mh_parser/vol_split/40 - Matthew/Chapter 28.xml

<div2 id="Matt.xxix" n="xxix" next="Mark" prev="Matt.xxviii" progress="35.76%" title="Chapter XXVIII">
<h2 id="Matt.xxix-p0.1">M A T T H E W.</h2>
<h3 id="Matt.xxix-p0.2">CHAP. XXVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Matt.xxix-p1">In the foregoing chapters, we saw the Captain of
our salvation engaged with the powers of darkness, attacked by
them, and vigorously attacking them; victory seemed to hover
between the combatants; nay, at length, it inclined to the enemies'
side, and our Champion fell before them; behold, God has delivered
his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies' hand.
Christ in the grave is like the ark in Dagon's temple; the powers
of darkness seemed to ride masters, but then the Lord awaked as one
out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of
wine, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.61 Bible:Ps.78.65" parsed="|Ps|78|61|0|0;|Ps|78|65|0|0" passage="Ps 78:61,65">Ps. lxxviii. 61,
65</scripRef>. The prince of our peace is in this chapter rallying
again, coming out of the grave, a Conqueror, yea, more than a
conqueror, leading captivity captive; though the ark be a prisoner,
Dagon falls before it, and it proves that none is able to stand
before the holy Lord God. Now the resurrection of Christ being one
of the main foundations of our religion, it is requisite that we
should have infallible proofs of it; four of which proofs we have
in this chapter, which are but a few of many, for Luke and John
give a larger account of the proofs of Christ's resurrection than
Matthew and Mark do. Here is, I. The testimony of the angel to
Christ's resurrection, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.1-Matt.28.8" parsed="|Matt|28|1|28|8" passage="Mt 28:1-8">ver.
1-8</scripRef>. II. His appearance himself to the women, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.9-Matt.28.10" parsed="|Matt|28|9|28|10" passage="Mt 28:9,10">ver. 9, 10</scripRef>. III. The confession of
the adversaries that were upon the guard, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.11-Matt.28.15" parsed="|Matt|28|11|28|15" passage="Mt 28:11-15">ver. 11-15</scripRef>. IV. Christ's appearance to the
disciples in Galilee, and the commission he gave them, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.16-Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|16|28|20" passage="Mt 28:16-20">ver. 16-20</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Matt.xxix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28" parsed="|Matt|28|0|0|0" passage="Mt 28" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Matt.xxix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.1-Matt.28.10" parsed="|Matt|28|1|28|10" passage="Mt 28:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Matt.28.1-Matt.28.10">
<h4 id="Matt.xxix-p1.8">The Resurrection.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Matt.xxix-p2">1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn
toward the first <i>day</i> of the week, came Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary to see the sepulchre.   2 And, behold, there
was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from
heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat
upon it.   3 His countenance was like lightning, and his
raiment white as snow:   4 And for fear of him the keepers did
shake, and became as dead <i>men.</i>   5 And the angel
answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye
seek Jesus, which was crucified.   6 He is not here: for he is
risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.   7
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the
dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye
see him: lo, I have told you.   8 And they departed quickly
from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring
his disciples word.   9 And as they went to tell his
disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came
and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.   10 Then said
Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go
into Galilee, and there shall they see me.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p3">For the proof of Christ's resurrection, we
have here the testimony of <i>the angel,</i> and of <i>Christ</i>
himself, concerning his resurrection. Now we may think that it
would have been better, if the matter had been so ordered, that a
competent number of witnesses should have been present, and have
seen the stone rolled away by the angel, and the dead body
reviving, as people saw Lazarus come out of the grave, and then the
matter had been past dispute; but let us not prescribe to Infinite
Wisdom, which ordered that the witnesses of his resurrection should
see him <i>risen,</i> but not see him <i>rise.</i> His incarnation
was a mystery; so was this <i>second incarnation</i> (if we may so
call it), this <i>new making</i> of the body of Christ, for his
exalted state; it was therefore <i>made in secret. Blessed are they
that have not seen, and yet have believed.</i> Christ gave such
proofs of his resurrection as were <i>corroborated</i> by the
scriptures, and by the <i>word</i> which he had <i>spoken</i>
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p3.1" passage="Lu 24:6,7-44,Mk 16:7">Luke xxiv. 6, 7-44; Mark
xvi. 7</scripRef>); for here we must <i>walk by faith, not by
sight.</i> We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p4">I. The <i>coming</i> of the <i>good
women</i> to the <i>sepulchre.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p5">Observe, 1. <i>When</i> they came; <i>in
the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of
the week,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.1" parsed="|Matt|28|1|0|0" passage="Mt 28:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.
This fixes the time of Christ's resurrection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p6">(1.) He arose the <i>third day</i> after
his death; that was the time which he had often prefixed, and he
kept within it. He was buried in the evening of the sixth day of
the week, and arose in the morning of the first day of the
following week, so that he lay in the grave about thirty-six or
thirty-eight hours. He lay so long, to show that he was really and
truly dead; and no longer, that he might not <i>see corruption.</i>
He arose the third day, to answer the type of the prophet Jonas
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.40" parsed="|Matt|12|40|0|0" passage="Mt 12:40"><i>ch.</i> xii. 40</scripRef>), and
to accomplish that prediction (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Hos.6.2" parsed="|Hos|6|2|0|0" passage="Ho 6:2">Hos. vi.
2</scripRef>), <i>The third day he will raise us up, and we shall
live in his sight.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p7">(2.) He arose <i>after the Jewish
sabbath,</i> and it was the passover-sabbath; all that day he lay
in the grave, to signify the abolishing of the Jewish feasts and
the other parts of the ceremonial law, and that his people must be
dead to such observances, and take no more notice of them than he
did when he <i>lay in the grave.</i> Christ on <i>the sixth day
finished</i> his work; he said, <i>It is finished;</i> on the
seventh day he rested, and then on the first day of the next week
did as it were begin a new world, and enter upon new work. Let no
man therefore judge us now in respect of <i>the new moons,</i> or
of the <i>Jewish sabbaths,</i> which were indeed a shadow of good
things to come, but the <i>substance</i> if <i>of Christ.</i> We
may further observe, that the time of the saints' lying in the
grave, is a sabbath to them (such as the Jewish sabbath was, which
consisted chiefly in bodily rest), for there they <i>rest from
their labours</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.3.17" parsed="|Job|3|17|0|0" passage="Job 3:17">Job iii.
17</scripRef>); and it is owing to Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p8">(3.) He arose upon the <i>first day of the
week;</i> on the first day of the first week God <i>commanded the
light to shine out of darkness;</i> on this day therefore did he
who was to be the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of
the grave; and the seventh-day sabbath being buried with Christ, it
arose again in the first-day sabbath, called the <i>Lord's day</i>
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.10" parsed="|Rev|1|10|0|0" passage="Re 1:10">Rev. i. 10</scripRef>), and no other
day of the week is from henceforward mentioned in all the New
Testament than this, and this often, as the day which Christians
religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honour of Christ,
<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:John.20.19 Bible:John.20.26 Bible:Acts.20.7 Bible:1Cor.16.2" parsed="|John|20|19|0|0;|John|20|26|0|0;|Acts|20|7|0|0;|1Cor|16|2|0|0" passage="Joh 20:19,26,Ac 20:7,1Co 16:2">John xx. 19, 26;
Acts xx. 7; 1 Cor. xvi. 2</scripRef>. If the deliverance of Israel
out of the land of the north superseded the remembrance of that out
of Egypt (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.23.7-Jer.23.8" parsed="|Jer|23|7|23|8" passage="Jer 23:7,8">Jer. xxiii. 7,
8</scripRef>), much more doth our redemption by Christ eclipse the
glory of God's former works. The sabbath was instituted in
remembrance of the <i>perfecting</i> of the work of creation,
<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.2.1" parsed="|Gen|2|1|0|0" passage="Ge 2:1">Gen. ii. 1</scripRef>. Man by his revolt
made a breach upon that <i>perfect</i> work, which was never
perfectly repaired till Christ arose from the dead, and the
<i>heavens and the earth were</i> again <i>finished,</i> and the
disordered <i>hosts of them</i> modelled anew, and the day on which
this was done was justly <i>blessed and sanctified,</i> and the
seventh day from that. He who on that day arose from the dead, is
the same by whom, and for whom, all things were at first created,
and now anew created.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p9">(4.) He arose <i>as it began to dawn</i>
toward that day; as soon as it could be said that the <i>third
day</i> was come, the time prefixed for his resurrection, he
<i>arose;</i> after his withdrawings from his people, he returns
with all convenient <i>speed,</i> and <i>cuts the work</i> as
<i>short in righteousness</i> as may be. He had said to his
disciples, that though within a little while they <i>should not see
him,</i> yet again <i>a little while,</i> and they <i>should see
him,</i> and accordingly he made it as little a while as possible,
<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.7-Isa.54.8" parsed="|Isa|54|7|54|8" passage="Isa 54:7,8">Isa. liv. 7, 8</scripRef>. Christ
arose <i>when the day began</i> to <i>dawn,</i> because then the
day-spring from on high did again visit us, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.78" parsed="|Luke|1|78|0|0" passage="Lu 1:78">Luke i. 78</scripRef>. His passion began in the night;
when he hung on the cross the sun was darkened; he was laid in the
grave in the dusk of the evening; but he arose from the grave when
the sun was near rising, for he is the <i>bright and morning
Star</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.22.16" parsed="|Rev|22|16|0|0" passage="Re 22:16">Rev. xxii. 16</scripRef>),
the <i>true Light.</i> Those who address themselves early in the
morning to the religious services of the Christian sabbath, that
they may take the day before them, therein follow this example of
