy Ghost, even from his birth.

18 And Zacharias said unto the Angel, whereby shall I know this; for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in yeares.It is a strange and unlikely message that thou deliverest unto mee: What signe dost thou give mee whereby I may be assured of it? for sure, in course of nature this cannot be; I am an old man, and my wife is stricken in yeares; wee are therefore both unapt to beget, or to beare a sonne.

20 And behold thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speak, untill the day that these things shall be performed, because thou beleevest not my words.Since thou desirest a signe; behold, thou shalt feele, and finde this manifest signe in thy selfe; that very tongue that desireth it, shall be tyed up; thou shalt be dumbe, and not able to speake from this houre, till the birth of that sonne of thine; because thou beleevest not my words, &c.

22 For he beckoned unto them, and remained speechlesse.He made signes unto them of his owne speechlesnesse, and of that heavenly vision, which hee had seene, so as all the people, with much wonder apprehended this extraordinary worke of God in Zacharias.

24 And hid her selfe five moneths, saying.Out of an holy bashfulnesse at this strange worke of God, and at the wonderment of her neighbours; shee kept close for five moneths.

25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the daies wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproch among men.Thus marvelously hath the Lord dealt with mee beyond all hopes, in this conception of mine, whereby hee hath taken away from mee the reproch of barrennesse.

Then said Mary to the Angell, as partly wondring at the speech,34 Then said Mary to the Angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man. and partly inquiring into the manner of the performance of so strange a worke; Thou hast told mee a great and marvellous thing, that I shall now instantly conceive the Messiah, the sonne of the living God; but tell mee how this shall be effected: How shall I that am a weake vessell of flesh, conceive him that is the sonne of God? or how shall I who am a virgin, being onelyonly espoused to an husband, not yet therefore capable of the knowledge of a man; how shall I in this condicion become the mother of such a sonne?

35 And the Angel answered and said unto her, the holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing, which, shall be borne of thee, shall be called the Son of God.Be not thou curious to inquire into the manner, how p. 71this worke shall bee effected; For the spirit of God, the infinite and essentiall power of the highest, shall no lesse secretly then wonderfully worke this blessed conception in thee; of thy substance (by him sanctified) framing that sacred body, which the sonne of God shall assume to himselfe.

And this is the sixt monethmonth of the conception of her,36 And this is the sixt monethmonth with her who was called barren. that was ever formerly reputed barren.

For with God (howsoever things may seeme to weake and ignorant mortals) nothing is impossible;37 For with God nothing shall be unpossible. the conception of aged Elizabeth, the conception of a pure virgin, without the touch of man, are easily faisible to his omnipotence.

Behold Lord, I have beene taught from thy Prophets,38 Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unme according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. that a virgin shall conceive, and be the mother of him that is Immanuel, God with us. If I (howsoever unworthy) be designed by thee to this wonderfull honour, I do blesse thy name for this great mercy, and do gladly yeeld my selfe over to thy holy will, and pleasure. Let this gratious worke of thine be accordingly wrought in mee.

And Mary arose, in those dayes,39 And Mary arose in those dayes, and went into the hill countrie with haste into a citie of Iuda. and partly for the further confirmation of her faith, by the sight of that, which was affirmed by the Angel concerning her cosen Elizabeth, and partly for mutuall congratulation of these great workes of God; went up from Nazareth to the hill-countrie of Juda, to visit Elizabeth.

The babe by the extraordinary,41, 42. The babe leaped in her wombe, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost, and she spake out with aloud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy wombe. and powerfull motion of the Spirit of God, leaped in the wombe of his mother; as in a miraculous presention of the Deiti… of that Saviour, whose fore-runner hee should be into the world; And Elizabeth was suddenly inspired with a Propheticall power; end by the instinct, and vertue thereof, said,

All the powers of my will and affections agree together in magnifying the goodnesse of the Lord towards mee;46, 47, And Mary said, My soule doth magnifie the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour. And the facultie of my understanding, (in the apprehension of this great mercy of God) stirres up all the rest to praise and glorifie him.

Hee hath approved his almighty power in this supernaturall worke, which he hath wrought in mee: he hath,51 Hee hath shewed strength with his arme, he scattered the proud in the imaginatiō of their hearts. according to his gratious wont, chosen so poore and humble a creature (as my selfe) to exalt to this marvailous honour; whereas those that are high in their owne conceits, hee hath confounded, and disregarded.

So also verse 52.

p. 7261 And they said unto her, there is none of thy kinred that is called by this name.Thou knowest it is the usuall manner to call the children by the names of some of the ancestors, or neare kinred of the familie; Why wilt thou alter the custome? what reason hast thou, since none of thy kinsfolke is so called, to appoint this name to be given to thy sonne?

63 And hee asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, his name is Iohn: and they marveiled all.And he made signes to them againe, that they should bring him a writing table; and therein he wrote, His name is John.

69 And hath raised up an home of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David.See Psal. 132.17.

78 Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us.Through the bowels of the tender compassion of our God towards mankinde, out of which hee hath sent his son, (as the morning sunne rising from the East) to visit his people, by his gratious presence with them.

79 To give light to them that sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.To give true light of knowledge, and comfort, to those, who are naturally overwhelmed with the darkenesse of ignorance, and aversenesse from God; and thereby in danger of everlasting death, and to set us in the true way of rest and eternall happinesse.

80 And was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.And lived obscurely in the desert, untill it pleased God to call him forth for the discharge of that his publique function, in teaching and baptizing his people.

CAP. II.