Christ, and that of David, <i>Early will I seek thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p10">2. Who they were, that came to the
sepulchre; <i>Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,</i> the same that
attended the funeral, and <i>sat over against the sepulchre,</i> as
before they <i>sat over against the cross;</i> still they studied
to express their love to Christ; still they were inquiring after
him. Then shall we <i>know,</i> if we thus <i>follow on to
know.</i> No mention is made of the Virgin Mary being with them; it
is probable that the <i>beloved disciple,</i> who had taken her to
his own home, hindered her from <i>going to the grave to weep
there.</i> Their attendance on Christ not only <i>to</i> the grave,
but <i>in</i> the grave, represents his like care for those that
are his, when they have <i>made their bed in the darkness.</i> As
Christ in the grave was beloved of the <i>saints,</i> so the saints
in the grave are beloved of Christ; for death and the grave cannot
slacken that bond of love which is between them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p11">3. What they <i>came to do:</i> the other
evangelists say that they came to anoint the body; Matthew saith
that they came to <i>see the sepulchre,</i> whether it was as they
left it; hearing perhaps, but not being sure, that the chief
priests had set a guard upon it. They went, to show their good-will
in another visit to the dear remains of their beloved Master, and
perhaps not without some thoughts of his resurrection, for they
could not have quite forgotten all he had said of it. Note, Visits
to the grave are of great use to Christians, and will help to make
it familiar to them, and to take off the terror of it, especially
visits to the grave of our Lord Jesus, where we may see sin buried
out of sight, the pattern of our sanctification, and the great
proof of redeeming love shining illustriously even in that <i>land
of darkness.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p12">II. The appearance of an angel of the Lord
to them, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.2-Matt.28.4" parsed="|Matt|28|2|28|4" passage="Mt 28:2-4"><i>v.</i> 2-4</scripRef>. We
have here an account of the manner of the resurrection of Christ,
as far as it was fit that we should know.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p13">1. There was a <i>great earthquake.</i>
When he died, the earth that <i>received him,</i> shook for fear;
now that he arose, the earth that <i>resigned him,</i> leaped for
joy in his exaltation. This earthquake did as it were <i>loose</i>
the bond of death, and <i>shake off</i> the fetters of the grave,
and introduce the <i>Desire of all nations,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Hag.2.6-Hag.2.7" parsed="|Hag|2|6|2|7" passage="Hag 2:6,7">Hag. ii. 6, 7</scripRef>. It was the <i>signal</i> of
Christ's victory; notice was hereby given of it, that, when the
<i>heavens rejoiced,</i> the <i>earth</i> also might be
<i>glad.</i> It was a <i>specimen</i> of the <i>shake</i> that will
be given to the earth at the general resurrection, when mountains
and islands shall be removed, that the earth may no longer <i>cover
her slain.</i> There was a <i>noise and a shaking</i> in the
valley, when the <i>bones were to come together, bone to his
bone,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.37.7" parsed="|Ezek|37|7|0|0" passage="Eze 37:7">Ezek. xxxvii. 7</scripRef>.
The kingdom of Christ, which was now to be set up, made the earth
to quake, and <i>terribly shook it.</i> Those who are sanctified,
and thereby raised to a spiritual life, while it is in the doing
find an earthquake in their own bosoms, as Paul, who
<i>trembled</i> and was <i>astonished.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p14">2. The <i>angel of the Lord descended from
heaven.</i> The angels frequently attended our Lord Jesus, at his
birth, in his temptation, in his agony; but upon the cross we find
no angel attending him: when his Father <i>forsook him,</i> the
angels withdrew from him; but now that he is resuming the glory he
had before the foundation of the world, now, behold, the <i>angels
of God worship him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p15">3. He came, and rolled back the stone from
the door, and sat upon it. Our Lord Jesus could have <i>rolled back
the stone</i> himself by his own power, but he chose to have it
done by an angel, to signify that having undertaken to make
satisfaction for our sin, imputed to him, and being under arrest
pursuant to that imputation, he did not <i>break prison,</i> but
had a fair and <i>legal discharge,</i> obtained from heaven; he did
not break prison, but an officer was sent on purpose to <i>roll
away the stone,</i> and so to open the prison door, which would
never have been done, if he had not made a <i>full
satisfaction.</i> But being delivered for our offences, to complete
the deliverance, he was <i>raised again for our justification;</i>
he died to pay our debt, and rose again to take out our
acquittance. The <i>stone</i> of our sins was <i>rolled</i> to the
door of the grave of our Lord Jesus (and we find the rolling of a
great stone to signify the <i>contracting of guilt,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.14.33" parsed="|1Sam|14|33|0|0" passage="1Sa 14:33">1 Sam. xiv. 33</scripRef>); but to demonstrate
that divine justice was satisfied, an angel was commissioned to
roll back the stone; not that the angel <i>raised him from the
dead,</i> any more than those that <i>took away the stone</i> from
Lazarus's grave raised him, but thus he intimated the consent of
Heaven to his release, and the joy of Heaven in it. The enemies of
Christ had sealed the stone, resolving, like Babylon, not to
<i>open the house of his prisoners; shall the prey be taken from
the mighty?</i> For this was <i>their hour;</i> but all the powers
of death and darkness are under the control of the God of light and
life. An angel from heaven has power to <i>break the seal,</i>
though it were the <i>great seal of Israel,</i> and is able to
<i>roll away the stone,</i> though ever so great. Thus the
<i>captives of the mighty are taken away.</i> The angel's
<i>sitting</i> upon the <i>stone,</i> when he had <i>rolled it
away,</i> is very observable, and bespeaks a secure triumph over
all the obstructions of Christ's resurrection. There he sat,
defying all the powers of hell to roll the stone to the grave
again. Christ erects his seat of rest and seat of judgment upon the
opposition of his enemies; <i>the Lord sitteth upon the floods.</i>
The angel sat as a guard to the grave, having frightened away the
enemies' <i>black</i> guard; he sat, expecting the women, and ready
to give them an account of his resurrection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p16">4. That his <i>countenance was like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.3" parsed="|Matt|28|3|0|0" passage="Mt 28:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. This was a visible
representation, by that which we call <i>splendid</i> and
<i>illustrious,</i> of the <i>glories</i> of the invisible world,
which know no <i>difference of colours.</i> His look upon the
keepers was like <i>flashes of lightning; he cast forth lightning,
and scattered them,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.144.6" parsed="|Ps|144|6|0|0" passage="Ps 144:6">Ps. cxliv.
6</scripRef>. The <i>whiteness</i> of his raiment was an emblem not
only of purity, but of joy and triumph. When Christ died, the court
of heaven <i>went into keep mourning,</i> signified by the
<i>darkening of the sun;</i> but when he arose, they again put on
the <i>garments of praise.</i> The glory of this angel represented
the glory of Christ, to which he was now risen, for it is the same
description that was given of him in his transfiguration (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.2" parsed="|Matt|17|2|0|0" passage="Mt 17:2"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 2</scripRef>); but when he
conversed with his disciples after his resurrection, he drew a veil
over it, and it bespoke the glory of the saints in their
resurrection, when they shall be <i>as the angels of God in
heaven.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p17">5. That <i>for fear of him the keepers did
shake, and became as dead men,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.4" parsed="|Matt|28|4|0|0" passage="Mt 28:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. They were <i>soldiers,</i> that
thought themselves hardened against fear, yet the very sight of an
angel struck them with terror. Thus <i>when</i> the Son of <i>God
arose to judgment, the stout-hearted were spoiled,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.76.5 Bible:Ps.76.9" parsed="|Ps|76|5|0|0;|Ps|76|9|0|0" passage="Ps 76:5,9">Ps. lxxvi. 5, 9</scripRef>. Note, The
resurrection of Christ, as it is the joy of his friends, so it is
the terror and confusion of his enemies. <i>They did shake;</i> the
word <b><i>eseisthesan</i></b> is the same with that which was used
for the earthquake, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.2" parsed="|Matt|28|2|0|0" passage="Mt 28:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>, <b><i>seismos</i></b>. When the <i>earth</i> shook,
these <i>children of the earth,</i> that had their portion in it,
<i>shook too;</i> whereas, those that have their happiness in
things above, <i>though the earth be removed, yet are without
fear.</i> The keepers became <i>as dead men,</i> when he whom they
kept guard upon became alive, and they whom they kept guard against
revived with him. It struck a terror upon them, to see themselves
baffled in that which was their business here. They were posted
here, to <i>keep a dead man in his grave</i>—as easy a piece of
service surely as was ever assigned them, and yet it proves too
hard for them. They were told that they must expect to be assaulted
by a company of feeble faint-hearted disciples, who for fear of
them would soon <i>shake</i> and become as <i>dead men,</i> but are
amazed when they find themselves attacked by a <i>mighty angel,</i>
whom they dare not look in the face. Thus doth God <i>frustrate</i>
his enemies by <i>frightening them,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.9.20" parsed="|Ps|9|20|0|0" passage="Ps 9:20">Ps. ix. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p18">III. The message which this angel delivered
to the women, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.5-Matt.28.7" parsed="|Matt|28|5|28|7" passage="Mt 28:5-7"><i>v.</i>
5-7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p19">1. He <i>encourages them against their
fears,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.5" parsed="|Matt|28|5|0|0" passage="Mt 28:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. To
come near to graves and tombs, especially in silence and solitude,
has something in it <i>frightful,</i> much more was it so to those
women, to find an angel at the sepulchre; but he soon makes them
easy with the word, <i>Fear not ye.</i> The keepers shook, and
became as dead men, but, <i>Fear not ye.</i> Let the sinners in
Zion be afraid, for there is cause for it; but, <i>Fear not,
Abraham,</i> nor any of the faithful seed of Abraham; why should
the daughters of Sarah, that <i>do well,</i> be afraid <i>with any
amazement?</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.6" parsed="|1Pet|3|6|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:6">1 Pet. iii.