1 And it came to passe in those dayes, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.ANd it came to passe when John was borne, that there went out a publick edict from Augustus Cesar the Roman Emperour, that all the nations which were under the Roman dition, and jurisdiction, should assemble in those cities, whereto their tribes and families appertained, and there be inrolled, as well, for the number of their persons, as for the rate of their tribute, and taxation, which they were to pay unto the Roman State.

So verse 3.

2 And this taxing was first made, when Cyrenius was governour of Syria.And this universall taxing was first made, when Cyrenius was gouernour of Syria, to which Judea pertained as a province; which being of a levie of money to be paid to Rome, was more proper for him to meddle with, then for Herod the Tributary king of Judea.

7 And she brought forth her first borne sonne, and wrapped him in swadling cloathes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no roome in the Inne.And she brought forth her onelyonly sonne, and wrapped him in swadling cloathes, and laid him in a manger, because p. 73the meanenesse of her husband Joseph, and the concurse of people was so great, that no place could be obtained for their lodging in the Inne.

And as the place of Christs birth was poore and homely, so were the persons to whom it was first manifested,9 And lo, the Angell of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. being but poore sheepheards: yet there was not more meanenesse in them to whom this wonder was first revealed, then there was glory in the revealer; for loe, the Angell of the Lord came upon them, and with a glorious brightnesse shone round about them, &c.

Neither did God content himselfe with the testimony of one Angell alone,13 And suddenly there was with the Angell a multitude of the heavenly hoste praising God, and saying, but together with that one heavenly messenger, there was a whole host of blessed spirits, praising God, and saying,

Now upon the birth of the Saviour of the world, let all praise and glory be given to God in the highest heaven;14 Glory to God in the highest, & on earth peace good will towards men. let there be an happy peace & reconciliation of man to God; let there a mercifull acceptation, and respect of God to man: Yea Lord, glorious is the praise of thy mercy; firme and comfortable is the peace of thy redeemed, unspeakeably gracious is thy good will towards men.

And when the fortieth day was come,22 And when the dayes of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Ierusalem to present him to the Lord. which in the law was appointed for the purification of the woman, after her child-birth; Joseph and Mary (besides the errand of that due ceremony) brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord in his Temple.

Which they did out of a carefull respect to the law of the Lord;23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the wombe shall be called holy to the Lord. requiring that every first borne male should be consecrated to God in memory of his preservation of the first borne of Israel in Egypt, when the eldest of every Egyptian familie was stricken by the hand of God.

Waiting long for the comming of the Messiah which should be for the comfort and salvation of Israel,25 Waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy Ghost was upon him. and he was by the holy Ghost indued with the gift of Prophesie.

And it was revealed to him by the same spirit of God,26 And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death before hee had seene the Lords Christ. that though he were very aged, and looked long for his dissolution, yet that hee should not die till he had with those his bodily eyes seene the Messiah, the Lord of life and glory.

And by the direction and conduct of the same holy Spirit, hee came into the Temple at the very time,27 And he came by the Spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the child Iesus. when the parents of Jesus brought him thither &c.

O Lord, how long have I longed for this day;29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. my life had beene tedious unto mee, if it had not beene for the hope of this sight; and now, that mine eyes are blessed with the sight of my Saviour; now thou givest mee a sweet and joyfull passage, out of this transitory life; thou p. 74hast made good thy promise to me, and now make good thy salvation.

34 Behold this child is set for the fall, and rising againe of many in Israel: and for a signe which shall bee spoken against.Thinke not that nothing shall follow upon the birth of this divine child, but wellfare and glory, and advancement to all men; and especially to Israel; but know, that as hee shall worke the happinesse of many, so hee shall be the occasion of the fall of many also; yea as his mercy shall save those that are the true sonnes of Israel, so his justice shall reject and condemne the wicked, and unbeleevers; Neither looke that hee shall be applauded of all;34, 35. Yea a sword shall peirce thorow thy owne soule (also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. yea, rather, he shall be as a common marke, whereat the arrowes of contumelie, and reproch shall be generally shot, through the world; and his name and religion shall be sure to receive opposition, and contradiction, every where; and thereby men shall be tried, and occasion shall bee given them, to shew either the truth, or falsehood of their hearts, towards his name and profession.

And thou, O blessed virgin, howsoever thou shalt finde just cause of unspeakeable joy in such a Sonne, yet thou shalt not bee without many sorrowes, and heart-breakings for those things which shall befall him; and those great indignities, and hard measures which shall bee offered unto him.

36, 37. And had lived with an husband seven yeares from her virginity, And shee was a widdow of about fourescore and foure yeares, which departed not from the Temple, but served God, with fastings and prayers, night, and day.After the time of her virginity, shee had lived seven yeares in wedlocke with her husband, and had from the decease of her husband, continued a widdow for the space of about fourescore and foure yeares; and shee spent her time, most-what, in her devotions, and attendance upon Gods publique services in the Temple; giving herselfe to religious and pious exercises, of fasting, and prayer, continually, upon all occasions.

38 And spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Ierusalem.And spake of him, to all them which looked for the comming of the Messiah, for the redemption of Israel.

And Jesus, the Sonne of God, who had taken upon him the condition of our humanity, did accordingly subject himselfe to the infirmities,40 And the child grew & waxed strong in Spirit, filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was upon him. and growthes thereof; as therefore hee would grow in stature of body, so also in respect of his humane soule, he grew, and increased in the qualities, and graces thereof, in wisedome, and knowledge; so as, according to the proportion of his age, the free gifts of the Spirit were augmented in, & upon him.

49 Wist yee not that I must bee about my Fathers businesse?Did ye not know, and consider, that howsoever I am ready to give all due respects to thee, as my mother, according to the flesh, and to Joseph, as my reputed father, yet that I have another Father (even the great and p. 75glorious God of heaven) whose businesse I must goe about; and if in comparison of his services, I doe seeme to neglect you, it is not for you to thinke much of it.

See vers. 40.52 And Iesus increased in wisedome, & stature, & favour with God and man.

CAP. III.

VnderUnder the high-priesthood both of Annas the father in law to Caiphas, and of Caiphas,2 Annas and Caiphas being the high Priest, the word of God came unto Iohn the Sonne of Zacharias in the wildernesse. sonne in law to Annas, ruling successively; so as John preached in the severall yeares wherein they succeeded in government to each other.

See Isay. 40.3,4 The voice of one crying in the wildernesse, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his pathes straight. 4.5 Every valley shall be filled, and every, &c.

See Matth. 3.7▪7 Oh generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

See Matth. 3.8,8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within your selves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of, &c. 9.

See Matt. 3.10.9 And now also the axe is laid unto the roote of the trees: every tree therefore, &c.

Bee yee so charitably affected,11 Hee that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none: and he that hath meate, let him do likewise. as that yee can be well contented to part with whatsoever is superfluous to you, for the reliefe of the necessity of those that want.

Doe not grate on the subject, in exacting more tribute,13 Exact no more than that which is appointed you. and larger fees than the law hath appointed for you.

p. 7616 I indeed baptise you with water, but one mightier than I commeth, the latchet of whose &c.See Matth. 3.11.

17 Whose fanne is in his hand, and he will thorowly purge his floore, and will gather the wheate, &c.See Matth. 3.12.

22 And the holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, &c.See Matth. 3.16.

23. And Iesus himselfe began to bee about thirtie yeares of age, being (as was supposed) the sonne of Ioseph.And Jesus himselfe was now entring into the thirtieth yeare of his age; being (as was supposed) the sonne of Joseph, but indeed the Sonne of the onelyonly true God, who gave flesh unto him by the miraculous power of his Spirit, of the substance of the virgin Mary; which Mary was the espoused wife of Joseph; and her naturall father was Heli, the father in law to Joseph; which Heli was the naturall sonne of Matthat, &c.

CAP. IIII.

1 And was led by the spirit into the wildernesse.See Matth. 4.1.

4 It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.See Matth. 4.4.

And Jesus who in all his motions, and actions was directed,14 And Iesus returned in the power of the Sp… rit into Galilee, and there went out a fame of him, &c. and led by the holy Spirit; returned by the power of the same Spirit into Galilee, after his baptisme.

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, &c.See Esay. 61.1.

23 And hee said unto them; yee will surely say unto mee this proverbe: Physician heale thy selfe: whatsoever wee have heard done in Capernaum: doe also here in thy country.Yee are ready to take up this proverbe against mee; Physician heale thy selfe: Sir, begin with your owne, ere you looke to the winning of others with your miracles; you have done wonders in Capernaum, why doe yee not gratifie your owne country rather with your miraculous workes?

20 But hee passing thorow the middest of them, went his way.But he by his divine power restraining their violence, and delivering himselfe from their hands, went away from them.

p. 77CAP. V.

OH Lord,8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell downe at Iesus knees, saying; depart from me, for I am a sinfull man, (O Lord) I am not worthy to have the honour of thy presence in this ship of mine; for I am a sinfull man, and therefore depart thou away from me.

See Matth. 4.19.10 From henceforth thou shalt catch men.

See Matth. 9.6.24 But that yee may know the Son of man hath power, &c.

See Matth. 9.9.27 Sitting at the receit of custome.

See Matth. 9.13.32 I came not to call the righteous, &c.

See Matth. 9.15.34 Can yee make the children of the bridechamber fast whiles the Bridegroome is with them?

See Matth. 9.16,36 No man putteth a peece of a new garment upon an old, &c. 17.37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottels, &c.

CAP. VI.

Surely, the very not doing of good, when we may,9 Is it lawfull on the Sabbath daies to do good, or to do evill, to save life? &c. is evill; to forbeare the giving cure to this distressed man, would come justly under this taxation. Tell mee therefore, whether is it lawfull to doe good on the Sabbath day by healing this man, or evill by refusing to heale him, &c.

See Matth. 5.3.20 Blessed are ye poore, for yours is the kingdome of heaven.

Woe bee to you that pamper your selves;25 Woe bee unto you that are full, for yee shall hunger: wo unto you that laugh now, for yee shall mourne and weepe. with plenty of all earthly delicates; feasting your selves without feare; for the time shall come wherein ye shall bee held short of all worldly comforts; and bee pinched with extremity of want.

See Matth. 5.39.29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheeke, offer also the other, and him, &c.

p. 7837 Iudge not, and yee shall not be judged: condemne not, and yee shall not be condemned, &c.See Matth. 7.1.

CAP. VII.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under mee souldiers, &c.See Matth. 8.9, 10.9 I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel.

20 Art thou he, or shall we looke for another?See Matth. 11.2.3.

24 What went yee into the wildernesse for to see, a reed shaken with the winde?See Matth. 11.7, 8.25 But what went yee out for to see, &c.?

28 Among those that are borne of women, there is not a greater Prophet than, &c.See Matth. 11.11.

31 Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?See Matth. 11.16, 17,32 They are like unto children sitting in, &c. 18,33 For Iohn the Baptist came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine, and yee say he hath, &c. 19.34 The Sonne of man is come eating and drinking, and yee say, beh ld a gluttonous man, and a wine, &c.35 But wisedome is justified of all her children.

37 And behold, a woman in the City, which was a sinner.And behold, a woman in the City, who was noted for an infamous offender, hearing, &c.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, her sinnes which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.She findes that her sinnes are many, and that those her many sinnes are (upon her repentance) forgiven to her; and in the sense of that mercy from me her Saviour, shee loveth much.