6</scripRef>. "<i>Fear not ye.</i> Let not the news I have to tell
you, be any surprise to you, for you were told before that your
Master would rise; let it be no terror to you, for his resurrection
will be your consolation; fear not any hurt, that I will do you,
nor nay evil tidings I have to tell you. <i>Fear not ye, for I know
that ye seek Jesus.</i> I know you are friends to the cause. I do
not come to frighten you, but to encourage you." Note, Those that
<i>seek Jesus,</i> have no reason to be <i>afraid;</i> for, if they
seek him diligently they shall <i>find him,</i> and shall find him
their <i>bountiful Rewarder.</i> All our believing enquiries after
the Lord Jesus are observed, and taken notice of, in heaven; <i>I
know that ye seek Jesus;</i> and shall certainly be answered, as
these were, <i>with good words, and comfortable words. Ye seek
Jesus that was crucified.</i> He mentions his being crucified, the
more to commend their love to him; "You seek him still, though
<i>he was crucified;</i> you retain your kindness for him
notwithstanding." Note, True believers love and seek Christ, not
only <i>though</i> he was crucified, but <i>because</i> he was
so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p20">2. He <i>assures them of the resurrection
of Christ;</i> and there was enough in that to silence their fears
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.6" parsed="|Matt|28|6|0|0" passage="Mt 28:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>); He <i>is not
here, for he is risen.</i> To be told <i>He is not here,</i> would
have been no welcome news to those who sought him, if it had not
been added, <i>He is risen.</i> Note, It is matter of comfort to
those who seek Christ, and miss of finding him where they expected,
that <i>he is risen:</i> if we find him not in sensible comfort,
yet <i>he is risen.</i> We must not hearken to those who say,
<i>Lo, here is Christ, or, Lo, he is there,</i> for he is not
<i>here,</i> he is not <i>there,</i> he is <i>risen.</i> In all our
enquiries after Christ, we must remember that he is <i>risen;</i>
and we must seek him as one <i>risen.</i> (1.) Not with any
<i>gross carnal</i> thoughts of him. There were those that <i>knew
Christ after the flesh;</i> but now henceforth know we him so no
more, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.5.16" parsed="|2Cor|5|16|0|0" passage="2Co 5:16">2 Cor. v. 16</scripRef>. It is
true, he had a body; but it is now a <i>glorified body.</i> They
that make pictures and images of Christ, forget that <i>he is not
here, he is risen;</i> our communion with him must be spiritual, by
faith in his word, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.6-Rom.10.9" parsed="|Rom|10|6|10|9" passage="Ro 10:6-9">Rom. x.
6-9</scripRef>. (2.) We must seek him with great <i>reverence</i>
and <i>humility,</i> and an awful regard to his glory, for <i>he is
risen.</i> God has <i>highly exalted him,</i> and <i>given him a
name above every name,</i> and therefore every knee and every soul
must <i>bow before him.</i> (3.) We must seek him with a
<i>heavenly mind;</i> when we are ready to make this world our
home, and to say, <i>It is good to be here,</i> let us remember our
Lord Jesus <i>is not here, he is risen,</i> and therefore let not
our <i>hearts</i> be <i>here,</i> but let them <i>rise too,</i> and
<i>seek the things that are above,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.1-Col.3.3 Bible:Phil.3.20" parsed="|Col|3|1|3|3;|Phil|3|20|0|0" passage="Col 3:1-3,Php 3:20">Col. iii. 1-3; Phil. iii. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p21">Two things the angel refers these women to,
for the confirmation of their faith, touching Christ's
resurrection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p22">[1.] To his <i>word</i> now
<i>fulfilled,</i> which they might <i>remember; He is risen, as he
said.</i> This he vouches as the proper object of faith; "He said
that he <i>would rise,</i> and you know that he is the <i>Truth</i>
itself, and therefore have reason to expect that he <i>should
rise;</i> why should you be backward to <i>believe</i> that which
he told you would be?" Let us never think that strange, of which
the word of Christ has raised our expectations, whether the
<i>sufferings of this present time,</i> or the <i>glory</i> that is
<i>to be revealed.</i> If we remember what Christ hath said <i>to
us,</i> we shall be the less surprised at what he does <i>with
us.</i> This angel, when he said. <i>He is not here, he is
risen,</i> makes it to appear that he preaches no other gospel than
what they had already received, for he refers himself to the word
of Christ as sufficient to bear him out; <i>He is risen, as he
said.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p23">[2.] To his <i>grave</i> now <i>empty,</i>
which they might <i>look into; "Come, see the place where the Lord
lay.</i> Compare what you have <i>heard,</i> with what you
<i>see,</i> and, putting both together, you will <i>believe.</i>
You see that <i>he is not here,</i> and, remembering what he said,
you may be satisfied that <i>he is risen;</i> come, <i>see the
place,</i> and you will see that he is not there, you will see that
he could not be stolen thence, and therefore must conclude that he
is risen." Note, It may be of use to affect us, and may have a good
influence upon us, to come, and with an eye of faith <i>see the
place where the Lord lay.</i> See the marks he has there left of
his love in condescending so low for us; see how <i>easy</i> he has
made that <i>bed,</i> and how <i>lightsome,</i> for us, by lying in
it himself; when we look into the grave, where we expect we must
lie, to take off the terror of it, let us look into the grave where
the Lord lay; the place where <i>our Lord</i> lay, so the Syriac.
The angels own him for <i>their</i> Lord, as well as <i>we;</i> for
the <i>whole family,</i> both in heaven and earth, is <i>named from
him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p24">3. He <i>directs them</i> to go <i>carry
the tidings</i> of it to his disciples (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.7" parsed="|Matt|28|7|0|0" passage="Mt 28:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>); Go <i>quickly, and tell his
disciples.</i> It is probable that they were for entertaining
themselves with the sight of the sepulchre and discourse with the
angels. It was good to be here, but they have other work appointed
them; <i>this is a day of good tidings,</i> and though they have
the <i>premier seisin</i> of the comfort, the <i>first taste</i> of
it, yet they must not have the <i>monopoly</i> of it, must not hold
their peace, any more than those lepers, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.7.9" parsed="|2Kgs|7|9|0|0" passage="2Ki 7:9">2 Kings vii. 9</scripRef>. They must go <i>tell the
disciples.</i> Note, Public usefulness to others must be preferred
before the pleasure of secret communion with God ourselves; for
<i>it is more blessed to give than to receive.</i> Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p25">(1.) The <i>disciples</i> of Christ must
first be <i>told the news;</i> not, Go, tell the <i>chief
priests</i> and the <i>Pharisees,</i> that they may be
<i>confounded;</i> but, Tell the disciples, that they may be
<i>comforted.</i> God anticipates the joy of his friends more than
the <i>shame</i> of his enemies, though the perfection of both is
reserved for hereafter. <i>Tell his disciples;</i> it may be they
will believe your report, however tell them, [1.] That they may
encourage themselves under their present sorrows and dispersions.
It was a dismal time with them, between grief and fear; what a
cordial would this be to them now, to hear, <i>their Master is
risen!</i> [2.] That they may enquire further into it themselves.
This alarm was sent them, to awaken them from that strange
stupidity which had seized them, and to raise their expectations.
This was to set them on seeking him, and to prepare them for his
appearance to them. General hints excite to closer searches. They
shall now hear of him, but shall very shortly see him. Christ
discovers himself <i>gradually.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p26">(2.) The <i>women</i> are sent to tell it
to them, and so are made, as it were, the <i>apostles of the
apostles.</i> This was an honour put upon them, and a recompence
for their constant affectionate adherence to him, at the cross, and
in the grave, and a rebuke to the disciples who forsook him. Still
God chooses the weak things of the world, to confound the mighty,
and puts the treasure, not only into <i>earthen</i> vessels, but
here into the <i>weaker</i> vessels; as <i>the woman, being
deceived</i> by the suggestions of an evil angel, <i>was first in
the transgression</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.14" parsed="|1Tim|2|14|0|0" passage="1Ti 2:14">1 Tim. ii.
14</scripRef>), so these women, being duly informed by the
instructions of a good angel, were first in the belief of the
redemption from transgression by Christ's resurrection, that that
reproach of their sex might be rolled away, by putting this in the
balance against it, which is their perpetual praise.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p27">(3.) They were bid to <i>go quickly</i>
upon this errand. Why, what haste was there? Would not the news
keep cold, and be welcome to them at any time? Yes, but they were
now overwhelmed with grief, and Christ would have this cordial
hastened to them; when Daniel was humbling himself before God for
sin, the angel Gabriel was caused to fly <i>swiftly</i> with a
message of comfort, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Dan.9.21" parsed="|Dan|9|21|0|0" passage="Da 9:21">Dan. ix.