50 Thy faith hath saved thee, goe in peace.That faith of thine, which hath moved thee to p. 79have recourse unto me for mercy and forgivenesse, hath delivered thee from the danger of all thy sinnes, and put thee into the state of salvation. Goe now away in the peace of a good conscience, and bee comforted in God, who hath remitted thee.

CAP. VIII.

MAry, called Magdalene,2 Mary, called Magdalen, out of whom went seven devills. who had beene possessed with many devills, which were ejected by his power.

And other faithfull Matrons,3 And many others which ministred unto him of their substance. who in a thankefull acknowlegement of Christs mercy to them, (according to the usuall manner of those countries) attended him in his journy; and being wealthy ministred to him of their substance.

See Matth. 5.15.16 No man when hee hath lig…ted a candle, covereth it with a vessell, or putteth it under a bed, but &c.

See Matth. 10.26.17 Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid &c

See Matth. 12.49, 50.21 My mother and my brethren are these which heare the word of God.

What speakest thou of a meere bodily touch?46 And Iesus said, some body hath touched me, for I perceive that vertue is gone out of me. I know many doe thus touch me without any sensible effect; but now I feele a touch of faith, which hath so wrought upon me, as to fetch vertue from me.

See Matth. 9.24.52 He said, weepe not, shee is not dead, but sleepeth.

CAP. IX.

See Matth. 10.14.5 Shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

See Matth. 16.28.27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdome of God.

p. 8033 Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three Tabernacles, &c.See Matth. 17.4.

41 O faithlesse and perverse generation! how long shall I be with you, and suffer you, &c?See Matth. 17.17.

50 For, hee that is not against us, is with us.See Marke 9.39.

51 When the time was come that hee should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to goe to Ierusalem.When the time of his suffering drew neare, hee put on firme resolutions (notwithstanding all the malice and practices of his enemies) to goe up to Jerusalem.

And they of that Samaritan village (professing to beare a great hatred to the Jewes) refused to lodge him and his;53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though hee would goe to Ierusalem. because they saw great reason to thinke they were Jewes, and that their errand was to goe up to Jerusalem.

55 But hee turned, and rebuked them, and said; yee know not what manner spirit ye are of.Yee doe not well consider whence this so uncharitable motion comes; from what temper, from what spirit; surely not from the spirit of meekenesse, which would best become you; but from a fiery and furious spirit of rash and mis-governed zeale, which transporteth you.

58 Foxes have holes, and birds of the aire have nests, but the sonne of man. &c.See Matth. 8.20.

60 Let the dead bury their dead: but goe thou and preach the kingdome of God.See Matth. 8.22.

If thou doe once put thy hand to this husbandry of God,62 No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking backe, is fit for the kingdome of God. it is not for thee to cast backe thy thoughts upon the world; for whosoever shall so doe, makes & shewes himself unfit for this spirituall imploymēt in my Church.

CAP. X.

1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two an… two before his face, into every city and place whither he himselfe would come.AFter these things were done, and that Jesus was returned from Galilee to Judea, hee appointed (besides the twelve which had together with himselfe preached the Gospell in Galilee) seaventie Disciples also; and sent them two and two, before him, into every citie of Judea, whither he would come after them.

2 The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few, &c.See Matth. 9.37.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor, &c.See Matth. 10.10.

p. 81See Matth. 10.11.7 And in the same house remaine eating and drinking such things, as, &c.

See Matth. 10.14.11 Even the very dust of your citie which cleaveth on us, wee doe wipe, &c.

See Matth. 11.21.13 For if the mightie workes had beene done in Tyre and Sydon, which have, &c.

See Matth. 11.23.15 And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust downe to hell.

He said unto them,18 And hee said unto them, I beheld satan, as lightning, fall from heaven. I saw the power of satan sensibly abated, and suddenly dejected by this your preaching of the Gospell; even as when hee first fell downe from heaven, and was suddenly cast downe to hell.

Behold,19 Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemi… and nothing shall by any meanes hurt you. I give you power over all whatsoever creatures are in their nature hurtfull unto men, whether by their poyson, or by their teeth, or sting; and over whatsoever the malice of devils might use to your harme and offence, so as nothing that men, or noysome creatures, or devils can do unto you shall be able to hurt you.

Yet,20 Notwithstanding in this rejoyce not, that the spirits are subject unto you: but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. be not you puffed up with this wonderfull priviledge; neither thinke that you have so much cause to rejoice in this powerfull command over the uncleane spirits, as in this great mercy of God towards you, that … hath from eternitie ordained you to everlasting life.

See Matth. 11.25.21 I thanke thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou, &c.

But he willing to have taken occasion hereby to brag of his owne answerablenesse to the law of God,29 But hee willing to justifie himselfe, said unto Iesus, And who is my neighbour? in that hee had beene kinde and loving to his neighbours that dwelt by him; said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

The one was a Priest, and therefore by his very place,36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him, that fell among the theeves? professing examples of holinesse and charity; the other was a Levite, of the same holy Tribe, consecrated to the seruice of God; and both of these were Jewes; and therefore native country-men to this wounded traveller; yet they passed by him without regard; The Samaritan was a stranger in blood, and in religion faulty and opposite; an enemie in profession; yet in his compassion, did charitable offices to the releefe of this distressed man; tell me now, thou which art wont to measure neighbourhood by vicinity of place, which of these three was neighbour to the man which fell among the theeves?

p. 8238 Now it came to passe as they went, that hee entred into a certaine village: and a certaine woman named Martha received him into her house.He entered into the village of Bethanie, to the house of Lazarus, and Martha, and Mary his sisters; and Martha, as the elder sister, and the busier huswife, intertained him and his followers in her house.