21</scripRef>. We must always be ready and forward; [1.] To obey
the commands of God, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.60" parsed="|Ps|119|60|0|0" passage="Ps 119:60">Ps. cxix.
60</scripRef>. [2.] To do good to our brethren, and to carry
comfort to them, as those that felt from their afflictions; <i>Say
not, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give;</i> but now
quickly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p28">(4.) They were directed to appoint the
disciples to <i>meet him in Galilee.</i> There were other
appearances of Christ to them before that in <i>Galilee,</i> which
were sudden and surprising; but he would have one to be solemn and
public, and gave them notice of it before. Now this general
rendezvous was appointed in Galilee, eighty or a hundred miles from
Jerusalem; [1.] <i>In kindness</i> to those of his disciples that
remained in Galilee, and <i>did not</i> (perhaps they <i>could
not</i>) come up to Jerusalem; into that country therefore he would
go, to manifest himself to his friends there. <i>I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest.</i> Christ knows where his disciples
dwell, and will visit there. Note, The exaltation of Christ doth
not make him forget the meaner and poorer sort of his disciples,
but even to them that are at a distance from the plenty of the
means of grave he will graciously <i>manifest himself.</i> [2.] In
consideration of the weakness of his disciples that were now at
Jerusalem, who as yet were <i>afraid of the Jews,</i> and durst not
appear publicly, and therefore this meeting was adjourned to
Galilee. Christ knows our fears, and considers our frame, and made
his appointment where there was least danger of disturbance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p29"><i>Lastly,</i> The angel solemnly affirms
upon his word the truth of what he had related to them; "<i>Lo, I
have told you,</i> you may be assured of it, and depend upon it;
<i>I</i> have told you, who dare not tell a lie." <i>The word
spoken by angels was stedfast,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.2" parsed="|Heb|2|2|0|0" passage="Heb 2:2">Heb.
ii. 2</scripRef>. God had been wont formerly to make known his mind
to his people by the ministration of angels, as at the giving of
the law; but as he intended in gospel times to lay aside that way
of communication (for <i>unto the angels hath he not put in
subjection the world to come,</i> nor appointed them to be the
preachers of the gospel), this angel was <i>now</i> sent to certify
the resurrection of Christ to the disciples, and so leave it in
their hands to be published to the world, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.7" parsed="|2Cor|4|7|0|0" passage="2Co 4:7">2 Cor. iv. 7</scripRef>. In saying, <i>Lo, I have told
you,</i> he doth, as it were, discharge himself from the blame of
their unbelief, if they should not receive this record, and throw
it upon them; "<i>I have done my errand,</i> I have faithfully
delivered my message, now look you to it, believe it at your peril;
whether you will hear or whether you will forbear, <i>I have told
you.</i>" Note, Those messengers from God, that discharge their
trust faithfully, may take the comfort of that, whatever the
success be, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.26-Acts.20.27" parsed="|Acts|20|26|20|27" passage="Ac 20:26,27">Acts xx. 26,
27</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p30">IV. The women's <i>departure</i> from the
<i>sepulchre,</i> to bring notice to the disciples, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.8" parsed="|Matt|28|8|0|0" passage="Mt 28:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. And observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p31">1. What frame and temper of spirit they
were in; They <i>departed with fear and great joy;</i> a strange
mixture, fear and joy at the same time, in the same soul. To hear
that Christ was risen, was matter of joy; but to be led into his
grave, and to see an angel, and talk with him about it, could not
but cause fear. It was good news, but they were <i>afraid</i> that
it was too <i>good</i> to be true. But observe, it is said of their
<i>joy,</i> I was <i>great</i> joy; it is not said so of their
fear. Note, (1.) Holy fear has joy attending it. They that serve
the Lord with <i>reverence,</i> serve him with <i>gladness.</i>
(2.) Spiritual joy is mixed with trembling, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.11" parsed="|Ps|2|11|0|0" passage="Ps 2:11">Ps. ii. 11</scripRef>. It is only perfect love and joy
that will cast out all fear.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p32">2. What haste they made; <i>They did
run.</i> The fear and joy together quickened their pace, and added
wings to their motion; the angel bid them <i>go quickly,</i> and
they <i>ran.</i> Those that are sent on God's errand must not
loiter, or lose time; where the <i>heart</i> is <i>enlarged</i>
with the glad tidings of the gospel, the feet will <i>run the way
of God's commandments.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p33">3. What errand they went upon; They ran, to
<i>bring his disciples word.</i> Not doubting but it would be
joyful news to them, they ran, to comfort them with the same
comforts wherewith they themselves were comforted of God. Note, The
disciples of Christ should be forward to communicate to each other
their experiences of sweet communion with heaven; should tell
others what God has <i>done for their souls,</i> and spoken to
them. Joy in Christ Jesus, like the ointment of the right hand,
will betray itself, and fill all places within the lines of its
communication with its odours. When Samson found honey, he brought
it to his parents.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p34">V. Christ's appearing to the women, to
confirm the testimony of the angel, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.9-Matt.28.10" parsed="|Matt|28|9|28|10" passage="Mt 28:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. These zealous good women
not only heard the first tidings of him, but had the first sight of
him, after his resurrection. The angel directed those that would
see him, to go to Galilee, but before that time came, even <i>here
also,</i> they <i>looked after him</i> that lives, and sees them.
Note, Jesus Christ is often better than his word, but never worse;
often anticipates, but never frustrates, the believing expectations
of his people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p35">Here is, 1. Christ's surprising appearance
to the women; <i>As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus
met them.</i> Note, God's gracious visits usually meet us in the
way of duty, and to those who use what they have for others'
benefit, more shall be given. This interview with Christ was
unexpected, <i>or ever they were aware,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.12" parsed="|Song|6|12|0|0" passage="So 6:12">Cant. vi. 12</scripRef>. Note, Christ is nearer to his
people than they imagine. They needed not <i>descend into the
deep,</i> to fetch Christ thence; he <i>was not there, he was
risen;</i> nor <i>go up to heaven,</i> for he <i>was not yet
ascended:</i> but Christ was <i>high them,</i> and still in <i>the
word is nigh us.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p36">2. The salutation wherewith he accosted
them; <i>All hail</i>—<b><i>chairete</i></b>. We use the old
<i>English form of salutation,</i> wishing <i>all health</i> to
those we meet; for so <i>All hail</i> signifies, and is expressive
of the Greek form of salutation here used, answering to that of the
Hebrew, <i>Peace be unto you.</i> And it bespeaks, (1.) The
good-will of Christ to us and our happiness, even since he entered
upon his state of exaltation. Though he is advanced, he wishes us
as well as ever, and is as much concerned for our comfort. (2.) The
freedom and holy familiarity which he used in his fellowship with
his disciples; for he called them <i>friends.</i> But the Greek
word signifies, <i>Rejoice ye.</i> They were affected both with
<i>fear</i> and <i>joy;</i> what he said to them tended to
encourage their joy (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.9" parsed="|Matt|28|9|0|0" passage="Mt 28:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>), <i>Rejoice ye,</i> and to silence their fear
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.10" parsed="|Matt|28|10|0|0" passage="Mt 28:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), <i>Be not
afraid.</i> Note, It is the will of Christ that his people should
be a cheerful joyful people, and his resurrection furnishes them
with abundant matter for joy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p37">3. The affectionate respect they paid him;
<i>They came, and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.</i>
Thus they expressed, (1.) The <i>reverence</i> and <i>honour</i>
they had <i>for</i> him; they threw themselves at his feet, put
themselves into a posture of adoration, and <i>worshipped him</i>
with humility and godly fear, as the Son of God, and now exalted.
(2.) The <i>love</i> and <i>affection</i> they had <i>to</i> him;
they <i>held him, and would not let him go,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.4" parsed="|Song|3|4|0|0" passage="So 3:4">Cant. iii. 4</scripRef>. How <i>beautiful</i> were the
<i>feet of the Lord Jesus</i> to them! <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p37.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.7" parsed="|Isa|52|7|0|0" passage="Isa 52:7">Isa. lii. 7</scripRef>. (3.) The <i>transport of joy</i>
they were in, now that they had this further assurance of his
resurrection; they welcomed it with both arms. Thus we must embrace
Jesus Christ offered us in the gospel, with <i>reverence</i> cast
ourselves at his feet, by faith <i>take hold</i> of him, and with
love and joy lay him near our hearts.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p38">4. The encouraging words Christ said to
them, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.10" parsed="|Matt|28|10|0|0" passage="Mt 28:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. We do
not find that they said any thing to him, their affectionate
embraces and adorations spoke plainly enough; and what he said to
them was no more than what the angel had said (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.5-Matt.28.6" parsed="|Matt|28|5|28|6" passage="Mt 28:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 7</scripRef>); for he will <i>confirm the
word of his messengers</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p38.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.26" parsed="|Isa|44|26|0|0" passage="Isa 44:26">Isa.
xliv. 26</scripRef>); and his way of <i>comforting</i> his people,
is, by his Spirit to speak over again to their hearts the same that
they had heard before from <i>his angels,</i> the ministers. Now
observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p39">(1.) How he rebukes their fear; <i>Be not
afraid.</i> They must not fear being imposed upon by these repeated
notices of his resurrection, nor fear any hurt from the appearance
of one from the dead; for the news, though strange, was both
<i>true</i> and <i>good.</i> Note, Christ arose from the dead, to
silence his people's fears, and there is enough in that to silence
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p40">(2.) How he repeats their message; "<i>Go,
tell my brethren,</i> that they must prepare for a journey into
Galilee, and there <i>they shall see me.</i>" If there be any
communion between our souls and Christ, it is he that <i>appoints
the meeting,</i> and he will observe the appointment. Jerusalem had
forfeited the honour of Christ's presence, it was a
<i>tumultuous</i> city, therefore he adjourns the meeting to
Galilee. <i>Come, my beloved, let us go forth,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.7.11" parsed="|Song|7|11|0|0" passage="So 7:11">Cant. vii. 11</scripRef>. But that which is
especially observable here, is, that he calls his disciples <i>his
brethren.</i> Go, tell <i>my brethren,</i> not only those of them
that were akin to him, but all the rest, for they are all his
brethren (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.50" parsed="|Matt|12|50|0|0" passage="Mt 12:50"><i>ch.</i> xii.