But Martha, as being very busily intentive upon the provision for him,40 But Martha was cumbred about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that shee helpe me. and his familie, and finding the worke too laboursome to lie upon her hands alone, came to Jesus, and said; Lord, it is for thy sake, that I gladly take this paines; and should not grudge it, and more unto thee, were I but able to compasse it; but thou seest I want helpe whiles my sister sits here, still hearing that good counsell from thee, which some other time might be more seasonable, let it please thee therefore to command her to give me her aide for this necessary service.

41 And Iesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art carefull and troubled about many things.And Jesus answered, and said; Martha, Martha, I do well see thou art lovingly carefull to give us all kinde, and liberall intertainment, and therefore bestirrest thy selfe about many businesses, which thou findest requisite to the making of that good cheer, which thou providest.

41 But one thing is needfull, and Mary hath chosen that good part.But when thou hast all done, these bodily provisions, and intertainments, are but matters of the bye; outward complements and ceremonies of kindnesse; it is the good of the soule, which is the maine matter that is to be regarded; I must tell thee therefore, though I must thankfully acknowledge thy friendly respects to me, in this labour of thine, yet I cannot but more commend thy sisters diligent, and holy attention to this heavenly doctrine which hath beene delivered to her; she hath done that which is both more pleasing to mee, and more profitable and happy for her selfe, in laying up those instructions, and comforts, which shall sticke by her soule for ever.

CAP. XI.

3 Give us day by day our dayly bread.GIve us that provision of maintenance for this present life which may be fit and requisite for it; and be pleased to proportion thy gifts to our necessities; we doe not distrustfully cast forward, and crave the supply of a large store for the time to come; but wee begge of thee a sufficiencie for the present day, desiring to depend ever upon thy gratious providence, for the daily renuing of our competent provisions.

4 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evill.Do thou not give us over into the hands of Satan, our spirituall enemie, to tempt us, for wee know our owne p. 83weakenesse and disabilitie to resist him, and whensoever it shall please thee, for our triall, and thy glory, to give way to that tempter to assault us, give us the issue, together with the temptation: shew thy selfe strong in our weaknesse, and let not that evill one prevaile against us.

See Matth. 12.24.15 He casteth out devils through Belzebub the chiefe of the devils.

See Matth. 12.26.18 If Satan also be divided against himselfe, how shall, &c?

See Matth. 12.27.20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, &c.

See Matth. 12.43. &c.24 When the uncleane spirit is gone out of a man, &c.25 And when hee commeth hee findes it swept, and garnished, &c.

It is indeed a great honour and happinesse to her,28 But hee said, yea rather blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it. that is my mother, according to the flesh, that she should be chosen out of all women-kinde, to beare and nourish the Lord of life: yet her chiefe happinesse consisteth not in this, but rather in that her right and interest, which shee hath in me by her faith; this is that happinesse wherein all ye my faithfull disciples may also communicate with her; Blessed are they that heare the word of God, and do carefully and conscionably retaine, observe, and practise it.

See Matth. 12.39.29 This is an evill generation, they sek… a signe, and there shall no signe be given, &c.

See Matth. 12.40.30 For as Ionas was a signe &c.

See Matth. 12.42.31 The Queene of the South shall rise up in the judgeme…t with, &c.

See Matth. 5.15.33 No man when hee hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a &c.

See Matth. 6.22.34 The light of the body is the eye; therefore when thine, &c.

See Matth. 23.25.39 Now doe ye Pharisees make cleane the outside of the, &c.

See Matth. 23.23.42 For ye tithe Mint, and Rue, and all manner of herbes, and passe over Iudgements, and the love of God, &c.

p. 8446 For yee lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and yee your selves touch …t the burdens with one of your fingers.See Matth. 23.4.

47 For ye build the Sepulchers of the Prophets, and your fathers killed them.See Matth. 23.29.

48 Truly, ye beare witnesse, that yee allow the deeds of your fathers, for they indeed, &c.See Matth. 23.30.

50 That the blood of all the Prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, &c.See Matth. 23.35.

52 For yee have taken away the key of knowledge: yee entred not in your selves.See Matth. 23.13.

CAP. XII.

1 The leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisie.See Matth. 16.6.

2 For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that &c.See Matth. 10.26.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten, &c?See Matth. 10.29.

10 And whosoever shall speake a word against the Sonne of man, it shall be forgiven him, &c?See Matth. 11.31.

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himselfe, and is not rich towards God.Loe even such a foole, and so fraile and uncertaine, yea, so sure of the revenging hand of God, is that man, whose heart is set upon these earthly riches, without all care of procuring true grace, which onelyonly is able to enrich his soule.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth, and wh…t will I, if it be already kindled?The issue of my Gospell shall be such, as if I had come purposely, to set divisions in the bosomes of men, against themselves, and with one another for the corruption of men will be stirred, and disquieted with the powerfull preaching thereof, and will be ready to raise broiles in the world; and then onelyonly doth my word prevaile, and p. 85worke effectually, when it is followed with such successe; I cannot therefore but earnestly wish this holy fire of grace kindled in the hearts of men for the opposing, and wasting of their inward corruptions.

So also verse 51.

I have beene already baptized with water,50 But I have a baptisme to be baptized with, and how am I straitned till it be accomplished. but there is another baptisme that I must undergoe, even a baptisme of blood, and how am I pained with the expectation thereof, longing to be past that extremitie of suffering which is ordained for mee, for mans redemption.