50</scripRef>), but he never called them so till after his
resurrection, here and <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p40.3" osisRef="Bible:John.20.17" parsed="|John|20|17|0|0" passage="Joh 20:17">John xx.
17</scripRef>. Being by the resurrection himself declared to be the
<i>Son of God with power,</i> all the children of God were thereby
declared to be <i>his brethren.</i> Being the <i>First-begotten
from the dead,</i> he is become the <i>First-born among many
brethren,</i> even of all that are planted together in the likeness
of his resurrection. Christ did not now converse so constantly and
familiarly with his disciples as he had done before his death; but,
lest they should think him grown strange to them, he gives them
this endearing title, <i>Go to my brethren,</i> that the scripture
might be fulfilled, which, speaking of his entrance upon his
exalted state, saith, <i>I will declare thy name unto my
brethren.</i> They had shamefully <i>deserted</i> him in his
sufferings; but, to show that he could forgive and forget, and to
teach us to do so, he not only continues his purpose to <i>meet</i>
them, but calls them <i>brethren.</i> Being all <i>his
brethren,</i> they were <i>brethren</i> one to another, and must
love as brethren. His owning them for his brethren put a great
honour upon them, but withal gave them an example of humility in
the midst of that honour.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Matt.xxix-p40.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.11-Matt.28.15" parsed="|Matt|28|11|28|15" passage="Mt 28:11-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Matt.28.11-Matt.28.15">
<h4 id="Matt.xxix-p40.5">The Resurrection.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Matt.xxix-p41">11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the
watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the
things that were done.   12 And when they were assembled with
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the
soldiers,   13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night,
and stole him <i>away</i> while we slept.   14 And if this
come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
  15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and
this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p42">For the further proof of the resurrection
of Christ, we have here the confession of the adversaries that were
upon the guard; and there are two things which strengthen this
testimony—that they were <i>eye-witnesses,</i> and did themselves
see the glory of the resurrection, which none else did—and that
they were <i>enemies,</i> set there to oppose and obstruct his
resurrection. Now observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p43">I. How this testimony was <i>given in</i>
to the chief priests (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.11" parsed="|Matt|28|11|0|0" passage="Mt 28:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>); <i>when</i> the women <i>were going</i> to bring
that news to the disciples, which would <i>fill their hearts with
joy,</i> the soldiers went to bring the same news to the chief
priests, which would <i>fill their faces with shame. Some of the
watch,</i> probably those of them that commanded in chief, <i>came
into the city,</i> and brought to those who employed them, the
report of their disappointment. <i>They showed to the chief priests
all the things that were done;</i> told them of the earthquake, the
descent of the angel, the rolling of the stone away, and the coming
of the body of Jesus alive out of the grave. Thus the <i>sign</i>
of the prophet Jonas was brought to the chief priests with the most
clear and incontestable evidence that could be; and so the utmost
means of conviction were afforded them; we may well imagine what a
mortification it was to them, and that, like the enemies of the
Jews, they were <i>much cast down in their own eyes,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p43.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.6.16" parsed="|Neh|6|16|0|0" passage="Ne 6:16">Neh. vi. 16</scripRef>. It might justly have been
expected that they should now have believed in Christ, and repented
their putting him to death; but they were obstinate in their
infidelity, and therefore sealed up under it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p44">II. How it was baffled and stifled by them.
They called an assembly, and considered what was to be done. For
their own parts, they were resolved not to believe that Jesus was
risen; but their care was, to keep others from believing, and
themselves from being quite ashamed from their disbelief of it.
They had put him to death, and there was no way of standing to what
they had done, but by confronting the evidence of his resurrection.
Thus they who have sold themselves to work wickedness, find that
one sin draws on another, and that they have plunged themselves
into a wretched necessity of <i>adding iniquity to iniquity,</i>
which is part of the curse of Christ's persecutors, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.69.27" parsed="|Ps|69|27|0|0" passage="Ps 69:27">Ps. lxix. 27</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p45">The result of their debate was, that those
soldiers must by all means be bribed off, and hired not to tell
tales.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p46">1. They <i>put money into their hands;</i>
and what wickedness is it which men will not be brought to by the
love of money? They <i>gave large money,</i> probably a great deal
more than they gave to Judas, unto <i>the soldiers.</i> These chief
priests loved their money as well as most people did, and were as
loth to part with it; and yet, to carry on a malicious design
against the gospel of Christ, they were very prodigal of it; they
gave the soldiers, it is likely, as much as they asked, and they
knew how to improve their advantages. Here was <i>large money</i>
given for the advancing of that which they knew to be a lie, yet
many grudge a little money for the advancement of that which they
know to be the truth, though they have a promise of being
reimbursed in the resurrection of the just. Let us never starve a
good cause, when we see a bad one so liberally supported.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p47">2. They <i>put a lie into their mouths</i>
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.13" parsed="|Matt|28|13|0|0" passage="Mt 28:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>); <i>Say ye,
His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept;</i>
a sorry shift is better than none, but this is a sorry one indeed.
(1.) The sham was <i>ridiculous,</i> and carried along with it its
own confutation. If <i>they slept,</i> how could they know any
thing of the matter, or say who came? If <i>any one</i> of them was
awake to <i>observe it,</i> no doubt, he would awake them all to
<i>oppose it;</i> for that was the only thing they had in charge.
It was altogether improbable that a company of poor, weak,
cowardly, dispirited men should expose themselves for so
inconsiderable an achievement as the rescue of the dead body. Why
were not the houses where they lodged diligently searched, and
other means used to discover the dead body; but this was so thin a
lie as one might easily see through. But had it been ever so
plausible, (2.) It was a wicked thing for these priests and elders
to hire those soldiers to tell a deliberate lie (if it had been in
a matter of ever so small importance), against their consciences.
Those know not what they do, who draw others to commit one wilful
sin; for that may debauch conscience, and be an inlet to many. But,
(3.) Considering this as intended to overthrow the great doctrine
of Christ's resurrection, this was a sin against the last remedy,
and was, in effect, a blasphemy <i>against the Holy Ghost,</i>
imputing <i>that</i> to the roguery of the disciples, which was
done by <i>the power of the Holy Ghost.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p48">But lest the soldiers should object the
penalty they incurred by the Roman law for <i>sleeping upon the
guard,</i> which was very severe (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.12.19" parsed="|Acts|12|19|0|0" passage="Ac 12:19">Acts
xii. 19</scripRef>), they promised to interpose with the governor;
"<i>We will persuade him, and secure you.</i> We will use our own
interest in him, to get him not to take notice of it;" and they had
lately found how easily they could manage him. If really these
soldiers had slept, and so suffered the disciples to steal him
away, as they would have the world believe, the priests and elders
would certainly have been the forwardest to solicit the governor to
punish them for their treachery; so that <i>their</i> care for the
soldiers' safety plainly gives the lie to the story. They undertook
to <i>secure</i> them from the sword of Pilate's justice, but could
not secure them from the sword of God's justice, which hangs over
the head of those that love and make a lie. <i>They</i> promise
more than they can perform who undertake to save a man harmless in
the commission of a wilful sin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p49">Well, thus was the plot laid; now what
success had it?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p50">[1.] Those that were <i>willing to
deceive,</i> took the money, and did as they were taught. They
cared as little for Christ and his religion as the chief priests
and elders did; and men that have no religion at all, can be very
well pleased to see Christianity run down, and lend a hand to it,
if need be, to serve a turn. They <i>took the money;</i> that was
it they aimed at, and nothing else. Note, Money is a bait for the
blackest temptation; mercenary tongues will sell the truth for
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p51">The great argument to prove Christ to be
the Son of God, is, his resurrection, and none could have more
convincing proofs of the truth of that than these soldiers had;
they saw the angel descend from heaven, saw the stone rolled away,
saw the body of Christ come out of the grave, unless the
consternation they felt hindered them; and yet they were so far
from being convinced by it themselves, that they were hired to
belie him, and to hinder others from believing in him. Note, The
most sensible evidence will not convince men, without the
concurring operation of the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p52">[2.] Those that were willing to be
deceived, not only credited, but propagated, the story; This
<i>saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.</i>
The sham took well enough, and answered the end. The Jews, who
persisted in their infidelity, when they were pressed with the
argument of Christ's resurrection, had this still ready to reply,
<i>His disciples came, and stole him away.</i> To this purport was
the solemn narrative, which (as Justin Martyr relates in his
dialogue with Typho the Jew) the great sanhedrim sent to all the
Jews of the dispersion concerning this affair, exciting them to a
vigorous resistance of Christianity—that, <i>when they had
crucified, and buried him, the disciples came by night, and stole
him out of the sepulchre,</i> designing thereby not only to
overthrow the truth of Christ's resurrection, but to render his
disciples odious to the world, as the greatest villains in nature.
When once a lie is raised, none knows how far it will spread, nor
how long it will last, nor what mischief it will do. Some give
another sense of this passage, <i>This saying is commonly
reported,</i> that is, "Notwithstanding the artifice of the chief
priests, thus to impose upon the people, the collusion that was
between them and the soldiers, and the money that was given to
support the cheat, were commonly <i>reported</i> and whispered
among the Jews;" for one way or other <i>truth will out.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Matt.xxix-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.16-Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|16|28|20" passage="Mt 28:16-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Matt.28.16-Matt.28.20">
<h4 id="Matt.xxix-p52.2">The Apostolic Commission.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Matt.xxix-p53">16 Then the eleven disciples went away into
Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.   17
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
  18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.   19 Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:   20 Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, <i>even</i> unto the end of the world. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p54">This evangelist passes over several other
appearances of Christ, recorded by Luke and John, and hastens to
this, which was of all other the most solemn, as being promised and
appointed again and again before his death, and after his
resurrection. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p55">I. How the disciples attended his
appearance, according to the appointment (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.16" parsed="|Matt|28|16|0|0" passage="Mt 28:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>); <i>They went into Galilee,</i>
a long journey to go for one sight of Christ, but it was worth
while. They had seen him several times at Jerusalem, and yet they
went into Galilee, to see him there.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p56">1. Because he appointed them to do so.
Though it seemed a needless thing to go into Galilee, to see him
whom they might see at Jerusalem, especially when they must so soon
come back again to Jerusalem, before his ascension, yet they had
learned to obey Christ's commands and not object against them.
Note, Those who would maintain communion with Christ, must attend
him there where he has appointed. Those who have met him in one
ordinance, must attend him in another; those who have seen him at
Jerusalem, must go to Galilee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p57">2. Because that was to be a public and
general meeting. They had seen him themselves, and conversed with
him in private, but that should not excuse their attendance in a
solemn assembly, where many were to be gathered together to see
him. Note, Our communion with God in secret must not supersede our
attendance on public worship, as we have opportunity; for <i>God
loves the gates of Zion,</i> and so must we. The place was a
<i>mountain in Galilee,</i> probably the same mountain on which he
was transfigured. There they met, for privacy, and perhaps to
signify the exalted state into which he was entered, and his
advances toward the upper world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p58">II. How they were affected with the
appearance of Christ to them, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p58.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.17" parsed="|Matt|28|17|0|0" passage="Mt 28:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Now was the time that he was
<i>seen of above five hundred brethren at once,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p58.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.6" parsed="|1Cor|15|6|0|0" passage="1Co 15:6">1 Cor. xv. 6</scripRef>. Some think that they
saw him, at first, at some distance, above in the air, <b><i>ephthe
epano</i></b>—<i>He was seen above, of five hundred brethren</i>
(so they read it); which gave occasion to some to doubt, till he
<i>came nearer</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p58.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.18" parsed="|Matt|28|18|0|0" passage="Mt 28:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), and then they were satisfied. We are told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p59">1. That they <i>worshipped him;</i> many of
them did so, nay, it should seem, they all did that, they gave
divine honour to him, which was signified by some outward
expressions of adoration. Note, All that see the Lord Jesus with an
eye of faith are obliged to <i>worship him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p60">2. But <i>some doubted,</i> some of those
that were then present. Note, Even among those that <i>worship</i>
there are some that <i>doubt.</i> The faith of those that are
sincere, may yet be very weak and wavering. They <i>doubted,</i>
<b><i>edistasan</i></b>—<i>they hung in suspense,</i> as the
scales of the balance, when it is hard to say which preponderates.
These doubts were afterward removed, and their faith grew up to a
full assurance, and it tended much to the honour of Christ, that
the disciples <i>doubted</i> before they <i>believed;</i> so that
they cannot be said to be credulous, and willing to be imposed
upon; for they first <i>questioned,</i> and <i>proved all
things,</i> and then <i>held fast</i> that which was <i>true,</i>
and which they found to be so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p61">III. What Jesus Christ said to them
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p61.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.18-Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|18|28|20" passage="Mt 28:18-20"><i>v.</i> 18-20</scripRef>);
<i>Jesus came, and spoke unto them.</i> Though there were those
that doubted, yet, he did not therefore reject them; for he will
not <i>break the bruised reed.</i> He did not stand at a distance,
but <i>came near,</i> and gave them such convincing proofs of his
resurrection, as turned the wavering scale, and made their faith to
triumph over their doubts. <i>He came, and spoke</i> familiarly
<i>to them,</i> as one friend speaks to another, that they might be
fully satisfied in the commission he was about to give them. He
that <i>drew near</i> to God, to speak for us to him, <i>draws
near</i> to us, to speak from him to us. Christ now delivered to
his apostles the great charter of his kingdom in the world, was
sending them out as his ambassadors, and here gives them their
credentials.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p62">In opening this great charter, we may
observe two things.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p63">1. The commission which our Lord Jesus
received himself from the Father. Being about to <i>authorize</i>
his apostles, if any ask by what authority he doeth it, and who
gave him that authority, here he tells us, <i>All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth;</i> a very great word, and which
none but he could say. Hereby he asserts his universal dominion as
Mediator, which is the great foundation of the Christian religion.
He has <i>all power.</i> Observe, (1.) <i>Whence</i> he hath this
power. He did not assume it, or usurp it, but it was <i>given</i>
him, he was legally entitled to it, and invested in it, by a grant
from him who is the Fountain of all being, and consequently of all
power. God <i>set him King</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.6" parsed="|Ps|2|6|0|0" passage="Ps 2:6">Ps. ii.
6</scripRef>), inaugurated and enthroned him, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.32" parsed="|Luke|1|32|0|0" passage="Lu 1:32">Luke i. 32</scripRef>. As God, equal with the Father, all
power was originally and essentially <i>his;</i> but as Mediator,
as God-man, <i>all power</i> was <i>given him;</i> partly in
<i>recompence</i> of his work (because he humbled himself,
therefore God thus <i>exalted him</i>), and partly in
<i>pursuance</i> of his design; he had this <i>power</i> given him
<i>over all flesh,</i> that he might <i>give eternal life to as
many as were given him</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.3" osisRef="Bible:John.17.2" parsed="|John|17|2|0|0" passage="Joh 17:2">John xvii.
2</scripRef>), for the more effectual carrying on and completing
our salvation. This power he was now more signally invested in,
upon his resurrection, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.13.3" parsed="|Acts|13|3|0|0" passage="Ac 13:3">Acts xiii.
3</scripRef>. He had power before, <i>power to forgive sins</i>
(<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.9.6" parsed="|Matt|9|6|0|0" passage="Mt 9:6"><i>ch.</i> ix. 6</scripRef>); but now
<i>all power</i> is given him. He is now going to <i>receive for
himself a kingdom</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.19.12" parsed="|Luke|19|12|0|0" passage="Lu 19:12">Luke xix.
12</scripRef>), to sit down <i>at the right hand,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.1" parsed="|Ps|110|1|0|0" passage="Ps 110:1">Ps. cx. 1</scripRef>. Having purchased it,
nothing remains but to take possession; it is <i>his own</i> for
ever. (2.) <i>Where</i> he has this power; in <i>heaven and
earth,</i> comprehending the universe. Christ is the sole universal
Monarch, he is <i>Lord of all,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.8" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.36" parsed="|Acts|10|36|0|0" passage="Ac 10:36">Acts x. 36</scripRef>. He has all <i>power in
heaven.</i> He has power of dominion over the angels, they are all
his humble servants, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p63.9" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.20-Eph.1.21" parsed="|Eph|1|20|1|21" passage="Eph 1:20,21">Eph. i. 20,
21</scripRef>. He has power of intercession with his Father, in the
virtue of his satisfaction and atonement; he intercedes, not as a
suppliant, but as a demandant; <i>Father, I will.</i> He has <i>all
power on earth</i> too; having prevailed with God, by the sacrifice
of atonement, he prevails with men, and deals with them as one
having authority, by the ministry of reconciliation. He is indeed,
in all causes and over all persons, supreme Moderator and Governor.
<i>By him kings reign.</i> All souls are his, and to him
<i>every</i> heart and <i>knee must bow,</i> and <i>every tongue
confess</i> him to be the <i>Lord.</i> This our Lord Jesus tells
them, not only to satisfy them of the authority he had to
commission them, and to bring them out in the execution of their
commission, but to take off the offence of the cross; they had no
reason to be ashamed of <i>Christ crucified,</i> when they saw him
<i>thus glorified.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p64">2. The commission he gives to those whom he
sent forth; <i>Go ye therefore.</i> This commission is given, (1.)
To the <i>apostles</i> primarily, the chief ministers of state in
Christ's kingdom, the architects that laid the foundation of the
church. Now those that had followed Christ in the regeneration,
were <i>set on thrones</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p64.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.30" parsed="|Luke|22|30|0|0" passage="Lu 22:30">Luke xxii.