See Matth. 16.3.56 Ye hypocrites, yee can discerne the face of the skie, and of the earth: but how &c.

See Matth. 5.25.58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the Magistrate, as thou art in the, &c.

CAP. XIII.

ANd behold, there was a woman upon whom Satan,11 And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmitie eighteene yeares, was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up her selfe. by the permission of God, had inflicted a grievous bodily infirmitie for the space of eighteene yeares together; whereby she was so bowed together, that she could not lift herselfe up.

So verse 16.

See Matth. 13.31.32.19 It is like a graine of mustard-seede which a man tooke▪ and cast into his garden, &c.

See Matth. 13.33.21 It is like leven, which a woman tooke and hid in three measures of meale, &c.

Inforce your selves to use all diligent and vehement indeavours to enter into the kingdome of heaven;24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you will seeke to enter, in and shall not be able. ye shall finde much difficultie and opposition in your attaining thereto; resolve therefore to buckle with all the troubles and daungers, that shall lie in your way; else ye shall never be able to compasse it; for there are many, I say unto you, which will heartlesly wish for it; and faintly move towards it, and yet shall faile of entring thereunto.

When once the oportunities of this present life,25, 26 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the doore, & ye begin to stand without, and to knocke at the doore, saying; Lord, Lord, open unto us, & he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence you are; then shall ye begin to say, wee have eaten & drunke in thy presence, and thou &c. (which is the time of grace,) are past, in vaine shall ye p. 86then hope to challenge favour or respect from God for these outward privileges which yee have had above other nations.

29 And they shall come from the East, & from the West, & from the North, &c.See Matth. 8.11.

I know that subtile Tyrant, who hath shed the bloud of my fore-runner,32, 33. Goe ye and tell that foxe, behold I cast out devills, and I do cures to day & to morrow, and the third day I shall bee perfected. Neverthelesse I must walke to day and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot bee that a Prophet perish out of Ierusalem. is hunting after my death also; but tell him from me, that my times are set in the eternall counsell of God, wherein I shall doe these miraculous workes of ejecting devills, and healing diseases; and when my prefixed time is accomplished, for my labours, and sufferings, I shall in spight of the opposition of earth and hell, be perfected, and injoy my full glory. But in the meane time I must do my appointed services; and make account to yeeld my selfe over (when my day is come) into the hands of mine enemies in Jerusalem: for it cannot be (so is that City inured to the bloud of Gods messengers) that a Prophet should bee suffered to die elsewhere.

34 How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen. &c?See Matth. 23.37.

CAP. XIV.

15 Blessed is hee that shall eate bread in the kingdome of God.WEE are here at an earthly feast, where we partake of transitory, and perishing delicates; but how happy are they which shall bee admitted to taste of the heavenly provisions, in the glorious kingdome of God.

21 Goe out quickly into the streets, and lanes of the City, and bring in &c.See Matth. 22.9.

23 And the Lord said unto the servant, goe out into the high wayes, and hedges, &c.See Matth. 22.10.

26 If any man come to mee, and hate not his father, and mother▪ & wife, and children, & brethren, and sisters; yea and his owne life also, hee cannot be my disciple.If any man come to mee, and cannot bee content for my sake to neglect, and disregard his father, and mother, &c. and his very life also, if they stand in opposition to me, or offer to hinder him from enjoying me, he cannot bee worthy to beare the name of my disciple.

p. 87Whosoever will enter into the profession of Christianity,28, 29, 31. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not downe first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it, lest happly after hee hath laid the foundation, & is not able to finish it, all that behold it, begin to mocke him; or, what king going to make warre against another king, sitteth not down first, & consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that commeth against him with twenty thousand. must make account of the worst, and utmost that it can cost him: and set it downe with his owne heart to undergoe resolutely all the difficulties that shall or can encounter him; even as a man that goes about to build a tower, or to meete some potent enemy in the field, will bee sure to fore-cast the cost, and perill of that enterprise, lest at last being overtaken in his reckoning, he give over, or be foyled with shame.

See Matth. 5.13.34 Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

CAP. XV.

See Matth. 18..13.6 And when he commeth home, he calleth together his friends & neighbours, saying unto thē, &c.

The sinner that goes on in a course of wickednesse,7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall bee in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninty & nine just persons, which need no repentance. may well be given for lost, by Angels and men: when such a one therefore repenteth, and converteth unto God, it must needs be much more cause of joy to all that tender the glory of God, than the inoffensive proceeding of those, which gave no cause of feare of their miscarriage.

So verse 8, 9, 10.

It is with God,11, 12, 13, &c. And hee said; A certaine man had two sonnes, And the yonger of them said to his father; father, give mee the portion of goods that falleth to me; and he divided unto them his living. And not many daies after, the yonger sonne gathered all together, & tooke his journey into a farre country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. and the two sorts of men in the world (the sinfull, and professedly righteous) as it is with the father that had two sonnes. The yonger, which was wild, and debauched, would needs spend his patrimony riotously; and at last, being pinched with want, returnes home to his father, miserable, but penitent; and is graciously (though unworthy) received to favour, with much joy for his recovery. The elder keepes on an harmelesse, and inoffensive course; (and though well accepted alwaies) yet is not so much rejoyced in, at any p. 88one time, as his unthristie brother, which was accounted but as dead, and lost, by his wise and loving father. Right so it is with God in his carriage towards civill, and well ordered persons, on the one side, and those that are reclaimed from a leud and scandalous life, on the other &c.

CAP. XVI.

8 And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because hee had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.ANd the Lord commended the witty device, and cunning shift, which the unjust steward had made for himselfe; as it is commonly seene, that worldly-minded men are more suttle in the contriving of their affaires to their owne advantage, than Gods children are in the projecting and managing of better businesses.