30</scripRef>); <i>Go ye.</i> It is not only a word of command,
like that, <i>Son, go work,</i> but a word of encouragement,
<i>Go,</i> and <i>fear not, have I not sent you?</i> Go, and make a
business of this work. They must not <i>take state,</i> and issue
out summons to the nations to attend upon them; but they must go,
and bring the gospel to their doors, <i>Go ye.</i> They had doted
on Christ's <i>bodily presence,</i> and hung upon <i>that,</i> and
built all their joys and hopes upon <i>that;</i> but now Christ
discharges them from further attendance on his person, and sends
them abroad about other work. <i>As an eagle stirs up her nest,
flutters over her young,</i> to excite them to fly (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p64.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.11" parsed="|Deut|32|11|0|0" passage="De 32:11">Deut. xxxii. 11</scripRef>), so Christ stirs up
his disciples, to disperse themselves over all the world. (2.) It
is given to their successors, the ministers of the gospel, whose
business it is to transmit the gospel from age to age, to the end
of the world in time, as it was theirs to transmit it from nation
to nation, to the end of the world in place, and no less necessary.
The Old-Testament promise of a gospel ministry is made to a
succession (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p64.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.59.21" parsed="|Isa|59|21|0|0" passage="Isa 59:21">Isa. lix. 21</scripRef>);
and this must be so understood, otherwise how could Christ be with
them always to the <i>consummation of the world?</i> Christ, at his
ascension, gave not only apostles and prophets, but <i>pastors and
teachers,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p64.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.11" parsed="|Eph|4|11|0|0" passage="Eph 4:11">Eph. iv. 11</scripRef>.
Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p65">[1.] How far his commission is extended; to
<i>all nations.</i> Go, and disciples <i>all nations.</i> Not that
they must go all together into every place, but by consent disperse
themselves in such manner as might best <i>diffuse</i> the light of
the gospel. Now this plainly signifies it to be the will of Christ,
<i>First,</i> That the covenant of peculiarity, made with the Jews,
should now be cancelled and disannulled. This word broke down the
middle wall of partition, which had so long excluded the Gentiles
from a visible church-state; and whereas the apostles, when first
sent out, were forbidden to go into the way of the Gentiles, now
they were sent to <i>all nations. Secondly,</i> That salvation by
Christ should be offered to all, and none excluded that did not by
their unbelief and impenitence exclude themselves. The salvation
they were to preach is a <i>common salvation;</i> whoever will, let
him come, and take the benefit of the <i>act of indemnity;</i> for
there is no difference of Jew or Greek in Christ Jesus.
<i>Thirdly,</i> That Christianity should be twisted in with
national constitutions, that the kingdoms of the world should
become Christ's kingdoms, and their kings the church's
nursing-fathers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p66">[2.] What is the principal intention of
this commission; to <i>disciple</i> all nations.
<b><i>Matheteusate</i></b>—"<i>Admit them disciples;</i> do your
utmost to make the nations Christian nations;" not, "Go to the
nations, and denounce the judgments of God against them, as Jonah
against Nineveh, and as the other Old-Testament prophets" (though
they had reason enough to expect it for their wickedness), "but go,
and <i>disciple them.</i>" Christ the Mediator is setting up a
kingdom in the world, bring the nations to be his subjects; setting
up a school, bring the nations to be his scholars; raising an army
for the carrying on of the war against the powers of darkness,
enlist the nations of the earth under his banner. The work which
the apostles had to do, was, to set up the Christian religion in
all places, and it was honourable work; the achievements of the
mighty heroes of the world were nothing to it. They conquered the
nations for themselves, and made them miserable; the apostles
conquered them for Christ, and made them happy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p67">[3.] Their instructions for executing this
commission.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p68"><i>First,</i> They must <i>admit
disciples</i> by the <i>sacred rite of baptism;</i> "Go into all
nations, preach the gospel to them, work miracles among them, and
persuade them to come in themselves, and bring their children with
them, into the church of Christ, and then admit them and theirs
into the church, by washing them with water;" either dipping them
in the water, or pouring or sprinkling water upon them, which seems
the more proper, because the thing is most frequently expressed so,
as <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p68.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.3" parsed="|Isa|44|3|0|0" passage="Isa 44:3">Isa. xliv. 3</scripRef>, <i>I will
pour my Spirit on thy seed.</i> And, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p68.2" osisRef="Bible:Titus.3.5-Titus.3.6" parsed="|Titus|3|5|3|6" passage="Tit 3:5,6">Tit. iii. 5, 6</scripRef>, <i>Which he shed on us
abundantly.</i> And, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p68.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.36.25" parsed="|Ezek|36|25|0|0" passage="Eze 36:25">Ezek. xxxvi.
25</scripRef>, <i>I will sprinkle clean water upon you.</i> And,
<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p68.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.15" parsed="|Isa|52|15|0|0" passage="Isa 52:15">Isa. lii. 15</scripRef>, <i>So shall
he sprinkle many nations;</i> which seems a prophecy of this
commission to <i>baptize the nations.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p69"><i>Secondly,</i> This baptism must be
administered <i>in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost.</i> That is, 1. <i>By authority from heaven,</i>
and not <i>of man;</i> for his ministers act by authority from the
three persons in the Godhead, who all concur, as to our
<i>creation,</i> so to our <i>redemption;</i> they have their
commission under the great seal of heaven, which puts an honour
upon the ordinance, though to a carnal eye, like him that
instituted it, it has <i>no form or comeliness.</i> 2. <i>Calling
upon the name</i> of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Every thing
is sanctified by prayer, and particularly the waters of baptism.
The prayer of faith obtains the presence of God with the ordinance,
which is its lustre and beauty, its life and efficacy. But, 3. It
is <i>into the name</i> (<b><i>eis to onoma</i></b>) of <i>Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost;</i> this was intended as the <i>summary</i> of
the first principles of the Christian religion, and of the new
covenant, and according to it the ancient creeds were drawn up. By
our being baptized, we solemnly profess, (1.) Our <i>assent</i> to
the scripture-revelation concerning <i>God, the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.</i> We confess our belief that there is a God, that
there is but <i>one God,</i> that in the Godhead there is a
<i>Father</i> that <i>begets,</i> a <i>Son</i> that is
<i>begotten,</i> and a Holy <i>Spirit</i> of both. We are baptized,
not into the <i>names,</i> but into the <i>name,</i> of Father,
Son, and Spirit, which plainly intimates that <i>these three are
one,</i> and <i>their name one.</i> The distinct mentioning of the
<i>three persons</i> in the Trinity, both in the <i>Christian
baptism</i> here, and in the <i>Christian blessing</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p69.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.14" parsed="|2Cor|13|14|0|0" passage="2Co 13:14">2 Cor. xiii. 14</scripRef>), as it is a full
proof of the doctrine of the Trinity, so it has done much towards
preserving it pure and entire through all ages of the church; for
nothing is more great and awful in <i>Christian assemblies</i> than
these two. (2.) Our <i>consent</i> to a covenant-relation to God,
<i>the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.</i> Baptism is a
<i>sacrament,</i> that is, it is <i>an oath; super sacramentum
dicere,</i> is <i>to say upon oath.</i> It is an oath of
<i>abjuration,</i> by which we renounce the world and the flesh, as
rivals with God for the throne in our hearts; and an oath of
<i>allegiance,</i> by which we resign and give up <i>ourselves</i>
to God, to be <i>his,</i> our own selves, our whole selves,
<i>body, soul, and spirit,</i> to be governed by his will, and made
happy in his favour; <i>we become his men,</i> so the form of
homage in our law runs. Therefore <i>baptism</i> is applied to
<i>the person,</i> as <i>livery</i> and <i>seisin</i> is given of
the premises, because it is the person that is <i>dedicated</i> to
God. [1.] It is into the name of <i>the Father,</i> believing him
to be the <i>Father of our Lord Jesus Christ</i> (for that is
principally intended here), by <i>eternal generation,</i> and
<i>our Father,</i> as our Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, to
whom therefore we resign ourselves, as our absolute <i>owner</i>
and <i>proprietor,</i> to actuate us, and dispose of us; as our
supreme <i>rector</i> and <i>governor,</i> to rule us, as free
agents, by his law; and as our <i>chief good,</i> and
<i>highest</i> end. [2.] It is into the name of <i>the Son,</i> the
<i>Lord Jesus Christ,</i> the <i>Son of God,</i> and
<i>correlate</i> to the Father. Baptism was in a particular manner
administered <i>in the name of the Lord Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p69.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.16 Bible:Acts.19.5" parsed="|Acts|8|16|0|0;|Acts|19|5|0|0" passage="Ac 8:16,19:5">Acts viii. 16; xix. 5</scripRef>. In baptism
we <i>assent,</i> as Peter did, <i>Thou art Christ, the Son of the
living God</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p69.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.16.16" parsed="|Matt|16|16|0|0" passage="Mt 16:16"><i>ch.</i> xvi.
16</scripRef>), and <i>consent,</i> as Thomas did, <i>My Lord, and
my God,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p69.4" osisRef="Bible:John.20.28" parsed="|John|20|28|0|0" passage="Joh 20:28">John xx. 28</scripRef>.