9 And I say unto you, make to your selves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnes, that when ye faile, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.And I say unto you; Learne this wit of the unjust steward, so to order and dispose of these worldly riches (which are seldome other than unduly gotten by their owners) as that ye may make to your selves many friends by them; that upon this charitable, and advantagious improvement of them, yee may reape the comfort, and benefit of them, at your departure hence, and may bee received into everlasting habitations.

13 No servant can serve two masters, for either, &c.See Matth. 6.24.

16 The law and the Prophets were untill Iohn, since that time, &c.See Matth. 11.12, 13.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to passe, than one &c.See Matth. 5.18.

19 There was a certaine rich man, which was cloathed in purple, & fine linnen, and fared sumptuously every day, &c.Heare yee this historicall parable. There was a certaine great rich man, who was sumptuously arrayed, and delicately fed every day, being altogether given to his pleasure, and jollity.

21 And desiring to bee fed with the crums, which fell from the rich mans table; moreover the dogges came, and licked his sores.His misery was great, yet hee begged no other supply of it, than that which was granted to the dogs, unasked, even the very crummes that fell from the table; yet these being denyed him, he lay comfortlesse at the rich mans gate; ready, as it were, to give up the Ghost, insomuch as the very dogs came forth to him, as to an helplesse, and dying man, and fell to licking his ulcerous sores.

p. 89And was carried, by the Angels of God,22 And was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome; the rich man also dyed, and was buried. into that place of rest and hapinesse, where Abraham the father of the faithfull, injoyeth the blessed participation of the glory of God and his Saints; and was there placed in the bosome of that glorious Patriarch at the full table of heaven.

So verse 23.

Besides that, God by his unchangeable decree,26 And besides all this, betweene us and you, there is a great gulfe fixed, so that they which would passe from hence to you, &c. hath set such a distance betwixt this place of rest, and that of torment, as that, there is no possibility of passage from the one to the other

Thou callest mee father, and therefore professest thy selfe, and thy brethren to bee of my nation, Jewes.31 And hee said unto him, if they heare not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they bee perswaded though one rose from the dead. Being Jewes therefore, they have the guidance and information of the law, and the Prophets; and if their infidelity be such, as that they will not beleeve so cleare evidences, as there are offered unto them: surely, neither will they bee convinced by the Testimony of one risen from the dead.

CAP. XVII.

See Matth. 18.7.1 It is impossible but that offences will come, but woe unto him, &c.

See Matth. 18.6.2 It were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his, &c.

So likewise ye,10 So likewise, ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you; say, we are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to doe. if yee could performe all that is commanded you, yet yee must be forced to say; Alas Lord, we can challenge nothing from thee; it was our duty to do all that which we have done, we cannot hope to raise any advantage to our selves by our utmost endeavours.

See Matth. 24.27.24 For as the lightning that lightneth out of the one part under heaven, &c.

See Matth. 24.40.31 In that night he which shall bee on the house top, and his stuffe in &c.

See Matth. 24.28.37 Wheresoever the body is, thither will the Eagles bee gathered together.

p. 90CAP. XVIII.

7 And shall not God avenge his owne Elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he beare long with them?IF the very unrighteous Judge yeelded so farre to the importunity of the poore widdow, as to satisfie her desire; how much more shall the holy & mercifull God bee moved by the importunate prayers of his Elect; to revenge them upon their enemies; though hee doe yet forbeare them with long patience.

8 I tell you that hee will avenge them speedily: neverthelesse when the Sonne of man commeth, shall hee finde faith on the earth?I tell you that he will surely take speedy vengeance on them: hee will not slacke the time as men count slacknesse, but will come in his determined season to execute justice on their cruell persecutors; whose rage shall bee so great, and so prevalent, that there shall scarce be any faith found upon the earth, when the Sonne of man commeth.

14 I tell you, this man went downe to his house, justified, rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himselfe, shall be abased; and hee that humbleth himselfe, shall be exalted.I tell you, this Publican, how sinfull, how despised soever, returned home with better acceptation from God, than that other proud Pharisee, that stood upon points of his owne justification and holinesse.

19 Why callest thou me good: none is good save one, that is God.See Matth. 19.17.

22 Yet lackest thou one thing: Sell all, &c.See Matth. 19.21.

25 It is easier for a camell to goe thorow a needles eye, than for a rich &c.See Matth. 19.24.

29 Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or parents, &c.See Matth. 19.29.

CAP. XIX.

8 Behold Lord, the halfe of my goods, I give to the poore, and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourefold.BEhold Lord, thy presence and power hath so wrought upon me, that now I doe professe for thy sake, to renounce the world; and doe therefore make my will of that estate which I have; some good part of my substance I know to be lawfully gotten, as being left to bee for my patrimony; or honestly raised; howsoever, some other part of it hath beene increased by extortion, and injustice. p. 91I would gladly give all to the poore, were it not that I must reserve some for just restitution. One halfe therefore I give to the poore, and out of the other halfe, I am ready to restore fourefold to any man, whom I have wronged by unjust exaction, and false accusation.

Behold, Zacheus; thou losest not by the bargaine:9 And Iesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is the sonne of Abraham. for, instead of this transitory riches, which thou thus disposest of, thou doest this day receive the tender of salvation, which shall bee both to thy selfe, and thy family: see yee, my disciples, what an happy change this man hath made: for, whereas before hee was an alien from the common wealth of Israel, now hee is become a sonne of faithfull Abraham.

See Matth. 25.14, 15:13 And hee called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said, unto them, occupie till I come.

See Matth. 25.18.20 And another came saying, Lord; behold here is thy pound which, &c.

See Matth. 25, 24, & 25, &c.21 For I feared thee because thou art an austere man: thou takest, &c.

See Matth. 25.29.26 That unto every one which hath shall be given, and from him that hath not, even, &c.

See Matth. 21.12, 13.45, 46 And he went into the Temple, and began to cast out them that solde therein, and them that bought, saying unto them; It is written, my house is the house of prayer; but ye have made &c.

CAP. XX.

See Matth. 21.44.18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken; but on, &c.

p. 9222 Is it lawfull for us to give tribute unto Cesar or no.See Matth. 22.17.

25 Give unto Cesar the things which be Cesars, and unto God the things which be Gods.See Matth. 22.20, 21.

34, 35, 36. The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtaine that world, and the resurrection from the dead neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more, for they, &c.See Matth. 22.29, 30, 31.

41 How say they that Christ is Davids sonne.See Matth. 22.43.45.

CAP. XXI.

21 Then let them which are in Iudea flee to the mountaines, and let them which are in the midst of it, depart out, &c.See Matth. 24.16.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give, &c.See Matth. 24.19.

25 And there shall be signes in the Sun, and in the Moone, and in the starres, and upon the earth, &c.See Matth. 24.29.

29 Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees.See Matth. 24.32.

32 This generation shall not passe away till all be fulfilled.See Matth. 24.34.

34 And take heed to your selves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged, with surfetting and drunkennesse, and cares of this life, &c.See Matth. 24.35.

p. 93CAP. XXII.

THen Satan by a strong temptation possessed himselfe of the heart of Judas,3 Then entred Satan into Iudas, surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. being one of the domestique attendants of Christ.

See Matth. 26.29.18 For I say unto you, I will not drinke of the fruit of the vine, untill the kingdome of God shall come.

See Matth. 26.28.20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new Testament, &c.

See Matth. 20.25.25 The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

Simon, Simon, Satan, that malicious adversary of mankinde, hath earnestly sued for permission to put you to an exquisite and full tryall,31, 32. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not, and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren. as wheat is tried in the sanne, not for the purging and cleansing of you, but for your utter despersion and destruction; ye shall be in danger of his strong assaults: but for thee Simon, whose temptation shall be strongest, and perill most, I have prayd for thee, that, however thou shalt be hardly laid at, and thy faith may waver and stagger, by the power of those onsets, yet that it may not utterly faile, and be either wholly, or finally lost.

But now, ye will have neede of all the provisions,36 But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip, and hee that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. that yee can make, whether of mony or weapons; for there will be too much occasion of the use of both, both in respect of your destitution, and that violence, which will be offered to mee.

See Matth. 26.39.42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, &c.

CAP. XXIII.

YE women of Jerusalem, ye se nothing now in me that doth not aggravate misery;28 Daughters of Ierusalem, weepe not for me, but weepe for your selves, and for your children. and therefore ye (not considering my inward grounds of assurance and comfort) spend your selves in teares for me; but forbeare this weeping of yours; and reserve your teares rather for p. 94those grievous miseries and calamities, which are ready to seize upon you, and your children.

29 For behold the dayes are comming, in which they shall say, blessed are the barren, and the wombe that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.For ere long, the dayes shall come, wherein it shall be griefe enough to the mother to thinke, that she hath children, which must be exposed to so cruell slaughters; and shall envie, and blesse those that are barren, and childlesse.

I am as a greene, and sappy plant, this people is a seare and drie tree;31 For if they doe these things in a greene tree, what shall be done in the drie. It is the seare wood, and not the greene and juicie, that is for the fire: If then the hardest measure of death be inflicted upon mee, how much lesse shall the vengeance of God forbeare those whom their horrible sinnes have made fit matter for his wrath, and displeasure.

42 And he said unto Iesus, Lord remember mee when thou commest in thy kingdome.Lord, howsoever I am now justly dying for my offence; and howsoever thou art now in a despicable, and forlorne condition, ready to yield up thy life also, yet I know and see by the eyes of my faith, that there is a glorious kingdome prepared for thee, whereof after thy dissolution thou shalt receive the happy and everlasting possession: O then remember thou mee in that glory of thine, who am now a just partner in that shame and paine which thou unjustly sufferest, even after my death, I may be capable of happinesse with thee; Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdome.

43 And Iesus said unto them, verily I say unto thee, To day, thou shalt be with me in paradise.Since thy faith hath looked thus through my sufferings, to my ensuing glory, be thou assured, that I who have wrought this confidence in thee, will crowne it; Comfort thy selfe therefore in thy death, with the certaintie of thine immediate happinesse: This very day shall thy soule be received up into glory with mee; This day shalt thou injoy my presence in that happie paradise of heaven.

CAP. XXIV.

5 Why seeke ye the living among the dead?WHy doe ye seeke for a living man in the graves of the dead?

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.But God did so worke upon the senses of these two men, that their eyes were held from being able to discerne him; so as they tooke him for a stranger.

32 And they said one to another, did not our heart burne within vsus, whiles he talked with us, by the way, and while hee opened to us the Scriptures?Did wee not feele an extraordinary working of his Spirit within us, whiles he talked with us by the way?

p. 95Why are ye affrighted,39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I my selfe: handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. as if it were some spirit that appeared unto you, let all your senses search and trie me; handle mee, and convince your selves of the truth of my humane body; a spirit is an immateriall substance, and hath not flesh and bones, as ye see and feele me to have.

Not out of any necessity, or use of nature,43 And he tooke it, and did eate before them. but to give unto them a more full proofe of his true humane body, now raised up from the dead, hee tooke that fish, and hony-combe, and did eate before them.