We take Christ to be our Prophet, Priest, and King, and give up
ourselves to be taught, and saved, and ruled, by him. [3.] It is
into the name of <i>the Holy Ghost.</i> Believing the Godhead of
the Holy Spirit, and his agency in carrying on our redemption, we
give up ourselves to his conduct and operation, as our sanctifier,
teacher, guide, and comforter.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p70"><i>Thirdly,</i> Those that are thus
baptized, and enrolled among the disciples of Christ, must be
taught (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p70.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.20" parsed="|Matt|28|20|0|0" passage="Mt 28:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>);
<i>Teaching them to observe all thing, whatsoever I have commanded
you.</i> This denotes two things.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p71">1. The duty of <i>disciples,</i> of all
<i>baptized Christians;</i> they must observe all things whatsoever
Christ has commanded, and, in order to that, must submit to the
teaching of those whom he sends. Our admission into the visible
church is in order to something further; when Christ hath
<i>discipled</i> us, he hath not <i>done with us;</i> he
<i>enlist</i> soldiers that he may <i>train them</i> up for his
service.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p72">All that are baptized, are thereby obliged,
(1.) To make the command of Christ their rule. There is a <i>law of
faith,</i> and we are said to be <i>under the law to Christ;</i> we
are by baptism <i>bound,</i> and must <i>obey.</i> (2.) To
<i>observe</i> what Christ has commanded. Due <i>obedience</i> to
the commands of Christ requires a diligent observation; we are in
danger of missing, if we take not <i>good heed:</i> and in all our
obedience, we must have an eye to the command, and do what we do as
unto the Lord. (3.) To observe <i>all things,</i> that he has
commanded, without exception; all the <i>moral</i> duties, and all
the <i>instituted</i> ordinances. Our obedience to the laws of
Christ is not <i>sincere,</i> if it be not universal; we must
<i>stand complete in his whole will.</i> (4.) To confine themselves
to the commands of Christ, and as not to <i>diminish</i> from them,
so not to <i>add</i> to them. (5.) To learn their duty according to
the law of Christ, from those whom he has appointed to be teachers
in his school, for <i>therefore</i> we were entered into his
school.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p73">2. The duty of the apostles of Christ, and
his ministers; and that is, to <i>beach</i> the commands of Christ,
to expound them to his disciples, to press upon them the necessity
of obedience, and to assist them in applying the general commands
of Christ to particular cases. They must teach <i>them,</i> not
their own inventions, but the institutions of Christ; to them they
must religiously adhere, and in the knowledge of <i>them</i>
Christians must be <i>trained up.</i> A <i>standing</i> ministry is
hereby <i>settled</i> in the church, for the <i>edifying</i> of the
body of Christ, <i>till we all come to the perfect man,</i>
<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p73.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.11-Eph.4.13" parsed="|Eph|4|11|4|13" passage="Eph 4:11-13">Eph. iv. 11-13</scripRef>. The
heirs of heaven, till they come to age, must be <i>under tutors and
governors.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p74">3. Here is the assurance he gives them of
his spiritual presence with them in the execution of this
commission; <i>And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world.</i> This exceeding great and precious promise is ushered
in with a <i>behold,</i> to strengthen their faith, and engage
their observation of it. "Take notice of this; it is what you may
assure yourselves of and venture upon." Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p75">(1.) The favour promised them; <i>I am with
you.</i> Not, <i>I will be</i> with you, but <i>I am</i>—<b><i>ego
eimi</i></b>. As God sent Moses, so Christ sent his apostles, by
this name, <i>I am;</i> for he is God, to whom past, present, and
to come, are the same. See <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p75.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.8" parsed="|Rev|1|8|0|0" passage="Re 1:8">Rev. i.
8</scripRef>. He was now about to leave them; his bodily presence
was now to be removed from them, and this grieved them; but he
assures them of his <i>spiritual</i> presence, which was more
expedient for them than his bodily presence could be; <i>I am with
you;</i> that is, "My Spirit is with you, the Comforter shall
<i>abide with you,</i> <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p75.2" osisRef="Bible:John.16.7" parsed="|John|16|7|0|0" passage="Joh 16:7">John xvi.
7</scripRef>. I am <i>with you,</i> and not <i>against you:</i>
with you to take your part, to be on your side, and to <i>hold</i>
with you, as Michael our prince is said to do, <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p75.3" osisRef="Bible:Dan.10.21" parsed="|Dan|10|21|0|0" passage="Da 10:21">Dan. x. 21</scripRef>. I am <i>with you,</i> and not
<i>absent from you,</i> not at a distance; I am a very <i>present
help,</i>" <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p75.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.46.1" parsed="|Ps|46|1|0|0" passage="Ps 46:1">Ps. xlvi. 1</scripRef>.
Christ was now sending them to set up his kingdom in the world,
which was a great undertaking. And then doth he seasonably promise
them his presence with them, [1.] To <i>carry them</i> on through
the difficulties they were likely to meet with. "I am with you, to
<i>bear you up,</i> to plead your cause; with you in all your
services, in all your sufferings, to bring you through them with
comfort and honour. <i>When you go through the fire or water, I
will be with you.</i> In the pulpit, in the prison, <i>lo, I am
with you.</i>" [2.] To <i>succeed</i> this great undertaking; "Lo,
<i>I am with you,</i> to make your ministry effectual for the
discipling of the nations, for the <i>pulling down</i> of the
strong holds of Satan, and the setting up of stronger for the Lord
Jesus." It was an unlikely thing that they should unhinge national
constitutions in religion, and turn the stream of so long a usage;
that they should <i>establish</i> a doctrine so directly contrary
to the genius of the age, and persuade people to become the
disciples of a <i>crucified</i> Jesus; but <i>lo, I am with
you,</i> and therefore you shall <i>gain your point.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p76">(2.) The continuance of the favour,
<i>always, even unto the end of the world.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p77">[1.] They shall have his <i>constant</i>
presence; <i>Always,</i> <b><i>pasas tas hemeras</i></b>—<i>all
days,</i> every day. "I will be with you on sabbath days and week
days, fair days and foul days, winter days and summer days." There
is no day, no hour of the day, in which our Lord Jesus is not
present with his churches and with his ministers; if there were,
that day, that hour, they were undone. Since his resurrection he
had appeared to them <i>now and then,</i> once a week it may be,
and scarcely that. But he assures them that they shall have his
spiritual presence continued to them without intermission. Wherever
we are the word of Christ is nigh us, even <i>in our mouth,</i> and
the Spirit of Christ nigh us, even <i>in our hearts.</i> The <i>God
of Israel,</i> the <i>Saviour,</i> is sometimes <i>a God that
hideth himself</i> (<scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p77.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.15" parsed="|Isa|45|15|0|0" passage="Isa 45:15">Isa. xlv.
15</scripRef>), but never a God that absenteth himself; sometimes
<i>in the dark,</i> but never <i>at a distance.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p78">[2.] They shall have his perpetual
presence, even to <i>the end of the world.</i> There is a world
before us, that will never have an end, but this is hastening
towards its period; and even till then the Christian religion
shall, in one part of the world or other, be <i>kept up,</i> and
the presence of Christ continued with his ministers. I am with you
<i>to the end of the world,</i> not with your persons, they died
quickly, but, <i>First,</i> With <i>you and your writings.</i>
There is a divine power going along with the scripture of the New
Testament, not only preserving them in being, but producing strange
effects by them, which will continue to the end of time.
<i>Secondly,</i> With you and <i>your successors;</i> with you and
all the ministers of the gospel in the several ages of the church;
with all to whom this commission extends, with all who, being duly
called and sent, thus <i>baptize</i> and thus <i>teach.</i> When
the <i>end of the world</i> is come, and the kingdom delivered up
to God, even the Father, there will then be no further need of
ministers and their ministration; but till then they shall
continue, and the great intentions of the institution shall be
answered. This is an encouraging word to all the faithful ministers
of Christ, that what was said to the apostles, was said to them
all, <i>I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p79">Two solemn farewells we find our Lord Jesus
giving to his church, and his parting word at both of them is very
encouraging; one was here, when he closed up his personal converse
with them, and then his parting word was, "<i>Lo, I am with you
always;</i> I leave you, and yet still I am with you;" the other
was, when he closed up the canon of the scripture by the pen of his
beloved disciple, and then his parting word was, "<i>Surely, I come
quickly.</i> I leave you for awhile, but I will be with you again
shortly," <scripRef id="Matt.xxix-p79.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.22.20" parsed="|Rev|22|20|0|0" passage="Re 22:20">Rev. xxii. 20</scripRef>. By
this it appears that he did not part in anger, but in love, and
that it is his will we should keep up both our communion with him
and our expectation of him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Matt.xxix-p80">There is one word more remaining, which
must not be overlooked, and that is <i>Amen;</i> which is not a
cipher, intended only for a concluding word, like <i>finis</i> at
the end of a book, but it has its significancy. 1. It bespeaks
Christ's confirmation of this promise, <i>Lo, I am with you.</i> It
is his <i>Amen,</i> in whom all the promises are <i>Yea and Amen,
"Verily</i> I am, and will be, with you; I the Amen, the faithful
Witness, do assure you of it." Or, 2. It bespeaks the church's
concurrence with it, in their desire, and prayer, and expectation.
It is the evangelist's <i>Amen—So be it,</i> blessed Lord. Our
<i>Amen</i> to Christ's promises turns them into prayers. Hath
Christ promised to be present with his ministers, present in his
word, present in the assemblies of his people, though but two or
three are gathered together in his name, and this <i>always, even
to the end of the world?</i> Let us heartily say <i>Amen</i> to it;
believe that it <i>shall be so,</i> and pray that it <i>may be
so:</i> Lord, <i>Remember this word unto thy servants, upon which
thou hast caused us to hope.</i></p>
</div></div2>